Around 90 % of the world's earthquakes occur at the Pacific Ring of Fire exposing the countries in this region to high risk of earthquake hazards. We model fluctuations of the different seismic magnitudes, interevent distances, and seismic depths as a function of earthquake occurrence from catalogs of Chile, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, and Southern California as a stochastic process with memory. We show that these fluctuations are governed by a single memory function that is described by a memory parameter μ and a decay parameter β. The values of μ exhibit an underlying characteristic memory behavior of seismic activities common to all the countries considered, while the values of β suggest a regional dependence which could be a manifestation of different seismic dynamics in various regions. This new perspective may provide a more versatile approach in studying the independent datasets that may be extracted from various earthquake catalogs.
Abstract In this work, we model the fluctuations in daily sunspot numbers, denoted by X(t), as a modulated Brownian motion using a white noise analysis framework. We analyze data from the past 15 solar cycles with a complete record (Solar Cycles 10 to 24) and characterize the deviations in X(t) over timescales from 1 to ∼ 2000 days. We demonstrate that the observations can be adequately matched by a white noise model with 3 parameters: an amplitude parameter N, a decay parameter β, and a memory parameter μ. By matching the model with the observed time series from individual solar cycles, we are able to characterize the properties of each as well as potentially detect evolution in the stochastic component of the sunspot time series over the last ∼100 years. The approach followed here can also be readily applied to other indices of solar activity.
The impact of climate change on biodiversity needs to be understood from a multidisciplinary approach. Using an analytical framework, we investigate the species response to rising temperatures. Common traits and characteristics among species that allow classification at different taxonomic levels imply an underlying symmetry that gives rise to invariances behind the biodiversity observed in nature. Changing temperatures that go beyond a critical limit break this underlying symmetry which could lead to enhanced speciation.
Challenges remain formidable in the delivery of quality education for the general population, in the humanities and social sciences, and in particular, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEMScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)).The CVIFCentral Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF) Dynamic Learning ProgramDynamic Learning Program approach builds on strong fundamentals in scientific principles and the language of mathematics and computer science to facilitate the climb through the educational ladder from elementary school, to junior and senior high school, to college and university, with adaptability for unexpected exit at different steps of the ladder. It primarily focuses on developing the learner’s biological and intellective disposition for sustained engagement such that learner performance is much less dependent on teacher and peer personalities, as well as national and foreign policies. Strategizing on and operationalization of the vision of a good school inside the classroom is very important. Many CVIFCentral Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF) graduates went on to have exemplary performance in college and some students were able to get scholarships in prestigious schools abroad.
Marine specimens exhibit diversity in structure as an offshoot of their survival and ecological role in marine communities. The shell structure of gastropods, for example, is so diverse that taxonomic classification could hardly catch up with the myriad specimens many of which remain unidentified, nameless, or worse, unrecorded as large numbers become extinct. As a step towards alleviating the lack of comprehensive marine life assessment, we discuss initial studies conducted in Jagna Bay in the northern part of Bohol Sea to determine the level of biodiversity in this locale. The methods of collecting specimens and their identification are discussed as exemplified by a specimen belonging to the genus Cycloscala. Data collected for specimens whose sizes range from around 1 mm to 250 mm helps establish baseline indicators that could determine ecological balance in this area for monitoring longitudinal effects of climate and human intervention. Given the remarkable marine biodiversity, the perennial challenge is to uncover and learn from the biological structure and functions of many marine specimens for possible applications in different emerging technologies. We illustrate this by citing recent examples where our understanding of marine life inspires innovations for tomorrow's technology.
