Lack of static lattice distortion in Tb2Ti2O7Tb_2 Ti_2 O_7

We investigated the possibility of temperature dependent lattice distortions in the pyrochlore compound Tb$_{2}$Ti$_{2}$O$_{7}$ by measuring the internal magnetic field distribution, using muon spin resonance, and comparing it to the susceptibility. The measurements are done at temperatures as low as 70 mK and external fields up to 6 kG. We find that the evolution of the width of the field distribution can be explained by spin susceptibility only, thus ruling out a temperature dependent hyperfine coupling. We conclude that lattice deformations are absent in Tb$_{2}$Ti$_{2}$O$_{7}$.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Condens. Matter. (Proceedings of Highly Frustrated Magnetism 2006); Corrections of various typo

CQC inspection reports for acute NHS trusts:Are there relationships between the comments in inspection reports regarding people with learning disabilities and CQC hospital/trust ratings?

Purpose - People with learning disabilities are at risk of poor health and premature death. Due to these inequalities, NHS trusts are required to make reasonable adjustments to their care, such as longer appointment times, with the legal duty on them being “anticipatory”. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - Secondary analysis of CQC acute hospital inspection reports asking the following research questions: Do CQC inspection reports mention people with learning disabilities? Where issues concerning people with learning disabilities are reported in CQC hospital inspection reports, what issues and reasonable adjustments are reported? Are there any relationships between comments made in the inspection reports and CQC ratings of the trusts? Findings - In total, 29 of the 30 trust-wide inspection reports (97 per cent) and 58 of the 61 specific site reports (95 per cent) included at least one mention of people with learning disability/ies. Most comments about practices for people with learning disabilities were positive across all CQC inspection output types and across all CQC overall ratings, although the proportion of positive comments decreased and the proportion of negative comments increased as CQC ratings became less positive. Research limitations/implications - Overall the authors found that CQC inspection reports routinely contained some information regarding how well the hospitals were working for people with learning disabilities. The depth of information in reports varied across trusts, with the potential for CQC reports to more consistently report information collected during inspections. Originality/value - The report updates and extends a report published by the Public Health England Learning Disabilities Observatory in 2015

Candidate Quantum Spin Liquid in the Ce\textsuperscript{3+} Pyrochlore Stannate Ce2_2Sn2_2O7_7

We report the low temperature magnetic properties of Ce$_2$Sn$_2$O$_7$, a rare-earth pyrochlore. Our susceptibility and magnetization measurements show that due to the thermal isolation of a Kramers doublet ground state, Ce$_2$Sn$_2$O$_7$ has Ising-like magnetic moments of $\sim1.18$ $\mu_\mathrm{B}$. The magnetic moments are confined to the local trigonal axes, as in a spin ice, but the exchange interactions are antiferromagnetic. Below 1 K the system enters a regime with antiferromagnetic correlations. In contrast to predictions for classical $\langle 111 \rangle$-Ising spins on the pyrochlore lattice, there is no sign of long-range ordering down to 0.02 K. Our results suggest that Ce$_2$Sn$_2$O$_7$ features an antiferromagnetic liquid ground state with strong quantum fluctuations.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Cellular excitability and the regulation of functional neuronal identity: from gene expression to neuromodulation

The intrinsic properties of a neuron determine the translation of synaptic input to axonal output. It is this input– output relationship that is the heart of all nervous system activity. As such, the overall regulation of the intrinsic excitability of a neuron directly determines the output of that neuron at a given point in time, giving the cell a unique “functional identity.” To maintain this distinct functional output, neurons must adapt to changing patterns of synaptic excitation. These adaptations are essential to prevent neurons from either falling silent as synaptic excitation falls or becoming saturated as excitation increases. In the absence of stabilizing mechanisms, activity-dependent plasticity could drive neural activity to saturation or quiescence. Furthermore, as cells adapt to changing patterns of synaptic input, presumably the overall balance of intrinsic conductances of the cell must be maintained so that reliable output is achieved (Daoudal and Debanne, 2003; Turrigiano and Nelson, 2004; Frick and Johnston, 2005). Although these regulatory phenomena have been well documented, the molecular and physiological mechanisms involved are poorly understood

The impact of health checks for people with intellectual disabilities:an updated systematic review of evidence

Health checks for people with intellectual disabilities have been recommended as one component of international health policy responses to the poorer health of people with intellectual disabilities. This review updates a previously published review summarising evidence on the impact of health checks on the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities. Electronic literature searches and email contacts were used to identify literature relevant to the impact of health checks for people with intellectual disabilities published from 1989 to 2013. Forty-eight publications were identified, of which eight articles and two reports were newly identified and not included in the previous review. These involved checking the health of people with intellectual disabilities from a range of countries including a full range of people with intellectual disabilities. Health checks consistently led to detection of unmet health needs and targeted actions to address health needs. Health checks also had the potential to increase knowledge of the health needs of people with intellectual disabilities amongst health professionals and support staff, and to identify gaps in health services. Health checks are effective in identifying previously unrecognised health needs, including life threatening conditions. Future research should consider strategies for optimising the cost effectiveness or efficiency of health checks

Systematic reviews of the health or health care of people with intellectual disabilities:a systematic review to identify gaps in the evidence base

Background Systematic reviews are important in evaluating evidence concerning the health of people with intellectual disabilities. This study conducts a systematic review to identify strengths and gaps in this evidence. Method Electronic literature searches and email requests identified systematic reviews published in English from 2008 to 2013 on the health or health care of people with intellectual disabilities. Reviews were categorized using ICD-10 chapter headings and information extracted regarding methods, number of studies reviewed and findings. Results Ninety-four reviews were identified: 52 related to ICD-10 Chapter V: Mental or behavioural disorders, 28 to Chapter XXI: Factors influencing health status and contact with services, and 14 related to other chapters or encompassed multiple chapters. Nine reviews were empty'. No reviews were found for many ICD-10 chapter headings. Conclusions Systematic reviews are heavily weighted towards mental health, with little coverage of several areas important to the health and mortality of people with intellectual disabilities

Perceptions of neighbourhood quality, social and civic participation and the self rated health of British adults with intellectual disability:cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: There is extensive evidence from research undertaken on general population samples that people who have more extensive and closer social networks and people who report feeling connected to their local community tend to have better health. However, relatively few studies have examined the relationship between the social connectedness of people with intellectual disabilities and their health. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from Understanding Society, a new longitudinal study focusing on the life experiences of UK citizens. We identified 279 participants aged 16-49 (1.1% of the unweighted age-restricted sample) as having intellectual disability, and 22,927 as not having intellectual disability. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate between group differences adjusting for potential confounding personal characteristics (e.g., gender). RESULTS: British adults with intellectual disability had less favorable perceptions of important neighborhood characteristics and lower levels of social and civic participation than their non-disabled peers. Favorable perceptions of important neighborhood characteristics and higher levels of social and civic participation were associated with more positive self-rated health for adults with and without intellectual disability. For adults with intellectual disability this was particularly the case with regard to employment, feeling safe outside in the dark and being able to access services when needed. The between-group differences in perceptions of important neighborhood characteristics and levels of social and civic participation accounted for a significant proportion of the elevated risk for poorer self-rated health observed among adults with intellectual disability. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence to suggest that the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual disabilities may be partially attributable to their less favorable perceptions of important neighborhood characteristics and lower levels of social and civic participation

Mortality in people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy:a systematic review

Purpose: Epilepsy is highly prevalent in people with intellectual disabilities and mortality is increased in people with epilepsy generally. This review summarises research on the comparative risk of mortality in people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy compared to the general population, people with intellectual disabilities without epilepsy, and people with epilepsy without intellectual disabilities. Method: Studies were identified via electronic searches using Medline, Cinahl and PsycINFO and cross-citations. Information extracted from studies was tabulated and reviewed narratively. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Epilepsy was associated with increased mortality in people with intellectual disabilities in most studies, particularly in those experiencing recent seizures. Further research is needed to substantiate some of the reported findings. Conclusion: Services must be equipped with the skills and information needed to manage this condition in order to minimise the risk of death in people with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy. (C) 2015 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Prevalence of epilepsy among people with intellectual disabilities:a systematic review

Purpose: Epilepsy is more common in people with intellectual disabilities than in the general population. However, reported prevalence rates vary widely between studies. This systematic review aimed to provide a summary of prevalence studies and estimates of prevalence based on meta-analyses. Method: Studies were identified via electronic searches using Medline, Cinahl and PsycINFO and cross-citations. Information extracted from studies was tabulated. Prevalence rate estimates were pooled using random effects meta-analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 48 studies were included in the tabulation and 46 studies were included in meta-analyses. In general samples of people with intellectual disabilities, the pooled estimate from 38 studies was 22.2% (95% CI 19.6-25.1). Prevalence increased with increasing level of intellectual disability. For samples of people with Down syndrome, the pooled estimate from data in 13 studies was 12.4% (95% CI 9.1-16.7), decreasing to 10.3% (95% CI 8.4-12.6) following removal of two studies focusing on older people. Prevalence increased with age in people with Down syndrome and was particularly prevalent in those with Alzheimer's/dementia. Conclusion: Epilepsy is highly prevalent in people with intellectual disabilities. Services must be equipped with the skills and information needed to manage this condition. (C) 2015 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved