The construction of an East Asian order and the limitations of the ASEAN model

An East Asian Summit will be held in Malaysia this December. Like other institutions in the region, the summit will be hosted by ASEAN. Only nations that have signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (or TAC), which sets out the basic principles of ASEAN, will receive an invitation to the summit from ASEAN. This unprecedented summit may become a historic starting point on the path towards the founding of an East Asian community. If so, the TAC may well come to represent the basic principles of the East Asian community. The commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict that is enshrined in the TAC could be expanded from Southeast Asia to East Asia. If a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in East Asia could be concluded, it would surely constitute a major contribution to peace and prosperity in East Asia. At the same time, however, it is likely that the bedrock principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries—as stipulated in the TAC—would also become a fundamental doctrine of an East Asian community. Even within ASEAN there are some who regard this principle as outdated, as it is used as a pretext for resisting pressure to democratize. If it retains the TAC as its basis, will an East Asian community be able to share the concept of democracy?     

A basic tool set for a generalized directional model

In political science, there are two classes of spatial models: those which are based on a distance logic and those which are based on a directional logic. This distinction can be found in terms of diverse topics, as voting theory, coalition theory or legislative politics. While Tsebelis (Br. J. Political Sci. 25:289–325, 1995) among others discussed implications of distance models, the respective counterparts for directional models have not been explicitly derived in the existing literature. We try to close this gap by discussing discrepancies between both kinds of models and derive some of the most relevant tools for analyses based on directional models.     

An application of D- and L-aspartic acid mixtures as standard specimens for the chronological age estimation

Instead of using the control teeth, we tried to prepare standard specimens to derive the equations for calculation of the age (analytical curves) with respect to each kind of tooth of various ages. To prepare standard specimens, we determined the racemization ratio of the teeth of known age that had actually been used for the appraisal of chronological age (total control teeth). Then we mixed commercially available L-Asp and D-Asp in the same D/L ratio as the measured one in the total control teeth. As a result, we were able to obtain the racemization rate equations from the age-specific standard specimens of central and lateral incisors. These equations were closely similar to those derived from actual teeth of known age. Since the racemization rate equations obtained from the standard specimens were satisfactorily reproducible, we assumed that these equations could be used in place of those obtained from the control teeth. Actually, in the age estimation of unidentified corpses from teeth, the use of standard specimens enabled us to estimate the age almost as precisely as estimated using the control teeth. Thus, the present study has demonstrated that in the estimation of chronological age the control teeth can be substituted by the standard specimens. This shows the possibility of using the standard specimens also in other laboratories where the racemization ratio can be measured with sufficient reproducibility.     

Comparison of age estimated from degree of racemization of aspartic acid, glutamic acid and alanine in the femur

Aspartic acid (Asp) is generally used for estimation of age by measuring the degree of racemization. For other amino acids, however, there are few reports regarding the usefulness of the degree of racemization for the estimation of age. Accordingly, in this study using the femur (obtained from 21 cadavers) as the specimen, we measured the degree of racemization of glutamic acid (Glu) and alanine (Ala) along with Asp in the total amino acid (TAA) fraction as well as in acid-insoluble collagen-rich (IC) and acid-soluble peptide (SP) sub-fractions. We compared the degrees of racemization of each amino acid and the accuracy of the ages estimated from them. The degree of racemization and the reaction rate of racemization were ranked in the order of Asp > Glu > Ala in the TAA and IC fractions, but Asp > Ala > Glu in the SP fraction. It is noteworthy that the degrees of racemization differed between the three amino acids depending on the fraction tested. The correlation coefficient (r) between the degree of racemization and the chronological age was higher in the SP than in the TAA or IC fraction. Among three amino acids, Asp showed the highest correlation coefficient as predicted. The present study confirmed that Asp from the SP fraction is the best indicator for age estimation using racemization rates.     

Age estimation of bloodstains: a preliminary report based on aspartic acid racemization rate

This study describes an innovative application of a well-established method of age determination. The conventional method of aspartic acid racemization (AAR) is based on estimation of the d-l-aspartic acid ratio in slow turnover tissues, such as tooth tissue, to reflect the age of an individual. This method has been recently applied to age estimation in forensic investigations, and is also widely used for archeological dating of fossils. We suggest that the aspartic acid racemization method could be applied to a significant, although unresolved, forensic issue: that of bloodstain dating. Standard kinetic experiments were used to describe the characteristics of the racemization reaction in bloodstains, which were then employed to estimate the age of various samples. The soluble protein fraction of a bloodstain produced a stronger correlation between elapsed time and d-aspartic acid content than total amino acid fractions. According to our preliminary results, the time lapse after the creation of a bloodstain can be determined ex vivo by measuring the extent of aspartic acid racemization. Our analysis highlights the need for further study into the preservation and composition of bloodstains to assist in further development of this pioneering application.     

Thin layer chromatography/fluorescence detection of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine and related compounds

A rapid and sensitive method for the detection of six methylenedioxylatedphenethylamines, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine; N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butamine; N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-butamine; and 3,4-methylenedioxydimethylamphetamine, by thin-layer chromatography with fluorescence detection is proposed. These compounds form fluorophores on the developing plate following spraying with a reagent consisting of sodium hypochlorite, potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), and sodium hydroxide, and heating for 3 min at 100 degrees C. Blue fluorescent spots were observed under ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 250-400 nm. The detection limits for MDMA and the above related compounds were 50 ng. The proposed method was effectively applied to the detection of MDMA in urine samples.     

Age estimation from aspartic acid racemization of root dentin by internal standard method

In this study, we investigated the application of the internal standard method to determine age from aspartic acid (Asp) racemization. D-Methionine (D-Met) and D-norleucine (D-Nleu) were tested as internal standards for the purpose of validating the derivatization and gas chromatographic measurements. Using a set of standard amino acids plus the internal standards in constant volume, calibration plots with reasonable linearity (R > 0.98) were constructed. Based on the analysis of sample chromatograms, D-Met appeared to meet the criteria for internal standards, hence it was selected for use in D- and L-Asp quantification. The correlation between dentin age and D-/L-Asp ratios from the peak areas as well as from the absolute concentrations was investigated. Correlation coefficients were calculated as 0.98 and 0.90, respectively. The slight decrease in accuracy was attributed to the conversion of D-Asp/D-Met ratios to concentrations employing the calibration curves figured from pure Asp. Because the application of the internal standard method produced reproducible and precise measurements, the employment of internal standards in age estimation based on Asp racemization appears to provide quality assurance by avoiding possible errors arising from sample preparation.     

Strategy for the estimation of chronological age using the aspartic acid racemization method with special reference to coefficient of correlation between D/L ratios and ages

The estimation of chronological age has been performed by various methods in forensic science. Among these, racemization methods, which are based on the age-dependent non-enzymatic changes of L-form amino acids to D-form mainly using aspartic acid, are one of the most reliable and accurate methods to date. Separation of enantiomers is generally performed by gas chromatography or high performance liquid chromatography. Various tissues with low metabolic rates have been applied for this purpose. In addition, single proteins purified from these target tissues are also applicable. In this brief review we describe this method in detail, noting points of caution, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the different target tissues. In addition, special attention is given to the correlation rates obtained between chronological age and enantiomer ratios. Currently, based on accuracy of estimated age, simplicity of the method, time required, and reproducibility, tooth dentin is considered one of the best target tissues. Alternatively, analysis of osteocalcin and elastin have also provided accurate and reproducible results.     

讼师秘本的世界

在前近代中国的地方官与幕友们所留下的文字记载中,讼师往往被描绘成是一群地痞流氓:他们教唆词讼,颠倒黑白,罔顾法律与道理,一心只以诉讼委托者和自己胜诉、获得利益为目标,甚至还可能背叛诉讼委托者。这种讼师形象的模式化刻画,也同样存在于当今的法制史研究者笔下。但对数十种讼师秘本的深入研究却发现,此类书籍中被连续不断地记录下的对于承办诉讼者与作成诉讼文书者的教诲、告诫与伦理,例如重视情、理、法,不要帮助诬告,切勿贪图一时之利而失德积恶等,甚至与官箴书有着相通之处,其所展示的是另一个不同的讼师形象。尽管这并不意味着讼师中的大多数是正人君子,但表明先前刻画的讼师形象失之片面。此外,本文还指出,与实际存在的法律相比,讼师秘本中所记载的法律十分贫乏,此类书籍始终是以传授诉讼文书的写作技巧为重点,而并不旨在教授法律;在讼师秘本中登场的讼师,无论是作为实际存在的讼师,还是作为虚构的讼师,都以有血有肉的不同形式表现了讼师秘本之教诲的某些内容。     

An Asia‐Pacific community as a regional order: Possibilities and limitations of APEC

Expectations for the Asia‐Pacific Economic Cooperation forum have been numerous and varied, leading some observers to predict that APEC will gradually take on a security dimension in addition to the economic role it plays today. In this paper, Professor Susumu Yamakage of the University of Tokyo examines the evolution — and the limitations of — APEC and, taking into consideration the variety of issues and problems in the region, concludes that it is premature to expect APEC to become a multifaceted cooperative framework. Rather, he points out, it is likely to continue its current function of encouraging trade liberalization and defending the world trade system.