bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root Lodging Resistance in Maize (Zea mays L.) Under Conservative Strip‐Till Cultivation System
Authors: Sha Ye , Zhao Siyu , Hao Zhanhong , Liu Zheng , Hu Wenlang , Feng Guozhong , Chen Fanjun , Mi Guohua 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTRoot lodging significantly affects maize yield and is influenced by both genotypes and soil characteristics. Strip‐till (ST) is a conservative cultivation method that disturbs only the planting strip, leaving the remaining soil undisturbed and covered with maize residues. Less is known about the effect of ST on root lodging. Here, a field experiment was conducted in Northeast China in 2020 and 2021 with 20 maize genotypes to study the relationship between root lodging and soil environment and root system architecture (RSA) under ST. Compared with conventional‐till (CT), in which the maize residues were cleared and the soil was cultivated using a rotary tiller, ST led to a smaller and narrower RSA, with crown root length reduced by 9.5% and crown root biomass reduced by 9.3%. Additionally, inter‐row root expansion angle and width were smaller by 5.3% and 17.3%, respectively. Despite these reductions, the root lodging rate in ST plants was significantly lower than in CT plants, with an absolute decrease of 25.5%. This enhanced resistance is attributed to the increased soil strength in the inter‐row, where the soil bulk density was 10.3% higher and the soil porosity was 10.2% lower in the 0–10 cm layer. Notably, certain maize genotypes, such as ZD958, developed a greater number of fine roots in the compacted inter‐row soil, showing a 66.4% increase compared to XY335 in the 0–12 cm soil layer. This trait contributed to improved resistance to root lodging. In conclusion, ST enhances root lodging resistance and offers opportunities to increase maize yield through optimised management practices, including the selection of high‐yielding cultivars with wide RSA.
Phase equilibria studies of the CaO–SbOx system in air
Authors: Li Shu , Wei Wenjie , Wang Guangyu , Weng Zemeng , Zhang Boya , Cao Zhanmin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe phase equilibria information of the CaO–SbOx system in the range of 700–1580°C in air was obtained for the first time using quenching method and thermal analysis. The equilibrium phase compositions were determined using x‐ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy‐Energy Dispersion Spectrum. The invariant reaction temperatures were determined using thermogravimetry‐differential scanning calorimetry. A perovskite solid solution between Ca2Sb2O7 and CaO, designated as (Ca6Sb2O11)s.s, was observed. Within this solid solution, three polymorphic forms were identified: orthorhombic, tetragonal, and cubic. The transition temperatures between these polymorphic forms vary with compositional changes. Additionally, the crystal structure of cubic Ca6Sb2O11 was analyzed. CaSb2O6 was observed to decompose into Ca2Sb2O7, Sb4O6, and O2 above 1336 ± 5°C. The eutectic temperature of α‐Sb2O4 and CaSb2O6 was found to be 1220 ± 5°C.
Influence of electron irradiation on self‐healing and thermal oxidation of SiC dispersed yttrium silicate composites
Authors: Nguyen Huong Thi , Kuo Yen‐Ling , Nanko Makoto , Thorogood Gordon James , Xu Alan , Do Thi Mai Dung , Suematsu Hisayuki 
Published: December 2024

AbstractElectron irradiation‐induced acceleration of self‐healing and high‐temperature oxidation has been discovered in SiC/Y2Si2O7–Y2SiO5 composites. Bulk samples were produced by pulsed electric current sintering. These samples were exposed to an electron beam from the pulsed intense relativistic electron beam accelerator with a beam energy of 2 MeV at irradiation doses of 10–40 kGy. The self‐healing and high‐temperature oxidation experiments were carried out at 1100–1300°C for 1–24 h in laboratory air. Electron irradiation significantly improved the self‐healing effectiveness. The closure of surface cracks was caused by the volume expansion of SiC via transformation to SiO2 and the outward diffusion of Y3+ ions. Electron irradiation also increased the thickness of the internally oxidized zone, formed by the inward diffusion of O2− ions. Enhanced self‐healing and oxidation behavior were associated with defect formation induced by electron beam exposure, which facilitated the diffusion of ions within the crystal lattice.
Quantitative predicting physical and spectroscopic properties of silicate laser glasses using a phase diagram approach
Authors: Dong Shuangli , Wang Weichao , Zhang Qinyuan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractTheoretical prediction of glass compositions with certain performance requirements is a long‐standing challenge in glass research. The difficulty lies in revealing the relationship of glass's composition–structure–property (C–S–P), and establishing a predictive calculation method for glass properties with high accuracy. Here we determine quantitatively the C–S–P relationships of four silicate laser glasses using nearest‐neighboring congruently melting compounds (CMCs) as “component and structural motifs”. For all studied silicate systems, physical properties such as density and refractive index are predicted with an error of less than 5%. Spectroscopic properties, including Judd–Ofelt parameters, fluorescence branching ratio (β), effective bandwidth (Δλeff), emission cross‐section (σe), gain bandwidth, and lifetime, are predicted with an error of less than 10%, with some properties such as β, Δλeff, and σe showing an error of less than 5% in specific systems. Four C–S–P databases have also been constructed, containing detailed physical and spectroscopic properties of over 1200 compositions, facilitating the optimization of glass composition. These findings highlight the significance of nearest‐neighboring CMCs in understanding and developing high‐performance laser glasses.
Rational optimizations of high K microwave dielectric ceramic Bi2(Li0.5Ta1.5)O7 toward LTCC applications
Authors: Xu Diming , Zhang Haowei , Pang Lixia , Hussain Fayaz , Zhou Tao , Sun Shi‐Kuan , Chen Zhijiao , Zhou Di 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMicrowave dielectric ceramics have drawn intensive interests in recent years due to the advanced development in communication area. High‐permittivity dielectric ceramics have thus become the highlight owing to dielectric ceramics with high permittivity could meet the demand of electronic components in both stabilization and miniaturization features. Bi2(Li0.5Ta1.5)O7 shows its great potential among various high‐permittivity dielectric ceramics with a suitable permittivity and a considerable quality factor. Based on previous studies, a series of rational optimizations were conducted on Bi2(Li0.5Ta1.5)O7 to manipulate the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) and the sintering temperature for potential Low Temperature Co‐fired Ceramic (LTCC) applications. Two distinguished ceramics were obtained, Bi2(Li0.5Ta1.5)O7–0.03Bi2O3 (sintering temperature of 850°C, εr ∼ 64.1, Qf ∼ 8510 GHz, TCF—25.3 ppm/°C) and Bi2[(Li0.5Ta1.5)0.975Ti0.05]O7–0.015Bi2O3 (sintering temperature of 980°C, εr ∼ 66.2, Qf ∼ 10 950 GHz, TCF—8.5 ppm/°C). Dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) simulation was subsequently conducted and proved the ceramics holding excellent potential for microwave applications.
Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Hypertension and Their Impact on Target Organs
Authors: Yu Fei , Chen Jianshu , Zhang Xiaowei , Ma Zhengke , Wang Jingtao , Wu Qiang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTHypertension is the predominant cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) globally, and essential hypertension (EH) represents a significant public health challenge due to its multifactorial etiology involving complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. However, the pathogenesis of EH is still unclear. Hypertension is a dysregulation in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and sympathetic nervous system, both regulating saline homeostasis and cardiovascular function. However, current therapeutic interventions targeting these systems have limited efficacy in approximately 40% of cases, suggesting the involvement of alternative mechanisms. Inflammation is associated with the occurrence and progression of hypertension, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive, while chronic inflammation leads to tissue damage, fibrosis, and irreversible organ dysfunction. The development and maintenance of EH are caused by endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. Neutrophils are involved in both acute and chronic inflammation since they represent the primary line of defense against inflammatory insults once recruited to the inflamed site where they remove harmful impurities. The process involving the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is called NETosis are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of CVDs, including coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Recent investigations demonstrated that NETs facilitate the development of hypertension; however, the precise role of NETs in hypertension remains largely elusive. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding regarding the involvement of NETosis in hypertension and explore the potential therapies targeting NETs for future interventions.
Association between early‐stage diabetic nephropathy and the delayed monophasic glucose peak during oral glucose tolerance test in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Han , Tang Hanqing , Gu Yunjuan , Tang Zhuqi , Zhao Xiaoqin , Zhou Ranran , Huang Ping , Zhang Rongping , Wang Xinlei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimsTo explore the relationships between the delayed monophasic glucose peak during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and early‐stage diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), and to speculate its potential as a risk factor for early‐stage DN.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective observational study included 448 participants, all of whom underwent a 3‐h OGTT. Based on peak glucose time, they were categorized into the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group (n = 76), the early delayed group (n = 98), and the late delayed group (n = 274) for comparison. Furthermore, T2DM patients were subdivided into the non‐DN group (n = 293) and the early‐stage DN group (n = 79) for comparative analysis.ResultsWith the delay in glucose peak time, blood glucose levels increased, insulin secretion function and insulin sensitivity decreased. In logistic regression, ISSI‐2 was independently associated with the delay in glucose peak time in patients with T2DM (OR 0.839; 95% CI 0.776–0.907; P < 0.001). Additionally, 2‐h plasma glucose, OGIS, and AUCC‐peptide0–180 min were independently associated with delayed peak glucose time (all P < 0.001). As glucose peak time was delayed, levels of β2‐microglobulin and UACR increased, and the prevalence of early‐stage DN also increased (all P < 0.050). The delayed monophasic glucose peak was positively associated with early‐stage DN (OR 2.230; 95% CI 1.061–4.687; P = 0.034).ConclusionsIn patients with T2DM, the delayed monophasic glucose peak during OGTT may be an early predictor of early‐stage diabetes nephropathy, providing early intervention signals for our clinical work.
When Health Care Needs a Centre, When It Doesn't, and Why It Matters
Authors: Buetow Stephen 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the concept of centredness in health care, with a particular focus on person‐centred care. While the principle of centring care is widely accepted, the concept of a ‘centre’ remains ambiguous, complicating its implementation. The paper defines centredness, questions the necessity of a central focus and explores alternative models. It suggests that while centredness has helped to address historical imbalances, it risks oversimplification, reducing care to a binary structure of centre and periphery. It also excludes non‐persons and lacks cultural sensitivity. Alternative frameworks, such as distributed care, shift away from a singular focus toward a more dynamic, networked approach. Distributed care offers flexibility and inclusivity, but it raises challenges about coordination and the potential emergence of a new implicit centre: distribution itself. Hybrid models combining elements of centred and distributed care offer a path forward. Empirical research is needed to compare these approaches, with the aim of developing more responsive and adaptable systems to address diverse and complex needs for health care.
Changes in skilled nursing and home health admissions associated with Medicare payment reforms and the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Prusynski Rachel A. , Leland Natalie E. , Humbert Andrew , Dahal Arati , Brown Cait , Amaravadi Harsha , Saliba Debra , Mroz Tracy M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundShortly after Medicare implemented post‐acute care payment reforms, the COVID‐19 pandemic began, but little is known about how these reforms and the pandemic impacted admissions to the most common post‐acute settings—skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and home health agencies (HHAs)—for the full Medicare fee‐for‐service population.MethodsUsing 100% of Medicare fee‐for‐service data, we conducted adjusted interrupted time series analyses of 31,730,994 hospital stays of all adult beneficiaries discharged alive from the hospital between 2018 and 2021 to examine whether payment reforms and the pandemic were associated with differences in admissions to SNFs and HHAs compared to pre‐reform and pre‐COVID (baseline) trends.ResultsAt baseline, an average 18.0% of hospitalized beneficiaries were admitted to SNFs and 14.8% to HHAs. While SNF payment reform in October 2019 was associated with an immediate reduction in SNF admissions, a positive temporal trend reversed this decrease in admissions. HHA payment reform implemented in January 2020 was associated with increased HHA admissions compared to baseline. Post‐COVID, admissions to SNF declined to 15.5% of patients being discharged from hospitals and HHA admissions increased to 19.2%.ConclusionsSNF and HHA payment reforms were associated with small increases in admissions to their respective settings, suggesting that Medicare reforms did not negatively impact access. However, the baseline trends of decreasing admissions to SNF and increasing HHA admissions were greatly accelerated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results highlight changes in the demand for these settings, which must be recognized in policy efforts and research examining impacts on specific patient populations.
CXCR2 immunomodulatory therapy protects against microstructural white matter injury and gait abnormalities but does not mitigate deficits of cognition in a preclinical model of cerebral palsy
Authors: Kitase Yuma , Madurai Nethra K. , Boyd Rachel J. , Gerner Gwendolyn , Bibic Adnan , McCallion Andrew S. , Chin Eric M. , Robinson Shenandoah , Jantzie Lauren L. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMinimizing central nervous system (CNS) injury from preterm birth depends upon understanding the critical pathways that underlie essential neurodevelopmental and CNS pathophysiology. Signaling by chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) through its cognate receptor, CXCR2 [(C‐X‐C motif) receptor 2] is essential for neurodevelopment. Increased CXCR2 signaling, however, is implicated in a variety of uterine and neuropathologies, and their role in the CNS injury associated with perinatal brain injury is poorly defined. To evaluate the long‐term efficacy of CXCR2 blockade in functional repair of brain injury secondary to chorioamnionitis (CHORIO), we used an established preclinical rat model of cerebral palsy. We tested the hypothesis that transient postnatal CXCR2 antagonism with SB225002 would reduce gait deficits, hypermobility, hyperactivity, and disinhibition concomitant with repair of functional and anatomical white and gray matter injury. CHORIO was induced in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats on embryonic day 18 (E18). SB225002 (3 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally from postnatal day 1 (P1)‐P5. Rats were aged to adulthood and tested for gait, open‐field behavior and cognitive and executive function deficits using a touchscreen cognitive assessment platform. Results show that transient CXCR2 blockade attenuated microstructural white matter injury after CHORIO consistent with improved anatomical connectivity, and mitigated deficits in gait coordination, posture, balance, paw placement, and stepping (p < 0.05). Animals with CHORIO were hyperactive and hypermobile with fMRI deficits in neural circuitry central to cognition. However, CXCR2 antagonism in CHORIO animals did not normalize open‐field behavior, neural activity, or cognition on a touchscreen task of discrimination learning (all p > 0.05). Studies in CXCR2 knockout mice confirmed significantly impaired cognitive performance independent of CHORIO. Taken together, transient postnatal blockade of CXCR2 ameliorates aspects of the lasting neural injury after CHORIO including normalizing gait deficits and white matter injury. However, improvement in essential functional and cognitive domains are not achieved limiting the utility of this therapeutic approach for treatment of perinatal brain injury. This study emphasizes the complex, multi‐faceted role of chemokines in typical neurodevelopment, circuit formation, neural network function, and injury response.image
Early‐life IL‐4 administration induces long‐term changes in microglia in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex
Authors: Ferreira Pedro A. , Lebre Carolina , Costa Jéssica , Amaral Francisca , Ferreira Rosário , Martinho Filipe , Paiva Vítor H. , Cardoso Ana L. , Peça João , Guedes Joana R. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMicroglia are crucial for brain development and their function can be impacted by postnatal insults, such as early‐life allergies. These are characterized by an upregulation of interleukin (IL)‐4 levels. Allergies share a strong comorbidity with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We previously showed that early‐life allergic asthma induces hyperactive and impulsive behaviors in mice. This phenotype was reproduced in animals administered with IL‐4 in the second postnatal week. Mechanistically, elevated IL‐4 levels prevented microglia‐mediated engulfment of neurons in the cerebellum, resulting in a surplus of granule cells and consequent dysfunction in cerebellar connectivity. Here, we aimed to further understand the impact of early IL‐4 administration in microglia of the cerebellum and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), two brain regions with protracted developmental programs and susceptible to immune system malfunction after birth. While IL‐4 administration induced differential short‐term effects on microglia in the cerebellum and PFC, both regions presented similar microglial features in adult mice. Although Sholl analysis did not reveal significant alterations in overall microglia morphology at postnatal day (P)10, the density of microglia was decreased in the cerebellum at this age, especially in the granular layer (GL), but remained unaltered in the PFC. Interestingly, the presence of microglia with phagocytic cups, morphological features important for whole‐cell engulfment, was decreased in both regions. When assessing the long‐term consequences of IL‐4 administration, cerebellar and PFC microglia were hypo‐ramified and exhibited increased overall density. Importantly, microglia alterations were exclusive to the GL of the cerebellum and the infralimbic region of the PFC. Our results show that postnatal elevated levels of IL‐4 impair the percentage of microglia engaged in cell clearing in two brain regions with protracted developmental programs. Interestingly, IL‐4‐exposed microglia adapt a similar phenotype in the adult cerebellum and PFC. Our data suggest that this early‐life increase in IL‐4 levels is sufficient to elicit long‐lasting alterations in microglia, potentially increasing cell susceptibility to later insults.image
Testing cognitive normal for Alzheimer's disease prediction
Authors: Meng Jie , Lei Peng 
Published: December 2024

AbstractOne standing challenge for Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is early diagnosis, which provides a time window for early intervention. Sharmin et al recently reported a positive association between plasma ptau181 and plasma metabolites, medium‐ and long‐chain acylcarnitines (ACs) in both cognitively normal (CN) Aβ− and CN Aβ+ older adults, suggesting a link between initial Aβ pathology and acylcarnitine‐mediated energy metabolism pathways. Consistently, ACs could classify PET‐Aβ status in elderly individuals. This study has provided further clues for early biomarker searching for AD, linking metabolic pathways with AD pathogenesis.image
The modulatory role of bone morphogenetic protein signaling in cerebellar synaptic plasticity
Authors: Hirono Moritoshi , Kudo Moeko , Yamada Masahisa , Yanagawa Yuchio 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), regulators of bone formation, have been implicated in embryogenesis and morphogenesis of various tissues and organs. BMP signaling plays a role in the formation of appropriate synaptic connections and development of normal neural circuits in the brain. However, physiological roles of BMP signaling in postnatal neural functions, including synaptic plasticity, remain largely unknown. Long‐term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission at parallel fiber (PF)‐Purkinje cell (PC) synapses in the cerebellum has been suggested one neuronal mechanism underlying cerebellar functions. Here, we explored the contribution of BMP signaling to the induction of mouse cerebellar LTD. We first demonstrated that BMP2 and/or 4 were expressed in GABAergic neurons in mature networks of the cerebellar cortex. mRNA encoding BMP receptor type 1B (Bmpr1b) was expressed in the PC layer. Exogenous application of noggin, a BMP ligand inhibitor, suppressed the induction of cerebellar LTD by conjunctive stimulation, which caused normal LTD under control condition. Furthermore, mice deficient in BMPR1B exhibited attenuation of the extent of LTD induction, whereas they showed normal excitatory synaptic transmission at PF‐PC synapses. These results suggest that after postnatal development, BMP signaling activated by BMPR1B, expressed in the PC layer, plays a crucial role in the facilitation of cerebellar LTD, leading to the modulation of cerebellar functions and behaviors.image