Seasonal dependence of TEC and SLAB thickness

Several years of hourly daily GPS measurements of the vertical total electron content (TEC) and of the equivalent slab thickness made at different European locations are analysed by using the linear regression technique to demonstrate the response of these two ionospheric parameters to seasonal variations. It is found that both TEC and slab thickness are highly correlated with season. Analytical relationships are determined expressing the seasonal dependence of the vertical TEC and of the equivalent slab thickness as a function of the seasonal parameter cos χ at noon in each location.     

Physical mechanism of the vertical electric field generation over active tectonic faults

The concept of the Global Electric Circuit (GEC) provides an explanation of the existence of a vertical atmospheric electric field and coupling between the ground and ionosphere. Presently, ionospheric physics pays more attention to electric fields and coupling processes in the polar and auroral regions, whereas in other areas the potential difference between the ground and ionosphere usually is not taken into account. Regional processes exist, however, that are able to significantly affect the GEC parameters and through modification of the ionospheric potential to create plasma density irregularities of different scales within the ionosphere. One such source of ionosphere modification is air ionization in the vicinity of active tectonic faults, which takes place due to increased radon emanation. This paper considers the process of local modification of the GEC and corresponding ionospheric variability due to tectonic activity.     

Increased BLSS closure using mineralized human waste in plant cultivation on a neutral substrate

The purpose of this work was to study the full-scale potential use of human mineralized waste (feces and urine) as a source of mineral elements for plant cultivation in a biological life support system (BLSS). Plants that are potential candidates for a photosynthesizing link were grown on a neutral solution containing human mineralized waste. Spring wheat Triticum aestivum L., peas Pisum sativum L. Ambrosia cultivar and leaf lettuce Lactuca sativa L., Vitaminny variety, were used. The plants were grown hydroponically on expanded clay aggregates in a vegetation chamber in constant environmental conditions. During plant growth, a determined amount of human mineralized waste was added daily to the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution remained unchanged throughout the vegetation period. Estimated plant requirements for macro-elements were based on a total biological productivity of 0.04 kg day⁻¹ m⁻². As the plant requirements for potassium exceeded the potassium content of human waste, a water extract of wheat straw containing the required amount of potassium was added to the nutrient solution. The Knop’s solution was used in the control experiments.     

Cosmic ray studies at Moussala – Past,present and future

We review the main activities carried out at Moussala peak (2925 m above sea level, 42°11′N, 23°35′E) station in Bulgaria, connected with cosmic ray investigations during the last five decades. Several important results obtained at the station are reported. The detector design and corresponding methodological studies of the presently operational devices are shown as well, precisely the Cherenkov light telescope, lead free neutron monitor and muon telescope. The scientific potential of the existing complex is discussed.     

Longitudinal structure of ballooning MHD disturbances in a model magnetosphere

Large-scale toroidal Pc5 pulsations are commonly treated as Alfven oscillations of a magnetic field line. According to observations, their longitudinal structure is described well by theory. At the same time, the longitudinal structure of azimuthal small-scale poloidal Pc5 pulsations is virtually unknown. These pulsations are associated with ballooning disturbances described by a system of coupled equations for Alfvenic and slow magnetosonic (SMS) modes. In this work, the Voigt model is used to describe the equilibrium finite-pressure plasma configuration in an inhomogeneous magnetosphere plasma in a curved magnetic field. Spectral characteristics and the spatial structure of natural ballooning modes are calculated for this model. The model calculations demonstrate the possibility of different longitudinal scales for transverse and longitudinal magnetic components of oscillations near the top of the field line.     

Composition of solar cosmic rays

Summary The general features of the solar particle composition now seem to be clear. The two most abundant components, protons and helium nuclei, have different velocity spectra, similar, but not exactly identical rigidity spectra, and varying relative abundances. The multiply charged nuclei, on the other hand, appear to have the same spectral shape and relative abundances each time measurements are made, at least in the region from 42 to 135 MeV/nucleon. Further, these relative abundances seem to reflect those of the solar atmosphere insofar as comparison can be made. Electrons are rare, but high energy electrons are not expected to be plentiful due to the probable high rate of energy loss caused by synchrotron radiation at the sun. Energetic neutrons were also not expected in large quantity and have not been observed. Finally, there is positive evidence that very small quantities of deuterons exist, probably in an amount which is about 10^-3 or less of the proton abundance.The experimental data indicate that the propagation phenomenon is not purely rigidity dependent. Although the propagation of solar particles is still not well understood, the development of theories which take into account both the general magnetic field and the inhomogeneities in the field seem to hold some promise of explaining the experimental results. The composition data have also established important restraints which any acceleration theory must satisfy, and thereby contributed greatly to the very difficult problem of determining the acceleration mechanism.The similarity of the relative abundance of the energetic solar particles and the nuclei in the sun's photosphere suggested the possibility of having a new means of estimating the solar neon and helium abundances. This very interesting possibility will have to be explored by further testing of the composition of future solar particle events. Finally, it was seen that the composition was a very strong argument against most stars being the principal source of high energy non-solar cosmic rays, and, therefore, special sources, such as supernovae or possibly quasistellar objects, should be considered as much more likely prospects for the origin of cosmic rays.The results which have been obtained thus far on the composition of solar cosmic rays have indicated that further research in this area of study should be very rewarding and of value to many fields of physics. Further data on the composition and relative, as well as absolute, energy spectra of the various components are needed throughout many events. More experiments also should be performed to determine the properties of the rare components, deuterons, tritons, He³ nuclei, electrons, neutrons, and the heavier nuclei. When these experiments are complete, the knowledge which is needed to aid in answering the solar and astrophysical problems discussed in this review should be at hand.     

Response of the electron energy distribution to an artificially emitted electron beam: Apex experiment

The paper is based on the electron and ion energy spectra measurement on board the main spacecraft of the APEX mission. During the active phase of the experiment an intense electron beam was emitted from the main satellite. The basic cycle of the electron injection is formed by current pulses of different frequencies, duration and intensity. The spacecraft potential changes due to the gun operation were compensated by a low energy Xe plasma generator. The data show that the response of the environment to the beam emission depends not only on injection parameters but on the spacecraft position and orientation with respect to the magnetic field as well. The typical response is an increase of the intensity of the low energy (less than 1 keV) electrons in all directions. In addition, strong field aligned fluxes of electrons and/or ions are observed with energies below the gun energy. An attempt to classify different types of response and to find possible mechanisms which can explain the observed phenomena is made in the present paper.     

The Evolving Sigmoid: Evidence for Magnetic Flux Ropes in the Corona Before, During, and After CMES

It is generally accepted that the energy that drives coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is magnetic in origin. Sheared and twisted coronal fields can store free magnetic energy which ultimately is released in the CME. We explore the possibility of the specific magnetic configuration of a magnetic flux rope of field lines that twist about an axial field line. The flux rope model predicts coronal observables, including heating along forward or inverse S-shaped, or sigmoid, topological surfaces. Therefore, studying the observed evolution of such sigmoids prior to, during, and after the CME gives us crucial insight into the physics of coronal storage and release of magnetic energy. In particular, we consider (1) soft-X-ray sigmoids, both transient and persistent; (2) The formation of a current sheet and cusp-shaped post-flare loops below the CME; (3) Reappearance of sigmoids after CMEs; (4) Partially erupting filaments; (5) Magnetic cloud observations of filament material.     

High temperature effect on microflora of radish root-inhabited zone and nutrient solutions for radish growth.

The effect of high temperatures (35 and 45 degrees C) on microflora of the root zone of radish plants grown in phytotron was evaluated by the response of microorganisms from 9 indicator groups. Phytotron air temperature elevated to 35 degrees C for 20 hours caused no significant changes in qualitative and quantitative composition of the root microflora in experimental plants. By the end of the experiment, the species diversity of microflora had changed. The amount of phytopathogenic microorganisms decreased which can be interpreted as more stable co-existence of microflora with plants. The numbers of microbes from other indicator groups was in dynamic equilibrium. The plants' condition did not deteriorate either. Exposure to the temperature of 45 degrees C for 7 hours have been found to change the numbers and species diversity in the radish root zone microflora. The microorganisms were observed to increase their total numbers at the expense of certain indicator groups. Bacteria increased spore forms at the stage of spores. Colon bacillus bacteria of increased their numbers by the end of experiment by an order. By the end of experiment the roots of experiment plants had microscopic fungi from Mucor, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Cladosporium genera. The observed changes in the microbial complex seem to be associated with the changes of root emissions and general deterioration of the plants' condition. It is suggested that the response of the microorganisms can be indicative of the condition of plants under investigation.