DNA typing of human remains found in damp environments

DNA typing is often used to determine identity from human remains. The environment to which the material has been exposed, however, is crucial for the success of the investigation. Damp conditions in particular can cause a rapid degradation of DNA, even in bone and teeth, and thus reduce the chances of successful typing. Here, we present the results of investigations performed on four skulls that had been lying in a damp environment for periods ranging from almost 1 year to about 45 years. In none of these cases was DNA typing successful on bone or, where present, on teeth. Where remnants of brain tissue were used, however, complete STR typing was possible in one case, partial STR typing in another, and mtDNA sequencing could be carried out in three cases. These findings suggest that brain tissue is relatively resistant to putrefaction in damp environments and, unlike bone, appears to exhibit a certain degree of protection against DNA degradation.     

Identification of exhumed remains of fire tragedy victims using conventional methods and autosomal/Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat DNA profiling

In a fire tragedy in Manila in December 1998, one of the worst tragic incidents which resulted in the reported death of 23 children, identity could not be established initially resulting in the burial of still unidentified bodies. Underscoring the importance of identifying each of the human remains, the bodies were exhumed 3 months after the tragedy. We describe here our work, which was the first national case handled by local laboratories wherein conventional and molecular-based techniques were successfully applied in forensic identification. The study reports analysis of DNA obtained from skeletal remains exposed to conditions of burning, burial, and exhumation. DNA typing methods using autosomal and Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) markers reinforced postmortem examinations using conventional identification techniques. The strategy resulted in the identification of 18 out of the 21 human remains analyzed, overcoming challenges encountered due to the absence of established procedures for the recovery of mass disaster remains. There was incomplete antemortem information to match the postmortem data obtained from the remains of 3 female child victims. Two victims were readily identified due to the availability of antemortem tissues. In the absence of this biologic material, parentage testing was performed using reference blood samples collected from parents and relatives. Data on patrilineal lineage based on common Y-STR haplotypes augmented autosomal DNA typing, particularly in deficiency cases.     

Psychological and psychosocial interventions after attempted suicide: an overview of treatment studies

A literature search was conducted to collect randomized controlled studies evaluating the outcome of psychological and psychosocial interventions after attempted suicide and deliberate self-harm. Twenty-five studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The studies are grouped according to the psychological approach chosen for the intervention. They are discussed with regard to both the various therapeutic strategies and models used, and the repetition of self-harming behavior as the main outcome.     

Transfer of biological traces in cases of hanging and ligature strangulation

In hanging and ligature strangulation, the noose mostly causes a mark or groove which is formed partly by compression of the skin and partly by abrasion with loss of the upper epidermal layers. The horny scales abraded from the neck may be transferred to the strangulation device or to the interposed textiles where they are sometimes visible at stereomicroscopic examination or even to the naked eye as silver-grey particles. The morphologic features of the epidermal transfer due to hanging and ligature strangulation is demonstrated by 14 case examples. The biological traces may be sufficient for comparative DNA typing by means of PCR-based methods. In 9 out of the 14 cases, genomic DNA typing was successful. Analysis of mtDNA succeeded in another two cases, although genomic DNA could not be detected. Beside the accumulation of solid epidermic particles the paper describes deposition of serous and fatty tissue fluid at the ligature (mainly adjacent to skin ridges).     

Der Feinstaubschleier lichtet sich – rechtlich II – zugleich Anmerkung zum Urteil des Bundesverwaltungsgerichts vom 27.9.2007 – 7 C 36.07

Zusammenfassung Nur selten schafft es eine verwaltungsgerichtliche Entscheidung an die erste Stelle der ARD-Tagesschau um 20 Uhr. Dem Urteil des BVerwG vom 27.9.2007 ist das gelungen. Es liefert die Antwort auf eine Frage, die sich mancher TV-Zuschauer und Zeitungsleser seit der ersten H?lfte des Jahres 2005 gestellt haben mag. Einer aufgeregten Medienberichterstattung war damals zu entnehmen, dass der gerade verbindlich gewordene Feinstaubgrenzwert vielerorts überschritten werde und davon Betroffene Erkrankungen des Herz-Kreislauf-Systems und der Atemwege, ja sogar eine Verkürzung ihrer Lebenserwartung zu befürchten h?tten. Die Frage die sich stellte: Was kann ein Betroffener dagegen unternehmen?     

Industrial Relations and Justice Ideologies in the Firm: A Justice-Based Explanation of Works Council Effectiveness

This paper investigates why the effectiveness of works councils varies across firms. Drawing on a large body of literature on justice in organizations, and on the basis of the premise of methodological individualism, we present the groundwork for a justice-based theory of workplace codetermination. The theory focuses on workers' attitudes toward justice in organizations, the structural reasons behind these attitudes, and their consequences for the effectiveness of codetermination. Results from a qualitative employee survey in four German firms provide first empirical support for the theory presented.     

The impact of online media on stakeholder engagement and the governance of corporations

Online tools such as social media provide new opportunities for citizens and stakeholder groups to be informed, identify common interests, express and share opinions and demands, organize, and coordinate interventions. Therefore, the Internet could be expected to increase stakeholder engagement in corporate affairs and facilitate good governance. In order to provide an overview of current findings on the impact of online media on governance and stakeholder engagement, we conduct a systematic literature review. Our analysis reveals five topical categories of inquiry. We analyze studies from the field of business participation and find a strong bias towards consumer engagement and marketing issues. Only few studies are found to critically explore the effect of online media on power and value distribution between corporations and stakeholders. We then turn to the more established field of political and civic participation in order to further analyze antecedents, forms, and outcomes of online engagement in civic affairs, and derive a framework for future research. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Do Ukrainian Firms Benefit from FDI?

All countries are eager to attract as much foreign direct investments (FDI) as possible. At the same time FDI may have not only positive, but also negative economic effects for receiving countries. Positive effects are associated with technology transfer, efficient allocation of resources, and training of domestic workers. However, the entry of foreign firms could, e.g., lead to a decrease of labor productivity at domestic firms, which is a negative effect. The main purpose of this paper is to estimate direct and indirect effects of FDI. First, we test for direct influence of foreign direct investments on firms’ performance, where the latter is estimated alternatively as labor productivity and as exports. FDI notably increases both labor productivity and export volumes. Second, we look for spillover or indirect effects. There is statistical evidence that the levels of FDI in certain regional industries are associated with higher performance indicators of firms’ not receiving FDI in those same regional industries.