Identification of Chaoborus kairomone chemicals that induce defences in Daphnia.

Infochemicals play important roles in aquatic ecosystems. They even modify food web interactions, such as by inducing defenses in prey. In one classic but still not fully understood example, the planktonic freshwater crustacean Daphnia pulex forms specific morphological defenses (neckteeth) induced by chemical cues (kairomones) released from its predator, the phantom midge larva Chaoborus. On the basis of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and chemical synthesis, we report here the chemical identity of the Chaoborus kairomone. The biologically active cues consist of fatty acids conjugated to the amino group of glutamine via the N terminus. These cues are involved in Chaoborus digestive processes, which explains why they are consistently released despite the disadvantage for its emitter. The identification of the kairomone may allow in-depth studies on multiple aspects of this inducible defense system.

The ADEBAR project: European and international provision of analytical data from structure elucidation and analytical characterization of NPS.

Novel substances for which none or limited analytical data are available constitute a challenge for police and customs forensic laboratories. The time-consuming process of structural elucidation and acquisition of analytical data has been centralized in the ADEBAR project in Germany, co-funded since 2017 by the EU's Internal Security Fund. The project aims to comprehensively characterize substances relevant for forensic-toxicological casework within the analytical competence network. The analytical datasets are distributed digitally through European and (inter)national channels. Additionally, pharmacological evaluation allows for estimating in vivo potency and potential harm required as scientific evidence for legislative amendments. The ADEBAR project contributes to the availability of analytical data on new substances relevant to the daily work of police and customs laboratories. Since the inception of the ADEBAR project, 549 samples have been registered, and 302 substance reports notified to the EMCDDA, including numerous spectrometric and spectroscopic data. In addition, 3,619 mass spectra have been accumulated in ADEBAR mass spectra databases. A central institution for the structure elucidation and acquisition of valid, high-quality analytical data for police and customs forensic laboratories and forensic medicine institutes is important in the future because there does not seem to be an end to the dynamic of novel NPS appearing on the drug market.

Construct-A-Vis: Exploring the Free-Form Visualization Processes of Children.

Building data analysis skills is part of modern elementary school curricula. Recent research has explored how to facilitate children's understanding of visual data representations through completion exercises which highlight links between concrete and abstract mappings. This approach scaffolds visualization activities by presenting a target visualization to children. But how can we engage children in more free-form visual data mapping exercises that are driven by their own mapping ideas? How can we scaffold a creative exploration of visualization techniques and mapping possibilities? We present Construct-A-Vis, a tablet-based tool designed to explore the feasibility of free-form and constructive visualization activities with elementary school children. Construct-A-Vis provides adjustable levels of scaffolding visual mapping processes. It can be used by children individually or as part of collaborative activities. Findings from a study with elementary school children using Construct-A-Vis individually and in pairs highlight the potential of this free-form constructive approach, as visible in children's diverse visualization outcomes and their critical engagement with the data and mapping processes. Based on our study findings we contribute insights into the design of free-form visualization tools for children, including the role of tool-based scaffolding mechanisms and shared interactions to guide visualization activities with children.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of the Tp sandwich compound TpRu(p-Br-C6H4Tp) and application of its benzoic acid derivative TpRu(p-(CO2H)-C6H4Tp) in the covalent labelling of biomolecules.

An improved synthesis for the mixed-ligand tris(pyrazolyl)borate sandwich compound TpRu(p-BrC(6)H(4)Tp) 1 by microwave-assisted synthesis starting from RuTp(COD)Cl (COD: 1,4-cyclooctadiene, Tp: hydrido-tris(pyrazolyl)borate) was developed. Air-stable 1 was characterized by an X-ray single crystal structure and has been converted to the acid-functionalized TpRu(p-(CO(2)H)-C(6)H(4)Tp) 2, which may be readily coupled to biomolecules as exemplified by the covalent attachment to valine-tert-butylester to give TpRu(p-(CO-Val-OtBu)-C(6)H(4)Tp) 3. In solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), 2 has been coupled to the pentapeptide Enkephalin, providing TpRu(p-(CO-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH)-C(6)H(4)Tp) 4 as the first example of a ruthenium Tp sandwich bioconjugate.