bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5. Sources of Law III: Effect of EU and International Law
Authors: Thomas Mark , McGourlay Claire
Published: September 2020

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. This chapter discusses the effect of EU and international law. The UK is a signatory to multiple international institutions. Each of these institutions sets a framework for the UK to operate within, granting certain rights, benefits, and obligations. The most prominent institutions are the EU, the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), and the United Nations. Although the UK’s continued involvement in these institutions will have a direct impact on the operation of UK law, relations with other states, whether they be good or bad, will also shape the face of the English legal system. The chapter then studies international law, considering basic matters such as the meaning of international law, the doctrine of state sovereignty, and the distinction between public and private international law.
6. Personnel of the English Legal System
Authors: Thomas Mark , McGourlay Claire
Published: September 2020

Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. This chapter looks at the multitude of different professionals, both legal and lay, in the English legal system (ELS). Legal professionals, often referred to as ‘lawyers’, includes such individuals as solicitors, barristers, legal executives, and paralegals. Barristers and solicitors were traditionally two very distinct roles in the ELS. Nowadays, a fusion of roles has occurred, meaning that the two professions are not as different as they formerly were. Meanwhile, judiciary refers to the various judicial ‘offices’ and ‘office-holders’. Law officers are the individuals responsible for the operation of the ELS and include such persons as the Attorney General and the Solicitor General. Court staff are the individuals involved in the day-to-day running of the ELS and include such persons as clerks, ushers, legal advisers, and many other persons. Finally, laypersons refer to a special class of individuals—namely magistrates and juries responsible for trying cases in the Crown Court and magistrates’ court respectively.
1. Introduction: proprietary rights
Authors: Sayles Victoria
Published: September 2020

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 proprietary rights. These govern people’s ability to use and enjoy both land they physically possess and land physically possessed by others. Whilst technically all land is owned by the Crown, holding an estate in land, and in particular a freehold estate that gives one rights to possess, enjoy, and use the land forever, is tantamount to actual ownership. The other type of proprietary right is an interest in land. Whilst an estate gives one a slice of time to use and enjoy land one physically possesses, an interest gives the right to use and enjoy land physically possessed by another. Proprietary rights can be either legal or equitable in status.
5. The freehold estate
Authors: Sayles Victoria
Published: September 2020

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 freehold estate. The freehold estate is the larger of the two estates in land that has legal capacity and a person who holds a freehold estate over land is tantamount to being the owner of that land. The legal freehold estate is technically known as the fee simple absolute in possession and the characteristics of a legal freehold estate can be found from interpreting this technical definition. A contract for the transfer of a freehold estate must meet the requirements under s 2 Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989. A valid and specifically enforceable contract for the transfer of a freehold estate will give the purchaser an equitable interest in the land to be purchased, known as an estate contract.
9. Trusts of land
Authors: Sayles Victoria
Published: September 2020

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 trusts of land. The creation of concurrent interests in land generally now occurs by way of a trust of land, governed by the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA) and replacing their forerunner, trusts for sale. Trusts of land may be expressly or impliedly created and, where implied, may be resulting or constructive trusts. Key provisions of TLATA 1996 include: ss 6–8 governing the extent of trustees’ powers over the trust property; s 11 governing the circumstances in which trustees have a duty to consult beneficiaries when exercising their powers; ss 12–13 governing the rights of beneficiaries to occupy the trust property; and ss 14–15 governing the right of an interested party to make an application to the court for an order to resolve a dispute over trust land.
10. Co-ownership
Authors: Sayles Victoria
Published: September 2020

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 co-ownership of property. Co-owned property is where two or more people are entitled to possess and enjoy the property at the same time. Today, there are two types of co-ownership: a joint tenancy and a tenancy in common. Co-owned property is held on trust and, since the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA) this is generally a trust of land. Legal title can only be held as a joint tenancy, by a maximum of four people. Equitable title can be held as a joint tenancy or a tenancy in common by an unlimited number of people. A joint tenancy in equity, but not at law, can be severed to create a tenancy in common. Disputes between co-owners may be dealt with by making an application to court. Where a co-owner becomes bankrupt, the trustee in bankruptcy must make an application to court to request a sale of the co-owned property.
11. Licences and proprietary estoppel
Authors: Sayles Victoria
Published: September 2020

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 licences. A licence is permission given by the licensor to the licensee to allow the latter to enter the land of the former, which, without such permission would otherwise amount to a trespass. Different types of licences have different rules in relation to the original parties and successors in title. A bare licence is revocable by the licensor and does not bind a third party. A licence coupled with an interest, ie a profit à prendre, may be irrevocable and may bind a third party whilst the interest remains. Contractual licences arise under the terms of a contract. An estoppel licence arises as a result of a representation by the licensor and a detrimental reliance by the licensee. It is binding between these two parties but is also capable of binding a third party.
13. Freehold covenants
Authors: Sayles Victoria
Published: September 2020

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 freehold covenants. Freehold covenants are promises extracted by one freehold owner (the covenantee) from another freehold owner (the covenantor), whereby the latter promises either to do (positive covenant) or not to do (negative covenant) something over his land. The land burdened by the promise becomes the servient tenement. The land benefiting from the promise becomes the dominant tenement. Covenants commonly arise when a freehold owner is selling off part of his freehold to another and wishes to maintain some degree of control over the land being sold in order to preserve the value and enjoyment of the land he is retaining. Covenants may be enforceable between successors in title to the original covenantee and covenantor but only where certain requirements have been met.
14. Mortgages
Authors: Sayles Victoria
Published: September 2020

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 mortgages. A mortgage is a proprietary interest that can be legal or equitable in status. The equity of redemption encapsulates the rights of a mortgagor and includes the equitable right to redeem and the ability to have certain clauses struck out from a mortgage agreement. The mortgagor of a dwelling house has special legislative protection. Where a mortgage is obtained under undue influence, be it actual or presumed, it may be set aside. The mortgagee has various remedies available to it should the mortgagor fail to meet the mortgage payments, dependent upon the status of the mortgage. A property may be subject to more than one mortgage and where this is the case and the property is sold, proceeds from the sale will be applied in order of priority.
4. Shares and Shareholders
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: September 2020

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. Shareholders in a company own shares, but the nature of a share and the rights of a shareholder are not easily defined. This chapter discusses the definition and characteristics of a share; the differences between different types of share, particularly ordinary and preference shares; allotment of shares and pre-emption rights; return of capital; and variation of class rights.
6. Company Management and Governance
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: September 2020

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. This chapter explores important issues in company management and corporate governance, starting by examining the role of directors and shareholders (and the relationship between them) and the separation of ‘ownership and control’. Since the early 1990s, the governance of listed companies has been dominated by self-regulatory codes (currently the UK Corporate Governance Code). This chapter examines how these codes operate and considers key themes in corporate governance, including the role of non-executive directors and auditors; the position of institutional investors; and executive remuneration.
7. Minority Shareholder Remedies
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: September 2020

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. This chapter examines the law on minority shareholder remedies, which provide some limited protection or avenues of redress for a shareholder with grievances concerning the actions of the company, directors, or majority shareholders. The chapter explores, in particular: the rule in Foss v Harbottle; derivative claims; personal claims and the issue of reflective loss; the ‘unfair prejudice’ remedy in Companies Act 2006, s. 994; and petitions to wind up the company on the ‘just and equitable’ ground under Insolvency Act 1986, s. 122(1)(g).
9. Share Capital
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: September 2020

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. This chapter examines the law on share capital for public and private companies. The doctrine of capital maintenance ensures that the company has raised the capital it claims to have raised; and that the capital is not subsequently returned, directly or indirectly, to the shareholders. There is a great deal of (mainly statutory) law surrounding this doctrine This chapter considers the capital maintenance doctrine itself and many related topics, including: the issue of shares for non-cash consideration, issue of shares at a discount, reduction of capital, purchase of a company’s own shares, redeemable shares, payment of dividends, and financial assistance by a company for the purchase of its own shares.
13. Skills for Success in Coursework Assessments
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: September 2020

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. This chapter provides advice on preparing coursework in company law and the skills required to complete it successfully, to ensure you are best prepared for your assessment. Two coursework example questions, one essay and one problem question, with accompanying answer guidance, are also available. The chapter provides lots of important tips for coursework success and includes a final checklist of issues to consider before submitting your work.
Work-life (im)balance? The amount of leisure of Wroclaw adults in the context of health promotion
Authors: Synowiec-Piłat Małgorzata , Jędrzejek Michał , Pałęga Anna , Zmyślona Beata
Published: September 2020

The amount of leisure time is essential for the psychosocial functioning of individuals and their health. The work-life balance (W-LB) is a particularly important aspect. In 2018, a study was carried out on the population of adult inhabitants of Wroclaw (Poland) (N=898). The survey method was used, based on a dedicated, structured and highly standardised interview questionnaire as the research tool. The study was based on a quota sample. Research objectives: to identify the amount of leisure time and changes in the amount of leisure time in comparison with the period five years ago and their socio-demographic determinants. A total of 49% of the respondents had less than 20 hours of leisure time per week while 51% had less leisure time than five years earlier. The amount of leisure time and changes in that amount occurring in recent years depended on the respondents’ occupational activity, age and income. What drew particular attention were leisure time deficits among: adults throughout the whole cycle of their occupational activity and among respondents with a lower economic status and those with a higher level of education. The results have an applicative value and will be used to develop a programme to promote the idea of W-LB among Wroclaw inhabitants. The effectiveness of the intervention depends on whether or not the following systemic solutions are adopted: 1) support for working people throughout the whole cycle of their professional activity, especially for those aged 35–54; 2) counteracting social and health-based inequalities.
Accounting for Those in the Hands of the Belligerent: Security Detainees, the Missing and the Dead in the Israeli–Hamas Conflict
Authors: Margalit Alon
Published: September 2020

Five Israeli nationals, two soldiers and three civilians, have gone missing since the 2014 Israeli–Hamas violent escalation, and they are currently held incommunicado by Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip. In response, the Israeli Government revoked some entitlements from Hamas security detainees held in Israel. It also withholds bodies of Palestinian militants, killed while carrying out attacks against Israelis, refusing to hand them over to the families. The bodies are to be buried in Israel until Israeli nationals, or their remains, are repatriated by Hamas. In several instances where the authorities returned the remains to the next of kin, they imposed various restrictions on the funeral arrangements. The Israeli Supreme Court recently examined the Government’s practices, with some judges finding them unlawful. These developments call for the analysis of the matter under the law of armed conflict (LOAC), taking into account that other States involved in armed conflict encounter similar challenges. This article accordingly discusses some of the legal obligations arising when persons, or their remains, are believed to be in the hands of the belligerent party. It also considers the legality of certain measures taken to promote their repatriation.
The Effect of Phenoloxidase Activity on Survival Is Host Plant Dependent in Virus-Infected Caterpillars
Authors: Resnik Justine L , Smilanich Angela M
Published: September 2020

An important goal of disease ecology is to understand trophic interactions influencing the host–pathogen relationship. This study focused on the effects of diet and immunity on the outcome of viral infection for the polyphagous butterfly, Vanessa cardui Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) (painted lady). Specifically, we aimed to understand the role that larval host plants play when fighting a viral pathogen. Larvae were orally inoculated with the entomopathogenic virus, Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV) (Family Parvoviridae, subfamily Densovirinae, genus Protoambidensovirus, species Lepidopteran protoambidensovirus 1) and reared on two different host plants (Lupinus albifrons Bentham (Fabales: Fabaceae) or Plantago lanceolata Linnaeus (Lamiales: Plantaginaceae)). Following viral infection, the immune response (i.e., phenoloxidase [PO] activity), survival to adulthood, and viral load were measured for individuals on each host plant. We found that the interaction between the immune response and survival of the viral infection was host plant dependent. The likelihood of survival was lowest for infected larvae exhibiting suppressed PO activity and feeding on P. lanceolata, providing some evidence that PO activity may be an important defense against viral infection. However, for individuals reared on L. albifrons, the viral infection had a negligible effect on the immune response, and these individuals also had higher survival and lower viral load when infected with the pathogen compared to the controls. Therefore, we suggest that host plant modifies the effects of JcDV infection and influences caterpillars’ response when infected with the virus. Overall, we conclude that the outcome of viral infection is highly dependent upon diet, and that certain host plants can provide protection from pathogens regardless of immunity.
A single galaxy population? Statistical evidence that the star-forming main sequence might be the tip of the iceberg
Authors: Corcho-Caballero P , Ascasibar Y , López-Sánchez Á R
Published: September 2020

According to their specific star formation rate (sSFR), galaxies are often divided into ‘star-forming’ and ‘passive’ populations. It is argued that the former define a narrow ‘main sequence of star-forming galaxies’ (MSSF) of the form sSFR(M*), whereas ‘passive’ galaxies feature negligible levels of star formation activity. Here we use data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey at z < 0.1 to constrain the conditional probability of the sSFR at a given stellar mass. We show that the whole population of galaxies in the local Universe is consistent with a simple probability distribution with only one maximum (roughly corresponding to the MSSF) and relatively shallow power-law tails that fully account for the ‘passive’ population. We compare the quality of the fits provided by such unimodal ansatz against those coming from a double lognormal fit (illustrating the bimodal paradigm), finding that both descriptions are roughly equally compatible with the current data. In addition, we study the physical interpretation of the bidimensional distribution across the M*–sSFR plane and discuss potential implications from a theoretical and observational point of view. We also investigate correlations with metallicity, morphology, and environment, highlighting the need to consider at least an additional parameter in order to fully specify the physical state of a galaxy.
Automated measurement of quasar redshift with a Gaussian process
Authors: Fauber Leah , Ho Ming-Feng , Bird Simeon , Shelton Christian R , Garnett Roman , Korde Ishita
Published: September 2020

We develop an automated technique to measure quasar redshifts in the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Our technique is an extension of an earlier Gaussian process method for detecting damped Lyman α absorbers (DLAs) in quasar spectra with known redshifts. We apply this technique to a subsample of SDSS DR12 with BAL quasars removed and redshift larger than 2.15. We show that we are broadly competitive to existing quasar redshift estimators, disagreeing with the PCA redshift by more than 0.5 in only $0.38{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of spectra. Our method produces a probabilistic density function for the quasar redshift, allowing quasar redshift uncertainty to be propagated to downstream users. We apply this method to detecting DLAs, accounting in a Bayesian fashion for redshift uncertainty. Compared to our earlier method with a known quasar redshift, we have a moderate decrease in our ability to detect DLAs, predominantly in the noisiest spectra. The area under curve drops from 0.96 to 0.91. Our code is publicly available.
Unveiling the stellar origin of the Wolf–Rayet nebula NGC 6888 through infrared observations
Authors: Rubio G , Toalá J A , Jiménez-Hernández P , Ramos-Larios G , Guerrero M A , Gómez-González V M A , Santamaría E , Quino-Mendoza J A
Published: September 2020

We present a comprehensive infrared (IR) study of the iconic Wolf–Rayet (WR) wind-blown bubble NGC 6888 around WR 136. We use Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Spitzer IRAC, and MIPS and Herschel PACS IR images to produce a sharp view of the distribution of dust around WR 136. We complement these IR photometric observations with Spitzer IRS spectra in the 5–38-μm wavelength range. The unprecedented high-resolution IR images allowed us to produce a clean spectral energy distribution, free of contamination from material along the line of sight, to model the properties of the dust in NGC 6888. We use the spectral synthesis code cloudy to produce a model for NGC 6888 that consistently reproduces its optical and IR properties. Our best model requires a double distribution with the inner shell composed only of gas, whilst the outer shell requires a mix of gas and dust. The dust consists of two populations of grain sizes, one with small-sized grains asmall  = [0.002–0.008] $\mu$m and another one with large-sized grains abig  = [0.05–0.5] $\mu$m. The population of big grains is similar to that reported for other red supergiants stars and dominates the total dust mass, which leads us to suggest that the current mass of NGC 6888 is purely due to material ejected from WR 136, with a negligible contribution of the swept up interstellar medium. The total mass of this model is 25.5$^{+4.7}_{-2.8}$ M⊙, a dust mass of $M_\mathrm{dust} = 0.14^{+0.03}_{-0.01}$ M⊙, for a dust-to-gas ratio of 5.6 × 10−3. Accordingly, we suggest that the initial stellar mass of WR 136 was ≲50 M⊙, consistent with current single stellar evolution models.
Potential Pathogenicity Determinants Identified from Structural Proteomics of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Prates Erica T , Garvin Michael R , Pavicic Mirko , Jones Piet , Shah Manesh , Demerdash Omar , Amos B Kirtley , Geiger Armin , Jacobson Daniel
Published: September 2020

Despite SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 being equipped with highly similar protein arsenals, the corresponding zoonoses have spread among humans at extremely different rates. The specific characteristics of these viruses that led to such distinct outcomes remain unclear. Here, we apply proteome-wide comparative structural analysis aiming to identify the unique molecular elements in the SARS-CoV-2 proteome that may explain the differing consequences. By combining protein modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, we suggest nonconservative substitutions in functional regions of the spike glycoprotein (S), nsp1, and nsp3 that are contributing to differences in virulence. Particularly, we explain why the substitutions at the receptor-binding domain of S affect the structure–dynamics behavior in complexes with putative host receptors. Conservation of functional protein regions within the two taxa is also noteworthy. We suggest that the highly conserved main protease, nsp5, of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 is part of their mechanism of circumventing the host interferon antiviral response. Overall, most substitutions occur on the protein surfaces and may be modulating their antigenic properties and interactions with other macromolecules. Our results imply that the striking difference in the pervasiveness of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV among humans seems to significantly derive from molecular features that modulate the efficiency of viral particles in entering the host cells and blocking the host immune response.
Tracing the Diploid Ancestry of the Cultivated Octoploid Strawberry
Authors: Feng Chao , Wang Jing , Harris A J , Folta Kevin M , Zhao Mizhen , Kang Ming
Published: September 2020

The commercial strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, is a recent allo-octoploid that is cultivated worldwide. However, other than Fragaria vesca, which is universally accepted one of its diploid ancestors, its other early diploid progenitors remain unclear. Here, we performed comparative analyses of the genomes of five diploid strawberries, F. iinumae, F. vesca, F. nilgerrensis, F. nubicola, and F. viridis, of which the latter three are newly sequenced. We found that the genomes of these species share highly conserved gene content and gene order. Using an alignment-based approach, we show that F. iinumae and F. vesca are the diploid progenitors to the octoploid F. × ananassa, whereas the other three diploids that we analyzed in this study are not parental species. We generated a fully resolved, dated phylogeny of Fragaria, and determined that the genus arose ∼6.37 Ma. Our results effectively resolve conflicting hypotheses regarding the putative diploid progenitors of the cultivated strawberry, establish a reliable backbone phylogeny for the genus, and provide genetic resources for molecular breeding.
Strict conformational demands of RNA cleavage in bulge-loops created by peptidyl-oligonucleotide conjugates
Authors: Staroseletz Yaroslav , Amirloo Bahareh , Williams Aled , Lomzov Alexander , Burusco Kepa K , Clarke David J , Brown Tom , Zenkova Marina A , Bichenkova Elena V
Published: September 2020

Potent knockdown of pathogenic RNA in vivo is an urgent health need unmet by both small-molecule and biologic drugs. ‘Smart’ supramolecular assembly of catalysts offers precise recognition and potent destruction of targeted RNA, hitherto not found in nature. Peptidyl-oligonucleotide ribonucleases are here chemically engineered to create and attack bulge-loop regions upon hybridization to target RNA. Catalytic peptide was incorporated either via a centrally modified nucleotide (Type 1) or through an abasic sugar residue (Type 2) within the RNA-recognition motif to reveal striking differences in biological performance and strict structural demands of ribonuclease activity. None of the Type 1 conjugates were catalytically active, whereas all Type 2 conjugates cleaved RNA target in a sequence-specific manner, with up to 90% cleavage from 5-nt bulge-loops (BC5-α and BC5L-β anomers) through multiple cuts, including in folds nearby. Molecular dynamics simulations provided structural explanation of accessibility of the RNA cleavage sites to the peptide with adoption of an ‘in-line’ attack conformation for catalysis. Hybridization assays and enzymatic probing with RNases illuminated how RNA binding specificity and dissociation after cleavage can be balanced to permit turnover of the catalytic reaction. This is an essential requirement for inactivation of multiple copies of disease-associated RNA and therapeutic efficacy.
The HMGB chromatin protein Nhp6A can bypass obstacles when traveling on DNA
Authors: Kamagata Kiyoto , Ouchi Kana , Tan Cheng , Mano Eriko , Mandali Sridhar , Wu Yining , Takada Shoji , Takahashi Satoshi , Johnson Reid C
Published: September 2020

DNA binding proteins rapidly locate their specific DNA targets through a combination of 3D and 1D diffusion mechanisms, with the 1D search involving bidirectional sliding along DNA. However, even in nucleosome-free regions, chromosomes are highly decorated with associated proteins that may block sliding. Here we investigate the ability of the abundant chromatin-associated HMGB protein Nhp6A from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to travel along DNA in the presence of other architectural DNA binding proteins using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. We observed that 1D diffusion by Nhp6A molecules is retarded by increasing densities of the bacterial proteins Fis and HU and by Nhp6A, indicating these structurally diverse proteins impede Nhp6A mobility on DNA. However, the average travel distances were larger than the average distances between neighboring proteins, implying Nhp6A is able to bypass each of these obstacles. Together with molecular dynamics simulations, our analyses suggest two binding modes: mobile molecules that can bypass barriers as they seek out DNA targets, and near stationary molecules that are associated with neighboring proteins or preferred DNA structures. The ability of mobile Nhp6A molecules to bypass different obstacles on DNA suggests they do not block 1D searches by other DNA binding proteins.
Scalar cosmological perturbations in M-theory with higher-derivative corrections
Authors: Hiraga Kazuho , Hyakutake Yoshifumi
Published: September 2020

We investigate the inflationary expansion of the universe induced by higher-curvature corrections in M-theory. The inflationary evolution of the geometry is discussed in K. Hiraga and Y. Hyakutake, Prog. Theor. Exp. Phys. 2018, 113B03 (2018), which we follow to analyze metric perturbations around the background. We especially focus on scalar perturbations and analyze linearized equations of motion for the scalar perturbations. By solving these equations explicitly, we evaluate the power spectrum of the curvature perturbation. The scalar spectrum index is estimated under some assumptions, and we show that it becomes close to 1.
The First 60 Days: Physical Therapy in a Neurosurgical Center Converted Into a COVID-19 Center in Brazil
Authors: Gaspari Clara H , Assumpção Iana , Freire Renata , Silva Ariane , Santiso Cintia , Jaccoud Anna Carolina
Published: September 2020

Objective

The purpose of this case report was to describe the role of physical therapists in a neurosurgical center that was converted into a COVID-19 center for critically ill patients.

Methods (Case Description)

On March 16, 2020, the state government of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, determined that a neurosurgical center with 44 ICU beds equipped with mechanical ventilators should immediately transfer all patients with neurological conditions to other institutions and prepare for patients who were critically ill with COVID-19. The staff, including physical therapists, were trained to handle patients with COVID-19, many of whom were developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with complex and multifactorial ventilatory support needs. Adjustments were made to the physical therapy routine and protocols. Following the stabilization of patients’ respiratory condition, physical therapist interventions focused on restoring physical function.

Results

A total of 116 confirmed COVID-19 cases were treated from March 17 to May 17, 2020. Sixty percent were men (70) and 40% were women (46), with a median age of 59 years. Eighty-nine percent (103) underwent mechanical ventilation during hospitalization, of which 11% (11) were successfully extubated. Thirty percent (31) of patients underwent tracheostomy, and 26% of those (8) were successfully decannulated. Of the total patients, 57 patients died (mortality rate of 49%), 4 (3%) were transferred to another institution, 23 (20%) were discharged home, and 32 (28%) continued to be hospitalized.

Conclusion

Physical therapists in the ICU can facilitate care for critical events such as intubation, patient positioning, ventilatory adjustments, extubation, and functional training.

Impact

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of physical therapists, specifically in the care of patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. The availability and expertise of physical therapists in the ICU are important for managing critical events such as intubation, patient positioning, ventilatory adjustments, extubation, and functional training.
Understanding Language Abnormalities and Associated Clinical Markers in Psychosis: The Promise of Computational Methods
Authors: Hitczenko Kasia , Mittal Vijay A , Goldrick Matthew
Published: September 2020

The language and speech of individuals with psychosis reflect their impairments in cognition and motor processes. These language disturbances can be used to identify individuals with and at high risk for psychosis, as well as help track and predict symptom progression, allowing for early intervention and improved outcomes. However, current methods of language assessment—manual annotations and/or clinical rating scales—are time intensive, expensive, subject to bias, and difficult to administer on a wide scale, limiting this area from reaching its full potential. Computational methods that can automatically perform linguistic analysis have started to be applied to this problem and could drastically improve our ability to use linguistic information clinically. In this article, we first review how these automated, computational methods work and how they have been applied to the field of psychosis. We show that across domains, these methods have captured differences between individuals with psychosis and healthy controls and can classify individuals with high accuracies, demonstrating the promise of these methods. We then consider the obstacles that need to be overcome before these methods can play a significant role in the clinical process and provide suggestions for how the field should address them. In particular, while much of the work thus far has focused on demonstrating the successes of these methods, we argue that a better understanding of when and why these models fail will be crucial toward ensuring these methods reach their potential in the field of psychosis.
Sodium Nitroprusside Infusion for the Treatment of Schizophrenia
Authors: Weiser Mark , Zamora Daisy , Levi Linda , Matei Valentin , Gonen Ilan , Radu Paull , Davidson Michael , Davis John M
Published: September 2020

One previous small single-center clinical trial showed that a single intravenous administration of sodium nitroprusside added-on to antipsychotics improved a wide spectrum of schizophrenia (SCZ) symptoms more than placebo, and the improvement persisted for 4 weeks after infusion even though no additional drug was given. Our study attempted to replicate these data in a 4-week, add-on, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on 20 patients performed in a site in Romania and a site in Moldova. This study’s sample size and protocol were identical to the previous trial, including patients with a diagnosis of SCZ, within the first 5 years after diagnosis. Patients recruited needed to have a baseline total positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) score of 60 or above. Ten participants received a single dose of 0.5 µg/kg/min intravenous sodium nitroprusside over 4 hours, and 10 participants received matching placebo infusion, added-on to antipsychotics. The primary outcomes were the PANSS total score and the PANSS negative subscale. There were no significant between-group differences in PANSS total scores or negative subscale scores during the infusion on daily evaluations for the next 7 days nor on weekly evaluations at weeks 2, 3, and 4. No significant differences were found between the 2 study groups in adverse events. Meta-analyses including all 5 published randomized controlled trials on the topic, representing 155 subjects, do not show a statistically significant benefit of sodium nitroprusside. We conclude that the current evidence does not support the efficacy of sodium nitroprusside in the treatment of SCZ.
The Alginate Immobilization of Metabolic Enzymes Platform Retrofits an Estrogen Receptor Transactivation Assay With Metabolic Competence
Authors: Deisenroth Chad , DeGroot Danica E , Zurlinden Todd , Eicher Andrew , McCord James , Lee Mi-Young , Carmichael Paul , Thomas Russell S
Published: September 2020

The U.S. EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program utilizes data across the ToxCast/Tox21 high-throughput screening (HTS) programs to evaluate the biological effects of potential endocrine active substances. A potential limitation to the use of in vitro assay data in regulatory decision-making is the lack of coverage for xenobiotic metabolic processes. Both hepatic- and peripheral-tissue metabolism can yield metabolites that exhibit greater activity than the parent compound (bioactivation) or are inactive (bioinactivation) for a given biological target. Interpretation of biological effect data for both putative endocrine active substances, as well as other chemicals, screened in HTS assays may benefit from the addition of xenobiotic metabolic capabilities to decrease the uncertainty in predicting potential hazards to human health. The objective of this study was to develop an approach to retrofit existing HTS assays with hepatic metabolism. The Alginate Immobilization of Metabolic Enzymes (AIME) platform encapsulates hepatic S9 fractions in alginate microspheres attached to 96-well peg lids. Functional characterization across a panel of reference substrates for phase I cytochrome P450 enzymes revealed substrate depletion with expected metabolite accumulation. Performance of the AIME method in the VM7Luc estrogen receptor transactivation assay was evaluated across 15 reference chemicals and 48 test chemicals that yield metabolites previously identified as estrogen receptor active or inactive. The results demonstrate the utility of applying the AIME method for identification of false-positive and false-negative target assay effects, reprioritization of hazard based on metabolism-dependent bioactivity, and enhanced in vivo concordance with the rodent uterotrophic bioassay. Integration of the AIME metabolism method may prove useful for future biochemical and cell-based HTS applications.
Molecular phylogeny, species delimitation and biogeographic history of theStegana(Steganina)shirozuispecies group (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from East Asia
Authors: Wang Ya-Lian , Lu Jin-Ming , Zhang Yuan , Chen Hong-Wei
Published: September 2020

The Stegana (Steganina) shirozui species group is mainly distributed in East Asia. In the present study, the molecular phylogeny of the S. shirozui group was investigated based on mitochondrial (COI and ND2) and nuclear (28S rRNA) markers. The resulting trees support the S. shirozui group as monophyletic and indicate that in this group, species associated with closer affinities show higher structural homogeneity in male genitalia. Molecular species delimitation assess most species limits and recognize four new species in the S. shirozui group from south-west China: S. alianya sp. nov., S. diodonta sp. nov., S. zebromyia sp. nov. and S. zopheria sp. nov. One new synonym was also recognized. Additionally, three typical male genital characters of the S. shirozui group were placed on the molecular phylogenetic framework. The outcome of both divergence-time estimation and ancestral area reconstruction suggests that the S. shirozui group likely originated in south-west China in the Middle Miocene.
A Mechanistic Approach To Assessing the Potential for Cover Crops To Serve as Trap Crops for the Soybean Cyst Nematode
Authors: Harbach Chelsea J. , Wlezien Elizabeth , Tylka Gregory L.
Published: September 2020

The effects of cover crops on the biology of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) are not well established. It is possible that cover crops may reduce SCN population densities by acting as trap crops. Cover crops with potential to serve as trap crops may stimulate hatching and/or attract hatched SCN juveniles and also may be penetrated by large numbers of nematodes that cannot feed. Experiments were conducted to determine whether root exudates (REs) and soil leachates (SLs) from various cover crop plants affected SCN hatching and chemotaxis and if there were significant differences in SCN juvenile root penetration among different cover crop plant types. In 14-day-long hatching experiments, there was greater SCN hatching in crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) REs and SLs than in REs and SLs from all other cover crop treatments in the experiments. No other cover crop REs and SLs significantly affected hatching. In chemotaxis experiments, SCN juveniles were attracted to REs and SLs from annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and cereal rye (Secale cereale) after 24 h. In greenhouse experiments, significantly more SCN juveniles penetrated the roots of single cultivars of crimson clover, mustard (Brassica juncea), and rapeseed (B. napus) than 11 other cover crop species/cultivars evaluated in the experiment over the course of 20 days. Few SCN juveniles penetrated the roots of annual ryegrass and cereal rye. The results suggest that crimson clover, grown as a cover crop, has the most potential to act as a trap crop for SCN. Cover crop plants may affect SCN biology in ways other than the mechanisms investigated in these experiments.
Genetic Diversity and Mating Type Distribution of Pseudocercospora fijiensis on Banana in Uganda and Tanzania
Authors: Kimunye Janet N. , Muzhinji Norman , Mostert Diane , Viljoen Altus , Bester-van der Merwe Aletta E. , Mahuku George
Published: September 2020

Black Sigatoka, caused by Pseudocercospora fijiensis, is a major foliar disease of banana and plantain worldwide. There are few available data regarding the genetic diversity and population structure of the pathogen in East Africa, which are needed to design effective and durable disease management strategies. We genotyped 319 single-spore isolates of P. fijiensis collected from seven regions in Uganda and Tanzania and five isolates from Nigeria using 16 simple sequence repeat markers and mating type-specific primers. Isolates from each country and region within the country were treated as populations and subpopulations, respectively. A total of 296 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were recovered, representing a clonal fraction of 7%. Subpopulations had a moderate level of genetic diversity (Hexp = 0.12 to 0.31; mean, 0.29). Mating type distribution did not deviate from equilibrium (MAT1-1: MAT1-2, 1:1 ratio) in Uganda; however, in Tanzania the mating types were not in equilibrium (4:1 ratio). The index of association tests (IA and r̄d) showed that all populations were at linkage equilibrium (P > 0.05), thus supporting the hypothesis of random association of alleles. These findings are consistent with a pathogen that reproduces both clonally and sexually. Low and insignificant levels of population differentiation were detected, with 90% of the variation occurring among isolates within subpopulations. The high intrapopulation variation has implications in breeding for resistance to P. fijiensis because isolates differing in aggressiveness and virulence are likely to exist over small spatial scales. Diverse isolates will be required for resistance screening to ensure selection of banana cultivars with durable resistance to Sigatoka in East Africa.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .
Effect of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockade on Long-Term Outcomes in Postacute Kidney Injury Patients With Hypertension*
Authors: Yang Chih-Yu , Liu Jia-Sin , Tseng Wei-Cheng , Tsai Ming-Tsun , Lin Ming-Huang , Kao Zih-Kai , Lin Yao-Ping , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Tarng Der-Cherng
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

Renal replacement therapy–requiring acute kidney injury frequently occurs in ICUs, which require evidence-based medical attention. However, in the postacute kidney injury patient population, the evidence regarding effective therapies to improve patient outcomes is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade is effective in improving renal outcomes in postacute kidney injury patients who experienced temporary renal replacement therapy and have hypertension.

Design:

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

A nationwide database in Taiwan.

Patients:

From January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2013, we identified 8,558 acute kidney injury patients with hypertension in the national registry database. All these patients experienced an acute kidney injury episode, which required temporary renal replacement therapy for at least once.

Interventions:

Users (n = 3,885) and nonusers (n = 4,673) of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Measurements and Main Results:

We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to analyze hazard ratios for the commencement of end-stage renal disease and all-cause mortality for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker users (n = 3,885) and nonusers (n = 4,673).

In a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 5,880 patients (68.7%) required long-term dialysis, and 4,841 patients (56.6%) died. Compared with postacute kidney injury patients who did not use angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker users are marginally less likely to progress to end-stage renal disease (adjusted hazard ratio 0.95; 95% CI 0.90–1.01; p = 0.06) and significantly less likely to suffer from all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.93; 95% CI 0.87–0.98; p = 0.011).

Conclusions:

In patients who experienced renal replacement therapy–requiring acute kidney injury and have hypertension, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker use is associated with better survival outcomes compared with nonuser.