Comparison of Time Series and Random-Vibration Theory Site-Response Methods

The random-vibration theory (RVT) approach to equivalent-linear site-response analysis is often used to simulate site amplification, particularly when large numbers of simulations are required for incorporation into probabilistic seismic-hazard analysis. The fact that RVT site-response analysis does not require the specification of input-time series makes it an attractive alternative to other site-response methods. However, some studies have indicated that the site amplification predicted by RVT site-response analysis systematically differs from that predicted by time-series approaches. This study confirms that RVT site-response analysis predicts site amplification at the natural site frequencies as much as 20%-50% larger than time-series analysis, with the largest overprediction occurring for sites with smaller natural frequencies and sites underlain by hard rock. The overprediction is caused by an increase in duration generated by the site response, which is not taken into account in the RVT calculation. Correcting for this change in duration brings the RVT results within 20% of the time-series results. A similar duration effect is observed for the RVT shear-strain calculation used to estimate the equivalent-linear strain-compatible soil properties. An alternative to applying a duration correction to improve the agreement between RVT and time-series analysis is the modeling of shear-wave velocity variability. It is shown that introducing shear-wave velocity variability through Monte Carlo simulation brings the RVT results consistently within +/- 20% of the time-series results.Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRC-04-07-122Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin

Cultural fit oder fit for culture?

Während die Bedeutung internationaler Kooperationen für den Unternehmenserfolg zunimmt, kann ihr häufiges Scheitern vielfach auf kulturelle Probleme zurückgeführt werden. Der Artikel sucht daher nach Ansätzen für ein Instrumentarium zur kulturellen Gestaltung der Zusammenarbeit in internationalen Unternehmenskooperationen. Auf Basis einer qualitativen Bewertung existierender Methoden zur Unternehmenskulturgestaltung, wie z.B. Cultural-Fit-Analyse oder Cultural Due Diligence, hinsichtlich ihrer Effizienz und Effektivität bei der Übertragung auf Kooperationen werden Vorschläge zur Anpassung und Verbesserung dieser Instrumente entwickelt.Despite an increasing importance of international business cooperations for a company s success, a high percentage of their failures can be traced back to problems of cultural clash. The article therefore seeks to explore new approaches to design a tool-box for the cultural collaboration in international business cooperations. Based on a qualitative evaluation of existing methods of corporate culture design, as e.g. cultural fit analysis or cultural due diligence, according to their efficiency and effectiveness when applying them to the cooperation context, the article presents a set of hypotheses for their adaptation and improvement

Re/presenting traditions: identity, power, and politics in folklife programming

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on November 15, 2010).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Dr. Elaine Lawless.Vita.Ph. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2008.Deliberately playing on the word "tradition," in Re/Presenting Traditions: Identity, Power, and Politics in Folklife Programming, my research interrogates both current practices of re/presenting traditional cultures to the public, as well as the traditions of representation within the field of folklore. Moving between theory and case study this project ultimately works to identify roles and practices significant to constituting subjectivity and cultural identities. In recent years, representational studies have moved beyond obvious dichotomies of self and other, etic and emic; however, gaps still exist in our understanding of the ways in which representational strategies enact public policy, effect community development initiatives, and elaborate positive leadership within marginalized groups. This research project argues that the elaboration of cultural subjectivity is always a practice of presentation or performance; further, it posits that the re/presentation of cultures and traditions through public sector and academic folklore work can positively impact and enhance this always ongoing process. And while some of the examples, such as the folklife festival, come from a long history of public programming by folklorists, my example of educational programming within an alternative high school presents new ideas of what role folklorists may play in a classroom. With the tools of ethnography, understanding of narrative, attention to the processes of contemporary traditions and culture-making, and stern appreciation of ethical conduct in the field, I argue that folklore as a field is well positioned to make an impact in the twenty-first century.Includes bibliographical references (p. 208-220)

Momentum-resolved study of the saturation intensity in multiple ionization

We present a momentum-resolved study of strong field multiple ionization of ionic targets. Using a deconvolution method we are able to reconstruct the electron momenta from the ion momentum distributions after multiple ionization up to four sequential ionization steps. This technique allows an accurate determination of the saturation intensity as well as of the electron release times during the laser pulse. The measured results are discussed in comparison to typically used models of over-the-barrier ionization and tunnel ionization

The Power of Words [brochure and video]

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt. This statement is not true for many reasons and for many people. Students across campuses throughout the nation feel the sting of hate words that hurt daily. Counselors assist students suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts everyday that stems from the usage of these harmful words. Both the user and receiver of these hurtful words are affected. Hurt Words exposes these words for what they are, gives them meaning on a personal level, show the effects of harmful language and how students, faculty and staff can help stop those words from hurting more students