Detection of drugs in clothing]

The presence of drugs excreted from the body with the perspiration (without stimulation of the sweat glands) and deposed in the linens, was investigated. Linens were obtained from addicts and from smokers. The investigations demonstrated that cocaine, nicotine, cotinine and methadone excreted with the sweat are deposed in the linens. The drugs measurements were performed by radioimmunoassay and revealed by GC/MS.     

Use of polymerase chain reaction of the HLA-DQ alpha system in forensic trace analysis]

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used for genetic typing of minute amounts of biological stains. This is achieved by in vitro amplification of a well-defined and genetically polymorphic human genomic DNA sequence. Using the HLA-DQ alpha system, a population study was carried out among 212 unrelated individuals of German origin. The usefulness of this system is discussed by presenting examples of its application in forensic casework, i.e. the analysis of mixed (male/female) body fluids as well as segregation studies on embryonic and paraffin-embedded tissue samples.     

Same Menu, Seperate Tables: The Institutionalist Turn in Political Science and the Study of European Integration

Recent research on European integration has largely profited from the institutionalist turn in political science. Theoretical progress has, however, been hampered by the diverse understandings of this new research tradition. This paper tries to tackle the conceptual diversity in a positive way. We first analyze the neo–institutionalist turn in political science and European studies and then move on to a detailed analysis and comparison of the three competing approaches — sociological, historical, and rational choice institutionalism. Next, we will show that the main differences are as much epistemological as theoretical. A convergence towards a unifying institutionalist approach can thus only be possible if some sort of a methodological convergence takes place. We sketch how a synthesis between the competing schools might appear.     

Presence of methadone in apocrine sweat of the human

The presence of methadone was investigated in 24-h perspiration samples obtained from patients receiving daily maintenance doses of the drug. The samples were collected from the axillary region. The concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay ranged from 8.3 ng/cm2 per 24 h up to 25.3 ng/cm2 per 24 h. The concentrations determined by RIA are the sum of methadone and its metabolites. The presence of the drug in the perspiration samples were also revealed by GC/MS.     

The two faces of nation‐building: developing function and identity

Nation‐building is an age‐old process being implemented in new ways. It consists of two separate aspects: state‐building implemented by external actors and identity‐building implemented by grassroots actors within the state itself. However, a functioning state is a necessary precondition for identity‐building because it allows for the development of a civic identity that can incorporate group identities and create a shared sense of community. When a unifying and legitimate state structure is absent, group identifications will remain strong and counteract internal efforts at nation‐building. Unfortunately, the record of nation‐building when understood as both state‐ and identity‐building is relatively poor. The failure of international efforts to create stable states inhibits development of a civic identity and reinforces fragmentation. That in turn brings the longevity of the state into question by raising the possibility that dissatisfied groups will again turn to violence. Learning how to develop both aspects of nation‐building more effectively is an important challenge for international actors.