Herzmuschelfischerei im Lichte des Art. 6 FFH-Richtlinie

Mit seinem Urteil vom 7. 9. 2004 trägt der EuGH zur Schärfung des Profils der für den Schutz von Natura-2000-Gebieten maßgeblichen Bestimmung des Art. 6 FFH-RL bei. Der Beitrag behandelt die wesentlichen Aspekte der Entscheidung und zeigt die sich hiermit verbindenden rechtlichen Konsequenzen auf.     

A proposal for standardization in forensic canine DNA typing: allele nomenclature of six canine-specific STR loci

In this study a proposal for the allele nomenclature of six polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) loci (PEZ3, PEZ6, PEZ8, PEZ10, FHC2161, and FHC2328) for canine genotyping (Canis lupus familiaris) is presented. The nomenclature is based on the sequence data of the polymorphic region of the microsatellite markers as recommended by the DNA commission of the International Society of Forensic Haemogenetics (ISFH) in 1994 for human DNA typing. To cover commonly and rarely occurring alleles, a selection of homozygous and heterozygous animals were analyzed and subjected to sequence studies. The alleles consisted of simple tri- and tetra-nucleotide repeat patterns as well as compound and highly complex repeat patterns. Several alleles revealing the same fragment size but different repeat structures were found. The allele designation described here was adopted to the number of repeats, including all variable regions within the amplified fragment. In a second step the most commonly occurring alleles were added to an allelic ladder for each marker allowing a reliable typing of all alleles differing in size. A total number of 142 unrelated dogs from surrounding municipal animal homes, private households, and canines in police duty were analyzed. The data were added to a population database providing allele frequencies for each marker.     

The application of miniplex primer sets in the analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains

A new set of multiplexed PCR primers has been applied to the analysis of human skeletal remains to determine their efficacy in analyzing degraded DNA. These primer sets, known as Miniplexes, produce shorter amplicons (50-280 base pairs (bp)) than standard short tandem repeat (STR) kits, but still utilize the 13 CODIS STR loci, providing results that are searchable on national DNA databases. In this study, a set of 31 different human remains were exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, extracted, and amplified with commercial and Miniplex DNA typing kits. The amplification efficiency of the Miniplex sets was then compared with the Promega PowerPlex 16 system. Sixty-four percent of the samples generated full profiles when amplified with the Miniplexes, while only 16% of the samples generated full profiles with the Powerplex 16 kit. Complete profiles were obtained for 11 of the 12 Miniplex loci with amplicon sizes less than 200 bp. These data suggest smaller PCR amplicons may provide a useful alternative to mitochondrial DNA for anthropological and forensic analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains.     

Neuere Rechtsprechung zum Schächten aufgrund § 4a TierSchG

Das betäubungslose Schlachten warmblütiger Tiere durch Blutentzug, das sog. Schächten, sorgt seit den Entscheidungen des Bundesverfassungsgerichts im Jahr 2002 für erhebliches Aufsehen. Im Widerstreit zwischen Religionsfreiheit und Tierschutz hatte das Gericht der bis dahin eher restriktiven Genehmigungspraxis aufgrund von § 4a TierSchG eine Absage erteilt. Daraufhin gab der Gesetzgeber dem Tierschutz in Art. 20a GG n.F. Verfassungsrang. Seither müssen die unteren Verwaltungsbehörden besonders schwierige Einzelfallentscheidungen unter Berücksichtigung der verfassungsrechtlichen Wertentscheidungen treffen. Der folgende Beitrag erläutert die aufgetretenen Probleme und die Lösungsansätze der neueren Rechtsprechung. 1) Der Beitrag gibt die private Meinung des Verfassers wieder.     

Reconsideration of the agricultural transfer model

The cooperative extension system in American agriculture is widely viewed as the paradigmatic public sector technology transfer system. Empirical evidence supports the view that research and extension are complementary inputs in increasing agricultural productivity. Cooperative extension, however, does not perceive itself as a technology transfer system; but as an informal education system. Many participants at the federal, landgrant university, or county levels in cooperative extension would not recognize their work within a technology transfer framework. Moreover, many would object to such a characterization of their work. The differences in perspective is accounted for, in part, by the fact that agricultural extension is part of the larger system of cooperative extension. This system, which encompasses agriculture, home economics, 4-H and community and rural development, requires a more encompassing framework than technology transfer to provide an integrated rationals for its program elements. Within the technology transfer framework, the roles of the different components of the system across the states are both highly variable and changing. Based on site interviews in nine states, analysis is presented of the current and prospective roles of extension specialists and county agents.     

Self-image in adolescents with delayed puberty and growth retardation

Fifty-six adolescents with varying combinations of pubertal delay and growth retardation were given the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire. Delay in sexual maturation by itself had no significant deleterious effect on self-image; however, growth retardation did. These results have important implications in determining indications for the endocrinological treatment of pubertal disorders.Received highest degree from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Presently Child Psychiatrist, Geha Psychiatric Hospital. Main interest is adolescent psychiatry.Received highest degree from Bar Ilan University. Current research interest is psychology of the adolescent: hormones and behavior.Received highest degree from Bar Ilan University. Current research interest is psychological disturbances in short stature.Received highest degree from Sackler School of Medicine. Current research interest is growth and diabetes.