Activating Intangible Heritage

<p>Laurajane Smith argues that traditional approaches to heritage tend to conform to ideas of preservation; privileging tangible and physical connections between past and present. This thesis explores heritage as an experience that can be facilitated by, but not limited to these physical remains; proposing an approach in which intangible characteristics are privileged. This alternative approach to heritage employs themes of memory, performance and intangibility in order to establish a means of architectural intervention. Within this multi-sensory approach to heritage, reminiscence is achieved by formalising a historical narrative of space, visually evoking feelings in regard to memory of the site. The site of this investigation is the Fever Hospital in Mount Victoria, Wellington, an abandoned heritage building purpose built as an isolation hospital in 1919. Through multiple architectural interventions, this thesis designs the integration of this neglected, forgotten, and isolated site as a significant element of the city. Historical narrative is engaged as a tool to distil intangible conditions and preserve the sites heritage value that would not otherwise be considered. The method of this architectural investigation uses iterative design and critical reflection to test ideas of form, scale, and program. Throughout these tests light, shadow, material, and narrative are employed as mechanisms to accentuate these less tangible elements. Informed by the history of the site, this investigation explores the programs of a bath-house and public performance space. The result being a mixed-use public space that activates the site as a component within the social context of the city, while embodying a sense of reminiscence to intangible heirtage; experienced through the spatial narrative.</p>

Activating Intangible Heritage

<p>Laurajane Smith argues that traditional approaches to heritage tend to conform to ideas of preservation; privileging tangible and physical connections between past and present. This thesis explores heritage as an experience that can be facilitated by, but not limited to these physical remains; proposing an approach in which intangible characteristics are privileged. This alternative approach to heritage employs themes of memory, performance and intangibility in order to establish a means of architectural intervention. Within this multi-sensory approach to heritage, reminiscence is achieved by formalising a historical narrative of space, visually evoking feelings in regard to memory of the site. The site of this investigation is the Fever Hospital in Mount Victoria, Wellington, an abandoned heritage building purpose built as an isolation hospital in 1919. Through multiple architectural interventions, this thesis designs the integration of this neglected, forgotten, and isolated site as a significant element of the city. Historical narrative is engaged as a tool to distil intangible conditions and preserve the sites heritage value that would not otherwise be considered. The method of this architectural investigation uses iterative design and critical reflection to test ideas of form, scale, and program. Throughout these tests light, shadow, material, and narrative are employed as mechanisms to accentuate these less tangible elements. Informed by the history of the site, this investigation explores the programs of a bath-house and public performance space. The result being a mixed-use public space that activates the site as a component within the social context of the city, while embodying a sense of reminiscence to intangible heirtage; experienced through the spatial narrative.</p>

Research of physically modified antifriction-wear-resistant composite polymer materials and coatings on their basis for machine-building purpose

The article presents the results of studies of the tribotechnical properties of composite thermosetting polymeric materials based on an epoxy compound and ultrasonicated oligomeric fillers operating under conditions of contact interaction with a pulp using the example of raw cotton. Regularities of changes in tribotechnical properties (coefficient of friction, intensity of wear) of composite thermosetting epoxy polymeric materials associated with their filling with organomineral fillers and ultrasonic treatment, in contact with raw cotton have been revealed. The temperature and the magnitude of the electrostatic charge arising in the friction zone of rubbing polymer- cotton and composite-cotton pairs on the type and content of organic-mineral fillers were studied.

The Rise of International Parliaments

This chapter concludes the book and presents its key findings and takeaways. It reiterates the argument of strategic legitimation in international organizations: that governments establish international parliamentary institutions to pay tribute to global norms of democratic governance and legitimate international organizations that have become both more powerful and contested. It further summarizes the key empirical results of the book and highlights that the rise of international parliaments originates in the combination and interplay of two different constellations and processes: supranational regional integration (combining region-building purpose with high international authority) and international diffusion. The chapter goes on to assess the case study evidence on the legitimacy benefit of ‘recognition’ that international parliamentarization provides to states and their international organizations. Finally, it discusses the implications of the analysis for the study of institutional design, comparative regionalism, and global, cosmopolitan democracy.

Assessment on Influence of Corncob Ash as a Partial Replacement of Cement in Concrete

In an attempt to renovate waste product into constructive material for the building purpose, this research considered the use of corn cob ash (CCA) as a partial replacement of cement. Hence, in this research, we have proposed an eco-friendly solution by investigating the utilization of corncob ash with 0, 5, 10 and 15% replacement for cement in M30 grade of concrete Mechanical Properties such as compressive strength, Split tensile strength and Flexural strength at 7,14,28 days are examined in laboratory. The results reveal that Corn Cob Ash can be used as a partial replacement for cement which in turn reduces the emission of greenhouse gases.

Classroom Indoor Environment Assessment through Architectural Analysis for the Design of Efficient Schools

Optimization of environmental performance is one of the standards to be achieved towards designing sustainable buildings. Many researchers are focusing on zero emission building; however, it is essential that the indoor environment favors the performance of the building purpose. Empirical research has demonstrated the influence of architectural space variables on student performance, but they have not focused on holistic studies that compare how space influences different academic performance, such as Mathematics and Arts. This manuscript explores, under self-reported data, the relationship between learning space and the mathematics and art performance in 583 primary school students in Galicia (Spain). For this, the Indoor Physical Environment Perception scale has been adapted and validated and conducted in 27 classrooms. The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis have evidenced that the learning space is structured in three categories: Workspace comfort, natural environment and building comfort. Multiple linear regression analyses have supported previous research and bring new findings concerning that the indoor environment variables do not influence in the same way different activities of school architecture.

Modifiers for Rigid Polyvinylchloride Compositions of Building Purpose

A comparison of small doses (up to 0.7 mass part) of impact strength modifiers of foreign and domestic production in polyvinylchloride-based compositions is given. Domestic acrylicnitrile- butadiene styrene modifiers (ABS) were used. The developed shock-resistant polyvinylchloride compositions in the presence of ABS elastifier have high melt fluidity, which has a beneficial effect on the recyclability. Changes in supramolecular structure were estimated from thermomechanical testing and electron microscopy data for both unfilled and filled PVC samples. Thermomechanical analysis showed that the presence of ABS modifier had a favorable effect on the technological properties of PVC-based samples. Electron-microscopic images indicate that in unfilled PVC samples, the heterogeneous PVC structure is expressed in the presence of ABS copolymer in comparison with foreign acrylic modifiers. When the compositions are filled with micro-heterogeneous structure in dispersion medium, the filler-polymer is formed by chalk particles, while ABS elasticifier is at the phase interface. Due to the peculiarities of the structure ABS has a higher degree of “fixation” on the surface of the chalk particles in comparison with the basic compositions containing acrylic modifiers, which with increasing chalk concentration leads to lower wear and tear on the top of the forming equipment.

Soft robot development: Air muscle for rehabilitation robotic application

Physiotherapy is a science which acts in the area of biomechanical and functional disorder, establishing diagnostics and supporting the locomotor system rehabilitation. These procedures require assistance of a physiotherapist, however they are insufficient for the country´s demand. Usually such procedures use devices with the newest technology, in order to enable recovery and avoid possible permanent trauma. In order to face this reality, we have committed to develop an air muscle, based on the McKibben´s model, with the purpose of proposing a new low-cost parallel robot to physiotherapy (Soft Robot) for the rehabilitation of patients with ankle injuries. This robot is responsible for moving three degrees of freedom platform, therefore acting directly in the rehabilitation of the patient through the execution of soft and accurate therapeutic movements that stimulate the recovery of operated tissues. First, it is build an air muscle that will be used as actuator in parallel platform. Then is raised a curve of behavior to shift versus pressure on proposed muscle. In conjunction with these data to actuator behavior is modelled and simulated the new parallel robot. This air muscle was build using a latex tube covered by a braided fibred mesh and fuelled by a pneumatic tire valve, therefore obtaining a nonlinear behavior of contraction to each pressure value admitted on muscle. By means of this prototype building purpose, we obtained satisfactory results, such as a contraction of 25% of the nominal length for pressures up to six bars. Considering such a result and the low cost involved building actuator as this one, the advantage in using this model is perceptible.

OPPORTUNITIES OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES IN LIGHTING DESIGN

Light is an artistic tool that allows to create a unique collection of diverse images of a building. Purpose of the research: to identify opportunities of lighting design in the present, based on the commercially available lighting; to determine whether light sources are always used rationally, how to avoid ignorant operation. Research methods: the problem of multiple light pollution is identified by analyzing the light environment of Russian cities. The main reasons for this are the ignorance of modern specialists in the field of lighting design and the lack of regulation of the industry by the state. Research results: technical opportunities of lighting design in modern architecture are revealed; types of lighting to create commercially available lighting devices; ways to eliminate light pollution are proposed. The potential of lighting design is poorly disclosed in the streets of modern cities. Raising a new school of masters will allow cities around the world to be transformed, to please viewers in the evening, as the existing equipment can already provide such a magnificence.

Characterization of the workplace chemical exposome using untargeted LC-MS/MS: a case study

Western people now spend close to 90% of their time indoors, one-quarter of which occurs at their place of employment. As such, interactions between employees and the workplace built environment have significant potential impact on employee health and safety. However, the range of workers’ daily chemical exposures is still poorly understood. Likewise, the influence of workers themselves and of worker behavior on the chemical composition of the workplace is still unknown. In this case study, we used untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to compare the chemical signatures of three different types of workplaces: scientific research buildings, office buildings, and one mixed-purpose building. Our results identified differential signatures of public building surfaces based on building purpose, sampling location and surface materials. Overall, these results are helping define the influence of human behavior on the workplace chemical environment and identify the chemical hazards to which people are exposed throughout their workday.HighlightsImplementation of untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to study workplace chemical exposures.Shared chemical signatures were identified based on building purpose.Differential chemical signatures were identified based on surface material and sampling location.Annotated molecules include pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, food chemicals, constituents of paints and stains, and cleaning products.