bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unique water scarcity footprints and water risks in US meat and ethanol supply chains identified via subnational commodity flows
Authors: Brauman Kate A , Goodkind Andrew L , Kim Taegon , Pelton Rylie E O , Schmitt Jennifer , Smith Timothy M
Published: June 2020

Within the US, supply chains aggregate agricultural production and associated environmental impacts in specific downstream products and companies. This is particularly important for meat and ethanol, which consume nearly half of global crop production as feed and feedstocks. However, lack of data has thus far limited the ability to trace inputs and impacts of commodity crops through domestic supply chains. For the first time, we use a commodity-flow model to link spatially distributed water resource impacts of corn and soy to individual meat and ethanol processing facilities. This creates transparency in the supply chains, illuminating substantial variation in embedded irrigation water and water scarcity footprints among meat and ethanol processed at different facilities. By calculating unique blue water scarcity footprints for end-products, we show that beef processed in Iowa or Illinois, for example, has fewer water impacts than chicken processed in California and pork processed in Oklahoma. We find that over 75% of irrigated feed embedded in meat is consolidated in six companies and 39% of irrigated feedstock for ethanol is consolidated in five companies, with potentially negative impacts to supply costs and risk management. This subnational variation and consolidation of impacts in key supply chains creates opportunities for producers and consumers of agriculture-based products to make management, investment, and sustainability decisions about those products.
Effect of Ni/Si mass ratio on microstructure and properties of Cu–Ni–Si alloy
Authors: Tao Shiping , Lu Zhenlin , Jia Lei , Xie Hui , Zhang Jinlong
Published: June 2020

Cu–Ni–Si alloys with 94 wt% Cu content and different Ni/Si mass ratios were prepared by hot pressing sintering, and then solution treatment and ageing treatment were also performed. Microstructure and phase composition along with electrical conductivity and hardness of the alloys under different treating condition was studied, and then the influence of Ni/Si mass ratio was discussed. Results showed that the as-sintered Cu–Ni–Si alloys mainly consisted of α-Cu matrix and some Ni31Si12 particles at the grain boundary as well as δ-Ni2Si phases inside the matrix. After solution treatment, most of the Ni–Si compounds decomposed, but δ-Ni2Si precipitates from the matrix after ageing treatment. With increasing Ni/Si mass ratio, the electrical conductivity and hardness of the alloys increases firstly and then decreases, while a highest combination of them achieved when the mass ratio of Ni/Si was 4:1. The effect of Ni/Si ratio on the electrical conductivity of Cu–Ni–Si alloys can be mainly ascribed to the residual content of Ni/Si in the Cu matrix after ageing treatment. When the mass ratio of Ni/Si is equal to the atomic ratio of δ-Ni2Si phase, most of the Ni and Si atoms would precipitates as δ-Ni2Si, and then the electrical conductivity reaches the highest value.
Equity in Bilingual Education: Socioeconomic Status and Content and Language Integrated Learning in Monolingual Southern Europe
Authors: Lorenzo Francisco , Granados Adrián , Rico Nuria
Published: June 2020

Previous research has raised concerns that equity may be compromised in content and language integrated learning (CLIL) education, creating schisms in otherwise fairly egalitarian education systems. In Andalusia (southern Spain), where bilingual education has expanded, this article aims to analyze the difference between CLIL bilingual education and traditional monolingual education in terms of student equity indicators.

A sample of over 3,800 students representing the four socioeconomic status (SES) levels (SES 1–4), selected by stratified random sampling, was analyzed with correlational statistics to determine their performance levels at CLIL and non-CLIL schools, according to their competence in Spanish L1, English L2, and history. Results point to certain egalitarian effects of CLIL education: while a staircase pattern is constantly present in the performance of non-CLIL students (with those from higher social classes obtaining better results), all CLIL students seem to obtain equally high results regardless of their SES.
State-of-the-art web services forde novoprotein structure prediction
Authors: Abriata Luciano A , Dal Peraro Matteo
Published: June 2020

Residue coevolution estimations coupled to machine learning methods are revolutionizing the ability of protein structure prediction approaches to model proteins that lack clear homologous templates in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). This has been patent in the last round of the Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP), which presented several very good models for the hardest targets. Unfortunately, literature reporting on these advances often lacks digests tailored to lay end users; moreover, some of the top-ranking predictors do not provide webservers that can be used by nonexperts. How can then end users benefit from these advances and correctly interpret the predicted models? Here we review the web resources that biologists can use today to take advantage of these state-of-the-art methods in their research, including not only the best de novo modeling servers but also datasets of models precomputed by experts for structurally uncharacterized protein families. We highlight their features, advantages and pitfalls for predicting structures of proteins without clear templates. We present a broad number of applications that span from driving forward biochemical investigations that lack experimental structures to actually assisting experimental structure determination in X-ray diffraction, cryo-EM and other forms of integrative modeling. We also discuss issues that must be considered by users yet still require further developments, such as global and residue-wise model quality estimates and sources of residue coevolution other than monomeric tertiary structure.
Evaluation of the Oxford classification in immunoglobulin A vasculitis with nephritis: a cohort study and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Bingxin , Shi Sufang , Hou Wanyin , Liu Lijun , Lv Jicheng , Wang Suxia , Zhang Hong
Published: June 2020

Background

Similarities in clinicopathological presentations in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy and IgA vasculitis with nephritis (IgAVN) raise the question of the utility of the Oxford classification in the latter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Oxford classification in IgAVN.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study and meta-analysis following systematic searching of the MEDLINE and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) databases between January 2009 and September 2019. We modeled the association of 30 and 50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate or end-stage renal disease with pathologic lesions of the Oxford classification including mesangial hypercellularity (M), endocapillary hypercellularity (E), segmental glomerulosclerosis (S), interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (T) and crescents (C). Results were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

The cohort study included 132 patients, and only T lesion was an independently risk factor in IgAVN. The meta-analysis yielded six retrospective studies with 721 patients and 139 endpoints. In multivariate model, T lesion was significantly associated with renal outcome (hazard ratio = 2.45, P = 0.007). M and C lesions could not predict renal outcome without evidence of heterogeneity. E and S lesions could not predict renal outcome with evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 66.6%; P = 0.01, and I2 = 65.8%; P = 0.03, respectively). Subgroup analysis showed that the possible reasons to the heterogeneity were from usage of immunosuppressant, sample size and follow-up time.

Conclusions

The study suggests that the Oxford classification could not be fully validated in IgAVN. Higher portion of immunosuppressant especially before renal biopsy might be the main confounder for the predictive value of Oxford classification in IgAVN.
Left ventricular myocardial work in the culprit vessel territory and impact on left ventricular remodelling in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Lustosa Rodolfo P , Fortuni Federico , van der Bijl Pieter , Goedemans Laurien , El Mahdiui Mohammed , Montero-Cabezas Jose M , Kostyukevich Marina V , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Bax Jeroen J , Delgado Victoria , Knuuti Juhani
Published: June 2020

Aims

Adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor outcome. Global and regional LV myocardial work (LVMW) derived from speckle tracking echocardiographic strain data in combination with non-invasive blood pressure recordings could provide information for prediction of LV remodelling after STEMI. The aim of the study was to assess the predictive value of global and regional LVMW for LV remodelling before discharge in patients with STEMI.

Methods and results

Three-hundred and fifty STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included [265 men (76%), mean age: 61 ± 10 years]. Clinical variables, conventional echocardiographic parameters, global and regional measures of myocardial work index (MWI), and myocardial work efficiency were recorded before discharge. The primary endpoint was early LV remodelling defined as increase in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) ≥20% at 3 months after STEMI. Eighty-seven patients (25%) showed early LV remodelling. The global and regional LVMW in the culprit territory were significantly lower in patients with early LV remodelling. Peak troponin I (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.046–1.177; P = 0.001), LVEDV (OR 0.972, 95% CI 0.959–0.984; P < 0.001) and regional MWI in the culprit vessel territory (OR 0.602, 95% CI 0.383–0.945; P = 0.027) were independently associated with early LV remodelling.

Conclusion

In STEMI patients treated with primary PCI and optimal medical therapy, the regional cardiac work index in the culprit vessel territory before discharge is independently associated with early adverse LV remodelling.
Patient profiles and health status outcomes for peripheral artery disease in high-income countries: a comparison between the USA and The Netherlands
Authors: Jelani Qurat-Ul-Ain , Smolderen Kim G , Halpin David , Gosch Kensey , Spertus John A , Iyad Ochoa Chaar Cassius , Tutein Nolthenius Rudolf P , Heyligers Jan , De Vries Jean-Paul , Mena-Hurtado Carlos
Published: June 2020

Aims

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a global disease. Understanding variability in patient profiles and PAD-specific health status outcomes across health system countries can provide insights into improving PAD care. We compared these features between two high-income countries, the USA and The Netherlands.

Methods and results

Patients were identified from the patient-centred outcomes related to treatment practices in peripheral arterial disease: investigating trajectories study—a prospective, international registry of patients presenting to vascular specialty clinics for new onset, or exacerbation of PAD symptoms. PAD-specific health status was measured with the peripheral artery questionnaire. General linear mixed models for repeated measures were used to study baseline, 3, 6, and 12-month PAD-specific health status outcomes (peripheral artery questionnaire summary score) between the USA and The Netherlands. Out of a total of 1114 patients, 748 patients (67.1%) were from the USA and 366 (32.9%) from The Netherlands. US patients with PAD were older, with more financial barriers, higher cardiovascular risk factor burden, and lower referral rates for exercise treatment (P < 0.001). They had significantly worse PAD-specific adjusted health status scores at presentation, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up (all P < 0.0001). Magnitude of change in 1-year health status scores was smaller in the US cohort when compared with The Netherlands.

Conclusion

Compared with the Dutch cohort, US patients had worse adjusted PAD-specific health status scores at all time point, improving less over time, despite treatment. Leveraging inter-country differences in care and outcomes could provide important insights into optimizing PAD outcomes.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01419080? term=portrait&rank=1 NCT01419080.
Genetic variability in the absorption of dietary sterols affects the risk of coronary artery disease
Authors: Helgadottir Anna , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Alexandersson Kristjan F , Tragante Vinicius , Thorsteinsdottir Margret , Eiriksson Finnur F , Gretarsdottir Solveig , Björnsson Eythór , Magnusson Olafur , Sveinbjornsson Gardar , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Steinthorsdottir Valgerdur , Ferkingstad Egil , Jensson Brynjar Ö , Stefansson Hreinn , Olafsson Isleifur , Christensen Alex H , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Pedersen Ole B , Erikstrup Christian , Sørensen Erik , Brunak Søren , Banasik Karina , Hansen Thomas F , Nyegaard Mette , Eyjolfssson Gudmundur I , Sigurdardottir Olof , Thorarinsson Bjorn L , Matthiasson Stefan E , Steingrimsdottir Thora , Bjornsson Einar S , Danielsen Ragnar , Asselbergs Folkert W , Arnar David O , Ullum Henrik , Bundgaard Henning , Sulem Patrick , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Thorgeirsson Gudmundur , Holm Hilma , Gudbjartsson Daniel F , Stefansson Kari
Published: June 2020

Aims

To explore whether variability in dietary cholesterol and phytosterol absorption impacts the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) using as instruments sequence variants in the ABCG5/8 genes, key regulators of intestinal absorption of dietary sterols.

Methods and results

We examined the effects of ABCG5/8 variants on non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol (N up to 610 532) and phytosterol levels (N = 3039) and the risk of CAD in Iceland, Denmark, and the UK Biobank (105 490 cases and 844 025 controls). We used genetic scores for non-HDL cholesterol to determine whether ABCG5/8 variants confer greater risk of CAD than predicted by their effect on non-HDL cholesterol. We identified nine rare ABCG5/8 coding variants with substantial impact on non-HDL cholesterol. Carriers have elevated phytosterol levels and are at increased risk of CAD. Consistent with impact on ABCG5/8 transporter function in hepatocytes, eight rare ABCG5/8 variants associate with gallstones. A genetic score of ABCG5/8 variants predicting 1 mmol/L increase in non-HDL cholesterol associates with two-fold increase in CAD risk [odds ratio (OR) = 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75–2.31, P = 9.8 × 10−23] compared with a 54% increase in CAD risk (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.49–1.59, P = 1.1 × 10−154) associated with a score of other non-HDL cholesterol variants predicting the same increase in non-HDL cholesterol (P for difference in effects = 2.4 × 10−4).

Conclusions

Genetic variation in cholesterol absorption affects levels of circulating non-HDL cholesterol and risk of CAD. Our results indicate that both dietary cholesterol and phytosterols contribute directly to atherogenesis.
Exhaustion, Distribution and Communication to the Public – The CJEU’s Decision C-263/18 – Tom Kabinet on E-Books and Beyond
Authors: Kaiser Ansgar
Published: June 2020

In its Tom Kabinet decision,****See the text of the decision in this issue of GRUR International at DOI: 10.1093/grurint/ikaa041. The author wishes to thank Aaron Stumpf, Stefan Scheuerer and Laura Valtere for fruitful discussions. the CJEU took a further step in dealing with digital facts under the InfoSoc Directive. This decision on the sale of ‘second-hand’ e-books through a website has set a number of things in motion: besides distinguishing between the distribution right and the right of communication to the public, the decision also affects the exhaustion doctrine and the coherence of European copyright law.

In the past few years, discussions about the so-called ‘digital exhaustion’ and related issues have increased enormously. A few days before Christmas 2019, the CJEU published its long-awaited judgment in case C-263/18, also known as Tom Kabinet, in which it decided that the sale of ‘second-hand’ e-books through a website constitutes communication to the public and therefore requires the consent of the rightholder.

This opinion gives insights into why the Tom Kabinet decision was so eagerly awaited, what exactly was decided and whether the CJEU’s decision could fulfil these great expectations.
Low Pseudomoments of the Riemann Zeta Function and Its Powers
Authors: Gerspach Maxim
Published: June 2020

The $2 q$-th pseudomoment $\Psi _{2q,\alpha }(x)$ of the $\alpha $-th power of the Riemann zeta function is defined to be the $2 q$-th moment of the partial sum up to $x$ of $\zeta ^\alpha $ on the critical line. Using probabilistic methods of Harper, we prove upper and lower bounds for these pseudomoments when $q \le \frac{1}{2}$ and $\alpha \ge 1$. Combined with results of Bondarenko et al., these bounds determine the size of all pseudomoments with $q> 0$ and $\alpha \ge 1$ up to powers of $\log \log x$, where $x$ is the length of the partial sum, and it turns out that there are three different ranges with different growth behaviours. In particular, the results give the order of magnitude of $\Psi _{2 q, 1}(x)$ for all $q> 0$.
Multidimensional hydrogel models reveal endothelial network angiocrine signals increase glioblastoma cell number, invasion, and temozolomide resistance
Authors: Ngo Mai T , Karvelis Elijah , Harley Brendan A C
Published: June 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. The tissue microenvironment adjacent to vasculature, termed the perivascular niche, has been implicated in promoting biological processes involved in glioblastoma progression such as invasion, proliferation, and therapeutic resistance. However, the exact nature of the cues that support tumor cell aggression in this niche is largely unknown. Soluble angiocrine factors secreted by tumor-associated vasculature have been shown to support such behaviors in other cancer types. Here, we exploit macroscopic and microfluidic gelatin hydrogel platforms to profile angiocrine factors secreted by self-assembled endothelial networks and evaluate their relevance to glioblastoma biology. Aggregate angiocrine factors support increases in U87-MG cell number, migration, and therapeutic resistance to temozolomide. We also identify a novel role for TIMP1 in facilitating glioblastoma tumor cell migration. Overall, this work highlights the use of multidimensional hydrogel models to evaluate the role of angiocrine signals in glioblastoma progression.
PRO: The COVID-19 pandemic will result in increased antimicrobial resistance rates
Authors: Clancy Cornelius J , Buehrle Deanna J , Nguyen M Hong
Published: June 2020

We argue that the COVID-19 pandemic will result in increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Broad-spectrum antibiotic use is common among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and in excess of reported secondary infection rates, suggesting unnecessary prescribing. Selection pressure is likely to be particularly intense in COVID-19 epicentres and within non-epicentre hospital units dedicated to COVID-19 care. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of hospitalization or poor outcomes among COVID-19 patients, such as advanced age, nursing home residence, debilitation, diabetes and cardiopulmonary or other underlying systemic diseases, also predispose to AMR infections. Worry for AMR emergence is heightened since first-wave COVID-19 epicentres were also AMR epicentres. Disruptive direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 globally on economic systems, governance and public health expenditure and infrastructure may fuel AMR spread. We anticipate that the impact of COVID-19 on AMR will vary between epicentres and non-epicentres, by geographic region, hospital to hospital within regions and within specific hospital units.
Merger Policy in Digital Markets: AnEx PostAssessment†
Authors: Argentesi Elena , Buccirossi Paolo , Calvano Emilio , Duso Tomaso , Marrazzo Alessia , Nava Salvatore
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a broad retrospective evaluation of mergers and merger decisions in markets dominated by multisided digital platforms. First, we document almost 300 acquisitions carried out by three major tech companies—Amazon, Facebook, and Google—between 2008 and 2018. We cluster target companies on their area of economic activity providing suggestive evidence on the strategies behind these mergers. Second, we discuss the features of digital markets that create new challenges for competition policy. By using relevant case studies as illustrative examples, we discuss theories of harm that have been used or, alternatively, could have been formulated by authorities in these cases. Finally, we retrospectively examine two important merger cases, Facebook/Instagram and Google/Waze, providing a systematic assessment of the theories of harm considered by the UK competition authorities as well as evidence on the evolution of the market after the transactions were approved. We discuss whether the competition authority performed complete and careful analyses to foresee the competitive consequences of the investigated mergers and whether a more effective merger control regime can be achieved within the current legal framework.
Type B aortic dissection repair using a Thoraflex hybrid prosthesis in a setting of aberrant left vertebral artery
Authors: Mohamed Saifullah , Patel Akshay J , Iqbal Yassir , Mazhar Khurum , Dandekar Uday , Bhudia Sunil
Published: June 2020

Type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is often managed conservatively with intervention reserved for complicated cases. Strategies for complicated and uncomplicated TBAD can involve optimal medical therapy, thoracic endovascular aortic replacement and open surgical repair of TBAD with replacement of the affected segment of aorta and reimplantation of aortic branches. The frozen elephant trunk technique has been reported to be a successful surgical strategy in patients with complicated TBAD, particularly in patients who possess unfavourable aortic arch anatomy for endovascular stenting or at increased risk of retrograde Type A aortic dissection. The Thoraflex is a commercially available aortic graft, manufactured by Vascutek®. We describe a successful case of addressing complicated TBAD with rare variant aortic anatomy using a Thoraflex hybrid frozen elephant trunk graft and reimplantation of the aberrant left vertebral artery to the perfusion limb of the Thoraflex graft.
Disentangling Interviewer and Area Effects in Large-Scale Educational Assessments using Cross-Classified Multilevel Item Response Models
Authors: Rohm Theresa , Carstensen Claus H , Fischer Luise , Gnambs Timo
Published: June 2020

In large-scale educational assessments, interviewers should ensure standardized settings for all participants. However, in practice many interviewers do not strictly adhere to standardized field protocols. Therefore, systematic interviewer effects for the measurement of mathematical competence were examined in a representative sample of N = 5,139 German adults. To account for interviewers working in specific geographical regions, interviewer and area effects were disentangled using cross-classified multilevel item response models. These analyses showed that interviewer behavior distorted competence measurements, whereas regional effects were negligible. On a more general note, it is demonstrated how to identify conspicuous interviewer behavior with Bayesian multilevel models.
Inspections
Authors: Nuijten Jan
Published: June 2020

This chapter examines the power to inspect business and private premises. Amongst the various investigatory tools of the European Commission to establish whether or not there has been a breach of EU competition law, the power to conduct inspections is the most extensive one. The legal basis for this authority is in Article 20(1) of Regulation 1/2003, which stipulates that the Commission may conduct all necessary inspections of undertakings and associations of undertakings in order to carry out the duties assigned to it by this Regulation. Article 20(2) now ensures the effectiveness of the inspection by empowering inspectors to seal business premises and books or records for the period of the inspection; ask representative or member of staff of the inspected undertaking for explanation; and to record the answers. Article 21(1) extended the Commission’s power to inspect also non-business premises, such as private homes of directors, managers, and members of staff of the undertakings. Inspections can be conducted unannounced or announced. While the Commission’s power to inspect is extensive, it is contained by the Commission’s duty to respect the rights of the undertakings subject to inspection, in accordance with the fundamental rights and principle enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Power to Take Statements
Authors: Heegde Annemarie ter , Rousseva Ekaterina
Published: June 2020

This chapter details how Regulation 1/2003 equipped the European Commission with the power to take statements from natural or legal persons. It enables the Commission to interview any persons who may be in possession of useful information for an investigation, record the statements made, and use them as evidence. Giving an interview is a voluntary act. The Commission cannot compel a person to do so, nor can it fine the person for having provided incomplete or misleading information. This makes the power to take statements a much softer investigative tool than requests for information or inspections that come with the possibility to impose fines and periodic penalties. While this is a downside, the voluntary nature of giving an interview has certain advantages. It allows for a spontaneous discussion that may enable the Commission to collect valuable information that could not have been collected otherwise. Moreover, the power to take statements allows the Commission to reach out to informants who do not carry out an economic activity and thus do not qualify as undertaking in the meaning of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU. The chapter then considers the procedure for conducting an interview.
Ordinary Procedure: From Initiation of Proceedings to the Adoption of a Final Decision
Authors: Bottka Viktor , Repa Lukas , Rousseva Ekaterina
Published: June 2020

This chapter looks at the procedural steps from formal initiation of proceedings to the adoption of a prohibition decision—with possible fines and remedies—and indicates the circumstances in which a decision to close a case will be adopted. If the European Commission decides to pursue a case, it will initiate proceedings with a formal decision. The decision for initiating proceedings is addressed to the legal entities comprising the undertakings suspected of an antitrust infringement. After the initiation of proceeding, the Commission will adopt a statement of objections (SO). The SO sets out the Commission’s preliminary view as to why the undertakings’ market behaviour may constitute an infringement of Article 101 and/or Article 102 TFEU. Once the SO is sent, the parties are given access to the file and can exercise their right to reply to the SO in writing. If the objections are maintained after the parties have replied to the SO and/or have been orally heard, the Commission will proceed by adopting a prohibition decision pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation 1/2003.
Cartel Settlements and Antitrust Cooperation
Authors: Bogdanov Aleko , Köster Thomas
Published: June 2020

This chapter assesses the process leading to the adoption of a prohibition decision in the specific context of cartel settlements and cooperation in antitrust cases other than cartels. The cartel settlement procedure has been designed to speed up the proceedings leading to the adoption of a prohibition decision pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation 1/2003 and the imposition of fines under Article 23 of Regulation 1/2003, after the European Commission has already collected sufficient evidence for the infringement in the course of its investigation. It aims at rewarding the acknowledgment of liability for cartel infringements by undertakings. Indeed, under the settlement procedure, undertakings can benefit from a 10% reduction of their fine. The success of the cartel settlement procedure has recently inspired the Commission to shape a similar procedure for antitrust cases other than cartels. In order to achieve administrative efficiencies, cooperation in non-cartel antitrust cases can be rewarded by reducing the fines of undertakings who acknowledge liability for antitrust infringements. The determination of the reward is based on a holistic assessment of the cooperation and can take into account, in addition to the acknowledgment of the infringement, cooperation on evidence or remedies.
An Overview of the Rights of Defence in EU Antitrust Proceedings
Authors: Scordamaglia-Tousis Andreas
Published: June 2020

This chapter studies the notion of the rights of defence, providing an overview of those rights and tracing their evolution through the case law of the EU Courts. The rights of defence form part of a category of procedural rights that are of particular importance in EU antitrust proceedings. It is settled case law that the rights of defence in any proceedings in which fines or penalty payments may be imposed, such as those provided for in Regulation 1/2003, are fundamental rights forming an integral part of the general principles of EU law. A violation of a right of defence on behalf of the European Commission can have significant repercussions on Commission decisions finding an infringement of EU antitrust rules, the available remedies varying from a complete annulment of the decision to partial annulments and, exceptionally, fine reductions. It is therefore of no surprise that alleged violations of the rights of defence are systematically invoked as grounds for annulment of Commission decisions before the EU Courts, particularly given that infringements of antitrust rules may lead to the imposition of fines that, due to their severity, are now widely considered to be of criminal nature.
Access to the File in Antitrust Proceedings Before the European Commission
Authors: Abbott Henry , Wils Wouter
Published: June 2020

This chapter discusses the right of access to the file in EU antitrust proceedings. Observance of the rights of defence in antitrust cases requires, among other things, that addressees of statements of objections must be enabled to express their views effectively on the documents used by the European Commission to support its allegation of an infringement. Against this backdrop, access to the file is intended in particular to enable these parties to acquaint themselves with the evidence in the Commission’s file. The chapter then details the various aspects of access to the file in antitrust procedures, setting out relevant legal provisions and instruments of soft law. It also identifies some guiding principles before describing the scope and content of the entitlement to access to the file, as well as the practicalities involved in the preparation for and the granting of such access.
Oral Hearing
Authors: Wils Wouter
Published: June 2020

This chapter examines the right to an oral hearing in antitrust cases. Article 27 of Regulation 1/2003 provides for the hearing of parties, complainants, and others, but no right to an oral hearing is granted. The antitrust proceedings conducted by the European Commission are primarily written proceedings. Before adopting a decision, the Commission must address its objections in writing to the parties concerned, who may submit in writing their comments on these objections within a set time limit. In these written comments, the parties may request the opportunity ‘to develop their arguments’ at an oral hearing. The oral hearing is always ‘the oral hearing of the parties to whom a statement of objections has been addressed’. Third persons may, where appropriate, be allowed to attend the oral hearing and to express their views, but this is only secondary to the main purpose of the oral hearing. The chapter then considers a number of procedural steps that follow the oral hearing.
Cooperation Within the ECN and Strengthening of National Competition Authorities
Authors: Arsenidou Elisavet , Capiau Jeroen , Sinclair Ailsa , Stanciute Jurga
Published: June 2020

This chapter assesses the cooperation between the European Commission and national competition authorities (NCAs) in a decentralised system of antitrust enforcement. The recent adoption of a Directive to empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers (ECN+ Directive) aims at ensuring more effective enforcement and mutual assistance among NCAs throughout the EU by putting in place minimum guarantees and powers to detect and tackle infringements. The chapter then explains the role of the European Competition Network (ECN), how it is organised and governed. The ECN was created in conjunction with the adoption of Regulation 1/2003. It consists of the NCAs and the Commission forming together a network of public authorities applying the EU competition rules in close cooperation.
Cooperation Between the Courts of the EU Member States and the Court of Justice: The Preliminary Reference Procedure
Authors: Farley Martin
Published: June 2020

This chapter addresses the cooperation between Member States’ courts and the Court of Justice in the context of the preliminary reference procedure. There are two points to be noted concerning the nature of the preliminary reference procedure and its relationship to competition law. First, the principal aim of the preliminary ruling and advisory opinion mechanisms is to provide a means of cooperation between the Court of Justice and the Member States. As such, the principal dialogue is between the referring national court or tribunal and the Court of Justice. In the preliminary reference procedure, the Commission holds the same status as any other interested party that is entitled to take part in the proceedings. Second, the procedural rules governing the preliminary ruling procedure remains essentially the same regardless of the subject matter concerned. No special rules apply with respect to cases concerning competition law.
A search for γ-ray emission from a sample of local Universe low-frequency selected radio galaxies
Authors: Harvey Max , Rulten Cameron B , Chadwick Paula M
Published: June 2020

Radio galaxies are uncommon γ-ray emitters, and only low-redshift radio galaxies are detected with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT). However, they offer potential insights into the emission mechanisms of active galaxies, particularly as the alignment of their jets with respect to the Earth means that, unlike blazars, their emission is not necessarily jet dominated. We use the Fermi-LAT data to perform an unbiased survey of 78 radio galaxies from the Bologna complete sample in order to search for new γ-ray-emitting radio galaxies. We observe statistically significant γ-ray emission from four of the six known Fermi-LAT-detected radio galaxies included in this sample, and find some evidence for γ-ray emission spatially coincident with four previously undetected radio galaxies. As a large parameter space is searched, we calculate a probability distribution to compute the look-elsewhere effect. We find that these four spatially coincident sub-threshold γ-ray excesses are most likely a chance association, and are unlikely to be emission from the radio galaxies. Upper limits on flux are calculated for the radio galaxies from which no γ-ray emission is observed.
The Herschel SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer Spectral Feature Finder – IV. Neutral carbon detection in the SPIRE FTS spectra
Authors: Scott Jeremy P , Spencer Locke D , Hopwood Rosalind , Valtchanov Ivan , Naylor David A
Published: June 2020

The SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) Spectral Feature Finder (FF), developed within the Herschel Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) FTS instrument team, is an automated spectral feature fitting routine that attempts to find significant features in SPIRE FTS spectra. The 3P1–3P0 and 3P2–3P1 neutral carbon fine structure lines are common features in carbon-rich far-infrared astrophysical sources. These features can be difficult to detect using an automated feature detection routine due to their typically low amplitude and line blending. In this paper, we describe and validate the FF subroutine designed to detect the neutral carbon emission observed in SPIRE spectral data.
Planetary architectures in interacting stellar environments
Authors: Wang Yi-Han , Perna Rosalba , Leigh Nathan W C
Published: June 2020

The discovery of exoplanetary systems has challenged some of the theories of planet formation, which assume unperturbed evolution of the host star and its planets. However, in star clusters the interactions with fly-by stars and binaries may be relatively common during the lifetime of a planetary system. Here, via high-resolution N-body simulations of star–planet systems perturbed by interlopers (stars and binaries), we explore the reconfiguration to the planetary system due to the encounters. In particular, via an exploration focused on the strong scattering regime, we derive the fraction of encounters that result in planet ejections, planet transfers, and collisions by the interloper star/binary, as a function of the characteristics of the environment (density, velocity dispersion), and for different masses of the fly-by star/binary. We find that binary interlopers can significantly increase the cross-section of planet ejections and collisions, while they only slightly change the cross-section for planet transfers. Therefore, in environments with high binary fractions, floating planets are expected to be relatively common, while in environments with low binary fractions, where the cross-sections of planet ejection and transfer are comparable, the rate of planet exchanges between two stars will be comparable to the rate of production of free-floating planets.
Activity of (6478) Gault during 2019 January 13–March 28
Authors: Ivanova Oleksandra , Skorov Yuri , Luk'yanyk Igor , Tomko Dušan , Husárik Marek , Blum Jürgen , Egorov Oleg , Voziakova Olga
Published: June 2020

We present the results of photometric observations of active asteroid (6478) Gault performed at heliocentric distances from 2.46 to 2.30 au and geocentric distances from 1.79 to 1.42 au between 2019 January 15 and March 28. Observations were carried out at the 2.5-m telescope of SAI MSU (Caucasian Mountain Observatory) on 2019 January 15 and at the 1.3 and 0.61-m telescopes (SPb) on 2019 February 6 and March 28, respectively. The direct images of the asteroid were obtained with the broad-band B, V, and R filters. Comet-like structures were detected at all observation dates. Colour maps were built and colour variations along the tail for the observation made on 2019 January 15 were analysed. The Afρ was calculated for the R filter, and the evaluated value varies from 47 to 32 cm for the period from 2019 January to the end of March. The rotational period of the body is estimated from the light curve by different methods and is about 1.79 h. Possible mechanisms of triggering Gault's activity are discussed.
Analysis of the orbital stability close to the binary asteroid (90) Antiope
Authors: Aljbaae S , Prado A F B A , Sanchez D M , Hussmann H
Published: June 2020

We provide a generalized discussion on the dynamics of a spacecraft around the equal-mass binary asteroid (90) Antiope, under the influence of solar radiation pressure at the perihelion and aphelion distances of the asteroid from the Sun. The polyhedral shape of the components of this asteroid is used to accurately model the gravitational field. Five unstable equilibrium points are determined and classified into two cases that allow classifying of the motion associated with the target as always unstable. The dynamical effects of the mass ratio of our binary system are investigated. We tested massless particles initially located at the periapsis distance on the equatorial plane of the primary of our binary asteroid. Bounded orbits around our system are not found for the longitudes λ ∈ {60, 90, 120, 240, 270, 300}. We also discuss the orbital dynamics in the full potential field of (90) Antiope. The tested motions are mainly dominated by the binary’s gravitational field; no significant effects of the SRP are detected. For λ = 180°, less perturbed orbits are identified between 420 and 700 km from the centre of the system, that corresponds to orbits with Δa < 30 km and Δe < 0.15. All the orbits with initial periapsis distance smaller than 350 km either collide with components of our asteroid or escape from the system.
METTL15 interacts with the assembly intermediate of murine mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit to form m4C840 12S rRNA residue
Authors: Laptev Ivan , Shvetsova Ekaterina , Levitskii Sergey , Serebryakova Marina , Rubtsova Maria , Zgoda Victor , Bogdanov Alexey , Kamenski Piotr , Sergiev Petr , Dontsova Olga
Published: June 2020

Mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes contain a set of modified nucleotides, which is distinct from that of the cytosolic ribosomes. Nucleotide m4C840 of the murine mitochondrial 12S rRNA is equivalent to the dimethylated m4Cm1402 residue of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA. Here we demonstrate that mouse METTL15 protein is responsible for the formation of m4C residue of the 12S rRNA. Inactivation of Mettl15 gene in murine cell line perturbs the composition of mitochondrial protein biosynthesis machinery. Identification of METTL15 interaction partners revealed that the likely substrate for this RNA methyltransferase is an assembly intermediate of the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit containing an assembly factor RBFA.
A single-cell transcriptomic atlas of primate pancreatic islet aging
Authors: Li Jingyi , Zheng Yuxuan , Yan Pengze , Song Moshi , Wang Si , Sun Liang , Liu Zunpeng , Ma Shuai , Izpisua Belmonte Juan Carlos , Chan Piu , Zhou Qi , Zhang Weiqi , Liu Guang-Hui , Tang Fuchou , Qu Jing
Published: June 2020

Aging-related degeneration of pancreatic islet cells contributes to impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. Endocrine cells age heterogeneously, complicating the efforts to unravel the molecular drivers underlying endocrine aging. To overcome these obstacles, we undertook single-cell RNA sequencing of pancreatic islet cells obtained from young and aged non-diabetic cynomolgus monkeys. Despite sex differences and increased transcriptional variations, aged β-cells showed increased unfolded protein response (UPR) along with the accumulation of protein aggregates. We observed transcriptomic dysregulation of UPR components linked to canonical ATF6 and IRE1 signaling pathways, comprising adaptive UPR during pancreatic aging. Notably, we found aging-related β-cell-specific upregulation of HSP90B1, an endoplasmic reticulum-located chaperone, impeded high glucose-induced insulin secretion. Our work decodes aging-associated transcriptomic changes that underlie pancreatic islet functional decay at single-cell resolution and indicates that targeting UPR components may prevent loss of proteostasis, suggesting an avenue to delaying β-cell aging and preventing aging-related diabetes.
Bilingual Cognitive Advantages in Multilingual and Multimodal Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children and Adults
Authors: Crowe Kathryn , Cupples Linda
Published: June 2020

A sizable proportion of deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) people are multilingual, either through use of language that involves more than one modality (i.e., signing and speaking/listening) or the use of two or more languages within the same modality. There is a constantly evolving body of research that describes cognitive differences between monolinguals and multilinguals, the majority of which examines people without hearing loss who use more than one spoken language. Much less attention has been paid to cognitive differences associated with multilingualism in people who are DHH and people who use signed languages. This chapter briefly summarizes research describing differences in cognition between monolingual and multilingual oral language users without hearing loss, and then focuses on research comparing bimodal bilinguals (both DHH and hearing) with monolinguals and/or spoken-language multilinguals. Areas of cognition that are discussed include language processing, inhibition and selective attention, task switching, and working memory. In general, findings were inconclusive or inconsistent regarding a bilingual advantage or disadvantage in cognitive processes for bimodal bilinguals. However, the evidence base was limited and further research is essential if stronger conclusions are to be drawn.
Why Are Children with Cochlear Implants at Risk for Executive Functioning Delays?
Authors: Kronenberger William G. , Pisoni David B.
Published: June 2020

Prelingually deaf children with cochlear implants (CIs) have about 2 to 5 times more risk for delays in specific domains of executive functioning (EF) than normal-hearing (NH) children, with about 25% to 40% of children with CIs showing delays in specific EF subdomains. This chapter reviews the rationale and evidence for two theoretical approaches to explaining this elevated risk for EF delay: language-focused approaches and biopsychosocial systems theories, such as the auditory neurocognitive model. Research supporting language-focused approaches, which attribute risk of EF delays entirely to language delays, has significant limitations. Furthermore, results from an extensive data set of EF outcomes in CI users are inconsistent with language-focused approaches. In contrast, biopsychosocial systems theories, which attribute risk for EF delay to a system of factors, including auditory experience, language, family environment/experiences, fluid intelligence, and psychosocial influences, provide the strongest evidence and potential for explaining EF delays and outcomes in children with CIs.
The Influence of Explicit and Implicit Memory Processes on the Spoken–Written Language Learning of Children with Cochlear Implants
Authors: Arfé Barbara , Fastelli Ambra
Published: June 2020

Recent improvements in cochlear implants (CIs) and hearing aid technology are providing deaf children better access to sounds, yet many children with CIs and digital hearing aids continue to experience significant difficulties in verbal language learning, reading, and writing. It has been shown that explicit and intentional memory processes, like verbal rehearsal or semantic organizational strategies, can explain the language and literacy outcomes of CI and hearing aid users. More recently, however, researchers have suggested also an involvement of implicit memory, and particularly implicit sequence learning (SL), in the language and literacy delay of these children. This chapter reviews and discusses studies bringing evidence of the involvement of inefficient explicit memory processes and implicit SL in the language and literacy development of children with CIs. It is argued that the interaction between explicit and implicit memory processes (verbal rehearsal and implicit SL) can better account for CI users’ problems with language and literacy acquisition.