bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the soil water retention curve from the particle size distribution based on a pore space geometry containing slit-shaped spaces
Authors: Chang Chen-Chao , Cheng Dong-Hui 
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Traditional models employed to predict the soil water retention curve (SWRC)
from the particle size distribution (PSD) always underestimate the water
content in the dry range of the SWRC. Using the measured physical parameters
of 48 soil samples from the UNSODA unsaturated soil hydraulic property
database, these errors were proven to originate from an inaccurate estimation
of the pore size distribution. A method was therefore proposed to improve the
estimation of the water content at high suction heads using a pore model
comprising a circle-shaped central pore connected to slit-shaped spaces. In
this model, the pore volume fraction of the minimum pore diameter range and
the corresponding water content were accordingly increased. The predicted
SWRCs using the improved method reasonably approximated the measured SWRCs,
which were more accurate than those obtained using the traditional method and
the scaling approach in the dry range of the SWRC.
De functie-inhoud van niet-uitvoerende bestuurders van beursvennootschappen getoetst
Authors: Talmricht A. 
Published: September 2018

De functie-inhoud van niet-uitvoerende bestuurders van beursvennootschappen getoetst
In deze bijdrage toetst de auteur de functie-inhoud van de niet-uitvoerende bestuurders van alle aan Euronext Amsterdam genoteerde vennootschappen met een one tier bestuur aan de wet. Hij komt tot de conclusie dat de functie-inhoud van deze niet-uitvoerende bestuurders niet steeds voldoende aansluit op de wet, waardoor aansprakelijkheidsrisico’s kunnen ontstaan.
Het gifpilletje van Gemalto
Authors: Hezer P.L. , Kemp B. 
Published: September 2018

Het gifpilletje van Gemalto
Bij het openbaar bod van Thales en Gemalto is een poison pill geïmplementeerd om concurrerende biedingen te ontmoedigen. Deze vorm van deal protection, die lijkt te zijn gebaseerd op de Franse ‘bons Bretons’, is in Nederland een noviteit. In deze bijdrage wordt gekeken naar de implementatie, toelaatbaarheid en toetsing van die ‘Franse gifpil’.
GDF11 induces differentiation and apoptosis and inhibits migration of C17.2 neural stem cells via modulating MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Zongkui , Dou Miaomiao , Liu Fengjuan , Jiang Peng , Ye Shengliang , Ma Li , Cao Haijun , Du Xi , Sun Pan , Su Na , Lin Fangzhao , Zhang Rong , Li Changqing 
Published: September 2018

GDF11, a member of TGF-β superfamily, has recently received widespread attention as a novel anti-ageing/rejuvenation factor to reverse age-related dysfunctions in heart and skeletal muscle, and to induce angiogenesis and neurogenesis. However, these positive effects of GDF11 were challenged by several other studies. Furthermore, the mechanism is still not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of GDF11 on C17.2 neural stem cells. GDF11 induced differentiation and apoptosis, and suppressed migration of C17.2 neural stem cells. In addition, GDF11 slightly increased cell viability after 24 h treatment, showed no effects on proliferation for about 10 days of cultivation, and slightly decreased cumulative population doubling for long-term treatment (p < 0.05). Phospho-proteome profiling array displayed that GDF11 significantly increased the phosphorylation of 13 serine/threonine kinases (p < 0.01), including p-p38, p-ERK and p-Akt, in C17.2 cells, which implied the activation of MAPK pathway. Western blot validated that the results of phospho-proteome profiling array were reliable. Based on functional analysis, we demonstrated that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in signal transduction which was implicated in cellular behavior. Collectively, our findings suggest that, for neurogenesis, GDF11 might not be the desired rejuvenation factor, but a potential target for pharmacological blockade.
Giant Piezoelectric Response in Superionic Polar Semiconductor
Authors: Shiomi Yuki , Akiba Tomoki , Takahashi Hidefumi , Ishiwata Shintaro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA lead‐free piezoelectric material whose performance is comparable to that of market‐dominant lead‐based ones has been strongly desired for the development of environmentally friendly piezoelectric devices. In spite of intensive research activities, however, few effective alternatives have been found due to severe requirements such as the absence of conducting carriers screening the electric polarization. Here, a polar semiconductor, AgCrSe2, is demonstrated as a promising piezoelectric material even with a finite conductivity. The inverse piezoelectric effect for AgCrSe2 single crystals, of which carrier density can be tuned by subtle nonstoichiometry, is studied as a model material at room temperature. Although the inverse piezoelectric effect of the AgCrSe2 crystals tends to be suppressed as resistivity becomes lower, the maximum piezoelectric coefficients (d33) reach 100–1000 pC N−1, comparable to those reported for typical piezoelectric BaTiO3 and lead‐based perovskites. The large piezoelectric response in AgCrSe2 is attributed to the large polarizability inherent to the intercalated Ag+ ions acting as ionic carriers. The present results demonstrate that superionic polar semiconductors have a potential to be high‐performance lead‐free piezoelectric materials overcoming the screening effect by the enhanced polarizability.
Spread and basket option pricing in a Markov‐modulated Lévy framework with synchronous jumps
Authors: Deelstra Griselda , Kozpınar Sinem , Simon Matthieu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper considers the evaluation of spread and basket options when the underlying asset prices are driven by Markov‐modulated Lévy processes with synchronous jumps. In particular, the asset prices may jump whenever there is a change of phase of the underlying Markov process. We further allow for dependence between the different price dynamics. In this general regime‐switching framework, we provide lower and upper bounds to the exact option prices based upon ideas from the literature without regime switching. These bounds are obtained via univariate Fourier inversion under the assumption that the joint characteristic functions of the Markov‐modulated Lévy processes are known. We study these obtained spread and basket option price approximations in different regime‐switching models. Several numerical experiments are included and these show that, especially, the lower bounds have a very high precision.
Genome Editing in Mice Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology
Authors: Hall Bradford , Cho Andrew , Limaye Advait , Cho Kyoungin , Khillan Jaspal , Kulkarni Ashok B. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized genome editing in mice, allowing for simple and rapid development of knockouts and knockins. CRISPR relies on small guide RNAs that direct the RNA‐guided nuclease Cas9 to a designated genomic site using ∼20 bp of corresponding sequence. Cas9 then creates a double‐strand break in the targeted loci that is either patched in an error‐prone fashion to produce a frame‐shift mutation, a knockout, or is repaired by recombination with donor DNA containing homology arms, a knockin. This protocol covers the techniques needed to rapidly generate knockout and knockin mice with CRISPR via microinjection of Cas9, the guide RNA, and possible donor DNA into the mouse zygote. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
RibORF: Identifying Genome‐Wide Translated Open Reading Frames Using Ribosome Profiling
Authors: Ji Zhe 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRibosome profiling identifies RNA fragments associated with translating ribosomes. The technology provides an opportunity to examine genome‐wide translation events at single‐nucleotide resolution and in an unbiased manner. Here I present a computational pipeline named RibORF to systematically identify translated open reading frames (ORFs), based on read distribution features representing active translation, including 3‐nt periodicity and uniformness across codons. Analyses using the computational tool revealed pervasive translation in putative ‘noncoding’ regions, such as lncRNAs, pseudogenes, and 5′UTRs. The computational tool is useful for studying functional roles of non‐canonical translation events in various biological processes. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Outcome domains and pain outcome measures in randomized controlled trials of interventions for postoperative pain in children and adolescents
Authors: Boric Krste , Jelicic Kadic Antonia , Boric Matija , Zarandi‐Nowroozi Melissa , Jakus Dora , Cavar Marija , Dosenovic Svjetlana , Jeric Milka , Batinic Marijan , Vukovic Igor , Puljak Livia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe analysed outcome domains and pain outcome measures in randomized controlled trials of interventions for postoperative pain management in children and adolescents and compared them to the core outcome set recommended by the Pediatric Initiative on Methods, Measurement and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (PedIMMPACT).MethodsSystematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, CDSR, DARE, CINAHL and PsycINFO up to 31 January 2017. One author extracted data and second verified the extraction. Outcome domains and pain outcome measures were analysed and compared with the PedIMMPACT core outcome set.ResultsWe included 337 trials. Median number of reported outcomes was five (range 1–11) for the included trials and two (range 0–6) for PedIMMPACT. The most commonly analysed PedIMMPACT outcome domains were pain intensity (93%) and “symptoms and adverse events” (83%). The remaining four PedIMMPACT outcomes were present in under 30% of included randomized controlled trials. Proportion of PedIMMPACT outcome domains did not change after the PedIMMPACT was published in 2008. Of the 312 trials that reported pain intensity, 303 (97%) also specified pain assessment tools, in which the most common was the visual analogue scale (24%) followed by the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (18%).ConclusionAnalysed trials about interventions for pediatric postoperative pain insufficiently used the recommended core outcome set for acute pain in children. Relevance of the PedIMMPACT core outcome set, as well as the reasons behind its limited uptake, need to be further evaluated.SignificanceRecommended core outcomes have been insufficiently used in randomized controlled trials about postoperative pain in children, which hinders comparability of studies and makes synthesis of evidence difficult.
Ecotoxicological risk of trace element mobility in coastal semiartificial depositional areas near the mouth of the river Rhine, the Netherlands
Authors: Pit Iris R. , van Egmond Emily M. , Dekker Stefan C. , Griffioen Jasper , Wassen Martin J. , van Wezel Annemarie P. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Artificial sand replenishments are globally used as innovative coastal protection measures. In these replenishments elevated porewater concentrations of trace elements are found. The present study investigated possible ecotoxicological risks at 2 intertidal depositional sites, the Sand Engine as a recent innovative Dutch coastal management project and a semiartificial tidal flat. Using the sediment quality triad approach, we considered 3 major lines of evidence: geochemical characterization, toxicity characterization using bioassays with the estuarine amphipod Corophium volutator, and ecological field survey. In both depositional areas C. volutator is at risk: moderate (Sand Engine) and low (tidal flat). For tidal flat, the bioavailability of trace elements differs between the field site and the laboratory. Contamination from arsenic and copper is present, but the low survival rate of C. volutator from the bioassay suggests the presence of additional contaminations. The highly morphological dynamic environment of Sand Engine creates a less favorable habitat for C. volutator, where local spots with stagnant water can temporarily create hypoxic conditions and sulfate becomes reduced. The dynamic system mobilizes especially arsenic, triggering adverse ecotoxic effects at low original sediment concentrations. To conclude, the sediment quality triad approach shows that a semiartificial tidal flat is preferred over a highly dynamic coastal management project like the Sand Engine. The Sand Engine concept does not provide suitable conditions for macrobenthos species like C. volutator; therefore, limiting the nature development goal set together with the coastal protection goal. Assessing each line of evidence from the approach together with additional measurements established more precise and realistic conclusions, showing that evaluating the contributions of this method is necessary to understand the causes of risk in a site-specific manner. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2933–2946. © 2018 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Optimal design of carbon tax to stimulate CCS investment in China's coal‐fired power plants: A real options analysis
Authors: Wang Xiping , Zhang Hongdou 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCarbon tax is an important policy instrument to control greenhouse gases. How to design a suitable carbon tax rate is of significance for policy makers. This study aims to address this issue from a microeconomic perspective by exploring the decision behavior of a potential investor. A trinomial tree model based on real options theory is presented to evaluate carbon capture and storage (CCS) investment in coal‐fired power plants considering uncertain factors. The model is then applied to a case study and the main findings are as follows: (1) carbon tax policy will have a positive effect on the CCS investment. If the carbon price is not high enough to trigger CCS investment, a hybrid mechanism integrating carbon trading and carbon tax to stimulate CCS investment is required; (2) in applying the trinomial tree real options model, the optimal carbon tax rate should be 145.3 RMB/ton for supercritical pulverized coal (SCPC) (or 79.54 RMB/ton for integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC)) plants under current market condition and at current technological levels; (3) the optimal carbon tax rate is sensitive to uncertainties. Specifically, the optimal tax rate depends largely on not only the cost of the CCS investment but also the portfolio of carbon price volatility and the initial carbon price level. These conclusions provide the theoretical foundations for decision making regarding CCS investment and related policy making. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NLR Family Pyrin Domain‐Containing 3 Inflammasome Activation in Hepatic Stellate Cells Induces Liver Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Inzaugarat Maria Eugenia , Johnson Casey D. , Holtmann Theresa Maria , McGeough Matthew D. , Trautwein Christian , Papouchado Bettina G. , Schwabe Robert , Hoffman Hal M. , Wree Alexander , Feldstein Ariel E. 
Published: September 2018

The NLR family pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays an important role in liver fibrosis (LF) development. However, the mechanisms involved in NLRP3‐induced fibrosis are unclear. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that the NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) can directly regulate their activation and contribute to LF. Primary HSCs isolated from wild‐type (WT), Nlrp3–/–
, or Nlrp3L351PneoR
knock‐in crossed to inducible (estrogen receptor Cre‐CreT) mice were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or 4OH‐tamoxifen, respectively. HSC‐specific Nlrp3L351P
knock‐in mice were generated by crossing transgenic mice expressing lecithin retinol acyltransferase (Lrat)‐driven Cre and maintained on standard rodent chow for 6 months. Mice were then sacrificed; liver tissue and serum were harvested. Nlrp3 inflammasome activation along with HSC phenotype and fibrosis were assessed by RT‐PCR, western blotting, fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence (IF), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Stimulated WT HSCs displayed increased levels of NLRP3 inflammasome‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cathepsin B activity, accompanied by an up‐regulation of mRNA and protein levels of fibrotic makers, an effect abrogated in Nlrp3–/–
HSCs. Nlrp3L351P
CreT HSCs also showed elevated mRNA and protein expression of fibrotic markers 24 hours after inflammasome activation induced with 4‐hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT). Protein and mRNA expression levels of fibrotic markers were also found to be increased in isolated HSCs and whole liver tissue from Nlrp3L351P

Lrat
Cre mice compared to WT. Liver sections from 24‐week‐old NlrpL351P

Lrat
Cre mice showed fibrotic changes with increased alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and desmin‐positive cells and collagen deposition, independent of inflammatory infiltrates; these changes were also observed after LPS challenge in 8‐week‐old NlrpL351P

Lrat
Cre mice. Conclusion: Our results highlight a direct role for the NLRP3 inflammasome in the activation of HSCs directly triggering LF.
Effect of fertilization and sediment flow hydraulic characteristics on emitter clogging in muddy water drip fertigation system†
Authors: Liu Lu , Niu Wenquan , Wu Zhiguang , Ayantobo Olusola Olaitan , Guan Yahui 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn a drip fertigation system using the Yellow River, suspended solids in the water serve as a bridge between physical flocculation and chemical adsorption. They impact the emitter clogging process and flow turbulence properties. Therefore, a laboratory test was conducted with artificial muddy water drip fertigation (MWF) to investigate the anti‐clogging performance of emitters. Four types of fertilizer (i.e. [CO (NH2)2], Ca (H2PO4)2·H2O, K2SO4 and [CO (NH2)2] + KH2PO4 + KNO3) were applied at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3% concentrations respectively. The results showed that the relative discharge of emitters (Dra) remained in a fluctuation balance phase, and at 0.5% concentration with MWF, there was a decrease of 5, 11.1, 8.8 and 4.9%. For fertigation concentrations between 1 and 2%, the fluctuation balance phase significantly reduced, and the Dra began a linear decrease of 12.5, 42.2, 37.6 and 5.1%. At a fertilizer concentration increase of 3%, the Dra improved relatively with urea and P fertilizer drip irrigation but slightly declined with K and compound fertilizer. The particle size distribution of flocs ranked from broad to narrow as follows: P fertilizer > K fertilizer > urea > compound fertilizer. Urea showed a viscosity‐reducing effect on muddy water (MW). Conversely, K fertilizer exhibited the greatest viscosity‐increasing effect, followed by P fertilizer, while compound fertilizer exhibited the least viscosity‐increasing effect. The filter criteria of the drip irrigation system can be suitably reduced for drip fertigation with urea in the Yellow River irrigation area. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Overview of Nilotinib, a Selective Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor
Authors: Tian Xianbin , Zhang Hefei , Heimbach Tycho , He Handan , Buchbinder Aby , Aghoghovbia Mary , Hourcade‐Potelleret Florence 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNilotinib, an oral inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of Abelson protein, is approved for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase and patients with CML in chronic phase or accelerated phase resistant or intolerant to prior therapies. This review describes the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data of nilotinib in patients with CML and in healthy volunteers. Nilotinib is rapidly absorbed, with a peak serum concentration approximately 3 hours after dosing. The area under the plasma drug concentration‐time curve over 24 hours and the peak serum concentration of nilotinib were dose proportional from 50‐400 mg once daily. The metabolism of nilotinib is primarily via hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 according to in vitro studies. In the clinical setting, exposure to nilotinib was significantly reduced by the induction of CYP3A4 with rifampicin and significantly increased by the inhibition of CYP3A with ketoconazole. Additionally, nilotinib is a competitive inhibitor of CYP3A4/5, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1. The bioavailability of nilotinib is increased by up to 82% when given with a high‐fat meal compared with fasted state. There is a positive correlation between the occurrences of all‐grade total bilirubin elevations and the steady‐state nilotinib trough concentrations. Fredericia method corrected QT interval change from baseline was observed to have a correlation with nilotinib exposure. No significant relationship between nilotinib exposure and major molecular response at 12 months was seen at therapeutic doses of nilotinib 300–400 mg, probably due to the narrow range of the doses investigated.
Seiche modes in multi‐armed lakes
Authors: Brenner S. D. , Laval B. E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe effect of multiple arms on standing wave patterns, or seiches, present within a lake is not easy to predict. This study examines free seiche modes in fjord‐type multi‐armed lakes in order to generalize features of the response of those lakes. To do so, the study develops a simplified analytical model that predicts modal frequencies and associated mode‐shapes based on idealized lake geometries. The model demonstrates that multi‐armed lakes are subject to two different types of behavior: a full‐lake response, in which all arms are active for all modes; and a decoupled response, in which seiching is constrained to only two arms of the lake for each mode. Which of the two behaviors is expressed depends on relative values of the travel time of a progressive shallow‐water wave in each arm. In general, a decoupled response will exist if the mode‐shape along a two‐armed extent of the lake contains a node exactly at the confluence point between those two arms. We show that the period and associated mode‐shape structure of the fundamental mode in multi‐armed lakes conforms to that of a simple elongated lake as predicted by Merian's formula, but higher modes are highly impacted by lake geometry. Depth and width variation within the arms can lead to localization of mode‐shapes, but this effect is distinct from the possible decoupled behavior. In some instances, it may be possible to apply the model to baroclinic modes which would then act as having a constant bottom depth equal to the surface layer depth.
Thermally Assisted Electrohydrodynamic Jet High‐Resolution Printing of High‐Molecular Weight Biopolymer 3D Structures
Authors: Li Kai , Wang Dazhi , Wang Qiang , Song Kedong , Liang Junsheng , Sun Yulin , Madoua Marc 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHigh‐molecular biodegradable and bioresorbable polymers are widely used in tissue engineering applications. In this work, a high‐resolution 3D printing technique, thermally assisted electrohydrodynamic jet (TAEJ) printing, is developed for patterning high‐molecular weight biopolymer 3D structures. Boiling point graded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and PVP/polycaprolactone biopolymer inks are prepared. The resultant effects of electrohydrodynamic force and thermal field are applied on these polymer ink, to form a stable and controllable sub‐micrometer scale jet at the needle tip. Fine jet 2D period patterns and 3D high aspect ratio structures of the biopolymer inks are directly printed using fine jet at a typical feature size of sub‐micrometer. Furthermore, TAEJ printing of 3D heterogeneous high‐molecular weight biopolymer scaffold is demonstrated. Cell culture shows high biocompatibility and cartilage regeneration in vitro, which provides a great potential for tissue engineering applications.