Space Center Research Articles

Archives for the future: the 2019 Lennon Walls of Hong Kong

This article is concerned with the Lennon Walls of the 2019 Hong Kong protest movement as central spaces for the formation of an ‘archival imagination’ (Hochberg, 2021). Through producing a collection of protest icons connected directly to the movement’s history, the author argues that the visual expression developed from displaying a multiplicity of voices on to displaying ‘visual iconographies’ for ‘collective identification’ (Yates McKee, 2017: 113). She shows how iconic symbols and figures developed on the basis of actual events and protest characters, and how, over time, a particular collection of these figures and symbols came to compose the iconography for the movement. In a sense, the creation of the iconography in itself became a way to archive particular events and figures in a visually recognizable image. In other words, the iconic symbols and figures seen on the protest walls came to archive the movement’s history as it unfolded.

Performance optimization and comparative study of a conical solar distiller with optimized construction of aluminium balls as energy storage materials

This study seeks to find the ideal size of aluminum balls to improve the effectiveness of conical solar stills for storing energy, due to the increasing demand for drinking water and the high costs of getting portable drinking water. To achieve this, three comparable conical solar distillers were made using aluminum balls of various diameters (1 cm, 1.5 cm, 2 cm, and 2.5 cm) at a 4 cm center spacing. Two days were spent on the experiments. The first distiller had no metal balls on the first day, whereas the second and third had 41 1 cm and 1.5 cm aluminum balls uniformly dispersed at the bottom. On the second day, the first distiller had no metal balls, but the second and third had 41 2 cm and 2.5 cm balls. The water basin depth was consistently maintained at 2.5 cm. The results revealed that the distiller with 2 cm diameter aluminum balls achieved the highest productivity, yielding 840 mL/m2, compared to the distillers with aluminum balls of 1 cm, 1.5 cm, and 2.5 cm diameter, as well as the conventional distiller without any storage materials, which yielded 645 mL/m2, 695 mL/m2, 755 mL/m2, and 570 mL/m2, respectively. The ideal diameter for the aluminum balls was found to be 2 cm, leading to a significant 47.37 % enhancement in water productivity. Conical solar stills using 2 cm diameter aluminum balls as an economical energy storage material provide the best answer.

Study of boundary layer characteristics during the landfalling of a Nisarga cyclone

One of the most important parameters in meteorology is the mean wind profile in the tropical cyclone boundary layer. The vertical profile of wind speed and wind direction were measured during the period of the Nisarga cyclone from May 31st, 2020, to June 5th, 2020, using the newly installed Phased Array Doppler Sodar system at the Center for Space and Atmospheric Science (CSAS), Sanjay Ghodawat University, Kolhapur (16.74° N, 74.37° E; near India's western coast). Our analysis revealed that the maximum mean wind speed was 17 m/s on June 3, 2020, at 10:00 IST. It also shows the change in wind direction from southwest to southeast on June 2 and 3, 2020. Daily high-resolution reanalysis data in the domain, 0–25°N, 65–110°E, during the period from May 31st to June 5th, 2020, revealed the variation of the atmospheric pressure of the Nisarga cyclone from 1000 to 1008 hPa, sea surface temperature (SST) between 30 °C and 31 °C, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) between 100 and 240 Wm-2, wind speed between 3 and 15 m/s, and low values of vertical wind shear (VWS) were observed to the north of Nisarga track. These observations may provide more insights for the study of boundary layer turbulence during cyclonic activities.

Energization test apparatus of HTS coils cooled by liquid hydrogen and manufacture of split-type REBCO external field coil

Abstract Liquid hydrogen (LH2) is a potential coolant of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) devices. However, owing to the high flammability of hydrogen and the risk of hydrogen embrittlement in materials, studies on LH2-cooled superconducting devices are rare. We developed an LH2 test apparatus to analyze the basic characteristics of LH2 as a coolant and evaluate the energizing characteristics of LH2-cooled superconducting wires. A REBCO external field coil was designed and manufactured for conducting cooling stability tests on various HTS coils cooled by LH2. The field coil, comprising eight single pancake coils of 4 mm wide REBCO wires, with inner diameter 106 mm and outer diameter 250 mm was divided into upper and lower sections. The test coil was placed in the central space. A magnetic field perpendicular to the test coil’s wire surface was generated by running currents in opposite directions through the upper and lower sections. Each double pancake coil was securely placed in a stainless-steel housing to withstand repulsive electromagnetic forces. The manufactured field coil was cooled using LH2, energized to 150 A, and successfully generated the intended magnetic field of 1.75 T. No increase in voltage was observed in any of the double pancake coils, and there was no mechanical degradation due to electromagnetic forces. Subsequently, we initiated thermal runaway tests on various HTS coils using the manufactured field coil to assess the cooling stability of LH2-cooled HTS coils. The study will facilitate the development of explosion-proof designs and safety technologies for LH2-cooled superconducting devices and cooling systems.

The Value of Leisure: Significance and Evolution

In recent decades, Spanish society has evolved, conditioned especially by the changing global environment of which it is a part. One of the areas of people's lives in which these transformations can be most clearly seen is that of leisure, which has given rise to a certain evolution in the value given to it by citizens, as well as in the relevance that leisure lifestyles are progressively acquiring. This article presents the results of the fifth European Leisure Values Survey applied to Spain. In the case of Spain, the effective sample size is 1,200 persons. The random samples provide a complete coverage of the target population (persons aged 18 and over residing in private households, irrespective of nationality or language). The results show how leisure currently occupies a central space in the cultural, social and economic reality of our environment.

Some variable exponent boundedness and commutators estimates for fractional Rough Hardy operators on central Morrey space

In this article, we study the boundedness of the fractional Rough Hardy operator and its adjoint operators on the central Morrey space with a variable exponent. We also establish the same boundedness for their commutators when the symbol functions are on the λ-central BMO space with a variable exponent.

Przestrzeń kosmiczna i zapowiedź nowego nomosu ziemi

This work is an attempt to theoretically frame the importance of space exploration for the future political order in the context of the growing importance of information processing. In reference to A. Toffler, G. W. F. Hegel, and C. Schmitt, I show one of the possible ways of periodizing the history of humanity, along with an attempt to demonstrate that each period has a desirable form of existence of a political entity based on a specific physical space that is most conducive to the dominant social activity at a given time. I argue that in a civilization in which the main activity is information processing, the desired form of existence of a political entity may be an existence that assumes outer space as its central space, as the one in which the political entity is most active. I also try to find an answer to the question whether space exploration can lead to the formation of a new basic spatial form in international relations, other than the state.

A study on the image of Guilin’s urban central space from multidimensional views

In the context of high-quality urban development, strengthening the distinct characteristics of the city itself has become a hot topic. This study focuses on the present Guilin’s urban central space as its research object, aiming to explore the characteristics of Guilin city image through three dimensions: traditional method, spatial syntax, and big data analysis. By exploring the differences presented across these dimensions, the study seeks to analyze the influence of human activities on the spatial form of the city. The investigation reveals that the current development of Guilin’s urban central space manifests a diverse cognitive image characterized by large dispersion, small aggregation, and weak systematicity. The influence of natural landscape on the development of city images in Guilin’s urban central space lies in its ability to facilitate the outlanders’ macroscopic cognition of Guilin’s unique landscape characteristics. However, it also hinders the development of the road network in the urban area, resulting in reduced spatial accessibility and cognitive intensity. In short, Guilin’s urban central space requires systematic integration of the development of multiple images in its future development. This approach entails strengthening the accessibility of public transportation and effectively enhancing the coordination of its unique landscape and natural elements with the development of other urban spaces. Moreover, this study attempts to provide insights into the future planning of cities from the perspective of integrated image development. In addition, it represents a pioneering effort to acquire data and analyze methodologies for cognitive research on city morphology and city image.

Characterizations of the mixed central Campanato spaces via the commutator operators of Hardy type

The purpose of this paper is to establish some characterizations of mixed central Campanato space Cp→,λ(Rn), via the boundedness of the commutator operators of Hardy type. Unlike the case λ⩾0, there are some technical difficulties caused by λ<0 to be overcome. In addition, an extra assumption called as the mixed version of the reverse Hölder class be required in the proof of the converse characterization. Moreover, some further interesting conclusions for the Hardy type operators on mixed λ-central Morrey space Bp→,λ(Rn) are also derived.

At Home in the Arctic: The Making of Muslim Lives and Places in the Canadian North

Abstract: How do Muslims make places in arctic surroundings? How do they feel at home where Islamic ritual practices are severely complicated by extreme geographic conditions? This article takes up the case of mosque communities in the Canadian Arctic. The construction of three purpose-built mosques in northern Canada in recent years, with a fourth currently underway, reflects aspirations for rootedness, visibility, and most importantly the desire to feel at home. The mosque thereby fulfills different functions of home. It serves as a community home for gatherings, celebrations, and educational and leisure activities, a spiritual center and safe space for individuals, and a place of interaction with the local population. In exploring these themes, this study also adopts a historical lens, considering the broader context and historiography of Muslim settlement and community-building in the Canadian north. The diversity of individual members of Arctic Muslim communities today raises questions regarding religious authority and the interpretation of Islamic traditions across various ethnicities, generations, genders, and branches of Islam. This article examines religious practice at a communal level and the intricate interplay of local and transnational influences within these highly heterogenous Muslim communities. With a stress on rural and northern lived experience of Muslims, this article addresses a significant gap in the study of Islam in Canada and the Western hemisphere in general. Employing concepts of space and place alongside frameworks from Islamic and religious studies, anthropology, migration studies, and social geography, it expands the geographical scope of the study of Muslims. Empirically, this article draws on extensive mapping efforts utilizing diverse sources such as local news outlets, social media, census data, archival sources, and semi-structured interviews with community members from Yellowknife and Inuvik.

An illumination-robust edge detection method for nuclear fuel assembly deformation measurement

Fuel assemblies (FAs) are critical components of nuclear reactor cores. The excessive deformation of FAs can pose a serious risk of safety accidents in nuclear power plants. Hence, regular monitoring of the deformation of the FAs is necessary. To accomplish this task, the most critical challenge lies in accurately extracting the edges of FAs in the nuclear underwater environment with spatial variations in illumination. In this paper, a novel illumination-robust edge detection method is proposed. Firstly, tilt correction is applied to arrange the fuel rods vertically in the image. Then, the center of each fuel rod is located through grayscale projection and filtered by rod center spacing variance minimization. Subsequently, adaptive thresholding is employed to obtain a binary image. Finally, the edges are identified by searching in the vicinity of rod centers in the binary image. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method have been validated in experiments, and the approach has been successfully applied to the FA deformation measurement in nuclear power plants.

Cultural Values Influence on Rural Family Caregivers' Decision-Making for Ill Older Adult Loved Ones

ContextRural older adult Americans receive more intense treatment at end of life. Studies indicate that those who participate in goals of care conversations receive care more concordant with their values. Yet, rates of documented goals of care discussions are lower in rural and Black communities. Although multi-factorial, the role that rural family caregivers (FCGs) play in decision-making for ill loved ones is understudied. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore rural FCGs cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes about serious illness and treatment decision-making and to understand how these factors influence their decision-making around goals of care for their family members. MethodsThis is an embedded qualitative study within a tele-palliative care consult randomized trial that the PEN-3 theoretical model guided. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with FCGs who had completed study participation. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. ResultsTwelve rural FCGs center their decisions around core values, and the decision-making experience was supported by faith. A model of how the key themes and subthemes interact around the central space of supporting the seriously ill loved to demonstrate the complexity of caregiving when race and rurality intersect is presented. ConclusionThis study is a foundational step in understanding how rural FCGs beliefs and values influence decision-making. We recommend incorporating those constructs into the development of culturally responsive decision-support interventions.

Efficient Numerical Solutions for Fuzzy Time Fractional Diffusion Equations Using Two Explicit Compact Finite Difference Methods

This article introduces an extension of classical fuzzy partial differential equations, known as fuzzy fractional partial differential equations. These equations provide a better explanation for certain phenomena. We focus on solving the fuzzy time diffusion equation with a fractional order of 0 &lt; α ≤ 1, using two explicit compact finite difference schemes that are the compact forward time center space (CFTCS) and compact Saulyev’s scheme. The time fractional derivative uses the Caputo definition. The double-parametric form approach is used to transfer the governing equation from an uncertain to a crisp form. To ensure stability, we apply the von Neumann method to show that CFTCS is conditionally stable, while compact Saulyev’s is unconditionally stable. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the practicality of our proposed schemes.

Estimates for $$p$$-adic fractional integral operators and their commutators on $$p$$-adic mixed central Morrey spaces and generalized mixed Morrey spaces

Estimates for $$p$$-adic fractional integral operators and their commutators on $$p$$-adic mixed central Morrey spaces and generalized mixed Morrey spaces

VNOTES Radical Hysterectomy: A New Approach to Cervical Cancer

To demonstrate how a radical hysterectomy with sentinel node resection for cervical cancer can be performed via vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES). Demonstration of the technique in 10 steps. making use of narrated original video footage SETTING: The surgical treatment of cervical cancer is traditionally performed via one of the following techniques: Wertheim radical hysterectomy via laparotomy, Schauta radical hysterectomy vaginally, laparoscopic radical hysterectomy or robotic radical hysterectomy. The results of the LACC trial showed that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was associated with lower rates of disease-free survival and overall survival than open radical hysterectomy among women with early-stage cervical Cancer [1]. For endometrial cancer, a vNOTES retroperitoneal approach to sentinel node resection was first published in 2019 [2]. Based on the experience with this approach and with Schauta-Stoeckel radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer [3], a new approach was developed to perform a radical hysterectomy via vNOTES whereby most of the procedure is performed retroperitoneally [4]. This video article demonstrates in 10 steps how a radical hysterectomy via vNOTES is performed. Radical hysterectomy via vNOTES demonstrated making use of original video footage of a 57-year-old woman operated on for cervical adenocarcinoma 7 weeks after a LEEP cone. The steps of the procedure are: 1. Vaginal cuff creation, 2. Development of lateral retroperitoneal space and sentinel node resection, 3. Uterine artery and vein transection, 4. Hypogastric nerve dissection, 5. Development of central retroperitoneal space and rectum dissection, 6. Posterior colpotomy, 7. Parametrium dissection, 8. Bladder pillar dissection, 9. Anterior colpotomy, 10. Salpingo-oophorectomy or salpingectomy. 3 Patients were so far treated by this new technique that allowed for good hemostatic control. vNOTES enables a potentially less invasive approach to radical hysterectomy performed largely retroperitoneally and completely transvaginally, leaving no visible scars. The endoscopic approach offers excellent visualization of the retroperitoneal and parametrial anatomy. This is a new approach that requires further validation and should only be performed in a research setting, taking into account the current reservations about endoscopic surgery for cervical cancer resulting from the LACC trial. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

A Hybrid PWM Strategy for Switching Loss Reduction in Three-Level Inverters

The advanced bus-clamping PWM (ABCPWM) sequences are well known to reduce line current THD in a three-level neutral point-clamped inverter. This paper deals with ABCPWM sequences employed optimally to achieve minimum switching loss throughout the linear operating region in a three-level inverter. The work extensively analyzes the performance of these sequences in terms of inverter switching loss and compares them with centered space vector modulation PWM (CSVPWM). Based on the analysis, a hybrid PWM scheme termed as <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">switching loss reduction</i> is proposed by optimally employing ABCPWM sequences in conjunction with variation in power factors. At a given average switching frequency, the proposed hybrid scheme reduces inverter switching loss compared to CSVPWM and the recently proposed discontinuous PWM-based optimization strategy at all power factors and modulation indices. With this scheme, switching loss reduces to 22% to 36% compared to CSVPWM and a maximum of 12% reduction than the existing optimization strategy. Furthermore, the scheme gives lower harmonic distortion compared to these two existing PWM schemes near high modulation indices and near unity power factor load. The theoretical, simulated, and real-time simulation results are presented with experimental results using TMS320F28335 DSP controller for validating the proposed work.

Research and Design of Public Spaces for Elderly People in Rural Areas

With the progress of society and economic development, China has reached an aging population. According tothe Chinese population census data, China has entered the second stage of an aging population society and has become one of the countries with the fastest growth rate of the elderly population in the world. It is expected that the elderly population in China will reach 250 million within the next fifteen years and exceed 450 million by 2050. Additionally, China is a country with uneven development between urban and rural areas. Many young and middle-aged people choose to work in cities, which leads to most rural residents being elderly. Thus, the phenomenon of the elderly living alone by themselves occurs. Therefore, the government and related experts are increasingly concerned about the physical and mental health of the elderly. The establishment of the elderly activity center is to meet the needs of the elderly cultural life, improve the level of elderly physical and mental health, and promote the harmonious development of the countryside. Many countries aware of this problem would emphasize park construction and nursing home design for the needs of the elderly. However, little research are performed on the activity center and public spaces for the elderly in underdeveloped rural areas. Design countermeasures of the public space should consider the physical, psychological, and behavioral needs of the elderly. This study summarizes the influencing factors, design principles, and design methods of public spaces to effectively meet the needs of the elderly for public activities. By creating and improving public social spaces suitable for the elderly in rural areas, the elderly can lead a comfortable life and solve loneliness issues.

Ambivalence in Environmental Care: Marine Care Ethics and More-Than-Human Relations in the Conservation of Seagrass Posidonia oceanica

Posidonia oceanica is an endemic seagrass from the mediterranean that provides key ecosystem services. A protected species, its presence is regressing due to anthropogenic pressures, some associated to the tourism economy that much of the Mediterranean coast depends on. In 1992, the European Union declared it a priority habitat, and since the early 2000s, it has occupied a central space in marine conservation debates in the Balearic Islands. Popularly known as Posidonia, this seagrass went from being considered dirt that ruined virgin Balearic beaches to become an emblematic species. This article takes this U-turn in policy and public perception as a study case to think of knowledge-making practices and restoration initiatives as a form of environmental care. The relational, situated and affective character of care ethics helps to understand the human and ecological labour embedded in knowledge-making and restoration practices and its inevitable engagement with the Balearic tourism industry. Drawing on those engagements, I reflect on environmental care practices of knowledge-making and restoration, arguing that they emerge ambivalently: they challenge management logics based on economic rationales while forced to develop and coexist inside those same rationales. I conclude by arguing that developing care-centric narratives for environmental conservation and restoration is essential to continue promoting more-than-human aquatic relations in which the needs of others are the ethical basis for action.

Comparing Public Space for Women in Mlangi, Yogyakarta and Cumalikizik, Bursa

Public space is an extremely vital necessity in social life. In architecture, public space belongs to everyone living in an area, city, or settlement. Public spaces like communal spaces have particular profiles. If we talk about the need for gender determination, we can say more about women’s space. Yogyakarta and Bursa are similar cities characterized with a majority of Muslim citizens. Both have Muslim Settlements known, respectively, as Pathok Negoro and the area of Cumalikizik. Pathok Negoro, specifically located in Mlangi, has two patterns to encircling the number of nodes for the public spaces in the form of prayer room/mushola and pondok pesantren (Islamic boarding school) as the new nuclei at the neighborhood level. These spaces are special for women and an imam who leads in each Mushola or prayer room. The existence of two neighborhood levels in Mlangi is based on religious activities, namely of the santri (Islamic boarding school students) and Mlangi citizens. Mlangi accommodates several pondok pesantren so there is ample space to expand (multi nuclei/polycentric). Around the Cumalikizik area, there is a camii or Mosque and it serves as the most central communal space for women.

Air Quality Index Prediction Using Machine Learning Algorithms for Certain Locations in Nigeria

Prediction of air quality index for certain locations in Nigeria has been carried out. The data used for this research was gotten from purple air data web site. The locations selected are; University of Ibadan, Edo Broadcasting station, Kogi, Nimet, Benin, Lekki phase1 in Lagos and Space center, Kebbi. Air quality Index was calculated based on PM2.5 data obtained from the purple air website. The other variables obtained are PM10, PM1, Temperature and Humidity. The machine learning algorithms used for modelling are linear regression, support vector machines (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and regression trees. These algorithms were obtained using R programming language. The results show that for University of Ibadan station. AQI increased towards the end of 2021 up till the end of February 2022. There was a steady decrease in AQI towards the end of May 2022. For Edo Broadcasting station, AQI increased towards the end of 2021 up till the end of February 2022. There was a steady decrease in AQI towards the end of May 2022. There was an increase after May 2022. For Kogi station, AQI increased towards the end of October 2021 up till the end of February 2022. There was a steady decrease in AQI in April 2022. For Lekki phase 1, Lagos station, AQI increased from April 2021 towards the end of December 2021. There was a steady decrease in AQI towards the end of April 2022. For Nimet, Benin station, AQI increased steadily from October 2021 up till the end of February 2022. There was a steady decrease in AQI towards the end of April 2022 and a slight increase in May 2022. For Space center, Kebbi station, AQI decreased steadily from August 2021 up till the end of February 2022. There was a steady increase of AQI in March 2022 and a slight decrease in May 2022. AQI shows that the quality of air in Ibadan was classified as good, Edo broadcasting and Nimet, Benin were unhealthy for sensitive groups while Kogi, Space center Kebbi and Lagos were classified as moderate. Modelling result shows that of all the machine learning model selected for this research work, K-nearest neighbors was found to be the best model for the prediction of AQI across Nigeria. This is because it had the smallest value for the errors. Hence for the prediction of AQI in Nigeria, KNN is recommended.