506 research outputs found
Long-duration magnetic clouds: a comparison of analyses using torus- and cylinder-shaped flux rope models
International audienceWe identified 17 magnetic clouds (MCs) with durations longer than 30 h, surveying the solar wind data obtained by the WIND and ACE spacecraft during 10 years from 1995 through 2004. Then, the magnetic field structures of these 17 MCs were analyzed by the technique of the least-squares fitting to force-free flux rope models. The analysis was made with both the cylinder and torus models when possible, and the results from the two models are compared. The torus model was used in order to approximate the curved portion of the MCs near the flanks of the MC loops. As a result, we classified the 17 MCs into 4 groups. They are (1) 5 MC events exhibiting magnetic field rotations through angles substantially larger than 180° which can be interpreted only by the torus model; (2) 3 other MC events that can be interpreted only by the torus model as well, though the rotation angles of magnetic fields are less than 180°; (3) 3 MC events for which similar geometries are obtained from both the torus and cylinder models; and (4) 6 MC events for which the resultant geometries obtained from both models are substantially different from each other, even though the observed magnetic field variations can be interpreted by either of the torus model or the cylinder model. It is concluded that the MC events in the first and second groups correspond to those cases where the spacecraft traversed the MCs near the flanks of the MC loops, the difference between the two being attributed to the difference in distance between the torus axis and the spacecraft trajectory. The MC events in the third group are interpreted as the cases where the spacecraft traversed near the apexes of the MC loops. For the MC events in the fourth group, the real geometry cannot be determined from the model fitting technique alone. Though an attempt was made to determine which model is more plausible for each of the MCs in this group by comparing the characteristics of associated bidirectional electron heat flows, the results were not very definitive. It was also found that the radii of the flux ropes obtained from the torus fitting tend to be generally smaller than those obtained from the cylinder fitting. This result raises a possible problem in estimating the magnetic flux and helicity carried away from the Sun by the MCs
Effect of Finite Larmor Radius on the Cosmic Ray Penetration into an Interplanetary Magnetic Flux Rope
We discuss a mechanism for cosmic ray penetration into an interplanetary
magnetic flux rope, particularly the effect of the finite Larmor radius and
magnetic field irregularities. First, we derive analytical solutions for cosmic
ray behavior inside a magnetic flux rope, on the basis of the Newton-Lorentz
equation of a particle, to investigate how cosmic rays penetrate magnetic flux
ropes under an assumption of there being no scattering by small-scale magnetic
field irregularities. Next, we perform a numerical simulation of a cosmic ray
penetration into an interplanetary magnetic flux rope by adding small-scale
magnetic field irregularities. This simulation shows that a cosmic ray density
distribution is greatly different from that deduced from a guiding center
approximation because of the effect of the finite Larmor radius and magnetic
field irregularities for the case of a moderate to large Larmor radius compared
to the flux rope radius.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical
Journa
Advancing In Situ Modeling of ICMEs: New Techniques for New Observations
It is generally known that multi-spacecraft observations of interplanetary
coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) more clearly reveal their three-dimensional
structure than do observations made by a single spacecraft. The launch of the
STEREO twin observatories in October 2006 has greatly increased the number of
multipoint studies of ICMEs in the literature, but this field is still in its
infancy. To date, most studies continue to use on flux rope models that rely on
single track observations through a vast, multi-faceted structure, which
oversimplifies the problem and often hinders interpretation of the large-scale
geometry, especially for cases in which one spacecraft observes a flux rope,
while another does not. In order to tackle these complex problems, new modeling
techniques are required. We describe these new techniques and analyze two ICMEs
observed at the twin STEREO spacecraft on 22-23 May 2007, when the spacecraft
were separated by ~8 degrees. We find a combination of non-force-free flux rope
multi-spacecraft modeling, together with a new non-flux rope ICME plasma flow
deflection model, better constrains the large-scale structure of these ICMEs.
We also introduce a new spatial mapping technique that allows us to put
multispacecraft observations and the new ICME model results in context with the
convecting solar wind. What is distinctly different about this analysis is that
it reveals aspects of ICME geometry and dynamics in a far more visually
intuitive way than previously accomplished. In the case of the 22-23 May ICMEs,
the analysis facilitates a more physical understanding of ICME large-scale
structure, the location and geometry of flux rope sub-structures within these
ICMEs, and their dynamic interaction with the ambient solar wind
RUTBC1 Functions as a GTPase-activating Protein for Rab32/38 and Regulates Melanogenic Enzyme Trafficking in Melanocytes
Two cell type-specific Rab proteins, Rab32 and Rab38 (Rab32/38), have been proposed as regulating the trafficking of melanogenic enzymes, including tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (Tyrp1), to melanosomes in melanocytes. Like other GTPases, Rab32/38 function as switch molecules that cycle between a GDP-bound inactive form and a GTP-bound active form; the cycle is thought to be regulated by an activating enzyme, guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), and an inactivating enzyme, GTPase-activating protein (GAP), which stimulates the GTPase activity of Rab32/38. Although BLOC-3 has already been identified as a Rab32/38-specific GEF that regulates the trafficking of tyrosinase and Tyrp1, no physiological GAP for Rab32/38 in melanocytes has ever been identified, and it has remained unclear whether Rab32/38 is involved in the trafficking of dopachrome tautomerase, another melanogenic enzyme, in mouse melanocytes. In this study we investigated RUTBC1, which was originally characterized as a Rab9-binding protein and GAP for Rab32 and Rab33B in vitro, and the results demonstrated that RUTBC1 functions as a physiological GAP for Rab32/38 in the trafficking of all three melanogenic enzymes in mouse melanocytes. The results of this study also demonstrated the involvement of Rab9A in the regulation of the RUTBC1 localization and in the trafficking of all three melanogenic enzymes. We discovered that either excess activation or inactivation of Rab32/38 achieved by manipulating RUTBC1 inhibits the trafficking of all three melanogenic enzymes. These results collectively indicate that proper spatiotemporal regulation of Rab32/38 is essential for the trafficking of all three melanogenic enzymes in mouse melanocytes
Evaluation of probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis C-3102 as a feed supplement for koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)
In this study, the effects of dietary probiotic Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®) on the growth performance, predominant intestinal microbiota, expression of cytokines genes in three organs (liver, intestine and kidney) and
protection against Aeromonas hydrophila infection of koi carp were investigated. Fish were fed two different diets, 1-control diet (non-supplemented) and 2-experimental diet (supplemented with 1 g/kg Calsporin®) for five weeks. Tissue samples were collected at days 0, 10, 20 and 35. The results showed that the weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly improved by dietary Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (P < 0.01). Dietary probiotic
did not affect the body skin colouration of koi carp (P > 0.05). Variation of intestinal bacterial communities were studied by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) which revealed that even though Bacillus subtilis C-3102
was not detected as a prominent component in the intestinal tract of koi carp at any time point, it could affect the intestinal microbiota community at the early stages of the trial, becoming weaker in the later stages. Concerning the gene expression results, the expression of HSP70 gene was up-regulated at day 10 and 35 the liver; no effects were observed in the intestine and kidney. A general trend of upregulation of cytokines expression (IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α and TGF-β) was observed in liver the (except IL-1β) and intestine, but unchanged in the kidney (except IL-10). The intraperitoneal injection challenge demonstrated that there was no positive effect of dietary B. subtilis C-3102
supplementation against A. hydrophila. These results suggested that B. subtilis C-3102 can provide beneficial effects on growth, feed utilization and modulating intestinal microbiota community
STEREO and Wind observations of a fast ICME flank triggering a prolonged geomagnetic storm on 5-7 April 2010
On 5 April 2010 an interplanetary (IP) shock was detected by the Wind
spacecraft ahead of Earth, followed by a fast (average speed 650 km/s) IP
coronal mass ejection (ICME). During the subsequent moderate geomagnetic storm
(minimum Dst = -72 nT, maximum Kp=8-), communication with the Galaxy 15
satellite was lost. We link images from STEREO/SECCHI to the near-Earth in situ
observations and show that the ICME did not decelerate much between Sun and
Earth. The ICME flank was responsible for a long storm growth phase. This type
of glancing collision was for the first time directly observed with the STEREO
Heliospheric Imagers. The magnetic cloud (MC) inside the ICME cannot be modeled
with approaches assuming an invariant direction. These observations confirm the
hypotheses that parts of ICMEs classified as (1) long-duration MCs or (2)
magnetic-cloud-like (MCL) structures can be a consequence of a spacecraft
trajectory through the ICME flank.Comment: Geophysical Research Letters (accepted); 3 Figure
Intermittent turbulence, noisy fluctuations and wavy structures in the Venusian magnetosheath and wake
Recent research has shown that distinct physical regions in the Venusian
induced magnetosphere are recognizable from the variations of strength of the
magnetic field and its wave/fluctuation activity. In this paper the statistical
properties of magnetic fluctuations are investigated in the Venusian
magnetosheath and wake regions. The main goal is to identify the characteristic
scaling features of fluctuations along Venus Express (VEX) trajectory and to
understand the specific circumstances of the occurrence of different types of
scalings. For the latter task we also use the results of measurements from the
previous missions to Venus. Our main result is that the changing character of
physical interactions between the solar wind and the planetary obstacle is
leading to different types of spectral scaling in the near-Venusian space.
Noisy fluctuations are observed in the magnetosheath, wavy structures near the
terminator and in the nightside near-planet wake. Multi-scale turbulence is
observed at the magnetosheath boundary layer and near the quasi-parallel bow
shock. Magnetosheath boundary layer turbulence is associated with an average
magnetic field which is nearly aligned with the Sun-Venus line. Noisy magnetic
fluctuations are well described with the Gaussian statistics. Both
magnetosheath boundary layer and near shock turbulence statistics exhibit
non-Gaussian features and intermittency over small spatio-temporal scales. The
occurrence of turbulence near magnetosheath boundaries can be responsible for
the local heating of plasma observed by previous missions
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