Typing of 49 autosomal SNPs by SNaPshot in the Slovenian population

A total of 157 unrelated individuals residing in Slovenia were typed for 49 of the autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SNPforID 52plex with the SNaPshot^® assay. We obtained full SNP profiles in all but one individual and perfect concordance was obtained in duplicated analyses. Allele frequencies are presented for the 49 SNPs. No deviation from HWE was observed for any SNP. F_IS and F_ST were estimated. A principal coordinate analysis performed on six populations (Slovenian, Danish, Somali, Greenland, Turkish and Chinese) showed that the Slovenian population grouped with the Danish population. The mean power of discrimination for the Slovenian population was 1.1 × 10⁻¹⁹, and the mean exclusion probability for trios was 99.96%.     

Customizing a commercial laboratory information management system for a forensic genetic laboratory

The need for high-throughput laboratories to comply with regulatory requirements makes data management an important aspect of forensic genetics. A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) enables efficient workflows and ensures traceability if designed and implemented properly. We customized a commercial LIMS to support STR typing of reference samples according to in-house defined requirements. The customization focused on data validity, traceability and automated solutions.     

Zur Umsetzung der Habitat-Richtlinie (Schlussanträge des Generalanwalts Tizzano in der Rs. Kommission/Bundesrepublik Deutschland)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

On MMK 24.18

The paper explores the extent to which one of the most cited passages in the Western literature on Madhyamaka furnishes a solid basis for particular interpretations regarding the author of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikās. On the one hand it is attempted to show that MMK 24.18 harmonizes well with an exegesis according to which the creator of the concerned work propagated a view that could be labelled by the designation ‘Metaphysical Illusionism’. On the other hand particular features pertaining to natural language and linguistic communication in general are explored in order to a) account for methodological principles as well as limitations to which exegetical undertakings in the pertinent matter are subject and b) to provide an explanation for certain characteristics of Nāgārjuna’s philosophy.     

Minimizing the threat of a positive majority deficit in two-tier voting systems with equipopulous units

The mean majority deficit in a two-tier voting system is a function of the partition of the population. We derive a new square-root rule: For odd-numbered population sizes and equipopulous units the mean majority deficit is maximal when the member size of the units in the partition is close to the square root of the population size. Furthermore, within the partitions into roughly equipopulous units, partitions with small even numbers of units or small even-sized units yield high mean majority deficits. We discuss the implications for the winner-takes-all system in the US Electoral College.     

(De)Centralization and voter turnout: theory and evidence from German municipalities

A vast academic literature illustrates that voter turnout is affected by the institutional design of elections (e.g., compulsory voting, electoral system, postal or Sunday voting). In this article, we exploit a simple Downsian theoretical framework to argue that the institutional framework of public good provision—and, in particular, the distribution of political and administrative competences across government levels—likewise affects voters’ turnout decisions by influencing the expected net benefit of voting. Empirically, we exploit the institutional variation across German municipalities to test this proposition, and find supportive evidence.     

Vertrauen in Gesundheitssysteme

Ausgehend von institutionentheoretischen Ansätzen wird die These aufgestellt, dass Vertrauen in Gesundheitssysteme einerseits auf den von ihnen erzielten Ergebnissen beruht, andererseits aber auch auf Wertvorstellungen gründet, die durch diese Institutionen vermittelt werden. Eine Überprüfung dieser Annahme mit Hilfe subjektiver Einstellungsdaten zeigt, dass hohe Zufriedenheitswerte, von denen Rückschlüsse auf ein hohes Gesundheitssystemvertrauen gezogen werden können, nicht nur auf die Leistungen der Gesundheitssysteme zurückzuführen sind. Von Bedeutung für den Aufbau von Vertrauen sind außerdem spezifische Organisationsprinzipien, beispielsweise die Organisation des Arzt-Patienten-Verhältnisses, sowie das jeweilige Ausmaß an Transparenz und Partizipation. Diese Kriterien sind insbesondere in Gesundheitssystemen gegeben, die eine lokale Organisationsstruktur aufweisen und damit eine enge Beziehung zwischen Patienten, Leistungserbringern und gesundheitspolitischen Akteuren ermöglichen. Darauf ist unter anderem zurückzuführen, dass das dänische Gesundheitssystem im Vier-Länder-Vergleich die höchsten Vertrauenswerte erhält, während die Systeme Deutschlands und Österreichs trotz hoher Leistungsniveaus nur eine mittlere Position aufweisen und das Gesundheitssystem Großbritanniens besonders negativ bewertet wird.