Evaluation of forensic DNA traces when propositions of interest relate to activities: analysis and discussion of recurrent concerns

When forensic scientists evaluate and report on the probative strength of single DNA traces, they commonly rely on only one number, expressing the rarity of the DNA profile in the population of interest. This is so because the focus is on propositions regarding the source of the recovered trace material, such as “the person of interest is the source of the crime stain.” In particular, when the alternative proposition is “an unknown person is the source of the crime stain,” one is directed to think about the rarity of the profile. However, in the era of DNA profiling technology capable of producing results from small quantities of trace material (i.e., non-visible staining) that is subject to easy and ubiquitous modes of transfer, the issue of source is becoming less central, to the point that it is often not contested. There is now a shift from the question “whose DNA is this?” to the question “how did it get there?” As a consequence, recipients of expert information are now very much in need of assistance with the evaluation of the meaning and probative strength of DNA profiling results when the competing propositions of interest refer to different activities. This need is widely demonstrated in day-to-day forensic practice and is also voiced in specialized literature. Yet many forensic scientists remain reluctant to assess their results given propositions that relate to different activities. Some scientists consider evaluations beyond the issue of source as being overly speculative, because of the lack of relevant data and knowledge regarding phenomena and mechanisms of transfer, persistence and background of DNA. Similarly, encouragements to deal with these activity issues, expressed in a recently released European guideline on evaluative reporting (Willis et al., 2015), which highlights the need for rethinking current practice, are sometimes viewed skeptically or are not considered feasible. In this discussion paper, we select and discuss recurrent skeptical views brought to our attention, as well as some of the alternative solutions that have been suggested. We will argue that the way forward is to address now, rather than later, the challenges associated with the evaluation of DNA results (from small quantities of trace material) in light of different activities to prevent them being misrepresented in court

The MG Rover closure and policy response: an evaluation of the Task Force model in the UK

In recent years there have been a number of high-profile plant closures in the UK. In several cases, the policy response has included setting up a task force to deal with the impacts of the closure. It can be hypothesised that task force involving multi-level working across territorial boundaries and tiers of government is crucial to devising a policy response tailored to people's needs and to ensuring success in dealing with the immediate impacts of a closure. This suggests that leadership, and vision, partnership working and community engagement, and delivery of high quality services are important. This paper looks at the case of the MG Rover closure in 2005, to examine the extent to which the policy response to the closure at the national, regional and local levels dealt effectively with the immediate impacts of the closure, and the lessons that can be learned from the experience. Such lessons are of particular relevance given the closure of the LDV van plant in Birmingham in 2009 and more broadly – such as in the case of the downsizing of the Opel operation in Europe following its takeover by Magna

PREVIOUS BALLISTIC AND HEAVY CONDITIONING STIMULI CAN ACUTELY ENHANCE THROWING PERFORMANCE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a ballistic and a heavy load conditioning stimulus on subsequent bench throw performance. Eleven male, competitive rugby players (mean ± SD: body mass 91.5 ± 9.6kg, height 1.79 ± 0.03 m) with at least two years of resistance training exercise performed two ballistic bench throws after warm up. Following a 10-min rest, they performed either a ballistic bench throw (BAL) or a heavy load bench press (HEAVY) conditioning stimulus. Subsequent to a 4-minute rest, they performed another two ballistic bench press throws. No significant differences were revealed for peak power, peak force, rate of force development and force at peak power for either conditioning stimulus. However, significant differences were revealed for bar displacement for the BAL group, and for peak velocity and velocity at peak power for both groups. The results suggest that a ballistic conditioning stimulus can induce post activation performance enhancement and it appears more sport specific in its results than a heavy load conditioning stimulu

Independent individual addressing of multiple neutral atom qubits with a MEMS beam steering system

We demonstrate a scalable approach to addressing multiple atomic qubits for use in quantum information processing. Individually trapped 87Rb atoms in a linear array are selectively manipulated with a single laser guided by a MEMS beam steering system. Single qubit oscillations are shown on multiple sites at frequencies of ~3.5 MHz with negligible crosstalk to neighboring sites. Switching times between the central atom and its closest neighbor were measured to be 6-7 us while moving between the central atom and an atom two trap sites away took 10-14 us.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Plant closures and taskforce responses:an analysis of the impact of and policy response to MG Rover in Birmingham

This paper explores the socio-economic impacts and associated policy responses to the collapse of MG Rover at Longbridge in Birmingham. Critically, it attempts to move beyond a ‘standard’ taskforce narrative that emphasizes the role of the regional response. While recognizing that significant policy ‘successes’ were indeed evident at the regional level in anticipating and responding to the crisis, a wider perspective is required that situates this taskforce response in (1) a fuller understanding of labour market precariousness (that in turn mitigates some of its policy ‘successes’), and (2) more local perspectives that highlight the local impacts of closure, the role of the neighbourhood level officials and the third sector in mediating these. Taking this broader perspective suggests that longer-term, workers face a precarious situation and the need for policies to create and sustain ‘good quality’ jobs remains paramount. Adding in more local perspectives, a key lesson from the Longbridge experience for dealing with closures more generally is that the public policy responses must be: multidimensional in that they transcend narrow sector-based concerns and addresses broader spatial impacts; inclusive in that they build on a broad coalition of economic and social stakeholders; and long-term in that they acknowledge that adaptation takes many years. If anything, the Birmingham Longbridge experience demonstrates the difficulty of achieving such responses in the context of crisis where action is imperative and deliberation a luxury

Technology in Practice: Promoting Participation in Patients with High Level of Spinal Cord Injury

Motor impairment often occurs following a spinal cord injury, limiting participation in functional tasks. Although the primary rehabilitative focus is to cure paralysis, not all patients experience full recovery. For those who may not regain complete motor function, rehabilitative interventions are needed to bridge the gap between disability and optimal participation. During rehabilitation, patients prioritize increasing independence and participation in meaningful activities (Rigby, Ryan, & Campbell, 2010). More specifically, regaining arm and hand function was reported as a top priority during treatment for individuals with complete spinal cord injury (Peckham, et al., 2001). Technology has been utilized to improve participation in individuals with tetraplegia, who may only regain partial function (Ripat & Woodgate, 2012). A review of current evidence was conducted to determine technological devices that are used to increase autonomy in individuals with high level spinal cord injury. The purpose of this session is to present an evidence based review focused on various modes of technologies that can be used both during the rehabilitation process and in the home. A search of PubMed and CINAHL databases yielded approximately 1,200 resources, which were refined to sixteen journal articles that included evaluations of upper extremity interventions for adults and adolescents with cervical and thoracic level spinal cord. The selected articles for this review primarily focused on functional electrical stimulation, such as brain-computer-interface and neuroprostheses, as well as electronic aids of daily living. Articles were critically reviewed by two raters. Overall, individuals experienced increased participation when utilizing technology to perform functional tasks. Occupational therapists play an integral role in the implementation and patient-training of these devices to increase function and participation in daily activities. Examples of occupations in which technology has been integrated range from feeding and hygiene management to leisure pursuits. As technology continues to advance, therapists working with this population will need to increase their knowledge of these technologies and how to incorporate them into therapeutic interventions. Although existing evidence supports the use of these devices for facilitating function, there is a need for more high level evidence to further establish technology as an effective intervention with this population. References: Peckham, P. H., Keith, M. W., Kilgore, K. L., Grill, J. H., Wuolle, K. S., Thrope, G. B., ... & Wiegner, A. (2001). Efficacy of an implanted neuroprosthesis for restoring hand grasp in tetraplegia: a multicenter study. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 82(10), 1380-1388. Rigby, P., Ryan, S., & Campbell, K., A. (2011). Electronic aids to daily living and quality of life for persons with tetraplegia. Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 6(3), 260-267. doi:10.3109/17483107.2010.522678 Ripat, J. D., & Woodgate, R. L. (2012). Self-perceived participation among adults with spinal cord injury: A grounded theory study. Spinal cord, 50, 908-914

Beliefs around luck : confirming the empirical conceptualization of beliefs around luck and the development of the Darke and Freedman beliefs around luck scale

The current study developed a multi-dimensional measure of beliefs around luck. Two studies introduced the Darke and Freedman beliefs around luck scale where the scale showed a consistent 4 component model (beliefs in luck, rejection of luck, being lucky, and being unlucky) across two samples (n = 250; n = 145). The scales also show adequate reliability statistics and validity by ways of comparison with other measures of beliefs around luck, peer and family ratings and expected associations with measures of personality, individual difference and well-being variables