Chandra Observation of an X-ray Flare at Saturn: Evidence for Direct Solar Control on Saturn's Disk X-ray Emissions

Saturn was observed by Chandra ACIS-S on 20 and 26-27 January 2004 for one full Saturn rotation (10.7 hr) at each epoch. We report here the first observation of an X-ray flare from Saturn's non-auroral (low-latitude) disk, which is seen in direct response to an M6-class flare emanating from a sunspot that was clearly visible from both Saturn and Earth. Saturn's disk X-ray emissions are found to be variable on time scales of hours to weeks to months, and correlated with solar F10.7 cm flux. Unlike Jupiter, X-rays from Saturn's polar (auroral) region have characteristics similar to those from its disk. This report, combined with earlier studies, establishes that disk X-ray emissions of the giant planets Saturn and Jupiter are directly regulated by processes happening on the Sun. We suggest that these emissions could be monitored to study X-ray flaring from solar active regions when they are on the far side and not visible to Near-Earth space weather satellites.Comment: Total 12 pages including 4 figure

Current understanding on venous leg ulcer

Venous leg ulcer (VLU) or stasis ulcer is a relatively common, chronic and recurring problem. Besides being costly to the health-care system, it significantly impairs the quality of life of the patients. Nearly 1% of adults and 3.6% of older patients are reported to suffer from this chronic condition. Chronic venous insufficiency is considered to be the predominant cause of VLU. The most recent theories associate the pathogenesis of venous ulcer with microcirculatory abnormalities and generation of an inflammatory response. The pharmacological treatment for VLU is based on the pathogenesis and often includes diosmin, pentoxifylline, diuretics as well as antibiotics and the non-pharmacological treatment like compression and skin grafting. VLU has a high rate of recurrence and requires self-care to avoid relapse. Treatment of VLU should always focus for complete treatment, and improve quality of life for patients along with minimum relapse. In recent years novel therapeutic approaches for venous ulcers have offered valuable tools for the management of patients with this disorder

Sequential simulation-based inference for gravitational wave signals

The current and upcoming generations of gravitational wave experiments represent an exciting step forward in terms of detector sensitivity and performance. For example, key upgrades at the LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA facilities will see the next observing run (O4) probe a spatial volume around four times larger than the previous run (O3), and design implementations for, e.g., the Einstein Telescope, Cosmic Explorer, and LISA experiments are taking shape to explore a wider frequency range and probe cosmic distances. In this context, however, a number of very real data analysis problems face the gravitational wave community. For example, it will be critical to develop tools and strategies to analyze (among other scenarios) signals that arrive coincidentally in detectors, longer signals that are in the presence of nonstationary noise or other shorter transients, as well as noisy, potentially correlated, coherent stochastic backgrounds. With these challenges in mind, we develop peregrine, a new sequential simulation-based inference approach designed to study broad classes of gravitational wave signal. In this work, we describe the method and implementation, before demonstrating its accuracy and robustness through direct comparison with established likelihood-based methods. Specifically, we show that we are able to fully reconstruct the posterior distributions for every parameter of a spinning, precessing compact binary coalescence using one of the most physically detailed and computationally expensive waveform approximants (SEOBNRv4PHM). Crucially, we are able to do this using only 2% of the waveform evaluations that are required in, e.g., nested sampling approaches. Finally, we provide some outlook as to how this level of simulation efficiency and flexibility in the statistical analysis could allow peregrine to tackle these current and future gravitational wave data analysis problems

Impedimetric and Plasmonic Sensing of Collagen I Using a Half-Antibody-Supported, Au-Modified, Self-Assembled Monolayer System

This research presents an electrochemical immunosensor for collagen I detection using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and covalently immobilized half-reduced monoclonal antibody as a receptor; this allowed for the validation of the collagen I concentration through two different independent methods: electrochemically by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and optically by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). The high unique advantage of the proposed sensor is based on the performance of the stable covalent immobilization of the AuNPs and enzymatically reduced half-IgG collagen I antibodies, which ensured their appropriate orientation onto the sensor’s surface, good stability, and sensitivity properties. The detection of collagen type I was performed in a concentration range from 1 to 5 pg/mL. Moreover, SPR was utilized to confirm the immobilization of the monoclonal half-antibodies and sensing of collagen I versus time. Furthermore, EIS experiments revealed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.38 pg/mL. The selectivity of the performed immunosensor was confirmed by negligible responses for BSA. The performed approach of the immunosensor is a novel, innovative attempt that enables the detection of collagen I with very high sensitivity in the range of pg/mL, which is significantly lower than the commonly used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Innovations in the clinical care of mothers and children in South Africa: The contribution of district clinical specialist teams

The contribution of the District Clinical Specialist Teams (DCSTs) to improving maternal and child health outcomes in South Africa, through strengthening the four pillars of clinical governance, is reflected in innovative work presented at a ‘Promising Practices’ symposium and at various conferences. Of the 24 identified DCST innovations, 21% reflected the clinical effectiveness pillar, 17% clinical risk management, 41% staff development, and 21% user-related considerations. In order to ensure scale-up, the submitted best practices/ innovations were reviewed using the World Health Organization quality standards and ExpandNet parameters for likely scalability. Here we describe one case study from each pillar, illustrating the contribution of the innovations to improved patient outcomes. The development and scale-up of innovations needs to be institutionalised and must include effective support and action from the relevant health managers

Использование метода моделирования ситуаций при обучении студентов вуза английскому языку

В статье описывается опыт проведения занятий по английскому языку у студентов второго курса направления "Горное дело" с использованием современного активного метода обучения case study. Отмечаются преимущества применения технологии моделирования ситуации при преподавании профессионально-ориентированного курса английского языка в вузе

Impact of technology transfer for fennel primary processing on income and employment opportunities for tribal women in district Sirohi (Rajasthan)

Krishi Vigyan Kendra organized a set of need based skill oriented training programmes for selected 500 tribal women (fennel producers) in small groups (25-30 trainees) during last four years (2008 to 2012) with an aim to develop their skills regarding harvesting of umbel at post-mature stage, grading of produce (A, B, C & D grades), drying of fennel in modified shade house made up of local indigenous material, threshing on RCC floor or polyether sheet and packaging in polythene lined bags and marketing of the final produce. The skill oriented trainings had a positive impact on tribal women and about half of the total area (50%) has been transformed in primary processing. By primary processing of fennel, additional employment of about one lakh man days have been generated in district Sirohi. By this intervention, additional monetary returns of around Rs. 29.0 crores have been generated in the district. In the district, trained tribal women are getting Rs. 200-250 day-1 for harvesting and primary processing of fennel, whereas other unskilled women are getting only Rs. 100-150 day-1. This intervention has not only improved the living standards of the rural and tribal households but also increased the socio-economic status by providing self employment opportunities and livelihood security. &nbsp

Standardization of primary processing of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) in tribal area of Sirohi (Rajasthan)

An experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field at Sirohi (Rajasthan) during 2009–10 and 2010–11. Five separate experiments on (i) harvesting time (ii) umbels drying structure (iii) fennel threshing floor (iv) grading stages and (v) packing material of fennel, were laid out in a completely randomized design with four treatments replicated five times. The results revealed that different treatments had significant effect on sensory attributes, geometry and economics of fennel seed quality. The fennel umbels which were harvested at post maturity stage [31-40 days after flower initiation (DAFI)] were superior to rest of the harvesting stages and recorded maximum sensory scores, seed dimensions and highest yield (17.35 q ha-1), maximum market rate (Rs. 150.24 kg-1) and B:C ratio (4.62). Results also showed that drying of fennel umbels in modified locally made structures gave better quality of seed over other structures, giving good market price (Rs. 135.74 kg-1). Threshing on RCC floor was found to be better for maintaining good quality of seed. The grading and packing also improved the quality of seed. The fennel seed which was packed in polyethylene lined gunny bag was found to be better because the quality of seed did not deteriorate in terms of taste, colour, and flavour for longer time. Maximum shelf life of produce along with better quality and higher market price was also obtained in this treatment. &nbsp