Tearing Instability Research Articles

PARTICLE ACCELERATION AND PLASMA DYNAMICS DURING MAGNETIC RECONNECTION IN THE MAGNETICALLY DOMINATED REGIME

Magnetic reconnection is thought to be the driver for many explosive phenomena in the universe. The energy release and particle acceleration during reconnection have been proposed as a mechanism for producing high-energy emissions and cosmic rays. We carry out two- and three-dimensional kinetic simulations to investigate relativistic magnetic reconnection and the associated particle acceleration. The simulations focus on electron-positron plasmas starting with a magnetically dominated, force-free current sheet ($\sigma \equiv B^2/(4\pi n_e m_e c^2) \gg 1$). For this limit, we demonstrate that relativistic reconnection is highly efficient at accelerating particles through a first-order Fermi process accomplished by the curvature drift of particles along the electric field induced by the relativistic flows. This mechanism gives rise to the formation of hard power-law spectra $f \propto (\gamma-1)^{-p}$ and approaches $p = 1$ for sufficiently large $\sigma$ and system size. Eventually most of the available magnetic free energy is converted into nonthermal particle kinetic energy. An analytic model is presented to explain the key results and predict a general condition for the formation of power-law distributions. The development of reconnection in these regimes leads to relativistic inflow and outflow speeds and enhanced reconnection rates relative to non-relativistic regimes. In the three-dimensional simulation, the interplay between secondary kink and tearing instabilities leads to strong magnetic turbulence, but does not significantly change the energy conversion, reconnection rate, or particle acceleration. This study suggests that relativistic reconnection sites are strong sources of nonthermal particles, which may have important implications to a variety of high-energy astrophysical problems.

RESISTIVE MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF THE IDEAL TEARING MODE

We study the linear and nonlinear evolution of the tearing instability on thin current sheets by means of two-dimensional numerical simulations, within the framework of compressible, resistive magnetohydrodynamics. In particular we analyze the behavior of current sheets whose inverse aspect ratio scales with the Lundquist number S as S 1=3 . This scaling has been recently recognized to yield the threshold separating fast, ideal reconnection, with an evolution and growth which are independent of S provided this is high enough, as it should be natural having the ideal case as a limit for S! 1. Our simulations conrm that the tearing instability growth rate can be as fast as 0:6 A 1 , where A is the ideal Alfv enic time set by the macroscopic scales, for our least diusive case with S = 10 7 . The expected instability dispersion relation and eigenmodes are also retrieved in the linear regime, for the values of S explored here. Moreover, in the nonlinear stage of the simulations we observe secondary events obeying the same critical scaling with S, here calculated on the local, much smaller lengths, leading to increasingly faster reconnection. These ndings strongly support the idea that in a fully dynamic regime, as soon as current sheets develop, thin and reach this critical threshold in their aspect ratio, the tearing mode is able to trigger plasmoid formation and reconnection on the local (ideal) Alfv enic timescales, as required to explain the explosive aring activity often observed in solar and astrophysical plasmas. Subject headings: plasmas { MHD { methods: numerical.

ARRESTING PROPAGATING SHEAR IN PIPELINES (Part 2. See no. 1, 2015 for part 1)

The consequences of what has been termed running ductile fracture require that pipelines be designed to arrest propagation, and so avoid major incidents due to this type of failure. Approaches to characterize pipeline response and their resistance to such failure to ensure arrest rely on semi-empirical models developed in the mid-1970s. Continuing reliance on such semi-empirical models, which were calibrated using fullscale tests done on segments of pipelines, persists because this failure process involves three interacting nonlinearities, and so is complex. These nonlinearities include: 1) plastic fl ow and tearing instability, 2) soil-structure interaction, and 3) expansion wave response and decompression in the pressurizing media. This paper fi rst reviews the history and related evelopments that represent almost 40 years invested in fracture-based approaches to quantify propagating shear in pipelines. Graphical evidence of the full-scale failure process and related phenomenology lead to an alternative hypothesis to quantify this failure process that is based on plastic collapse rather than fracture. It is shown that the phenomenology does not support a fracture-controlled process, and that instead the metrics of arrest should refl ect the fl ow properties of the steel. Finally, aspects of fracture-based approaches are related to the collapse-based concept as the basis to understand the success that at times has been achieved using fracture-based approaches. Surrogates for CVN energy that has been used in the BTCM as a measure of fracture resistance are reevaluated as functions of the fl ow response, which provides the basis to rationalize the historic successes on the fracture-based formulation. Finally, remaining gaps and issues are addressed.

Enhanced magnetic reconnection in the presence of pressure gradients

Magnetic reconnection in the presence of background pressure gradients is studied, with special attention to parallel (compressional) magnetic fluctuations. A process is reported that reconnects fields through coupling of drift-wave-type instabilities with current sheets. Its time scale is set not by the reconnecting field but by inhomogeneities of the background density or temperature. The observed features can be attributed to a pressure-gradient-driven linear instability which interacts with the reconnecting system but is fundamentally different from microtearing. In particular, this mode relies on parallel magnetic fluctuations and the associated drift. For turbulent reconnection, similar or even stronger enhancements are reported. In the solar corona, this yields a critical pressure gradient scale length of about 200 km below which this new process becomes dominant over the tearing instability.

Reconnection dynamics with secondary tearing instability in compressible Hall plasmas

The dynamics of a secondary tearing instability is systematically investigated based on compressible Hall magnetohydrodynamic. It is found that in the early nonlinear phase of magnetic reconnection before onset of the secondary tearing instability, the geometry of the magnetic field in the reconnection region tends to form a Y-type structure in a weak Hall regime, instead of an X-type structure in a strong Hall regime. A new scaling law is found that the maximum reconnection rate in the early nonlinear stage is proportional to the square of the ion inertial length (γ∝di2) in the weak Hall regime. In the late nonlinear phase, the thin elongated current sheet associated with the Y-type geometry of the magnetic field breaks up to form a magnetic island due to a secondary tearing instability. After the onset of the secondary tearing mode, the reconnection rate is substantially boosted by the formation of the X-type geometries of magnetic field in the reconnection regions. With a strong Hall effect, the maximum reconnection rate linearly increases with the increase of the ion inertial length (γ∝di).

Instability of current sheets with a localized accumulation of magnetic flux

The longstanding problem of whether a current sheet with curved magnetic field lines associated with a small “normal” Bz component is stable is investigated using two-dimensional electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations, employing closed boundary conditions analogous to those normally assumed in energy principle calculations. Energy principle arguments [Sitnov and Schindler, Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, L08102 (2010)] have suggested that an accumulation of magnetic flux at the tailward end of a thin current sheet could produce a tearing instability. Two classes of such current sheet configurations are probed: one with a monotonically increasing Bz profile and the other with a localized Bz “hump.” The former is found to be stable (in 2D) over any reasonable time scale, while the latter is prone to an ideal-like instability that shifts the hump peak in the direction of the curvature normal and erodes the field on the opposite side. The growth rate of this instability is smaller by an order of magnitude than previous suggestions of an instability in an open system. An example is given that suggests that such an unstable hump configuration is unlikely to be produced by external driving of a current sheet with no Bz accumulation even in the presence of open boundary conditions.

Infrared spectra imaging mechanism and modelling of the transport of hazard belt

To effectively detect the coal transportation hazard belt and according to the infrared absorption difference characteristics between the coal and hazards, a new detection method of longitudinal tear belt hazard is presented based on infrared spectroscopy imaging. Used the bidirectional reflectance distribution function to create a mathematical model of infrared spectroscopic imaging, given the target image plane on the energy distribution formula, analysis of the infrared hazards and the coal reflecting difference in background radiation wavelength variation, determine the scope distinguishing the best band of variety of hazards and the coal, establish an infrared spectral imaging detection system and extract hazard information. Experimental results show that this method can effectively identify before tearing hazards, and can extract from intuitive and reliable hazards background image, effectively reducing the possibility of longitudinal tear belt, improve the reliability of detection and longitudinal tear stability line monitoring.

Treatment of Sjögren's syndrome dry eye using 0.03% tacrolimus eye drop: Prospective double-blind randomized study.

To describe the clinical efficacy of the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome dry eye using 0.03% tacrolimus eye drop. Prospective double-blind randomized study. Institutional outpatient clinic. Forty-eight eyes of twenty-four patients with dry eye related to Sjögren syndrome were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized in 2 groups: tacrolimus (n=14) and vehicle (n=10) group. The tacrolimus group received a vial containing tacrolimus 0.03% (almond oil as vehicle) and the other group received the almond oil vehicle. All patients were instructed to use the eye drops every 12h in the lower conjunctival sac. Schirmer I test, break-up-time (BUT), corneal fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining scores were evaluated in all patients one day before the treatment (baseline), 7, 14, 28 and 90 days after treatment with the eye drops. The average fluorescein and Rose Bengal scores improved statistically after 7 days of treatment and even more after 90 days. The average Schirmer I and BUT values were unchanged after 7, 14 and 21 days but did show an improvement relative to baseline after 28 days of treatment. Schirmer I, BUT, fluorescein and Rose Bengal did not show any statistical significance in the vehicle group. Topical 0.03% tacrolimus eye drop improved tear stability and ocular surface status in cases of inflammatory or SS-related dry eye. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01850979.

On permanent and sporadic pulsations of the magnetosphere

A question concerning the influence of permanent Pc3-band pulsations (periods from 10 to 45 s) on the excitation of sporadic Pi2-band pulsations (40 to 150 s) is raised. It is hypothesized that, being generated ahead of the front of the Earth’s magnetosphere, the Pc3 penetrate into the geomagnetic tail where they cause local depression in the electric current in the neutral sheet and, under favorable conditions, initiate tearing instability. This leads to the reconnection of the magnetic field lines and explosion-like release of the magnetic energy stored in the tail. As a result, a substorm arises with the sporadic Pi2 pulsations being its important element. Ways are suggested to theoretically substantiate and experimentally validate this hypothesis.

The high-βN hybrid scenario for ITER and FNSF steady-state missionsa)

New experiments on DIII-D have demonstrated the steady-state potential of the hybrid scenario, with 1 MA of plasma current driven fully non-inductively and βN up to 3.7 sustained for ∼3 s (∼1.5 current diffusion time, τR, in DIII-D), providing the basis for an attractive option for steady-state operation in ITER and FNSF. Excellent confinement is achieved (H98y2 ∼ 1.6) without performance limiting tearing modes. The hybrid regime overcomes the need for off-axis current drive efficiency, taking advantage of poloidal magnetic flux pumping that is believed to be the result of a saturated 3/2 tearing mode. This allows for efficient current drive close to the axis, without deleterious sawtooth instabilities. In these experiments, the edge surface loop voltage is driven down to zero for >1 τR when the poloidal β is increased above 1.9 at a plasma current of 1.0 MA and the ECH power is increased to 3.2 MW. Stationary operation of hybrid plasmas with all on-axis current drive is sustained at pressures slightly above the ideal no-wall limit, while the calculated ideal with-wall MHD limit is βN ∼ 4–4.5. Off-axis Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) power has been used to broaden the pressure and current profiles in this scenario, seeking to take advantage of higher predicted kink stability limits and lower values of the tearing stability index Δ′, as calculated by the DCON and PEST3 codes. Results based on measured profiles predict ideal limits at βN > 4.5, 10% higher than the cases with on-axis NBI. A 0-D model, based on the present confinement, βN and shape values of the DIII-D hybrid scenario, shows that these plasmas are consistent with the ITER 9 MA, Q = 5 mission and the FNSF 6.7 MA scenario with Q = 3.5. With collisionality and edge safety factor values comparable to those envisioned for ITER and FNSF, the high-βN hybrid represents an attractive high performance option for the steady-state missions of these devices.

THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL EVOLUTION OF ION-SCALE CURRENT SHEETS: TEARING AND DRIFT-KINK INSTABILITIES IN THE PRESENCE OF PROTON TEMPERATURE ANISOTROPY

We present the first three-dimensional hybrid simulations of the evolution of ion-scale current sheets, with an investigation of the role of temperature anisotropy and associated kinetic instabilities on the growth of the tearing instability and particle heating. We confirm the ability of the ion cyclotron and firehose instabilities to enhance or suppress reconnection, respectively. The simulations demonstrate the emergence of persistent three-dimensional structures, including patchy reconnection sites and the fast growth of a narrow-band drift-kink instability, which suppresses reconnection for thin current sheets with weak guide fields. Potential observational signatures of the three-dimensional evolution of solar wind current sheets are also discussed. We conclude that kinetic instabilities, arising from non-Maxwellian ion populations, are significant to the evolution of three-dimensional current sheets, and two-dimensional studies of heating rates by reconnection may therefore over-estimate the ability of thin, ion-scale current sheets to heat the solar wind by reconnection.

Arresting propagating shear in pipelines (Part 2. See no. 1, 2015 for part 1)

The consequences of what has been termed running ductile fracture require that pipelines be designed to arrest propagation, and so avoid major incidents due to this type of failure. Approaches to characterize pipeline response and their resistance to such failure to ensure arrest rely on semi-empirical models developed in the mid-1970s. Continuing reliance on such semi-empirical models, which were calibrated using full-scale tests done on segments of pipelines, persists because this failure process involves three interacting nonlinearities, and so is complex. These nonlinearities include: (1) plastic flow and tearing instability, (2) soil-structure interaction, and (3) expansion wave response and decompression in the pressurizing media. This paper first reviews the history and related developments that represent almost 40 years invested in fracture-based approaches to quantify propagating shear in pipelines. Graphical evidence of the full-scale failure process and related phenomenology lead to an alternative hypothesis to quantify this failure process that is based on plastic collapse rather than fracture. It is shown that the phenomenology does not support a fracture-controlled process, and that instead the metrics of arrest should reflect the flow properties of the steel. Finally, aspects of fracture-based approaches are related to the collapse-based concept as the basis to understand the success that at times has been achieved using fracture-based approaches. Surrogates for CVN energy that has been used in the BTCM as a measure of fracture resistance are reevaluated as functions of the flow response, which provides the basis to rationalize the historic successes on the fracture-based formulation. Finally, remaining gaps and issues are addressed.

Comparing tear film stability prolongation evaluated by Javal-Schiotz keratometer and slitlamp.

To innovatively compare the tear film stability assessed noninvasively by Javal-Schiotz keratometer (tear deformation time [TDT]) and invasively by slitlamp (invasive tear breakup time [I-TBUT]). Tear deformation time and I-TBUT were assessed in only 1 eye of 100 healthy young participants aged from 18 to 25 years (mean±standard deviation=20.49±1.80). Healthy ocular surface was considered as inclusive criteria. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed to compare the TDT with I-TBUT and reveal correlation between them. The TDT values (mean: 22.84±20.14 sec) were significantly higher than the I-TBUT (mean: 15.73±8.89 sec) data (P=0.027). Neither TDT nor I-TBUT was affected by gender of the subjects. A significant direct correlation was detected between the TDT and I-TBUT data (Spearman ρ=0.458, P<0.0001). Neither I-TBUT nor TDT showed a significant relationship with age and sex factors. Our findings indicated that tear stability prolongation results obtained by TDT technique were significantly higher than the I-TBUT method outcomes. Noninvasive nature, easiness, basal tear film evaluation, availability, inexpensiveness, Fluorescein nonuse, and accessibility in the clinic (no need for para-clinical equipment) are benefits of the TDT technique. Future studies must be aimed at evaluating validity and reliability of the TDT technique on normal and dry eye populations.

The Effect of Nrf2 Knockout on Ocular Surface Protection from Acute Tobacco Smoke Exposure: Evidence from Nrf2 Knockout Mice

Ocular surface mucosa is the first-line ocular tissue to be exposed to environmental stress. We evaluated tear functions and keratoconjunctival epithelial alterations after sidestream cigarette smoke (SCS) exposure and tried to clarify the role of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nfe2l2, also known as Nrf2), on the ocular surface. In wild-type and Nrf2(-/-) mice, tear volume did not change after SCS exposure. Tear film breakup time (tear stability) in Nrf2(-/-) mice was significantly shorter than that in wild-type mice after SCS exposure. Vital staining scores, including fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining, showed significantly higher values in Nrf2(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice after SCS exposure. Excessive oxidative stress accumulation was detected in Nrf2(-/-) mice after SCS exposure using immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis also revealed decreased mucin 1 (Muc1) and Muc5ac staining in Nrf2(-/-) mice after SCS exposure. mRNA expression levels of Muc1, Muc4, and Muc5ac and of SAM-pointed domain epithelial-specific transcription factor in Nrf2(-/-) mice were lower than those in wild-type mice after SCS exposure. Mean tear IL-6 concentrations increased significantly in Nrf2(-/-) mice after SCS exposure. In conclusion, SCS exposure induced decreased tear stability, ocular surface damage, and altered conjunctival phenotype in Nrf2(-/-) mice. Nrf2 could play an important role in protection of the ocular surface against SCS exposure.

Presentation and outcomes of Acanthamoeba Keratitis at Moorfields Eye Hospital, 1991–2012

s / Contact Lens & Anterior Eye 38 (2015) e13–e46 e35 Lens brand did not have an effect on ocular temperature (F=1.220, p=0.308), but ocular temperature decreased towards the end of the day (8h: 36.1±1.60 ◦C; 12h: 35.3±0.80 ◦C; 16h: 35.2±0.9 ◦C; F=19.497, p<0.001). Conclusions: The tear stability over the contact lens surface differed between lens types and may have a role in protecting the ocular surface. Prof James Wolffsohn achieving a 1st class Optometry degree from Manchester, completed his pre-registration at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital, London and a PhD at Cardiff University. Following a clinical/research position at the Victorian College of Optometry/University of Melbourne, Australia 1997-2000, he was appoint by Aston University, where he was Head of Optometry 2004–9, being awarded a personal Chair in 2007. He is now Deputy Executive Dean for Life and Health Sciences at Aston University. James has published over 140 peer reviewed academic papers and given numerous international presentations. James is also a past President of the British Contact Lens Association. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2014.11.054

The linear tearing instability in three dimensional, toroidal gyro-kinetic simulations

Linear gyro-kinetic simulations of the classical tearing mode in three-dimensional toroidal geometry were performed using the global gyro-kinetic turbulence code, GKW. The results were benchmarked against a cylindrical ideal MHD and analytical theory calculations. The stability, growth rate, and frequency of the mode were investigated by varying the current profile, collisionality, and the pressure gradients. Both collisionless and semi-collisional tearing modes were found with a smooth transition between the two. A residual, finite, rotation frequency of the mode even in the absence of a pressure gradient is observed, which is attributed to toroidal finite Larmor-radius effects. When a pressure gradient is present at low collisionality, the mode rotates at the expected electron diamagnetic frequency. However, the island rotation reverses direction at high collisionality. The growth rate is found to follow a η1∕7 scaling with collisional resistivity in the semi-collisional regime, closely following the semi-collisional scaling found by Fitzpatrick. The stability of the mode closely follows the stability analysis as performed by Hastie et al. using the same current and safety factor profiles but for cylindrical geometry, however, here a modification due to toroidal coupling and pressure effects is seen.

Randomised cross-over evaluation of tear stability of silicone hydrogel daily disposable soft contact lenses

Randomised cross-over evaluation of tear stability of silicone hydrogel daily disposable soft contact lenses

Arresting propagating shear in pipelines

The consequences of what has been termed running ductile fracture require that pipelines be designed to arrest propagation, and so avoid major incidents due to this type of failure. Approaches to characterize pipeline response and their resistance to such failure to ensure arrest rely on semi-empirical models developed in the mid-1970s. Continuing reliance on such semi-empirical models, which were calibrated using fullscale tests done on segments of pipelines, persists because this failure process involves three interacting nonlinearities, and so is complex. These nonlinearities include: (1) plastic flow and tearing instability, (2) soil-structure interaction, and 3) expansion wave response and decompression in the pressurizing media. This paper first reviews the history and related developments that represent almost 40 years invested in fracture-based approaches to quantify propagating shear in pipelines. Graphical evidence of the full-scale failure process and related phenomenology lead to an alternative hypothesis to quantify this failure process that is based on plastic collapse rather than fracture. It is shown that the phenomenology does not support a fracture-controlled process, and that instead the metrics of arrest should reflect the flow properties of the steel. Finally, aspects of fracture-based approaches are related to the collapse-based concept as the basis to understand the success that at times has been achieved using fracture-based approaches. Surrogates for CVN energy that has been used in the BTCM as a measure of fracture resistance are reevaluated as functions of the flow response, which provides the basis to rationalize the historic successes on the fracture-based formulation. Finally, remaining gaps and issues are addressed.

Dry eye and corneal langerhans cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Purpose. Investigation of dry eye and corneal Langerhans cells (LCs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. Prospective consecutive case series of 27 SLE patients and 27 control subjects. Dry eye was evaluated by lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF), Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire. In vivo investigation of corneal LCs density and morphology (LCM) was performed with confocal corneal microscopy (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph with Rostock Cornea Module). Results. Tear production and stability were pathological in SLE subjects compared to control (Schirmer: 8.45 ± 9.82 mm/5 min versus 11.67 ± 3.21 mm/5 min; TBUT: 6.86 ± 3.53 s versus 11.09 ± 3.37 s). OSDI was significantly greater in SLE patients (25.95 ± 17.92) than in controls (11.06 ± 7.18). Central LC density was greater in SLE patients (43.08 ± 48.67 cell/mm2) than in controls (20.57 ± 21.04 cell/mm2). There was no difference in the peripheral LC density (124.78 ± 165.39 versus 78.00 ± 39.51 cell/mm2). LCM was higher in SLE patients in the centre (1.43 ± 0.79) and in the periphery (2.89 ± 0.42) compared to controls (centre: 1.00 ± 0.69, periphery: 2.35 ± 0.54). Conclusions. Significant changes in dry eye parameters and marked increase of central LCs could be demonstrated in SLE patients. SLE alters not only the LC density but also the morphology, modifies corneal homeostasis, and might contribute to the development of dry eye.

On the possibility of Alfvén wave resonance in collisionless magnetic reconnection

Alfvén wave resonance and magnetic reconnection are among the potential candidates for efficient dissipation of magnetic energy in space and astrophysical plasmas. In this paper, the correspondence between Alfvén resonance and the electron-inertia driven reconnection in a sheared force-free magnetic field is discussed. By analytical scaling the linear regimes of compressible tearing instability in the two-fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model, we present parametric conditions for the possibility of Alfvén resonance existence. Meanwhile, it is argued that the slow MHD Alfvénic resonance can take place only in the “intermediate” – called Hall-MHD regime when β>μ. β is the ratio of plasma thermal pressure to the pressure in equilibrium magnetic field and μ is the electron to ion mass ratio. There is no room for such a resonant dissipation phenomenon either in the single-fluid MHD or the electron-MHD regimes.