bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-scale spatial distribution of bacterioplankton in the Priplotinny (Near-dam) Reach of the Kuibyshev Reservoir in the early autumn period 2020
Authors: Umanskaya M V , Krasnova E S , Yu Gorbunov M
Published: July 2021

A detailed study of the distribution of bacterioplankton and photosynthetic pigments of the Priplotinny Reach of the Kuibyshev Reservoir was carried out in early autumn 2020. The bacterioplankton cell numbers were 0.8-2.1 106 cells ml−1, and the biomass varied from 7 to 56 μg C L−1. The average chlorophyll a concentration of in the integral samples was 2.91 μg L−1, varying in the range of 1.1-9.6 μg L−1 (CV 30.7%). The pheophytin content was relatively low, 19.2 ± 10.4% of chlorophyll concentration, indicating the continued active phytoplankton development in the seston in the fall of 2020. From September 17 to October 3, a weak trend for an increase in bacterioplankton abundance as well as for a decrease in the chlorophyll a concentration and in the average cell volume was revealed. A significant (p < 0.05) correlation between the Chl a concentration in the total biomass of heterotrophic bacteria (r = 0.48) was observed. Under conditions of intense wind mixing, anthropogenic sources of pollution and the inflow of the inflow did not have a significant effect on the size structure of bacterioplankton. No pronounced local spatial complexes of stations were revealed in terms of quantitative and structural parameters of bacterioplankton and chlorophyll concentrations in the investigated part of the reservoir. In general, the concentration of pigments and the abundance and biomass of bacterioplankton correspond to the mesotrophic status of the Reach. Both the total number of bacterioplankton and the chlorophyll content in Pryplotinny Reach at the beginning of autumn 2020 are within the range of long-term monitoring values. While in the summer there is a clear long-term increasing trend of the bacterioplankton abundance, in the autumn the bacterioplankton numbers remain stable throughout the entire reservoir existence period.
Towards engineering heart tissues from bioprinted cardiac spheroids
Authors: Polonchuk Liudmila , Surija Lydia , Lee Min Ho , Sharma Poonam , Liu Chung Ming Clara , Richter Florian , Ben-Sefer Eitan , Rad Maryam Alsadat , Mahmodi Sheikh Sarmast Hadi , Shamery Wafa Al , Tran Hien A , Vettori Laura , Haeusermann Fabian , Filipe Elysse C , Rnjak-Kovacina Jelena , Cox Thomas , Tipper Joanne , Kabakova Irina , Gentile Carmine
Published: July 2021

Current in vivo and in vitro models fail to accurately recapitulate the human heart microenvironment for biomedical applications. This study explores the use of cardiac spheroids (CSs) to biofabricate advanced in vitro models of the human heart. CSs were created from human cardiac myocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs), mixed within optimal alginate/gelatin hydrogels and then bioprinted on a microelectrode plate for drug testing. Bioprinted CSs maintained their structure and viability for at least 30 d after printing. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoted EC branching from CSs within hydrogels. Alginate/gelatin-based hydrogels enabled spheroids fusion, which was further facilitated by addition of VEGF. Bioprinted CSs contracted spontaneously and under stimulation, allowing to record contractile and electrical signals on the microelectrode plates for industrial applications. Taken together, our findings indicate that bioprinted CSs can be used to biofabricate human heart tissues for long term in vitro testing. This has the potential to be used to study biochemical, physiological and pharmacological features of human heart tissue.
Long-term research reveals potential role of hybrids in climate-change adaptation. A commentary on ‘Expansion of the rareEucalyptus risdoniiunder climate change through hybridisation with a closely related species despite hybrid inferiority’
Authors: Bush David
Published: July 2021

This article comments on:

T. R. Pfeilsticker, R. C. Jones, D. A. Steane, P. A. Harrison, R. E. Vaillancourt and B. M. Potts, Expansion of the rare Eucalyptus risdonii under climate change through hybridization with a closely related species despite hybrid inferiority, Annals of Botany, Volume 129, Issue 1, 1 January 2022, Pages 1–14 https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcab103
LINADMIX: evaluating the effect of ancient admixture events on modern populations
Authors: Agranat-Tamir Lily , Waldman Shamam , Rosen Naomi , Yakir Benjamin , Carmi Shai , Carmel Liran
Published: July 2021

Motivation

The rise in the number of genotyped ancient individuals provides an opportunity to estimate population admixture models for many populations. However, in models describing modern populations as mixtures of ancient ones, it is typically difficult to estimate the model mixing coefficients and to evaluate its fit to the data.

Results

We present LINADMIX, designed to tackle this problem by solving a constrained linear model when both the ancient and the modern genotypes are represented in a low-dimensional space. LINADMIX estimates the mixing coefficients and their standard errors, and computes a P-value for testing the model fit to the data. We quantified the performance of LINADMIX using an extensive set of simulated studies. We show that LINADMIX can accurately estimate admixture coefficients, and is robust to factors such as population size, genetic drift, proportion of missing data and various types of model misspecification.

Availability and implementation

LINADMIX is available as a python code at https://github.com/swidler/linadmix.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sleep and longitudinal cognitive performance in preclinical and early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lucey Brendan P , Wisch Julie , Boerwinkle Anna H , Landsness Eric C , Toedebusch Cristina D , McLeland Jennifer S , Butt Omar H , Hassenstab Jason , Morris John C , Ances Beau M , Holtzman David M
Published: July 2021

Sleep monitoring may provide markers for future Alzheimer’s disease; however, the relationship between sleep and cognitive function in preclinical and early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease is not well understood. Multiple studies have associated short and long sleep times with future cognitive impairment. Since sleep and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease change with age, a greater understanding of how the relationship between sleep and cognition changes over time is needed. In this study, we hypothesized that longitudinal changes in cognitive function will have a non-linear relationship with total sleep time, time spent in non-REM and REM sleep, sleep efficiency and non-REM slow wave activity.

To test this hypothesis, we monitored sleep-wake activity over 4–6 nights in 100 participants who underwent standardized cognitive testing longitudinally, APOE genotyping, and measurement of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, total tau and amyloid-β42 in the CSF. To assess cognitive function, individuals completed a neuropsychological testing battery at each clinical visit that included the Free and Cued Selective Reminding test, the Logical Memory Delayed Recall assessment, the Digit Symbol Substitution test and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Performance on each of these four tests was Z-scored within the cohort and averaged to calculate a preclinical Alzheimer cognitive composite score. We estimated the effect of cross-sectional sleep parameters on longitudinal cognitive performance using generalized additive mixed effects models. Generalized additive models allow for non-parametric and non-linear model fitting and are simply generalized linear mixed effects models; however, the linear predictors are not constant values but rather a sum of spline fits.

We found that longitudinal changes in cognitive function measured by the cognitive composite decreased at low and high values of total sleep time (P < 0.001), time in non-REM (P < 0.001) and REM sleep (P < 0.001), sleep efficiency (P < 0.01) and <1 Hz and 1–4.5 Hz non-REM slow wave activity (P < 0.001) even after adjusting for age, CSF total tau/amyloid-β42 ratio, APOE ε4 carrier status, years of education and sex. Cognitive function was stable over time within a middle range of total sleep time, time in non-REM and REM sleep and <1 Hz slow wave activity, suggesting that certain levels of sleep are important for maintaining cognitive function.

Although longitudinal and interventional studies are needed, diagnosing and treating sleep disturbances to optimize sleep time and slow wave activity may have a stabilizing effect on cognition in preclinical or early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
Assessing the Full Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Young Infants in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The Importance of Community Mortality Studies
Authors: Srikantiah Padmini , Vora Prachi , Klugman Keith P
Published: July 2021

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supported respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mortality surveillance studies in several low- and middle-income countries to address the striking gap in community mortality burden data from these geographies. The compelling findings generated from these studies reveal a high unmeasured burden of community RSV mortality, particularly among infants aged <6 months who are the target population for RSV immunization products currently in late-stage clinical development. These findings should inform revised global RSV mortality estimates and inform policy decisions on RSV vaccine financing and prioritization at the global and national levels.
Effect of radiographer-led intervention on reassurance, treatment satisfaction, and recurring chest pain in patients with a normal coronary computed tomography angiography—a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Krohn Isabel L , Rygh Cecilie B , Larsen Terje H , Wentzel-Larsen Tore , Norekvål Tone M
Published: July 2021

Background

Chest pain is a common complaint in the general practitioner’s (GP) office. Computed tomography (CT) is one of the main diagnostic tools available for assessing coronary artery disease (CAD), with a low probability of a false-negative result (<1%). Despite normal CT findings, many patients with non-coronary chest pain believe they suffer from CAD.

Aims

To determine the effect of an intervention on reassurance, treatment satisfaction, and recurring chest pain in patients with non-coronary chest pain at follow-up after 1 month.

Methods

Patients with chest pain, but with normal coronary CT angiography, i.e., no CAD, were randomized into two groups. The intervention group received extended information about the CT examination, including visualization of their individual coronary calcium score images, before the radiographer conveyed the final examination result. The control group received standard care, i.e., neither extended information nor the examination result and were encouraged to consult their referring cardiologist or GP after 1 week. Items from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and a question regarding reassurance measured the effect of the intervention at follow-up after 1 month.

Results

The study included 92 patients, 63 female and 29 male, with a follow-up response rate of 80%. Reassurance and overall treatment satisfaction were significantly higher in the intervention group (P = 0.016 and P = 0.046 respectively). The incidence of chest pain was significantly reduced in the intervention group (P = 0.042).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the intervention group showed significantly higher reassurance, overall treatment satisfaction, and experienced significantly less chest pain at follow-up after 1 month.

Clinical Trials Database ID

NCT03781661
The RAD52 Recombinational Repair Pathway is Essential in pol30 (PCNA) Mutants That Accumulate Small Single-Stranded DNA Fragments During DNA Synthesis
Authors: Merrill Bradley J , Holm Connie
Published: July 2021

To identify in vivo pathways that compensate for impaired proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA or Pol30p in yeast) activity, we performed a synthetic lethal screen with the yeast pol30-104 mutation. We identified nine mutations that display synthetic lethality with pol30-104; three mutations affected the structural gene for the large subunit of replication factor C (rfc1), which loads PCNA onto DNA, and six mutations affected three members of the RAD52 epistasis group for DNA recombinational repair (rad50, rad52, and rad57). We also found that pol30-104 displayed synthetic lethality with mutations in other members of the RAD52 epistasis group (rad51 and rad54), but not with mutations in members of the RAD3 nor the RAD6 epistasis group. Analysis of nine different pol30 mutations shows that the requirement for the RAD52 pathway is correlated with a DNA replication defect but not with the relative DNA repair defect caused by pol30 mutations. In addition, mutants that require RAD52 for viability (pol30-100, pol30-104, rfc1-1 and rth1Δ) accumulate small single-stranded DNA fragments during DNA replication in vivo. Taken together, these data suggest that the RAD52 pathway is required when there are defects in the maturation of Okazaki fragments.
Genetic Analysis of Flagellar Length Control in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: A New Long-Flagella Locus and Extragenic Suppressor Mutations
Authors: Asleson Catherine M , Lefebvre Paul A
Published: July 2021

Flagellar length in the biflagellate alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is under constant and tight regulation. A number of mutants with defects in flagellar length control have been previously identified. Mutations in the three long-flagella (lf) loci result in flagella that are up to three times longer than wild-type length. In this article, we describe the isolation of long-flagellar mutants caused by mutations in a new LF locus, LF4. lf4 mutations were shown to be epistatic to lf1, while lf2 was found to be epistatic to lf4 with regard to the flagellar regeneration defect. Mutations in lf4 were able to suppress the synthetic flagella-less phenotype of the lf1, lf2 double mutant. In addition, we have isolated four extragenic suppressor mutations that suppress the long-flagella phenotype of lf1, lf2, or lf3 double mutants.
An Insulin-like Signaling Pathway Affects Both Longevity and Reproduction in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Tissenbaum Heidi A , Ruvkun Gary
Published: July 2021

Mutations in daf-2 and age-1 cause a dramatic increase in longevity as well as developmental arrest at the dauer diapause stage in Caenorhabditis elegans. daf-2 and age-1 encode components of an insulin-like signaling pathway. Both daf-2 and age-1 act at a similar point in the genetic epistasis pathway for dauer arrest and longevity and regulate the activity of the daf-16 gene. Mutations in daf-16 cause a dauer-defective phenotype and are epistatic to the diapause arrest and life span extension phenotypes of daf-2 and age-1 mutants. Here we show that mutations in this pathway also affect fertility and embryonic development. Weak daf-2 alleles, and maternally rescued age-1 alleles that cause life span extension but do not arrest at the dauer stage, also reduce fertility and viability. We find that age-1(hx546) has reduced both maternal and zygotic age-1 activity. daf-16 mutations suppress all of the daf-2 and age-1 phenotypes, including dauer arrest, life span extension, reduced fertility, and viability defects. These data show that insulin signaling, mediated by DAF-2 through the AGE-1 phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase, regulates reproduction and embryonic development, as well as dauer diapause and life span, and that DAF-16 transduces these signals. The regulation of fertility, life span, and metabolism by an insulin-like signaling pathway is similar to the endocrine regulation of metabolism and fertility by mammalian insulin signaling.
hold up Is Required for Establishment of Oocyte Positioning, Follicle Cell Fate and Egg Polarity and Cooperates with Egfr during Drosophila Oogenesis
Authors: Rotoli Deborah , Andone Silvia , Tortiglione Claudia , Manzi Andrea , Malva Carla , Graziani Franco
Published: July 2021

In Drosophila the posterior positioning of the oocyte within the germline cluster defines the initial asymmetry during oogenesis. From this early event, specification of both body axes is controlled through reciprocal signaling between germline and soma. Here it is shown that the mutation hold up (hup) affects oocyte positioning in the egg chamber, follicle cell fate and localization of different markers in the growing oocytes. This occurs not only in dicephalic egg chambers, but also in oocytes normally located at the posterior. Generation of mosaic egg chambers indicates that hup has to be at least somatically required. Possible interactions of hup with Egfr, the Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor homolog, have been investigated in homozygous double mutants constructed by recombination. Stronger new ovarian phenotypes have been obtained, the most striking being accumulation of follicle cells in multiple layers posteriorly to the oocyte. It is proposed that the hup gene product is a component of the molecular machinery that leads to the establishment of polarity both in follicle cell layer and oocyte, acting in the same or in a parallel pathway of Egfr.
Mitochondrial Genotype Segregation During Preimplantation Development in Mouse Heteroplasmic Embryos
Authors: Meirelles Flávio V , Smith Lawrence C
Published: July 2021

Mitochondrial DNA content remains constant between the mature egg and the blastocyst stage in mammals, making this the only period in development when genotypes segregate to daughter cells without the confounding effect of genotype replication. To analyze the segregation patterns of mitochondrial DNA during preimplantation development, we introduced polymorphic mitochondria either peripherally (cytoplast transplantation) or in the perinuclear vicinity (karyplast transplantation) into zygotes. Genotype ratios were significantly more variable among blastomeres from cytoplast (coefficient of variation = 83.8%) than karyoplast (coefficient of variation = 34.7%) reconstructed zygotes. These results suggest that heteroplasmy caused by polymorphic mitochondria positioned in the periphery of oocytes at the time of fertilization shows a more stringent segregation pattern than when the organelle is in the vicinity of the nucleus. Moreover, donor-to-host mitochondrial genotype ratios in karyoplast-derived groups increased significantly during development, particularly in the C57BL/6 group, where the ratio practically doubled between the four-cell (17.3%) and the blastocyst stage (29.6%). Although the mechanisms controlling this preferential replication of nuclear-type mitochondrial DNA are unknown, it is suggested that access to nuclear-derived transcription and replication factors could lead to the preferential replication of perinuclear mitochondrial genotypes during morula and blastocyst formation.
The Laschamps geomagnetic excursion recorded in continental sediments from southern Germany
Authors: Kirscher U , Dallanave E , Weissbrodt V , Stojakowits P , Grau M , Bachtadse V , Mayr C
Published: July 2021

We present palaeo- and rock magnetic results from a well-dated, 21 m-thick, Late Pleistocene continental sedimentary section located in southern Germany. Rock magnetic measurements reveal a complex magnetic mineralogy dominated by low coercivity minerals likely related to single domain biogenic magnetite and biogenic or early diagenetic greigite. In the lower part of the section also detrital haematite is present. The stable remanence shows predominantly normal polarity with two marked deviations at ∼1280-1200 cm and at 886 cm profile depth. Whereas the lower excursion is well established by several samples and documented also by detrital haematite, the upper one is only represented by a single sample and revealed by magnetite and greigite. Using the radiocarbon-based age model for the section, the lower excursion yields an age of 42.8–41.3 ka cal BP and is interpreted to represent the Laschamps geomagnetic excursion. The increased abundance of greigite in the upper part of the section, especially in the sample responsible for the upper anomalous direction, renders the interpretation of an actual excursion problematic due to the reducing environment necessary for the greigite formation.
6. Capital gains tax
Authors: Firth Clare , Seymour Jennifer , Crompton Lucy , Fox Helen , Seabridge Frances , Seymour Jennifer , Smart Elizabeth
Published: July 2021

Capital gains tax (CGT) is charged on the gain (or increase in value) which is realised when a chargeable asset is disposed of. The statute which sets out all the rules relating to this is the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Tax Act 1992 (TCGA). This chapter discusses the principles of CGT; persons liable for CGT; disposal of assets; chargeable assets; calculation of CGT; the rate of CGT; capital losses; exemptions and reliefs; and CGT and the death of a taxpayer.
1. Introduction
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2021

This introductory chapter briefly sets out the volume’s purpose, which is to explain the legal, procedural and evidential rules governing how cases are dealt with by the criminal justice system. It then explains the philosophy of the text and its unique features; introduces the key personnel and organisations within the criminal justice system; introduces the Criminal Procedure Rules; explains the classification of offences according to their trial venue; summarizes the jurisdiction of the criminal courts; stresses the importance of the pervasive issue of human rights; and highlights professional conduct considerations in the context of criminal litigation.
9. Funding of Criminal Defence Services and First Appearance Process
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers the public funding of criminal proceedings and the early stages of the criminal litigation process. Topics discussed include legal aid as a human right; pre-charge advice and assistance; funded representation in court; representation orders; the interests of justice test; means testing and its application to cases tried in the magistrates’ court; the means test as applied to cases triable on indictment; work that can be done under a representation order; acquitted defendants and Defendants’ Costs Order; the future of public funding; and preparing for the first appearance before the magistrates’ court.
12. Prosecuting Summary Offences
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2021

A summary trial will be held where a defendant pleads not guilty to a summary-only offence or pleads not guilty to an either-way offence where the magistrates’ court has accepted jurisdiction to try the offence at the allocation hearing and the defendant has consented to summary trial. This chapter deals with the steps in preparing for a summary trial. It considers pleading guilty by post; the circumstances in which a defendant can be summarily tried in her absence; the rules governing the drafting of a written charge/information; the pre-trial disclosure of evidence in a summary case; case management; the steps when preparing for summary trial; and the procedure at a summary trial on a not guilty plea.
16. Witness Evidence
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2021

This chapter explains the law, procedure, and the practical issues associated with witness evidence. It considers the circumstances in which a witness can refresh his memory from an earlier written statement; the test to decide a witness’ competence to give evidence; the compellability of a witness; the assistance available to ‘vulnerable’ or ‘intimidated’ witnesses to give evidence under a special measures direction; a witness taking the oath or affirming; the rules associated with examination-in-chief; and the rules associated with cross-examination including admission of non-defendant bad character and re-examination.
23. Appeals
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2021

This chapter explains the practice and procedure involved in appealing against a decision of the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. The discussions include the reopening of a case; appeal to the Crown Court; appeal by way of case stated; judicial review; appeal against sentence from the Crown Court; appeal to the Supreme Court; the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and whether the prosecution enjoys a right to appeal.
9. Starting Your Court Action and Serving It on the Defendant
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: July 2021

This chapter deals with the procedural steps, considerations, and issues that need to be addressed when commencing proceedings. These include the ‘tracks’ created by the Civil Procedure Rules (the small claims track, the fast track, and the multi-track). It details the documents needed to issue proceedings. These include parties and joinder and service provisions.
11. Drafting Statements of Case
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: July 2021

Legal representatives will draft many statements of case in order to produce ac-cur-ate, relevant, and compelling formal court documents. This chapter provides key formulae to help those new to practice produce competent statements of case. It explains the purpose of a statement of case and the standard requirements of a statement of case. It also discusses the particulars of claim; the defence; additional claims; the reply; the Part 18 request for further information; and amendments to statements of case.
15. Part 36 Offers and Offers to Settle Outside Part 36
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: July 2021

Offers to settle are a common occurrence prior to the resolution dispute or the start of trial. There does not appear to be a limit on the number of offers that can be made, although credibility and common sense would indicate that offers to settle should be made purposefully, but not irrationally. This chapter discusses the main features of Part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and its Practice Direction in relation to commercial and personal injury claims; practical suggestions on dealing with Part 36 offers; and advising the client. It considers recent cases that demonstrate how the courts apply and interpret CPR Part 36. The chapter will also discuss the relative merits of global offers, and other offers that do not have the ‘protections’ or procedures associated with Part 36 offers.
5. The Draft Contract
Authors: Richards Mark
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers issues relating to the drafting the contract for the seller. These include occupiers and tenancies; seller’s duty of disclosure; formalities; contents of the contract; deposit; completion; title guarantee; indemnity covenants; sales of part; option agreements; and conditional contracts.
9. Mortgages
Authors: Richards Mark
Published: July 2021

This chapter deals with important issues arising in relation to a mortgage taken out by a client to assist in financing the purchase of a property. It looks at the most popular types of mortgage, the impact of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and other matters, including important professional conduct issues. It also considers mortgages of leasehold property and mortgages of commercial property.
11. The Purchase Deed
Authors: Richards Mark
Published: July 2021

The purchase deed transfers the legal estate in the property from the seller to the buyer. Whereas the contract sets out what the parties have agreed, the purchase deed actually puts those agreed terms into effect. This chapter discusses drafting and approving the deed; forms of purchase deed; the plan in a purchase; execution of purchase deed; and advising the client.
12. Pre-Completion Procedures
Authors: Richards Mark
Published: July 2021

Pre-completion searches are a critical part of any property transaction and conveyancing practitioners must be fully acquainted with all aspects of pre-completion searches. This chapter discusses pre-completion procedures; pre-completion when acting for the buyer; pre-completion when acting for the seller; pre-completion searches; acting for the lender; buying from a company; physical inspection of the subject property; and completion statements.
13. Completion
Authors: Richards Mark
Published: July 2021

Completion is the moment in time when the buyer pays over the balance of the purchase price to the seller in exchange for the deeds (if any), executed purchase deed, keys, and, if the contract so provides, vacant possession. This chapter discusses the how, where, and when for completion; deeds and unregistered land; postal completions; dealing with the discharge of the seller’s mortgage; the Land Registry’s electronic discharge (e-DS1) scheme; and the outcome of completion.
15. Delays and Remedies
Authors: Richards Mark
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers what can be done if a conveyancing contract is delayed, disputed or denied. A practitioner must be able to advise a client when a transaction goes wrong and remedies are sought to correct that wrong. The discussions cover late completion; conditions when time is of the essence for a conveyancing contract; consequences of delay; notices to complete; and remedies.
2. Partnership management and finance
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter first discusses the legal relationship between the partners under section 24 of the Partnership Act 1890. It then explains the duty of good faith; the partnership’s finances; the distinction between a partner and a lender; division of profits and sharing of losses between partners; payment of interest; and partnership property.
7. Limited companies—an introduction
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers the legal position of limited companies. Many businesses are run by limited companies. These range from international conglomerates to companies owned by one person running a small business. The discussions cover the concept of the company; sources of company law; registration; types of registered company; the company as a separate legal personality; and lifting the veil of incorporation.
10. Shareholders
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter focuses on the position of shareholders in relation to a company. It considers the following issues: registration of membership; the powers of shareholders in relation to their company; the legal protection given to shareholders by the rules of equity and by the Companies Act 2006; and the payment of dividends to shareholders.
11. Company finance
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers how companies raise money through a combination of equity and debt finance. It discusses the issuance of shares; share capital; financial assistance by a company for purchase of shares; classes of shares; finance through borrowing; secured loans; registration of charges; priority of charges; remedies of debenture-holders; receivers; position of lenders and debenture-holders; and steps to be taken by a lender to a company.
12. Disposal of shares
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers the various ways in which a shareholder in a company may dispose of his interest in the company either during his lifetime or on death. It discusses the transfer of shares; transmission by operation of law; buy-back and redemption by a company; and financial assistance.
26. Liabilities arising from insolvency
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers the rules that enable insolvency practitioners to claim assets which are not held by the insolvent company itself. It discusses wrongful trading; transactions at an undervalue and preferences; transactions defrauding creditors; and invalid floating charges.
27. Choice of business medium
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter makes a comparison between companies, on the one hand, and partnerships or sole traders, on the other, in order to explain the various factors which should be taken into account when choosing between the two business media. It considers factors such as risk of capital, expense, publicity, taxation, interest relief, capital gains, inheritance tax, pensions, and social security. Due to the range of variables, the desirability of limited liability means that incorporation may be the only viable option, although this can also be achieved by setting up a limited liability partnership. Where limited liability is not of great importance, the tax factors will be more significant, and these would have to be examined from a number of perspectives, including the size of anticipated profits, the particular financial circumstances of the promoters of the business, and any particular expectations they had about their stake in the business.
30. Shareholders’ agreements
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2021

This chapter considers shareholders’ agreements. It discusses the advantages of a shareholders’ agreement; drafting a shareholders’ agreement; legal limits on the use of shareholders’ agreements; and enforcing the agreement.
2. Funding Litigation
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2021

This chapter discusses the issue of funding litigation. Solicitors have a professional duty to advise clients on litigation funding options. The advice and agreed funding method should be confirmed in writing in a ‘client care letter’. Most commercial clients pay their lawyers under the traditional retainer, normally with an agreed hourly rate. Conditional free agreements (CFAs) or ‘no win, no fee’ agreements allow a lawyer to agree not to charge the client if the proceedings are unsuccessful, but to charge an uplift or ‘success fee’ of up to 100 per cent over the solicitor’s usual costs if the proceedings are successful. Damages-based agreements (DBAs) are a form of contingency fee agreement under which the lawyer is paid out of the sums recovered in the proceedings. Public funding through legal aid is restricted to individuals with modest income and capital, and there are wide exclusions from the scheme.
9. Personal Injury Claims under £25,000
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2021

Out of the estimated 950,000 personal injuries claims each year in the UK, about 750,000 cases arise from road traffic accidents (RTAs), 90,000 are employers’ liability cases (EL), and 100,000 are public liability cases (PL). About 90% of these are cases where the damages are estimated at below £25,000. This chapter discusses cases covered by the RTA and EL/PL protocols; the provisions of the RTA protocol; the process under the RTA protocol: claim notification, medical evidence and negotiation, and Part 8 claim to determine quantum; child settlement applications; fixed costs under the RTA and EL/PL protocols; and cases where parties can stop following the RTA or EL/PL protocols.
10. Alternative Dispute Resolution
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2021

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly mediation, plays a key role in reducing the costs of civil disputes by fomenting the early settlement of cases. This chapter discusses ADR processes; advantages or disadvantages of ADR and litigation; the cost of ADR; reference to ADR; and court involvement in ADR. Adjudicative ADR results in the third party neutral deciding the dispute or difference between the parties. Non-adjudicative ADR processes involve moving the parties towards reaching a compromise agreement between themselves. Rules of court require parties to consider using ADR. Sanctions may be imposed on parties who act unreasonably.
11. Service Outside the Jurisdiction
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2021

This chapter deals with jurisdiction in England and Wales. Proceedings generally have to be served within the jurisdiction. There always has to be a sound basis before proceedings can be served outside the jurisdiction. Where the parties have an exclusive jurisdiction clause in favour of the courts of England and Wales, proceedings may be commenced against a defendant who is outside the jurisdiction pursuant to the Hague Convention 2005, and served on the defendant without seeking court permission. In other cases, if jurisdiction can be established against a defendant who is outside the jurisdiction under the CPR, r 6.36 and PD 6B, para 3.1, proceedings can be served outside the jurisdiction only with the permission of the court. The times for responding to claims served outside the jurisdiction are extended.
14. Statements of Case
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2021

Statements of case are formal documents used in litigation to define what each party says about the case. This chapter discusses forms of statements of case; particulars of claim defence; counterclaims and set-offs; reply and defence to counterclaim; subsequent statements of case; dispensing with statements of case; Scott schedules; interrelation with case management; and use of statements of case at trial.
16. Costs Management
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2021

Costs management refers to the procedures used by the courts to manage the steps to be taken in civil proceedings while also managing the costs to be incurred by the parties in taking those steps to ensure that litigation is conducted at proportionate cost. This chapter discusses the elements of costs management; cases governed by costs management; costs management orders; costs budgets and case management; judicial control of costs budgets; and impact on costs orders.
27. Small Claims Track
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2021

The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) provide for the allocation of claims with a limited financial value to what is known as the small claims track. This is intended to provide a streamlined procedure with limited pre-trial preparation, with very restricted rules on the recovery of costs from the losing party, and without the strict rules of evidence. It is appropriate for the most straightforward types of cases, such as consumer disputes, accident claims where the injuries suffered are not very serious, disputes about the ownership of goods, and landlord and tenant cases other than claims for possession. This chapter discusses provisions of the CPR that do not apply; standard and special directions of the court; determination without a hearing; final hearings in small claims track cases; cost restrictions for claims allocated to the small claims track; and rehearings.
Synergistic role of retinoic acid signaling and Gata3 during primitive choanae formation
Authors: Kurosaka Hiroshi , Mushiake Jin , Saha Mithun , Wu Yanran , Wang Qi , Kikuchi Masataka , Nakaya Akihiro , Yamamoto Sayuri , Inubushi Toshihiro , Koga Satoshi , Sandell Lisa L , Trainor Paul A , Yamashiro Takashi
Published: July 2021

Developmental defects of primitive choanae, an anatomical path to connect the embryonic nasal and oral cavity, result in disorders called choanal atresia (CA), which are associated with many congenital diseases and require immediate clinical intervention after birth. Previous studies revealed that reduced retinoid signaling underlies the etiology of CA. In the present study, by using multiple mouse models which conditionally deleted Rdh10 and Gata3 during embryogenesis, we showed that Gata3 expression is regulated by retinoid signaling during embryonic craniofacial development and plays crucial roles for development of the primitive choanae. Interestingly, Gata3 loss of function is known to cause hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness and renal disease (HDR) syndrome, which exhibits CA as one of the phenotypes in humans. Our model partially phenocopies HDR syndrome with CA, and is thus a useful tool for investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of HDR syndrome. We further uncovered critical synergy of Gata3 and retinoid signaling during embryonic development, which will shed light on novel molecular and cellular etiology of congenital defects in primitive choanae formation.
From spatial pattern to ecological process through imaging zooplankton interactions
Authors: Greer Adam T , Chiaverano Luciano M , Treible Laura M , Briseño-Avena Christian , Hernandez Frank J
Published: July 2021

Ecological interactions among marine zooplankton are poorly described because conventional sampling gears, such as plankton nets and traps, obscure the physical and biological environment that individuals experience. With in situ imagery, however, it is possible to resolve these interactions and potentially convert snapshot distributions into process-oriented oceanographic and ecological understanding. We describe a variety of imagery-detected ecological interactions with high spatial resolution in the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf waters (20–35 m bottom depth), providing new evidence of parasitism, predation, and life stage spatial structuring for different zooplankton groups. Chaetognaths were infected with an anteriorly attached, parasitic polychaete (1.1% of 33 824 individuals), and these infected chaetognaths were more common further offshore, south of a nearshore patch where unparasitized individuals reached concentrations of ∼90 m–3. Predation by Liriope spp. hydromedusae tended to occur in the shallowest 10–15 m, and doliolids formed distinct patches of different life stages, indicating that the environment is replete with sharp transitions among various ecological processes. Similar patterns in other marine ecosystems likely exist, and we encourage hybrid (machine/human expertise) approaches that broaden the scope for analysis of plankton images, which are rich sources of new ecological information and hypotheses yet to be examined quantitatively.
The association between asthma and perinatal mental illness: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Aker Amira M , Vigod Simone N , Dennis Cindy-Lee , Kaster Tyler , Brown Hilary K
Published: July 2021

Background

Asthma is a risk factor for mental illness, but few studies have explored this association around the time of pregnancy. We studied the association between asthma and perinatal mental illness and explored the modifying effects of social and medical complexities.

Methods

In a population-based cohort of 846 155 women in Ontario, Canada, with a singleton live birth in 2005–2015 and no recent history of mental illness, modified Poisson regression models were constructed to examine the association between asthma diagnosed before pregnancy and perinatal mental illness, controlling for socio-demographics and medical history. We explored the modifying effects of social and medical complexities using relative excess risk due to interaction. Additional analyses examined the association between asthma and perinatal mental illness by timing and type of mental illness.

Results

Women with asthma were more likely than those without asthma to have perinatal mental illness [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.14; 95% (confidence interval) CI: 1.13, 1.16]. Asthma was associated with increased risk of diagnosis of mental illness prenatally (aRR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.13) and post-partum (aRR 1.17; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.19) and specifically diagnoses of mood and anxiety disorders (aRR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.16), psychotic disorders (aRR 1.20; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.31) and substance- or alcohol-use disorders (aRR 1.24; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.36). There was no effect modification related to social or medical complexity for these outcomes.

Conclusions

Women with asthma predating pregnancy are at slightly increased risk of mental illness in pregnancy and post-partum. A multidisciplinary management strategy may be required to ensure timely identification and treatment.
Coffee and tea consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer: a pooled analysis of prospective studies from the Asia Cohort Consortium
Authors: Shin Sangah , Lee Jung Eun , Loftfield Erikka , Shu Xiao-Ou , Abe Sarah Krull , Rahman Md Shafiur , Saito Eiko , Islam Md Rashedul , Tsugane Shoichiro , Sawada Norie , Tsuji Ichiro , Kanemura Seiki , Sugawara Yumi , Tomata Yasutake , Sadakane Atsuko , Ozasa Kotaro , Oze Isao , Ito Hidemi , Shin Myung-Hee , Ahn Yoon-Ok , Park Sue K , Shin Aesun , Xiang Yong-Bing , Cai Hui , Koh Woon-Puay , Yuan Jian-Min , Yoo Keun-Young , Chia Kee Seng , Boffetta Paolo , Ahsan Habibul , Zheng Wei , Inoue Manami , Kang Daehee , Potter John D , Matsuo Keitaro , Qiao You-Lin , Rothman Nathaniel , Sinha Rashmi
Published: July 2021

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that consuming coffee may lower the risk of death, but evidence regarding tea consumption in Asians is limited. We examined the association between coffee and tea consumption and mortality in Asian populations.

Methods

We used data from 12 prospective cohort studies including 248 050 men and 280 454 women from the Asia Cohort Consortium conducted in China, Japan, Korea and Singapore. We estimated the study-specific association of coffee, green tea and black tea consumption with mortality using Cox proportional-hazards regression models and the pooled study-specific hazard ratios (HRs) using a random-effects model.

Results

In total, 94 744 deaths were identified during the follow-up, which ranged from an average of 6.5 to 22.7 years. Compared with coffee non-drinkers, men and women who drank at least five cups of coffee per day had a 24% [95% confidence interval (CI) 17%, 29%] and a 28% (95% CI 19%, 37%) lower risk of all-cause mortality, respectively. Similarly, we found inverse associations for coffee consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific and cancer-specific mortality among both men and women. Green tea consumption was associated with lower risk of mortality from all causes, CVD and other causes but not from cancer. The association of drinking green tea with CVD-specific mortality was particularly strong, with HRs (95% CIs) of 0.79 (0.68, 0.91) for men and 0.78 (0.68, 0.90) for women who drank at least five cups per day of green tea compared with non-drinkers. The association between black tea consumption and mortality was weak, with no clear trends noted across the categories of consumption.

Conclusions

In Asian populations, coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of death overall and with lower risks of death from CVD and cancer. Green tea consumption is associated with lower risks of death from all causes and CVD.
Orchestration of Dopamine Neuron Population Activity in the Ventral Tegmental Area by Caffeine: Comparison With Amphetamine
Authors: Valenti Ornella , Zambon Alice , Boehm Stefan
Published: July 2021

Background

Among psychostimulants, the dopamine transporter ligands amphetamine and cocaine display the highest addictive potential; the adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine is most widely consumed but less addictive. Psychostimulant actions of amphetamine were correlated with its ability to orchestrate ventral tegmental dopamine neuron activity with contrasting shifts in firing after single vs repeated administration. Whether caffeine might impinge on dopamine neuron activity has remained elusive.

Methods

Population activity of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons was determined by single-unit extracellular recordings and set in relation to mouse behavior in locomotion and conditioned place preference experiments, respectively.

Results

A single dose of caffeine reduced population activity as did amphetamine and the selective adenosine A2A antagonist KW-6002, but not the A1 antagonist DPCPX. Repeated administration of KW-6002 or amphetamine led to drug-conditioned place preference and to unaltered or even enhanced population activity. Recurrent injection of caffeine or DPCPX, in contrast, failed to cause conditioned place preference and persistently reduced population activity. Subsequent to repetitive drug administration, re-exposure to amphetamine or KW-6002, but not to caffeine or DPCPX, was able to reduce population activity.

Conclusions

Behavioral sensitization to amphetamine is attributed to persistent activation of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons via the ventral hippocampus. Accordingly, a switch from acute A2A receptor-mediated reduction of dopamine neuron population activity to enduring A1 receptor-mediated suppression is correlated with tolerance rather than sensitization in response to repeated caffeine intake.