Familial DNA searching- an emerging forensic investigative tool

In recent years, jurisdictions across the United States have expressed a growing interest in aiding criminal investigations through the use of familial DNA searching (FDS)- a forensic technique to identify family members through DNA databases. The National Survey of CODIS Laboratories surveyed U.S. CODIS laboratories about their perceptions, policies, and practices related to FDS. In total, 103 crime labs completed the survey (77% response rate). Labs in 11 states reported using FDS, while labs in 24 states reported using a similar-but distinct- practice of partial matching. Although the majority of labs had positive perceptions about the ability of FDS to assist investigations, labs also reported a number of concerns and challenges with implementing FDS. Respondents reported using either practice a limited amount with modest numbers of convictions resulting from both FDS and partial matching. The article reports on varying practices related to official policies, training, eligibility, the software search, lineage testing, requirements for releasing information, and subsequent investigative work. Finally, the article discusses what can be learned from this survey, accompanying limitations, and implications for decision-makers considering using FDS.     

Capturing the Castle

正The Chinese men’s chess team appears poised to scale new heights following olympiad victory Compared to most of his peers,20-year-old yu yangyi leads a distinctly different life.Seven to eight hours of his day,every day,are spent playing,practicing and thinking chess.His efforts have finally paid off.This year,his team won first place at the     

Peng Shuai： Eyes Ahead

AT the 2014 U.S. Open Tennis Championships, Chinese player Peng Shuai competed ,in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament, the third Chinese female athlete to do so after Li Na and Zheng Jie.     

运动中的思维过程及情绪

目前多数教练员、运动员已充分认识到运动心理训练的重要性。心理过程和运动技能一样,必须得到训练,而且需要时间培养。解决比赛前后和比赛中出现的心理学问题有种种不同方法,包括放松技术、心理准备、积极的自我评价、分析原因等,更多地发挥运动员的潜能,提高运动成绩。运动心理学家能帮助运动员改善影响运动成绩的心理过程,运动员应与运动心理学家、教练员、医生和医务监督人员密切配合,解决出现的心理问题。     

Stable isotope profiling of burnt wooden safety matches

Arson is a significant problem around the world, and is a crime which results in a low number of convictions. The scene of an arson can be varied, commercial, residential or national park, and recently cases have been identified which were initiated by a lit match. Matches can be recovered from a scene, usually in a burnt condition. The benefit of analysing unburnt matches has been researched previously [1,2]. In most cases, burnt matches are recovered from scenes, and therefore the research was extended to investigate the potential of using IRMS to analyse burnt matches. This includes samples which have been exposed to petrol, and various fire extinguishing chemicals.Matches were sectioned to reveal central unburnt portions of wood and analysed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The stable isotope profile (SIP) of the wooden matchstick samples was unaffected by the presence of both petrol and a variety of fire extinguisher chemicals. Any changes seen could be attributed to the natural variability of isotopic composition encountered in a natural material such as wood. These findings were confirmed by the isotope analysis of 19 matchstick samples placed in mock fire training scenarios. The data was examined using a paired t-test and Hotellings T² test for a single sample.     

Cricket and the Commonwealth

This article traces the origins of cricket and examines its evolution in Commonwealth countries. The focus is on Test-playing nations, although the discussion also encompasses newer forms of the game, including especially Twenty20 matches which have, in recent years, acquired increasing popularity. The article also examines the phenomenon of premier leagues in cricket, notably the Indian Premier League, whose emergence during the past decade or so has changed the pace and the economics of what was once called ‘a gentleman’s game’. It will be seen that the common feature in all the countries mentioned is that the game was introduced by the English and nurtured by them for what some people regard as semi political reasons. However it was the English undoubtedly who introduced the game and more importantly introduced the great traditions of the game which we still nurture and respect, despite all the efforts sometimes made to alter them. Cricket has also sometimes, been the means by which countries like India, Pakistan and the West Indies especially, have striven to beat their erstwhile masters and show their dominance at least in the field of cricket.     

Getting Prepared for the Asia Region Funds Passport

正Financial cooperation is essential to the integration of Asian economies.To reinforce such cooperation,the key is to coordinate existing financial resources in Asia.Therefore,expanding the scope of the Asia Region Funds Passport(ARFP)is an important step[Note:The Asia Region Funds Passport is an initiative put forth at the APEC Finance Ministers’meeting held in September 2013 in Bali,Indonesia].Recently,progress has been made in the mutual recognition of regional funds     

Empirical testing of estimated DNA frequencies

Direct empirical testing of forensic DNA micro-probabilities has proved difficult. Substantial support for the population genetic models on which these micro-probabilities are based has come from powerful but indirect means. However for many people empirical testing rather than models remains the ideal.Following the example set by Weir and Evett we report here a large-scale empirical test of a population genetic model incorporating substructure and relatedness. Given that all models represent simplifications of reality the fit of observed and prediction is remarkable and gives substantial support to the reliability of current methods.     

签订劳动合同能增加女性劳动者的工资吗？ —— 基于 CLDS2016年数据的验证

签订劳动合同的目的是保障劳动者的合法权益,但是其实施效果究竟如何,能否有效保障女性劳动者的合法权益,减少女性劳动者工作过程中的不平等待遇,还有待进一步验证。研究利用2016年中国劳动力动态调查数据,分析劳动合同签订对女性劳动者工资收入的影响。分析结果显示:劳动合同签订能够显著提高女性劳动者工资水平,并且对工资的提升作用大于男性劳动者;劳动合同签订能够有效降低女性劳动者的工作时间,提高加班收入。因此,建议要继续完善劳动合同法及相关的女性劳动权益保障政策,加大法律和政策的实施力度,采取措施提升女性的就业能力。     

Building A Reasonable Power

正China’s military spending is growing moderatelyChina’s defense spending, despite rapid increases, matches the legitimate nationa defense needs of a large country.Chinese President Xi Jinping made these remarks in response to a question on China’s rising defense budget after a speech sponsored by the Koerber Foundation in Berlin on March28 during his two-day state visit to Germany.In early March, the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, passed the