bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ENRIQUE MU USES AHP TO HELP CITY OF PITTSBURGH MOVE TO THE CLOUD
Authors: Mu Enrique
Published: August 2015

Professor Enrique Mu, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of the AHP (on the right), honored by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl for helping the City of Pittsburgh select the best technology to move its Information Technology functions to the Cloud, a tough decision that had to be made by city officials. Professor Mu used AHP (the Analytic Hierarchy Process for decision-making) to guide the process, facilitating it over a period of months.

http://dx.doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v3i1.92
PRIORITY EIGENVECTORS IN ANALYTIC HIERARCHY/NETWORK PROCESSES WITH OUTER DEPENDENCE BETWEEN ALTERNATIVES AND CRITERIA
Authors: Lipovetsky Stan
Published: August 2015

This work continues consideration of the relations between Analytic Hierarchy and Network processes. It shows that in the case of a simple network with outer dependence between alternatives and criteria, the priority vectors can be constructed not only via the powered supermatrix but also by the eigenvectors of the supermatrix. The relationship to the AHP least squares approach and other methods of priority estimation are considered as well. An ANP matrix of local eigenvectors includes priorities for all the compared items in the whole network. Here we interpret the complex AHP/ANP connections and show clearly how they result in priority estimations useful for applied decision making.

http://dx.doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v3i2.123
DETERMINATION OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE POLICY FOR RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT
Authors: Sabiá Rodolfo J. , Salomon Valerio A. P. , Sobreira Júnior Francisco A. V. , Marins Fernando A. S. , Lima Anna F. O.
Published: August 2015

The Parliament of the Salgado River provided actions and recommendations for the future of the Salgado River Basin which is in the south of Ceara State, Brazil. These recommendations were obtained through a democratic process, with the involvement of around 100 participants from private companies, public organizations and the third sector. The intention was to define a model that is compatible with the aspirations of society regarding the use and quality of the water, as well as define necessary decision actions and strategies. The main goal of this article is to determine, with a multi-criteria decision analysis, an appropriate policy for the river basin management. Therefore, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied. The criteria are a combination of economic, environmental, and social issues; the alternatives were defined as essentially preservationist policy, sustainable policy, and essentially economic policy. The AHP application was effective in this decision analysis.

 
AN MCDM APPROACH TOWARDS M-PAYMENT BUSINESS MODELS EVALUATION
Authors: Ali Abid
Published: August 2015

There are many challenges in the adaptation of m-payment technology such as improved service quality, missing standards, lack of content quality, low customer satisfaction, and lack of a business model. The business model plays a critical role in the success of m-payment technology, and there are different m-payment business models, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Project managers have little understanding about the different components of these specific business models. This study surveyed different business model’s evaluation criteria from the literature and industry, and used the Analytic Hierarchy Process to evaluate m-payment business models on the basis of these criteria.  The scalability and user centric architecture in the case of service related factors and collaboration & partnership, and response to market trends were the most important factors for sustainability of business models. According to the given criteria, the collaboration model was the most dominant model in the m-commerce domain. A sensitivity analysis was performed in order to find out different views about the final prioritized list under varying conditions.
Parallel Between Space Geometry & Decision Making Space (Modelling the Growing Complexity of Measurement)
Authors: Garuti Claudio
Published: August 2015

The aim of this essay is show some interesting analogies between space geometry and decision making space, as well as, a possible unit of measure of distance for priority vectors coming from (for instance) an AHP/ANP structure, applying the compatibility index G as a new way of measure distance in a weighted space (curved space). The aim also is that the essay should be easy to read, (made in a kind of “divertimento” format), without complex formulae or hard maths.
Words matter: deconstructing ‘welfare dependency’ in the UK
Authors: Garrett Paul Michael
Published: August 2015

Drawing on Raymond Williams’ approach, the article examines ‘welfare dependency’ as one of the most pernicious ‘keywords’ in neoliberal discourse and encourages those located within the field of social work to be sceptical about its uncritical usage. Bolstered by conservative scholarship, the forging of a new ‘common sense’ on welfare may have contributed to the harsh public perceptions referred to in a significant British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey. Problematising the widespread usage of ‘welfare dependency’, the article provides a critical resource for social work educators, practitioners, students and users of services.
Inclusiveness through art films in Telugu: A modern to postmodern analysis of K. Viswanath’s films
Authors: Murthy C. S. H. N.
Published: August 2015

This present study attempts to situate the themes of Kasinadhuni Viswanath’s (popularly known as K.Viswanath in Telugu film industry) musicals in modernist and postmodernist cultural perspectives in an effort to show that art forms such as music, song and dance are of immense help for a silent and non-violent social revolution that subsumes the ‘inclusiveness’ besides ushering in harmony in society. Viswanath’s films are synonymous with the repertory of music and dance forms in India. Known for his artistry in combining music, song and dance together, Viswanath’s reputed and award winning film – Sankarabharanam (1979) – has not only won national recognition as the best entertaining wholesome popular film, but also offered explorable alternatives to eliminate social evils such as economic and caste disparities, and the misconceptions such as, western music is superior over eastern music, western life is greater than traditional Indian life, etc. Viswanath is perhaps one of the rarest directors of the Indian film industry who dared to produce a different genre of films, both in Telugu and Hindi, combining music and dance forms against the background of social or traditional issues for national integration (e.g. Saptapadi 1981). Using the moving image and analysis of Kracauer, this study heuristically offers evidence to show how his musicals have effectively used a ‘social model’ akin to a ‘Gandhian model’ through a unique combination of signs, symbols and philosophical ideas of traditional Indian culture with the art forms – music, song and dance styles. Further the study endeavours to show how Viswanath develops conflicts first at the modernist level between the Proppian elements in his plots in the narratives, and how through a deft manoevouring of the narratives these conflicts culminate into solutions suggestive of ‘inclusiveness’.
Professorial and academic reflections 2: Carla Walter interviewed by Amanda Williamson
Authors: Walter Carla Stalling
Published: August 2015

Dr Carla Walter recently published her book ‘Dance, Consumerism and Spirituality’ with Palgrave Macmillan. It was fascinating to me that both her book and my co-edited book, ‘Dance Somatics and Spiritualities: Contemporary Sacred Narratives’ arrived on the bookshelf at around the same – very different, yet complimentary texts, expanding the spiritual horizon in Dance Studies in the contemporary milieu. Here we interweave some ideas and we explore together aspects of her book, and some further issues in relation to dance and spirituality as a developing area of research and teaching in higher education.
Book Reviews
Authors: LaMothe Kimerer L , Oberem Maria Luise
Published: August 2015

Seiki Jutsu: The Practice of Non-Subtle En ergy Medicine, B. KEENEY AND H. KEENEY (2014), Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 216 pp., ISBN 9781620554326, p/bk, $16.95

Dance, Somatics and Spiritualities: Contemporary Sacred Narratives, A. Williamson (ed.) (2014), Bristol: Intellect, 489 pp., print, ISBN: 978-1-78320-178-5, £47.00
At home, I’m a tourist: Musical migration and affective citizenship in Berlin
Authors: Garcia Luis-Manuel
Published: August 2015

This article explores the ways in which musical, sonic, and more broadly sensory experiences of Berlin provide the ground for an ambivalent sense of civic belonging for a cadre of migrants affiliated with the city’s local electronic dance music scenes. Drawn from ethnographic fieldwork, the accounts of these ‘techno migrants’ articulate an identification with the local music scenes, the built environment of the city, its urban soundscapes, its pace of life, its low population-density, its socio-economic and multicultural mix, the attitudes and sartorial styles of its residents, and the palpable sense of both recent history and imminent future. The affective dimensions of these identifications provide a means of sustaining a fantasy of belonging to a place where one remains foreign, relying on immersion in and identification with the city’s atmospheres to hold in abeyance the alienating aspects of migration. Thus, the feeling of being ‘at home’ in Berlin stands in for other modes of civic belonging (e.g., legal, ethnic, cultural) to which techno-migrants have limited or obstructed access. These musical migrants seem to engage in a form of ‘affective citizenship’ (Berlant 1997; Jones 2001; Mookherjee 2005), where a sense of belonging is sustained through affective experiences that index belonging, sometimes regardless of whether such belonging has juridical or social recognition.
Cape Town and the sustainable city in the writing of Henrietta Rose-Innes
Authors: Kruger Loren
Published: August 2015

In narratives that demonstrate the mutual imbrication of urban and ecological imperatives, Henrietta Rose-Innes complements planners’ work that analyses and strives to sustains human and other native and migrating species in Cape Town. Squeezed between cliffs and oceans, urban life here must deal with mountain topography that appears to escape development and with environments that seem to frustrate civic order, particularly the informal settlements on the edges of this cosmopolitan tourist port. Drawing on anti-apartheid tropes of social justice and on post-apartheid challenges to neo-liberal speculation, her fiction and non-fiction writing traces the steps of biped, quadruped and hexapod figures along the borders between habitation and wilderness, urban street and bare earth to capture the beauty and violence of this singular South African city.
Public art practice and urban change: An interview with public art activist Jack Becker
Authors: Pollock Venda Louise , Sharp Joanne
Published: August 2015

In 2014 Jack Becker was the recipient of the Public Art Dialogue Award in recognition of his contributions to the field of public art. Becker is the executive director of Forecast Public Art, which he established in 1978, and publisher of Public Art Review. Building on Becker’s education in the arts and career experience as an Art in Public Places programme coordinator (Minneapolis) and Arts Development manager (St Paul), Forecast Public Art has developed into a non-profits arts organization that seeks to connect ‘the energies and talents of artists with the needs and opportunities of communities’ and works closely with artists, stakeholders and communities to develop and realize projects responding to their needs.
Text to street: Urban cultural studies as theorization and practice
Authors: Masterson-Algar Araceli , Vilaseca Stephen Luis
Published: August 2015

This editorial questions the accepted view among militant researchers in the academy and radical activists outside of it that activism is not possible within higher education. The notion that theory is not practice fails to see that humanistic enquiry does not take place outside of material reality. Thinking and doing cannot be compartmentalized. They form part of greater cultural processes. This editorial argues that research and courses addressing urban cultural studies can offer the space to imagine activism both inside and outside our classrooms and institutions.
DIGNIDADE HUMANA E DIREITO ADMINISTRATIVO NO STF: UMA BREVE ANÁLISE CRÍTICA
Authors: Giacomuzzi José Guilherme
Published: August 2015

O artigo analisa os acórdãos do Supremo Tribunal Federal
brasileiro os quais, após 1988, expressamente invocaram a “dignidade
humana” em assuntos ligados ao direito administrativo. Para
tanto, o artigo inicia expondo duas das posições críticas mais contundentes
sobre a dignidade humana, nomeadamente, a do filósofo
Michael Rosen e a do teórico do direito Christopher Möllers, as quais
formam o pano de fundo contra o qual as decisões são comparadas.
Uma proposta teórica alternativa, de tratamento da dignidade como
status, é sugerida. A análise das decisões mostra que o STF faz uso da
dignidade humana de forma essencialmente retórica e ornamental.
O artigo conclui que, se quisermos dar sentido e dignidade ao conceito
de dignidade humana, o correto seria abandonar a forma atual
pela qual o STF vem invocando o mesmo conceito.
ANÁLISE JURÍDICA E AMBIENTAL DO USO DE MANTA ALUMINIZADA NA EDIFICAÇÃO URBANA
Authors: Spadotto Anselmo José
Published: August 2015

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi buscar uma antecipação jurídica para o uso de manta aluminizada na área urbana. A metodologia científica foi
qualitativa, a coleta dos dados foi classificada como exploratória e o período experimental compreendeu 2013/12/05 a 2014/07/25. Os artigos
científicos foram consultados a partir da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, do Google Acadêmico e do Scientific
Electronic Library. A legislação atualizada foi consultada no site oficial do Governo Federal do Brasil. Foi possível inferir que o uso de
manta aluminizada na cidade é um evento ambiental novo e relevante, e não existe suporte jurídico para esta aplicação urbana.
O PRINCÍPIO DA PROTEÇÃO AO DENUNCIANTE: PARÂMETROS INTERNACIONAIS E O DIREITO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Valles Bento Leonardo
Published: August 2015

O artigo trata do princípio da proteção ao denunciante, segundo o qual indivíduos que divulgam informações sobre atos ilegais ou prejudiciais ao interesse da sociedade devem receber proteção especial contra retaliação, perseguição ou tratamento discriminatório. Denunciantes expõem casos de corrupção, má administração e violações de direitos humanos, expondo-se a sérios riscos pessoais. Podem ser ameaçados, demitidos, processados, presos, ou mesmo agredidos.
O artigo expõe os parâmetros internacionais de proteção do denunciante, explora os critérios para um agente público romper com o sigilo funcional a fim de denunciar irregularidades e avalia criticamente a recepção daqueles parâmetros internacionais no ordenamento brasileiro. O artigo ilustra a aplicação do princípio aos casos WikiLeaks, elucidando situações de divulgação de informações sigilosas de interesse público por jornalistas e lideranças da sociedade, e Edward Snowden, refletindo acerca dos acordos de confidencialidade e à objeção de consciência do denunciante ao se deparar com ilegalidades ou violações
de direitos.
Effects of pruning and stand density on cone and pollen production in an experimental Pinus sylvestris seed orchard
Authors: Almqvist Curt , Jansson Gunnar
Published: August 2015

Seed orchards are the link between tree breeding and reforestation. This paper presents data on cone, seed and pollen production and seed quality gathered over 21 years in a (L.) experimental seed orchard containing plots with 14 different combinations of stand density and targeted pruning height. The treatmentsâ stand densities ranged from 267 to 4000 stems ha, and the target graft heights ranged from 2 to 6 meters. Pollen production began at the same orchard age for all studied combinations of stand density and target height but the level of pollen production per hectare increased more rapidly in treatments with higher stand densities. In treatments with dense spacing, cone and seed production initially increased more rapidly than in treatments with wider spacing, thereby providing an earlier return on investment and a shorter seed production lag time. However, the levels of cone and seed production in such treatments over the entire study period were not appreciably different to those achieved in treatments with wider spacing and higher target height. The treatments did not differ substantially with respect to seed quality. These results show that comparable levels of seed production can be obtained with different combinations of stand density and target height, giving seed orchard owners and managers a wide range of viable management options.Pinus sylvestris-1
FE Analysis and experimental validation of land subsidence due to ground water level variation
Authors: Fahmi Ahmad , Dabbagh Jamal , Moezzi Meysam
Published: August 2015

Variation in groundwater with excessive withdrawal is one of the causes of land subsidence. Withdrawal of groundwater level can cause an increase in effective stress at thick clay layers, leading to land subsidence. In Rafsanjan plain in Iran, due to the excessive use of groundwater, land subsidence has caused earth fissures and damages to the buildings and installations. Variation in water table level may happen due to the seasonal extraction of groundwater in spring and summer for farming and replacement due to rainfall in fall and winter. The behavior of soils due to the rise of ground water table is non-linear; therefore, a part of settlements may not be recoverable and therefore, it must be considered in the analysis. Modeling of this phenomenon and formulation was considered by finite element method in this research. Finite Element method was used based on element equilibrium and fluid continuity equations. The nonlinear behavior of soil was applied by the bilinear model. The rate of settlements and variation in pore pressure caused by the oscillation of groundwater table were determined by using this model. A good correlation was observed between the results of finite element model and actual data in Rafsanjan area in Kerman Province.
Study of the effects of water content and temperature on polyacrylamide/polyvinyl alcohol interpenetrating network hydrogel performance by a molecular dynamics method
Authors: Wei Qinghua , Zhang Yingfeng , Wang Yanen , Chai Weihong , Yang Mingming , Zeng Wenxiao , Wang Meng
Published: August 2015

An investigation of the molecular interaction within a hydrogel system was conducted using molecular dynamics simulation, and the interaction mechanism of a polyacrylamide/polyvinyl alcohol (PAM/PVA) hydrogel system was examined specifically at the molecular level. Several characteristics of the PAM/PVA composite hydrogel system that are largely dependent on water content and temperature were studied in this paper, such as cohesive energy density, binding energy, mechanical properties and pair correlation function. The cohesive energy density and binding energy of the hydrogel system increased with higher water content. Results also showed that increased temperatures led to a decrease in the cohesive energy density of the system, while binding energy remained unchanged. The mechanical properties of the system were evaluated by analyzing the static mechanic performance. Results showed that elastic coefficients, engineering modulus and ductility decreased with increasing water content and temperature. In addition, analysis of the pair correlation function revealed mainly hydrogen bonding interactions between H2O molecules and surrounding atoms or functional groups. Results also indicated that the strength of these hydrogen bonds was Owater>OPVA>OPAM>NPAM, confirming both the potential and the difficulty of hydrogen bond formation. The aforementioned findings help in understanding the interaction mechanisms between the components of a hydrogel system and in demonstrating the effects of water content and temperature on the PAM/PVA hydrogel system, which provides useful information on the possible operating windows of a biomedical hydrogel-making process.
The linguistic encoding of space in child Mandarin: A corpus-based study
Authors: Xiangjun Deng , Yip Virginia
Published: August 2015

This study investigates the acquisition of Mandarin spatial phrases from the perspective of language universality and specificity. The potential language universals discussed in this study include aspect shift (
Telling a story with (almost) no tenses: The structure of written narrative in Burmese
Authors: Ozerov Pavel
Published: August 2015

Studies of narrative in various European languages analyzed the discourse structure as an elaborate system of oppositions based on complex paradigms of TAM categories. However, for obvious reasons this approach is not applicable for languages like Burmese, whose paradigmatic sets of TAM categories are very limited. Hence, although manifold discourse structuring devices are identified and described for this kind of languages, rarely do they form a coherently structured system. This study aims at representing discourse structuring strategies of narration in written colloquial Burmese as consisting of three principal categories, mobilized to reveal different aspects of the otherwise concealed presence of speech act participants. This results in a deviation of the narration from its typical form of untouched retelling of objectively represented events along three parameters: (a) remoteness vs. “here-and-now” relevance, (b) objective vs. subjective representation and (c) monologue vs. dialogic settings of communication. The fine structure of narrative in Burmese is shown to be an outcome of the interaction of these functions.
I think your going to like me: Exploring the role of errors in email messages on assessments of potential housemates
Authors: Queen Robin , Boland Julie E.
Published: August 2015

Two experiments explored reader reaction to written errors that were either typographic or grammatical. Errors were embedded in short texts presented as email responses to a housemate ad. In the first experiment, readers evaluated the writer and message on several dimensions (e.g., Was the writer trustworthy? Did the email flow smoothly?). Those dimensions were divided into a “social” scale (e.g. “This student seems similar to me”) and an “academic” scale (e.g. “This email reads well”). Both kinds of error correlated with lower ratings on the academic scale while only grammatical errors correlated with lower ratings on the social scale. In the second experiment, readers were asked to edit the emails. In Experiment 1, paragraphs with either typographical or grammatical errors were both evaluated more negatively than fully correct paragraphs and the cost was mitigated by high levels of electronic communication, such as texting and using Facebook. In Experiment 2, typos were more likely to be corrected than either homophonous grammatical forms or hypercorrected forms. These results suggest that written errors, when they are salient, contribute to the social meaning of text. Furthermore, this contribution is modulated by at least some characteristics of the reader.
Multimodal analysis of quotation in oral narratives
Authors: Stec Kashmiri , Huiskes Mike , Redeker Gisela
Published: August 2015

We investigate direct speech quotation in informal oral narratives by analyzing the contribution of
bodily articulators (character viewpoint gestures, character facial expression, character intonation, and the
meaningful use of gaze) in three quote environments, or quote sequences – single quotes, quoted monologues
and quoted dialogues – and in initial vs. non-initial position within those sequences. Our analysis draws on
findings from the linguistic and multimodal realization of quotation, where multiple articulators are often
observed to be co-produced with single direct speech quotes (e.g. Thompson & Suzuki 2014), especially on
the so-called left boundary of the quote (Sidnell 2006). We use logistic regression to model multimodal quote
production across and within quote sequences, and find unique sets of multimodal articulators accompanying
each quote sequence type. We do not, however, find unique sets of multimodal articulators which distinguish
initial from non-initial utterances; utterance position is instead predicted by type of quote and presence of a
quoting predicate. Our findings add to the growing body of research on multimodal quotation, and suggest that
the multimodal production of quotation is more sensitive to the number of characters and utterances which
are quoted than to the difference between introducing and maintaining a quoted characters’ perspective.
TiO2 hybrid photocatalytic systems: impact of adsorption and photocatalytic performance
Authors: Iman Amir Muhammad Nur , Julkapli Nurhidayatullaili Muhd , Bagheri Samira , Yousefi Amin Termeh
Published: August 2015

For the past 40 years, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials have attracted immense attention because of their potential applications in the photodegradation of organic pollutants, photocatalytic water splitting for H2generation, and dye-sensitized solar cells. Despite the fact that the potential applications of TiO2nanoparticles are ubiquitous, they are not problem free, examples include a large interfacial area that causes slow charge carrier transport, a wide optical band gap that leads to limited applications using solar light, and single-phase and nanoscales features that induce fast recombination of photo-reduced carriers. Therefore, this review highlights the development associated with the adsorption photocatalysis hybrid system for treating wastewater. The immobilization of TiO2photocatalysts in metal oxide, carbon, and ceramic materials to form TiO2hybrid systems could prevent the problem of particle recovery, adsorption capacity, and the separation process. Such hybrid systems require significant effort of optimizing the specific surface area-to-volume ratio of the supported photocatalysts with its photocatalytic activities.
Probability measures on fractal curves (probability distributions on the Vicsek fractal)
Authors: Pratsiovytyi Mykola V. , Kovalenko Valeriy M.
Published: August 2015

In this paper we study the structural, topological, metric
and fractal properties of the distribution of the complex-valued random
variable
ζ = ∑
k=0,...,∞ 23-k
εη
k

≡ Δη1,...$,η
k

where the indices η
k
are independent random variables taking the
values 0,1,2,3,4 with probabilities
p
0k
, p
1k
, p
2k
, p
3k
, p
4k
respectively, p

ik
≥ 0, p

ik
≥ 0, ∑
i=0,...,4
p

ik
= 1 for any k ∈ ℕ,
ε
m
= e

mπi/2 = im
(m = 0,1,2,3) are 4th roots
of unity, ε4 = 0.
We prove that the distribution of ζ is supported on a
self-similar fractal curve such that the branching index of every point
is equal to 2 or 4. We obtain conditions for the distribution of
ζ to be of pure type: discrete or singularly continuous with
respect to two-dimensional Lebesgue measure. In the case of discrete
distribution, the point spectrum is described. In the case of singular
distribution, we describe topological, metric and fractal properties
of minimal closed support (spectrum). We study in detail the case of
identically distributed indices. In particular, the mathematical
expectation and variance of the random variable are found.
Effect of Steam Addition on the Flow Field and NOx Emissions for Jet-A in an Aircraft Combustor
Authors: Xue Rui , Hu Chunbo , Nikolaidis Theoklis , Pilidis Pericle
Published: August 2015

The steam injection technology for aircraft engines is gaining rising importance because of the strong limitations imposed by the legislation for NOx reduction in airports. In order to investigate the impact of steam addition on combustion and NOx emissions, an integrated performance-CFD-chemical reactor network (CRN) methodology was developed. The CFD results showed steam addition reduced the high temperature size and the radical pool moved downstream. Then different post-processing techniques are employed and CRN is generated to predict NOx emissions. This network consists of 14 chemical reactor elements and the results were in close agreement with the ICAO databank. The established CRN model was then used for steam addition study and the results showed under air/steam mixture atmosphere, high steam content could push the NOx formation region to the post-flame zone and a large amount of the NOx emission could be reduced when the steam mass fraction is quite high.
Zur Semantik pränominaler onymischer Genitivattribute
Authors: Peter Klaus
Published: August 2015

In present-day German adnominal genitives usually appear postnominal (der Vortrag der Präsidentin), only genitives of proper names can be positioned before the head noun (Annas Vortrag). Since genitives of proper names also show different morphological and syntactic behaviour from genitives of appellatives and since they resemble in some of their characteristics possessive pronouns, it is controversial whether prenominal genitives in German should be considered an instance of a normal genitive case or if they have to be classified as possessive markers or possessive adjectives. Against this background, this paper focuses, on the basis of corpus data, on the semantics of prenominal genitives. It is shown that most of the prenominal genitives – be they anthroponyms or toponyms – in fact express a possessive or at least an agent-like role.
Glass Fracture Mechanism—A Rethinking
Authors: Thornton JI , Cashman PJ
Published: August 2015

Conventional attitudes within the forensic science community concerning the fracturing of glass center around tensile failure of the glass, frequently depicted as a “bending” of the glass. While this is not conceptually incorrect, it represents only one case of a more universal phenomenon in which the tensile failure of glass does not necessarily involve any significant deflection of the glass. Tensile failure can be achieved with either quasi-static or dynamic loading of the glass. In quasi-static loading, tensile failure will initiate a fracture at the weakest point (that is, the locus of a Griffith crack), but the surfaces of this crack may be in optical contact, and thus no perceptible deformation of the glass would be required before failure. A consideration of dynamic loading is necessary to explain the “cratering” effect observed in moderate- to high-velocity projectile impact. In sharp dynamic loading (for example, a bullet impact) the tensile stress is provided by the reflection and subsequent interference of the compression waves which precede the passage of the projectile; this particular type of stress results in Hopkinson fractures, a multiplicity of which creates a crater. The dimensions and chamfering of projectile craters are a manifestation of the crack velocity propagation, and are not inherently a function of projectile velocity or caliber.
Lasers and Optical Spectroscopy in Questioned Document Examination
Authors: Sinor TW , Wilde JP , Everse KE , Menzel ER
Published: August 2015

The use of in situ laser-luminescence and excitation spectroscopy for examination of questioned documents is investigated. It is found that such spectroscopy can at times discriminate between similar inks when conventional methods are unsuccessful. A particularly effective procedure for room temperature luminescence enhancement is presented and compared with luminescence at cryogenic temperatures.
Regression Analysis Applied to Shotgun Range-of-Fire Estimations: Results of a Blind Study
Authors: Fann CH , Ritter WA , Watts RH , Rowe WF
Published: August 2015

Blind studies were conducted to determine if data from one lot of shotgun ammunition could be used to estimate the range of fire of a pattern fired with another lot of ammunition. Thirty pellet patterns were test fired with 00 buckshot and No. 9 birdshot at ranges of 3.1 to 15.2 m (10 to 5o ft) using a 12-gage shotgun. Regression analyses were performed on the spreads of the pellet patterns (calculated as the square root of the area of the smallest rectangle that would enclose the pellet pattern). In both cases linear functions best described the relationship between the range of fire and the spread of a pellet pattern. For the blind study, ten pellet patterns were fired at randomly selected ranges using a different lot of No. 9 birdshot cartridges from that used to determine the regression equation. In the case of the 00 buckshot ammunition, ten pellet patterns were fired at randomly selected ranges using 00 buckshot cartridges from a lot different from that used to determine the regression equation; ten pellet patterns were also fired at randomly selected ranges using 00 buckshot cartridges produced by a different company. Six pellet patterns were fired at a range of 15.2 m (50 ft) with ammunition from each lot used to fire the questioned pellet patterns. The spreads of these pellet patterns were statistically different (at the 95% level) from those fired at the same range with the ammunition used to obtain the regression equations. The means of the spreads of these six pellet patterns were used to calculate scaling factors for the questioned pellet patterns. The scaled spreads of the questioned pellet patterns were inserted into the appropriate regression equation to obtain the estimated range of fire for each of the questioned patterns. The 99% confidence intervals for the estimated ranges of fire were also calculated using the results of the regression analyses. In all cases the actual range of fire for each questioned pellet pattern fell within the 99% confidence interval for the estimated range of fire.
Winchester Silvertip® Ammunition—A Study in Ordnance Gelatin
Authors: Ragsdale BD , Josselson AR
Published: August 2015

This study of Winchester Silvertip® hollow point ammunition measures bullet velocity from production handguns and evaluates performance in ordnance gelation. Depth of penetration, size and shape of the temporary cavity, degree of radial fissuring along the missile track, and bullet expansion after impact are compared to nonhollow point ammunition of similar caliber. It is clear that hollow point bullets of this type create greater disturbance upon impact with tissue simulant than common commercial solid round nose ammunition as measured by temporary cavity size and radial fissuring. However, for all types of handgun ammunition there is a poor predictive correlation of radial fissuring with instantaneous temporary cavity size. Hollow point performance can be modified by various factors such as angle of incidence relative to target surface and prior deformation of the bullet tip. The elemental composition of bullet jackets and cores is not uniform throughout this product line.
3-Methoxytyramine in the Putamen as a Gauge of the Postmortem Interval
Authors: Sparks DL , Slevin JT , Hunsaker JC
Published: August 2015

The armamentarium of the forensic thanatologist includes the examiner's subjective assessment of bodily changes together with comprehensive evaluation of environmental and associated factors to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). Of the various objective means, postmortem accumulation of potassium in vitreous humor is a widely used gauge. In view of the considerable variability inherent in these techniques, an additional marker with greater accuracy would be a welcome supplement to these indices.

We have developed a method of estimating PMI from the level of 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) in the dorsal putamen of the brain. The supernatent of a sample of putamen, sonicated in 6 volumes (weight/volume) of 0.1 M perchloric acid and centrifuged at 51 000 times gravity for 10 min, was analyzed for 3-MT using high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The change of 3-MT in the putamen is linearly related to the PMI (range: 5.5 to 60 h), irrespective of patient age (1 to 84 years). This observation is attributable to several factors, including high substrate (dopamine) concentration, preservation of catechol-O-methyl transferase activity, and an inactivation of monoamine oxidase activity, as a result of a decrease in tissue pO2.
Once More Unto the Breech: The Firearms Evidence in the Sacco and Vanzetti Case Revisited: Part II
Authors: Starrs JE
Published: August 2015

This paper is the second and concluding segment of a report and analysis of a 1983 reevaluation of the vast array of firearms evidence at the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti. As a backdrop to Part II, the background of the crime and the firearms evidence introduced at the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti was portrayed in Part I. This part seeks to sort out the charges and counter-charges of governmental misconduct or just plain negligence in the care and custody of the firearms evidence. The most often bruited claim that Bullet III (the mortal bullet) was somehow switched or tampered with is analyzed from every conceivable perspective. The author finds that the evidence and the arguments militate against the bullet switching hypothesis. A coda is attached which demonstrates, through the firearms evidence reevaluation, that Sacco can be linked to the crime, and even to the crime scene, through the cartridges found in his possession on his arrest.
The Use of Microspectrophotometry to Characterize Microscopic Amounts of Blood
Authors: Kotowski TM , Grieve MC
Published: August 2015

The use of a Nanospec 10 S microspectrophotometer to examine minute bloodstains is discussed. To satisfy criteria for chemical identity, absorption spectra were recorded before and after treatment of the blood with Takayama reagent. The technique is of value where only tiny particulate bloodstains are available for testing and in other specialized instances.
An Unusual Explosive, Triacetonetriperoxide (TATP)
Authors: Evans HK , Tulleners FAJ , Sanchez BL , Rasmussen CA
Published: August 2015

An unusual primary explosive, triacetonetriperoxide (TATP), was found along with instructions for its manufacture from commonly available ingredients. Melting point data, an infrared spectrum, and both chemical ionization and electron impact mass spectra are included.
“Insanity” in Civil Law
Authors: Kern SR
Published: August 2015

The issue of “insanity” is rarely alluded to in the area of civil law. As a consequence, the legal standard for insanity is not clearly understood by many psychiatrists. The standard derives from case law and is based upon statutory law in the criminal sector. A civil case will be presented where the question of “insanity” was raised. In this case an individual committed suicide and his insurance company refused to pay the beneficiaries of his life insurance policy based upon a provision in his policy that excluded payment in situations of suicide. His beneficiaries sued, claiming that the deceased was insane at the time of his suicide and therefore not responsible for his actions. The standard for insanity in New Jersey and the reasoning of the psychiatrists will be presented.
A Review of Fatal Vision
Authors: Tanay E
Published: August 2015

Jeffrey MacDonald, M.D., was convicted of murder because it was shown at the trial that his wife and children were brutally killed. There was no conclusive evidence presented that he committed these murders. The prosecutor merely claimed that his account and the physical evidence were inconsistent. Such discrepancy is significant but certainly is not proof of murder.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for A and B Water Soluble Blood Group Substances
Authors: Bolton S , Thorpe JW
Published: August 2015

The conditions affecting an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for salivary blood group substances were investigated. It was found that A, B, and O secretor saliva samples would each bind both anti-A and anti-B typing reagents. The conditions that affected the assay response were optimized for maximum sensitivity and to give the highest resolution possible between the result for an antiserum binding to homologous antigen and the response for heterologous antigen-antibody combinations. Monoclonal antibodies eliminated the heterologous binding indicating that this binding was due to a lack of specificity of the routine typing reagents. A sensitive assay using the monoclonal antibodies to distinguish between samples of A and B secretor saliva is described.
Blood Droplet Dynamics—I
Authors: Pizzola PA , Roth S , De Forest PR
Published: August 2015

The interpretation of bloodstain patterns at crime scenes has received increased attention in recent years. Important to an understanding of this is knowledge of the fundamentals of blood droplet formation and impact dynamics. A review of the literature reveals that a considerable amount of work has been done with aqueous drop dynamics. Workers in the forensic science area seem to have been unaware of this. In addition, some of the most important and comprehensive early work with blood droplet dynamics seems to have been forgotten. It is not cited in more recent publications dealing with bloodstain pattern interpretation. This literature is reviewed and discussed as well. The present study presents results of experiments with blood droplet dynamics and high-speed photographs of blood droplet impacts on stationary target surfaces. Some longstanding misconceptions of importance to forensic scientists engaged in crime scene reconstruction are discussed.
Manufacturing Processes for Athletic Shoe Outsoles and Their Significance in the Examination of Footwear Impression Evidence
Authors: Bodziak WJ
Published: August 2015

The most common methods of manufacturing athletic shoe outsoles are given and how each method can influence the examination of footwear impression evidence. Several processes for manufacturing athletic shoe outsoles are described. Significant factors of each process that are relevant to the examination of footwear impressions are explained. Some manufacturing processes result in distinguishing random characteristics which can assist in the identification of a shoe sole, even when new. These characteristics, together with the traditionally observed wear patterns and random cuts on the shoe outsoles, enable the examiner a stronger basis for expert opinion.
Postmortem Examination of Incinerated Teeth with the Scanning Electron Microscope
Authors: Carr RF , Barsley RE , Davenport WD
Published: August 2015

Fragments recovered from the burned wreckage of a gasoline truck and thought to be parts of teeth were confirmed as such after they were examined with a scanning electron microscope. The appearance of the fragments was compared with previously published descriptions of teeth which had been incinerated under laboratory conditions and also examined by scanning electron microscopy.
Suicide by Ingestion of Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide
Authors: Mittleman RE , Romig LA , Gressmann E
Published: August 2015

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) is a free radical-generating compound used as a fiberglass resin hardener. A 41-year-old Haitian man developed severe metabolic acidosis, hemolysis, esophageal and gastric necrosis, and perforation of the stomach after drinking an undetermined amount of MEKP in a successful suicide attempt. The biochemical effects of free radicals explain the necrosis and hemolysis observed.
Trace Evidence—The Invisible Witness
Authors: Petraco N
Published: August 2015

This paper reviews the use of microscopic trace evidence in actual casework. Three cases are discussed in which the microscopic analysis of trace evidence was used to: associate the people, places, and things involved in the incident; reconstruct the event; and describe the occupation(s) of the participants. Each case is discussed in detail from the initial stages of the investigation through the use of the trace evidence during the investigation and at the trial.
The Jigsaw Puzzle Identification of a Hit-and-Run Automobile
Authors: Zugibe FT , Costello JT
Published: August 2015

A suspected automobile was identified in a hit-and-run death of a 40-year-old male by matching a tiny nonspecific fragment of tissue attached to the gasoline line clip of the undercarriage with an avulsed area on the hypothenar area of the palm of the hand. There was no ostensible damage to the auto and there was an absence of clothing remnants, blood, and other tissues and an absence of paint pigments on the victim or victim's clothing.
The Dichotomy of the Expert Witness
Authors: Howard LB
Published: August 2015

The expert on either side is either right, partially right, wrong, or wrong and dishonest. Even strongly opposed testimony is not evidence of dishonesty, although it is clear at least one expert is wrong. Some differences are the result of legitimate differences of opinion. However, the author has identified several categories of testimony that show dishonest intent. It is clear that the growth of financial incentives has increased the number of cases in which there are opposing experts. If some kind of corrective action is not taken, expert witnesses will no longer be an effective force in the legal system. A multidisciplinary testimony review board separate from the ethics function is clearly one answer to the problem.
The Paper Mate® Ink on the Howard Hughes “Mormon Will”
Authors: Cantu AA
Published: August 2015

Ink analysis was performed on the Howard Hughes “Mormon Will” case to determine if the inks matched standard inks available at the alleged date of the will, that is, 16 March 1968. The ink on the will matched a standard ink made by Paper Mate between 1966 and 1972. Consequently, no conclusion can be made regarding authenticity. However, both the proponents and contestants of the will used these inclusive results along with other facts to support their own views of authenticity or fraud.
Reliability of the Scoring System of the American Board of Forensic Odontology for Human Bite Marks
Authors: Rawson RD , Vale GL , Sperber ND , Herschaft EE , Yfantis A
Published: August 2015

In 1981, the Bite mark Standards Committee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Board of Forensic Odontology developed a method of scoring bite mark comparisons in an attempt to standardize a scientific approach to bite mark analysis. The various methods of determining the validity of the scoring guide are presented with statistical data generated from scores reported by recognized forensic science experts.
Forensic Science Applications of Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS): II. Direct Analysis of Some Tablets, Capsule Powders, and Powders
Authors: Suzuki EM , Gresham WR
Published: August 2015

Fuller and Griffiths first demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining an infrared spectrum directly on an intact Empirin® tablet using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). We have found that several modifications of this method are necessary to obtain useful spectra for most other tablets. Applications of these modified procedures to the analysis of several tablets of forensic science interest are presented, and the results are compared to those obtained by conventional means. The direct analysis of some capsule contents and other powders is also presented and discussed.
Sheet or Container?—Forensic Glass Comparisons with an Emphasis on Source Classification
Authors: Ryland SG
Published: August 2015

The value of source-type classification for small fragments of glass encountered in trace evidence casework is restressed. The incorporation of classification techniques into the classical refractive index/density comparison scheme is described. The techniques employed are applications of those developed by the British forensic science community over the past 5 years, targeted at differentiating the 2 most common end-use types of soda-lime-silicate glasses encountered in casework—sheet glass and container glass. The results of method verification studies on 30 window glass specimens for tempered/nontempered classification and on 140 window and container glass specimens for sheet/container classification are reported. Although some limitations were revealed with the domestic samples used, the overall success of the approach was established.