- Preprint Article
- 10.2139/ssrn.6182978
Civic Stewardship: Governing Democratic Influence in an Age of Permanent Crisis
- Jan 01, 2026
- SSRN Electronic Journal
- Roland Gerard Aranjo
Publications from 2021 to 2026
Showing 10 of 138 papers
Civic Stewardship: Governing Democratic Influence in an Age of Permanent Crisis
Maximising the value of digital content throughout its life cycle: A case study of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra
This paper examines how digital asset management (DAM) can maximise the value of digital content throughout its life cycle. It specifically highlights the LA Philharmonic Orchestra as a model of innovation in adapting its digital media strategy to meet the demands of a changing technological landscape and evolving audience expectations. Through interviews conducted at the orchestra, several key areas of interest emerged that deepen our understanding of how DAM facilitates digital initiatives. These areas include social media marketing, metadata management and remote working practices. The research finds that DAM is central to a complex media ecosystem that encompasses not only DAM technology and the systems with which it interacts but also the workflows, processes and individuals involved. While this paper concentrates on the specific context of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, the insights gained can be beneficial for classical music performing organisations more broadly, as well as other nonprofit cultural entities, such as museums and art institutions. This case study underscores the importance of understanding how cultural organisations adapt to the demands of modern audiences and the changing technological environment, highlighting the role of DAM in supporting this digital adaptation. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at http://hstalks/business.
Read moreNudging sustainable mobility: an empirical analysis based on the WeWard app
Environmental magnetism of late Holocene stalagmites from semi-arid karst in southern Australia
Whilst significant progress in speleothem environmental magnetism has been made in recent years, our knowledge of how magnetic proxies respond to Earth-system processes in arid/semi-arid environments is limited. In this study, we investigate calcite stalagmites that form under evaporative conditions near cave entrances in areas that receive low precipitation (∼250 mm/year). Such stalagmites have yet to be explored in environmental magnetism, and are typically avoided in paleoclimatology due to complications in their geochemistry. Proxies based on detrital inclusions, such as speleothem palynology, have, however, proven favorable in these conditions. Here we report the first combination of speleothem magnetism with published pollen and charcoal records from two stalagmites formed over the last ∼2400 years at Webbs Cave, located on the ∼230,000 km 2 Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia. Rock magnetic experiments were performed using anhysteretic and isothermal remnant magnetizations, hysteresis loops, and low-temperature remanence measurement to investigate the concentration, phases, and grain size of the magnetic mineral assemblage. Analysis of detrital particles and speleothem porosity was undertaken using x-ray microtomography. The magnetic mineralogy of both stalagmites is typical of stalagmites globally in being dominated by magnetite or maghemite with dominant grain size distributions in the superparamagnetic to single-domain range, which occurs alongside goethite and potentially hematite. Both the low and high coercivity fractions co-vary and are consistent with local soils, furthering the link between stalagmite magnetism and pedogenesis. However, rather than increasing with precipitation, we infer that magnetic particle concentrations can increase during drier climates, based on correlations to the stalagmite pollen records. This likely results from increased detritus in available drip waters, along with increased deposition of localized cave dust during (dry) periods of slow stalagmite growth. While the magnetic particles in near-entrance stalagmites may derive from multiple transport modes, their local soil provenience forms the main control on their magnetic properties. • First environmental magnetism study of stalagmites linked with pollen and charcoal. • The technique is applied to semi-arid environments in southern Australia. • Enhanced magnetizations in these stalagmites can occur in response to drier climates. • The stalagmite magnetic properties are closely linked with those of local soils. • Drip waters and dust likely transported magnetic particles to the stalagmites.
Read moreCarl Seeligs Robert Walser
Optimization of laser-induced printed colors for industrial applications
Laser-induced printing is an affordable, fast, and non-contact method for creating high-resolution images. Using plasmonic nanocomposite thin films, it enables the printing of color images with visual effects. However, the color gamut of these images is limited compared to inkjet printing. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize this gamut in order to print images that contain the widest range of colors and are closest to the original. There is currently no model to directly infer the color from the laser parameters used. Instead, a lookup table is required to associate these parameters with actual colors. Since colors vary depending on the type of sample used, it is essential to have a reliable method to quickly determine the laser parameters that produce the best colors. Two methods have been implemented to optimize the color gamut: a genetic algorithm approach to find colors that both increase both hue diversity and saturation, and a Bayesian approach to increase the size of the color gamut. Gamut mapping is then used to print the image, and the quality of the final printed image is assessed using metrics obtained from a psychophysical study.
Read morePhysical Modelling of Container Ship Propulsion and Comparison with Operational Data
Abstract International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a strategy to reduce at least 50% of GHG emissions from the global shipping sector by 2050, compared to 2008. Preparing for these requirements, a 4-year R&D project, TNTM (Digital Transformation of Maritime Transport) was initiated. As part of this project, the current work presents the physical models that compares their outputs with actual on-board measurements on a LNG powered containership. The main propulsive systems were modelled using SEECAT (Ship Energy Efficiency Calculation and Analysis Tool), an in-house tool developed by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore. A custom hull performance model was developed assuming the vessel’s static equilibrium under the different forces and moments. The later have been estimated through CFD and includes calm water resistance depending on drift & rudder angles as well as added resistance by wave and wind. A simulation has been performed for a complete rotation, which lasts about 3 months between Asia and Europe. The comparison of the numerical results and the data recorded at sea were carried out. A good agreement has been obtained, the root-mean-square error during the steady state of the engine power and the fuel consumption is 7.6% and 9.1% respectively.
Read moreThrust Reversal and Beyond: Examining the Crash Astern Maneuver and Advanced Braking Approaches for Ships
A multi-fidelity approach for the evaluation of extreme wave loads using nonlinear response-conditioned waves
In the present study, a multi-fidelity methodology based on response-conditioned waves (RCW) is demonstrated for the probabilistic assessment of wave-induced loads and responses of offshore structures. The methodology consists of two steps: (i) the RCW are determined using a surrogate response model and (ii) they are reproduced in an experimental or CFD-based numerical wave tank (NWT) to obtain the fully nonlinear response, as a high-fidelity evaluation. The main novelty of the proposed response-conditioning technique is that it uses a fully nonlinear wave solver that calculates the wave propagation inside an NWT. In this work, the extreme Vertical Bending Moment (VBM) of a zero-speed containership is investigated. It is found that the proposed approach provides nonlinear wave sequences that can be explicitly and exactly reproduced experimentally, up to very extreme sea states (Hs=17 m, Tp=15.5 s). Moreover, through comparison of the obtained results with an experimental Monte Carlo approach, it is shown that the overall framework can predict the short-term distribution of the VBM accurately and efficiently. Finally, given that model tests are costly and not widely accessible, the implementation of the high-fidelity response evaluation within a CFD-based NWT is also demonstrated and validated against the available experimental results.
Read moreAnnoyance of construction site noise: development of relevant indices
This project is part of a need to define one or more annoyance indicators for construction site noise, which is a major source of nuisance for local residents. For the moment, the control values are the LeqA level, which is not sufficient to characterise noise annoyance, particularly because of the variability of sources. A mobile application has been developed, enabling local residents to report any disturbing noise. At the same time, site monitoring by Bureau Veritas makes it possible to identify the exact source. Pending development of the application on one or more sites, a laboratory experiment focused on a very noisy machine: the Hydraulic Rock Breaker, which produces repeated impulse noises. Recordings of different configurations were made and modified in the frequency domain (attenuation of certain bands) and time domain (variation in the periodicity of pulses). 56 stimuli were used in an experiment in which 63 participants assessed the unpleasantness of each stimulus. The results of this experiment show that the percentile loudness N5 (computed according to ISO 532-1 standard) can be a reliable indicator of annoyance. These results will be verified with recordings from other machines used on construction sites.
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