bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change adaptation to escape the poverty trap: role of the private sector
Authors: Cao Shixiong , Zheng Heran 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Climate change adaptation and poverty alleviation call for an integrated strategy, because poverty exacerbates the vulnerability to climate change and vice versa. The private sector, which has traditionally been excluded from adaptation planning, may contribute greatly to the development of an integrated strategy. Here, we identify the differences in adaptation trajectories between the private sector and communities by proposing a conceptual framework and report on a case study in a dryland area of China, where the private sector led a successful adaptation and poverty alleviation project. We found that their win–win strategy achieved both climate change adaptation and development, thereby helping a disadvantaged community to escape the poverty trap and achieve sustainable development. The private sector played a dominant role in the response, as this sector can adapt in ways that are not possible for governments or communities. We suggest that participatory governance that includes private‐sector stakeholders is more likely to achieve sustainable development.
Discharge Capacity Estimation for Lithium–Ion Battery Packs with Cells in Parallel Connection Based on Current Prediction of In‐Pack Cells
Authors: Cheng Long , Sun Quan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDischarge capacity estimation for battery packs is one of the most essential issues of battery management systems. Precision of the estimation will affect maintenance policy and reliability estimation of the battery packs. Due to different manufacturing processes and use conditions, the performance of each cell in a battery pack may be significantly different. Such differences mean that a certain amount of capacity is not extracted from the in‐pack cells. For lithium‐ion battery packs with cells connected in parallel, a method is provided herein to predict the discharge current of the cells. Based on this method, an estimation of the discharge capacity of the pack can be obtained. An experiment is then conducted from which the cell current cannot be measured to validate the applicability of the method. The results show that the proposed method can be used to estimate the discharge capacity of battery packs with high accuracy. This method is significant for the grouping of lithium‐ion battery packs, as well as the maintenance and replacement policy of battery packs.
Therapist and Client Interactions in Motivational Interviewing for Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Romano Mia , Arambasic Jelena , Peters Lorna 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to assess the bidirectional associations between therapist and client speech during a treatment based on motivational interviewing (MI) for social anxiety disorder.MethodParticipants were 85 adults diagnosed with social anxiety who received MI prior to entering cognitive behavioral therapy. MI sessions were sequentially coded using the Motivational Interviewing Skill Code 2.5.ResultsTherapist MI‐consistent behaviors, including open questions as well as positive and negative reflections, were more likely to be followed by client change exploration (change talk and counter‐change talk). Therapist MI‐inconsistent behaviors were more likely to precede client neutral language. Client language was also found to influence therapist likelihood of responding in an MI‐consistent manner.ConclusionThe findings support the first step of the MI causal model in the context of social anxiety and direct future research into the effect of therapist and client behaviors on MI treatment outcome.
Polyphenol‐rich virgin olive oil reduces insulin resistance and liver inflammation and improves mitochondrial dysfunction in high‐fat diet fed rats
Authors: Lama Adriano , Pirozzi Claudio , Mollica Maria Pia , Trinchese Giovanna , Di Guida Francesca , Cavaliere Gina , Calignano Antonio , Mattace Raso Giuseppina , Berni Canani Roberto , Meli Rosaria 
Published: October 2016

ScopeVirgin olive oil is an essential component of the Mediterranean diet. Its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties are mainly linked to phenolic contents. This study aims to evaluate the beneficial effects of a polyphenol‐rich virgin olive oil (HPCOO) or olive oil without polyphenols (WPOO) in rats fed high‐fat diet (HFD).Methods and resultsMale Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into four groups based on the different types of diet: (I) standard diet (STD); (II) HFD; (III) HFD containing WPOO, and (IV) HFD containing HPCOO. HPCOO and WPOO induced a significant improvement of HFD‐induced impaired glucose homeostasis (by hyperglycemia, altered oral glucose tolerance, and HOMA‐IR) and inflammatory status modulating pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1, and IL‐10) and adipokines. Moreover, HPCOO and less extensively WPOO, limited HFD‐induced liver oxidative and nitrosative stress and increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation. To study mitochondrial performance, oxidative capacity and energy efficiency were also evaluated in isolated liver mitochondria. HPCOO, but not WPOO, reduced H2O2 release and aconitase activity by decreasing degree of coupling, which plays a major role in the control of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species emission.ConclusionHPCOO limits HFD‐induced insulin resistance, inflammation, and hepatic oxidative stress, preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression.
Zinc supplementation augments TGF‐β1‐dependent regulatory T cell induction
Authors: Maywald Martina , Meurer Steffen K. , Weiskirchen Ralf , Rink Lothar 
Published: October 2016

ScopeRegulatory T cells (Treg) play a pivotal role in immune regulation. For proper immune function, also trace elements such as zinc, and anti‐inflammatory cytokines, including transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) and interleukin (IL)‐10 are indispensable. Hence, in this study the influence of TGF‐β1, IL‐10, and zinc supplementation on Treg cells differentiation was investigated.Methods and resultsA synergistic effect of a combined zinc and TGF‐β1 treatment on Foxp3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) was found by performing Western blot analysis. Additionally, combined treatment causes elevated Smad 2/3 phosphorylation, which plays an important role in Foxp3 expression. This is due to a TGF‐β1‐mediated increase of intracellular‐free zinc measured by zinc probes Fluozin3‐AM and ZinPyr‐1. Moreover, zinc as well as TGF‐β1 treatment caused significantly reduced interferon (IFN)‐γ secretion in MLC.ConclusionCombined zinc and TGF‐β1 treatment provoked an increased Treg cell induction due to a triggered intracellular zinc signal, which in association with an increased Smad 2/3 activation leads to a boosted Foxp3 expression and resulting in an ameliorated allogeneic reaction in MLC. Thus, zinc can be used as a favorable additive to elevate the induction of Treg cells in adverse immune reactions.
Ellagic acid improves endogenous neural stem cells proliferation and neurorestoration through Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Liu Qing‐Shan , Li Shu‐Ran , Li Keqin , Li Xu , Yin Xiaoying , Pang Zongran 
Published: October 2016

ScopeThe aim of this study is to research the effects of the polyphenol ellagic acid (EA) on brain cells and to explore its mechanism of action, and to evaluate whether EA can be safely utilized by humans as a functional food or therapeutic agent.Methods and resultsA photothrombosis‐induced model of brain injury in rats was created, and EA was administered intragastrically to rats on 7 consecutive days post‐venous ischemia. An oxygen–glucose deprivation and re‐perfusion model was established in neural stem cells in order to research the effects on proliferation after 2 days of EA treatment in vitro. The administration of EA improved the rats' nerve‐related abilities, remedied infarct volumes and morphological changes in the brain, and enhanced the content of nestin protein in the brain semidarkness zone. The proliferation of NSCs and the expression of β‐catenin and Cyclin D1 genes were also increased in primary cultured NSCs.ConclusionsEA administration can improve brain injury outcomes and increase the proliferation of NSCs through the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. The presented results represent new insights on the mechanisms of the brain cell protective activity of EA. Thus, EA may be used in functional foods or medicines to help treat nerve dysfunction, neurodegenerative disease and aging.
Phylogenetic profile of gut microbiota in healthy adults after moderate intake of red wine
Authors: Barroso Elvira , Muñoz‐González Irene , Jiménez Esther , Bartolomé Begoña , Moreno‐Arribas M. Victoria , Peláez Carmen , del Carmen Martínez‐Cuesta María , Requena Teresa 
Published: October 2016

ScopeThere is growing interest in understanding how human colonic microbiota can be modified by dietary habits. We examined the influence of moderate red wine intake on the colonic microbiota of 15 healthy volunteers, related to the high concentration of polyphenols present in this beverage. The volunteers were classified into high, moderate, and low polyphenol metabolizers (metabotypes) due to their ability to metabolize polyphenols and the results were compared with that of five control (no wine intake) subjects.Methods and resultsWe analyzed the composition, diversity, and dynamics of their fecal microbiota before and after 1 month of wine consumption. The 16S rDNA sequencing allowed detection of 2324 phylotypes, of which only 30 were found over the 0.5% of mean relative frequency, representing 84.6% of the total taxonomical assignments. The samples clustered more strongly by individuals than by wine intake or metabotypes, however an increase in diversity, after the wine intake, was observed.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest an increase in the global fecal microbial diversity associated to the consumption of red wine, confirm the high variability of the microbiota from different individuals, and show the stability of their singular microbiota composition to small and short‐term dietary changes.
High efficiency radiofrequency power amplifier module for parallel transmit arrays at 3 Tesla
Authors: Twieg Michael , Griswold Mark A. 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop an in‐bore radiofrequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA) module with high power efficiency and density for use in parallel transmit (pTX) arrays at 3 Tesla.MethodsThe modules use a combination of current mode class D, class S, and class E amplifiers based on enhancement‐mode gallium nitride‐on‐silicon field‐effect transistors. Together the amplifiers implement envelope elimination and restoration to achieve amplitude modulation with high efficiency over a wide operating range. The static nonlinearity and power efficiency of the module were measured using pulsed RF measurements over a 37 dB dynamic range. Thermal performance was also measured with and without forced convection cooling.ResultsThe modules produces peak RF power up to 130 W with an overall efficiency of 85%. When producing 100 W RF pulses at a duty cycle of 10%, maximum junction temperatures did not exceed 80 °C, even without the use of heatsinks or forced convection.ConclusionThe small size and low cost of the modules promise lower cost implementation of pTX systems compared with linear RFPAs located remotely. Further work must be done on control of the RF output in the presence of nonlinearities and coupling. Magn Reson Med 78:1589–1598, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Evaluation of pelvic floor muscle activity during running in continent and incontinent women: An exploratory study
Authors: Leitner Monika , Moser Helene , Eichelberger Patric , Kuhn Annette , Radlinger Lorenz 
Published: October 2016

AimsImpact activities like running are known to elicit symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study was to investigate and compare pelvic floor muscle activity in continent and SUI women during running at three different speeds and thereby elucidate contraction characteristics of the pelvic floor during impact.MethodsSurface electromyographic (EMG) activity from the pelvic floor muscles during running on a treadmill was recorded with a tripolar vaginal probe. EMG was measured during 10 s at the speeds 7, 11, and 15 km/h. Data from 30 ms before to 150 ms after heel‐strike were parameterised to time intervals of 30 ms. The reference value set as 100% for EMG normalisation was calculated as the mean of the peak values of two maximum voluntary contractions.ResultsNo statistically significant differences between continent and incontinent subjects could be found for the EMG values for all time intervals. Mean EMG pre‐activity and reflex activity increased significantly with speed (P < 0.05). Mean EMG activity during running was significantly above PFM onset activation. Values in women with SUI exceeded 100 %MVC for all time intervals at the highest speed of 15 km/h.ConclusionsRunning appears to trigger pre‐activation before and reflex‐activation after heel‐strike and should therefore not only be regarded with caution due to its SUI related effects. Running training stimuli may serve as a beneficial complement to a PFM training rationale, leading to reflex activity of the pelvic floor muscles, when used in sense of power training methodology.
Two‐year outcomes for the Altis® adjustable single incision sling system for treatment of stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Kocjancic Ervin , Erickson Ty , Tu Le‐Mai , Gheiler Edward , Van Drie Douglas 
Published: October 2016

AimsEvaluate the Altis single‐incision sling for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence through 24 months.MethodsThis was a prospective, multi‐center, industry‐sponsored (Coloplast Corp.), single‐arm trial with primary efficacy defined as ≥50% reduction in 24 h pad weight from baseline at 6‐months. Device‐ and procedure‐related complications were collected for safety. Secondary measures included cough stress test, Urogenital Distress Inventory‐Short Form, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐Short Form, and Patient Global Impression of Improvement.ResultsOf the 113 women implanted, 94 remained at 24‐months. The average procedure time was 12.8 ± 8.4 min across all settings. Of those with paired baseline and follow‐up data at 24‐months, 90.0% (81/90) achieved ≥50% reduction in pad weight, 81.1% (73/90) were dry (pad weight ≤4.0 g), and 87.9% (80/91) had a negative cough stress test. Significant median reductions of 44.4 in Urogenital Distress Inventory (P‐value <0.0001) and 52.0 in Incontinence Impact Questionnaire scores (P‐value <0.0001) were observed. Additionally, 90.4% (85/94) of subjects reported “very much better” or “much better” on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement. No new device‐ or procedure‐related adverse events occurred between the 12 and 24 month visits.ConclusionsThe Altis single‐incision sling is a durable and effective treatment with a favorable safety profile for surgical treatment of women with stress or stress‐predominant mixed urinary incontinence.
The urinary‐specific quality of life of multiple sclerosis patients: Dutch translation and validation of the SF‐Qualiveen
Authors: Reuvers Sarah H.M. , Korfage Ida J. , Scheepe Jeroen R. , Blok Bertil F.M. 
Published: October 2016

AimsThe SF‐Qualiveen is a short questionnaire that measures the impact of urinary symptoms on the quality of life of patients with urological dysfunction due to neurological disorders. The aim of this study is to translate, culturally adapt and validate a Dutch version of the SF‐Qualiveen for use in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.MethodsCross‐cultural adaptation of the original English SF‐Qualiveen into Dutch was performed according to standardized guidelines. Adult MS patients with symptomatic urinary disorders who visited the Urology or Rehabilitation outpatient clinic of the Erasmus Medical Center completed the SF‐Qualiveen and the Urinary Distress Inventory‐6 (UDI‐6), that evaluates bother caused by lower urinary tract symptoms and was used as a gold standard, at baseline and 1‐2 weeks later. A control group recruited from the Otolaryngology outpatient clinic completed the questionnaires once. Reliability and validity were determined.ResultsFifty MS patients and 50 controls were included. SF‐Qualiveen scores in patients were higher than in controls (on a scale of 0‐4: 1.73 vs. 0.34; P < 0.001). Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.8) and reproducibility (Intraclass correlation coefficients >0.8) were good for the total SF‐Qualiveen. Content validity was adequate and a significant relationship between SF‐Qualiveen and UDI‐6 (r = 0.510‐0.479, P < 0.001) confirmed good criterion validity.ConclusionsThe Dutch SF‐Qualiveen showed good measurement properties. We recommend its use to measure urinary‐specific quality of life in MS patients in research and clinical practice in the Netherlands.
Influence of cognitive rehabilitation on pelvic floor muscle contraction: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Villot Anne , Deffieux Xavier , Billecocq Sylvie , Auclair Laurent , Amarenco Gérard , Thubert Thibault 
Published: October 2016

AimDistraction task (DT), which led to a modification of voluntary and involuntary reflex pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activation, might potentiate urinary incontinence, through an alteration of the temporal course between intra‐abdominal pressure and PFM contraction. We evaluated whether cognitive rehabilitation (dual‐task method) could prevent the effect of a mental distraction task on the reaction time of PFM contraction.MethodsThirty‐nine healthy volunteers underwent two sessions of electromyographic (EMG) PFM recordings separated by a 2‐week interval. We recorded external anal sphincter EMG activity during voluntary and involuntary PFM contraction with and without a DT (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task). Two main parameters were recorded: RT1 (latency between an order for PFM contraction and the onset of the external anal sphincter EMG activation during voluntary PFM contraction) and RT3 (latency between the onset of the involuntary external anal sphincter EMG activation and the onset of the external intercostal muscle EMG activation during involuntary PFM contraction). Volunteers were randomized (ratio 1:2) in two groups: dual task cognitive (an attentional test, the n‐back test, and PFM exercises) rehabilitation program (n = 13) and control group (n = 26). The control group had no specific instructions and did not have to do PFM exercises.ResultsConcerning voluntary PFM contraction, following a 2‐week interval, in the study group RT1 in DT conditions decreased from 461.11 ms [357.14‐557.41] to 290.74 ms [262.96‐308.88] (ratio 0.63, P = 0.0063). In the control group, RT1 in DT conditions was not significantly different. Concerning involuntary PFM contraction, in the study group RT3 without a DT increased from −68.52 ms [−107.40; −40] to −127.78 ms [−163.06; −93.33] (ratio 1.86, P = 0.0327). In DT conditions, in the study group RT3 increased from −42.59 ms [−52.09; −6.66] to −59.25 ms [−119.44; −44.44] (ratio 1.39, P = 0.0478).ConclusionThe alteration of the reaction time of PFM provoked by a distraction task can be prevented by specific cognitive rehabilitation.
Characteristics associated with risk taking behaviours predict young people's participation in organised activities
Authors: Hallingberg Britt E. , Van Goozen Stephanie H.M. , Moore Simon C. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTParticipation in organised activities (OAs) such as sports and special groups can shape adolescent risk taking behaviours. Sensation seeking and inhibitory control play an important role in the emergence of adolescent risk taking behaviours and may explain variations in OA participation as well as inform the development of more effective interventions that use OAs. Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (England) were analysed using logistic regression to test whether inhibitory control and sensation seeking predicted participation in OAs at a mean age of 11.7 years (n = 2557) and 15.4 years (n = 2147). At 11 years of age higher sensation seeking predicted participation in any activity, sports and special groups while low inhibitory control predicted less participation in sports. At 15 years of age higher sensation seeking predicted participation in sports and activity breadth. Opportunities to develop targeted interventions aimed at increasing participation are discussed.
Excavation of the approach to the mountain palace-fortress at Herodium
Authors: Porat Roi , Kalman Yakov , Chachy Rachel 
Published: October 2016

In 2014, the Ehud Netzer Expedition for the Study of Herodium from the Hebrew University commenced excavations in the area of the approach to the mountain palace-fortress at Herodium (hereafter “the mountain palace”). The excavations produced surprising new data with respect to the stages of construction and the layout of the entrance to the hilltop structure, shedding light on Herod's last building project at the site at the time when he transformed the entire hill into his burial and memorial complex (fig. 1 in colour).The presence of a monumental stairway ascending the NE slope of the mount and leading to the structure at its top has long been known, as was that of a sloping passageway that led to the door entering the mountain palace. This arched passageway was intended to make entry possible through the fill of the conical artificial mount. Also prior to the new excavations the entrance room of the hilltop structure was known. The door leading into the courtyard of the palace had been exposed during the Franciscan excavations directed by V. Corbo in the early 1960s, while in 1968-69 G. Foerster exposed the S part of the entrance room, as well as some of the upper arches of the passageway (fig. 2).
Lambs of god: an end of human sacrifice
Authors: Shaw Brent D. 
Published: October 2016

Ferrando: … e si rinvenne mal spenta brace… e d’un bambino,ahimè l’ossame bruciato a mezzo, fumante ancor!Uomini: Ah scellerata! Oh donna infame! Del par m’investe ira ed orror!Il Trovatore. Act I, Scene 1In certain modern sensibilities, played upon here by Verdi's librettist Salvadore Cammarano, infant sacrifice has tended to rouse a basal sense of horror. The moral outrage has usually imputed alien rites and the evils of dreadful barbaric practices. Consider the following descriptions not about the fictions of an imaginary Iberian court, but rather of an actual historical practice.
PARP9 and PARP14 cross-regulate macrophage activation via STAT1 ADP-ribosylation
Authors: Iwata Hiroshi , Goettsch Claudia , Sharma Amitabh , Ricchiuto Piero , Goh Wilson Wen Bin , Halu Arda , Yamada Iwao , Yoshida Hideo , Hara Takuya , Wei Mei , Inoue Noriyuki , Fukuda Daiju , Mojcher Alexander , Mattson Peter C. , Barabási Albert-László , Boothby Mark , Aikawa Elena , Singh Sasha A. , Aikawa Masanori 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDespite the global impact of macrophage activation in vascular disease, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here we show, with global proteomic analysis of macrophage cell lines treated with either IFNγ or IL-4, that PARP9 and PARP14 regulate macrophage activation. In primary macrophages, PARP9 and PARP14 have opposing roles in macrophage activation. PARP14 silencing induces pro-inflammatory genes and STAT1 phosphorylation in M(IFNγ) cells, whereas it suppresses anti-inflammatory gene expression and STAT6 phosphorylation in M(IL-4) cells. PARP9 silencing suppresses pro-inflammatory genes and STAT1 phosphorylation in M(IFNγ) cells. PARP14 induces ADP-ribosylation of STAT1, which is suppressed by PARP9. Mutations at these ADP-ribosylation sites lead to increased phosphorylation. Network analysis links PARP9–PARP14 with human coronary artery disease. PARP14 deficiency in haematopoietic cells accelerates the development and inflammatory burden of acute and chronic arterial lesions in mice. These findings suggest that PARP9 and PARP14 cross-regulate macrophage activation.