The transmission pathways of respiratory viruses, in particular the demarcation of droplet and airborne transmission and their relative importance, remain intensely debated (Drossinos and Stilianak...

JoAnne Yates and Craig N. Murphy, Engineering Rules: Global Standard Setting since 1880. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2019. Pp. 440. ISBN 978-1-4214-2889-5. $64.95 (hardcover). - Volume 53 Issue 2

Courtney Fullilove, The Profit of the Earth: The Global Seeds of American Agriculture. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2017. Pp. 288. ISBN 978-0-226-45486-3. $40.00 (hardback). - Volume 51 Issue 2

1825–1827 Medizinstudium in Edinburgh; 1828–1831 Studium der Theologie, Botanik und Geologie in Cambridge; 1831–1836 Teilnahme an der Weltumseglung des Kapitäns Fitz Roy auf dem Forschungsschiff ›Beagle‹ (u. a. Südamerika, Galápagos-Inseln, Tahiti, Australien und Südafrika); 1838 Sekretär der Geological Society; 1839–1843 zoologische und geologische Veröffentlichungen zur ›Beagle‹-Reise; 1842 und 1844 erste ausformulierte Entwürfe der Evolutionstheorie, fast deckungsgleich mit der Evolutionstheorie des Naturhistorikers Alfred Russel Wallace — am 1. Juli 1858 wurden beide in einer Sitzung der Linnean Society verlesen; weitere Buchveröffentlichungen mit evolutionstheoretischem Hintergrund.

Anna Echterhölter, Schattengefechte: Genealogische Praktiken in Nachrufen auf Naturwissenschaftler (1710–1860). Göttingen: Wallstein, 2012. Pp. 365. ISBN 978-3-8353-1071-1. €39.90 (paperback). - Denise Phillips, Acolytes of Nature: Defining Natural Science in Germany 1770–1850. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 2012. Pp. 356. ISBN 0-226-66737-9. £29.99 (hardback). - Volume 47 Issue 4

Frank Uekötter, Die Wahrheit ist auf dem Feld: Eine Wissensgeschichte der deutschen Landwirtschaft. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2010. Pp. 524. ISBN 978-3-5253-1705-1. €49.95 (hardback). - Volume 46 Issue 1

The number of real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instruments available has greatly increased over recent years. However, little information is available on the performance of validated quantitative methods when tested in different instruments. A study has been designed to evaluate the robustness of three validated methods for genetically modified organisms (GMO) quantification across six real-time platforms from four different suppliers. The performance of three validated methods for event-specific detection of Bt11 maize, DAS 59122 maize and MON 89788 soybean was evaluated on six qPCR platforms (ABI 7900 HT, ABI Prism® 7700 and ABI 7500 from Applied Biosystems; LightCycler® 480 from Roche; Mx3005P® from Stratagene; and iQ™5 from Bio-Rad). Method performance criteria were compared against European Network of GMO Laboratories method performance requirements for analytical methods of GMO testing. The latter comparison indicates that the criteria are fulfilled for most of the platforms and levels of GMO concentrations, though with minor exceptions. The analysis of variance (one-way) indicated that the quantification of GMOs was affected by the platforms, which did not respond consistently across GM levels. A two-way analysis of variance confirmed that there were significant interactions between platforms and GM levels. The pairwise comparison of the platforms' performance indicated that some deviate significantly from others, though differences between methods were observed.

In the frame of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, the European Union Reference Laboratory for Genetically Modified Food and Feed has the duty to organise comparative testing rounds and to ensure an appropriate follow-up of these activities. This report describes the outcome of the first comparative testing round ILC-CRL- GMFF-CT-01/10. Participants had to determine the GM content in two test items denoted maize powder level 1 and level 2, containing different GM percentages of maize event NK603. This comparative testing round was organised in collaboration with the Reference Materials Unit and the Food Safety and Quality Unit of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel, BE). The maize event NK603 test items were produced by the Reference Materials Unit. The Food Safety and Quality Unit managed the on-line registration and submission of results. A total of 110 laboratories were invited to participate in ILC-CRL-GMFF-CT-01/10. Five National Reference Laboratories declined participation. Ninety-three results were returned from 84 laboratories from 36 countries, of which 66 were National Reference Laboratories, seven were members of the European Network of GMO Laboratories only and 11 were laboratories from third countries. Two National Reference Laboratories, two European Network of GMO Laboratories only members and one laboratory from a third country did not submit any results. Participants could report the results of the exercise either in mass/mass % or in copy/copy %. The outcome of this first comparative testing round was in general positive with a share of 86-96 % and 94- 100 % of participants exhibiting a z-score in the range of -2 to +2 for maize powder level 1 and level 2, respectively. How to obtain EU publications Our priced publications are available from EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu), where you can place an order with the sales agent of your choice. The Publications Office has a worldwide network of sales agents. You can obtain their contact details by sending a fax to (352) 29 29-42758. The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national. LB -N A -2428-EN -C

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