Semi-presidentialism in lusophone countries: diffusion and operation

This article analyses the degree to which diffusion of Portugal's semi-presidential constitution occurred within lusophone countries following their move to multipartism in the 1990s. To do so, we first identify the main characteristics of the 1976 Portuguese constitution. Next, the constitutional choices made in Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor are mapped. Using existing typologies, we classify these regimes and contrast them with their European and francophone African counterparts. Finally, we investigate the effective dynamics of lusophone semi-presidential systems by focusing on how heads of state deal with heads of government and parliamentary majorities. We claim there is a “family resemblance” among lusophone semi-presidential regimes. This finding is important because it accounts for constitutional choices in a group of recent democratizing countries, and shows how external influences interact with local factors to produce major political outcomes.     

Supporting Dictatorship and Promoting Human Rights? UN Technical Assistance to Egypt

Abstract

Does UN human rights technical assistance weaken or strengthen authoritarian dictatorship in Egypt? Drawing on interviews with UN, donor and domestic human rights non-governmental organization representatives conducted in Egypt in 2007 and 2010, this article focuses on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Egypt's BENAA Human Rights Capacity Building Project. The UNDP partnered with the Egyptian government to train public officials in human rights protections and to facilitate elite socialization, a strategy recommended by social constructivism. Critics, however, assert that such technical assistance strengthens rather than weakens authoritarianism. This article explores conflicts between UN and state goals in implementing technical assistance projects, as well as competing assumptions about norm diffusion and internalization held by supporters and critics of the programme.     

Post-mortem forensic neuroimaging: correlation of MSCT and MRI findings with autopsy results

Multislice-computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are increasingly used for forensic purposes. Based on broad experience in clinical neuroimaging, post-mortem MSCT and MRI were performed in 57 forensic cases with the goal to evaluate the radiological methods concerning their usability for forensic head and brain examination. An experienced clinical radiologist evaluated the imaging data. The results were compared to the autopsy findings that served as the gold standard with regard to common forensic neurotrauma findings such as skull fractures, soft tissue lesions of the scalp, various forms of intracranial hemorrhage or signs of increased brain pressure. The sensitivity of the imaging methods ranged from 100% (e.g., heat-induced alterations, intracranial gas) to zero (e.g., mediobasal impression marks as a sign of increased brain pressure, plaques jaunes). The agreement between MRI and CT was 69%. The radiological methods prevalently failed in the detection of lesions smaller than 3mm of size, whereas they were generally satisfactory concerning the evaluation of intracranial hemorrhage. Due to its advanced 2D and 3D post-processing possibilities, CT in particular possessed certain advantages in comparison with autopsy with regard to forensic reconstruction. MRI showed forensically relevant findings not seen during autopsy in several cases. The partly limited sensitivity of imaging that was observed in this retrospective study was based on several factors: besides general technical limitations it became apparent that clinical radiologists require a sound basic forensic background in order to detect specific signs. Focused teaching sessions will be essential to improve the outcome in future examinations. On the other hand, the autopsy protocols should be further standardized to allow an exact comparison of imaging and autopsy data. In consideration of these facts, MRI and CT have the power to play an important role in future forensic neuropathological examination.     

Where Size Matters: Agglomeration Economies of Illegal Drug Markets in Philadelphia

There is a debate over whether police attention focused on an illegal drug market causes dealers to spatially displace their activities “around the corner” therefore having no positive impact on the aggregate level of illegal drug sales in the city. The alternative perspective is that focused police attention lowers the rate of illegal drug sales in the city. Recent research in Jersey City, New Jersey has demonstrated that focused police attention does not simply move illegal drug dealing around the corner. The present analysis explains why this finding is likely to be common in other cities using the economic theory of “agglomeration economies.” Agglomeration economies illustrate that taking the largest and most profitable site from illegal drug dealers will make dealing in the surrounding neighborhoods less rather than more profitable and lead to a smaller marketplace overall. The empirical analysis focuses on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.     

光谱成像中光谱基准点选取的研究

目的研究物证检验应用光谱成像标准化规范化的操作技术方法。方法比较相同数据采集条件下选择不同光谱基准点区分物质的效果。结果选择不同基准点对光谱成像检验效果影响很大。结论应用光谱成像方法检验物证时针对不同检验目的选择不同基准点具有很强的规律性。     

运用光谱成像技术区分同色棉纤维

目的研究同色棉纤维的检验方法。方法运用成像光谱法对红、蓝、黑3个颜色组的棉纤维进行区分。结果红色棉纤维的鉴别率为62．2％，蓝色棉纤维的鉴别率为77．8％，黑色棉纤维的鉴别率为69．6％。结论实验结果表明，光谱成像技术可以区分大部分同色棉纤维。拓宽了纤维检验的方法，解决了同色棉纤维的区分问题，该方法能够用于对微量同色棉纤维的快速鉴别。     

CRIME BY COMMITTEE: CONSPIRATORS AND COMPANY MEN IN THE ILLEGAL ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY CARTEL, 1954–19591

We show how cartels rely on the adaptive social structure of committee meetings to ameliorate the competitive difficulties of markets. We distill the structure of the cartel committee and test hypotheses relating market structure to committee structure and ultimately to the efficacy of cartel price‐fixing. Cartel continuity and the corporate authority of the cartel are strong predictors of cartel effectiveness. Cartel continuity is responsive to market conditions that favor cartel formation. Centralization of cartel authority in decision making results in improved collusive pricing effectiveness. Centralization of cartel authority responds to expanding industry volume that bring about incentives to increase firm level market share at the expense of other cartel members.     

光谱成像检验技术

光谱成像组合了光谱技术和成像技术。通过运用成像光谱仪 ,光谱成像方法可以记录被检验物体在一个较宽光谱范围内均匀密集分布的窄波段反射光或荧光亮度分布影像 ,形成含有物体亮度信息和光谱信息的光谱影像集。这种技术方法可以用于物证的形态特征检验和物质成分检验。相对传统光谱检验或成像检验技术 ,光谱成像检验的能力和效果都具有明显优势。     

法医毒物动力学

本文作者针对法医毒理学的任务、发展趋势和面临的挑战，提出将法医毒物动力学列为法医毒理学新的分支学科，并阐述了法医毒物动力学的概念、研究目的和任务、研究对象、研究内容、研究方法、研究方向及亟待解决的问题。内容涉及毒物动力学、死后分布、动态分布、死后再分布、死后弥散、毒物分解动力学、毒物死后产生情况等。法医毒物动力学研究将解决中毒法医学鉴定中的许多问题，如尸体或活体中毒当时机体内毒物浓度的推断、死后腐败产生毒物与生前服毒的区别、生前服毒与死后染毒的鉴别、毒物进入机体时间、途径和方式的确定。     

化学成像检验技术新发展

化学成像检验技术已经成为物证鉴定学科研究的重点和热点课题。化学成像检验技术结合了成像检验。光谱分析。图像处理等技术方法，能够为检验鉴定同时提供定量定性定位的准确信息。本文参考大量文献。总结归纳了化学成像检验的定义。介绍了化学成像检验技术应用于法庭科学研究现状与未来发展趋势。