Responsive Systems and Surfaces in Architecture - Design and Challenges

In the last two decades, the impact of digital technologies has dramatically changed the way of thinking in architecture. Following the overall development of digital media and computation, the process of generating forms has become more automated, with the use of algorithms and scripts. Moreover, computational design approach created new groundwork for the new, time-depended systems in architecture - responsive facades and structures. Responsive systems react to the surrounding by changing its surface in order to adapt the architectural form according to predefined influences. An example of such design approach are media facades, artistic based installations etc.Challenges are mainly oriented towards forming a user-architecture connection. Such bonds are formed between sensors and actuators, via programming board and language. Adaptive qualities of such systems are based on sustainability principles as well, utilizing alternative energy sources in situ. In this paper, design and challenges of responsive systems are analyzed, evaluated and applied on a case study in particular.Simultaneous use of above approaches is applied in the design of the structure that is located in Novi Sad's central core. The structure is optimized to use the maximum input of solar energy and adapt to it, while limiting the spatial openness of public squares and increasing human interaction. Resulting design is presented in this paper. Further exploration of responsive generative systems can contribute to financial benefit and better quality of given architectural solutions in the near future

gCSP: A Graphical Tool for Designing CSP systems

For broad acceptance of an engineering paradigm, a graphical notation and a supporting design tool seem necessary. This paper discusses certain issues of developing a design environment for building systems based on CSP. Some of the issues discussed depend specifically on the underlying theory of CSP, while a number of them are common for any graphical notation and supporting tools, such as provisions for complexity management and design overview

High incidence of multiresistant bacterial isolates from bloodstream infections in trauma emergency department and intensive care unit in Serbia

We investigated the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in trauma emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU), to assess ED- and ICU-related predictors of BSI and to describe the most common bacteria causing BSI and their antimicrobial resistance markers. A prospective study was conducted in two trauma ICUs of the ED of Clinical Center of Serbia. Overall, 62 BSIs were diagnosed in 406 patients, of which 13 were catheter-related BSI (3.0/1,000 CVC-days) and 30 BSIs of unknown origin, while 15% were attributed to ED CVC exposure. Lactate ≥2 mmol/L and SOFA score were independent ED-related predictors of BSI, while CVC in place for >7 days and mechanical ventilation >7 days were significant ICU-related predictors. The most common bacteria recovered were Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates were methicillin-resistant, whereas 66% of Enterococcus spp. were vancomycin-resistant. All isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, whereas 87.5% of P. aeruginosa and 95.8% of Acinetobacter spp. isolates were resistant to carbapenems. ED BSI contributes substantially to overall ICU incidence of BSI. Lactate level and SOFA score can help to identify patients with higher risk of developing BSI. Better overall and CVC-specific control measures in patients with trauma are needed

MTJ-BASED HYBRID STORAGE CELLS FOR “NORMALLY-OFF AND INSTANT-ON” COMPUTING

Besides increasing a computing throughput, multi-core processor architectures bring increased capacity of SRAM-based cache memory. As a result, cache memory now occupies large proportion of recent processor chips, becoming a major source of the leakage power consumption. The power gating technique applied on a SRAM cache is not efficient since it is paid by data loss. In this paper, we present two hybrid memory cells that combine a conventional volatile CMOS part with Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJs) able to store a data bit in a non-volatile way. Being inherently non-volatile, these hybrid cells enable instantaneous power off and thus complete reduction of the leakage power. Moreover, given that the data bit can be stored in local MTJs and not in distant storage memories, these cells also offer instantaneous and efficient data retrieval. To demonstrate their functionality, the cells are designed using 28 nm FD-SOI technology for the CMOS part and 45 nm round spin transfer torque MTJs (STT-MTJs) with perpendicular magnetization anisotropy. We report the measured performances of the cells in terms of required silicon area, robustness, read/write speed and energy consumption

Inflammatory Pseudotumor/Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of Spleen – A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Splenic inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT)/inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare pseudotumor/tumor of unknown origin, which is usually benign, although atypical and aggressive cases have been reported. It is a lesion composed of proliferated myofibroblastic cells (hence IMT by some authors) with admixed pleomorphic inflammatory cells of varying proportions. CASE REPORT: Herein, we report a case of 61-year-old male patient with ill-defined abdominal discomfort and no other symptoms and signs. Clinical and imaging investigations revealed a mass in the spleen that was equivocally interpreted as secondary neoplasm, although primary neoplasm of the spleen was not excluded by the radiologists. Splenectomy was performed and on gross examination a well demarcated greyish-livid tumor measuring 3.5 cm × 3 cm × 3 cm was discovered. Microscopic examination showed proliferation of loosely arranged spindle cells admixed with inflammatory cells (histiocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, occasional plasma cells, and/or plasmacytoid cells) with varying density and multifocal clustering, multifocal hemorrhage, and fibrinoid-like deposition. We performed additional histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings which were consistent with the diagnosis of IPT/IMT. Next-generation sequencing (TruSight Tumor 15) showed common TP53 polymorphism (c.215C>G; p.Pro72Arg) along with several intronic and synonymous single nucleotide variations (SNVs), as well as five low confidence missense SNVs. Sixteen months after the operation the patient has uneventful follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although the incidence of IPT/IMT is low, awareness of its existence is necessary. The prognosis is favorable following splenectomy in most cases. Careful microscopic examination of the specimen is mandatory, due to possible misdiagnosis. We believe that extensive NGS analysis on archive samples would provide more data about the spectrum of possible genetic changes in lesions like IPM/IMT

IR laser-induced changes to L-adrenaline-D-hydrogentartrate incorporated in KBr matrices

Changes in the pharmaceutical L-adrenaline-D-hydrogentartrate, incorporated in KBr matrices, induced by a pulsed carbon-dioxide Transversely Excited Atmospheric (TEA) laser, were observed. Modifications of the sample were monitored via infrared spectra. Special attention was devoted to the dependence of the sample changes on the laser energy density used. The irradiation of the pharmaceutical has been performed with two laser lines at wavelengths of about 10.6 mum. The laser lines coincide well with the absorption band of the pharmaceutical, which is assigned to the ring vibrations/ out-of-plane OH deformation vibrations, within the carboxyl (COOH) group of L-adrenaline-D-hydrogentartrate. Laser energy densities of 1.20 and 1.70 J/cm(2) modified the pharmaceutical/compound. It was found that this modification is in essence a thermal effect. The level of change showed a dependence on the laser energy density, number of accumulated laser pulses and temporal shape of the pulse

THE EFFECTS OF AQUATIC ACTIVITIES ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND AQUATIC SKILLS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex brain development disorder characterized by restrictive and repetitive behaviors and a significant impairment of one’s ability to interact with other people and engage in verbal or nonverbal communication, as well as in play. One form of physical activity which can be used with success in people with autism is aquatic activity. The objective of this systematic review study is to collect and analyze studies of the effects of aquatic activity on improving physical fitness and aquatic skills in children with autism. Based on an analysis of electronic databases and the inclusion criteria set, 13 studies were included in the analysis. The following conclusions are proposed based on their analysis: In terms of influence on aquatic skills, aquatic programs at least 10 weeks in duration can effect improvement in aquatic skills in children with autism, by means of learning methods well-used with autistic children, such as the Constant delay procedure, Most to least prompting procedure, and assistance from siblings and peers. Regarding physical fitness improvements following aquatic activity, it is difficult to draw conclusions based on the results obtained in only three studies. Recommendations for future research include the application of aquatic programs with a higher weekly frequency, as well as the use of heart rate monitors during aerobic exercise in order to control heart rate training zones