Abstract Double-decker filaments and their eruptions have been widely observed in recent years, but their physical formation mechanism is still unclear. Using high spatiotemporal resolution, ...multi-wavelength observations taken by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope and the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we show the formation of a double-decker pair of flux rope system by two successive tether-cutting eruptions in a bipolar active region. Due to the combined effect of photospheric shearing and convergence motions around the active region’s polarity inversion line (PIL), the arms of two overlapping inverse-S-shaped short filaments reconnected at their intersection, which created a simultaneous upward-moving magnetic flux rope (MFR) and a downward-moving post-flare-loop (PFL) system striding the PIL. Meanwhile, four bright flare ribbons appeared at the footpoints of the newly formed MFR and the PFL. As the MFR rose, two elongated flare ribbons connected by a relatively larger PFL appeared on either side of the PIL. After a few minutes, another MFR formed in the same way at the same location and then erupted in the same direction as the first one. Detailed observational results suggest that the eruption of the first MFR might experienced a short pause before its successful eruption, while the second MFR was a failed eruption. This implies that the two newly formed MFRs might reach a new equilibrium at relatively higher heights for a while, which can be regarded as a transient double-decker flux rope system. The observations can well be explained by the tether-cutting model, and we propose that two successive confined tether-cutting eruptions can naturally produce a double-decker flux rope system, especially when the background coronal magnetic field has a saddle-like distribution of magnetic decay index profile in height.
Abstract
To better understand the physical connections in sympathetic solar eruptions, we investigated the interaction between two nearby filaments and their successive partial eruptions in the ...active region (AR) NOAA 12866 on 2021 September 9 by using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the New Vacuum Solar Telescope. Based on H
α
and extreme ultraviolet observations, we found that the right part of one filament (F1) became active first and experienced an obvious rolling motion. Then the whole body of the filament became wider and expanded toward another filament (F2). They collided with each other, and the interaction between them was accompanied by the brightening and bidirectional flows that appeared between them. This implies that magnetic reconnection occurred between the threads of two filaments. The interaction resulted in a rightward motion of F2 at first, and then its activation, and finally part of it erupted. Furthermore, when the erupted F2 deflected rapidly toward the middle part of F1, the left part of F1 erupted with its overlying magnetic fields pushed by F2. These observational results imply that these successive eruptions within a short time are physically linked, and this was caused by the interaction of the filaments. Nonlinear force-free field extrapolation reveals that the magnetic structure of the filament F1 was composed of several magnetic flux ropes with different twists. These results further advance our understanding of partial filament eruptions and sympathetic solar eruptions.
Lewy bodies, α-synuclein (α-syn) immunopositive intracellular deposits, are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Interestingly, Lewybody-like structures have been identified in ...fetal tissue grafts about one decade after transplantation into the striatum of PD patients. One possible explanation for the accelerated deposition of α-syn in the graft is that the aggregation of α-syn from the host tissue to the graft is spread by a prion disease-like mechanism. We discuss here an in vitro model which might recapitulate some aspects of disease propagation in PD. We found here that in vitro-generated α-syn oligomers induce transmembrane seeding of α-syn aggregation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This effect was observed in primary neuronal cultures as well as in neuronal cell lines. The seeding oligomers were characterized by a distinctive lithium dodecyl sulfate-stable oligomer pattern and could be generated in a dynamic process out of pore-forming oligomers. We propose that α-syn oligomers form as a dynamic mixture of oligomer types with different properties and that α-syn oligomers can be converted into different types depending on the brain milieu conditions. Our data indicate that extracellular α-syn oligomers can induce intracellular α-syn aggregation, therefore we hypothesize that a similar mechanism might lead to α-syn pathology propagation.
With the increased use of fiber-reinforced composites (FRPs), the design of a new generation of composite structures with high stiffness and a ductile material behavior is required to cope with ...complex load scenarios and high damage tolerances. This can be achieved, in particular, by a combination of conventional FRPs, which possess high stiffness and strength, with metallic materials characterized by their high ductility and associated higher energy absorption capacity. Currently, there are no solutions for the hybridization of high-performance filament yarns, metal filament yarns or thermoplastic filament yarns at the micro level. Therefore, the aim of this paper is the hybridization of multi-fiber components intermixed at the micro scale. For this purpose, three hybridization processes were investigated. They are conventional air-jet technology, air-jet technology based on a modified air nozzle and an additional pre-spreading device and a process based on a newly developed multi-level-intermixing device. The effect of different processing parameters, such as air pressure, air nozzle and type of manufacturing, on the tensile properties, appearance and damage of multi-material hybrid yarn was analyzed. The results show that the developed multi-material hybrid yarns have high potential for use in composites with high requirements for crash and impact properties.
Abstract
Although the magnetic field structures of solar filaments have been studied for several decades, the detailed evolution of the structure around a filament prior to its eruption is rarely ...observed. On 2021 October 28 in AR 12887, a major solar flare (X1.0 class) occurred at 15:35 UT. Based on the Solar Dynamics Observatory high-spatial-resolution observations, we find this flare is associated with the eruption of two filaments, namely F1 and F2. The two filaments are initially independent. The western leg (WLEG) of F1 approaches the northern leg of F2, due to the continuous movement and rotation of the magnetic field in which the WLEG roots in. We find first that there are some threads wrapping the WLEG. Brightening and bidirectionally plasmoid flows that originate from a brightening are detected in these threads, then the threads disappear, and the two filaments connect. NLFFF extrapolation reveals that there is a toroidal magnetic structure enveloping the WLEG and corresponding spatially to the threads. It is expected that a filament is enveloped by toroidal magnetic fields. According to the observations and extrapolation, we suggest that these threads represent the toroidal magnetic fields wrapping the WLEG. This paper provides new details about the dynamics of the toroidal magnetic fields. Magnetic reconnection takes place in the toroidal fields and thus destroys the fields, then F1 and F2 connect, and subsequently, the two filaments erupt and the flare occurs.
Abstract
Eruptions of solar filaments often show rotational motion about their rising direction, but the mechanism governing such rotation, and how the rotation is related to the initial morphology ...of the preeruptive filament (and cospatial sigmoid), filament chirality, and magnetic helicity, remains elusive. The conventional view of rotation as a result of a magnetic flux rope (MFR) undergoing ideal kink instability still has difficulty explaining these relationships. Here we propose an alternative explanation for the rotation during eruptions by analyzing a magnetohydrodynamic simulation in which magnetic reconnection initiates an eruption from a sheared arcade configuration, and an MFR is formed during eruption via reconnection. The simulation reproduces a reverse-S-shaped MFR with dextral chirality, and the axis of this MFR rotates counterclockwise while rising, which compares favorably with a typical filament eruption observed from dual viewing angles. By calculating the twist and writhe numbers of the modeled MFR during its eruption, we found that, accompanied by the rotation, the nonlocal writhe of the MFR’s axis decreases while the twist of its surrounding field lines increases, and this is distinct from kink instability, which converts magnetic twist into the writhe of the MFR axis.
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are cytoskeletal and nucleoskeletal structures that provide mechanical and stress-coping resilience to cells, contribute to subcellular and tissue-specific biological ...functions, and facilitate intracellular communication. IFs, including nuclear lamins and those in the cytoplasm (keratins, vimentin, desmin, neurofilaments and glial fibrillary acidic protein, among others), are functionally regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs). Proteomic advances highlight the enormous complexity and regulatory potential of IF protein PTMs, which include phosphorylation, glycosylation, sumoylation, acetylation and prenylation, with novel modifications becoming increasingly appreciated. Future studies will need to characterize their on-off mechanisms, crosstalk and utility as biomarkers and targets for diseases involving the IF cytoskeleton.
This article demonstrates how thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) can be 3D printed by modifying their formulation and the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process. Novel FFF filaments based on ...polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) blends were printed and characterized. The development of these TPV filaments allows a broad range of properties by varying the grades of the thermoplastic/rubber phases.
Thermoplastic vulcanizates are widely used in the automotive industry, amongst others, and a printable filament could have applications in both prototyping and production of bespoke parts. Given the increasing prominence of TPVs, as replacement for thermoset rubbers, FFF of these materials is considered industrially beneficial. The newly prepared TPVs possessed tensile strength of ∼20–30 MPa and elongation at break ∼700–1100% when measured in the direction of printing. Tensile properties (at 0° and 90° to the printing direction), interlayer adhesion, and Micro-CT were measured and compared with neat PP and PLA.
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•Thermoplastic vulcanizates based on PP and EPDM were successfully 3D printed and compared with neat PP and commercial PLA.•The elongation at break of these TPVs far exceeds the values achieved by PP and PLA and even commercial TPU filaments.•The low void content of the prepared TPVs suggests that wetting and infill were not problematic for these novel filaments.
The organization of the keratin intermediate filament cytoskeleton is closely linked to epithelial function. To study keratin network plasticity and its regulation at different levels, tools are ...needed to localize and measure local network dynamics. In this paper, we present image analysis methods designed to determine the speed and direction of keratin filament motion and to identify locations of keratin filament polymerization and depolymerization at subcellular resolution. Using these methods, we have analyzed time-lapse fluorescence recordings of fluorescent keratin 13 in human vulva carcinoma-derived A431 cells. The fluorescent keratins integrated into the endogenous keratin cytoskeleton, and thereby served as reliable markers of keratin dynamics. We found that increased times after seeding correlated with down-regulation of inward-directed keratin filament movement. Bulk flow analyses further revealed that keratin filament polymerization in the cell periphery and keratin depolymerization in the more central cytoplasm were both reduced. Treating these cells and other human keratinocyte-derived cells with EGF reversed all these processes within a few minutes, coinciding with increased keratin phosphorylation. These results highlight the value of the newly developed tools for identifying modulators of keratin filament network dynamics and characterizing their mode of action, which, in turn, contributes to understanding the close link between keratin filament network plasticity and epithelial physiology.
Recently, loss-of-function mutations in FLG, the human gene encoding profilaggrin and filaggrin, have been identified as the cause of the common skin condition ichthyosis vulgaris (which is ...characterised by dry, scaly skin). These mutations, which are carried by up to 10% of people, also represent a strong genetic predisposing factor for atopic eczema, asthma and allergies. Profilaggrin is the major component of the keratohyalin granules within epidermal granular cells. During epidermal terminal differentiation, the ~400 kDa profilaggrin polyprotein is dephosphorylated and rapidly cleaved by serine proteases to form monomeric filaggrin (37 kDa), which binds to and condenses the keratin cytoskeleton and thereby contributes to the cell compaction process that is required for squame biogenesis. Within the squames, filaggrin is citrullinated, which promotes its unfolding and further degradation into hygroscopic amino acids, which constitute one element of natural moisturising factor. Loss of profilaggrin or filaggrin leads to a poorly formed stratum corneum (ichthyosis), which is also prone to water loss (xerosis). Recent human genetic studies strongly suggest that perturbation of skin barrier function as a result of reduction or complete loss of filaggrin expression leads to enhanced percutaneous transfer of allergens. Filaggrin is therefore in the frontline of defence, and protects the body from the entry of foreign environmental substances that can otherwise trigger aberrant immune responses.