The Origin, Early Evolution and Predictability of Solar Eruptions

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were discovered in the early 1970s when space-borne coronagraphs revealed that eruptions of plasma are ejected from the Sun. Today, it is known that the Sun produces eruptive flares, filament eruptions, coronal mass ejections and failed eruptions; all thought to be due to a release of energy stored in the coronal magnetic field during its drastic reconfiguration. This review discusses the observations and physical mechanisms behind this eruptive activity, with a view to making an assessment of the current capability of forecasting these events for space weather risk and impact mitigation. Whilst a wealth of observations exist, and detailed models have been developed, there still exists a need to draw these approaches together. In particular more realistic models are encouraged in order to asses the full range of complexity of the solar atmosphere and the criteria for which an eruption is formed. From the observational side, a more detailed understanding of the role of photospheric flows and reconnection is needed in order to identify the evolutionary path that ultimately means a magnetic structure will erupt

Genotype x environment interactions for East African orange-fleshed sweetpotato clones evaluated across varying ecogeographic conditions in Uganda

African dry and starchy (DS) orange-fleshed sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] (OFSP) cultivars, distinct from American moist or medium dry and sweet OFSP, have potential to fight vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in the world. This study assessed the genotype × environment (G × E) interactions in multienvironment trials (METs), the genetic correlations for total root yield (TYLD), biomass (BIOM), harvest index (HI), root dry matter (RDM), root starch (RST), root sucrose (RSU), root β-carotene, (RBC), root Fe (RFE), root Zn (RZN), root Ca (RCA), and root Mg (RMG) and the potential contributions of the cultivars to fight VAD and mineral deficiencies. Nine DS OFSP cultivars, (Ejumula, Zambezi, Carrot_C, Kakamega, KMI61, Abuket_1, SPK004/6/6, SPK004/6 and Naspot_5/50) and a medium dry and sweet OFSP cultivar (Resisto) were tested in METs in Uganda. The components were smaller than components for HI, RDM, RST, RSU, and RBC, making it possible to ably select for the traits in the early stages. The components were larger than components for TYLD and mineral traits. Thus, like yield, breeding for mineral traits in sweetpotato is complex, requiring prior data on the causes of the G × E interactions. Medium to high positive correlations among mineral traits favor parallel selection, and it merits further study to efficiently improve the mineral trait complex by an index. Clearly, a 50- to 100-g ration of all the cultivars, except Naspot_5/50, can provide 100% recommended dietary allowance of vitamin A for a 5- to 8-yr-old child

Magnetic Flux Emergence, Activity, Eruptions and Magnetic Clouds: Following Magnetic Field from the Sun to the Heliosphere

We present an overview of how the principal physical properties of magnetic flux which emerges from the toroidal fields in the tachocline through the turbulent convection zone to the solar surface are linked to solar activity events, emphasizing the effects of magnetic field evolution and interaction with other magnetic structures on the latter. We compare the results of different approaches using various magnetic observables to evaluate the probability of flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) activity and forecast eruptive activity on the short term (i.e. days). Then, after a brief overview of the observed properties of CMEs and their theoretical models, we discuss the ejecta properties and describe some typical magnetic and composition characteristics of magnetic clouds (MCs) and interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs). We review some individual examples to clarify the link between eruptions from the Sun and the properties of the resulting ejecta. The importance of a synthetic approach to solar and interplanetary magnetic fields and activity is emphasized. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V