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NASA NTRS1987

Nonpotential features observed in the magnetic field of an active region

A unique coordinated data set consisting of vector magnetograms, H-alpha photographs, and high-resolution ultraviolet images of a solar active region is used, together with mathematical models, to calculate potential and force-free magnetic field lines and to examine the nonpotential nature of the active region structure. It is found that the overall bipolar magnetic field of the active region had a net twist corresponding to net current of order 3 x 10 to the 12th A and average density of order 4 x 10 to the -4th A/sq m flowing antiparallel to the field. There were three regions of enhanced nonpotentiality in the interior of the active region; in one the field had a marked nonpotential twist or shear with height above the photosphere. The measured total nonpotential magnetic energy stored in the entire active region was of order 10 to the 32nd ergs, about 3 sigma above the noise level.

Gary, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Planetary wave activity in the troposphere and stratosphere during the Northern Hemisphere winter

The relation between planetary wave activity in the troposphere and stratosphere during the Northern Hemisphere winter from December 1981-March 1982 is studied. The Eliassen-Palm (E-P) flux diagnostics was applied to global tropospheric data for 1000 to 100 mb and global stratospheric data for 70 to 0.4 mb. The vertical component of the E-P flux, which is a measure of the vertical propagation of wave activity, and wave driving are examined. It is observed that the magnitude of the vertical component of the E-P flux varies with a period of 10-15 days in both the troposphere and the stratosphere; however, the correlation between the wave activity in the troposphere and stratosphere is different during the pre- and postwarming periods. The two types of correspondence between the wave activity are: (1) an out-of-plane relationship and (2) an upward propagation of wave activity from the troposphere to the stratosphere. The dynamical features of these two periods are described.

Shiotani, Masato↗
NASA NTRS1987

Using the Landsat Thematic Mapper to detect and monitor active volcanoes - An example from Lascar volcano, northern Chile

The Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) offers a means of detecting and monitoring thermal features of active volcanoes. Using the TM, a prominent thermal anomaly has been discovered on Lascar volcano, northern Chile. Data from two short-wavelength infrared channels of the TM show that material within a 300-m-diameter pit crater was at a temperature of at least 380 C on two dates in 1985. The thermal anomaly closely resembles in size and radiant temperature the anomaly over the active lava lake at Erta'ale in Ethiopia. An eruption took place at Lascar on Sept. 16, 1986. TM data acquired on Oct. 27, 1986, revealed significant changes within the crater area. Lascar is in a much more active state than any other volcano in the central Andes, and for this reason it merits further careful monitoring. Studies show that the TM is capable of confidently identifying thermal anomalies less than 100 m in size, at temperatures of above 150 C, and thus it offers a valuable means of monitoring the conditions of active or potentially active volcanoes, particularly those in remote regions.

Francis, P. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A study of solar preflare activity using two-dimensional radio and SMM-XRP observations

A study of type III activity at meter-decameter wavelengths in the preflare phase of the February 3, 1986 flare is presented, using data obtained with the Clark Lake Multifrequency Radioheliograph. This activity is compared with similar type III burst activity during the impulsive phase, and it is found that there is a displacement of burst sources between the onset and end times of the activity. A comparison of this displacement at three frequencies suggests that the type III emitting electrons gain access progressively to diverging and different field lines relative to the initial field lines. The energetics of the type III emitting electrons are inferred from observations and compared with those of the associated hard X-ray emitting electrons. The soft X-ray data from SMM-XRP show enhanced emission measure, density, and temperature in the region associated with the preflare type III activity.

Kundu, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Rossby wave activity in a two-dimensional model - Closure for wave driving and meridional eddy diffusivity

A parameterization of the effects of Rossby waves in the middle atmosphere is proposed for use in two-dimensional models. By adding an equation for conservation of Rossby wave activity, closure is obtained for the meridional eddy fluxes and body force due to Rossby waves. Rossby wave activity is produced in a climatological fashion at the tropopause, is advected by a group velocity which is determined solely by model zonal winds, and is absorbed where it converges. Absorption of Rossby wave activity causes both an easterly torque and an irreversible mixing of potential vorticity, represented by the meridional eddy diffusivity, K(yy). The distribution of Rossby wave driving determines the distribution of K(yy), which is applied to all of the chemical constituents. This provides a self-consistent coupling of the wave activity with the winds, tracer distributions and the radiative field. Typical winter stratospheric values for K(yy) of 2 million sq m/sec are obtained. Poleward tracer advection is enhanced and meridional tracer gradients are reduced where Rossby wave activity is absorbed in the model.

Hitchman, Matthew H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Biochemical assays on plasminogen activators and hormones from kidney sources

Investigations were established for the purpose of analyzing the conditioned media from human embryonic kidney cell subpopulations separated in space by electrophoresis. This data is based on the experiments performed on STS-8 on the continuous flow electrophoresis system. The primary biological activity that was analyzed was plasminogen activator activity, but some assays for erythropoeitin and human granulocyte colony stimulating activity were also performed. It is concluded that a battery of assays are required to completely define the plasminogen activator profile of a conditioned media from cell culture. Each type of assay measures different parts of the mixture and are influenced by different parameters. The functional role of each assay is given along with an indication of which combination of assays are required to answer specific questions. With this type of information it is possible by combinations of assays with mathematical analysis to pinpoint a specific component of the system.

Barlow, Grant H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Influence of several metal ions on the gelation activation energy of silicon tetraethoxide

The effects of nine metal cations (Li(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Cu(2+), Al(3+), La(3+), and Y(3+) on silica gel formation has been investigated by studying the hydrolysis and polycondensation of silicon tetraethoxide (TEOS) in the presence of metal nitrates. The influence of water: TEOS mole ratio, metal ion concentration, and the reaction temperature has been investigated. The overall activation energy for gel formation has been determined from the temperature dependence of the time of gelation for each system. The activation energy for -Si-O-Si- network formation is found to be 54.5 kJ/mol. The gel formation time as well as the activation energy sharply increase in the presence of Cu(2+), Al(3+), La(3+) and Y(3+). In contrast, the presence of Li(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), or, Sr(2+) lowers the gelation time, but has no appreciable effect on the activation energy. This difference may be attributed to the participation or nonparticipation of the metal ions in the formation of the three-dimensional polymeric network during the polycondensation step. The concentration of metal ion (Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Y(3+) or the water: TEOS mole ratio had no appreciable effect on the gelation activation energy. A simple test has been proposed to determine whether a metal ion would act as a network intermediate or modifier in silica and other glassy networks.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Time variability of solar active regions at centimeter wavelengths

An analysis is presented of the variability of centimeter wavelength emission originating from the solar transition region and lower corona, and the variability is compared with the sun's quiescent emission. Sequential dual wavelength observations are presented and used to put constraints on a possible model of the variability of active region emissions and to better understand the dynamics of active regions. It is shown that gyroresonance emission contributes significantly to the active region emission at 6 cm, whereas all the quiet-sun emission can be attributed to free-free emission. From comparison of the quiet-sun and active region models, it is shown that the density at the base of the transition region is higher in active regions.

Shevgaonkar, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Variation of D-region nitric-oxide density with solar activity and season at the dip equator

To study the solar control on electron density (N sub e) in the equatorial D region, a program was initiated with Soviet collaboration in 1979. A total of 31 rockets were launched during the high solar activity period, and 47 rockets during the low solar activity period, from Thumba to measure the N sub e profiles. Analysis of the data shows that the average values of N sub e for the high solar activity period are higher by a factor of about 2 to 3 compared to the low solar activity values. It was found that a single nitric oxide density, (NO), profile cannot reproduce all the observed N sub e profiles. An attempt was made to reproduce theoretically the observed N sub e profiles by introducing variation in (NO) for the different solar activity periods and seasons.

Chakrabarty, D. K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An analytical study of a six degree-of-freedom active truss for use in vibration control

An analytical study of the vibration control capabilities of three configurations of an active truss is presented. The truss studied is composed of two bays of an octahedral-octahedral configuration. The three configurations of the active truss studies are: all six battens activated (6 DOF), the top three battens activated (3 DOF), and the bottom three battens activated (3 DOF). The closed-loop vibration control response of these three configurations are studied with respect to: vibration attenuation, energy utilized, and the effects of motor drive amplifier saturation non-linearities.

Wynn, Robert H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Solar Activity and the Sea-surface Temperature Record-evidence of a Long-period Variation in Solar Total Irradiance

There have been many suggestions over the years of a connection between solar activity and the Earth's climate on time scales long compared to the 11-year sunspot cycle. They have remained little more than suggestions largely because of the major uncertainties in the climate record itself, and the difficulty in trying to compile a global average from an assembly of measurements that are uneven in both quality and distribution. Different climate time response to solar activity, some suggesting a positive correlation, some a negative correlation, and some no correlation at all. The only excuse for making yet another such suggestion is that much effort has been devoted in recent years to compiling climate records for the past century or more that are internally consistent and believable, and that a decadal-scale record of solar total irradiance is emerging from spacecraft measurements, and can be used to set limits on the variation that is likely to have occurred on these time scales. The work described here was originally inspired by the observation that the time series of globally averaged sea-surface temperatures over the past 120 years or so, as compiled by the British Meteorological Office group (Folland and Kates, 1984), bore a resonable similarity to the long-term average sunspot number, which is an indicator of the secular variability of solar activity. The two time series are shown where the sunspot number is shown as the 135-month running mean, and the SST variation is shown as the departure from an arbitrary average value. The simplest explanation of the similarity, if one accepts it as other than coincidental, is that the sun's luminosity may have been varying more or less in step with the level of solar activity, or in other words that there is a close coupling between the sun's magnetic condition and its radiative output on time scales longer than the 11-year cycle. Such an idea is not new, and in fact the time series shown can be regarded as a modern extension of the proposal put forward by Eddy (1977) to explain the covariance between various global climate indicators and solar activity as revealed by the C-14 record over the past millenium.

Reid, George C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Influence of several metal ions on the gelation activation energy of silicon tetraethoxide

The effects of nine metal cations Li(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Cu(2+), Al(3+), La(3+), and Y(3+) on silica gel formation has been investigated by studying the hydrolysis and polycondensation of silicon tetraethoxide (TEOS) in the presence of metal nitrates. The influence of water:TEOS mole ratio, metal ion concentration, and the reaction temperature has been investigated. The overall activation energy for gel formation has been determined from the temperature dependence of the time of gelation for each system. The activation energy for -Si-O-Si- network formation is found to be 54.5 kJ/mol. The gel formation time as well as the activation energy sharply increase in the presence of Cu(2+), Al(3+), La(3+) and Y(3+). In contrast, the presence of Li(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), or Sr(2+) lowers the gelation time, but has no appreciable effect on the activation energy. This difference may be attributed to the participation or nonparticipation of the metal ions in the formation of the three-dimensional polymeric network during the polycondensation step. The concentration of metal ion Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Y(3+) or the water:TEOS mole ratio had no appreaciable effect on the gelation activation energy. A simple test has been proposed to determine whether a metal ion would act as a network intermediate or modifier in silica and other glassy networks.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Geomagnetic activity associated with earth passage of interplanetary shock disturbances and coronal mass ejections

Coronal mass ejection events (CMEs) are important occasional sources of plasma and magnetic field in the solar wind at 1 AU, accounting for approximately 10 percent of all solar wind measurements in the ecliptic plane during the last solar activity maximum. Using a recently appreciated capability for distinguishing CMEs in solar wind data in the form of counterstreaming solar wind electron events, this paper explores the overall effectiveness of shock wave disturbances and CMFs in general in stimulating geomagnetic activity. The study is confined to the interval from mid-August 1978 through mid-October 1982, spanning the last solar activity maximum, when ISEE 3 was in orbit about the L1 Lagrange point 220 Re upstream from earth. It is found that all but one of the 37 largest geomagnetic storms in that era were associated with earth passage of CMEs and/or shock disturbances, with the large majority of these storms (27 out of 37) being associated with interplanetary events where earth encountered both a shock and the CME driving the shock (shock/CME events). Although CMEs and/or shock disturbances were increasingly the cause of geomagnetic activity as the level of geomagnetic activity increased, many smaller geomagnetic disturbances were unrelated to these events.

Gosling, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Mechanical stimulation of skeletal muscle generates lipid-related second messengers by phospholipase activation

Repetitive mechanical stimulation of cultured avian skeletal muscle increases the synthesis of prostaglandins E2 and F2(alpha) which regulate protein turnover rates and muscle cell growth. Mechnical stimulation significantly increases the breakdown rate of (3)H-arachidonic acid labelled phospholipids, releasing free (3)H-arachidonic acid, and the rate-limiting precursor of prostaglandin synthesis. Mechanical stimulation also significantly increases (3)H-arachidonic acid labelled diacylglycerol formation and intracellular levels of inositol phosphates from myo-2-(3)H inositol labelled phospholipids. Phospholipase A2, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PLC), and phospholipase D (PLD) are activated by stretch. The lipase inhibitors bromophenacylbromide and RHC80267 together reduce stretch-induced prostaglandin production by 73-83 percent. The stretch-induced increases in prostaglandin production, (3)H-arachidonic acid labelled phospholipid breakdown, and (3)H-arachidonic acid labelled diacylglycerol formation occur independently of cellular electrical activity (tetrodotoxin insensitive) whereas the formation of inositol phosphates from myo-2-(3)H inositol labelled phospholipids are dependent on cellular electrical activity. These results indicate that mechanical stimulation increases the lipid-related second messengers arachidonic acid, diacylglycerol, and prostaglandins through activation of specific phospholipases such as PLA2 and PLD, but not by activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC.

Vandenburgh, Herman H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis, review, and documentation of the activation data from LDEF material

Samples removed from Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF-1) are being studied at various laboratories to determine the specific activity(pCi/kg) produced in orbit by exposure to protons and neutrons in near-Earth orbit. These activities are being corrected for efficiency, self-attenuation, and background. The activities and associated gamma-ray spectra are being collected, analyzed, documented and reviewed by faculty and graduate students at Eastern Kentucky University. The currently available activation results have been tabulated and reviewed in this report. Approximately 500 spectra have been accumulated for future archival and analysis. The effect of the changing satellite orbit on the activation is reported herein and was calculated using more recent estimates of the flux of Van Allen belt protons.

Laird, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Long-term behaviour of starspots. III - Active longitudes on the long-period RS CVn star HK Lacertae

Thirteen years of photometry were used to study active longitudes on the surface of HK Lacertae. The decaying and forming phenomena of active areas in the years of 1980-1981, 1983-1984, and 1988-1989 are shown. New activity centers suddenly occur near the same orbital phase (0.6) and have lifetimes of several (greater than 6) years. The average rotational period of HK Lac is 24.2852 d; compared to the orbital period of 24.4284 d, this implies a 32 degree/year drift of the active areas on the stellar surface. Two possible interpretations for the period difference are discussed: pseudosynchronism and rigidity of magnetic patterns. The active longitudes on HK Lac are compared with similar phenomena found on the sun.

Olah, K.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Activity associated with coronal mass ejections at solar minimum - SMM observations from 1984-1986

Seventy-three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed by the coronagraph aboard SMM between 1984 and 1986 were examined in order to determine the distribution of various forms of solar activity that were spatially and temporally associated with mass ejections during solar minimum phase. For each coronal mass ejection a speed was measured, and the departure time of the transient from the lower corona estimated. Other forms of solar activity that appeared within 45 deg longitude and 30 deg latitude of the mass ejection and within +/-90 min of its extrapolated departure time were explored. The statistical results of the analysis of these 73 CMEs are presented, and it is found that slightly less than half of them were infrequently associated with other forms of solar activity. It is suggested that the distribution of the various forms of activity related to CMEs does not change at different phases of the solar cycle. For those CMEs with associations, it is found that eruptive prominences and soft X-rays were the most likely forms of activity to accompany the appearance of mass ejections.

St. Cyr, O. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Patterns of seismic activity preceding large earthquakes

A mechanical model of seismic faults is employed to investigate the seismic activities that occur prior to major events. The block-and-spring model dynamically generates a statistical distribution of smaller slipping events that precede large events, and the results satisfy the Gutenberg-Richter law. The scaling behavior during a loading cycle suggests small but systematic variations in space and time with maximum activity acceleration near the future epicenter. Activity patterns inferred from data on seismicity in California demonstrate a regional aspect; increased activity in certain areas are found to precede major earthquake events. One example is given regarding the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 which is located near a fault section associated with increased activity levels.

Shaw, Bruce E.↗