Assimilating the Authentic with the Contemporary: The Work of Hadi Mirmiran 1945–2006

Hadi Mirmiran formulated a third way for Iranian architecture. During the 1980s he created an influential shift in thinking and practice by developing an alternative approach, which neither directly imitated Western Modernism nor copied traditional building forms. As Saman Sayar explains, Mirmiran developed a uniquely Iranian treatment that owed as much to the geometrical purity and simplicity of the 17th-century Bridge of 33 Arches in Isfahan as to Mies van der Rohe.     

The Establishment of the Yangtze River Delta Cities and Towns System with Shanghai as the Center

The Existing big cities in the world arenow facing problems caused by the fast in-crease of industry and population and theyhave adopted some measures for these prob-lems.It has become the main trend for bigcities of industrial countries to change de-velopment direction from concentration todecentralization.With the deepening of our urban andrural reform drive and the unexpected de-velopment of productivity,our cities are ex-periencing rapid growth,especially     

Are the relative variation rates (RVRs) approximate in different cities for the same building with the same outer-window reform?

By analyzing and comparing hourly, monthly and classified cooling and heating energy consumption of Tampa and Guangzhou, it can be found that the reduction of heat transfer coefficient of outside window can obviously decrease annual heating need. Its effect is essentially similar to the reduction of outer-wall heat transfer coefficient. The reduction of outer-window heat transfer coefficient can significantly increase the heating or cooling RVRs of the hours without solar radiation (basic RVRs) and it can also increase the heating RVRs at the hours with solar radiation. However, it can just increase cooling RVRs at the hours with solar radiation limitedly. Only supplemented with restraining solar radiation effectively, it could raise the cooling RVRs significantly. Whatever any climatic conditions, the annual heating energy consumption is governed by the classification without solar radiation ($>80\%$) and annual cooling energy consumption is governed by the classification with solar radiation ($>90\%$). Therefore, in order to decrease heating energy consumption, the first choice is the improvement of envelope's thermal insulation performance while to decrease cooling need, the first measure is to restrain solar radiation and then supplemented with the improvement of envelope. It is shown by the research that under the same outer-window heat transfer coefficient (i.e., the same measure of outer-window thermal insulation is adopted for the same building), the heating RVRs are approximate and the cooling RVRs are also approximate in different cities. This paper proves at another angle the universalism of approximation of heating and cooling RVRs under different climatic conditions (or in different cities) for the same building with the same energy-efficient measure again.     

Interaction of Galaxolide® with the human and trout estrogen receptor-α

Synthetic musks have been detected in sewage effluents, surface waters, and fish tissues where the polycyclic musk compound, HHCB (Galaxolide®) is the dominant compound in those matrices. In the present study, the Galaxolide® formulation was tested in the yeast estrogenicity screening (YES) assay, and also tested in in vitro and in vivo teleost systems to determine whether it interacts with the estrogen receptor as either an agonist or antagonist. In those tests, Galaxolide® did not act as an estrogen agonist, however there was strong evidence of antagonistic activity as Galaxolide® inhibited the estrogenic activity of 17β-estradiol (E2). In the YES assay based on a recombinant strain of yeast containing the human estrogen receptor (i.e. hERα), Galaxolide® inhibited the effects of E2 in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 1.63 × 10⁻⁵ M). In a luciferase reporter gene assay based on the rainbow trout estrogen receptor (i.e. rtER) transfected into a rainbow trout gonadal (RTG-2) cell line, the IC50 for the antagonistic effect of Galaxolide® was 2.79 × 10⁻⁹ M. In an in vivo assay based on modulation of vitellogenin in rainbow trout, Galaxolide® i.p. injected into trout at a dose of 3.64 mg/kg caused inhibition of E2-induced vitellogenin production. That dose is within the range of concentrations of Galaxolide® that have been detected in tissues of fish from contaminated locations.     

Delta urbanism: planning and design in urbanized deltas – comparing the Dutch delta with the Mississippi River delta

Planning and design approaches in urbanized deltas are in a process of fundamental reconsideration. For a new approach, it is fruitful to consider the urbanized delta area as a complex, layered system, based upon complex-systems theories and layer-based methods. With this theoretical point of view, we can distinguish several development periods of urbanized deltas like the Mississippi River delta and the Dutch Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. In the current period, both deltas find themselves in a transition between the regime of the recent past and the new regime. In this transition process, the planning and design of the infrastructural system will be crucial. In order to find the most effective approach to infrastructure as a condition for urban development and water management, it will be important to develop a method of research by design, based upon strong collaboration between different disciplines such as urban design and planning, hydraulic engineering, landscape architecture, and environmental sciences.     

Single family houses - for everyone faced with the task of building a house

Aesthetically pleasing and well thought out solutions, in detail. The private single family house is still the most popular residential alternative. Recently, however, a changing demographic structure and personal expectations, together with continually rising energy costs and the depletion of our natural resources, tend to make this traditional housing solution somewhat impractical. Topics such as multi-functionality, the application of innovative building materials and low-energy, sustainable construction techniques are subsequently gaining in relevance. In order to keep abreast of changes and developments in the field, DETAIL has now released the fully revised and extended second edition of ＂in DETAIL Single Family Houses＂. The customary arrangement of the ＂in DETAIL＂ volumes has been adhered to, along with the retention of clearly laid-out and detailed project documentation. Introductory essays address specific layouts, communicate the essentials of planning principles and provide a multitude of handy hints for practical implementation. The subsequent selection of international examples, consistent with the established style of presentation, demonstrates the latest trends in the design of single family houses.     

Establishing an Operational Mechanism of Urban Planning in Line with the Socialist Market Economy

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Partyof China pointed out clearly that socialist market economicstructure should be gradually established in China beforethe end of the century so as to further emancipate and devel-op the productive forces. What kind of impact will the gradual establishment ofthe socialist market economic structure in China produceon urban planning?How will the work of urban planningsuit the needs of the new situation?These are the issues re-quiring careful study.I would like,herewith,to explain myrough ideas in this regard.     

‘Happy Meals’: Finding Happiness with Hans Becker and the Humanitas Care Model

Hans Becker , originally a professor at the Erasmus School of Economics in Rotterdam, is a seemingly unlikely guru for elderly care. In 1992 he was appointed Chair of the Rotterdam-based housing association Humanitas with the task of overturning the outmoded and failing commercial model of its nursing homes. He set about replacing them with ‘apartments for life’ that promoted independent living. In order to understand more about the successful Humanitas model, David Birkbeck , Chief Executive of Design for Homes in the UK, interviewed Becker and found out how the move to a new housing type was enabled by a philosophical shift that placed an emphasis on the engendering of happiness among its residents – with food and the creation of convivial on-site restaurant facilities proving a critical tool.     

Can computers create relaxation? Designing ReacTickles© software with children on the autistic spectrum

People on the autistic spectrum are characterised as having difficulties with social and communicative functioning. They are understood to have unusual sensory experiences, in any modality, which means that their perception of the world is alarmingly different from non-autistic people. These experiences create confusion and anxiety, and for many autistic individuals their lives are dominated by fear.

A body of research exists, however, to suggest that computers present an ideal medium for reducing the confusing, multi-sensory distractions of the real world and that given the right approach, there is a strong possibility that some aspects of computation could prove relaxing and therapeutic.

This paper will document the participatory design and development methods of the ReacTickles© software, which, by encouraging exploration and experimentation from a simple, structured interface, aims to promote relaxation, encourage spontaneous play, and support learning for children on the autistic spectrum.

The paper will reveal how the entire design process from concept development through to the varied and flexible evaluation strategies, has been informed by the distinct needs and characteristics of the target population.     

Why the difference in the recreational hunting ethic between Australians and North Americans? An opinion with emphasis on ‘furbearers’

Australia and North America have many similar cultural features. Yet, although North America has a strong recreational hunting culture, the sport is limited in Australia. This paper investigates why this difference may have developed. It appears that a major difference is the reason for settlement: Europeans were attracted to North America because of its abundant wildlife and the socio-economic value of furbearers already established, whereas Australia was settled as a penal colony. The colonists found Australia’s wildlife was scarce and unfamiliar, offering no prospect of socio-economic gain from hunting furbearers. With over-exploitation, both continents moved to conservation of their wildlife. North America developed a conservation ethic based on a social, utilitarian approach to sustainable management of furbearers. Australia embraced a holistic approach to conservation to protect biodiversity. The differences, therefore, result from zoological differences and not innate cultural difference.     

Factors affecting the coprecipitation of inorganic phosphate with calcite in hardwaters—I Laboratory studies

Results are presented for the coprecipitation of inorganic phosphate on calcite and interpreted using a chemical model. The model is used to elucidate why three different chalk waters (two natural and one artificial) coprecipitated different surface densities of phosphorus under similar conditions. Inhibitors of calcite growth such as magnesium and iron have a substantial effect on the amount of phosphorus coprecipitated on calcite, whereas a humic acid material had very little effect. The complete inhibition of calcite growth by inorganic phosphate is also demonstrated.     

Investigation of the structure of the surface of sorbents–catalysts modified with MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> by the method of X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy

crystal films of manganese oxide of composite materials were investigated by the method of X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy in the fresh and spent state. The efficiency of modification was confirmed whereby on the surface of substrates of the carbonate type forms a thin-film crystalline structure of MnO₂. We have found the relationship between the structure of crystalline film and substrate nature, which affects technical characteristics of the sorbent–catalyst. The mechanism of catalytic oxidation of manganese compounds in aqueous solutions using synthesized sorbents–catalysts was defined.     

Evaluating the arsenic attenuation of soil amended with calcium–magnesium composites of different particle sizes

An attenuation layer composed of ground mixed with stabilising agents can prevent the contamination of the surrounding area when using soils and rocks with geogenic contaminants in embankments. The optimum particle size of the stabilising agent must be selected based on the requirements of the construction site because the mechanical and chemical properties of the attenuation layer are site-specific. However, the relationship between the particle size of the stabilising agent and the attenuation performance of soil–agent mixtures has yet to be fully clarified. This study employs batch sorption tests to evaluate the attenuation of arsenic by a soil mixed with a calcium–magnesium composite with different particle sizes, ranging from powder particles (<0.075 mm in size) to granular particles with diameters between 2.0 and 9.5 mm. Amended soil more effectively attenuates the contaminant than the original soil. In one experiment, a stabilising agent of granular particles (between 2.0 and 9.5 mm) for the amendment increased the soil’s partition coefficient K_d from 14.5 to 22.2 cm³/g, which is more than a 50% improvement in the attenuation. Using a stabilising agent with a smaller particle size for the amendment has a greater impact. K_d increases linearly as the particle size of the stabilising agent decreases down to 0.075 mm. Using the K_d from laboratory tests, simulations with a one-dimensional advection–dispersion equation demonstrate the durability of the attenuation layer. Both the powder and the granular particles show promise as attenuation layer materials.     

Create A Magazine with Chinese Characteristics ——Congratulations on the Launch of Publication of Landscape Architecture

China has thousands of years’history in landscapearchitecture.However,it was not until1951that thediscipline of gardening was founded and was thendeveloped into the discipline of landscape planningand design.And it is only until today,a professionalmagazine is published.Hereby I would like to show mysincere congratulations to its publication.Above all,thewhole staff,who had worked so hard during the internalpublication period for over ten years and had establisheda solid foundation whereof,i…     

Erring with high‐level nuclear waste disposal: a case study of the precautionary principle

Increasingly, the “Precautionary Principle” is being discussed as a basis for decision‐making to protect environmental and human health where there are risks of serious or irreversible damage but where there are gaps in knowledge and uncertainties to demonstrate conclusively either the existence of the risks or their levels. Many analyses of the precautionary principle focus on the abstract or philosophical theories of the principle. Here, I provide a more practical case study to demonstrate some of the prospects and problems of the principle. While the case study focuses specifically on the disposal of high‐level radioactive waste at a potential repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, it also provides insight to other problems of complex technologies and the protection of health.     

Experience with Construction of Underground Sections of Buildings by the “From Top Down” Scheme

Experience gained with the method of installing the underground section of a building from the top down is described in an example of the construction of specific projects in Moscow, design, construction and monitoring problems are exposed, advantages and disadvantages of this method are indicated, and observational data are cited for the settlements of existing buildings located within the zone of influence of new construction.     

Does the Miocene-Pliocene relict legume Oxytropis triphylla form nitrogen-fixing nodules with a combination of bacterial strains?

Abstract

Four pairs of strains were isolated from four individual root nodules collected from different plants of the Miocene-Pliocene relict legume Oxytropis triphylla growing in the Baikal region (one nodule – one pair of strains). Identification of these strains by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that one strain of each pair was fast-growing and phylogenetically closest to the type strains Phyllobacterium endophyticum PEPV15^T (98.8–99.5% 16S rDNA similarity) and Phyllobacterium bourgognense STM 201^T (98.8–99.3% 16S rDNA similarity). The other strain was slow-growing and closely related to the type strains Bosea vestrisii 34635^T and Bosea eneae 34614^T (99.5–99.8% 16S rDNA similarity). Results of the atpD gene sequencing suggested that Phyllobacterium-related isolates most probably belong to a new species of Phyllobacterium. It is known that none of the currently described strains of P. endophyticum, P. bourgognense (family Phyllobacteriaceae), B. vestrisii and B. eneae (family Bradyrhizobiaceae) can induce root nodules, but several symbiotic genes were found in the representatives of these two genera. Thus we hypothesize that the pairs of strains isolated from O. triphylla root nodules can be co-microsymbionts having complementary sets of symbiotic genes and their simultaneous presence in roots is required for efficient nodulation of the host plant. The whole genome sequencing of the studied strains is in progress to find and compare symbiotic genes.     

Flexibility in PPP contracts – Dealing with potential change in the pre-contract phase of a construction project

Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) cover a range of possible relationships between public and private parties. PPP contracts are typically used in contexts of great uncertainty, such as large construction and infrastructure projects that are realized over a longer period of time. Hence, a major challenge in PPPs is to keep construction progress cost-efficient and on schedule, under continuously changing circumstances. One way to achieve this is through clever contracting, by proactively anticipating potential change in the planning phase and providing flexible contract mechanisms that enable an effective response. The purpose of this article is to discuss potential changes and the subsequent requirement of flexibility in PPP contracts. By flexibility, we mean the ability of the contract to deal with changing circumstances. We set out to do so by studying the available literature on the subject and by analysing the case study of the Blankenburgverbinding in the Netherlands, a Design, Build, Finance and Maintain (DBFM) project that is currently in its planning phase based on 32 interviews. Our main findings are that the timely and accurate recognition of potential changes, combined with the availability of flexible coping mechanisms, provide the stakeholders with a better understanding of the challenges they face in realizing their aims in the pre-contract phase of projects. This understanding helps to better prepare a PPP contract for potential changes.