Reversibly photoswitchable 1,2‐bis(2‐ethyl‐6‐phenyl‐1‐benzothiophene‐1,1‐dioxide‐3‐yl)perfluorocyclopentenes (EBT) having fluorescent “closed” forms were decorated with four or eight carboxylic groups and attached to antibodies. Low aggregation, efficient photoswitching in aqueous buffers, specific staining of cellular structures, and good photophysical properties were demonstrated. Alternating light pulses of UV and blue light induce numerous reversible photochemical transformations between two stables states with distinct structures. Using relatively low light intensities, EBTs were applied in biology‐related super‐resolution microscopy based on the reversible saturable (switchable) optical linear fluorescence transitions (RESOLFT) and demonstrated optical resolution of 75 nm.

Large numbers of studies, mostly from the U.S., have addressed the effects of parental separation and divorce, pointing to disadvantages of children and adolescents growing up in separated families. However, evidence on this topic varies across countries and is limited for Germany. Using longitudinal data from waves 1 and 3 of the German Family Panel pairfam, we investigated differences in adolescents’ well-being by comparing stable nuclear families (n = 1968), single mother families (n = 360), and stepfather families (n = 214), as well as an additional smaller group of adolescents whose parents separated between waves 1 and 3 (“prospective separators”; n = 76). Adolescents’ satisfaction with different domains of life (family, education/work, and their general life satisfaction) as well as their self-esteem were used as indicators of well-being. A series of multiple regression analyses tested the effects of family structure on well-being at T1 and changes in well-being over time, controlling for various background factors. Furthermore, likely mediation effects of infrequent contact to the non-resident father and economic strain were tested. The findings show (relatively minor) effects of parental separation, namely lower well-being among youth1 in single mother families compared to nuclear families. Disadvantages of youth in single mother families could only be partly explained by the higher financial strain generally experienced in these families. Youth in stepfather families reported a similar overall well-being as adolescents in nuclear families, but indicated a greater decrease in family satisfaction over time. Pre-separation disadvantages among prospective separators were limited to greater dissatisfaction with school. Infrequent contact with the non-resident father did not affect adolescents’ well-being. Effects of family structure did not differ between boys and girls, but maternal education moderated the effects of family structure on adolescents’ life satisfaction. Overall, the findings are in line with other evidence from Germany, which points towards only limited disadvantages of youth in separated or divorced families.

Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily are broadly expressed in our body and contribute to multiple cellular functions. Most interestingly, the fourth member of the vanilloid family of TRP channels (TRPV4) serves different partially antagonistic functions in the respiratory system. This review highlights the role of TRPV4 channels in lung fibroblasts, the lung endothelium, as well as the alveolar and bronchial epithelium, during physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. Data available from animal models and human tissues confirm the importance of this ion channel in cellular signal transduction complexes with Ca2+ ions as a second messenger. Moreover, TRPV4 is an excellent therapeutic target with numerous specific compounds regulating its activity in diseases, like asthma, lung fibrosis, edema, and infections.

Reversibel photoschaltbares 1,2-Bis(2-ethyl-6-phenyl-1-benzothiophen-1,1-dioxid-3-yl)perfluorcyclopenten (EBT) mit fluoreszierender "geschlossener" Form wurde mit vier oder acht Carboxygruppen versehen und an Antikçrper gebunden. Die carboxylierten Derivate wiesen geringe Aggregation, effizientes Photoschalten in wässrigen Puffern, gezieltes Färben von zellulären Strukturen und gute photophysikalischeE igenschaften auf.A bwechselnde Bestrahlung mit UV und blauem Lichtr elativ geringer Intensitätf ührte zu reversibler photochemischer Isomerisierung zwischen zwei stabilen Strukturen über mehrere dutzend Schaltzyklen. Dies ermçg-lichte die Verwendung der Farbstoffe fürh ochauflçsende RE-SOLFT-Mikroskopie ("reversible switchable optical linear fluorescence transitions"). Hierbei konnte eine optische Auflçsung von 75 nm an zellulären Tubulin-Filamenten erzielt werden.

Given a more intense competition and substantial investments in research and development (R&D), this paper investigates the impact of innovation on performance in the European automotive industry. More specifically, using secondary data for 98 observations and running multiple regression models, this study examines the effect of the number of both total and green patent applications, and R&D intensity on return on assets (ROA). The evidence suggests that both patent applications and R&D intensity have a positive and significant impact on ROA, whereas green patents are marginally insignificant at the 10% significance level. The results have important implications for business leaders in the industry indicating that innovation does indeed improve performance.

Our respiratory system is exposed to toxicants and pathogens from both sides: the airways and the vasculature. While tracheal, bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells form a natural barrier in the airways, endothelial cells protect the lung from perfused toxic compounds, particulate matter and invading microorganism in the vascular system. Damages induce inflammation by our immune response and wound healing by (myo)fibroblast proliferation. Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of ion channel are expressed in many cells of the respiratory tract and serve multiple functions in physiology and pathophysiology. TRP expression patterns in non-neuronal cells with a focus on TRPA1, TRPC6, TRPM2, TRPM5, TRPM7, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPV6 channels are presented, and their roles in barrier function, immune regulation and phagocytosis are summarized. Moreover, TRP channels as future pharmacological targets in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic and pulmonary fibrosis as well as lung edema are discussed.

The ultimate objective of a microscope of the highest resolution is to map the molecules of interest in the sample. Traditionally, linear imaging systems are characterized by their spatial frequency transfer function, which is given, in real space, by the point spread function (PSF). By extending the concept of the PSF towards the molecular contribution function (MCF), that quantifies the average contribution of a single fluorophore to the image, a straightforward concept for counting fluorophores is obtained. Using reversible saturable optical fluorescence transitions (RESOLFT), fluorophores are effectively activated only in a small, subdiffraction-sized volume before they are read out. During readout the signal exhibits an increased variance due to the stochastic nature of prior activation, which scales quadratically with the brightness of the active fluorophores while the mean of the signal scales only linearly with it. Using a two-state Markov model for the activation, showing comparable behavior to the switching kinetics of the switchable fluorescent protein rsEGFP2, we can approximate quantitatively the MCF of RESOLFT nanoscopy allowing to count the number of fluorophores within a subdiffractionsized region of the sample. The method is validated on measurements of tubulin structures in Drosophila melagonaster larvae. Modeling and estimation of the MCF is a promising approach to quantitative microscopy.

Polarity and rotational freedom of numerous carboxylic groups attached to a photochromic dye (see picture) enables reversible fluorescence switching in purely aqueous solutions, as described by V. N. Belov, M. Irie, S. W. Hell, et al. in their Communication on page 15429 ff. The synthetic and highly symmetrical “octa‐acid” structure is reminiscent of the naturally moving fins of a fish: both provide wonderful functionality in water. Graphic design: H. Sebesse.