Polyomino Word-Puzzle Results

In our last issue we presented a near-solution to one of the pentomino word-problems. Now J.A. Lindon has arrived at the first complete solution to one of these problems, which we present at the end of this article. At the same time, Donald A. Drury, who provides (below) suggestions for solving some lower order trimino problems, has written to point out, concerning all these polyomino word-problems: To make the reflection a new problem, you must rule out using the same words in any diagram as were used in its reflected opposite. Otherwise, by simply using the same words in reverse order, top to bottom, you can solve both Rotation X and Reflection X

Acceleration of cosmic rays in supernova-remnants

It is commonly accepted that supernova-explosions are the dominant source of cosmic rays up to an energy of 10 to the 14th power eV/nucleon. Moreover, these high energy particles provide a major contribution to the energy density of the interstellar medium (ISM) and should therefore be included in calculations of interstellar dynamic phenomena. For the following the first order Fermi mechanism in shock waves are considered to be the main acceleration mechanism. The influence of this process is twofold; first, if the process is efficient (and in fact this is the cas) it will modify the dynamics and evolution of a supernova-remnant (SNR), and secondly, the existence of a significant high energy component changes the overall picture of the ISM. The complexity of the underlying physics prevented detailed investigations of the full non-linear selfconsistent problem. For example, in the context of the energy balance of the ISM it has not been investigated how much energy of a SN-explosion can be transfered to cosmic rays in a time-dependent selfconsistent model. Nevertheless, a lot of progress was made on many aspects of the acceleration mechanism

A cosmic ray driven instability

The interaction between energetic charged particles and thermal plasma which forms the basis of diffusive shock acceleration leads also to interesting dynamical phenomena. For a compressional mode propagating in a system with homogeneous energetic particle pressure it is well known that friction with the energetic particles leads to damping. The linear theory of this effect has been analyzed in detail by Ptuskin. Not so obvious is that a non-uniform energetic particle pressure can addition amplify compressional disturbances. If the pressure gradient is sufficiently steep this growth can dominate the frictional damping and lead to an instability. It is important to not that this effect results from the collective nature of the interaction between the energetic particles and the gas and is not connected with the Parker instability, nor with the resonant amplification of Alfven waves

On the plasma temperature in supernova remnants with cosmic-ray modified shocks

Context: Multiwavelength observations of supernova remnants can be explained within the framework of the diffusive shock acceleration theory, which allows effective conversion of the explosion energy into cosmic rays. Although the models of nonlinear shocks describe reasonably well the nonthermal component of emission, certain issues, including the heating of the thermal plasma and the related X-ray emission, remain still open. Aims: To discuss how the evolution and structure of supernova remnants is affected by strong particle acceleration at the forward shock. Methods: Analytical estimates combined with detailed discussion of the physical processes. Results: The overall dynamics is shown to be relatively insensitive to the amount of particle acceleration, but the post-shock gas temperature can be reduced to a relatively small multiple, even as small as six times, the ambient temperature with a very weak dependence on the shock speed. This is in marked contrast to pure gas models where the temperature is insensitive to the ambient temperature and is determined by the square of the shock speed. It thus appears to be possible to suppress effectively thermal X-ray emission from remnants by strong particle acceleration. This might provide a clue for understanding the lack of thermal X-rays from the TeV bright supernova remnant RX J1713.7-3946.Comment: Appendix A added, minor changes and additional references include

Letter to the Editor

A letter to the editor

Homographs and Pseudo-Homographs

Homographs, not to be confused with homonyms, are words which happen to be spelled identically but which have totally different meanings and etymologies. In addition to spelling, most homographic words share the same pronunciation. And so great is the spread of meanings - through association, figurative uses, and other influences - that many other words in English could be labeled pseudo-homographs: words with such widely disparate meanings that one would suppose them to come from entirely different sources, as the authentic homographs do

Pan-African alkali granites and syenites of Kerala as imprints of taphrogenic magmatism in the South Indian shield

Granite and syenite plutons with alkaline affinities ranging in age from 550 to 750 Ma sporadically puncture the Precambrian granulites of the Kerala region. All the bodies are small (20 to 60 sq km), E-W to NW-SE elongated elliptical intrusives with sharp contacts and lie on or close to major late Proterozoic lineaments. Geochemical plots of A-F-M and An-Ab-Or relations show an apparent alkali enrichment trend on the former, but the plutons define relatively distinct fields on the latter. Most of the plutons are adamellitic to granitic by chemistry. The variations of SiO2 with log sub 10 K2O/MgO (1) brings out the distinct alkaline nature of the plutons. Some of the granites are extremely potassic, like the Peralimala pluton, which shows up to 11.8 percent K2O. On a SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O+K2O (mol percent) plot, the plutons vary from peraluminous to peralkaline, but none are nepheline normative. Low MgO, low to moderate CaO and high Fe2O3/FeO values are other common characteristics. Among trace elements, depletion of Ba, Sr and Rb with high K/Ba and K/Rb values are typical. Overall, the plutons show a trend of decreasing K/Rb ratio with increasing K content. Individual plutons show more clearly defined trends similar to those from granitic masses characterized by plagioclase fractionation

The discovery of extramarital affairs : clients in crisis and implications for counseling

Extramarital affairs are one of the most common issues presented to counselors and other professionals in clinical settings. This issue has also been said to be one of the most difficult to treat among clinicians. In this paper, a review of the literature is presented regarding the nature of extramarital affairs and different types of affairs. Following this brief literature review, interventions are discussed for professionals when working with this population. Crisis intervention is specifically addressed in addition to practical, clinical interventions that may be used following resolution of crises

Cardiovascular adaptations to repeated valsalva manoeuvres in powerlifting athletes

Powerlifters utilise a unique breathing pattern known as the Valsalva manoeuvre (VM) in order to help them move maximal loads. This pattern of breathing is thought to impact a powerlifter’s cardiac morphology; however, the functional consequences of this are still unknown. The VM has profound implications for the cardiovascular system, with heart rate and blood pressure demonstrating four phases of reciprocal behaviour. This study proposed that there may be observable differences in the cardiovascular response to the VM when comparing powerlifters to those who are Valsalva-naïve. It was also speculated that changes in the expiratory pressure of the VM may influence the cardiovascular response. The final question was whether any of the differences observed were dependent on sex. This study found that there were statistically significant differences in the heart rate and blood pressure response exhibited by powerlifters when compared to sedentary controls. For instance, the blood pressure change in Phase I of the VM was 28mmHg in powerlifters compared to 15mmHg in sedentary (p <0.05). There were also significant differences in the cardiovascular response of all participants when performing the VM at varying intensities of expiratory pressure. For example, the VM Phase II heart rate changed by 40 ± 25 beats.min-1 during a protocol at fifty percent of maximum expiratory pressure, which was significantly (p <0.05) greater than the heart rate change observed during the protocol at thirty percent of maximum expiratory pressure (25 ± 14 beats.min-1). However, none of the differences observed which resulted from training status or intensity were dependent on sex. The findings of this study suggest that within the VM’s inherent cardiovascular pattern, heart rate and blood pressure respond to training and intensity in a way that is similar to other contexts of isometric exercise. This thesis contributes to the understanding of cardiovascular functional differences in powerlifters. This thesis also provides new insight into VM methodology, which may be applicable to other settings of VM utilisation. Finally, this work provides knowledge about female physiology in exercise science, an area which is currently lacking