Pc1-Pc2 waves and energetic particle precipitation during and after magnetic storms: superposed epoch analysis and case studies

Magnetic pulsations in the Pc1-Pc2 frequency range (0.1-5 Hz) are often observed on the ground and in the Earth's magnetosphere during the aftermath of geomagnetic storms. Numerous studies have suggested that they may play a role in reducing the fluxes of energetic ions in the ring current; more recent studies suggest they may interact parasitically with radiation belt electrons as well. We report here on observations during 2005 from search coil magnetometers and riometers installed at three Antarctic stations, Halley (-61.84 degrees magnetic latitude, MLAT), South Pole (-74.18 degrees MLAT), and McMurdo (-79.96 degrees MLAT), and from energetic ion detectors on the NOAA Polar-orbiting Operational Environment Satellites (POES). A superposed epoch analysis based on 13 magnetic storms between April and September 2005 as well as case studies confirm several earlier studies that show that narrowband Pc1-Pc2 waves are rarely if ever observed on the ground during the main and early recovery phases of magnetic storms. However, intense broadband Pi1-Pi2 ULF noise, accompanied by strong riometer absorption signatures, does occur during these times. As storm recovery progresses, the occurrence of Pc1-Pc2 waves increases, at first in the daytime and especially afternoon sectors but at essentially all local times later in the recovery phase (typically by days 3 or 4). During the early storm recovery phase the propagation of Pc1-Pc2 waves through the ionospheric waveguide to higher latitudes was more severely attenuated. These observations are consistent with suggestions that Pc1-Pc2 waves occurring during the early recovery phase of magnetic storms are generated in association with plasmaspheric plumes in the noon-to-dusk sector, and these observations provide additional evidence that the propagation of waves to ground stations is inhibited during the early phases of such storms. Analysis of 30- to 250-keV proton data from four POES satellites during the 24-27 August and 18-19 July 2005 storm intervals showed that the location of the inner edge of the ring current matched well with the plasmapause model of O'Brien and Moldwin (2003). However, the POES data showed no evidence of the consequences of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves (localized proton precipitation) during main and early recovery phase. During later stages of the recovery phase, when such precipitation was observed, it was coincident with intense wave events at Halley, and it occurred at L shells near or up to 1 RE outside the modeled plasmapause but well equatorward of the isotropy boundary

Improving Health Services for Adolescents Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multi-Country Assessment

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the aging of HIV-positive pediatric cohorts and growing numbers of adolescents on treatment, coupled with high HIV incidence in this age group, means the number of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) will continue to grow. The clinical, psychological, social, and reproductive health needs of ALHIV remain poorly understood and efforts to mobilize and advocate for their treatment, care, and support have been inadequate. A multi-country assessment of the needs of ALHIV in SSA found that comprehensive, adolescent-friendly services that champion peer support and collaboration between health care organizations can foster successful transitions into adulthood for ALHIV.En Afrique sub-saharienne (ASS), le vieillissement des cohortes pédiatriques du VIH-positives et le nombre croissant d'adolescents en traitement, y compris une incidence élevée du VIH dans ce groupe d'âge, signifie que le nombre d'adolescents vivant avec le VIH (AVVIH) va continuer à croître. Les besoins cliniques, psychologiques, sociaux et de santé de la reproduction chez des AVVIH restent mal compris et les efforts pour mobiliser et plaidoyer pour leur traitement, leurs soins et leur soutien ont été insuffisants. Une évaluation à travers plusieurs pays des besoins des AVVIH en Afrique subsaharienne a révélé que des services complets et adaptés aux besoins des adolescents qui luttent en faveur du soutien par les pairs ainsi que la collaboration entre les organismes de soins de santé peuvent favoriser la réussite des transitions vers l'âge adulte pour les AVVIH

Methadone versus torture: The perspective of the European Court of Human Rights

For the first time, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has addressed the issue of whether persons with a heroin dependence syndrome in custodial settings are entitled to receive opioid agonist treatment (OAT). The court relied on Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture as well as inhuman or degrading treatment. It concluded that member states of the Council of Europe that refuse access to OAT have the burden of proving that an alternative medical approach would, in the case of an individual patient, be as effective as OAT. Such proof needs to be based on an independent medical opinion. This paper discusses the scope and limitations of the European Court of Human Rights’ judgment