Spaces Research Articles

The Garden and Its Walls

This essay examines the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver through a sociocultural lens. Positioned in Chinatown within Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), the garden is the first authentic Ming Dynasty-style scholar’s garden outside of China. Operating as both a public park managed by the Vancouver Park Board, as well as a paid garden managed by a nonprofit organization, the garden symbolizes an intersection of Canadian and Chinese cultures, offering a distinctive lens for analyzing cultural interplay. The concepts of the «contact zone» as well as assemblage theory are central to understanding the garden’s role in facilitating cross-cultural dialogues. Influenced by scholars like James Clifford and Mary Louise Pratt, the garden serves as a physical and conceptual space where cultures converge, fostering interpersonal dialogue among visitors of varied backgrounds. Philipp Schorch’s expansion of the contact zone to museum spaces offers a framework for analyzing the garden as representing Chinese culture in Vancouver as well as tying the garden to its locality. The analysis of the garden extends beyond its own confines and over its walls, exposing and exploring the complex relationship the garden has to its surrounding space, the DTES, and Chinatown.

An insight into the solitonic features of the nonlinear generalized higher-order Schrödinger equation using the solver method

For many nonlinear applications described by the dynamics of nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher-order terms (HONLSE) such as nonlinear optics, space plasma physics molecular biology, astrophysics, quantum mechanics, superfluid, fluid mechanics, and fiber optics communications, a unique closed-form solution have been obtained using energy equation. In addition, some new solitary solutions HONLSE have been obtained via the unified solver method. The resultant solutions behave as breathers, super solitons, envelope breathers, blow up, localized super waves, periodical super shock, train super solitons, and shock structures. The modulations of Kerr nonlinear, chromatic dispersive, and wave packet drift parameters on the wave characteristics of the obtained solutions have been investigated. It was reported that the model parameters affect the amplitude, steepness, and width of the resultant structures. The provided solution can be used as a box solver for a variety of natural science systems described by distinct nonlinear equations.

Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the biobehavioral survey among incarcerated individuals and correctional personnel in Mozambique, 2021- a descriptive study.

Mozambique implemented in 2021 a formative assessment in 22 prisons to identify the operational and logistical needs for the second round of the Biobehavioral Survey (BBS). Barriers and facilitators that could be anticipated in conducting BBS in prisons, in preparation for implementation, was evaluated using semi-structured questionnaires administered to key informants (directors and other kind of managers staff). The data were cleaned and analyzed using Microsoft Excel, and the categorical variables were summarized by means of simple frequencies and percentages. In most prisons the current prison capacity far exceeds the theoretical capacity, 40.9% have a theoretical capacity of ≥ 50 inmates, 81.8% have inmates who exceed their theoretical capacity. In the country half of the prisons receive only male inmates, and only one female, 54.5% of the prisons visited have inmates under 18 years of age, 72.7% of the prisons had a private space available for the survey, the penitentiary establishments have the physical space for study; ensuring the safety of staff within the facilities; involvement of correctional officers and a clinical focal point. However, barriers such as time management due to prison opening hours, prison laws, restrictions, or permits for research may change without notice due to security, lockdowns, riots, or other situations that may hinder the implementation of research. The implementation of successive and regular rounds of BBS in different environments, contexts and populations constitute opportunities for generating information and indicators not always captured by programmatic data and not only as an opportunity for offering and making healthcare available in prison environments that in a routine context, but these populations normally have also not had equal opportunities. Currently, little is known about the implementation of a BBS in a correctional environment and only a few barriers can be anticipated, for Mozambique's context, these challenges and obstacles can be overcome through clear communication and collaboration with officials at all levels.

METAVERSE AS A SOCIAL MEDIA ENVIRONMENT IN ARCHITECTURE

The research examines the considerable possibilities of Metaverse as a social media platform for architecture. From this point of view, projects designed for the metaverse universe, derived from architectural websites, are being assessed within the scope of social media opportunities. Within this framework, evaluations are made under the criteria of transferring the architectural memory to the Future, the experience and interaction of physical space, brand image and portfolio creation, professional development, and education. In the light of these evaluations, questions were prepared and in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 architectural professionals who have experience in the metaverse. Architectural interactions in the Metaverse allow professionals to visualize and share their projects. In particular, 3D designs produced in the Metaverse help architects collaborate more effectively on virtual projects. In addition, virtual architectural exhibitions and events held within this environment create significant opportunities within the industry by reaching a broad audience. While architects interactively explore the buildings they design in the Metaverse, they also have the opportunity to interact with clients and receive feedback. Metaverse encourages architects to be innovative and creative and guides them to work on projects that push the boundaries. As a result, the new digital age offered by the Metaverse is leading architecture to evolve towards a more open, interactive, and global architecture by combining architecture with social media and virtual reality.

Algorithm Identification and Integrated with Push Service for Telemedicine System

Telemedicine systems, while overcoming physical space constraints, often lack personalized interactions. By incorporating a push service and leveraging prediction-oriented algorithms, these systems can offer an improved user experience. Such enhancements enable timely treatment options and reduce unnecessary resource usage in on-site outpatient clinics. This research work starts by creating a robust algorithm using data mining techniques. Next, it establishes the foundation for a telemedicine push service. The service includes essential modules for disease differentiation, doctor recommendations, and diagnosis predictions. To optimize these modules, a merged algorithm combining k-nearest neighbor classification, nearest neighbor recommendation, and FP-growth is needed. This work aims to enhance treatment options for patients and streamline resource usage in on-site outpatient clinics. Moreover, this work has carried out empirical research for identification of algorithm by using available data at a public Chinese telemedicine system. The results of data analysis show the follows: 1. For disease diagnosis, the KNN model (k=1) is more accurate but less efficient, SVM and LibSVM are more efficient but less accurate than the KNN model; 2. In terms of doctor recommendation, nearest neighbor recommendation performs better but is not as efficient as matrix factorization; 3. in diagnostic prediction, the combination of introducing association mining and data segmentation can play a better role. The developed algorithm and its conclusions from this study could make easier and more efficient to provide treatment options for undecided-condition patients.

3D soft material printer as a mesoscale additive biomanufacturing platform for in-space manufacturing

With the burgeoning in-space manufacturing (ISM) industry, developing an on-demand additive manufacturing (AM) platform will be crucial for long-term space habitation. However, acute space boundary conditions, such as limited physical space, microgravity, vacuum, and others pose unique challenges for designing the printing process, the platform’s structure, and the materials’ printability. An AM platform operable in a space environment would enable production at the point of need (PoN), for example, on-demand food, nutrition, and pharmaceutical products. This research is focused on the design, fabrication, and testing of a 3D printer confined within CubeSat boundaries to study the feasibility of soft material printing aimed toward potential ISM applications. The printer unit was built using components off the shelf (COTS) while adhering to the severe spatial boundary conditions posed by the CubeSat dimensions and was tested using an edible material ink to demonstrate multi-layer prints of soft materials. Printing in ambient Earth conditions as well as under vacuum displayed consistent layer cohesion and comparison to 3D model data although vacuum prints showed visibly dehydrated prints owing to outgassing of air bubbles. The printer equipment’s structural integrity was validated under simulated launch and operation conditions using a vibration testing setup according to the NASA-recommended microsatellites standards. The results indicated that the printer assembly maintained its structural and operational integrity during and after testing. Using soft materials as the basis of testing allows scalability when expanding to more complex and structural materials to produce spare parts using a frugally engineered modular manufacturing platform.

Uncertainty quantification analysis of bifurcations of the Allen–Cahn equation with random coefficients

In this work we consider the Allen–Cahn equation, a prototypical model problem in nonlinear dynamics that exhibits bifurcations corresponding to variations of a deterministic bifurcation parameter. Going beyond the state-of-the-art, we introduce a random coefficient in the linear reaction part of the equation, thereby accounting for random, spatially-heterogeneous effects. Importantly, we assume a spatially constant, deterministic mean value of the random coefficient. We show that this mean value is in fact a bifurcation parameter in the Allen–Cahn equation with random coefficients. Moreover, we show that the bifurcation points and bifurcation curves become random objects. We consider two distinct modelling situations: (i) for a spatially homogeneous coefficient we derive analytical expressions for the distribution of the bifurcation points and show that the bifurcation curves are random shifts of a fixed reference curve; (ii) for a spatially heterogeneous coefficient we employ a generalized polynomial chaos expansion to approximate the statistical properties of the random bifurcation points and bifurcation curves. We present numerical examples in 1D physical space, where we combine the popular software package Continuation Core and Toolboxes (COCO) for numerical continuation and the Sparse Grids Matlab Kit for the polynomial chaos expansion. Our exposition addresses both, dynamical systems and uncertainty quantification, highlighting how analytical and numerical tools from both areas can be combined efficiently for the challenging uncertainty quantification analysis of bifurcations in random differential equations.

‘The Happy Valley’: Temporalized Spatiality in Michael Radford’s White Mischief (1987)

ABSTRACT Contemporary times mark a fundamental shift in our sense and experience of the world. The postmodern condition — as remarked by Fredric Jameson (1991) and Jean-Francois Lyotard (1979), among others — calls for new conceptions of lived reality. Nevertheless, profound uneasiness with notions of space and time is not only a postmodernist obsession. Modernist cinema, on account of its aesthetic self-reflexivity, also grapples with ways of inscribing spatiality and temporality. The 1980s saw a resurgence of European heritage films, reminiscent of interwar years of empire (early 1920s–late 1930s), produced in Kenya. Out of Africa (dir. Sydney Pollack, 1985), White Mischief (dir. Michael Radford, 1987), and The Kitchen Toto (dir. Harry Hook, 1988) became global audience staples. Not only do these films perpetuate Western viewers’ ‘master-race’ instincts; they also reproduce ‘cult images’ of an ‘exotic’ African locale. This paper phenomenologically reflects on White Mischief’s nostalgic reconstruction of a colonial settler village, the Happy Valley, and its ultra-privileged white hedonists. It explores how materiality of physical space can aid re-inscription of time and vice versa. Turning the colonial gaze upon itself, in critical self-reflection, my analysis foregrounds profound ruptures, discontinuities and contradictions in the historical fact and experience of European colonialism in Africa.

Natural- and redirected walking in virtual reality: Spatial performance and user experience

AbstractImmersive virtual reality offers a range of unique possibilities. One of these is the realistic exploration of virtual worlds using natural walking. This however becomes difficult when the size of the virtual world exceeds that of the available physical space. Redirected walking in virtual reality presents a novel solution to this problem by typically making its users think to be walking in a straight line while they are in fact walking in a curve, thus allowing them to physically walk long distances in confined physical spaces. Yet, few studies have examined the effects of redirected walking on variables such as spatial memory, navigation and user experience as compared to other immersive and non-immersive locomotion methods. In a maze task we examined 1) redirected- and 2) natural walking in immersive virtual reality conditions, and 3) artificial locomotion on a non-immersive desktop monitor. Walked path lengths became shorter and distance estimates, object location memory and user experience improved using natural walking compared to a monitor condition. However, redirected walking yielded similar performance to natural walking while requiring less physical space, opening up possibilities for more pervasive use of real locomotion in virtual environments.

Textile Collage as the Artistic Method to Comprehend Industrial Memory: the Analysis of the Project “Radiant City” by Elena Sharganova

The article is focused on the sociological analysis of the project “Radiant city” of Elena Sharganova, resident of the tenth season of Open Studios at the Center of Contemporary Art Winzavod (2023/24), that is devoted to the artist’s hometown — Nelidovo — and consists of a series of textile collages, made with mixed media techniques including photo printing, cyanotype, machine seam, hand embroidery. Sociological conceptualization of the project is made based on the interview with the artist, analysis of archive publications kindly provided by the artist, and researches on social memory and industrial cities. Based on the interpretation of collages as spaces of representation in terms of Henri Lefebvre that represent a zone of experience, in which images and symbols fill in physical space and knowledge about it, the article shows that the “Radiant city” is the artist’s reflections on Nelidovo’s unrealized development trajectories and destinies of small industrial cities in general. There are three key topics raised by the artist in this project: disappointment in communism and nostalgia for the past, the problem of small industrial cities’ development, interrelation of collective and individual memory. Elena Sharganova’s project significance is defined by experiments with art mediums and a research approach that brings together art and social issues.

Diversity of Eucharistic Ritual in COVID-2019 Context

Discussing diversity in the celebration of the Eucharistic ritual in COVID-2019 contexts, this is a comparative study of CITAM (Christ is the Answer Ministries) Valley Road assembly and St. Andrew’s PCEA (Presbyterian Church of East Africa) in Nairobi, Kenya. COVID-2019 had a great impact on the order of worship in Christian churches across the world. Churches were closed down at times. Whereas CITAM Valley Road administered the Eucharist in the virtual space, St Andrew’s PCEA did not adopt virtual Eucharist and had to wait until the lockdown prohibiting church meetings was lifted. This ethnographic study was carried out in Nairobi County at CITAM Valley Road and St. Andrew’s PCEA over a period of six months from late 2021 to early 2022. The methodological approach taken by the researchers was a blend of ethnography and grounded theology. Data was collected through virtual ethnography, participant observation, interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings from the study demonstrated an emerging trend of administering the Eucharist digitally as the Church in Kenya navigated both continuity and change. The findings also revealed the fact that religious change advances not suddenly, or as a single complete change, but in specific expressions that are local and distinct. The researchers posit that in the PCEA, believers could not imagine themselves administering virtual Eucharist in their homes; in CITAM also some Christians felt that administering the Eucharist in the virtual space was different from when it was administered in the physical space.

The Relationship Between Physical, Psychological Health and Space Comfort in the Elderly: A Qualitative Study

The aging process is characterized by a decline in living abilities that can affect the physical and mental well-being of the elderly. The various problems experienced by the elderly require facilities that provide comfort and interior design that supports their physical and mental health. This study aims to analyze the relationship between physical health, psychological health, and space comfort in improving the quality of life of the elderly at the Elderly School of Happy Culture House (SLRBB) in Depok City. The research method used is a qualitative method with data collection techniques through interviews and observations. Data was also obtained through a review of literature relevant to the research topic. Analysis was conducted using triangulation techniques, where data from various sources were compared and put together to obtain more comprehensive results. The results showed that there is a mutually influential relationship between physical health, psychological health, and spatial comfort in the elderly. Good physical health allows the elderly to carry out activities independently, while positive psychological health supports mental well-being. Spatial comfort, including elderly-friendly interior design, increases safety and comfort, and creates a more supportive environment that improves the overall quality of life of the elderly. The implications of this study show the importance of creating a holistic environment for older adults, which not only focuses on physical health, but also psychological well-being and spatial comfort. This can be applied to various programs or facilities that aim to improve the quality of life of the elderly.

AFTER ATHEISM: A SOCIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

The fall of communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the processes of nation building in five Central Asian states have changed the status of religion in these post-soviet countries. The religious freedom is recognized as one of the fundamental humans right in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This essay aims to highlight a unique form of secularism in Kazakhstan, one that is based on the low level of everyday religiosity and evidence that the eventual expansion of Islam in the physical and spiritual spaces does not negate the influence of established secular cultural attitudes. This study examines Kazakh religiosity through a comparative examination of World Values Survey data from 2011 and 2018. The examination of the features of religiosity and the proposition of the distinction between a believer and a religious person define this paper’s subject. The empirical data indicates that Islam has the capacity to transcend moral norms, despite the fact that the majority of Kazakhs' national attitude does not align with Islamic religion in the twenty-first century. Finally, the study draws the conclusion that since most people in post-atheistic Kazakhstan continue to keep secular attitudes, state policy must preserve the secular character of the state while adjusting state-confessional relations to changing Kazakhstan's religious landscape.

PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' PRACTICUM IN GRADE R: INSIGHTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Since 1994, South Africa has prioritized quality education by ensuring that young learners are taught by qualified teachers. A notable shift has been the inclusion of qualified teachers in Reception year classes. This study investigates the experiences of Level 3 and 4 Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase student teachers during their practicum in Reception year classrooms and the perspectives of university lecturers who assessed them. Using an experiential learning theoretical framework and a qualitative interpretive research design, data were collected through open-ended questions posed to student teachers. Findings indicate that student teachers had positive experiences, but university lecturers noted that lessons were often teacher-centred, lacking play or inquiry-based methods. Lecturers also highlighted that the Foundation Phase teacher education programme did not adequately support Reception Year teacher development, citing time constraints and insufficient physical space for practical activities. The study recommends re-evaluating the inclusion of Reception year training in the B. Ed Foundation Phase programme and developing an assessment tool to evaluate Grade R student teachers' planning and presentation skills.

Revitalization of urban industrial heritage from a perspective of spatial production theory: the case study of “Old market” project

ABSTRACT The renewal of urban industrial heritage brings many benefits, meanwhile facing challenges, and there is a lack of in-depth and specific case study analysis. Based on spatial production theory, this paper takes an iconic project as an example to explore its construction process and reveal the spatial and social changes it triggers. This case study investigates the changes in physical and social spaces resulting from the shift in the subjects of spatial production. By analyzing document data, spatial data, and field data, the following key findings and conclusions are obtained: 1) Capital led the regeneration process, transformed decaying factory buildings into consumer space, and activated the economic vitality of the area. 2) The construction of the physical space changed the spatial layout, structure and function that attracted the creative community and young visitors, changing daily lives of the space users. 3) However, the neglect of industrial culture and participation of nearby residents are obvious challenges. The results indicate that using spatial production as a theoretical analysis framework helps us fully understand the challenges faced in the renewal of urban industrial heritage projects. This study can provide a reference for small-scale urban heritage renewal projects, facilitating accurate decision-making.

Fractional-Order Correlation between Special Functions Inspired by Bone Fractal Operators

In recent years, our research on biomechanical and biophysical problems has involved a series of symmetry issues. We found that the fundamental laws of the aforementioned problems can all be characterized by fractal operators, and each type of operator possesses rich invariant properties. Based on the invariant properties of fractal operators, we discovered that the symmetry evolution laws of functional fractal trees in the physical fractal space can reveal the intrinsic correlations between special functions. This article explores the fractional-order correlation between special functions inspired by bone fractal operators. Specifically, the following contents are included: (1) showing the intrinsic expression in the convolutional kernel function of bone fractal operators and its correlation with special functions; (2) proving the following proposition: the convolutional kernel function of bone fractal operators is still related to the special functions under different input signals (external load, external stimulus); (3) using the bone fractal operators as the background and error function as the core, deriving the fractional-order correlation between different special functions.

An architectural design framework to promote healthy indoor-outdoor connections in Arctic housing

This research proposes biophilic intermediate spaces as a promising architectural solution to improve indoor-outdoor connections, occupant well-being, and energy efficiency in Arctic housing. Basic examples of intermediate spaces in Arctic housing models include porches and vestibules. However, the architecture of these spaces has not yet been optimized to adress extreme climatic conditions and occupants’ needs. Therefore, this research develops an architectural design framework to optimize the architecture of intermediate spaces for Arctic housing to meet occupants’ well-being needs and improve housing energy efficiency. The research methodology combines an archetypal approach, exploratory case study analysis, and scoping literature review. The archetypal study examines the historical development of Canadian Arctic housing models in Nunavut, revealing the typological evolution, features, potentials, and deficiencies of intermediate spaces in the Arctic. The study identifies of the main design variables and performance indicators of intermediate spaces corresponding to healthy and positive indoor-outdoor connections, thermal and visual comfort, and energy efficiency. A conceptual model of an intermediate space is then simulated as an exploratory case study for a public Canadian Arctic residential building. The architectural design framework is established based on findings from the literature, archetypal studies of Arctic housing, and simulation results of an integrated model for an intermediate space and a public Arctic housing model in Nunavut. The proposed framework includes main architectural variables such as physical adjacency, material, orientation, space depth, and transparency ratio which impact thermal, lighting, and energy performance. This design framework can serve as a reference for creating policies and decision-making processes that integrate biophilic intermediate spaces with Arctic building practices, contributing to Canada's strategic plan for energy efficiency and vegetable production in the Arctic.

Interrelations of Social, Physical and Symbolic Space – Assessing Residents’ Spatial Perceptions of Gentrifying Neighbourhoods with Multiple Factor Analysis

ABSTRACT Adopting a Bourdieusian perspective on the trialectic relationship between symbolic, social, and physical space, we assess how perceptions, evaluations, and expectations towards one’s surroundings interrelate and are associated with social status and physical location. We analyse survey data from two German neighbourhoods undergoing gentrification, arguing that in this process, residents of different class backgrounds and with different expectations towards their residential area live side-by-side. To reconstruct residents’ symbolic space of spatial perceptions, we apply multiple factor analysis (MFA) to several sets of variables on neighbourhood perception, and relate these to residents’ location in physical space (different neighbourhoods) and social space (socio-demographics). We find that differences between neighbourhoods in levels of social cohesion and disorder are the most important dimension in symbolic space, emphasizing the crucial role of social bonds in residents’ perception of their surroundings. Expectations towards neighbourhood change, the second dimension, are strongly influenced by socio-demographic characteristics.

A Systematic Literature Review of Design Considerations, Challenges and Guidelines in Primary School Physical Learning Space Design

A Systematic Literature Review of Design Considerations, Challenges and Guidelines in Primary School Physical Learning Space Design

Society 5.0: Shaping the future of e-commerce

This paper explores the impact of Society 5.0, a Japanese initiative that integrates digital and physical spaces to address societal challenges and drive economic growth. It examines the role of decentralized technologies in enhancing e-commerce by adapting to consumer behavior changes and improving market dynamics. The study details the transition from Web 1.0’s basic functionalities to the more interactive and social Web 2.0, setting the stage for a more integrated and intelligent e-commerce environment under Society 5.0. This new paradigm emphasizes personalized consumer experiences facilitated by AI and big data, focusing on real-time data, predictive analytics, and tailored services. The paper also addresses how Society 5.0 prioritizes sustainability and ethical practices in AI, aligning e-commerce strategies with global sustainability goals through eco-friendly practices and green logistics. The methodology involves a detailed literature review using specified databases over a defined period, applying rigorous criteria for article selection and classification to ensure comprehensive topic coverage. This research highlights the potential of cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize e-commerce by making it more secure, efficient, and aligned with consumer expectations and environmental standards. The research employs a qualitative approach, synthesizing existing literature on Society 5.0 and its potential impact on e-commerce. We explore how blockchain and big data will personalize experiences, enhance operational efficiency, and introduce new products and services. While acknowledging the limitations of relying solely on secondary literature, the paper underscores the need for future research to include empirical studies and address challenges like data privacy, the digital divide, and evolving regulatory frameworks within the e-commerce landscape.