Amniotic fluid porphyrins, biosynthesis of porphyrins by amniotic cells, and uroporphyrinogen III cosynthetase were studied after the 17th week of a pregnancy at risk for congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP). Only coproporphyrin was found in amniotic fluid. A diagnosis of CEP was ruled out by the demonstration of normal cosynthetase activity; biosynthesis of porphyrins was identical, not only in the porpositus and in control amniotic cells, but also in patients with CEP and in control skin fibroblasts.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer potential to enhance the global competitiveness and local cohesion of emergent creative industries using virtual networks. This paper draws on a case study based on a pilot project in Manchester's creative sector, the Northern Quarter. The aim was to introduce advanced ICTs to creative micro businesses and explore the relationship between physical and digital networking. ICTs were found to bring local businesses closer together in the development and training phases and to provide an impetus to the development of electronic trading. The lasting benefits of the project for local cohesion are less clear and the reasons for this are discussed.

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Discusses the problems of trying to match the information systems learning needs of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to what higher education can offer. Most higher education institutions are directly trying to address the training needs of SMEs, spurred on by various Government initiatives. Much of the available funding is targeted at the introduction and development of new technologies in SMEs. The information systems education and training requirements of SMEs are reviewed and examined against the changing face of Higher Education. A series of studies was undertaken to examine the information systems learning needs of a small number of diverse SMEs. The results of these studies are discussed and compared with the outcomes of previous research into learning in SMEs and similarities and dissonances highlighted. The paper concludes with a discussion as to whether higher education can meet some of the information systems learning needs of SMEs.

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