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We analyze nearest‐neighbor proximities of earthquakes in California based on the joint distribution (T, R) of rescaled time T and rescaled distance R between pairs of earthquakes (Zaliapin & Ben‐Zion, 2013a, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrb.50179), using seismic catalogs from several regions and several catalogs for the San Jacinto Fault Zone (SJFZ). The study aims to identify informative modes in nearest‐neighbor diagrams beyond the general background and clustered modes, and to assess seismic catalogs derived by different methods. The results show that earthquake clusters with large and small‐to‐medium mainshocks have approximately diagonal and horizontal (T, R) distributions of the clustered mode, respectively, reflecting different triggering distances of mainshocks. Earthquakes in the creeping section of San Andreas Fault have a distinct "repeaters mode" characterized by very large rescaled times T and very small rescaled distances R, due to nearly identical locations of repeating events. Induced seismicity in the Geysers and Coso geothermal fields follow mostly the background mode, but with larger rescaled times T and smaller rescaled distances R compared to tectonic background seismicity. We also document differences in (T, R) distributions of catalogs constructed by different techniques (analyst‐picks, template‐matching and deep‐learning) for the SJFZ, and detect a mode with very large R and small T in the template‐matching and deep‐learning based catalogs. This mode may reflect dynamic triggering by passing waves and/or catalog artifacts. Plain Language Summary: Earthquake patterns in space and time provide important information about the properties of active faults, the surrounding crust, and different loading mechanisms. Nearest‐neighbor diagrams of earthquake proximities in a combined space‐time‐magnitude domain can be used to detect different types of seismicity patterns. Using such diagrams to analyze several earthquake catalogs in California, we examine characteristics of different sections of the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults along with geothermal areas and the entire southern California. The results highlight features of seismicity beyond the well‐known background and clustered modes of earthquakes, including a mode of repeating events in the creeping section of the San Andreas fault and differences between events in regular tectonic areas and geothermal fields. Analyses of different catalogs for the region around the San Jacinto fault also reveal differences related to the different techniques used to construct the catalogs. The results show that nearest‐neighbor diagrams can provide a simple and efficient way to identify different types of seismicity and assess the quality of earthquake catalogs. Key Points: Nearest‐neighbor diagrams provide an efficient way to identify different types of earthquake patternsRepeating events, large versus small‐moderate mainshocks, and induced seismicity have characteristic signaturesNearest‐neighbor diagrams help to evaluate features in catalogs constructed by different methods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the case of Taiwan's anti-same-sex marriage referendum of 2018. This case shows that a referendum can severely affect the model of constitutional sovereignty which has guided Taiwan since its democratisation. The fact that populists were able to use the referendum as a tool to delegitimise the state organs, we argue, throws light on the relationship between populism and direct democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2013 Ruisui earthquake represents the first unequivocal evidence of the activity of the Central Range fault (CRF) in central Longitudinal Valley, Taiwan. Using a joint Bayesian finite‐fault source inversion of Global Navigation Satellite System and strain time series, we infer that coseismic rupture occurred between 4 and 19 km depth with maximum slip of 0.5 m located near the hypocenter. We then apply a variational Bayesian independent component analysis approach to displacement signals to infer a 3‐months long afterslip located in the near‐source region. This observation represents the first evidence of aseismic slip on the CRF. Combining geodetic and seismological analysis with simulations based on rate‐and‐state friction mechanics, we analyze the interplay between seismic and aseismic deformation during the earthquake sequence. We observe that afterslip is the dominant postseismic deformation mechanism, with >95% of the moment being released aseismically in the postseismic phase and also likely represents the driving force controlling aftershock productivity. Finally, we infer the presence of a shallow velocity strengthening zone (∼0–4 km depth) associated with spatially heterogeneous slip during the postseismic phase with maximum slip of 0.18 m located above the zone of maximum coseismic deformation. Plain Language Summary: Tectonic faults display a broad range of slip patterns, ranging from fast slip (earthquakes) to episodic or continuous aseismic slip. Aseismic transient slip events are now widely observed in active regions and play an important role in stress redistribution in the Earth's crust. The Central Range fault (CRF) is the second most active fault in the Longitudinal Valley, in eastern Taiwan. During the past 15 years, the fault hosted large to destructive earthquakes, but little is known about the presence and the role of aseismic events on the fault deformation. The 2013 Ruisui earthquake reveals for the first time the presence of transient slip regions on the CRF, capable of sustaining aseismic deformation over months. Besides, slow stress relaxation on the fault plane may have also influenced the behavior of seismicity following the mainshock. Monitoring and characterizing the sources of aseismic slip is fundamental to identify areas with high seismic hazard on the fault and to gain more knowledge about the interactions between seismic and aseismic processes. Key Points: We present the first evidence for the detection of postseismic deformation on the Central Range fault, in the Longitudinal Valley (Taiwan)Afterslip represents the dominant deformation mechanism during the postseismic phase and controlled aftershock productionThe velocity strengthening region may have acted like a barrier, resisting the rupture propagation toward the surface during the earthquake [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new optical pulse modulation scheme for multiple carrier ultra-wideband (MC-UWB) wireless systems to achieve a reliable high-bit-rate transmission. The scheme can decrease the system complexity and lowering cost. Moreover, the UWB receiver is adapted with a modified single-user correlation detector to recover original data signal by a narrow carrier spacing. Finally, we set up a practical experimental system to prove our proposed scheme. Experiment results demonstrate that the scheme can provide high spectral efficiency and reduce interference noise for MC-UWB wireless communications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:2735-2738, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25584 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of photoaging on a nanoscale metal-organic framework (MOF), truncated rhombic dodecahedron nano-zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (nZIF-8), focusing on its oxidative stress, inflammation, and implications for pulmonary diseases. We observed significant photodegradation-induced transformations in nZIF-8, characterized by a reduction in particle size from 200.5 to 101.4 nm and notable structural disintegration after prolonged exposure to simulated solar radiation. This alteration resulted in a marked decrease in oxidative cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells, which was attributed to changes in surface properties and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Gene expression analysis further revealed a decrease in cytotoxic and inflammatory responses, which potentially lowers the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aged nZIF-8 also showed diminished capacity to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines and influence COPD-related gene expression, reducing its potential to exacerbate COPD pathogenesis. Our findings highlight the critical need for comprehensive safety evaluations of these materials, while considering their long-term environmental and biological impacts. The diminished cytotoxicity and inflammatory potential of aged nZIF-8 highlighted its enhanced suitability for broader applications, indicating that photoaging may lead to safer and more sustainable material utilization. [Display omitted] • nZIF-8 induces oxidative stress, potentially initiating lung diseases. • nZIF-8, vulnerable to light, changes in size and structure when exposed. • Aging diminishes nZIF-8′s cytotoxic effects due to altered surface properties and reduced ROS. • Aged nZIF-8 less effectively impacts genes associated with inflammation and COPD. • Widespread use of nZIF-8 likely carries minimal risk for human lung health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study establishes a model by drawing from key postulates and findings under coopetition to explain the formation of perceived job effectiveness in team collaboration. In the proposed model, perceived job effectiveness is influenced directly by knowledge sharing, cooperative attitude, and competitive conflict, while knowledge sharing is influenced by cooperative attitude and competitive conflict. Accordingly, perceived job effectiveness is influenced indirectly by shared value, perceived trust and perceived benefit via the mediation of cooperative attitude and competitive conflict. Empirical testing of this model, by investigating personnel in information technology (IT) organizations, confirms the applicability of coopetition in virtual teams. The test results indicate that all the model paths except one (linking shared vision and competitive conflict) are significant. Finally, managerial implications and limitations of the research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peh-Hue-Juwa-Chi-Cao (PHJCC) is a common commercial name for the herbal extract of either Hedyotis diffusa (HD), H. corymbosa (HC), or Mollugo pentaphylla (MP). The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of these three extracts in rats. The results indicated that extracts of HC, HD and MP possess anti-inflammatory activity, and that MP has the greatest inhibition against carrageenan-induced paw edema. In the hepatoprotective study, results indicated that the three plant extracts significantly reduced the acute elevation of serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (sGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (sGPT) concentration, and alleviated the degree of liver damage 24 hours after the intraperitoneal administration of hepatotoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]