Ionospheric Pc1 waves during a storm recovery phase observed by the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite

Abstract During the storm recovery phase on 27 August 2018, the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) detected Pc1 wave activities in both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere in the high-latitude, post-midnight ionosphere with a central frequency of about 2 Hz. Meanwhile, the typical Pc1 waves were simultaneously observed for several hours by the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO) stations on the ground. In this paper, we study the propagation characteristics and possible source regions of those waves. Firstly, we find that the Pc1 waves observed by the satellites exhibited mixed polarisation, and the wave normal is almost parallel with the background magnetic field. The field-aligned Poynting fluxes point downwards in both hemispheres, implying that the satellites are close to the wave injection regions in the ionosphere at about L=3. Furthermore, we also find that the estimated position of the plasmapause calculated by models is almost at L=3. Therefore, we suggest that the possible sources of waves are near the plasmapause, which is consistent with previous studies in that the outward expansion of the plasmasphere into the ring current during the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms may generate electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves, and these EMIC waves propagate northwards and southwards along the background magnetic field to the ionosphere at about L=3. Additionally, the ground station data show that Pc1 wave power attenuates with increasing distance from L=3, supporting the idea that the CSES observes the wave activities near the injection region. The observations are unique in that the Pc1 waves are observed in the ionosphere in nearly conjugate regions where transverse Alfvén waves propagate down into the ionosphere

Weight-bearing in ankle fractures: An audit of UK practice.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this national study was to audit the weight-bearing practice of orthopaedic services in the National Health Service (NHS) in the treatment of operatively and non-operatively treated ankle fractures. METHODS: A multicentre prospective two-week audit of all adult ankle fractures was conducted between July 3rd 2017 and July 17th 2017. Fractures were classified using the AO/OTA classification. Fractures fixed with syndesmosis screws or unstable fractures (>1 malleolus fractured or talar shift present) treated conservatively were excluded. No outcome data were collected. In line with NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) criteria, "early" weight-bearing was defined as unrestricted weight-bearing on the affected leg within 3 weeks of injury or surgery and "delayed" weight-bearing as unrestricted weight-bearing permitted after 3 weeks. RESULTS: 251 collaborators from 81 NHS hospitals collected data: 531 patients were managed non-operatively and 276 operatively. The mean age was 52.6 years and 50.5 respectively. 81% of non-operatively managed patients were instructed for early weight-bearing as recommended by NICE. In contrast, only 21% of operatively managed patients were instructed for early weight-bearing. DISCUSSION: The majority of patients with uni-malleolar ankle fractures which are managed non-operatively are treated in accordance with NICE guidance. There is notable variability amongst and within NHS hospitals in the weight-bearing instructions given to patients with operatively managed ankle fractures. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates community equipoise and suggests that the randomized study to determine the most effective strategy for postoperative weight-bearing in ankle fractures described in the NICE research recommendation is feasible