bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genus Level Classification of the Mangroves in Indian Sundarbans using Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Banerjee S , Bhadra T , Saha A , Mukherjee K , Sardar R , Roy S , Das R
Published: September 2024

Mangroves are the most productive ecosystems that provide stabilization to the coastlines, help in carbon sequestration, reduce storm surges, defend the coastal inhabitants and play a role in sustaining the local economy. Mangroves are halophytic in nature that typically thrive along tropical and subtropical coastlines in the saline intertidal zone. This paper explores the potentiality of Sentinel-2 MSI Imagery in separating different mangrove genus that has been evaluated using different classification algorithms like Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC), Mahalanobis Distance (MD), Minimum Distance (MD), Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), knowledge-based classifier such as Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The estimated accuracy is higher for Random Forest (88.50%) followed by Support Vector Machine (85.30%) and Maximum Likelihood Classifier (85.10%) as compared to Mahalanobis Distance (81.10%), Spectral Angle Mapper (71.20%), and Minimum Distance (75.30%). The result showed that Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imagery can efficiently discriminate 15 different mangrove genera distributed in the entire Indian Sundarbans and can simultaneously replace the barriers in terms of cost and availability of the spaceborne and airborne hyperspectral sensors.
Investigating the application of the aquaponic paradigm to Litopenaeus vannamei farming
Authors: Phu Quoc Dao , Phuong Anh Tran , Thi Trang Le , Duc Anh Dinh
Published: September 2024

Aquaponics, a sustainable farming system combining aquaculture and hydroponics, has been widely adopted, used, particularly in freshwater. This study explores the feasibility of adapting the aquaponic model to saltwater conditions, specifically for wastewater treatment from Litopenaeus vannamei farming using the salt-tolerant plant species Rhizophora apiculata Blume. It focuses on plant development and calculates the water treatment effectiveness in terms of nutrient removal in mg of NH4
+, NO2
−, NO3
−, and total phosphorus per gram of plant mass. The first phase involved seedling production, model creation, and testing the plant’s wastewater treatment capabilities. After three months of growth, the plants are subjected to shrimp wastewater, and their nutrient removal efficiency is determined. The obtained data provides essential parameters for the operation of the model during Phase 2. In Phase 1, R. apiculata Blume removed NH4
+, NO2
−, NO3
−, and total phosphorus at 95%, 97%, 59%, and 57% efficiency after seven days, respectively. It focuses on plant development and quantifies the efficiency of water treatment by measuring the removal of nutrients such as NH4
+, NO2
−, NO3
−, and total phosphorus per gram of plant mass.The calculated nutrient removal coefficients per gram of plant mass are NH4
+: 0.007, NO2
−: 0.005, NO3
−: 0.031 and total phosphorus: 0.121. In Phase 2, the designed aquaponic model was developed, which included a shrimp tank with 300 individuals per 1 m3, a fish tank with 50 individuals per 0.5 m3, and a plant growing system. The experimental aquaponic model demonstrates the technical feasibility of using R. apiculata Blume to recycle water in shrimp farming. The model shows potential for scaling up and offers additional benefits, as the leaves R. apiculata of can serve as an herbal source for aquatic species.
Surface charge characteristics in a three-electrode surface dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: FAN 范 Jingwen 静雯 , YAN 闫 Huijie 慧杰 , LI 李 Ting 婷 , MAO 毛 Yurong 钰溶 , LI 李 Jiaqi 佳琪 , SONG 宋 Jian 健
Published: September 2024

The surface charge characteristics in a three-electrode surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) are experimentally investigated based on the Pockels effect of an electro-optical crystal. The actuator is based on the most commonly used SDBD structure for airflow control, with an exposed electrode supplied with sinusoidal AC high voltage, a grounded encapsulated electrode and an additional exposed electrode downstream supplied with DC voltage. The ionic wind velocity and thrust can be significantly improved by increasing DC voltage although the plasma discharge characteristics are virtually unaffected. It is found that the negative charges generated by the discharge of the three-electrode structure accumulate on the dielectric surface significantly further downstream in an AC period compared to the actuator with a two-electrode structure. The negative charges in the downstream region increase as the DC voltage increases. In addition, the DC voltage affects the time required for the positive charge filaments to decay. The positive DC voltage expands the ionic acceleration zone downstream to produce a greater EHD force. The amplitude of the DC voltage affects the electric field on the dielectric surface and is therefore a key factor in the formation of the EHD force. Further research on the surface charge characteristics of a three-electrode structure has been conducted using a pulse power to drive the discharge, and the same conclusions are drawn. This work demonstrates a link between surface charge characteristics and EHD performance of a three-electrode SDBD actuator.
Adapting differential molecular representation with hierarchical prompts for multi-label property prediction
Authors: Kang Linjia , Zhou Songhua , Fang Shuyan , Liu Shichao
Published: September 2024

Accurate prediction of molecular properties is crucial in drug discovery. Traditional methods often overlook that real-world molecules typically exhibit multiple property labels with complex correlations. To this end, we propose a novel framework, HiPM, which stands for Hierarchical Prompted Molecular representation learning framework. HiPM leverages task-aware prompts to enhance the differential expression of tasks in molecular representations and mitigate negative transfer caused by conflicts in individual task information. Our framework comprises two core components: the Molecular Representation Encoder (MRE) and the Task-Aware Prompter (TAP). MRE employs a hierarchical message-passing network architecture to capture molecular features at both the atom and motif levels. Meanwhile, TAP utilizes agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm to construct a prompt tree that reflects task affinity and distinctiveness, enabling the model to consider multi-granular correlation information among tasks, thereby effectively handling the complexity of multi-label property prediction. Extensive experiments demonstrate that HiPM achieves state-of-the-art performance across various multi-label datasets, offering a novel perspective on multi-label molecular representation learning.
Uncertainty quantification in high-dimensional linear models incorporating graphical structures with applications to gene set analysis
Authors: Tan Xiangyong , Zhang Xiao , Cui Yuehua , Liu Xu
Published: September 2024

Motivation

The functions of genes in networks are typically correlated due to their functional connectivity. Variable selection methods have been developed to select important genes associated with a trait while incorporating network graphical information. However, no method has been proposed to quantify the uncertainty of individual genes under such settings.

Results

In this paper, we construct confidence intervals (CIs) and provide P-values for parameters of a high-dimensional linear model incorporating graphical structures where the number of variables p diverges with the number of observations. For combining the graphical information, we propose a graph-constrained desparsified LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) (GCDL) estimator, which reduces dramatically the influence of high correlation of predictors and enjoys the advantage of faster computation and higher accuracy compared with the desparsified LASSO. Theoretical results show that the GCDL estimator achieves asymptotic normality. The asymptotic property of the uniform convergence is established, with which an explicit expression of the uniform CI can be derived. Extensive numerical results indicate that the GCDL estimator and its (uniform) CI perform well even when predictors are highly correlated.

Availability and implementation

An R package implementing the proposed method is available at https://github.com/XiaoZhangryy/gcdl.
Sensitivity analysis for publication bias in meta-analysis of sparse data based on exact likelihood
Authors: Hu Taojun , Zhou Yi , Hattori Satoshi
Published: September 2024

Meta-analysis is a powerful tool to synthesize findings from multiple studies. The normal–normal random-effects model is widely used to account for between-study heterogeneity. However, meta-analyses of sparse data, which may arise when the event rate is low for binary or count outcomes, pose a challenge to the normal–normal random-effects model in the accuracy and stability in inference since the normal approximation in the within-study model may not be good. To reduce bias arising from data sparsity, the generalized linear mixed model can be used by replacing the approximate normal within-study model with an exact model. Publication bias is one of the most serious threats in meta-analysis. Several quantitative sensitivity analysis methods for evaluating the potential impacts of selective publication are available for the normal–normal random-effects model. We propose a sensitivity analysis method by extending the likelihood-based sensitivity analysis with the $t$-statistic selection function of Copas to several generalized linear mixed-effects models. Through applications of our proposed method to several real-world meta-analyses and simulation studies, the proposed method was proven to outperform the likelihood-based sensitivity analysis based on the normal–normal model. The proposed method would give useful guidance to address publication bias in the meta-analysis of sparse data.
A Bayesian latent-subgroup platform design for dose optimization
Authors: Mu Rongji , Zhan Xiaojiang , Tang Rui (Sammi) , Yuan Ying
Published: September 2024

The US Food and Drug Administration launched Project Optimus to reform the dose optimization and dose selection paradigm in oncology drug development, calling for the paradigm shift from finding the maximum tolerated dose to the identification of optimal biological dose (OBD). Motivated by a real-world drug development program, we propose a master-protocol-based platform trial design to simultaneously identify OBDs of a new drug, combined with standards of care or other novel agents, in multiple indications. We propose a Bayesian latent subgroup model to accommodate the treatment heterogeneity across indications, and employ Bayesian hierarchical models to borrow information within subgroups. At each interim analysis, we update the subgroup membership and dose–toxicity and –efficacy estimates, as well as the estimate of the utility for risk-benefit tradeoff, based on the observed data across treatment arms to inform the arm-specific decision of dose escalation and de-escalation and identify the OBD for each arm of a combination partner and an indication. The simulation study shows that the proposed design has desirable operating characteristics, providing a highly flexible and efficient way for dose optimization. The design has great potential to shorten the drug development timeline, save costs by reducing overlapping infrastructure, and speed up regulatory approval.
On the Addams family of discrete frailty distributions for modeling multivariate case I interval-censored data
Authors: Bardo Maximilian , Hens Niel , Unkel Steffen
Published: September 2024

Random effect models for time-to-event data, also known as frailty models, provide a conceptually appealing way of quantifying association between survival times and of representing heterogeneities resulting from factors which may be difficult or impossible to measure. In the literature, the random effect is usually assumed to have a continuous distribution. However, in some areas of application, discrete frailty distributions may be more appropriate. The present paper is about the implementation and interpretation of the Addams family of discrete frailty distributions. We propose methods of estimation for this family of densities in the context of shared frailty models for the hazard rates for case I interval-censored data. Our optimization framework allows for stratification of random effect distributions by covariates. We highlight interpretational advantages of the Addams family of discrete frailty distributions and theK-point distribution as compared to other frailty distributions. A unique feature of the Addams family and the K-point distribution is that the support of the frailty distribution depends on its parameters. This feature is best exploited by imposing a model on the distributional parameters, resulting in a model with non-homogeneous covariate effects that can be analyzed using standard measures such as the hazard ratio. Our methods are illustrated with applications to multivariate case I interval-censored infection data.
Reflectance confocal microscopy to diagnose malignant melanoma and lentigo maligna in the UK: a single-centre prospective observational trial
Authors: Stevens Howard P , Pellacani Giovanni , Angus Colin , El-Jabbour Joseph N
Published: September 2024

Background

Previous work with reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has shown high sensitivity and specificity for malignant melanoma (MM); however, to date, there have been no studies with a UK cohort.

Objectives

To use RCM prospectively to accurately diagnose MM and lentigo maligna (LM) in a private UK secondary care, single-clinician setting; and to assess the potential of RCM to be used as a routine screening procedure.

Methods

In total, 597 patients with a differential clinical diagnosis of MM or LM were consecutively recruited. A sequential record was made of the clinical, dermoscopy and RCM findings by a single dermatologist prior to biopsy. Imaging was done with an arm-mounted confocal microscope unless there was restricted access to a lesion that required a handheld probe. The likelihood of MM was scored for each diagnostic modality, with each diagnosis building on the last. Histology was assessed by a single blinded histopathologist. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03508297).

Results

Altogether, 733 lesions were included in the analysis, including 86 MM and LM (median diameter 7.0 mm). The benign-to-malignant ratio was 3 : 1 (nonmelanocytic malignancies included) and 8.3 : 1 for MM and LM only. The sensitivity and specificity for MM and LM, respectively, was 62.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 51.7–73.0] and 63.1% (95% CI 59.3–66.8) for clinical examination; 91.9% (95% CI 84.0–96.7) and 42.0% (95% CI 38.1–45.9), respectively, for dermoscopy; and 94.2% (95% CI 87.0–98.1) and 83.0% (95% CI 79.9–85.8), respectively, for RCM. The positive predictive value of RCM in diagnosing MM and LM was 42.4% (95% CI 38.1–46.8) and the negative predictive value was 99.1% (95% CI 97.9–99.6).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that RCM can reliably diagnose MM and is fast enough to be integrated into UK pigmented lesion clinics by dermatologists trained in RCM. The number needed to treat decreased from 3.86 with clinical examination to 2.96 with dermoscopy to 1.30 with RCM.
Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus and quality of life with difelikefalin treatment: a post hoc analysis of phase 3 data using the Skindex-10 questionnaire
Authors: Ständer Sonja , Fishbane Steven , Schaufler Thilo , Ruessmann Despina , Morin Isabelle , Menzaghi Frédérique , Wen Warren , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar
Published: September 2024

Background

Pruritus is a common condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially for patients receiving haemodialysis. CKD-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) can be distressing and have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). This post hoc analysis aimed to assess the relationship between pruritus relief and QoL.

Methods

Data from phase 3 trials [(NCT03422653, NCT03636269 grouped), and NCT03998163] of the novel antipruritic difelikefalin (N = 914) were used to assess the relationship between reductions in pruritus intensity at Week 12 (24-h Worst Itching Intensity Numeric Rating Scale; WI-NRS), perceived improvement in itch (Patient Global Impression of Change, PGI-C) and pruritus-related QoL (Skindex-10 questionnaire).

Results

Patients receiving difelikefalin had greater improvements in Skindex-10 total scores than those receiving placebo [LS mean treatment difference –3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) –5.5, –1.3; P = .002] and greater improvements across Skindex-10 domains (disease, mood and social functioning) at Week 12. In patients receiving difelikefalin, those with clinically meaningful improvements in pruritus (≥3-point reduction in WI-NRS score) at Week 12 had a greater improvement in Skindex-10 total score (mean difference 14.2; 95% CI 11.0, 17.3; P < .001) and Skindex-10 domains than those with a <3-point reduction in WI-NRS score. Improvements in Skindex-10 total scores correlated with PGI-C.

Conclusions

Improvements in pruritus intensity following 12 weeks of treatment with difelikefalin were associated with improvements in QoL. Larger improvements in Skindex-10 scores were seen in patients with a greater reduction in pruritus intensity, indicating that improvements in pruritus are associated with a range of factors, such as mood and social functioning, that affect pruritus-related QoL.
Interactive tools for functional annotation of bacterial genomes
Authors: Price Morgan N , Arkin Adam P
Published: September 2024

Automated annotations of protein functions are error-prone because of our lack of knowledge of protein functions. For example, it is often impossible to predict the correct substrate for an enzyme or a transporter. Furthermore, much of the knowledge that we do have about the functions of proteins is missing from the underlying databases. We discuss how to use interactive tools to quickly find different kinds of information relevant to a protein’s function. Many of these tools are available via PaperBLAST (http://papers.genomics.lbl.gov). Combining these tools often allows us to infer a protein’s function. Ideally, accurate annotations would allow us to predict a bacterium’s capabilities from its genome sequence, but in practice, this remains challenging. We describe interactive tools that infer potential capabilities from a genome sequence or that search a genome to find proteins that might perform a specific function of interest.

Database URL: http://papers.genomics.lbl.gov
Comparing right- versus left-first implantation in off-pump sequential double-lung transplantation: an observational cohort study
Authors: Van Slambrouck Jan , Decaluwé Herbert , Vanluyten Cedric , Vandervelde Christelle M , Orlitová Michaela , Beeckmans Hanne , Schoenaers Charlotte , Jin Xin , Makarian Roza S , De Leyn Paul , Van Veer Hans , Depypere Lieven , Belmans Ann , Vanaudenaerde Bart M , Vos Robin , Van Raemdonck Dirk , Ceulemans Laurens J
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

Historically, the perfusion-guided sequence suggests to first transplant the side with lowest lung perfusion. This sequence is thought to limit right ventricular afterload and prevent acute heart failure after first pneumonectomy. As a paradigm shift, we adopted the right-first implantation sequence, irrespective of lung perfusion. The right donor lung generally accommodates a larger proportion of the cardiac output. We hypothesized that the right-first sequence reduces the likelihood of oedema formation in the firstly transplanted graft during second-lung implantation. Our objective was to compare the perfusion-guided and right-first sequence for intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) need and primary graft dysfunction (PGD).

METHODS

A retrospective single-centre cohort study (2008–2021) including double-lung transplant cases (N = 696) started without ECMO was performed. Primary end-points were intraoperative ECMO cannulation and PGD grade 3 (PGD3) at 72 h. Secondary end-points were patient and chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival. In cases with native left lung perfusion ≤50% propensity score adjusted comparison of the perfusion-guided and right-first sequence was performed.

RESULTS

When left lung perfusion was ≤50%, right-first implantation was done in 219 and left-first in 189 cases. Intraoperative escalation to ECMO support was observed in 10.96% of right-first versus 19.05% of left-first cases (odds ratio 0.448; 95% confidence interval 0.229–0.0.878; P = 0.0193). PGD3 at 72 h was observed in 8.02% of right-first versus 15.64% of left-first cases (0.566; 0.263–1.217; P = 0.1452). Right-first implantation did not affect patient or chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The right-first implantation sequence in off-pump double-lung transplantation reduces need for intraoperative ECMO cannulation with a trend towards less PGD grade 3.
By word of mouth: the case for teacher-to-teacher research dialogue
Authors: Scheffler Paweł , Baranowska Karolina , Loewen Shawn
Published: September 2024

The current study investigated factors that potentially influenced the pedagogic practices of 132 EFL teachers from 28 secondary schools in a large city in Poland. The teachers completed a questionnaire about the factors that impacted their teaching practices. The primary influences on teaching practices turned out to be the course textbook and the secondary school exit exam. The data were further analysed using cluster analysis to identify groups of teachers with similar profiles. The results indicated two main clusters. One cluster was favourable to research-related resources, such as publications, conferences, and workshops. A second cluster was less favourable towards research. We interpret this result as highlighting the importance of within-profession dialogue in which research awareness and useful evidence-based practices are shared among teachers.
Effects of home care and e-mobile training/consultancy on women’s postpartum symptoms and breastfeeding self-efficacy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Karaçay Yıkar Seda , Nazik Evşen
Published: September 2024

Background

Most women experience breastfeeding problems and need changes due to postpartum physical symptoms and low breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Methods

Postpartum home care and e-mobile training/consultancy has been introduced to address this issue. This study was conducted as a randomized controlled interventional study. The sample of the study consisted of 75 (home care group = 25, control group = 25, e-mobile training/consultancy group = 25) women who met the sample selection criteria, agreed to participate in the study, and were hospitalized in the postpartum ward of a City Hospital. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the Postpartum Physical Symptom Severity Scale and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES).

Results

In all postpartum stages, a statistically significant difference was detected between the home care, e-mobile training/consultancy and control group women in terms of the Postpartum Physical Symptoms Severity Scale and BSES total mean scores (P < .05). Interviews showed that the home care group had the lowest Postpartum Physical Symptom Severity Scale total mean scores and the highest BSES total mean scores (P < .05). Postpartum home visits and e-mobile training/consultancy should be considered a routine part of postpartum care. It is effective in reducing postpartum physical symptoms and increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Conclusıon

In line with the results of this study, the use of home care and e-mobile training/consultancy is recommended to decrease physical symptoms and increase breastfeeding self-efficacy.
Do poor psychosocial resources mediate health inequalities in type 2 diabetes mellitus? Findings from the Maastricht study
Authors: Sezer Bengisu , Albers Jeroen , Meisters Rachelle , Schram Miranda T , Köhler Sebastian , Stehouwer Coen D A , Koster Annemarie , Bosma Hans
Published: September 2024

Low socioeconomic position (SEP) has been identified as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and psychosocial resources might be on the pathway in this association. We examined two poor psychosocial resources, low control beliefs and inferiority beliefs, that might link low SEP with T2DM. 8292 participants aged 40–75 living in Southern Netherlands participated in The Maastricht Study starting from September 2010 to October 2020 and were followed up to 10 years with annual questionnaires. SEP (education, income, occupation), low control beliefs, inferiority beliefs, and (pre)diabetes by oral glucose tolerance test were measured at baseline. Incident T2DM was self-reported per annum. We analysed the mediating roles of poor psychosocial resources by using counterfactual mediation analysis. People with low SEP had more often prevalent and incident T2DM (e.g. low education: HR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.53–2.97). Low control beliefs and high inferiority beliefs were more common among people with low SEP. Moreover, low control beliefs and high inferiority beliefs were risk factors for T2DM (e.g. low control beliefs: HR = 1.50, 95%CI: 1.08–2.09). The relationship between SEP and T2DM was partially mediated by control beliefs (8.0–13.6%) and inferiority beliefs (2.2–4.5%). We conclude that poor psychosocial resources are important in socioeconomic inequalities in diabetes. Researchers and practitioners should consider the psychosocial profile of people with lower SEP, as such a profile might interfere with the development, treatment, and prevention of T2DM. Further research should explore how poor psychosocial resources interact with chronic stress in relation to socioeconomic health inequalities.
Enterococcal-host interactions in the gastrointestinal tract and beyond
Authors: Madani Wiam Abdalla Mo , Ramos Yusibeska , Cubillos-Ruiz Juan R , Morales Diana K
Published: September 2024

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is typically considered the natural niche of enterococci. However, these bacteria also inhabit extraintestinal tissues, where they can disrupt organ physiology and cause life-threatening infections. Here, we discuss how enterococci, primarily Enterococcus faecalis, interact with the intestine and other host anatomical locations such as the oral cavity, heart, liver, kidney, and vaginal tract. The metabolic flexibility of these bacteria allows them to quickly adapt to new environments, promoting their persistence in diverse tissues. In transitioning from commensals to pathogens, enterococci must overcome harsh conditions such as nutrient competition, exposure to antimicrobials, and immune pressure. Therefore, enterococci have evolved multiple mechanisms to adhere, colonize, persist, and endure these challenges in the host. This review provides a comprehensive overview of how enterococci interact with diverse host cells and tissues across multiple organ systems, highlighting the key molecular pathways that mediate enterococcal adaptation, persistence, and pathogenic behavior.
Flynotyper 2.0: an updated tool for rapid quantitative assessment of Drosophila eye phenotypes
Authors: Ray Johnathan , Banerjee Deepro , Wang Qingyu , Girirajan Santhosh
Published: September 2024

About two-thirds of the genes in the Drosophila melanogaster genome are also involved in its eye development, making the Drosophila eye an ideal system for genetic studies. We previously developed Flynotyper, a software that uses image processing operations to identify and quantify the degree of roughness by measuring disorderliness of ommatidial arrangement in the fly eye. This software has enabled researchers to quantify morphological defects of thousands of eye images caused by genetic perturbations. Here, we present Flynotyper 2.0, a software that has an updated computer vision library, improved performance, and a streamlined pipeline for high-throughput analysis of multiple eye images. We also tested several batches of Drosophila eye images to ensure robustness and reproducibility of the updated Flynotyper 2.0 software.
Public Law
Authors: Elliott Mark , Thomas Robert
Published: September 2024

Public Law is an advanced text that comprehensively covers the key topics in the field of public law. The book presents an analysis of the law and institutions of public law, and places the legal issues within the wider socio-political context within which the constitution operates. Three key themes that permeate the content allow readers to approach the subject in a structured way. The key themes are the significance of executive power in the contemporary constitution and the challenge of ensuring that those who wield it are held to account, the shift in recent times from a political to a more legal constitution and the implications of this change, and the increasingly ‘multilayered’ character of the British constitution.
7. The Judiciary
Authors: Elliott Mark , Thomas Robert
Published: September 2024

This chapter focuses on the judiciary; the courts play a special role in constitutional terms and an independent judiciary is a prerequisite in any civilised society subject to the rule of law. The chapter first discusses the hierarchical structure of the judicial system in the UK before moving on to consider the role of the judiciary and issues that concern the courts’ place within, and responsibility for upholding the principles of, the constitution. Finally, the chapter examines the characteristics of the judiciary, such as the way that judges are appointed, the independence of the judiciary, and its diversity.
10. Good Governance—An Introduction
Authors: Elliott Mark , Thomas Robert
Published: September 2024

This chapter explains the meaning of good governance and why it is important to uphold the standards of good governance, first discussing the standards of good governance, which include governing in the public interest; governing transparently; respecting the dignity, rights, and interests of individuals; and governing competently. While there is no definitive set of standards of good governance upon which everyone agrees, they are a set of core principles that, together, are widely regarded as comprising good governance, although their precise details vary and change over time. The chapter then turns to the concept and types of accountability, covering political accountability, legal accountability, and administrative accountability and audit.
15. Ombudsmen and Complaints
Authors: Elliott Mark , Thomas Robert
Published: September 2024

This chapter examines systems for handling complaints against public bodies. It focuses particularly upon public sector ombudsmen while locating ombudsmen within the wider complaint-handling landscape. Public sector ombudsmen constitute an important mechanism by which the executive (and other public bodies) can be held to account. The relationship between ombudsmen and other accountability mechanisms, together with questions concerning the legal enforceability of ombudsmen’s findings, raise important issues about legal and political forms of constitutionalism. The multilayered nature of the UK’s constitution post-devolution has resulted in a diversity of ombudsman schemes and poses particular challenges in relation to the rationalisation of ombudsmen in England.
Casebook on Tort Law
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Rackley Erika
Published: September 2024

The Casebook on Tort Law provides a comprehensive, portable library of the leading cases in the field. It presents a wide range of carefully edited extracts, which illustrate the essence and reasoning behind each decision made. Concise author commentary focuses the reader on the key elements within the extracts. Statutory materials are also included where they are necessary to understand the subject. The book examines the tort of negligence including chapters on the basic principles of duty of care, omissions and acts of third parties, the liability of public bodies, psychiatric harm, economic loss, breach of duty, causation and remoteness of damage and defences. It goes on to consider three special liability regimes—occupiers’ liability, product liability and breach of statutory duty—before turning to discussion of the personal torts and land torts. It concludes with chapters on vicarious liability and damages.
25. Burglary and related offences
Authors: Ormerod David , Laird Karl , Gibson Matthew
Published: September 2024

Burglary is an offence under the Theft Act 1968. The offence is not confined to ‘breaking and entering’ in order to steal, but involves entering any building or part of a building as a trespasser and with intent to steal anything in the building, or inflict or attempt to inflict on any person therein any grievous bodily harm. A separate form of burglary is found in s 9(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968 where a person has entered as a trespasser and thereafter attempted to steal, actually stolen something, inflicted grievous bodily harm, or attempted to inflict grievous bodily harm. This chapter explores burglary and related offences, and also discusses aggravated burglary and the articles of aggravation (weapons), as well as trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
34. Offensive weapons
Authors: Ormerod David , Laird Karl , Gibson Matthew
Published: September 2024

Legislation regulating the possession and use of offensive weapons is of major importance in the prevention of harm and there are a number of offences, some of which have existed for many years, which criminalize the unlawful possession of offensive weapons. This chapter discusses these offences. Although they may seem straightforward, such offences have generated a significant volume of case law. Whether an article is ‘made for’ causing injury requires the jury to consider whether it is of a kind which is, generally speaking, made for such use. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 has also extended the nature of these offences.
8. Formal Methods of Acquisition: Contracts, Deeds, and Registration
Authors: McFarlane Ben , Hopkins Nicholas , Nield Sarah
Published: September 2024

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter describes the formality requirements that must be complied with for the creation or transfer of legal estates and interests in land. The three stages of creating and transferring legal rights are contract, creation or transfer, and registration. The Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989 provides the formality requirements for contracts and made the consequences of non-compliance more severe. Under s 2 of the 1989 Act, a contract may take the form of a single document signed by both parties or an exchange of documents, each of which has been signed by one of the parties. The chapter considers the requirements of s 2 and the consequences of non-compliance, including concepts which may assist a party to acquire a right, even if the agreement does not seem to comply with s 2. The operation of proprietary estoppel and of constructive trusts is thus examined. The requirement of registration is considered, along with the problems that arise from the ‘registration gap’ and the possible effects of e-conveyancing.
2. An overview of the English legal system
Authors: Rutherford Helen , Kotecha Birju , Macfarlane Angela
Published: September 2024

This chapter provides an introduction to some of the key concepts, themes, and institutions of the English legal system. It offers an overview of fundamental concepts and principles such as parliamentary supremacy, the rule of law, legislation, the common law, and equity. The chapter will help you gain a firm grasp of terminology and know the differences between the criminal law and civil law. The general relationship between the English legal system and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as well as the limited, but on-going relationship with European Union (EU) law is outlined too. In the latter part of the chapter, a summary of the courts, their composition, and their jurisdiction, as well as an overview of legal bodies and personnel in the English legal system, is provided.
5. The doctrine of judicial precedent
Authors: Rutherford Helen , Kotecha Birju , Macfarlane Angela
Published: September 2024

This chapter considers an essential source of law in the English legal system: judicial precedent (or ‘case law’). The rules and principles of the doctrine of judicial precedent are explored, including how precedents are created, developed, and followed. The chapter analyses the legal rule that establishes the precedent—the ratio decidendi, or the reason for the decision—as well as the importance of other judicial statements that do not form part of those reasons—the obiter dicta. The principle of binding precedent is captured by the expression ‘stare decisis’ (stand by what is decided) and binding precedent relies on a hierarchy of courts. This hierarchy helps to determine whether a particular ratio decidendi binds a particular court and whether an appellate court is bound by its own previous precedents. The chapter is packed with case examples and highlights the role of non-binding precedent which may still be deemed persuasive for a particular court. Finally, the chapter considers how a court may avoid following a particular precedent by the process of overruling, distinguishing, or reversing.
5. Documentary and real evidence
Authors: Keane Adrian , McKeown Paul
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses the law on documentary evidence and real evidence. It addresses the following key issues: Where a party to litigation wishes to adduce in evidence a statement contained in a document, (a) should it be open to proof by production of a copy of the document and, if so, (b) in what circumstances and subject to what safeguards? Where a party to litigation wishes to admit a document in evidence, (a) should he be required to establish that it was written, signed, or attested by the person by whom it purports to be written, signed, or attested and, if so, (b) how should these matters be established? When should material objects and other types of real evidence be admissible in evidence and why do they need to be accompanied by oral testimony? When, and subject to what safeguards, should a court inspect a place or object out of court?
22. Privilege
Authors: Keane Adrian , McKeown Paul
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses several well-established principles whereby relevant evidence is excluded because of extrinsic considerations which outweigh the value that the evidence would have at trial. Three types of privilege are considered: (i) the privilege against self-incrimination (including statutory withdrawal of the privilege, compatibility with Art 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the compulsory production of pre-existing documents and materials, and substituted protection); (ii) legal professional privilege, which enables a client to protect the confidentiality of (a) communications between him and his lawyer made for the purpose of obtaining and giving legal advice (known as ‘legal advice privilege’) and (b) communications between him or his lawyer and third parties for the dominant purpose of preparation for pending or contemplated litigation (known as ‘litigation privilege’); and (iii) ‘without prejudice’ privilege, which enables settlement negotiations to be conducted without fear of proposed concessions being used in evidence at trial as admissions.
23. Admissibility of previous verdicts
Authors: Keane Adrian , McKeown Paul
Published: September 2024

This chapter examines the circumstances in which a verdict is admissible in subsequent proceedings as evidence of the facts on which it was based. It analyses the rule in Hollington v Hewthorn & Co Ltd, which has been widely criticized, that judgments are not admissible as evidence of the facts on which they are based. Its effect, in both civil and criminal proceedings, has been largely removed by the Civil Evidence Act 1968 and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, respectively. Concerning civil proceedings, consideration is given to previous convictions generally, previous convictions in defamation proceedings, previous findings of adultery and paternity, previous acquittals, and other previous findings. Concerning criminal proceedings, consideration is given to previous convictions of the accused, previous convictions of persons other than the accused, and previous acquittals.
4. Privity and third party rights
Authors: Devenney James , Shaw-Mellors Adam
Published: September 2024

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter discusses the doctrine of privity and third party rights. The doctrine of privity of contract provides that a person who is not a party to a contract (called a ‘third party’), cannot acquire rights under or enforce the provisions of that contract or rely on its protections even if the provisions were intended to benefit that third party. At common law there are complex, and sometimes artificial, ways to avoid this conclusion. More significant nowadays is the attempt to reform this principle by legislation in the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, allowing some third party beneficiaries to enforce the provisions of contracts.
10. Duress and undue influence
Authors: Devenney James , Shaw-Mellors Adam
Published: September 2024

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. The doctrines of duress and undue influence may result in a contract being set aside (the remedy of rescission) where illegitimate pressure has been used in the contracting process. This chapter focuses on instances where the agreement cannot stand in light of duress or undue influence, including instances where the duress or undue influence was exercised by a third party and the contracting party had notice of that duress or undue influence.
1. The Development of European Integration
Authors: Craig Paul , de Búrca Gráinne
Published: September 2024

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter begins with analysis of the background to European integration. The focus then shifts to analysis of the Treaties and the principal Treaty revisions from the inception of the European Economic Community (EEC) to the present day. The EEC Treaty is examined, followed by the Single European Act, and the Maastricht, Amsterdam, and Nice Treaties. The discussion continues with examination of the failed Constitutional Treaty and the successful ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The penultimate section deals with the impact of the financial crisis, the refugee crisis, the rule of law crisis, the pandemic crisis, and the Brexit crisis. This is followed by an overview of theories European integration offered to explain its evolution. The UK version contains a further section outlining the basic structure of UK legal relations with EU law post-Brexit.
10. The Relationship Between EU Law and National Law: Primacy
Authors: Craig Paul , de Búrca Gráinne
Published: September 2024

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter discusses the doctrine of primacy of EU law, which was developed by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) based on its conception of the ‘new legal order’. The ECJ ruled that the aim of creating a uniform common market between different states would be undermined if EU law could be made subordinate to national law of the various states. The validity of EU law can therefore, according to the ECJ, never be assessed by reference to national law. National courts are required to give immediate effect to EU law, of whatever rank, in cases that arise before them, and to ignore or to set aside any national law, of whatever rank, which could impede the application of EU law. Thus, according to the ECJ, any norm of EU law takes precedence over any provision of national law, including the national constitutions. This broad assertion of the primacy of EU law has not, however, been accepted without qualification by national courts, and the chapter examines the nature of the qualifications that have been imposed by some national courts. The UK version contains a further section analysing the relevance of the primacy of EU law in relation to the UK post-Brexit.
25. Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination: On Grounds of Sex, Race, Disability, Religion or Belief, and Age
Authors: Craig Paul , de Búrca Gráinne
Published: September 2024

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter discusses EU anti-discrimination law, which, over the past decade and a half, has expanded significantly to cover a wide range of grounds and contexts. In addition to requiring equal treatment for women and men, the Treaty provides legislative competence to combat discrimination on a range of grounds. The Charter of Fundamental Rights, which has a chapter devoted to equality, has been incorporated into the EU Treaties. Article 21 of the Charter prohibits discrimination on any ground. Articles 8 and 10 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) contain horizontal clauses requiring the EU to promote equality between men and women, and to combat discrimination based on certain grounds, namely sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation in all of its policies and activities. The UK version contains a further section analysing issues concerning EU discrimination law and the UK post-Brexit.
8. The Nature and Effect of EU Law: Direct Effect and Beyond
Authors: Craig Paul , de Búrca Gráinne
Published: September 2024

All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter discusses the doctrine of direct effect. In a broad sense, direct effect means that provisions of binding EU law, which are sufficiently clear, precise, and unconditional to be considered justiciable, can be invoked and relied on by individuals before national courts. The legal effect of directives is complex. They have vertical but not horizontal direct effect. The ECJ has, however, crafted a growing number of qualifications to the proposition that directives do not have horizontal direct effect. The result is that directives can still have ‘legal effect’ on private parties in various ways through the principle of indirect effect/harmonious interpretation; incidental effect; fundamental rights; general principles of law; and where a regulation makes reference to a directive. The UK version contains a further section analysing issues concerning direct effect in relation to the UK post-Brexit.
1. The nature and sources of commercial law
Authors: Beheshti Reza , Saintier Séverine , Thomas Sean
Published: September 2024

This chapter provides an overview of the nature and sources of commercial law. It explores the definition of commercial law, referencing how it is notoriously difficult to define. Commercial law draws on principles from a number of different areas of jurisprudence, such as contract law, criminal law, and principles from tort, property, equity, and trusts. The key challenge for commercial law is therefore to strike the right balance between the competing principles regardless of how they overlap. The chapter also considers the impact and significance of consumerism, internationalisation, digitalisation, certainty, and good faith on commercial law. It then discusses the role of equity in commercial law.