Political and social networks in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: ‘clan’, region and beyond

A major debate among scholars studying Central Asian societies concerns the structure of social and political networks in the region. Still unresolved is the issue of whether to define such networks in terms of ‘clans’, ‘regionalism’, or personal networks. This article, based on data collected during fieldwork in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, attempts to understand these social and political networks. It suggests that networks are very complex. The networks in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan draw on various loyalties including ties of family, friendship, work, education, and patron-client relationships. They are neither purely regional nor purely clan-based. Personal networks, factions, and self-interest play important roles. At the elite level, networks more closely resemble patron-client networks, which may or may not include regional or kinship ties. Among ordinary people, such ties tend to be based on localism, kinship, and/or patronage relationships.     

Accidental Ligature Strangulation by an Ironing Machine: An Unusual Case*

Abstract: In this paper, we present a case of a 53‐year‐old woman who had her headscarf catch on the cylinder ironing machine in the laundry of the hospital where she worked. The hospital workers found the woman dead with her head stuck to the ironing machine. After the death scene investigation and autopsy were completed, it was determined that the death occurred as a result of accidental ligature strangulation. Accidental ligature strangulation in which an article of clothing is caught in such an electrical machine and strangles the wearer is very rare. This case highlights the fact that these kinds of machines can be hazardous to work around and that increased safety measures should be taken to insure worker safety; additionally, the people who use these machines should be educated on the potential hazards.     

The causal nexus of interest rate policy and gold market: The case of Turkey

The relevance of gold to the financial market and global economies is responsible for the commodity's (gold) link with financial instruments such as the oil price, currency and gold price, stock index, and other commodities price. In this case, the causal analysis between the interest rate and the gold price has been examined in a novel approach. This study uses the standard Granger causality approach to test the relationship for the economy of Turkey over the period June 1, 2000–June 1, 2017. The results revealed that while gold price depends on daily announcements, demand, and supply, the interest rate depends on some factors such as the monetary policy of the central bank, inflation rate, and different macroeconomic parameters. Thus, the causality between the two financial instruments is observed to be significant. According to the conducted statistical analysis, the interest rate and gold price have interaction between each other. Because there is insufficient evidence in the extant literature that establishes a causality relationship between the two variables, the current study is believed to enhance policy directives and contribute to the financial literature. Considering the peculiar situation of the Turkish financial market, this novel approach presents significant policy directions.     

Prevalence of Demodex in health personnel working in the autopsy room

The health personnel working in the autopsy rooms and laboratories are considered among the professional groups carrying a high risk of contamination with infection. In this study, we have investigated the prevalence of Demodex, which provides a convenient environment for bacteria and acts as a vector for certain microorganisms, in the health personnel working in autopsy rooms. The study, which was cross-sectional, was conducted on 58 health personnel working in autopsy rooms. A questionnaire was administered to the individuals. Specimens were obtained from 4 different regions of the face using the standard skin-surface biopsy technique. The data obtained were then evaluated statistically. This study group consisted of 76% males and 24% females. The prevalence of Demodex was 26%. Demodex was found to occur more frequently in women. The most frequent occurrence of Demodex was seen among people with darker complexion and in cheek localizations. We believe that Demodex, which has a role in the pathogenesis of dermatologic diseases, provides a convenient environment for bacteria, and acts as a vector for some pathogenic microorganisms, poses a risk as far as individuals working in the autopsy room are concerned.     

Malpractice and system of expertise in anaesthetic procedures in Turkey

Deaths which occur during the administration of anaesthetics require medicolegal investigations. The objective of this study is to form a database for future comparisons related to anaesthetic-associated malpractice claims and also to investigate the system of expertise, pertaining to such procedures. The decisions of the Supreme Health Council, whose expert opinion is requested by legal authorities (judges, prosecutors) for health workers brought to trial in a criminal court, were examined retrospectively over the period 1995-1999. In 21 (2.3%) of the 888 decision reports prepared by the council the team members (the anaesthesiologist , the anaesthetic assistant, the anaesthetic technician, the nurse) were directly interrogated. Data concerning these 21 council decisions were evaluated within the scope of this study. It was found that 57% of the 21 decisions were related to medical procedures carried out in state hospitals. Of the 21 cases, 62% were males, 38% females. General anaesthesia was applied to 19 of the cases while one received regional (local) anaesthesia and one axillary blockade. Twenty died of complications associated with anaesthesia. Autopsy was performed on 11 (55%) of the dead. Health workers were found to have different degrees of liability in the 16 (76%) of the 21 decision reports. In their medical practices, anaesthesiologists , like other specialists, are subject to legal procedures in the country where they perform their duties, to national and international principles of ethics, and to diagnostic and curative standards/procedures relevant to the scientific level of the country concerned. In anaesthetic malpractice claims, certain standards need to be followed in inquiries and approaches so as to determine the real reasons behind the disabilities and/or deaths which occur. In order that sound evaluations could be made in such cases, the experts as well as the system of expertise should be efficient and authorized.     

Examination of Y-STR mutations in sex chromosomal abnormality in forensic cases

The Y-STR typing was carried out on eight DNA samples (three from criminal cases) demonstrating Klinefelter's syndrome. STR types in the X chromosome were randomly distributed. However, some Y-STR markers were distributed within the normal range but restricted to only one or two specific alleles, that is, some specific haplotypes were found in Klinefelter's syndrome. In addition, a single nucleotide polymorphism in DYS390 (transversion of G to A at the 28th position downstream of tandem repeats) was detected in Klinefelter samples. This Y-STR polymorphism and restricted Y-STR alleles in Klinefelter's syndrome is not known, but it might be related to the genesis of Klinefelter's syndrome. We also found that extended standard haplotypes of these samples are extremely rare in the normal population, according to the Y-STR haplotype reference database (YHRD). The extended standard haplotype database in a Japanese population is also reported. In 100 unrelated Japanese, 89 haplotypes were observed, and the haplotype diversity was calculated to be 0.9866.