日本环境友好型生活方式的立法培育经验及对我国的启示

促进公众形成环境友好型的生活方式,是建设环境友好型社会的必然要求。环境资源问题在中国和日本均已成为制约经济和社会进一步发展的瓶颈。日本在培育国民形成环境友好型生活方式方面取得了很好的成效。从法律上来看,该国的经验在于制定了完备的立法体系,并在责任分配、教育说服、公众行为的引导和综合性法律调整四个方面规定了切实有效的法律制度。我国的相关立法不完善,制度的建设也存在欠缺。因此,在技术层面上定向地借鉴日本的成熟经验,按照我国的经济基础、环境状况、环境文化和国民生活方式等基本国情,逐步完善相关的立法和制度是必要的。实践证明也是可行和有效的。     

Forensic discrimination of match heads by elemental analysis with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

In arson and bombing cases, matches are often used as the ignition method. We have investigated the use of elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry to discriminate match heads used in arson cases. Six elements, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, zinc, and barium, in match heads were detected after the match heads were dissolved in HNO3, and these elements were quantified in 8 wood stick matches and 5 paper stick matches by means of calibration curves prepared from standard sample solutions. Using this method, we were able to distinguish all the matches from one another both before and after combustion. The method has the potential to be very useful for resolving arson cases.     

5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-al (NPPD) used as a tracer by nonscientists at a simulated crime scene

5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-al (NPPD) was used as a tracer by nonscientists at a simulated crime scene. A card with both a plastic-coated smooth surface and a porous cellulose matrix paper surface was coated with a methanol solution containing 0.5mg/mL of NPPD. The card was touched with bare fingers and fingers covered by a cotton glove. A color-change protocol was then used to detect the presence of NPPD. The bare fingers or the fingers of gloves were swabbed with a cotton swab, or the parts of the glove that had touched the card were cut out. The swabs or the cloth pieces were dipped in methanol, a 0.1% methanol solution of naphthoresorcinol was added, and then concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. The observation of a red color at this point indicated a positive test. NPPD was easily observed in the experiments involving bare fingers, but no color change was observed from the swabbing of the cotton glove. However, when the cloth pieces cut from the fingers of the glove were subjected to the test, the red color was observed. In an attempt to enhance the sensitivity of the test, the volumes of the reagent solutions were reduced, but no improvement in sensitivity was obtained.     

Japan Seventy Years after World War II: From a Challenger to a Supporter of the International Order

In advance of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, the “Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan's Role and the World Order in the 21st Century” issued its report. The author served as acting chair of the panel which reviewed the history of Japan and the world from the 19th century to World War II through the 70 postwar years. This article looks at Japan's expansionism in the 1930s, wartime conduct, colonial rule, and the end of World War II. As a previous challenger to world order, Japan seeks to share the lessons learned now as a supporter of the international order. This article elucidates ways in which Japan can cooperate with the international community to promote prosperity and peace around the globe.     

A New Asian Order and the Role of Japan

China is changing the international order in East Asia. It is not only a matter of a power transition, but also a matter of a change in the international system. Chinese people tend to see the world order in hierarchical terms as they did for centuries; nationalism is used as a tool of national integration; and government control of the military is weakening. These are the factors behind the rise of China. If these trends continue, a hierarchical order with China as hegemon might be established in East Asia. It seems as if we are returning to the period before the nineteenth century when China led the world. However, the international order in the twenty-first century has to be based upon such principles as the rule of law, peaceful solution of conflict, democracy, and human rights. In order to establish such an order, Japan and other countries that have committed to those values should unite firmly. China also would benefit very much from that order in the long run.     

The Abe Administration: Beyond 100 Days

The second Abe administration, inaugurated on December 26, 2012, has been called a repudiation of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) rather than a strong endorsement of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, in the intervening months, public support has risen. Going forward, the Abe administration faces three serious challenges, namely the economy, security and foreign policy, and a strategy to win in the Upper House elections expected in July 2013. This article analyzes each of these challenges and explores possible courses that the administration could take.     

A solid-phase microextraction method for the detection of ignitable liquids in fire debris

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) procedure involving direct contact between the SPME fibers and the solid matrix and subsequent gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis for the detection of accelerants in fire debris is described. The extraction performances of six fibers (100 mum polydimethylsiloxane, 65 mum polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene, 85 mum polyacrylate, 85 mum carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane, 70 mum Carbowax-divinylbenzene, and 50/30 mum divinylbenzene-Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane) were investigated by directly immersing the fibers into gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel. For simulated fire debris, in the direct contact extraction method, the SPME fiber was kept in contact with the fire debris matrix during extraction by penetrating plastic bags wrapping the sample. This method gave comparable results to the headspace SPME method in the extraction of gasoline and kerosene, and gave an improved recovery of low-volatile components in the extraction of diesel fuel from fire debris. The results demonstrate that this procedure is suitable as a simple and rapid screening method for detecting ignitable liquids in fire debris packed in plastic bags.     

Parental Motivational Perseverance Predicts Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms: An Intergenerational Analysis with Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

Journal of Youth and Adolescence - Adolescents’ depressive symptoms are affected by a number of factors including life stress, gender, socio-economic status, and parental depression symptoms....     

Basic forensic identification of artificial leather for hit-and-run cases

Single fibers retrieved from a victim's garments and adhered to the suspect's automobile have frequently been used to prove the relationship between victim and suspect's automobile. Identification method for single fiber discrimination has already been conducted. But, a case was encountered requiring discrimination of artificial leather fragments retrieved from the victim's bag and fused fibers from the bumper of the suspect's automobile. In this report, basic studies were conducted on identification of artificial leathers and single fibers from leather materials. Fiber morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), color of these leather sheets was evaluated by microspectrophotometry (MSP), the leather components were measured by infrared micro spectrometry (micro-FT-IR) and the inorganic contents were ascertained by micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (micro-XRF). These two methods contribute to other analytical methods too, in the case of utilized single fiber analytical methods. The combination of these techniques showed high potential of discrimination ability in forensic examinations of these artificial leather samples. In regard with smooth surface artificial leather sheet samples, a total of 182 sheets were obtained, including 177 colored sheets directly from 10 of 24 manufacturers in Japan, and five of them were purchased at retail circulation products. Nine samples of suede-like artificial leather were obtained, 6 of them were supplied from 2 manufacturers and 3 sheets were purchased as retailing product. Single fibers from the smooth surface artificial leather sheets showed characteristic for surface markings, and XRF could effectively discriminate between these sheets. The combination of results of micro-FT-IR, color evaluation by MSP and the contained inorganic elements by XRF enabled to discriminate about 92% of 15,576 pairs comparison. Five smooth surface samples form retailing products were discriminated by their chemical composition into four categories, and in addition color information to this result, they were clearly distinguished. Suede-like artificial leather sheets showed characteristic extra-fine fibers on their surface by the observation of SEM imaging, providing high discriminating ability, in regard with suede-like artificial leather sheets were divided into three categories by micro-FT-IR, and the combination of these results and color evaluation information, it was possible to discriminate all the nine suede-like artificial leather sheets examined.     

Discrimination of arsenous acids with comparison of trace elements contained by using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

In the poisonous incident case occurred in Japan, clarification of the identity between seized poisons and retrieved from crime scene is strictly required from the court. In this case, arsenous acid was used as a poisonous material and, seized one from suspect's house was only twenty particles. The synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectrometry by comparing the intensity ratios of L(alpha) line of four heavy metal, such as Bi, Sn, Sb, Se to K(beta) line of As was performed to overcome this problem. In this paper, the evaluation of this new method using 13 authentic arsenous acid samples, 4 of 13 were refined by Chinese method, 7 of 13 were refined by Japanese method (Sumitomo mining Co. Ltd. method), 2 of 13 were refined by German and Swiss method. As a result, by the comparison of the ratios of these four elements to As, these 13 samples were clearly classified to three products classes produced by different refining methods.