Low-Altitude Reconnection Inflow-Outflow Observations during a 2010 November 3 Solar Eruption

For a solar flare occurring on 2010 November 3, we present observations using several SDO/AIA extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) passbands of an erupting flux rope followed by inflows sweeping into a current sheet region. The inflows are soon followed by outflows appearing to originate from near the termination point of the inflowing motion - an observation in line with standard magnetic reconnection models. We measure average inflow plane-of-sky speeds to range from ~150-690 km/s with the initial, high-temperature inflows being the fastest. Using the inflow speeds and a range of Alfven speeds, we estimate the Alfvenic Mach number which appears to decrease with time. We also provide inflow and outflow times with respect to RHESSI count rates and find that the fast, high-temperature inflows occur simultaneously with a peak in the RHESSI thermal lightcurve. Five candidate inflow-outflow pairs are identified with no more than a minute delay between detections. The inflow speeds of these pairs are measured to be 10^2 km/s with outflow speeds ranging from 10^2-10^3 km/s - indicating acceleration during the reconnection process. The fastest of these outflows are in the form of apparently traveling density enhancements along the legs of the loops rather than the loop apexes themselves. These flows could either be accelerated plasma, shocks, or waves prompted by reconnection. The measurements presented here show an order of magnitude difference between the retraction speeds of the loops and the speed of the density enhancements within the loops - presumably exiting the reconnection site.Comment: 31 pages, 13 figures, 1 table, Accepted to ApJ (expected publication ~July 2012

Evidence from satellite altimetry for small-scale convection in the mantle

Small scale convection can be defined as that part of the mantle circulation in which upwellings and downwellings can occur beneath the lithosphere within the interiors of plates, in contrast to the large scale flow associated with plate motions where upwellings and downwellings occur at ridges and trenches. The two scales of convection will interact so that the form of the small scale convection will depend on how it arises within the large scale flow. Observations based on GEOS-3 and SEASAT altimetry suggest that small scale convection occurs in at least two different ways

EDITORIAL: “Six Sigma - Its Application, Practice, and Utility”

Editorial for Special Issue on Six Sigm

Harmonic entanglement with second-order non-linearity

We investigate the second-order non-linear interaction as a means to generate entanglement between fields of differing wavelengths. And show that perfect entanglement can, in principle, be produced between the fundamental and second harmonic fields in these processes. Neither pure second harmonic generation, nor parametric oscillation optimally produce entanglement, such optimal entanglement is rather produced by an intermediate process. An experimental demonstration of these predictions should be imminently feasible.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

UV induces resistance in Arabidopsis Thaliana to the Oomycete Pathogen Hyaloperonospora Parasitica

Owing to their sessile nature, plants have evolved mechanisms to minimise the damaging effects of abiotic and biotic stresses. Attack by pathogenic fungi, viruses and bacterium is a major type of biotic stress. To resist infection, plants recognise invading pathogens and induce disease resistance through multiple signal transduction pathways. In addition, appropriate stimulation can cause plants to increase their resistance to future pathogen attack. We have found that exposure to non-lethal doses of UV-C (254 nm) renders a normally susceptible ecotype of Arabidopsis thaliana resistant to the biotrophic Oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora parasitica. The UV treatment induces an incompatible response in a dose-dependent fashion, and is still effective upon pathogen inoculation up to seven days after UV exposure. The degree of resistance diminishes with time but higher doses result in greater levels of resistance, even after seven days. Furthermore, the effect is systemic, occurring in parts of the plant that have not been irradiated. Incubation in the dark post?irradiation and prior to infection reduces the UV dose required to generate a specific level of pathogen resistance without affecting the duration of resistance. These observations, plus the inability of plants to photoreactivate UV photoproducts in the dark, strongly suggest that DNA damage induces the resistance phenotype. Currently, we are assessing the influence of DNA repair defects on UV-induced resistance, following the expression of a number of defence?related genes post-UV-C irradiation, and assessing the effect of UV in plant mutants deficient in specific signalling molecules involved in resistance.<br /

Observations of the structure and evolution of solar flares with a soft X-ray telescope

Soft X ray flare events were observed with the S-056 X-ray telescope that was part of the ATM complement of instruments aboard SKYLAB. Analyses of these data are reported. The observations are summarized and a detailed discussion of the X-ray flare structures is presented. The data indicated that soft X-ray emitted by a flare come primarily from an intense well-defined core surrounded by a region of fainter, more diffuse emission. An analysis of flare evolution indicates evidence for preliminary heating and energy release prior to the main phase of the flare. Core features are found to be remarkably stable and retain their shape throughout a flare. Most changes in the overall configuration seem to be result of the appearance, disappearance or change in brightness of individual features, rather than the restructuring or reorientation of these features. Brief comparisons with several theories are presented

Physicians\u27 ability to predict hospital length of stay for patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency department.

Accurate predictions of patient length of stay (LOS) in the hospital can effectively manage hospital resources and increase efficiency of patient care. A study was done to assess emergency medicine physicians\u27 ability of predicting the LOS of patients who enter the hospital through the ER. Results indicate that EM physicians are relatively accurate with their pediatric patients than any other age groups. In addition, as actual hospital LOS increases, the prediction accuracy decreases. Possible reasons may be due increasing medical complications associated with increasing age and this may lead to overall longer stays. Other variables such as the admitted service of the patient are not statistically significant in predicting LOS in this study. Future studies should be done in order to determine other variables that may affect LOS predictions

Hospitality codes and social exchange theory : the Pashtunwali and tourism in Afghanistan

The Afghan people are shrouded in rumor, myth and superstition. Drawing upon insights from military personnel, intelligence operatives, journalists and others, this study uses Social Exchange Theory (SET) to frame our understanding of their underpinning cultural code, the Pashtunwali. The study contributes both theoretically and empirically: The nature of the Pashtunwali highlights that SET cannot adequately frame some cultural exchange practices and a hybrid framework for negotiated and reciprocal exchange is presented. Furthermore, contextually, this is the first study that explores a code of hospitality through a social exchange lens to explore potential tourism development. A framework exists upon which commercial activity can be built without altering beliefs, social dynamics or day to day pursuits. For commercial development to be successful, it must yield similar or greater levels of income to those that currently exist, more importantly, traditions of autonomy and self-dependence will affect employment and training within an emergent tourism industry