The architectural design process is based on a creative phase where creativity is highly valued. Although the literature on creativity is rich in ways to stimulate the decision-making process, these tools are rarely formally present in the building design process. To further the discussion on creativity and design education this paper presents a study on methods that may enhance the creative process and their application in architecture courses around the world. The results of this inquiry indicate that design instructors apply methods that may stimulate creativity mostly informally, with some positive results. To explore more fully the richness of the literature on the enhancement of creativity, structured applications of methods are recommended in controlled experiments to analyze results.
Objective In a prospective analysis of a Caucasian population, we recently found that the genes encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, I/D polymorphism), AE-adducin (Gly460Trp) and aldosterone synthase (-344C/ T) jointly influence the incidence of hypertension. We therefore investigated the association between blood pressure and these three genes in a Chinese population.Methods We genotyped 479 Han Chinese from 125 nuclear families recruited in northern China via random sampling ($75%) and at specialized hypertension clinics ($25%). We performed population-based and family-based association analyses using generalized estimating equations (GEE) and the quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT), respectively, while controlling for covariables. ResultsThe participants included 239 (49.9%) women and 132 (27.6%) hypertensive patients, of whom 77 took antihypertensive drugs. The blood pressure, measured at the subjects' homes, averaged 126/80 mmHg. Mean values of urinary sodium, potassium and Na /K ratio were 226 mmol/day, 37 mmol/day and 6.31, respectively. In adjusted GEE analyses, systolic blood pressure was 9.3 mmHg (95% confidence interval 3.6-15.0 mmHg; P 0.001) and 14.6 mmHg (95% confidence interval 3.4-25.8 mmHg; P 0.01) higher in the ACE DD than II subjects among the AE-adducin TrpTrp (n 141) and aldosterone synthase CC (n 33) homozygotes, respectively (P < 0.05 for interactions of the ACE genotype with the AE-adducin and aldosterone synthase polymorphisms). Among 40 informative offspring homozygous for the AE-adducin Trp allele, systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with transmission of the ACE D allele (â 5.5 mmHg; P 0.046). ConclusionsThe ACE I/D, AE-adducin Gly460Trp and aldosterone synthase -344C/T polymorphisms interact to influence systolic blood pressure in Chinese, suggesting that these genes might indeed predispose to hypertension, especially in an ecogenetic context characterized by a high salt intake. J Hypertens 22:937-944 & 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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