Laos - language situation

Laos features a high level of linguistic diversity, with more than 70 languages from four different major language families (Tai, Mon-Khmer, Hmong-Mien, Tibeto-Burman). Mon-Khmer languages were spoken in Laos earlier than other languages, with incoming migrations by Tai speakers (c. 2000 years ago) and Hmong-Mien speakers (c. 200 years ago). There is widespread language contact and multilingualism in upland minority communities, while lowland-dwelling Lao speakers are largely monolingual. Lao is the official national language. Most minority languages are endangered, with a few exceptions (notably Hmong and Kmhmu). There has been relatively little linguistic research on languages of Laos, due to problems of both infrastructure and administration

On the modelling of infilled RC frames through strut models

Infill panels largely affect the seismic response of framed constructions. The wide variety in their mechanical and geometrical features has produced many different models and assumptions in their analytical representation. In this paper the simplest and most diffuse analytical approach, based on the introduction of equivalent struts, has been checked. An overview is presented, focusing on the strut dimensions, strength and number. Two case-studies, taken by two different experimental campaigns, have been considered and reproduced. The obtained results have been compared to the experimental ones, and some parameters have been checked for selecting the model to use for analysis

The PEOPLES Resilience Framework: A conceptual approach to quantify community resilience

Over the past years, the concept of resilience has gained attention recognizing the fact that not all threats or disasters can be averted. In fact, communities around the world are turning their attention to efforts and ways that can enhance their resilience against extreme events in any dimensions of life. Resilience is becoming increasingly important for modern societies as states come to accept that they cannot prevent every risk from being realized but rather must learn to adapt and manage risks in a way that minimizes impact on human and other systems. This paper presents a holistic framework for defining and measuring disaster resilience for a community at scales ranging from individual structures (e.g. hospitals) and smaller communities (neighborhoods) to entire regions. Seven dimensions of community resilience have been identified and are represented by the acronym PEOPLES: Population and Demographics, Environmental/ Ecosystem, Organized Governmental Services, Physical Infrastructure, Lifestyle and Community Competence, Economic Development, and Social- Cultural Capital. The PEOPLES Resilience Framework provides the foundation to integrate any quantitative and qualitative models that measures systems' resilience against extreme events (or disasters for that matter) in any or a combination of the above-mentioned seven dimensions. Besides a short-term gap finding analysis, this framework enables communities over the long-term to add and utilize geospatial and temporal decision-support tools that help communities in their planning efforts to assess and to enhance resilienc