articles+ search results

design, utopia, alteration, prototyping, progetto, and alterazione

The purpose of this paper is to re-explore the relationship between utopia and architecture, trying first and foremost to challenge the way utopia has been conceived by architectural thought: i.e., as the prefiguration of a future seen as an ‘otherness’ distinct from the present, as far as the totality of its spatial, social, and political dimensions are concerned. Such vision – as we will argue – turns out to be deeply linked to a design logic of ‘projection’ and ‘prescription’; this, however, is not the only possible logic of design. Through a reflection upon some contemporary architectural practices, we will try to highlight a new horizon for design action, in which even utopia abandons its traditional ‘projective’ role and takes on a new meaning: rather than being the non-place of a possible future, utopia stands for what doesn’t have place in the present but can emerge from its alteration. Such notion of utopia as a form of ‘situated critique’, in a concrete space and time, helps to dig more deeply into the political potential of many contemporary forms of architectural and urban design.
Il proposito di questo contributo è tornare a esplorare la relazione tra utopia e architettura, cercando innanzitutto di mettere in questione il modo in cui l’utopia è stata concepita tradizionalmente nel pensiero architettonico: vale a dire, come la prefigurazione di un futuro concepito come alterità rispetto al presente, nella totalità delle sue dimensioni spaziali, sociali e politiche. Tale visione - come si cercherà di illustrare - è intimamente legata a una certa logica “proiettiva” e “prescrittiva” che, tuttavia, non è l’unica logica possibile del progetto. Attraverso una riflessione su alcuni modi del progetto di architettura contemporaneo, si cercherà infatti di mettere in evidenza una nuova logica progettuale, in cui anche l’utopia abbandona il suo carattere proiettivo tradizionale per acquisire un nuovo senso: non più il non-luogo di un futuro possibile, bensì ciò che non ha luogo nel presente e che può tuttavia emergere dalla sua alterazione. Questa nozione di utopia come “critica situata” concretamente in uno spazio e in un tempo aiuta a comprendere più in profondità il potenziale politico di molte delle forme contemporanee di progetto architettonico e urbano.

Teaching -- Usage, Teaching -- Methods, and Teaching -- Study and teaching

1. INTRODUCTION With computing devices peppering nearly every aspect of our lives, how people interact with these technologies is critically important to all computing fields. In fact, failure to properly [...]
Given the ubiquity of interfaces on computing devices, it is essential for future Information Systems (IS) professionals to understand the ramifications of good user interface (UI) design. This article provides instructions on how to efficiently and effectively teach IS students about 'fit,' a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) concept, through a paper prototyping activity. Although easy to explain, the concept of 'fit' can be difficult to understand without repeated practice. Practically, designing 'fit' into UIs can be cost-prohibitive because working prototypes are often beyond students' technical skillset. Accordingly, based on principles of active learning, we show how to use paper prototyping to demonstrate 'fit' in a hands-on class exercise. We provide detailed stepby-step instructions to plan, setup, and present the exercise to guide students through the process of 'fit' in UI design. As a result of this activity, students are better able to employ both theoretical and practical applications of 'fit' in UI design and implementation. This exercise is applicable in any course that includes UI design, such as principles of HCI, systems analysis and design, software engineering, and project management. Keywords: Human-computer interaction (HCI), Paper prototyping, Active learning, Constructionism, Teaching tip

Algorithm, Electric filters -- Usage, Electric filters -- Analysis, Electric filters -- Models, Algorithms -- Analysis, and Algorithms -- Models

Neural network, Electrical engineering, Neural networks -- Analysis, and Electrical engineering -- Analysis

Keywords Convolutional neural network; Hardware acceleration; Rapid system prototyping; Binarization; FPGA Abstract The huge model size and high computational complexity make emerging convolutional neural network (CNN) models unsuitable to deploy on current embedded or edge computing devices. Recently the binary neural network (BNN) is explored to help reduce network model size and avoid complex multiplication. In this paper, a binary network acceleration framework for rapid system prototyping is proposed to promote the deployment of CNNs on embedded devices. Firstly trainable scaling factors are adopted in binary network training to improve network accuracy performance. The hardware/software co-design framework supports various compact network structures such as residual block, 1 x 1 squeeze convolution layer, and depthwise separable convolution. With flexible network binarization and efficient hardware architecture optimization, the acceleration system is able to achieve over 2 TOPS throughput performance comparable to modern desktop GPU with much higher power efficiency. Author Affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 2 December 2019; Revised 19 February 2020; Accepted 8 March 2020 Byline: Zhe Xu [zhexu22-c@my.cityu.edu.hk], Ray C.C. Cheung [r.cheung@cityu.edu.hk] (*)

Satellite communications, Antennas (Electronics) -- Design and construction, Waveguides -- Design and construction, Sintering, 3D printing, and Computer-aided design

Keywords: additive manufacturing; fused filament fabrication; phase shifter; reconfigurable; selective laser sintering; waveguide Abstract This work presents the design and manufacturing of a K-band reconfigurable phase shifter completely implemented in waveguide technology for reduced insertion loss, good matching, and large phase shifting range. The device is based on the combination of a short slot coupler and two tunable reactive loads implemented as a section of short-circuited waveguide where an adjustable metallic post is inserted. Three prototypes of this design have been manufactured using different techniques (conventional computer numerical control machining, a low-cost fused filament fabrication technique and direct metal laser sintering) in order to assess its performance for different applications. The prototypes have been characterized experimentally and the achieved results are evaluated and compared. The proposed phase shifter, since it is fully developed in waveguide technology, eliminates the need of adding transitions to planar structures in order to integrate lumped components like pin diodes or varactors. Therefore, this device has a great potential in high-power beam steering phased arrays. Biographical information: Lucas Polo-Lopez received the BSc and MSc degrees in Telecommunication Engineering from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Since 2015 he has been with the Radiofrequency Circuits, Antennas and Systems (RFCAS) group of this same university, where he works toward the PhD degree. His current research interests include the computer-aided design of horn antennas and passive waveguide devices, as well as the application of additive manufacturing techniques to the construction of waveguide devices. Jose L. Masa-Campos received the Master degree in 1999 and the PhD Degree in 2006, from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain. From 1999 to 2003 he developed his professional activity in the R&D department of the company RYMSA with the design of base station antennas for mobile communications and satellite antennas. From 2002 to 2003 he directed the R&D department of RYMSA. From 2003 to 2007, he worked as Researcher for Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, and in 2005 he joined to Universidad Autonoma de Madrid as Associate Professor in the Radiofrequency Circuits, Antennas and Systems (RFCAS) group. His main current research interests are in active and passive planar array antennas. Jorge A. Ruiz-Cruz received the Ingeniero de Telecomunicacion degree and the PhD degree from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain, in 1999 and 2005, respectively. Since 2006, he has been with the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, where he became an Associate Professor in 2009. His current research interests include the computer-aided design of microwave passive devices and circuits (filters, multiplexers, and orthomodes). Byline: Lucas Polo-Lopez,Jose L. Masa-Campos,Jorge A. Ruiz-Cruz

Implant dentures -- Methods, Implant dentures -- Usage, Rapid prototyping -- Methods, and Rapid prototyping -- Usage

Byline: Mohamed Farid Shehab, Nabila Mohammed Abdel Hamid, Nevien Abdullatif Askar, Ahmed Mokhtar Elmardenly Keywords: CAD-CAM, electron beam melting; immediate mandibular reconstruction; patient-specific titanium mesh; rapid prototyping Abstract Background Immediate mandibular reconstruction was performed using a patient-specific titanium mesh tray fabricated by electron beam melting (EBM) /rapid prototyping techniques. Methods Patient-specific titanium trays were virtually designed and fabricated using EBM technology/rapid prototyping for patients requiring mandibular resection and immediate reconstruction using an iliac crest bone graft. Dental implants were placed in the grafted sites and the patients received prosthetic rehabilitation with a follow-up of one year. Clinical data, postoperative bone formation and complications were evaluated. Results A symmetric appearance of facial contours was achieved. The titanium tray incorporated the particulate iliac crest bone graft that provided significant bone formation (mean 18.97 [+ or -] 1.45 mm) and predictable results. Stability of the dental implants was achieved. Conclusion The patient-specific titanium meshes and immediate particulate autogenous bone graft showed satisfactory clinical and surgical results in improving patients' quality of life and decreasing the overall treatment time with adequate functional rehabilitation.