Superparamagnetically modified A-type, X-type and CHA-type zeolites with silica-coated Fe₃O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles for removal of Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ from radioactively contaminated water

Magnetised zeolite A, zeolite X and Na,K-CHA composites with superparamagnetic nanoparticles of SiO2-coated Fe3O4 or CoFe2O4 ferrite spinels were prepared, characterised and tested for ion exchange efficacy. They were synthesised by following three steps, synthesising Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles by a solvothermal method, coating the metal oxide particles with SiO2 by a sol-gel process, and attaching the MxOy/SiO2 onto the zeolites during synthesis. The magnetic zeolites were characterised by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was confirmed they had superparamagnetic properties due to successful attachment of the MxOy/SiO2 particles onto the zeolites. Adsorption capacities of Sr2+ onto the magnetic zeolite A and zeolite X and Cs+ onto the magnetic Na,K-CHA were also evaluated. The results show the MxOy/SiO2 did not block the adsorption sites of the zeolites and the MxOy/SiO2 particles were not detached from the zeolites during the adsorption experiments

Exogenous Glucose Oxidation During Exercise Is Positively Related to Body Size

There is little evidence that body size alters exogenous glucose oxidation rates during exercise. This study assessed whether larger people oxidize more exogenous glucose during exercise than smaller people. Fifteen cyclists were allocated into two groups based on body mass (SMALL, &lt;70 kg body mass, n = 9, two females) or (LARGE, &gt;70 kg body mass, n = 6) matched for lactate threshold (SMALL: 2.3 ± 0.4 W/kg, LARGE: 2.3 ± 0.3 W/kg). SMALL completed 120 min of cycling at 95% of lactate threshold1. LARGE completed two trials in a random order, one at 95% of lactate threshold1 (thereby exercising at the same relative intensity [RELATIVE]) and one at an absolute intensity matched to SMALL (ABSOLUTE). In all trials, cyclists ingested 90 g/hr of 13C-enriched glucose. Total exogenous glucose oxidation was (mean ± SD) 33 ± 8 g/hr in SMALL versus 45 ± 13 g/hr in LARGE-RELATIVE (mean difference: 13 g/hr, 95% confidence interval [2, 24] g/hr, p = .03). Large positive correlations were observed for measures of exogenous carbohydrate oxidation versus body size (body mass, height, and body surface area; e.g., body surface area vs. peak exogenous glucose oxidation, r = .85, 95% confidence interval [.51, .95], p &lt; .01). When larger athletes reduced the intensity from RELATIVE to ABSOLUTE, total exogenous glucose oxidation was 39 ± 7 g/hr (p = .43 vs. LARGE-RELATIVE). In conclusion, the capacity for exogenous glucose oxidation is, on average, higher in larger athletes than smaller athletes during exercise. The extent to which this is due to higher absolute exercise intensity requires further research, but body size may be a consideration in tailoring sports nutrition guidelines for carbohydrate intake during exercise.</p

Cryo-electron microscopy structure of the di-domain core of Mycobacterium tuberculosis polyketide synthase 13, essential for mycobacterial mycolic acid synthesis

Mycobacteria are known for their complex cell wall, which comprises layers of peptidoglycan, polysaccharides and unusual fatty acids known as mycolic acids that form their unique outer membrane. Polyketide synthase 13 (Pks13) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial organism causing tuberculosis, catalyses the last step of mycolic acid synthesis prior to export to and assembly in the cell wall. Due to its essentiality, Pks13 is a target for several novel anti-tubercular inhibitors, but its 3D structure and catalytic reaction mechanism remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we report the molecular structure of the catalytic core domains of M. tuberculosis Pks13 (Mt-Pks13), determined by transmission cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to a resolution of 3.4 Å. We observed a homodimeric assembly comprising the ketoacyl synthase (KS) domain at the centre, mediating dimerization, and the acyltransferase (AT) domains protruding in opposite directions from the central KS domain dimer. In addition to the KS-AT di-domains, the cryoEM map includes features not covered by the di-domain structural model that we predicted to contain a dimeric domain similar to dehydratases, yet likely lacking catalytic function. Analytical ultracentrifugation data indicate a pH-dependent equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric assembly states, while comparison with the previously determined structures of M. smegmatis Pks13 indicates architectural flexibility. Combining the experimentally determined structure with modelling in AlphaFold2 suggests a structural scaffold with a relatively stable dimeric core, which combines with considerable conformational flexibility to facilitate the successive steps of the Claisen-type condensation reaction catalysed by Pks13

FOUND Trial:randomised controlled trial study protocol for case finding of obstructive sleep apnoea in primary care using a novel device

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common, but underdiagnosed, sleep disorder. If untreated, it leads to poor health outcomes, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Our aim is to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of moving the testing for OSA into general practice and how general practitioner (GP)-based screening affects overall detection rates.METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Randomised controlled trial of case finding of OSA in general practice using a novel Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency-registered device (AcuPebble SA100) compared with usual care with internal feasibility phase. A diverse sample of general practices (approximately 40) from across the West Midlands Clinical Research Network will identify participants from their records. Eligible participants will be aged 50-70 years with body mass index &gt;30 kg/m2 and diabetes (type 1 or 2) and/or hypertension (office blood pressure &gt;145/90 mm Hg or on treatment). They will exclude individuals with known OSA or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or those they deem unable to take part. After eligibility screening, consent and baseline assessment, participants will be randomised to either the intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention arm will receive by post the AcuPebble sleep test kit. Those in the control arm will continue with usual care. Follow-up questionnaires will be completed at 6 months. The study is powered (90%) to detect a 5% difference and will require 606 patients in each arm (713 will be recruited to each arm to allow for attrition). Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and GPs will not be blinded to the allocation.OUTCOMES: Primary: Detection rate of moderate-to-severe OSA in the intervention group versus control group. Secondary: Time to diagnosis and time to treatment for intervention versus control group for mild, moderate and severe OSA; cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the different testing pathways.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial started on 1 November 2022. Ethical approval was granted from the South Central Oxford A Research Ethics Committee on 9 June 2023 (23/SC/0188) (protocol amendment version 1.3; update with amendment and approval to renumber to V2.0 on 29 August 2023). Patient recruitment began on 7 January 2024; initial planned end date will be on 31 April 2025.Results will be uploaded to the ISRCTN register within 12 months of the end of the trial date, presented at conferences, submitted to peer-reviewed journals and distributed via our patient and public involvement networks.The University of Warwick will act as the trial sponsor. The trial will be conducted in accordance with the Sponsor and Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit standard operating procedures.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN 16982033.</p

Development and validation of a prognostic model to predict birth weight: individual participant data meta-analysis

Objective: To predict birth weight at various potential gestational ages of delivery based on data routinely available at the first antenatal visit. Design: Individual participant data meta-analysis. Data sources: Individual participant data of four cohorts (237 228 pregnancies) from the International Prediction of Pregnancy Complications (IPPIC) network dataset. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Studies in the IPPIC network were identified by searching major databases for studies reporting risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth, from database inception to August 2019. Data of four IPPIC cohorts (237 228 pregnancies) from the US (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2018; 233 483 pregnancies), UK (Allen et al, 2017; 1045 pregnancies), Norway (STORK Groruddalen research programme, 2010; 823 pregnancies), and Australia (Rumbold et al, 2006; 1877 pregnancies) were included in the development of the model. Results: The IPPIC birth weight model was developed with random intercept regression models with backward elimination for variable selection. Internal-external cross validation was performed to assess the study specific and pooled performance of the model, reported as calibration slope, calibration-in-the-large, and observed versus expected average birth weight ratio. Meta-analysis showed that the apparent performance of the model had good calibration (calibration slope 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 1.10; calibration-in-the-large 44.5 g, −18.4 to 107.3) with an observed versus expected average birth weight ratio of 1.02 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.07). The proportion of variation in birth weight explained by the model (R2) was 46.9% (range 32.7-56.1% in each cohort). On internal-external cross validation, the model showed good calibration and predictive performance when validated in three cohorts with a calibration slope of 0.90 (Allen cohort), 1.04 (STORK Groruddalen cohort), and 1.07 (Rumbold cohort), calibration-in-the-large of −22.3 g (Allen cohort), −33.42 (Rumbold cohort), and 86.4 g (STORK Groruddalen cohort), and observed versus expected ratio of 0.99 (Rumbold cohort), 1.00 (Allen cohort), and 1.03 (STORK Groruddalen cohort); respective pooled estimates were 1.00 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.23; calibration slope), 9.7 g (−154.3 to 173.8; calibration-in-the-large), and 1.00 (0.94 to 1.07; observed v expected ratio). The model predictions were more accurate (smaller mean square error) in the lower end of predicted birth weight, which is important in informing clinical decision making. Conclusions: The IPPIC birth weight model allowed birth weight predictions for a range of possible gestational ages. The model explained about 50% of individual variation in birth weights, was well calibrated (especially in babies at high risk of fetal growth restriction and its complications), and showed promising performance in four different populations included in the individual participant data meta-analysis. Further research to examine the generalisability of performance in other countries, settings, and subgroups is required. Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD4201913504

Stakeholders’ Role, Inter-Relationships, and Obstacles in the Implementation of Circular Economy

The building sector contributes around 39% of global carbon dioxide emissions and consumes nearly 40% of all the energy produced. Over the whole life cycle, the building sector yields over 35% of the EU's total waste generation. These facts substantiate the necessity to implement circular economy in the built environments, in order to mitigate global warming and climate change emergency. This chapter highlights the state-of-the-art knowledge and research gap with respect to the stakeholders’ influences, interrelationships, and obstacles for circular economy implementation on building stocks. In this chapter, a robust critical literature review of key documentations such as research articles, industry standards, policy reports, strategic roadmaps, case studies, and white papers has been rigorously conducted together with expert interviews. The state-of-the-art review addresses multi scales of CE practices adopted within the built environments. This chapter spells out current challenges and obstacles often encountered by various stakeholders. Case studies related to circular economy implementation have been drawn in order to promote such the CE practices across value chains in different regions and counties; and to overcome the barriers for circular economy implementation

Knowing (in) organisations:calculative cultures and paradigmatic learning in the case of the World Bank

This paper explores the evidence culture in one of the key global knowledge institutions – the World Bank. Framing itself as a ‘Knowledge Bank’, the World Bank is a leading organisation in data and evidence provision around poverty and inequalities and as such, it shapes the broader evidentiary standards and knowledge infrastructures around the world. Drawing on a rich qualitative study of 46 semi-structured interviews with experts working on poverty knowledge as well as document analysis of the key reports and strategic documents, this paper explores how the calculative evidence culture of the World Bank mediates the production of evidence and expertise within the institution. The paper explores the collectively formulated interpretative lenses that guide such formative questions as what counts as (good) evidence, how it is used in decision-making, and how to deal with uncertainty with data and evidence. By doing so, this paper makes two contributions to the literature on evidence-based policymaking. First, it provides a cultural lens to the production and use of evidence in policymaking, a lens that is significantly underdeveloped in the existing scholarship. Second, it addresses the question of evolving evidentiary standards and learning within knowledge organisations. By exploring how institutions ‘change their minds’, the paper provides a dynamic account of the evolving politics of knowledge within organisations

What we found on the dancefloor

A resource for helping nightlife organisers make their events more accessibl

Confidence building in the shadow of war:Moldova, transdniestria, and the uncertain future of the 5+2 process

Prior to the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, the Transdniestrian conflict was stable, with no serious risk of violent escalation. Since the invasion of Ukraine, however, the situation has become more volatile, both in Moldova itself and in relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol. While it has always been important to work on maintaining confidence in this highly volatile situation, we argue that opportunities for intensified confidence building have arisen, including the exploration of new formats in the context of Moldova's EU accession process. Crucially, the OSCE's experience in confidence building remains relevant in this regard, and the Organization has retained its importance as a facilitator of the settlement process.</p