Network meta-analysis allows the synthesis of relative effects from several treatments. Two broad approaches are available to synthesize the data: arm-synthesis and contrast-synthesis, with several models that can be fitted within each. Limited evaluations comparing these approaches are available. We re-analyzed 118 networks of interventions with binary outcomes using three contrast-synthesis models (CSM; one fitted in a frequentist framework and two in a Bayesian framework) and two arm-synthesis models (ASM; both fitted in a Bayesian framework). We compared the estimated log odds ratios, their standard errors, ranking measures and the between-trial heterogeneity using the different models and investigated if differences in the results were modified by network characteristics. In general, we observed good agreement with respect to the odds ratios, their standard errors and the ranking metrics between the two Bayesian CSMs. However, differences were observed when comparing the frequentist CSM and the ASMs to each other and to the Bayesian CSMs. The network characteristics that we investigated, which represented the connectedness of the networks and rareness of events, were associated with the differences observed between models, but no single factor was associated with the differences across all of the metrics. In conclusion, we found that different models used to synthesize evidence in a network meta-analysis (NMA) can yield different estimates of odds ratios and standard errors that can impact the final ranking of the treatment options compared.

The growing popularity of home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb, partly fueled by hosts’ ability to evade local taxes and regulations, has been shown to elevate housing costs by reallocating long-term housing units to the short-term rental market. This study assesses whether enhanced tax enforcement can mitigate this trend. We analyze staggered tax collection agreements between Airbnb and Florida counties, wherein Airbnb collects taxes from the hosts directly. Using a difference-in-differences methodology, we find these agreements significantly slow the growth of housing costs, highlighting the importance of tax policy in addressing the sharing economy’s influence on housing affordability.

This scoping review synthesizes existing literature on the application of the capability approach (CA) to address the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples across the globe. Academic and grey literature searches led to the identification of 20 papers for inclusion in the review. Findings reveal a growing interest in applying the CA to Indigenous health and well-being research, highlighting its potential to guide interventions and policies. The included studies indicate that the CA has been applied to individual capabilities such as facilitating access to services and collective capabilities linked to identity and traditional knowledge preservation. A key finding across the reviewed literature is the importance of incorporating Indigenous values into defining programmes and policies aimed at improving Indigenous Peoples’ well-being. The review underscores the varied application of the CA by researchers aligning with the position of either Sen or Nussbaum, leading to contrasting methodological approaches. Results underscore the CA’s potential as a culturally sensitive framework for participatory and locally embedded development of well-being interventions and policies.

In a “mixed bag” 2023-2024 session, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a series of decisions both favorable and antithetical to public health and safety. Taking on tough constitutional issues implicating gun control, misinformation, and homelessness, the Court also avoided substantive reviews in favor of procedural dismissals in key cases involving reproductive rights and government censorship.

In an effort to respond to the large surge in COVID-19 cases in Arizona that began between May and July 2020, the Arizona State University (ASU) Student Outbreak Response Team (SORT) formed a remote, volunteer-based case investigation team that worked in partnership with a local public health department through delegated public health authority.

Prenatal vitamin D deficiency is widely reported and may affect perinatal outcomes. In this secondary analysis of the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial, we examined vitamin D status and its relationship with selected pregnancy outcomes in women with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) from multi-ethnic inner-city settings in the UK. Determinants of vitamin D status at a mean of 17 ± 1 weeks’ gestation were assessed using multivariable linear regression and reported as percent differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Associations between 25(OH)D and clinical outcomes were examined using logistic regression. Among 1089 participants, 67 % had 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l and 26 % had concentrations < 25 nmol/l. In fully adjusted models accounting for socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, 25(OH)D was lower among women of Black (% difference = −33; 95 % CI: −39, −27), Asian (% difference = −43; 95 % CI: −51, −35) and other non-White (% difference = −26; 95 % CI: −35, −14) ethnicity compared with women of White ethnicity (n 1086; P < 0·001 for all). In unadjusted analysis, risk of gestational diabetes was greater in women with 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l compared with ≥ 50 nmol/l (OR = 1·58; 95 % CI: 1·09, 2·31), but the magnitude of effect estimates was attenuated in the multivariable model (OR = 1·33; 95 % CI: 0·88, 2·00). There were no associations between 25(OH)D and risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth or small for gestational age or large-for-gestational-age delivery. These findings demonstrate low 25(OH)D among pregnant women with obesity and highlight ethnic disparities in vitamin D status in the UK. However, evidence for a greater risk of adverse perinatal outcomes among women with vitamin D deficiency was limited.

Crystal growth theory was applied to describe edge sites of phyllosilicates. Three face configurations were found to exist. One face has one tetrahedral site per tetrahedral sheet and two octahedral one-coordinated sites per crystallographic area ac sin β, where a and c are layer dimensions and β is the angle between them. The other two faces are similar except that they have one less octahedral site which is replaced by one SiIV-O-AlVI site in this same ac sin β area. A transfer of bonding energy from the remaining octahedral site to the SiIV-O-AlVI site is believed to neutralize all edge charge on faces containing these latter sites at normally encountered pHs (pH 3–9). A similar charge rearrangement along the edges results in an apparent decrease in the permanent charge of the mineral with an increase in edge area.

On the basis of such an analysis, lath-shaped illite can be described as a very fine grained dioctahedral mica in which the apparent deficient occupancy of the octahedral sheet, presence of excess water, and measurable cation-exchange capacity may in part be the result of a large ratio of edge area to total volume, with no other chemical or structural change in the mica layers. The increasing importance of edge charge relative to layer charge produces erroneous formulae for 2:1 phyllosilicates in very fine grained samples containing fewer than 2 of 3 octahedral sites occupied by cations, on the basis of a 22-charge half cell.

A standardless method of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze selected areas of clay-size particles of talc, pyrophyllite, and kaolinite supported by a carbon planchet. Peak intensity ratios of fluorescing elements relative to silicon were converted directly to weight or mole ratios using conversion factors determined theoretically. The conversion factors depend upon particle thickness and mass adsorption coefficients of the sample for the elements analyzed. The effects of particle thickness become significant above ~0.1 μm. Without using particle thickness corrections, the mean molar ratios of metal to Si agreed to within 6.1,0.5, and 9.7% of the theoretical ratios for kaolinite, pyrophyllite, and talc, respectively.

Many of the presently oxidized Georgia kaolins probably existed originally in the reduced (gray) state. For that reason, the distribution of iron sulfides in presently gray kaolins may elucidate features observed in oxidized kaolins. An understanding of the nature of gray kaolins may also aid in the development of processing strategies for the exploitation of these abundant resources. The size, morphology, and degree of crystallite bonding of iron sulfides (pyrite and marcasite) in three gray kaolin cores from the Macon, Georgia kaolin district were examined by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and other physical and chemical methods. Pyrite and marcasite were identified as dominantly gravel- and sand-size equant crystals and crystal aggregates, rather than as framboids. Pyrite crystals commonly showed rough octahedral faces, which extended over minor cube faces. Locally, spiral growth dislocations were also observed. Marcasite was found in radiating, prismatic, and tabular crystals. In general, the marcasite crystal aggregates were much more fragile than those of pyrite. The dominance of octahedral crystal shapes and textures of the pyrite suggest inorganic precipitation from solutions supersaturated with respect to octahedral crystal faces.

There are numerous challenges pertaining to epilepsy care across Ontario, including Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) bed pressures, surgical access and community supports. We sampled the current clinical, community and operational state of Ontario epilepsy centres and community epilepsy agencies post COVID-19 pandemic. A 44-item survey was distributed to all 11 district and regional adult and paediatric Ontario epilepsy centres. Qualitative responses were collected from community epilepsy agencies. Results revealed ongoing gaps in epilepsy care across Ontario, with EMU bed pressures and labour shortages being limiting factors. A clinical network advising the Ontario Ministry of Health will improve access to epilepsy care.

A deluge of state “anti-equity” legislative bills seek to reverse prevailing trends in diversity, equity, and inclusion; withdraw protections of LGBTQ+ communities; and deny access to gender-based care for trans minors and adults. While the political and constitutional fate of these acts is undetermined, profound impacts on patients and their providers are already affecting the delivery of health care and public health services.

One Tertiary and two Cretaceous gray kaolin sites in Georgia were examined using X-ray radiography of core sections to determine the processes of formation of the deposits. The Tertiary kaolin was oxidized in the upper 3 m of the deposit and reduced below that point. The two Cretaceous kaolins were reduced from the top of the deposit to an abrupt boundary with oxidized red kaolin below. Radiography of the first Cretaceous core revealed thin laminar bedding in the gray kaolin and in the underlying red kaolin. The laminae continue without interruption across the gray kaolin/red kaolin boundary. The laminae were not visible in the gray kaolin except in radiographs. Sedimentary bedding was not observed visually or radiographically at the Tertiary site nor in sections of the core from the second Cretaceous site where kaolinite was recrystallized to large vermiforms. The original sedimentary structure in the first Cretaceous kaolin was preserved possibly due to the inhibition of kaolinite recrystallization by a higher organic matter content. Recrystallization of kaolinite and iron compounds may have destroyed sedimentary structures in part or all of the other two kaolin cores. It is hypothesized that the first Cretaceous physical and biological mixing. The same hypothesis may apply to the other two kaolins but recrystallization after deposition has destroyed sedimentary structures.

Concerned with sustainably alleviating mental distress and promoting the right to health worldwide, global mental health (GMH) is practised across various contexts spanning the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The inherently intersectoral and multidisciplinary nature of GMH calls for competency frameworks and training programmes that embody diversity, decolonisation and multiprofessionalism. Existing competency frameworks have failed to capture the multi-sectoral, inter-professional nature of contemporary GMH practice. In response to these needs, a qualitative content analysis of relevant job advertisements was conducted to distil a comprehensive set of professional competencies in contemporary GMH practice. Approximately 200 distinct skills and competencies were extracted from 70 job advertisements and organised into four meta-dimensions: ‘skills’, ‘sector’, ‘self’ and ‘subject’. The first known systematic attempt at a multi-sectoral GMH competency framework, it offers a springboard for exploring vital yet overlooked professional competencies such as resilience, self-reflection, political skills and entrepreneurialism. On this basis, recommendations for building a competent, agile and effective GMH workforce with diversified and future-proof skillsets are proposed. The framework can also inform inter-professional training and curriculum design, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at early-career professional development, particularly in low- and middle-income settings.

We present an initial analysis of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) flagging statistics from archived Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) observations for the ‘Survey and Monitoring of ASKAP’s RFI environment and Trends’ (SMART) project. SMART is a two-part observatoryled project combining analysis of archived observations with a dedicated, comprehensive RFI survey. The survey component covers ASKAP’s full 700–1 800 MHz frequency range, including bands not typically used due to severe RFI. Observations are underway to capture a detailed snapshot of the ASKAP RFI environment over representative 24 h periods. In addition to this dedicated survey, we routinely archive and analyse flagging statistics for all scientific observations to monitor the observatory’s RFI environment in near real-time. We use the telescope itself as a very sensitive RFI monitor and directly assess the fraction of scientific observations impacted by RFI. To this end, flag tables are now automatically ingested and aggregated as part of routine ASKAP operations for all science observations, as a function of frequency and time. The data presented in this paper come from processing all archived data for several ASKAP Survey Science Projects (SSPs). We found that the average amount of flagging due to RFI across the routinely used ‘clean’ continuum science bands is 3%. The ‘clean’ mid band from 1 293 to 1 437 MHz (excluding the 144 MHz below 1293 MHz impacted by radionavigation-satellites which is discarded before processing) is the least affected by RFI, followed by the ‘clean’ low band from 742 to 1 085 MHz. ASKAP SSPs lose most of their data to the mobile service in the low band, aeronautical service in the mid band and satellite navigation service in the 1 510–1 797 MHz high band. We also show that for some of these services, the percentage of discarded data has been increasing year-on-year. SMART provides a unique opportunity to study ASKAP’s changing RFI environment, including understanding and updating the default flagging behaviour, inferring the suitability of and calibrating RFI monitoring equipment, monitoring spectrum management compliance in the Australian Radio Quiet Zone – Western Australia (ARQZWA), and informing the implementation of a suite of RFI mitigation techniques.

We have employed the VULCAN laser facility to generate a laser plasma X-ray source for use in photoionization experiments. A nanosecond laser pulse with an intensity of order 1015 Wcm−2 was used to irradiate thin Ag or Sn foil targets coated onto a parylene substrate, and the L-shell emission in the 3.3–4.4 keV range was recorded for both the laser-irradiated and nonirradiated sides. Both the experimental and simulation results show higher laser to X-ray conversion yields for Ag compared with Sn, with our simulations indicating yields approximately a factor of two higher than those found in the experiments. Although detailed angular data were not available experimentally, the simulations indicate that the emission is quite isotropic on the laser-irradiated side but shows close to a cosine variation on the nonirradiated side of the target as seen experimentally in the previous work.

The properties that might influence the sequestration of aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) were examined. Laser-diffraction, particle-size analysis (LDPSA) indicated that the particle size of the smectite influences the amount of AfB1 adsorbed. Effective adsorbent smectites disperse well under combined sodium hexametaphosphate solution and ultrasonic agitation. Particle size explained 66% of the variability for most of the samples investigated in an ‘as-received’ state. One effective adsorbent smectite was especially well aggregated and required additional physical dispersion, thus raising the correlation to 73%. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show typical smectites and reveal the very diverse morphology of smectites in bentonites. Thin, cloud-like smectite, in TEM images, related positively to AfB1-adsorption capacity. Particles that often fold and are usually ∼0.5 µm across seem to be optimal. The selection of criteria for evaluating these smectites provides a scientific basis for their selection to obtain reliable performance. Particle size is of particular importance as outlined below, and use of LDPSA makes it possible to perform the analysis efficiently and with precision.

Clay minerals are abundant in soils and sediments and often contain Fe. Some varieties, such as nontronites, contain as much as 40 wt.% Fe2O3 within their molecular structure. Several studies have shown that various Fe-reducing micro-organisms can use ferric iron in Fe-bearing clay minerals as their terminal electron acceptor, thereby reducing it to ferrous iron. Laboratory experiments have also demonstrated that chemically or bacterially reduced clays can promote the reductive degradation of various organics, including chlorinated pesticides and nitroaromatics. Therefore, Fe-bearing clays may play a crucial role in the natural attenuation of various redox-sensitive contaminants in soils and sediments. Although the organochlorinated pesticide p,p′-DDT is one of the most abundant and recalcitrant sources of contamination in many parts of the world, the impact of reduced Fe-bearing clays on its degradation has never been documented. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the extent of degradation of p,p′-DDT during the bacterial reduction of Fe(III) in an Fe-rich clay. Microcosm experiments were conducted under anaerobic conditions using nontronite (sample NAu-2) spiked with p,p′-DDT and the metal-reducing bacteria Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Similar experiments were conducted using a sand sample to better ascertain the true impact of the clay vs. the bacteria on the degradation of DDT. Samples were analyzed for DDT and degradation products after 0, 3, and 6 weeks of incubation at 30°C. Results revealed a progressive decrease in p,p′-DDT and increase in p,p′-DDD concentrations in the clay experiments compared to sand and abiotic controls, indicating that Fe-bearing clays may substantially contribute toward the reductive degradation of DDT in soils and sediments. These new findings further demonstrate the impact that clay materials can have on the natural attenuation of pollutants in natural and artificial systems and open new avenues for the passive treatment of contaminated land.

Non-ionic surfactants Brij 56 and Igepal CO 720, containing hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) segments, expanded smectite from 1.5 nm to 1.7 nm at room temperature. The surfactant-smectite composites had larger layer spacings than Ca-smectite after heat treatment. The surfactant-smectite composites were solvated and expanded to 1.8–1.9 nm by polar solvents, glycerol and water, but were not affected by the non-polar or weakly polar solvents, toluene, hexane or octanol. The hydrophilic PEO segments of non-ionic surfactants would logically access the interlayer spaces of smectite whereas the hydrophobic segments extend away from the mineral. The molecular structure and solvation properties suggest that the surfactant molecules are probably concentrated in the margin area of the interlayer galleries forming an annular ring structure between two neighboring silicate sheets. Only two layers or less of the surfactants could access the interlayer galleries of smectite and layer spacings did not exceed 1.8 nm even where excess surfactant was introduced into the composites. The layer spacings of the surfactant-smectite composites were well preserved during water or electrolyte solution washings, indicating stability of most non-ionic surfactant molecules in the interlayer galleries even though ∼30% of the adsorbed Igepal CO 720 was desorbed by exhaustive washing. The non-ionic surfactant treatment preserved >80% of the CEC of the smectite. The interlayer cations of the resulting surfactant-smectite were exchangeable as in the untreated smectite. Therefore, the non-ionic surfactant-smectite was much more efficient at removing heavy metal ions than activated carbon or cationic surfactant-treated smectite. The surfactant-smectite composites effectively removed aromatic chlorophenols from a pH 4.9 acetate buffer solution while untreated smectite did not adsorb these molecules. The enhanced adsorption of the aromatic compounds is attributed to the aliphatic segments of the two surfactants.