Kinship can be difficult to discern in the archaeological record, but the study of ancient DNA offers a useful window into one form of kinship: biological relatedness. Here, the authors explore possible kin connections at the post-Roman site of Worth Matravers in south-west England. They find that, while clusters of genetically related individuals are apparent, the inclusion of unrelated individuals in double or triple burials demonstrates an element of social kinship in burial location. Some individuals also carried genetic signatures of continental ancestry, with one young male revealing recent West African ancestry, highlighting the diverse heritage of early medieval Britain.

Some of us recently discussed the problems existing in describing the channels that permit interventricular shunting. We offered suggestions for improvement, particularly when assessing the channel that is found when both arterial trunks arise from the morphologically right ventricle. Our proposals engendered significant debate, with several criticisms appearing in an editorial commentary. The commentator now accepts that not all of the criticisms were justified. In an attempt to seek further consensus, we have now joined with additional colleagues so as to clarify the aspects of our initial work that created potential confusion. Having reviewed the aspects producing the misconceptions, we again provide an overview of the evidence relevant to deficient ventricular septation now provided by knowledge of cardiac development. We show how remodelling of the primary interventricular communication involves the provision of an inlet for the developing right ventricle and an outlet for the developing right ventricle. During this process, the secondary interventricular foramen, which is a subaortic-left ventricular communication when the outflow tract remains supported exclusively by the right ventricle, becomes the outflow tract for the left ventricle, with a subaortic-right ventricular communication then being closed to complete ventricular septation. We show how knowledge of these processes, coupled with an appreciation of the mechanism of formation of the muscular ventricular septum and the separate formation of an embryonic muscular outlet septum, which with normal development becomes the subpulmonary infundibulum, provides the basis for understanding the various phenotypic lesions that permit interventricular shunting in the postnatal heart.

The Myoshirt, an active exosuit, provides gravity compensation for the shoulders. This study evaluated the impact of the Myoshirt on range of motion (ROM), endurance, and activities of daily living (ADLs) performance through tests involving nine participants with varying levels of arm impairments and diverse pathologies. Optical motion capture was used to quantify ROM of the shoulder and elbow joints during isolated movements and functional tasks. Endurance was quantified through a timed isometric shoulder flexion task, and a battery of ADL tasks was used to measure the perceived support of the exosuit, along with changes in movement quality. Feedback and usability insights were gathered with surveys. The Myoshirt did not significantly improve ROM during isolated movements (shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion/extension), but during the reaching phase of a functional drinking task elbow extension increased significantly by 13.5% (t = 7.52, p = .002). Participants could also keep their arms elevated 78.7% longer (t = 1.942, p = .047). Patients also reported less perceived difficulty with ADLs while using the device, and a therapist reported improved execution quality. Participants who self-reported severe impairment levels tended to derive greater benefits compared to those with milder impairments. These findings highlight the potential of the Myoshirt as an assistive device, particularly for individuals with severe impairments, while emphasizing the need for further refinement.

We present the serendipitous radio-continuum discovery of a likely Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G305.4–2.2. This object displays a remarkable circular symmetry in shape, making it one of the most circular Galactic SNRs known. Nicknamed Teleios due to its symmetry, it was detected in the new Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) radio–continuum images with an angular size of 1 320$^{\prime\prime}$$\times$1 260$^{\prime\prime}$ and PA = 0$^\circ$. While there is a hint of possible H$\alpha$ and gamma-ray emission, Teleios is exclusively seen at radio–continuum frequencies. Interestingly, Teleios is not only almost perfectly symmetric, but it also has one of the lowest surface brightnesses discovered among Galactic SNRs and a steep spectral index of $\alpha$=–0.6$\pm$0.3. Our best estimates from Hi studies and the $\Sigma$–D relation place Teleios as a type Ia SNR at a distance of either $\sim$2.2 kpc (near-side) or $\sim$7.7 kpc (far-side). This indicates two possible scenarios, either a young (under 1 000 yr) or a somewhat older SNR (over 10 000 yr). With a corresponding diameter of 14/48 pc, our evolutionary studies place Teleios at the either early or late Sedov phase, depending on the distance/diameter estimate. However, our modelling also predicts X-ray emission, which we do not see in the present generation of eROSITA images. We also explored a type Iax explosion scenario that would point to a much closer distance of $\lt$1 kpc and Teleios size of only $\sim$3.3 pc, which would be similar to the only known type Iax remnant SN1181. Unfortunately, all examined scenarios have their challenges, and no definitive Supernova (SN) origin type can be established at this stage. Remarkably, Teleios has retained its symmetrical shape as it aged even to such a diameter, suggesting expansion into a rarefied and isotropic ambient medium. The low radio surface brightness and the lack of pronounced polarisation can be explained by a high level of ambient rotation measure (RM), with the largest RM being observed at Teleios’s centre.

This paper provides practical guidance to UK-based financial institutions (UKFIs) that are subject to the “operational resilience” guideline requirements of the Bank of England (BoE), Prudential Regulatory Authority and Financial Conduct Authority, issued in 2021, and fully effective for 31 March 2025. It contains practical suggestions and recommendations to assist UKFIs in implementing the guidelines. The scope of the paper covers issues related to (a) overviewing the latest equivalent operational resilience guidance in other countries and internationally (b) identifying key issues related to risk culture, risk appetite, information technology, tolerance setting, risk modelling, scenario planning and customer oriented operational resilience (c) identifying a framework for operational resilience based on a thorough understanding of these parameters and (d) designing and implementing an operational resilience maturity dashboard based on a sample of large UKIFs. The study also contains recommendations for further action, including enhanced controls and operational risk management frameworks. It concludes by identifying imperative policy actions to ensure that the implementation of the guidelines is more effective.

Macroscopic, modular, morphologically simple skeletons occur in the uppermost Mural Formation (Cambrian, Epoch 2, Bonnia–Olenellus Biozone), west-central Alberta and adjacent east-central British Columbia. They represent organisms that lived almost exclusively in reefal environments dominated by archaeocyaths. Some were attached to archaeocyaths or less commonly other surfaces, and some grew downward, apparently from overhangs or cavities in reefs. Qualitative and quantitative data from a large number of specimens, most of which were serially thin sectioned, indicate that they represent a single, remarkably variable species. The skeletal structure ranges among specimens from entirely cerioid to partially to entirely labyrinthine with irregularly incomplete walls. There is also a wide range of variability in growth form among skeletons, in module size and wall thickness among and within skeletons, in module shape within skeletons, and in number and location of projections extending from the wall into some modules. Module increase occurred by peripheral expansion at the basal surface of the skeleton and longitudinal fission involving projections from the wall as module size increased during vertical growth. Walls of skeletons, now composed of calcite cement, were probably originally aragonite. Modular skeletons from the uppermost Mural Formation are assigned to Rosellatana jamesi Kobluk, 1984a, previously represented only by a few cerioid specimens from correlative strata in the Rosella Formation of north-central British Columbia. The skeletal structure and types of module increase in R. jamesi, and a few similar but less well-known Cambrian taxa from elsewhere in North America, suggest a general biologic affinity with hypercalcified sponges.

Background: Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is caused by a deficiency of acid α-glucosidase (GAA), leading to progressive muscle and respiratory decline. Cipaglucosidase alfa (cipa), a recombinant human GAA naturally enriched with bis-mannose-6-phosphate, exhibits improved muscle uptake but is limited by inactivation at near-neutral blood pH. Miglustat (mig), an enzyme stabiliser, binds competitively and reversibly to cipa, enhancing its stability and activity. Methods: In dose-finding studies, Gaa-/- mice were treated with cipa (20 mg/kg) +/- mig (10 mg/kg; equivalent human dose ~260 mg). Clinical study methodologies have been published (Schoser et al. Lancet Neurol 2021:20;1027–37; Schoser et al. J Neurol 2024:271;2810–23). Results: In Gaa-/- mice, cipa+mig improved muscle glycogen reduction more than cipa alone and grip strength to levels approaching wild-type mice. LOPD patients (n=11) treated with cipa alone showed dose-dependent decreases in hexose tetrasaccharide (Hex4) levels by ~15% from baseline, decreasing another ~10% with added mig (260 mg). In a head-to-head study, cipa+mig had a similar safety profile to alglucosidase alfa. Among 151 patients (three trials), mig-related adverse events occurred in 21 (13.9%), none serious. Conclusions: Mig stabilised cipa in circulation, improving cipa exposure, further reducing Hex4 levels and was well tolerated in clinical studies in patients with LOPD. Sponsored by Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) poses significant health risks and is prevalent in children and adolescents in India. This study aimed to determine the effect of seasonal variation and availability of vitamin A-rich (VA-rich) foods on serum retinol in adolescents. Data on serum retinol levels from adolescents (n 2297, mean age 14 years) from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016–2018) in India were analysed, with VAD defined as serum retinol < 0·7 µmol/L. Five states were selected based on a comparable under-five mortality rate and the seasonal spread of the data collection period. Dietary data from adolescents and children ≤ 4 years old were used to assess VA-rich food consumption. A linear mixed model framework was employed to analyse the relationship between serum retinol, month of the year and VA-rich food consumption, with a priori ranking to control for multiple hypothesis testing. Consumption of VA-rich foods, particularly fruits and vegetables/roots and tubers, showed seasonal patterns, with higher consumption during summer and monsoon months. Significant associations were found between serum retinol concentrations and age, month of sampling, consumption of VA-rich foods and fish. VAD prevalence was lowest in August, coinciding with higher consumption of VA-rich fruits and foods. Findings highlight the importance of considering seasonality in assessing VAD prevalence and careful interpretation of survey findings. Intentional design, analysis and reporting of surveys to capture seasonal variation is crucial for accurate assessment and interpretation of VAD prevalence, including during monitoring and evaluation of programmes, and to ensure that public health strategies are appropriately informed.