bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An In‐Depth Study of the Fe−Se System at the Nanoscale Reveals Remarkable Results on the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Singh Dinesh , Ghalawat Monika , Poddar Pankaj 
Published: January 2025

AbstractA catalyst for an electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key component of the large‐scale storage of renewable energy through the conversion of water into oxygen and hydrogen. Iron‐based selenide materials are currently being considered as potential options for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) because of their, widespread availability, low cost, and outstanding performance. In this study, we employed a thermal decomposition method to synthesize all stable phases of the Fe−Se system, including Fe7Se8, Fe3Se4, FeSe2, and FeSe. Additionally, we slurry‐coated these phases onto a three‐dimensional (3D) nickel foam substrate. The prepared 3D electrodes of Fe7Se8, Fe3Se4, FeSe2, and FeSe exhibit remarkably low overpotentials of 270, 276, 299, and 289 mV at a current density of 50 mA/cm2 for OER. In addition, the catalytic activity for OER is also tested on glassy carbon electrodes to compare its performance with the Ni‐foam 3D substrate. The Fe7Se8 phase in the Fe−Se system exhibits the highest catalytic activity towards OER on both substrates due to variations in the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio and the presence of Fe vacancies (cation vacancies) within the crystal lattice. Moreover, a faradaic efficiency of 98 % was exhibited by Fe7Se8 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
NaI‐Promoted Synthesis of Dihydroquinolines via an Unusual Azetine Intermediate
Authors: Li Futong , Qiu Zhongxuan , Yang Daoshan , Huang Longjiang , Xin Feifei 
Published: January 2025

AbstractNew approaches to improve Skraup‐type reactions for large‐scale synthesis of 1,2‐dihydroquinolines (1,2‐DHQs) are highly desirable yet challenging in synthetic chemistry. Herein, an efficient sodium iodide‐promoted Skraup‐type reaction of anilines with ketones has been developed at low loading of HBF4 (0.5 mol%), thus providing a sustainable and economical strategy for the synthesis of 1,2‐DHQs. A variety of 1,2‐DHQs were obtained in moderate to good isolated yields. The practicality of this strategy was well demonstrated by a hundred‐gram‐scale synthesis of 6‐fluoro‐2,2,4‐trimethyl‐1,2‐dihydroquinoline in 68% isolated yield. Intriguingly, an unusual azetine intermediate was successfully isolated and structurally determined by NMR and MS, indicating of an unprecedented mechanism for Skraup‐type quinoline synthesis.
Heterogeneous Impacts of Aging and Feminization of Agriculture on Production Factor Inputs: Evidence From Rice Farmers in China
Authors: Chen Li , Weng ZhenLin 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIn contrast to other countries, China's agricultural production faces the challenges of aging and feminization, which have a tremendous impact on food security. The purpose of this research was to reveal the correlations between aging and feminization and agricultural production factor input and its heterogeneity. This was evaluated using the ordinary least squares (OLS) model. The research found that the aging of farming did not correlate with the input of land factor and employment input. However, the feminization of farming significantly correlated with the input of land factor and employment input. In particular, an increase in the feminization of farming by one standard deviation reduced the land factor input by 18.9% and employment input by 31.3%. Second, agricultural aging and feminization had a positive and significant effect on agricultural machinery input but a negative and significant effect on material input. The instrumental variable method test results were consistent with those of the main regression. Third, heterogeneity analysis showed that the correlations between aging and feminization and the input of land, employment, agricultural machinery, and materials were significantly different with different educational levels of house heads and the proportion of agricultural income. Therefore, this study provides a reference for adjusting the rural labor structure and accumulating advanced rural production factors.
Risk of Exposure to Steviol Glycosides Through Consumption of Foods and Beverages: A Survey of the Thai Population
Authors: Tanaviyutpakdee Pharrunrat , Phitwongtaewan Pimpuk , Phungsiangdee Yollada , Karnpanit Weeraya , Phattanakulanun Pranee , Yomvachirasin Thipaporn , Srianujata Songsak 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to assess dietary exposure to steviol glycosides and identify the key contributors to the exposure in the Thai population. In total, 2114 participants were included in this study, and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and a photobook of foods and beverages were used to collect their food consumption data. In addition, the body weight data of the participants were recorded, and a survey was conducted to obtain information regarding their consumption of foods and beverages that contain steviol glycosides, including data on the amount consumed and the frequency of intake. The amount of steviol glycosides in the foods and beverages was determined using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. We used data on the mean and 97.5th percentile (PCTL) consumption of food or beverages for both the per capita and consumer‐only scenarios to estimate the dietary intake of steviol glycosides from consumption of food and beverages. The risk of steviol glycoside exposure was evaluated using the hazard quotient, which involved a comparison of the estimated dietary intake with the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of steviol equivalents (4 mg/kg BW/day). Children aged 3–9 years had the highest mean and 97.5th PCTL intake per capita, which accounted for 2.35% and 22.95% of the ADI, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that the estimated intake of steviol glycosides by the Thai population across all scenarios and age groups is below the ADI, indicating that foods and beverages that contain steviol glycosides do not pose a risk to the Thai population. Nevertheless, the top three contributors to the intake of steviol glycosides, which are products in categories 14 (beverages), 11 (sweeteners), and 1 (dairy products and analogues), should be consumed cautiously.
Temperature Regulates Astroglia Morphogenesis Through Thermosensory Circuitry in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zheng Junyu , Wang Mengqing , Wang Shaocheng , Shao Zhiyong 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAstrocytes are the most abundant type of macroglia in the brain and play crucial roles in regulating neural development and functions. The diverse functions of astrocytes are largely determined by their morphology, which is regulated by genetic and environmental factors. However, whether and how the astrocyte morphology is affected by temperature remains largely unknown. Here we discovered that elevated cultivation temperature (26°C) stimulates Caenorhabditis elegans ventral CEPsh glia endfoot extension during early developmental stages. This extension depends on the activation of glutamate AWC neurons, which inhibit the postsynaptic cholinergic AIY interneurons through glutamate‐gated chloride channels, GLC‐3 and GLC‐4. In responding to the thermosensory signal, the guanyl‐nucleotide exchange factor EPHX‐1 and Rho GTPase CDC‐42/Cdc42 in the glia facilitate the endfoot extension via F‐actin assembly. This study elucidates the significant role of thermosensory circuitry in glia morphogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanism.
Astrocyte Loss Augments Body Weight Through Reduction in Adipose Sympathetic Outflows
Authors: Chen Dan , Yang Yale Y. , Yang Yunlei 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTEmerging evidence indicates that astrocytes modulate energy metabolism and homeostasis. However, one important but poorly understood element is the necessity of astrocytes in the control of body weight. Here, we apply viral vector‐assisted brain‐region selective loss of astrocytes to define physiological roles played by astrocytes in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) and to elucidate the involved mechanism. We find that astrocyte loss potently augments body weight in adult mice fed chow or high‐fat diet. Mechanistically, we find that the loss of astrocytes reduces adipose tissue norepinephrine (NE) contents and chemogenetic stimulation of adipose tissue sympathetic inputs reverses the astrocyte loss‐induced increase in body weight. Collectively, our findings in this study suggest a crucial physiological role of astrocytes in preventing diet‐induced energy surfeit and obesity by modulating adipose tissue lipid metabolism through central sympathetic outflows to adipose tissues.
Variation of the Risk Associated With Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Between Ethnic Groups Within One Country. A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Routinely Collected Health Data in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Ma'u Etuini , Cullum Sarah , Cheung Gary , Tamatea Jade , Livingston Gill , Mukadam Naaheed 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionWhile risk factor prevalence of individual risk factors for dementia varies between ethnic groups in New Zealand (NZ), it is not known whether the effect of these risks is the same in each group.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study identified incident cases of dementia. Cox regression models calculated the hazard ratio for dementia for each of the risk factors, after adjustment for age and sex.ResultsEducation, smoking, diabetes, depression, physical activity and social isolation were associated with a 1.13–1.55 times increased risk of dementia. We did not demonstrate an association between dementia risk and hypertension, alcohol, or air pollution. Differences between ethnic groups is suggested but not confirmed due to study power.DiscussionDifferences in dementia prevention potential between ethnic groups in NZ are potentially contributed to by both differential prevalence and risk factor effects. Public health strategies must be tailored for the ethnic populations at most risk.
Cash‐Out Puzzle and Long‐Term Care Insurance: Welfare of the Elderly
Authors: Lei Xiaoyan , Zhang Chunfeng 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the effects of diverse payment methods within long‐term care insurance (LTCI) on the well‐being of elderly individuals, encompassing both in‐kind and cash payments. Utilizing panel data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), we leverage a generalized difference‐in‐differences (DID) approach and the LTCI pilots across various Chinese cities to identify the impacts of different LTCI payment methods. Our findings indicate that an in‐kind LTCI policy significantly decreases the one‐year mortality of older adults, with significant improvements on ADL‐related care receipt as well as health status. Conversely, no significant impacts are observed under the framework of a cash LTCI policy. We term the weaker effects regarding older adults in cash LTCI policy versus in‐kind LTCI policy as “the cash‐out puzzle”. Our findings emphasize the critical importance of developing right incentives of LTCI payment schemes thoughtfully worldwide.
A Critical Assessment of Geological Weighing Lysimeters: Part 1—Monitoring Field Scale Soil Moisture Storage
Authors: Braaten Morgan , Ireson Andrew 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTSoil moisture plays a critical role in the exchange and partitioning of water and energy fluxes at the land surface. Representative measurements of field scale (104–106 m2) soil moisture are needed to characterise hydrological processes, and to calibrate and constrain hydrology, weather and climate predictions. However, measuring soil moisture proves difficult as it varies spatially, as a function of heterogeneity of the land‐surface, and temporally, as a function of dynamic drivers of precipitation, snowmelt, and evapotranspiration. Conventional soil moisture measurement techniques provide point scale (< 1 m2) estimates, while remote sensing applications provide large‐scale estimates (> 106 m2). While both spatial scales are useful for certain applications, these methods must be upscaled or downscaled to estimate field‐scale soil moisture. Geological weighing lysimeters (GWL) provide a method to measure total water storage at field scale. This instrument utilises the relationship between hydraulic head and mechanical loading to quantify change in water mass on the lands surface. In this study, we examine a GWL's ability to estimate total water storage and to partition soil moisture storage using complementary observations of snow storage and shallow groundwater storage. We found the GWL record provided credible estimates of total water storage dynamics at our site. The GWL derived soil moisture captured the observed seasonal dynamics at the site. We interpreted the differences in GWL and point scale soil moisture as being due to (i) the dielectric probes inability to sense soil ice content in the winter; and (ii) sub‐field scale heterogeneity in the fluxes (evapotranspiration and drainage) in the summer and fall. We show that GWL storage estimates are credible, and when combined with supplementary storage observations, they can provide accurate estimates of soil moisture storage and valuable insights into the hydrological processes occurring at the site.
Compartmentalisation and Hydrogeological Parameters of the Karst Aquifer System in Central Region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Pena Matheus Alonso Castelo , de Paula Rodrigo Sérgio , Velasquez Leila Nunes Menegasse , Barbosa Débora Maria Diniz 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe Environmental Protection Area of Lagoa Santa Karst (EPA) is a critical karst region in Brazil, renowned for its rich biodiversity and archaeological significance, including discoveries by researchers such as Peter W. Lund and the oldest human skeleton in the Americas, Luzia. However, the region faces threats from rapid socioeconomic and industrial development, stressing its vulnerable aquifer systems. This study updates the hydrogeological conceptual model for the EPA using well log data, map algebra and hydrodynamic parameters obtained through the Agarwal (1980) recovery method . It builds on models by De Paula (Conceptual Model in Pelitic‐Carbonate Aquifers in the Lagoa Santa Karst APA Region, MG, 2019) and refined by Dantas et al. (Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2023, 123, 104219), reassessing the boundaries of various aquifer units. Horizontal compartmentalisation in the karst‐fissured aquifer was achieved by combining transmissivity and porosity data, while vertical separation was determined based on water entry density and productivity, identifying four zones of increased karstification. In the fissured aquifer, vertical limits align with those established by Dantas et al. (Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2023, 123, 104219), confirming the anisotropy and heterogeneity of the karst‐fissured and fissured aquifers, and the isotropy and productivity of the alluvial aquifers. These findings provide crucial insights for managing aquifer reserves and mitigating water conflicts in the EPA region.
Adaptive Fusion and Edge‐Oriented Enhancement for Brain Tumor Segmentation With Missing Modalities
Authors: Yan Yulan , Zhan Yinwei , He Huiyao 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers comprehensive information about brain structures, enabling excellent performance in brain tumor segmentation using multimodal MRI in many methods. Nonetheless, missing modalities are common in clinical practice, which can significantly degrade segmentation performance. Current brain tumor segmentation methods often struggle to maintain feature consistency and robustness in multimodal feature fusion when modalities are missing and face difficulties in accurately capturing tumor boundaries. In this study, we propose an adaptive fusion and edge‐oriented enhancement method to address these challenges. Our approach introduces learnable parameters and a masked attention mechanism in the transformer model to achieve cross‐modal adaptive fusion, ensuring consistent feature representation even with missing data. To aggregate more information, we integrate multimodal and multi‐level features through a hierarchical context integration module. Additionally, to tackle the complex morphology of brain tumor regions, we design an edge‐enhanced deformable convolution module that captures deformation information and edge features from incomplete multimodal images, enabling precise tumor localization. Evaluations on the widely recognized BRATS2018 and BRATS2020 datasets demonstrate that our approach significantly surpasses existing brain tumor segmentation techniques in scenarios with missing modalities.
NRD‐Net: Non‐local Residual Dense Network for Brain MR Image Super‐Resolution
Authors: Chen Jian , Guang Mengting , Chen Geng , Yao Xiong , Tassew Tewodros Megabiaw , Li Zhen , Li Zuoyong , Zhang He 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTSuper‐resolution can significantly enhance image visibility and restore image features without requiring scanning devices to be updated. It is notably useful for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which suffers from low‐resolution issue. In practice, MR images possess more intricate texture details than natural images, leading to the issue that existing super‐resolution algorithms struggle to reach acceptable performance, particularly for brain MR images. To this end, we propose a non‐local residual dense network (NRD‐Net) for brain MR image super‐resolution. In NRD‐Net, shallow features are first extracted using a convolutional layer. Next, we propose to adaptively weight the extracted features using a non‐local residual dense block, which captures the long‐range relationship between features and enables the network to incorporate global information while retaining rich deep features. Finally, HR images are reconstructed using the reconstruction block based on atrous spatial pyramid pooling and sub‐pixel convolution. Extensive experiments illustrate that, compared with existing super‐resolution approaches, our NRD‐Net provides better reconstruction performance with promising peak signal‐to‐noise ratio and structural similarity, as well as better anatomical structural details.
Physician attitudes about ultrasound‐guided procedures
Authors: Barry Emma , Deshmukh Sanyukta , Zhang Vivian , Koshar Antoan , Butt Haider , Rowe Kenneth , Moayedi Siamak 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to study physician attitudes towards ultrasound‐guided procedures and possible improvements. We hypothesized that the usage of ultrasound in procedures may be limited by a high barrier of entry and that most physicians would choose to adopt software that provides real‐time image guidance if accessible.MethodsA voluntary, cross‐sectional survey of physicians at a single site was conducted using a five‐point Likert scale. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses and stratified by categorical descriptors, including variables of formal training, years of experience, and specialty of practice.ResultsOne hundred sixteen physicians responded to the survey. The majority disagreed that there was a steep learning curve (57.5%) and that they need more time to identify structures under ultrasound (85.0%). Overall attitudes were mixed about the use of additional software to improve ease of use, but most (55.4%) had positive opinions towards the addition of real‐time 3D reconstruction. Respondents without formal training were significantly more likely to agree that additional software would improve ease of ultrasound‐guided procedures (p = 0.0389). Radiologists were significantly more likely to perceive a steeper learning curve and less likely to advocate for supplemental software compared to emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, or anesthesiologists.ConclusionsSurveyed physicians demonstrated comfort with ultrasound‐guided procedures and a mixed stance towards the use of additional software to assist with procedures. Those without formal training had significantly more positive attitudes towards the use of additional technology to augment ultrasound‐guided procedures, suggesting a knowledge gap that may benefit from such technology.
Overexpression of RGPR‐p117 reveals anticancer effects by regulating multiple signaling pathways in bone metastatic human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells
Authors: Yamaguchi Masayoshi , Murata Tomiyasu , Shimokawa Noriaki 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe role of RGPR‐p117, a transcription factor, which binds to the TTGGC motif in the promoter region of the regucalcin gene, in cell regulation remains to be investigated. This study elucidated whether RGPR‐p117 regulates the activity of triple‐negative human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells in vitro. The wild‐type and RGPR‐p117‐overexpressing cancer cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with fetal bovine serum. RGPR‐p117 overexpression suppressed colony formation and growth of cancer cells. Stimulatory effects of epidermal growth factor on cell growth were blocked by RGPR‐p117 overexpression. Wild‐type cell proliferation was repressed by cell cycle and intracellular signaling inhibitors. These effects were not potentiated in transfectants. Overexpressed RGPR‐p117 protected cancer cells against apoptosis inducers. Mechanistic results showed that RGPR‐p117 overexpression decreased the expression of Ras, PI3‐kinase, Akt, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and mTOR, which are involved in cell growth, while it elevated the levels of the cancer cell suppressor p53, Rb, p21, and regucalcin. Overexpression of RGPR‐p117 suppressed cancer cell migration and adhesion. Interestingly, osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells or macrophage RAW264.7 cells involved in the bone microenvironment were impaired by coculture with MDA‐MB‐231 cells. The effects of cancer cells were blocked by transfection. Coculture with conditioned medium obtained from breast cancer cells repressed proliferation and enhanced the death of osteoblastic cells and macrophages. A TNF‐α signaling inhibitor blocked these effects. Thus, overexpressed RGPR‐p117 was found to suppress the activity of breast cancer cells by regulating various signaling processes, providing new insight into cellular signaling regulation.