Potential Use of Hydrocarbons for Aging Lucilia sericata Blowfly Larvae to Establish the Postmortem Interval

Previous studies on Diptera have shown the potential for the use of cuticular hydrocarbons' analysis in the determination of larval age and hence the postmortem interval (PMI) for an associated cadaver. In this work, hydrocarbon compounds, extracted daily until pupation from the cuticle of the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae), have been analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results show distinguishing features within the hydrocarbon profile over the period of the larvae life cycle, with significant chemical changes occurring from the younger larvae to the postfeeding larvae. Further interpretation of the chromatograms using principal component analysis revealed a strong correlation between the magnitudes of particular principal components and time. This outcome suggests that, under the conditions of this study, the cuticular hydrocarbons evolve in a systematic fashion with time, thus supporting the potential for GC–MS analysis as a tool for establishing PMI where such a species is present.     

Facial Age Synthesis Using Sparse Partial Least Squares (The Case of Ben Needham)

Automatic facial age progression (AFAP) has been an active area of research in recent years. This is due to its numerous applications which include searching for missing. This study presents a new method of AFAP. Here, we use an active appearance model (AAM) to extract facial features from available images. An aging function is then modelled using sparse partial least squares regression (sPLS). Thereafter, the aging function is used to render new faces at different ages. To test the accuracy of our algorithm, extensive evaluation is conducted using a database of 500 face images with known ages. Furthermore, the algorithm is used to progress Ben Needham's facial image that was taken when he was 21 months old to the ages of 6, 14, and 22 years. The algorithm presented in this study could potentially be used to enhance the search for missing people worldwide.     

基于BP神经网络的高校院系科研绩效评价模型

本文在分析当前各种高校院系的科研绩效评价指标体系的基础上．针对目前各种评价指标多、定量难、人为干扰因素多等问题,采用主成分法从大量评价因素中筛选出绩效评估的主要因素,即在保留评价信息的前提下对数据进行有效降维。并通过BP神经网络的自学习功能计算出高校院系的科研绩效。该模型能较为科学地评估高校院系科研团队的科研成效、核心竞争力及研究潜力,为高校科研管理提供一种新方法。     

中国城市生活垃圾处理绩效的影响因素：基于VAR模型的实证研究

文章通过主成分分析的方法构建和评价中国2006-2015年9年间各省(区、市)及整体的城市生活垃圾处理绩效综合水平,在此基础上利用VAR模型检验了多种因素对中国城市生活垃圾处理绩效影响做以实证研究。研究发现：直接影响中国城市生活垃圾处理绩效的主要因素是劳动力因素和运营模式因素。同时,运营模式因素是一种外生嵌套因素,没有外生驱动紧靠自身调整是无法实现的;而劳动力因素则除了自身调整外,还受到经费因素以及政府监管因素的间接驱动,即经费因素和政府监管因素通过劳动力因素路径间接影响绩效水平。据此,文章根据研究结论提出较具建设性的建议,以期对提升中国城市生活垃圾处理绩效水平以及指导公共事业的政府监管工作做以绵薄之力。     

Crisis (hostage) negotiators weigh in: the skills,behaviors, and qualities that characterize an expert crisis negotiator

This research identified what skills, behaviors, and qualities experienced crisis (hostage) negotiators believe enhance or harm their success during negotiation. 188 negotiators from various countries (primarily United States) voluntarily completed an online survey in which they listed the aforementioned characteristics and reported on various aspects of their own background and behaviors. Open-response questions were coded and quantitative methods revealed what qualities were listed most frequently by negotiators. Active listening, displays of empathy, effective communication, and remaining calm and collected appear at the top of their to-do lists. Conversely, being confrontational, arguing, yelling, and interrupting were reported as behaviors to be avoided. Most negotiators attend trainings multiple times a year and read on the topic of crisis negotiation. About half follow a model during negotiations, typically the FBI’s Behavioral Change Stairway Model. Findings are discussed with relevance to future research directions and improvement of negotiator trainings.     

UHPLC-MS/MS同时测定黄芩清热除痹胶囊中6种活性成分

目的 建立超高效液相色谱-串联质谱同时测定黄芩清热除痹胶囊中6种成分（黄芩苷、栀子苷、木犀草素、齐墩果酸、薏苡素、苦杏仁苷）含量的方法。方法 采用Phenomenex Luna Omega C18色谱柱（100 mm×2.1 mm,1.6 μm）,以含10 mmol/L甲酸铵的0.1%甲酸水溶液（A）-0.1%甲酸的乙腈（B）为流动相,进行梯度洗脱,柱温为30 ℃,流速为0.25 mL/min,进样量5 μL,分析时间10 min。采用电喷雾离子源,以多反应监测模式在负离子条件下进行检测。结果 所测6种活性成分在测定浓度范围内线性关系良好（r≥0.999 0）,精密度、稳定性和重复性良好,平均加样回收率为98.62%~103.7%,RSD≤2.70%。结论 该方法准确度高、分析速度快、检测限低、重复性高,适用于黄芩清热除痹胶囊质量控制。     

均匀设计法优选肝豆汤的效应中药配伍

目的 基于均匀设计法筛选中药复方肝豆汤保护TX小鼠神经细胞的效应中药。方法 基于“6因子11水平表”均匀设计法,以神经细胞内Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达水平及血清和脑组织中铜含量为指标,以TX小鼠为Wilson病动物模型,采用多元逐步回归分析法优选肝豆汤中6种药物（大黄、姜黄、黄连、泽泻、金钱草、三七）的效应中药配伍。采用Western blot法以及等离子质谱法分别测定细胞凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax和血清、脑组织铜含量。结果 与对照组比较,TX小鼠脑组织中Bcl-2表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,Bax蛋白表达水平显著升高（P<0.05）,脑组织铜含量显著升高（P<0.05）,血清铜含量显著降低（P<0.05）。多元逐步回归分析结果显示,姜黄和大黄分别进入血清铜含量及脑组织铜含量的回归方程,黄连和泽泻均进入脑组织Bcl-2和Bax表达水平的回归方程,姜黄和金钱草分别进入神经细胞Bcl-2/Bax的回归方程,三七均未进入上述指标的回归方程。结论 肝豆汤中大黄、姜黄、黄连、泽泻、金钱草配伍组合,可通过多靶点保护TX小鼠神经细胞;三七在保护TX小鼠神经细胞过程中未发挥明显效应。     

对能动司法理念的反思及方法论定位

司法能动主义是法治建设发展到一定阶段后司法理念的基本延伸,而不是对司法理念的背叛和超越。这和我国目前所倡导具有明显口号性、社会应急性、政治任务性和意识形态性的能动司法主张及经验明显不同。如何规范地理解、运用能动司法,一是不适宜从理念高度探讨能动司法,应坚持司法的法治理念;二是应设法通过法律方法和技术,节制、规范能动司法活动,促使能动司法不违背法治理念。     

The Adaptation of Immigrants in Russia

The author discusses the general immigration situation in Russia and surveys efforts to teach Russian to immigrants and their children.     

Negotiating in the European Council: A Model European Union Format for Individual Classes

This paper demonstrates the use of an in-class simulation to model negotiations in the European Council. Simulations are an increasingly popular way to teach the complex processes of policymaking and negotiations in the European Union (EU) where institutional procedures are difficult to understand and where intergovernmental and supranational issues often conflict. Advocates of active learning promote simulations to get students more involved and to reach an increasingly diverse student body. The simulation presented here has three separate sessions, each covering a different issue and lasting for a week (two class days) each. Modeling the European Council allows students to experience the intergovernmental side of policy decisions in the European Union while at the same time learning about the issues facing EU policymakers. It is a useful tool for teaching about the EU presidency and a worthwhile exercise for studying the national aspects of European integration. Student surveys indicate that students process the information they gain by role-playing better than information they receive in the traditional classroom. A simulation of the European Council gives students a base for understanding issues of European integration and can serve as a springboard for further study of EU institutions.