bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can We Believe What We See, If We See What We Believe?—Expert Disagreement
Authors: Nordby JJ
Published: August 2015

Forensic experts often disagree. The possible sources of such disagreements are analyzed and possible avenues of resolution indicated. The logic of interpreting scenes, and pattern injuries such as bitemarks, is explained to locate potential sources for interpretive error, and to recommend strategies to avoid compounding such errors when preparing cases.

In one sense, two observers may not see the same thing, although their eyesight is normal and they are aware of the same artifact. Cases show that both practical and theoretical investigative expectations affect what count as observations. These expectations confer evidential status on the artifact. When two observer's expectations conflict, they do not see the same thing, so are not presented with the same evidence.

Expectations can be either appropriate, or inappropriate. These senses are clearly distinguished using illustrative cases. When inappropriate, they cause observational errors of a unique sort, supplying one source for disagreement. When inferences are made from these inappropriately sanctioned observations, interpretive errors are compounded and resolutions of disagreement become difficult.

These observational and inferential errors are explained, described, and illustrated with cases, along with recommendations for recognizing and avoiding them.
The Use of Microcrystal Tests in Conjunction with Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy for the Rapid Identification of Street Drugs
Authors: Wielbo D , Tebbett IR
Published: August 2015

Microcrystal tests have long been used for the rapid identification of particulate matter, although this technique has now been largely abandoned in favor of sophisticated instrumentation. The sensitivity and specificity of a microcrystal test make it an attractive method for the initial screening of powders for drugs of abuse. By combining the techniques of crystal microscopy and micro-FTIR, both preliminary and confirmatory tests for the presence of drugs in solid dosage forms are able to be carried out. This techniques has been used to unequivocally identify cocaine, heroin, morphine, codeine, and phencyclidine.
Poppy Seed Ingestion: The Oregon Perspective
Authors: Meneely KD
Published: August 2015

Numerous articles have been published regarding the positive morphine and codeine urinalysis results from the ingestion of poppy seeds. Oregon's perspective towards ingestion of controlled substances focuses around driving under impaired conditions. To determine the influence of the residual opium on poppy seeds to impairment, seven volunteers each ingested 25 grams of poppy seeds baked into bundt cakes. Urine samples were screened by EMIT using 300 ng/ml cutoff levels. All of the urine specimens were found to be opiate positive shortly after consuming the cake; however, after administering a series of standardized drug recognition evaluation tests, no subjects were found to exhibit symptoms of opiate impairment.
Acute Arsenic Intoxication: Forensic and Toxicologic Aspects (An Observation)
Authors: Quatrehomme G , Ricq O , Lapalus P , Jacomet Y , Ollier A
Published: August 2015

The authors report on an acute suicidal arsenic intoxication (di-arsenic-trioxide). Death can occur one week after ingestion, despite intensive care. The forensic, anatomopathological and toxicologic aspects are reported. Forty titrations are realized at the level of the biologic fluid in viscera, by absorption spectrophotometry. These data are compared with those in standing literature, especially with the rates determined in normal subjects, following simple environmental impregnation.
Distinctive Blunt Force Injuries Caused by a Crescent Wrench
Authors: Clark EGI , Sperry KL , Clark EGI
Published: August 2015

Prompt recognition of patterned injuries by the forensic pathologist can greatly facilitate the investigation and resolution of injury and death cases. Careful observation and description of injuries may provide identification of an assault or murder weapon and contribute to the reconstruction of circumstances of injury. The two cases herein described manifest unusual and distinctive injuries resulting from multiple impacts by adjustable crescent wrenches. Detailed photographs and descriptions of these injuries are provided.
A Fatality Due to Propofol Poisoning
Authors: Drummer OH
Published: August 2015

This report describes a suicide by self-administration of propofol in a 29-year-old female radiographer. This is the first published report of death by overdosage with propofol. Propofol was detected in tissues using high performance liquid chromatography. Post mortem femoral blood and liver concentrations of propofol were 0.22 mg/L and 1.4 mg/kg, respectively. The scene suggested that a dose of 400 mg was used.
Hyoid Fracture and Strangulation
Authors: Ubelaker DH
Published: August 2015

Observation of hyoid fracture in skeletonized remains offers potentially valuable information on the history of the skeleton or evidence of foul play, or both. Perimortem hyoid fracture frequently indicates manual strangulation, although ligature strangulation, hanging, and other forms of trauma to the neck cannot be ruled out without additional evidence. Such fractures are rare in children and infants, since the hyoid components are not fully ossified and are more flexible than in adults. Both antemortem and postmortem origins of the fractures must also be considered.
Bullet Ricochet: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Burke TW , Rowe WF
Published: August 2015

The urban environment provides many surfaces from which bullets or shotgun pellets may ricochet. Factors that determine whether a ricochet will occur include the nature of the target surface, the angle of incidence, the shape of the projectile, and its velocity. Investigators of shooting incidents in which ricochets may have played a role must pay attention to the nature of the wounds suffered by the shooting victims, the deformation of the bullets or shotgun pellets, the presence of trace evidence on the bullets or shotgun pellets, ricochet marks on surfaces at the scene and the probable geometry of ricochet.
Surveillance of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Antibodies in Medicolegal Autopsies in Finland—Monitoring Early Changes in HIV-Seropositivity Among Risk Groups and Average Population
Authors: Karhunen PJ , Korvenkontio HB , Laaksonen H , Kantanen M-L , Arstila P , Leinikki P
Published: August 2015

In order to cooperate with voluntary screening programs aimed at the surveillance of the HIV epidemic in Finland, we have studied medicolegal autopsies for HIV antibodies since 1986 using an enzyme immunoassay on postmortem sera. The investigation covered 47.4% and 39.2%, respectively, of all deaths under the age of 65 years in the metropolitan areas of Helsinki and Turku—two cities on the densely populated southern coast of Finland from which most HIV infections have thus far been detected.

Nine HIV-positive cases (0.12%) were detected among the 7305 medicolegal autopsies tested in 1986 to 1990. This figure is higher than the prevalence of 0.01 to 0.03% in voluntary screening programs for the general population would suggest. Seven of our cases had previously tested positive, and two were previously unknown cases, indicating that people at high risk are clustered in the medicolegal autopsy series. Of the six cases in an early stage of infection, three committed suicide suggesting the importance of HIV-screening in suicide cases in tracing symptomless HIV carriers.

Five of the cases were detected in 1990, a year when the number of new HIV infections had more than doubled compared to the previous two years. This suggests that testing of medicolegal autopsies as surrogate tests for the population gives useful information even in low-prevalence areas like Finland. Such testing has none of the ethical problems of many other back-up surveys, and may be particularly sensitive to early changes in epidemiology.
Application of the Combined Use of HPLC/Diode Array Detection and Capillary GC/Nitrogen Phosphorus Detection for the Rapid Analysis of Illicit Heroin and Cocaine Samples
Authors: Hernández AF , Pla A , Moliz J , Gil F , Gonzalvo MC , Villanueva E
Published: August 2015

A method using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) with a methanol/perchlorate buffer pH 2.5 mobile phase and reverse phase C-18 column and capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) has been developed for the rapid, sensitive and accurate analysis of illicit samples of heroin or cocaine. Retention times and UV-spectra were used for the identification of various adulterants and synthetic by-products in street samples. This method is compared with gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Forty street samples were analyzed by both methods. It is concluded that the combined use of HPLC/DAD and GC/NPD as a routine analytical procedure for the analysis of illicit samples could be a good alternative to GC/MS for forensic purposes. It is due to their high accessibility and the possibility to perform simultaneously qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Methyl Esters of Ecgonine: Injection-Port Produced Artifacts from Cocaine Base (Crack) Exhibits
Authors: Casale JF
Published: August 2015

Many cocaine base (crack) exhibits contain traces of sodium bicarbonate. Pseudoecgonine methyl ester and ecgonine methyl ester are formed as artifacts from the effect of sodium bicarbonate and methanol in the injection port of a gas chromatograph. Formation of ecgonine methyl esters was confirmed by comparison to known standards via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The mechanisms for artifact formation are hydrolysis of cocaine, followed by esterification and trans-esterification/base catalyzed epimerization.
Criminals' Explanations of Their Criminal Behavior, Part I: The Contribution of Criminologic Variables
Authors: Harry B
Published: August 2015

The author reviewed the literature concerning criminals' explanations of their crimes and then studied the explanations given by 100 incarcerated men. He found no significant associations between juvenile or adult arrest histories, alias use, age at time of the crime, trial plea, sentence length, duration of incarceration, and explanation types used. Only murderers significantly used a specific explanation type. These observations suggest that explanations are largely independent of traditional criminological attributes; that prolonged confinement to prison does not result in offenders admitting to their crimes; and, that killers have an especially difficult time accepting responsibility for taking the life of another human being.
Postmortem Stability of Lung Surfactant Phospholipids
Authors: Lorente JA , Lorente M , Villanueva E
Published: August 2015

The postmortem stability of the main phospholipids of lung surfactant-phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatydal ethanolamine (PE), phosphatydal inositol (PI), phosphatydal serine (PS) and sphyngomyelin (S) in three different deaths; one caused by fresh-water drowning, one by salt-water drowning, and one from a sodium-pentobarbital overdose has been studied. The drug overdose was considered the control because there was no surfactant involvement. The results show the stability of these kinds of lipids in the first 24 h, with a progressive decrease from 48 h on until 96 h, with a significant correlation to the time of P < 0.01 in most cases.
Rare Electrocution Due to Powerline Contact in a Hot-Air Balloon: Comparison with Fatalities from Blunt Trauma
Authors: McConnell TS , Zumwalt RE , Wahe J , Haikal NA-A , McFeeley PJ
Published: August 2015

Powerline contact by hot-air balloons is one of the most frequent concurrences in balloon accidents resulting in injury or death. Injuries and deaths are usually a result of blunt trauma from falls. In this report, we describe the aircraft, the circumstances of the accidents and the autopsy data in two powerline contact accidents involving three deaths, one from electrocution and two, from blunt trauma sustained in falls. Appropriate pilot behavior is briefly discussed.
Sudden Death Due to Intravascular Hemolysis After Bladder Irrigation with Distilled Water
Authors: Bell MD
Published: August 2015

A 45-year-old white man was hospitalized with gross hematuria, one month after cystoscopy and biopsy for the same complaint. The biopsy revealed cystitis glandularis. One day after admission, he developed seizures and died within hours. Autopsy, laboratory tests, and further questioning of the hospital staff showed that he died of acute hyponatremia and massive intravascular hemolysis after irrigating the bladder with sterile water. Two deep bladder ulcers with exposed veins served as the portals of entry. Until now, this fatal complication had been described only during transurethral surgery. Both a careful autopsy and hospital investigation is necessary to differentiate in-hospital natural death from iatrogenic fatality.
Fatal Angioedema Associated with Captopril
Authors: Jason DR
Published: August 2015

A markedly hypertensive, 70-year-old, black man had been on captopril for 2 years when he rapidly developed obstructive angioedema. The initial sign of difficulty in understanding his speech progressed to severe laryngeal and glossal edema over a 3½ h period. His airway became obstructed less than a minute after arrival at the emergency room. Oral intubation was unsuccessful, and a difficult tracheostomy was too late to save the patient. The death was reported to the medical examiner because of its sudden and unusual nature. The risk of angioedema while on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy has been noted previously in the clinical literature. Because of the sudden onset and possible confusion with an allergic reaction, this entity is brought to the attention of the forensic medical community.
The Detection and Documentation of Trace Wound Patterns by Use of an Alternative Light Source
Authors: West MH , Barsley RE , Hall JE , Hayne S , Cimrmancic M
Published: August 2015

This article is a discussion of the use of narrow-band light sources coupled with cameras equipped with band-pass filters to document patterned injuries on human skin. Several case reports are included.
Transferrin (TF) Typing from Semen Stains Using Isoelectric Focusing and Immunoblotting: Correlation of TF Types Among Blood, Semen, Urine, and Vaginal Secretion
Authors: Sawazaki K , Yasuda T , Nadano D , Iida R , Kishi K
Published: August 2015

We describe a method for obtaining nondistorted and reproducible transferrin (TF) typing from liquid semen and semen stains. Isoelectric focusing of TF isoproteins on polyacrylamide gel (IEF-PAGE, pH 4 to 6.5) was accomplished using a 0.5 mm thick gel. The separated isoproteins were then visualized by immunoblotting with TF-specific antibody. Pretreatment of semen samples with neuraminidase enhanced the TF band resolution. The method was reliable, sensitive and simple, with a high resolution. When maintained at room temperature, laboratory-prepared semen stains were TF-typable for up to at least 50 weeks. The TF types in semen stains were correlated with the types found in the corresponding blood and urine samples. TF typing could therefore provide an additional discriminant characteristic in the forensic examination of semen stains. An evaluation of TF typing by IEF-PAGE and immunoblotting was also performed on casework samples submitted to our laboratory.
Ion Mobility Spectrometry of Drugs of Abuse in Customs Scenarios: Concentration and Temperature Study
Authors: Fytche LM , Hupé M , Kovar JB , Pilon P
Published: August 2015

A custom-built ion mobility spectrometer has been used to obtain the IMS spectra of cocaine, heroin, amphetamine sulfate and LSD at different drug concentrations and desorption temperatures. Practical detection limits for these four drugs were obtained as a function of desorber temperature and for heroin as a function of analysis time. Spectral and ionization interferences for each of the four drugs of interest were determined. Spectral interferences by innocuous materials are few; ionization interferences occur only at very high ratios of the mass of innocuous material to that of the drug of interest.
Gunshot Residue Particles Formed by Using Ammunitions That Have Mercury Fulminate Based Primers
Authors: Zeichner A , Levin N , Dvorachek M
Published: August 2015

Ammunition having mercury fulminate-based primers are commonly manufactured by Eastern Bloc countries and used extensively in the Middle East. Gunshot residue (GSR) particles formed by firing these types of ammunition were examined. It was observed that much lower percentage of mercury-containing GSR particles were found in samples taken from a shooter as compared to the percentage of such particles in samples from cartridge cases. This fact must therefore be taken into account when interpreting case results. A plausible explanation for the results described is proposed.
Identification of Indented Typewritten Entries with Characters Present on a Lift-Off Correction Ribbon
Authors: Grantham SM
Published: August 2015

During the course of a bank fraud investigation, a Smith-Corona printwheel typewriter and a Brother dot matrix thermal printer were seized. Unfortunately, the suspect had removed the carbon film ribbons from both machines, but he neglected to remove the lift-off correction ribbon from the printwheel typewriter. The class characteristics of the questioned and known typewriting were consistent, and spectral images were observed on the platen of the printwheel machine which corresponded to portions of the text on the questioned checks. This interesting, yet circumstantial evidence was overshadowed by the discovery of indentations beneath the typewritten text on certain of the checks. Comparison of the paper fibers in the area of the indentations with the posterior surfaces of characters plucked from the paper and preserved on the correction ribbon formed the basis for an identification.
Linguistic Evidence Indicative of Authorship by a Member of the Deaf Community
Authors: Keith Kerr L , Taylor LR
Published: August 2015

Documents authored by Deaf Americans were examined in order to determine if linguistic evidence indicative of this group of people is present. The native language of deaf people is not English, but rather American Sign Language (ASL). ASL is a visualgestural language with its own principles of syntax. The evidence examined includes vocabulary, syntax, and word usage. Such characteristics are class evidence and are not a means of identification, but rather an investigative tool. Such information may be of assistance to the field investigator in either developing a suspect or limiting the number of initial suspects in a case.

This research revealed that the use of ASL syntax and idioms and the problems associated with the use of English as a second language are indicative of authorship by a member of the Deaf Community. The results of this research will be of assistance to Document Examiners should they need to determine if a document was authored by a deaf individual.
Crayon Obliteration over Ballpoint Pen Writing
Authors: Maldonado HI , Sierra AH
Published: August 2015

A procedure based on solvent washing with ultrasonic bath was developed for restoration of a document with crayon was obliterations. Several tests were performed in order to find the optimum solvents and experimental conditions. The method developed produced acceptable results.
Decipherment of Opaqued Writing with Acetate-Assisted Photocopying
Authors: Curfman HW , Oleksow DL
Published: August 2015

A simple, non-destructive, demonstrative and speedy technique for decipherment of opaqued writings has not been available until this procedure. With the use of an indirect electrostatic copier, acetate sheeting and a transparency (plain paper copier), decipherment is possible within minutes. A permanent display is the finished product.
Bayesian Updating Approach for Flexible Pavements Considering Fatigue and Rutting Failures
Authors: Luo Zhe , Xiao Feipeng , Hu Shaowei , Sharma Radhey
Published: August 2015

In this paper, an efficient approach for Bayesian updating of design parameters of flexible pavements is developed. Using Bayesian theorem, the updated design parameters are the integration of the prior knowledge and the observed information on the pavement failure. Two primary failure modes of flexible pavements, fatigue and rutting, are simulated using mechanistic–empirical approaches. The mechanistic–empirical models and the Bayesian framework are implemented in spreadsheets for the ease of engineering applications. The developed spreadsheet-based approach is demonstrated to be effective in the probabilistic back-analysis using the observed fatigue and rutting failures. This developed Bayesian updating approach is based on optimization method and, thus, it requires much less sophisticated modeling and much less computational effort. The updated design parameters as well as the associated variability will significantly contribute to the decision-making process of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation.
Estimation of Fatigue Life Using Resilient Moduli of Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Meena Pushpendra Kumar , Saha Gourab , Biligiri Krishna Prapoorna
Published: August 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the fundamental resilient moduli (Mr) parameters of four asphalt-rubber gap-graded (AR-gap), one asphalt-rubber open-graded (AR-open), four polymer-modified gap-graded (P-gap), and two conventional dense-graded asphalt concrete (DGAC) mixes at various temperatures and frequencies using ASTM D7369-11-based standard resilient modulus test [Standard Test Method for Determining the Resilient Modulus of Bituminous Mixtures by Indirect Tension Test, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2011, www.astm.org]. Mr tests were conducted at 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 Hz on a total of 33 samples with three samples per mix. DGAC mixes had the highest Mr followed by P-gap and AR-gap, and then followed by the AR-open mixes. Mr master curves were constructed for the mixes with 25°C as a reference. Furthermore, the Mr model was developed based on the material properties of 11 mixes totaling 121 data points provided by R2adj = 0.9436 (adjusted coefficient of estimation), and Se/Sy = 0.1579 (ratio of standard error to standard deviation indicative of relative accuracy of the predictive model), depicting excellent correlation between the measured and predicted Mr. Fatigue lives of each mix type was predicted using the obtained Mr and estimated tensile strains. The fatigue lives of the modified gap-graded mixes were found to be seven times higher than the conventional mixes. A novel approach was also devised to obtain fatigue lives of conventional and modified mixtures with a reduced thickness design concept based criterion with Mr being the major input parameter. Overall, it is envisioned that the Mr parameters obtained in this study will be helpful to understand the performance characteristics of the different mixes through future laboratory-field correlations.
A Novel Approach to Understanding Asphalt Binder Aging Behavior Using Asphaltene Proportion as a Performance Indicator
Authors: Kumbargeri Yogesh Shamsunder , Biligiri Krishna Prapoorna
Published: August 2015

The main objective of this research study was to formulate and deduce aging indices and parametric models with asphaltene as a performance indicator using virgin and modified asphalt binders. The estimated asphaltene content of binders increased from unaged to short-term and subsequently to long-term aged condition. Also, modified binders had higher asphaltene contents than virgin binders. Asphaltene content was found to be a truly valuable aging performance assessor to investigate asphalt binder aging characteristics in a rational manner. Asphalt aging parametric models were developed using asphaltene content and fundamental binder properties, which were mathematically robust. The parametric models precisely predicted rational aging performance of asphalt binders at different aging combinations. A final binder aging predictive model was recommended that relates short- and long-term aging conditions, which had excellent rational correlations. A novel approach was taken in this study that synergized asphalt binder rheological properties and aging performance criteria specifically incorporating asphaltene, which is a chemical parametric indicator pertinent to asphalt aging characterization and evaluation.
Traffic Information Estimation Methods From Handover Events
Authors: Wu Che-I , Chen Chi-Hua , Lin Bon-Yeh , Lo Chi-Chun
Published: August 2015

Fast growth of the economy and technology upgrades have led to improvements in the quality of traditional transport systems. As such, the use of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) has become more and more popular. The implementation and improvement of real-time traffic information systems are an important parts of ITS. Compared with other traditional methods, traffic information estimations from cellular network data are now readily available, more cost-effective, and easier to deploy and maintain. This study assumed that nonvehicle calls could be filtered out and vehicles could be tracked on road segments. A novel ITS model was proposed to indicate the relationship between call arrival rate and traffic density. Moreover, the vehicle speed and traffic flow were estimated by using cellular floating vehicle data (CFVD) and the proposed novel ITS model. In experiments, this study used a VISSIM traffic simulator and adopted the average call inter-arrival time and call holding time to simulate communication behavior on road segments. The estimated traffic information was compared with the simulated traffic information from stationary vehicle detectors (VD). The results indicated that the average accuracies for vehicle speed estimation, traffic flow estimation, and traffic density estimation in the congested flow case were 97.63, 89.72, and 90.45 %, respectively. Therefore, this approach was feasible to estimate traffic information for ITS improvement.
Fourier Transform Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis of Gas Mixtures for Homeland Security Applications
Authors: Benkstein K. D. , Hurst W. S. , Meier D. C. , Chu P. M.
Published: August 2015

Chemical detectors are crucial tools for first responders during emergency-response scenarios and for continuous monitoring of public spaces for general safety. For those who depend upon chemical detectors for safety and security, ensuring that detectors alarm at specified levels is critical. During detector performance evaluation, the accurate delivery of known concentrations of the chemical target to the detector is a key aspect of the test. Referee methods enable the analyte test concentration and associated uncertainties in the analyte test concentration to be validated by independent analysis, which is especially important for reactive analytes. This work demonstrates a method to use Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorption spectroscopy for quantitatively evaluating the composition of vapor streams containing hazardous materials at acute exposure guideline levels (AEGL) under test conditions defined in recently published standard specifications for chemical vapor detectors. The described method covers the use of primary reference spectra to establish analyte concentrations, the generation of secondary reference spectra suitable for measuring analyte concentrations under specified testing environments, and the use of referee feedback to compensate for depletion of the test analyte. Important benefits of this approach included verification of the test analyte concentration with characterized uncertainties by in situ measurements co-located with the detector under test, near-real-time feedback, and broad applicability to toxic industrial chemicals.
Rutting-Induced Permeability Loss of Open Graded Friction Course Mixtures
Authors: Chen Jun , Zhang Yuqing , Li Hui , Gao Ying
Published: August 2015

Functionality of an open graded friction course (OGFC) depends on the high interconnected air voids or pores of the OGFC mixture. The authors' previous study indicated that the pores in the OGFC mixture were easily clogged by rutting deformation. Such a deformation-related clogging can cause a significant rutting-induced permeability loss in the OGFC mixture. The objective of this study was to control and reduce the rutting-induced permeability loss of the OGFC based on mixture design and layer thickness. Eight types of the OGFC mixtures with different air void contents, gradations, and nominal maximum aggregate sizes were fabricated in the laboratory. Wheel-tracking rutting tests were conducted on the OGFC slabs to simulate the deformation-related clogging. Permeability tests after different wheel load applications were performed on the rutted OGFC slabs using a falling head permeameter developed in the authors' previous study. The relationships between permeability loss and rutting depth as well as dynamic stability were developed based on the eight OGFC mixtures' test results. The thickness effects of the single-layer and the two-layer OGFC slabs were also discussed in terms of deformation-related clogging and the rutting-induced permeability loss. Results showed that the permeability coefficient decreases linearly with an increasing rutting depth of the OGFC mixtures. Rutting depth was recommended as a design index to control permeability loss of the OGFC mixture rather than the dynamic stability. Permeability loss due to deformation-related clogging can be effectively reduced by using a thicker single-layer OGFC or two-layer OGFC.
Variability in State-Dependent Plasticity of Intrinsic Properties during Cell-Autonomous Self-Regulation of Calcium Homeostasis in Hippocampal Model Neurons
Authors: Srikanth Sunandha , Narayanan Rishikesh
Published: August 2015

How do neurons reconcile the maintenance of calcium homeostasis with perpetual switches in patterns of afferent activity? Here, we assessed state-dependent evolution of calcium homeostasis in a population of hippocampal pyramidal neuron models, through an adaptation of a recent study on stomatogastric ganglion neurons. Calcium homeostasis was set to emerge through cell-autonomous updates to 12 ionic conductances, responding to different types of synaptically driven afferent activity. We first assessed the impact of theta-frequency inputs on the evolution of ionic conductances toward maintenance of calcium homeostasis. Although calcium homeostasis emerged efficaciously across all models in the population, disparate changes in ionic conductances that mediated this emergence resulted in variable plasticity to several intrinsic properties, also manifesting as significant differences in firing responses across models. Assessing the sensitivity of this form of plasticity, we noted that intrinsic neuronal properties and the firing response were sensitive to the target calcium concentration and to the strength and frequency of afferent activity. Next, we studied the evolution of calcium homeostasis when afferent activity was switched, in different temporal sequences, between two behaviorally distinct types of activity: theta-frequency inputs and sharp-wave ripples riding on largely silent periods. We found that the conductance values, intrinsic properties, and firing response of neurons exhibited differential robustness to an intervening switch in the type of afferent activity. These results unveil critical dissociations between different forms of homeostasis, and call for a systematic evaluation of the impact of state-dependent switches in afferent activity on neuronal intrinsic properties during neural coding and homeostasis.
Para a história da negação: o minimizador homem no português antigo
Authors: Pinto Clara
Published: August 2015

Neste artigo apresentamos dados que pretendem contribuir para a compreensão da história da negação em português, partindo de textos datados entre os séculos XIII e XVI. Mostraremos que, a par dos indefinidos negativos, o português antigo dispunha de outro grupo de itens capazes de estabelecer concordância negativa: os minimizadores (Horn, 1989). No entanto, ao contrário de outras línguas como o francês, não há registo de minimizadores do português que tenham completado o ciclo de Jespersen (Jespersen, 1917), dando origem a um novo marcador de negação pós-verbal. Neste trabalho, propomos a existência de dois tipos diferentes de minimizadores no português antigo: os partitivos/valorativos e os indefinidos. Destes dois grupos, apenas o primeiro sobrevive em português contemporâneo, embora com baixa produtividade. O desaparecimento precoce dos minimizadores indefinidos do português, no final do século XVI, contrasta com o percurso seguido por itens equivalentes noutras línguas, como o italiano ou o francês. Exploraremos como hipótese de explicação para este desaparecimento a ideia de que existiu competição entre os indefinidos negativos e os minimizadores indefinidos, numa perspetiva de competição entre gramáticas (Kroch, 1989, 1994). Tomando como exemplo o minimizador homem, avançaremos a hipótese de que competisse com o indefinido nenhum, e mostraremos as diferenças e semelhanças entre ambos. A aplicação dos parâmetros propostos por Garzonio e Poletto (2008, 2009) permite verificar que homem e nenhum se encontravam em níveis de gramaticalização diferentes, e que, apesar de poderem competir para uma mesma posição, terá havido outros fatores acontribuirem para o desaparecimento de homem.
Romance languages do not have double objects: evidence from European Portuguese and Spanish
Authors: Gonçalves Rita
Published: August 2015

This paper focuses on the dative expression in Romance languages, particularly on European Portuguese (EP) and Spanish. Many authors have proposed that clitic(-doubling) constructions and nonclitic(-doubling) constructions in these languages share the same properties of both English double object construction (DOC) and ditransitive prepositional construction (DPC) (e.g. Masullo 1992, Demonte 1994, 1995, Romero 1997, Cuervo 2003, Morais 2006, 2012). Others, such as Pineda (2013), argue that the only strategy available in Romance to express the dative is the DOC. We will argue against these two proposals, showing that the same arguments presented in the literature to claim the occurrence of DOC in Romance languages, namely, binding asymmetries, passivization, clitic-doubling as well as lexical-semantic constraints, can instead be used as arguments to support that EP and Spanish only exhibit a DPC. In addition, we set apart from analyses of the dative as an applied argument, such those following Pylkkänen (2002). Furthermore, we will propose that, if some comparison can be established between Romance and English dative strategies, this should be based on the distinction between a DPC introduced by a functional preposition and a DPC introduced by a directional preposition. In fact, DPC from EP is “similar” to the one that occurs in English with core dative verbs, such as give: in both languages, the preposition a/to acts as a Case marker (e.g. Larson 1988; Rappaport-Hovav & Levin 2008).
Neinvazinių galvos smegenų elektrinio aktyvumo tyrimų metodų ir žvilgsnio sekimo sistemos taikymo galimybės reklamos efektyvumo vertinimui
Authors: Grigaliūnaitė Viktorija , Pilelienė Lina
Published: August 2015

The application of the non-invasive brain electrical activity and eye-tracking research methods for the assessment of advertising effectiveness are being analyzed in the article. Traditional marketing research methods are not always sufficient for the complete assessment of advertising effectiveness, thus neuromarketing research methods are often applied to clarify it. Nevertheless, due to the absence of the methodologies of neuromarketing research methods application for evaluating marketing activities, it is important to reveal the possibilities of applying the specific methods for the assessment of advertising effectiveness. The aim of this article is to determine the possibilities of applying non-invasive brain electrical activity and eye-tracking research methods for the evaluation of advertising effectiveness. While achieving the aim of the article, the logical analysis and synthesis of the scientific literature is applied. As a research result, the guidelines for the selection of non-invasive brain electrical activity and eye-tracking research methods for the assessment of advertising effectiveness are formed. Latter guidelines are relevant for the organizations performing neuromarketing researches in both academic and business levels.
Nedarbo lygio sąsajos su ekonominiais rodikliais Lietuvoje
Authors: Kiaušienė Ilona , Vidrevičienė Inga
Published: August 2015

High unemployment rate is one of the most pressing social and economic problems which are preventing residents make good use of the economic benefits. Although one of the main purposes of the European Union and Lithuania – to increase employment, statistical data show that the unemployment rate remains relatively high and in different regions of Lithuania is not the same. The aim of the work - analyse changes the level of unemployment in the regions of Lithuania and to determine a link between the level of unemployment and to economic indicators. The methodics of research: assessment of the territorial unemployment rate differentiation consists of three phases: 1) identify the territorial differentiation of unemployment and the reasons identified in the employment and labor market policies to reduce unemployment; 2) examined the unemployment trend in Lithuania; 3) set the relationship between the level of unemployment and selected economic indicators. For reserach was used the secondary data of Lithuanian Department of Statistics. The period of research 2009–2014 year. The results of research showed that unemployment rate in the analyzed period changed mostly in counties of Klaipeda, Telsiai and Panevezys. The unemployment rate in the four counties – Panevezys, Siauliai, Telsiai and Utena was higher than our overall national average. We have analyzed the relationship between unemployment and foreign direct investment per capita, material investments per capita, Lithuanian goods exports per capita. It confirmed that chosen economic indicators had a significant impact on the unemployment rate only in some counties during the analyzed period.
Grants from the state budget as an external source revenue for Polish municipalities
Authors: Świrska Anna , Žukovskis Jan
Published: August 2015

Decentralization of public finances resulted in the division of tasks between the Local Government Units (LGU): municipalities, counties and provinces. Together with the division of tasks sources of income were divided. Unfortunately own revenues, which were granted to municipalities are not sufficient to carry out these tasks. Therefore, municipalities (also other LGU) were equipped with additional - external sources of income. Earmarked grants from the state budget are specific income, which supports the development of the municipalities, enables the realization of many investments and supports the implementation of national development strategy. The aim of this research is to present earmarked grants from the state budget as a vital source of income and financial support for municipalities, which allow socio-economic development of a region. The research is based on method of critical analysis of Polish literature, legal acts as well as the statistical data analysis. The study covers years 2004–2013.
Organizacinės kultūros vaidmuo organizacijos veikloje
Authors: Šimanskienė Ligita , Gargasas Audrius , Ramanauskas Karolis
Published: August 2015

The topicality of research theme is lead by increasing importance of organizational culture to and its role in organization management trends. The interest in organizational culture is observed not only among scientists and researchers, but also among business founders and business leaders, what in present situation should be associated with the positive aspect. The aim of the study – in accordance with the analysis of organizational culture to identify its role in the organization’s activity. For organizational culture assessment were applied K. S. Cameron and R. E. Quinn (1999), Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI). On the bases of the study were developed basic elements of organizational culture and established existing and desirable organizational culture profiles. There were defined the factors which revealing the importance of organizational culture in an organization activity.
Infromative and consultative guidance of Ukrainian agro-industrial complex management
Authors: Zhorova Alla , Kalyuzhna Olena
Published: August 2015

Modern Ukrainian agro industrial production needs some new methods of management. The governing principle is proportionality of the type and scale of consultation to the potential impacts of the proposal or decision being taken, and thought should be given to achieving real engagement rather than merely following bureaucratic process. Consultation forms part of wider engagement and decisions on whether and how to consult should in part depend on the wider scheme of engagement. The purpose of the study is to extend the theoretical justification and organizational and methodological foundations of the agrarian producers’ guidance. The essence and the need for the informative and consultative guidance are revealed. The ways of informative and consultative agrarian system’s guidance improvement are developed. The paper proposes the priority of advisory services’ development is given.
'A propósito de Linguística Aplicada' 30 anos depois: quatro truísmos correntes e quatro desafios
Authors: SILVA Daniel do Nascimento e
Published: August 2015

A linguística aplicada (LA) brasileira alcançou sua idade adulta. Tomando a metade final da década de 1980 como o período em que a LA começa a ganhar espaço institucional no país, revisito a orientação pragmática e transdisciplinar desse campo tal como delineada em Cavalcanti (1986) e aponto quatro truísmos sedimentados na idade adulta da LA: (1) evidência empírica monolítica, (2) ideologias artefatuais de linguagem, (3) parco diálogo com modelos reflexivos de usuários e (4) concentração do trabalho em áreas em vez de problemas são modos de encaminhar a LA que, se não atingem todo o campo, impedem o trabalho transdisciplinar de investigação de problemas da sociedade e da vida humana envolvidos com o uso da linguagem. Em face desses truísmos, o artigo propõe quatro desafios para a vida adulta da LA.
Discurso, Desconstrução e Psicanálise no campo da Linguística Aplicada: (du)elos e (des)caminhos
Authors: ROSA Marluza T. DA , Rondelli Daniella RUBBO R. , PEIXOTO Mariana B. S.
Published: August 2015

Neste texto, apresentamos uma discussão concernente à abordagem discursivo-desconstrutivista que vem sendo desenvolvida por Coracini e outros autores do campo da linguística aplicada no Brasil. A partir da referida perspectiva, propomos, inicialmente, uma articulação entre o pensamento de Foucault, Derrida e Lacan acerca das noções de linguagem, subjetividade e discurso, desenvolvidas em suas respectivas obras. Em seguida, expomos o posicionamento discursivo-desconstrutivista na constituição e na análise dos corpora, o qual permite atentar para as incidências subjetivas do pesquisador em seu fazer.
Experimentação política da amizade em comunidades da internet a partir da teoria dos afetos de Espinosa
Authors: Azevedo Lívia Godinho Nery Gomes , Ferreri Marcelo de Almeida , Chaga Luana Costa , Faria Weslley de Sá , Nascimento Gicelma Barreto , Almeida Lívia Mendes de
Published: August 2015

A compreensão da amizade em sua qualidade política designa um vínculo privilegiado de abertura à alteridade que permite ao corpo experimentações de afetar outros corpos e por eles ser afetado, cujos efeitos podem suscitar transformações na potência de agir. A concepção do corpo em Espinosa, sustentada pela unidade corpo-alma e capacidade de afeto, constitui um elemento precioso para a compreensão da presença e das intensidades afetivas em jogo nas relações de amizades na internet, as quais excluem contato físico. O presente projeto buscou investigar e analisar a maneira com que as comunidades na internet estão sendo utilizadas favorecendo a experimentação política da amizade. As narrativas revelaram que as comunidades da internet se constituem um espaço propício de trocas de ideias e experiências que aumentam a capacidade de reflexão dos sujeitos. As relações mediadas pela internet também favorecem novos modos de organização política e de exercício da cidadania.
Psicoterapia transcultural da migração
Authors: Moro Marie Rose
Published: August 2015

O tratamento psicológico em situação transcultural nos mostra algumas questões específicas. Neste artigo propomos construir as bases da clínica transcultural com sujeitos imigrantes, expondo os principais elementos necessários à adaptação do enquadramento terapêutico, bem como os princípios, indicações e as limitações da consulta clínica transcultural.
Del campo a la periferia de la ciudad, la omnipresente sombra de la violencia. Campesinos desplazados forzados en Colombia caminan de la mano del eterno retorno a la violencia: vulneración y potencia de vida
Authors: Ocampo Prado Myriam , Martínez Carpeta Mábel , Zuluaga Tapia Sandra Liliana
Published: August 2015

La migración forzada de pobladores rurales que huyen para salvaguardar su vida constituye en Colombia el fenómeno del desplazamiento forzado originado por la confrontación violenta instigada por grupos armados. Los campesinos abandonan su vivienda en el campo para ubicarse en la periferia de las capitales. La exigencia de cambiar de lugar de permanencia transforma la idea acerca de si mismos y del espacio que ocupan, su ubicación física en el lugar de llegada les comunica las condiciones precarias que les rodean al encontrarse deslocalizados y desintegrados del espacio tal como lo habían construido para sí y su familia. El trasegar físico y emocional caracteriza el desarraigo, comprender la insistencia por reinventar un lugar para sí mismos en el espacio urbano pone en relieve las nuevas prácticas que van delineando territorialidades en medio de conflictos de convivencia con los pobladores ya establecidos en el entorno urbano donde deben estabilizar sus condiciones de vida.
O outro: análise crítica de discursos sobre imigração e gênero
Authors: Mountian Ilana , Rosa Miriam Debieux
Published: August 2015

Esse artigo teve como objetivo desenvolver uma análise crítica de discursos sobre imigração e a posição que alguns imigrantes ocupam no discurso social. O foco é dado nos processos de minorização de alguns grupos, destacando a questão de gênero sem deixar de considerar as intersecções entre sexualidade, raça e classe social, conforme a tradição dos estudos críticos feministas e pós-coloniais. Neste sentido, examinamos alguns fragmentos de casos de imigrantes recém-chegados em um grande centro urbano, São Paulo. A posição em relação ao imigrante, como representante da alteridade, nos permitiu levantar algumas considerações, tendo como operadores a teoria da psicanálise, de Foucault e de estudos feministas e antirracistas. Nos casos apresentados, nota-se que o próprio processo de imigração muitas vezes não é levado em consideração na relação com o imigrante, o que pode naturalizar as diferenças sociais como traços individuais patologizados quando não criminalizados. Diversas posições dentro do imaginário social são ressaltadas e vividas nas relações com imigrantes. Ainda que com suas especificidades, pode--se ressaltar que uma série de discursos sobre imigrantes são continuamente reiterados colocando-os muitas vezes nas posições de vítimas, ameaças ou seres exóticos. Partindo dessa reiteração discursiva, analisamos como o outro é constituído nesse discurso, muitas vezes aparecendo como um outro fetichizado. Essa análise visou promover pontos críticos para intervenções e políticas públicas.