Solar Orbiter SWA Observations of Electron Strahl Properties Inside 1 AU

The Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) suite on Solar Orbiter includes an Electron Analyser System (SWA-EAS) which is capable of high temporal and angular resolution measurements of solar wind electrons in the energy range ∼1 eV to ∼5 keV. In this article we report early nominal phase observations of the suprathermal electron population at energies ≥70 eV (representative of the ’strahl’ population), and use a simple fitting routine and classification system to determine the characteristics of the distributions and determine the variations in their properties as a function of heliocentric distance and solar wind properties. We find that under our classification system a significant population of radially outward moving strahl beams is identifiable in the tested samples. These are seen in across solar wind speed regimes, but, consistent with earlier observations, are slightly more prevalent in high speed wind. These beams occur at all distances examined (∼0.43 to ∼1.0 AU), but do not show significant evolution with distance, suggesting a balance between focusing and scattering processes across the distance range covered. However, the data suggests that the beams broaden on average with increasing magnetic field strength and narrow on average with increasing solar wind speed. We also identify a small population, occurring in sporadic clusters, which have deficits in phase space density in the sunward moving part of the electron distribution. These clusters occur across the distance range sampled and show some variations in average properties with radial distance, suggesting they too are influenced by competing scattering and (de-)focusing processes. The implications for the origin and evolution of these electron populations derived from these new observations are explored

CubeSat measurements of thermospheric plasma: spacecraft charging effects on a plasma analyzer

Spacecraft charging affects the accuracy of in-situ plasma measurements in space. We investigate the impact of spacecraft charging on upper thermospheric plasma measurements captured by a 2U CubeSat called Phoenix. Using the Spacecraft Plasma Interactions Software (SPIS), we simulate dayside surface potentials of − 0.6 V, and nightside potentials of − 0.2 V. We also observe this charging mechanism in the distribution function captured by the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) on-board Phoenix. Whilst negative charging in the dense ionosphere is known, the diurnal variation in density and temperature has resulted in dayside potentials that are smaller than at night. We apply charging corrections in accordance with Liouville’s theorem and employ a least-squares fitting routine to extract the plasma density, bulk speed, and temperature. Our routine returns densities that are within an order of magnitude of the benchmarks above, but they carry errors of at least 20%. All bulk speeds are greater than the expected range of 60–120 m/s and this could be due to insufficient charging corrections. Our parameterised ion temperatures are lower than our empirical benchmark but are in-line with other in-situ measurements. Temperatures are always improved when spacecraft charging corrections are applied. We mostly attribute the shortcomings of the findings to the ram-only capture mode of the INMS. Future work will improve the fitting routine and continue to cross-check with other in-flight data

CEPF Western Ghats Special Series: Length-weight relationship and condition factor of an endemic stone sucker, <i>Garra gotyla stenorhynchus</i> (Jerdon, 1849) from two opposite flowing rivers in southern Western Ghats

Length weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor were studied in Nilgiri Garra, Garra gotyla stenorhynchus (Jerdon), from the rivers Chaliyar and Bhavani flowing through the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot. The regression equation for LWR of the Nilgiri Garra from Chaliyar River was estimated as Log Wt = 2.920 Log L - 1.854, while those from Bhavani River as Log Wt = 2.594 Log L - 1.538. Although, the ‘b’ value observed from west flowing Chaliyar River (2.920) was higher than that from east flowing Bhavani River (2.594), they were statistically insignificant. Similarly, the Condition Factor (K) was higher in Bhavani populations (2.177) compared to Chaliyar (2.087), but were also statistically insignificant. The results indicated that populations of G. gotyla stenorhynchus in Chaliyar River followed an isometric like growth pattern with ‘b’ values close to cubic law. However local populations of the same species in Bhavani River are under stress as indicated by comparatively lower ‘b values. This difference in ‘b’ value between the two river populations may be due to the differences in physical habitat features of the locations from where they were sampled, including altitude, physical habitat features, water quality and their combined influence on the availability of food materials as well as stock/population differences and yet to be identified stressors

Solar Orbiter SWA Observations of Electron Strahl Properties Inside 1 AU

The Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) suite on Solar Orbiter includes an Electron Analyser System (SWA-EAS) which is capable of high temporal and angular resolution measurements of solar wind electrons in the energy range &sim;1 eV to &sim;5 keV. In this article we report early nominal phase observations of the suprathermal electron population at energies &ge;70 eV (representative of the &rsquo;strahl&rsquo; population), and use a simple fitting routine and classification system to determine the characteristics of the distributions and determine the variations in their properties as a function of heliocentric distance and solar wind properties. We find that under our classification system a significant population of radially outward moving strahl beams is identifiable in the tested samples. These are seen in across solar wind speed regimes, but, consistent with earlier observations, are slightly more prevalent in high speed wind. These beams occur at all distances examined (&sim;0.43 to &sim;1.0 AU), but do not show significant evolution with distance, suggesting a balance between focusing and scattering processes across the distance range covered. However, the data suggests that the beams broaden on average with increasing magnetic field strength and narrow on average with increasing solar wind speed. We also identify a small population, occurring in sporadic clusters, which have deficits in phase space density in the sunward moving part of the electron distribution. These clusters occur across the distance range sampled and show some variations in average properties with radial distance, suggesting they too are influenced by competing scattering and (de-)focusing processes. The implications for the origin and evolution of these electron populations derived from these new observations are explored

The Impact of firm characteristics and corporate governance on the extent of corporate internet reporting on selected listed companies in the Philippnes

This paper purports to determine the factors that could significantly determine extent of corporate internet reporting (CIR) by listed companies in the Philippine Stock Exchange. The factors tested are firm size, profitability, leverage, liquidity, industry type, auditor size and foreign listing. A cross section of a sample of 100 companies listed in the stock exchange is determined. This paper uses with few modifications the disclosure index employed by Xiao et al. Ordinary Least Squares Multiple Regression is employed to examine the determinants. The studies show that 84 percent of listed companies in the Philippines have corporate websites. Results using multiple regression analysis disclose that independent variables, namely leverage, auditor\u27s size, industries\u27 holding firms, services and mining and oil, and foreign listing significantly affect the extent of CIR of listed companies in the Philippines. Employing the Kruskall Wallis test, the group\u27s findings has determined that there is not much difference in terms of extent of CIR among the five industries. This study is vital as it can assist regulators in the Philippines in identifying companies not complying with the necessary disclosure requirements particularly firms whose stocks are publicly-traded. This is also significant to current and potential stakeholders as it gives them information on what drives CIR in the Philippines. Furthermore, in actual practice, CIR facilitates better decision-making for investors and other stakeholders. This study also aids future researchers who would want to conduct a similar study in another country

A smart tele-cytology point-of-care platform for oral cancer screening.

Early detection of oral cancer necessitates a minimally invasive, tissue-specific diagnostic tool that facilitates screening/surveillance. Brush biopsy, though minimally invasive, demands skilled cyto-pathologist expertise. In this study, we explored the clinical utility/efficacy of a tele-cytology system in combination with Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based risk-stratification model for early detection of oral potentially malignant (OPML)/malignant lesion. A portable, automated tablet-based tele-cytology platform capable of digitization of cytology slides was evaluated for its efficacy in the detection of OPML/malignant lesions (n = 82) in comparison with conventional cytology and histology. Then, an image pre-processing algorithm was established to segregate cells, ANN was trained with images (n = 11,981) and a risk-stratification model developed. The specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of platform/ stratification model were computed, and agreement was examined using Kappa statistics. The tele-cytology platform, Cellscope, showed an overall accuracy of 84-86% with no difference between tele-cytology and conventional cytology in detection of oral lesions (kappa, 0.67-0.72). However, OPML could be detected with low sensitivity (18%) in accordance with the limitations of conventional cytology. The integration of image processing and development of an ANN-based risk stratification model improved the detection sensitivity of malignant lesions (93%) and high grade OPML (73%), thereby increasing the overall accuracy by 30%. Tele-cytology integrated with the risk stratification model, a novel strategy established in this study, can be an invaluable Point-of-Care (PoC) tool for early detection/screening in oral cancer. This study hence establishes the applicability of tele-cytology for accurate, remote diagnosis and use of automated ANN-based analysis in improving its efficacy

Proceedings of International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable Planet

This proceeding contains articles of the various research ideas of the academic community and practitioners accepted at the "International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable Planet (ICCESP 2021)". ICCESP 2021 is being Organized by the Habilete Learning Solutions, Kollam in Collaboration with American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and Baselios Mathews II College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India. Conference Title: International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable PlanetConference Acronym: ICCESP 2021Conference Date: 05–06 March 2021Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizer: Habilete Learning Solutions, Kollam, Kerala, IndiaCollaborators: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and Baselios Mathews II College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, data summary of 50 countries for 2010-2015: Device-associated module

•We report INICC device-associated module data of 50 countries from 2010-2015.•We collected prospective data from 861,284 patients in 703 ICUs for 3,506,562 days.•DA-HAI rates and bacterial resistance were higher in the INICC ICUs than in CDC-NHSN's.•Device utilization ratio in the INICC ICUs was similar to CDC-NHSN's. Background: We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2010-December 2015 in 703 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific. Methods: During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 861,284 patients hospitalized in INICC hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 3,506,562 days. Results: Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the INICC medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection, 4.1 per 1,000 central line-days, was nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days reported from comparable US ICUs, the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher, 13.1 versus 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 5.07 versus 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days. From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (29.87% vs 10%) and to imipenem (44.3% vs 26.1%), and of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (73.2% vs 28.8%) and to imipenem (43.27% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC ICUs compared with CDC-NHSN ICUs. Conclusions: Although DA-HAIs in INICC ICU patients continue to be higher than the rates reported in CDC-NSHN ICUs representing the developed world, we have observed a significant trend toward the reduction of DA-HAI rates in INICC ICUs as shown in each international report. It is INICC's main goal to continue facilitating education, training, and basic and cost-effective tools and resources, such as standardized forms and an online platform, to tackle this problem effectively and systematically