Development and validation of a fast and automated DNA identification line.

The importance of DNA evidence for gaining investigative leads demands a fast workflow for forensic DNA profiling performed in large volumes. Therefore, we developed software solutions for automated DNA profile analysis, contamination check, major donor inference, DNA database (DDB) comparison and reporting of the conclusions. This represents the Fast DNA IDentification Line (FIDL) and this study describes its development, validation and implementation in criminal casework at the authors' institute.

Local structure and oxide-ion conduction mechanism in apatite-type lanthanum silicates.

The local structure of apatite-type lanthanum silicates of general formula La(SiO)O has been investigated by combining the atomic pair distribution function (PDF) method, conventional X-ray and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT was used to build structure models with stable positions of excess oxide ions within the conduction channel. Two stable interstitial positions were obtained in accordance with literature, the first one located at the very periphery of the conduction channel, neighbouring the SiO tetrahedral units, and the second one closer to the channel axis.

Quality of life in patients with primary hypothyroidism related to BMI.

Objective: Many patients treated for primary hypothyroidism have an unexplained reduced quality of life (QOL). We studied the relation between QOL and various parameters in treated hypothyroid patients.

Design And Methods: QOL analysis was done in 90 consecutive patients (77.

Atomistic simulations of TeO₂-based glasses: interatomic potentials and molecular dynamics.

In this work we present for the first time empirical interatomic potentials that are able to reproduce TeO2-based systems. Using these potentials in classical molecular dynamics simulations, we obtained first results for the pure TeO2 glass structure model. The calculated pair distribution function is in good agreement with the experimental one, which indicates a realistic glass structure model.

[Ethnic differences in laboratory results].

Over the years the Netherlands has become a country with a population comprising over 20% of immigrants. Immigrants differ from natives in both biological and cultural aspects, amongst others in laboratory results, but also in level of participation in clinical trials, and treatment outcomes. It is important for physicians to keep these differences between ethnic groups in mind.