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The 4 February 1867 Cephalonia (Western Greece) earthquake is the largest in the Ionian Islands and one of the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it remained one of the least studied historical events. For reconstructing this earthquake, we reevaluated existing knowledge and used new contemporary and modern sources, including scientific and local writers' reports and books, local and national journals, newspapers, and ecclesiastical chronicles. The extracted information covered the earthquake parameters, population impact, building damage, and earthquake environmental effects (EEEs). The earthquake parameters included the origin time and duration of the main shock, epicenter location, precursors, aftershocks, and characteristics of the earthquake ground motion. The population impact involved direct and indirect health effects and population change. Building data highlighted the dominant building types and the types, grades, and distribution of damage. The EEEs included ground cracks, landslides, liquefaction, hydrological anomalies, and mild sea disturbances. Field surveys were also conducted for validation. The quantitative and qualitative information enabled the application of seismic intensity scales (EMS-98, ESI-07). The study concluded that since the affected areas were mainly composed of post-alpine deposits and secondarily of clay–clastic alpine formations with poor geotechnical properties, they were highly susceptible to failure. Effects and maximum intensities occurred in highly susceptible areas with a rich inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is divided into two parts: the first presents a summary of the history of macroseismic collection data in Italy, from an initial experience in the mid-19th century, to the beginning of the use of macroseismic postcards and their evolution in the first decades of the 20th century; the second part analyses a number of specific aspects of the content of macroseismic postcards. An example of the reading difficulties that these postcards pose is illustrated together with a brief comparison between the Mercalli and Mercalli-Cancani-Sieberg scales, which serve to interpret macroseismic postcards. Both the historical and analytical parts of the paper, aim to improve the comprehension of the sources and, consequently, the knowledge on Italian seismicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4 February 1867 Cephalonia (Western Greece) earthquake is the largest in the Ionian Islands and one of the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it remained one of the least studied historical events. For reconstructing this earthquake, we reevaluated existing knowledge and used new contemporary and modern sources, including scientific and local writers’ reports and books, local and national journals, newspapers, and ecclesiastical chronicles. The extracted information covered the earthquake parameters, population impact, building damage, and earthquake environmental effects (EEEs). The earthquake parameters included the origin time and duration of the main shock, epicenter location, precursors, aftershocks, and characteristics of the earthquake ground motion. The population impact involved direct and indirect health effects and population change. Building data highlighted the dominant building types and the types, grades, and distribution of damage. The EEEs included ground cracks, landslides, liquefaction, hydrological anomalies, and mild sea disturbances. Field surveys were also conducted for validation. The quantitative and qualitative information enabled the application of seismic intensity scales (EMS-98, ESI-07). The study concluded that since the affected areas were mainly composed of post-alpine deposits and secondarily of clay–clastic alpine formations with poor geotechnical properties, they were highly susceptible to failure. Effects and maximum intensities occurred in highly susceptible areas with a rich inventory.

Taking into account recent studies on the tsunamigenic potential of strike-slip faults, it is concluded that there is a need to reassess their near-source tsunami hazard and risk. One of the areas which needs reassessment is Western Greece, especially the Ionian Islands and the western coastal Peloponnese, where major seismogenic strike-slip structures occur. In this context, an extensive review of the available literature is conducted, including not only earthquake and tsunami catalogues but also tsunamis' imprints on the stratigraphic record. It is concluded that the Ionian Islands and the western Peloponnese have a rich history of tsunamis since 6000 BC, revealing that they are subjected to high tsunami hazard. In addition to the teletsunami effects of distant earthquakes, there are also local tsunamis with smaller physical quantities and slighter coastal impact that are attributed mainly to local offshore faults and earthquake-triggered landslides. The fact that no destructive local tsunamis have been detected so far does not exclude the possibility of future triggering. In order to identify areas susceptible to future tsunami impact, we extract tsunami quantities and coastal impact data from available sources and we apply the Integrated Tsunami Intensity Scale 2012 (ITIS-2012) for all the events with available and adequate information. The highly susceptible areas comprise straits, funnel-shaped bays and extensive coastal areas exposed to major strike-slip seismogenic sources in the Ionian Sea and the western Hellenic Trench. Based on the aforementioned information, the inclusion of the Ionian Sea in the tsunamigenic zones of Greece is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A look at the evolution of Seismology and Engineering Construction from the mid-1700s until the mid-1900s is presented to understand the main accomplishments achieved. Then, we perspective the new advancements toward future mitigation of earthquake impacts with a clear proposal for sustainability and ecological challenge. We will concentrate on analysing the phase 1755–1950 because not enough attention has been paid recently to this exciting period. Next, we jump to our days to look into a few significant problems that require the involvement of the scientific, technical and political communities. In particular: (i) We will look into the developments Intensity Scales should pursue to reduce uncertainties since more than 20 years have passed since the last upgrade. Today, the information from new events is much more extensive and reliable than in the past. Several examples will be presented to illustrate how the frequency of motion should be included in the main characteristics/categories (Building typologies and Vulnerabilities; Damage Grade; Quantity definition) and how it could be beneficial to add a few more descriptors to the Scale, namely shaking of objects and sloshing of water in recipients. (ii) We will analyse the lines of development to mitigate earthquake impacts, and respond to present and future needs, concentrating on the new scientific results that are changing seismology from a "back-analyst" science (indirect contribution to earthquake engineering) into a more pro-active one, with direct impact to reduce risks, such as the EEWS, and low-cost instrumentation. And adding to earthquake engineering the revolutionising health monitoring, as a precautious indicator of malfunction of structures, and a rapid system for evaluation of post-earthquakes, complemented with the citizen science. Finally, all these ingredients need to be merged into simple recommendations for which only data mining will be able to extract new reliable information. Five Highlights's for the future: MEMS EEWS Performance-based design Field trips Citizen Science All these new developments under the umbrella of Machine Learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Environmental Seismic Intensity scale (ESI-07), published 15 years ago under the umbrella of INQUA (International Union for Quaternary Research), is solely based on earthquake effects on the natural environment. ESI-07 provides complementary information with respect to other macroseismic scales, in particular those stemming from the original Mercalli scale, which are mainly based on effects on manmade structures. We collect information on 157 earthquakes, occurred between 300 AD and 2020, that have been studied using the ESI-07 scale. The ESI-07 epicentral intensity can be assigned based on linear or areal features (e.g., length of surface rupture, area affected by environmental effects); this value is generally in good agreement, or slightly larger, than estimates provided using other macroseismic scales. Higher discrepancies are found for earthquakes with ESI-07 epicentral intensity above X, where other scales tend to saturate, as expected based on the original definition of the Mercalli-family intensity scales. We develop scaling relations among ESI-07 epicentral intensity and moment magnitude, surface rupture length and affected area. After critically evaluating the scientific literature, we argue that the ESI-07 reached its original goals and proved to be particularly useful for the documentation of earthquake damage i) in remote regions, ii) in the case of strong events, where other scales saturate, and iii) in the region closer to the epicenter. Finally, we identify gaps where to focus future efforts, such as the integration of remote sensed datasets in ESI-07 assignment and the refinement of empirical regressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful, ubiquitous imaging technique that provides detailed high‐contrast images differentiating soft tissues. The low radio‐frequency bias field creates intensity inhomogeneity generating low contrast that often creates difficulty for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Segmentation aids in analysis of changes occurring in brain, where bias effect severely affects performance. The graph‐cut (GC) segmentation provides supervised computer‐assisted diagnosis and treatment. GC's interactive nature requires manual selection of kernels for initialisation. The shrinkage behaviour of GC creates inaccurate and fallacious extraction. On the basis of these problems, this study proposes gradient‐based kernel selection GC method that simultaneously removes shrinkage problem and locates tumour in image, eliminating human interaction with accurate segmentation for even bias field images. The proposed method addresses these problems by emphasising on directive inclination of intensity scales of symmetrical halves of images. The proposed method is evaluated for high‐grade glioma and low‐grade glioma images with and without bias field. The average performance metrics evaluated for these images depict remarkable improvement in comparison with existing techniques. The proposed technique is validated by applying on real‐time dataset of tumour images obtained from State Government Hospital, Shimla, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the performance of check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions and intensity scales to describe Minas Frescal cheese and its reformulation based on consumers' perceptions. Ten commercial samples with different formulations (full-fat, low-fat, or low-lactose) were evaluated by 200 consumers divided equally into 2 groups: 1 evaluated samples and described their ideal cheese using intensity scales and 1 did the same using CATA questions. Both methodologies provided similar information about the sensory characteristics of the Minas Frescal cheeses, the description of the ideal product, and directions for product reformulation. The ideal Minas Frescal cheese was characterized by high moisture, intense white color, homogeneous mass, typical Minas Frescal cheese aroma and flavor, softness, and juiciness. For the intensity scales, the recommendation was to increase the typical aroma and flavor, salty taste, and juiciness, and to decrease the bitter flavor; for the CATA questions, only increasing the typical Minas Frescal cheese flavor was important for all classes of cheeses. Even for a heterogeneous product with no defined manufacturing protocol, both methodologies presented satisfactory results that should be considered for use by cheese producers and the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its simplicity and efficiency for evaluating product attributes, check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions have been widely used. Yet, CATA questions have been reported to lack discriminability of subtle product differences and suffer from the problems of response bias from satisficing and acquiescence behaviors. In the present paper, a novel two-step rating-based ‘double-faced applicability’ test was developed as an extended response format of CATA, to improve its sensitivity for product discrimination and for stabilizing subjects’ evaluative criteria. In the ‘double-faced applicability’ test, each attribute was ‘double-faced’, meaning that two descriptors (a pair of semantic-differential descriptors) are separately presented in the questionnaires representing both sides of each attribute. For performing the two-step rating on each attribute in the questionnaire, subjects are instructed to first respond ‘Yes (does apply)’ or ‘No (does not apply)’ and then to answer a 3-point sureness rating (how sure they were about their Yes or No response). The performance of the two-step ratings in this new method was compared to a simple one-step applicability rating test method as well as the forced-choice Yes/No questions without the sureness rating in terms of sensitivity in sample discrimination. The results showed that the ‘double-faced applicability’ test provided better product discrimination and showed the potential to reduce acquiescence response bias when using existing variants of CATA response formats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stringent need to adapt the concept of seismic intensity to the requirements of accuracy as well as to the current level of sources of information (especially of instrumental nature) is emphasized and advocated. A summary view on the work devoted to the modernization of the concept of seismic intensity, performed in Russia, in Romania and in the Republic Moldova is presented. It is also emphasized that, in spite of the differences in the approaches adopted by the research groups referred to before, there is a convergence of the results and conclusions obtained and that the main outcome is represented by the need of modernization of the intensity concept, mainly in the directions of a more flexible approach and of benefitting from the radical advantages offered by the availability, currently, of a huge amount of instrumental data. The organization of a Joint Working Group of EAEE and ESC to develop this work is finally advocated.

The proposal presented subsequently was forwarded by the author, in August 2010, on the eve of the 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, to:- Prof. Atilla Ansal, Secretary General, EAEE;- Dr. Mariano García-Fernández, Secretary General, ESC.This proposal was to a high extent a follow up of the project “Quantification of seismic action on structures” (2005-2008), in which research groups of institutes of Romania (coordination), Russian Federation and Republic Moldova were involved. A summary outcome of the project referred to is represented by the volume [Sandi & al., 2010a]. A brief presentation of the volume referred to is given in its foreword, reproduced in Annex II. The correspondence related to the submission of the proposal is reproduced in Annex III. A paper on this subject, [Sandi & al., 2010b], presented at the 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, is also reproduced in this issue of the journal.

Product development and product optimisation are important activities for all food companies. The methodologies applied for uncovering consumers’ perception during product development are diverse, but many of them share the common underlying assumption that an ideal product exists. One possible approach for product optimisation consists of asking consumers to describe the sensory characteristics of tasted and ideal products. In the Ideal Profile Method (IPM) consumers use intensity scales to describe products. However, this approach can be tedious for consumers when a large number of attributes are considered. Check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions have been reported to be a simple alternative to gather information about consumers’ perception of the sensory characteristics of products and have been previously used to identify ideal products. In this context, the aim of the present work was to compare intensity scales and CATA questions using a case study with vanilla milk desserts. Nine samples of vanilla milk desserts were formulated using a fractional factorial design. A trained assessors’ panel evaluated samples using descriptive analysis. A consumer study with 200 participants was carried out. Consumers were randomly divided into 2 groups: one group evaluated the samples and described their ideal using intensity scales and the second group used CATA questions. Data were analysed using multivariate techniques and partial least squares regression. Results showed that both CATA questions intensity scales provided similar information to descriptive analysis with trained assessors. Sample configurations, description of the ideal product, drivers of liking and directions for product reformulation were similar for both approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of texture in consumers' acceptance of many dairy products, particularly milk desserts, it is important to rely on methodologies to understand consumers' texture perception. The aim of the present work was to study the relationship between consumers' texture perception of milk desserts and trained assessors' data. Six commercial milk desserts were evaluated by a panel of 100 consumers, divided into two groups of 50, which evaluated the texture of the desserts using intensity scales for five texture attributes or a check-all-that-apply question. Concurrently, seven texture attributes of the desserts were evaluated by a trained panel. Results showed that both consumer profiling methodologies were able to identify differences in the texture characteristics of the desserts, providing very similar sensory maps. High correlation between textural attributes evaluated by consumers and trained assessors was found, indicating that consumers were able to evaluate the attributes in a similar way as trained assessors did. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Intensity scales and check-all-that-apply (CATA) question seemed to be good alternatives to the use of trained assessors' panels when evaluating consumers' texture perception. Although both methodologies provided similar information, CATA questions would be preferred over intensity scales for being easier because consumers only have to check the terms from the question that are considered appropriate for each sample, getting rid of the need of asking consumers to score the intensity of sensory attributes using scales. The application of consumer profiling methodologies has the advantage of being based on consumers' perception of the products. However, it is important to highlight that these methodologies should be considered complementary to trained assessors data and that they might be particularly recommended for those food companies that do not enough time nor resources to train a panel for a specific application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stringent need to adapt the concept of seismic intensity to the requirements of accuracy as well as to the current level of sources of information (especially of instrumental nature) is emphasized and advocated. A summary view on the work devoted to the modernization of the concept of seismic intensity, performed in Russia, in Romania and in the Republic Moldova is presented. It is also emphasized that, in spite of the differences in the approaches adopted by the research groups referred to before, there is a convergence of the results and conclusions obtained and that the main outcome is represented by the need of modernization of the intensity concept, mainly in the directions of a more flexible approach and of benefitting from the radical advantages offered by the availability, currently, of a huge amount of instrumental data. The organization of a Joint Working Group of EAEE and ESC to develop this work, is finally advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposal presented subsequently was forwarded by the author, in August 2010, on the eve of the 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, to: - Prof. Atilla Ansal, Secretary General, EAEE; - Dr. Mariano García-Fernández, Secretary General, ESC. This proposal was to a high extent a follow up of the project "Quantification of seismic action on structures" (2005-2008), in which research groups of institutes of Romania (coordination), Russian Federation and Republic Moldova were involved. A summary outcome of the project referred to is represented by the volume [Sandi & al., 2010a]. A brief presentation of the volume referred to is given in its foreword, reproduced in Annex II. The correspondence related to the submission of the proposal is reproduced in Annex III. A paper on this subject, [Sandi & al., 2010b], presented at the 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, is also reproduced in this issue of the journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]