Exterior Appearance Research Articles

An annotated checklist of the mammals of the Chimanimani National Park, Mozambique

The Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe harbour diverse and unique flora and fauna. Because of these unique floral characteristics, this region has received considerable attention by botanists. In contrast, the vertebrates occurring here have received little attention. The aim of this paper was to synthesise data collected on multiple recent surveys into the first annotated checklist of the mammals of the Mozambican side of the Chimanimani Mountains. We identified medium-sized and large mammals by exterior appearance, mostly as captured on camera traps. We combined morphological and molecular methods to identify small mammals, and we report on echolocation calls of some of the poorly known bat species. In total, we recorded 69 species, including 23 species of bats (Chiroptera), 15 species of rodents (Rodentia), 11 species of carnivores (Carnivora), nine species of ungulates (Cetartiodactyla), and the rest comprising Primates, Eulipotyphla, Lagomorpha, Proboscidea, and Pholidota. Of these, five species are listed as threatened, demonstrating the importance of the Chimanimani Mountains for mammalian biodiversity conservation in South Eastern Africa.

Sustainable energy synergy for historic building: Conservation retrofit solution of hygrothermal control

Historic buildings require groundbreaking retrofit technology to prevent damage to the exterior appearance of the exterior. This paper presents a retrofit technology to increase the energy efficiency of old historic buildings that were heavily exposed to hygrothermal conditions. The study employed an innovative interior finishing material composed of diatomaceous earth and microencapsulated phase change materials to achieve a trade-off between performance improvement and heritage conservation. Based on previous studies, an optimal formulation was identified through evaluation. The developed retrofit technology displays crack resistance, high latent heat capacity, and remarkable moisture stability. Our analysis revealed that the application of this retrofit solution would effectively reduce moisture levels and mitigate condensation risks without compromising the building’s historical integrity. The retrofit technology yielded a reduction in cooling and heating energy consumption by over 10% while concurrently addressing moisture stability through a decrease in the thermal transmittance of the exterior walls. By utilizing passive technologies and the unique properties of diatomaceous earth, our pioneering research on the sustainable preservation of historic buildings has laid the foundation for widespread retrofit adoption in heritage conservation.

What’s in it? – schoolbags in the lives of pupils and classrooms

ABSTRACT The overarching aim of the present study is to investigate such an invisible object; namely, schoolbags and how their contents function in the lives of pupils between the privacy of the home and the societal world of schools. A sociomaterial approach is used to understand schoolbags as objects that enable certain actions and norms. The uniqueness of the study calls for a more basic approach on the analytical level, carefully investigating and describing the content of the schoolbags as well as their context seeing them as frozen moments of processes. The data material consists of photographs depicting contents of 16 German satchels, which were analysed alongside a description of exterior appearances of schoolbags and the material context of the classroom. The findings show that the function of the schoolbags exceeds their obvious transportation purposes, and that they are complex, entangled objects in the construction of “schooling” and “the pupil”.

Water Tower Home transformation: bottom-up urban regeneration through a reality TV show

The article examines Wutopia Lab’s transformation of the Water Tower Home (shuita zhijia, also know as ‘House on the House’), a top-floor unit of a residential building converted from a water tower located in a Bulinli lilong neighbourhood in Shanghai. In 2015, the top-floor unit was transformed into a three-bedroom apartment, which was featured in a popular reality TV show Dream Home. Using the concept of ‘raumplan’ as the primary design strategy, the design deploys various heights and platforms to re-organise the internal space while largely maintaining the exterior appearance of the building. It deliberately avoided homogeneous visual control and accommodated the residents’ complex functional requirements within a highly restricted space. The research scrutinises various actors’ involvement during the production of the reality TV show and the transformation process. It highlights how the design team navigated the stakeholders’ complex needs and the rigid yet ambiguous policy related to the regeneration of Shanghai’s unofficial urban heritage. By reflecting upon the various formal and informal design practices in this structure and its eventual demolition, the article illustrates the dilemmas in bottom-up regeneration of the historic urban environment in contemporary China.

Low carbon emission renovation of historical residential buildings

The urgency of renovating residential buildings in heritage conservation areas while addressing carbon emission reduction and energy performance has become a concern in the context of climate change. European directives stress the importance of enhancing existing buildings to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. An approximately 100-year-old wooden apartment building in the heritage conservation area in Võru, Estonia, was designed as a nearly zero-energy building (nZEB). This study examined the impact of different renovation scenarios, considering both embodied and operational carbon emissions. During the study, the technical requirements of the National Heritage Board were developed in several aspects. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to renovate buildings in heritage conservation areas and achieve great energy performance. In addition to improving energy performance, it is possible to make the restoration of a significantly damaged exterior with intermediate repairs more cost-effective for the owner. Deep renovation of a historical wooden building decreases its carbon footprint as it leads to more energy-efficient renovation solutions. This is because operational emissions dominate over embodied emissions in a cold climate. From an environmental perspective, it is more feasible to renovate historically valuable buildings more deeply than it is to upgrade the external appearance of buildings. Renovation work to achieve an nZEB building should include insulating the thermal envelope while restoring the historical appearance and preserving the original building profile. In conclusion, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of various scenarios, including carbon footprint, energy performance, and cost optimality, related to different renovation strategies for buildings located in heritage conservation areas. There is a need to align heritage board technical requirements with the environmental perspective. Given that major renovation is more cost-effective and better at preserving the exterior appearance compared to staged renovation, the former should be preferred to ensure the owner's willingness to pay.

A wolf in sheep's clothing-aortic stenosis and cardiac amyloidosis: "RAISE"ing awareness in clinical practice.

Aesop's fable of the wolf in sheep's clothing encourages us to look beneath the exterior appearance of a situation and evaluate the truth that lies beneath. This concept should be applied when managing older patients with severe aortic stenosis. This population of patients is increasingly being identified as having concomitant cardiac amyloidosis, which is an underrecognized cause of common cardiac conditions. The presence of cardiac amyloidosis negatively affects the outcome of patients with aortic stenosis, these patients undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with increasing frequency and have a significantly higher overall mortality rate than patients with aortic stenosis alone. Although left ventricular wall hypertrophy is expected in patients with aortic stenosis, it should not be assumed that this is caused only by aortic stenosis. A suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis should be raised in patients in whom the degree of hypertrophy is disproportionate to the degree of aortic stenosis severity. The remodeling, age, injury, systemic, and electrical (RAISE) score was developed to predict the presence of cardiac amyloidosis in patients with severe aortic stenosis. This article highlights the value of increased clinical suspicion, demonstrates the use of the multiparameter RAISE score in daily clinical practice, and illustrates the scoring system with case studies. In elderly patients being considered for TAVR, systematic testing for cardiac amyloidosis should be considered as part of the preoperative workup.

Prospective Aspect of Topography: The Example of The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar was constructed, there have been significant changes in shopping practices. Particularly the spread of Global trade boosted the opening of new shopping centres, high-street department stores and shopping malls. Despite all these changes in shopping habits, the Grand Bazaar still continues to be an actively used shopping area; it has never lost its customer interest and its socially vivid atmosphere. This research explores the reasons why the Grand Bazaar has not been lost its social dynamism over the course of time? This question has various answers, but this research argues that one of them is particularly related to its peculiar spatial formation that encourages social interactions. In this account; this research methodologically focuses on two main components, these are: how the Grand Bazaar was spatially constructed and how it was experienced by users. These purposes will be accomplished by the analyses of the writings and drawings of the important Western travellers. It is revealed that articulated in topographical account, the Grand Bazaar eliminates the boundaries between the spaces and thus between the people. This continually enhances the mutual relationships between inside and outside. This study focuses on the main interest of the topographic approach which is not much the representative qualities; re-expression of the exterior appearance of the building in shape and profile or any stylistic display, but it is more to create an open venue or a stage which enhances the spatial and social connectivity between interior and exterior worlds, ergo between individual and collective lives. As a result, the study demonstrates how the Grand Bazaar's topographical attitude lends a 'formative' aspect to an architectural context. The Grand Bazaar tries to abolish borders by emphasizing topographical aspects such as permeability, spatiality, and delay in order to create an in-between environment, and also a common social ground.

THE YEMENI ARCHITECTURE INFLUENCED THE CULTURE IN THE TOWER HOUSE IN BAB AL YEMEN, SANA’A

This paper study on the traditional tower house in Old City Sana’a as known as Bab al Yemen. It focusing how the local context with lifestyle and culture determine the traditional architecture and design in Bab al Yemen and different regions of Yemen and Arab regions, according to nature, climatic conditions, culture, traditional values, and native knowledge. Overview for architecture and design during the twentieth century, civilisation and the Islam perspective in the Arab region, and selected the traditional tower house in Yemen as a case study. In addition to the analysis the traditional tower house form and layout in Sana’a city, the design and elements of the house; spatial organization, construction systems and building materials, and window openings included ornaments patterns. The study summarises the aspects of lifestyle and culture in the traditional house as an ancient traditional knowledge for character of architecture and design. In conclusion, the traditional tower house in Bab al Yemen, designed according to the local context and indigenous traditional knowledge, have influenced traditional tower house architecture; the house elements and design satisfies the lifestyle and culture aspects. This includes design aspects related to the house layout, the application of traditional design, the traditional building material, the Islamic values in house design, the exterior appearance of the house and lifestyle aspect. heritage and indigenous traditional knowledge toward sustainable architecture.

JUDICIAL SYMBOLS IN COMMUNICATIONS

The article reviews the authors’ complex research of judicial symbolism. The meaning of the main judicial symbols, their formation, cultural and historical context in which they arose, issues of use the judicial symbols in social communications are considered in the article. Judicial symbolism includes actional, visual, verbal and spatial judicial symbols which could be classified according to the criterion of the way of the meaning’s transmission and perception. Actional symbols refer to the expression of meanings through action: this includes regulation of the judicial process, which has a certain order to be observed by the participants of the court hearing. Visual symbols represent certain elements of judicial symbolism, where the main is the visual perception, through which the appropriate interpretation of the symbolic meaning and understanding of the values of justice and the principle of the rule of law is carried out. This includes the robe, medallion, works of fine art as an aesthetically significant communication, in which the themes of the court are being interpreted. Verbal symbols – verbal standardized phrasing that mean respect for the court and present the judge (judges) as representatives of the state in whose name they administer justice. Spatial symbols mean structuring the courtroom and determining the semantics of the court building, in particular its interior design and exterior appearance, pointing out to the principles and values of justice. The above set of the means of representation of the symbols should be understood as a holistic text in which each type of judicial symbols is agreed and complemented with others, in order to achieve the main communicative objective, i.e. to convey the meaning of a fair justice, rule of law and respect for the court as an integral part of civil society. Judicial symbolism is characterized by systemic nature in which the individual elements are integrally connected and interdependent. The patterns of formation, structuring and understanding of individual elements of judicial symbolism should be analysed from the standpoint of a holistic vision of its purpose and objectives in the context of the communication process targeted at society.

Pemberdayaan Gen-Z Melalui Ide Pembuatan Gelas Motivasi (Mug Booster)

Mug Booster is a type of small-scale craft that specifically only produces various kinds of Mugs bearing motivational words. The Booster Mug is made of paper cups & glass cups whose exterior appearance is designed with motivational words. This Mug Booster can be an encouragement. This Mug Booster can also be used as a souvenir, gift or for personal use for people who read the motivational words that have been written. The purpose of this activity is to increase knowledge and skills. The approach used is community development through training and assistance to productive economic partners, namely the Z generation group in East Banjarmasin District. The results of the dedication show an increase in knowledge, skills in product management.

Selection of mixed starters for the preparation of traditional Moroccan bread

The main objective of this work was the selection of mixed starters with a combination of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and yeast strains for traditional bread production in Morocco. For this, a total of 21 LAB strains and 36 yeast strains were isolated from different traditional sourdough. Dough fermentation were assessed by monitoring physicochemical parameters including, titratable acidity, decrease of pH and lactic acid, ethanol and CO2 production. A total of six yeasts and four LAB were selected for their technological performances. Morphological, physiological and biochemical identification performed using API identification kits confirmed that these strains belonged to Saccharomyes cerevisiae, Candida humilis and Saccharomyces exiguus species, and Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei species for yeasts and LAB respectively. The yeast S3-L2 and the LAB ODBL5 strains exhibited the best performances among the selected ones; S3-L2 yeast strain were able to produce ΔV=23mL of CO2 and showed the highest values of ethanol and biomass production (2.87 g/L and 1.25 10^9 UFC/mL, respectively). Whereas OD-BL5 LAB strains produced 13.9 g/L of lactate in dough. These findings lead to consider these two strains very good candidates for the formulation of an effective mixed starter for bread preparation. Subsequently, sensorial analysis results showed that bread prepared using mixed starter No. 24 composed of the two selected species exhibited better exterior appearance, golden and crispy crust, large volume and honeycomb crumb, compared to the control.

MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGION

The term "natural resources" refers to both the natural and socio-economic realms. Natural resources - bodies and forces of nature - are linked to ensure close interaction in the process of nature management. Currently, this specific region has some vulnerable issues such as biodiversity loss and land degradation that are connected with poor resource management. The activities of modern society are followed by enormous changes in nature, which are reflected in the Earth's exterior appearance as well as the states of geosystems. Modern production is distinguished by the inclusion of significant reserves of natural resource potential. However, its participation and application are ineffective. Sustainable development necessitates the management of natural resources in a sustainable and integrated manner. The main purpose of the work is to investigate the main natural resources of the Central Asian region, and to show the cost of poor management. The methods that were used are synthesis, analysis, comparison method, and forecasting method. The novelty of the research is the attention paid to the mismanagement of natural resources in a specific region.

Differences in morphometric characterization of female BSA hybrid chickens fed on wet fermented diet containing a combination of maggot flour (Hermetia illucens) and active digestive enzymes in ration

The present study was aimed to examine the effect of feeding fermented diet containing a combination of maggot flour and active digestive enzymes in the ration on feed consumption, weight gain and exterior appearance or morphometric parameters of female BSA hybrid chickens (BSA-HC). The present study was carried out at Field Laboratory of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Science, University of Syiah Kuala-Banda Aceh for 90 days, starting from December 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022. The study used a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments which were: P0 (control: chicken fed on commercial diet), P1 (chicken fed on a wet fermented diet, 9% maggot flour and 0.5% enzyme), P2 (chicken fed on a wet fermented diet, 12% maggot flour and 1 % enzyme), and P3 (chicken fed on a wet fermented diet without maggot flour and without digestive enzymes). Each treatment was repeated 4 times and total number of chickens used in the study was 80 female hybrid chickens. The data obtained were analyzed by Analysis of Variance and it was continued with Duncan’s Multiple Test by SPSS program. The results showed that difference in a combination of maggot flour and active digestive enzymes percentage in wet fermented diet had an effect on the increased in morphometric parameters such us: thigh circumference, height, and head width of chicken until 9 weeks of chicken age. However, feeding of wet fermented diet containing maggot flour and digestive enzymes resulted the same effect on morphometric parameters as commercial diet on BSA-HC hens resulted a high efficiency feed. It was presumably due to the nutritional value contained in wet fermented diet was absorbed by part of chicken body which was supported by the development of body and digestive organs. Although a combination of maggot flour and active digestive enzymes percentage in wet fermented diet does not significantly affect the morphometric parameters, the nutritional content such as protein and energy contained in the feed increased the process of performance and growth process of female hybrid chicken which was comparable to commercial diet.

Green-in-green biohybrids as transient biotriboelectric nanogenerators

Green self-powered devices based on biodegradable materials have attracted widespread attention. Here, we propose the construction of the transient biotriboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) using green-in-green bionanocompoites. The green-in-green nanocomposites, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), are prepared with a high-pressure molding method. The CNC promotes the degradation and enhances the dielectric constant of CNC/PHB. It further allows for the significant improvement of the triboelectric output of CNC/PHB-based TENG. The voltage output and current output of CNC/PHB-based TENG are 5.7 and 12.5 times higher than those of pristine PHB-based TENG, respectively. Also, the bio-TENG exhibits admirable signal stability in over 20000 cycles. Despite the high hardness of CNC/PHB, a soft but simple-structured arch sensor is successfully assembled using CNC/PHB-based TENG. It can attain the precise real-time monitoring of various human motions. This study may provide new insights into the design/fabrication of green functional materials, and initiate the next wave of innovations in eco-friendly self-powered devices.

Incorporating an atrium as a HAVC element for energy consumption reduction and thermal comfort improvement in a Polish climate

The form, attractiveness, functionality, and exterior appearance of buildings have been important considerations in architecture for centuries. Large common spaces, sharing of daylight, and the use of large glazing are also important. Combining many of these factors, buildings with atriums form a focal point, create a social meeting place, and contribute to the attractiveness of the building by providing a large open interior space. In cold and moderate climates, the atrium roof is important as the climate is often not conducive to outdoor activities.Using an IES-VE simulation, variants of a building in which the atrium was an independent element of the building or integrated into the ventilation system as a passive heater were analyzed. Additionally, two lighting systems were analyzed: on/off time-dependent control and daylight-dependent control (using dimming profiles for artificial lighting). Integrating the atrium into the HVAC system reduced the primary energy consumption for air heating by 17–22%. Using regulated lighting lowered the number of overheating hours. Factoring when the building was used (academic year), the atrium variants met thermal comfort requirements for 90% of its useful time, which did not occur when the atrium was not integrated. Therefore, integrating an atrium with an HVAC system can reduce energy consumption while providing thermal comfort to users.

Design Optimization for the Coating of Machine Tools Based on Eye-Tracking Experiments and Virtual Reality Technology

The coating design of machine tools refers to the exterior appearance of a machine tool and is an important method for improving the user experience and brand image. In this study, we studied and optimized the coating design of serial CNC cylindrical grinder machines of the Shanghai Machinery Factory in China using eye-tracking experiments and virtual reality technology. Firstly, based on eye-tracking technology, experiments were carried out on various elements of the coating design of the machine tools. Secondly, the experimental data were analyzed to extract design criteria that fit the user’s visual habits and to determine the details of the coating design optimization. Thirdly, the design scheme was verified using virtual reality technology and a user questionnaire survey. The results show that it provides support for the optimization of the design and working efficiency of machine tool coatings in enterprises. Future work should investigate optimization design tools that include ergonomics based on vision experiments and virtual reality.

Korea at the Exhibition: Making the Appearance of Korean Style with ‘Hybrid Roof’ in Early 20th Century

This study analyzed 15 unique cases of buildings designed by the Japanese that had the exterior appearance of traditional Korean architecture while the Western timber truss was applied. The characteristics of Korean-style roofs were first categorized into three parts: structural frame, roof curve, and eaves space. Then, the analytic drawings were prepared in order to scrutinize the cases in accordance with these characteristics. The analysis revealed that the Western truss was hybridized to embody the Korean-style roofs. The truss was segmented, diagonal supplementary building components were added, or some components of the Korean or Japanese-style timber structure were partially applied. The advent of such a ‘hybrid roof’ shares a background with the westernization of the construction techniques of the timber structure since the late 19th century in Japan. The political initiatives of Japan deliberately led to the exhibition of exotic Joseon in the expositions, thereby requiring Korean-style pavilions. As a result, the pavilion reflected double layers of hybridization: a Korean timber structure transformed through the Japanese westernization method. Although the buildings studied in this research were designed by non-Koreans and were already demolished, they are noteworthy for the unprecedented attempts to realize the appearance of traditional Korean architecture by using truss structures.

FATHERS’ UNEMPLOYMENT AND IT’S IMPLICATIONS ON FAMILY LIVING DURING RETIREMENT IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Culturally, fathers are seen as providers, and are thus regarded as the major agents for financial and material support of children and families. Retirement becomes a challenge, especially if the children are still in school. This study examined the implications of father’s unemployment on family living during retirement period in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The study used descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of 3,317 families in the study area. The study was carried out on 210 married individuals who were randomly sampled. A 33-item structured 4-point scale questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed descriptively. Findings revealed that the prevalence of fathers’ unemployment in the area of study was 0.27, signifying that one in every four fathers is unemployed (which is relatively high). This study discovered that being unemployed as a father could pose further consequences on the family, and have particular negative implications for the financial state of the home during the retirement stage of family cycle. Such implications include poor living condition of a family (in terms of house lighting and ventilation, the attractiveness of the interior environment of households, location of residence, and exterior appearance of building), poor quality of children’s education and health, as well as poverty and hardship, strained relationships, inability to pay bills, difficulty in feeding and clothing amongst others during the retirement period. It was therefore recommended that families with retired or unemployed fathers can handle financial stress by reducing expenses on luxury such as cable television subscription, and by planning to make all purchases at once as much as possible, in order to allow for sustainable retirement.

Investigation of the synthesis and the effect of precursor ratio of Al/Zn on annona squamosal‐like mesoporous particles ZnAl2O4

AbstractZinc aluminate ZnAl2O4 particles were synthesized using a spray pyrolysis technique. Aerosol droplets of the mixture of the zinc nitrate with concentration varied from 0.03 to 0.3 M and aluminum nitrate from 0.06 to 1.2 M were pyrolyzed in air at temperatures ranging from 600 to 800°C. The molar ratio of Al to Zn was in the range of 2–4. The produced ZnAl2O4 powders in single spinel phase have the primary and secondary particle sizes in the range of 10–30 nm and 0.5–7 μm, respectively. The primary particle size increased with the reaction temperature but decreased with precursor concentration (PC). The relative density of the particles increased with reaction temperature but decreased slightly with solution concentration at the constant pyrolysis temperature of 800°C. Particles synthesized under high PC with the molar ratio of Al/Zn equal to 4 tend to have an annona squamosal‐like exterior appearance but essentially mesoporous interior structure, with the highest surface area to 97 m2/g. The single spinel phase of ZnAl2O4 particles synthesized with molar ratios of Al/Zn equal to 3.5 or 4 may be explained by the increased solid solubility of Al in the ZnAl2O4 structure due to the nanosize effect.

Modernizing Retailers in an Emerging Market: Investigating Externally Focused and Internally Focused Approaches

This article studies the impact of business modernization on the sales performance of traditional retailers in an emerging market. The authors define modernization as the adoption of physical structures and tangible practices of organized retail chains (e.g., exterior signage with store name and logo, a database to record product-level information). To address this research question, they implement a randomized field experiment in Mexico City with 1,148 retailers. The sample is randomized as follows: 385 firms are externally modernized in ways that are visible to customers, 383 firms are internally modernized in ways that are not visible to customers, and 380 firms form a control group. The authors find a significant and persistent main effect of modernization on sales. Firms in both treatment groups increase monthly sales by 15%–19% 24 months after study recruitment. In terms of novel mechanism evidence, externally modernized firms improve their store-level branding, while internally modernized firms strengthen their product management. This article also provides an exploratory analysis to guide policy makers, managerial stakeholders, and retailers on how to modernize for the highest returns. This analysis suggests that it is most useful to modernize a firm’s exterior appearance, customer engagement methods, demand analysis, and stock-ordering processes. Finally, the largest improvements come from the initial few modernizing changes, after which returns are diminishing.