Managing incidental findings in human subjects research: analysis and recommendations.

No consensus yet exists on how to handle incidental findings (IFs) in human subjects research. Yet empirical studies document IFs in a wide range of research studies, where IFs are findings beyond the aims of the study that are of potential health or reproductive importance to the individual research participant. This paper reports recommendations of a two-year project group funded by NIH to study how to manage IFs in genetic and genomic research, as well as imaging research. We conclude that researchers have an obligation to address the possibility of discovering IFs in their protocol and communications with the IRB, and in their consent forms and communications with research participants. Researchers should establish a pathway for handling IFs and communicate that to the IRB and research participants. We recommend a pathway and categorize IFs into those that must be disclosed to research participants, those that may be disclosed, and those that should not be disclosed.     

2007年中国法治政府建设大盘点

2007年中国法治政府建设伴随着依法治国,建设社会主义法治国家的进程迈出了坚实的一步。在这一年里,民生是主流话语,民权是时代强音;公民的权利更多的是感受到法律的温情,而政府的权力则受到更多法律的掣肘。促进民生、公民参与、职能转变、权力约束、危机应对,构成了法治政府建设的主旋律。这些努力和成就,相信可以为中国实现法治政府的梦想奠定坚实基础。     

Molecular characterization of a null allele at locus DXS8378

Typing of X-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci in a deficiency paternity case revealed a single Mendelian incompatibility between a female child and her putative grandmother, consisting of an opposite homozygosity at locus DXS8378. The presence of a null allele due to a primer binding site mutation on the child's paternally inherited X chromosome was confirmed by amplification with newly designed DXS8378 external primers. Sequencing analysis showed a point mutation (C > T transition at position 168, according to GenBank accession G08098) in the binding site of the original DXS8378 reverse primer.     

Blind validation of postmortem interval estimates using developmental rates of blow flies

This study evaluated the use of different degree day (DD) models, developmental thresholds and developmental data sources for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) based on developmental rates of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Blow fly evidence was collected from three mock crime scenes and sent for blind analysis of PMI. PMI estimates were calculated using averaging, single sine, double sine, single triangle, and double triangle models of DD calculation with minimum developmental thresholds of 0, 6 and 10 °C and Anderson's, Byrd and Allen's, Greenberg's, Nishida's and Kamal's developmental data sets. These estimates were compared with the actual PMI to determine which combination of DD model, developmental threshold and developmental data provided the most accurate estimate. For all three cases, at least one method gave a PMI estimation that was within 1 day of the actual date of death. There was no variability between PMI estimated using the five models of DD calculation. Overall, as lower developmental threshold increased, the PMI interval estimates increased. Depending on the developmental data set used, increasing the lower developmental threshold caused some overestimations of the date of oviposition, with estimates given that were prior to the actual death. Future PMI estimates should include error ranges, so that overestimation of PMI is avoided.     

Y- STRs and forensic parameters in African populations

Short Tandem Repeat polymorphisms have been widely studied in the world, since specific databases are required to produce correct estimates of forensic statistical parameters. In this regard, Y-chromosome STRs have been studied mainly in Europe but are relatively scarce for sub-Saharan populations, despite these populations are represented in most of the Western countries. The aim of this work is to detect groups of populations with the lowest genetic variability within the African context. This allows to establish the relative homogeneity of Y-STRs databases for forensic casework and eventually to provide a wider insight into the African genetic history.     

Object-oriented Bayesian networks for paternity cases with allelic dependencies

This study extends the current use of Bayesian networks by incorporating the effects of allelic dependencies in paternity calculations. The use of object-oriented networks greatly simplify the process of building and interpreting forensic identification models, allowing researchers to solve new, more complex problems. We explore two paternity examples: the most common scenario where DNA evidence is available from the alleged father, the mother and the child; a more complex case where DNA is not available from the alleged father, but is available from the alleged father’s brother. Object-oriented networks are built, using HUGIN, for each example which incorporate the effects of allelic dependence caused by evolutionary relatedness.     

有争议破产债权的确认——兼论我国新《企业破产法》的完善

在破产程序中,对于有争议债权的确认方式直接影响到破产程序的效率和确定性。目前我国《企业破产法》对于有争议债权的确认方式采用的是普通诉讼方式,但在诉讼的管辖、诉讼效率等方面规定不尽充分,且缺乏对有争议债权未决阶段债权临时确认规则的设计。建议在《企业破产法》完善过程中,增设有争议债权临时确认规则、协调《企业破产法》与《民事诉讼法》之间对于有争议债权诉讼管辖的规定,设计加速有争议债权诉讼的程序。     

论增强民主党派特色

民主党派的特色是民主党派的立足之基,力量之源。要增强民主党派特色,明确民主党派特色的内涵是前提,全面把握当前增强民主党派特色的状况是关键,中共和民主党派的共同努力是根本途径和方法。