Interplay between the vortex phase coherence and extended disorder defects in the vortex-liquid regime of thin films and superlattices of 123 superconductors

a-axis oriented (CuO_2 planes perpendicular to the substrate) films and superlattices grown on cubic substrates show a structure with 90° microdomains. The microdomains are grains with a 90° rotation of the c axis. In the vortex liquid region, this microstructure induces a change from the usual three-dimensional (3D) behavior of the anisotropy toward a 2D behavior, in a temperature range above the usual crossover from 2D to 3D. Moreover, when the thickness of the superconducting part of the multilayers becomes smaller (or of the same order as) than the microdomain size the 3D dimensional anisotropy behavior is recovered

Experimental estimation of the residual fatigue life of in-service wind turbine bolts

This study presents an experimental methodology aimed at estimating the residual fatigue life of in-service wind turbine bolts. The main objective is to assess the residual life of the bolts to plan their replacement and to avoid unexpected breakages of wind turbine blade connections. To develop the methodology, M16 bolts of quality 10.9 with controlled predamage were used, simulating in-service operating conditions. The fatigue tests were carried out taking care to place the nut at the point on the bolt that produces the highest damage at the same point where the predamage was performed. In addition, the influence of a possible angular positioning error on the residual fatigue life has been investigated. The residual fatigue life is estimated from the difference in fatigue life of new bolt tests and the fatigue life of predamaged bolt tests, simulating service conditions. Special care has been taken to guarantee that the most damaged zone of the bolt in service is also in the position that produces the highest damage during tests. An experimental procedure for determining the fatigue life of a new bolt from tests conducted on a bolt under the same operating conditions was developed. The developed methodology has been applied to M20 bolts belonging to real turbines in service

The significance of «S-C» structures found in the Berzosa-Honrubia region (Spanish Central System)

En el extremo oriental del Sistema Central Español, existen evidencias de un episodio tectónico fini-hercínico, que se manifiesta en el desarrollo de una banda de 1 a 2 Km de anchura, de dirección sub meridiana y buzamiento al este en la que son frecuentes estructuras de tipo «S-C:. dúctiles. Esta banda probablemente extensional, se superpone a la estructura singular de segunda fase hercínica (D2), conocida como Zona de Cizalla de Berzosa (Z.e.B., CAPOTE, R. et alters, 1981; GONZALEZCASADO,]. M., 1986), tradicionalmente interpretada como un cabalgamiento dúctil hacia el noroeste retrovergido por la fase de pliegues longitudinales D3. La zona descrita coincide además espacialmente con una banda donde existen procesos hidrotermales tardíos, los cuales podrían relacionarse genéticamente con la estructura citada. El probable episodio extensional descrito, puede relacionarse con la etapa de extensión regional generalizada que se desarrolla durante el final del ciclo hercínico en toda la cadena. Período este bien reflejado en muchos puntos del Sistema Central Español, en forma de importantes accidentes tectónicos extensionales, principalmente de dirección este-oeste y buzamiento norte o sur.In the east end of the Spanish Central System there are some evidence of a latehercynian tectonic evento Field evidences includes the presence of «S» and «C» planes (composite planar fabrics), in a band of 1 or 2 Km of wide, with an eastwest direction and dipping ro the east. This area has probable an extensional origin and has been superimposed to a structure related to the herc,Ynian second phase (D2) know as the Berzosa Shear Zone (B.S.Z., CAPOTE, R., et alters, 1981; GONZALEZ CASADO, J. M., 1986). The B.S.Z. has ben interpreted as a ductil thrust towards the non-oest, backfolded by a phase of longitudinal folds D3. The investigated region shows a spatial correlation with a band where there are some late hidrotermal process, what could be genetic related with the studied structure. Microstructural evidence are internally consistent with field observations. lt appears that data are compatible with N-S oriented extensional detachment, dipping to the east, with and east-under-west sense of movement. This event could be correlated with a period of regional extension found elsewhere in the Spanish Central System. Developped for aH the belt during the end of the hercynian cicle. This last even is well developped in several points of the Spanish Central System and can be seen as several E-W oriented detachment systems, dipping to the N and S (extensional tectonics).Depto. de Mineralogía y PetrologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEpu

Seismotectonics zoning of Morocco and adjacent region

In the present work, a new seismotectonics zoning of the Morocco and adjacent region is proposed. It is supported on a new database including recent geological (active faults, slip rates, geometrical characteristics, chronology of some recent tectonic phases) and geophysical (both instrumental and historical seismicity, focal mechanisms, nature of the crust) studies. In addition, the geodynamic context of the convergence of the Africa-Europe plates in the area, going from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar, has been taken into account. The newly suggested seismotectonics zoning is not limited to the borders of northern Morocco. It considers all the seismic sources (up to 400 km of distance) able to generate large and destructive earthquakes, such as the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, located in the Azores-Gibraltar transforming fault. New catalogues including the historical and instrumental seismicity since 1045 to 2005, and active faults were elaborated and used in this work. The most influential parameters having effects on the definition of the source area characteristics were determined with a suitable accuracy. The new performed zoning includes 12 shallow seismotectonics sources, each one corresponding to a certain volume of the Earth’s crust, whose known data were used to determine its static and dynamic conditions. Each seismotectonics zone has been analysed and interpreted, presenting certain homogeneity in the seismic potential and mode of deformation, obtained from the seismicity data, the strain and the stresses. For zones including faults, we have specified the geometrical characteristics, the chronology of the different movements corresponding to the successive tectonic episodes, and the associated seismicity. This new zoning will provide an improved contribution for both future probabilistic studies on seismic hazard, determining the ground acceleration, and seismic risk in the north of Morocco

Experimental and topological determination of the pressure-temperature phase diagram of morniflumate, a pharmaceutical ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties

The pressure-temperature phase diagram of morniflumate (niflumic acid ß-morpholinoethyl ester) has been obtained by high-pressure thermal analysis. In addition, calorimetric melting data (TI¿L = (348.1 ± 0.4) K and ¿HI¿L = (89 ± 2) J·g-1) and the specific volumes of the solid and the liquid state have been obtained under normal pressure. Comparison of the measured high-pressure melting data with the equilibrium curve obtained through the Clapeyron equation indicates that the initial slopes are the same (dP/dT = (2.96 ± 0.06) MPa·K-1) at the melting point under normal pressure. The fact that the Clapeyron equation can be used to construct topological phase diagrams may be of interest for the food and pharmaceutical industries.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft