Search Results (520)

Dialectal variation presents a major challenge for deploying medical language models in real-world healthcare settings, where patient–clinician communication often occurs in regional vernaculars rather than standardized language forms. This challenge is particularly pronounced in the Arabic-speaking world, where clinical interactions frequently take place in diverse dialects that differ substantially from Modern Standard Arabic. Fine-tuning and maintaining separate models for each dialect is computationally inefficient and difficult to scale, motivating more integrated approaches. In this work, we present MENARA, an Arabic medical language model constructed by merging Egyptian Arabic, Moroccan Darija, and medical-domain specialists through model merging. We extend prior feasibility findings through comprehensive evaluation of cross-dialect performance, medical safety, and cross-lingual knowledge retention. Specifically, we introduce a fine-grained dialect composition analysis to quantify lexical purity and structured code-switching behavior, benchmark against state-of-the-art Arabic LLMs, conduct subject-matter-expert assessment of both dialectal fidelity and medical appropriateness. The results show that model merging preserves core medical competence while enabling robust dialectal adaptation, achieving strong cross-dialect fidelity while substantially reducing storage and deployment overhead compared to maintaining separate models. These findings establish model merging as a potentially practical and resource-efficient paradigm for dialect-aware medical NLP in linguistically fragmented healthcare environments. Full article

High-resolution Köppen–Geiger projections indicate that several cold desert (BWk) regions are likely to transition toward hot desert (BWh) regimes during the twenty-first century, challenging the environmental logic of vernacular architecture. Despite extensive simulation-based research on passive cooling in established BWh contexts, limited attention has been given to climate-type transition zones and to the morphological continuity of traditional housing systems. This study investigates the adaptive capacity of Bukhara’s courtyard houses under projected BWk–BWh reclassification. Employing an analytical generalization approach, the research integrates systematic literature mapping, typological morphological analysis, and a threshold-based compatibility matrix. Findings reveal that climate transition produces a form of morphological discontinuity by weakening diurnal discharge assumptions embedded in high thermal mass systems. However, courtyard typologies retain a resilient passive core when recalibrated through microclimatic amplification strategies. The proposed staged adaptation framework contributes a heritage-sensitive decision model that reconciles climatic performance with spatial integrity, offering transferable guidance for cli-mate-intensifying desert regions. Full article

Under the background of the Rural Revitalization Strategy, Zhejiang Province is promoting “Zhejiang-style Vernacular Dwellings” as a crucial measure to enhance the rural living environment and architectural appearance. However, traditional stylistic control tools, such as standardized rural housing design atlases, exhibit limitations including weak responsiveness to villagers’ individualized needs and high professional thresholds. Consequently, they struggle to address the bottlenecks in grassroots governance efficiency caused by massive and personalized housing demands. Meanwhile, when applied to architectural design, general generative AI technologies often suffer from “structural hallucinations” and the weakening of regional characteristics due to a lack of physical tectonic constraints. Oriented towards the governance requirements of the Zhejiang Provincial Rural Housing Design Guidelines, this study proposes a compliance evaluation-driven “Contour-Semantic-Image” hierarchical generative control framework. This aims to construct a visual scheme generation and pre-screening workflow that deeply adapts to the logic of rural governance. At the data level, this research aggregates multi-source materials, including official standardized atlases, government stylistic guidelines, and real-world photographs. Through expert screening and standardized processing of 596 schemes, a dataset of 333 high-quality, finely annotated structured samples is constructed. Furthermore, a human-guided, machine-segmented workflow assisted by Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2) is employed to establish a semantic label system comprising 4 major categories and 13 subcategories of components, thereby achieving the structural deconstruction of architectural prior knowledge. At the generation level, a two-stage model is trained based on Stable Diffusion and ControlNet: Stage I utilizes contour conditions and “layout prompts” to generate semantic label maps, aiming to strengthen component topology and layout consistency; Stage II employs the semantic label maps and “style prompts” as conditions to generate photorealistic facade images. By utilizing explicit semantic constraints to guide the model from pixel synthesis to logical generation, it achieves the controllable rendering of stylistic details and material expressions. At the evaluation level, an automated verification system featuring “clause translation–metric calculation–comprehensive scoring” is proposed. It conducts scoring, re-ranking, and diagnostic feedback on the generated variants across three dimensions: Design Rationality (Q), General Compliance (G), and Jiangnan water-town Regional Characteristics (P-J), forming a closed-loop “Generation-Evaluation-Feedback” workflow. Overall, this framework provides a “visualizable, evaluable, and explainable” pathway for scheme generation and pre-screening in the digital governance of rural architectural appearance. Full article

This paper studies the sustainable integration of vernacular construction techniques and natural materials in the context of sustainable development, using Danube Delta UNESCO World Heritage site as case study. Through a comprehensive literature review, this research examines the potential of clay-based composites reinforced with plant fibres such as reed, bulrush, and hemp as environmentally responsible building materials. The methodology, based on a narrative literature review, combines bibliometric analysis with a case study approach to evaluate scientific interest in vernacular construction and to identify locally available natural resources. Results reveal increasing academic attention to sustainable vernacular architecture, highlighting clay-based composite’s favourable hygrothermal properties and the remarkable thermal insulation capabilities of vegetable fibres. The case study shows that most Danube Delta’s natural construction materials—particularly the world’s largest continuous reed vegetation—remain underutilized. The research concludes that revitalizing traditional construction methods, by integrating modern technological innovations, presents significant potential for sustainable rural development, preserving cultural heritage, enhancing regional identity, and reducing environmental impact in construction while supporting local economic growth through culturally authentic tourism. Full article

The traditional Yikeyin dwellings in central Yunnan exhibit a distinctive spatial layout and skywell design that passively adapt to the mild plateau monsoon climate through natural ventilation. Although their courtyard-based configuration and skylight design are widely recognized for climatic adaptability, the quantitative relationship between courtyard orientation and ventilation performance remains insufficiently explored. This study integrates on-site environmental monitoring with validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate how different courtyard orientations influence airflow organization and the indoor thermal environment. Based on detailed field surveys and measured data, three representative orientation schemes were established. The RNG k-ε turbulence model was adopted, and one-way coupled simulations using OpenFOAM and EnergyPlus were conducted to evaluate seasonal ventilation behavior and indoor thermal comfort. The findings reveal synergistic design principles between building orientation and courtyard spatial configuration, as well as spatial differentiation patterns contributing to thermal environment stability. Three orientation types—leeward, windward, and transitional—were identified, each demonstrating distinct advantages and limitations. The study quantitatively confirms the effectiveness of Yikeyin dwellings in utilizing natural ventilation for environmental regulation during both summer and winter seasons. These results provide scientific evidence and design support for modern buildings seeking to achieve enhanced ventilation performance and climatic adaptability. Full article

Traditional architectural decorative patterns are increasingly reused in contemporary design, yet the link between object selection and design generation often remains experience-driven: public perceptual differences are rarely formalized, and evaluation outcomes seldom constrain generative decisions. This study proposes a perceptual demand-driven layered filtering and design response model (PD–LFDR) that treats traditional architectural decorative patterns as comparable and traceable design resources. Perceptual inputs from multiple stakeholders are converged via Kansei-based semantic aggregation into four core dimensions—symbolism, heritage authenticity, recognition and regionality—and are organized as a perceptual evaluation matrix. Grey relational analysis (GRA) is then applied using an expected perceptual level as the reference sequence to identify representative pattern samples suitable for design intervention. An empirical study on decorative patterns from Shaanxi vernacular dwellings demonstrates a closed-loop workflow: (i) first-round GRA filters representative theme samples, (ii) a second-round GRA selects operable minimal gene units, and, under a unified parametric rule set and a traceable two-layer parameter basis (parameter domain definition and parameter selection), (iii) multiple alternatives are generated and re-evaluated through a third-round GRA to support scheme selection. Robustness checks indicate stable rankings under moderate parameter and weight variation, improving interpretability, reproducibility, and decision efficiency for the computational translation of regional cultural visual resources. Full article

Mountainous areas are prone to extreme climatic conditions, and the lack of modern infrastructure makes it difficult to achieve sustainable construction. To overcome the challenges of thermal comfort, robustness, and post-occupancy performance in hazard zones like the Neelum Valley in Pakistan, this research proposes a Digital–Vernacular Integration Model (DVIM), which integrates traditional architectural expertise with modern digital technology. The research design was based on mixed-methods research with the integration of qualitative information obtained through interviews and household surveys (n = 120), and quantitative measures of indoor thermal environments and hazards-based spatial analysis. Vernacular buildings made of wood, stone, and mud were digitally reconstructed using geometric modeling with SketchUp and Autodesk Revit with building information (BIM)-based modeling for assigning materials’ properties. Simulations were carried out using DesignBuilder software with EnergyPlus engines for assessing thermal environment, snow resistance, and seismic resistance to local hazards. The incorporation of the double-layered wall resulted in the improvement of heat retention by 12 to 15%. Moreover, the optimized roof and walls of the hybrid model resulted in the reduction of the sensible heating demand by 42% when compared to the conventional log houses and nearly 80% when compared to the conventional concrete block houses of the modern era. The proposed hybrid model resulted in R-values ranging from 33 to 40 m²·K/W, which are significantly higher when compared to the R-values for conventional timber walls (R = 15 m²·K/W) and concrete block walls (R = 1.0 to 1.3 m²·K/W). These results show the effectiveness of the digitally optimized hybrid model in improving the thermal performance in severe climatic conditions. The results clearly show that the integration of traditional architecture with digital simulation can ensure that modern comfort and safety standards are met without affecting the cultural identity of the region. The proposed framework will be implemented in pilot projects to ensure that the hybrid architectural models are incorporated into regional building regulations. Full article

Taking Dachen Village in Jiangshan, Zhejiang Province, as an example, this paper discusses the application of digital intelligence technology innovation in the protection of rural cultural architectural heritage. After reviewing the relevant literature on the digital protection of traditional village cultural heritage, this research applied new technologies, such as big data screening and computer clusters, to develop a visual digital intelligence display platform for Dachen Village. The research results show the innovation, experience, and interactivity of digital intelligence technology. This research proposes the use of digital intelligent classification preservation, digital museum construction, and the intelligent development of planning circle websites to protect rural cultural heritage effectively. This paper addresses four core academic gaps in the current research on the “digital-intelligent preservation of traditional villages”: fragmented technological applications, lack of public participation, separation of tangible and intangible heritage, and the absence of replicable models. It proposes a “low-threshold, full-process, replicable” digital-intelligent preservation approach, providing dual reference for both theoretical and practical aspects in subsequent research. It also calls for public participation in jointly inheriting and carrying forward the treasures of human historical civilization. Full article

Grounded in a typological framework, this study utilizes design-based research to systematically examine urban furniture in Macau, specifically interrogating the mechanisms of morphological continuity and spatial evolution. Through extensive field surveys and iterative design practices, the research identifies pronounced deficiencies in existing urban furniture, particularly concerning cultural resonance, functional versatility, and environmental synergy. To resolve these issues, the study proposes a typological design methodology predicated on cultural identification, archetypal restoration, and morphological innovation. This framework is articulated through three strategic pillars: (1) reconfiguring the structural logic of vernacular architecture via analogical synthesis; (2) recontextualizing architectural symbols to facilitate the contemporary translation of cultural heritage; and (3) calibrating ergonomic performance with aesthetic cohesion through rigorous proportional reasoning. Empirical validation confirms that this approach substantially augments both the cultural legibility and spatial fluidity of urban furniture. Ultimately, this research establishes a refined theoretical and methodological template for urban design in culturally heterogeneous contexts. Full article

In this article I analyse the period of social and political upheaval faced by mixed Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic families living in the Subcarpathian countryside in the 1930s and 1940s. Focusing on a vernacular perspective often overlooked in nation-centric historiographies, I describe the nature of neighbourly relations and collective identity both before and after World War II. I pay particular attention to the ambiguous connections between religious and ethnic identities before the war, highlighting phenomena such as bi-ritualism and diglossia. I then juxtapose this with the specific circumstances of 1944–1945, when villagers were frequently forced to choose their ethnic identity under the threat of Polish and Ukrainian nationalist guerrillas, especially active during that time. Building on a rich body of ethnographic material, I argue that choices of ethnic identity during a “state of exception” were often unstable and shaped primarily by the imperative of survival and other pragmatic considerations. However, I also present tragic stories of mixed families, where the ethnic choices made by some individuals were rooted in their deeply held convictions. Additionally, I reference scholars who are re-evaluating and complicating the relationship between nationalism and religious identity in rural European communities living in border areas, including Norman Davies, Kate Brown, Max Bergholz, and Jarosław Syrnyk. Full article

Traditional markets play an important role in the exchange of plant resources and the preservation of traditional food knowledge. This study documents the diversity of food plants traded in Renmin Market, located in Youjiang District, Baise City, Guangxi, China, and evaluates their cultural importance using the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI). Field surveys were conducted through market observations and interviews with vendors and local informants. All edible plant species were recorded, including their scientific names, vernacular names, used parts, and modes of consumption. A total of 104 food plant taxa were documented, representing a wide range of plant families and growth forms. The recorded plants were used in four main utilization categories: vegetables, spices, fruits, and beverages. Frequently used plant parts included fruits, leaves, shoots, and underground organs such as roots, rhizomes, and tubers. The CFSI values showed considerable variation in cultural importance among species, ranging from 21.6 to 1764. The highest CFSI values were recorded for Cucurbita pepo, Allium cepa, Cucurbita maxima, and Houttuynia cordata, reflecting their frequent consumption and versatility in local cuisine. Comparative analysis with previous studies in Baise City indicated that 38 species were shared among three markets, while 30 species were recorded exclusively in Renmin Market. These findings highlight the diversity of food plants available in local markets and their importance in maintaining regional culinary traditions and plant-based dietary diversity. Full article

Adaptive reuse has emerged to become a tool for implementing the understanding of sustainability in the domain of architectural conservation, as it encourages the continued usage of old buildings as means of reducing environmental impact, as well as preserving socio-cultural capital while generating economic income. However, in its practice, the decisions regarding granting meanings, interpretation, and preserving memories within adaptation processes are dominated by expert-driven approaches that inadequately incorporate stakeholder values or intangible heritage dimensions. To this end, this study aims to contribute to the current debate by adopting a participatory co-evaluation framework that integrates both authenticity perspectives and sustainability dimensions using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) for evaluating adaptive reuse alternatives for an abandoned prefabricated wooden heritage building. Stakeholder priorities were drawn through a workshop and transformed into normalized weights using the Simos technique. Four design alternative typologies—namely, Continuity, Cultivation, Differential, and Optimization—were assessed and compared against 20 performance indicators across heritage, social, ecological, and economic criteria using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Indicator-level analyses and sensitivity tests (±10% and ±20% weight variations) were applied to confirm the robustness of rankings. The results from the best-performing alternative demonstrated the trade-offs between heritage authenticity and sustainability objectives, as well as demonstrating how combining participatory methods with quantitative evaluation can support evidence-based decision-making for adaptive reuse. The applied integrated framework helps bridge the gap between heritage theory and practice by combining authenticity, participation, and sustainability in one analytical approach, supporting evidence-based decisions for adaptive reuse. Full article

This study examines how traditional Saudi vernacular architecture can be strategically integrated into contemporary urban development as a culturally grounded and sustainability-oriented design approach, rather than as a symbolic or esthetic reference. While heritage-led urban projects are increasingly promoted within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, the existing scholarship has insufficiently addressed how vernacular architectural principles operate as socio-cultural systems within modern urban frameworks. Drawing on theories of vernacular architecture, adaptive reuse, and culturally responsive urbanism, this study conceptualizes “integration” as the functional, spatial, and social re-embedding of traditional architectural logic within contemporary planning processes. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the study integrates comparative case study analysis with primary data from expert interviews and structured survey questionnaires administered to residents and visitors. Secondary demographic and policy documentation were analyzed to contextualize the case studies and support triangulation of findings. The findings demonstrate that projects that meaningfully integrate vernacular principles, such as climate-responsive construction, spatial hierarchy, and material authenticity, contribute to strengthened cultural identity, enhanced environmental performance, and increased public acceptance of urban transformation. The study further reveals that modernization does not inherently conflict with heritage preservation when guided by context-specific policy frameworks and community engagement mechanisms. By explicitly linking vernacular architecture to sustainability, socio-cultural continuity, and urban governance, this research offers an original contribution to heritage and urban studies. It provides evidence-based insights for policymakers, planners, and designers seeking to balance rapid urban growth with the preservation of cultural identity in Saudi cities and comparable contexts. Full article

This study selects Hongcun in China and Cinque Terre in Italy as typical cases and employs a mixed-methods approach that combines semistructured interviews, field observations, and systematic document analysis. Guided by the three-dimensional theoretical framework of policy, standards, and practice, this study systematically compares the conservation of built heritage in traditional villages between China and Italy. Through multilevel comparative analysis, the study reveals differences from policy formulation to standard development and then to practical implementation, and further highlights that the problems in Hongcun’s conservation practices need to be understood within the historical context of China’s vernacular heritage conservation, and while Cinque Terre’s experiences offer valuable references, their transplantation must be transformed in light of local institutional and cultural contexts. On this basis, this study proposes optimization pathways, including the construction of a three-dimensional theoretical framework, the development of multi-level conservation policy, the elaboration of component-based conservation standards, and the optimization of whole-process conservation practice control, providing cross-cultural references and practical insights for the sustainable conservation of built heritage in China’s traditional villages. Full article

As global climate volatility intensifies, the built environment requires passive capacity to decouple habitability from external extremes. While vernacular architecture is a cited bioclimatic model, research often lacks long-term quantitative validation. This study addresses this gap through a multiscale framework applied to Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. Integrating a typological survey with a one-year in situ monitoring campaign (2024–2025), the study utilises Python-based data processing to calculate statistical cross-correlations and benchmarks thermal resilience against the Portuguese Adaptive Comfort Model. Results substantiate a “Hierarchy of Filtration”: (1) Geological Scale: Location correlates statistically with lithological availability; (2) Settlement Scale: Topographical shielding suppresses the Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR) by 20.5%; (3) Envelope Scale: Traditional Stone-on-Earth assemblies exhibit a 16.5 h thermal lag, while vertical functional stratification dampens 47% of external annual temperature extremes. The study concludes that retrofitting must shift to “Balancing Inertia and Connectivity”. This approach mitigates the ‘maladaptation’ risks observed in modern lightweight interventions, providing an empirical template for passive thermal resilience applicable to resilient urban design in a warming climate. Full article