Putis and the Fujimori Trial: The Fight for Social Justice In Peru through Disparate Lenses

Latin American Studie

Is justice blind? An examination of disparities in homicide sentencing in Colombia, 1980-2000

Evidence has repeatedly shown that disparities in crime sentences can be attributed to certain variables considered outside the legal dimensions of the case. The majority of research that investigates factors that contribute to such disparities has primarily focused on crimes of varying severities adjudicated in the U.S. court system. We expand research on this topic by focusing on disparities in homicide sentences using data from over 9000 homicide cases tried in Colombia from 1980 - 2000. We specifically explore whether judges use substantive rationality when deciding the length of the offender´s sentence and if the sentence should be above the legal minimum set for the severity of the crime according to the criminal code under which it is adjudicated. Results reveal that disparities in homicida sentences can be attributed to extra-legal variables such as: the city in which the homicide trial took place, where the body of the victim was retrieved, and whether the defendant was identified by an ID parade. However, we also find evidence that suggests that legal variables such as the defendant´s previous criminal record and the aggravating circumstances of the case engender greater differences in sentence outcomes than non-legal variables previously mentioned. Explanations and policy implications are discussed.Sentence Disparities, Homicide, Colombian Criminal Law

Gut Microbiota, Immunity, and Disease: A Complex Relationship

Our immune system has evolved to recognize and eradicate pathogenic microbes. However, we have a symbiotic relationship with multiple species of bacteria that occupy the gut and comprise the natural commensal flora or microbiota. The microbiota is critically important for the breakdown of nutrients, and also assists in preventing colonization by potentially pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the gut commensal bacteria appear to be critical for the development of an optimally functioning immune system. Various studies have shown that individual species of the microbiota can induce very different types of immune cells (e.g., Th17 cells, Foxp3+ regulatory T cells) and responses, suggesting that the composition of the microbiota can have an important influence on the immune response. Although the microbiota resides in the gut, it appears to have a significant impact on the systemic immune response. Indeed, specific gut commensal bacteria have been shown to affect disease development in organs other than the gut, and depending on the species, have been found to have a wide range of effects on diseases from induction and exacerbation to inhibition and protection. In this review, we will focus on the role that the gut microbiota plays in the development and progression of inflammatory/autoimmune disease, and we will also touch upon its role in allergy and cancer

Problem ładu publicznego w esejach politycznych Dawida Hume’a

The article is an attempt to carry out an analysis of Essays, Moral, Political and Literary by David Hume in order to find determinants of public order and elements of social and political life that destroy it causing rebellion and civil war. Along with Hume’s History of England, Essays were the works avidly read by his contemporaries as they presented a vivid analysis of the state, social and political life, and finally, advice on the methods of improving the government. On the basis of selected political essays, the article singles out main factors that, according to Hume, help to maintain public order. Most important is the rule of law securing peace and social justice without being dependent on the humours and tempers of men. The proper form of government such as unique British parliamentary monarchy which ensures the balance between power or republic with checks and balance provided by constitution leads to public order by satisfying various groups in exercising their interests. Executing principles of social justice, private property, and civil liberty helps to prevent any political disturbance. Hume also strongly believed that the source of all disorder are uncontrolled influence of Church reinforced by superstition, factions that subvert government, religious fanaticism, and rapid changes.Artykuł jest próbą przeprowadzenia analizy Esejów z dziedziny moralności, polityki i literatury Dawida Hume`a w celu odnalezienia czynników prowadzących do zachowania ładu publicznego oraz elementów życia społecznego i politycznego, które ład ten niszczą, prowadząc do wybuchu zamieszek, a nawet wojny domowej. Obok Historii Anglii , Eseje Hume’a były w osiemnastowiecznej Anglii lekturą niezwykle popularną, jako że przedstawiały żywą analizę ówczesnego państwa, życia społecznego i politycznego, a także dostarczały porad dotyczących metod, których zastosowanie miałoby się przyczynić do udoskonalania ustrojów politycznych. Na podstawie wybranych esejów z dziedziny polityki w artykule omawiane są główne czynniki, które według Hume’a pomagają utrzymać ład publiczny. Z powyższych na pierwszy plan wysuwają się rządy prawa, gwarantujące pokój i sprawiedliwość społeczną, nie będąc przy tym zależnymi od humorów i usposobienia ludzi. Odpowiednia forma rządów, której przykładem może być unikalna brytyjska monarchia parlamentarna, zapewniająca zachowanie równowagi sił lub republika z systemem mechanizmów kontrolnych władzy gwarantowanych przez konstytucję, przyczynia się do ustanowienia ładu publicznego, m.in.: poprzez zaspokajanie istotnych interesów różnych grup społecznych. Natomiast wprowadzenie w życie zasad sprawiedliwości społecznej, poszanowania własności prywatnej i wolności obywatelskich pomaga zapobiec wszelkim zamieszkom politycznym. Według Hume’a powodem niepokojów społecznych są: niekontrolowany wpływ Kościoła na życie publiczne utrwalany przesądem, istnienie frakcji partyjnych, które osłabiają rząd, fanatyzm religijny i wprowadzanie gwałtownych zmian

Conversion of CD4+ CD25− cells into CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in vivo requires B7 costimulation, but not the thymus

The CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells play a critical role in controlling autoimmunity, but little is known about their development and maintenance. In this study, we investigated whether CD4+ CD25− cells can convert to CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in vivo under natural conditions. CD4+ CD25− cells from CD45.1+ mice were sorted and transferred into congenic CD45.2+ mice. Converted CD4+ CD25+ cells could be detected in lymphoid organs as early as 1 wk after transfer and by 6 wk after transfer, 5–12% of transferred CD4+ cells expressed CD25. Converted CD4+ CD25+ cells themselves failed to proliferate after stimulation, but could suppress proliferation of responder cells in vitro, and also expressed high levels of Foxp3 mRNA. In addition, CD4+ CD25− cells transferred into thymectomized congenic mice converted to CD4+ CD25+ cells that also suppressed responder cell proliferation in vitro, and expressed high levels of Foxp3 mRNA. Finally, CD4+ CD25− cells transferred into B7−/− mice failed to convert into CD4+ CD25+ cells that exhibit the regulatory phenotype. These data indicate that CD4+ CD25− cells convert into CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells spontaneously in vivo and suggest that this conversion process could contribute significantly to the maintenance of the peripheral CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cell population

Increasing TRUPACT-II wattage limits: two technical approaches

More than one-third of the drums in DOE`s TRU waste inventory cannot be presently shipped to WIPP in the TRUPACT-11 because they exceed the allowed limit of heat generation by virtue of radioactive decay. This limit was imposed to ensure that the amount of hydrogen generated by radiolysis does not achieve the lower explosive limit of hydrogen in air (5 percent v/v). Los Alamos is working to justify increasing these wattage limits: (1) by demonstrating that the phenomenon of matrix depletion greatly reduces the potential for hydrogen generation and (2) by investigating the use hydrogen getters to actively remove hydrogen from the headspace of the waste drums and/or the TRUPACT-11

Developing young people's sense of self and place through sport

Previous research has recognized positive health implications, both physical and mental, as an outcome of participation in leisure pursuits. They provide opportunities for self-expression and stress reduction, as well as an environment in which people can socialize. Leisure activities, specifically sport activities, can play a significant role in young people's identity development. This paper explores the leisure activities in which young people in Adelaide, Australia participate. It examines the role of leisure activities in terms of young people's identity and feelings towards their hometown. This study consisted of semi-structured focus groups conducted with 24 senior high school students, followed by a survey resulting in 226 useable responses. Respondents were aged between 16 and 18 years of age. From the range of activities identified and explored, the results revealed sports activities to have the greatest impact on young people's lives. The results demonstrated that frequency of participation has a significant effect on young people's involvement levels and how they identify with the activity

Los Alamos National Laboratory accelerated tru waste workoff strategies

During 1996, the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) developed two transuranic (TRU) waste workoff strategies that were estimated to save $270 - 340M through accelerated waste workoff and the elimination of a facility. The planning effort included a strategy to assure that LANL would have a significant quantity (3000+ drums) of TRU waste certified for shipment to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) beginning in April of 1998, when WIPP was projected to open. One of the accelerated strategies can be completed in less than ten years through a Total Optimization of Parameters Scenario ({open_quotes}TOPS{close_quotes}). {open_quotes}TOPS{close_quotes} fully utilizes existing LANL facilities and capabilities. For this scenario, funding was estimated to be unconstrained at$23M annually to certify and ship the legacy inventory of TRU waste at LANL. With {open_quotes}TOPS{close_quotes} the inventory is worked off in about 8.5 years while shipping 5,000 drums per year at a total cost of $196M. This workoff includes retrieval from earthen cover and interim storage costs. The other scenario envisioned funding at the current level with some increase for TRUPACT II loading costs, which total$16M annually. At this funding level, LANL estimates it will require about 17 years to work off the LANL TRU legacy waste while shipping 2,500 drums per year to WIPP. The total cost will be $277M. This latter scenario decreases the time for workoff by about 19 years from previous estimates and saves an estimated$190M. In addition, the planning showed that a $70M facility for TRU waste characterization was not needed. After the first draft of the LANL strategies was written, Congress amended the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act (LWA) to accelerate the opening of WIPP to November 1997. Further, the No Migration Variance requirement for the WIPP was removed. This paper discusses the LANL strategies as they were originally developed. 1 ref., 3 figs., 2 tabs