Search

International audience; Context. The Rosetta spacecraft is escorting comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from a heliocentric distance of >3.6 AU, where the comet activity was low, until perihelion at 1.24 AU. Initially, the solar wind permeates the thin comet atmosphere formed from sublimation. Aims. Using the Rosetta Plasma Consortium Ion Composition Analyzer (RPC-ICA), we study the gradual evolution of the comet ion environment, from the first detectable traces of water ions to the stage where cometary water ions accelerated to about 1 keV energy are abundant. We compare ion fluxes of solar wind and cometary origin. Methods. RPC-ICA is an ion mass spectrometer measuring ions of solar wind and cometary origins in the 10 eV–40 keV energy range. Results. We show how the flux of accelerated water ions with energies above 120 eV increases between 3.6 and 2.0 AU. The 24 h average increases by 4 orders of magnitude, mainly because high-flux periods become more common. The water ion energy spectra also become broader with time. This may indicate a larger and more uniform source region. At 2.0 AU the accelerated water ion flux is frequently of the same order as the solar wind proton flux. Water ions of 120 eV–few keV energy may thus constitute a significant part of the ions sputtering the nucleus surface. The ion density and mass in the comet vicinity is dominated by ions of cometary origin. The solar wind is deflected and the energy spectra broadened compared to an undisturbed solar wind. Conclusions. The flux of accelerated water ions moving from the upstream direction back toward the nucleus is a strongly nonlinear function of the heliocentric distance.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to probe the nature of silk fibroin surface, in particular the tyrosine content and sulfur species on the surface. The iodine labelling treatment of silk, followed by XPS surface analysis, reveals that silk fibroin has a tyrosine-enriched surface, and that there are sulfur-containing amino acids present on the surface, mainly occurring in the S6+ component. UV/ozone treatment modifies/removes the surface tyrosine- and sulfur-containing species. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry

Knowledge of the magnetization of planetary bodies constrains their origin and evolution, as well as the conditions in the solar nebular at that time. On the basis of magnetic field measurements during the descent and subsequent multiple touchdown of the Rosetta lander Philae on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P), we show that no global magnetic field was detected within the limitations of analysis. The Rosetta Magnetometer and Plasma Monitor (ROMAP) suite of sensors measured an upper magnetic field magnitude of less than 2 nanotesla at the cometary surface at multiple locations, with the upper specific magnetic moment being3.1 × 10(-5) ampere-square meters per kilogram for meter-size homogeneous magnetized boulders. The maximum dipole moment of 67P is 1.6 × 10(8) ampere-square meters. We conclude that on the meter scale, magnetic alignment in the preplanetary nebula is of minor importance.

Ultra-low temperature sensors provide unprecedented performances in X-ray and far infrared astronomy by taking advantage of physical properties of matter close to absolute zero. CESAR is an FP7 funded project started in December 2010, that gathers six European laboratories around the development of high performances cryogenic electronics. The goal of the project is to provide far-IR, X-ray and magnetic sensors with signal-processing capabilities at the heart of the detectors. We present the major steps that constitute the CESAR work, and the main results achieved so far.

In the era of health information exchanges, there are trade-offs to consider when sharing a patient’s medical record among all providers that a patient might choose. Exchange among in-network partners on the same electronic medical records (EMR) and other integrated information systems is trivial. The patient identifier is common, as are the relevant departmental systems, to all providers. Difficulties arise when patient records including images (and reports) must be shared among different networks and even with the patients themselves. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) challenged Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to develop a transport method that could supersede the need for physical media (for patients or other providers), replace point-to-point private networks among providers, and enable image exchange on an ad hoc basis between arbitrary health networks without long legal delays. In concert with the evolving US health care paradigm, patient engagement was to be fundamental. With Integrating Healthcare Enterprise’s (IHE’s) help, the challenge has been met with an operational system.

The four Cluster spacecraft provide an excellent opportunity to study spatial structures in the magnetosphere and adjacent regions. Propagating waves are amongst the interesting structures and for the first time, Cluster will allow one to measure the wave vector of low-frequency fluctuations in a space plasma. Based on a generalized minimum variance analysis wave vector estimates will be determined in the terrestrial magnetosheath and the near-Earth solar wind. The virtue and weakness of the wave telescope technique used is discussed in detail.Key words. Electromagnetics (wave propagation) – Magnetospheric physics (MHD waves and instabilities; plasma waves and instabilities)

The synergistic effect between UV/ozone exposure and hydrogen peroxide pad-batch bleaching on the printability of wool has been investigated. The combination treatment can achieve similar printability to that of chlorinated wool but with the added benefits of a whiter base and no formation of adsorbable organohalogens. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and static secondary ion mass spectrometry indicate that the UV/ozone exposure disrupts surface lipids and disulphide bonds, while vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR and FT-Raman) shows the formation of cysteic acid on the combination treated wool. The process parameters of the peroxide pad-batch bleaching for UV/ozone exposed wool were optimised.

In this study cotton fabric was photografted with cationic monomers using UV radiation. The dyeability of cationised cotton, in the absence of salt, with three classes of dye (direct, reactive and sulphur dyes) was significantly improved due to the increased ionic attraction between the dyes and the cationic cotton. The colour fastness of the cationised fabric was similar or better than that of the untreated fabric. In addition, when cationised, crosslinked crease-resist cotton also showed improved dyeability, in the absence of salt, to direct dyes.

Studies using ToF-SIMS have demonstrated that the 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA) bound to the fibre, via a thioester linkage, is the major lipid present at keratin fibre surfaces. Relatively higher levels of eicosanoic acid were detected by ToF-SIMS than has been observed by wet chemical analysis. Hydrogen peroxide bleaching of keratin fibres cleaves the 18-MEA, the level of loss being related to the severity of oxidative attack. The adsorption of a wetting agent, nonyl phenol ethoxylate (NPE-8), onto the fibre occurs during bleaching with preferential adsorption of the more hydrophobic short ethoxymer species observed. Characterization of protein softeners indicated complex ToF-SIMS spectra, with the surface analysis data agreeing with the wet chemical bulk analysis. Surface analysis of the 'softened' cashmere indicated that the cationic alkyl protein softeners are highly substantive and that enrichment of the more hydrophobic softener components has occurred. A distribution model for the cationic protein softener over the anionic fibre surface has been proposed.

As globalisation proceeds major national companies may find themselves involved in domestic mergers and acquisitions, only to have turn later to international co-operation. International strategic alliances, though, often eventually move on to international acquisition, either involving the alliance partner (as in the case of ICL/Fujitsu) or some third party (as in the case of Rover/Honda/BMW). This article draws on research in Britain and Japan to investigate the strategic and technological implications of such co-operative trajectories. Two acid tests appear to determine whether such inter-company co-operations (whether mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances) are likely ultimately to prove transitory, or whether they will progress towards some more stable inter-action: •Is the arrangement ‘adding value’ technologically? Is it contributing to some process of international integration? •Technological synergies and learning possibilities are often played down initially in domestic acquisitions, and even in international strategic alliances offering particular scope for technology transfer; but they are important in determining long term outcomes.

The Rosetta spacecraft will rendez-vous with comet Wirtanen round 2011 and will study it for a period of nearly two years, thus providing a unique opportunity to monitor its behaviour over a wide range of distances from the Sun. A plasma and wave package, the Rosetta Plasma Consortium, RPC, will be part of the Rosetta orbiter payload. RPC is a highly integrated package that consists of five sensors: the Langmuir Probe, LAP, the Ion and Electron Sensor, IES, the Ion Composition Analyzer, ICA, the Fluxgate Magnetometer, MAG, and the Mutual Impedance Probe, MIP. RPC also includes the common instrument control, spacecraft interface, and power management unit, PIU, plus the Electrical Ground Support Equipment, EGSE. The prime objectives of RPC are to investigate: (1) the physical properties of the cometary nucleus and its surface, (2) the inner coma structure, dynamics, and aeronomy, (3) the development of cometary activity, and the microscopic and macroscopic structure of the solar-wind interaction region as well as the formation and development of the cometary tail. In addition, the planned asteroid, possibly Otawara and Siwa, flybys will provide an excellent opportunity to study in detail the physics of the solar wind-asteroid interaction. The magnetic and electric conductivity properties of the asteroid will also be studied.

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) have been used to probe the nature of silk and wool fibre surfaces, in particular the tyrosine content. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy has demonstrated the presence of free radicals in UV/ ozone-treated wool and silk and the importance of cystyl radicals in improving dyeability.

ToF-SIMS studies have demonstrated that the 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA) bound to the cashmere fibre surface via a thioester linkage, is removed by hydrogen peroxide bleaching. The level of 18-MEA loss was related to the severity of oxidative attack. The adsorption of a wetting agent, nonyl phenol ethoxylate (NPEO-8), onto the fibre occurs during bleaching, with preferential adsorption of the more hydrophobic, short ethoxymer species observed. Characterization of a protein softener indicated a complex ToF-SIMS spectrum, with the surface analysis data agreeing with the wet chemical bulk analysis. Surface analysis of the ‘softened’ cashmere indicated that the cationic alkyl protein softeners are highly substantive and that enrichment of the more hydrophobic softener components has occurred. A distribution model for the cationic protein softener over the anionic fibre surface has been proposed.

The nature of the corrosion present on the surface of gold-coated silver thread has been studied. The surface-sensitive XPS technique has demonstrated silver migration to the surface and subsequent reaction with atmospheric sulphur. The influence of associated sulphur-containing textile fibres has been investigated and the presence of other unidentified surface contaminants demonstrated by XPS and ToF-SIMS.

Venus has no significant internal magnetic field1, which allows the solar wind to interact directly with its atmosphere2,3. A field is induced in this interaction, which partially shields the atmosphere, but we have no knowledge of how effective that shield is at solar minimum. (Our current knowledge of the solar wind interaction with Venus is derived from measurements at solar maximum3,4,5,6.) The bow shock is close to the planet, meaning that it is possible that some solar wind could be absorbed by the atmosphere and contribute to the evolution of the atmosphere7,8. Here we report magnetic field measurements from the Venus Express spacecraft3 in the plasma environment surrounding Venus. The bow shock under low solar activity conditions seems to be in the position that would be expected from a complete deflection by a magnetized ionosphere9. Therefore little solar wind enters the Venus ionosphere even at solar minimum.

Fourier transform infrared and Fourier transform Raman spectroscopies are used in combination to investigate the photo-oxidation of wool and the protective effect of the uv absorber Cibafast W. Extended light exposure decreases the intensity of the S-S and C-S bands due to cystine and also reduces the intensity of the C-C stretching band, which is mainly attributed to the α-helix. A "new" band at 977 cm-1 in the Raman spectrum increases with exposure time, but its nature is uncertain. Exposure to light also produces changes in the chemical environment of tyrosine residues. Cibafast W decreases the rate of disulphide bond fission and cysteic acid formation, being most effective at low levels of light exposure. This effect is confirmed by measurements of the rate of photoyellowing and phototendering of wool fabrics.

This paper contrasts strategic decision making styles in Britain, Germany, the U.S.A. and Japan, first by reviewing contextual and cultural differences, and secondly through an analysis of 78 strategic investment decisions taken by 71 motor component manufacturers in the four countries. Specific formal strategic and financial appraisal techniques, and subsequent control approaches, are analysed and confirm the longer-term strategic orientation of German and Japanese companies. Anglo-American short-termism reflects a preponderance of strong financial control style companies and over-reliance, particularly in Britain, on high `comfort factor' financial hurdle rates. In many cases this has undermined commitment to international competitiveness and more proactive strategic decisions. Strategic decision making processes, particularly in Britain, have also been more politicised and less attentive to detail. To counter this, strong financial control style companies should broaden the traditional role of the finance function in strategic investment decisions — a process already under way in the U.S.A. and Germany. Finally a new model is presented, synthesising lessons from this study, and contrasted with more traditional approaches.

The categories of ‘theory’ and ‘practice’ and the debate about the ‘gap between theory and practice’ have already produced a lively literature with calls for management accounting research to pursue a variety of ideas. The authors wish to contribute to this literature by reporting on a novel protocol analysis study of six qualified accountants as they talked about a short case study. The case study was used as the basis for undergraduate student assessment, as well as for the protocol analysis study, and so the authors were able to collect a substantial body of data on the differences and similarities of response between students, or novices, and qualified accountants, or experts. The paper uses a learning model to explain this data. The objective of the paper is to establish the nature of theory and practice as a learning model which includes ‘novice’ and ‘expert’ performance, and within which theory and practice are more interdependent than the concept of a ‘gap’ might suggest.

The application of uv curing and corona discharge technology to textiles is intro duced and discussed, The influence of uv photoreactive monomer on the shrinkage and mechanical properties of corona and nonpretreated 100% wool gabardine fabric is detailed. Machine washability can be achieved at low add-on by incorporating a uv curable silicone into the formulation and a post-cure steam treatment.

The water- and oil-repellency of a cotton fabric treated with a fluorocarbon finish is shown to decrease with extended laundering. The nature of this diminishing performance is investigated by time-of-flight secondary-ion-mass spectrometry (ToF—SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which reveal an increase in the surfactants on the fibre surface and a decrease in the fluorocarbon coating as a result of laundering. The effect of heat-pressing on fabric repellency is also investigated by using XPS.

Structure in the solar wind magnetic field can cause space weather (e.g. geomagnetic storms) at Earth. The magnetic field must be measured in situ and to improve warning times, monitoring platforms operating further upstream of the Earth than existing satellites are ultimately needed. This can be accomplished by solar sail missions, but any instrumentation must be extremely light-weight. Here we describe the development of a highly miniaturized magnetometer (MAGIC), which as part of the Sunjammer payload will conduct scientific studies of the solar wind magnetic field and its evolution to better understand the fundamental sources and causes of space weather.

The effect of UV/ozone treatments on the surface and bulk properties of wool has been investigated. X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that the oxidative process causes extensive surface modification, while vibrational and electron spin resonance techniques show the formation of cysteic acid and free radical species. The beneficial effect of UV/ozone treatment on wool dyeing, printing and shrink–resist properties has been investigated.

More recent literature on global strategy has down-played outright attempts at dominating markets in favour of resource-based strategies, emphasizing core competences and benefits from international collaboration. This article examines four industries, subject to internationalization (computers, cars, tyres and ball and roller bearings) and, in particular, four cases of Anglo-Japanese cooperation: ICL/Fujitsu, Rover/Honda, Dunlop/Sumitomo and RHP/NSK. Each of these four British companies previously pursued strategies of national market dominance to no avail. Each has switched subsequently to strategies based on international collaboration, resulting in some remarkable turnarounds. This article investigates whether such cooperative arrangements reflect more resource-based approaches; the extent to which they have proved successful; and the precise mechanisms involved. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Cornwallis Emmanuel Ltd.

ToF-SIMS studies of wool show the presence of lipid material at the surface epicuticle layer. The major lipid component is a C21-fatty acid linked to the wool protein via a thioester linkage. This C21-fatty-acid species is sensitive to chemical attack and is removed/modified by aqueous chlorination and plasma treatment but is relatively unaffected by permonosulphuric acid (PMS)/sulphite treatment. XPS confirms that less sulphur oxidation occurs with PMS/sulphite treatment than with aqueous chlorination.

In contrast to the extensive reviews on global strategies particularly appropriate to large enterprises (Chng and Pangarkar, 2000; Peng and Pleggenkuhle-Miles, 2009), there is a dearth of literature that comprehensively reviews more niche-orientated global strategies appropriate to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Peng and Meyer (2011, p. 440) also agree that ‘international business is often presented as primarily a matter of big MNEs competitive markets, especially in American textbooks’. They themselves respond to this and recognize further global strategy variants more appropriate for medium-sized companies based essentially on some form of focusing. They highlight in particular niche strategy variants such as ‘globalfocusing’ and ‘Hidden Champions’. Reviews have mainly focused on niche players characterized by exceptional accelerated internationalization such as ‘born glob als’,1 (Knight and Cavusgil, 1996; Korot and Tovstiga, 1999; McKinsey and Co., 1993; Oviatt and McDougall, 1997; Rennie, 1993), and also ‘born-again globals’ (Bell et al., 2001).

Magnetic field measurements are essential to the success of many scientific space missions. Outside of the Earth's magnetic field the biggest potential source of magnetic field contamination of these measurements is emitted by the spacecraft. Spacecraft magnetic cleanliness is enforced through the application of strict ground verification requirements for spacecraft equipment and instruments. Due to increasingly strict AC magnetic field requirements, many spacecraft units cannot be verified on the ground using existing techniques. These measurements must instead be taken close to the equipment under test (EUT) and then extrapolated. A traditional dipole power law of −3 (with a field fall-off proportional to r−3) cannot be applied at these close distances without risk of underestimating the field emitted by the EUT, but we demonstrate that a power law of −2 is too conservative. We propose a compromise that uses a power law of −2 up to a distance equal to 3 times the unit size, beyond which a dipole power law can be applied. When extrapolating from a distance of 0.20 to 1.00 m from the centre of a 0.20 m wide EUT, we demonstrate that this method avoids an underprediction of the field, and is at least twice as accurate as performing the extrapolation with a fixed power law of −2.

Nissan's approach to total cost control entails a strategic approach, utilizing target costing principles. This article examines how the approach is being applied in the context of U.K. transplant operations and shows, in particular, how it is being extended to encompass local suppliers. The article has been read and approved by a Director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing U.K.'s Finance Department.

Electrochromatography with its high chromatographic performance has been coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry (MS) for the analysis of non-ionic disperse textile dyes. Electrochromatography offers an alternative to micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) for the analysis of uncharged compounds in conjunction with MS, since MECC generally relies on MS incompatible compounds for micelle formation. Overall, the technique of electrochromatography-MS should find application in many areas.

The use of gaseous fluorination as a pretreatment for wool has been assessed and compared with corona discharge. Mechanical and shrinkage properties have been examined both before and after the application of two commercial shrinkproofing polymers. Fluorination reduces fabric shrinkage during washing, and the subsequent application of low levels of Basolan MW imparts machine washability with no impairment of fabric handle.

International audience; Context: The Rosetta magnetometer RPC-MAG has been exploring the plasma environment of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko since August 2014. The first months were dominated by low-frequency waves which evolved into more complex features. However, at the end of July 2015, close to perihelion, the magnetometer detected a region that did not contain any magnetic field at all.Aims: These signatures match the appearance of a diamagnetic cavity as was observed at comet 1P/Halley in 1986. The cavity here is more extended than previously predicted by models and features unusual magnetic field configurations, which need to be explainedMethods: The onboard magnetometer data were analyzed in detail and used to estimate the outgassing rate. A minimum variance analysis was used to determine boundary normals.Results. Our analysis of the data acquired by the Rosetta Plasma Consortium instrumentation confirms the existence of a diamagnetic cavity. The size is larger than predicted by simulations, however. One possible explanation are instabilities that are propagating along the cavity boundary and possibly a low magnetic pressure in the solar wind. This conclusion is supported by a change in sign of the Sun-pointing component of the magnetic field. Evidence also indicates that the cavity boundary is moving with variable velocities ranging from 230−500 m/s.

An understanding of the transport of solar wind plasma into and throughout the terrestrial magnetosphere is crucial to space science and space weather. For non-active periods, there is little agreement on where and how plasma entry into the magnetosphere might occur. Moreover, behaviour in the high-latitude region behind the magnetospheric cusps, for example, the lobes, is poorly understood, partly because of lack of coverage by previous space missions. Here, using Cluster multi-spacecraft data, we report an unexpected discovery of regions of solar wind entry into the Earth's high-latitude magnetosphere tailward of the cusps. From statistical observational facts and simulation analysis we suggest that these regions are most likely produced by magnetic reconnection at the high-latitude magnetopause, although other processes, such as impulsive penetration, may not be ruled out entirely. We find that the degree of entry can be significant for solar wind transport into the magnetosphere during such quiet times.

Background For millennia, iron-tannate dyes have been used to colour ceremonial and domestic objects shades of black, grey, or brown. Surviving iron-tannate dyed objects are part of our cultural heritage but their existence is threatened by the dye itself which can accelerate oxidation and acid hydrolysis of the substrate. This causes many iron-tannate dyed textiles to discolour and decrease in tensile strength and flexibility at a faster rate than equivalent undyed textiles. The current lack of suitable stabilisation treatments means that many historic iron-tannate dyed objects are rapidly crumbling to dust with the knowledge and value they hold being lost forever. This paper describes the production, characterisation, and validation of model iron-tannate dyed textiles as substitutes for historic iron-tannate dyed textiles in the development of stabilisation treatments. Spectrophotometry, surface pH, tensile testing, SEM-EDX, and XRF have been used to characterise the model textiles. Results On application to textiles, the model dyes imparted mid to dark blue-grey colouration, an immediate tensile strength loss of the textiles and an increase in surface acidity. The dyes introduced significant quantities of iron into the textiles which was distributed in the exterior and interior of the cotton, abaca, and silk fibres but only in the exterior of the wool fibres. As seen with historic iron-tannate dyed objects, the dyed cotton, abaca, and silk textiles lost tensile strength faster and more significantly than undyed equivalents during accelerated thermal ageing and all of the dyed model textiles, most notably the cotton, discoloured more than the undyed equivalents on ageing. Conclusions The abaca, cotton, and silk model textiles are judged to be suitable for use as substitutes for cultural heritage materials in the testing of stabilisation treatments.

The effect of dry corona and aqueous treatments on the hygral expansion of wool gabardine has been investigated. Increasing the severity of the corona treatment produced a concomitant reduction in the hygral expansion of the fabric. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to study the chemical modification of the wool fibre surface.

The influence of different types of reactive dye on fabric set and hygral expansion is detailed. Lanasol (α-bromoacrylamide) reactive dyes were found to inhibit the development of set during dyeing, resulting in lower dimensional instability. The low hygral expansion is attributable to set inhibition by the fibre reactive group and to water exclusion by the presence of dye molecules. An alkaline aftertreatment is shown to result in increased fabric set and dimensional instability.

This article examines a successful Anglo-German joint venture in order to compare approaches in the two countries when faced with the same strategic investment decision. The case uniquely illustrates some of the key contrasts found in a more extensive study of strategic investment decisions involving 24 British and 25 German vehicle component companies. This has been financed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, to whom a report is now being submitted. The contrast was pronounced. The German company's approach was primarily driven by strategic considerations both in respect to its investment decisions and subsequent control processes, and financial targets were explicitly played down; whereas the British company's approach was primarily driven by financial considerations on both counts. The German company has performed more successfully and its distinctive approach proved decisive in ensuring the success of this major investment. British companies may need to adopt a more strategic emphasis in the face of international competition.

The feasibility of using capillary electrophoresis/mass Spectrometry, with negative-ion electrospray ionization, for applications of relevance to the dyeing and textile industries has been shown. Structurally similar examples of solubilized vat dyes of different halogen content have been separated and identified with a view to investigating the photodegradation processes which occur when the dyes are subjected to UV light. Separations of the various species formed when a mordant dye is chrome treated are also presented, indicating the ability to study complex formation arising from the different chrome dyeing methods.

During the interval from 06:15 to 07:30 UT on 24 August 2005, the Chinese Tan-Ce 1 (TC1) satellite observed the multiple responses of the near-Earth magnetotail to the combined changes in solar wind dynamic pressure and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The magnetotail was highly compressed by a strong interplanetary shock because of the dynamic pressure enhancement (similar to 15 nPa), and the large shrinkage of magnetotail made a northern lobe and plasma mantle move inward to the position of the inbound TC1 that was initially in the plasma sheet. Meanwhile, the dynamic pressure fluctuations (similar to 0.5-3 nPa) behind the shock drove the quasi-periodic oscillations of the magnetopause, lobe-mantle boundary, and geomagnetic field at the same frequencies: one dominant frequency was around 3 mHz and the other was around 5 mHz. The quasi-periodic oscillations of the lobe-mantle boundary caused the alternate entries of TC1 into the northern lobe and the plasma mantle. In contrast to a single squeezed or deformed magnetotail by a solar wind discontinuity moving tailward, the compressed and oscillating magnetotail can better indicate the dynamic evolution of magnetotail when solar wind dynamic pressure increases and fluctuates remarkably, and the near-Earth magnetotail is quite sensitive even to some small changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure when it is highly compressed. Furthermore, it is found that a considerable amount of oxygen ions (O(+)) appeared in the lobe after the southward turning of IMF.

This paper investigates the structure of the magnetic field near the magnetopause (MP) by analyzing the multiple-point magnetic measurements from the Cluster mission. In this paper, the spatial distribution of the curvature radius of the MP surface at the noon-midnight meridian and for situations with moderate dynamical pressure of solar wind is implied from direct measurements of magnetic field curvature for the first time. The investigation focused on conditions of strong magnetic shear and in which a clear boundary layer is present at the MP. It has been confirmed that the magnetic field lines surrounding the cusp bend sunward at the precusp region and tailward at the postcusp region, implying the existence of a cusp field indentation. The minimum curvature radius of the near-MP field at both precusp and postcusp regions is about 2 R-E. As the latitude decreases, the curvature radius at the MP increases gradually, so that, as the subsolar point is approached, the curvature radius of the MP is nearly equal to the geocentric distance. These results compare well with existing MP models but reveal the limitations inherent in such statistical estimates of local MP curvature, particularly surrounding the cusp regions. The analysis of the magnetic measurements has also verified the existence of the magnetic bottles at both precusp and postcusp regions, which may play a role for the trapping of the charged particles of magnetosphere.

Field observations and numerical modeling of infragravity (IG) waves were conducted in support of the expansion of a major seaport. Measurements show that the overall energy level of IG waves is similar between stations deployed outside and inside the port, while spectra of IG waves show a clear peak of ~0.01 Hz at the inside-port stations and IG spectra at the outside-port stations are very broad-banded and somewhat white-noise-like, without a predominant peak frequency. Roughly linear dependence of long-wave amplitude on shortwave amplitude is observed from the field data. Long waves are also observed to be very directionally scattered, with seaward-propagating components dominant over contributions from the shoreward propagating components. In the numerical model, a non-standard approach, by employing a customized filter layer in the surf zone to mimic the short-wave breaking and run-up processes, is used to reduce the resolution requirement and thus the computational burden by an order of magnitude. Numerical model results are in good agreement with measured long-wave amplitude and compare favorably with the measured long-wave spectra. Furthermore, the directional properties of long waves from the numerical model are also confirmed by the analysis of measurement data.

[1] Pc3 pulsations are observed in the magnetosphere with wave periods of 10–45 s. Two distinct populations have been observed; one exhibits a frequency dependence on the solar wind magnetic field strength, whereas the other does not. The first population is explained in terms of a model where the bow shock reflects ions which generate upstream foreshock ULF waves. These waves are convected through the shock to the dayside magnetopause and thus to the magnetosphere. The source of the second population is not well understood. In this paper we examine the generation of a transient patch of Pc3 wave activity due to a hot flow anomaly (HFA) using a unique spacecraft conjunction that occurred during the first Earth flyby of the Rosetta spacecraft. Cluster, upstream of the bow shock and close to the Sun-Earth line observed an HFA. At this time Rosetta was nearing closest approach and together with ground magnetometer stations, observed a transient interval of Pc3 wave activity. Analysis also shows that the Pc3 waves occurred in the absence of a ULF wavefield just upstream of the bow shock. This result shows that HFAs can be a source of Pc3 wave activity, and may explain in part the origin of the second population of Pc3 waves. It also demonstrates in new detail the manner in which kinetic physics at the bow shock, driven by structure in the solar wind, can influence magnetospheric dynamics.

How the solar wind affects the location of the magnetopause has been widely studied and excellent models of the magnetopause based on in situ observations in the solar wind and at the magnetopause have been established, while the careful insight into the responses of the magnetopause to the variations in the solar wind can still provide us some new information about the processes in space plasmas. The short distance from Cluster to TC-1 on 9 March 2004, between 06: 10 and 08: 10 UT, gives us a good opportunity to precisely monitor the responses of the magnetopause to the variations in the solar wind. On the basis of the combined observations between Cluster, TC-1, and SuperDARN we analyze the magnetopause crossings associated with magnetopause motion or magnetic reconnection when the solar wind conditions have a series of variations. New results about the time delays for the propagation from the solar wind monitor to the magnetopause of the interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF) and of the solar wind dynamic pressure, respectively, and the intrinsic time for reconnection onset at the magnetopause are obtained. The most important feature of the event is that the dynamic pressure and the IMF in the solar wind do not arrive at the magnetopause at the same time, which will direct us to find out how the variation in the solar wind dynamic pressure is transported from the bow shock to the magnetopause. Another significant feature is that this event presents a shorter intrinsic time, similar to 2 min, for reconnection onset at the dayside magnetopause than that given by the previous work of Le et al. (1993) and Russell et al. (1997).

[1] On 29 December 2004 the Double Star TC-1 satellite most probably stays close to a reconnection line for about 20 min. The direction of the X line can be evaluated according to the component merging model. During the time of observations, TC-1 also detects a flux transfer event (FTE). It is found that the FTE axis is parallel to such an X line. This observation is more in favor of the single X line and the multiple X lines FTE models, rather than the original Russell and Elphic model. Moreover, particular features of the ion distribution functions and the plasma behavior near the FTE seem to be more consistent with a multiple X line generation mechanism. The period under study is characterized by a large and negative Earth's dipole tilt, and the reconnection line close to TC-1 is found to follow the magnetic equator, passing northward of the subsolar/stagnation point. These facts lead to speculate that the FTE is generated when a secondary X line, probably passing through the subsolar/stagnation point and with approximately the same orientation of the X line near TC-1, is activated southward of TC-1.

For an industry facing both internationalization and impending maturity, available strategic prescriptions suggest four options which are at variance with each other. To assess the validity of competing strategic prescriptions, the outcomes of these four options are examined empirically by means of a longitudinal study of the vehicle components industry. Rather than going for strategies based on market domination, large British vehicle component companies would generally have performed better had they concentrated on resource-based priorities; market domination has generally only proved feasible in national markets, and the outcomes of such strategies have proved little short of disastrous. Explanations are explored through a case study of one British national market leader and through international comparisons from Germany, the U.S.A. and Japan, which highlight the importance of manufacturing policies as primary sources of sustainable competitive advantage.

The influence of dyebath pH, dyeing time, levelling agents, dyestuff and anti-setting agent on hygral expansion has been investigated. The incorporation of an anti-setting agent in the dyebath minimised increases in hygral expansion resulting from the dyeing process.