'It's like a Sentence before the Sentence' - Exploring the Pains and Possibilities of Waiting for Imprisonment

AbstractThis article explores the implications of the ‘imprisonment queue’ in Norway. Based on interview data (N = 200), we show that while interviewees waiting to serve their sentences enjoy certain benefits such as being able to prepare for or negotiate the terms of their imprisonment, they also suffer from uncertainty and powerlessness. The suspension of their lives while they wait hinders them in pursuing their ground projects, things that really matter to them. This peculiar phenomenon has not received attention from prison scholars generally, as well as scholars writing on Nordic Exceptionalism specifically. This article addresses that gap and poses questions about the relative mildness of the short Norwegian sentences, and more broadly, about what constitutes punishment.</jats:p

Improved silencing properties using small internally segmented interfering RNAs

RNA interference is mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that upon incorporation into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) can target complementary mRNA for degradation. Standard siRNA design usually feature a 19–27 base pair contiguous double-stranded region that is believed to be important for RISC incorporation. Here, we describe a novel siRNA design composed of an intact antisense strand complemented with two shorter 10–12 nt sense strands. This three-stranded construct, termed small internally segmented interfering RNA (sisiRNA), is highly functional demonstrating that an intact sense strand is not a prerequisite for RNA interference. Moreover, when using the sisiRNA design only the antisense strand is functional in activated RISC thereby completely eliminating unintended mRNA targeting by the sense strand. Interestingly, the sisiRNA design supports the function of chemically modified antisense strands, which are non-functional within the context of standard siRNA designs. This suggests that the sisiRNA design has a clear potential of improving the pharmacokinetic properties of siRNA in vivo

Systematic trends in beta-delayed particle emitting nuclei: The case of beta-p-alpha emission from 21Mg

We have observed beta+-delayed alpha and p-alpha emission from the proton-rich nucleus 21Mg produced at the ISOLDE facility at CERN. The assignments were cross-checked with a time distribution analysis. This is the third identified case of beta-p-alpha emission. We discuss the systematic of beta-delayed particle emission decays, show that our observed decays fit naturally into the existing pattern, and argue that the patterns are to a large extent caused by odd-even effects.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Model-Checking Real-Time Control Programs. Verifying LEGO Mindstorms Systems Using UPPAAL

In this paper, we present a method for automatic verificationof real-time control programs running on LEGO RCX bricks using the verification tool UPPAAL. The controlprograms, consisting of a number of tasks running concurrently,are automatically translated into the timed automatamodel of UPPAAL. The fixed scheduling algorithmused by the LEGO RCX processor is modeled in UPPAAL,and supply of similar (sufficient) timed automatamodels for the environment allows analysis of the overallreal-time system using the tools of UPPAAL. To illustrateour techniques we have constructed, modeled and verifieda machine for sorting LEGO bricks by color

Galaxy Counterparts of metal-rich Damped Lyman-alpha Absorbers - I: The case of the z=2.35 DLA towards Q2222-0946

We have initiated a survey using the newly commissioned X-shooter spectrograph to target candidate relatively metal-rich damped Lyman-alpha absorbers (DLAs). The spectral coverage of X-shooter allows us to search for not only Lyman-alpha emission, but also rest-frame optical emission lines. We have chosen DLAs where the strongest rest-frame optical lines ([OII], [OIII], Hbeta and Halpha) fall in the NIR atmospheric transmission bands. In this first paper resulting from the survey, we report on the discovery of the galaxy counterpart of the z_abs = 2.354 DLA towards the z=2.926 quasar Q2222$-0946. This DLA is amongst the most metal-rich z>2 DLAs studied so far at comparable redshifts and there is evidence for substantial depletion of refractory elements onto dust grains. We measure metallicities from ZnII, SiII, NiII, MnII and FeII of -0.46+/-0.07, -0.51+/-0.06, -0.85+/-0.06, -1.23+/-0.06, and -0.99+/-0.06, respectively. The galaxy is detected in the Lyman-alpha, [OIII] lambda4959,5007 Halpha emission lines at an impact parameter of about 0.8 arcsec (6 kpc at z_abs = 2.354). We infer a star-formation rate of 10 M_sun yr^-1, which is a lower limit due to the possibility of slit-loss. Compared to the recently determined Halpha luminosity function for z=2.2 galaxies the DLA-galaxy counterpart has a luminosity of L~0.1L^*_Halpha. The emission-line ratios are 4.0 (Lyalpha/Halpha) and 1.2 ([OIII]/Halpha). The Lyalpha line shows clear evidence for resonant scattering effects, namely an asymmetric, redshifted (relative to the systemic redshift) component and a much weaker blueshifted component. The fact that the blueshifted component is relatively weak indicates the presence of a galactic wind. The properties of the galaxy counterpart of this DLA is consistent with the prediction that metal-rich DLAs are associated with the most luminous of the DLA-galaxy counterparts.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in Native and European populations in Greenland

AbstractCa homoeostasis is important to human health and tightly controlled by powerful hormonal mechanisms that display ethnic variation. Ethnic variations could occur also in Arctic populations where the traditional Inuit diet is low in Ca and sun exposure is limited. We aimed to assess factors important to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Ca in serum in Arctic populations. We included Inuit and Caucasians aged 50–69 years living in the capital city in West or in rural East Greenland. Lifestyle factors were assessed by questionnaires. The intake of Inuit diet was assessed from a FFQ. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD2and 25OHD3) levels were measured in serum as was albumin, Ca and PTH. The participation rate was 95 %, with 101 Caucasians and 434 Inuit. Median serum 25OHD (99·7 % was 25OHD3) in Caucasians/Inuit was 42/64 nmol/l (25, 75 percentiles 25, 54/51, 81) (P&lt;0·001). Total Ca in serum was 2·33/2·29 mmol/l (25, 75 percentiles 2·26, 2·38/2·21, 2·36) (P=0·01) and PTH was 2·7/2·2 pmol/l (25, 75 percentiles 2·2, 4·1/1·7, 2·7) (P&lt;0·001). The 69/97 Caucasians/Inuit with serum 25OHD &lt;50 nmol/l differed in PTH (P=0·001) that rose with lower 25OHD levels in Caucasians, whereas this was not the case in Inuit. Ethnic origin influenced PTH (β=0·27,P&lt;0·001) and Ca (β=0·22,P&lt;0·001) in multivariate linear regression models after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol and diet. In conclusion, ethnic origin influenced PTH, PTH response to low vitamin D levels and Ca levels in populations in Greenland. Recommendations are to evaluate mechanisms underlying the ethnic influence on Ca homoeostasis and to assess the impact of transition in dietary habits on Ca homoeostasis and skeletal health in Arctic populations.</jats:p

The effect of dietary nitrate supplementation on physiology and performance in trained cyclists

Purpose: To determine the effect of dietary nitrate (NO₃⁻) supplementation on physiology and performance in well-trained cyclists following six to eight-days of NO₃⁻ supplementation. Methods: Eight competitive male cyclists (mean ± SD; age = 26 ± 8 y; body mass = 76.7 ± 6.9 kg; VO2peak = 63 ± 4 ml.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study in which participants ingested 70 ml beetroot juice containing ~4 mmol NO₃⁻ (NIT) or a NO₃⁻ depleted placebo (PLA) , each for 8-days. Replicating pre-treatment measures, participants undertook an incremental ramp assessment to determine VO₂peak, first (VT₁), and second (VT₂) ventilatory thresholds on day 6 (NIT6 and PLA6), moderate-intensity cycling economy on day 7 (NIT7 and PLA7), and a 4-km time-trial on day 8 (NIT8 and PLA8). Results: Relative to PLA, 6 days of NIT supplementation produced unclear effects for VO2peak (mean ±95%CL: 1.8 ±5.5%) and VT1 (3.7 ±12.3%) and trivial effects for both VT2 (-1.0 ±3.0%) and exercise economy on day 7 (-1.0 ±1.6%). However, effects for time-trial performance time (0.7 ±0.9%), and power (2.4 ±2.5%), on day 8 were likely beneficial. Conclusions: Despite mostly unclear outcomes for standard physiological determinants of performance, 8-days of NO₃⁻ supplementation resulted in likely beneficial improvements to 4-km time-trial performance in well trained male endurance cyclists