Justification of Sentencing Decisions: Development of a Ratio-Based Measure Tested on Child Neglect Cases

Theoretically, people’s justification of a sentencing decision involves a hybrid structure comprising retribution, incapacitation, general deterrence, and rehabilitation. In this study, a new ratio-type measure was developed to assess this structure and was tested to detect changes in the weighting of justification according to the content emphasized in a particular crime. Two child neglect scenarios were presented to participants, where they read either a severe-damage scenario (where a single mother’s selfish neglect caused her son’s death) or a moderate-damage scenario (where a single mother became apathetic due to economic deprivation and caused her child’s debilitation). Participants then indicated the proportion of importance they placed on each justification in determining the defendant’s punishment, with an overall proportion of 100%, along with responding to the sentence on an 11-point scale. This study involved a two-factor analysis of variance for justification ratios, a t-test for the sentence, and a multiple regression analysis with three demographic variables, the four justifications as independent variables, and the sentence as the dependent variable. The ratio of retribution to rehabilitation was reversed depending on the scenario: in the severe-damage scenario, retribution was weighted highest at 27.0% and rehabilitation was weighted at only 19.0%. By contrast, in the moderate-damage scenario, rehabilitation had the highest weighting of about 26.2%, while retribution was weighted at 21.5%. The sentence was more severe in the severe-damage scenario. Multiple regression analysis suggested that in the severe-damage scenario, most participants failed to deviate from choosing retribution by default and decided on heavier sentences, while some who considered rehabilitation and incapacitation opted for lighter sentences. The present measure succeeded in detecting changes in the weighting of justification, which can be difficult to detect with common Likert Scales. In addition, it was found that not only retribution but utilitarian justification was considered in the sentencing decisions of serious cases.

Chemical Safety Concerns of Sulfur Mustard Analog, 2-Chloroethyl Ethyl Sulfide, in Laboratory Study

: Sulfur mustard (SM), a classic chemical weapon in the vesicant category, can induce severe damage, for which the therapy is still limited even today. Laboratory work is essential in unveiling toxicological effects and developing medical countermeasures. Sulfur mustard analog 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), is employed in the lab for less toxicity. However, due to its similar characteristics to SM (being oily, hydrophobic, and volatile), the manipulation of CEES still needs special attention to avoid personnel injury and laboratory pollution. Here, to clear the chemical safety concerns in the laboratory study of CEES, the working procedure and experimental data are summarized, which might help educate new researchers to be skilled and professional.

Paper microfluidics device based colorimetric sensor for the detection and discrimination of elapid versus viper envenomation

Snake bite is a neglected tropical disease-causing mortality and severe damage to various vital organs like nervous system, kidney and heart. To provide a timely and accurate treatment it is...

Sistem Status Kelaikudaraan Pesawat Udara Berbasis Website Menggunakan Framework CodeIgniter dan PostgreSQL dengan Metode Prototype

In aircraft operation, maintenance must always be carried out so that the aircraft meets airworthiness standards in order to meet flight safety, in which maintenance is carried out on aircraft components on a regular basis. The problem that exists today is that there is frequent damage to the aircraft without any known cause, even when the aircraft is flown which results in the plane crashing and experiencing severe damage until it can no longer be used. This condition is due to the absence of a system that can monitor the aircraft maintenance process, so that the components of the aircraft used to be flown cannot be known whether it is airworthy or not. The solution to overcome this problem is by building a website-based system. The system was built using the CodeIgniter framework and PostgreSQL as its database. Meanwhile, for system development using the Prototype method. Through this system the aircraft maintenance process can be carried out according to the existing schedule.

Wczesnośredniowieczne grodzisko w Dusinie, pow. gostyński, woj. wielkopolskie w świetle ponownej analizy archeologicznej

The article presents the results of another archaeological analysis carried out on materials from an early medieval settlement in Dusina in southern Greater Poland. The data obtained during the excavations, during the millennium research, prompted the recognition of the settlement as the oldest motte-type object in Poland. During the verification of the old findings, the ceramic material and the stratigraphic situation were re-analyzed, radiocarbon dating was made, and historical and cartographic data were used to confirm the chronology of the stronghold as well as the course of events that led to severe damage and disturbance of the original appearance of the stronghold. A contour plan and a model of the terrain were also prepared.

A case study on severe damage at a tunnel in serpentinite rock mass

Face squeezing, floor heave, and buckling of invert were found after a 10-day holiday in 2014 around the serpentinite face of a tunnel in Hokkaido, Japan. The damage continued for over 2 months, extending 400 m toward the entrance causing a massive roof fall. The tunnel was excavated again with a circular section and extra-thick shotcrete, and the face had crossed the damaged part 6 years after the damage occurred. Uniaxial and triaxial compression tests were carried out to obtain the mechanical properties of the serpentinite to clarify the severe damage mechanism at the tunnel. The main experimental findings are as follows. The uniaxial compressive strength of the serpentinite samples was very low, and the ratio of the strength to the estimated overburden pressure was extremely low. The parameter n indicated that the time-dependent deformation of the serpentinite was not large but the same as ordinary rocks. All specimens showed strain-hardening in the triaxial compression test, and the friction angle was very low by the brucite content. Only primary creep was observed in the multistage triaxial creep test. The pressure on the shotcrete from rock mass for the damaged tunnel was enough to cause creep deformation and failure of shotcrete. From the above findings, designing the concrete lining that can support the earth and water pressure is recommended for tunnel excavation in such a weak serpentinite rock mass, particularly with a very low friction angle by brucite. Highlights Face squeezing, floor heave, and buckling of invert were found after a 10-day holiday around the serpentinite face in Hokkaido, Japan. The time-dependent deformation of the serpentinite was not large but the same as ordinary rocks. All specimens showed strain-hardening in the triaxial compression test, and the friction angle was very low by the brucite content. Only primary creep was observed in the multistage triaxial creep test. The severe damage to the tunnel was not a brittle creep failure of the serpentinite rock mass itself but the shotcrete lining.

Influence of Calcined Bauxite Aggregate on the Resistance of Cement Composites Subjected to Small Caliber Deformable Projectile Impact

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the influence of calcined bauxite aggregate (CBA) on the resistance of cement composites subjected to small caliber deformable projectile impact at a designed velocity of 400 m/s. The deformable projectile was made from copper with a purity of 99.5% and a diameter of 8.0 mm. Compared to mixtures with conventional coarse granite aggregate and/or siliceous fine aggregate, the incorporation of either fine or coarse CBA or their combination is beneficial in reducing the depth of penetration (DOP), equivalent crater diameter (CD), and crater volume (CV) caused by deformable projectile impact. CBA is found to be more effective in controlling the DOP and CV in comparison to the CD. Replacing of conventional aggregate with CBA leads to more severe damage to the projectiles (e.g., projectile length reduction, diameter increase, and mass loss). Relative effective hardness is an effective indicator to the deformation potential and penetration capacity of a deformable projectile to impact cement composites incorporating CBA.

SKIN CONDITION IN EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION OF SHEEP WITH CONTAGIOUS DERMATITIS

As a result of the study, it was found that with contagious pustular dermatitis, the damage affects the epidermis and dermis of the skin. The most severe damage is recorded in the epidermis on day 9, fragments of organelles and viroplast clusters are observed in the cytoplasm. On the 22nd day, regenerative and regenerative processes prevail in the epidermis and dermis, in the form of proliferation, cell differentiation and organization of intercellular substance.

Physiological Responses of Two Contrasting Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) Rootstocks against Waterlogging Stress

Rootstocks from Actinidia valvata are much more tolerant to waterlogging stress than those from Actinidia deliciosa, which are commonly used in kiwifruit production. To date, the tolerance mechanism of A. valvata rootstocks’ adaptation to waterlogging stress has not been well explored. In this study, the responses of KR5 (A. valvata) and ‘Hayward’ (A. deliciosa) to waterlogging stress were compared. Results showed that KR5 plants performed much better than ‘Hayward’ during waterlogging by exhibiting higher net photosynthetic rates in leaves, more rapid formation of adventitious roots at the base of stems, and less severe damage to the main root system. In addition to morphological adaptations, metabolic responses of roots including sufficient sucrose reserves, modulated adjustment of fermentative enzymes, avoidance of excess lactic acid and ethanol accumulation, and promoted accumulation of total amino acids all possibly rendered KR5 plants more tolerant to waterlogging stress compared to ‘Hayward’ plants. Lysine contents of roots under waterlogging stress were increased in ‘Hayward’ and decreased in KR5 compared with their corresponding controls. Overall, our results revealed the morphological and metabolic adaptations of two kiwifruit rootstocks to waterlogging stress, which may be responsible for their genotypic difference in waterlogging tolerance.