Subjective Proximity to Crime or Social Representations? Explaining Sentencing Attitudes in Switzerland

Lay sentencing attitudes are considered in the light of two theoretical perspectives. The first perspective views sentencing attitudes as parts of broader sets of social representations anchored in one's position in the social structure. The second perspective explains sentencing attitudes by their subjective experiences of crime. This paper tests both theories by performing a series of multiple regressions on two dimensions of sentencing: punishment goals and severity of punishment. Empirical data comes from a quantitative survey conducted in Switzerland. Findings reveal that indicators of subjective proximity to crime largely account for sentencing attitudes. Nevertheless, social representations of crime measured by causes of crime also have a significant impact on sentencing attitudes. Implications of these findings for sentencing in Western democracies are discusse

Kilometer-scale digital elevation models of the sea ice surface with airborne laser scanning during MOSAiC

An integrated sensor platform including an inertial navigation system (INS) and a commercial airborne laser scanner (ALS) among other sensor was mounted in the cargo compartment in one of the Polarstern helicopters during MOSAiC. ALS data was acquired from more than 60 flights between October 2019 and September 2020 with a range of survey types intended to map changes of the sea ice surface during the full annual cycle at high spatial resolution and coverage. Here, we provide an overview of the collected data, the challenge of achieving centimeter elevation accuracy with a helicopter platform at high polar latitudes as well as the content and specifications of ALS data products. The high spatial resolution and repeated coverage of the larger area around Polarstern allow studying various surface features (e.g. pressure ridges, floes, melt ponds, snow drifts, etc.), their seasonal evolution, and their impact on atmosphere and ocean. Finally, we outline methods for planned applications, such as identifying individual floes and surface types using both measured freeboard and surface reflectance. Collocated helicopter-based optical and infrared imagery allow analyzing sea ice properties in further applications and to upscale comparable in-situ observations

Multi-sensor airborne observations of freeboard, snow depth, and sea-ice thickness in the Arctic

Sea-ice thickness is a key factor and indicator in understanding the impact of the global climate change. Deriving basin-wide sea-ice thickness estimates from satellite laser and radar altimetry relies on freeboard measurements. The freeboard-to-thickness conversion in turn requires information of snow mass and the density of the sea-ice layer that have unknown spatio-temporal variabilities and trends directly translating into the uncertainty of decadal sea-ice thickness data records. In addition, inter-mission biases arise from, e.g., different sensor types and frequencies as well as varying footprint sizes affected by surface roughness across regions and seasons. Therefore, carrying out validation and inter-calibration studies is crucial for reliable and continuous observation of the Earth’s cryosphere. To achieve this, it is beneficial to have simultaneous measurements of freeboard, snow depth, and sea-ice thickness, which provide reference data for both direct satellite observations and geophysical target parameters. Here, we present Alfred Wegener Institute’s (AWI) IceBird program, which is a series of fixed-wing aircraft campaigns to measure Arctic sea ice and to monitor its change. During two late-winter campaigns in the western Arctic Ocean in 2017 and 2019, we have carried out surveys with the unique scientific instrument configuration including an airborne laser scanner (ALS) for surface topography and freeboard measurements, a tethered electromagnetic induction sounding instrument (EM-Bird) for total (snow+ice) thickness measurements, and an ultrawideband frequency-modulated continuous-wave microwave radar to measure snow thickness. Therefore, we are able to observe all three bounding interfaces in the sea-ice–snow system in high resolution along survey tracks on regional scales. During the ship-based drift expedition Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) between October 2019 and September 2020, helicopter surveys were carried out in high spatio-temporal resolution throughout the year, including the polar night, to measure freeboard and roughness with the ALS both in local grid pattern and in larger scale. Coincident EM-Bird ice thickness data and information from snow measurements on the ground will help linking these parameters and monitor them and their effect on satellite retrievals for a full seasonal cycle. The individual parameters are important for describing and monitoring the state of the Arctic sea ice and validating retrievals from satellite data, but combined they offer further possibilities to characterise sea ice. By assuming isostatic equilibrium, we are able to estimate up-to-date bulk density values for different sea-ice types from the IceBird data and to derive a parametrisation of sea-ice bulk density based on sea-ice freeboard. These data allow us to explore spatio-temporal variations in sea-ice parameters observable from space and to evaluate the validity of the freeboard-to-thickness conversion in satellite altimetry through comparison against dedicated satellite overpasses and orbit collections

Detecting the Companions and Ellipsoidal Variations of RS CVn Primaries: I. sigma Geminorum

To measure the properties of both components of the RS CVn binary sigma Geminorum (sigma Gem), we directly detect the faint companion, measure the orbit, obtain model-independent masses and evolutionary histories, detect ellipsoidal variations of the primary caused by the gravity of the companion, and measure gravity darkening. We detect the companion with interferometric observations obtained with the Michigan InfraRed Combiner (MIRC) at Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array with a primary-to-secondary H-band flux ratio of 270+/-70. A radial velocity curve of the companion was obtained with spectra from the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph (TRES) on the 1.5-m Tillinghast Reflector at Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO). We additionally use new observations from the Tennessee State University Automated Spectroscopic and Photometric Telescopes (AST and APT, respectively). From our orbit, we determine model-independent masses of the components (M_1 = 1.28 +/- 0.07 M_Sun, M_2 = 0.73 +/- 0.03 M_Sun), and estimate a system age of 5 -/+ 1 Gyr. An average of the 27-year APT light curve of sigma Gem folded over the orbital period (P = 19.6027 +/- 0.0005 days) reveals a quasi-sinusoidal signature, which has previously been attributed to active longitudes 180 deg apart on the surface of sigma Gem. With the component masses, diameters, and orbit, we find that the predicted light curve for ellipsoidal variations due to the primary star partially filling its Roche lobe potential matches well with the observed average light curve, offering a compelling alternative explanation to the active longitudes hypothesis. Measuring gravity darkening from the light curve gives beta < 0.1, a value slightly lower than that expected from recent theory.Comment: Accepted to ApJ, 11 pages, 6 figures, 8 table

Treatment of Anti-HLA Donor-Specific Antibodies Results in Increased Infectious Complications and Impairs Survival after Liver Transplantation

Donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSA) are controversially discussed in the context of liver transplantation (LT). We investigated the relationship between the presence of DSA and the outcome after LT. All the LTs performed at our center between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2015 were examined. Recipients < 18 years, living donor-, combined, high-urgency-, and re-transplantations were excluded. Out of 510 LTs, 113 DSA-positive cases were propensity score-matched with DSA-negative cases based on the components of the Balance of Risk score. One-, three-, and five-year survival after LT were 74.3% in DSA-positive vs. 84.8% (p = 0.053) in DSA-negative recipients, 71.8% vs. 71.5% (p = 0.821), and 69.3% vs. 64.9% (p = 0.818), respectively. Rejection therapy was more often applied to DSA-positive recipients (n = 77 (68.1%) vs. 37 (32.7%) in the control group, p < 0.001). At one year after LT, 9.7% of DSA-positive patients died due to sepsis compared to 1.8% in the DSA-negative group (p = 0.046). The remaining causes of death were comparable in both groups (cardiovascular 6.2% vs. 8.0%; p = 0.692; hepatic 3.5% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.788; malignancy 3.5% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.788). DSA seem to have an indirect effect on the outcome of adult LTs, impacting decision-making in post-transplant immunosuppression and rejection therapies and ultimately increasing mortality due to infectious complications

Measuring the capability to raise revenue process and output dimensions and their application to the Zambia revenue authority

The worldwide diffusion of the good governance agenda and new public management has triggered a renewed focus on state capability and, more specifically, on the capability to raise revenue in developing countries. However, the analytical tools for a comprehensive understanding of the capability to raise revenue remain underdeveloped. This article aims at filling this gap and presents a model consisting of the three process dimensions ‘information collection and processing’, ‘merit orientation’ and ‘administrative accountability’. ‘Revenue performance’ constitutes the fourth capability dimension which assesses tax administration’s output. This model is applied to the case of the Zambia Revenue Authority. The dimensions prove to be valuable not only for assessing the how much but also the how of collecting taxes. They can be a useful tool for future comparative analyses of tax administrations’ capabilities in developing countries.Die weltweite Verbreitung der Good-Governance- und New-Public-Management-Konzepte hat zu einer zunehmenden Konzentration auf staatliche Leistungsfähigkeit und, im Besonderen, auf die Leistungsfähigkeit der Steuererhebung in Entwicklungsländern geführt. Allerdings bleiben die analytischen Werkzeuge für ein umfassendes Verständnis von Leistungsfähigkeit unterentwickelt. Dieser Artikel stellt hierfür ein Modell vor, das die drei Prozess-Dimensionen „Sammeln und Verarbeiten von Informationen“, „Leistungsorientierung der Mitarbeiter“ und „Verantwortlichkeit der Verwaltung“ beinhaltet. „Einnahmeperformanz“ ist die vierte Dimension und erfasst den Output der Steuerverwaltung. Das mehrdimensionale Modell wird für die Analyse der Leistungsfähigkeit der Steuerbehörde Zambias (Zambia Revenue Authority) genutzt. Es erweist sich nicht nur für die Untersuchung des Wieviel, sondern auch des Wie des Erhebens von Steuern als wertvoll. Die vier Dimensionen können in Zukunft zur umfassenden und vergleichenden Analyse der Leistungsfähigkeit verschiedener Steuerverwaltungen in Entwicklungsländern genutzt werden

Early detection of duodenal cancer by upper gastrointestinal-endoscopy in Lynch syndrome

Small bowel cancer (SBC) is the malignancy with the highest standardized incidence ratio in Lynch syndrome (LS) patients. Of all SBCs, about 50% are duodenal cancers (DCs), therefore being accessible by esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) for surveillance. We asked whether early detection of DC is possible for LS patients undergoing surveillance by EGD and if surveillance should be limited to specific subgroups. Data for LS patients with DC were retrieved from the registry of the German Consortium for Familial Intestinal Cancer. Patients undergoing active surveillance by EGDs (surveillance group) were compared to those who did not (nonsurveillance group) regarding tumor stage at diagnosis. Union for International Cancer Control stages I-IIA were defined as early stage disease and IIB-IV as advanced stage disease. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. Among 2015 patients with pathogenic variants in any mismatch-repair-gene, 47 patients with 49 DCs were identified. In 10% of cases, patients were under 35 years at diagnosis; family and personal tumor history did not correlate with DC diagnosis. Pathogenic germline variants in MSH6, PMS2 or EPCAM were present in 10% of patients. Statistical analysis could be performed on 13 DC patients in the surveillance group and 14 in the nonsurveillance group. Early detection was possible for 71% of patients in the surveillance group and 29% of patients in the nonsurveillance group (P = .021). Early detection of DC by EGD in LS patients is feasible regardless of family history, mutational status and should start no later than 25 years of age

The One Ocean Expedition: Science and Sailing for the Ocean We Want

The One Ocean Expedition (OOE) was a 20-month long circumnavigation of the globe by the Norwegian sail training vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl, and a recognised part of the UN decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The ship was equipped with modern instrumentation to collect high-quality data on ocean physics, chemistry, and biology. Many of the data series were available in near real time from an open repository. The scientific programme was executed along the sailing route of Statsraad Lehmkuhl, with occasional stops for stationary work. The aim of the data collection on board the vessel was to improve knowledge about the state of the world's ocean with regards to the distribution and diversity of organisms, environmental status, climate, and human pressures on the marine ecosystem. Another aim of the expedition was to educate ocean scientists and strengthen ocean literacy. The main types of instrumentation are sensors that measure continuously underway including echosounder, hydrophone, temperature and salinity probes, and various instruments that collect and analyse water sampled from an inlet in the ship's hull, including for environmental DNA and microplastic. Here, we describe the scientific instrumentation onboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl and present preliminary results from the Atlantic part of the expedition. While there are many challenges to using a sail ship for scientific purposes, there are also some key benefits as the vessel is quiet and has a low footprint. Furthermore, the use of a common set of instruments and procedures across the ocean also removes an uncertainty factor when comparing data between ocean areas.The One Ocean Expedition: Science and Sailing for the Ocean We WantpublishedVersio