A chemical and physicochemical study of an Egyptian mummy 'Iset Iri Hetes' from the Ptolemaic period III-I B.C

Chemical and physicochemical examinations of the fragments of an Egyptian mummy dated between the 3rd and 1st century B.C. were performed. The chemical examinations indicated the presence of resin in the skull and in the fragments of bandages wrapped around the mummy. An analysis of the infrared spectra of the fragments indicated a type of resin originating from the Copal group. Physicochemical investigations showed that main chemical elements such as Ca, Mg, Na, K, P and trace chemical elements such as Fe, Zn, Cu, and Pb occurred in bone fragments in proportions typical for people living today. In tooth fragments, values were similar to normal except for K, P, and Zn, which were lower, and Pb, which was absent. In the fingernails, most elements were found in much higher concentrations except for Cu and Pb, which were lower. The results of the study in terms of their implications on mummification are discussed.     

Some pyridine derivatives as "route-specific markers" in 4-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) prepared by the Leuckart Method Studies on the role of the aminating agent in their distribution in the final product

The two previously unknown isomeric aryl-methylpyridines were prepared and analysed. Both 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-(4'-methoxyphenyl)pyridine and 2,4-dimethyl-3,5-di-(4'-methoxyphenyl)pyridine have been identified as a new by-product in the crude 4-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) obtained via the Leuckart method. The synthesis of 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diphenylpyridine, which is connected to amphetamine chemistry, is also reported. It was also found that different reagents (formamide, formamide/HCOOH, ammonium formate) used in the course of the Leuckart synthesis of PMA significantly affected the impurity content. The presented results point out on the "high-boiling pyridines" as compounds especially useful in the comparative analysis, since their profile seems to be independent on the purification procedure and may be conveyed from the crude reaction mixture even into a carefully purified final product.     

Judicial Decision-Making,Ideology and the Political: Towards an Agonistic Theory of Adjudication

Law and Critique - The present paper puts forward a first outline of a possible agonistic theory of adjudication, conceived of as an extension of Chantal Mouffe’s agonistic theory of...     

Experimental Effect of Shots Caused by Projectiles Fired from Air Guns with Kinetic Energy Below 17 J

Pursuant to the Polish Weapons and Ammunitions Law (Legal Gazette No 53/1999 item 549 with subsequent amendments), air guns with kinetic energy of the fired projectiles below 17 J are not regarded as weapons. The aim of the study was to assess the potential effect of shots caused by projectiles of various mass and structure fired from air guns with kinetic energy below 17 J on human soft tissues. As a model of soft tissue, we used 20% gelatin blocks. After shooting, we measured the depth of gelatin block penetration by pellets fired from various distances and compared these results with autopsy findings. The results demonstrated that examined pneumatic guns may cause serious injuries, including damage to the pleura, pericardium, liver, spleen, kidneys, femoral artery, and thoracic and abdominal aorta. Experiment shown that gelatin blocks do not reflect fully the properties of the human body.     

Lightning Strike as Probable Cause of Death and Determining Identity Based on the Examination of Skeletal Remains

In this article , a case of examining an incomplete human skeleton found in a forest is presented. Based on the assessment of posttraumatic lesions in the skull bones, the cause of death of a man who had died 14 years prior to the examination was determined with high probability to be due to a lightning strike. Moreover, the rare pathological lesions within the skeleton, such as a healed fracture of the humerus and rheumatoid malformations within the hand, in reference to preserved medical records, have also allowed to identify the deceased. Most noteworthy points in this case are, however, initially difficult to comprehend, posttraumatic lesions within the bones of the skull such as carbonization and fracture of the vertex. Their origin can be explained by a lightning strike as the most probable cause of death. Thus, the presented case demonstrates probable cause of death and identity can be established many years after death, based on skeletal remains.     

Argumentation and Legal Interpretation in the Criminal Decisions of the Polish Supreme Court and the German Federal Court of Justice: A Comparative View

The subject of this study are the argumentation strategies applied by the Polish and German apex courts competent in criminal matters, namely the Supreme Court and the Federal Court of Justice, respectively. The investigation encompasses a total of 200 rulings issued by the criminal panels of these bodies. Particular focus was put on examining which arguments both courts apply to solve interpretation problems, and secondly, how these courts systematize the interpretation process. Methodologically, the examination utilizes, inter alia, the principles of qualitative research, without neglecting the legal dogmatic perspective. A crucial theoretical foundation underlying this study is the distinction between formalistic and substantive legal cultures. The examination reveals that neither the Polish nor the German legal culture is purely formalistic or value-oriented. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court of Poland shows greater affinity for formalistic arguments, whereas the substantive interpretation methods are more widespread in the judicature of the German Federal Court of Justice. In particular, the Polish Court prefers the linguistic interpretation, whereas the German Court favours the purposive approach.

     

Determinants of judges’ career choices and productivity: a Polish case study

European Journal of Law and Economics - The goal of this paper is to identify factors which affect judges’ productivity and career choice motives with the view of increasing judicial...     

Why is corruption in Poland ``a serious cause for concern'?

Public perceptions of corruption are significant for their political consequences. But they are conceptually and empirically distinct from corruption. First, because perceptions of corruption run far ahead of experience. Second, because different factors influence the one more than the other – indeed poverty and low education increase perceptions of corruption while decreasing participation in it. Third, because the political consequences of corruption and corruption-perceptions differ not only in degree but in their targets – perceptions and experiences of corruption erode trust in different politicians and institutions.External moralising from institutions such as the EU may reduce corruption in Accession States while simultaneously increasing perceptions of it. And within these states, that moralising `culture which can resist corruption' which the EU demands, itself tends, perversely, to increase (not decrease) perceptions, suspicions, and allegations of corruption.