The beginning of the 19th century is a moment of decisive aesthetic changes for Italian and European scenography. Stage design moves from architectural constructions typical of the 18th century, marked by the Bibiena dynasty, to more painterly solutions like the « scena-quadro ». For instance, the illusion of depth is produced more by a specific use of colour and chiaroscuro effects - the so-called prospettiva aerea - than using geometrical structures. The scenographer becomes a painter and the stage a painting. Scholars have already defined the technical elements of these aesthetic changes through the study of treatises or indirect artifacts, such as sketches or engravings. Nevertheless, the recent discovery of original scenic material (wings, curtains, set pieces, backdrops, machinery,…) from the beginning of the 19th century in the theater of Feltre (IT) offers a unique opportunity to study these elements directly from the material itself in its own original context. This paper proposes to refine the study of historical scenography by observing these constitutive technical and aesthetic changes of stage painting, not only from treatises or sketches but also directly from rare original scenic elements of that period and see how this scenic material reflects the scientific research. The study of an Italian case is especially fascinating, as the artists from that country were known throughout the rest of Europe for their skill in stage painting. The work of Raphaël Bortolotti is focused on the original scenic material from the beginning of the 19th century in the historical theatre of Feltre, a small town north of Venice. After a Master’s degree in History of Art (University Lausanne) and another one in baroque singing (Schola Cantorum Basiliensis), Raphaël Bortolotti decided to prepare a Ph.D. at the University of Bern (HKB) on stage painting in Italy in the first half of the 19th century. Supervised by Maria Ida Biggi (Fondazione Cini) and Andreas Beyer (Universität Basel), he will start his Ph.D. during the following academic year.

In 2002, the Swiss Design Awards were relaunched in a new format, in a bid to reinvigorate the competition and to adapt the promotion of design to the evolving needs of the profession. One of the key themes of the new format was the vision of the Swiss Federal Office of Culture that it could be a node in the network of Swiss design. After tracing the evolution of the Office’s approach to sponsorship in the years leading up to the relaunch, this article analyses the impact of the awards on the networks and on the practice of three winners of the 2002 edition.

Ultra-short laser radiation is used in manifold industrial applications today. Although state-of-the-art laser sources are providing an average power of 10–100 W with repetition rates of up to several megahertz, most applications do not benefit from it. On the one hand, the processing speed is limited to some hundred millimeters per second by the dynamics of mechanical axes or galvanometric scanners. On the other hand, high repetition rates require consideration of new physical effects such as heat accumulation and shielding that might reduce the process efficiency. For ablation processes, process efficiency can be expressed by the specific removal rate, ablated volume per time, and average power. The analysis of the specific removal rate for different laser parameters, like average power, repetition rate or pulse duration, and process parameters, like scanning speed or material, can be used to find the best operation point for microprocessing applications. Analytical models and molecular dynamics simulations based on the so-called two-temperature model reveal the causes for the appearance of limiting physical effects. The findings of models and simulations can be used to take advantage and optimize processing strategies. Keywords: heat accumulation; laser ablation; microprocessing; shielding; ultra-fast laser

This paper discusses the role of a unique personal identifier in cross-organizational government collaboration. It investigates the challenges public authorities face in identification processes and argues in favor of the use of the Swiss Social Security Number (SSN) as a unique identifier for Switzerland, and reviews concerns expressed against it. A unique identifier is seen as a relevant means in improving data quality level in base registries and hence, a central enabler for collaborative government.

In der Praxis hat der Fallabschluss (Outtake) im Vergleich zur Fallaufnahme (Intake) wenig Gewicht. Dies zeigt ein Forschungsprojekt der Berner Fachhochschule (BFH). Damit der Abschlussprozess zu einer möglichst nachhaltigen Ablösung von der Sozialhilfe führt, haben die Forscher gemeinsam mit Kaderleuten aus den Sozialdiensten eine Reihe von Vorschlägen ausgearbeitet.

Le fait qu’un texte peut prendre d’autres formes que celles que l’auteur lui a d’abord données remet en question les implications théoriques de ce que nous appelons habituellement le texte : un texte se compose non seulement des signes qui sont présents (« l’original »), mais aussi des signes qui sont déjà absents dans ses traductions possibles. La lecture d’un texte anglais est donc aussi une non-lecture de ses versions potentielles française, chinoise ou Tagalog. Prêter attention aux différentes formes possibles du texte déstabilise le statut apparemment incontesté du texte original, remettant en question la vérité soi-disant incontestable de ses signes qui servent souvent à légitimer le choix du traducteur. Ainsi, avant même de subir sa transformation réelle en traduction, un texte se présente au lecteur attentif comme multiple, instable et déjà modifié. Étant donné que les mots mêmes d’« original » et de « traduction » n’ont de sens que dans leur présupposition mutuelle, paradoxalement, la traduction peut être comprise comme l’opération par laquelle un texte est transformé en un texte original tout en rendant ses signes jusqu’ici absents-présents. Il crée ainsi une relation linguistique qui relie et sépare les deux textes. De ce point de vue, la traduction n’apparaît pas comme une tentative inévitablement infructueuse de reproduire fidèlement un texte, mais plutôt comme une forme d’écriture qui éloigne un texte de lui-même par la création d’une relation linguistique.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy among a high number of current mobile cycling power meters used by elite and recreational cyclists against a first principle-based mathematical model of treadmill cycling. 54 power meters from 9 manufacturers used by 32 cyclists were calibrated. While the cyclist coasted downhill on a motorised treadmill, a back-pulling system was adjusted to counter the downhill force. The system was then loaded 3 times with 4 different masses while the cyclist pedalled to keep his position. The mean deviation (trueness) to the model and coefficient of variation (precision) were analysed. The mean deviations of the power meters were –0.9±3.2% (mean±SD) with 6 power meters deviating by more than±5%. The coefficients of variation of the power meters were 1.2±0.9% (mean±SD), with Stages varying more than SRM (p<0.001) and PowerTap (p<0.001). In conclusion, current power meters used by elite and recreational cyclists vary considerably in their trueness; precision is generally high but differs between manufacturers. Calibrating and adjusting the trueness of every power meter against a first principle-based reference is advised for accurate measurements.

On rings in men’s artistic gymnastics, a high degree of relative maximum strength is crucial to present up to seven strength elements in the required quality in the routine. To increase this specific strength and strength endurance the coaches often prolong the holding times of those elements by using the devices counterweight and additional weight in training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictability of the maximum resistance (MR) (minimal counterweight/maximum additional weight) at five and seven seconds holding times based on the MR at three seconds of the elements Iron Cross (C), Support Scale (SS) and Swallow (S) and to provide coaches with a reliable conversion table that predicts the individual training weights at different holding times. Ten male gymnasts of the Swiss National Team performed a specific static MR-Test (three, five and seven seconds holding time) of the elements C, SS and S. The results showed a significant decrease in MR as holding time increased (t-Test: p < 0.001). The standard error of estimate (SEE) and explained variance (R2) revealed that the prediction of MR at five seconds (SEE 0.52 kg to 1.03 kg, R2 0.92 to 1.00) was more accurate than at seven seconds holding time (SEE 0.95 kg to 2.08 kg, R2 0.88 to 0.98). Based on the linear regression equations, a useful conversion table was established that predicts the MR at five and seven seconds holding time based on the three seconds MR at each of the tested elements.

Accurate measurements of soil stress are needed to evaluate the impact of traffic on soil properties and prevent soil compaction. Four types of transducer commonly used to measure vertical stress were calibrated in realistic traffic conditions in the field. The four transducer types differed in shape and dimensions, which are important factors influencing stress. Deviation of measured stress from true stress ranged from 15% underestimation to 18% overestimation, with transducer thickness to width ratio being the most important shape factor influencing the stress recorded. Changes in physical conditions in the soil above the transducers due to their installation did not influence the accuracy of vertical stress measurements. The results of this calibration are valid for correcting stress measurements in topsoil, but should be used with caution for vertical stress measurements in subsoil. All stress transducers should be calibrated in field conditions before use. More research is needed to characterise the stress distribution in the measuring face of transducers and better predict interactions between transducer and soil during loading.

Adhesive bonding is becoming more and more important for manufacturing structures or structural elements made from wood. For designing such structures, the performance of adhesives has to be evaluated under quasi-static and cyclic fatigue loading as well as under corresponding fracture loads. The performance of wood glued beams under quasi-static loading is fairly well understood, but their cyclic fracture behavior remains still largely unknown. There are indications from standard tensile shear tests with several types of adhesive that the performance ranking of adhesives under cyclic fatigue loading may differ compared with that observed in the same test under quasi-static loads. Hence, it is of interest whether this is also the case for quasi-static and cyclic fatigue mode II shear fracture. For the mode II shear fracture tests, adhesively bonded joints with wood adherends are prepared with two different adhesives, one a rather brittle (phenol resorcinol formaldehyde) system and one a rather ductile (one component polyurethane) system. These are then compared for their performance under quasi-static and cyclic fatigue mode II in-plane shear fracture loads. Those adhesives are presenting different failure mechanism, for the ductile adhesive the failure will propagate in the interface between wood and adhesive and for the brittle one the crack will mainly run in the wood. For the fracture tests a set-up with four-point end notched flexure specimens is being used, analogous to testing of adhesively bonded polymer composites joints and polymer composite laminates. Selected fracture tests were monitored by acoustic emission for assessing damage evolution due to the mode II in-plane shear fracture loads. The acoustic emission monitoring initially also contributed to identifying shortcomings of a first test set-up that was subsequently modified. The discussion will focus on the comparison between two different types of adhesive and between quasi-static and cyclic fatigue fracture loads.

This Workshop will be held by Jeannine Gmelin, a world class rower, and Daniel Birrer. Rowing is a sport, which demands a very tough training regimen with extremely high intensity and extensive duration to become internationally competitive. The WS presenters will share selected insights of their collaboration. Participants are asked to discuss and elaborate mindfulness and acceptance based intervention suggestions to deal with the presented challenges. Components of the WS will be contextual analysis, case presentations, role plays and open discussions.