Search results for "forensic"
showing 10 items of 1701 documents
On Pathways for Small Molecules Into and Out of Human Hair Fibers
1996
This paper represents an experimental approach of histology of the human hair fiber in dyeing and diffusion phenomena and its contribution to the interpretation of hair analysis results for drug abuse. Rhodamine B was applied to human hair fibers from either aqueous solution or methanol/ethanol solvent. The experiments were performed on natural hair of different ethnic groups as well as on extensively bleached hair strands. The microscopical study of the pathway of diffusion of rhodamine B into the hair fibers indicated that the reagent had entered the unmodified fibers at the scale edges between the cuticle cells. At the beginning of the diffusion process intercellular diffusion was the pr…
Arachnid oenocytes: ecdysone synthesis in the legs of harvestmen (Opilionidae).
1981
Cells measuring up to 130 microns have been found in the proximal segments of the femora of all four pairs of walking legs in various species of harvestmen (Phalangium opilio, Leiobonum limbatum, Opilio parietinus, and Opilio ravennae). These cells exhibit all the fine-structural characteristics of insect oenocytes, in particular the conspicuous agranular endoplasmic reticulum. Radioimmunoassay after in vitro incubation of these cells has demonstrated the synthesis of alpha- and beta-ecdysone. These ecdysteroids have been found in the ovaries and tergites of the opisthosoma as well as in the oenocytes.
Nutrition-related health problems in a wealthy 17-18th century German community in Jelgava, Latvia.
2012
The aim of this research is to assess the presence of stress in a high status German population from Jelgava, Latvia. The skeletal material used in this study came from a recently excavated church cemetery, with most of the burials dating to the 17-18th centuries. In total, 108 individuals (80 adults and 28 non-adults) were analysed for evidence of scurvy, rickets/osteomalacia and anaemia. The presence of scurvy and healed rickets/osteomalacia could not be confirmed in any adult individual. Among non-adults, a possible diagnosis of scurvy was considered in six individuals, and active rickets was suggested in two others. Cribra orbitalia in adult and non-adult individuals also argued for the…
Stochastic Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Structures: Concepts, Modeling and Restoration Aspects
2019
A methodology aiming to predict the vulnerability of masonry structures under seismic action is presented herein. Masonry structures, among which many are cultural heritage assets, present high vulnerability under earthquake. Reliable simulations of their response to seismic stresses are exceedingly difficult because of the complexity of the structural system and the anisotropic and brittle behavior of the masonry materials. Furthermore, the majority of the parameters involved in the problem such as the masonry material mechanical characteristics and earthquake loading characteristics have a stochastic-probabilistic nature. Within this framework, a detailed analytical methodological approac…
Self-Determined Goals of Male Participants Attending an Intervention Program for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: A Thematic Analysis
2023
Treatment adherence and motivation to change are among the main challenges in intervention programs for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrators. Motivational strategies have shown promising results in increasing the effectiveness of intervention programs for IPV perpetrators. One of these motivational strategies is goal setting. The aim of this study was to analyze and categorize the self-determined goals ( n = 204) of 227 male participants attending an intervention program for IPV perpetrators. Findings of the thematic analysis suggested three levels of analysis: 4 core categories, 12 categories, and 35 codes. The four core categories were “interpersonal relationships” (39.7%), “pers…
Nordic penal exceptionalism: A comparative, empirical analysis
2022
Abstract Based on a survey administered in 13 prisons in England & Wales and Norway, as part of a research programme with explicitly comparative aims, this article seeks to address both the relative and absolute dimensions of the Nordic penal exceptionalism thesis. It outlines the consistently more positive results in Norway compared to England & Wales, explaining them primarily with reference to the former’s much higher quality and use of open prisons. At the same time, it emphasizes that, even in an unusually humane prison system, prisoners report considerable pain and frustration. The article also makes the case that comparative analysis should strive to be systematic, but that s…
In silico and in vitro comparative analysis to select, validate and test SNPs for human identification.
2007
Abstract Background The recent advances in human genetics have recently provided new insights into phenotypic variation and genome variability. Current forensic DNA techniques involve the search for genetic similarities and differences between biological samples. Consequently the selection of ideal genomic biomarkers for human identification is crucial in order to ensure the highest stability and reproducibility of results. Results In the present study, we selected and validated 24 SNPs which are useful in human identification in 1,040 unrelated samples originating from three different populations (Italian, Benin Gulf and Mongolian). A Rigorous in silico selection of these markers provided …
A Mechano-Chemical Coupling for Hydrogen Diffusion in Metals Based on a Thermodynamic Approach
2014
Hydrogen diffusion in metals is still an ongoing topic of research due to its technical relevance (hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen storage...). In the last decades, significant progress in understanding the time evolution of the hydrogen concentration in solids was completed. This paper presents a modeling of hydrogen diffusion with a general and thermodynamically based diffusion concept coupled with mechanical and chemical aspects. This model was previously used to simulate the oxidation of a metal [1][2]. This concept has been upgraded to offer a thoroughly macroscopic behavior law used to simulate hydrogen diffusion in metal parts under mechanical loadings. The thermodynamic approach of…
Mice with experimental antiphospholipid syndrome display hippocampal dysfunction and a reduction of dendritic complexity in hippocampal CA1 neurones
2015
Aims The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by high titres of auto-antibodies (aPL) leading to thrombosis and consequent infarcts. However, many affected patients develop neurological symptoms in the absence of stroke. Similarly, in a mouse model of this disease (eAPS), animals consistently develop behavioural abnormalities despite lack of ischemic brain injury. Therefore, the present study was designed to identify structural alterations of hippocampal neurones underlying the neurological symptoms in eAPS. Methods Adult female Balb/C mice were subjected to either induction of eAPS by immunization with β2-Glycoprotein 1 or to a control group. After sixteen…
Detection of the synthetic drug 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) in serum and urine.
2010
Abstract 4-Fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) was detected in the blood and urine of two individuals suspected for driving under the influence (DUI). The test for amphetamines in urine subjected to immunoassay screening using the CEDIA DAU assay proved positive. Further investigations revealed a 4-FA cross-reactivity of about 6% in the CEDIA amphetamine assay. 4-FA was qualitatively detected in a general unknown screening for drugs using GC/MS in full scan mode. No other drugs or fluorinated phenethylamines were detected. A validated GC/MS method was established in SIM mode for serum analysis of 4-FA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 ng/mL and a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 5 ng/mL. Int…