Equatorial Line Research Articles

Assessment of IRI2020 model accuracy in predicting ionospheric parameters: Insights from multiple ionosonde stations

This research assesses the performance of the IRI2020 model in forecasting the ionospheric critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) and Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) of the ionosphere from 2020 to 2023 across multiple ionosonde stations. The primary objective is to analyse the characteristics of foF2 and MUF across various longitudinal sectors during the solar minimum to ascending phase of solar cycle 25 and to evaluate the IRI2020 model’s performance in replicating observed data. Additionally, the study explores the influence of various space weather parameters on the variability of these ionospheric parameters. The findings reveal that the IRI2020 model overestimates the daily mean values of both foF2 and MUF(3000)F2 across the stations over the three years. While exhibiting good performance in capturing the pattern of hourly predictions, the model tends to overestimate foF2 more than MUF(3000)F2, with better predictions observed for MUF(3000)F2. However, hourly estimations display a mix of underestimation and overestimation, predominantly overestimating values. Correlations ranged from 0.58 to 0.92 for foF2 and 0.72 to 0.91 for MUF(3000)F2, showing variability across stations. As solar activity increases, seasonal variations become more evident, especially in stations located in the northern hemisphere.In contrast, stations in the southern hemisphere exhibit less pronounced seasonal variations, suggesting a notable hemispheric asymmetry. Although the IRI2020 better captured the general trend of foF2 and MUF(3000)F2 in our investigation, the percentage deviation for MUF(3000)F2 ranges from 1 % to 15.1 %, which can result in a significant range reduction for practical applications like HF communications. Stations closer to the geomagnetic equatorial line exhibit stronger seasonal asymmetry and higher deviations. Some key space weather parameters, including sunspot number R, F10.7 and R/F10.7 ratio, were found to significantly influence ionospheric variability, with sunspot number R and R/F10.7 showing a stronger correlation with foF2 and MUF(3000)F2. These suggest that the variability of the solar active region parameters primarily controls ionospheric foF2 and MUF(3000)F2.

Using the Equatorial Talar Line as a Radiographic Predictor of Sanders Type 3 and 4 Calcaneus Fractures and Lateral Wall Blowout.

To assess the equatorial talar line (ETL) as a sensitive radiographic parameter to predict Sanders type III and IV fractures and the presence of lateral wall blowout. Reliability of the ETL was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and receiver operating curve (ROC) to predict sensitivity. Using lateral ankle radiographs, raters determined whether the calcaneal tuberosity was "above" (predicting Sanders type I or II) or "below" (predicting Sanders type III or IV and lateral wall blowout). In determining the "above" or "below" location of the ETL, the calculated ICC was 1.0 for each session. As a predictor of Sanders fracture classification type, the calculated ICC was 0.93 for the first session and 0.89 for the second session for an overall ICC of 0.91. As a predictor of Sanders fracture type, ROC analysis yielded an overall sensitivity of 0.82. As a predictor of lateral wall blowout, ROC analysis yielded an overall sensitivity of 0.81. The ETL is a reproducible radiographic parameter that can be reliably used to crudely predict between Sanders type I or II (ETL is "above") and Sanders type III or IV (ETL is "below") calcaneus fractures as well as the presence of lateral wall blowout.

Analysis of BMR Tilt from AutoTAB Catalog: Hinting toward the Thin Flux Tube Model?

One of the intriguing mechanisms of the Sun is the formation of bipolar magnetic regions (BMRs) in the solar convection zone (CZ), which are observed as regions of concentrated magnetic fields of opposite polarity on the photosphere. These BMRs are tilted with respect to the equatorial line, which statistically increases with latitude. The thin flux tube model, employing the rise of magnetically buoyant flux loops and their twist by Coriolis force, is a popular paradigm for explaining the formation of tilted BMRs. In this study, we assess the validity of the thin flux tube model by analyzing the tracked BMR data obtained through the Automatic Tracking Algorithm for BMRs. Our observations reveal that the tracked BMRs exhibit the expected collective behaviors. We find that the polarity separation of BMRs increases over their normalized lifetime, supporting the assumption of a rising flux tube from the CZ. Moreover, we observe an increasing trend of the tilt with the flux of the BMR, suggesting that rising flux tubes associated with lower flux regions are primarily influenced by drag force and Coriolis force, while in higher flux regions, magnetic buoyancy dominates. Furthermore, we observe Joy’s law dependence for emerging BMRs from their first detection, indicating that at least a portion of the tilt observed in BMRs can be attributed to the Coriolis force. Notably, lower flux regions exhibit a higher amount of fluctuations associated with their tilt measurement compared to stronger flux regions, suggesting that lower flux regions are more susceptible to turbulent convection.

Cosmic-ray exposure assessment using particle and heavy ion transport code system: case study Douala-Cameroon.

According to UNSCEAR, cosmic radiation contributes to ~16% (0.39mSv/y) of the total dose received by the public at sea level. The exposure to cosmic rays at a specific location is therefore a non-negligible parameter that contributes to the assessment of the overall public exposure to radiation. In this study, simulations were conducted with the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System, a Monte Carlo code, to determine the fluxes and effective dose due to cosmic rays received by the population of Douala. In minimum solar activity, the total effective dose considering the contribution of neutron, muon+, muon-, electron, positron and photon, was found to be 0.31±0.02mSv/y at the ground level. For maximum solar activity, it was found to be 0.27±0.02mSv/y at ground level. During maximum solar activity, galactic cosmic rays are reduced by solar flares and winds, resulting in an increase in the solar cosmic-ray component and a decrease in the galactic cosmic-ray component on Earth. This ultimately leads to a decrease in the total cosmic radiation on Earth. These results were found to be smaller than the UNSCEAR values, thus suggesting a good estimation for the population of Douala city located near the equatorial line. In fact, the cosmic radiation is more deflected at the equator than near the pole. Muons+ were found to be the main contributors to human exposure to cosmic radiation at ground level, with ~38% of the total effective dose due to cosmic exposure. However, electrons and positrons were found to be the less contributors to cosmic radiation exposure. As regards the obtained results, the population of Douala is not significantly exposed to cosmic radiation.

Wind Profiles in Peninsular Malaysia: A Comprehensive Upper Air Analysis

Understanding the atmospheric properties and patterns is crucial in empowering Malaysia's national aerospace blueprint, national space, and legislation. While various policies have been enacted and implemented, there is a lack of information on the wind profile, specifically the upper air across Peninsular Malaysia. Realising the need to establish a standard guideline for national reference, future research, space-aerospace application, and legislation, this study was performed to develop the first wind profile analysis of upper air in Peninsular Malaysia. Relevant data from the Malaysian Meteorology Department was collected for analysis and evaluation. Specifically, a meteorology balloon attached with a sounding radiosonde was used to record data at 0000UTC (0800 h LT) and 1200UTC (2000 h LT) on the 15th day of each month for 7 years (from 2015 to 2021) at the KLIA and Kuantan Meteorology Stations for the wind profiling analysis. The daily overall data collection was recorded accurately once the balloon's rising rate stabilises from vertical air current (katabatic or anabatic winds). Subsequently, the collected data were evaluated in terms of the minimum, maximum, and average wind speeds for each year and time. Finally, the average wind speed of each year and time were combined to generate the Peninsular Malaysia wind profile. Based on the results, the projected wind profile for both stations identified three peaks of discrete sine wave flow type with low-speed wind profile in Peninsular Malaysia. The three peaks amplified the highest air velocity, whereby the 1st and 2nd peaks were located at the troposphere layer from 9,000 m to 12,000 m altitude (average wind speed of 10.8 ms-1) and 12,000 m to 18,000 m altitude (average wind speed of 13.7 ms-1). The 3rd peak was located at the stratosphere layer from 18,000 m to 32,000 m altitude (average wind speed of 15.2 ms-1). Since East Malaysia is located on the same equatorial line, the wind profile is hypothetically the same and exhibits only slight differences. In short, the established wind profile of upper air in Peninsular Malaysia in this study would facilitate other future studies and assist long-term planning of Malaysia's airspace legislation.

Microscopic visualization of heterogeneous condensation of water vapor on hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles

Heterogeneous condensation of water vapor on particles is widely used in the fields of atmospheric cloud physics and industrial particulate abatement. Particles surface wettability plays a fundamental role in water vapor condensation, but a microscopic insight of the impact of particles surface wettability on vapor condensation is lacked. Therefore, the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) is adopted to directly visualize vapor condensation on particles with different surface wettability at a microscopic scale. Firstly heterogeneous condensation of water vapor on the hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles is obtained by the ESEM. The results show that when water vapor condenses on the hydrophilic particles, a spherical cap-shaped embryo first appears and subsequently develops into a spherical droplet to finally wrap the single particle. While on the hydrophobic particles, a spherical cap-shaped embryo will first appear and continue to grow into a spherical droplet to finally detach from the particle. Then the wetting coefficient is introduced to characterize the wetting degree of the droplet on the particle. The wetting coefficient will increase with the decrease of the contact angle, so the wettability of water vapor on the hydrophilic particles is better than that on the hydrophobic particles. Meanwhile based on classical nucleation theory, the geometrical factor and the critical supersaturation will decrease when the contact angle decreases, making it easier for water vapor to condense on the hydrophilic particles. Finally the line tension is investigated to explain the condensation mechanism. On the hydrophilic particles, when the droplet has crossed the equatorial line of the particle, the positive line tension promotes the spreading movement of the droplet over the particle to form a wrapped spherical droplet. Therefore, there is a transition from a spherical cap-shaped embryo before crossing the equatorial line of the particle to a wrapped spherical droplet after crossing the equatorial line. While on the hydrophobic particles, the negative line tension suppresses the spreading movement of the droplet over the particle to form a detached spherical droplet. So there is a transition from a spherical cap-shaped embryo before crossing the equatorial line of the particle to a detached spherical droplet after crossing the equatorial line.

Deformation of an elastic second gradient spherical body under equatorial line density of dead forces

We consider deformations of an elastic body having initially a spherical shape. Assumed deformation energy depends on the first and second gradient of displacements. We apply an equatorial line density of dead loads, that are forces per unit line length directed in radial direction and applied along the equator of the sphere. We restrict ourselves our analysis to the case of linearized second strain gradient isotropic elasticity (for which the more general energy was determined by Mindlin) with only one characteristic length. Differently to what happens in first gradient continua, i.e. in classic linear elasticity, we show that for the particular class second gradient continua considered here these forces do not determine infinite displacements in the direction of applied dead line forces. Instead, using a series method for the solution of the considered boundary-value problem, we demonstrate that the displacements are finite. So in the deformed configuration there is not the formation of an edge at the material points where the forces are applied. Further investigations are therefore needed for establishing if this elastic-regime edge formation is made possible: (I) either in the case of more general linear elastic constitutive equations or (II) only when large deformations are considered or (III) if non-elastic phenomena are involved.

Evaluation of the effect of different rubber dam clamps on the mandibular first molar with Finite element analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress induced by clamps made of different materials on mandibular first molar teeth using finite element analysis. The tooth model to be used in the study was created using micro-CT scanner and the rubber dam clamp model was created in three dimensions (3D) using Solidworks and applied to a finite element tooth model of an intact mandibular first molar. The size of the clamp opening and the force to be applied were calculated according to the buccolingual distances of the tooth. The contact areas of the clamps on the tooth were determined and subjected to force. The stress distribution patterns and maximum von Mises stresses were calculated and compared against these forces. The most stress against these forces occurred in the enamel tissue on the distal side where the clamp was in contact with the tooth. The stress value in the stainless steel clamp (191.63 MPa) was approximately 85% higher than the clamp made of polyethylene ketone (103.85 MPa). The stress in the dentin and pulp tissue of the tooth was negligible. Clinicians should examine the enamel tissue below the equatorial line of the tooth in detail before clamp application. The forces exerted by stainless steel clamps can cause damage to the enamel tissue of the tooth or progression of an existing enamel crack.

Assessing the Feasibility of Hydrogen and Electric Buses for Urban Public Transportation using Rooftop Integrated Photovoltaic Energy in Cuenca Ecuador

A main restriction of renewables from intermittent sources is the mismatch between energy resource availability and energy requirements, especially when extensive power plants are producing at their highest potential causing huge energy surpluses. In these cases, excess power must be stored or curtailed. One alternative is increasing urban solar potential which could be integrated to feed electric buses directly or alternatively through hydrogen (H2) as an energy vector. H2 from renewable electricity can be stored and used directly or through fuel cells. This study aims to determine the H2 capability that could be achieved when integrating large-scale photovoltaic (PV) generation in urban areas. This analysis was carried out by determining the PV energy potentially generated by installing PV in Cuenca City downtown (Ecuador). Cuenca is in the process of adopting renewal of the public transport vehicle fleet, introducing a new model with an electric tram main network combined with “clean type buses”. The conventional diesel urban transport could be replaced, establishing a required vehicle fleet of 475 buses spread over 29 routes, emitting 112 tons of CO2 and burning 11,175 gallons of diesel daily. Between the main findings, we concluded that the electricity that could be produced in the total roof area exceeds the actual demand in the study area by 5.5 times. Taking into account the energy surplus, it was determined that the available PV power will cover from 97% to 127% of the total demand necessary to mobilize the city bus fleet. The novelty of this work is the proposal of a combined methodology to find the potential to feed urban transport with urban solar power in cities, close to the equatorial line.

Reassessment of the electrical connection between the pulmonary veins and the left atrium: A study to determine the different contributions of myocardial fibers along the standard ablation circumference.

Circumferential ablation around the ipsilateral pulmonary veins (PVs) is the standard strategy for atrial fibrillation ablation. The present study seeks to assess which regions of the standard ablation circumference are the main contributors to the venoatrial electrical connection. A total of 41 patients were included under a specific atrial fibrillation ablation protocol in which the anterior and posterior segments of the standard circumference, between the equatorial line of the superior and the inferior ipsilateral PVs, were ablated first. If PV isolation was not achieved, ablation was extended superiorly or inferiorly, on the basis of the earliest atrial activation recorded during pacing from inside the PV. Complete PV isolation and the length of the areas not requiring ablation (ANRA) at the time of electrical isolation were evaluated. Ablation of the anterior and posterior segments of the standard circumference led to the isolation of 77% left-PV pairs and 51% right-PV pairs (p = 0,015). A superior extension was required in 23% left-PV pairs and in 46% right-PV pairs, while an inferior extension was required only in 10% left-PV pairs and in 11% right-PV pairs. PV isolation was achieved before completing the standard ablation circumference in 97% left-PV pairs and in 94% right-PV pairs, with a median ANRA of 36.9 (IQR: 30.9-42.1) mm in the left PVs [16.0 (IQR: 12.0-19.0) mm superior and 18.8 (IQR: 16.1-24.9) mm inferior, p < 0.01] and 36.9 (IQR: 30.2-41.0) mm in the right PVs [15.1 (IQR: 10.7-19.1) mm superior and 20.6 (IQR: 16.9-23.3) mm inferior, p < 0.01]. The myocardial fibers along the anterior and posterior regions of the standard ablation circumference are the main contributors to the electrical connection between the pulmonary veins and the left atrium. Ablation of these regions results in PV isolation in the majority of patients.

Demand response for frequency regulation with neural network load controller under high intermittency photovoltaic systems

The rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) has become a key parameter to be monitored under high penetration of renewable energy. Any significant ROCOF should be mitigated immediately to avoid any shutdown of power plants and hence power interruptions to the customers. However, ROCOF is found to be significant and often in a region near to equatorial line because the power output of PV is highly intermittent due to a large number of passing clouds. Demand response (DR) is one of the most cost-effective means for mitigating any high ROCOF through controlling heating elements, refrigerators, and air-conditioners. However, most of the DR controllers use pre-determined conditions, also known as the condition-based approach, to switch the loads for reducing frequency changes. This approach may not be effective enough to respond to a new load condition. Furthermore, many DR controllers, including those accompanied by machine learning, are mainly developed to mitigate frequency changes with little focus on the mitigation of high ROCOF. Hence, an artificial neural network (ANN)-based controller is proposed in this article for frequency regulation with auto corrective efforts on high ROCOF under high intermittency of PV systems. The proposed controller is designed to manage several controllable loads on a grid emulator with PV systems at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia. It is shown that the proposed controller can reduce the frequency deviation by 23% and improve ROCOF by 19.7% as compared to that without any controller.

Spatial, temporal and evolutionary insight into seasonal epidemic Influenza A virus strains near the equatorial line: The case of Ecuador

To study the spatial and temporal patterns of Influenza A virus (IAV) is essential for an efficient control of the disease caused by IAV and efficient vaccination programs. However, spatiotemporal patterns of spread as well as genetic lineage circulation of IAV on a countrywide scale have not been clearly determined for many tropical regions of the world. In order to gain insight into these matters, the spatial and temporal patterns of IAV in six different geographic regions of Ecuador, from 2011 to 2021, were determined and the timing and magnitude of IAV outbreaks in these localities investigated. The results of these studies revealed that although Ecuador is a South American country situated in the Equator line, its IAV epidemiology resembles that of temperate Northern Hemisphere countries. Phylogenetic analysis of H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 IAV strains isolated in five different localities of Ecuador revealed that provinces in the south of this country have the largest effective population size by comparison with provinces in the north, suggesting that the southern provinces may be acting as a source of IAV. Co-circulation of different H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 genetic lineages was observed in different geographic regions of Ecuador.

Acetabular coverage analysis of the proximal femoral head accurately characterizes dysplastic acetabular morphology.

This study aimed to (1) measure acetabular sector angle (ASA) from proximal to distal positions along the axial femoral head axis, (2) identify acetabular deficiency patterns, and (3) correlate ASA at different axial positions with other radiological measurements in acetabular dysplasia. We identified 30 hips with dysplasia(lateral center edge angle[LCEA]<20°) and 30 hips without dysplasia (LCEA>25°) from a retrospective cohort. Anterior and posterior ASA (AASA, PASA) were measured in the axial computed tomographyplane through the femoral head center (equatorial) and two axial positions above the equatorial line (intermediate and proximal). Deficiency patterns were identified using ASA cut-off values determined from receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson's coefficients were used for correlations. Compared to non-dysplastic hips, AASA in dysplastic hips was significantly smaller in all levels: equatorial (46.1 ± 7.3vs. 54.9 ± 8.5,°p < 0.001), intermediate (62.1 ± 11.2vs. 69.0 ± 10.6,° p = 0.02), and proximal (102.9 ± 14.2vs. 128.3 ± 23.0,°p < 0.001). According to proximal ASA (Pro-ASA)cut-off values in dysplastic hips, global deficiency was most prevalent (19/30, 63.3%), followed by anterior (6/30, 20%) and posterior (3/30, 10%) deficiency. There were strong correlations between acetabular anteversion and Eq-AASA (r = -0.74, p < 0.001) and LCEA and pro-PASA (r = 0.82, p < 0.001).Clinical significance: Acetabular sector angle provides insight into acetabular morphology and patterns of deficiency, providing essential information for precise acetabular reorientation.

Atmospheric Muon Flux Measurement near Earth’s Equatorial Line

We report measurements of muon flux over the sky of the city of Bogotá at 4°35′56′′ north latitude, 74°04′51′′ west longitude, and an altitude of 2657 m above sea level, carried out with a hodoscope composed of four stations of plastic scintillators located equidistant over a distance of 4.8 m. Measurements were taken at different zenith (θ) angles within the range 1.5° ≤ θ ≤90°, the muon flux data is statistically consistent with a cos2θ dependence, with a χ2 per degree of freedom near unity. If instead, we fit to a cosnθ we obtain n = 2.145±0.046 with a lower χ2 per degree of freedom. Integrating the muon flux distribution as a function of the zenith angle over the solid angle of the upper Earth’s hemisphere allows an estimation of the atmospheric vertical muon rate at the altitude and latitude of Bogota obtaining a value of 255.1 ± 5.8m−2s−1. This estimate is consistent with an independent direct measurement of the vertical muon flux with all detectors stacked horizontally. These measurements play a key role in the further development of detectors, aimed to perform muon imaging of Monserrate Hill, located in Bogotá, where the detectors will be placed at similar locations to those used in the present study.

Subphases in the superconducting state of CeIrIn5 revealed by low-temperature c -axis heat transport

Low-temperature (down to $\sim$ 50 mK) thermal conductivity measurements with the heat flow direction along the inter-plane tetragonal $c$-axis, $\kappa_c$, were used to study the superconducting state of heavy fermion CeIrIn$_5$. Measurements were performed in the magnetic fields both parallel to the heat flow direction, $H\parallel c$, and transverse to it, $H \parallel a$. Inter-plane heat conductivity in $H \parallel c$ configuration shows negligible initial increase with magnetic field and a rapid rise on approaching $H_{c2}$ from below, similar to the expectations for the superconducting gap without line nodes. This observation is in stark contrast to monotonic increase found in the previous in-plane heat transport measurements. In the configuration with the magnetic field breaking the tetragonal symmetry of the lattice, $H \parallel a$, $\kappa_c$ reveals non-monotonic evolution with temperature and magnetic field suggesting sub-phase boundary in the superconducting state. The characteristic temperature $T_{kink} \sim$ 0.07~K of the sub-boundary is well within the domain of bulk superconductivity $T_c \sim$ 0.4~K and $H_{c2}\sim$ 1.0~T. These results are consistent with a superconducting gap with an equatorial line node and polar point nodes, a gap symmetry of the D$_{4h}$ point group, for which magnetic field along the tetragonal plane breaks the degeneracy of the multi-component order parameter and induces a phase transition with nodal topology change.

Water Balance of Pit Lake Development in the Equatorial Region

In recent years, Indonesia has become the largest coal exporter in the world, and most of the coal is being mined by means of open-pit mining. The closure of an open-pit mine will usually leave a pit morphological landform that, in most cases, will be developed into a pit lake. One of the main issues in developing a pit lake is the understanding of the pit lake filling process. This paper discusses the hydrological model in filling the mineout void in a coal mine in Kalimantan which is located close to the equatorial line. The J-void is a mineout coal pit that is 3000 m long and 1000 m wide, with a maximum depth of 145 m. The development of the J-void pit lake after the last load of coal had been mined out experienced a dynamic process, such as backfilling activities with an overburden as well as pumping mine water from the surrounding pits. There are two components in the model, i.e., overland/subsurface and pit area. The overland zone is simulated using the Rainfall-Runoff NRECA Hydrological Model approach to determine the runoff and groundwater components, whereas the pit area is affected by direct rainfall and evaporation. The model is validated with the observation data. The main source of water in the J-void pit lake is rainwater, both from the surrounding catchment area as well as direct rainfall. As this coal mine area is characterized as a multi-pit area and, consequently, several pit lakes will be formed in the future, the result of the hydrological model is very useful in planning the future pit lakes.

Evaluation of Green Elements and Thermal Comfort Condition of Assyafaah Mosque, Singapore

A mosque is a place for worship and religious activities that are traditionally built with a typical design and shape with a dome and minaret as its traditional symbols. The most basic design of a mosque is a simple single-storey rectangular-shaped building with a prayer hall inside it. Design in the past was influenced by social and cultural aspects. However, regional and climatic differences have led to thermal discomfort and unnecessary energy use if the mosque is not properly designed. Therefore, there is a need to consider comprehensive planning and review for passive design to avoid thermal discomfort and excessive use of energy. Assyafaah Mosque in Singapore is one example that considers sustainable elements in its design. While Singapore is located very near to the hot equatorial line, many passive and green features have been integrated into the design and construction of the mosque, and this made it possible to achieve an acceptable thermal condition according to the adaptive and PMV thermal comfort model. The design maximizes the potential of naturally ventilated design with other passive strategies which allow for both thermal comfort and energy saving. This paper aims to study the impact of natural ventilation and other passive design decisions on the thermal comfort of the Assyafaah mosque in a hot and humid climate.

Interfacial Crystallization within Janus Saline Marbles

We report interfacial crystallization in Janus saline marbles built of two hemispheres, one coated with hydrophobic [polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)] and the other with hydrophilic powder (carbon black particles). Evaporation of the Janus saline marbles yielded NaCl crystals formed within the hemisphere, coated with carbon black. This observation is predicted by the theory of heterogeneous nucleation occurring on the solid surfaces. The energetic barrier of the heterogeneous nucleation for the saline/carbon black hemisphere is much smaller than the same barrier for the saline/PTFE hemisphere. We also studied the evaporation of half-coated Janus marbles filled with saline. The half-coated saline marbles were built of two hemispheres, one of which was coated by powder and the second was formed by the naked saline/vapor interface. In this case, crystallization started from the equatorial contact line separating the powder-coated and naked saline/vapor hemispheres for all kinds of the studied powders.

The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalrymple

Reviewed by: The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalrymple Meghna Sapui (bio) The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalrymple; p. 522. Bloomsbury, 2019. $35.43 cloth. in the infamous impeachment of Warren Hastings, the then Governor-General of Bengal, Edmund Burke's four-day long address emphasized Hastings's "geographical morality … as if when you have crossed the equatorial line all the virtues die" (qtd. in Dalrymple 310). Hastings's lengthy impeachment trial was an indictment not just of him but also of the increasingly corrupt and despotic activities of the British East India Company (EIC). William Dalrymple's book is a compulsively readable and accessible history of the rise and rise of the East India Company through its deployment of, what Burke suggestively calls, its "geographical morality." Dalrymple shows how the EIC went from a gathering of a motley crew of merchants in a rundown building in London to become "the grandest society of merchants in the Universe," with armies larger than those of almost all nation states, power that encircled the globe, and shares that were, by the beginning of the nineteenth century, a kind of global reserve currency (388). The Anarchy is also, however, a compelling critique of this rise that carries with it a warning for the contemporary state of big corporations. [End Page 159] Dalrymple's chapters chart the EIC's systematic impoverishment of both the Indian nobility and peasantry in its quest to surpass its status in India as a mere trading house to become a territorial and sovereign power. Chapter 1 introduces the less-than-humble origins of the British East India Company and its rise in India against all other trading and political outfits. It demonstrates how the various competing political interests in India—such as the Mughals and, later, other regional empires, as well as trading Companies, including those of the Portuguese, Dutch, and French—folded over time as British interests gradually unfolded across the subcontinent. Chapter 2, in Dalrymple's characteristic narrative fashion, tells the stories of Robert Clive, the first British governor of Bengal; Aliverdi Khan, the Nawab of Bengal; Siraj ud-Daula, Aliverdi's grandson; and Shah Alam, the Mughal emperor. Through these figures, Dalrymple sets up the major players involved in the final struggle between existing subcontinental authority and the newly minted foreign trading power, the British EIC. Chapter 3 describes the rivalry between Siraj ud-Daula, now the Nawab of Bengal, and Robert Clive. The eventual English victory in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 made the thirty-three-year-old Clive "one of the wealthiest men in Europe" (131). Dalrymple calls this "one of the largest windfalls in history" (133). More importantly, this victory permanently undermined the authority of the Nawabs, and the Company was no longer just a trading interest, "rather, it found that it had become a kingmaker and an autonomous power in its own right" (135). Chapter 4 documents the fragile nature of the relationship between the EIC and the subsequent Nawabs of Bengal. The EIC gave precedence to their commercial profitability and bulldozed any political authority that stood in the way of this, thus also acquiring substantial political power in the region. The Nawabs, on the other hand, formed alliances with the Company, recognizing in particular its superior military capabilities but, at the same time, detested its rapacious and violent ways. The Company, hitherto incomprehensive of "the different world" (139) of Indian authority, gradually came to comprehend the minute workings of a different kind of power—one based on moral authority rather than military or economic dominance. In chapter 5, Dalrymple shows how by defeating the united armies of India's Mughal rulers, "a trading corporation had become both colonial proprietor and corporate state, legally free, for the first time, to do all the things that governments do: control the law, administer justice, assess taxes, mint coins, provide protection, impose punishments, make peace and wage war" (209). The Company negotiated to win the financial rights to the entire northeast of India and benefited greatly from this. The EIC so thoroughly plundered and impoverished Bengal for profitability by exporting its...

A Purse-String Approach to Laparoscopic Cornuostomy for Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy

Study Objective To review surgical techniques for tissue dissection in interstitial ectopic pregnancies, and demonstrate a novel approach to resection using a purse-string suture for improved hemostasis and minimized surgical morbidity. Design Brief literature review, clinical history, and video documentation. Setting The patients were both placed in a dorsal lithotomy position for laparoscopy in a tertiary care centre. Patients or Participants The two patients selected for inclusion in the video were chosen based upon confirmation of diagnosis of interstitial ectopic pregnancy, and primary surgeon at time of OR for operative consistency. Patient 1 was a 36-year old G5P1 woman who presented with bleeding at 8 weeks 5 days gestational age. Patient 2 was a 35 year-old G2P1 woman who presented with abdominal pain at 11 weeks gestational age, with additional risk factors for surgical complications. Interventions Laparoscopic cornuostomy for interstitial ectopic pregnancy Measurements and Main Results Pre-operatively, both diagnoses were confirmed with serial ultrasound. Findings at time of laparoscopy supported the above, with clear distension at the uterine cornea without normal endometrial implantation Our video demonstrates a four-step approach to resection of such pregnancies through laparoscopic cornuostomy. This includes isolating the pregnancy by salpingectomy and ligation of the utero-ovarian ligament, ensuring hemostasis with a novel purse string suture around the pregnancy at its equatorial line and injection of vasopressin, resection using a linear incision, and a layered repair of the uterine defect. Conclusion Although rare, interstitial ectopic pregnancies present a distinct surgical challenge, as they often present with rupture and carry a significant risk of hemorrhage at time of resection. The purse string suture is a useful tool in minimizing bleeding, and allows for interstitial ectopic pregnancies to be excised with a minimally invasive cornuostomy, even in cases of significant anatomical distortion.