Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Report Of The Commission To Assess The Threat To The United States From Emp Attack: Critical National Infrastructures, William R. Graham

George H Baker

The physical and social fabric of the United States is sustained by a system of systems; a complex and dynamic network of interlocking and interdependent infrastructures (“critical national infrastructures”) whose harmonious functioning enables the myriad actions, transactions, and information flow that undergird the orderly conduct of civil society in this country. The vulnerability of these frastructures to threats — deliberate, accidental, and acts of nature — is the focus of greatly heightened concern in the current era, a process accelerated by the events of 9/11 and recent hurricanes, including Katrina and Rita. This report presents the results of the Commission’s …

Summary Of 2008 Homeland Security Symposium At The National Academies: Fostering Public-Private Partnerships, George H. Baker, Cheryl J. Elliott

George H Baker

Recent U.S. high consequence events have made clear the importance of government collaboration with industry. The benefits of such collaboration were clearly seen as a lesson from Hurricane Katrina. The resources owned and controlled by American industry dwarf those available to local, state and even the federal government departments. Better agreements and incentives to bring the full capabilities of industry squarely into the national response agenda will be indispensable in effectively responding to large-scale catastrophes. General Russel Honoré who led the National Guard response to Katrina has said, “We need the partnering between local, state, and federal governments; but the …

A New Approach To Flood Education (Booklet), Neil Dufty

Neil Dufty

No abstract provided.

Review Of Allen Tough, Intentional Changes: A Fresh Approach To Helping People Change, J. Scott Armstrong

J. Scott Armstrong

Intentional Changes is an important book. It suggests different approaches to the way in which we try to implement change. It provides, as do most important books, much that you will disagree with. Tough’s conclusions are based on studies that are likely to be unknown to you. The book is interesting, well written, and short.

The Natural Learning Project, J. Scott Armstrong

J. Scott Armstrong

In “natural learning” the learner takes responsibility for learning. This responsibility applies to setting objectives, selecting active learning tasks, obtaining feedback, and making applications. Self-oriented skill training (SOS) provides a highly structured procedure to help the learner through the above four phases of natural learning. Of particular importance in SOS is the experiential exercise; this can put the learner through the unfreezing, change, and refreezing steps. The design of SOS is based on substantial empirical evidence. Results from five crude field experiments were consistent with the hypothesis that SOS increases the efficiency of learning. In a 6-month follow-up, participants using …

Focus Group On Karst Hydrology - Conceptual Models, Aquifer Characterization, And Numerical Modeling, Martin Sauter, Lee J. Florea, Others

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

No abstract provided.

A New Approach To Community Flood Education, Neil Dufty

Neil Dufty

No abstract provided.

Building Community Resilience To Floods: The Role Of Education (Booklet), Neil Dufty

Neil Dufty

No abstract provided.

Cascading Infrastructure Failures: Avoidance And Response, George H. Baker, Cheryl J. Elliott

George H Baker

No critical infrastructure is self-sufficient. The complexity inherent in the interdependent nature of infrastructure systems complicates planning and preparedness for system failures. Recent wide-scale disruption of infrastructure on the Gulf Coast due to weather, and in the Northeast due to electric power network failures, dramatically illustrate the problems associated with mitigating cascading effects and responding to cascading infrastructure failures once they have occurred.

The major challenge associated with preparedness for cascading failures is that they transcend system, corporate, and political boundaries and necessitate coordination among multiple, disparate experts and authorities. This symposium brought together concerned communities including government and industry …