Pleural pearl. An immature pleural ball?

An incidental, pearl-like body was attached to the visceral pleura of a young man who committed suicide. The lesion consisted of concentric laminations of collagen and mesothelial type cells, and was associated with a resolved pleurisy. The possible relationship of this lesion to previously reported "pleural balls" is discussed.     

The Canadian Auditors General What is their role?

Abstract. A review of the role of the auditor general at the provincial and federal levels of government is desirable at this time. This article suggests and comments on several significant issues which should he considered in a review of the auditor general's role. The article notes why an auditor's services are essential and suggests that he must undertake a broadly conceived role which is concerned with financial, efficiency-systems, and program audit duties. It is pointed out that for the auditor general to function properly, an internal audit group must exist with direct responsibilities to a government minister or senior civil servant. It is argued that the auditor general, while directly responsible to the federal or provincial legislative body, must not see himself as an adversary of the civil servant or government politician. Several suggestions are made to strengthen the auditor general's ability to perform effectively. Finally, a controversial issue is introduced concerning whether or not the auditor general should enlist the aid of private, commercially-oriented, professional auditing firms to assist him in carrying out his responsibilities. It is argued that the role of private, professional firms should be limited to selected projects in the field of program audits. Sommaire. Il est opportun, à l'heure actuelle, de reconsidérer le rôle du Veri-ficateur général des gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux. L'auteur de cet article soulève et commente quelques questions fondamentales qui devraient être rete-nues lors de l'examen du rôle du Vérificateur. Il indique pourquoi les services d'un Vérificateur sont essentiels; il propose que son rôle soit envisagé de façon très large et que sa rompétence sétende aux questions financières, aux systèmes de rendement, et au contrôle des programmes. Il fait remarquer que le Vérificateur, pour jouer convenablement son rôle, devrait avoir un groupe interne de vérificateurs relevant directement d'un ministre ou dun haut fonctionnaire. L'auteur démontre que le Vérificateur général, tout en dépendant directement de l'organe législatif, ne doit pas se considérer comme l'adversaire du fonctionnaire ou de l'homme politique. Il propose différentes mesures dans le but de permettre au Vérificateur de mieux exercer ses fonctions. Enfin, il soulèe une question controversée à savoir si le Vérificateur général devrait engager l'aide de cabinets comptables privés, pour l'aider à s'acquitter de ses responsabilitks. Il démontre que le rôle des cabinets privés devrait être limitéà des projets particuliers, dans le cadre du contrôle des programmes.     

'Worrisome Trends': The voice of the churches in Malawi's third term debate

During 2001–3, Malawi's United Democratic Front governmentattempted to secure a constitutional amendment to allow PresidentBakili Muluzi to stand for a third term in office. A significantfactor in the failure of this attempt was the opposition ofMalawi's churches. Having played a prominent role as midwivesof the democratic dispensation inaugurated in 1993–94at the end of Kamuzu Banda's autocratic rule, the churches continueten years later to play an integral role in the nurturing anddevelopment of democratic politics. This article offers a surveyof the statements issued by the churches and an analysis oftheir role in the defeat of the third-term proposal. It is notedthat Malawi's churches have come to regard themselves as custodiansof democratic values, champions of the constitution and spokespersonsfor the people. The significance of appeal to the Bible is assessedand the churches' emerging challenge to the politics of patronageis examined. It is argued that, within civil society, the churcheshave proved to be the most effective agent in challenging theruling elite. The unity and unanimity with which they opposedthe third-term bid is identified as the key to their effectiveness.     

European Law and International Regimes: The Features of Law Beyond the Nation State

Different forms of law are perceived of as possessing differing degrees of legal quality. A quality continuum suggests itself, running from 'high quality' national law, through to 'lesser quality' European law and to 'low quality' international law. This article seeks to explain the perceived differences in the quality of these laws with reference to legal theoretical perceptions of what it is that constitutes the law's quality. It argues that only a theory of law which identifies the core of the law's integrity as lying in its ability to act as a fulcrum between spheres of social and public discourse and the exercise of power can fully explain the divergence in legal quality between national, European and international law. With specific regard to the quality of European law, it concludes by arguing that it is weakened by its relative lack of social internalisation—in comparison with a higher degree of legal and political internalisation—within the European public.     

Konkordanztheorie und Abstimmungsdaten: eine explorative Aggregatsanalyse auf Bezirksebene

Bei Überprüfung der Konkordanztheorie für die Schweiz stellt sich immer wieder das Problem, wie sich die Konfliktlinien zwischen den Sprachgruppen, Konfessionen, sozialen Schichten und Stadt‐Land in der bundesstaatlichen Geschichte seit 1848 tatsächlich entwickelt haben. Es bleibt unklar, wie sich die Intensität dieser Konfliktlinien und das Ausmass an Konkordanz wechselseitig beeinflusst haben. Stimmt die Vermutung, dass die Konfliktlinien an Bedeutung verloren haben und dass die schweizerische Gesellschaft insgesamt homogener geworden ist? War Konkordanz in diesem Prozess eher die Ursache oder die Folge verminderter Konfliktintensität? Regionalisierte Daten der Volksabstimmungen bieten zusammen mit weiteren Quellen der amtlichen Statistik reiches Material, um die Bedeutung von Sprache, Konfession, sozialer Schichtung und Stadt‐Land in der bundesstaatlichen Geschichte zu bestimmen. In explorativer Weise werden in diesem Aufsatz 51 Abstimmungen in der Zeitspanne von 1992 bis 1997 auf der Basis von Aggregatdaten auf der Bezirksebene untersucht. Die Studie dient der Entwicklung eines geeigneten Modells, das in einer späteren Längsschnittanalyse auf alle eidgenössischen Abstimmungen angewendet werden soll.