The Geography of U.S. Terrorist Incidents, 1970–2004

This paper describes the spatio-temporal trends in terrorist incidents in the United States, from 1970 through 2004. Utilizing the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) and ancillary data, we examine both the frequency of incidents and their characteristics: location, target type, attack type, weapon type, and perpetrator group. While the frequency of terrorist incidents has declined since the 1970s, there still is significant activity nationwide. Instead of urban-rural or West Coast-East Coast divisions, the pattern is a more complex mosaic based on group identity, target, and weapon type. We conclude that there is an explicit geography of terrorism, one that is quite decentralized and highly localized.     

Exploring the impact of mass cultural changes on the patterns of democratic reform

In this article, a typology of reforms most suitable for Western democracies is built using two dimensions. These are the aggregative–integrative dimension and the indirect–direct dimension. Using a data set of reforms, consisting of 21 democracies, reforms in the last two decades are categorized as either pendulum, consensus, voter or participatory reforms. In the second part of this article, it is explored whether patterns of reforms follow mass-level cultural changes in four egalitarian societies. Following grid-group cultural typologies some of the patterns of democratic change anticipated are: that pendulum reforms are accompanied by changes towards a more atomistic culture, consensus reforms are associated with hierarchical societies, voter reforms are guided by accelerated individualism, and finally, that participatory reforms match increasingly egalitarian societies. This article concludes that these expectations have not been met. Elites are trying to restore the slump of the hierarchical culture and with it the consensus democratic model despite the resulting mismatch with mass cultures.     

Bone Mineral Change During Experimental Calcination: An X‐ray Diffraction Study

The effects of calcination (400–1200°C) on pig bones have been studied using powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and secondary modifications, such as color change and weight loss. The characterisation by powder XRD confirmed the presence of the crystalline phase of hydroxyapatite, and comparison of the results obtained at different temperatures suggested that at 650°C, all the organic components and carbonate substitutions were completely removed. Accordingly, these samples were white. In addition, the crystallinity degree and the crystallite size progressively increased with the calcination temperature until 650°C, remaining stable until 1200°C. Below 650°C, bone samples presented organic compounds, resulting in background noise in the diffractogram and gray or black color. In addition, impurities in the lattice correspond to low crystallite sizes.     

纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末显现潜在手印研究

目的使用荧光染料包覆纳米二氧化钛颗粒,制备具有荧光效果的纳米二氧化钛粉末材料,并探索应用纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末显现潜在手印的方法。方法使用实验室合成的二酰亚胺染料与纳米二氧化钛微粒按照一定质量比混合制备形成荧光粉末,通过扫描电子显微镜对其进行表征,观察颗粒结构特征。在玻璃、瓷砖、透明塑料片、彩色塑料包装、易拉罐5类非渗透性客体上捺印手印,观察纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末对不同非渗透性客体上新鲜潜手印的显现效果。分别在5种客体上制作遗留时间为1、4、7、15d的手印样本,考察遗留时间对纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末显现自然陈旧手印效果的影响。将新鲜手印置于标准大气压100℃条件下分别加热1~72h,使用纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末显现,考察其对高温老化手印的显现效果。结果纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末为粒径100~200nm的圆形颗粒;在蓝绿光激发下可发出较强的荧光,能显现多种非渗透性客体上的新鲜手印,与背景反差明显并且能显著降低复杂背景对手印纹线的影响;显出新鲜手印中80%以上具有鉴定条件。纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末对遗留15d以内的陈旧手印仍具有较好的显现效果。100℃高温环境对手印显现效果没有明显影响。结论纳米二氧化钛荧光粉末经济、环保,显现操作简单,易于推广。     

Customizing English Language Program for EFL Learners

This paper discusses the importance of having a customized instructional approach specifically for students who are learning English as a Foreign Language （EFL） in the foreign language setting. Most of the innovations introduced by the Education Ministry of Malaysia such as the Communicative Language Teaching （CLT） and phonics are suitable for ESL （English as a second language） learners, while the EFL learners are still left behind. A suitable teaching approach which customizes the needs of the students in EFL setting, especially in the state of Terengganu should be introduced. The main focus of the program exploits reading and writing skills in providing language input since these two skills are more dominant in terms of utility and functions among the EFL students as compared with the ESL students who are enable to exploit speaking and listening skills because of the natural setting. The research investigates the prospect of developing a suitable language teaching program based on 10 basic sentence patterns （10SP） which are exploited through the principles of transformational generative grammar and customized learning experiences focusing on reading as a bridge in acquiring other language skills such as writing, listening, and speaking.     

The Anatomy of a Pipe Bomb Explosion: Measuring the Mass and Velocity Distributions of Container Fragments

Improvised explosive devices such as pipe bombs are prevalent due to the availability of materials and ease of construction. However, little is known about how these devices actually explode, as few attempts to characterize fragmentation patterns have been attempted. In this study, seven devices composed of various pipe materials (PVC, black steel, and galvanized steel) and two energetic fillers (Pyrodex and Alliant Red Dot) were initiated and the explosions captured using high‐speed videography. The video footage was used to calculate fragment velocities, which were represented as particle velocity vector maps. In addition, the fragments were weighed. The results demonstrate a correlation between the type of energetic filler and both the size and velocity of the fragments. Larger fragments were produced by Pyrodex filler indicating a less complete fragmentation, compared with smaller fragments produced by double‐base smokeless powder. Additionally, higher fragment velocities were seen with Alliant Red Dot filler.     

A Molecular Method to Correlate Bloodstains with Wound Site for Crime Scene Reconstruction

Bloodstain pattern analysis to determine the wound‐of‐origin of bloodstains is problematic with nonspecific patterns. In this proof‐of‐concept study, the authors examined a molecular approach to correlate bloodstains with injuries using the rat as a model. Specifically, investigations were conducted on the rat brain marker, rno‐miR‐124‐3p, with the QIAGEN miScript System and real‐time PCR analysis. Rno‐miR‐124‐3p was detected in brain homogenates diluted 100,000 times; in 3‐week‐old, room temperature stored, simulated brain–blood stains; and in bloodstains from head gunshot wounds collected with swabs and subsequently frozen for 9–18 months; however, rno‐miR‐124‐3p was not detected in whole blood. Proof‐of‐principle was demonstrated by the ability to distinguish bloodstains from a gunshot wound to the head versus bloodstains from a gunshot wound to the chest, by the testing of otherwise identical bloodstains from the two patterns for the presence of the marker. The results suggest a viable approach to a longstanding problem in casework.     

我国女性休闲初探

随着生活水平的提高和社会开放程度的扩大 ,我国女性休闲获得了很大的发展 ,但仍存在着制约或影响女性休闲机会和品质的诸多因素。女性的休闲质量首先依赖于女性自身对休闲认识的提高 ,同时 ,也离不开政府、企业等机构休闲政策和措施的配合。     

试论知识经济时代人才的管理方式

人才是知识经济时代最重要的资源，有效地管理人才是知识经济时代管理者面临的重要课题。本文首先从心理需求和工作两方面概括了知识经济时代人才的特点。分析了现行的、以物质奖惩和科层制度为主要管理方式所带来的弊端。提出了“领导”应该是管理知识经济时代人才的有效方式这一对策，以弥补现行管理方式的不足。     

试论现代警务发展中的几种战略思维模式

战略思维是警务工作实践中不可缺少的最高层次的思维活动,是制定警务战略的先导.从分析警务战略思维模式入手研究警务战略思维活动的特点,有助于全面、科学地把握警务战略思维的客观规律,更好地指导现代警务工作的发展.