Courtyard Housing in China: Chinese Quest for Harmony

The Chinese have lived in single-extended-family courtyard houses in many parts of China for thousands of years. The earliest courtyard house found in China was during the Middle Neolithic period (5000-3000 BCE). The courtyard form signifies Chinese quest for harmony with nature and in social relationships. However, the 20th century was a significant turning point in the evolution of Chinese courtyard houses; this paper provides an overview of this transition. It starts by briefly introducing traditional Chinese courtyard houses and their decline since 1949, it then examines the emergence of new courtyard housing in Beijing and Suzhou since the 1990s, and then it evaluates the new development of Chinese-style courtyard garden villas in/around these two cities since the 2000s, such as Beijing Guantang and Suzhou Fuyuan villa estates. They are explorations of a new way to honor Chinese architectural history and philosophy, meanwhile, incorporating Western interior design principles to meet modern living requirements. This architectural acculturation represents Chinese sustained quest for harmony in their art of living. The paper finally proposes four designs of new courtyard garden houses for future practice

The Springback: Account book binding

These instructions for making a springback account book are derived from my notes as an apprentice at the Kunstbuchbinderei Klein, with adaptations over time. While my training is in the German tradition, the steps outlined should not be radically different from the English tradition. Although the technique was originally patented in Great Britain in 1799 by John and Joseph Williams,) the authors have found very few descriptions of this method in contemporary English language texts. Alex J. Vaughan describes the technique with great detail in Section II, \u27Stationery Binding\u27 of Modern Bookbinding. There is also an historical mention in Bernard Middleton\u27s A History of English Craft Bookbinding, but it does not detail the steps required to complete a binding. The German binding literature, however, covers the springback quite thoroughly in such texts as Thorwald Henningsen, Paul Kersten, Heinrich Luers, Gustav Moessner, Fritz Wiese, and Gerhard Zahn, and the technique is still required learning for all hand bookbinding apprentices in Germany. As a style, the springback is firmly rooted in the \u27trade\u27 binding tradition. The springback\u27s robustness, and ability to lie open and flat for extended periods of time without unduly stressing the spine make the structure ideal for use as account and record books. These same qualities make it suitable for guest-books, lectern Bibles, and similarly used books. Regrettably the structure is rarely found on fine bindings or in contemporary book art, especially as the structure would be a suitable platform for many elements of design bindings. Its thick boards would provide a canvas for more sculptural or inset designs. With some minor modification it could also serve as a means of presenting pop-up constructions

Statistical correlation between enterovirus genome copy numbers and infectious viral particles in wastewater samples

Aims: Classic virological tests are time consuming and labour-intensive; realtime RT-PCR has proven to be a fast method to detect and quantify enterovirus genomes in clinical and environmental samples. This method is unable to discriminate between infective and noninfective enterovirus particles; few clinical studies have compared real-time RT-PCR and viral culture. We wondered if the enterovirus genome quantification could be correlated to the infectivity. Methods and Results: We used the statistical approach to verify our hypotheses to correlate data, obtained by the standard method (most probable number of cytopathic units—MPNCU) and molecular test (real-time RT-PCR), on wastewater treatment plant samples. Chi-squared test was used, considering several cut-off values (‘50’-‘100’-‘200’ genome copy numbers), to determine statistical significance in comparison of the two methods. Chi-square value was not significant when cut-off of 50 (P = 0Æ103) and 100 (P = 0Æ178) was assumed but was significant with cut-off of 200 (P = 0Æ044). Conclusion: This limit, 200 genome copy, could be used as cut-off value to indicate enterovirus survival in environmental monitoring. Significant and Impact of the Study: To introduce a fast procedure that is able to compensate for disadvantages of cell culture method for viral environmental analyses

Navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfinished learning in primary and secondary education in Tunisia

During the outbreak of the global SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, Tunisia, like many countries, prepared an emergency plan to shift to distance learning to salvage the academic year and ensure continuous learning. However, a shortage of digital materials coupled with the fact that many households did not have adequate Internet bandwidth made it virtually impossible to secure adequate digital learning. When in-person schooling was restarted in 2020/21, primary, pre-secondary, and secondary school pupils attended school on alternate days to avoid overcrowding. As a result of the pandemic, the curriculum has been lightened, and the fundamentals have been prioritized. Based on a content analysis of the Ministry of Education documents and a survey conducted by the Ministry on remote learning, we shed light on the different measures taken to curb learning loss during the spread of the pandemic as well as the challenges facing Tunisian students and the government. The consequences of these measures are discussed along with future recommendations. (DIPF/Orig.

Polyester Encapsulation Using An Edge Welder

Step-by-step instructions for encapsulating documents and other flat paper-based items in polyester film (mylar) using an edge welder

Phase Box

The phase box is a simple, low-cost, enclosure made from 20pt acid-free folder stock. It is designed to protect brittle, deteriorated, low priority items

Drop Spine Box

Step-by-step instructions for measuring and assembling a drop-spine box for the housing or rare books and other materials

Creating a Culturally Competent Children’s Library

There is an ever-growing need for cultural competence and a well-rounded education, especially for children. In order to promote cultural competence, this creative project focused on enhancing a library space at the University of Arkansas Bumpers College Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas with resources that address diversity and cultural competence. The goal was to transform the library into an enticing, relaxing, and judgment-free area where children feel comfortable to explore their culture and the cultures of others. New books added to the library were thoroughly reviewed and chosen for the purpose of promoting cultural competence and inclusion, as well as new language introduction. A wide variety of cultures from around the world, as well as over ten languages, were represented in the new reading materials. In addition to new reading materials, new furniture and decor items were also purchased to elevate the space into a comfortable area that welcomes children and invites them to explore. The hope is that in using the new space and reading books that focus on cultural competence, the children (and adult educators) will learn about different cultures

An Inclusive Playground for Infant and Toddler Development

The purpose of this project was to help children reach more developmental goals and to make outdoor play at the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center more inclusive for all children. Children gain many developmental goals from playing outside and being exposed to other environments as compared to just being inside the classroom. Outdoor play should be as inclusive as indoor play and offer many different activities and outlets, just as the indoor classroom does. The implementation of this service-learning creative project was to add more versatility to the outdoor area at the University of Arkansas Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center and to provide young children with more experiences outside the classroom in an outdoor space. The two outdoor stations that were developed focused on art and music and were under a roof beside the playground. These stations allow children other places to seek out when they do not want to or physically cannot run around on the other structures or want a more one-on-one social connection during outdoor playtime with teachers or peers