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Magnetosheath jets represent localized enhancements in dynamic pressure observed within the magnetosheath. These energetic entities, carrying excess energy and momentum, can impact the magnetopause and disrupt the magnetosphere. Therefore, they play a vital role in coupling the solar wind and terrestrial magnetosphere. However, our understanding of the morphology and formation of these complex, transient events remains incomplete over two decades after their initial observation. Previous studies have relied on oversimplified assumptions, considering jets as elongated cylinders with dimensions ranging from |$0.1\, R_{\rm E}$| to |$5\, R_{\rm E}$| (Earth radii). In this study, we present simulation results obtained from Amitis, a high-performance hybrid-kinetic plasma framework (particle ions and fluid electrons) running in parallel on graphics processing units (GPUs) for fast and more environmentally friendly computation compared to CPU-based models. Considering realistic scales, we present the first global, three-dimensional (3D in both configuration and velocity spaces) hybrid-kinetic simulation results of the interaction between solar wind plasma and the Earth. Our high-resolution kinetic simulations reveal the 3D structure of magnetosheath jets, showing that jets are far from being simple cylinders. Instead, they exhibit intricate and highly interconnected structures with dynamic 3D characteristics. As they move through the magnetosheath, they wrinkle, fold, merge, and split in complex ways before a subset reaches the magnetopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to improve a rankit ordinal model for evaluating and validating dichotomized tests in a prospective Nordic project. Material and methods. The model is based on the assumption that the S-shaped curve of fractions of positive for increasing concentrations can be de-convoluted to a histogram and thereby used to calculate the parameters for a ln-Gaussian distribution. In a Nordic survey, four urine samples with known concentrations of hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) and nitrites were distributed to more than 2500 practitioners' offices. Results. The results are presented as parameters (geometric mean and CV) for the components urine-hCG and urine-nitrites, together with fractions of positive for clinical critical values (5 and 40 IU/L for hCG), for which fractions should be below 0.01 and above 0.99, respectively, and 7 µmol/L for nitrites. Furthermore, the concentration intervals of varying fractions of positive from 0.01 to 0.99 are estimated as grey zones. The parameters and grey zones for different kits are compared. No urine-hCG kit fulfilled the low clinical criterion, whereas all fulfilled the high criterion. Seven of the eight nitrites kits had fractions of positive above 0.9 for the company confirmation limit, but varying fractions for the clinically important limit of 7 µmol/L (fractions from 0.06 to 0.83). Conclusions. The present model makes it easy to estimate parameters for the kits, and also to estimate the fractions of measured positives for specified concentrations. It is thus suited for external quality assessment as well as for manufacturers' method validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optically diffractive line gratings with 0.58-μm feature sizes have been generated in 100-μm perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymer films by direct micromolding using only a silicon master. Strong reflectivities from the green to red portions of the visible spectrum, depending on incident beam angle, were observed with 3 dB bandwidths of approximately 30 nm. This “negative mold-free” technique permits, for the first time to our knowledge, feature reproduction at submicrometer size scales, eliminates several steps from conventional soft lithographic methods, and marks itself as a practical means for rapidly generating planar photonic structures that operate spectrally in the visible and the near IR telecommunication bands [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Electronic exchange of health care data demands code/terminology systems. In the Scandinavian countries, the IFCC-IUPAC's Nomenclature for Properties and Units (NPU) terminology is used for results in biochemistry, pharmacology, and immunology. Implementation, use and administration of NPU has differed between the countries despite similar health care and lab sectors. In Norway and in one Swedish region NPU - with supplementary SNOMED CT codes is also used for reporting results in microbiology. In Denmark and to some extent in Norway and Sweden NPU is also used for ordering tests. In Norway NPU (as part of NLK) has since 2018 been mandatory in requesting governmental reimbursement for laboratory tests. The numbers of national codes vary considerably (DAN: 303, NOR: 1612, SWE: 415). Furthermore, in Denmark >3500 local codes are used for requisition and to communicate more details with the analytical result than the NPU terminology allows. Also, in Norway the NPU codes are by many lab professionals considered insufficient for communicating all relevant information with results. However, the Norwegian reimbursement system has been a strong motivator for implementing international NPU codes. We find it necessary to add information about "how" a measurement is done to the information about "what" is measured in the laboratory report. Until this is settled otherwise, we suggest an increased pragmatism towards producing national codes including method specific information. Furthermore, we recommend that organisations responsible for classifications have heavy professional participation and decision-making competencies in order to lead and guide implementation and optimal use of the classifications., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflict of interests The authors of this article declare that there is no conflict of interest with regard to the content of this manuscript. R. Ceder, K. Toska,, Y.B. Hansen and G. Nordin are, or have been, members of the IFCC committee on Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU) in collaboration with IUPAC., (Copyright © 2024 International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). All rights reserved.)

International consensus supports the development of standardized protocols for measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) to facilitate the integration of mGFR testing in both clinical and research settings. To this end, the European Kidney Function Consortium convened an international group of experts with relevant experience in mGFR. The working group performed an extensive literature search to inform the development of recommendations for mGFR determination using 1-compartment plasma clearance models and iohexol as the exogenous filtration marker. Iohexol was selected as it is non-radio labeled, inexpensive, and safe, can be assayed at a central laboratory, and the other commonly used non-radio-labeled tracers have been (inulin) or are soon to be (iothalamate) discontinued. A plasma clearance model was selected over urine clearance as it requires no urine collection. A 1 compartment was preferred to 2 compartments as it requires fewer samples. The recommendations are based on published evidence complemented by expert opinion. The consensus paper covers practical advice for patients and health professionals, preparation, administration, and safety aspects of iohexol, laboratory analysis, blood sample collection and sampling times using both multiple and single-sample protocols, description of the mGFR mathematical calculations, as well as implementation strategies. Supplementary materials include patient and provider information sheets, standard operating procedures, a study protocol template, and support for mGFR calculation., (Copyright © 2024 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)