bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disease mechanisms of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa due to RP2 and RPGR mutations
Authors: Lyraki Rodanthi , Megaw Roly , Hurd Toby
Published: October 2016

Photoreceptor degeneration is the prominent characteristic of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a heterogeneous group of inherited retinal dystrophies resulting in blindness. Although abnormalities in many pathways can cause photoreceptor degeneration, one of the most important causes is defective protein transport through the connecting cilium, the structure that connects the biosynthetic inner segment with the photosensitive outer segment of the photoreceptors. The majority of patients with X-linked RP have mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) or RP2 genes, the protein products of which are both components of the connecting cilium and associated with distinct mechanisms of protein delivery to the outer segment. RP2 and RPGR proteins are associated with severe diseases ranging from classic RP to atypical forms. In this short review, we will summarise current knowledge generated by experimental studies and knockout animal models, compare and discuss the prominent hypotheses about the two proteins' functions in retinal cell biology.
Using induced pluripotent stem cells to understand retinal ciliopathy disease mechanisms and develop therapies
Authors: Parfitt David A. , Lane Amelia , Ramsden Conor , Jovanovic Katarina , Coffey Peter J. , Hardcastle Alison J. , Cheetham Michael E.
Published: October 2016

The photoreceptor cells in the retina have a highly specialised sensory cilium, the outer segment (OS), which is important for detecting light. Mutations in cilia-related genes often result in retinal degeneration. The ability to reprogramme human cells into induced pluripotent stem cells and then differentiate them into a wide range of different cell types has revolutionised our ability to study human disease. To date, however, the challenge of producing fully differentiated photoreceptors in vitro has limited the application of this technology in studying retinal degeneration. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in stem cell technology and photoreceptor differentiation. In particular, the development of photoreceptors with rudimentary OS that can be used to understand disease mechanisms and as an important model to test potential new therapies for inherited retinal ciliopathies.
Regulation of primary cilia formation by the ubiquitin–proteasome system
Authors: Shearer Robert F. , Saunders Darren N.
Published: October 2016

Primary cilia form at the surface of most vertebrate cell types, where they are essential signalling antennae for signal transduction pathways important for development and cancer, including Hedgehog. The importance of primary cilia in development is clearly demonstrated by numerous disorders (known as ciliopathies) associated with disrupted cilia formation (ciliogenesis). Recent advances describing functional regulators of the primary cilium highlight an emerging role for the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) as a key regulator of ciliogenesis. Although there are well-documented examples of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitases in the regulation of cilia proteins, many putative components remain unvalidated. This review explores current understanding of how the UPS influences primary cilia formation, and also how recent screen data have identified more putative regulators of the UPS. Emerging research has identified many promising leads in the search for regulators of this important organelle and may identify potential novel therapeutic targets for intervention in cancer and other disease contexts.
WASP family proteins, more than Arp2/3 activators
Authors: Tyler Joe J. , Allwood Ellen G. , Ayscough Kathryn R.
Published: October 2016

Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family proteins have been extensively characterized as factors that promote the nucleation of actin through the activation of the protein complex Arp2/3. While yeast mostly have a single member of the family, mammalian cells have at least six different members, often with multiple isoforms. Members of the family are characterized by a common structure. Their N-termini are varied and are considered to confer spatial and temporal regulation of Arp2/3-activating activity, whereas their C-terminal half contains a polyproline-rich region, one or more WASP homology-2 (WH2) actin-binding domains and motifs that bind directly to Arp2/3. Recent studies, however, indicate that the yeast WASP homologue Las17 is able to nucleate actin independently of Arp2/3 through the function of novel G-actin-binding activities in its polyproline region. This allows Las17 to generate the mother filaments that are needed for subsequent Arp2/3 recruitment and activation during the actin polymerization that drives endocytic invagination in yeast. In this review, we consider how motifs within the polyproline region of Las17 support nucleation of actin filaments, and whether similar mechanisms might exist among other family members.
Persymmetric Rao and Wald tests for adaptive detection of distributed targets in compound‐Gaussian noise
Authors: Guo Xiaolu , Tao Haihong , Zhao Hong‐Yan , Liu Jun
Published: October 2016

The problem of detecting a distributed target in the presence of compound‐Gaussian noise with unknown covariance matrix is studied in this paper. Since no uniformly most powerful test exists for the problem at hand, two detectors based on the Rao and Wald tests are devised. Remarkably, the persymmetric structure of the covariance matrix is exploited in the design of the proposed detectors. Simulation results show that the proposed detectors outperform the traditional detectors, especially in training‐limited scenarios.
Resolving galaxy cluster gas properties at z ~ 1 with XMM-Newton and Chandra
Authors: Bartalucci I. , Arnaud M. , Pratt G. W. , Démoclès J. , van der Burg R. F. J. , Mazzotta P.
Published: October 2016

Massive, high-redshift, galaxy clusters are useful laboratories to test cosmological models and to probe structure formation and evolution, but observations are challenging due to cosmological dimming and angular distance effects. Here we present a pilot X-ray study of the five most massive (M500 > 5 × 1014M⊙), distant (z ~ 1), clusters detected via the Sunyaev-Zel’Dovich effect. We optimally combine XMM-Newton and Chandra X-ray observations by leveraging the throughput of XMM-Newton to obtain spatially-resolved spectroscopy, and the spatial resolution of Chandra to probe the bright inner parts and to detect embedded point sources. Capitalising on the excellent agreement in flux-related measurements, we present a new method to derive the density profiles, which are constrained in the centre by Chandra and in the outskirts by XMM-Newton. We show that the Chandra-XMM-Newton combination is fundamental for morphological analysis at these redshifts, the Chandra resolution being required to remove point source contamination, and the XMM-Newton sensitivity allowing higher significance detection of faint substructures. Measuring the morphology using images from both instruments, we found that the sample is dominated by dynamically disturbed objects. We use the combined Chandra-XMM-Newton density profiles and spatially-resolved temperature profiles to investigate thermodynamic quantities including entropy and pressure. From comparison of the scaled profiles with the local REXCESS sample, we find no significant departure from standard self-similar evolution, within the dispersion, at any radius, except for the entropy beyond 0.7 R500. The baryon mass fraction tends towards the cosmic value, with a weaker dependence on mass than that observed in the local Universe. We make a comparison with the predictions from numerical simulations. The present pilot study demonstrates the utility and feasibility of spatially-resolved analysis of individual objects at high-redshift through the combination of XMM-Newton and Chandra observations. Observations of a larger sample will allow a fuller statistical analysis to be undertaken, in particular of the intrinsic scatter in the structural and scaling properties of the cluster population.
La pragmatique dans les troubles du spectre autistique
Authors: Kissine Mikhail , Clin Elise , de Villiers Jessica
Published: October 2016

Les troubles du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) sont caractérisés par des déficits pragmatiques qui ne dépendent pas du niveau développemental, que celui-ci soit verbal ou non verbal. Cette synthèse expose, en trois volets, les directions récentes dans la recherche sur les déficits pragmatiques dans les TSA. Premièrement, nous discutons la façon dont un manque de sensibilité aux indices sociaux peut influencer l’acquisition lexicale. Deuxièmement, nous résumons des résultats récents qui suggèrent que la compréhension du langage non littéral pourrait être partiellement préservée dans les TSA. Troisièmement, nous décrivons les avancées dans l’étude des aptitudes conversationnelles dans l’autisme.
Graph coloring approach with new upper bounds for the chromatic number: team building application
Authors: Gueham Assia , Nagih Anass , Haddadene Hacene Ait , Masmoudi Malek
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we focus on the coloration approach and estimation of chromatic number. First, we propose an upper bound of the chromatic number based on the orientation algorithm described in previous studies. This upper bound is further improved by developing a novel coloration algorithm. Second, we make a theoretical and empirical comparison of our bounds with Brooks’s bound and Reed’s conjecture for class of triangle-free graphs. Third, we propose an adaptation of our algorithm to deal with the team building problem respecting several hard and soft constraints. Finally, a real case study from healthcare domain is considered for illustration.
The Fleur-de-PAP Flap for Bilateral Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Saussy Katharine , Stalder Mark , Delatte Stephen , Allen Robert , St Hilaire Hugo
Published: October 2016

The authors present the case of a 42-year-old female patient who underwent autologous breast reconstruction using a new perforator flap designed from the medial and posterior thigh. Due to a prior abdominoplasty, the patient's abdominal donor site was unavailable to reconstruct her large, ptotic breasts, so an alternate approach was undertaken. The fleur-de-PAP flap is based on the same perforators employed by the standard profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap, but simultaneously incorporates tissue from both the transverse and vertical PAP flap skin paddles. This design maximizes flap volume at a single donor site and provides a reasonable secondary option for autologous reconstruction in large-breasted patients in whom the abdomen is not available.
Rate-dependent stress evolution in nanostructured Si anodes upon lithiation
Authors: Jia Zheng , Liu Wing Kam
Published: October 2016

The development of stress and fracture in Si-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries is strongly affected by lithiation-induced plasticity. Recent experiments indicate that the nature of plasticity of lithiated silicon is rate-dependent. We establish a theoretical model to capture the viscoplastic mechanical behavior of Si anodes during two-phase lithiation. It is demonstrated that the lithiation-induced stress field is determined by the migration speed of the Li-Li3.75Si interface and the characteristic size of the Si anodes. If experimentally measured interface velocity data in Si nanoparticle are available, the mechanistic model can directly predict the rate-sensitive spatiotemporal stress profile, which is hardly measured in experiments.
Molecular modeling and assignment of IR spectra of the hydrated excess proton in isotopically dilute water
Authors: Biswas Rajib , Carpenter William , Voth Gregory A. , Tokmakoff Andrei
Published: October 2016

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy of the water O–H stretch has been widely used to probe both the local hydrogen-bonding structure and dynamics of aqueous systems. Although of significant interest, the IR spectroscopy of excess protons in water remains difficult to assign as a result of extensive and strong intermolecular interactions in hydrated proton complexes. As an alternate approach, we develop a mixed quantum-classical model for the vibrational spectroscopy of the excess proton in isotopically dilute water that draws on frozen proton-water clusters taken from reactive molecular dynamics trajectories of the latest generation multi-state empirical valence bond proton model (MS-EVB 3.2). A semi-empirical single oscillator spectroscopic map for the instantaneous transition frequency and transition dipole moment is constructed using potential energy surfaces for the O–H stretch coordinate of the excess proton using electronic structure calculations. Calculated spectra are compared with experimental spectra of dilute H+ in D2O obtained from double-difference FTIR to demonstrate the validity of the map. The model is also used to decompose IR spectra into contributions from different aqueous proton configurations. We find that the O–H transition frequency continuously decreases as the oxygen-oxygen length for a special pair proton decreases, shifting from Eigen- to Zundel-like configurations. The same shift is accompanied by a shift of the flanking water stretches of the Zundel complex to higher frequency than the hydronium O–H vibrations.
Sensitivity measurement of a cantilever-based surface stress sensor
Authors: Haag Ann-Lauriene , Schumacher Zeno , Grutter Peter
Published: October 2016

A detailed analysis of the temporal surface stress evolution for potential-driven adsorption of ions is discussed. A gold-coated cantilever is used to simultaneously measure the change in surface stress as well as the current response during an applied potential step. In this electrochemical configuration, the cantilever acts as the working electrode, a platinum wire as the counter electrode, and the Ag/AgCl (sat. KCl) electrode as the reference electrode. To study the time-dependent signal and the sensitivity of the cantilever response, the frequency of the potential step applied to the cantilever is varied from 1 s to 0.1 ms. First, a comparison between a strong adsorbing (chloride Cl−) and a weak adsorbing ion (perchlorate ClO4−) in a 1 mM solution is presented. Next, the linear relationship between surface stress and charge density is measured for these fast potential steps. The slope of this fit is defined as the sensitivity of the system and is shown to increase for shorter potential pulses. Finally, the behaviour of the surface stress and current for consecutive applied potential steps is studied.
Curvature effects in the dynamic propagation of wildfires
Authors: Hilton J. E. , Miller C. , Sharples J. J. , Sullivan A. L.
Published: October 2016

The behaviour and spread of a wildfire are driven by a range of processes including convection, radiation and the transport of burning material. The combination of these processes and their interactions with environmental conditions govern the evolution of a fire’s perimeter, which can include dynamic variation in the shape and the rate of spread of the fire. It is difficult to fully parametrise the complex interactions between these processes in order to predict a fire’s behaviour. We investigate whether the local curvature of a fire perimeter, defined as the interface between burnt and unburnt regions, can be used to model the dynamic evolution of a wildfire’s progression. We find that incorporation of curvature dependence in an empirical fire propagation model provides closer agreement with the observed evolution of field-based experimental fires than without curvature dependence. The local curvature parameter may represent compounded radiation and convective effects near the flame zone of a fire. Our findings provide a means to incorporate these effects in a computationally efficient way and may lead to improved prediction capability for empirical models of rate of spread and other fire behaviour characteristics.
Crystal structure of the cohesin loader Scc2 and insight into cohesinopathy
Authors: Kikuchi Sotaro , Borek Dominika M. , Otwinowski Zbyszek , Tomchick Diana R. , Yu Hongtao
Published: October 2016

Significance

The ring-shaped cohesin traps chromosomes inside its ring and regulates chromosome segregation during mitosis and transcription during interphase. The sister chromatid cohesion 2 protein (Scc2) opens the cohesin ring and loads it onto chromosomes. Mutations of cohesin subunits and regulators perturb transcription and cause human developmental diseases called cohesinopathy. Scc2 is the most frequently mutated cohesin regulator in cohesinopathy. In this study, we report the crystal structure of a fungal Scc2 protein, which represents a high-resolution snapshot of the cohesin loader. We have identified a set of Scc2 mutations in cohesinopathy that disrupt the binding of Scc2 to the kleisin subunit of cohesin. Our results provide critical insight into cohesin loading and cohesinopathy.
Tilting the balance between RNA interference and replication eradicatesLeishmaniaRNA virus 1 and mitigates the inflammatory response
Authors: Brettmann Erin A. , Shaik Jahangheer S. , Zangger Haroun , Lye Lon-Fye , Kuhlmann F. Matthew , Akopyants Natalia S. , Oschwald Dayna M. , Owens Katherine L. , Hickerson Suzanne M. , Ronet Catherine , Fasel Nicolas , Beverley Stephen M.
Published: October 2016

Significance

Leishmaniaparasites can be infected withLeishmaniavirus(LRV1), a double-stranded RNA virus whose presence inLeishmania guyanensisparasites exacerbates disease severity in both mouse models and humans. Studies of the role of the virus on parasite biology and virulence are hampered by the dearth of isogenic lines bearing and lacking LRV, particularly in the clinically important speciesLeishmania braziliensis. Here, we describe a method to systematically generate LRV1-freeLeishmaniaparasites using the parasite RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. The ability of transgene-driven RNAi to overcome the ability of LRV1 to withstand the endogenous RNAi attack suggests a third paradigm of virus–RNAi interaction where RNAi and virus replication exist in balance to maintain persistent infection.
Single-electron devices in silicon
Authors: Schupp Felix J.
Published: October 2016

Miniaturisation of silicon microelectronics continues to be a major driving force for the technological progress in computing and electronics. As modern device fabrication is approaching the nanometre scale, quantum effects are dominating device properties. This may set a lower bound for the size of conventional devices, and therefore ultimately limit their performance. On the other hand, quantum effects could enable the development of new types of devices, which might overcome the limitations of classical physics. This review outlines the recent progress in the field of single-electron devices for charge sensing and metrological applications. It illustrates the gap between large-scale commercial fabrication and research prototypes as well as technologies that could close this gap in the future. Any viable roadmap towards commercialisation of single-electron devices is likely to leverage the highly developed silicon-based fabrication methods that have enabled impressive progress in information and communication technology. The scope of this review ranges from random dopant fluctuations in classical devices to single-dopant transistors, and covers electron pumps as well as top-down fabricated single-electron transistors in direct-current and radio-frequency operation.

This review was submitted as part of the 2016 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged
Complete reducibility in good characteristic
Authors: Litterick Alastair , Thomas Adam
Published: October 2016

Let

G
G

be a simple algebraic group of exceptional type, over an algebraically closed field of characteristic

p
≥
0

p \ge 0

. A closed subgroup

H
H

of

G
G

is called

G
G

-completely reducible (

G
G

-cr) if whenever

H
H

is contained in a parabolic subgroup

P
P

of

G
G

, it is contained in a Levi subgroup of

P
P

. In this paper we determine the

G
G

-conjugacy classes of non-

G
G

-cr simple connected subgroups of

G
G

when

p
p

is good for

G
G

. For each such subgroup

X
X

, we determine the action of

X
X

on the adjoint module

L
(
G
)

L(G)

and the connected centraliser of

X
X

in

G
G

. As a consequence we classify all non-

G
G

-cr connected reductive subgroups of

G
G

, and determine their connected centralisers. We also classify the subgroups of

G
G

which are maximal among connected reductive subgroups, but not maximal among all connected subgroups.
Projective varieties with nonbirational linear projections and applications
Authors: Noma Atsushi
Published: October 2016

We work over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. The purpose of this paper is to characterize a nondegenerate projective variety

X
X

with a linear projection which induces a nonbirational map to its image. As an application, for smooth

X
X

of degree

d
d

and codimension

e
e

, we prove the “semiampleness” of the

(
d
−
e
+
1
)

(d-e+1)

th twist of the ideal sheaf. This improves a linear bound of the regularity of smooth projective varieties by Bayer–Mumford–Bertram–Ein–Lazarsfeld, and gives an asymptotic regularity bound.
Traces of Hecke operators and refined weight enumerators of Reed-Solomon codes
Authors: Kaplan Nathan , Petrow Ian
Published: October 2016

We study the quadratic residue weight enumerators of the dual projective Reed-Solomon codes of dimensions

5
5

and

q
−
4

q-4

over the finite field

F

q

\mathbb {F}_q

. Our main results are formulas for the coefficients of the quadratic residue weight enumerators for such codes. If

q
=

p
v

q=p^v

and we fix

v
v

and vary

p
p

, then our formulas for the coefficients of the dimension

q
−
4

q-4

code involve only polynomials in

p
p

and the trace of the

q

t
h

q^{\mathrm {th}}

and

(
q

/

p
2

)

th

(q/p^2)^{\text {th}}

Hecke operators acting on spaces of cusp forms for the congruence groups

SL
2

⁡
(

Z

)
,

Γ
0

(
2
)

\operatorname {SL}_2 (\mathbb {Z}), \Gamma _0(2)

, and

Γ
0

(
4
)

\Gamma _0(4)

. The main tool we use is the Eichler-Selberg trace formula, which gives along the way a variation of a theorem of Birch on the distribution of rational point counts for elliptic curves with prescribed

2
2

-torsion over a fixed finite field.
6. Domicile, nationality, and habitual residence
Authors: Hill Jonathan
Published: October 2016

The object of jurisdictional rules is to determine an appropriate forum and choice of law rules are designed to lead to the application of the most appropriate law, the law that generally the parties might reasonably expect to apply. The test for recognition of foreign judgments is not dissimilar. A judgment granted by an appropriate forum should normally be recognised. The problem is one of ascertaining the connecting factor (or factors) which would best satisfy the criterion of appropriateness. With regards to personal connecting factors, there is little international agreement as to the appropriate test of ‘belonging’. In England and most common law countries, the traditional personal connecting factor is domicile, which loosely translates as a person's permanent home. One of the problems here is that domicile is a connecting factor which is interpreted differently in various parts of the world. In contrast, most of continental Europe and other civil law countries have traditionally used nationality as the basic connecting factor, especially for choice of law purposes; the personal law is the law of the country of which the person is a citizen. In some countries, including England, another connecting factor, habitual residence, has emerged. This is increasingly being used for the purposes of jurisdiction rules and in the law relating to recognition of foreign judgments. This chapter examines each of these personal connecting factors. Primary emphasis is laid on domicile and habitual residence as the two main connecting factors employed by English law.
6. Freedom from Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment
Authors: Foster Steve
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offer the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, diagram answer plans, caution advice, suggested answers, illustrative diagrams and flowcharts and advice on gaining extra marks. Q&A Human Rights and Civil Liberties offers expert advice on what to expect from your human rights and civil liberties exam, how best to prepare, and guidance on what examiners are really looking for. Written by experienced examiners, it provides: clear commentary with each question and answer; bullet point and diagram answer plans; tips to make your answer really stand out from the crowd; and further reading suggestions at the end of every chapter. The book should help you to: identify typical law exam questions; structure a first-class answer; avoid common mistakes; show the examiner what you know; make your answer stand out from the crowd; and find relevant further reading.

This chapter covers the area of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment, including the meaning of those terms and the application of this protection in the context of prisoners’ rights and deportation.
7. Due Process, Liberty and Security of the Person, and the Right to a Fair Trial
Authors: Foster Steve
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offer the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, diagram answer plans, caution advice, suggested answers, illustrative diagrams and flowcharts and advice on gaining extra marks. Q&A Human Rights and Civil Liberties offers expert advice on what to expect from your human rights and civil liberties exam, how best to prepare, and guidance on what examiners are really looking for. Written by experienced examiners, it provides: clear commentary with each question and answer; bullet point and diagram answer plans; tips to make your answer really stand out from the crowd; and further reading suggestions at the end of every chapter. The book should help you to: identify typical law exam questions; structure a first-class answer; avoid common mistakes; show the examiner what you know; make your answer stand out from the crowd; and find relevant further reading.

This chapter covers due process, liberty, and security of the person, and the right to a fair trial, including articles 5, 6, and 7 of the ECHR and their application to matters such as prison discipline, police powers, and the fight against terrorism.
4. Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person
Authors: Allen Mischa
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, diagram answer plans, suggested answers, and author commentary. This chapter presents sample exam questions on non-fatal offences against the person and suggested answers. The questions cover all the typical offences against the person one would expect to find on a standard criminal law syllabus. The emphasis in this chapter is on the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, in particular ss. 18, 20, and 47. Common law assault and battery are also covered. Self-defence and the common law defence of consent are also considered.
6. Property Offences
Authors: Allen Mischa
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, diagram answer plans, suggested answers, and author commentary. This chapter presents sample exam questions on theft, fraud, and other property offences such as robbery, burglary, along with suggested answers. The law of property is vast, and contained in a number of different pieces of legislation. As this chapter explains, the Fraud Act 2006 was designed to replace many of the discrepancies and inconsistencies in the diverse provisions of the Theft Acts of 1968 and 1978. It pays to be methodical in approaching property problems. Some parts can be dealt with in a sentence without any reference to authority, others will require considerable coverage. Dishonesty is an important concept throughout the property offences.
7. Minority Shareholder Remedies
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: October 2016

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).
13. Skills for Success in Coursework Assessments
Authors: Moore Imogen
Published: October 2016

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, to ensure you are best prepared for your assessment. It provides lots of important tips for coursework success and includes a final checklist of issues to consider before submitting your work.
2. Constitutions:
Authors: Clements Richard
Published: October 2016

The Q&A series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each chapter includes typical questions; diagram problem and essay answer plans, suggested answers, notes of caution, tips on obtaining extra marks, the key debates on each topic and suggestions on further reading. This chapter considers the constitution of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland. The questions deal with issues such as whether a written constitution would make a great improvement to the UK system of government; the purpose of constitutional conventions; Dicey’s theory of the rule of law; the meaning of ‘separation of powers’; and its role in the constitutional arrangements of the UK and devolution or federalism.
3. Prime Minister and Cabinet
Authors: Clements Richard
Published: October 2016

The Q&A series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each chapter includes typical questions; diagram problem and essay answer plans, suggested answers, notes of caution, tips on obtaining extra marks, the key debates on each topic, and suggestions on further reading. This chapter presents issues relating to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The sample questions given here deal with issues such as the extent to which the UK has moved from a system of Cabinet government to a system of Prime Ministerial government; collective ministerial responsibility; and how the convention of individual ministerial responsibility operates in relation to departmental error.
7. The Human Rights Act 1998
Authors: Clements Richard
Published: October 2016

The Q&A series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each chapter includes typical questions; diagram problem and essay answer plans, suggested answers, notes of caution, tips on obtaining extra marks, the key debates on each topic and suggestions on further reading. This chapter describes issues relating to the Human Rights Act 1998. The questions presented here deal with issues such as the response to terrorism; the effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 on English law; whether the Human Rights Act 1998 should be replaced with a UK bill of rights; the Human Rights Act not changing parliamentary supremacy, but the courts being able to issue a declaration of incompatibility; and the effect of the Human Rights Act on individual rights.
1. Exam Skills for Success in EU law
Authors: Foster Nigel
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offer the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, bullet-pointed answer plans and suggested answers, author commentary and illustrative diagrams and flowcharts. This introductory chapter sets out the book’s purpose, which is to provide a number of example questions on European Union (EU) law, which should be fairly typical of those met on degree level courses on EU law. The questions are then followed by a few sentences or paragraphs of comment on the type of question, the main aspects or elements to be considered in the question, various examiner’s tips on particular issues to be aware of, to include or indeed to avoid, and advice on structuring the answer. The suggested answers are designed to demonstrate how the particular questions should be answered to get a good mark, i.e., an upper second or better.
5. The Jurisdiction of the Court of Justice
Authors: Foster Nigel
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offer the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, bullet-pointed answer plans and suggested answers, author commentary and illustrative diagrams and flowcharts. This chapter deals with questions on the range of actions or types of procedure provided for under the TFEU (ex European Community (EC) Treaty). These are the actions under Arts 258-260, 263, 265, 267, 268, 277, and 340 TFEU. The questions range from a straightforward consideration on the procedure of each action to the difficulties for applicants in these actions; the setting of difficult problem questions on the procedural aspects to questions requiring a consideration of more than one action. The chapter concludes with a general question on the overall range and effectiveness of remedies for individuals in the EU legal order. A mixture of essay and problem-type questions is provided.
8. Competition and Merger Law
Authors: Foster Nigel
Published: October 2016

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offer the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, bullet-pointed answer plans and suggested answers, author commentary and illustrative diagrams and flowcharts. This chapter presents sample exam questions along with examiner’s tips, answer plans, and suggested answers about EU competition and merger law. The questions on competition law range from a general overview question, a question which surveys the basic concepts and requirements of Arts 101 and 102 TFEU and the Mergers Regulation, to questions concentrating on specific aspects of competition law including the procedure of competition law investigations and enforcement. The 2007 Lisbon Treaty made little substantive change to the competition law provisions, which can be found in Arts 101-106 of the amended TFEU. More significant is the Competition Regulation 1/2003 and the Merger Regulation, 139/2004, which is under revision for future reform or replacement.
10. Skills for Success in Coursework Assessments
Authors: Foster Nigel
Published: October 2016

In Chapter 1, some of the different or special considerations of EU were outlined. In some of the other chapters, I indicated certain questions, which due to their nature might be suitable as coursework questions. In this chapter, I will provide some guidance in tackling EU coursework questions. It may be that coursework is a percentage or in some cases the whole assessment for your EU law module. In my experience, having been an internal or external EU law examiner in about 20 UK and European Universities, word limits can also vary but depending on the percentage value carried, may be just 2,000 words up to 7,500 for undergraduate coursework. 10,000 words cannot be ruled out, but would be the exception. Some coursework questions will be in the form of an essay-style question and some will be in the form of a problem. The problem questions are likely to be composite questions but are unlikely in EU law to be fully mixed questions involving both procedural law and substantive law, although it is not ruled out; there are over 100 law schools out there and they can vary considerably in their coursework requirements. In EU law, I have observed that longer coursework questions tend to concentrate either on one involving a number of procedural actions, or on specific substantive subjects such as the free movement of goods or persons, competition law, or discrimination law. The questions at undergraduate level are more likely to be set questions, but longer word limits might alternatively involve you in choosing your own topic....
5. Raising capital: equity and its consequences
Authors: Dignam Alan , Lowry John
Published: October 2016

Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter focuses on raising equity from the general public and its consequences for the operation of the company. It begins by outlining the basics of raising equity before turning to the consequences of operating in a public market, with emphasis on areas such as takeovers and insider dealing. It then considers the distinction between public and private companies in terms of capital raising, how such companies are regulated, and how public companies differ from listed companies. It also discusses various methods of raising money from the public, the role of the Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange in ensuring the proper functioning of the listed market in the UK, and the regulation of listed companies as well as takeovers and other public offers. The chapter concludes by examining the Takeovers Directive (Directive 2004/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 21, 2004 on Takeover Bids).
12. The constitution of the company: dealing with outsiders
Authors: Dignam Alan , Lowry John
Published: October 2016

Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter explores the legal aspects of transactions made with those outside the company (called outsiders or third parties), with emphasis on how they are determined to be legitimate and binding on the company. It also discusses the ultra vires doctrine and the three particular issues that make it a very tricky problem for the courts; the inclusion of the benefit of the company criterion to the ultra vires issue; the reform of ultra vires; and the application of the general principles of agency in determining whether the company is bound by a particular transaction. The chapter concludes by analysing reforms in the Companies Act 2006 concerning the authority of directors to bind the company or authorise others to do so.
Beyond access: barriers to internet health information seeking among the urban poor
Authors: McCloud Rachel F , Okechukwu Cassandra A , Sorensen Glorian , Viswanath K
Published: October 2016

Objective Communication inequalities deepen health disparities even when internet access is achieved. The goal of this study is to understand how a range of barriers may inhibit individuals from low socioeconomic position (SEP) from engaging with online health information even when it is freely available.

Materials and methods Detailed data were collected from 118 low-SEP individuals from a randomized controlled trial providing internet access. Measures triangulated the health-seeking experience through internet use tracked in real-time, call log data, and self-reported barriers. Negative binomial regression models were fitted with technology and perceived predictors, and our outcome, health information seeking, and then stratified by medical status.

Results Participants experienced a median of two computer issues (median 6 days) and two internet issues (median 6.5 days). Duration of internet problems was associated with a decrease in the rate of internet health information seeking by a factor of 0.990 ( P = .03) for each additional day. Participants with a medical problem who were frustrated in their search for health information had half the rate of health information seeking of those who were not frustrated (incidence rate ratio = 0.395, P = .030).

Discussion Despite IT support, participants still experienced internet connectivity issues that negatively impacted their health information seeking. Frustration in their search to find information may serve as an additional barrier to those who have medical issues.

Conclusion After initial internet access, a second-level digital divide emerged due to connectivity issues, highlighting the need to understand the complex network of barriers experienced by low-SEP internet users.
Online HIV awareness and technology affordance benefits for black female collegians — maybe not: the case of stigma
Authors: Payton Fay Cobb , Kvasny Lynette
Published: October 2016

Objective: We investigate the technology affordances associated with and anticipated from an online human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention awareness platform, myHealthImpactNetwork, intended to reach black female college students. This population is at increased risk for HIV transmission, but is not often studied. In addition, this population regularly uses digital tools, including Web sites and social media platforms, to engage in health information seeking.

Materials and Methods: We conducted 11 focus groups with 60 black female college students attending 2 universities in the United States. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analyses.

Results: Contrary to our proposition, the participants’ information needs did not align with the anticipated benefits associated with the technology affordances of the prevention awareness platform. Concerns about personal online social capital, reputation management, and stigma limited participants’ willingness to engage with the HIV prevention content on the website.

Discussion: Although the participants use digital tools as a primary means of becoming informed about health, concerns that friends, family, and others in their social networks would assume that they were HIV infected limited their willingness to engage with myHealthImpactNetwork. Print media and conversations with health care professionals were preferred channels for obtaining HIV prevention information.

Conclusions: Perceptions of stigma associated with HIV negatively impact health information seeking and sharing in the online social networks in which black college students engage. However, by understanding the unanticipated consequences, researchers can effectively design for cultures and subcultures infected and affected by health disparities.
Concurrent Systemic Chemoimmunotherapy and Sofosbuvir-Based Antiviral Treatment in a Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patient With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Ewers Evan C. , Shah Phalgoon A. , Carmichael Mark G. , Ferguson Tomas M.
Published: October 2016

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with the development of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. For aggressive lymphomas, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), treatment of HCV infection is typically deferred in treatment-naive patients until after completion of lymphoma therapy [1, 2]. We report a case of HCV-associated stage IV DLBCL successfully treated concurrently using chemoimmunotherapy and a sofosbuvir-based antiviral regimen.
Advancing Women’s Health and Women’s Leadership With Endowed Chairs in Women’s Health
Authors: Carnes Molly , Johnson Paula , Klein Wendy , Jenkins Marjorie , Bairey Merz C. Noel
Published: October 2016

Gender-based bias and conflation of gender and status are root causes of disparities in women’s health care and the slow advancement of women to leadership in academic medicine. More than a quarter of women physicians train in internal medicine and its subspecialties, and women physicians almost exclusively constitute the women’s health focus within internal medicine. Thus, internal medicine has considerable opportunity to develop women leaders in academic medicine and promote women’s health equity.

To probe whether holding an endowed chair—which confers status—in women’s health may be an effective way to advance women leaders in academic medicine and women’s health, the authors explored the current status of endowed chairs in women’s health in internal medicine. They found that the number of these endowed chairs in North America increased from 7 in 2013 to 19 in 2015, and all were held by women. The perceptions of incumbents and other women’s health leaders supported the premise that an endowed chair in women’s health would increase women’s leadership, the institutional stature of women’s health, and activities in women’s health research, education, and clinical care.

Going forward, it will be important to explore why not all recipients perceived that the endowed chair enhanced their own academic leadership, whether providing women’s health leaders with fundraising expertise fosters future success in increasing the number of women’s health endowed chairs, and how the conflation of gender and status play out (e.g., salary differences between endowed chairs) as the number of endowed chairs in women’s health increases.
What Matters More About the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy? Their Underlying Constructs or Their Relationships With Pertinent Measures of Clinical Competence and Patient Outcomes?
Authors: Hojat Mohammadreza , Gonnella Joseph S.
Published: October 2016

In their study published in this issue of Academic Medicine, Costa and colleagues confirmed the underlying constructs of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) in medical students. The authors of this Commentary propose that in comparing two instruments that both purport to measure empathy, researchers or test users must pay close attention to the target populations, the conceptualizations of empathy, and the validity evidence in relation to pertinent criterion measures. The Commentary’s authors draw attention to the fact that the IRI was developed for administration to the general population, whereas the JSE was developed specifically for administration to students and practitioners of health professions. Also, the author of the IRI conceptualized empathy as a combination of cognitive and emotional attributes, whereas the authors of the JSE defined empathy as a predominantly cognitive attribute. These differences are reflected in the content of the items, which determines the underlying constructs of the two instruments. The Commentary authors suggest that any empathy-measuring instrument in the context of health professions education and patient care requires the crucial evidence of significant relationships with indicators of clinical competence and positive patient outcomes. Such validity evidence is readily available for the JSE, and the Commentary authors recommend that researchers make efforts to provide pertinent validity support for any other instrument measuring empathy in health professionals-in-training and in-practice.