A Subconscious Ascent: Exploring the Architecture of the Metaphoric Staircase

<p>This research explores the significance of the stair as a spatial and symbolic architectural experience. The stepped form integrated with architecture. The stair is an integral feature of architecture which has the potential to be specifically designed to enhance space and create particular experiences. A stair is not only a functional object, but a medium for design. Metaphorical staircases are absent in contemporary architecture as a loss of meaning has resulted in monotonous designs devoid of figurative or poetic significance. The staircase has been a fundamental component of architecture since Neolithic times, however has recently been neglected. The stepped form has represented many themes including hierarchy, transcendence, or authority. In contrast, the contemporary staircase has embraced pragmatics. Safety restrictions, efficiency, and budget constraints, result in disregard for aesthetics and meaning. Film provides a behavioural setting in which to analyse how people move, behave, interact, and experience staircases. A range of films will be analysed to identify techniques for meaningful stair design. The influence of surreal qualities will also be determined to enhance an experience. Surreal imagery offers the opportunity to create dreamlike space, activating the subconscious. The metaphoric connotations of staircases will be explored through six research categories; the stair as Symbolic, Illusive, Transitional, Kinetic, Psychological, and Iconic. Design case studies will then investigate the intersection of the staircase as architecture, filmic representation, and surreal experience. The stepped building Casa Malaparte in Italy acts as a reference model for the successful integration of these concepts. With influence of these themes, the staircase can once again become widely acknowledged as architecture.</p>

A Subconscious Ascent: Exploring the Architecture of the Metaphoric Staircase

<p>This research explores the significance of the stair as a spatial and symbolic architectural experience. The stepped form integrated with architecture. The stair is an integral feature of architecture which has the potential to be specifically designed to enhance space and create particular experiences. A stair is not only a functional object, but a medium for design. Metaphorical staircases are absent in contemporary architecture as a loss of meaning has resulted in monotonous designs devoid of figurative or poetic significance. The staircase has been a fundamental component of architecture since Neolithic times, however has recently been neglected. The stepped form has represented many themes including hierarchy, transcendence, or authority. In contrast, the contemporary staircase has embraced pragmatics. Safety restrictions, efficiency, and budget constraints, result in disregard for aesthetics and meaning. Film provides a behavioural setting in which to analyse how people move, behave, interact, and experience staircases. A range of films will be analysed to identify techniques for meaningful stair design. The influence of surreal qualities will also be determined to enhance an experience. Surreal imagery offers the opportunity to create dreamlike space, activating the subconscious. The metaphoric connotations of staircases will be explored through six research categories; the stair as Symbolic, Illusive, Transitional, Kinetic, Psychological, and Iconic. Design case studies will then investigate the intersection of the staircase as architecture, filmic representation, and surreal experience. The stepped building Casa Malaparte in Italy acts as a reference model for the successful integration of these concepts. With influence of these themes, the staircase can once again become widely acknowledged as architecture.</p>

Antimicrobial Peptides—or How Our Ancestors Learned to Control the Microbiome

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short and generally positively charged peptides found in a wide variety of life forms from microorganisms to humans. Their wide range of activity against pathogens, including Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and enveloped viruses makes them a fundamental component of innate immunity.

An Idea of the Education: the Structure and Content in the Context of the Philosophical Bases Changing

Introduction. Postnonclassical changes in modern education do not have a systemic character, therefore they do not entail qualitative changes in educational practice, that actualizes the need of searching for their system organizing principle. The article considers the idea of education in this capacity.Materials and Methods. In the process of scientific research, the theoretical research methods have been used such as comparative analysis, generalization, interpretation, scientific theorization in the context of the ideas of post-non-classical science and on its methodological basis.Results. The novelty of the proposed interpretation of the idea of education lies in the definition of its two structural components – fundamental and derivative (unchangeable and changeable) ones. It is shown that the content of the fundamental component is formed by logical and semantic constants as attributive properties of the basic method of human interaction with the world, which transmitting is being the deep meaning of education, providing self-identity of the idea of education in the flow of cultural and historical time. In the process of building a model and system of education, this method is acting as the initial object of modeling. Its attributive properties - logical-semantic constants - being the content of the fundamental component of the idea of education, like semantic genes, determine the structure, form and properties of each element of the education system. From this perspective, the article examines the two models of education: a traditional one in its original and current state and a new model of education, which is being developed on the post-non-classical foundations.Discussion and Conclusions. The interpretation of the idea of education proposed in the article makes it possible to present a traditional model and a new model of education from the ancestor source – the fundamental component of the idea of education as their «genetically» initial part. This perspective of understanding allows us to consider the elements and phenomena of education holistically and in the perspective of their development, serves as a reliable basis for assessing their educational efficiency.

An Algorithm for Calculation and Extraction of the Grid Voltage Component

Calculating the values of the parameters of distorted periodic signals in real-time is important for the control of many processes. In particular, this information is necessary for the proper operation of power electronics devices that cooperate with the power grid. In such cases, it is necessary to determine the phase, frequency, and amplitude of the fundamental component of the voltage in the power grid node. Also, in many cases, the control process needs a signal which is synchronised with the power grid voltage. Both processes should be realised in real-time. A number of solutions to the problem of calculating the values of the voltage parameters have been described in the literature. However, these methods generally introduce significant time delays and have several restrictions regarding the variability in the values of these parameters. They also often require the significant computational power of a unit that performs the task of identification. The algorithm presented in this work is based on the properties of a pair of orthogonal signals, generated by a two-dimensional finite impulse response filter, which has a certain transfer function resulting from the needs of the algorithm, what is the innovation of the algorithm. These signals are then used in the program module, which both, calculates, in the time domain, the instantaneous values of the frequency and the amplitude of the fundamental component of the power grid voltage, and generates a signal, being in-phase with this component. The presented algorithm is fast, accurate, and relatively simple; therefore, it does not require a high computational power processor. This algorithm was experimentally verified by implementation in microcomputer-based units, which were then applied in the control systems of the power electronic devices, as well as in analysers of the energy quality.

Ekowisata dan Wisata Religius sebagai Relasi antara Manusia, Alam dan Tuhan

The development of the world of tourism so rapidly from year to year. This implies an inevitable new tourist attraction. This development has its traces from the 20th century as a result of the decline of human existence, the objectification of nature and the breaking of the chain of sacredness with God through tradition. The second decade of the 21st century shows that this disconnection and decadence can be re-woven through tourism. This research will explore the statement: what kind of tourism model can then intertwine humans' disconnection from themselves, nature and God? The result is that in the ecotourism and religious tourism models there is a possibility of a harmonious mutualism symbiosis. Specifically in this study, the authors found that ecotourism (Trigonasantri Garden) and religious tourism objects (Petilasan Linggabuana) have a fundamental component—traditionally—relationship between humans, nature and God.

Золотное шитье калмыков в контексте развития прикладного искусства монгольских номадов

The article is devoted to the study of Kalmyk embroidery, identification of prerequisites and factors of its development, ethnic peculiarities of execution. Based also on the artistic and expressive means of Kalmyk, the author considers gold sewing in the system of Kalmyk folk costume in the prism of the plastic worldview of the ethnic group. Embroidery as a fundamental component of the decor of the Kalmyk costume reflects the traditions of the Mongol-speaking peoples in the Eurasian vector of their development. The study emphasizes the authenticity of the sign system of the Oirat-Kalmyk costume in the conditions of the changed habitat of the ethnic group. The integrity of spiritual and material culture, as the utilitarian and artistic basis of the applied art of Kalmykia — is the basis of the analysis in the interpretation of the material. The results of the study show a developed Central Asian artistic tradition in the processing of textiles. The traditional decoration system of the Kalmyk costume reveals the preservation of the endemic tradition and its transformed development in the new conditions of the people’s resettlement and the expansion of ethnic and cultural contacts. Статья посвящена рассмотрению калмыцкой вышивки, выявлению предпосылок и факторов ее развития, этнических особенностей исполнения. Опираясь на совокупность художественно-выразительных средств калмыцкой вышивки, автор рассматривает золотное шитье в системе калмыцкого народного костюма сквозь призму пластического мировоззрения этноса. Вышивка как основополагающий компонент декора калмыцкого костюма отражает традиции монголоязычных народов в евразийском векторе их развития. В исследовании подчеркивается аутентичность знаковой системы ойрат-калмыцкого костюма в условиях измененной среды обитания этноса. Целостность духовной и материальной культуры как утилитарно-художественной основы прикладного искусства Калмыкии — основа анализа в трактовке материала. Результаты исследования показывают развитую центральноазиатскую художественную традицию в обработке текстиля. В традиционной системе декора калмыцкого костюма обнаруживается сохранение эндемичной традиции и ее трансформированное развитие в новых условиях расселения народа и расширения его этнокультурных контактов.