Stature Estimation from Various Foot Dimensions Among Slovak Population

The foot measurements are important in forensic field as they can be used as body height predictors for an individual. The morphology of human feet shows the variations and therefore the aim of this study was to find the relation between stature and foot measurements and to generate population‐specific equations. We measured the stature and bilateral foot measurements of 71 volunteers ranging in age between 18 and 27 years using standard measurements technique. The results revealed nonsignificant bilateral differences in all sex groups (p < 0.05). Sex differences were found to be significant in all foot measurements (p < 0.001). The highest significant and positive correlation coefficients with stature were observed for foot length in males (r = 0.759), in females (r = 0.722), and in the sex‐mixed group (r = 0.865). According to the nonsignificant sex effects on the relation between stature and foot dimensions, the regression equations were computed only for the pooled mixed‐sex group. Our study provides equations that can help to estimate stature from foot measurements among Slovaks.     

性贿赂犯罪化问题的刑法学思考

在物质生活极大丰富的当今社会,权色交易日趋严重,性贿赂已经成为催生腐败,危及国家工作人员职务行为廉洁性的温床,严重阻碍我国民主法治和政治文明的发展。但是,我国现行刑法重点规制物质性利益的贿赂犯罪,对于涉及非物质性利益的性贿赂犯罪问题没有明文规定,法律上的漏洞引起了实践中的茫然。因而,有必要对比古今中外的立法例,详细分析性贿赂犯罪化问题的若干争议,认真考察性贿赂犯罪化的可行性,并从现实角度对现行法律进行重新建构。     

National and ethnic identifications among the Slovak diaspora in Serbia: stranded between state(s) and ethnicity?

Identity has been treated in relevant literature predominantly as a dynamic, fluid, multidimensional, and ongoing process. Currently, identity is viewed as a process, as something achieved, and as a product of social relations. Scholars have acknowledged that members of minorities and diasporas can have very complex multiple identities, which are both dependent on social context and changeable over time. This article explores the national and ethnic identifications of Slovaks living in Serbia. Its main objective is to examine how the members of the Slovak diaspora identify themselves and what kind of national and ethnic awareness and pride they hold. As well, this paper explores their opinions and attitudes on language and cultural identity. This study used a web-based survey and basic statistics. The results of the explorative study indicate that members of the Slovak diaspora living in Serbia have multiple identities that coexist, do not conflict, and vary in their importance for respondents. Distinct national and ethnic identifications are perceived in different ways and have divergent emotional intensities. This study proposes further research on the importance of civic and ethnic values and on different perceptions of identity, citizenship, length of residency, and minority rights for collective identifications of minorities and/or diasporas.     

Fatal intoxication due to excessive dichloromethane inhalation

A 22-year-old white male was found dead at his working place in a car lacquering company. He had removed lacquer residues by using a solvent containing dicloromethane (DCM) without using a gas mask. Pathology revealed signs of asphyxiation with obvious petechial bleedings and expressed microthrombosis of the pulmonary arteries. Toxicological analysis showed excessive concentrations of DCM which are inhaled due to exposure of extreme air concentrations.     

Chemical fingerprinting of gasoline. Part 3. Comparison of unevaporated automotive gasoline samples from Australia and New Zealand

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring (GC-MS (SIM)) method was used to discriminate samples of unevaporated gasoline collected from Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. This method was applied to 28 samples of unevaporated gasoline, covering three different grades (regular unleaded, premium unleaded and premium plus unleaded), that were collected from service stations in Auckland, New Zealand in summer (February) and winter (August). The 14 samples of summer gasoline collected in New Zealand could be divided into seven unique groups. The 14 samples of winter gasoline from New Zealand could be divided into 14 unique groups. The 14 samples collected in New Zealand during February 2002 were then compared to 24 samples of unevaporated gasoline collected from service stations in Sydney, Australia during the same month. Most of the samples could be differentiated based on their country of origin.     

STR data for the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus from the eastern and western sections of Mediterranean region of Turkey

Allele frequencies of the 10 STR loci (D16S539, D2S1338, D3S1358, vWA, D18S51, D21S11, D8S1179, D19S433, FGA and TH01) included in the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus kit were determined in 107 unrelated individuals from the eastern section and 108 unrelated individuals from western section of Mediterranean region of Turkey. The expected performance of these loci for personal identification and paternity testing in these populations were estimated.