Selected Case Studies Research Articles

Architectural approach for evaluation of radiation shielding integration in space habitats

NASA HRP considers developing radiation protection for human space flight and surface habitation as one of the critical technologies for successful deep space exploration. Although the danger of radiation exposure is recognized as a potential show-stopper for deep space exploration, and radiation effects on humans are now understood better than before, shielding strategies for different stages of space flight and habitation are still not addressed in a fully comprehensive manner. Habitats and all space structures planning and design are guided by essential requirements and constraints associated with safety, manufacturing and assembly procedures, propellant and construction costs, maintenance, crew and/or passenger satisfaction. This paper reviews radiation shielding options for space habitats and discusses their feasibility in relation to habitability needs, including the potential for outside viewing in distinct types of space habitats. Typically, radiation protection depends on the thickness of the exterior structure that consists of a pressurized shell, multilayer insulation (MLI) and any applied radiation shielding material. The mass of the external protection shell is the primary factor of radiation shielding effectiveness. Nevertheless, using materials with low atomic numbers (e.g., Boron (5), Carbon (6), and H2O) helps to lower secondary radiation hazards. Water, which is rich in hydrogen and has the lowest atomic number, can also be used for other mission needs. Other materials, including biomaterials, can be considered when their inclusion in the structure is possible and appropriate. The paper presents a comprehensive strategy for radiation shielding selection that includes investigation of complications associated with a type of space habitat structure, mission needs, duration, destination, and crew requirements. The approach presented in the paper aims to establish an evaluation methodology for defining the feasibility of the integration of diverse radiation shielding types into habitat structures. The paper summarizes by reviewing radiation shielding proposals with selected case studies including water, regolith, hydrogen-rich polymers, biotechnology, polyethylene/boron nitride composites, and active strategies.

A methodology for identifying, documenting and extrapolating potential good practices in Disaster Risk Management

Making evidence-based decisions in Disaster Risk Management is crucial for practitioners. However, it remains unclear how to systematically identify and characterise potential good practices to build upon available experiences. This paper proposes a methodology for identifying, documenting, and extrapolating potential good practices in Disaster Risk Management from the literature with a procedure that consists of five steps. Step 1 involves defining the general premises that guide the search for good practices based on well-established literature within a specific field. Step 2 selects a suitable framework to derive requirements that must be met by the practices. In Step 3, potential good practices are identified through the collection of case studies that encapsulate them, while criteria to select case studies are defined. Step 4 utilises a template to document the practices and their context of implementation. Step 5, finally, compares the practices described in the case studies against the requirements and general premises to extrapolate, among them, those practices that are potentially good (i.e., those that can work in similar contexts). To better illustrate its applicability, the methodology was implemented in the domain of disaster risk and crisis communication. The application of this methodology enables practitioners to capture features of a good practice in a given context and assess their replicability across contexts.

Covid -19 and the question of taming compassion fatigue

The present paper underlines the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of young adult men. It is a cross- cultural realist ethnography of South Asian natives from Indian sub-continent who immigrated to middle-east Ras-al-khair. Their experience to adversities during the breakdown of pandemic in 2020, was the subject of research. The study reflects the psychological state of the covid infected respondents identified as Compassion fatigue or the negative cost of caring others. It confers to a qualitative research design. Participant observation and focused group discussions were the study tools used on selected case studies. Higher intensity of compassion fatigue was experienced by the adult males who faced lack of social support, loneliness, were married with a child and had either nuclear or solo households in their respective native places.

HEURISTIC MODEL FOR ASSESSING DISRUPTIONS IN THE SYNCHRONIZATION OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITH THE DRIVER'S BODY DURING A COLLISION, BASED ON REPAIRED LONGITUDINAL BEAMS

The article presents a heuristic model used to evaluate the level of disorder in the synchronization of airbag operation with a moving phantom head during a frontal collision caused by a change in the longitudinal stiffness. The article describes three areas of research. The first presents the results of the strength tests of longitudinal models: reference and welded joint. Based on these, the relative stiffness decrease coefficient (SDC) of the longitudinal was determined. The second presents an analytical model of the airbag activation algorithm and the impact of SDC on its operation. The third determined the contact time of the phantom head with the airbag, taking into account the SDC. Based on the selected case study, a spatiotemporal analysis was conducted, indicating the level of disorder in the synchronization of the airbag with the moving phantom head due to the change in longitudinal stiffness.

Scandinavian Approach to Multisensory Design

The text aims to investigate methods and techniques introduced by Scandinavian designers which are beneficial to the overall sensorial aspect of their work. To emphasize the wide spectrum of the subject, various materials would be taken into consideration—wood, glass, metal, textiles. Thanks to the analysis of selected case studies it is possible to showcase the main ideas of how the multisensorial design practices have been implemented within the realm of Scandinavian design, focusing on diversity of examples. The methodology applied uses the analysis method of design history combined with the perspective provided by cultural studies and their analysis of the broad context. To enrich the latter, also certain cultural associations will be considered. Wood provides the visual, tactile, and olfactory experience which has been used in both conceptual and commercial projects. Glass, often considered by designers exclusively for its visual aspects, brings the tactile element of shape and structure, which are meant to mimic the contact with nature, vital for many Nordic projects. Metal and textiles can be considered as opposite sensorial features based on contrasting properties, hot–cold, soft–hard. The study serves as an introductory paper to touch upon the question of multisensory in Scandinavian design, not thoroughly investigated in international literature, by presenting further opportunities for in-depth studies.

A conceptional model integrating geographic information systems (GIS) and social media data for disease exposure assessment.

Although previous studies have acknowledged the potential of geographic information systems (GIS) and social media data (SMD) in assessment of exposure to various environmental risks, none has presented a simple, effective and user-friendly tool. This study introduces a conceptual model that integrates individual mobility patterns extracted from social media, with the geographic footprints of infectious diseases and other environmental agents utilizing GIS. The efficacy of the model was independently evaluated for selected case studies involving lead in the ground; particulate matter in the air; and an infectious, viral disease (COVID- 19). A graphical user interface (GUI) was developed as the final output of this study. Overall, the evaluation of the model demonstrated feasibility in successfully extracting individual mobility patterns, identifying potential exposure sites and quantifying the frequency and magnitude of exposure. Importantly, the novelty of the developed model lies not merely in its efficiency in integrating GIS and SMD for exposure assessment, but also in considering the practical requirements of health practitioners. Although the conceptual model, developed together with its associated GUI, presents a promising and practical approach to assessment of the exposure to environmental risks discussed here, its applicability, versatility and efficacy extends beyond the case studies presented in this study.

Combating domestic violence in West Bengal, India: Gendered norms and legal regulations

Domestic violence has long been a major concern for women's organisations globally. Despite decades of progressive legislation in India since the 1980s, this paper underscores the persistent and structural nature of domestic violence, which afflicts lives across gender identities. The study draws on findings from a survey of 2193 aggrieved women and select case studies across 13 districts of West Bengal who have accessed the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), a civil law enacted in 2005 to give protection to victim-survivors from domestic violence (as opposed to punishing the perpetrators). The paper argues that even ‘radical’ legislation such as the PWDVA helps survivors manage and endure violence rather than eliminate it from their lives. In doing so, the legislation offers a coping strategy to the aggrieved rather than a means through which deep-seated social structures of patriarchy that perpetuate domestic violence can be challenged to ensure gender justice. Our study indicates that there is a greater degree of precarity among women survivors with psycho-social disabilities and members of gender-sexual minorities. The majority of actors in the socio-legal ecosystem who should be upholding survivors’ right to live a life free from violence instead place them primarily in the heterosexual patriarchal family. The feminist vision behind the enactment of PWDVA, which valued the assertion of a survivor's rights as a citizen of a democratic country to lead a life free from violence, is eschewed in favour of preserving the institution of family and marriage over gender justice.

Analyzing Efficacy and Enhancing Accessibility: A Study of India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in Addressing Financial Cybercrimes

This research paper delves into the effectiveness and accessibility of India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in combating financial cybercrimes. Through a multi-faceted approach encompassing statistical analysis, citizen surveys, and case studies, the study aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Quantitative data derived from official crime reports and a comprehensive citizen survey provide insights into public awareness, usage patterns, and perceptions of the portal. Key findings reveal the portal's current impact on reporting financial cybercrimes and shed light on factors influencing its efficacy. Additionally, qualitative insights from interviews with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts, along with selected case studies, offer a nuanced understanding of real-world scenarios. The analysis culminates in actionable recommendations aimed at bolstering the portal's effectiveness and accessibility in addressing financial cybercrimes, thereby fortifying India's cybersecurity infrastructure. Key Words: cybercrime reporting, National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, financial cybercrimes, effectiveness, accessibility, India, cybersecurity infrastructure, digital transactions, online frauds, identity thefts, law enforcement, citizen surveys, case studies, public awareness, technology, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, recommendations.

Toward the Adaptive Reuse of Vernacular Architecture: Practices from the School of Porto

Strategies for the adaptive reuse of vernacular architecture are of utmost importance in the current context of social, economic, and environmental vulnerability. This article examines the design strategies of adaptive reuse in three cases of renowned architects of the so-called School of Porto developed across the second half of the 20th century, specifically between 1956 and 1991. The paper aims to introduce a new and deeper knowledge of the selected practices by critically documenting the whole process of the intervention (before, during, after) and not only the final result, as is common practice in specialized publications. The research methodology combines the bibliographical and archival research and interpretation of diverse graphic, photographic, and textual documentation with the production of analytical drawings. The demolitions/additions color code (black/yellow/red) is applied to plans, sections, and elevations as an essential tool for understanding and communicating the transformations undertaken. The selected case studies are Além House (1956–1967) by Fernando Távora, Alcino Cardoso House (1971–1973; 1988–1991) by Álvaro Siza, and the House in Gerês (1980–1982) by Eduardo Souto de Moura. These projects show different strategies of intervention in built heritage, providing lessons on the reactivation of obsolete or abandoned rural constructions with new functions that are compatible with the preservation of their values (historical, landscape, constructive, social, and aesthetic) and guidelines for sustainable reuse.

Deprotective Functionalization: A Direct Conversion of Nms-Amides to Carboxamides Using Carboxylic Acids.

The nature of protecting group chemistry necessitates a deprotection step to restore the initially blocked functionality prior to further transformation. As this aspect of protecting group manipulation inevitably adds to the step count of any synthetic sequence, the development of methods enabling simultaneous deprotection and functionalization ("deprotective functionalization"-distinct from "deprotection followed by functionalization") is appealing, as it has the potential to improve efficiency and streamline synthetic routes. Herein, we report a deprotective functionalization of the newly introduced Nms-amides guided by density functional theory (DFT) analysis, which exploits the inherent Nms reactivity. Mechanistic studies further substantiate and help rationalize the exquisite reactivity of Nms-amides, as other commonly used protecting groups are shown not to exhibit the same reactivity patterns. The practicality of this approach was ultimately demonstrated in selected case studies.

Green supplier selection under supply risks using novel integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision making techniques

Green supplier selection is one of the core business processes in the practice of sustainable supply chains, which enables firms to improve their performance to reduce harmful environmental impacts in all inbound activities. In this challenging and more dynamic business environment, materials supply can suffer from disruptions. This study aims to select suppliers based on environmental aspects by considering supply risks under an uncertain environment. Combined multi-criteria decision-making techniques are developed to address such complexity. Integrated fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process-Combined Compromise Solution (Fuzzy AHP-CoCoSo) and Fuzzy Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis-Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (Fuzzy SWARA-FMEA) are applied to evaluate suppliers based on green criteria and supply risks. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to aggregate the overall score for the final selection. A case study of green supplier selection in a manufacturing company is presented. Extensive analysis is performed to investigate the dependencies of supply risks based on the supplier selection criteria.

U.S. mobilization of its domestic diaspora: Strategic leveraging of an un[der]tapped foreign policy resource

AbstractThe historic diaspora diplomacy literature has generally characterized politically active diaspora as foreign agents leveraged by their ancestral homeland to shape the foreign policy of their host nation. As such, diaspora groups have generally been assessed as net negatives on the foreign policy of their host nations, or as working against the common good of the host nation. This work seeks to challenge this narrow conceptualization and demonstrate that, when considered within a broader historical timeline, granted agency, and contextualized within a networked society, emergent mechanisms for state mobilization of diaspora groups to achieve foreign policy objectives become apparent. This work is focused exclusively on political diaspora groups within the United States and investigates select case studies to demonstrate the evolving nature of U.S.–diaspora relations and the opportunities presented as a result. The work concludes with several policy recommendations, derived from lessons learned within the case studies.Related ArticlesBayes, Jane H., and Laura Gonzalez. 2011. “Globalization, Transnationalism, and Intersecting Geographies of Power: The Case of the Consejo Consultivo del Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (CC‐IME): A Study in Progress.” Politics & Policy 39(1): 11–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00281.x.Huijgh, Ellen. 2017. “Indonesia's ‘Intermestic’ Public Diplomacy: Features and Future.” Politics & Policy 45(5): 762–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12221.Singh, Amit, and Amit Sarwal. 2017. “Paraspara, Encounters, and Confluences: India's Soft Power Objective in the Indo‐Pacific Region.” Politics & Policy 45(5): 733–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12222.

Estimation of Demand for Urban Land Uses: A Case Study of Türkiye

Land use change can have adverse impact on society and environment and therefore this puts enormous pressure on governments. Accurate estimates of future urban expansion are essential for sustainable growth and the preservation of the environment. This article examines the land use changes for urban uses, and further applies different methods for the projection of residential and industrial/commercial land uses in the selected case study area i.e. NUTS3 (nomenclature of terrestrial units for statistics) regions of Turkey. Density measures, trend extrapolation and regression analysis are the subject statistical methods used for projecting the land use. The findings show that using the chosen methodologies to project past changes leads in significant uncertainty. The results are significantly influenced by the variation in selected variables, and spatial organization of the study region. Therefore, validation analysis as a future research focus will be essential to select the most appropriate model that can be used to project the land use changes in Turkey. The results from the current analysis can be adopted by the government and local authorities for the land management and sustainable growth of urban land use in the Turkish regional context.

Inherited Geometry: a Socio-Professional Pattern in the Low Countries, 1480-1560

At the beginning of the 16th century the Habsburg Low Countries witnessed the emergence of a highly skilled class of painters who also often actively engaged in architectural design practice. This phenomenon has often been explained as being the result of an influx of Italian and humanist thinking about the artist such via the writings of figures like Alberti and Vitruvius. In this article, I propose an alternative account, using selected case studies to argue that this development was an internal process. Essential to changing design practices was the transfer of geometrical design knowledge between guilds, a transfer that transgressed traditional boundaries. Finally, I explore the effect of this knowledge dissemination on the evolving status of the visual artist.

Disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and the role of spatial and urban planning: evidence from European case studies

AbstractThis paper advances knowledge and understanding of the relationships between risk management, climate change adaptation and spatial planning as good territorial governance practices. The aim is to present evidence on how risks and their management are progressively being integrated into national planning systems in order to reduce territorial vulnerability and costs related to natural events in the European context. This paper is based on the ESPON-TITAN project which focuses mainly on flood events that occurred in Rotterdam, Prague, the Po river basin, Pori, Andalucia, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Dresden and the Alpine region. The paper reviews the literature and planning instruments applied in the selected case studies, as well as interviews with key stakeholders and decision makers. The results confirm the hypothesis that traditional disaster management is evolving towards Disaster Risk Management, clearly recognizing that Climate Change modifies and increases threats. Data on the consequences of natural disasters support the desirability of a proactive rather than a reactive approach, highlighting the crucial role of planning. The resulting governance is more "functional" than "territorial", leaving room for further advances and innovations such as territorial and multi-risk perspective, partnerships and civil society participation, and soft versus traditional hard or engineering solutions.

A Critical Analyses on the History of Indigenous Resistance Movements: Lessons for Contemporary Struggles

The research paper, " A Critical Analyses on the History of Indigenous Resistance Movements: Lessons for Contemporary Struggles," comprehensively examines Indigenous resistance movements globally. The primary objectives of this study are to unearth historical narratives of Indigenous resistance, analyse their characteristics, and extract lessons applicable to contemporary struggles for Indigenous rights and social justice. The research employs a multi-faceted methodology to achieve these objectives, encompassing extensive literature review, archival research, and qualitative analysis of selected case studies. Ethical considerations in Indigenous research guide our data collection and analysis process. The key findings of this research illuminate a rich tapestry of Indigenous resistance movements spanning diverse regions and periods. These movements exhibit remarkable resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to cultural preservation in the face of colonial oppression. The study identifies commonalities in their strategies, including grassroots organising, cultural revitalisation, and alliances with sympathetic non-Indigenous groups. The implications of our research are profound. By revisiting the history of Indigenous resistance, we provide contemporary Indigenous communities and activists with valuable insights and inspiration. These historical lessons can inform present-day strategies, contribute to preserving Indigenous cultures, and bolster the pursuit of justice, equity, and self-determination for Indigenous peoples globally. In conclusion, this research underscores the enduring legacy of Indigenous resistance movements and their relevance in addressing the pressing challenges Indigenous communities face today. By mapping this history and distilling its lessons, we aim to promote a deeper understanding of Indigenous struggles and foster solidarity in pursuing a more just and inclusive world.

A hybrid spherical fuzzy logarithmic decomposition of criteria importance and alternative ranking technique based on Adaptive Standardized Intervals model with application

This study presents a hybrid fuzzy Multi-Attribute Group Decision Making (MAGDM) model with application to commercial insurance selection. The proposed hybrid model uses Spherical Fuzzy (SF) sets using Yager t-norm and t-conorm operations. The Logarithmic Decomposition of Criteria Importance (LODECI) method is used for criterion weighting due to its efficacy in stabilizing scenarios that may challenge other weighting techniques. For alternative ranking, the study employs the Alternative Ranking Technique based on Adaptive Standardized Intervals (ARTASI), offering enhanced flexibility in handling uncertainties inherent in expert evaluations. The combination of these methods and the utilization of SF sets gives rise to the proposed SF-LODECI-ARTASI hybrid model. The paper systematically delineates the procedural steps involving SF sets, Yager t-norm and t-conorm operations, SF-LODECI, and SF-ARTASI methods. Subsequently, the developed hybrid model is applied to a case study of commercial insurance selection, supported by a numerical example. The research application results emphasize the consistency of these findings with other alternative methods. Additionally, sensitivity scenarios are constructed to scrutinize the robustness of the proposed hybrid model. The study concludes by elucidating implications and contributions to the existing literature.

Application of multi-attribute decision-making method based on fuzzy influence diagram in green supplier selection

The external business environment exhibits many uncertainties with the continuing changes in technological progress, political environment, and consumption behavior. This has made companies recognize the significance of addressing environmental issues to remain competitive in the modern global market. Thus, much attention is given to the supply chain to ensure environmental factors are considered during supplier selection. However, the process of selecting the right suppliers to enable green supply chain management is proving difficult. This paper presents a novel approach using fuzzy influence diagrams to identify key green supplier selection criteria, combined with multi-criteria decision making to evaluate alternatives. The fuzzy influence diagram derives priority supplier capabilities by modeling interrelationships and uncertainties. The multi-criteria technique then ranks suppliers based on prospect values. A case study of furniture manufacturer supplier selection validates the proposed method. Compared to existing models, this integrated approach reduces subjective weight bias and improves handling of complex criteria dependencies and uncertainties. The results demonstrate state-of-the-art performance in identifying ideal green suppliers. This technique can enhance sustainability efforts across supply chains.

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia: A perspective on Fe/Cu-containing catalysts

Electrocatalytic reduction reaction of nitrate (NO3RR) to ammonia is becoming ever more pivotal for the sustainable production of NH3, alleviating the nitrate pollution and even for rebalancing the nitrogen cycle globally. Considerable efforts have been devoted to the rational development of catalyst systems in electrocatalytic NO3RR to NH3, and Fe/Cu-containing catalysts have shown significant advantages and are currently in the spotlight which have addressed remarkable attention and academic interest. In this Perspective, we first briefly discuss the possible reaction pathways of electrocatalytic NO3RR to NH3. Emphasis is put on the three catalyst approaches for enhancing the NO3RR performance, based on the selected case studies of the most representative Fe/Cu-containing catalysts. Furthermore, this Perspective assesses the recent progress on the utility and application of the state-of-the-art in situ characterization technologies applied in recent showcases of electrocatalytic NO3RR to NH3, with a special focus on spectroscopies. Finally, the open challenges and outlook regarding the rational design of efficient electrocatalysts, the development of correlative in situ characterization technologies and the further coupling promising reactions for production of value-added products are examined for inspiring the future work.

Estimating multivariate ecological variables at high spatial resolution using a cost‐effective matching algorithm

AbstractSimulation models are valuable tools for estimating ecosystem response to environmental conditions and are particularly relevant for investigating climate change impacts. However, because of high computational requirements, models are often applied over a coarse grid of points or for representative locations. Spatial interpolation of model output can be necessary to guide decision‐making, yet interpolation is not straightforward because the interpolated values must maintain the covariance structure among variables. We present methods for two key steps for utilizing limited simulations to generate detailed maps of multivariate and time series output. First, we present a method to select an optimal set of simulation sites that maximize the area represented for a given number of sites. Then, we introduce a multivariate matching approach to interpolate simulation results to detailed maps for the represented area. This approach links simulation output to environmentally analogous matched sites according to user‐defined criteria. We demonstrate the methods with case studies using output from (1) an individual‐based plant simulation model to illustrate site selection, and (2) an ecosystem water balance simulation model to illustrate interpolation. For the site selection case study, we identified 200 simulation sites that represented 96% of a large study area (1.12 × 106 km2) at a ~1‐km resolution. For the interpolation case study, we generated ~1‐km resolution maps across 4.38 × 106 km2 of drylands in North America from a 10 × 10 km grid of simulated sites. Estimates of interpolation errors using cross validation were low (<10% of the range of each variable). Our point selection and interpolation methods, which are available as an easy‐to‐use R package, provide a means of cost‐effectively generating detailed maps of expensive, complex simulation output (e.g., multivariate and time series) at scales relevant for local conservation planning. Our methods are flexible and allow the user to identify relevant matching criteria to balance interpolation uncertainty with areal coverage to enhance inference and decision‐making at management‐relevant scales across large areas.