Distinct Elements Research Articles

Botulinum toxin for bruxism treatment: a nationwide study among oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Germany.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of botulinum toxin (BTX) for the treatment of bruxism in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Germany. A dynamic online questionnaire comprising 7 to 25 questions was formulated to gather general and specific information regarding using BTX to treat bruxism. The questionnaire underwent internal and external assessments for validation. Subsequently, it was distributed to 906 oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) affiliated with the German Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (DGMKG). Weekly reminders were dispatched over four weeks to enhance response rates. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymized. Descriptive methods were employed for data analysis. 107 OMFS participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 11.81%. On average, 17 patients with bruxism were per month, with 4 of these patients receiving BTX therapy. BTX administration was frequently accompanied by splints and physiotherapy (35.51% of participants). Botox® (Allergan) was the preferred BTX preparation, utilized by 40.79% and reconstituted with saline by 92.11% of participants. The masseter muscles were primarily targeted for BTX treatment (67.57% of participants), averaging 29 BTX (Allergan-) units per side. Injection points for each masseter muscle typically amounted to six per side, preferred by 30.67% of participants. Follow-up assessments post-BTX treatment were conducted regularly, predominantly after four weeks, by 36% of participants. In 8% of cases, additional BTX injections were necessary due to inadequate outcomes. Side effects were reported in 4% of cases, commonly manifesting as a non-disturbing reduction in bite force. Most participating OMFS (61.84%) using BTX for bruxism therapy regarded bruxism treatment with BTX as evidence-based. Notably, 97.37% of respondents expressed their willingness to recommend BTX-based bruxism treatment to their colleagues. Overall, the efficacy of BTX therapy for bruxism was rated as good (53.95%) and very good (40.79%). The use of BTX for the management of bruxism among OMFS in Germany has demonstrated efficacy. Substantial variances in certain facets of bruxism treatment employing BTX have been observed. Additional research endeavors are warranted to comprehensively investigate distinct elements of BTX therapy for bruxism, including the optimal dosage of BTX units and the precise localization of injection sites across various muscles.

Is legal history just writing a text?

Summary The question, what constitutes the methodology of the legal history research, is answered in different ways. One is that it is the same as for general history: writing on history according to a set of rules which constitute its methodology, because in the end all research on history is just creating a text. It follows from this that legal history is a variation of history and belongs to history faculties, since there is no connection with legal methodology. It is maintained in this article that this view is based on too simple a view of history as science: there is not one methodology but various methodologies (‘discourses’, not only in history but in science in general), each with its own conditions and requirements. Legal history’s discourse has a particular distinguishing element, viz. legal analysis and methodology, which sets it apart from history in general. Its natural place is consequently in law faculties.

Functional Roles of H3K4 Methylation in Transcriptional Regulation.

Histone 3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me) is a highly evolutionary conserved chromatin modification associated with active transcription, and its three methylation states-mono, di, and trimethylation-mark distinct regulatory elements. However, whether H3K4me plays functional roles in transcriptional regulation or is merely a by-product of histone methyltransferases recruited to actively transcribed loci is still under debate. Here, we outline the studies that have addressed this question in yeast, Drosophila, and mammalian systems. We review evidence from histone residue mutation, histone modifier manipulation, and epigenetic editing, focusing on the relative roles of H3K4me1 and H3K4me3. We conclude that H3K4me1 and H3K4me3 may have convergent functions in establishing open chromatin and promoting transcriptional activation during cell differentiation.

Building peace narratives between young conflict victims and university students: an analysis of participatory animation strategies in My story: The children who fought war in Colombia

ABSTRACT This article presents an analysis of the production of the animated documentary series My Story. The Children Who Fought War in Colombia. The series was developed through a participatory creation process between young victims of the armed conflict and student animators from the Visual Arts programme at Universidad Javeriana, Colombia. The objective was to construct narratives that promote peace and generate new imaginaries. Interviews with the series director, Mathew Charles, and an animator, along with a review of the creative process, revealed the distinctive elements of this production. The study concentrated on the manner in which participatory animation encourages the formulation of innovative paradigms that challenge the conventional representations of the conflict. The objective was to cultivate empathy and mutual understanding among the participants. The findings emphasise the importance of participatory animation in the reconstruction of peace narratives, offering innovative perspectives in post-conflict contexts. This research demonstrates the significance of artistic intervention, particularly through participatory animation, as a valuable tool for constructing narratives that encourage critical reflection and promote a deeper, empathetic understanding of the experiences of those who have endured war.

Characterization and origin of high-Al chromitites: A case study of chromite deposit in the Kudi ophiolite in the NW Tibetan Plateau

Chromitite occurrences in ophiolites are commonly classified into high-Cr (Cr# > 60) and high-Al (Cr# < 60) varieties. High-Cr chromitites have been extensively studied, whereas the origin of high-Al chromitites remains enigmatic mainly due to strong alteration of the relevant rocks. This study undertook a comprehensive examination of alteration-free high-Al chromitites and their hosting peridotites from the Kudi ophiolite in the NW Tibetan Plateau, complemented by a synthesis of global data of high-Al and high-Cr chromite deposits. Our results reveal that harzburgites, hosting both types of chromite deposits, exhibit similar major oxide compositions in their constituent minerals. In contrast, the constituent minerals in the dunite envelopes and chromitites display distinct major and trace element compositions, which are probably controlled by the compositions of infiltrating melts. For both chromite deposits, the forsterite (Fo) contents of olivine increase from harzburgite (90.0–91.6) to dunite (89.9–94.6) and chromitite (90.0–97.2). Mineral compositions of olivine show significant variabilities at the contact boundaries between densely disseminated and sparsely disseminated chromitites. These features suggest that fluid immiscibility plays an important role in the formation of high-Al chromitite. A continuous spectrum of major oxide compositions of chromite from high-Al to high-Cr chromitites suggests a progressive shift in the parental magma compositions from mid-ocean ridge basalt-like to boninitic melts, implying a rapid tectonic transition during subduction initiation.

Note similarities affect syntactic stability in zebra finches.

The acquisition of an acoustic template is a fundamental component of vocal imitation learning, which is used to refine innate vocalizations and develop a species-specific song. In the absence of a model, birds fail to develop species typical songs. In zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), tutored birds produce songs with a stereotyped sequence of distinct acoustic elements, or notes, which form the song motif. Songs of untutored individuals feature atypical acoustic and temporal structure. Here we studied songs and associated respiratory patterns of tutored and untutored male zebra finches to investigate whether similar acoustic notes influence the sequence of song elements. A subgroup of animals developed songs with multiple acoustically similar notes that are produced with alike respiratory motor gestures. These birds also showed increased syntactic variability in their adult motif. Sequence variability tended to occur near song elements which showed high similarity in acoustic structure and underlying respiratory motor gestures. The duration and depth of the inspirations preceding the syllables where syntactic variation occurred did not allow prediction of the following sequence of notes, suggesting that the varying duration and air requirement of the following expiratory pulse is not predictively encoded in the motor program. This study provides a novel method for calculation of motor/acoustic similarity, and the results of this study suggest that the note is a fundamental acoustic unit in the organization of the motif and could play a role in the neural code for song syntax.

Two Finite Element Approaches for the Porous Medium Equation That Are Positivity Preserving and Energy Stable

In this work, we present the construction of two distinct finite element approaches to solve the porous medium equation (PME). In the first approach, we transform the PME to a log-density variable formulation and construct a continuous Galerkin method. In the second approach, we introduce additional potential and velocity variables to rewrite the PME into a system of equations, for which we construct a mixed finite element method. Both approaches are first-order accurate, mass conserving, and proved to be unconditionally energy stable for their respective energies. The mixed approach is shown to preserve positivity under a CFL condition, while a much stronger property of unconditional bound preservation is proved for the log-density approach. A novel feature of our schemes is that they can handle compactly supported initial data without the need for any perturbation techniques. Furthermore, the log-density method can handle unstructured grids in any number of dimensions, while the mixed method can handle unstructured grids in two dimensions. We present results from several numerical experiments to demonstrate these properties.

A contact-based constitutive model for the numerical analysis of masonry structures using the distinct element method

This study presents a robust contact constitutive model in the distinct element method (DEM) framework for simulating the mechanical behavior of masonry structures. The model is developed within the block-based modeling strategy, where the masonry unit is modeled as deformable blocks with potential crack surfaces in the middle of the bricks, while the mortar joints are defined as zero-thickness interfaces. The modeling strategy implements multi-surface plasticity with damage mechanics, including a tension cut-off, Coulomb failure criterion, and an elliptical compressive cap for the damage in tension, shear, and compression, respectively. Two new features are introduced in this contact model: a piecewise linear softening function for strength degradation in tension and shear and a hardening/softening function to phenomenologically define the compressive damage of masonry composite into the unit-mortar interface. The constitutive model is implemented in commercial DEM software using the small displacement configuration and validated against material and experimental tests on masonry walls subjected to constant pre-compression and monotonically increasing in-plane load. The experimental and numerical results regarding the force-displacement relationship and damage pattern produced by the proposed constitutive model are compared and critically discussed, demonstrating the capability of DEM coupled with the suitable constitutive law in simulating the behavior of masonry structures.

GNNctd: A graph neural network based on complicated temporal dependencies modeling for fashion trend prediction

Fashion trend forecasting has consistently remained a focal point within the realm of fashion. Existing methods predominantly concentrate on the external factors influencing fashion trends, often disregarding the intricate interplay among distinct fashion elements, namely the ‘spatial dependencies’ among them. It is also a significant challenge to excavate complicated temporal relationships in complex time series data. In this research, our primary focus is modeling the relationships among diverse fashion elements and the intricate temporal dependencies within time series data. First, we propose a Street Fashion Trend (SFT) dataset by leveraging images from the popular photo-sharing platform Flickr 11Flickr: www.flickr.com. and the renowned fashion show website Vogue.22Vogue: https://m.vogue.com.cn/. Furthermore, we propose a model called GNNctd to solve the above problems. This model leverages a spatial dependency capture module (SDCM) based on a graph neural network to dynamically model the ‘spatial dependency relationships’ among distinct fashion elements. Meanwhile, the model introduces a temporal relationship extraction block (TREB), which comprises two pivotal modules: the interaction learning (IL) module designed to capture local temporal dependencies and a global time attention module (GTAM) that is used to capture global temporal dependencies. Many experiments substantiate that the proposed GNNctd model can achieve more accurate predictions of fashion trends in our constructed dataset and the other three fashion trend datasets. Simultaneously, the GNNctd model achieves a state-of-the-art performance on the Solar-Energy, Exchange Rate, and Wind datasets within the domain of time series prediction.

Distinct element modeling of hydraulic fracture propagation with discrete fracture network at Gonghe enhanced geothermal system site, northwest China

Accurate prediction of hydraulic fracture propagation is vital for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) design. We study the first hydraulic fracturing job at the GR1 well in the Gonghe Basin using field data, where the overall direction of hydraulic fractures does not show a delineated shape parallel to the maximum principal stress orientation. A field-scale numerical model based on the distinct element method is set up to carry out a fully coupled hydromechanical simulation, with the explicit representation of natural fractures via the discrete fracture network (DFN) approach. The effects of injection parameters and in situ stress on hydraulic fracture patterns are then quantitatively assessed. The study reveals that shear-induced deformation primarily governs the fracturing morphology in the GR1 well, driven by smaller injection rates and viscosities that promote massive activation of natural fractures, ultimately dominating the direction of hydraulic fracturing. Furthermore, the increase of in situ differential stress may promote shear damage of natural fracture surfaces, with the exact influence pattern depending on the combination of specific discontinuity properties and in situ stress state. Finally, we provide recommendations for EGS fracturing based on the influence characteristics of multiple parameters. This study can serve as an effective basis and reference for the design and optimization of EGS in the Gonghe basin and other sites.

The clinical effectiveness of the Mind/Body Program for Infertility on wellbeing and assisted reproduction outcomes: a randomized controlled trial in search for active ingredients.

Does the Mind/Body Program for Infertility (MBPI) perform better, due to certain distinctive elements, than a partly matched support group in improving the wellbeing and medically assisted reproduction (MAR) outcomes of women with elevated distress levels in a clinical setting? While robust enhancements occurred in the wellbeing overall, the cognitive behavioural and formalized stress management elements of the MBPI allowed a significantly stronger improvement in trait anxiety, but not in other mental health and MAR outcomes, compared with a support group. Mind-body psychological programmes adjacent to MAR have been found to improve women's mental states and possibly increase chances of pregnancy. However, not enough is known about the programme's effectiveness among patients with elevated distress levels in routine clinical settings, nor is it clear which of its particular ingredients are specifically effective. A pre-post design, single-centre, randomized controlled trial was performed between December 2019 and October 2022 (start and end of recruitment, respectively). The sample size (n = 168) was calculated to detect superiority of the MBPI in improving fertility-related quality of life. Randomization was computer-based, with random numbers concealing identities of patients until after allocation. The trial was conducted at a large university teaching hospital. A total of 168 patients were randomly assigned to the mind-body (MBPI) group (n = 84) and the fertility support (FS) control group (n = 84). Patients received a 10-week, 135-min/week group intervention, with the FS group following the same format as the MBPI group, but with a less restricted and systematic content, and without the presumed effective factors. The number of patients analysed was n = 74 (MBPI) and n = 68 (FS) for post-intervention psychological outcomes, and n = 54 (MBPI) and n = 56 (FS) for pregnancy outcomes at a 30-month follow-up. Significant improvements occurred in both groups in all psychological domains (adjusted P < 0.001), except for treatment-related quality of life. Linear mixed-model regression analysis did not reveal significantly greater pre-post improvements in the MBPI group than in the FS group in fertility-related quality of life (difference in differences (DD) = 4.11 [0.42, 7.80], d = 0.32, adjusted P = 0.124), treatment-related quality of life (DD = -3.08 [-7.72, 1.55], d = -0.20, adjusted P = 0.582), infertility-specific stress (DD = -2.54 [-4.68, 0.41], d = -0.36, adjusted P = 0.105), depression (DD = -1.16 [3.61, 1.29], d = -0.13, adjusted P = 0.708), and general stress (DD = -0.62 [-1.91, 0.68], d = -0.13, adjusted P = 0.708), but it did show a significantly larger improvement in trait anxiety (DD = -3.60 [-6.16, -1.04], d = -0.32, adjusted P = 0.042). Logistic regression showed no group effect on MAR pregnancies, spontaneous pregnancies, or live births. The follow-up only covered MAR-related medical outcomes and no psychological variables, and their rates were not equal in the two groups. Biological factors other than age, aetiology, and duration of infertility may have confounded the study results. Loss to follow-up was between 5% and 10%, which may have led to some bias. The psychologically and medically heterogeneous sample, the normal clinical setting and the low attrition rate all raise the external validity and generalizability of our study. The MBPI works not only in controlled conditions, but also in routine MAR practice, where it can be introduced as a cost-effective, low-intensity psychological intervention, within the framework of stepped care. More studies are needed to further identify its active ingredients. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04151485. 5 November 2019. 15 December 2019.

Parametric study to implement a water-weakening process in UDEC

Despite the prevalence and validity of the universal distinct element code (UDEC) in simulations in geotechnics domain, water-weakening process of rock models remains elusive. Prior research has made positive contributions to a presupposed link between modelling parameters and saturation degree, Sr. Nevertheless, this effort presents inaccurate results and limited implications owing to the misleading interpretation, that is, devoid of the basic logic in UDEC that modelling parameters should be calibrated by tested macroscopic properties in contrast to a presupposed relation with Sr. To fill this gap, a new methodology is proposed by coupling a computationally efficient parametric study with the simulation of water-weakening mechanisms. More specifically, tested macroscopic properties with different Sr values are input into parametric relations to acquire initial modelling parameters that are sequentially calibrated and modulated until simulations are in line with geomechanical tests. Illustrative example reveals that numerical water-weakening effects on macroscopic properties, mechanical behaviours, and failure configurations are highly consistent with tested ones with noticeable computational expediency, implying the feasibility and simplicity of this methodology. Furthermore, with compatibility across various numerical models, the proposed methodology substantially extends the applicability of UDEC in simulating water-weakening geotechnical problems.

베토벤 피아노 소나타 Op. 106『함머클라비어』의 현대음악적 의의:『La Hammerklavier』와의 비교조명을 바탕으로

This thesis aims to re-examine the artistic value and academic significance of Beethoven's Op. 106 『Hammerklavier』. To this end, this thesis adopted as its theoretical basis a review of the distinct elements and musical expressions of Op. 106 『Hammerklavier』and an analysis of musical quotation techniques applied to 『La Hammerklavier』. The analysis yields the following results. First, the novel fugue styles, including third relations and Neapolitan harmony in Op. 106『Hammerklavier』, can be evaluated as distinctive techniques that transform the established musical conventions. Second, 『La Hammerklavier』seeks to pay homage to Beethoven and his work Op. 106『Hammerklavier』through various approaches, including the technique of ‘musical quotation’. In conclusion, the creation based on the technique of ‘musical quotation’ expands the scope and domain of contemporary music compositions in various aspects, and the distinctive elements of Op. 106『Hammerklavier』serve as a source of artistic inspiration for subsequent composers, demonstrating its artistic value and significance through the fusion with modernity beyond the classical era. Additionally, practical and fundamental pedagogical suggestions focusing on tempo, pedaling, and trills for effective performance will provide valuable guidance to learners studying Op. 106『Hammerklavier』.

Structural changes shaping the Drosophila ellipsoid body ER-neurons during development and aging

The ellipsoid body (EB) of the insect brain performs pivotal functions in controlling navigation. Input and output of the EB is provided by multiple classes of R-neurons (now referred to as ER-neurons) and columnar neurons which interact with each other in a stereotypical and spatially highly ordered manner. The developmental mechanisms that control the connectivity and topography of EB neurons are largely unknown. One indispensable prerequisite to unravel these mechanisms is to document in detail the sequence of events that shape EB neurons during their development. In this study, we analyzed the development of the Drosophila EB. In addition to globally following the ER-neuron and columnar neuron (sub)classes in the spatial context of their changing environment we performed a single cell analysis using the multi-color flip out (MCFO) system to analyze the developmental trajectory of ER-neurons at different pupal stages, young adults (4d) and aged adults (∼60d). We show that the EB develops as a merger of two distinct elements, a posterior and anterior EB primordium (prEBp and prEBa, respectively. ER-neurons belonging to different subclasses form growth cones and filopodia that associate with the prEBp and prEBa in a pattern that, from early pupal stages onward, foreshadows their mature structure. Filopodia of all ER-subclasses are initially much longer than the dendritic and terminal axonal branches they give rise to, and are pruned back during late pupal stages. Interestingly, extraneous branches, particularly significant in the dendritic domain, are a hallmark of ER-neuron structure in aged brains. Aging is also associated with a decline in synaptic connectivity from columnar neurons, as well as upregulation of presynaptic protein (Brp) in ER-neurons. Our findings advance the EB (and ER-neurons) as a favorable system to visualize and quantify the development and age-related decline of a complex neuronal circuitry.

Influence of Potentiostat Hardware on Electrochemical Measurements.

We describe two operating modes for the same potentiostat, where the redox processes of hydroquinone in a hydrochloric acid medium are contrasted for cyclic voltammetry (CV) as functions of a digital/staircase scan and an analogue/linear scan. Although superficially there is not much to separate the two modes of operation as an end user, differences can be seen in the voltammograms while switching between the digital and analogue modes. The effects of quantization clearly have some impact on the measurements, with the outputs between the two modes being a function of the equivalent-circuit model of the electrochemical system under investigation. Increasing scan rates when using both modes produces higher peak redox currents, with the differences between the analogue and digital modes of operation being consistent as a function of the scan rate. Differences between the CV loops between the analogue and digital modes show key differences at certain points along the scans, which can be attributed to the nature of the electrolyte affecting the charging and discharging processes and consequently changing the peak currents of the redox processes. The faradaic processes were shown to be independent of the scan rates. Simulations of the equivalent-circuit behaviour show differences in the responses to different input signals, i.e., the step and ramp responses of the system. Both the voltage and current steps and ramp responses showed the time-domain behaviour of distinct elements of the equivalent electrochemical circuit model as an approximation of the applied digital and analogue CV input signals. Ultimately, it was concluded that similar parameters between the two modes of operation available with the potentiostat would lead to different output voltammograms and, despite advances in technology, digital systems can never fully emulate a true analogue system for electrochemical applications. These observations showcase the value of having hardware capable of true analogue characteristics over digital systems.

The number of Hamiltonian cycles in groups of Symmetry

Groups are algebraic structures in Abstract Algebra comprised of a set of elements with a binary operation that satisfies closure, associativity, identity and invertibility. Cayley graphs serve as a visualization tool for groups, as they are capable of illustrating certain structures and properties of groups geometrically. In particular, each element in a group is assigned to a vertex in Cayley graphs. By the group action of left-multiplication, distinct elements in the generating sets can act on each element to create varied directed edges (Meier[1]). By contrast, the presence of a Hamiltonian cycles within a graph demonstrates its level of connectivity. In this research paper, utilizing directed Cayley graphs, we present a series of conjectures and theorems regarding the number and existence of Hamiltonian cycles within Dihedral groups, Symmetric groups of Platonic solids and Symmetric groups. By exploring the relationship between Abstract groups and Hamiltonian graphs, this work contributes to the broader field of research pertaining to Groups of Symmetry and Geometric Group Theory.

Accuracy and efficiency of finite element head models: The role of finite element formulation and material laws.

Traumatic brain injury is a significant problem worldwide. In the United States of America, around 1.7 million cases are documented annually, displaying the need for a deeper understanding of the effects on the human brain. The tests required for this assessment are very complex. Tests on cadavers may raise serious ethical questions, and in vivo crash tests are not viable. In this context, there is a great need to developing finite element head models (FEHM) to study the biomechanics of the tissues when submitted to a certain impact or acceleration/deceleration scenario. An excellent compromise between accuracy and CPU efficiency is always desirable for a FEHM, For this reason, this work focuses on the improvement of an existing head model, including the study of the behavior of the brain using distinct finite element types. The finite element type and formulation is of utmost importance for the general accuracy and efficiency of the models. Several validations were performed, comparing the simulation results against experimental data. The simulations with hexahedral elements, under specific conditions, obtained more accurate results with a lower computational cost. Using hexahedrals, a comparison was also performed using two material characterizations with more than 10 years apart, using the latest finite element head model validation experiment. Overall, the newer material model displays a less stiff response, although its implementation must always depend on the overall purpose of the model it is being applied to.

Experimental investigation of Catalan vault structures based on earthen materials

The Catalan vaulting have succeeded in reducing reliance on support centers, resulting in lowered costs and expedited construction processes. This research advances the study of Catalan vaulting by exploring innovative, environmentally friendly earth-based materials. The study conducts a comprehensive comparative analysis of load-bearing behaviors across distinct vault elements: those fabricated from terracotta, raw-earth tiles, and shot-earth. Constructed and tested at a 4-meter span, full-scale vault specimens are subjected to varying distributed load configuration, followed by rupture testing employing a linear load at a quarter of the span. Experimental evidence, corroborated by FE results, indicates that both terracotta and raw earth tile vaults offer commendable performance, yet their failure loads are surpassed by vaults constructed using shot-earth. Therefore, shot-earth emerges as a sustainable alternative for constructing vault elements. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that incorporating reinforcement within shot-earth vaults increases their strength and ductility.

Charting Cultural Fluency: Leveraging Digital Story Maps for Language Proficiency in ESP Education

Cultural cartography as a way to understand the relationship between cultural manifestations and maps involves visual, symbolic and cognitive mechanisms of inquiry referring to the interpretation of territorial landscapes. The introduction of geo-computation techniques has enabled users to approach map-like visualizations of the world under different parameters. The design and interpretation of map symbology is crucial which according to Peirce (1994) is activated by forming a relationship between three distinct elements: signs, interpretants and objects. In this light, the study aims to explore the usage of digital story maps to enhance students’ cultural and linguistic acquisition in a course of English for engineers in higher education.To cover the objective, the methodology comprises a two-phased didactic approach developed as a final course project within the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) classroom. Divided into two groups, the instruction starts for the experimental and the control groups with a set of learning sessions analysing the theoretical framework underlying the semiotic process of map making and symbol interpretation. The second step for the experimental group involves the analysis and production of digital cartographic storytelling created by learners through collaborative team work, while the control group continues to analyse and then presents their conclusions about pre-existing maps to the rest of the class. The study demonstrates that the introduction of map-creation using a web-based mapping platform provided students with the ability to create geocoded narratives through visual representations, enhanced critical and spatial thinking and fostered the development of cultural and communication skills in a foreign language

Experiences in Vorarlberg

This review of selected projects within the Vorarlberg region aims to highlight several architectures, focusing particularly on their construction quality, a distinctive element of the regional architectural production. The projects are grouped by functional theme: starting with an industrial building, specifically a carpentry, moving on to public and private buildings characterized by hybrid spaces capable of hosting a mixed functional program; additionally, there are some school buildings, an office building, and, finally, some residential buildings. The selected projects share the common feature of having a wooden supporting structure, with different construction systems, from frame structures to cross-laminated ones sometimes associated with other technologies such as reinforced concrete.