A relation between tensile and tear strength for design of architectural fabrics

This paper presents a model that relates tensile and tear strengths for architectural fabrics used in tension membrane structures. Extension of the model is also presented as a means to use these two material strengths in establishing an allowable size of defects in a given field of stress

Characteristics of recycled plastics and applications for highway appurtenances

Recycling is gaining widespread support in many communities as an environmentally acceptable solution to the management of solid waste. The success of these recycling programs depends largely on the development of high-value end use for the recycled products. This research involves an experimental and analytical study on the development of high-value, high-volume end uses for recycled plastic shapes. The experimental part includes material tests to determine mechanical properties of various recycled plastics. A constitutive model is proposed and verified that can be used in characterization of recycled plastics. Bending tests of recycled plastic beams were performed to assess strength, stiffness and mode of failure. Analytical results using the proposed constitutive model are in good agreement with the experimental results. An innovative noise wall design that takes advantage of multi-layering to increase stiffness and sound effectiveness is discussed as well as other possible uses and future research needs

A software system for large-scale structural optimization

This work is driven by recent developments in mathematical programming, the state-of-the-art of structural optimization, the spectacular performance of linear programming algorithms, and computer hardware developments which imply that applications of structural optimization might be used commonly in engineering design. Currently, there are few general purpose optimization routines available to the structural engineer and much of the work has addressed specific classes of problems. Further, there is little widespread use of the available routines, partly due to the large amount of familiarity one must have with the specific details of both the problem and the optimization method. In response, it is the intention here to prototype a software system that implements a general approach for structural optimization using the latest in mathematical programming techniques. This work develops a general system that can be used for a variety of structural optimization problems in a manner analogous to the finite element method for structural analysis. The most commonly used structural elements, truss and beam, are included as well as techniques for plate optimization. Consideration is given to the software requirements of a general purpose structural optimization system and the demands of large structural systems typically encountered in design practice. This general approach is aimed at using classical methods taken directly from the area of mathematical programming, specifically linear programming, which has seen considerable change in the last ten years. Here, sequential linear programming (SLP) techniques are shown to handle a wide variety of structural constraints including stress constraints, displacement constraints, buckling, and frequency constraints. It is the purpose of this thesis to bring the latest developments in linear programming to the field of structural optimization in the form of a general purpose, state-of-the-art structural optimization system. The model was tested for sample structures and it was shown to effect a reduction in total structure volume of up to 80%

Temples and Sutras: Nara Japan's National Defense System

In the mid-eighth century, Emperor Shōmu ordered the creation of provincial national protection monasteries and convents (kokubunji and kokubun-niji, respectively) connected to the Golden Light and Lotus Sūtras. The monasteries were called the "Temples of the Golden Light Four Deva Kings for the Protection of the Country" (konkōmyō shitennō gokoku no tera) and the convents were the "Temples of the Lotus for the Atonement of Sin" (hokke metsuzai no tera). Emperor Heizei added the Sūtra for Benevolent Kings to the kokubunji half a century later; by the end of the ninth century the three texts were known collectively as the "three national protection sūtras" (sangokokukyō). While the Golden Light Sūtra and the Sūtra for Benevolent Kings both contain passages related to national protection, the Lotus Sūtra does not. Nor does the Lotus Sūtra include the theme of atonement that could suggest why it was connected to the kokubun-niji. examine what the three sūtras say with regards to protection, kingship and atonement to determine if their specific messages might be responsible for their becoming Japan's official national protection sūtras. I also look at King Aśoka, Sui Wendi and Empress Wu's relic distributions as forebears to Emperor Shōmu's kokubunji system, where he may have spread sūtras as relic replacements. Finally, I examine the relationship between atonement and national protection. I propose that Kūkai and Saichō, both looking to promote their sects' protective powers, made use of these three sūtras, which were already seen as particularly potent protective texts on account of their association with the kokubunji and kokubun-niji.Master of Arts (MA

Place-Names of Ross and Cromarty

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Epistemic Analysis and the Possibility of Good Informants

Edward Craig has proposed that epistemology should eschew traditional conceptual analysis in favor of what he calls “conceptual synthesis.” He proposes we start not from the finding of necessary and sufficient conditions that match our intuitions; rather we start from considerations on what theconcept of knowledge does for us. In this paper I will explore one aspect of Craig’s proposal – the good informant. It is this aspect that is central to Craig’s epistemic method and perhaps most problematic. I will evaluate this concept by first articulating three initial worries that some have had about the concept and then show how each of the initial worries can be quelled by looking deeper into the features of what Craig’s proposal is. I then assess Craig’s proposal on its own terms by looking at the concept of a good informant in light of the criteria for an adequate explication. What I will show is that while there is much to be sympathetic with in Craig’s proposal, there are some open questions that need to be solved in order to say that an adequate explication has been reached.Edward Craig propôs que a epistemologia deveria afastar a análise conceitual tradicional em favor do que ele denomina “síntese conceitual.” Ele propõe que não comecemos por encontrar condições necessárias e suficientes que correspondam a nossas intuições, e que, ao contrário, comecemos com as considerações sobre o que o conceito de conhecimento faz por nós. Neste artigo, vou explorar um aspecto da proposta de Craig – o bom informante. É esse aspecto que é central no método epistêmico de Craig, e talvez o mais problemático. Vou avaliar esse conceito, primeiro, articulando três preocupações iniciais que alguns tiveram sobre o conceito, e então mostrando como cada uma dessas preocupações iniciais pode ser acalmadas ao examinarmos com mais profundidade os aspectos daquilo que é a proposta de Craig. Então, avalio a proposta de Craig em seus próprios termos, tendo em conta o conceito de bom informante à luz dos critérios para uma boa explicação. O que vou mostrar é que, enquanto há muito com o que se possa concordar na proposta de Craig, há algumas questões deixadas em aberto, que precisam ser resolvidas para podermos dizer que uma explicação adequada foi alcançada

Precepts and Performances: Overseas Monks and the Emergence of Cosmopolitan Japan

In 733, Japan’s ninth diplomatic mission to Tang China conveyed two Japanese Buddhist monks committed to finding a Chinese master of Buddhist precepts. The prevailing explanation for the precepts master solicitation states that Japan lacked sufficient numbers of fully ordained monks to conduct ordinations using vinaya codes of conduct. While this campaign successfully resulted in precept masters going to Japan in 736 and again in 754, there were no notable changes to monastic ordinations until after the final monk arrived. It is commonly presumed that only the latter precepts master possessed sufficient charisma, training, and followers necessary to establish a vinaya tradition. However, this explanation presumes that the later reforms matched the original expedition’s intent. Moreover, this position ignores the other monks’ activities in Japan’s political, cultural, and religious affairs between 736-754. It is also not supported by period texts. In this work, I utilize textual and physical evidence to demonstrate that these overseas monks’ activities and significance were largely unrelated to monastic precepts and ordinations. Instead, they rose to prominence due to their knowledge of Buddhist texts and rituals, familiarity with neighboring countries’ Buddhist legitimation and protection systems, fluency in overseas forms of cultural capital, and embodied otherness. Their influence can be seen in their involvement in the Ministry for Monastic Affairs, promulgation of the Avataṃsaka Sutra, and the creation and worship of the Great Buddha of Nara. Through highlighting these understudied and highly diverse monks, I demonstrate that Japan’s overseas population was intrinsically involved with the country’s transformation into a transregionally-connected, Buddhist country. Moreover, I argue that the overseas monks affiliated with Daianji Temple (大安寺) provided the Japanese court with direct ties to foreign countries that not only expanded Japanese international awareness, but also helped establish the country’s understanding of its position within a broader Buddhist world

Writing in Britain and Ireland, c. 400 to c. 800

No abstract available

Criteria for designing integrated diagnosis interventions in low resource settings at the primary care level: a Delphi consensus study

Background: Integrated diagnosis is crucial for addressing health challenges, particularly in managing comorbidities and chronic conditions. Technological advancements allow for rapid, simultaneous testing and diagnosis of multiple diseases. Integrated diagnosis interventions vary in purpose, models, diseases targeted, populations served, scale, and measured outcomes. This diversity, combined with varying levels of resource availability and health system capacity to respond effectively to positive diagnoses, makes it challenging to identify effective strategies. An effective integrated diagnosis approach can lead to early detection of critical and chronic conditions, improve patient experiences, and ultimately improve disease surveillance. This study aimed to establish core criteria for designing same-day integrated diagnosis interventions in primary care settings to enhance patient experiences and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initial set of criteria was derived from a realist synthesis, which identified the key contextual factors and mechanisms required for such interventions to be effective. Methods: A two-round Delphi process engaged an international panel of fifty-five experts from diverse professions to establish consensus on core criteria for effective integrated diagnosis interventions. Predetermined consensus thresholds were set at 70% for critical to include. Results: A total of 55 experts participated in the first round. Participants represented various geographical regions, including Africa (n = 33), Europe (n = 17), Asia (n = 2), and the Americas (n = 2), and could be categorized into implementers (n = 36), policymakers (n = 7), and academics (n = 12). At the end of Round 1, fourteen of the thirty-three criteria reached a consensus as being critical to include, and nine criteria were removed. In Round 2, a total of 48 out of 55 experts participated and twelve criteria were considered. Four criteria reached a consensus as being critical to include. Through the two rounds of surveys, experts reached a consensus on 18 criteria. Conclusion: The study provides key criteria for prioritizing and developing integrated diagnosis interventions in primary care, in low-resource settings, particularly in Africa. The guidance might be invaluable for policymakers, funders, implementers, and manufacturers. The primary goal of integrated diagnosis is to enhance patient experiences and health outcomes. It is essential to consider all critical success factors during intervention design. These criteria may evolve as our understanding of integrated diagnosis advances