New methodological approaches of investigating the identity of Historic Settlement

Para estabelecer a “identidade” de um sítio histórico, a utilização de uma metodologia baseada na aplicação de ferramentas de mapeamento para análise de indicadores tangíveis e intangíveis pode ser de grande interesse e significância, uma vez que esta metodologia ainda não tem sido amplamente utilizada em pesquisas patrimoniais. apesar de ser uma ferramenta poderosa. Nesse tipo de mapeamento, a paisagem, a arquitetura e as camadas de mudança que foram depositadas no território sobre elas, ao longo dos tempos. são consideradas indicadores tangíveis, enquanto a toponímia, a história, a memória e os antigos dizeres locais são considerados indicadores intangíveis. Os indicadores, sua existência, geolocalizações, processos, significado e distribuição espacial, transformações etc. devem ser mapeados em diferentes camadas e posteriormente alguns conjuntos e subconjuntos devem ser justapostos para obter combinações e resultados. Portanto, informações produzidas a partir destes indicadores tangíveis e intangíveis de forma científica e matemática, apoiadas na história, artefactos e vestígios, princípios de urbanismo, inscrições e manuscritos, podem revelar muitos aspetos desconhecidos dos sítios históricos. Os métodos precisam ser de natureza mais científica e objetiva para excluir o viés de uma perceção distorcida. Também é uma boa técnica testar o método em mais de um local que tenha antecedentes diferentes, mas configuração semelhante, a fim de provar a validade e eficácia universal do método. Assim, Khalifatabad (Bangladesh) e Évora (Portugal) são os dois locais de um estudo de caso que visa testar a metodologia acima referida, uma vez que ambos foram declarados Património Mundial da UNESCO e possuem valor histórico semelhante; New methodological approaches of investigating the identity of Historic Settlement Abstract: In order to establish the identity of an ancient settlement, the use of a methodology based on the application of mapping tools for analysis of tangible and intangible indicators might be of great interest and significance, as this methodology has not yet been extensively used in heritage research despite of its being a powerful tool. In this kind of mapping, landscape, architecture and the layers of change that have been deposited on them throughout ages are considered as tangible indicators, while toponymy, story, memory and ancient local sayings are considered as intangible indicators. The indicators, their existence, geo locations, processes, spatial significance and distribution, transformations etc. are to be mapped in different layers and later some set and subsets are to be juxtaposed to obtain certain combinations and results. Therefore information produced from both tangible and intangible indicators in a scientific and mathematical manner, supported by history, artefacts and vestiges, principles of urbanism, inscriptions and manuscripts, can reveal many unknown aspects of historic sites. The methods need to be more scientific and objective in nature to exclude biasness of perception. It is also a good technique to test the method on more than one site that has different background but similar configuration in order to prove the validity and efficacy of the method. Therefore Khalifatabad (Bangladesh) and Évora (Portugal) are the two sites of a case study that aims to test the above mentioned methodology, as they both were declared UNESCO World Heritage and carry similar historic value

Learning Assessment in Tertiary Business Education with Revised Taxonomy

The goal of this study was to evaluate the assessment criteria of learning in tertiary education of Bangladesh. The study was aimed at identifying percentage of questions during learning assessment of business graduates following cognitive levels of Bloom’s in revised Taxonomy and to test whether there was any significant difference in the assessment procedure of different semesters. It was also intended to justify the proportion between higher order learning and lower level learning assessment in tertiary education. It was a descriptive research using secondary sources of data in the form of printed questions. Around 350 printed questions of different semesters in the sample business department of a private university in Bangladesh have been analyzed. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 package has been used as a tool of descriptive statistics and calculating Chi-Square Test value. The results reveal that the grand mean percentage in Apply level is the highest (26.10%) and Create level shows the lowest (2.80%). Chi-square test shows that the questions in different semesters are consistent as critical value is higher than the calculated value. Besides, grand mean percentage in higher order learning level (59.04%) is fairly greater than lower level (40.96%) which represents moderated upward trend. Consequently, the study indicates that the performance of the sample business department in assessment of learning of the students following revised Taxonomy is fairly satisfactory and recommends that emphasize should be given more on higher order learning levels. The results of the study would help the higher education & research authorities especially in Bangladesh with the relevant scenario of assessment trend in business education and take necessary steps in facilitating academic excellence. Keywords: Revised Taxonomy; Cognitive Domain; Tertiary Education; Assessment; Percentag

A PARAMETRIC STUDY OF WINDOW, ORIENTATION AND SHADING TO MINIMIZE ENERGY CONSUPTION IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED HIGH RISE OFFICE BUILDINGS IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Vital statistics of a building, meaning geometric attributes, are very important design tool to manipulate energy performance of a building which is often neglected. Though a lot of recent researches focused on increasing capabilities of material and technology to build energy efficient buildings, design elements such as form, shape, window, orientation, etc. can play a very important and effective role to increase energy efficiency. The strategic design decisions about geometric attributes in the design phase costs almost nothing and can save energy bills through lifetime of the building, which is yet be specified in particular climatic region and particular building types where energy consumption matters in national scale. This paper investigates the critical proportion of façade glazing through parametric study by simulation to obtain optimum balance between luminous and thermal behavior as well as energy consumption. The context of the study is Dhaka, with tropical monsoon climate where heat and humidity is a big concern. The experiment is carried out and hence relevant to highrise office building due to its large vertical surface compared to insignificant roof area. The outcomes indicate that significant harvesting of daylight and reduction of total energy consumption by 50% comes with proper shading on large glazing on East and West facade; and 30% on South facade.VLIR-UO

Elevated serum malondialdehyde (MDA), insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and reduced antioxidant vitamins in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients

Elevated oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance have been suggested associate with polycystic ovarian syndromes (PCOS), a causal factor for unsuccessful pregnancy outcomes and other associated complications in women. The aim of this study was to compare the oxidative stress markers and different relevant hormone between pregnant women with and without PCOS. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin A and vitamin C were measured in 80 pregnant women with PCOS and 80 healthy pregnancies. The mean MDA and insulin levels were significantly elevated in pregnant with PCOS compared to healthy controls (1.98±0.07 vs. 1.06±0.02 nmol/mL and 11.15±0.25 vs. 6.67±0.25 mIU/L, respectively with p<0.001 for both). Compared to healthy controls, the mean concentrations of FSH (3.65±0.16 vs. 1.75±0.10 IU/L) and LH (15.67±0.63 vs. 3.65±0.16 IU/L) were significantly higher in pregnant women with PCOS, p<0.001 for both comparisons. Similarly, the concentration of serum TSH was also higher in PCOS cases compared to controls (2.79±0.22 vs.2.34±0.06, p=0.048). In contrast, the levels of vitamin A and C were lower in PCOS cases compared to healthy pregnancy group, 0.45±0.01 vs. 1.05±0.01 and 0.26±0.01 vs. 0.53±0.02, respectively with p-values <0.001 for both comparations. In conclusion, in PCOS, serum MDA, insulin, FSH, LH and TSH levels elevated while the level of antioxidant vitamins lower compared to healthy pregnant women. Unusual hormonal imbalance and increase of oxidative stress markers during the pregnancy might important to establish the PCOS diagnosis