Plasma transport in the interplanetary space: Percolation and anomalous diffusion of magnetic-field lines

The magnetic fluctuations due to, e.g., magnetohydrodynamic turbulence cause a magnetic-field line random walk that influences many cosmic plasma phenomena. The results of a three-dimensional numerical simulation of a turbulent magnetic field in plane geometry are presented here. Magnetic percolation, L´evy flights, and non-Gaussian random walk of the magnetic-field lines are found for moderate perturbation levels. In such a case plasma transport can be anomalous, i.e., either superdiffusive or subdiffusive. Increasing the perturbation level a Gaussian diffusion regime is attained. The implications on the structure of the electron foreshock and of planetary magnetopauses are discussed

A Monte Carlo simulation of magnetic field line tracing in the solar wind

International audienceIt is well known that the structure of magnetic field lines in solar wind can be influenced by the presence of the magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. We have developed a Monte Carlo simulation which traces the magnetic field lines in the heliosphere, including the effects of magnetic turbulence. These effects are modelled by random operators which are proportional to the square root of the magnetic field line diffusion coefficient. The modelling of the random terms is explained, in detail, in the case of numerical integration by discrete steps. Furthermore, a proper evaluation of the diffusion coefficient is obtained by a numerical simulation of transport in anisotropic magnetic turbulence. The scaling of the fluctuation level and of the correlation lengths with the distance from the Sun are also taken into account. As a consequence, plasma transport across the average magnetic field direction is obtained. An application to the propagation of energetic particles from corotating interacting regions to high heliographic latitudes is considered

The role of oxygen ions in the formation of a bifurcated current sheet in the magnetotail

Cluster observations in the near-Earth magnetotail have shown that sometimes the current sheet is bifurcated, i.e. it is divided in two layers. The influence of magnetic turbulence on ion motion in this region is investigated by numerical simulation, taking into account the presence of both protons and oxygen ions. The magnetotail current sheet is modeled as a magnetic field reversal with a normal magnetic field component $B_n$, plus a three-dimensional spectrum of magnetic fluctuations $\delta {\bf B}$, which represents the observed magnetic turbulence. The dawn-dusk electric field E$_y$ is also included. A test particle simulation is performed using different values of $\delta {\bf B}$, E$_y$ and injecting two different species of particles, O$^+$ ions and protons. O$^+$ ions can support the formation of a double current layer both in the absence and for large values of magnetic fluctuations ($\delta B/B_0 = 0.0$ and $\delta B/B_0 \geq 0.4$, where B$_0$ is the constant magnetic field in the magnetospheric lobes).Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. J. Geophys. Res., in pres

Superdiffusive and Subdiffusive Transport of Energetic Particles in Solar Wind Anisotropic Magnetic Turbulence

The transport of energetic particles in a mean magnetic field and the presence of anisotropic magnetic turbulence are studied numerically, for parameter values relevant to the solar wind. A numerical realization of magnetic turbulence is set up in which we can vary the type of anisotropy by changing the correlation lengths lx, ly, lz. We find that for lx, ly lz, transport can be non-Gaussian, with superdiffusion along the average magnetic field and subdiffusion perpendicular to it. Decreasing the lx/lz ratio down to 0.3, Gaussian diffusion is obtained, showing that the transport regime depends on the turbulence anisotropy. Implications for energetic particle propagation in the solar wind and for diffusive shock acceleration are discussed

Double peak structure and diamagnetic wings of the magnetotail current sheet

International audienceRecent Cluster observations in the magnetotail at about 20 Earth radii downtail have unambiguously shown that sometimes the current sheet is bifurcated, i.e. it is divided in two layers. We report numerical simulations of the ion dynamics in a quasi-neutral sheet in the presence of magnetic turbulence, which is often observed in the magnetotail, and for various anisotropies of the ion distribution function. Ions are injected at the boundary of the simulation box with a velocity distribution corresponding to a shifted Maxwellian. The simulation parameters, are adjusted to be similar to those of Cluster observations. We find that even for moderate fluctuation levels, the computed current density profile develops a double peak, in agreement with the observations. By varying the anisotropy of the injected distribution function, we are able to reproduce, for weak anisotropy, the magnetic field overshoots which are sometimes observed prior to magnetotail traversals. Therefore, we suggest an ion current profile with a double peak due to magnetic turbulence, and with possible diamagnetic current wings, present in the case of weak anisotropy of the ion distribution function

Testing Zimbardo’s Stanford Time Perspective Inventory (STPI)-Short Form: An Italian study

ABSTRACT. In the present study the psychometric properties of the Stanford Time Perspective Inventory (STPI – short version) are assessed in an Italian sample. Factorial analysis of STPI items was performed on 1507 respondents (965 women and 542 men). Results showed a clear correspondence between factorial components and a priori hypothesized dimensions by evidencing three factors (Future, Hedonistic Present, Fatalistic Present). Italian translation of the STPI indicates a fair degree of internal consistency and good metrological characteristics. The present results parallel those previously reported for an American sample. The present study, however, failed in evidencing the ‘Past’ as a factor in the factor structure. The results are discussed in terms of individual differences with respect to the relationships between demographic variables and temporal dimensions

Magnetic turbulence and particle dynamics in the Earth's magnetotail

International audienceThe influence of magnetic turbulence in the near-Earth magnetotail on ion motion is investigated by numerical simulation. The magnetotail current sheet is modelled as a magnetic field reversal with a normal magnetic field com-ponent Bn , plus a three-dimensional spectrum of magnetic fluctuations dB which represents the observed magnetic turbulence. The dawn-dusk electric field Ey is also considered. A test particle simulation is performed using different values of Bn and of the fluctuation level dB/B0. We show that when the magnetic fluctuations are taken into account, the particle dynamics is deeply affected, giving rise to an increase in the cross tail transport, ion heating, and current sheet thickness. For strong enough turbulence, the current splits in two layers, in agreement with recent Cluster observations

Out of Mind, Out of Sight: Unexpected Scene Elements Frequently Go Unnoticed Until Primed

Abstract The human visual system employs a sophisticated set of strategies for scanning the environment and directing attention to stimuli that can be expected given the context and a person's past experience. Although these strategies enable us to navigate a very complex physical and social environment, they can also cause highly salient, but unexpected stimuli to go completely unnoticed. To examine the generality of this phenomenon, we conducted eight studies that included 15 different experimental conditions and 1,577 participants in all. These studies revealed that a large majority of participants do not report having seen a woman in the center of an urban scene who was photographed in midair as she was committing suicide. Despite seeing the scene repeatedly, 46 % of all participants failed to report seeing a central figure and only 4.8 % reported seeing a falling person. Frequency of noticing the suicidal woman was highest for participants who read a narrative priming story that increased the extent to which she was schematically congruent with the scene. In contrast to this robust effect of inattentional blindness, a majority of participants reported seeing other peripheral objects in the visual scene that were equally difficult to detect, yet more consistent with the scene. Follow-up qualitative analyses revealed that participants reported seeing many elements that were not actually present, but which could have been expected given the overall context of the scene. Together, these findings demonstrate the robustness of inattentional blindness and highlight the specificity with which different visual primes may increase noticing behavior

Anomalous jumping in a double-well potential

Noise induced jumping between meta-stable states in a potential depends on the structure of the noise. For an $\alpha$-stable noise, jumping triggered by single extreme events contributes to the transition probability. This is also called Levy flights and might be of importance in triggering sudden changes in geophysical flow and perhaps even climatic changes. The steady state statistics is also influenced by the noise structure leading to a non-Gibbs distribution for an $\alpha$-stable noise.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Unsaturated sand in the stability of the cuesta of the Temple of Hera (Agrigento)

In the Valle dei Templi in Agrigento seven Doric temples stand lengthwise the crest of a rigid calcarenite cuesta over a layer of carbonate sand which lies along a thick stratum of clays. The environment is highly prone to landslides since topplings of calcarenite blocks often occur. The rock slopes are moving back and the slope edge draw near to the foundation of the Temple of Hera Lacinia contributing to increase their perilous condition. To assess the role of unsaturated sands in the instability processes, after the compositional and textural analysis of the material, direct shear tests and oedometer tests have been carried out on sand samples initially at the natural state, with low or very low values of natural water content, and finally at full saturation. The mechanical behaviour of sands seems one of the main causes of the instability influenced by the presence of an open metastable structure, which develops through bonding mechanisms generated via suctions and/or through cementing material such as clay or salts