Panel zone is one of the significant parts of beam-column connections in steel structures. Until the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, a few experimental research and parametric studies had been carried out to understand the behavior of the panel zones. However, after the Northridge Earthquake, it was observed that beam-column connections were unable to show presumed seismic performance. Therefore, current design codes needed to be revised to improve seismic performance of connections in general and panel zones in particular. In this research, panel zone deformation demands are examined using explicit three dimensional finite element models and considering different parameters. For this purpose, a frame model with two different beam-column configurations was developed in order to observe the effects of beam depth, the axial load level and the level of seismicity. The frame models were analyzed under twenty different ground motion records. Local strain demands at the panel zones as well as the global frame deformation demands are evaluated. Analysis results revealed that AISC Specification designs allowed panel zone yielding / however, panel zones designed according to FEMA 355D showed minimal yielding for both shallow and deep beam configurations. Based on the analysis results, local shear strain demands in panel zones were expressed as a function of interstory drifts and normalized panel zone thicknesses.

The effectiveness of seismic retrofitting applied to enhance seismic performance was assessed for a five-story reinforced concrete (RC) flat-slab building structure in the central United States. In addition to this, an assessment of seismic fragility that relates the probability of exceeding a performance level to the earthquake intensity was conducted. The response of the structure was predicted using nonlinear static and dynamic analyses with synthetic ground motion records for the central U.S. region. In addition, two analytical approaches for nonlinear response analysis were compared. FEMA 356 (ASCE 2000) criteria were used to evaluate the seismic performance of the case study building. Two approaches of FEMA 356 were used for seismic evaluation: global-level and member-level using three performance levels (Immediate Occupancy, Life Safety and Collapse Prevention). In addition to these limit states, punching shear drift limits were also considered to establish an upper bound drift capacity limit for collapse prevention. Based on the seismic evaluation results, three possible retrofit techniques were applied to improve the seismic performance of the structure, including addition of shear walls, addition of RC column jackets, and confinement of the column plastic hinge zones using externally bonded steel plates. Finally, fragility relationships were developed for the existing and retrofitted structure using several performance levels. Fragility curves for the retrofitted structure were compared with those for the unretrofitted structure. For various performance levels to assess the fragility curves, FEMA global drift limits were compared with the drift limits based on the FEMA member-level criteria. In addition to this, performance levels which were based on additional quantitative limits were also considered and compared with FEMA drift limits.

Metal building frames are typically designed using welded prismatic and web-tapered members with doubly-symmetric and/or singly-symmetric cross sections. Until recently, the base U.S. provisions for design of frames with web-tapered members were provided in the AISC ASD (1989) and LRFD (1999) Specifications. Unfortunately, these previous AISC provisions address only a small range of practical designs. As a result, metal building manufacturers have tended to develop their own methods for design of the wide range of nonprismatic member geometries and configurations encountered in practice. This research develops new design procedures for design of frames using general prismatic members and web-tapered members. An equivalent prismatic member concept utilized in prior research and the prior AISC provisions is generalized to accommodate the broad range of member types and configurations commonly used in metal building industry. Furthermore, the new design procedures incorporate many of the improvements achieved in the AISC (2005&2010) Specifications to metal building frame design. These improvements include a new stability design method, the direct analysis method, more complete considerations of different column buckling limit states (flexural, torsional and flexural-torsional buckling), and improved axial load and flexural resistance provisions. This research develops practical design-based procedures for simplified calculation of the elastic buckling resistances of prismatic and web-tapered members to facilitate the application of the proposed design methods. In addition, this research performs a relatively comprehensive assessment of beam lateral torsional buckling (LTB) behavior and strength of prismatic and web-tapered members using refined virtual test simulation. It is demonstrated that web-tapered members behave in a comparable fashion to prismatic members. Based on the virtual simulation study, recommendations for potential improvement of the AISC LTB resistance equations are provided. Lastly, the strength behavior of several representative metal building frames is studied in detail using the same virtual test simulation capabilities developed and applied for the assessment of the beam LTB resistances.

<p>Abstract</p><p>This paper aims to determine the validity of the hypothesis that the effective and eloquent use of language can result in shaping beliefs and altering people’s perception of certain phenomena. In order to explore this hypothesis, a speech given by George W. Bush concerning the Iraq war is examined, followed by a brief study of two corpora, the Time Magazine Corpus and the Corpus of Contemporary American English, where the collocationpatterns of the words Iraq, evil and terror are examined. The paper starts by presenting the main concepts upon which this study is based, i.e. mental frames, the co-operative principle and conversational maxims and finally, various rhetoric devices. An analysis section follows, where George Bush’s speech is examined with the help of the concepts mentioned above and the analysis continues with the corpora-study. One of the conclusions drawn in this study is that, indeed, it is possible that language can be successfully used in order to achieve political means, and that there seems to be a shift in the American public’s perception of concepts such as Iraq and terror, visible in the use of language. However, it cannot be said with certainty whether the Bush Administration has managed to dominate public discourse, through a study as minor as this one.</p>

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Mechanical Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Relational Frame Theory research involves either of two protocols utilized to establish relational networks and functions for stimuli in those relational networks. Years of research indicate the most prevalent method involves first establishing a relational frame, conditioning one of the stimuli to acquire a particular function, and then providing a test to see if the function trained to one of the stimuli in the network transferred through the relational network to other stimuli. The less common method involves first training a particular function for a stimulus, entering that stimulus in a relational network with at least two other stimuli, and then subsequently providing a test to see if the function transferred. Hayes, Kohlenberg, and Hayes (1991) hypothesized that not only do both procedures work, but there is also no differentiation between the two with regards to transformation of stimulus function. Although both protocols have been used in the RFT literature, a direct comparison has never been made. The current study directly examines that comparison in a within-subject analysis to determine if there may be differentiated results in transformation of stimulus function based on the protocol used. A within-subjects analysis indicates that subsequent probes of transformation of stimulus function probes yielded similar levels of correct responding in both training protocols, and thus supporting the hypothesis put forth by Hayes and colleagues (1991).

A central principle within UN and EU policy is environmental policyintegration (EPI), aiming at integrating environmental aspirations, targetsand requirements into sector policy in order to promote sustainabledevelopment. The focus of this study is EPI in bioenergy policy. Bioenergy isa renewable energy source of increasing importance in the EU and Swedishenergy mix. At the same time, it is debated how environmentally friendlybioenergy really is. Furthermore, bioenergy can be considered both a multisectorand a multi-level case, since bioenergy is produced in many differentsectors and bioenergy policy is formulated and implemented on differentlevels. Therefore, EPI in bioenergy policy is here analysed over time in twosectors (energy and agriculture) and on three levels (EU, national, subnational).A cognitive, policy learning perspective on EPI is adopted, tracingEPI through looking for reframing of policy towards incorporatingenvironmental objectives in policy rhetoric and practice. Furthermore,institutional and political explanations for the development are discussed.Paper I analyses EPI in Swedish bioenergy policy within energy andagriculture. Paper II analyses institutional conditions for multi-sector EPI inSwedish bioenergy policy. Paper III analyses EPI in EU bioenergy policywithin energy and agriculture. Paper IV analyses sub-national EPI in thecase of the Biofuel Region in north Sweden. The material examined consistsof policy documents complemented by semi-structured interviews. Together, the four papers provide a more complex and holistic picture ofthe EPI process than in previous research, which mainly has focused onstudying EPI in single sectors and on single levels. The study shows thatpriorities are different on different levels; that EPI has varied over time; butthat EPI today is detectable within bioenergy policy in both studied sectorsand on all levels. Policy learning in bioenergy is found to be mainly a topdownprocess. Furthermore, policy coherence between sectors and levels;long-term goals; and concrete policy instruments are found to be importantboth for the EPI process as such and for the outcomes from this process.However, when attempting to marry different goals, such as growth, securityand sustainability, in line with the three-tiered (economic, social, ecologic)sustainable development concept, environmental aspects risks not to beprioritised when goal conflicts arise. The study proposes that future researchboth continues the analysis of multi-sector and multi-level EPI, and furtherexplores to what extent ecological sustainability is improved by EPI.

Concrete-filled buckling restrained braces (BRBs) was first developed in 1988 in Tokyo, Japan, to prevent the steel plates in the core portion from buckling, leading the steel core to exhibiting a more stable and fully hysteretic loop than conventional steel braces. However, past studies have shown that buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs) have a large residual deformation after a median or high seismic event due to steel’s residual strain. In order to address this issue, innovative self-centering SMA braces are proposed and installed in the originally unbraced bays in existing BRBFs to become a hybrid frame system where the existing steel BRBs dissipate energy induced by external forces and the newly added self-centering SMA braces restore the building configuration after the steel BRBs yield. A case study of conventional three-story BRBF retrofitted by the proposed self-centering SMA braces is carried out to develop systematic retrofit strategies, to investigate the structural behavior, and to probabilistically assess their seismic performance in terms of interstory drifts, residual drifts, and brace deformation, as compared to the original steel BRB frames. Finally, the developed brace component fragility curves and system fragility curves will be further used for the assessment of downtime and repair cost.

Santraukoje yra nurodomas šio baigiamojo magistro darbo objektas, tikslas bei hipotezė. Taip pat trumpai yra apibūdinamas darbo turinys bei pagrindiniai nagrinėti aspektai. Šio magistro baigiamojo darbo tyrimo objektas – prekių ženklai elektroninėje erdvėje. Baigiamajame darbe yra nagrinėjami teisės aktai, reglamentuojantys prekių ženklų savininkų teises, teisės mokslininkų doktrina. Didelis dėmesys skirtas teismų, ypatingai JAV praktikai, kadangi šioje valstybėje buvo nagrinėta daugiausia prekių ženklų pažeidimų elektroninėje erdvėje atvejų. Darbo tikslas yra įvertinti prekių ženklų panaudojimą elektroninėje erdvėje, prekių ženklų savininkų teises bei jų gynimo būdus, teisinio reglamentavimo bei praktinio įgyvendinimo efektyvumą ir pasiūlyti galimus problemų sprendimo variantus. Magistro baigiamajame darbe yra aptariamos pagrindinės prekių ženklų panaudojimo elektroninėje erdvėje problemos, nagrinėjamos per prekių ženklų principų prizmę, kadangi interneto prigimtis prieštarauja pagrindiniam prekių ženklų teisės principui – teritoriniam. Išsamiai analizuojami prekių ženklų pažeidimai naudojant paslėptus ir atvirus raktinius žodžius, internetines nuorodas bei rėmelius, atsižvelgiant į teismų praktiką, kuri, deja, yra labai nevieninga. Didžiausias dėmesys skiriamas prekių ženklų pažeidimams elektroninėje erdvėje naudojant domenų vardus. Šių prekių ženklų savininkų teisių pažeidimo praktikoje yra daugiausia – dėl to yra gausi, ypatingai JAV teismų praktika. Darbo pabaigoje... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The summary outlines the subject matter, purpose and hypothesis of the thesis. In addition it shortly describes the content and main aspects of this final work. The subject matter of this thesis is – trademarks in cyberspace. In this final work legal acts that regulate rights of trademark owners‘and civil remedies for their infringement, actual jurisprudence in trademark cases are analyzed. Great attention was imposed on jurisprudence of US, as in this country we can find the most infringement cases. The main purpose of this thesis is to valuate the usage of trademarks in cyberspace, owners’ rights and their civil remedies legal regulation and propose possible solution of the problem. This final work deals with main problems, related to the use of trademarks in cyberspace. Trademarks are major commercial instruments that play an important role in the electronic market place. The problems arises from the basic principles of trademark law and the nature of cyberspace. The trademarks infringement arise when trademarks (espaciallu well known ones) are used in internet frames, links, keywords or meta-tags. Beside other legal problems, this final masters’ work undertakes a survey of trademark issues connected with the registration and use of domain names, at the end is a short analysis about dispute investigations. This final work raises hypothesis that there is no proper regulation of trademarks owners’ rights and civil remedies for their infringement in cyberspace. And this does... [to full text]

Les systèmes de dialogue homme machine actuellement utilisés dans l'industrie sont fortement limités par une forme de communication très rigide imposant à l'utilisateur de suivre la logique du concepteur du système. Cette limitation est en partie due à leur représentation de l'état de dialogue sous la forme de formulaires préétablis.Pour répondre à cette difficulté, nous proposons d'utiliser une représentation sémantique à structure plus riche et flexible visant à permettre à l'utilisateur de formuler librement sa demande.Une deuxième difficulté qui handicape grandement les systèmes de dialogue est le fort taux d'erreur du système de reconnaissance vocale. Afin de traiter ces erreurs de manière quantitative, la volonté de réaliser une planification de stratégie de dialogue en milieu incertain a conduit à utiliser des méthodes d'apprentissage par renforcement telles que les processus de décision de Markov partiellement observables (POMDP). Mais un inconvénient du paradigme POMDP est sa trop grande complexité algorithmique. Certaines propositions récentes permettent de réduire la complexité du modèle. Mais elles utilisent une représentation en formulaire et ne peuvent être appliqués directement à la représentation sémantique riche que nous proposons d'utiliser.Afin d'appliquer le modèle POMDP dans un système dont le modèle sémantique est complexe, nous proposons une nouvelle façon de contrôler sa complexité en introduisant un nouveau paradigme : le POMDP résumé à double suivi de la croyance. Dans notre proposition, le POMDP maitre, complexe, est transformé en un POMDP résumé, plus simple. Un premier suivi de croyance (belief update) est réalisé dans l'espace maitre (en intégrant des observations probabilistes sous forme de listes nbest). Et un second suivi de croyance est réalisé dans l'espace résumé, les stratégies obtenues sont ainsi optimisées sur un véritable POMDP.Nous proposons deux méthodes pour définir la projection du POMDP maitre en un POMDP résumé : par des règles manuelles et par regroupement automatique par k plus proches voisins. Pour cette dernière, nous proposons d'utiliser la distance d'édition entre graphes, que nous généralisons pour obtenir une distance entre listes nbest.En outre, le couplage entre un système résumé, reposant sur un modèle statistique par POMDP, et un système expert, reposant sur des règles ad hoc, fournit un meilleur contrôle sur la stratégie finale. Ce manque de contrôle est en effet une des faiblesses empêchant l'adoption des POMDP pour le dialogue dans l'industrie.Dans le domaine du renseignement d'informations touristiques et de la réservation de chambres d'hôtel, les résultats sur des dialogues simulés montrent l'efficacité de l'approche par renforcement associée à un système de règles pour s'adapter à un environnement bruité. Les tests réels sur des utilisateurs humains montrent qu'un système optimisé par renforcement obtient cependant de meilleures performances sur le critère pour lequel il a été optimisé.