The Ionospheric Connection Explorer - Prime Mission Review

The two-year prime mission of the NASA Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) is complete. The baseline operational and scientific objectives have been met and exceeded, as detailed in this report. In October of 2019, ICON was launched into an orbit that provides its instruments the capability to deliver near-continuous measurements of the densest plasma in Earth's space environment. Through collection of a key set of in-situ and remote sensing measurements that are, by virtue of a detailed mission design, uniquely synergistic, ICON enables completely new investigations of the mechanisms that control the behavior of the ionosphere-thermosphere system under both geomagnetically quiet and active conditions. In a two-year period that included a deep solar minimum, ICON has elucidated a number of remarkable effects in the ionosphere attributable to energetic inputs from the lower and middle atmosphere, and shown how these are transmitted from the edge of space to the peak of plasma density above. The observatory operated in a period of low activity for 2 years and then for a year with increasing solar activity, observing the changing balance of the impacts of lower and upper atmospheric drivers on the ionosphere.

Topside Measurements at Jicamarca During the 2019-2020 Deep Solar Minimum

We present measurements of the equatorial topside ionosphere above Jicamarca made during extremely low solar flux conditions during the deep solar minimum of 2019-2020. Measurements were made in October, 2019, February, 2020, and September, 2020. The main features observed are a large and extended decrease in noontime temperatures unlike that seen in studies at moderate solar flux levels, predawn ionospheric heating as early as 0300 LT, large day-to-day variability in the O⁺/H⁺ transition height, and negligible helium ion concentration at all altitudes. Data from the Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) instrument onboard the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) and the Topside Ionospheric Plasma Monitor (SSIES) onboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites are used to assess agreement with ISR data and assist with the analysis of the predawn heating phenomena. We also analyze the data in light of the SAMI2-PE model which shows less agreement with the data than at higher solar flux. The main areas of discrepancy with the data are outlined, such as the absence of significant predawn heating, less pronounced decreases in noontime temperatures, and much higher O⁺ fractions at high altitudes, particularly in September. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the model to various forcing agents such as neutral winds, plasma drifts, solar flux, and heat flow is performed. A discussion is presented on bridging the discrepancies in future model runs. Novel techniques of clutter removal and noise power bias correction are introduced and described in the appendices.

The implementation of midwifery competency standards in applying behaviour of normal childbirth care (APN) on BIDAN PRAKTIK MANDIRI PERA

Maternity illness and death rate is high in many developing countries, including Indonesia due to bleeding in the post childbirth (28%), miscarriage complication (12%), and sepsis (9%). The main reason for maternity illness in implementation of APN which is in accordance with midwife competence standard is carried out. The objective of the research was to find out the implementation of midwife competence standard in APN implementation behavior. The research used qualitative narrative method. It was conducted at RSU Ridos, Medan. The informants were 4 midwives, 1 owner, and 2 childbirth women. The data were analyzed qualitatively by interpreting the data in the form of sentences. The result of the research showed that the implementation of midwife competence standard in carrying out normal childbirth care in RSU was good. Midwives' knowledge was good since all of them were D-III midwifery graduates. Senior midwives' skill was better than that of young ones although the latter were controlled by their seniors and bay the hospital owner. The skilled midwives had participated in APN training, while the unskilled ones had not. Midwives behavior, especially the seniors' was good in implementing APN in RSU Ridos, but young midwives still needed experience in implementing APN so that their behavior was in accordance with midwife competence standard and to oath of office. It is recommended that the hospital management increase midwives' knowledge and skill in Normal Childbirth Care, and make midwives who not yet followed training participate in it.