bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Death Through Body Writing: A Case Study
Authors: Taylor LL , Hnilica V
Published: August 2015

Various surfaces or substrates are often encountered in the examination of questioned writing; however, no writing is more interesting than that found on the human body nor more challenging when the writing in question is linked to a death investigation. The body of an 18-year-old male was brought to the State Crime Laboratory, Little Rock, Arkansas, with a gunshot wound to the head and several messages written on his arms and chest. This paper will discuss the examination of evidence used to determine the manner of death through a cooperative effort between the Medical Examiner's Section and the Questioned Document Section of the Crime Laboratory.
Clinical and Morphological Findings on Mustard Gas [Bis(2-Chloroethyl)Sulfide] Poisoning
Authors: Eisenmenger W , Drasch G , von Clarmann M , Kretschmer E , Roider G
Published: August 2015

In 1984 and 1985, a total of eleven Iranian patients were transferred to hospitals in Munich, Germany, after a reported gas attack in the Iran-Iraq war. The initial symptoms and pretreatment in Teheran, Iran, as well as the admittance examination data, the clinical courses of the patients, and the clinical laboratory data in Germany, are reported. The main injuries were to the skin, the eyes, and the respiratory tract. One patient stopped breathing suddenly on the third day of treatment (eight days after the exposure). A large piece of mucous membrane blocking a bronchus was removed during an immediate bronchoscopy, but attempts at resuscitation failed. The most important autopsy findings in this case were severe pseudomembranous inflammation of the trachea and the bronchial tubes. The histological findings are reported. Chemical proof of the poison (mustard gas) was established. A review of the history of chemical warfare, the physical and chemical properties of mustard gas, and a literature survey of clinical findings (including, especially, experiences from World Wars I and II) contribute to the understanding of the actual cases.
Geriatric Offenders Examined at a Forensic Psychiatry Clinic
Authors: Rosner R , Wiederlight M , Harmon RB , Cahn DJ
Published: August 2015

This descriptive research paper reports on 52 geriatric defendants accused of criminal offenses and referred for forensic psychiatric evaluation. It addresses demographic and clinical variables in that population. The authors hope that the data will assist in planning for forensic and therapeutic services for geriatric persons in the criminal justice system.
Matching Bullets to Bone Impact Signatures
Authors: Smith O'BC , Symes SA , Berryman HE , LeVaughn MA
Published: August 2015

When bone is penetrated or perforated by a bullet, the bullet's impacting surface is often uniquely modeled by the fractured bone. Reconstructing bone with simple superimposition of the bullet's contour lines allows matching of a particular bullet to its specific bone defect.
Fetal Death Following Maternal Trauma: Two Case Reports and a Survey of the Literature
Authors: Lifschultz BD , Donoghue ER
Published: August 2015

When a fetus dies after its mother has suffered trauma, questions often arise about whether the fetal death was linked to the maternal injury. Many state statutes make it a criminal act to cause the death of a fetus by injuring the mother. The authors present two cases in which fetal death resulted from maternal trauma. In addition, we review the pertinent literature on this subject and offer guidelines that may help forensic pathologists evaluate these difficult and often emotionally charged cases.
Detection of Bone and Bone-Plus-Bullet Particles in Backspatter from Close-Range Shots to Heads
Authors: Burnett BR
Published: August 2015

A victim was shot in the head with a 9-mm Smith & Wesson pistol using Winchester Silvertip® hollow-point ammunition. Of interest in this case was the distance from the muzzle of the weapon to the victim's head, since the wound characteristics were equivocal for firing distance. Two other handguns (revolvers) were involved in this shooting, in addition to a revolver owned by the victim. The handguns were sampled using tape lifts, and the casings were sampled by washing them in distilled water, followed by vacuum filtration of the washing water through 0.2-µm-pore Nuclepore filters. These materials were examined by scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Calcium-phosphorous (bone) particles were detected on the 9-mm Smith & Wesson pistol, on two casings found at the scene, and on one of the revolvers. Two of the calcium-phosphorous particles on the casings had associated bullet fragments.

Test shots on live pigs destined for slaughter showed that bone particles are a feature of backspatter from close-range shots to heads. Contamination of nearby surfaces by bone fragments and bone-plus-bullet fragments, as well as other organic debris, appears to be quite heavy.
A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Method for Sex and Species Determination with Novel Controls for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Template Length
Authors: Gaensslen RE , Berka KM , Grosso DA , Ruano G , Pagliaro EM , Messina D , Lee HC
Published: August 2015

Human X and Y chromosome α-satellite sequences lying within higher order repeats were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) isolated from blood, bone, and several other tissues and specimens of potential forensic science interest. X and Y sequences could be coamplified under some of the PCR conditions employed. Monomorphic sequences in the 3′-apolipoprotein B gene (designated “H”) and in an α-satellite higher order repeat on Chromosome 17 (p17H8, D17Z1) were likewise amplified in the specimens. X and Y sequence amplification can provide information about the sex of origin. Amplification of the X, H, and D17Z1 sequences was found to be primate-specific among the common animals tested and can thus provide species of origin information about a specimen. The authors suggest that amplification of X and D17Z1 or H sequences might provide “relaxed” and “stringent” controls for appropriate PCR amplification tests on forensic science specimens. Testing was carried out using PCR protocols that employed Thermophilus aquaticus (Taq) and Thermus flavis (Replinase) thermostable DNA polymerases.
Identification of Drugs by Their Near Infrared Spectra
Authors: Kohn WH , Jeger AN
Published: August 2015

Fourier transform spectrometers in the near infrared-region, equipped with optical fiber bundles and driven by fast computers, can measure and identify drugs in a few seconds. A library with 37 spectra of drugs and other powders for stretching drugs, such as saccharoses, was generated. Assessment and optimization of a reference library by mathematical means is discussed. The method is simple, fast, and reliable and can be validated.
Ink Dating—The State of the Art
Authors: Brunelle RL
Published: August 2015

Over the past 20 years, no other field of forensic science has had greater impact on the detection of fraudulent documents than the scientific examination of writing inks. This paper traces the development of ink dating techniques from the 1930s to 1990. Techniques used during this period are described and, when possible, illustrated. The emphasis is on ink dating techniques used today, with discussion of the value and limitations of these procedures.
Handedness and the Bilateral Asymmetry of the Jugular Foramen
Authors: Glassman DM , Dana SE
Published: August 2015

This paper examines the proposed association of bilateral asymmetry of the jugular foramen as an indicator of handedness observable from cranial morphology. The jugular foramina of 54 subjects were observed for size asymmetry during routine autopsy procedures. Hand preference data were collected on each subject from family members. Of the 54 subjects, 47 were documented as being right-handed and 7 as being left-handed. These values approximate the average percentage of right-handed versus left-handed individuals from larger populations. Jugular foramen asymmetry was qualitatively identified for 36 subjects (66.7%) and was judged equivocal for the other 18 (33.3%). Of the 36 subjects exhibiting asymmetry, 28 (77.7%) showed positive correlation between the asymmetry direction and handedness. This moderate level of congruence, coupled with the result that 4 of the 7 left-handers exhibited dominant right-side foramina, casts doubt on the reliable use of jugular foramen asymmetry for estimating handedness.
Psychobiology of the Violent Offender
Authors: Volavka J , Martell D , Convit A
Published: August 2015

The antecedents of violent crime may include childhood victimization, head injuries, and alcohol and drug abuse. Neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric findings suggest temporal and frontal lobe dysfunctions in violent offenders; these dysfunctions appear to be more pronounced in the dominant hemisphere. Recent studies implicate disturbances of central serotonergic functions in impulsive homicide and arson. These results provide an adequate rationale for larger interdisciplinary studies using neurochemical, neuropsychiatric/neuropsychological, and psychosocial methods on the same subjects.
Poisoning from Oral Ingestion of Carbofuran (Furadan 4F), a Cholinesterase-Inhibiting Carbamate Insecticide, and Its Effects on Cholinesterase Activity in Various Biological Fluids
Authors: Ferslew KE , Hagardorn AN , McCormick WF
Published: August 2015

A case is presented of a fatal ingestion of Furadan (carbofuran), a cholinesterase-inhibiting carbamate insecticide. A 26-year-old white male was found dead with a partially filled 1-gal (3.8-L) container of Furadan 4F insecticide-nematocide (44.9% carbofuran). The individual had ingested approximately 345 mL of the mixture. Analysis of cholinesterase activity in various biological fluids was performed spectrophotometrically using propionylthiocholine and 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid [Sigma Diagnostics, cholinesterase procedure No. 422 (PTC)] which was measured at 405 nm and 30°C in a Gilford Stasar III Spectrophotometer. The cholinesterase activities were as follows: plasma, 245 units (U)/L (93% inhibition/7% normal activity); serum, 208 U/L (95.3% inhibition/4.7% normal activity); whole blood, 297 U/L (92.8% inhibition/7.2% normal activity); erythrocytes, 58 U/L (99% inhibition/1% normal activity); vitreous humor, 7 U/L; and bile, 148 U/L. Carbofuran was detected in the blood and gastric contents by thin-layer chromatography. No alcohol or other drugs were detected in the blood, urine, or gastric contents. Ingestion of the carbofuran produced acute visceral congestion and pulmonary edema. Death was caused by anoxia due to respiratory paralysis produced by cholinesterase inhibition from Furadan (carbofuran) ingestion.
A Review of Studies on Certain Forensic Aspects of Skull Identification and Individualization
Authors: Bass WM
Published: August 2015

This 85-page volume is the published version of P. Chandra Sekharan's doctoral dissertation submitted in 1989 to the University of Madras, Madras, India. He is the founder and president of the. Forensic Science Society of India and editor-in-chief of the Indian Journal of Forensic Sciences. He is now professor of forensic sciences and director of the Forensic Sciences Department of the government of Tamil Nadu state.
A Rapid Gas Chromatographic Method for the Fingerprinting of Illicit Cocaine Samples
Authors: Ensing JG , Racamy C , de Zeeuw RA
Published: August 2015

A gas chromatographic (GC) fingerprint method, based on the presence or absence of six congeners, was developed for illicit cocaine samples. The fingerprint utilizes the relative abundances of these congeners towards each other, disregarding cocaine as the main constituent, and can be expressed numerically or graphically in the form of pictograms for rapid visual comparison. The method can be applied directly to a solution of the sample in chloroform, without previous workup procedures. More than 70 unrelated samples were analyzed and a great variation was observed in the parameter composition. On the other hand, a remarkable similarity could be seen between related samples. The GC fingerprint method may be considered an important contribution for sample comparison, as is exemplified by a subdivision of the analyzed samples in different categories, based on the number and types of congeners found.
Differentiation of Side Chain Isomers of Ring-Substituted Amphetamines Using Gas Chromatography/Infrared/Mass Spectrometry (GC/IR/MS)
Authors: Soine WH , Duncan W , Lambert R , Middleberg R , Finley H , O'Neil DJ
Published: August 2015

Common analytical methods used for identifying samples obtained from clandestine laboratories were evaluated for their ability to differentiate between possible amphetamine isomers and homologs. A series of ring-substituted (4-methyl, 4-methoxy, and 3,4-methylenedioxy) amphetamine and N-methylphenethylamine isomers was analyzed using color tests, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and GC/infrared (GC/IR). The N-acetyl derivatives of the isomers were analyzed using GC/IR/MS. GC/IR/MS readily differentiated the 4-methylphenylalkylamine isomers. MS and IR spectra were also obtained for each pair of the 4-methoxyphenylalkylamine isomers and the 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylalkylamine isomers, but differentiation via GC/IR/MS was difficult. The N-acetyl derivatives of each pair of isomers could be readily differentiated using GC/IR/MS. Good library researchable spectra for N-acetylamphetamine could be obtained for IR identification with 10 ng (on-column) and MS identification with 2 ng. The spectrometrically independent IR and MS data obtained for the N-acetyl derivatives indicated that the combination of GC/IR/MS can add a significant level of confidence in the analysis of ring-substituted arylalkylamines.
Correlation of Trauma and Cause of Death to Accident Reconstruction: A Case of a Flight Accident Report
Authors: Min J-X , Jia M-Z
Published: August 2015

This paper reports on the disaster that occurred after a flight was hijacked at Baiyuen International Airport in Guangzhou, China, on Tuesday, 2 Oct. 1990. The authors show the results of analyses for the causes of death and trauma and compare the disaster with several previous flight accidents that have occurred in China. The authors show, with the analysis on this accident, the possibility and reliability of reconstructing a disaster by medicolegal investigation.
Visualization Method for Fingerprints on Skin by Impression on a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Semirigid Sheet
Authors: Guo Y-C , Xing L-P
Published: August 2015

Based on the phenomenon that static electricity attracts dust, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) semirigid sheet coated with printing ink was used to visualize impressions of fingerprints on the skin of living and dead bodies. Compared with visualization methods for perspiration fingerprints, this method recovers better images for a longer time after the fingerprint has been deposited on skin. Fingerprints transferred to the PET sheet are photographed with sidelighting using an ordinary light source. For fingerprints that yield inadequate contrast, an argon-ion laser can be used to improve the contrast.
Developments in the Analysis of Writing Inks on Questioned Documents
Authors: Harris J
Published: August 2015

The development of a 1-mm-diameter micro-hole punch allowing for the rapid collection of paper plugs from documents bearing questioned inks is presented. The Drummond Digital Microdispenser is also described, highlighting its advantages over other extracting and spotting techniques used in forensic ink analysis.
Elevator Surfing: A Deadly New Form of Joyriding
Authors: Kohr RM
Published: August 2015

A new form of joyride, on top of an elevator as it moves up and down the elevator shaft, has surfaced on college campuses and in housing and apartment complexes with elevators. This practice is called “elevator surfing,” and an illustrative case is presented, which is believed to be the first such report in the medical literature.
Bullet Identification: A Case of a Fatal Hunting Accident Resolved by Comparison of Lead Shot Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis
Authors: Capannesi G , Sedda AF
Published: August 2015

Bullet identification by chemical analysis often provides a powerful clue in forensic science. A case is reported in which a hunting accident was resolved by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for direct comparison of the trace element content in lead shot.

Different preparation batches of lead shot appear to have a high within-group composition homogeneity, and good differentiation is achieved between different batches.

Determination of the nickel and antimony content on a bush branch demonstrated that the branch had been perforated by one of the shot pellets, and this helped the detectives in reconstruction of the crime scene.
Fungal Tunneling of Hair from a Buried Body
Authors: DeGaetano DH , Kempton JB , Rowe WF
Published: August 2015

Tunnels produced in human head hair by fungal hyphae were examined with a light microscope and with a scanning electron microscope. The tunnels had small diameters and exhibited minimal branching. The use of a backscattered electron detector facilitated the locating of the openings of the tunnels in the surfaces of the hairs. In the backscattered electron image, tunnel openings appeared as dark spots. The tunneling hyphae did not show a preference for a particular location for entering the shaft of the hair. Some hyphae penetrated under the free edges of the cuticular scales, while others burrowed through the surfaces of the scales.
Sex Determination in Subadults Using Auricular Surface Morphology: A Forensic Science Perspective
Authors: Mittler DM , Sheridan SG , Sheridan SG
Published: August 2015

The determination of sex in subadult skeletons remains a problem for several areas of biological anthropology. To date, univariate and multivariate assessments of sex in the young using adult indicators have failed to produce reliable results. However, research in this area continues.

In 1980, Weaver proposed a modification of adult differences in auricular surface morphology as an effective means for sex determination in subadult remains. His method was indirectly evaluated by Hunt through a comparison of the sex ratios produced by this technique and the expected 1:1 ratio. The present investigation expands upon both studies by using a sample of subadults of known sex, and by evaluating Weaver's method from two perspectives: 1) what percentage of individuals can be correctly sexed using Weaver's criteria? and 2) what is the probability that an individual case will be correctly sexed based on the presence or absence of auricular surface elevation? The first is of interest to those reconstructing population patterns, while the second is critical to the forensic investigator faced with the diagnosis of an individual case.

The sample used in this study consisted of 58 ilia from subadults of known sex ranging in age from birth through 18. In each case, sufficient soft tissues were present to allow absolute sex diagnosis. Each ilium was subjected to a blind examination using Weaver's criteria for auricular surface elevation.

Weaver's technique proved most effective on the males in our sample, with an overall accuracy of 85.3%; however, accuracy in sexing females was only slightly better than chance at 58.3%. Our results corresponded closely to Weaver's own values of 85.4 and 57.7% respectively. Although not significant, the effectiveness of the method improved with age among subadults of both sexes at the population level. The present results suggest that during infancy and early childhood, auricular surface morphology for most individuals conforms to the male pattern.

From the perspective of forensic science, auricular surface morphology proved an effective predictor of sex only among a subset of children older than age nine. All subadults beyond age nine with an elevated surface were female and were therefore diagnosable. However, 26% of our female sample failed to develop an elevated surface thus making the attribute of nonelevation less indicative of male status.
Art Forgery: The Role of the Document Examiner
Authors: Hanna GA
Published: August 2015

Art fraud constitutes a new area of investigation. Consequently, the legal profession is exploring the use of various fields of expertise to assist them in determining the authenticity of art. This paper defines the latitude of the document examiner in such cases.

In so doing, it describes the types of art applicable to document examination, enumerates the inherent limitations and hazards, and discusses the process and conclusions of this type of examination.
A Psychiatric Study of Persons Charged with Arson
Authors: Leong GB
Published: August 2015

A total of 29 court-referred individuals charged with arson were psychiatrically studied. From this pre-trial cohort from a large heterogeneous urban population base, a higher rate of psychosis was found than in other recent studies. However, consistent with these studies was the rarity of the diagnosis of pyromania. An important finding of this study was the substantial number of fires set by individuals who are homeless mentally disordered or substance abusing, or both.
Criminals' Explanations of Their Criminal Behavior, Part II: A Possible Role for Psychopathy
Authors: Harry B
Published: August 2015

The author reviewed the literature concerning the effect of criminals' current psychopathology on their explanations about their crimes. He then studied 100 incarcerated men, examining the associations between their explanations and various historically documented aspects of psychopathy. Previously and independently documented patterns of pathological lying, lack of remorse or guilt, callousness or lack of empathy, and failure to accept responsibility for their own behavior were significantly associated with the offenders not admitting responsibility for their crimes. Further, independently described histories of pathological lying were associated with criminals' blaming their convictions on a faulty criminal-justice system, while histories of failure to accept responsibility for their behavior were associated with blaming someone else for their index crimes.
The Decision Theory of Paternity Disputes: Optimization Considerations Applied to Multilocus DNA Fingerprinting
Authors: Krawczak M , Schmidtke J
Published: August 2015

The solution of paternity disputes using results from scientific analyses is studied from a decision-theoretical viewpoint. Two alternative approaches to decision making, the so-called ‘Bayes’ and ‘Minimax’ strategies, are described and discussed. If prior probabilities of paternity are exactly known, then Bayes decisions are (a) independent of the source of evidence and (b) optimal with respect to average losses caused by wrong decisions. However, it is concluded that Minimax decisions, which depend upon the employed test system but not upon prior probabilities, are more appropriate in paternity cases if equal prior good will towards disclaimed children and alleged fathers is demanded. It is further demonstrated that, when major evidence about paternity comes from multilocus DNA fingerprinting, prior probabilities must be known quite accurately for Bayes decisions to be superior with respect to average losses. Finally, we are able to show that ‘quasi’ Bayes decision making, that is, adopting a neutral prior probability of 0.5 but leaving thresholds for decision making unchanged, coincides with Minimax decision making if multilocus DNA fingerprinting is employed.
The Application of Immunoblotting to the Phenotyping of Haptoglobin
Authors: Cox KJ , Thomas AS
Published: August 2015

An immunoblotting method for phenotyping haptoglobin in serum and blood-stains has been developed. Haptoglobin isoproteins were separated by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis and then transferred to nitrocellulose by electroblotting. The use of 1 mm gels facilitated more rapid and effective transfer than conventional 3 mm thick gels. Nitrocellulose blots were developed by double antibody enzyme immunoassay. The detection limit for serum and bloodstains was improved 16 times compared to conventional staining using O-tolidine. The method could detect haptoglobin phenotypes from 0.001 μl of whole blood. This detection limit is approximately 8 times lower than that of group specific-component analysis by immunoblotting.
Analysis of Alkyl Nitrites by Gas Chromatography-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Kurz ME , Witherspoon JR , Savage S , Johns S
Published: August 2015

Gas chromatography-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/IR) was used to analyze a series of alkyl nitrites (butyl and pentyl) as well as some typical “street products” containing alkyl nitrites. The vapor phase IR spectra of the nitrites exhibited strong absorbances near 1665 and 1620 cm-1 (anti and syn R-O-N = O stretches) and 780 cm-1 (O-N stretch); yet enough variation exists to distinguish between them. Street samples, or purposely “aged” nitrites, showed mixtures of readily separated components consisting of alkyl nitrites and nitrous oxide.
Car Surfing in Indiana—An Unusual Form of Motor Vehicle Fatality
Authors: Kohr RM
Published: August 2015

A new form of joyride known as “car surfing” with fatal results is documented. The possible role of this activity in extra-vehicular motor vehicle deaths involving teenage or youthful drivers is described. Potential scene and autopsy findings are discussed.
Sentence Insertions Detected Through Ink, ESDA, and Line Width Analysis
Authors: Fortunato SL , Stewart LF
Published: August 2015

Four original construction reports were submitted to the U.S. Secret Service Forensic Laboratory for ink analysis. The documents were dated October 1984 through November 1984. The pages contained a government inspector's handprinted entries pertaining to an accidental death of a contractor in 1984. The investigator in this case suspected the construction inspector of falsifying government documents.
Inhibition and Removal of Thin Ice on the Surface of Asphalt Pavements by Hydrophobic Method
Authors: Du Yinfei , Li Fujian , Wang Shengyue , Zhu Xiang
Published: August 2015

In order to reduce the surface adhesion of thin ice and asphalt pavements and remove the ice easily via vehicle rolling, an organic silicon rubber coating was prepared and successfully used to achieve a highly hydrophobic surface on asphalt pavement. Indoor and outdoor tests showed that the coating could reach more than 90° of contact angle, displaying an excellent hydrophobic property. Ice-breaking test indicated that, under a small strike, the coating could make the thin ice split in a radial crack way. Under repeated strikes, these cracks extended and linked to each other. An outdoor ice-removing test also verified that the ice growing on the coated asphalt pavements became loose, and was easy to separate from the pavement surface after vehicle rolling. Besides, since some of the coating was left within the texture of the pavement, asphalt pavement could keep high hydropobicity for a long time. This was confirmed by the high contact angle after spraying the coating for 12 months and the low wettability after spraying the coating for 20 months. Since the coating belongs to a conventional rubber structure, it had a limited effect on the skid resistance of asphalt pavement. Due to the potentials in removing ice from asphalt pavement, it is expected to provide an environmental method for removing ice by using the high hydrophobicity of the coating.
Performance Evaluation of Aged Asphalt Mix for Hot In-Place Recycling
Authors: Yu Bin , Gu Xingyu , Zhang Lidong , Ni Fujian
Published: August 2015

Despite increasing application, limited knowledge is known of in situ and laboratory properties of asphalt mixes placed through hot in-place recycling (HIR). This study conducted a preliminary investigation to inspect the individual and joint effects of binder (aged or rejuvenated) and gradation (decayed or normal) on respective performance indicators. Three mixes were designed and the properties were determined, including mix A collected from aged asphalt pavement, mix B designed with the same gradation of mix A but using virgin materials, and mix C designed with the initial construction aggregate gradation of the aged pavement section using virgin materials. The experimental program was carried out at the binder/aggregate, mortar and mix levels. The binder property, aggregate quality, and gradation of mix A were changed compared to the initial design, and the proper dosage of rejuvenator is able to restore the binder properties largely except for ductility. Asphalt mortars of mixes A and B were prepared and submitted for repeated shear at constant height (RSCH) and frequency sweep at constant height (FSCH) tests and found that the former has a better rutting resistance in terms of the Gv (viscous component of creep stiffness) and complex shear modulus G*, whereas poorer low-temperature and fatigue performances in terms of the glassy modulus G*g and NP20. At the mix level, master curves of the three mixes were developed by dynamic modulus tests and revealed disparate viscoelastic properties, of which mix C is mostly desired. Binder aging and gradation decay work contradictorily, determining flow number test results so that mixes A and C have close and higher flow number values than mix B. Fatigue and low-temperature fracture properties were evaluated by semi-circular bending tests and indicated the poorest performance for mix A because of binder aging and gradation decay.
Correlation of Microstructure With HAZ Welding Cycles Simulated in Ti-15-3 Alloy Using Gleeble® 3800 and SYSWELD®
Authors: Rahul M. R. , Phanikumar G.
Published: August 2015

Metastable β-titanium alloys are finding increasingly wider applications in structural components in aerospace, energy, and chemical industries because of their formability and heat-treatment possibilites. Components from these alloys are usually welded by processes, such as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), electron beam welding (EBW), and laser beam welding (LBW). Post-weld heat treatment improves the strength of the weld because of the precipitation of α phase and TiCr2 particles. In β-titanium alloys, the location, distribution and morphology of α precipitates in β matrix plays an important role in the performance of the welded components. In this work, we simulate different welding processes using SYSWELD® software and obtain realistic thermal cycles after calibrating the fusion zone dimensions with known experimental data. These cycles are then used to program the heat-affected zone (HAZ) cycles in Gleeble® 3800 to study their effect on the microstructure of the β-titanium alloy. Both continuous and pulsed welding conditions are used for the welding process. Microstructure characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Precipitates of α phase below 0.2μm are seen to be uniform across the β grain but the number density is not uniform across different grains of β. We discuss the characterization results in light of existing models in the literature. The α precipitation and hardness variation are correlated with welding cycles. A combination of computational and physical simulation tools is proposed to reduce the cycle to find optimal choice in the fabrication process design space.
Aging-related premature luteinization of granulosa cells is avoided by early oocyte retrieval
Authors: Wu Yan-Guang , Barad David H , Kushnir Vitaly A , Lazzaroni Emanuela , Wang Qi , Albertini David F , Gleicher Norbert
Published: August 2015

Why IVF pregnancy rates decline sharply after age 43 is unknown. In this study, we compared granulosa cell (GC) function in young oocyte donors (n=31, ages 21–29), middle-aged (n=64, ages 30–37) and older infertile patients (n=41, ages 43–47). Gene expressions related to gonadotropin activity, steroidogenesis, apoptosis and luteinization were examined by real-time PCR and western blot in GCs collected from follicular fluid. FSH receptor (FSHR), aromatase (CYP19A1) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B) expression were found down regulated with advancing age, while LH receptor (LHCGR), P450scc (CYP11A1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) were up regulated. Uponin vitroculture, GCs were found to exhibit lower proliferation and increased apoptosis with aging. While FSH supplementation stimulated GCs growth and prevented luteinizationin vitro. These observations demonstrate age-related functional declines in GCs, consistent with premature luteinization. To avoid premature luteinization in women above age 43, we advanced oocyte retrieval by administering human chorionic gonadotropin at maximal leading follicle size of 16 mm (routine 19–21 mm). Compared to normal cycles in women of similar age, earlier retrieved patients demonstrated only a marginal increase in oocyte prematurity, yet exhibited improved embryo numbers as well as quality and respectable clinical pregnancy rates. Premature follicular luteinization appears to contribute to rapidly declining IVF pregnancy chances after age 43, and can be avoided by earlier oocyte retrieval.
Terminografía galega e calidade: novos modelos
Authors: Galanes Iolanda
Published: August 2015

A elaboración de repertorios terminográficos que inclúen o galego como lingua de traballo experimentou desde 1980 un notable desenvolvemento. A produción terminográfica galega recente, xerada ao abeiro do proceso de normalización lingüística, foi obxecto de análise en publicacións nas que se relaciona coa planificación lingüística (p.e. Rodríguez Río 1996, Galanes 2003). Pola súa banda, na disciplina terminolóxica producíronse relevantes cambios teóricos (sobre todo a partir de Cabré 1999a), que incorporan a visión social e comunicativa ao tratamento da unidade terminolóxica. Estas innovacións teñen reflexo nas aplicacións terminográficas, especialmente no referido a plasmar as relacións entre denominación e concepto (sinonimia, polisemia etc.), así como á variación denominativa e conceptual e á selección das fontes de extracción da terminoloxía (baseadas agora en corpus).

Nesta situación, entendemos necesario actualizar a análise sobre a terminografía galega, desde a nova perspectiva comunicativa e co obxecto da mediación interlingüística, incidindo na calidade dos dicionarios. Para iso deseñamos un sistema de avaliación con base nos indicadores internacionais (Pointer 1995), nas metodoloxías de base comunicativa e nas máis recentes normas internacionais (ISO) sobre traballo terminográfico. Os resultados desta avaliación revelan conclusións que servirán para orientar o deseño de futuros traballos terminográficos.
Regular Versus Special Streams within Teacher Education/ Redovni i specijalni pristup u procesu obrazovanja učitelja
Authors: Peček Mojca , Macura-Milovanović Sunčica , Čuk Ivan
Published: August 2015

AbstractTeacher educators need to have a clear picture of student teachers’ attitudes towards diversity, disability, learning and teaching, because this knowledge can be helpful in designing teacher education programmes which can prepare future teachers better for work in inclusive settings. Therefore, the study presented in this paper was designed to explore the attitudes of student teachers enrolled in teacher education programmes in Slovenia (University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education) and Serbia (University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Education in Jagodina) towards the factors which affect the learning difficulties of vulnerable pupils. The results of the study suggest that the majority of student teachers in the first and the fourth year from both countries rank a pupil’s disability as the factor which has the greatest impact on his/her learning difficulties. The authors conclude that fragmentation between special teacher education and regular teacher education, that is, between special education and mainstream education may elicit student teacher attitudes which are not conducive to taking responsibility for vulnerable pupils, and might therefore hinder the process of inclusion. The implications of these findings for teacher education programmes are subsequently discussed. Key words: attitudes; inclusive education; pupils’ disability; special education; student teachers.---SažetakNastavnici koji obrazuju buduće učitelje trebali bi imati jasnu predodžbu o tome koje stavove njihovi studenti imaju prema raznolikosti, učenicima s teškoćama u učenju i poučavanju, jer bi im te predodžbe mogle uvelike biti od koristi pri izradi studijskih programa za obrazovanje budućih učitelja, a zahvaljujući kojima bi budući učitelji mogli biti bolje pripremljeni za rad u inkluzivnom okruženju. Stoga je istraživanje prikazano u ovom radu provedeno da bi se ispitali stavovi studenata pedagoških fakulteta upisanih na učiteljske studijske programe u Sloveniji (Sveučilište u Ljubljani, Pedagoški fakultet) i Srbiji (Sveučilište u Kragujevcu, Fakultet pedagoških nauka u Jagodini) prema čimbenicima koji mogu utjecati na poteškoće u učenju učenika s posebnim potrebama. Rezultati istraživanja upućuju na to da većina studenata, budućih učitelja, na prvoj i četvrtoj godini studija u obje države smatra da je učenikova teškoća čimbenik koji ima najveći utjecaj na njegove/njezine poteškoće u učenju. Autori ovog rada smatraju da podjela na obrazovanje učitelja za rad u specijalnim školama i na obrazovanje učitelja za rad u ostalim školama, tj. na specijalno i uobičajeno obrazovanje, može kod studenata stvoriti stavove koji nisu pogodni za stvaranje osjećaja odgovornosti za učenike s posebnim potrebama i tako mogu usporavati proces inkluzije. U ostatku rada raspravlja se o važnosti navedenih rezultata za učiteljske studijske programe. Ključne riječi: inkluzivno obrazovanje; specijalno obrazovanje; stavovi; student učiteljskih fakulteta; učenici s teškoćama.
Foreign Language Teachers and the Intercultural Dimension in Primary Education/Učitelji stranih jezika i interkulturalna dimenzija u osnovnoškolskom obrazovanju
Authors: Breka Olinka , Petravić Ana
Published: August 2015

The article presents the results of an investigation into the self-concepts primary school teachers of English hold regarding foreign language teaching objectives, culture teaching objectives, the possibility of developing intercultural competence in foreign language classes and their culture teaching practices. The aim was to establish to what extent the teachers comply with a newly conceptualised foreign language and intercultural competence teacher profile. The results have confirmed the teachers' positive disposition towards intercultural competence development. The results also reveal certain inconsistencies between the teachers' cognition and beliefs on the one hand and the teachers' self-perception of their culture teaching practices on the other. A number of implications arise from the results which might be relevant to further research on both teacher competences required for the development of intercultural competence in foreign language classes and foreign language teachers' initial education and professional development. Key words: development of intercultural competence in foreign language classes; foreign language and intercultural competence teacher profile; foreign language teaching and learning; intercultural competence.--- U radu se prikazuju rezultati istraživanja predodžbi osnovnoškolskih učitelja engleskog jezika s obzirom na ciljeve učenja i poučavanja stranih jezika, ciljeve nastave stranih jezika u segmentu kulture i civilizacije, na mogućnosti razvoja interkulturalne kompetencije u nastavi stranih jezika, kao i s obzirom na vlastitu nastavnu praksu poučavanja kulturne dimenzije. Istraživanjem se željelo ustanoviti u kojoj mjeri učitelji odgovaraju recentnoj konceptualizaciji profila „učitelja stranog jezika i interkulturalne kompetencije“. Rezultati potvrđuju pozitivan odnos učitelja prema razvoju interkulturalne kompetencije, no istodobno pokazuju određenu inkonzistenciju između učiteljske kognicije i uvjerenja s jedne i samopercepcije nastavne prakse s druge strane. Polazeći od tih rezultata, izvode se implikacije za daljnja istraživanja u području učiteljskih kompetencija za razvoj interkulturalne kompetencije u nastavi stranih jezika i za inicijalno obrazovanje učitelja stranih jezika i njihov profesionalni razvoj. Ključne riječi: interkulturalna kompetencija; nastava stranih jezika; profil učitelja stranog jezika i interkulturalne kompetencije; razvoj interkulturalne kompetencije u nastavi stranih jezika.
Students’ Satisfaction with Teaching Practice during Pre-service Teacher Education / Zadovoljstvo studenata praksom u nastavi u sklopu studijskog programa za obrazovanje učitelja
Authors: Vršnik Perše Tina , Ivauš Grmek Milena , Bratina Tomaž , Košir Katja
Published: August 2015

AbstractPractical teacher training has gained even greater importance in undergraduate teacher education programs since the reform of the curriculum based on the Bologna Process, even though practical teacher training has been historically strongly incorporated into these programs in Slovenia in a somewhat fragmentary manner. To gain insight into the quality and integrity of practical teacher training from the students’ perspective research on students’ perception about practical teacher training was conducted. This paper presents the results of the research on student satisfaction with practical teacher training including the analysis of the possible changes required. The paper also presents the differences between certain teacher practice forms - preformed in the process of practical teacher training and the differences among several aspects concerning teaching practice at the faculty and at the school level. Based on the analyses of the acquired data the segments that are prospective for defragmenting the faculty and school mentors’ efforts for improvement of teaching practice are outlined.Key words: forms of teaching practice; integration; mentors; study programs.---SažetakPraksa u obrazovanju učitelja dobila je još veću važnost u preddiplomskim programima za obrazovanje učitelja za vrijeme reforme kurikula prema Bolonjskom procesu iako je praktična nastava, doduše fragmentirana, bila vrlo važan dio programa za obrazovanje učitelja u Sloveniji. Kako bismo procijenili kvalitetu i integritet praktične nastave za buduće učitelje iz perspektive studenata, proveli smo istraživanje o percepciji studenata o praktičnoj nastavi. Ovaj rad prikazuje rezultate zadovoljstva studenata praktičnom nastavom, dajući pri tome i analizu mogućih potrebnih promjena. Rad također prikazuje razlike između određenih oblika praktične nastave na razini fakulteta i škole. Na osnovi analiza dobivenih podataka ukazujemo na dijelove koji nagovještavaju defragmentaciju te donosimo nastojanja mentora s fakulteta i iz škola za što kvalitetnijim izvođenjem nastavne prakse. Ključne riječi: integracija; mentori; oblici praktične nastave; studijski programi.
Developing Emotional Competence for Teaching/Razvoj emocionalne kompetencije učitelja
Authors: Madalinska-Michalak Joanna
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis paper evaluates a pilot programme designed to support the development of teacher emotional competence and reveals teachers’ experiences with emotional education over the course of their career. The design of the programme is based on the ‘EL4VET  ̶ Teachers First: Using Emotional Literacy to Improve Vet Teaching in the 21st Century’ project. The evaluation of the pilot programme used a survey and analysis of the obtained data to explore the participants’ perceptions of the connections between the programme content and their work in schools. The findings suggest that the programme provides a useful framework for teacher analysis, reflection and emotional competence building to enhance their ongoing teaching practice at the classroom level. The issue of developing teacher emotional competence contributes to a wider discussion on the challenges and recent trends in the development of initial teacher education, induction and continuous professional development of teachers. It raises the question of emotional education for teachers throughout their careers and the recognition of the importance of creating and sustaining integrated professional learning cultures to support teacher education at the initial and induction phases of the continuum.Key words: emotions and teacher development; induction and continuing teacher professional development; initial teacher education; integrated professional learning cultures; learning to teach. ---SažetakU ovome se radu evaluira pilot-program izrađen sa svrhom pružanja podrške razvoju emocionalne kompetencije učitelja te prikazuju iskustva učitelja s obrazovanjem emocija tijekom njihove karijere. Program je izrađen na temelju projekta 'EL4VET  ̶  Učitelji prvi: uporaba emocionalne pismenosti za unaprjeđenje obrazovanja i podučavanja u strukovnim školama u 21. stoljeću'. Procjena pilot-programa utemeljena je na istraživanju i analizi prikupljenih podataka sa svrhom istraživanja percepcija sudionika o povezanosti između sadržaja programa i njihova rada u školi. Rezultati pokazuju da program predstavlja koristan okvir za analizu učitelja, promišljanje i emocionalnu kompetenciju u cilju unaprjeđenja nastave koju izvode. Pitanje razvoja emocionalne kompetencije učitelja doprinosi široj raspravi o izazovima i modernim trendovima u razvoju početnog obrazovanja učitelja, uvođenju u profesiju i kontinuiranom profesionalnom razvoju učitelja. Također se postavlja pitanje obrazovanja emocija za učitelje tijekom njihove karijere, kao i pitanje prepoznavanja važnosti stvaranja i održavanja integriranih profesionalnih kultura učenja sa svrhom pružanja podrške obrazovanju učitelja u početnoj fazi kontinuuma i fazi njihova uvođenja u praksu.Ključne riječi: emocije i razvoj učitelja; integrirana profesionalna kultura učenja; početno obrazovanje učitelja; učiti poučavati; uvođenje u profesiju i trajni profesionalni razvoj učitelja.
The trends of technical, environmental and resource efficiency across agricultural sectors of european countries
Authors: Makutėnienė Daiva , Baležentis Tomas
Published: August 2015

This paper aims to analyse economic, environmental and resource use efficiency in the European Union agriculture. Specifically, we focus on selected countries specific with rather similar output mix. Different frontier models are defined to analyse the underlying trends in efficiency across the European countries. The data come from the World Input-Output Database and cover the period of 1995– 2009. Frontier models assume weak disposability and consider such variables as labour, capital, energy, land, materials, water, gross value added, and carbon emission. Slovenia, Belgium, France, Austria and Poland appeared to be the most technically efficient countries. Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Romania also gained considerable competitiveness in terms of eco-efficiency and resource use efficiency thus appearing among most efficient countries under frontier models with undesirable outputs. Latvia, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Hungary emerged as the least efficient countries in terms of agricultural production under all specifications of the frontier models. JEL codes: C44, Q15.