Functioning and Effectiveness of Electronic Control Devices Such as the TASER® M‐ and X‐Series: A Review of the Current Literature

Abstract: Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) such as the TASER^® M‐ and X‐series deliver short high‐voltage, low‐current energy pulses to temporarily paralyze a person by causing electrical interruption of the body’s normal energy pulses. Despite many scientific publications, which classify the health risks of an appropriate use of the TASER device as minor, there still is a continuous uncertainty about possible side effects with human application. Based on a literature search of the National Library of Medicine’s MEDLINE database’s PubMed system of current publications, the following article describes the mechanisms by which the device operates and discusses possible pathophysiological consequences. The majority of current human literature has not found evidence of clinical relevant pathophysiological effects during and after an exposure of professionally applied CEWs. However, to be able to exclude possible health risks, a medical checkup of people who have been exposed to CEWs is essential.     

Das Erste Gesetz zur Änderung des Bundesnaturschutzgesetzes – Ein Ende der Debatte um den europäischen Artenschutz?

Zusammenfassung  Mit der letzten Novellierung des Bundesnaturschutzgesetzes verfolgte der Gesetzgeber die Intention, die vom Europ?ischen Gerichtshof angemahnten Defizite bei den artenschutzrechtlichen Vorschriften im Bundesnaturschutzgesetz zu beseitigen. Dieses Ziel hat der Gesetzgeber im Ergebnis erneut verfehlt. So besteht auch nach der Novellierung weiterhin erhebliche Rechtsunsicherheit bei der Realisierung von Vorhaben und die Bundesrepublik Deutschland l?uft überdies Gefahr, erneut durch den Europ?ischen Gerichtshof verurteilt zu werden. Der Beitrag stellt zun?chst die artenschutzrechtlichen Anforderungen der FFH- und Vogelschutzrichtlinie dar, um sodann anhand der neuen artenschutzrechtlichen Vorschriften im Bundesnaturschutzgesetz Defizite bei der Umsetzung des europ?ischen Artenschutzes in das deutsche Recht aufzuzeigen.     

Sex,sex roles,and self-image

The purpose of this research was to compare the self-images of male and female children in order to determine whether females were at a particular disadvantage and, if so, why. A random sample of 1988 children from grades 3–12 were interviewed in Baltimore in 1968. Findings show more disturbance among White adolescent females than among White males or Black females: White girls become much more self-conscious and show greater self-image instability and somewhat lower self-esteem. Three sets of factors appear to explain part of these differences: (1) attitudes toward present and future sex role, (2) peer relationships in general and opposite sex relationships in particular, and (3) attitudes toward changing looks in adolescence.The work of the first author is currently supported by a Research Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health, No. 5-K1-MH-41, 688-03. The work was also partly supported by USPHS Grants 1-F3-MH-41, 688-01 and MH-197541-01.The data were collected in 1968.Received her Ph.D. from Columbia University and has been interested in the social determinants of the self-image and in studies of the social psychological consequences of organ transplantation.Received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland and is interested in social psychology in general and sex roles in particular.     

The economic model of voter participation: A further test

The central hypothesis of the economic model of voter participation was put to an empirical test. It was found that the coefficient of population size, which represents the subjective probability of affecting election results, is negative and significant in municipal local elections, but insignificant in national Knesset elections. Therefore, this variable is unable to represent subjective probability in the latter case.It was suggested that the economic model is more relevant to local elections than to Knesset elections. The empirical results revealed that the regression coefficients of municipal elections that took place separately from Knesset elections fit the expected outcome of the economic model whereas when municipal elections were held simultaneously with the Knesset election this did not hold true.