DNA identification of sperm cells collected and sorted by flow cytometry

In cases of rape, obtaining enough biologic material for DNA identification of the attacker is often difficult because the methods for distinguishing and separating sperm cells from vaginal cells are not sufficiently efficacious. This article describes a new, innovative method for spermatic DNA extraction from the vaginal washing fluid by means of flow cytometry. The high specificity and sensitivity of the flow-cytometric sorting method provides enough sperm cells for DNA typing. The ease of execution of this method, involving vaginal washing with physiologic solution and flow-cytometric reading of the fresh sample, substantially increases its cost-benefit ratio.     

Dismemberment: a review of the literature and description of 3 cases

The authors describe 3 cases of dismemberment. Numerous methods of hiding a body and thus erasing proof of murder have been devised. Those most frequently described in the literature include: burial of the body in an unusual or impervious place such as a wood, grotto or mountain; charring the body by wrapping it in a tire, for example, to fuel the fire until all traces of the crime have been erased and identification of the victim is difficult; and dropping the weighted-down body in the open sea or in a well in the hope that it will never be found. Dismemberment is in reality a relatively rare method whereby, after killing the victim, the murderer uses a very sharp cutting weapon (a saw, axe, etc.) to sever the limbs and cut the body into small pieces. The operation is generally carried out immediately after the crime, although more rarely a long time may pass between the 2 events.     

Externalizing and oppositional behaviors and karate-do: the way of crime prevention. A pilot study

Childhood disruptive behaviors can be precursors to later deviance. To verify the efficacy of karate, a complex psychomotor activity that enhances self-regulation and executive skills, as an intervention for externalizing behaviors, 16 children, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years, and meeting diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder were studied. Eight were randomly assigned to a 10-month Wa Do Ryu karate program, whereas 8 children received no intervention. The children were assigned to a larger karate class, composed of typically developing youngsters. Three domains of temperament--intensity, adaptability, and mood regulation--were measured at the beginning and the end of the training period in all 16 participants. A significant improvement in temperament scale scores was measured in the karate group for all tested items compared to controls. Karate, when properly taught, can be a useful adjunct in multimodal programs aimed at externalizing behavior reduction.     

Validation of a large Italian Database of 15 STR loci

Results from a collaborative exercise with proficiency testing conducted by 20 Italian laboratories on the 15 loci included in the Identifiler kit were analyzed by allele sharing methods and by standard population genetics tests. The validated database, including about 1500 subjects, was merged with that of a previous exercise conducted on nine loci, and the resulting allele frequencies, subdivided by Italian region, were published on-line.     

A singular case of murder-suicide committed with a homemade firearm

The authors illustrate a peculiar case of murder-suicide committed with a homemade firearm loaded with 12-gauge cartridges (buckshot). The structure and function of this handcrafted firearm were simple but effective: an iron tube did duty as a barrel in this primitive firearm. The cartridges (modified by winding sticky tape around the external surface of the base) were inserted down one end of the tube (serving as the breech). A second iron tube with a larger diameter (so as to be able to run over each of the preloaded barrels) and with a jutting, cone-shaped metal wedge soldered to the base, was used as a rudimental firing pin. After loading the "barrel" with the modified cartridge, the gunman would ram the "firing pin" tube violently down to fire the shot. Autopsy of the woman's body showed the presence of 3 gunshot wounds caused by buckshot, while the man had a single buckshot wound in the head. Subsequent ballistic investigations enabled reconstruction of the event (typical of murder-suicide) and the functioning of the firearm, demonstrating its lethal nature, remarkably easy handling, and simplicity of production.     

“文革”中陈伯达为什么选择投靠林彪

人们对陈伯达在"文化大革命"中投靠林彪,很不理解,其实,这是有原因的. 陈伯达在中央"文革"中陷入了孤立状态     

Voluntarism and health care

The writers are co-authors of Unhealthy Charities; Health Research Charities II: The Politics of Fear;and Health Research Charites: Image and Reality.     

新独立国家与国际法

<正> 第二次世界大战之后,由于民族独立解放运动的蓬勃发展,许多受殖民统治的国家和地区独立了,成为新独立国家。这一大批国家加上战前独立的亚非拉国家,在国际舞台上形成一股力量,对国际关系发生重大的影响,而这也就对国际法发生深刻的影响。因为,国际社会的结构变了,国际法也不能不跟着发生变动。这个问题是国际法的一个新问题,从六十年代初起就引起了国际法学界的重视。六十年代     

论农民工权益保障中政府责任的缺失及救治

如何解决农民工权益保障问题,促进农民工群体的就业、生活与福利保障,已经成了我国进一步深化改革、加快经济社会发展不容忽视的问题。在农民工权益保障中政府责任缺失的救治主要有:为农民工提供平等的公共管理服务;提高农民工社会政治地位,进一步完善农民工立法制度;支持和组织农民工加入工会,维护好农民工合法权益;新闻媒体要把握正确的舆论导向。     

高校辅导员的职业倦怠状况与对策

高校辅导员中存在的职业倦怠现象,对辅导员队伍的建设、学生的成长进步以及思想教育工作的开展会产生不良影响。分析辅导员职业倦怠的形成原因,通过建立社会支持环境、树立良好职业形象、做好工作设计及提高承受力等手段,对减少辅导员的职业倦怠、增强工作动力具有重要意义。