Solar cycle changes of large-scale solar wind structure

In this paper, I present the results on large-scale evolution of density turbulence of solar wind in the inner heliosphere during 1985 - 2009. At a given distance from the Sun, the density turbulence is maximum around the maximum phase of the solar cycle and it reduces to ~70%, near the minimum phase. However, in the current minimum of solar activity, the level of turbulence has gradually decreased, starting from the year 2005, to the present level of ~30%. These results suggest that the source of solar wind changes globally, with the important implication that the supply of mass and energy from the Sun to the interplanetary space has significantly reduced in the present low level of activity.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

A possible mechanism to cause the quasi-biennial variability on the solar neutrino flux

It is suggested that the quasi-biennial change in the observed flux of the solar neutrinos is causally related to some non-linear process at the central core of the Sun, being associated with the charge in the central temperature. This process seems to be responsible for the physical adjustment of the internal structure of the Sun. Numerical simulation on this process is able to reproduce the quasi-biennial change in the flux of these neutrinos

Personalised electronic messages to improve sun protection in young adults

The incidence of all skin cancers, including melanoma, continues to rise. It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main environmental risk factor for skin cancer, and excessive exposure at a young age increases the risk of developing skin cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the acceptability and feasibility of delivering sun protection messages via electronic media such as short message services (SMS) to people 18-40 years, and explore factors associated with their acceptability. Overall, 80% of participants agreed that they would like to receive some form of sun protection advice; of these, 20% prefer to receive it via SMS and 42% via email. Willingness to receive electronic messages about the UV index was associated with being unsure about whether a suntanned person would look healthy and greater use of sun protection in the past. Careful attention to message framing and timing of message delivery and focus on short-term effects of sun exposure such as sunburn and skin ageing should increase the acceptability of such messages to young people. We conclude that sun protection messages delivered to young adults via electronic media appear feasible and acceptable

The 4He1H ratios in the chemical compositions of solar flare particles and the primordial solar nebula

The chemical abundances of solar flare particles are similar to those of galactic cosmic rays at their sources. In order to infer the 4He/1H ratio in the solar atmosphere, this ratio as observed in the interstellar gases was considered in addition to those which were contained of galactic cosmic rays and the stars classified as the early types. Since it is clear that the most of these ratios ever deduced for both of the Sun and solar flare particles are lower than those for the interstellar gases, this ratio suggests that hydrogens are relatively overabundant in the chemical abundances of the Sun and the primordial solar nebula as compared to those of the interstellar gases currently observed

Self-regenerating desiccant system

Compact system uses inherent diurnal cyclic airflow in system and energy of sun as drying heat. System requires no power for operation, has no moving parts to wear out, requires no blowers or manifolds, and is relatively inexpensive to produce

Nutrient content of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) under different harvesting stages and preservation methods in Zimbabwe

Water spinach is very perishable and it does not store well even in the refrigerator. It requires special processing treatments to reduce  post-harvest losses. Nutrient content analysis of the water spinach  (Ipomoea aquatica) was carried out at different harvest stages and under different preservation methods. Standard methods of food analysis were used. Water spinach was harvested at 3, 4 and 5 weeks after transplanting(WAT). The preservation methods used were freezing after blanching, sun drying of vegetable samples without any pre-treatment and sun drying samples after blanching. Fresh water spinach samples were used as thecontrol. The Ca concentrations were remarkably high in all preservation methods. Blanching increased the concentration of Ca, P, Fe, K, Na and Mg and decreased the concentration of Pb. Freezing increased the concentration of Ca, P, Na and Mg and decreased the concentration of Fe, Pb and K. Sun drying increased the concentration for Ca, P, Fe, K, Na and Mg and decreased the concentration of Pb. Blanching and sun drying ofwater spinach could be the best method of preserving it without conceding on its quality.Keywords: Ipomoea aquatica, blanching, sun-drying, freezing, nutrient analysis, different harvest stages