Intensity-based sentiment and topic analysis. The case of the 2020 Aegean Earthquake

After an earthquake, it is necessary to understand its impact to provide relief and plan recovery. Social media (SM) and crowdsourcing platforms have recently become valuable tools for quickly collecting large amounts of first-hand data after a disaster. Earthquake related studies propose using data mining and natural language processing (NLP) for damage detection and emergency response assessment. Using tex-data provided by the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) collected through the LastQuake app for the Aegean Earthquake, we undertake a sentiment and topic analysis according to the intensities reported by their users in the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. There were collected 2,518 comments, reporting intensities from I to X being the most frequent intensity reported III. We use supervised classification according to a rule-set defined by authors and a two-tailed Pearson correlation to find statistical relationships between intensities reported in the MMI by LastQuake app users, polarities, and topics addressed in their comments. The most frequent word among comments was: “Felt.” The sentiment analysis (SA) indicates that the positive polarity prevails in the comments associated with the lowest intensities reported: (I-II), while the negative polarity in the comments is associated with higher intensities (III–VIII and X). The correlation analysis identifies a negative correlation between the increase in the reported MMI intensity and the comments with positive polarity. The most addressed topic in the comments from LastQuake app users was intensity, followed by seismic information, solidarity messages, emergency response, unrelated topics, building damages, tsunami effects, preparedness, and geotechnical effects. Intensities reported in the MMI are significantly and negatively correlated with the number of topics addressed in comments. Positive polarity decreases with the soar in the reported intensity in MMI demonstrated the validity of our first hypothesis, despite not finding a correlation with negative polarity. Instead, we could not prove that building damage, geotechnical effects, lifelines affected, and tsunami effects were topis addressed only in comments reporting the highest intensities in the MMI

Seismic evaluation and strengthening of nemrut monuments

Nemrut Dag Tumulus and Monuments, constructed during the Commagenian Kingdom approximately 2000 years ago on the peak of Mount Nemrut, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey. The region is about 5 km away from the East Anatolian Fault, therefore, this paper focuses on dynamic testing and earthquake simulations carried out within the framework of the Commagene Nemrut Conservation Development Program in order to explain monuments' current condition. The simulations showed vulnerability of cut-stone blocks separating from one another under seismic action, and simple strengthening solutions were proposed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

Indoor mould testing in a historic building: Blickling Hall

Abstract Indoor mould growth is a growing concern for all stakeholders of built environment, including residents, builders, insurance and building remediation industry as well as custodians of heritage buildings. The National Trust has reported this problem in a number of buildings under their ownership, and developed solutions and fine-tuned their maintenance programme so as to minimise indoor and surface mould growth risk. This paper reports findings from an extensive mould-testing scheme in Blickling Hall, a National Trust property in Norfolk, England, for an appraisal of airborne and surface mould levels within a total of eight rooms, including the famous Long Gallery. The testing protocol used combines active (aggressive) air sampling and surface sampling, analysis of the β-N-acetylhexosaminidase (NAHA) activity to quantify mould levels and particle counting. The results show that the airborne mould levels are quite low in all spaces, due to satisfactory maintenance of indoor hygrothermal conditions by conservation heating. On the other hand, while the National Trust’s developed solutions and maintenance programme have proved effective to avoid surface mould growth in those locations that historically suffered from microbial activity (such as behind book presses, picture frames and tapestries), the results show that the surface cleaning around windows should be improved to tackle surface water due to condensation, which is considered to be the main driver behind high surface NAHA activity obtained in these areas

Seismic Resistance Evaluation of Traditional Ottoman Timber-Frame Himis Houses: Frame Loadings and Material Tests

Traditional Ottoman timber-frame houses ("himis") form the major part of the cultural heritage structures in Turkey. There are many studies in the literature regarding the seismic performance of himis houses, which claim that these structures have an inherent seismically resistant property. However, these studies lack a quantitative engineering approach and are based on observations made after contemporary earthquakes. This study presents the results of the seismic resistance evaluation of traditional Ottoman houses, made by means of reverse cyclic frame tests conducted on six yellow pine and two fir frames with and without infill (brick and adobe) or cladding (bagdadi and samdolma). The experimental study, which was intended to differentiate the effects of infill materials, frame geometry, and timber type, has revealed that frames with bagdadi cladding and adobe infill resulted in the best and worst structural performances, respectively, while high ductility and good energy dissipation capacity characteristics were determined

Climate threats to the earth-built heritage of Scotland

The most significant concentration of surviving vernacular mudwall structures in Scotland is found in and around the town of Errol in the Carse of Gowrie. Mudwall, or cob, is particularly susceptible to climate-related impacts such as water ingress and freeze-thaw cycles. A lack of recognition can exacerbate the effects of these factors significantly. Using two sites as representative case studies, this paper considers the issues typically encountered. The procedures used in monitoring the performance of each building within a regional climate context are outlined. Using climate models and current weather data, the local climatic context within which these structures exist is considered. Climate-related impacts can then be considered for future scenarios. Temperature and humidity data were collected concurrently from targeted areas within the walls of both structures for over a year from April 2012, a period that exhibited a range of extreme weather events in the Carse of Gowrie. The system of datalogging at each structure is discussed and results considered against external weather conditions using decomposed time series statistical analysis. Recommendations are offered considering how an integrated approach to the analysis of historic mudwall structures can be achieved

The prevalence of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: a cross-sectional multicenter nationwide study (EPICPAT-T).

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood psychopathologies in Turkey