Power Sector Reforms and Technical Performance: Good News from an Instrumental Variable Analysis

Over the past three decades, various power sector reforms have overhauled the governance of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in almost a hundred countries. Have these reforms produced benefits? Using instrumental variables, we improve upon earlier studies and demonstrate that power sector reforms enacted between 1982 and 2008 have both had large positive effects on the availability of generation capacity and reduced transmission and distribution losses. We also show that the positive effects on generation capacity are pronounced in developing countries and that hybrid reforms falling short of privatization and free competition are effective in improving generation capacity in particular. Overall, the results show that these reforms are an effective tool to remove an important constraint on economic growth.     

以色列的网络安全问题及其治理

网络安全威胁是当今国际社会普遍面临的主要威胁之一。受地缘政治与国际局势的影响,以色列成为遭受网络攻击最为频繁的国家之一。由于长期遭受网络攻击的威胁,以色列在国际社会中较早重视网络安全问题,建立了一系列网络安全应对机制。2010-2011年是以色列加强国家网络安全建设的重要时间节点,以《2010国家网络倡议》和以色列政府第3611号决议两个具有里程碑意义的文件为代表,以色列政府将制定国家网络战略提上议事日程。在国家网络局的统筹规划下,通过政府机构、军情部门、学术界、产业界等之间的密切合作,以色列构建了一整套较为健全的网络安全维护机制,不仅有效治理了网络安全问题,而且通过与技术研发相结合形成了科学合理的网络安全生态系统,蓬勃发展的网络安全产业也带来了可观的经济效益。作为全球网络安全领域的引领者之一,以色列在网络安全治理上积累了较为丰富的经验,并具备一定的网络战实战能力,值得其他相关国家学习和借鉴。     

选择性单位点PCR检测在案件中的应用

采用以DIS80为首选位点初检,再行STR位点扩增、检测的方法.在涉及大量嫌疑人排查的重大犯罪案件中,充分发挥出DNA-PCR快速、准确排查、认定犯罪嫌疑人的作用.DIS80位点排除率达90%以上,HU-MACTBP_2,AluVpA,TH01,TPOX位点同一认定平均偶合率低于1.5×10~(-8).     

Public markets, private orderings and corporate governance

In the New Property Rights approach the degree of incompleteness of markets is taken independently of the cost of the public ordering and of their efficiency relatively to private orderings. In this approach “public markets,” similarly to a Swiss cheese, are either assumed to be nonexistent empty holes (because of infinite third party verification costs) or assumed to be smooth and efficient (because of zero third party verification costs). When we allow for positive but not infinite third party verification costs we are necessarily pushed back to the insights of Commons, Coase, Fuller and Williamson. The degree of (in)completeness of public markets becomes an endogenous economic problem and managers can be seen as agents that make “second order” specific investments to run specific relations that cannot be efficiently handled by public markets. Managers and the public authorities build respectively private and public “legal equilibria” that set the working rules within which transactions can take place. Private and public legal equilibria are not only substitutes but also complements. This complementarity is an important source of the path dependency that characterizes the development of different legal systems. The framework is applied to GM’s acquisition of Fisher Body. We suggest that, contrary to the claims of the New property Rights approach, the advantages of the acquisition were not due to the superior incentives of the new private owners but should be rather related to the replacement of public markets by the new private ordering set up by Alfred Sloan.     

中国成都汉族及泰国群体D7S2846基因座的遗传多态性

研究STR基因座D7S2 846的遗传多态性 ,为法科学应用提供基础数据。应用PCR及PAG电泳技术 ,对376名中国成都汉族无关个体及 131名泰国无关个体进行了调查。两群体分别检出 8个和 7个等位基因 ,首次获得该基因座基因在两群体中的频率分布。两群体基因型频率分布均符合Hardy Weinberg平衡。家系调查证实了等位基因的传递遵循孟德尔遗传规律。该基因座在两群体中的个人识别能力 (Dp)分别为 0 85 70、 0 86 0 2 ,杂合度 (H )分别为0 6 915、 0 6 870 ,多态性信息含量 (PIC)分别为 0 6 445、 0 6 5 5 3 ,非父排除率 (PE )分别为 0 415 2、 0 40 85。D7S2 846基因座在法医学个人识别及亲子鉴定中具有较高的实用价值。     

Resolving Reflection and Resolution in 3D Imaging of Fresh Bone

Structured light scanning is a noninvasive, accurate, and cost-effective 3D imaging technique, but due to reflection issues is yet to be utilized for tool mark analysis on fresh bone. During imaging, reflection from shiny surfaces, such as greasy bone, disrupts image formation. This study tested the David SLS-1 scanner's ability to image saw marks and explored six strategies to reduce reflection by [1] dulling the surface or [2] altering the projected light. The surface was dulled by freezing, talcum powder, dulling spray, or compressed air. The projected light was altered with a diffuser or limited to single pattern-coded. Results demonstrated that the resolution was insufficient for capturing minute details of striae. All six tests failed to reduce reflection sufficiently to produce complete images, but projecting vertical pattern-coded light showed the most promise. Future research is required concentrating on enhancing resolution and exploring the role of pattern-coded light in reducing reflection.     

An Overview of 3D Printing in Forensic Science: The Tangible Third-Dimension

There has been a rapid development and utilization of three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies in engineering, health care, and dentistry. Like many technologies in overlapping disciplines, these techniques have proved to be useful and hence incorporated into the forensic sciences. Therefore, this paper describes how the potential of using 3D printing is being recognized within the various sub-disciplines of forensic science and suggests areas for future applications. For instance, the application can create a permanent record of an object or scene that can be used as demonstrative evidence, preserving the integrity of the actual object or scene. Likewise, 3D printing can help with the visualization of evidential spatial relationships within a scene and increase the understanding of complex terminology within a courtroom. However, while the application of 3D printing to forensic science is beneficial, currently there is limited research demonstrated in the literature and a lack of reporting skewing the visibility of the applications. Therefore, this article highlights the need to create good practice for 3D printing across the forensic science process, the need to develop accurate and admissible 3D printed models while exploring the techniques, accuracy and bias within the courtroom, and calls for the alignment of future research and agendas perhaps in the form of a specialist working group.     

The Analysis of 3D Printer Dust for Forensic Applications,,

3D printers are becoming increasingly efficient and economical, and thus more widespread and easily accessible to consumers and businesses. They have been used to print nefarious objects such as guns and suppressors. Previous research has documented the release of dust particles during the printing process; however, little has been written about the morphology and chemical features that define the dust emitted by these printers. This study was undertaken to recover, analyze, and identify the dust produced during the printing process in the context of forensic trace evidence analysis. Samples were collected from a variety of 3D fused deposition modeler printers, representing both consumer and commercial grade models. This work focused on printers that use thermoplastic filaments composed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polylactic acid (PLA), two of the most commonly used filament polymers. Swabs were used to collect dust within the printer chamber and then processed to isolate the dust particles. Particles produced from ABS filaments are most easily recognized via light microscopy through a combination of color, morphology, and fluorescence. The composition of these particles can be confirmed through analysis by either FTIR or Raman microspectroscopy. These methods can also be used to identify ABS fillers and pigments within the printer dust particles. In contrast, dust from PLA printers consistently contained finer, submicron-sized particles that could be observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Because the size of the particles precludes their identification using vibrational spectroscopy methods, pyrolysis-GC-MS was used to confirm the presence of PLA.     

Geomatic techniques in forensic science: A review

The purpose of this review paper is to highlight various geomatic techniques that crime scene reconstructionists or forensic practitioners can use to document different kinds of scenes, highlighting the advantages, disadvantages, and when best to use each technology. This paper explores geomatic techniques such as a total station, photogrammetry, laser scanners and structured light scanners and how they can be used to reconstruct crime scenes. The goal of this paper is not to discredit manual methods, as they are long standing and reliable, but instead to shed light on alternative methods that may produce equally or more accurate results with a more visually appealing final product. It is important for law enforcement and forensic professionals to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, knowing when certain techniques should be used (and when they should not), and being able to revert to traditional methods if required.