bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cold welding assisted self-healing of fractured ultrathin Au nanowires
Authors: Li Peifeng , Cao Ke , Gao Libo , Liao Weibing , Liu Jiabin , Sun Xu , Wang Hongtao , Rao Feng , Lu Yang
Published: July 2020

In nano-electronic field, cold welding is a simple novel method to join ultrathin noble metal nanowires (NWs) without introducing extra energy and defects. In previous works, it always occurred between ultrathin noble metal NWs, tensile fracture parts of a single NW, or a NW formation from nanoparticles. However, some external force is still needed to drive the materials as close to each other as possible before the process. Here, we proposed a new method to achieve cold welding without introducing artificial loadings. The bending fractured ultrathin gold (Au) NW can be self-healed assisted by cold welding during the removal of the tungsten (W) tip by in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM). A new interface with lattice mismatch formed in the welding zone after multiple periodic cycles, leaving an angle between the two rebonded fracture parts. Furthermore, the cold welding assisted self-healing of the bending fractured ultrathin Au NW and atom evolutions were also confirmed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The successful implementation of cold welding makes the self-healing come true when the ultrathin Au NW fractures under the unexpected vibrations.
The fundamental gap for a one-dimensional Schrödinger operator with Robin boundary conditions
Authors: Andrews Ben , Clutterbuck Julie , Hauer Daniel
Published: July 2020

For Schrödinger operators on an interval with either convex or symmetric single-well potentials and Robin or Neumann boundary conditions, the gap between the two lowest eigenvalues is minimized when the potential is constant. We also have results for the

p
p

-Laplacian.
The Capacity for Limb Regeneration During Metamorphosis is Broadly Conserved in the Coccinellidae
Authors: Michaud J P , Nedved Oldrich , Bayoumy Mohamed , Abdelwahab Ahmed , Torres Jorge , Saxena Swati , Omkar  , de Santos-Cividanes Terezinha M , Sakaki Samane , Rasekh Arash , Tomoli Torfi Ebrahim
Published: July 2020

A standardized laboratory procedure tested the limb regeneration abilities of 18 populations (16 species) of lady beetles which were then scored, relative to unoperated controls, based on survival, the proportion regenerating the limb completely or partially, and the magnitude of developmental costs (delayed development, reduced body size) associated with limb ablation. Newly molted fourth instar larvae each had a single foreleg amputated at the base of the femur. All species except Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) showed some complete limb regeneration, with limb regeneration index (LRI) scores ranging from 0.025 to 0.905 out of a possible 1.00 (mean = 0.598). Eriopis connexa Germar, an aphidophagous neotropical species, scored the highest. Widely distributed species that dominate agricultural habitats all scored above 0.75, and the only herbivore, Henosepilachna argus (Geoffroy), scored second from lowest. Prolonged pupal development was the most common cost, occurring in nine species, and correlating negatively with regeneration. Taxonomic distance between species correlated with regeneration, but explained <5% of variation; principal component analysis indicated that the LRI was the main factor distinguishing species. We infer that this capacity is conserved, not because of any adaptive advantage conferred, but because the genes responsible are normally activated during pupal development to generate the adult body plan and reconstitute appendages with direct correspondence to larval progenitors. However, good regeneration capacity was associated with the ecological success of the species. In general, broad geographic distribution, guild dominance, polyphagy, interspecific competitiveness, phenotypic flexibility, and invasiveness were characteristics generally shared by species with high levels of regeneration.
A dose response relationship between accelerometer assessed daily steps and depressive symptoms in older adults: a two-year cohort study
Authors: Hsueh Ming-Chun , Stubbs Brendon , Lai Yun-Ju , Sun Chi-Kuang , Chen Li-Jung , Ku Po-Wen
Published: July 2020

Objectives

this study investigated the prospective associations of accelerometer assessed daily steps with subsequent depressive symptoms in older adults.

Methods

a 2-year prospective study was performed in the community. A total of 285 older adults ≥65 years (mean age = 74.5) attended the baseline assessment in 2012. The second wave of assessment was carried out in 2014 including 274 (96.1%) participants. Daily step counts were measured with a triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+), and participants were divided into three categories (<3,500, 3,500–6,999 and ≥ 7,000 steps/day). The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms. Negative binomial regression models with multivariable adjustment for covariates (baseline depressive symptoms, accelerometer wear time, age, gender, education, chronic disease, activities of daily living) were conducted to examine the association between daily steps and subsequent depressive symptoms.

Results

each 1,000-step increase in daily walking was linearly associated with a reduced rate of subsequent depressive symptoms (rate ratio [RR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.92–0.98). Participants with daily step count in 3,500–6,999 (RR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.70–0.99) and ≥7,000 steps (RR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.55–0.92) per day had fewer depressive symptoms at follow-up. Sensitivity analyses assessing confounding and reverse causation provided further support for the stability of our findings.

Conclusion

older adults engaging in more daily steps had fewer depressive symptoms after 2 years. Even as few as 3,500–6,999 steps a day was associated with a protecting effect. Accumulating ≥7,000 steps a day could provide the greatest protection against depressive symptoms.
Social isolation and loneliness as related to progression and reversion of frailty in the Survey of Health Aging Retirement in Europe (SHARE)
Authors: Jarach Carlotta Micaela , Tettamanti Mauro , Nobili Alessandro , D'avanzo Barbara
Published: July 2020

Background

Frailty was shown to be associated with psychosocial risk factors, but there are few longitudinal data.

Methods

We used data from waves 5 and 6 of the Survey of Health Aging Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to study the contribution of loneliness and social isolation to transitions towards frailty defined according to Fried criteria in a sample of 27,468 individuals aged ≥60.

Results

At baseline, there were 13,069 (47.6%) robust individuals, 11,430 (41.6%) pre-frail and 2,969 (10.8%) frail. After 2 years, among robust subjects at baseline, 8,706 (61.8%) were still robust, 4,033 (30.8%) were pre-frail and 330 (2.6%) were frail. Among those who were pre-frail, 1,504 (13.2%) progressed to frail and 3,557 (31.1%) became robust. Among frail people, 182 (6.1%) reversed to robust and 1,271 (42.8%) to pre-frail. Average and high levels of loneliness and social isolation were significantly associated with the risk of robust people becoming frail and pre-frail (except robust with high loneliness to become frail), and of pre-frail people to become frail (except with average loneliness). Reversion to robustness was inversely associated with high levels of loneliness.

Conclusion

Average levels of loneliness and social isolation should not be considered acceptable and should be actively addressed even in the absence of any health conditions through an available evidence-based intervention.
Correlated evolution of leaf and root anatomic traits in Dendrobium (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Qi Ying , Huang Jia-Lin , Zhang Shi-Bao
Published: July 2020

The whole-plant economic spectrum concept predicts that leaf and root traits evolve in coordination to cope with environmental stresses. However, this hypothesis is difficult to test in many species because their leaves and roots are exposed to different environments, above- and below-ground. In epiphytes, both leaves and roots are exposed to the atmosphere. Thus, we suspect there are consistent water conservation strategies in leaf and root traits of epiphytes due to similar selection pressures. Here, we measured the functional traits of 21 species in the genus Dendrobium, which is one of the largest epiphytic taxa in the family Orchidaceae, and used phylogenetically independent contrasts to test the relationships among traits, and between traits and the environment. Our results demonstrate that species with a thicker velamen tended to have thicker roots, a thicker root cortex and vascular cylinder, and a larger number of vessels in the root. Correspondingly, these species also had higher leaf mass per area, and thicker leaf lower cuticles. Leaf and root traits associated with water conservation showed significantly positive relationships. The number of velamen layers, leaf density and the ratio of vascular cylinder radius to root radius were significantly affected by the species’ differing environments. Thus, traits related to water conservation and transport may play an important role in helping Dendrobium cope with the cool and dry conditions found at high elevations. These findings confirmed the hypothesis that leaf and root traits have evolved in coordination, and also provide insights into trait evolution and ecological adaptation in epiphytic orchids.
COVID-19 Docking Server: a meta server for docking small molecules, peptides and antibodies against potential targets of COVID-19
Authors: Kong Ren , Yang Guangbo , Xue Rui , Liu Ming , Wang Feng , Hu Jianping , Guo Xiaoqiang , Chang Shan
Published: July 2020

Motivation

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a new type of coronavirus has been emerging from China and led to thousands of death globally since December 2019. Despite many groups have engaged in studying the newly emerged virus and searching for the treatment of COVID-19, the understanding of the COVID-19 target–ligand interactions represents a key challenge. Herein, we introduce COVID-19 Docking Server, a web server that predicts the binding modes between COVID-19 targets and the ligands including small molecules, peptides and antibodies.

Results

Structures of proteins involved in the virus life cycle were collected or constructed based on the homologs of coronavirus, and prepared ready for docking. The meta-platform provides a free and interactive tool for the prediction of COVID-19 target–ligand interactions and following drug discovery for COVID-19.

Availability and implementation

http://ncov.schanglab.org.cn.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Strategy for improved characterization of human metabolic phenotypes using a COmbined Multi-block Principal components Analysis with Statistical Spectroscopy (COMPASS)
Authors: Loo Ruey Leng , Chan Queenie , Antti Henrik , Li Jia V , Ashrafian H , Elliott Paul , Stamler Jeremiah , Nicholson Jeremy K , Holmes Elaine , Wist Julien
Published: July 2020

Motivation

Large-scale population omics data can provide insight into associations between gene–environment interactions and disease. However, existing dimension reduction modelling techniques are often inefficient for extracting detailed information from these complex datasets.

Results

Here, we present an interactive software pipeline for exploratory analyses of population-based nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data using a COmbined Multi-block Principal components Analysis with Statistical Spectroscopy (COMPASS) within the R-library hastaLaVista framework. Principal component analysis models are generated for a sequential series of spectral regions (blocks) to provide more granular detail defining sub-populations within the dataset. Molecular identification of key differentiating signals is subsequently achieved by implementing Statistical TOtal Correlation SpectroscopY on the full spectral data to define feature patterns. Finally, the distributions of cross-correlation of the reference patterns across the spectral dataset are used to provide population statistics for identifying underlying features arising from drug intake, latent diseases and diet. The COMPASS method thus provides an efficient semi-automated approach for screening population datasets.

Availability and implementation

Source code is available at https://github.com/cheminfo/COMPASS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cholinergic muscarinic M1/M4 receptor networks in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Colloby Sean J , Nathan Pradeep J , McKeith Ian G , Bakker Geor , O’Brien John T , Taylor John-Paul
Published: July 2020

Cholinergic dysfunction is central in dementia with Lewy bodies, possibly contributing to the cognitive and psychiatric phenotypes of this condition. We investigated baseline muscarinic M1/M4 receptor spatial covariance patterns in dementia with Lewy bodies and their association with changes in cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil. Thirty-eight participants (14 cholinesterase inhibitor naive patients, 24 healthy older individuals) underwent 123I-iodo-quinuclidinyl-benzilate (M1/M4 receptor assessment) and 99mTc-exametazime (perfusion) single-photon emission computed tomography scanning. We implemented voxel principal components analysis, producing a series of images representing patterns of inter-correlated voxels across individuals. Linear regression analyses derived specific M1/M4 and perfusion spatial covariance patterns associated with patients. A discreet M1/M4 pattern that distinguished patients from controls (W1,19.7 = 16.7, P = 0.001), showed relative decreased binding in right lateral temporal and insula, as well as relative preserved/increased binding in frontal, precuneus, lingual and cuneal regions, implicating nodes within attention and dorsal visual networks. We then derived from patients an M1/M4 pattern that correlated with a positive change in mini-mental state examination (r = 0.52, P = 0.05), showing relative preserved/increased uptake in prefrontal, temporal pole and anterior cingulate, elements of attention-related networks. We also generated from patients an M1/M4 pattern that correlated with a positive change in neuropsychiatric inventory score (r = 0.77, P = 0.002), revealing relative preserved/increased uptake within a bilateral temporal-precuneal-striatal system. Although in a small sample and therefore tentative, we posit that optimal response of donepezil on cognitive and neuropsychiatric signs in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies were associated with a maintenance of muscarinic M1/M4 receptor expression within attentional/executive and ventral visual network hubs, respectively.
Molecular targets for endogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor modulation in striatal parvalbumin interneurons
Authors: Enterría-Morales Daniel , del Rey Natalia López-González , Blesa Javier , López-López Ivette , Gallet Sarah , Prévot Vincent , López-Barneo José , d’Anglemont de Tassigny Xavier
Published: July 2020

Administration of recombinant glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor into the putamen has been tested in preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate its neuroprotective effects on the progressive dopaminergic neuronal degeneration that characterizes Parkinson’s disease. However, intracerebral glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor infusion is a challenging therapeutic strategy, with numerous potential technical and medical limitations. Most of these limitations could be avoided if the production of endogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor could be increased. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor is naturally produced in the striatum from where it exerts a trophic action on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. Most of striatal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor is synthesized by a subset of GABAergic interneurons characterized by the expression of parvalbumin. We sought to identify molecular targets specific to those neurons and which are putatively associated with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor synthesis. To this end, the transcriptomic differences between glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-positive parvalbumin neurons in the striatum and parvalbumin neurons located in the nearby cortex, which do not express glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, were analysed. Using mouse reporter models, we have defined the genomic signature of striatal parvalbumin interneurons obtained by fluorescence-activated cell sorting followed by microarray comparison. Short-listed genes were validated by additional histological and molecular analyses. These genes code for membrane receptors (Kit, Gpr83, Tacr1, Tacr3, Mc3r), cytosolic proteins (Pde3a, Crabp1, Rarres2, Moxd1) and a transcription factor (Lhx8). We also found the proto-oncogene cKit to be highly specific of parvalbumin interneurons in the non-human primate striatum, thus highlighting a conserved expression between species and suggesting that specific genes identified in mouse parvalbumin neurons could be putative targets in the human brain. Pharmacological stimulation of four G-protein-coupled receptors enriched in the striatal parvalbumin interneurons inhibited Gdnf expression presumably by decreasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation. Additional experiments with pharmacological modulators of adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A indicated that this pathway is a relevant intracellular route to induce Gdnf gene activation. This preclinical study is an important step in the ongoing development of a specific pro-endo-glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor pharmacological strategy to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Interhemispheric Relationship of Genetic Influence on Human Brain Connectivity
Authors: Zhong Suyu , Wei Long , Zhao Chenxi , Yang Liyuan , Di Zengru , Francks Clyde , Gong Gaolang
Published: July 2020

To understand the origins of interhemispheric differences and commonalities/coupling in human brain wiring, it is crucial to determine how homologous interregional connectivities of the left and right hemispheres are genetically determined and related. To address this, in the present study, we analyzed human twin and pedigree samples with high-quality diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography and estimated the heritability and genetic correlation of homologous left and right white matter (WM) connections. The results showed that the heritability of WM connectivity was similar and coupled between the 2 hemispheres and that the degree of overlap in genetic factors underlying homologous WM connectivity (i.e., interhemispheric genetic correlation) varied substantially across the human brain: from complete overlap to complete nonoverlap. Particularly, the heritability was significantly stronger and the chance of interhemispheric complete overlap in genetic factors was higher in subcortical WM connections than in cortical WM connections. In addition, the heritability and interhemispheric genetic correlations were stronger for long-range connections than for short-range connections. These findings highlight the determinants of the genetics underlying WM connectivity and its interhemispheric relationships, and provide insight into genetic basis of WM connectivity asymmetries in both healthy and disease states.
Genomic Prediction of Antimicrobial Resistance: Ready or Not, Here It Comes!
Authors: Ransom Eric M , Potter Robert F , Dantas Gautam , Burnham Carey-Ann D
Published: July 2020

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are being used to predict antimicrobial resistance. The field is evolving rapidly and transitioning out of the research setting into clinical use. Clinical laboratories are evaluating the accuracy and utility of genomic resistance prediction, including methods for NGS, downstream bioinformatic pipeline components, and the clinical settings in which this type of testing should be offered.

Content

We describe genomic sequencing as it pertains to predicting antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates and samples. We elaborate on current methodologies and workflows to perform this testing and summarize the current state of genomic resistance prediction in clinical settings. To highlight this aspect, we include 3 medically relevant microorganism exemplars: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Last, we discuss the future of genomic-based resistance detection in clinical microbiology laboratories.

Antimicrobial resistance prediction by genomic approaches is in its infancy for routine patient care. Genomic approaches have already added value to the current diagnostic testing landscape in specific circumstances and will play an increasingly important role in diagnostic microbiology. Future advancements will shorten turnaround time, reduce costs, and improve our analysis and interpretation of clinically actionable results.
Prevalence and concordant occurrence of esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and colonic eosinophilia
Authors: Sonnenberg Amnon , Turner Kevin O , Singhal Anuradha , Genta Robert M
Published: July 2020

Eosinophilic esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis, and colitis are rare diseases. Few studies have been able to accumulate sufficiently large number of patients to analyze their clinical epidemiology. The aim of the present epidemiologic study was to examine the prevalence and concordant occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) eosinophilia. Using a database of histopathologic records, a cross-sectional study among 302,061 patients undergoing bidirectional endoscopy evaluated the concordant occurrence of esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and colonic eosinophilia. The prevalence rates (PRs) of GI eosinophilia were expressed per 1,000 study subjects with their 95% Poisson confidence intervals (CIs). The concordant occurrence of various forms of GI eosinophilia was compared to their overall occurrence in the study population by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CI. The database contained 3,008 patients with esophageal eosinophilia (PR = 9.96, 9.61–10.32), 366 patients with gastric eosinophilia (1.21, 1.09–1.34), 10 patients with duodenal eosinophilia (0.03, 0.02–0.06), and 124 patients with colonic eosinophilia (0.41, 0.34–0.49). The occurrence of esophageal eosinophilia was associated with an increased occurrence of gastric eosinophilia (OR = 3.58, 2.06–6.23), duodenal (40.22, 12.61–128.31), and colonic eosinophilia (8.12, 4.26–15.49). Similarly, we also found statistically significant associations between gastric eosinophilia and duodenal or colonic eosinophilia, and between duodenal and colonic eosinophilia. In the adult, as in the pediatric population, patients with any type of GI eosinophilia are at an increased risk for simultaneously harboring eosinophilia at multiple sites of their GI tract. With the exception of esophageal eosinophilia, however, other forms of GI eosinophilia are rarely diagnosed.
Performance of Seed Treatments Applied on Bt and Non-Bt Maize Against Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Muraro Dionei S , Stacke Regis F , Cossa Gisele E , Godoy Daniela N , Garlet Cínthia G , Valmorbida Ivair , O’Neal Matthew E , Bernardi Oderlei
Published: July 2020

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is the main pest of maize in Brazil, attacking plants from emergence to reproductive stages. Here, we conducted studies to evaluate the efficacy of two seed treatments (chlorantraniliprole alone and imidacloprid combined with thiodicarb) on Bt and non-Bt maize in laboratory bioassays with distinct FAW strains that are susceptible, selected for resistance to Bt-maize single (Cry1F) or pyramided (Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2) events and F1 hybrids of the selected and susceptible strains (heterozygotes), and in the field against a natural infestation. In the laboratory, leaf-discs from seed treated Bt-maize plants at 7 d after emergence (DAE) increased the mortality of FAW resistant, heterozygote, and susceptible strains up to 24.8%, when compared with the respective maize grown without a seed treatment. In the field against natural infestations of FAW, Bt maize with a seed treatment had ~30% less FAW damage than non-Bt maize with the same seed treatment at 7 and 14 DAE. No differences in FAW damage was observed between Bt and non-Bt maize grown with and without a seed treatment at 21 DAE. Maize seeds treated with chlorantraniliprole alone or imidacloprid and thiodicarb combined presented limited protection against early infestations of FAW strains under laboratory and field studies.
Education, Birth Order and Family Size
Authors: Bagger Jesper , Birchenall Javier A , Mansour Hani , Urzúa Sergio
Published: July 2020

This article introduces a framework to study parental investments in the presence of birth order preferences and/or human capital cost differentials across children. The framework yields canonical models as special cases and delivers sharp testable predictions concerning how parental investments respond to an exogenous change in family size in the presence of birth order effects. These predictions characterize a generalised quantity–quality trade-off. Danish administrative data confirm our theory’s predictions. We find that for any given parity, the human capital profile of children in smaller families dominates that of large families, and that the average child’s education decreases as family size increases, even after taking birth order effects into consideration.
Atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treated with pulmonary endarterectomy
Authors: Havranek Stepan , Fingrova Zdenka , Ambroz David , Jansa Pavel , Kuchar Jan , Dusik Milan , Lindner Jaroslav , Kunstyr Jan , Aschermann Michael , Linhart Ales
Published: July 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial tachycardia (AT) are frequently observed in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who were treated with pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Their prevalence and impact on prognosis of patients are not known. We analysed the prevalence of AF/AT and the clinical outcome in 197 patients with CTEPH treated with PEA (median age 62; interquartile range 53–68 years; 62% males). The prevalence of AF/AT was 29% (57 patients). Compared to patients without arrhythmia, the subjects with AF/AT were older [60 (50–67) vs. 62 (57–70) years], manifested an increased size of the left atrium [39 (35–44) vs. 45 (40–50) mm], had a reduced 6-min walking distance [411 (321–506) vs. 340 (254–460) m], and higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure after PEA [38 (30–47) vs. 45 (38–71) mmHg], all results with P-value <0.05. During the follow-up with a median 4.2 (1.6–6.3) years, 45 (23%) patients died. In a multivariate Cox regression model only the male gender [hazard ratio (HR) 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–4.50], a reduced 6-min walking distance (HR 3.67, 95% CI 1.74–7.73), and an increased New York Heart Association class (HR 8.56, 95% CI 4.17–17.60) were associated with mortality (P < 0.05). The prevalence of AF/AT in patients with CTEPH treated with PEA is high. Arrhythmias are associated with reduced functional capacity but not with mortality.
Intravascular haemolysis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with self-expandable prosthesis: incidence, severity, and impact on long-term mortality
Authors: Širáková Andrea , Toušek Petr , Bednář František , Línková Hana , Laboš Marek , Sulženko Jakub , Havlíková Martina , Neuberg Marek , Kočka Viktor
Published: July 2020

We aimed to determine the incidence, severity, and long-term impact of intravascular haemolysis after self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We believe this should be evaluated before extending the indications of TAVI to younger low-risk patients. Prospective, academic, single centre study of 94 consecutive patients treated with supra-annular self-expandable TAVI prosthesis between April 2009 and January 2014. Haemolysis at 1-year post-TAVI was defined per the published criteria based on levels of haemoglobin, reticulocyte and schistocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and haptoglobin. All patients had long-term clinical follow-up (6 years). The incidence of haemolysis at 1-year follow-up varied between 9% and 28%, based on different haemolysis definitions. Haemolysis was mild in all cases, no patient had markedly increased LDH levels. The presence of moderate/severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation was associated with haemolysis (7.7% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.044) and aortic valve area post-TAVI did not differ between groups with or without haemolysis (1.01 vs. 0.92 cm2/m2, P = 0.23) (definition including schistocyte count). The presence of haemolysis did not have any impact on patient prognosis after 6 years with log-rank test P = 0.80. Intravascular haemolysis after TAVI with self-expandable prosthesis is present in 9–28% of patients depending on the definition of haemolysis. The presence of haemolysis is associated with moderate/severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation but not with post-TAVI aortic valve area. Haemolysis is mild with no impact on prognosis.
Plasmids Related to the Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation Are Not Only Cooperated Functionally but Also May Have Evolved over a Time Span in Family Rhizobiaceae
Authors: Yang Ling-Ling , Jiang Zhao , Li Yan , Wang En-Tao , Zhi Xiao-Yang
Published: July 2020

Rhizobia are soil bacteria capable of forming symbiotic nitrogen-fixing nodules associated with leguminous plants. In fast-growing legume-nodulating rhizobia, such as the species in the family Rhizobiaceae, the symbiotic plasmid is the main genetic basis for nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, and is susceptible to horizontal gene transfer. To further understand the symbioses evolution in Rhizobiaceae, we analyzed the pan-genome of this family based on 92 genomes of type/reference strains and reconstructed its phylogeny using a phylogenomics approach. Intriguingly, although the genetic expansion that occurred in chromosomal regions was the main reason for the high proportion of low-frequency flexible gene families in the pan-genome, gene gain events associated with accessory plasmids introduced more genes into the genomes of nitrogen-fixing species. For symbiotic plasmids, although horizontal gene transfer frequently occurred, transfer may be impeded by, such as, the host’s physical isolation and soil conditions, even among phylogenetically close species. During coevolution with leguminous hosts, the plasmid system, including accessory and symbiotic plasmids, may have evolved over a time span, and provided rhizobial species with the ability to adapt to various environmental conditions and helped them achieve nitrogen fixation. These findings provide new insights into the phylogeny of Rhizobiaceae and advance our understanding of the evolution of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
From “Coffin Dodger” to “Boomer Remover”: Outbreaks of Ageism in Three Countries With Divergent Approaches to Coronavirus Control
Authors: Lichtenstein Bronwen
Published: July 2020

Objectives

This article compares responses to coronavirus control in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, 3 countries in which public ageism erupted over the social and economic costs of protecting older adults from Covid-19.

Methods

Thirty-five (35) newspapers, media websites, and current affairs magazines were sourced for the study: 8 for Australia, 12 for the United Kingdom, and 15 for the United States. Searches were conducted daily from April to June 2020, using key words to identify age-related themes on pandemic control.

Results

Despite divergent policies in the 3 countries, ageism took similar forms. Public responses to lockdowns and other measures cast older adults as a problem to be ignored or solved through segregation. Name-calling, blame, and “so-be-it” reactions toward age vulnerability were commonplace. Policies banning visits to aged care homes angered many relatives and older adults. Indefinite isolation for older adults was widely accepted, especially as a vehicle to end public lockdowns and economic crises.

Discussion

Older adults have and will continue to bear the brunt of Covid-19 in terms of social burdens and body counts as the pandemic continues to affect people around the globe. The rhetoric of disposability underscores age discrimination on a broader scale, with blame toward an age cohort considered to have lived past its usefulness for society and to have enriched itself at the expense of future generations.
Functional Limitations, Volunteering, and Diurnal Cortisol Patterns in Older Adults
Authors: Huo Meng , Han Sae Hwang , Kim Kyungmin , Choi Jean
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Older adults often experience functional limitations that affect their everyday lives, but many of them continue to make positive contributions to society and benefit from these contributions themselves. We examine (a) whether older adults’ functional limitations are associated with diurnal cortisol patterns and (b) whether these associations vary on volunteering days versus nonvolunteering days.

Methods

Participants were adults aged older than 60 years (N = 435) from the National Study of Daily Experiences, part of the Midlife in the United States Study. They completed an initial interview on functional limitations and background characteristics, indicated volunteering activities in daily interviews, and also provided salivary samples across 4 days.

Results

Multilevel models showed that older adults with greater functional limitations exhibited dysregulated cortisol awakening responses and diurnal cortisol slopes throughout the rest of the day, compared to older adults with lower limitations. Yet, we also observed a significant moderating effect of volunteering on these associations.

Discussion

This study advances our understanding of functional limitations and cortisol stress responses, revealing the benefits of volunteering to older adults who experience these limitations. Rather than treating these older adults solely as care recipients, interventions should offer them opportunities to help others.
7. Renewal of Process
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

After proceedings commence by issuing a claim form or other originating process, they must be brought to the attention of the defendants or respondents by service. Generally, originating process remains valid for the purpose of service for a period of four months. Service of proceedings marks a watershed in the litigation process. It is at this point that the defendant is put on formal notice that legal proceedings have been brought, and the time limit on service of proceedings is one which is relaxed with extreme caution. This chapter discusses periods of validity; power to renew; claims in respect of cargo carried by sea; multiple defendants; effect of stay; procedure on seeking an extension; and challenging an order granting an extension.
10. Alternative Dispute Resolution
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly mediation, plays a key role in reducing the costs of civil disputes by fomenting the early settlement of cases. This chapter discusses ADR processes; advantages or disadvantages of ADR and litigation; the cost of ADR; reference to ADR; and court involvement in ADR. Adjudicative ADR results in the third party neutral deciding the dispute or difference between the parties. Non-adjudicative ADR processes involve moving the parties towards reaching a compromise agreement between themselves. Rules of court require parties to consider using ADR. Sanctions may be imposed on parties who act unreasonably.
18. Requests for Further Information
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

A party may sometimes take the view that the statement of case provided by the other side is not as clear as it should be, or fails to set out the other side’s case with the precision that would be expected. In such cases a request may be made for further information about the facts on which the other side’s case is based. This chapter discusses the rules on requests for further information; the response; objecting to requests; orders for responses; requests in freezing injunctions; and collateral use.
32. Witness Statements, Affidavits, and Depositions
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the rules relating to the use of written evidence in civil proceedings. Under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR), evidence given in civil trials is given primarily from the witness box, but with witness statements exchanged well before trial standing as the evidence-in-chief of the witnesses. The parties are required to exchange their witnesses’ statements in order to save time and costs at trial, and to enable the parties to evaluate the merits of their dispute with a view to settlement. Written evidence in support of interim applications can be given by a variety of different methods, but the principal means is by way of signed witness statements.
33. Hearsay
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the admissibility of and procedural matters relating to hearsay evidence in civil cases. Hearsay evidence is where a witness gives evidence of facts they have not personally experienced for the purpose of proving the truth of those facts. Hearsay may be written or oral, and may be first-hand, second-hand, etc. Evidence is no longer excluded in civil cases solely on the ground that it is hearsay. However, in practice, trial judges give limited weight to hearsay evidence.
34. Admissions and Documentary Evidence
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the rules relating to the proof of admissions and documents at trial. It covers the nature of admissions; pre-action admissions of liability; permission to withdraw an admission; notice to admit facts; and proving documents.
36. Offers to Settle
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) provides a means for a party to make a formal offer in settlement of the claim which will be treated as without prejudice for the purposes of liability and remedies, but which can be disclosed to the court on the question of costs. This chapter discusses offers to settle before the commencement of proceedings; making a Part 36 offer; acceptance of a Part 36 offer; rejections, counter-offers, and subsequent offers; withdrawal and amendment of Part 36 offers; failing to obtain judgment more advantageous than a Part 36 offer; advising on Part 36 offers; non-disclosure to judge; and Part 36 offers in appeals.
40. References to the Court of Justice of the European Union
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Traditionally, civil hearings take place in court buildings, with hearings being conducted in public in court rooms in front of a judge. Active case management in accordance with the overriding objective includes dealing with cases without the parties needing to attend court, and by making use of technology (CPR, r 1.4(2)(j) and (k)). There is provision in the CPR for holding hearings by telephone, by video, or by any other means which permits simultaneous communication (r 39.1(1)(a)), and for receiving evidence by telephone or by using any other method of direct oral communication (r 3.1(2)(d)). Increased public proficiency with intellectual technology, combined with the emergency created by the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, have resulted in the courts embracing computer technology for remote hearings for civil proceedings.
48. Enforcement
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

Parties occasionally refuse to comply with the judgments and orders of the court. A range of enforcement procedures is available to ensure compliance. This chapter discusses enforcement of money judgments; enforcement of judgments for the delivery of goods; enforcement of judgments for the possession of land; contempt of court; and enforcement of foreign judgments.
49. Judicial Review
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter discusses the rules for judicial review. Judicial review lies against public bodies and must be brought by a person with a sufficient interest. There are six remedies available on applications for judicial review (quashing order, mandatory orders, prohibitory order, declaration, injunction, and money awards). Before commencing judicial review proceedings, a claimant should comply with the judicial review pre-action protocol. Permission must be sought to proceed with a claim for judicial review. Defendants must be served with the judicial review claim form, and unless they acknowledge service they cannot appear at the permission hearing unless the court allows them to attend.
50. Appeals
Authors: Sime Stuart
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the structure of non-family civil appeals. It covers routes of appeal; permission to appeal; time for appealing; procedure on appealing; respondent’s notice; applications within appeals stay; striking out appeal notices and setting aside or imposing conditions; hearing of appeals; appeal court’s powers; appeals by way of case stated; and appeals to the Supreme Court.
12. Disposal of shares
Authors: Slorach J. Scott , Ellis Jason
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the various ways in which a shareholder in a company may dispose of his interest in the company either during his lifetime or on death. It discusses the transfer of shares; transmission by operation of law; buy-back and redemption by a company; and financial assistance.
Property Law 2020-2021
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Property Law is a companion that guides through the intricacies of the conveyancing process. Drawing on practical experience of legal practice, with a residential and a commercial conveyancing focus, the volume offers explanations of often complex processes. The title contains practical guidance on how to approach each stage of a conveyancing transaction in practice. This edition has been fully updated with recent developments in the law, including discussion of ‘Help to buy’ shared ownership schemes, coverage of the Land Transaction Tax, and updated tax rates and chargeable amounts for enveloped dwellings.
5. The draft contract
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers issues relating to the drafting the contract for the seller. These include occupiers and tenancies; seller’s duty of disclosure; formalities; contents of the contract; deposit; completion; title guarantee; indemnity covenants; sales of part; option agreements; and conditional contracts.
14. Post-completion procedures
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Conveyancing practitioners, whether they are acting for the seller or the buyer, still have much to do once completion has taken place. However, the buyer’s solicitor will have more work to do, as in most transactions acting on behalf of the buyer means after completion dealing with the possible payment of stamp duty land tax and then registration of the title and/or transfer. So far as the seller is concerned, if there is a mortgage, paying off any lender is required, as well as accounting to the client for the net proceeds of sale. This chapter considers all these post-completion procedures.
18. Commercial conveyancing
Authors: Abbey Robert , Richards Mark
Published: July 2020

Commercial conveyancing services support the market in and for commercial property. This chapter focuses on several different topics that relate to commercial property and involve specialist knowledge of commercial conveyancing. These include commercial leases; buying and selling commercial freeholds; and commercial property and some elements of revenue law.
1. Introduction
Authors: Abbey Robert M. , Richards Mark B.
Published: July 2020

This introductory chapter begins with an overview of conveyancing, which is the process by which legal title to property is transferred. It then discusses the conveyancing of registered land; defensive lawyering and the conveyancing process; conveyancing and information technology; and the future of conveyancing.
5. Deduction and Investigation of Title
Authors: Abbey Robert M. , Richards Mark B.
Published: July 2020

Deducing title is the process by which the seller demonstrates to the buyer that the seller owns the land and can convey it. Conversely, the process of investigating title is the means by which the buyer ensures that the seller does own the land, and can convey. This chapter discusses when these procedures are carried out and then considers in detail the methods for deducing and investigating title in both registered and unregistered land.
13. Business Tenancies and the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, Part II
Authors: Abbey Robert M. , Richards Mark B.
Published: July 2020

This chapter considers the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, Part II, which regulates the ways in which business tenancies may be terminated and gives statutory protection to business tenants. Topics discussed include agreements to which the 1954 Act applies; requirement for ‘tenancy’ tenancies excluded from statutory protection; requirement for ‘occupation’ methods of termination under the 1954 Act; Section 40 notices; rules for service of notices; interim rent applications; landlord’s statutory grounds of opposition; tenant’s right to compensation for failure to obtain a new tenancy; and court order for new tenancy.
Decision-making and health system strengthening: bringing time frames into perspective
Authors: Belghiti Alaoui Abelali , De Brouwere Vincent , Meessen Bruno , Bigdeli Maryam
Published: July 2020

In many low-and middle-income countries, health systems decision-makers are facing a host of new challenges and competing priorities. They must not only plan and implement as they used to do but also deal with discontented citizens and health staff, be responsive and accountable. This contributes to create new political hazards susceptible to disrupt the whole execution of health plans. The starting point of this article is the observation by the first author of the limitations of the building-blocks framework to structure decision-making as for strengthening of the Moroccan health system. The management of a health system is affected by different temporalities, the recognition of which allows a more realistic analysis of the obstacles and successes of health system strengthening approaches. Inspired by practice and enriched thanks a consultation of the literature, our analytical framework revolves around five dynamics: the services dynamic, the programming dynamic, the political dynamic, the reform dynamic and the capacity-building dynamic. These five dynamics are differentiated by their temporalities, their profile, the role of their actors and the nature of their activities. The Moroccan experience suggests that it is possible to strengthen health systems by opening up the analysis of temporalities, which affects both decision-making processes and the dynamics of functioning of health systems.