bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple degrees‐of‐freedom programmable soft‐matter‐photonics: Configuration, manipulation, and advanced applications
Authors: Zhang Yuxian , Zheng Zhi‐Gang , Li Quan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFor centuries, humans have never stopped exploring the nature of light and manipulating it, since light carries multiple information through its intrinsic wave‐particle dualism, including wavelength, amplitude, phase, polarization, spin/orbital angular momentum, etc., which determines the physical language and basic manners we perceive the objective world. Conventional optical devices, such as lenses, prisms, and lasers, are composed of solid elements that are bulky, making it difficult to manipulate light dynamically with multiple degrees‐of‐freedom. Comparatively, some responsive soft matters, especially represented by liquid crystals (LCs), possess distinctive orientational order and spontaneous self‐assembled superstructures, enabling the digital programming of microstructures and multiple degrees‐of‐freedom manipulation of their optical characteristics. The optical manipulation based on these soft superstructures, that is, the “soft‐matter‐photonics”, is playing an impressive role in integrated functional devices, especially in the present age of information explosion. Herein, we review the latest advances, respectively, in the microstructure configurations, multiple degrees‐of‐freedom manipulations, and the relevant prospective applications. Additionally, scientific issues and technical challenges that hinder the programing operation and optical manipulations are discussed. Toward a four‐dimensional optical manipulation of soft condensed matter, this review may have wide implications on a variety of applications, including the integrated fabrication of compact elements, multi‐channel information processing and high‐capacity optical communications.
What Do So‐Called Critical Race Theory Bans Mean for Elementary Literacy Instruction?
Authors: Kelly Laura Beth , Taylor Laura 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn recent years, a number of states in the United States have enacted educational policies, often referred to as “critical race theory” bans, that aim to restrict teaching about race and racism in schools. This study examines how current and future elementary literacy educators interpreted and intended to respond to one such law in Tennessee. Drawing theoretically on policy sociology and critical race theory policy analysis, we qualitatively analyzed data generated in focus groups with 18 prospective and practicing teachers. Our findings illustrate the restrictive effects of the policy on elementary literacy instruction, caused partially by teachers interpreting the policy as substantially impeding their ability to engage students in critically reading, writing, and talking about race and racism. Further, findings demonstrate how this new policy intersected with and exacerbated existing curricular constraints in elementary literacy classrooms, including developmental discourses and neoliberal standardization, reinforcing normative whiteness by producing further impediments to elementary literacy instruction as a space to develop critical consciousness about race. This study contributes to emerging literature on the effects of divisive concepts legislation, as well as situating this current legislative wave within existing policy contexts of restriction.
Clinical Applications of Exosomes in Cosmetic Dermatology
Authors: Bai Ge , Truong Thu Minh , Pathak Gaurav N. , Benoit Lora , Rao Babar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that transport bioactive substances during normal and abnormal cellular physiological processes. The unique properties of exosomes can be exploited for use as biomarkers and targeted drug delivery vehicles, and are, for this reason, gaining increasing attention in the field of dermatology. This review aims to synthesise the existing evidence supporting exosomes in regenerative and cosmetic dermatology.

Method
A comprehensive PubMed search for the period of 2010–2023 was performed using the MeSH terms "exosome" and "skin.” The initial search yielded 246 studies, which were then refined to 178 studies following title and abstract screening. Studies were confined to human or animal studies published in English that evaluated the use of exosomes in medical/cosmetic dermatology. A subsequent full-text review based on these criteria yielded 34 studies, which were then reviewed.

Results
Exosomes can be derived from a variety of biological sources and show potential application in wound healing, scar prophylaxis, photodamage prevention, skin regeneration, improved grafting success, hair loss mitigation, and as biomarkers and drug carriers.

Conclusion
Exosomes are gaining traction in regenerative and cosmetic dermatology. However, their widespread clinical application is hindered by cost, a complex isolation process, lack of uniform protocols, limited assessment of infective potential, and a paucity of clinical evidence. Further research in this area is needed, especially by way of clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of exosome-based treatments on human skin.
Potential Inhibitors from Natural Compounds against SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease: A Systematic Molecular Modelling Approach
Authors: Raman Kannan , Kalirajan Rajagopal , Islam Fahadul , Zehravi Mehrukh , Pratap Singh Laliteshwar , Rana Ritesh , Murugesan Sankaranarayanan , Jupudi Srikanth , Akash Shopnil , Byran Gowramma , Nainu Firzan , Bin Emran Talha , Dawoud Turki M. , Bourhia Mohammed , Barua Rashu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe COVID‐19 outbreak poses a significant threat to the world‘s human population in 2020. Finding new drugs rapidly during this pandemic is quite challenging. Thus, in silico drug screening experiments may provide effective therapeutic alternatives for better assessing natural remedies in preventing and treating COVID‐19. The main protease (Mpro) is an important drug target that is essential and ubiquitous for the survival of SARS‐CoV‐2. In this study, we performed in silico high‐throughput virtual screening to identify potential hits employing a database of 3 million natural compounds (supernatural‐II database). The initially obtained top 100 virtual hits were subjected to a standard SP and XP docking protocol, achieving the top 30 hits. Compounds SN00340755 (glide score: −16.0 kcal/mol and ΔGbind: −134.29 kcal/mol) and SN00213037 (glide score: −13.30 kcal/mol and ΔGbind: −81.18 kcal/mol) exhibited significant binding energy against Mpro (PDB ID: 6XQS). The ligands SN00340755 and SN00213037 formed multiple hydrogen bonds with the catalytic residues, especially with the functionally important residue GLU166, which plays a significant role in protomer dimerization. Further post‐docking minimization studies (MM‐GBSA) were performed to estimate the ligand‐protein affinity. From MM‐GBSA studies, it was observed that Coulombic (−140.70 to −37.66 kcal/mol) and van der Waals (−79.32 to −20.59 kcal/mol) energies, favoring the binding of ligands to the Mpro target protein. The ADMET properties were predicted using Qikprop, Chem Axon, and Data Warrior tools, demonstrating the beneficial pharmacokinetic parameters of these natural compounds. The 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation study revealed minor protein fluctuations, indicating the stability of the protein‐ligand complex.
Imaging Diffusion and Stability of Single‐Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles in a Multi‐Gel Tumor‐on‐a‐Chip Microfluidic Device
Authors: Deng Linlin , Olea Alis R. , Ortiz‐Perez Ana , Sun Bingbing , Wang Jianhong , Pujals Silvia , Palmans Anja R. A. , Albertazzi Lorenzo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe performance of single‐chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) in biomedical applications highly depends on their conformational stability in cellular environments. Until now, such stability studies are limited to 2D cell culture models, which do not recapitulate the 3D tumor microenvironment well. Here, a microfluidic tumor‐on‐a‐chip model is introduced that recreates the tumor milieu and allows in‐depth insights into the diffusion, cellular uptake, and stability of SCPNs. The chip contains Matrigel/collagen‐hyaluronic acid as extracellular matrix (ECM) models and is seeded with cancer cell MCF7 spheroids. With this 3D platform, it is assessed how the polymer's microstructure affects the SCPN's behavior when crossing the ECM, and evaluates SCPN internalization in 3D cancer cells. A library of SCPNs varying in microstructure is prepared. All SCPNs show efficient ECM penetration but their cellular uptake/stability behavior depends on the microstructure. Glucose‐based nanoparticles display the highest spheroid uptake, followed by charged nanoparticles. Charged nanoparticles possess an open conformation while nanoparticles stabilized by internal hydrogen bonding retain a folded structure inside the tumor spheroids. The 3D microfluidic tumor‐on‐a‐chip platform is an efficient tool to elucidate the interplay between polymer microstructure and SCPN's stability, a key factor for the rational design of nanoparticles for targeted biological applications.
Programmable Biosynthesis of Plant‐Derived 4′‐Deoxyflavone Glycosides by an Unconventional Yeast Consortium
Authors: Kang Yijia , Qian Zhilan , Yu Haishuang , Lu Jian , Zhao Qing , Qiao Xue , Ye Min , Zhou Xiangshan , Cai Menghao 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPrevious data established 4′‐deoxyflavone glycosides (4′‐DFGs) as important pharmaceutical components in the roots of rare medical plants like Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Extracting these compounds from plants involves land occupation and is environmentally unfriendly. Therefore, a modular (“plug‐and‐play”) yeast‐consortium platform is developed to synthesize diverse 4′‐DFGs de novo. By codon‐optimizing glycosyltransferase genes from different organisms for Pichia pastoris, six site‐specific glycosylation chassis are generated to be capable of biosynthesizing 18 different 4′‐DFGs. Cellular factories showed increased 4′‐DFG production (up to 18.6‐fold) due to strengthened synthesis of UDP‐sugar precursors and blocked hydrolysis of endogenous glycosides. Co‐culturing upstream flavone‐synthesis‐module cells with downstream glycoside‐transformation‐module cells alleviated the toxicity of 4′‐deoxyflavones and enabled high‐level de novo synthesis of 4′‐DFGs. Baicalin is produced at the highest level (1290.0 mg L−1) in a bioreactor by controlling the consortium through carbon‐source shifting. These results provide a valuable reference for biosynthesizing plant‐derived 4′‐DFGs and other glycosides with potential therapeutic applications.
Study on load distributing function of square slab surface under the action of underwater close‐in blast loading
Authors: Zhao Haonan , Zhao Xiaohua , Fang Hongyuan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe mode and magnitude of the blast load are the main cause of damage to the structure. Most current studies have simplified the blast load into a bilinear form that differs greatly from the actual time history curve and is applied directly to the structure, avoiding the fluid–solid coupling interaction between the water fluid and the structure. The simplified blast load for near‐explosion or internal explosion will bring a big error to the calculation results. To quickly determine the load on the structure surface under the action of underwater near the explosion, this study studies the interaction between water hammer wave and structure through the verified full coupling model, and puts forward the explosion load distribution function on the square plate surface under the action of underwater explosion, and establishes a simplified prediction formula for the explosion load parameters (peak pressure and positive reflection impulse) at the center of the plate surface, using these formulas, a general method for constructing the explosion load at any point on the structural surface is proposed, which lays a foundation for subsequent structural damage and failure analysis.
Curative surgical treatment of common bile duct stones: Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pouplin Julien , Maulat Charlotte , Yubero Gabriel , Shourick Jason , Cuellar Emmanuel , Culetto Adrian , Barange Karl , Buscail Louis , Carrere Nicolas , Peron Jean‐Marie , Suc Bertrand , Bournet Barbara , Boulard Paul , Muscari Fabrice 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn the event of symptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones with dilated CBD, one possible curative treatment option is stone extraction through choledocotomy associated with cholecystectomy. Endoscopic treatment is only reserved for residual stones at 6 weeks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results from laparoscopic curative surgical treatment of CBD stones with dilated CBD.MethodsThis is a retrospective single‐centered cohort study. All consecutive patients admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy with evidence of CBD stones with dilated CBD from January 2010 to December 2020 at our center were included. Success was defined by CBD clearance at 6 weeks. Need for additional procedures, such as endoscopic sphincterotomy, immediate, and end‐of‐procedure morbi‐mortality as well as factors associated with procedure failure, were also studied.ResultsA total of 246 patients who received curative treatment were included in the study. The success rate for the curative treatment was 93.1% (229 patients). Immediate postoperative morbidity was 24.4% with a 5.3% reintervention rate. Immediate and 6‐week postoperative mortality rates were zero and 0.4%, respectively. The mean length of stay was 11.3 days. Factors associated with procedure failure appeared to be the occurrence of an early postoperative complication and the need for readmission during the period between surgery and drain removal.ConclusionThis study indicates that laparoscopic curative surgical treatment for symptomatic CBD stones may be performed with acceptable results without routine need for additional procedures.
The Global-DEP: A Research Programme to Promote Sustainability of Dryland Social-Ecological Systems
Authors: Fu Bojie , Stafford-Smith Mark , Fu Chao , Liu Yanxu , Wang Yanfen , Wu Bingfang , Yu Xiubo , Lu Nan , Ojima Dennis S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn light of the escalating pace and heightened intensity of contemporary climate change and human interventions, a more systematic and comprehensive approach to research has become imperative for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within dryland regions. In 2017, a collaborative research consortium comprising experts from diverse nations proposed the Global Dryland Ecosystem Programme (Global-DEP). This initiative was designed to address the intricate challenges inherent in the diverse and fragile social-ecological systems (SESs) of drylands. Drawing from a synthesis of preceding studies on dryland SESs and insights garnered from extensive regional consultations, the consortium crafted the conceptual framework of Global-DEP, with SESs as its fundamental underpinning. Key elements of the frame-work encompass driving forces, impacts, feedback loops, and scale. The team identified four pivotal themes: (1) dryland SES dynamics and driving forces, (2) dryland SES structure and functions, (3) dryland ecosystem services and human well-being, and (4) ecosystem management and sustainable livelihoods in drylands. The intricate interconnections among these themes were meticulously examined to delineate 12 critical research priorities. Anchored upon this conceptual framework and the identified research imperatives, the Global-DEP science plan was formulated. This plan is poised to expedite actionable interdisciplinary research within dryland SESs, tailored to the regional and cultural nuances of these areas. The final aim is to bolster dryland research endeavors, catering to the requirements of land practitioners and policymakers, while effectively contributing to the attainment of SDGs in drylands.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Changes in Global Drylands
Authors: Piao Shilong , Zhang Yangjian , Zhu Zaichun , Lian Xu , Huang Ke , He Mingzhu , Zhao Chuang , Liu Dan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDrylands are a pivotal component of Earth’s biosphere and provide essential ecosystem services to mankind. Over the past several decades, with rapid population growth, global drylands have been experiencing quick socioeconomic transitioning. Such socioeconomic changes, together with fast climate change, have dramatically altered dryland ecosystem functioning and the quality and quantity of ecosystem services they provide. In fact, complex interactions among climate, vegetation, and humans, involving multiple biophysical, biogeochemical, societal, and economic factors, have all played important roles in shaping the changes in global dryland environment. A comprehensive review of socioeconomic and environmental changes of global drylands and their underlying mechanisms would provide crucial knowledge informing ecosystem management and socio-ecological capacity buildup for a more sustainable future of global drylands. In this chapter, we would begin with summarizing the characteristics of socioeconomic changes in drylands. We then presented and discussed past and future projected changes in dryland ecosystem structure and functioning (e.g., vegetation growth, land cover changes, carbon sink, water-use efficiency, resistance/resilience to disturbances) and hydrological cycles (e.g., soil moisture, runoff, and groundwater storage). We also discussed new understandings of mechanisms underlying dryland eco-hydrological changes.
Dryland Social-Ecological Systems in Central Asia
Authors: Chen Xi , Cui Xiaoyong , Sun Linxiao , Yu Yang , Zhang Haiyan , Liu Tie , Luo Geping , Hu Zengyun , Huang Yue , Malik Ireneusz , Yu Ruide 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe countries of Central Asia are collectively known as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Central Asian countries have experienced significant warming in the last century as a result of global changes and human activities. Specifically, the five Central Asian countries’ populations and economies have increased, with Turkmenistan showing the fastest growth rates in GDP and per capita GDP. Farmland change, forestry activities, and grazing are examples of land use/land cover change and land management in Central Asia. Land degradation was primarily caused by rangeland degradation, desertification, deforestation, and farmland abandonment. The raised temperature, accelerated melting of glaciers, and deteriorated water resource stability resulted in an increase in the frequency and severity of floods, droughts, and other disasters. The increase of precipitation cannot compensate for the aggravation of water shortage caused by temperature rise in Central Asia. The ecosystem net primary productivity was decreasing over the past years, and the organic carbon pool in the drylands of Central Asia was seriously threatened by climate change. Grassland contributed the most to the increase of ecosystem service values in recent years. Most ecosystem functions decreased between 1995 and 2015, while they are expected to increase in the future (except for water regulation and cultural service/tourism). Global climate change does pose a clear threat to the ecological diversity of Central Asia.
Dryland Social-Ecological Systems in Africa
Authors: Li Fadong , Diop Salif , Hirwa Hubert , Maesho Simon , Ning Xu , Tian Chao , Qiao Yunfeng , Faye Cheikh , Cissé Birane , Guisse Aliou , Leng Peifang , Peng Yu , Chen Gang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn Africa, dryland ecosystem is the largest biome complex, covering 60% of the continent and home to ~525 million people. Coupled with adverse climatic conditions and anthropogenic pressures make dryland highly vulnerable to environmental degradation. In this chapter, we elucidate an overview of dryland socio-ecological systems (DSES) in Africa. We examine dryland biodiversity as a basis for ecosystem services in Africa. Therefore, we investigate the research and technology gaps in African drylands. Finally, we conclude and highlight the future perspectives for sustainable DSES management. Sustainable development requires an understanding of and adherence to the proper functioning of DSES. We recommend to promote sustainable agricultural best practices and innovations as a tool to enhance community resilience and cope with climate change impacts on food security, use modern observational data and develop idealistic models to better understand the climate-drylands-food security nexus approaches, and strengthen dryland research and management effectiveness through emerging and affordable technologies.
Gravitational waves from phase transitions in scale invariant models
Authors: Ahriche Amine , Kanemura Shinya , Tanaka Masanori 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We investigate the properties of the gravitational waves (GW) generated during a strongly first order electroweak phase transition (EWPT) in models with the classical scale invariance (CSI). Here, we distinguish two parameter space regions that correspond to the cases of (1) light dilaton and (2) purely radiative Higgs mass (PRHM). In the CSI models, the dilaton mass, or the Higgs mass in the PRHM case, in addition to some triple scalar couplings are fully triggered by the radiative corrections (RCs). In order to probe the RC effects on the EWPT strength and on the GW spectrum, we extend the standard model by a real singlet to assist the electroweak symmetry breaking and an additional scalar field Q with multiplicity NQ and mass mQ. After imposing all theoretical and experimental constraints, we show that a strongly first order EWPT with detectable GW spectra can be realized for the two cases of light dilaton and PRHM. We also show the corresponding values of the relative enhancement of the cross section for the di-Higgs production process, which is related to the triple Higgs boson coupling. We obtain the region in which the GW spectrum can be observed by different future experiments such as LISA and DECIGO. We also show that the scenarios (1) and (2) can be discriminated by future GW observations and measurements of the di-Higgs productions at future colliders.
KCNH6 channel promotes insulin exocytosis via interaction with Munc18-1 independent of electrophysiological processes
Authors: Wang Hao , Li Qi , Yuan Ying-Chao , Han Xue-Chun , Cao Yong-Ting , Yang Jin-Kui 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGlucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in pancreatic islet β-cells primarily relies on electrophysiological processes. Previous research highlighted the regulatory role of KCNH6, a member of the Kv channel family, in governing GSIS through its influence on β-cell electrophysiology. In this study, we unveil a novel facet of KCNH6's function concerning insulin granule exocytosis, independent of its conventional electrical role. Young mice with β-cell-specific KCNH6 knockout (βKO) exhibited impaired glucose tolerance and reduced insulin secretion, a phenomenon not explained by electrophysiological processes alone. Consistently, islets from KCNH6-βKO mice exhibited reduced insulin secretion, conversely, the overexpression of KCNH6 in murine pancreatic islets significantly enhanced insulin release. Moreover, insulin granules lacking KCNH6 demonstrated compromised docking capabilities and a reduced fusion response upon glucose stimulation. Crucially, our investigation unveiled a significant interaction between KCNH6 and the SNARE protein regulator, Munc18-1, a key mediator of insulin granule exocytosis. These findings underscore the critical role of KCNH6 in the regulation of insulin secretion through its interaction with Munc18-1, providing a promising and novel avenue for enhancing our understanding of the Kv channel in diabetes mechanisms.