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capabilities and configurations are varied to accommodate specific task requirements and cover a range from 300 meters to 30 kilometers with an accuracy of plus or minus 10 meters. A cooperative agreement reportedly has been reached between a Swedish and a Yugoslav company for co-production of laser rangefinders for tank and field artillery applications in Yugoslavia. Swedish industry has been in the forefront of cloud height-measurement technology, an area which has potential for both military and commercial applications. Automatic laser equipment to measure ground-to-cloud level distance and to provide information on the thickness and structure of cloud formations has been developed. There has been some evidence of Swedish interest in plasma generation by laser and in controlled thermonuclear reaction (CTR) experiments at the University of Uppsala. An infrared communication system involving detectors operating at 10.6 micrometers and at 0.9 micrometers reportedly is under development for military applications.

Although the country has several hundred computers, most are small- to medium-scale types. The only significant manufacturer of computers is DATASAAB, the computer division of SAAB at Linkoping, which produces the medium-scale models, D 21 and D 22. It also developed small computers for airborne and industrial control applications. Sweden has, however, been an important supplier of peripheral devices, including magnetic tape units and punched tape equipment that are used with many foreign computers.

5. Medical sciences, including veterinary medicine (S)

Sweden has achieved and maintains a very high standard of excellence and productivity in biomedical research. This is founded on the competence and training of its personnel and generous financial support of basic and applied research. Medical investigations are linked closely with teaching. Most of the fundamental biomedical research is done in the university medical schools and in the KTH. A national policy foresees intensification of contacts between scientists of the northern countries, including Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Greenland. The Medical Research Council coordinates Swedish biomedical research and stresses research in nutrition, cardiovascular diseases, environmental medicine, industrial medicine, pediatrics, alcoholism, pharmaceuticals, immunology, neural and psychiatric disorders, and diabetes.

Biochemistry and biophysics are research areas of particular excellence in Sweden. The biochemical approach pervades other areas of Swedish biomedical research and scientists emphasize the ned for a fundamental understanding of the chemical and physical nature of physiological functions. Swedish scientists have developed an internal reputation for competence in the biophysical separation of biologically important materials. Outstanding contributions are being made in the separation of proteins and other biopolymers, the characterization of antigens of cell membranes from human tumor strains, determination of the crystal structure of human enzymes, and the biochemistry of virus multiplication. Precise methods permit processing of single cells and biological materials on a microgram scale. Advanced techniques employed include X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, electron microscopy, specialized absorbing agents, and mass spectroscopy. Attention is devoted to the study of the physicochemical properties of fats and fatty-acid derivatives, enzymes, peptides with extended amino acid sequences, nucleotides, nucleic acids, and high polymer carbohydrates, especially dextrans. Study of energy exchange has included investigation of transport and energy conservation in photosynthesis and respiration, and the development of model systems of biological energy transfer.

Microbiological studies at the State Bacteriological Laboratory are undertaken to support diagnostic, bacteriological, virological, immunological, and parasitological examinations and to support production of sera, vaccines, and related substances. The Swedes have gained wide recognition for their germ-free studies with animals. Microbiologists are developing laboratory and bioengineering techniques for the continuous culture of micro-organisms. Procedures have been developed for the cultivation of bacteria and tissue cells and the preparation of crude enzyme systems. Practical interest includes research on biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and microbiological processing of vegetable wastes and the effect of environmental milieu on host-parasite relationships. Immunological research in the country is outstanding. A World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Reference Center for Genetic Factors of Human Immunoglobulins is located in Lund. Impressive research deals with the diverse aspects of cell-mediated immunity to tumors.

Fundamental research in physiology is closely associated with the application of biochemical and biophysical techniques. Investigators are examining the effect of chemical or physical intervention on

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090022-2