bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
English Legal System
Authors: Rutherford Helen , Kotecha Birju , Macfarlane Angela
Published: September 2024

English Legal System provides understanding of the operation of the legal system which is essential to the laying of a solid foundation on which to build further legal study. After offering practical advice on how to study the English legal system, there is an overview of the nature of law; the sources of law and how the English legal system operates; the courts of England and Wales, and some of the important institutions and personnel of the law. How legislation is made and how it is interpreted is discussed. How judges make law and how this process is governed by the doctrine of judicial precedent are explored. The legal precedent set by a case, the ratio decidendi, and other statements of law, obiter dicta, are explained. The book considers the impact of membership of the European Union (EU), being a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and Brexit. The institutions and personnel of the law: juries, judges, and lawyers are covered. The criminal process, from arrest to trial, to sentencing, is explained and analysed. Resolution of disputes through the civil courts and tribunals is explained, as is the civil process. Alternative methods of dispute resolution are considered.
11. The criminal process: the suspect and the police
Authors: Rutherford Helen , Kotecha Birju , Macfarlane Angela
Published: September 2024

This chapter is concerned with the powers given to the police in order to investigate offences effectively, the limits to those powers, and the circumstances in which they may be exercised. It is concerned in particular with police powers to search, arrest, detain, and question suspects. The chapter also looks at the consequences that may follow when the police misuse their powers or break the rules. In relation to police interviews, it considers both the rules that protect suspects and the extent to which the right to silence has been eroded. Finally, the chapter examines who decides whether to bring a prosecution against a particular suspect and the criteria that are taken into account in making that decision.
13. The jury
Authors: Rutherford Helen , Kotecha Birju , Macfarlane Angela
Published: September 2024

A jury consists of twelve randomly-selected members of the public, who decide guilt or innocence in the most serious criminal trials in the Crown Court. This chapter explains the rules on eligibility for, and disqualification or excusal from jury service. It considers the power of the jury to acquit in defiance of the evidence (‘jury equity’), the confidentiality of jury deliberations and the implications of that for appeals, the ethnic composition of a jury, whether juries should be excluded from certain trials such as those involving serious fraud or where there is evidence of jury ‘tampering’, whether the accused should be able to waive their right to jury trial, and the impact of social media on jury trials. It concludes by examining the relative advantages and disadvantages of jury trials.
17. Tribunals
Authors: Rutherford Helen , Kotecha Birju , Macfarlane Angela
Published: September 2024

Tribunals have operated for over 200 years. They are specialised courts dealing in specific areas of legal dispute such as employment, housing, immigration, mental health, social benefits, and tax. This chapter explains the development of tribunals. It examines the major reforms that have taken place in the twenty-first century, resulting in most tribunals being re-organised into ‘chambers’ within the First-Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal. The chapter explains the composition of tribunals and the rules on appointment of tribunal members. It outlines the ways in which tribunal decisions may be challenged, either by an appeal to another tribunal or to the courts, or through judicial review. The chapter examines the advantages of tribunals over courts and considers whether tribunals are becoming too similar to the mainstream courts.
8. Inchoate offences
Authors: Allen Michael J. , Edwards Ian
Published: September 2024

Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provides an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum. This chapter discusses inchoate crimes. A person does not break the criminal law simply by having evil thoughts. Where, however, a person takes steps towards effecting that plan to commit a substantive offence which is more than merely preparatory, they may in the process commit one of the inchoate crimes of attempt, conspiracy, or encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence. The chapter examines relevant offences in the Serious Crime Act 2007 concerning encouraging or assisting and the Act’s abolition of the offence of incitement. It outlines the legal protection from prosecution provided to particular vulnerable victims who might otherwise be liable for encouraging others to commit offences against them, such as some child victims of sexual offences. The chapter analyses the statutory offence of conspiracy and outlines common law offences of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to corrupt public morals or to outrage public decency. It examines the requirements for liability for attempt. The Law in Context feature examines critically the growing range of inchoate offences for terrorist offences.
6. Witnesses
Authors: Keane Adrian , McKeown Paul
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses the following: (i) the competence and compellability of witnesses (including the special rules that apply in the case of the accused, the spouse or civil partner of an accused, persons with a disorder or disability of the mind, the Sovereign, diplomats, and bankers); (ii) oaths and affirmations; (iii) the use of live links; (iv) the time at which evidence should be adduced; (v) witnesses in civil cases (including the witnesses to be called and the use of witness statements); (vi) witnesses in criminal cases (including the witnesses to be called, the order of witnesses, evidence-in-chief by video recording, and special measures directions for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses); (vii) witness anonymity; and (viii) witness training and familiarization.
12. Hearsay in criminal cases
Authors: Keane Adrian , McKeown Paul
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses the meaning of hearsay in criminal proceedings and the categories of hearsay admissible by statute in such proceedings. It considers the relationship between the hearsay provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (the 2003 Act) and Art 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights as it relates to hearsay; the definition of hearsay, and its admissibility under the 2003 Act, including admissibility under an inclusionary discretion (s 114(1)(d)); and safeguards including provisions relating to the capability and credibility of absent witnesses, the power to stop a case, and the discretion to exclude. Also considered in this chapter are expert reports, written statements under s 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, and depositions of children and young persons under s 43 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
3. Enforceability issues
Authors: Devenney James , Shaw-Mellors Adam
Published: September 2024

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter examines the question of whether the promises contained in the agreement are enforceable so that there is a legally binding contract in place (formation). It considers the parties’ intention to be legally bound and the need to establish that the promises are part of a bargain. The same bargain requirement applies to alteration promises, although the treatment of alteration promises is not as strict. It is possible for freely made alteration promises to be enforceable when not ‘paid for’ with another promise or action, e.g. by means of the doctrine of promissory estoppel.
Competition Law
Authors: Whish Richard , Bailey David
Published: September 2024

Competition Law explains competition law and policy in the EU and UK. The intention is to provide the reader with an understanding of competition law and policy, to introduce the reader to key economic concepts, legal principles and tools in competition law, and to provide insights into the numerous different issues that arise when applying competition law to market behaviour. Describing the economic rationale for the law, the chapters consider the application of EU and UK competition law to various business practices, including cartels, cooperation agreements, exchanges of information, distribution agreements, licences of intellectual property rights, unilateral conduct, joint ventures, and mergers. The text has been updated to include changes to EU law on digital markets as a result of the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. It also discusses the changes to UK law as a consequence of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, including the creation of a regulatory scheme for digital platforms having a ‘strategic market status’ and amendments to the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002. It also discusses the European Commission’s Guidelines on Vertical Restraints of 2022 and Horizontal Cooperation Guidelines of 2023, including its guidance on sustainability agreements. The text incorporates extensive new legislation, case-law, decisional practice, guidelines and periodical literature at EU and UK level.
Article 101(3)
Authors: Whish Richard , Bailey David
Published: September 2024

This chapter examines Article 101(3) of the Treaty of Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Article 101(3) provides a ‘legal exception’ to the prohibition in Article 101(1) by providing that it may be declared inapplicable in respect of agreements, decisions or concerted practices, or of categories of agreements, decisions or concerted practices, that satisfy four conditions. After making some preliminary comments on the application of Article 101(3), this chapter discusses the four conditions in Article 101(3). It then considers the implications of Regulation 1/2003 for undertakings and their professional advisers, and in particular their need to ‘self-assess’ the application of Article 101(3) to agreements. The final section of this chapter describes the system of so-called block exemptions.
Articles 101 and 102: private enforcement in the courts of Member States
Authors: Whish Richard , Bailey David
Published: September 2024

This chapter describes the private enforcement of competition law, that is to say, the situation where litigants take their disputes to a domestic court or, quite often, to arbitration. Section 2 deals with the private enforcement of Articles 101 and/or 102 as a matter of EU law, with particular emphasis on the Damages Directive. Section 3 deals with private actions in the UK courts. Section 4 considers the use of competition law not as a ‘sword’, where the claimant’s cause of action is based on an infringement of competition law, but rather as a ‘shield’, that is to say as a defence, for example to an action for breach of contract or infringement of an intellectual property right. Section 5 contains a brief discussion competition law and arbitration.
Horizontal agreements (1): cartels
Authors: Whish Richard , Bailey David
Published: September 2024

This chapter is concerned with the prohibition of cartels. It begins with a discussion of the widespread consensus among competition authorities worldwide that cartels should be condemned, and gives examples of recent enforcement that led to the imposition of significant fines and sentences of imprisonment. It also looks at anti-cartel enforcement in the EU. The chapter then considers the application of Article 101 to particular types of cartels: horizontal price fixing, market sharing, production quotas, collusive tendering, agreements on standard terms, exchanges of information, advertising restrictions and other anti-competitive horizontal restraints. The final section of the chapter looks at anti-cartel enforcement action against cartels in the UK.
Abuse of dominance (1): non-pricing practices
Authors: Whish Richard , Bailey David
Published: September 2024

This chapter considers abusive non-pricing practices under Article 102 TFEU and the Chapter II prohibition in the Competition Act 1998. It deals in turn with exclusive dealing agreements; tying; refusals to supply; preferential treatment, unfair trading conditions, abusive non-pricing practices that are harmful to the single market; and miscellaneous other non-pricing practices which might infringe Article 102 or the Chapter II prohibition. Reference is made to the case-law of the Court of Justice and the Commission’s Guidance on the Commission’s Enforcement Priorities in Applying Article [102 TFEU] to Abusive Exclusionary Conduct by Dominant Undertakings, as amended in March 2023.
The relationship between intellectual property rights and competition law
Authors: Whish Richard , Bailey David
Published: September 2024

This chapter considers the relationship between intellectual property rights and competition law. After a brief introduction, it deals in general terms with the application of Article 101 to licences of intellectual property rights. The chapter proceeds to discuss the provisions of Regulation 316/2014, the block exemption for technology transfer agreements. It also considers the application of Article 101 to various other agreements concerning intellectual property rights such as technology pools and settlements of litigation. This is followed by a section on the application of Article 102 to the way in which dominant undertakings exercise their intellectual property rights, including an examination of the controversial subject of refusals to license intellectual property rights which are sometimes found to be abusive. The chapter concludes with a look at the position in UK competition law.
2. Membership: Entry, Obligations, and Exit
Authors: Craig Paul , de Búrca Gráinne
Published: September 2024

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter considers membership of the EU. There are three dimensions to the discussion. The first concerns the legal and political considerations relating to accession to the EU. The second concerns obligations of Member States while in the EU, with the focus on the rule of law crisis. There is discussion of the Treaty framework and membership obligations that flow therefrom, the problem posed by ‘rule of law backsliding’ by some Member States, and the different ways in which the EU has responded to this ‘backsliding’. The third deals with exit from the EU, as exemplified by Brexit, including analysis of Article 50 TEU, and what the Brexit negotiations tell us more broadly about the EU, and describes the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration.
3. The Institutions
Authors: Craig Paul , de Búrca Gráinne
Published: September 2024

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. There are seven principal institutions listed in Article 13 of the Treaty on European Union entrusted with carrying out the tasks of the Union: the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Central Bank, and the Court of Auditors. This chapter considers their respective roles and the way in which they interrelate, and also looks at other important institutions such as the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, and agencies. The UK version contains a further section analysing the relation between the UK and the institutions post-Brexit.
4. Agency
Authors: Beheshti Reza , Saintier Séverine , Thomas Sean
Published: September 2024

This chapter focuses on the nature of agency before considering the role of agents. It highlights the vital role agents play in commercial activity as they become the middleman in everyday life. The primary role of agents in commerce revolves around the negotiation and conclusion of contracts. The chapter acknowledges that most developed legal systems recognise the concept of agency and that there is a marked similarity between the rules of different legal systems. It looks into the relationships created by agencies by considering the relationships and interplay between an agency, a third party, and a principal in different circumstances.
15. The passing of property
Authors: Beheshti Reza , Saintier Séverine , Thomas Sean
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses the passing of property. The rules on the passing of property apply to consumers, although there are differences regarding the connection between the passing of property and the passing of risk following the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015). Moreover, the distinctions between existing, future, specific, and unascertained goods under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (SGA) remain vital under the context of the passing of property. The chapter cites that the transfer of property from seller to buyer also has a number of important practical consequences in English law. It notes the differences between using either CRA 2015 or SGA to solve existing issues regarding consumer transactions.
Cost-based performance optimization of a single system under a hierarchical imperfect maintenance policy
Authors: Liang Xiaojun , Cui Lirong , Wang Ruiting , Jiang Weixin
Published: September 2024

Accepted by: M. Zied Babai

Due to the influence of external factors such as repair sites and seasonal climate change, it is difficult to restore the performance of a system to any intermediate level between perfect and minimal maintenance through imperfect maintenance. This article first categorizes the states of the system just before repair into three classes based on its internal degradation level: failure, major defect and minor defect, with three corresponding thresholds. Subsequently, the corresponding repairs are carried out to dwindle the system’s degradation to different levels. In detail, if the internal degradation level of the system just before repair is recognized as minor defect, an imperfect repair, termed as type I imperfect repair, is implemented to scale down the degradation level below the minor defect threshold. If the degradation level is identified as major defect, an upgraded imperfect repair, termed as type II imperfect repair, is executed to only lower the degradation to the level between the minor defect threshold and major defect threshold. Otherwise, if the degradation before repair is beyond the failure threshold, replacement will be carried out instead of these imperfect repairs. Thus, a novel hierarchical imperfect maintenance structure is introduced. Then, a multi-variable repair cost model is constructed when considering the related costs incurred from inspection, type I imperfect repair, type II imperfect repair, replacement and even system downtime. Finally, with the aid of the stationary law of Markov chains and the semi-regenerative process, the cost-based performance optimization with three parameters, including the inspection interval, minor defect threshold and major defect threshold, is explored through a numerical experiment, and the closed-form expression of the optimal cost rate is provided.
A generalized approach for pricing American options under a regime-switching model
Authors: Zheng Yawen , Zhu Song-Ping
Published: September 2024

Accepted by: Giorgio Consigli

Regime-switching models gained their popularity over the past decade because of their distinctive advantage of modelling different financial market statuses in a discrete rather than continuous manner as in stochastic volatility models. When they are used in option pricing, the clear advantage is that they enable a larger parameter space for models to be calibrated for specific market dynamics and thus allow a better quantitative risk management in terms of utilizing financial derivatives. However, when they are used to price American-style financial derivatives, a large number of economic statuses result in a demand for improved computational efficiency. This paper provides a new algorithm of high computational efficiency supplemented with a theorem that pre-analyses the associated matrices and their eigenvalues, without concern about the possibility of duplicated roots being mistakenly identified as simple roots due to rounding errors or the presence of two extremely closely positioned simple roots within the original system.
An Enteric Bacterial Infection Triggers Neuroinflammation and Neurobehavioral Impairment in 3xTg-AD Transgenic Mice
Authors: Park Gwoncheol , Kadyan Saurabh , Hochuli Nathaniel , Salazar Gloria , Laitano Orlando , Chakrabarty Paramita , Efron Philip A , Zafar M Ammar , Wilber Aaron , Nagpal Ravinder
Published: September 2024

Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae is infamous for hospital-acquired infections and sepsis, which have also been linked to Alzheimer disease (AD)-related neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative impairment. However, its causative and mechanistic role in AD pathology remains unstudied.

Methods

A preclinical model of K. pneumoniae enteric infection and colonization is developed in an AD model (3xTg-AD mice) to investigate whether and how K. pneumoniae pathogenesis exacerbates neuropathogenesis via the gut-blood-brain axis.

Results

K. pneumoniae, particularly under antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, was able to translocate from the gut to the bloodstream by penetrating the gut epithelial barrier. Subsequently, K. pneumoniae infiltrated the brain by breaching the blood-brain barrier. Significant neuroinflammatory phenotype was observed in mice with K. pneumoniae brain infection. K. pneumoniae-infected mice also exhibited impaired neurobehavioral function and elevated total tau levels in the brain. Metagenomic analyses revealed an inverse correlation of K. pneumoniae with gut biome diversity and commensal bacteria, highlighting how antibiotic-induced dysbiosis triggers an enteroseptic “pathobiome” signature implicated in gut-brain perturbations.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate how infectious agents following hospital-acquired infections and consequent antibiotic regimen may induce gut dysbiosis and pathobiome and increase the risk of sepsis, thereby increasing the predisposition to neuroinflammatory and neurobehavioral impairments via breaching the gut-blood-brain barrier.
Bacterial Membrane Vesicles: The Missing Link Between Bacterial Infection and Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Butler Catherine A , Ciccotosto Giuseppe D , Rygh Nathaniel , Bijlsma Elly , Dashper Stuart G , Brown Angela C
Published: September 2024

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease, affecting approximately 19% of the global adult population. A relationship between periodontal disease and Alzheimer disease has long been recognized, and recent evidence has been uncovered to link these 2 diseases mechanistically. Periodontitis is caused by dysbiosis in the subgingival plaque microbiome, with a pronounced shift in the oral microbiota from one consisting primarily of Gram-positive aerobic bacteria to one predominated by Gram-negative anaerobes, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. A common phenomenon shared by all bacteria is the release of membrane vesicles to facilitate biomolecule delivery across long distances. In particular, the vesicles released by P gingivalis and other oral pathogens have been found to transport bacterial components across the blood-brain barrier, initiating the physiologic changes involved in Alzheimer disease. In this review, we summarize recent data that support the relationship between vesicles secreted by periodontal pathogens to Alzheimer disease pathology.
From Viral Infections to Alzheimer's Disease: Unveiling the Mechanistic Links Through Systems Bioinformatics
Authors: Onisiforou Anna , Zanos Panos
Published: September 2024

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that viral infections may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset and/or progression. However, the extent of their involvement and the mechanisms through which specific viruses increase AD susceptibility risk remain elusive.

Methods

We used an integrative systems bioinformatics approach to identify viral-mediated pathogenic mechanisms, by which Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Influenza A Virus (IAV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could facilitate AD pathogenesis via virus-host protein-protein interactions (PPIs). We also explored potential synergistic pathogenic effects resulting from herpesvirus reactivation (HSV-1, HCMV, and EBV) during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, potentially increasing AD susceptibility.

Results

Herpesviridae members (HSV-1, EBV, KSHV, HCMV) impact AD-related processes like amyloid-β (Aβ) formation, neuronal death, and autophagy. Hepatitis viruses (HBV, HCV) influence processes crucial for cellular homeostasis and dysfunction, they also affect microglia activation via virus-host PPIs. Reactivation of HCMV during SARS-CoV-2 infection could potentially foster a lethal interplay of neurodegeneration, via synergistic pathogenic effects on AD-related processes like response to unfolded protein, regulation of autophagy, response to oxidative stress, and Aβ formation.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the complex link between viral infections and AD development. Viruses impact AD-related processes through shared and distinct mechanisms, potentially influencing variations in AD susceptibility.
Unveiling the Intricate Link Between Anaerobe Niche and Alzheimer Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Drakes NyEmma , Kondrikova Galina , Pytel Dariusz , Hamlett Eric D
Published: September 2024

Dysbiosis within microbiomes has been increasingly implicated in many systemic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, respiratory infections, and Alzheimer disease (Ad). The correlation between Ad and microbial dysbiosis has been repeatedly shown, yet the etiologic cause of microbial dysbiosis remains elusive. From a neuropathology perspective, abnormal (often age-related) changes in the brain, associated structures, and bodily lumens tend toward an accumulation of oxygen-depleted pathologic structures, which are anaerobically selective niches. These anaerobic environments may promote progressive change in the microbial community proximal to the brain and thus deserve further investigation. In this review, we identify and explore what is known about the anaerobic niche near or associated with the brain and the anaerobes that it is harbors. We identify the anaerobe stakeholders within microbiome communities and the impacts on the neurodegenerative processes associated with Ad. Chronic oral dysbiosis in anaerobic dental pockets and the composition of the gut microbiota from fecal stool are the 2 largest anaerobic niche sources of bacterial transference to the brain. At the blood-brain barrier, cerebral atherosclerotic plaques are predominated by anaerobic species intimately associated with the brain vasculature. Focal cerebritis/brain abscess and corpora amylacea may also establish chronic anaerobic niches in direct proximity to brain parenchyma. In exploring the anaerobic niche proximal to the brain, we identify research opportunities to explore potential sources of microbial dysbiosis associated with Ad.
Heterotrophic nitrification by Alcaligenes faecalis links organic and inorganic nitrogen metabolism
Authors: Qin Ya-Ling , Liang Zong-Lin , Ai Guo-Min , Liu Wei-Feng , Tao Yong , Jiang Cheng-Ying , Liu Shuang-Jiang , Li De-Feng
Published: September 2024

Heterotrophic nitrification remains a mystery for decades. It has been commonly hypothesized that heterotrophic nitrifiers oxidize ammonia to hydroxylamine and then to nitrite in a way similar to autotrophic AOA and AOB. Recently, heterotrophic nitrifiers from Alcaligenes were found to oxidize ammonia to hydroxylamine and then to N2 (“dirammox”, direct ammonia oxidation) by the gene cluster dnfABC with a yet-to-be-reported mechanism. The role of a potential glutamine amidotransferase DnfC clues the heterotrophic ammonia oxidation might involving in glutamine. Here, we found Alcaligenes faecalis JQ135 could oxidize amino acids besides ammonia. We discovered that glutamine is an intermediate of the dirammox pathway and the glutamine synthetase gene glnA is essential for both A. faecalis JQ135 and the Escherichia coli cells harboring dnfABC gene cluster to oxidize amino acids and ammonia. Our study expands understanding of heterotrophic nitrifiers and challenges the classical paradigm of heterotrophic nitrification.
Development of bait station to complement attract-and-kill agents of Zeugodacus tau (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Lin Jia , Yue Guoqing , Xiao Kang , Chen Jun , Hao Xuxing , Yang Deqing , Yang Jianquan , Zheng Minlin , Ji Qinge
Published: September 2024

Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an important agricultural pest currently managed primarily through the application of insecticides due to limited control strategies. Bait station devices are target specific and have emerged as a behaviorally based alternative to traditional insecticide sprays for managing Z. tau. In this study, we designed a bait station by integrating female-biased olfactory, visual, and gustatory elements, and a killing agent in a wax-matrix. Our results showed that the wax-matrix integrated with spinetoram showed the highest toxicity to immature and mature Z. tau females. Furthermore, the color and shape of the spinetoram bait station significantly influenced its attractiveness and toxicity to female Z. tau. Green sausage-shaped exteriors were the most effective color and shape examined. Subsequent experiments showed a length-dependent effect on mortality and visiting frequencies of Z. tau females when the bait stations were 9–13 cm long. The addition of the olfactory stimulus of 5% ammonium acetate to the bait station attracted a higher number of mature Z. tau females than the control. The killing efficacy of the weathered bait station was similar to that of the fresh station within an 8-week period (over 794 mm of rainfall). The bait station developed herein would provide new insight into the attract-and-kill strategy for Z. tau and alleviate the pressure of the actual management program for this pest.
Integrated geological quality evaluation using advanced wireline logs and core data: a case study on high clay shale oil reservoir in China
Authors: Zhang Zhaoqian , Song Yanjie , Yan Weilin , Yin Shujun , Zheng Jiandong , Li Chuang
Published: September 2024

In the unconventional energy sector, shale oil is increasingly recognized as a crucial supplement to production. In recent years, China has made significant advancements in the development of shale oil. A unique type of pure shale reservoir in the Songliao Basin, distinct from established shale oil reservoirs worldwide, has emerged as a focal point for exploration and research endeavors. This kind of shale exhibits enhanced heterogeneity, high clay content, intricate rock electricity relationship, posing significant challenges to formation evaluation. This study introduces conversion coefficients for the elements and minerals, a decision tree model, a variable T2 cutoff value method, and 2D NMR cluster analysis, all based on the integration of microimaging, spectroscopy, and 2D NMR logging. These novel approaches facilitate a comprehensive geological quality evaluation of key parameters, including mineral composition, lithology, effective porosity, total organic carbon content, fluid composition, and saturation characteristics within pure shale formations from the Songliao Basin. The established petrophysical model has been validated by core analysis data and successfully applied in exploration wells. Through systematic petrophysical analysis, the optimal landing point for horizontal wells was identified based on the identification of the best reservoir quality interval with high movable oil and oil saturation. The subsequent drilling of horizontal wells demonstrated the reliability of petrophysical evaluation in terms of oil production. This integrated evaluation method for pure shale holds reference significance for similar shale reservoirs in other blocks in the future.
HDAC2-miR183-5p epigenetic circuit contributes to the growth of Philadelphia chromosome–positive B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia via PTEN/AKT and c-MYC signaling pathway
Authors: Ding Yangyang , Feng Xiangjiang , Liu Zelin , Liao Ya , Pu Lianfang , Liu Jun , Wang Huiping , Zhai Zhimin , Xiong Shudao
Published: September 2024

Philadelphia chromosome-positive B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia [Ph(+) B-ALL] is a hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis. Epigenetic abnormalities, especially abnormal histone acetylation and microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation, are a group of epigenetic patterns that contribute to leukemia progression. However, their regulatory mechanisms in Ph(+) B-ALL have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we identified that miR-183-5p is significantly downregulated in Ph(+) B-ALL and associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, we found that the BCR-ABL fusion gene is a key target gene of miR-183-5p. MiR-183-5p directly targets the BCR-ABL gene and induces cell apoptosis via PTEN/AKT and c-MYC signaling pathways. In addition, a histone deacetylase inhibitor could mitigate the suppressive effects of HDAC2 on miR-183-5p by promoting promoter acetylation, thereby enhancing cell apoptosis. In conclusion, our results indicate that miR-183-5p is a potential biomarker and suggest that a novel HDAC2-miR-183-5p epigenetic circuitry regulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of Ph(+) B-ALL. Taken together, These findings provide new insights into the design of promising molecular-targeted drugs for Ph(+) B-ALL.
SMP30 alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal injury by inhibiting HDAC4/PSD-95 to preserve mitochondrial function
Authors: Chen Rundong , Qian Lei , Zhang Qian , Qin Jiajun , Chen Xianzhen , Xu Xiaolong
Published: September 2024

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of global death and permanent disability. Major consequences of ischemic stroke include neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction. We investigated the effects of senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) on mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4)/postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) signaling in stroke models in vivo and in vitro. Rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) were used to simulate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. SMP30 was downregulated in the brain tissues of rats after I/R induction. SMP30 overexpression decreased MCAO/R-induced infarct volumes and improved neurologic function and histopathological changes. Increasing SMP30 expression suppressed neuronal apoptosis and reduced mitochondrial dysfunction. SMP30 overexpression in SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) decreased HDAC4 and PSD-95 expression; PSD-95 could bind to HDAC4. Furthermore, HDAC4 upregulation abolished the effects of SMP30 overexpression on OGD/R-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells. Together, these findings indicate that SMP30 alleviates cerebral I/R-induced neuronal injury by inhibiting HDAC4/PSD-95 to preserve mitochondrial function. These interactions might provide new treatment methods for patients with ischemic stroke.
Dissipated correction map method with trapezoidal rule for the simulations of gravitational waves from spinning compact binary
Authors: Luo Junjie , Zhang Hong-Hao , Lin Weipeng
Published: September 2024

The correction map method means extended phase-space algorithm with correction map. In our research, we have developed a correction map method, specifically the dissipated correction map method with trapezoidal rule, for numerical simulations of gravitational waves from spinning compact binary systems. This new correction map method, denoted as $CM3$, has shown remarkable performance in various simulation results, such as phase-space distance, dissipated energy error, and gravitational waveform, closely resembling the high-order precision implicit Gaussian algorithm. When compared with the previously used mid-point map which is denoted as $C_2$, the $CM3$ consistently exhibits a closer alignment with the highly accurate Gaussian algorithm in waveform evolution and orbital trajectory analysis. Through detailed comparisons and analyses, it is evident that $CM3$ outperforms other algorithms, including $CM2$ and $C_2$ mentioned in this paper, in terms of accuracy and precision in simulating spinning compact binary systems. The incorporation of the trapezoidal rule and the optimization with a scale factor $\gamma$ have significantly enhanced the performance of $CM3$, making it a promising method for future numerical simulations in astrophysics. With the groundbreaking detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO/VIRGO collaboration, interest in this research domain has soared. Our work contributes valuable insights for the application of matched filtering techniques in the analysis of gravitational wave signals, enhancing the precision and reliability of these detection.
Impact of the high-speed solar wind stream over the low-latitude ionospheric system – a study combining Indian MOM and InSWIM observations
Authors: Jain Richa N , Choudhary R K , Ambili K M , Roopa M V , Dai Bijoy K
Published: September 2024

In this study, we map the origin, acceleration, and propagation of the high-speed solar wind streams (HSS) and observe their impact on the low-latitude Earth’s ionosphere. Data from radio-sounding experiments conducted by the Indian Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) from 2015 May 9–19 is analysed to understand the solar wind speed’s evolution at various helio-centric distances. The slope of the turbulence spectrum from 25 to 35 Rs was in the range of 0.2–0.4, indicative of the underdeveloped turbulence corresponding to the high-flow streams. It coincided with the appearance of the earth-facing coronal holes as observed in the coronal EUV images. The particle bulk velocity at L1 showed that the speeds began to rise from 400 km s−1 on May 11th–12th, reaching a peak of around 800 km s−1 on May13th–14th, followed by a gradual decrease to the average slow speeds. Geomagnetic disturbances during the same period manifested as a dip in the DST index values. The GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data from the InSWIM (Indian network for Space Weather Impact Monitoring) network show an appreciable increase in the VTEC (vertical total electron content) of the ionosphere on disturbed days in entire low-latitude ionospheric region in the Indian sector. All these observed parameters correlate well with the HSS arrival. This is a unique study that connects the propagation of the HSS and its impact on near-Earth’s environment from the different vantage points in interplanetary space and proposes the application of Radio beacons to improve space weather forecasting.
Void number counts as a cosmological probe for the large-scale structure
Authors: Song Yingxiao , Xiong Qi , Gong Yan , Deng Furen , Chan Kwan Chuen , Chen Xuelei , Guo Qi , Liu Yun , Pei Wenxiang
Published: September 2024

Void number count (VNC) indicates the number of low-density regions in the large-scale structure (LSS) of the Universe, and we propose to use it as an effective cosmological probe. By generating the galaxy mock catalogue based on Jiutian simulations and considering the spectroscopic survey strategy and instrumental design of the China Space Station Telescope (CSST), which can reach a magnitude limit $\sim$23 AB mag and spectral resolution $R\gtrsim 200$ with a sky coverage of 17 500 deg2, we identify voids using the watershed algorithm without any assumption of void shape and obtain the mock void catalogue and data of the VNC in six redshift bins from $z=0.3$ to 1.3. We use the Markov chain Monte Carlo method to constrain the cosmological and VNC parameters. The void linear underdensity threshold $\delta _{\rm v}$ in the theoretical model is set to be a free parameter at a given redshift to fit the VNC data and explore their redshift evolution. We find that the VNC can correctly derive the cosmological information, and the constraint strength on the cosmological parameters is comparable to that from the void size function method, which can reach a few per cent level in the CSST full spectroscopic survey. This is because, since the VNC is not sensitive to void shape, the modified theoretical model can match the data better by integrating over void features, and more voids could be included in the VNC analysis by applying simpler selection criteria, which will improve the statistical significance. It indicates that the VNC can be an effective cosmological probe for exploring the LSS.
Orbital architectures of planet-hosting binaries – III. Testing mutual inclinations of stellar and planetary orbits in triple-star systems
Authors: Evans Elise L , Dupuy Trent J , Sullivan Kendall , Kraus Adam L , Huber Daniel , Ireland Michael J , Ansdell Megan , Kuruwita Rajika L , Martinez Raquel A , Wood Mackenna L
Published: September 2024

Transiting planets in multiple-star systems, especially high-order multiples, make up a small fraction of the known planet population but provide unique opportunities to study the environments in which planets would have formed. Planet-hosting binaries have been shown to have an abundance of systems in which the stellar orbit aligns with the orbit of the transiting planet, which could give insights into the planet formation process in such systems. We investigate here if this trend of alignment extends to planet-hosting triple-star systems. We present long-term astrometric monitoring of a novel sample of triple-star systems that host Kepler transiting planets. We measured orbit arcs in 21 systems, including 12 newly identified triples, from a homogeneous analysis of our Keck adaptive optics data and, for some systems, Gaia astrometry. We examine the orbital alignment within the nine most compact systems ($\lesssim 500$ au), testing if either (or both) of the stellar orbits align with the edge-on orbits of their transiting planets. Our statistical sample of triple systems shows a tendency toward alignment, especially when assessing the alignment probability using stellar orbital inclinations computed from full orbital fits, but is formally consistent with isotropic orbits. Two-population tests where half of the stellar orbits are described by a planet-hosting-binary-like moderately aligned distribution give the best match when the other half (non-planet-hosting) has a Kozai-like misaligned distribution. Overall, our results suggest that our sample of triple-star planet-hosting systems are not fully coplanar systems and have at most one plane of alignment.
The origin of the H α line profiles in simulated disc galaxies
Authors: Ejdetjärn Timmy , Agertz Oscar , Östlin Göran , Rey Martin P , Renaud Florent
Published: September 2024

Observations of ionized H $\alpha$ gas in high-redshift disc galaxies have ubiquitously found significant line broadening, $\sigma _{\rm H\,\alpha }\sim 10{\!-\!}100\, {\rm km\, s^{-1}}$. To understand whether this broadening reflects gas turbulence within the interstellar medium (ISM) of galactic discs, or arises from out-of-plane emission in mass-loaded outflows, we perform radiation hydrodynamic simulations of isolated Milky Way-mass disc galaxies in a gas-poor (low-redshift) and gas rich (high-redshift) condition and create mock H $\alpha$ emission line profiles. We find that the majority of the total (integrated) ${\rm H\,\alpha }$ emission is confined within the ISM, with extraplanar gas contributing ${\sim} 45~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the extended profile wings ($v_z\ge 200$${\, \rm {km\, s^{-1}} }$) in the gas-rich galaxy. This substantiates using the ${\rm H\,\alpha }$ emission line as a tracer of mid-plane disc dynamics. We investigate the relative contribution of diffuse and dense ${\rm H\,\alpha }$ emitting gas, corresponding to diffuse ionized gas (DIG; $\rho \lesssim 0.1\, {\rm cm^{-3}}$, $T\sim 8\, 000$ K) and H ii regions ($\rho \gtrsim 10\, {\rm cm^{-3}}$, $T\sim 10\, 000$ K), respectively, and find that DIG contributes $f_{\rm DIG}\lesssim 10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the total L$_{\rm H\alpha }$. However, the DIG can reach upwards of $\sigma _{\rm H\,\alpha } \sim 60{\!-\!}80\, {\rm km\, s^{-1}}$ while the H ii regions are much less turbulent $\sigma _{\rm H\,\alpha }\sim 10{\!-\!}40\, {\rm km\, s^{-1}}$. This implies that the $\sigma _{\rm H\,\alpha }$ observed using the full ${\rm H\,\alpha }$ emission line is dependent on the relative ${\rm H\,\alpha }$ contribution from DIG/H ii regions and a larger $f_{\rm DIG}$ would shift $\sigma _{\rm H\,\alpha }$ to higher values. Finally, we show that $\sigma _{\rm H\,\alpha }$ evolves, in both the DIG and H ii regions, with the galaxy gas fraction. Our high-redshift equivalent galaxy is roughly twice as turbulent, except for in the DIG which has a more shallow evolution.
Modeling the Determinants of Subjective Well-Being in Schizophrenia
Authors: Jeong Jae Hoon , Kim Jayoun , Kang Nuree , Ahn Yong Min , Kim Yong Sik , Lee Donghwan , Kim Se Hyun
Published: September 2024

Background

The ultimate goal of successful schizophrenia treatment is not just to alleviate psychotic symptoms, but also to reduce distress and achieve subjective well-being (SWB). We aimed to identify the determinants of SWB and their interrelationships in schizophrenia.

Methods

Data were obtained from 637 patients with schizophrenia enrolled in multicenter, open-label, non-comparative clinical trials. The SWB under the Neuroleptic Treatment Scale (SWN) was utilized; a cut-off score of 80 indicated a high level of SWB at baseline and 6 months. Various machine learning (ML) algorithms were employed to identify the determinants of SWB. Furthermore, network analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted to explore detailed relationship patterns.

Results

The random forest (RF) model had the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.794 at baseline. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) had the most significant impact on high levels of SWB, followed by somatization, cognitive deficits, and depression. The network analysis demonstrated robust connections among the SWB, OCS, and somatization. SEM analysis revealed that OCS exerted the strongest direct effect on SWB, and also an indirect effect via the mediation of depression. Furthermore, the contribution of OCS at baseline to SWB was maintained 6 months later.

Conclusions

OCS, somatization, cognition, and depression, rather than psychotic symptoms, exerted significant impacts on SWB in schizophrenia. Notably, OCS exhibited the most significant contribution not only to the current state of well-being but also to follow-up SWB, implying that OCS was predictive of SWB. The findings demonstrated that OCS management is critical for the treatment of schizophrenia.