Improving linear computer assisted learning

This paper draws upon research done at the Centre for Law and Computing at the University of Durham into different types of Computer Assisted Learning ('CAL') programs in law. The research concentrates on linear CAL programs and the features which authors may wish to incorporate into their programs in order to increase their effectiveness. It examines four linear CAL programs which were written with the specific goal of developing an understanding of basic legal principles. The findings of the research highlight the limitations of linear CAL, whilst making several specific suggestions how such programs should be implemented and enhanced.     

Wesen und Systematik des Integrierten Küstenzonenmanagements und daraus resultierende Anforderungen an Inhalt und Umsetzung

Diese Kurzdarstellung soll ein Beitrag zum Verständnis des Integrierten Küstenzonenmanagements (IKZM) sein. Sie will insbesondere dessen inhaltliche Anforderungen verdeutlichen und die daraus resultierenden Erfordernisse an die nationale Einführung eines IKZM herausarbeiten. Dazu wird die IKZM-Strategie zunächst überblicksartig vorgestellt, um danach anhand der aus den europäischen Vorgaben resultierenden Komponenten deren Systematik und grundlegende Regelungsgehalte herzuleiten. Danach werden die bisherigen nationalen Aktivitäten zum IKZM kritisch betrachtet, Defizite benannt und auf die Gefahr der Verwässerung des IKZM-Gedankens hingewiesen.     

Federalism and the Safety Net: Delinkage and Participation Rates

Since the enactment of welfare reform legislation in 1996, thefederal government and the states have emphasized putting theneedy to work and reducing caseloads. Simultaneously, however,national policymakers delinked eligibility for cash assistancefrom eligibility for other safety-net benefits. Contrary tostated policy, though, this delinkage has led to declining participationin the case of Food Stamps and health-insurance programs forlow-income children. We highlight four factors that states mustshape if they are to narrow this gap between policy promiseand program performance by fostering higher participation. Weshow how our focus intersects with enduring questions of Americanfederalism—the level of state commitment to redistributiveprograms, their capacity to implement these programs effectively,and the degree to which states can augment governing capacityby becoming more genuine laboratories of democracy.     

The checks and balances of party federalism: German federal government in a divided legislature

In this study, we assess the potential for policy change of the German government of Helmut Kohl after unification combining party positions with formal bicameral settings in a spatial model of legislative action. We distinguish between two policy areas and two types of legislation, mandatory and non–mandatory legislation imposing either a symmetric or asymmetric power distribution between both German chambers. In order to identify German legislators' party positions in different policy areas, we use data from ECPR Party Manifesto research covering the period from German unification in 1990 to the end of the government of Helmut Kohl in 1998. We find that the federal government of Helmut Kohl had a policy leadership position until April 1991 with no procedural differences, but the gridlock danger for governmental proposals was higher on the societal than the economic dimension. Afterwards, the government's potential for policy change was considerably determined by the type of legislation, independently from the policy dimension. At the end of the Kohl era, the governmental policy leadership position was limited to policies that left even the opposition majority of German states better off. The procedural settings mattered greatly on the economic dimension, and the danger of gridlock on societal policy was smaller only for non–mandatory legislation.     

How partnership works

Partnerships can achieve results, but they do not develop smoothly. Members must explore their differences before they can perform well together. Some agencies look inwards at their own priorities and expect their partners to follow them. This leads to a blend of co-operation and competition. Other organisations turn outwards and look for partners who can contribute to shared results. They see themselves as others see them. They do not look back to make sure that others are following. This leads to a blend of mutual respect and reciprocity which is as important for success as finely honed memoranda of understanding.     

The application of immunoblotting to the phenotyping of haptoglobin.

An immunoblotting method for phenotyping haptoglobin in serum and bloodstains has been developed. Haptoglobin isoproteins were separated by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis and then transferred to nitrocellulose by electroblotting. The use of 1 mm gels facilitated more rapid and effective transfer than conventional 3 mm thick gels. Nitrocellulose blots were developed by double antibody enzyme immunoassay. The detection limit for serum and bloodstains was improved 16 times compared to conventional staining using O-tolidine. The method could detect haptoglobin phenotypes from 0.001 microliter of whole blood. This detection limit is approximately 8 times lower than that of group specific-component analysis by immunoblotting.