Karen Hoffmann | Temple University (original) (raw)

Papers by Karen Hoffmann

Research paper thumbnail of Redress for ‘Some Folks’: Pursuing Justice for Victims of Torture Through Traditional Grounds of Jurisdiction

The Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, Sep 1, 2017

details-on-torture-dat a-on-26-held-in-error-.html. 3 S. SELECT COMM. ON INTELLIGENCE, 114TH CONG... more details-on-torture-dat a-on-26-held-in-error-.html. 3 S. SELECT COMM. ON INTELLIGENCE, 114TH CONG., COMMITTEE STUDY OF THE CENTRAL

Research paper thumbnail of Redress for ‘Some Folks’: Pursuing Justice for Victims of Torture Through Traditional Grounds of Jurisdiction

It has now been more than three years since the summary of the US Senate report on CIA abuses (th... more It has now been more than three years since the summary of the US Senate report on CIA abuses (the ‘Torture Report’) reminded the world that after September 11, 2001, the CIA, through its ‘Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation’ (RDI) program, kidnapped, held in secret prisons, and systematically tortured people worldwide. This paper argues that is it important to have accountability and redress for the torture perpetrated by US officials and their foreign counterparts because: (1) it is required by international and US law; (2) impunity for such crimes will encourage their future perpetration; and (3) the victims deserve redress. Although the optimal venue to prosecute these crimes would be US courts, such prosecutions are unlikely to happen. Many legal scholars have called for invoking universal jurisdiction as a legal basis for international prosecutions; however, this paper argues that because of UJ’s weaknesses, it should be used only as a last resort. Traditional jurisdiction holds more promise for successful prosecutions and litigation. Since the RDI program involved 54 countries, there are many States that could prosecute, and many have already shown their willingness to do so. The paper concludes with clear prescriptions about which bases of traditional jurisdiction hold the most promise for obtaining redress for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators of the CIA's torture program.

Research paper thumbnail of Functional activation of neuronal subsets visualized with a fosGFP transgene.

Neuroscience 2002 Abstract, Nov 3, 2002

Determining the cellular and molecular basis of learning and memory in a behaving animal remains ... more Determining the cellular and molecular basis of learning and memory in a behaving animal remains a central goal of contemporary neuroscience. Although techniques such as lesion analysis, fMRI, 2-deoxyglucose studies, and induction of gene expression have been helpful in determining the brain area responsible for particular functions, these methods are technically limited. Specifically, they have failed to allow an in vivo identification of the subset of neurons involved in plasticity or a behavior. We have developed a strain of transgenic mice carrying a cfos promoter driving expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) that allows us to label activated subsets of cells following behaviorally or pharmacologically-induced activity. These mice enable an in vivo or ex vivo identification of the cells and networks involved in a particular brain function.
fosGFP expression could be induced in a regionally restricted fashion using a number of different protocols. First, odorant exposure activated GFP expression in topographically restricted glomeruli in the olfactory bulb, in a concentration-dependent manner. Second, uni-vibrissae rearing induced fosGFP expression in a single whisker barrel in somatosensory cortex. Finally, hypotonic saline injection (i.p.) to evoke thirst activated fosGFP expression in neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. This method promises to revolutionize our ability to study the way neuronal networks are activated and changed by both experience and pharmacological manipulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Gray matter microstructure in psychotic patients with and without delusions

Proc. Intl. Soc. Mag. Reson. Med. 10, 2002

Voxel-based morphometry permits exploration of differences in grey and white matter density at a ... more Voxel-based morphometry permits exploration of differences in grey and white matter density at a microstructural level. We assessed gray matter microstructure in first-episode psychotic patients and a subgroup of those patients classified as having marked delusions. T,-weighted images of subjects were normalized, segmented and smoothed. Voxel-based differences in grey matter density were assessed between a) healthy controls vs. patients b) Patients with severe vs. mild delusions. Hypodensity of grey matter in the heteromodal association cortical areas was observed in patients. In contrast, delusional patients showed hyperdensity of grey matter in parahippocampal and parietal regions.

Research paper thumbnail of Redress for ‘Some Folks’: Pursuing Justice for Victims of Torture Through Traditional Grounds of Jurisdiction

The Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, Sep 1, 2017

details-on-torture-dat a-on-26-held-in-error-.html. 3 S. SELECT COMM. ON INTELLIGENCE, 114TH CONG... more details-on-torture-dat a-on-26-held-in-error-.html. 3 S. SELECT COMM. ON INTELLIGENCE, 114TH CONG., COMMITTEE STUDY OF THE CENTRAL

Research paper thumbnail of Redress for ‘Some Folks’: Pursuing Justice for Victims of Torture Through Traditional Grounds of Jurisdiction

It has now been more than three years since the summary of the US Senate report on CIA abuses (th... more It has now been more than three years since the summary of the US Senate report on CIA abuses (the ‘Torture Report’) reminded the world that after September 11, 2001, the CIA, through its ‘Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation’ (RDI) program, kidnapped, held in secret prisons, and systematically tortured people worldwide. This paper argues that is it important to have accountability and redress for the torture perpetrated by US officials and their foreign counterparts because: (1) it is required by international and US law; (2) impunity for such crimes will encourage their future perpetration; and (3) the victims deserve redress. Although the optimal venue to prosecute these crimes would be US courts, such prosecutions are unlikely to happen. Many legal scholars have called for invoking universal jurisdiction as a legal basis for international prosecutions; however, this paper argues that because of UJ’s weaknesses, it should be used only as a last resort. Traditional jurisdiction holds more promise for successful prosecutions and litigation. Since the RDI program involved 54 countries, there are many States that could prosecute, and many have already shown their willingness to do so. The paper concludes with clear prescriptions about which bases of traditional jurisdiction hold the most promise for obtaining redress for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators of the CIA's torture program.

Research paper thumbnail of Functional activation of neuronal subsets visualized with a fosGFP transgene.

Neuroscience 2002 Abstract, Nov 3, 2002

Determining the cellular and molecular basis of learning and memory in a behaving animal remains ... more Determining the cellular and molecular basis of learning and memory in a behaving animal remains a central goal of contemporary neuroscience. Although techniques such as lesion analysis, fMRI, 2-deoxyglucose studies, and induction of gene expression have been helpful in determining the brain area responsible for particular functions, these methods are technically limited. Specifically, they have failed to allow an in vivo identification of the subset of neurons involved in plasticity or a behavior. We have developed a strain of transgenic mice carrying a cfos promoter driving expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) that allows us to label activated subsets of cells following behaviorally or pharmacologically-induced activity. These mice enable an in vivo or ex vivo identification of the cells and networks involved in a particular brain function.
fosGFP expression could be induced in a regionally restricted fashion using a number of different protocols. First, odorant exposure activated GFP expression in topographically restricted glomeruli in the olfactory bulb, in a concentration-dependent manner. Second, uni-vibrissae rearing induced fosGFP expression in a single whisker barrel in somatosensory cortex. Finally, hypotonic saline injection (i.p.) to evoke thirst activated fosGFP expression in neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. This method promises to revolutionize our ability to study the way neuronal networks are activated and changed by both experience and pharmacological manipulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Gray matter microstructure in psychotic patients with and without delusions

Proc. Intl. Soc. Mag. Reson. Med. 10, 2002

Voxel-based morphometry permits exploration of differences in grey and white matter density at a ... more Voxel-based morphometry permits exploration of differences in grey and white matter density at a microstructural level. We assessed gray matter microstructure in first-episode psychotic patients and a subgroup of those patients classified as having marked delusions. T,-weighted images of subjects were normalized, segmented and smoothed. Voxel-based differences in grey matter density were assessed between a) healthy controls vs. patients b) Patients with severe vs. mild delusions. Hypodensity of grey matter in the heteromodal association cortical areas was observed in patients. In contrast, delusional patients showed hyperdensity of grey matter in parahippocampal and parietal regions.