A Comparative Study on Seismic Analysis Methods and the Response of Systems with Classical and Nonclassical Damping

This thesis investigated the application of seismic analysis methods and the response of idealized shear frames subjected to seismic loading. To complete this research, a Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) for a project site in San Luis Obispo, CA, and five past earthquake records were considered. The DBE was produced per the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-10) and used for application of the Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure (ELFP) and Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA). When applying RSA, the modal peak responses were combined using the Absolute Sum (ABS), Square-Root-of-the-Sum-of-Squares (SRSS), and Complete Quadratic Combination (CQC) method. MATLAB scripts were developed to produce several displacement, velocity, and acceleration spectrums for each earthquake. Moreover, MATLAB scripts were written to yield both analytical and numerical solutions for each system through application of Linear Time History Analysis (THA). To obtain analytical solutions, two implicit forms of the Newmark-beta Method were employed: the Average Acceleration Method and the Linear Acceleration Method. To generate a comparison, the ELFP, RSA, and THA methods were applied to shear frames up to ten stories in height. The system parameters that impacted the accuracy of each method and the response of the systems were analyzed, including the effects of classical damping and nonclassical damping models. In addition to varying levels of Rayleigh damping, non-linear hysteric friction spring dampers (FSDs) were implemented into the systems. The design of the FSDs was based on target stiffness values, which were defined as portions of the system’s lateral stiffness. To perform the required Nonlinear Time History Analysis (NTHA), a SAP2000 model was developed. The efficiencies of the FSDs at each target stiffness, with and without the addition of low levels of viscous modal damping are analyzed. It was concluded that the ELFP should be supplemented by RSA when performing seismic response analysis. Regardless of system parameters, the ELFP yielded system responses 30% to 50% higher than RSA when combing responses with the SRSS or CQC method. When applying RSA, the ABS method produced inconsistent and inaccurate results, whereas the SRSS and CQC results were similar for regular, symmetric systems. Generally, the SRSS and CQC results were within 5% of the analytical solution yielded through THA. On the contrary, for irregular structures, the SRSS method significantly underestimated the response, and the CQC method was four to five times more accurate. Additionally, both the Average Acceleration Method and Linear Acceleration Method yielded numerical solutions with errors typically below 1% when compared with the analytical solution. When implemented into the systems, the FSDs proved to be most efficient when designed to have stiffnesses that were 50% of the lateral stiffness of each story. The addition of 1% modal damping to the FSDs resulted in quicker energy dissipation without significantly reducing the peak response of the system. At a stiffness of 50%, the FSDs reduced the displacement response by 40% to 60% when compared with 5% modal damping. Additionally, the FSDs at low stiffnesses exhibited the effects of negative lateral stiffness due to P-delta effects when the earthquake ground motions were too weak to induce sliding in the ring assemblies

An analysis of marine protected areas legislation in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles

Historically, marine resources and ecosystems were believed to be limitless and exploitation of those resources occurred with little regard to future consequences. Recent studies suggests that this belief is misplaced, as research indicates that many of these marine resources face extinction if protective measures are not implemented soon. Marine protected areas, or MPAs have garnered increasing attention as a means to effectively protect and conserve marine resources. Establishment and management of marine protected areas typically require implementing legislation in order to provide a legal basis for enforcement of MPA rules and regulations. The intent of this research was to determine the link between MPA legislation and effective conservation of marine resources, using coral reef protection in the Caribbean as a case study. The first goal of this research was to determine which elements need to be included within MPA legislation, as determined by protected areas legislative experts and managers. The second phase of the thesis was to compare those guidelines against the legislation of three separate island groups within the Caribbean Lesser Antilles - Antigua and Barbuda, the Netherlands Antilles, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The results of the legislative analysis were then compared to the actual state of coral reefs controlled by the reviewed countries to establish whether effective MPA legislation results in better protection of coral reefs. The analysis revealed that effective legislation alone is not sufficient, nor determinative, of coral reef viability. However, the research does offer suggestions as to those components of the legislation that are deemed most crucial, such as self-financing, coverage area, and legislative authorization to control activities outside of MPA boundaries

Concealed, unobtrusive ear-centered EEG acquisition: cEEGrids for transparent EEG

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an important clinical tool and frequently used to study the brain-behavior relationship in humans noninvasively. Traditionally, EEG signals are recorded by positioning electrodes on the scalp and keeping them in place with glue, rubber bands, or elastic caps. This setup provides good coverage of the head, but is impractical for EEG acquisition in natural daily-life situations. Here, we propose the transparent EEG concept. Transparent EEG aims for motion tolerant, highly portable, unobtrusive, and near invisible data acquisition with minimum disturbance of a user's daily activities. In recent years several ear-centered EEG solutions that are compatible with the transparent EEG concept have been presented. We discuss work showing that miniature electrodes placed in and around the human ear are a feasible solution, as they are sensitive enough to pick up electrical signals stemming from various brain and non-brain sources. We also describe the cEEGrid flex-printed sensor array, which enables unobtrusive multi-channel EEG acquisition from around the ear. In a number of validation studies we found that the cEEGrid enables the recording of meaningful continuous EEG, event-related potentials and neural oscillations. Here, we explain the rationale underlying the cEEGrid ear-EEG solution, present possible use cases and identify open issues that need to be solved on the way toward transparent EEG

Evaluation of Fall Risk, Functional Mobility, and Quality of Life Changes of Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Parkinson\u27s Disease Participating in a Community Exercise Program: Part II

Purpose/Hypothesis: As a person ages, the risk of a fall increases. Parkinson Disease (PD) is most commonly seen in the elderly population, which presents with symptoms such as bradykinesia, decreased balance, tremors, postural instability, and muscle weakness. These symptoms are associated with an increase in falls; therefore, a person with PD is more susceptible to falls than the average elderly individual. Exercise has been shown to combat those symptoms affecting people with PD. This study is an extension of a previous study, which examined the effect of a community based exercise program, for people with PD, on quality of life and decreasing fall risk. Methods: Eight subjects, six females and two males, ranging from 55-77 years old, participated biweekly in a community exercise program that incorporated challenging exercises focused on transitional, big, and rotational movements while also including cognitive and verbal demands. Pre-testing was completed followed by a posttest administered three months later and again twelve months later. Outcome measures tested included gait speed, 30 second sit-to-stand, timed up and go (TUG), cognitive timed up and go (CTUG), and the quality of life questionnaire, the PDQ-8. Pre and posttest scores were compared to evaluate if statistically significant change was present or if trends were detected. Results: No significant positive difference was found in TUG, CTUG, 30 second sit to stand, gait speed, or the POQ-8 in the majority of the individuals with PD participating in the group exercise program. Although the results were not consistent with the previous year\u27s data or current research on the effects of exercise on PD symptoms, all the participating individuals agreed the group exercise program should be continued and expanded. Conclusions: The findings are not consistent with current literature, but the positive findings in this study were the psychological and psychosocial aspects of being active with a group of people who have a similar outlook on life

The axiological phenomenon of re-staging of the "Lansdhut Wedding 1475" as an intangible cultural heritage

Das im Jahre 2003 verabschiedete und 2006 in Kraft getretene UNESCO-Übereinkommen zur Bewahrung des immateriellen Kulturerbes erweitert das Kulturverständnis von gebautem Kulturerbe gemäß der Konvention aus dem Jahre 1972 durch gelebtes Kulturerbe. Die Dissertation zeigt beispielhaft, wie sich Bürger einer Stadt und einer Region mit ihrer historischen Vergangenheit befassen und dass es lohnenswert ist, sich mit ihrem ererbten immateriellen Kulturerbe auseinander zu setzen. Sie bezeugt, dass eine moderne populäre Kultur die Pflege des immateriellen Kulturerbes voranbringt, dass personalisierte und vergesellschaftete Individuen die Sorge um den drohenden Kulturverlust ernst nehmen und diesem aktiv, eigenständig und unpolitisch entgegen treten. Ausgehend von der wertphilosophischen und kulturtheoretischen Annäherung werden im zweiten und dritten Kapitel beispielhaft die Ur-Inszenierung im Jahre 1475 und die Re-Inszenierung im 21. Jahrhundert gegenübergestellt. Die Ergebnisse aus der Untersuchung werden im vierten Kapitel diskutiert. An Hand der Promotionsschrift wird versucht, Antworten auf folgende Fragen zu finden: - Hat die Re-Inszenierung der „Landshuter Fürstenhochzeit 1475“ des 21. Jahrhunderts das Potential eines immateriellen Kulturerbes? - Kann sie den negativen Begleiterscheinungen des Generations- wechsels und der Globalisierung entgegentreten? - Ist sie eine zeitgenössische Transformationsmethode von (Denkmal)Werten? - Was sind die Schutzkomponenten? - Trägt die Re-Inszenierung zu der kulturellen Identität einer Stadt an authentischem Ort bei und hat sie Einfluss auf die Gestaltung der baulich-räumlichen Umwelt?In 2003 the UNESCO adopted Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which expands the understanding of the built heritage (Convention of 1972) by practicing cultural heritage The dissertation shows an example of how to deal with citizens of a city and a region of its historic past and that it is worthwhile to deal with their inherited intangible cultural heritage. She testified that a modern popular culture advances the care of the intangible cultural heritage that personalized and socialized individuals concerns about the impending loss of culture seriously, and this active, independent and apolitical counter. Based on the value-philosophical and cultural theoretical approach the second and third chapters exemplify the original staging in 1475 and the re-enactment in the 21 Century faced. The results from the study are discussed in chapter four. The doctoral thesis will attempt to find answers to the following questions: Has the re-enactment of the Royal Wedding in Landshut in 1475 of the 21 Century, the potential of an intangible cultural heritage? Is it a contemporary transformation method of monument values? Contributes to the re-enactment of the cultural identity of a city in place of authentic and has she influence over the design of structural and physical environment

Presencia de la escolástica en la historia de las ideas políticas hispanoamericanas. Charcas como centro de reflexión moral sobre el Estado (siglos XVI y XVII)

Resumen Las doctrinas de los círculos letrados establecidos en Charcas tuvieron un efecto importante durante las controversias filosóficas y políticas a lo largo de la expansión del Imperio español en América, en los siglos XVI y XVII. Estas doctrinas estaban sustentadas principalmente en la llamada segunda escolástica y buscaban responder a problemas políticos concretos. El reconocimiento o la negación de la libertad natural de los nativos americanos, las reducciones toledanas o la utilización obligada de su fuerza de trabajo en las minas de Potosí (la mita) produjeron debates, pero también suscitaron la búsqueda de alternativas políticas que respetasen los derechos de estos pueblos y sus propias instituciones. La búsqueda de implantar eficazmente la jurisdicción de la Corona española en América y la consideración de modos morales de aplicación de la razón de Estado suscitaron la escritura de obras de alcance euroamericano y también la promulgación de normas que permitieron la fundación de las reducciones jesuitas como formas políticas heterotópicas bajo la jurisdicción de la Real Audiencia de Charcas.   Abstract The doctrines of the erudite circles established in Charcas had an important effect during the philosophical and political controversies throughout the expansion of the Spanish empire in America, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These doctrines were mainly based on the so-called second scholasticism and sought to respond to concrete political problems. The recognition or denial of the natural freedom of the Native Americans, the Toledo reducciones or the compulsory use of their labour force in the mines of Potosí (the mita) produced debates, but also gave rise to the search for political alternatives respectful of the rights of these peoples and their own institutions. The quest to effectively implant the Spanish crown in America and the consideration of moral ways of applying the reason of State prompted the writing of works of Euro-American scope and the enactment of regulations to allow the foundation of Jesuit reducciones as heterotopic political forms under the jurisdiction of the royal audiencia of Charcas.   Résumé Les doctrines des cercles savants établis à Charcas ont eu un effet important sur les controverses philosophiques et politiques pendant l’expansion de l’empire espagnol en Amérique aux XVIe et XVIIe siècles. Ces doctrines basées principalement sur ce que l’on appelle la seconde scolastique cherchaient à répondre à des problèmes politiques concrets. La reconnaissance ou la négation de la liberté naturelle des Amérindiens, les reducciones mises en œuvre par Toledo ou l’utilisation forcée de leur force de travail dans les mines de Potosí (la mita) ont suscité des débats, mais aussi la recherche d’alternatives politiques respectueuses des droits de ces peuples et de leurs propres institutions. La recherche d’une implantation effective de la juridiction de la couronne espagnole en Amérique et la réflexion sur les modalités morales d’application de la raison d’État ont suscité la rédaction d’ouvrages de portée euro-américaine, ainsi que la promulgation de normes qui ont permis la fondation des reducciones jésuites, en tant que formes politiques hétérotopiques placées sous la juridiction de l’audiencia royale de Charcas

The N400 Effect during Speaker-Switch—Towards a Conversational Approach of Measuring Neural Correlates of Language

Language occurs naturally in conversations. However, the study of the neural underpinnings of language has mainly taken place in single individuals using controlled language material. The interactive elements of a conversation (e.g., turn-taking) are often not part of neurolinguistic setups. The prime reason is the difficulty to combine open unrestricted conversations with the requirements of neuroimaging. It is necessary to find a trade-off between the naturalness of a conversation and the restrictions imposed by neuroscientific methods to allow for ecologically more valid studies. Here, we make an attempt to study the effects of a conversational element, namely turn-taking, on linguistic neural correlates, specifically the N400 effect. We focus on the physiological aspect of turn-taking, the speaker-switch, and its effect on the detectability of the N400 effect. The N400 event-related potential reflects expectation violations in a semantic context; the N400 effect describes the difference of the N400 amplitude between semantically expected and unexpected items. Sentences with semantically congruent and incongruent final words were presented in two turn-taking modes: (1) reading aloud first part of the sentence and listening to speaker-switch for the final word, and (2) listening to first part of the sentence and speaker-switch for the final word. A significant N400 effect was found for both turn-taking modes, which was not influenced by the mode itself. However, the mode significantly affected the P200, which was increased for the reading aloud mode compared to the listening mode. Our results show that an N400 effect can be detected during a speaker-switch. Speech articulation (reading aloud) before the analyzed sentence fragment did also not impede the N400 effect detection for the final word. The speaker-switch, however, seems to influence earlier components of the electroencephalogram, related to processing of salient stimuli. We conclude that the N400 can effectively be used to study neural correlates of language in conversational approaches including speaker-switches