We report the lattice parameters and cell volume for cristobalite powder added at 35 wt% to Ba-Al-Silicate glass (CGI930) as reflowed bulk glass bars where the embedded cristobalite phase is constrained within the glass matrix. Analysis confirms that the room temperature lattice parameters and cell volume obtained for the bulk glass–ceramic are larger compared with single-phase cristobalite powders. The increased volume of the cristobalite phase in a glass matrix is driven by tensile stresses developed at the interface between the cristobalite and matrix glass phase, and this stress impacts the phase transition temperature and thermal hysteresis of the cristobalite phase. In situ high-temperature measurements confirm that the tetragonal to cubic α–β phase transformation of the cristobalite phase within the glass matrix is ~195 °C with complete suppression of hysteresis behavior. In contrast, bulk glass–ceramic material ground to a powder form displays the expected thermal hysteresis behavior and more comparable phase transition temperatures of 245 °C on heating and 220 °C on cooling. Isothermal holds at varying temperatures above or near the α–β phase transition suggest that the cristobalite phase does not undergo significant relaxation within the matrix phase to reduce accumulated stress imposed by the constraining matrix glassy phase.

We present a new radio continuum study of the Large Magellanic Cloud supernova remnant (SNR) MC SNR J0519–6902. With a diameter of $\sim$8 pc, this SNR shows a radio ring-like morphology with three bright regions towards the north, east, and south. Its linear polarisation is prominent with average values of $5\pm1$% and $6\pm1$% at 5 500 and 9 000 MHz, and we find a spectral index of ${-0.62\pm0.02}$, typical of a young SNR. The average rotation measure is estimated at ${-124\pm83}$ rad m$^{-2}$ and the magnetic field strength at ${\sim11}\,\mu$G. We also estimate an equipartition magnetic field of ${72\pm 5}\,\mu$G and minimum explosion energy of E$_\textrm{ min}$ = 2.6$\times10^{48}$ erg. Finally, we identified an H i cloud that may be associated with MC SNR J0519–6902, located in the southeastern part of the remnant, along with a potential wind-bubble cavity.

With the rapid expansion of the Infection Prevention Control/Healthcare Epidemiology (IPC/HE) fields over recent decades, the pivotal roles of IPC/HE in hospital regulation, quality improvement, patient safety, and healthcare finances have become increasingly apparent. Consequently, the demand for effective IPC/HE leaders has surged.1,2 Training in IPC/HE is essential for all infectious diseases (ID) fellows (both adult and pediatric), including those planning a career in hospital epidemiology as well as those planning to focus on general ID, transplant, HIV, etc. ID fellows, however, have historically felt ill-prepared in IPC/HE. Joiner et al’s survey highlighted this gap, revealing that only half of respondents felt adequately trained in infection control, despite half of them participating in infection control in their practice.3 IPC/HE fellow education is not currently standardized, and most IPC/HE training is led by individual mentors and healthcare facilities.

Neuropsychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and dementia, are significant public health problems among older adults. While psychotropics are effective treatments, long-term treatment often has adverse side effects(1). Many patients often seek healthy food consumption as an alternative preventive strategy. Dietary fibre has been suggested for many health benefits, including cardiometabolic health and anti-inflammation, which may influence neurological health through the gut-brain axis(2). However, fibre’s role in neuropsychological health outcomes in older people is unclear. This study examined the potential role of dietary fibre intake and consumption of fibre-rich foods in neurological health outcomes in older Australians. We utilised data from the Ageing Study (MAS) of 1,037 participants aged 70–90(3). At baseline, dietary fibre, whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts and legumes consumption was estimated using the Cancer Council of Victoria food frequency questionnaire. The intake amount was further derived into tertiles (T), with T1 in the lower 33rd%tile and T3 in the upper 33rd%tile. Depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), anxiety symptoms (Goldberg Anxiety Scale), and psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) were assessed. Linear regression models were used to estimate beta coefficients for the associations cross-sectionally. Incident dementia was defined using diagnostic criteria, clinical assessments, and a consensus panel review. Nine hundred and sixty-three participants were followed up from the baseline (2005) until wave 4 (2011) [median: 5.8 (IQR: 3.1–5.9) years; 97 incident cases). Incident depression was defined as diagnoses by healthcare professionals and treatments for depression. Eight hundred and nine participants were followed up from the baseline (2005) until wave 3 (2009) [median: 3.9 (IQR: 1.9–4.0) years; 109 incident cases). Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (95% CIs). All models were adjusted for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health history. Among 963 participants (mean age: 78.5; 5.8% females) in the cross-sectional analysis, compared with T1, higher vegetable intake was associated with fewer depressive symptoms (T2: β = 0.52; T3: β= −0.53; both p < 0.05), psychological distress (T2: β = −0.59; T3: β = −1.13; both p < 0.05), and anxiety symptoms (T3: β = −0.37; p = 0.03). Combined intake of vegetables and fruit was inversely associated with fewer psychological distress symptoms (T2: β = −0.55; p = 0.06; T3: β = −1.3; p < 0.05). In the highest tertile, dietary fibre was associated with fewer depressive symptoms (T3: β = −0.47; p = 0.04). In the longitudinal analysis, dietary fibre intake was associated with a 43–56% lower risk of incident dementia (T2 vs T1: adj.HR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.31–1.03; T3 vs T1: adj.HR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.19–1.01). Intakes of whole grains, fruit, nuts and legumes were not associated with the outcomes assessed. In a cohort of older Australians, dietary fibre intake appeared to be protective in reducing depressive symptoms cross-sectionally and the risk of incident dementia longitudinally. Additionally, vegetable consumption was associated with fewer symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and distress cross-sectionally.

Depression and dementia represent significant public health issues, affecting approximately 1 in 10 and 1 in 12 older Australians, respectively. While current pharmacological treatments are effective in relieving symptoms, they often entail undesirable adverse effects, including gastrointestinal issues and bradycardia(1,2). This highlights the need for primary preventative measures, including food- and nutrition-based approaches. Chronic brain inflammation is believed to interfere with the gut–brain axis(3). Consumption of fermented dairy products rich in beneficial gut microbes may attenuate this inflammation and offer protective health benefits. This study aimed to examine whether fermented dairy intake could mitigate the risk of incident depression and dementia. Utilising data from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study I of 1037 participants 70–90 years, 816 participants (mean age: 76.7) were followed from 2005 until 2012 for incident depression, and 974 participants (mean age: 80.7) were followed up from 2005 until 2014 for incident dementia. Fermented dairy intake was assessed using the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies version 2 and categorised yoghurt and regular cheese into quartiles (Q) and low-fat cheese into consumers/non-consumers, with no consumption as the reference group. Depression diagnoses were assessed via self-reported physician-diagnosed history, medication use, service utilisation, and heavy alcohol use. Dementia diagnoses followed the criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Cox proportional hazards models examined the associations between fermented dairy intake and the risk of incident depression/dementia. Additionally, linear regression models were applied to assess for depressive symptoms score (measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale-15) and psychological distress score (measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10). All models were adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle factors, and medical histories. Over a median follow-up of 3.9 and 5.8 years, 120 incident depression and 100 incident dementia cases occurred, respectively. Those who consumed high yoghurt (Q4: 145.8–437.4 g/day) and low-fat cheese (consumers: 0.4–103.1g/day) intakes were associated with a lower risk of incident depression, both compared to non-consumers (yoghurt: adj.HR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19–0.77; low-fat cheese: adj.HR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.29–0.86). They were also associated with lower depressive symptom scores (yoghurt: adj.β = −0.46; 95% CI: −0.84, −0.07; low-fat cheese: adj.β = −0.42; 95% CI: −0.73, −0.11). However, those who consumed a higher intake of regular cheese (Q4: 14.7–86.1 g/day) had an elevated risk of incident depression (adj.HR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.47), and those in Q2 (0.1–7.2 g/day) had significantly higher depressive symptom scores (adj.β = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.78). No significant findings were found for psychological distress scores or incident dementia. Our findings of a cohort of older Australians suggest that higher yoghurt and low-fat cheese intakes may reduce incident depression and depressive symptoms, while a higher intake of regular cheese may increase these risks.

The crystal structure of cummingtonite-(P21/m) was characterised by single-crystal structure-refinement, infrared spectroscopy and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Previous cummingtonite-(P21/m) specimens characterised have Mn2+ as the dominant constituent at M(4) but this amphibole has Fe2+ dominant at M(4). The formula of the amphibole was corrected for minor exsolved calcium-amphibole and is (Mg5.66Fe2+1.28Mn0.06)Σ7.00Si8.00O22(OH)2. The crystal structure (a = 9.4885(19), b = 18.040(4), c = 5.2891(11) Å, β = 102.06(3)°, V = 885.4(3) Å3, space group P21/m and Z = 2), was refined to an R1-index of 3.34% for 2338 observed reflections. Site-occupancy refinement gave the following site-populations: M(1) = 1.972(8) Mg + 0.028 Fe2+, M(2) = 2.000 Mg, M(3) = 0.989(6) Mg + 0.011 Fe2+, M(4) = 0.815(8) Mg + 1.125 Fe2+ + 0.060 Mn2+ apfu. Infrared spectroscopy in the principal (OH)-stretching region shows two peaks, at 3367 and 3652 cm–1, that were assigned to the local arrangements M(1)MgM(1)MgM(3)Mg–OH and M(1)MgM(1)Fe2+ M(3)Mg–OH (≈ M(1)MgM(1)MgM(3)Fe2+–OH) with relative intensities in accord with the refined site-populations. 57Fe Mössbauer spectrum shows three quadrupole-split doublets with parameters indicative of octahedrally coordinated Fe2+ at M(4) and M(1,2,3), and octahedrally coordinated Fe3+ that occurs in exsolved calcium amphibole. All three techniques indicate a small amount of Fe2+ at M(1,2,3) despite the fact that there is more than sufficient CMg to completely fill the M(1,2,3) sites: 5.66 Mg pfu. Issues involving the current and possible future nomenclature and classification of the magnesium-iron-manganese amphiboles are discussed in detail.

With wide-field phased array feed technology, the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) is ideally suited to search for seemingly rare radio transient sources that are difficult to discover previous-generation narrow-field telescopes. The Commensal Real-time ASKAP Fast Transient (CRAFT) Survey Science Project has developed instrumentation to continuously search for fast radio transients (duration $\lesssim$ 1 s) with ASKAP, with a particular focus on finding and localising fast radio bursts (FRBs). Since 2018, the CRAFT survey has been searching for FRBs and other fast transients by incoherently adding the intensities received by individual ASKAP antennas, and then correcting for the impact of frequency dispersion on these short-duration signals in the resultant incoherent sum (ICS) in real time. This low-latency detection enables the triggering of voltage buffers, which facilitates the localisation of the transient source and the study of spectro-polarimetric properties at high time resolution. Here we report the sample of 43 FRBs discovered in this CRAFT/ICS survey to date. This includes 22 FRBs that had not previously been reported: 16 FRBs localised by ASKAP to $\lesssim 1$ arcsec and 6 FRBs localised to $\sim 10$ arcmin. Of the new arcsecond-localised FRBs, we have identified and characterised host galaxies (and measured redshifts) for 11. The median of all 30 measured host redshifts from the survey to date is $z=0.23$. We summarise results from the searches, in particular those contributing to our understanding of the burst progenitors and emission mechanisms, and on the use of bursts as probes of intervening media. We conclude by foreshadowing future FRB surveys with ASKAP using a coherent detection system that is currently being commissioned. This will increase the burst detection rate by a factor of approximately ten and also the distance to which ASKAP can localise FRBs.

Bioturbation can increase time averaging by downward and upward movements of young and old shells within the entire mixed layer and by accelerating the burial of shells into a sequestration zone (SZ), allowing them to bypass the uppermost taphonomically active zone (TAZ). However, bioturbation can increase shell disintegration concurrently, neutralizing the positive effects of mixing on time averaging. Bioirrigation by oxygenated pore-water promotes carbonate dissolution in the TAZ, and biomixing itself can mill shells weakened by dissolution or microbial maceration, and/or expose them to damage at the sediment–water interface. Here, we fit transition rate matrices to bivalve age–frequency distributions from four sediment cores from the southern California middle shelf (50–75 m) to assess the competing effects of bioturbation on disintegration and time averaging, exploiting a strong gradient in rates of sediment accumulation and bioturbation created by historic wastewater pollution. We find that disintegration covaries positively with mixing at all four sites, in accord with the scenario where bioturbation ultimately fuels carbonate disintegration. Both mixing and disintegration rates decline abruptly at the base of the 20- to 40-cm-thick, age-homogenized surface mixed layer at the three well-bioturbated sites, despite different rates of sediment accumulation. In contrast, mixing and disintegration rates are very low in the upper 25 cm at an effluent site with legacy sediment toxicity, despite recolonization by bioirrigating lucinid bivalves. Assemblages that formed during maximum wastewater emissions vary strongly in time averaging, with millennial scales at the low-sediment accumulation non-effluent sites, a centennial scale at the effluent site where sediment accumulation was high but bioturbation recovered quickly, and a decadal scale at the second high-sedimentation effluent site where bioturbation remained low for decades. Thus, even though disintegration rates covary positively with mixing rates, reducing postmortem shell survival, bioturbation has the net effect of increasing the time averaging of skeletal remains on this warm-temperate siliciclastic shelf.

A recently described phenomenon, the shear induced decrease of moisture suction in saturated clay—water systems and its subsequent recovery, has been investigated with the aid of a parallel plate shearing device. The apparatus allowed a more quantitative description of the phenomenon than was previously possible. In 4–6% Na-montmorillonite pastes it demonstrated a well defined suction response to shear oven for shear angles as small as one degree. The observed decrease in suction was rapid at first. It terminated within a few minutes and was followed by an approximately exponential, occasionally incomplete recovery. All the tests carried out exhibited the same general features of suction change.

It is postulated that shear induces a displacement or change in configuration of particles and that subsequently they return to their original states due to thermal motion. The shapes of the recovery curves can be interpreted in terms of the relaxation spectrum functions encountered in linear viscoelasticity theory. By utilizing a characteristic relaxation time for these spectra, rate process theory has been employed to interpret the bonding mechanism in terms of the experimental activation free energy. The results suggest that the bonds which are re-established during the recovery are primarily of the Coulombic type.

Shear induced suction changes should be considered when dealing with deformation theories and structural models of wet soils and clays. Indeed they provide a means of testing certain aspects of soil structure.

A healthcare-associated group A Streptococcus outbreak involving six patients, four healthcare workers, and one household contact occurred in the labor and delivery unit of an academic medical center. Isolates were highly related by whole genome sequencing. Infection prevention measures, healthcare worker screening, and chemoprophylaxis of those colonized halted further transmission.

The effect of treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) on the tegument of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms and on liver egg-granulomas has been examined in mice infected with PZQ-resistant and -susceptible parasite isolates. Two PZQ-resistant S. mansoni isolates, one selected by passage in the laboratory under drug pressure and one from Senegal established from eggs excreted by an uncured patient, were compared with PZQ-susceptible control isolates. Scanning electron microscopic observations on the tegument of Schistosoma adult worms treated in vivo with PZQ showed that more severe damage was inflicted by PZQ on susceptible worms than on drug-resistant worms. Observations on the pathology of Schistosoma egg-granulomas in the liver of infected mice after treatment with PZQ indicated that eggs from susceptible control isolates were more sensitive to PZQ than those from drug-resistant isolates.

Acanthocephalans of the order Polymorphida mainly parasitic in birds and mammals, are of veterinary, medical and economic importance. However, the evolutionary relationships of its 3 families (Centrorhynchidae, Polymorphidae and Plagiorhynchidae) remain under debate. Additionally, some species of Polymorphida (i.e. Bolbosoma spp. and Corynosoma spp.) are recognized as zoonotic parasites, associated with human acanthocephaliasis, but the mitochondrial genomes for representatives of Bolbosoma and Corynosoma have not been reported so far. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genomes B. nipponicum and C. villosum (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) are reported for the first time, which are 14 296 and 14 241 bp in length, respectively, and both contain 36 genes [including 12 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes] and 2 non-coding regions (NCR1 and NCR2). The gene arrangement of some tRNAs in the mitogenomes of B. nipponicum and C. villosum differs from that found in all other acanthocephalans, except Polymorphus minutus. Phylogenetic results based on concatenated amino acid (AA) sequences of the 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) strongly supported that the family Polymorphidae is a sister to the Centrorhynchidae rather than the Plagiorhynchidae, and also confirmed the sister relationship of the genera Bolbosoma and Corynosoma in the Polymorphidae based on the mitogenomic data for the first time. Our present findings further clarified the phylogenetic relationships of the 3 families Plagiorhynchidae, Centrorhynchidae and Polymorphidae, enriched the mitogenome data of the phylum Acanthocephala (especially the order Polymorphida), and provided the resource of genetic data for diagnosing these 2 pathogenic parasites of human acanthocephaliasis.

We review impacts of climate change, energy scarcity, and economic frameworks on sustainability of natural and human systems in coastal zones, areas of high biodiversity, productivity, population density, and economic activity. More than 50% of the global population lives within 200 km of a coast, mostly in tropical developing countries. These systems developed during stable Holocene conditions. Changes in global forcings are threatening sustainability of coastal ecosystems and populations. During the Holocene, the earth warmed and became wetter and more productive. Climate changes are impacting coastal systems via sea level rise, stronger tropical cyclones, changes in basin inputs, and extreme weather events. These impacts are passing tipping points as the fossil fuel-powered industrial-technological-agricultural revolution has overwhelmed the source–sink functions of the biosphere and degraded natural systems. The current status of industrialized society is primarily the result of fossil fuel (FF) use. FFs provided more than 80% of global primary energy and are projected to decline to 50% by mid-century. This has profound implications for societal energy requirements, including the transition to a renewable economy. The development of the industrial economy allowed coastal social systems to become spatially separated from their dominant energy and food sources. This will become more difficult to maintain with the fading of cheap energy. It seems inevitable that past growth in energy use, resource consumption, and economic growth cannot be sustained, and coastal areas are in the forefront of these challenges. Rapid planning and cooperation are necessary to minimize impacts of the changes associated with the coming transition. There is an urgent need for a new economic framework to guide society through the transition as mainstream neoclassical economics is not based on natural sciences and does not adequately consider either the importance of energy or the work of nature.

Background: SMA affects individuals with a broad age range and spectrum of disease severity. Risdiplam (EVRYSDI®) is a centrally and peripherally distributed, oral SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing modifier. Methods: SUNFISH is a multicenter, two-part, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in patients with Types 2/3 SMA. Part 1 assessed the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of different risdiplam dose levels in patients with Types 2/3 SMA. Part 2 assessed the efficacy and safety of the selected dose of risdiplam versus placebo in Type 2 and non-ambulant Type 3 SMA. In Part 2, participants were treated with risdiplam or placebo for 12 months, then received risdiplam in a blinded manner until month 24. At month 24, patients were offered the opportunity to enter the open-label extension phase. Results: Change from baseline in MFM32 total score (Part 2- primary endpoint) in patients treated with risdiplam versus placebo was met at month 12. These increases in motor function were sustained in the second and third year after risdiplam treatment. Here we present 4-year efficacy and safety data from SUNFISH. Conclusions: SUNFISH is ongoing and will provide further long-term efficacy and safety data of risdiplam in a broad population of individuals with SMA.

In Paper I, we presented an overview of the Southern-sky MWA Rapid Two-metre (SMART) survey, including the survey design and search pipeline. While the combination of MWA’s large field-of-view and the voltage capture system brings a survey speed of ${\sim} 450\, {\textrm{deg}}^{2}\,\textrm{h}^{-1}$, the progression of the survey relies on the availability of compact configuration of the Phase II array. Over the past few years, by taking advantage of multiple windows of opportunity when the compact configuration was available, we have advanced the survey to 75% of the planned sky coverage. To date, about 10% of the data collected thus far have been processed for a first-pass search, where 10 min of observation is processed for dispersion measures out to 250 ${\textrm{pc cm}}^{-3}$, to realise a shallow survey that is largely sensitive to long-period pulsars. The ongoing analysis has led to two new pulsar discoveries, as well as an independent discovery and a rediscovery of a previously incorrectly characterised pulsar, all from ${\sim} 3\% $ of the data for which candidate scrutiny is completed. In this sequel to Paper I, we describe the strategies for further detailed follow-up including improved sky localisation and convergence to timing solution, and illustrate them using example pulsar discoveries. The processing has also led to re-detection of 120 pulsars in the SMART observing band, bringing the total number of pulsars detected to date with the MWA to 180, and these are used to assess the search sensitivity of current processing pipelines. The planned second-pass (deep survey) processing is expected to yield a three-fold increase in sensitivity for long-period pulsars, and a substantial improvement to millisecond pulsars by adopting optimal de-dispersion plans. The SMART survey will complement the highly successful Parkes High Time Resolution Universe survey at 1.2–1.5 GHz, and inform future large survey efforts such as those planned with the low-frequency Square Kilometre Array (SKA-Low).