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The urgency of effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reliance of many low-income countries on imports of medical products, requires new approaches to regulation of these products. The challenge will be particularly acute for the new tests to identify infection, drugs to alleviate symptoms and machines to aid recovery as well as vaccines that are all expected to be developed in the coming months. Increased transparency, information sharing and greater cooperation among agencies responsible for the approval and inspection of medical goods around the world can help officials in low-income countries implement their mandate more effectively while maximizing efficient access to these commodities. Responsible agencies should focus on implementing technical regulations to protect health and safety, including interception of counterfeit and substandard products, and avoid wasting resources and creating delays by maintaining procedural practices that may be better addressed through alternative risk management strategies or seeking to regulate quality issues, which are best left to the market. Where there is a need to rapidly approve, test and inspect new goods or varieties that have not previously been imported, such as new equipment and medicines, the adoption of mutual recognition and/or equivalence can provide effective mechanisms to avoid regulatory delays while maintaining high levels of safety.

Archaeological studies sample ancient human populations one site at a time, often limited to a fraction of the regions and periods occupied by a given group. While this bias is known and discussed in the literature, few model populations span areas as large and unforgiving as the Yakuts of Eastern Siberia. We systematically surveyed 31,000 square kilometres in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and completed the archaeological study of 174 frozen graves, assembled between the 15th and the 19th century. We analysed genetic data (autosomal genotypes, Y-chromosome haplotypes and mitochondrial haplotypes) for all ancient subjects and confronted these to data on 190 modern subjects from the same area and the same population. Ancient familial links were identified between graves up to 1500 km apart, as well as paternal clans. We provide new insights on the origins of the contemporary Yakut population and demonstrate that cultural similarities in the past were linked to (i) the expansion of specific paternal clans, (ii) preferential marriage among the elites and (iii) funeral choices that could constitute a bias in any ancient population study.

The water droplet laser plasma source has been shown to have many attractive features as a continuous, almost debris-free source for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray applications. Through a dual experimental and theoretical study, we analyze the interaction physics between the laser light and the target. The hydrodynamic laser plasma simulation code, Medusa103 is used to model the electron density distribution for comparison to electron density distributions obtained through Abel inversion of plasma interferograms. In addition, flat field EUV spectra are compared to synthetic spectra calculated with the atomic physics code RATION.

Nowadays, the DNA markers used for individual identification in forensic science are on the one hand based on repeat sequences (STR and VNTR) on genomic DNA, and on the other hand based on the mitochondrial hypervariable regions 1 and 2. An alternative to these classical markers could be single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as they present advantages over them. Even if most SNPs are biallelic and, therefore, of limited discriminatory value, a vast number of those loci exist and are being catalogued at a rapid rate. Furthermore, those markers have a sex-unspecific transmission, are less subjects to mutations as they can be found in coding regions of DNA and their detection and analysis are relatively easy to achieve. Finally, the analysed DNA sequence is much shorter than the one used for STR research, and SNP profiles could have an application in anthropology and legal medicine where samples are old and often degraded. The aim of this study is the selection of 11 informative SNPs, i.e., conserved, phenotypically not expressed and represented at high frequencies in populations, their analysis by sequencing and the confirmation of their mendelian transmission. The principle of this method is compatible with different SNP analysis platforms (i.e., pyrosequencing, MALDI-TOF MS, SnaPShot, etc.) and could allow the achievement of a genetic profile specific for an individual in an extremely short time and at low costs. The number of SNPs present on human genome being vast, the list of the selected ones could be even longer.

The droplet laser plasma source has many attractive features as a continuous, almost debris-free source for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray radiation applications. In a combined experimental and theoretical study, we are analyzing the interaction physics between the laser light and microscopic spherical liquid droplet targets over a range of conditions.

Exponential growth of self-amplified spontaneous emission at 530 nm was first experimentally observed at the Advanced Photon Source low-energy undulator test line in December 1999. Since then, further detailed measurements and analysis of the results have been made. Here, we present the measurements and compare these with calculations based on measured electron beam properties and theoretical expectations.

Working with ancient DNA is an extremely useful approach in prehistoric population genetics. In this work we observed that all the samples already analysed belonged to haplogroup H of the mtDNA. Thus, we aimed to check the frequency of haplogroup H in samples from the Basque Country to assess the possibility of using it as a genetic marker of the postglacial recolonization that occurred in Europe after the LGM, approximately 15,000 years ago.

Ancient DNA results are always submitted to caution due to the technical difficulties induced by the minute amounts, the degraded nature of the template and the high risk of contamination. A list of criteria of validation has been published as a guideline for ancient DNA researchers [ [1] A. Cooper, H.N. Poinar, Ancient DNA: do it right or not at all, Science 289 (5482) (2000) 1139.]. In addition to these criteria, the analysis of different substrates, i.e. bone, teeth and hairs of the same individual, could be another way to ensure the reliability of the results. This study presents the data obtained on bones, molar teeth and hairs from two Siberian specimens dated from the 18th century. These two subjects excavated from frozen graves were mummified. Their exceptional state of preservation allowed us to test the amplification of autosomal and Y chromosomal STRs and of the HVI region on the three types of substrate. This approach allowed the identification of artefacts on STR profiles, common when working with Low Copy Number DNA. Indeed, the comparison of the profiles obtained from bones and teeth highlights allelic dropouts and spurious alleles for the bone samples. The possibility to compare results from different substrates, in spite of the limited number of possible cases, represents another, and interesting, criterion to confirm the authenticity of ancient DNA results.

A highly repeated DNA sequence composed of closely related subunits that ranged from 171 to 176 base pairs has been cloned and characterized in the king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa). Related sequences were also isolated in the black vulture (Coragyps atratus). This new family of avian repetitive DNA elements is here termed the "HaeIII family." Genomic DNAs from a number of avian species were probed with one of the king vulture restriction fragments. In the cathartids, the hybridization patterns showed no individual or sexual variations. A strong HaeIII ladder was present in the two aforementioned species as well as in the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), but in the black vulture the bands of the ladder alternated in intensity. Weaker hybridization signals were obtained in two ciconids, the jabiru stork (Jabiru mycteria) and the white stork (Ciconia ciconia). The HaeIII repeat was not detected in accipitrid birds of prey, a Polyborinae falconid, pelecanids, and psittacids. Key words : satellite DNA, New World vulture, tandem repeat, Sarcoramphus papa, Coragyps atratus.

Resume L'exploitation des cheveux et des poils en matiere d'investigations genetiques est d'une extraordinaire fecondite puisqu'elle permet aujourd'hui de mettre en evidence l'identite biologique d'un individu, le controle genetique du systeme immunitaire, la susceptibilite a certaines maladies, les relations existant entre differents groupes d'organismes ou encore l'origine des especes. Cet article a pour objet de decrire brievement les methodes permettant un typage genetique a partir de cheveux et de poils ainsi que les applications et les benefices possibles.

In this paper, we report the coexistence of cross hybridization of the 33.6 and 33.15 human minisatellite probes to female specific DNA fragments in birds of prey. Besides detecting highly informative polymorphic autosomal loci (the mean probability of two unrelated individuals sharing a band was estimated to be 0.28 for probe 33.6 and 0.37 for probe 33.15), each probe allowed the detection of a DNA fragment present only in the DNA profiles obtained from female peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and transmitted to female offspring only.

DNA fingerprinting or DNA profiling (as it is now known) was first developed by Alec Jeffreys in 1985 (Jeffreys et al., 1985), who found that in the human genome, some regions contained DNA sequences that were repeated over and over again, next to each other. He also discovered that the number of repeated unit could differ from individual to individual allowing human identity testing. Since that time, DNA typing methods has been commonly used in criminal cases (to identify a suspect or a victim or to absolve an innocent individual) as well as in the identification of missing persons or in paternity testing. Today, the most commonly used DNA repeat regions used are microsatellites also known as Short Tandem Repeats (STR). These loci in which the repeat unit is at least two bases but no more than seven in length, are amplified by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) in a multiplex fashion (multiple primers) reducing sample consumption. Today, for the majority of forensic cases where DNA of preserved quality is available, the identification procedures of biological samples are performed by commercially well-validated kits incorporating 15-16 highly variable STR loci (plus amelogenin) such as PowerPlexR (Promega) and AmpFlSTRR (Applied Biosystems). With highly automated equipment, STR profiling can process hundreds of samples each day and became the cornerstone of forensic DNA testing, including national DNA databases with STR-profiles of convicted felons. Nevertheless, it is of great importance to make the distinction between the samples containing large quantities of high quality DNA and those containing minute amounts of DNA and/or poor quality molecules. If for the first type of samples, the occurrences of errors or pitfall are rare, in the second type, the interpretation of the allelic profiles should be done with care and caution. In this article, the authors will focus on the analysis of challenging samples, in other words, samples containing either (i) minute amount of DNA or (ii) degraded DNA or (iii) mixture of DNA or (iv) DNA polymerase inhibitors or (v) contaminating DNA molecules. Indeed, DNA is stable and remains intact when stored in a dry or frozen state but will be degraded when stored under inappropriate or bacterially contaminated conditions. Two types of damage are mainly likely to affect DNA over time: hydrolytic and oxidative damage. Hydrolytic damage results in deamination of bases and in depurination and depyrimidination, whereas oxidative damage results in modified bases (Lindahl, 1993). Both mechanisms reduce the number as well as the size of the fragments that can be amplified by PCR. Failure to amplify DNA may also result from the presence of inhibitors that interfere

The development of a source bright enough for EUVL, possessing the required long-term stability within a reasonable cost, is forcing plasma physicists to address issues associated with dense plasmas that have up until now received scant attention. With both discharge plasmas and laser plasmas, addressing these issues has stimulated many new ideas and concepts for source design and measures associated with them. Although these new developments are currently directed toward satisfying the needs of next-generation lithography (NGL), it is likely they will also open new fields of application in the years ahead. Early on in the development of EUVL sources, when the required source power (2π sr, 2% bandwidth) was ∼10 W, we speculated that the so-called debris problem would be the most difficult to overcome. It was for this reason that we proposed the notion of the mass-limited target for the laser plasma source. In this scenario, the material supplied to the source should consist only of a mass sufficient to provide the minimum required number of atomic radiators.

The monoclonal antibody technology has provided a means to produce a supply of highly specific uniform antibody which is useful in the detection of plant viruses and which facilitates disease resistance screening. Because of the specificity of a monoclonal antibody to an epitope, a monoclonal antibody may not react to a partially degraded protein. Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) is a member of the potyvirus group and is transmitted by the wheat curl mite Eriophyes tulipae Keifer. The capsid protein of WSMV, like many potyviruses, is degraded in planta. Monoclonal antibodies produced to WSMV reacted to native as well as trypsin treated virions. The antibodies were also useful for evaluation of hard red winter wheat cultivars inoculated with WSMV in the fall or in the spring under field conditions.

The Tile Calorimeter is one of the main hadronic calorimeters to be used in the ATLAS experiment at CERN [1,2]. It is a steel/scintillator sampling calorimeter which is built by stacking 64 segments in azimuth and 3 separate cylinders to provide a total structure whose length is approximately 12m and whose diameter is a little over 8.4m. It has a total weight of about 2630 metric tons. Important features of this calorimeter are: A minimum gap (1.5mm) between modules in azimuth; Pockets in the structure to hold the scintillator tiles; Recessed channels at the edges of the module into which the readout fibers will sit; and Holes in the structure through which a radioactive source will pass. The mechanical structure for one of the 3 calorimeter sections, the Extended Barrel (EBA) was constructed at Argonne. A schematic of the calorimeter sampling structure and the layout of one of the 64 segments, termed a module, are shown in figure 1. Each module comprises mechanically of a precision machined, structural girder to which 10 submodules are bolted. One of these submodules, the ITC, has a customized shape to accommodate services for other detector elements. Each submodule weighs 850Kg and the assembled mechanical structure of the module weighs approximately 9000Kg (a fully instrumented Extended Barrel modules weighs {approx}9600Kg). A crucial issue for the tile calorimeter assembly is the minimization of the un-instrumented gap between modules when they are stacked on top of each other during final assembly. The design goal was originally 1mm gap which was eventually relaxed to 1.5mm following a careful evaluation of all tolerances in the construction and assembly process as shown in figure 2 [3]. Submodules for this assembly were produced at 4 locations [4] using tooling and procedures which were largely identical [5]. An important issue was the height of each submodule on the stacking fixture on which they were fabricated as this defines the length along the girder for installation, with a design gap between submodules on the girder of 0.3mm. During production we relaxed this tolerance to +0.3, -1.5mm. The height summary for submodules used at Argonne is shown in Appendix I. About 10 submodules fell outside the positive height envelope (due to the raw plate thickness being out of specification) and we constructed some custom short submodules to allow their use in module assembly. The structural girders were produced commercially following the Quality Control plan agreed to with the Tile Calorimeter collaboration and shipped to Argonne. The crucial tolerances on the girder are the key into which submodules are placed as well as the flatness of the key surface which are used in aligning submodules such that the azimuthal surface lies wholly an envelope of +0.75mm from nominal [6]. Another important characteristic of the girder are clearance holes through which the wavelength shift fibers pass to couple the light to photomultipliers located inside the girder, as described in [2]. Since these fiber bundles must be located to high precision, rather than position the holes in the steel to this precision, tooling was developed by which the precision pieces are glued into the girder [7]. This is shown in figure 3. More details on the pieces used to accomplish this interface to the readout electronics are discussed in [2].

The laboratory end-to-end testing of the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) for the Solar-B satellite is reported. A short overview of the EIS, which observes in two bands in the extreme-ultraviolet wavelength range, is given. The calibration apparatus is described, including details of the light sources used. The data reduction and analysis procedure are outlined. The wavelength calibration using a Penning source to illuminate the aperture fully is presented. We discuss the aperture determination using a radiometrically calibrated hollow-cathode-based source. We then give an account of the predicted and measured efficiencies from consideration of the efficiencies of individual optical elements in first order, an account of efficiencies out of band when radiation incident in one band is detected in the other, and efficiencies in multiple orders. The efficiencies measured in first order for in band and out of band are compared with the predictions and the sensitivity, and its uncertainties are derived. Application of the radiometric calibration is discussed.

Laser plasma short wavelength sources are finding increasing applications in science and advanced technologies. Our previous work with a 100 kHz water droplet system generated 13 nm and 116 nm line emission from a Li-like oxygen plasma produced by 10 ns duration, 10 Hz Nd:YAG laser pulses at /spl sim/10/sup 12/ W/cm/sup 2/. We now present a detailed quantitative study of this source, performed with a 100 Hz laser, that characterizes the radiation efficiency and the long-term operation. The results show that the droplet laser plasma source comes close to satisfying all the near-term needs of EUV lithography. In particular we demonstrate an overall conversion efficiency of laser light to 13 nm emission within the required spectral bandwidth in excess of 0.6% comparable to any other existing source at this wavelength. In addition we have performed an exhaustive examination of the long-term effects of plasma emissions on the reflectivity of multilayer mirrors, exposed to this source. This included detailed surface science studies of the multilayer mirrors after EUV radiation doses approaching those anticipated in a first generation exposure tool. This study has lead to the development of novel techniques that extend debris-free operation of this source by over an order of magnitude to close to that needed for long-term, continuous use. In a separate study we have developed an adaptation of the droplet source for the generation of soft X-rays. Plasmas created from these targets by laser intensities range will provide a debris-free source across a rich range of wavelengths. Moreover, the use of a mass-limited target permits a detailed quantitative understanding of the radiation and kinetic energetics of these plasmas to be made. We will report X-ray spectroscopic data, and discuss new applications of these new debris-free X-ray sources.

The 13 nm emission that results from laser plasmas created from tin targets, results from a milliard of transitions occurring in many ions of tin (Sn6+-Sn13+). Understanding the energy manifolds within these multiple states will further our ability to manipulate energy into the narrow emission band demanded by EUV Lithography. A combined experimental theoretical program is underway to measure and interpret the detailed EUV emission spectra from laser plasmas suitable for EUVL, particularly mass-limited droplet laser plasmas. We employ high resolution spectroscopy in the 2 - 60 nm wavelength regions to characterize the emission from the plasma. This is interpreted with the aid of combined hydrodynamic/ radiation transport computer models. The results of this study will have impact on the in-band EUV conversion efficiency, estimation of the out-of-band short-wavelength emission, and in the development of electron temperature plasma diagnostics.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Detailed understanding of the complex UTA emission from Xe and Sn laser plasmas is imperative to the development of efficient 13.5 nm sources for EUVL. We are developing a comprehensive theoretical modeling approach to these sources, utilizing state-of-the-art hydrodynamic and radiation transport plasma codes. These models are specifically applied to Xe and Sn-doped microscopic droplet targets laser-plasmas irradiated with nanosecond laser pulses. The plasma expansion models are compared to experimental determinations of the plasma electron density distributions. The output of the radiation transport code is used to interpret details of the spectral emission measured from these plasmas over a broad range of parameters.

A high repetition-rate laser plasma source, possessing distinct radiation and particle emission characteristics, is now a principal candidate light source for the next generation of technology for the fabrication of computer chips. For these sources to satisfy this critical need they will need to meet unprecedented levels of performance, stability and lifetime. We review here some of the principal diagnostics of the EUV radiation that are now being utilized in the metrology, spectroscopy and imaging of these sources.

The most pressing technical issue for the success of EUV lithography is the provision of a high repetition-rate source having sufficient brightness, lifetime, and with sufficiently low off-band heating and particulate emissions characteristics to be technically and economically viable. We review current laser plasma approaches and achievements, with the objective of projecting future progress and identifying possible limitations and issues requiring further investigation.

We present a series of 29 necropsies in which organic compounds (including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antidepressants, phenothiazine, opiates, cannabinoids, meprobamate, digoxin and nefopam) were detected in arthropod larvae sampled on human corpses. No correlation was observed between drug concentrations in the larvae versus human samples. When tested, inter-larvae and inter-site variations of drug concentrations (i.e., within larvae when analyzed separately, and within anatomic sites when larvae were grouped according to their site of sampling) were enormous and not reproducible from one case to another, confirming that arthropod larvae are unreliable for quantitative toxicological analysis. Since drugs identified in maggots are always detectable in the cadaver too, we conclude that larvae analysis is of almost no interest for practical forensic casework.

Summary form only given. Recently we have reported a new target configuration having >2% conversion efficiency making >60 W possible with diode pumped Nd:laser technology. We are currently undertaking a combined theoretical and experimental investigation of laser plasmas produced in this regime. This includes measurements of the plasma and radiation dynamics with particle, radiation and optical diagnostics. Laser-plasma sources must also meet stringent long-term operation and debris-free conditions for EUV lithography. We are making detailed studies of these issues.

One of the key leverage factors in determining the viability of laser-plasma sources for EUVL is the conversion efficiency of laser light to EUV emission in the 13-nm region. We describe experiments and theoretical calculations on a mass-limited laser target design using tin that offers high conversion efficiency.

Summary form only given. We report a detailed experimental and theoretical study of the plasma and radiation dynamics of droplet targets. For the first time the interaction region is investigated using separate optical probing techniques, revealing the symmetry and temporal evolution of the plasma expansion. This is compared with the predictions of hydrodynamic code calculations of the evolution of the electron density and temperature profiles. Details of the ionization state of the plasma are investigated spectroscopically, using a high-resolution flat field spectrograph and a new transmission grating spectrograph. Correspondence of the line emission with predicted line intensities from an atomic physics code is made to acquire a detailed understanding of the ionization dynamics in the plasma. These advances can now be extended to other laser interaction conditions with limited mass targets. This could lead to the development of a laser-plasma sources that are even more effective than current sources.

As a mass limited target the water droplet laser plasma source has been shown to have many attractive features as a continuous, almost debris-free source for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray applications. Through a dual experimental and theoretical study, we analyze the interaction physics between the laser light and the target. The hydrodynamic laser plasma simulation code, Medusa103 is used to model the electron density distribution for comparison to electron density distributions obtained through Abel inversion of plasma interferograms. In addition, flat field EUV spectra are compared to synthetic spectra calculated with the atomic physics code RATION.

The droplet laser plasma source has previously been shown to have many attractive features as a continuous, almost debris-free source for EUV and x-ray applications. In a combined experimental and theoretical study, we analyze the interaction physics between the laser light and the target over a range of conditions.

Through paleogenetic studies we have characterised the sampling of a sepulchral cave named Elzarreko Karbia, in the Basque Country (France). Four people had been buried in this cave in the Ancient Bronze Age, three men, including an adolescent, and a woman, dating from 3,700 BP. In addition to a confirmation of the anatomical sex determination through amelogenin first intron amplification, we obtained a mitochondrial second hypervariable region (HVR II) sequence for each individual, and thus, we excluded maternal relationship between some of the skeletons.

This note is to review our experience at Argonne with assembling the first four sumodules constructed at this location. We will try to cover all of the experiences, and at the end add some comments about changes that were incorporated into the current modules, and suggested changes that may be incorporated into future modules.

Different factors affect DNA preservation and recovery such as depth of burial, soil pH, presence of humic acids or pigments of ancient clothes.

Although originally developed for humans, DNA fingerprinting is now widely applied in animal species. Potential applications of this technique in the study of wild and domesticated animals are multiple and diversified and the human minisatellite probes 33.6 and 33.15 (1) have been used to generate informative DNA banding patterns from a wide range of animal species. The advent of non-isotopically labelled probes made their use into routine technique more convenient (2). We have investigated the application of the probes 33.6 and 33.15, labelled with alkaline phosphatase and detected by chemiluminescence for individual identification and parentage analysis within raptor species. Besides detecting numerous autosomal loci, each probe allowed the detection of a DNA fragment present only in DNA profiles obtained from female peregrine falcons and transmitted to female offspring only.

The body replacement currents on a cylindrical conducting can have been measured for an arc discharge excitation that simulates a punchthrough breakdown of a charged dielectric sheet. These measurements are compared to calculated responses for three cases: (1) an arc discharge for essentially the same geometry as the experiment, (2) a uniform electron emission from the end of the can representing a blow off discharge, and (3) a capacitive direct injection drive from the end of the can representing an electrical simulation of the blowoff process. The responses are compared using appropriate scaling relationships. When the results are scaled to the same amount of released charge and the same pulse shape, the surface currents created by the outward emission of charge and the capacitive direct injection drive are more than an order of magnitude larger than the measured and calculated responses for the arc discharge, except very close to the breakdown point. Assuming that a significant fraction of the charge involved in a breakdown process is emitted outward, it is concluded that the major body-current responses of a spacecraft due to a dielectric discharge can be simulated by a capacitive direct injection drive electrical test. The current practice of using arc discharges to simulate body responses due to electrostatic discharges is, in general, not as good a technique as a capacitive direct injection drive.

Summary Stable hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to wheat soilborne mosaic virus (WSBMV) were produced by fusing spleen cells of immunized BALB/c mice and mouse myeloma cell line P3-X63-Ag8.653. Hybridoma clones produced antibodies of the IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 subclasses. Epitope analysis suggested that all the antibodies tested reacted with the same or closely adjacent antigenic sites. The MAbs reacted with particles of four isolates of WSBMV, but not with particles of 13 other viruses. The serological reactivities of the MAbs were compared with those of rabbit polyclonal antibodies for the detection of WSBMV in leaf tissue by ELISA. ELISA using both polyclonal antibodies and MAbs was superior to assays using either source of antibody alone. The MAbs of the IgG2b subclass worked well in a Protein A sandwich ELISA, and a dot immunobinding assay using only MAbs was also satisfactory for the detection of WSBMV.

Antibodies against cytochromes b and c1 of bovine heart mitochondria and the photosynthetic bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides R-26, were raised in rabbits. The purified antibodies showed high titers against their respective antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Less than 15% cross-reactivity between the mitochondrial and bacterial cytochromes was detected. Although antibodies against mitochondrial cytochrome b did not inhibit the mitochondrial cytochrome b-c1 complex, a 70% inhibition was obtained when these antibodies were incubated with delipidated mitochondrial cytochrome b-c1 complex prior to reconstitution with phospholipids indicating that the catalytic site(s) of mitochondrial cytochrome b are masked by phospholipids. On the other hand, antibodies against bacterial cytochrome b showed significant inhibition of the intact bacterial cytochrome b-c1 complex, indicating that some of the catalytic site epitopes of bacterial cytochrome b are exposed to the hydrophilic environment. Similar to antibodies against mitochondrial cytochrome b, antibodies against bacterial cytochrome b inhibited 50% activity of the mitochondrial cytochrome b-c1 complex only when they were incubated with the delipidated mitochondrial cytochrome b-c1 complex prior to reconstitution with phospholipids, indicating that the common epitopes between the cytochromes b are masked by phospholipids. Antibodies against mitochondrial and bacterial cytochromes c1 completely inhibited their respective cytochrome b-c1 complexes but no cross-immunoinhibition was observed. However, when antibodies against bacterial cytochrome c1 were incubated with the delipidated mitochondrial cytochrome b-c1 complex before reconstitution with phospholipids, a 65% inhibition was observed, indicating that the common epitopes between the cytochromes c1 were also somewhat masked by phospholipids. Antibodies against mitochondrial cytochrome c1 inhibited 70% of the succinate oxidase activity in the intact mitochondria preparation, but no inhibition was observed in submitochondrial particles, indicating that some mitochondrial cytochrome c1 epitopes are exposed to the cytoplasmic side.

During the last years a number of interesting control methods were published all having the same common idea : the control action is based on a long-range prediction of the process output. Four of these methods are compared in this paper. At least for three of them industrial applications are known, indicating that long-range predictive control methods are likely to be a useful tool for real-life applications. These adaptive control methods are compared by means of a simulation study. Special attention is paid to their robustness w.r.t. unmodelled dynamics, parameter variations, process noise and changing dead-time. Also the number of tuning parameters that remain, as well as their efficiency and interpretation to the user are dealt with.

A retrospective study of 30 patients who met the clinical criteria for saphenous nerve entrapment at the adductor canal is described. Patients experienced symptoms, usually anterior knee pain, for an average of 36 ± 7 months. Each patient received an average of 1.9 ± 0.4 saphenous nerve blocks at the adductor canal during treatment. Baseline pain level (measured by the visual analog scale) was 6.4 ± 0.3. Final pain level at followup was significantly decreased (2.8 ± 0.5, P < 0.001). Eighty percent of patients had improved after a series of blocks. Age, medications taken, number of blocks performed, and length of followup were unrelated to outcome. Length of symptoms did significantly corre late with final pain level (r = 0.39, P < 0.05). The diagnosis of this syndrome, description of the saphen ous nerve block at the adductor canal, and the possible etiology are presented.

Fabrication of advanced solar thermionic converters, both B and C series, is outlined, noting the significant problem areas. Results of testing of the B series have given per formance up to 9.6 watts/cm2 at 1950 K and 3.0 watts/cm2 at 1550 K. Converter C-3 has com pleted a 510 hour test, including 210 hours of thermal cycling. Electron beam welding of rhenium resulted in a brittle phase and leaking joints.