Thymus of abused/neglected children.

Forty-six cases of child abuse/neglect autopsied during the period of 1967 to 1990 were investigated. The weight and histological findings of the thymus were compared with those of control children. In most abused and/or neglected children, the weight of the thymus decreased conspicuously. Involution correlated well to the degree and period of maltreatment. In cases without weight loss of the thymus, i.e. spasmodic abuse by a mentally deranged parent or foster parent, a short history of maltreatment was noted. On the other hand, marked involution was observed in cases of prolonged physical abuse and/or neglect. Microscopically, a decrease in the number and pyknosis of lymphocytes were observed in the involuted thymus. Atrophy of the thymus was more conspicuous in the cortex than in medulla. Immunohistochemically, CD-1a positive cells (immature thymocytes) decreased in cases with thymic involution. This involution appears to be an important index of the degree and duration of child abuse/neglect. Furthermore, thymic involution in the early stage of childhood may also be related to insufficiency of the immune system.     

Stopping the war: The Eisenhower administration and the search for an armistice in Korea

This article examines the Eisenhower Administration's approach to ending the Korean War. It seeks in particular to assess the evidence suggesting that the United States was considering using atomic weapons to compel Communist acquiescence to its armistice terms.     

STATE POLITICAL CULTURE AND SENTENCE SEVERITY IN FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS

Previous studies have established a strong relationship between state politics and policies and have documented the role of state politics in the recruitment of federal judges. This study uses indicators of the political. policy, and socioeconomic characteristics of the American states to explain variance in the severity of sentences rendered in 1970 cases involving violation of the Selective Service Act. The findings reveal that a substantial proportion of the sentencing variation in these cases is associated with the political, policy, and socioeconomic environments of the state in which the case is adjudicated. Consistent with mast of the literature on state policy variance, it is found that the socioeconomic environment is a more effective predictor than either state politics or policy.     

The first three years in Charterland

Abstract: An examination of judicial decisions in the first three years of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms indicates that the Charter has fulfilled neither the worst fears of its critics nor the high hopes of its supporters. Jt has produced a flood of litigation in the lower courts which has gradually bubbled up to the Supreme Court of Canada and put that institution under a good deal of stress. Undoubtedly the Charter has resulted in the transference of some political activity from the political to the judicial arena. Although Canadian judges have shown themselves to be far more prepared to give effect to the constitutional Charter than they were to the statutory Bill of Rights, Charter decisions in these first three years have not seriously eroded the power of elected legislators. Most cases have involved challenges to procedural aspects of criminal justice. Few of the successful challenges have adversely affected policy interests of contemporary governments. The coming into force of the equality clause at the end of this three-year period could dramatically change this picture. In the meantime, the impact of the Charter on popular attitudes which many of the Charter's proponents said would be its most important effect remains unexplored.