The Effect of Mass Incarceration on Criminality in Colombia

This study surveyed the literature on the expected and unexpected effects of incarceration before (deterrence), during (incapacitation), and after (after-effects) prison confinement occurs, through a selective search that favored the analysis of studies with an empirical focus in the national and comparative literature. Then, based on data provided by the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC by its acronym in Spanish) and the National Police, the research evaluated the effect that mass incarceration for homicides, kidnappings, theft, and personal injuries had on Colombian criminality between 1994 and 2018 (a time in which the inmate population increased fourfold). The regression results suggested that incarceration decreased the number of homicides and kidnappings but increased theft and personal injuries. At the end, the article presents the theoretical developments that could explain those statistical results and makes recommendations for the strategic use of imprisonment and its deterrent potential in Colombia.

Analytical Profile and Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Enriched Polyphenol Fractions Isolated from Bergamot Fruit and Leave

The aim of the study is to compare the qualitative and semi-quantitative profile of the polyphenol fraction purified from the leaf (BLPF) and fruit (BFPF) of bergamot (Citrus bergamia), and to evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The analytical qualitative profile was carried out by LC-ESI/MS using three different approaches: targeted (searching analytes already reported in bergamot extract), semi-targeted (a selective search of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate [HMG] derivatives involved in the cholesterol reducing activity of BPF) and untargeted. A total number of 108 compounds were identified by using the three approaches, 100 of which are present in both the extracts thus demonstrating a good qualitative overlapping of polyphenols between the two extracts. The antioxidant activity was higher for BLPF in respect to BFPF but when normalized in respect to the polyphenol content they were almost overlapping. Both the extracts were found to dose dependently inhibit cell inflammation stimulated with IL-1α. In conclusion, the comparison of the qualitative and quantitative profile of polyphenols as well as of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of bergamot leaf and fruit well indicates that leaf is a valid source of bergamot polyphenol extraction and an even richer source of polyphenol in respect to the fruit.

Optimal Allocation Algorithm of Geological and Ecological High-resolution Remote Sensing Monitoring Sampling Points

The purpose of this study is to solve the problem of unsatisfactory image representation of monitoring sampling points in high-resolution remote sensing due to the complexity of geological ecology. Firstly, three algorithms used in remote sensing technology were introduced, that is, extraction algorithm of monitoring sampling point (selective search algorithm), discriminant algorithm (support vector machine) and BING algorithm. Then, the BING algorithm was improved. Finally, the superiority of the improved BING algorithm was verified through experimental data set. The results showed that selective search algorithm could generate more candidate windows in remote sensing image and had better adaptability. The improved algorithm had higher quality of candidate windows extracted from remote sensing images. Although the IBING algorithm could greatly improve the extraction speed of remote sensing, the detection time of each image became larger. Such testing times were still acceptable. Therefore, in this research, the allocation algorithm of geological and ecological high-resolution remote sensing monitoring sampling points was optimized, which had a good guiding significance for the application of remote sensing technology in geological and ecological research.