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Laser ablation of the dorsal skinfold chamber (DSFC) microcirculation

The general patterns of skin microvascular remodeling were similar in all five mice studied (Supplementary Fig. S1, sFig. 1 and Supplementary Tables S1S6, sTables 16). sFigure 1 provides an extensive depiction of the time course and patterns of microvascular network remodeling observed in five distinct DSFC experiments, denoted as Rows AE, each row representing a separate animal experiment. For the in-depth analysis, we focused on Mouse E as a representative case. For this network, we performed a comprehensive anatomical data analysis and mathematical modeling. In sFig. 1, the locations of laser ablations are denoted by the circles (red, arterial; blue, venous). White crosses signify collateral outward remodeling from previously very small vessels, and blue crosses represent outward or inward remodeling of existing arterial/venous segments. Red and blue brackets indicate arterial and venous ablated segment reopening, respectively, and red and blue cross-brackets denote interruption of perfusion in arterial and venous segments, respectively. One to three ablations (except for mouse B D1+) were performed at select locations in the middle of the microvascular network in the largest visible arteries and veins. Remarkably, all specimens exhibit substantial remodeling at different time points from as early as days 13 (sFig. 1, Row B d1 and mouse C d3) and up to day 20 (mouse E, d20) and later (see below). In sFig. 2, mouse A, proximal venous ablation was bypassed through the development of an existing transverse venule, which underwent outward remodeling to match the initial vein diameter. The distal venous ablation revascularized by day 12, while the main vein initially underwent inward remodeling until day 12 and subsequently returned to its pre-ablation diameter by day 17. Arterial ablations and one venous ablation reopened by day 12 in mouse A. In mouse B, by day 5, venous ablations either led to bypass through outward remodeling of transverse veins (mouse C, d5, upper half) or caused inward remodeling of the main venous branch (mouse C, d5, lower half). Mouse C illustrates venous ablations bypassed by pronounced collateral development, while arterial ablation successfully revascularized. In mouse D, initial arterial and venous ablations reopened as early as day 2, while other ablations targeted the main artery and vein and two of their branches to induce flow changes during the period of observation. Mouse E showcases a combination of all remodeling patterns, albeit with varying time courses. Venous ablations revascularize through collateral growth, and arterial occlusions reopen. The majority of vessels display visible remodeling, and diameter data are further described and modeled in subsequent sections of the study.

The detailed diameter values are reported in sTable 1 for intact pre-ablation vessels and sTables 25 for remodeling time points reported in sFig. 1 for the proximal, medial, and distal regions from the closest ablation.

The primary observed remodeling patterns, which encompass outward/inward remodeling of existing arteries and veins, collateral growth of previously small vascular segments, segment reopening, and permanent segment occlusions, are summarized in sTable 6, with accompanying diameter data provided in sTables 25, and illustrated in sFig. 1. One of the notable findings was the presence of both outward and inward remodeling phenomena in both arterial and venous segments, a dynamic process that persisted throughout the observation period. From the onset, immediately after laser ablation at day 0 there were significant diameter changes as shown in sTables 25,although these changes are difficult to observe in sFig. 1. Starting at day1, there was visible collateral remodeling in most specimens.

Furthermore, sTable 6 also highlights the segment occlusion which was the goal of each initial laser ablation. While certain vessels maintained their occluded state throughout the observation period, a subset of vessels displayed the ability to gradually reopen over time. This observation indicates the dynamic nature of microvascular responses and their potential for adaptive adjustments over extended timeframes.

Due to variations in time course remodeling among specimens, a representative mouse (mouse E in sFig. 1 and sTables 16) was chosen to show the observed remodeling process for the remainder of the study. The typical mouse microcirculation within the DSFC contains a main artery and vein pair (Fig.1A,B, solid green arrowhead, and sFig. 1) and smaller arteryvein pairs (open green arrowheads). There are multiple arcade/collateral vessels that connect arteries to other arteries on separate branches of the arterial tree or veins to veins between venous branches. A few arterial collaterals are indicated by red and venous collaterals by blue arrowheads, respectively in (A). These arcading vessels provide vascular redundancy by allowing redistribution of blood flow. Arteries have significantly smaller diameters than the paired veins and have tighter concentric layers of smooth muscle cells (red and yellow in Fig.1, Pre-ablation 13 and Post-ablation 13).

The laser ablation was performed at three major locations (Fig.1A,B, two artery/vein pairs in regions 1 and 3, and an artery in region 2) in the center of the window to maximize blood flow redistribution and to allow long term observation of the developing vascular changes (as some drifting of the tissue occurs within the DSFC over two weeks). The ablated vessels experienced rapid vasoconstriction upstream and downstream from the ablation site (Fig.1, Post-ablation 13) as observed before25,26. There was complete blood flow interruption in segments just distal and proximal from the ablations (sVideos 1A, 2A and 3A). The laser ablation procedure was focused only on the target vessels, effectively cauterizing them while having little effect on the surrounding tissue as shown before in similar experimental settings26. The brown scar tissue located in the muscle fascia subsides at later time points (sVideos 1B, 2B and 3B). Note that in region 2, the ablation of the artery had no effect on the diameter of the adjacent large vein or the blood flow in that vessel (Fig.1, Post-ablation 2; sVideo 2A).

By day 6 after ablation, there was clear evidence of vascular remodeling throughout the network (compare Fig. 2D0/+and D6). Vessel segments associated with the ablated vessels had reduced diameter at day 6, while there was increased diameter in a number of collateral vessels (regions 4, 5 in Fig.2D6). By day 13, vessel diameters had qualitatively returned to pre-ablation values for much of the network (Fig.2D13). This was due to remodeling of collateral vessels, which allowed an increase in compensatory flow entering tissue regions previously supplied by the ablated vessels. There were also large increases in diameter in a few small vessels that restored flow through the veins by bypassing the ablation sites (arrowheads in Fig.2, D13, and sVideo 1AD, 3AD).

Time course of vascular remodeling post-ablation. D0- and D0+ indicate pre-ablation and post-ablation on Day 0, respectively. Regions 13 indicate the ablation regions and site (yellow line). Shown are images through Day 30 (D30). Initially, at Days 6 vessel redundancy and remodeling in areas compensate for the ablation-induced ischemia. By day 13, the venous connections were reestablished (clear and black arrowheads). From day 20, the artery in Region 1 has reconnected (green arrowhead) to mimic the original path, increasing flow to the downstream network. There was no angiogenic regeneration of the ablated veins; instead, flow quickly re-routed through small pre-existing venules that appeared to be pre-existing connections at either side of the damage site (clear and black arrowheads, D1330). The white scale bars are 1mm.

These structures formed from sequences of smaller microvessels that were part of the original vascular bed. It is likely that increased flow through these small bypass channels caused the expansion of vessel diameter which eventually matched that of the original vein, similar to previous observations in the mouse gracilis muscle2.

Some branches from the two small networks in regions 1 and 3 associated with the new vein segments appeared to be pruned or regressed as the new segments became part of the large veins. Albeit observed at low/medium resolution in transmitted light images, in these veins, there was no visible evidence of extensive angiogenesis or new vessel growth contributing to the regeneration of the network or restoration of flow. Rather, the rerouting occurred through remodeling of existing vessel segments, most of which could be visualized even before the ablations were performed.

However, we did observe reconnection of venous segments through the ablation site via endothelial migration in other networks (sFig. 1, rows AC and E). The response to injury appears to be related to the effective blood pressure difference across the ablation. In Fig.2, regions 1 and 3, the ablations are situated such that there is a large pressure drop across the ablation sites. This forces the blood to reroute through the smaller vessels early after the injury. However, in sFig.1 row A, there were two ablations performed on the same large vein. In this case, the upstream ablation has little pressure drop because the downstream ablation is preventing outflow. For this reason, very little flow re-routing or vessel remodeling occur at the upstream ablation, and this region was instead reperfused by direct reconnection of the vein via angiogenesis (sFig. 1, row A, d12 and d17).

On the arterial side, in region 2 we did not observe re-routing locally through pre-existing microvessels, and their subsequent enlargement, as in the veins of regions 1 and 3, Fig.2. Instead, flow was redistributed through the preexisting arterial arcades to circumvent the ablation and compensate for the lowered flow distal to the ablation sites (Fig.2. D6 and D13, areas 46, and sFig. 1C, d3 and d18). Compared with the venous rerouting in regions 1 and 3 in Fig.2, which occurred over very short distances (~1mm) around the ablations, rerouting on the arterial side extended over much larger distances (~510mm) through the arcade vessels. In the ablated arteries, we did observe reconnection of the vessel through the ablation site via angiogenesis to mimic the original path. On days 20, 23, 28 and 30, there was evidence of regeneration on the arterial side, as the artery ablated in Region 1 (Fig.2) reconnected (for example, see the arterial ablation in region 1 (Fig.2, D630, green arrowheads, and sVideo 1AD). As this new vessel segment grew, original flow through the artery was restored, and the diameters of the major compensating collaterals decreased (Fig.2, D28, region 8). The artery in region 2 (Fig.2, D630, yellow arrowheads) did not achieve reconnection by the 30-day time point although some small flow pathways can be traced (sVideos 2C and 3C). The arterial flow in region 3 was re-established by day 30 but via smaller vessels than the original artery (Fig.2, D30 blue arrowhead), with blood flow evident via Doppler OCT at day 14 (Fig.5, D14b) and intravital BF imaging at later time points (sVideo 3D).

Because of the endogenous reporters expressed by the mice, we were able to visualize endothelial cells (TIE2-GFPgreen) and smooth muscle cells (aSMA-dsRedred) longitudinally at the ablation sites. In vivo laser confocal imaging of regions 2 and 3 in Fig.1 revealed migration of the endothelial and smooth muscle cells through the ablation sites (Fig.3). In region 3, the vascular pathway was re-established, and blood flow was observed (Fig.3D). Both endothelial and smooth muscle cells migrated into the damaged region and appeared to establish a connection by day 30, based on Doppler OCT imaging (see Fig.5). A similar process was observed for the other artery, which was ablated at location 2 in Fig.1 (Fig.3A, B), although this vessel did not reconnect by the end of our observation period. Angiogenesis was not observed in the large vein that remodeled in region 3, but the remodeled region acquired a covering of smooth muscle cells (Fig.3C). After day 30, the relevant vessels had shifted out of the window chamber and were no longer observable.

Vessel regeneration at Day 30. At top is a brightfield image of regions 2 and 3 from Fig.1. Four regions are shown in detail with multiphoton imaging of the endogenous TIE2-GFP (endothelial cells) and aSMA-dsRed (smooth muscle cells). The ablated regions are shown by the circles. In these regions, there was evidence of angiogenesis in the arterial network as endothelial cells (solid arrowheads) and smooth muscle cells (open arrowhead) migrated into the ablated regions. At this time point, the remodeled vein segment in region 3, Fig.1 has matured, with a covering of smooth muscle cells (arrow, C). The scale bar is 1mm.

Overall, both arteries and veins changed their diameters collectively over time (Fig.4 and sFig. 1 and sTables 26). Because of resolution limitations, we restricted the quantitative analysis to the main arteries and veins and their transverse branches with inner diameters larger than 11m; therefore, the histograms do not include smaller vessels and capillaries. The smallest arteries (30m centered bin) stayed almost constant during the time points studied. A small dip at day 6 was recovered and slightly increased at the later time points. Combined with changes at other time points this could mean that smaller vessels became larger and therefore visible in this diameter range. The largest change in diameter distribution was observed in the 60m bin which was increased at days 620 and went back to normal values by day 30 which suggests a transient increase in vessel diameters to accommodate the early changes in blood flow as we noticed before in the gracilis artery remodeling2,4. Some larger vessels also constricted, moving from the 90150m to the 60m range. At day 16, this trend reversed temporarily while between days 2028 a lot of the larger arteries were still constricted. By day 30 diameter distribution of all arteries was close to post-ablation and pre-ablation values even in the absence of the ablated large artery suggesting that blood redistribution can be accomplished through the contribution of the network of smaller arterioles even in the absence of the large artery.

The frequency distribution of vessel diameter for arteries (top) and veins (bottom) pre and up to 30days post-ablation. Post-ablation, the distribution of artery diameters is skewed towards more smaller diameter vessels suggesting the blood is redirected from large arteries to smaller alternative pathways. This trend is reversed towards a more normal distribution (more larger vessels) past day 16. On the venous side, the distribution of diameters is more stable reflecting a larger capacity of the venous side to accommodate blood flow redistribution without major diameter changes in most of the vessels.

The vein diameter distribution is more spread over a larger range of diameters suggesting a larger adaptation of the veins to accommodate flow changes. The largest variation in diameter distribution was observed in the 30m bin although a slight transient tendency is also observed between days 6 and 28 with a decrease to normal values at day 30. During the transient increase period, an interesting second transient decrease was observed at day 16. Veins in the 80m range exhibited a gradual increase starting from post-ablation and peaking at day 30. The veins with diameters in 130180m range showed the largest increase in density at early and medium time points (days 6 and 16). The largest veins stayed open immediately following the ablation, at day 6 they were reduced in diameter, at days 16 and 20 they were close to normal values but by day 30, the number of larger veins was drastically reduced suggesting again that on the venous side like the arterial side, flow redistribution could also be accomplished via a larger network of smaller venules.

We next focused on individual vessels to determine how specific vessels contributed to the flow redistribution. Using quantitative flowmetry OCT methods based on amplitude-decorrelation which can be used to estimate flow rate as well as lumen diameters30,31, we analyzed a number of segments distal and proximal to the ablations sites before and following the ablations (Fig.5). We also used intravital BF microscopy to determine flow directions (see Supplementary Videos S1S3). In the intact network, the blood flows from left to right from the large artery (#2, Fig.5) to its branches (#4, 6 and 9). The blood flows from the venous branches (#3, 5, 7, 8,10 and 11) towards the main vein (#1). Following ablation, the blood flow stopped in the ablated segments, but both upstream and downstream arteries continued to be perfused by arcading vessels from adjacent vascular trees (#2,4,6 and 9). Immediately after and at day 2 post-ablation, the segments near the ablations were not perfused. Nonetheless, at day 14, there is a signal of blood flow (Fig.5, D14 green arrowheads) confirming the data from bright field microscopy (green arrowheads in Fig.2, D630). The arteries upstream from the ablation (#2 and 4) have a decreased diameter and flow velocity during the first few days post-ablation while the more peripheral arteries (#6 and 9 with reversed flow as observed experimentally) increased their diameters from day 2 post-ablation and through day 14, suggesting that they are largely responsible for the compensatory flow being rerouted from the parallel arteries (which are outside of the field of the window).

Blood flow visualized by decorrelation-based quantitative flowmetry OCT before ablation (D0), just after ablation (D0+) and on days 2 (D2) and 14 (D14). The three ablation sites are marked with blue circles at D0- (see also Fig.2 D0 and D0+). Areas in the blue boxes at D0 and D14 (a, b) appear at bottom at higher magnification. Immediately post-ablation, flow is completely interrupted in the segments just downstream from the ablations and diverted to alternative pathways. The venous connection in left side ablation site (circle 1 in Fig.2 D0 and D0+) is reconnected by day 14 while the arterial segment is not reconstructed. The flow is reversed in artery 6 which received blood from the bottom vascular network from day 0 to day 30 when the direction of flow is restored to pre-ablation direction from the large artery segments 2 and 4 towards segment 6 (Supplementary Videos S1S3). Venous segment 10 remodels close to 400% from a venule to a major vein. Smaller post-capillary venules also appear to be involved in this rerouting of flow (arrowheads). By day 14, angiogenesis has partially reconnected the artery in this region, and some flow is evident (arrow, b).

The main vein (#1 and 3) significantly decreased its diameter on day 2 but by day 14 the main vein and its small branch (#10) as well as a contiguous series of microvessels became enlarged to match the size of the vein (Fig.5a,b). Venous branch #5 maintained its diameter throughout the 14-day time course, as its flow was not directly affected by the ablations, and exit flow proceeded through the main vein through this pathway. After the ablation, flow through vein #7 was rerouted through vein #8, causing flow reversal in this vessel (Supplemental video S3A). Once the connection between these segments and the main vein was reestablished, the flow direction in vein #8 returned to normal (Supplementary video S3B). These changes in flow direction and topology resulted in large changes in diameter and flow rate in this region (Fig.5, D14). A side branch, venule #10 was affected little by the ablations, and maintained exit flow through the main vein. The ablation completely stopped exit flow in vein #11 by day 14, the connection is rerouted, and flow and diameter are returning to pre-ablation levels.

Diameter measurements at later time points show that main artery segments #2 and 4 recover after the initial diameter decrease probably due to vasoconstriction caused by the ablation. They continue to remodel outwards from day 1628 with a transient dip at day 14 (Fig.6 top histograms). The transverse arteriole #6 diameter increased throughout the time course although the flow direction changed (Supplementary videos S2AC). Despite interruption from the main artery 52, its distal arteriole branch #9 had undergone outward remodeling (with a transient lower rate at day 13) due to collateral and reversed flow from adjacent arterioles.

Time course of diameter changes for the representative vessel segments imaged by OCT (see Fig.5). The venous connection in area 1 is re-established by day 14 while the arterial segment #2 is not reconstructed. The flow is reversed in artery 6 which received blood from the vessels of the distal network at the bottom region of the Figs. 1 and 2. Venous segment 10 remodels close to 400% from a precapillary venule to a major vein.

The main vein segments #1, 3 and 8 remodeled inward at early time points and then outward from day 14 on. The transverse venules #5 and 7 remodeled outward, likely to compensate for the main vein interruption. Interestingly, the distal part of the small venule #10 remodeled outward rapidly to match diameter and re-route flow to the main vein. Its diameter increased by 40% at day 6 to 221% at day 13, 229% at day 14, 306% at day 16 and 343% at day 20. Vessel #10s outward diameter remodeling peaked at day 23 at 379% increase from normal (close to 400%) and decreased by the end of the observation period at day 28282% of the original diameter at day 23, suggesting a possible transient remodeling (Figs. 5b, 6, venous segment #10).

The specific diameter changes and patterns of remodeling were observed in detail in five specimens. The present data demonstrated that microvascular remodeling patterns are similar and reproducible but differ in detail from mouse to mouse (sFig. 1 and sTables 26). The comprehensive data presented in sTable 6 not only underscores the diversity of remodeling patterns but also the intricate and adaptive nature of microvascular networks in response to laser ablation, offering valuable insights into their behavior and potential clinical relevance.

sFigure 1, in conjunction with sTables 26, provides a comprehensive insight into the dynamic behavior of microvascular networks in response to laser ablation. The figures and data within sFig. 1 offer a detailed visual representation of the time course and various remodeling patterns observed across five distinct animal experiments (Mice AE). These patterns include collateral outward remodeling, reopening of arterial and venous segments, and instances of permanent segment occlusion. We have noticed isolated tortuosity in some of the observed vessels (sFig. 1B day 5 and C day 18) although not as extensive as it was noticed before. The selection of Mouse E as a representative case for in-depth analysis in sFig. 1 serves to illustrate consistent changes seen across all mice while supplying essential anatomical data for subsequent biological and mathematical modeling endeavors. sTable 6 complements this by summarizing the observed remodeling patterns at different time points, highlighting the persistence of both outward and inward remodeling in arterial and venous segments throughout the observation period. Additionally, the findings emphasize the network's remarkable adaptability, with the ability to achieve persistent occlusion over the period of observation in some vessels while also demonstrating the capacity for gradual reopening over time in others. Together, sFig. 1 and sTable 6 could offer critical insights that have relevance for both experimental investigations and potential clinical applications.

We next investigated flow patterns in the network before and after the ablations. To do this, we used a computational approach to estimate flow in each segment. The first step in computational modeling is extraction of the network topology and characterization from bright field images taken with the stereo microscope (Fig.7). The venous network roughly parallels the arterial network with visibly larger diameter vessels. The direction of the flow for each segment was observed from the live BF microscopy recordings and marked on the network map (Fig.7a,b).

Vascular network topology and flow patterns. The arterial (a) and venous networks (b) are traced separately based on intravital images, and digitized versions are extracted. The observed flow directions are indicated by arrows.

We then used a simulated annealing method to estimate flow rates and pressures throughout the network (see Methods). Guesses are made for the terminal segment pressures, and the flows are calculated based on topology and measured vessel diameters. The predicted flow direction in each segment is compared to the observed direction, and an error function is calculated based on the number of incorrect directions. The error is used to scale a set of new guesses for the pressures, which is also subjected to a random function (this is the basis for the simulated annealing method). The process is then repeated to minimize the number of incorrect flow directions in individual segments. Using this method, we find that most large vessels have flow that varies little between trials (blue in Fig.8), but that flow direction in a few vessels (red in Fig.8) is relatively uncertainshowing a high sensitivity to distant changes in pressure. This suggests that these vessels can readily serve as collaterals that are available to redirect flow in either direction if necessary.

Computational model results of the pre-ablation network. Flow rates have been normalized relative to a value of 1000 assigned to largest vessel segment located on the left side. (AD) The histograms show the frequency of flow rates in representative vessel segments obtained from 100 runs of the simulated annealing algorithm. Numbers in the network map show the average flow rate for each segment, calculated over the 100 runs. The network map is color coded to show the relative uncertainty (standard deviation/mean) of the flow rates in each segment.

First, the flow distribution of individual vessels was optimized based on network topology and flow directions in the normal non-ablated state for vessels with different levels of uncertainty/flow levels (Fig.8). Before ablation, the larger arteries have low uncertainty, suggesting that they rarely change flow direction (Fig.8, blue and yellow color vessels). For example, the vessel fragment in Fig.8, panel C has a low level of uncertainty (indicated by blue color on the vessel map) and the relative values of the volumetric flow rate are mostly around 20% of that in the largest vessel (which is assumed at a value of 1000). The segments with the highest uncertainty mostly carry lower flow and are located near the center of the network (Fig.8, red and orange color vessels). To illustrate this point, vessel fragments in Fig.8, panels A, B and D have a higher uncertainty (orange and red on the vessel map) and therefore a wider range of possible values. Note that the segments in panels A and B stabilize at zero or close to zero values which reflects a low priority for these collateral vessels prior to ablation.

Using this method, we estimated flow through the network before (Fig.9A,C) and after ablation (Fig.9B,D) for arteries and veins, respectively. The venous network had more segments with higher flow rate pre-ablation (Fig.9, C vs. A). In arteries, after ablation, flow tends to be reversed in vessels with a high uncertainty index in the pre-ablation model close to the site of ablation (Fig.9). There was no flow reversal in the vein network although the flow magnitude was slightly changed in many vessel fragments.

Computational model results of the pre- (a and c) and post-ablation (b and d) networks. Numbers in the network maps indicate flow rate. The arterial network (a and b) had fewer fragments with high flow rate uncertainty than the venous network (c and d). However, flow reversal was common in the arteries but not the veins.

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Experimental and theoretical model of microvascular network remodeling and blood flow redistribution following ... - Nature.com

New U.S. housing starts plummeted in March, dropping 14.7% below the revised February estimate of 1.55 million to 1.32 million and 4.3% below the March 2023 rate of 1.38 million. The shift marks a drastic downturn compared to expert estimates heading out of February, which itself saw new construction numbers hit two-year highs, spiking 10.7% from January.

Analysts had originally predicted the rate for March to fall around 1.48 million.

The drop in March 2024 is being compared to the decline seen in April 2020 when new housing starts dropped by a staggering 27%. Outside of the pandemic, this is the most housing starts have dropped since February 2015.

The northeast took the biggest hit, with new single family housing starts dropping a whopping 40.9% in March. Across the board, however, most regions were down with the Midwest 14.5% lower, the south 12.9% lower, and the west being the only region up at a measly 1.3% from February.

Multi-family (MDU) construction took a similar hit, with overall starts dropping 20.8% from Februarys numbers.

New housing permits also declined heading into March at a rate of 1.46 million, 4.3% below the revised February rate of 1.52 million. They did, however, remain slightly above the March 2023 rate1.5% to be exact.

Builder sentiment overall remains unchanged, however, as many have a small level of optimism despite predictions that the rate of new homes being constructed expected to continue to drop.

According to NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz, Aprils flat reading suggests potential for demand growth is there, but buyers are hesitating until they can better gauge where interest rates are headed.

Despite experiencing a slight dip at the beginning of the year to below 7% on optimism of a March rate cut, mortgage rates have steadily continued to climb and are now moving back towards that 7% mark on news of persistent inflation in a hotter than expected market that may now push rate cuts back towards July at the earliest.

Currently, YoY inflation sits at 3.3%, still above the Feds target of 2%, which has led to a more conservative stance in introducing rate drops.

To combat the ongoing affordability issues, homebuilders have continued to offer price cuts and other incentives to first time home buyers to increase sales while also diversifying into smaller, more affordably built homes to account for the high price of materials.

The number of homebuilders cutting prices has dropped, however, to 22%, down from 24% last month. Sales incentives, likewise, have decreased from 60% down to 57% this month. The average price reduction of homes is remaining steady though at 6% for the tenth straight month.

Inventory, howeveror lack thereofcontinues to be the buoying force to homebuilder sentiment, as an overwhelming lack of existing homes has led to newly constructed housing being the primary source of home inventory for many homebuyers.

This lack of existing inventory has also led to similarly optimistic views on the remodeling market, with the NAHBs most recent Remodeling Market Index (RMI) giving a 66 reading (with 50 marking a neutral sentiment). The index runs from 0 to 100.

Demand for remodeling remains solid, especially among customers who dont need to finance their projects at current interest rates, said NAHB Remodelers Chair Mike Pressgrove, a remodeler from Topeka, Kan. Construction costs are still an issue in some places, just as they were toward the end of last year.

The Current Conditions Index also averaged 74, remaining unchanged from the previous quarter and indicating strong positive sentiment overall for the demand of remodeling projects across all price ranges which include $50,000; $20,000 $50,000; and below $20,000.

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New Housing Starts Plunge in March, Remodeling Sentiment Remains Positive - CE Pro

MONTERREY, NL - After supervising works at the Monterrey International Airport, Samuel Garca, Governor of Nuevo Len, assured that the remodeling works will be delivered in a month.

The governor pointed out that it will be a first world airport, putting Nuevo Len and the country at the top.

"Exactly in one month, according to what I was told, we are going to inaugurate the remodeling of the Mariano Escobedo International Airport, which I have already seen the video, I have already seen the renderings, the space and the truth is that it will be a first world airport like no other in Mexico," he assured.

It was in July 2023, when the government of that state announced the expansion of the three new traffic lanes for this terminal. As well as the rehabilitation of the asphalt surface, in addition to improvements in the signage of the base area.

Monterrey International Airport is used by more than 18,000 cars on average and these works, according to the authorities, are part of the mobility plan that will be ready for the 2026 World Cup, where the capital of Nuevo Leon will host different soccer matches.

The implementation of the project involves a cost of US$17 million, which includes the remodeling of Terminal A, B and C, optimization of runways, taxiways, platforms, as well as equipment.

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Monterrey Airport remodeling to be ready in one month - MEXICONOW

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the first quarter of 2024, posting a reading of 66, down one point compared to the previous quarter.

The NAHB/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as good, fair or poor. Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as good than poor.

The Current Conditions Index is an average of three components: the current market for large remodeling projects, moderately-sized projects and small projects. The Future Indicators Index is an average of two components: the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in and the current backlog of remodeling projects. The overall RMI is calculated by averaging the Current Conditions Index and the Future Indicators Index. Any number over 50 indicates that more remodelers view remodeling market conditions as good than poor.

Demand for remodeling remains solid, especially among customers who dont need to finance their projects at current interest rates, said NAHB Remodelers Chair Mike Pressgrove, a remodeler from Topeka, Kan. Construction costs are still an issue in some places, just as they were toward the end of last year.

An RMI at 66 is consistent with NAHBs forecast for stable remodeling spending in 2024, said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. Rising costs for construction labor and building materials continue to be the major headwinds to faster growth.

The Current Conditions Index averaged 74, remaining unchanged from the previous quarter. All three components remained well above 50 in positive territory in the first quarter: the component measuring large remodeling projects ($50,000 or more) remained even at 70, the component measuring moderate remodeling projects (at least $20,000 but less than $50,000) dropped one point to 74, and the component measuring small-sized remodeling projects (under $20,000) edged down one point to 77.

The Future Indicators Index averaged 59, remaining unchanged from the previous quarter. The component measuring the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in increased one point to 57, and the component measuring the backlog of remodeling jobs dropped one point to 61.

For the full RMI tables, please visit nahb.org/rmi.

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Remodeling Market Sentiment Remains in Positive Territory in First Quarter - National Association of Home Builders

We often admire skyscrapers as wonders of human engineering. But nature has its own architects, and theyve been around much longer. Termites can build enormous, complex nests that stand several meters tall.

Termites do not just construct random piles of dirt they build intricate tunnels that even have natural air conditioning. But how do legions of these tiny creatures coordinate to create such impressive structures?

A new study by researchers at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca in Italy has cracked the mystery. It turns out, termites have a surprisingly simple, yet ingenious secret.

Picture a human construction project. Teams follow a detailed architectural plan, ensuring everything is in its designated place. But termites dont seem to have any grand designs drawn up.

In a fascinating experiment, researchers observed groups of termites (the species Coptotermes gestroi) as they built their way around small arenas with pre-built structures.

Scientists offered following theories to explain termite coordination:

Some insects, like ants, use chemicals called pheromones as signals. These scents can act like a build here! sign, guiding the actions of other insects in the colony.

If termites also relied on pheromones, wed expect them to drop their building materials (clay pellets) somewhat randomly throughout the experimental space. However, the researchers observed a very different pattern. The termites focused their building efforts on specific spots.

Perhaps termites have a way to measure existing structures. If they preferred taller structures, it would suggest theyre aiming to build upward as quickly as possible.

The termites didnt discriminate between tall and short pillars. They were equally interested in building upon structures regardless of their current height. This meant some other factor was influencing their behavior.

What the scientists did notice was that termites were obsessed withcurvature. They consistently added their pellets to the most curved surfaces. Termites favored pillar tops, and even the sharp corners of little walls given to them. This led the researchers to a simple yet brilliant solution.

While the termites didnt stick to one spot or solely focus on height, the scientists discovered they had a clear preference. Termites consistently placed their clay pellets on surfaces with the most pronounced curve. Examples of this were the pointed tops of the pillars or the very sharp bends at the corners of the walls.

This focused building behavior led researchers to consider a new possibility. Since curved surfaces affect things like airflow and moisture differently than flat areas, it suggested that termites might be sensing and reacting to subtle environmental changes caused by the shape of the structures.

Termites are super-sensitive to humidity. Unlike many insects, their soft skin makes them vulnerable to drying out. The researchers suspected the termites could sense subtle differences in humidity levels that are influenced by the shape of the structures theyre building.

Termites are much more delicate than many other insects. Their lack of a tough outer shell means they lose moisture quickly in dry environments, which can be dangerous. This led scientists to think that perhaps humidity plays a major role in termite building behavior.

The shape of a structure can change how air moves around it, which in turn affects how quickly moisture evaporates. Areas with high curvature might create little pockets where humidity remains higher compared to flatter surfaces. The researchers thought termites might be able to detect these subtle differences.

To test their theory, they pulled a clever trick. They repeated the experiment, but this time with clay mixed with a salt solution. As the water evaporated, tiny salt crystals formed and guess where those crystals appeared? All the spots with high curvature favored by the termites.

What really surprised us was to discover that termites use such a simple solution to a very complex problem, said Andrea Perna, a professor in complex systems at the IMT School.

Characteristics of termites and their remarkable nest building:

As discussed, termites need a moist environment to survive. They have built-in sensors that help them detect even small differences in humidity levels within their surroundings. They are naturally drawn to areas where the air holds more moisture.

Clearly, when a termite adds a clay pellet to a structure, it slightly alters its shape. This tiny change influences how air flows around it, and how quickly water evaporates from that spot. More evaporation means drier air, which might be less comfortable for termites.

Even though a single termite isnt trying to communicate, their act of building changes the local humidity. Other termites, also seeking the most comfortable spots, sense this change. They become more likely to deposit their own clay pellets in that same area, further altering the structure and the moisture patterns around it.

Repeating this simple process results in incredibly intricate nests.This continuous feedback loop is the magic ingredient. Each termite simply responds to the immediate humidity levels.

Yet, over time, as thousands of termites make these tiny adjustments, elaborate nests emerge. These nests boast tunnels for travel, chambers optimized for airflow, and structures that help maintain the perfect internal humidity for the whole colony.

Sometimes, the most amazing things can be built with simple rules. Think how a tiny drop of water, responding to gravity, can shape magnificent caves over time. The study demonstrates a fascinating truth:

In our experiments, nest complexity emerges from just one simple mechanism: termites only need to add pellets of material depending on the local humidity, but the pellets that they add in turn change all the pattern of evaporation and humidity, inducing other termites to build at a different location, and so on, until very complex structures are produced, explained Perna.

Nature shows us that sometimes its not about grand plans, but simply responding to your environment, one small step at a time. Thats a lesson humans building their own communities might take to heart.

The study is published in the journal ELife.

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Termites are nature's architects, building well-ventilated nests - Earth.com

The Kendall County Board on Tuesday okayed an agreement with Cordogan Clark architects to begin a major renovation of the County's Office Building located 111 W. Fox Street in Yorkville.

County Board Member Brian DeBolt Chairs the county's facilities committee. He says the remodel is needed to prepare the county for future growth and to make sure that it's compliant with safety and accessibility laws.

Board member Dan Koukol was the sole no vote on the renovation. He says it's a great idea, but now is not the right time with other expensive projects down the line and other costs.

The county architect is predicting that the project will cost about $8.75 million. It will go out to bid in the coming months and will be back in front of the board for final approval.

Board Chairman Matt Kellogg says the county can afford it with cash flow and won't need to borrow any money. County operations will need to move out during construction.

The county is close to wrapping up the construction of a new office building at the Fox Street Campus which is expected to cost about $10 million when all is said and done. That project is being funded by American Rescue Plan Act money.

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County okays agreement with architect for renovation county office building - WspyNews

tenjincho place: a green retreat tucked away in tokyo

Japanese studio Hiroyuki Ito Architects has recently unveiled Tenjincho Place, a new apartment complex in Tokyos Bunkyo ward. The building sits on the edge of a plateau in Yushima, overlooking the approach to a renowned shrine. This rapidly developing area has seen a significant shift in recent years, with hotels being replaced by apartment complexes. The studios design addresses two key challenges presented by the site the plots unusual shape and the limited natural light due to surrounding high-rises. images Masao Nishikawa

The centerpiece of Tenjincho Place is its central courtyard, which Hiroyuki Ito Architects designed to ensure a light-filled atmosphere. A three-pronged approach was implemented to ensure a sense of light and openness. First, the architects minimized the number of corridors flanking the courtyard. By converting corridor ends into two-story maisonette units, they effectively reduced the corridors footprint and minimized shadow formation.

Next, the design incorporates side openings facing the courtyard, creating balconies for both residences and common areas. These openings allow light and air to enter the space from multiple directions. Finally, the team employed a unique textural treatment for the 30-meter (98-foot) high courtyard walls. By using unconventional materials for the formwork, they aimed to achieve a linear yet irregular appearance that enhances the perception of even the slightest light filtering into the space. The courtyard is designed with the potential for engagement with the public, with uses including a co-working area, a cafe, or a market.

the new apartment complex in Tokyo addresses challenges of a curved plot and limited natural light

The formwork for the central courtyard incorporates a sustainable design element. It is constructed from Japanese cedar logs sourced from the Wooden Station Project in Sammu City, Chiba. This initiative aims to support healthy forests by acquiring thinned wood and forest residue from local owners. The forestry industry has recently faced challenges due to fungal diseases, which weaken and permanently mar trunks. By finding value in these materials, Hiroyuki Ito Architects sought to contribute to sustainable forestry practices.

Hiroyuki Ito Architects designed a central courtyard as the centerpiece of the complex

During construction, the logs were sliced into thin sections, retaining the bark on one side, and then affixed to plywood to create the formwork. This technique transferred the organic shapes and textures of the logs onto the concrete, resulting in a courtyard with a captivating interplay of light and shadow. The resulting texture evokes the image of a church in ruins, adding depth and character to an imposing space. The central courtyard is designed to provide residents and future visitors with a welcome respite from the urban environment.

to improve lighting, corridors flanking the courtyard are minimized and replaced with maisonette unit

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hiroyuki ito architects' tenjincho place is a curving slice of nature in tokyo - Designboom

Chad Hunter builds upon nearly two decades at UM

Some of Chad Hunters fondest memories of childhood involve sitting at a table with his grandfather and drawing. Not drawing as one typically does as a kid, but drawing house and building plans.

My grandfather owned a construction company and designed his own buildings, Hunter said. So, I would sit next to him on the table, actually and draw with him. That ended up morphing into me helping my dad design some of his restaurants that he ran.

Those interactions put Hunter on a path to become the director of facilities planning and chief university architect at the University of Mississippi.

With nearly two decades of experience, Chad brings a broad range of expertise in planning, design, engineering and construction, said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. With his vision and steadfast leadership, I look forward to how he will direct the physical planning of our university and guide our development and growth.

Chad will serve as a steward for the campus ensuring that we continue to thoughtfully meet the needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Hunter, who joined the UM staff in 2006, said hes been fortunate to play an integral role in the development and growth of the university campus, but also in the Department of Facilities Planning.

Ive had the opportunity to work on and lead design and planning projects that range from small classroom renovations to bell towers to $175 million science buildings, he said. There arent many design positions in our professional world that get to work on such a wide variety of projects.

Its one of the things I find most exciting on a day-to-day basis here at the university. It truly keeps everything interesting.

As he approaches two decades at Ole Miss, Hunter has contributed to some 1,000 projects and counting.

We currently have approximately 150 active projects right now, he said. The science building is a large one, but coming down the line, were looking at a new student housing building with 981 beds, parking solutions, and were about to begin a deep dive into our research and laboratory facilities master plan.

Another big one thats under construction right now is our data center, which shows the universitys commitment to not only university growth, but also university innovation.

Hunter said one of his most meaningful projects to date is theJim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation.

I did the very first project budget for a science building in 2012, he said. I did a tremendous amount of research on it and was a co-chair of the planning and programming committee when we started planning this project.

Weve gone through a lot of variations of designs, and to see it being constructed and to soon be finished here in the fall is very gratifying. Its exciting to see it come to fruition and be able to serve not only the university, but also the state of Mississippi.

Since his early years designing with his father and grandfather, Hunter continued to work in the construction and hospitality fields. Originally from New Orleans, he moved to Hattiesburg during high school. He received a bachelors degree in architecture in 1997 from Mississippi State Universitys five-year program.

After graduation, I worked back in Hattiesburg in private practice and then moved to north Mississippi and worked in Tupelo, he said. I had about 10 and a half years in the private sector before coming to Ole Miss.

That work has contributed to Hunters success at the university while working with staff who also have private sector experience.

Im extremely fortunate to work with this team, he said. They have a tremendous amount of expertise and experience from work on campus, but also, theyve all served in the private world. We run our office and treat our office as a professional design office. Each one of us has specialties in various groups, whether it be architecture, civil engineering, interior design.

We all touch most of the projects in some way, shape or form, because we all draw from each others experiences. Its just a testament to the professionalism and the knowledge of this team.

Brad Potts, UM architectural draftsman II, worked with Hunter atMcCarty Architectsin Tupelo before joining the facilities planning department in 2007. Theyve worked on several large projects together, such as the first phase of the Jackson Avenue Center construction.

Chad knows construction inside and out, Potts said. He is incredibly intelligent about the makeup of a building. I know that he has big plans that will give our department opportunities to step up.

Virginia Pence, assistant university architect, said she is delighted with the outcome of the director search.

Chad is a wonderful leader, Pence said. In addition to his expertise, its his supportive and encouraging team approach that makes him so effective. His exceptional institutional knowledge is the bedrock of our department.

Looking forward, Hunter hopes to grow the department in order to continue to support critical construction projects on campus.

Its always exciting to see as the university grows, where the various areas on campus grow, whether thats student recreation, student housing, athletics or research, he said. By growing our team to support these needs, theres really no limit to what we can accomplish.

By Erin Garrett

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New University of Mississippi Architect Contributes to 1000 Projects and Counting The Local Voice - The Local Voice

Charles E. Dagit Jr., 80, of Gladwyne, celebrated architect, civic leader, author, teacher, dancer, and champion sailor, died Wednesday, March 27, of complications from pneumonia at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Mr. Dagit knew by the time he reached high school that he was going to be an architect. His grandfather, father, two uncles, and four cousins were architects, too, and the familys influence on the Philadelphia landscape is wide.

Every male for three generations has become an architect, Mr. Dagit told the Daily News in 1995. When people hear Dagit, they think architect.

Mr. Dagit embraced his family tradition by studying with renowned architect Louis Kahn and other luminaries in the 1960s, and earning bachelors and masters degrees in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He founded Dagit-Saylor Architects in 1970 and went on to win scores of awards and design more than 300 construction projects around the country, including his own award-winning home in Gladwyne, before retiring in 2007.

He was especially prolific on college campuses, and the Abington campus Physical Education Building and Snider Agricultural Arena at Pennsylvania State University are two of his most notable designs. He also planned libraries, dining halls, theaters, student centers, and education buildings of all kinds at Penn, Gwynedd Mercy, Shippensburg, and Holy Family Universities; Ursinus, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr Colleges; and many other schools.

Structures at the Philadelphia Zoo, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Cherry Hill Mall, monastery of St. Clare in Newtown, and many other locations also bear his signature.

He was an inspiration to all who knew him and had the opportunity to work with him, a former colleague said in a tribute. Another colleague said: He was such a pleasure to work with and a dedicated, talented architect who loved his profession passionately.

Mr. Dagit built his own family home on a hillside in Gladwyne in the 1970s, and it won an award for excellence in design. He called the structure a white piece of sculpture, and added a Japanese Garden years later that was featured in The Inquirer in 2010.

Gregarious and insightful, he taught design at Drexel and Temple Universities, and Penn, and expressed great satisfaction when his students earned honors for their work. He also lectured at other schools and at conferences, and served for a decade as managing secretary of the John Stewardson Memorial Fellowship in Architecture.

He was a longtime national committee member and chair for the American Institute of Architects, president of the Philadelphia chapter in 1991, and board member of the Pennsylvania chapter from 2008 to 2010. He became the youngest architect at the time to join the AIA College of Fellows in 1983 and never ceased promoting the city and state chapters at national and international events.

He wrote articles for The Inquirer and other publications, and authored Louis I. Kahn Architect Remembering the Man and Those Who Surrounded Him in 2013, and The Groundbreakers: Architects in American History Their Places and Times in 2017. Both received critical praise.

Away from work, he served on boards at Penn, the Philadelphia Zoo, and other groups, and was president of the Gladwyne Civic Association in the 1980s and the Gladwyne Free Library in the 1990s. He was a lifelong sailor who won local races at the Jersey Shore and a 1972 national championship, and he and his wife, Alice, navigated exotic waters together around the world.

He was driven and bold, his wife said. He would do things after other people said, You cant do that.

Charles Edward Dagit Jr. was born July 1, 1943, in Philadelphia. He grew up in Merion, went sailing with his father and others often as a boy, and graduated from Malvern Preparatory School in 1961.

He earned three degrees and won a traveling fellowship and two design competitions at Penn, and worked for Mitchell-Giurgola and his fathers firm after college before establishing Dagit-Saylor.

He took Alice Murdoch on their first date in 1962, and they married in 1967, and had sons Charles III and John. They lived in Center City and West Philadelphia before moving to Gladwyne.

Mr. Dagit played piano and painted, enjoyed golf and dancing, and he and his wife spent more than 60 years twirling to the Charleston, jitterbug, and Texas two step. Charlie was a most remarkable person, a friend said in a tribute. Smart, talented, artistic, and funny. Just so exceptional.

In addition to his wife and sons, Mr. Dagit is survived by four grandsons, two sisters, and other relatives. A sister died earlier.

Visitation with the family is to be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 12, at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Rd., Gladwyne, Pa. 19035. A service is to follow.

Donations in his name may be made to St. Malachy School, Box 37012, Philadelphia, Pa. 19122; and Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania Foundation, 221 Conestoga Rd., Suite 300, Wayne Pa. 19087.

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Charles E. Dagit Jr., award-winning architect, civic leader, and champion sailor, has died at 80 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

I want to be an architect six words I never expected to hear from my daughter! It certainly came as a shock. She had been leaning towards majoring in computer science at her small liberal arts college in Northern Maine. However, a brief Intro to Architecture course captivated her in a way that simply growing up around me never did. Maybe she finally glimpsed why I enjoy it so much, despite it being such a tough profession with long, expensive studies and low financial rewards.

Now that she was bitten by the architecture bug, I thought I would be able to give her useful advice on how to approach studies and a career. After all, Ive worked in the US for over 25 years, visiting various architectural schools as a critic or a lecturer. But as we investigated her options, it became painfully obvious that I didnt really have a clue how it all worked. What followed was a crash course on the various paths US students take to pursue architecture.

At first glance, the architectural education systems in the UK and the US seem similar enough, with both requiring at the very least seven years to obtain licensure. The notable difference lies in the educational pathways. Unlike the UKs Parts 1, 2, and 3 process of undergraduate and postgraduate architecture courses, the US system offers two alternate routes to completing your studies.

First, its worth remembering that students here, in their last years of school, have no A-level equivalent where they narrow their academic focus down to just three subjects. When they start their typical four-year college education, they initially spend two years taking various general education courses before selecting what subject to major in.

For these students, the path to becoming an architect involves a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) postgraduate programme. The length of these programmes varies based on prior education, but usually lasts two years for students with an undergraduate major degree in architecture and three years for those with a degree in another field.

The second path is a straightforward five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programme, similar to the UK system. Architecture and engineering are among the very few specialised professional subjects that students can pursue directly after high school. There are no undergraduate courses for law or medicine, for example.

B.Arch programmes are mostly found in the more vocational schools, often at state colleges, and some, such as Cornell, are exceptional. However, the majority of the top architectural schools are M.Arch programmes, such as MIT, Columbia, Yale, and Harvard. Often M.Arch schools provide an architecture major degree within their liberal arts undergraduate curriculum, while some B.Arch schools offer the M.Arch as part of their postgraduate studies.

Whichever path you take, the cost is always a significant factor. The cost of attendance at state colleges averages $25,000 per year, while private colleges can be at least double or even triple that amount. Many students take huge loans to complete their studies leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt upon graduation.

After finishing either path, the next step is the Architectural Experience Programme (AXP) an internship training period under a licensed architect, requiring over 3,500 recorded hours before completion which is then followed by six Architect Registration Examinations (ARE). The AREs, covering both technical and professional aspects of architecture, are challenging and have an average 50% pass rate. The process is long and arduous, taking the average architect 12.5 years to finally get their licence after starting college.

Ultimately, its the high cost of education with its arduous licensing process and low financial compensationthat makes our profession increasingly exclusive

Since my daughters college does not offer architectural courses, she faced a choice: either drop out and transfer to a B.Arch programme or continue with the undergraduate studies at her current college but focus on courses suitable for future M.Arch admission.

After chatting with many friends in education, the consensus was to complete her current college degree, integrating pre-architecture courses, majoring in art or art history, and including courses in mathematics, computing, government, and sociology. During her holidays last summer, she enrolled in a five-week intensive architecture course at Columbia University to confirm her passion (she loved it) and plans to apply to an architecture post-graduate programme in a few years.

In the UK, the ARB and RIBA are hotly debating more effective methods of teaching architecture with the goal of promoting diversity and accessibility within the profession. It sounds like what could emerge is a similar system to here. While the US system offers more flexibility than the UKs, it still struggles to meet the goals the ARB hopes to encourage. Ultimately, its the high cost of education with its arduous licensing process and low financial compensation that makes our profession increasingly exclusive.

>> Also read:The ARB education reforms offer tinkering, when what we need is a radical new vision

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Similar, but not the same: How qualifying as an architect differs between the US and UK - Building Design