bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Report for Sweden
Authors: Persson Annina H , Tuula Marie Karlsson
Published: March 2021

When a party to a mutual contractual relationship opens insolvency proceedings, the question arises of how to handle the debtor’s agreements, ie contracts which at the commencement of the proceedings have not been fully performed by both the insolvent debtor and the counterparty. Both in a bankruptcy and in a company reorganization, a debtor’s contracts are usually one of the main assets, and so usually the debtor is greatly in need of the counterparty fulfilling his obligations despite the commencement of insolvency proceedings.
Exemption Clauses And Unfair Contract Terms
Authors: Fairgrieve Duncan , Goldberg Richard
Published: March 2021

Parties to contracts frequently seek to exclude or modify the liabilities and remedies which would otherwise arise through breach of the express and implied terms discussed in earlier chapters. Such exemption or exclusion clauses may take a variety of forms. For example, there may be a simple statement that the goods are sold as is, or with all faults; or the clause may be exhaustively comprehensive. Similarly there may be an attempt to place a time limit on claims, to circumscribe the ability to reject defective goods, to limit the damages recoverable whether by reference to a specified sum or by excluding claims for consequential loss, or to substitute lesser obligations for those which would arise under the general law. There is nothing inherently objectionable in this where the parties are bargaining on an equal footing and the contract is the result of a genuine agreement between them. In principle commercial enterprises ought to be free to decide on the allocation of risks (and so of insurance cover) under their contract. They are unlikely to approve of well-meaning attempts to override the effect of their bargain.
Defects In Warnings And Instructions For Use
Authors: Fairgrieve Duncan , Goldberg Richard
Published: March 2021

It has long since been recognized that liability in negligence may be incurred where there has been a failure to warn of a product’s dangerous characteristics and there is no shortage of modern examples to illustrate the point. The lack of a warning or directions for use may also render an otherwise acceptably safe product defective for the purposes of strict liability.
The European Trade Mark System
Authors: Annette Kur , Senftleben Martin
Published: March 2021

Before the harmonization of trade mark law in the EU, the legal traditions in the Member States of the European Economic Community were divided into common law systems and civil law systems, with certain differences also prevailing between the latter. In all countries alike, the original objective underlying the protection of commercial signs had been to indicate property of goods offered in the marketplace or to enable national authorities to control the quality, kind, or amount of production. In the age of industrialization, the concept developed into the notion of signs indicating origin of goods stemming from private enterprises, with the accent being placed on different aspects of that concept. In civil law countries, the emphasis lay on indicating that a particular business had ‘ownership’ of a sign. Thus, the legislature saw its foremost task in establishing a secure and transparent system for the acquisition and maintenance of ownership, and offering trade mark owners the legal means necessary for defending the mark against illicit use by unauthorized others. In common law, the accent lay on the prevention of passing off, which was considered a task in the public interest rather than serving private commercial aims. In contrast to continental civil law, creating a public register and admitting private claims against infringement were not tantamount to acknowledging a proprietary right in trade marks. Instead, these measures were taken to efficiently support the public policy objectives underlying trade mark law.
Cancellation and Loss of Trade Mark Rights
Authors: Annette Kur , Senftleben Martin
Published: March 2021

Different from other intellectual property rights, rights vested in a trade mark do not have a finite duration; they can last ‘forever’. Under systemic aspects this is due to the fact that as long as the message conveyed by the sign is correct it would be contrary to the interest of consumers to let it lapse and fall back into the public domain. Also, from a competition point of view there is no need to terminate protection as long as the right holder keeps using the sign and the designated goods and services themselves are not subject to market exclusivity.
International Registration (Madrid System)
Authors: Annette Kur , Senftleben Martin
Published: March 2021

In Articles 145 to 161 of the European Union Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR), EU trade mark law sets forth harmonized rules with regard to the international registration of marks under the Madrid System (see paragraphs 2.29–2.32). These provisions regulate the interplay between the Madrid Protocol (MP) and the EUTM system. While EU Member States may join both the Madrid Agreement (MA) and the MP, the EU—as an intergovernmental organization—only has the option of becoming a party to the MP (by virtue of Article 14(1)(b) MP). The EU accession to the MP occurred on 1 July 2004 (and entered into force on 1 October 2004).
The Nature and Origins of Patent Rights
Authors: Grubb Philip W , Thomsen Peter R , Hoxie Tom , Wright Gordon
Published: March 2021

This chapter begins by setting out the definition of a patent, covering issues such as exclusionary right, property right, and limited duration. It then traces the early history of patents in England. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, monopolies in commodities such as salt, coal, playing cards, and many others were frequently granted by letters patent either to raise revenue, or to reward royal favourites at the public expense. The first English patent granted to an inventor in the modern sense of the word appears to have been that to Giacopo Acontio in 1565 for a new type of furnace. The remainder of the chapter discusses the early histories of patents in Continental Europe (Venice, Germany, France, and the Netherlands) and North America.
Maintaining a Patent in Force and Extending the Patent Term
Authors: Grubb Philip W , Thomsen Peter R , Hoxie Tom , Wright Gordon
Published: March 2021

This chapter discusses the maintenance and extension of patent terms. Applicants who receive patents in the countries in which they applied must be aware that these patents do not go on indefinitely. Subject to any extension provisions, these have a fixed legal term that, in most countries, is twenty years from filing as required by the TRIPs Agreement. This means that, if a continuation or continuation-in-part application is filed after that date, the twenty-year term does not run from the filing date of that application, but from that of the parent application. It used to be that refiling an application, by delaying the granting of the patent, extended the patent term, but this is no longer the case. The remainder of the chapter covers renewal fees; the effect of changes in patent term; patent term adjustment in the US; extensions to compensate for regulatory delays; and licences of right.
Invalidity and Amendment of Granted Patents
Authors: Grubb Philip W , Thomsen Peter R , Hoxie Tom , Wright Gordon
Published: March 2021

This chapter focuses on the law governing the validity and amendment of patents in the UK and US. The grant of a patent does not guarantee its validity. The chance that a patent will be held to be valid if challenged depends on the completeness of the search performed; the strictness of examination of the patent in the patent office; the legal and technical competence of the patent examiner; the chance of intervention by third parties during the patent office proceedings; and the pro- or anti-patent attitude of the national courts. Patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), Japanese Patent Office, or US Patent and Trademark Office are subject to a relatively rigorous substantive examination. However, patents in other countries, such as South Africa, Belgium, or even the Netherlands, are granted after a formal examination, without any investigation as to whether the claimed invention meets the patentability criteria.
Patents and Competition Law—United Kingdom and European Union
Authors: Grubb Philip W , Thomsen Peter R , Hoxie Tom , Wright Gordon
Published: March 2021

This chapter focuses on competition law in the UK and EU. Most countries, as well as the EU, have developed a body of competition law to provide countermeasures against what are regarded as abuses of monopoly by patentees. Abuse of monopoly is the use of a patent simply to exclude others, while not working the invention oneself. Provisions of the Paris Convention enable compulsory licences to be granted if the patent is not worked within a certain time. In the UK, they may also be granted if the patentee is preventing the working of a dependent patent by refusing to grant a licence. In the EU, competition law for the internal common market is within the exclusive competence of EU institutions; the national governments of member states only assist these institutions when it comes to implementation of the legislation. The remainder of the chapter explains EU patent licence agreements.
Misuse of Private Information
Authors: Warby Mark , Garrick Adèle , Strong Chloe
Published: March 2021

This chapter is concerned with the cause of action known as misuse of private information. The cause of action, though closely related to traditional breach of confidence, is separate and distinct from it, and protects different interests. It is claims for misuse that are likely to be of greatest significance in most media privacy cases, but practitioners should not overlook the fact that there are overlaps between this and traditional breach of confidence.
The Privacy Codes
Authors: Takatsuki Yuli , Abbas Nigel
Published: March 2021

Alongside the legal framework which regulates the media’s activities, a system of regulation operates to uphold standards of journalism and programme-making and to provide at least a partial remedy for those whose privacy has been invaded by the media. Different bodies currently regulate different branches of the media. Ofcom (the Office of Communications) regulates the content of all television and radio programmes in the United Kingdom except that the BBC retains sole jurisdiction in relation to certain matters broadcast on BBC channels funded by the licence fee. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has recently taken over as principal regulator of the newspaper and magazine industry (although a new body, the Independent Monitor for the Press (Impress), has also recently been formed). IPSO replaced the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) in September 2014, with which has now ceased to exist, having regulated the print media industry since 1991. These bodies adjudicate upon complaints with reference to codes of practice which media falling within their regulatory remit are required to comply. The Ofcom Broadcasting Code, drawn up and regularly reviewed and revised by Ofcom, is the primary broadcasting code relating to the broadcast of television and radio programme content in the United Kingdom.
Scope and Jurisdiction
Authors: Fletcher Ian F
Published: March 2021

This chapter explains the scope of operation of the EC/EU Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings. It emphasizes Article 1, which defines the Regulation’s scope in terms of the type of proceedings to which it does and does not apply, and Article 3, which prescribes the rules of international jurisdiction for all cases which fall within the Regulation’s sphere of application. Article 1(1) defines the scope in positive terms, by declaring that it ‘shall apply to collective insolvency proceedings which entail the partial or total divestment of a debtor and the appointment of a liquidator’. On the other hand, Article 3 imposes a set of jurisdictional rules which are applicable to all cases under the Regulation. The chapter concludes with a summary of the principal changes which will take effect under the provisions of the Recast Regulation (RR) which was adopted on 20 May 2015.
Recognition and Enforcement
Authors: Moss Gabriel , Bayfield Daniel , Peters Georgina
Published: March 2021

This chapter considers the recognition of insolvency proceedings and the enforcement of the rights and powers of liquidators under the Regulation. In the UK, the position of foreign insolvency practitioners depends upon the degree of recognition or judicial assistance available. Recognition involves giving direct effect to a foreign law, to an order of a foreign court, or the foreign legal status of a foreign administrator or representative. The chapter also describes the recognition of insolvency proceedings and their enforcement, and powers of insolvency practitioners under the RR, who have substantially ‘amplified’ their rights and powers in two ways. First, more detailed provision has been made in relation to the duty of cooperation and coordination in cases where both main and secondary proceedings have been opened in different Member States. Secondly, a new set of rules has been implemented relating to cooperation and communication in proceedings concerning groups of companies.
Commentary on Regulation 1346/2000 and Recast Regulation 2015/848 on Insolvency Proceedings
Authors: Moss Gabriel , Smith Tom
Published: March 2021

This chapter provides a commentary on the ‘original’ Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings (OR) and the Recast Regulation (RR). It first highlights how the OR is not only intended to deal with the fact that insolvencies increasingly have cross-border aspects but is also intended to be one element in the progress towards a complete and free internal market between all the Member States. With its application to collective insolvency proceedings which entail the partial or total divestment of a debtor and the appointment of a liquidator, the OR encompasses four elements: the proceedings must be collective; the proceedings must be insolvency proceedings; the proceedings must entail the total or partial divestment of the debtor; and the proceedings must entail the appointment of a liquidator. The chapter then turns to the RR, where it analyses some of the changes, such as the newly-proposed three types of proceedings which fall under the RR.
Other Aspects of Negligence Claims
Authors: Fairgrieve Duncan , Squires QC Dan
Published: March 2021

In order to succeed in a negligence action, claimants must establish that: (i) they were owed a duty of care, (ii) the duty was breached by the defendant, and (iii) the duty caused loss of a legally recognized kind. It will also be necessary for the claim to be ‘justiciable’, that is, of a kind which is suitable for resolution in the courts. We consider justiciability in Chapter 2 and the approach taken by the courts to determine a duty of care in Chapters 3 and 4. In this chapter we examine the other elements of a negligence claim: namely, breach of duty, causation, and damage. We shall also consider two further questions: whether claims can be brought, not only against a careless individual, but against his or her employer, and the procedures for disposing of claims without requiring a trial through strike-out and summary judgment procedures.
Detention
Authors: Fairgrieve Duncan , Squires QC Dan
Published: March 2021

Public authorities are responsible for detaining individuals in a variety of situations. The police, prison authorities, and health authorities treating the mentally ill, are all empowered to confine people against their will. Given the almost complete control such authorities have over the detainees’ environment, and the dependence of the detainees on the authority to provide for their daily needs, it is foreseeable that in various circumstances the carelessness of the authority will harm those detained. This chapter considers the potential liability in negligence of detaining authorities. Negligence is not, however, the only, or even the most important, tort available to detainees. They may also be able to hold detaining authorities liable for the torts of assault and battery, misfeasance in public office, and false imprisonment, as well as various claims for breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. As this chapter explains, the tort of negligence often operates as a residual remedy where one of these other remedies is not available to a detainee. Another kind of negligence liability this chapter considers arises where harm is caused by the detainees themselves. Given that some of those detained may be dangerous, it is foreseeable that if they are incorrectly released or allowed to escape they will cause harm. This chapter examines whether those injured by detainees in such circumstances can hold the detaining authority liable in negligence. The possibility of the victims succeeding in claims for breach of the European Convention on Human Rights is such cases is considered in Chapter 7.
Fundamental functional differences between gyri and sulci: implications for brain function, cognition, and behavior
Authors: Jiang Xi , Zhang Tuo , Zhang Shu , Kendrick Keith M , Liu Tianming
Published: March 2021

Folding of the cerebral cortex is a prominent characteristic of mammalian brains. Alterations or deficits in cortical folding are strongly correlated with abnormal brain function, cognition, and behavior. Therefore, a precise mapping between the anatomy and function of the brain is critical to our understanding of the mechanisms of brain structural architecture in both health and diseases. Gyri and sulci, the standard nomenclature for cortical anatomy, serve as building blocks to make up complex folding patterns, providing a window to decipher cortical anatomy and its relation with brain functions. Huge efforts have been devoted to this research topic from a variety of disciplines including genetics, cell biology, anatomy, neuroimaging, and neurology, as well as involving computational approaches based on machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms. However, despite increasing progress, our understanding of the functional anatomy of gyro-sulcal patterns is still in its infancy. In this review, we present the current state of this field and provide our perspectives of the methodologies and conclusions concerning functional differentiation between gyri and sulci, as well as the supporting information from genetic, cell biology, and brain structure research. In particular, we will further present a proposed framework for attempting to interpret the dynamic mechanisms of the functional interplay between gyri and sulci. Hopefully, this review will provide a comprehensive summary of anatomo-functional relationships in the cortical gyro-sulcal system together with a consideration of how these contribute to brain function, cognition, and behavior, as well as to mental disorders.
Conservation tillage mitigates drought-induced soybean yield losses in the US Corn Belt
Authors: Chen Bowen , Gramig Benjamin M , Yun Seong D
Published: March 2021

Conservation tillage has been widely recommended for implementation in the U.S. for its environmental benefits. The effect of conservation tillage on crop yield is a subject of continued concern amongst farmers who have not adopted the practice. Previous empirical research on the yield performance of conservation tillage is largely limited to field trials, while observational studies remain scant. This article estimates the effects of conservation tillage on county average corn and soybean yields using remotely-sensed tillage practice adoption data in 646 counties across 12 Corn Belt states from 2005 to 2018. Exploiting deviations from county-specific means in the data, we find no evidence that conservation tillage negatively affects corn or soybean yields. We also find that it can mitigate the impact of drought on soybean yields. We explore how wider use of conservation tillage might offset the increase in drought-induced downside risk to soybean yields under climate change projections from five global climate models.
Anti-phospholipid antibodies do not predict damage in SLE patients in the 21st century—an observational study from the Lupus-Cruces cohort
Authors: Ugarte Amaia , Garcia de Bustos Alazne , Ruiz-Arruza Ioana , Soto-Peleteiro Adriana , Martin-Iglesias Daniel , Gonzalez-Echavarri Cristina , Ruiz-Irastorza Guillermo
Published: March 2021

Objective

To compare the inﬂuence of aPLs on global and cardiovascular damage in patients with SLE diagnosed before and after the year 2000.

Methods

Two hundred and eighty-six patients from the Lupus-Cruces cohort with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were divided into two subcohorts according to the date of diagnosis, before 2000 (less than 2000) and from 2000 on (2000 or more). We compared the mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics-American College of Rheumatology (SLICC-ACR) Damage Index score and global and cardiovascular damage-free survival rates in the presence or absence of aPL in both subcohorts. Variables potentially modulating damage among aPL-positive patients were analysed.

Results

The subcohorts were comparable for demographic and lupus-related variables except for treatment variables: the 2000 or more subcohort received lower doses of prednisone and more HCQ, low-dose aspirin, statins, immunosuppressive agents and vitamin D. aPL-positive patients in the less than 2000, but not in the 2000 or more subcohort, accrued more damage compared with aPL-negative patients. In the less than 2000 subcohort, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for global and cardiovascular damage in aPL-positive vs aPL-negative patients were 1.98 (95% CI 1.24, 3.14) and 9.3 (95% CI 3.24, 26.92), respectively. No differences in damage were seen between aPL-positive and aPL-negative patients in the 2000 or more subcohort. Hypertension (HR = 4.64, 95% CI 1.33, 16.19), LA (HR = 3.85, 95% CI 1.1, 13.41) and the number of months on HCQ (HR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.95, 0.99) were independent predictors of vascular damage in the combined analysis of all aPL-positive patients.

Conclusion

The effects of aPL on damage accrual in SLE patients have been reduced over recent years. The widespread use of HCQ and a better thromboprophylaxis are likely causing this change.
The Study of Network Effects on Research Impact in Africa
Authors: Tahmooresnejad Leila , Beaudry Catherine , Mirnezami Seyed Reza
Published: March 2021

This paper studies the relationship between the position of individual scientists within co-authorship networks and their scientific performance. Using co-authorship data from African scientists in the Health and Medical Sciences within a timespan of 15 years (2000–2015), we characterize the collaboration networks and calculate centrality measures for each scientist to explore how scientific production and impact can be associated with their position within the network. Our findings reveal that authors who occupy a better position within their network and are deemed to actively collaborate with others also have a higher research impact. In this regard, South African scientists do not differ from those in the rest of the world.
Reduced S100 Protein Expression in Malignant Ossifying Fibromyxoid Tumors: A Case Report
Authors: Foster-Davies Harri , Jessop Zita M. , Clancy Rachel M. , Vijayasurej Kerrin , Vass Johanne , Bragg Thomas , Brotto Maurizio
Published: March 2021

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts (OFMT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm of uncertain lineage. OMFT normally has a benign clinical course, and malignant variants are considered unusual. Criteria defining malignancy have not yet been clearly identified and universally accepted, and there is diagnostic uncertainty between pathologists as to how best to recognize a malignant variant. We present the case of a 68-year-old male patient who, following initial diagnosis of typical OFMT in the left scapular region, presented to the sarcoma service 9 years later with a short history of a solid lesion in the right calf. Biopsy confirmed metastatic OFMT and further imaging identified three other radiologically similar but distant lesions, which were later resected. The histology of the initial biopsy was reviewed, and the original observations were found to be accurate and due to current diagnostic criteria, the specimen was reported as typical. We propose that this case report contributes to a growing body of literature suggesting that negative S100 expression may be a useful feature in identifying and characterizing malignant OFMT.
Analysis of Reapplications to Integrated and Independent Plastic Surgery Residency
Authors: Patel Anooj A. , Wong Michael S. , Nguyen Vu T. , Janis Jeffrey E.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Plastic surgery is one of the most competitive specialties to match, with integrated plastic surgery having the highest rate of unmatched applicants in all categorical specialties. Unmatched applicants face difficult challenges, especially because there is a lack of data to help inform and guide both reapplicants and their advisors.

Method:

A national survey targeting plastic surgery applicants to both integrated and independent tracks from 2014 to 2020 was conducted in August 2020 to identify reapplicants, their application characteristics, and their outcomes.

Results:

Eighteen of the 54 (33.3%) integrated reapplicants responded to the survey, as well as 7 of the 42 (16.7%) independent reapplicants. Fifty percent of integrated reapplicants and 43% of independent reapplicants successfully eventually matched. For integrated reapplicants, the mean (SD) number of first cycle invites was the greatest predictor of eventual match success, 9.00 (5.93) invites for reapplicants that eventually successfully matched compared with 2.89 (2.89) for those that remained unmatched, P = 0.025. Integrated reapplicants obtained on average 2.47 less invites during the reapplicant cycle compared with the initial cycle, P = 0.046. A Fisher exact test revealed no differences in match outcomes of those integrated reapplicants who spent time in between cycles pursuing research compared with a preliminary surgical year, P = 0.99.

Conclusions:

Reapplication to both integrated and independent plastic surgery may result in worse matching outcomes compared with the initial match. Applicants should attempt to preemptively address potential initial application weaknesses as reapplication after a failed initial attempt may carry disadvantages.
Patient Access to Mental Health Notes
Authors: Blease Charlotte R. , O'Neill Stephen F. , Torous John , DesRoches Catherine M. , Hagglund Maria
Published: March 2021

In the last decade, many health organizations have embarked on a revolution in clinical communication. Using electronic devices, patients can now gain rapid access to their online clinical records. Legally, patients in many countries already have the right to obtain copies of their health records; however, the practice known as “open notes” is different. Via secure online health portals, patients are now able to access their test results, lists of medications, and the very words that clinicians write about them. Open notes are growing with most patients in the Nordic countries already offered access to their full electronic record. From April 2021, a new federal ruling in the United States mandates—with few exemptions—that providers offer patients access to their online notes (Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services, Available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-03-04/pdf/2019-02224.pdf#page=99). Against these policy changes, only limited attention has been paid to the ethical question about whether patients with mental health conditions should access their notes, as mentioned in the articles by Strudwick, Yeung, and Gratzer (Front Psychiatry 10:917, 2019) and Blease, O'Neill, Walker, Hägglund, and Torous (Lancet Psychiatry 7:924–925, 2020). In this article, our goal is to motivate further inquiry into opening mental health notes to patients, particularly among persons with serious mental illness and those accessing psychological treatments. Using biomedical ethical principles to frame our discussion, we identify key empirical questions that must be pursued to inform ethical practice guidelines.
Community Characteristics and COVID-19 Outcomes: A Study of 159 Counties in Georgia, United States
Authors: Nguyen Tran Ha , Shah Gulzar H. , Schwind Jessica S. , Richmond Holly L.
Published: March 2021

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic affects population groups differently, worsening existing social, economic, and health inequities.

Purpose:

This study examined 159 counties within Georgia to identify community characteristics associated with county-level COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and death rates.

Methods:

Data from the 2020 County Health Rankings, the 2010 US Census, and the Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report were linked using county Federal Information Processing Standard codes and evaluated through multivariable linear regression models.

Results:

The percentages of children in poverty, severe housing problems, and people not proficient in the English language were significant predictors associated with increases in case, hospitalization, and death rates. Diabetic prevalence was significantly associated with increases in the hospitalization and death rates; in contrast, the percentages of people with excessive drinking and female were inversely associated with hospitalization and death rates. Other independent variables showing an association with death rate included the percentages of people reporting fair or poor health and American Indian/Alaska Native.

Implication:

Local authorities' proper allocation of resources and plans to address community social determinants of health are essential to mitigate disease transmission and reduce hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19, especially among vulnerable groups.
Population-Level Disparities in COVID-19: Measuring the Independent Association of the Proportion of Black Population on COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in US Counties
Authors: Gaglioti Anne H. , Li Chaohua , Douglas Megan D. , Baltrus Peter T. , Blount Mitchell A. , Zahidi Rabab , Caplan Lee S. , Willock Robina Josiah , Fasuyi Omofolarin B. , Mack Dominic H.
Published: March 2021

Context:

There is a need to understand population race and ethnicity disparities in the context of sociodemographic risk factors in the US experience of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective:

Determine the association between county-level proportion of non-Hispanic Black (NHB) on county COVID-19 case and death rates and observe how this association was influenced by county sociodemographic and health care infrastructure characteristics.

Design and Setting:

This was an ecologic analysis of US counties as of September 20, 2020, that employed stepwise construction of linear and negative binomial regression models. The primary independent variable was the proportion of NHB population in the county. Covariates included county demographic composition, proportion uninsured, proportion living in crowded households, proportion living in poverty, population density, state testing rate, Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area status, and hospital beds per 1000 population.

Main Outcome Measures:

Outcomes were exponentiated COVID-19 cases per 100 000 population and COVID-19 deaths per 100 000 population. We produced county-level maps of the measures of interest.

Results:

In total, 3044 of 3142 US counties were included. Bivariate relationships between the proportion of NHB in a county and county COVID-19 case (Exp β = 1.026; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.024-1.028; P < .001) and death rates (rate ratio [RR] = 1.032; 95% CI, 1.029-1.035; P < .001) were not attenuated in fully adjusted models. The adjusted association between the proportion of NHB population in a county and county COVID-19 case was Exp β = 1.025 (95% CI, 1.023-1.027; P < .001) and the association with county death rates was RR = 1.034 (95% CI, 1.031-1.038; P < .001).

Conclusions:

The proportion of NHB people in a county was positively associated with county COVID-19 case and death rates and did not change in models that accounted for other socioecologic and health care infrastructure characteristics that have been hypothesized to account for the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minority populations. Results can inform efforts to mitigate the impact of structural racism of COVID-19.
Association of Age-Specific 2020 Florida COVID-19 Rates With Population Age Distribution and Presidential Preference
Authors: Bernet Patrick
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To assess whether county age distribution is associated with age-specific COVID-19 infection, emergency department, hospitalization, and mortality rates.

Design:

Floridaʼs 2020 COVID-19 cases are summarized into age-specific county rates and supplemented with socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and 2020 presidential voting results to assess the association of population age structure and political choices with age-specific COVID-19 infection, emergency, hospitalization, and mortality rates.

Results:

Younger counties experienced higher under-25 infection rates, as well as higher over-64 infection, emergency, and hospitalization rates. Older counties experienced reduced infection rates for all ages and decreased over-64 emergency and hospitalization rates. Trumpʼs vote share was associated with higher infection rates for all and higher over-64 emergency, hospitalization, and mortality rates.

Conclusions:

Younger counties experience higher COVID-19 infection rates for all residents, with elevated morbidity risks among seniors. Older counties had lower COVID-19 infection, emergency, and hospitalization rates. Age-specific messaging may help slow pandemic spread.
Understanding the Differences in COVID-19 Case Fatality Rates Observed Across Alabama Counties
Authors: Velayati Arash , Dahale Devesh , Dahlin Arielle , Hamilton Caleb , Provost Lloyd P. , Erwin Paul
Published: March 2021

To understand county-level variation in case fatality rates of COVID-19, a statewide analysis of COVID-19 incidence and fatality data was performed, using publicly available incidence and case fatality rate data of COVID-19 for all 67 Alabama counties and mapped with health disparities at the county level. A specific adaptation of the Shewhart p-chart, called a funnel chart, was used to compare case fatality rates. Important differences in case fatality rates across the counties did not appear to be reflective of differences in testing or incidence rates. Instead, a higher prevalence of comorbidities and vulnerabilities was observed in high fatality rate counties, while showing no differences in access to acute care. Funnel charts reliably identify counties with unexpected high and low COVID-19 case fatality rates. Social determinants of health are strongly associated with such differences. These data may assist in public health decisions including vaccination strategies, especially in southern states with similar demographics.
Epigenetic Age in Young African American Adults With Perinatally Acquired HIV
Authors: Shiau Stephanie , Cantos Anyelina , Ramon Christian V. , Shen Yanhan , Shah Jayesh , Jang Grace , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Arpadi Stephen M. , Yin Michael T.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Prior studies have measured accelerated aging in people with HIV using a DNA methylation (DNAm)-based biomarker of aging, “epigenetic age,” but data are limited in African American (AA) young adults with perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIV).

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional study of AA young adults aged 20–35 years with PHIV (N = 31) and seronegative controls (N = 30) using DNAm measured in whole blood and cognitive function measured by the NIH Toolbox. Illumina EPIC array was used to measure DNAm age and accelerated aging markers including epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), as well as extrinsic (EEAA) and intrinsic (IEAA) EAA.

Results:

PHIV and controls did not differ by sex (45 vs. 43% male), chronological age (26.2 vs. 28.0 years), or ethnicity. Chronological age and DNAm age were correlated (r = 0.56, P < 0.01). PHIV had a higher mean EAA (2.86 ± 6.5 vs. −2.96 ± 3.9, P < 0.01) and EEAA (4.57 ± 13.0 vs. −4.72 ± 6.0, P < 0.01) than controls; however, IEAA was not different between groups. Among PHIV, EAA and EEAA were higher in those with HIV viral load ≥50 copies/mL than <50 copies/mL (EEA: 8.1 ± 5.2 vs. 0.11 ± 5.5, P = 0 < 0.01 and EEAA: 16.1 ± 10.6 vs. −1.83 ± 9.7, P < 0.01). We observed negative correlations (r = −0.36 to −0.31) between EEAA and executive function, attention, and language scores.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, EAA in blood was observed in AA young adults with PHIV on ART using 2 measures, including EEAA which upweights the contribution of immunosenescent cell types. However, there was no evidence of age acceleration with a measure independent of cell type composition.
Are Intensive Care Unit Patients Undergoing Enteral Nutrition Therapy Sufficiently Fed? A Prospective, Descriptive Study
Authors: Özen Volkan , Aydin Sayilan Aylin , Turkoglu Miray , Mut Dilek , Sayilan Samet , Sousa Clemente Neves , Özen Nurten
Published: March 2021

Underfeeding is prevalent in intensive care unit (ICU) patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN). This study aimed to investigate whether ICU patients were fed adequately on the third day of EN. One hundred ten patients who were hospitalized in the 3 mixed ICUs were evaluated for nutrition adequacy. Patient nutritional status was monitored by a nutrition support team. Nutrition provision was found to be adequate in 95.5% (n = 105) and inadequate in 4.5% (n = 5) of patients. A multidisciplinary approach should be employed to ensure that patients receive maximum benefit from EN.
Telehealth in Dietetic Practice
Authors: Zozula Justine , Smizer Perry , Prelack Kathrina
Published: March 2021

Telehealth is rapidly being incorporated into the health care field to improve and supplement health care processes; however, limited studies of telehealth use in dietetic practice exist. Participants of this qualitative cross-sectional study were 196 practicing registered dietitian nutritionists throughout the United States who determined how telehealth, prior to COVID-19, was being used in dietetics, what the benefits and barriers of telehealth are, and the perceptions of current registered dietitian nutritionists regarding future use.
Low prevalence of COVID-19 Exposure is Coincident with Self-reported Compliance with Public Health Guidelines among Essential Employees at an Institute of Higher Education
Authors: Nelson Tracy L. , Fosdick Bailey , Biela Laurie M. , Schoenberg Hayden , Mast Sarah , McGinnis Emma , Young Michael C. , Lynn Lori , Fahrner Scott , Nolt Laura , Dihle Tina , Quicke Kendra , Gallichotte Emily N. , Fitzmeyer Emily , Ebel Greg D. , Pabilonia Kristy , Ehrhart Nicole , VandeWoude Sue
Published: March 2021

Importance

Detailed analysis of infection rates paired with behavioral and employee reported risk factors are vital to understanding how COVID-19 transmission may be inflamed or mitigated in the workplace. Institutes of Higher Education are heterogeneous work units that supported continued in person employment during COVID-19, providing an excellent test site for occupational health evaluation.

Objective

To evaluate self-reported behaviors and SARS-CoV-2 among essential in-person employees during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Cross-sectional, conducted from July 13-September 2, 2020.

Setting

Institute of Higher Education in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Participants

Employees identified to be an essential in-person employee during the first six months of the pandemic (1,522 invited, 1,507 qualified, 603 (40%) completed the survey). Of those completing the survey, 84.2% (508) elected to participate in blood and nasal swab sample collection to assess active SARS-CoV-2 infection via qRT-PCR, and past infection by serology (overall completion rate of 33.7%). Eligibility included > 18 years old, able to read and understand English, not currently experiencing cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever >100.4F (38C), chills/shaking with chills, muscle pain, new or worsening headaches, sore throat or new loss of sense of taste/smell.

Exposure

Self-reported COVID-19 protective behaviors

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

Current SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by qRT-PCR or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by IgG SARS-CoV-2 testing platform.

Results

There were no qRT-PCR positive tests, and only 2 (0.39%) contained seroreactive IgG antibodies. Participants were 60% female, 90% non-Hispanic white, mean age 41 years (18-70 years). Handwashing and mask wearing were reported frequently both at work (98% and 94% respectively) and outside work (91% and 95% respectively) while social distancing was reported less frequently at work (79%) then outside of work (92%) [p < .001]. Participants were more highly motivated to avoid exposures out of concern for spreading to others (83%) than for personal implications (63%) [p < .001].

Conclusions and Relevance

This is one of the first reports to document that complex work environments can be operated safely during the COVID-19 pandemic when employees report compliance with public health practices both at and outside work.
The absence of islet autoantibodies in clinically diagnosed older-adult onset type 1 diabetes suggests an alternative pathology, advocating for routine testing in this age group
Authors: Thomas Nicholas J , Walkey Helen C , Kaur Akaal , Misra Shivani , Oliver Nick S , Colclough Kevin , Weedon Michael N , Johnston Desmond G , Hattersley Andrew T , Patel Kashyap A
Published: March 2021

Objective

Islet autoantibodies at diagnosis are not well studied in older-adult onset (>30years) type 1 diabetes due to difficulties of accurate diagnosis. We used a type 1 diabetes genetic risk score (T1DGRS) to identify type 1 diabetes aiming to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of autoantibodies in older-adult onset type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We used a 30 variant T1DGRS in 1866 white-European individuals to genetically confirm a clinical diagnosis of new onset type 1 diabetes. We then assessed the prevalence and pattern of GADA, IA2A and ZnT8A within genetically consistent type 1 diabetes across three age groups (<18years (n=702), 18-30years (n=524) and >30years (n=588)).

Findings

In autoantibody positive cases T1DGRS was consistent with 100% type 1 diabetes in each age group. Conversely in autoantibody negative cases, T1DGRS was consistent with 93%(56/60) of <18years, 55%(37/67) of 18-30years and just 23%(34/151) of >30years having type 1 diabetes. Restricting analysis to genetically consistent type 1 diabetes showed similar proportions of positive autoantibodies across age groups (92% <18years, 92% 18-30years, 93% >30years)[p=0.87]. GADA was the most common autoantibody in older-adult onset type 1 diabetes, identifying 95% of autoantibody positive cases versus 72% in those <18years.

Interpretation

Older adult-onset type 1 diabetes has identical rates but different patterns of positive autoantibodies to childhood onset. In clinically suspected type 1 diabetes in older-adults, absence of autoantibodies strongly suggests non-autoimmune diabetes. Our findings suggest the need to change guidelines from measuring islet autoantibodies where there is diagnostic uncertainty to measuring at least GADA in all suspected adult type 1 diabetes cases.
Inhibition of Tau seeding by targeting Tau nucleation core within neurons with a single domain antibody fragment
Authors: Danis Clément , Dupré Elian , Zejneli Orgeta , Caillierez Raphaëlle , Arrial Alexis , Bégard Séverine , Loyens Anne , Mortelecque Justine , Cantrelle François-Xavier , Hanoulle Xavier , Rain Jean-Christophe , Colin Morvane , Buée Luc , Landrieu Isabelle
Published: March 2021

Tau proteins aggregate into filaments in brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders referred to as tauopathies. Here, we used fragments of camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies (VHHs or single domain antibody fragments) targeting Tau as immuno-modulators of its pathologic seeding. A VHH issued from the screen against Tau of a synthetic phage-display library of humanized VHHs was selected for its capacity to bind Tau microtubule-binding domain, composing the core of Tau fibrils. This lead VHH was optimized to improve its biochemical properties and to act in the intracellular compartment, resulting in VHH Z70. VHH Z70 was more efficient than the lead to inhibitin vitroTau aggregation in heparin-induced assays. Expression of VHH Z70 in a cellular model of Tau seeding also decreased the fluorescence-reported aggregation. Finally, intracellular expression of VHH Z70 in the brain of an established tauopathy mouse seeding model demonstrated its capacity to mitigate accumulation of pathological Tau. VHH Z70, by targeting Tau inside brain neurons, where most of the pathological Tau resides, provides a new tool to explore the optimal strategies of immunotherapy in tauopathies.
Bayestrat: Population Stratification Correction Using Bayesian Shrinkage Prior for Genetic Association Studies
Authors: Liu Zilu , Turkmen Asuman , Lin Shili
Published: March 2021

In genetic association studies with common diseases, population stratification is a major source of confounding. Principle component regression (PCR) and linear mixed model (LMM) are two commonly used approaches to account for population stratification. Previous studies have shown that LMM can be interpreted as including all principle components (PCs) as random-effect covariates. However, including all PCs in LMM may inflate type I error in some scenarios due to redundancy, while including only a few pre-selected PCs in PCR may fail to fully capture the genetic diversity. Here, we propose a statistical method under the Bayesian framework, Bayestrat, that utilizes appropriate shrinkage priors to shrink the effects of non- or minimally confounded PCs and improve the identification of highly confounded ones. Simulation results show that Bayestrat consistently achieves lower type I error rates yet higher power, especially when the number of PCs included in the model is large. We also apply our method to two real datasets, the Dallas Heart Studies (DHS) and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), and demonstrate the superiority of Bayestrat over commonly used methods.
DrosoPhyla: genomic resources for drosophilid phylogeny and systematics
Authors: Finet Cédric , Kassner Victoria A. , Carvalho Antonio B. , Chung Henry , Day Jonathan P. , Day Stephanie , Delaney Emily K. , De Ré Francine C. , Dufour Héloïse D. , Dupim Eduardo , Izumitani Hiroyuki F. , Gautério Thaísa B. , Justen Jessa , Katoh Toru , Kopp Artyom , Koshikawa Shigeyuki , Longdon Ben , Loreto Elgion L. , Nunes Maria D. S. , Raja Komal K. B. , Rebeiz Mark , Ritchie Michael G. , Saakyan Gayane , Sneddon Tanya , Teramoto Machiko , Tyukmaeva Venera , Vanderlinde Thyago , Wey Emily E. , Werner Thomas , Williams Thomas M. , Robe Lizandra J. , Toda Masanori J. , Marlétaz Ferdinand
Published: March 2021

The vinegar flyDrosophila melanogasteris a pivotal model for invertebrate development, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, and disease. The whole family Drosophilidae, which contains over 4000 species, offers a plethora of cases for comparative and evolutionary studies. Despite a long history of phylogenetic inference, many relationships remain unresolved among the groups and genera in the Drosophilidae. To clarify these relationships, we first developed a set of new genomic markers and assembled a multilocus data set of 17 genes from 704 species of Drosophilidae. We then inferred well-supported group and species trees for this family. Additionally, we were able to determine the phylogenetic position of some previously unplaced species. These results establish a new framework for investigating the evolution of traits in fruit flies, as well as valuable resources for systematics.