Context. Solar wind electron velocity distribution functions (VDFs) show enhanced levels of suprathermal electrons as compared to a Maxwellian distribution. Previous studies show that the suprathermal tails of solar wind VDFs can be fitted by kappa distributions, and that a coronal origin of the suprathermal electrons is possible. Aims. The generation of suprathermal electrons by resonant interaction with whistler waves in the corona is investigated under quiet solar conditions without any flare activity. The magnetic field geometry is that of a closed magnetic loop. The electron-whistler interaction is described within the framework of quasilinear theory, that leads to pitch-angle diffusion of the electrons in the reference frame of the waves. Methods. A study of electron VDFs requires a kinetic description of the electrons. The model used in this paper is based on a numerical solution of the Boltzmann-Vlasov equation for the electrons, considering Coulomb collisions and wave-electron interaction. The waves are assumed to enter the simulation box with a given power-law spectrum, which evolves inside the box due to wave propagation and absorption by the electrons. Starting from a nearly Maxwellian initial electron VDF, the temporal evolution of the VDF is calculated until a final steady state has been reached. Results. The results show that a population of suprathermal electrons develops in a closed coronal loop. The electron VDF can be approximated by a power-law in the energy range of 4-10 keV. The power-law index is in agreement with the solar wind observations. For lower energy, the electrons are thermalized in the dense model coronal loop, and the efficiency of the acceleration mechanism decreases for higher energies. The energy range of the simulation box has to be chosen sufficiently large, and the influence of the loop geometry on the results is also studied. Conclusions. These numerical studies show that the quiet solar corona is capable of producing suprathermal electron VDFs with similar characteristics to those observed in the solar wind. This study is focused on a closed region in the solar corona, but if such an electron population is present in the corona, it should also appear in the solar wind.

Abstract. Fiber bursts appear in some complex solar radio bursts as a continuum fine structure in the frequency range of 150· · ·3000 MHz. We present and test a new method to use fiber bursts as a probe of the magnetic field strength and the 3D field structure in postflare loops. Thereby we assume that fiber bursts are driven by whistler waves ascending in the postflare loops which act as magnetic traps for nonthermal flare electrons. For a selected event (1997 April 07) we derive from dynamic radio spectra (Potsdam) and Nançay Radio Heliograph imaging data of fiber bursts the coronal magnetic field strength within the fiber burst source. We compare the fiber burst source positions and field strength estimates with the extrapolated potential magnetic field above the flaring active region NOAA 8027 using SOHO-MDI photospheric field data. The field strength from fiber bursts are within a factor of 0.6 to 1.4 of the field strength of the selected subset of potential field lines and give preference to a 3.5 times Newkirk (1961, ApJ, 133, 983) coronal density model within the evolving postflare loops. We find independent proof of the physical significance of considering selected potential field lines as postflare loop field information regarding topology and field strength over a time interval of one hour after the impulsive flare phase. We conclude that radio decimeter and meter wave spectra and radio imaging at two representative frequencies are sufficient for a reliable estimate of the (otherwise not measurable) coronal magnetic field strength in postflare loops. This can be an important field sounding method using the forthcoming FASR (Frequency Agile Solar Radiotelescope) instrument.

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In paired pulse stimulation experiments the mechanism underlying frequency habituation of postsynaptic potentials in dentate granule cells of rat hippocampal slices was studied by measuring extra- and intracellular potentials as well as changes in extracellular calcium [( ([Ca2+]0) and potassium concentrations ([K+]0). Orthodromic stimulation of the perforant path induced in most granule cells a late, slow hyperpolarization (SH), lasting for up to 1.2 s. During the SH the membrane conductance was increased by up to 40%. The reversal potential of the SH was around -90 mV and varied with the [K+]0. Frequency habituation was seen in all cells with the SH, whereas cells which display frequency potentiation had no SH. Lowering of [Ca2+]0 reversed paired pulse induced frequency habituation into frequency potentiation at [Ca2+]0 levels where the SH disappeared. Phaclofen blocked the SH and reversed frequency habituation into frequency potentiation. Elevating [Mg2+]0 also reversed frequency habituation into frequency potentiation and reduced the SH. We conclude that the SH represents a late, slow IPSP which is responsible for frequency habituation in dentate granule cells. We noted that during repetitive stimulation the SH soon started to fade. This effect can in part be attributed to extracellular K+-accumulation as suggested by the K+-dependence of the slow IPSP and the observations of changes in [K+]0 during repetitive stimulation. This could explain why frequency habituation reverses into frequency potentiation during repetitive stimulation.

The dependence of stimulus-induced synaptic potentials on changes of extracellular ionic concentrations of potassium ([K+]o 3, 5, 8 mM), magnesium ([Mg2+]o 2, 4, 8 mM) and calcium [Ca2+]o (2 mM and continuous lowering by washing with Ca2(+)-free solutions) was investigated in area CA1 and dentate gyrus of rat hippocampal slices. Field potentials (fps), [K+]o and [Ca2+]o were measured with double-barreled ion selective/reference microelectrodes. Paired pulse stimulation (interval 50-ms) was applied either to the lateral perforant path or to the Schaffer collaterals. Elevation of [K+]o from 5 to 8 mM and of [Mg2+]o from 2 to 8 mM depressed the rise of excitatory postsynaptic potentials, as well as the amplitude of population spikes. With elevation of [K+]o, the effect was stronger in the dentate gyrus, while with elevation of [Mg2+]o, the reduction was more pronounced in area CA1. During washout of Ca2+, synaptic potentials became reduced and finally depressed. The [Ca2+]o at which synaptic transmission was blocked increased with higher [Mg2+]o and decreased with a change of [K+]o from 3 to 5 mM, whereas with an elevation of [K+]o from 5 to 8 mM, it rose in area CA1 but was reduced in dentate gyrus. All ionic changes also affected frequency habituation and potentiation in paired pulse experiments. In dentate gyrus, frequency habituation was reversed to frequency potentiation with moderate lowering of [Ca2+]o and with elevation of [Mg2+]o and [K+]o. In contrast, in area CA1 frequency potentiation was reduced upon elevation of [K+]o.