We study atmospheric escape from Mars during solar wind pressure pulses. During the solar minimum of 2007–08 we have observed 41 high pressure events, which are predominantly identified as corotating interaction regions (CIR) while a few are coronal mass ejections (CME), in data from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) upstream of the Earth. 36 of these events are also identified using Mars Express (MEX) data at Mars. We use MEX measurements at Mars to compare the antisunward fluxes of heavy planetary ions during the passage of these pulses to the fluxes during quiet solar wind conditions. The ion fluxes are observed to increase by a factor of ∼2.5, on average. Hence, a third of the total outflow from Mars takes place during ∼15% of the time, when a solar wind pressure pulse impacts on the planet. This can have important consequences for the total time‐integrated outflow of plasma from Mars.

A third-degree tear causes a significant emotional and psychological impact on women's physical and emotional well-being. We recommend that all staff receive adequate training to deal with the issues that may be raised. The provision of a dedicated, multidisciplinary team involved at an early stage to coordinate the repair and follow-up is recommended to allow a sensitive, consistent, evidence-based approach, particularly in terms of decision-making for subsequent births. The experiences and needs of partners require further study.

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At planets with induced magnetospheres, the coupling between the ionosphere, the weak draped magnetosphere, and the solar wind is very direct in comparison to Earth. The weak induced magnetosphere itself is created by the prevailing Solar wind conditions and therefore in its shape and strength dynamically depending on it. In early 2010, Mars was located behind Earth in the Solar wind; thus, we can use coordinated data from multiple near‐Earth spacecraft (Stereo, Wind) to evaluate what kind of Solar wind disturbances have passed by Earth and might consecutively hit Mars, and when. We employ plasma data from the ESA Mars‐Express mission, the ASPERA‐3 particle instrument, and the MARSIS Active Ionospheric Sounder (AIS) to investigate, for a number of isolated events in March and April 2010, how the ionosphere and the induced magnetosphere at Mars develop and decay in response to Solar wind variability in the magnetic field, density, and velocity. In a dedicated campaign mode, we use frequent long‐duration MARSIS AIS operations for several consecutive orbits, to monitor for the first time the long‐term development of the Martian plasma environment during solar wind disturbances. We find that the magnetosphere and ionosphere of Mars can become considerably compressed by solar wind dynamic pressure variations, which usually are also associated with changes in the magnetic draping of the interplanetary magnetic field around the planet. These are typically associated with corotating interaction regions and coronal mass ejections, and can last for several days. During such episodes of compression, we see signatures of increased plasma transport over the terminator and enhanced ion outflow from the upper atmosphere.

Objective To compare two surgical techniques and two types of suture material for anal sphincter repair after childbirth-related injury.Design Factorial randomised controlled trial.Setting Tertiary referral maternity unit.Population Women with an anal sphincter injury sustained during childbirth.Method Women were randomised into four groups: overlap repair with polyglactin (Vicryl); end-to-end repair with polyglactin (Vicryl); overlap repair with polydioxanone (PDS); and end-to-end repair with PDS. All repairs were completed as a primary procedure by staff trained in both methods.Main outcome measures Suture-related morbidity at six weeks. Bowel symptoms at 3, 6 and 12 months. Anorectal physiology at three months. Quality of life scores at 3 and 12 months.Results One hundred and fifty women (1.5% of deliveries) were eligible and 112 (75%) were randomised. One hundred and three (92%) attended follow up visit at 6 weeks, 89 (80%) at 3 months, 79 (71%) at 6 months and 60 (54%) at 12 months. At six weeks, there was no difference in suture-related morbidity between groups (P = 0.11) and 70% patients were completely asymptomatic. Incidence of bowel symptoms and quality of life disturbances were low, with no differences between the four groups.Conclusion Obstetric anal sphincter repair carried out by appropriately trained staff is associated with low morbidity, irrespective of the suture material and repair method used.Please cite this paper as: Williams A, Adams E, Tincello D, Alfirevic Z, Walkinshaw S, Richmond D. How to repair an anal sphincter injury after vaginal delivery: results of a randomised controlled trial.

Abstract.Recently, a technique has been developed whereby the radial velocity, V r , and longitude direction, β, of propagation of an outward-moving solar transient, such as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), can be estimated from its track in a time-elongation map produced using Heliospheric Imager (HI) observations from a single STEREO spacecraft. The method employed, which takes advantage of an artefact of projective geometry, is based on the evaluation of the best fit of the time-elongation profile of the transient, extracted from a time-elongation map, to a set of theoretical functions corresponding to known combinations of radial velocity and direction; here we present an initial theoretical assessment of the efficacy of this technique. As the method relies on the manual selection of points along the time-elongation profile, an assessment of the accuracy with which this is feasible, is initially made. The work then presented assesses theoretically this method of recovering the velocity and propagation direction of solar transients from their time-elongation profiles using a Monte-Carlo simulation approach. In particular, we assess the range of elongations over which it is necessary to make observations in order to accurately recover these parameters. Results of the Monte-Carlo simulations suggest that it is sufficient to track a solar transient out to around 40 • elongation to provide accurate estimates of its associated radial velocity and direction; the accuracy to which these parameters can be estimated for a transient tracked over a particular elongation extent is, however, sensitive to its velocity and direction relative to the Sun-Spacecraft line. These initial results suggest that this technique based on single spacecraft STEREO/HI observations could prove extremely useful Correspondence to: A. O. Williams (aow2@ion.le.ac.uk) in terms of providing an early warning of a CME impact on the near-Earth environment.

Two growth trials utilizing Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus setifems were conducted at densities of28. 4,56.8,85.2, 113.6, 170.4,227.3 and 284.11 m2 in an indoor recirculating system. There was an inverse linear relationship between stocking density and growth among both species. The relationship between final weight and stocking density is described by the following linear equation: P. setiferus, Y = -0.00619X + 4.46, adj. rz = 0.8572; P. vannamei, Y = -0.00717X + 7.39, adj. rz = 0.6230. Although the responses in terms of growth depressions were similar,

This study aimed to determine the incidence of obstetric anal sphincter tears and to determine the risk factors and outcome after primary repair. This was an audit of third- and fourth-degree tears in 1997-99, occurring in a tertiary obstetric unit with 5000 deliveries per annum. The study involved 75 women with a third-degree tear occurring between 1997 and 1999. A total of 10,307 women delivered vaginally without third-degree tear during this period, and they acted as controls. Obstetric risk factors for tears and the number of patients with ongoing symptoms after repair were studied. Cases were identified from the hospital database. Notes were reviewed to obtain clinical data. Odds ratios were calculated for potential risk factors. The incidence of sphincter tears was 0.6%. The mean age was 27 years and mean birth weight 3532 g; 72% were primiparous and 72% had a spontaneous vaginal delivery. A total of 68% of repairs were performed in theatre, and 76% of repairs were carried out under general or regional anaesthesia. Identified risk factors were nulliparity (OR 1.83), mediolateral episiotomy (OR 2.58), and forceps delivery (OR 3.81); 78% of patients attended for follow-up in the perineal clinic. Forty-four per cent of these women were symptomatic and 75% of the women had evidence of anal sphincter defect on ultrasound. The incidence of obstetric sphincter injury was similar to reports in the literature. Forceps and episiotomy were significant risk factors. Obstetric sphincter injury is associated with significant morbidity as 44% of our patients were symptomatic after repair.