Distributive Politics in Developing Federal Democracies: Compensating Governors for Their Territorial Support

Using original data from the period 1999–2011 on federal infrastructure investment for all subnational units in two federations, Argentina and Brazil, and a unitary nation, Colombia, this study shows that in developing federal countries with strong governors, presidents use nonearmarked transfers as a tool to compensate governors for sizable and secure territorial political support. The study argues that in these cases, resources do not make electoral power but chase it. In the unitary case, conversely, governors do not influence distributive politics. Variation also was found in the relevance of Congress, legislative overrepresentation, and programmatic criteria across cases. The article discusses possible reasons for these results and their implications for the comparative debate on distributive politics.     

Meaning or Measurement? Researching the Social Contexts of Health and Settlement among Newly-arrived Refugee Youth in Melbourne, Australia

What are the most appropriate methodological approaches forresearching the psychosocial determinants of health and wellbeingamong young people from refugee backgrounds over the resettlementperiod? What kinds of research models can involve young peoplein meaningful reflections on their lives and futures while simultaneouslyyielding valid data to inform services and policy? This paperreports on the methods developed for a longitudinal study ofhealth and wellbeing among young people from refugee backgroundsin Melbourne, Australia. The study involves 100 newly-arrivedyoung people 12 to 18 years of age, and employs a combinationof qualitative and quantitative methods implemented as a seriesof activities carried out by participants in personalized settlementjournals. This paper highlights the need to think outside thebox of traditional qualitative and/or quantitative approachesfor social research into refugee youth health and illustrateshow integrated approaches can produce information that is meaningfulto policy makers, service providers and to the young peoplethemselves.     

Transitional justice in ongoing conflicts

I am honoured to inaugurate the first edition of the InternationalJournal of Transitional Justice. As a prosecutor in my native Argentina, I was closely involvedin its process of transitional justice. Argentina's militarydictatorship – an organized bureaucracy which came topower in 1976 with national and     

Analysing High Technology Diffusion and Public Transference Programs: The Case of the European Game Program

This paper will try to contribute to the understanding of public programs supporting high technology diffusion and transference. The framework utilised will combine the theory of technology and innovation diffusion and the use of value mapping methodology. The article provides empirical evidence on the variables, which contribute to filling some research gaps on the assessment of high tech diffusion programs. For this we have utilised the evaluation of the GAME initiative, part of the European Commission IV Research Framework Programme. The objective of this program was to diffuse microelectronics technology among Spanish firms. Using one hundred set cases and employing multivariable analysis methods it was found that a model could be built with two multivariable constructs to explain and understand technology diffusion, absorption and transference flows. In addition, the model is useful for evaluating technology dissemination using the diffusion model to measure its social impact. The statistical methodology applied, as a complement to value mapping, provides a robustness in the results which is not normally furnished by classical evaluation methods. It also reinforces value mapping as an adequate tool for high tech cases with certain modifications to the original approach. The␣latter is due to the uncertainty of technology disruption curves and change, as well as to the changing conditions in the economies of scale.      

Recognition of Skeletal Fractures in Infants: An Autopsy Technique

Abstract:  Complete recognition and documentation of injury pattern is crucial in the diagnosis of child abuse. Skeletal fractures regarded as highly specific to nonaccidental injury in infants include posterior rib, scapular, metaphyseal, and spinous process fractures. These injuries are often occult, especially when acute, to standard radiologic and autopsy procedures. The presented autopsy technique requires incising and reflecting skeletal muscles to expose the bones and costal osseous joints in situ , increasing the opportunity to recognize skeletal injury. Fractured or atypical appearing bones are removed and processed for complete evaluation. The bones are processed by macerating the soft tissue in a water soap bath at an elevated temperature. To aid in reconstruction of the decedent, long bones are replaced with wooden dowels and the chest cavity is packed with the organ bag. The technique is invasive and recommended for cases in which the pathologist has reasonable suspicion of acute or remote trauma.