COMPUTATIONAL LEARNING AND DESIGN ENVIRONMENT IN ARCHITECTURE

The computer has evolved from a tool to a privileged position where architectural design takes shape. Given that students are expected to work primarily in a computational environment and frequently in a collaborative way, some questions challenge and inspire us to consider new ways and methods that will aid in the creation and sharing of information and ideas. The dynamic of the architectural investigation process is the beginning point for our research, which aims to stimulate the architectural exploration process through the design and implementation of a computational environment based on a library of referents. In this paper, we try in particular to understand the characteristics of the design environment in architecture, therefore concerning the description and references of the library in the design dynamics. The referents' representation is viewed as a collection of descriptions in a distinct format. It is available to students and allows for new interpretations, interaction with their content, and eventually, knowledge acquisition during the architectural investigation process

TEACHING URBAN AMBIANCE DESIGN WITH PARAMETRIC MODELING

Abstract This pedagogical paper presents an approach to urban design taught in the "Complex Densities Studio" CDS of the Institute of Architecture and Earth Sciences of Setif (IAST). This approach is based on urban analysis and scenario building, the use of parametric tools, and the constitution of reusable "parametric actions". The parametric approach invites students to state their project intentions. Parametric computing allows building a digital model from certain parameters. The digital model aims to verify the interactions of the student project in the urban context dynamically and iteratively. It offers the possibility of identifying the most efficient models concerning the stated criteria. The urban typologies and ambiances are evaluated throughout the design process, thus allowing for permanent adjustments. The chosen context is the El-Harrach district in the city of Algiers: the population density and the rapid transformation of urban areas offer a stimulating framework to experiment with a parametric approach to the student project. The approach of the CDS is based on numerous and diverse data, transcribed in diagrams, pre-formal plans, and parametric models, allowing to move from an abstract and quantitative dimension to the formalization of urban ambiances in a progressive and qualitative way

HUSH, a Link Between Intrinsic Immunity and HIV Latency

A prominent obstacle to HIV eradication in seropositive individuals is the viral persistence in latent reservoir cells, which constitute an HIV sanctuary out of reach of highly active antiretroviral therapies. Thus, the study of molecular mechanisms governing latency is a very active field that aims at providing solutions to face the reservoirs issue. Since the past 15 years, another major field in HIV biology focused on the discovery and study of restriction factors that shape intrinsic immunity, while engaging in a molecular battle against HIV. Some of these restrictions factors act at early stages of the virus life cycle, alike SAMHD1 antagonized by the viral protein Vpx, while others are late actors. Until recently, no such factor was identified in the nucleus and found active at the level of provirus expression, a crucial step where latency may take place. Today, two studies highlight Human Silencing Hub (HUSH) as a potential restriction factor that controls viral expression and is antagonized by Vpx. This Review discusses HUSH restriction in the light of the actual knowledge of intrinsic immunity and HIV latency

Synthesis and application of modified membranes for efficient cationic and anionic dye elimination

This study focuses on developing ceramic ultrafiltration membranes using locally sourced kaolin clay and feldspar. An active layer composed of graphene and alkoxide is added to enhance the performance of these clay supports. This layer is thin, porous, and can vary in thickness. The support and filter layer's porous properties are characterized using SEM, DRX, ATG/ATD, XPS, and FTIR techniques. Filtration tests are conducted on modified porous tubular supports using cationic and anionic dye solutions. The filtration is performed tangentially at a pressure of 3.5 bar and a processing time of 120 minutes. The retention rates of the colored solutions are measured using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The results show a 100% retention rate for supranol yellow and orange II at a concentration of 10-4 M, while for crystal violet and malachite green, the retention rates are 92.03% and 95.30%, respectively.

Effet Du Stress Salin Sur Le Comportement Biochimique Et Anatomique Chez Deux Variétés De Piment (Capsicum Annuum L.) À Mila /Algérie

Soil salinity is a permanent threat to the survival of plants. The choice of a salt tolerant species could be a solution to this constraint. This paper focuses on the concept of adaptation and sensitivity during the vegetative phase of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) variety: Super marconi (Sp) and Marconi (M). Plants were stressed with different concentrations of NaCl ranging from 0, 25, 50 to 150 mM/l NaCl for 60 days. The results obtained showed that the application of stress results in a moderate decrease in plant size and the content of Chlorophyll a, b which declined during times of stress. An increase in proline content and soluble sugars was recorded in the leaves. It could be an indicator of salinity tolerance which explains the maintenance of a good water status among the studied plants. Regarding the ionic content (K+ and Na + ), salt stress caused a significant decrease in the content of K + , and a significant increase in Na+ content in both pepper varieties. Concerning anatomical structure of stems, the action of combined salts (50-150Mmol/L) causes a decrease in the size of the parenchymal cells, as well as the diameter of xylem vessels. It is concluded that the variety Super Marconi (Sp) is more tolerant to salinity compared to the variety Marconi (M). Hence, they have a significant role to play in agriculture, food, and economy

Physico-chemical characterisation and antioxidant activity of some Opuntia ficus-indica varieties grown in North Algeria

The composition and the antioxidant activity of the juicy pulp of four Opuntia ficus-indica varieties (green, yellow, orange and red) grown in North Algeria were investigated. The juicy pulp was characterized by a high humidity (87.4 to 89.6%), high pH (6.2 to 6.6), low acidity (0.04 to 0.07%), a few amount of proteins (0.35 to 0.49%) and high amount of solid soluble compounds (12 to 15%). Among the four varieties, the orange variety showed higher values concerning the last parameters. The same variety was also richer in phenolic compounds with 66.60 mg AGE/100 g, carotenoids (2.65 mg eq. β-carotene/100 g) and betaxanthin (6.79 mg/100 g). High ascorbic acid content has been recorded (28.76 mg AAE/100 g). However, betacyanin and total betalains contents were obtained in red juicy pulp. Following this rich composition in antioxidants, the four varieties studied showed performances in reducing iron F<sup>3+</sup>, inhibiting hydrogen peroxide and decreasing the DPPH concentration by 50%. The best activities were obtained with the orange juicy pulp extract followed by the red one. In addition, direct relationship was noticed between the antioxidant and antiradical capacities of the ethanol extracts and the phenolic compounds concentration and also within the three activities.Keywords: Opuntia ficus-indica, physical and chemical properties, antioxidant, antiradical activitiesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(3), pp. 299-30

L'expression des habitants sur la qualité de l'espace urbain - du quartier à la ville: cas de Sétif en Algérie

Cet article propose le contenu de l'expression des habitants sur la qualité de l'espace urbain de Sétif en partant du quartier et de son rapport à la ville; ce à travers une démarche heuristique et à l'aide d'un entretien quali-quantitatif, établi sur la base d'un processus d'objectivation de définition de la qualité. Ce processus a défini trois dimensions de l'expression sur la qualité, qui sont: l'appréciation (satisfaction), la qualification et l'expression de besoins explicites et implicites. L'étude a fait ressortir une satisfaction résidentielle élevée qui n'a pas disséminé l'expression de besoins en environnement sein, en centralité significative et en résidentalité. Ces besoins sont à considérer dans leur environnement psychosociologique, socioéconomique, politico administratif et historique; ils incitent à reconsidérer la démarche quantitative et fonctionnaliste habituellement entreprise dans la fabrique de la ville, par l'injonction de la démarche qualité qui prend en considération l’expression des habitants et leurs souhaits.This article offers the content of the expression of the inhabitants on the quality of the urban space of Sétif from the district and its relationship to the city; this through a heuristic approach and using a quali-quantitative factfinding, based on a process of objectification of quality definition. This process defines three dimensions of the expression on the quality that are: assessment (satisfaction), qualification and the expression of explicit and implicit needs. The study noted a high residential satisfaction that has not spread the expression of needs in healthy environment, significant centrality and residentality. These needs are to be considered in their psychological, socio-economic, political, administrative and historical environment; they encourage reconsidering the quantitative and functionalist approach usually undertaken in the factory of the city, by the injunction of the quality approach, which takes into account the expression of the inhabitants and their wishes

Structural qualities of urban space revealed by spatial representation and intelligibility readings: the case of Setif City, Algeria

This article discusses urban expansion in Setif, Algeria, with a periphery that lacks the spatial quality of what constitutes the city. Despite the presence of services, commerce, housing, and brand-new modern architecture, this periphery is not perceived as the city. The current study addresses the issue by combining two qualitative-quantitative techniques: spatial representation using sketch maps and syntactic analysis via space syntax. The findings were acquired using two software programs; SPSS 23 and Depthmap X . The performance indicated that the city center is the best representation of the city. To elucidate the structural characteristics that give birth to this representation, the space syntax is applied to two samples: the city center and El Hidhab. The intelligibility of the spatial arrangement, the spatial component, and the structuring features are the primary outcomes of spatial qualities. This study serves as a reference for other studies addressing the same issue. It may also serve as a guide for restructuring and projects aimed at creating what constitutes the city

Extensive profiling of three varieties of Opuntia spp. fruit for innovative food ingredients

[EN] Consumer interest in the use of natural ingredients is creating a growing trend in the food industry, leading to research into the development of natural products such as colorants, antimicrobials and antioxidant compounds. This work involves an extensive morphological (using physico-chemical assays), chemical (antioxidant activity assays) and microbiological (Gram-positive and negative strains) characterization of prickly peras (Opuntia ficusindica (OFI) var. sanguigna, gialla and Opuntia engelmannii) fruits. Through chromatographic assays, these species have shown interesting contents of hydrophilic (sugars, organic acids and betalains) and lipophilic (tocopherols and fatty acids) compounds. While Opuntia engelmannii exhibited higher content of betacyanins and mucilage, OFI varieties sanguigna and gialla displayed greater organic acid content. The sanguigna variety also showed the highest ¿-tocopherol content. All this compounds could be the responsible of enhancing the bioactivity of this variety, which can be observed in its antimicrobial potential, tested in the studied strains too. Results revealed that Opuntia spp. could be used as a nutraceutical and/or food additive, maintaining and promoting health and life quality.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013) and L. Barros contract. This work is funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds (FEEI) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023289 (DeCodE) and ValorNatural (R). B. Melgar (No. 329930) also thanks CONACyT for his grant. The authors are grateful for a grant from the Serbian Ministry of Education, Sciences and Technological Development (no. 173032). The authors would also like to thank Dr. Carlos Aguiar for the botanical identification of these species.Melgar-Castañeda, B.; Pereira, E.; Oliveira, MBP.; Garcia-Castello, EM.; Rodríguez López, AD.; Sokovic, M.; Barros, L.... (2017). Extensive profiling of three varieties of Opuntia spp. fruit for innovative food ingredients. Food Research International. 101:259-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2017.09.024S25926510

Food industry by-products valorization and new ingredients: cases of study

The concern about food and beverages is gaining importance for the general public in terms of health and more environmentally sustainable food products. Healthy foods imply the awareness on their safety, nutritional characteristics, and the potential inclusion of nutritive complements such as antioxidants, vitamins, and proteins, which promote a benefit to the consumer's health. Also, organic foods, with less added chemicals such as pesticides, are more demanded recently. The environmentally sustainable food production has to reconsider the wastes as by-products that can be transformed to provide valuable compounds (antioxidants, fiber, fuels, etc.) that could be used as new products or raw materials in the food industry or even applied in other sectors such as pharmaceutical, polymer, and energy industries. In this chapter, selected successful case studies in which food wastes are transformed into new products by using different separation and purification technologies will be shown. Furthermore, the use of different wild vegetables from natural environments as a source of valuable compounds and new ingredients will be described.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio