Critical slowing down near the multiferroic phase transition in MnWO4_4

By using broadband dielectric spectroscopy in the radiofrequency and microwave range we studied the magnetoelectric dynamics in the multiferroic chiral antiferromagnet MnWO$_4$. Above the multiferroic phase transition at $T_{N2} \approx 12.6$ K we observe a critical slowing down of the corresponding magnetoelectric fluctuations resembling the soft-mode behavior in canonical ferroelectrics. This electric field driven excitation carries much less spectral weight than ordinary phonon modes. Also the critical slowing down of this mode scales with an exponent larger than one which is expected for magnetic second order phase transition scenarios. Therefore the investigated dynamics have to be interpreted as the softening of an electrically active magnetic excitation, an electromagnon.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, appendi

Remote terminal system evaluation

An Earth Resources Data Processing System was developed to evaluate the system for training, technology transfer, and data processing. In addition to the five sites included in this project two other sites were connected to the system under separate agreements. The experience of these two sites is discussed. The results of the remote terminal project are documented in seven reports: one from each of the five project sites, Purdue University, and an overview report summarizing the other six reports

The genetics of reproductive isolation and the potential for gene exchange between Drosophila Pseudoobscura and D. Persimilis via backcross hybrid males

Hybrid male sterility, hybrid inviability, sexual isolation, and a hybrid male courtship dysfunction reproductively isolate Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis. Previous studies of the genetic bases of these isolating mechanisms have yielded only limited information about how much and what areas of the genome are susceptible to interspecies introgression. We have examined the genetic basis of these barriers to gene exchange in several thousand backcross hybrid male progeny of these species using 14 codominant molecular genetic markers spanning the five chromosomes of these species, focusing particularly on the autosomes. Hybrid male sterility, hybrid inviability, and the hybrid male courtship dysfunction were all associated with X-autosome interactions involving primarily the inverted regions on the left arm of the X-chromosome and the center of the second chromosome. Sexual isolation from D. pseudoobscura females was primarily associated with the left arm of the X-chromosome, although both the right arm and the center of the second chromosome also contributed to it. Sexual isolation from D. persimilis females was primarily associated with the second chromosome. The absence of isolating mechanisms being associated with many autosomal regions, including some large inverted regions that separate the strains, suggests that these phenotypes may not be caused by genes spread throughout the genome. We suggest that gene flow between these species via hybrid males may be possible at loci spread across much of the autosomes

Dynamics of concurrent and sequential Central European and Scandinavian heatwaves

In both 2003 and 2018 a heatwave in Scandinavia in July was followed by a heatwave in Central Europe in August. Whereas the transition occurred abruptly in 2003, it was gradual in 2018 with a 12-day period of concurrent heatwaves in both regions. This study contrasts these two events in the context of a heatwave climatology to elucidate the dynamics of both concurrent and sequential heatwaves. Central European and, in particular, concurrent heatwaves are climatologically associated with weak pressure gradient (WPG) events over Central Europe, which indicate the absence of synoptic activity over this region. One synoptic pattern associated with such events is Scandinavian blocking. This pattern is at the same time conducive to heatwaves in Scandinavia, thereby providing a mechanism by which Scandinavian and Central European heatwaves can co-occur. Further, the association of WPG events with Scandinavian blocking constitutes a mechanism that allows heatwaves to grow beyond the perimeter of the synoptic system from which they emanated. A trajectory analysis of the source regions of the low-level air incorporated in the heatwaves indicates rapidly changing air mass sources throughout the heatwaves in both regions, but no recycling of heat from one heatwave to the other. This finding is line with a composite analysis indicating that transitions between Scandinavian and Central European heatwaves are merely a random coincidence of heatwave onset and decay

Everything Hits at Once: How Remote Rainfall Matters for the Prediction of the 2021 North American Heat Wave

In June 2021, Western North America experienced an intense heat wave with unprecedented temperatures and far-reaching socio-economic consequences. Anomalous rainfall in the West Pacific triggers a cascade of weather events across the Pacific, which build up a high-amplitude ridge over Canada and ultimately lead to the heat wave. We show that the response of the jet stream to diabatically enhanced ascending motion in extratropical cyclones represents a predictability barrier with regard to the heat wave magnitude. Therefore, probabilistic weather forecasts are only able to predict the extremity of the heat wave once the complex cascade of weather events is captured. Our results highlight the key role of the sequence of individual weather events in limiting the predictability of this extreme event. We therefore conclude that it is not sufficient to consider such rare events in isolation but it is essential to account for the whole cascade over different spatiotemporal scales

Treating Early-Stage CKD With New Medication Therapies:Results of a CKD Patient Survey Informing the 2020 NKF-FDA Scientific Workshop on Clinical Trial Considerations for Developing Treatments for Early Stages of Common, Chronic Kidney Diseases

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: With a growing number of medications and therapies available to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD), risk-versus-benefit discussions are increasingly critical. Balancing risks and benefits requires assessing patients’ understanding of these, as well as incorporating patient preferences and tolerance for side effects into shared decision making. STUDY DESIGN: A 26-question online survey was sent to people in the National Kidney Foundation patient email list and posted on associated social media pages to assess the respondents’ willingness and comfort with taking preventative medications during earlier-stage CKD to inform a December 2020 scientific workshop co-sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation and the US Food and Drug Administration on clinical trial considerations in developing treatments for individuals with early stages of CKD. SETTING & POPULATION: Online survey of CKD patients, including broad demographic data and responses to risk-benefit scenarios, with surveys emailed to 20,249 people not identified as currently receiving kidney replacement therapy. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Survey results are presented as descriptive data. RESULTS: Of 1,029 respondents, 45 self-identified as at risk for CKD, 566 had CKD, 267 had received kidney transplants, 51 were receiving dialysis, and 100 replied other or did not answer. Respondents reported being willing to assume some risk with the goal of preventing the progression of CKD, with a greater willingness to assume risk and treatment burdens the closer they came to late-stage disease. Clinician recommendations regarding kidney therapies and clinician willingness to work with patients to address any side effects were important in respondents’ willingness to initiate and persevere with a new medication. LIMITATIONS: Approximately 10% response rate with limited data on respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-versus-benefit discussions appear key to patients and their care partners making well-informed decisions about taking a new medication that may or may not help the progression of their kidney disease. Future tools and strategies are needed to facilitate informed discussions of treatment in early-stage kidney disease

Low-level waste feed staging plan

The `Preliminary Low-Level Waste Feed Staging Plan` was updated to reflect the latest requirement in the Tank Waste Remediation Privatization Request for Proposals (RFP) and amendments. The updated plan develops the sequence and transfer schedule for retrieval of DST supernate by the management and integration contractor and delivery of the staged supernate to the private low-activity waste contractors for treatment. Two DSTs are allocated as intermediate staging tanks. A transfer system conflict analysis provides part of the basis for determining transfer system upgrade requirements to support both low-activity and high-level waste feed delivery. The intermediate staging tank architecture and retrieval system equipment are provided as a planning basis until design requirements documents are prepared. The actions needed to successfully implement the plan are identified. These include resolution of safety issues and changes to the feed envelope limits, minimum order quantities, and desired batch sizes

Elbow flexors-extensors muscles torque and velocity performance in high level wheelchair basketball players

During propulsion, the elbow showed alternating flexion/extension patterns (Rao et al.,1996). The movement dynamics in wheelchair basketball (WB) are specifically related to handling the wheelchair in sprinting, bracking, turning and blocking. The ability to accelerate the wheelchair from standstill will be determinate by several components, such as explosive strength and propulsion technique (Vanlandewijck et al., 2001)

Association Between Midlife Obesity and Kidney Function Trajectories: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Rationale & Objective: Obesity has been related to risk for chronic kidney disease. However, the associations of different measures of midlife obesity with long-term kidney function trajectories and whether they differ by sex and race are unknown. Study Design: Observational study. Setting & Participants: 13,496 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Predictors: Midlife obesity status as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and predicted percent fat at baseline. Outcomes: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated using serum creatinine level measured at 5 study visits, and incident kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT). Analytical Approach: Mixed models with random intercepts and random slopes for eGFR. Cox proportional hazards models for KFRT. Results: Baseline mean age was 54 years, median eGFR was 103 mL/min/1.73 m2, and median BMI was 27 kg/m2. Over 30 years of follow-up, midlife obesity measures were associated with eGFR decline in White and Black women but not consistently in men. Adjusted for age, center, smoking, and coronary heart disease, the differences in eGFR slope per 1-SD higher BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and predicted percent fat were 0.09 (95% CI, −0.18 to 0.36), −0.25 (95% CI, −0.50 to 0.01), and −0.14 (95% CI, −0.41 to 0.13) mL/min/1.73 m2 per decade for White men; −0.91 (95% CI, −1.15 to −0.67), −0.82 (95% CI, −1.06 to −0.58), and −1.02 (95% CI, −1.26 to −0.78) mL/min/1.73 m2 per decade for White women; −0.70 (95% CI, −1.54 to 0.14), −1.60 (95% CI, −2.42 to −0.78), and −1.24 (95% CI, −2.08 to −0.40) mL/min/1.73 m2 per decade for Black men; and −1.24 (95% CI, −2.08 to −0.40), −1.50 (95% CI, −2.05 to −0.95), and −1.43 (95% CI, −2.00 to −0.86) mL/min/1.73 m2 per decade for Black women. Obesity indicators were independently associated with risk for KFRT for all sex-race groups except White men. Limitations: Loss to follow-up during 3 decades of follow-up with 5 eGFR assessments. Conclusions: Obesity status is a risk factor for future decline in kidney function and development of KFRT in Black and White women, with less consistent associations among men

Evaluation of the Temporal Muscle Thickness as an Independent Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma.

In this study, we assessed the prognostic relevance of temporal muscle thickness (TMT), likely reflecting patient's frailty, in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). In 128 newly diagnosed PCNSL patients TMT was analyzed on cranial magnetic resonance images. Predefined sex-specific TMT cutoff values were used to categorize the patient cohort. Survival analyses, using a log-rank test as well as Cox models adjusted for further prognostic parameters, were performed. The risk of death was significantly increased for PCNSL patients with reduced muscle thickness (hazard ratio of 3.189, 95% CI: 2-097-4.848, p < 0.001). Importantly, the results confirmed that TMT could be used as an independent prognostic marker upon multivariate Cox modeling (hazard ratio of 2.504, 95% CI: 1.608-3.911, p < 0.001) adjusting for sex, age at time of diagnosis, deep brain involvement of the PCNSL lesions, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, and methotrexate-based chemotherapy. A TMT value below the sex-related cutoff value at the time of diagnosis is an independent adverse marker in patients with PCNSL. Thus, our results suggest the systematic inclusion of TMT in further translational and clinical studies designed to help validate its role as a prognostic biomarker