MIXED COMPANIES AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE: NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS

This article looks at the use of institutionalized public–private partnership (PPP) arrangements by local governments for the delivery of different types of infrastructure. It starts by analyzing the mixed company model from a theoretical point of view, in particular the potential for internal regulation and the achievement of a relational agreement. Then, after discussing the practicalities of crafting this type of governance structure, four Portuguese case studies are examined. The empirical evidence on mixed companies operating in the water, waste, transportation, and education sectors shows that the extreme complexity involved in the whole life‐cycle management of these companies usually leads to a poor protection of the public interest.     

The G-20 Moment

Thanks to the draining effects of the Iraq war and the financial meltdown emanating from Wall Street, a powershift away from American dominance is taking place. Caught between a rising China and an America in relative decline, the new leadership in Japan is recalibrating its post-World War II relationships. The G-20 has usurped the role once played by the G-8 as the governing committee of globalization. And the symbiotic coupling of Chimerica, born out of the credit bubble built up over the past two decades, is being put to the test.
In this section, the new prime minister of Japan, the president of the European Union, the president of Brazil and a leading economic historian assess these shifts.     

铅镉联合染毒对大鼠大脑皮质神经细胞的氧化损伤及NAC的保护效应

为研究铅、镉联合对新生大鼠大脑皮质神经细胞的脂质过氧化损伤及N-乙酰半胱氨酸(N-ace-tylcysteine,NAC)的保护效应,以体外培养的新生大鼠原代大脑皮质神经细胞为试验对象,分17个组进行了不同铅、镉浓度的染毒和保护试验,染毒时间为12 h.经超声波粉碎细胞后,测定神经细胞超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(TChE)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果表明,与对照组比较,铅、镉单独染毒组GSH-Px、SOD和TChE活性随染毒越量的增加呈逐渐下降趋势(P<0.05),而CAT活性及MDA含量则呈升高趋势(P<0.05),两者之间具有明显的剂量一效应关系;铅、镉联合染毒对神经细胞GSH-Px、SOD、TChE、CAT活性和MDA含量的改变均较相应的铅、镉单独染毒更为明显,部分组间有显著差异(P<0.05);NAC保护组的MDA含量显著低于相应的染毒组(P<0.05),SOD、GSH-Px、TChE和CAT活性不同程度地高于相应的染毒组,但部分组间差异不显著(P>0.05).铅、镉联合对新生大鼠大脑皮质神经细胞的氧化损伤表现协同毒性效应,NAC可以提高神经细胞的抗氧化能力,对铅、镉及其联合暴露所致的脂质过氧化损伤有一定的保护作用,但保护作用不明显.     

精神分析与公共行政:从弗洛伊德到戴蒙德

在传统公共行政学的组织理论中,一个基本的理论前提就是假设人类的行为是理性的,因而对组织的研究总是局限于研究基于人类理性所产生的规范和制度.而自从弗洛伊德创立精神分析方法以来,很多的学者开始运用这一方法来解释组织的行为,创立了精神分析的组织理论.其中,戴蒙德就是著名的代表.精神分析方法在组织理论研究中的运用,拓宽了公共行政研究的视野和思路.但同时也把组织理论从传统发展到了另一个极端,那就是过于强调人类行为的非理性,使得对组织的研究易于陷入不可知的状态。可见,精神分析方法对于公共行政学是有意义的。     

A Sequence Analysis of Nonverbal Behaviour and Deception

The ability to correctly interpret nonverbal communication (NVC) is an important ability in everyday interactions, which may use NVC techniques to identify the concealment of information. In the present study, a novel approach was used to understand NVC. Behaviour sequence analysis identified specific sequences of behaviours that indicate psychological distress caused by deception. The study involved the analysis of 55 videos of real criminals and high-power individuals that were filmed fabricating statements, which were later exposed as being untruthful at the time of being filmed. In addition, 53 clips of criminals making truthful statements were also analysed as a contrast group. Results indicated clear differences between honest and deceptive responses, such as furrowing of eyebrows in the deceptive sequences occurring more often than honest statements. In addition, sequences of behaviours were shown in the present data set, which could indicate a new method for analysing NVC and detecting psychological distress caused by deception. The possible implications and applications for police and forensic investigation are also outlined.     

The Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths: Development and Validation of a New Eriksonian Measure

An underexamined component of Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory is the concept of ego strengths. The eight ego strengths are present throughout the life span, but each have their ascendance in conjunction with successful psychosocial stage resolutions. Upon careful analysis of Erikson's writings, the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths (PIES) was developed to assess this component of psychosocial theory. The measure was scrutinized by several Eriksonian scholars for its face and content validity. Then, two studies were conducted among college samples in the United States and Canada. Evidence for internal consistency was shown for the eight ego strengths, as well as on overall score. Convergent validity was shown between the PIES and assessments of identity achievement, self-esteem, purpose in life, internal locus of control, and sex roles. Discriminant validity was observed in negative correlations between the ego strengths and hopelessness, identity diffusion, identity moratorium, and personal distress. Suggestions for future research utilizing this measure are given.     

R&D consortia: Impact on competitiveness?

This research examines the impact of research and development (R&D) consortia on the competitiveness of American companies. It also concludes that since passage of the 1984 National Collaborative Research Act, which allows companies to jointly perform research, only a few R&D consortia have been formed and they do not have much impact on companies through applications of new technology. It is suggested that R&D consortia may have more impact on firms that are catching-up technologically or for which the particular research is tangential to their core business. He holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the George Washington University (1988), and has worked for the National Science Foundation, the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, and the National Academy of Sciences. His interests focus on technology, economic competitiveness, and government policy. He has recently published on these topics in Research Policy (August 1990), and Policy Studies Review (Spring 1991, forthcoming).