Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an important growth factor in childhood. We aimed to investigate the impact of food supplements for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) on serum IGF-1 (sIGF-1). Secondary analysis of a randomised 2 × 2 × 3 factorial nutrition trial was performed. Children aged 6–23 months with MAM received 2093 kJ/d as lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) or corn soy blend (CSB), containing either dehulled soya or soya isolate and different quantities of dried skimmed milk (0 %, 20 % or 50 % of total protein) for 12 weeks. The trial was double-blind with regard to soya and milk but not to matrix (LNS v. CSB). sIGF-1 was measured at inclusion and after 12 weeks of supplementation. Of 1609 children enrolled, 1455 (90 %) had sIGF-1 measured at both time points. During supplementation, sIGF-1 increased 6·7 (95 % CI 6·1, 7·3) ng/ml compared with an expected age-dependent decrease of 0·3 (95 % CI 0·2, 0·4) ng/ml. Children who received LNS v. CSB had a lower increase in sIGF-1 (–8 %, 95 % CI − 12, −3). The effect of LNS was partly attenuated when sIGF-1 was corrected for inflammation. Children who received soya isolate compared with dehulled soya had a higher increase in sIGF-1 (6 %, 95 % CI 1, 12). Milk content did not affect sIGF-1. Overall, sIGF-1 increased during supplementation. The lower increase with LNS v. CSB was only partly explained by increased inflammation with LNS and needs further investigation. Isolate v. dehulled soya led to a higher increase which may be due to antinutrients in dehulled soya.

Early childhood growth is associated with cognitive function. However, the independent associations of fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) with cognitive function are not well understood. We investigated associations of FM and FFM at birth and 0–5 years accretion with cognitive function at 10 years. Healthy-term newborns were enrolled in this cohort. FM and FFM were measured at birth, 1·5, 2·5, 3·5, 4·5 and 6 months and 4 and 5 years. Cognitive function was assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) at 10 years. FM and FFM accretions were computed using statistically independent conditional accretion from 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 6 months to 4 years and 4 to 5 years. Multiple linear regression was used to assess associations. At the 10-year follow-up, we assessed 318 children with a mean (sd) age of 9·8 (1·0) years. A 1 sd higher birth FFM was associated with a 0·14 sd (95 % CI 0·01, 0·28) higher PPVT at 10 years. FFM accretion from 0 to 3 and 3 to 6 months was associated with PPVT at 10 years: β = 0·5 sd (95 % CI 0·08, 0·93) and β = −0·48 sd (95 % CI −0·90, −0·07, respectively. FFM accretion after 6 months showed no association with PPVT. Neither FM at birth nor 0–5 years accretion showed an association with PPVT. Overall, birth FFM, but not FM, was associated with cognitive function at 10 years, while the association of FFM accretion and cognitive function varied across distinct developmental stages in infancy. The mechanisms underlying this varying association between body composition and cognitive function need further investigation.

Natromelansonite, Na3Zr[Si7AlO19]⋅4–5H2O, was found at the Poudrette (Demix) quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada in a highly altered pegmatite together with a clay mineral, steacyite, polylithionite and rhodochrosite. It occurs as an outer zone of tabular crystals to 0.1 × 0.3 × 1 mm in size flattened on (001). The inner zone is made of melansonite. The mineral is grey with white powder colour and vitreous lustre. The cleavage is parallel to {010}, perfect. The Mohs hardness is 3.5. The mineral has green fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light. The Dcalc is 2.31 g/cm3. The infrared spectrum is reported. The composition (wt.%, average of 8 analyses) is Na2O 10.08, K2O 1.72, CaO 0.24, BaO 0.32, MnO 0.10, Al2O3 6.86, Y2O3 0.35, Yb2O3 0.55, SiO2 56.23, ZrO2 14.78, H2O 9.52, total 100.75. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of O = 23 apfu and H = 8 apfu is Na(□Na0.38Ca0.02Mn0.01)2(Na0.70K0.28Ba0.02)Σ1.00(Zr0.91Y0.02Yb0.02)Σ0.95(Si7.08Al1.02)Σ8.10O19⋅4H2O. The mineral is monoclinic, P21/m, a = 6.5156(3) Å, b = 24.061(1) Å, c = 6.9759(6) Å, β = 90.453(5)° and V = 1093.61(9) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 12.02(100)(020), 6.97(89)(001), 6.51(39)(100), 3.416(37)(160), 3.062(42)($\bar{1}$61, 102, 161 and $\bar{1}$12), 3.018(38)(230 and 042), 2.864(40)(240 and 132). The crystal structure, solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R1 = 0.042), is based on a double sheet of tetrahedra (T) and a sheet of octahedra (O) that alternate along the [010] direction forming a TOT structure typical for members of the rhodesite mero-plesiotype series.

The new mineral bounahasite, Cu+Cu2+2(OH)3Cl2, was found in the oxidation zone of the Bou Nahas Mine, Morocco. It forms pseudo-hexagonal plates up to 3 × 30 × 40 μm in size combined in loose clusters with native copper and paratacamite. The mineral is green with vitreous lustre. The cleavage is parallel to {110}, perfect. Dcalc is 3.90 g/cm3. The infrared spectrum is reported. The composition (wt.%) is Cu2O 23.26, CuO 51.72, Cl 23.36, H2O 8.71, O = Cl2 –5.27, total 101.78. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 3 Cu atoms per formula unit is: Cu+Cu2+2(OH)2.97Cl2.03. The mineral is monoclinic, P21/n, a = 8.5925(1), b = 6.4189(1), c = 10.4118(2) Å, β = 111.804(2)°, V = 533.17(2) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 7.71(70)($\bar{1}$01), 5.34(22)(011), 3.856(100)(012, $\bar{2}$02), 2.673(36)(022), 2.665 (30)(103) and 2.350 (71)($\bar{1}$23, 301, $\bar{2}$14). The crystal structure, refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R1 = 0.028), is based on two alternating sheets coplanar to (110): one consists of alternating edge-sharing Cu2+(OH)6 octahedra and two Cu2+(OH)4Cl2 octahedra, whereas the other one is based on Cu+Cl4 tetrahedra forming edge-sharing Cu+2Cl6 dimers.

The new mineral, illoqite-(Ce), with the ideal formula Na2NaBaCeZnSi6O17, has been discovered in the Taseq Slope, Ilímaussaq Alkaline Complex, Southern Greenland. Illoqite-(Ce) occurs in a hyperalkaline ussingite vein closely related to one of the largest ussingite veins in the Ilímaussaq complex. The associated minerals are aegirine, arfvedsonite, a britholite-group mineral, epistolite, chkalovite, lueshite, Mn-rich pectolite group member and steenstrupine-(Ce). Illoqite-(Ce) crystallises as either single euhedral crystals up to 150 μm in size or radiating aggregates consisting of a few or many crystals. The aggregates are up to 200 μm in diameter. Illoqite-(Ce) can occur as scattered small groups of crystals or aggregates, but sometimes they occur in high concentrations creating clusters or bands almost completely consisting of illoqite-(Ce). The empirical formula on the basis of 17 anions is Na2.00Na1.00(Ba0.59Sr0.32Ca0.04Na0.03)Σ0.98(Ce0.68La0.31Nd0.09Pr0.04)Σ1.12(Zn0.42Fe0.34Li0.14Mn0.09)Σ0.99Si5.97O17, with the simplified formula being Na2Na(Ba,Sr)(Ce,La,Nd)(Zn,Fe,Li)Si6O17. Illoqite-(Ce) exhibits sector zoning between elements Sr and Ba. The crystal structure was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R1 = 2.46% using 1902 unique reflections. Illoqite-(Ce) is orthorhombic, Pcca, with a = 14.5340(7), b = 5.2213(1), c = 19.8270(4) Å, V = 1507.25(6) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 7.266 (79) (200), 4.688 (44) (104), 4.241 (64) (210), 3.486 (79) (114), 3.340 (52) (312), 2.986 (67) (410), 2.882 (100) (314) and 2.789 (44) (016). Illoqite-(Ce) is a new member of the nordite supergroup and is named after the Greenlandic word illoq, meaning cousin, in allusion to the mineral's close relation to nordite-(Ce).

A nomenclature and classification scheme for wöhlerite-group minerals has been established. The general formula of minerals belonging to this group is given by X8(Si2O7)2W4, where X = Na+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Ti4+, Zr4+ and Nb5+; and W = F– and O2–. In addition, they may incorporate significant amounts of Mg2+, Fe2+, Y3+ and REE3+, where REE are the lanthanides. The main structural feature of these minerals is the four-columns-wide octahedral walls, which are interconnected through corner sharing and via the disilicate groups. The wöhlerite-group minerals crystallise in different unit-cell settings and symmetries, depending on the cationic ordering in the octahedral walls and the relative position of the disilicate groups. Different combinations of X and W constituents should be regarded as separate mineral species. In the case of coupled heterovalent substitutions at different crystallographic sites, it is advised to use the site-total charge approach to determine the correct end-member composition. Due to their structural and chemical features, wöhlerite-group minerals can easily form crystals with several micro domains, showing different crystal structures and chemical compositions. In addition, the crystallisation of polytypes is relatively common, although they should not be regarded as distinct mineral species. To date, ten minerals belonging to the wöhlerite group are considered as valid species: baghdadite, burpalite, cuspidine, hiortdahlite, janhaugite, låvenite, moxuanxueite, niocalite, normandite and wöhlerite. Låvenite and normandite are isostructural and are respectively the Zr and Ti end-members of a solid-solution series. Marianoite is discredited, as it is corresponds to wöhlerite. The ideal formula of hiortdahlite is revised as Na2Ca4(Ca0.5Zr0.5)Zr(Si2O7)2OF3, with one cationic site characterised by a valency-imposed double site-occupancy. These changes have been approved by the IMA–CNMNC (Proposal 20–D).

The new beudantite-group mineral oberwolfachite, ideally SrFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6, was discovered in two localities: Clara mine, Oberwolfach, Schwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (holotype) and Monterniers mine, Lantignié, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (cotype). The associated minerals are quartz, baryte, hematite, illite, goethite, beudantite and dussertite (Clara) and arsenogoyazite, jarosite, graulichite-(Ce), goethite and hematite (Monterniers). Oberwolfachite forms yellow to brown platy crystals up to 1 mm across or thick outer zones of mixed (oberwolfachite–beudantite) crystals up to 3 mm across. The lustre is adamantine and the streak is yellow. A distinct cleavage on {0001} is observed. Calculated density is 3.874 g⋅cm–3. The infrared spectra are given. The chemical composition of the holotype/cotype samples are (wt.%, b.d.l. = below detection limit): K2O 1.25/1.86, SrO 6.41/11.15, BaO 8.13/0.45, PbO 2.18/b.d.l., Al2O3 0.16/0.23, Fe2O3 38.99/39.98, La2O3 1.68/not determined, Ce2O3 1.28/2.06, P2O5 0.12/b.d.l., As2O5 17.55/16.55, SO3 12.86/14.99, H2O (calculated) 8.72/9.05, total 99.33/96.62. The empirical formula of the holotype sample is (Sr0.38Ba0.33K0.16Pb0.06La0.06Ce0.05)Σ1.04(Fe3+3.03Al0.02)Σ3.05[(SO4)1.00(AsO4)0.95(PO4)0.01](O6.16H6.00). The crystal structures of both samples were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R = 3.13% (holotype, 293 K) and 2.65% (cotype, 170 K). Oberwolfachite is trigonal, R${\bar 3}$m, with a = 7.3270(3) Å, c = 17.0931(9) Å and V = 794.70(8) Å3 (holotype), and a = 7.298(2) Å, c = 16.908(3) Å and V = 779.8(4) Å3 (cotype); Z = 3. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of holotype [d, Å (I, %)(hkl)] are: 5.95 (56)(101), 3.664 (37)(110), 3.117 (16)(021), 3.082 (100)(113), 2.548 (15)(024), 2.280 (22)(107), 1.983 (26)(303) and 1.832 (19)(220).

A nomenclature scheme has been set up for the nordite supergroup of minerals, which have the general formula A2BXYZT6O17 and where A = Na; B = Na, Ca; X = Sr, Ca, Ba; Y = REE, Sr; Z = Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and T = Si. The nordite supergroup includes nordite-(La), nordite-(Ce), ferronordite-(La), ferronordite-(Ce) and manganonordite-(Ce), as well as meieranite which is considered as an unassigned member of the nordite supergroup. In the known nordite-group minerals the Y site is occupied by rare earth elements (REE), while in meieranite the Y site is occupied by Sr. The dominant element on the tetrahedral Z site determines the prefix used in the mineral name. New rootnames must be given to species with a different dominant element on the A, B or X sites. Nordite supergroup minerals are orthorhombic, although nordite-group minerals and meieranite crystallise in the Pcca and P21nb space groups, respectively. The proposed nomenclature scheme for the nordite supergroup has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). In addition, new chemical and structural investigations were performed on nordite-(Ce) from Illutalik (Igdlutalik), South Greenland, leading to the first crystal structure refinement for nordite-(Ce).

A new arrojadite-group mineral manganoarrojadite-(KNa), ideally KNa5MnFe13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2, was found in a phosphate-bearing granite pegmatite at the Palermo No. 1 mine, New Hampshire, USA. It forms anhedral grains up to 1 × 1.5 cm in size combined in aggregates with vivianite, goyazite, quartz and calcite. The mineral is olive green with a pale green streak and vitreous to greasy lustre. The cleavage is good in one direction. The Mohs hardness is 4½. Dcalc is 3.53 g/cm3. Manganoarrojadite-(KNa) is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.658(2), β = 1.666(2), γ = 1.670(2), 2Vmeas. = 67(1)° and 2Vcalc. = 70° (589 nm). The infrared spectrum is reported. The composition (wt.%) is Na2O 6.97, K2O 1.78, CaO 0.31, MgO 2.17, MnO 12.30, FeO 31.17, Al2O3 2.43, P2O5 40.48, F 0.30, H2O 1.32, O = F2 –0.13, total 99.10. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 12 P and (O+OH+F) = 50 apfu is Na4.73K0.80Ca0.12Mg1.13Mn2+3.65Fe2+9.13Al1.00P12.00O46.59OH3.08F0.33. The ideal structural formula is A1KA2NaB1NaB2NaNa1,2Na2Na3□ CMnMFe13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)W(OH)2. The mineral is monoclinic, Cc, a = 16.5345(3), b = 10.0406(2), c = 24.6261(5) Å, β = 105.891(2)°, V = 3932.09(14) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 5.902(24)(202), 5.025(24)(020), 3.208(47)(206,$\;\bar{1}$32), 3.048(100)($\bar{5}$14,$\bar{4}$24), 2.758(24)($\bar{6}$02) and 2.704(70)(226). The crystal structure, refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R1 = 0.025), is of the arrojadite structure type. Manganoarrojadite-(KNa) is the first arrojadite-group mineral with Mn dominant on the site usually occupied by Ca and without Ca as the dominant cation at any cation site.

The general structural formula for the walentaite group is [((A1yA1’1–y), A2)(H2O)n][Bx(As2)2–x(As3)M1(M2)2(TO4)2(O,OH)7], based on heteropolyhedral layers of configuration [M1(M2)2(TO4)2(O,OH)6], with surface-coordinated species at the B, As2 and As3 sites, and with interlayer hydrated cation groups centred at the A sites. The group is divided into walentaite and halilsarpite subgroups based on T = P5+ and As5+, respectively. Alcantarillaite, (IMA2019-072), [Fe3+0.5□0.5(H2O)4][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.5W6+0.5)(AsO4)2O7], is a new member of the walentaite group from the Alcantarilla wolframite mine, Belalcázar, Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain. It occurs most commonly as lemon-yellow fillings together with massive scorodite in fissures and cracks in quartz adjacent to löllingite. It is also found as tiny yellow rosettes lining vugs and as spheroids of ultrathin blades. It is associated with scorodite, pharmacosiderite, ferberite and schneiderhöhnite. Optically it is biaxial (–), with α = 1.703(calc), β = 1.800(5), γ = 1.850(5) and 2V = 68(1)° (white light). Dispersion is r > v, moderate. The optical orientation is X = a, Y = c and Z = b. The calculated density is 3.06 g cm–3. Electron microprobe analyses together with crystal structure refinement results gives the empirical formula [Fe3+0.52□0.48(H2O)4][(Ca0.44K0.11Na0.05Fe2+0.24□0.42)As3+1.83][Fe3+2.54Al0.03W6+0.43)((As0.65P0.35)O4)2O5.86(OH)1.14]. Alcantarillaite is orthorhombic, with an average structure described in Imma, and with a = 24.038(8) Å, b = 7.444(3) Å, c = 10.387(3) Å, V = 1858.6(11) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure (wRobs = 0.078 for 651 reflections to a resolution of 0.91 Å) differs most significantly from other walentaite-group members in having an interlayer A2 site occupied. Square-pyramidal polyhedra centred at the A2 sites form edge-shared dimers, (Fe3+)2O4(H2O)4. The dimers share vertices with TO4 anions in the layers on either side to form 8-sided channels along [010] occupied by H2O molecules.

Eudialyte-group minerals (EGM) attract global interest as potential resources for high-field-strength elements (e.g. Zr, Nb, Ta, and rare-earth elements), i.e. critical materials for modern technologies. They are particularly valued for their relative enrichment in the most critical lanthanides, i.e. Nd and heavy rare earth elements (Gd–Lu). However, rare earth element (REE) substitution mechanisms into the EGM structure are still poorly understood. Light and heavy REE may occupy different sites and there may be ordering and/or defect clustering in the structure. This study uses X-ray absorption spectroscopy to determine the structural state of REE in EGM from prospective eudialyte-bearing complexes. Yttrium K-edge and Nd L3-edge spectra were collected as proxies for heavy and light REE, respectively, and compared to natural and synthetic REE-bearing standards. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure data yield best fits for Y in six-fold coordination with Y–O distances of 2.24–2.32 Å, and a second coordination sphere comprising Fe, Na, Ca, Si and O at radial distances of 3.6–3.8 Å. These findings are consistent with dominant Y3+ substitution for Ca2+ on the octahedral M1 site in all the samples studied, and exclude preferential substitution of Y3+ onto the smaller octahedral Z site or the large low-symmetry N4 site.

Using lattice strain theory, we constructed relative partitioning models to predict site preferences of lanthanides we have not measured directly. The models predict that all REE are favoured on the Ca-dominant M1 site and that preferential partitioning of heavy over light REE increases in EGM containing significant Mn in the M1-octahedral rings (oneillite subgroup). Thus, the flat REE profiles that make EGM such attractive exploration targets are not due to preferential partitioning of light and heavy REE onto different sites. Instead, local ordering of Mn- and Ca-occupied M1 sites may influence the capacity of EGM to accommodate heavy REE.

Lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) may be beneficial for malnourished HIV-infected patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). We assessed the effect of adding vitamins and minerals to LNS on body composition and handgrip strength during ART initiation. ART-eligible HIV-infected patients with BMI <18·5 kg/m2 were randomised to LNS or LNS with added high-dose vitamins and minerals (LNS-VM) from referral for ART to 6 weeks post-ART and followed up until 12 weeks. Body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), deuterium (2H) diluted water (D2O) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and handgrip strength were determined at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks post-ART, and effects of LNS-VM v. LNS at 6 and 12 weeks investigated. BIA data were available for 1461, D2O data for 479, ADP data for 498 and handgrip strength data for 1752 patients. Fat mass tended to be lower, and fat-free mass correspondingly higher, by BIA than by ADP or D2O. At 6 weeks post-ART, LNS-VM led to a higher regain of BIA-assessed fat mass (0·4 (95 % CI 0·05, 0·8) kg), but not fat-free mass, and a borderline significant increase in handgrip strength (0·72 (95 % CI −0·03, 1·5) kg). These effects were not sustained at 12 weeks. Similar effects as for BIA were seen using ADP or D2O but no differences reached statistical significance. In conclusion, LNS-VM led to a higher regain of fat mass at 6 weeks and to a borderline significant beneficial effect on handgrip strength. Further research is needed to determine appropriate timing and supplement composition to optimise nutritional interventions in malnourished HIV patients.

Schizolite, originating from the type locality, Tutop Agtakôrfia, in the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, Julianehåb district, South Greenland, was described initially by Winther (1901) with additional data being supplied by Bøggild (1903). Recently, a proposal for the new mineral ‘marshallsussmanite’ was submitted to, and approved by, the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA2013-067) by Origlieri et al. (2013). Results from the detailed examination of two schizolite cotype samples presented here, using single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and optical properties, confirms it to be equivalent to ‘marshallsussmanite’. Historical precedence sets a priority for discrediting the name ‘marshallsussmanite’ in favour of the original, more-than-a century-old name, schizolite. The two schizolite samples investigated vary slightly in physical and chemical properties but are consistent overall. The prismatic crystals are pale red or pink to brownish. Schizolite is brittle with a splintery aspect. It is biaxial (+), with average optical parameters: α = 1.626 ± 0.003, β = 1.630 ± 0.002, γ = 1.661 ± 0.002, 2Vmeas = 71(4)° and 2Vcalc = 40°; there is no pleochroism. Electron microprobe analysis shows both samples have nearly identical compositions (differences <0.4 wt.% oxide), with the mean values of: SiO2 52.6(4); Al2O3 0.005(1); FeO 2.54(2); MnO 13.86(9); CaO 17.9(4); Na2O 8.9(1); and H2O 2.59(2) wt.% oxide; this corresponds to a mean formula of: Na1.00(2)Ca1.11(7)Mn0.68(1)Fe0.12(0)Si3.041(1)O8(OH). Final least-squares structure refinements for both samples converged at R1 values ≤2.0%; H atoms were located in all refinements.

The new minerals cuatrocapaite-(NH4) (IMA2018-083) and cuatrocapaite-(K) (IMA2018-084) are the NH4- and K-dominant members of a series with the general formula (NH4,K)3(NaMg□)(As2O3)6Cl6·16H2O. Both minerals were found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where they occur as secondary alteration phases. Both minerals occur as hexagonal tablets up to ~0.3 mm in diameter. They are transparent, with a vitreous lustre and white streak. For both, the Mohs hardness is ca. 2½, the crystals are somewhat flexible, but not elastic, the fracture is irregular and the cleavage is perfect on {001}. The measured densities are 2.65(2) and 2.76(2) g/cm3 for the NH4- and K-dominant species, respectively. Optically, cuatrocapaite-(NH4) is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.779(3) and ε = 1.541(3) and cuatrocapaite-(K) is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.777(3) and ε = 1.539(3) (white light). The minerals are insoluble in acids, but decompose in NaOH(aq). The empirical formulas, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, are (NH4)2.48Na1.66Mg0.87K0.09(As12O18.05)Cl5.88·16.02H2O and K2.68Na1.33Mg0.93(NH4)0.31(As12O18.01)Cl6.16·16.04H2O. The minerals are trigonal, space group R${\bar 3}$m; the cuatrocapaite-(NH4) cell parameters are a = 5.25321(19), c = 46.6882(19) Å, V = 1115.80(9) Å3 and Z = 1; the cuatrocapaite-(K) cell parameters are a = 5.2637(15), c = 46.228(8) Å, V = 1109.2(7) Å3 and Z = 1. The structures, refined for cuatrocapaite-(NH4) to R1 = 1.78% for 544 Io > 2σI reflections, contain four types of layers: (1) a planar neutral As2O3 (arsenite) sheet; (2) an (${\rm NH}_{\rm 4}^{\vskip -2pt\rm \scale65% +} $,K+) layer that links adjacent arsenite sheets; (3) a Cl– layer placed on the As side of each arsenite; and (4) a layer containing partially occupied Na, Mg and H2O sites that is flanked on either side by Cl layers. The layer sequence for the type 1, 2 and 3 layers is identical to the Cl–As2O3–K–As2O3–Cl layer sequence in the structures of lucabindiite and gajardoite.

The study aimed at assessing stunting, wasting and breast-feeding as correlates of body composition in Cambodian children. As part of a nutrition trial (ISRCTN19918531), fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured using 2H dilution at 6 and 15 months of age. Of 419 infants enrolled, 98 % were breastfed, 15 % stunted and 4 % wasted at 6 months. At 15 months, 78 % were breastfed, 24 % stunted and 11 % wasted. Those not breastfed had lower FMI at 6 months but not at 15 months. Stunted children had lower FM at 6 months and lower FFM at 6 and 15 months compared with children with length-for-age z ≥0. Stunting was not associated with height-adjusted indexes fat mass index (FMI) or fat-free mass index (FFMI). Wasted children had lower FM, FFM, FMI and FFMI at 6 and 15 months compared with children with weight-for-length z (WLZ) ≥0. Generally, FFM and FFMI deficits increased with age, whereas FM and FMI deficits decreased, reflecting interactions between age and WLZ. For example, the FFM deficits were –0·99 (95 % CI –1·26, –0·72) kg at 6 months and –1·44 (95 % CI –1·69; –1·19) kg at 15 months (interaction, P<0·05), while the FMI deficits were –2·12 (95 % CI –2·53, –1·72) kg/m2 at 6 months and –1·32 (95 % CI –1·77, –0·87) kg/m2 at 15 months (interaction, P<0·05). This indicates that undernourished children preserve body fat at the detriment of fat-free tissue, which may have long-term consequences for health and working capacity.

Tombarthite-(Y) is discredited as a mineral species. No type material was available, but material used for the original description has been located and neotype material defined. The main reason for the erroneous description of tombarthite-(Y) is the result of chemical analyses being carried out on heated material, which removed elements such as C and F. New semi-quantitative chemical analyses show that at least F is present in the fresh material, but absent after a heating scheme identical to that of the original description. Modern powder X-ray diffraction methods (XRD) confirm that the material identified as tombarthite-(Y) is a mixture of metamict and crystalline phases. Consequently, what was known as tombarthite-(Y) is not a mixture of the same minerals in equal amounts in different samples, but mixtures of various minerals depending on the sample. The main minerals identified are thalénite-(Y), xenotime-(Y) and kainosite-(Y). The discreditation of tombarthite-(Y) relies on new analyses of a large number of samples from the collection of the Natural History Museum (NHM) in Oslo and has been approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (proposal 16-K).

Early nutrition and growth have been found to be important early exposures for later development. Studies of crude growth in terms of weight and length/height, however, cannot elucidate how body composition (BC) might mediate associations between nutrition and later development. In this study, we aimed to examine the relation between fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) tissues at birth and their accretion during early infancy, and later developmental progression. In a birth cohort from Ethiopia, 455 children who have BC measurement at birth and 416 who have standardised rate of BC growth during infancy were followed up for outcome variable, and were included in the statistical analysis. The study sample was restricted to mothers living in Jimma town who gave birth to a term baby with a birth weight ≥1500 g and no evident congenital anomalies. The relationship between the exposure and outcome variables was examined using linear-mixed regression model. The finding revealed that FFM at birth was positively associated with global developmental progression from 1 to 5 years (β=1·75; 95 % CI 0·11, 3·39) and from 4 to 5 years (β=1·34; 95 % CI 0·23, 2·44) in the adjusted model. Furthermore, the rate of postnatal FFM tissue accretion was positively associated with development at 1 year of age (β=0·50; 95 % CI 0·01, 0·99). Neither fetal nor postnatal FM showed a significant association. In conclusion, fetal, rather than postnatal, FFM tissue accretion was associated with developmental progression. Intervention studies are needed to assess whether nutrition interventions increasing FFM also increase cognitive development.

Coatings with the composition of Li-Al-NO3 hydrotalcite were formed on the Al alloy 6060 using a spray system. The coatings consist of crystals with a typical hydrotalcite structure. Dense, uniform and blade-like flakes cover completely the surface of the Al substrate. The coatings display a multi-layer structure with average thickness of ∼1000 nm. The hydrotalcite-coated samples performed better than those without coatings in salt-spray and filiform-corrosion tests, and further treatment involving sealing with a Mg acetate solution and dipping in a H2O2 + Ce-based solution improved the corrosion resistance ability.

Moskvinite-(Y), Na2K(Y,REE)Si6O15, is a rare mineral, which until now has only been described from its type locality Dara-i-Pioz, Tajikistan. At Ilímaussaq moskvinite-(Y) was discovered in a drill core from Kvanefjeld, where it occurs as a replacement mineral associated with a mineral belonging to the britholite group. The composition was determined by a combination of electron probe microanalysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses. The empirical formula based on 15 oxygens is Na1.94K0.99(Y0.94Yb0.03Er0.03 Dy0.03Ho0.01Gd0.01) ∑1.05Si5.98O15. The coexistence of an almost pure Y and a light rare-earth element (REE) mineral is interpreted as fractionation of REE and Y during the replacement of an earlier formed REE mineral. Theoretical calculations of the observed replacement of feldspathoids by natrolite show that the generated fluid would have pH > 8, which inhibits large scale mobility of REE. In addition, a K-Fe sulfide member of the chlorbartonite-bartonite group is for the first time observed in Ilímaussaq where it occurs where sodalite is replaced by natrolite and arfvedsonite by aegirine. The sulfide incorporates the S and some of the Cl generated by the alteration of sodalite, whereas the K and Fe originates from the replacement of arfvedsonite by aegirine.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an inexpensive, quick and non-invasive method to determine body composition. Equations used in BIA are typically derived in healthy individuals of European descent. BIA is specific to health status and ethnicity and may therefore provide inaccurate results in populations of different ethnic origin and health status. The aim of the present study was to test the validity of BIA in Ethiopian antiretroviral-naive HIV patients.

BIA was validated against the 2H dilution technique by comparing fat-free mass (FFM) measured by the two methods using paired t tests and Bland–Altman plots. BIA was based on single frequency (50 kHz) whole-body measurements. Data were obtained at three health facilities in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, South-West Ethiopia. Data from 281 HIV-infected participants were available. Two-thirds were female and the mean age was 32·7 (sd 8·6) years. Also, 46 % were underweight with a BMI below 18·5 kg/m2. There were no differences in FFM between the methods. Overall, BIA slightly underestimated FFM by 0·1 kg (−0·1, 95 % CI −0·3, 0·2 kg). The Bland–Altman plot indicated acceptable agreement with an upper limit of agreement of 4·5 kg and a lower limit of agreement of −4·6 kg, but with a small correlation between the mean difference and the average FFM. BIA slightly overestimated FFM at low values compared with the 2H dilution technique, while it slightly underestimated FFM at high values. In conclusion, BIA proved to be valid in this population and may therefore be useful for measuring body composition in routine practice in HIV-infected African individuals.