On the Statistical Relationship between CME Speed and Soft X-ray Flux and Fluence of the Associated Flare

Both observation and theory reveal a close relationship between the kinematics of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the thermal energy release traced by the related soft X-ray (SXR) emission. The major problem of empirical studies of this relationship is the distortion of the CME speed by the projection effect in the coronagraphic measurements. We present a re-assessment of the statistical relationship between CME velocities and SXR parameters, using the SOHO/LASCO catalog and GOES whole Sun observations during the period 1996 to 2008. 49 events were identified where CMEs originated near the limb, at central meridian distances between 70$^\circ$ and 85$^\circ$, and had a reliably identified SXR burst, the parameters of which - peak flux and fluence - could be determined with some confidence. We find similar correlations between the logarithms of CME speed and of SXR peak flux and fluence as several earlier studies, with correlation coefficients of 0.48 and 0.58, respectively. Correlations are slightly improved over an unrestricted CME sample when only limb events are used. However, a broad scatter persists. We derive the parameters of the CME-SXR relationship and use them to predict ICME arrival times at Earth. We show that the CME speed inferred from SXR fluence measurements tends to perform better than SoHO/LASCO measurements in the prediction of ICME arrival times near 1 AU. The estimation of the CME speed from SXR observations can therefore make a valuable contribution to space weather predictions.Comment: Solar Physics, in pres

Origin of anomalous Xe-H in presolar diamonds: Indications of a "cold" r-process

We report on a concerted effort aimed at understanding the nucleosynthesis origin of Xe-H in presolar nanodiamonds. Previously explored possible explanations have included a secondary neutron-burst process occurring in the He-shell of a type II supernova (SN), as well as a rapid separation, between unstable precursor isobars of a primary r-process, and stable Xe isotopes. Here we present results from the investigation of a rapid neutron-capture scenario in core-collapse SNe with different non-standard r-process variants. Our calculations are performed in the framework of the high-entropy-wind (HEW) scenario using updated nuclear-physics input. We explore the consequences of varying the wind expansion velocity (Vexp) for selected electron fractions (Ye) with their correlated entropy ranges (S), and neutron-freezeout temperatures (T9(freeze)) and timescales (tau-r(freeze). We draw several conclusions: For Xe-H a "cold" r-process with a fast freezeout seems to be the favored scenario. Furthermore, eliminating the low-S range (i.e. the "weak" r-process component) and maintaining a pure "main" or even "strong" r-process leads to an optimum overall agreement with the measured iXe/136Xe abundance ratios. Our results can provide valuable additional insight into overall astrophysical conditions of producing the r-process part of the total SS heavy elements in explosive nucleosynthesis scenarios.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures XII International Symposium on Nuclei in the Cosmos, August 5-12, 2012, Cairns, Australi

A high-entropy wind r-process study based on nuclear-structure quantities from the new finite-range droplet model FRDM(2012)

Theoretical studies of the nucleosynthesis origin of the heavy elements in our Solar System (S.S.) by the rapid neutron-capture process (r-process) still face the entwined uncertainties in the possible astrophysical scenarios and the nuclear-physics properties far from stability. In this paper we present results from the investigation of an r-process in the high-entropy wind (HEW) of core-collapse supernovae (here chosen as one of the possible scenarios for this nucleosynthesis process), using new nuclear-data input calculated in a consistent approach, for masses and $\beta$-decay properties from the new finite-range droplet model FRDM(2012). The accuracy of the new mass model is 0.56 MeV with respect to {\sc AME2003}, to which it was adjusted. We compare the new HEW r-process abundance pattern to the latest S.S. r-process residuals and to our earlier calculations with the nuclear-structure quantities based on FRDM(1992). Substantial overall and specific local improvements in the calculated pattern of the r-process between $A\simeq 110$ and $^{209}$Bi, as well as remaining deficiencies are discussed in terms of the underlying spherical and deformed shell structure far from stability.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

CrossFlow: Cross-Organizational Workflow Management for Service Outsourcing in Dynamic Virtual Enterprises

In this report, we present the approach to cross-organizational workflow management of the CrossFlow project. CrossFlow is a European research project aiming at the support of cross-organizational workflows in dynamic virtual enterprises. The cooperation in these virtual enterprises is based on dynamic service outsourcing specified in electronic contracts. Service enactment is performed by dynamically linking the workflow management infrastructures of the involved organizations. Extended service enactment support is provided in the form of cross-organizational transaction management and process control, advanced quality of service monitoring, and support for high-level flexibility in service enactment. CrossFlow technology is realized on top of a commercial workflow management platform and applied in two real-world scenarios in the contexts of a logistics and an insurance company

Voluntary Agreements in Environmental Protection - Experiences in Germany and Future Perspectives

A trend towards softer regulation, especially in the form of negotiated environmental agreements, is observable in national and international environmental policies. Such agreements are controversial, because there are fears that government will relinquish its responsibility for environmental protection. This paper analyses recent experiences with voluntary agreements in Germany. Topical German examples that have prompted public debates include the takeback agreement for cars, the voluntary agreement made by a number of industries on a C02 reduction by the year 2005 and the voluntary agreement made by the automobile industry on the development of energy-efficient cars. Proponents of voluntary agreements argue that this instrument provides incentives to the business sector for the development of efficient, innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions. Analysing the examples mentioned above, we conclude that it is hard to detect solutions derserving such attributes. These agreements are unlikely to produce results that go beyond what industry would have done in any case and they avoid using economic incentives. The agreements are' non-binding and unenforceable, with the negotiating process leading to a watering down of the environmental goals government had originally aimed at. A preference for negotiated solutions on principle, as currently espoused by the Federal Government in Germany, seems to be counterproductive. If the government clearly signals its willingness to refrain from using regulatory or economic instruments in favour of industry agreements, it weakens its negotiating position. The government also limits its options should the implementation of the agreement prove unsatisfactory. Government needs to be in control in order to leave its choice of policy instruments open and to be flexible. In a last step, we derive some general conclusions concerning reasonable strategies and applications of voluntary agreements within the European Union. --negotiated agreements,climate protection,circular economy,economic instruments of environmental policy

Vier didaktische Bemerkungen zu Peter Eisenberg und Nanna Fuhrhop in ZS 26 (2007), 15-41: Schulorthographie und Graphematik

Da die folgende Replik auf einen in der Jubiläumsnummer der Zeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft (26) erschienen Artikel eine Verbesserung des Gespräches zwischen Fachdidaktik und Graphematik anstrebt, hat sich die Redaktion für deren Veröffentlichung entschieden. Die beiden in der Replik angesprochenen Autoren Peter Eisenberg und Nanna Fuhrhop haben auf die Möglichkeit zu einer kurzen Stellungnahme verzichtet