bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of convergent-gene interference in the budding yeast knockout library causing chromosome instability
Authors: Gordon Molly R , Zhu Jin , Qu Victoria , Li Rong
Published: March 2021

To maintain genome stability, organisms depend on faithful chromosome segregation, a process affected by diverse genetic pathways, some of which are not directly linked to mitosis. In this study, we set out to explore one such pathway represented by an undercharacterized gene, SNO1, identified previously in screens of the yeast knockout (YKO) library for mitotic fidelity genes. We found that the causative factor increasing mitotic error rate in the sno1Δ mutant is not loss of the Sno1 protein, but rather perturbation to the mRNA of the neighboring convergent gene, CTF13, encoding an essential component for forming the yeast kinetochore. This is caused by a combination of the Kanamycin resistance gene and the transcriptional terminator used in the YKO library affecting the CTF13 mRNA level and quality . We further provide a list of gene pairs potentially subjected to this artifact, which may be useful for accurate phenotypic interpretation of YKO mutants.
Gene Duplications Trace Mitochondria to the Onset of Eukaryote Complexity
Authors: Tria Fernando D K , Brueckner Julia , Skejo Josip , Xavier Joana C , Kapust Nils , Knopp Michael , Wimmer Jessica L E , Nagies Falk S P , Zimorski Verena , Gould Sven B , Garg Sriram G , Martin William F
Published: March 2021

The last eukaryote common ancestor (LECA) possessed mitochondria and all key traits that make eukaryotic cells more complex than their prokaryotic ancestors, yet the timing of mitochondrial acquisition and the role of mitochondria in the origin of eukaryote complexity remain debated. Here, we report evidence from gene duplications in LECA indicating an early origin of mitochondria. Among 163,545 duplications in 24,571 gene trees spanning 150 sequenced eukaryotic genomes, we identify 713 gene duplication events that occurred in LECA. LECA’s bacterial-derived genes include numerous mitochondrial functions and were duplicated significantly more often than archaeal-derived and eukaryote-specific genes. The surplus of bacterial-derived duplications in LECA most likely reflects the serial copying of genes from the mitochondrial endosymbiont to the archaeal host’s chromosomes. Clustering, phylogenies and likelihood ratio tests for 22.4 million genes from 5,655 prokaryotic and 150 eukaryotic genomes reveal no evidence for lineage-specific gene acquisitions in eukaryotes, except from the plastid in the plant lineage. That finding, and the functions of bacterial genes duplicated in LECA, suggests that the bacterial genes in eukaryotes are acquisitions from the mitochondrion, followed by vertical gene evolution and differential loss across eukaryotic lineages, flanked by concomitant lateral gene transfer among prokaryotes. Overall, the data indicate that recurrent gene transfer via the copying of genes from a resident mitochondrial endosymbiont to archaeal host chromosomes preceded the onset of eukaryotic cellular complexity, favoring mitochondria-early over mitochondria-late hypotheses for eukaryote origin.
Delirium and Delirium Severity Predict the Trajectory of the Hierarchical Assessment of Balance and Mobility in Hospitalized Older People: Findings From the DECIDE Study
Authors: Richardson Sarah , Murray James , Davis Daniel , Stephan Blossom C M , Robinson Louise , Brayne Carol , Barnes Linda , Parker Stuart , Sayer Avan A , Dodds Richard M , Allan Louise
Published: March 2021

Background

Delirium is common, distressing, and associated with poor outcomes. Despite this, delirium remains poorly recognized, resulting in worse outcomes. There is an urgent need for methods to objectively assess for delirium. Physical function has been proposed as a potential surrogate marker, but few studies have monitored physical function in the context of delirium. We examined if trajectories of physical function are affected by the presence and severity of delirium in a representative sample of hospitalized participants older than 65 years.

Method

During hospital admissions in 2016, we assessed participants from the Delirium and Cognitive Impact in Dementia study daily for delirium and physical function, using the Hierarchical Assessment of Balance and Mobility (HABAM). We used linear mixed models to assess the effect of delirium and delirium severity during admission on HABAM trajectory.

Results

Of 178 participants, 58 experienced delirium during admission. Median HABAM scores in those with delirium were significantly higher (indicating worse mobility) than those without delirium. Modeling HABAM trajectories, HABAM scores at first assessment were worse in those with delirium than those without, by 0.76 (95% CI: 0.49–1.04) points. Participants with severe delirium experienced a much greater perturbance in their physical function, with an even lower value at first assessment and slower subsequent improvement.

Conclusions

Physical function was worse in those with delirium compared to without. This supports the assertion that motor disturbances are a core feature of delirium and monitoring physical function, using a tool such as the HABAM, may have clinical utility as a surrogate marker for delirium and its resolution.
I. Introduction
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This introductory chapter discusses the relevance of evidence in the courtroom. It first explores the development of the law of evidence beginning from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The chapter then studies the extent to which the law of evidence applies to all of the different stages and matters considered by the courts and to other tribunals. The main purposes and categories of evidence are next considered and exemplified, together with the question of whether any broad general rules can usefully be elaborated. Finally, this chapter turns to its most fundamental principle — relevance, which is contrasted with the admissibility of evidence.
II. Matters not requiring proof and judicial findings as evidence
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This chapter examines the exceptions to the general rule that all facts in issue, or relevant to the issue, in a given case must be proved by evidence. It shows that sometimes, the judge, or trier of fact, is entitled to find a fact of their own motion: judicial notice may be taken of that fact. Alternatively, a party may formally admit a relevant matter. In addition, a matter may still be determined against a party because the law precludes them from contesting it. They are then ‘estopped’, as when the same matter has been determined against them and in favour of their opponent by a binding and conclusive judgment of a court. Finally, this chapter considers the wider question of the status of judicial findings in other proceedings.
III. Burdens and proof
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This chapter considers the burdens borne by both parties when an issue of fact is at stake. It explains how the nature of a burden in the law of evidence is obscured by the use of the term in a number of different senses. The two principal senses are the burden of adducing evidence and the burden of proving facts. In relation to each, questions arise as to its incidence and discharge. The chapter considers the allocation of the burden in these two senses, at common law and under statutory provisions, and the effects of presumptions of law or agreement of the parties. Finally, this chapter is concerned with the extent of the two burdens, and the way in which the burden of proof has to be explained to the jury.
IV. The functions of the judge and jury
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This chapter discusses the basic functions of judge and jury. It begins with the general rule of separation of functions of judge and jury, before turning to some of the more direct methods of judicial control. The chapter also considers the extent to which the average jury understands the directions that the law requires the judge to give, and whether jurors are as imperceptive, ignorant, or prejudiced as some of the rules of evidence suppose. Secret monitoring of jury deliberations is one way of resolving these issues, but such monitoring would amount to contempt of court. Moreover, any discussion with a third party before verdict is liable to result in a conviction being quashed. Recourse must, at present, be had to simulations and generally less reliable methods of obtaining the information needed to provide a basis for understanding and improving the law of evidence.
V. Witnesses
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This chapter looks at some special considerations relating to the evidence of witnesses. It first sets out to sketch the way in which this branch of law has changed over time. The chapter then deals with the procedures for taking testimony in the standard case and, in particular, appropriate measures for dealing with witnesses who are fearful. Next, this chapter discusses factors peculiar to particular categories of witness, such as children, spouses, and offenders. In a number of cases, special rules have been devised to cater for these special categories. Sometimes special rules of competence and compulsion, rules requiring supporting evidence, and rules of practice dictating the form of direction are given to the jury when considering such evidence. Finally, the chapter deals with the nature of supporting evidence.
VI. The course of evidence
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This chapter concerns the principal rules governing examination in-chief, cross-examination, and re-examination of witnesses. Such an account is not entirely satisfactory because it is concerned with regulations that are either matters of common knowledge or else can be thoroughly mastered only by experience. However, the rules with which it deals have been highly characteristic of the English law of evidence. The elucidation of facts by means of questions put by parties or their representatives to witnesses mainly summoned by them has been an essential feature of the English ‘adversarial’ or ‘accusatorial’ system of justice. The chapter argues that not only is an appreciation of this procedure desirable for its own sake, but it is necessary for a proper understanding of such matters as the law concerning the admissibility of the convictions, character, and credibility of parties and witnesses.
VIII. Bad character of the accused
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This chapter takes up the discussion from the previous chapter by exploring the bad character of the accused. This subject matter is almost wholly governed by certain provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Thus, the chapter first considers the nature of the problem of the admission of evidence of the bad character of the accused; then attempts at reform, at common law, by recommendations of law reform bodies, and by legislation; an indication of the principal forms of continuing dissatisfaction; and finally the intentions and techniques designed to remedy them. Next, the chapter considers the structure of the bad character provisions from the 2003 legislation and the gateways it provides for admissibility. Finally, this chapter concludes with a brief appraisal of the 2003 act.
X. Public policy
Authors: Munday Roderick
Published: March 2021

This chapter argues that relevant evidence must be excluded on the ground of public policy on certain conditions. It explores two of these conditions: when the evidence concerns certain matters of public interest considered to be more important than the full disclosure of facts to the court, and when it relates to miscellaneous matters connected with litigation. The chapter also discusses evidence that has been illegally obtained, though this topic is not usually covered under the umbrella of public policy. Although there is no comparably strict general exclusionary rule, it is increasingly the case that the courts recognize the existence of an exclusionary discretion. This is governed in part by weighing the public interest in the conviction of guilty criminals against the public interest in the preservation of basic civil liberties.
Names of Feelings in the Dictionary
Authors: Iordanskaja Lidija , Mel’čuk Igor
Published: March 2021

The paper deals with words that denote feelings rather than with feelings as such. It proposes the strictly lexicographic description of some names of ‘psyche-induced feelings1’ [= ‘feelings2’], such as joy or amazement, in contrast to the names of ‘body-induced feelings1’ [= ‘sensations’], such as hunger and tiredness. This description is based on the semantic prime ‘feel1’, which itself is explicated through a naïve model of the human psyche. Our theoretical and descriptive framework is the Explanatory Combinatorial Dictionary: its main principles, the notions of lexical unit (described by a lexical entry) and vocable (described by a lexical superentry), and the three major zones of a lexical entry. A tripartite general schema of the lexicographic definition of a feeling2 name is proposed: the central (= generic) component, the Stimulus component, and the Effect component. According to the Stimulus component, four major classes of feeling2 names are distinguished: names of reactions to facts, to thoughts, to beliefs, and to wishes. These classes are illustrated with the definitions of several English feeling2 names. A complete lexical entry for the feeling2 name anger(N)1 is given.
Vasopressin V1B Receptor Antagonists as Potential Antidepressants
Authors: Chaki Shigeyuki
Published: March 2021

Accumulating evidence shows that certain populations of depressed patients have impaired hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is one of the primary factors in HPA axis regulation under stress situations, and AVP and its receptor subtype (V1B receptor) play a pivotal role in HPA axis abnormalities observed in depression. Based on this hypothesis, several non-peptide V1B receptor antagonists have been synthesized, and the efficacies of some V1B receptor antagonists have been investigated in both animals and humans. V1B receptor antagonists exert antidepressant-like effects in several animal models at doses that attenuate the hyperactivity of the HPA axis, and some of their detailed mechanisms have been delineated. These results obtained in animal models were, at least partly, reproduced in clinical trials. At least 2 V1B receptor antagonists (TS-121 and ABT-436) showed tendencies to reduce the depression scores of patients with major depressive disorder at doses that attenuate HPA axis hyperactivity or block the pituitary V1B receptor. Importantly, TS-121 showed a clearer efficacy for patients with higher basal cortisol levels than for those with lower basal cortisol levels, which was consistent with the hypothesis that V1B receptor antagonists may be more effective for patients with HPA axis hyperactivity. Therefore, V1B receptor antagonists are promising approaches for the treatment of depression involving HPA axis impairment such as depression.
Global Large Data Solutions for 2D Dirac Equation with Hartree Type Interaction
Authors: Georgiev Vladimir , Shakarov Boris
Published: March 2021

Local and global well posedness of the solution to the two space dimensional Dirac equation with Hartree type nonlinearity is established with the initial datum in the Sobolev space of order $s>0.$
Protecting the Microbiota
Authors: Rooney C M , Ahmed S , Wilcox M H
Published: March 2021

We examine 3 different approaches to protecting the gut microbiome: highly targeted antibiotics, antibiotic destruction, and antibiotic binding. Each approach shows promise to prevent the off-target effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome.
A Human Dectin-2 Deficiency Associated With Invasive Aspergillosis
Authors: Griffiths James S , White P Lewis , Czubala Magdalena A , Simonazzi Elena , Bruno Mariolina , Thompson Aiysha , Rizkallah Pierre J , Gurney Mark , da Fonseca Diogo M , Naglik Julian R , Ingram Wendy , Wilson Keith , van de Veerdonk Frank L , Barnes Rosemary , Taylor Philip R , Orr Selinda J
Published: March 2021

Immunocompromised patients are highly susceptible to invasive aspergillosis. Herein, we identified a homozygous deletion mutation (507 del C) resulting in a frameshift (N170I) and early stop codon in the fungal binding Dectin-2 receptor, in an immunocompromised patient. The mutated form of Dectin-2 was weakly expressed, did not form clusters at/near the cell surface and was functionally defective. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from this patient were unable to mount a cytokine (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6) response to Aspergillus fumigatus, and this first identified Dectin-2–deficient patient died of complications of invasive aspergillosis.
Human Rhinovirus Infection Blocks Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Replication Within the Respiratory Epithelium: Implications for COVID-19 Epidemiology
Authors: Dee Kieran , Goldfarb Daniel M , Haney Joanne , Amat Julien A R , Herder Vanessa , Stewart Meredith , Szemiel Agnieszka M , Baguelin Marc , Murcia Pablo R
Published: March 2021

Virus-virus interactions influence the epidemiology of respiratory infections. However, the impact of viruses causing upper respiratory infections on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication and transmission is currently unknown. Human rhinoviruses cause the common cold and are the most prevalent respiratory viruses of humans. Interactions between rhinoviruses and cocirculating respiratory viruses have been shown to shape virus epidemiology at the individual host and population level. Here, we examined the replication kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 in the human respiratory epithelium in the presence or absence of rhinovirus. We show that human rhinovirus triggers an interferon response that blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication. Mathematical simulations show that this virus-virus interaction is likely to have a population-wide effect as an increasing prevalence of rhinovirus will reduce the number of new coronavirus disease 2019 cases.
Are resistance rates among bloodstream isolates a good proxy for other infections? Analysis from the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Programme
Authors: Horner Carolyne , Mushtaq Shazad , Allen Michael , Longshaw Christopher , Reynolds Rosy , Livermore David M
Published: March 2021

Background

Bacteraemia data are often used as a general measure of resistance prevalence but may poorly represent other infection types. We compared resistance prevalence between bloodstream infection (BSI) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) isolates collected by the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Programme.

Methods

BSI isolates (n = 8912) were collected during 2014–18 inclusive and LRTI isolates (n = 6280) between October 2013 to September 2018 from participating laboratories in the UK and Ireland, to a fixed annual quota per species group. LRTI isolates, but not BSI, were selected by onset: community for Streptococcus pneumoniae; hospital for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales. MICs were determined centrally by agar dilution; statistical modelling adjusted for ICU location and possible clustering by collection centre.

Results

Resistance was more prevalent among the LRTI isolates, even after adjusting for a larger proportion of ICU patients. LRTI P. aeruginosa and S. pneumoniae were more often resistant than BSI isolates for most antibiotics, and the proportion of MRSA was higher in LRTI. For S. pneumoniae, the observation reflected different serotype distributions in LRTI and BSI. Relationships between LRTI and resistance were less marked for Enterobacterales, but LRTI E. coli were more often resistant to β-lactams, particularly penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, and LRTI K. pneumoniae to piperacillin/tazobactam. For E. cloacae there was a weak association between LRTI, production of AmpC enzymes and cephalosporin resistance.

Conclusions

Estimates of resistance prevalence based upon bloodstream isolates underestimate the extent of the problem in respiratory isolates, particularly for P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae, S. aureus and, less so, for Enterobacterales.
Infection management processes in intensive care and their association with mortality
Authors: Fitzpatrick Leigh P , Levkovich Bianca , McGloughlin Steve , Litton Edward , Cheng Allen C , Bailey Michael , Pilcher David
Published: March 2021

Background

ICU-specific tables of antimicrobial susceptibility for key microbial species (‘antibiograms’), antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes and routine rounds by infectious diseases (ID) physicians are processes aimed at improving patient care. Their impact on patient-centred outcomes in Australian and New Zealand ICUs is uncertain.

Objectives

To measure the association of these processes in ICU with in-hospital mortality.

Methods

The Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Adult Patient Database and Critical Care Resources registry were used to extract patient-level factors, ICU-level factors and the year in which each process took place. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical logistic regression were used to determine the relationship between each process and in-hospital mortality.

Results

The study included 799 901 adults admitted to 173 ICUs from July 2009 to June 2016. The proportion of patients exposed to each process of care was 38.7% (antibiograms), 77.5% (AMS programmes) and 74.0% (ID rounds). After adjusting for confounders, patients admitted to ICUs that used ICU-specific antibiograms had a lower risk of in-hospital mortality [OR 0.95 (99% CI 0.92–0.99), P = 0.001]. There was no association between the use of AMS programmes [OR 0.98 (99% CI 0.94–1.02), P = 0.16] or routine rounds with ID physicians [OR 0.96 (99% CI 0.09–1.02), P = 0.09] and in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Use of ICU-specific antibiograms was associated with lower in-hospital mortality for patients admitted to ICU. For hospitals that do not perform ICU-specific antibiograms, their implementation presents a low-risk infection management process that might improve patient outcomes.
Intermittent two-drug antiretroviral therapies maintain long-term viral suppression in real life in highly experienced HIV-infected patients
Authors: Palich Romain , Abdi Basma , Wirden Marc , Lourida Giota , Tubiana Roland , Faycal Antoine , Valantin Marc-Antoine , Schneider Luminita , Seang Sophie , Agher Rachid , Simon Anne , Soulie Cathia , Le Minh-Patrick , Peytavin Gilles , Calvez Vincent , Marcelin Anne-Geneviève , Katlama Christine
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To assess in real life whether two-drug regimens (2-DRs) given 4–5 days a week in virally suppressed patients can maintain viral suppression over 48 and 96 weeks.

Methods

This observational single-centre study enrolled all patients who initiated an intermittent 2-DR between 01/01/2016 and 30/06/2019. The primary outcome was the rate of virological failure (VF), defined as confirmed plasma viral load (pVL) ≥50 copies/mL or single pVL ≥50 copies/mL followed by ART change at week 48 (W48) and W96. Secondary outcomes were the 2-DR intermittent strategy success rate (pVL <50 copies/mL with no ART change), change in CD4 count, CD4/CD8 ratio and rate of residual viraemia.

Results

Eighty-five patients were included; 67/85 (79%) were men, median age = 57 years (IQR = 50–63), CD4 nadir = 233 cells/mm3 (110–327), ART duration = 21 years (13–24), duration of virological suppression = 6.5 years (3.7–10.8) and CD4 count = 658 cells/mm3 (519–867). Intermittent 2-DRs consisted of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)/NNRTI (58%), INSTI/NRTI (13%), two NRTIs (11%), PI/NRTI (7%) and other combinations (11%). The median follow-up was 90 weeks (IQR = 64–111). Overall, four VFs occurred, leading to a virological success rate of 98.8% (95% CI = 93.6–100) at W48 and 95.3% (95% CI = 88.4–98.7) at W96. Resuming the same 2-DR 7 days a week led to viral resuppression in three patients, whereas the M184V mutation emerged in one patient, leading to ART modification. There was no significant change in the CD4 count or residual viraemia rate, but a small increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio (P = 0.009) occurred over the study period.

Conclusions

This observational study shows the potential for intermittent 2-DRs to maintain a high virological success rate, which should be assessed in larger prospective randomized studies.
Validation of PhageDx™ Cronobacter Assay for the Identification of Cronobacter Spp. in Powdered Infant Formula: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 051803
Authors: Erickson Stephen , Gil Jose , Stach Jessica , Hahn Wendy , Nguyen Minh M
Published: March 2021

Background

The PhageDx™Cronobacter Assay is based on the infection of Cronobacter spp. by specific bacteriophages and expression of a luciferase reporter gene. Results are generated in as little as 18.5 h for powdered infant formula (PIF).

Objective

An AOAC Performance Tested MethodsSM (PTM) study was conducted to validate the PhageDx Cronobacter Assay for the detection of Cronobacter in 10, 100, and 300 g milk- and soy-based PIF test portions.

Method

The performance of the PhageDx method was compared to the ISO 22964:2006/2017 Microbiology of the Food Chain—Horizontal Method for the Detection of Cronobacter spp. and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Chapter 29 Cronobacter: 2012. Inclusivity/exclusivity, product consistency and stability, and robustness testing also were conducted.

Results

There was no significant difference between the 10, 100, or 300 g test portions for the milk and soy PIF matrixes between the PhageDx Cronobacter Assay, the ISO 22964:2006/2017, and the FDA BAM Chapter 29 Cronobacter: 2012 methods. The reporter bacteriophages were specific for Cronobacter and infected 75 strains in inclusivity testing. They did not infect 35 non-Cronobacter bacteria in exclusivity testing. Robustness testing showed that the method performed well with specific deviations from the standard protocol. Consistency and stability testing demonstrated that the recombinant phage gave consistent results across three production lots and was stable when stored under appropriate conditions for at least 3 months.

Conclusions

Work in the submitting and independent laboratories demonstrated that the PhageDx Cronobacter Assay meets the qualifications for PTM status.

Highlights

The PhageDx Cronobacter Assay is a rapid, simple, and specific test that has shown equivalence to both the FDA BAM and ISO reference methods for detecting Cronobacter spp. in PIF.
Male Impact on Female Reproductive Performance of the Larval Tephritid Parasitoid Diachasmimorpha tryoni (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Ramadan Mohsen M , Wang Xingeng
Published: March 2021

Diachasmimorpha tryoni (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a larval parasitoid that has been mass-reared for augmentative biological control against the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii and other regions. To improve performance of female wasps in biological control programs, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate male wasp reproductive performance and its role in female reproductive success. The results showed that D. tryoni males remained close to the emergence (release) site following release. Males emerged earlier than females and male’s capacity to inseminate females reached the highest level (inseminated 9.2 ± 0.4 females/day) on the second day after eclosion in synchronization with female emergence peak; allowing males encountering most receptive females to enhance their mating success. Mating rates under normal rearing conditions (200 pairs per cage) reached optimum 100% insemination after 5 d. However, oviposition experience prior to mating impaired female’s receptivity as a percentage of inseminated females reduced to 17.5 ± 4.8%, while 70.0 ± 4.1% females without prior oviposition experience accepted mating. Mating reduced male’s survivorship and the potential lifetime fecundity of females, although multiple mating increased percentage of female offspring. Overall, influence of male density on the female oviposition rate and offspring sex ratio was not detected under captive rearing conditions. These results suggest that local and early mating is important for male’s reproductive success and females must be allowed to mate before they are exposed to hosts or released in the field to achieve their full reproductive potential.
Accident externality of driving: evidence from the London Congestion Charge
Authors: Tang Cheng Keat , van Ommeren Jos
Published: March 2021

This paper estimates the marginal accident externality of driving in Central London by exploiting variation in traffic flow induced by the London Congestion Charge Zone using an instrumental variable approach. The charge attributed to a 9.4% reduction in traffic flow, which resulted in a less than proportional 6.0% and 7.6% decrease in accidents and slight injuries, and a 6.5% increase in serious injuries/fatalities. Our preferred estimates indicate that the accident, slight injuries and serious injuries/fatalities rate elasticities with respect to traffic flow are −0.36, −0.19 and −1.65, respectively. These estimates imply that the marginal external benefit of road safety from an additional kilometer driven is approximately £0.16. The marginal accident externality is positive, as the marginal driver along congested roads decreases the risk and severity of traffic collisions for other road users by slowing others down and increasing awareness.
Genome Assembly of SalicaceaePopulus deltoides(Eastern Cottonwood)I-69Based on Nanopore Sequencing and Hi-C Technologies
Authors: Bai Shengjun , Wu Hainan , Zhang Jinpeng , Pan Zhiliang , Zhao Wei , Li Zhiting , Tong Chunfa
Published: March 2021

Populus deltoides has important ecological and economic values, widely used in poplar breeding programs due to its superior characteristics such as rapid growth and resistance to disease. Although the genome sequence of P. deltoides WV94 is available, the assembly is fragmented. Here, we reported an improved chromosome-level assembly of the P. deltoides cultivar I-69 by combining Nanopore sequencing and chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) technologies. The assembly was 429.3 Mb in size and contained 657 contigs with a contig N50 length of 2.62 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding of the contigs generated 19 chromosome-level sequences, which covered 97.4% (418 Mb) of the total assembly size. Moreover, repetitive sequences annotation showed that 39.28% of the P. deltoides genome was composed of interspersed elements, including retroelements (23.66%), DNA transposons (6.83%), and unclassified elements (8.79%). We also identified a total of 44 362 protein-coding genes in the current P. deltoides assembly. Compared with the previous genome assembly of P. deltoides WV94, the current assembly had some significantly improved qualities: the contig N50 increased 3.5-fold and the proportion of gaps decreased from 3.2% to 0.08%. This high-quality, well-annotated genome assembly provides a reliable genomic resource for identifying genome variants among individuals, mining candidate genes that control growth and wood quality traits, and facilitating further application of genomics-assisted breeding in populations related to P. deltoides.
Sand Fly Fauna, Spatial Distribution ofLutzomyia longipalpis(Diptera: Psychodidae), and Climate Factors in Dourados, Brazil
Authors: Lima-Junior Manoel Sebastião da Costa , de Almeida Paulo Silva , da Silva José Oliveira , da Silva Rosana Alexandre , Faccenda Odival , de Aquino Coelho Dioelen Virgínia Borges Souza , Costa Gabriel Barbosa , de Souza Agruslávia Rezende , Fernandes Marcos Gino , Neitzke-Abreu Herintha Coeto
Published: March 2021

Studies of the geographic distribution of sand flies and the factors associated with their occurrence are necessary to understand the risk of leishmaniasis transmission. The objective of this study was to characterize the sand fly fauna, particularly the spatial distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), and correlate these with climate factors in the Dourados municipality, Brazil. The collection of sand flies was carried out with CDC Light Traps over two periods: at six sites for three consecutive nights each month from August 2012 to July 2013; and at four other sites for two consecutive nights each month from April 2017 to February 2018. We collected 591 sand flies in the first period and 121 in the second period for a total of 712 sand flies; 697 of the total collected were Lu. longipalpis. The minimum and maximum sand fly infestation rate (sites with vector presence) was 11.1% and 83.33% in the first period, and 0% and 50.0% in the second period. No sand flies with Leishmania were identified via PCR. Lu. longipalpis presented an aggregate disposition with excellent adjustment. Rainfall and relative humidity were the abiotic factors that influenced the vector infestation level. The aggregate distribution for this species was predicted by the environmental factors that favor the proliferation of Lu. longipalpis. The results of this study should assist in devising measures to control sand flies in Dourados, Brazil.
Prediagnostic Inflammation and Pancreatic Cancer Survival
Authors: Yuan Chen , Morales-Oyarvide Vicente , Khalaf Natalia , Perez Kimberly , Tabung Fred K , Ho Gloria Y F , Kooperberg Charles , Shadyab Aladdin H , Qi Lihong , Kraft Peter , Sesso Howard D , Giovannucci Edward L , Manson JoAnn E , Stampfer Meir J , Ng Kimmie , Fuchs Charles S , Wolpin Brian M , Babic Ana
Published: March 2021

Background

Chronic inflammation may promote initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer, but no studies have examined the association between inflammation in the period before diagnosis and pancreatic cancer survival.

Methods

We prospectively examined the association of prediagnostic plasma levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 2 with survival among 492 participants from 5 large US prospective cohort studies who developed pancreatic cancer. Using an empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) score, we evaluated whether long-term proinflammatory diets were associated with survival among 1153 patients from 2 of the 5 cohorts. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for death with adjustment for potential confounders. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

Higher prediagnostic levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 2 were individually associated with reduced survival (Ptrend = .03, .01, and .04, respectively). Compared with patients with a combined inflammatory biomarker score of 0 (all 3 marker levels below medians), those with a score of 3 (all 3 marker levels above medians) had a hazard ratio for death of 1.57 (95% confidence interval = 1.16 to 2.12; Ptrend = .003), corresponding to median overall survival times of 8 vs 5 months. Patients consuming the most proinflammatory diets (EDIP quartile 4) in the prediagnostic period had a hazard ratio for death of 1.34 (95% confidence interval = 1.13 to 1.59; Ptrend = .01), compared with those consuming the least proinflammatory diets (EDIP quartile 1).

Conclusion

Prediagnostic levels of inflammatory biomarkers and long-term proinflammatory diets were inversely associated with pancreatic cancer survival.
Taming the Unruly Public Policy Horse in Private International Law in Family Law: A Pragmatic Singaporean Approach to the Recognition of Foreign Same-Sex Marriages and Divorces
Authors: Chan Leon Vincent
Published: March 2021

With the legalisation of same-sex marriages by more states, it is a matter of time before jurisdictions that have yet to do so will need to decide on the recognition of foreign same-sex marriages and divorces. Public policy – the unruly horse – peers its head out again even if these marriages and divorces pass the muster of the common law private international law rules. This article explores the role of public policy in such situations and proposes a framework for the balancing of the claimed rights, comity, and public policy. Applying the proposed framework, even if there is a public policy against same-sex marriage, this public policy should play a diminished role in private international law such that foreign same-sex marriages and divorces can be recognised by the forum.
The Descent of Some Chester Libraries
Authors: Hanna Ralph
Published: March 2021

In his grand Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries, Neil Ker identified, in two different repositories, the extensive remains of a single sixteenth-century library. This had clearly been gathered together before the Dissolution from the book collections of a variety of religious houses, all of those identifiable in the city of Chester. The essay traces the probable passage of these volumes from their initial collection to their present repositories, Gray's Inn and Shrewsbury School. In this account, the initial collector, William Wall, eventually prebendary of Chester Cathedral, had passed these on to a recusant family, the Egertons, and they, in turn, descended through an illegitimate daughter to the Bostocks, who donated them to their present institutions.
Notes on conjunctive and Quasi degrees
Authors: Chitaia Irakli , Omanadze Roland , Sorbi Andrea
Published: March 2021

In this article we prove the following results: (i) Every hemimaximal set has minimal $c_{1}$-degree, i.e. if $B$ is hemimaximal and $A$ is a c.e. set such that $A \le _{c_{1}} B$ then either $B \leq _{{c}_{1}} A$ or $A$ is computable. (ii) The $sQ$-degree of a c.e. set contains either only one or infinitely many c.e. $c$-degrees. (iii) If $A,B$ are c.e. cylinders in the same $sQ_{1}$-degree and $A<_{c_{1}} B$, then this $sQ_{1}$-degree contains infinitely many c.e. $c_{1}$-degrees.
Normalising global commerce: containerisation, materiality, and transnational regulation (1956–68)
Authors: Quiroga-Villamarín Daniel R
Published: March 2021

Despite their importance in globalised trade, shipping containers have been neglected in legal scholarship. Our disciplinary fascination with written forms of legal activity has come to the detriment of the study of regulatory practices that operate beyond textual mediums. In this article, I argue that processes of containerisation created transnational patterns of material normalisation. By reconstructing the debates within the International Organization for Standardization, I suggest that container standardisation effectively normalised a particular vision of world ordering. Instead of seeing containers as insignificant metal boxes, I contend they are repositories of sociotechnical imaginaries of global governance.
A Unique Case of COVID-19-related Acute Coronary Thrombosis Complicated by Severe Hypokalemia
Authors: Lavoie Matthew , Ramirez Ariana , Kunz Jeffrey
Published: March 2021

We report the case of a 52-year-old white male who was recently diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and presented to the hospital with ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, ST elevation myocardial infarction, and profound hypokalemia. The patient was successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and concurrent aggressive potassium repletion. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of COVID-19 presenting not only with an acute coronary thrombosis but also severe hypokalemia, both of which contributed to his cardiac arrest. The association of COVID-19 with acute coronary thrombosis, including the challenges surrounding the diagnosis and management in this patient population, is discussed. Additionally, the effect of COVID-19 on the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is reviewed with a focus on hypokalemic presentations.
Expansion of Torah Study, Halachic Renewal, and the Religious Zionist Compendium
Authors: Yedidya Asaf
Published: March 2021

As part of the cultural revival that accompanied the Zionist revolution, important literary projects were created, providing ideological support for the Zionist project, enriching the newly revived Hebrew culture and redefining the Jewish bookshelf. Within this diverse cultural work, the project of the anthologies was formed. These projects were led at the beginning by disciples of Ahad Ha'am—the founder of the cultural stream in Zionism. Religious Zionism, which during the British Mandate in Palestine had struggled for its place among the pioneers, also sought to initiate its own literary projects. However, its scholars came to compile anthologies individually rather than through the Movement. Their interest was sparked by a combination of modern Jewish scientific research, an aspiration to enrich Jewish literature, and the theoretical and practical challenge presented by national revival. The two most prominent efforts of this sort during the Mandate period: Otzar HaGeonim (by Benjamin Menashe Levin), and Seder Kiddushin ve-Nissu'in Aharei Hatimat ha-Talmud (by Abraham Chaim Freimann), reflected two different trends in religious Zionism. The first, expanding the study of Torah, touched on the theoretical side of the Talmud in Jewish literature and enjoyed Orthodox consensus. The second, concerned with the renewal of halacha, touched on the practical side of religious law throughout the ages and sought to locate, collect, and analyze judgments and rabbinic rulings from Jewish consortiums in the post-Talmudic period, in order to formulate legal precedents that could resolve halachic problems that might arise in the future in Eretz Israel, where the Jewish People were about to establish an independent national state.
The impact of (n,γ) reaction rate uncertainties of unstable isotopes on the i-process nucleosynthesis of the elements from Ba to W
Authors: Denissenkov Pavel A , Herwig Falk , Perdikakis Georgios , Schatz Hendrik
Published: March 2021

The abundances of neutron (n)-capture elements in the carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP)-r/s stars agree with predictions of intermediate n-density nucleosynthesis, at Nn ∼ 1013–1015 cm−3, in rapidly accreting white dwarfs (RAWDs). We have performed Monte Carlo simulations of this intermediate-process (i-process) nucleosynthesis to determine the impact of (n,γ) reaction rate uncertainties of 164 unstable isotopes, from 131I to 189Hf, on the predicted abundances of 18 elements from Ba to W. The impact study is based on two representative one-zone models with constant values of Nn = 3.16 × 1014 and 3.16 × 1013 cm−3 and on a multizone model based on a realistic stellar evolution simulation of He-shell convection entraining H in a RAWD model with [Fe/H] = −2.6. For each of the selected elements, we have identified up to two (n,γ) reactions having the strongest correlations between their rate variations constrained by Hauser–Feshbach computations and the predicted abundances, with the Pearson product–moment correlation coefficients |rP| > 0.15. We find that the discrepancies between the predicted and observed abundances of Ba and Pr in the CEMP-i star CS 31062−050 are significantly diminished if the rate of 137Cs(n,γ)138Cs is reduced and the rates of 141Ba(n,γ)142Ba or 141La(n,γ)142La increased. The uncertainties of temperature-dependent β-decay rates of the same unstable isotopes have a negligible effect on the predicted abundances. One-zone Monte Carlo simulations can be used instead of computationally time-consuming multizone Monte Carlo simulations in reaction rate uncertainty studies if they use comparable values of Nn. We discuss the key challenges that RAWD simulations of i process for CEMP-i stars meet by contrasting them with recently published low-Z asymptotic giant branch (AGB) i process.
XMM–Newton observations of the extremely X-ray luminous quasar CFHQS J142952+544717=SRGE J142952.1 + 544716 at redshift z = 6.18
Authors: Medvedev P , Gilfanov M , Sazonov S , Schartel N , Sunyaev R
Published: March 2021

We present results from a 20 ks XMM–Newton director’s discretionary time observation of the radio-loud quasar CFHQS J142952 + 544717 at z = 6.18, whose extreme X-ray luminosity was recently revealed by the SRG/eROSITA telescope in the course of its first all-sky survey. The quasar has been confidently detected with a total of ∼1400 net counts in the 0.2–10 keV energy band (1.4–72 keV in the object’s rest frame). Its measured spectrum is unusually soft and can be described by an absorbed power-law model with a photon index of Γ = 2.5 ± 0.2. There are no signs of a high-energy cut-off or reflected component, with a 90 per cent upper limit on the fluorescence iron K α equivalent width of ≈290 eV and the corresponding upper limit on the iron K-edge absorption depth of 0.6. We have detected, at the >95 per cent confidence level, an excess absorption above the Galactic value, corresponding to a column density NH = 3 ± 2 × 1022 cm−2 of material located at z = 6.18. The intrinsic luminosity of CFHQS J142952 + 544717 in the 1.4–72 keV energy band is found to be $5.5_{-0.6}^{+0.8} \times 10^{46}$ erg s−1. We did not detect statistically significant flux changes between two SRG scans and the XMM–Newton observation, spanning over ∼7.5 months, implying that the quasar remained at this extremely high-luminosity level for at least a month in its rest frame. We put forward the hypothesis that the extreme X-ray properties of CFHQS J142952 + 544717 are associated with inverse Compton scattering of cosmic microwave background photons (at z = 6.18) in its relativistic jets.
Super-Eddington accretion on to a stellar mass ultraluminous X-ray source NGC 4190 ULX1
Authors: Ghosh T , Rana V
Published: March 2021

We present the results of high-quality XMM-NEWTON observations of a ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in the galaxy NGC 4190. The detection of spectral cutoff in NGC 4190 ULX1 spectra rules out the interpretation of the ULX to be in a standard low/hard canonical accretion state. We report that the high quality EPIC spectra can be better described by broad thermal component, such as a slim disc. In addition we found long-term spectral and flux variability in the source using several XMM-NEWTON and Swift data. A clear anticorrelation between flux and power-law photon index is found which further confirms the unusual spectral state evolution of the ULX. Spectral properties of the ULX suggest that the source is in a broadened disc state with luminosities [≈(3 − 10) × 1039 erg s−1] falling in the ultraluminous regime. The positive luminosity–temperature relation further suggests that the multicolour disc model follows the L ∝ T4 relation that is expected for a blackbody disc emission from a constant area and the slim disc model seems to favour L ∝ T2 relation consistent with an advection-dominated disc emission. From the broadened disc-like spectral feature at such luminosity, we estimated the upper limit of the mass of the central compact object from the inner disc radius and found that the ULX hosts a stellar mass black hole.