scholarly journals Can irregularities of solar proxies help understand quasi-biennial solar variations?

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Shapoval ◽  
J. L. Le Mouël ◽  
M. Shnirman ◽  
V. Courtillot

Abstract. We define, calculate and analyze irregularity indices λISSN of daily series of the International Sunspot Number ISSN as a function of increasing smoothing from N = 162 to 648 days. The irregularity indices λ are computed within 4-year sliding windows, with embedding dimensions m = 1 and 2. λISSN displays Schwabe cycles with ~5.5-year variations ("half Schwabe variations" HSV). The mean of λISSN undergoes a downward step and the amplitude of its variations strongly decreases around 1930. We observe changes in the ratio R of the mean amplitude of λ peaks at solar cycle minima with respect to peaks at solar maxima as a function of date, embedding dimension and, importantly, smoothing parameter N. We identify two distinct regimes, called Q1 and Q2, defined mainly by the evolution of R as a function of N: Q1, with increasing HSV behavior and R value as N is increased, occurs before 1915–1930; and Q2, with decreasing HSV behavior and R value as N is increased, occurs after ~1975. We attempt to account for these observations with an autoregressive (order 1) model with Poissonian noise and a mean modulated by two sine waves of periods T1 and T2 (T1 = 11 years, and intermediate T2 is tuned to mimic quasi-biennial oscillations QBO). The model can generate both Q1 and Q2 regimes. When m = 1, HSV appears in the absence of T2 variations. When m = 2, Q1 occurs when T2 variations are present, whereas Q2 occurs when T2 variations are suppressed. We propose that the HSV behavior of the irregularity index of ISSN may be linked to the presence of strong QBO before 1915–1930, a transition and their disappearance around 1975, corresponding to a change in regime of solar activity.

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Shapoval ◽  
J. L. Le Mouël ◽  
M. Shnirman ◽  
V. Courtillot

Abstract. We define, calculate and analyze irregularity indices λWN and λaa of daily series of sunspot number WN and geomagnetic index aa as a function of increasing smoothing from N = 162 to 648 days. The irregularity indices λ are computed within 4 year sliding windows, with embedding dimensions m = 1 and 2. λWN and λaa display Schwabe cycles with sharp peaks not only at cycle maxima but also at minima: we call the resulting ~5.5 year variations "half Schwabe variations" (HSV). The mean of λWN undergoes a downward step and the amplitude of its variations strongly decreases around 1930. We observe changes in the ratio R of the mean amplitude of λ peaks at solar cycle minima with respect to peaks at solar maxima as a function of date, embedding dimension and importantly smoothing parameter N. We identify two distinct regimes, called Q1 and Q2, defined mainly by the evolution of R as a function of N: Q1, with increasing HSV behavior and R value as N is increased, occurs before 1915–1930 and Q2, with decreasing HSV behavior and R value as N is increased, occurs after ~1975. We attempt to account for these observations with an autoregressive (order 1) model with Poissonian noise and a mean modulated by two sine waves of periods T1 and T2 (T1 = 11 years, and intermediate T2 is tuned to mimic quasi-biennial oscillations QBO). The model can generate both Q1 and Q2 regimes. When m = 1, HSV appears in the absence of T2 variations. When m = 2, Q1 occurs when T2 variations are present, whereas Q2 occurs when T2 variations are suppressed. We propose that the HSV behavior of the irregularity index of WN may be linked to the presence of strong QBO before 1915–1930, a transition and their disappearance around 1975, corresponding to a change in regime of solar activity.


2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1843-1850 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Unnikrishnan ◽  
R. Balachandran Nair ◽  
C. Venugopal

Abstract. The main characteristics of night-time enhancements in TEC during magnetic storms are compared with those during quiet nights for different seasons and solar activity conditions at Palehua, a low latitude station during the period 1980–1989. We find that the mean amplitude has both a seasonal and solar activity dependence: in winter, the values are higher for weak storms as compared to those during quiet nights and increase with an increase in solar activity. In summer, the mean amplitude values during weak storms and quiet nights are almost equal. But during equinox, the mean amplitude values for quiet nights are greater than those during weak storms. The mean half-amplitude duration is higher during weak storms as compared to that during quiet nights in summer. However, during winter and equinox, the durations are almost equal for both quiet and weak storm nights. For the mean half-amplitude duration, the quiet night values for all the seasons and equinoctial weak storm values increase with an increase in solar activity. The occurrence frequency (in percent) of TEC enhancement during weak storms is greater than during quiet nights for all seasons. The mean amplitude, the mean half-amplitude duration and the occurrence frequency (in percent) of TEC enhancement values are higher during major storms as compared to those during quiet nights. The above parameters have their highest values during pre-midnight hours. From the data analysed, this behaviour is true in the case of major storms also.Key words. Ionosphere (ionospheric disturbances; plasma convection) Magnetospheric physics (storms and substorms)


1979 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 357-372
Author(s):  
Z. Švestka

The following subjects were discussed:(1)Filament activation(2)Post-flare loops.(3)Surges and sprays.(4)Coronal transients.(5)Disk vs. limb observations.(6)Solar cycle variations of prominence occurrence.(7)Active prominences patrol service.Of all these items, (1) and (2) were discussed in most detail and we also pay most attention to them in this report. Items (3) and (4) did not bring anything new when compared with the earlier invited presentations given by RUST and ZIRIN and therefore, we omit them.


Solar Physics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 296 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Courtillot ◽  
F. Lopes ◽  
J. L. Le Mouël

AbstractThis article deals with the prediction of the upcoming solar activity cycle, Solar Cycle 25. We propose that astronomical ephemeris, specifically taken from the catalogs of aphelia of the four Jovian planets, could be drivers of variations in solar activity, represented by the series of sunspot numbers (SSN) from 1749 to 2020. We use singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to associate components with similar periods in the ephemeris and SSN. We determine the transfer function between the two data sets. We improve the match in successive steps: first with Jupiter only, then with the four Jovian planets and finally including commensurable periods of pairs and pairs of pairs of the Jovian planets (following Mörth and Schlamminger in Planetary Motion, Sunspots and Climate, Solar-Terrestrial Influences on Weather and Climate, 193, 1979). The transfer function can be applied to the ephemeris to predict future cycles. We test this with success using the “hindcast prediction” of Solar Cycles 21 to 24, using only data preceding these cycles, and by analyzing separately two 130 and 140 year-long halves of the original series. We conclude with a prediction of Solar Cycle 25 that can be compared to a dozen predictions by other authors: the maximum would occur in 2026.2 (± 1 yr) and reach an amplitude of 97.6 (± 7.8), similar to that of Solar Cycle 24, therefore sketching a new “Modern minimum”, following the Dalton and Gleissberg minima.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87
Author(s):  
Maciej Rachwał ◽  
Justyna Drzał-Grabiec ◽  
Katarzyna Walicka-Cupryś ◽  
Aleksandra Truszczyńska

Abstract Background: The post-mastectomy changes to the locomotor system are related to the scar and adhesion or to the lymphatic edema after amputation which, in turn, lead to local and global distraction of the work of the muscles. These changes lead to body statics disturbance that changes the projection of the center of gravity and worsens motor response due to changing of the muscle sensitivity. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the static balance of women after undergoing mastectomy. Methods: The study included 150 women, including 75 who underwent mastectomy (mean age: 60±7.6) years, mean body mass index (BMI): 26 (±3.6) kg/m2) and 75 who were placed in the control group with matched age and BMI. The study was conducted using a tensometric platform. Results: Statistically significant differences were found for almost all parameters between the post-mastectomy group and group of healthy women, regarding center of foot pressure (COP) path length in the Y and X axes and the mean amplitude of COP. Conclusions: First, the findings revealed that balance in post-mastectomy women is significantly better than in the control group. Second, physiotherapeutic treatment of post-mastectomy women may have improved their posture stability compared with their peers.


1969 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Wooding

Waves at an unstable horizontal interface between two fluids moving vertically through a saturated porous medium are observed to grow rapidly to become fingers (i.e. the amplitude greatly exceeds the wavelength). For a diffusing interface, in experiments using a Hele-Shaw cell, the mean amplitude taken over many fingers grows approximately as (time)2, followed by a transition to a growth proportional to time. Correspondingly, the mean wave-number decreases approximately as (time)−½. Because of the rapid increase in amplitude, longitudinal dispersion ultimately becomes negligible relative to wave growth. To represent the observed quantities at large time, the transport equation is suitably weighted and averaged over the horizontal plane. Hyperbolic equations result, and the ascending and descending zones containing the fronts of the fingers are replaced by discontinuities. These averaged equations form an unclosed set, but closure is achieved by assuming a law for the mean wave-number based on similarity. It is found that the mean amplitude is fairly insensitive to changes in wave-number. Numerical solutions of the averaged equations give more detailed information about the growth behaviour, in excellent agreement with the similarity results and with the Hele-Shaw experiments.


Science ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 254 (5032) ◽  
pp. 698-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. FRIIS-CHRISTENSEN ◽  
K. LASSEN
Keyword(s):  

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 014006 ◽  
Author(s):  
A D Erlykin ◽  
T Sloan ◽  
A W Wolfendale

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (3) ◽  
pp. E413-E420 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Simon ◽  
L. Weibel ◽  
G. Brandenberger

To determine whether the ultradian and circadian rhythms of glucose and insulin secretion rate (ISR) are adapted to their permanent nocturnal schedule, eight night workers were studied during their usual 24-h cycle with continuous enteral nutrition and a 10-min blood sampling procedure and were compared with 8 day-active subjects studied once with nocturnal sleep and once with an acute 8-h-shifted sleep. The mean 24-h glucose and ISR levels were similar in the three experiments. The duration and the number of the ultradian oscillations were influenced neither by the time of day nor by the sleep condition or its shift, but their mean amplitude increased during sleep whenever it occurred. In day-active subjects, glucose and ISR levels were high during nighttime sleep and then decreased to a minimum in the afternoon. After the acute sleep shift, the glucose and ISR rhythms were split in a biphasic pattern with a slight increase during the night of deprivation and another during daytime sleep. In night workers, the glucose and ISR peak levels exhibited an 8-h shift in accordance with the sleep shift, but the onset of the glucose rise underwent a shift of only 6 h and the sleep-related amplification of the glucose and ISR oscillations did not occur simultaneously. These results demonstrate that despite a predominant influence of sleep, the 24-h glucose and ISR rhythms are only partially adapted in permanent night workers.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 1939-1949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ouardouz ◽  
Jean-Claude Lacaille

Ouardouz, Mohamed and Jean-Claude Lacaille. Properties of unitary IPSCs in hippocampal pyramidal cells originating from different types of interneurons in young rats. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 1939–1949, 1997. Whole cell recordings were used in hippocampal slices of young rats to examine unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (uIPSCs) evoked in CA1 pyramidal cells at room temperature. Loose cell-attached stimulation was applied to activate single interneurons of different subtypes located in stratum oriens (OR), near stratum pyramidale (PYR), and at the border of stratum radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare (LM). uIPSCs evoked by stimulation of PYR and OR interneurons had similar onset latency, rise time, peak amplitude, and decay. In contrast, uIPSCs elicited by activation of LM interneurons were significantly smaller in amplitude and had a slower time course. The mean reversal potential of uIPSCs was −53.1 ± 2.1 (SE) mV during recordings with intracellular solution containing potassium gluconate. With the use of recording solution containing the potassium channel blocker cesium, the reversal potential of uIPSCs was not significantly different (−58.5 ± 2.6 mV), suggesting that these synaptic currents were not mediated by potassium conductances. Bath application of the γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor antagonist bicuculline (25 μM) reversibly blocked uIPSCs evoked by stimulation of all interneuron subtypes. In bicuculline, the mean peak amplitude of uIPSCs recorded with potassium gluconate was reduced to 3.5 ± 4.4% of control ( n = 7). Similarly, with cesium methanesulfonate, the mean amplitude in bicuculline was 2.9 ± 3.1% of control ( n = 13). Application of the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 55845A (5 μM) resulted in a significant and reversible increase in the mean amplitude of uIPSCs recorded with cesium-containing intracellular solution. Thus uIPSCs from all cell types appeared under tonic presynaptic inhibition by GABAB receptors. Paired stimulation of individual interneurons at 100- to 200-ms intervals did not result in paired pulse depression of uIPSCs. For individual responses, a significant negative correlation was observed between the amplitude of the first and second uIPSCs. A significant paired pulse facilitation (154.0 ± 8.0%) was observed when the first uIPSC was smaller than the mean of all first uIPSCs. A small, but not significant, paired pulse depression (90.8 ± 4.0%) was found when the first uIPSC was larger than the mean of all first uIPSCs. Our results indicate that these different subtypes of hippocampal interneurons generate Cl−-mediated GABAA uIPSCs. uIPSCs originating from different types of interneurons may have heterogeneous properties and may be subject to tonic presynaptic inhibition via heterosynaptic GABAB receptors. These results suggest a specialization of function for inhibitory interneurons and point to complex presynaptic modulation of interneuron function.


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