Analysis of artificially degraded DNA using STRs and SNPs--results of a collaborative European (EDNAP) exercise

Recently, there has been much debate about what kinds of genetic markers should be implemented as new core loci that constitute national DNA databases. The choices lie between conventional STRs, ranging in size from 100 to 450 bp; mini-STRs, with amplicon sizes less than 200 bp; and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). There is general agreement by the European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) and the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) that the reason to implement new markers is to increase the chance of amplifying highly degraded DNA rather than to increase the discriminating power of the current techniques. A collaborative study between nine European and US laboratories was organised under the auspices of EDNAP. Each laboratory was supplied with a SNP multiplex kit (Foren-SNPs) provided by the Forensic Science Service, two mini-STR kits provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and a set of degraded DNA stains (blood and saliva). Laboratories tested all three multiplex kits, along with their own existing DNA profiling technique, on the same sets of degraded samples. Results were collated and analysed and, in general, mini-STR systems were shown to be the most effective. Accordingly, the EDNAP and ENFSI working groups have recommended that existing STR loci are reengineered to provide smaller amplicons, and the adoption of three new European core loci has been agreed.     

A Future for Public Sector Appeal Systems Under New Managerialism?

This article examines the fate of public sector appeal systems under the managerialist reform agenda. Is new managerialism wedded to a particular shape of appeal system? Is it wedded to the dismantling of this traditionally distinctive feature of public sector employment in Australia? To explore these questions, this article examines the roles which public sector appeal systems play in human resource management and their implications for public sector reform. It then compares traditional appeal rights and processes with those currently operating in the state, Commonwealth and Northern Territory public services. The article also discusses the implications of the dramatic changes in some jurisdictions, including Victoria and Western Australia, for the effectiveness of appeal processes, and human resource management in the public sector.     

Two Models of Contemporary Public Service Wage Determination in Australia

There has been substantial change in industrial relations systems at federal and state level in Australia and this has had dramatic implications for public sector wage-fixing arrangements. This article outlines the main features of current systems for wage determination in the Australian public service and the public services of each state. While a complex and diverse set of regulations and wage-fixing mechanisms are in place in these seven jurisdictions, two models are emerging: one a collectivist two-tiered model and the other a de-collectivist model which includes provision for individual agreements. The authors discuss the implications of the current wage-fixing systems and the two emerging models.     

The role of donors: how to combine sector programme support with devolution? A comment from a practitioner to James Wunsch: ‘decentralization,local governance and “recentralization” in Africa’

In commenting on ‘Decentralization, Local Governance and ‘Recentralization’ in Africa’ (Wunsch, 2001 ), this article concurs with the general thesis of Wunsch that the actual implementation as distinct from the rhetoric of decentralization in Africa has featured lingering central retention of power and resources and that genuine local control over important services and investments remains elusive. However, there is evidence that this is not invariably the case and that donors may have decisive roles to play in encouraging local assertiveness in the medium term in providing leverage for change through budget support and technical assistance to civic education, training local councillors, monitoring local government elections and encouraging local government associations to put to the test the national commitment to genuine local governance. These roles include helping to ensure the transparency of central transfers and, as in Uganda and Malawi for example, assisting with the development of intermediary fiscal mechanisms in this regard. Learning from such promising experiences will be vital in nurturing the longer term optimism heralded by Wunsch. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Accessibility of municipal services for ethnocultural populations in Toronto and Montreal

Abstract: The inmasing density and residential concentration of some ethnocultural groups in some Canadian cities raises challenges for the planning and delivery of municipal services. This study examines the accessibility and receptivity of municipal services for ethnocultural populations in Toronto and Montreal. The analysis centres principally on a comparison of the Toronto Multicultural Access Program (map) and the Bureau interculturel de Montréal (bim) and their relationships with selected municipal departments and political bodies. Results show that, as expected, Toronto, with a higher proportion of different ethnocultural populations, had greater accessibility and receptivity of municipal services than Montreal did: map was found to have a narrow mandate focused on improving accessibility of services, wheas bim was found to be responsible for a wider range of services affecting ethnocultural populations. Public relations work occupied a large proportion of bim resources. While map addressed the improvement of accessibility in a systematic and structured way that involved all departments in the administration, bim tended to intervene in a more varied manner based on the needs of particular groups, districts or departments. A discussion of the possible reasons for the different approaches and their implications for urban development and planning is presented along with suggestions for future study in this area. Sommaire: La densité missante et la concentration résidentielle de certains groupes ethnoculturels dam certaines villes canadiennes posent des défis à la planification et à la distribution des services municipaux. Cette étude se penche sur l'accessibilité et la réceptivité des services municipaux pour les populations ethnoculturelles de Toronto et de Montréal. L'analyse pork essentiellement sur une comparaison enhe le Programme d'accès multiculbrel (pam) de Toronto et le Bureau interculturel de Montréal (bim), ainsi que sur leurs rapports avec certains départements municipaux et organismes politiques. Tel que prévu, les résultats montrent que Toronto, ayant une proportion plus élevée de groupes ethnoculturels différents, a plus d'accessibilité et de réceptivité des services municipaux que Montréal. On a constaté que le pam avait un mandat restreint visant l'amélioration de l'accessibilité des services, tandis que le bim était chargé d'une plus vaste gamme de services concernant les populations ethnoculturelles. Une forte proportion des ressources du bim était consacrée au travail de relations publiques. Le pam procédait de manierr systematique et structurée à améliorer l'accessibilité, faisant participer tous les secteurs de 1'administration, tandis que le bim avait tendance à intervenir de façon plus variée, en fonction des besoins des groupes, districts ou services particuliers. L'article présente une discussion sur les raisons possibles qui justifient ces approches différentes ainsi que leurs répercussions sur le développement et la planification urbaine. Des suggestions d'études futures dans le domaine sont également proposées.