Intermittency in the homopolar disk-dynamo

We study a modified Bullard dynamo and show that this system is equivalent to a nonlinear oscillator subject to a multiplicative noise. The stability analysis of this oscillator is performed. Two bifurcations are identified, first towards an `` intermittent\rq\rq state where the absorbing (non-dynamo) state is no more stable but the most probable value of the amplitude of the oscillator is still zero and secondly towards a `` turbulent\rq\rq (dynamo) state where it is possible to define unambiguously a (non-zero) most probable value around which the amplitude of the oscillator fluctuates. The bifurcation diagram of this system exhibits three regions which are analytically characterized

Interplanetary shocks lacking type II radio bursts

We report on the radio-emission characteristics of 222 interplanetary (IP) shocks. A surprisingly large fraction of the IP shocks (~34%) is radio quiet (i.e., the shocks lacked type II radio bursts). The CMEs associated with the RQ shocks are generally slow (average speed ~535 km/s) and only ~40% of the CMEs were halos. The corresponding numbers for CMEs associated with radio loud (RL) shocks are 1237 km/s and 72%, respectively. The RQ shocks are also accompanied by lower peak soft X-ray flux. CMEs associated with RQ (RL) shocks are generally accelerating (decelerating). The kinematics of CMEs associated with the km type II bursts is similar to those of RQ shocks, except that the former are slightly more energetic. Comparison of the shock The RQ shocks seem to be mostly subcritical and quasi-perpendicular. The radio-quietness is predominant in the rise phase and decreases through the maximum and declining phases of solar cycle 23. The solar sources of the shock-driving CMEs follow the sunspot butterfly diagram, consistent with the higher-energy requirement for driving shocks

Towards Research Excellence for Development: The Research Quality plus (RQ+) Assessment Instrument

This document presents a framework and practical guidelines for assessing the quality of research for development. Referred to as the "RQ+"1 assessment instrument, it serves as a tool to guide the work of external evaluators hired by IDRC as part of the External Review process for prospectusbased programs."RQ+" is based on the premise that a credible, balanced and comprehensive assessment of the quality of research for development requires the consideration of elements beyond the research outputs only, or the use of conventional metrics. These additional elements include important aspects of the research process related to design, execution and the sharing of findings. For this reason, RQ+ indicates an approach that straddles output and research project assessment