Space Research Research Articles

Exploring spatial influences in feedback for international students

Space is a significant factor for teaching and learning (Goodyear & Carvalho, 2019), but it is comparably underexplored in the higher education (Ellis & Goodyear, 2016). Learning spaces have become hybrid in the post-pandemic period in higher education with physical locations having digital extensions and vice versa (Ellis & Goodyear, 2018), which allows more flexible study modes and access to richer study resources. In addition to having material properties which physically promote or prevent student engagement, space is also a social product with relational and structural aspects, which could shape social relationships and moreover, reflect or promote existing inequalities amongst students (Wong, 2024). Space may therefore impact on students’ learning experiences, including within feedback encounters. Feedback is a significant aspect of students’ learning experiences in higher education. It is well acknowledged that feedback is important for students’ learning and graduate outcomes (Hattie & Clarke, 2018). Feedback encounters, such as supervision meeting and placements, could provide valuable feedback opportunities with the characteristics of immediate and frequent dialogues. However, spatial factors could affect these feedback encounters positively and negatively (Gravett, 2022). For example, many students perceive academic office as a scary space to seek feedback (Gravett & Winstone, 2019) while in comparison, online discussion boards are perceived as more flexible and equitable spaces for feedback engagement (Zhou et al., 2023). Since little is known about students’ experiences of feedback spaces and how spatial factors affect feedback, it is important to explore students’ feedback experiences in the hybrid feedback spaces. International students are a cohort for whom feedback spaces are particularly important. They often experience relocation to the new learning spaces in different cultural contexts, and are likely to be unfamiliar with material and social perspectives of the spaces (Dai et al., 2018). Therefore, they might feel disrupted and anxious at the initial stages of their feedback encounters, which could lead to the effectiveness of these valuable feedback. Since international students make great social and economic contributions to Australia, to promote more equitable feedback experiences for those students, it is important to understand their feedback experiences in the feedback spaces, to inform co-design of inclusive and supportive feedback spaces. This poster will offer an overview of preliminary findings of a review study. The review has two research questions: 1. How has space has been incorporated as part of existing feedback models in higher education, across situated, hybrid, and digital learning situations? 2. How do feedback models account for the particular situations of international students? This work has implications for future theoretical and empirical studies about feedback and feedback spaces. This research has the potential to enrich theoretical understandings of feedback and space research in higher education. Findings from this study could also enrich the literature regarding international students and provide practical strategies for supporting international students’ acculturation. In addition, the study could give implications to education institutions about how to create inclusive and supportive hybrid learning environments, which could significantly enhance the student experience and learning outcomes.

Observing the dynamic community structure of urban travel networks based on navigation data

Dynamic community division is crucial for comprehending the interactive structure and mechanism between residents and space. Currently, there is insufficient research on dynamic community changes in travel networks regarding travel distance. This study utilizes residents’ travel trajectories to construct a multi-layer network based on travel purposes. The study establishes methods for identifying travel network communities and analyzing community evolution influence. Dynamic characteristics of travel network communities at different distances are extracted. Results show that within 3–7 km travel distance, different travel network communities exhibit continuous spatial aggregation, whereas beyond 11 km, heterogeneity is observed. Moreover, communities within 3-7 km experience drastic dynamic evolution, whereas beyond 7 km, they tend to stabilize, forming a large-scale and fixed travel mode. This study enriches the dynamic interaction research of functional space from the perspective of distance, and the experimental results provide an effective reference for urban planning and management.

자연생태 기반 STEAM 교육에서 유아가 경험한 행복의 의미

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of infants through natural ecology-based STEAM education using narrative inquiry, and to understand the meaning of happiness experienced by infants through natural ecology-based STEAM education. Methods A total of six children from 3-year-old K class at G daycare center located in I city, and three children and three girls were selected as participants in the study. Data collection will be conducted 30 times for 9 weeks from August 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022, before the interview on July 29, and after the interview on February 10, 2023 Field texts (interviews, field notes, research journals, observation data, memory boxes) were collected by data methods. Data analysis was Clandinin in accordance with the procedures of narrative exploration through participatory observation, a qualitative research method, from September 30, 2022 to October 30, 2023 & Connelly's five steps were analyzed in consideration of the narrative inquiry research procedure and the three-di-mensional inquiry space. Results Children's experiences in natural ecology-based STEAM education include ‘we (time) at a certain point’ and ‘me and you, I'll hit.’, ‘It appeared as a story (sociality)’ and ‘a place (place) where you’ and ‘I faced each other’, and it was experienced by young children through natural ecology-based STEAM education. The meaning of hap-piness was ‘Lalala heart! (positive/emotional)’, ‘one cross! (immersive/achievement)’, and ‘We fell in love! (relationship/meaning)’. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, we propose the development of STEAM education based on the natural ecology of infants and how the meaning of happiness experienced by infants in STEAM education should be fused with the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum and the center of play.

Climate change and environmental degradation in Yanomami People’s Land: Intersectional threats and the need for improved policy-making

The Yanomami are an Amazonian Indigenous people in northern Brazil and southern Venezuela. The Yanomami are considered a ‘recent contact Indigenous People’, with the first contacts with non-indigenous recorded between 1910 and 1940 and with some groups in voluntary isolation. They are one of the resilient peoples that practise their traditional way of life, which involves a strong connection to the land and the environment. Following an expert-driven literature review based on a set of available documentation on the Brazilian Indigenous Peoples, focusing on the overlapping threats that affect Indigenous Lands and triangulating the information collected with data produced on Brazilian Amazon Rainforest Monitoring Program by Satellite (PRODES) within the Space Research National Institute (INPE), this communication presents a case analysis of the main pressures and threats Yanomami People faces. The overlapped threats manifest in structural and cyclical issues, linked to the environmental crisis arising from extractives’ illegal activities, such as logging, and mining invasions, the recurrent attacks, mercury contamination of the river water, malnutrition caused by contaminated fish, scarcity of hunting, and violence committed against the people, especially women and children. Added to these multiple social, political, and environmental threats are the impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affect forest peoples. Deforestation, fires, drought, and other extreme events that are linked to climate change effects are analysed, leading to reflections on Brazilian government policies' influence and on the urgency to implement policies in defence of Indigenous Lands, the Amazon Forest, and its guardians.

Infectious diseases transmitted by animals beyond symptoms, how socioeconomic and environmental conditions can influence them

Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, and leishmaniasis, represent a global public health challenge. This study aimed to understand the impact of socioeconomic, environmental, and healthcare access variables on the incidence of infectious diseases from 2012 to 2021, investigating patterns and correlations. Variables analyzed included the number of healthcare facilities, average income, population size, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and accumulated deforestation. Multiple linear regression and correlations were used, with data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Dengue showed a strong correlation with GDP, the number of healthcare facilities, and deforestation. Chikungunya was associated with population, GDP, and deforestation. Zika showed correlations with population growth and deforestation. Leptospirosis was negatively influenced by healthcare facilities and GDP, while hantavirus infection was inversely related to population growth and healthcare facilities. Leishmaniasis had positive correlations with GDP, healthcare facilities, and deforestation. This study reveals complex interactions between socioeconomic, environmental, and health variables in the incidence of infectious diseases. Understanding these patterns is crucial for formulating effective public policies, highlighting the need for integrated and holistic strategies in the control and prevention of these diseases.

Development and Prospect of Space Debris Protection Structures for Spacecraft

Background: As the pace of human conquest of space continues to accelerate, the number of spacecraft carrying out various activities in space continues to increase, so that the available orbital space continues to decrease, the amount of space debris continues to increase, and thus the probability of orbiting spacecraft being impacted by space debris is also increasing. Research on the development of protective structures in the current state is conducive to improving the protection performance of spacecraft protective structures against space debris, reducing the occurrence of spacecraft disintegration events and spacecraft collision events, and may also promote the development of many fields through the development of new technologies. Aim: Through the latest application and development of spacecraft, the advantages and disadvantages of various protection structures are summarized, and the development trend of academic and aerospace protection engineering is analyzed. Methods: Through the latest representative patent research methods for spacecraft space debris, research content, and creative structure, the principle and characteristics of the protective structure are demonstrated. Results: By comparing the application of different spacecraft space debris protection structures, the existing problems of the current protection structures are listed, and the potential development paths and research topics are put forward Conclusion: The development of aerospace, military, and other industries benefit from the development of protective structures, and the composite spacecraft space debris protection structures have broad development prospects.

Ice Sheet Mass Changes over Antarctica Based on GRACE Data

Assessing changes of the mass balance in the Antarctic ice sheet in the context of global warming is a key focus in polar study. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal variation in the Antarctic ice sheet’s mass balance, both as a whole and by individual basins, from 2003 to 2016 and from 2018 to 2022 using GRACE RL06 data published by the Center for Space Research (CSR) and ERA-5 meteorological data. It explored the lagged relationships between mass balance and precipitation, net surface solar radiation, and temperature, and applied the random forest method to examine the relative contributions of these factors to the ice sheet’s mass balance within a nonlinear framework. The results showed that the mass loss rates of the Antarctic ice sheet during the study periods were −123.3 ± 6.2 Gt/a and −24.8 ± 52.1 Gt/a. The region with the greatest mass loss was the Amundsen Sea in West Antarctica (−488.8 ± 5.3 Gt/a and −447.9 ± 14.7 Gt/a), while Queen Maud Land experienced the most significant mass accumulation (44.9 ± 1.0 Gt/a and 30.0 ± 3.2 Gt/a). The main factors contributing to surface ablation of the Antarctic ice sheet are rising temperatures and increased surface net solar radiation, each showing a lag effect of 1 month and 2 months, respectively. Precipitation also affects the loss of the ice sheet to some extent. Over time, the contribution of precipitation to the changes in the ice sheet’s mass balance increases.

A Study on the Effect of Urban Form on the Street Interface Rhythm Based on Multisource Data and Waveform Classification

Good-quality urban street space is crucial for improving walkability. Frequency and amplitude are the main spatial characteristics of the street interface rhythm, known as a “virtual–real” relation. Exploring the mechanism influencing the urban street interface rhythm can help grasp the movement trend. In this study, the correlation between frequency and urban form is explored through a Pearson correlation analysis with multisource data, and the factors influencing the urban street interface rhythm are presented. The results indicate that frequency has a moderate negative correlation with the block scale and a moderate positive correlation with the number of pedestrian access entrances (PAE-n); the PAE-n also has a strong negative correlation with the block scale. Some spatial characteristics of outstanding streets from different countries are analyzed and discussed based on waveform classification. The regularities of interface rhythm that exist within multiple streets are found: multiple gaps on the street interface exist, acting as a “beat”, which regularly integrates or separates the street interface rhythm. The frequency and amplitude of the “beat” significantly affect streets’ walkability, and the amplitude is generally low and uniform, with good visual accessibility in all directions. A “Small Block and Dense Grid” becomes a key factor in improving walkability. Basic knowledge of the street interface rhythm in urban walking space research is supplemented by this study. Furthermore, theoretical guidance and parametric evidence are provided to improve walkability and promote the continuation of the traditional context.

Profiling muscle transcriptome in mice exposed to microgravity using gene set enrichment analysis

Space exploration’s advancement toward long-duration missions prompts intensified research on physiological effects. Despite adaptive physiological stability in some variables, persistent changes affect genome integrity, immune response, and cognitive function. Our study, utilizing multi-omics data from GeneLab, provides crucial insights investigating muscle atrophy during space mission. Leveraging NASA GeneLab’s data resources, we apply systems biology-based analyses, facilitating comprehensive understanding and enabling meta-analysis. Through transcriptomics, we establish a reference profile of biological processes underlying muscle atrophy, crucial for intervention development. We emphasize the often-overlooked role of glycosylation in muscle atrophy. Our research sheds light on fundamental molecular mechanisms, bridging gaps between space research and terrestrial conditions. This study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and data-sharing initiatives like GeneLab in advancing space medicine research.

Structural study of the intrinsically disordered tardigrade damage suppressor protein (Dsup) and its complex with DNA

Studies of proteins, found in one of the most stress-resistant animals tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus, aim to reveal molecular principles of extreme tolerance to various types of stress and developing applications based on them for medicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, and space research. Tardigrade DNA/RNA-binding damage suppressor protein (Dsup) reduces DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen spices (ROS) produced upon irradiation and oxidative stresses in Dsup-expressing transgenic organisms. This work is focused on the determination of structural features of Dsup protein and Dsup-DNA complex, which refines details of protective mechanism. For the first time, intrinsically disordered nature of Dsup protein with highly flexible structure was experimentally proven and characterized by the combination of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and computational methods. Low resolution models of Dsup protein and an ensemble of conformations were presented. In addition, we have shown that Dsup forms fuzzy complex with DNA.

The Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA): new resource for medical research in deep space.

The Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA): new resource for medical research in deep space.

From Islamic Charity to Muslim Philanthropy: Definitions Across Disciplines

ABSTRACTThe study of Muslim philanthropy is often described as an emerging, multidisciplinary space of inquiry that takes contemporary Muslim practices of generosity such as giving and volunteering alongside behavioral motivations as objects of analysis. This emerging field follows over a century of knowledge production about Islamic charitable practices and institutions stemming from early orientalist studies of legal texts on endowments to more contemporary sociological and anthropological analyses of ritual exchange and giving across various Muslim‐majority and minority societies and communities. As the study of Muslim philanthropy grows, these two literatures are often brought together in generative, if uneven ways. In this paper, we review key themes and questions in the study of Islamic charity and ask what impact it has had on the study of Muslim philanthropy. This article surveys recent literature on charitable endowments/trusts (waqf), obligatory alms giving (zakat), and “extemporaneous charity” (sadaqa). We end with an analysis of dominant definitions of philanthropy currently used in philanthropic studies to argue that non‐denominational categories like “religious charity” exclude many religious practices that Muslims consider central to their charitable actions and their motivations, a point crucially missing in much philanthropy literature.

Validation of OceanSat-3 sea surface winds for their utilization in the NCMRWF NWP assimilation systems

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched OceanSat-3, the third-generation satellite in the OceanSat series, carrying a Ku-band scatterometer in November 2022. The novelty of the OceanSat-3 scatterometer (OSCAT-3) is its high-resolution sea surface wind products generated at 12.5 km in addition to 25 km. This study aims to check the quality of OSCAT-3 winds for their possible assimilation in the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) operational Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. The newly available high-resolution OSCAT-3 wind products are validated against in-situ buoy winds and NCMRWF NWP model equivalents for six months from July to December 2023. The validation results of OSCAT-3 winds are also compared with those of the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) onboard the Meteorological Operational Satellite-C (MetOp-C) using the same method. Validation of OSCAT-3 winds against buoy winds shows that the Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) in wind speed (direction) is less than 2 m/s (15°) over the Tropics (20° N − 20° S) and slightly higher than 2 m/s (20°) over the Northern Hemisphere (20° N − 90° N), which is closer to the satellite’s mission specifications of 1.8 m/s and 20°. The RMSE in the wind speed/direction in both the scatterometer winds are less than 2 m/s (20°) over the three different geographical regions: the Tropics, Northern Hemisphere, and Southern Hemisphere, but with lower errors for ASCAT winds. The better agreement of ASCAT winds with the NWP equivalents can be attributed partially to the routine assimilation of ASCAT winds in the NCMRWF operational NWP models and also due to the frequency of operation, C-band compared to the OSCAT-3 operated in the Ku band. Since there are three distinct datasets, scatterometer winds, buoy winds, and the NWP equivalents, triple collocation is also carried out in this study. Triple collocation also shows that the errors in OSCAT-3 winds are within the mission goal. The findings from this study indicate that the OSCAT-3 vector winds are of similar quality as its predecessors (OSCAT-2 and SCATSAT-1) and can be assimilated operationally in the NCMRWF NWP models as well as in other global operational NWP models.

한 중년여성의 자아정체성탐색 경험에 대한 예술 기반 내러티브 탐구

In this study, the experience and meaning of a middle-aged woman’s self-identity search were explored in a narrative based on art. The participant of this study, Kim Min-seo (pseudonym), is a woman in her 50s. The researcher and the participant conducted a total of 10 sessions from July 26, 2022, to September 27, 2022, followed by two additional interviews 9 months later. To explore the meaning of the participant’s experiences of self-identity, formed throughout her life, the researcher employed various artistic media and techniques such as clay modeling for emotional expression, drawing family figures, writing poetry, collage-making, and reading fairy tales. Through these sensory, perceptual, cognitive, and symbolic methods, the participant was encouraged to express her life story, and the researcher engaged in discussions with the participant centered around her artistic creations. Based on the verbatim transcripts of all conversations, photographs of the participant’s artistic creations, and the researcher’s journal, a narrative of the participant’s self-identity exploration experience was constructed within a three-dimensional narrative inquiry space. The meaning of the participant’s experiences was then analyzed through this process. As a result, the meaning of the participant’s self-identity exploration experience was constructed as follows: 1. Catharsis through opening up about childhood experiences of abuse. 2. Confession and reflection on guilt related to child abuse. 3. Understanding of interpersonal conflict caused by the lack of nurturing care. 4. Discovery of a new identity for the wounded inner child. Through the relational inquiry space facilitated by her artistic creations, the participant was able to unravel various self-identity narratives embedded in her experiences of both victimhood and perpetration of abuse within the family, as well as her current interpersonal conflicts. In doing so, she discovered the symbol of a “fully bloomed yellow flower,” representing a beautiful and confident version of herself.

Space radiation measured during first-ever commercial suborbital mission on Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Unity on 29 June 2023

The paper presents the variations of space radiation (primary and secondary galactic cosmic rays (GCR) absorbed dose rate in silicon and flux) measured during the first-ever commercial suborbital flight of the Virgin Galactic (VG) SpaceShipTwo Unity on 29 June 2023. A Portable Dosimeter-Spectrometer Liulin-CNR-VG is used. It is developed in the Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS) under a scientific contract with National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy. Liulin-CNR-VG size is 63х54 × 23 mm. Its weight is 0.092 kg. During the first part of the SpaceShipTwo flight, up to 14.4 km, the dose rate rises from 0.058 μGy h-1 up to 2.5 μGy h-1. Above the altitude of 30 km, the dose rate falls to 2.2 μGy h-1, while the dose to flux ratio increases to values about 1.0 nGy cm2 particle-1. The latter confirms the outcomes of previous balloon experiments, i.e. the change of the composition of the radiation field of the GCR and secondary radiation source from predominantly light particles as electrons, pions and muons towards heavier particles as protons and neutrons. On the descending part of the flight, one maximum in the flux and dose rate curves is obtained as Regener-Pfotzer maximum (R-PM). The flux calculated by the moving avervage is equal to 1.2 cm-2 s-1 and the dose rate is equal to 2.9 μGy h-1 at an altitude of 13 km. These values are well in line with those expected in conditions of relatively high solar activity, such as during the flight. The dose rates measured by Liulin-CNR-VG are in good agreement with other Liulin data, such as those recorded during balloon flights in 2005 and 2015 and civil aviation flights. The calculated total equivalent dose rate during the VG SpaceShipTwo flight is 7.46 μSv for 1.22 h. This reveals that there is a very small radiation risk for the pilots and astronauts flying at the VG SpaceShipTwo up to 85.1 1 km altitude.

Oil pollution near the ports of Aktau, Kuryk and Ersai (the Caspian Sea): Satellite and in-situ data

To study oil pollution on the surface of the Caspian Sea in the area of the ports of Aktau, Kuryk and Ersai, the archives of radar data obtained from the synthetic aperture radars of the Sentinel-1 satellite constellation belonging to the European Space Agency for the period 2013 - 2022 were selected. For this purpose, a specialized satellite information service “See the Caspian Sea” (STCS) (http://caspian.geosmis.ru) created in 2023 jointly by Space Research Institute and Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Russian Academy of Sciences was used. This system is specifically designed for the Caspian Sea and is created on the basis of the existing “See the Sea” (STS) service, which is part of the “IKI-Monitoring” Center for Collective Use established in Space Research Institute. For a given polygon in the region of the ports of Aktau, Kuryk and Ersai, in the STCS system, time series archives consisting of more than 3,700 radar images were examined. Each image was manually analyzed to identify dark areas of reduced radar signal that could be identified as oil contamination. A total of 15 oil slicks were discovered, up to 89 km in length and up to 8 km2 in area. A satellite image of each oil slick is presented in the article, as well as its main characteristics. In addition, as part of the project “Satellite monitoring of the water areas of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk”, sea water samples were taken in the area of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk, which showed the content of oil products in the range of 0.014-0.1 mg/dm3. Thus, the resulting concentrations turned out to be less than the maximum permissible concentration of 0.1 mg per liter.

Simulation and experimental demonstration of helium purification from He/N2 mixtures by pressure swing adsorption

Terrestrial helium is an indispensable non-renewable resource used in medicine, space, electronics, and nuclear research. This paper reports a high-pressure five-step pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycle using Zeolite 5A for purification of He from dilute He/N2 mixtures. A Dual-Site Langmuir (DSL) model fitted both the low-pressure N2 and high-pressure N2 isotherm data. Dynamic column breakthrough (DCB) experiments were used to confirm volumetric equilibrium loadings. The DCB model predicted the experimental breakthrough curves for a wide range of feed compositions (100% N2, 74.5% N2, and 51.5% N2) and feed pressures (1 bar and 11.2 bar). A large experimental campaign studied the impact of various operating conditions on the He purity and recovery achievable from the PSA process. The study showed that a single-stage PSA experiment could enrich He up to 13% purity with greater than 90% recovery from a feed containing 1% He. Helium purity of 95% and a recovery of 90% can be achieved from a feed containing 10% He. All trends were predicted well by numerical simulations. A multi-objective optimization was performed to maximize helium purity and recovery for various He feed compositions. The study also showed that points from the Pareto curve can be realized experimentally.

FOCOS DE CALOR E QUEIMADAS EM UNIDADES DE CONSERVAÇÃO FEDERAIS DO PANTANAL MATO-GROSSENSE NO PERÍODO DE 2016 – 2021

The Pantanal is one of the biomes that has suffered the most from burning, mainly due to its environmental characteristics. In view of this situation, this research sought to analyze the temporal space distribution of the sources of heat and recurrent fires in the Conservation Units Federal at the pantanal mato-grossense in the period 2016 to 2021 through Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) and by the Forest Fires and Burns Program, made available by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Satellite images and analyzes of the NBR index were processed in a virtual platform (GEE) and a database was created, which were treated and generated two types of maps, the NBRs and the distribution of hotspots. The results showed that 2020 was the year with the highest occurrence of hotspots in the studied period, totaling 54,140 thousand hotspots inside of UCs. The UCs Mato-grossense Pantanal National Park, SESC-Pantanal Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Ecological Resort and the Taiamã Ecological Station, showed the highest area burned in the year 2021 throughout the study period. Compared to 2020, there was an increase in burned area in 2021 in the UCs, Taiamã Ecological Station, RPPN Reserve Jubran, RPPN Ecological Resort SESC-Pantanal, Mato-grossense Pantanal National Park. It has been shown that in UCs, RPPN Resort Farm Dorochê, RPPN Ecological Resort SESC-Pantanal, Mato-grossense Pantanal National Park the Low Severity, Low Moderate Severity and High Moderate Severity classes, which represent less dense vegetation, increased considerably from 2016 to 2021. The UCs that showed the highest burn were: RPPN Resort Farm Dorochê and Mato-grossense Pantanal National Park. The NBR in this study presented results that disagree with what actually happened in the UCs, showing that the period used in the study from July to October is not recommended, because the fires may not have occurred yet, however, it shows that for the following year when hot spots occurred, the NBR detects scars from the fires of the previous year.

Anatomic Research of the Safe Space Between the Cervical Uncinate Process and the V2 Vertebral Artery

StudyDesign Retrospective study Objective To observe and measure the safe distance between the uncinate process (UP) and the V2 vertebral artery (VA). MethodsTwo hundred and sixteen patients who underwent head and neck CTA date were selected and measured. The Upper Tip (UT) of the UP, the Posterior Tip (PT) of the UP and the Center of the VA (CA) were identified. Then, the width between the UT and the CA (WUA), the depth between the UT and the CA (DUA), the distance between the UT and the CA (LUA) were measured. Meanwhile, the width between the PT and the CA (WPA), the depth between the PT and the CA (DPA) and the length between the PT and the CA (LPA) were measured. The values above were compared between the left and right sides of the same vertebral body, also the results of the same side from C3 to C6 were compared. ResultsThat WUA fluctuates between 6.1- 4.4 mm on the left side with the narrowest at C5 and C6 (4.4 mm), 6.5- 4.6 mm on the right side with the narrowest at C5 (4.6 mm). It could be concluded that the safe space for operation outside UP is about 4mm and more care should be taken when operating on the caudal spine. WPA fluctuates between 10.6- 10.0 mm on the left side with the narrowest at C3 (10mm), 11.0- 9.9 mm on the right side with the narrowest at C4 (9.9 mm). The safe space for operation outside the PT is about 10mm and more care should be taken when operating on the cephalad spine. DPA fluctuates between 6.5- 4.6 mm on the left and is narrowest at C3 (4.6 mm), 6.5- 4.7 mm on the right and narrowest at C3 (4.7 mm). The safe space for operation from the PT to the ventral side is about 4.5 mm, and more care should be taken when operating on the cephalad side of the cervical spine. ConclusionUP and PT could be seen as the landmarks in the operations of ACDF. The safe space outside UP is about 4mm and more care should be taken when operating on the caudal spine. The safe space outside PT is about 10mm and more care should be taken when operating on the cephalad spine. The safe space for operation from the PT to the ventral side is about 4.5 mm, and more care should be taken when operating on the cephalad side of the cervical spine.

Introduction | From Chapman Rackaway

As a faculty member involved with civic engagement for twenty years, I think that academic research and the greater good are not only compatible but inseparable. I see the eJournal of Public Affairs as the locus where quality research in the civic engagement space will come from a variety of disciplinary and scholarly approaches. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to set the tone for this new era of the eJournal and I trust you will find that the contributions we are including here will set the bar high.