Estimating the change in asymptotic direction due to secular changes in the geomagnetic field

The concept of geomagnetic optics, as described by the asymptotic directions of approach, is extremely useful in the analysis of cosmic radiation data. However, when changes in cutoff occur as a result of evolution in the geomagnetic field, there are corresponding changes in the asymptotic cones of acceptance. A method is introduced of estimating the change in the asymptotic direction of approach for vertically incident cosmic ray particles from a reference set of directions at a specific epoch by considering the change in the geomagnetic cutoff

Probable detection of solar neutrons by ground-level neutron monitors during STIP interval 16

The third solar neutron event detected by Earth-orbiting spacecraft was observed during STIP Interval XVI. The solar flare beginning at 2356 UT on 24 April l984 produced a variety of emissions including gamma rays and solar neutrons. The neutrons were observed by the SMM satellite and the neutron-decay protons were observed on the ISEE-3 spacecraft. Between 0000 and 0010 UT on 25 April an increase of 0.7 and 1.7 percent was recorded by neutron monitors at Tokyo (Itabashi) and Morioka, Japan. These stations were located about 42 degrees from the sub-solar point, and consequently, these is approximately 1400 grams of atmosphere between the incident neutrons at the top of the atmosphere and their detection on the Earth's surface. Nevertheless, the time coincidence of a small increase in the total counting rate of two independent neutron monitors indicates the presence of solar neutrons with energies greater than 400 MeV at the top of the Earth's atmosphere. The small increases in the counting rate emphasize the difficulty in identifying similar events using historical neutron monitor data

Hygrothermal effects and moisture kinetics in a bio-based multi-layered wall:Experimental and numerical studies

International audienceA bio-based multi-layered reference wall has been developed within the framework of the European ISOBIO project. One of the key points of this project was to be able to perform proper simulations of the hygrothermal transfers occurring inside such walls. Previous published investigations, also performed in the framework of this project, have demonstrated that the classic assumption of instantaneous equilibrium between local relative humidity and water content according to the sorption isotherm is not relevant for bio-based porous materials, where, in practice, a rather slow kinetics of sorption occurs. The theoretical background developed in this previous study is used here to determine the kinetic constants of the bio-based construction materials and to perform 1D hygrothermal simulations. The kinetics constants are determined thanks to a 1D cylindrical tool based on the local kinetics approach, validated against several experiments of sorption. Then, heat and hygric transfers recorded on a demonstrator building (The HIVE, Wroughton, UK) are analyzed and are simulated using two modeling tools: TMC based on the Künzel approach and TMCKIN based on the local kinetic approach. From the simulations, the local kinetics improves the small timescale RH dynamics. The comparison with measurements performed in the demonstrator confirms the relevance of the local kinetics approach

Cryogenic Design of a PrFeB Based Undulator

A PrFeB based cryogenic undulator has been built at Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin HZB in collaboration with the Ludwig Maximilian University München LMU . LMU will operate the undulator at a laser plasma accelerator at the Max Planck Institut für Quantenoptik in Garching. The 20 period device has a period length of 9mm and a fixed gap of 2.5mm. The operation of a small gap device at a high emittance electron beam requires stable magnetic material. A high coercivity is achieved with PrFeB material cooled down to 20 30K. In this paper we present the mechanic, magnetic and cryogenic design and compare predictions with measured dat

Solar Neutron Events of October-November 2003

During the period when the Sun was intensely active on October-November 2003, two remarkable solar neutron events were observed by the ground-based neutron monitors. On October 28, 2003, in association with an X17.2 large flare, solar neutrons were detected with high statistical significance (6.4 sigma) by the neutron monitor at Tsumeb, Namibia. On November 4, 2003, in association with an X28 class flare, relativistic solar neutrons were observed by the neutron monitors at Haleakala in Hawaii and Mexico City, and by the solar neutron telescope at Mauna Kea in Hawaii simultaneously. Clear excesses were observed at the same time by these detectors, with the significance calculated as 7.5 sigma for Haleakala, and 5.2 sigma for Mexico City. The detector onboard the INTEGRAL satellite observed a high flux of hard X-rays and gamma-rays at the same time in these events. By using the time profiles of the gamma-ray lines, we can explain the time profile of the neutron monitor. It appears that neutrons were produced at the same time as the gamma-ray emission.Comment: 35 pages, 21 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Developing a Model for Evidence-based Clinical Forensic Interviewing

Much of the work undertaken in forensic settings, such as diagnosis, formulation and judgements about treatment and placement are based on information gathered through clinical forensic interviewing. Despite this, the evidence base on which clinical forensic interviewing is founded is extremely limited. This paper is divided into two sections; the first examines the nature of interviewing and provides an introduction to this area of practice. Drawing on some of the research undertaken with specific forms of interview such as those for diagnosis and investigative purposes allows factors such as the evidence concerning interview quality, interview effectiveness, underlying competencies and methods for skills training to be outlined. The second part of the paper, which provides the main focus, describes a forensic clinical interview framework which seeks to draw together a broad range of considerations and areas for research in relation to the clinical forensic interview. This framework is explicitly intended to provoke and guide practitioners and researchers in the pursuit of evidence-based interviewing

Global warming: is weight loss a solution?

The current climate change has been most likely caused by the increased greenhouse gas emissions. We have looked at the major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), and estimated the reduction in the CO2 emissions that would occur with the theoretical global weight loss. The calculations were based on our previous weight loss study, investigating the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on body weight, body composition and resting metabolic rate of obese volunteers with type 2 diabetes. At 6 months we observed decreases in weight, fat mass, fat free mass and CO2 production. We estimated that a 10 kg weight loss of all obese and overweight people would result in a decrease of 49.560 Mt of CO2 per year, which would equal to 0.2 % of the CO2 emitted globally in 2007. This reduction could help meet the CO2 emission reduction targets and unquestionably would be of a great benefit to the global health

Saturated fat in the diet of Spanish children: relationship with anthropometric, alimentary, nutritional and lipid profiles

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anthropometric, alimentary, nutritional and lipid profiles and global diet quality of Spanish children according to saturated fat intake. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. Food data were collected using a food-frequency questionnaire. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample included 1112 children of both sexes, aged between 6 and 7 years, selected by means of random cluster sampling in schools. The plasma lipid profile included measurements of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and apolipoprotein B (apoB). Global diet quality was evaluated by the Dietary Variety Index (DVI) and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). RESULTS: Energy intake, DVI and HEI of children from the lower quartile of saturated fat intake (LL) were higher (P<001) than in the remaining children (UL). However, there were no significant differences in average height or weight between groups. The UL children had lower intakes of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and olive oil and a higher intake of dairy products (P<0.001). The intakes of fibre, vitamins C, D, B6, E and folic acid were higher in the LL children, who had lower intakes of vitamin A and calcium. The ratios LDL-C/HDL-C and apoB/apoA1 were lower (P=0.04) in the LL children (1.87 and 0.52, respectively) than in the UL children (2.02 and 0.54, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The growth rate of children does not seem to be affected by the level of saturated fat intake. Furthermore, at the levels of intake observed in this study, diets with less saturated fat are associated with better alimentary, nutritional and plasma lipid profiles.This study was partly funded by grants from the Fondo deInvestigacio ́n Sanitaria (FIS 020994, FIS02/3104) and theMinisterio Agricultura Pesca y Alimentacio ́n. We thankAlexander G Borun for manuscript revisionS