bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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 &lt; 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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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.
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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.
Decipherment of Opaqued Writing with Acetate-Assisted Photocopying
Authors: Curfman HW , Oleksow DL 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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.