Phase Velocity Dispersion Research Articles

3-D shallow shear velocity structure of the Jakarta Basin from transdimensional ambient noise tomography.

Situated on the northern coast of the Indonesian island of Java, Jakarta and its metropolitan area (Greater Jakarta) are subject to significant earthquake hazards from a subduction zone south of Java and nearby active crustal faults. The seismic risk may be even higher because Greater Jakarta resides on a sedimentary basin filled with thick Pliocene-Pleistocene sediments. A comprehensive study of Jakarta Basin's properties and geometry is important for creating robust seismic hazard and risk assessments. The main objective of this study is to develop a 3-D model of Jakarta Basin's shallow shear-wave velocity (VS ) structure and improve on previous models that did not cover the basin edge due to the extent of data coverage. Between April and October 2018, we deployed a new temporary seismic network to extend the spatial coverage beyond that of a previous deployment in 2013, and sampled 143 locations through sequential deployments of 30 broad-band sensors covering Jakarta and its adjacent areas. We conducted a 2-stage transdimensional Bayesian inversion of Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion curves derived from seismic noise. To begin, we applied tomography and constructed 2-D phase velocity maps for periods 1-5s. Then, at each point in a regular grid defined on these maps, we invert each dispersion curve into 1-D depth profiles of VS . Finally, these profiles at gridpoints with ∼2km spacing are interpolated to form a pseudo-3-D VS model. Our results reveal the edge of the Pliocene-Pleistocene sediments along the south. Also, we resolve a basement offset across south Jakarta that we suggest may be related to the western extension of the Baribis Fault (alternatively, the West Java Backarc Thrust). We recommend using this 3-D model of the Jakarta Basin for scenario earthquake ground motion simulations. Such simulations would help establish how important it might be to re-assess seismic hazard and risk in Greater Jakarta so that basin resonance and amplification are considered.

Crust–Uppermost Mantle Structure beneath the Caribbean Region from Seismic Ambient Noise Tomography

ABSTRACT We present a new 3D shear velocity model for the crust–uppermost mantle structure beneath the Caribbean region from the surface down to 150 km depth. Our velocity model was derived from joint inversion of group and phase velocity dispersion data obtained from ambient noise and earthquake data. The group and phase dispersion curves estimated from ambient noise were calculated from cross correlation using up to 4 yr of continuous data. Perturbations in group and phase surfaces-wave velocities within a resolution of 1° × 1° show the relevant geotectonic units in the Caribbean plate. Plate boundaries, ocean basins, rises, rifts, and microplates are well defined by shear-wave velocity impedances. The 3D shear-wave velocity inversion along profiles shows the thickening of the crust from the ocean to continental margins. We present a new Moho interface map with depths undulating between 11 and 17 km beneath most parts of the sea and 25–45 km below the continental areas. Low-velocity zones were found in the uppermost mantle indicating a highly laterally heterogeneous area.

Surface-wave dispersion curves extraction method from ambient noise based on U-net++ and density clustering algorithm

It is crucial to accurately and rapidly extract dispersion curves of surface waves from ambient noise recordings for inverting the subsurface shear (S) wave velocity structures. Conventional manual picking methods are labor-intensive and affected by subjective factors related to seismologists. The existing deep learning methods can automatically and efficiently extract dispersion curves from dispersion spectrograms with a single branch. However, extracting dispersion curves from phase-velocity dispersion spectrograms with multiple branches remains challenging due to complex label-making processes and extensive label-preparation times. Notably, phase velocities typically display a positive correlation with periods and are slightly higher than group velocities. Given the significance of this empirical relationship, we present an intelligent surface-wave dispersion curves extraction method based on U-net++ and density clustering algorithm. Initially, guided by domain knowledge that dispersion curves are smooth, a global searching method is employed to automatically label group-velocity dispersion curves from group-velocity dispersion spectrograms. Subsequently, the group-velocity dispersion curves undergo transformation into probability images of the curves using a Gaussian function. The U-net++ then nonlinearly converts group-velocity dispersion spectrograms into probability images of group-velocity dispersion curves within a high-dimensional space. Following this, the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm is applied to obtain multi-mode phase-velocity dispersion curves from phase-velocity dispersion spectrograms. We then remove invalid dispersion values in the multi-mode phase-velocity dispersion curves based on the empirical relationship between phase and group velocities, ultimately obtaining the phase-velocity dispersion curve corresponding to the group-velocity dispersion curve. Our proposed method has been tested using synthetic data and 3D real-world data collected near Lake Chao in Anhui Province. The test results show that our approach effectively extracts both group-velocity and phase-velocity dispersion curves. Inverted S-wave velocity structures based on extracted dispersion curves in real-world data can characterize the Tan-Lu fault zone, demonstrating the effectiveness of our proposed method.

Multi-objective particle swarm optimization for multimode surface wave analysis

Obtaining S-wave velocity profiles by inverting Rayleigh wave dispersion curves is crucial for the Rayleigh wave exploration method. Rayleigh wave inversion is a highly nonlinear and multi-extremum problem; therefore, global optimization algorithms are superior to local optimization methods for this inversion problem. Higher modes of dispersion curves have deeper penetration, which can improve the inversion quality. This study utilizes the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm, rather than a traditional single-objective optimization algorithm, to obtain S-velocity profiles from Rayleigh wave multimode phase velocity dispersion curves. The uncertainty of the inversion parameters is evaluated through the morphology of the Pareto front and the standard deviation of the Pareto optimal solution set. This is the first application of MOPSO in solving the multimode Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion curves joint inversion problem. It inverts three synthetic datasets, compares the inversion results with the synthetic data, and then conducts a comparative analysis with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and the multi-objective grey wolf optimization (MOGWO) algorithm in one of these synthetic models to evaluate the accuracy and stability of MOPSO to the joint inversion. In addition, this research inverts observed data from an expressway roadbed in Henan, China, to examine the applicability of MOPSO for the joint inversion of multimode dispersion curves. The MOPSO inversion closely yields S-wave velocity profiles that match the borehole data. The synthetic and observed data inversion results indicated that the MOPSO algorithm accurately inverts multimode dispersion curves.

A deep-learning-based approach for seismic surface-wave dispersion inversion (SfNet) with application to the Chinese mainland

Surface-wave tomography is an important and widely used method for imaging the crust and upper mantle velocity structure of the Earth. In this study, we proposed a deep learning (DL) method based on convolutional neural network (CNN), named SfNet, to derive the vS model from the Rayleigh wave phase and group velocity dispersion curves. Training a network model usually requires large amount of training datasets, which is labor-intensive and expensive to acquire. Here we relied on synthetics generated automatically from various spline-based vS models instead of directly using the existing vS models of an area to build the training dataset, which enhances the generalization of the DL method. In addition, we used a random sampling strategy of the dispersion periods in the training dataset, which alleviates the problem that the real data used must be sampled strictly according to the periods of training dataset. Tests using synthetic data demonstrate that the proposed method is much faster, and the results for the vS model are more accurate and robust than those of conventional methods. We applied our method to a dataset for the Chinese mainland and obtained a new reference velocity model of the Chinese continent (ChinaVs-DL1.0), which has smaller dispersion misfits than those from the traditional method. The high accuracy and efficiency of our DL approach makes it an important method for vS model inversions from large amounts of surface-wave dispersion data.

Two Unconnected Low-Velocity Zones in the Eastern Boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan Block Revealed with High-Resolution Ambient Noise Tomography

The Anninghe-Zemuhe-Xiaojiang fault zone (AZXFZ) is an important boundary fault zone on the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, with frequent strong earthquakes. Previous studies have imaged widespread low-velocity zones in this area. However, there are still many disputes on the connectivity and genesis of the low-velocity zones. In this study, we obtain the Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion curves at 4–25-s periods using observations from 378 broadband stations located near the AZXFZ. The new 3D S-wave velocity model has a lateral resolution of about 30 km in 0–35-km depth and is obtained by direct inversion of surface wave dispersion data. The new results clearly image two low-velocity zones and a high-velocity zone in the middle crust of the study region. The low-velocity zone on the western side of the Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault is related to the eastward flow of crustal material and the movement of the left lateral strike-slip faults in the Tibetan Plateau, while the low-velocity anomaly distributed along the Daliangshan fault and Xiaojiang fault is the superimposition effect of shear heating of the faults and upwelling of mantle material. The uplift of Gongga Shan is a combination of the continuous accumulation of crustal material in the middle and lower crust of the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau as well as the bending and compression of the Sichuan-Yunnan Block and the Xianshuihe-Anninghe fault zone.

Defining the Yangtze–Cathaysia suture zone in South China using ambient noise tomography

SUMMARYThe South China Craton formed after collision between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks. The suture zone between these two blocks is the crux of understanding the geological evolution of South China. Due to the relative paucity of high-resolution subsurface data, the location of the suture zone in the southwestern region remains uncertain. To find the suture zone, we created a high-resolution model of the crust and upper mantle structure using 27 months of continuous waveform data acquired from 457 stations in South China. The model uses extracted phase velocity dispersion curves of Rayleigh waves at 4–40 s from ambient noise cross-correlation functions, to perform a direct inversion for an azimuthal anisotropic VSV model. In the crust a prominent belt of strong azimuthal anisotropy exists between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks. The fast polarization axes in this belt correspond to the NE-trending orogen between the two blocks. In the deeper crust of the Cathaysia Block we image multiple areas of diffuse low-velocity anomalies. As defined by the margins of the strongly anisotropic belt, the Yangtze–Cathaysia suture zone is delineated by lines that traverse: Shaoxing–Jiangshan–Pingxiang–Longsheng–Hechi and Shitai–Jiujiang–Yueyang–Dayong–Jishou. Further analysis of the seismic data links deep low velocities with widespread Late Mesozoic magmatism in the Cathaysia Block. The deep low velocities are likely a result of dehydration of the subducting Pacific Plate causing mantle upwelling and underplating.

Measurement of temperature dependent shear modulus using frequency dependent SAWs ToF delay in laser-induced temperature gradient

Phase velocity of surface acoustic waves(SAWs) is frequency dependent when propagate on medium with inhomogeneous elasticity over depth. In this work, frequency dependent Time-of-Flight (ToF) variation of SAWs induced by a local and dynamic heating was applied for measurement of temperature dependent shear modulus. Laser-generated broad-band SAWs propagated through the material with elastic properties and density modified by dynamic inhomogeneous temperature field induced by a millisecond laser heating. Sample with spatial dependent material properties introduces phase velocity dispersion in the SAW propagation. As consequence, ToF of SAW becomes frequency dependent. Frequency dependent ToF variation curves at two time instants respected to laser heating were measured by time–frequency analysis together with a differential technique. Free fitted parameters, temperature dependent shear modulus and surface temperature distribution were evaluated by solving the inverse problem by fitting the experimental ToF variation curves into the theoretical ones by means of the differential evolution method. The inversed temperature dependent parameter of shear modulus of Ti–6Al–4V alloy was in good agreement with literature value.

3-D azimuthal anisotropy structure reveals different deformation modes of the crust and upper mantle in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau

The tectonic evolution and deformation process of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau has been one of the focuses of the geoscience community in recent decades. However, the crustal and mantle deformation mechanism in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau is still under debate. Seismic anisotropy inferred from surface wave tomography could provide critical insights into the deformation mechanism of the Earth’s tectonosphere. Here, we constructed a 3-D azimuthal anisotropy velocity model with Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion data from 132 permanent stations to analyze the deformation modes in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. In the upper crust, the azimuthal anisotropy near the main strike-slip faults exhibits strong magnitude with fast axis subparallel to the fault strike, which is consistent with the rigid block extrusion pattern. In the mid-lower crust, two low-velocity anomalies appeared beneath the Sonpan-Ganzi Terrane and Xiaojiang Fault zone with strong azimuthal anisotropy, which may indicate ductile deformation of the weak mid-lower crust. However, the two low-velocity anomalies are separated by a high-velocity barrier with weak azimuthal anisotropy in the inner zone of the Emeishan large igneous province. In the upper mantle, the anisotropy pattern is relatively simple in the rigid Yangtze Craton and mainly represents fossil anisotropy. In the southern part, the lithosphere thinned beneath the Indochina and Cathaysia Blocks, and the anisotropy is plausibly caused by the upwelling and lateral flows of upwelling hot asthenospheric materials.

Dispersive landslide

Considering the non-hydrostatic mass flow model (Pudasaini, 2022 [1]), here, I derive a novel dispersive wave equation for landslide. The new dispersive wave for landslide recovers the classical dispersive water waves as a special case. I show that the frequency dispersion relation for landslide is inherently different than the classical frequency dispersion for water waves. The wave frequency with dispersion increases non-linearly as a function of the wave number. For dispersive landslide, the wave frequency without dispersion appears to heavily overestimate the dispersive wave frequency for higher wave number. Due to the dispersion term emerging from the non-hydrostatic contribution for landslide, the phase velocity becomes a function of the wave number. This gives rise to the group velocity that is significantly different from the phase velocity, characterizing the dispersive mass flow. The dispersive phase velocity and group velocity decrease non-linearly with the wave number. Yet, the group velocity is substantially lower than the phase velocity. I analytically derive a dispersion number as the ratio between the phase velocity and the group velocity, which measures the deviation of the group velocity from the phase velocity, provides a dynamic scaling between them and summarizes the overall effect of dispersion in the mass flow. The dispersion number for landslide increases rapidly with the wave number, which is in contrast to the dispersion in water waves. With the definition of the effective dispersive lateral stress, I prove the existence of an anti-restoring force in landslide. I reveal the fact that due to the anti-restoring force, landslides are more dispersive than the piano strings. So, the wave dispersion in landslide is fundamentally different than the wave dispersion in the piano string. My model constitutes a foundation for the wave phenomenon in dispersive mass flows.

Tensile fracture test of nanocomposite ceramics under ultrasonic vibration based on nonlocal theory

Based on non-local theory, the dispersion characteristics of ultrasonic vibration in Specimen tension are analyzed, and the effects of ultrasonic frequency and amplitude on the wave dispersion are obtained through theoretical analysis. Tensile tests were carried out using an ultrasonic vibration system and specimens, and the test process as well as test parts were observed and analyzed. The influence of the ultrasonic vibration on fracture properties and the change of grain micro-organization under different loading conditions were verified by experiments. The introduction of ultrasonic vibration changes the internal stress of the ceramic fracture, affects the hardness of the workpiece, and also leads to the scattering of particles, which leads to the aggravation of ultrasonic attenuation and phase velocity dispersion. SEM and XRD analyses showed that with the increase in ultrasonic frequency and amplitude，the trans -granular fracture was more obvious, the micro-cracks and dimples increased, and micro-pores increased in size and number. The tensile stress produced by ultrasonic vibration will induce the transformation from T-phase ZrO2 particles to M-phase ZrO2 particles and absorb strain, which greatly improves the plastic mechanical properties of nanocomposite ceramics. Due to the inherent phase transformation toughening mechanism, the material improves the plastic mechanical properties under the ultrasound excitation, and it is easier to achieve ductile domain processing.

FAST AND SLOW MHD WAVES IN THERMALLY ACTIVE PLASMA SLAB

We considered the combined influence of the thermal activity and the magnetic structuring on properties of the compressional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves. To model MHD waves we use the single magnetic slab geometry. To derive dispersion equations for the symmetric (sausage) and anti-symmetric (kink) waves, we apply the assumption of strong magnetic structuring. In our calculations we use parameters corresponding to the highly magnetized coronal loop. The thermal activity leads to the changes in the phase velocity and in the wave increment/decrement. We show that the spatial scales where the dispersion effects caused by the thermal activity is most pronounced are longer than the geometry dispersion spatial scale. The thermal activity and wave-guide geometry have comparable effect on the slow-waves phase velocity dispersion. However, the main source of the phase velocity dispersion for the fast MHD waves remains the wave-guide geometry. We also show that the damping of slow MHD waves caused by the thermal activity is greater than the damping of fast MHD waves.

Spatial autocorrelation method for simple microtremor array survey at rock/stiff-soil sites

SUMMARYIt is shown that the phase velocities of Rayleigh waves can be identified with a very simple microtremor array even at a rock or stiff-soil site. The main problem at rock/stiff-soil sites is the low signal-to-noise ratio, which is addressed in this study by applying a zero-crossing method, which is one form of a technique called spatial autocorrelation (SPAC). This method uses zero-crossing frequencies of the SPAC-coefficient spectrum to identify the phase velocities, modelled by the zeroth-order Bessel function of the first kind. A simple array, such as a linear array, can cause biases called directional aliasing, depending on the wavefield directionality. A systematic, theoretical examination of directional aliasing was made in this study to determine a practical shape for microtremor arrays, as well as to develop an improved scheme for reading the zero-crossing points of a SPAC coefficient curve. It is shown that, for an L-shaped array consisting of two independent linear arrays, the SPAC-coefficient curve can include biases in the frequency range immediately higher than the first zero-crossing point. In this study, based on these results, later zero-crossing points were not read depending on the indicator of possible biases, or the amplitude of the SPAC-coefficient curve immediately after the zero-crossing point. This systematic study also reveals that, for L-shaped arrays, although the first zero-crossing point is sometimes obscured (e.g. it appears to just touch the zero line rather than cross it), the biases of directional aliasing decrease as the intersection angle of the two linear arrays approaches a right angle. Therefore, an L-shaped array with a right angle is selected in this study as the simplest practical array, and a criterion for reading the first zero-crossing point is devised. It is shown that obscured zero-crossing points can be appropriately read, in general, by checking the systematic change in the zero-crossing frequency with array radius. Once the first zero-crossing point is thus appropriately read, we can identify accurate phase velocities. To test the feasibility of these theoretical findings, microtremor array data were acquired at 15 sites in the northern Kanto region, Japan, with an average S-wave velocity to a depth of 30 m (Vs30) based on velocity log data ranging from 182 to 1433 m s−1 (i.e. 14 sites with rock/stiff-soil and a site with relatively soft soil). The microtremor arrays were L-shaped, consisting of two independent linear arrays with lengths of 24 m. Each linear array consisted of seven unequally spaced 4.5-Hz geophones. Microtremors were recorded for about 20 min for each measurement. The soil parameters Vs10, Vs20 and Vs30 and S-wave velocity structure models were evaluated based on the obtained phase-velocity dispersion curves. The analysis results for the microtremor array data were in good agreement with values based on velocity logging.

Lithospheric S Wave Velocity Variations Beneath the Mackenzie Mountains and Northern Canadian Cordillera

AbstractThe Mackenzie Mountains (MMs) in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, Canada, are an enigmatic mountain range. They are currently uplifting (Leonard et al., 2008, https//doi.org/10.1029/2007JB005456), yet are about 700 km from the nearest plate boundary. Their arcuate shape is distinct and extends over 100 km eastward from the general trend of the Northern Canadian Cordillera. To better assess the cause and conditions of the current uplift, we processed ambient seismic noise data from a linear array of broadband seismographs crossing the mountains, along with other regional seismic stations, to estimate Rayleigh wave phase velocities between 6 and 40 s periods. From this, we estimated phase velocity dispersion and performed a tomographic inversion to estimate VS. Tomography reveals a low‐velocity structure that extends upward from the base of the ∼50–66 km thick lithosphere to the upper crust, and we hypothesize that inferred low density and low rigidity associated with the VS anomaly localizes the ongoing uplift and thrust‐dominated seismicity of the MMs. Additionally, we find relatively low crustal velocities that extend to the west of the MMs, suggesting that strain transfer from the Gulf of Alaska plate boundary plays a driving role as the crust translates to the northeast and buckles up against the craton consistent with the orogenic float hypothesis of Mazzotti and Hyndman (2002, https//doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030〈0495:YCASTA〉2.0.CO;2). Finally, we observe lithospheric azimuthal anisotropy with an NW‐SE fast direction. This is nearly orthogonal to teleseismic shear wave splitting measurements in the central MMs, and suggests that asthenosphere flow and lithospheric strain are not aligned in this region.

Probabilistic inversion of circular phase spectra: application to two-station phase-velocity dispersion estimation in western Canada

SUMMARY Periodic directional and temporal measurements are common in seismology, and necessitate specific statistical analyses that are appropriate for circular quantities. In this work, we explore the use of a von Mises distribution as a representation of errors on circular seismological observations. Specifically, we automate the estimation of surface-wave phase-velocity dispersion for the teleseismic two-station method, which generally suffers from a 2π phase ambiguity. The use of Bayesian inverse techniques, which aim to rigorously quantify model parameter uncertainty, have become widespread throughout seismology over the last decade. Here, we apply Bayesian inversion to measurements of surface-wave phase spectra in order to estimate 1-D, path-averaged Earth structure between station pairs. The dispersion curve and associated uncertainties are additional results of the inversion, which can then be used as input for subsequent analyses (e.g. tomography). We demonstrate this technique through application to surface-wave recordings from long-running seismic stations throughout western Canada. Our results for over 10 000 station pairs reveal first-order tectonic features consistent with previous studies, which provides confidence in our approach as well as an initial step towards resolving a full 3-D seismic velocity model for the region. This work also presents a foundation for the inversion of surface-wave phase spectra to estimate 3-D Earth structure directly. Finally, the ideas presented in this work are not limited to the inversion of surface-wave phase spectra, but can also be considered for Bayesian geophysical inversion of any circular quantities.

P-wave durations from automated electrocardiogram analysis to predict atrial fibrillation and mortality in heart failure.

P-wave indices have been used to predict incident atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, and mortality. However, such indices derived from automated ECG measurements have not been explored for their predictive values in heart failure (HF). We investigated whether automated P-wave indices can predict adverse outcomes in HF. This study included consecutive Chinese patients admitted to a single tertiary centre, presenting with HF but without prior AF, and with at least one baseline ECG, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016, with last follow-up of 31 December 2019. A total of 2718 patients were included [median age: 77.4, interquartile range (IQR): (66.9-84.3) years; 47.9 males]. After a median follow-up of 4.8years (IQR: 1.9-9.0years), 1150 patients developed AF (8.8/year), 339 developed stroke (2.6/year), 563 developed cardiovascular mortality (4.3/year), and 1972 had all-cause mortality (15.1/year). Compared with 101-120ms as a reference, maximum P-wave durations predicted new-onset AF at ≤90ms [HR: 1.17(1.11, 1.50), P<0.01], 131-140ms [HR: 1.29(1.09, 1.54), P<0.001], and ≥141ms [HR: 1.52(1.32, 1.75), P<0.001]. Similarly, they predicted cardiovascular mortality at ≤90ms [HR: 1.50(1.08, 2.06), P<0.001] or ≥141ms [HR: 1.18(1.15, 1.45), P<0.001], and all-cause mortality at ≤90ms [HR: 1.26(1.04, 1.51), P<0.001], 131-140ms [HR: 1.15(1.01, 1.32), P<0.01], and ≥141ms [HR: 1.31(1.18, 1.46), P<0.001]. These remained significant after adjusting for significant demographics, past co-morbidities, P-wave dispersion, and maximum P-wave amplitude. Extreme values of maximum P-wave durations (≤90ms and ≥141ms) were significant predictors of new-onset AF, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality.

Ensuring the uniformity of oscillations of a flat membrane by sources of ultrasonic impact

The article presents the results of studies aimed at ensuring the uniformity of vibrations of a flat membrane by sources of ultrasonic exposure. The relevance of the conducted research lies in the fact that for the effective implementation of physical and physicochemical processes in thin liquid films, it is necessary to ensure the maximum uniformity of the effect over the entire surface area of the spreading film. The main problem is that today there are no ultrasound emitters that are able to form a uniform distribution of vibrations over the entire impact plane and thereby ensure the uniformity of the technological process. The vibration concentrators and reciprocating working tools that currently exist are distinguished by a limited radiation surface. This is due to the fact that attempts to increase the area of the radiating surface lead to the need to use multipackage piezoelectric transducers. However, in this case, it is not possible to ensure the in-phase oscillations of each packet (due to wave processes inside the emitter material) and, therefore, for large surface areas, the oscillations turn out to be inhomogeneous or have a small amplitude. The authors propose a mathematical model that will allow optimizing the location of the emitters to ensure maximum uniformity of oscillations of a flat surface. The proposed model makes it possible to identify the optimal configurations of radiators, which provide the smallest dispersion of the oscillation amplitude of the free surface (on which there are no fixed radiators).

Causal effective field theories

Physical principles such as unitarity, causality, and locality can constrain the space of consistent effective field theories (EFTs) by imposing two-sided bounds on the allowed values of Wilson coefficients. In this paper, we consider the bounds that arise from the requirement of low energy causality alone, without appealing to any assumptions about UV physics. We focus on shift-symmetric theories, and consider bounds that arise from the propagation around both a homogeneous and a spherically symmetric scalar field background. We find that low energy causality, namely the requirement that there are no resolvable time advances within the regime of validity of the EFT, produces two-sided bounds in agreement with compact positivity constraints previously obtained from $2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2$ scattering amplitude dispersion relations using full crossing symmetry.

Neuronal and behavioral affective perceptions of human and naturalness-reduced emotional prosodies.

Artificial voices are nowadays embedded into our daily lives with latest neural voices approaching human voice consistency (naturalness). Nevertheless, behavioral, and neuronal correlates of the perception of less naturalistic emotional prosodies are still misunderstood. In this study, we explored the acoustic tendencies that define naturalness from human to synthesized voices. Then, we created naturalness-reduced emotional utterances by acoustic editions of human voices. Finally, we used Event-Related Potentials (ERP) to assess the time dynamics of emotional integration when listening to both human and synthesized voices in a healthy adult sample. Additionally, listeners rated their perceptions for valence, arousal, discrete emotions, naturalness, and intelligibility. Synthesized voices were characterized by less lexical stress (i.e., reduced difference between stressed and unstressed syllables within words) as regards duration and median pitch modulations. Besides, spectral content was attenuated toward lower F2 and F3 frequencies and lower intensities for harmonics 1 and 4. Both psychometric and neuronal correlates were sensitive to naturalness reduction. (1) Naturalness and intelligibility ratings dropped with emotional utterances synthetization, (2) Discrete emotion recognition was impaired as naturalness declined, consistent with P200 and Late Positive Potentials (LPP) being less sensitive to emotional differentiation at lower naturalness, and (3) Relative P200 and LPP amplitudes between prosodies were modulated by synthetization. Nevertheless, (4) Valence and arousal perceptions were preserved at lower naturalness, (5) Valence (arousal) ratings correlated negatively (positively) with Higuchi's fractal dimension extracted on neuronal data under all naturalness perturbations, (6) Inter-Trial Phase Coherence (ITPC) and standard deviation measurements revealed high inter-individual heterogeneity for emotion perception that is still preserved as naturalness reduces. Notably, partial between-participant synchrony (low ITPC), along with high amplitude dispersion on ERPs at both early and late stages emphasized miscellaneous emotional responses among subjects. In this study, we highlighted for the first time both behavioral and neuronal basis of emotional perception under acoustic naturalness alterations. Partial dependencies between ecological relevance and emotion understanding outlined the modulation but not the annihilation of emotional integration by synthetization.

Shear-wave tomography of the Changbai volcanic area in NE China derived from ambient noise and seismic surface waves

A detailed 3-D shear-wave velocity (Vs) model of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Changbai volcano and adjacent areas in NE China is obtained by conducting a joint inversion of group-velocity dispersion curves at periods of 5–30 s and phase-velocity dispersion curves at periods of 5–100 s from ambient noise and earthquake surface waves. We use 1602 group-velocity dispersion curves and 3125 phase-velocity dispersion curves, which were recorded at 57 permanent stations of the China Earthquake Administration and 27 portable stations of Jilin University during 2010 to 2014. Our results reveal strong heterogeneities in the crust and upper mantle beneath the study area. A remarkable low-Vs zone is revealed in the crust beneath the Changbai volcano, indicating a hot magma chamber. The Longgang volcano is also characterized by a low-Vs anomaly reflecting partial melt in the crust. In contrast, there is no notable low-Vs anomaly in the crust beneath the Jingpohu volcano. Previous geological results and our tomographic images suggest that Changbai is a composite volcano, whereas Jingpohu and Longgang are monogenetic volcanoes. Low-Vs zones are revealed in the upper mantle beneath the three active volcanoes, which are interconnected at different depths. Combining the present results with previous findings, we deem that the three active intraplate volcanoes are caused by hot and wet upwelling flows in the big mantle wedge associated with deep subduction of the western Pacific plate beneath NE Asia.