Explore the vast range of titles available.

Advances in molecular biology, microfluidics, and laboratory automation continue to expand the accessibility and applicability of these methods beyond the confines of conventional, centralized laboratory facilities and into point of use roles in clinical, military, forensic, and field-deployed applications. As a result, there is a growing need to adapt the unit operations of molecular biology (e.g., aliquoting, centrifuging, mixing, and thermal cycling) to compact, portable, low-power, and automation-ready formats. Here we present one such adaptation, the rotary zone thermal cycler (RZTC), a novel wheel-based device capable of cycling up to four different fixed-temperature blocks into contact with a stationary 4-microliter capillary-bound sample to realize 1-3 second transitions with steady state heater power of less than 10 W. We demonstrate the utility of the RZTC for DNA amplification as part of a highly integrated rotary zone PCR (rzPCR) system that uses low-volume valves and syringe-based fluid handling to automate sample loading and unloading, thermal cycling, and between-run cleaning functionalities in a compact, modular form factor. In addition to characterizing the performance of the RZTC and the efficacy of different online cleaning protocols, we present preliminary results for rapid single-plex PCR, multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) amplification, and second strand cDNA synthesis.

In a survey of teachers in Victorian government schools, Pierce et al. found teachers to be generally condent and positively disposed towards the use of statistical data, although the condence was far from universal and many teachers appeared to lack the statistical literacy to interpret these data reliably. Professionals in education are required to give the highest priority the best interests of the child, and indeed by ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Australian Government has committed to this as the focus of legislation and policy. Signicant recent policy decisions on national curriculum, educational accountability and publication of school performance data have been made without mention or apparent Editorial 189 reference to the best interests of the child.

Edward Daniels, executive manager for FIM Services, a Ucis provider, said the FSA's proposals in its 92-page consultation paper, CP12/19, to restrict Ucis promotions to certified sophisticated investors and high net-worth individuals, would clarify many...