The kinematic source rupture process of the 2016 Meinong earthquake (Mw = 6.4) in Taiwan was derived from apparent source time functions retrieved from teleseismic S-waves by using a refined homomorphic deconvolution method. The total duration of the rupture process was approximately 15 s, and one slip-concentrated area can be represented as the source model based on images representing static slip distribution. The rupture process began in a down-dip direction from the fault toward Tainan City, strongly suggesting that the rupture had a unilateral northwestern direction. The asperity with an area of approximately 15 × 15 km2 and the maximum slip of approximately 2 m were centered 12.8 km northwest of the hypocenter. Coseismic vertical deformation was calculated based on the source model. Compared with the results derived from InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) data, our results demonstrated that the location with maximum uplift was accurately well detected, but our maximum value was just approximately 0.4 times of the InSAR-derived value. It reveals that there are the other mechanisms to affect the vertical deformation, rather than only depending on the source model. At different depths, areas west, east, and north of the hypocenter maintained high values of Coulomb stress changes. This explains the mechanism behind aftershocks being triggered and provides a reference for predicting aftershock locations after a large earthquake. The estimated seismic spectral intensities, including spectral acceleration and velocity intensity (SIa and SIv), were derived. Source directivity effects caused damage to buildings, and we concluded that all damaged buildings were located within a SIa value of 400 gal. Destroyed buildings taller than seven floors were located in an area with a SIv value of 30 cm/s. These observations agree with those on damages caused by the 2010 Jiasian earthquake (ML 6.4) in Tainan, Taiwan.

Reading fluently is the goal of many L2 learners. The purpose of this study was to see how word recognition and fluency-building activities affect Iranian EFL students’ reading comprehension. To do so, 93 subjects with preintermediate command of English were selected. Then, they were divided into two experimental groups and one control group, each with 31 participants. In an eight-session period, the first experimental group (word recognition group) received word and phrase recognition activities, the second treatment group (fluency group) was exposed to fluency-oriented activities, while the control group was only exposed to the Farsi translation of the assigned texts. Using a randomized pretest-posttest comparison group design, we attempted to see how reading comprehension changes in response to the treatment. Therefore, a one-way between-groups ANOVA was used to test the null hypothesis. The findings revealed that both experimental groups significantly outperformed the control group in the posttest. There was no significant difference between the two experimental groups, according to post-hoc analyses, hence the efficacy of the two implemented techniques. This study implies that material developers should include such activities in their textbooks to enhance text comprehension, especially at the preintermediate level of language proficiency. Additionally, teachers can employ these techniques in their classes with their learners at the preintermediate level.

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The kinematics rupture process of the Chia-Yi earthquake occurred on October 22, 1999 (Mw 5.9) in Taiwan is investigated. The hybrid blind deconvolution technique is applied to the teleseismic waves to invert source parameters, including slip amplitudes, rise times and rupture velocities on the fault. From the directivity effect of the fault, the actual fault plane is determined as east dipping. According to the derived ASFT, the total duration of the rupture process is 6.5 sec. A good correlation notices that the larger slip amplitude corresponds to the longer rise time of the subfault. By using the inverted source parameters and combining the stochastic method for finite fault, the strong ground motions of 12 stations at epicentral distances ranging from 3.28 to 29 km are simulated. The results show that the agreements between simulated and recorded spectra are quite satisfying. It means that the inverted source parameters are reliable and the stations where located at near source distance are dominated by source effects. The inhomogeneous distribution of slip and the variable corner frequency could play important roles in the simulation process. Although the source effects are dominant, there are some significant discrepancies existing at stations, implying the site effects are influential.