bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dental caries experience and use of dental services among preschool children in Ajman, UAE
Authors: HASHIM R. , THOMSON W. M. , AYERS K. M. S. , LEWSEY J. D. , AWAD M.
Published: May 2006

Summary.  Objective.  The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and severity of dental caries in the primary dentition of young children in Ajman, UAE, and investigate its association with sociodemographic characteristics and use of dental services.

Methods.  A cluster‐sampling approach was used to randomly select children aged 5 or 6 years who were enrolled in public or private schools. Clinical examinations for caries were conducted by a single examiner using World Health Organization criteria. Parents completed questionnaires seeking information on socioeconomic background and dental service utilization. Zero‐inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression modelling was used to identify risk markers and risk indicators for caries experience.

Results.  The prevalence of dental caries in the sample was high 76.1%. The average dmfs score 10.2. Caries severity was greater among older children and among male children of less educated mothers. Emirati (local) children had higher caries severity than others. Children who had higher level of caries visited the dentist more frequently than other children whose visits were for check‐up only.

Conclusions.  Dental caries prevalence and severity in young children in Ajman are high, and socioeconomic characteristics and dental utilization are important determinants of their dental caries experience. There is an urgent need for oral health programmes targeted at the treatment and underlying causes of dental caries in these children.
Behaviour of primary incisor caries: a micromechanical study
Authors: MAHONEY E. K. , KILPATRICK N. M. , SWAIN M. V.
Published: May 2006

Summary.  Objectives.  To date, there has been no attempt to assess the mechanical properties of the entirety of a smooth‐surface carious lesion in primary teeth, despite the fact that these lesions are not only common, but clinically challenging. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the hardness and modulus of elasticity across smooth surface lesions of primary incisors.

Study design.  An in vitro study of the micromechanical properties of primary incisors.

Materials and methods.  Carious primary incisor teeth were set in resin, sectioned and polished. A series of indentations using the ultra‐micro‐indentation system were conducted in fully hydrated carious and sound dentine from the minimally affected pulpal region towards the tooth surface. A single set of indentations were duplicated for sound dentine.

Results.  Although the mechanical properties of the carious dentine varied between the test teeth, the median hardness of the surface, middle and inner (pulpal) region of the carious dentine was 0·01, 0·10 and 0·28 GPa, respectively. The modulus of elasticity of the surface, middle and inner (pulpal) carious dentine was 0·12, 2·16 and 5·98 GPa, respectively. The mechanical properties of the sound dentine varied less, and were consistent between the pulpal and surface regions. Examination of the individual series of indentations indicated that, although the majority of the test teeth showed a decrease in the mechanical properties from the ‘unaffected dentine’ to the surface of the lesion, in the last 300–500 µm, both the hardness and modulus of elasticity showed a dramatic increase.

Conclusions.  This study has confirmed that the carious process has a deleterious effect on the mechanical properties of dentine in primary incisors. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of restorative failure. However, the slight increase in mechanical properties seen at the surface of the carious lesion suggests an increase in mineral content.
Use of a simple relaxation technique in burn care: literature review
Authors: De Jong Alette E.E. , Gamel Claudia
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper presents a literature review examining the implications of previous research in order to make evidence‐based decisions about the possible use of breathing exercises with adult patients with burns for pain management during wound care.

Background.  Adult patients with burns experience pain during wound care despite pharmacological interventions. Additional interventions are needed to improve the effectiveness of pain management. Relaxation techniques can be considered, for example breathing exercises, music and distraction. A simple breathing relaxation technique is especially relevant because it involves no risk, is easy and quick to learn, equipment does not need to be purchased and it can be employed immediately by the often exhausted and ill patient. However, the effect of breathing exercises on procedural pain during burn wound care has not been investigated.

Method.  The CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched in 2004 in order to answer two questions: are breathing exercises effective in the management of procedural pain in adult burn patients, and what are the implications of previous investigations for future research concerning pain reduction in adult patients with burns during wound care? Eleven papers were included in the review.

Findings.  The effect of breathing exercises for pain management in patients with burns has not been investigated. Prior to undertaking an effect study, additional basic research is needed. The number of sessions necessary to learn to use the technique should be clarified. A valid and reliable instrument to assess relaxation must be developed. The adequacy of the proposed data collection procedure needs to be assessed.

Conclusion.  It is not possible at this time to base decisions about the use of breathing exercises during wound care in adult patients with burns on research specific to the procedure and patient group. The most suitable relaxation technique for future investigation is concentration on breathing, in combination with jaw relaxation.
Influence of traditional Chinese beliefs on cancer screening behaviour among Chinese‐Australian women
Authors: Kwok Cannas , Sullivan Gerard
Published: May 2006

Aim. This paper reports a study exploring how traditional Chinese life philosophy, including fatalism, influences understanding of the concepts of health and illness, and the impact of these concepts on cancer screening behaviour.

Background. The language of risk is central to contemporary Western understanding of health and illness. Women aged over 50 years are considered at risk of developing breast cancer and are highly recommended to undergo regular mammographic screening. However, screening rates among Chinese women are consistently lower than for most other groups.

Methods. In‐depth interviews, in Cantonese, were conducted with a convenience sample of 20 Chinese‐Australian women, and the data analysed thematically, using case summaries, coding and matrix tables. The data were collected in 2001.

Findings. The findings revealed that when dealing with cancer prevention, Chinese‐Australian women are heavily influenced by cultural traditions related to the lifecycle and disease prevention. Informants believed that contracting disease, including cancer, is inevitable and that there is no way to prevent it. Fatalism appears to be a significant barrier to their participation in cancer screening services.

Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the effects of breast cancer screening and other health promotion programmes, which are general and do not take account of cultural variations may be compromised when it comes to cultural minorities. In the case of older Chinese‐Australian women, breast cancer screening promotion programmes may overcome acceptance of fatalistic philosophy if they emphasize increased risk following immigration.
Bilateral bifid mandibular condyle: a case report
Authors: AÇIKGÖZ A.
Published: May 2006

summary  Bilateral bifid mandibular condyle is a rarely seen malformation. The aetiology of bifid condyle is not completely understood, although developmental anomaly, traumas, condylar fracture, teratogenic embryopathy and surgical condylectomy may all be causative factors. Although a few studies on human dried skulls tried to shed light on this entity it remains obscure. As most bifid condyle subjects have no complaint related to temporamandibular joint(TMJ), the cases are generally diagnosed through incidental radiographic findings. The case of a 54‐year‐old female is presented. In a panoramic radiograph obtained after a clinical examination, bilateral bifid mandibular condyle was observed. The open‐closed lateral radiograph of the TMJ (obtained using the TMJ‐specific program of the panoramic device) demonstrated duplication of the right and left condyles. In order to better evaluate the TMJ morphology and to eliminate pathologies such as fractures that might be missed with conventional radiographs, a computed tomography scan was also obtained. The joint head orientation was observed in the mediolateral direction. The case is discussed in the context of the relevant literature. Until large population‐based studies are undertaken and further experimental studies are performed, bifid condyle will remain an incidental finding of anatomic variation rather than a clinically informative observation.
Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) axis I diagnoses in an Italian patient population
Authors: MANFREDINI D. , CHIAPPE G. , BOSCO M.
Published: May 2006

summary  The aim of this work was twofold: to evaluate the prevalence of different Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) diagnosis in an Italian population of subjects seeking TMD treatment in a tertiary clinic; and to compare data with those from similar studies in the literature. Participants in this study were 433 consecutive patients seeking TMD treatment at the Section of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pisa, Italy; mean age of patients was 38·8 years, with a female:male ratio of 2·6:1 (276 females, 73·2%; 101 males, 26·8%). RDC/TMD guidelines for examination were adopted to assign axis I diagnosis. The prevalence of RDC/TMD diagnoses was 38·2% (144/377) for group I disorders (muscle disorders), 52·3% (197/377) for group II disorders (disc displacements), and 52·6% (198/377) for group III disorders (arthralgia, osteoarthritis, osteoarthrosis). The present investigation provided findings that, compared and integrated with literature data, can be useful to create a world‐wide database, in accordance with the nature of the RDC/TMD classification system.
Prospects for recombinant vaccines against Babesia bovis and related parasites
Authors: BROWN W. C. , NORIMINE J. , GOFF W. L. , SUAREZ C. E. , MCELWAIN T. F.
Published: May 2006

Babesial parasites infect cattle in tropical and temperate regions of the world and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Discovery of protective antigens that could be used in a killed vaccine has been slow and to date there are few promising vaccine candidates for cattle Babesia. This review describes mechanisms of protective innate and adaptive immune responses to babesial parasites and different strategies to identify potentially protective protein antigens of B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. divergens. Successful parasites often cause persistent infection, and this paper also discusses how B. bovis evades and regulates the immune response to promote survival of parasite and host. Development of successful non‐living recombinant vaccines will depend on increased understanding of protective immune mechanisms and availability of parasite genomes.
Interactions between schistosomiasis and infection with HIV‐1
Authors: SECOR W. E.
Published: May 2006

In many regions of the world, both schistosomiasis and HIV/AIDS are endemic, resulting in patients harbouring co‐infections. Because interaction with host CD4

+

T cells is a characteristic of schistosome as well as HIV‐1 infections, bi‐directional disease effects may be sufficiently different from sequelae caused by either infectious agent alone to warrant alteration of public health approaches in areas of co‐endemnicity. Studies published over the past decade provide useful insights into interactions between schistosomiasis and infection with HIV‐1, and overall support the hypothesis that special emphasis on treatment of schistosomiasis in populations with elevated prevalence or risk of HIV‐1 infection is justified.
Biological and molecular properties of Tomato rugose mosaic virus (ToRMV), a new tomato‐infecting begomovirus from Brazil
Authors: Fernandes J. J. , Carvalho M. G. , Andrade E. C. , Brommonschenkel S. H. , Fontes E. P. B. , Zerbini F. M.
Published: May 2006

A viral complex causing golden mosaic and leaf distortion (rugosity) in tomato plants was obtained from viruliferous whiteflies, and named TGV‐Ub1. This complex was sap‐transmitted from tomato to Nicotiana benthamiana. PCR amplification using universal begomovirus primers yielded two distinct fragments for DNA‐A, suggesting that the TGV‐Ub1 complex comprised at least two distinct viruses. Clones corresponding to full‐length viral genomes were obtained from tomato plants infected with TGV‐Ub1. Comparisons of the complete sequences of clones pUb1‐49 (DNA‐A), pUb1‐62 and pUb1‐81 (both DNA‐B) indicated that they constitute novel western hemisphere begomoviruses. Clones pUb1‐49 and pUB1‐81 have identical common regions, thus representing the cognate DNA‐A and ‐B of a novel begomovirus, named Tomato rugose mosaic virus (ToRMV). Clone pUb1‐62 has a distinct common region from ToRMV and all other geminiviruses. A cognate DNA‐A for pUb1‐62 was not found. Clones containing 1·8 copies of the genomic components were constructed. Infectivity assays of these clones in tomato and N. benthamiana demonstrated that the clones corresponding to ToRMV systemically infected both hosts. Symptoms were analogous to those observed when using the pure isolates obtained in this study. The combination of pUb1‐49 and ‐62 did not result in systemic infection, indicating that these components do not form a viable virus. ToRMV was sap‐transmitted from N. benthamiana to N. benthamiana, and by grafting to Solanum tuberosum and Datura stramonium. ToRMV‐A and ToRMV‐B were detected in plants of Nicandra physaloides and Phaseolus vulgaris, respectively, growing in nearby tomato fields, in association with distinct DNA components.
Dissociative identity disorder presenting as dermatitis artefacta
Authors: Ozmen Mine , Erdogan Ayten , Aydemir Ertugrul H. , Oguz Oya
Published: May 2006

Dermatitis artefacta is a rare psychiatric condition characterized by rubbing of skin blisters and denial of self‐infliction. Dissociation may be comorbid with self‐injurious behavior. A background of emotional disturbances during formative years and in later life often results in feelings of isolation and insecurity, which can lead to dissociation as a primary defense mechanism used to overcome traumatic events. In this case report, we describe a female patient with dermatitis artefacta associated with dissociative identity disorder. The patient was a 14‐year‐old girl. Multiple large, deep ulcerations with unnatural shapes were seen on her left forearm. The ulcerations were thought to be self‐inflicted. Psychiatric examination revealed that she had a different identity, and inflicted the lesions when this was assumed. This case leads us to suggest that patients with dermatitis artefacta might have comorbid dissociative experiences, which cannot be identified easily.
Hemodialysis‐related pruritus and associated cutaneous manifestations
Authors: Dyachenko Pavel , Shustak Arshalom , Rozenman Dganit
Published: May 2006

Background  Uremic pruritus is one of the most common disabling problems in patients with chronic renal failure. Few studies have evaluated itching and cutaneous manifestations in hemodialysis‐dependent patients.

Objectives  The aim of this prospective study was to identify the prevalence of pruritus and cutaneous changes affecting patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods  The degree of itching in 70 patients treated at the Haemek Medical Center Hemodialysis Unit, in northern Israel, was scored according to presence and severity. We examined the relationship between the quality of dialysis and the frequency of pruritus, and identified concurrent cutaneous disorders.

Results  Pruritus was a common problem in the study cohort and affected 74.3% of hemodialysis patients at some point. The main characteristics of pruritus were a general pattern in 65.7% and mild intensity in 78.3% of observed patients. Duration of hemodialysis varied between 3 months and 13 years. There was no correlation between occurrence of pruritus and demographic or medical parameters (sex, type of kidney disease, regular medications or duration of hemodialysis) of the patients. Higher dialysis efficacy, as expressed by dialyser clearance, volume distribution of area, dialysis duration (Kt/v), may reduce the prevalence of pruritus (P < 0.02). None of the blood and chemical values considered (hemoglobin, creatinine, urea, phosphorus, calcium, albumin, parathormone and alkaline phosphatase) revealed any statistically relevant differences between pruritus groups. The appearance of foot ulcers was different between diabetic and nondiabetic individuals undergoing hemodialysis (P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Pruritus is still a common problem in hemodialysis‐dependent patients. The prevalence of xerosis and excoriations was high in patients undergoing replacement therapy. Efficient replacement hemodialysis may provide a clinical benefit.
Smallpox vaccination site complications
Authors: Waibel Kirk H. , Walsh Douglas S.
Published: May 2006

The typical resolution of the smallpox vaccination site is a smooth scar, a sequela that is discussed during prevaccination counseling. In addition, other types of lesion may develop at the scar site, including short‐ or long‐term benign and malignant changes, as reviewed below. Although current recommendations do not discuss potential scar complications or scar surveillance, healthcare providers would benefit from an awareness of these potential complications, and should consider periodic scar surveillance as part of a general physical examination.
Lesson from performing SCORADs in children with atopic dermatitis: Subjective symptoms do not correlate well with disease extent or intensity
Authors: Hon K. L. E. , Leung T. F. , Wong Y. , Fok T. F.
Published: May 2006

Background  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a distressing disease associated with pruritus and sleep disturbance. It is not known how well these symptoms correlate with the extent and intensity of eczematous involvement. We evaluated whether: (i) the level of sleep loss correlates with pruritus and (ii) the level of pruritus correlates with the extent or severity of AD in children according to the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index.

Method  Patients with AD younger than 18 years old were recruited from the pediatric dermatology clinic of a university teaching hospital, and AD severity was evaluated by the SCORAD index.

Results  One hundred and eighty‐two Chinese children with AD (107 boys and 75 girls) [mean (SD) age of 9.6 (4.2) years] were recruited. Their mean (SD) overall SCORAD was 30.1 (19.2). Sleep loss was strongly correlated with pruritus (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). However, the two subjective symptoms were only weakly correlated with the objective signs (extent and intensity) of AD. The correlations between pruritus and extent and intensity were 0.42 (P < 0.001) and 0.38 (P < 0.001), respectively, and the correlations between sleep loss and extent and intensity were 0.38 (P < 0.001) and 0.34 (P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion  We speculate that the lack of a better correlation was either because pruritus and sleep loss as reported by parents were imprecise, or that mechanisms other than disease extent or severity are responsible for the pathogenesis of these subjective symptoms.
Sweet's syndrome from an Indian perspective: a report of four cases and review of the literature
Authors: Mahajan Vikram K. , Sharma Nand Lal , Sharma Ramesh Chander
Published: May 2006

Background  Sweet's syndrome or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis is not frequently reported from India. Four patients fulfilling clinico‐pathologic criteria for Sweet's syndrome seen during May–August 2002 prompted us to review reports on Indian patients from the indexed literature.

Methods  A PubMed and IndMed search for Sweet's syndrome revealed 11 reports appearing between 1985–2002 documenting 12 patients. The clinico‐pathologic features, clinical course and treatment of all these 16 patients (including four new cases) were studied.

Results  The study comprised 12 females and four males between 35 days to 57 years of age. There were four children of < 12 years. Ulcerated, crusted lesions in one and typical, erythematous, tender, papulo‐nodulo‐plaques and targetoid lesions with pseudovesiculation were observed in 13 other patients particularly involving head, neck and upper limbs. Extracutaneous Sweet's syndrome manifesting as gingival hyperplasia and myositis was seen in one patient each. All had simultaneous onset of cutaneous lesions, fever, headache and malaise. Ocular involvement was observed in four patients only. Associated hematoligic disorders recorded were myelodysplasia in three, polycythemia vera in one and leukemia in three patients respectively. Two of these patients had treatment with all‐transretinoic acid and low‐dose cytosine‐arbinoside before onset of Sweet's syndrome. One patient each had symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection and history of minor injury prior to cutaneous lesions. Another patient had pregnancy induced self‐limiting Sweet's syndrome. Leukocytosis was present in 11 patients. Three of four new patients had positive tests for antistreptolysin‐O and C‐reactive protein. Characteristics histologic features were recorded in specimens of all patients. Eleven patients responded to systemic corticosteroids. Colchicin or potassium iodide were effective in one patient each.

Conclusion  The overall clinico‐pathologic and therapeutic spectrum of Sweet's syndrome in Indian patients does not appear to be different from its established picture.
Autologous melanocyte transfer via epidermal grafts for lip vitiligo
Authors: Gupta Somesh , Goel Ashima , Kanwar Amrinder J. , Kumar Bhushan
Published: May 2006

Background  Vitiligo of the lips is a common concern of great psychologic consequence. Medical therapies are often ineffective due mainly to the absence of hair follicles. The transfer of melanocytes or melanocyte‐bearing skin by a surgical procedure may repigment this condition. Only a few surgical modalities have been successful in this “difficult to treat” site.

Objective  To assess the effectiveness of autologous melanocyte transfer by epidermal grafts for lip vitiligo and to review the literature on the surgical correction of lip vitiligo.

Methods  Twenty‐six vitiligo patients (20 women and six men; age range, 13–43 years; mean, 26.8 years) having 31 affected lips with stable disease were included in the study. The suction blisters were raised using our own modified device on the lateral aspect of the thigh. The roofs of the blisters were transferred to the dermabraded recipient area. The dressing, together with the grafts, was removed on day 8. Patients were given photochemotherapy for 6 weeks. In addition, meta‐analysis of the published literature on the surgical management of lip vitiligo was also performed.

Results  Complete repigmentation was observed in 27 of the 31 lip areas (87%) in 23 of 25 patients (92%) in whom a follow‐up for 6 months or more was available. Complications observed were persistent hyperpigmentation in 12 lips and reactivation of herpes in one patient. Minimal hyperpigmentation was seen in most of the remaining lips. The results of the meta‐analysis revealed that the success rate varies from 32.5% to 100% with various surgical procedures.

Conclusion  Autologous melanocyte transfer is an effective and safe therapeutic option for stable vitiligo of the lips. It is cosmetically more acceptable, as there is no abnormal keratinization, which is a problem associated with dermo‐epidermal grafts.
Clinical and histological characteristics of poroid neoplasms: a study of 25 cases in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chih‐Chiang , Chang Yun‐Ting , Liu Han‐Nan
Published: May 2006

Background  Eccrine poroma (EP) are relatively common benign eccrine neoplasms. Other poroid neoplasms (PNs), namely hidroacanthoma simplex (HS), dermal duct tumor (DDT), and poroid hidradenoma (PH), are seldom reported.

Methods  Among 18 653 biopsy specimens received from January 1988 to October 2003, we found 25 PNs (0.134%). We conducted retrospective analysis and obtained clinical and histopathological information.

Results  There were 16 EP, 3 HS, 4 PH, and 2 PH coexisting with either HS or EP. No DDT was found. More than half of PNs presented as red‐color neoplasms, but none were diagnosed correctly on clinical grounds alone.

The most common preoperative diagnoses were pyogenic granuloma or soft fibromas. Most EPs were located on hair‐bearing regions of the limbs (37.5%) and trunk (25%), instead of soles (18.8%) and palms (6.3%). Three HS showed no cuticular cell, but had monomorphic poroid cells. Most EPs (10/16) were composed of both poroid and cuticular cells. All PH were composed of cuticular and poroid cells. Horn cysts were found in three cases (12%). Most PNs (16/25) contained clear cells.

Conclusions  PNs are sudoriferous tumors that may vary considerably in clinical expression. EP, about 64% (16/25) of PNs in our series, was the most common. PH incidence is probably underestimated in the literature. We found six PHs in 25 PNs. Histopathologically, it is not justified to exclude PN diagnosis by noticing horn cysts. It was uncommon for two or three subtypes of PN to occur in a single lesion.
Plant reproductive susceptibility to habitat fragmentation: review and synthesis through a meta‐analysis
Authors: Aguilar Ramiro , Ashworth Lorena , Galetto Leonardo , Aizen Marcelo Adrián
Published: May 2006

The loss and fragmentation of natural habitats by human activities are pervasive phenomena in terrestrial ecosystems across the Earth and the main driving forces behind current biodiversity loss. Animal‐mediated pollination is a key process for the sexual reproduction of most extant flowering plants, and the one most consistently studied in the context of habitat fragmentation. By means of a meta‐analysis we quantitatively reviewed the results from independent fragmentation studies throughout the last two decades, with the aim of testing whether pollination and reproduction of plant species may be differentially susceptible to habitat fragmentation depending on certain reproductive traits that typify the relationship with and the degree of dependence on their pollinators. We found an overall large and negative effect of fragmentation on pollination and on plant reproduction. The compatibility system of plants, which reflects the degree of dependence on pollinator mutualism, was the only reproductive trait that explained the differences among the species’ effect sizes. Furthermore, a highly significant correlation between the effect sizes of fragmentation on pollination and reproductive success suggests that the most proximate cause of reproductive impairment in fragmented habitats may be pollination limitation. We discuss the conservation implications of these findings and give some suggestions for future research into this area.
A meta‐analysis comparing trials of antimuscarinic medications funded by industry or not
Authors: TULIKANGAS PAUL K. , AYERS AMANDA , O’SULLIVAN DAVID M.
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE

To determine if there is a significant difference in outcomes of clinical trials funded by industry or not of antimuscarinic medications used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and detrusor overactivity (DOA).

METHODS

A Medline search was conducted from January 1966 to June 2003 to identify human clinical trials of oxybutynin and tolterodine published in English. Randomized controlled trials on subjects aged ≥ 16 years who were being treated with oxybutynin or tolterodine for OAB symptoms or DOA; 24 studies were identified. The endpoints assessed were OAB symptoms or changes in uninhibited detrusor contractions on cystometrography. The outcome variables were dichotomized as ‘improvement’ or ‘no improvement’. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each study based on data derived or extracted from tables and figures.

RESULTS

Meta‐analysis showed no significant difference in the outcomes trails funded by industry or not. Trials were then reviewed to determine their adherence to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines for randomized trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical trials are important for clinicians when selecting medical therapies. In this analysis we found no difference in outcomes when comparing studies funded by industry or not for tolterodine and oxybutynin. The quality of all trials would be improved by close adherence to the CONSORT guidelines for randomized clinical trials.
APPALACHIAN MIGRANTS IN NORTHERN CITIES
Authors: Hyland Gerard , Peet Richard
Published: May 2006

A lot of places won't hire people from the South. They say, “They won't work.” If they paid a little bit more money they might damn work a lot bit better. Like Chicago Cork, you know what they pay an hour? A dollar and a quarter an hour. And I wouldn't work for no sonofabitch for no dollar and a quarter an hour. Shit, I'd steal off the street first. Can't pay your rent on it. Now down home I'd work for a dollar and a quarter an hour, but that's different.

You know what they should do? They should take some a these damn factories, say from Chicago, and just spread em around, you know. Not just only in this state but in different states, or make more in different states or somethin. People from the South down there, they have to leave to come up to this shithole. They don't want up here. That's the only other place. You gotta realize these goddamn people from the South is the ones run most of these plants—most of their employees is people from the South. I can't understand them sonofabitch factories.
business schools in the marketplace
Authors: Myddelton D.R.
Published: May 2006

Professor David Myddelton, of Cranfield Business School, describes the business school courses on offer and outlines some of the problems faced by the schools.
PARTY COALITIONS IN DANISH LAW‐MAKING 1953–1970*
Authors: DAMGAARD ERIK
Published: May 2006

Despite assertions about the ubiquity of coalition behavior in politics, theories of coalition formation have not usually been tested on data pertaining to the legislative process. The paper explores advantages and shortcomings of existing coalition theory for studying law‐making in a multi‐party parliamentary democracy with highly cohesive parties, using Denmark as the test case. All passed government bills 1953–1970 are studied in terms of the size and composition of the winning coalitions and policy area of bills. In all cabinet periods a certain number of bills are passed by minimal majorities, but most are not, indicating that minimal majority behavior is not a principal strategy in law‐making. However, the traditional left‐right model of the Danish party system is very successful in accounting for the coalitions formed. Classification of bills into policy areas also shows considerable variation with respect to levels of conflict, with taxation as the most conflict‐generating area. The findings suggest that if we are ultimately to understand the significance of coalition behavior in politics, it is imperative that we relax strict rationalistic behavior assumptions and concentrate efforts on developing ways for systematic study of the content and perceived consequences of decisions made by winning coalitions.
A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY OF CLIENTELISTIC BEHAVIOR
Authors: GRAZIANO LUIGI
Published: May 2006

Current conceptualizations of political clientelism are inadequate on two related grounds: they do not clearly specify the distinctive characteristics of the clientelistic association and the impact of such associations on the development of the political system. The framework here offered, which is based on Homans’ and Blau's exchange theory, is an attempt to meet both analytical requirements. It suggests that a clientelistic association is a dyadically structured grouping based on direct asymmetrical exchange. More importantly, this framework tells us something about the functioning and the pattern of development of a clientelistic system as a whole. On the basis of our scheme, we may predict for such a system a highly individualistic type of political participation, weak legitimation of political leaders, a very fragmented pattern of allocation of political resources and, finally, a process of cooptation of opposition leaders by the party in power.
SOCIAL CLEAVAGES AND PARTY SYSTEMS: A RECONSIDERATION OF THE IRISH CASE
Authors: CARTY R.K.
Published: May 2006

It has been argued that the Irish party system can best be accounted for in terms of the “Lipset–Rokkan centre–periphery concept”. This paper questions this view and presents evidence to the contrary. Cleavages in the Irish social structure were not frozen into the party system that emerged in the post‐independence period. In terms of the widely accepted typologies of Western European political development Ireland constitutes a deviant case. As such it deserves more attention.
THE CONCEPT OF ELITE*
Authors: ZANNONI PAOLO
Published: May 2006

This article is an attempt to clarify the concept of elite. Elite is a concept that has been used through different centuries, by different people, in different cultural and intellectual environments. The result of this plurality of uses is that, in political science today, elite is a fuzzy concept. Concepts are not mere words. They stand for meanings and referents. These meanings and referents are what makes a concept useful to describe and explain phenomena.

The clarification of the meanings and referents of “elite” is a way to give us better knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the concept of elite in explaining the empirical phenomena of elite.

First of all the article offers an analysis of the main components of the concept and its sources of confusion. Following the most recent findings of philosophy of language, two main sources of concept confusion are identified: ambiguity and vagueness. In order to remove these sources of confusion the author deals, first, with the problem of apparent synonymy. A close analysis of the terms most commonly used as synonyms of “elite”: “ruling class,”“aristocracy,”“oligarchy” and “political class,” shows that these terms are not synonyms but that every one of them has a specific meaning different from the others. The supposed synonymy or the use of different words for the same meanings is not the only source of confusion of the concept of elite. Using the same words with different meanings seems to be quite common in the literature on the concept of elite. It is, in fact, clear that different people attribute different meanings to the same words. Among that variety of meanings attributed to “elite” seven are examined in the article: those of Pareto, Mosca, Marx, Wright Mills, Michels, Ortega y Gasset, and the Pluralists.
LABOUR PARTY COMMITTEE ELECTIONS AND THE LABOUR LEADERSHIP, 1945–1976
Authors: SIBLEY JOHN RICHARD
Published: May 2006

This article explores the relations between elections to the post of Labour Party leader and elections to the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and Parliamentary Committee. The leadership elections of 1955, 1963 and 1976 are analyzed in the light of the candidates' committee election records, and brief reference is made to the 1935 leadership contest. The records of all committee election candidates during the period 1945–75 are categorized, and the most important ones are discussed in the context of the Party leadership.

Some tentative hypotheses and conclusions are reached about the possibility of predicting leadership election results and the future performance of a Party leader on the basis of earlier committee election records. Reference is made to the political and historical background of the elections. A number of questions are formulated for possible exploration by political historians and biographers.
POLITICS, ECONOMICS AND INEQUALITY: A CROSS‐NATIONAL ANALYSIS*
Authors: DRYZEK JOHN
Published: May 2006

This paper investigates the determinants of social inequality in a quantitative cross‐sectional analysis of developed Western nations. The underlying dimensions of these determinants are classified as political and economic development on the one hand and cultural homogeneity coupled with class politics on the other. It is found that the homogeneity‐class politics dimension explains a considerable proportion of the cross‐national variation in social equality, but that the development dimension has little discernable impact upon degree of equality.
STEIN ROKKAN 1921–1979: A MEMOIR *
Authors: DAALDER HANS
Published: May 2006

This memoir of the Norwegian social scientist Stein Rokkan (1921–1979) traces his development from a student in linguistics and political philosophy to a specialist on comparative political studies. It describes his background in the Norwegian periphery and emphasizes the importance of his empirical research on Norwegian politics for the development of his substantive concerns and analytical schemes for research on comparative European politics. It describes Rokkan's role in building up the infrastructure of comparative research and the parallel development of his “macro‐model” of European political development. The article concludes with an analysis of the personal qualities and special circumstances which made Rokkan the eminent scholar he was.

An appendix lists Rokkan's main writings, divided into four categories: (a) social and political development in Norway; (b) data resources and data services; (c) comparative research, and (d) his Macro‐Model of Europe.
EUROCOMMUNISM FOUR YEARS ON *
Authors: LAVAU GEORGES
Published: May 2006

Today the interest in Eurocommunism is declining. Between 1976 and the end of 1978 some observers had seen it as a new sort of Communism characterised by a readiness to adopt the principles and practices of Western democracies and by an emphasis on independence from the Soviet Union and its socialist model. The author examines the tactical reasons for and the scope of this “liberal Communism” and underlines that the PCI has gone much further than the PCF. In any case this liberal Communism has preserved its Communist identity. Eurocommunism represents a further step in the process of polycentric decentralisation of the International Communist Movement. It does not, however, constitute a threat to the hegemony of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe. A modus vivendi seems to have been established between orthodox and Euro‐communisms.
CONCEPTS OF RATIONALITY AND THE POLICY PROCESS *
Authors: GUSTAFSSON GUNNEL , RICHARDSON J.J.
Published: May 2006

Political scientists are seen as having some technical expertise in policy studies which might help policy‐makers in devising policies which “work”. Difficulties are likely to arise, however, if we do not first ask some fundamental questions. One seemingly obvious, though extremely difficult, question is “what are policies for ?” Having categorized the main objectives of policy‐making into three broad categories – namely “real” goods and services, agenda management, and. consensus seeking– we go on to ask how these objectives can be reached in a rational way. We attempt to answer this question by considering a number of theoretical problems and go on to suggest an operational meaning of rationality and its implication for the organization of policy‐making structures. We suggest that a distinction is made between sector rationality, coordinated rationality and decentralized rationality. We also discuss the nature of policy communities, the degree to which they are becoming overcrowded due to demands for greater (and often unconventional) participation and the problems of achieving both consensus and rationality.
CRISES AND CRISES OUTCOMES: TOWARDS A NEW SYNTHETIC APPROACH
Authors: ZIMMERMANN EKKART
Published: May 2006

Topics like the legitimacy of a political order, its historical capacity to perform and actual performance, as well as its adaptability and probability of survival have gained the attention of social scientists quite frequently. Only very recently, however, have there been some promising new developments in crises research which have led to a variety of important empirical results. It is the task of this article to integrate several of these more particularistic approaches by constructing a new model that can be applied to comparative crises research. Crisis, or crisis of legitimacy which is the most severe of all forms of crises, serves as both dependent variable and independent variable, affecting the persistence of political systems. In this model – of which two variants are derived – several theoretical relationships are predicted that will have to be tested in broad – scale historically oriented social research going back to the first – still relatively quiet – decade of this century and covering developments thereafter in countries like Scandinavia, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the United States. In the final section some operational measures are discussed and combined in an operational model that will serve as a guideline in carrying out the type of study described here.
Electoral Preferences in Irish Recruitment: the 1977 Election*
Authors: MARSH MICHAEL
Published: May 2006

This study examines some of the implications of the use of the Single Transferable Vote for legislative recruitment in Ireland. Candidates and deputies are contrasted on a number of characteristics to see the impact of the ‘electoral phase’ on recruitment. Voting patterns are then analysed in order to assess the role that electors’ preferences between candidates can play. Generally, it appears that preferences are determined more by candidates’ political record than by their social background or position on the ballot paper. This is consistent with a view of the Irish deputy as a constituency‐servant rather than a legislator or simple instrument of party government, although cultural as well as constitutional factors may be responsible for this role.
The Dynamic Properties of Party Identification: a Four‐Nation Comparison
Authors: LeDUC LAWRENCE
Published: May 2006

Among the most important elements in assessing the cross‐national utility of the concept of party identification is its stability over time, in particular its stability relative to that of voting choice. This article utilizes three‐wave panel studies in Great Britain, Canada, the Netherlands and the United States to measure the nature and extent of changes in individual partisanship over a period of three to six years. It is argued that there is substantial instability in party identification when all types of change are taken into account, and that the United States appears unique among the cases examined in its ability to combine stable partisanship with instability of voting behaviour for reasons relating to the particular nature of the American electoral system. In Britain and Canada, party identification exhibits a greater tendency to travel with vote, while in the Netherlands it is less stable than the vote itself.
Societal Change and Party Adaptation in the Republic of Ireland, 1960–1981*
Authors: GALLAGHER MICHAEL
Published: May 2006

The history of the Irish Republic since 1960 offers an interesting example of considerable societal change but little change in the political parties or party system. Despite fairly rapid urbanization, industrialization, population growth and liberalization, the political changes that have taken place are relatively minor. Party policies, roles, recruitment patterns, strengths and support bases have not changed very much. It is noted that the strongest party seems to have changed least, and it is suggested that this is because it had least need to change.
Socialists and European Integration: The Attitudes of British Labour Members of Parliament*
Authors: FEATHERSTONE KEVIN
Published: May 2006

This analysis of the attitudes of British Labour Members of Parliament towards European integration focuses in particular on attitudes towards three themes: integrationist policies, the ‘national interest’ and ideological identification. Based on the results of a survey of Labour MPs, it suggests the importance of the ideology and national interest dimensions to any explanation of their stance towards the operation of the European Community. The discussion also indicates the relevance of the writings of Tom Nairn and the limitations inherent in adopting a framework based on conventional integration theory.
Voter Attitudes and Public Spending: Is There a Relationship?*
Authors: KRISTENSEN OLE P.
Published: May 2006

The median voter model of how public expenditures are determined is discussed, as are alternative models, which soft‐pedal the role of the electorate and elections in decision‐making on public spending. The median voter proposition is tested and rejected empirically. The empirical relationship between voter attitudes towards public spending and actual spending is then related to the alternative models of how public expenditures are decided upon. The empirical analysis shows inconsistencies between item‐by‐item spending preferences and aggregate spending preferences. Further, political activists have a higher propensity to spend than the average voter.
Helping Small Firms Grow: An Implementation Analysis of Small Firm Assistance Structures*
Authors: HULL CHRIS , HJERN BENNY
Published: May 2006

The article describes the design of, and presents some first results from, the West German component of a four‐country comparative study of organizational arrangements for providing small firms with assistance to help them overcome their problems of development. In describing the research design, particular attention is given to the unit‐of‐analysis problem and to a method for inductively reconstructing the unit of analysis. An analytic ‘grid’, based on a simple model of problem‐solving, is proposed which would seem well suited to the project's cross‐cultural frame of reference. Preliminary results provided in the latter part of the article should serve to illustrate some of the analytic possibilities which may be expected from the project.
The Relative Salience of the Socio‐Economic and Religious Issue Dimensions: Coalition Formations in Ten Western Democracies, 1919–1979
Authors: LIJPHART AREND
Published: May 2006

The relative importance that political parties attach to the socio‐economic and religious issue dimensions can be determined by the kinds of partners they seek in order to form government coalitions. When political parties can be classified as secular left, secular right, and religious centre parties, centre‐left and centre‐right coalitions show that the socio‐economic dimension is the dominant one, and left‐right coalitions indicate that the religious dimension predominates. Out of a total of 190 years of government coalitions that can be analysed in this way in ten countries from 1919 to 1979, the socio‐economic dimension predominated eight times as frequently as the religious dimension. The much greater salience of the socio‐economic dimension is found in all ten countries without striking variations during the entire period.
After the Historic Compromise: A Turning Point for the PCI*
Authors: BARBAGLI MARZIO , CORBETTA PIERGIORGIO
Published: May 2006

Since the beginning of the 1970s many scholars have predicted that the Italy of ‘centrifugal democracy’ would in the course of a few years become a ‘consociational democracy’. The return of the PCI to opposition in early 1979 and the ‘political turning’ decided by the party leadership in 1980 have disproved this prediction. This article maintains that a most important source of error in this prediction is to be found in the simplistic schema advanced to analyse the behaviour of the PCI. On the basis of data drawn from three surveys, the article examines the relations between members, militants, and leaders of the PCI from 1977 to the end of 1980.