Anion Identification via Complexation with meso‐octamethylcalix(4)pyrrole and Detection Using Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry*

Abstract: The routine identification of controlled substances and adulterants during forensic chemistry analysis often involves the identification of counter ions or salt forms present in an exhibit. Here, the use of the compound meso‐octamethylcalix(4)pyrrole (C4P) during salt‐form identification analysis is presented. C4P is a commercially‐available, anion‐binding agent that can be reacted with a controlled substance or adulterant, resulting in the sequestration of anionic species, usually present as counter ions to the active ingredient. Formation of noncovalent complexes between the cyclic host C4P compound and anionic guests is investigated using electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (ESI–MS). Complexes with chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, and acetate are readily observed and mass spectrometry analysis provides identification via molecular weight characterization. Chloride and bromide complexes are also characterized by the isotopic distribution of their molecular ions. Formation of host–guest complexes is not observed for sulfate and phosphate salts, presumably due to steric hindrance and energetically unfavorable conditions.     

Variability of the Entire Mitochondrial DNA Control Region in a Human Isolate from the Pas Valley (Northern Spain)

Abstract: In this study, we analyzed the entire mtDNA control region in 61 unrelated individuals from the Pas Valley (Cantabria), a human isolate from northern Spain, to evaluate the suitability of this analysis to increase the power of discrimination of this locus for forensic purposes in human isolates. Low values obtained for the diversity parameters confirmed the relative isolation of this human group. The main findings of this study indicated that even the analysis of the entire mtDNA control region may have important limitations for use in forensic casework when dealing with human isolates: none of the 44 individuals who exhibited identical HVI‐HVII haplotypes could be further differentiated by analysis of segment HVIII. Nevertheless, analysis of the entire mtDNA control region proved to be useful to determine the ancestry of the samples examined, by contributing to the confirmation, and, on occasion, even to the refinement of the haplogroup assignment.     

Organisational change and innovation system dynamics: the reform of the UK government defence research establishments

Since the end of the Cold War, ministries of defence in Europe and the United States have sought new models for the management of government defence research laboratories. The United Kingdom’s reform and subsequent privatisation of its government defence research establishments (GDREs) represents one of the most radical policy responses. This paper considers the UK case through the lens of innovation systems theory and uses defence labs reform to examine the impact of organisational change on the dynamics of an innovation system. The potential policy implications for the management of government defence research laboratories are also considered.

Zwei verschiedene Begriffe "Vermietung" (ein gemeinschaftsrechtlicher und ein zivilrechtlicher) im UStG 1994?

Ungeachtet des Umstandes, dass der Text des UStG 1994 insoweit gleich lautende Tatbestandsmerkmale verwendet, ist der Begriff "Vermietung" nur im § 6 Abs 1 Z 16 und im § 10 Abs 1 Z 4 UStG 1994 im gemeinschaftsrechtlichen Sinn auszulegen, nicht auch – sondern im zivilrechtlichen Sinn – im § 2 Abs 3 UStG 1994 (iZm K?rperschaften ?ffentlichen Rechts).     

The European Commission's Opinions under Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive

The contribution examines the Opinions which the European Commissionhas issued so far under Article 6(4) of Directive 92/43 (HabitatsDirective). It examines Member States' reasoning for justifyingthe application of Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive inthe light of the European Court of Justice rulings, and comesto the conclusion that probably not one of the cases submittedwould have been accepted by the Court.     

艾森豪威尔处理苏伊士运河战争危机的经验及其对奥巴马政府的启示

1956年10月,以色列在美国总统大选前8天,不顾艾森豪威尔政府预先劝诫,在英、法两国幕后策划下,对埃及发动先发制人的打击。艾森豪威尔总统为此采取一系列行动,如诉诸联合国、启动对以经济制裁、甚至威胁驱逐其出联合国,最终实现被他称之为"侵略者"的三方无条件停火撤退。艾森豪威尔成功的范例给2012年面临同样难题的奥巴马提供了一些历史经验:美国的外交不能被一个小盟国所捆绑,即便他们曾是美国的"铁杆"朋友。美国只有坚持公正、理性与原则,且在冲突中支持受害者,才能最大程度上维护美国的利益与形象,并最终使美国成为中东最具有决定性的外部力量。     

鸡CTLA-4胞外区的原核表达与免疫佐剂作用

为了探索鸡细胞毒性T细胞相关抗原-4(CTLA-4)胞外区(ChIgV)作为免疫佐剂的可行性,采用RT-PCR从鸡外周血淋巴细胞扩增ChIgV编码序列;测序结果显示,其核苷酸序列与已发表序列的同源性为100%。将猪CD151基因片段克隆入原核表达载体pET-30a和ChIgV融合表达载体pET-ChIgV,获得重组表达载体pET-CD151和pET-ChIgV-CD151。分别将pET-CD151和pET-ChIgV-CD151转化BL21(DE3)大肠杆菌,用IPTG诱导重组菌表达,SDS-PAGE结果显示,能表达预期的18ku和28ku重组蛋白,表达产物均为不溶性包涵体。采用包涵体纯化法和尿素变性/复性法获得了纯化的可溶性重组蛋白。以每只500μg剂量2次免疫SPF鸡,用间接ELISA测定血清抗体效价,结果显示,CD151免疫组在初免后第3周特异抗体检测为阳性,第5周抗体效价达到1∶13 000;ChIgV-CD151免疫组在初免后第2周特异抗体检测为阳性,第4周抗体效价达1∶53 000。分别用CD151和ChIgV-CD151免疫血清进行Western-blot检测,结果显示,均能在CD151阳性猪肺巨噬细胞膜蛋白中检测到预期的29ku蛋白条带,而在CD151阴性PK-15细胞膜蛋白中不能检测到相应的蛋白条带。表明,ChIgV可作为鸡抗原提呈细胞的靶向导入分子和新型免疫佐剂。     

Quantitative Statistics and Identification of Tool‐Marks

This study was designed to establish a feature identification method of tool‐mark 2D data. A uniform local binary pattern histogram operator was developed to extract the tool‐mark features, and the random forest algorithm was adopted to identify these. The presented method was used to conduct five groups of experiments with a 2D dataset of known matched and nonmatched tool‐marks made by bolt clippers, cutting pliers, and screwdrivers. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieved a high rate of identification of the tool‐mark samples generated under identical conditions. The proposed method effectively overcomes the disadvantage of unstable illumination of 2D tool‐mark image data and avoids the difficulty in mark inspection caused by manually preset parameters in the existing methods, thus reducing the uncertainty of inspected results.     

The Reconstruction of the Dynamic of a Murder Using 3D Motion Capture and 3D Model Buildings: The Investigation of a Dubious Forensic Case

Photographic surveying is fundamental to crime scene investigation. It is performed using 2D images; however, this method is limited because it does not offer a detailed view. We present a 3D (three‐dimensional) experimental model that has clarified unsolved aspects of a homicide. A woman was found dead in her home. Considering the large number of injuries on the victim, signs of the use of two weapons, and the absence of traces of the killer/s, several hypotheses about the dynamics and the number of offenders were made. The forensic surveys suggested that a single offender had used two weapons at the same time, but this hypothesis was considered to be impossible by investigators. Our 3D model allowed us to experimentally reproduce the murder and compare various dynamics. The model was used as evidence in Court to prove the hypothesis of a single killer and demonstrate that no other people were involved.     

HCN4 Gene Variations in Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome in the Southern Han Chinese Population,

Sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS) is widely considered to be related to hereditary fatal arrhythmias. Hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel 4 (HCN4) channels are widely distributed in sinus myocytes and play a profound role in generating pacemaker electro‐activity in cardiomyocytes. In the present study, the potential correlation between HCN4 gene variations and the occurrence of SUNDS was investigated. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of both 119 unrelated SUNDS patients and 184 healthy individuals and screened for candidate HCN4 gene variants. One missense heterozygous variant c.1578C>T (Ala195Val) and four synonymous heterozygous variants c.1552C>T, c.2833C>T, c.3823C>T, and c.4189C>A were discovered in the SUNDS cases. The missense variant c.1578C>T (Ala195Val) was absent in 163 recruited controls and 105 persons of the Southern Han Chinese population, had in‐silico prediction indications as damaging, and was reported prevalent in sudden infant death, and is thus likely to be involved in SUNDS.