The correspondence between small-scale coronal structures and the evolving solar magnetic field

Solar coronal bright points, first identified in soft X-rays as X-ray Bright Points (XBPs), are compact, short lived and associated with small bipolar magnetic flux. Contradictory studies have suggested that XBPs are either a primary signature of the emerging flux spectrum of the quiet Sun, or that they are representative of the disappearance of pre-existing flux. Results are presented using coordinated data obtained during recent X-ray sounding rocket flights on 15 August and 11 December 1987 to determine the correspondence of XBPs with time-series, ground based observations of evolving bipolar magnetic structures, He-I dark points, and the network. The results are consistent with the view that coronal bright points are more likely to be associated with the annihilation of pre-existing flux than with emerging flux

The observation of possible reconnection events in the boundary changes of solar coronal holes

Coronal holes are large scale regions of magnetically open fields which are easily observed in solar soft X-ray images. The boundaries of coronal holes are separatrices between large scale regions of open and closed magnetic fields where one might expect to observe evidence of solar magnetic reconnection. Previous studies by Nolte and colleagues using Skylab X-ray images established that large scale (greater than or equal to 9 x 10(4) km) changes in coronal hole boundaries were due to coronal processes, i.e., magnetic reconnection, rather than to photospheric motions. Those studies were limited to time scales of about one day, and no conclusion could be drawn about the size and time scales of the reconnection process at hole boundaries. Sequences of appropriate Skylab X-ray images were used with a time resolution of about 90 min during times of the central meridian passages of the coronal hole labelled Coronal Hole 1 to search for hole boundary changes which can yield the spatial and temporal scales of coronal magnetic reconnection. It was found that 29 of 32 observed boundary changes could be associated with bright points. The appearance of the bright point may be the signature of reconnection between small scale and large scale magnetic fields. The observed boundary changes contributed to the quasi-rigid rotation of Coronal Hole 1

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES RISK FACTORS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO NCD INCIDENCES IN KENYA

Although mortality from communicable diseases and poor nutrition have been declining, non-communicable diseases have been on the rise in developing countries. Consequently, this poses a serious challenge to health programming. There are predictions that NCDs will continue to rise in the coming years resulting to at least 9 million deaths every year. This death rate would occur among people who are below 60 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. NCDs are associated with some underlying risk factors of which most of them can be tackled through clear policy intervention. Notably, many risk factors are also known to be country specific which requires country specific studies. The efforts towards the prevention of NCDs in Kenya are inadequate. This could be attributed to inadequate understanding of the contribution of suspected risk factors to NCDs. In addition, addressing the risk factors associated with these diseases may present a cheaper and long-term solution to the problem of rising cases of NCDs in Kenya. This paper uses household national survey data to estimate the influence of risk factors associated with NCD in Kenya. A probit binary model was used while controlling the econometric problem associated with endogeniety and heterogeneity assumptions. The key finding is that income, distance, peer, effects on area of residence, and education are key risk factors associated with the rising NCD in Kenya. Age and gender are non-policy variables that increased the likelihood of one getting a NCD. This study has pointed out that the health care system in Kenya needs to develop mechanisms for promoting preventive care for NCDs. Also, effective prevention methods that address the NCD risk factors are preferable for treatment. However, these prevention methods are not only expensive, but are also protracted

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES RISK FACTORS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO NCD INCIDENCES IN KENYA

Although mortality from communicable diseases and poor nutrition have been declining, non-communicable diseases have been on the rise in developing countries. Consequently, this poses a serious challenge to health programming. There are predictions that NCDs will continue to rise in the coming years resulting to at least 9 million deaths every year. This death rate would occur among people who are below 60 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. NCDs are associated with some underlying risk factors of which most of them can be tackled through clear policy intervention. Notably, many risk factors are also known to be country specific which requires country specific studies. The efforts towards the prevention of NCDs in Kenya are inadequate. This could be attributed to inadequate understanding of the contribution of suspected risk factors to NCDs. In addition, addressing the risk factors associated with these diseases may present a cheaper and long-term solution to the problem of rising cases of NCDs in Kenya. This paper uses household national survey data to estimate the influence of risk factors associated with NCD in Kenya. A probit binary model was used while controlling the econometric problem associated with endogeniety and heterogeneity assumptions. The key finding is that income, distance, peer, effects on area of residence, and education are key risk factors associated with the rising NCD in Kenya. Age and gender are non-policy variables that increased the likelihood of one getting a NCD. This study has pointed out that the health care system in Kenya needs to develop mechanisms for promoting preventive care for NCDs. Also, effective prevention methods that address the NCD risk factors are preferable for treatment. However, these prevention methods are not only expensive, but are also protracted