bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serological Biomarkers and Their Detection in Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases
Authors: Heckler Ilana , Hong Michael , Sinha Animesh , Venkataraman Iswariya 
Published: May 2022

Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) are a group of skin-related disorders that involve damage to structures maintaining cell-cell adhesion, such as desmosomes and hemidesmosomes. Key autoimmune bullous diseases include pemphigus related diseases, pemphigoid related conditions, acquired epidermolysis bullosa (EBA), and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Each group of conditions exhibits characteristic clinical lesion patterns and is associated with specific autoantibodies targeting epidermal and dermal structures involved in cell-cell adhesion and skin integrity. Pemphigus diseases primarily target desmoglein (Dsg) 3 and Dsg1 proteins but several non-desmoglein autoantibodies have also been linked to pemphigus.
Pemphigoid diseases typically target BP (bullous pemphigoid)180 and BP230; EBA is associated with antibodies directed against anti-type VII collagen; and DH by IgA autoantibodies against tissue transglutaminase and deaminated gliadin. Investigation into the serological biomarkers found in autoimmune bullous diseases have allowed the development of diagnostic assessments (ie. tissue antibody detection and serological testing) based on the unique autoantibody profiles of a particular disease group. The methods for the detection and quantification of disease-associated autoantibodies continue to evolve and improve.
Features of Skin Cancer in Black Individuals: A Single-Institution Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Manci Rachel , Dauscher Megan , Marchetti Michael A. , Usatine Richard , Rotemberg Veronica , Dusza Stephen , Marghoob Ashfaq 
Published: May 2022

Background: Minimal knowledge exists regarding skin cancers in Black individuals, which may adversely affect patient care.
Objectives: To describe clinical features and risk factors of skin cancers in Black individuals.
Methods: Retrospective study of Black individuals diagnosed with skin cancer between January 2000 and January 2020 at our institution.
Results: 38,589 patients were diagnosed with skin cancer, of which 165 were Black. One-hundred-thirteen of these Black individuals were diagnosed with melanoma, 35 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 17 with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Most melanomas (80.0%, n=90) were of the acral subtype; 75% (6 of 8 cases with dermoscopic images) displayed a parallel ridge pattern (PRP). The surrounding uninvolved background skin was visible in 7 cases, all demonstrating a PRP. This disappeared adjacent to most of the melanoma lesions (n=4, 57.1%) – creating a peripheral hypopigmented “halo”. The nonmelanoma skin cancers were pigmented and had similar dermoscopic features as reported in predominantly white populations. Most SCCs (n=5, 71.4%) had a hypopigmented “halo” and most BCCs (n=10, 55.6%) had an accentuated reticular network adjacent to the lesions. Most (80.0%, n=28) SCC patients had a chronic inflammatory condition. Two BCC patients (16.7%) had Gorlin syndrome.
Conclusions: Skin cancers are pigmented in Black individuals. In both ALMs and SCCs, we noted a peripheral rim of hypopigmentation between the lesions and the surrounding uninvolved background skin, while BCCs had accentuation of the background pigmentation adjacent to the lesions. Most acral melanomas displayed a PRP, which was also seen in surrounding uninvolved background skin.
Should Mammography Be a Prerequisite Prior to Initiation of Biological Agents in Patients With Psoriasis?
Authors: Tamer Funda , Gulekon Ayla 
Published: May 2022

Objectives: Psoriasis patients may be susceptible to malignancy due to chronic inflammation. Moreover, biological agents which are used in the treatment of psoriasis might increase the risk of malignancy due to their immunosuppressive effect. Within this study, we evaluated the mammography results of female patients with psoriasis aged over 40 before the initiation of biological agent treatment. We aimed to determine whether breast cancer screening with mammography should be a prerequisite before the initiation of biological agent treatment for psoriasis.
Methods: Between April 2019 and March 2021, medical records of female psoriasis patients aged over 40 were reviewed retrospectively.
Results: This study included 42 female psoriasis patients (mean age: 53.52±7.09). BI-RADS score was 2 in 18 (42.9%) patients, 1 in 13 (31%) patients, 3 in 9 (21.4%) patients and 4A in 1(2.4%) patient. Isodense masses were detected in 10 (23.8%) patients, while 6 (14.3%) patients had intramammary lymph nodes. Mammography revealed microcalcifications in 6 (14.3%) patients, macrocalcifications in 1 (2.4%) patient and a hamartoma in 1 (2.4%) patient. Isodense masses, calcifications and intramammary lymph nodes were associated with long disease duration (>10 years). Intramammary lymph nodes were more common in patients treated with biological agents previously compared to biologic-naive patients.
Conclusions: We suggest that female patients over 40, especially who had a long disease duration, family history of breast cancer and previous history of treatment with biological agents should undergo mammography before the initiation of biological agents for the treatment of psoriasis.
Contribution to the Knowledge of Bromus Diandrus–Rigidus (Poaceae) Polyploid Complex in the Bulgarian and Romanian Floras
Authors: Stoyanov Stoyan , Negrean Gavril , Vladimirov Vladimir 
Published: May 2022

Comparative morphological and ploidy level survey of the polyploid complex B. diandrus-rigidus in the Bulgarian and Romanian floras was performed. Critical examination of the morphology of the collected specimens revealed B. diandrus is represented in both floras. The species has already been reported for Romania under the name B. rigidus. For Bulgaria, the species has been very recently reported on a conference poster with a single gathering from 2020. Here, we provide more records of the species along the whole Bulgarian Black Sea coast floristic region, with the oldest gathering dating back to 2003. Ploidy level estimation of the Bulgarian accessions by flow cytometry revealed all studied populations are octoploid which is congruent with data from elsewhere, and confirms B. diandrus is present in the Bulgarian flora. For both the Bulgarian and Romanian floras alien status of the species has been inferred.
Scavengingvshunting affects behavioral traits of an opportunistic carnivore
Authors: Parsons Mitchell A. , Garcia Andrew , Young Julie K. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundHuman-induced changes to ecosystems transform the availability of resources to predators, including altering prey populations and increasing access to anthropogenic foods. Opportunistic predators are likely to respond to altered food resources by changing the proportion of food they hunt versus scavenge. These shifts in foraging behavior will affect species interactions through multiple pathways, including by changing other aspects of predator behavior such as boldness, innovation, and social structure.MethodsTo understand how foraging behavior impacts predator behavior, we conducted a controlled experiment to simulate hunting by introducing a prey model to captive coyotes (Canis latrans) and compared their behavior to coyotes that continued to scavenge over one year. We used focal observations to construct behavioral budgets, and conducted novel object, puzzle box, and conspecific tests to evaluate boldness, innovation, and response to conspecifics.ResultsWe documented increased time spent resting by hunting coyotes paired with decreased time spent active. Hunting coyotes increased boldness and persistence but there were no changes in innovation. Our results illustrate how foraging behavior can impact other aspects of behavior, with potential ecological consequences to predator ecology, predator-prey dynamics, and human-wildlife conflict; however, the captive nature of our study limits specific conclusions related to wild predators. We conclude that human-induced behavioral changes could have cascading ecological implications that are not fully understood.
Modelling Water Absorption Kinetics of Abrohemaa, Omankwa, and Akposoe Maize Varieties
Authors: Antwi Isaac Godfred 
Published: May 2022

The study investigated the effect of temperature and variety on water absorption kinetics of three Ghanaian maize varieties (Abrohemaa, Omankwa, and Akposoe) during soaking and also to generate the required moisture diffusivity data for the varieties. The study employed a gravimetric method at four different temperatures of , and . Varying soaking temperature affected the water absorption rates and behaviours of the varieties and that soaking was reduced by increasing the soaking water temperature. The differences in rate of water absorption by the varieties could be attributed to kernel characteristics such as physiochemical and nutritional composition. The Fick’s diffusion law satisfactorily predicted the absorption kinetics of the varieties at all temperatures and that variety and temperature were the most important factors controlling water absorption rate of the maize kernel. The moisture diffusivities of the kernels varied in the order of Abrohemaa Omankwa Akposoe and increased as the soaking temperature increases with values ranging from for Akposoe, for Omankwa and for Abrohemaa. The Arrhenius equation was able to describe the effects of temperature on the diffusion coefficient with activation energy values of for Abrohemaa and for both Akposoe and Omankwa.
The study investigated the effect of temperature and variety on water absorption kinetics of three Ghanaian maize varieties (Abrohemaa, Omankwa, and Akposoe) during soaking and also to generate the required moisture diffusivity data for the varieties. The study employed a gravimetric method at four different temperatures of , and . Varying soaking temperature affected the water absorption rates and behaviours of the varieties and that soaking was reduced by increasing the soaking water temperature. The differences in rate of water absorption by the varieties could be attributed to kernel characteristics such as physiochemical and nutritional composition. The Fick’s diffusion law satisfactorily predicted the absorption kinetics of the varieties at all temperatures and that variety and temperature were the most important factors controlling water absorption rate of the maize kernel. The moisture diffusivities of the kernels varied in the order of Abrohemaa Omankwa Akposoe and increased as the soaking temperature increases with values ranging from for Akposoe, for Omankwa and for Abrohemaa. The Arrhenius equation was able to describe the effects of temperature on the diffusion coefficient with activation energy values of for Abrohemaa and for both Akposoe and Omankwa.
An Investigation on Post-harvest Losses of Lemon Farmers in Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh: Aspects of Practices, Determinants, and Problems
Authors: Begum Maimuna , Marium Bibi 
Published: May 2022

Aims: Lemon is a popular citrus fruit in Bangladesh. Post-harvest management is very important to make lemon production profitable. The current study was carried out to measure the post-harvest practices of lemon farmers, to identify the determinants or factors influencing post-harvest losses of lemon at farm levels, and the associated problems of lemon farmers.
Study Design: This article is about investigating the determinants or factors influencing post-harvest losses of lemon farmers and is placed on empirical analysis. It was also conducted to determine the practices and problems regarding post-harvest of lemon at the farm levels.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in purposively selected five intensivelemon growing villages of Sreemangal Upazila in the Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh purposively selected as they signify the top lemon (e.g. local, bilati, and china varieties) producing areas of Moulvibazar district. The study period was the harvesting season of lemons from April to May 2019.
Methodology: The relevant data were collected using structured questionnaires via face-to-face interviews with 160 lemon farmers that were selected using simple random sampling. The post-harvest practices of lemon farmers were measured by using descriptive statistics. The farm-level determinants of post-harvest losses of lemon in the survey areas were identified using a multiple linear regression model, and the Problem Faced Index (PFI) was generated to assess the severity of the particular problem of lemon farmers in the study areas.
Results: From descriptive statistics results, it is found that farmers in the study area harvested their lemons under mature green conditions (67.6 percent) to reap the benefits of a longer life span, and 59.5 percent of them use the bamboo basket for packaging and transportation purposes. Lemon farmers were using manual vans (48.7 percent) and motor driving rickshaws (25.3 percent) to carry their products in the market. From the multiple linear regression model, it is shown that the key determinants of post-harvest losses in the study area were total production, labor, transportation, storage, distance, market place, and lemon farmers’ farming experience. Lack of storage facilities was the greatest severe problem for lemon farmers, after overproduction and supply of lemon in the peak season, lack of quality seed, high input prices, disease infection, insect infestation, and so on.
Conclusion: Therefore, this study highlights developing suitable storage facilities, convenient transportation, scientific harvesting methods, and a fair price policy to reduce lemon post-harvest losses at the farm levels.
Genotoxicity-Suppressing Effect of Sophora japonica L. Aqueous Extract
Authors: Tahara Yuki , Hayashi-Shita Satomi , Nakamura Takanori , Murashige Ryo , Yamasaki Kayoko , Matsumoto Katsutoshi , Hasegawa Akira , Saito Takayuki , Sato Kumiko , Honma Tetsuo , Yamamoto Ayumi , Arai Hirotada , Kadoma Yoshihiro , Kawaguchi Satomi , Kikuchi Yasuaki , Furuya Kazuyuki , Sasaki Yu F. 
Published: May 2022

The dry flower buds of Sophora japonica L. are used as a hemostatic agent in traditional Chinese medicine. In the comet assay, aqueous extracts of S. japonica decreased and increased the tail length significantly in cultured human lymphoblastoid WTK1 cells exposed to UV in the absence and presence of DNA repair inhibitors, respectively. The extract did not affect the tail length in methyl methanesulfonate-exposed cells. In the present study, the aqueous extract of the flower buds of S. japonica was separated by repeated column chromatography, yielding four types of flavonoid glycosides. Among them, only rutin, similar to the extract, decreased and increased the tail length significantly in WTK1 cells exposed to UV in the absence and presence of DNA repair inhibitors hydroxyurea (10 mM) and cytosine-1-β-D-arabinofuranoside (1.8 mM), respectively. The genotoxicity-suppressing effect of rutin was further studied using the micronucleus test. Rutin significantly decreased the frequency of micronucleated binucleate cells in UV-exposed WTK1 cells but did not affect this frequency in UV-exposed XPL3KA (Xeroderma pigmentosum group C) cells. These results suggest that the anti-genotoxic potential of rutin is due to an enhanced incision step of global genome repair (GGR) sub-pathways in nucleotide excision repair (NER). Herein, we show that S. japonica exhibits heretofore unknown anti-genotoxic potential against UV by enhancing the incision of GGR sub-pathways in NER, and that its anti-genotoxic component is rutin.
Circularly Polarized Phosphorescence from Cocrystallization of Atomic Precise Silver Nanoclusters with Tartaric Acid
Authors: Feng Ning , Wang Zhi , Sun Di , Sun Panpan , Xin Xia , Cheng Xiaohui , Li Hongguang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRecently, advanced optical materials with circularly polarized phosphorescence (CPP) have attracted much attention. However, such materials are limited due to the difficulty of preparation and the scarcity of precursors. Herein, CPP materials are constructed for the first time using water‐soluble, pseudo‐chiral silver nanoclusters with atomic precision ((NH4)9 [Ag9 (mba)9], H2mba = 2‐mercaptobenzoic acid, abbreviated to Ag9‐NCs hereafter). Induced by the complexation of l‐ or d‐tartaric acid (TrA) through hydrogen bonding, Ag9‐NCs crystallize from aqueous solutions, during which the chirality of the hybrid is amplified and the phosphorescence of Ag9‐NCs is enhanced. It is speculated that the chiral transfer from TrA to Ag9‐NCs is the main source of the well‐defined circular dichroism signals with good repeatability. The Ag9‐NCs/TrA cocrystals exhibit good CPP performance with dissymmetric factors up to 1.05 × 10−2, which is the highest value for metal NCs‐based CPP materials. This work is expected to be an inspiration for preparing metal NCs‐based CPP materials by supramolecular strategy. The so‐obtained organic–inorganic CPP materials can find a variety of applications in optoelectronic devices.
The Optical Absorption Force Allows Controlling Colloidal Assembly Morphology at an Interface
Authors: Chang Yu‐Chia , Bresolí‐Obach Roger , Kudo Tetsuhiro , Hofkens Johan , Toyouchi Shuichi , Masuhara Hiroshi 
Published: May 2022

AbstractGaining control on particle–particle interactions and in this way on their (self)‐assembled structures is essentialfor colloidal and material sciences. Currently, different strategies are described to achieve such control, however, all of them lack the spatiotemporal resolution required at the microscale. In this work, the potential of combining optical trapping and resonant photoexcitation for modifying particle–particle interactions and subsequent assembling of dye‐doped particles at the solution interface is demonstrated. The particle assemblies prepared by nonresonant 1064 nm optical trapping undergo morphology changes after resonant photoexcitation of the embedded dye molecules. Depending on the physicochemical properties of interface, quick hexagonal close packing (HCP)‐rearrangement or explosive dispersion of assemblies is observed at air/solution (A/S) and glass/solution interfaces, respectively. By contrast, by resonant photoexcitation only, the dispersed dye‐doped particles are pushed toward the A/S interface, followed by association to yield HCP‐structured assemblies. The results are rationalized by considering the optical absorption force coupled with other nonoptical forces (e.g., capillary force, dipole–dipole or electrostatic repulsion) at the solution interface. Due to the inherent spatiotemporal properties of light and electronic transition of materials, absorption force is a unique element to control and modify the structural order of particle assemblies at interfaces.
Multicolor Biexciton Lasers Based on 2D Perovskite Single Crystalline Flakes
Authors: He Xianxiong , Gong Hao , Huang Han , Li Yao , Ren Jiahuan , Li Yuan , Liao Qing , Gao Tingge , Fu Hongbing 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe biexciton is a quasi‐particle created from two free excitons and can be applied for basic quantum operations, entangled light sources, and lasers. 2D lead‐halide layered perovskites (LPs) naturally form organic–inorganic quantum wells (QWs), leading to high exciton binding energy and tunable band‐gaps dependent on the QW thickness of <n>. Although excitonic lasing has been reported for thicker LP‐QWs, biexciton emissions and lasers from phase‐pure LP‐QWs as a function of <n> remain largely unexplored. Here, a facile solution growth method for fabricating single‐crystalline flakes (SCFs) of LP‐QWs of (PEA)2(MA)n−1PbnI3n+1 (PEA = phenylethylammonium, <n> = 1, 2, and 3) is reported. Further, multicolor amplified spontaneous emissions from biexciton states of (PEA)2(MA)n−1PbnI3n+1 (<n> = 1, 2, and 3) SCFs are demonstrated at 541 (green), 588 (yellow), 627 nm (red) with thresholds of 35.4, 15.1, and 5.8 µJ cm−2 at 20 K, respectively. In order to offer cavities for these single‐crystalline flakes, they are exfoliated into smaller flakes. Multimode lasing is shown at 586 and 627 nm for <n> = 2 and 3 with threshold of 10.5 and 4.8 µJ cm−2, respectively. The results of this study not only enrich the basic understanding of many‐body excitonic interactions in 2D LPs but also provide insights for developing solution‐processed multicolor lasers.
Stereo Meta‐Atom Enabled Phase–Amplitude Gradient Metasurface for Circularly Polarized Waves
Authors: Li Xi Ming , Xi Xiang , Chen Jian , Wu Hua Bing , Li Xin , Chen Qiang , Wu Rui‐Xin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSimultaneously while independently controlling the phase and amplitude of electromagnetic (EM) waves is pivotal yet challenging for waves manipulation. Metasurface provides a possible approach to the challenge, but most of the reports so far are conducted on linearly polarized EM waves. Herein, a stereo meta‐atom‐enabled gradient metasurface that is capable of fully controlling both amplitude and phase for circularly polarized EM waves is proposed and demonstrated. As a proof‐of‐concept, it is shown that transmission gradient metasurfaces can deflect wave beams by the tailored phase of meta‐atoms and transmission efficiency by the tailored amplitude of meta‐atoms. This study further designs a metasurface to be implemented by stereo meta‐atoms for fan‐shaped beamforming where amplitude and phase gradients are required. The experiments prove that the metasurface realizes a good fan‐shaped beam (azimuthal angle range is −30° to 30°). This study provides an avenue to fully manipulate wave beams by metasurfaces, which may trigger lots of interest in photonic metadevices.
Two‐Dimensional MoxW1−xS2 Alloys for Nanogenerators Producing Record Piezo‐Output and Coupled Photodetectors for Self‐Powered UV Sensor
Authors: Bhattacharya Didhiti , Mukherjee Shubhrasish , Pal Atindra Nath , Mitra Rajib Kumar , Ray Samit Kumar 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this work a novel sustainable, self‐driven UV photodetection system using ternary transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) alloy (MoxW1−xS2) is proposed by coupling a photodetector as a light intensity sensor and a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) as a power source. Crystalline MoxW1−xS2 ternary alloy nanosheets are synthesized via cost effective hydrothermal method to fabricate a UV (365 nm) photodetector with extraordinary high responsivity (≈229 A W‐1). The microstructural, optical properties of different ternary alloy composition, along with their binary counterparts, have been studied. The optimized Mo0.5W0.5S2 ternary alloy nanosheets are used as fillers in PVDF matrix to fabricate flexible self‐polled PENGs, exhibiting piezoelectric open‐circuit output ≈50 V under finger tapping and a record high piezo‐voltage ≈187 V under impact of 12 kPa. By coupling the two devices, the output voltage of the PENG is tuned by the resistance of the photodetector, exhibiting superior voltage sensitivity (≈0.75 V µW‐1 cm‐2) with UV illumination. The impedance matching between the PENG and photodetector has been utilized to demonstrate self‐powered UV sensors by monitoring the on/off states of light‐emitting diode directly. This self‐powered, portable ternary TMDC alloy device is attractive for future real‐time monitoring of UV radiation and smart health sensors for IOT applications.