Expression of GM content in mass fraction from digital PCR data.

Nowadays the quantification of the content of genetically modified (GM) constituents in food or feed products is performed by using either quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) or digital PCR (dPCR). The latter is increasingly used. Therefore, experimental protocols for the quantification of 52 GM events authorised in the EU have been converted into a digital format and minimum performance characteristics for dPCR methods are detailed.

Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level.

A quick, automated and portable system for the separation and determination of radiostrontium in aqueous samples, using Sr-resin and multi sequential flow injection analysis, has been developed. The concentrations of radioactive strontium were determined by flow scintillation counting, allowing for on-line and also on-site determination. The proposed system can determine radioactive strontium at industrial relevant levels without further modification using overall analysis time of less than 10 min per aqueous sample.

Development of European NO Land Use Regression Model for present and future exposure assessment: Implications for policy analysis.

A new Land Use Regression model was built to develop pan-European 100 m resolution maps of NO concentrations. The model was built using NO concentrations from routine monitoring stations available in the Airbase database as dependent variable. Predictor variables included land use, road traffic proxies, population density, climatic and topographical variables, and distance to sea.

Fingerprint of local disorder in long range ordered isometric pyrochlores.

The detailed characterization of local order and disorder in isometric ABO crystalline pyrochlores is of significant importance in view of their wide range and sensitive technological applications. Nevertheless, much remains to be understood concerning their atomic scale structures. Here we specifically pinpoint local order and disorder in four stoichiometric LnZrO (Ln = La, Nd, Sm and Eu) pyrochlores using a combination of three standard easily available laboratory techniques: XRD, O solid-state MAS NMR and Raman spectroscopy.

A New Look at the Structural and Magnetic Properties of Potassium Neptunate KNpO Combining XRD, XANES Spectroscopy, and Low-Temperature Heat Capacity.

The physicochemical properties of the potassium neptunate KNpO have been investigated in this work using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Np-L edge, and low-temperature heat capacity measurements. A Rietveld refinement of the crystal structure is reported for the first time. The Np(VI) valence state has been confirmed by the XANES data, and the absorption edge threshold of the XANES spectrum has been correlated to the Mössbauer isomer shift value reported in the literature.

Macroscopic and spectroscopic investigations on Eu(III) and Cm(III) sorption onto bayerite (β-Al(OH)3) and corundum (α-Al2O3).

The interaction of trivalent Cm and Eu with the aluminum hydroxide bayerite (β-Al(OH)3) and the aluminum oxide corundum (α-Al2O3) was investigated by batch sorption experiments and time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The experimental methods for both polymorphs show similar pH dependent sorption behavior at trace metal ion concentrations (∼10(-7) M), i.e.

The SOLUTIONS project: challenges and responses for present and future emerging pollutants in land and water resources management.

SOLUTIONS (2013 to 2018) is a European Union Seventh Framework Programme Project (EU-FP7). The project aims to deliver a conceptual framework to support the evidence-based development of environmental policies with regard to water quality. SOLUTIONS will develop the tools for the identification, prioritisation and assessment of those water contaminants that may pose a risk to ecosystems and human health.

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of telomerase activity in human bone marrow and HL-60 p53 null cells treated with anti-cancer drugs.

Telomerase plays a key role in the maintenance of chromosomal stability in tumours, and the ability of anti-cancer agents to inhibit telomerase activity is under investigation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of etoposide and taxol, on the telomerase activity and telomere length in human leukaemia p53 null cells and human bone marrow cells, as well as apoptosis and cell cycle modulation. Results showed that after exposure to the drugs, HL-60 cells as well as the human progenitors underwent a block in G2 and subsequently apoptosis, whereas stromal cells from bone marrow did not undergo a block in G2 or enter apoptosis after etoposide exposure.