Ionic charge distributions of energetic particles from solar flares

The effects which solar flare X-rays have on the charge states of solar cosmic rays is determined quantitatively. Rather than to characterize the charge distribution by temperature alone, it is proposed that the X-ray flux at the acceleration site also is used. The effects of flare X-rays are modeled mathematically

A search for outflows from X-ray bright points in coronal holes

Properties of X-ray bright points using two of the instruments on Solar Maximum Mission were investigated. The mass outflows from magnetic regions were modeled using a two dimensional MHD code. It was concluded that mass can be detected from X-ray bright points provided that the magnetic topology is favorable

Using the temporal self-regulation theory to examine the influence of environmental cues on maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Objectives: The aim of the current study is to explore the predictive utility of the temporal self-regulation theory (TST) for maintaining a healthy lifestyle (Hall & Fong, 2007, Health Psychology Review, 1, 6). According to TST, the influence of intention, self-regulation, and behavioural pre potency differs depending on the environmental context in which the behaviour is performed. This study examined the influence of perceptions about the supportiveness of the environmental context on TST-related factors.Design: Temporal self-regulation theory was tested using a prospective design with a 1-week follow-up.Methods: One hundred and fifty-two undergraduates were administered three executive functioning tasks and an online questionnaire regarding their intentions to maintain a healthy lifestyle, environmental responsiveness, and previous behaviour. One week later, they completed a follow-up questionnaire.Results: Participants who were supported by the environment were significantly more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle than those distracted by the environment. Behavioural pre potency was significantly predictive of behaviour performance for ‘supported’ participants. Behavioural pre potency, planning, and response inhibition were significantly predictive of ‘unsupported’ participants’ behaviour.Conclusions: These findings provided preliminary support for the use of TST for the prediction of healthy lifestyle behaviour. Importantly, this study provided support for the contention that the influence of TST-related factors would vary according to the perceived supportiveness of the environment. These findings suggest that environmental responsiveness may be an important determinant to close the intention–behaviour gap for maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Self-Monitoring vs. Implementation Intentions: a Comparison of Behaviour Change Techniques to Improve Sleep Hygiene and Sleep Outcomes in Students

© 2015, International Society of Behavioral Medicine. Purpose: This study seeks to investigate and compare the efficacy of self-monitoring and implementation intentions—two post-intentional behaviour change techniques—for improving sleep hygiene behaviours and sleep outcomes in university students. Method: Seventy-two undergraduate students completed baseline measures of four sleep hygiene behaviours (making the sleep environment restful, avoiding going to bed hungry/thirsty, avoiding stress/anxiety-provoking activities near bed time and avoiding caffeine in the evening), as well as the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and the insomnia severity index (ISI). Participants were randomly assigned to an active-control diary-keeping, self-monitoring condition or completed implementation intentions for each behaviour. Post-intervention measurement was completed 2 weeks after baseline. Results: Repeated measures analyses of variance found significant main effects of time for improvements in making the sleep environment restful and avoiding going to bed hungry or thirsty, as well as PSQI and ISI scores. Non-significant interactions suggested no group differences on any variable, except for increasing avoidance of stress and anxiety-provoking activities before bed time, for which only implementation intentions were found to be effective. Attrition was higher amongst self-monitoring participants. Conclusion: Both self-monitoring and implementation intentions appear to be promising behaviour change techniques for improving sleep hygiene and sleep. Future research should examine the acceptability of the two behaviour change techniques and the relationship with differential attrition, as well as effect size variations according to behaviour and technique. Researchers should investigate potential additive or interactive effects of the techniques, as they could be utilised in a complementary manner to target different processes in effecting behaviour change

MHD turbulence and heating of the open field-line solar corona

This paper discusses the possibility that heating of the solar corona in open field-line regions emanating from coronal holes is due to a nonlinear cascade, driven by low-frequency or quasi-static magnetohydrodynamic fluctuations. Reflection from coronal inhomogeneities plays an important role in sustaining the cascade. Physical and observational constraints are discussed. Kinetic processes that convert cascaded energy into heat must occur in regions of turbulent small-scale reconnection, and may be similar in some respects to ion heating due to intense electron beams observed in the aurora

Efficacy of alternative seating on attention, in-seat behavior, and occupational performance in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Currently, there is one systematic review conducted by Gochenour and Poskey7 that synthesize current research evidence regarding alternative seating for students with attention difficulties. A limitation of this review, as noted by the authors, is a lack of a consistent definition of attention difficulty in the studies they included. A systematic review focused on a specific, well-defined diagnosis will better contribute to practice recommendations since these recommendations will be tailored to a clear and comprehensive understanding of the child’s attentional and occupational challenges. The review also included studies of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).7 While those with ASD may also have difficulties with attention, in-seat behavior and occupational performance, the underlying mechanism yielding these symptoms may be different than in children with ADHD. Thus, alternative seating may not work in the same way for children with ASD as it would for children with ADHD.7 Thus, a systematic review is needed to examine the evidence from all current studies regarding alternative seating on improving attention, in-seat behavior and occupational performance in students with ADHD to increase evidence-based practice in the field of occupational therapy