The Use of Injury and Fatality Narratives to Convey Agricultural Safety and Health Messages and to Develop Effective Resources Through Collaborative, Multi-Disciplinary Approaches (Tell a Story, Save a Life).

OBJECTIVE: Storytelling engages audiences, passes down traditions and history, educates, and helps people understand and interpret their environment. Many of those who work in agriculture have been part of the storytelling tradition since childhood. Research has demonstrated the emotional impact of personal stories and how prevention information is conveyed effectively "farmer to farmer" through this method of communication. METHODS: Since 2016, the Telling the Story Project has provided a space for those directly or indirectly involved in an agricultural incident to share their story and unique perspectives on how similar incidents can be avoided. RESULTS: This collaborative project, developed between the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Agriculture Safety Centers, has resulted in 11 stories on a dedicated website, safety and health resources, and educational guides. The stories and educational guidelines have been marketed extensively through traditional and social media sources, employed in safety training, and embraced by educators in agricultural programs. The website has provided a national and international reach with more than 35,000 visits. CONCLUSION: Qualitative thematic analysis of the stories provided data on the circumstances leading up to each incident, valuable information on how the storytellers interpreted the aftermath, and a novel perspective on how safety professionals can create messaging that will resonate with the farming community.

Impact of terminal cleaning in rooms previously occupied by patients with healthcare-associated infections.

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are costly but preventable. A limited understanding of the effects of environmental cleaning on the riskiest HAI associated pathogens is a current challenge in HAI prevention. This project aimed to quantify the effects of terminal hospital cleaning practices on HAI pathogens via environmental sampling in three hospitals located throughout the United States. Surfaces were swabbed from 36 occupied patient rooms with a laboratory-confirmed, hospital- or community-acquired infection of at least one of the four pathogens of interest (i.e., Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis/faecium (VRE), and Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile)). Six nonporous, high touch surfaces (i.e., chair handrail, bed handrail, nurse call button, desk surface, bathroom counter near the sink, and a grab bar near the toilet) were sampled in each room for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and the four pathogens of interest before and after terminal cleaning. The four pathogens of interest were detected on surfaces before and after terminal cleaning, but their levels were generally reduced. Overall, C. difficile was confirmed on the desk (n = 2), while MRSA (n = 24) and VRE (n = 25) were confirmed on all surface types before terminal cleaning. After cleaning, only MRSA (n = 6) on bed handrail, chair handrail, and nurse call button and VRE (n = 5) on bathroom sink, bed handrail, nurse call button, toilet grab bar, and C. difficile (n = 1) were confirmed. At 2 of the 3 hospitals, pathogens were generally reduced by >99% during terminal cleaning. One hospital showed that VRE increased after terminal cleaning, MRSA was reduced by 73% on the nurse call button, and VRE was reduced by only 50% on the bathroom sink. ATP detections did not correlate with any pathogen concentration. This study highlights the importance of terminal cleaning and indicates room for improvement in cleaning practices to reduce surface contamination throughout hospital rooms.

Exploring wearable technology use and importance of health monitoring in the hazardous occupations of first responders and professional drivers.

OBJECTIVES: Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) pose risks to the health and safety of professionals involved with transportation and emergency responses. Two distinct occupational groups that encounter HAZMAT events are first responders and professional drivers. Wearable technology is a tool that can assist with monitoring the health of professionals involved in HAZMAT events. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the perceptions of first responders and professional drivers on wearable technology and attitudes toward health monitoring. METHODS: A survey was administered to first responders (n = 112) and professional drivers (n = 218). Statistical approaches included bivariate analysis, latent class analysis, logistic regression analysis, and path analysis for the variables of interest. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the groups in perceptions of the benefits of monitoring certain health indicators. Professional drivers were more likely to have a history of wearable technology use compared with first responders (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1; 95% CI, 4.42-22.9), reported greater exposure to HAZMAT (OR = 4.32; 95% CI, 2.24-8.32), and were more willing to have their health data monitored by someone other than themselves (OR = 9.27; 95% CI, 3.67-23.4). A multinomial regression model revealed that occupation was not a significant predictor of class preference for acceptance of monitoring specific health indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Occupation appeared to be important but further analysis uncovered that characteristics of individuals within the occupations were more salient to the use of wearable technology. HAZMAT exposure, someone else monitoring health data, and experience with wearable technology use were found to be important factors for perceptions about benefits of health monitoring with wearable technology.

Exploring barriers and promoters of CRC screening use among agricultural operators: a pilot study of an application of concept mapping.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to identify barriers and facilitators of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening use among agricultural operators in Nebraska, US. METHODS: The concept mapping approach was used to engage participants and enhance the generation of ideas and opinions regarding CRC screening. Two focus groups (seven women and seven men) were conducted. RESULTS: Among women, the cost domain was most agreed upon as important, followed by experiencing symptoms, awareness, and family. Among men, the important concepts related to CRC screening were family and friend support, feeling too young to get CRC, family or personal history of CRC, and lack of awareness of the need to be screened. Some gender differences regarding barriers were observed, such as women were more concerned about the cost of screening while men were far more concerned about the embarrassment associated with CRC screening. CONCLUSION: These findings will be crucial to developing educational materials to increase knowledge of risk factors for CRC and of CRC screening in the agricultural population.

A Diagram of the Social-Ecological Conditions of Opioid Misuse and Overdose.

The United States is experiencing a crisis of opioid misuse and overdose. To understand the underlying factors, researchers have begun looking upstream to identify social and structural determinants. However, no study has yet aggregated these into a comprehensive ecology of opioid overdose. We scoped 68 literature sources and compiled a master list of opioid misuse and overdose conditions. We grouped the conditions and used the Social Ecological Model to organize them into a diagram. We reviewed the diagram with nine subject matter experts (SMEs) who provided feedback on its content, design, and usefulness. From a literature search and SME interviews, we identified 80 unique conditions of opioid overdose and grouped them into 16 categories. In the final diagram, we incorporated 40 SME-recommended changes. In commenting on the diagram's usefulness, SMEs explained that the diagram could improve intervention planning by demonstrating the complexity of opioid overdose and highlighting structural factors. However, care is required to strike a balance between comprehensiveness and legibility. Multiple design formats may be useful, depending on the communication purpose and audience. This ecological diagram offers a visual perspective of the conditions of opioid overdose.

Exploring First Responders' Use and Perceptions on Continuous Health and Environmental Monitoring.

First responders lose their lives in the line of duty each year, and many of these deaths result from strenuous physical exertion and exposure to harmful environmental agents. Continuous health monitoring may detect diseases and alert the first responder when vital signs are reaching critical levels. However, continuous monitoring must be acceptable to first responders. The purpose of this study was to discover first responders' current use of wearable technology, their perceptions of what health and environmental indicators should be monitored, and who should be permitted to monitor them. The survey was sent to 645 first responders employed by 24 local fire department stations. A total of 115 (17.8%) first responders answered the survey and 112 were used for analysis. Results found first responders perceived a need for health and environmental monitoring. The health and environmental indicators that respondents perceived as most important for monitoring in the field were heart rate (98.2%) and carbon monoxide (100%), respectively. Overall, using and wearing monitoring devices was not age-dependent and health and environmental concerns were important for first responders at any stage of their career. However, current wearable technology does not seem to be a viable solution for first responders due to device expense and durability issues.

A cross-sectional study of alcohol, opioid use, and anxiety in agriculturally based occupations.

PURPOSE: Although there are many studies that have examined substance use and mental health concerns in rural areas, there is a paucity of research related to the prevalence of substance use and mental well-being in agriculturally based occupations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol and opioid misuse and anxiety among adults in agriculturally based occupations in the rural Midwest and to determine the risk factors for alcohol misuse. METHODS: Data were collected via mailed surveys with 1,791 surveys returned. Participants completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, the Drug Abuse Screening Test-1, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener, and reported demographic data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with alcohol misuse. RESULTS: Younger age, male, not married, agriculturally based workers were significantly associated with alcohol misuse. For opioid use, the highest prevalence rate (10%) was found among direct agricultural workers who were not married and in the age group 19-39. The highest anxiety prevalence rate was found in participants aged 19-39 (15.5%) who also scored in the highest level of alcohol misuse with a prevalence rate of 27.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Future research is suggested in the areas of gender identity and anxiety in agricultural populations and agriculturally based occupations as protective factors for opioid misuse.

Self-reported Quad Bike Use, Safety Behaviors, and Safety Awareness among Young Adults in U.S. and Canadian Agriculture.

The number of agricultural fatalities and injuries related to agricultural quad bike use has risen substantially in the last two decades. Safe engineering design features such as crush protection and roll bars have proven potential to lessen the burden of injury but have traditionally not been included in many quad bike safety training programs. The aim of this study was to survey more than 700 young adults working in U.S. and Canadian agriculture to examine self-reported quad bike safety behaviors and awareness of quad bike safety design engineering features. We found that U.S. males continue to be at higher risk for quad bike-rollover incidents when compared to other groups. Even when accounting for other factors such as age and country, we found that participants who reported youth occupational quad bike use (≤14 years old) were up to 200% more likely to allow extra riders and up to 489% more likely to not wear a helmet when compared to participants who reported beginning occupational quad bike use in adulthood. These findings support the Agricultural Youth Work Guideline (AYWG) for occupational quad bike use at age 16. Less than 20% of young adults working in agriculture were aware of safe design features such as wide frames, stability ratings, crush protection devices, and accessories made by the original equipment manufacturer. There is tremendous need to educate the future agricultural workforce about the importance of choosing quad bikes with safer design features.

Determining Regional Differences in Barriers to Accessing Health Care Among Farmworkers Using the National Agricultural Workers Survey.

Farmworkers are an essential workforce in the U.S. We assessed the regions in the National Agricultural Workers Survey on the difficulty of accessing health care among farmworkers in the U.S. The study included 9577 farmworkers. Farmworkers in all regions were more likely to report having difficulty accessing health care because it was too expensive. The overall odds ratio for difficulty accessing health care was lower in the MW after adjusting. Farmworkers employed in the SE had greater difficulty accessing health care because of language barriers. Farmworkers employed in CA had difficulty accessing health care in the U.S. because it was too expensive or far away. Results follow previous studies on barriers to access health care among the farmworker population. Understanding regional disparities in the presence of barriers to accessing health care among farmworkers is an essential step to improving equitable health care access in the U.S.

Health conditions among farmworkers in the Southwest: An analysis of the National Agricultural Workers Survey.

Agricultural jobs pose many challenges to the health and wellbeing of a disadvantaged population. In the Southwest region, the socioeconomic factors of living along the U.S.-Mexico border, migration patterns, lack of access to health care, low utilization of health care services, lack of health insurance, and highly demanding occupation may uniquely affect health outcomes for farmworkers. This paper presents descriptive information for professionals to improve access to care by tackling barriers afforded by the agricultural industry. The National Agricultural Worker Survey (NAWS) is an employment-based, random-sample survey of U.S. agricultural workers in six regions: East, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, Northwest, and California. We examined farmworkers' self-reported health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, other chronic conditions, or any condition by region from 2013 to 2016. We used logistic regression to determine differences in lifetime prevalence of health conditions between farmworkers in the Southwest region (n = 727) and farmworkers in other regions (n = 8,850) using weighted data. After adjusting for age, gender, income, insurance status, and English-speaking ability, the odds of high blood pressure and other condition were similar in all regions. The prevalence of diabetes was almost double in the Southwest (114.2 per 1,000 farmworkers). The odds of diabetes were 1.31 (95% CI 0.99, 1.74) times greater in the Southwest region than in the other regions. Asthma was the only condition that was lower in the Southwest (22 per 1,000 farmworkers) compared to the other regions. The odds of asthma were 0.61 (95% CI 0.36, 1.03) times lower in the Southwest region than in other regions. The results follow previous studies on the prevalence of asthma among the farmworker population and elevated probability of chronic diseases including diabetes among the Latino population in the U.S.

Substance use disorders in the farming population: Scoping review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize the current knowledge base in order to make recommendations for prevention and treatment of substance use disorders among the farming populations. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles published between January 1989 and September 2019. The search yielded 3,426 citations and the final review was conducted on 42 articles. The full review was conducted by 4 authors to extract information about the target population, data collection methods, and main results. FINDINGS: There were 21 articles on farmers and 21 articles on farmworkers. The majority of the articles were about alcohol. Overall, farmers had higher prevalence of risky alcohol consumption patterns than nonfarmers. The prevalence of risky alcohol consumption was also high among farmworkers compared to the general population. Risk factors for risky alcohol consumption included male gender, lower socioeconomic status, and psychological problems (eg, depression). Recommendations for prevention and intervention of alcohol disorders included policy development and implementation to curb alcohol access by taxation, screening of alcohol-related problems, and alternative means of recreation instead of alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This review confirmed that alcohol-related problems are prevalent among farmers and farmworkers. More population-based research is called for to understand the additional risk factors of alcohol disorders and the prevalence of other substance-related disorders. Also, interventions should be tailored to the unique culture of farmers and farmworkers.

Mobile health assisted self-monitoring is acceptable for supporting weight loss in rural men: a pragmatic randomized controlled feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: Addressing overweight and obesity among men at-risk for obesity-related diseases and disability in rural communities is a public health issue. Commercial smartphone applications (apps) that promote self-monitoring for weight loss are widely available. Evidence is lacking regarding what support is required to enhance user engagement with and effectiveness of those technologies. Pragmatically comparing these apps effectiveness, including rural men's desired forms of support when using them, can lead to greater weight loss intervention impact and reach. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile technology application applied differently across two groups for weight loss. METHODS: In a two-armed, pragmatic pilot feasibility study, 80 overweight and obese men aged 40-69 were randomized using a 1:1 ratio to either an enhanced Mobile Technology Plus (MT+) intervention or a basic Mobile Technology (MT) intervention. The MT+ group had an enhanced smartphone app for self-monitoring (text messaging, discussion group, Wi-Fi scale) whereas the MT group received a basic app that allowed self-monitoring logging only. Assessments were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months. App logs were analyzed to track engagement and adherence to self-monitoring. Acceptability was assessed via focus groups. Analysis included descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Of 80 men recruited, forty were allocated to each arm. All were included in the primary analysis. Recruitment ended after 10 months with a 97.5 and 92.5% (3 month, 6 month) retention rate. Over 90% of men reported via survey and focus groups that Lose-It app and smart scale (MT+) was an acceptable way to self-monitor weight, dietary intake and physical activity. Adherence to daily app self-monitoring of at least 800 dietary calories or more (reported respectively as MT+, MT) was positive with 73.4, 51.6% tracking at least 5 days a week. Adherence to tracking activity via recorded steps four or more days weekly was positive, 87.8, 64.6%. Men also adhered to self-weighing at least once weekly, 64, 46.3%. At 6 months, an observed mean weight loss was 7.03 kg (95% CI: 3.67, 10.39) for MT+ group and 4.14 kg (95% CI: 2.22, 6.06) for MT group, with 42.9 and 34.2% meeting ≥5% weight loss, respectively. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This National Institutes of Health-funded pilot study using mobile technologies to support behavior change for weight loss was found to be feasible and acceptable among midlife and older rural men. The interventions demonstrated successful reductions in weight, noting differing adherence to lifestyle behaviors of eating, monitoring and activity between groups, with men in the MT+ having more favorable results. These findings will be used to inform the design of a larger scale, clinical trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials NCT03329079 . 11/1/2017.

Occupational Injuries among Latino/a Immigrant Cattle Feedyard Workers in the Central States Region of the United States.

Agriculture is a dangerous industry with high rates of occupational injuries. Immigrants comprise the majority of the hired agricultural workforce in the United States, and these workers may be at a higher risk for job-related injuries. This study addressed the frequency, characteristics, and risk factors of occupational injuries among Latino immigrant cattle feedyard workers. Data were collected through structured interviews with Latino immigrant cattle feedyard workers in Kansas and Nebraska (n = 243; 90.9% male). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for injury. Nearly three-fourths of participants (71.2%) reported having experienced one or more injuries in the past while working on a cattle feedyard. The most frequent types of reported injuries, including those not requiring medical care, were bruises/contusions (40%), cuts/lacerations (21%), and sprains/strains (12%). These injuries were mainly caused by animals/livestock (33%), chemicals (23%), falls (12%), and tools (9%). Significant risk factors for injury included male gender (OR 5.9), being over age 35 (OR 2.6), working on a large or an extra-large feedyard (OR 5.4), having 11 or more employees on the feedyard (OR 3.6), and working more than eight hours a day (OR 4.7). Having received safety training was also associated with greater risk of injury in a univariable model (OR 2.6). Cattle feedyard workers are at high risk for injury and require more effective preventive measures.

Development of an Educational YouTube Channel: A Collaboration between U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers.

Objectives: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Centers (AFF Centers) collaborated to initiate a joint YouTube channel in order to raise awareness of agricultural, forestry, and fishing occupational hazards; provide information to prevent AFF injuries and illnesses; increase the visibility and influence of the AFF Centers; and establish a collaborative model that can be replicated by other organizations.Methods: The collaborators sought to produce a structured channel with high scientific standards. Policies, procedures, and a standard review process were established. Representatives from the AFF Centers coordinated the review process and the procedures by which videos were uploaded to the site. A marketing plan was created including a press release and ideas to promote new videos. Promotions are targeted to agricultural cooperative extension agents, educators, producers, owners, operators, first responders, families and community organizations. Viewership was tracked using YouTube metrics.Results: The site was launched in November 2013. Over a 6-year period, the channel grew from 48 videos to 125 videos with over 10,500 cumulative watch time hours. The channel is promoted by the AFF Centers through email, social media, conference presentations and outreach exhibits. The channel is also publicized during coordinated national outreach events.Conclusion: Each AFF Center benefitted from increased exposure of their content and the collaboration provided an opportunity to achieve labor efficiencies. YouTube metrics demonstrated that coordinated marketing increases views, watch time and subscriptions. In addition, the success of the channel communicates the benefits to collaboration among organizations with common missions.

Agrochemical Health Risks Exposure and Its Determinants: Empirical Evidence among Cassava Farmers in Nigeria.

Background: Over the years there has been a change in the dimensions of agricultural health risk exposure among crop farmers in Nigeria due to innovation adoption. This study assessed agrochemical health risk exposures and its determinants among cassava farmers in Nigeria.Method: The study engaged the baseline of a longitudinal study conducted using a standardized questionnaire. Randomly selected and interviewed for the study were 480 small-scale cassava farmers across 24 farming communities in Kogi and Kwara States, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, binary regression model, and Likert scale were used for analysis.Results: Most of the farmers were exposed to agrochemical health risks in cassava operations. The frequently used chemicals belong to WHO class II and III. There was poor knowledge of safe farm practices among cassava farmers. About 77% of farmers reported not using complete protective equipment while handling farm chemicals. Several risk factors were associated with farm chemical health risks exposure, including inappropriate time of spray (Odd ratio [OR] = 1.21), frequency of spray (OR = 1.06), long hours of daily chemical spray (OR = 1.10), and non-usage of chemical labels (OR = 2.31).Conclusion:The study concluded cassava farmers in some selected communities in Kogi and Kwara States, North-Central Nigeria engage in unsafe farm practices via the use of farm chemicals that expose them to health risks. There is, therefore, a need for efficiently delivered agricultural health education as an intervention tool to alleviate Nigerian crop farmers from being exposed to such health risks.

Mobile technology intervention for weight loss in rural men: protocol for a pilot pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Men who are overweight or obese in the rural Midwestern USA are an unrepresented, at-risk group exhibiting rising rates of cardiovascular disease, poor access to preventive care and poor lifestyle behaviours that contribute to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Self-monitoring of eating and activity has demonstrated efficacy for weight loss. Use of mobile technologies for self-monitoring eating and activity may address rural men's access disparities to preventive health resources and support weight loss. Our pilot trial will assess the feasibility and acceptability of two mobile applications for weight loss in rural men to inform a future, full-scale trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A 6-month randomised controlled trial with contextual evaluation will randomise 80 men using a 1:1 ratio to either a Mobile Technology Plus (MT+) intervention or a basic Mobile Technology (MT) intervention in rural, midlife men (aged 40-69 years). The MT+ intervention consists of a smartphone self-monitoring application enhanced with discussion group (Lose-It premium), short message service text-based support and Wi-Fi scale. The MT group will receive only a self-monitoring application (Lose-It basic). Feasibility and acceptability will be evaluated using number of men recruited and retained, and evaluative focus group feedback. We seek to determine point estimates and variability of outcome measures of weight loss (kg and % body weight) and improved dietary and physical activity behaviours (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption surveys, data from Lose-It! application (kcal/day, steps/day)). Community capacity will be assessed using standard best practice methods. Descriptive content analysis will evaluate intervention acceptability and contextual sensitivity. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol was approved by the University of Nebraska Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB# 594-17-EP). Dissemination of findings will occur through ClinicalTrials.gov and publish pilot data to inform the design of a larger clinical trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03329079; preresults. Protocol V.10, study completion date 31 August 2020. Roles and responsibilities funder: NIH/NINR Health Disparities Section 1R15NR017522-01.

An Argument Against Cross-Platform Development: Lessons From an Augmented Reality App Prototype for Rural Emergency Responders.

BACKGROUND: Mobile augmented reality (MAR) apps offer potential support for emergency responders in rural areas. OBJECTIVE: In this report, we described lessons learned from the development process of augmented reality (AR) Farm Mapping to Assist, Protect and Prepare Emergency Responders (MAPPER), a MAR app that provides emergency responders onsite information about the agricultural operation they enter. METHODS: Cross-platform frameworks were used to create AR MAPPER to accommodate budget constraints and overcome issues with markerless MAR technologies. Although the single codebase and Web technologies streamlined development, cross-device hardware limitations impacted location accuracy, lengthened the development cycle, and required regular updates to third-party libraries. RESULTS: A hybrid development approach of using Web-based technologies with native tie-ins for specialized components and enhanced performance cut time and costs. This also led to consistency across multiple platforms and ensured that there is only a single set of source files to modify for Android and iPhone operating systems. Meanwhile, active development was delayed by some major hurdles. Apple and Google both released new versions of their operating systems, and the Wikitude framework issued four major updates, each of which brought with it some important enhancements and also led to some new issues. CONCLUSIONS: Developers should consider single platform native development to benefit from platform-specific MAR implementations and to avoid development, testing, and maintenance costs associated with cross-platform implementation. Emergency response organizations may be more likely to utilize a single platform across the devices used by their command staff. This also reduces the benefits of cross-platform development. Furthermore, providing map-based, non-AR cross-platform apps for landowners, farmers, and ranchers would help improve and maintain data quality, which is crucial for the utility and user experience of MAR apps.

Aromatic Donor-Acceptor Interaction-Based Co(III)-salen Self-Assemblies and Their Applications in Asymmetric Ring Opening of Epoxides.

Aromatic donor-acceptor interaction as the driving force to assemble cooperative catalysts is described. Pyrene/naphthalenediimide functionalized Co(III)-salen complexes self-assembled into bimetallic catalysts through aromatic donor-acceptor interactions and showed high catalytic activity and selectivity in the asymmetric ring opening of various epoxides. Control experiments, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy titrations, mass spectrometry measurement, and X-ray crystal structure analysis confirmed that the catalysts assembled based on the aromatic donor-acceptor interaction, which can be a valuable noncovalent interaction in supramolecular catalyst development.

Agricultural stressors: identification, causes and perceived effects among Nigerian crop farmers.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have focused on agricultural-related health hazards globally; however, little is known about agricultural stressors among crop farmers in the developing countries. This study identified agricultural stressors, their causes and ascribed effects among crop farmers in Nigeria. METHODS: There were 70 crop farmers randomly selected in farming communities across Ekiti State, an agrarian State in South-Western, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire with interview was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Findings from the study showed that about 98% of the farmers were able to identify stressors that are occupational-related. About 80% of the respondents thought they had been mostly affected by agricultural stressors in a number of ways including inability to sleep regularly, relaxation problems, excessive tiredness, back problems, and intense headache. About 98% of these farmers are yet to develop structured means of coping with these stressors. CONCLUSION: We concluded that agricultural stressors affect farmers' well-being. Efforts should be made at initiating a stress management campaign for Nigerian crop farmers. Government and development partners should assist farmers in their challenged areas, and there should be functional integration of mental health focused agricultural health in primary health care.

Aromatic donor-acceptor interaction promoted catalyst assemblies for hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epichlorohydrin.

Three generations of Co(iii)-salen complexes containing electron-deficient aromatic moieties (acceptors) have been synthesized. When electron-rich aromatic compounds (donors) were introduced, these complexes were designed to form catalyst assemblies through aromatic donor-acceptor interaction. For all three generations of complexes, the addition of a proper donor led to higher catalytic efficiency in the hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of epichlorohydrin. The reaction rates are in the following order: Generation 3 > Generation 2 > Generation 1. The aromatic donor-acceptor interaction was verified by NMR spectroscopy and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy studies. These results demonstrated that aromatic donor-acceptor interaction can be a valuable driving force in the assembly of supramolecular catalysts.