FeNi2 S4 -A Potent Bifunctional Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting in Alkaline Electrolyte.

For a carbon-neutral society, the production of hydrogen as a clean fuel through water electrolysis is currently of great interest. Since water electrolysis is a laborious energetic reaction, it requires high energy to maintain efficient and sustainable production of hydrogen. Catalytic electrodes can reduce the required energy and minimize production costs. In this context, herein, a bifunctional electrocatalyst made from iron nickel sulfide (FeNi2 S4 [FNS]) for the overall electrochemical water splitting is introduced. Compared to Fe2 NiO4 (FNO), FNS shows a significantly improved performance toward both OER and HER in alkaline electrolytes. At the same time, the FNS electrode exhibits high activity toward the overall electrochemical water splitting, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at 1.63 V, which is favourable compared to previously published nonprecious electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. The long-term chronopotentiometry test reveals an activation followed by a subsequent stable overall cell potential at around 2.12 V for 20 h at 100 mA cm-2 .

Validation of haplotype-specific extraction for separating a mitochondrial DNA model mixture and application to simulated casework.

Haplotype-specific extraction (HSE) is a new field of application for the separation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mixtures and is developed to identify the mtDNA haplotypes of the contributors subsequently by sequencing. Here we show the validation of HSE with an exemplary mitochondrial DNA mixture into its individual haplotypes according to our laboratory standards. These specify several critical areas of assay performance to be tested, such as sensitivity, robustness and mixture studies comprising varying proportions of their components,degraded samples and samples of different qualities and material. Wereport the successful and unambiguous analysis of the exemplary separated mitochondrial DNA mixture under various conditions as well as simulated casework samples, which manifest as mixed nucleotide calls at single base positions previously. Here we demonstrate that the HSE assay is high sensitive, stable against degradation and applicable in a wide range of sample qualities. Based on our findings from the validation study, we believe that this assay has great potential power and may be useful for distinguishing among the mtDNA of individuals and their geographical origin in mixed DNA samples.

Results of a collaborative study on DNA identification of aged bone samples.

AIM: A collaborative exercise with several institutes was organized by the Forensic DNA Service (FDNAS) and the Institute of the Legal Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, with the aim to test performance of different laboratories carrying out DNA analysis of relatively old bone samples. METHODS: Eighteen laboratories participating in the collaborative exercise were asked to perform DNA typing of two samples of bone powder. Two bone samples provided by the National Museum and the Institute of Archaelogy in Prague, Czech Republic, came from archeological excavations and were estimated to be approximately 150 and 400 years old. The methods of genetic characterization including autosomal, gonosomal, and mitochondrial markers was selected solely at the discretion of the participating laboratory. RESULTS: Although the participating laboratories used different extraction and amplification strategies, concordant results were obtained from the relatively intact 150 years old bone sample. Typing was more problematic with the analysis of the 400 years old bone sample due to poorer quality. CONCLUSION: The laboratories performing identification DNA analysis of bone and teeth samples should regularly test their ability to correctly perform DNA-based identification on bone samples containing degraded DNA and potential inhibitors and demonstrate that risk of contamination is minimized.

Genetic research at a fivefold children's burial from medieval Berlin.

Berlin originated from the two twin cities Berlin and Cölln, which both were founded at the beginning of the 13th century. However the real date of their foundation as well as the origin of the first settlers is still unknown. On the Berlin site the historic city center is still visible in the Nikolaiviertel, but the medieval origin of Cölln disappeared almost completely. In 2007 a large scale excavation, which comprised an area of about 1700m(2) of the historical center of the St. Peters church, recovers the remains of Cölln's first citizens and span a period of 500 years of medieval population. Here we present the first genetic analysis of a fivefold children's burial from excavations in Berlin. The genetic data unveiled next to ancestry and eye color data also the kinship and the gender of the five individuals. Together with the archeological context the new gained information help to shed more light on the possible reasons for this burial.

Cardiac Safety Research Consortium (CSRC): Cardiovascular Safety and Adverse Event Case Report Forms.

Detection of off-target cardiovascular (CV) effects remains a significant challenge to drug development. Documentation of CV events in non-CV trials is often inadequate to interpret imbalances between treatment arms, which may lead to concerns about potential CV safety "signals." The Cardiac Safety Research Consortium (CSRC) public-private partnership has developed CV case report forms (CRFs) for adverse CV events, including death. These CRFs are intended to encourage collection, as near to the occurrence of an event as possible, of the minimum information necessary to assess, or possibly adjudicate, the event. A broad range of stakeholders (representing industry, academia, and regulatory authorities) developed these forms with the goal of balancing the collection of key information with the resources likely to be available. Use of these forms is optional, and sponsors may modify them. These forms have not undergone any type of "validation" process. The CSRC will continue to sponsor a working group to invite public comment and feedback on these forms.