A long‐standing problem concerning dipolarization front (DF) is why energetic electrons only appear in half the DF events? By analyzing MMS measurements, here we answer this question. We find a DF structure, behind which energetic‐electron fluxes are modulated by magnetosonic waves: At wave troughs (B‐minimum) electron fluxes are high; at wave crests (B‐maximum) electron fluxes are low. This phenomenon challenges the classical theory of betatron mechanism, so we need to propose a new theory to explain it. In our theory, there exists a magnetic bottle with time‐varying belly but steady neck behind the DF. When the belly expands, a magnetic bottle is formed, and electrons are trapped; when the belly contracts, the magnetic bottle disappears, and electrons are expelled. Quantitatively, we validate the existence of this bottle and estimate its size as 2–3 RE. Our theory can explain both the presence and absence of energetic electrons behind DFs.
Summary. Background: The interaction of glycoprotein (GP) Iba with von Willebrand factor (VWF) initiates platelet adhesion, and simultaneously triggers intracellular signaling cascades leading to platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Some of the signaling events are similar to those occurring during apoptosis, however, it is still unclear whether platelet apoptosis is induced by the GPIba-VWF interaction. Objectives: To investigate whether the GPIba-VWF interaction induces platelet apoptosis and the role of 14-3-3f in apoptotic signaling. Methods: Apoptotic events were assessed in platelets or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing wild-type (1b9) or mutant GPIb-IX interacting with VWF by flow cytometry or western blotting. Results: Ristocetin-induced GPIba-VWF interaction elicited apoptotic events in platelets, including phosphatidylserine exposure, elevations of Bax and Bak, gelsolin cleavage, and depolarization of mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential. Apoptotic events were also elicited in platelets exposed to pathologic shear stresses in the presence of VWF; however, the shear-induced apoptosis was eliminated by the anti-GPIba antibody AK2. Furthermore, apoptotic events occurred in 1b9 cells stimulated with VWF and ristocetin, but were significantly diminished in two CHO cell lines expressing mutant GPIb-IX with GPIba truncated at residue 551 or a serine-to-alanine mutation at the 14-3-3f-binding site in GPIba. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the GPIba-VWF interaction induces apoptotic events in platelets, and that the association of 14-3-3f with the cytoplasmic domain of GPIba is essential for apoptotic signaling. This finding may suggest a novel mechanism for platelet clearance or some thrombocytopenic diseases.
Theoretically, magnetic reconnection—the process responsible for solar flares and magnetospheric substorms—occurs at the X‐line or radial null in the electron diffusion region (EDR). However, whether this theory is correct is unknown, because the radial null (X‐line) has never been observed inside the EDR due to the lack of efficient techniques and the scarcity of EDR measurements. Here we report such evidence, using data from the recent MMS mission and the newly developed First‐Order Taylor Expansion (FOTE) Expansion technique. We investigate 12 EDR candidates at the Earth's magnetopause and find radial nulls (X‐lines) in all of them. In some events, spacecraft are only 3 km (one electron inertial length) away from the null. We reconstruct the magnetic topology of these nulls and find it agrees well with theoretical models. These nulls, as reconstructed for the first time inside the EDR by the FOTE technique, indicate that the EDR is active and the reconnection process is ongoing.
Using data from the MMS mission and the First‐Order Taylor Expansion (FOTE) method, here we reveal electron distribution functions around a reconnection X‐line at the Earth's magnetopause. We find cigar distribution of electrons in both the magnetosphere‐side and magnetosheath‐side inflow regions, isotropic distribution of electrons at the separatrix, and loss of high‐energy electrons in the antiparallel direction in the magnetosheath‐side inflow region. We interpret the formation of cigar distribution in the inflow regions using the Fermi mechanism—as suggested in previous simulations, the loss of high‐energy electrons in the magnetosheath side using the parallel electric fields—which evacuate electrons to escape the diffusion region along the antiparallel direction, and the isotropic distribution at the separatrix using the pitch angle scattering by whistler waves—which exist frequently at the separatrix. We also find that the electron distribution functions can change rapidly (within 60 ms) from isotropic to cigar as the spacecraft moves slightly away from the separatrix.
On 5 May 2017, MMS observed a crater-type flux rope on the dawnside tailward magnetopause with fluctuations. The boundary-normal analysis shows that the fluctuations can be attributed to nonlinear Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) waves. Reconnection signatures such as flow reversals and Joule dissipation were identified at the leading and trailing edges of the flux rope. In particular, strong northward electron jets observed at the trailing edge indicated midlatitude reconnection associated with the 3-D structure of the KH vortex. The scale size of the flux rope, together with reconnection signatures, strongly supports the interpretation that the flux rope was generated locally by KH vortex-induced reconnection. The center of the flux rope also displayed signatures of guide-field reconnection (out-of-plane electron jets, parallel electron heating, and Joule dissipation). These signatures indicate that an interface between two interlinked flux tubes was undergoing interaction, causing a local magnetic depression, resulting in an M-shaped crater flux rope, as supported by reconstruction.Plain Language Summary Magnetic reconnection and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI), two of the most fundamental physical processes occurring within the heliosphere and throughout the Universe, often occur simultaneously on the Earth's magnetopause. Previous studies indicate the importance of nonlinearly developed KH waves, which produce multiple kinetic layers facilitating reconnection both in and out of the velocity shear plane and resulting in the magnetic flux rope. However, these studies significantly lacked detailed in situ observations in quantity as well as appropriate 3-D analyses of the structure of the KH vortex-induced flux rope. In this paper, we use detailed observations by the MMS spacecraft to investigate both 2-D and 3-D structures of the flux rope developed along the KH waves. We found that two flux tubes interact through reconnection to form a single combined structure, which can explain the occurrence of M-shaped crater flux rope.
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