Can a halo CME from the limb be geoeffective? Cid, C.; Cremades, H.; Aran, A. ...
Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics,
November 2012, Volume:
117, Issue:
A11
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The probability for a halo coronal mass ejection (CME) to be geoeffective is assumed to be higher the closer the CME launch site is located to the solar central meridian. However, events far from the ...central meridian may produce severe geomagnetic storms, like the case in April 2000. In this work, we study the possible geoeffectiveness of full halo CMEs with the source region situated at solar limb. For this task, we select all limb full halo (LFH) CMEs that occurred during solar cycle 23, and we search for signatures of geoeffectiveness between 1 and 5 days after the first appearance of each CME in the LASCO C2 field of view. When signatures of geomagnetic activity are observed in the selected time window, interplanetary data are carefully analyzed in order to look for the cause of the geomagnetic disturbance. Finally, a possible association between geoeffective interplanetary signatures and every LFH CME in solar cycle 23 is checked in order to decide on the CME's geoeffectiveness. After a detailed analysis of solar, interplanetary, and geomagnetic data, we conclude that of the 25 investigated events, there are only four geoeffective LFH CMEs, all coming from the west limb. The geoeffectiveness of these events seems to be moderate, turning to intense in two of them as a result of cumulative effects from previous mass ejections. We conclude that ejections from solar locations close to the west limb should be considered in space weather, at least as sources of moderate disturbances.
Key Points
CMEs from the west limb should be considered in space weather
Full halo CMEs from the limb can trigger intense magnetic storms
All stages from the Sun to Earth should be considered for correct conclusions
Child care prices are expected to reflect the quality of provision. However, in contexts where there are high information asymmetries between the users of the services and providers, we may expect ...this link between quality and prices to be weaker. Turkey is selected for the study as it has a highly regulated child care sector where the costs of accreditation and initial setup are high. However, there is very little on-going supervision and no information provided to users on the quality or ranking of these services. This paper investigates the role of quality in determining private child care prices using a unique provider-level data set collected in five provinces of Turkey. Regression results show that prices are mainly driven by infrastructure quality while human resources and curriculum and materials quality scores that are more likely to have a strong bearing on child development do not have a significant impact on prices.
On 15 May 2005, a huge interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) was observed near Earth. It triggered one of the most intense geomagnetic storms of solar cycle 23 (Dstpeak = −263 nT). This ...structure has been associated with the two‐ribbon flare, filament eruption, and coronal mass ejection originating in active region 10759 (NOAA number). We analyze here the sequence of events, from solar wind measurements (at 1 AU) and back to the Sun, to understand the origin and evolution of this geoeffective ICME. From a detailed observational study of in situ magnetic field observations and plasma parameters in the interplanetary (IP) medium and the use of appropriate models we propose an alternative interpretation of the IP observations, different to those discussed in previous studies. In our view, the IP structure is formed by two extremely close consecutive magnetic clouds (MCs) that preserve their identity during their propagation through the interplanetary medium. Consequently, we identify two solar events in Hα and EUV which occurred in the source region of the MCs. The timing between solar and IP events, as well as the orientation of the MC axes and their associated solar arcades are in good agreement. Additionally, interplanetary radio type II observations allow the tracking of the multiple structures through inner heliosphere and pin down the interaction region to be located midway between the Sun and the Earth. The chain of observations from the photosphere to interplanetary space is in agreement with this scenario. Our analysis allows the detection of the solar sources of the transients and explains the extremely fast changes of the solar wind due to the transport of two attached (though nonmerging) MCs which affect the magnetosphere.
Midlatitude locations are unique regions exposed to both geomagnetic storm and substorm effects, which may be superposed on specific events imposing an extra handicap for the analysis and ...identification of the sources and triggers. We study space weather effects at the midlatitude location of the Iberian Peninsula for the St. Patrick's day events in 2013 and 2015. We have been able to identify and separate storm and substorm effects on ground magnetometer data from San Pablo‐Toledo observatory during storm time revealing important contributions of the Substorm Current Wedge on both events. The analysis of these substorm local signatures have shown to be related to the production of effective geomagnetically induced currents and ionospheric disturbances as measured from Global Navigation Satellite Systems data at MAD2 IGS permanent station and not directly related to the storm main phase. The whole Sun‐to‐Earth chain has been analyzed in order to identify the solar and interplanetary triggers. In both events a high‐speed stream (HSS) and a coronal mass ejections (CME) are involved, though for 2015 event, the HSS has merged with the CME, increasing the storm geoeffectiveness. The enhancement of substorm geoeffectiveness is justified by the effects of the inclined magnetic axes of the Sun and of the Earth during equinox period.
Key Points
We decouple storm and substorm effects for midlatitude location during St. Patrick's events
Substorm effects during storm time at midlatitudes are relevant for space weather hazards
Comparison of interplanetary features for both events reveals that merging reinforces geoeffectiveness
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
How dusty is α Centauri? Wiegert, J; Liseau, R; Thebault, P ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
03/2014, Volume:
563
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Debris discs around main-sequence stars indicate the presence of larger rocky bodies. The components of the nearby, solar-type binary alpha C entauri have metallicities that are higher than solar, ...which is thought to promote giant planet formation. We aim to determine the level of emission from debris around the stars in the alpha C en system. This requires knowledge of their photospheres. Having already detected the temperature minimum, Tsubmin, of alpha C en A at far-infrared wavelengths, we here attempt to do the same for the more active companion alpha C en B. Our far-infrared observations lead to estimates of upper limits to the amount of circumstellar dust around the stars alpha C en A and B. Light scattered and/or thermally emitted by exo-Zodi discs will have profound implications for future spectroscopic missions designed to search for biomarkers in the atmospheres of Earth-like planets. The far-infrared spectral energy distribution of alpha C en B is marginally consistent with the presence of a minimum temperature region in the upper atmosphere of the star.
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FMFMET, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
Noncompliance with medication is a very common feature among bipolar patients. Rates of poor compliance may reach 64% for bipolar disorders, and noncompliance is the most frequent cause of ...recurrence. Knowledge of the clinical factors associated with noncompliance would enhance clinical management and the design of strategies to achieve a better outcome for bipolar patients. Although most patients withdraw from medication during maintenance treatment, compliance studies in euthymic bipolar samples are scarce.
Compliance treatment and its clinical correlates were assessed at the end of 2-year follow-up in 200 patients meeting Research Diagnostic Criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II disorder by means of compliance-focused interviews, measurements of plasma concentrations of mood stabilizers, and 2 structured interviews: the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Axis II disorders. Well-compliant patients and poorly compliant patients were compared with respect to several clinical and treatment variables.
The rate of mildly and poorly compliant patients was close to 40%. Comorbidity with personality disorders was strongly associated with poor compliance. Poorly compliant patients had a higher number of previous hospitalizations, but reported fewer previous episodes. The type of treatment was not associated with compliance.
Clinical factors, especially comorbidity with personality disorders, are more relevant for treatment compliance than other issues such as the nature of pharmacologic treatment. Compliant patients may have a better outcome in terms of number of hospitalizations, but not necessarily with respect to the number of episodes. Bipolar patients, especially those with personality disorders, should be monitored for treatment compliance.
Objective: To investigate the cognitive impairment of a sample of euthymic bipolar patients treated with lithium monotherapy at baseline in a 2‐year longitudinal study.
Method: Fifteen DSM‐IV‐TR ...bipolar out‐patients and 15 healthy‐matched controls were cognitively assessed twice over a 2‐year follow‐up. All patients underwent lithium monotherapy on the first evaluation, and they were euthymic in both evaluations. Cognitive assessment was performed by means of a neuropsychological test battery tapping into the main cognitive domains (executive function, attention, processing speed, verbal memory and visual memory).
Results: Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance showed that the bipolar disorder group was cognitively impaired in the executive domain, attention and processing speed, and such deficits were maintained over time.
Conclusion: Our results showed that executive dysfunction is the main long‐term neuropsychological deficit of bipolar disorder. Also, the persistence of these deficits did not seem to be influenced by any clinical or pharmacological variables.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Introduction
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by mood instability
1
. BD is further related to neurocognitive and functional disruptions that remain remarkably stable ...even when patients are euthymic, leading to poor well-being and quality of life. Mindfulness means paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and involves different facets such as observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging and non-reacting of inner experience. It remains unclear whether mindfulness and its specific facets are differentially associated with different aspects of attention and trait impulsivity in individuals with BD.
Objectives
To examine associations between different mindfulness facets, and different aspects of attention and trait impulsivity in BD.
Methods
This study was approved by the Hospital Clínic Ethics and Research Board (HCB/2017/0432). After informed consent, 94 outpatients,
M
age = 45.57,
SD =
9.8, range 19-61 years, 41.5% Male, 63.8% BD-I according to DSM-5 criteria, in partial or total remission based on Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS;
M
= 1.81,
SD
= 2.11) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS;
M
= 5.46,
SD
= 3.71) were enrolled in this study. Participants were evaluated using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to assess Mindfulness, the Trail Making Test (TMT-A) and the Conner’s Continuous Performance test (CPT-II) to assess Attention, and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) to assess Impulsivity. Pearson correlations were performed, and statistical significance was evaluated two-sided at the 5% threshold.
Results
Mindfulness-Describing was negatively associated with Cognitive and Non-Planning Impulsivity (
r
= -.43 and -.28,
p
< .001), Mindfulness-Acting with Awareness was negatively associated with Cognitive, Motor and Non-Planning Impulsivity (
r
= -.27 to -.45,
p
< .001), Mindfulness Non-Judging (
r
= -.33 and -.34,
p
< .001) and Non-Reacting (
r
= -.30 and -.46,
p
< .001) of inner experience were negatively associated with Cognitive and Motor Impulsivity. No associations were found between neither Mindfulness nor Impulsivity with any aspects of Attention.
Conclusions
Preliminary findings suggest that better performance in specific facets of mindfulness (describing, acting with awareness, non-judging or reacting of inner experience) may be related to a decrease in different aspects of trait impulsivity. Further longitudinal and interventional research is needed on underlying mechanisms. Nonetheless, our study suggests the need for including mindfulness-based approaches to improve behavioral and functional outcomes for those with BD.
Funding
This work was supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (EU.3.1.3. Treating and managing disease: Grant 945151), CIBERSAM, FIS PI17/00941 ISCIII, European Regional Development Fund.
References
1. Carvalho AF, Firth J, Vieta E. Bipolar Disorder.
N Engl J Med.
2020;383(1):58-66. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1906193
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
More than 20% of bipolar patients may present with seasonal pattern (SP). Seasonality can alter the course of bipolar disorder. However, to date, long-term follow-up studies of bipolar patients ...presenting with SP are scarce. We present a 10-year follow-up study comparing clinical and demographic features of bipolar patients with and without SP.
Three hundred and twenty-five bipolar I and II patients were followed up for at least 10 years. SP was defined according to DSM-IV criteria. Clinical variables were obtained from structured interviews with the patients and their relatives. Patients with and without SP were compared regarding clinical and sociodemographic variables and a stepwise logistic regression was performed.
Seventy-seven patients (25.5%) were classified as presenting with SP, while 225 (74.5%) were considered as presenting with no significant seasonal variation. Twenty-three patients (7%) were excluded from the study because it was unclear whether they had seasonality or not. There were no differences between groups regarding demographic variables. Patients with SP predominantly presented with bipolar II disorder, depressive onset, and depressive predominant polarity. The greater burden of depression did not correlate with indirect indicators of severity, such as suicidality, hospitalizations or psychotic symptoms.
Our study links the presence of SP with both bipolar II disorder and predominant depressive component. However, we could not find any difference regarding functionality or hospitalization rates. Modifications in the criteria to define SP are suggested for a better understanding of bipolar disorder.
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