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Getting a graduate education is one of the most important parts of a professional in a field. It allows them to climb higher in the professional rankings or even get higher pay for their academic work. All graduate students are adults and self-directed due to their past experiences in work or practice. However, when the pandemic hit the world, these self-directed learners were not spared from shutting of schools. In the Philippines, most graduate schools deliver their lessons through the traditional mode or face-to-face until the pandemic that they shifted in the emerging online learning modality. Using the mixed method of quantitative and qualitative type of study the researchers were able to gather 419 graduate students from various regions of the archipelago to take part in the study. The researchers found out that upon experiencing the benefits of online learning, graduate students want to continue this modality even in the future. More than a third of the respondents also claimed that they want the blended or hybrid type of graduate studies as opposed to going back to the more traditional face-to-face classes. The reasons for these can vary on each learner's situation.

We present the first observations of seismic waves propagating through the core of Mars. These observations, made using seismic data collected by the InSight geophysical mission, have allowed us to construct the first seismically constrained models for the elastic properties of Mars' core. We observe core-transiting seismic phase SKS from two farside seismic events detected on Mars and measure the travel times of SKS relative to mantle traversing body waves. SKS travels through the core as a compressional wave, providing information about bulk modulus and density. We perform probabilistic inversions using the core-sensitive relative travel times together with gross geophysical data and travel times from other, more proximal, seismic events to seek the equation of state parameters that best describe the liquid iron-alloy core. Our inversions provide constraints on the velocities in Mars' core and are used to develop the first seismically based estimates of its composition. We show that models informed by our SKS data favor a somewhat smaller (median core radius = 1,780 to 1,810 km) and denser (core density = 6.2 to 6.3 g/cm3) core compared to previous estimates, with a P-wave velocity of 4.9 to 5.0 km/s at the core-mantle boundary, with the composition and structure of the mantle as a dominant source of uncertainty. We infer from our models that Mars' core contains a median of 20 to 22 wt% light alloying elements when we consider sulfur, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. These data can be used to inform models of planetary accretion, composition, and evolution.

Induced seismicity is one of the main factors that reduces societal acceptance of deep geothermal energy exploitation activities, and felt earthquakes are the main reason for closure of geothermal projects. Implementing innovative tools for real-time monitoring and forecasting of induced seismicity was one of the aims of the recently completed COSEISMIQ project. Within this project, a temporary seismic network was deployed in the Hengill geothermal region in Iceland, the location of the nation's two largest geothermal power plants. In this paper, we release raw continuous seismic waveforms and seismicity catalogues collected and prepared during this project. This dataset is particularly valuable since a very dense network was deployed in a seismically active region where thousand of earthquakes occur every year. For this reason, the collected dataset can be used across a broad range of research topics in seismology ranging from the development and testing of new data analysis methods to induced seismicity and seismotectonics studies.

The Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) of the InSight mission to Mars, has been providing direct information on Martian interior structure and dynamics of that planet since it landed. Compared to seismic recordings on Earth, ground motion measurements acquired by SEIS on Mars are made under dramatically different ambient noise conditions, but include idiosyncratic signals that arise from coupling between different InSight sensors and spacecraft components. This work is to synthesize what is known about these signal types, illustrate how they can manifest in waveforms and noise correlations, and present pitfalls in structural interpretations based on standard seismic analysis methods. We show that glitches, a type of prominent transient signal, can produce artifacts in ambient noise correlations. Sustained signals that vary in frequency, such as lander modes which are affected by variations in temperature and wind conditions over the course of the Martian Sol, can also contaminate ambient noise results. Therefore, both types of signals have the potential to bias interpretation in terms of subsurface layering. We illustrate that signal processing in the presence of identified nonseismic signals must be informed by an understanding of the underlying physical processes in order for high fidelity waveforms of ground motion to be extracted. While the origins of most idiosyncratic signals are well understood, the 2.4 Hz resonance remains debated and the literature does not contain an explanation of its fine spectral structure. Even though the selection of idiosyncratic signal types discussed in this paper may not be exhaustive, we provide guidance on best practices for enhancing the robustness of structural interpretations.

SEIS, the seismometer of the InSight mission, which landed on Mars on 26 November 2018, is monitoring the seismic activity of the planet. The goal of the Mars Structure Service (MSS) is to provide, as a mission product, the first average 1-D velocity model of Mars from the recorded InSight data. Prior to the mission, methodologies have been developed and tested to allow the location of the seismic events and estimation of the radial structure, using surface waves and body waves arrival times, and receiver functions. The paper describes these validation tests and compares the performance of the different algorithms to constrain the velocity model below the InSight station and estimate the 1-D average model over the great circle path between source and receiver. These tests were performed in the frame of a blind test, during which synthetic data were inverted. In order to propagate the data uncertainties on the output model distribution, Bayesian inversion techniques are mainly used. The limitations and strengths of the methods are assessed. The results show the potential of the MSS approach to retrieve the structure of the crust and underlying mantle. However, at this time, large quakes with clear surface waves have not yet been recorded by SEIS, which makes the estimation of the 1-D average seismic velocity model challenging. Additional locatable events, especially at large epicentral distances, and development of new techniques to fully investigate the data, will ultimately provide more constraints on the crust and mantle of Mars.

In this paper, we present an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) for fusion of information from an accelerometer, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) instrumentation, and rotational sensor recordings of structural motion. Seismic and structural motions do not only include translations, but further incorporate torsion and twisting of the ground and/or structural components. Accelerometer and GNSS positions are known to be prone to errors introduced by rotation, such as (1) gravitational leakage, (2) misorientation, and (3) antenna pole tilt. In alleviating such effects, we propose fusion of information from six component (6C) data—3C translation and 3C rotation—and demonstrate its applicability for motion tracking on a flexible pedestrian bridge. To simulate a variety of load effects, the bridge was subjected to various sources of excitation such as hammer impulses, jumping, twisting, and running, as well as a combination thereof named the "artificial coupled forcing." The rotation errors of both the accelerometer and GNSS-estimated positions are corrected via a UKF-based fusion. We further identify the modal properties of the monitored bridge, excited by the different excitation sources, using a covariance driven stochastic subspace identification. The twisting of the bridge is shown to be a primary source of rotation errors. These errors ought to be corrected because their order of magnitude can be as large as the actual signal in the case of GNSS positions and up to 10% for accelerometer sensors. We compare the proposed UKF-based fusion for 6C motion tracking against a simplified linear Kalman filter and demonstrate the potential of the former for real-time, broadband, rotation-free displacement, velocity, and rotations tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the deep socioeconomic implications, induced seismicity is a timely and increasingly relevant topic of interest for the general public. Cases of induced seismicity have a global distribution and involve a large number of industrial operations, with many documented cases from as far back to the beginning of the twentieth century. However, the sparse and fragmented documentation available makes it difficult to have a clear picture on our understanding of the physical phenomenon and consequently in our ability to mitigate the risk associated with induced seismicity. This review presents a unified and concise summary of the still open questions related to monitoring, discrimination, and management of induced seismicity in the European context and, when possible, provides potential answers. We further discuss selected critical European cases of induced seismicity, which led to the suspension or reduction of the related industrial activities.

This qualitative study aimed to delve into the nuanced experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms, and the acceptance journey of parents raising children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research involved conducting indepth interviews with parents referred by the Maharlika Charity Foundation. The findings illuminated diverse levels of comprehension regarding cerebral palsy among the participants, with acceptance of the condition seen to evolve gradually over time. Financial constraints emerged as a significant hurdle for parents, compounded by societal stigma and misconceptions surrounding the condition. Despite these obstacles, parents demonstrated remarkable resilience, actively engaging in caregiving and seeking support from their social networks. Family support played a pivotal role in ameliorating both the emotional and financial burdens associated with raising a child with cerebral palsy, emphasizing the importance of a robust support system. The journey towards acceptance of the child's condition emerged as a critical milestone in the parental experience, fostering a sense of adaptation and strength. Through their narratives, parents showcased a spectrum of coping strategies, ranging from practical caregiving approaches to seeking solace in religious faith. The study underscores the necessity of tailored support systems to assist families in navigating the multifaceted challenges inherent in raising a child with cerebral palsy. Ultimately, it sheds light on the resilience and resourcefulness of parents in facing the complexities of caring for a child with special needs within their familial and societal contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientists from different disciplines at ETH Zurich are developing a dynamic, harmonised, and user-centred earthquake risk framework for Switzerland, relying on a continuously evolving earthquake catalogue generated by the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) using the national seismic networks. This framework uses all available information to assess seismic risk at various stages and facilitates widespread dissemination and communication of the resulting information. Earthquake risk products and services include operational earthquake (loss) forecasting (OE(L)F), earthquake early warning (EEW), ShakeMaps, rapid impact assessment (RIA), structural health monitoring (SHM), and recovery and rebuilding efforts (RRE). Standardisation of products and workflows across various applications is essential for achieving broad adoption, universal recognition, and maximum synergies. In the Swiss dynamic earthquake risk framework, the harmonisation of products into seamless solutions that access the same databases, workflows, and software is a crucial component. A user-centred approach utilising quantitative and qualitative social science tools like online surveys and focus groups is a significant innovation featured in all products and services. Here we report on the key considerations and developments of the framework and its components. This paper may serve as a reference guide for other countries wishing to establish similar services for seismic risk reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]