Preliminary Phase Of Study Research Articles

Reduced T-shaped soil domain for nonlinear dynamic soil-bridge interaction analysis

The one-directional three-component wave propagation in a T-shaped soil domain (1DT-3C) is a numerical modeling technique, in a finite element scheme, to investigate dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) coupled with seismic site effects, under the assumption of vertical propagation of three-component seismic motion along a horizontal multilayered soil. A three-dimensional elasto-plastic model is adopted for soils, characterized using their shear modulus reduction curve.In this research, the 1DT-3C wave propagation modeling technique is proposed as an efficient tool for bridge design to take into account directly the spatial variability of seismic loading. This approach, in the preliminary phase of bridge study and design, allows the reduction of the soil domain and the easier definition of boundary conditions, using geotechnical parameters obtained with only one borehole investigation for each pier. This leads to a gain in modeling and computational time.

Non experts’ understanding of terms frequently used by experts to describe the sensory properties of wine: An investigation based on opposites

Expert wine tasters have a greater ability than non-experts to discriminate between and evaluate the sensory properties of wine. In this paper we explore non-experts’ understanding of a set of 64 terms which are frequently used as descriptors of the sensory properties of wine. These terms can be found in guidebooks on Italian wine, in production specifications and in the official tasting scales of the Italian Sommelier Association. The 64 target terms were selected in a preliminary phase of Study 1. These terms were then presented to 558 Italian non-expert consumers who were asked to identify the opposite of each target term, in relation to red and white wines respectively. The findings a) suggest that non-experts are able to think of the sensorial properties of wine in terms of dimensions modeled by two opposite poles (and it is interesting to note that this is in line with the bipolar structure of many dimensions used by experts); b) made it possible to identify the properties that are consistently associated by non-experts with the same dimension and those which, in contrast, evoke different opposites (i.e. the underlying dimension is less univocal) and c) reveal that the target properties generally evoke similar dimensions when applied to both red and white wines. In Study 2, the gap between the experts’ interpretation of the terms and that of the non-experts was explored.Taken as a whole, the results of the study indicate an empirical methodology that may be used to investigate how standard consumers understand descriptions of wine. They may also provide food for thought regarding the ambiguity embedded in these descriptions due to potential discrepancies between the lexicons that experts and non-experts refer to in the world of wine tasting.

Data collection experience for preliminary calibration of the AASHTO pavement design guide for flexible pavements in South Carolina

The primary objective of this research was to identify existing historical data (i.e., climate, traffic, pavement design information, material properties, and pavement performance) within the South Carolina Department of Transportation for use in the local calibration of the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) for South Carolina. Based on all of the compiled information, 14 in-service asphalt concrete (AC) pavement sections were selected as suitable for this study, and information gaps were identified. Field and laboratory tests were performed to study the subgrade modulus at 3 sites. The data collected for the 14 sections were used to perform a preliminary analysis of the MEPDG AC rutting models and AC fatigue cracking models. Level 1 (project specific), Level 2 (region specific), or Level 3 (default) inputs were used, depending on data availability. This study was the first step in obtaining local calibration factors for South Carolina and provided guidance to perform the final local calibration. Currently, many highway agencies are looking to implement MEPDG for designing their pavements. Thus, this paper serves as a guide to other highway agencies in their preliminary phase of a MEPDG local calibration study.

Environmental Management Commitments: Impacts on Environmental Performance, Profitability, and Financial Risk (Preliminary Phase of Study)

I propose a conceptual model that shows management commitment leading to better environmental performance and better financial performance. The model will be tested using factor analysis and regression on data from Canadian companies in the extractive sector from three points in time, 2004, 2008 and 2011, with the objective of identifying the discrete management decisions that lead to better performance. I use two alternative measures of environmental performance. The first is the volume of emissions recorded in Environment Canada’s National Pollutant Release Inventory database; the second is the asset retirement obligation disclosed in companies’ balance sheets. At this point the research is very incomplete as I have data for 2008 only. However the descriptive statistics are provocative. For example, the positive correlation between the remediation liabilities and emissions suggest what might be interpreted as a ‘halo effect’. The factor(s) that contribute to good performance in these two disparate performance metrics need(s) to be identified, which is the goal of this work. Also, when company size is considered, emissions vary considerably for both large and small companies, suggesting again that specific though yet to be identified management commitments lead to significantly different performance. When complete, this research will provide insight into the timing and scope of actions that must be taken to reduce negative environmental impacts, and provide managers with insight to formulate both long and mid-term operational strategies.

Les carnivores ( Mammalia) des sites du Pléistocène ancien et moyen d'Atapuerca (Espagne)

The Carnivores (Mammalia) from the Lower and Middle Pleistocene sites of Atapuerca (Spain). The Sierra de Atapuerca contains several karstic deposits rich in carnivores: Trinchera Galería, Trinchera Dolina, Trinchera Elefante and Sima de los Huesos. These remains do not belong to the same chronological period but to different moments of the Early and Middle Pleistocene. This complementary information provides a wider knowledge of the biostratigraphical carnivore sequence in Europe. Sima de los Huesos and Trichera Galería, although with different causes of accumulation which display differences on taphonomical analyses, contain similar species of carnivores which are typical Middle Pleistocene post-Cromerian taxa. This same period seems to correspond to the upper levels of Trinchera Dolina (TD11, TD10 and TD8b) anyway as the excavation works have not concluded yet, the fossil material recovered up to now is somewhat scarce to establish a definite conclusion about the chronology and type of carnivore community of these levels. The lowermost levels of Trinchera Dolina (TD3/4, TD5, and TD8a) contain a different carnivore assemblage with typical late Early Pleistocene-Cromerian species. This radical substitution of taxa is placed in the TD8 layer probably due to a stratigraphical hiatus in this level or in TD7. Trinchera Elefante is in a preliminary phase of study: the carnivores taxa recovered as yet differ than those from the lowermost levels of Trinchera Dolina suggesting this to be the most primitive association of carnivores in the Sierra.

Researching early childhood student teachers: Life histories and course experience

Changing expectations of students in early childhood teacher education, diversity of their life histories, extramural commitments, and the socio-cultural contest of the early childhood sector have raised a range of concerns about the course experience of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Early childhood) in the School of Early Childhood, at the Queensland University of Technology. This paper reports on the preliminary phase of longitudinal study of the course experience of 141 students (66 in their first year and 75 in their fourth year). These students were surveyed with respect to their life histories, course experience and perceptions of the course. Findings indicate that students in their final year, in comparison to first year students, were more positive about the course and indicated greater confidence in their role as emerging early childhood professionals. In addition, the teaching practicum emerged as crucial for their achieving balance between theory and practice. Relevant findings are discussed with respect to implications for early childhood teacher education.