Codification of EC Administrative Procedures? Fitting the Foot to the Shoe or the Shoe to the Foot

Abstract: There are two basic models of EC Administrative Process: Direct, where the procedures are carried out by the Commission and Indirect, where Member States act as agents for the Community. In the first case, the development of general principles to structure the procedures has to date been undertaken by the ECJ. The problem posed by indirect administration, governed by the National Principles of Administrative Law, is one of variable standards. For different reasons, both models raise the question whether EC administrative procedures should be codified. This article contrasts two styles of codification found in the Member States: the first, a short statement of general principles, favoured by the Council of Europe and resembling the standards set out in the jurisprudence of the ECJ; the second, a detailed codification typified by the German Administrative Procedures Code. The author concludes that the first method may be more appropriate for the EC.     

Characteristics of court-involved men and non-court-involved men who abuse their wives

The characteristics of court involved (CI) (n=86) and non-court-involved (NCI) men (n=42) who abused their wives and attended a treatment program were investigated. The groups experienced similar childhoods concerning family violence. The NCI men had more years of education, were more likely to be employed full-time, and tended to earn more money than the CI men. The NCI men also had more social support and scored higher on interpersonal problems than the CI men. The CI men were more likely to be separated, more reported drinking during their most recent assaultive occasion. Compared to the norms on the Basic Personality Inventory, both groups scored significantly higher on depression, anxiety, feelings of alienation, hypochondriasis, and impulse expression. CI men had higher denial and social introversion scores and NCI men had higher interpersonal problem scores than the norm. These findings have some implications for the planning of treatment programs.     

An investigation of two methods of DNA recovery from fired and unfired 9 mm ammunition

Cartridge cases are often recovered from crime scenes involving firearms and, in the United Kingdom (where gun possession is strictly controlled), these are commonly from 9 mm calibre ammunition. The ability to obtain informative DNA profiles from touch DNA on recovered cartridges could have a significant impact on the investigation of that type of offence. However, this avenue may not be routinely considered as investigators in the UK have historically had a low expectation of obtaining useful DNA profiles. This stance may not be unreasonable given that (a) only trace amounts of DNA are likely to have been transferred onto the cartridge cases through handling; and (b) when the cartridge is spent, the potential deterioration of that DNA caused by the act of discharging the weapon.We introduce a novel semi-automatable method using direct lysis for the recovery of DNA from ammunition and compare it with a traditional double-swabbing method (using wet and dry swabs). DNA profiling of the DNA recovered using both methods was carried out using the ESI17 FAST STR system (Promega). This demonstrated a significant increase in DNA recovery using the direct lysis approach, and correspondingly improved STR results.We also investigated the effect on the recovery and profiling of DNA from fired, and unfired, 9 mm cartridges using the direct lysis technique. These results demonstrate that DNA suitable for STR analysis can still be recovered from fired ammunition with only slightly reduced yields compared to unfired ammunition. In these experiments, the handler of the ammunition was most commonly either the sole contributor or the major contributor to the recovered DNA profile.     

Stewardship of quality of care in health systems: Core functions,common pitfalls,and potential solutions

National Ministries of Health in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) have a key role to play as stewards of the quality agenda in their health systems. This paper uses a previously developed six‐point framework for stewardship (strategy formulation, intersectoral collaboration, governance and accountability, health system design, policy and regulation, and intelligence generation) and identifies specific examples of activities in LMICs in each of these domains, pitfalls to avoid, and possible solutions to these pitfalls. Many LMICs now have quality strategies with clear vision statements. There are good examples of quality agencies and donor collaboration councils to coordinate activities across different sectors. There are multiple options for accountability, including public reporting, community accountability structures, results‐based payment, accreditation, and inspection. To improve health system design, available tools include decision support tools, task‐shifting models, supply chain management, and programs to train quality improvement staff. Policy options include legislation on disclosure of adverse events, and regulations to ensure skills of health care providers. Lastly, health information tools include patient registries, facility surveys, hospital discharge abstracts, standardized population and patient surveys, and dedicated agencies for reporting on quality. Policy‐makers can use this article to identify options for driving the quality agenda and address anticipated implementation barriers.     

Cointegration and market integration: An application to the Indonesian rice market

This article suggests improvements in the use of regression analysis to measure spatial market integration. The procedure pioneered by Ravallion is still widespread but is valid only under certain conditions of exogeneity. The alternative offered here is an error‐correction mechanism which makes it possible to test for exogeneity as well as indicating the direction and strength of causality in price formation between markets. The method is illustrated with data on rice prices in different parts of the Indonesian market. The results confirm, among other things, that supply sources are more important than demand sources in driving prices.     

Promoting Accountability in Multilevel Governance: A Network Approach

Abstract:  This article addresses problems of accountability in the system of multilevel governance, organised around networks, as it exists in the EU. An 'accountability deficit' arises when gaps are left by the accountability machinery of the several levels of government, supranational and national. This article suggests a new evaluative framework based on the concept of 'accountability network', questioning the hierarchical and pyramidal assumptions that presently underpin accountability theory in the EU context. Using case studies of the Community courts and European Ombudsman, the article suggests that 'accountability networks' may be emerging, composed of agencies specialising in a specific mode of accountability, which come together or coalesce in a relationship of support, fortified by shared professional expertise and ethos. At present fragmentary and imperfect, these might ultimately be capable of providing effective machinery for accountability in network governance systems.     

Subjective responses and excretion patterns of dextroamphetamine after the administration of therapeutic doses.

Twelve male medical and graduate students received dextroamphetamine sulfate in doses of 0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/70 kg body weight. The study was conducted in a double-blind manner, and treatments were assigned according to randomized, complete block design. The drug was given orally and subjects were instructed not to eat 3 1/2 h prior to administration. After administration, total urine output was collected for 12 h; no attempt was made to control urinary pH to more realistically approach the general clinical usage of amphetamines. The urine was pooled into two 6-h segments and analyzed for amphetamine concentration. Subjective impressions of the treatments were also evaluated by means of the Cornell Medical Index Questionnaire. Results showed that approximately 30% of the total dose was excreted unchanged within 12 h after administration. The amount excreted agreed very closely with the doses given and paralleled the scores for subjective impressions by the subjects. None of the subjects felt that their driving would be impaired for any of the doses administered. This study indicates that under ordinary conditions (in which pH is not artificially controlled), therapeutic doses of dextroamphetamine can be detected in urine for up to 12 h after oral administration.