Apport de l'immunoelectrophorese pour l'expertise des taches de sang en medecine legale

Conclusive evidence was obtained in this study that immunoelectrophoresis could be used in the identification of blood-stains in two particular cases: for diagnosis or approach to diagnosis of the age of a blood-stain, and for diagnosis of the human origin of a blood-stain that had been treated with petroleum products.Although many aspects should be investigated in more detail, it is certain that this method can be employed in combination with other methods.     

Allele frequencies for 13 STR's from two Colombian populations: Bogotá and Boyacá

We present information from populations living in Bogotá and Boyacá, for nine short tandem repeats (STR's) already studied and four new alleles not reported in previous Colombian populations.     

The "GeneTrustee": a universal identification system that ensures privacy and confidentiality for human genetic databases

This article describes a generic model for access to samples and information in human genetic databases. The model utilises a "GeneTrustee", a third-party intermediary independent of the subjects and of the investigators or database custodians. The GeneTrustee model has been implemented successfully in various community genetics screening programs and has facilitated research access to genetic databases while protecting the privacy and confidentiality of research subjects. The GeneTrustee model could also be applied to various types of non-conventional genetic databases, including neonatal screening Guthrie card collections, and to forensic DNA samples.     

Networking and Technology Transfer in the Spanish Ceramic Tiles Cluster: Its Role in the Sector Competitiveness

The ceramic tile cluster industry in Spain has actually a global turnover of approximately 3.000 M Euros of which a 60% is exported. Its annual growth has been around a steady 20% the last five tears. In spite of the traditional Italian technology leadership, the clusterization of this industry in Spain (90% of the producers are located in a 40 km geographical circle) has altered these traditional R&D roles. The increasing rate of technology transfer and co-operation, which is taking place, especially in the product development area, has enabled this change. This paper will aim to analyze the cluster competitiveness and the technology formal and informal cooperation networks, which have been established during the last twenty years in the industry and especially in the enamelling and decoration sub sector. A critical variable relates to product and design development. An outstanding fact has been the technology demand-pull movement exerted from the producers (200 firms mostly SMEs) and the consequent quick product development cycles observed in the latest sectoral fairs.     

The determinants of minimum wage rates

This paper attempts to test the degree of responsiveness of Canadian provincial governments to different political groups in establishing their relative minimum wage policies over the 1975–1982 period. It discusses alternative explanations of minimum wage policies and focuses on the political market approach, where women, youth, small business and unions play a role. An econometric model is specified and estimated on pooled annual time series and cross-section data for nine provinces in Canada. The results tend to support most of the hypotheses.     

The hair analysis proficiency testing program of the French Society of Analytical Toxicology

In an effort to improve laboratories performing hair analysis in forensic cases, the French Society of Analytical Toxicology (S.F.T.A.) has implemented a proficiency testing program since 1992. Actually about 10 laboratories are participating. Each survey is dedicated to one analyte or one pharmacological class: opiates (6-monoacetylmorphine, morphine and codeine), cocaine and benzoylecgonine, tetrahydrocannabinol, buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine, beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol), beta 2-agonists (salbutamol, clenbuterol). Animal hair was tested for clenbuterol. Prior to sending, hair samples were reduced to a powdered form, well mixed to ensure homogeneity, and then tested by GC/MS or HPLC/MS. Results confirm those obtained in a preliminary study on opiates and cocaine analysis in hair: a common analytical procedure has to be used by all the participants, including hydrolysis of hair. It is essential to work on authentic drug-positive hair samples and not on spiked samples. Participation at this program is free of charge and considered as an educational tool. Comparison of the results with those of other laboratories in Europe and USA shows that the analytical methods used during this program are in accordance with all the other procedures.