Dormancy in reproductive vegetative buds in creeping perennials dominating the agricultural weed flora in Scandinavia

Dormancy, which is the inability to initiate normal growth under otherwise favourable conditions, is an adaptation to escape sprouting prior to seasonal cold temperatures and/or drought in areas where winters are harsh or summers dry. Dormancy in woody perennials of northern temperate areas is, in general, induced by photoperiodic and/or temperature changes, and released after prolonged exposure to chilling. Besides being species specific, northern ecotypes are usually more sensitive to inductive signals than are southern ecotypes (in cold temperate areas). Dormancy in perennial weeds has been little studied, but might influence the effect of weed control measures. These often involve repeated fragmentation of the roots or rhizomes to stimulate re-sprouting, thus reducing the storage of nutrient reserves. Such measures would be a waste of energy and time if conducted during a period of dormancy. Furthermore, herbicide applications might be less efficient, since there is no or little transport to reproductive organs. In this thesis, the autumnal growth pattern of five perennial weeds, which all propagate vegetatively from underground adventitious or axillary buds, has been studied. In an outdoor pot experiment, emergence from defoliated plants with undisturbed underground systems was followed at two weeks intervals from late July to late January/April, for 2 years. During the second year, sprouting capacity from root and rhizome fragments was also tested. Emergence was impaired in Cirsium arvense, Equisetum arvense, Sonchus arvensis and Tussilago farfara during a period in September-October. This seasonality was, however, not preserved in C. arvense root buds after fragmentation of the root system. Fragmented rhizomes of Elytrigia repens, originating from southern Sweden, sprouted less readily in September-October. The shoot-to-rhizome ratio of this species was lowest during the same period. A climate chamber experiment suggested a photoperiodic control of sprouting from fragments of S. arvensis, with least sprouting in short photoperiods (12 h of light) combined with high temperature. None of the 12 combinations of photoperiods and temperatures used induced dormancy in C. arvense. In neither of the experiments could timing of dormancy onset be attributed to the latitudinal origin of the plants

Is all Fair in Love and War Crimes Trials? Regulation 55 and the Katanga Case

The use of Regulation 55 and the recent Katanga judgment at the International Criminal Court have attracted criticism – not just from outside commentators but most notably from within the Chamber through the dissenting opinion of Judge Van den Wyngaert. This commentary reflects on the re-characterisation of charges in the Katanga case and the resultant judgment, in particular with reference to fair trial requirements. It argues that fundamental discrepancies between the judges’ interpretation of their fact-finding and truth-seeking remit exist and suggests that there is a need for coherent jurisprudence and clarification on the way the International Criminal Court tackles such essential disagreements

Forensic science expertise for international criminal proceedings: an old problem, a new context and a pragmatic resolution

Expert witness testimony provides an important source of information for international criminal proceedings, and forensic science expertise from mass graves is no exception: findings from exhumations and examinations have featured in the ad hoc tribunals’ trials and judgments. Whilst the issues surrounding the law-science relationship have been explored within the realm of national legal systems, the mixed system adopted by these tribunals presents an established discussion with a new context. Using forensic archaeology as an example, this article explores some theoretical underpinnings and practical realities surrounding the use of forensic science during international criminal investigations into mass graves before looking at how Trial Chambers aim to establish the relevance and credibility of forensic science evidence. As little guidance regarding admissibility of expert evidence is provided, it is through the case-specific legal process of cross-examination and presentation of counter-expertise that methodological issues are resolved. This, together with reliance on normative principles, is the pragmatic approach adopted to discern reliability of expert opinion

Forensic Science for Cambodian Justice

Cambodia is universally associated with its killing fields – a horrific inheritance from the Khmer Rouge era. Whilst mass grave evidence from that era is referred to in history and social science publications on Cambodia, it has not featured in a legal context to date. The establishment of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) creates an opportunity for a review of this evidence 30 years after the events. Those alleged to be accountable for Cambodia’s killing fields are finally being brought to justice. The question is whether this will occur with or without forensic science evidence from the mass graves. This article explores the reasons for using forensic science in the Cambodian context and outlines its potential for legal proceedings. Drawing on relevant literature in the forensic and legal areas, the article provides a brief outline of the legal context created by the ECCC and examines various projects that have recorded evidence relating to the mass graves. Employing an analysis of semistructured, in-depth interviews with forensic and legal experts as well as representatives from the ECCC and the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam), the article explores the value of forensic science for the ECCC, including its impact on humanitarian issues in Cambodia

Proving Genocide? Forensic Expertise and the ICTY

This article works towards developing a theoretical framework outlining the premises and parameters under which forensic experts operate during various stages of international criminal investigations and the presentation of expert witness testimony in court.With reference to law and science literature, the article explores the reasons for undertaking resource-intensive forensic investigations; secondly it outlines the ways in which evidence is gathered and interpreted, the process of constructing ‘forensic truth’; and finally it examines what happens to ‘forensic truth’ once it enters the legal arena. The International Criminal Tribunal for the formerYugoslavia and its activities are used to illustrate the issues involved during the ‘forensic expertise meets international law’ interface. Specifically the forensic exhumations conducted around the Srebrenica events of July 1995 and their use in the Krstic¤ trial serve to contextualize the debate

The First Sale Doctrine and Digital Phonorecords

This iBrief follows various phonorecord formats to illustrate the specifics of the First Sale doctrine as it applies to digital phonorecords. The author argues that the disposal of a digital phonorecord by means of distribution infringes an author\u27s exclusive right to reproduce the underlying musical work and this distribution is not subject to First Sale protection

A victim’s right to truth and the International Criminal Court (ICC) Summary Project Report

This project seeks to identify and explore the practical and jurisprudential difficulties that may follow from attempting to integrate the ‘right to truth’ into the procedures of the ICC. Its main research question is: what are the central problems, practical and theoretical, of giving effect to victims’ rights to truth in the context of the juristic-forensic approach to transitional justice; specifically - the investigation, trial and remedial procedures of the International Criminal Court

Sodium chloride transport of normal and dietary enlarged rat cecum in vitro

Sodium chloride transport across isolated cecum mucosa was investigated in normal rats and rats with adaptive cecum growth induced by dietary polyethylene glycol (PEG). The normal cecum absorbed CI in excess of Na with a small short-circuit current (Isc). Dietary adaptation led to large equivalent increments of Na and Cl net absorption without adequate Ise change. Inhibitor studies (mucosal amiloride 10(-3) and 10(-4) M; mucosal 4,4-diisolhiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid 5 x 10(-5) M;serosal furosemide 10(-3) M;serosal ouabain 10(-3) M) suggested that normal cecal NaCl absorption involves electroneutral Na/N and Cl/HCO3 exchange at the apical and Na-K-ATPase-mediated exit across the basolateral cell membrane. Dietary adaptation stimulates the loosely coupled antiports and possibly activates a small serosally located NaCl cotransport. Comparative histology showed flattening of all tissue layers and widening of crypts in PEG animals. Crypt widening may facilitate ion access to underutilized transport sites and, at least in part, explain the increased absorption of the enlarged cecum

Reporting guidelines, review of methodological standards, and challenges toward harmonization in bone marrow adiposity research. Report of the Methodologies Working Group of the International Bone Marrow Adiposity Society

The interest in bone marrow adiposity (BMA) has increased over the last decade due to its association with, and potential role, in a range of diseases (osteoporosis, diabetes, anorexia, cancer) as well as treatments (corticosteroid, radiation, chemotherapy, thiazolidinediones). However, to advance the field of BMA research, standardization of methods is desirable to increase comparability of study outcomes and foster collaboration. Therefore, at the 2017 annual BMA meeting, the International Bone Marrow Adiposity Society (BMAS) founded a working group to evaluate methodologies in BMA research. All BMAS members could volunteer to participate. The working group members, who are all active preclinical or clinical BMA researchers, searched the literature for articles investigating BMA and discussed the results during personal and telephone conferences. According to the consensus opinion, both based on the review of the literature and on expert opinion, we describe existing methodologies and discuss the challenges and future directions for (1) histomorphometry of bone marrow adipocytes, (2