bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BCG Vaccination Induces Robust CD4+ T Cell Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex–Specific Lipopeptides in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Kaufmann Eva , Spohr Christina , Battenfeld Sibylle , De Paepe Diane , Holzhauser Thomas , Balks Elisabeth , Homolka Susanne , Reiling Norbert , Gilleron Martine , Bastian Max
Published: February 2016

A new class of highly antigenic, MHC-II–restricted mycobacterial lipopeptides that are recognized by CD4-positive T lymphocytes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis–infected humans has recently been described. To investigate the relevance of this novel class of mycobacterial Ags in the context of experimental bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination, Ag-specific T cell responses to mycobacterial lipid and lipopeptide-enriched Ag preparations were analyzed in immunized guinea pigs. Lipid and lipopeptide preparations as well as complex Ag mixtures, such as tuberculin, mycobacterial lysates, and culture supernatants, all induced a similar level of T cell proliferation. The hypothesis that lipopeptide-specific T cells dominate the early BCG-induced T cell response was corroborated in restimulation assays by the observation that Ag-expanded T cells specifically responded to the lipopeptide preparation. A comparative analysis of the responses to Ag preparations from different mycobacterial species revealed that the antigenic lipopeptides are specific for strains of the M. tuberculosis complex. Their intriguing conservation in pathogenic tuberculous bacteria and the fact that these highly immunogenic Ags seem to be actively released during in vitro culture and intracellular infection prompt the urgent question about their role in the fine-tuned interplay between the pathogen and its mammalian host, in particular with regard to BCG vaccination strategies.
PREVALENCE OF SICKLE CELL TRAIT IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS OF BEIRUT, LEBANON
Authors: El Ariss Abdel Badih , Younes Mohamad , Matar Jad , Berjaoui Zeina
Published: February 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, gender differences, and time trends of sickle cell trait in Beirut, Lebanon. Another objective was to describe a new screening technique for sickle cell trait carriers.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out at a private laboratory in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon between 2002 and 2014. The sickling test was carried out for each patient using two methods: the classical “sodium metabisulfite sickling test”, and the new “sickling test method” used in the private lab.  As a confirmatory test, haemoglobin electrophoresis was run on a random sample of 223 cases who were found to be positive using the two sickling tests. Results: A total of 899 cases were found to be positive for the sickle cell trait out of 184,105 subjects screened during the 12-year period, prevalence = 0.49% (95% CI: 0.46 – 0.52). Among the total sample, females were found to have higher prevalence, where no time trend over the studied period was noted.  The haemoglobin electrophoresis method confirmed the results of this new sickling test technique among the random sample of the 223 cases. Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of sickle cell trait is lower as compared to other Arab countries, higher in females, with no significant time trend. The sickle cell test was found to be an accurate, simple and cheap test which could be easily added as a requirement to the pre-marital testing to screen for sickle cell trait carriers.
Superior Efficacy and Safety of a Nonemulsive Variant of the NGcGM3/VSSP Vaccine in Advanced Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: de la Torre Ana , Pérez Kirenia , Vega Aliz M. , Santiesteban Eduardo , Ruiz Raiza , Hernández Leonardo , Durrutí Dayamí , Viada Carmen E. , Sánchez Liset , álvarez Mabel , Durán Yunier , Moreno Yoisbel G. , Arencibia Maylén , Cepeda Meylán , Domecq Milagros , Cabrera Leticia , Sánchez Jorge L. , Hernández José J. , Valls Ana R. , Fernández Luis E.
Published: February 2016

NGcGM3 ganglioside is a tumor-specific antigen expressed in human breast tumors. The NGcGM3/VSSP vaccine, consisting in very small-sized proteoliposomes (VSSP) obtained by the incorporation of NGcGM3 into the outer membrane protein complex of Neisseria meningitidis, has been previously tested in a Phase II trial in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) but emulsified with Montanide ISA 51. An Expanded Access study was carried out in MBC patients aiming to find if a nonemulsive formulation of NGcGM3/VSSP, without Montanide ISA 51, could be more safe and effective. A total of 104 patients were vaccinated with the nonemulsive formulation (900 μg), subcutaneously (SC), or with the emulsive formulation (200 μg), intramuscularly (IM). An intent-to-treat analysis of efficacy was performed with all patients, and 93 patients were split off according to the site of metastases (visceral/nonvisceral). Of note, SC-treated patients exhibited a superior median overall survival (OS) than IM-treated patients (23.6 vs. 8.2 months; log rank P = 0.001). Even though in the subset of patients with nonvisceral metastases SC vaccination duplicated the median OS compared to the alternative option (31.6 vs. 16.5 months), this difference did not reach statistical significance (log rank P = 0.118). Curiously, in patients with visceral metastases, the advantage of the nonemulsive formulation was more apparent (median OS 21.0 vs. 6.2 months; log rank P = 0.005). The vaccine was safe for both formulations.
Management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Resistant to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Treatment
Authors: Wieczorek Agnieszka , Uharek Lutz
Published: February 2016

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation called the Philadelphia chromosome. This oncogene is generated by the fusion of breakpoint cluster region (BCR) and Abelson leukemia virus (ABL) genes and encodes a novel fusion gene translating into a protein with constitutive tyrosine kinase activity. The discovery and introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) irreversibly changed the landscape of CML treatment, leading to dramatic improvement in long-term survival rates. The majority of patients with CML in the chronic phase have a life expectancy comparable with that of healthy age-matched individuals. Although an enormous therapeutic improvement has been accomplished, there are still some unresolved issues in the treatment of patients with CML. One of the most important problems is based on the fact that TKIs can efficiently target proliferating mature cells but do not eradicate leukemic stem cells, allowing persistence of the malignant clone. Owing to the resistance mechanisms arising during the course of the disease, treatment with most of the approved BCR-ABL1 TKIs may become ineffective in a proportion of patients. This article highlights the different molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance being developed during treatment with TKIs as well as the pharmacological strategies to overcome it. Moreover, it gives an overview of novel drugs and therapies that are aiming in overcoming drug resistance, loss of response, and kinase domain mutations.
From the Field to the Laboratory: Air Pollutant-Induced Genomic Effects in Lung Cells
Authors: Vizuete William , Sexton Kenneth G. , Nguyen Hang , Smeester Lisa , Aagaard Kjersti Marie , Shope Cynthia , Lefer Barry , Flynn James H. , Alvarez Sergio , Erickson Mathew H. , Fry Rebecca C.
Published: February 2016

Current in vitro studies do not typically assess cellular impacts in relation to real-world atmospheric mixtures of gases. In this study, we set out to examine the feasibility of measuring biological responses at the level of gene expression in human lung cells upon direct exposures to air in the field. This study describes the successful deployment of lung cells in the heavily industrialized Houston Ship Channel. By examining messenger RNA (mRNA) levels from exposed lung cells, we identified changes in genes that play a role as inflammatory responders in the cell. The results show anticipated responses from negative and positive controls, confirming the integrity of the experimental protocol and the successful deployment of the in vitro instrument. Furthermore, exposures to ambient conditions displayed robust changes in gene expression. These results demonstrate a methodology that can produce gas-phase toxicity data in the field.
The Social Side of the Pathways Model: Examining the Mediation of Social Support on the Relationship between Psychopathology and Problem Gambling
Authors: Van der Maas Mark
Published: February 2016

This study uses a large representative sample of gamblers in the Canadian province of Quebec to examine the relationship between social support and psychopathologies commonly associated with gambling problems. Generalized linear modeling is applied to the 2008 Canadian Community Health Survey to find that social support mediates the relationship between mood disorders and problems that a person experiences as a result of gambling. These findings are discussed in the context of developing a framework that understands the features of social support in relation to psychopathological predictors of gambling problems. The study concludes that prominent psychopathological predictors of problem gambling are best understood in the respective contexts of the social environments in which they are found.
Mid-21st century air quality at the urban scale under the influence of changed climate and emissions – case studies for Paris and Stockholm
Authors: Markakis Konstantinos , Valari Myrto , Engardt Magnuz , Lacressonniere Gwendoline , Vautard Robert , Andersson Camilla
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations over Paris, France and Stockholm, Sweden were modelled at 4 and 1 km horizontal resolutions respectively for the present and 2050 periods employing decade-long simulations. We account for large-scale global climate change (RCP-4.5) and fine-resolution bottom-up emission projections developed by local experts and quantify their impact on future pollutant concentrations. Moreover, we identify biases related to the implementation of regional-scale emission projections by comparing modelled pollutant concentrations between the fine- and coarse-scale simulations over the study areas. We show that over urban areas with major regional contribution (e.g. the city of Stockholm) the bias related to coarse-scale projections may be significant and lead to policy misclassification. Our results stress the need to better understand the mechanism of bias propagation across the modelling scales in order to design more successful local-scale strategies. We find that the impact of climate change is spatially homogeneous in both regions, implying strong regional influence. The climate benefit for ozone (daily mean and maximum) is up to −5 % for Paris and −2 % for Stockholm city. The climate benefit on PM2.5 and PM10 in Paris is between −5 and −10 %, while for Stockholm we estimate mixed trends of up to 3 % depending on season and size class. In Stockholm, emission mitigation leads to concentration reductions up to 15 % for daily mean and maximum ozone and 20 % for PM. Through a sensitivity analysis we show that this response is entirely due to changes in emissions at the regional scale. On the contrary, over the city of Paris (VOC-limited photochemical regime), local mitigation of NOx emissions increases future ozone concentrations due to ozone titration inhibition. This competing trend between the respective roles of emission and climate change, results in an increase in 2050 daily mean ozone by 2.5 % in Paris. Climate and not emission change appears to be the most influential factor for maximum ozone concentration over the city of Paris, which may be particularly interesting from a health impact perspective.
Assessment of BeiDou differential code bias variations from multi-GNSS network observations
Authors: Jin S. G. , Jin R. , Li D.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The differential code bias (DCB) of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) affects precise ionospheric modeling and applications. In this paper, daily DCBs of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) are estimated and investigated from 2-year multi-GNSS network observations (2013–2014) based on global ionospheric maps (GIMs) from the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE), which are compared with Global Positioning System (GPS) results. The DCB of BDS satellites is a little less stable than GPS solutions, especially for geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites. The BDS GEO observations decrease the precision of inclined geosynchronous satellite orbit (IGSO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) DCB estimations. The RMS of BDS satellites DCB decreases to about 0.2 ns when we remove BDS GEO observations. Zero-mean condition effects are not the dominant factor for the higher RMS of BDS satellites DCB. Although there are no obvious secular variations in the DCB time series, sub-nanosecond variations are visible for both BDS and GPS satellites DCBs during 2013–2014. For satellites in the same orbital plane, their DCB variations have similar characteristics. In addition, variations in receivers DCB in the same region are found with a similar pattern between BDS and GPS. These variations in both GPS and BDS DCBs are mainly related to the estimated error from ionospheric variability, while the BDS DCB intrinsic variation is in sub-nanoseconds.
Calculations of automatic chamber flux measurements of methane and carbon dioxide using short time series of concentrations
Authors: Pirk Norbert , Mastepanov Mikhail , Parmentier Frans-Jan W. , Lund Magnus , Crill Patrick , Christensen Torben R.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The closed chamber technique is widely used to measure the exchange of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from terrestrial ecosystems. There is, however, large uncertainty about which model should be used to calculate the gas flux from the measured gas concentrations. Due to experimental uncertainties the simple linear regression model (first-order polynomial) is often applied, even though theoretical considerations of the technique suggest the application of other, curvilinear models. High-resolution automatic chamber systems which sample gas concentrations several hundred times per flux measurement make it possible to resolve the curvilinear behavior and study the information imposed by the natural variability of the temporal concentration changes. We used more than 50 000 such flux measurements of CH4 and CO2 from five field sites located in peat-forming wetlands ranging from 56 to 78° N to quantify the typical differences between flux estimates of different models. In addition, we aimed to assess the curvilinearity of the concentration time series and test the general applicability of curvilinear models. Despite significant episodic differences between the calculated flux estimates, the overall differences are generally found to be smaller than the local flux variability on the plot scale. The curvilinear behavior of the gas concentrations within the chamber is strongly influenced by wind-driven chamber leakage, and less so by changing gas concentration gradients in the soil during chamber closure. Such physical processes affect both gas species equally, which makes it possible to isolate biochemical processes affecting the gases differently, such as photosynthesis limitation by chamber headspace CO2 concentrations under high levels of incoming solar radiation. We assess the possibility to exploit this effect for a partitioning of the net CO2 flux into photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration as an example of how high-resolution automatic chamber measurements could be used for purposes beyond the estimation of the net gas flux. This shows that while linear and curvilinear calculation schemes can provide similar net fluxes, only curvilinear models open additional possibilities for high-resolution automatic chamber measurements.
Short-term changes in a microplankton community in the Chukchi Sea during autumn: consequences of a strong wind event
Authors: Yokoi Naoya , Matsuno Kohei , Ichinomiya Mutsuo , Yamaguchi Atsushi , Nishino Shigeto , Onodera Jonaotaro , Inoue Jun , Kikuchi Takashi
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Recent studies indicate an increase in atmospheric turbulence in the Chukchi Sea due to the recent drastic sea-ice reduction during summer months. The importance of the effects of this atmospheric turbulence on the marine ecosystem in this region, however, is not fully understood. To evaluate the effects of atmospheric turbulence on the marine ecosystem, high-frequency sampling (daily) from five layers of the microplankton community between 0 and 30 m at a fixed station in the Chukchi Sea from 10 through 25 September 2013 was conducted. During the study period, a strong wind event (SWE) was observed on 18 and 19 September. The abundance of microplankton was 2.6 to 17.6 cells mL−1, with a maximum abundance being reported at 20 m on 22 September, while diatoms were the most dominant taxa throughout the study period. The abundance of diatoms, dinoflagellates and ciliates ranged between 1.6 and 14.1, 0.5 and 2.4 and 0.1 and 2.8 cells mL−1, respectively. Diatoms belonging to 7 genera consisting of 35 species (Cylindrotheca closterium and Leptocylindrus danicus were dominant), dinoflagellates belonging to 7 genera consisting of 25 species (Prorocentrum balticum and Gymnodinium spp. were dominant) and ciliates belonging to 7 genera consisting of 8 species (Strobilidium spp. and Strombidium spp. were dominant) were identified. Within the microplankton species, there were 11 species with abundances that increased after the SWE, while there was no species with an abundance that decreased following the SWE. It is conjectured that atmospheric turbulences, such as that of an SWE, may supply sufficient nutrients to the surface layer that subsequently enhance the small bloom under the weak stratification of the Chukchi Sea Shelf during the autumn months. After the bloom, the dominant diatom community then shifts from centric-dominated to one where centric/pennate are more equal in abundance.
Annual changes in plant functional types and their responses to climate change on the Northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cuo Lan , Zhang Yongxin , Piao Shilong , Gao Yanhong
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Changes in plant functional types (PFTs) have important implications for both climate and water resources. Still, little is known about whether and how PFTs have changed over the past decades on the Northern Tibetan Plateau (NTP) where several of the top largest rivers in the world are originated. Also, the relative importance of atmospheric conditions versus soil physical conditions in affecting PFTs is unknown on the NTP. In this study, we used the improved Lund-Potsdam-Jena Dynamic Global Vegetation Model to investigate PFT changes through examining the changes in foliar projective coverages (FPCs) during 1957–2009 and their responses to changes in root zone soil temperature, soil moisture, air temperature, precipitation and CO2 concentrations. The results show spatially heterogeneous changes in FPCs across the NTP during 1957–2009, with 34 % (13 %) of the region showing increasing (decreasing) trends. Dominant drivers responsible for the observed FPC changes vary with regions and vegetation types, but overall, precipitation is the major factor in determining FPC changes on the NTP with positive impacts. Soil temperature increase exhibits small but negative impacts on FPCs. Different responses of individual FPCs to regionally varying climate change result in spatially heterogeneous patterns of vegetation changes on the NTP. The implication of the study is that fresh water resources in one of the world's largest and most important headwater basins and the onset and intensity of Asian monsoon circulations could be affected because of the changes in FPCs on the NTP.
Hydrological Modeling in an Ungauged Basin of Central Vietnam Using SWAT Model
Authors: Rafiei Emam Ammar , Kappas Martin , Hoang Khanh Nguyen Linh , Renchin Tsolmon
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Hydrological modeling of ungauged basins which have a high risk of natural hazards (e.g., flooding, droughts) is always imperative for policymakers and stakeholders. The Aluoi district in Hue province is a representative case study in Central Vietnam, as it is under extreme pressure of natural and anthropogenic factors. Flooding, soil erosion and sedimentation are the main hazards in this area, which threaten socio-economic activities not only in this district but also those of the area downstream. To evaluate the water resources and risk of natural hazards, we used Soil and Water Assessment Tools (SWAT) to set up a hydrological model in the ungauged basin of Aluoi district. A regionalization approach was used to predict the river discharge at the outlet of the basin. The model was calibrated in three time scales: daily, monthly and yearly by river discharge, actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and crop yield, respectively. The model was calibrated with Nash-Sutcliff and an R2 coefficients greater than 0.7, in daily and monthly scales, respectively. In the yearly scale, the crop yield inside the model was calibrated and validated with RMSE less than 2.4 ton/ha, which showed the high performance of the model. The water resource components were mapped temporally and spatially. The outcomes showed that the highest mean monthly surface runoff, 700 to 765 mm, between September and November, resulted in extreme soil erosion and sedimentation. The monthly average of actual evapotranspiration was the highest in May and lowest in December. Furthermore, installing "Best Management Practice" (BMPs) reduced surface runoff and soil erosion in agricultural lands. However, using event-based hydrological and hydraulically models in the prediction and simulation of flooding events is recommended in further studies.
An Infused Dialogue, Part 2: The Power of Love Without Objectivity
Authors: Scott Charles , Tuana Nancy
Published: February 2016

Building on our account in “An Infused Dialogue, Part 1: Borders, Fusions, Influence,” our aim is to develop a poetics of nonobjectifying love. We begin with a series of concerns: Is objectification an inevitable consequence of erotic desire? Indeed, can loving without objectification happen with intense erotic desire? How could an erotic exchange not objectify the desired one? Even if that kind of loving does happen, how could we speak of it? At the core of a poetics of nonobjectifying is the “middle voice,” a term that we will develop in detail. The middle voice allows discursive articulation for a dimension of life to which we attend. We develop the meaning of the in-between in terms of the middle voice and how border crossings—we might say fusings or imporings—can occur without an active subject of a passive object. Our hope is to cultivate an embodied mindfulness, an attunement to the in-between as a resource for undergoing the corporeal significance of an ontology of relationality that provides options for appreciating nonobjectifying erotic love.
Polarization Tracking Study of Earth Station in Satellite Communications
Authors: Ma Lihua , Hu Chao , Pei Jun
Published: February 2016

Satellite communications, in telecommunications, the use of satellite can provide communications links between various points on the earth. Typical satellite communication is composed of a communication satellite, a signal transmitter and a signal receiver. As the signal transmitter or the signal receiver, an earth station plays a vital role in the satellite communications. Accurately adjustment of antenna azimuth, elevation and polarization angles on the earth station is the key to satellite communications. In the present paper, a study of polarization tracking of earth station is presented, and a detailed adjustment procession of the polarization angle is given. Combing with observation series of MEASAT-2 satellite in geostationary orbit, the polarization tracking accuracy is verified. The method can be embeded into computer program of antenna polarization adjustment in earth station.
Geochemical Classification and Determination of Maturity Source Weathering in Beach Sands of Eastern San’ in Coast, Tango Peninsula, and Wakasa Bay, Japan
Authors: Lamine Malick Bah Mamadou , Ishiga Hiroaki
Published: February 2016

<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-US">Geochemistry of beach sand sediments collected from the Eastern San’in coast (n=17), Tango Peninsula (n=14) and Wakasa Bay (n=7) shorelines were investigated using XRF analyses for major and trace elements to characterize their composition, classification, maturity, provenance, tectonic setting and degree of weathering in source areas. Investigated sands from all sites were very similar showing depletion in all elements except SiO2, K2O and As relative to the UCCN and JUCN, suggesting a moderate geochemical maturation. Beach sand sediments from these locations can be classified as arkose, subarkose and litharenite that are chemically immature and formed under arid/semi-arid conditions with a tendency towards increasing chemical maturity suggesting that they are from multiple sources. The relatively low to moderate values of weathering indices of Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA) and Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW), the beach sands from all sites in the source area have undergone low to moderate degree of chemical weathering. A-CN-K and A-CNK-FM plots, which suggest a granitic source composition, also confirm that the sand samples from these sites have undergone low to moderate degree of chemical weathering in consistent with CIA, PIA and CIW values. A plot of the analyzed beach sands data on the provenance discriminating function F1/F2 showed that most of the investigated beach sand sediments in all locations fall within mafic to intermediate ocean island arc source; similar to the tectonic setting discrimination diagrams based on major elements suggesting a passive margin.
Money for Nothing? Why FERC Order 745 Should have Died
Authors: Chen Xu , Kleit Andrew N.
Published: February 2016

Customer baseline load (CBL) measurement is designed to represent participants’ expected usage in a number of electricity demand response (DR) programs. Our empirical results, however, show that CBLs can be systematically higher than DR participants’ estimated load, especially for those experienced in DR activities, likely due to manipulation behaviors. Thus, the integrity of CBL may degrade over time. With an inflated CBL, the impact of DR programs may therefore be highly exaggerated, and consumers can be paid money when they are not actually reducing their demand. In particular, we design a manipulation-indicating variable “seemingly unattractive free-money opportunity” (SUFO) and discover systemwide manipulative behaviors that increase with time and are widely adopted by experienced DR participants. We suggest that policy makers in FERC, RTOs, and states regulatory agencies consider the threat of manipulation when modifying DR market rules following the Supreme Court’s recent upholding of FERC Order 745.
Curatorenverzet in geval van een lege boedel
Authors: Renssen S.
Published: February 2016

Curatorenverzet in geval van een lege boedel

In deze bijdrage staat de door de rechtspraktijk gezochte oplossing voor de legeboedelproblematiek centraal: het curatorenverzet ingevolge artikel 10 Fw. De Hoge Raad heeft zich onlangs uitgesproken over deze gangbare praktijk. Het is echter niet aan de Hoge Raad maar aan de wetgever om in dezen een oplossing te bieden.
Perikelen rond de vaststelling en publicatie van de jaarrekening en aansprakelijkheid in het kader daarvan. Een reactie
Authors: Schwarz C.A. , Wolf R.A.
Published: February 2016

Perikelen rond de vaststelling en publicatie van de jaarrekening en aansprakelijkheid in het kader daarvan. Een reactie

In deze bijdrage wordt bepleit dat de overeenkomstig artikel 2:210 lid 5 BW vereenvoudigd vastgestelde jaarrekening binnen acht dagen na haar vaststelling gedeponeerd moet worden om te voorkomen dat het onweerlegbare vermoeden van onbehoorlijk bestuur van artikel 2:248 lid 2 BW zal gelden en de bestuurder daardoor in een lastige(re) procespositie komt te verkeren. Beter zou zijn dat artikel 2:210 lid 5 BW geschrapt of gewijzigd wordt of dat statutair van deze bepaling wordt afgeweken.
Implementatie van de gewijzigde Moeder-dochterrichtlijn in de Nederlandse vennootschaps- en dividendbelasting
Authors: Bouwman J.N.
Published: February 2016

Implementatie van de gewijzigde Moeder-dochterrichtlijn in de Nederlandse vennootschaps- en dividendbelasting

De discussie over belastingontwijking door multinationals en de daaruit voortvloeiende aanpassing van de – fiscale – Europese Moeder-dochterrichtlijn hebben de Nederlandse wetgever ertoe gebracht de vennootschaps- en dividendbelasting aan te scherpen. In beide belastingen zijn nieuwe antimisbruikbepalingen opgenomen die het ontwijken van in het bijzonder dividendbelasting door het gebruik van ‘tussenhoudsters’ moet voorkomen. Daarnaast zijn in de vennootschapsbelasting regels ingevoerd die door een moedervennootschap ontvangen winstuitkeringen van een dochtervennootschap niet langer vrijstellen maar belasten, als deze betalingen bij de dochtervennootschap in mindering op de fiscale winst zijn gekomen (het tegengaan van hybride mismatches). Na een analyse van de nieuwe regels blijkt dat er een aantal kanttekeningen is te plaatsen. Een daarvan luidt dat de uitvoering van de nieuwe antimisbruikbepalingen met de nodige onzekerheid is omgeven. Een andere is dat de wetgever nogal voortvarend is geweest bij de bestrijding van de hybride mismatches.
De nieuwe hypotheekmarkt
Authors: van Poelgeest J.M. , Masius Q.A.G.
Published: February 2016

De nieuwe hypotheekmarkt

Dit artikel beschrijft veranderingen op de Nederlandse hypotheekmarkt. Allereerst worden juridische implicaties van hypotheekmarktontwikkelingen beschreven. Daarna wordt de invloed van de Hypotheekrichtlijn/EBA-richtsnoeren op bestaand Nederlands recht beschreven ten aanzien van verantwoorde kredietverstrekking, precontractuele informatie en de zorgplicht om overkreditering te voorkomen. De implementatie van de richtlijn heeft als gevolg dat aanbieders veranderingen dienen door te voeren ten aanzien van informatieverstrekking, gegevensbewaring en het hypotheekaanvraagproces. Daarnaast wijst het artikel op hiaten: er bestaat onzekerheid over het lot van bestaande Nederlandse wetgeving/codes; daarnaast ontvangen consumenten nog steeds te veel informatie.
(Beëindiging van) 403-aansprakelijkheid
Authors: van Zoest M.R.C.
Published: February 2016

(Beëindiging van) 403-aansprakelijkheid. De stand van zaken anno 2016

In de afgelopen jaren en maanden is over 403-aansprakelijkheid veel discussie geweest. Deze bijdrage beoogt aan de hand van min of meer recente rechtspraak een overzicht te geven van de stand van zaken anno 2016 ten aanzien van een aanzienlijk aantal deelonderwerpen inzake 403-aansprakelijkheid. Enkele deelonderwerpen zijn inmiddels dankzij rechtspraak duidelijk geworden, maar zeker niet alle. Ten aanzien van de nog steeds onduidelijke deelonderwerpen is inmiddels ingrijpen van de wetgever geboden.
Barriers to a cure for HIV in women
Authors: Gianella Sara , Tsibris Athe , Barr Liz , Godfrey Catherine
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Distinct biological factors exist that affect the natural history of HIV and the host immune response between women and men. These differences must be addressed to permit the optimal design of effective HIV eradication strategies for much of the HIV‐positive population.

Methods and results

Here, we review the literature on sex‐based differences in HIV pathogenesis and natural history in tissues and anatomic compartments, HIV latency and transcriptional activity, and host immunity including the role of sex hormones. We then outline the potential effects of these differences on HIV persistence, and on the safety and efficacy of HIV eradication and curative interventions. Finally, we discuss the next steps necessary to elucidate these factors to achieve a cure for HIV, taking in account the complex ethical issues and the regulatory landscape in the hopes of stimulating further research and awareness in these areas.

Conclusions

Targeted enrolment of women in clinical trials and careful sex‐based analysis will be crucial to gain further insights into sex‐based differences in HIV persistence and to design sex‐specific approaches to HIV eradication, if required.
A tantalum diffusion barrier layer for improving the output performance of AlGaInP-based light-emitting diodes
Authors: Kim Dae-Hyun , Park Jae-Seong , Kang Daesung , Seong Tae-Yeon
Published: February 2016

We have investigated the effect of a Ta diffusion barrier layer on the electrical characteristics of AuBe/Au contacts on a p-GaP window layer for AlGaInP-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It was shown that after annealing at 500 °C, the AuBe/Ta/Au contacts exhibited nearly 2 orders of magnitude lower specific contact resistance (2.8 × 10−6 Ω·cm2) than the AuBe/Au contacts (1.0 × 10−4 Ω·cm2). The LEDs with and without the Ta diffusion barrier layer showed an external quantum efficiency of 14.03 and 13.5% at 50 mA, respectively. After annealing at 500 °C, the AuBe/Ta/Au contacts showed a higher reflectance (92.8% at 617 nm) than that of the AuBe/Au contacts (87.7%). X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that the Ga 2p core level for the annealed AuBe/Au samples shifted to higher binding energies, while this level shifted towards lower binding energies for the AuBe/Ta/Au samples. Depth profiles using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) showed that annealing of the AuBe/Au samples caused the outdiffusion of both Be and P atoms into the metal contact, while for the AuBe/Ta/Au samples, the outdiffusion of Be atoms was blocked by the Ta barrier layer and more Be atoms were indiffused into GaP. The annealing-induced electrical degradation and ohmic contact formation are described and discussed based on the XPS and electrical results.
Direct growth of nanocrystalline graphitic carbon films on BaF2 by alcohol CVD
Authors: Tan Yan , Nakamura Atsushi , Kubono Atsushi
Published: February 2016

Multilayered nanocrystalline graphitic carbon films were directly formed on BaF2 substrates by the alcohol chemical vapor deposition method using ethanol. Domain size was typically 46 nm as estimated from the peak intensity ratios of G- and D-band of the Raman spectra, which were higher than currently reported values for various dielectric substrates. Sheet resistance measured by the four-probe method was 900 Ω/sq. A possible formation mechanism of the graphitic carbon layer was discussed referring to the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) for a composition analysis. It was found that the graphitic carbon layers were formed on the BaO surface, which was produced by the oxidization of the BaF2 substrate by the ethanol source.
The Instruments to Maintain Cluster Activities within the territory of the region
Authors: Juliya Tsertseil
Published: February 2016

Availability of special economic zones within the territory of clusters raises the level of coordination and confidence between the cluster participants, strengthens industrial cooperation and increases the frequency of transactions between them Within the frames of cluster development the emergence and evolvement of special economic zones reflect the level of governmental support both on federal and regional levels. Special economic zone situated on the territory of regions was formed according to the following principles: cluster approach to make provisions for efficient manufacturing relations, steady development of the territories at their intensive utilization, sustainable accounting of ecological, economic, social and other factors at implementation of planning and engineering infrastructural assets of special economic zone.
Iron and magnesium isotopic constraints on the origin of chemical heterogeneity in podiform chromitite from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet
Authors: Xiao Yan , Teng Fang‐Zhen , Su Ben‐Xun , Hu Yan , Zhou Mei‐Fu , Zhu Bin , Shi Ren‐Deng , Huang Qi‐Shuai , Gong Xiao‐Han , He Yong‐Sheng
Published: February 2016

We present high‐precision measurements of iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg) isotopic compositions of olivine, orthopyroxene, and chromite separates from harzburgites, dunites, and chromitites in the mantle section of the Luobusa ophiolite, southern Tibet, to investigate the origins of podiform chromitite. Two harzburgites in the Zedong ophiolite, southern Tibet, are also reported for comparison. The olivine and orthopyroxene in the Luobusa and Zedong harzburgites have similar Fe and Mg isotopic compositions, with δ56Fe values ranging from 0‰ to +0.083‰ in olivine, from −0.034‰ to +0.081‰ in orthopyroxene and δ26Mg values ranging from −0.25‰ to −0.20‰ in olivine, from −0.29‰ to −0.26‰ in orthopyroxene, respectively. The olivines of two dunites from the Luobusa display small Fe and Mg isotopic variations, with δ56Fe values of +0.014‰ and +0.116‰ and δ26Mg values of −0.21‰ and −0.29‰. All chromites in the Luobusa chromitites have lighter Fe isotopic compositions than the coexisting olivines, with δ56Fe values ranging from −0.247‰ to +0.043‰ in chromite and from −0.146‰ to +0.215‰ in olivine (Δ56FeChr‐Ol = −0.294 to −0.101‰). The chromite δ26Mg values span a significant range from −0.41‰ to +0.14‰. Large disequilibrium Fe and Mg isotope fractionation between chromite and olivine, as well as positive correlation of chromite δ56Fe values with their MgO contents, could be attributed to Fe‐Mg exchange between chromite and olivine. In the disseminated chromitites, the higher modal abundances of olivine than chromite would result in a more extensive Fe‐Mg exchange, whereas chromite in the massive chromitite where olivine is rare could not be affected by this process.
Spatial boundaries of Aerosol Robotic Network observations over the Mediterranean basin
Authors: Mishra A. K. , Rudich Y. , Koren I.
Published: February 2016

Accurate knowledge of aerosol variability on a relatively high spatiotemporal scale is needed for better assessment of aerosol radiative effects and aerosol‐climate interactions. We investigated the spatial boundaries of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) observations over the Mediterranean basin using a statistical approach. We used 13 years (2002–2014) of aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and 15 AERONET sites around the Mediterranean basin. The gridded correlation maps show moderate to high correlations (R > 0.5) around each AERONET site up to ~200–500 km radius depending on location. Such analyses provide information on the spatial domain in which the AERONET measurements can be reliably used per site. The statistical model provides a better daytime AOD product on finer temporal resolution with higher spatial coverage as compared to using AERONET/MODIS observations separately. The findings from this study can be useful for the assimilation‐based model forecasting of aerosol properties.
Modeling of circulation in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman: Skill assessment and seasonal thermohaline structure
Authors: Al Azhar Muchamad , Temimi Marouane , Zhao Jun , Ghedira Hosni
Published: February 2016

Hindcast simulations of the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) are quantitatively evaluated with basin‐wide hydrographic data and time series measurements. The model shows comparable skill in reproducing moored observations of current velocities structure in upper and bottom depths. The skill in simulating observed temperature is higher of 0.93 (scale 0–1) in upper depths compared to 0.52 in bottom depths. Model results are sensitive to parameterization of water clarity. A lower sensitivity was noticed to KPP, GLS, and MY2.5 turbulence closures. When coastal turbid water parameterization is used, accuracy of the model in reproducing seasonal and spatial variations of temperature and salinity increased by 25% compared to the clear water case whereas only 10% increase was noticed when applying KPP turbulent closure. The model reproduces well anticlockwise circulation in the Gulf. A stronger surface inflow of fresher water to the Arabian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz is simulated in summer compared to winter conditions, mainly due to upper layer horizontal gradient of density between the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Less seasonal variability of outflow between 0.15 and 0.20 m s−1 at 50 m to bottom depth around the Strait of Hormuz was noticed in the model results. Modeled surface layer stratification is stronger in summer than winter and varies spatially in the Arabian Gulf with highest stratification near the Strait of Hormuz. Overall, the stratification in shallow water area of the Arabian Gulf remains low throughout the year.
The tug‐of‐war between the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea Tropical Waters and Intermediate Waters in the Okinawa Trough
Authors: Chen Chen‐Tung Arthur , Yeh Ya‐Ting , Yanagi Tetsuo , Bai Yan , He Xianqiang , Huang Ting‐Hsuan
Published: February 2016

Kuroshio subsurface waters are the major source of nutrients to the East China Sea continental shelf, a major fishing ground. These subsurface waters are heavily affected by the South China Sea (SCS) Tropical and Intermediate Waters which contain more nutrients than the tropical (Smax) and intermediate (Smin) waters from the West Philippine Sea (WPS). A front was found to separate these waters from the SCS and WPS. The reported front in the Okinawa Trough, however, was identified based only on one‐time data from a single cross section. Here historical hydrographic data between March 1950 and December 2011 are analyzed. A vertical front tilted toward the west is found in all seasons in all years in the Okinawa Trough. In winter, the presence of the SCS Tropical Water is the most prominent. It is the weakest in autumn. As for intermediate waters (Smin), the WPS and SCS Intermediate Waters show much weaker seasonality compared with tropical waters although in summer, the WPS Intermediate Water contribution is slightly larger than during other times.
Illuminating wildfire erosion and deposition patterns with repeat terrestrial lidar
Authors: Rengers F. K. , Tucker G. E. , Moody J. A. , Ebel B. A.
Published: February 2016

Erosion following a wildfire is much greater than background erosion in forests because of wildfire‐induced changes to soil erodibility and water infiltration. While many previous studies have documented post‐wildfire erosion with point and small plot‐scale measurements, the spatial distribution of post‐fire erosion patterns at the watershed scale remains largely unexplored. In this study lidar surveys were collected periodically in a small, first‐order drainage basin over a period of 2 years following a wildfire. The study site was relatively steep with slopes ranging from 17° to > 30°. During the study period, several different types of rain storms occurred on the site including low‐intensity frontal storms (2.4 mm h−1) and high‐intensity convective thunderstorms (79 mm h−1). These storms were the dominant drivers of erosion. Erosion resulting from dry ravel and debris flows was notably absent at the site. Successive lidar surveys were subtracted from one another to obtain digital maps of topographic change between surveys. The results show an evolution in geomorphic response, such that the erosional response after rain storms was strongly influenced by the previous erosional events and pre‐fire site morphology. Hillslope and channel roughness increased over time, and the watershed armored as coarse cobbles and boulders were exposed. The erosional response was spatially nonuniform; shallow erosion from hillslopes (87% of the study area) contributed 3 times more sediment volume than erosion from convergent areas (13% of the study area). However, the total normalized erosion depth (volume/area) was highest in convergent areas. From a detailed understanding of the spatial locations of erosion, we made inferences regarding the processes driving erosion. It appears that hillslope erosion is controlled by rain splash (for detachment) and overland flow (for transport and quasi‐channelized erosion), with the sites of highest erosion corresponding to locations with the lowest roughness. By contrast, in convergent areas we found erosion caused by overland flow. Soil erosion was locally interrupted by immobile objects such as boulders, bedrock, or tree trunks, resulting in a patchy erosion network with increasing roughness over time.
Evidence of trends in rain event size effecting trends in rain fade
Authors: Paulson Kevin S.
Published: February 2016

Rain gauge studies have shown that the incidence of rain at rates associated with outage on terrestrial links has shown an increasing trend in several countries over the last 30 years. However, no evidence is available from microwave links to show whether outage rates, or the incidence of fade, is similarly increasing. This paper presents evidence of fade trends, derived from a decade of rain radar data. Although a decade is too short a period to observe rain rate trends, evidence is presented that trends in the size of rain events is leading to changes in the relationship between point rain rates and rain fade. Furthermore, these trends are shown to vary significantly across the UK. Temporal trends in both rain rates and their link to rain fade, make it more difficult to adapt International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Reccomendations to a changing climate.
Zircon (U‐Th)/He thermochronology of Neoproterozoic strata from the Mackenzie Mountains, Canada: Implications for the Phanerozoic exhumation and deformation history of the northern Canadian Cordillera
Authors: Powell Jeremy , Schneider David , Stockli Daniel , Fallas Karen
Published: February 2016

Sedimentary strata of the Neoproterozoic Mackenzie Mountains Supergroup (MMSG) and Windermere Supergroup (WSG) occupy the cores of anticlines in the Mackenzie Mountains of the Canadian Cordilleran Foreland Belt. Stratigraphic and structural evidence suggest that these rocks have undergone several episodes of burial and unroofing relatively intact. We report single‐grain detrital muscovite 40Ar/39Ar and zircon (U‐Th)/He (ZHe) data from a suite of samples across the fold‐thrust belt and the Neoproterozoic stratigraphic record. The strata have not reached high enough temperatures to reset the muscovite 40Ar/39Ar system, and instead our detrital muscovite data refine Tonian‐Cryogenian depositional ages. Single‐crystal ZHe dates range from 432 ± 35 to 46 ± 4 Ma, indicating that MMSG and WSG strata have not been heated sufficiently to fully reset the ZHe system. These factors make the Neoproterozoic strata an attractive natural laboratory to test the utility of the zircon radiation damage and annealing model on the quantification of thermal histories from detrital zircon populations that have accumulated radiation damage over long geologic timescales. Thermal modeling reveals that (1) a substantial sedimentary package was deposited following the Devonian and removed during Permo‐Triassic cooling, and (2) the Cordilleran deformation front propagated through the study area from the Albian to the Paleocene, with a moderate increase in cooling rates between 75–67 Ma in the southwest and 60–55 Ma at the deformation front. Ultimately, relationships between radiation damage and helium diffusion kinetics in zircon explain substantial ZHe date dispersion and elucidate the temperature‐time history of the northern Canadian Cordillera.