Towards Designing Spatial Robots that are Architecturally Motivated

While robots are increasingly integrated into the built environment, little is known how their qualities can meaningfully influence our spaces to facilitate enjoyable and agreeable interaction, rather than robotic settings that are driven by functional goals. Motivated by the premise that future robots should be aware of architectural sensitivities, we developed a set of exploratory studies that combine methods from both architectural and interaction design. While we empirically discovered that dynamically moving spatial elements, which we coin as spatial robots, can indeed create unique life-sized affordances that encourage or resist human activities, we also encountered many unforeseen design challenges originated from how ordinary users and experts perceived spatial robots. This discussion thus could inform similar design studies in the areas of human-building architecture (HBI) or responsive and interactive architecture

Construction of a dataset for the gene nrLSU to support the identification of cantharellus at Langbian Mountain, Lam Dong

Fungal species of Cantharellales order are found worldwide including Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. This clade includes two smaller, separate, but closely related genera Cantharellus and Craterellus. Cantharellus was firstly identified in the middle of the 17th century. Besides traditional classification based on morphology, molecular phylogeny of the nuclear ribosomal large subunit gene (nrLSU) can be an effective tool to provide more information during species identification for this group. In this current report, a dataset of the nrLSU gene including 60 sequences of Cantharellus species and 1 sequence belonging to Craterellus (outgroup), was obtained from Genbank. Phylogenetic analyses by MEGA 6.0 showed a monophyletic relationship between the six well-established clades, namely Cantharellus (Clade 1), Rubrinus (Clade 2), Cinnabarinus (Clade 3), Parvocantharellus (Clade 4), Pseudocantharellus (Clade 5) and subgenus Afrocantharellus (Clade 6) similar to that of morphological classification. Therefore, this dataset is efficient to support the identification of the fungal samples, collected at the Langbian Mountain, Lam Dong

Integration of agent-based modelling of social-spatial processes in architectural parametric design

A representation framework for modelling the social-spatial processes of inhabitation is proposed to extend the scope of parametric architectural design process. We introduce an agent-based modelling framework with a computational model of social-spatial dynamics at its core. Architectural parametric design is performed as a process of modelling the temporal characteristics of spatial changes required for members of a social group to reach social spatial comfort. We have developed a prototype agent-based modelling system using the Rhino-Grasshopper platform. The system employs a human behaviour model adapted from the PECS (Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Social) reference model first proposed by Schmidt and Urban. The agent-based model and its application was evaluated by comparative modelling of two real Vietnamese dwellings: a traditional vernacular house in Hue and a contemporary house in Ho Chi Minh City. The evaluation shows that the system returns differentiated temporal characteristics of spatial modifications of the two dwellings as expected

Enhanced Private Sector Engagement for Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Reporting through an Intermediary Agency in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Under-detection and -reporting in the private sector constitute a major barrier in Viet Nam’s fight to end tuberculosis (TB). Effective private-sector engagement requires innovative approaches. We established an intermediary agency that incentivized private providers in two districts of Ho Chi Minh City to refer persons with presumptive TB and share data of unreported TB treatment from July 2017 to March 2019. We subsidized chest x-ray screening and Xpert MTB/RIF testing, and supported test logistics, recording, and reporting. Among 393 participating private providers, 32.1% (126/393) referred at least one symptomatic person, and 3.6% (14/393) reported TB patients treated in their practice. In total, the study identified 1203 people with TB through private provider engagement. Of these, 7.6% (91/1203) were referred for treatment in government facilities. The referrals led to a post-intervention increase of +8.5% in All Forms TB notifications in the intervention districts. The remaining 92.4% (1112/1203) of identified people with TB elected private-sector treatment and were not notified to the NTP. Had this private TB treatment been included in official notifications, the increase in All Forms TB notifications would have been +68.3%. Our evaluation showed that an intermediary agency model can potentially engage private providers in Viet Nam to notify many people with TB who are not being captured by the current system. This could have a substantial impact on transparency into disease burden and contribute significantly to the progress towards ending TB

An Evaluation of Programmatic Community-Based Chest X-ray Screening for Tuberculosis in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Across Asia, a large proportion of people with tuberculosis (TB) do not report symptoms, have mild symptoms or only experience symptoms for a short duration. These individuals may not seek care at health facilities or may be missed by symptom screening, resulting in sustained TB transmission in the community. We evaluated the yields of TB from 114 days of community-based, mobile chest X-ray (CXR) screening. The yields at each step of the TB screening cascade were tabulated and we compared cohorts of participants who reported having a prolonged cough and those reporting no cough or one of short duration. We estimated the marginal yields of TB using different diagnostic algorithms and calculated the relative diagnostic costs and cost per case for each algorithm. A total of 34,529 participants were screened by CXR, detecting 256 people with Xpert-positive TB. Only 50% of those diagnosed with TB were detected among participants reporting a prolonged cough. The study's screening algorithm detected almost 4 times as much TB as the National TB Program's standard diagnostic algorithm. Community-based, mobile chest X-ray screening can be a high yielding strategy which is able to identify people with TB who would likely otherwise have been missed by existing health services

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

How to Explore the Architectural Qualities of Interactive Architecture - Virtual or physical or both?

While the theoretical possibilities and implications of interactive architecture are promising, much still is unknown how these can be practically translated towards purposeful deployments. To understand the true dynamic qualities of interactive architecture, the only method is experiencing its hedonic qualities firsthand. To this end, working prototypes need to be realised and their actual impact measured. In this paper, we compare two potential experimental strategies for interactive architecture prototype evaluation, as we benchmark the conceptual, technological and methodological differences between a life-size, physical prototype and an immersive virtual reality simulation. By presenting the preliminary findings of each strategy, we discuss how their unique strengths and weaknesses could complement each other in future research endeavours.status: publishe

KOALA - Developing a generative house design system with agent-based modelling of social spatial processes

The paper presents the development of an agent-based approach to modelling the interaction of human emotion and behaviour with built spaces. The study addresses how human behaviour and social relation can be represented and modelled to interact with a virtual built environment composed in parametric architectural geometry. KOALA, a prototype of agent-based modelling of social spatial dynamics at the core of a parametric architectural design environment is proposed. In building KOALA's system architecture, we adapted the PECS (Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, Social) reference model of human behaviour (Schmidt 2002) and introduced the concept of Social Spatial Comfort as a measurement of three key factors influencing human spatial experiences. KOALA was evaluated by a comparative modelling of two contrasting Vietnamese dwellings known to us. As expected, KOALA returns very different temporal characteristics of spatial modifications of the two dwellings over a simulated timeframe of one year. We discuss the lessons learned and further research required.status: publishe

Prototyping Adaptive Architecture - Balancing Flexibility of Folding Patterns and Adaptability of Micro-Kinetic Movements

The design process of dynamic architecture has been an emerging topic in recent studies, in which researchers try to find an effective method of generating and controlling adaptive components. In this paper, we present a digital-physical modelling process that seeks to explore tectonic fusion of origami folding patterns and micro-kinetic movements. A flexible modular prototype system is developed and evaluated through combining origami-based fabrication simulation and mathematical characterisation mimicking the pinecone's nastic movements. The modular design system is then applied to an urban site as a test case study. The results show how the pinecone-like nastic movements may be translated into design and fabrication of an adaptive architecture. We discuss the lessons learned from the digital-physical prototyping process finding the balance between geometric flexibility and micro-kinetic adaptability.status: publishe

Voltammetric Determination of Rhodamine B Using a ZIF-67/Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Electrode

In the present article, the synthesis of zeolite imidazolate framework-67/reduced graphene oxide (ZIF-67/rGO) and voltammetric determination of Rhodamine B (RhB) are demonstrated. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. It was found that the ZIF-67/rGO composite consists of ZIF-67 nano-particles highly dispersed on the rGO matrix and possesses a high specific surface area. Because of the synergistic effect of good conductivity of rGO and high surface area of ZIF-67, the ZIF-67/rGO—modified glassy carbon electrode exhibits good electrochemical behavior toward Rhodamine B (RhB) oxidation. The use of this electrode to quantitate RhB with differential pulse voltammetric method was successful with a broad linear range, from 0.96 to 44.07 μg.L-1 of RhB and a low limit of detection of 1.79 μg.L-1. The procedure was able to be applied to quantitatively determine RhB content in several food samples with an exceptional recovery rate (98-103%). The quantitative results highly agreed with that provided by high-performance liquid chromatography, revealing that this material is promising in in situ monitoring of other illegal additives in food