The osteometric methods are the most reliable way to estimate the sex of skeletons when DNA analysis is not used. However, as osteometric studies usually ignore the overlap in male and female ...skeletal dimensions, they rarely achieve accuracy sufficient for forensic application. To resolve this issue, recent studies suggest sex estimation only when posterior probability (pp) is greater than 0.95, but that approach does not always provide sufficient accuracy and creates a large proportion of unsexed skeleton. Thus, our study aimed to explore whether it is possible to adjust pp on skeletal measurements with pronounced sexual dimorphism to meet 95% accuracy and to enable sex estimation on a reasonable proportion of individuals. From 207 skeletons, we included 65 postcranial measurements and selected 10% of variables with the highest sexual dimorphism. We computed univariate and bivariate discriminant functions using pp threshold of 0.5, 0.95, and the threshold required to achieve accuracy of ≥ 95%. Discriminant functions with pp=0.5 obtained accuracy of 85%–93%, while those with pp≥0.95 and adjusted posterior probabilities obtained 94%–99%. However, we showed that by selecting a particular threshold, sex could be estimated on a greater proportion of individuals than for pp≥0.95: 42%–86% vs. 24%–62% for univariate and 69%–95% vs. 49%–78% for bivariate functions. Therefore, when developing sex estimation models, we suggest not to use fixed pp level, but to adjust pp to achieve 95% accuracy and to minimize the percentage of unsexed skeletons.
•We developed a binary classification method for optimizing classification thresholds.•As example data, we used three male and female handprint measurements (n=160).•We tested classification ...performances of LDA by traditional and proposed approach.•Traditional approach provided accuracies 78.7–92.5 % and PPVs/NPVs 78.2–93 %.•The newly proposed approach provided accuracies ≥ 95 % and PPVs/NPVs ≥ 95 %.
Binary classification techniques are commonly used in forensic examination to test if a specimen belongs to a particular group and base the expert opinion on the questioned evidence. However, most of the currently used methods do not achieve sufficient accuracy due to the ignoring of the specimens classified in the overlapping area. To address the issue, we proposed a novel Adjusted binary classification (ABC) algorithm that automatically adjusts posterior probabilities to reach classification accuracy and positive/negative predicted values (PPV, NPV) of 95 %.
In the presented example, we used three handprint measurements from 160 participants (80 males and 80 females) to develop models that would classify sex from their dimensions. The sample was split into the training/cross-validated (70 %) and testing sample (30 %). We developed four classification models using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) by employing traditional single cut-off values and ABC approach that for each group provides a specific posterior probability cut-off threshold.
In the cross-validated sample, the accuracy of traditional models was 78.7–92.5 %, while PPVs/NPVs ranged between 78.2 and 93 %. ABC models provided 95 % accuracy, PPV, and NPV, and could classify 35.5–88.1 % of specimens. In the testing sample, ABC models achieved accuracy of 97.3–100 %, PPV/NPV 95.4–100 %, and could be applied to 29.1–87.5 % of specimens.
The study demonstrated that the ABC approach could adjust classification models to reach predefined values of accuracy, PPV, and NPV. Therefore, it could be an efficient tool for conducting a binary classification in forensic settings and minimizing the possibilities of incorrect classifications.
The study aimed to test the applicability of the Probabilistic Sex Diagnosis (DSP) method in the bioarchaeological context by validation with known sex data obtained by aDNA analysis on the medieval ...samples from the Eastern Adriatic coast. We tested the method on 57 skeletons of known sex using 30 different combinations of measurements. The possibility of sex estimation ranged from 35.90 to 86.11% depending on the combinations used while sexing accuracy ranged from 92.86 to 100%. Females were classified correctly in all cases, and only one male was misclassified in all combinations that could be tested. Accuracy rates higher than 95% were obtained for every combination where the number of available measurements was larger than 15. Therefore, we encourage further validation of the method on different ancient populations and implementation of the method for creating reference sex data and development of metric and non-metric population-specific sex estimation standards.
•We tested DSP method by comparison to known sex data obtained by aDNA analysis.•Sample consisted of 57 skeletons from medieval Eastern Adriatic coast sites.•Depending on chosen measurements sex could be estimated in 35.90–86.11% cases.•Sexing accuracy ranged from 92.86 to 100%.•We suggest DSP method for creating reference data for sex in ancient populations.
The aim of this study was to test the sexual dimorphism of orbital measurements in the Croatian population using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) images. We have retrospectively taken 414 head ...CT scans of adults from Croatian clinical hospitals in Split and Zagreb (214 males and 200 females) with slice thickness < 1 mm and no pathological or traumatic changes that could affect the measurements. DICOM files were imported into Stratovan Checkpoint Software and viewed in 2D and 3D using semi-transparent 3D volume rendering. Eight standard measurements were calculated based on twelve orbital landmarks (six paired). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to explore sexual and regional differences, and linear discriminant analysis was used to develop sex classification models. The PCA showed separation based on sex and region, and additional analysis demonstrated that females and males in Split and Zagreb differed in four orbital measurements (
P
≤ 0.001). Only those measurements that did not show regional differences were further analyzed, and all showed statistically significant sexual dimorphism. The accuracy of univariate functions for sex estimation ranged from 53.43 to 71.88%, and for multivariate function, the accuracy was 73.45%. The orbital measurements of the Croatian population showed restricted forensic significance for sex classification. On the other hand, we have shown that they can have a potential for exploring the inter- and intra-population differences.
Plagiarism is one of the most severe academic integrity issues. This study examined students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards plagiarism, tested their ability to recognize plagiarism, and explored ...the association of study levels and attendance in courses dealing with referencing rules and plagiarism with students’ attitudes and knowledge. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted at the University of Split, comprising the students of all schools and study levels (n = 388). Overall, results indicate the students were not very familiar with referencing rules and did not perform well on either theoretical questions or practical examples. However, they demonstrated positive attitudes towards plagiarism avoidance as well as towards compliance with academic integrity with respect to the correct use of research publications. Students’ self-reported attendance in courses dealing with referencing rules and plagiarism avoidance was not associated with their knowledge of and attitudes toward plagiarism. These findings are important for a general understanding of students’ attitudes, and the relation of practical and theoretical knowledge of plagiarism. Furthermore, the academic community addresses plagiarism not only as an ethical and regulatory violation but also as a direct consequence of a lack of knowledge, and of academic illiteracy. Study programs should be adjusted and long-term policies developed at all academic levels to promote a positive climate among students towards responsible academic writing.
•The first facial reconstruction of the Catholic mummified saint's remains.•The reconstructed skull was compared with MSCT scanned mummified remains.•Only non-destructive techniques were used.•Our ...approach confirmed the value of this method for cultural heritage presentation.
In addition to forensic science, facial reconstruction also plays an outstanding role in the historical and archaeological context. Precisely, it the most exact method to reconstruct the appearance of the people that lived in the past and a popular way of presenting results not only to scientific community but also to a broader public. The main purpose of this study was to reconstruct the appearance of Saint-Nicolosa Bursa, a Christian saint whose mummified remains are kept in Church of Saint-Blaise in Vodnjan (Croatia). The additional aims were to validate the methodology and to provide a realistic model of the Saint's face that could be used for exhibition and presentation of the research results to a broader public. The mummified remains of the saint were scanned with multislice computed tomography (MSCT). The MSCT images were used to develop a skull model which was 3D printed and used for facial reconstruction. The facial appearance recovery was accomplished using the Manchester method by the progressive layering of clay on the ABS model according to the anthropometric data, specific for sex, age, and ancestry. After the clay model was done, it was used to create a realistic gypsum sculpture appropriate for the presentation of results on exhibition. When the model was compared to the photographs of the mummified remains of the Saint, it showed to be consistent in all facial traits that could be considered. Unfortunately, additional data were not available due to the preservation degree of soft tissue remains as well as the lack of pictorial or written sources about the appearance of the Saint. However, this research showed, that although the facial reconstruction is always only an approximation of the actual person's appearance, it is essential in historical context as an only existing method that can show us how a certain historical figure could look. In the present study, it enabled us to conduct the first reconstruction of the appearance of the Saint from the mummified remains and develop sculpture that will be used for exhibition and presentation of results.
In a Sidonian sarcophagus, from the Late Antique/early Christian period, skeletal remains of two persons were found. One of them, male, 30–50 years old, was found almost completely ankylosed, with ...highly osteoporotic bones and prominent erosion of joint surfaces. We diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis based on the eroded odontoid process, mandibular condyles, distal humerus, proximal and distal ulna, as well ankylosed hand and foot bones. Despite the fact that ankyloses of vertebrae and sacroiliac joint could point towards ankylosing spondylitis, the lack of typical vertebral ankyloses and new bone formation led to exclusion. In a practical sense, due to the advanced stage of the disease, the man was fixed in the supine position, on the left, with his head turned to the right. Apparently, he could not move and had problems with chewing and breathing. But, the high standard of provided healthcare probably enabled him to survive in advanced stages of the disease. This case shed light on the antiquity of the disease, its medical, and social context and provided the example of most extreme osteological changes reported in the paleopathological and medical literature.
Abstract
ChatGPT-3.5, an AI language model capable of text generation, translation, summarization, and question-answering, has recently been released for public use. Studies have shown it can ...generate abstracts, research papers, and dissertations, and create quality essays on different topics. This led to ethical issues in using ChatGPT in academic writing, AI authorship, and evaluating students’ essays. However, it is still unknown how ChatGPT performs in students’ environments as a writing assistant tool and if it enhances students’ essay-writing performance. In the present study, we examined students’ essay-writing performances with or without ChatGPT as an essay-writing assistance tool. The average essay grade was C for both control (traditional essay-writing,
n
= 9) and experimental (ChatGPT-assisted essay-writing,
n
= 9) groups. None of the predictors affected essay scores: group, writing duration, study module, and GPA. The text unauthenticity was slightly higher in the experimental group, but the similarity among essays was generally low in the overall sample. In the experimental group, the AI classifier recognized more potential AI-generated texts. Our results demonstrate that the ChatGPT group did not perform better in either of the indicators; the students did not deliver higher quality content, did not write faster, nor had a higher degree of authentic text. We anticipate that these results can relieve some concerns about this tool’s usage in academic writing. ChatGPT-assisted writing could depend on the previous knowledge and skills of the user, which might, in certain instances, lead to confusion in inexperienced users and result in poorer essay writing performance.
To examine seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in industry workers population sample.
From 23 to April 28, 2020, we conducted serological testing ...for antibodies (Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM)) on 1494 factory employees living in the Split-Dalmatia and Šibenik-Knin County (Croatia).
We detected antibodies in 1.27% of participants (95% confidence interval CI 0.77-1.98%). In Split facility 13/1316 (0.99%, 95% CI 0.53-1.68%) of participants were tested positive, of which 13/1079 (1.20%, 95% CI 0.64-2.05%) of those living outside the facility and 0/237 (0%, 95% CI 0-1.26%) of those living inside the facility. In Knin facility, 6/178 (3.37%, 95% CI 1.25-7.19%) participants were tested positive for antibodies.
The study showed relatively small SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in the DIV Group population sample.
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