Space Utilization Research Articles

The Impact of Facility Management Practice on Business Performance in Selected RETAIL Markets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

The need to contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted impact of facility management practices on retail business performance in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria necessitated this study. The aim is to ascertain the impact of facility management on the overall performance of the retail markets. The research endeavours to evaluate the prevailing facility management practices within selected retail markets using a mixed methods research methodology to ensure a thorough exploration of the subject matter. The study population comprised various stakeholders within the retail market sector, including retail market owners, housekeepers, porters, vendors, and facility managers. A sample size of 161 respondents was selected to represent the diverse perspectives and experiences within the retail sector. Data collection involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews, allowing for in-depth exploration of participants' perceptions and experiences. Meanwhile, quantitative data were collected via structured surveys. The study finds that facility management practices has not improved customer satisfaction or employee productivity in selected retail market as respondents were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with the current level of facility support provided for various operational aspects of the supermarket. Findings indicate that facility management practices such as provision of safe environment, standard of cleaning in facility management, relevance of provided equipment, high performance/ productivity risk mitigation, responsiveness of the facility management team in addressing customer issues, effective utilization of space can impact the overall performance of the retail market. The study concludes that effective facility management practices is a determinant of success in the competitive landscape of the retail market and recommends the setting up of clear standards for facilities management practice in the supermarkets, effective communication with the users/owners, implementation of preventive maintenance, adoption of smart technologies in retail market facility management plan, and the establishment of a facility management department to coordinate uses and services of facilities in the retail market buildings.

A Multi-Objective Optimization Design for Enhancing Space Utilization and Minimizing Cutting Time in Nuclear Facility Component Decommissioning

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s requirements for the minimization of radioactive waste, nuclear facility components need to be cut into smaller blocks and packaged in waste containers during decommissioning. Therefore, it is important to increase the space utilization (SU) of the cut blocks in the containers while reducing the cutting time (CT). In engineering practice, increasing SU often leads to longer CTs, which poses a great challenge to improve the efficiency of the nuclear decommissioning process. To overcome this challenge and to determine the optimal operational parameters, this paper introduces a multi-objective optimization design method for cutting and packaging nuclear facility components. The goal is to increase SU while concurrently reducing CTs, ultimately minimizing the waste and reducing the decommissioning cost. First, we project the intricate three-dimensional (3D) irregular parts packing problem onto a two-dimensional plane to simplify the complexity inherent in 3D parts packing and to formulate a packing optimization model. Second, we employ the Morris method to perform global sensitivity analysis on critical parameters, including cutting angle, height, component radius, and plate thickness parameters, throughout the cutting process of nuclear facility components. This analysis produces global sensitivity indicators for each parameter, facilitating a precise assessment of the sensitivity values associated with different operational parameters. Finally, we formulate a multi-objective design optimization model for cutting and packing nuclear facility components that yields a series of alternative operating parameter solutions upon solving it. This methodology offers a resolution for the selection of optimal operational parameters in the decommissioning process of nuclear facility components, thereby attaining optimal outcomes in waste disposal and furnishing guidance for subsequent decommissioning activities.

Temperature retrieval of near space with the combined use of O2(a1Δg) and O2(b1∑+ g) dayglow emissions under self-absorption effect correction

Atmospheric temperature information in the near space is of great academic significance and engineering value to support the development and utilization of the near space. Based on the theory of O2 molecular dayglow spectroscopy and the mechanism of atmospheric radiative transfer, a method is proposed for the joint retrieval of temperature profiles in the near space using O2(a1Δg) and O2(b1∑+g) bands dayglow spectroscopy signal with the self-absorption effect. First, the temperature dependence of O2(a1Δg) and O2(b1∑+g) bands dayglow is investigated, and the influence of the self-absorption effect on the radiative transfer characteristics is analyzed in the limb-view mode. Then, with the use of the onion peeling algorithm, the dayglow emission spectra signals of the O2(a1Δg) and O2(b1∑+g) bands measured by the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) in the limb-viewing mode were processed, and combined with optimization algorithms, the temperature profiles from 35 km to 120 km is successfully retrieved. Finally, the accuracy and reliability of the self-absorption effect correction as well as the joint temperature retrieval were verified by comparing with temperature product data from remote sensing satellites such as Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER), Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier-Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS), and Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS). The error analysis shows that the temperature retrieval error after correction for the self-absorption effect is about 3 K minimum and 20 K maximum.

Caring for those who care: key challenges and improvement opportunities for health professionals working with children with disabilities

This paper investigates the challenges faced by health professionals working with children with disabilities, with the aim of identifying areas for improvement. Employing a focus group method, the study involved knowledge levelling, discussions, problematization, cause formulation, and validation. A diverse team of ten professionals participated, including physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, nursing technicians, and social workers. Findings reveal organisational inflexibility in appointment scheduling, lack of deadlines affecting case monitoring, and the mental strain of immediate clinical responses. Effective communication and multidisciplinary care emerge as beneficial. Proposed improvements include flexible space utilisation, enhanced room design, structured collaboration training, role clarification, parent partnerships, flexible scheduling, and continuous professional development. This study unveils unique challenges and rewards in the healthcare environment, offering insights into causative factors and practical strategies for enhancing the work of health professionals working with children with disabilities.

Study of Area Spatial Planning of Defense Efforts Protected Field Land

This research aims to describe policy implementation and explain the factors that influence the implementation of spatial planning policies to maintain protected rice fields based on regional regulation Number 6 of 2022 concerning Malang City's regional spatial planning plans for 2022-2042. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with an inductive approach. The theory used in the policy implementation theory put forward by George C. Edwards III with indicators of communication, resources, disposition and bureaucratic structure. Data collection techniques are interviews, observation and documentation. Data analysis techniques are used through data collection, data condensation, data presentation, drawing conclusions, and verification. The research results show that based on the implementation of spatial planning policies to maintain protected rice fields in Malang City, spatial planning activities were carried out without community participation. Spatial planning regulations to maintain protected rice fields are outside the vision and mission of Malang City. Space utilization is carried out through provisions on the suitability of space utilization activities, indications of leading programs, and synchronized implementation of space utilization programs. Meanwhile, control of space utilization is carried out through supervision, monitoring and administration of administrative sanctions. Supporting factors consist of clarity of regulations, adequate resources, a positive attitude of implementers, and clarity of division of authority. Meanwhile, inhibiting factors include socialization not progressing, regulatory inconsistencies, clarity of budget allocation, implementing incentives and non-existent SOPs. Apart from that, there are external inhibiting factors, namely the high selling price of land and other livelihoods. In the future, the Regional Government of Malang City needs to make special regulations that regulate the details of protected ...

Assessing Immediate and Lasting Impacts of COVID-19-Induced Isolation on Green Space Usage Patterns.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced urban lifestyles, particularly the utilization of green spaces. While existing studies have primarily focused on the immediate effects of COVID-19-induced isolation, less attention has been given to the enduring impacts on green space usage patterns. This study addresses this gap by conducting three comprehensive surveys in Dezhou, China-before, during, and after the first wave of social isolation (December 2019, March 2020, December 2020). These surveys assessed socioeconomic conditions, commuting habits, green space usage habits, and landscape preferences, specifically focusing on usage frequency, duration of stays, and activities undertaken. Using Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman's rho correlations, we identified significant long-term changes, including an increase in the frequency of visits by previously infrequent users, a reduction in visit durations, and a rise in high-intensity activities. These trends persisted 9months post-isolation, highlighting the pandemic's lasting impact on green space usage and its critical role in enhancing public health and pandemic preparedness through thoughtful urban environmental design. This study not only sheds light on behavioral adaptations during a public health crisis but also offers evidence-based strategies for urban planning to bolster societal resilience in the face of future pandemics.

Study on microstructure and wear resistance of laser cladding TiAlZrVNiX high entropy alloy coating based on Laves phase modulation

The incorporation of Laves phase into HEAs coating represents a novel approach to enhance wear resistance, building upon the innovative background of titanium alloy surface protection. The TiAlZrVNiX (X = 1, 1.5, 2) HEAs coatings were prepared in this study using laser cladding advantages to achieve dependable wear-resistant coatings. The microstructure, phase composition, microhardness, and tribological properties of the HEA coatings were simultaneously investigated. TiAlZrVNiX coatings were composed of V-rich HCP solid solution phases, C14-Laves phases, and NiTi2 phases. The microhardness of the 1.5Ni coating measured 708.75HV0.3 and wear rate of 1.12 × 10−13m3N−1 m−1. The primary wear mechanism was abrasive wear, and it had been confirmed that the 1.5Ni coating exhibited best wear resistance. The Laves phase with high space utilization would produce precipitation strengthening and dispersion strengthening, effectively reducing the stress-induced microcrack diffusion. Additionally, the introduction of Ni elements induced the growth of the NiTi2 phase in order to enhance the strength while mitigating brittleness, thereby enhancing the wear resistance of the coatings.

Inventory Optimization and Space Utilization of Crop Protection Chemicals Godowns

Inventory Optimization and Space Utilization of Crop Protection Chemicals Godowns

Hydraulic characteristics of a large rotation-angle baffle-drop shaft through synergetic discharge from dry and wet sides

To enhance the operational capacity and space utilization of baffle-drop shafts, this study improved the traditional baffle-drop shaft by expanding the wet-side space, incorporating large rotation-angle baffles, and installing overflow holes in the dividing wall. A three-dimensional turbulent model was developed using ANSYS Fluent to simulate the hydraulic characteristics of both traditional and new baffle-drop shafts across various flow rates. The simulation results demonstrated that the new shaft design allowed for discharge from both the wet and dry sides, significantly improving operational capacity, with the dry side capable of handling 40% of the inlet flow. Compared to the traditional shaft, the new design reduced shaft wall pressures and decreased the mean and standard deviation of pressure on typical baffles by 21% and 63%, respectively, therefore enhancing structural safety. Additionally, the new shaft achieved a 2%–12% higher energy dissipation rate than the traditional shaft across different flow rates. This study offers valuable insights for the design and optimization of drop shafts in deep tunnel drainage systems.

Flood Disaster: Control and Utilization of Space after the Enactment of the Job Creation Law

The arrangement of Green Open Space is an area in the form of paths and groupings to its broader benefits; the pathway contains plants that grow naturally or are naturally grown directly. The Spatial Planning Law states that 30% of urban areas must have green areas, with 20% for public space and 10% for private. This study aims to determine the utilization and control of space after the enactment of Law No. 6/2023 on Job Creation in the Jember Regency, especially in urban areas. This research is normative juridical, meaning that it is carried out by examining various kinds of formal legal rules, such as laws, literature, and theoretical concepts, which are then related to the problems that are the subject of discussion. The approaches used in this research are the statute approach (legislative approach) and conceptual approach (concept approach / expert opinion). The study results explain that Law No. 26 of 2007 concerning Spatial Planning provisions regarding the content, guidelines, and procedures for preparing provincial and district/city spatial plans are regulated in Ministerial regulations. Still, in Law No. 6/2023 Job Creation, there are renewed provisions regarding the content, guidelines, and procedures for preparing provincial and district/city spatial plans regulated in Government Regulations. Based on this description, local government efforts to overcome floods can use several regulatory provisions in the Job Creation Law.

Implementing Scalable Solutions for Space Debris Mitigation

Abstract: Collision of space debris present in the LEO (Low Earth Orbit) poses a serious threat to the current operational space missions as well as to the future utilization of the LEO space. These also result in major environmental impairment and significant economic losses due to damage to satellites and space stations. It thus becomes imperative to develop effective strategies and design and build systems which can aid in the removal of both small and large debris. This paper investigates the various existing space debris mitigation models such as ElectroDynamic Debris Eliminator (EDDE), ESA’s Space Harpoon, Laser Ablation, and JAXA’s Electrodynamic tether. A useful comparison is drawn amongst these different techniques while evaluating their efficiency within the framework of methods for space debris capture and removal. The advantages and drawbacks of these technologies are discussed through examples, previous and ongoing projects. The paper also aims to briefly introduce a novel concept for debris mitigation and to motivate more rigorous research in this area.

Combining vehicle routing and bin packing problem for vehicle routing planning: A case study of a chemical factory

In the logistics distribution process, effective transportation management is required to ensure quality and timely delivery. In addition, transportation must be more economical and faster. The case study company is a chemical plant, an industrial company that produces products for hygiene and cleaning. The delivery manager plans the transportation routes based only on her experience because no decision-making aids are available. In addition, the manager considers the shipping order from first to last when arranging the products on the transportation vehicles. The goods for the final delivery location are placed at the back and bottom of the delivery truck. This cannot guarantee that the transportation routes set by the manager are suitable. Therefore, this study aims to plan delivery routes, arrange items in trucks, and reduce transportation costs for a case study of a chemical factory by using vehicle route problems and container filling problems. Then, the program is developed in Python using the Saving Algorithm, the 3D First Fit Decreasing Algorithm, and the 3D Best Fit Algorithm. The results show that the program method can reduce the use of transportation vehicles from 19 to 14, which is 26.32%; reduce the total distance from 5,499.8 kilometers to 3,406.92 kilometers, which is 38.05%; reduce the wages of transportation vehicles from 36,666 to 24,993 baht, which is 31.84%; can increase the average total weight per vehicle from 961.22 to 1,319.71 kilograms, which is 37.30%; and increase the average space utilization per vehicle from 37.93% to 51.47%, which is 13.54%. This method can reduce costs and increase efficiency for the company. Finally, the developed program also supports inexperienced operations managers in making decisions when planning transportation routes and loading goods, Thereby saving working time.

Examining Dwelling Interior Conditions for Informal Settlement Upgrading Along the Mae Kha Canal, Chiang Mai

This article delves into the internal features of habitat in slum-like informal settlements, focusing on the challenges faced by the locale in the Mae Kha Canal informal settlements in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The study aims to clarify the dwelling characteristics as well as understand the interplay between housing and the living circumstances of the occupants. A mixed-methods approach was utilised, primarily employing field surveys, house investigation including arrangement and utilisation of space, and in-depth interviews with residents. A total of 80 households were sampled and analysed. The findings reveal that the previous relocation plans made by local authorities, which offered only a single room per family as a one-size-fits-all strategy, are not suitable for the current inhabitants' living conditions. Consequently, this article concludes with alternate suggestions for the forthcoming practical Mae Kha Canal Housing Upgrade project. It emphasises the potential of applying the idea of interiority to examine the distinctive interior conditions, thereby contributing to better dwelling design for the locals.

Symposium 3: Networked learning in the time of pandemic

Digital networking technologies have allowed lecturers and students to remain connected while being physically isolated during global lockdowns resultant from the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that the increased utilization of online spaces for teaching and learning during the time of isolation has brought the question of intersubjectivity and alienation in cyberspace to the forefront. As part of an ongoing phenomenological analysis of the virtual, we survey the experiences of networked learning reported by a group of South African university students in their end of course surveys. We track particularly their experience of alienation, their capacity to engage with material in the online environment, and their awareness of self as a learner. For Merleau-Ponty there resides in intersubjectivity a founding corporeity that serves to explicate the composition of the intersubjective world as based in a plurality of anonymous subjects and in the intersubjectivity of intellectual consciousnesses. In terms of the virtual, a redeployment of Merleau-Pontian thought (and particularly his concept of the flesh) reveals that the body-subject and digital technology artefact are co-implicit in the generation of the virtual. The virtual serves as a point of networked intersubjectivity that concretely expands and constrains human experience and behaviour. Furthermore, in the virtual we navigate a reified landscape. Virtual reification, though seemingly a contradiction, sees us treating the virtual as concrete from the basis of our embodiment. This leads us to an alienated networked intersubjectivity, whereby all potentialities are founded in ordered and carefully arranged systems that promulgate pragmatic and capitalist logics. We investigate how reification makes up the virtual, and how our engagement with the virtual points us back to the nature of alienation (indeed, for Marx, alienation is an intersubjective social relation). We find in the virtual therefore not isolation, but rather a deficient mode of intersubjectivity. While the individual never becomes atomized, for even in the virtual a deficient mode of intersubjectivity remains nevertheless a mode of intersubjectivity, we find that the individual functions as part of a deficient and distorted network. We suggest in conclusion certain teaching methods that may minimize or mitigate students’ experience of alienation.

Model Test and Numerical Simulation of Two Typical Close-Fitting Pile–Wall Integrated Structures in Deep Excavation

Compared to conventional support methods, the close-fitting pile–wall integration technique features a minimized construction spacing between the retaining pile and the basement retaining wall. This approach leverages the pile stiffness to minimize the wall thickness and enhance underground space utilization. However, it currently lacks significant discussions and measured data about the interaction laws between the pile and the wall. The model test and finite element method (FEM) are employed to study the deformation and internal force interaction laws of two typical close-fitting pile–wall integrated structures, and a comparison with conventional design is conducted. Furthermore, this study separately investigates the impact of sensitivity factors, specifically the pile–wall stiffness ratio and floor plate stiffness, on both structures during the basement construction and serviceability stages. The test results can closely match the numerical simulation. The study results reveal that the wall impacts the bending moment of the pile to some extent. The internal force in the wall is significantly influenced by the lateral deformation of the pile and the floor plate. Compared to conventional designs, this structure significantly reduces the bending moment of the wall, particularly in the composite structure. Additionally, the analysis of sensitivity factors reveals their considerable influence on the pile–wall interaction.

Typologies of informal adaptations of communal spaces:a comparative study between different socio-economic spatial settings in Amman

ABSTRACT This research reflects on various typologies of informal adaptations to communal spaces. Amman City has faced several humanitarian and economic crises that have played a significant role in its urban expansion. New patterns of communal space utilization have emerged, enabling the local community to develop and define its informal spaces and practices. To define these emerging typologies, the study uses comparative analysis in different socio-economic settings and mainly qualitative approaches. The study concludes with some reflections on how to learn from such practices and contribute to future resilient urban plans for the city and similar contexts.

Construction of Quench-Induced Ru-Doped CoNiP Hierarchical Spheres for Hydrogen Evolution at High Current Densities.

Optimizing the electronic configuration improved the electrocatalytic performance of Ru doping. However, efficiently doping Ru and ensuring its stability in the hollow hierarchical structure posed a challenge. This work innovatively utilized the huge temperature difference between calcination and ice water (0 °C) to rapidly dope Ru atoms onto the CoNiP hierarchical spheres. Notably, the Ru-anchored hierarchical spheres enhanced the active area and internal space utilization. In addition, the addition of Ru dopant optimized the electronic structure and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics of CoNiP. Surprisingly, Ru-CoNiP only required 250 mV to generate 1 A cm-2, which was 1.5 times that of commercial Pt/C. Moreover, its activation energy (Ea) was 24.3% lower than CoNiP, further confirming that the Ru dopant reduced the energy barrier of alkaline HER. In conclusion, this work proposed a new method for promoting the doping of trace amounts of ruthenium into hierarchical spheres through quenching.

Implementing housing policies for a sufficient lifestyle

The German buildings sector is currently facing a double challenge: meeting emission reduction targets and providing affordable housing in rapidly growing cities. Living space per person has a major impact on household energy consumption and it has increased significantly in recent decades. New construction increases the demand for often energy-intensive building materials, and energy demand during the use phase of buildings is positively related to the size of the space. Optimising the allocation of living space therefore offers great potential for addressing both challenges. Sufficiency policies such as flat exchanges, a financial bonus for moving and the provision of moving advice aim to reduce the total floor area in the housing sector by using existing space more efficiently. However, the effectiveness of such measures is not yet fully understood. As the sufficiency approach relies heavily on individual choices, residents’ involvement, perception and acceptance are crucial for the success of such measures. An investigation in selected German housing companies shows that the potential of these measures is not fully exploited under the current political and social framework in Germany. Social acceptance, new norms and business models for landlords are needed for the effective use of these measures. Policy relevance How effective is the implementation of sufficiency measures for space utilisation in the German rental housing sector? The success factors and limiting barriers of the measures along with the acceptability and effectiveness of these measures are investigated by interviewing housing companies (some of them social housing providers) that have the potential to implement such policies in their housing stock. Improvements are needed in the social and technical infrastructure to increase the effectiveness of the measures. Raising awareness, rethinking communications and designing effective financial incentives are recommended to make the measures attractive to the public. Involving all stakeholders, keeping the issue on the political agenda and engaging in dialogue with policymakers are considered effective steps in the process of achieving space sufficiency in the housing sector.

Policy Evaluation Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing in Kuningan District

The policy performance of implementing Risk-Based Business Licensing through the Online Single Submission-Risk Based Approach (OSS-RBA) system in Kuningan Regency is still experiencing obstacles because Kuningan Regency does not yet have a Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR) which has an impact on hampering the process of basic requirements in the form of Conformity of Space Utilization Activities (KKPR), Environmental Approval and Building Construction Approval (PBG). Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the business licensing policy so that the aim of the policy, namely improving the investment ecosystem through issuing business permits more effectively and simply, can be achieved. This research uses qualitative methods with data collection and analysis techniques through observation, interviews with service officers and the community as well as documentation studies. Based on the results of research using William N Dunn's evaluation theory with 6 main criteria, it was concluded that the implementation of risk-based business licensing policies in Kuningan Regency has not met effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, alignment and accuracy in encouraging ease of business licensing even though the responsiveness is quite good with the increasing number of permits. Micro and Small Enterprises (IUMK) in Kuningan Regency. To increase the effectiveness of implementing this policy, the Kuningan Regency government issued a regional policy so that the business licensing public service process in Kuningan Regency continues to run well.

Spatially engineered local electric field for enhanced water electrolysis

Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) stands as a well-established and promising route for sustainable hydrogen production. However, traditional AWE cells suffer from low performance and bulky size. Here, we introduce the integrated design, a streamlined architecture that maximizes space utilization and enhances inter-component contact. This geometric innovation requires only minor modifications in the manufacturing process to effectively double the gas production capacity without increasing the volume of the device across a wide voltage range. Utilizing Ni foam electrodes, the device achieves a 205 mA cm−3 output at 2.0 V. Through visual inspections and simulations, we compared the new and traditional designs, attributing performance improvements to optimized local electric fields. These findings not only demonstrate the feasibility of spatial engineering, but also illuminate a promising path to advance alkaline water electrolyzer technology.