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In the present study, dust concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were analysed for nine animal welfare barns on seven pig farms in Baden-Württemberg, comparatively for summer and winter. In two farms, two identical barns were investigated, all other barns were structurally different. The dust measurements were carried out at three measuring positions (M1, M2, M3) in the barn, as well as in winter and in summer. The measurements showed differences in dust concentrations in all barns. The comparison of dust concentrations within the farms showed, with one exception, higher dust concentrations in winter than in summer (for PM 2.5 and PM 10; significant for two farms). Further, differences for both fractions were shown in the interaction between measurement positions and season. The inter-farm comparison of the data showed, among others, a significant impact of the measurement position on the concentration of PM 2.5 (p = 0.0048) and PM 10 (p = 0.0131) as well as a highly significant impact of the outdoor temperature (p < 0.0001) on both dust fractions. Additionally, the number of animals (p = 0.0008) and the number of daily feedings (p < 0.0001) were identified as influencing factors on the dust concentration of PM 2.5. This study highlights the relevance of further studies on dust exposure in freely ventilated pig barns with straw bedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular doping is an extremely useful approach for the optoelectronic properties tuning of organic materials, particularly crystalline luminescent semiconductors. Usually, dopant materials with good luminescence properties are used to improve the optoelectronic properties of host materials. However, the host-dopant compatibility and their selection criteria remain unclear. It is generally considered that the host and dopant should have a "similar" structure, which does not allow one to perform a thorough systematic design and choice of materials for obtaining low-defect doped organic semiconductors. Herein, we report a systematic experimental study coupled with existing literature data on host-dopant compatibility in a series of symmetric linear conjugated small molecules. Molecular planarity, short molecular axis and side polar substituents were demonstrated to be critical for successful host–guest molecular doping. Heterocyclic unit type and arrangement, molecular long axis, conjugation chain length and terminal substituents were demonstrated to not affect the host-dopant compatibility. An elaborated molecular doping guide is highly demanded for the systematic smart design of novel doped high-performance luminescent organic semiconductor materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linearly conjugated oligomers attract ever‐growing attention as promising systems for organic optoelectronics because of their inherent lucky combination of high charge mobility and bright luminescence. Among them, furan‐phenylene co‐oligomers (FPCOs) are distinguished by outstanding solubility, very bright luminescence, and good hole‐transport properties; however, furan‐containing organic semiconductors generally lack electron transport, which makes it impossible to utilize them in efficient light‐emitting electronic devices, specifically, ambipolar light‐emitting transistors. In this work, 1,4‐bis(5‐phenylfuran‐2‐yl)benzene (FP5) derivatives are synthesized with the fully/partially fluorinated central and edge phenyl rings. It is shown that the selective fluorination of FPCOs lowers the energies of frontier molecular orbitals, maintaining the bandgap, solubility, and bright luminescence, dramatically improves the photostability, tunes the π‐π stacked packing, and allows the first realization of electron transport in FPCOs. It is found that selectively fluorinated 2,2′‐(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐1,4‐phenylene)bis[5‐(3,5‐difluorophenyl)furan] demonstrates well‐balanced ambipolar charge transport and efficient electroluminescence in an organic light‐emitting transistor (OLET) with external quantum and luminous efficiencies as high as 0.63% and 5 cdA−1, respectively, which are among the best reported for OLETs. The findings show that "smart" fluorination is a powerful tool to fine‐tune the stability and performance of linearly conjugated small molecules for organic optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials find their applications in organic optoelectronics, bio-imaging and sensors. In this work, we introduced alkyl substituents in AIE-active bis(4-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)phenyl)thiophene and elucidated their effect on the molecular and crystal structures, crystallization and optical properties of materials. Ethyl-containing (C2-BFMPT) and octyl-containing (C8-BFMPT) 2,5-bis(4-((2,7-dialkyl-9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)phenyl)thiophenes were synthesized in 4 steps. The introduction of alkyl groups weakened intermolecular interactions, decreased the crystal quality, melting point, and density, and increased the solubility of materials. Octyl-containing derivative was demonstrated to generate two crystal forms obtained by the native (form I) and additive-assisted (form II) crystallizations. The latter appeared to have a better crystal quality. C–H⋯π interactions and an extensive positional disorder were revealed for both derivatives. In C8-BFMPT crystals (form II) only a half of molecular backbones were well localized due to multiple intermolecular C–H⋯π interactions, whereas another half demonstrated a high positional disorder. The AIE effect with a negligible photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) in solution and a PL QY of 5% for C2-BFMPT and 2% for C8-BFMPT (form II) crystals was demonstrated. The cooling of the C8-BFMPT form II resulted in 10-fold increase of PL QY. The introduction of alkyl-substituents and additive-assisted crystallization are highlighted as powerful tools for the control of crystal packing, morphology, polymorphism and the optical performance of AIE-materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

facile procedure for the synthesis of new aminobisphosphonate building blocks has been developed. The latter were used in the preparation of conjugates with ursolic, betulonic, betulinic, folic acids, and trolox--the promising antitumor agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different synthetic approaches to fluorescent 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole 1-oxide aldonitrones that are of potential interest as spin traps are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Enhydroxylaminones—2,2-dimethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrrol-3-on-1-oxides were shown to give various chlorinated products in the Vilsmeier–Haack reaction. The general sequence of the reaction steps is determined and the extent of the reaction was shown to be strongly dependent on the substrate structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The title compound was synthesized by Ullmann cross‐coupling in low yield as the first representative of [n]phenylene containing hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon rings. Stille/Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions, as well as substitution of fluorine in suitable starting compounds, failed to give the same product. The geometric and electronic structures of the title compound were studied by X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory calculations, together with Hirshfeld surface and reduced density gradient analyses. The crystal structure features head‐to‐tail π‐stacking and other fluorine‐related secondary bonding interactions. From the nucleus‐independent chemical shifts descriptor, the four‐membered ring of the title compound is antiaromatic, and the six‐membered rings are aromatic. The Janus molecule is highly polarized; and the six‐membered fluoro‐ and hydrocarbon rings are Lewis π‐acidic and π‐basic, respectively. The electrochemically‐generated radical cation of the title compound is long‐lived as characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance, whereas the radical anion is unstable in solution. The title compound reveals electrical properties of an insulator. On expanding its molecular scaffold towards partially fluorinated [n]phenylenes (n≥2), the properties presumably can be transformed into those of semiconductors. In this context, the title compound is suggested as a prototype scaffold for ambipolar materials for organic electronics and spintronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly-emissive mechanofluorochromic (MFC) organic solids changing their emission colors upon exposure to mechanical stimuli are highly demanded for various practical applications. In this work we introduced a planarizable by intramolecular N⋯H bond 2-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)pyridine fragment featuring an Aggregation-Induced Emission Enhancement and, particularly, MFC property for its bithiophene derivative. A two compounds, 2-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)-5-(5-phenylthiophen-2-yl)pyridine (FTP) and 2-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)-5-([2,2′-bithiophen]-5-yl)pyridine (FTT) were synthesized and fully characterized. In liquid solution both compounds are low emissive, however in the solid state they exhibit the photoluminescence quantum yield of 33% and 13% for FTP and FTT, respectively. Remarkably, the powder of FTT demonstrates a self-reversible mechanofluorochromism: the emission spectrum red-shifts after the grinding or pressurization and it recovers during one-day of storage without any treatment. The powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry revealed the reversible phase transition under temperature and mechanic stimuli. Analysis of molecular structure shows that in the gas phase FTT has a planar geometry while in the solid state it loses the flatness due to the crystal environment. Our results speak in favor of the increase of FTT planarity under the pressure to be responsible for the observed mechanofluorochromism. Image 1 • We introduce 2-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)pyridine (F) moiety for proper design of new materials. • Thiophenyl-phenylenе FTP derivative exhibits Aggregation-Induced Emission. • Bi-thiophenyl derivative (FTT) demonstrates a self-reversible mechanofluorochromism. • Pressure-induced planarization of FTT molecule in crystal is the origin of mechanofluorochromism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polycyclic oxygen-containing spiro-heterocycles 6-oxa-2,9-diazadispiro[4.1.4.1]dodeca-1,8-diene-4,11-dione 2,9-dioxide and 3,3a,6,6a-tetrahydrospiro(furo[2,3-c]pyrrole-2,3’-pyrrol)-4’(5’H)-one 1’,5-dioxide were formed in the reactions of 2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrrol-3-one 1-oxide with benzaldehyde. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article explores the distribution and composition of the ferritin complex in the adult brain and its connection to neuroferritinopathy (NF), a type of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). NF is characterized by symptoms like movement disturbances and tremors. The study identifies a novel variant in the ferritin heavy chain gene (FTH1) that is associated with NF and provides insights into the role of ferritin in both healthy and diseased brains. The authors, a diverse group of researchers, present their findings in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner, making this report a valuable resource for library patrons researching this topic. [Extracted from the article]

Systemic immune cell dysfunction is a typical feature of liver diseases and increases the risk of bacterial infection, especially spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. We evaluated functional properties of neutrophil granulocytes in blood and ascites of patients both with and without decompensated cirrhosis. We collected blood and ascites samples from 63 patients with cirrhosis and eight without cirrhosis. Phagocytosis activity (PA) and oxidative burst activity (OBA) were evaluated after ex vivo stimulation with E. coli, while fluorescence signals were measured by flow cytometry. Ascites' neutrophil function tests were repeated after incubation with autologous plasma. Ascites' neutrophils showed an impaired PA and OBA (median blood PA 98.1% (86.8-99.8) vs. ascites' PA 50.5% (0.4-97.3), p < 0.0001; median blood OBA 98.7% (27.5-100) vs. ascites' OBA 27.5% (0.3-96.7), p < 0.0001). Patients with non-cirrhotic ascites showed higher PA but equally suppressed OBA. Ascites' neutrophil function could be partially restored after incubation with autologous plasma (median increase PA: 22.5% (−49.7 - +93.2), p = 0.002; OBA: 22.8% (−10.4 - +48.8), p = 0.002). Ascites' neutrophils of patients with cirrhosis are functionally impaired, but could be partially restored after incubation with plasma. Further investigations are needed to identify the factors in ascites that are associated with neutrophils' function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To evaluate the impact of the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in Berkeley, California, which became the first US jurisdiction to implement such a tax ($0.01/oz) in March 2015. Methods. We used a repeated cross-sectional design to examine changes in pre- to posttax beverage consumption in low-income neighborhoods in Berkeley versus in the comparison cities of Oakland and San Francisco, California. A beverage frequency questionnaire was interviewer administered to 990 participants before the tax and 1689 after the tax (approximately 8 months after the vote and 4 months after implementation) to examine relative changes in consumption. Results. Consumption of SSBs decreased 21% in Berkeley and increased 4% in comparison cities (P = .046). Water consumption increased more in Berkeley (+63%) than in comparison cities (+19%; P < .01). Conclusions. Berkeley's excise tax reduced SSB consumption in low-income neighborhoods. Evaluating SSB taxes in other cities will improve understanding of their public health benefit and their generalizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 forced California Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) to suddenly shift planned strategies to meet SNAP-eligible population needs. K-12 schools, important SNAP-Ed partners for reaching children and families, were profoundly affected. Most (77%) local health departments (LHDs) reported they were unable to accomplish previously planned activities at school sites in 2020. To understand pandemic-related changes to school-based SNAP-Ed and identify areas of opportunity. We conducted secondary mixed-methods analyses of California LHDs' school-based SNAP-Ed activity and needs assessment data from fiscal years 2020-2021. Outcomes include number and type of SNAP-Ed programs that were halted or newly implemented, number of participants reached, policies, systems, and environmental change strategies (PSEs) adopted, new methods of education delivery, and extent to which schools implemented nutrition and physical activity (Nut-PA) best practices. Qualitative analysis examined COVID-19-related barriers and facilitators to SNAP-Ed implementation. In 2020, 270 PSE interventions were initiated in schools; 21% were discontinued and 12% were created in response to COVID. New opportunities included using school meal distributions to provide free groceries, home gardening kits, and brief face-to-face nutrition education. Many LHDs transitioned to virtual Nut-PA education, increasing SNAP-Ed participant reach. In Fall 2020, as schools adjusted to alternative learning models, school-level assessments of Nut-PA practices indicated the most common area of opportunity was nutrition education. Over 75% of schools reported that PSE strategies requiring on-site/in-person implementation, such as improving lunchroom facilities, were not feasible. Facilitators of SNAP-Ed implementation included community support and strong partnerships between schools, community-based organizations, and SNAP-Ed implementing agencies; barriers included regulations and staff turnover. SNAP-Ed programs nationwide can continue to serve SNAP-eligible children and families during crises like COVID-19 by partnering with schools and other community organizations. These partners identified the nutrition and physical activity needs of a community and the best practices to address them. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Reaching preschool-aged children to establish healthy lifestyle habits, including physical activity, is an important component of obesity prevention efforts. However, few studies have examined family child care homes where nearly 1 million children receive care.Study Design: A pre- and post-intervention evaluation without a control group was conducted to evaluate what changes occurred in family child care homes that participated in the Healthy Eating and Active Living project, a multicomponent obesity prevention initiative, focused on community-driven policy and environmental change in neighborhoods within Kaiser Permanente service areas.Setting/participants: From 2012 to 2014, a total of 17 family child care homes in Northern California participated in the intervention.Intervention: A physical activity workshop for child care staff and technical assistance to develop a policy to promote physical activity and other healthy behaviors.Main Outcome Measures: Pre and post observations, questionnaires, and physical activity logs were completed to assess change in physical activity resources available in the family child care homes, the amount of child screen time offered, type and amount of physical activity offered to children, and implementation of physical activity best practices.Results: Between baseline and follow-up, providers significantly increased both the number of structured, adult-led activities (2.6 vs 3.2 activities per day) and the number of structured, adult-led minutes of activity in which children participated (49 vs 83 minutes per day). Providers also improved screen time practices and made improvements to the physical activity environment.Conclusions: In this study, a community-based organization designed and implemented multicomponent strategies tailored for participating family child care homes. The successful implementation of the intervention likely contributed to implementation of practices that increased opportunities for physical activity for the young children attending these family child care homes.Supplement Information: This article is part of a supplement entitled Building Thriving Communities Through Comprehensive Community Health Initiatives, which is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Community Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: From 2012 to 2014, a total of 17 family child care homes participated in a multisector, community-wide initiative to prevent obesity. Strategies included staff workshops, materials, site visits, and technical assistance regarding development and implementation of nutrition policies. The purpose of the evaluation was to examine the impact of the initiative on family child care home nutrition-related policies and practices and child dietary intake.Study Design: Pre- and post-intervention without control group. Measures taken at baseline and follow-up included structured observations and questionnaires regarding nutrition policies, practices, and environments; documentation of lunch foods served on 5 days; and lunch plate waste observations on 2 days. Paired t-tests were used to determine the significance of change over time.Setting/participants: Seventeen family child care homes in a low-income diverse community in Northern California; children aged 2-5 years who attended the family child care homes.Main Outcome Measures: Change in nutrition-related policies and practices, lunch foods served and consumed.Results: Data was collected at 17 sites for an average of 5.2 children aged 2-5 years per site per day at baseline and 4.6 at follow-up for a total of 333 plate waste observations. There were significant increases in staff training, parental involvement, and several of the targeted nutrition-related practices; prevalence of most other practices either improved or was maintained over time. There were significant increases in the number of sites meeting Child and Adult Care Food Program meal guidelines, variety of fruit and frequency of vegetables offered, and reductions in frequency of juice and high-fat processed meats offered. Adequate portions of all food groups were consumed at both time points with no significant change over time.Conclusions: A simple, policy-focused intervention by a child care resource and referral agency was successful at reinforcing and improving upon nutrition-related practices at family child care homes. Children consumed adequate, but not excessive, portions of the balanced meals served to them, suggesting there is no reason to offer unhealthy options.Supplement Information: This article is part of a supplement entitled Building Thriving Communities Through Comprehensive Community Health Initiatives, which is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Community Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heteroaryl-containing co-oligomers are considered among the most promising materials for organic optoelectronics. In this work we synthesized a series of linear furan/phenylene co-oligomers (FPs) with different molecular length and studied their structure, luminescence and charge transport properties. The X-ray diffraction experiments revealed the higher distortion of molecular planarity for the longer FPs which is assigned to the crystal environment effect. All FPs demonstrated stability and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) both in solution and vapor-grown single crystals. The absolute PL QY as high as 70% was demonstrated for FP6 single crystal. The top-contact top-gate organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) demonstrated virtually the same mobility ∼0.35 cm 2 /Vs for a FPs with different conjugation chain. However the threshold voltage for the studied OFETs was demonstrated to be significantly reduced for a co-oligomer FP7 with longer conjugation chain. Thus we conclude that the increase of conjugation chain for co-oligomers does not benefit an increase of charge carrier mobility but improve the crystal/dielectric interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being one of the most studied proteases in bacteria, very little is known about the role of Clp XP in mitochondria. We now present evidence that mammalian CLPP has an essential role in determining the rate of mitochondrial protein synthesis by regulating the level of mitoribosome assembly. Through a proteomic approach and the use of a catalytically inactive CLPP, we produced the first comprehensive list of possible mammalian Clp XP substrates involved in the regulation of mitochondrial translation, oxidative phosphorylation, and a number of metabolic pathways. We further show that the defect in mitoribosomal assembly is a consequence of the accumulation of ERAL1, a putative 12S rRNA chaperone, and novel Clp XP substrate. The presented data suggest that the timely removal of ERAL1 from the small ribosomal subunit is essential for the efficient maturation of the mitoribosome and a normal rate of mitochondrial translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although mitochondrial dysfunction is often accompanied by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, we previously showed that an increase in random somatic mtDNA mutations does not result in increased oxidative stress. Normal levels of ROS and oxidative stress could also be a result of an active compensatory mechanism such as a mild increase in proton leak. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was proposed to play such a role in many physiological situations. However, we show that upregulation of UCP2 in mtDNA mutator mice is not associated with altered proton leak kinetics or ROS production, challenging the current view on the role of UCP2 in energy metabolism. Instead, our results argue that high UCP2 levels allow better utilization of fatty acid oxidation resulting in a beneficial effect on mitochondrial function in heart, postponing systemic lactic acidosis and resulting in longer lifespan in these mice. This study proposes a novel mechanism for an adaptive response to mitochondrial cardiomyopathy that links changes in metabolism to amelioration of respiratory chain deficiency and longer lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth discharged from a short-term residential facility and reunified with their parents were contacted at least one year after discharge to determine whether or not they had a disruption in their placement since reunification. Follow-up intervals of 149 youth contacted (82% of the eligible sample) ranged from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 30 months post-discharge. Differences in the time to placement disruption were analyzed using survival analysis techniques. After controlling for adjustment differences during the treatment program, youth behavior problems, and family problems, a significant interaction of youth age and treatment intensity was found: Compared to the others, younger youth who received additional treatment components had placement disruptions later and less frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction From 2012 to 2014, a total of 17 family child care homes participated in a multisector, community-wide initiative to prevent obesity. Strategies included staff workshops, materials, site visits, and technical assistance regarding development and implementation of nutrition policies. The purpose of the evaluation was to examine the impact of the initiative on family child care home nutrition-related policies and practices and child dietary intake. Study design Pre- and post-intervention without control group. Measures taken at baseline and follow-up included structured observations and questionnaires regarding nutrition policies, practices, and environments; documentation of lunch foods served on 5 days; and lunch plate waste observations on 2 days. Paired t -tests were used to determine the significance of change over time. Setting/participants Seventeen family child care homes in a low-income diverse community in Northern California; children aged 2–5 years who attended the family child care homes. Main outcome measures Change in nutrition-related policies and practices, lunch foods served and consumed. Results Data was collected at 17 sites for an average of 5.2 children aged 2–5 years per site per day at baseline and 4.6 at follow-up for a total of 333 plate waste observations. There were significant increases in staff training, parental involvement, and several of the targeted nutrition-related practices; prevalence of most other practices either improved or was maintained over time. There were significant increases in the number of sites meeting Child and Adult Care Food Program meal guidelines, variety of fruit and frequency of vegetables offered, and reductions in frequency of juice and high-fat processed meats offered. Adequate portions of all food groups were consumed at both time points with no significant change over time. Conclusions A simple, policy-focused intervention by a child care resource and referral agency was successful at reinforcing and improving upon nutrition-related practices at family child care homes. Children consumed adequate, but not excessive, portions of the balanced meals served to them, suggesting there is no reason to offer unhealthy options. Supplement information This article is part of a supplement entitled Building Thriving Communities Through Comprehensive Community Health Initiatives, which is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Community Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Reaching preschool-aged children to establish healthy lifestyle habits, including physical activity, is an important component of obesity prevention efforts. However, few studies have examined family child care homes where nearly 1 million children receive care. Study design A pre- and post-intervention evaluation without a control group was conducted to evaluate what changes occurred in family child care homes that participated in the Healthy Eating and Active Living project, a multicomponent obesity prevention initiative, focused on community-driven policy and environmental change in neighborhoods within Kaiser Permanente service areas. Setting/participants From 2012 to 2014, a total of 17 family child care homes in Northern California participated in the intervention. Intervention A physical activity workshop for child care staff and technical assistance to develop a policy to promote physical activity and other healthy behaviors. Main outcome measures Pre and post observations, questionnaires, and physical activity logs were completed to assess change in physical activity resources available in the family child care homes, the amount of child screen time offered, type and amount of physical activity offered to children, and implementation of physical activity best practices. Results Between baseline and follow-up, providers significantly increased both the number of structured, adult-led activities (2.6 vs 3.2 activities per day) and the number of structured, adult-led minutes of activity in which children participated (49 vs 83 minutes per day). Providers also improved screen time practices and made improvements to the physical activity environment. Conclusions In this study, a community-based organization designed and implemented multicomponent strategies tailored for participating family child care homes. The successful implementation of the intervention likely contributed to implementation of practices that increased opportunities for physical activity for the young children attending these family child care homes. Supplement information This article is part of a supplement entitled Building Thriving Communities Through Comprehensive Community Health Initiatives, which is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Community Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]