Detection of Gunshot Residue in Blowfly Larvae and Decomposing Porcine Tissue Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS)*

Abstract: Blowfly larvae and porcine tissue contaminated with gunshot residue (GSR) were collected during summer and winter months, over a 37‐day and a 60‐day sampling period, respectively. Wound samples were microwave‐digested and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) for the detection of antimony, barium, and lead. During summer, the 37‐day sampling period encompassed all stages of decomposition, except skeletonization. The three elements were detected in larvae only on days 3 and 4 after death but were detected at significant levels in tissue samples throughout the entire sampling period. In winter, no significant decomposition was observed throughout the 60‐day sampling. Although temperatures were too low for blowfly activity, the three elements were detected in the tissue samples at relatively constant, significant levels. Hence, GSR determination in tissue was more dependent on decomposition stage rather than time since death.     

我国能源消费增长特点、发展趋势及政策取向

改革开放以来,我国能源消费总量持续增长,国内能源供需缺口不断扩大,石油对外依存度已超过50％。我国能源效率明显下降,但大大低于发达国家水平。经济增长速度快,经济结构不合理,价格管制过严和社会性管制缺失,是我国能源消费过快增长的原因。“十二五”期间,我国能源供求形势将依然严峻,对外依存度将会进一步上升。必须加快经济结构和能源结构调整,深化改革,促进能源节约。     

国际核安全合作法律机制研究

核武器扩散、核能利用安全、核恐怖主义问题是当前国际核安全领域急需解决的热点问题,亦是关乎世界和平与安全的重大命题.解决该问题需要各国超越政治制度的差异和意识形态的分歧,实现真诚的谅解和持久的合作,建立国际核安全法律机制.现有的国际核安全合作法律机制是以限制核能军用、促进核能民用的国际法律文件为基础、以国际原子能机构为组织核心辅以多边及双边实践的初具规模的体系,然而该体系仍有诸多不足.完善国际核安全合作法律机制需要:改善核安全机制的法律基础;优化国际原子能机构的效能;建立稳定、合作与互信的国际安全大环境;在集体安全的框架里,加强国际社会的团结合作.     

Automated SEM/EDS Analysis of Airbag Residue. II: Airbag Residue as a Source of Percussion Primer Residue Particles

Abstract:  Automated scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy has been used to analyze airbag residue particles. Analysis of airbag residue from some passenger side airbags revealed some residue particles which are consistent with gunshot residue (GSR) samples. The source of these particles was determined to be percussion primers used to initiate the chemical reaction for deployment. This article identifies some vehicles which contain this type of airbag and demonstrates the types of particles which could be misidentified as being GSR. The low numbers of GSR particles in among the large particle populations of zirconium and/or copper–cobalt particles, which are clearly airbag residue, allow the trained analysts to distinguish the correct source of this residue. Particles containing high aluminum levels, elevated levels of allowable elements in GSR particles, or the presence of elements that are rare in GSR particles stand out as indications that the particles are not GSR in origin. This study serves as a guide to analysts who perform particle analysis in forensic investigations.     

震后日本能源战略调整及其对我国能源安全的影响

东日本大地震、大海啸引发的日本核事故,对日本的核电事业乃至全球的核电事业造成巨大冲击,对我国能源安全也提出新的挑战。中日两国都是能源消费大国,在能源领域既有合作也有竞争。日本拥有世界一流的节能技术和新能源开发技术,还拥有包括能源储备等在内的保障能源安全的丰富经验,加强中日之间多种形式的能源合作对破解我国能源安全瓶颈具有重要意义。     

The National Renewable Energy Target: An Example of Post‐Machiavellian Policy‐Making?

Since the election of the Rudd Government in 2007 intergovernmental relations have been a major feature of the political agenda. A ‘new federalism’ approach introduced a re‐invigorated Council of Australian Governments (COAG) focused on developing national policies that reflect coordinated and cooperative policy‐making processes. The establishment of COAG working groups provided the means for developing policies that reflect new levels of agreement between jurisdictions and a common approach to reform. The development of the 20% Renewable Energy Target has been one of the first initiatives of this new approach to policy‐making. This research analyses the process behind the development of the target and places it within the context of the post‐Machiavellian approach, and looks at the implications for future intergovernmental relations.     

Subnational Responses to Fracking in Canada: Explaining Saskatchewan's “Wild West” Regulatory Approach

This article assesses the regulatory response to fracking by Saskatchewan, Canada's second largest oil‐producing province. Public officials and industry representatives claim fracking regulations are “comprehensive” and “robust”; however, there has been no comparative assessment of this claim. To address this gap, we outline the dominant regulatory pathways of U.S. states and Canadian provinces, ranging from applying existing regulations with minimal revisions, to enacting broader revisions or bans. We account for this variation using a framework from Davis ( 2012 ) emphasizing governments’ dependence on the oil sector, the level of support for fracking among elected officials and policy makers, and the influence of key “constituencies.” The article then traces the growth and impact of fracking in Saskatchewan and analyzes new trends in the province's regulation of fracking. Given the province's application of existing regulations with minimal revisions and active weakening of enforcement, we identify Saskatchewan as taking Rabe and Borick's ( 2013 ) “conventional” regulatory approach, typical of Davis's “energy dominant” states.     

The Future of Renewable Energy in Australia: A Test for Cooperative Federalism?

In the context of the Australian federal system industry development will be influenced by the policies of each sphere of government. When announcing a set of policies in 1997 to develop the renewable energy industry the Australian federal government acknowledged the need for a cooperative approach between all governments and industry. The objective of this article is to analyse the government policies over the 1997–2007 period to promote the development of the renewable energy industry in Australia. The article highlights a number of factors that have served as barriers to the development of the industry. The research provides important insight into the difficulties associated with establishing cooperative national arrangements in areas of state government responsibility in the Australian federation. The lessons also inform the current debate on the policy initiatives needed to more effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from stationary energy from the increased availability of renewable energy .     

论加拿大政府的能源出口多元化政策

美国页岩气革命、亚洲地区能源需求增长、中东局势不稳定,影响了全球能源供求关系,驱动加拿大政府寻求更加多元的能源出口地。哈珀政府和小特鲁多政府积极实施能源出口多元化政策,加强输油管线建设,丰富能源出口产品类型,加强与他国特别是亚洲国家的经贸合作。这种能源出口多元化政策改善了加拿大能源出口环境,提升了加拿大能源在国际市场上的竞争力。但加拿大能源出口多元化战略也面临系列挑战,如能源行业的发展受到国内因素的限制、出口市场面临来自其他能源出口国的强力竞争,还有加拿大与大国关系的倒退等。