Examination of a long-term clozapine administration by high resolution segmental hair analysis

The long-term administration of clozapine could be verified by fine segmentation and analysis of single hairs of one person to examine the history of a multiple poisoning case. Segments of 1-2.5mm length were extracted by ultrasonification in 30 microl of the mobile phase (mixture of methanol+water, 50+50). By application of isocratic liquid chromatography and using narrow bore columns (Synergy Polar-RP, Phenomenex), an acceleration and miniaturization of the HPLC-MS-MS assay could be achieved. Total amounts of clozapine down to 30 fg (on column) and its desmethyl metabolite could be analysed in multiple reaction monitoring mode. According to typical sample amounts of approximately 16 microg, relevant hair concentrations higher than 1 pg/mg were detected. Significant and reproducible concentration profiles along the hair fibres revealed characteristic administration cycles. The administration time course - in particular the time of its termination - could be verified with a precision of a few days. The accuracy and reproducibility of the concentration profile was proven based on multiple investigations of single hairs. An individual hair growth rate of 0.55 mm/day was determined with a relative standard deviation of 8% by comparison of concentration profiles in hairs collected after a time span of 165 days.     

Max Frei theory revisitation: does really strokes depth change along time?

A serious problem in questioned document examination is to establish the age of written lines. With respect to paper dating, in the past, Max Frei theory (based only on microscope analysis) claimed that strokes are time-dependent. Therefore, according to this theory, it has been asserted that from the analysis of the strokes depth changes it is possible to try to date the handwritten document (to find out that the document is older than ...). In the present work, we investigate the strokes depth change by a laser profilometer considering not only the time but also microclimatic variations. First, we analyze the stability of stroke characteristics along the time. In particular, we demonstrate that if the document is preserved without change of temperature and humidity, the depth of the strokes has not appreciable changes. In this way, we have the purpose to verify the real possibility of documents dating by means of Max Frei theory. Subsequently, we test how the 3D profile of strokes changes in connection with the microclimatic variations. In particular, we test humidity variations. With this experiment, we show that humidity variations reduce the strokes depth. Moreover, this effect shows a non-linear trend, leaving a hysteresis on the depth. Finally, we show that the analysis of 3D stroke profile is unable to determine the age of documents.     

英国-j◆效族奢青年身份认同与促进融合研究

有关少数族群融合问题的讨论,实际上是有关民族国家。如何在保障和维护少数族裔的权利的同时,缓解族群文化差异与统一的公民身份意涵之间矛盾冲突的讨论。作为现在乃至未来的国家公民,青年群体及其社会融合便成为这些讨论的焦点。围绕“公民身份”概念,了解不同族群青年人对此概念的理解,探讨青年人将“公民身份”建构成“问题”的过程,从而揭示缺乏公正、不被认可和自我决策困难等因素怎样影响了英国青年人成员身份感和归属感的形成,并提出了可能的政策建议和改善方法。     

Reducing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) by Building Community Capacity: A Summary of Washington Family Policy Council Research Findings

Community capacity for organization and collaboration has been shown to be a powerful tool for improving the health and well-being of communities. Since 1994 the Washington State Family Policy Council has supported the development of community capacity in 42 community public health and safety networks. Community networks bring local communities together to restructure natural supports and local resources to meet the needs of families and children, and increase cross-system coordination and flexible funding streams to improve local services and policy. In this study, researchers sought to demonstrate the strong impact of the community networks' capacity to interrupt health and social problems. Findings suggest that community networks reduce health and safety problems for the entire community population. Further, community networks with high community capacity reduced adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in young adults ages 18-34.     

"Fast-track" strategies in long-term public disability programs around the world

Long-term public disability programs in the United States and several other countries have incorporated fast-track (FT) procedures that share a common goal of accelerating applicants through various stages of the disability determination process--generally for those with severe disabilities, blindness, or terminal illness. This article identifies a variety of FT procedures either implemented or under consideration in public long-term disability programs operated in the United States and other countries; compares FT procedures in those disability programs with respect to specific program features, differences with respect to the administrative components involved in those procedures, and the level of technology used; examines more generally why countries may consider implementing FT procedures; and describes how FT procedures may be employed to improve overall processing of claims and contribute to disability case management.     

社会需求导向下公共管理类本科人才培养目标的再定位——以陕西省高校为例

当前公共管理类本科人才培养模式不能完全适应社会需求的根本原因是培养目标与社会需求脱节。应理清学术型人才与应用创新型人才划分、应用创新型人才层次与高校类型等问题。创新公共管理类本科人才培养模式,必须以需求为导向,对培养目标进行再定位,即从社会需求出发,将当前单一学术的"h"型的培养目标转变为应用创新的"H"型公共管理类本科人才培养目标。并通过对培养规格的再定位,建立与社会需求相适应的应用创新能力结构、知识结构和素质结构,使公共管理类本科人才成为既适应政府部门,又适应非政府部门和企事业组织的应用创新型人才。     

Post-mortem examination prior to cremation--an instrument to verify the quality of medical post-mortems and uncover non-natural deaths?

The external post-mortem examination, its deficient quality and possible causes have been the subject of numerous political and professional discussions. The external post-mortem examination is the basis for the decision whether further criminal investigations are required to clarify the cause of death. It is thus an essential instrument to ensure legal certainty. Before cremation, a second external post-mortem examination is performed by a public medical officer to make sure that errors of the first post-mortem are corrected. In the present study, cases were retrospectively analyzed in which a forensic autopsy had been ordered on the basis of the results of the post-mortem examination performed before cremation. The entries on the death certificate regarding the manner and cause of death were compared with the autopsy results. Between 1998 and 2007, 387 autopsies were ordered after external examination before cremation. In 55 cases (14.2%), the autopsy revealed a non-natural death, although a natural death had been attested on the death certificate. In descending order, a wrong manner of death was attested by clinicians, general practitioners and emergency physicians. With regard to the place where the first external post-mortem had been performed the lowest error rate was seen in nursing homes. Concerning the cause of death, discrepancies between the first post-mortem and autopsy were found in 59.4% of the cases. In this respect, general practitioners and clinicians were ranking first, whereas in nursing homes the cause of death was wrongly assessed in over 70% of cases. At present, the medical post-mortem does not meet the required quality standards, especially with regard to legal certainty. Determination of the cause of death on the basis of the external post-mortem examination is a challenging task even for the experienced medical examiner. As to the categorization of the manner of death it has to be stated that non-natural deaths are often not recognized or that the possibility to certify a death as unclear is not sufficiently used. As a result, it seems important to demand intensive, qualified, additional training in external post-mortem examinations for physicians.     

Homicide due to intravenous metallic mercury injection followed by sodium cyanide injection

We report a case of homicide due to intravenous mercury injection followed by meperidine and sodium cyanide injection. A 35-year-old woman was found dead in bed at home by her husband. Reportedly, she had been sick for more than 5 months. Initial death investigation revealed no evidence of foul play. Her death was believed to be natural. Therefore, her body was buried without an autopsy. Two months after death, her family requested an autopsy because they suspected her physician husband killed her. Her body was exhumed, and an autopsy was performed. Postmortem examination revealed numerous metallic mercury globules in the pulmonary arteries. Toxicological analysis revealed a high concentration of mercury in the tissue samples of the lungs, liver, heart, and kidney. In addition, cyanide and meperidine were also found in the heart and liver. The detailed case history and postmortem examination findings are described.     

The AFSP Standard - a lesson for law enforcement agencies

Compliance with the AFSP (Association of Forensic Science Providers) Standard [1] which concerns the formulation of an evaluative opinion requires consideration of the defence case. This can be problematic for forensic scientists working with or for law enforcement agencies. Among the aims of law enforcement agencies is to secure a conviction while in many jurisdictions the forensic scientist owes an overriding duty to the Court. This casework report demonstrates that early consideration of the defence case by a forensic scientist complying with the AFSP Standard may help rather than hinder the prosecution. The dichotomy as to a conflict of interest for the scientist between supporting the police/prosecutors and being scientifically objective is shown to be a false dichotomy. Compliance with the Standard ensures that science is a better servant of justice.     

普京的使命:俄罗斯向何处去?——对普京政策的挑战和回应

俄罗斯现有的政治体制是"普京方案",专注于"内部改革",兼顾社会各种利益、问题和挑战,扮演着稳定局面的"保障者"和"危机管理人"的角色,但正在被社会大众所厌倦。因此,普京必须回归"战略管理者"的地位。然而,留给俄罗斯执政精英们用于决定转变的时间越来越少了。因此,当前亟须找到一种政治方略,确保"俄罗斯体系"不再经历新一轮的灾难和破坏性威胁。在此基础上建立社会和国家的"动态平衡"模式,这是俄罗斯历届领导人尚未完成的使命。只有实现国家现代化,重建社会、政治、经济和意识形态模式,使俄罗斯人获得政治民主地位,才是对于当代挑战的回答,其他任何方案都意味着历史悠久的俄罗斯将最终走向衰败和解体。