Tissue distribution of trichloroethylene in a case of accidental acute intoxication by inhalation

This article describes the toxicological findings in a fatality due to an accidental inhalation of trichloroethylene which took place during wall coating of a poorly ventilated well using trichloroethylene. The man was wearing protective clothing and a mouthmask with adsorbent. He was found dead on the floor of the well 5h after descending. Trichloroethylene was added to the mortar to enhance drying. Identification and quantitation of trichloroethylene in the postmortem samples (blood, lung, liver, kidney, stomach content and bile) and identification of its metabolite trichloroacetic acid in urine was performed using static headspace gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detector. The compounds were separated on a CP-SIL 5CB Low Bleed/MS column using n-butanol as internal standard. The method was linear over the specific range investigated, and showed an accuracy of 104% and an intra-day precision of 11%. Trichloroethylene concentrations of 84mg/l in subclavian blood, 40mg/l in femoral blood, 72mg/kg in liver, 12mg/kg in kidney, 78mg/kg in stomach content, 104mg/l in bile and 21mg/kg in lung were found. Trichloroacetic acid was identified in the urine.     

L‘évaluation du rendement des cadres supérieurs dans la fonction publique québécoise

Sommaire: Au moment où l'on parle de plus en plus de l'imputabilité des gestionnaires publics, il paraît important de s'interroger sur les mécanismes grâce auxquels les administrateurs sont anenés à rendre compte de leur gestion. Le présent article contribue àéclairer cette question en examinant le processus d'évaluation du reiidenient des cadres supérieurs de la fonction publique quéléoisr. Après avoir décrit l'origine et le conteiiu de la politique d'évaluation dn rendement des cadres, les auteurs inontrent que, jusqu' à maintenant, le processus d'évaluation du rendenient exerce en définitive un impact limité sur la gestion. L'analyse du eontenu de plus de 400 fiches d'évaluation du rendement réevèle par ailleurs que les gestionnaires supérieurs éprouvent des difficultés sérieuses dans la définition des attentes signifiées à leurs subordonnés et dans l'évaluation de leurs réalisations. Abstract: At a time when accountability is brought to the forefront in the public service, one has to wonder if the system provides the managers with adequate measurement tools, allowing them to render a satisfactory account of their management. in this article, the authors examine the managers' performance appraisal system in Quebec's Civil Science and draw conclusions on its usefulness as a management tool and its fairness as a compensation devise. After describing the origins and substance of the present policy, they demonstrate that results of the appraisal practice have indeed very little impact on management decisions. The analysis of as many as 400 appraisal forms reveals moreover that managers experience serious difficulties in defining the expectancies of their subordinates in the appraising of results. Le présent article est le résumé d'une étude publiée par le Centre d'études politiques et administratives du Québec: Marcel Proulx et Slichel Roy, L'évaluation du rendement des cadres supérieurs dans la fonction publique québécoise, coll. Bilans et Perspectives, no 1, Québec, École nationale d'administration publique, 1983, 152 p.     

Evaluating aggression: School students' responses to television portrayals of institutionalized violence

The study set out to examine the responses of children and adolescents to six televised excerpts selected from different genres but all raising questions about the appropriateness of violence within the context of various social institutions. Students ranging in age from 9 to 16 years each saw one 20-minute excerpt. Their attitudes to aggression were assessed from their choice of appropriate situational responses when presented with sets of behavioral options to scenarios created in the programs. No single pattern of age, social class or gender differences was found. Younger subjects were more likely than older subjects to endorse authority positions whether these were accepting or rejecting of violence. Middle-class and female subjects were generally more rejecting of violence, but this pattern was reversed in response to the portrayal of violence during an industrial dispute. The findings supported a subcultural and context-dependent interpretation of audience evaluation of televised violence.This research was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council.Received Ph.D. in 1988 from the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia. Research interests are in the area of children and adolescent understandings of television.     

La planification stratégique à Ottawa et à Québec: une comparaison de quelques ministères

Sommaire: Douze ministères (six à Ottawa et six à Québec) ont fait l'objet d'une recherche visant àétudier le processus de planification stratégique. Cette planification vise d'abord à identifier les enjeux stratégiques et à déterminer les orientations d'un ministère. Elle vise aussi, dans plusieurs ministères étudiés, à introduire un changement culturel, à mieux intéger les diverses parties de l'organisation, à améliorer l'efficacité et la productivité, à accroître la satisfaction et la qualité de vie au travail, ainsi qu'à améliorer les services à la clientèle et les communications. Au niveau de la gestion du processus, les auteurs ont constaté de grandes différences entre les ministères québécois mais une certaine homogénéité au niveau des ministères fédéraux où le processus semble davantage institutionnalisé. Par ailleurs, à Québec, les plans stratégiques donnent lieu à la préparation de plans annuels d'action élaborés pour l'ensemble du ministère, alors qu'à Ottawa, la responsabilité de la mise en application est laissée aux responsables de secteurs. Enfin, les auteurs ont identifié certaines conditions de succès: l'implication personnelle du sousministre et de l'équipe de direction, l'appui du ministre, la stabilité de la direction, un exercice conçu sur mesure, la simplicité du processus, la capacité de gérer les conflits, la volonté de régler les problèmes urgents sans attendre la fin du processus, la consultation et la responsabilisation des gestionnaires et, enfin, l'intégration de la planification stratégique au processus de prise de décision central du ministère. Abstract: This study designed to analyse the strategic planning process covered twelve departments (six in Ottawa and six in Quebec City). This planning effort is designed primarily to identify the strategic stakes and to determine the orientation of a department. In several departments studied, it also aims to introduce cultural change, to better integrate the various components of the organization, to improve efficiency and productivity, and to raise work satisfaction and the quality of working life, thus improving client services as well as communications. Regarding the management of the process, the authors found major differences between Quebec departments, but a certain homogeneity among federal departments, where the process seems more institutionalized. Moreover, in Quebec, strategic plans involve the preparation of annual action plans developed for an entire department, whereas in Ottawa responsibility for implementation is left to sector heads. Finally, the authors identify certain conditions for success: the personal involvement of the deputy minister and the management team, the minister's support, management stability, a custom-designed exercise, the simplicity of the process, the ability to manage conflict, a willingness to solve urgent problems without waiting for the end of the process, consultation and accountability of managers and, finally, integration of strategic planning into the department's central decision-making process.     

Those bothersome Rho-dents: Lyndon B. Johnson and the Rhodesian Information Office

My article explores the response of the Johnson Administration to the establishment of the Rhodesian Information Office (RIO) in Washington DC in the aftermath of the Rhodesian Unilateral Declaration of Independence. The stance adopted by Johnson toward the RIO is illustrative of the viewpoint of the White House toward the broader issues of achieving majority rule and racial equality in Rhodesia and indeed the wider Southern African region. As clearly demonstrated by its policies toward the RIO, the White House adopted a measured approach of condemning Rhodesia and white minority rule in Africa and engaged in limited actions to demonstrate US opposition. Johnson, however, was not prepared to countenance more extreme measures that could threaten US geopolitical and domestic interests.