The immunoglobulin κ gene families of human and mouse: a cottage industry approach

Some aspects of the work of our group on the human and mouse immunoglobulin κ genes are reviewed. The human κ locus contains a large duplication: a 600 kb C κ-proximal copy with 40 V κ genes is found in the close vicinity of a 440 kb C κ-distal copy with 36 very similar, but not identical, V κ genes. The chimpanzee has only the C κ -proximal copy of the locus. The κ locus of the mouse is close to 3.2 Mb in size, of which 3.1 Mb have been cloned in four contigs, leaving three small gaps of together about 90 kb; 140 V κ genes and pseudogenes were localized and sequenced. In parallel to the elucidation of the structure of the κ loci, the mechanisms of the V-J rearrangement, somatic hypermutation and κ gene expression were studied. Various polymorphisms were detected in the human population and a number of haplotypes defined. in addition to the V κ genes within the loci numerous V κ orphons were localized on different chromosomes. Comparing the κ loci of different species allows some interesting conclusions as to the evolution of this multigene family. Finally our strategy of elucidating the structure and function of the κ loci, which has been termed a `cottage industry approach', is discussed in relation to the large-scale genome analysis as pursued today using automated methods

Dependable reconfigurable multi-sensor poles for security

Wireless sensor network poles for security monitoring under harsh environments require a very high dependability as they are safety-critical [1]. An example of a multi-sensor pole is shown. Crucial attribute in these systems for security, especially in harsh environment, is a high robustness and guaranteed availability during lifetime. This environment could include molest. In this paper, two approaches are used which are applied simultaneously but are developed in different projects. \u

Testing microelectronic biofluidic systems

According to the 2005 International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, the integration of emerging nondigital CMOS technologies will require radically different test methods, posing a major challenge for designers and test engineers. One such technology is microelectronic fluidic (MEF) arrays, which have rapidly gained importance in many biological, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. The advantages of these systems, such as operation speed, use of very small amounts of liquid, on-board droplet detection, signal conditioning, and vast digital signal processing, make them very promising. However, testable design of these devices in a mass-production environment is still in its infancy, hampering their low-cost introduction to the market. This article describes analog and digital MEF design and testing method

Test-Signal Search for Mixed-Signal Cores in a System-on-Chip

The well-known approach towards testing mixed-signal cores is functional testing and basically measuring key parameters of the core. However, especially if performance requirements increase, and embedded cores are considered, functional testing becomes technically and economically less attractive. A more cost-effective approach could be accomplished by a combination of reduced functional tests and added structural tests. In addition, it will also improve the debugging facilities of cores. Basic problem remains the large computational effort for analogue structural testing. In this paper, we introduce the concept of Testability Transfer Function for both analogue as well as digital parts in a mixed-signal core. This opens new possibilities for efficient structural testing of embedded mixed-signal cores, thereby adding to\ud the quality of tests

Reflections on the optimal size of government

It is not always easy to see a common thread in Tullock's work: he is almost too fertile and throws off so many ideas in all directions that the connecting links between them threaten to disappear from view. Any simple summary of his 'system', therefore, must wait on some future effort of his own. However, a common thread in his work, as in that of all public choice theorists, is the view that human behaviour must be viewed in all circumstances as a 'rational' response to the twin constraints of the physical environment and the prevailing social institutions; people will always strive to maximize their satisfactions in the face of these constraints, taking due account of the costs of alternative choices (Blaug, [1985] 252-53). Gordon Tullock is the 1998 Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic Association. In the enclosed short appreciation of his work we read: Tullock's scholarship and entrepreneurship have left an indelible imprint on economics. He is a pioneer who has worked almost exclusively at the frontiers of the discipline (American Economic Review, [1998]). Inspecting Gordon Tullock's curriculum vitae which contains 37 pages compiling his published work will indeed confirm the assertion that his scientific work is concentrated at the frontiers of our discipline. However, Tullock has not only extended the domain of economic inquiry, but also strengthened the core of our discipline. As opposed to Blaug's remark we should note that there exists a simple summary of his system. It was in 1975 when Gordon Tullock with his co-author Richard McKenzie published one of the most fascinating introductory textbooks in economics which exposes the authors' view of the workings of the socio-economic process. In their standard model the basic unit of analysis used is homo oeconomicus as characterized above. The authors apply this role model consistently and successfully to a wide range of both market and non-market phenomena. The paper Reflections on the Optimal Size of Government should, at least subjectively, reflect Gordon Tullock's influence on our perspective. However, we have to admit our analytical shortcomings of not being able to simultaneously include such Tullockian topics as rent-seeking, demand-revealing, bureaucratic behavior (to name only some of his important insights) into an envisaged general-equilibrium model. --

Explorations of the Laffer curve

--

Monetary policy and monetary reform: Irving Fisher's contributions to monetary macroeconomics

--