Genetic contributions to human brain morphology and intelligence

Variation in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume of the adult human brain is primarily genetically determined. Moreover, total brain volume is positively correlated with general intelligence, and both share a common genetic origin. However, although genetic effects on morphology of specific GM areas in the brain have been studied, the heritability of focal WM is unknown. Similarly, it is unresolved whether there is a common genetic origin of focal GM and WM structures with intelligence. We explored the genetic influence on focal GM and WM densities in magnetic resonance brain images of 54 monozygotic and 58 dizygotic twin pairs and 34 of their siblings. For genetic analyses, we used structural equation modeling and voxel-based morphometry. To explore the common genetic origin of focal GM and WM areas with intelligence, we obtained cross-trait/cross-twin correlations in which the focal GM and WM densities of each twin are correlated with the psychometric intelligence quotient of his/her cotwin. Genes influenced individual differences in left and right superior occipitofrontal fascicle (heritability up to 0.79 and 0.77), corpus callosum (0.82, 0.80), optic radiation (0.69, 0.79), corticospinal tract (0.78, 0.79), medial frontal cortex (0.78, 0.83), superior frontal cortex (0.76, 0.80), superior temporal cortex (0.80, 0.77), left occipital cortex (0.85), left postcentral cortex (0.83), left posterior cingulate cortex (0.83), right parahippocampal cortex (0.69), and amygdala (0.80, 0.55). Intelligence shared a common genetic origin with superior occipitofrontal, callosal, and left optical radiation WM and frontal, occipital, and parahippocampal GM (phenotypic correlations up to 0.35). These findings point to a neural network that shares a common genetic origin with human intelligence

User-Valued Innovations for Social Housing Upgrading through Trans-Atlantic Living Labs - uVITAL

Design & Construction Managemen

Strategic partnering motives of clients, contractors, and subcontractors in the Dutch retrofit market

This study investigates the motives of clients, contractors andsubcontractors and underlying conditions favoring strategic partnering formation in the Dutch retrofit market. In-depth interviews were conducted with six clients, six contractors, and two subcontractors concerning four cases in the Netherlands. To identify motives, the data from the 14 interviews were coded with Atlas TI based on a theoretical framework. The thematic analysis revealed the main motives. The main finding of this study was that clients and contractors form strategic partnerships for different reasons: clients unite to exploit the knowledge and capabilities of their supplying partners, while contractors and subcontractors unite to improve their market position. Both motives may be exchanged when clients offer contractors and subcontractors a long-term perspective. This finding shows managers in the construction industry that, to maintain a strategic partnership, it is important to understand and discuss the motives of each partner and how they can be exchanged.Design & Construction Managemen

Organising and Managing boundaries: A structurational view of collaboration with Building Information Modelling (BIM)

The construction industry is currently undergoing digital transformation due to emerging technologies. Hence new forms of organisation are needed. Collaborating with Building Information Modelling (BIM) is complex and challenges the management of projects. The ubiquitous digital information sharing among multi-disciplinary actors in BIM-based projects, activates dense inter-organisational processes. This study offers insights into collaboration with BIM, through the theoretical lens of boundaries. By analysing two projects of BIM-based collaboration in the Netherlands, the interplay between structure and agency of collaboration was discussed. The various artefacts of BIM, as boundary objects were interpreted in multiple ways by different communities of practice and this resulted in poor communication and consequently poor collaboration. The findings challenge the prevalent view of BIM as a software artefact and showed that this view only partially supports collaboration. Additionally, a structurational view (enabled by communication, conflict management, negotiation, and teamwork) as opposed to a structural view of collaboration (e.g. BIM as a software) can fully support the implementation of digital innovations. Finally, the paper revealed a ‘tactical gap’ in the implementation of digital between strategic and operational decision-making needs fine-tuning to ensure better collaboration in projects where digital innovations are adopted. The study concludes with propositions for supporting organisation of teams through integration of activities and the management of BIM-based collaboration in projects beyond merely structural and technological approaches, which dominate the field but from a structurational view instead.</p

The Actors' Perceptions and Expectations of their Roles in BIM-based Collaboration

The inter-organisational collaboration with Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the hottest topics in construction sector nowadays. The implementation of BIM is a complex inter-organisational process, and the sharing of information among numerous actors from multi-disciplinary backgrounds may affect the actors’ role perception and performance. This study offers insights into the BIM roles of various actors by analysing a BIM-based project carried out by an integrated partnership across many tiers. The analysis identified inconsistencies between the actors' perceptions and their partners’ expectations of their BIM roles. Inconsistencies in BIM roles were more related to soft rather than hard (domain- or technical) skills. Mismatches were found in the architect's role, as it was deemed necessary to be more domain- and BIM-related, contrary to their perceptions. Likewise, the suppliers' role called for an enhanced BIM orientation. The paper concludes with set of suggestions for increasing the joint responsibility and supporting the multi-actor collaboration.Design & Construction ManagementSustainable Housing Transformatio

Versterking positie van de bouwconsument: De mogelijkheden van benchmarking

Rapport in opdracht van het Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken. De gedachte achter dit rapport is dat een benchmarksysteem de bouwconsument zou kunnen ondersteunen bij de besluitvorming over de bouwer waarmee hij in zee gaat door de koop van een nieuwbouwwoning of vanwege een verbouwing, renovatie of onderhoud van zijn woning. Door de bouwconsument te voorzien van meer relevante informatie over (het presteren van) de bouwer, kan deze bouwconsument tot een betere afweging van alternatieven komen. Verwacht wordt dat dit een positief effect zal hebben op de kwaliteit die wordt geleverd door deze bouwers. Daarmee dient benchmarking niet alleen het belang van de individuele bouwconsument, maar ook dat van andere opdrachtgevers, als overheden en woningcorporaties.Real Estate and HousingArchitecture and The Built Environmen

Influences of retail atmospherics and architecture on consumer's vertical circulation behavior

Real Estate and HousingArchitectur

Passengers’ preferences for architectural design characteristics in the design of airport terminals

With the need to increase total revenues, airports have begun to use commercial retail. A well-designed airport may provide great service to clients and consumers and increase their satisfaction and in turn their spending behaviours. Since there is suggestive evidence that there might be cultural associations of white, purple or black with different emotional loadings to these colours across cultures, the present study investigated passengers’ preferences for architectural design characteristics of an airport in a new cultural setting. Discrete choice modelling was used to measure the passengers’ preferences for 10 interior design characteristics of the passenger terminal using 3D renderings. Data on 435 passengers were collected at Mehrabad International Airport, which also included passengers’ emotions. Passengers in the terminal hall preferred a curved and transparent ceiling, material in warm colours, cool lighting, with low width and low height, greenery and without any decorations. When compared to other studies, it may well be that passenger preferences for lighting and certain colour schemes reflect geographical or cultural differences. For other interior design characteristics, preferences relating to the shape of the ceiling and the amount of daylight, as well as the presence of greenery, may well be reflections of passengers’ restorative needs.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Design & Construction Managemen

Hallways in the eyes of patients with moderate dementia

Inevitably, moving into elderly care facilities causes distress. The elderly need to develop emotional bonds with their new place. Place attachment is manifested through affective, cognitive and behavioural psychological processes, and influenced by social and physical characteristics of places. A knowledge gap exists regarding physical place characteristics enhancing place attachment and identity. In research, physical place characteristics are explained in words, but memorized as configurations, such as visuals. The challenge is addressing places as bundled characteristics. Combining 3D-virtual-reality and discrete choice modelling provides an innovative solution to improve the design of elderly care facilities and enhance self-regulatory processes in elderly. The questionnaire was piloted amongst 33 residents with dementia who were taken into residential care. Outcomes suggest that residents with dementia tend to prefer sensory less difficult to interpret hallways.OTBArchitecture and The Built Environmen

Perception of privacy in a university building: The transparency paradox

Informal face-to-face communication and chance encounters encourage knowledge sharing. This Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) examines how well a new building of a Dutch University Institute (DI) supported interaction and perceived privacy among faculty members. The study is designed as a qualitative research project with in-depth interviews among faculty members before and after relocation into the new building. The transparent and centrally organized floor plan supported face-to-face communication but generated a lack of privacy for faculty members. Not all perceived affordances of the design were planned. Lack of visual privacy and the sense of being controlled by others were related to the hierarchical position of teachers in this Higher Education Institute (HEI) between students and the dean, which caused tension and diminished their well-being.Real Estate ManagementDesign & Construction ManagementUrbanis