bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Management of Aging Human Resources Worthwhile? Evaluation of an Age Management Model
Authors: Kołodziejczyk-Olczak Izabela , Sołtys Anna , Rashidi Ali , Scott Lynda
Published: August 2015

Societies are aging. This brings with it a lot of negative consequences and risks to companies. Employers are facing a phenomenon which is not fully recognized, and as a corollary there are no fully developed standards and tools for age management as an implemented strategy and personnel policy. Older workers have different needs and expectations regarding not only working conditions, ergonomics, safety, health care etc., but also with respect to social relationships, communication, career perspectives, professional training and development. These factors, as well as the results of research on aging, should be reflected in the practice of human resource management. The purpose of this article is to show the LIKE Age Management Model (LAMM) in the context of suggested practices and models to date. LAMM contains two types of functions: primary ones regarding recruitment, learning and development, health protection and promotion, exit and transitions to retirement procedures; and supporting ones related with flexible working hours, career development, redeployment and comprehensive approaches. The model has been evaluated on the basis of diverse criteria in the context of the proposed instruments described in the LAMM with respect to functions and possibilities of implementation in enterprises.
Interactive Systems for Designing Machine Elements and Assemblies
Authors: Kacalak Wojciech , Majewski Maciej , Stuart Keith Douglas , Budniak Zbigniew
Published: August 2015

The article describes the development of fundamentals of machine elements and assemblies design processes automation using artificial intelligence, and descriptions of structural elements’ features in a natural language. In the proposed interactive automated design systems, computational artificial intelligence methods allow communication by speech and natural language, resulting in analyses of design engineer’s messages, analyses of constructions, encoding and assessments of constructions, CAD system controlling and visualizations. The system is equipped with several adaptive intelligent layers for human biometric identification, recognition of speech and handwriting, recognition of words, analyses and recognition of messages, enabling interpretation of messages, and assessments of human reactions. The article proposes a concept of intelligent processing for analysis of descriptions of machine elements’ structural features in a natural language. It also presents the developed methodology for similarity analysis between structural features of designed machine elements and corresponding antipatterns allowing normalization of parameters of the analysed structural solutions.
The Capabilities of Electrodischarge Microdrilling of High Aspect Ratio Holes in Ceramic Materials
Authors: Skoczypiec Sebastian , Machno Magdalena , Bizoń Wojciech
Published: August 2015

In the first part of the article the review of ceramic materials drilling possibilities was presented. Among the described methods special attention is paid to electrodischarge drilling. This process have especially been predicted for machining difficult-to-cut electrically conductive materials. The second part consist of the results analysis of electrodischarge microdrilling of siliconized silicon carbide. The experiment involves the impact of current amplitude, discharge voltage and pulse time on the hole depth, side gap, linear tool wear and mean drilling speed. The results shows that electrodischarge drilling is a good alternative when machining inhomogeneous ceramic materials and gives possibility to drill high aspect ratio holes with relatively high efficiency (the drilling speed >2 mm/min).
Health education in the service of organ transplantation
Authors: Wrona-Polańska Helena , Pietryga Barbara
Published: August 2015

There are around 10.000 people in Poland who have undergone an organ transplantation at some point in their lives. This procedure allowed those people to enjoy regained health and successfully return to normal life, with the previously assigned roles at work, in their family and in society.

Despite the advances in transplantation, a half of the people waiting for this form of treatment would die, since there are no organs to be transplanted. This state of affairs is caused by the low awareness among the Polish society. Polish people have very low confidence in this treatment method. They lack a basic understanding of the essential medical and legal procedures defining the organization of organ transplantation.

Health educators should address concerns that emerge in society and to present a positive image of transplantation, as a science saving people’s lives. Educating young people about organ transplantation, since their earliest days at school, provides a chance to shape a positive attitude towards the issues of organ transplantation.

This article attempts to answer the following questions: what is health education, organ transplantation, and what are the goals of the health education programs promoting organ transplantation?
Study abroad and the SLA of variable structures: A look at the present perfect, the copula contrast, and the present progressive in Mexico and Spain
Authors: Kanwit Matthew , Geeslin Kimberly L. , Fafulas Stephen
Published: August 2015

The present study connects research on the L2 acquisition of variable structures to the ever-growing body of research on the role of study abroad in the language learning process. The data come from a group of 46 English-speaking learners of Spanish who participated in immersion programs in two distinct locations, Valencia, Spain and San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Simultaneously, we tested a group of native speakers from each region to create an appropriate target model for each learner group. Learners completed a written contextualized questionnaire at the beginning and end of their seven-week stay abroad. Our instrument examines three variable grammatical structures: (1) the copulas
A Review of Finance–Growth Nexus Theories: How Does Development Finance Fits in?
Authors: Marwa Nyankomo , Zhanje Stephen
Published: August 2015

The finance growth-nexus debates have been contentious over the past three decades both empirically and theoretically. To contribute to this debate, the current paper presents a concise review of finance-growths nexus theoretical development and the current debate around growth-finance nexus theories. Then, it extends the current theoretical debate to include development finance within the broader scheme of finance-growth discourse. The key emerging trend is that, most of the contemporary theories trying to explain finance growth nexus have been exclusively focusing on the standard finance in general. Little attention has been devoted to understand the role of development finance on finance-growth nexus. It concludes that, for a more comprehensive understanding of the finance growth nexus, the role of development finance should be integrated in theory of finance-growth nexus. The paper demonstrates that conventional model of finance-growth nexus is more likely to underestimate the magnitude of the impact of finance on economic growth especially for less developed countries. The paper suggests that, a model which breakdown the finance into standard finance subgroup and development finance subgroup may provide more accurate and insightful findings.
Dynamics of Electricity Demand in Lesotho: A Kalman Filter Approach
Authors: Thamae Retselisitsoe Isaiah , Thamae Leboli Zachia , Thamae Thimothy Molefi
Published: August 2015

This study provides an empirical analysis of the time-varying price and income elasticities of electricity demand in Lesotho for the period 1995-2012 using the Kalman filter approach. The results reveal that economic growth has been one of the main drivers of electricity consumption in Lesotho while electricity prices are found to play a less significant role since they are monopoly-driven and relatively low when compared to international standards. These findings imply that increases in electricity prices in Lesotho might not have a significant impact on consumption in the short-run. However, if the real electricity prices become too high over time, consumers might change their behavior and sensitivity to price and hence, energy policymakers will need to reconsider their impact in the long-run. Furthermore, several exogenous shocks seem to have affected the sensitivity of electricity demand during the period prior to regulation, which made individuals, businesses and agencies to be more sensitive to electricity costs. On the other hand, the period after regulation has been characterized by more stable and declining sensitivity of electricity demand. Therefore, factors such as regulation and changes in the country’s economic activities appear to have affected both price and income elasticities of electricity demand in Lesotho.
Perceptual salience and social categorization of contact features in Asturian Spanish
Authors: Barnes Sonia
Published: August 2015

This article investigates the sociolinguistic perception of contact features in Asturian Spanish, a linguistic variety spoken in Northwestern Spain and characterized by the alternation between features from Asturian and Spanish. A matched guise experiment was used to test the participants’ social categorization of the following morphophonological variants: Asturian [u] and [es] vs. Spanish [o] and [as], respectively. The manipulation of the variants had a significant effect on how listeners perceived the social attributes of the speakers. However, while both variables were used to situate speakers in an urban/rural spectrum, only (o) was associated with status. The results of this study show that individual contact variants can index social information and that not all contact features are equally salient. I propose that, in this case, social salience is determined by the cognitive salience of the variables under study and the transparency of the link between linguistic form and social information.
The effect of short-term study abroad on second language Spanish phonetic development
Authors: Bongiovanni Silvina , Long Avizia Y. , Solon Megan , Willis Erik W.
Published: August 2015

This study explores the impact of study abroad (SA) on second language Spanish phonetic development. Twenty-seven English-speaking learners of Spanish, 15 who were participating in a 4-week SA program in the Dominican Republic and 12 who were studying at their home (AH) institution, were recorded 5 weeks apart (at the approximate beginning and end of their respective programs). Recordings were analyzed acoustically, and four groups of segments were examined: word-initial /p t k/, intervocalic /b d ɡ/, intervocalic /ɾ/ and /r/, and word-final /l/. Productions at Time 1 and Time 2 as well as between the SA and AH groups were compared. Results suggested a minor benefit of the SA environment for phonetic development of some of the segments but with notable individual variation in both groups.
From pedagogy to communities: Issues within and beyond the Spanish heritage language classroom
Authors: Magaña Dalia
Published: August 2015

Research on Spanish heritage language pedagogy has flourished in the past few decades, revealing both challenges and successful models to address them. The discussion here will focus on some of these major challenges and models, specifically, heritage language assessment, language variety validation, biliteracy approaches, and connections beyond the classroom. Students enroll in heritage language courses to develop their language repertoires and to become better prepared for professional opportunities that require formal uses of Spanish. However, one of the problems that heritage language instructors may face is guiding learners to develop biliteracy skills while also validating students’ language varieties. Heritage language learners frequently enter the classroom with feelings of inferiority about their language use either because their variety is stigmatized (e.g., they speak a rural variety), their Spanish is limited to oral/informal registers and/or their Spanish has English language influence. For these reasons, instructors’ role in empowering students and their language use is particularly crucial. Heritage language classrooms are also ideal for establishing stronger connections with local communities and professional sectors where Spanish is in demand (e.g., health care).
Issues in Spanish heritage morphosyntax
Authors: Pascual y Cabo Diego
Published: August 2015

The goal of this article is to provide an overview of current issues in the field of Spanish heritage speaker bilingualism from a formal-generative linguistic perspective. We consider previous research findings and how these have shaped our understanding of the differential nature of heritage speaker grammars. Finally, we identify a list of future lines of investigation.
Variation in Spanish heritage speakers’ bilingualism and cognition
Authors: Stafford Catherine A. , Azevedo Clara S.
Published: August 2015

The variation that characterizes bilinguals and bilingualism is perhaps even more prominent when it comes to bilinguals who are heritage speakers of one of their languages. This variation is highly influential over the course of a lifetime in shaping and reshaping bilingual cognition, which we understand to be at once socially and individually embedded and guided. We first summarize some of the qualities that distinguish bilingual cognition from monolingual cognition. We then consider heritage speakers as a particular profile of bilingual, and discuss how variation that is specific to heritage speakers’ bilingual experience influences cognition across the lifespan.
A Qualitative Research Regarding the Online Advertising Formats Used by Romanian Companies
Authors: Acatrinei Carmen
Published: August 2015

The present paper offers an in-depth view about the online advertising formats that are used by Romanian companies or digital advertising agencies. The qualitative research based on semi-structured detailed interviews with 12 professionals, took place in Bucharest, in February-March 2015. From the online advertising formats defined by IAB, the Romanian representatives mentioned to promote their organizations or to develop campaigns for their clients by using: search, display, social media, video advertising, affiliate marketing and sponsorship advertising format (advertorials and content sponsorship). The specialists argued about the most relevant and efficient online advertising format that they use. From their personal experience, the professionals were asked to mention which are the elements / attributes that have a significant impact on: search, display, video, social media and mobile advertising campaigns. All the respondents mentioned that their companies use remarketing campaigns. The budget of an online advertising campaign is settled differently among the formats used. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the views of professionals regarding the Romanian online advertising market and this study precedes a quantitative research among Romanian consumers exposed to online advertising campaigns in order to make a comparison between the results obtained in both studies and propose a model of online advertising campaign as close to consumers‟ wants.
Female Versus Male Entrepreneurship within Europe
Authors: Ardelean Dorina , Pribac Loredana
Published: August 2015

Entrepreneurship is a topic much debated and analyzed by many research institutions and organizations. In recent years, the total number of entrepreneurs has been increasing significantly, female entrepreneurship being the one that has increased a lot. In this study, we are going to present and analyze the results of studies conducted at European level regarding the comparative evolution of male versus female entrepreneurship. The main conclusion that emerges from the analysis of the results obtained is that the number of women entrepreneurs is almost equal to that of men entrepreneurs in many European countries.
Graphical Tools for RFLP Measurement Quality Assurance: Laboratory Performance Charts
Authors: Gary KT , Duewer DL , Reeder DJ
Published: August 2015

Forensic restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses typically provide two band size results at each genetic locus for each sample. In collaboration with the member laboratories of the Technical Working Group for DNA Analysis Methods, we have developed graphical techniques that compactly summarize even large numbers of such paired measurements. This paper provides a detailed description of the basic tool, a modified bivariate control chart for data from multiple samples and/or multiple loci. We demonstrate how various modifications and combinations of these “laboratory performance charts” can be used for quality control, quality assurance, and quality demonstration.
Swiss Caucasian Population Data for 13 STR Loci Using AmpFISTR Profiler Plus and Cofiler PCR Amplification Kits
Authors: Gehrig C , Hochmeister M , Dirnhofer R , Budowle B
Published: August 2015

Allele and genotype frequencies for the 13 core STR loci (D3S1358, VWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, THO1, TPOX, CSF1PO, and D16S539) were determined in a Swiss Caucasian population sample (n = 206) using two commercially available multiplex PCR kits (AmpFISTR Profiler Plus and AmpFISTR Cofiler) and subsequent electrophoresis on an ABI PRISM CE 310 Genetic Analyzer instrument. All loci meet Hardy-Weinberg expectations. In addition, there is little evidence for association of alleles among the 13 loci. The allelic frequency data can be used in forensic analyses and paternity tests to estimate the frequency of a multiple STR locus DNA profile in the Swiss population.
STR HUMARA Locus Gene and Genotype Frequencies in Han and Bei Populations in China
Authors: Wu MY , Zou LP , Shen B , Sun GY , Li RH , Chen GD
Published: August 2015

For the purpose of the population genetics study of the HUMARA locus, the allele, and genotype frequencies were determined in two Chinese population samples (Han-101, Bei-113) using PCR, PAGE, and silver staining. Fourteen alleles were found. The size of amplified fragments were 258 bp-315 bp. The observed heterozygosities were 0.83 in the Han population and 0.73 in the Bei population respectively. The expected heterozygosities were 0.91 in the Han population and 0.97 in the Bei population respectively. Both populations meet Hardy-Weinberg expectation, Han population x2 = 17.7206, df = 11, p > 0.05; Bei population x2 = 7.4268, df = 10, p > 0.05. The discrimination power were 0.95 in females and 0.89 in males in the Han population, 0.94 in females and 0.88 in males in the Bei population. Thus, the allelic frequency data can be used in the personal identification and parentage testing in the forensic science practice. The PCR test established in this study is robust and reproducible.
Gene and Genotype Frequencies for HLA-DQA1 in Caucasians and Mulattoes in Brazil
Authors: Soares-Vieira JA , Billerbeck AEC , Iwamura ESM , Otto PA , Muñoz DR
Published: August 2015

Gene and genotype frequencies of the HLA-DQA1 locus were determined in a sample of 197 unrelated individuals (144 Caucasians and 53 Mulattoes), living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The Mulatto group consisted of mixed individuals who presented at least one negroid physical characteristic or declared themselves to be of mixed ancestry. A total of six different alleles were identified with frequencies ranging from 0.087 to 0.316 in the Caucasian population and from 0.066 to 0.330 in the Mulatto population. We observed an increased frequency of allele 1.2 among Mulattoes in relation to Caucasians. The sample heterozygote frequency was 0.722 among Caucasians and 0.736 among Mullatoes. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found either in the Caucasian or in the Brazilian Mullato population samples.
A Validation Study for the Extraction and Analysis of DNA from Human Nail Material and Its Application to Forensic Casework
Authors: Anderson TD , Ross JP , Roby RK , Lee DA , Holland MM
Published: August 2015

A validation study was conducted to demonstrate that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) could be successfully extracted from human nail material and analyzed using short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and/or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing. This study involved the development of a DNA extraction protocol that includes a cleaning procedure designed to remove external contaminants (e.g., biological, chemical). This protocol was used to test human nail material that had been soaked in whole blood from a second donor and coated with gold-palladium to simulate scanning electron microscopic analysis. The results showed no indication of a mixture and were consistent with that of the nail donor. Fresh human nail material usually yielded both STR profiles and mtDNA sequence information; however, aged human nail material (∼eight years old) yielded only mtDNA sequence information. Upon completion of the validation study, the extraction protocol was used for the analysis of a torn fingernail fragment recovered from the scene of a violent homicide in 1983. A partial STR profile and mtDNA sequence information indicated that the fingernail fragment was excluded as originating from the suspect and was, in fact, consistent with originating from one of the victims.
Evaluation of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Membrane Test Assays for the Forensic Identification of Seminal Fluid
Authors: Hochmeister MN , Budowle B , Rudin O , Gehrig C , Borer U , Thali M , Dirnhofer R
Published: August 2015

Prostate specific antigen (PSA, also known as p30), a glycoprotein produced by the prostatic gland and secreted into seminal plasma, is a marker used for demonstrating the presence of seminal fluid. Methods for the detection of PSA include Ouchterlony double diffusion, crossover electrophoresis, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, radial immunodiffusion, and ELISA. The extremely sensitive ELISA technique can detect PSA in concentrations as low as approximately 4 ng/mL. However, all these techniques are cumbersome and time consuming to perform in forensic laboratories, especially when only a few samples per week are processed. Various membrane tests are currently used in clinical settings to screen a patient's serum for the presence of PSA at levels greater than 4 ng/mL. In this study we evaluated three immunochromatographic PSA membrane tests by analyzing semen stains stored at room temperature for up to 30 years, post-coital vaginal swabs taken at different time after intercourse, semen-free vaginal swabs, and various female and male body fluids, including urine. The data demonstrate that PSA membrane test assays offer the same sensitivity as ELISA-based tests and provide a rapid approach for the forensic identification of seminal fluid. Furthermore, when the supernatant from a DNA extraction is used for the assay, there is essentially no DNA consumption for determining the presence of PSA in a forensic sample.
Serial Murder of Six Victims by an African-American Male
Authors: Leach G , Meloy JR
Published: August 2015

A case of a 22-year-old African-American male who sexually assaulted and murdered six African-American females who were strangers to him is reported. Formal study of the subject eight years after the homicides revealed a mildly mentally retarded individual who had, at various times, diagnosable anxiety and depressive disorders. His diagnosed paraphilia was sexual sadism. He also met criteria for both Antisocial and Schizoid Personality Disorder, which are discussed in the context of the comorbidity of psychopathy and schizotypy among some serial murderers. Traumagenic events from his childhood and adolescence included an absent father, sexual and physical abuse, the witnessing of adult sex, and the viewing of violent pornography.
Commentary on Hubar JS, Carr RF. Computed Dental Radiography Used to Reproduce Antemortem Film Position. J Forensic Sci 1999 Mar; 44(2):401–4
Authors: Firestone SR , Friedman BK
Published: August 2015

Commentary on Hubar JS, Carr RF. Computed dental radiography used to reproduce antemortem film position. J Forensic Sci 1999 Mar; 44(2):401–4
Review of Introduction to Executive Protection
Authors: Uzych L
Published: August 2015

Author Dale June is a former Secret Service agent. In his instructive book, Introduction to Executive Protection, he assiduously mines rich lodes of knowledge and practical insights about “executive protection,” or close personal security, drawing upon his extensive, firsthand knowledge of the business. The core purpose of the book is to provide a beginning beyond “policing” for the neophyte executive protection specialist. The book, additionally, is intended to serve as a refresher for veteran executive protection specialists. More generally, all persons who potentially may need the professional services of an executive protection specialist may be informed and enlightened by the book.
Application of DNA Fingerprinting to Enforcement of Hunting Regulations in Ontario
Authors: Guglich EA , Wilson PJ , White BN
Published: August 2015

DNA fingerprinting has been used in investigations of 40 cases of infractions of hunting regulations involving white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) in Ontario. In most of these cases, individual-specific DNA fingerprints obtained with the Jeffrey's 33.15 multilocus probe were used to link the animal remains found at the illegal kill site to blood and tissue samples of the dead animal associated with a suspect. DNA fingerprints from 27 white-tailed deer and 19 moose were obtained in order to establish the level of band-sharing in DNA fingerprints among unrelated individuals in each species. We also determined the levels of band-sharing among animals from the same region and calculated the probability of two individuals sharing the same DNA fingerprint. Details are presented from cases in which the evidence was presented and accepted by Ontario courts.
Extraction, Evaluation, and Amplification of DNA from Decalcified and Undecalcified United States Civil War Bone
Authors: Fisher DL , Holland MM , Mitchell L , Sledzik PS , Wilcox AW , Wadhams M , Weedn VW
Published: August 2015

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from documented skeletal specimens of U.S. Civil War soldiers to determine the need for decalcification prior to extraction. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to determine if the calcification state had an effect on the ability to amplify the extracts and to determine how successful amplification would be with these aged specimens. Bone samples were pulverized to a fine powder and divided into two sets. One set of samples was decalcified and the other set left undecalcified. Both sets were extracted using an organic procedure. The results demonstrate that decalcification is not a necessary step in the extraction process and that the yield of DNA is generally two times greater when decalcification is omitted. Furthermore, the calcification state had no effect on the ability to perform the PCR. Although the extracted DNA was very degraded, a 410 base pair (bp) segment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region was amplified. These results suggest that DNA can be extracted and amplified from 125 year old bone without decalcification, which may assist in the identity of modern and historic forensic specimens.
Multiple Analysis of Fire Debris Samples Using Passive Headspace Concentration
Authors: Waters LV , Palmer LA
Published: August 2015

Recent advances in the field of fire debris analysis have resulted in the development of the passive headspace concentration method for the separation of flammable and combustible liquid residues from debris. Not only is this method applicable to most sample matrices, but because it is essentially nondestructive, multiple passive separations can be performed on a given sample yielding the same results.
Preliminary Observations of the Effects of Amitriptyline in Decomposing Tissues on the Development of Parasarcophaga ruficornis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and Implications of This Effect to Estimation of Postmortem Interval
Authors: Goff ML , Brown WA , Omori AI , LaPointe DA
Published: August 2015

Larvae of Parasarcophaga ruficornis (Fabricius) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) were reared on tissues from rabbits administered different dosages of amitriptyline to study the effects of this drug on the development of this insect species. The rabbits were given 300, 600, and 1000 mg of amitriptyline via ear vein infusion. No significant differences in rates of larval growth were observed among the colonies. Durations of the larval stage were significantly longer for larvae fed on tissues from rabbits receiving amitriptyline. Larval mortality was observed to be 5.5% for the control colony, but ranged from 40.5 to 57.5% for the test colonies. Durations of the puparial stage were significantly longer for the colonies fed on tissues from the rabbits receiving the 600 and 1000 mg dosages of amitriptyline than for the control and colony fed on tissues from the rabbit receiving the 300 mg dosage. Observed differences in the durations of the larval and pupal stages from the test colonies were sufficient to alter a postmortem interval estimate by up to 77 h, if based on normal developmental patterns for this species at 26°C. Presence of amitriptyline and nortriptyline could be detected in larvae from all colonies fed on tissues from the rabbits receiving amitriptyline using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Forgery I—Simulation
Authors: Leung SC , Cheng YS , Fung HT , Poon NL
Published: August 2015

A total of 189 volunteers were asked to simulate 21 isolated handwriting symbols consisting of single strokes, geometric figures, printed English alphabet letters, simple Chinese characters, and a plain signature, each of which contained one or two designated target features. The study shows that the simulators concentrate on the more eye-catching characteristics, neglecting the inconspicuous—and very often fundamental and therefore more useful—diagnostic features of handwriting. The experiment confirms the empirical information contained in authoritative texts of handwriting examination.
Spectroscopy of Rare Earth-Ruhemann's Purple Complexes
Authors: Ismail Mekkaoui A , Roland Menzel E
Published: August 2015

The complexes Ruhemann's Purples form with europium or terbium salts are suitable for fingerprint development on strongly fluorescent surfaces because they show enhancement of the lanthanide luminescence via intramolecular energy transfer and because the lifetime of the luminescence is much longer than that of the usual background fluorescence. They are therefore suitable for time-resolved luminescence imaging. The complexes are useful for fingerprint staining on smooth surfaces, since they are readily prepared in solution, as well as for fingerprint detection on porous surfaces, such as paper, where the procedure is similar to the by now routine ninhydrin/zinc chloride treatment, except that the nitrate or acetate are used in many instances, instead of the chloride, in the rare earth case, depending on paper type.
Death Investigation in the United States, 1990: A Survey of Statutes, Systems, and Educational Requirements
Authors: Hanzlick R , Combs D , Parrish RG , Ing RT
Published: August 2015

We conducted a survey to summarize the status of medicolegal death investigation in the United States in terms of system type, language in state statutes, and terms of service and educational requirements for coroners and medical examiners (death investigators). Certain types of deaths are often mentioned in statutes while others are inconsistently investigated in the various states. The majority of the U.S. population is served by death investigation that is organized on a local or district level, but often administered by a nonmedical branch of government. Many more jurisdictions have elected coroners than appointed medical examiners, but the majority of the population is served by a medical examiner. One-fourth of the population is served by death investigators who are not required to have a medical background or training or experience in death investigation. We recommend that all States adopt policies and minimum educational and training requirements for their death investigators that emphasize medical investigation of death, ongoing continuity and experience, and medically oriented administration. We also recommend that each state address in their statutes certain types of deaths that are inconsistently investigated, including fetal deaths, anesthetic and intra-operative deaths, peri-therapeutic or peri-diagnostic deaths, requested cremations, deaths of institutionalized individuals, suspected cases of sudden infant death syndrome, and deaths occurring shortly after arrival or admission to hospitals.
Confirmation of Human Identification Using Computerized Tomography (CT)
Authors: Haglund WD , Fligner CL
Published: August 2015

Computerized tomography (CT) was used to assist in confirming a human identification. The potential utility of comparing lateral scout views and lateral skull X-rays for identification purposes is proposed. Antemortem CT scans with scout views of the human skull are useful for comparison with postmortem radiographs and should be considered as a potential modality for establishing definitive identification when antemortem radiographs are not available.
Evaluation of Fatal Dog Bites: The View of the Medical Examiner and Animal Behaviorist
Authors: Lauridson JR , Myers L
Published: August 2015

The multidisciplinary evaluation of fatal dog bites in the context of a case is discussed. This approach emphasizes detailed examination of the animals including matching of bite marks, autopsy, and canine behavioral analysis. It further provides details such as contributory medical conditions, past animal behavior and physical evidence linking the dogs to the attack. Such information is important in the legal proceedings that usually accompany these events.
Sudden Death Due to Ruptured Hydatid Cyst of the Liver
Authors: Kök AN , Yurtman T , Aydin NE
Published: August 2015

The cyst stage of Echinococcus granulosus is commonly located in the liver, which frequently results in a long symptomless period. We present a sudden death due to a freshly hemorrhagic hydatid cyst following blunt trauma to the liver in a 19-year-old boy. The possible mechanism was thought to be an anaphylactoid reaction to the leakage of the cyst fluid.
Blows to the Maternal Abdomen Causing Fetál Demise: Report of Three Cases and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Ribe JK , Teggatz JR , Harvey CM
Published: August 2015

Traumatic abruption results in 6% of third-trimester gravidas who are hit or kicked in the abdomen during assaults. Three cases are presented in which blows inflicted to the abdomen of pregnant women in their third trimester resulted in the death of the fetus due to abruptio placentae. Two cases were domestic altercations while one was a third-party criminal assault. In all cases the gravida herself escaped significant intra-abdominal injury, and external abdominal findings were minimal. The clinical signs were a history of loss of fetal movements shortly after the assault and loss of fetal heart tones within hours after the assault. One patient had vaginal bleeding; one had uterine contractions. In the cases of domestic abuse, both women initially gave false histories of how the injury occurred.
Simultaneous Analysis of Codeine, Morphine, and Heroin After B-Glucuronidase Hydrolysis
Authors: Zezulak M , Snyder JJ , Needleman SB
Published: August 2015

Analysis of the opiates, morphine and codeine, often proceeds by way of acid hydrolysis for release of the parent morphine from its glucuronide formed during metabolism. Following use, heroin is rapidly deacetylated to 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), which can be detected in the urine for a short time following injection of heroin. Only a small amount of 6-MAM may be further metabolized to morphine glucuronide. Thus, in general, the urine specimen has not been hydrolyzed prior to analysis for heroin, using a separate procedure from morphine and codeine.

Simultaneous analysis of morphine, codeine, 6-MAM and heroin would be complicated by loss of identity between morphine and heroin when heroin converts to morphine following acid hydrolysis for removal of the glucuronide moiety from morphine glucuronide. Another significant problem in simultaneous analysis is the relative disparity in concentration between morphine/codeine and 6-MAM/heroin (which might be present in the urine specimen).

In the proposed method of analysis, free morphine resulting from B-glucuronidase rather than acid hydrolysis of morphine glucuronide is derivatized with propionic anhydride to form dipropionylmorphine. Heroin that does not react with B-glucuronidase remains unhydrolyzed as the diacetylmorphine derivative. Some of the more exacting steps for the acid procedure are eliminated altogether making overall costs for the enzyme procedure comparable to those of the acid hydrolysis method. The enzyme reaction mixture is purified through a solid phase column system.

The optimal conditions for concentration of enzyme, temperature of hydrolysis and pH are individually characterized for B-glucuronidase hydrolysis and the ions which identify the propionyl derivatives are characterized for the simultaneous analysis of morphine, codeine, 6-MAM and heroin.
The Application of Capillary Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detection in the Comparative Analyses of Illicit Cocaine Samples
Authors: Moore JM , Cooper DA
Published: August 2015

The gas chromatographic detection of manufacturing impurities in illicit cocaine can be enhanced by chemical derivatization and the use of an electron-capture detector. After derivatization of illicit cocaine hydrochloride samples with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, the isolated heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of the cocaine impurities were subjected to capillary gas chromatography-electron capture detection analysis. The on-column detection of cocaine impurities at low picogram levels was possible for compounds such as N-norcocaine and other N-demethylated impurities, amidic by-products, including N-benzoylnorecgonine methyl ester and tertiary amines possessing hydroxy functions. The latter compounds include the so-called hydroxycocaine impurities, believed to be new coca leaf alkaloids. This methodology is especially suited for sample comparison analyses.
The Iceman Murder: One of a Series of Contract Murders
Authors: Zugibe FT , Costello JT
Published: August 2015

A body with a gunshot wound to the head was discovered in a wooded area in mid September 1983 wrapped with about 20 consecutive layers of plastic garbage bags and rope. Examination of the body revealed a bullet hole in the occipital-parietal region and a peculiar decomposition of the body. Following a forensic reconstruction of our autopsy findings, microscopic studies and other ancillary factors, we concluded that the body had been frozen for about 2 and one-quarter years prior to its being dumped along a mountain road here in Rockland County. The means by which we concluded that the victim had been frozen for about 2 and one-quarter years and other important aspects of this case are fully discussed.
Gunshot Fatalities in Stockholm, Sweden with Special Reference to the Use of Illegal Weapons
Authors: Karlsson T , Isaksson B , Ormstad K
Published: August 2015

During the years 1980–1992 the Swedish legislation regarding possession and use of firearms has remained fairly unchanged. Simultaneously the reported incidence of both stolen firearms and confiscation of illegally possessed handguns has increased significantly. In order to determine the impact of this trend on gunshot mortality, all victims of firearm fatalities subjected to medicolegal autopsy in the Stockholm area 1980–81 and 1990–91 were studied.

The overall two-year rate increased from 50 to 65, homicides and suicides contributing seven new cases each; accidents and “not determined” comprising only 0 to 2 cases in each period. Suicides were four times as common as homicides in the former period; ca. three times as common in the latter. Thus, a 70% increase in homicidal shooting has occurred (from 10 to 17), and the fatal use of illegal firearms increased from 50% to 93%.

As expected, there was a definite male dominance (96%) among perpetrators as well as among victims (85%). Concerning suicides, the rate in the latter period was 18% above that in the former; illegal guns were used in 30% in 1990–91 as compared to 20% 1980–81.

The pattern of wounding in suicides was similar to that reported in earlier studies; confirming that entrance wounds in the back, extremities and lower abdomen are indicative of homicide. Thus, common sense knowledge of firearm fatalities are confirmed:

• More widespread access to illegal weapons conveys a higher rate of gunshot fatalities.

• The perpetrator is likely to be male.

• Suicidal shots are usually aimed at the head (mouth, temple, forehead) or precordium.

• Most gunshot suicides are committed by means of legally possessed firearms.
Fatal Excited Delirium Following Cocaine Use: Epidemiologic Findings Provide New Evidence for Mechanisms of Cocaine Toxicity
Authors: Ruttenber AJ , Lawler-Heavner J , Yin M , Wetli CV , Hearn WL , Mash DC
Published: August 2015

We describe an outbreak of deaths from cocaine-induced excited delirium (EDDs) in Dade County, Florida between 1979 and 1990. From a registry of all cocaine-related deaths in Dade County, Florida, from 1969–1990, 58 EDDs were compared with 125 victims of accidental cocaine overdose without excited delirium. Compared with controls, EDDs were more frequently black, male, and younger. They were less likely to have a low body mass index, and more likely to have died in police custody, to have received medical treatment immediately before death, to have survived for a longer period, to have developed hyperthermia, and to have died in summer months. EDDs had concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in autopsy blood that were similar to those for controls. The epidemiologic findings are most consistent with the hypothesis that chronic cocaine use disrupts dopaminergic function and, when coupled with recent cocaine use, may precipitate agitation, delirium, aberrant thermoregulation, rhabdomyolysis, and sudden death.
Possible Markers for Postmortem Drug Redistribution
Authors: Langford AM , Pounder DJ
Published: August 2015

The possibility that postmortem biochemical changes in blood might parallel drug redistribution and thus serve as markers was explored in a detailed case study. Eighteen blood and 14 tissue and fluid samples were taken at autopsy 16 h after the death of a 34-year-old female from amitriptyline overdose. Ranges of drug concentrations in blood were amitriptyline 1.8 to 20.2 μg/mL, nortriptyline 0.6 to 7.3 μg/mL, levels were lowest in femoral vein and highest in pulmonary vein blood. Corresponding levels of 17 amino acids showed markedly different patterns of site-to-site variability. There was a strong positive correlation between individual amino acid and drug concentrations in pulmonary blood samples (n = 5), particularly for glycine, leucine, methionine, serine, and valine. In blood samples from the great veins and right heart (n = 10), the correlation was less strong (r = 0.6 to 0.7). Methionine showed a strong positive correlation in pulmonary samples (r = 0.93), and negative correlation in great veing samples (r = −0.68). Lactic acid showed a strong negative correlation in pulmonary samples (r = −0.93) but a positive correlation in great vein samples (r = 0.71). Alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, glucose, and bilirubin had a weak positive correlation with drug levels in great vein samples but not pulmonary samples. The results suggest that hepatic enzymes are relatively poor markers for postmortem hepatic drug shifts but that amino acids, particularly methionine, may be useful markers for pulmonary drug shifts.
Contribution of Microscopic Plant Anatomy to Postmortem Bone Dating
Authors: Quatrehomme G , Lacoste A , Bailet P , Grévin G , Ollier A
Published: August 2015

The authors describe a microscopical method of studying plant anatomy for estimating the age of vegetal organs which can help to date bones. This procedure was not based on counting the number of annual rings, as usually, but on demonstrating a completely primary structure without development of secondary formations; this material was considered as a part of a young root system whose development would correspond to about one year. The usefulness and limits of this procedure are discussed.
Sexual Determination of the Femur Using Discriminant Functions. Analysis of a Spanish Population of Known Sex and Age
Authors: Trancho GJ , Robledo B , López-Bueis I , Sánchez JA
Published: August 2015

Until present, functions for sexual discrimination of a Spanish population from series of known sex and age were not available. In this work, we present a sample of 132 femora (72 females and 60 males) belonging to a Spanish population of adult individuals of known filiation deposited in the Complutense University of Madrid. The ten mathematical functions which yield a higher sexual discrimination in each part of the femur, were selected. The resulting percentages of correspondence varied between 84 and 97% when each variable was considered independently, and a 99% is obtained with two variables of the epiphyses combined.
Interpreting DNA Mixtures
Authors: Weir BS , Triggs CM , Starling L , Stowell LI , Walsh KAJ , Buckleton J
Published: August 2015

The interpretation of mixed DNA stains is explained in the context of likelihood ratios. The probabilities for the mixed-stain profile are evaluated under alternative explanations that specify the numbers of contributors and the profiles of any known contributors. Interpretations based simply on the frequencies with which random members of a population would not be excluded from a mixed-stain profile do not make use of all the information, and may overstate the strength of the evidence against included people. The effects of the numbers of contributors depends on whether all the alleles at a locus are present in the mixed stain. A general equation is given to allow likelihood ratios to be calculated, and includes the “2p” modification suggested by the 1996 NRC report. This modification is not always conservative. A computer program to perform calculations is available.
Using a Graphical Method to Assist the Evaluation of Complicated Patterns of Evidence
Authors: Philip Dawid A , Evett IW
Published: August 2015

The forensic scientist often faces the task of interpreting patterns of evidence which involve many variables. Combining different items of evidence within a complex framework of circumstances requires logical powers of reasoning and this can be assisted by formal methods. We discuss one such method which, as has already been pointed out by Aitken and Gammerman (1), offers considerable potential for creating probabilistic expert systems to assist in evidence interpretation. In particular, we show how the method, which is based on a directed acyclic graph, enables dependencies between different aspects of the evidence to be considered. The discussion is based on an imaginary case example.
Comparison of the Eluting Efficiency of Carbon Disulfide with Diethyl Ether: The Case for Laboratory Safety
Authors: Lentini JJ , Armstrong AT
Published: August 2015

Carbon disulfide is the solvent of choice for eluting adsorption packages prior to analysis by GC/FID. In laboratories which utilize mass selective detectors instead of flame ionization detectors, diethyl ether, a much friendlier solvent, can be used in place of the CS2. No loss of sensitivity occurs, and there is a salutary impact on bench workers' health as well as on the aroma of the fire debris laboratory.