Experimental Dynamic Behavior of Free-Standing Multi-Block Structures Under Seismic Loadings

This article describes the dynamical behavior of free-standing block structures under seismic loading. A comprehensive experimental investigation has been carried out to study the rocking response of four single blocks of different geometry and associations of two and three blocks. The blocks, which are large stones of high strength blue granite, were subjected to free vibration, and harmonic and random motions of the base. In total, 379 tests on a shaking table were carried out in order to address the issues of repeatability of the results and stability of the rocking motion response. Significant understanding of the rocking motion mechanism is possible from the high quality experimental data. Extensive experimental measurements allowed to discuss the impulsive forces acting in the blocks and the three-dimensional effects presented in the response.     

CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF SPONSORSHIP IN THE ARTS

This article investigates consumers’ perceptions of three types of sponsors that play a role in backing financially Canadian artistic and cultural organisations: government ministries (or departments), Crown corporations and private companies. In addition to the type of sponsor and the nature of the sponsorship (philanthropic or commercial), the perceived congruence between the sponsor and the sponsored event (strong as opposed to weak), and the form of arts and cultural events (high art versus popular art and performing arts versus heritage arts) are explored in an experimental setting combining within‐subjects and between‐subjects factors. The main hypothesis of this research was that consumers’ perceptions are not the same when it comes to the different kinds of sponsors that evolve in the cultural and art fields. As the researchers explored this issue, they observed that significant differences do exist. It is believed that the rich findings of this study will be useful to civil servants.     

Electrical innovation: State initiative or private initiative? Observations on the 1881 Paris exhibition

The characteristics of the 1881 Paris Exhibition would seem to support Mensch's thesis: that it was the result of collective action backed by the State. But in fact, its history leads to quite a different definition of electrical innovation in the 1880's: The Exhibition was the result of an accurate perception of the needs of the existing technological system. It made entrepreneurs accept risk, and was based on an aggressive solicitation of the consumer.     

Travail et société: Explorations d'une crise

Meda, D., Le travail: une valeur en voie de disparition (Aubier, 1995), 364pp., 120F., ISBN 2 7007 3659 1

Bidet, J., et Texier, J. (sous la direction de), La crise du travail (PUF, 1995), 272pp., 198F., ISBN 2 13 047001 7     

Sensitive travelers: Jewish and non-Jewish visitors from Eastern Europe to Palestine between the two World Wars

Beginning with a reference to early modern, religiously motivated pilgrimages to Erets-Yisroel, this article explores the quest of four travelers of the interwar period for clues of personal, cultural, and political belonging by visiting Mandatory Palestine. It reveals to what significant degree the perceptions of the travelers – two East European Jews, a Polish-Catholic journalist, and one Central European Jewish author – were shaped by preexisting attitudes towards Jewish history, culture, and identity, and how the narrative of the journey itself serves as an instrument to confirm these attitudes. It shows that travelogues offer fascinating insights into the complex relationship of subjectivity, identity, cultural memory, and history.