Medvedevite, KMn2+V5+2O6Cl⋅2H2O, is a new mineral discovered in the Toludskoe lava field, formed during the 2012–2013 Tolbachik fissure eruption. The mineral occurs as thin acicular transparent bright red crystals up to 0.15 mm. Medvedevite is associated with thénardite, halite, aphthitalite, leonite, kieserite, eugsterite and syngenite. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 13+ positive charge units for the anhydrous part and 2H2O is (K1.02Na0.03)Σ1.05Mn2+0.95(V5+1.92S6+0.05Si0.04)Σ2.01O6.02Cl0.96⋅2H2O. The crystal structure of medvedevite was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: monoclinic crystal system, the space group is P21/c, a = 7.1863(2), b = 10.1147(3), c = 12.7252(4) Å, β = 106.243(3)°, V = 888.04(5) Å3, Z = 4 and R1 = 0.029. The concept of ‘structural unit’ and ‘interstitial complex’ could be applied to the crystal structure of medvedevite. The structural units in medvedevite are based on the high bond-valence V5+O5 polyhedra which share edges and link into [V2O6] chains elongated along the a axis. The interstitial complexes consist of Mn2+, K+ cations and H2O groups and occupy the interstices between structural units. The mineral is optically biaxial (+), with α =1.782(2), β = 1.786(2), γ = 1.792(2), 2V(calc) = 41° (λ = 589 nm). The seven strongest lines of the powder XRD pattern are [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)]: 7.79(100)(011); 5.70(11)(110); 4.75(14)(11$\bar{2}$); 3.89(29)(022); 3.25(53)(031); 2.958(79)(21$\bar{3}$); and 2.850(33)(220). The mineral has been named in honour of the Russian geologist and chemist Robert Alexandrovich Medvedev (1939–2005).

We compared the pregnancy and live birth rates following transfer of early-stage embryos or blastocysts produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer using in vitro-matured oocytes. In total 102 ovaries were collected from dromedary camels at a local abattoir; from these 1048 cumulus–oocytes complexes (COCs) were aspirated and cultured for 42 h in a commercial maturation medium. Metaphase II oocytes were subjected to nuclear transfer. Somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived embryos were cultured in a commercial embryo medium for 2 or 7 days. Next, 71 early-stage embryos were surgically transferred to the left fallopian tube of 28 recipients and 47 blastocysts were transferred to the left uterine horn of 26 recipients. Early pregnancy was detected by serum progesterone (P4), and pregnancy was confirmed using ultrasonography on days 30 and 90 after embryo transfer. Pregnancy rate based on P4 level was 17.86% (5/28) and 11.54% (3/26) for early-stage embryo and blastocyst transfer, respectively. In the early-stage embryo group, out of five recipients, one recipient had lost the pregnancy by the first ultrasonography on day 30; two other recipients aborted at 14 and 24 weeks, and two recipients gave live births. In the blastocyst group, out of three recipients, one lost the pregnancy at an early stage and two recipients gave live births. Therefore, for dromedary camels, we recommend transvaginal blastocyst transfer from the standpoint of the pregnancy and live birth rate, ease of the transfer procedure, and comfort and safety of the recipients.

This paper investigates potential biodiversity valuation tools which actuaries could use in their work. It is an initial research paper into a selection of UK-based biodiversity valuation tools identified by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs in its publication “Enabling a Natural Capital Approach Guidance”. The “Enabling a Natural Capital Approach Guidance” publication is seen as a comprehensive practical guide to natural capital and therefore is determined a sensible starting point on which to base this research. This research paper is not intended to be an exhaustive exploration of all biodiversity tools available, but rather is intended to identify a selection of tools which may be candidates for further research into their actuarial use case. We conclude that there are tools which merit additional research, and we recommend that these tools be further investigated to understand (i) the specific actuarial use case(s), (ii) whether the tools are applicable to direct infrastructure investments only or a broad range of asset classes, and (iii) whether their scope can be extended beyond the UK.

Schistosomiasis has been subjected to extensive control efforts in the People's Republic of China (China) which aims to eliminate the disease by 2030. We describe baseline results of a longitudinal cohort study undertaken in the Dongting and Poyang lakes areas of central China designed to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum in humans, animals (goats and bovines) and Oncomelania snails utilizing molecular diagnostics procedures. Data from the Chinese National Schistosomiasis Control Programme (CNSCP) were compared with the molecular results obtained.

Sixteen villages from Hunan and Jiangxi provinces were surveyed; animals were only found in Hunan. The prevalence of schistosomiasis in humans was 1.8% in Jiangxi and 8.0% in Hunan determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while 18.3% of animals were positive by digital droplet PCR. The CNSCP data indicated that all villages harboured S. japonicum-infected individuals, detected serologically by indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), but very few, if any, of these were subsequently positive by Kato-Katz (KK).

Based on the outcome of the IHA and KK results, the CNSCP incorporates targeted human praziquantel chemotherapy but this approach can miss some infections as evidenced by the results reported here. Sensitive molecular diagnostics can play a key role in the elimination of schistosomiasis in China and inform control measures allowing for a more systematic approach to treatment.

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Given the association between lower time to treatment and better clinical outcomes in stroke patients, identifying factors correlated with reduced proximity and thus greater time to stroke care can aid efforts to reduce disparities in stroke outcomes. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The objective of this study is to quantify the relationship between distance to the nearest certified stroke hospital and census-derived demographics of age, race/ethnicity, income, and insurance status. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This is a cross-sectional study. Population data for all census tracts in the contiguous United States were obtained from the US Census Bureau’s 2014-2018 American Community Survey. Stroke hospitals were identified from national or state level certification databases and were required to offer at least IV tPA. The main outcome is driving distance in kilometers from each census tract to the nearest certified stroke center, which was calculated using OSMnx, a Python package to retrieve, model and analyze real-world street networks. Quantile regression analysis was used to compare relationships between distances and tract-level demographics of age, race/ethnicity, income, and insurance status. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: 2,423 stroke centers and 71,929 census tracts containing 316,995,649 individuals were included. 49,918 (69%) tracts were urban. Demographic disparities in proximity to certified stroke care were greater in non-urban areas than in urban areas. Higher representation of individuals with age ≤65 years were associated with increased median distance to a certified stroke center in non-urban areas, but not urban areas. Median distance was greater with greater representation of American Indian or uninsured populations in urban and non-urban census tracts. Higher median income was associated with decreased median distance in non-urban census tracts and greater median distance in urban census tracts. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Reduced proximity to stroke care exists in areas with greater representation of elderly, American Indian, or uninsured persons; and low median income. These disparities are magnified in non-urban settings. Such knowledge can aid efforts to address and reduce disparities in stroke outcomes.

Dobrovolskyite, Na4Ca(SO4)3, is a new sulfate mineral from the Great Tolbachik fissure eruption, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. It occurs as aggregates of tabular crystals up to 1–2 mm in maximum dimension, with abundant gas inclusions. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of O = 12 is (Na3.90K0.10)Σ4(Ca0.45Mg0.16Cu0.12Na0.10)Σ0.83S3.08O12. The crystal structure of dobrovolskyite was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data as: trigonal, R3, a = 15.7223(2), c = 22.0160(5) Å, V = 4713.1(2) Å3, Z = 18 and R1 = 0.072. The Mohs’ hardness is 3.5. The mineral is uniaxial (+), with ω = 1.489(2) and ɛ = 1.491(2) (λ = 589 nm). The seven strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %)(hkl)] are: 11.58(40)(101); 5.79(22)(202); 4.54(18)(030); 3.86(88)(033); 3.67(32)(006); 2.855(50)(306); and 2.682(100)(330). The mineral is named in honour of Prof. Dr. Vladimir Vitalievich Dolivo-Dobrovolsky (1927–2009), one of the leading Russian scientists in the field of petrology, crystal optics and crystal chemistry. The crystal structure of dobrovolskyite can be described as composed of three symmetrically independent rods running parallel to the c axis. The rods consist of six octahedral–tetrahedral [Na(SO4)6]11– or [Ca(SO4)6]10– clusters of central octahedra sharing common corners with six adjacent SO4 tetrahedra. Alternatively, the crystal structure of the mineral can be described as a 12-layer ABACABACABAC eutactic array of Na+ and Ca2+ cations, and vacancies with disordered (SO4) tetrahedra in interstices. Dobrovolskyite and similar minerals probably formed upon cooling of a high-temperature phase with disordered cation and anion arrangements.

Porous materials have many applications for laser–matter interaction experiments related to inertial confinement fusion. Obtaining new knowledge about the properties of the laser-produced plasma of porous media is a challenging task. In this work, we report, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, the time-dependent measurement of the reflected light of a terawatt laser pulse from the laser-produced plasma of low-Z foam material of overcritical density. The experiments have been performed with the ABC laser, with targets constituted by foam of overcritical density and by solid media of the same chemical composition. We implemented in the MULTI-FM code a model for the light reflection to reproduce and interpret the experimental results. Using the simulations together with the experimental results, we indicate a criterion for estimating the homogenization time of the laser-produced plasma, whose measurement is challenging with direct diagnostic techniques and still not achieved.

An acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreak caused by a norovirus occurred at a hospital in Shanghai, China, was studied for molecular epidemiology, host susceptibility and serological roles. Rectal and environmental swabs, paired serum samples and saliva specimens were collected. Pathogens were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Histo-blood group antigens (HBGA) phenotypes of saliva samples and their binding to norovirus protruding proteins were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The HBGA-binding interfaces and the surrounding region were analysed by the MegAlign program of DNAstar 7.1. Twenty-seven individuals in two care units were attacked with AGE at attack rates of 9.02 and 11.68%. Eighteen (78.2%) symptomatic and five (38.4%) asymptomatic individuals were GII.6/b norovirus positive. Saliva-based HBGA phenotyping showed that all symptomatic and asymptomatic cases belonged to A, B, AB or O secretors. Only four (16.7%) out of the 24 tested serum samples showed low blockade activity against HBGA-norovirus binding at the acute phase, whereas 11 (45.8%) samples at the convalescence stage showed seroconversion of such blockade. Specific blockade antibody in the population played an essential role in this norovirus epidemic. A wide HBGA-binding spectrum of GII.6 supports a need for continuous health attention and surveillance in different settings.

Gravitational waves from coalescing neutron stars encode information about nuclear matter at extreme densities, inaccessible by laboratory experiments. The late inspiral is influenced by the presence of tides, which depend on the neutron star equation of state. Neutron star mergers are expected to often produce rapidly rotating remnant neutron stars that emit gravitational waves. These will provide clues to the extremely hot post-merger environment. This signature of nuclear matter in gravitational waves contains most information in the 2–4 kHz frequency band, which is outside of the most sensitive band of current detectors. We present the design concept and science case for a Neutron Star Extreme Matter Observatory (NEMO): a gravitational-wave interferometer optimised to study nuclear physics with merging neutron stars. The concept uses high-circulating laser power, quantum squeezing, and a detector topology specifically designed to achieve the high-frequency sensitivity necessary to probe nuclear matter using gravitational waves. Above 1 kHz, the proposed strain sensitivity is comparable to full third-generation detectors at a fraction of the cost. Such sensitivity changes expected event rates for detection of post-merger remnants from approximately one per few decades with two A+ detectors to a few per year and potentially allow for the first gravitational-wave observations of supernovae, isolated neutron stars, and other exotica.

Soft magnetic metal amorphous nanocomposite alloys are produced through rapid solidification and thermal annealing yielding nanocrystals embedded within an amorphous precursor. Similar free energies in Co-rich and FeNi-based alloy systems result in multiple nanocrystalline phases being formed during devitrification. Studies of multi-phase crystallization processes have been reported for Co-rich alloys but relatively few have investigated FeNi-based systems. A detailed characterization of compositional partitioning and microstructure of an optimally annealed FeNi-based MANC (Fe70Ni30)80Nb4Si2B14 alloy is presented through complementary high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). HRTEM demonstrates orientation relationships between FCC and BCC nanocrystals, suggesting heterogeneous nucleation of nanocrystals in the amorphous matrix or a cooperative mechanism of nucleation between BCC and FCC nanocrystallites. APT results show evidence for (i) the segregation of Fe and Ni between nanocrystals of different phases, (ii) B partitioning to the amorphous phase, and (iii) an Nb-enriched shell surrounding nanocrystals.

The first formal bone tool in the Central Altai of Russia was found in an Early Upper Palaeolithic assemblage at the Kara-Bom open-air site. Here the authors report the results of AMS dating, use-wear analysis, 3D-modelling and zooarchaeological and collagen fingerprinting analysis, which reveal important new insights into the osseous technology of the Kara-Bomian tradition.