162 research outputs found
Exploring the pattern of Islamic social movements : four case studies
No full textThis thesis is a study of Iranian-Islamic social movements. Iran has witnessed four major social movements in the late nineteenth and twentieth century. Except for the
Islamic Revolution of 1978-79 which attracted a great deal of sociological attention, and the Constitutional Revolution which has received some specialist study, the other two, regardless of their importance and influence in the Iranian history, have been grossly neglected. In order to have a better sociological understanding and a more
general model of this type of social movements there is need to review all of them according to the same theory and with an identical method. These cases which are
explored in this study are: the Tobacco Movement (1892) - an 'anti colonialism' movement, the Constitutional Revolution (1905-1906) - a 'justice' movement, the 15th
of Khordad movement (1963) - an 'anti modernisation' movement, and the last in chain, the Islamic Revolution of 1978-79 - an 'anti imperialism' movement.
This thesis also attempts to provide a contribution to the theory of social movements with a review and synthesis of the existing major theories of the area. Ten key social
movement theories are reviewed and a new synthetic one is developed. The models under review belong to Smelser (1962), Davies (1962), Toch (1966), Blumer (1969),
Wilson (1973), Tilly (1978), Touraine (1981), McCarthy and Zald (1987), Melucci (1989) and Scott (1990). These theories identify quite different 'engines' of the social
movement and thus can be classified according to whether they regard the individual, society, or their relations as the main cause or initiator of the social movements.
Following the discussions of the relationship between the individual and society, this thesis recognises the need for an approach to social explanation which looks at the fine
texture of the interrelationship of the structure, agency, and their relations, and so proposes a 'synthetic' theory of social movements which recognises the importance of
the conjunction of the three elements of the individualist, the structural and the relationalist models. In this theory of social movements, social context provides the ground for the underlying mechanism of the movement to be released. Ideology plays the part of the relational factor between the individual and the society. It is the main mobilisational factor of social movements. Actors then 'perform' the movements at three levels of social actions: leadership, distribution, and enactment of the outburst.
The synthetic theory provides a framework for a more comprehensive study of the four cases. Each of the movements is explained using it as a 'conceptual grid' and it is shown on each occasion to be useful tool in identifying the main agents, antagonisms, ideologies, social opportunities and constraints, and the accomplishment of the movements. So whilst the movements vary by 'focus' and by 'success' it is shown that it is Islamic ideology which shapes the goals of 'justice', 'freedom', 'independence' and 'democracy'. In all of the reviewed movements the authority of the shah came into dispute with the command of the ulama, and it was religious rituals and organisations which mobilised the people.
Whilst the synthetic theory proposed here can provide an analytic framework with which to compare the movements, the history of the analysed movements reveals the significance of the 'political sociology' of Iran's last hundred years. This dimention provides an understanding of some of the 'initial conditins' which underpin the Iranian
social movements. The thesis attempts to outline some crucial elements in this sociopolitical history, and attest their importance by examination of one further Iranian
social movement, the National Movement of Iran (195 1-1953). This was a predominantly non-Islamic movement which failed because it declined to take the advantage of the authority of the ulama as one of the major sways at the socio-political setting of Iranian society.
The adequacy of the resultant knowledge from the proposed model of Iranian-Islamic social movements is further tested against the some writings of nine scholars on Iranian
social movements: Fischer (1980), Milani (1988), Parsa (1989), Amuzegar (1991), Ray (1993), Zubaida (1993), Moaddel (1993), Foran (1994) and Keddie (1995)
Adoption of next-generation 16s bacterial sequencing practices for the forensic analysis of soil
No full textSoil has the potential to link items or individuals to a crime scene; however, the nature of traditional forensic soil analysis does not typically allow for its individualization. Rather than develop an entirely new methodology, it is more logical to adopt next-generation sequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene, a well-established, scientifically validated technique in microbiology, for the forensic analysis of soil. Next-generation sequencing was employed to generate bacterial profiles from soils collected in ten diverse and nine similar habitats, across time and space within three habitats, and from various evidentiary items. Bacterial abundance charts, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and a supervised classification technique were used to analyze profiles. Soils from diverse and similar habitats were largely differentiated from one another, with bacterial profiles separating in multidimensional space and/or being correctly assigned to their location of origin. Time and space within a habitat affected bacterial profile similarity; however, not enough to prevent the traceability of soils. Bacterial profiles from evidentiary items were correctly classified to their location of origin over a full year of storage, regardless of evidentiary type or storage temperature. These studies highlight the utility of next-generation sequencing and a combination of robust bacterial profile statistical methods for forensic soil analysis while also emphasizing the adoption of established techniques from other scientific disciplines to strengthen forensic science as a whole.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2015Includes bibliographical references (pages 144-152
Analysis of DNA obtained from wireless electronic triggering mechanisms used with improvised explosive devices
No full textIn recent years IEDs have been used both domestically and internationally for unconventional warfare and terrorism. Some of the more advanced IEDs use a wireless triggering mechanism typically composed of a cell phone, two-way radio, or other small electronic device that can receive a signal from great distances. In past research the feasibility of obtaining a genetic profile directly from the explosive of an IED following handling and deflagration was examined. Due to the poor state of DNA in shed skin cells along with extreme temperatures of the deflagration, only highly degraded DNA is generally recovered from the resultant bomb fragments, decreasing the chance of obtaining a genetic profile of the assembler. Focusing on the trigger mechanism instead of the explosive may result in increased potential for obtaining a complete genetic profile, mainly from longer handling during assembly and its distance from the deflagration. In this study participants were asked to handle components of a mock electronic trigger. Steel or PVC pipes were filled with smokeless powder and affixed to the trigger, then detonated by fuse. Pieces of the mechanism were collected and DNA was isolated from the individual components, quantified, and analyzed using miniSTRs. Allele assignments were made blind before comparison to references. Results indicate that the success in identifying an individual who handled the IED by analyzing DNA from the triggering mechanism is higher than identification using the explosive device fragments.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University, School of Criminal Justics, 2012Includes bibliographical references (pages 67-71
Influences of time, temperature, and quantity on next-generation 16S bacterial DNA profiles for forensic soil evidence analysis
No full textSoil is a common form of trace evidence, although it usually qualifies only as class evidence. Microbiological methods have been used to assess if the microbial makeup, primarily bacterial, of soil might be valuable for forensic identification. However, a shortcoming of previous studies is that microbial DNA was assayed shortly after soil collection or the soils were frozen until processing, which is not a realistic forensic scenario. The bacterial makeup of soil is transient and may be influenced by the length of time soil has been removed from a habitat, the storage temperature of known soils for comparison, and the amount of soil recovered from evidence. In this research, next-generation sequencing was used to generate bacterial profiles from diverse habitat soils that were collected from various evidence items over time, stored at four different temperatures, and processed at different masses. Bacterial abundance charts and nonmetric multidimensional scaling plots provided visual representations of the bacterial profiles, and two supervised classification techniques were used to statistically analyze them. Over time, the bacterial composition of the soil evidence displayed specific, consistent changes, and the soil evidence profiles grouped with, although drifted away from, the habitat of origin in multidimensional space. Storing known soils under the same conditions as the aged soil evidence improved the associations between them. Finally, all soil masses processed, including trace amounts, correctly assigned to the habitat of origin. Ultimately, our understanding of the bacterial changes will allow bacterial profiling of soil evidence to be more individualizing and strengthen the potential associations of a suspect, victim, or evidence item with a crime scene.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2016Includes bibliographical references (pages 242-249
Microbial profiling of soil for forensic applications
No full textSoil can be of tremendous evidentiary value in forensic investigations. Historically, soil evidence has been analyzed based on physical or chemical characteristics; however, microbial analysis has recently emerged as a possible way to better characterize soil samples. Within any given soil sample there are hundreds or thousands of species of microorganisms, each differing in abundance. This variation can potentially be assayed, producing a unique and comparable microbial "fingerprint" for questioned and known samples. The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of real-time PCR in the analysis of forensic soil samples. This was accomplished by collecting soil from four different locations around mid-Michigan over a one year period, extracting bacterial DNA, and targeting the 16S rRNA gene of different bacterial groups known to vary in abundance based on soil type. Several soil characteristics were examined including uniqueness among habitats, changes in bacterial communities over time, and the level of heterogeneity within a habitat. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of each characteristic examined. Results showed that some habitats could be differentiated from one another using ADONIS and NMDS. Habitats had little variability at different depths; however the Agricultural Field and Marsh showed significant temporal variability. Given this, most habitats could still be distinguished from one another in a pairwise manner, which more truly reflects a forensic situation.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2011Includes bibliographical references (pages 73-78
Sex determination assay for degraded or low quality DNA based on pyrosequencing of high copy number loci
No full textSex determination is of utmost concern in the forensic community for developing the biological profile of an individual. Current molecular techniques are successful with high molecular weight DNA, but are inadequate for low quality or quantity DNA samples. In this study, a more sensitive pyrosequencing assay was developed for sexing challenging samples, such as those originating from aged bone or hair shafts. DYZ1, a high copy repetitive element on the Y chromosome, was multiplexed with Ya5 Alu repetitive element as a human and female control. Amplification with biotinylated primers allowed for solid-phase PCR product preparation and pyrosequencing of all DNAs. This assay was developed with high molecular weight male and female control DNAs and resulted in distinct pyrograms for both sexes. This sexing assay was then tested on several suboptimal sources of DNA: fingerprints deposited on glass, shed cells on worn T-shirts, hair shaft extracts, and ancient skeletal remains. Pyrosequencing sexing results were compared to previous sexing results from standard amelogenin, real-time PCR amelogenin, and/or real-time Alu/DYZ1 testing approaches. Of the 216 extracts tested, 59.5% generated a correct sex result using the Alu/DYZ1 assay. If samples that did not yield sequencing results were excluded from the data set, 80.5% of all samples were correctly sexed. Ultimately, the pyrosequencing Alu/DYZ1 sexing assay was more sensitive and accurate than the amelogenin sexing methods.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University, Forensic Science, 2012Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-60
Intra-bone heterogeneity of recoverable DNA from fresh, buried, and exposed femora
No full textDNA recovered from skeletal material is often used to establish positive identification of severely decomposed or fragmented remains. DNA is preferentially sought from long bones like the femur, usually from cortical bone of the midshaft diaphysis. Although this strategy is often successful, the femur has extensive differences in morphology, tissue composition, and points of articulation that may differ in DNA content. In the research presented, intra-femoral heterogeneity was assessed in a proximal/distal manner to determine variation in DNA quantity and quality. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA yields were compared across nine regions of the diaphysis, and the distal and proximal epiphyses, using fresh bovine and porcine femora and two tissue digestion protocols (non-demineralization and demineralization). In addition, bovine femora were subjected to burial and surface exposure over a six month interval to assess how DNA heterogeneity was affected by environments where forensically relevant remains are often discovered. The epiphyses had significantly more DNA than the metaphyses, which had more than the diaphysis, DNA quality was consistent among all regions tested, and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA had similar regional variation. Bone demineralization resulted in more DNA recovered at the mid-diaphysis, while the non-demineralization protocol did the same for nuclear DNA at the epiphyses. Environmental exposure affected DNA quantity and quality, and burial influenced inter-regional DNA yields over time. These findings indicate that intra-bone DNA heterogeneity can be as important as inter-bone DNA heterogeneity, and should be considered when choosing a sampling location for DNA isolation.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2015Includes bibliographical references (pages 264-272
DNA isolation and analysis from skeletal remains : evaluating the utility of soil DNA extraction kits
No full textDNA identification of human remains is often necessary in missing person cases or when decedents are unidentified owing to severe decomposition and skeletonization. Although current DNA extraction and analysis practices are often successful, instances of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibition are frequently encountered, especially from buried skeletal remains. In the research presented, the utility of soil DNA isolation kits in skeletal DNA analysis was evaluated and compared to standard skeletal DNA extraction techniques. Mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA yields from buried bovine femora were compared among extraction methods and across lengths of burial. The ability of each technique to remove PCR inhibitors associated with buried skeletal remains (i.e., calcium chloride, collagen, humic acid) was also evaluated. Finally, the extraction methods were tested on ancient and modern human skeletal remains, and mtDNA haplogroup markers and a portion of the control region were sequenced. Soil DNA isolation kits were successfully used to extract skeletal DNA at quantities similar to standard extraction methods, and calcium chloride and humic acid did not result in PCR inhibition when using the soil DNA isolation kits, whereas collagen sometimes did. Concordant control region sequences were obtained from modern skeletal remains among soil kits and standard extraction methods, although extracts of ancient skeletal remains did not consistently produce concordant haplotypes. Based on the above comparisons, soil DNA isolation kits were determined to be a viable extraction technique for skeletal remains that resulted in positive identification of a decedent while quickening the extraction process.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2013Includes bibliographical references (pages 114-125
The effects of cyanoacrylate fuming on the quantity and quality of DNA recovered from deflagrated pipe bombs
No full textLow copy number DNA deposited on an improvised explosive device (IED) is typically subjected to and degraded by the high temperatures during deflagration, creating a situation where it is difficult to identify the assembler. Often, when IED fragments are sent for analysis, they are analyzed both for explosive residue and fingerprints, leading to the potential loss of remaining DNA. This research examined cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming of pipe bomb fragments immediately after deflagration and its effects on the quantity and quality of DNA collected from the IED. This allows for determination of a proper order of processing for IED fragments. Twenty-four volunteers were asked to mock-assemble pairs of pipe bombs, one of which was CA fumed after deflagration and one that was not. DNA was quantified, amplified using an AmpFlSTR\uae MinifilerTM PCR Amplification Kit, and consensus profiles were developed. Comparisons indicated that CA fuming did not hinder DNA recovery, but due to high variation it could not be determined if it resulted in greater DNA recovery. Additionally, fuming did not alter the quality of the amplification product or consensus profiles. The decision as to the order of processing of the pipe bomb fragments, including whether or not to fume them, should be made as soon as possible when they arrive at the laboratory.Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2011Includes bibliographical reference
Abstract 2415: Genome-wide alterations in gene expression of prostate cancer (PC) cells surviving neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy
No full textAbstract
Background: Although androgen deprivation therapy initially decreases PC tumor burden, resistance to further androgen receptor (AR)-directed treatments or chemotherapy is inevitable once CRPC is established. We postulated that the stress of ADT triggers widespread alterations in expression that renders a metastable physiologic state conditioned by epigenetic changes that might be initially reversible by targeting non-androgen pathways. We conducted a pilot study to explore genome-wide expression alterations in PC foci surviving 3 months ADT (eADT).
Methods: mRNA from 7 frozen microdissected PC foci and normal counterparts (NC) were processed for RNA-seq. RNA-seq changes in eADT specimens were compared first with NC and the untreated PC in the TCGA PRAD (TCGA) database to castrate resistant (mCRPC) specimens in the dbGAP study phs000915.v1.p1database. The raw data (fastq files) was quantified using kallisto, normalized by TMM using R package edgeR, batch effects corrected using R package SVA. Analysis of differential gene expression by R package sleuth. Pathway and gene set by GSEA, GAGE/pathview packages for Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG.
Results: TMPRSS2-ERG+, 5/7. Highest DEG in eADT vs. TCGA vs mCRPC were non-coding RNA’s. Among 17431 differentially regulated paths; GSEA of eADT vs TCGA or mCRPC: 341 (1.95%) and 1366 (7.84%) up- vs 46 (0.26%) and 59 (0.34%) down-regulated. KEGG paths, eADT vs. TCGA or mCRPC, 11 and 53 up vs. 2 and 3 down- respectively. Highly down- path in eADT vs TCGA (log q<10-17) was ribosomal vs. cell cycle and DNA replication in mCRPC. Six paths significantly up- in eADT vs TCGA or mCRPC: Wnt, adherence junction, steroid biosynthesis, unsaturated fatty acids, citrate cycle, ErbB. Calcium, MAPK, insulin, GnRH and Hedgehog were also up- in eADT vs mCRPC. AR full-length was marginally higher in eADT than TCGA and lower than mCRPC, no differences in gene targets.
Conclusions: This pilot data shows that ADT triggers a wide range of gene expression alterations that support PC cell survival and may be vulnerable to therapeutic targeting in addition to the androgen pathway. Validation of these findings is planned in a larger set of samples from the same bank.
Citation Format: Anna C. Ferrari, Hatem Sabaawy, Mark Stein, David Foran, Ying Chen, Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian. Genome-wide alterations in gene expression of prostate cancer (PC) cells surviving neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2415. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2415</jats:p
- …
