Joint inversion of seismic and gravity data for lunar composition and thermal state

We invert the Apollo lunar seismic data set, together with lunar mass and moment of inertia, directly for the chemical composition and thermal state of the Moon. The lunar mantle and crust are modelled in the chemical system CaO-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2. The stable minerals, their seismic properties, and the bulk density are computed by Gibbs free energy minimization. Voigt-Reuss-Hill averaging is then used to compute seismic-wave velocity profiles, from which traveltimes are estimated, while mass and moment of inertia are obtained by integration of the density profile. Given this scheme, the data are jointly inverted using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, from which a range of compositions and temperatures fitting data within uncertainties are obtained. The analysis constrains the range of compositions, thermal states, mineralogy and physical structure of the lunar interior that are consistent with data. Additionally, the analysis provides estimates for the size and density of the lunar core. The inferred lunar compositions have lower Mg#s (∼83) than the Earth's mantle (∼89), suggesting that the Moon was derived from material other than the Earth's mantle. This supports giant impact simulations of lunar origin that show that more than 80 per cent of the material making up the Moon is derived from the impacto

Public acceptability of financial incentives for smoking cessation in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Objective To survey public attitudes about incentives for smoking cessation in pregnancy and for breast feeding to inform trial design. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting and participants British general public. Methods Seven promising incentive strategies had been identified from evidence syntheses and qualitative interview data from service users and providers. These were shopping vouchers for: (1) validated smoking cessation in pregnancy and (2) after birth; (3) for a smoke-free home; (4) for proven breast feeding; (5) a free breast pump; (6) payments to health services for reaching smoking cessation in pregnancy targets and (7) breastfeeding targets. Ipsos MORI used area quota sampling and home-administered computer-assisted questionnaires, with randomised question order to assess agreement with different incentives (measured on a five-point scale). Demographic data and target behaviour experience were recorded. Analysis used multivariable ordered logit models. Results Agreement with incentives was mixed (ranging from 34% to 46%) among a representative sample of 1144 British adults. Mean agreement score was highest for a free breast pump, and lowest for incentives for smoking abstinence after birth. More women disagreed with shopping vouchers than men. Those with lower levels of education disagreed more with smoking cessation incentives and a breast pump. Those aged 44 or under agreed more with all incentive strategies compared with those aged 65 and over, particularly provider targets for smoking cessation. Non-white ethnic groups agreed particularly with breastfeeding incentives. Current smokers with previous stop attempts and respondents who had breast fed children agreed with providing vouchers for the respective behaviours. Up to £40/month vouchers for behaviour change were acceptable (>85%). Conclusions Women and the less educated were more likely to disagree, but men and women of childbearing age to agree, with incentives designed for their benefit. Trials evaluating reach, impact on health inequalities and ethnic groups are required prior to implementing incentive interventions

Neurotropic viruses and cerebral palsy: population based case-control study

Objective: To investigate the association between cerebral palsy and direct evidence for perinatal exposure to neurotropic viruses. Design: Population based case-control study. Setting: Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital Research Laboratory. Participants and main outcome measures: Newborn screening cards of 443 white case patients with cerebral palsy and 883 white controls were tested for viral nucleic acids from enteroviruses and herpes viruses by using polymerase chain reaction. Herpes group A viruses included herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), and herpes group B viruses included varicella zoster virus (VZV) and human herpes viruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7). Results: The prevalence of viral nucleic acids in the control population was high: 39.8% of controls tested positive, and the prevalence was highest in preterm babies. The detection of herpes group B viral nucleic acids increased the risk of developing cerebral palsy (odds ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 2.59). Conclusions: Perinatal exposure to neurotropic viruses is associated with preterm delivery and cerebral palsy.Catherine S. Gibson, Alastair H. MacLennan, Paul N. Goldwater, Eric A. Haan, Kevin Priest and Gustaaf A. Dekker

Mesh inlay, mesh kit or native tissue repair for women having repeat anterior or posterior prolapse surgery: randomised controlled trial (PROSPECT)

Funding The project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme (Project Number 07/60/18). The Health Services Research Unit and the Health Economics Research Unit are funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates. Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank the women who participated in the PROSPECT study. We also thank Margaret MacNeil for her secretarial support and data management; Dawn McRae and Lynda Constable for their trial management support; the programming team in CHaRT, led by Gladys McPherson; members of the Project Management Group for their ongoing advice and support of the study; and the staff at the recruitment sites who facilitated the recruitment, treatment and follow up of study participants.Peer reviewedPublisher PD