Machines of possibility

In the course of this talk, I want to try and address one main question: what is architecture? Implicit within this are also some reflections on what or who is an architectural historian or commentator? And what is an architecture school

Precision Higgs physics at a γγ\gamma \gamma collider

The loop induced coupling of an intermediate mass Higgs boson to two photons is a sensitive and unique measure for precision tests of physics beyond the Standard Model. In this work we summarize recent results on the expected precision of the partial $\Gamma (H \to \gamma \gamma)$ width at the $\gamma \gamma$ option of a future linear collider. Heavy particles do not decouple in general and differences between the SM and MSSM predictions or 2HD-models can differ in the percentile regime. Large non-Sudakov DL corrections need to be resummed and consistency requirements demand the use of the Sterman-Weinberg jet definition in order to avoid additional DL terms from three jet final states. We find that the well understood background process $\gamma \gamma \to q \bar{q}$ allows for a ${\mathcal O}$(2%) determination of $\Gamma (H \to \gamma \gamma)$ using conservative collider parameters. Recent improvements in the expected $\gamma \gamma$ luminosity suggest that the precision for the diphoton partial Higgs width can be further improved and is dominated by the error in BR($H \to b \bar{b}$) from the $e^\pm$ mode, which is presently estimated to be in the one percent regime.Comment: 6 pages, 3 epsfigures, Latex2e plus style files. Contribution to the International Workshop on High Energy Photon Photon Colliders at DESY, June 200

Securitizing property catastrophe risk

The trading of property catastrophe risk using standard financial instruments such as options and bonds enables insurance companies to hedge their exposure by transferring risk to investors, who take positions on the occurrence and cost of catastrophes. Although these property catastrophe risk instruments are relatively new products, they have already established an important link between the insurance industry and the U.S. capital market.Insurance

Ecological Art: Art with a Purpose

Ecological art is purposeful and often prescriptive: the actions and directions intended by the artists for activists to undertake often are clearly represented. Yet, ecological art has been no more successful than, for example, targeted scientific research, deposits on returnable bottles, or land-protection campaigns at slowing global warming, reducing the amount of waste we generate every day, or halting the ongoing sixth mass extinction in the history of the Earth. Here, we consider the idea that prescriptive ecological art provides insufficient mental space for creative reflection about future scenarios of, and responses to, environmental change. We ask whether, by presenting a limited range of possibilities in ecological art, we limit the range of options that viewers consider in deciding on possible actions that they could take to slow or halt environmental decline. We conclude by asking how we artists and scientists can best engage diverse audiences in critically thinking about, and taking action to mitigate, environmental change. These questions and issues are addressed through a discussion of two of our recent ecological art installations: Hemlock Hospice and Warming Warning

Packaging techniques for low-altitude Venus balloons beacon

The results of a specific design project for the Venus balloon beacon, in which a microwave beacon is required to operate for a limited time at high temperature (350 C) and at high pressure, (10 bars). In a chemically hostile environment after surviving large mechanical shock forces (up to 280 gs) are discussed. It was found that many existing, commerically-available component can be used in such a design with only minor modifications. A further result is that a crude (and consequently low-cost) test program can be designed to identify and select promising commercial components

Fit Kids Rock: The Campaign against Childhood Obesity in a Valparaiso Elementary School

The Bateman Team’s topic was childhood obesity, a well-known, yet hidden issue. Before beginning the campaign, it was necessary to research the target audiences and the most effective ways to reach them. The Bateman Team chose to address elementary school third graders (about 70 students) and their faculty. Research showed that the best ways to communicate with the 8-9 year olds was through interactive activities and guidance. As a team, we coordinated with the school’s administration to implement the plan for a set time during the school day. The third graders were separated into two sections (35 students each) to attend our event. The elementary students proceeded to seven stations which engaged their knowledge on obesity, making healthy choices, and learning about the importance of exercise. Based on our evaluation of the children’s reactions to the stations, their enthusiasm, and overall engagement, we concluded that they did enjoy the events and left with a better understanding of childhood obesity. The Bateman Team assessed that 90 percent of the students will make healthier choices and implement the knowledge provided to them

Classification of ERTS-1 MSS data by canonical analysis

The objective of canonical analysis is to obtain the maximum separability among a number of catergories. The application of canonical analysis was investigated using the merged MSS ERTS-1 data for one area viewed on two dates. The effect of threshold values on classification regions and confusion regions was investigated

A reduction in ag/residential signature conflict using principal components analysis of LANDSAT temporal data

Methods to accurately delineate the types of land cover in the urban-rural transition zone of metropolitan areas were considered. The application of principal components analysis to multidate LANDSAT imagery was investigated as a means of reducing the overlap between residential and agricultural spectral signatures. The statistical concepts of principal components analysis were discussed, as well as the results of this analysis when applied to multidate LANDSAT imagery of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area