Their Day in Court: Assessing Guilty Plea Rates Among Terrorists

Individuals who are charged for traditional crimes are substantially more likely to plead guilty than individuals who are charged under the same statutes but who are officially involved in terrorism (Smith & Damphousse, 1998). Relying on a structural–contextual theory framework, a quantitative analysis not only confirmed that terrorists plead guilty more often than traditional offenders but that the defendant’s age and number of counts in the indictment are important predictors. Directions for future research are suggested.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Orally available Mn porphyrins with superoxide dismutase and catalase activities

Superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics, such as salen Mn complexes and certain metalloporphyrins, catalytically neutralize reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many serious diseases. Both classes of mimetic are protective in animal models of oxidative stress. However, only AEOL11207 and EUK-418, two uncharged Mn porphyrins, have been shown to be orally bioavailable. In this study, EUK-418 and several new analogs (the EUK-400 series) were synthesized and shown to exhibit superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase activities in vitro. Some also protected PC12 cells against staurosporine-induced cell death. All EUK-400 compounds were stable in simulated gastric fluid, and most were substantially more lipophilic than the salen Mn complexes EUK-189 and EUK-207, which lack oral activity. Pharmacokinetics studies demonstrate the presence of all EUK-400 series compounds in the plasma of rats after oral administration. These EUK-400 series compounds are potential oral therapeutic agents for cellular damage caused by oxidative stress

Punishing Terrorists: A Re-Examination of U.S. Federal Sentencing in the Postguidelines Era

The empirical literature on the theory and practice of sentencing politically motivated offenders such as terrorists in U.S. federal courts is limited. Thus, we know relatively little about the dealings between terrorist offenders and the criminal justice system or how these interactions may be influenced by changes in American legal or political context. This study summarizes previous findings relative to sentencing disparity among terrorists and nonterrorists in U.S. federal courts prior to the imposition of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. We then identify events occurring after the advent of the guidelines, including the early acts of terrorism on American soil. We evaluate the sentencing of terrorists versus nonterrorists following the confluence imposition of the guidelines and these events. We determine whether and how the sentencing disparity between terrorist and nonterrorist has changed since the implementation of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the terrorist events of the early 1990s. Based on our findings, we put forth suggestions as to the possible ways these conditions may have affected sentencing outcomes.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Trajectory Sensitivities for Sun-Mars Libration Point Missions

Previous research has analyzed proposed missions utilizing spacecraft in Lissajous orbits about each of the co-linear, near-Mars, Sun-Mars libration points to form a communication relay with Earth. This current effort focuses on 2016 Earth-Mars transfers to these mission orbits with their trajectory characteristics and sensitivities. This includes further analysis of using a mid-course correction as well as a braking maneuver at close approach to Marts to control Lissajous orbit insertion and the critical parameter of the phasing of the two-vehicle relay system, with one spacecraft each in orbit about L₁ and L₂. Stationkeeping sensitivities are investigated via a monte carlo technique. Commercial, desktop simulation and analysis tools are used to provide numerical data; and on-going, successful collaboration between military and industry researchers in a virtual environment is demonstrated. The resulting data should provide new information on these trajectory sensitivities to future researchers and mission planners

Sun-Mars Libration Points and Mars Mission Simulations

The equilibrium points of the Sun-Mars system bring some unique characteristics to the discussion of future inner solar system exploration missions, particularly an expedition to Mars itself. Existing research has identified potential utility and data for Sun-Mars libration point missions, particularly for satellites orbiting the L₁ and L₂ points serving as Earth-Mars communication relays. Regarding these Lissajous orbits, we address questions of "Why go there?" "How to get there?" and "How to stay there?" Namely, we address utility and usefulness, transfer and injection, and stationkeeping. The restricted 3-body problem involving a spacecraft in that system is reviewed; and past and present research and proposals involving the use of these orbits are summarized and discussed. Baseline historical stationkeeping concepts (ISEE-3, SOHO, ACE) are reviewed and applied to the Sun-Mars system. We use Satellite Tool Kit (STK)/Astrogator for simulation and analysis of Earth-Mars transfers, Lissajous orbit insertions, and stationkeeping. The resulting data provides confirmation and insight for existing research and proposals, as well as new information on Mars transfer and Lissajous orbit insertion strategies to save ΔV, mission orbit amplitude dependencies on insertion method, and stationkeeping sensitivities. These data should prove useful to mission planners and concept developers for future Mars investigations