bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pump-probe optical switching in prism-coupled Au:SiO2 nanocomposite waveguide film
Authors: Lee Kyeong-Seok , Lee Taek-Sung , Kim Won-Mok , Cho Sunghun , Lee Soonil
Published: October 2007

The resonance properties due to the surface plasmon excitation of metal nanoparticles make the nanocomposite films promising for various applications such as optical switching devices. In spite of the well-known ultrasensitive operation of optical switches based on a guided wave, the application of nanocomposite film has inherent limitation originating from the excessive optical loss related to the surface plasmon resonance. In this study, we address this problem and present the experimental and theoretical analyses on the pump-probe optical switching in prism-coupled Au(1vol%):SiO2 nanocomposite waveguide film.
Ultrafast laser spectroscopy measures heat flow through molecular chains
Authors: Wilson Mark
Published: October 2007

Analysis of the time-resolved disorder in hydrocarbon molecules indicates that heat propagates ballistically.
Clathrate hydrates under pressure
Authors: Mao Wendy L. , Koh Carolyn A. , Sloan E. Dendy
Published: October 2007

Icy solids in Earth's permafrost and deep ocean basins store an enormous reservoir of natural gas. That reservoir, and scientists' efforts to synthesize related molecular-storage compounds, may help solve our energy problems.
Space debris
Authors: Wright David
Published: October 2007

Controlling the production of debris is crucial to the sustainable use of space. But even without additional launches, let alone antisatellite tests, the amount of debris orbiting Earth will continue to increase far into the future.
Learning the Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies through an Ontology-Based Information System
Authors: McNally Robert K , Lee Seok-Won , Yavagal Deepak , Xiang Wei-Ning
Published: October 2007

A critical infrastructure (CI) is an array of assets and systems that, if disrupted, would threaten national security, economy, public health and safety, and way of life. Essential to the practice of critical infrastructure planning and drills are two pieces of knowledge. One concerns the interactions within a CI system (intradomain interdependencies), and the other concerns the interactions among the CI systems (cross-domain interdependencies). A thorough understanding of these two interwoven CI interdependencies is crucial to such tasks as vulnerability assessment, scenario composition, and homeland security drills. In this paper we present a new approach that facilitates the learning of the interdependencies. Employing a loosely coupled system of GIS and an ontology-based object modeling system developed in this study, it represents and visualizes the intradomain and cross-domain CI interdependencies both diagrammatically and geographically. The system and its knowledge representation methodology were tested through a case study in the Southeastern United States.
Space Puzzle in a Concrete Box: Finding Design Competence that Generates the Modern Apartment Houses in Seoul
Authors: Seo Kyung Wook
Published: October 2007

In the planning of apartment houses in Seoul, it is typical that the stereotyped building form strongly regulates the spatial arrangement of the interior. This research therefore attempts to combine two different approaches, namely the formal approach and the spatial approach, for the comprehensive understanding of the architectural grammar. To bridge the technical gap between these two approaches, a new graph-theoretical method is introduced by which configurational information is linked to a shape generation model. From a series of analyses it is found that there exist clear principles that generate all the typical house plans in the city.
Collecting Social Network Data to Study Social Activity-Travel Behavior: An Egocentric Approach
Authors: Carrasco Juan Antonio , Hogan Bernie , Wellman Barry , Miller Eric J
Published: October 2007

This paper presents a data collection effort designed to incorporate the social dimension in social activity-travel behavior by explicitly studying the link between individuals' social activities and their social networks. The main hypothesis of the data collection effort is that individuals' travel behavior is conditional upon their social networks; that is, a key cause of travel behavior is the social dimension represented by social networks. With this hypothesis in mind, and using survey and interview instruments, the respondents' social networks are collected using an egocentric approach that is constituted by the interplay between their individual social structures and their social activity behavior. More explicitly, individuals' networks are a context within which to elicit social activity-travel generation, spatial distribution, and information communication and technology use. The resultant dataset links aspects, in novel ways, that have been rarely studied together, and provides a sound base of theory and method to study and potentially give new insights about social activity-travel behavior.
Ralph Steinman: Dendritic cells bring home the Lasker
Authors: Bashyam Hema
Published: October 2007

Ralph Steinman is perhaps best known as a codiscoverer of dendritic cells (DCs) and as a founding father of the research area that these cells have spawned. For his discovery, Steinman was recently awarded the 2007 Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. Yet the man behind the research holds his praise for the many other scientists—in the U.S. and abroad—who have further advanced the therapeutic promise of DCs.
Effect of management measures on glass eel escapement
Authors: Beaulaton Laurent , Briand Cédric
Published: October 2007

Stocks of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) have declined continuously and steadily, since 1980. A model, GEMAC, namely Glass Eel Model to Assess Compliance, has been developed with the objective of assessing anthropogenic impacts on glass eels in estuaries and evaluating the effects of management measures, to support initiatives aimed at helping the eel stocks recover. The model is described and applied to two estuaries with contrasting anthropogenic pressures: the Vilaine and the Garonne. It assesses the proportion of settled glass eels relative to a non-impacted situation with current (%S/R) or pristine recruitment (%S/R0). The estimated %S/R (%S/R0) is 5.5% (1.1%) for the Vilaine and 78% (19%) for the Garonne, in accord with the different levels of anthropogenic pressure in these two estuaries. A sensitivity analysis shows that the assessment of %S/R is accurate, and that in a data-poor context, the %S/R is under-assessed, as required by the precautionary approach. Seven management scenarios are explored all aiming to halve the anthropogenic pressure, but in fact leading to different levels of glass eel escapement, from almost zero to a 13-fold increase. This variation emphasizes the need for the estuarine context of eel stock management to be carefully evaluated for effectiveness when implementing management measures.
Silver eel migration behaviour in the Baltic
Authors: Westerberg Håkan , Lagenfelt Ingvar , Svedäng Henrik
Published: October 2007

Westerberg, H., Lagenfelt, I., and Svedäng, H. 2007. Silver eel migration behaviour in the Baltic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1457–1462 Female silver eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) were tagged with data storage tags and released in the Baltic Sea at the same time at a single site on the east coast of Sweden. Data on temperature, light, and depth were obtained from six eels, continuous records for 71 d at sea. The swimming behaviour was similar for all fish, almost stereotyped: swimming activity was between dusk and dawn, starting at a light level corresponding to civic twilight and ending in the morning at generally the same light level. During daylight, the eels rested on the seabed at depths of 2–36 m. Swimming depth was typically close to the surface: up to 95% of swimming time was spent within 0.5 m of the surface. Short dives at irregular intervals (some 1–2 h−1) were made down to the thermocline depth, or occasionally, to the seabed. The duration of such dives were typically 5–10 min. Although only a few days at liberty, the eels had migrated a considerable distance between recapture and release sites, indicating a mean rate of travel of ∼16 km d−1. The recapture positions suggested unidirectional movements towards the southwestern Baltic Sea, i.e. close to the straits leading to the ocean, supporting a belief that the recorded movements were related to eel spawning migratory behaviour.
Effect of El Niño on migration and larval transport of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)
Authors: Kim Heeyong , Kimura Shingo , Shinoda Akira , Kitagawa Takashi , Sasai Yoshikazu , Sasaki Hideharu
Published: October 2007

Kim, H., Kimura, S., Shinoda, A., Kitagawa, T., Sasai, Y., and Sasaki, H. 2007. Effect of El Niño on migration and larval transport of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: –. To clarify the effect of an El Niño on the migration of Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) in the western North Pacific, differences in migration patterns of eel larvae (leptocephali) in El Niño and non-El Niño years were compared qualitatively through a numerical particle-tracking model. Depending on interannual meridional displacements of the salinity front and bifurcation of the North Equatorial Current, transport of Japanese eel larvae to the Kuroshio was much less than to the Mindanao Current in an El Niño year, and recruitment to coastal habitats in Japan decreased in those years. In non-El Niño years, transport to the Kuroshio was twice as high, and recruitment to coastal habitats increased. If the spawning area of eels was independent of El Niño, transport differences between the two currents were not clear. In the western North Pacific, mesoscale eddies also played a significant role in dispersing eel larvae and prolonging their migration. Consequently, the changing oceanic conditions associated with climate change have resulted in decreased recruitment of Japanese eels, and the eddy effect on migration of the Japanese eel larvae needs to be added into the North Equatorial Current–Kuroshio system.
On the application of models of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) production and escapement to the development of Eel Management Plans: the River Severn
Authors: Aprahamian M. W. , Walker A. M. , Williams B. , Bark A. , Knights B.
Published: October 2007

Aprahamian, M. W., Walker, A. M., Williams, B., Bark, A., and Knights, B. 2007. On the application of models of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) production and escapement to the development of Eel Management Plans: the River Severn. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1472–1482. The European eel stock has declined significantly since the 1980s, and the Eel Recovery Plan of the European Commission requires Member States to develop river basin Eel Management Plans (EMPs) that will achieve an escapement of silver eels that equals or exceeds 40% of the escapement biomass that would be produced in the absence of human activities. However, because silver eel escapement is not quantified within the UK, a modelling approach is required to estimate potential and actual escapement, and to assess the likely effects of management measures. We focus on two approaches developed in the UK, the Reference Condition Model (RCM) and the Scenario-based Model for Eel Populations (SMEP), and illustrate how such approaches can be used in EMPs using selected data from the River Severn. The RCM results indicate that the yellow eel population in the River Severn basin may be just 30–40% of the potential density indicated by reference conditions derived from a selection of rivers between the late 1970s and the early 1980s. The challenges of applying a model designed to be as realistic of eel production as possible, and the limited data on natural eel habitat and eel production in the Severn, preclude a SMEP analysis similar to that of the RCM, but simulations based on a simplified basin description and eel survey data from the early 1980s illustrate the potential of this model to assess compliance and test management scenarios.
A note on non-random error structure in trawl survey abundance indices
Authors: Cordue Patrick L.
Published: October 2007

Cordue, P. L. 2007. A note on non-random error structure in trawl survey abundance indices. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1333–1337. Trawl survey time-series are routinely used in stock assessments to provide indices of relative abundance. There is the general assumption, for each year y, that the expected value of the trawl survey index (Xy) is related to the biomass (By) by a single proportionality constant q: E(Xy) = qBy. In reality, the constant q varies due to many factors. An important factor, which is almost always ignored, is the role that non-trawlable ground can play in the variation of q. A general formula is derived for the q of a stratified random trawl survey. When the survey area contains non-trawlable ground, strata-specific data on the proportion of non-trawlable ground and on the preference of the species for trawlable/non-trawlable ground is required to weight stratum estimates correctly. In the absence of the correct stratum weights, a shift in the spatial distribution of the stock can combine with differing proportions of non-trawlable ground to introduce non-random error and possibly spurious trends into biomass indices. Each survey and species/stock should be considered on a case-by-case basis. A stratum-specific assessment of the proportion of non-trawlable ground is a pre-requisite for the production of trawl survey biomass indices.
Effect of Glyphosate Application on Hagberg Falling Number of Wheat
Authors: Craven M. , Barnard A. , Labuschagne M. T.
Published: October 2007

A study was conducted to investigate management of Hagberg Falling Number (HFN) by creating more homogenous wheat through glyphosate applications at soft and hard dough stages individually, without compromising wheat quality. The effect of the treatments varied over cultivars and seasons. Thousand kernel mass (2003/04), hectolitre mass (2003/04 and 2004/05), and protein content (2003/04 and 2004/05) were negatively affected by soft dough stage treatments for all three cultivars included in the study. Days to harvest and growing degree days were significantly reduced with the soft dough treatment. Yield and preharvest sprouting were not affected. α‐Amylase activity varied over season, cultivar, and treatment. HFN measured for Tugela‐DN treated at soft dough stage produced a significantly higher HFN compared with the control (2004/05). None of the other cultivars at the various treatments indicated any HFN response to glyphosate application. Germination was severely affected by soft dough stage glyphosate application in the first year of evaluation. Studies into the effect of the various treatments on the repeatability of the HFN test, indicated that glyphosate treatment managed to produce a certain amount of stability for two of the three cultivars, but the treatment that resulted in the stability varied between seasons.
Textural Studies of Stored Corn Tortillas with Added Xanthan Gum
Authors: Román‐Brito José A. , Agama‐Acevedo Edith , Méndez‐Montealvo Guadalupe , Bello‐Pérez Luis A.
Published: October 2007

Nixtamalized corn flour for tortilla preparation had added xanthan gum at different concentrations. Rollability, puncture, and extensibility tests using a texture analyzer machine measured the effect of xanthan gum on the staling of corn tortillas. Rollability, puncture, and extensibility tests were simple, fast, and repeatable. The rollability parameters showed that the addition of gum produced more flexible tortillas with decreased staling. The addition of hydrocolloid decreased the force required to penetrate the tortilla, but this parameter was slightly increased when storage time increased. The parameters determined in the extensibility test showed textural differences because the fresh tortillas had a higher distance of extensibility and this parameter decreased when storage time increased. Untreated stored tortillas presented a higher modulus of deformation, work, and rupture force values. However, the addition of xanthan gum decreased these values. The addition of hydrocolloid to tortilla decreased the hardness and increased the flexibility and rubbery characteristics of tortillas.
Move on up, it’s time for change—mobile signals controlling photoperiod-dependent flowering
Authors: Kobayashi Yasushi , Weigel Detlef
Published: October 2007

Plants do not bloom randomly—but how do they know when and where to make flowers? Here, we review molecular mechanisms that integrate spatial and temporal information in day-length-dependent flowering. Primarily through genetic analyses in two species, Arabidopsis thaliana and rice, we today understand the essentials of two central issues in plant biology: how the appropriate photoperiod generates an inductive stimulus based on an external coincidence mechanism, and the nature of the mobile flowering signal, florigen, which relays photoperiod-dependent information from the leaf to the growing tip of the plant, the shoot apex.
Temporal ChIP-on-chip reveals Biniou as a universal regulator of the visceral muscle transcriptional network
Authors: Jakobsen Janus S. , Braun Martina , Astorga Jeanette , Gustafson E. Hilary , Sandmann Thomas , Karzynski Michal , Carlsson Peter , Furlong Eileen E.M.
Published: October 2007

Smooth muscle plays a prominent role in many fundamental processes and diseases, yet our understanding of the transcriptional network regulating its development is very limited. The FoxF transcription factors are essential for visceral smooth muscle development in diverse species, although their direct regulatory role remains elusive. We present a transcriptional map of Biniou (a FoxF transcription factor) and Bagpipe (an Nkx factor) activity, as a first step to deciphering the developmental program regulating Drosophila visceral muscle development. A time course of chromatin immunoprecipitatation followed by microarray analysis (ChIP-on-chip) experiments and expression profiling of mutant embryos reveal a dynamic map of in vivo bound enhancers and direct target genes. While Biniou is broadly expressed, it regulates enhancers driving temporally and spatially restricted expression. In vivo reporter assays indicate that the timing of Biniou binding is a key trigger for the time span of enhancer activity. Although bagpipe and biniou mutants phenocopy each other, their regulatory potential is quite different. This network architecture was not apparent from genetic studies, and highlights Biniou as a universal regulator in all visceral muscle, regardless of its developmental origin or subsequent function. The regulatory connection of a number of Biniou target genes is conserved in mice, suggesting an ancient wiring of this developmental program.
Data Analysis Methods for Fluorescence Imaging with One-Nanometer Accuracy (FIONA)
Authors: Selvin Paul R. , Lougheed Tyler , Tonks Hoffman Melinda , Park Hyokeun , Balci Hamza , Blehm Benjamin H. , Toprak Erdal
Published: October 2007

INTRODUCTION

FIONA, short for fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy, is a simple method for achieving localization of single (or single groups of) fluorophores with nanometer accuracy in the xy plane. Data analysis of a FIONA experiment requires the use of several software programs. Data must be acquired and exported into a proper format before analysis can take place. This article describes various options for data analysis.
Propidium Iodide Staining of Drosophila Embryos
Authors: Rothwell Wendy F. , Sullivan William
Published: October 2007

INTRODUCTION

Drosophila embryos can be stained with specific fluorescent probes or antibodies through either direct or indirect immunofluorescence. In particular, several effective probes exist for visualizing DNA. Propidium iodide (PI), a stain commonly used to visualize nucleic acids, is added directly to the mounting medium. Before staining with PI, the embryos must be treated with RNase to remove the RNA. This protocol presents methods for staining Drosophila embryos with PI, as well as for the subsequent mounting and storage of samples.
Imaging Microglia in Live Brain Slices and Slice Cultures
Authors: Kurpius Dana , Dailey Michael E.
Published: October 2007

INTRODUCTION

This protocol describes methods for fluorescence labeling and time-lapse confocal imaging of microglia in acutely prepared tissue slices from developing and adult animals, and to slice cultures derived from early post-natal day 7 (<PND7) animals. The techniques permit real-time analyses of microglial structure and dynamic remodeling in live rodent brain tissues.
Imaging Zinc in Brain Slices: Figure 1.
Authors: Kay Alan R.
Published: October 2007

INTRODUCTION

This protocol provides a practical guide to imaging zinc within synaptic vesicles and the extracellular space of brain slices. Certain glutamatergic synaptic terminals in the brain have high concentrations of exchangeable Zn2+ within their synaptic vesicles. Classically, these terminals have been revealed by Timm’s histochemical stain. More recently, a number of fluorimetric probes have become available that allow Zn2+ to be detected in live preparations. This protocol describes two methods, one for visualizing Zn2+ in synaptic vesicles, and another for detecting Zn2+ in the extracellular space. These methods are applicable to any tissue with the high levels of loosely bound Zn2+ that are typically found in vesicles, and tissue that might have Zn2+ associated with macromolecules in the extracellular space.
Constructing Sample Chambers for Fluorescence Imaging with One-Nanometer Accuracy (FIONA): Figure 1.
Authors: Selvin Paul R. , Lougheed Tyler , Tonks Hoffman Melinda , Park Hyokeun , Balci Hamza , Blehm Benjamin H. , Toprak Erdal
Published: October 2007

INTRODUCTION

FIONA, short for fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy, is a simple method for achieving localization of single (or single groups of) fluorophores with nanometer accuracy in the xy plane. This protocol provides details on constructing an inexpensive sample chamber for use in single-molecule FIONA experiments and two methods for cleaning slides and coverslips.
Fluorescence Imaging with One-Nanometer Accuracy (FIONA) of Cy3-DNA under Deoxygenation Conditions
Authors: Selvin Paul R. , Lougheed Tyler , Tonks Hoffman Melinda , Park Hyokeun , Balci Hamza , Blehm Benjamin H. , Toprak Erdal
Published: October 2007

INTRODUCTION

FIONA, short for fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy, is a simple method for achieving localization of single (or single groups of) fluorophores with nanometer accuracy in the xy plane. This protocol provides the steps necessary to run a control experiment, using DNA labeled with Cy3, to assess the efficacy of the FIONA setup and the level of attainable resolution. The Cy3-DNA is immobilized on a coverslip and imaged under deoxygenation conditions. It is important that the fluorophores remain photostable throughout the experiment. This requires an oxygen-scavenging system (e.g., glucose oxidase and catalase) in the medium.
Proportional Representation in Scandinavia: Implications for Finland
Authors: Laakso Markku , Taagepera Rein
Published: October 2007

The comparative study of electoral system requires uniform methods easily applicable to every country's electoral data. In this paper we have presented two such possibilities: a new graphical method that portrays the proportionality profile of a country's electoral rule, and measures to calculate the systematic and random deviation from proportionality. The empirical data consist of election results from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Around 1950, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden changed from the d'Hondt method of allocation to the modified Sainte Lague rule. The consequences of this shift represent the primary focus of this article. What can the present Finnish constitutional reformers learn from the Scandinavian experience? According to the empirical results, three distinct patterns of proportionality profiles can be distinguished: 1) systems involving nationwide adjustment seats, 2) modified St. Lague (without adjustment seats) and 3) d'Hondt (without adjustment seats). The d'Hondt system gives a high advantage ratio to large parties, the modified Sainte Lague method favors middle‐size parties, and the adjustment seats system overrides the basic characteristics of both the d'Hondt and modified Sainte Lague methods. The proportionality indices show the modified Sainte Lague to be more proportional than the d'Hondt method. The proportionality of elections is nearly perfect with adjustment seats system irrespective of the method of allocation applied.
The Storting Election of 1977: Realignment or Return to Normalcy?
Authors: Valen Henry
Published: October 2007

The Storting election of 1977 produced great changes in the partisan distribution of the vote compared with the preceding election of 1973. The latter, the most deviating election in Norway after World War 11, took place one year after the referendum concerning Norway's entry into the European Communities, and the EC issue still dominated the political scene. While on the surface the election of 1977 restored the situation that existed before the EC dispute started, some notable changes are nevertheless evident.

The article provides the details of these trends and discusses the causes and some possible consequences. It presents an initial analysis of the 1977 elections in Noway and the political context in which it took place.*
Helgeandsholmen and Beyond: Center and Periphery in Sweden*
Authors: Lindstrōm Ulf
Published: October 2007

Ever since the electoral turmoil of the early seventies, Scandinavia has been a market for alternative models. And, indeed, the left‐right conflict dimension has fallen short of accounting for everything as evidenced by, for instance, the recent breakdown of the three‐party bourgeois coalition government in Sweden.

This paper focuses on the conflict structure in Swedish politics, mainly the genesis of the center‐periphery dimension.

Methodological ambiguity in diffusion studies of the center‐periphery conflict is illustrated through some empirical data. It is argued that the Green Wave should not be seen as a manifestation of an allegedly latent center‐periphery cleavage, nor be construed as a sign of major transitions in Swedish politics. Explanations are offered as to why the comparatively strong counter‐cultural movements (the free churches and the temperance movement) never managed to secure a party of their own.
The Electoral Basis of the Icelandic Independence Party, 1929–1944*
Authors: Kristjánsson Svanur
Published: October 2007

This article deals with the electoral basis of the largest political party in Iceland, the Independence Party (IP), in its formation period. Almost all capitalists and white collar workers supported the IP, as well as a little less than half of farmers and a minority of manual workers. Women also favoured the party more than males. The article seeks to explain the IP's electoral support with reference to structural features of Icelandic society, ideology, and the heritage of Iceland's struggle for independence from Denmark.

The IP is furthest to the right on the socioeconomic spectrum of Icelandic politics; in its heterogeneous voting support and ideology of nationalism and class unity, the IP resembles such political parties as the Christian Democratic Union in West Germany and the Conservative Party in Britain rather than the Liberal and Conservative parties in Scandinavia.
The Politics of Cultural Dissent: Religion, Language, and Demonstrative Effects in Norway*
Authors: Aarebrot Frank H. , Urwin Derek W.
Published: October 2007

The problem d cultural identity is central to political science. Three distinct elements of cultural identity are defined: the conceptual, symbolic. and de‐monstrative. Religion. language, and the teetotalist movement are suggested as indicators of these three components in the Norwegian context. The relative importance of these three aspects of cultural differentiation is analysed with regard to the changes in the Norwegian patty system in the years after 1884. It seeqs that language was the most significant element of cultural dissent in the formative years of the Norwegian party system.
Nordic Cooperation in the Seventies: Trends and Patterns
Authors: Wiklund Claes , Sundelius Bengt
Published: October 2007

If research on Nordic cooperation is not founded on correct facts it will be of limited theoretical value. Although Nordic cooperation differs in various aspects from the EC model a close look at these two cases reveals that similarities are at hand. Nordic cooperation in the 1970's is characterized by increased institutionalization, politicalization and the establishment of transnational interest groups. Package‐deals of the Nordek type are replaced by sector‐solutions. Finally ten assertions in need of evidence are offered as an invitation to further research.
Variations in Organizational Participation in Government: The Case of Denmark*
Authors: Buksti Jacob A. , Johansen Lars Nörby
Published: October 2007

The main purpose of this article is to refine, modify, and elaborate some central propositions and assumptions in the scholarly debate on corporatism or corporate pluralism. The empirical base is a data archive containing information on practically all interest groups in Denmark. Hypotheses are formulated and tested concerning variations in direct representation and participation of interest groups in public policy‐making across (a) types of interest groups, (b) organizational resources, (c) organizational structures, and{d) political issue areas. Contrary to prevailing propositions in the literature on corporatism, the Danish case shows that corporate structures and practices go hand in hand with a system of interest groups characterized by myriads of interest groups, and an overall, rather decentralized structure.
Interest Representation in the Finnish Committee System in the Post‐War Era
Authors: Helander Voitto
Published: October 2007

In this article we analyze the representation of interest organizations in the Finnish committee system in the post‐war era, especially in the 1960's and 1970's. The theoretical point of departure is the concept of corporatization, by which we mean that interest organizations continually participate in the making of authoritative decisions in cooperation with public authorities. When trying to ascertain whether corporatization has taken place in the Finnish committee system we considered the development of four structural sub‐dimensions: (1) different kinds of arenas for cooperation, (2) legal regulation of interest representation, (3) extensiveness of interest representation, and (4) concentration of interest representation. The results show that corporative traits have increased in the Finnish committee system during the period under consideration. Without investigating in more detail the role of the representatives of interest organizations vis‐a‐vis the output of committees and, further, the role of committees in societal decision‐making processes, we are not able to draw more far‐reaching conclusions about this phenomenon.
Organized Grour>Government Relations in Norway: On the Structured Selection of Participants, Problems, Solutions, and Choice Opportunities *
Authors: Christensen Tom , Egeberg Morten
Published: October 2007

This article reviews the nature of direct interest organizational participation in government in Norway. Organizational involvement, while high, varies markedly across different kinds of associations and issues. Activities are concentrated in the two organizational forms of the committee and remiss systems. The analysis of the linkage patterns with the ministries suggests that corporatism is a somewhat inadequate concept for describing the Norwegian system in general.
Corporate Pluralism Revisited: Where is the Theory?
Authors: Heisler Martin O.
Published: October 2007

The article assesses the prospects for building a comprehensive theoretical framework for explaining modern democracy with the aid of the concept of corporate pluralism. Three district patterns in the literature are detected and reviewed. None seems entirely satisfactory, though there are grounds for optimism as regards future progress.
Post‐Industrial Changes in Policy Style
Authors: Gustafsson Gunnel , Richardson Jeremy
Published: October 2007

The article discusses central characteristics of the way in which western democracies formulate their public policy. This is done by presenting a preliminary typology of policy styles. An attempt is made to classify some European countries according to their dominant policy style as well as according to changes in this respect during the post‐industrial period. Overcrowding and unconventional participation are identified as two important factors behind this development. The essay, which is mainly based on British and Swedish data, concludes with a discussion of the question of whether societies are able to exercise any choice in determining their policy style.
The 1979 Local Elections in Norway
Authors: Kristiansen Bjarne , Holbæk‐Hanssen Helge
Published: October 2007

The result of the 1979 local elections in Norway showed that a strong Conservative wind was blowing over the country. The Conservative Party (Høyre) made an average progress of 8.5 per cent, compared with the previous local election results in 1975. The big loser was the Centre Party, which suffered a decrease of 2.8 per cent as an unweighted average. The governing party of Norway, the Labour Party, experienced only minor changes compared with the 1975 results, but compared with the last Storting election in 1977, the party's vote dropped from 42.2 to 36.1 per cent. Besides the Conservatives, gains were registered by the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the right‐wing Progress Party (Fremskrittspariet, formerly Anders Langes Parti). A local election in Norway has traditionally seen a good many local non‐partisan election lists. In this election, however, such lists won only 2.3 per cent of the vote, thus confirming a decline in their strength and a process of politicization that have been observed during all elections in the 1970s.
The Finnish Christian League: Party or ‘Anti‐Party’?
Authors: Arter David
Published: October 2007

Work on the Finnish protest elections of the 1970s has concentrated on Vennamo's Rural Party. Yet at the general elections in 1979 the Finnish Christian League succeeded in surpassing not only the Rural but also the centre‐based Swedish and Liberal People's parties. This paper has two main objectives: firstly, to consider why in a monoreligious, multiparty polity an interest‐specific Christian party has emerged; and, secondly, using elite interviews and survey data, to examine the genealogy of its active members. A distinctive genus, at once party and ‘anti‐party’, is traced.
The Health Services System: The Interaction of Medical, Socio‐Cultural, Economic, and Political Logics*
Authors: Berg Ole
Published: October 2007

Health sector research has increased in quantity over recent years: qualitatively, however, it has scarcely escaped from traditional disciplinary boundaries. Since the health sector has become a meeting ground for several disciplinary research traditions, it would seem necessary now to attempt to view the sector as an entirety. This paper suggests how the health services system may be viewed as a whole, and sketches a possible theoretical foundation for, and possible topics within, an integrated health sector framework.
Class Parties and Class Voting in the Scandinavian Countries
Authors: Worre Torben
Published: October 2007

This study is a comparative survey analysis of similarities and differences in the Scandinavian party systems. These are all dominated by three big class parties, Social Democrat, Agrarian, Conservative, each representing mainly one occupational group. The study investigates the electoral basis of each type of class party in order to explain class voting, and it finds a similar pattern of social factors which influence class voting. The article also considers the differences between the Scandinavian party systems, the psychological variables influencing class voting, a possible decline in class voting, and the distinctiveness of the Scandinavian party systems compared to other types of party systems.
Analysis of Structural Variability in Budget‐Making
Authors: Lane Jan‐Erik , Westlund Anders , Stenlund Hans
Published: October 2007

Incrementalism as a decision theory about budget‐making is empirically evaluated by post‐war data within the framework of budget‐making processes of some Swedish public authorities. The analysis focuses on the relevance of a structural stability hypothesis using models for the processes of budget requests and appropriations. This hypothesis is tested by CUSUM and CUSUMQ tests. The more powerful CUSUMQ test clearly indicates a rejection of the stability assumption, which implies a need for revised models based on variability assumptions. These alternative models describing budget‐making processes are estimated by Kalman filtering, an estimation approach designed to allow for structural variability. The paper shows that the key decision principles of incrementalism are too crude for the understanding of budget decisions.
Cutting Oneself on Too Sharp an Administrative Knife: Problems of Implementation in Finnish Health Care Planning
Authors: Ståhlberg Krister
Published: October 2007

Finnish public health care planning is a multi‐level five year planning system which is heavily bureaucratized. The planning process is formalized and is supposed to work according to fixed time‐tables. Here the system is seen to display a conflict between technical planning assumptions and the political and pluralistic setting of the system. This conflict is seen to generate bureaucratic inertia. Empirical evidence indicates that the system does not work according to the a priori set schedules and it is doubtful whether it will keep up to schedule even after the reforms that have been made.
Blurring the International‐Domestic Politics Distinction: Danish Representation at EC Negotiations
Authors: Christensen Jørgen Grønnegård
Published: October 2007

This article explores the extent to which Danish membership of the European communities has blurred the traditional distinction between international and domestic politics. Based on data concerning the pattern of representation of Danish ministries at EC negotiations, the article finds a strong decentralization of negotiation competences among ministries and a spread of negotiation responsibilities across hierarchical levels, types of organization, and types of civil servants. The conclusion is that this blurring tends to maximize the influence of domestic interests and that it accounts for much of the immobility of EC decision‐making.
Three Basic Questions in Political Inquiry
Authors: Gustavsson Sverker
Published: October 2007

Discussion about political research could be seen as dealing with three basic questions. The first being whether type of government or type of public policy should be considered as our main object. The second being whether constitutional law or the more realistic approach of political science should dominate. And the third being whether we should be arguing in or about politics. If we separate these three questions it is much more likely that discussion will improve.
Barriers and Opportunities for Primary Care Delivery Systems: A Case Study from the County Council of Uppsala, Sweden
Authors: Elvander Nils
Published: October 2007

Reallocation of resources from hospital care to primary care outside the hospitals is one of the leading ideas in Swedish health policy. Since the middle of the 1970's a system of long‐term planning at the county level has been the main instrument of realizing this aim. In this case‐study of the implementation of a current long‐term plan in the county of Uppsala, the problems of health policy planning in a situation of economic crisis are illustrated. The attempt at planning according to the rational model is shown to have been impeded by, among other things, the incremental strategy of budgeting, which was natural in the days of affluence. In the present situation of low economic growth and strong political demands for restrictions on the growth of the health care sector, particularly as regards the hospitals, incremental budgeting will probably have to give way to a more comprehensive form of planning, such as the mixed‐scanning strategy.
Towards a New Typology of Party Lifespans and Minor Parties
Authors: Pedersen Mogens N.
Published: October 2007

Minor and new parties tend to be forgotten by analysts of parties and party systems. Good as well as bad reasons account for this neglect. The neglect ought, however, to be remedied, since it can be argued that minor, and especially new minor, parties play an important role in the transformation of party systems.

On the basis of a ‘broad’ definition of the concept of political party it is suggested that it is worthwhile to look upon parties as mortal organizations bounded by a lifespan. The lifespan of a party can be described by means of four threshold concepts, and it is further argued that lifespan curves can be studied in terms of their modality, dispersion, flatness, and skewness.

A number of questions are derived from these concepts. A new typology of minor parties and of party lifespans may be generated from this approach.
The Norwegian Communist Party in the Immediate Postwar Period*
Authors: Selle Per
Published: October 2007

The main purpose of this article is to argue the importance of combining several approaches in studies of communist parties: socio‐economic structures, competitive relations to other left wing parties, organizational implantation, and the role of political tradition. The present ecological analysis will particularly emphasize the organizational approach and the importance of political tradition. In keeping with Allardt's and Lipset's theories, socio‐economic structure seemed to a great extent to be a necessary condition for communist strength in this period. Both significant employment in industry and/or forestry and a strong social democratic party turned out to be necessary conditions for communist strength, but only when we analysed the ‘historical’ and organizational dimensions in more detail were we able to determine more accurately the areas of strong electoral support of the Norwegian Communist Party.
The Demand for Referendum: When Does It Arise and when Does It Succeed?*
Authors: Björklund Tor
Published: October 2007

The purpose of this article is to try to discern certain general features in the origins of the demands for referenda, and why these demands succeed or fail. A distinction is drawn between (a) the demand for a referendum on a certain issue and (b) the demand to amend the constitution to allow for referenda of one form or other.

(a) Nation‐wide referenda are rare almost everywhere, but demands for referenda arise more frequently. The article argues there are often regularities in the way these demands arise. A request for a referendum on one specific issue can be regarded as a minority weapon. Those who have had their standpoint voted down demand a referendum. If their demand is to succeed, two conditions are important: parties which are split and strong commitment on the part of the voters. To understand why an original minority weapon can get support from the majority, two functions of the demand for referendum are central: the function as a mediation device and as a lightning rod.

(b) Concerning interest in the introduction of the referendum as a more or less regular principle of government, we find that referendum enthusiasts often share a similar ideology or view of society. The most central catchword here is antiparty sentiment.
Organizations and Pluralist Democracy
Authors: Engberg Jan , Giolund Janerik
Published: October 2007

The ideal conception of pluralist democracy can be seen as a schematic picture of actual conditions. On the local level ‐ in the municipalities ‐ there are a number of variants of pluralism. If local political systems can be assumed to be of varying character, it stands to reason that the roles of organizations in those sub‐systems can also vary.

The following three general conclusions concerning the role of organizations in Swedish municipal politics are supported by our empirical findings:

(1) A heterogeneous pattern of values in a municipality promotes the development of an arrangement in which organizations predominantly assume the role of political opposition.

(2) The interaction between municipalities and organizations is a function of the pattern of local political values. The more heterogeneous this pattern, the more frequent are politically oriented contacts.

(3) Increased overlap of the social, the economic and the political arenas, and a more incrementalist decision‐making structure in modern municipalities, creates greater incentives for the formation of organizations.

There should not be any doubt about the fact that the amalgamation reforms contributed to the creation of a more differentiated and multifaced structure of organizations. Hence, it could be said that the amalgamation reforms together with other structural factors are in the long run positively correlated with pluralism!

‘Whatever progress may come in the future, anyone attempting today to give a systematic account of organizational behavior, especially of politically relevant behavior, cannot pretend he is offering a theory in any strict sense. At best, he can offer a theoretical perspective, a way of looking at organizations that directs attention persuasively to a few central processes that seem to explain (though not predict, in any scientific sense) a wide variety of phenomena.’ (Wilson 1973. 13).
Diffusion of Innovations in Finnish Municipal Administration
Authors: Harisalo Risto
Published: October 2007

This article discusses how innovations gave diffused over time in the municipal administration in Finland. This is done by presenting first a theoretical frame of reference and then empirical data over eight policy‐innovations in Finnish cities and 39 rural communes. The results show that more research is needed before diffusion of innovations in the municipal administration can be more completely understood.
Budget‐Making for Social Purposes
Authors: Lane Jan‐Erik , Westlund Anders , Stenlund Hans , Magnusson Tage
Published: October 2007

A theory of the budgetary process within public resource allocation has to recognize two basic properties of budgetary behavior and budgetary interaction: variation over time and program variation. Our results indicate that the hypothesis of program variation is worthy of effort, as we find different decision mechanisms operating in the six programs studied, which belong to different categories of public resource allocation. Variation over time is particularly difficult to accommodate within the framework of incrementalist notions: incremental decision rules imply structural stability over time slices. We find the opposite to be true in two of the program types analyzed, the transfer programs and the service programs. Bureaucratic programs may look incremental; however, that may only be an appearance, as a closer analysis of the data indicates that the decision mechanism involves the occurrence of shift‐points or non‐incremental changes. A theory of the public expenditure process has to take into account both incremental decision strategies and non‐incremental ones, which requires an econometric methodology based on the possibility of structural variability. Such a methodology includes the use of both test statistics and estimation techniques suitable to the occurrence of structural variability.