Ministry of Security and Justice

Network approaches to psychometric constructs, in which constructs are modeled in terms of interactions between their constituent factors, have rapidly gained popularity in psychology. Applications of such network approaches to various psychological constructs have recently moved from a descriptive stance, in which the goal is to estimate the network structure that pertains to a construct, to a more comparative stance, in which the goal is to compare network structures across populations. However, the statistical tools to do so are lacking. In this article, we present the network comparison test (NCT), which uses resampling-based permutation testing to compare network structures from two independent, cross-sectional data sets on invariance of (a) network structure, (b) edge (connection) strength, and (c) global strength. Performance of NCT is evaluated in simulations that show NCT to perform well in various circumstances for all three tests: The Type I error rate is close to the nominal significance level, and power proves sufficiently high if sample size and difference between networks are substantial. We illustrate NCT by comparing depression symptom networks of males and females. Possible extensions of NCT are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Advances in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) present an opportunity to build better tools and solutions to help address some of the world's most pressing challenges, and deliver positive social impact in accordance with the priorities outlined in the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The AI for Social Good (AI4SG) movement aims to establish interdisciplinary partnerships centred around AI applications towards SDGs. We provide a set of guidelines for establishing successful long-term collaborations between AI researchers and application-domain experts, relate them to existing AI4SG projects and identify key opportunities for future AI applications targeted towards social good.

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a common component of animal cell culture media. It is harvested from bovine fetuses taken from pregnant cows during slaughter. FBS is commonly harvested by means of a cardiac puncture without any form of anaesthesia. Fetuses are probably exposed to pain and/or discomfort, so the current practice of fetal blood harvesting is inhumane. Apart from moral concerns, several scientific and technical problems exist with regard to the use of FBS in cell culture. Efforts should be made to reduce the use of FBS or, preferably, to replace it with synthetic alternatives.

BACKGROUND/HYPOTHESIS: Shoulder pain in elite swimmers is common, and its pathogenesis is uncertain. HYPOTHESIS/STUDY DESIGN: The authors used a cross-sectional study design to test Jobe's hypothesis that repetitive forceful swimming leads to shoulder laxity, which in turn leads to impingement pain. METHODS: Eighty young elite swimmers (13-25 years of age) completed questionnaires on their swimming training, pain and shoulder function. They were given a standardised clinical shoulder examination, and tested for glenohumeral joint laxity using a non-invasive electronic laxometer. 52/80 swimmers also attended for shoulder MRI. RESULTS: 73/80 (91%) swimmers reported shoulder pain. Most (84%) had a positive impingement sign, and 69% of those examined with MRI had supraspinatus tendinopathy. The impingement sign and MRI-determined supraspinatus tendinopathy correlated strongly (r(s)=0.49, p<0.00001). Increased tendon thickness correlated with supraspinatus tendinopathy (r(s)=0.37, p<0.01). Laxity correlated weakly with impingement pain (r(s)=0.23, p<0.05) and was not associated with supraspinatus tendinopathy (r(s)=0.14, p=0.32). The number of hours swum/week (r(s)=0.39, p<0.005) and weekly mileage (r(s)=0.34, p=0.01) both correlated significantly with supraspinatus tendinopathy. Swimming stroke preference did not. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate: (1) supraspinatus tendinopathy is the major cause of shoulder pain in elite swimmers; (2) this tendinopathy is induced by large amounts of swimming training; and (3) shoulder laxity per se has only a minimal association with shoulder impingement in elite swimmers. These findings are consistent with animal and tissue culture findings which support an alternate hypothesis: the intensity and duration of load to tendon fibres and cells cause tendinopathy, impingement and shoulder pain.

The different types of drones can be differentiated in terms of the type (fixed-wing, multirotor, etc.), the degree of autonomy, the size and weight, and the power source. These specifications are important, for example for the drone’s cruising range, the maximum flight duration, and the loading capacity. Aside from the drone itself (i.e., the ‘platform’) various types of payloads can be distinguished, including freight (e.g., mail parcels, medicines, fire extinguishing material, flyers, etc.) and different types of sensors (e.g., cameras, sniffers, meteorological sensors, etc.). Applications of different payloads will be described. In order to perform a flight, drones have a need for (a certain amount of) wireless communication with a pilot on the ground. In addition, in most cases there is a need for communication with a payload, like a camera or a sensor. To allow this communication to take place frequency spectrum is required. The requirements for frequency spectrum depend on the type of drone, the flight characteristics, and the payload. Since frequency spectrum does not end at national borders, international coordination on the use of frequency spectrum is required. Legal issues on frequency spectrum usage and electronic equipment (national and international legal matters on frequency spectrum and equipment requirements) are discussed, as well as frequency spectrum and vulnerability (an insight in available frequency spectrum and associated risks in using the frequency spectrum) and surveillance and compliance (enforcement of frequency spectrum use, equipment requirements, and the need for international and European cooperation). Finally, future developments in drone technology are discussed. The trend is for drones to become smaller, lighter, more efficient, and cheaper. As a result, drones will become increasingly available to the public at large and will be used for an increasing range of purposes. Drones will become increasingly autonomous and also more capable of operating in swarms.

Sea surface images obtained during the 2006 Marine Aerosol Production (MAP) campaign in the North East Atlantic were analysed for values of percentage whitecap coverage ( W ). Values of W are presented for wind speeds up to circa 23 m s −1 . The W data were divided into two overlapping groups and a piecewise, wind‐speed‐only parameterization of W is proposed that is valid for wind speeds between 3.70 m s −1 and 23.09 m s −1 . Segregation of data points based upon a 2.5 hour wind history acted to decrease data scatter at wind speeds above approximately 9.25 m s −1 . At these wind speeds W values were greater for decreasing wind speeds than for increasing wind speeds. No clear wind history effect was observed at wind speeds below 9.25 m s −1 .

It makes sense to plan the growth of your information systems. But many attempts to create a road map start at the wrong level. Ensuring a consistent, coherent vision to direct the evolution of the enterprise's information systems is difficult enough with a development framework. Without one, it's impossible. The concepts we outline are just a task list in the work to establish an enterprise architecture, but they give you some idea of the breadth of the job ahead of you. However, we hope we've given you a start toward a more realistic vision of your enterprise architecture.

Dutch Aerosol and Nitrogen Dioxide Experiments for Validation of OMI and SCIAMACHY (DANDELIONS) is a project that encompasses validation of spaceborne measurements of NO 2 by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography (SCIAMACHY), and of aerosol by OMI and Advanced Along‐Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR), using an extensive set of ground‐based and balloon measurements over the polluted area of the Netherlands. We present an extensive data set of ground‐based, balloon, and satellite data on NO 2 , aerosols, and ozone obtained from two campaigns within the project, held during May–June 2005 and September 2006. We have used these data for first validation of OMI NO 2 , and the data are available through the Aura Validation Data Center website for use in other validation efforts. In this paper we describe the available data, and the methods and instruments used, including the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) NO 2 lidar. We show that NO 2 from Multi‐Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX‐DOAS) compares well with in situ measurements. We show that different MAX‐DOAS instruments, operating simultaneously during the campaign, give very similar results. We also provide unique information on the spatial homogeneity and the vertical and temporal variability of NO 2 , showing that during a number of days, the NO 2 columns derived from measurements in different directions varied significantly, which implies that, under polluted conditions, measurements in one single azimuth direction are not always representative for the averaged field that the satellite observes. In addition, we show that there is good agreement between tropospheric NO 2 from OMI and MAX‐DOAS, and also between total NO 2 from OMI and direct‐sun observations. Observations of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) show that values derived with three ground‐based instruments correspond well with each other, and with aerosol optical thicknesses observed by OMI.

In an earlier study, improvement of dietary status with food supplements led to a reduction in antisocial behavior among prisoners. Based on these earlier findings, a study of the effects of food supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and psychopathology was conducted among young Dutch prisoners. Two hundred and twenty-one young adult prisoners (mean age=21.0, range 18-25 years) received nutritional supplements containing vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids or placebos, over a period of 1-3 months. As in the earlier (British) study, reported incidents were significantly reduced (P=.017, one-tailed) in the active condition (n=115), as compared with placebo (n=106). Other assessments, however, revealed no significant reductions in aggressiveness or psychiatric symptoms. As the incidents reported concerned aggressive and rule-breaking behavior as observed by the prison staff, the results are considered to be promising. However, as no significant improvements were found in a number of other (self-reported) outcome measures, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Summary Using criminal population conviction histories of recent offenders, prediction mod els are developed that predict three types of criminal recidivism: general recidivism, violent recidivism and sexual recidivism. The research question is whether prediction techniques from modern statistics, data mining and machine learning provide an improvement in predictive performance over classical statistical methods, namely logistic regression and linear discrim inant analysis. These models are compared on a large selection of performance measures. Results indicate that classical methods do equally well as or better than their modern counterparts. The predictive performance of the various techniques differs only slightly for general and violent recidivism, whereas differences are larger for sexual recidivism. For the general and violent recidivism data we present the results of logistic regression and for sexual recidivism of linear discriminant analysis.

In this paper, it is argued that proper conduction of Language Analysis for the Determination of the Origin of asylum seekers (LADO) requires not only linguistic expertise, but also the involvement of somebody with native competence in the language. Furthermore, awareness of the forensic aspects of LADO is crucial. Possible ways of combining native speaker competence and linguistic expertise are discussed. Eight cases are presented in which language analyses have been done by a trained native speaker under supervision of a linguist, and by a specialized linguist. These eight cases are of special interest because the correct outcome is now known. This paper shows that a person’s capability to make reliable judgments on the origin of a speaker cannot be inferred directly from his qualifications in linguistics, his language background or his professed confidence. This entails that testing of this capability is the only way to ensure good results.

Purpose -This paper aims to shed light into money laundering using bitcoin. Digital payment methods are increasingly used by criminals to launder money obtained through cybercrime. As many forms of cybercrime are motivated by profit, a solid cash-out strategy is required to ensure that crime proceeds end up with the criminals themselves without an incriminating money trail. The authors examine how cybercrime proceeds can be laundered using services that are offered on the Dark Web.

A typology of music listeners was constructed on the basis of importance attributed to music and four types of music use: mood enhancement; coping with problems; defining personal identity; and marking social identity. Three Listener Groups were identified through Latent Class Analysis of internet survey data of 997 Dutch respondents, aged 12—29. High-Involved listeners (19.7%) experienced music as a very important medium and used music most often for mood enhancement, coping with distress, identity construction and social identity formation. Medium- (74.2%) and Low- Involved (6.1%) listeners formed two distinct groups with less intense importance/use patterns Furthermore, High-Involved listeners reported that they liked a broad range of genres (Pop, Rock, High Brow, Urban and Dance) and experienced the most intense positive affect when listening. However, both High- and Medium-Involved listeners also reported more negative affects (anger and sadness) when listening, compared to the Low-Involved group. Even the Low-Involved group listened frequently to music and used music as a mood enhancer. Generally, people who are ‘moved by music’, either positively or negatively, use it for mood enhancement and coping more often. Therefore, the High-Involved group seems to benefit most from music’s capacity to enliven and enlighten life.

Adaptation to imprisonment involves feelings of safety, autonomy, well-being, stress or misbehaviour among detained offenders. According to importation theory, characteristics such as previous experiences of imprisonment or psychiatric problems affect the adaptation of offenders to imprisonment; deprivation theory, in contrast, focuses on factors such as social interactions with peers or staff and fairness in procedures or in daily life encounters. In this study, adaptation to imprisonment and the relationship with importation and deprivation factors were investigated among 207 juvenile offenders incarcerated in Dutch juvenile correctional institutions. A cross -sectional multi-method design was used, including a survey, screening instruments, records and qualitative interviews. Controlling for importation characteristics, strong associations of adaptation to imprisonment were found with interactions with peers and staff, justice, daily activities and the number of juveniles in a group. The study provides valuable insight into the factors related to adaptation to imprisonment, which can help to improve safety in prison and, subsequently, could be useful in increasing the motivation of juveniles to participate in treatment programmes. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.

This article applies the homophily thesis to public diplomacy and offers an empirical examination of a country's success in its mediated public diplomacy efforts. It analyzes international frame building, the process of creating or changing media frames in the international communications arena, by applying it to the case of Israeli mediated public diplomacy efforts during the war in Gaza in the winter of 2008–2009. The article claims that one way to use the homophily thesis in empirical analyses of international frame-building campaigns in conflicts is to measure the political and value proximity of a country promoting frames to other countries. Yet, proximity should be measured relatively rather than in absolute terms. Therefore, one should look not only at the dyadic proximity between two actors (i.e., Country A that attempts to promote its frames to Country C), but at the relative proximity between Countries A and C considering the proximity between the rival Country B and the target Country C. The study proposes a model and a method to facilitate empirical analysis of this claim. Using sophisticated computerized content analysis, our analyses demonstrate that relative proximity is related to successful international frame building in the hypothesized direction: The closer the relative proximity between Israel and a foreign country, the greater the acceptance of Israel's views.

Not all individuals with experience of psychosis develop a need for care. The present study investigated differences in coping strategies and associated levels of perceived control over psychotic symptoms, in relation to need for care status. The influence of coping on need for care was assessed in 47 individuals incident for psychosis in a general population sample of 4,722. Need for care was associated with severity of psychotic experiences rather than associated distress, mean level of control, or average number of coping strategies used. Qualitative differences were apparent, however, in that those who resorted to the strategy of symptomatic coping (a coping strategy characterized by going along with and indulging in symptoms) experienced less control over their symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.98) and had a higher probability of need for care (OR = 6.07, 95% CI: 1.94-18.95). The results suggest that qualitative differences in self-initiated coping modify the risk for need for care and subsequent patient status in those who experience psychotic symptoms and point to the possible importance of early coping-based interventions.

This study uses a social-ecological approach to the development of delinquency. The authors emphasize that a balance between eliminating risk and enhancing protection across domains is essential in reducing problems and promoting competence. The cumulative risk and promotive effects of temperament, family and school factors in preadolescence were examined on different groups of delinquents (based on self-report) in early adolescence. Data from the first two waves of the TRAILS study (N = 2,230) were used. The results provide evidence for a compensatory model that assumes main effects of risk and promotive factors on problem behavior. Accumulation of risks in preadolescence promoted being a serious delinquent in early adolescence, with the strongest effects for temperament. Accumulation of promotive effects decreased being a delinquent and supported being a non-delinquent. Furthermore, evidence is found for a counter-balancing effect of cumulative promotive and risk factors. Exposure to more promotive domains in the relative absence of risk domains decreased the percentage of serious delinquents. Our results did not support a protective model. Implications for prevention and intervention are discussed.

Journal Article THE X2 TEST FOR SMALL EXPECTATIONS IN CONTINGENCY TABLES, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ACCIDENTS AND ABSENTEEISM Get access C. A. G. NASS C. A. G. NASS Netherlands Institute of Preventive MedicineLeiden Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Biometrika, Volume 46, Issue 3-4, December 1959, Pages 365–385, https://doi.org/10.1093/biomet/46.3-4.365 Published: 01 December 1959

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that the treatment of juvenile offenders is most effective when it takes into account the possible risk factors for re-offending. It may be asked whether juvenile offenders can be treated as one homogeneous group, or, if they are divisible into subgroups, whether different risk factors are predictive of recidivism. AIMS AND HYPOTHESES: Our aims were to find out whether serious juvenile offenders may be subdivided into clearly defined subgroups and whether such subgroups might differ in terms of the risk factors that predict recidivism. METHODS: In a sample of 1111 serious juvenile offenders, latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups. For each juvenile offender, 70 risk factors were registered. Severity of recidivism was measured on a 12-point scale. Analysis was then conducted to identify the risk factors that best predicted the different patterns of recidivism. RESULTS: Four distinct subgroups of juvenile offenders were identified: serious violent offenders, violent property offenders, property offenders, and sex offenders. Violent property offenders were the most serious recidivists and had the highest number of risk factors. Serious violent offenders and property offenders were characterised by overt and covert behaviour, respectively. Sex offenders differed from the other three groups in the rarity of their recidivism and in the risk factors that are present. For each of these four subgroups, a different set of risk factors was found to predict severity of recidivism. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in recidivism rates occurred in spite of the fact that most of these youngsters had been in the standard treatment programme offered to serious juvenile offenders in the Netherlands. This was not a treatment outcome study, but the indication that two of the groups identified in our study appeared to be worse after going through this programme, whereas the other two did quite well in terms of recidivism lends weight to our idea that such classification of juvenile offenders may lead to more targeted treatment programmes that would better serve both the general public and the youths concerned.

Abstract Background There has been a lot of research on risk factors for recidivism among juvenile offenders, in general, and on individual risk factors, but less focus on subgroups of serious juvenile offenders and prediction of recidivism within these. Objective To find an optimal classification of risk items and to test the predictive value of the resultant factors with respect to severity of recidivism among serious juvenile offenders. Method Seventy static and dynamic risk factors in 1154 juvenile offenders were registered with the Juvenile Forensic Profile. Recidivism data were collected on 728 of these offenders with a time at risk of at least 2 years. After factor analysis, independent sample t‐tests were used to indicate differences between recidivists and non‐recidivists. Logistic multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the potential predictive value of the factors for violent or serious recidivism. Results A nine‐factor solution best accounted for the data. The factors were: antisocial behaviour during treatment, sexual problems, family problems, axis‐1 psychopathology, offence characteristics, conscience and empathy, intellectual and social capacities, social network, and substance abuse . Regression analysis showed that the factors antisocial behaviour during treatment, family problems and axis‐1 psychopathology were associated with seriousness of recidivism. Conclusions and implications for practice The significance of family problems and antisocial behaviour during treatments suggest that specific attention to these factors may be important in reducing recidivism. The fact that antisocial behaviour during treatment consists mainly of dynamic risk factors is hopeful as these can be influenced by treatment. Consideration of young offenders by subgroup rather than as a homogenous population is likely to yield the best information about risk of serious re‐offending and the management of that risk. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.