bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulating the Use of Bisphenol A in Baby and Children's Products in the European Union: Current Developments and Scenarios for the Regulatory Future
Authors: Fox Tessa , Versluis Esther , van Asselt Marjolein B.A.
Published: February 2017

Parents of newborns and small children have recently been confronted with labels indicating that their purchases of a baby bottle, teethers or sippy cups are now ‘Bisphenol A-free’ (BPA). A synthetic chemical used in the production process of polycarbonate (plastics), Bisphenol A is currently making headline news in the US and the EU. Its questioned safety in food plastics, baby bottles and children's toys has turned plastics into a political issue as it is systematically framed as a risk in media coverage.

Apart from regulatory exposure limits (Tolerable Daily Intake levels (TDI), Bisphenol A is currently not subject to any restrictions in use yet (although BPA will be subject to a ban on the EU level from spring 2011 onwards). However, with the REACH framework (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals), a new regulatory framework for EU's chemical policy in place since June 2007, these exposure limits may be reviewed and BPA may face regulatory action. This article aims to analyse the regulatory process of Bisphenol A in the EU as an example of an uncertain risk dossier. On the basis of document and media analysis and interviews, the main aim is to gain an understanding of how uncertain risks are being regulated in the European Union. To that end, the self-regulatory behavior of industry is also considered. On the basis of the current regulatory tools in place and the current state of affairs, as well as developments in the controversy around BPA, the paper concludes by presenting four scenarios that illustrate the dynamics of the case and its possible regulatory outcomes.
The Hazard of Forgetting about Risk
Authors: Nordlander Kristina
Published: February 2017

Professor Lofstedt's article makes an important contribution to the growing scholarship on risk regulation. He focuses on one of Europe's key challenges – how to ensure that European law and regulation is “smart” in the sense that it strikes the right balance between a high level of protection for human health and the environment while not being overly burdensome and enabling us to maintain our competitiveness and standard of living. The EU has taken a leading global role in chemicals regulation, which is welcome. However, as Professor Lofstedt's study clearly illustrates, much work remains to be done to ensure transparency, legal certainty, and sound science-based regulatory outcomes.

The debate around risk versus hazard is an important one. As Professor Lofstedt notes, these are not contradictory concepts, but rather build on each other. Hazard and the intrinsic capacity of a substance to cause harm is the starting point. The debate then centers on to what extent a risk assessment (taking actual or potential exposure into account) should be made before the uses of the substance in question are regulated. Put simply, if there is no exposure, there will be no risk, even when the hazard is high. There are many examples of substances that have known intrinsic hazards, but that pose virtually no risk to human health given how and in what quantities they are used. Ordinary table salt is a well-known example.
Indicating Reasons for National GM “Opt-Outs”: The Way Forward or a Dead End Street?
Authors: Zurek Karolina
Published: February 2017

Cautious skepticism rather than euphoric joy surrounds the activities of the European Commission developing its new – flexible – approach towards cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Following its announcement in the summer of 2010, new elements of the reform unravel at the beginning of 2011.

GMO regulation has experienced a rather uneasy track in the European Union. The specificity of the sector, with its economic importance, its social controversies as well as the high levels of uncertainty as to the long-term effects, have all contributed to various political and regulatory troubles in Europe and worldwide. After the revision of the first wave of regulation in 2001-2003, the de facto moratorium, and ensuing conflicts under the WTO adjudication, the situation seemed to be settling down.
Potential Threats to Patent Rights in Climate-Friendly Technologies
Authors: Pearson Douglas H.
Published: February 2017

The transfer of climate-friendly technologies from developed countries to developing countries has been identified in international forums as a key factor in efforts to mitigate climate change. Commentators and negotiators have argued, however, that efforts to transfer climate-friendly technologies from developed countries to developing countries have fallen far short of what is needed. Although a host of barriers play a role in the pace of transfer of clean technologies, such as lack of financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, trade barriers, and lack of skilled workers to name a few, intellectual property rights (IPRs) have been accused of being a particularly significant barrier. Developing countries have made strong proposals to severely curtail IPRs on clean technologies, particularly patent rights. These proposals present potential threats to patent rights on clean technologies in developing countries and include expanded compulsory licensing, excluding clean technologies from patenting, and revoking existing patent rights on clean technologies in developing countries. The motivation for such proposals stem largely from theoretical considerations, when, in fact, recent studies provide evidence that patent rights are not a barrier to the transfer of clean technologies to the developing world and, to the contrary, are more likely facilitating the diffusion of clean technologies in developing countries.
Reverse Payment Settlements in the Pharmaceutical Sector: A European Perspective
Authors: Parcu Pier Luigi , Rossi Maria Alessandra
Published: February 2017

On 17 January 2011, the European Commission launched , a monitoring exercise of patent settlements in the pharmaceutical sector for the second time after the Pharmaceutical sector inquiry of 2009. As was the case for the first monitoring exercise launched in January 2010, a number of pharmaceutical companies were asked to submit copies of their patent settlement agreements concluded in the European Economic Area (EEA), together with any relevant annex, amendment or related agreement.

The rationale for the monitoring exercise derives from some of the findings of the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry, which had highlighted the possibility that some of the agreements reached by originators and generics to settle IP-related disputes (generally believed to be efficiency-enhancing tools to save money on litigation costs), may in fact turn out to have anticompetitive effects on the market. This is particularly the case for so-called “reverse payment agreements”. These are settlements that involve a payment (in direct or indirect form) flowing in a direction that intuitively appears “reverse”, as money is paid by the patent holder (the originator) to the alleged infringer – a generic firm.
Initial Phase Crisis Communications Following High Perceived Risk Events: The Volcanic Ash Crisis and the Japanese Tsunami as Examples
Authors: Chakraborty Sweta , Creutzfeldt-Banda Naomi
Published: February 2017

On 14 April 2010 the Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, erupted resulting in a volcanic ash cloud across European airspace. The ash cloud caused a moratorium on flying and concerns over health effects to vulnerable populations. Not even a year since the volcanic ash cloud; on 11 March 2011 a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake occurred near the northeastern coast of Japan, creating extremely destructive tsunami waves which hit Japan just minutes after the earthquake, triggering evacuations and warnings across the Pacific Ocean. The disaster also led to concerns over nuclear power plant meltdowns in the affected areas and risk of radiation. High perceived risks associated with the Japanese tsunami and volcanic ash crisis are examples of scenarios where accurate and timely health and safety communications are vital for effective emergency response. However, communications immediately following such events face unique challenges. This report describes the challenges faced in terms of crisis communication immediately following high perceived risk events and positions the example case studies in the context of an existing crisis communication paradigm.
Good Practice Guide for the Preparation and Revision of Regulation Affecting Economic Activity, Government of Catalonia, Presidency Department, EADOP, Barcelona, 2010.
Authors: Canals Dolors , Ortí Paula
Published: February 2017

Despite the initial delay in Spain in the adoption and development of a better regulation policy compared to other OECD countries, in the last few years significant advances have taken place, as pointed out in the 2010 OECD report “Better Regulation in Europe. Spain”.

In this context, the initiatives promoted by the Autonomous Communities – Spanish subnational levels of government – are also very important, since they have wide powers for the development of their own public regulatory reform policies. In fact, the first Spanish experience of the introduction of regulatory impact assessment in the legal rulemaking process took place in Catalonia, which has been a pioneer in the integration of administrative simplification policies – applied since the early 90s – in addition to its administrative burden reduction strategy.
Panel Report US – Clove Cigarettes
Authors: McGrady Benn
Published: February 2017

In September 2011, the World Trade Organization (WTO) panel report in US – Clove Cigarettes was released. The report addressed a complaint brought by Indonesia concerning prohibitions on certain flavored tobacco products implemented by the United States (US). The dispute is one of a number of contemporary disputes under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). Given that relatively few disputes have been resolved under the TBT Agreement, the outcome may have significant implications for interpretation of the agreement and risk regulation through technical regulations. The panel report may also have more specific implications for risk regulation in the context of tobacco products (author's headnote).
Real Nudge
Authors: Bovens Luc
Published: February 2017

The novelty in Adam Burgess’ paper is that he assesses nudge policies in the context of the shift in the UK government's approach to risk from the nannying policies of Labour to the nudge policies of the Conservatives. There is a wealth of ideas in this paper. I find it useful to disentangle some of these ideas focusing on the following two questions:

1.

In what respects do Labour's nannying policies and the Conservatives’ nudge policies differ?

2.

What is problematic about Labour's nannying and the Conservatives’ nudge policies?

Subsequently I will reflect on how a particular strand of research in the social sciences can be made relevant to designing a more responsible way of dealing with societal risk and show how this approach can evade some of Burgess’ concerns.
EU Measures on the Safety of Food Imports from Japan Following the Nuclear Accident at Fukushima
Authors: O'Rourke Raymond
Published: February 2017

Following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant on 11 March 2011, the European Union was informed that radioactive levels in certain food products originating in Japan, such as milk and spinach, exceeded the normal permitted levels under Japanese legislation. The European Commission judged that such levels of radioactivity could pose a threat to public health in the European Union and therefore began introducing specific additional import conditions for Japanese food products as a precautionary measure.
The Precautionary Principle: Its Use Within Hard and Soft Law
Authors: von Schomberg René
Published: February 2017

The precautionary principle in public decision making concerns situations where following an assessment of the available scientific information, there are reasonable grounds for concern for the possibility of adverse effects on the environment or human health, but scientific uncertainty persists. In such cases provisional risk management measures may be adopted, without having to wait until the reality and seriousness of those adverse effects become fully apparent. This is the definition of the precautionary principle as operationalized under EU law. The precautionary principle is a deliberative principle. Its application involves deliberation on a range of normative dimensions which need to be taken into account while making the principle operational in the public policy context. Under EU law, any risk management measures to be adopted while implementing the precautionary principle, have to be proportionate to ensure the chosen high level of protection in the European Community.

This article will illustrate the established practice concerning the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment and how the principle is implemented under hard law. The article also provides an outlook on what this may imply for the relative new case of nanotechnology and the use of precautionary principle within the context of soft law (use of codes of conduct).
Trade Mark Use Explained: Insights from the General Court in “Bud”
Authors: Karapapa Stavroula
Published: February 2017

The General Court has dismissed the actions brought Budějovický Budvar against the registration of the Community trade mark “Bud” for beer that was sought for by Anheuser-Busch. The main reason is the insignificant use in France and Austria of the appellation of origin “Bud”.
Framing Risk Regulation : A Critical Reflection
Authors: Fisher Elizabeth
Published: February 2017

Over a decade ago I was involved in a group project that focused on developing a regulatory model concerning the implementation of the precautionary principle in the EU. The project involved a number of workshops and in those workshops I used to joke about the fact that while there were many different frameworks being produced to represent risk regulation, these diagrams basically fell into two different categories. In the first category there were those diagrams that characterised risk regulation as a linear process involving usually a scientific process of risk assessment and then political processes of risk management and risk communication. In the second category there were those diagrams that had lots of looping arrows going all over the place that represented the fact that risk regulation was an iterative process that constantly involved many scientific, socio-political and other inputs.

Behind my joking was a sense of hope. The linear diagrams did have their minimalist appeal, but the messy diagrams captured much of the reality of this area of regulatory practice.
Regulatory Governance of Credit Rating Agencies in the EU: The Perils of Pursuing the Holy Grail of Rating Accuracy
Authors: Chiu Iris H-Y
Published: February 2017

This paper argues that the EU Regulation of credit rating agencies is concurrently pursuing two objectives that conflict with and would undermine each other. One is the objective of enhancing rating accuracy, and the other is the objective of restoring market discipline in the wholesale investment markets for credit ratings as information goods. The Regulation places more emphasis on regulating for rating accuracy which has the effect of instituting a form of product regulation for credit ratings, raising the public interest profile of credit ratings. This paper argues that this is undesirable and is contrary to policy-makers’ endeavours to enhance market discipline for rating quality and the private accountability of credit rating agencies. EU policy-makers would eventually need to confront the underlying conflicting objectives in the Regulation so that a normatively coherent and consistent regulatory regime can be designed and implemented.
Google Spain v. González: Did the Court Forget about Freedom of Expression?
Authors: Kulk Stefan , Borgesius Frederik Zuiderveen
Published: February 2017

When reviewing a job application letter, going on a first date, or considering doing business with someone, the first thing many people do is entering the person's name in a search engine. A search engine can point searchers to information that would otherwise have remained obscure. If somebody searched for the name of Spanish lawyer Mario Costeja González, Google showed search results that included a link to a 1998 newspaper announcement implying he had financial troubles at the time. González wanted Google to stop showing those links and started a procedure in Spain. After some legal wrangling, the Spanish Audiencia Nacional (National High Court) asked the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for advice on the application of the Data Protection Directive, which led to the controversial judgment in Google Spain. In its judgment, the CJEU holds that people, under certain conditions, have the right to have search results for their name delisted. This right can also extend to lawfully published information.
Policy Evaluation in the EU: The Challenges of Linking Ex Ante and Ex Post Appraisal
Authors: Smismans Stijn
Published: February 2017

The EU's new approach to policy evaluation is characterised by a focus on closing the policy cycle (linking ex ante and ex post appraisal) and by applying evaluation to all types of policy intervention, whether expenditure or regulatory policy. This article analyses the main features and challenges of this new approach. It first studies the conceptual and interdisciplinary challenge of such an encompassing approach to evaluation. It then assesses the new approach in the light of four key objectives of ex ante and ex post appraisal; ensuring evidence and learning; accountability, transparency and participation; policy coherence; and reducing the regulatory burden.
The OECD Framework for Regulatory Policy Evaluation: An Initial Assessment
Authors: Meuwese Anne , Scheltema Michiel , van der Velden Lynn
Published: February 2017

Designing a framework for evaluating laws, rules and policies within any given legal system is a daunting task. Comprehensive schemes risk ending up as mere paper realities because of the demands they place on evaluators as well as on the addressees of evaluations. More realistic evaluation frameworks on the other hand may not yield many results. The OECD has a long track record of encouraging member countries to deal with ‘regulation’ in the wider sense of the word in a rationalistic and systematic way. These encouragements tend to involve recommendations, peer reviews, and the use of country surveys in order to establish progress in what the OECD usually calls ‘regulatory policy’ or ‘regulatory management’ (‘better regulation’ in EU parlance and sometimes referred to as ‘meta-regulation’ in the literature). Recently a new tool has been added. In a move parallel to the EU's efforts to ‘complete the regulatory cycle’, the OECD has developed a new Framework for Regulatory Policy Evaluation (hereafter referred to as ‘Framework’).
Contribution to the Better Regulation Debate
Authors: Radaelli Claudio M. , Schrefler Lorna S.
Published: February 2017

Two inter–related themes provide the architecture of this better regulation package: the political tone of the initiative and the responsibility/blame game. The tone is in part the consequence of the political context surrounding regulatory policy in the EU. Whilst in the past regulatory quality standards interested only a few top civil servants and elected politicians, today there is much more political interest – and contestation, as shown by the new better regulation watchdog created by non-governmental organizations and their response to the package. The very fact that in May 2015 there was media interest in the leaked version of the chapeau communication is a novelty. Why so much attention? Among others, the rhetoric of the past few years on making the EU acquis fit for purpose and less burdensome, coupled with a growing recognition by stakeholders that impact assessment and policy evaluation are “here to stay” have turned better regulation into an additional window of opportunity for those wishing to influence EU policy–making.
What is a “Technical Regulation” in the TBT Agreement?
Authors: Du Ming
Published: February 2017

One important issue arising from EC–Seal Products is what constitutes a technical regulation in the TBT Agreement. This article argues that the Appellate Body's analytical approach to this issue has led to an arbitrary conclusion in EC–Seal Products. The article further examines to what extent PPMs, especially Non–product–related PPMs, are covered by the TBT Agreement. The article concludes that an important question to be answered is what special characteristics of a technical regulation distinguish it from other regulations and make it subject to more detailed obligations in the TBT Agreement.
Divergences between EU and US in the Financial Regulation
Authors: Pugliese Sara
Published: February 2017

Financial regulation is an issue where differences between the EU and US are highly sensitive. Indeed, EU and US apply in a different manner the financial standards adopted at international level by the Basel Committee and have different systems of financial supervision.

Due to these significant differences between the two systems, it is very difficult for the EU and US to reach an agreement on common financial standards within the TTIP negotiations. Actually, as the differences in regulation between the two systems are an obstacle to the access of the financial operators of each Party to the market of the other Party, the absence of common standards in this sector could nullify the efficacy of norms of market access that will be probably contained within the TTIP.

Moreover, in a risk regulation perspective, considering the weight that the US and EU financial relationship have on the global system and taking account of the effect of destabilization that could be generated by the divergent requirements imposed to the credit institutions on the two sides of the Atlantic, the lack of common financial standards between the EU and US could have a great impact on global financial stability.
The Implications of Modern Business–Entity Law for the Regulation of Autonomous Systems
Authors: Bayern Shawn
Published: February 2017

Nonhuman autonomous systems are not legal persons under current law. The history of organizational law, however, demonstrates that agreements can, with increasing degrees of autonomy, direct the actions of legal persons. Agreements are isomorphic with algorithms; that is, a legally enforceable agreement can give legal effect to the arbitrary discernible states of an algorithm or other process. As a result, autonomous systems may end up being able, at least, to emulate many of the private–law rights of legal persons. This essay demonstrates a technique by which this is possible by means of limited liability companies (LLCs), a very flexible modern type of business organization. The techniques that this essay describes are not just futuristic possibilities; as this essay argues, they are already possible under current law.
Liability Issues Concerning Self-Driving Vehicles
Authors: Lohmann Melinda Florina
Published: February 2017

This article deals with the civil liability issues that arise when self-driving vehicles are admitted to our streets. Firstly, it is explained why strict liability regimes for the vehicle holder, which are in place in several jurisdictions across Europe, are a workable foundation for ensuring compensation of the victim. However, accidents caused by highly automated vehicles will raise the question of the manufacturer's liability for a defective product. Accordingly, this article examines the effects of the circumstance that accidents occurring with self driving cars will no longer be caused by misconduct of the human driver, but often rather by a system malfunction. Thirdly, it is argued that preferably the manufacturer should be the risk bearer and that this shift in liability towards the manufacturer will result in an adequate allocation of liability.
The Role of Law in Managing the Tension between Risk and Innovation: Introduction to the Special Issue on Regulating New and Emerging Technologies
Authors: Weimer Maria , Marin Luisa
Published: February 2017

Technological innovations are crucial drivers of economic, social, and environmental progress. While innovations lead the evolution of our societies and permeate all domains of human life, they also pose significant risks both to humans and the environment. Law and regulation are expected to enable innovation, while at the same time protecting society from unintended consequences. However, assessing new technological risks confronts deep uncertainty and limited knowledge. In contrast to simple risks (e.g. car accidents), technological risks (such as risks stemming from new health technologies, nanotechnology, biotechnology, or robotics as discussed in this special issue) cannot be calculated according to traditional technocratic models, namely as a statistically foreseeable function of probability and effects. It is widely recognised that regulating new and emerging technologies is challenging for law due to problems of uncertainty and limited knowledge in the assessment and management of technological risks. To address this challenge it is crucial to study the ways in which law and regulation can successfully respond and adapt to technological progress.
The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation Applies to Commercial Communications Addressed to Health Professionals
Authors: Morpurgo Marco de , Botana Patricia Carmona
Published: February 2017

Case C-19/15 Verband Sozialer Wettbewerb eV v Innova Vital GmbH (ECJ, 14 July 2016)

On 14 July 2016, the Court of Justice delivered its judgment on a request for a preliminary ruling concerning the interpretation of Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. The Court ruled for the first time that the Regulation applies to nutrition and health claims made in commercial communications exclusively addressed to health professionals. This represents a major breakthrough as – in a climate of uncertainty – the established industry practice was to interpret Article 1(2) in the sense that the Regulation only applied to commercial communications addressed to final consumers. From now on, food business operators will need to take further precautionary steps to ensure that any information they communicate to health professionals either qualifies as non-commercial or complies with the Regulation. The following case note analyses the content of the judgment and its main implications (authors' summary).
The Future of EU and International Food Regulation: Which Role Should Public Authorities Play in Nutritional Issues?
Authors: Byrne David
Published: February 2017

More often than not, controversy produces reform. Nowhere is this more true than in the regulations of the safe production of food. The publication of the White Paper on Food Safety in early 2000 marked the beginning of the modern era of food safety law. That paper promised enactment of a new fundamental law which ultimately became the General Food Law (178/2002). It also promised the establishment of The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA was required to be an independent point of scientific reference for the European Union. EFSA has provided that function to a very high standard for the consumers of the European Union and for all stakeholders in the food chain.
Food Sharing in Europe: Between Regulating Risks and the Risks of Regulating
Authors: Zurek Karolina
Published: February 2017

Underground kitchens, public fridges and local meals at strangers’ homes offer an interesting and economically attractive alternatives to traditional channels of food distribution. The new practices of food sharing facilitated by technological development and using new social media combine an interest in modern engaged consumerism with a promise of more sustainable food chains and waste reduction. The main objective of this article is to map and analyse the risks and regulatory challenges posed by the variety of emerging sharing economy practices in the food sector. Drawing on the identification of the key features of sharing economy and the specificity of food in that context, this article discusses various forms, scales and motivations behind the existing food sharing initiatives. The article describes three main categories of food sharing models, namely harvest sharing, meal sharing and leftover sharing, and illustrates them with concrete examples of networks or platforms. Against this background, the article scrutinizes the major risks and challenges of food sharing, ranging from individual and public health and safety to market fragmentation. Reviewing the available regulatory options to address these risks, and juxtaposing them with the risks stemming out of regulatory intervention as such, the contribution calls for balanced approach to food sharing governance in the European Union.
Restricted nutrition-induced low birth weight, low number of nephrons and glomerular mesangium injury in Japanese quail
Authors: Nishimura H. , Yaoita E. , Nameta M. , Yamaguchi K. , Sato M. , Ihoriya C. , Zhao L. , Kawachi H. , Sasaki T. , Ikezumi Y. , Ouchi Y. , Kashihara N. , Yamamoto T.
Published: February 2017

Insufficient nutrition during the perinatal period causes structural alterations in humans and experimental animals, leading to increased vulnerability to diseases in later life. Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica, in which partial (8–10%) egg white was withdrawn (EwW) from eggs before incubation had lower birth weights than controls (CTs). EwW birds also had reduced hatching rates, smaller glomeruli and lower embryo weight. In EwW embryos, the surface condensate area containing mesenchymal cells was larger, suggesting that delayed but active nephrogenesis takes place. In mature EwW quail, the number of glomeruli in the cortical region (mm2) was significantly lower (CT 34.7±1.4, EwW 21.0±1.2); capillary loops showed focal ballooning, and mesangial areas were distinctly expanded. Immunoreactive cell junction proteins,N-cadherin and podocin, and slit diaphragms were clearly seen. With aging, the mesangial area and glomerular size continued to increase and were significantly larger in EwW quail, suggesting compensatory hypertrophy. Furthermore, apoptosis measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling analysis was higher in EwWs than in CTs on embryonic day 15 and postnatal day 4 (D4). Similarly, plasma glucocorticoid (corticosterone) was higher (P<0.01) on D4 in EwW quail. These results suggest that although nephrogenic activity is high in low-nutrition quail during the perinatal period, delayed development and increased apoptosis may result in a lower number of mature nephrons. Damaged or incompletely mature mesangium may trigger glomerular injury, leading in later life to nephrosclerosis. The present study shows that birds serve as a model for ‘fetal programming,’ which appears to have evolved phylogenetically early.
The Fan Propeller and Blade Interference
Authors: Riach M. A. S.
Published: February 2017

For some time it has been recognised that the aerodynamical theory of the screw propeller, as at present presented, leaves considerable room for improvement. The leading specialists in this branch of aerodynamics, such as Mr. Fage, Mr. McKinnon-Wood and Dr. Watts, have given recognition to the all-important fact that a velocity of inflow can only, be produced by the mutual interfering action of the propeller blades upon each other. Dr. H. C. Watts was, I believe, the first person to point this out clearly, and to show that the hitherto accepted theories of inflow rested upon a highly empirical basis. By “ velocity of inflow ” is meant the additional velocity required to modify the method of propeller analysis, known as the blade element theory, originally enunciated by S. Drzewiecki in 1892. The accepted and standard inflow theory of the airscrew, as, for example, given in Professor L. Bairstow's “ Applied Aerodynamics,” rests upon the empirical assumption that the ratio (velocity of inflow)/(velocity of impressed slip) is a constant for all propellers and for all radii along the propeller blade length.
Automatic Stability
Authors: Hawkins E. C.
Published: February 2017

The title of my paper should really have been “ Stability in Ordinary Conditions of Wind near the Ground,” to indicate that the stability about which I want to talk here to-night is not the equilibrium of a machine in calm air, or in an unfluctuating breeze (if there is such a thing), but the ability which a machine must have to remain stable under ordinary conditions of wind most days in the year. Although my ideas on feathering fans are brought in as one way of meeting the conditions which have certainly up to the present not been provided against in any experiment, I by no means hold by them if any better way could be devised for this vital purpose. Now the ordinary conditions of a breeze near the ground have been ably described by Sir Hiram Maxim and Professor Langley.
Timber: Its Identification and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Barling W. H.
Published: February 2017

In this paper I propose to bring before you a broad outline of our knowledge of the subject, not from the point of view of a botanist, but purely from the point of view of an engineer.

Although in ancient, and in fact during all time, timber has been extensively used for constructional purposes, our knowledge of it is comparatively small, whilst the subject itself is very extensive.

The reason for these facts is not hard to find. Unfortunately the physicist has not in general had to deal with timber in the progress of physical research, as he has with metals; and the questions which concern the engineer are not in general those with which the botanist deals.

There has been comparatively little incentive for engineers to do much work on timber, as before the advent of the aeroplane its application was limited to unimportant parts, except in America and the Colonies, where the cost of metal parts is high. A considerable amount of information has in recent years been published by the American Government Forestry Department; the Government of New South Wales, Australia, have also published a considerable amount of data on Australian timbers.
Growth, Development, and Seed Biology of Feather Fingergrass (Chloris virgata) in Southern Australia
Authors: Ngo The D. , Boutsalis Peter , Preston Christopher , Gill Gurjeet
Published: February 2017

Feather fingergrass is a major weed in agricultural systems in northern Australia and has now spread to southern Australia. To better understand the biology of this emerging weed species, its growth, development, and seed biology were examined. Under field conditions in South Australia, seedlings that emerged after summer rainfall events required 1,200 growing degree days from emergence to mature seed production and produced 700 g m−2shoot biomass. Plants produced up to 1,000 seeds panicle−1and more than 40,000 seeds plant−1, with seed weight ranging from 0.36 to 0.46 mg. Harvested seeds were dormant for a period of about 2 mo and required 5 mo of after-ripening to reach 50% germination. Freshly harvested seed could be released from dormancy by pretreatment with 564 mM sodium hypochlorite for 30 min. Light significantly increased germination. Seed could germinate over a wide temperature range (10 to 40 C), with maximum germination at 15 to 25 C. At 20 to 25 C, 50% germination was reached within 2.7 to 3.3 d, and the predicted base temperature to germinate was 2.1 to 3.0 C. The osmotic potential and NaCl concentration required to inhibit germination by 50% were −0.16 to −0.20 MPa and 90 to 124 mM, respectively. Seedling emergence was highest (76%) for seeds present on soil surface and was significantly reduced by burial at 1 (57%), 2 (49%), and 5 cm (9%). Under field conditions, seeds buried in the soil persisted longer than those left on the soil surface, and low spring–summer rainfall increased seed persistence. This study provides important information on growth, development, and seed biology of feather fingergrass that will contribute to the development of a more effective management program for this weed species in Australia.
Haematopoietic stem cells: past, present and future
Authors: Ng Ashley P , Alexander Warren S
Published: February 2017

The discovery and characterisation of haematopoietic stem cells has required decades of research. The identification of adult bone marrow as a source of haematopoietic cells capable of protecting an organism from otherwise lethal irradiation led to the intense search for their identity and characteristics. Using functional assays along with evolving techniques for isolation of haematopoietic cells, haematopoietic stem cell populations were able to be enriched and their characteristics analysed. The key haematopoietic stem cell characteristics of pluripotentiality and the ability for self-renewal have emerged as characteristics of several haematopoietic stem cell populations, including those that have recently challenged the conventional concepts of the haematopoietic hierarchy. Human allogeneic stem cell therapy relies on these functional characteristics of haematopoietic stem cells that can be isolated from peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood, with the additional requirement that immunological barriers need to be overcome to allow sustained engraftment while minimising risk of graft-versus-host disease developing in the recipient of transplanted stem cells. Current and future research will continue to focus on the identification of haematopoietic stem cell regulators and methods for in vitro and in vivo stem cell manipulation, including genome editing, to expand the scope, potential and safety of therapy using haematopoietic stem cells.
Dissection of goadsporin biosynthesis by in vitro reconstitution leading to designer analogues expressed in vivo
Authors: Ozaki Taro , Yamashita Kona , Goto Yuki , Shimomura Morito , Hayashi Shohei , Asamizu Shumpei , Sugai Yoshinori , Ikeda Haruo , Suga Hiroaki , Onaka Hiroyasu
Published: February 2017

Goadsporin (GS) is a member of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), containing an N-terminal acetyl moiety, six azoles and two dehydroalanines in the peptidic main chain. Although the enzymes involved in GS biosynthesis have been defined, the principle of how the respective enzymes control the specific modifications remains elusive. Here we report a one-pot synthesis of GS using the enzymes reconstituted in the ‘flexible’ in vitro translation system, referred to as the FIT–GS system. This system allows us to readily prepare not only the precursor peptide from its synthetic DNA template but also 52 mutants, enabling us to dissect the modification determinants of GodA for each enzyme. The in vitro knowledge has also led us to successfully produce designer GS analogues in vivo. The methodology demonstrated in this work is also applicable to other RiPP biosynthesis, allowing us to rapidly investigate the principle of modification events with great ease.
Reconciled rat and human metabolic networks for comparative toxicogenomics and biomarker predictions
Authors: Blais Edik M. , Rawls Kristopher D. , Dougherty Bonnie V. , Li Zhuo I. , Kolling Glynis L. , Ye Ping , Wallqvist Anders , Papin Jason A.
Published: February 2017

The laboratory rat has been used as a surrogate to study human biology for more than a century. Here we present the first genome-scale network reconstruction of Rattus norvegicus metabolism, iRno, and a significantly improved reconstruction of human metabolism, iHsa. These curated models comprehensively capture metabolic features known to distinguish rats from humans including vitamin C and bile acid synthesis pathways. After reconciling network differences between iRno and iHsa, we integrate toxicogenomics data from rat and human hepatocytes, to generate biomarker predictions in response to 76 drugs. We validate comparative predictions for xanthine derivatives with new experimental data and literature-based evidence delineating metabolite biomarkers unique to humans. Our results provide mechanistic insights into species-specific metabolism and facilitate the selection of biomarkers consistent with rat and human biology. These models can serve as powerful computational platforms for contextualizing experimental data and making functional predictions for clinical and basic science applications.
X-linked primary ciliary dyskinesia due to mutations in the cytoplasmic axonemal dynein assembly factor PIH1D3
Authors: Olcese Chiara , Patel Mitali P. , Shoemark Amelia , Kiviluoto Santeri , Legendre Marie , Williams Hywel J. , Vaughan Cara K. , Hayward Jane , Goldenberg Alice , Emes Richard D. , Munye Mustafa M. , Dyer Laura , Cahill Thomas , Bevillard Jeremy , Gehrig Corinne , Guipponi Michel , Chantot Sandra , Duquesnoy Philippe , Thomas Lucie , Jeanson Ludovic , Copin Bruno , Tamalet Aline , Thauvin-Robinet Christel , Papon Jean- François , Garin Antoine , Pin Isabelle , Vera Gabriella , Aurora Paul , Fassad Mahmoud R. , Jenkins Lucy , Boustred Christopher , Cullup Thomas , Dixon Mellisa , Onoufriadis Alexandros , Bush Andrew , Chung Eddie M. K. , Antonarakis Stylianos E. , Loebinger Michael R. , Wilson Robert , Armengot Miguel , Escudier Estelle , Hogg Claire ,   UK10K Rare Group, Al-Turki Saeed , Anderson Carl , Antony Dinu , Barroso Inês , Beales Philip L. , Bentham Jamie , Bhattacharya Shoumo , Carss Keren , Chatterjee Krishna , Cirak Sebahattin , Cosgrove Catherine , Allan Daly , Durbin Richard , Fitzpatrick David , Floyd Jamie , Foley A. Reghan , Franklin Chris , Futema Marta , Humphries Steve E. , Hurles Matt , McCarthy Shane , Muddyman Dawn , Muntoni Francesco , Parker Victoria , Payne Felicity , Plagnol Vincent , Raymond Lucy , Savage David B. , Scambler Peter J. , Schmidts Miriam , Semple Robert , Serra Eva , Stalker Jim , van Kogelenberg Margriet , Vijayarangakannan Parthiban , Walter Klaudia , Amselem Serge , Sun Zhaoxia , Bartoloni Lucia , Blouin Jean-Louis , Mitchison Hannah M.
Published: February 2017

By moving essential body fluids and molecules, motile cilia and flagella govern respiratory mucociliary clearance, laterality determination and the transport of gametes and cerebrospinal fluid. Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder frequently caused by non-assembly of dynein arm motors into cilia and flagella axonemes. Before their import into cilia and flagella, multi-subunit axonemal dynein arms are thought to be stabilized and pre-assembled in the cytoplasm through a DNAAF2–DNAAF4–HSP90 complex akin to the HSP90 co-chaperone R2TP complex. Here, we demonstrate that large genomic deletions as well as point mutations involving PIH1D3 are responsible for an X-linked form of PCD causing disruption of early axonemal dynein assembly. We propose that PIH1D3, a protein that emerges as a new player of the cytoplasmic pre-assembly pathway, is part of a complementary conserved R2TP-like HSP90 co-chaperone complex, the loss of which affects assembly of a subset of inner arm dyneins.
Heterogeneity of macrophage infiltration and therapeutic response in lung carcinoma revealed by 3D organ imaging
Authors: Cuccarese Michael F. , Dubach J. Matthew , Pfirschke Christina , Engblom Camilla , Garris Christopher , Miller Miles A. , Pittet Mikael J. , Weissleder Ralph
Published: February 2017

Involvement of the immune system in tumour progression is at the forefront of cancer research. Analysis of the tumour immune microenvironment has yielded a wealth of information on tumour biology, and alterations in some immune subtypes, such as tumour-associated macrophages (TAM), can be strong prognostic indicators. Here, we use optical tissue clearing and a TAM-targeting injectable fluorescent nanoparticle (NP) to examine three-dimensional TAM composition, tumour-to-tumour heterogeneity, response to colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) blockade and nanoparticle-based drug delivery in murine pulmonary carcinoma. The method allows for rapid tumour volume assessment and spatial information on TAM infiltration at the cellular level in entire lungs. This method reveals that TAM density was heterogeneous across tumours in the same animal, overall TAM density is different among separate pulmonary tumour models, nanotherapeutic drug delivery correlated with TAM heterogeneity, and successful response to CSF-1R blockade is characterized by enhanced TAM penetration throughout and within tumours.
A CAF40-binding motif facilitates recruitment of the CCR4-NOT complex to mRNAs targeted by Drosophila Roquin
Authors: Sgromo Annamaria , Raisch Tobias , Bawankar Praveen , Bhandari Dipankar , Chen Ying , Kuzuoğlu-Öztürk Duygu , Weichenrieder Oliver , Izaurralde Elisa
Published: February 2017

Human (Hs) Roquin1 and Roquin2 are RNA-binding proteins that promote mRNA target degradation through the recruitment of the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex and are implicated in the prevention of autoimmunity. Roquin1 recruits CCR4-NOT via a C-terminal region that is not conserved in Roquin2 or in invertebrate Roquin. Here we show that Roquin2 and Drosophila melanogaster (Dm) Roquin also interact with the CCR4-NOT complex through their C-terminal regions. The C-terminal region of Dm Roquin contains multiple motifs that mediate CCR4-NOT binding. One motif binds to the CAF40 subunit of the CCR4-NOT complex. The crystal structure of the Dm Roquin CAF40-binding motif (CBM) bound to CAF40 reveals that the CBM adopts an α-helical conformation upon binding to a conserved surface of CAF40. Thus, despite the lack of sequence conservation, the C-terminal regions of Roquin proteins act as an effector domain that represses the expression of mRNA targets via recruitment of the CCR4-NOT complex.
Cryptic bioactivity capacitated by synthetic hybrid plant peptides
Authors: Hirakawa Yuki , Shinohara Hidefumi , Welke Kai , Irle Stephan , Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu , Torii Keiko U. , Uchida Naoyuki
Published: February 2017

Evolution often diversifies a peptide hormone family into multiple subfamilies, which exert distinct activities by exclusive interaction with specific receptors. Here we show that systematic swapping of pre-existing variation in a subfamily of plant CLE peptide hormones leads to a synthetic bifunctional peptide that exerts activities beyond the original subfamily by interacting with multiple receptors. This approach provides new insights into the complexity and specificity of peptide signalling.
Soil networks become more connected and take up more carbon as nature restoration progresses
Authors: Morriën Elly , Hannula S. Emilia , Snoek L. Basten , Helmsing Nico R. , Zweers Hans , de Hollander Mattias , Soto Raquel Luján , Bouffaud Marie-Lara , Buée Marc , Dimmers Wim , Duyts Henk , Geisen Stefan , Girlanda Mariangela , Griffiths Rob I. , Jørgensen Helene-Bracht , Jensen John , Plassart Pierre , Redecker Dirk , Schmelz Rűdiger M , Schmidt Olaf , Thomson Bruce C. , Tisserant Emilie , Uroz Stephane , Winding Anne , Bailey Mark J. , Bonkowski Michael , Faber Jack H. , Martin Francis , Lemanceau Philippe , de Boer Wietse , van Veen Johannes A. , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: February 2017

Soil organisms have an important role in aboveground community dynamics and ecosystem functioning in terrestrial ecosystems. However, most studies have considered soil biota as a black box or focussed on specific groups, whereas little is known about entire soil networks. Here we show that during the course of nature restoration on abandoned arable land a compositional shift in soil biota, preceded by tightening of the belowground networks, corresponds with enhanced efficiency of carbon uptake. In mid- and long-term abandoned field soil, carbon uptake by fungi increases without an increase in fungal biomass or shift in bacterial-to-fungal ratio. The implication of our findings is that during nature restoration the efficiency of nutrient cycling and carbon uptake can increase by a shift in fungal composition and/or fungal activity. Therefore, we propose that relationships between soil food web structure and carbon cycling in soils need to be reconsidered.