Natural Phenomena Research Articles

Self-attention with temporal prior: can we learn more from the arrow of time?

Many diverse phenomena in nature often inherently encode both short- and long-term temporal dependencies, which especially result from the direction of the flow of time. In this respect, we discovered experimental evidence suggesting that interrelations of these events are higher for closer time stamps. However, to be able for attention-based models to learn these regularities in short-term dependencies, it requires large amounts of data, which are often infeasible. This is because, while they are good at learning piece-wise temporal dependencies, attention-based models lack structures that encode biases in time series. As a resolution, we propose a simple and efficient method that enables attention layers to better encode the short-term temporal bias of these data sets by applying learnable, adaptive kernels directly to the attention matrices. We chose various prediction tasks for the experiments using Electronic Health Records (EHR) data sets since they are great examples with underlying long- and short-term temporal dependencies. Our experiments show exceptional classification results compared to best-performing models on most tasks and data sets.

Auto-luminescence in seedlings: possible indicators for the gravimetric tide?

Germinating seedlings emit light in the visible range spontaneously, and these emissions are related to metabolism and reactive-oxygen species (ROS) processes. Several series of germination tests had such biological auto-luminescence (BAL) recorded in controlled conditions, fostering applications for the non-invasive, real-time evaluation of a seedling’s germinability and vigor when submitted to chemical and/or physical perturbations. However, long-term analysis of the BAL time-series of control samples conducted in different locations around the globe reveals that their BAL signals (and thus their metabolism) appear to follow the local gravimetric tide (g-tide) time profile. This indicates that the small daily and monthly variations in gravity acceleration due to the relative positioning of the Sun and Moon with respect to the Earth’s surface influence these signals. The gravimetric tide is a natural phenomenon that affects all things, fluid or solid, and is an uncontrollable variable in normal laboratory settings on Earth’s crust. All things on Earth have evolved under these pervasive cycles, with periods ranging from ∼12.2 h up to 28 d, which correspond to the Moon cycle. Tide-like cycles occur in living beings of different types, from the simplest bacteria to the most complex human beings, and we speculate that water availability at the molecular level could be a significant physical factor in modulating bio-activity by enabling protein folding and all metabolic pathways that require a synchronized organization to adapt to external environmental conditions. In this study, we summarize published results of a seedling’s BAL with cycle patterns resembling the g-tide in Limeira/BR, Prague/CZ, Leiden/NL, and Hamamatsu/JP and discuss the possible implications of this phenomenon for chronobiological studies.

Earthquake Precursors: The Physics, Identification, and Application

The paper presents the author’s vision of the problem of earthquake hazards from the physical point of view. The first part is concerned with the processes of precursor’s generation. These processes are a part of the complex system of the lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere–magnetosphere coupling, which is characteristic of many other natural phenomena, where air ionization, atmospheric thermodynamic instability, and the Global Electric Circuit are involved in the processes of the geosphere’s interaction. The second part of the paper is concentrated on the reliable precursor’s identification. The specific features helping to identify precursors are separated into two groups: the absolute signatures such as the precursor’s locality or equatorial anomaly crests generation in conditions of absence of natural east-directed electric field and the conditional signatures due to the physical uniqueness mechanism of their generation, or necessity of the presence of additional precursors as multiple consequences of air ionization demonstrating the precursor’s synergy. The last part of the paper is devoted to the possible practical applications of the described precursors for purposes of the short-term earthquake forecast. A change in the paradigm of the earthquake forecast is proposed. The problem should be placed into the same category as weather forecasting or space weather forecasting.

Dynamics of non-Newtonian Casson fluid and Cattaneo-Christov heat flux impacts on a rotating non-uniform surface due to Coriolis force: A comparison study of ANFIS-PSO and ANN

Aim of the present studyIt must study liquid flow over surfaces above the earth because its surface rotation stimulates liquids heated amid the sun. Consequently, the Coriolis impact force is investigated on Casson convective flow fluid with Cattaneo-Christov heat flux over the rotating paraboloid upper surface. Significance of the present studyThe simultaneous effects of the Lorentz force and Coriolis force occurring due to MHD flow contribute significantly to solar wind, sunspots, and more physical natural phenomena. As a result, Navier-Stokes equations governing the flow are derived and incorporated with the appropriate body forces. MethodologyPDEs are converted to ODEs by identical variants/variables that make the governing equations non-dimensional. The results of this problem are represented graphically using BVP4C. ConclusionIn the present study, some of the significant results are: While both ANN and ANFIS-PSO could accurately forecast the truth values, we found that ANFIS-PSO is more accurate; as the temperature rises, β and Gr consider and resist heat transmission with K and Ec, While Ec and Nt increase the concentration, K, β, Gr, Nb, and Sc impede mass transfer. table 3 compares the current study's findings with those of the previous research; the results are nearly identical, demonstrating the precision and accuracy of the current model.

Beyond boundaries: Unifying classification and segmentation in wildfire detection systems

AbstractForest fires, a dangerous natural phenomenon, cause large-scale destruction in forests and nearby communities. In this paper, we leverage the capabilities of classification and fast prediction of machine learning and deep learning to detect forest fires by proposing a dual-stage approach of identification and segmentation of burnt/burning regions. The initial identification step uses simple classification by harnessing custom convolutional neural network and AlexNet to detect satellite images displaying signs of burning, followed by the next step of segmentation, which employs UNet and SegNet architectures to precisely localize the burnt/burning areas. We chose UNet considering its ability of efficient feature preservation, and SegNet prominent use for precise boundary delineation. For training our models, we have curated a dataset using Google Earth Engine, querying latitude, longitude, and dates. Image processing techniques facilitated the extraction of segmentation masks, bounding box images, and segmented images. The post-training results portray that CNN outperforms AlexNet with an 88.19% accuracy for classification, while in segmentation, UNet excelled over SegNet with a dice score of 0.6869. If deployed, this study stands to benefit forest officials, local communities, and biodiversity. Moreover, it aids afforestation teams in identifying burnt zones for targeted reforestation efforts, ensuring a more effective response to forest fires.

Cardiac regeneration in goldfish (Carassius auratus) associated with increased expression of key extracellular matrix molecules.

Cardiac regeneration is a natural phenomenon that occurs in many species outside of humans. The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is an understudied model of cardiac wound response, despite its ubiquity as pets as well as its relationship to the better-studied zebrafish. In this study, we examined the response of the goldfish heart to a resection injury. We found that by 70 days post-injury, goldfish scarlessly heal cardiac wounds under a certain size, with local cardiomyocyte proliferation driving the restoration of the myocardial layer. We also found the upregulation of extracellular matrix components related to cardiac regeneration in the injury site. This upregulation correlated with the level of cardiomyocyte proliferation occurring in the injury site, indicating an association between the two that warrants further exploration.

Editorial

This special issue of Euxeinos explores the ways that urban Poles, German-Austrians, Ukrainians and Soviets have imagined and constructed an image of the Carpathian mountains from the mid-19th century to the current day. The city is often seen as the epitome and engine of modernization and progress, whether through trade, technological advancements, or industrial development. It is in the city that cultural institutions, commerce, and political power predominantly reside. Urban centers, whether large or small, have been the epicenters of massive mediatization, shaping our imagination of places beyond the cities. Urban dwellers have actively imagined, reinvented, and transformed rural life, often through a process of destruction and reconstruction. Folk arts and rural lifestyles were invented and reinvented, imagined, and reimagined, resulting in new forms of culture. Natural phenomena, like mountains and rural areas, were transformed into imaginary spaces that expressed anxieties about urban conditions, community bonds, environmental crises, human relations and power structures. The landscape became integral to depicting practices and imposing ideas about belonging, authenticity, roots, communities, states, hierarchies, and borders.

NATURE IN NIZAMI GANJAVI’S CREATIVITY

The works of the genius Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi are still relevant today due to the richness of the ideas and content. In the article, it was investigated Nizami Ganjavi’s creative attitude towards nature, scientific justification of natural phenomena, connection of natural phenomena with the mood of the characters, etc. examples of his works were given/ Also, there have been shown the possibilities of using Nizami Ganjavi’s works in the teaching of scence lessons taught in secondary general education schools.

A Model for Mechanical Stress Limited Bacterial Growth and Resporulation in Confinement.

In this study, we propose a self-limiting growth model forBacillus subtilisspores confined within porous polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogels. We observed thatB. subtilisspores germinate into vegetative cells within the hydrogel matrix, forming spherical colonies. These colonies expand until the mechanical stress they exert on their environment surpasses the yield stress of the hydrogel, leading to formation of a nonpermeable layer that halts nutrient diffusion and forces the bacteria to resporulate. These novel observations suggest a model to explain why bacterial growth in confined environments and material interfaces may be limited, providing insight for natural phenomena and biotechnological applications involving bacterial encapsulation.

Structuring The Relocation Of The Central Market By The Trade And Industry Agency Of Gorontalo City

The purpose of this research is to determine the Central Market Relocation Arrangement by the Gorontalo City Trade and Industry Service. The research method used is a qualitative method, a research approach regarding the Central Market Relocation Arrangement by the Gorontalo City Trade and Industry Service. The qualitative approach emphasizes natural phenomena or symptoms that occur in a fundamental and naturalistic manner, and is carried out in the field, not in the laboratory. This approach is often referred to as naturalistic inquiry or field study. According to Lofland, the primary data used in qualitative research are keywords and phrases. The summary of the data above can come from documents, reports, or observation results. Based on the research results, analysis of the discussion of this research concludes that the Central Market Relocation Arrangement by the Gorontalo City Trade and Industry Service, seen from the aspects of infrastructure development, officer capability, communication, has not been implemented optimally, based on the results of interviews that have been described with several informants, it has not been optimally implemented by Gorontalo City Department of Trade and Industry, so that the arrangement of the Central market is not yet optimal because infrastructure development which should focus on main supporting facilities is not carried out. From the description of the results of interviews with informants, the ability of officers to provide guidance for controlling traders and buyers which can support the arrangement of the Gorontalo City Central Market area has not been optimal. Based on the description of the results of interviews with the informants involved, it can be concluded that the Relocation Arrangement for the Central Market of Gorontalo City is not optimal when viewed from the perspective of the communication that has been established between the Department of Trade and Industry of Gorontalo City and the Limbau U II sub-district, this communication is not optimal, as can be seen from the changes Market conditions still have the same problems, especially regarding controlling traders and buyers.

Soil resilience assessment using soil profile descriptions and Analytic Hierarchy Process in Mediterranean mountains considering diverse fire occurrences

Wildfires are complex natural phenomena that exert significant impacts on landscapes, societies, and economies. Understanding the concept of resilience is crucial in mitigating its possible negative impacts, as it involves preparing for, responding to, and recovering from wildfires. This research aims to demonstrate the utility of in situ soil profile description in assessing land use resilience using an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) through an expert panel survey. The study examines a catchment located in the Balearic Islands, considering two fire occurrences (once and twice), comparing abandoned agricultural terraces and natural hillslopes. The results demonstrated that the priority ranking of variables to assess soil profile resilience against wildfires, determined by a panel of 10 experts, identified horizon depth (25.1%), slope inclination (21.5%), and hydrological connectivity (16.6%) as the most crucial factors. Other variables, such as number and size of roots, structure of pedal soil material, size class structure, and rock fragments, also contributed to resilience but to a lesser extent, with scores ranging from 5.7% to 9.6%. Analyzing the priorities established by the experts using AHP, the results showed that the least resilient soil horizon was H1 of the control hillslope, especially under high and low connectivity processes, which aligned with the loss of superficial soil horizons after one and two wildfires. Hillslopes showed greater changes in resilience after occurring wildfires compared to terraces, with the most significant alterations occurring after the second wildfire event. This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the field by highlighting the interconnectedness of wildfires, resilience, and land use, providing insights into land management strategies for wildfire-prone regions.

Evaluation of Geohazards Research in the World and Pacific Region: A Comparative Bibliometric Study

Geohazards are natural phenomena that endanger infrastructure, the environment, and human activity. Understanding and mitigating them is crucial for public safety, disaster preparedness, and sustainable land and resource management. This research objective is to analyze geohazard research trends globally and then compare them with countries around the Pacific Ring. Ninety-six geohazard publications were analyzed using bibliometric analysis and the VOSviewer application. The general trend of geohazard research increased slightly. It is critical in dealing with the expanding threats posed by geohazards, adapting to changing conditions, protecting vulnerable people, and leveraging technological improvements for more effective hazard management and disaster risk reduction. The Annual Offshore Technology Conference Proceedings and Engineering Geology are the most popular scholarly journals for authors to publish research on geohazard. The most popular topic area for geohazard papers is Earth and Planetary Sciences, followed by engineering, environmental science, and computer science. It is consistent with the growing use of technology in geohazard research. This study also includes an authorship profile. This research implies enhancing disaster risk reduction strategies and contributing to global efforts to address the challenges posed by geohazards.

Calcium Carbonate Formation in Groundwater-Supplied Drinking Water Systems: Role of CO2 Degassing Rate and Scaling Indices Applicability

CaCO3 precipitation is a ubiquitous and vital process with far-reaching implications for various natural systems. In drinking water supply networks, it creates malfunctions in the system, especially by pipes clogging. This is a common problem in Tunisia, particularly for systems supplied with groundwater. This work attempts to highlight the effect of dissolved CO2 degassing kinetics and determine the most reliable scaling index to predict scaling. For this, a diagnosis of two drinking water circuits is followed by a laboratory study. Results of the field study show that the network scaling is controlled by the dissolved CO2 content, which is significantly affected by the water/atmospheric air contact. The scale formed is mainly CaCO3–calcite. A laboratory-scale simulation of the natural phenomenon using an experimental setup of the fast-controlled precipitation method (FCP) was performed. The result shows that a low CO2 content is a necessary condition for a supersaturated system regarding calcite but not sufficient for precipitation to take place. The precipitation can occur at very low supersaturations if time is allowed for stable nuclei to form, explaining the scaling of drinking water networks. The fundamental and applied study of the scaling indices shows that the Ryznar stability index (RSI) is the most adaptable index for predicting scale formation.

Dynamical analysis and solutions of nonlinear difference equations of thirty order

Discrete-time systems are sometimes used to explain natural phenomena that happen in nonlinear sciences. We study the periodicity, boundedness, oscillation, stability, and certain exact solutions of nonlinear difference equations in this paper. Using the standard iteration method, exact solutions are obtained. Some well-known theorems are used to test the stability of the equilibrium points. Some numerical examples are also provided to confirm the theoretical work’s validity. The numerical component is implemented with Wolfram Mathematica. The method presented may be simply applied to other rational recursive issues. \par In this paper, we explore the dynamics of adhering to rational difference formula \begin{equation*} x_{n+1}=\frac{x_{n-29}}{\pm1\pm x_{n-5}x_{n-11}x_{n-17}x_{n-23}x_{n-29}}, \end{equation*} where the initials are arbitrary nonzero real numbers.

Analysis of the suitability level of physics lessons with flood material

Background: Padang City is one of the cities that is prone to natural disasters such as floods. The integration of physical materials with flood materials is suitable to be applied in this city. In fact, in the field, in the Physics subject package book provided by the government, there has been no integration with natural disaster materials, especially floods. To integrate flood material into Physics material, an analysis is needed first to see the suitability of Curriculum Objectives on Physics material with flood material. Methods: By using qualitative descriptive research, using the nonprobability sampling technique which is Purposive Sampling, the researchers took samples of Physics textbooks for senior high school (tenth, eleventh, twelfth grades) used by schools in the city of Padang that use the 2013 Curriculum. Findings: Based on observations of 15 high schools in the city of Padang, the 2016 revised edition of High School Physics published by Erlangga is the book studied. Based on the results of the study, the most suitable class to be inserted in this material is eleventh grade because it has the highest level of suitability. On the contrary, twelfth grade is the least suitable class to insert this material. Conclusion: To improve the relevance and effectiveness of physics learning in high school in Padang city, it is necessary to develop teaching materials that integrate flood materials, especially for eleventh grade, where the highest level of suitability is found. Novelty/Originality of this Study: This study addresses a crucial gap by incorporating natural disaster education, specifically focusing on flood-related content, into the high school physics curriculum in Padang City, an area highly susceptible to such disasters. It distinctively integrates fundamental physics principles with practical disaster mitigation knowledge, aiming to improve students' understanding and preparedness for real-world natural phenomena.

Stability analysis of explicit exponential Rosenbrock methods for stiff differential equations with constant delay

Delay differential equations have been used to model numerous phenomena in nature. We extend the previous work of one of the authors to analyze the stability properties of the explicit exponential Rosenbrock methods for stiff differential equations with constant delay. We first derive sufficient conditions so that the exponential Rosenbrock methods satisfy the desired stability property. We accomplish this without relying on some extreme constraints, which are usually necessary in stability analysis. Then, with the aid of the integral form of the method coefficients, we provide a simple stability criterion that can be easily verified. We also present a theorem on the order barrier for the proposed methods, stating that there is no method of order five or higher that satisfies the simple criterion. Numerical tests are carried out to validate the theoretical results.

TWO-LEVEL CONCEPT FOR SIMULATING UNIFORM INTERFERENCE-RESISTANT DIGITAL DATA TRANSMISSION

The article formalizes, creates and provides for consideration the concept of a single secure interference-resistant data transmission channel. In modern cybersecurity theory and practice, there is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which is a set of recommendations for reducing risks for organizations. In order for high-level data to be secure, there are requirements for the SIA triad, namely confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. Therefore, in the future, the expediency of the work and its result will directly depend on the satisfaction of the SIA conditions. As you know, high-level data: such as e-mail, visual data in the GUI of various applications, etc., are transmitted over low-level communication channels: such as cables, wireless radio communication channels, and others. At each of the levels for safe transmission of information, there are specific pests. At high levels, the main threat to information is man and the human factor. The lower the level of information transmission becomes, the more nature, natural obstacles and random short phenomena begin to influence. In order for the user to be able to use various devices without a threat to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, it is necessary to actively and continuously develop, improve and improve the existing methods of data protection, restoration, transmission and storage. Each aspect in this struggle for security is both an advantage and a disadvantage: excessive security is not appropriate for mass traffic, complexity does not always provide adequate security, and so on. Therefore, the optimality and expediency of the methods used becomes an important factor. For these reasons, the paper proposes a relatively simple, but no less effective approach to maintaining SIA requirements.

Repositioning Sketches in Visual Communication Design Education

Sketching is a technique conducted as the first phase of creating an artwork and design. As an activity that is carried out at the beginning of the creation, sketching activities are often overlooked and are considered not necessary to be stored or even appropriately mastered. This argument is based on the assumption that the main purpose of making artwork and design is only for the final result. This research traces back the important role of the sketching process in education in the Visual Communication Design Study Program (DKV). The method applied in this research is a descriptive qualitative method In the scope of phenomenological hermeneutics, which is a method to describe a natural or man-made situation or phenomenon. For providing a description, literature reviews, documentation, an interview, and observation into urban sketcher community members. Through this research, it can be presented that the Urban Sketcher Manifesto can be applied in sketch drawing materials within the scope of academic learning. The benefits of the Urban Sketcher Manifesto to students include the ability to capture dynamic atmospheres with perspective determination, observe the organic gestures of living creatures, practice drawing spontaneously, effectively, and efficiently, and become accustomed to annotating drawings and storytelling through sketches. The results of implementing the Urban Sketcher Manifesto in course materials for students include strength in lines, understanding of composition, the grasp of impressions rather than reality, and good coordination between mind and hand. In this research, sketching is repositioned as a process that cannot be ignored in the work of drawing illustrations or visual designs. In sketch drawings, the benefits can also be seen in various interactions experienced, such as interactions among fellow students, interactions with localresidents, interactions with the atmosphere of the location, and interactions with the observed objects. The result of the research is expected to engage discourses for up-to-date Visual Communication Design education

Investigation on methane hydrate formation behaviors in deep-sea methane seepage environments

Deep-sea cold seep is a natural phenomenon where methane leaks from the sea floor. Methane can be partially conversed through physical, chemical, and biological processes, but the excess methane that remains uncaptured escapes into the atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Physical carbon sequestration via hydrate formation is a fast and high-energy density type of carbon sequestration; however, it has been largely overlooked. This study investigated hydrate formation in authigenic carbonate rocks through deep-sea geological surveys in cold seeps in the South China Sea. Investigations have shown that authigenic carbonate rocks can sequester carbon by blocking the methane plume from the seepage vents. This perspective provides a new physical carbon sequestration mode of carbonate rocks by observing the artificial collection of methane plumes in deep-sea seepage areas. The mode was simplified into two steps including the formation of a thin layer of planar hydrate film on carbonate rocks and a thick layer of hydrate through the stacking of bubbles under the thin film. Salinity, a key distinction between seawater and freshwater, was further investigated for its impact on the carbon sequestration mechanism. Results showed that saline ions in seawater had little impact on the thickening rate of the planar hydrate film but reduced the lateral growth rate of hydrates on the bubble by 60%. This reduction in the lateral growth rate greatly facilitated the three-dimensional growth, increased the hydrate thickness on the bubble, and improved the carbon sequestration efficiency. Hydrate formation on the exposed carbonate rock can effectively impede methane plume migration into upper water and atmosphere, mitigate the greenhouse effect, and present a promising strategy for carbon sequestration in deep-sea methane seepage areas.

Routine monitoring of hydraulic infrastructures using the European Ground Motion Service and other satellite radar sensors

Ensuring the safety and operational efficiency of hydraulic infrastructures is paramount, considering the widespread consequences that damages can inflict on people, communities, and the environment. To mitigate risks and prevent significant losses, continuous surveillance is vital. While some damages might appear minor, they can jeopardize the complete operational reliability of dams, leading to substantial economic losses, especially in energy production and related activities. The rapid growth in 20th-century infrastructure development globally has made security monitoring a necessity for numerous civil structures. Rigorous inspection programs, particularly for reservoir dams, are essential for safeguarding citizens and their properties. However, individually monitoring each dam is often impractical due to the associated costs and time constraints, potentially posing safety risks. Fortunately, satellite-based differential radar interferometry (DInSAR) offers an effective and cost-efficient remote sensing solution. Multi-temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MT-InSAR) techniques, particularly utilizing Persistent Scatterers, have proven successful in monitoring various infrastructures, natural phenomena, and geological activities. MT-InSAR provides precise measurements without the need for fieldwork, utilizing historical SAR image archives dating back to the 1990s. Technological advancements, such as the Sentinel-1 C-band with a six-day revisit time until the end of 2021, have enhanced monitoring capabilities. Additionally, commercial radar images in the X-band and the development of multi-interferometric InSAR techniques have opened new avenues for monitoring. This study showcases the adaptation and application of MT-InSAR for monitoring dams and large ponds constructed with loose materials. By assessing vertical displacements and consolidation rates, the technique identifies potential issues, aiding in further field investigations. Case studies involving dams and large reservoirs in Andalusia illustrate the effectiveness of satellite radar interferometry in monitoring their structural stability from space as a routine practice.