Quantifying Diachronic Variability: The 'Ain Difla rockshelter (Jordan) and the Evolution of Levantine Mousterian Technology

Condette Jean-François. RAYNAL Pierre, voir CHAUDRU de RAYNAL Pierre. In: , . Les recteurs d'académie en France de 1808 à 1940. Tome II, Dictionnaire biographique. Paris : Institut national de recherche pédagogique, 2006. p. 327. (Histoire biographique de l'enseignement, 12

From the ashes of atheism: the reconstitution of Bektashi religious life in postcommunist Albania

This thesis is an historical and ethnographic account of the postcommunist reconstitution of Albanian Bektashi Sufi practices and community life in the aftermath of a state-based program of radical atheistic secularism. The study is based on 12 months of intensive anthropological fieldwork (9 months in 2007 and shorter research trips between 2005 and 2011) and archival research. The Bektashi Muslims were once closely associated with and supported by the Ottoman state. Since then they have suffered many reversals in fortune. The most severe attack on the Bektashi occurred in communist Albania. Public manifestations of religion and its institutions were entirely dismantled and many spiritual leaders killed or exiled. Nonetheless, survivors now claim that Bektashi devotees secretly believed in and revered the sacred shrines despite efforts by the authoritarian state to do away with all expressions of religious life. Providing both historical and cultural context, the thesis uses ethnographic fieldwork data based on observation, interviews and life histories collected from within the Bektashi community. These document and explore the group's various efforts at community building and regaining legitimacy. In particular, it describes the rebuilding of devastated Bektashi lodges (tekke), the configuration and management of sacred spaces, the ways of becoming Bektashi as reflected in conversion narratives, and the emergence of new saintly authority figures. The penultimate chapter is about religious observance, investigating in depth how the present community of leaders, followers, and guests interact within sacred spaces during pilgrimages, paying special attention to the ambiguities of spiritual authority in the postcommunist setting. The study of present-day religious observance and community building shows that despite their efforts, the Bektashi today are experiencing difficulty establishing order within their own ranks and in winning real support in Albanian society as a whole. The small gains in reclaiming lost authority and access to their now lost economic estates reflects the legacy of atheist secularism and corruption, which coincides with wide spread suspicion of authority figures, including religious authorities. Albanian postcommunist religiosity coincides with a more "Western European" pattern of secularism that is generally characterized by a much diminished level of religious observance.2017-01-01T00:00:00

Application and Development of Accelerated Bridge Construction Technologies in the State of Idaho

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is a new technology being used when replacing a worn-out bridge. ABC uses prefabricated structural elements made in a factory and then transported to the construction site for assembly. This new technology helps decrease the time it takes to finish replacing a bridge, minimizes traffic, increases safety for both workers and the public, and it has less impact on the environment. ABC is becoming popular throughout the world especially in the United States, Japan, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. This paper presents recent applications of ABC technologies by Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for replacement of old bridges throughout the State. ITD has been partnering with Idaho State University (ISU) for further research on ABC. One of the latest research projects at ISU investigated seismic adequacy of grouted splice couplers for precast columns. This study concluded that it is best to use the grouted splice couplers on precast column-to-footing and column-to-cap beam connections when the drift demand is lower than 4%. The current research project at ISU investigates the effectiveness of high early strength concrete class 50AF with polypropylene fibers as cost-effective alternative for field-cast connections of precast superstructure elements in ABC

Processing of Ni-Mn-Sn Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys

Superelastic strain of 4.9% obtained for Ni-Mn-Sn Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy (MSMA) raises interest in this alloy for application as magneto-mechanical energy harvesting device. We explore different compositions and heat treatments to obtain polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Sn MSMAs with magnetic field-induced superelasticity at room temperature. We annealed as-cast Ni-Mn-Sn alloys to reduce micro-segregation and secondary, interdendritic phases and to grow large grains. We analyzed the samples with optical microscopy, x-ray diffractometry, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer to determine grain size, phases present, chemical composition, chemical homogeneity and magnetization curves. Samples were cut through heat treated polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Sn alloys to obtain oligocrystalline wires with bamboo grain structure for magneto-mechanical experiments under rotating magnetic field. We found segregation of Mn and Sn with Ni homogeneously distributed in induction melted alloy, showing dendritic structure. The annealing treatment reduced the segregation of Mn and Sn, removed dendritic structure to a large extent and caused grain growth from about 500 micrometer to 4-5 millimeter

Shake Table Testing: The Most Reliable Tool to Simulate Earthquakes

Recent earthquakes have shown the vulnerability of our current infrastructure, as previous building standards have not been adequate to counter natural forces effectively. Shake tables are the most reliable testing method for evaluating seismic performance of structural models. In shake table testing, ground motion records from previous earthquakes can be input through a computer system to test full or small-scale structural models. There are currently three shake tables belonging to Idaho State University. This research presents a description of the tables and their capabilities. Procedures on how to operate the tables and record data from experimental structural models during testing are presented. Given the state of ISU’s tables, research has focused around hydraulic systems analysis, operations analysis, and limitations determination. The most typical directions of motion are vertical and horizontal from which a good understanding of how a structure may behave can be determined. Acquisition/control systems are used to determine and measure force, intensity, and displacement of the structural model during testing. The operating system can allow for a simple sine curve cycle of motion or a classical shock, which can be programmed to simulate recorded ground motions. With the now operable tables, research upon actual structural models can begin

Determining Mechanical Behavior of High Early Strength Concrete for Field-Cast Connection of Bridge Precast Elements

Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is searching for an alternative connection detail to be used in Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) precast deck elements in order to reduce costs and construction time versus currently used Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) connections. Cost savings are substantial and range from $50K to$100K per bridge. Six different proposed high early strength concrete mixes with different amounts of admixtures were proposed and tested for shrinkage and compressive and tensile strength. The optimum mix will be chosen and the modulus of elasticity and Poisson\u27s ratio will be determined. In addition, headed bar bond strength and interface bond tensile strength will be determined and three and four-point bending tests will be performed with the chosen mix design. To date, the mix with the best results has been tentatively selected and will move forward into the phase of testing that best simulates the real-life connection between precast components

Idaho State University Strong Floor Construction for Quasi-Static Testing

Strong Floors are essential for performing quasi-static cyclic experiments testing full-scale members under extreme amounts of force. They allow the force to dissipate without causing differential settlement and/or cracking failures to the floor and building. With threaded anchors, spaced 18 inches on center, custom actuators and steel reaction frames will bolt securely to the 875.5 square foot floor for testing. To get the desired floor complete and ready for research testing, a previous lab was removed to clear floor space. Then multiple companies were organized to come scan and cut the existing concrete floor to the mapped layout. The concrete was taken out by a jackhammer and skid-steer with an addition of excavated soil to get to a desired depth of two feet. Reinforcing bar was delivered and then caged into the hole with four inch spacing where threaded anchors will fit to be flush with the top of the floor. A high strength, self-consolidating concrete will be poured to fill the two-foot floor and then cure before it can be used. All work for the laboratories has been handled by undergraduate students here at Idaho State University, who will then be performing the upcoming research projects involving the floor

The Shala Valley Project

The Shala Valley Project (SVP) is an Albanian-American collaboration, led by Michael Galaty of Millsaps College in Jackson, MS and Albanian archaeologists Ols Lafe of the Albanian Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports and Zamir Tafilica of the Shkodra Historical Museum. The project was launched in 2004 and conducted fieldwork during the summers of 2005-2008. The SVP integrates interdisciplinary programs of intensive and extensive archaeological survey and excavation with geo-scientific, ethnographic, and (ethno) historical surveys, including archival historical research, in order to study the Shala fis (''tribe''), one of many northern Albanian fisi that survived intact into the 20th century and, to some extent, down to the present day. The goals of the project are twofold: (1) to produce a diachronic record of the valley''s cultural resources, including both prehistoric and historic resources, that might help local administrators create a viable management plan, and (2) to study the effects of ''isolation'' on people who have always lived in a frontier zone at the edge of larger polities such as the Ottoman Empire and Albanian nation state