Mitochondrial diversity of a northeast German population sample

Mitochondrial DNA sequences of the hypervariable regions HV I and HV II were analyzed in 300 unrelated individuals born and living in the northeast corner of Germany (Western Pomerania) to generate a database for forensic identification purposes in this region. Sequence polymorphism were detected using PCR and direct sequencing analysis. A total of 242 different haplotypes were found as determined by 147 variable positions. The most frequent haplotype (263G, 315.1C) was found in 10 individuals and is also the most common sequence in Europe. Three other haplotypes were shared by 5 individuals, 2 sequences by 4, 8 haplotypes by 3, 15 sequences by 2 persons, and 213 sequences were unique. The genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.99 and the probability of two random individuals showing identical mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes is 0.6%. A comparison with other studies from Germany showed only little differences in the distribution of haplogroups. Nevertheless, one frequent haplotype in northeast Germany (five unrelated individuals) could only rarely be found in other German and European regions. Our results may indicate that despite a high admixture proportion in the German population some regions could demonstrate certain characteristic features.     

“The Good,the Bad and the Ugly” Reconsidered: A Comparison of German,Canadian and Spanish Labour Migration Policies

This article compares three immigration countries that are perceived, both publicly and politically, as being fundamentally different: Canada, which is allegedly one of the most attractive destination countries for labour migrants worldwide; Germany, which is still thought to be sceptical towards immigration; and finally Spain, which is considered institutionally incapable of implementing efficient labour migration policies. Against the backdrop of various political reforms that have been adopted in these countries, however, the article argues that such a distinction is becoming increasingly inaccurate. This observation is backed empirically by analysing the technique of screening labour migrants and the temporal design of labour migration policy.     

A novel platform for the modular integration of forensic assay setup and medium- to high-throughput purification of nucleic acids

With its extraction and assay setup modules, the QIAsymphony^® provides a highly flexible solution for processing forensic samples in a medium- to high-throughput scale. We tested the sensitivity of extraction, precision of sample processing, and accuracy of automated assay setup of this integrated system. Results attest to QIAsymphony's ability to isolate DNA from a spectrum of common forensic samples and process these samples without cross-contamination. Furthermore, accurate assay setup for downstream applications, like PCR, make this system highly suited for enhancing laboratory workflow.     

A polychromatic turn in corruption research?

Arnold Heidenheimer's last paper features an imaginative attempt to elaborate on his well-known “black-gray-white corruptio” typology by introducing metaphoric elements of color. How might those ideas work in practice? This article develops three specific questions that could guide further research on that question. The first involves an extended historical and etymological inquiry sufficient to bring out the diverse origins and referents of “corruptio” as a term of analysis; the second, exploring ways to extend the concept of corruption--typically applied to the realms of government and politics--to business and to the growing numbers of ways in which businesses and states interact; and third, attempting to draw more precise distinctions among lobbying, illegal political finance, and political corruption. The discussion concludes with a first sketch of a model drawing those three lines of inquiry together.     

Der Feinstaubschleier lichtet sich – rechtlich

Für den Fall einer überschreitung des Immissionsgrenzwerts für Feinstaubpartikel PM₁₀ befürwortet das BVerwG zu Recht einen Anspruch Betroffener auf planunabh?ngige luftqualit?tsverbessernde Ma?nahmen. Dazu geh?ren auch Beschr?nkungen des Stra?enverkehrs. Nicht überzeugend ist die Verneinung eines Anspruchs auf Aufstellung eines Aktionsplans. Ein solcher Anspruch ist wegen der spezifischen Ermittlungs- und Koordinierungsfunktion des Aktionsplans zur effektiven Durchsetzung des drittschützenden Grenzwerts unerl?sslich und deshalb aus Perspektive des deutschen wie des europ?ischen Rechts geboten.