Development of a Novel Finger-Trigger Interface for Trigger Pull Measurement

Trigger pull is the force that needs to be exerted on the trigger to discharge a firearm. The measurement of trigger pull can assist in the evaluation of the safety, function, and manufacturing characteristics associated with a firearm during the forensic firearm examination process. Nonetheless, the accuracy and uncertainty of trigger pull measurements may be affected by the measuring device, test procedure, and environmental conditions. In this work, an innovative finger-trigger interface device was developed to facilitate accurate trigger pull measurements. The idea was to reduce the variation related to the position of the measurement device on the trigger in existing measuring methods and devices. Three force sensors based on different technologies were initially evaluated. While two of the three sensors failed to produce data, the miniature capacitive plate sensor exhibited high precision and a linear response over the range of typical trigger pulls. To examine the effects of the finger-trigger interface on trigger pull measurement, different sensor housing prototypes were designed in silico and 3D printed for the construction of three finger-trigger interface devices. The performance of each finger-trigger interface device was evaluated by measuring the trigger pulls of several selected firearms and comparing the data to a previously published study. Our preliminary results demonstrated the novel finger-trigger interface device offered a new way to measure trigger pull in situ with acceptable accuracy and precision.     

Determinants of Firm‐Level Lobbying and Government Responsiveness in Agricultural Biotechnology in China

Understanding what stimulates agribusiness firms to lobby the government and what makes the government responsive to lobbying are the two issues that have been discussed extensively in the debates concerning determinants of biotechnology policy. This paper examines the factors influencing agribusiness firms' lobbying and government response using econometric modeling on a new data set of 160 leading agribusiness firms in the food, feed, chemical, and seed industries in China. The results show that approximately 10% of agribusiness firms lobbied the government about biotechnology policy and regulations and over half of those that lobbied received a verbal or written acknowledgment from government agencies. Seed and feed companies are more likely to engage in lobbying than chemical companies. Owning GM patents not only has a positive impact on firms' lobbying activities, but firms with these patents are more likely to receive a government response to their lobbying efforts. The experience of selling GM products does not significantly influence lobbying activities or response from the government.     

Empirical Evaluation of the Reliability of Photogrammetry Software in the Recovery of Three-Dimensional Footwear Impressions

This paper examines the reliability of Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry as a tool in the capture of forensic footwear marks. This is applicable to photogrammetry freeware DigTrace but is equally relevant to other SfM solutions. SfM simply requires a digital camera, a scale bar, and a selection of oblique photographs of the trace in question taken at the scene. The output is a digital three-dimensional point cloud of the surface and any plastic trace thereon. The first section of this paper examines the reliability of photogrammetry to capture the same data when repeatedly used on one impression, while the second part assesses the impact of varying cameras. Using cloud to cloud comparisons that measure the distance between two-point clouds, we assess the variability between models. The results highlight how little variability is evident and therefore speak to the accuracy and consistency of such techniques in the capture of three-dimensional traces. Using this method, 3D footwear impressions can, in many substrates, be collected with a repeatability of 97% with any variation between models less than ~0.5 mm.     

The use of 3D visualization for sustainable tourism planning

This paper describes the results of using 3D visualization (3DV) in sustainable tourism planning (STP) during the Comcot project in Estonia. Organizers were interviewed on the characteristics of 3DV for STP and on how participants were involved in discourse using 3DV. The study describes experiences from the Setu, Maidla, and Võrtsjärv lake regions of Estonia. The content analysis of the interviews suggested that the precise selection of visualization objects, detalization levels, and user interface characteristics may significantly influence the quality of STP sessions and help to optimize time, financial, and human resources allocated for a project. The coherent design of the 3DV tool and the neutral moderator positively affect the level of participant involvement in STP and support a trusted platform for community decision making.     

基于STAT-3/NF-κB/ICAM-1通路探讨丹皮酚缓解小鼠结肠炎相关性结直肠癌的作用机制

目的 从STAT-3/NF-κB/ICAM-1信号通路探讨丹皮酚缓解小鼠结肠"炎—癌转化"的机制.方法 构建结肠"炎—癌转化"小鼠模型,ELISA法检测小鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素6(interleukin-6,IL-6)、白细胞介素1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)和白细胞介素10(inter-leukin-10,IL-10)水平,Western blot法和免疫组织化学染色法检测小鼠结肠组织内信号转导及转录激活因子3(signal transdncers and activators of transduction-3,STAT-3)、核因子-κB(nuclear factorκB,NF-κB)p65和细胞间黏附分子1(intercellular adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1)蛋白表达水平.结果 光学显微镜下可见丹皮酚治疗组小鼠结肠的炎症细胞浸润、腺体紊乱等病变明显减轻.丹皮酚可显著降低肿瘤数量、肿瘤质量及脾脏指数(P<0.05),显著降低模型小鼠血清TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平(P<0.05),显著升高血清IL-10水平(P<0.05),显著降低小鼠结肠STAT-3、NF-κB p65和ICAM-1的表达水平(P<0.05),其中以丹皮酚中剂量组的作用为优(P<0.05).结论 丹皮酚能有效缓解小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的炎症反应,其作用机制与调节STAT-3/NF-κB/ICAM-1信号通路有关.     

颅骨三维模型制作和数据库的构建

目的采用激光扫描深度图像法和CT影像法,制作颅骨模型,并建立无身源颅骨模型数据库。方法收集各省(区)送检的59例无身源颅骨样本,采用三维激光扫描仪进行颅骨深度图像的采集;采用多排螺旋CT进行颅骨断层影像数据的采集。分别经处理后建立颅骨三维模型。利用3D打印技术实现数字颅骨模型的实体复制。建立具有颅骨信息查询和三维模型显示的无身源颅骨模型数据库。结果采用深度图像法可以获得颅骨的外表面模型,且通过调整扫描仪的参数使细节特征更清晰。采用CT断层影像法可以重建颅骨的内、外部结构,且对于牙齿具有更好的重建结果。建立数据库并将59例无身源颅骨样本信息和三维模型纳入数据库。结论三维建模和3D打印技术可实现对颅骨的重建和模型复制。无身源颅骨数据库的构建,可实现存储和管理颅骨样本的各类信息和三维数据,有助于查询和信息共享,对法医学实践有积极的应用价值。     

急性乙醇中毒大鼠脑皮质α-syn表达与神经细胞凋亡的关系

目的观察急性乙醇中毒大鼠脑皮质α-突触核蛋白(α-synuclein,α-syn)表达及神经细胞凋亡的变化,探讨乙醇对神经细胞损害的机制。方法用50%乙醇溶液灌胃方法制作大鼠急性乙醇中毒模型。采用免疫组织化学染色技术和图像分析方法观察大鼠急性乙醇中毒后1 h、3 h、6 h、12 h脑皮质内α-syn和caspase-3的表达。测定阳性细胞数和平均光密度值,分析其变化趋势,并进行方差分析和t检验。结果急性乙醇中毒组大鼠脑皮质α-syn染色阳性细胞数和平均光密度值均呈上升趋势,6 h达到峰值,12 h略有下降,但仍高于1 h、3 h组。中毒后12 h以内,大鼠脑皮质的caspase-3阳性细胞数和平均光密度值均呈逐渐上升趋势。结论急性乙醇中毒后脑水肿、缺氧引起α-syn异常聚集可能参与乙醇中毒后早期神经细胞凋亡过程。     

A Preliminary Investigation into the Accuracy of 3D Modeling and 3D Printing in Forensic Anthropology Evidence Reconstruction,

There is currently no published empirical evidence‐base demonstrating 3D printing to be an accurate and reliable tool in forensic anthropology, despite 3D printed replicas being exhibited as demonstrative evidence in court. In this study, human bones (n = 3) scanned using computed tomography were reconstructed as virtual 3D models (n = 6), and 3D printed using six commercially available printers, with osteometric data recorded at each stage. Virtual models and 3D prints were on average accurate to the source bones, with mean differences from ?0.4 to 1.2 mm (?0.4% to 12.0%). Interobserver differences ranged from ?5.1 to 0.7 mm (?5.3% to 0.7%). Reconstruction and modeling parameters influenced accuracy, and prints produced using selective laser sintering (SLS) were most consistently accurate. This preliminary investigation into virtual modeling and 3D printer capability provides a novel insight into the accuracy of 3D printing osteological samples and begins to establish an evidence‐base for validating 3D printed bones as demonstrative evidence.     

A Computational Framework for Age‐at‐Death Estimation from the Skeleton: Surface and Outline Analysis of 3D Laser Scans of the Adult Pubic Symphysis

In forensic anthropology, age‐at‐death estimation typically requires the macroscopic assessment of the skeletal indicator and its association with a phase or score. High subjectivity and error are the recognized disadvantages of this approach, creating a need for alternative tools that enable the objective and mathematically robust assessment of true chronological age. We describe, here, three fully computational, quantitative shape analysis methods and a combinatory approach that make use of three‐dimensional laser scans of the pubic symphysis. We report a novel age‐related shape measure, focusing on the changes observed in the ventral margin curvature, and refine two former methods, whose measures capture the flatness of the symphyseal surface. We show how we can decrease age‐estimation error and improve prior results by combining these outline and surface measures in two multivariate regression models. The presented models produce objective age‐estimates that are comparable to current practices with root‐mean‐square‐errors between 13.7 and 16.5 years.