Research fraud: false data confessed

Joseph Cort, a researcher at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York City from 1976 to 1980, has admitted fabricating data on the synthesis of hormone analogues. Cort's research at Mount Sinai was supported principally by a contract from Vega Biochemicals, though he received a small amount of support under a National Institutes of Health grant to his department.     

Genetic engineering: regulation issue is resurrected by EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency is asserting regulatory control over the commercial production of genetically-engineered microorganisms, such as oil-eating bacteria, intended for release into the environment. EPA's legally-complex claim that such organisms are "new chemical substances," and thus subject to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), raises a challenge to the adequacy of regulation by the National Institute of Health's Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) over the commercial and ecological implications of environmental release. Industry, which has been voluntarily adhering to the RAC guidelines, is reluctant to challenge application of the relatively lenient TSCA requirements but eager to see the legal uncertainties resolved.     

Biotechnology regulation: rules for freed organisms planned

The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to regulate the biotechnology industry, claiming authority under the provisions of the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TOSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In the agency's view, the products of recombinant DNA techniques can be compared to new chemicals or pesticides, both of which fall under EPA jurisdiction. Although a legal challenge to EPA's authority in this area is expected from industry, the agency hopes to issue its first set of draft regulations in early 1984.     

Further snag with Stanford patent: filing error claimed in Cohen-Boyer

An attorney for Stanford and the University of California has conceded that there is a serious error in the second Cohen-Boyer genetic engineering patent, but he argues that the patent is still valid. In an August decision to reject the patent, the U.S. Patent Office cited the error as one of several potential flaws. The same potential flaws are found in the original Cohen-Boyer patent, as well. Also in question is whether Robert Helling of the University of Michigan should be included as a co-inventor. Further appeals could delay a final decision until the summer of 1984 or beyond.     

如何实现应变传感器的高精度检测

应变传感器的信号非常微弱,其幅度甚至小于干扰信号,因而必须通过精密检测电路抑制干扰。应变传感器信号具有其物理极限,利用载频技术实现了信号最大化。通过作为感应信号源的高精度感应分频器和自动校准的周期数可得到很高的增益稳定性。采用高精度检测单元和通用宽频带放大器系统可以高分辨率、高稳定性、有效地抑制和衰减干扰信号与不期望的动态信号,实现高精度检测。     

泰国中-新生代热带植物木化石研究

泰国东北部柯叻府及邻区中-新生代木化石非常丰富并保存有完好的解剖构造,是探究热带植被历史、古气候演化以及古环境变迁等问题的重要实证材料.最近的野外调查和专题研究确认该地区中-新生代木化石11科19属约50个种或种级分类单元,分别隶属于裸子植物和被子植物两大分类群,其中有5科7属20种(包括未定种)为前人在泰国未曾报道的类型.当前木材化石群揭示出在中生代后期,泰国东北部热带针叶树植被以南洋杉科为主;在中新世-更新世时期,该地区主要发育落叶和常绿阔叶树植被,代表热带气候环境.