Comparison of five DNA quantification methods

Six commercial preparations of human genomic DNA were quantified using five quantification methods: UV spectrometry, SYBR-Green dye staining, slot blot hybridization with the probe D17Z1, Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit and RB1 rt-PCR. All methods measured higher DNA concentrations than expected based on the information by the manufacturers. UV spectrometry, SYBR-Green dye staining, slot blot and RB1 rt-PCR gave 39, 27, 11 and 12%, respectively, higher concentrations than expected based on the manufacturers’ information. The DNA preparations were quantified using the Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit in two experiments. The measured DNA concentrations with Quantifiler were 125 and 160% higher than expected based on the manufacturers’ information. When the Quantifiler™ human DNA standard (Raji cell line) was replaced by the commercial human DNA preparation G147A (Promega) to generate the DNA standard curve in the Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit, the DNA quantification results of the human DNA preparations were 31% higher than expected based on the manufacturers’ information. The results indicate a calibration problem with the Quantifiler™ human DNA standard for its use with the Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit. The possible reasons for the problem are discussed and a solution is suggested. The results emphasise the need for standard reference DNA material and standard methods for DNA quantification.     

The EDNAP mitochondrial DNA population database (EMPOP) collaborative exercises: organisation, results and perspectives

This paper presents an overview of the organisation and the results of the collaborative exercises (CE) of the European DNA Profiling (EDNAP) Group's mitochondrial DNA population database project (EMPOP). The aim of the collaborative exercises was to determine whether uniformity of mtDNA sequencing results could be achieved among different laboratories. These were asked to sequence either the complete mtDNA control region or the two hypervariable regions HVI (16024-16365) and HVII (73-340) from DNA extracts, buccal swabs or bloodstains, proceeding in accordance with the protocol and strategies used in each individual laboratory. The results of the collaborative exercises were employed to identify possible sources of errors that could arise during the analysis and interpretation of mtDNA profiles. These findings were taken as a basis to tentatively make suitable arrangements for the construction of a high quality mtDNA database. One hundred fifty mtDNA profiles were submitted to the evaluating laboratory, and disaccording profiles were classified into four groups corresponding to the source of error: clerical errors, sample mix-ups, contaminations and discrepancies with respect to the mtDNA nomenclature. Overall, 14 disaccording haplotypes (16 individual errors) were observed. The errors included 10 clerical errors, 3 interpretation problems, 2 cases of sample mix-up and 1 case of point heteroplasmic mixture, where the 2 sequencing reactions brought inconsistent base calls. This corresponds to an error rate of 10.7% in a virtual mtDNA database consisting of the collaborative exercise results. However, this estimate is still conservative compared to conclusions drawn by authors of meanwhile numerous publications critically reviewing published mtDNA population databases. Our results and earlier published concerns strongly emphasize the need for appropriate safety regulations when mtDNA profiles are compiled for database purposes in order to accomplish the high standard required for mtDNA databases that are used in the forensic context.     

DIGITAL BORDER CONTROLS

The article examines to what extent territory plays a role in internet regulation, especially whether an equivalent to physical border controls for cyberspace already exists in Germany, i.e. digital border controls. To that end, both the abstract relevance of the territorial principle and specific examples of legal commands that cause the free flow of data to be interrupted or modified along state boundaries are scrutinized.     

Cross-border Policy Networks in the Basel Region: The Effect of National Borders and Brokerage Roles

This paper provides evidence of how national borders affect the structure of policy networks. Our analysis of the Basel cross-border metropolitan region located across Switzerland, France and Germany considers the case of public transportation in border regions. Using a social network analysis of the relationships between 44 actors, we show that national borders play a diminishing role in the formation of policy networks for both information exchange and decision making. Local actors develop different brokerage roles according to their country of origin: Swiss actors function as coordinator and representative brokers vis-à-vis actors located in France and Germany.     

Traces of Yogācāra in the Chapter on Reality (<Emphasis Type="Italic">artha</Emphasis>) Within a Work on the Paths and Stages by Gling-ras-pa Padma rdo-rje (1128–1188)

This article aims to introduce some features of the literary output of Gling-ras-pa Padma rdo-rje, who was the teacher of the ‘Brug-pa bKa’-brgyud-pa school’s founder, gTsan-pa rGya-ras Ye-shes rdo-rje (1161–1211) in Tibet. The work that I draw upon here is titled A Torch of Crucial Points. A Condensation and Presentation of all Dharmas that are to be Practiced (gCes pa bsdus pa’i sgron ma ‘am| bslabs par bya ba’i chos thams cad mdor bsdus te bstan pa), a presentation of the entire outline of Buddhist practice that resembles the doctrinal stages (bstan rim) literary genre. Based on an edition and translation of the fifth chapter of the 17 that comprise the work, here I focus on several concepts, such as the three natures (trisvabhāva) and the allground consciousness (ālayavijñāna), that pertain to the system of Yogācāra and the terminology related to it. These are shown as they appear in the framework of the work, which is heavily influenced by the tradition of Mahāmudrā and the background of its author’s life as a wandering yogin in the lineage of Mi-la ras-pa (1040–1132).     

Systematic study on STR profiling on blood and saliva traces after visualization of fingerprint marks

This paper describes a systematic study of the influence of optical, physical, and chemical methods used for fingerprint enhancement on subsequent DNA analysis of biological stains. Latent fingerprints as well as fingerprints in contact with blood and saliva on different surfaces were treated with dactyloscopic methods. As a general finding, subsequent STR profiling of the blood/saliva traces led to good results after all the enhancement methods included in this study. Concerning blood enhancement procedures, the airbrush technique showed deleterious effects on subsequent STR analysis in some cases. We therefore recommend the implementation of the layer technique, as it brings advantages for fingerprint enhancement as well. It could also be shown that, as can be necessary in practical casework, two enhancement methods can be performed on a single stain without having influence on STR profiling. In terms of methodological variety, this paper reflects a comprehensive study performed on STR profiling after fingerprint enhancement methods, including rare methods and variations of techniques, which can be a useful alternative in certain case scenarios.     

Künstler und Künstlergruppen

Zusammenfassung Der Beitrag entfaltet die These, dass Künstler im Ensemble bürgerlicher Professionen eine prek?re Berufsgruppe bilden. Aufgezeigt wird dies in den Dimensionen sozialer Status, Künstlerhabitus und Formen der Selbstorganisation. Der Gang der Argumentation beginnt mit einer begrifflichen Definition und Auflistung prek?rer Merkmale der künstlerischen Profession, gefolgt von einem sozialhistorischen Aufriss ihres Entwicklungspfades. Hierbei wird an drei distinkten Sozialtypen (Handwerker-Künstler, Hofkünstler, moderner Künstler) die wechselvolle Stellung des Künstlers in der Gesellschaft herausgearbeitet. Die für moderne Künstler charakteristische Autonomie und Subjektzentriertheit bei gleichzeitiger Abh?ngigkeit vom anonymen Kunstmarkt generieren Initiativen zur Bildung von (exklusiven) Künstlergruppen, deren Darstellung der zweite Teil des Aufsatzes gewidmet ist. Jenseits der von diesen Gruppen manifest verfolgten ?sthetischen Zielen dienen sie latent dem professionspolitischen Interesse, ein im Vergleich zu bürgerlichen Professionen bestehendes organisationales Defizit zu kompensieren. Die abschlie?ende Er?rterung thematisiert das grundlegende Spannungsverh?ltnis zwischen Bürger und Künstler am Leitfaden von Status, Habitus und Selbstorganisation.

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Summary This article develops the thesis that, in comparison with other professional groups, artists belong to a precarious profession. They particularly differ in social status, personal habitus and self-organization. After a terminological definition of artists, the main precarious characteristics of their profession are acknowledged, followed by a social-historical sketch of their developmental path. Enquiring into the artist’s varying position in society, three distinct types of artists (artisan, court artist, modern artist) are scrutinized. Characteristics of modern artists are autonomy and subjectivity and, at the same time, a dependence on an anonymous art market; these induce building (exclusive) groups, an issue that is dealt with in a second part of this article. Although manifestly pursuing aesthetical goals these groups latently seek compensation for organizational deficits of their profession. A concluding section discusses essential differences between the bourgeois and the artist judged by the criteria of status, habitus and self-organisation.

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Résumé La thèse développée dans cet article est que les artistes occupent une position précaire dans le champ des professions bourgeoises. C’est ce qui ressort de notre analyse de la profession sous le rapport du statut social, de l’habitus et des formes d’auto-organisation. Nous débutons notre argumentation par une définition et une énumération des caractéristiques qui font de la profession d’artiste une profession précaire avant de retracer son évolution sous l’angle socio-historique. A cette fin, nous dégageons les contours la position fluctuante de l’artiste dans la société à partir de trois types sociaux distincts (l’artisan, l’artiste de cour, l’artiste moderne). La contradiction entre l’autonomie individuelle constitutive de l’artiste moderne et sa dépendance à l’égard des forces anonymes du marché de l’art suscite la création de groupes (fermés) d’artistes auxquels la deuxième partie de cet article est consacrée. Audelà des visées esthétiques affichées par les cénacles d’artistes, ces groupes servent les intérêts sous-jacents de la profession en compensant le déficit organisationnel dont elle souffre par rapport aux professions bourgeoises. Enfin, la conclusion traite de l’antagonisme fondamental entre l’artiste et le bourgeois du point de vue du statut, de l’habitus et de l’auto-organisation.