Exceedance of design actions in epicentral areas: insights from the ShakeMap envelopes for the 2016–2017 central Italy sequence

ShakeMap is the tool to evaluate the ground motion effect of earthquakes in vast areas. It is useful to delimit the zones where the shaking is expected to have been most significant, for civil defense rapid response. From the earthquake engineering point of view, it can be used to infer the seismic actions on the built environment to calibrate vulnerability models or to define the reconstruction policies based on observed damage vs shaking. In the case of long-lasting seismic sequences, it can be useful to develop ShakeMap envelopes, that is, maps of the largest ground intensity among those from the ShakeMap of (selected) events of a seismic sequence, to delimit areas where the effects of the whole sequence have been of structural engineering relevance. This study introduces ShakeMap envelopes and discusses them for the central Italy 2016–2017 seismic sequence. The specific goals of the study are: (i) to compare the envelopes and the ShakeMap of the main events of the sequence to make the case for sequence-based maps; (ii) to quantify the exceedance of design seismic actions based on the envelopes; (iii) to make envelopes available for further studies and the reconstruction planning; (iv) to gather insights on the (repeated) exceedance of design seismic actions at some sites. Results, which include considerations of uncertainty in ShakeMap, show that the sequence caused exceedance of design hazard in thousands of square kilometers. The most relevant effects of the sequence are, as expected, due to the mainshock, yet seismic actions larger than those enforced by the code for structural design are found also around the epicenters of the smaller magnitude events. At some locations, the succession of ground-shaking that has excited structures, provides insights on structural damage accumulation that has likely taken place; something that is not accounted for explicitly in modern seismic design. The envelopes developed are available as supplemental material.

Characteristics of the temporal behavior of quantum Fisher information and entanglement between radiation field and two atoms under atomic motion effect

The influence of time dependence on the model which consists of two qubits interacting with a two-mode electromagnetic field of the parametric amplifier type is investigated. The analytical solution of the wave function is obtained. The quantum Fisher information, entanglement and population inversion for a time-dependent system are analyzed. The photon statistics of a single-mode are quantified by the evolution of the Mandel parameter. Our results showed that there exists a positive relationship between the time-dependent parameter and entanglement. In other words, the time-dependent parameter due to the degree of entanglement is increased. Also, the quantum quantifier is strongly affected by the time-dependent coupling parameter in the absence and presence of the detuning parameter. This enables new parameters to control the degree of entanglement and quantum Fisher information, especially in quantum communication.

The Paramaters of Visual Art Assessment as a Measurement Instrument for Learning Products of Art Painting, Sculpture, Ceramic and Batik

Assessing learning products of visual art was unlike evaluating other learning products. Due to its relation to visual outcomes, the first assessment required proper sensitiveness and measurable references. The research was intended to be the effort to acquire parameters of visual art assessment, especially of art painting, sculpture, ceramic, and batik assessments. The findings could be used as instruments in various visual art learning activities. Data were collected by distributing a list, interviewing the informants, and having Focus Group Discussion. The respondents were visual art lectures in the Faculty of Arts and Literature in one of the state universities in norther island of Sumatera, Indonesia. They were excellent at visual art and equipped with required sensitiveness. Besides, they also had relevant education with art painting, sculpture, ceramic, and batik. The findings, in the form of assessment parameters, were first, parameters of visual art assessment were form similarity, proportion, spatial depth, technique, composition, content, ambiance, brightness, color harmony, and texture. Secondly, parameters of non-figurative sculpture assessment were technique mastery, proportion, smoothness, expression, volume, space, and idea authenticity. Thirdly, parameters of figurative sculpture assessment were visual anatomy, proportion, motion effect, and drapery. Fourthly, parameters of ceramic assessment were technique mastery/finishing, innovation creativity, novelty, smoothness, expression, harmony, and need (market need). Last, parameters of batik assessment were technique, authenticity, modernity, color harmony, innovativeness, need finishing, and affordability.

Why Do Actions in Slow Motion Appear to Last Longer? On the Effect of Video Speed Information

When displayed in slow motion, actions are often perceived longer compared with original speed. However, it remains to be determined why this bias exists. Is it possible that the bias emerges because participants underestimate the factor by which a video was slowed down and hence arrive at erroneous conclusions about the original duration? If true, providing explicit information about the respective video speed should eliminate this slow motion effect. To scrutinize the nature of this bias, participants rated the original duration of sports actions displayed at original speed or slow motion. Results revealed the expected overestimation bias consisting in longer ratings with increasing slow motion. However, the bias disappeared when information about the current video speed was provided. The observations suggest an influence of knowledge about video playback speed on cognitive-evaluative processes which may hold important implications for future research and practice.