Reconciliation of Waiting Time Statistics of Solar Flares Observed in Hard X-Rays

We study the waiting time distributions of solar flares observed in hard X-rays with ISEE-3/ICE, HXRBS/SMM, WATCH/GRANAT, BATSE/CGRO, and RHESSI. Although discordant results and interpretations have been published earlier, based on relatively small ranges ($< 2$ decades) of waiting times, we find that all observed distributions, spanning over 6 decades of waiting times ($\Delta t \approx 10^{-3}- 10^3$ hrs), can be reconciled with a single distribution function, $N(\Delta t) \propto \lambda_0 (1 + \lambda_0 \Delta t)^{-2}$, which has a powerlaw slope of $p \approx 2.0$ at large waiting times ($\Delta t \approx 1-1000$ hrs) and flattens out at short waiting times \Delta t \lapprox \Delta t_0 = 1/\lambda_0. We find a consistent breakpoint at $\Delta t_0 = 1/\lambda_0 = 0.80\pm0.14$ hours from the WATCH, HXRBS, BATSE, and RHESSI data. The distribution of waiting times is invariant for sampling with different flux thresholds, while the mean waiting time scales reciprocically with the number of detected events, $\Delta t_0 \propto 1/n_{det}$. This waiting time distribution can be modeled with a nonstationary Poisson process with a flare rate $\lambda=1/\Delta t$ that varies as $f(\lambda) \propto \lambda^{-1} \exp{-(\lambda/\lambda_0)}$. This flare rate distribution represents a highly intermittent flaring productivity in short clusters with high flare rates, separated by quiescent intervals with very low flare rates.Comment: Preprint also available at http://www.lmsal.com/~aschwand/eprints/2010_wait.pd

Socioeconomic patterning in the incidence and survival of children and young people diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Northern England

Previous studies have found marked increases in melanoma incidence. The increase among young people in northern England was especially apparent among females. However, overall 5-year survival has greatly improved. The present study aimed to determine whether socioeconomic factors may be involved in both etiology and survival. All 224 cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed in patients aged 10-24 years during 1968-2003 were extracted from a specialist population-based regional registry. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the relationship between incidence and area-based measures of socioeconomic deprivation and small-area population density. Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between survival and deprivation and population density. There was significantly decreased risk associated with living in areas of higher unemployment (relative risk per 1% increase in unemployment=0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90-0.96, P<0.001). Survival was better in less deprived areas (hazard ratio (HR) per tertile of household overcrowding=1.52; 95% CI 1.05-2.20; P=0.026), but this effect was reduced in the period 1986-2003 (HR=0.61; 95% CI 0.40-0.92; P=0.018). This study found that increased risk of melanoma was linked with some aspects of greater affluence. In contrast, worse survival was associated with living in a more deprived area

Chemical characterization of ambient aerosol collected during the northeast monsoon season over the Arabian Sea: Anions and cations

Ambient aerosol samples were collected over the Arabian Sea during the month of March 1997, aboard the German R/V Sonne, as part of the German JGOFS project (Joint Global Ocean Flux Study). This is the third study in a series of analogous measurements taken over the Arabian Sea during different seasons of the monsoon. Dichotomous high volume collector samples were analyzed for anions and cations upon return to the laboratory. Anthropogenic pollutant concentrations were larger during the first part of the cruise, when air masses originated over the Indian subcontinent. Total NSS‐SO42− concentrations amounted to 2.94 ± 1.06 μg m−3 of which 92.1 ± 4.5% was present in the fine fraction. NSS‐SO42− source apportionment analysis with multivariate linear regression models revealed that in the coarse fraction half is biogenically and half anthropogenically derived, while in the fine fraction only 6% seemed of biogenic origin and 84% anthropogenic and 10% crustal in nature. Chloride deficits up to 99.1% in the fine fraction were observed. The average Cl− deficit in the fine fraction was 89.0 ± 9.4%, potentially related to NSS‐SO42− acid displacement and Cl reactive species formation, while in the coarse fraction it was 25.6 ± 21.3%, with NO3− being the preferred species for acid displacement

Integration of oncology and palliative care : a Lancet Oncology Commission

Full integration of oncology and palliative care relies on the specific knowledge and skills of two modes of care: the tumour-directed approach, the main focus of which is on treating the disease; and the host-directed approach, which focuses on the patient with the disease. This Commission addresses how to combine these two paradigms to achieve the best outcome of patient care. Randomised clinical trials on integration of oncology and palliative care point to health gains: improved survival and symptom control, less anxiety and depression, reduced use of futile chemotherapy at the end of life, improved family satisfaction and quality of life, and improved use of health-care resources. Early delivery of patient-directed care by specialist palliative care teams alongside tumour-directed treatment promotes patient-centred care. Systematic assessment and use of patient-reported outcomes and active patient involvement in the decisions about cancer care result in better symptom control, improved physical and mental health, and better use of health-care resources. The absence of international agreements on the content and standards of the organisation, education, and research of palliative care in oncology are major barriers to successful integration. Other barriers include the common misconception that palliative care is end-of-life care only, stigmatisation of death and dying, and insufficient infrastructure and funding. The absence of established priorities might also hinder integration more widely. This Commission proposes the use of standardised care pathways and multidisciplinary teams to promote integration of oncology and palliative care, and calls for changes at the system level to coordinate the activities of professionals, and for the development and implementation of new and improved education programmes, with the overall goal of improving patient care. Integration raises new research questions, all of which contribute to improved clinical care. When and how should palliative care be delivered? What is the optimal model for integrated care? What is the biological and clinical effect of living with advanced cancer for years after diagnosis? Successful integration must challenge the dualistic perspective of either the tumour or the host, and instead focus on a merged approach that places the patient's perspective at the centre. To succeed, integration must be anchored by management and policy makers at all levels of health care, followed by adequate resource allocation, a willingness to prioritise goals and needs, and sustained enthusiasm to help generate support for better integration. This integrated model must be reflected in international and national cancer plans, and be followed by developments of new care models, education and research programmes, all of which should be adapted to the specific cultural contexts within which they are situated. Patient-centred care should be an integrated part of oncology care independent of patient prognosis and treatment intention. To achieve this goal it must be based on changes in professional cultures and priorities in health care