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Facility cultivation has been evolved from greenhouses to smart farms using artificial intelligence (AI) that simulates big data to maximize production. However, the big data for AI in smart farm is not studied well; the effect of differences among varieties within a crop remains unclear. Therefore, the response of two varieties of blueberry, 'Suziblue' and 'Star', to light was tested using SAPD meter in order to demonstrate the environmental responses could be different among varieties within the same species. The results showed that those two varieties had significant differences in SPAD values based on the leaf's position and time, whereas 'Star' did not. This indicates that the effect of light depends on the variety, which implies that other traits and other crops may show similar differences. These results are based on a simple experiment. However, it is enough to elucidate that it is extremely important to characterize responses to the environment not only for each crop but also for each variety to collect data for smart farming to increase accuracy for modeling; consequently, to maximize the efficiency of these facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel channel estimation technique for the offset quadrature amplitude modulation based filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC/OQAM) systems. Unlike the conventional approaches, the proposed pilot signals utilize their intrinsic interference for the channel estimation, and provide an improved power efficiency compared to the conventional auxiliary pilot method. However, due to the non-whiteness of the noise components at the output of the analysis filter banks, the power gain obtained by the proposed scheme cannot be maximized. To overcome this difficulty, we propose a semiblind channel estimation by grouping the pilot signals and imposing sign ambiguities to them. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed semiblind channel estimation remarkably improves the power efficiency of its non-semiblind version. Finally, it is demonstrated that the near optimum detection performance is achieved by the proposed scheme at a reduced complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lifetime improvement of green phosphorescent organic light-emitting didoes (PHOLEDs) by an exciplex type host was studied by mixing a hole transport type host and an electron transport type host. A pyrrolocarbazole type material was developed as the hole transport type host and a triazine type material was the electron transport type host. The exciplex type mixed host showed much longer lifetime and improved efficiency compared with each host material constituting the exciplex type mixed host. Hole and electron stability of the exciplex host was proposed as the key factor for the long lifetime of the green phosphorescent device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distorted donor-acceptor type blue fluorescent emitter, 9-(4-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl)-1,8-dimethyl-9H-carbazole (DmCzTrz), was developed for use as a high efficiency and non-doped deep blue fluorescent emitter and a deep blue emitter in hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes. The novel distorted donor-acceptor based non-doped DmCzTrz blue fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes achieved high quantum efficiency of 6.8% with a deep blue color coordinate of (0.15,0.10). The DmCzTrz blue emitter was doped with green and red triplet emitters to develop the hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes, and high quantum efficiency of 19.4% in cool white device and 20.8% in warm white device were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-doping of a blue phosphorescent emitter in a thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitter based emitting layer was developed as an approach to extend the lifetime of blue TADF devices by managing excitons and polarons in the emitting layer. The blue phosphorescent emitter was doped at a very low doping concentration below 1 wt% to suppress triplet-triplet and triplet-polaron quenching effect in the TADF emitting layer. The doping of the blue phosphorescent emitter led to great extension of the lifetime of the TADF devices by hole trapping effect of the blue triplet emitter which widened exciton formation zone in the TADF emitting layer. More than twice extension of the operational lifetime of the device was demonstrated by the co-doping approach irrespective of the doping concentration of the TADF emitter in the emitting layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positional effect of donors and acceptors in the thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitters was examined using TADF emitters with two donors and two acceptors. The position of the donors and acceptors at the phenyl linker was regulated as ortho-, meta- and para- to study the positional effect of the donors and acceptors. The comparison of the three TADF emitters with the different substitution positions suggested that ortho- or meta- substitution of each donor or acceptor is a useful way of improving light-emitting performances of the TADF emitters. The TADF emitter with the two donors at meta- position achieved high quantum efficiency of 18.0% compared with 15.1% and 3.8% of other emitters. High photoluminescence quantum yield, high fluorescence rate constant, and high reverse intersystem crossing rate constant were the main factors for the high quantum efficiency of the meta- substituted emitter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two bicarbazole type host materials, 9-(dibenzo [ b,d ]thiophen-4-yl)-9ʹ-phenyl-9 H ,9′ H -3,3ʹ-bicarbazole (DBTBCz) and 9,9ʹ-bis(dibenzo [ b,d ]thiophen-4-yl)-9 H ,9′ H -3,3ʹ-bicarbazole (DDBTBCz), were developed as lifetime enhancing host materials for blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs). The DBTBCz and DDBTBCz host materials were prepared by substituting one or two dibenzothiophene units to a 3,3ʹ-bicarbazole backbone structure for the purpose of improving thermal stability and rigidity of the host materials for stable operational lifetime. Device characterization of the host materials revealed that the dibenzothiophene modification via 4- position is better than that via 2- position for improved lifetime of blue PhOLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An organic compound having carbazole, benzothiophene, and phosphine oxide moieties, (5-(9 H -carbazol-9-yl)benzo[ b ]thiophen-2-yl)diphenylphosphine oxide (CBTPO), was synthesized and employed as a blue host material to harvest triplet excitons from blue triplet emitters. The CBTPO material is a bipolar host material because it includes carbazole and diphenylphosphine oxide charge transport units with both a high triplet energy of 2.76 eV and a high quantum efficiency of 19.1% in blue phosphorescent device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A meta- linked diphenylether based host material, 9-(3-(3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenoxy)phenyl)-9H-pyrido[2,3- b ]indole (CzDPEPI), was investigated as an intramolecular charge transfer type host material to harvest triplet excitons of phenylimidazole type blue Ir triplet emitters. A host with two carbazole units was a reference material to confirm the role of the pyridoindole moiety. The CzDPEPI host behaved as a high triplet energy and driving voltage reducing host due to the pyridoindole moiety assisting electron injection and improved power efficiency of blue phosphorescent device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three tetraphenylethylene (TPE) conjugates 3a–3c were designed and synthesized for non-doped blue organic light emitting diodes, where aryl imidazoles of phenanthrene, phenanthroline, and pyrene were coupled with TPE. The single crystal structures of 3a and 3c show twisted molecular geometry and the crystal packing of 3c exhibits tight packing compared to 3a . The thermal, photophysical, electrochemical and computational properties of 3a–3c were investigated. The TPE conjugates 3a–3c show good thermal stability upto 424 °C. All the TPE conjugates 3a–3c exhibit excellent aggregation induced emission (AIE) and fluorescence of 3a , 3b and 3c in aggregated suspension was enhanced by 9, 9 and 38 folds compared to fluorescence in THF solution, respectively. 3a and 3c were efficient as the non-doped fluorescent emitters and provided high quantum efficiency/current efficiency of 5.6%/11.1 cd/A and 5.0%/9.4 cd/A in the blue devices, respectively. The color coordinates of the 3a and 3c devices were (0.19, 0.31) and (0.18, 0.26), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiency and lifetime improvement of blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) was achieved by introducing a triplet emitter doped exciton harvesting layer. A green triplet emitter doped electron transport layer was the exciton harvesting layer of the blue PHOLEDs, which doubled the lifetime and enhanced the efficiency of the blue PHOLEDs compared with a common electron transport layer. Blocking of triplet exciton quenching of the blue triplet emitter by the exciton harvesting layer was proposed as the main mechanism of improved efficiency and lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitters having 1-carbazolylcarbazole based donor moieties were developed to resolve the low quantum efficiency and large singlet–triplet energy splitting issues of the linker free TADF emitters. Investigation of the 1-carbazolylcarbazole derived donors as the donor units of two blue TADF emitters in comparison with 3-carbazolylcarbazole demonstrated that the 1-carbazolylcarbazole based donors increased the triplet energy, decreased the singlet–triplet energy gap, blue-shifted the emission color, and enhanced the quantum efficiency of the blue TADF devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] With the development of the density functional theory (DFT) and ever-increasing computational capacity, an accurate prediction of lattice thermal conductivity based on the Boltzmann transport theory becomes computationally feasible, contributing to a fundamental understanding of thermal conductivity as well as a choice of the optimal materials for specific applications. However, steep costs in evaluating third-order force constants limit the theoretical investigation to crystals with high symmetry and few atoms in the unit cell. Currently, machine learning potentials are garnering attention as a computationally efficient high-fidelity model of DFT, and several studies have demonstrated that the lattice thermal conductivity could be computed accurately via the machine learning potentials. However, test materials were mostly crystals with high symmetries, and the applicability of machine learning potentials to a wide range of materials has yet to be demonstrated. Furthermore, establishing a standard training set that provides consistent accuracy and computational efficiencies across a wide range of materials would be useful. To address these issues, herein we compute lattice thermal conductivities at 300 K using neural network interatomic potentials. As test materials, we select 25 materials with diverse symmetries and a wide range of lattice thermal conductivities between 10−1 and 103 Wm−1K−1. Among various choices of training sets, we find that molecular dynamics trajectories at 50–700 K consistently provide results at par with DFT for the test materials. In contrast to pure DFT approaches, the computational cost in the present approach is uniform over the test materials, yielding a speed gain of 2–10 folds. When a smaller reduced training set is used, the relative efficiency increases by up to ∼50 folds without sacrificing accuracy significantly. The current work will broaden the application scope of machine learning potentials by establishing a robust framework for accurately computing lattice thermal conductivity with machine learning potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An eco-hydrodynamic model was used to estimate the carrying capacity of pollutant loads and response of water quality to environmental change in Yeoja Bay, Korea. An energy-system model also was used to simulate the fluctuation in nutrients and organic matter in the bordering wetland. Most water quality factors showed a pulsed pattern, and the concentrations of nutrients and organic matter of seawater increased when input loads of nutrients increased due to freshwater discharge. The well-developed tidal zones and wetlands in the northern area of the bay were highly sensitive to input loads. Residence times of water, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) within the bay were estimated to be about 16 days, 43.2 days, and 50.2 days, respectively. Water quality reacted more sensitively to the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus input than to COD. A plan to reduce the present levels of COD and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) by 20–30% and DIN by at least 50% in pollutant loads is needed for satisfying the target water quality criteria. The natural removal rate of nutrients in wetlands by reeds was assessed to be approximately 10%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between gadoxetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features—enhancing capsule, corona enhancement or hypointense rim—observed in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods: Of the HCCs surgically confirmed during a 5-year period (2013–2017), ≤ 3-cm lesions (n = 83) in 78 patients were evaluated. Presence of corona enhancement and enhancing capsule on multiphasic dynamic imaging and presence of hypointense rim on hepatobiliary phase imaging were determined retrospectively by two independent observers. The relationship among the three imaging features was statistically analysed and correlated with the presence of histologic fibrous capsules, tumour differentiation and gross morphologic type. Results: There was substantial overall interobserver agreement in determining the presence of the three imaging features. Sixty (72.3%) lesions had histologic fibrous capsule positively correlated with all three imaging features (p < 0.05). Corona enhancement was the most common (66.3%) feature followed by enhancing capsule (61.4%) and hypointense rim (33.7%), and the correspondence rate of enhancing capsule to corona enhancement was 68.6% (p = 0.004). Corona enhancement was more frequently observed in moderately differentiated HCCs than other lesions (p = 0.012) and not dependent (p = 0.465) on the tumour size, while enhancing capsule was significantly dependent on tumour size, as indicated by univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (odds ratio, 4.241; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Among the capsular features, corona enhancement might closely relate to enhancing capsule in HCCs. Corona enhancement was not dependent on tumour size and had the highest incidence of appearance on gadoxetic acid–enhanced multiphasic dynamic MRI. Key Points: • Enhancing capsule has a limited role in the LI-RADS categorisation during gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI. • Appearance of corona enhancement is closely related to enhancing capsule and is not dependent on size of HCCs. • Corona enhancement can substitute enhancing capsule in the diagnosis of HCCs during multiple arterial and portal venous phase gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A protocol was developed for detecting and quantifying scopolamine, L-hyoscyamine, and sparteine. • Target analytes were extracted from animal-based food using EN-QuEChERS and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. • EDTA solution was employed to improve recovery. • LOQ values of 1–5 µg/kg were obtained for all analytes. Abstract We developed a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (CEN QuEChERS) extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI+/MS-MS) to identify and quantify residues of three botanical alkaloids, namely, scopolamine, L-hyoscyamine, and sparteine, in animal-derived foods, including porcine muscle, egg, and milk. A combination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium buffer and acetonitrile acidified with 0.5% trifluoroacetic acid was used as an extraction solvent, whereas QuEChERS (CEN, 15662) kits and sorbents were applied for cleanup procedures. The proposed method was validated by determining the limits of quantification (LOQs), with values of 1–5 µg/kg achieved for the target analytes in various matrices. Linearity was estimated from matrix-matched calibration curves constructed using six concentration levels ranging from 1- to 6-fold increases in the LOQs of each analyte, and the correlation coefficients (R2) were ≥0.9869. Recoveries (at three concentration levels of 1-, 2-, and 3-fold increases in the LOQ) of 73–104% were achieved with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤7.7% (intra-day and inter-day precision). Ten types of each matrix procured from large markets were evaluated, and all tested samples showed negative results. The current protocol is simple and versatile and can be used for routine detection of plant alkaloids in animal food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the chemical structure and the dipole orientation of thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitters was examined by synthesizing three TADF emitters with donor and acceptor moieties at ortho-, meta-, and para-positions of a phenyl linker. Two carbazolylcarbazole donor moieties and two CN acceptor moieties were attached to the phenyl linker. The degree of dipole orientation of the three TADF emitters was in the order of para- (0.84)>meta- (0.76)>ortho- (0.72) substitution, demonstrating that extended molecular geometry by para-substitution is a key parameter to induce the dipole orientation of the TADF emitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile, one-pot synthetic method to prepare alkoxo-functionalized homoleptic cyclometalated Ir (III) compounds with facial geometry has been developed. The reaction of Ir(COD) 2 BF 4 with two bipyridine ligands, 2′,6′-dimethoxy-4-methyl-2,3′-bipyridine and 2′,6′,4-trimethoxy-2,3′-bipyridine, afforded the homoleptic Ir (III) compounds Ir[(RO) 2 (Me)pypy] 3 ( 1 ) and Ir[(RO) 3 pypy] 3 ( 2 ) in good yields. The reaction conditions highly selectively produced the aforementioned Ir (III) compounds with facial geometry. The decomposition temperatures of 1 and 2 were 387 °C and 368 °C, respectively. Both compounds exhibited intense blue phosphorescence ( λ max = 452–458 nm) with excellent quantum efficiencies (Φ PL = 0.45–0.52). Phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) that used these compounds as the dopant material and 9-(3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl)diphenylphosphine oxide as the host material have been fabricated. The electroluminescent device created using compound 1 at a doping level of 5 wt% exhibited the best performance, with an external quantum efficiency of 15.7–15.5% at a brightness of 10–100 cd/m 2 and color coordinates of (0.16, 0.28) at 100 cd/m 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital video broadcasting—second generation terrestrial (DVB-T2) standard has adopted a preamble called P1 symbol to achieve the fast time and frequency synchronization. The P1 symbol also carries basic transmission parameters of DVB-T2 system, such as fast Fourier transform size, guard interval size and transmission type—single input single output or multiple input single output, etc. In this paper, we propose an improved preamble which is modulated by a novel hybrid differential modulation scheme that can provide transmit diversity gain to achieve the same performance of coherent transmission. The proposed preamble has demonstrated a significantly improved signaling error rate performance over various channel conditions compared to the conventional P1 symbol in DVB-T2. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We employed thin film blends of diblock copolymers with functional homopolymers as a simple strategy to incorporate organic functional materials into nanodomains of diblock copolymers without serious synthesis. A blend pair of polystyrene–poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS–PMMA) diblock copolymers and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was selected as a model demonstration because PVDF is a well-known ferroelectric polymer and completely miscible with amorphous PMMA. Thin films of symmetric PS–PMMA copolymers provided the nanometer-sized PMMA lamellae, macroscopically parallel to the substrate, in which PVDF chains were dissolved. Thus, amorphous PVDF chains were effectively confined in the PMMA lamellae of thin film blends. The location of PVDF chains in the PMMA lamellae was investigated by the dependence of the lamellar period on the volume fraction of PVDF, from which we found that PVDF chains were localized in the middle of the PMMA lamellae. After the crystallization of PVDF, however, some of PVDF migrated to the surface of the film and formed small crystallites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With review of anatomy and vascular supplies in male genitalia, we will present the ultrasonographic findings of various cases involving testis, epididymis and penis. All of eleven cases were confirmed either pathologically or clinically. We present 3 cases of scrotal neoplasms (immature teratoma, rapid growing and large seminoma, mixed germ cell tumor), 2 cases of infectious diseases (tuberculous epididymo-orchitis, mumps epididymo-orchitis, 3 cases of other scrotal diseases (testicular torsion, testicular rupture, epididymal rupture), and 3 cases of penile diseases (penile fracture, paraffinoma, leiomyosarcoma). Eleven cases of various diseases involving the male genitalia showed the variable ultrasonographic findings on grey scale and color Doppler ultrasonography. Clinical history is helpful in the diagnosis of some cases, such as mumps epididymitis, post-traumatic rupture of testis or epididymis, penile fracture or penile paraffinoma. We have to know the clinical history and specific ultrasonographic findings of various diseases of male genitalia for the exact diagnosis and differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, gellan gum (GG), a nature-derived polysaccharide, was applied to combine fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to fabricate a bio-imaging material. The synthesis process of the FITC grafted GG (GG-F) and manufacturing method of GG-F scaffolds are presented. Chemical, physicochemical, and mechanical properties were characterized. In vitro study and in vivo study by implanting the GG-F scaffolds under the subcutaneous area of the nude mice were carried out to verify biocompatibility and safety of the material. The emission of the FITC was confirmed with high-resolution confocal laser scanning microscope (SR CLMS) and fluorescence in vivo imaging (FOBI). The results exhibited well-synthesized GG-F and the manufactured GG-F scaffolds showed similar property of GG scaffolds which confirms that the chemical modification does not affect the property of GG scaffolds. The in vitro and in vivo study exhibited biocompatibility of the GG-F material. Overall, the properly blended GG-F in GG did not influence the characteristics of the pristine GG except for the chemical property. Therefore, the GG-F can be applied for the future analysis in verifying the mechanism of GG characters and can be a promising candidate for bio-imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • An analytical method was developed for detecting acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid. • The target analytes were extracted from six animal foods, including porcine muscle, milk, egg, shrimp, eel, and flatfish. • Acetonitrile acidified with formic acid and trifluoroacetic acid was used as the extraction solvent. • The method performance was satisfactory for both tested analytes in various matrices. • The obtained results could assist the regulatory authority in drafting the MRL for the tested analytes. Abstract This work describes a simple screening protocol for quantification of carbasalate calcium derived metabolites, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and salicylic acid (SA), in animal and aquatic food matrices using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analytes were extracted from porcine muscle, milk, egg, shrimp, eel, and flatfish using acetonitrile, with the addition of formic acid as well as trifluoroacetic acid, followed by liquid-liquid purification with saturated n -hexane. A reverse-phase analytical column was employed with a mobile phase comprising (A) 1 mM ammonium acetate in distilled water and (B) methanol to achieve the best chromatographic separation. Matrix-matched calibration curves (R2 ≥ 0.9817) were constructed using six concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 µg/kg in porcine muscle, milk, egg, shrimp, eel, and flatfish matrices. The calculated limits of quantification (LOQ) were 10 and 7 µg/kg, for ASA and SA, respectively. Recoveries of 67 to 102% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of ≤9.0% (intra-day and inter-day) were obtained for all matrices at four spiking concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 50 µg/kg). The method was feasibly applied for monitoring market samples. In conclusion, the developed method is versatile, accurate, and precise for detecting and quantifying acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid residues in animal-derived foods meant for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare abdominal ultrasonographic (AU) findings with endoscopic ultrasonographic (EUS) findings of solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of pancreas. Thirteen patients (M:F = 3:10; mean age, 36 years) with surgically proven SPT were included, who underwent both preoperative AU and EUS. Ultrasonographic findings of 2 modalities were compared according tointernal echo texture, calcification, demarcation, internal septum, and main pancreatic duct dilatation. Eight cases showed hypoechogenicity on both AU and EUS. Remaining 5 cases showed different echogenicity on both modalities; hypoechogenicity (n = 3) and isoechogenicity (n = 2) on AU, hyperechogenicity (n = 2), unremarkable internal echogenicity due to dense rim calcification (n = 2), isoechogenicity (n = 1) on EUS. In two cases with dense rim calcification, evaluation of the internal content was more difficult on EUS, compared to AU. Additionally, central punctate calcifications of 2 cases were well seen on both AU and EUS, but 1 case of peripheral calcification was only seen on EUS. All cases showed good demarcation without main pancreatic ductal dilatation or internal septum. EUS was superior to AU in the evaluation of internal echo texture (solid or cystic) of pancreatic SPT. However, AU was superior to evaluate the larger size tumor and tumors with dense rim calcification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An analytical approach using a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction method followed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed herein for the determination of artesunate and its metabolite, dihydroarteminsinin in porcine muscle, egg, eel, flatfish, and shrimp. 10% trichloroacetic acid in acetonitrile mixed with ethyl acetate was used as an extraction solvent. To obtain a good separation, a Phenomenex Kinetex reversed‐phase analytical column was selected with mobile phase consisting of distilled water (A) and acetonitrile (B), both containing 0.05% formic acid. Good linearity was achieved using matrix‐matched calibrations constructed from six concentrations (5–50 μg/kg) with determinant coefficients ≥0.9918. Recoveries estimated from three spiking concentrations (5, 10, and 20 μg/kg) ranged between 71.3 and 104.7% in all matrixes with relative standard deviations ≤8.3%. A variety of samples purchased from markets in Seoul were tested following the protocol described herein. The artesunate and dihydroarteminsinin were not detected in any matrix. The methodology proposed could be used for routine determination of artesunate and its metabolite, dihydroartemisinin in various animal products having variable percentages of fat and protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chromatographic method involving a single run was validated for the quantification of clanobutin, dichlorvos, and naftazone in products of animal origin. Pork, beef, chicken, milk, and egg samples were extracted with a solution of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, defatted with n -hexane, centrifuged, and filtered prior to analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-/MS/MS). The analytes were separated on a C18 column using a solution of 0.1% formic acid and 10 mM ammonium formate (A) and acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase. A good linearity over 5–50 ng/g concentration range was obtained with coefficients of determination ( R 2 ) ≥ 0.9807. The intra- and interday accuracy (recovery %) calculated from 3 fortification levels (5, 10, and 20 ng/g) were 73.2–108.1% and 71.4–109.8%, and the precisions (expressed relative standard deviations (RSDs)) were 0.9–12.9% and 1.8–10.6%, respectively, for the 3 tested analytes in animal originated foods. The limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged between 0.1 and 1 ng/g, thus enabling the quantification of residual levels below the uniform maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.01 mg/kg set for compounds having no MRL. The designated methodology was successfully applied to monitor various samples collected from Seoul; the tested analytes were not quantified in any of the market samples. Conclusively, the developed method is simple, sensitive, and accurate, and could be used for the detection of pharmaceuticals in various animal food matrices with variable protein and fat contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, honey products have been polluted by different contaminants, such as pesticides, which are widely applied in agriculture. In this work, a modified EN – quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of pesticide residues, including cymiazole, fipronil, coumaphos, fluvalinate, amitraz, and its metabolite 2,4-dimethylaniline (2,4-DMA), in four types of honey (acacia, wild, chestnut, and manuka) and royal jelly. Samples were buffered with 0.2 M dibasic sodium phosphate (pH 9), and subsequently, acetonitrile was employed as the extraction solvent. A combination of primary secondary amine (PSA) and C18 sorbents was used for purification prior to liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI + /MS-MS) analysis. The estimated linearity measured at six concentration levels presented good correlation coefficients ( R 2 ) ≥ 0.99. The recovery, calculated from three different spiking levels, was 62.06–108.79% in honey and 67.58–106.34% in royal jelly, with an RSD < 12% for all the tested compounds. The matrix effect was also evaluated, and most of the analytes presented signal enhancement. The limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged between 0.001 and 0.005 mg/kg in various samples. These are considerably lower than the maximum residue limits (MRL) set by various regulatory authorities. A total of 43 market (domestic and imported) samples were assayed for method application. Among the tested samples, three samples were tested positive (i.e. detected and quantified) only for cymiazole residues. The residues in the rest of the samples were detected but not quantified. We concluded that the protocol developed in this work is simple and versatile for the routine quantification of cymiazole, 2,4-DMA, fipronil, coumaphos, amitraz, and fluvalinate in various types of honey and royal jelly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a simple analytical approach has been developed and validated for the determination of bupivacaine hydrochloride and isoflupredone acetate residues in porcine muscle, beef, milk, egg, shrimp, flatfish, and eel using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). A 0.1% solution of acetic acid in acetonitrile combined with n -hexane was used for deproteinization and defatting of all tested matrices and the target drugs were well separated on a Waters Xbridge™ C18 analytical column using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% acetic acid (A) and 0.1% solution of acetic acid in methanol (B). The linearity estimated from six-point matrix-matched calibrations was good, with coefficients of determination ≥0.9873. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for bupivacaine hydrochloride and isoflupredone acetate were 1 and 2 ng g −1 , respectively. Recovery percentages in the ranges of 72.51–112.39% (bupivacaine hydrochloride) and 72.58–114.56% (isoflupredone acetate) were obtained from three different fortification concentrations with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of <15.14%. All samples for the experimental work and method application were collected from the local markets in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and none of them tested positive for the target drugs. In conclusion, a simple method using a 0.1% solution of acetic acid in acetonitrile and n -hexane followed by LC–MS/MS could effectively extract bupivacaine hydrochloride and isoflupredone acetate from porcine muscle, beef, milk, egg, shrimp, flatfish, and eel samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we developed a simple analytical procedure for the quantitation of bithionol residues in animal-derived food products such as porcine muscle, eggs, milk, eel, flatfish, and shrimp using a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI + /MS-MS). Samples were extracted with 0.1% solution of formic acid in acetonitrile and the extract was purified using a C18 sorbent. Separation was performed on a Waters XBridge™ C18 reversed-phase analytical column using 0.1% solution of formic acid/acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Six-point matrix-matched calibration indicated good linearity, with the calculated coefficients of determination ( R 2 ) being ≥ 0.9813. Intra- and inter-day recoveries (determined at spiking levels equivalent to 1 × and 2 × the limit of quantitation (0.25 μg/kg)) ranged between 80.0 and 94.0%, with the corresponding relative standard deviations (RSDs) being ≤ 8.2%. The developed experimental protocol was applied to different samples purchased from local markets in Seoul, which were tested negative for bithionol residues. In conclusion, the proposed method proved to be versatile and precise, being ideally suited for the routine detection of bithionol residues in animal-derived food products with various protein and fat contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that produces many virulence factors. Two major families of which are the staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) and the Staphylococcal Superantigen-Like (SSL) exoproteins. The former are immunomodulatory toxins that induce a Vβ-specific activation of T cells, while the latter are immune evasion molecules that interfere with a wide range of innate immune defences. The superantigenic properties of Staphylococcal enterotoxin-like X (SElX) have recently been established. We now reveal that SElX also possesses functional characteristics of the SSLs. A region of SElX displays high homology to the sialyl-lactosamine (sLacNac)-specific binding site present in a sub-family of SSLs. By analysing the interaction of SElX with sLacNac-containing glycans we show that SElX has an equivalent specificity and host cell binding range to the SSLs. Mutation of key amino acids in this conserved region affects the ability of SElX to bind to cells of myeloid origin and significantly reduces its ability to protect S. aureus from destruction in a whole blood killing (WBK) assay. Like the SSLs, SElX is up-regulated early during infection and is under the control of the S. aureus exotoxin expression (Sae) two component gene regulatory system. Additionally, the structure of SElX in complex with the sLacNac-containing tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) reveals that SElX is a unique single-domain SAg. In summary, SElX is an ‘SSL-like’ SAg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI + /MS-MS) was developed for quantification of fenobucarb residues in animal food products, such as porcine muscle, egg, and whole milk, and aquatic food products, such as eel, flatfish, and shrimp. Acetonitrile with the addition of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid was employed as an extraction solvent and was compared with acetonitrile alone and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. All extracted samples were purified using C18 sorbent. The best extraction efficiencies, expressed as recovery at two spiking levels equivalent to 1- and 2-times the limit of quantification (LOQ = 2 μg/kg) were achieved using 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in acetonitrile and ranged from 61.38 to 102.21% in all matrices, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 13% (except for the low spiking of porcine muscle and the high spiking of whole milk, for which the RSDs were > 20%). Six-point matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification and the determination coefficients were good ( R 2 ≥ 0.9865). The method was verified by application to samples purchased from local markets and none of the samples tested positive. In conclusion, the developed method is simple and versatile and can be used for the routine detection of fenobucarb in different animal food products having varying protein and fat contents with satisfactory accuracy and precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study is to suggest a mathematical model and an optimal algorithm for determining the height of apartment buildings to satisfy the solar rights of survey buildings or survey housing units. The objective is also to develop an automatic computation model for the optimum height of apartment buildings and then to clarify the performance and expected effects. To accomplish the objective of this study, the following procedures were followed: [(1)] The necessity of the height planning of obstruction buildings to satisfy the solar rights of survey buildings or survey housing units is demonstrated by analyzing through a literature review the recent trend of disputes related to solar rights and to examining the social requirements in terms of solar rights. In addition, the necessity of the automatic computation system for height planning of apartment buildings is demonstrated and a suitable analysis method for this system is chosen by investigating the characteristics of analysis methods for solar rights assessment. [(2)] A case study on the process of height planning of apartment buildings will be briefly described and the problems occurring in this process will then be examined carefully. [(3)] To develop an automatic computation model for height planning of apartment buildings, geometrical elements forming apartment buildings are defined by analyzing the geometrical characteristics of apartment buildings. In addition, design factors and regulations required in height planning of apartment buildings are investigated. Based on this knowledge, the methodology and mathematical algorithm to adjust the height of apartment buildings by automatic computation are suggested and probable problems and the ways to resolve these problems are discussed. Finally, the methodology and algorithm for the optimization are suggested. [(4)] Based on the suggested methodology and mathematical algorithm, the automatic computation model for optimum height of apartment buildings is developed and the developed system is verified through the application of some cases. The effects of the suggested model are then demonstrated quantitatively and qualitatively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]