Scared Straight and Other Juvenile Awareness Programs for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency: A Systematic Review

Programs like ‘Scared Straight’ involve organized visits to prison facilities by juvenile delinquents or children at risk for becoming delinquent. The programs are designed to deter participants from future offending by providing first-hand observations of prison life and interaction with adult inmates. Results of this review indicate that not only does it fail to deter crime but it actually leads to more offending behavior. Government officials permitting this program need to adopt rigorous evaluation to ensure that they are not causing more harm to the very citizens they pledge to protect

Geochemical assessment of toxic metals stocking in top-soil within the area of limestone quarry in Gombe of North-eastern Nigeria

This work presents an assessment of geochemical toxic metal stocking in top-soil within the area of a limestone quarry in Gombe State. Samples of topsoil from the area of a limestone quarry in Gombe (North-eastern Nigeria) were collected to analyse levels of hazardous substances such as of Hg, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb. A total of 24 topsoil samples were collected around the radius of 0.5 km from the blasting arena. Additionally, six background samples were also collected from an unexploited reserved area that was ~6 km far from the main sampling location. Two rocks of limestone samples from blasting area were also collected and analysed for heavy metals as a reference. All the samples were processed and extracted with nitrate acid solution and analysed using smart spectrophotometer methods. The results suggested varying organic contents in soil, sand, silt, clay and pH. All these parameters are correlated with those of unexploited samples. Limestone rocks samples displayed a high concentration of Fe and Mn improvement. Toxic metals concentrations (mg/kg) in top-soil with background levels were discovered in Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr and Pb. Residual phases exhibited the lowest enrichment for most metals possibly, because of high loamy sand content. The situated enrichment advocates influence from mining activities. The results especially geoaccumulation index assessment exhibit below detected limit to 0.20 mg/kg for Pb which is uncontaminated by Lead when compared with the USA threshold limit of particulate metal concentration. Conversely, the other hazardous metals ranged from 1 to 2, indicating the area is contaminated moderately. The exposure to dust containing high silica in quarry workers leads to deterioration of pulmonary function and hence suggesting a need for protective measures of the quarry workers

Synthetic Control on Structure/Dimensionality and Photophysical Properties of Low Dimensional Organic Lead Bromide Perovskite

Low dimensional lead halide perovskites have attracted huge research interest due to their structural diversity and remarkable photophysical properties. The ability to controllably change dimensionality/structure of perovskites remains highly challenging. Here, we report synthetic control on structure/dimensionality of ethylenediammonium (ED) lead bromide perovskite from a two dimensionally networked (2DN) sheet to a one dimensionally networked (1DN) chain structure. Intercalation of solvent molecules into the perovskite plays a crucial role in directing the final dimensionality/structure. This change in dimensionality reflects strongly in the observed differences in photophysical properties. Upon UV excitation, the 1DN structure emits white light due to easily formed ``self-trapped'' excitons. 2DN perovskites show band edge blue emission (similar to 410 nm). Interestingly, Mn2+ incorporated 2DN perovskites show a highly red-shifted Mn2+ emission peak at similar to 670 nm. Such a long wavelength Mn2+ emission peak is unprecedented in the perovskite family. This report highlights the synthetic ability to control the dimensionality/structure of perovskite and consequently its photophysical properties

A case study assessment of socio-economic sustainability and alternative management regimes for state forest plantations in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Assessing the socio-economic sustainability of small scale forest plantations provides the basis for monitoring compliance with sustainable forest management principles and prescription of appropriate interventions. Considering that state forest plantations in South Africa have been scheduled for transfer to community-based entities, determination of the potential of alternative forest management types is vital. This study therefore assessed the socio-economic sustainability of current forest management strategies in state forest plantations at Gaba and Rossbach in Limpopo Province of South Africa. It also determined the potential of alternative forest management regimes using perceptions of local communities. Summated rating scales principles were applied by using likert scaling to acquire the perceptions of local communities through scoring of indicators and verifiers. While the local community for Rossbach forest plantation was content with all indicators of socio-economic sustainability, the local community for Gaba was discontent with provision of products and the forest plantation‟s contribution to their livelihoods. Both communities perceived joint forest management to be the optimal forest management regime across all indicators while expressing total lack of confidence in managing the forest plantations communally. Optimal socio-economic sustainability in the post-transfers era can be achieved through joint decision-making and formalized sharing of responsibilities and benefits between the communities and government.South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) through the University of Pretoria and the University of Venda.http://link.springer.com/journal/104572017-08-31hb2016Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Proto-genes and de novo gene birth.

Novel protein-coding genes can arise either through re-organization of pre-existing genes or de novo. Processes involving re-organization of pre-existing genes, notably after gene duplication, have been extensively described. In contrast, de novo gene birth remains poorly understood, mainly because translation of sequences devoid of genes, or 'non-genic' sequences, is expected to produce insignificant polypeptides rather than proteins with specific biological functions. Here we formalize an evolutionary model according to which functional genes evolve de novo through transitory proto-genes generated by widespread translational activity in non-genic sequences. Testing this model at the genome scale in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we detect translation of hundreds of short species-specific open reading frames (ORFs) located in non-genic sequences. These translation events seem to provide adaptive potential, as suggested by their differential regulation upon stress and by signatures of retention by natural selection. In line with our model, we establish that S. cerevisiae ORFs can be placed within an evolutionary continuum ranging from non-genic sequences to genes. We identify ~1,900 candidate proto-genes among S. cerevisiae ORFs and find that de novo gene birth from such a reservoir may be more prevalent than sporadic gene duplication. Our work illustrates that evolution exploits seemingly dispensable sequences to generate adaptive functional innovation.Journal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H. ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe