Fatal firearm wounds: a retrospective study in Bari (Italy) between 1988 and 2003

Fatal gunshot injuries are routinely encountered by forensic pathologists practicing in Southern Italy. Bari, the capital city of the Italian region known as Apulia, is a leader with regard to the number of firearm deaths in Italy. This is mainly attributable to local organized crime groups which control a variety of illicit activities. This retrospective study analyzes autopsy data related to fatal firearm wounds, handled by the Institute of Legal Medicine [University of Bari], between 1988 and 2003. A total of 717 cases were selected and classified as follows: firearm homicides (634); suicides (82); and accidental death (1). A significant number of variables have been reviewed such as: month in which the violent event took place; the victims' nationalities; gender and age of victims; site and number of entrance wounds; weapon type used; and manner of death (i.e. homicide; suicide; accidental). Analysis has revealed a homicide versus suicide ratio of almost 8:1. Victims were mostly male with a lower mean age than in other similar studies. Homicides with multiple gunshot wounds were more common than ones with single entrance wounds. For example, in one case, 30 entrance wounds were identified in the murder of a gang boss. Four suicides with two entrance gunshot wounds were identified. Handguns were the most frequently used weapon in all groups (i.e. homicide, suicide, and accidental), with 7.65 mm and 9 mm being the most common calibres. This study revealed a very low incidence of suicide among females. Mental and other types of illness, as well as financial stress were the apparent motives which prompted most of the suicide victims. The homicide cases described were most often related to continual, ongoing fights among local criminal gangs (75%).     

提高长春市自主创新能力,加快推进创新型城市建设

创新型城市就是把自立创新作为发展科学技术的战略基点,大幅度提高科技创新能力,形成具有强大科技创新优势和竞争优势的城市.把长春市建设成为创新型城市具有重大的现实意义.     

Effect of Sterilants on Amplification and Detection of Target DNA from Bacillus cereus Spores

To conceal criminal activity of a bioterrorist or agroterrorist, the site of pathogen generation is often treated with sterilants to kill the organisms and remove evidence. As dead organisms cannot be analyzed by culture, this study examined whether DNA from sterilant‐treated Bacillus cereus spores was viable for amplification. The spores were exposed to five common sterilants: bleach, Sterilox®, oxidizer foam (L‐Gel), a peroxyacid (Actril®), and formaldehyde vapor. The spores were inoculated on typical surfaces found in offices and laboratories to test for environmental effects. It was found that the surface influenced the efficiency of recovery of the organisms. The DNA isolated from the recovered spores was successfully detected using RT‐qPCR for all treatments except for formaldehyde, by amplifying the phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase genes. The results demonstrated that evidence from sites treated with sterilants can still provide information on the uncultured organism, using DNA amplification.     

数罪并罚制度的实践难题及完善对策——来自浙江省金华地区的情况报告

浙江省金华市人民检察院特组织课题组在金华地区与公、检、法的办案一线干警就数罪并罚制度实践运作中遇到的问题进行了深入调研。现就调研情况进行整理述说,并在行文过程中尝试性给出一些建议性解决对策。     

人工智能算法可专利性探析——从知识生产角度区分抽象概念与具体应用

人工智能算法的客体属性是人工智能技术可专利性问题的核心。根据方法发明专利保护的发展历史可知,方法可专利性判定的原则应当是考察权利要求作为一个整体是否构成对抽象概念的具体应用。同时,历史的经验还表明,目前主流测试标准的实质要求均只构成该原则的充分不必要条件。具体适用该原则时,相比于已有区分标准,从知识生产的角度能够更有效地界分抽象概念和具体应用。根据这一标准,人工智能算法属于对抽象概念的具体应用。这样,人工智能技术的可专利性问题就转化为对抽象概念实际应用程度的阈值设置问题。鉴于行业发展现状、专利法的立法目的、我国现阶段的战略规划和法制环境,应当给予人工智能算法专利保护。     

论网络青年公益组织的发展——基于广州市B组织和W组织的对比

网络青年公益组织是指在法律规定的范围内,利用互联网信息技术,以青年人发起,用无偿或优惠条件向青年人提供服务的社会组织。作为一种新兴的公益形式,此类组织在发挥重要作用的同时,也面临政策监管不到位、运营人才缺乏、专业化程度偏低、自我造血功能不足、资金链短缺等共同困境。对比分析B组织和W组织的运行成效,从"内部流程""学习成长""顾客满意度"三个指标来看,B组织的运行更规范、成效更明显、满意度更高。究其原因,B组织的造血能力更强、人员结构更合理、人员分工更加专业、产品运行模式更具有吸引力。为进一步提升网络青年公益组织的运行成效,应发挥好政府层面的政策支持与引导作用,强化组织自身的自我赋能与自我管理,强化社会监督与营造良好氛围。     

Disruptive innovation and R&D ownership structures

Public Choice - This paper provides a theoretical explanation as to why breakthrough innovations seem to be possible only within capitalist economies (Kornai in Dynamism, rivalry, and the surplus...