The Influence of Altered-Gravity on Bimanual Coordination: Retention and Transfer

Many of the activities associated with spaceflight require individuals to coordinate actions between the limbs (e.g., controlling a rover, landing a spacecraft). However, research investigating the influence of gravity on bimanual coordination has been limited. The current experiment was designed to determine an individual’s ability to adapt to altered-gravity when performing a complex bimanual force coordination task, and to identify constraints that influence coordination dynamics in altered-gravity. A tilt table was used to simulate gravity on Earth [90° head-up tilt (HUT)] and microgravity [6° head-down tilt (HDT)]. Right limb dominant participants (N = 12) were required to produce 1:1 in-phase and 1:2 multi-frequency force patterns. Lissajous information was provided to guide performance. Participants performed 14, 20 s trials at 90° HUT (Earth). Following a 30-min rest period, participants performed, for each coordination pattern, two retention trials (Earth) followed by two transfer trials in simulated microgravity (6° HDT). Results indicated that participants were able to transfer their training performance during the Earth condition to the microgravity condition with no additional training. No differences between gravity conditions for measures associated with timing (interpeak interval ratio, phase angle slope ratio) were observed. However, despite the effective timing of the force pulses, there were differences in measures associated with force production (peak force, STD of peak force mean force). The results of this study suggest that Lissajous displays may help counteract manual control decrements observed during microgravity. Future work should continue to explore constraints that can facilitate or interfere with bimanual control performance in altered-gravity environments.

Diffusion of CO2 in Magnesite under High Pressure and High Temperature from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

CO2 transports in the Earth’s interior play a crucial role in understanding the deep carbon cycle and the global climate changes. Currently, CO2 transports inside of the Earth under extreme condition of pressure and temperature have not been understood well. In this study, the molecular dynamics (MD) calculations were performed to study CO2 transports under different CO2 pressures in slit-like magnesite pores with different pore sizes at 350~2500 K and 3~50 GPa are presented. Diffusion of CO2 in magnesite was improved as the temperature increases but showed the different features as a function of pressure. The diffusion coefficients of CO2 in magnesite were found in the range of 9 × 10 − 12 m 2 s − 1 ~ 28000 × 10 − 12 m 2 s − 1 . Magnesite with the pore size of 20~25 Å corresponds to the highest transports. Anisotropic diffusion of CO2 in magnesite may help to understand the inhomogeneous distribution of carbon in the upper mantle. The time of CO2 diffusion from the mantle to Earth surface was estimated to be around several tens of Ma and has an important effect on deep carbon cycle. The simulation of CO2 transports based on the Earth condition provides new insights to revealing the deep carbon cycle in the Earth’s interiors.

A STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH IN EARLY DESIGN STAGE

Due to the ozone layer depletion, global warming and climate change, there is a significant increase to reduce carbon emission. Practitioners and academia undertake studies to promote environmentally friendly built environments. Developed countries have established specific standards to achieve a carbon neutral as their commitment to contribute for a better earth condition. Design phases are considered as the early stage where the environmental approach needs to be applied to predict the building performance as soon as possible to maximise the energy efficiency of the proposed building. Another significant factor affecting the building energy performance is climate. Climate becomes the first parameter to generate building proposals as it is contextual to the site. This study aims to assess the application of environmental approach in designing educational building in temperate climate during the early design stage. The combination of design and simulation during the early design stage, helps to define the best design proposal to adopt passive design that harvest the environment condition as much as possible to deliver comfort into the building.

Risk Assessment of the Najmieh Hospital Electricity System using Energy Trace and Barrier Analysis Method

Introduction: Considering application of multiple electrical equipment, numerous occupational accidents occur in hospitals each year. Electrical accidents are severe and impose high costs on the individuals and organizations. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of electrical systems in one of the oldest hospitals under supervision of Baqiyatallah University using energy trace and barrier analysis method (ETBA). Methods and Materials: All wall plugs, switches, stationary and portable equipment, and stationary and portable electrical panel were evaluated in terms of earthing and appearance. This was done using a simple voltmeter and a 100-watt bulb. All equipment and electrical panel were examined for the presence of Residual Current Device. The ETBA worksheets were completed for each equipment and workstation. The existing barriers were identified and initial risk reduction numbers were calculated. Barriers and solutions were suggested for the equipment or workstation that was at higher risk. Controlled risk was calculated by considering new barriers. Results: The ETBA worksheets were completed for 71 devices and workstations. The initial and controlled risk was calculated. Surveys revealed that all sections of the main building and the departmental structures did not have a good status regarding the earth condition. Risk assessment of the equipment and stations by ETBA method indicated that 97% of the equipment were not at an acceptable level of risk, 52% were at the unacceptable risk level, 45% were at undesirable risk level, and only 3% were at the acceptable risk. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to prioritize resource allocation to eliminate hospital defects and reduce the risk of accidents up to an acceptable level.

University of Warsaw Geology Department uses SMARTTECH 3D scanner to discover the secrets of earth

Researches provided on University of Warsaw Geology Department uses a 3D scanner to make advanced analysis of quartz crystals found on different places on Earth. Quartz crystals are formed in the same process for millions of years. They usually grow in regions of active volcanoes and earthquakes. Their final shape and color depend from number of external factors such as for example pressure, and temperature. Precise 3D scan of quartz crystals made with sub millimeter accuracy gives scientists unique possibilities of researching the condition under which the crystal was formed and discovering the earth condition from hundred thousand years ago.

Sobre geopoéticas e a condição corpo-Terra / About geopoetics and the body-Earth condition

Este trabalho lida com três reflexões relacionadas à Geopoética: a da geógrafa Lúcia Helena B. Gratão, que convida a uma forma geopoética de se fazer geografia; a de Eric Dardel, cuja reflexão sobre a relação Homem e Terra é exercida via poética; e a do filósofo José Luís Pardo, que propõe a Geopoética como forma de lidar com a Língua da Terra. Entre os três autores há pontos de convergência: a Geopoética se relaciona aos nossos encontros com a Terra, os quais, subitamente, nos causam vertigem, ou encanto, ou, ainda, sensações que dificilmente conseguimos exprimir. Mas, por que seria próprio da Geopoética o encanto, a vertigem, o inexprimível?Aqui, nos apoiando no fenomenólogo Maurice Merleau-Ponty, pensamos essa questão a partir do corpo, ponderando que todo acontecimento geopoético é tributário de nossa condição Corpo-Terra.

Study on the Pressure-Sinkage Relationship of Lunar Soil Simulant

The lunar surface is covered with the deposit of regolith which is loose and dry powder. In the earth condition, the mechanical properties of lunar soil simulant from eruption powder will greatly influence the precision and reliability of the rover test results. This article measures the parameters by means of the vertical load which is representing the pressure generated by vehicle wheel, and the formula of vertical pressure-sinkage relationship: p=[kс/b+kφ]*zn. It was discussed that the value of n, kс, kφ changed under three different velocities and four different radiuses of circular plates. Because these parameters are sensitive to bulk density of lunar soil simulant, the paper could only discuss the range of kсkφ and n, and the results of the measurement are n= 0.698~ 1.123, kс= 0.524~ 5.928, kφ= 0.124~ 1.926. The lunar soil will make the poor trafficability for lunar rover. This article could provide basis and criterion for evaluation rover behavior at the surface of moon and design the wheel parameters of lunar rover.

Restoration and Strengthening of a Historical Structure in Antalya - Turkey

Protection and restoration of historical structure has a big importance to transfer past from future. It is necessary to protect all materials and documents that includes past culture, life style and life art in purpose of human history. Structures that used in past, is most important of these materials. Protection of historical structures that reflect to history of period and is historical artifact is also important because of emphasized reason. There are many historical structures in different region of Turkey. Some structuring especially show all cultural structure of that period and stand erect as grand monument. But in the length of time these type structures abrade and lose their nature, because of natural or other reason. After ever earthquake, almost each historical structures have permanent damages in Turkey which is earthquake area. For this reason, It is necessary to transfer future these historical structures by strength and repairing to discover local earth conditions and equipments that used in structure against to earthquake and other affects, determining damaged condition, determining system of architecture and conveyer to these historical structures On the other side, protection of structure can be provided with help of increasing functionality. Unused and closed historical structure will abrade and because of natural and other affects, it will damages and becomes unused. So, basic protection is to use and repair periodically to these historical structures. In near future, protection and restoration of historical structures get importance in Turkey. Many historical structures start to handle for this propose, works pick up speed for restorations. Mustafa Kemal primary school which used as school long time, and completed construction in 1910 Antalya-Turkey, is other important cultural heritage. Accumulation school building has basement, ground floor, and 1.floor. Because of floor height, basement has not been used. Other two floors have been used for common room, laboratory and toilet. In this work, after building survey of historical building used for school had been taken, equipment used in building had been confirmed and local earth condition had been determined, according to exist Turkish Regulations building analyze had been done. According to lacks of structure, it had been invigorated. For propose of implementation of architecture style to period, all added parts had been restored and renewed to damaged parts. Keywords: Restoration, strengthening, historical structure