This report reviews the progress on the research of static generation/dissipation properties of polymeric yarns and films. Three testing devices (linear tester, contact tester, and rubbing tester) have been developed to measure static generation on film and yarn surfaces. The devices are housed in a dedicated environmental room that can precisely control relative humidity and temperature. Polyester yarns’ static charge generation/dissipation properties were tested at different levels of tension and speed using the linear tester under controlled environment. Polymer films’ contact static properties were tested at different contact pressures, contact frequency using the contact tester. The static properties of these polymeric films were previously measured using the rubbing tester (see annual report 0f 2006).

The properties of static electrical phenomena have important impacts on textile materials and processes. This project carried out studies in order to provide a better understanding on static generation and control to the textile industry. This report investigated the research backgrounds in several aspects, discussed the technical approaches that are used in different phases, and reviewed current direction and progress of this research. PROJECT GOAL

This is the report of the forty-eighth of a series of workshops organised by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). ECVAM’s main goal, as defined in 1993 by its Scientific Advisory Committee, is to promote the scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods which are of importance to the biosciences and which reduce, refine or replace the use of laboratory animals. One of the first priorities set by ECVAM was the implementation of procedures which would enable it to become well-informed about the state-of-the-art of non-animal test development and validation, and the potential for the possible incorporation of alternative tests into regulatory procedures. It was decided that this would be best achieved by the organisation of ECVAM workshops on specific topics, at which small groups of invited experts would review the current status of various types of in vitro tests and their potential uses, and make recommendations about the best ways forward (1). The joint ECVAM/AGAATI (Advisory Group on Alternatives to Animal Testing in Immunobiologicals) workshop on Three Rs Approaches in the Quality Control of Inactivated Rabies Vaccines was held in Langen, Germany, on 19–21 April 2002, under the co-chairmanship of Lukas Bruckner (Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis, Mittelhausern, Switzerland) and Klaus Cussler (AGAATI, Utrecht, The Netherlands). The participants, all experts in vaccine quality control or rabies disease, came from international regulatory or government organisations, national control laboratories, vaccine manufacturers and academia. The objectives of the workshop were: a) to review the current status of Three Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) methods for the quality control of inactivated rabies vaccines; and b) to make proposals on the best way forward. Three Rs Approaches in the Quality Control of Inactivated Rabies Vaccines

This is the report of the forty-first of a series of workshops organised by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). ECVAM’s main goal, as defined in 1993 by its Scientific Advisory Committee, is to promote the scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods which are of importance to the biosciences and which reduce, refine or replace the use of laboratory animals. One of the first priorities set by ECVAM was the implementation of procedures which would enable it to become well informed about the state-of-the-art of non-animal test development and validation, and the potential for the possible incorporation of alternative tests into regulatory procedures. It was decided that this would be best achieved by the organisation of ECVAM workshops on specific topics, at which small groups of invited experts would review the current status of various types of in vitro tests and their potential uses, and make recommendations about the best ways forward (1). The joint ECVAM/AGAATI (Advisory Group on Alternatives to Animal Testing in ATLA 28, 241–258, 2000 241

The inherent variability of the biological systems used for production of vaccines is much greater than that encountered in the production of pharmaceuticals. Therefore, producers of vaccines must take particular care to ensure that the different batches of a vaccine are of reasonable consistency and that the immunising activity of each batch is equivalent to that of the vaccine originally shown to be effective in the target species. This struggle for consistency has been the main motive for developing the range of reference standards which serve as fixed reference points during the production and quality control of a vaccine.