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This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dynamic stretching combined with manual therapy on pain, range of motion, function, and quality of life in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the dynamic stretching combined with manual therapy (DSMT) group (n = 17) and the static stretching combined with manual therapy (SSMT) group (n = 17). Both groups received manual therapy for 10 min and two sessions per week for 4 weeks. The DSMT group also performed additional dynamic stretching for 20 min per session, two sessions per week for 4 weeks. The SSMT group practiced additional static stretching for 20 min per session, two sessions per week for 4 weeks. The pain, ROM, function, and quality of life were measured and evaluated before and after treatment. There were significant improvements in the outcomes of pain, flexion and abduction of shoulder ROM, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the physical component score and mental component score of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) in both groups. Additionally, the external and internal rotation of the shoulder ROM and the SF-36 general health factor increased significantly more in the A group (DSMT group) compared to the B group (SSMT). In conclusion, dynamic stretching plus manual therapy offers the same results as static stretching plus manual therapy, but with additional improvement in internal and external rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

We propose a method to reduce the contact resistivity of titanium silicide (TiSi2) on phosphorus-doped epitaxial silicon by introducing a thin Se layer at the Ti/Si interface. The Se interlayer delays transition from the C49 to the C54 phase and changes the dominant diffusing species of TiSi2 formation from Si to Ti. In addition, the Se interlayer worsens the interface roughness between TiSi2/Si. The contact resistivity of the sample with the Se interlayer improves by one order of magnitude, which is significant. This improvement is attributed to the suppressed diffusion of P and low Schottky barrier height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effects of depression in the relationship between income inequality and satisfaction in life perceived by female fishermen. To verify the purpose of the study, we used data from a survey of 215 female fishermen residing in Jeollanam-do, Korea, conducted at Jeonnam Women's Plaza (now "Foundation of Jeonam Women and Family") in 2016. Hierarchical analysis and Sobel-test using SPSS ver. 21.0 were used in the analysis. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that there is a partial mediating effect of depression in the relationship between income inequality and satisfaction in life. Based on the result, we proposed practical and policy recommendations that can improve the satisfaction of female fishermen in their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we aimed to develop a reliable screening method based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for the detection and quantification of naproxen, methyltestosterone and 17α‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate residues. The target analytes were extracted from samples of eel, flatfish and shrimp using acetonitrile with 1% acetic acid, followed by liquid–liquid purification with n‐hexane. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed‐phase analytical column using 0.1% formic acid containing 10 mm ammonium formate in distilled water (A) and methanol (B) as mobile phases. All the matrix‐matched calibration curves were linear (R2 ≥ 0.99) over the concentration range of the tested analytes. Recovery at three spiking levels (0.005, 0.01 and 0.02 mg/kg) ranged from 68 to 117% with intra‐ and inter‐day precisions <10%. Five market samples for each matrix (eel, flatfish and shrimp) were collected and tested for method application. In summary, the proposed method is feasible to screen and quantify the analytes with high selectivity in aquatic food products meant for human consumption. [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]

Abstract: In this work, a method was developed for the simultaneous determination of residual metoserpate, buquinolate and diclofenac in pork, milk, and eggs. Samples were extracted with 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, defatted with n‐hexane, and filtered prior to analysis using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The analytes were separated on a C18 column using 0.1% acetic acid and methanol as the mobile phase. The matrix‐matched calibration curves showed good linearity over a concentration range of 5–50 ng/g with coefficients of determination (R2) ≥0.991. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies (expressed as recovery percentage values) calculated using three spiking levels (5, 10, and 20 μg/kg) were 80–108.65 and 74.06–107.15%, respectively, and the precisions (expressed as relative standard deviation) were 2.86–13.67 and 0.05–11.74%, respectively, for the tested drugs determined in various matrices. The limits of quantification (1 and 2 μg/kg) were below the uniform residual level (0.01 mg/kg) set for compounds that have no specific maximum residue limit (MRL). The developed method was tested using market samples and none of the target analytes was detected in any of the samples. The validated method proved to be practicable for detection of the tested analytes in pork, milk, and eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have developed an analytical method for the determination of lincomycin, tylosin A and tylosin B residues in royal jelly using liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry analysis. For extraction and purification, we employed 1% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.1  m Na2EDTA solutions along with an Oasis HLB cartridge. The target antibiotics were well separated in a Kinetex EVO C18 reversed‐phase analytical column using a combination of 0.1% formate acid in ultrapure water (A) and acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase. Good linearity was achieved over the tested concentration range (5–50 μg/kg) in matrix‐matched standard calibration. The coefficients of determination (R2) were 0.9933, 0.9933 and 0.996, for tylosin A, tylosin B and lincomycin, respectively. Fortified royal jelly spiked with three different concentrations of the tested antibiotics (5, 10 and 20 μg/kg) yielded recoveries in the range 80.94–109.26% with relative standard deviations ≤4%. The proposed method was applied to monitor 11 brand of royal jelly collected from domestic markets and an imported brand from New Zealand; all the samples tested negative for lincomycin, tylosin A and tylosin B residues. In conclusion, 1% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.1  m Na2EDTA aqueous solvents combined with solid‐phase extraction could effectively complete the sample preparation process for royal jelly before analysis. The developed approach can be applied for a routine analysis of lincomycin, tylosin A and tylosin B residues in royal jelly. [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]

An analytical method was developed for the detection of toldimfos sodium residues in porcine muscle and bovine milk using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The drug was extracted from muscle and milk using 10 m m ammonium formate in acetonitrile and then purified using n-hexane. The drug was well separated on a Luna C18 column using a mixture of 10 m m ammonium formate in ultrapure water (A) and acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase. Good linearity was achieved over the tested concentration range (0.005-0.03 mg/kg) in matrix-matched standard calibration. The determination coefficients ( R 2) were 0.9942 and 0.9898 for muscle and milk, respectively. Fortified porcine muscle and bovine milk contained concentrations equivalent to and twice the limit of quantification (0.005 mg/kg) yielded recoveries in the range of 75.58-89.74% and relative standard deviations of ≤8.87%. Samples collected from large markets located in Seoul, Republic of Korea, tested negative for toldimfos sodium residue. In conclusion, ammonium formate in acetonitrile can effectively extract toldimfos sodium from porcine muscle and bovine milk without solid-phase extraction, which is usually required for cleanup before analysis. This method can be applied for the routine analysis of toldimfos in foods of animal origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

The study of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens has gained momentum due to their remarkable luminogenic properties and applications in mechano-sensors and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this article we have studied three positional isomers (ortho, meta, and para) of phenanthroimidazoles 3a–3c and explored their AIE, mechanochromic and electroluminescence behavior. The phenanthroimidazoles 3a–3c were synthesized by the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of (2-bromo/3-bromo/4-bromo)phenathroimidazoles 2a–2c with 4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenylboronic acid pinacol ester in good yields. The phenanthroimidazoles 3a–3c exhibit strong AIE. The mechanochromic study reveals reversible mechanochromism with good color contrast between blue and green colors. The ortho (3a) and meta (3b) isomers exhibit a grinding induced spectral shift of 98 nm while the para-isomer (3c) exhibits a spectral shift of 43 nm. Moreover, 3a–3c were explored as non-doped blue emitters in efficient organic light-emitting diodes. Among the three emitters, 3c provided a high quantum efficiency of 4.0% in a non-doped blue device. [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]

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]

Bis(phenylsulfone) was developed as a strong electron acceptor of thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters. The connection of two electron withdrawing phenylsulfone moieties through meta-position of phenyl produced the bis(phenylsulfone) acceptor and the strong electron acceptor strength of bis(phenylsulfone) enabled preparation of sky-blue and green thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters in combination with weak carbazole donors. The bis(phenylsulfone) acceptor and carbazole donor combined organic materials performed as thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters with a high quantum efficiency of 18.3%. [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]

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]

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]

Suncheonman Bay, Korea's most representative estuary, is an invasive coastal wetland composed of 22.6 km2 of tidal flats surrounded by the Yeosu and Goheung Peninsulas. In January 2006, this region was registered in the Ramsar Convention list in Korea, representing the first registered wetland. Estuaries are generally known to have high species diversity. In particular, several studies have been conducted on planktonic and epipelic diatoms as primary producers. Suncheonman Bay has already been involved in many biological and geochemical studies, but fossil diatoms have not been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated fossil diatoms in Suncheonman Bay and introduced sub-fossil diatoms recorded in Korea. One sedimentary core has been extracted in 2018. We identified 87 diatom taxa from 52 genera in the SCW03 core sample. Of these, six species represent new records in Korea: Cymatonitzschia marina, Fallacia hodgeana, Navicula mannii, Metascolioneis tumida, Surirella recedens, and Thalassionema synedriforme. These six newly recorded diatom species were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The ecological habitats for all the investigated taxa are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]