A fragility analysis methodology is developed for assessing the response of light-frame wood construction exposed to stipulated extreme windstorms and earthquakes. Performance goals and limit states (structural and nonstructural) are identified from a review of the performance of residential construction during recent hurricanes and earthquakes in the United States. Advanced numerical modeling ...

In the last five years several synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of hurricanes have been acquired by the Canadian satellite RADARSAT-1 as well as the European satellite ENVISAT. Several of these SAR images have captured hurricanes of category 4 and 5. These SAR data give the unique opportunity to investigate the possibilities of SAR data for observation and forecast of hurricanes. In this s...

The relationship between microbial communities, salinity, soil depth, and time was evaluated using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) collected from coastal wetlands in Louisiana post hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The three marsh types studied included freshwater and intermediate marshes from the Jean Lafitte Preserve as well as two brackish marsh sites from the Caernarvon Basin. The Caernarvon Bas...

AIM To assess impacts of different weather conditions on hospitalizations of patients with ischemic strokes and subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) in South Florida. METHODS Diagnostic data of patients with spontaneous SAH and strokes were recorded between June 2010 and July 2013. Daily synchronous forecast charts were collected from the National Weather Service and the whole data were matched pro...

Artificial reefs are often discouraged in shallow waters over concerns of storm damage to structures and surrounding habitat. Biorock coral reef restoration projects were initiated in waters around 5 m deep in Grand Turk, at Oasis (October 2006) and at Governor's Beach (November 2007). Hemi-cylindrical steel modules, 6m long were used, four modules at Oasis and six at Governor's Beach. Each pro...