Standardization of BSE rapid test performances and experiences gathered during the implementation of large-scale testing

The accumulation of pathological prion protein is used as a diagnostic marker for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. According to European Union (EU) regulations cattle older than 30 months of age (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain by national law >24 months) and slaughtered for human consumption must be tested by using rapid tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Likewise fallen stock and clinically affected animals must be tested. This article gives a short overview of the incidence of BSE in Europe. The diagnostic hierarchy, i.e., the officially approved methodology for the confirmation of suspect rapid test cases, and the organization of the numerous laboratories involved in this large-scale testing for BSE are described. Special emphasis is given to necessary quality control measures currently in place for BSE rapid testing laboratories and to measures intended to assure a consistent performance of the commercially available rapid test kits.Presented at BERM-9—Ninth International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials, 15–19 June 2003, Berlin, Germany.     

From monomeric to polymeric ferroelectric liquid crystals A comparative study of ferroelectric properties

Two new ferroelectric oligosiloxanes, a cyclic tetramer and a twin, have been synthesized. By a comparative study with their corresponding monomer and side chain polysiloxanes, the influence of oligo- and polymerization on the liquid crystalline and ferroelectric properties have been investigated. Polymerization leads to a stabilization of LC phases through increase of the clearing temperatures and suppression of crystallization. Oligomerization also leads to mesophase broadening, but, due to the low degree of polymerization, the effect is inferior to the linear polysiloxanes. The low viscosity of the oligosiloxanes ensures response times in the microsecond region, thus being comparable with their monomer and conventional LMWFLCs. It is found that polymerization increases the spontaneous polarization P_s. This is attributed to the density increase after polymerization, enhancing the inter-mesogenic interactions. The collective and local dynamics of the OFLCs are influenced differently with respect to their molecular structures. Each oligomer is already a good model for its corresponding polymer concerning the soft mode dynamics. For the local β-relaxation a similar temperature dependence of the relaxation times τ for the cyclic tetramer and for the side chain polysiloxanes is observed. The long axial rotation of the twin, having a very efficient decoupling, is significantly faster, thus resembling the monomer.     

Schwingungsspektren und Kraftkonstanten von Hexamethyldisilan,Hexaphenyldisilan und 1,1,1-Trimethyl-2,2,2-triphenyldisilan

The Raman and infrared spectra of (CH₃)₃SiSi(CH₃)₃ (I), (CD₃)₃SiSi(CD₃)₃, (C₆H₅)₃SiSi(C₆H₅)₃ (II), (CH₃)₃SiSi(C₆H₅)₃ (III), and (CD₃)₃SiSi(C₆H₅)₃ are reported. Assignments are based on symmetry G ₃₆ ⁺ (free internal rotation) forI, D_3d forII, and C_3v forIII. Normal coordinate treatment has been done using some simplifications in the phenyl coordinates. The SiSi stretching force constant inI amounts to 1,65 N/cm. In compoundsII andIII strong vibrational coupling is elucidated byPED calculations.     

1-Alkoxy-2-azaallenyl-komplexe von chrom und wolfram

The successive reaction of (CO)₆M with Na[NCR₂¹] and [Et₃O]BF₄ yields (CO)₅M[C(NCR₂¹)OEt] (II: M = Cr; III: M = W; CR₂¹ = C(C₆H₄Br-p)₂ (a), CPh₂ (b), C(C₆H₄OMe-p)₂ (c), C(C₆H₄)₂O (d), CBu₂^tt (e)). Hexacarbonyltungsten, (CO)₆W, reacts with Na[NCPh₂] and MeOSO₂F to give (CO)₅W[C(NCPh₂) OMe] (IV). X-Ray analysis of IIe shows that: (1) the CNC fragment is almost linear (171.7°); (2) the two NC bond lengths are equal within experimental error; and (3) the O,C,Cr,N plane is perpendicular to the C(Me₃),C,N,C(Me₃) plane (90.0°). Therefore compounds II–IV are best described as 1-alkoxy-2-azaallenyl complexes.     

Automatisches Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Bleioxidgehalts von Grauoxid durch Messung der L?sungsw?rme

Zusammenfassung Für das zur Herstellung von Bleibatterien verwendete Grauoxid (bestehend aus einem feinteiligen Gemisch von ca. 60 bis 90% Bleioxid, PbO, und einem Rest metallischem Blei) wurde ein Verfahren zur kontinuierlichen bzw. quasikontinuierlichen, automatischen Bestimmung des PbO-Gehaltes an den Fertigungsanlagen benötigt. Eine schnelle Analyse mit vergleichsweise geringem Aufwand war durch Messung der Lösungswärme bei Behandlung einer abgewogenen Menge Grauoxid mit verd. Essigsäure möglich. Unter technisch bequem realisierbaren Bedingungen wurden Temperaturerhöhungen von einigen Grad erhalten. Der Einfluß verschiedener Arbeitsbedingungen, der verschiedenen PbO-Modifikationen und der Teilchengröße und -form wurde untersucht. Zur Zeit wird eine für die Fertigung bestimmte, automatische Apparatur aufgebaut, die bei einer Analysenfolge von 1 min die Bestimmung mit einer Standardabweichung unter ±1% durchzuführen gestattet.

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Automatic procedure for the determination of the lead oxide content of gray oxides by measurement of the heat of solution

A continuous or semicontinuous automatic method for the determination of the lead oxide content was needed in the manufacturing process of gray oxides (a fine particle mixture of about 60 to 90% lead oxide, PbO, and metallic lead, used in manufacturing lead batteries).A rapid determination with comparatively small effort was possible by measuring the heat of solution of a weighed amount of gray oxides treated with acetic acid. Temperature rise of a few degrees could be reached under technically realisable conditions. The influence of different working conditions, of the particle size and shape and of the PbO modifications were investigated. An automatic apparatus for the determination is at present being built and will give one determination per minute with a standard deviation of less than ±1%.

     

Infrared intensities of the external modes of crystalline nitrous oxide

The absorption intensities of two infrared active lattice modes of crystalline N₂O have been measured. Both the frequencies and intensities of the external modes of N₂O have been found to be very similar to those of CO₂, and most of the differences between the spectra of CO₂ and N₂O can be explained by the differences in the quadrupole moments.     

Versuche zur Herstellung eines «Bis(triasterans)» und Synthese des heterocyclischen (Tricyclo[4.4.1.01,6]undeca-3,8-dien-11,11-dimethyl)sulfits

Tentative Synthesis of ‘Bis(triasterane)’ and Synthesis of the Heterocyclic (Tricyclo[4.4.1.0^1,6]undeca-3,8-diene-11,11-dimethyl)sulfite The synthesis of the bis(triasterane) ( 1 ) has been tried; the reaction of ‘isotetraline’ (1,4,5,8-Tetrahydronaphthalene; 2 ) with diazomalonate yielded the tricyclic systems 5 and 6 , and not 4 . Hydrolysis of 5 gave the monocarboxylic acid 7 , and not the dicarboxylic acid 9 . The latter could be obtained from the dibromoderivative 8 , but 9 couldn't be converted to the acyl chloride 10 . The reduction of 9 with LiAlH₄ yielded the crystalline diol 11 , which was cyclized with SOCl₂ to the heterocycle 12 . The spectral data of the new compounds 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12 are reported and discussed.     

Theoretical and experimental study of the adsorption on radioactive gases on continuous flow columns

A bimolecular reaction model was used to describe the adsorption process in continuous flow columns filled with solid adsorbents. The analytical solution of the model for low gas concentrations and a cascade-type numerical method for higher gas concentrations were developed. An air flow apparatus using activated carbon as adsorbent and methyl-iodide labelled with¹²⁵I as adsorbate was constructed for measuring breakthrough- and accumulation curves.     

Über das Nicotellin und die Synthese eines neuen Terpyridyls

Zusammenfassung Das Nicotellin enthält wahrscheinlich nicht, wie die meisten anderen Tabakalkaloide, 2 N-Atome in der Molekel, sondern hat die Formel C₁₅H₁₁N₃. Es werden gewichtige Gründe dafür beigebracht, es als 3,2;6,3-Terpyridyl (I) aufzufassen. Diese Hypothese wird durch Synthese des damit isomeren 3,2;4,3-Terpyridyls (V) und Vergleich der Infrarotspektren der beiden Terpyridyle mit denen von 4 bekannten Bipyridylen gestützt. Betrachtungen über eine mögliche Synthese des Nicotellins in der Pflanze führen zu Versuchen, diese Synthese in vitro nachzuahmen; diese Versuche geben aber eine andere Verbindung, wahrscheinlich das 1,5-Di--pyridyl-pentadien-(1,4)-on-(3).Herrn Prof. Dr.L. Ebert zum 60. Geburtstage in aufrichtiger Verehrung gewidment.