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At least 91 records · Page 5

Molecular ions in the F2 layer.

Data on ion concentrations at heights of 400-500 km, obtained by the OGO VI satellite, suggest that the O(+) and molecular ion concentrations are sometimes anticorrelated. To assist in explaining this phenomenon, a table of the chemical reactions most likely to control the molecular ion concentrations is drawn up, and its validity tested with the aid of data from rocket-borne mass spectrometers at heights of 220-400 km. The anticorrelation of O(+) and NO(+) ions by day is thought to be due to the importance of a reaction between N2(+) ions and O atoms; the main source of N2(+) above 300 km is probably charge-exchange between N2 and O(+), the latter being produced by photoionization. However, at night another source of NO(+) ions is required, which may be N(+) ions that are either stored in the magnetosphere or are produced from He(+) and N2.

Rishbeth, H.↗

Magnetospheric convection and the high latitude F2 ionosphere

Behavior of the polar ionospheric F-layer as it is convected through the cleft, over the polar cap, and through the night side F-layer trough zone was investigated. Passage through the cleft adds of the order of 200,000 ions/cu cm in the vicinity of the F 2 peak and redistributes the ionization above approximately 400 km altitude to conform with an increased electron temperature. The F-layer is also raised of the order of 20 km in altitude by the convection electric field. In the night soft electron precipitation zone, the layer is lowered in altitude by the convection electric field, and then decays, primarily by chemical recombination, as it convects equatorward and around the dawn side of the earth. In the absence of ionization sources, decay by factors of the order of 100 to 1000 occur prior to entry into the sunlit hemisphere, thus forming the F-layer night trough.

Knudsen, W. C.↗

Influence of thermal plasma flow on the daytime F2 layer

Previous work on theoretical modeling of thermal plasma flow between the ionosphere and the plasmasphere on the night side of the earth, where photoionization is almost completely absent, is continued to cover ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling in the dayside ionosphere. Results indicate that the daytime plasmapause should be associated with the H(+) trough in the top-side ionosphere, but not with the trough in O(+) density or NmF2. At night the plasmapause can be identified with a trough in both H(+) and O(+) densities.

Park, C. G.↗

Depletion of the F2 region ionosphere and the protonosphere by the release of molecular hydrogen

Theoretical models have been used to investigate the effects of artificially injected H2 gas on plasma densities in the ionospheric F region and the overlying protonosphere. Owing to large reaction rates between H2 and ionospheric O(+) ions, plasma densities in both daytime and nighttime ionospheres can be greatly reduced by modest amounts of released H2 gas. One hundred kg of H2 released at 300-km altitude reduces local O(+) densities by more than three orders of magnitude and produces about a 5% depression in H(+) densities in the overlying protonosphere. These results suggest that it should be possible to conduct controlled chemical-modification experiments for investigation of many outstanding ionospheric and magnetospheric problems.

Bernhardt, P. A.↗

An assessment of an F2 or N2O4 atmospheric injection from an aborted space shuttle mission

Assuming a linear relationship between the stratosphere loading of NOx and the magnitude of the ozone perturbation, the change in ozone expected to result from space shuttle ejection of N2O4 was calculated based on the ozone change that is predicted for the (much greater) NOx input that would accompany large-scale operations of SSTs. Stratospheric fluorine reactions were critically reviewed to evaluate the magnitude of fluorine induced ozone destruction relative to the reduction that would be caused by addition of an equal amount of chlorine. The predicted effect on stratospheric ozone is vanishingly small.

Watson, R. T.↗

A factor of 2 reduction in theoretical F2 peak electron density due to enhanced vibrational excitation of N2 in summer at solar maximum

The degree to which the O(+) + N2 reaction rate is increased as a result of enhanced vibrational excitation of the N2 molecule in the thermosphere was investigated. It is found that the reaction rate may be sufficiently elevated in summer at solar maximum to decrease the peak O(+) density by a factor of 2, but there is only a small reduction in the winter peak density. Therefore the vibrational excitation of N2 acts to increase the magnitude of the seasonal anomaly. This work emphasizes the need for more laboratory work to clear up uncertainties in some of the key parameters.

Richards, P. G.↗

Ionospheric electron content within the equatorial F2 layer anomaly belt

Results are presented on continuous TEC measurements, taken along a chain of stations spaced between 0 deg N and 25 deg N and aligned roughly along the same longitude sector in India, that describe the day-to-day behavior of the location of equatorial anomaly in the TEC during the period of the 1975-1976 sunspot minimum, when the ATS spacecraft was visible from India. It was found that the presence or absence of the latitudinal anomaly in TEC on a particular day depended only on the strength of the electrojet current, as determined by the difference of the horizontal magnetic field at stations on the magnetic equator and stations outside the equatorial electrojet, rather than on the horizontal magnetic field measured only at equatorial stations.

Rastogi, R. G.↗

Life sciences and space research XXIV(1) - Gravitational biology; Proceedings of Symposia 10 and 13 of the Topical Meeting of the Interdisciplinary Scientific Commission F (Meetings F1 and F2) of the COSPAR 28th Plenary Meeting, The Hague, Netherlands, June 25-July 6, 1990

Topics presented include an introduction to theories and models of biological response to gravity, gravity effects on biological systems, the function of calcium in plant graviperception, developmental biology on unmanned spacecraft, and the effect of microgravity on the development of plant protoplasts flown on Biocosmos 9. Also presented are the mechanism by which an asymmetric distribution of plant growth hormone is attained, the perception of gravity by plants, an animal research facility for Space Station Freedom, the long-term effects of microgravity and possible countermeasures, and an experimental system for determining the influence of microgravity on B lymphocyte activation and cell fusion.

Young, R. S.↗

Mechanical stimulation of skeletal muscle increases prostaglandin F2(alpha) synthesis and cyclooxygenase activity by a pertussis toxin sensitive mechanism

Repetitive mechanical stimulation of differentiated skeletal muscle in tissue culture increases the production of prostaglandin F(sub 2(alpha)), an anabolic stimulator of myofiber growth. Within 4 h of initiating mechanical activity, the activity of cyclooxygenase, a regulatory enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis, was increased 82% (P is less than .005), and this increase was maintained for at least 24 h. Kinetic analysis of the stretch-activated cyclooxygenase indicated a two to three-fold decrease in the enzyme's K(sub m) with no change in V(sub max). The stretch-induced increase in enzymatic activity was not inhibited by cycloheximide, was independent of cellular electrical activity (tetrodotoxin-insensitive), but was prevented by the G protein inhibitor pertussis toxin. Pertussis toxin also inhibited the stretch-induced increases in PGF(sub 2(alpha)) production, and cell growth. It is concluded that stretch of skeletal muscle increases the synthesis of the anabolic modulator PGF(sub 2(alpha)) by a G protein-dependent process which involves activation of cyclooxygenase by a posttranslational mechanism.

Vandenburgh, Herman H.↗

The lithium content and other properties of F2-G5 giants in the Hertzsprung Gap

As stars of 2-5 solar mass evolve across the Hertzsprung Gap they should first deplete their surface lithium by convective dilution and then, when convection penetrates deeper, begin to bring CN processed material to their surfaces. To investigate this process we have observed 52 giants, 25 of which have known C/N ratios, for their Li abundances. After eliminating four stars that may actually be dwarfs and including the two components of Capella analyzed by Pilachowski and Sowell we have compared our (Li/Fe) ratios with models of Swenson. For stars showing v sin i greater than 50 km/s we find (Li/Fe) to be uneffected by mixing for B - V less than 0.7 as predicted. For stars cooler than B - V = 0.7 both v sin i and (Li/Fe) drop to smaller values. For the sharp lined stars (v sin i less than 50 km/s) we find a drop in Li between B - V = 0.45 and 0.60 which cannot be understood in terms of dilution by convection. Various possible causes of such an early depletion or dilution of surface Li are discussed including diffusion at the base of the convection zone, mass loss possibly enhanced by pulsation, and magnetic activity as in the magnetic A and B type stars. The models of Richer & Michaud (1993) with diffusion point toward a satisfactory solution. A few giants with low v sin i values stand out with much higher than expected (Li/Fe) values despite their cool effective temperatures. We do not understand why those stars have not depleted their lithium as have most giants of similar color. The correlation of (N/C) with (Li/Fe) follows expectations in so far as almost all stars with enhanced (N/C) have depleted their Li as well.

Wallerstein, George↗

In-Situ F2-Region Plasma Density and Temperature Measurements from the International Space Station

The International Space Station orbit provides an ideal platform for in-situ studies of space weather effects on the mid and low latitude F-2 region ionosphere. The Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) operating on the ISS since Aug 2006. is a suite of plasma instruments: a Floating Potential Probe (FPP), a Plasma Impedance Probe (PIP), a Wide-sweep langmuir Probe (WLP), and a Narrow-sweep Langmuir Probe (NLP). This instrument package provides a new opportunity lor collaborative multi-instrument studies of the F-region ionosphere during both quiet and disturbed periods. This presentation first describes the operational parameters for each of the FPMU probes and shOWS examples of an intra-instrument validation. We then show comparisons with the plasma density and temperature measurements derived from the TIMED GUVI ultraviolet imager, the Millstone Hill ground based incoherent scatter radar, and DIAS digisondes, Finally we show one of several observations of night-time equatorial density holes demonstrating the capabilities of the probes lor monitoring mid and low latitude plasma processes.

Coffey, Victoria↗