Detection of Spatial and Temporal Stress Changes During the 2016 Central Italy Seismic Sequence by Monitoring the Evolution of the Energy Index

We consider approximately 23,000 microearthquakes that occurred between 2005 and 2016 in central Italy to investigate the crustal strength before and after the three largest earthquakes of the 2016 seismic sequence (i.e., the Mw 6.2, 24 August 2016 Amatrice, the Mw 6.1, 26 October 2016 Visso, and the Mw 6.5, 30 October 2016 Norcia earthquakes). We monitor the spatiotemporal deviations of observed radiated energy, ES, with respect to theoretical values, ESt, derived from a scaling model between ES and M0 calibrated for background seismicity in central Italy. These deviations, defined here as Energy Index (EI), allow us to identify in the years following the Mw 6.1, 2009 L’Aquila earthquake a progressive evolution of the dynamic properties of microearthquakes and the existence of high EI patches close to the Amatrice earthquake hypocenter. We show the existence of a crustal volume with high EI even before the Mw 6.5 Norcia earthquake. Our results agree with the previously suggested hypothesis that the Norcia earthquake nucleated at the boundary of a large patch, highly stressed by the two previous mainshocks of the sequence. We highlight the mainshocks interaction both in terms of EI and of the mean loading shear stress associated to microearthquakes occurring within the crustal volumes comprising the mainshock hypocenters. Our study shows that the dynamic characteristics of microearthquakes can be exploited as beacons of stress change in the crust and thus be exploited to monitor the seismic hazard of a region and help to intercept the preparation phase of large earthquakes

Cooperative scientific literature search and socialization through virtual teams

The scientific literature search is a key enabler for the research process. However, since it presents a lack of systematic procedure, is one of the most problematic and inefficient activities that researchers need to face during the development of their state of the arts. Moreover, most University students never experience sci- scientific literature search despite research is the main mission of the universities and one of the major activities of their professors as well as a primary param- enter for their careers. The aim of this paper is to i) present a new approach for sci- scientific literature search based on virtual team collaboration ii) explore the team dynamics of the knowledge building process in a virtual environment and, iii) propose a blog tool for open knowledge sharing both for experienced researchers and beginning students

Growth and Mineral Relations of Beta vulgaris var. cicla and Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima Cultivated Hydroponically with Diluted Seawater and Low Nitrogen Level in the Nutrient Solution

There is an increasing interest in the use of seawater in horticulture. The objective of this study was to evaluate Beta vulgaris var. cicla (Swiss chard) and its wild ancestor B. vulgaris spp. maritima (sea beet) as potential crop species for seawater hydroponics or aquaponics. Both species were grown in a floating system for leaf production with recurrent harvests. The nutrient solutions contained different concentrations of nitrate (1 and 10 mM) and a synthetic sea salt (0 and 10 g L−1), in a factorial design, where the saline solution with a low nitrate level intended to mimic the typical nutritional conditions of saltwater aquaponics. In both species, increasing the salinity or reducing the N level in the nutrient solution reduced the crop yield and total dry biomass. In both Swiss chard and sea beet, the use of saline water resulted in a lower leaf concentration of K, Ca, Cu, and Mn, and a greater content of Na and Cl. In Swiss chard, an increase in Na and Cl and a decrease in K leaf content were found in successive harvests. On average, sea beet showed a higher leaf production and accumulation of nitrate than Swiss chard

Novel glass-ceramic composition as sealant for SOFCs

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Federico Smeacetto, Auristela De Miranda, Andreas Chrysanthou, Enrico Bernardo, Michele Secco, Massimiliano Bindi, Milena Salvo, Antonio G. Sabato, and Monica Ferraris, ‘Novel Glass‐Ceramic Composition as Sealant for SOFCs’, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 97 (12): 3835-3842, December 2014, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.13219. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.This work deals with the design, the characterization, and testing of a novel glass-ceramic to be used as sealant for planar solid oxide fuel cells and its compatibility with Mn1.5Co1.5O4-coated Crofer22APU. Thermal, sintering, and crystallization behavior and thermo mechanical properties of the sealant are reviewed and discussed, indicating therefore that these compositions can be deposited at 850C and provide an excellent compatibility with both the Mn1.5Co1.5O4-coated Crofer22APU and the anode-supported electrolyte. In particular, Mn1.5Co1.5O4-coated Crofer22APU/sealant/anode-supported-electrolyte joined samples have been submitted to thermal tests (in air atmosphere) from RT to 800C (SOFC operating temperature) up to 500 h. No interactions, cracks formation, or failure were observed at the Mn1.5Co1.5O4-coated Crofer22APU/sealant interface and between the glass-ceramic and the anode-supported-electrolyte after 500 h of thermal tests in air atmosphere.Peer reviewe

NERA project - Deliverable D11.4: Array measurements

The aim of this Task is to present the seismological data and some preliminary empirical results related to two deployed specific arrays; (a) the Argostoli seismological array and (b) the Fucino seismological array. Both experiment arrays provided high quality data that along with corresponding geological and geophysical measurements may serve to critical evaluation of site effects and basin effects. In addition, work on modelling of basin effects may be significantly benefited by the observed acquired in both sites. Given that the analyses of the data obtained during the aforementioned experimental arrays will be performed in close link with activity of NERA-JRA3, the following goals are set: To investigate the link between ground motion spatial variability, strains, seismic wavefield and subsurface properties To compare numerical estimates of ground strain with actual measurements To investigate the capability of estimating ground strains from noise correlation studies. In order to organize and accomplish the work according to the initial schedule, several meetings (actual or/and Skype) among the participants took place during the 2nd year of the NERA-JRA1 project. Minutes of these meetings are given in Appendices 1, 2, 3 and 4.Network of European Research Infrastructures for Earthquake Risk Assessment and Mitigation Project, Seventh Framework Programme EC project number: 262330Published4T. Sismologia, geofisica e geologia per l'ingegneria sismic

Avaliação de defeitos em revestimentos metálicos aspergidos /térmicamente por arco elétrico em substratos de geometrias distintas Evaluation of defects in metallic coatings sprayed thermically by electric arc in substrates of different geometries

Revestimentos obtidos por aspersão térmica (AT) podem ser utilizados na proteção de componentes da indústria que atuam sob condições severas de abrasão, impacto de partículas e corrosão. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a quantidade de defeitos (poros e trincas) de dois revestimentos metálicos obtidos pela técnica de AT por arco elétrico (Ligas A e B) aplicados sobre duas geometrias de substratos distintas, chapas e tubos. Os tubos revestidos permaneceram expostos às condições reais de trabalho em uma caldeira de central termelétrica movida à carvão mineral pelo período de um ano. Foram utilizadas técnicas de microscopia óptica (MO), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), análise química semi-quantitativa por Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) e análise e processamento digital de imagens (PDI). Após exposição dos tubos em campo, a elevada rugosidade de superfície característica do processo de AT, foi reduzida. Os resultados revelaram maior percentual de trincas e poros nos revestimentos dos tubos (7,6% e 14,9% paras as ligas A e B, respectivamente) em relação às chapas (5,0% e 5,6% paras as ligas A e B, respectivamente)

Hunt for new phenomena using large jet multiplicities and missing transverse momentum with ATLAS in 4.7 fb−1 of s√=7TeV proton-proton collisions

Results are presented of a search for new particles decaying to large numbers of jets in association with missing transverse momentum, using 4.7 fb−1 of pp collision data at s√=7TeV collected by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in 2011. The event selection requires missing transverse momentum, no isolated electrons or muons, and from ≥6 to ≥9 jets. No evidence is found for physics beyond the Standard Model. The results are interpreted in the context of a MSUGRA/CMSSM supersymmetric model, where, for large universal scalar mass m 0, gluino masses smaller than 840 GeV are excluded at the 95% confidence level, extending previously published limits. Within a simplified model containing only a gluino octet and a neutralino, gluino masses smaller than 870 GeV are similarly excluded for neutralino masses below 100 GeV

Measurement of the top quark-pair production cross section with ATLAS in pp collisions at \sqrt{s}=7\TeV

A measurement of the production cross-section for top quark pairs(\ttbar) in $pp$ collisions at \sqrt{s}=7 \TeV is presented using data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events are selected in two different topologies: single lepton (electron $e$ or muon $\mu$) with large missing transverse energy and at least four jets, and dilepton ($ee$, $\mu\mu$ or $e\mu$) with large missing transverse energy and at least two jets. In a data sample of 2.9 pb-1, 37 candidate events are observed in the single-lepton topology and 9 events in the dilepton topology. The corresponding expected backgrounds from non-\ttbar Standard Model processes are estimated using data-driven methods and determined to be $12.2 \pm 3.9$ events and $2.5 \pm 0.6$ events, respectively. The kinematic properties of the selected events are consistent with SM \ttbar production. The inclusive top quark pair production cross-section is measured to be \sigmattbar=145 \pm 31 ^{+42}_{-27} pb where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The measurement agrees with perturbative QCD calculations.Comment: 30 pages plus author list (50 pages total), 9 figures, 11 tables, CERN-PH number and final journal adde