Post-mortem changes in calmodulin binding proteins in muscle and lung

Estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI) remains an elusive issue in forensic investigations. In this study, we examined the possible use of calmodulin (CaM) binding proteins (CaMBPs) as indicators of PMI. Whole CaMBP populations from homogenized rat lung and rat skeletal muscle removed at 0, 24, 48 and 96 h post-mortem at 21 degrees C were detected by the calmodulin binding overlay technique (CaMBOT) using 35S-VU1-CaM and visualized by autoradiography. CaMBOT showed that, in both tissues, the CaMBP population remained relatively stable for up to 96 h post-mortem with the exception of a single approximately 200 kDa CaMBP that increased in 24 h post-mortem samples then showed decreasing amounts at subsequent times. Immunoblot analysis of the specific CaMBPs, Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), calcineurin A (CNA), myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were done on lung tissue samples. CaMKII levels did not change appreciably over the 96 h PMI examined. In contrast to iNOS levels, which varied from sample to sample, CNA and MARCKS showed predictable patterns of change: the level of MARCKS decreased steadily in the 0-96 h post-mortem lung samples while CNA underwent a shift in mobility on SDS-PAGE by 24 h post-mortem before slowly decreasing in amount. The stability of CaMKII levels over 96 h was also seen in skeletal muscle tissue while CNA showed variable levels at 0, 48 and 96 h with the presence of the rapidly migrating band at 24 h. These patterns of change in CaMBPs provide some insight into the post-mortem changes in calmodulin-mediated signaling components in lung and skeletal muscle and support the further study of CNA and CaMKII as potential markers for estimating short- and long-term PMIs.     

Actuarial Assessment of Sex Offender Recidivism Risk: A Cross-Validation of the RRASOR and the Static-99 in Sweden

We cross-validated two actuarial risk assessment tools, the RRASOR (R. K. Hanson, 1997) and the Static-99 (R. K. Hanson & D. Thornton, 1999), in a retrospective follow-up (mean follow-up time = 3.69 years) of all sex offenders released from Swedish prisons during 1993–1997 (N = 1,400, all men, age 18 years). File-based data were collected by a researcher blind to the outcome (registered criminal recidivism), and individual risk factors as well as complete instrument characteristics were explored. Both the RRASOR and the Static-99 showed similar and moderate predictive accuracy for sexual reconvictions whereas the Static-99 exhibited a significantly higher accuracy for the prediction of any violent recidivism as compared to the RRASOR. Although particularly the Static-99 proved moderately robust as an actuarial measure of recidivism risk among sexual offenders in Sweden, both procedures may need further evaluation, for example, with sex offender subpopulations differing ethnically or with respect to offense characteristics. The usefulness of actuarial methods for the assessment of sex offender recidivism risk is discussed in the context of current practice.     

Stress deformations of skeletal remains from prehistoric cremation burials

Vertebrae and parts of joints from long bones from prehistoric cremations of the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age are presented, showing marked deformations caused by pressure during cremation when bones exposed to temperatures of 400 degrees-500 degrees Centigrade display minimal hardness. The vertebrae with deformation of the arcus parts are only from the lower vertebral column; on account of the weight of this body region, this suggests that the corpse lay in the dorsal position at the place of cremation. The fact that there were deformed arches only on one side might suggest an irregular structure of the surface on which the corpse lay. In the prone position, i.e. in the absence of pressure caused by body weight, all vertebrae should be unaltered; alternatively, if cremation wood was piled on top of the corpse, the arches of thoracic and cervical vertebrae are also likely to be deformed. Deformations resulting from weight bearing were found in the joints of extremities only, with flattening of the heads of joints as well as fissures in the external layers of bones and compression into folds. Some bones show distinct even grooves caused by direct pressure, possibly resulting from the fixation of joint regions for cremation? Evidently the deformations caused by the weighting down of different skeletal regions provide hints that may help in the recognition of cremation rites. It would be helpful if experimental cremations could be performed to establish the pressure necessary to cause deformations.     

Soviet discussion on enterprise incentives and methods of planning

For some years a discussion has been in progress among economists in the Soviet Union on methods of securing the active and positive participation of individual enterprises in a centrally planned economy. The main theme of discussion has been the problem: how to arrange the system of plan indices, prices, enterprise bonuses, etc. to encourage enterprise interest in higher plan assignments, introduction of new technology, and improvement of quality of output. On the following pages some excerpts from this debate are reproduced. However, since the problems discussed are now engaging also the Soviet political authorities, let us first quote a few sections from one of the many official statements made in this connection. The one we have chosen is from the report given by the Soviet Prime Minister N. S. Khrushchev at the CPSU Central Committee Plenary Meeting of November 19, 1962 (Pravda, November 20).     

Negative partisanship and the populist radical right: The case of Norway

With the rise and influence of populist radical right (PRR) parties in Western European democracies, research has focused on explaining the PRR vote. We know less about the reasons why many people would never vote for these parties. Recent research has pointed out that negative partisanship may be particularly prominent in the case of PRR parties. This study contributes to that line of research. It demonstrates that the PRR Progress Party in Norway has the highest share of negative partisanship of all parties in the system. Novel analysis of open-ended responses reveal that negative partisans react against both the party's policies and rhetorical style. The analysis reveals that negative partisans mirror voters of the PRR only to some extent. Notably, they emphasize disagreements with the party's views on humanity, and with environmental and economic policies. Political style is also a considerable source of negative PRR partisanship and is more important to account for never voting than to account for the support for these parties. The findings underscore that the study of negative partisanship contributes to a fuller account of patterns of PRR electoral performance and particularly its limitations.