Collisionless reconnection in the magnetotail

Recent developments regarding collisionless reconnection in current sheets with a finite normal magnetic field component (B_z) are reviewed. In 2-D x, z configurations the ion tearing mode is stabilized by the electron compressibility. When the y dependence is included, cross-field current instabilities can be excited. Of these, the drift kink mode appears to be particularly important. 3-D electromagnetic particle simulations indicate that this mode can act as the precursor to the growth of tearing modes and subsequent reconnection.     

形状误差分离技术的统一理论——同源、统一的各种直线形状误差分离方法评述

在对国内外现行直线形状误差分离技术分析研究的基础上,论述了各种分离方法的特点和相互关系,从原理、测量准确度和工程应用方面着眼,评述了直线形状误差测量与分离的各种主流方法--"频域三点法"、"时域递推三点法"、"二点法"、"混合两点法"、"时域乱序四点法"、"精密三点法"和"最小二乘逐次多点法"等.指出了各种方法的同源性和统一性,评述了它们的应用条件及优缺点,同时讨论了随机误差和传感器调零误差的影响及消除方法.     

弓激波前内透射离子动力学横场流静电不稳定性

本文讨论了地球弓激波前内背景电子速度分布函数为平顶形式时的透射离子横场流静电不稳定性.结果表明,在超临界(Alfvén Mach数M_A>3)准垂直激波区(激波法向与行星际磁场之间的夹角75°)情况下,透射离子流产生的静电不稳定性增长率峰值要比电子速度为Maxwell分布时更加显著,并满足动力学性质.     

The Lightning And Radio Emission Detector (LRD) instrument

The Lightning and Radio Emission Detector (LRD) instrument will be carried by the Galileo Probe into Jupiter's atmosphere. The LRD will verify the existence of lightning in the atmosphere and will determine the details of many of its basic characteristics. The instrument, operated in its magnetospheric mode at distances of about 5, 4, 3, and 2 planetary radii from Jupiter's center, will also measure the radio frequency (RF) noise spectrum in Jupiter's magnetosphere. The LRD instrument is composed of a ferritecore radio frequency antenna ( 100 Hz to 100 kHz) and two photodiodes mounted behind individual fisheye lenses. The output of the RF antenna is analyzed both separately and in coincidence with the optical signals from the photodiodes. The RF antenna provides data both in the frequency domain (with three narrow-band channels, primarily for deducing the physical properties of distant lightning) and in the time domain with a priority scheme (primarily for determining from individual RF waveforms the physical properties of closeby-lightning).     

An assessment of galactic cosmic radiation quality considering heavy ion track structures within the cellular environment.

Beyond the magnetic influence of the Earth, the flux of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) represents a radiological concern for long-term manned space missions. Current concepts of radiation quality and equivalent dose are inadequate for accurately specifying the relative biological "efficiency" of low doses of such heavily ionising radiations, based as they are on the single parameter of Linear Energy Transfer (LET). Such methods take no account of the mechanisms, nor of the highly inhomogeneous spatial structure, of energy deposition in radiation tracks. DNA damage in the cell nucleus, which ultimately leads to the death or transformation of the cell, is usually initiated by electrons liberated from surrounding molecules by the incident projectile ion. The characteristics of these emitted "delta-rays", dependent primarily upon the charge and velocity of the ion, are considered in relation to an idealised representation of the cellular environment. Theoretically calculated delta-ray energy spectra are multiplied by a series of weighting algorithms designed to represent the potential for DNA insult in this environment, both in terms of the quantity and quality of damage. By evaluating the resulting curves, and taking into account the energy spectra of heavy ions in space, a relative measure of the biological relevance of the most abundant GCR species is obtained, behind several shielding configurations. It is hoped that this method of assessing the radiation quality of galactic cosmic rays will be of value when considering the safety of long-term manned space missions.     

Theories and models on the biology of cells in space.

A wide variety of observations on cells in space, admittedly made under constraining and unnatural conditions in many cases, have led to experimental results that were surprising or unexpected. Reproducibility, freedom from artifacts, and plausibility must be considered in all cases, even when results are not surprising. The papers in the symposium on "Theories and Models on the Biology of Cells in Space" are dedicated to the subject of the plausibility of cellular responses to gravity--inertial accelerations between 0 and 9.8 m/s2 and higher. The mechanical phenomena inside the cell, the gravitactic locomotion of single eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and the effects of inertial unloading on cellular physiology are addressed in theoretical and experimental studies.     

Combating fatigue to enhance safety

Methods of fighting fatigue in airline pilots are reviewed. Recommendations include maintaining home base time, monitoring sleep, and time adjustments on extended layovers. Disorders related to the circadian rhythm include sleep disturbances, altered biological rhythms, and weakened mental performance. Drug therapy includes the use of stimulants such as coffee, tea, and cola; sleep pills; and oral administration of melatonin.     

3D nonlinear wave heating of coronal loops

The heating of solar coronal loops by the resonant absorption or phase-mixing of incident wave energy is investigated in the framework of 3D nonlinear magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) by means of numerical simulations.     

Induction of high grade astrocytoma (HGA) by protons: molecular mechanisms and RBE considerations.

Protons of a specific energy, 55 MeV, have been found to induce primary high grade astrocytomas (HGA) in the Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). Brain tumors of this type were not induced by protons of other energies (32-2,300 MeV). Induction of HGA has been identified in human patients who have had radiation therapy to the head. We believe that the induction of HGA in the monkey is a consequence of dose distribution, not some unique "toxic" property of protons. Comparison of the human experience with the monkey data indicates the RBE for induction of brain tumors to be about one. It is unlikely that protons cause an unusual change in oncogenic expression, as compared to conventional electromagnetic radiation.