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There are significant differences between expectations and fulfillment in the building delivery process. Many researchers have emphasized the need for design strategies that establish a direct correlation between design proposals and building performance. One of the main objectives is to support performance-driven primary design, which occurs before the design performance modeling (DPM) phase. To achieve this, a case study of retrofitting existing buildings on campus is presented. A normative calculation approach is used to identify the optimal combinations of a dozen retrofit strategies based on the Energy Performance Calculator (EPC) model. This approach reduces or eliminates the impact of parametric uncertainties on modeling assumptions and simplifies calculations, particularly in restrictive studies. These retrofit solutions involve structural and functional zoning renovation, meaning that disparity between expectations and fulfilments is considered, and a timely related information feedback route to architects is achieved. In the first step of the narrative development of the EPC model, EPC-Calib was used to find the optimal combination of input variables in the model that satisfies the desired target and complies with the problem constraints. Secondly, the retrofit study was implemented with EPC-TechOpt, and 16 retrofit solutions for three design performance models were examined based on the local climatic conditions, building features, and retrofit costs. Finally, design schemes were determined, and the cost-optimal mix of the measures was desired with a 40% energy saving.

The Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule 1 ( Dscam1 ) gene can generate tens of thousands of isoforms via alternative splicing, which is essential for nervous and immune functions. Chelicerates generate approximately 50 to 100 shortened Dscam (sDscam) isoforms by alternative promoters, similar to mammalian protocadherins. Here, we reveal that trans-splicing markedly increases the repository of sDscamβ isoforms in Tetranychus urticae . Unexpectedly, every variable exon cassette engages in trans-splicing with constant exons from another cluster. Moreover, we provide evidence that competing RNA pairing not only governs alternative cis-splicing but also facilitates trans-splicing. Trans-spliced sDscam isoforms mediate cell adhesion ability but exhibit the same homophilic binding specificity as their cis-spliced counterparts. Thus, we reveal a single sDscam locus that generates diverse adhesion molecules through cis- and trans-splicing coupled with alternative promoters. These findings expand understanding of the mechanism underlying molecular diversity and have implications for the molecular control of neuronal and/or immune specificity.

Aiming to find out whether the indoor environment quality (IEQ) of Care and Attention (CA interestingly, there was a negative correlation between age groups and their satisfaction of natural lighting in winter. The mean street noise level was between 74-75 dB, exceeding the maximum 55 dB for neighborhoods. The street noise level was significantly negatively correlated with residents’ satisfaction. The study made recommendations for regulating both outdoor and indoor environments for improving the elderly living conditions in high-density urban areas with hot humid climates.

This study aims to understand the relationship between bedroom privacy and well-being of the elderly in aged care facilities with a compact living situation. A majority of studies on this topic were carried out in a low-density population context. The crowded living situation might compromise the well-being of residents. This study proposed five architectural parameters to measure bedroom privacy in aged care facilities: total open surface per unit, openness/solid ratio per bed, height of partition wall, number of people per unit, and personal control over bedroom privacy. SF-12 v.2 Health Survey was used to collect information on physical and mental health status. The study surveyed nine Care &amp, Attention homes and their 213 residents in Hong Kong. The total open surface per unit and the openness/solid ratio per bed were positively associated with the physical health of residents. The height of partition walls was associated negatively with their physical and mental health conditions, and the number of people per unit was negatively associated with their physical health. More than half of respondents preferred a single unit with high partition walls, however, 40% of respondents preferred low partition walls. The provision of privacy for the elderly should be balanced with their needs for social interactions, total open surface per unit, openness/solid ratio per bed and height of partition wall should be taken into consideration. The study provides evidence and design guidelines for improving privacy in aged care facilities with a compact living environment.

Objective Focusing on Hong Kong Care and Attention homes which provide residential care, meals, personal care and limited nursing care for older people, this study aimed to understand the impact of floor plans' legibility (layout and complexity) on residents' wayfinding satisfaction and self-reported health status. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted in nine Care and Attention homes. Space syntax, a well-established method, was used to evaluate the legibility of their floor plans via calculating the integration value. Results Familiarity with Care and Attention homes did not influence the residents' satisfaction with wayfinding. The integration value had a significant impact on residents' satisfaction with wayfinding. No relationship was observed between integration value and self-reported health status. Conclusion Increasing complexity in floor plans appears to negatively affect residents' wayfinding satisfaction. These data suggest that circulation patterns should be improved for better wayfinding.

Solar Decathlon is an international multidisciplinary competition for designing, building and operating Zero Energy Solar House. Based on the existing evaluation framework, this research identifies 7 key decisions and 24 passive and active strategies that lead to an optimized Zero Energy Solar House with better architecture, comfort condition and electrical energy balance performance: selecting passive strategies regarding shape, function layout and microclimate organization, adopting solar systems and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems as active strategies, integrating the passive and active with prefabrication systems, and finally evaluating the project against sustainability (energy payback period). Focused on 2010 and 2012 Solar Decathlon Europe in Madrid, this research critically reviewed 33 involved projects using this framework. Furthermore, the research correlated the 24 strategies with their performance results in the competition through multi-criteria analysis. The review generated passive-active integrated empirical models for an optimized Zero Energy Solar House in Mediterranean climate conditions. Beyond the particular competition and climate, the research found five important lessons for integrating passive and active technologies for a solar house. The framework proposed by this research, and the strategies and lessons learnt from reviewing the Solar Decathlon Europe competitions can help to transfer the technologies and related knowledge gained from experiments into practice.

At present, in China, the research about the urban sustainability construction is still in the exploratory stage. The ecological problems of the coastal area are more sensitive and complicated. In the background of global warming with serious ecological damage, this paper deeply researches on the main characteristics of urban sustainability and measures how to build urban sustainability. Through combining regional environmental with economic ability along the coastal area, then authors put forward the system planning framework, construction strategy and the evaluation index system, in order to seek the way of building urban sustainability along coastal area in China., {"references":["Jonkman Sebastiaan N. Yasuda, Tomohiro Tsimopoulou V. Kawai, H.\nKato F., \"Advances in coastal disasters risk management - Lessons from\nthe 2011 Tohoku tsunami,\" Proceedings of the Coastal Engineering\nConference, 2012","Wang Lijun, Wang Honghai, Yu Ying, \"Rational development of Chinese\ncoastal city of thinking,\" Proceedings of the Coastal Engineering\nConference Applied Mechanics and Materials, v 174-177, p 3552-3555,\n2012.","Mneimneh Farah, Srour Issam, Kaysi Isam, Su Hai-Long, \"A New\neco-city: Incorporating sustainability into the concept master plan,\"\nConstruction Research Congress 2014: Construction in a Global\nNetwork - Proceedings of the 2014 Construction Research Congress, p\n643-652, 2014.","Huang Jianhuan, Yang Xiaoguang, Cheng Gang, Wang, \"A\ncomprehensive eco-efficiency model and dynamics of regional\neco-efficiency in China,\" Journal of Cleaner Production, v 67, p\n228-238, March 15, 2014","Qin Q, Zhu L, Li Z, Ghulam A, Nan P, \"Satellite monitoring of\nspatio-temporal dynamics of China's coastal zone eco-environments:\nPreliminary analysis on the relationship between the environment,\nclimate change and human behavior,\" Environmental Geology, v 55, n 8,\np 1687-1698, October 2008.","Yamanoi K, Kawai, E, Mizoguchi, Y, Kudo, T, Matsuoka, H, \"Effects of\nthe thinnings windbreak fence on height growth of the coastal forest,\"\nNihon Ringakkai Sh i/Journal of the Japanese Forestry Society, v 83, n 2,\np 143-149, 2001","Baik J.-J., ; Kim Y.-H, Chun H.-Y, \"Dry and moist convection forced by\nan urban heat island,\" Journal of Applied Meteorology, v 40, n 8, p\n1462-1475, August 2001","M. Dupont, C. Celestine, T. Feuillard, \"Natural ventilation in a traditional\nhouse on a West Indies Island (Guadeloupe): Field testing on site and in a\nwind tunnel,\" Renewable Energy, Vol. 4(1994), p.275","M. van der Velde, S.R. Green, M. Vanclooster, B.E. Clothier, \"\nSustainable development in small island developing states: Agricultural\nintensification, economic development, and freshwater resources\nmanagement on the coral atoll of Tongatapu,\" Ecological Economics,\nVol. 61(2007), p.456\n[10] Wang Xin Jun, Hsu Po-Han, Zhou Rui, Su Hai-Long, \"Activating\neco-city in China: The system engineering for cities' green transition,\"\n2011 5th International Association for China Planning Conference, 2012.\n[11] Heinonen Jukka, Junnila, Seppo, Dimitrios Papastefanakis, Natassa\nMarini, \"Implications of urban structure on carbon consumption in\nmetropolitan areas,\" Environmental Research Letters, v 6, n 1, 2011\n[12] Ghassan Zubi, \"Technology mix alternatives with high shares of wind\npower and photovoltaics—case study for Spain,\" Energy Policy, Vol. 39,\nNo. 12 , pp. 8070-8077,2011.\n[13] Rigopoulos, Eirini Karakatsani, Markos Damasiotis, Dimitrios\nPapastefanakis, Natassa Marini, \"Renewable energy sources (RES)\nprojects and their barriers on a regional scale: The case study of wind\nparks in the Dodecanese islands,\" Greece. Energy Policy, Vol. 37(2009),\np.4874\n[14] Erie Hopenbrouwer, Erie Louw, \"Mixed-use Development: Theory and\nPractice in Amsterdam's Eastern Dockland,\" European Planning Studies,\nVol. 13, No. 7, pp. 968-983, 2005.\n[15] Ali Alireza, Mashhadi, Kandiah, Venu, Berglund, Emily Zechman,\n\"Multiobjective Optimization to Explore Tradeoffs in Rainwater\nHarvesting Strategies for Urban Water Sustainability,\" World\nEnvironmental and Water Resources Congress 2014: Water Without\nBorders - Proceedings of the 2014 World Environmental and Water\nResources Congress, p 1812-1818, 2014.\n[16] Zhang Yan, Yang, Zhifeng, Yu, Xiangyi, Berglund, Emily Zechman,\n\"Measurement and evaluation of interactions in complex urban\necosystem,\" Ecological Modelling, v 196, n 1-2, p 77-89, July 10, 2006."]}