bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Zirconia Material Effect on H2 Production from Ammonia-argon base Gas in Plasma Plate Type Reactor
Authors: Mostafa El-Shafie , Kambara Shinji , Hayakawa Yukio , Sakai Ryoma
Published: August 2020

In this study, ammonia was decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen gas by DBD plasma at different ammonia-argon gas base concentrations of 0.5% and 2% in plate type reactor. The effect of zirconia catalytic material on ammonia decomposition was investigated. Furthermore, it was found that the energy density has a positive effect on the outcome of hydrogen gas concentrations for both ammonia concentration experiments. Additionally, it was clear that hydrogen concentration increased with increasing plasma ammonia decomposition residence time. The hydrogen concentration results obtained by plasma-catalyst mode from ammonia concentration of 2% were much higher than that obtained from plasma only experiment. Also, the hydrogen concentration results at different input energy density for NH3 decomposition with and without the zirconia catalyst system were compared. It can be concluded that the hydrogen concentration of the plasma-catalyst system was much higher than plasma only. It was observed that the addition of zirconia catalytic material into ammonia decomposition process was affected by the physical and electrical properties of the gas discharge. The energy efficiency of both ammonia concentrations experiments was compared, it was seen that the maximum energy efficiencies at NH3 concentration of 2% was 0.1948 % while at 0.5% NH3 concentration was 0.084%.
Deposition of Multilayer Films of ZnO by Sol-gel Process on Stainless Steel Substrates for Energy Harvesting Devices
Authors: Uscanga-González L A , Elvira-Hernández E A , Pérez-Cuapio R , Pacio A , López-Huerta F , Alvarez-Sanchez E J , Herrera-May A L
Published: August 2020

The mechanical vibrations surrounding the environment can be converted in electrical energy by piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEH). The increase on the availability of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) increases the need for power supply that replaces ordinary batteries. In this paper, an electromechanical modelling and a deposition of multilayer zinc oxide (ZnO) films for an PEH are presented. The aim of the study is to obtain the thickness of the multilayer ZnO films in different conditions, in order to improve the energy harvesting capacity for a PEH device. The ZnO synthesis was performed by the sol-gel method with dehydrated zinc acetate as a precursor, making deposits of 5, 10 and 15 layers. The depositions were made at room temperature by spin coating at 1440 revolutions per minute for 16 s. An UV-Vis test showed that ZnO were present, with a percentage of peak reflectance at 370 nm and a XRD test showed a preferential crystalline orientation at (002). Also, a Finite Element Modelling (FEM) simulation of the substrate behaviour was performed, functioning as a cantilever beam. When adding a seismic mass and oscillating in the resonance frequency of 103.31 Hz and with 15 layers of ZnO deposited, 2.67 volts were obtained.
Preparation and characterization of vancomycin-loaded chitosan/PVA/PEG hydrogels for wound dressing
Authors: Naeimi Mitra , Tajedin Ramtin , Farahmandfar Farmehr , Naeimi Maryam , Monajjemi Majid
Published: August 2020

This study describes a drug-loaded porous hydrogel for delivery of vancomycin. Hydrogels based on chitosan (CS), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) were prepared by lyophilization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the structures. Water uptake percentage and vancomycin release were also measured. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. According to the results, mean pore diameter (MPD) was decreased by addition of PEG and reached to 1.3 ± 0.5 μm. On the other hand, 43% decrease in water content of the hydrogels showed along with the incorporation of PEG. The inhibition zone confirmed antibacterial effect of the vancomycin-loaded hydrogels. The porous CS/PVA/PEG hydrogels containing vancomycin could be good candidates to potentially be used as wound dressing.
One-step growth method of silver nanowires in aqueous environment
Authors: Liu Xiao-Li , Han Shuo , Zhang Shou-Bao , Zhou Shao-Shuai , Jiao Na , Zhao Hong-Yan , Li Jianbo
Published: August 2020

Silver nanowires were successfully prepared by one-step growth method in aqueous environment. The suitable pH value is a key factor for the successful preparation of silver nanowires. The concentration of silver nitrate precursors also affects the yield of silver nanowire. We studied the growth mechanism of silver nanowires in detail. This is a classic Ostwald ripening process. The final silver nanowires are face-centered-cubic (FCC) phase. The morphologic parameters of the silver nanowires were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its size is about 7 μm long and about 45 nanometers in diameter. This experiment provides an effective method for the preparation of silver nanowires in aqueous environment. It has important potential applications in biological detection and physical devices.
Improvement of kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring accuracy through gantry angles selection
Authors: Vander Veken Loïc , Dechambre David , Michiels Steven , Cohilis Marie , Souris Kevin , Lee John Aldo , Geets Xavier
Published: August 2020

Kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring (KIM) is a method allowing to precisely infer the tumour trajectory based on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 2D-projections. However, its accuracy is deteriorated in the case of highly mobile tumours involving hysteresis. A first adaptation of KIM consisting of a prior amplitude based binning step has been developed in order to minimize the errors of the original model (phase-KIM). In this work, we propose enhanced methods (KIMsub-arc optim and phase-KIMsub-arc optim) to improve the accuracy of KIM and phase-KIM which relies on the selection of the optimal starting CBCT gantry angle. Aiming at demonstrating the interest of our approach, we carried out a simulation study and an experimental study: we compared the accuracy of the conventional versus sub-arc optim methods on simulated realistic tumour motions with amplitudes ranging from 5 to 30 mm in 1 mm increments. The same approach was performed using a lung dynamic phantom generating a 30 mm amplitude sinusoidal motion. The results show that for in-silico simulated motions of 10, 20 and 30 mm amplitude, the three-dimensional root mean square error (3D-RMSE) can be reduced by 0.67 mm, 0.91 mm, 0.94 mm and 0.18 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.28 mm using KIMsub-arc optim and phase-KIMsub-arc optim respectively. Considering all in-silico simulated trajectories, the percentage of errors larger than 1 mm decreases from 21.9% down to 1.6% for KIM (p < 0.001) and from 6.6% down to 1.2% for phase-KIM (p < 0.001). Experimentally, the 3D-RMSE is lowered by 0.5732 mm for KIM and by 0.1 mm for phase-KIM. The percentage of errors larger than 1 mm falls from 39.7% down to 18.5% for KIM and from 23.2% down to 11.1% for phase-KIM. In conclusion, our method efficiently anticipates CBCT gantry angles associated with a significantly better accuracy by using KIM and phase-KIM.
Effect of size quantization and quantum capacitance on the threshold voltage of a 2D nanoscale dual gate MOSFET
Authors: Sundar Abhinav , Sarkar Niladri
Published: August 2020

The size quantization effect in the channel of a 2D nanoscale MOSFET is studied using a self-consistent quantum method. Under this, Schrodinger-Poisson equations are solved for determining the electron density for 2D device channels from 3 nm × 3 nm to 100 nm × 100 nm. The lower dimension channels show a peak of the electron density at the middle whereas higher dimension channels show the accumulation of the electrons at the oxide/semiconductor interface. Also, the role of quantum capacitance on the threshold voltages of these nanoscale devices is investigated as a function of channel dimensions and electron effective masses. It is observed that not only the size but the electron effective masses dominate the conductivity of the channel for such nanoscale devices. Here, the channel electron densities are obtained using density matrix formalism. A block diagonal Hamiltonian Matrix [H] is constructed for this oxide/channel/oxide 2D structure and the channel is discretized by using the finite-difference method. This analysis is important for understanding the physics of the size quantization and its effect on the threshold voltage.
Revision as Nostalgic Practice: The Imagined Adaptation ofThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Authors: Schniedermann Wibke
Published: August 2020

This article investigates the role of nostalgia vis-à-vis practices of adaptation and revision in the genre of the American Western and specifically in Joel and Ethan Coen’s episodic film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018). It proposes a view of the Western as a genre that originates in the revisionist adaptation of American national mythology. As an inherently nostalgic genre, the Western has grappled with its ambivalent relationship with the past throughout the twentieth century. Recent Western productions demonstrate their awareness of the genre’s sentimental falsifications of the past and integrate nostalgic tensions into their aesthetic repertoire. Buster Scruggs taps into both the current success of nostalgic formats on screen and the specific affordances of the Western genre. The close readings in this article explore the visual, structural, and narrative strategies the film employs to, on the one hand, permit and, in fact, encourage nostalgic indulgence while, on the other, engaging in the revision of both the postmodern aversion against affective involvement and its wholesale acceptance in the Western’s early incarnations.
Directed Acyclic Graphs, Effect Measure Modification, and Generalizability
Authors: Webster-Clark Michael , Breskin Alexander
Published: August 2020

Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) have had a major impact on the field of epidemiology by providing straightforward graphical rules for determining when estimates are expected to lack causally interpretable internal validity. Much less attention has been paid, however, to what DAGs can tell researchers about effect measure modification and external validity. In this work, we describe 2 rules based on DAGs related to effect measure modification. Rule 1 states that if a variable, $P$, is conditionally independent of an outcome, $Y$, within levels of a treatment, $X$, then $P$ is not an effect measure modifier for the effect of $X$ on $Y$ on any scale. Rule 2 states that if $P$ is not conditionally independent of $Y$ within levels of $X$, and there are open causal paths from $X$ to $Y$ within levels of $P$, then $P$ is an effect measure modifier for the effect of $X$ on $Y$ on at least 1 scale (given no exact cancelation of associations). We then show how Rule 1 can be used to identify sufficient adjustment sets to generalize nested trials studying the effect of $X$ on $Y$ to the total source population or to those who did not participate in the trial.
A roadmap to identifying and filling shortfalls in Neotropical ornithology
Authors: Lees Alexander Charles , Rosenberg Kenneth V , Ruiz-Gutierrez Viviana , Marsden Stuart , Schulenberg Thomas S , Rodewald Amanda D
Published: August 2020

Securing the long-term resilience of the world’s most speciose avifauna, that of the Neotropics, requires spatially and temporally explicit data to inform decisions. We examine gaps in our knowledge of the region’s avifauna through the lens of the biodiversity shortfall concept: the gaps between realized knowledge and complete knowledge. This framework serves as a useful tool to take stock of the last 25 yr of Neotropical ornithological work since the untimely death of Ted Parker. Here, we highlight 7 key shortfalls: taxonomy, distribution, abundance, evolutionary patterns, abiotic tolerances, species traits, and biotic interactions. We then propose an eighth—and new—“Parkerian” shortfall that reflects a lack of basic natural history knowledge key to understanding how species might respond to environmental challenges. Bridging this shortfall will help reverse declines by informing reintroduction, recovery network, and habitat restoration efforts. We discuss the challenges imposed by each shortfall and how strategies such as citizen-science initiatives and technological advances can either remedy or mitigate the uncertainty they generate.
The effects of sound therapy in tinnitus are characterized by altered limbic and auditory networks
Authors: Han Lv , Pengfei Zhao , Chunli Liu , Zhaodi Wang , Xindi Wang , Qian Chen , Shusheng Gong , Zhenchang Wang
Published: August 2020

To determine the neural mechanism underlying the effects of sound therapy on tinnitus, we hypothesize that sound therapy may be effective by modulating both local neural activity and functional connectivity that is associated with auditory perception, auditory information storage or emotional processing. In this prospective observational study, 30 tinnitus patients underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans at baseline and after 12 weeks of sound therapy. Thirty-two age- and gender-matched healthy controls also underwent two scans over a 12-week interval; 30 of these healthy controls were enrolled for data analysis. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation was analysed, and seed-based functional connectivity measures were shown to significantly alter spontaneous local brain activity and its connections to other brain regions. Interaction effects between the two groups and the two scans in local neural activity as assessed by the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation were observed in the left parahippocampal gyrus and the right Heschl's gyrus. Importantly, local functional activity in the left parahippocampal gyrus in the patient group was significantly higher than that in the healthy controls at baseline and was reduced to relatively normal levels after treatment. Conversely, activity in the right Heschl's gyrus was significantly increased and extended beyond a relatively normal range after sound therapy. These changes were found to be positively correlated with tinnitus relief. The functional connectivity between the left parahippocampal gyrus and the cingulate cortex was higher in tinnitus patients after treatment. The alterations of local activity and functional connectivity in the left parahippocampal gyrus and right Heschl’s gyrus were associated with tinnitus relief. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging can provide functional information to explain and ‘visualize’ the mechanism underlying the effect of sound therapy on the brain.
Modeling Reveals Human–Rodent Differences in H-Current Kinetics Influencing Resonance in Cortical Layer 5 Neurons
Authors: Rich Scott , Moradi Chameh Homeira , Sekulic Vladislav , Valiante Taufik A , Skinner Frances K
Published: August 2020

While our understanding of human neurons is often inferred from rodent data, inter-species differences between neurons can be captured by building cellular models specifically from human data. This includes understanding differences at the level of ion channels and their implications for human brain function. Thus, we here present a full spiking, biophysically detailed multi-compartment model of a human layer 5 (L5) cortical pyramidal cell. Model development was primarily based on morphological and electrophysiological data from the same human L5 neuron, avoiding confounds of experimental variability. Focus was placed on describing the behavior of the hyperpolarization-activated cation (h-) channel, given increasing interest in this channel due to its role in pacemaking and differentiating cell types. We ensured that the model exhibited post-inhibitory rebound spiking considering its relationship with the h-current, along with other general spiking characteristics. The model was validated against data not used in its development, which highlighted distinctly slower kinetics of the human h-current relative to the rodent setting. We linked the lack of subthreshold resonance observed in human L5 neurons to these human-specific h-current kinetics. This work shows that it is possible and necessary to build human-specific biophysical neuron models in order to understand human brain dynamics.
Two Fatal Cases of Acute Liver Failure Due to HSV-1 Infection in COVID-19 Patients Following Immunomodulatory Therapies
Authors: Busani Stefano , Bedini Andrea , Biagioni Emanuela , Serio Lucia , Tonelli Roberto , Meschiari Marianna , Franceschini Erica , Guaraldi Giovanni , Cossarizza Andrea , Clini Enrico , Maiorana Antonino , Gennari William , De Maria Nicola , Luppi Mario , Mussini Cristina , Girardis Massimo ,   Modena Covid-19 Working Group (MoCo19), Girardis Massimo , Andreotti Alberto , Biagioni Emanuela , Bondi Filippo , Busani Stefano , Chierego Giovanni , Scotti Marzia , Serio Lucia , Ghirardini Annamaria , Sita Marco , De Julis Stefano , Donno Lara , Dall’Ara Lorenzo , Di Salvo Fabrizio , Farinelli Carlotta , Rinaldi Laura , Cavazzuti Ilaria , Ghidoni Andrea , Buono Antonio , Ferrari Elena , Iseppi Daniela , Maria Ardito Anna , Coloretti Irene , Venturelli Sophie , Munari Elena , Tosi Martina , Roat Erika , Gatto Ilenia , Sarti Marco , Cossarizza Andrea , Bellinazzi Caterina , Borella Rebecca , De Biasi Sara , De Gaetano Anna , Fidanza Lucia , Gibellini Lara , Iannone Anna , Lo Tartaro Domenico , Mattioli Marco , Nasi Milena , Paolini Annamaria , Pinti Marcello , Mussini Cristina , Guaraldi Giovanni , Meschiari Marianna , Cozzi-Lepri Alessandro , Milic Jovana , Menozzi Marianna , Franceschini Erica , Cuomo Gianluca , Orlando Gabriella , Borghi Vanni , Santoro Antonella , Di Gaetano Margherita , Puzzolante Cinzia , Carli Federica , Bedini Andrea , Corradi Luca , Clini Enrico , Tonelli Roberto , Fantini Riccardo , Castaniere Ivana , Tabbì Luca , Bruzzi Giulia , Nani Chiara , Trentacosti Fabiana , Donatelli Pierluigi , Rosaria Pellegrino Maria , Manicardi Linda , Moretti Antonio , Vermi Morgana , Cerbone Caterina , Pecorari Monica , Gennari William , Grottola Antonella , Fregni Serpini Giulia
Published: August 2020

We report two fatal cases of acute liver failure secondary to herpes simplex virus 1 infection in COVID-19 patients, following tocilizumab and corticosteroid therapy. Screening for and prompt recognition of herpes simplex virus 1 reactivation in these patients, undergoing immunomodulatory treatment, may have potentially relevant clinical consequences.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravenous N-Acetylcysteine in the Management of Anti-tuberculosis Drug–Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Moosa Muhammed Shiraz , Maartens Gary , Gunter Hannah , Allie Shaazia , Chughlay Mohamed F , Setshedi Mashiko , Wasserman Sean , Stead David F , Hickman Nicole , Stewart Annemie , Sonderup Mark , Spearman Catherine Wendy , Cohen Karen
Published: August 2020

Background

Liver injury is a common complication of anti-tuberculosis therapy. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) used in patients with paracetamol toxicity with limited evidence of benefit in liver injury due to other causes.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of intravenous NAC in hospitalized adult patients with anti-tuberculosis drug–induced liver injury (AT-DILI). The primary endpoint was time for serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to fall below 100 U/L. Secondary endpoints included length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and adverse events.

Results

Fifty-three participants were randomized to NAC and 49 to placebo. Mean age was 38 (SD±10) years, 58 (57%) were female, 89 (87%) were HIV positive. Median (IQR) serum ALT and bilirubin at presentation were 462 (266–790) U/L and 56 (25–100) μmol/L, respectively. Median time to ALT <100 U/L was 7.5 (6–11) days in the NAC arm and 8 (5–13) days in the placebo arm. Median time to hospital discharge was shorter in the NAC arm (9 [6–15] days) than in the placebo arm (18 [10–25] days) (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.13–2.65). Mortality was 14% overall and did not differ by study arm. The study infusion was stopped early due to an adverse reaction in 5 participants receiving NAC (nausea and vomiting [3], anaphylaxis [1], pain at drip site [1]).

Conclusions

NAC did not shorten time to ALT <100 U/L in participants with AT-DILI, but significantly reduced length of hospital stay. NAC should be considered in management of AT-DILI.

Clinical Trials Registration

South African National Clinical Trials Registry (SANCTR: DOH-27-0414-4719).
Operationalizing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cure-related Trials with Analytic Treatment Interruptions During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: A Collaborative Approach
Authors: Peluso Michael J , Dee Lynda , Shao Shirley , Taylor Jeff , Campbell Danielle , Collins Simon , Gandhi Monica , Johnston Rowena , Deeks Steven G , Sauceda John A , Dubé Karine
Published: August 2020

Efforts to recognize and minimize the risk to study participants will be necessary to safely and ethically resume scientific research in the context of the ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. These efforts are uniquely challenging in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cure clinical trials, which often involve complex experimental therapy regimens and perhaps analytic treatment interruption, in which participants pause antiretroviral therapy. In this viewpoint, we discuss our approach to reopening an HIV cure trial in this context, with a focus on key considerations regarding study design, informed consent and participant education, and study implementation. These recommendations might be informative to other groups seeking to resume HIV cure research in settings similar to ours.
Participation in global value chains and varieties of development patterns
Authors: Carballa Smichowski Bruno , Durand Cédric , Knauss Steven
Published: August 2020

This paper relates participation in global value chains (GVCs) to development patterns at the country level. It accounts for the diversity and interdependence of development through a cross-country analysis for 51 countries between 1995 and 2008. We identify three patterns of socio-economic development related to various degrees and modes of GVC participation: a social upgrading mirage, the reproduction of the core and unequal growth. This result is achieved thanks to the introduction of two new elements to the literature: first, the introduction of new macroeconomic indicators of GVC participation and economic gains that are explicitly based in a theoretically consistent definition of GVCs; second, the identification of a variety of interdependent development patterns related to GVC participation through the use of principal component analysis and cluster analysis.
Preventing the China-U.S. Cold War from Turning Hot
Authors: Layne Christopher
Published: August 2020

During the Trump administration, Sino-American relations have deteriorated to the point where the new consensus in the U.S. foreign policy establishment is that a new Cold War has begun between the U.S. and China. This article looks at the origins of the “first Cold War” for insight into how a second Cold War might be avoided. There is a danger of the Cold War turning hot because of power transition dynamics. This article also invokes the pre-1914 Anglo-German rivalry, and argues that if conflict is to be avoided, the U.S. must accommodate China's rise by yielding hegemony in East Asia and meeting China's status claim.
Treatment of older patients with atrial fibrillation by morbidity burden
Authors: Rasmussen Peter Vibe , Pallisgaard Jannik Langtved , Hansen Morten Lock , Gislason Gunnar Hilmar , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Ruwald Martin , Alexander Karen P , Lopes Renato D , Al-Khatib Sana M , Dalgaard Frederik
Published: August 2020

Aims 

Older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at risk of adverse outcomes, which is accentuated by comorbidities. We sought to examine the association between morbidity burden and the treatment of older AF patients.

Methods and results 

Using Danish nationwide registers we included patients ≥70 years of age between 2010 and 2017 at their first hospitalization due to AF. Using multiple logistic regression models we examined the association between morbidity burden and the odds of receiving oral anticoagulants (OACs), anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs), and rhythm-control procedures (direct current cardioversions and catheter ablations). A total of 48 995 patients were included with a majority of women (54%), with a median age of 80 years [interquartile range (IQR) 75–85], and a median morbidity burden of 2 comorbidities (IQR 1–3). Increasing morbidity burden was associated with decreasing odds of OAC treatment with patients having >5 comorbidities having the lowest odds [odds ratio (OR) 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35–0.42] compared to patients with low morbidity burden (0–1 comorbidities). Having >5 comorbidities were associated with increased odds of AAD treatment (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.64–2.21) and decreased odds of AF procedures (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.31–0.48), compared to patients with a low morbidity burden (0–1 comorbidities). Examining morbidity burden continuously revealed similar results.

Conclusions 

In older AF patients, multimorbidity was associated with lower odds of receiving OACs and rhythm-control procedures but increased odds of AADs. This presents a clinical conundrum as multimorbid patients potentially benefit the most from treatment with OACs.
Less dementia after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kim Daehoon , Yang Pil-Sung , Sung Jung-Hoon , Jang Eunsun , Yu Hee Tae , Kim Tae-Hoon , Uhm Jae-Sun , Kim Jong-Youn , Pak Hui-Nam , Lee Moon-Hyoung , Lip Gregory Y H , Joung Boyoung
Published: August 2020

Aims

Accumulating evidence shows that atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Catheter ablation for AF prolongs the duration of sinus rhythm, thereby improving the quality of life. We investigated the association of catheter ablation for AF with the occurrence of dementia.

Methods and results

Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, among 194 928 adults with AF treated with ablation or medical therapy (antiarrhythmic or rate control drugs) between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015, we studied 9119 patients undergoing ablation and 17 978 patients managed with medical therapy. The time-at-risk was counted from the first medical therapy, and ablation was analysed as a time-varying exposure. Propensity score-matching was used to correct for differences between the groups. During a median follow-up of 52 months, compared with patients with medical therapy, ablated patients showed lower incidence and risk of overall dementia (8.1 and 5.6 per 1000 person-years, respectively; hazard ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.93). The associations between ablation and dementia risk were consistently observed after additionally censoring for incident stroke (hazard ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.61–0.95) and more pronounced in cases of ablation success whereas no significant differences observed in cases of ablation failure. Ablation was associated with lower risks of dementia subtypes including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Conclusion

In this nationwide cohort of AF patients treated with catheter ablation or medical therapy, ablation was associated with decreased dementia risk. This relationship was evident after censoring for stroke and adjusting for clinical confounders.
The Influence of Age and Obesity-Altered Muscle Tissue Composition on Muscular Dimensional Changes: Impact on Strength and Function
Authors: Giuliani Hayden K , Shea Nic W , Gerstner Gena R , Mota Jacob A , Blackburn J Troy , Ryan Eric D
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine if muscular dimensional changes with increases in torque production are influenced by age- and obesity-related increases in intramuscular fat, and its relationship to percent body fat (%BF), echo intensity (EI), strength, and maximum walking speed. Sixty-six healthy men were categorized into 3 groups based on age and body mass index status (young normal weight [YNW], older normal weight [ONW], and older obese [OB]). Participants underwent %BF assessments, resting ultrasonography to determine muscle size (cross-sectional area [CSA]) and EI of the superficial quadriceps, and a 10-m maximum walking speed assessment. Maximal and submaximal (rest–100% MVC in 10% increments) isometric leg extension strength was assessed while changes in rectus femoris (RF) CSA, width, and depth were obtained with ultrasonography. Echo intensity and %BF were different among all groups (p ≤ .007), with the YNW and OB groups exhibiting the lowest and highest %BF and EI values, respectively. The RF increased in depth and decreased in width with increases in torque intensity for all groups. The ONW group demonstrated no change (−0.08%) in RF CSA across torque intensities, whereas the YNW group (−11.5%) showed the greatest decrease in CSA, and the OB group showed a more subtle decrease (−4.6%). Among older men, a greater change in RF CSA was related to poorer EI (r = −0.355) and higher %BF (r = −0.346), while a greater decrease in RF width was associated with faster walking speeds (r = −0.431). Examining muscular dimensional changes during contraction is a unique model to investigate the influence of muscle composition on functional performance.
Civil Litigation 2020-2021
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

Civil Litigation introduces the processes and procedures involved in making and defending civil litigation claims. Following the chronological progression of a civil litigation claim, the volume offers practical guidance on advising clients whilst ensuring that the principles of the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority Handbook which includes the Codes of Conduct for firms and for solicitors. This edition includes commentary and detail of the new rules of conduct that were approved by the Legal Services Board in November 2018. A part of the new Handbook (the Handbook) came into force in December 2018—the SRA Transparency Rules—and the remaining sections are expected to be fully in force in April 2019. Diagrams at the beginning of chapters make clear the way in which the litigation procedure works and help with the understanding of the nature of the process as a whole. Examples provide a realistic context for learning, while issues of cost, best practice, and professional conduct are clearly highlighted. Alternative dispute resolution is given appropriate practical emphasis, and references to the Civil Procedure Rules throughout make sure that students are ready for life in practice. This edition has been revised to reflect the most up-to-date law and practice in all aspects of litigation practice. In addition to the chapters highlighted below, there are additional chapters online on injunctions and other equitable remedies, a practical guide to court hearings, instructing counsel, and enforcement of judgments.
1. Introduction
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

This introductory chapter explains the philosophy of the book and its pedagogical features. It assists in broadening research skills and knowledge. Further, it introduces the Civil Procedure Rules. Finally, it highlights professional conduct considerations and how they are dealt with in this book.
4. The Nature, Extent, and Recovery of Legal Costs
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on the control and recovery of costs. Topics covered include the discretionary nature of costs awards, the general principle that the loser pays, how the court controls costs incurred, the basis upon which costs orders are made. In addition, the aspects of a legal representative’s work that are recoverable and how they are formulated, as well as the different types of costs order, are explained. This chapter also considers and helps to identify the changes or amendments that may be implemented in the future regarding the amount and recovery of costs in civil litigation.
5. Alternative Dispute Resolution
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

This chapter deals with the methods by which the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) encourage parties to settle their disputes at an early stage and, ultimately, without proceeding trial. It also looks at the methods of dispute resolution that may be available. The chapter includes a detailed look at the most common dispute resolution methods. Further, it covers the different types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); the integration of ADR into the CPR; the philosophy of ADR; and a detailed look at mediation.
6. The First Client Meeting and Initial Considerations
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

Legal representatives who are new to practice are expected initially to assist in clients’ cases and ultimately to handle their own files. In every new matter for every client, their professional conduct duties, particularly client care issues, should be at the forefront of their mind as a legal representative before proceeding to undertake any work for the client. This chapter focuses on professional conduct issues; client care; money laundering requirements; the first meeting with the client; and initial investigations. The chapter includes details of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and a range of applicable examples.
8. Pre-Action Protocols
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

This chapter considers Protocol practice in general, the aims of Protocol, the basic content of all Protocols, and the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct (PDPAC). It looks at the consequences of non-compliance with Protocol or the PDPAC. It discusses the occasions on which it may be appropriate to issue proceedings without complying with Protocol practice, and some pre-action applications that may be made under the Civil Procedure Rules. It also provides a more detailed look at two Pre-Action Protocols—the Personal Injury Protocol and the Construction and Engineering Protocol.
9. Starting Your Court Action and Serving It on the Defendant
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

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: August 2020

Legal representatives will draft many statements of case in order to produce accurate, 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.
13. Interim Applications—General Considerations
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

An interim application is any application made to the court that requires a judicial decision. This is usually in the time between a case being issued and the final trial or determination of the action. This chapter considers the nature of interim applications. It discusses the interim applications made with and without notice, and those made with and without a hearing. It also explains common procedure and time estimates.
17. Witness Statements and Documentary Evidence
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

Cases can readily be won or lost on the strength of witness evidence at trial. Important applications may fail if a witness statement does not adequately deal with all of the issues. A legal representative, therefore, must understand both the underlying theory behind the use of witness evidence and documentation during the course of litigation, including the rules on hearsay, and the practical requirements and challenges encountered in the preparation of witness statements. This chapter discusses the use of evidence at trial; the preparation of witness statements for interim applications and at trial; the use of hearsay in civil cases; and evidential tools.
18. Experts and Expert Evidence
Authors: Macgregor Lucilla , Peacey Charlotte , Ridsdale Georgina
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on the role of experts in civil actions. It considers when expert support is needed—whether as part of the evidence submitted in the action or as part of the advice sought to prepare the client’s case or perhaps for both situations. It discusses the role that the expert will take in both of the situations identified; when permission of the court is needed to engage and submit expert evidence in the action; the need to provide a cost estimate of using an expert and the costs consequences for the client in engaging expert evidence; the management and suitable direction of steps taken in advising clients and proceeding with an action to meet the court’s overall discretion to control the evidence; and the important matters to consider in engaging an expert and in managing several experts in a case.
The Predicament of Large Numbers of Observations and How We Got There: Critical Review
Authors: Levinson Stanley S
Published: August 2020

Background

Classical statistics were developed in a time when small sample sizes were the norm; thus, statistical significance typically ensured large clinical effects. Over the past 10–20 years, computational techniques have allowed studies with modest effects to reach statistical significance (usually P < 0.05) by analyzing very large numbers of patients. In this review, I discuss how this came about and provide an intuitive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various statistical parameters that provide insight into clinical effect sizes.

Content

In this review of the literature, a simple web-based program was used for calculations. Examples are shown. Odds and risk ratios are compared with ROC curves to allow better understanding of their predictive value.

In these complex times, an intuitive understanding of statistical procedures is increasingly important. This review will attempt to advance the reader’s knowledge so that one can calculate the number needed to treat and its confidence interval, understand the meaning of a modest association, and determine when a study is likely to be accurate but with questionable clinical utility.
Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Coupled to Chemometrics as a Cost-Effective, Rapid, and Non-Destructive Tool for Fish Fraud Control: Monitoring Source, Condition, and Nutritional Value of Five Common Whitefish Species
Authors: Gonçalves Diogo B , Santos Carla S P , Pinho Teresa , Queirós Rafael , Vaz Pedro D , Bloore Mark , Satta Paolo , Kovács Zoltán , Casal Susana , Hoffmann Isabel
Published: August 2020

Fish fraud is a problematic issue for the industry. For it to be properly addressed will require the use of accurate, rapid, and cost-effective tools. In this work, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict nutritional values (protein, lipids, and moisture) as well as to discriminate between sources (farmed vs. wild fish) and conditions (fresh or defrosted fish). Samples of five whitefish species—Alaskan pollock (Gadus chalcogrammu), Atlantic cod (G. morhua), European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), common sole (Solea solea), and turbot (Psetta maxima)—including farmed, wild, fresh, and frozen ones, were scanned by a low-cost handheld near infrared reflectance spectrometer with a spectral range between 900 and 1700 nm. Several machine learning algorithms were explored for both regression and classification tasks, achieving precisions and coefficients of determination higher than 88% and 0.78, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to cluster samples according to classes where good linear discriminations were denoted. Loadings from PCA revealed bands at 1150, 1200, and 1400 nm as the most discriminative spectral regions regarding classification of both source and condition, suggesting the absorbance of OH, CH, CH2, and CH3 groups as the most important ones. This study shows the use of NIRS and both linear and non-linear learners as a suitable strategy to address fish fraud and fish QC.
Analysis of the Diversity of the AvBD Gene Region in Japanese Quail
Authors: Ishige Taichiro , Hara Hiromi , Hirano Takashi , Kono Tomohiro , Hanzawa Kei
Published: August 2020

The avian β-defensin (AvBD) gene region is an important component of the innate immune system, encoding a variety of antimicrobial peptides. The AvBD region forms a multigene cluster in a specific chromosomal region. Comparison of the AvBD region among various birds suggests the presence of defects, duplications, and pseudogenization at many loci. The AvBD region in certain galliform birds, namely chicken, turkey, and bobwhite quail, includes AvBD3, -6, and -7, with the latter exhibiting copy number variants (CNVs) in chickens. DNA for genomic analysis was extracted from the peripheral blood of 99 randomly selected quail (Coturnix japonica) from 6 inbred lines. Nine CjAvBD1 and 8 CjAvBD12 alleles were detected. Ten haplotypes, including three that were strain specific, were found in alleles from the quail AvBD1 (CjAvBD1) and -12 (CjAvBD12) loci. Next-generation sequencing was used to determine the nucleotide sequences of the CjAvBD gene region (56–70 kb) for 7 homozygous diplotypes of these 10 haplotypes. These 7 haplotypes contained between 12 and 16 CjAvBD genes and were composed of 11 common loci: CjAvBD1, -2, -4, -5, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13, and -14, but lacked CjAvBD3 and -7. Furthermore, up to 5 CjAvBD101 (AvBD6 ortholog) CNVs were observed among the 7 haplotypes. In addition, we detected amino acid substitutions causing net charge mutations that could affect antimicrobial activity in CjAvBD4, -13, -14, and -101. These results suggest that the CjAvBD region is unique among the Galliformes and that its diversity results in potential functional variation in innate immunity.
The promise of direct-to-consumer COVID-19 testing: ethical and regulatory issues
Authors: Kalokairinou Louiza , Zettler Patricia J , Nagappan Ashwini , Kyweluk Moira A , Wexler Anna
Published: August 2020

Widespread diagnostic and serological (antibody) testing is one key to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. While at first, the majority of COVID-19 diagnostic testing in the USA took place in healthcare settings, quickly a direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing market also emerged. In these DTC provision models, the test is initiated by a consumer and the sample collection occurs at home or in a commercial laboratory. Although the provision of DTC tests has potential benefits—such as expanding access to testing and reducing the risk of exposure for consumers and medical personnel—it also raises significant ethical and regulatory concerns. This article reviews these challenges and shows how they parallel and also diverge from prior concerns raised in the DTC health testing arena. The first part of this paper provides an overview of the landscape of diagnostic and serological tests for COVID-19, anticipating how provision models are likely to evolve in the future. The second part discusses five primary issues for DTC COVID-19 tests: test accuracy; potential misinterpretation of results; misleading claims and other misinformation; privacy concerns; and fair allocation of scarce resources. We conclude with recommendations for regulators and companies that aim to ensure ethically marketed DTC COVID-19 tests.
Roles for ALDH10 enzymes in γ-butyrobetaine synthesis, seed development, germination, and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Jacques Florian , Zhao Yingjuan , Kopečná Martina , Končitíková Radka , Kopečný David , Rippa Sonia , Perrin Yolande
Published: August 2020

Plant genomes generally contain two aldehyde dehydrogenase 10 (ALDH10) genes, which encode NAD+-dependent enzymes. These oxidize various aminoaldehydes that are produced by the catabolism of amino acids and polyamines. ALDH10s are closely related to the animal and fungal trimethylaminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenases (TMABADHs) that are involved in the synthesis of γ-butyrobetaine, the precursor of carnitine. Here, we explore the ability of the Arabidopsis thaliana proteins AtALDH10A8 and AtALDH10A9 to oxidize aminoaldehydes. We demonstrate that these enzymes display high TMABADH activities in vitro. Moreover, they can complement the Candida albicans tmabadhΔ/Δ null mutant. These findings illustrate the link between AtALDH10A8 and AtALDH10A9 and γ-butyrobetaine synthesis. An analysis of single and double knockout Arabidopsis mutant lines revealed that the double mutants had reduced γ-butyrobetaine levels. However, there were no changes in the carnitine contents of these mutants. The double mutants were more sensitive to salt stress. In addition, the siliques of the double mutants had a significant proportion of seeds that failed to mature. The mature seeds contained higher amounts of triacylglycerol, facilitating accelerated germination. Taken together, these results show that ALDH10 enzymes are involved in γ-butyrobetaine synthesis. Furthermore, γ-butyrobetaine fulfils a range of physiological roles in addition to those related to carnitine biosynthesis.
Are Events Things of the Past?
Authors: Bacharach Julian
Published: August 2020

A popular claim in recent philosophy of mind and action is that events only exist once they are over. This has been taken to have the consequence that many temporal phenomena cannot be understood ‘from the inside’, as they are unfolding, purely in terms of events. However, as I argue here, the claim that events exist only when over is incoherent. I consider two ways of understanding the claim and the notion of existence it involves: one that ties existence to the logic of quantification, and another that assimilates the existence of an event to that of a continuant. The first of these, I argue, cannot be the right way to understand the target claim, as there are serious logical obstacles to regarding this notion of existence as temporally variable. The second, on the other hand, leaves it ultimately mysterious what the existence of an event could amount to. I close with the suggestion that the undeniable temporal asymmetries which parties to the debate are interested in are properly understood in perspectival, not ontological, terms.