Species identification of Papaver by metabolite profiling

This paper analyses and discusses arguments that emerge from a recent discussion about the proper assessment of the evidential value of correspondences observed between the characteristics of a crime stain and those of a sample from a suspect when (i) this latter individual is found as a result of a database search and (ii) remaining database members are excluded as potential sources (because of different analytical characteristics). Using a graphical probability approach (i.e., Bayesian networks), the paper here intends to clarify that there is no need to (i) introduce a correction factor equal to the size of the searched database (i.e., to reduce a likelihood ratio), nor to (ii) adopt a propositional level not directly related to the suspect matching the crime stain (i.e., a proposition of the kind 'some person in (outside) the database is the source of the crime stain' rather than 'the suspect (some other person) is the source of the crime stain'). The present research thus confirms existing literature on the topic that has repeatedly demonstrated that the latter two requirements (i) and (ii) should not be a cause of concern.     

The Present and Future of The Investor-State Dispute Settlement Paradigm

While the World Trade Organization (WTO) system remains faithfulto the long-standing traditional paradigm of state-to-statedispute resolution, dispute resolution mechanisms in the areaof international investment are undergoing a radical change.Traditionally, the paradigm of ‘diplomatic protection’has served as a basis for the settlement of investment disputesamong states. In earlier commercial agreements, including theFriendship, Commerce, and Navigation Treaties (FCNs) concludedfrom 1940s to 1960s, the resolution of international investmentdisputes took the form of state-to-state dispute resolution.This paradigm shifted in the 1970s when direct investor claims,modelled on treaties that European countries had been puttingforward since 1959, were allowed under a series of bilateralinvestment treaties initiated by the United States. This shifthas been reflected in subsequent efforts to reach a multilateralagreement on investment (MAI) and in many free trade agreements(FTAs). Also, in the area of international human rights law,it is an increasing trend to allow an individual to have directrecourse to international human rights protection bodies, suchas the Human Rights Committee established under the InternationalCovenant on Civil and Political Rights, after the exhaustionof domestic remedies. The allowance of direct claims has helpedto make up for the typical shortcomings of the diplomatic protectionmechanism where, the espousing state has frequently exercisedexcessive discretion in deciding whether to advance claims dueto considerations of a political nature, unrelated to the particularcase, so that this mechanism can increase international friction.On the other hand, the strong point of diplomatic protectionhas been its capacity to screen out frivolous or dishonest claimsby individuals. The question whether various international disputesettlement mechanisms may eventually converge into an effectivesystem based on a direct claim procedure is a vexing one. Itis uncertain whether the model of investor-state dispute settlement(ISDS) can play a pioneering role in this ongoing process. Anypertinent answers to such questions require a thorough comparisonof the benefits and drawbacks of such a development. Lessonsfrom the experiences under the ISDS system and its modificationefforts should be fully taken into account so the newly emergingdispute resolution system will not lead to tension between nationsin an area where precedent is scant, but the need is great.     

Patterns of victim marginalization in victim-offender mediation: some lessons learned

This article discusses issues that restorative justice programs may face during implementation and lessons learned from an exploratory study. We examined various perspectives of multiple participants who experienced a Victim-Offender Mediation (VOM) program in a mid-sized Midwestern city in the U.S. The primary data source comprised 34 interviews with 37 participants including adult crime victims, juvenile offenders and their parents, mediators, and representatives from referring agencies. Observations complemented the interview data. Findings revealed patterns of victim marginalization during the processes used: victims were not prepared appropriately; were at times pressured by mediators to behave in certain ways; and, occasionally felt intimidated by offenders and/or their families. We discuss some factors that may have influenced the emergence of these patterns. This study revealed gaps between the guiding principles of restorative justice theory and field practices, particularly sensitivity toward victims to meet their needs. We suggest that restorative justice programs should consider using a monitoring system to ensure that the processes used remain consistent with the values and principles of restorative justice.     

The Adoption and Abandonment of Council‐Manager Government

What accounts for patterns of city adoption and abandonment of council‐manager government? Despite dozens of empirical studies, we lack a systematic understanding of these forces over time because previous work has relied on cross‐sectional designs or analysis of change over short periods. This article begins to fill this lacuna by constructing a historical data set spanning 75 years for the 191 largest cities with either mayor‐council or council‐manager governments in 1930. Event history analysis is applied to isolate adoption and abandonment trends and to provide new evidence revealing the forces that have shaped the trajectory of institutional change in U.S. cities. This analysis reveals that social context factors—in particular, economic conditions—generate both adoptions and abandonments.     

Deliberative Democracy,Rational Participation and e-Voting in South Korea

As information and communications technologies (ICTs) have revolutionised private and public lives in many aspects, to what extent and in what way electronic voting (e-voting) can improve citizens’ electoral participation and deepen democracy has become a critical issue in political science. From the theory of deliberative participatory democracy in conjunction with a rational choice perspective, this article examines the prospect of e-voting in the electoral process in South Korea. Prior experiences in the 2002 presidential election and the 2000 and 2004 general elections in South Korea have shown a meaningful, albeit limited and partial, impact of ICTs on citizens’ election-related information consumption, reshaping of their political stance and beliefs, and voter turnout. This article contends that the premises of e-voting can be attained with a higher degree of probability if the National Election Commission serves as an information gateway, bridges the digital divide, and is ready to provide voters and election officers with necessary and accurate information about voting procedures.     

实施高度开放自由港政策推动横琴粤澳深度合作区建设

广东自贸区自成立以来,虽然在推动粤港澳深度合作方面初见成效,但自贸区范围内的生产要素流动仍有阻碍,经济商业活动缺乏更大的自由发挥空间。为充分发挥粤港澳综合优势,更好地构建与国际接轨的开放型经济新体制,推动澳门经济适度多元发展和深化粤澳合作,建议将澳门部分自由港政策延伸到横琴,参照世界高水平的开放形态和国际通行规则改革横琴现有体制,突破旧有行政区域划分造成的制度“藩篱”,以政策创新推动澳门和横琴的体制机制贯通、变通和融通,并在广泛调研的基础上提出具体方案建议,为解决内地与澳门存在的制度差异,形成生活和营商环境逐步趋同的“粤澳深度合作区”提供参考。     

Reassessment of the state role in the development of high-tech industry: A case study of Taiwan’s Hsinchu Science Park

This article reassesses the state role in the development of high-tech industries through a case study of one of the earliest science parks in Asia, Hsinchu Science Park. Taking a historical and public policy approach to this issue, the article argues that the state did play a positive role in the growth of hightech industries in Taiwan. However, not all positive outcomes were derived from rational political elites and state bureaucracy. There existed many unintended and path-dependent consequences. In addition, many planned goals have not been achieved and there were many side effects and negative outcomes neglected by previous studies, which give significant implications for the evaluation, of state's capability and limitation in pursuing economic development.