Hate crimes hurt some more than others:implications for the just sentencing of offenders

An accumulation of research evidence indicates that hate crimes as a category of offence are more serious than similar but otherwise motivated crimes in respect of the greater post-victimization distress reported by victims. Such evidence has been used by advocates of hate crime laws to justify the imposition of greater penalties in the sentencing of convicted hate crime offenders. However, in focusing on the commonalities of the greater level of post-victimization impacts experienced by hate crime victims as a group, the research evidence to date has obscured the diversity of reactions between victims. Consequently, this article expands the evidence in new directions by illuminating the variation in reported victim impacts. The analysis presented uses data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on reported racially motivated crime and reveals that not all victims report being emotionally affected by hate crime, not all victims are affected the same way, and some victims of racially motivated crime report less of an emotional impact than some victims of equivalent but otherwise motivated crimes. The research findings are used to reason that in any individual case of hate crime the motivating sentiments of the offender provide an unreliable indicator of the harms inflicted upon the victim. Therefore a blanket uplift in penalty in every case of hate crime which rests upon the offender’s mental state— their prejudice, bigotry, bias, or ‘hate’ — cannot be justified if the justification for sentence uplift is to give offenders their just deserts for the harms they inflict. Instead, the justification must rest upon the culpability of the offender for the harms they may or may not actually inflict. Just as there is variation in victim impacts, there will be variation in offender culpability: discretion and flexibility in the mode of enhanced sentencing is therefore necessary to ensure justice for offenders as well as victims

Crime and religion in Lancashire

This report presents the research findings from a project carried out between autumn 2012 and summer 2014 and commissioned by Lancashire County Council with the support of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, Lancashire Constabulary and the Lancashire Council of Mosques. The project investigated the experience of religiously aggravated crime particularly affecting Muslim communities in Lancashire. In the context of the research findings the report offers a number of recommendations for tackling all types of hate crime concerning awareness raising, third-party reporting, hate crime bystander training, victim management, and interventions with offenders

Funding and Taxation of Greek Non Profit Organizations and Enterprises

Surely, the economic aspect of non profit organizations is very interesting. The aim of the enterprises of this type is not to maximize their profits but to minimize their operational expenses, in order to survive. Therefore, the objective of non profit organizations is to ensure any possible financial resources and to exempt taxes. It is agreed that financial seeking and tax exemption are of crucial importance for the vitality of non profit organizations and companies. This paper studies the following issues: i. The modern approach regarding non profit sector and its social role. Ii. Funding resources and ways to support the non profit organizations and enterprises. iii. Law restrictions regarding the taxation of the non profit organizations and enterprises. iv. Financial operation and management of the non profit organizations and enterprises. v. Evaluation of the financial and taxation framework related with non profit organizations and enterprises operational processes. vi. Conclusion- suggestions for future policy actions.

Investigation of Lighting Conditions Effect on Characteristic Traffic Quantities

176 σ.Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία διερευνάται η επίδραση των συνθηκών φωτισμού σε χαρακτηριστικά κυκλοφοριακά μεγέθη προκειμένου να προσδιοριστεί ποιοτικά η σχέση που τα συνδέει. Η διερεύνηση εστιάζει στην επιρροή των συνθηκών φωτισμού στην ευθεία κίνηση, σε κόμβο φωτεινής σηματοδότησης σταθερού χρόνου. Μετρήσεις χρονικών διαχωρισμών και ταχυτήτων, σε συνθήκες φυσικού φωτισμού (ημέρα) και τεχνητού φωτισμού (νύχτα), σε διάστημα δεκατριών ημερών, συλλέχθηκαν με τη χρήση του φωρατή πεπιεσμένου αέρα MetroCount 5600. Παράλληλα πραγματοποιήθηκαν περιστασιακές μετρήσεις με τη μέθοδο του παρατηρητή αλλά και βιντεοσκόπηση της κυκλοφορίας σε συνθήκες φυσικού φωτισμού και αιθρίας, φυσικού φωτισμού και νέφωσης και τεχνητού φωτισμού, χωρίς βροχή. Οι τελευταίες χρησιμοποιήθηκαν κατά τον ποιοτικό έλεγχο των καταγραφών του μετρητή ενώ αποτέλεσαν πηγή πρόσθετων πληροφοριών, η συλλογή των οποίων δεν είχε σχεδιαστεί εξ’ αρχής. Ακολούθησε η ανάλυση των καταγραφών, η οποία υλοποιήθηκε σε δύο φάσεις. Στην πρώτη φάση αναλύθηκαν οι καταγραφές που συνοδεύονται από δεδομένα βίντεο και μετρήσεις παρατηρητή, για την επεξεργασία των οποίων αξιοποιήθηκε το υλικό βίντεο και οι σημειώσεις του παρατηρητή ενώ στη δεύτερη φάση αναλύθηκε το σύνολο των καταγραφών του συστήματος MetroCount 5600 με την εφαρμογή αυτόματων διαδικασιών όπου αυτή ήταν δυνατή. Συγκεκριμένα, αφότου αφαιρέθηκαν από το εκάστοτε δείγμα άκυρες μετρήσεις και προσδιορίστηκε η θέση έναρξης του κορεσμού, εξετάστηκε η επίδραση των συνθηκών φωτισμού στη θέση σταθεροποίησης, τις τιμές και την κατανομή τόσο των χρονικών διαχωρισμών όσο και των ταχυτήτων και μελετήθηκε η επιρροή τους στη σχέση που συνδέει τα παραπάνω μεγέθη. Επιπλέον, υπολογίστηκαν οι συντελεστές αναγωγής σε Μονάδες Επιβατικών Αυτοκινήτων (ΜΕΑ) και η ροή κορεσμού με την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου του λόγου χρονικών διαχωρισμών. Στη συνέχεια, τα αποτελέσματα των δύο φάσεων συγκρίθηκαν μεταξύ τους και διαμορφώθηκε το συμπέρασμα πως η εναλλαγή των συνθηκών φωτισμού συμβάλλει στη μεταβολή των τιμών χαρακτηριστικών μεγεθών της κυκλοφοριακής τεχνικής. Ειδικότερα, συνάχθηκε πως σε κόμβο φωτεινής σηματοδότησης σταθερού χρόνου, η ευθεία κίνηση παρουσιάζει υψηλότερες τιμές χρονικών διαχωρισμών και ταχυτήτων τη νύχτα, γεγονός που αιτιολογεί την ευμεταβλησία της σχέσης χρονικών διαχωρισμών-ταχυτήτων μεταξύ συνθηκών φυσικού και τεχνητού φωτισμού. Επιπλέον, η ροή κορεσμού φαίνεται να παρουσιάζει ελαφρά μικρότερες τιμές τη νύχτα ενώ δεν μπορεί να εξαχθεί σαφές συμπέρασμα για την επιρροή των συνθηκών φωτισμού στους συντελεστές αναγωγής σε ΜΕΑ. Τέλος, τονίζεται πως τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας εργασίας αποτελούν ένδειξη πως οι συνθήκες φωτισμού επενεργούν σε χαρακτηριστικά κυκλοφοριακά μεγέθη και τα εξαχθέντα συμπεράσματα δεν μπορούν να γενικευτούν δεδομένου ότι προκύπτουν από έρευνα περιορισμένης έκτασης.The objective of this thesis is to investigate lighting conditions effect on characteristic traffic engineering quantities in order to qualitatively determine the relationship between them. The present study is focused on through movement at a signal-controlled junction, under fixed-time control. Measurements of time headways and speed were collected using the pneumatic detector MetroCount 5600 during a thirteen-day period under natural and artificial lighting conditions (day and night). At the same time, occasional measurements were made with the observer method and traffic flow was video-recorded under daylight (sunny and cloudy conditions) and darkness (road lighting, no rain). The latter were used for data quality control and additional information acquisition. Data analysis followed and was split into two phases. In the first phase, the data that was accompanied by video data and observer’s measurements were analysed utilising the video material and the observer’s notes whereas in the second phase, the entire set of measurements collected with MetroCount 5600 was analysed exploiting automated processes when possible. Once invalid measurements were withdrawn from each sample and the position in queue where saturation started was determined, the effect of the lighting conditions on stabilisation position, values and distribution of both headways and speed was examined and their influence on the relationship between the aforementioned quantities was studied. Furthermore, Passenger Car Unit conversion factors (PCUs) and saturation flow were calculated applying the headway ratio method. Then, the results of the two phases were compared with each other and it was inferred that lighting conditions contribute to the variation of traffic quantities values. More specifically, it was concluded that at signal-controlled junctions through movement headways and speed are higher at night, justifying the changeability of headway-speed relationship between day and night. Moreover, saturation flow value seems to vary according to lighting conditions, being slightly lower at night. However, it was not possible to arrive at a clear conclusion about lighting conditions effect on PCU conversion factors. Finally, it is noted that the present results provide an indication of the lighting conditions effect on characteristic traffic quantities and the conclusions should not be generalised as they were drawn from limited research.Χαραλαμπία Α. Λαγο

Funding and Taxation of Greek Non Profit Organizations and Enterprises

Surely, the economic aspect of non profit organizations is very interesting. The aim of the enterprises of this type is not to maximize their profits but to minimize their operational expenses, in order to survive. Therefore, the objective of non profit organizations is to ensure any possible financial resources and to exempt taxes. It is agreed that financial seeking and tax exemption are of crucial importance for the vitality of non profit organizations and companies. This paper studies the following issues: i. The modern approach regarding non profit sector and its social role. Ii. Funding resources and ways to support the non profit organizations and enterprises. iii. Law restrictions regarding the taxation of the non profit organizations and enterprises. iv. Financial operation and management of the non profit organizations and enterprises. v. Evaluation of the financial and taxation framework related with non profit organizations and enterprises operational processes. vi. Conclusion- suggestions for future policy actions

A candidate-gene based approach for assessing genetic predisposition to childhood obesity

The main aim of the present series of experiments was to assess the influence of selected candidate genes on several adiposity-related phenotypes in a large cohort of toddlers and preschoolers from Greece using both genotype- and haplotype-based approaches. Investigating the impact of genetic polymorphisms on adiposity in the young may reveal stronger associations than in older ages since the environment has had less time to take effect. Anthropometric measurements and buccal cell samples, from where genomic DNA was extracted, were obtained from 2374 children aged 1-6 years, all in public and private nurseries in Greece. The aim of the first experiment (Chapter 3) was to assess developmental changes in adiposity in the present population of Greek toddlers and preschoolers. This was achieved by determining the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population using specific BMI cut-off points based on UK and US national reference data. The aim of the second experiment (Chapter 4) was to assess the potential influences of ACE I/D polymorphism and its interaction with age and/or gender on adiposity-related phenotypes in the cohort of Greek toddlers and preschoolers. A significant main effect of the ACE I/D polymorphism on BMI and significant interactions between I/D genotype and age for the same phenotype were revealed. The aim of the third experiment (Chapter 5) was to investigate the potential influence of five genetic polymorphisms in ADRB genes on adiposity-related phenotypes in the Greek children and their potential interactions with age and/or gender. Significant main effects of ADRB2 C16 on waist and hip circumferences and significant interactions between Cl6 genotypes and age for the same phenotypes were revealed. The aim of the fourth and final experiment (Chapter 6) was to assess the influence of two polymorphisms in PPAR? gene on adiposity-related phenotypes in the Greek toddlers and preschoolers. Genetic analysis based on Prol2Ala genotypes revealed that the rare Alal2 and T1431 alleles had no significant main effect on adiposity-related phenotypes. Interactions with age and/or gender were either not significant. A synergistic effect of PPAR? Pro 12Ala and ADRB3 Arg64Trp polymorphisms, as well as a modulating effect of BMI on the establishment of associations previously observed in adults was not confirmed in this study. Haplotype-based analysis including both PPAR? polymorphisms revealed no stronger associations of PPAR? diplotypes with adiposity-related indices compared to individual genotypes. Variation in the PPAR? seems not to contribute significantly to the high prevalence of early-onset obesity possibly due to differences in the dietary composition between children and adults. The findings from the genetic analyses suggested that allelic variations in candidate genes simply predispose to the obesity phenotype. With well-conducted genetic studies and with thorough examination of the information with respect to genetic associations, progress in understanding and management of obesity can be foreseen. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Investigation in the Trading of Oranges (Citrus sinensis L.) in Côte d’Ivoire: Inventory of the Supply and Merchandising

The oranges (Citrus sinensis L.) are diversely available on the markets along the months and seasons of the year. The current investigation, implemented in 10 communes from the district of Abidjan, focused on parameters dealing with the supply and marketing of these citrus fruits in Côte d’Ivoire. It was achieved using a questionnaire for collecting data regarding the sellers’ profile, the main concerns in the fruits’ acquirement and sale, as well as the oranges’ customary. The results reveal that the oranges are especially marketed by Ivorian citizens (77%) against 23% foreign nationalities, namely from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. The oranges’ trading is a female gender activity accounting 60% saleswomen. It’s mainly practiced by 21-40 years old persons representing 77.77% traders, showing that the oranges’ trading is a significantly profitable activity since youngers are really involved in. The local way of oranges production is bimodal, with 66.7% in the rainy season against 32.3% for the dry season. The oranges are generally routed from overall country regions towards the big city markets by haulage (80%). During the season of lower production, the markets are provided with oranges thanks to imports, especially from Ghana, a neighbouring country (87%). The potential customers of the oranges are consisted of 90% home consumers and fruits juice processers. The investigation shows that the oranges’ fruits channel is fitted with jobs supplying but remains casual. It therefore requires a better organization to become more profitable for overall stakeholders in the orange path. Also, the technological promotion of the oranges through the extensive juice processing and the valorization of the fruits residues, namely seeds, membranes, and peels could provide more incomes from this foodstuff

«Η Πολιτική της Υγείας στην Ελλάδα: Το Θεσμικό Πλαίσιο της Υγείας από την Ίδρυση του Ελληνικού Κράτους έως Σήμερα»

Η ενδοσκόπηση της ελληνικής υγείας μέσα από το θεσμικό της πλαίσιο, αναδεικνύει πολλά για αυτό το πολύπαθο αγαθό της χώρας μας. Το πρώτο ενδεικτικό αυτής της «πολυπάθειας» είναι η ασταθής ονοματοδοσία στον φορέα, το Υπουργείο Υγείας, που καλείται να προβεί σε μεταρρυθμίσεις μέσω άσκησης πολιτικής για την υγεία. Άλλο ενδεικτικό είναι το «πλούσιο» θεσμικό πλαίσιο χωρίς μέλλον και ορίζοντα που υποτίθεται συγκεκριμενοποιεί τις πολιτικές αυτές. Είναι γεγονός ότι η ελληνική υγεία υποφέρει από καχεξίες, οι οποίες ποτέ δεν έγιναν αντικείμενο μακροχρόνιας θεραπείας και σήμερα τείνουν να χαρακτηρίζονται ως διαρθρωτικά χαρακτηριστικά. Οι ιστορικές συγκυρίες συνέβαλλαν σε αυτό καθοριστικά, καθώς η ιστορική εξέλιξη της Ελλάδας σε τίποτα δε θυμίζει τη γραμμική πορεία που ακολούθησαν οι χώρες του Πρώτου Κόσμου από τη Βιομηχανική Επανάσταση και εντεύθεν. Δυσμενείς συνθήκες και ασταθές πολιτικό σκηνικό, συνθέτουν την εικόνα της υγείας, μια εικόνα που ήρθε σήμερα να επιδεινωθεί από τα δεδομένα που διαμορφώνει μια παγκόσμια οικονομική κρίση.Looking inward into the Greek notion of health through its institutional framework/ context reveals/ brings out a lot about this tormented/ troubled good of our country. The first indication of this “torment” is the unstable name of the (official) body, the Ministry of Health, which is called to act on reforms by exerting (a) policy on health. Another indication is the futile “rich” institutional framework that supposedly specifies/ states those policies. It is a known fact that Greek health suffers from weaknesses that have never been a subject of a long term treatment and they tend to be characterized today as structural attributes. Historical circumstances have been pivotal to this contribution/ have contributed decisively to this, since the historical development of Greece does not reminisce anything like the linear course that the first World countries followed since the Industrial Revolution. The (current) unfavorable conditions and the unstable political scene combine/ synthesize the picture of health, as one that is to deteriorate based on the facts and figures that shape a global financial crisis