Zivilgesellschaft in Entwicklungsländern — konzeptionelle Überlegungen

In this article civil society is defined as a non-normative, but analytical-logic realm which constitutes a societal sphere distinct from the surrounding realms of family, economy and the state. Civil society is reality (not utopia), it is political, not per se democratic, not bound to democracy and not per se civilised. There is no zero-sum situation between civil society, family, economy, and the state. In developing countries the particular deficits of the surrounding realms influence the non-autonomous civil society from the outside. Inside, civil society is marked by fragmented channels and opposing channels. The respective combination of these (opposing) channels serves as a basis for a typologisation of civil societies, to which development policy can refer to.     

Differentiation of epithelial cell types by cell diameter

Genital swabs play an important role in cases of alleged sexual assault. The aim of our study was to see if epithelial cells from the vagina, glans penis, or mouth could be distinguished on the basis of size. Vaginal swabs were taken from 12 women in different phases of their menstrual cycles; penile swabs were taken from 5 men, and mouth swabs were taken from 6 men and 6 women. For each swab, a sample was smeared across a microscope slide and allowed to dry. The dried epithelial samples were then viewed without any further processing with a "SteReoLumar.V12" stereo microscope. The microscope slide surfaces were divided into grids and all single epithelial cells whose contours could be clearly distinguished were photographed. The maximum diameter for each photographed cell was digitally determined using the Axiovision software. In total, 995 vaginal epithelial cells, 211 penile epithelial cells, 329 male oral epithelial cells, and 525 female oral epithelial cells were measured. Menstrual cycle phase did not affect vaginal epithelial cell diameter. The mean vaginal epithelial cell diameter was 63.95 microm (min. = 28.08 microm, max. = 108.06 microm, s = 11.50 microm). The mean penile epithelial cell diameter was 39.24 microm (min. = 28.38 microm, max. = 51.02 microm, s = 4.84 microm). The diameter of oral epithelial cells hardly differed for both sexes, although the female cells were, on the whole, slightly larger. On the basis of these results, it is not possible to conclude that epithelial cells of less than a certain diameter found in the assessment of a vaginal swab must be of penile origin. It is also not possible to usefully distinguish vaginal epithelial cells from male or female oral epithelial cells on the basis of the diameter. However, finding epithelial cells with a diameter distinctly greater than 50 microm in a penile swab sample suggests the presence of vaginal or oral epithelial cells. Epithelial cells examined with the presented method can be used without restrictions for further examinations, such as single-cell DNA analysis after single-cell picking with the micromanipulator developed by Aura Optik (Jena).     

Anhang zu „Die Messbarkeit von Demokratie: Zur Relevanz des Kontexts“

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Constitutional Change and Contractual Revision: Principles and Procedures

This paper tackles the modes and procedures of institutional change, as well as those of constitutionalisation. The starting point for discussion is the current debate on the gradual/factual 'constitutionalisation' of the European Union: a constitutionalisation which seems, to a large degree, to derive from the rulings of the European Court. The decisive question, however, is one of whether such a mode of institutional/constitutional change might be considered to be 'adequate' within the current European setting. Following a brief explanation of the diverse notions of 'constitutions' and 'contracts,' the various modes of effecting 'constitutional' change—change by usage, by authoritative interpretation and by formal amendment—are contrasted with the primary method of 'contractual' revision; or, change through mutual consent. The various differences between the highlighted methods of change are investigated with reference to (1) the respective roles of the constituent and the constituted powers and (2) the respective relations between notions of 'exit' and 'voice'. This theoretical exercise is followed by illustrations which highlight German and Swiss practice. The conclusion is drawn that in a context of 'competing identities', heterogeneity and segmentation, as well as one of 'a polity in the making', the contractual mode of institutional revision must be the preferred option.     

Die Messbarkeit von Demokratie: Zur Relevanz des Kontexts

The paper starts from three assumptions: (1) ‘democracy’ can take various institutional and procedural shapes which may all be of equal ‘democratic value’; (2) that is why, for analytical reasons, ‘democratic quality’ must be separated from the other features of the political system; (3) in measuring ‘democratic quality’ the respective (societal, institutional) context must be taken into account. Central in this concept is a ‘puristic’ definition of democracy concentrating on its object. Democracy thus is to be defined as the prolongation of individual self-determination into the realm of collective decicision-making. Four relevant context factors are identified: two relating to the structure of society — (1) degree of homogeneity and (2) type and extent of dominance structures —, and two relating to the structure of the decision-making system itself — (3) degree of complexity and (4) degree of institutionalisation / formalization. These context variables call for different forms of participation and are of different influence on its effectiveness. The basic idea of the contextualized model is as follows: We identify a position of a given political system with respect to each of the four context variables. Thus we can identify the ‘demand’, i.e. a specific composition of opportunity structures, which then is to be confronted to the ‘supply’, i.e. the existing opportunity structures and their effectiveness. As a result we should be able to make out varying sizes of ‘democratic deficits’ in different political systems — and thus to identify different levels of democratic quality (for an illustration see the Appendix).     

Single cells for forensic DNA analysis--from evidence material to test tube

Abstract: The purpose of this project was to develop a method that, while providing morphological quality control, allows single cells to be obtained from the surfaces of various evidence materials and be made available for DNA analysis in cases where only small amounts of cell material are present or where only mixed traces are found. With the SteREO Lumar.V12 stereomicroscope and UV unit from Zeiss, it was possible to detect and assess single epithelial cells on the surfaces of various objects (e.g., glass, plastic, metal). A digitally operated micromanipulator developed by aura optik was used to lift a single cell from the surface of evidence material and to transfer it to a conventional PCR tube or to an AmpliGrid^® from Advalytix. The actual lifting of the cells was performed with microglobes that acted as carriers. The microglobes were held with microtweezers and were transferred to the DNA analysis receptacles along with the adhering cells. In a next step, the PCR can be carried out in this receptacle without removing the microglobe. Our method allows a single cell to be isolated directly from evidence material and be made available for forensic DNA analysis.