Geostatistical approach for multi-scale seismic liquefaction risk assessment

The Seismic Microzonation studies (SMs), promoted all over the Italian territory by the Department of Civil Protection, provide fundamental knowledge of the subsoil response in seismic conditions at the urban scale. Amplification phenomena related to lithostratigraphic and morphological characteristics, instabilities and permanent deformations activated by the earthquake, are highlighted in hazard maps produced at increasing reliability levels (level 1 to 3 of SM). In particular, zones prone to liquefaction instability are firstly identified following the predisposing factors, such as geological and geotechnical characteristics and seismicity. The robustness of the definition of these areas is strongly correlated to the availability and the spatial distribution of surveys. Moreover, the typology and quality of the investigations considerably influence the method of analysis and the degree of uncertainty of the results.This work aims to establish an updated procedure of the actual SM guidelines and integrates recent research activities at different levels of SMs, to improve the hazard maps accuracy in terms of liquefaction susceptibility. For the scope, the case of the Calabria region in the south of Italy, well known for the high level of seismicity, was studied. At a regional scale, the base-level analysis was implemented for a preliminary assessment of the Attention Zones (AZ), potentially susceptible to liquefaction. The predisposing factors were implemented at a large scale, taking advantage of geostatistical tools to quantify uncertainties and filter inconsistent data. The regional-scale analysis allowed to highlight areas prone to liquefaction and effectively addressed the subsequent level of analysis. At a local scale, the quantitative evaluation of the liquefaction potential was assessed using simplified methods, integrating data from different survey types (CPT, SPT, Down-Hole, Cross-Hole, MASW) available in SM database. The definition of Susceptibility Zones (SZ) was provided considering additional indexes, combining the results obtained from different surveys typologies and quantifying the uncertainty due to the limited data availability with geostatistical methods. The analyses at the regional and municipality scale were matched with seismic liquefaction evidence, well documented in past seismic events. This multi-scale process optimises resource allocation to reduce the level of uncertainty for subsequent levels of analysis, providing useful information for land management and emergency planning.

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Seismogenic nodes as a viable alternative to seismogenic zones and observed seismicity for the definition of seismic hazard at regional scale

Vietnam Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.15625/0866-7187/41/4/14233 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 289-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paolo Rugarli ◽

Franco Vaccari ◽

Giuliano Panza

Keyword(s):

Seismic Hazard ◽

Safety Factor ◽

Seismic Moment ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Seismic Hazard Assessment ◽

Hazard Maps ◽

Earthquake Catalogues ◽

Definition Of ◽

Partial Factor ◽

Seismogenic Nodes

A fixed increment of magnitude is equivalent to multiply the seismic moment by a factor γEM related to the partial factor γq acting on the seismic moment representing the fault. A comparison is made between the hazard maps obtained with the Neo-Deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessment (NDSHA), using two different approaches: one based on the events magnitude, listed in parametric earthquake catalogues compiled for the study areas, with sources located within the seismogenic zones; the other uses the seismogenic nodes identified by means of pattern recognition techniques applied to morphostructural zonation (MSZ), and increases the reference magnitude by a constant amount tuned by the safety factor γEM.Using γEM=2.0, in most of the territory the two approaches produce totally independent, comparable hazard maps, based on the quite long Italian catalogue. This represents a validation of the seismogenic nodes method and a tuning of the safety factor γEM at about 2.

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Multi-scale characterizations of colon polyps via computed tomographic colonography

Visual Computing for Industry Biomedicine and Art ◽

10.1186/s42492-019-0032-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Weiguo Cao ◽

Marc J. Pomeroy ◽

Yongfeng Gao ◽

Matthew A. Barish ◽

Almas F. Abbasi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Area Under The Curve ◽

Texture Features ◽

Learning Model ◽

Colon Polyps ◽

Texture Descriptor ◽

Operating Characteristics ◽

Computed Tomographic ◽

Multi Scale ◽

Definition Of ◽

Occurrence Matrix

AbstractTexture features have played an essential role in the field of medical imaging for computer-aided diagnosis. The gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)-based texture descriptor has emerged to become one of the most successful feature sets for these applications. This study aims to increase the potential of these features by introducing multi-scale analysis into the construction of GLCM texture descriptor. In this study, we first introduce a new parameter - stride, to explore the definition of GLCM. Then we propose three multi-scaling GLCM models according to its three parameters, (1) learning model by multiple displacements, (2) learning model by multiple strides (LMS), and (3) learning model by multiple angles. These models increase the texture information by introducing more texture patterns and mitigate direction sparsity and dense sampling problems presented in the traditional Haralick model. To further analyze the three parameters, we test the three models by performing classification on a dataset of 63 large polyp masses obtained from computed tomography colonoscopy consisting of 32 adenocarcinomas and 31 benign adenomas. Finally, the proposed methods are compared to several typical GLCM-texture descriptors and one deep learning model. LMS obtains the highest performance and enhances the prediction power to 0.9450 with standard deviation 0.0285 by area under the curve of receiver operating characteristics score which is a significant improvement.

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A Novel GIS-Based Approach for Automated Detection of Nearshore Sandbar Morphological Characteristics in Optical Satellite Imagery

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13112233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 2233

Author(s):

Rasa Janušaitė ◽

Laurynas Jukna ◽

Darius Jarmalavičius ◽

Donatas Pupienis ◽

Gintautas Žilinskas

Keyword(s):

Satellite Imagery ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Unsupervised Classification ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Multi Scale ◽

Medium Resolution ◽

Wide Range ◽

Position Index ◽

Local Relief ◽

Length Width

Satellite remote sensing is a valuable tool for coastal management, enabling the possibility to repeatedly observe nearshore sandbars. However, a lack of methodological approaches for sandbar detection prevents the wider use of satellite data in sandbar studies. In this paper, a novel fully automated approach to extract nearshore sandbars in high–medium-resolution satellite imagery using a GIS-based algorithm is proposed. The method is composed of a multi-step workflow providing a wide range of data with morphological nearshore characteristics, which include nearshore local relief, extracted sandbars, their crests and shoreline. The proposed processing chain involves a combination of spectral indices, ISODATA unsupervised classification, multi-scale Relative Bathymetric Position Index (RBPI), criteria-based selection operations, spatial statistics and filtering. The algorithm has been tested with 145 dates of PlanetScope and RapidEye imagery using a case study of the complex multiple sandbar system on the Curonian Spit coast, Baltic Sea. The comparison of results against 4 years of in situ bathymetric surveys shows a strong agreement between measured and derived sandbar crest positions (R2 = 0.999 and 0.997) with an average RMSE of 5.8 and 7 m for PlanetScope and RapidEye sensors, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed approach implies its feasibility to study inter-annual and seasonal sandbar behaviour and short-term changes related to high-impact events. Algorithm-provided outputs enable the possibility to evaluate a range of sandbar characteristics such as distance from shoreline, length, width, count or shape at a relevant spatiotemporal scale. The design of the method determines its compatibility with most sandbar morphologies and suitability to other sandy nearshores. Tests of the described technique with Sentinel-2 MSI and Landsat-8 OLI data show that it can be applied to publicly available medium resolution satellite imagery of other sensors.

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Digital competences of the workforce – a research topic?

Business Process Management Journal ◽

10.1108/bpmj-06-2016-0126 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 721-734 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Matthias Murawski ◽

Markus Bick

Keyword(s):

Research Topic ◽

Future Research ◽

Digital Competence ◽

Content Type ◽

Research Activities ◽

Starting Point ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Individual ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose Considering working in the digital age, questions on the consequences for the individual workers are, so far, often neglected. The purpose of this paper is to deal with the question of whether the digital competences of the workforce is a research topic. The authors argue for the thesis that it is indeed a research topic. Design/methodology/approach In addition to a literature analysis of the top IS, HR, and learning publications, non-scientific sources, as well as the opinions of the authors, are included. The authors’ thesis is challenged through a debate of corresponding pros and cons. Findings The definition of digital competences lacks scientific depth. Focussing on the workforce is valid, as a “lifelong” perspective is not mandatory for research. Digital competence research is a multidisciplinary task to which the IS field can make a valuable contribution. Research limitations/implications Although relevant references are included, some aspects are mainly driven by the opinions of the authors. The theoretical implications encompass a call for a scientific definition of digital competences. Furthermore, scholars should focus on the competences of the workforce, including occupations, roles, or industries. The authors conclude by providing a first proposal of a research agenda. Practical implications The practical implications include the alignment of multiple stakeholders for the design of “digital” curricula and the integration by HR departments of the construct of digital competences, e.g. for compensation matters and job requirements. Originality/value This paper is one of very few contributions in the area of the digital competences of the workforce, and it presents a starting point for future research activities.

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Combining static and dynamic environmental factors at various scales to predict shallow landsliding in South Tyrol, Italy – The Proslide project

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-15606 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Robin Kohrs ◽

 Lotte de Vugt ◽

Thomas Zieher ◽

Alice Crespi ◽

Mattia Rossi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regional Scale ◽

Remote Sensing Data ◽

Predisposing Factors ◽

Physical Models ◽

Data Driven ◽

Catchment Scale ◽

Heterogeneous Model ◽

South Tyrol ◽

Daily Precipitation Data ◽

Spatio Temporal

Shallow landslides in alpine environments can constitute a serious threat to the exposed elements. The spatio-temporal occurrence of such slope movements is controlled by a combination of predisposing factors (e.g. topography), preparatory factors (e.g. wet periods, snow melting) and landslide triggers (e.g. heavy precipitation events). &#160;For large study areas, landslide assessments frequently focus either on the static predisposing factors to estimate landslide susceptibility using data-driven procedures, or exclusively on the triggering events to derive empirical rainfall thresholds. For smaller areas, dynamic physical models can reasonably be parameterized to simultaneously account for static and dynamic landslide controls. &#160;The recently accepted Proslide project aims to develop and test methods with the potential to improve the predictability of landslides for the Italian province of South Tyrol. It is envisaged to account for a variety of innovative input data at multiple spatio-temporal scales. In this context, we seek to exploit remote sensing data for the spatio-temporal description of landslide controlling factors (e.g. precipitation RADAR; satellite soil moisture) and to develop models that allow an integration of heterogeneous model inputs using both, data-driven approaches (regional scale) and physically-based models (catchment scale). This contribution presents the core ideas and methodical framework behind the Proslide project and its very first results (e.g. relationships between landslide observations and gridded daily precipitation data at regional scale).&#160;

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Neomisticius platypi n. sp. and N. variabilis n. sp. (Tylenchomorpha: Anguinidae) from dead oak trees in Japan

Nematology ◽

10.1163/15685411-bja10135 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Natsumi Kanzaki ◽

Hayato Masuya ◽

Keiko Hamaguchi

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Vas Deferens ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Platypus Quercivorus ◽

Oak Trees ◽

Two New Species ◽

Previous Definition ◽

Rectal Glands ◽

Stylet Length ◽

Definition Of

Summary Two new Neomisticius species, typologically and phylogenetically close to each other, are described and illustrated from dead Quercus trees and an ambrosia beetle, Platypus quercivorus. The two species share some stylet morphological characteristics, namely, they both possess a long conus occupying more than half of the total stylet length, a long crustaformeria composed of more than 160 cells (eight rows of more than 20 cells each), and a short and broad female tail with a digitate tip. They are distinguished from each other by N. variabilis n. sp. having a wide, spindle-shaped male bursa with a blunt terminus and N. platypi n. sp. having an oval bursa with a rounded terminus. In addition, the males and females of both species have three large rectal glands and the posterior end of the male testis (distal end of the vas deferens) bears three cells that seemingly function as a valve between the vas deferens and the cloacal tube. These characteristics have not been reported in other tylenchids. Currently, the genus contains only three species: the two new species and N. rhizomorphoides, which has a normal stylet with a short conus, a short crustaformeria, and lacks rectal glands and valve cells in the vas deferens. Therefore, the two new species are readily distinguished from N. rhizomorphoides and, based on the previous definition, may even represent a new genus. However, considering their phylogenetic closeness and biological similarities (e.g., association with ambrosia beetles), the generic definition of Neomisticius was emended to include these new species.

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Curvature-Based Equation of State for Microemulsion-Phase Behavior

SPE Journal ◽

10.2118/194022-pa ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (02) ◽

pp. 647-659 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V. A. Torrealba ◽

R. T. Johns ◽

H.. Hoteit

Keyword(s):

Equation Of State ◽

Phase Behavior ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Data Availability ◽

Behavior Modeling ◽

Average Curvature ◽

Wide Range ◽

Definition Of ◽

Spheroidal Geometry

Summary An accurate description of the microemulsion-phase behavior is critical for many industrial applications, including surfactant flooding in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Recent phase-behavior models have assumed constant-shaped micelles, typically spherical, using net-average curvature (NAC), which is not consistent with scattering and microscopy experiments that suggest changes in shapes of the continuous and discontinuous domains. On the basis of the strong evidence of varying micellar shape, principal micellar curves were used recently to model interfacial tensions (IFTs). Huh's scaling equation (Huh 1979) also was coupled to this IFT model to generate phase-behavior estimates, but without accounting for the micellar shape. In this paper, we present a novel microemulsion-phase-behavior equation of state (EoS) that accounts for changing micellar curvatures under the assumption of a general-prolate spheroidal geometry, instead of through Huh's equation. This new EoS improves phase-behavior-modeling capabilities and eliminates the use of NAC in favor of a more-physical definition of characteristic length. Our new EoS can be used to fit and predict microemulsion-phase behavior irrespective of IFT-data availability. For the cases considered, the new EoS agrees well with experimental data for scans in both salinity and composition. The model also predicts phase-behavior data for a wide range of temperature and pressure, and it is validated against dynamic scattering experiments to show the physical significance of the approach.

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Strengthening the SSTC NRS Scientific and Technical Potential through Participation in the IAEA Coordinated Research Projects

Nuclear and Radiation Safety ◽

10.32918/nrs.2021.1(89).01 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 5-13

Author(s):

Yu. Balashevska ◽

D. Gumenyuk ◽

Iu. Ovdiienko ◽

O. Pecherytsia ◽

I. Shevchenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Safety Assessment ◽

Radiation Safety ◽

Research Projects ◽

Spent Fuel ◽

Research Activities ◽

Technical Potential ◽

Technical Issues ◽

Fuel Characterization ◽

Definition Of

The State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SSTC NRS), a Ukrainian enterprise with a 29-year experience in the area of scientific and technical support to the national nuclear regulator (SNRIU), has been actively involved in international research activities. Participation in the IAEA coordinated research activities is among the SSTC NRS priorities. In the period of 2018–2020, the IAEA accepted four SSTC NRS proposals for participation in respective Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs). These CRPs address scientific and technical issues in different areas such as: 1) performance of probabilistic safety assessment for multi-unit/multi-reactor sites; 2) use of dose projection tools to ensure preparedness and response to nuclear and radiological emergencies; 3) phenomena related to in-vessel melt retention; 4) spent fuel characterization. This article presents a brief overview of the abovementioned projects with definition of scientific contributions by the SSTC NRS (participation in benchmarks, development of methodological documents on implementing research stages and of IAEA technical documents (TECDOC) for demonstration of best practices and results of research carried out by international teams).

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Secondary Immunodeficiency Related to Kidney Disease (SIDKD) - Definition, Unmet Need and Mechanisms

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology ◽

10.1681/asn.2021091257 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. ASN.2021091257

Author(s):

Stefanie Steiger ◽

Jan Rossaint ◽

Alexander Zarbock ◽

Hans-Joachim Anders

Keyword(s):

Kidney Disease ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Host Defense ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Secondary Immunodeficiency ◽

Research Activities ◽

Medical Need ◽

Rigorous Research ◽

Serious Infections ◽

Definition Of

Kidney disease is a known risk factor for poor outcome of COVID-19 and many other serious infections. Vice versa, infection ranks second as cause of death in patients with kidney disease. However, little is known about the underlying secondary immunodeficiency related to kidney disease (SIDKD). In contrast to cardiovascular disease related to kidney disease, which has triggered countless epidemiological, clinical, and experimental research activities or interventional trials, investments in tracing, understanding, and therapeutically targeting SIDKD have been sparse. As a call for more awareness of SIDKD as an immanent unmet medical need that requires rigorous research activities at all levels, too, we review the epidemiology of SIDKD and the numerous aspects of the abnormal immunophenotype of patients with kidney disease. We propose a definition of SIDKD and discuss the pathogenic mechanisms of SIDKD known so far, including more recent insights into the unexpected immunoregulatory roles of elevated levels of FGF23 and hyperuricemia as well as shifts in the secretome of the intestinal microbiota in kidney disease. As an ultimate goal, we should aim to develop therapeutics that can reduce mortality due to infections in patients with kidney disease by normalizing host defense to pathogens and immune responses to vaccines.

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Multi-scale influence of topography on shallow-marine successions associated with long-term transgressions

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-16005 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Miquel Poyatos-Moré ◽

Ernesto Schwarz ◽

Salvador Boya ◽

Luz Elena Gomis-Cartesio ◽

Ivar Midtkandal

Keyword(s):

Regional Scale ◽

Coarse Grained ◽

Continuous Exposure ◽

Entire Study ◽

Shallow Marine ◽

Sedimentary Characteristics ◽

Multi Scale ◽

Depositional Processes ◽

Mouth Bars

Thick shallow-marine successions associated with long-term transgressions are less well known than their thin, well-sorted counterparts, widely studied due to their potential to form good reservoirs. In these successions, particularly in storm-dominated examples, bioturbation can obliterate primary sedimentary characteristics, making stacking patterns and sequences difficult to define, and challenging our understanding of the main controls in their resulting depositional architecture. This study presents an example from the Jurassic of the Neuqu&#233;n Basin (Argentina), with the aim to: a) refine the depositional model of a thick, shallow-marine succession associated with a long-term, early post-rift transgression, b) constrain multi-scale controls on stratigraphic architecture and lateral facies variability, and c) discuss their preservation and response to post-depositional processes. To do this, a <300 m-thick succession has been studied along a >10 km continuous exposure, with mapping, sedimentary logging and correlation of stratigraphic units, integrated with subsurface, biostratigraphic and ichnological data. The succession shows an overall retrogradational-aggradational-retrogradational stacking pattern, with several higher frequency regressive units (parasequences and parasequence sets, PSS). The lower part (PSS I) comprises laterally-discontinuous (10's of m) mouth-bars and distributary channel fills, dominated by several m-thick coarsening- and fining-up sandstone packages and m-scale erosive conglomeratic lenses. Above these, the succession (PSS II-IV) is composed by laterally-continuous (>100's of m) storm-dominated lower-shoreface to upper-offshore deposits, dominated by <1m-thick fine-grained and highly bioturbated tabular muddy sandstones and sandy mudstones, with rarely-preserved HCS and bioclastic-rich limestones; their internal characteristics and bed boundaries are diffuse due to pervasive bioturbation, suggesting overall low sedimentation rates and recurrent periods of colonization. The coarse-grained nature and lithology of the mouth bars and channel fills in the lower succession (PSS I) are consistent with a proximal sediment source, associated with erosion of intra-basinal highs. Its variable thickness, lateral distribution and onlap against underlying syn-rift deposits demonstrates partial infill of localized higher-accommodation areas. The well-sorted and finer-grained nature of the shoreface-offshore strata the middle and upper succession (PSS II-IV) indicates a more mature, distal source, with sediment redistributed by longshore currents, and then intensely bioturbated. These deposits display well-defined parasequences internally composed of laterally-continuous bedsets (<5 m-thick). They extend along the entire study area, but show a significant vertical thickness variability. The integration of outcrop and subsurface data mapping (well and seismic) reveals this variability records the stratigraphic response of transgression over a complex, regional-scale ramp-step and underfilled rift topography, which controlled the location of main thickness and facies changes, and promoted areas of favored biogenic reworking. This study offers new insights in how to interpret thick transgressive successions based on primary depositional mechanisms and postdepositional processes, and provides useful tools to understand and predict the nature and potential preservation of these deposits in limited subsurface datasets.

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