Testing for genetic structure in different urban Argentinian populations

Fifteen autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers (D3S1358, HUMTH01, D21S11, D18S51, PENTA E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, PENTA D, HUMvWA, D8S1179, HUMTPOX, FGA) were analyzed in 1734 individuals living in urban areas of cities from six different Argentinian provinces (Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Tucumán, La Pampa, San Luis, Santa Cruz) in order to determine if a common urban database could be used in Argentina for forensic purposes. Frequencies estimates, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), and other parameters of forensic interest were computed. Comparisons between the six populations, and with published data from one Native American population from Argentina and other urban populations from Argentina and Europe were also performed. Our results reveal evidences for population structure, both when testing for genetic differentiation and when comparing frequencies distributions between different pairs of populations. Therefore, caution should be taken when using a common pooled database with general forensic purposes in Argentina.     

Allele frequencies of 15 tetrameric short tandem repeats (STRs) in Andalusians from Huelva (Spain)

The allele frequency distribution of 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci contained in the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems), was determined in 114 individuals from Andalusia (province of Huelva), in the southernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula. After Bonferroni's correction, no deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed for all samples at the 15 STR loci. All loci are highly polymorphic. The aim of the study was to obtain accurate allele frequencies relevant for applications in forensics and population genetics. Comparative analyses between our population data and other population samples gathered from the literature are also presented.     

European integration from the agency theory perspective

European integration is a process in which national governments look for higher levels of integration and promote new requests for allocations from the supranational authority while the balance between the benefits and costs of the supranational collective action becomes increasingly favourable. This process may be analyzed as an agency problem where different national governments, acting as principals, try to lead a single agent—the supranational authority—to make a decision on the level of integration. In this paper, decisions on integration of equilibrium are studied as the result of a non co-operative two-stage game, where national governments outline their political support strategies in the first stage and the supranational authority decides the level of integration in the second stage. JEL Classification D72     

“博洛尼亚进程”背景下对人才培养问题的思考

“博洛尼亚进程”是一份旨在进一步协调欧洲高等教育体系、建立面向21世纪新型大学的文件。大学教育已经不再是终身教育,而只是继续教育的第一步。大学应该在学生在校期间及毕业离校之后都提供辅导和咨询,这是大学的一个重要使命。科学技术是创新的原动力,但目前的研究活动正在从个人单枪匹马独干转向团队合作,并进一步转向形成全球研究网络。作为知识的摇篮,大学最重要的贡献是做基础研究和应用型研究。     

2008年北京奥运会——世界的期盼

2008年的奥运会对中国来说无疑既是机遇也是挑战。成功的奥运既是中国硬实力的彰显,也是中国“软实力”的体现。在举国关注硬件建设的同时,似乎更有必要认识到成功奥运的软件基础。为此,《外交评论》根据吴建民院长的指示,特意采访了前国际奥委会主席萨马兰奇以及前国际奥委会副主席何振梁先生,邀请南开大学庞中英教授以及资深体育记者毕熙东先生撰文,就“何谓成功奥运的标准”发表高见。专家们共同表达了一个心愿:惟国人更加宽容、大度、文明,才能算得上一个成功的奥运,一个对世界、中国、北京来说都算成功的盛会。     

Validity Comparison of Three Dental Methods for Age Estimation Based on Tooth Root Translucency

Age estimation of nonliving subjects plays a very important role in identifying human remains. When adult remains are in question, this process becomes even more complex. Among the numerous dental methods that exist for adults aging, the evaluation of root translucency is one of the most useful. This study studies the correlation between age and root translucency by investigating monoradicular teeth affected by pathological processes using the equations proposed by Lamendin, Prince & Ubelaker and from Singhal et al. The average age values calculated according to the three methods were compared with the values of known age. Age estimation using the Student's t‐test resulted as more accurate in the methods by Singhal et al. and by Prince & Ubelaker, with respect to that of Lamendin. Age estimation based solely on the percentage of radicular dentinal translucency has been found to be more accurate when diseased teeth are involved.     

Suicidal or Homicidal Sharp Force Injuries? A Review and Critical Analysis of the Heterogeneity in the Forensic Literature

The differential diagnosis between self-inflicted and nonself-inflicted, suicidal and homicidal, injuries is difficult or impossible in many cases and, above all, cannot be made on the basis of information obtained solely from the autopsy or the medicolegal clinical examination. The purpose of this study is to analyze the literature on suicidal and homicidal sharp force injuries and identify the relevant parameters that may help differentiate between suicidal and homicidal deaths. To achieve this goal, a review of 595 potentially relevant articles was performed. After excluding the nonrelevant papers by screening the titles, all abstracts were reviewed, and articles meeting the inclusion criteria underwent a full-text review. The following parameters were compiled into a table: number of cases, localization of the injuries, and number of injuries. The data were statistically analyzed and compared with those available in the forensic literature. On the basis of the heterogeneity of data revealed by the present review, a simple and short checklist of the parameters that should be included when reporting suicides and homicides by sharp force has been proposed.     

Re: Fairness in UNHCR RSD Procedures: Open Letter

1 September 2006 Dear Mr. High Commissioner, We write to you on the anniversary of the publication of ProceduralStandards for Refugee Status Determination under UNHCR's Mandateto urge you to take immediate steps to fully implement basicstandards of fairness in refugee status determination at all