Effects of Ionizing Radiation and Long-Term Storage on Hydrated vs. Dried Cell Samples of Extremophilic Microorganisms

A main factor hampering life in space is represented by high atomic number nuclei and energy (HZE) ions that constitute about 1% of the galactic cosmic rays. In the frame of the “STARLIFE” project, we accessed the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator (HIMAC) facility of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Chiba, Japan. By means of this facility, the extremophilic species Haloterrigena hispanica and Parageobacillus thermantarcticus were irradiated with high LET ions (i.e., Fe, Ar, and He ions) at doses corresponding to long permanence in the space environment. The survivability of HZE-treated cells depended upon either the storage time and the hydration state during irradiation; indeed, dry samples were shown to be more resistant than hydrated ones. With particular regard to spores of the species P. thermantarcticus, they were the most resistant to irradiation in a water medium: an analysis of the changes in their biochemical fingerprinting during irradiation showed that, below the survivability threshold, the spores undergo to a germination-like process, while for higher doses, inactivation takes place as a consequence of the concomitant release of the core’s content and a loss of integrity of the main cellular components. Overall, the results reported here suggest that the selected extremophilic microorganisms could serve as biological model for space simulation and/or real space condition exposure, since they showed good resistance to ionizing radiation exposure and were able to resume cellular growth after long-term storage.

Optimization of Low Site Density Area for 4G Network in Urban City

The development of telecommunications is currently growing rapidly, especially in urban areas. To obtain optimal data services for users, the performances of 4G network services must continue to be optimized. It is known that many users are scattered in urban areas, but sometimes it is not balanced with an even distribution of the site in this area. This condition occurs because the distribution of the site is not evenly optimal distributed, either due to licensing constraints, limited land access for site development, or in terms of plans that have not been made. Balanced with the requirement of a 4G network, which is required, this "empty space" condition or low site density condition must find a solution or optimize it. Many optimization methods can optimize the area with low site density possibility. This study will optimize the area by adding a new site proposal based on coverage planning. We need to analyze Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) coverage signal distribution using Atoll Planning Software. After optimization, the RSRP level below or equal -80 dBm increased from 75.195% to 94.08%. Furthermore, the percentage calculation for inadequate coverage (below -80 dBm) decreased from 24.816% to 5.931%. This RSRP signal level also shows that the condition after optimization with a new site can improve the signal level condition from areas with low site density possibility.

Changes in drivers’ viewing frequency, maneuver duration, and degree of difficulty during back-in parking maneuver with different conditions of parking spaces

To some people, back-in parking maneuver is a relatively hard thing to do. However, previous studies have proven that back-in parking is safer than head-in parking because when exiting the parking space (back-out) from head-in parking, the driver's field of view is more limited, thus increasing the chance of an accident. This study aims to determine the changes in the driver's viewing frequency on the rear-view mirror, maneuver duration, and degree of difficulty during back-in parking maneuvers. Data collection was obtained from 45 participants who tried to park their cars in a parking space with an angle of 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, each with four different conditions of parking spaces. The driver’s viewing frequency on each rear-view mirror (left, right and center) and maneuver duration were obtained from a dashcam and an external camera recording. The difficulty level for maneuvering was filed according to the driver’s opinion during the experiment for each parking space condition. Based on the data analysis, it was proven that the existence of cars parked on either side of that parking space (obstacles), parking space line signs, and both simultaneously increase the driver’s viewing frequency and maneuver duration when doing back-in parking maneuver, but at the same time, ease the parking maneuver, according to the driver.

A Mechanism for the Rare Fluctuation that Powers Protein Conformational Change

Most functional processes of biomolecules are rare events. Key to a rare event is the rare fluctuation that enables the energy activation process, which powers the system across the activation barrier. But the physical nature of this rare fluctuation and how it enables barrier crossing are unknown. With the help of a novel metric, the reaction capacity pC, that rigorously defines the beginning and parameterizes the progress of energy activation, the rare fluctuation was identified as a special phase-space condition that is necessary and sufficient for initiating systematic energy flow from the non-reaction coordinates into the reaction coordinates. The energy activation of a prototype biomolecular isomerization reaction is dominated by kinetic energy transferring into and accumulating in the reaction coordinates, administered by inertial forces alone. The two major reaction coordinates move in precise synergy, with one acting as a gating mechanism on the other. This mechanism is enabled by the structural features of biomolecules and may the cause of their unique functions that are not possible in small molecules.

Optimal Transceiver Distance of Controlled-source Audio-frequency Magnetotelluric Sounding Method

Currently, the use of Cagniard apparent resistivity and phase is still the main method and means to process and interpret controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) sounding data. The CSAMT data must meet the conditions in the far zone to use the magnetotelluric (MT) sounding inversion interpretation method. The conditions in the far zone are directly related to transceiver distance; Hence, the distance measured by the CSAMT method is directly related to the reliability and credibility of the data. In this study, based on the formation wave and ground wave of the analytical expression for the electric field in a uniform half-space condition, the response laws of the formation wave and the ground wave are analyzed. After rigorous mathematical derivation, the formula for determining the optimal transceiver distance of the CSAMT is obtained, and the steps for using this formula in practical application are given. The actual field application verifies the rationality of the derived formula. This study provides a reference for the design of a CSAMT field source, and effectively guides the determination of CSAMT transceiver distance in the field.

The signing body: extensive sign language practice shapes the size of hands and face

The representation of the metrics of the hands is distorted, but is susceptible to malleability due to expert dexterity (magicians) and long-term tool use (baseball players). However, it remains unclear whether modulation leads to a stable representation of the hand that is adopted in every circumstance, or whether the modulation is closely linked to the spatial context where the expertise occurs. To this aim, a group of 10 experienced Sign Language (SL) interpreters were recruited to study the selective influence of expertise and space localisation in the metric representation of hands. Experiment 1 explored differences in hands’ size representation between the SL interpreters and 10 age-matched controls in near-reaching (Condition 1) and far-reaching space (Condition 2), using the localisation task. SL interpreters presented reduced hand size in near-reaching condition, with characteristic underestimation of finger lengths, and reduced overestimation of hands and wrists widths in comparison with controls. This difference was lost in far-reaching space, confirming the effect of expertise on hand representations is closely linked to the spatial context where an action is performed. As SL interpreters are also experts in the use of their face with communication purposes, the effects of expertise in the metrics of the face were also studied (Experiment 2). SL interpreters were more accurate than controls, with overall reduction of width overestimation. Overall, expertise modifies the representation of relevant body parts in a specific and context-dependent manner. Hence, different representations of the same body part can coexist simultaneously.

High efficient dual band stacked antennas integrated into rescue helmets for indoor communication

A dual-band stacked antenna integrated with a rescue helmet is proposed for WLAN applications. The cross slot aperture feeding technique enables the antenna to support dual-band operation at 2.4 and 5 GHz. On the ground plane, two slots are formed, perpendicular to each other and of different lengths. Four dielectric layers of different permittivity are stacked over this cross slot to attain the desired frequency bands. Under free space condition, the radiator yields 7% (2.31–2.48 GHz), 15.87% (5.12–6 GHz) 10 dB return loss bandwidth (BW). The use of low loss dielectric layers on the slots also provides a high antenna efficiency and moderate gain at both frequency bands. The small dimension of antenna encourages its use as a wearable helmet antenna. Antenna performances are observed under wearable condition. For assessing human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields, SAR evaluations are conducted at both 2.4 and 5 GHz WLAN bands.

THE PUBLIC SPACE QUALITY OF LEBIH BEACH GIANYAR: REVIEW OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FUNCTION

Public space function such as a place for interaction people, social activity, and fulfil of economic needs and also recreation. Public space must be exist even at big city either small city. Public space quality based on impact of abration are physical and non physical aspect. Physical aspect including facility of the area, public space condition, and design. Non physical aspect including responsif aspect, democracy, meaningful and accesibility. Lebih beach as a public space located at Gianyar regency, has intetresting area for people around the beach and also another regency. At this beach, many activity is held, such as social, economic activity, family entertainmet and also fish culinary. At this time, there is many change of Lebih beach because the impact of abration. Decrease of sapce between land and shoreline. This research will explain how the change of Lebih beach based on economic and social function because both of them is the dominant activity at Lebih beach. This is a descriptive qualitative research, with direct interview with the people at beach. The result is quality aspect of social function are democracy and meaningful aspect, and economic aspect are democracy, meaningful and quality of area.

Developing an Indoor Environment Assessment Tool for Residential Buildings

The Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) describes an indoor space condition that the wellbeing and comfortability are provided for the users. Many researchers have highlighted the importance of adopting IEQ criteria, although they are not yet well defined in the Kurdistan region. However, environmental quality is not necessary for the contemporary buildings of the Kurdistan Region, and there is no measurement tool in the Region. This research aims to develop an IEQ assessment tool for the Kurdistan region using Mixed method methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. Therefore, a Delphi Technique was used as a method initially developed as systematic, interactive forecasting on a panel of experts. Thirty-five Delphi Candidates have reached an agreement on selecting the criteria for the IEQ, as Spss and a particular equation has used to find criteria weights. As a result, seven criteria with 22 indicators have been selected by expert ratings. A computer-based tool (KIEQA) has been created based on the scores selected by experts. Research results show that good IEQ is essential for interior design. It also offers a suitable indoor environment for users. This research has many significant advantages since it can raise awareness of issues of indoor environmental quality for architects, experts, and policymakers. Furthermore, to draw up an action plan for existing and new interior design projects in the Kurdistan Region. Future researches may concentrate on the correlation between IEQ criteria and to develop this tool regarding different building typologies.