Search Results (341)

Sloman and Rabb found support for the existence of the community of knowledge (CK) effect, which occurs when individuals are more likely to report understanding and being able to explain even fake scientific information when told that an expert understands the information. To date, no studies have been conducted that attempted to replicate original findings, let alone test the presence of the CK effect in realistic, legal scenarios. Therefore, Study One replicated original CK effect studies in a jury-eligible M-Turk sample (N = 291) using both Sloman and Rabb’s experimental stimuli as well as new stimuli. Study Two then tested the presence of the CK effect using scientific testimony in a mock court hearing from a forensic evaluator (N = 396). Not only did the CK effect improve laypeople’s perceptions of the scientific information in court, but it also improved their perceptions of the expert witness’s credibility, increased the weight assigned to the scientific information, and increased the weight assigned to the expert testimony. This effect was mediated by participants’ perceived similarity to the expert, supporting the theory behind the CK effect. These studies have important implications for the use of scientific information in court, which are discussed. Full article

Illegal logging is a major threat to tropical forests; however, control mechanisms and efforts to combat illegal logging have not effectively curbed fraud in the production chain, highlighting the need for effective methods to verify the geographic origin of timber. This study investigates the application of multi-elemental analysis combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to discriminate the provenance of tropical timber in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Wood samples of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Jatobá), Handroanthus sp. (Ipê), and Manilkara huberi (Ducke) A. Chevalier. (Maçaranduba) were taken from multiple sites. Elemental concentrations were determined via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and CA was applied to evaluate geographic differentiation. Significant differences in elemental profiles were found among locations, particularly when using the intermediate disk portions (25% to 75%), and especially the average of all five sampled portions, which proved most effective in geographic discrimination of the trunk. Elements such as Ca, Sr, Cr, Cu, Zn, and B were especially important for spatial discrimination. These findings underscore the forensic potential of multi-elemental wood profiling as a tool to support law enforcement and environmental monitoring by providing scientifically grounded evidence of timber origin. Full article

Background: Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is critical in forensic death investigations. Traditional signs of death—algor mortis, livor mortis, and rigor mortis—are generally reliable only within the first two to three days after death, with their accuracy decreasing as decomposition progresses. This paper presents a systematic review conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, aiming to evaluate and compare current methods for estimating the PMI. Specifically, the study identifies both traditional and modern techniques, analyzes their advantages, limitations, and applicable timeframes, critically synthesizes the literature, and highlights the importance of combining multiple approaches to improve accuracy. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, following the PRISMA guidelines. The review included original articles and reviews that evaluated PMI estimation methods (through thanatological signs, entomology, microbial succession, molecular, imaging, and omics approaches). Extracted data included study design, methodology, PMI range, and accuracy information. Out of the 1245 identified records, 50 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis. Results: Emerging methods, such as molecular markers, microbial succession, omics technologies, and advanced imaging show improved accuracy across extended postmortem intervals. RNA degradation methods demonstrated higher accuracy within the first 72 h, while entomology and microbial analysis are more applicable during intermediate and late decomposition stages. Although no single method is universally reliable, combining traditional and modern approaches tailored to case-specific factors improves overall PMI estimation accuracy. Conclusions: This study supports the use of an integrative, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based approach to improve time-since-death estimation. Such a strategy enhances forensic outcomes by enabling more precise PMI estimates in complex or delayed cases, increasing legal reliability, and supporting court-admissible expert testimony based on validated, multi-method protocols. Full article

By 2050, it is estimated that approximately 200 million people will be displaced due to the impacts of climate change. Vulnerability to climate change is shaped not only by environmental factors but fundamentally by systemic power relations and structural conditions present at both the places of origin and destination. In Latin America, climate-displaced persons predominantly settle in marginalised neighbourhoods, where widely accepted informality facilitates their rapid arrival but obstructs genuine progress and full integration as urban citizens. This paper critically examines the prevailing myths that justify the persistence of informality, revealing the socioeconomic challenges faced by climate migrants in the region. These four dominant myths are (1) Latin America’s inherently low productivity levels; (2) concessions by the ruling class enabling excluded groups to merely survive; (3) the perceived privilege of marginalised neighbourhoods to generate income outside formal legal frameworks, which supports their social capital; and (4) the limited benefits associated with formalisation. Debunking these myths is essential for developing effective public policies aimed at reducing informality and promoting inclusive urban integration, ultimately benefiting both climate migrants and host communities. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a versatile plant with applications in various sectors such as agriculture, medicine, food, and cosmetics. The therapeutic properties of cannabis are often linked to its secondary compounds. The worldwide cannabis market is undergoing swift changes due to varying legal frameworks. Medicinal cannabis (as a heterozygous and dioecious species) is distinct from most annual crops grown in controlled environments, typically propagated through stem cutting rather than seeds to ensure genetic uniformity. Consequently, as with any commercially cultivated crop, biomass yield plays a crucial role in overall productivity. The key factors involved in cultivation conditions, such as successful root establishment, stress tolerance, and the production cycle duration, are critical for safeguarding, improving, and optimizing plant yield. Grafting is a long-established horticultural practice that mechanically joins the scion and rootstock of distinct genetic origins by merging their vascular systems. This approach can mitigate undesirable traits by leveraging the strengths of particular plants, proving beneficial to various applications. Grafting is not used commercially in Cannabis. Only three very recent investigations suggest that grafting holds significant promise for enhancing both the agronomic and medicinal potential of Cannabis. This review critically examines the latest advancements in cannabis grafting and explores prospects for improving biomass (stem, root, flower, etc.) yield and secondary metabolite production. Full article

In the last two decades, the prevalence of South Asian migrant workers has significantly increased in the UAE’s construction sector, and they are under huge debt. Although researchers heavily stress the role of employers in migrant workers’ debt, the role of debt before departure has not been investigated. Thus, this study bridges this gap in the literature in the context of South Asian construction migrant workers. The objective of this study is to investigate how informal recruitment fees and debt arrangements contribute to bonded labor and dependency among migrant workers. A qualitative approach was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 30 South Asian migrants employed in the construction sector. This article highlights how pre-migration debt—which is often accrued through informal loans and exploitative recruitment fees—has been underexplored in migration studies. Drawing on interviews with 30 South Asian laborers, this study identifies five interconnected themes: pre-migration debt bondage, exploitative lending practices, lack of legal recourse, emotional manipulation, and a cycle of dependency. While UAE labor policies have improved, the real vulnerabilities lie in the informal recruitment systems and weak oversight in migrant workers’ countries of origin. Consequently, five themes were generated from the analysis: pre-migration debt bondage, exploitative lending practices, no legal recourse, emotional manipulation, and cycles of dependency. This study contributes to our existing knowledge by revealing the experiences of migrant construction workers from South Asia in the UAE. While the UAE has established one of the region’s most progressive legal frameworks to protect migrant workers and set clear labor standards, many exploitative practices occur outside its jurisdiction, particularly in the workers’ countries of origin. This study underscores that the root of the problem lies in weak enforcement and informal recruitment networks in sending countries, not in UAE policy itself. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated international action to ensure that migrant protection begins well before arrival. Full article

Objective: To systematically review the scientific literature on lysergic acid amide (LSA), focusing on its physical, neurobiological, and social effects, as well as its potential risks and therapeutic uses. Methods: A systematic review was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science up to December 2023, using keywords such as “ergine,” “lysergic acid amide,” and “legal high.” Studies were included if they reported original human data on the physical, neurobiological, psychological, or social effects of LSA; seventeen studies were included. Animal studies, in vitro research, and non-original articles were excluded. Two independent reviewers screened and selected the studies, with a third resolving discrepancies. Data were extracted using a standardized form. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework. Results: LSA is primarily consumed through preparations made from the seeds of Convolvulaceae plants. Reported effects include euphoria, hallucinations, nausea, and anxiety. Severe adverse outcomes, such as psychosis, hypertension, and hospitalization, have also been documented. Some evidence suggests its potential therapeutic application for cluster headaches. However, variability in dosing and misinformation on digital platforms heighten the risks associated with LSA use. Conclusions: LSA poses significant health risks, exacerbated by online misinformation and variability in its effects, and a lack of scientific studies. Further research is essential to clarify its pharmacological profile, establish guidelines for safe use, and raise public awareness about its dangers. Full article

This study examines how U.S. immigration policies enact legal violence and multigenerational punishment through the spousal reunification process, particularly in mixed-status, transnational families. Building on the concept of “deportability,” we introduce “importability” to describe a beneficiary’s potential to secure permanent residency, which varies according to social markers such as race, gender, and region of origin. Drawing from a content analysis of threads on the Immigration Pathways (IP) web forum, we analyze discussions among U.S. citizen petitioners navigating marriage-based green card applications, with a focus on experiences involving administrative processing (AP) (i.e., marriage fraud investigations). Our findings show that couples who do not align with the state’s conception of “proper” family—particularly U.S. citizen women petitioning for Black African partners—face intensified scrutiny, long delays, and burdensome requirements, including DNA tests and surveillance. These bureaucratic obstacles produce prolonged family separation, financial strain, and diminished sense of belonging, especially for children in single-parent households. Through the lens of “importability,” we reveal how legal violence and multigenerational punishment of immigration policies on mixed-status families beyond deportation threats, functioning as a gatekeeping mechanism that disproportionately affects marginalized families. This research highlights the understudied consequences of immigration policies on citizen petitioners and contributes to a broader understanding of inequality in U.S. immigration enforcement. Full article

Legal requirements for minimum distances between vehicles are often not met for short periods of time, especially when changing lanes on multi-lane roads. These situations are typically non-hazardous, as human drivers anticipate surrounding traffic, allowing for shorter headways and improved traffic flow. Automated vehicles (AVs), however, are typically designed to maintain strict headway limits, potentially reducing traffic efficiency. Therefore, legal questions arise as to whether mandatory gap and headway limits for AVs may be violated during periods of non-compliance. While traffic flow simulation is a common method for analyzing AV impacts, previous studies have typically modeled AV behavior using driver models originally designed to replicate human driving. These models are not well suited for representing clearly defined, structured non-compliant maneuvers, as they cannot simulate intentional, rule-deviating strategies. This paper addresses this gap by introducing a concept for AV non-compliant behavior and implementing it as a module within a pre-existing AV driver model. Simulations were conducted on a three-lane highway with an on-ramp under varying traffic volumes and AV penetration rates. The results showed that, with an AV-penetration rate of more than 25%, road capacity at highway entrances could be increased and travel times reduced by over 20%, provided that AVs were allowed to merge with a legal gap of 0.9 s and a minimum non-compliant gap of 0.6 s lasting up to 3 s. This suggests that performance gains are achievable under adjusted legal requirements. In addition, the proposed framework can serve as a foundation for further development of AV driver models aiming at improving traffic efficiency while maintaining regulatory compliance. Full article

Objective: Marital infidelity significantly impacts both the community and the institution of marriage. This study aims to develop a theoretical framework for analyzing marital infidelity through a game-theoretic lens. Methodology/Design/Approach: This research employs a game-theoretic model to predict the decision-making processes of unfaithful partners. Static game models are utilized to explore the interactions between spouses, focusing on identifying Nash equilibria that encapsulate the complexities and uncertainties inherent in infidelity-related decisions, whether through pure or mixed strategies. Results: The analysis reveals strategic dynamics in marital infidelity, where Nash equilibria indicate scenarios where one or both partners may engage in extramarital affairs. A Nash equilibrium is established when both partners perceive the benefits of infidelity as outweighing the costs, leading to diminished trust and communication. The Mixed-Strategy Nash Equilibrium (MSNE) hypothesis suggests that spouses may oscillate between fidelity and infidelity based on probabilistic strategies. Research Implications: This study provides a game-theoretic perspective on marital infidelity, whose findings may be used to inform legal frameworks and social policies addressing the consequences of infidelity, potentially impacting family counseling and legal services. Value/Originality: This research introduces a game-theoretic approach to understanding trust and transgression in marriages, identifying two primary categories of Nash equilibria. It fills a theoretical gap while providing practical insights into marital behavior. Full article

Recent research in digital migration studies analyzes both refugee populations’ social media use and so-called integration outcomes. Against the backdrop of digitalization, we argue for understanding belonging as part of an ongoing process in physical, virtual and hybrid continuities, where material aspects cannot be divorced from imagined constructions. We take the case of Ukrainian women arriving in the Netherlands following the Russian aggression against Ukraine, in 15 semi-structured interviews from 2023. Adopting an intersectional lens, our research asks the following questions: How does social media use mediate or inform a sense of belonging? How do observations correspond to or differ from previous studies on refugees and social media, given this population’s temporary protection (TP) status? As participants leverage digital platforms differently in evolving situations, they navigate connectedness to the new community; we argue this may be linked to distinct TP status and other characteristics of difference, including educational levels and digital literacy. Conclusions indicate that an intersectional lens could be applied in understanding Ukrainian perspectives in other Member States—or beneficiaries of differing origin—to better account for how intersectional dimensions like legal status can be mutually constitutive of virtual connectedness versus material, physical rootedness or vulnerability. Full article

The drastic and historic fall in natural rubber prices has prompted many smallholders around the world to abandon rubber plantations in favor of other survival alternatives. In the Lomela and Lodja territories of Sankuru Province (Democratic Republic of Congo), where a historical absence of a rubber market prevails, local communities have conserved rubber plantations inherited from the colonial era (dating back to 1955). Data collected from 401 households enabled us to identify the perceptions and determinants of rubber plantation conservation. The results show that households are highly dependent on forest ecosystem services. Agriculture is the main activity for 81.3% of respondents, in the context of extreme poverty where daily incomes amount to 0.33 USD/person. The patriarchal system favored men, who inherited 97% of the plantations. Men perceived the conservation of the plantations as beneficial, while women perceived it as serving external project interests. Perceptions were significantly influenced by gender, age, social and legal organization, geographical origin, mode of acquisition, main activity, diversification of income sources, membership in a tribal mutuality, access to the informal mutual aid networks, membership in an association and contact with extension services. Conservation was positively and significantly correlated with geographical origin, membership in an association, contact with extension service, consideration of plantations as natural heritage and the ecosystem services provided. These results underline that rubber plantations cannot be understood only in terms of rubber production, but also in terms of their socio-ecological and heritage dimensions. Full article

3D (three-dimensional) property volume is an important data carrier for 3D land administration by using 3D cadastral technology, which can be used to express the legal space (property rights) scope matching with physical entities such as buildings and land. A 3D property volume is represented by a dense set of 3D coordinate points arranged in a predefined order and is displayed alongside the parcel map for reference and utilization by readers. To store a 3D property volume in the database, it is essential to record the connectivity relationships among the original 3D coordinate points, the associations between points and lines for representing boundary lines, and the relationships between lines for defining surfaces. Only by preserving the data structure that represents the relationships among points, lines, and surfaces can the 3D property volume in a parcel map be fully reconstructed. This approach inevitably results in the database storage volume significantly exceeding the original size of the point set, thereby causing storage redundancy. Consequently, this paper introduces a reversible 3D property volume compression coding method (called 3DPV-CC) to address this issue. By analyzing the distribution characteristics of the coordinate points of the 3D property volume, a specific rule for sorting the coordinate points is designed, enabling the database to have the ability of data storage and recovery by merely storing a reordered point set. The experimental results show that the 3DPV-CC method has excellent support capabilities for 3D property volumes of the vertical and slopped types, and can compress and restore the coordinate point set of the 3D property volume for drawing 3D parcel maps. The compression capacity of our method in the test is between 23.66% and 38.42%, higher than the general data compression methods (ZIP/7Z/RAR: 8.37–10.32%). By means of this method, land or real estate administrators from government departments can store 3D property volume data at a lower cost. This is conducive to enhancing the informatization level of land management. Full article

The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) is expected to be a major legal breakthrough in an attempt to tame AI’s negative aspects by setting common rules and obligations for companies active in the EU Single Market. Globally, there is a surge in investments to encourage research, development and innovation in AI that originates both from governments and private firms. The EU recognizes that the new Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 is difficult for start-ups and SMEs to cope with and it announced the release of tools, in the near future, to ease that difficulty. To facilitate the active participation of SMEs in the AI arena, we propose a framework that could assist them to better comply with the challenging EU AI Act during the development life cycle of an AI system. We use the spiral SDLC model and we map its phases and development tasks to the legal provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689. Furthermore, the framework can be used to promote innovation, improve their personnel’s expertise, reduce costs and help the companies avoid the proposed substantial fines described in the Act. Full article

Legislative documents are crucial to democratic societies, defining the legal framework for social life. In Brazil, legislative texts are particularly complex due to extensive technical jargon, intricate sentence structures, and frequent references to prior legislation. The country’s civil law tradition and multicultural context introduce further interpretative and linguistic challenges. Moreover, the study of Brazilian Portuguese legislative texts remains underexplored, lacking legal-specific models and datasets. To address these gaps, this work proposes a data-driven approach utilizing large language models (LLMs) to analyze these documents and extract knowledge graphs (KGs). A case study was conducted using 1869proposals from the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Norte (ALRN), spanning January 2019 to April 2024. The Llama 3.2 3B Instruct model was employed to extract KGs representing entities and their relationships. The findings support the method’s effectiveness in producing coherent graphs faithful to the original content. Nevertheless, challenges remain in resolving entity ambiguity and achieving full relationship coverage. Additionally, readability analyses using metrics for Brazilian Portuguese revealed that ALRN proposals require superior reading skills due to their technical style. Ultimately, this study advances legal artificial intelligence by providing insights into Brazilian legislative texts and promoting transparency and accessibility through natural language processing techniques. Full article