Internal validation of reduced PCR reaction volume of the Qiagen Investigator® Argus X-12 QS Kit from blood samples on FTA cards

The onus of proof in criminal cases is beyond any reasonable doubt, and the issue on the lack of complete internal validation data can be manipulated when it comes to justifying the validity and reliability of the X-chromosomal short tandem repeats analysis for court representation. Therefore, this research evaluated the efficiency of the optimized 60% reduced volumes for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using the Qiagen Investigator® Argus X-12 QS Kit, as well as the capillary electrophoresis (CE) sample preparation for blood samples on Flinder's Technology Associates (FTA) cards. Good-quality DNA profile (3000–12,000 RFU) from the purified blood sample on FTA card (1.2 mm) were obtained using the optimized PCR (10.0 μL of PCR reaction volume and 21 cycles) and CE (9.0 μL Hi-Di™ Formamide and 0.3 μL DNA Size Standard 550 [BTO] and 27 s injection time) conditions. The analytical and stochastic thresholds were 100 and 200 RFU, respectively. Hence, the internal validation data supported the use of the optimized 60% reduced PCR amplification reaction volume of the Qiagen Investigator® Argus X-12 QS Kit as well as the CE sample preparation for producing reliable DNA profiles that comply with the quality assurance standards for forensic DNA testing laboratories, while optimizing the analytical cost.     

A new conceptual framework to strengthen internal corporate image: A stakeholder-inclusive perspective

The potential influence that internal stakeholders’ image of the organisation could have on external stakeholders’ image of the organisation, is strongly supported in the literature. This research project attempted to address the need for an approach that facilitates employee engagement, coupled with a leadership approach that allows collaboration, inclusion and cooperation within the organisation, to strengthen internal corporate image. This article reports on the results of the second phase of this research project, where a proposed stakeholder-inclusive conceptual framework for strengthening the internal corporate image, built from a stakeholder-inclusive perspective as depicted in the King III report on corporate governance, was explored in practice. A quantitative, self-administered web-based survey was conducted with the 2014 winners of the Deloitte Best Company to Work For (BCTWF) survey. The results not only indicated that these organisations’ practices resonate with the proposed stakeholder-inclusive framework, but also that the principles of the framework, namely stakeholder theory; integrated internal communication; peace arena; stakeholder engagement by means of the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard (AA1000SES) and responsible leadership and stewardship correlate with one another. The stakeholder-inclusive conceptual framework expands on the body of knowledge on corporate image and provides corporate communication professionals with a guide for strengthening their organisation’s internal corporate image, which could serve as starting point for strengthening the external corporate image and eventual corporate reputation.     

The Guatemalan National Revolutionary unit: the long collapse

ABSTRACT

The Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unit (URNG) fought one of the longest and bloodiest civil wars in recent Latin American history. In 1996, the URNG and the Government of Guatemala signed a Firm and Lasting Agreement ending the country’s civil war and initiating the URNG’s post-war life as a political party. After finishing third in its initial electoral competition, the URNG has since been unable to capture more than 4% of the vote, on its own or in coalition, leaving it a minor political party. What explains the poor electoral performance of the URNG as a political party? Based upon fieldwork, elite interviews, and analysis of electoral data, I argue that the URNG’s minor party performance was caused by both organizational and institutional factors.     

From Warfare to Imagefare: How States Should Manage Asymmetric Conflicts With Extensive Media Coverage

Conflicts in the 21st century differ from past conflicts based on two central factors: the level of asymmetry and disparity between the actors taking part in the conflict and the amount of foreign media coverage that a conflict receives. This article aims to develop a new theoretical perspective on the implications of these two factors on how the involved states manage a conflict. Most actors in current conflicts have vast levels of disparity and receive extensive media coverage; events in those conflicts are referred to as occurrences in the “information space” because a conflict's borders are anywhere people can receive information about it. “Imagefare”—the use of images as a guiding principle or a substitute for traditional military means to achieve political objectives—is argued to be the main tool for better facing adversaries in the information space.     

Construct validity and internal reliability of the Finnish risk and needs assessment form

Validation of risk and needs assessment instruments used to predict, and reduce, recidivism and misconduct is of ethical, practical and scientific importance. We argue for a focus on variable (i.e. changeable over time) risk factors, and that validation begins with establishing construct validity. The Finnish Risk and Needs Assessment Form, in Finnish Riski- ja tarvearvio (RITA), is a semi-structured interview form adapted from the Offender Assessment System used in England and Wales and consists primarily of variable risk factors. In this study, we examined the construct validity and internal reliability of RITA. The results suggest that the original RITA sections do not provide an adequate statistical model for describing the relationship between scored questions, and we, therefore, offer an improved model. In our proposed model, several scores are influenced by more than one dimension of risk and the dimensions correlate with each other considerably. We suggest that the dimensions that can be measured with RITA are Problems managing economy, Alcohol problems, Resistance to change, Drug abuse and associated behaviour, Aggressiveness and Employment problems. All factors except Drug abuse and associated behaviour had very good internal reliability. We propose this new model to be used in future research with, and in development of, RITA.     

论公共政策公共性的内在意蕴

公共政策是适应社会公共生活而产生的行为规范,同时也构成了社会公共生活的重要组成部分。在社会公共生活中,公共政策以公共利益为取向、以公共权力为依托、以公共秩序为归宿。这构成了公共政策公共性的内在意蕴。公共政策在公共权力的支撑下,通过对社会价值的权威性分配来实现公共利益,从而也为社会公共生活建立起新的公共秩序。这是公共政策对社会公共生活的价值所在。     

论平等权权利冲突的理论问题

平等权权利冲突在我国目前屡见不鲜,是一个现实的急待探讨的问题。其表现在不同的权利主体、权利自身因素、不同法律价值诉求、立法与立法之间。而平等权是一个自创生的系统,由于平等权权利冲突导致其自创生力下降的原因是多方面的、是一种机制,所以,体制的完善、经济的全面发展、法律意识的提高和健康平等权心态就是平等权权利冲突的平衡路径。     

延安时期中国共产党发展对内对外关系的经验与启示

延安时期,中国共产党在毛泽东的领导下,在处理各种复杂的关系中表现出高超的政治智慧和斗争艺术,使党与人民之间保持了鱼水交融的关系,党与国民党、党与世界反法西斯阵营各个国家之间的关系基本上呈现出良性互动态势;延安经验表明,人民的拥护与支持,是我党发展与国民党和其他国家关系的基础,而妥善处理与国民党和其他国家之间的关系,又能促进根据地的民主建设。我党在上述方面积累的成功经验,对今天解决内政外交问题具有借鉴和参考价值。     

刘少奇对正确处理人民内部矛盾理论的贡献

刘少奇善于研究人民内部矛盾理论,他不仅较早地注意和提出了人民内部矛盾问题,而且具有许多独创性的见解,他的主要贡献体现在：最早提出“人民内部矛盾”的概念,开拓了两类矛盾学说的先河;明确指出人民内部矛盾是国内的主要矛盾;论述了人民内部矛盾的主要表现和群众闹事的原因;阐明了正确处理人民内部矛盾的途径和方法。对新时期正确认识和妥善处理人民内部矛盾、努力构建社会主义和谐社会具有重要的借鉴意义。     

"此是东井冈会师天下壮"——略谈东固斗争的历史意义

东固斗争,在红军游击战争和苏维埃运动初期颇具特色,它是赣西南红军游击战争和苏维埃运动的发祥地。它承接了赣西南武装斗争中心地区的使命,在农村建立秘密根据地发展红军,点燃了赣西南红军游击战争和苏维埃运动的星星之火;它在探索中国革命正确道路的斗争中,创造了独具特色的"游击秘密割据",成为"工农武装割据"初级阶段最佳的开展形式;它以"李文林式"的斗争与"朱毛式"的斗争相呼应,坚持与发展了赣西南红军游击战争和苏维埃运动,促进了红三军和赣西南苏区的建立。