Protecting eyewitness evidence: Examining the efficacy of a self-administered interview tool

Given the crucial role of eyewitness evidence, statements should be obtained as soon as possible after an incident. This is not always achieved due to demands on police resources. Two studies trace the development of a new tool, the Self-Administered Interview (SAI), designed to elicit a comprehensive initial statement. In Study 1, SAI participants reported more correct details than participants who provided a free recall account, and performed at the same level as participants given a Cognitive Interview. In Study 2, participants viewed a simulated crime and half recorded their statement using the SAI. After a delay of 1 week, all participants completed a free recall test. SAI participants recalled more correct details in the delayed recall task than control participants

Transverse-target-spin asymmetry in exclusive ω\omega-meson electroproduction

Hard exclusive electroproduction of $\omega$ mesons is studied with the HERMES spectrometer at the DESY laboratory by scattering 27.6 GeV positron and electron beams off a transversely polarized hydrogen target. The amplitudes of five azimuthal modulations of the single-spin asymmetry of the cross section with respect to the transverse proton polarization are measured. They are determined in the entire kinematic region as well as for two bins in photon virtuality and momentum transfer to the nucleon. Also, a separation of asymmetry amplitudes into longitudinal and transverse components is done. These results are compared to a phenomenological model that includes the pion pole contribution. Within this model, the data favor a positive $\pi\omega$ transition form factor.Comment: DESY Report 15-14

Wave Propagation Analysis using High-Order Finite Element Methods: Spurious Oscillations excited by Internal Element Eigenfrequencies

From a computational point of view, the numerical analysis of ultrasonic guided waves is still a very demanding task. Because of the high-frequency regime both a fine spatial and temporal discretization is required. To minimize the numerical costs, efficient and robust algorithms ought to be developed. One promising idea is therefore to focus on high-order finite element methods (ho-FEM).The current article investigates the behavior of the p-version of the finite element method (p-FEM) and the spectral element method (SEM) with respect to the existence of spurious oscillations in the solution. Convergence studies have shown that it is possible to observe non-physical oscillations under certain conditions. These parasitic vibrations, however, significantly deteriorate the accuracy of the simulation. For this reason, we analyse this phenomenon in detail and propose solutions to avoid its occurrence.Without loss of generality, we employ a two-dimensional plane strain model to derive a guideline as to how to avoid these spurious oscillations, placing a special emphasis on the relation between the element size, the polynomial degree of the high-order shape functions and the excitation frequency.Our results show that accurate simulations are possible if the model is generated according to the proposed methodology. Moreover, the implementation of the guideline into an existing finite element software is straightforward; these properties turn the method into a useful tool for practical wave propagation analyses

About the Vibration Modes of Square Plate-like Structures

In the experimental vibration analysis of an oil pan, two eigenmodes are observed that did not appear to be those of a standard rectangular plate vibration. As a result, a numerical, analytical and experimental investigation is launched to discover where these modes are originating from. In this paper, the finite element method is applied to determine the vibration behavior numerically, and experimental results are obtained with the help of a laser doppler vibrometer in order to determine the origin of these two eigenmodes

Citizens’ opinions on (non-)essential uses of persistent chemicals: A survey in seven European countries

In accordance with the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability towards a Toxic-free Environment, the European Commission plans to phase out persistent chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), except for uses classified essential for society. Until now, empirical research on what is considered an essential or non-essential chemical use has been lacking. Furthermore, as such criteria are bound to be subjective, different parties can have different views. In this study we explored which uses of persistent chemicals citizens from seven EU countries consider (non-)essential for society. As EU citizens are directly impacted by policy decisions based on (non-)essentiality criteria, we also investigated the influence of emphasis on the consequences of banning vs. allowing persistent chemicals, the association with demographics, and of having heard of persistent chemicals or PFAS prior to the study. We found substantial variation in essentiality ratings within and between use categories and between countries. Uses related to safety were frequently considered essential, whereas uses related to recreation, household, and personal care were frequently considered non-essential. Emphasis on different consequences did not influence essentiality ratings. Gender, age, education, and political orientation were to some extent associated with essentiality ratings. People who had not heard of persistent chemicals or PFAS prior to the study rated uses of persistent chemicals less frequently as non-essential or essential. Our findings offer insight into EU citizens’ opinions on (non-)essential uses of persistent chemicals, and provide empirical input to the scientific and public debate on framing the concept of essential use.</p

“I have no clue what I drunk last night” Using Smartphone technology to compare in-vivo and retrospective self-reports of alcohol consumption.

This research compared real-time measurements of alcohol consumption with retrospective accounts of alcohol consumption to examine possible discrepancies between, and contextual influences on, the different accounts.Building on previous investigations, a specifically designed Smartphone technology was utilized to measure alcohol consumption and contextual influences in de facto real-time. Real-time data (a total of 10,560 data points relating to type and number of drinks and current social / environmental context) were compared with daily and weekly retrospective accounts of alcohol consumption.Participants reported consuming more alcoholic drinks during real-time assessment than retrospectively. For daily accounts a higher number of drinks consumed in real-time was related to a higher discrepancy between real-time and retrospective accounts. This effect was found across all drink types but was not shaped by social and environmental contexts. Higher in-vivo alcohol consumption appeared to be related to a higher discrepancy in retrospectively reported weekly consumption for alcohol beverage types other than wine. When including contextual factors into the statistical models, being with two or more friends (as opposed to being alone) decreased the discrepancy between real-time and retrospective reports, whilst being in the pub (relative to being at home) was associated with greater discrepancies.Overall, retrospective accounts may underestimate the amount of actual, real-time alcohol consumed. Increased consumption may also exacerbate differences between real-time and retrospective accounts. Nonetheless, this is not a global effect as environmental and social contexts interact with the type of alcohol consumed and the time frame given for reporting (weekly vs. daily retrospective). A degree of caution therefore appears warranted with regards to the use of retrospective self-report methods of recording alcohol consumption. Whilst real-time sampling is unlikely to be completely error free, it may be better able to account for social and environmental influences on self-reported consumption

On the Formation of Collective Memories: The Role of a Dominant Narrator.

To test our hypothesis that conversations can contribute to the formation of collective memory, we asked participants to study stories and to recall them individually (pregroup recollection), then as a group (group recounting), and then once again individually (postgroup recollection). One way that postgroup collective memories can be formed under these circumstances is if unshared pregroup recollections in the group recounting influences others\u27 postgroup recollections. In the present research, we explored (using tests of recall and recognition) whether the presence of a dominant narrator can facilitate the emergence of unshared pregroup recollections in a group recounting and whether this emergence is associated with changes in postgroup recollections. We argue that the formation of a collective memory through conversation is not inevitable but is limited by cognitive factors, such as conditions for social contagion, and by situational factors, such as the presence of a narrator

Eyewitness Testimony in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect around 1% of the population, and is characterised by impairments in social interaction, communication, and behavioural flexibility. A number of risk factors indicate that individuals with ASD may become victims or witnesses of crimes. In addition to their social and communication deficits, people with ASD also have very specific memory problems, which impacts on their abilities to recall eyewitnessed events. We begin this review with an overview of the memory difficulties that are experienced by individuals with ASD, before discussing the studies that have specifically examined eyewitness testimony in this group and the implications for investigative practice. Finally, we outline related areas that would be particularly fruitful for future research to explore

Simultaneous real-time measurement of EEG/EMG and L-glutamate in mice: A biosensor study of neuronal activity during sleep

We report on electroencephalograph (EEG) and electromyograph (EMG) measurements concurrently with real-time changes in L-glutamate concentration. These data reveal a link between sleep state and extracellular neurotransmitter changes in a freely-moving (tethered) mouse. This study reveals, for the first time in mice, that the extracellular L-glutamate concentration in the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) increases during periods of extended wakefulness, decreases during extended sleep episodes and spikes during periods of REM sleep. Individual sleep epochs (10 s in duration) were scored as wake, slow-wave (SW) sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and then correlated as a function of time with measured changes in L-glutamate concentrations. The observed L-glutamate levels show a statistically significant increase of 0.86 ± 0.26 μM (p < 0.05) over 37 wake episodes recorded from all mice (n = 6). Over the course of 49 measured sleep periods longer than 15 min, L-glutamate concentrations decline by a similar amount (0.88 ± 0.37 μM, p < 0.08). The analysis of 163 individual REM sleep episodes greater than one min in length across all mice (n = 6) demonstrates a significant rise in L-glutamate levels as compared to the 1 min preceding REM sleep onset (RM-ANOVA, DF = 20, F = 6.458, p < 0.001). The observed rapid changes in L-glutamate concentration during REM sleep last only between 1 and 3 min. The approach described can also be extended to other regions of the brain which are hypothesized to play a role in sleep. This study highlights the importance of obtaining simultaneous measurements of neurotransmitter levels in conjunction with sleep markers to help elucidate the underlying physiological and ultimately the genetic components of sleep