Streamer Wave Events Observed in Solar Cycle 23

In this paper we conduct a data survey searching for well-defined streamer wave events observed by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) on-board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) throughout Solar Cycle 23. As a result, 8 candidate events are found and presented here. We compare different events and find that in most of them the driving CMEs ejecta are characterized by a high speed and a wide angular span, and the CME-streamer interactions occur generally along the flank of the streamer structure at an altitude no higher than the bottom of the field of view of LASCO C2. In addition, all front-side CMEs have accompanying flares. These common observational features shed light on the excitation conditions of streamer wave events. We also conduct a further analysis on one specific streamer wave event on 5 June 2003. The heliocentric distances of 4 wave troughs/crests at various exposure times are determined; they are then used to deduce the wave properties like period, wavelength, and phase speeds. It is found that both the period and wavelength increase gradually with the wave propagation along the streamer plasma sheet, and the phase speed of the preceding wave is generally faster than that of the trailing ones. The associated coronal seismological study yields the radial profiles of the Alfv\'en speed and magnetic field strength in the region surrounding the streamer plasma sheet. Both quantities show a general declining trend with time. This is interpreted as an observational manifestation of the recovering process of the CME-disturbed corona. It is also found that the Alfv\'enic critical point is at about 10 R$_\odot$ where the flow speed, which equals the Alfv\'en speed, is $\sim$ 200 km s$^{-1}$

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Electric double-layer capacitors with corn starch-based biopolymer electrolytes incorporating silica as filler

Solid-state electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) based on corn starch biodegradable polymer electrolytes are fabricated. Silica is added into the corn starch polymer electrolytes to improve the ionic conductivity and capacitance of the EDLCs. The ionic conductivity as a function of temperature obeys the Arrhenius equation indicating ionic hopping mechanism in the polymer electrolytes. Linear sweep voltammetry shows that the prepared corn starch-based biopolymer electrolyte is stable in the range from −2.5 to 2.5 V. Electrical capacitance performances of these capacitors are studied by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The discharge characteristics have been found to be almost linear, which confirms the capacitive behavior of the EDLC cell. The fabricated EDLC cells perform good cyclability up to 500 cycles with more than 90 % of coulombic efficiency

Cytotoxicity, antibacterial and antifungal activities of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by the Artocarpus gomezianus fruit mediated facile green combustion method

Spherical nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) were synthesized by an eco-friendly green combustion method using citrate containing Artocarpus gomezianus fruit extract as a fuel. The morphology, compositions and structure of the product were characterized by Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR), UV–Visible (UV–Vis) and Raman Spectroscopy. Highly uniform spherical zinc oxide NPs were subjected to cytotoxicity, antifungal and antibacterial activities. PXRD patterns show that the product formed belongs to a hexagonal wurtzite system. SEM micrographs reveal that the particles are agglomerated. The TEM images demonstrate that the particles are highly uniform spherical in shape and loosely agglomerated. Scherrer's method and WH plots were used to calculate the average crystallite sizes, yielding 39, 35, 31 and 40, 37, 32 nm for ZnO NPs prepared with 5, 10 and 15 mL of 10% Artocarpus gomezianus fruit extract, respectively. These results were confirmed by the TEM observations. Breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) were subjected to in vitro anticancer activity. MTT assay revealed a good anticancer activity of ZnO NPs against MCF-7. Zone of the inhibition method shows that the spherical ZnO NPs also exhibit significant antibacterial activity against staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. The synthesized ZnO NPs can find plausible biological applications. Keywords: Green synthesis, ZnO nanoparticles, Anticancer activity, MCF-7, Antibacterial, Antifunga

Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space with a unique translocation, t(19;22) (q13.4;q12.2)

Extraskeletal Ewing sarcomas of the parapharyngeal space are extremely rare. It has been documented that Ewing sarcomas are morphologically and molecularly indistinguishable regardless of the tissue of origin. Around 85% of Ewing sarcomas are associated with translocation t(11;22)(q24.1;12.2) generating the EWSR1–FLI1 fusion oncoprotein. We report a case of an extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma arising in the parapharyngeal space with a unique translocation: t(19; 22) (q13.4;q12.2). To our knowledge this is the first case of an extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma exhibiting this translocation

Impact of rainwater harvesting on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of South Asia

Agricultural water management (AWM) interventions play an important role in ensuring sustainable food production and mitigating climate risks. This study was carried out in a watershed located in a low rainfall (400‐600 mm) region of western India. The SWAT model was calibrated using surface runoff, soil loss and reservoir storage levels, between the year 2000 and 2006. The investigation indicated that the various AWM interventions increased groundwater recharge from 30 mm/year to 80 mm/year and reduced surface runoff from 250 mm/year to 100 mm/year. The intervention structures were refilled 2 to 3 times during the monsoon season depending on rainfall intensity and duration. The interventions have the advantage of building a resilient system by enhancing groundwater availability even in dry years, stimulating crop intensification and protecting the landscape from severe erosion. The results indicate that soil erosion has been reduced by more than 75% compared to the non‐intervention situation. Moreover, the AWM interventions led to the cultivation of 100‐150 ha of fallow land with high value crops (horticulture, vegetables and fodder). Household income increased by several‐folds compared to the non‐intervention situation. The study showed about 50% reduction in downstream water availability, which could be a major concern. However, there are a number of ecosystem trade‐offs such as improved base flow to the stream and reduction in soil loss that should be considered. The study is of great importance to stakeholders to decide on the optimum design for AWM interventions to achieve sustainable development goals