The third molar as an age marker in adolescents: new approach to age evaluation

Adolescence is a relatively short period between childhood and adulthood. It is very difficult to determine adulthood based on biological indicators. The third molar may be considered a potential age marker for the period between the ages of 16–21. Our study evaluated a set of 1700 panoramic radiographs of individuals aged between 5 and 21 years. Results confirmed the statistically significant difference in the course of third molars development. The mean deviation for individuals with one third molar agenesis is ?0.98 years, for individuals with two third molars agenesis ?1.89 years, and with three molars agenesis ?3.28 years. Thus, the extent of the deviation is directly proportional to the number of unformed third molars. The calculation of age according to the mean of stages of all third molars could lead to the underestimation of age. No intergender differences were found. Age determination using third molars could be used for forensic purposes.     

Theories of Criminalization

In this article, I comment on Simester and von Hirsch’s theory of criminalization and discuss general principles of criminalization. After some brief comments on punishment theories and the role of moral wrongdoing, I examine main lines of contemporary criminalization theories which tend to focus on the issues of harm, offense, paternalism and side-constraints. One of the points of disagreement with Simester and von Hirsch concerns the role of the harm principle. I rely on a straightforward normative concept of “rights of others,” not in the sense of rights granted in positive law but in the sense of rights which are to be justified in political philosophy. With a rights-centered rather than a harm-centered approach, a prima facie reason for criminalization is the violation of others’ rights. It is unnecessary to develop a separate category of “offense to others,” and paternalistic interventions can be criticized straightforwardly because rights can be waived.     

‘The sleep has been rubbed from their eyes’: social citizenship and the reproduction of local hierarchies in rural Hungary and Romania

In this paper, we make three interrelated points. First, while much of the recent literature on new forms of citizenship has focused on the diversity of large cities and new forms of migration, we seek to establish rural sites as important arenas for negotiating citizenship. We stress that far from being homogeneous, villages in their struggles over belonging are affected by long-standing diversity as well as global discourses. Second, we seek to complicate the interpretation of the demise of socialism as a radical break manifested in a diminished role of the state. We show that if the central state retreats, local state actors may gain in importance for local negotiations of citizenship. Third, we explore how the local state actors sometimes use their new powers over social rights to recreate boundaries of belonging through public performances tied to the administration of these rights. We go on to explore the normative basis for these performances and indicate that membership is still based on a contribution of work to the common good. This can best be conceptualised as a shifting continuity rather than a sharp break after 1989.     

Analysis of neck injuries in hanging

Retrospective study of suicidal hangings was made on 175 cases (133 male victims, 42 female victims) for a 5-year period. The mean age was 47.33 +/- 17.51 years. The sample was divided in 4 groups according to the position of the ligature knot (anterior, right, left, and posterior hanging). The authors analyzed all visible injuries of soft tissues and bones and cartilage of the neck, and in 150 cases (85.7%), we established that there was at least one injury of these structures (hematoma or fracture for example). The most frequent injury was to sternocleidomastoid muscles. Fracture of throat skeleton was detected in 119 cases (68%). The proportion of fractures increases with age of the deceased. There was no clear correlation between frequency of neck injuries and type of hanging.     

Shooting Down a Hijacked Plane—The German Discussion and Beyond

The article examines whether state officials may shoot down a hijacked airplane which carries uninvolved passengers, if it is known that the plane will be used against the lives of other human beings. In its first sections, it explains the German Federal Constitutional Court’s verdict against such a permission, and it scrutinizes the crucial arguments in this ruling (restrictions on the use of military weapons; human dignity arguments). The author then extends the discussion beyond the path taken by the court. She examines the defensive claims of passengers aboard the plane and the protective claims of potential victims who are present at the hijackers’ target zone. In contrast to the German Federal Constitutional Court, she concludes that state officials must take the claims of both groups of potential victims equally serious, and that such conditions allow applying a consequentialist calculus (“save the greater number”) because it is the only way out of a genuine dilemma.     

Microdisarmament and Compliance Costs: An Analysis of Disarmament,Demobilization, and Reintegration Programs

Focusing on disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs, this article considers why some armed groups disarm and demobilize, while others refuse to do so. Previous research focused on intergroup rivalries and identified enforcement as a critical barrier. This study considers the effect of (1) war benefits and (2) intragroup dynamics and argues that distribution problems obstruct conflict resolution. Using a simple game-theoretic model, the article demonstrates that optimal programs (1) consider that combatants' cost of supporting peace varies and (2) require a mix of positive and negative incentives to motivate all ex-combatants to participate and comply with program requirements.     

Firearm suicide committed using an unusual combination of tandem missiles: a bullet, a nail, and a screw

An interesting case of firearm suicide carried out using an unusual type of handmade weapon and a peculiar combination of tandem missiles is presented. A nail and a screw were placed in the rifle barrel ahead of a bullet, and all 3 were simultaneously discharged. The inflicted injury began with 1 common channel, which later split in 2 separate channels, both directed backwards and upwards; one was caused by the screw, ending in the epistropheal body, and the other, caused by the bullet and the nail, penetrated into the cranial cavity, where it bifurcated in 2 branches, one from the bullet, ending in the cerebellar tissue, and the other from the nail, penetrated through the brain stem. The established site of the entrance suicidal wound, the appearance of the weapon, and the unusual missiles are discussed with regard to the available references dealing with different types of nail injuries to the head.     

Bilanzierung von Biogaslieferungen

Zusammenfassung  Am 1.10.2008 ist das neue Gasbilanzierungsmodell in Kraft getreten, das durch die Kooperationsvereinbarung III und den Leitfaden der Verb?nde der Netzbetreiber konkretisiert wurde. Davon nicht umfasst ist die Bilanzierung von Biogaslieferungen, für die die Gasnetzzugangsverordnung (GasNZV) in § 41e GasNZV seit dem 12.4.2008 eine eigene Rechtsgrundlage begründet. Wie die einzelnen Regelungen des § 41e GasNZV zu verstehen sind, ist zwischen den Branchenverb?nden umstritten. Dieser Beitrag legt nach einer kurzen Einführung in die Bedeutung der Gasbilanzierung die rechtliche Grundlage der Biogasbilanzierung anhand des Wortlauts des § 41e GasNZV und der Intention des Verordnungsgebers unter Berücksichtigung ihrer Auswirkungen auf die Praxis aus und zeigt, dass der Wortlaut der Vorschrift gar nicht so unmissverst?ndlich ist, wie es die gegenw?rtige Diskussion vorgibt. Die Umsetzung des § 41e GasNZV in die Praxis nah an seinem Wortlaut dient der F?rderung des vom Verordnungsgeber in § 41a GasNZV vorgegebenen Zwecks der Verst?rkung der Biogaseinspeisung.     

Bilanzierung von Biogaslieferungen

Am 1.10.2008 ist das neue Gasbilanzierungsmodell in Kraft getreten, das durch die Kooperationsvereinbarung III und den Leitfaden der Verb?nde der Netzbetreiber konkretisiert wurde. Davon nicht umfasst ist die Bilanzierung von Biogaslieferungen, für die die Gasnetzzugangsverordnung (GasNZV) in § 41e GasNZV seit dem 12.4.2008 eine eigene Rechtsgrundlage begründet. Wie die einzelnen Regelungen des § 41e GasNZV zu verstehen sind, ist zwischen den Branchenverb?nden umstritten. Dieser Beitrag legt nach einer kurzen Einführung in die Bedeutung der Gasbilanzierung die rechtliche Grundlage der Biogasbilanzierung anhand des Wortlauts des § 41e GasNZV und der Intention des Verordnungsgebers unter Berücksichtigung ihrer Auswirkungen auf die Praxis aus und zeigt, dass der Wortlaut der Vorschrift gar nicht so unmissverst?ndlich ist, wie es die gegenw?rtige Diskussion vorgibt. Die Umsetzung des § 41e GasNZV in die Praxis nah an seinem Wortlaut dient der F?rderung des vom Verordnungsgeber in § 41a GasNZV vorgegebenen Zwecks der Verst?rkung der Biogaseinspeisung.