The Upper Silesia (Poland) population and forensic usefulness of 11 autosomal STR loci

Allele frequencies, forensic parameters for the 11 STR loci in GenePrint STR Systems—Silver Stain Detection (Promega): CSF1PO, TPOX, TH01, D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, F13A01, FESFPS, VWA, F13B, LPL were determined in a sample of 529–1436 unrelated, dead and alive adults from the Upper Silesia region (Poland). Furthermore, gender identification was carried out. The values of heterozygosity (Ht), polymorphic information content (PIC), power of discrimination (PD), matching probability (PM), mean exclusion chance (MEC) and mean exclusion probability (MEP) were calculated using Dudek's computer programme (FatRec, High Technical School of Cz?stochowa, Poland). A possible divergence from HWE was determined by χ² and exact tests using Miller's computer programme (TFPGA, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA). Comparison of allele frequencies between the Upper Silesia population and other Polish populations was performed with Carmody's test.     

The Upper Silesia (Poland) population and forensic usefulness of 15 autosomal STR loci

Allele frequencies, forensic parameters for the 15 STR loci in the AmpFlSTR^® Identifiler Kit (Applied Biosystems), D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D19S433, VWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA were determined in a sample of 150 unrelated dead and alive adults from the Upper Silesia region (Poland). The values of heterozygosity (Ht), polymorphic information content (PIC), power of discrimination (PD), matching probability (PM), mean exclusion chance (MEC) and mean exclusion probability (MEP) were calculated. Possible divergence from HWE was determined. Comparison of allele frequencies for examined STR loci between the Upper Silesia population and other Polish populations was carried out.     

通督调任灸法联合任务导向性训练治疗脑卒中上肢偏瘫疗效观察

目的 观察通督调任灸法联合任务导向性训练对脑卒中患者上肢运动功能和生活质量的影响。方法 将60例脑卒中上肢偏瘫患者随机分为研究组和对照组,每组30例。对照组开展任务导向性训练,研究组在对照组治疗基础上加用通督调任灸法,疗程均为4周。采用Fugl-Meyer量表评估上肢模块（Fugl-Meyer assessment-upper extremity,FMA-UE）、Wolf运动功能测试表（Wolf motor function test,WMFT）、改良Barthel指数（modified Barthel index,MBI）评价两组患者治疗前后的上肢运动功能及生活质量,并比较两组临床疗效。结果 两组患者治疗后FMA-UE评分、WMFT评分、MBI均较治疗前显著增加（P＜0.05）,且研究组增加程度显著大于对照组（P＜0.05）;研究组疗效优于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论 通督调任灸法联合任务导向性训练可提高脑卒中患者上肢运动功能和生活质量。     

Like Mother,Like Daughters? Campaigns for Tribal Peoples’ Rights in the Commonwealth

Abstract

Intent on stealing land and plundering resources, the British Empire labelled its tribal subjects as ‘backward’ and used the excuse of bringing them ‘civilisation’ to appropriate their land and resources. This study examines the development of campaigns for tribal peoples’ rights in various Commonwealth countries since independence. It shows how methods of campaigning have been largely consistent since the birth of the indigenous rights movements, involving the public in letter-writing, demonstrations and vigils, and using publications and the press to raise awareness of rights violations and abuses. It illustrates how many Commonwealth governments today, like the former imperial rulers, believe in the ‘backwardness’ of their tribal citizens, but today it is ‘development’ not ‘civilisation’ that lies behind the theft of their lands and resources.     

Stature and Body Weight Estimation from Various Footprint Measurements Among Egyptian Population

Abstract: Analysis of footprints can reveal very important clues which can be used as a forensic evidence and help in the estimation of stature and body weight of an individual. In this work, bilateral footprints were obtained from 50 male Egyptian medical students ranging in age between 18 and 25. Nine measurements were taken on each footprint. The result revealed significant bilateral asymmetry (p < 0.001) except foot breadth at ball. The significant and positive highest correlation coefficients with stature were shown by toe‐5 length on right side (R = 0.58) and with body weight by foot breadth at ball on left side (R = ?0.52). Regression equations presented smaller standard errors of estimate (3.52–4.69) in determination of stature than those in estimation of body weight (4.05–5.28). In conclusion, this study has provided equations that help to estimate stature and body weight from footprint measurements among Egyptians.     

强力止晕汤治疗肝阳上亢兼痰湿中阻型后循环缺血性眩晕临床观察

目的 观察强力止晕汤治疗肝阳上亢兼痰湿中阻型后循环缺血性眩晕的临床疗效,及其对患者脑血流动力学参数的影响。方法 选取80例肝阳上亢兼痰湿中阻型后循环缺血性眩晕患者,采用随机数字表法将其分为对照组和治疗组,每组40例。对照组患者采用常规药物治疗,治疗组患者加用强力止晕汤,两组疗程均为14 d。治疗前后分别观察两组患者中医症状评分、椎-基底动脉血流改善情况,治疗14 d后及治疗后3个月的近期疗效和远期疗效,两组患者的不良反应。结果 治疗组患者治疗后眩晕、头痛、头重如裹、烦躁易怒、失眠多梦评分和总评分降低程度明显大于对照组（P<0.05）,左右椎动脉、基底动脉平均血流速度升高程度和左右椎动脉、基底动脉搏动指数降低程度均明显大于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗组的近期疗效和远期疗效均明显优于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应（轻度胆红素异常、胃肠道反应、心慌）的总发生率差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 强力止晕汤对肝阳上亢兼痰湿中阻型后循环缺血性眩晕有较好的临床疗效。     

The dams of Northern Sudan and the policy of demographic engineering

ABSTRACT

This article discusses the deteriorating situation in Northern Sudan linked to policies of demographic engineering, embedded in plans for the further construction of dams along the Nile River in the North by the Government of Sudan. Although the generation of power and agricultural irrigation are the declared purpose of the dams, the fact is, these dams will, as past dam constructions have, cause a massive displacement of the Nubian, Manasir and Amri-Hamdab people far from their ancestral lands. With the collaboration of the Egyptian government the areas vacated will be repopulated with Egyptian peasants, as part of both governments’ plan to alter the demographics of North Sudan.     

A throttled hemophilic who died due to choking

It is the first reported case, in which death occurred due to asphyxia by choking in a victim of throttling. When an alcoholic hemophilic patient was throttled, he became unconscious. On regaining consciousness he died after approximately 16 h due to sub-mucosal collection of extravasated blood which blocked his upper respiratory tract. This paper stresses this unique danger of trauma to neck in hemophilic patients.     

A Soiled Password: Democracy,the Word and Democracy,the Thing

The word‘democracy’ to be distinguished from the thing‘democracy.’ Removal by the Italian parliament of a corrupt and scandalous Premier for a respected, honest technician and a form of civil service government does not infringe the second category. Referendums give strength to a handful of already overmighty rich men controlling media outlets. Witness Fox Radio and TV and the poison of Glen Beck, also the virulent nationalism of the Murdoch and Desmond papers. Note the fifty plus year lag in enfranchising women in Switzerland, a self‐evident democratic advance held back by ‘the voice of the people’ in successive referendums. Government should be free from populism and be run by educated, intelligent people both in parliament and the Civil Service. ‘Yes Minister,’ however amusing, has done us a disservice. I would trust a senior civil servant above a press lord any day of the week. Witness the good sense of the Upper House in its current informed and experienced composition. The Lords blocked Tony Blair's plans to by‐pass Habeas Gorpus, refusing authoritarian government to an elected Premier with no sense of the rule of law or constitutional principle.     

论我国洗钱罪的再修订

洗钱罪是我国刑法规定的一种严重经济犯罪。洗钱行为不但能够掩饰犯罪分子的罪行,使其逃避法律的制裁,而且严重妨碍了金融机构的正常活动,成为滋生腐败的温床。更甚至于,它为有组织犯罪提供了资金来源,已成为其不可或缺的“生命线”。现在,洗钱已发展成为一个有着高额利润的、复杂的犯罪领域,并成为国际一大公害。鉴于洗钱行为的严重危害性,2006年6月29日出台的《刑法修正案(六)》在《刑法修正案(三)》的基础上又增加了三类洗钱罪的上游犯罪:贪污贿赂犯罪、破坏金融管理秩序犯罪和金融诈骗犯罪。此次修订具有重要意义。另外,2006年10月31日出台的《反洗钱法》更加完善了我国的反洗钱制度。