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Climate Adaptation in Architectural Education

Resource-Efficient Image Buffer Architecture for Neighborhood Processors

Neighborhood image processing operations on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) are considered as memory intensive operations. A large memory bandwidth is required to transfer the required pixel data from external memory to the processing unit. On-chip image buffers are employed to reduce this data transfer rate. Conventional image buffers, implemented either by using FPGA logic resources or embedded memories are resource inefficient. They exhaust the limited FPGA resources quickly. Consequently, hardware implementation of neighborhood operations becomes expensive, and integrating them in resource constrained devices becomes unfeasible. This paper presents a resource efficient FPGA based on-chip buffer architecture. The proposed architecture utilizes full capacity of a single Xilinx BlockRAM (BRAM36 primitive) for storing multiple rows of input image. To get multiple pixels/clock in a user defined scan order, an efficient duty-cycle based memory accessing technique is coupled with a customized addressing circuitry. This accessing technique exploits switching capabilities of BRAM to read 4 pixels in a single clock cycle without degrading system frequency. The addressing circuitry provides multiple pixels/clock in any user defined scan order to implement a wide range of neighborhood operations. With the saving of 83% BRAM resources, the buffer architecture operates at 278 MHz on Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA with an efficiency of 1.3 clock/pixel. It is thus capable to fulfill real time image processing requirements for HD image resolution (1080 × 1920) @103 fcps.

An invariants based architecture for combining small and large data sets in neural networks

We present a novel architecture for an AI system that allows a priori knowledge to combine with deep learning. In traditional neural networks, all available data is pooled at the input layer. Our alternative neural network is constructed so that partial representations (invariants) are learned in the intermediate layers, which can then be combined with a priori knowledge or with other predictive analyses of the same data. This leads to smaller training datasets due to more efficient learning. In addition, because this architecture allows inclusion of a priori knowledge and interpretable predictive models, the interpretability of the entire system increases while the data can still be used in a black box neural network. Our system makes use of networks of neurons rather than single neurons to enable the representation of approximations (invariants) of the output.

Creative Research: The Theory and Practice of Research for the Creative Industries

When conducting research in and for the creative industries, there are a wealth of different possible research approaches that can be taken - reflecting the diverse nature of the disciplines (design, arts and crafts, advertising, architecture, fashion, film, music, TV, radio performing arts, publishing and interactive software) and academic contexts (art schools, business schools and universities) involved. The result is that there are variations in the emphasis and approach taken to how students are taught to link theory with practice, and how they view and engage with the concept ʻresearchʼ. The need for understanding and awareness of a range of approaches is critical for anyone learning about and working within design, business and the creative industries today.

The architecture of value thinking and pneuma in housing associations

Housing associations make too small a contribution to society, the government has to step in too frequently because of maladministration, and the associations’ executives are often unaware of the far-reaching impact of their decisions. These are the conclusions of new academic research conducted by Jan Veuger of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). In the author’s dissertation, he asserts that in numerous cases, there is no correlation between social and financial objectives. The Dutch House of Representatives debated the results of the report Ver van huis from the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry on Housing Associations in early December, 2014. The research that is being carried out at the moment is constructed in a manner that if we understand something about value thinking and what underlying motivation is, an approach can be deducted that will allow us to control them. After the introduction, an explanation of the theme of the research will be given and the choice for a four-phase model with a deepening as to what value(s) is (and are). From the perspective of the four-phase model, the emphasis will be put on the socialization and thinking capacities, and parallels will be drawn between the values within the four-phase model, the examined values, and in specific, public housing corporations.

Self-reported health and comfort of school children in 54 classrooms of 21 Dutch school buildings

BackgroundWhile the indoor environmental quality of classrooms is a potential issue because it may affect the wellbeing of school children, the relations are still poorly studied. This study aimed to investigate the relations between classroom characteristics and health and comfort of school children.Material and methodsA questionnaire was distributed among 1311 school children (8–12 years old, average 10) of 54 classrooms at 21 schools in The Netherlands. Additionally, the survey included an inspection of the school and its installations and an inspection of the classrooms surveyed using checklists, and monitoring of some environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity and CO2 concentration) in the classrooms.ResultsAmong the children studied, 87% was bothered by noise, 63% by smells, 42% by sunlight when shining, 35% didn't like the temperature in the classroom (too cold or too warm) and 34% experienced temperature changes. Main diseases reported comprised of allergies (26%), rhinitis (17%), hay fever (16%) and eczema (16%). Health and comfort in non-traditional schools was better than in the traditional schools studied (A non-traditional school is a school in which the way of educating children is different from the traditional way of education, according to a different educational theory). Physical building characteristics of the classrooms studied in the traditional schools were associated with the Classroom Symptom Index (location of school building, heating system, solar devices hampering opening windows or ventilation) and the Classroom Comfort Index (ventilation type, window frame colour, floor material and vacuum cleaning frequency).ConclusionsMeasures to improve acoustical, air, and thermal conditions of children in classrooms are needed. More research is required on the use of different lighting systems and use of different colours in classrooms.