Characterization of 26 miniSTR loci for improved analysis of degraded DNA samples

An additional 20 novel mini-short tandem repeat (miniSTR) loci have been developed and characterized beyond the six previously developed by our laboratory for a total of 26 non-CODIS miniSTR markers. These new markers produce short PCR products in the target range of 50-150 base pairs (bp) by moving the primer sequences as close as possible-often directly next to the identified repeat region. These candidate loci were initially screened based on their small amplicon sizes and locations on chromosomes currently unoccupied by the 13 CODIS STR loci or at least 50 Mb away from them on the same chromosome. They were sequenced and evaluated across more than 600 samples, and their population statistics were determined. The heterozygosities of the new loci were compared with those of the 13 CODIS loci and all were found to be comparable. Only five of the new loci had lower values than the CODIS loci; however, all of these were much smaller in size. This data suggests that these 26 miniSTR loci will serve as useful complements to the CODIS loci to aid in the forensic analysis of degraded DNA, as well as missing persons work and parentage testing with limited next-of-kin reference samples.     

Advancing measures of innovation in the United States

This paper introduces major themes addressed in this special issue, which is based on NSF's Division of Science Resources Statistics (SRS) workshop Advancing Measures of Innovation—Knowledge Flows, Business Metrics, and Measurement Strategies, held on June 6-7, 2006 near Washington, D.C. The first two sections describe the workshop and provide a brief background on R & D and innovation metrics. The last section introduces the papers. They are based on selected workshop presentations along with additional invited papers.

Innovation-related data in bureau of economic analysis international economic surveys

This paper describes innovation-related data available from international economic surveys conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. These data are collected in conjunction with the international transactions accounts of the United States and in surveys of the operations of multinational companies (MNCs). The paper focuses on five innovation-related series: receipts and payments of royalties and license fees; exports and imports of research, development, and testing services; sales of services by foreign affiliates classified in the research and development services industry; MNC R&D spending; and MNC R&D employment.

Comparing the performance of IBIS and BulletTRAX-3D technology using bullets fired through 10 consecutively rifled barrels

This study evaluates the abilities of the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) and BulletTRAX-3D electronic imaging systems to identify bullets fired by the same weapon in a large database of images. Ten consecutively rifled handgun barrels were test fired to obtain reference sample and known match sample pairs for upload onto both bullet acquisition systems. Both copper-jacketed and lead bullets were uploaded, to account for variations in the manner in which markings are reproduced on the different metal compositions. Ranked correlation lists were examined and evaluated. For copper-jacketed bullet correlations, both IBIS and BulletTRAX-3D identified all reference samples to their known matches within the top 10 positions. For lead bullets, BulletTRAX-3D identified all reference samples to their known match in the top 10 positions while IBIS identified only 30%. For inter composition comparisons, BulletTRAX-3D was more successful than IBIS, identifying 100% of reference samples to their known match in the top 20 for copper-jacketed to lead comparisons and 90% for lead to copper-jacketed comparisons. These results suggest that BulletTRAX-3D is more effective than IBIS in the analysis of a wider range of bullet types and it was also found to produce images of superior quality.     

Kfz-Abstellplätze im nachträglich begründeten WE – Nutzwert-(neu-)festsetzung auf Grund vertraglicher Widmung

Die Nutzwert-(neu-)festsetzung gem § 9 Abs 2 WEG 2002 als Grundlage für eine nachfolgende erforderliche ?nderung der Mindestanteile schafft keinen eigenen zivilrechtlichen Rechtsgrund/Titel für die Nutzung bestimmter WE-Objekte (hier: wohnungseigentumstaugliche Kfz-Abstellpl?tze, an denen nach dem 30. 6. 2002 WE begründet werden soll). Die Widmung als wohnungseigentumstaugliches Objekt (einschlie?lich des WE-Zubeh?rs) oder als allgemeiner Teil der WE-Liegenschaft setzt vielmehr eine privatrechtliche Einigung (hier: der Wohnungseigentümer mit den schlichten Miteigentümern) voraus, die zwar idR im schriftlichen WE-Vertrag, aber auch schlüssig erfolgen kann. Nach § 9 Abs 2 Z 1 WEG 2002 sind die zwingenden Grunds?tze der Nutzwertberechnung zu beachten, was sowohl die WE-Tauglichkeit als auch die Widmung als selbst?ndiges WE-Objekt voraussetzt, da an allgemeinen Teilen der WE-Liegenschaft WE nicht bestehen kann und somit an diesen kein Nutzwert festgesetzt werden darf. Seit 1. 7. 2002 k?nnen wohnungseigentumstaugliche Kfz-Abstellpl?tze selbst?ndige WE-Objekte sein, w?hrend Zubeh?r-WE an diesen – auch im Fall nachtr?glicher Begründung von WE nach Ma?gabe des § 3 Abs 2 WEG 2002 – nicht mehr begründet werden darf. Für den für die WE-Begründung und den Abverkauf von WE-Objekten "hauptverantwortlichen" WE-Organisator entf?llt nach § 5 Abs 2 Satz 4 WEG 2002 idF WRN 2006 die Reservierungspflicht von Kfz-Abstellpl?tzen.     

Why football players may benefit from the ‘shadow of the transfer system’

Transfer restrictions have a long tradition in professional sports but came under heavy attack in recent years (e.g. Bosman ruling, Monti system). Based on a bargaining model with stochastic player productivity, we show that less restrictive transfer rules reallocate ex post bargaining power from players to clubs. This reallocation is efficient and in the ex ante self-interest of players. The right to charge transfer fees enables clubs to insure their players. The players, in turn, benefit by converting risky future income into riskless current income. Overall, player utility is higher under more than under less restrictive transfer rules.

Die gesetzliche Ausgestaltung der mietvertraglichen Erhaltungspflicht und die Grenzen ihrer Disponibilität (1. Teil)

Die Ausgestaltung der mietvertraglichen Erhaltungspflicht im ?sterreichischen Recht, va das Verh?ltnis von § 1096 Abs 1 Satz 1 ABGB zu einschl?gigen bestandschutzrechtlichen Sondernormen, sowie die Grenzen der Disponibilit?t der mietvertraglichen Erhaltungspflicht stellen mittlerweile die am intensivsten diskutierten Fragen des ?sterreichischen Wohnrechts dar. Der folgende Beitrag unternimmt den Versuch, ein Resümee aus dieser Diskussion zu ziehen und unter Würdigung m?glichst aller bereits vorgetragenen Argumente zu ermittlen, welche Antwort auf diese Fragen den Vorgaben des geltenden Rechts am besten gerecht wird.     

Eintragung eines Bestandrechts ins Grundbuch – dingliche Wirkung der "Einverleibung"?

Zwar spricht § 19 GBG von der "Einverleibung oder Vormerkung von Bestandrechten" und § 1095 ABGB beim eingetragenen Bestandvertrag von einem dazu gewordenen "dinglichen Recht". In Wirklichkeit ?hnelt aber die grundbücherliche Eintragung eines Bestandrechts eher einer Anmerkung; ihre Rechtsfolgen beschr?nken sich – und zwar blo? im Verh?ltnis zwischen Bestandgeber und Bestandnehmer ohne allgemeine dingliche Wirkung gegenüber Dritten! – auf § 1120 und § 1121 ABGB.     

Politics and Corporate‐Sector Environmentally Significant Actions: The Effects of Political Partisanship on U.S. Utilities Energy Efficiency Policies

This study assesses the direct, indirect, and total impacts of political partisanship on state‐level utilities' investment in energy efficiency. This subject is of utmost importance because energy efficiency improvement has become a linchpin in worldwide efforts to combat climate change and other environmental challenges. Analysis of data on 51 electric utilities nested within 31 U.S. states indicates that political partisanship influences utilities' energy efficiency policies. There is strong evidence that electric utilities in states dominated by the Republican Party are less likely to invest in energy efficiency than those in states governed by the Democratic Party. This finding suggests that political partisanship may be shaping the policy and regulatory frameworks put in place by state governments to incentivize or compel the participation of private‐sector entities' in environmental management and/or resource conservation.