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New radiocarbon dates on biological remains from cave deposits in the Canadian Rocky Mountains range in age from infinite to modern but are largely restricted to the Holocene (9560±40 years B.P. to modern). The consistency in radiocarbon ages is interpreted as resulting from geologic processes associated with deglaciation and may reflect timeframes when cave conditions in some areas of the Canadian Rocky Mountains became suitable for deposition and preservation of biological remains. When considered at taxonomic levels permitted by morphological identification, recovered vertebrate remains from cave deposits are consistent with the modern biota of the region, suggesting early post-Late Glacial Maximum establishment of the modern biota and relative stability of mammal assemblages through the Holocene. Preliminary evaluation of recovered plant remains highlights a potentially underevaluated source of palaeoecological data for higher elevations.

STUDY QUESTION Do IVF treatment and laboratory factors affect singleton birthweight (BW)? SUMMARY ANSWER BWs of IVF-conceived singleton babies are increasing with time, but we cannot identify the specific treatment factors responsible. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY IVF-conceived singleton babies from fresh transfers have slightly lower BW than those conceived naturally, whilst those from frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles are heavier and comparable to naturally conceived offspring. Our recent studies have shown that BW varies significantly between different IVF centres, and in a single centre, is also increasing with time, without a corresponding change in BWs of naturally conceived infants. Although it is likely that factors in the IVF treatment cycle, such as hormonal stimulation or embryo laboratory culture conditions, are associated with BW differences, our previous study designs were not able to confirm this. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Data relating to BW outcomes, IVF treatment and laboratory parameters were collated from pre-existing electronic records in five participating centres for all singleton babies conceived between August 2007 and December 2014. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Seven thousand, five hundred and eighty-eight births, 6207 from fresh and 1381 from FET. Infants with severe congenital abnormalities were excluded. The primary outcome of gestation-adjusted BW and secondary outcomes of unadjusted BW and gestation were analysed using multivariable regression models with robust standard errors to allow for the correlation between infants with the same mother. The models tested treatment factors allowing for confounding by centre, time and patient characteristics. A similar matched analysis of a subgroup of 379 sibling pairs was also performed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE No significant associations of birth outcomes with IVF embryo culture parameters were seen independent of clinic or time, including embryo culture medium, incubator type or oxygen level, although small differences cannot be ruled out. We did not detect any significant differences associated with hormonal stimulation in fresh cycles or hormonal synchronization in FET cycles. Gestation-adjusted BW increased by 13.4 (95% CI 0.6–26.1) g per year over the period of the study, and babies born following FET were 92 (95% CI 57–128) g heavier on average than those from the fresh transfer. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although no specific relationships have been identified independent of clinic and time, the confidence intervals remain large and do not exclude clinically relevant effect sizes. As this is an observational study, residual confounding may still be present. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study demonstrates the potential for large scale analysis of routine data to address critical questions concerning the long-term implications of IVF treatment, in accordance with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. However, much larger studies, at a national scale with sufficiently detailed data, are required to identify the treatment parameters associated with differences in BW or other relevant outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the EU FP7 project grant, EpiHealthNet (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN-317146). No competing interests were identified. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A

Canada is a cold country, the northern part having discontinuous to continuous permafrost, and the southern half experiencing weeks to months of ice and snow cover at all elevations during the winter. The western provinces and northern territories have major mountain ranges with modern glaciers and icecaps. There are also extensive mountainous terrains above 1000 m in the east. With few caving clubs, large distances and difficult access, only some 700 caves have been reported in the Canadian Caver index to date. Most will display ice formations only during the winter, but a number contain enduring perennial ice. In this chapter we discuss 33 examples documented and studied to some degree. Via studies, including stable isotopes, crystallography, carbon dating, temperature and humidity, we find that cave ice formation falls broadly into three types: cold trap, cold zone, and permafrost, with ice caves exhibiting some or all types.

Louis Charland has argued that the Cluster B personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are primarily moral rather than clinical conditions. Part of his argument stems from reflections on effective treatment of borderline personality disorder. In the argument from treatment, he claims that successful treatment of all Cluster B personality disorders requires a positive change in a patient’s moral character. Based on this claim, he concludes (1) that these disorders are, at root, deficits in moral character, and (2) that effective treatment of these disorders requires a sort of moral education rather than clinical intervention. In this paper, I evaluate the argument from treatment through a critical analysis of two psychotherapeutic interventions that have shown recent effectiveness against borderline personality disorder. I suggest that both Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Mentalization-Based Treatment indicate that borderline personality disorder is, at root, a deficit in non-moral cognitive and emotional capacities. I suggest that these non-moral deficits obscure the expression of an otherwise intact moral character. In light of this, I conclude that effective treatment of borderline personality disorder requires primarily clinical intervention rather than moral edification.

Cold agglutinins are of unique relevance in cardiac surgery because of the use of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Immunoglobulin M autoantibodies to red blood cells, which activate at varying levels of hypothermia, can cause catastrophic hemagglutination, microvascular thrombosis, or hemolysis. Management of CPB and myocardial protection requires individualized planning. We describe a case of aortic valve replacement in a patient with high titre cold agglutinins and a high thermal amplitude for antibody activation. Normothermic CPB and continuous warm blood cardioplegia were successfully used.