Nutrient Controls on Export Production in the Southern Ocean

We use observations from novel biogeochemical profiling floats deployed by the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling program to estimate annual net community production (ANCP; associated with carbon export) from the seasonal drawdown of mesopelagic oxygen and surface nitrate in the Southern Ocean. Our estimates agree with previous observations in showing an increase in ANCP in the vicinity of the polar front (∼3 mol C m−2 y−1), compared to lower rates in the subtropical zone (≤ 1 mol C m−2 y−1) and the seasonal ice zone (<2 mol C m−2 y−1). Paradoxically, the increase in ANCP south of the subtropical front is associated with elevated surface nitrate and silicate concentrations, but decreasing surface iron. We hypothesize that iron limitation promotes silicification in diatoms, which is evidenced by the low silicate to nitrate ratio of surface waters around the Antarctic polar front. High diatom silicification increases the ballasting effect of particulate organic carbon and overall ANCP in this region. A model-based assessment of our methods shows a good agreement between ANCP estimates based on oxygen and nitrate drawdown and the modeled downward organic carbon flux at 100 m. This agreement supports the presumption that net biological consumption is the dominant process affecting the drawdown of these chemical tracers and that, given sufficient data, ANCP can be inferred from observations of oxygen and/or nitrate drawdown in the Southern Ocean

The Ultraviolet Radiation Environment Around M dwarf Exoplanet Host Stars

The spectral and temporal behavior of exoplanet host stars is a critical input to models of the chemistry and evolution of planetary atmospheres. At present, little observational or theoretical basis exists for understanding the ultraviolet spectra of M dwarfs, despite their critical importance to predicting and interpreting the spectra of potentially habitable planets as they are obtained in the coming decades. Using observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, we present a study of the UV radiation fields around nearby M dwarf planet hosts that covers both FUV and NUV wavelengths. The combined FUV+NUV spectra are publically available in machine-readable format. We find that all six exoplanet host stars in our sample (GJ 581, GJ 876, GJ 436, GJ 832, GJ 667C, and GJ 1214) exhibit some level of chromospheric and transition region UV emission. No "UV quiet" M dwarfs are observed. The bright stellar Ly-alpha emission lines are reconstructed, and we find that the Ly-alpha line fluxes comprise ~37-75% of the total 1150-3100A flux from most M dwarfs; > 10^{3} times the solar value. The F(FUV)/F(NUV) flux ratio, a driver for abiotic production of the suggested biomarkers O2 and O3, is shown to be ~0.5-3 for all M dwarfs in our sample, > 10^{3} times the solar ratio. For the four stars with moderate signal-to-noise COS time-resolved spectra, we find UV emission line variability with amplitudes of 50-500% on 10^{2} - 10^{3} s timescales. Finally, we observe relatively bright H2 fluorescent emission from four of the M dwarf exoplanetary systems (GJ 581, GJ 876, GJ 436, and GJ 832). Additional modeling work is needed to differentiate between a stellar photospheric or possible exoplanetary origin for the hot (T(H2) \approx 2000-4000 K) molecular gas observed in these objects.Comment: ApJ, accepted. 16 pages, 10 figures. On-line data at: http://cos.colorado.edu/~kevinf/muscles.htm

Patiromer Decreases Serum Potassium and Phosphate Levels in Patients on Hemodialysis

Background: Persistent hyperkalemia (serum potassium (K) ≥5.5 mEq/l) is a common condition in hemodialysis (HD) patients, is associated with increased mortality, and treatment options are limited. The effect of patiromer, a gastrointestinal K binder, on serum K was examined in HD patients. Methods: Six hyperkalemic HD patients (5 anuric) were admitted to clinical research units for 15 days (1 pretreatment week and 1 patiromer treatment week) and they received a controlled diet with identical meals on corresponding days of pretreatment and treatment weeks. Phosphate (P) binders were discontinued on admission. Patiromer, 12.6 g daily (divided 4.2 g TID with meals), was started on the Monday morning following the last pretreatment week blood sampling. Serum and 24-hour stool samples were collected daily. Results: Mean ± SE serum K decreased (maximum change per corresponding day, 0.6 ± 0.2 mEq/l, p = 0.009) and fecal K increased 58% on patiromer compared with the pretreatment week. During the pretreatment week, 69.0, 47.6, and 11.9% of patients' serum K values were ≥5.5, ≥6.0, and ≥6.5 mEq/l, respectively. This was reduced to 38.1% (p = 0.009), 11.9% (p < 0.001), and 2.4% (p = 0.2) on patiromer. Following P binder discontinuation, the long interdialytic interval mean ± SE serum P numerically increased from 5.8 ± 0.4 to 7.0 ± 0.5 mg/dl (p = 0.06). On patiromer, P decreased from 7.0 ± 0.5 to 6.2 ± 0.5 mg/dl (p = 0.04). While on patiromer, fecal P numerically increased by 112 ± 72 mg/day (17%; p = 0.1792; range -148 to 344 mg/day). No patient discontinued patiromer because of adverse events (AEs); none had serious AEs. Conclusions: In 6 hyperkalemic HD patients, patiromer decreased serum K and P levels and increased fecal K

Структура, магнитные и магнитотранспортные свойства слоистого кобальтита Sr0,9Y0,1CoO2,63

The structure, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of perovskite Sr0.9Y0.1CoO2.63 are studied. It is shown that the sample is structurally two-phase. The main phase has a tetragonal-distorted unit cell and is described by the spatial group I4/mmm. The broadening of the reflexes with indexes corresponding to a doubling of the parameter from the unit cell indicates that there is no strict translational symmetry along the с-axis. The presence of a broadened superstructural reflex observed at small angles on X-ray diffraction patterns at temperatures below 400 K is due to the monoclinic phase, whose content is much smaller than the tetragonal phase. Spontaneous magnetization appears during the formation of the monoclinic phase. The magnetic structure is predominantly an antiferromagnetic G-type structure with magnetic moments of 1.5µB in the layers of CoO6 octahedra and 2µB in the anion-deficient CoO4+γ layers. The electrical conductivity of Sr0.9Y0.1CoO2.63 has a semiconductor in character. The magnetoresistance reaches 57 % in a field of 14 T at a temperature of 5 K and decreases strongly with increasing temperature.Исследованы структура, магнитные и магнитотранспортные свойства перовскита Sr0,9Y0,1CoO2,63. Показано, что образец является структурно двухфазным. Основная фаза имеет тетрагонально искаженную элементарную ячейку и описывается пространственной группой I4/ттт. Уширение рефлексов с индексами, соответствующими удвоению параметра с элементарной ячейки, указывает на отсутствие строгой трансляционной симметрии вдоль оси с. Наличие уширенного сверхструктурного рефлекса, наблюдаемого на малых углах на рентгенограммах при температуре меньше 400 К, обусловлено моноклинной фазой, содержание которой значительно меньше, чем тетрагональной. Спонтанная намагниченность появляется при формировании моноклинной фазы. Магнитная структура является преимущественно антиферромагнитной структурой G-типа с магнитными моментами 1,5µB в слоях из октаэдров СоO6 и 2µB в анион-дефицитных СоO4+γ слоях. Электропроводность состава Sr0,9Y0,1CoO2,63 имеет полупроводниковый характер. Магнитосопротивление достигает 57 % в поле 14 Тл при температуре 5 К и значительно уменьшается с ростом температуры

Effects of SNF472, a Novel Inhibitor of Hydroxyapatite Crystallization in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis - Subgroup Analyses of the CALIPSO Trial

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is highly prevalent and linked with poor outcomes in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, and its reduction may improve patient prognosis. SNF472, a selective inhibitor of hydroxyapatite crystallization, slows CAC progression in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. In this analysis, we assessed the efficacy of SNF472 in prespecified patient subgroups. In a randomized clinical trial SNF472 300 mg, SNF472 600 mg, or placebo were infused thrice weekly in 91, 92, and 91 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis and with CAC at baseline, respectively. In prespecified subanalyses, the percent change in CAC volume score (CACvs) from baseline to week 52 in modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and per-protocol (PP) populations was calculated in the following subgroups: age, sex, diabetes mellitus, dialysis vintage, prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, baseline use of non-calcium and calcium-based phosphate binders, calcimimetics, activated vitamin D, warfarin, and statins. In the main trial, SNF472 significantly reduced CACvs progression compared with placebo (11% versus 20% mITT analyses; P = 0.016; 8% vs. 24% PP analyses; P < 0.001). Treatment differences for CACvs progression were similar across all subgroups, and all interaction P values were non-significant in mITT and PP analyses. SNF472 treatment for 52 weeks reduced CACvs progression compared with placebo in a broad range of patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Future studies will determine the impact of SNF472 on cardiovascular events in this population

Effect of Etelcalcetide vs Placebo on Serum Parathyroid Hormone in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis With Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Importance Secondary hyperparathyroidism contributes to extraskeletal complications in chronic kidney disease. Objective To evaluate the effect of the intravenous calcimimetic etelcalcetide on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in patients receiving hemodialysis. Design, Setting, and Participants Two parallel, phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled treatment trials were conducted in 1023 patients receiving hemodialysis with moderate to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Trial A was conducted in 508 patients at 111 sites in the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel, Russia, and Australia from March 12, 2013, to June 12, 2014; trial B was conducted in 515 patients at 97 sites in the same countries from March 12, 2013, to May 12, 2014. Interventions Intravenous administration of etelcalcetide (n = 503) or placebo (n = 513) after each hemodialysis session for 26 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of patients achieving greater than 30% reduction from baseline in mean PTH during weeks 20-27. A secondary efficacy end point was the proportion of patients achieving mean PTH of 300 pg/mL or lower. Results The mean age of the 1023 patients was 58.2 (SD, 14.4) years and 60.4% were men. Mean PTH concentrations at baseline and during weeks 20-27 were 849 and 384 pg/mL vs 820 and 897 pg/mL in the etelcalcetide and placebo groups, respectively, in trial A; corresponding values were 845 and 363 pg/mL vs 852 and 960 pg/mL in trial B. Patients randomized to etelcalcetide were significantly more likely to achieve the primary efficacy end point: in trial A, 188 of 254 (74.0%) vs 21 of 254 (8.3%; P < .001), for a difference in proportions of 65.7% (95% CI, 59.4%-72.1%) and in trial B, 192 of 255 (75.3%) vs 25 of 260 (9.6%; P < .001), for a difference in proportions of 65.7% (95% CI, 59.3%-72.1%). Patients randomized to etelcalcetide were significantly more likely to achieve a PTH level of 300 pg/mL or lower: in trial A, 126 of 254 (49.6%) vs 13 of 254 (5.1%; P < .001), for a difference in proportions of 44.5% (95% CI, 37.8%-51.2%) and in trial B, 136 of 255 (53.3%) vs 12 of 260 (4.6%; P < .001), for a difference in proportions of 48.7% (95% CI, 42.1%-55.4%). In trials A and B, respectively, patients receiving etelcalcetide had more muscle spasms (12.0% and 11.1% vs 7.1% and 6.2% with placebo), nausea (12.4% and 9.1% vs 5.1% and 7.3%), and vomiting (10.4% and 7.5% vs 7.1% and 3.1%). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients receiving hemodialysis with moderate to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, use of etelcalcetide compared with placebo resulted in greater reduction in serum PTH over 26 weeks. Further studies are needed to assess clinical outcomes as well as longer-term efficacy and safety

Trial design and baseline characteristics of CaLIPSO : a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of SNF472 in patients receiving haemodialysis with cardiovascular calcification

The objective of CaLIPSO, a Phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, is to test the hypothesis that myo-inositol hexaphosphate (SNF472) attenuates the progression of cardiovascular calcification in patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis. Here we report the trial design and baseline characteristics of trial participants. Adult patients on maintenance haemodialysis (≥6 months) with an Agatston coronary artery calcium score, as measured by a multidetector computed tomography scanner, of 100-3500 U were enrolled. Patients were stratified by Agatston score (100-1000 U) and randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive placebo, SNF472 300 mg or SNF472 600 mg administered intravenously three times weekly during each haemodialysis session. Overall, 274 patients were randomized. The mean age of trial participants was 63.6 (standard deviation 8.9) years and 39% were women. The coronary artery, aorta and aortic valve median (25th-75th percentile) Agatston scores at baseline were 730 U (315-1435), 1728 U (625-4978) and 103 U (31-262), respectively, and the median (25th-75th percentile) calcium volume scores at baseline were 666 (310-1234), 1418 (536-4052) and 107 (38-278), respectively. Older age and diabetes mellitus were associated with higher calcium scores at baseline. The CaLIPSO trial enrolled patients on haemodialysis with pre-existent cardiovascular calcification to test the hypothesis that SNF472 attenuates its progression in the coronary arteries, aorta and aortic valve

Effect of Etelcalcetide vs Cinacalcet on Serum Parathyroid Hormone in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis With Secondary Hyperparathyroidism A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Secondary hyperparathyroidism contributes to extraskeletal calcification and is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Control is suboptimal in the majority of patients receiving hemodialysis. An intravenously (IV) administered calcimimetic could improve adherence and reduce adverse gastrointestinal effects. Objective To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of the IV calcimimetic etelcalcetide and the oral calcimimetic cinacalcet. Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy active clinical trial was conducted comparing IV etelcalcetide vs oral placebo and oral cinacalcet vs IV placebo in 683 patients receiving hemodialysis with serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations higher than 500 pg/mL on active therapy at 164 sites in the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, and New Zealand. Patients were enrolled from August 2013 to May 2014, with end of follow-up in January 2015. Interventions Etelcalcetide intravenously and oral placebo (n = 340) or oral cinacalcet and IV placebo (n = 343) for 26 weeks. The IV study drug was administered 3 times weekly with hemodialysis; the oral study drug was administered daily. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy end point was noninferiority of etelcalcetide at achieving more than a 30% reduction from baseline in mean predialysis PTH concentrations during weeks 20-27 (noninferiority margin, 12.0%). Secondary end points included superiority in achieving biochemical end points (>50% and >30% reduction in PTH) and self-reported nausea or vomiting. Results The mean (SD) age of the trial participants was 54.7 (14.1) years and 56.2% were men. Etelcalcetide was noninferior to cinacalcet on the primary end point. The estimated difference in proportions of patients achieving reduction in PTH concentrations of more than 30% between the 198 of 343 patients (57.7%) randomized to receive cinacalcet and the 232 of 340 patients (68.2%) randomized to receive etelcalcetide was −10.5% (95% CI, −17.5% to −3.5%, P for noninferiority, <.001; P for superiority, .004). One hundred seventy-eight patients (52.4%) randomized to etelcalcetide achieved more than 50% reduction in PTH concentrations compared with 138 patients (40.2%) randomized to cinacalcet (P = .001; difference in proportions, 12.2%; 95% CI, 4.7% to 19.5%). The most common adverse effect was decreased blood calcium (68.9% vs 59.8%). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients receiving hemodialysis with moderate to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, the use of etelcalcetide was not inferior to cinacalcet in reducing serum PTH concentrations over 26 weeks; it also met superiority criteria. Further studies are needed to assess clinical outcomes as well as longer-term efficacy and safety

Bottom mixed layer oxygen dynamics in the Celtic Sea

The seasonally stratified continental shelf seas are highly productive, economically important environments which are under considerable pressure from human activity. Global dissolved oxygen concentrations have shown rapid reductions in response to anthropogenic forcing since at least the middle of the twentieth century. Oxygen consumption is at the same time linked to the cycling of atmospheric carbon, with oxygen being a proxy for carbon remineralisation and the release of CO2. In the seasonally stratified seas the bottom mixed layer (BML) is partially isolated from the atmosphere and is thus controlled by interplay between oxygen consumption processes, vertical and horizontal advection. Oxygen consumption rates can be both spatially and temporally dynamic, but these dynamics are often missed with incubation based techniques. Here we adopt a Bayesian approach to determining total BML oxygen consumption rates from a high resolution oxygen time-series. This incorporates both our knowledge and our uncertainty of the various processes which control the oxygen inventory. Total BML rates integrate both processes in the water column and at the sediment interface. These observations span the stratified period of the Celtic Sea and across both sandy and muddy sediment types. We show how horizontal advection, tidal forcing and vertical mixing together control the bottom mixed layer oxygen concentrations at various times over the stratified period. Our muddy-sand site shows cyclic spring-neap mediated changes in oxygen consumption driven by the frequent resuspension or ventilation of the seabed. We see evidence for prolonged periods of increased vertical mixing which provide the ventilation necessary to support the high rates of consumption observed

Особенности обменных взаимодействий ионов B-подрешетки в системе La0,5Sr0,5Co1–x Nix O3–d

A comprehensive study of the crystal structure, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of the La0.5Sr0.5Co1–x Nix O3–d  cobaltite system (x = 0.1–0.16) was carried out. The X-ray measurement results indicate that the unit cell of all solid solutions of the system is cubic and is described by the space group Pm3m. It is found that with an increase in the 540     Doklady of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2021, vol. 65, no. 5, рр. 539–545 Ni content, the Curie temperature (TC) decreases from 230 to 180 K, as well as magnetization values. The magnetic transition is blurred across the field. The iodometric studies show that the concentration of Co4+ ions in all samples does not exceed 35 %. The chemical substitution of Co ions by Ni ones does not result in significant modification of the unit cell parameters, which may indicate a spin crossover of Co ions. The temperature dependence of resistivity is metallic in character, which indicates the stability of the main conducting ferromagnetic phase. The nature of exchange interactions of different signs between B-sublattice ions completely determines the behavior of the system. An increase in the content of Ni ions leads both to decrease the component of ferromagnetic exchange interactions between Co3+ ions in the intermediate spin state and to increase the fraction of antiferromagnetic and weaker ferromagnetic interactions. In addition, presumably the Co4+ ion can stabilize the high spin state of the closestCo3+ ion and in the next two coordination spheres it can stabilize the Co3+ ion in the low spin state, i. e. the ferromagnetic complexes Co4+–Co3+ (HS) are shielded by the diamagnetic shell of low spin Co3+ ions, which results in decreasing the magnetization values.Проведено комплексное исследование кристаллической структуры, магнитных и магнитотранспортных свойств кобальтитов La0,5Sr0,5Co1–x Nix O3–d  (x = 0,1–0,16) со структурой типа перовскита. Исследовались поликристаллические образцы, полученные по обычной керамической технологии на воздухе в два этапа. Рентгенофазовый анализ выполнен на рентгеновском дифрактометре ДРОН-3М в CuKα -излучении при комнатной температуре. Согласно данным рентгеноструктурного анализа, элементарная ячейка всех твердых растворов системы является кубической и описывается пространственной группой Pm3m. Исследования магнитных и резистивных свойств проводились на установке измерения физических свойств (Cryogenic Ltd) в магнитных полях до 14 Tл в диапазоне температур 5–315 К. Установлено, что с ростом концентрации Ni температура Кюри (TC) уменьшается от 230 до 180 К, как и значения намагниченности. Переход в парамагнитное состояние несколько размыт по полю. Согласно данным иодометрического исследования, концентрация ионов Co4+ не превышает 35 %. При изменении концентрации ионов Ni объем элементарной ячейки практически не меняется, что обусловлено спиновым кроссовером ионов Co. Показано, что зависимость удельного сопротивления от температуры носит металлический характер, что указывает на стабильность основной проводящей ферромагнитной фазы. Характер обменных взаимодействий различных знаков между ионами B-подрешетки полностью обуславливает поведение системы. Увеличение концентрации ионов Ni сопровождается уменьшением доли ферромагнитных обменных взаимодействий между ионами Co3+ в промежуточном спиновом состоянии и увеличением доли антиферромагнитных и более слабых ферромагнитных взаимодействий. Полученные результаты можно объяснить тем, что ион Co4+ может стабилизировать высокоспиновое состояние ближайшего к себе иона Co3+, а в следующих двух координационных сферах стабилизировать ион Co3+ в низкоспиновом состоянии, т. е. ферромагнитные комплексы Co4+–Co3+ (HS) экранируются диамагнитной оболочкой низкоспиновых ионов Co3+, что влечет за собой уменьшение значений намагниченности.