A decision support method for designing vegetation layers with minimised irrigation need

Annals of Operations Research - Selecting a vegetation layer design goes along with determining its future irrigation need. Therefore, it is essential to take a design decision that is minimising...     

15‐Hydroperoxy‐PGE2: Intermediate in Mammalian and Algal Prostaglandin Biosynthesis

Arachidonic‐acid‐derived prostaglandins (PGs), specifically PGE₂, play a central role in inflammation and numerous immunological reactions. The enzymes of PGE₂ biosynthesis are important pharmacological targets for anti‐inflammatory drugs. Besides mammals, certain edible marine algae possess a comprehensive repertoire of bioactive arachidonic‐acid‐derived oxylipins including PGs that may account for food poisoning. Described here is the analysis of PGE₂ biosynthesis in the red macroalga Gracilaria vermiculophylla that led to the identification of 15‐hydroperoxy‐PGE₂, a novel precursor of PGE₂ and 15‐keto‐PGE₂. Interestingly, this novel precursor is also produced in human macrophages where it represents a key metabolite in an alternative biosynthetic PGE₂ pathway in addition to the well‐established arachidonic acid‐PGG₂‐PGH₂‐PGE₂ route. This alternative pathway of mammalian PGE₂ biosynthesis may open novel opportunities to intervene with inflammation‐related diseases.     

Discussion of “Bayesian forecasting of multivariate time series: scalability,structure uncertainty and decisions”

Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics -     

Supramolecular hydrogel microcapsules via cucurbit[8]uril host–guest interactions with triggered and UV-controlled molecular permeability

Host–guest assembly in droplet-based microfluidics opens a new avenue for fabricating supramolecular hydrogel microcapsules with high monodispersity and controlled functionality. In this paper, we demonstrate a single emulsion microdroplet platform to prepare microcapsules with supramolecular hydrogel skins from host molecule cucurbit[8]uril and guest polymer anthracene-functionalized hydroxyethyl cellulose. In contrast to construction of microcapsules from a droplet-in-droplet double emulsion, here the electrostatic attraction between charged polymer and surfactant facilitates formation of defined supramolecular hydrogel skins in a single emulsion. Furthermore, by taking advantage of dynamic interactions and the tunable cross-linked supramolecular hydrogel network, it is possible to prepare microcapsules with triggered and UV-controlled molecular permeability. These could be potentially used in a delivery system for e.g. agrochemicals, nutraceuticals or cosmetics.