Triangular Proportional Scheme and Concept of the Two Serbian Medieval Churches

Serbian medieval architectural heritage is notable for its sacred architecture including numerous Christian Orthodox churches built at the territory of former Raška state during the period from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Built in the so-called Raška architectural style, characterized by overlapping features of Romanesque and Byzantine traditions, two monuments—the church of the Mother of God in Studenica monastery complex and the church of Holy Dormition in Žiča monastery complex, are exquisite sacred structures and cultural monuments of exceptional importance. They are also remarkable due to geometric-proportional regularities of their design. This paper highlights the importance of geometric concept in relation to proportional analysis of these two structures. Here presented study is conducted by two means: first one—by investigating geometric scheme with equilateral triangles, incorporated into the layout and cross section patterns of each church structure; the second one—by classical proportioning that includes proportional roots, golden section and numeric ratios

The 4Cs of adaptation tracking: consistency, comparability, comprehensiveness, coherency

Adaptation tracking seeks to characterize, monitor, and compare general trends in climate change adaptation over time and across nations. Recognized as essential for evaluating adaptation progress, there have been few attempts to develop systematic approaches for tracking adaptation. This is reflected in polarized opinions, contradictory findings, and lack of understanding on the state of adaptation globally. In this paper, we outline key methodological considerations necessary for adaptation tracking research to produce systematic, rigorous, comparable, and usable insights that can capture the current state of adaptation globally, provide the basis for characterizing and evaluating adaptations taking place, facilitate examination of what conditions explain differences in adaptation action across jurisdictions, and can underpin the monitoring of change in adaptation over time. Specifically, we argue that approaches to adaptation tracking need to (i) utilize a consistent and operational conceptualization of adaptation, (ii) focus on comparable units of analysis, (iii) use and develop comprehensive datasets on adaptation action, and (iv) be coherent with our understanding of what constitutes real adaptation. Collectively, these form the 4Cs of adaptation tracking (consistency, comparability, comprehensiveness, and coherency)

Modularity in Architectural Design: Lessons from a Housing Case

Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Structures and Architecture (ICSA 2019), July 24-26, 2019, Lisbon, Portugal.This paper presents a housing case devised with modular principles set towards an algorithmic description. Aside illustrating the case, the broader aim is to show both the potential and limitations of a modular approach from an architectural perspective, on the way to an improvement of decision-making processes in the complex, multi-dimensional problems that arise during architectural creation

‘The management indicator’ from the point of view of an urban assessment

The ‘Management indicator’ is one of the less prioritized indicators when we analyze the existing urban sustainable assessment methods. Nevertheless, and according to the opinion of some experts, this indicator should be one of the main as it deals with the involvement of local entities (communities, agencies and government) working together to improve the public services and quality of life of the inhabitants of a specifc area. It recognizes the uniqueness of each place, ensuring that the community facilities are properly maintained and are appropriate to the existing population density (PD) of the area, so that a sense of ownership and responsibility is promoted. The main contribution of this paper is to give a complete panorama of the analysis and evaluation for the management indicator, as well as emphasize the importance of this indicator when we are making a sustainable assessment for urban areas or when we are trying to rehabilitate existing neighborhoods

Triangular proportional scheme and concept of the two serbian medieval churches

Serbian medieval architectural heritage is notable for its sacred architecture including numerous Christian Orthodox churches built at the territory of former Raška state during the period from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Built in the so-called Raška architectural style, characterized by overlapping features of Romanesque and Byzantine traditions, two monuments—the church of the Mother of God in Studenica monastery complex and the church of Holy Dormition in Žiča monastery complex, are exquisite sacred structures and cultural monuments of exceptional importance. They are also remarkable due to geometric-proportional regularities of their design. This paper highlights the importance of geometric concept in relation to proportional analysis of these two structures. Here presented study is conducted by two means: first one—by investigating geometric scheme with equilateral triangles, incorporated into the layout and cross section patterns of each church structure; the second one—by classical proportioning that includes proportional roots, golden section and numeric ratios

Synthesis, characterization and sorption studies of aromatic compounds by hydrogels of chitosan blended with β-cyclodextrin- and PVA-functionalized pectin

Petroleum comprises the monoaromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which exhibit acute toxicity towards living animals. Consequently, their removal from natural environment is a priority challenge. On the other hand, biomaterials are increasingly being used as adsorbents. Pectin and chitosan are well-known polysaccharides able to form coacervate hydrogels. Aiming an increase of sorption ability by hydrophobic compounds, pectin was also functionalized with two amphiphilic compounds: b-cyclodextrin (b-CD) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Both the modified pectin and the hydrogels were evaluated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogels were further characterized in terms of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and swelling kinetics. The interaction between the hydrogel and mix solutions containing six different aromatic compounds (BTXs and the following PAHs: pyrene, benzo(b) fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene) has been evaluated through sorption isotherms and kinetics. The mechanism of sorption interaction and the selectivity of the adsorbents towards different aromatic compounds were discussed. The results clearly show that the presence of b-CD and PVA into gel leads to an increase in the removal efficiency of both, BTXs and PAHs. The gels were subjected to two sorption/desorption cycles to have an assessment of the capability of adsorbents for re-use. Finally, the sorption quantification of those six aromatic compounds from a real gasoline sample onto gels has been tested

Uncommon Sorption Mechanism of Aromatic Compounds onto Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan/Maleic Anhydride-β-Cyclodextrin Hydrogels

Aromatic hydrocarbons are extensive environmental pollutants occurring in both water and air media, and their removal is a priority effort for a healthy environment. The use of adsorbents is among the several strategies used for the remediation of these compounds. In this paper, we aim the synthesis of an amphiphilic hydrogel with the potential for the simultaneous sorption of a set of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with toxicity effects in humans. Thus, we start by the synthesis of a copolymer-based in chitosan and β-cyclodextrin previously functionalized with the maleic anhydride. The presence of β-cyclodextrin will confer the ability to interact with hydrophobic compounds. The resulting material is posteriorly incorporated in a cryogel of poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. We aim to improve the amphiphilic ability of the hydrogel matrix. The obtained hydrogel was characterized by swelling water kinetics, thermogravimetric analysis, rheological measurements, and scanning electron microscopy. The sorption of aromatic hydrocarbons onto the gel is characterized by pseudo-first-order kinetics and Henry isotherm, suggesting a physisorption mechanism. The results show that the presence of maleic anhydride-β-cyclodextrin and chitosan into hydrogels leads to an increase in the removal efficiency of the aromatic compounds. Additionally, the capacity of this hydrogel for removing these pollutants from a fossil fuel sample has also been tested.Rede Nacional de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear (RNRMN