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Photonic lanterns (PLs) are tapered waveguides that gradually transition from a multimode fiber geometry to a bundle of single-mode fibers (SMFs). They can efficiently couple multimode telescope light into a multimode fiber entrance at the focal plane and convert it into multiple single-mode beams. Thus, each SMF samples its unique mode (lantern principal mode) of the telescope light in the pupil, analogous to subapertures in aperture masking interferometry (AMI). Coherent imaging with PLs can be enabled by the interference of SMF outputs and applying phase modulation, which can be achieved using a photonic chip beam combiner at the backend (e.g., the ABCD beam combiner). In this study, we investigate the potential of coherent imaging by the interference of SMF outputs of a PL with a single telescope. We demonstrate that the visibilities that can be measured from a PL are mutual intensities incident on the pupil weighted by the cross correlation of a pair of lantern modes. From numerically simulated lantern principal modes of a 6-port PL, we find that interferometric observables using a PL behave similarly to separated-aperture visibilities for simple models on small angular scales (< λ / D) but with greater sensitivity to symmetries and capability to break phase angle degeneracies. Furthermore, we present simulated observations with wave front errors (WFEs) and compare them to AMI. Despite the redundancy caused by extended lantern principal modes, spatial filtering offers stability to WFEs. Our simulated observations suggest that PLs may offer significant benefits in the photon-noise-limited regime and in resolving small angular scales at the low-contrast regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) research is highly dependent on the nature of the data available. With the steady increase of AI applications in the medical field, the demand for quality medical data is increasing significantly. We here describe the development of a platform for providing and sharing digital pathology data to AI researchers, and highlight challenges to overcome in operating a sustainable platform in conjunction with pathologists.Methods: Over 3000 pathological slides from five organs (liver, colon, prostate, pancreas and biliary tract, and kidney) in histologically confirmed tumor cases by pathology departments at three hospitals were selected for the dataset. After digitalizing the slides, tumor areas were annotated and overlaid onto the images by pathologists as the ground truth for AI training. To reduce the pathologists' workload, AI-assisted annotation was established in collaboration with university AI teams.Results: A web-based data sharing platform was developed to share massive pathological image data in 2019. This platform includes 3100 images, and 5 pre-processing algorithms for AI researchers to easily load images into their learning models.Discussion: Due to different regulations among countries for privacy protection, when releasing internationally shared learning platforms, it is considered to be most prudent to obtain consent from patients during data acquisition.Conclusions: Despite limitations encountered during platform development and model training, the present medical image sharing platform can steadily fulfill the high demand of AI developers for quality data. This study is expected to help other researchers intending to generate similar platforms that are more effective and accessible in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An independent determination of H0 is crucial given the growing tension between the Hubble constant, H0, derived locally and that determined from the modeling of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) originating in the early universe. In this work, we present a new determination of H0 using velocities and tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) distances to 33 galaxies located between the Local Group and the Virgo cluster. We use a model of the infall pattern of the local Hubble flow modified by the Virgo mass, which is given as a function of the cosmological constants (H0, ΩΛ), the radius of the zero-velocity surface R0, and the intrinsic velocity dispersion, σv. Fitting velocities and TRGB distances of 33 galaxies to the model, we obtain H0 = 65.8 ± 3.5 (stat) ± 2.4 (sys) km s−1 Mpc−1 and R0 = 6.76 ± 0.35 Mpc. Our local H0 is consistent with the global H0 determined from CMB radiation, showing no tension. In addition, we present new TRGB distances to NGC 4437 and NGC 4592, which are located near the zero-velocity surface: D = 9.28 ± 0.39 Mpc and D = 9.07 ± 0.27 Mpc, respectively. Their spatial separation is 0.29 Mpc, suggesting that they form a physical pair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M64 is a nearby spiral galaxy with a Type III antitruncation component. To trace the origin of the Type III component, we present Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) F606W/F814W photometry of resolved stars in a field located in the outer disk () of M64. At (7 kpc) to the east, we discover a new metal-poor globular cluster (pc and MV = −9.54 ± 0.09 mag), M64-GC1. This is the first globular cluster found in M64. The color–magnitude diagram (CMD) of the resolved stars in M64-GC1 is well matched by 12 Gyr isochrones with [Fe/H] = −1.5 ± 0.2, showing that this cluster belongs to a halo. The CMD of the resolved stars in the entire ACS field shows two distinguishable red giant branches (RGBs): a curved metal-rich RGB and a vertical metal-poor RGB. The metal-rich RGB represents an old metal-rich ([Fe/H] ≈ −0.4) disk population. In contrast, the CMD of the metal-poor RGB stars is very similar to the CMD of M64-GC1, showing that the metal-poor RGB represents a halo population. The radial number-density profile of the metal-rich RGB stars is described by an exponential disk law, while the profile of the metal-poor RGB stars is described by a de Vaucouleurs's law. From these, we conclude that the origin of the Type III component in M64 is a halo that has a much lower metallicity than the disk or bulge population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. Anastrozole competitively inhibits the aromatase enzyme, which synthesizes estrogen. It is used for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. A woman with breast cancer and anastrozole-induced dermatitis is described; the cutaneous side effects associated with aromatase inhibitors are also reviewed. Skin-related adverse events associated with aromatase inhibitor use are uncommon and may be delayed in appearance; the time of onset ranges from less than 5 days to 6 months (median 2 months). They present as either vasculitis, erythema nodosum, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, or other dermatoses. Some patients demonstrate cutaneous lesions at either the original site of the breast malignancy or in areas that were previously treated with surgery or radiotherapy. The skin reactions are usually treated with discontinuation of the aromatase inhibitor; topical corticosteroids or oral corticosteroids or both are also used for some patients. Our patient's drug reaction occurred 2 months after starting the anastrozole and improved after a course of oral and topical corticosteroids. She was able to be switched to an alternate aromatase inhibitor without a recurrence of her adverse skin reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare inflammatory disorder affecting the muscle and skin. DM patients can present with spontaneous muscle hemorrhage, a potentially fatal complication. The best practice for management of hemorrhagic myositis in these patients remains unclear. Here we discuss the case of a patient who presented with progressive muscle weakness and intermittent rash that was diagnosed with dermatomyositis. During admission, she developed spontaneous hemorrhagic myositis of the right pectoralis major treated with surgical evacuation. She also developed a spontaneous left anterior thigh hematoma which was treated conservatively. She recovered and showed no evidence of recurrent bleeding at either location. We performed a literature review and identified ten cases of spontaneous hemorrhage in DM patients, with a 60% mortality rate among reported cases. Given the high mortality rate associated with spontaneous hemorrhage in DM patients, it is important for physicians to be aware of the diagnosis, workup, and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotion dysregulation has been identified as a transdiagnostic mechanism underlying social phobia and depression; however, there is much to learn about how emotion dysregulation leads to these specific outcomes. Thus, this study examined the relationship pattern between anger dysregulation and depression and how it is mediated by social phobia. Anger dysregulation was examined specifically considering anger as a significant emotional feature of both social phobia and depression. The mediation hypothesis within this study was empirically established. The data was drawn from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (2001-2003), in which 2,827 participants met DSM-IV criteria for lifetime major depressive disorder (14.3%), and 1,905 participants met criteria for DSM-IV lifetime social anxiety disorder (9.6%). Among participants, 4,250 (21.5%) reported that they perceived their anger as out of control and either broke items or hit (or tried to hit) others. The mediation hypothesis was tested with logistic regression models. Anger dysregulation was significantly related to social phobia and depression. A significant indirect effect of social phobia was detected through bootstrap analysis, supporting the partial mediation hypothesis. This study represents the first attempt to examine the mediating role of social phobia in the relationship between anger dysregulation and depression. The findings of this study suggest that anger dysregulation may be a transdiagnostic factor across social phobia and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the results of a meta-analysis conducted on the effects of clinical trials in breast cancer screening for African American women between 1997 and 2017.Data Sources: Articles published in English and in the United States, between January 1997 and March 2017, were eligible for inclusion if they (1) conducted psychosocial, behavioral, or educational interventions designed to increase screening mammography rates in predominantly African American women of all ages; (2) utilized a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) design; and (3) reported quantitative screening rates following the intervention.Study Design: Randomized clinical trials on breast cancer screening in African American women, published between January 1997 and March 2017, were selected from database searches.Data Collection Methods: Data collected included effect size of screening versus comparison interventions, intervention characteristics, and a number of study characteristics to explore potential moderators. Search results yielded 327 articles, of which 14 met inclusion criteria and were included in analyses.Principal Findings: Findings indicated that screening interventions for African American women were significantly more likely to result in mammography than control (OR = 1.56 [95 percent CI = 1.27-1.93], p < .0001). Although no patient or study characteristics significantly moderated screening efficacy, the most effective interventions were those specifically tailored to meet the perceived risk of African American women.Conclusions: Screening interventions are at least minimally effective for promoting mammography among African American women, but research in this area is limited to a small number of studies. More research is needed to enhance the efficacy of existing interventions and reduce the high morbidity and mortality rate of this underserved population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying an attachment theoretical perspective, this study examined the relationship pattern between childhood parenting experience and adulthood depression and how it was mediated by anger control. The data were based on the National Comorbidity Study Replication (2001–2003), in which 1,579 participants metDSM-IVcriteria for lifetime major depressive disorder (17%) and 2,242 participants (24.2%) reported that they perceived their anger to be out of control. The mediation hypothesis was tested with logistic regression models. Results showed that childhood parenting experience was significantly related to major depressive disorder and anger control. A significant indirect effect of anger control was detected through bootstrap analysis, supporting the partial mediation hypothesis. This study represents the first attempt to examine the mediating role of anger control in the relationship between early parenting and depressive disorder. The findings of this study suggest that early parenting experience may be an important factor for consideration in research aiming to understand the sequential relationship between anger control and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] Study incorporates flow and personalization into an advertising model. [•] An effective model for smartphone advertising is provided. [•] Purchase intention is positively affected by flow experience and advertising value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, background concentration sites of Deokjeok and Gosan, which were deemed suitable for monitoring the impact of long-range transported air pollutants, were selected. An investigation of the source types of pollutants, their locations, and relative quantitative contributions to the particulate concentrations at both sites using appropriate methodologies to make initial estimations was conducted. Episodic measurements of PM2.5, PM10, and size distribution, along with its ion and carbon components were performed from 2005 to 2007, and a comprehensive analysis of the results was conducted utilizing back trajectory analysis. As for frequency of wind direction, it was quite apparent that the two sites are heavily influenced by air masses originating from the eastern and northern regions of China. For PM2.5 and PM10, the mass concentrations from north and east China were higher than other cases, originating from the ocean. In the northerly-wind case, meteorological properties for Deokjeok and Gosan and the influence of carbon emissions from northwest Korea resulted in a changing of air mass properties during transport. As was the case with mass concentration, the highest contribution for ionic and carbon components of PM2.5 and PM10 for both sites appeared for the westerly wind case. A specially high relative contribution, greater than 1.4 times, was apparent in the secondary aerosol case because of a large influence of long-range transported pollutants from east China. Carbon components exhibited different behaviors for the northerly and westerly wind cases compared with secondary aerosol. The major reason for this discrepancy appears to be the carbon emissions from northwest Korea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study aimed at developing competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the organophosphorus (OP) insecticide fenitrothion using a monoclonal antibody. The hapten used to obtain the antibody had an ideal structural feature that allowed minimal functional group sacrifice. By using the antibody and a coating antigen, a competitive indirect ELISA was developed, which showed an IC50 of 14ngmL−1 with a detection limit of 3.0ngmL−1. A competitive direct ELISA using an enzyme tracer was also developed, which showed an IC50 of 17ngmL−1 with a detection limit of 1.6ngmL−1. The antibodies in both assays showed negligible cross-reactivity with the metabolites of fenitrothion and other OP pesticides except with the insecticides parathion-methyl and parathion-ethyl. Recoveries of fenitrothion from fortified rice and lettuce samples were determined and the bias in the recovery values was rationalized by using the standard curves obtained in the matrix extract. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four haptens of the organophosphorus (OP) insecticide diazinon were synthesized to develop enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for this pesticide. One of them was conjugated to KLH to be used as the immunogen for production of monoclonal antibodies. By using the antibodies and a coating antigen, an indirect competitive ELISA was developed, which showed an IC50 of 4.0ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.7ng/mL. A direct competitive ELISA using an enzyme tracer was also developed, which showed an IC50 of 6.0ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.9ng/mL. The antibodies in both assays showed negligible cross-reactivity with metabolites of diazinon and other OP pesticides. Recovery of diazinon from fortified lettuce and rice samples was satisfactory except at the fortified concentration of 100ppb. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In a previous study of ours, a new synthetic method for haptens of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides, with a spacer arm (aminocarboxylic acid) attached at the thiophosphate group, was developed and applied to the synthesis of haptens for the OP insecticide fenthion. Polyclonal antibodies were obtained from the haptens that were conjugated to carrier proteins. In this study, the effect of hapten heterology on immunoassay sensitivity was investigated using the antibodies and several plate-coating haptens with different types of heterology. The findings were that the degree of hapten heterology parallels the degree of sensitivity. Using the most suitable plate-coating antigen, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for fenthion was developed. The IC50 value of fenthion, under optimum conditions, was estimated to be 16 ng/ml with a detection limit of 1 ng/ml. The antibodies showed negligible cross-reactivity with other OP pesticides except with the insecticide fenitrothion. Recoveries of fenthion from fortified rice and vegetable samples ranged between 85 and 113%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The synthetic method for haptens of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides with a spacer arm (amino carboxylic acid) attached at the pesticide thiophosphate group was simplified to a large extent. While the previous synthetic approach for this type of haptens requires seven steps, the present process involves only two steps. Using this process, five haptens of fenthion differing in spacer arm length (4–8 atoms) were synthesized and they were conjugated to bovine serum albumin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin to be used as immunogens. Rabbits were immunized with these hapten–protein conjugates for production of polyclonal antibodies against fenthion. The five haptens were conjugated to ovalbumin to be used as plate-coating antigens and twenty polyclonal antisera to the haptens were screened against each of the five coating antigens using noncompetitive and competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The titer difference between the homologous and heterologous combinations was small, suggesting that heterology in spacer arm length is not important for the antigen recognition by antibodies. While the heterology in spacer length of the coating antigen had no significant effect on the sensitivity of ELISA, heterology in spacer structure of the coating antigen produced a remarkable improvement in the sensitivity of ELISA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The Pathology Artificial Intelligence Platform (PAIP) is a free research support platform. • The PAIP Liver Cancer Segmentation Challenge, Task 1 Liver Cancer Segmentation and Task 2 Viable Tumor Burden Estimation. • Most top-performing methods used deep convolutional networks (such as U-Net) with multi-scale ensemble methods. Pathology Artificial Intelligence Platform (PAIP) is a free research platform in support of pathological artificial intelligence (AI). The main goal of the platform is to construct a high-quality pathology learning data set that will allow greater accessibility. The PAIP Liver Cancer Segmentation Challenge, organized in conjunction with the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention Society (MICCAI 2019), is the first image analysis challenge to apply PAIP datasets. The goal of the challenge was to evaluate new and existing algorithms for automated detection of liver cancer in whole-slide images (WSIs). Additionally, the PAIP of this year attempted to address potential future problems of AI applicability in clinical settings. In the challenge, participants were asked to use analytical data and statistical metrics to evaluate the performance of automated algorithms in two different tasks. The participants were given the two different tasks: Task 1 involved investigating Liver Cancer Segmentation and Task 2 involved investigating Viable Tumor Burden Estimation. There was a strong correlation between high performance of teams on both tasks, in which teams that performed well on Task 1 also performed well on Task 2. After evaluation, we summarized the top 11 team's algorithms. We then gave pathological implications on the easily predicted images for cancer segmentation and the challenging images for viable tumor burden estimation. Out of the 231 participants of the PAIP challenge datasets, a total of 64 were submitted from 28 team participants. The submitted algorithms predicted the automatic segmentation on the liver cancer with WSIs to an accuracy of a score estimation of 0.78. The PAIP challenge was created in an effort to combat the lack of research that has been done to address Liver cancer using digital pathology. It remains unclear of how the applicability of AI algorithms created during the challenge can affect clinical diagnoses. However, the results of this dataset and evaluation metric provided has the potential to aid the development and benchmarking of cancer diagnosis and segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sense of control is known to be related to depression. Yet, few studies have examined the role of sense of control as related to depression for discharged psychiatric patients. In this study the longitudinal relationship between sense of control and depressive mood was examined using the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study, a 6-wave, 1-year study of 948 ethnically diverse postdischarge psychiatric patients. Sense of control was decomposed into 2 components (i.e., a time-invariant as well as a time-varying component) and so as to examine which component of sense of control would more accurately explain this relationship. Results demonstrated that time-varying sense of control significantly predicted changes in depressive mood during the transition to community environment. Time-invariant sense of control, however, was not significantly related to changes in depressive mood. Findings of this study hold important implications for intervention practice with people before or after psychiatric discharge, including the need for incorporation of therapeutic and psychoeducational efforts that bolster sense of control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Break-induced replication (BIR) has been implicated in restoring eroded telomeres and collapsed replication forks via single-ended invasion and extensive DNA synthesis on the recipient chromosome. Unlike other recombination subtypes, DNA synthesis in BIR likely relies heavily on mechanisms enabling efficient fork progression such as chromatin modification. Herein we report that deletion of HST3 and HST4, two redundant de-acetylases of histone H3 Lysine 56 (H3K56), inhibits BIR, sensitizes checkpoint deficient cells to deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate pool depletion, and elevates translocation-type gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCR). The basis for deficiency in BIR and gene conversion with long gap synthesis in hst3Δ hst4Δ cells can be traced to a defect in extensive DNA synthesis. Distinct from other cellular defects associated with deletion of HST3 and HST4 including thermo-sensitivity and elevated spontaneous mutagenesis, the BIR defect in hst3Δ hst4Δ cannot be offset by the deletion of RAD17 or MMS22, but rather by the loss of RTT109 or ASF1, or in combination with the H3K56R mutation, which also restores tolerance to replication stress in mrc1 mutants. Our studies suggest that acetylation of H3K56 limits extensive repair synthesis and interferes with efficient fork progression in BIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In our previous study, polyclonal antibodies against the organophosphorus insecticide isofenphos were generated and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for this pesticide were developed. In this study, isofenphos ELISAs with higher performance were developed by using a monoclonal antibody and a larger number of immunoreagents. Using the antibody and a coating antigen, an indirect competitive ELISA for isofenphos was developed, which showed an IC50 value of 35ng/mL with a detection limit of 5.8ng/mL. A direct competitive ELISA using an enzyme tracer was also developed, which showed an IC50 value of 26ng/mL with a detection limit of 4.8ng/mL. The antibodies in both assays showed negligible cross-reactivity with other OP pesticides. Recoveries of isofenphos from fortified rice and lettuce samples ranged 30–328 and 52–197%, respectively. The bias in the recovery values was rationalized by using the standard curves obtained in the matrix extract. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There is an ongoing debate on whether feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can effectively regulate the star formation activities in their host galaxies. To investigate the feedback effect of AGN-driven outflows, we perform integral-field spectroscopic observations of 40 moderate-luminosity (erg s−1) Type-2 AGNs at z < 0.1, which present strong outflow signatures in the integrated [O iii ] kinematics. Based on the radial profile of the normalized [O iii ] velocity dispersion by stellar velocity dispersion, we measure the kinematic outflow size and extend the kinematic outflow size–luminosity relation reported in Kang & Woo into a wider luminosity range (over four orders of magnitude in [O iii ] luminosity). The shallow slope of the kinematic outflow size–luminosity relation indicates that while ionizing photons can reach out further, kinetic energy transfer is much less efficient due to various effects, demonstrating the importance of kinematical analysis in quantifying the outflow size and energetics. By comparing the outflow kinematics with the host galaxy properties, we find that AGNs with strong outflows have higher star formation rate and higher H i gas fraction than those AGNs with weak outflows. These results suggest that the current feedback from AGN-driven outflows do not instantaneously suppress or quench the star formation in the host galaxies while its effect is delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Generation of 32 zebrafish mutants related to DNA repair genes through multiplexed CRISPR mutagenesis. • Characterization of the mutant phenotypes was performed based on embryogenesis, growth, sex development, hematopoiesis and DNA damage sensitivity. • Among 32 mutant reagents, 18 homozygous mutants display defects at distinct developmental stages. A systematic knowledge of the roles of DNA repair genes at the level of the organism has been limited due to the lack of appropriate experimental approaches using animal model systems. Zebrafish has become a powerful vertebrate genetic model system with availability due to the ease of genome editing and large-scale phenotype screening. Here, we generated zebrafish mutants for 32 DNA repair and replication genes through multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis. Large-scale phenotypic characterization of our mutant collection revealed that three genes (atad5a , ddb1, pcna) are essential for proper embryonic development and hematopoiesis; seven genes (apex1 , atrip , ino80 , mre11a , shfm1 , telo2 , wrn) are required for growth and development during juvenile stage and six genes (blm , brca2 , fanci, rad51 , rad54l , rtel1) play critical roles in sex development. Furthermore, mutation in six genes (atad5a , brca2 , polk , rad51 , shfm1 , xrcc1) displayed hypersensitivity to DNA damage agents. Our zebrafish mutant collection provides a unique resource for understanding of the roles of DNA repair genes at the organismal level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Determination of the chemical compositions of atmospheric single particles in the Yellow Sea region is critical for evaluating the environmental impact caused by air pollutants emitted from mainland China and the Korean peninsula. After ambient aerosol particles were collected by the Dekati PM10 cascade impactor on July 17–23, 2007 at Tokchok Island (approximately 50 km west of the Korean coast nearby Seoul), Korea, overall 2000 particles (on stage 2 and 3 with cut-off diameters of 2.5–10 μm and 1.0–2.5 μm, respectively) in 10 samples were determined by using low-Z particle electron probe X-ray microanalysis. X-ray spectral and secondary electron image (SEI) data showed that soil-derived and sea-salt particles which had reacted or were mixed with SO2 and NO x (or their acidic products) outnumbered the primary and “genuine” ones (59.2% vs. 19.2% in the stage 2 fraction and 41.3% vs. 9.9% in the stage 3 fraction). Moreover, particles containing nitrate in the secondary soil-derived species greatly outnumbered those containing sulfate. Organic particles, mainly consisting of marine biogenic species, were more abundant in the stage 2 fraction than in the stage 3 fraction (11.6% vs. 5.1%). Their relative abundance was greater than the sum of carbon-rich, K-containing, Fe-containing, and fly ash particles, which exhibited low frequencies in all the samples. In addition, many droplets rich in C, N, O, and S were observed. They tended to be small, exhibiting a dark round shape on SEI, and generally included 8–20 at.% C, 0–12 at.% N, 60–80 at.% O, and 4–10 at.% S (sometimes with <3 at.% Mg and Na). They were attributed to be a mixture of carbonaceous matter, H2SO4, and NH4HSO4/(NH4)2SO4, mostly from the reaction of atmospheric SO2 with NH3 under high relative humidity. The analysis of the relationship between the aerosol particle compositions and 72-h backward air-mass trajectories suggests that ambient aerosols at Tokchok Island are strongly affected not only by seawater from the Yellow Sea but also by anthropogenic pollutants emitted from China and the Seoul–Incheon metropolis, resulting in the dominance of complex secondary aerosol particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, we identified and characterized a mouse brain-enriched unigene (msvop) after performing digital differential display. Msvop was the mouse ortholog of Xenopus synaptic vesicle-2-associated protein (svop), the molecular characteristics of which were unknown. The 3125-bp full-length cDNA encoded a 548-aa protein of approximately 60 kDa. A strong promoter element was found in the −200 to −100 bp region in both NG108-15 and HEK293 cells. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analysis confirmed that msvop was strictly expressed in the mouse central nervous system. In adult brains, msvop was highly expressed in the hippocampus and cerebellum. When the gene was transfected into HEK293 cells in a GFP fusion vector, the protein was specifically localized in the cytosol. These results indicate that msvop is a central nervous system-specific gene and could be utilized for elucidating gene regulation in neuronal cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A simple synthetic method for haptens of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides with a spacer arm (aminocarboxylic acid) attached at the pesticide thiophosphate group was developed. While the previous synthetic approach for this type of haptens requires seven steps, the present method involves only two steps. Using this method, five haptens of fenitrothion were synthesized and two of them were conjugated to proteins to be used as immunogens for production of polyclonal antibodies. Using the antibodies and a coating antigen, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for fenitrothion was developed, which showed an IC50 of 3.7 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL. A direct competitive ELISA using an enzyme tracer was also developed, which showed an IC50 of 5.6 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.4 ng/mL. The antibodies in both assays showed negligible cross-reactivity with other OP pesticides except with the insecticide parathion-methyl only in the direct ELISA. Recoveries of fenitrothion from fortified lettuce and rice samples ranged 84–116 and 100–121%, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]