New perspectives in the use of ink evidence in forensic science

Resume : L'utilisation de l'encre comme indice en sciences forensiques est décrite et encadrée par une littérature abondante, comprenant entre autres deux standards de l'American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). La grande majorité de cette littérature se préoccupe de l'analyse des caractéristiques physiques ou chimiques des encres. Les standards ASTM proposent quelques principes de base qui concernent la comparaison et l'interprétation de la valeur d'indice des encres en sciences forensiques. L'étude de cette littérature et plus particulièrement des standards ASTM, en ayant a l'esprit les développements intervenus dans le domaine de l'interprétation de l'indice forensique, montre qu'il existe un potentiel certain pour l'amélioration de l'utilisation de l'indice encre et de son impact dans l'enquête criminelle. Cette thèse propose d'interpréter l'indice encre en se basant sur le cadre défini par le théorème de Bayes. Cette proposition a nécessité le développement d'un système d'assurance qualité pour l'analyse et la comparaison d'échantillons d'encre. Ce système d'assurance qualité tire parti d'un cadre théorique nouvellement défini. La méthodologie qui est proposée dans ce travail a été testée de manière compréhensive, en tirant parti d'un set de données spécialement créer pour l'occasion et d'outils importés de la biométrie. Cette recherche répond de manière convaincante à un problème concret généralement rencontré en sciences forensiques. L'information fournie par le criminaliste, lors de l'examen de traces, est souvent bridée, car celui-ci essaie de répondre à la mauvaise question. L'utilisation d'un cadre théorique explicite qui définit et formalise le goal de l'examen criminaliste, permet de déterminer les besoins technologiques et en matière de données. Le développement de cette technologie et la collection des données pertinentes peut être justifiées économiquement et achevée de manière scientifique. Abstract : The contribution of ink evidence to forensic science is described and supported by an abundant literature and by two standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The vast majority of the available literature is concerned with the physical and chemical analysis of ink evidence. The relevant ASTM standards mention some principles regarding the comparison of pairs of ink samples and the evaluation of their evidential value. The review of this literature and, more specifically, of the ASTM standards in the light of recent developments in the interpretation of forensic evidence has shown some potential improvements, which would maximise the benefits of the use of ink evidence in forensic science. This thesis proposes to interpret ink evidence using the widely accepted and recommended Bayesian theorem. This proposition has required the development of a new quality assurance process for the analysis and comparison of ink samples, as well as of the definition of a theoretical framework for ink evidence. The proposed technology has been extensively tested using a large dataset of ink samples and state of the art tools, commonly used in biometry. Overall, this research successfully answers to a concrete problem generally encountered in forensic science, where scientists tend to self-limit the usefulness of the information that is present in various types of evidence, by trying to answer to the wrong questions. The declaration of an explicit framework, which defines and formalises their goals and expected contributions to the criminal and civil justice system, enables the determination of their needs in terms of technology and data. The development of this technology and the collection of the data is then justified economically, structured scientifically and can be proceeded efficiently.

Not in Education, Employment, or Training status among young Swiss men. Longitudinal associations with mental health and substance use.

PURPOSE: Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) youth are youth disengaged from major social institutions and constitute a worrying concern. However, little is known about this subgroup of vulnerable youth. This study aimed to examine if NEET youth differ from other contemporaries in terms of personality, mental health, and substance use and to provide longitudinal examination of NEET status, testing its stability and prospective pathways with mental health and substance use. METHODS: As part of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors, 4,758 young Swiss men in their early 20s answered questions concerning their current professional and educational status, personality, substance use, and symptomatology related to mental health. Descriptive statistics, generalized linear models for cross-sectional comparisons, and cross-lagged panel models for longitudinal associations were computed. RESULTS: NEET youth were 6.1% at baseline and 7.4% at follow-up with 1.4% being NEET at both time points. Comparisons between NEET and non-NEET youth showed significant differences in substance use and depressive symptoms only. Longitudinal associations showed that previous mental health, cannabis use, and daily smoking increased the likelihood of being NEET. Reverse causal paths were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: NEET status seemed to be unlikely and transient among young Swiss men, associated with differences in mental health and substance use but not in personality. Causal paths presented NEET status as a consequence of mental health and substance use rather than a cause. Additionally, this study confirmed that cannabis use and daily smoking are public health problems. Prevention programs need to focus on these vulnerable youth to avoid them being disengaged.

A Study of the Epidemiology of AIDS in Ireland and an Evaluation of an AIDS Education Programme in Second-level Schools

Second-level school students have been identified by the Minister for health as a priority group for education on AIDS. An education programme was accordingly initiated in 1988 in Community Care Area 1 in South county Dublin. This report evaluates this education intervention by means of pre- and post- intervention questionnaires. The questionnaire examined knowledge and attitudes of students relevant to AIDS. The results showed that the level of knowledge of students living in this area was high prior to intervention. The education programme succeeded in improving some aspects of knowledge and also influenced some attitudes of the students. A study of the epidemiology of Aids in Ireland reveals that the epidemic is at a relatively early stage with a consequent rapid doubling time of 9-10 months. In comparison with most developed countries Ireland has a high proportion of AIDS cases occurring among intravenous drug abusers and directly related to this a high number of HIV infected children. Examination of the literature reveals that behaviour change has occurred most noticeably among the homosexual/bisexual risk group. There is some evidence that the comprehensive programmes can achieve change in the behaviour of intravenous drug abusers. There are very few reports linking behaviour change among adolescents and young adults to education programmes. Much of the available literature relates to changes in knowledge and attitudes. International recommendations on the nature of the ideal health education intervention on AIDS are reviewed. The importance of a comprehensive health education programme which incorporates AIDS education and which commences early in youth is noted. The role of the community physician in relation to education programmes and other aspects of monitoring and management of the AIDS epidemic is discussed.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Investing Effectively in Information and Communication Technology in Schools, 2008-2013

Learning is changing. A pivotal force in bringing about this change is the use of information and communications technology (ICT) which provides richer, more immediate, world-relevant educational resources and opportunities. When used well, ICT enriches learning and enhances teaching. It invigorates classroom activities and is a powerful motivational tool that encourages learners to progress in more personalised and self-directed ways. Ireland has achieved rapid change and growth in the past decade, but to sustain this we must prepare the next generation for the knowledge society in which they will live. The challenge we face is to ensure that the emphasis on ICT in schools shifts, in the immediate future, from technology provision to a focus on its deliberate use by the learner. Fostering personal creativity has always been a desirable educational value. The pursuit of creativity and inventiveness are now pivotal skills in a knowledge economy and the embedding of ICT in learning can greatly facilitate their development. Web 2.0 will facilitate greater interactivity and enable greater levels of user-generated content. It is crucial that young people acquire the ICT and related skills to support these new opportunities.

Use of palliative radiotherapy in brain and bone metastases (VARA II study).

INTRODUCTION Metastases are detected in 20% of patients with solid tumours at diagnosis and a further 30% after diagnosis. Radiation therapy (RT) has proven effective in bone (BM) and brain (BrM) metastases. The objective of this study was to analyze the variability of RT utilization rates in clinical practice and the accessibility to medical technology in our region. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed the clinical records and RT treatment sheets of all patients undergoing RT for BM and/or BrM during 2007 in the 12 public hospitals in an autonomous region of Spain. Data were gathered on hospital type, patient type and RT treatment characteristics. Calculation of the rate of RT use was based on the cancer incidence and the number of RT treatments for BM, BrM and all cancer sites. RESULTS Out of the 9319 patients undergoing RT during 2007 for cancer at any site, 1242 (13.3%; inter-hospital range, 26.3%) received RT for BM (n = 744) or BrM (n = 498). These 1242 patients represented 79% of all RT treatments with palliative intent, and the most frequent primary tumours were in lung, breast, prostate or digestive system. No significant difference between BM and BrM groups were observed in: mean age (62 vs. 59 yrs, respectively); gender (approximately 64% male and 36% female in both); performance status (ECOG 0-1 in 70 vs. 71%); or mean distance from hospital (36 vs. 28.6 km) or time from consultation to RT treatment (13 vs. 14.3 days). RT regimens differed among hospitals and between patient groups: 10 × 300 cGy, 5 × 400 cGy and 1x800cGy were applied in 32, 27 and 25%, respectively, of BM patients, whereas 10 × 300cGy was used in 49% of BrM patients. CONCLUSIONS Palliative RT use in BM and BrM is high and close to the expected rate, unlike the global rate of RT application for all cancers in our setting. Differences in RT schedules among hospitals may reflect variability in clinical practice among the medical teams.

Use of microseaweeds (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) as a probiotic in dairy goats feeding

Ten Majorera dairy goats were divided in two groups in order to observe the effects of the Chlorella pyrenoidosaoral administration on the colostrum and milk quality and on the animals’ immune status. Treated animals received 5g/d of seaweed from 40 days before partum to 40 days after partum, and blood, colostrum and milk samples were obtained during the experimental period. No effects of the seaweed addition were observed on blood plasma IgG or Chitotriosidase activity, neither on colostrum/milk IgG, Chitotriosidase activity or fatty acid profile.

Enhanced antitumor activity of doxorubicin in breast cancer through the use of poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles.

The use of doxorubicin (DOX), one of the most effective antitumor molecules in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, is limited by its low tumor selectivity and its severe side effects. Colloidal carriers based on biodegradable poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PBCA NPs) may enhance DOX antitumor activity against breast cancer cells, thus allowing a reduction of the effective dose required for antitumor activity and consequently the level of associated toxicity. DOX loading onto PBCA NPs was investigated in this work via both drug entrapment and surface adsorption. Cytotoxicity assays with DOX-loaded NPs were performed in vitro using breast tumor cell lines (MCF-7 human and E0771 mouse cancer cells), and in vivo evaluating antitumor activity in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. The entrapment method yielded greater drug loading values and a controlled drug release profile. Neither in vitro nor in vivo cytotoxicity was observed for blank NPs. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of DOX-loaded PBCA NPs was significantly lower for MCF-7 and E0771 cancer cells (4 and 15 times, respectively) compared with free DOX. Furthermore, DOX-loaded PBCA NPs produced a tumor growth inhibition that was 40% greater than that observed with free DOX, thus reducing DOX toxicity during treatment. These results suggest that DOX-loaded PBCA NPs have great potential for improving the efficacy of DOX therapy against advanced breast cancers.

New perspectives in the use of ink evidence in forensic science: Part II. Development and testing of mathematical algorithms for the automatic comparison of ink samples analysed by HPTLC

In the first part of this research, three stages were stated for a program to increase the information extracted from ink evidence and maximise its usefulness to the criminal and civil justice system. These stages are (a) develop a standard methodology for analysing ink samples by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) in reproducible way, when ink samples are analysed at different time, locations and by different examiners; (b) compare automatically and objectively ink samples; and (c) define and evaluate theoretical framework for the use of ink evidence in forensic context. This report focuses on the second of the three stages. Using the calibration and acquisition process described in the previous report, mathematical algorithms are proposed to automatically and objectively compare ink samples. The performances of these algorithms are systematically studied for various chemical and forensic conditions using standard performance tests commonly used in biometrics studies. The results show that different algorithms are best suited for different tasks. Finally, this report demonstrates how modern analytical and computer technology can be used in the field of ink examination and how tools developed and successfully applied in other fields of forensic science can help maximising its impact within the field of questioned documents.

The pattern of health care use of older prisoners in Switzerland.

Introduction: Population ageing is a worldwide phenomenon that forces us to make radical changes on multiple levels of society. So far, studies have concluded that the health, both physical and mental, of prisoners in general and older prisoners in particular is worse than that of the general population. Prisoners are reported to age faster as compared to adults in the community. However, to date, very little is known about the actual healthcare conditions of older prisoners and almost no substantial knowledge is available concerning their patterns of healthcare use. Method: A quantitative study was conducted in four prisons for male prisoners in Switzerland, including two open and two closed prisons situated in different cantons. In this study, medical records of older prisoners (50+) were obtained from the respective authority upon consent and total anonymity was ensured. Data gathered from all available medical records included basic demographic information, education and prison sentencing. Healthcare data obtained were extensive in nature encompassing data related to illness types, number of visits to different health care providers and hospitals. The corresponding reasons for visits and outcomes of these visits were extracted. All data are analysed using statistical software SPSS 20.0. Results: Data were extracted for a total of 50 older prisoners living in Switzerland. The chosen prisons are located in German-speaking cantons. Preliminary results show that the age average was 56 years. For more than half, this was their first imprisonment. Nevertheless, a third of them were sentenced to measures (Art. 64 Swiss Criminal Code) which means that the length of the detention is indefinite and while release is possible it is in most cases not very likely. This entails that these prisoners will grow old in prison and some will even spend their remaining years there. Concerning their health, a third of the sample reported respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and half reported suffering from some form of musculoskeletal related pain. Older prisoners were prescribed on average only 3.5 medications, which is significantly fewer than the number of medication prescribed to younger prisoners, whose data were also sampled. Conclusion: Access to healthcare is a right given to all prisoners through the principle of equivalence which is generally exercised in Switzerland. Prisoners growing old in prison will represent a challenge for prison health care services.

Development of assistive technology for the visually impaired: use of the male condom

The objectives were to develop and evaluate an assistive technology for the use of the male condom by visually impaired men. It was a technology development study with the participation of seven subjects. Three workshops were performed between April and May of 2010; they were all filmed and the statements of the participants were transcribed and analyzed by content. Three categories were established: Sexuality of the visually impaired; Utilization of the text, For avoiding STDs, condoms we will use, divided in two subcategories, Concept discussion and Text evaluation; and Construction of a simple penile prosthesis. The knowledge transmitted related to STD, the utilization of the condom on the penile prosthesis made by the subjects themselves, and the interaction during the workshops were effective factors for the study. In the context of sexual health, the necessity of developing works involving the visually impaired was noted, addressing sexually transmitted diseases and focusing on the use of the condom by this population.

Prevalence and factors associated with use of smokeless tobacco in young Swiss men.

BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco is of increasing interest to public health researchers and policy makers. This study aims to measure prevalence of smokeless tobacco use (nasal dry snuff, snus and chewing tobacco) among young Swiss men, and to describe its correlates. METHODS: We invited 13 245 young men to participate in this survey on socio-economic and substance use data. Response rate was 45.2%. We included 5720 participants. Descriptive statistics and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 19.5 years. Self-reported use once a month or more often was 8% for nasal dry snuff, 3% for snus and negligible for chewing tobacco. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, the odds for nasal dry snuff use increased in non daily smokers [odds ratio (OR) 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.90-3.05], compared with non smokers, participants reporting risky weekly drinking volume (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.86-8.32), compared with abstinents, and binge drinking once a month or more often (OR 7.41, 95% CI 4.11-13.38), compared with never binge drinking. Nasal dry snuff use was positively associated with higher BMI, average or above family income and German language, compared with French, and negatively associated with academic higher education, compared with non higher education, and occasional cannabis use, compared with no cannabis use. Correlates of snus were similar to those of nasal dry snuff. CONCLUSION: One in 12 young Swiss men use nasal dry snuff and 3% use snus. Consumption of smokeless tobacco is associated with a cluster of other risky behaviours, especially binge drinking.

Well, you have hepatic metastases: Use of technical language by medical students in simulated patient interviews.

OBJECTIVE: This research explored medical students' use and perception of technical language in a practical training setting to enhance skills in breaking bad news in oncology. METHODS: Terms potentially confusing to laypeople were selected from 108 videotaped interviews conducted in an undergraduate Communication Skills Training. A subset of these terms was included in a questionnaire completed by students (N=111) with the aim of gaining insight into their perceptions of different speech registers and of patient understanding. Excerpts of interviews were analyzed qualitatively to investigate students' communication strategies with respect to these technical terms. RESULTS: Fewer than half of the terms were clarified. Students checked for simulated patients' understanding of the terms palliative and metastasis/to metastasize in 22-23% of the interviews. The term ambulatory was spontaneously explained in 75% of the interviews, hepatic and metastasis/to metastasize in 22-24%. Most provided explanations were in plain language; metastasis/to metastasize and ganglion/ganglionic were among terms most frequently explained in technical language. CONCLUSION: A significant number of terms potentially unfamiliar and confusing to patients remained unclarified in training interviews conducted by senior medical students, even when they perceived the terms as technical. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This exploration may offer important insights for improving future physicians' skills.

On the use of mobile inflatable hypoxic marquees for sport-specific altitude training in team sports.

BACKGROUND/AIM: With the evolving boundaries of sports science and greater understanding of the driving factors in the human performance physiology, one of the limiting factors has now become the technology. The growing scientific interest on the practical application of hypoxic training for intermittent activities such as team and racket sports legitimises the development of innovative technologies serving athletes in a sport-specific setting. METHODS: Description of a new mobile inflatable simulated hypoxic equipment. RESULTS: The system comprises two inflatable units-that is, a tunnel and a rectangular design, each with a 215 m(3) volume and a hypoxic trailer generating over 3000 Lpm of hypoxic air with FiO₂ between 0.21 and 0.10 (a simulated altitude up to 5100 m). The inflatable units offer a 45 m running lane (width=1.8 m and height=2.5 m) as well as a 8 m × 10 m dome tent. FiO₂ is stable within a range of 0.1% in normal conditions inside the tunnel. The air supplied is very dry-typically 10-15% relative humidity. CONCLUSIONS: This mobile inflatable simulated hypoxic equipment is a promising technological advance within sport sciences. It offers an opportunity for team-sport players to train under hypoxic conditions, both for repeating sprints (tunnel configuration) or small-side games (rectangular configuration).