More than an analogy,less than a paradigm: The case of biopolitics and organization theory

The biopolitics and sociobiology literature has g r m substantially in the pst few years. Same of that literature has fairly direct implications for organization theory. This paper examines that bcdy of research, discusses some of the conceptual issues and concludes that at the present time it is the methods, rather than the specific findings of bioplitical research, that have the most prise for application in organization theory.     

Reconsidering the Revolution? Australian Public Sector Administration in 2000

While the year 2000 was memorable for public administration in Australia it was notable mainly for the unexpected. Success occurred where risk and failure were predicted. Failure emerged where success had been talked-up. Notable examples include the so-called Y2K problem, management of the Olympic Games, the introduction of the GST, and the outsourcing of government services (especially Information Technology (IT)). Also memorable were important shifts in the policy fields of defence and welfare. The Howard government ended the year in decision-making and largese mode—setting the agenda for the following election year. The events of 2000 invite reconsideration of the merits of the traditional bureaucratic model and those of the emerging post bureaucratic models of service provision.     

The Use of Hemastix® and the Subsequent Lack of DNA Recovery Using the Promega DNA IQTM System

Abstract:  Following implementation of our automated process incorporating the Promega DNA IQ^TM system as a DNA extraction method, a large number of blood-containing exhibits failed to produce DNA. These exhibits had been tested with the Hemastix^® reagent strip, commonly used by police investigators and forensic laboratories as a screening test for blood. Some exhibits were even tainted green following transfer of the presumptive test reagents onto the samples. A series of experiments were carried out to examine the effect of the Hemastix^® chemistries on the DNA IQ^TM system. Our results indicate that one or more chemicals imbedded in the Hemastix^® reagent strip severely reduce the ability to recover DNA from any suspected stain using the DNA IQ^TM magnetic bead technology. The 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) used as the reporting dye appears to interact with the magnetic beads to prevent DNA recovery. Hydrogen peroxide does not seem to be involved. The Hemastix^® chemistries do not interfere in any way with DNA extraction performed using phenol-chloroform. The incompatibility of the Hemastix^® chemistries on the DNA IQ^TM system forced us to adopt an indirect approach using filter paper to carry out the presumptive test.     

Diagnostic efficacy of biochemical markers in diagnosis post-mortem of ischaemic heart disease

In forensic medicine, there is a need for more sensitive biochemical markers for the post-mortem diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. A study of the distribution of biochemical markers in different fluids is of great significance in post-mortem diagnosis, because their distribution depends on the location of tissue damage and release kinetics. The aim of this study is to compare the sensitivities and specificities of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), myoglobin and cTnI in serum and pericardial fluid for the post-mortem diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We studied 188 cadavers selected during 1 year from medicolegal autopsies. The groups were as follows: (1) myocardial infarction (n = 52); (2) asphyxia (n = 59); (3) multiple trauma (n = 41); (4) natural deaths excluding myocardial infarction (n = 36). We obtained statistically significant differences in pericardial fluid for all the biochemical markers, the highest levels being obtained in the group of cadavers who had died from myocardial infarction. A common factor is the high negative predictive value found in biochemical markers, which is contrary to the findings obtained in clinical practice, when the percentages of sensitivity are very high.     

Instability of calcium channel antagonists during sample preparation for LC-MS-MS analysis of serum samples

1,4-Dihydropyridines calcium channel antagonists (1,4-DHP CCAs) are photolabile and the products of their photodecomposition have no pharmaceutical activity. In our previous work we have presented a screening procedure for eleven 1,4-DHPs in plasma by LC-MS-MS using multiple reaction motoring. The laboratory process includes preparation and storage of stock solutions, plasma storage, solid-phase extraction, reconstitution of extracts and storage time in an autosampler for LC-MS-MS analysis. Prior to validation of the analytical procedure, we have tested the stability of these compounds by exposure to light. Methanolic solutions have been exposed to laboratory and UV light and the stability of the compounds in plasma was tested by exposure of spiked plasma samples to laboratory light at room temperature. Stability during freeze-thaw cycles and stability during 2 month storage at -20 degrees C have been tested as well. Products of photodecomposition have been identified after forced degradation and the degree of degradation has been quantified using LC-UV-DAD and LC-MS-MS, respectively. A 96% degradation after only 2h has been observed when solutions of nifedipine or nisoldipine were exposed to laboratory light in clear glass vials. In plasma samples degradation was 25% in only 2h for both compounds. The main degradation product was produced by oxidation of the dihydropyridinic ring resulting in the pyridine analogue that has been described as the first metabolite in the metabolic pathway. Only minor degradation was found for the other tested compounds after 2h light exposure in methanolic solutions. Furthermore, lercanidipine and nicardipine were also degradated by esterhydrolysis. Several additional minor degradation products were found for the other tested 1,4-DHPs, however, some of them could not be identified. Preconditions for storage and handling of plasma samples prior to and during analysis for 1,4-DHP CCAs are suggested in order to avoid photodecomposition of the analytes.     

Support for Harsh Criminal Sanctions and Criminal Justice Beliefs: A Social Dominance Perspective

Much of the criminal justice literature indicates that people’s support for harsh criminal sanctions such as the death penalty is strongly related to their beliefs about deterrence and their beliefs about retribution. In this paper, using social dominance theory as our organizing framework, we expand upon this literature by showing that social dominance orientation (SDO) is also related to support for harsh criminal sanctions, as well as to deterrence and retribution beliefs. In addition, we show that the relationships between SDO, on the one hand, and support for various forms of severe criminal sanctions, on the other, are mediated by deterrence and retribution beliefs.

Symbolic power and police legitimacy: The Royal Ulster Constabulary

In the following discussion we approach the issue of police legitimacy inNorthern Ireland through Habermas's theory of legitimacy and the shiftinglocus of conflict from the economic to the cultural sphere. It is argued thatthe cultural sphere is often a major site of conflict in divided societies suchas Northern Ireland. The process of economic globalisation – a crucialfactor in the emergence of identity based movements elsewhere – has hadthe effect of intensifying conflict over identity and its symbolicrepresentation. The debate on the reform of the RUC in the wake of thePatten Commission Report has focused principally on the recommendationthat the symbolism of the police be changed. Although this conflict oversymbols condenses the central problem of the exclusion and misrecognitionof nationalists it also has the effect of distracting attention from the moreuniversal theme of the Report: the relationship between citizens, police andthe state.     

Interpreting Meaning in Juvenile Court: The Use of Local Wisdom

To be presented at the 1982 Annual Meetings of Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association in Ottawa, June 6–9. The author would like to thank the many people working with juveniles in Alberta and elsewhere who provided insights for this paper. The work has been supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Grant Sumber 410-79-0124 and by funds from the Solicitor General's Contributions Grant.