A Bridge in Flux: Narratives and the Policy Process in the Pacific Northwest

Policy narratives play an important role in the policy process. Often policy narratives originate from advocacy coalitions seeking increased support from the public for their policy stance. Although most Narrative Policy Framework studies have focused on national policy issues, this study examines a state and local economic development project by exploring the policy narratives from competing coalitions in favor and opposed to the project. Specifically, in the Portland–Vancouver area of Oregon and Washington, local policy discussions have been dominated by a proposal for a new mega bridge on Interstate‐5 connecting the two cities across the Columbia River. A new government agency (CRC—Columbia River Crossing) was formed for the implementation of this project. Upon approval of a proposal, CRC experienced heavy backlash from citizens, local businesses, community leaders, and other stakeholders leading to the formation of two competing coalitions in opposition and support of the bridge. This study, using content analysis of 370 public documents, finds that competing coalitions utilize policy narratives in strategic ways to characterize the opposing coalition, themselves, and other actors in the policy subsystem. This study also suggests that the strength and cohesion of a coalition's narrative contributes to its policy success and the winning/losing status of a coalition potentially determines the types of strategies they will use. Last, this study introduces and tests a new narrative strategy called the impotent shift testing a coalition's strategic use of the victim character.     

The use of Hemastix® severely reduces DNA recovery using the BioRobot® EZ1

Abstract: The choice of reagents for presumptive tests for blood, and subsequent extraction methodologies, can significantly affect both the quantity and quality of purified DNA. Blood samples directly tested with Hemastix^® yielded <1% of the DNA recovered from untested samples when purified using the Qiagen BioRobot^® EZ1 and EZ1^® DNA Investigator kit. Full short tandem repeat profiles were obtained from both tested and untested samples, suggesting that the Hemastix^® reagent(s) affect DNA binding, rather than produce DNA damage. The Hemastix^® inhibition of DNA yield could be overcome by the addition of MTL buffer to the sample prior to extraction. Laboratories may wish to modify current procedures for extracting blood samples, utilize other extraction/purification methodologies, or inform their submitting agencies to avoid direct exposure of questioned bloodstains to Hemastix^® reagents.     

致病性大肠杆菌O_(157):H_7基因分型的研究进展

就目前的大肠杆菌O157:H7基因分型方法进行了综述,将其归纳为3类:基于DNA的限制性酶切技术、基于特异靶标的PCR扩增技术、基于基因组特定位点的DNA多态性分析技术,阐述和分析了这些技术所涉及的方法和技术特点。认为,大肠杆菌O157:H7具有重要的公共卫生学意义,开展流行病学调查和病原溯源追踪是防控大肠杆菌病的重要手段,而基因分型是大肠杆菌O157:H7鉴定和示踪的重要技术。     

Artifacts of CD burning in the Microsoft Windows master file table

When theft of a physical item occurs it is detectable by the fact that the object is missing, however, when the theft of a digital item occurs it can go unnoticed as exact replicas can be created. The original file is left intact but valuable information has been absconded. One of the challenges facing digital forensic examiners is detecting when files have been copied off of a computer system in some fashion. While certain methods do leave residual evidence behind, CD Burning has long been held as a copying method that cannot be identified. Through testing of the burning process and close examination of the New Technology File System (NTFS), artifacts from the master file table in the various versions of Microsoft Windows, markers have been found that are associated with copying or "burning" files to CD or DVD. Potential evidence that was once overlooked may now be detectable.     

Legal grounds to process personal data under Spanish legislation after the ECJ Judgment of 24 November 2011 (the ASNEF and FECEMD case)

Spanish law on personal data protection regulates (among other issues) the legal bases that permit the processing of data in a way that is similar to that set out in Directive 95/46/EC. Consent constitutes the general rule although data may be processed without it if necessary for administration functions, within the framework of a contractual relationship, in order to safeguard the vital interests of the data subject or if they are included in sources accessible to the public. However, unlike the Directive, legitimate interest is not recognised as an independent reason for processing data, whereas a legal ground that is not set out in community law is included, i.e., sources accessible to the public. This paper analyses these two cases, taking as its starting point consent, along with the consequences that the ECJ Judgment of 24 November 2011 regarding the interpretation of Article 7 of Directive 95/46/EC may have and giving attention to the revision of this Directive itself.     

中国特色社会主义“特色”的新概括——学习胡锦涛总书记“7·23”重要讲话的体会

胡锦涛在省部级主要领导干部专题研讨班开班式上的重要讲话,从坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的政治高度,强调＂必须不断丰富中国特色社会主义的实践特色、理论特色、民族特色、时代特色＂,是对中国特色社会主义＂特色＂的新概括。深刻认识中国特色社会主义的＂四个特色＂,对于我们进一步深刻理解和把握中国特色社会主义,从而更好地坚持和发展中国特色社会主义,将具有极为重要的理论意义和实践意义。     

Zu Inhalt und Verjährung des Regressanspruchs des Generalunternehmers gegen den Subunternehmer wegen mangelhafter Leistung

Der (General)Unternehmer hat gegen seinen Subunternehmer eigene Ansprüche auf m?ngelfreie Werkerstellung. Von diesen Ansprüchen ist ein Regressanspruch des Generalunternehmers gegen den Subunternehmer zu unterscheiden, der sich darauf gründet, dass der Besteller den Gesch?ftsherrn ([General]Unternehmer) für mangelhafte Leistungen seines Erfüllungsgehilfen (Subunternehmer) in Anspruch genommen hat. Gegenstand des Regressanspruchs k?nnen nur Ansprüche des Bestellers gegen den Gesch?ftsherrn sein, die diesen im Rahmen der Gehilfenhaftung nach § 1313a ABGB treffen. Der Verj?hrungsbeginn knüpft bei Regressforderungen grunds?tzlich an den Zeitpunkt der (Zahlung oder sonstigen Erfüllung), frühestens aber an die endgültige Verurteilung zur Ersatzleistung, wenn die Zahlungspflicht des Gl?ubigers gegenüber dem Dritten unverrückbar feststeht.     

Unterbrechung des Verlassenschaftsverfahrens bei Konkurs des erbserklärten Erben

F?llt w?hrend eines Abhandlungsverfahrens der erbserkl?rte Erbe in Konkurs, so ist in Anwendung des § 8a KO von einer Unterbrechung dieses Verlassenschaftsverfahrens durch die Konkurser?ffnung auszugehen. Da hier eine Forderung der Konkursmasse gegenüber der Verlassenschaft, also aus Sicht der Konkursmasse eine Aktivforderung vorliegt und somit eine Anmeldung und Prüfung im Konkurs nicht in Frage kommt, kann das Verfahren jederzeit – allerdings unter Beiziehung des Masseverwalters – fortgesetzt werden. Dies auch ohne Parteienantrag, weil es sich beim Verlassenschaftsverfahren gem § 143 Au?StrG um ein von Amts wegen einzuleitendes handelt, das – abgesehen vom Fortsetzungsantrag einer Partei – nach § 26 Abs 3 Au?StrG auch dann mit Beschluss fortzusetzen ist, wenn ansonsten Belange einer Partei oder der Allgemeinheit gef?hrdet warden k?nnten, deren Schutz Zweck des Verfahrens ist.