bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the relationship between video lecture usage patterns and students' attitudes
Authors: Giannakos Michail N. , Jaccheri Letizia , Krogstie John 
Published: July 2015

AbstractVideos have enhanced the value of teaching and learning, particularly in tertiary education. Recent studies have investigated students' attitudes toward video lectures for educational purposes; however, the relationship between students' attitudes and different usage patterns such as platforms used, video duration, watching period and students' experience, is yet to be explored. To investigate potential attitudinal differences among the diverse video lectures usage patterns, the present study incorporates responses from 40 students who participated in a video‐assisted software engineering course. Our results suggest that usage patterns affect students' attitudes to video lectures as a learning tool. The overall outcomes are expected to promote theoretical development of students' attitudes, video‐platform design principles, and better and more efficient use of video lectures.
Community water fluoridation and health outcomes in England: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Young Nicholas , Newton John , Morris John , Morris Joan , Langford John , Iloya Jonathan , Edwards Diane , Makhani Semina , Verne Julia 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundSix million people in England live in areas where the level of fluoride in water is adjusted to reduce the significant public health burden of dental caries. The dental effects of fluoride are well established, but evidence for suggested adverse health effects is limited, with a lack of rigorous small area population studies that control for confounding. This study aims to test the association between water fluoridation schemes and selected health outcomes using the best available routine data sources.MethodsEcological level exposure to fluoridated water was estimated for standard small areas and administrative districts in England using Geographical Information Systems and digitized boundaries based on known patterns of water supply. The association between fluoridation and dental and nondental health indicators was tested using multivariable regression models including ecological level confounding variables. Health indicator data were obtained from routine sources.ResultsThere was strong evidence of lower prevalence of dental caries (P < 0.001) among children living in fluoridated areas, they also had fewer teeth affected on average (P < 0.001), and lower admission rates for tooth extraction (55% lower; 95% CI‐73%, ‐27%; P = 0.001). There was no strong evidence of an association between fluoridation and hip fracture, Down syndrome, all‐cancer, all‐cause mortality or osteosarcoma. Fluoridation was negatively associated with the incidence of renal stones (7.9% lower; 95% CI‐9.6%,‐6.2%; P < 0.001) and bladder cancer (8.0% lower; 95% CI‐9.9%,‐6.0%; P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study uses the comprehensive data sets available in England to provide reassurance that fluoridation is a safe and highly effective public health measure to reduce dental decay. Although lower rates of certain nondental outcomes were found in fluoridated areas, the ecological, observational design prohibits any conclusions being drawn regarding a protective role of fluoridation.
Effects of additives on the dyeing of cotton yarn with the aqueous extract of Combretum latifolium Blume stems
Authors: Chairat Montra , Bremner John B. , Samosorn Siritron , Sajomsang Warayuth , Chongkraijak Wassana , Saisara Anongnet 
Published: July 2015

Flavonoid constituents from the aqueous extract of the stems of Combretum latifolium Blume sourced in Thailand have potential use as dyestuffs for cotton dyeing. In an effort to improve current natural dyeing methods with this extract, further aspects of the process were studied. It was found that, before equilibrium was reached, an increase in temperature led to an increase in dye adsorption rate of the extract; the initial rate and extent of dye adsorption was further increased by the addition of sodium chloride to the dyebath. In addition, cotton yarn pretreated with a chitosan solution (with and without a crosslinking glyoxal solution), followed by dyeing with C. latifolium extract, provided better depth of shade and also gave better fastness to light and washing than the untreated cotton yarn. Post‐mordanting cotton yarn with a biomordant solution from Memecylon scutellatum leaves also gave good light and wash fastness of the resulting dyed cotton, comparable with the dyeing results with the less environmentally friendly alum as a mordant.
Histopathology and immunophenotype of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans correlated with ospA and ospC genotypes of Borrelia species
Authors: Brandt Friederike C. , Ertas Beyhan , Falk Thomas M. , Metze Dieter , Böer‐Auer Almut 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundChronic cutaneous borreliosis (acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, ACA) is a relatively rare manifestation of borreliosis attributed mainly to Borrelia afzelii. Chronic borreliosis has been associated with ospA and ospC genotypes. Literature on molecular investigations of Borrelia in lesions of ACA is scant.MethodsHistopathological and immmunohistochemical features in 22 biopsies of ACA (16 patients) were examined. Paraffin‐embedded biopsies were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting ospA and ospC genes, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.ResultsGenotyping of ospA identified B. afzelii, serotype 2, in 12 of 16 patients. ospC‐PCR was positive in seven patients revealing genotypes Af5 (n = 4), Af2 (n = 2) and Af6 (n = 1). Histopathologically, interstitial granulomatous infiltrates (CD68 positive) were common, combined with thickened collagen bundles and band‐like infiltrates of CD4 positive T lymphocytes. Plasma cells were sparse/absent in 9 of 22 specimens even on staining with CD138. On CD34‐staining, interstitial fibroblasts were often reduced akin to the situation in morphea.ConclusionsWith assays targeting ospA and ospC genes we confirmed from paraffin‐embedded biopsies that B. afzelii, serotype 2, osp C groups Af5, Af2 and Af6 is the main cause of ACA. Specimens commonly showed a combination of band‐like T‐cell‐rich infiltrates with interstitial granulomatous features, a pattern previously under‐recognized in ACA. This finding was particularly typical for lesions infected with ospC genotype Af5.
First definite report of natural infection of Fraxinus ornus by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus
Authors: Kirisits T. , Schwanda K. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryHymenoscyphus fraxineus was isolated from four leaf rachises with necrotic lesions of flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus) seedlings, which had been planted on a forest site in Austria where they were exposed to a massive natural infection pressure. This represents the first definite report of natural infection of this ash species by the ash dieback pathogen.
Gametic interactions promote inbreeding avoidance in house mice
Authors: Firman Renée C. , Simmons Leigh W. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractReproduction among related individuals is generally maladaptive. Inbreeding imposes significant costs on individual reproductive success, and can decrease population fitness. Theory predicts that polyandrous females can avoid inbreeding by exploiting paternity‐biasing mechanisms that enable differential sperm ‘use’. Evidence of sperm selection is difficult to demonstrate because patterns of non‐random paternity can be generated by a variety of different mechanisms. Here, using in vitro fertilisation in mice, we provide evidence of sperm selection at the gametic level. We mixed the sperm of sibling and non‐sibling males, and observed a fertilisation bias towards the sperm of non‐sibling males. The number of motile sperm and sperm swimming performance did not differ between competitors among the replicate assays. Therefore, our result can only be ascribed to egg‐driven sperm selection against related sperm. We conclude that the expression or secretion of gametic proteins could provide the molecular basis for this mechanism of cryptic female choice.
Controllable Preparation of Al2O3‐MgO·Al2O3‐CaO·6Al2O3 (AMC) Composite with Improved Slag Penetration Resistance
Authors: Chen Junhong , Yan Mingwei , Su Jindong , Li Bin , Chou Kuo‐Chih , Hou Xinmei , Chen Mao , Zhao Baojun 
Published: July 2015

Compact Al2O3‐MgO·Al2O3‐CaO·6Al2O3 (AMC) composite was obtained by melting technology using industrial alumina, light‐burned magnesia, and quick lime as raw materials based on the Al2O3‐MgO‐CaO ternary phase diagram. The results show that the phases of MgO·Al2O3 and Al2O3 are formed as the main framework with plate‐like CaO·6Al2O3 crystals mainly discontinuously embedded in MgO·Al2O3. The bulk density of AMC composite is up to 3.42 g/cm3, equivalent to 90.5% of the theoretical density. The synthesized compact AMC composite in the work also exhibits better slag penetration resistance than the castable based on tabular corundum due to the formation of liquid phase.
Transient receptor potential channel superfamily: Role in lower urinary tract function
Authors: Ogawa Teruyuki , Imamura Tetsuya , Nakazawa Masaki , Hiragata Shiro , Nagai Takashi , Minagawa Tomonori , Yokoyama Hitoshi , Ishikawa Masakuni , Domen Takahisa , Ishizuka Osamu 
Published: July 2015

AbstractLower urinary tract symptoms associated with neurogenic bladder and overactive bladder syndrome are mediated in part by members of the transient receptor potential channel superfamily. The best studied member of this superfamily is the vanilloid receptor. Other transient receptor potential channels, such as the melastatin receptor and the ankyrin receptor, are also active in the pathogenesis of lower urinary tract dysfunction. However, the detailed mechanisms by which the transient receptor potential channels contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms are still not clear, and the therapeutic benefits of modulating transient receptor potential channel activity have not been proved in the clinical setting. In the present review, to better understand the pathophysiology and therapeutic potential for lower urinary tract symptoms, we summarize the presence and role of different members of the transient receptor potential channel superfamily in the lower urinary tract.
A novel pathogenic RBP‐3 peptide reveals epitope spreading in persistent experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis
Authors: Boldison Joanne , Khera Tarnjit K. , Copland David A. , Stimpson Madeleine L. , Crawford Gemma L. , Dick Andrew D. , Nicholson Lindsay B. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryExperimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in the C57BL/6J mouse is a model of non‐infectious posterior segment intraocular inflammation that parallels clinical features of the human disease. The purpose of this study was to analyse the immune response to the four murine subunits of retinol binding protein‐3 (RBP‐3) to identify pathogenic epitopes to investigate the presence of intramolecular epitope spreading during the persistent inflammation phase observed in this model of EAU. Recombinant murine subunits of the RBP‐3 protein were purified and used to immunize C57BL/6J mice to induce EAU. An overlapping peptide library was used to screen RBP‐3 subunit 3 for immunogenicity and pathogenicity. Disease phenotype and characterization of pathogenic subunits and peptides was undertaken by topical endoscopic fundal imaging, immunohistochemistry, proliferation assays and flow cytometry. RBP‐3 subunits 1, 2 and 3 induced EAU in the C57BL/6J mice, with subunit 3 eliciting the most destructive clinical disease. Within subunit 3 we identified a novel uveitogenic epitope, 629–643. The disease induced by this peptide was comparable to that produced by the uveitogenic 1–20 peptide. Following immunization, peptide‐specific responses by CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell subsets were detected, and cells from both populations were present in the retinal inflammatory infiltrate. Intramolecular epitope spreading between 629–643 and 1–20 was detected in mice with clinical signs of disease. The 629–643 RBP‐3 peptide is a major uveitogenic peptide for the induction of EAU in C57BL/6J mice and the persistent clinical disease induced with one peptide leads to epitope spreading.
Storytelling, sugar snacking, and toothbrushing rules: a proposed theoretical and developmental perspective on children's health and oral health literacy
Authors: Freeman Ruth 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundHealth literacy has been conceptualised to explain how health information facilitates the maintenance of health. What are the clinical implications of children's health literacy? Children have language skills, numeracy, and reading skills that are in a state of flux – how do they decipher and encode adult health messages to make them their own?AimTo explore children's health and oral health literacy and discover what processes they use to convert adult health messages into useable information.MethodsObservations and descriptive case study approach.ResultsA theoretical and developmental perspective on children's health and oral health literacy, based upon the ability of the adult to provide a health message with a common shared element, is proposed. It is this common element that the child uses to make adult words understandable and to generate health action.ConclusionsChildren's health and oral health literacy development is achieved, through, a torturous path, supported by the way adults provide health messages to children. Taking time to identify this common element, helping children to encode and reflect upon the health message will help children convert adult oral health messages into their own oral health practices, and support their emerging health and oral health literacy.
Structure and Microwave Dielectric Characteristics of Ca[(Ga1/2Nb1/2)1−xTix]O3 Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Song Lin , Ma Pian Pian , Liu Xiao Qiang , Chen Xiang Ming 
Published: July 2015

The microwave dielectric characteristics of Ca[(Ga1/2Nb1/2)1−xTix]O3 ceramics were investigated together with the structure evolution. The excellent microwave dielectric characteristics were achieved by forming solid solution between Ca(Ga1/2Nb1/2)O3 and CaTiO3 in the present ceramics. The solid solutions in space group Pbnm with antiphase and inphase tilting were determined for all compositions where minor secondary phase was detected for x = 0–0.47, whereas no B‐site ordering was detected. Owing to the structural modification, the dielectric constant (εr) increased with increasing x, and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) could be tuned from negative to positive, while the decrease of Qf value was acceptable. The best combination of microwave dielectric properties was obtained at x = 0.47: εr = 51.6, Qf = 34 100 GHz and τf = −0.3 ppm/°C.
Structural and Thermo‐Mechanical Properties of Nd: Y2O3 Transparent Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Lei , Pan Wei 
Published: July 2015

Various content of neodymia Nd: Y2O3 (Nd: 0.5–5.0 at.%) transparent ceramics were fabricated by vacuum sintering. The prepared Nd: Y2O3 ceramics exhibit high transmittance (~80%) at the wavelength of 1100 nm. It is found that the increase in Nd concentration enhances the grain size growth, while decreases the phonon energy, which is benefit for improving both the luminescence quantum and up‐conversion efficiency. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient of the transparent 1.0 at.% Nd: Y2O3 ceramic is 5.51 W·(m·K)−1 and 8.11 × 10−6 K−1, respectively. The hardness and the fracture toughness of the transparent ceramic is 9.18 GPa and 1.03 Mpa·m1/2, respectively. The results indicate that the Nd: Y2O3 transparent ceramic is a potential candidate material for laser.
Macroecological patterns in mammal abundances provide evidence that an apex predator shapes forest ecosystems by suppressing herbivore and mesopredator abundance
Authors: Colman Nicholas J. , Crowther Mathew S. , Letnic Mike 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimApex predators often exert strong, top‐down effects on ecosystems, and their removal can result in the dramatic reorganization of ecosystems owing to herbivores and smaller predators becoming the dominant trophic‐regulating species. However, field studies designed to understand the influence that apex predators have on ecosystems are hampered by the large spatial and temporal scales required. Here, we use pre‐existing datasets to test predictions on the direct and indirect effects of apex predators on mammals and vegetation generated from trophic cascade theory and the mesopredator release hypothesis.LocationForests of south‐eastern Australia.MethodsWe applied quantile regression to published data collected at 44 sites during the 1980s and 1990s. We investigated inter‐relationships between abundance indices of an apex predator, the dingo (Canis dingo), introduced mesopredators, herbivores, ground‐dwelling medium‐sized mammals and small mammals, and inter‐relationships between habitat complexity and abundances of dingoes and macropods. Quantile regression is well suited for investigating limiting factors of response variables, especially when the observations are made at large temporal and spatial scales.ResultsIn accordance with trophic cascade theory, dingo abundance was negatively associated with macropod abundance and macropod abundance was negatively associated with habitat complexity; however, dingo abundance was not correlated with habitat complexity. Similarly, in accordance with the mesopredator release hypothesis, dingo abundance was correlated negatively with red fox abundance and red fox abundance was negatively associated with the abundance of ground‐dwelling medium‐sized mammals, but, dingo abundance was not correlated with the abundance of medium‐sized ground‐dwelling mammals.Main conclusionsOur results suggest that the direct suppressive effects of the dingo on macropods and foxes occur simultaneously, but that their indirect effects on lower trophic levels are comparatively weak. Our study provides evidence that the effects of apex predators on other species can be exerted across large spatial scales and become manifest on species at multiple trophic levels.
Interferon‐α curbs production of interleukin‐22 by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to live Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Berner Anika , Bachmann Malte , Pfeilschifter Josef , Kraiczy Peter , Mühl Heiko 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCytokine networks initiated by means of innate immunity are regarded as a major determinant of host defence in response to acute infection by bacteria including Borrelia burgdorferi. Herein, we demonstrate that interferon (IFN)‐α, either endogenously produced after exposure of cells to toll‐like receptor‐9‐activating CpG oligonucleotides or provided as recombinant cytokine, weakens activation of the anti‐bacterial interleukin (IL)‐1/IL‐22 axis in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to viable B. burgdorferi. As IFN‐α has been related to pathological dissemination of the spirochaete, data suggest an immunoregulatory role of type I IFN in this context that is able to significantly modify cytokine profiles thereby possibly determining early course of B. burgdorferi infection.
Maternal Regulation of Daughters' Emotion During Conflicts From Early to Mid‐Adolescence
Authors: Lougheed Jessica P. , Hollenstein Tom , Lewis Marc D. 
Published: July 2015

Primary caregivers play an important role in emotion socialization. Real‐time mother–daughter emotion socialization was examined in 45 mother–daughter dyads with early‐adolescent daughters (age M = 11.80, SD = .27) at the first observation point. Maternal supportive emotion regulation and daughters' emotions were coded during two conflict discussions, 2 years apart. With multilevel survival analysis, the likelihood of maternal supportiveness was predicted both over time, between early and mid‐adolescence, and by daughters' pubertal status. Mothers were more likely to respond to daughters' negative and positive emotions with supportiveness for daughters whose pubertal maturation occurred relatively early. Results suggest that mothers adjust their socialization of daughters' emotions according to their daughters' pubertal development.
Host behaviour drives parasite genetics at multiple geographic scales: population genetics of the chewing louse,Thomomydoecus minor
Authors: Harper Sheree E. , Spradling Theresa A. , Demastes James W. , Calhoun Courtney S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPocket gophers and their symbiotic chewing lice form a host–parasite assemblage known for a high degree of cophylogeny, thought to be driven by life history parameters of both host and parasite that make host switching difficult. However, little work to date has focused on determining whether these life histories actually impact louse populations at the very fine scale of louse infrapopulations (individuals on a single host) at the same or at nearby host localities. We used microsatellite and mtDNAsequence data to make comparisons of chewing‐louse (Thomomydoecus minor) population subdivision over time and over geographic space where there are different potential amounts of host interaction surrounding a zone of contact between two hybridizing pocket‐gopher subspecies. We found that chewing lice had high levels of population isolation consistent with a paucity of horizontal transmission even at the very fine geographic scale of a single alfalfa field. We also found marked genetic discontinuity in louse populations corresponding with host subspecies and little, if any, admixture in the louse genetic groups even though the lice are closely related. The correlation of louse infrapopulation differentiation with host interaction at multiple scales, including across a discontinuity in pocket‐gopher habitat, suggests that host behaviour is the primary driver of parasite genetics. This observation makes sense in light of the life histories of both chewing lice and pocket gophers and provides a powerful explanation for the well‐documented pattern of parallel cladogenesis in pocket gophers and chewing lice.
Structural and molecular basis for the novel catalytic mechanism and evolution of DddP, an abundant peptidase‐like bacterial Dimethylsulfoniopropionate lyase: a new enzyme from an old fold
Authors: Wang Peng , Chen Xiu‐Lan , Li Chun‐Yang , Gao Xiang , Zhu De‐yu , Xie Bin‐Bin , Qin Qi‐Long , Zhang Xi‐Ying , Su Hai‐Nan , Zhou Bai‐Cheng , Xun Lu‐ying , Zhang Yu‐Zhong 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe microbial cleavage of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) generates volatile dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and is an important step in global sulfur and carbon cycles. DddP is a DMSP lyase in marine bacteria, and the deduced dddP gene product is abundant in marine metagenomic data sets. However, DddP belongs to the M24 peptidase family according to sequence alignment. Peptidases hydrolyze C‐N bonds, but DddP is deduced to cleave C‐S bonds. Mechanisms responsible for this striking functional shift are currently unknown. We determined the structures of DMSP lyase RlDddP (the DddP from Ruegeria lacuscaerulensis ITI_1157) bound to inhibitory 2‐(N‐morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid or PO43− and of two mutants of RlDddP bound to acrylate. Based on structural, mutational and biochemical analyses, we characterized a new ion‐shift catalytic mechanism of RlDddP for DMSP cleavage. Furthermore, we suggested the structural mechanism leading to the loss of peptidase activity and the subsequent development of DMSP lyase activity in DddP. This study sheds light on the catalytic mechanism and the divergent evolution of DddP, leading to a better understanding of marine bacterial DMSP catabolism and global DMS production.