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The hazards associated with the possible collapse of old mine workings underlying an active landfill site in north-east England have been identified as a significant concern to both the regulatory authorities and to the landfill operator. A quantitative assessment of the hazards and their perceived risks to the integrity of the composite lining system in place beneath the landfill has been undertaken using a combination of field observation, established mine subsidence prediction tools and numerical modelling techniques. Field observations have identified the presence of extensive fissuring within the limestone underlying the site, however, it is difficult to assess the extent to which mining has contributed to the development of these features. In light of this, an influence function technique has been used to attempt to predict the degree of fracturing that could have been experienced at the surface due solely to mining, with the intention of illustrating whether the scale of movements on pre-existing joints could be attributed to mining subsidence. The results of this analysis have subsequently been used within a finite-difference numerical model to assess the effect that a fracture of the scale predicted would have on the composite lining system.

Electrical and mechanical power, together with other forms of useful work, are generated worldwide at a rate of about 10 12 watts, mostly using heat engines. The efficiency of such engines is limited by the laws of thermodynamics and by practical considerations such as the cost of building and operating them. Engines with high efficiency help to conserve fossil fuels and other natural resources, reducing global-warming emissions and pollutants. In practice, the highest efficiencies are obtained only in the most expensive, sophisticated engines, such as the turbines in central utility electrical plants. Here we demonstrate an inexpensive thermoacoustic engine that employs the inherently efficient Stirling cycle 1 . The design is based on a simple acoustic apparatus with no moving parts. Our first small laboratory prototype, constructed using inexpensive hardware (steel pipes), achieves an efficiency of 0.30, which exceeds the values of 0.10–0.25 attained in other heat engines 5 , 6 with no moving parts. Moreover, the efficiency of our prototype is comparable to that of the common internal combustion engine 2 (0.25–0.40) and piston-driven Stirling engines 3 , 4 (0.20–0.38).

MYT1L syndrome is a newly recognized disorder characterized by intellectual disability, speech and motor delay, neuroendocrine disruptions, ADHD, and autism. In order to study this gene and its association with these phenotypes, our lab recently created a Myt1l heterozygous mutant mouse inspired by a clinically relevant mutation. This model recapitulates several of the physical and neurologic abnormalities seen in humans with MYT1L syndrome, such as weight gain, microcephaly, and behavioral disruptions. The majority of patients with this syndrome are young, and little is known about the impact of age on health and mortality in these patients. Using a Myt1l mutant mouse, we examined the impact of Myt1l mutation on body weights, lifespan, and histopathology findings of mice at the end of life. This cohort of heterozygous mice demonstrated increased body weight across the lifespan, however there was no significant difference in lifespan, apparent cause of death, or end of life histopathological findings between Myt1l heterozygous and wildtype mice. These findings suggest while Myt1l heterozygous mutation may influence overall brain development, it does not strongly impact other organ systems in the body over time.

Genetic predisposition plays an important role in most common psychiatric disorders. The identification of a specific gene associated with a psychiatric illness can lead to improved management of the gene-associated disorder. Mutations in the wolframin gene are associated with mental illness. Many patients with the Wolfram syndrome (WS), who are homozygous or compound heterozygous for wolframin mutations, have severe psychiatric symptoms. In WS families, close blood relatives, who have a high probability of carrying a single wolframin mutation, had a statistically significant excess, over spouse controls, of psychiatric hospitalizations, attempted and completed suicides, and self-reports of mental illness. Since heterozygous carriers of wolframin mutations are relatively frequent in the population according to the general Hardy–Weinberg principle, such mutations might be responsible for the illnesses of many psychiatric patients. The hypothesis that heterozygous carriers of a wolframin mutation are predisposed to psychiatric illness was tested in subjects from 25 WS families. In all, 11 relatives who had psychiatric hospitalizations could be genotyped through mutation analysis. Eight of these carried the wolframin mutation transmitted in their family, significantly (one-sided P =0.0022) more than the 3.0 expected if there were no association between psychiatric hospitalizations and mutations at this locus. All eight mutation-positive subjects had been hospitalized for a major depression. This confirmation of the association is not influenced by confounders, undetected stratification, or genetic heterogeneity. The relative risk of psychiatric hospitalization for depression was estimated to be 7.1 (95% CI 1.9–26.6) for carriers of a single wolframin mutation compared to noncarriers.

An experimental study has been carried out as part of a wider programme of research in order to examine some of the physico-mechanical properties of the Jiaozuo Sandstone after exposure to extremely high temperatures. The mechanical properties of the rock under examination are discussed before the results of the thermo-mechanical response of the sandstone are presented and analysed. The range of temperature to which the sandstone has been exposed is 20–1,200 °C. The physical properties considered include the shape, volume, mass and density changes and the velocity of longitudinal and transverse elastic waves through the samples, before and after exposure to high temperature. The mechanical properties considered include the stress–strain response, the uniaxial compressive strength, the modulus of elasticity and the Poisson’s ratio. The results are analysed and discussed and possible mechanisms for the observed thermo-mechanical response, are postulated.

OBJECTIVE:--To reevaluate the persistence and stability of previously observed differences between pediatric diabetes centers and to investigate the influence of demography, language communication problems, and changes in insulin regimens on metabolic outcome, hypoglycemia, and ketoacidosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--This was an observational cross-sectional international study in 21 centers, with clinical data obtained from all participants and A1C levels assayed in one central laboratory. All individuals with diabetes aged 11-18 years (49.4% female), with duration of diabetes of at least 1 year, were invited to participate. Fourteen of the centers participated in previous Hvidoere Studies, allowing direct comparison of glycemic control across centers between 1998 and 2005. RESULTS:--Mean A1C was 8.2 ± 1.4%, with substantial variation between centers (mean A1C range 7.4-9.2%; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between centers in rates of severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Language difficulties had a significant negative impact on metabolic outcome (A1C 8.5 ± 2.0% vs. 8.2 ± 1.4% for those with language difficulties vs. those without, respectively; P < 0.05). After adjustement for significant confounders of age, sex, duration of diabetes, insulin regimen, insulin dose, BMI, and language difficulties, the center differences persisted, and the effect size for center was not reduced. Relative center ranking since 1998 has remained stable, with no significant change in A1C. CONCLUSIONS:--Despite many changes in diabetes management, major differences in metabolic outcome between 21 international pediatric diabetes centers persist. Different application between centers in the implementation of insulin treatment appears to be of more importance and needs further exploration.

Background Sex differences in brain development are thought to lead to sex variation in social behavior. Sex differences are fundamentally driven by both gonadal hormones and sex chromosomes, yet little is known about the independent effects of each on social behavior. Further, mouse models of the genetic liability for the neurodevelopmental disorder MYT1L Syndrome have shown sex-specific deficits in social motivation. In this study, we aimed to determine if gonadal hormones or sex chromosomes primarily mediate the sex differences seen in mouse social behavior, both at baseline and in the context of Myt1l haploinsufficiency. Methods Four-core genotypes (FCG) mice, which uncouple gonadal and chromosomal sex, were crossed with MYT1L heterozygous mice to create eight different groups with unique combinations of sex factors and MYT1L genotype. A total of 131 mice from all eight groups were assayed for activity and social behavior via the open field and social operant paradigms. Measures of social seeking and orienting were analyzed for main effects of chromosome, gonads, and their interactions with Myt1l mutation. Results The FCGxMYT1L cross revealed independent effects of both gonadal and chromosomal sex on activity and social behavior. Specifically, the presence of ovarian hormones led to greater overall activity, social seeking, and social orienting regardless of MYT1L genotype. In contrast, sex chromosomes affected social behavior mainly in the MYT1L heterozygous group, with XX MYT1L mutant mice demonstrating elevated levels of social orienting and seeking compared to XY MYT1L mutant mice. Conclusions Gonadal and chromosomal sex have independent mechanisms of driving greater social motivation in females. Additionally, genes on the sex chromosomes may interact with neurodevelopmental risk genes to influence sex variation in atypical social behavior. Plain Language Summary As our brain develops, many factors influence how we behave later in life. The brain forms differently in males and females, potentially leading to sex variation seen in many behaviors including sociability. In addition, conditions defined by differences in social behaviors, such as autism, are diagnosed more in males than females. However, researchers don’t know exactly how distinct sex factors, such as gonadal hormones and sex chromosome genes, lead to different behaviors in males and females. In this study, we used mouse models and tests of mouse behavior to explore these differences. Results show that gonadal hormones primarily contributed to differences in social motivation between sexes. Yet, when we repeated these same assays in a mouse model of genetic liability for a human neurodevelopmental syndrome, we found that sex chromosome genes rather than gonadal hormones played a larger role in the behavioral consequences of impaired neurodevelopment. These insights can inform future research on the biological mechanisms of social behavior in the context of genetic liability for neurodevelopmental disorders. Highlights Four-core genotypes mouse model crossed with MYT1L heterozygous mouse reveals independent effects of sex chromosomes and gonadal hormones on social motivation. Myt1l haploinsufficiency causes higher activity in both males and females. While females are more active, contributions of sex chromosomes and gonadal hormones to this higher activity are environment dependent. Gonadal hormones influence social seeking and orienting regardless of MYT1L genotype. Chromosomal sex interacts with MYT1L genotype to elevate social orienting and seeking only in XX MYT1L heterozygous mice.

Manufacturing Process Selection Handbook provides engineers and designers with process knowledge and the essential technological and cost data to guide the selection of manufacturing processes early in the product development cycle.Building on content from the authors' earlier introductory Process Selection guide, this expanded handbook begins.

Organised specialist care for stroke improves outcome, but the merits of different methods of organisation are in doubt. This study compares the efficacy of stroke unit with stroke team or domiciliary care. A single-blind, randomised, controlled trial was undertaken in 457 acute-stroke patients (average age 76 years, 48% women) randomly assigned to stroke unit, general wards with stroke team support, or domiciliary stroke care, within 72 h of stroke onset. Outcome was assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure was death or institutionalisation at 12 months. Analyses were by intention to treat. 152 patients were allocated to the stroke unit, 152 to stroke team, and 153 to domiciliary stroke care. 51 (34%) patients in the domiciliary group were admitted to hospital after randomisation. Mortality or institutionalisation at 1 year were lower in patients on a stroke unit than for those receiving care from a stroke team (21/152 [14%] vs 45/149 [30%]; p<0·001) or domiciliary care (21/152 [14%] vs 34/144 [24%]; p=0·03), mainly as a result of reduction in mortality. The proportion of patients alive without severe disability at 1 year was also significantly higher on the stroke unit compared with stroke team (129/152 [85%] vs 99/149 [66%]; p<0·001) or domiciliary care (129/152 [85%] vs 102/144 [71%]; p=0·02). These differences were present at 3 and 6 months after stroke. Stroke units are more effective than a specialist stroke team or specialist domiciliary care in reducing mortality, institutionalisation, and dependence after stroke.

The Leuciscidae (minnows, shiners and relatives) is a diverse family of freshwater fishes with many species endangered due to anthropogenic stressors. and are two shiners found only in the upper Brazos River basin in Texas, USA and listed as endangered due to contracted habitat. The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced for two vouchered specimens for each species; having a total mitogenome length of 16,711 bp and having a total mitogenome length 16685-16686 bp, with both including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis supports previous hypotheses regarding placement of these species.