bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of novel polydiacetylene gel dosimeter for radiotherapy
Authors: Walg Y Peleg , Silveira M A , Eafergan N , Krutman Y , Baffa O , Berman A , Orion I
Published: July 2020

Polymer gel dosimeters are instrumental for clinical and research applications in radiotherapy. These dosimeters possess the unique ability to record dose distribution in three dimensions. A Polymer gel dosimeter is composed of organic molecules in a gel matrix, which upon irradiation polymerize to form a conjugated polymer with optical absorbance proportional to the irradiated dose. Other required characteristics of a radiotherapy clinical dosimeter are soft-tissue equivalency, linear dose-response in a range of clinical treatments, and long term stability for the duration of the analysis. The dosimeter presented in this paper is based on diacetylene bearing fatty acid aggregates embedded in a soft-tissue equivalent gel matrix, Phytagel™, which upon irradiation polymerize to form a blue phase polydiacetylene with a strong optical absorption. Initial characterization showed that PDA-gel irradiated with 160 kV x-ray responded linearly to the irradiated dose, and the calculated diffusion coefficient is

6
·

10

−
3

mm

2

Hr

what is very low. It was also found that the percentage depth dose (PDD) curve of the PDA-gel in a 4 × 4 cm2 field, irradiated with 6 MV x-rays, was with good agreement with the literature. PDA-gel has the potential to detect absorbed dose in a range of clinical radiological irradiation regimes.
Amplified propagating plasmon in asymmetrical graphene periodic structure
Authors: Moiseenko I M , Popov V V , Fateev D V
Published: July 2020

The excitation and amplification of the propagating plasmons in a periodic active (with population inversion of charge carriers) graphene-based structure with dual grating-gate with an asymmetric unit cell is studied theoretically. Such structure transforms the normally incident THz electromagnetic wave into sustained or amplified unidirectionally propagating plasmon. This effect is caused by simultaneous excitation of radiative and ‘non-radiative’ plasmon modes at the same frequency.
Highly concentrated atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition in an urban, coastal region in the US
Authors: Joyce Emily E , Walters Wendell W , Le Roy Emmie , Clark Sydney C , Schiebel Hayley , Hastings Meredith G
Published: July 2020

Much of our understanding of atmospheric nitrogen deposition (AD) is based on important monitoring networks, such as the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) in the United States (US). However, it is likely that rural-based monitoring data are unrepresentative of reactive nitrogen concentrations found in urban areas. In this study, event-based precipitation was collected over one-year in Providence, RI - a mid-sized city situated at the head of Narragansett Bay, the largest estuary in the northeastern US Significant concentration enhancements in inorganic nitrogen (i.e., ammonium and nitrate) were found for wet deposition in the urban area compared to nearby NADP rural and non-urban coastal monitoring sites. Moreover, the annual ratio of ammonium to nitrate was highest in urban precipitation (>1.0). From 164 precipitation events, the mean volume-weighted ammonium and nitrate concentrations were 32.9 μmol l−1 and 28.4 μmol l−1, respectively, with total inorganic nitrogen concentrations exceeding 100 μmol l−1 in at least 30 events. AD data for Narragansett Bay is limited and outdated: our results suggest inorganic nitrogen is at least 2.5 times greater than currently estimated in policy decision-making related to improving water quality and ecosystem services. This underestimation is due to an increase (by as much as 6 times) in ammonium wet deposition since 1990, likely due to an increase in urban sources of precursor ammonia.
Spike-based information encoding in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers for neuromorphic photonic systems
Authors: Hejda Matěj , Robertson Joshua , Bueno Julián , Hurtado Antonio
Published: July 2020

The ongoing growth of use-cases for artificial neural networks (ANNs) fuels the search for new, tailor-made ANN-optimized hardware. Neuromorphic (brain-like) computers are among the proposed highly promising solutions, with optical neuromorphic realizations recently receiving increasing research interest. Among these, photonic neuronal models based on vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) stand out due to their favourable properties, fast operation and mature technology. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate different strategies to encode information into ultrafast spiking events in a VCSEL-neuron. We evaluate how the strength of the input perturbations (stimuli) influences the spike activation time, allowing for spike latency input coding. Based on a study of refractory behaviour in the system, we demonstrate the capability of the VCSEL-neuron to perform reliable binary-to-spike information coding with spiking rates surpassing 1 GHz. We also report experimentally on neuro-inspired spike firing rate-coding with a VCSEL-neuron, where the strength of the input perturbation (stimulus) is continuously encoded into the spiking frequency (spike firing rate). With the prospects of neuromorphic photonic systems constantly growing, we believe the reported functionalities with the ultrafast spiking VCSEL-neurons provide a reliable, multifaceted approach for interfacing photonic neuromorphic platforms with existing computation and communication systems.
Fabrication of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells with different configurations using electrospray
Authors: Shah S K
Published: July 2020

In this work, we fabricated bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs) using electrospray deposition (ESD) with two different device configurations. ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT: PCBM/Ca/Al and ITO/ZnO and TiO2/P3HT: PCBM/MoO3/Ag, termed as direct and inverted OSCs, respectively. In ZnO/ TiO2 -based inverted solar cells, ZnO/ TiO2 films were synthesized by sol-gel process and deposited on ITO deposited glass substrates using the spin-coating technique. P3HT/PCBM blend layers were deposited by using electrospray deposition (ESD). To observe the thermal effects on the device efficiencies, the devices were annealed at different temperatures (up to 140 °C). The cell’s performance parameters were compared at an annealing temperature of 120 °C. Comparing the performance parameters of both types of OSCs at an annealing temperature of 120 °C, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) the 1.62% is found for direct-structured OSC while 1.57% and 1.0% for ZnO/ TiO2-based inverted structures, respectively. Interestingly, the enhanced device performance parameters were obtained with oxides-based OSCs. Compared to ZnO-based inverted OSC, the TiO2-based inverted OSC has lower efficiency which might be due to the highly resistive surface of TiO2 with deep-level traps. These traps can be reduced by light soaking to achieve the optimal power conversion efficiency.
Cohort study of electroencephalography markers of amyloid-tau-neurodegeneration pathology
Authors: Tanabe Sean , Bo Amber , White Marissa , Parker Margaret , Farahbakhsh Zahra , Ballweg Tyler , Casey Cameron , Betthauser Tobey , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Christian Brad , Bendlin Barbara B , Johnson Sterling , Sanders Robert D
Published: July 2020

Electroencephalography signatures of amyloid-β, tau and neurodegenerative pathologies would aid in screening for, tracking progression of, and critically, understanding the pathogenesis of dementia. We hypothesized that slowing of the alpha peak frequency, as a signature of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated ‘pacemaker’ channel activity, would correlate with amyloid and tau pathology burden measured by amyloid (Pittsburgh Compound B) and tau (MK-6240) positron emission tomography or CSF biomarkers. We also hypothesized that EEG power would be associated with neurodegeneration (CSF neurofilament light and hippocampal volume). Wakeful high-density EEG data were collected from 53 subjects. Both amyloid-β and tau pathology were associated with slowing in the alpha peak frequency [Pittsburgh Compound B (+) vs. Pittsburgh Compound B (−) subjects, P = 0.039 and MK-6240 (+) vs. MK-6240 (−) subjects, P = 0.019]. Furthermore, slowing in the peak alpha frequency correlated with CSF Aβ42/40 ratio (r2 = 0.270; P = 0.003), phosphoTau (pTau181, r2 = 0.290; P = 0.001) and pTau181/Aβ42 (r2 = 0.343; P < 0.001). Alpha peak frequency was not associated with neurodegeneration. Higher CSF neurofilament light was associated with lower total EEG power (r2 = 0.136; P = 0.018), theta power (r2 = 0.148; P = 0.014) and beta power (r2 = 0.216; P = 0.002); the latter was also associated with normalized hippocampal volume (r2 = 0.196; P = 0.002). Amyloid-tau and neurodegenerative pathologies are associated with distinct electrophysiological signatures that may be useful as mechanistic tools and diagnostic/treatment effect biomarkers in clinical trials.
Identifying Optimal Loci for the Molecular Diagnosis of Microsatellite Instability
Authors: Long Dustin R , Waalkes Adam , Panicker Varun P , Hause Ronald J , Salipante Stephen J
Published: July 2020

Background

Microsatellite instability (MSI) predicts oncological response to checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. Although microsatellite mutation is pathognomonic for the condition, loci have unequal diagnostic value for predicting MSI within and across cancer types.

Methods

To better inform molecular diagnosis of MSI, we examined 9438 tumor-normal exome pairs and 901 whole genome sequence pairs from 32 different cancer types and cataloged genome-wide microsatellite instability events. Using a statistical framework, we identified microsatellite mutations that were predictive of MSI within and across cancer types. The diagnostic accuracy of different subsets of maximally informative markers was estimated computationally using a dedicated validation set.

Results

Twenty-five cancer types exhibited hypermutated states consistent with MSI. Recurrently mutated microsatellites associated with MSI were identifiable in 15 cancer types, but were largely specific to individual cancer types. Cancer-specific microsatellite panels of 1 to 7 loci were needed to attain ≥95% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for 11 cancer types, and in 8 of the cancer types, 100% sensitivity and specificity were achieved. Breast cancer required 800 loci to achieve comparable performance. We were unable to identify recurrent microsatellite mutations supporting reliable MSI diagnosis in ovarian tumors. Features associated with informative microsatellites were cataloged.

Conclusions

Most microsatellites informative for MSI are specific to particular cancer types, requiring the use of tissue-specific loci for optimal diagnosis. Limited numbers of markers are needed to provide accurate MSI diagnosis in most tumor types, but it is challenging to diagnose breast and ovarian cancers using predefined microsatellite locus panels.
Similar Long-Term Outcomes in Children Presenting With Abscess vs Phlegmon at Diagnosis of Crohn Disease
Authors: Fondell Andrew W , Mosha Maua H , Maltz Ross M , Boyle Brendan M , Niklinska-Schirtz Barbara Joanna , Kugathasan Subra , Gibson Meghan E , Shapiro Jason M , Rosenheck Sarah M , Langseder Annette L , Kennedy Mary C , Rosh Joel R , Hyams Jeffrey S
Published: July 2020

Background

Limited data are available for long-term outcomes of pediatric patients with abdominal abscess or phlegmon at diagnosis of Crohn disease.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of such children over a recent 6-year period at 5 pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases.

Results

Fifty-two patients (mean age 15.9 ± 1.8 years) were reviewed. Thirty-six had an abscess and 27 (75%) required resectional therapy compared to 16 with phlegmon which 10 (63%) requiring surgery. Overall (37/52) 71% had surgery which was performed within 6 months in 32 (86%).

Conclusions

A similar high surgical rate exists whether pediatric patients with Crohn disease present with abscess or phlegmon.
Percutaneous left ventricular endocardial leads: adverse outcomes and a percutaneous extraction case series
Authors: Behar Jonathan M , Finlay Malcolm C , Rowland Edward , Ezzat Vivienne , Sporton Simon , Dhinoja Mehul
Published: July 2020

Background

Conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) involves the placement of an epicardial left ventricular (LV) lead through the coronary venous tree. However, alternative approaches of delivering CRT have been sought for patients who fail to respond to conventional methods or for those where coronary venous anatomy is unfavourable. Biventricular pacing through an endocardial LV lead has potential advantages; however, the long-term clinical and safety data are not known.

Case summary

This article details a case series of four patients with endocardial LV leads; three of these for previously failed conventional CRT and a fourth for an inadvertently placed defibrillator lead.

Discussion

We describe the clinical course and adverse events associated with left-sided leads and subsequently describe the safe and feasible method of percutaneous extraction.
The Role of Reciprocity in the Creation of Reputation
Authors: Abraham Martin , Damelang Andreas , Grimm Veronika , Neeß Christina , Seebauer Michael
Published: July 2020

Although reputation has been shown to solve problems of information and opportunism in business relationships, knowledge of the emergence of reputation in business relationships beyond the internet is considerably scarcer. In this article, we argue that in social and economic systems, a norm of reciprocity is an important driver for the transfer of reputation information. A social norm to return favours given by others enhances the flow of information about potential exchange partners. We distinguish between direct and generalized reciprocity and argue that both may foster the flow of information about exchange partners in economic systems. Moreover, we examine the interdependency between competition and reciprocity. Our empirical evidence is based on a laboratory experiment with students and a factorial survey experiment with 209 managers from a German business cluster. Our results show that direct reciprocity, in particular, is an important driver of the transmission of reputation information to third parties. Moreover, in an exchange system, transmission costs and competition reduce the willingness to produce reputation information.
Can QRS morphology be used to differentiate between true septal vs. apparently septal lead placement? An analysis of ECG of real mid-septal, apparent mid-septal, and apical pacing
Authors: Mala Anna , Osmancik Pavel , Herman Dalibor , Curila Karol , Stros Petr , Vesela Jana , Prochazkova Radka , Petr Robert
Published: July 2020

The location of the pacemaker lead is based on the shape of the lead on fluoroscopy only, typically in the left and right anterior oblique positions. However, these fluoroscopy criteria are insufficient and many leads apparently considered to be in septum are in fact anchored in anterior wall. Periprocedural ECG could determine the correct lead location. The aim of the current analysis is to characterize ECG criteria associated with a correct position of the right ventricular (RV) lead in the mid-septum. Patients with indications for a pacemaker had the RV lead implanted in the apex (Group A) or mid-septum using the standard fluoroscopic criteria. The exact position of the RV lead was verified using computed tomography. Based on the findings, the mid-septal group was divided into two subgroups: (i) true septum, i.e. lead was found in the mid-septum, and (ii) false septum, i.e. lead was in the adjacent areas (anterior wall, anteroseptal groove). Paced ECGs were acquired from all patients and multiple criteria were analysed. Paced ECGs from 106 patients were analysed (27 in A, 36 in true septum, and 43 in false septum group). Group A had a significantly wider QRS, more left-deviated axis and later transition zone compared with the true septum and false septum groups. There were no differences in presence of q in lead I, or notching in inferior or lateral leads between the three groups. QRS patterns of true septum and false septum groups were similar with only one exception of the transition zone. In the multivariate model, the only ECG parameters associated with correct lead placement in the septum was an earlier transition zone (odds ratio (OR) 2.53, P = 0.001). ECGs can be easily used to differentiate apical pacing from septal or septum-close pacing. The only ECG characteristic that could help to identify true septum lead position was the transition zone in the precordial leads.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02412176.
Gut microbiota in a host–brood parasite system: insights from common cuckoos raised by two warbler species
Authors: Schmiedová Lucie , Kreisinger Jakub , Požgayová Milica , Honza Marcel , Martin Jean-François , Procházka Petr
Published: July 2020

An animal's gut microbiota (GM) is shaped by a range of environmental factors affecting the bacterial sources invading the host. At the same time, animal hosts are equipped with intrinsic mechanisms enabling regulation of GM. However, there is limited knowledge on the relative importance of these forces. To assess the significance of host-intrinsic vs environmental factors, we studied GM in nestlings of an obligate brood parasite, the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), raised by two foster species, great reed warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and Eurasian reed warblers (A. scirpaceus), and compared these with GM of the fosterers’ own nestlings. We show that fecal GM varied between cuckoo and warbler nestlings when accounting for the effect of foster/parent species, highlighting the importance of host-intrinsic regulatory mechanisms. In addition to feces, cuckoos also expel a deterrent secretion, which provides protection against olfactory predators. We observed an increased abundance of bacterial genera capable of producing repulsive volatile molecules in the deterrent secretion. Consequently, our results support the hypothesis that microbiota play a role in this antipredator mechanism. Interestingly, fosterer/parent identity affected only cuckoo deterrent secretion and warbler feces microbiota, but not that of cuckoo feces, suggesting a strong selection of bacterial strains in the GM by cuckoo nestlings.
Construction of heparan sulfate microarray for investigating the binding of specific saccharide sequences to proteins
Authors: Horton Maurice , Su Guowei , Yi Lin , Wang Zhangjie , Xu Yongmei , Pagadala Vijayakanth , Zhang Fuming , Zaharoff David A , Pearce Ken , Linhardt Robert J , Liu Jian
Published: July 2020

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a heterogeneous, extracellular glycan that interacts with proteins and other molecules affecting many biological processes. The specific binding motifs of HS interactions are of interest, but have not been extensively characterized. Glycan microarrays are valuable tools that can be used to probe the interactions between glycans and their ligands while relying on relatively small amounts of samples. Recently, chemoenzymatic synthesis of HS has been employed to produce specific HS structures that can otherwise be difficult to produce. In this study, a microarray of diverse chemoenzymatically synthesized HS structures was developed and HS interactions were characterized. Fluorescently labeled antithrombin III (AT) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) were screened against 95 different HS structures under three different printing concentrations to confirm the utility of this microarray. Specific sulfation patterns were found to be important for binding to these proteins and results are consistent with previous specificity studies. Furthermore, the binding affinities (KD,surf) of AT and FGF2 to multiple HS structures were determined using a microarray technique and is consistent with previous reports. Lastly, the 95-compound HS microarray was used to determine the distinct binding profiles for interleukin 12 and platelet factor 4. This technique is ideal for rapid expansion and will be pivotal to the high-throughput characterization of biologically important structure/function relationships.
3. The Civil Courts
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter describes the civil courts in England and Wales. It covers the composition and administration of magistrates’s courts, County Court, and the High Court; jurisdiction; High Court Divisions (Queen’s Bench Division (QBD), Chancery Division (ChD), and Family Division), and specialist courts (Business and Property Courts, Technology and Construction Court, Commercial Court, Administrative Court, Companies Court, Patents Court, and Intellectual Property Enterprise Court). For most civil claims the claimant has a free choice between the High Court and the County Court. Common law claims are suitable for the Queen’s Bench Division, whereas equity claims are more suitable for the Chancery Division. The High Court should be used for the more important and complex claims.
8. Part 8 Claims and Petitions
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses Part 8 claims and petitions, which are forms of originating process. Most types of proceedings which have to be brought by either Part 8 claim form or petition are very narrow and specialized, but some are of great importance. The most important types of proceedings which must be commenced by petition are those for divorce, judicial separation, bankruptcy, and the winding-up of companies.
11. Service Outside the Jurisdiction
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter deals with jurisdiction in England and Wales. Proceedings generally have to be served within the jurisdiction. There always has to be a sound basis before proceedings can be served outside the jurisdiction. Where the parties have an exclusive jurisdiction clause in favour of the courts of England and Wales, proceedings may be commenced against a defendant who is outside the jurisdiction pursuant to the Hague Convention 2005, and served on the defendant without seeking court permission. In other cases, if jurisdiction can be established against a defendant who is outside the jurisdiction under the CPR, r 6.36 and PD 6B, para 3.1, proceedings can be served outside the jurisdiction only with the permission of the court. The times for responding to claims served outside the jurisdiction are extended.
16. Costs Management
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Costs management refers to the procedures used by the courts to manage the steps to be taken in civil proceedings while also managing the costs to be incurred by the parties in taking those steps to ensure that litigation is conducted at proportionate cost. This chapter discusses the elements of costs management; cases governed by costs management; costs management orders; costs budgets and case management; judicial control of costs budgets; and impact on costs orders.
17. Costs Capping and Protection
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Costs capping orders limit the amount of costs a party may be ordered to pay to its opponent. This chapter will consider the general rules governing costs capping in CPR, Part 3. When it comes into force, there will be a parallel statutory costs capping scheme for judicial review claims in the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, ss 88 and 89. In addition, there are a number of judge-made costs protection orders, namely: Beddoe orders; protective costs orders; Aarhus Convention cases; and costs limitation orders.
20. Additional Claims under Part 20
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the rules for additional claims under Part 20 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR). An additional claim typically will seek to pass any liability established against the defendant to a third party. This is achieved by seeking indemnities, contributions, or related remedies against the third party. A third party may in turn seek to pass on its liability to a fourth party, and so on. Permission to issue an additional claim is not required if the additional claim is issued before or at the same time as the defendant files its defence. An additional claim operates as a separate claim within the original claim.
22. Amendment
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Changes in the parties’ knowledge of a case as it progresses and straightforward drafting errors make it necessary on occasion to make amendments to the statements of case. This chapter discusses amendment by consent; amendment without permission; principles governing permission to amend; amendment after the expiry of the limitation period; and procedure on amending.
24. Summary Judgment
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Summary judgment is used where a purported defence can be shown to have no real prospect of success and there is no other compelling reason why the case should be disposed of at trial. The procedure for entering summary judgment is not limited to use by claimants against defendants. Defendants may apply for summary judgment to attack weak claims brought by claimants. This chapter discusses time for applying for summary judgment; defendant’s application for summary judgment; excluded proceedings; orders available; amendment at hearing; other compelling reasons for a trial; directions on summary judgment hearing; and specific performance, rescission, and forfeiture in property cases.
27. Small Claims Track
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) provide for the allocation of claims with a limited financial value to what is known as the small claims track. This is intended to provide a streamlined procedure with limited pre-trial preparation, with very restricted rules on the recovery of costs from the losing party, and without the strict rules of evidence. It is appropriate for the most straightforward types of cases, such as consumer disputes, accident claims where the injuries suffered are not very serious, disputes about the ownership of goods, and landlord and tenant cases other than claims for possession. This chapter discusses provisions of the CPR that do not apply; standard and special directions of the court; determination without a hearing; final hearings in small claims track cases; cost restrictions for claims allocated to the small claims track; and rehearings.
29. Multi-Track
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

The multi-track deals with a vast range of cases, from simple contractual disputes involving little more than £25,000, to complex commercial cases involving difficult issues of fact and law with values of several million pounds, to cases where perhaps no money is at stake but which raise points of real public importance. Cases on the multi-track will generally be dealt with either in the Royal Courts of Justice or other civil trial centre. This chapter discusses agreed directions; case management conferences; fixing the date for trial; pre-trial checklists; listing hearings; pre-trial review; directions given at other hearings; and variation of case management timetable.
30. Striking Out, Discontinuance, and Stays
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses striking-out orders, discontinuance, and stays in civil proceedings. Rule 3.4(2) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) allows the court to strike out a statement of case if it appears to the court: that the statement of case discloses no reasonable grounds for bringing or defending the claim; that the statement of case is an abuse of the court’s process or is otherwise likely to obstruct the just disposal of the proceedings; or that there has been a failure to comply with a rule, practice direction, or court order. A party who realizes their case is doomed is often best advised to discontinue to prevent the accumulation of further costs, but often has to pay the costs of the other parties to date. Stays are temporary halts in proceedings, and can be granted for a range of reasons. A stay is normally lifted once the reason no longer applies.
31. Disclosure
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) require the parties to give advance notice to their opponents of all the material documentation in their control. This is done in two stages. At the first stage the parties send each other lists of documents, a process called ‘disclosure’. The second stage is ‘inspection’, which is the process by which the other side can request copies of documents appearing in the list of documents, typically with photocopies being provided by the disclosing party. This chapter discusses these processes. It covers lawyers’ and clients’ responsibilities; the stage when disclosure takes place; disclosure orders; standard disclosure; menu option disclosure; duty to search; list of documents; privilege; inspection; orders in support of disclosure; documents referred to in statements of case, etc.; admission of authenticity; and collateral use.
35. Experts
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the principles governing the use of expert evidence in civil claims. It covers the admissibility of expert evidence; control of evidence; choice of expert; privileged nature of experts’ reports; disclosure of experts’ reports; written questions to experts; examinations by experts; experts’ immunity from suit; and use of experts’ reports after trial.
38. Listing and Pre-Trial Reviews
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Claims that are not compromised and which do not end through striking out or summary or default judgment, have to be determined by the court at trial. Listing is the process whereby the court gives a date for the trial. This chapter discusses listing for trial; pre-trial reviews; listing in the Royal Courts of Justice; and adjournments.
41. Judgments and Orders
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the rules on judgments and orders. Although there is likely to be a delay between judgment being pronounced and the judgment being sealed and served, r 40.7(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) provides that judgment in fact takes effect from the day it was given. After a judgment or order has been pronounced by the court, the next step is to have it drawn up. This chapter discusses settlements; orders made at hearings; form of judgments and orders; general rules relating to drawing up orders and judgments; and register of judgments.
43. Freezing Injunctions
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the rules on freezing injunctions. A freezing injunction is an interim order restraining a party from removing assets located within the jurisdiction out of the country, or from dealing with assets whether they are located within the jurisdiction or not. The order is usually restricted to assets not exceeding the value of the claim. The main purpose of a freezing injunction is to prevent the injustice of a defendant’s assets being salted away so as to deprive the claimant of the fruits of any judgment that may be obtained.
1. Characteristics of partnerships
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the rules for determining whether a partnership has come into existence as well as the formalities with which businesses that will be run through partnerships must comply. It looks at the Partnership Act 1890. It then provides a definition of partnership. Next it considers the nature of partnership and terminology; the number of partners; the capacity to form a partnership; the duration of partnership; and partnership name and the publicity of information.
6. The partnership agreement
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2020

This chapter focuses on provisions that may be included in a partnership agreement. It first considers whether a formal, written agreement is necessary at all. It then discusses the clauses of the partnership agreement and the issues which a prospective new partner might wish to consider before putting his signature to a partnership agreement.
8. Formation of a limited company
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the process by which a limited company is formed and the steps required both for and following its formation. It also looks at the related changes which can be made to a company’s main features. The process of registering a company is governed by the Companies Act 2006.
19. Taxation of directors’ fees and employees’ salaries
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the taxation treatment of salaries, from the perspectives of both employer and employee. An employer will wish to ensure that any remuneration or reward paid to its employees will entitle it to claim a pre-tax deduction and reduce its taxable profits. The system for taxation of employees’ income is contained in the Income Tax Earnings and Pensions Act (ITEPA) 2003. The taxation of proprietors of a business and IR35 companies is also described.
20. Taxation of distributions and debenture interest
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2020

This chapter deals with the taxation of distributions by way of dividend and of debenture interest. Both dividends and debenture interest are income returns on investments made in companies and, therefore, subject to income tax.
22. Capital gains tax and inheritance tax on business assets
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2020

This chapter examines the capital gains tax (CGT) and inheritance tax (IHT) regimes that apply to individuals in relation to businesses and business assets. Under the provisions of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act (TCGA) 1992, CGT is payable when a taxable person makes a disposal of chargeable assets giving rise to a chargeable gain unless an exemption or relief applies. The chapter first discusses the various rules which need to be considered to establish a taxpayer’s CGT liability on any given disposal. It then covers CGT in the business context; disposals of partnership property; disposals of shares; disposals of business assets owned by those involved in the business; the purchase by a company of its own shares; and inheritance tax.
1. Introduction
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Property Law and Practice (PLP) covers all aspects of the process that is otherwise called conveyancing. It is how practitioners arrange the transmission of property ownership from seller to buyer. This introductory chapter provides an overview of PLP. Specifically, it explains the three foundations upon which PLP rests: land law, contract law, and trusts.
2. Important principles of land law
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Land Law is an important foundation for the study of Property Law and Practice (PLP). This chapter summarizes the fundamental principles of land law. It covers estates and interests in land; trusts and co-ownership; easements; freehold covenants; leases; mortgages; and third party rights, overriding interests, and the register and classes of title.
6. Pre-contract searches and enquiries
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

This chapter examines pre-contract searches and enquiries. Searches are requests for information about the subject property made by conveyancers that are sent to various agencies that hold that information, like local authorities. Enquiries are questions about the subject property that are sent to a seller to answer. These are interesting and important subjects within the conveyancing process and cover a lot of points that can be of considerable consequence to a buyer.
7. Town and country planning
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Town and country planning legislation aims to control the development of land and buildings. Section 57(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 stipulates that ‘planning permission is required for the carrying out of any development of land’. This chapter first discusses the two main elements of town and country planning: (1) obtaining planning permission for new developments; and (2) the change of use of existing properties. It then explains breaches of planning control and enforcement; building regulations; and typical planning enquiries. A town and country planning decision tree is also presented.
12. Pre-completion procedures
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Pre-completion searches are a critical part of any property transaction and conveyancing practitioners must be fully acquainted with all aspects of pre-completion searches. This chapter discusses pre-completion procedures; pre-completion when acting for the buyer; pre-completion when acting for the seller; pre-completion searches; acting for the lender; buying from a company; physical inspection of the subject property; and completion statements.
13. Completion
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Completion is the moment in time when the buyer pays over the balance of the purchase price to the seller in exchange for the deeds (if any), executed purchase deed, keys, and, if the contract so provides, vacant possession. This chapter discusses the how, where, and when for completion; deeds and unregistered land; postal completions; dealing with the discharge of the seller’s mortgage; the Land Registry’s electronic discharge (e-DS1) scheme; and the outcome of completion.
17. New properties
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses issues relating to the sale of new properties. It covers acting for a developer or buyer, road and sewer agreements, structural defects insurance, and synchronizing completion of a related sale when acting for the buyer of new property.
2. An Introduction to the Law of Criminal Evidence and Advocacy
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

Both prosecutors and defence lawyers must have a good understanding of the rules of criminal evidence and be able to apply the rules in a highly practical way to the issues in a case. This chapter provides a brief introduction to the main evidential rules which are considered further in later chapters. In particular, it addresses the following: the purpose of rules of evidence; the core concepts of relevance, admissibility, and weight; and the different types of evidence.
6. Challenging Unlawfully and Unfairly Obtained Evidence
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

This chapter examines the court’s powers to exclude unlawfully or unfairly obtained prosecution evidence by examining the position in relation to confession evidence excluded under ss. 76 and 78 Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984; and other prosecution evidence excluded at common law, under s. 78 PACE 1984, and as an abuse of process.
9. Funding of Criminal Defence Services and First Appearance Process
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the public funding of criminal proceedings and the early stages of the criminal litigation process. Topics discussed include legal aid as a human right; pre-charge advice and assistance; funded representation in court; representation orders; the interests of justice test; means testing and its application to cases tried in the magistrates’ court; the means test as applied to cases triable on indictment; work that can be done under a representation order; acquitted defendants and Defendants’ Costs Order; the future of public funding; and preparing for the first appearance before the magistrates’ court.
11. Prosecuting an Either-Way Offence
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

Either-way offences include assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft, and burglary. These offences can be committed with varying degrees of seriousness depending on the aggravating or mitigating features in the particular case. The more aggravating features, the more serious the offence will be regarded. This chapter examines the procedure for deciding where an either-way offence should be tried which includes the plea before venue and allocation procedure; the relative merits of summary trial and trial on indictment; and for those either-way offences that are to be tried in the Crown Court, the next stage of the proceedings.
22. Specific Types of Sentence and the Plea in Mitigation
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

This chapter explains specific types of sentence and provide guidance on how a defence solicitor might prepare and deliver a plea in mitigation. It discusses when discretionary custodial sentence can be imposed; custody between the ages 18 and 21; length of custodial sentence; suspended sentence of imprisonment; concluding remarks on discretionary custodial sentences; fixed length sentences; sentencing dangerous offenders; community sentences; community sentences under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2003; guilty plea credit and community orders; enforcement of community orders under the CJA 2003 in the event of breach; deferring sentence; fines; compensation orders; conditional discharge; absolute discharge; bind over; ancillary orders; structuring a plea in mitigation; advocacy and the plea in mitigation; and professional conduct.
24. Youth Justice—Introduction
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the following issues: the terminology of youth justice; the youth justice organisations; the meaning of parental responsibility; the principal aims of the youth justice system; the early diversion procedures to prevent further offending; the juvenile at the police station; the alternatives to prosecution; and the decision to charge.
25. Prosecuting Young Offenders
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

Where a prosecution is commenced against a child aged 10 to 13 years or against a young person aged 14 to 17 years, the general rule is that he will be tried and sentenced in the youth court. The youth court adopts more informal and less adversarial procedures to deal with the needs and vulnerabilities of young defendants. However, there are exceptional situations (grave offences and dangerous offenders) where they will be tried in the Crown Court or when jointly charged with an adult sometimes in the adult magistrates’ court. This chapter discusses the rules for deciding where a young person is to be tried; the rules for trying a young person in the Crown Court; the rules for trying a young person in the adult magistrates’ court; the young defendant’s right to court bail; and the procedure in the youth court.
26. Sentencing Young Offenders
Authors: Hannibal Martin , Mountford Lisa
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the range of disposals available where a young offender admits the offence(s) or a finding of guilt is recorded against him. It discusses the principles which guide the sentencing of youths; the youth court’s sentencing powers; the adult magistrates’ court sentencing powers; the Crown Court’s sentencing powers; and sentencing a ‘dangerous’ young offender.
2. Financial services
Authors: Seymour Jennifer , Firth Clare , Crompton Lucy , Fox Helen , Seabridge Frances , Wigglesworth Susan , Smart Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

This chapter first introduces the regulation of financial services. It puts the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA 2000) into context and explains the need for authorisation under the Act. It considers what is covered by the general prohibition as well as the meanings of ‘regulated activity’ and ‘specified investment’. The chapter then discusses the position of solicitors, specifically those who are regulated by the Law Society, a designated professional body. The FSMA 2000 has been amended by the Financial Services Act 2012. This introduced changes to the regulation of financial services, including the renaming of the Financial Services Authority as the Financial Conduct Authority.
4. Introduction to revenue law
Authors: Seymour Jennifer , Firth Clare , Crompton Lucy , Fox Helen , Seabridge Frances , Wigglesworth Susan , Smart Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

This chapter provides an introduction to some of the essential principles of revenue law and to the main taxes studied on the LPC. It covers the main taxes; the sources of tax law; who pays tax; the administration of the tax system; and appeals against tax decisions.
11. Taxation of trusts and settlements
Authors: Seymour Jennifer , Firth Clare , Crompton Lucy , Fox Helen , Seabridge Frances , Wigglesworth Susan , Smart Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

Settlements may be created by settlors in their lifetime, or by will, or they may arise under the intestacy rules. This chapter considers the tax implications of such settlements from the perspective of both the trustees and the beneficiaries. It considers each of the three main taxes separately: inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and income tax.
12. Introduction to wills and administration of estates
Authors: Seymour Jennifer , Firth Clare , Crompton Lucy , Fox Helen , Seabridge Frances , Wigglesworth Susan , Smart Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

This chapter provides an overview of Chapters 13 to 15. When a person dies, their relatives or friends usually deal with the most pressing matters—registering the death and arranging the funeral—before consulting a solicitor. In simple cases, or where the deceased has left little property, it may well be that a solicitor is not consulted at all. Commonly, however, the advice of a solicitor will be sought as to who is entitled to the deceased’s property, as to the liability of the estate to tax, and generally as to ‘what has to be done’ in order to pass the deceased’s property to those now entitled to it.
14. Application for a grant of representation
Authors: Seymour Jennifer , Firth Clare , Crompton Lucy , Fox Helen , Seabridge Frances , Wigglesworth Susan , Smart Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the law and procedure relating to the issue of a grant of representation to the personal representatives of someone who has died. It considers the nature, effect, and the principal types of grant; the position of the personal representatives; the responsibilities of solicitors instructed to act in the administration of an estate; obtaining the grant; the court’s requirements; Statement of Truth for executors, for administrators with will annexed and for administrators; HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) requirements; excepted estates; Form IHT 400 and its Schedules; and the calculation of inheritance tax (IHT).
15. Post-grant practice
Authors: Seymour Jennifer , Firth Clare , Crompton Lucy , Fox Helen , Seabridge Frances , Wigglesworth Susan , Smart Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the law and practice relating to the administration and winding up of an estate once the court has issued the grant. It considers the duties and powers of personal representatives; administering the estate; and distributing the estate.
A Practical Approach to Conveyancing
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

A Practical Approach to Conveyancing takes a pragmatic, rather than academic, approach to conveyancing. It provides practical solutions to everyday problems encountered by conveyancing practitioners wishing to offer a cost-effective and efficient service. This volume offers a detailed and up-to-date exposition of the key principles and procedures underpinning the conveyancing process. The volume provides practical guidance on each stage of commercial and residential conveyances, with realistic sample documentation to aid in an approach of all aspects of a conveyancing transaction with confidence. This 22nd edition has been fully updated with recent developments in the area, including new SRA Standards and Regulations, the updated Conveyancing Protocol and Property Information Form, and the latest Law Society practice notes dealing with important issues such as client information requirements, flood risk, mortgage fraud, contaminated land, and money laundering. It also considers the new code for leasing business premises.