Use of laser-scanning confocal microscopy in the detection of diagenesis in bone

This research demonstrates the value of laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) as a research tool in osteological studies, and diagenetic studies in particular. LSCM combines properties of light and scanning electron microscopy using laser light to excite fluorophores throughout the z-axis, developing a 3-D image. Using differential staining and selecting for specific wavelengths of light, one can image targeted materials. This research is divided into two parts: visualizing bone structures such as proteins and their decompositional products and visualizing diagenesis. Part one of this study utilized pig bones as a means of testing the overall ability of LSCM to fluoresce bone. Twenty-three samples were imaged, including 13 samples from a decompositional study conducted 5 years previous, and 10 “fresh” samples collected from a commercial butcher. This part of the study determined that protein and organic components of the bone could be fluoresced and diagenetic alteration could be imaged. The second part of the study used human samples as a means of imaging and mapping diagenetic alterations. The second part of the study used 13 samples, including 4 clinical, 7 ancient, and 2 modern controls. The pig study used Basic Fuchsin and SlowFade Gold stains, while the human study used toluidine blue. Images were also taken with unstained elements. The results of the non-human study found that a fresh bone fluoresced differently than that of a 5-year subset, while the results of the human study confirmed these findings and determined that the bone diagenesis can be mapped using LSCM.     

试论企业内部控制体系在党风廉政建设中的作用

反对腐败、建设廉洁政治,是党一贯坚持的鲜明政治立场。这个问题解决不好,就会对党造成致命伤害。目前,腐败涉及的数字触目惊心,坚决惩治、有效预防腐败和加强党风廉政建设,是党必须始终抓好的重大政治任务。内部控制体系建立的目的就是为了保证经济资源的安全完整、经济信息的正确可靠、经营行为的合理合法、经济活动的有序进行,以及经营风险的有效规避,使其在党风廉政建设中发挥积极作用。     

Confidence in an election authority and satisfaction with democracy: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment of a failed election in Sweden

Contemporary research on electoral integrity has focused on the functioning, evaluation, and legitimacy of electoral processes in emerging democracies. By contrast, this study investigates whether a failed election in a well-established democracy can affect individuals' evaluations of the electoral management body, the Election Authority, and whether those evaluations affect satisfaction with democracy. Using the case of a Swedish regional election in 2010 that had to be rerun due to procedural mistakes in the vote handling, we found that, in the short term, individuals’ confidence in the Election Authority was reduced after it was announced that the election had to be rerun because of the mistakes. Subsequently, this decreased confidence was strongly associated with less satisfaction with democracy at the regional and national level. As good news for the authority, after a successful rerun election, confidence rebounded to the levels prior to the failed election.     

Forensic integrity verification of video recordings based on MTS files

Digital video is used in criminal trials as evidence with legal responsibility because video content vividly depicts events occurring at a crime scene. However, using sophisticated video editing software, assailants can easily manipulate visible clues for their own benefit. Therefore, the integrity of digital video files acquired or submitted as evidence must be ensured. Forensic analysis of digital video is key to ensuring the integrity of links with individual cameras. In this study, we analyzed whether it is possible to ensure the integrity of MTS video files. Herein, we propose a method to verify the integrity of MTS files encoded by advanced video coding high definition (AVCHD), which is frequently used for video recording. To verify MTS file integrity, we propose five features. Codec information, picture timing, and camera manufacture/model are modified AVI and MP4-like format video verification features. Group of pictures and Universally Unique Identifier patterns were specifically developed for MTS streams. We analyzed the features of 44 standard files recorded using all recording options of seven cameras. We checked whether integrity can be validated on unmanipulated videos recorded in various environments. In addition, we considered whether manipulated MTS files edited in video editing software could be validated. Experimental results show that all unmanipulated and manipulated MTS files with known recording devices were discriminated only when all five features were checked. These results show that the proposed method verifies the integrity of MTS files, strengthening the validity of MTS file-based evidence in trials.     

Ballistic impact of hollow-point ammunition on porcine bone

Identifying failure mechanisms in skeletal tissue allows a deeper understanding of the effects of specific projectile impacts on bone. While ballistic trauma in flat bones is largely researched, knowledge of how long bones react to gunshot impacts is limited in the literature. The impacts of deforming ammunition appear to produce higher levels of fragmentation; however, these have not been studied in depth. This study compares the damage to femora bone by HP 0.357 and 9 mm projectiles constructed with both full and semi-metal jackets. Impact experiments were undertaken on a single-stage light gas gun involving the use of a high-speed video camera and full reconstruction of the bones to ascertain fracture patterns occurring in the femora. Higher degrees of fragmentation are likened to the presence of semi-jacketed HP projectiles than jacketed HP projectiles. The observations of external facing beveled edges are believed to be associated with the increased separation of the jacket and lead core of projectiles. Additionally, experimentation has shown that the amount of kinetic energy lost postimpact is likely related to the presence or the absence of a metal jacket on an HP projectile. The observed data, therefore, suggest that the composition, rather than the configuration, of a projectile affects the type and extent of the damage.     

See No Evil,Hear No Evil? Assessing Corruption Risk Perceptions and Strategies of Victorian Public Bodies

This paper critically examines qualitative survey data from 36 Victorian public sector bodies on their perceptions of corruption risks, and strategies to mitigate these risks, as well as the integrity mechanisms in place. The findings indicate that even though corruption does not seem to be prevalent in these bodies it is not on their radar either, though fraud prevention was significantly present. The paper identifies international best practices of integrity management and inculcation of public service ethos in developed countries, and stresses three vital elements or pillars that combine both the ‘values’ and ‘compliance’ based approaches. These pillars are as follows: (1) specific corruption prevention programs and strategies that are additional to but complement existing anti‐fraud programs; (2) targeted anti‐corruption training, both for employees and for the public; and (3) effective leadership engagement and commitment to an ethical culture (Tone at the Top).     

根据股骨组织形态学变化进行骨骼种属鉴别

目的通过对成年人、成体黄牛、马、家猪、山羊、绵羊、狗、猫、长毛兔、鹅、鸭、鸡共12个种属动物股骨组织形态学结构特征的研究,建立一个有效的各类动物间种属鉴别的方法。方法在征得家属同意后,在尸检中取成人(20岁以上)右股骨中段约4cm,同时,收集黄牛、马、家猪、山羊、绵羊、狗、猫、长毛兔、鹅、鸭、鸡共11种常见动物右腿股骨,取中段约4cm,脱钙后制作成骨组织切片,在光学显微镜下观察,将显微镜下的图像录入电脑,选取24个指标进行分析。结果人与其他动物、以及各被检动物之间在骨单位数量等13个指标上具有显著差异,用这些指标建立种属判别数学模型,结果这些动物之间的判别率也可达89.4%。结论股骨中段骨密质的组织学结构具有明显的种属特征,且骨单位形态和数量呈现明显的生物进化趋势。根据这些特征可以有效地进行种属鉴别。     

81例外伤性鼻部骨折的特点及其法医学鉴定分析

研究鼻部损伤后骨折的特点、确诊的方法及法医学鉴定的相关问题。 81例以鼻部外伤为主诉 ,经鼻骨拍摄X线侧位片 ( 62例加做鼻部CT扫描 )检见有鼻骨骨折的患者 ,进行法医临床学鉴定分析。单纯性线性骨折 19例 ,骨折移位者 11例 ,粉碎性、多发性骨折 4 0例 ,鼻骨骨折伴上颌骨额突骨折或 (及 )伴眶骨骨折 11例 ;轻伤 58例 ( 72 % ) ,未构成轻伤 2 3例 ( 2 8% )。多数鼻骨骨折为粉碎性、多发性 ,且可伴有其它部位骨折。鼻骨X线侧位片只能明确部分粉碎性骨折及部分移位明显的骨折 ,CT扫描能确定鼻部骨折形态。     

反腐倡廉制度建设与创新

反腐倡廉,既要靠伦理,更要靠制度,这既是历史的经验,更是现实的选择。制度缺失和体制障碍,是腐败现象难以根除,一些领域甚至有所蔓延的根本原因。推进反腐倡廉制度创新,重在构建反腐倡廉制度体系,坚持用制度管权、管事、管人。推进反腐倡廉,必须深化政治体制改革,在政治体制改革的目标、动力和标准等问题上实现由"以官为本"到"以人为本"的根本转变,不断增强反腐倡廉制度体系的活力。     

和平发展与普世价值

中国走和平发展道路,必须顺应时代潮流,将本国利益同世界各国共同利益紧密结合起来。在全球化时代,中国要与世界各国构建"价值共同体",就需要接纳、塑造普世价值,妥善应对西方推广"普世价值"战略,需要将普世价值本身与西方的说词区别开来,同时积极构建中国自己的普世价值体系。