Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) now affects 1 in 68 children in the United States. Disorders within this spectrum share hallmark deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, repetitive behavior, and social interaction. The cause of ASD is still unknown. Even though hundreds of genetic abnormalities have been identified in ASD, these markers account for less than 1% of all ASD cases. Researchers continue to search for pathological markers common to all or most cases of ASD. The research presented in this dissertation used a novel combination of state-of-the-art methods to investigate brain pathology in ASD. Postmortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) from ASD and typically developing brain donors was obtained from 2 national brain banks. The ACC was chosen for study because of its documented role in influencing behaviors characteristically disrupted in ASD. An initial study revealed elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in ACC white matter from ASD brain donors compared to typically developing control donors. Laser capture microdissection was then employed to isolate specific cell populations from the ACC from ASD and control brain donors. Captured cells were used to interrogate potential gene expression abnormalities that may underlie biological mechanisms that contribute behavioral abnormalities of ASD. The expression of 4 genes associated with synaptic function, NTRK2, GRM8, SLC1A1, and GRIP1, were found to be significantly lower in ACC pyramidal neurons from ASD donors when compared to control donors. These expression abnormalities were not observed in ACC glia. Given robust evidence of neuronal and glial pathology in the ACC in ASD, a novel method for whole transcriptome analysis in single cell populations was developed to permit an unbiased analysis of brain cellular pathology in ASD. A list of genes that were differentially expressed, comparing ASD to control donors, was produced for both white matter and pyramidal neuron samples. By examining the ASD brain at the level of its most basic component, the cell, methods were developed that should allow future research to identify common cellular-based pathology of the ASD brain. Such research will increase the likelihood of future development of novel pharmacotherapy for ASD patients.

In cases of forensic dental identification, a key factor in the comparison of the dental status of deceased persons with antemortem dental records is the matching of dental restorations in individual teeth. Many studies have been performed showing the prevalence of dental interventions. This has mostly been performed by counting the numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) in each mouth without detailed data collection on a per-tooth basis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the research question: to what extent would data on the distribution and prevalence of restoration types in the human dentition facilitate forensic identification? A database program was developed to allow efficient collection and collation of dental trait information. Provision was made for storing information relating to a subject's individual teeth, such as restorative materials used and surfaces filled. Other data, such as missing teeth, caries status on a per-individual tooth basis and presence and details of types of prostheses may be stored. iii Data from patients attending a private group practice in Hobart was collected and a system was devised to enable the likelihood of dental trait occurrence to be calculated in cases of forensic dental identification. The capabilities of the system are demonstrated in a series of mock cases of dental identification. An opportunity to make use of the database for which it was designed arose in relation to the analysis of person identification evidence in a murder trial at the Tasmanian Supreme Court. The use of this reference database in evidence invoked lengthy debate involving the judge, crown prosecutor and defence barristers. The resulting voire dire was resolved in favour of conclusions drawn from the use of the database being admitted in evidence. The legal precedent set in the Marlow trial may possibly offer encouragement for practising odontologists to further the concept of establishing and using reference databases of dental traits in population groups in other parts of Australia.

The University of Tennessee Anthropology Research Facility (ARF) is well known for its unique history as a site of human decomposition research in a natural environment. It has been integral to our understanding of the processes of human decomposition. Over the last 30 years 1,089 bodies have decomposed at this 1.28 acre facility, producing a density of 850 corpses per acre of land. This project evaluated the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the soil exposed to various levels of human decomposition in order to determine the effect on the physicochemical properties and the indigenous bacterial communities. Specifically, 75 soil samples were taken to determine abiotic properties. A biological matrix was generated for the 40 samples inside the facility based on sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. The identified taxonomy was evaluated for differences among decomposition bins and taxa. Results of the abiotic soil properties demonstrated few differences among the predefined bins of decomposition density. Significant differences were observed between samples inside the facility to the negative control, and to those samples taken below actively decomposing corpses. When taken together, the abiotic data demonstrated a temporal shift away from control, with the greatest deviation at 18 to 24 months. After which time, the samples became more similar to control samples. Similarly, the biotic data remained concordant with the abiotic data, but demonstrated significant differences between the areas of high decomposition to those with no history of decomposition. The high decomposition bins were marked by high levels of chemoorganotrophic and sulfate-reducing bacteria, and a reduction in Acidobacteria, indicating a change in the community of underlying bacteria in response to carcass enrichment and ammonification of the soil. Thirty years of decomposition research at the ARF has forced a shift in the underlying bacterial community in response to the enrichment of the soil with increased nitrogen and carbon-containing compounds. The baseline data presented in this work provides a control dataset for further exploration regarding the biogeochemical relationships among microbial organisms, soil characteristics, and cadaver decomposition. Within this relationship exists the potential for developing new models relating to postmortem interval estimation and clandestine grave location.

This thesis is focused on the worthwhile lessons learned while creating a short animated film. The conventional way of teaching related to practice is to have students work on projects and learn from their own experience. This thesis strives to save the reader some of the pain, time, and effort required of this learning style, by presenting the hard learned lessons from this project. An overview of the project is provided, along with a reconstructed time-line. Also, each member of the team recounted their own dilemmas and successes on the project, and proposed potential solutions to problems encountered along the way. The findings are presented in the spirit of a post-mortem analysis, which acts to collect the knowledge obtained by those involved with a project in order to increase productivity for the next time a similar task is attempted. The postmortem approach was found to be effective in identifying, illuminating, and articulating the lessons learned concerning general, practical, team-related and problem solving issues encountered while working on a short animated film.

In cases of forensic dental identification, a key factor in the comparison of the dental status of deceased persons with antemortem dental records is the matching of dental restorations in individual teeth. Many studies have been performed showing the prevalence of dental interventions. This has mostly been performed by counting the numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) in each mouth without detailed data collection on a per-tooth basis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the research question: to what extent would data on the distribution and prevalence of restoration types in the human dentition facilitate forensic identification? A database program was developed to allow efficient collection and collation of dental trait information. Provision was made for storing information relating to a subject's individual teeth, such as restorative materials used and surfaces filled. Other data, such as missing teeth, caries status on a per-individual tooth basis and presence and details of types of prostheses may be stored. iii Data from patients attending a private group practice in Hobart was collected and a system was devised to enable the likelihood of dental trait occurrence to be calculated in cases of forensic dental identification. The capabilities of the system are demonstrated in a series of mock cases of dental identification. An opportunity to make use of the database for which it was designed arose in relation to the analysis of person identification evidence in a murder trial at the Tasmanian Supreme Court. The use of this reference database in evidence invoked lengthy debate involving the judge, crown prosecutor and defence barristers. The resulting voire dire was resolved in favour of conclusions drawn from the use of the database being admitted in evidence. The legal precedent set in the Marlow trial may possibly offer encouragement for practising odontologists to further the concept of establishing and using reference databases of dental traits in population groups in other parts of Australia.

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendices: leaves 52-78. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-83).

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendices: leaves 52-78. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-83).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 178-186.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2008. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

In Brazil, in 2006, 35.650.000 turkeys were slaughtered, totalizing 353,278 ton, 156,056 were exported generating a cambial prescription of US$ 262.820.985, 00. Objecting evaluate the occurred convictions in turkeys slaughter in the Rio Grande do Sul were evaluated the spread sheets of turkeys conviction under fiscalization in the Rio Grande do Sul ´s Federal Supervision (RS), in the period of January of 2005 until December of 2006. The results demonstrates that almost of the eight million turkeys carcasses (7.984.528 birds), 19.9% had some kind of postmortem condemnation. Most condemnations were partial 1.539.939 (97.1%) and 46,628 (2.9%) were totally condemned. The principal causes of partial condemnations were: contusion/breaking (7.025%), abscess (3.698%), contamination (2.942%), callus of chest (1.995%), arthritis (1.428%), airsacculitis (1.101%), dermatosis (0.937%) and excessive scald (0.056%). The causes of total postmortem condemnation were: repugnant aspect (0.255%), wasting (0.085%), excessive scald (0.077%), airsacculitis (0.040%), colibacillosis (0.033%) and contamination (0.025%). It was observed that the most of these condemnations are related to the imperfections in the transport and in the slaughter process of these animals showing the necessity of improvements, as corrective actions that can minimize bruises, harm bleeding, like others. / No Brasil, em 2006, foram abatidos 35.650.000 perus, totalizando 353.278 toneladas. Destes 156.056 foram exportadas gerando uma receita cambial de US$ 262.820.985,00. Com o objetivo de avaliar as condenações ocorridas no abate de perus no Rio Grande do Sul foram estudadas as planilhas de condenação de perus sob a fiscalização do Serviço de Inspeção Federal (SIF) no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), no período de janeiro de 2005 até dezembro de 2006. Os resultados demonstram que dos quase oito milhões de perus abatidos no Estado (7.984.528 aves), 19,9% foram condenados. Destes 1.539.939 (97,1%) foram condenados parcialmente e 46.628 (2,9%) foram condenados totalmente. As principais causas de condenação parcial foram por: contusão/fratura (7,025%), abscesso (3,698%), contaminação (2,942%), calo de peito (1,995%), artrite (1,428%), aerossaculite (1,101%), dermatose (0,937%) e escaldagem excessiva (0,056%). E as principais causas de condenação total foram: aspecto repugnante (0,255%), caquexia (0,085%), escaldagem excessiva (0,077%), aerossaculite (0,040%), colibacilose (0,033%) e contaminação (0,025%). Sendo que se observou que as maiorias destas condenações estão relacionadas à falhas no transporte e no processo de abate desses animais traduzindo a necessidade de melhorias, como ações corretivas que podem minimizar contusões, má sangria, entre outras.