title: Dynamic three-dimensional reconnection in a separator geometry with two null points

authors: Pontin, D.I.

subjects: MHD—plasmas—sun

abstract: The dynamic behavior of disturbances in the vicinity of a pair of magnetically connected three-dimensional null points is examined. The aim is to investigate how nonlinear disturbances lead to strong localized currents that initiate magnetic reconnection at the separator. The problem is formulated in an incompressible cylindrical geometry by superposing arbitrary disturbance fields onto a “background” two-null field. Two different regimes are found for the dynamic evolution, depending on the relative strengths of the background magnetic and velocity fields. In one regime, disturbance pulses split into ingoing and outgoing components, which propagate along the background field lines. In the other “flux pileup” regime, a strong driving flow localizes the disturbances toward the null point pair. Current structures aligned with the spines, fans, and separator present in the field are found to result, and the structure of these currents and their scaling with resistivity is investigated.

text: Dynamic three-dimensional reconnection in a separator geometry with two null points The dynamic behavior of disturbances in the vicinity of a pair of magnetically connected three-dimensional null points is examined. The aim is to investigate how nonlinear disturbances lead to strong localized currents that initiate magnetic reconnection at the separator. The problem is formulated in an incompressible cylindrical geometry by superposing arbitrary disturbance fields onto a “background” two-null field. Two different regimes are found for the dynamic evolution, depending on the relative strengths of the background magnetic and velocity fields. In one regime, disturbance pulses split into ingoing and outgoing components, which propagate along the background field lines. In the other “flux pileup” regime, a strong driving flow localizes the disturbances toward the null point pair. Current structures aligned with the spines, fans, and separator present in the field are found to result, and the structure of these currents and their scaling with resistivity is investigated.

year: 2006-05

title: Book Review: The good and evil serpent: How a universal symbol became christianized – by James H. Charlesworth

authors: Simms, Norman

subjects: book review

abstract: The article reviews the book “The good and evil serpent: How a universal symbol became christianized” – by James H. Charlesworth.

text: Book Review: The good and evil serpent: How a universal symbol became christianized – by James H. Charlesworth The article reviews the book “The good and evil serpent: How a universal symbol became christianized” – by James H. Charlesworth.

year: 2012

title: What are the perceptions of Māori bilingual-educated families towards growing up and learning the Māori language?

authors: Hill, Richard Kenneth

abstract: The Māori language occupies an important place as New Zealand’s indigenous language. This is despite over a century  of attempts  to wipe it out. The revitalisation movement from the 1980s has made a significant contribution to raise its profile and ensure younger generations of primarily Māori students can grow up learning the Māori language through school. However, significant issues still exist, as low numbers of families take advantage of bilingual education options, and remain there to develop high levels of proficiency.


Attitudes of both Māori and non-Māori (Pākehā) populations towards the Māori language have been steadily improving in recent decades. There are increasing calls to make it a compulsory subject in all New Zealand schools. Whilst these are positive signs, the long term health of the Māori language is still precarious. Using the findings of recent studies into Māori bilingual school transitions, including Hill, Rameka and Skerrett (2017) and Hill (2014, 2016, 2017), this presentation seeks to unpack the perceptions of Māori students and their families from a range of programmes towards their languages (Māori and English) and their lives. The findings will illustrate that families within the Māori bilingual education context are enthusiastic about  Māori language learning and being educated bilingually. They are also resolute that bilingual education will help to prepare their children  for their world. However,  families often differ in the extent to which they commit to high immersion programmes, thus affecting the potential success of the Māori language revitalisation aim.

text: What are the perceptions of Māori bilingual-educated families towards growing up and learning the Māori language? The Māori language occupies an important place as New Zealand’s indigenous language. This is despite over a century  of attempts  to wipe it out. The revitalisation movement from the 1980s has made a significant contribution to raise its profile and ensure younger generations of primarily Māori students can grow up learning the Māori language through school. However, significant issues still exist, as low numbers of families take advantage of bilingual education options, and remain there to develop high levels of proficiency.


Attitudes of both Māori and non-Māori (Pākehā) populations towards the Māori language have been steadily improving in recent decades. There are increasing calls to make it a compulsory subject in all New Zealand schools. Whilst these are positive signs, the long term health of the Māori language is still precarious. Using the findings of recent studies into Māori bilingual school transitions, including Hill, Rameka and Skerrett (2017) and Hill (2014, 2016, 2017), this presentation seeks to unpack the perceptions of Māori students and their families from a range of programmes towards their languages (Māori and English) and their lives. The findings will illustrate that families within the Māori bilingual education context are enthusiastic about  Māori language learning and being educated bilingually. They are also resolute that bilingual education will help to prepare their children  for their world. However,  families often differ in the extent to which they commit to high immersion programmes, thus affecting the potential success of the Māori language revitalisation aim.

year: 2018