bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Equiaxed β–Si3N4 ceramics prepared by rapid reaction‐bonding and post‐sintering using TiO2–Y2O3–Al2O3 additives
Authors: Wu Li‐Xiang , Guo Wei‐Ming , Zeng Ling‐Yong , Lin Hua‐Tay 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSintered reaction‐bonded Si3N4 ceramics with equiaxed microstructure were prepared with TiO2–Y2O3–Al2O3 additions by rapid nitridation at 1400°C for 2 hours and subsequent post‐sintering at 1850°C for 2 hours under N2 pressure of 3 MPa. It was found that α–Si3N4, β–Si3N4, Si2N2O, and TiN phases were formed by rapid nitridation of Si powders with single TiO2 additives. However, the combination of TiO2 and Y2O3–Al2O3 additives led to the formation of 100% β–Si3N4 phase from the nitridation of Si powders at such low temperature (1400°C), and the removal of Si2N2O phase. As a result, dense β–Si3N4 ceramics with equiaxed microstructure were obtained after post‐sintering at high temperature.
An exploratory trial of a health education programme to promote healthy lifestyles through social and emotional competence in young children: Study protocol
Authors: Bermejo‐Martins Elena , López‐Dicastillo Olga , Mujika Agurtzane 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimTo implement and evaluate a health education programme based on the development of social and emotional competence in young children.BackgroundChildren's social and emotional skills play a key role in the adoption and maintenance of their lifestyles. Currently, a more comprehensive perspective dealing with these aspects is needed to promote healthy habits in children and develop effective health education programmes.DesignAn exploratory randomized controlled trial.MethodsA convenience sample of 30 children (5 and 6 years old) will be recruited from a public school in Spain, with 15 participants in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Participants in the experimental group will receive the first unit of the programme, consisting of developing emotional knowledge skills around daily health habits (eating, hygiene, sleep and physical exercise) using different game‐based dynamics and an emotional diary, while those in the control group will continue with their usual school routine. Outcome measures include emotional knowledge ability, basic social skills and children's health profile. The perceived impact of the intervention by parents, acceptability (by parents and children) and feasibility of the programme will be also assessed. Data will be collected at baseline, postintervention and at 7‐month follow‐up.DiscussionThis study offers an innovative intervention aimed at improving children's healthy lifestyles from a holistic perspective by addressing social and emotional competence as one of the most influential aspects of children's development. This exploratory trial is an essential step to explore crucial aspects of the full‐scale clinical trial.
Genetic connectivity of a coral reef ecosystem predator: the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
Authors: Bernard Andrea M. , Horn Rebekah L. , Chapman Demian D. , Feldheim Kevin A. , Garla Ricardo C. , Brooks Edd J. , Gore Mauvis A. , Shivji Mahmood S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimThe Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) is one of few extant reef sharks inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean. Its variability in movements across habitat types suggests the possibility of a complex genetic population structure. Here, we use mitochondrial and nuclearDNAto investigate the genetic connectivity of the Caribbean reef shark across contemporary and evolutionary time‐scales and relate our findings to the ecology of this understudied species.LocationTropical western Atlantic and Caribbean.MethodsSamples were obtained from 216 individuals from six western Atlantic and Caribbean locations. Individuals were genotyped at seven nuclear microsatelliteDNAloci and sequenced at two mitochondrial (control region [CR];NADHdehydrogenase subunit 4 [ND4]) and one nuclear locus (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]). Analyses to resolve the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of this species were adopted.ResultsSequencing of theCR(1,068 bp,n = 216),ND4 (741 bp,n = 213) andLDH(258 bp,n = 165) loci, resolved 11, 8 and 13 unique haplotypes (or alleles), respectively. Overall, Caribbean reef sharks showed low levels of genetic diversity and most marker sets identified strong genetic differences (FSTand ΦST) between sharks sampled in Brazil versus all other locations (msatFST > 0.017;CR‐ND4 ΦST > 0.013). MitochondrialDNAshowed evidence of increased genetic partitioning among western North Atlantic sampling sites, although widespread haplotype sharing (~85%–92%) and a shallow population history were found.Main ConclusionsFindings of genetic differentiation are concordant with previous movement studies showing residency and/or site‐fidelity to specific locations by individuals. However, similar to other reef shark studies, we found that the level of genetic connectivity among populations was context dependent—i.e., sharks occupying isolated habitats showed greater genetic differentiation compared with those sharks occupying semi‐isolated or continuous reef habitats. Furthermore, low genetic diversity and a shallow mitochondrial population history were found, suggesting historical demographic fluctuations, including population collapse and more recent expansions.
Mobilizing Citizens for Costly Policies: The Conditional Effect of Party Cues on Support for International Bailouts in the European Union
Authors: Stoeckel Florian , Kuhn Theresa 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPrevious research finds citizens' attitudes towards international redistribution in the European sovereign debt crisis to be related to party preferences. This article further reveals the nature of this link. We show that citizens follow party cues on international bailouts, rather than having merely ideologically congruent positions. By employing an original survey experiment that exposes respondents to elite cues, we additionally uncover underlying dynamics. First, party cues mobilize support for bailouts even in the face of salient elite dissent and, second, even a strong elite consensus does not affect citizens without PID and low levels of political sophistication. The findings of the experiment are cross‐validated with data from the voter survey of European Election Study 2014. The results suggest that current debates about international bailout packages deepen a polarization between politicized and non‐politicized Europeans.
Invasion of Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae) in subtropical secondary forests of NW Argentina: declining growth rates of abundant native tree species
Authors: Malizia Agustina , Osinaga‐Acosta Oriana , Powell Priscila Ana , Aragón Roxana 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimsLigustrum lucidum, native to China, is one of the dominant exotic and invasive tree species in secondary forests in Argentina. (1) We assessed its invasion during 20 yr in post‐agricultural secondary forests dominated by native tree species, and (2) evaluated tree demographic rates of native individuals under and away from L. lucidum trees that invaded these forests.LocationsFour 1‐ha permanent plots of secondary forests, subtropical Andes of Tucumán, Argentina.MethodsWe quantified the invasion of L. lucidum individuals (≥10‐cm diameter) from 1991 to 2011 within four 1‐ha plots of secondary forests and analysed annual growth and mortality rates of native tree individuals (≥10‐cm diameter) under and away from L. lucidum trees. For this, we compared tree demographic rates of all native individuals together (community level) under and away from individuals of L. lucidum, referred to as exotic and native neighbourhoods, respectively. Then, we described the relative growth rate of native tree species in exotic/native neighbourhoods (species level) and related them to their demographic life histories and morpho‐physiological traits.ResultsBoth density and basal area of L. lucidum increased from 0.1% to 4% between 1991 and 2011. Native tree individuals grew 65% less in exotic neighborhoods compared to native neighborhoods. Relative growth rate showed negative values under L. lucidum individuals for the abundant species Ocotea porphyria, Parapitadenia excelsa, Juglans austalis and Allophylus edulis, indicating competition; while less abundant species Terminalia triflora, Cupania vernalis and Blepharocalix saliscifolius showed positive growth values under L. lucidum, suggesting a facilitation process. Thus, L. lucidum competes efficiently with some native tree species, particularly with those abundant species that dominate the canopy.ConclusionsLigustrum lucidum is invading post‐agricultural secondary forests dominated by native tree species. While invading, L. lucidum competes with native abundant tree species that dominate the main structure of the forest canopy. As this invasive trend will likely increase in the near future, L. lucidum may alter forest structure, composition and dynamics, as well ecosystem functioning.
Building disciplinary literacy: an analysis of history, science and math teachers' close reading strategies
Authors: Paul Casey Medlock 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis collective case study explores the strategies history, science and math teachers use to conduct close readings in their disciplines. Through qualitative analysis of forum posts and lesson plans submitted to a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) designed as professional development (PD), this study examines the strategies history, science and math teachers reported using to conduct close readings in their discipline, as well as how these teachers conduct close readings after receiving professional development on reading strategies for their disciplines. Ultimately, the research showed that while more teachers reported using disciplinary literacy strategies following the PD, they did not necessarily report using the strategies that, according to experts in their fields, are considered to be the most important for their discipline.
Compositions and microstructures of CB sulfides: Implications for the thermal history of the CB chondrite parent body
Authors: Srinivasan Poorna , Jones Rhian H. , Brearley Adrian J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe studied textures and compositions of sulfide inclusions in unzoned Fe,Ni metal particles within CBa Gujba, CBa Weatherford, CBb HH 237, and CBb QUE 94411 in order to constrain formation conditions and secondary thermal histories on the CB parent body. Unzoned metal particles in all four chondrites have very similar metal and sulfide compositions. Metal particles contain different types of sulfides, which we categorize as: homogeneous low‐Cr sulfides composed of troilite, troilite‐containing exsolved daubreelite lamellae, arcuate sulfides that occur along metal grain boundaries, and shock‐melted sulfides composed of a mixture of troilite and Fe, Ni metal. Our model for formation proposes that the unzoned metal particles were initially metal droplets that formed from splashing by a partially molten impacting body. Sulfide inclusions later formed as a result of precipitation of excess S from solid metal at low temperatures, either during single stage cooling or during a reheating event by impacts. Sulfides containing exsolution lamellae record temperatures of ≪600 °C, and irregular Fe‐FeS intergrowth textures suggest localized shock melting, both of which are indicative of heterogeneous heating by impact processes on the CB parent body. Our study shows that CBa and CBb chondrites formed in a similar environment, and also experienced similar secondary impact processing.
The cosmic‐ray exposure history of the Twannberg iron meteorite (IIG)
Authors: Smith Thomas , Hofmann Beda A. , Leya Ingo , Merchel Silke , Pavetich Stefan , Rugel Georg , Scharf Andreas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe Twannberg iron meteorite is one out of only six members of the group IIG. The combined noble gas and radionuclide data obtained in this new systematic study indicate that Twannberg with its ~570 recently recovered specimens was a large object with a preatmospheric radius in the range of ~2 m, which corresponds to ~250 × 103 kg. The cosmic‐ray exposure age for Twannberg is 182 ± 45 Ma. The most surprising result is the long terrestrial age of Tterr = ka, which is unexpected considering the humid conditions in Switzerland. However, this age is in accord with glaciation events, indicating that the less shielded samples from Mt. Sujet were found close to the position of the original strewn field, whereas the samples from Gruebmatt and Twannbach, which are from more shielded positions, were glacially transported to the east–northeast during the second last ice age (185–130 ka ago) from an original position west of Mt. Sujet.
Defensive repertoire of Drosophila larvae in response to toxic fungi
Authors: Trienens Monika , Kraaijeveld Ken , Wertheim Bregje 
Published: July 2017

AbstractChemical warfare including insecticidal secondary metabolites is a well‐known strategy for environmental microbes to monopolize a food source. Insects in turn have evolved behavioural and physiological defences to eradicate or neutralize the harmful microorganisms. We studied the defensive repertoire of insects in this interference competition by combining behavioural and developmental assays with whole‐transcriptome time‐series analysis. Confrontation with the toxic filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans severely reduced the survival of Drosophila melanogaster larvae. Nonetheless, the larvae did not behaviourally avoid the fungus, but aggregated at it. Confrontation with fungi strongly affected larval gene expression, including many genes involved in detoxification (e.g., CYP, GST and UGT genes) and the formation of the insect cuticle (e.g., Tweedle genes). The most strongly upregulated genes were several members of the insect‐specific gene family Osiris, and CHK‐kinase‐like domains were over‐represented. Immune responses were not activated, reflecting the competitive rather than pathogenic nature of the antagonistic interaction. While internal microbes are widely acknowledged as important, our study emphasizes the underappreciated role of environmental microbes as fierce competitors.
Spatial connectivity in an adult‐sedentary reef fish with extended pelagic larval phase
Authors: Antoni L. , Saillant E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the spatial scale of demographic connectivity in marine reef fishes dispersing pelagic larvae is a challenging task because of the technical difficulties associated with tagging and monitoring the movements of progeny at early life stages. Several studies highlighted a strong importance of local retention with levels of dispersal of ecological significance restricted to short distances. To date little information is available in species where pelagic dispersal lasts for long periods of time. In this work, population structure and connectivity were studied in the grey triggerfish, Balistes capriscus. Grey triggerfish larvae and juveniles remain associated with floating Sargassum sp. beds for an estimated period of 4–7 months before settling on benthic habitats where they remain sedentary as adults. Analysis of genetic variation among populations along the continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico and U.S. east coast, encompassing over 3,100 km of coastline, revealed homogeneous allele frequencies and a weak isolation‐by‐distance pattern. Moment and maximum‐likelihood estimates of dispersal parameters both indicated occurrence of large neighbourhoods with estimates of the dispersal distribution parameter σ of 914 and 780 km, respectively. Simulated distributions of dispersal distances using several distribution functions all featured substantial fractions of long‐distance dispersal events with the 90% percentiles of travel distance prior to settlement averaging 1,809 km. These results suggest a high dependency of local recruitment on the output of nonlocal spawning stocks located hundreds of kilometres away and a reduced role of local retention in this species.
Neuronal control of experimental colitis occurs via sympathetic intestinal innervation
Authors: Willemze R. A. , Welting O. , van Hamersveld H. P. , Meijer S. L. , Folgering J. H. A , Darwinkel H. , Witherington J. , Sridhar A. , Vervoordeldonk M. J. , Seppen J. , de Jonge W. J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundVagus nerve stimulation is currently clinically evaluated as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. However, the mechanism by which this therapeutic intervention can have an immune‐regulatory effect in colitis remains unclear. We determined the effect of intestine‐specific vagotomy or intestine‐specific sympathectomy of the superior mesenteric nerve (SMN) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis in mice. Furthermore, we tested the efficacy of therapeutic SMN stimulation to treat DSS‐induced colitis in rats.MethodsVagal and SMN fibers were surgically dissected to achieve intestine‐specific vagotomy and sympathectomy. Chronic SMN stimulation was achieved by implantation of a cuff electrode. Stimulation was done twice daily for 5 minutes using a biphasic pulse (10 Hz, 200 μA, 2 ms). Disease activity index (DAI) was used as a clinical parameter for colitis severity. Colonic cytokine expression was measured by quantitative PCR and ELISA.Key ResultsIntestine‐specific vagotomy had no effect on DSS‐induced colitis in mice. However, SMN sympathectomy caused a significantly higher DAI compared to sham‐operated mice. Conversely, SMN stimulation led to a significantly improved DAI compared to sham stimulation, although no other parameters of colitis were affected significantly.Conclusions & InferencesOur results indicate that sympathetic innervation regulates the intestinal immune system as SMN denervation augments, and SMN stimulation ameliorates DSS‐induced colitis. Surprisingly, intestine‐specific vagal nerve denervation had no effect in DSS‐induced colitis.
Incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis in the Netherlands continues to rise: 20‐year results from a nationwide pathology database
Authors: Warners M. J. , de Rooij W. , van Rhijn B. D. , Verheij J. , Bruggink A. H. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has increased rapidly. Most epidemiologic data were gathered in single‐center studies over a short timeframe, possibly explaining the heterogeneous incidences.AimThe aim of this study was to retrospectively estimate the Dutch nationwide incidence of EoE over the last 20 years.MethodsThe Dutch pathology registry (PALGA) was queried to identify pathology reports describing esophageal eosinophilia from 1996 to 2016. Cases were eligible if EoE was confirmed by the pathologist. Using the annual Dutch population data, the incidence of EoE was calculated.Key ResultsThe search yielded 11 288 reports of which 5080 described esophageal eosinophilia. Eosinophilic esophagitis was diagnosed in 2161 patients, 1574 (73%) males and 365 (17%) children. The incidence increased from 0.01 (95% CI 0‐0.02) in 1996 to 2.07 (95% CI 2.05‐2.23) per 100 000 inhabitants in 2015. The incidence was higher in males than in females, 3.02 (95% CI 2.66‐3.41) vs 1.14 (95% CI 0.93‐1.38), odds ratio (OR) 2.66 (95% CI 2.10‐3.36) and higher in adults than in children, 2.23 (95% CI 1.99‐2.49) vs 1.46 (95% CI 1.09‐1.91), OR 1.78 (95% CI 1.32‐2.40). Incidence of EoE increased more than 200‐fold, whereas endoscopy rates only tripled, from 30 in 1996 to 105 per 100 000 inhabitants in 2015. We observed no seasonal variation.Conclusions and InferencesIn the last decades, the Dutch EoE incidence has increased tremendously and still continues to rise. This expansion is only partially driven by increased endoscopy rates.
Prosecretory effect of loperamide in ileal and colonic mucosae of mice displaying high or low swim stress‐induced analgesia associated with high and low endogenous opioid system activity
Authors: Wasilewski A. , Misicka A. , Sacharczuk M. , Fichna J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habit. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of loperamide hydrochloride (LOP) and naloxone hydrochloride (NLX), an opioid agonist and antagonist, respectively, on electrolyte equilibrium in ileal and colonic mucosae and to estimate the possible influence of divergent activity of the endogenous opioid system (EOS) on IBS therapy.MethodsTwo mouse lines bidirectionally selected for high (HA) and low (LA) swim stress‐induced analgesia associated with high and low EOS activity were used in this study. To assess the effect of LOP and NLX on HA/LA lines in vivo, we used the castor oil‐induced diarrhea model. Changes in electrolyte equilibrium were determined on the basis of short‐circuit current (ΔIsc) in isolated mouse ileum and colon exposed to LOP and NLX and stimulated by forskolin (FSK), veratridine (VER), and bethanechol (BET).Key ResultsIn vivo, we found that LOP significantly prolonged time to appearance of diarrhea in HA and LA lines. In vitro, LOP and NLX increased ΔIsc in FSK‐ and VER‐stimulated colonic tissue, respectively, in HA line. In the ileum, LOP increased ΔIsc in FSK‐ and VER‐stimulated tissue and decreased ΔIsc in BET‐stimulated tissues in HA line.Conclusions & InferencesIndividual differences in EOS activity may play a crucial role in the response to the IBS‐D therapy, thus some patients may be at an increased risk of side effects such as constipation or diarrhea.
Full‐layer mucosal histology in achalasia: Histological epithelial wave is characteristic in “pinstripe pattern”‐positive achalasia
Authors: Sato H. , Takahashi K. , Nakajima N. , Hasegawa G. , Mizuno K. , Hashimoto S. , Ikarashi S. , Hayashi K. , Honda Y. , Yokoyama J. , Sato Y. , Terai S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundPreviously, the mucosal histology in achalasia has only been investigated using superficial biopsy or surgically resected esophageal specimens in end‐stage cases. We investigated the histology of the full‐layer mucosa in early and advanced achalasia.MethodsEndoscopy was performed for the pinstripe pattern (PSP) (an early achalasia indicator) and dilation and thickening of the mucosa (advanced achalasia indicators). A mucosal entry site for peroral endoscopic myotomy was created using cap‐fitted endoscopic mucosal resection to access the full‐layer mucosa and the submucosa.Key ResultsMucosal histology was compared between 32 patients with achalasia and 15 controls. Histological esophagitis with findings of inflammatory cell infiltration and dilated intercellular spaces was observed more in patients with achalasia than in controls (87.5% vs 13.3%, P<.001; 84.4% vs 46.7%, P=.049). Muscularis mucosae (MM) atrophy and epithelial wave were only observed in achalasia (40.6% vs 0%, P=.005; 28.1% vs 0%, P=.043). Fibrosis was more common in achalasia, but without statistical significance (31.3% vs 20.0%, P=.503). In achalasia with endoscopic dilation and thickening of the mucosa, MM atrophy was observed histologically, and in cases involving endoscopic PSP, the histological epithelial wave was observed.Conclusions & InferencesHistological findings of esophagitis were observed endoscopically even in early achalasia. Pinstripe pattern corresponds to the epithelial wave observed histologically in achalasia, whereas endoscopic findings in advanced achalasia correspond to MM atrophy. Appropriate management is necessary during early achalasia to prevent progression to advanced achalasia with more severe histological changes.