Acceleration Phase of Coronal Mass Ejections: II. Synchronization of the Energy Release in the Associated Flare

We analyze the relationship between the acceleration of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the energy release in associated flares, employing a sample of 22 events in which the CME kinematics were measured from the pre-eruption stage up to the post-acceleration phase. The data show a distinct correlation between the duration of the acceleration phase and the duration of the associated soft X-ray (SXR) burst rise, whereas the CME peak acceleration and velocity are related to the SXR peak flux. In the majority of events the acceleration started earlier than the SXR burst, and it is usually prolonged after the SXR burst maximum. In about one half of the events the acceleration phase is very closely synchronized with the fastest growth of the SXR burst. An additional one quarter of the events may be still considered as relatively well-synchronized, whereas in the remaining quarter of the events there is a considerable mismatch. The results are interpreted in terms of the feedback relationship between the CME dynamics and the reconnection process in the wake of the CME.     

P-T data of Ky-St-Grt gneisses hosting HP amphibolites and eclogites from the Austroalpine Polinik complex, Kreuzeck Mountains, Eastern Alps, Austria

This study focuses on metapelites of the Polinik complex in the Kreuzeck Mts. southeast of the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps, where kyanite — staurolite — garnet gneisses host eclogites and high pressure (HP) amphibolites of the Austroalpine basement. The stable mineral assemblage is garnet — staurolite — biotite — kyanite — quartz. Estimated metamorphic conditions from conventional geothermobarometry are 654±30 °C and 0.9±0.08 GPa, and Average P-T values calculated by THERMOCALC, are 665±15 °C at 0.77±0.09 GPa. Formation of the present mineral association in gneisses is related to the exhumation (D2) stage of hosted eclogites/HP amphibolites within a lateral strike-slip zone.     

Trends in the seasonal length and opening dates of a winter road in the western James Bay region,Ontario, Canada

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - In northern Canada, winter roads are essential for communities. The duration of the winter road season depends on particular meteorological conditions. In this...     

Seasonal variability of cohesive sediment aggregation in the Bach Dang–Cam Estuary, Haiphong (Vietnam)

In the Bach Dang–Cam Estuary, northern Vietnam, mechanisms governing cohesive sediment aggregation were investigated in situ in 2008–2009. As part of the Red River delta, this estuary exhibits a marked contrast in hydrological conditions between the monsoon and dry seasons. The impact on flocculation processes was assessed by means of surveys of water discharge, suspended particulate matter concentration and floc size distributions (FSDs) conducted during a tidal cycle at three selected sites along the estuary. A method was developed for calculating the relative volume concentration for the modes of various size classes from FSDs provided by the LISST 100X (Sequoia Scientific Inc.). It was found that all FSDs comprised four modes identified as particles/flocculi, fine and coarse microflocs, and macroflocs. Under the influence of the instantaneous turbulent kinetic energy, their proportions varied but without significant modification of their median diameters. In particular, when the turbulence level corresponded to a Kolmogorov microscale of less than ∼235 μm, a major breakup of flocs resulted in the formation of particles/flocculi and fine microflocs. Fluctuations in turbulence level were governed by seasonal variations in freshwater discharge and by the tidal cycle. During the wet season, strong freshwater input induced a high turbulent energy level that tended to generate sediment transfer from the coarser size classes (macroflocs, coarse microflocs) to finer ones (particles/flocculi and fine microflocs), and to promote a transport of sediment seawards. During the dry season, the influence of tides predominated. The turbulent energy level was then only episodically sufficiently high to generate transfer of sediment between floc size classes. At low turbulent energy, modifications in the proportions of floc size classes were due to differential settling. Tidal pumping produced a net upstream transport of sediment. Associated with the settling of sediment trapped in a near-bed layer at low turbulent energy, this causes the silting up of the waterways leading to the harbour of Haiphong.     

Heat transfer coefficients for leaves on orchard apple trees

The coefficient for heat transfer from apple tree leaves was measured from the energy balance of leaves which were prevented from transpiring by applying Vaseline (petroleum jelly). Vaseline had negligible effect on the absorption of short-wave radiation by the leaves. The Nusselt number (Nu) describing heat flux from a leaf in terms of its average temperature was related to Reynolds numbers (Re) in the range 10³ to 10⁴ by Nu = 0.46 Re^0.54 Pr^0.33, where Pr is the Prandtl number. This supports Landsberg and Powell's (1973) wind-tunnel results for transfer from leaves subject to mutual interference.     

Theoretical grain-size thresholds and their application to accurate methods for paleointensity determination

New values of critical grain-size thresholds, d_s and d₀, for magnetite and Fe have been obtained using a rigorous theoretical approach. The temperature dependence of these thresholds is interesting in that they point up the existence of certain grains which, when cooled from above their blocking temperature, pass sequentially through the following magnetization states: superparamagnetic→single-domain→non-uniform magnetization. Such grains will yield correct paleointensities by the Wilson or Shaw method but not by the well-known method due to Thellier and Thellier.     

The effects of closure on the moments of a distribution

When percentages are formed from uncorrelated, normally distributed parent variables the moments of the percentage distribution may differ considerably from those of the parents. Equations can be derived which enable the approximation of the moments of a percentage variable in terms of the moments of the parent distribution, the row sum statistics, and the correlation between a part of a sum and the sum (the part-whole correlation). If the part-whole correlation is negative the mean and variance of the percentage are increased (relative to the means and variances of those variables with a positive part-whole correlation) and the percentage variable will exhibit a positive skewness. If the part-whole correlation is positive the percentage variable will be negatively skewed if, and only if, the part-whole correlation is greater than the ratio of the coefficient of variation of the row sum (T) to the coefficient of variation of the parent variable. The kurtosis of the percentage variable must be greater than that of the parent variable regardless of the sign of the part-whole correlation. It is obvious that the interpretation or explanation of the distribution of a percentage variable must include an assessment of the effects of percentage formation. However, at the present time the isolation of the percentage effect appears to be impossible unless the parent data set is available.