Architecture is not Technology:- The Space of Differentiation in Architectural Education

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Karassowitsch

An unspoken issue of increasing priority in architectural education is the under developed differentiation between architecture and technology. Almost all of the qualifications whereby an architect is prepared for and is permitted to practice professionally are technological parameters. But architecture is not technology. Architecture is, however, both protected by and obscured thru technology being in the forefront that means it is both of benefit and a hindrance. Architecture being undifferentiated from technology and named in terms of technology thus allows the issue to stay safely within the pragmatic assertion of professionalism that is set up during an education mainly controlled by the profession. Within that is a nascent architectural impulse that resides largely unspoken but which is nonetheless evolved and evolving and shared. The unrevealed architecture generates an aura of the mysterious and the radical which that contributes a greatly to the intensity of mundane and well known work. This paper examines how architectural technology obviates a space of differentiation within architecture, which may be examined phenomenologically in terms of the essence of humanity, whereby architecture has an original ontological correlation with human aspiration. This will be supported with the well known — for brevity — theoretical and practical examples around the work of Heidegger, Louis I. Kahn. Along with phenomenology, we will introduce philosophies of spiritual practice collectively called rajayoga. The latter is a millennia long experiment with well documented research into human aspiration. The paper concludes with examples of architecture presencing this space of differentiation and suggests the implications on the profession of an education that scan develop the super-ordinate program that is architectural practice.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corneel Cannaerts ◽  

The architectural design studio, as a place for educating future practitioners, is faced with two necessary dissociations: the distance from practice and its futurity. While the responses in architectural education have been varied1, the question of how to integrate emerging technologies seems to further sharpen these dissociations. This paper discusses the MMlab and Fieldstation studio, two learning environments set up as extensions of the design studio aiming to question the impact of emerging technologies on architecture. These extensions are particular ways of responding to the dissociations between the design studio and practice and its futurity: through hands-on experimentation with emerging technologies and questioning their relevance for architectural practice and culture, and by exploring the impact of technologies on the environments in which we operate as architects, deliberately looking for places and sites where emerging technologies manifest themselves with a particular urgency. The argument builds on a number of design studios, workshops and elective courses, it discusses two case studies in detail and describes the shift from lab to field in terms of subject matter, spatial setting and pedagogical approach.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155335062110080
Author(s):  
Lara Blanco Terés ◽  
Carlos Cerdán Santacruz ◽  
Javier García Septiem ◽  
Rocío Maqueda González ◽  
José María Lopesino González ◽  
...  

Introduction: The pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2 has obliged us to set up the tele-assistance to offer a continuity of care. This implies an innovation, being the degree of satisfaction of patients unknown. Methods: A telephonic survey was conducted with the validated in the Spanish tool Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (Telehealth Usability Questionnaire; rating from 1-7) of all candidate patients assisted consecutively in the Coloproctology Unit. We included demographic variables, education level, job status, diagnosis and consultation type. A descriptive study was done. The relationship between the willingness of consultation model in the future (telemedicine vs traditional) and the categorical variables was analysed through the chi-squared test. Results: A total of 115 patients were included. The average age was 59.9 years, being 60% women. The average score in each of the survey items was higher than 6 in all the questions but 1. 26.1% of the surveyed patients confessed being advocated to tele-assistance in the future. The only factors related to greater willingness to tele-assistance were male gender (37% vs 18.8%; P = .03) and a higher academic preparation level in favour of higher technical studies (35.9%) and university studies (32.4%) opposite to the rest ( P = .043). The rest of variables studied, job status, labour regimen, diagnostic group and consultation type did not show any relationship. Conclusions: A vast majority of patients answered favourably to almost all the items of the survey. However, only 26.1% of them would choose a model of tele-assistance without restrictions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4364
Author(s):  
Giuseppa De Luca ◽  
Barbara Cardinali ◽  
Lucia Del Mastro ◽  
Sonia Lastraioli ◽  
Franca Carli ◽  
...  

Molecular characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) is still challenging, despite attempts to minimize the drawbacks of Whole Genome Amplification (WGA). In this paper, we propose a Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) optimized protocol based on molecular tagging technology, in order to detect CTCs mutations while skipping the WGA step. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines, as well as leukocytes, were sorted into pools (2–5 cells) using a DEPArray™ system and were employed to set up the overall NGS procedure. A substantial reduction of reagent volume for the preparation of libraries was performed, in order to fit the limited DNA templates directly derived from cell lysates. Known variants in TP53, KRAS, and PIK3CA genes were detected in almost all the cell line pools (35/37 pools, 94.6%). No additional alterations, other than those which were expected, were found in all tested pools and no mutations were detected in leukocytes. The translational value of the optimized NGS workflow is confirmed by sequencing CTCs pools isolated from eight breast cancer patients and through the successful detection of variants. In conclusion, this study shows that the proposed NGS molecular tagging approach is technically feasible and, compared to traditional NGS approaches, has the advantage of filtering out the artifacts generated during library amplification, allowing for the reliable detection of mutations and, thus, making it highly promising for clinical use.


Author(s):  
Zaven A. Arabadzhyan

After a century since the Soviet-Iranian Treaty was signed in 1921 authors of the article consider its significance from a new viewpoint – as the backing of the sovereignty of Iran and Russia that supported development of their relations. Authors examine the way it complied with the interests of Russia and Iran, and its impact on the bilateral relations in the 20th century. The signing of the Treaty secured the sovereignty of Iran, served as the base for the development of equal relations between the two neighboring states and opened up Iran for relations with foreign states. For the Russia, this document was a step towards breaking its diplomatic isolation. The authors emphasize that Russia had granted almost all its property to Iran which contributed to the improvement of the financial situation in Iran and served as a base for the development of mutually beneficial economic relations between the two countries. The authors mention that the property transfer clause was connected with the security of the Soviet Russia. This fact was reflected in the Article 6 of the Treaty. The Treaty set up the basement for the legal status of the Caspian Sea as a closed sea in the states' joint usage. The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, signed in 2018, to some extent retained the special regime of the sea and reflected the spirit of the Treaty of 1921. Although in IRI there are different views about the Treaty some experts consider that it generally complied with Iran's national interests.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivanildo Amorim de Oliveira ◽  
Milton César Costa Campos ◽  
José Marques Junior ◽  
Renato Eleotério de Aquino ◽  
Daniel de Bortoli Teixeira ◽  
...  

The lack of information concerning the variability of soil properties has been a major concern of researchers in the Amazon region. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability of soil chemical properties and determine minimal sampling density to characterize the variability of these properties in five environments located in the south of the State of Amazonas, Brazil. The five environments were archaeological dark earth (ADE), forest, pasture land, agroforestry operation, and sugarcane crop. Regular 70 × 70 m mesh grids were set up in these areas, with 64 sample points spaced at 10 m distance. Soil samples were collected at the 0.0-0.1 m depth. The chemical properties of pH in water, OM, P, K, Ca, Mg, H+Al, SB, CEC, and V were determined at these points. Data were analyzed by descriptive and geostatistical analyses. A large part of the data analyzed showed spatial dependence. Chemical properties were best fitted to the spherical model in almost all the environments evaluated, except for the sugarcane field with a better fit to the exponential model. ADE and sugarcane areas had greater heterogeneity of soil chemical properties, showing a greater range and higher sampling density; however, forest and agroforestry areas had less variability of chemical properties.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Leah Nyangasi ◽  
Dickson Andala ◽  
Charles Onindo ◽  
Alphonse Wanyonyi ◽  
Josphine Chepngetich

Background: Electrospinning is a technique for producing nanofibers, useful in many fields of nanotechnology. The size and morphology of the nanofibers obtained depends on the polymer solution properties, the parameters of the equipment and the conditions of the surrounding. In almost all reported electrospinning set ups, a pump ,which regulates the flow of the polymer solution, has been included as one of the requirements. In this study, the effects of solution concentration, viscosity, voltage and the distance from the tip of the syringe to the aluminum collector on the morphology and diameters of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) fibers were investigated, using a pump-free electrospinning set up. Methods: Varied PMMA concentration (50 -120 mg/mL), voltage (10-18 kV) and distance (5 – 18 cm) of electrospinning were studied and the optimum electrospinning conditions identified.  PMMA/ titanium isopropoxide solution of ratio 1:2 was prepared, electrospun at optimized conditions (15 kV, 18 cm, Dichloromethane/Dimethylformamide 60:40) and the fibers obtained analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. Results: Solutions of PMMA whose concentrations were less than 50 mg/mL, produced beads on fibers, whereas those at ~ 100 mg/mL formed the best bead-free fibers of diameter 350±50 nm. The results showed a direct dependence of fiber diameter on the solution viscosity. Fibers of larger diameters were obtained when the distance from the tip of the syringe to the aluminum collector and voltage were increased but at higher distances (>18 kV) fewer fibers were collected. When the voltage was steadily increased, the fibers broadened and the diameters were non-uniform due to splaying and splitting. Increasing the distance between the pipette-tip and the collector from 10 to 18 cm resulted in reduced electric field which in turn yielded fewer fibers. Conclusions: The results obtained in a pump free set-up were comparable to those eletrospun in the presence of a pump.


2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (8) ◽  
pp. 1607-1612 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.S. Mekhova ◽  
P.Y. Dgebuadze ◽  
V.N. Mikheev ◽  
T.A. Britayev

Previous experiments with the comatulid Himerometra robustipinna (Carpenter, 1881) demonstrated intensive host-to-host migration processes for almost all symbiotic species both within host aggregations and among hosts separated by several metres. The aim of this study was to check the ability of symbionts to complete long-distance migrations, by means of two in situ experiments which depopulated the crinoid host. Two different sets of field experiments were set up: exposure of depopulated crinoids (set 1) on stony ‘islands’ isolated from native crinoid assemblages by sandy substrate, and (set 2) in cages suspended in the water column. Hosts from set 1 were exposed for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks to assess whether substrate has an influence on the symbionts' long-distance migrations. In set 2 cages were exposed for 10–11 days, aiming to check whether symbionts were able to disperse through the water column with currents. These experiments allow the conclusion that post-settled symbionts can actively migrate among their hosts. Symbionts are able to reach their hosts by employing two different ‘transport corridors’, by drifting or swimming in water column, and by moving on the bottom. Comparison of experimental results allows the division of symbionts into two conventional groups according to the dispersal ability of their post-settled stages: (1) species able to complete long-distance migrations, (2) species unable to migrate or having limited dispersal ability. The finding of the free-living shrimp Periclimenes diversipes Kemp, 1922 in set 2 raises the question about the factors that affect such a high degree of specialization of crinoid assemblages.


2021 ◽  
pp. 78-92
Author(s):  
Robin Waterfield

The chief way in which the Greeks united in the third century in order to be able to offer resistance to Macedon was by forming large federal states. The two greatest of these were based in Achaea and in Aetolia, but both quickly spread well beyond these ethnic borders. “Aetolia” came to mean almost all of central Greece, and “Achaea” much of the Peloponnese. I discuss the differences between confederacies and the most familiar form of ancient Greek polity, the polis, and show how confederacies gained their strengths, before focusing on the structures set up by the Aetolians and Achaeans. By the time Antigonus came to the Macedonian throne, the Achaeans were on the rise, but the Aetolians were already a powerful threat. They had spearheaded the Greek repulsion of the Celts from central Greece, thus preserving Delphi, the most important of the Greeks’ common religious centers, and they used this as a springboard for further expansion. Antigonus treated them warily throughout his reign.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Augusto Sousa Miranda ◽  
Felipe Nogueira Domingues ◽  
Bruno Spacek Godoy ◽  
Aníbal Coutinho do Rêgo ◽  
Cristian Faturi ◽  
...  

Sugarcane crops are grown in almost all regions of Brazil, in various types of soil and under the influence of different climate conditions, which results in diverse production environments as climate factors directly influence the yield and technological quality of a sugarcane crop. The present study evaluated the agronomic and technological characteristics of sugarcane cultivars grown in Af climate conditions. The agronomic traits (natural matter production and the number, length, and diameter of stalks) and technological attributes (Brix, purity, Pol, reducing sugars, total reducing sugars, moisture, and fiber content) of three sugarcane cultivars, IACSP93-6006, RB83-5486, and SP79-1011, were determined in a three-year experiment with a randomized block design using four blocks and two repetitions per block. The cultivars IACSP93-6006 and SP79-1011 exhibited superior agronomic traits compared to RB83-5486, showing better adaptation to the soil and climate conditions of the study area. However, the technological attributes, which were below the minimum standard levels required by the sugar and ethanol industry, were not statistically different among the studied cultivars. The abundant rainfall and high temperatures, characteristics of an Af climate, were not favorable for sucrose accumulation in the IACSP93-6006, RB83-5486, and SP79-1011 cultivars. Therefore, despite the high yield, sugarcane intended for industrial purposes should not be grown under Af climate conditions, owing to the insufficient technological parameters.


2020 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
G Manoharan ◽  
N Sharma ◽  
P Gallacher

Introduction Surgeons are required to have a sound knowledge regarding all operating theatre equipment they wish to use. This is important to ensure patient safety and theatre efficiency. Arthroscopy forms a significant part of all orthopaedic subspecialty practice. Proficiency in performing arthroscopic procedures is assessed during registrar training. The aim of this survey was to determine the competence of orthopaedic trainee registrars in setting up the arthroscopy stack system and managing intraoperative problems. Materials and methods Electronic survey forms were sent to all orthopaedic training programme directors in the UK to be forwarded to trainees in their deanery. The electronic survey contained 13 questions aimed at determining trainee experience and competence level with working with the arthroscopy stack system. Results A total of 138 responses were received from 14 deaneries in the UK. Almost all registrars had experienced intraoperative delays because of equipment malfunction that required addressing by more competent staff. However, 82% of respondents had not received any formal training for operating the arthroscopy stack system. Some 82% of registrars of ST7 grade or above, who had performed over 50 arthroscopic procedures and achieved a level 4 PBA competence, were unable to set up the stack system and successfully address these delays. Conclusions Inadequate training is delivered to orthopaedic registrars from both the training programme and arthroscopy-themed courses with regards to set-up and operation of the arthroscopy tower system. This training should be part of the curriculum to ensure patient safety and efficient theatre practice.


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