bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Study of Presidential Leadership
Authors: Edwards George C. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
This article argues that one needs to think more rigorously about presidential leadership in order to advance its understanding. More specifically, we need to reorient the focus from one that concentrates on presidential persuasion as the core of successful leadership to one that centers on facilitating change through the recognition and exploitation of opportunities in the president's environment. The political system compels the president to attempt to lead while inhibiting his ability to do so. The most effective presidents exploit opportunities already present in their environments to achieve significant changes in public policy. It is noted that facilitators can make crucial contributions to transforming policy without performing transformational leadership. The importance of understanding leadership is discussed. Leadership remains a core concept in the study of the presidency. Fortunately, this focus of scholarship has produced good news and even better news.
The State of Research on Political Parties and Interest Groups
Authors: Maisel L. Sandy , Berry Jeffrey M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis book addresses the literatures on political parties and on interest groups. It first presents a series of discussion on theoretical and methodological perspectives. This is followed by party history and parties in the electoral process. It then considers the party in government as well as bias and representation. The final part, on dimensions of behaviour, analyzes different interest group roles and forms of advocacy. The parties and interest group fields are dynamic and this book reflects judgments about research at a particular point in time.
Theories of Parties
Authors: Aldrich John H. , Grynaviski Jeffrey D. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article evaluates the role of formal theory in the study of political parties. It describes the mechanisms by which two important sets of political institutions interact to give structure to political outcomes in democratic polities. It starts by describing the formal theories of electoral rules and the number of parties. It addresses how party organizations give structure to electoral competition in the context of the spatial model of elections in settings where the early impossibility results suggest that structure should not exist. Additionally, the article considers a question that links the electoral promises made by parties and candidates to the actions of parties when in office. The elucidation of the forces underlying Duverger's Law showed how political party leaders faced the rather different problem of aggregating the within-district tendencies toward two-partyism into a national two-party system.
The Evolution and Alteration of American Party Coalitions
Authors: Brewer Mark D. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article argues that, at their most fundamental level, political parties have one primary goal: the construction of a coalition that enables them to win elections and exercise governmental power. In particular, it explores the electoral coalitions of both the Republican and Democratic parties. A heavy emphasis is placed on mapping partisan change from the 1930s to the present, explaining how and why change took place, and examining the meaning of change. The article finally provides a discussion of what this dynamic shows about electoral change, and a bit of speculation about what the partisan change of the future might look like. The Republican and Democratic parties of the early twenty-first century are very different from each other, offering Americans relatively clear policy choices across the board. These differences exist, to a certain extent, because the two parties have very different electoral coalitions.
The Road Less Taken
Authors: Shea Daniel M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article summarizes the seemingly paradoxical positions that party organizations have been revitalized while citizen attraction to party has declined. It also argues that recent elections have triggered a dramatic change in the electoral system, affording party organizations a unique opportunity to draw citizens into the party rubric in meaningful ways for decades to come. Party organizational resurgence can be aptly dubbed one of the great comeback stories of American politics. It is stated that service-oriented organizations grew precisely because voters abandoned partisanship. While the ‘revived’ parties of the last few decades before the 2008 election afforded candidates cutting-edge services, little of what they did fostered a sense of citizenship. The revival of party organizations over the past few decades has been impressive. The electorate stands ready to embrace a more participatory, more ideological role.
Winning Isn't Everything
Authors: Rapoport Ronald B. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article explores the factors that allow the emergence and continuity of third parties; the factors that allow them to succeed; and finally, at the long-term effects that third parties can have on the two-party system. It also mentions both factors that ‘push’ voters away from the two major parties and those that ‘pull’ voters toward third party candidates. It then investigates the issues of party formation and then moves on to consider bases of and barriers to third party electoral success. Third party success looks rather meager if one focus on the ability of a third party to become a permanent part of the party system either by displacing a major party or by establishing itself as a significant and consistent vote getter at the highest level.
The Evolution of National Party Organizations
Authors: Herrnson Paul S. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article describes the development of national party organizations, their relationship with other party committees, and their evolving role in contemporary elections. Changes in the parties' environment and internal governance fostered the emergence of a candidate-centered election system. The institutionalization of the national party organizations refers to their becoming fiscally solvent, organizationally stable, larger and more diversified in their staffing, and adopting professional-bureaucratic decision-making procedures. The institutionalization of the national party organizations has provided them with the resources to develop a variety of state and local party-building programs. Major national party organizational change usually occurs in response to electoral instability and political unrest. The reemergence of national party organizations has resulted in their becoming important players in twenty-first-century party politics and elections.
The Pure Partisan Institution
Authors: Shafer Byron E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article concentrates on national party conventions, the ‘pure partisan institutions’ of American politics. First, it identifies the convention within a conceptual framework for analyzing the evolution of the institution itself. It moves on to the practical implications of this evolution, from institutional mechanism to institutional arena. Next, it describes the politics of the contemporary institution, organized around its role as ‘infomercial’. It then explores the changing partisan content of that infomercial, in effect the substance of its message. Moreover, the nature of elite-mass linkages at the convention, as well as their contribution to this message, is addressed. The distinctions that remain among conventions, the place of the generic convention in a larger national politics, and some possible harbingers of further change are finally covered. The convention is in transition as an institution in its own right.
Activists, Influence, and Representation in American Elections
Authors: Stone Walter J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article describes the place of party activists in the electoral process, with attention to questions about whether and how they distort processes of electoral representation in the United States. In general elections, activists' strong partisanship is usually seen as pushing them inexorably to support their party's candidate. Furthermore a study of the 2006 midterm elections in the House of Representatives is elaborated. The effect of activist opinion in districts on incumbent position-taking and the influence of activist mobilization on incumbent vote share are reviewed. There is an increasing realization among scholars of the electoral process that activists are essential to understanding the connections between the public and candidates, party images, and processes of change. It is possible that the participation of activists contributes essentially to the health and functioning of the electoral system.
Political Parties and Consultants
Authors: Magleby David B. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article explains the development of political consultants in American politics and the increasing interaction of consultants and political parties. It starts by reviewing the history and describing the broader role that consultants play in American politics. Next, it describes in more detail specific functions that consultants have taken over for parties and for individual campaigns. It specifically discusses the broader phenomenon of political consultants and American electoral democracy. The two major parties (the Republican Party and the Democratic Party) operate in some quite different ways while both being organized around the units of competition at the federal level. This is true not only for relationships between the three party committees for each party but also in how they interact with consultants. The disputed nexus between political consultants and weak parties is presented. Political parties have played an important coordinating function between the consultants they employ and those retained by candidates.
What a Difference Twenty-Five Years Makes
Authors: Rohde David W. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article provides a critical overview of some major theoretical perspectives in the literature on party leadership, organization, and activity in the US House from the 1970s on. It then addresses a few of the major issues raised in this work in more detail, and describes some avenues for future research that can build on the solid foundation recent work has offered. The Democratic majority in the House established a series of institutional reforms between 1970 and 1976. Cartel theory gave the greatest attention to negative agenda power. This theory also expected that some features of legislative organization would vary with the homogeneity of preferences within the majority party, and some features would be invariant, and the existence of this constant minimum of party power is the principal difference between the theories.
The Mobilization and Influence of Business Interests
Authors: Smith Mark A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article provides a discussion on mobilization and the effect of business interests, emphasizing American domestic politics. One major area of research involves questions over why and when business participates in politics. Participation could involve several different kinds of behaviours. The forms and magnitude of business influence in politics raise questions of interest not only to political scientists but also to the public at large. Four books, by David Vogel (1989), Frank Baumgartner and Bryan Jones (1993), Mark Smith (2000), and Sheldon Kamieniecki (2006), offer two lasting lessons for future research on business influence. These books nevertheless provide an important perspective for future research on business and politics to consider.
The Comparative Advantage of State Interest Organization Research
Authors: Lowery David , Gray Virginia 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article provides a contrast between the ‘explosion of large-n studies’ and the more modest progress in theory building and hypothesis testing in research on state-level interest groups. It explores the recent dialogue between theory and empirical analysis on the politics of interest representation. It also argues that examination of the states offers critical advantages over studying the interest system of the US or other national governments. The comparative advantages of the states are reported in some detail. Moreover, the article examines several leading research themes uniquely originating in contemporary state politics research and how these have influenced or should influence interest group scholarship more generally. It is clear that the state literature is no longer so isolated from the more general research program on interest organizations.
Interest Groups and Agendas
Authors: Baumgartner Frank R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article starts by paying homage to E. E. Schattschneider, crediting him with initiating the study of interest groups and agenda building. Schattschneider shows a sense that the groups of voters were clearly unfair. There is little evidence that the system's elitist character is due to harsh boundary setting or active efforts to exclude; rather, the bias comes from the fact that some segments of society mobilize powerfully and speak with amplified voices and others mobilize little or not at all. Schattschneider's dual observations about groups and agendas have been at the core of subfield for almost fifty years now and there is no reason to abandon these important questions. Assessing the roles of groups in affecting what policymakers in Washington hear about is sobering.
Importance of Volume and Concentration for Ropivacaine Interscalene Block in Preventing Recovery Room Pain and Minimizing Motor Block after Shoulder Surgery
Authors: Fredrickson Michael J. , Smith Katherine R. , Wong Andrew C. 
Published: May 2010

Background
This three-staged study estimated the volume and concentration of interscalene ropivacaine that would prevent recovery room pain after shoulder surgery under general anesthesia.

Methods
Stages 1/2: Interscalene catheter administration of ropivacaine was by a 10% incremental up-down sequential manner depending on the presence of recovery room pain in the previous patient. Stage 1: Ropivacaine (0.5% volume) was varied from 30 ml. Stage 2: Ropivacaine (20 ml, the ED(volume)95 estimate from stage 1) concentration was varied from 0.45%. Stage 3: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive 30 ml of ropivacaine, 0.5% ("conventional dose"), or 20 ml of ropivacaine, 0.375% (the estimated ED(volume+concentration)95 from stages 1/2). A postoperative elastomeric infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine (2 ml/h) was administered. Grip strength was measured in the recovery room and time to first pain at 24 h.

Results
Stage 1 (n = 34): Ropivacaine 0.5% ED(volume)50/ED(volume)95 (95% CI) estimates were 2.7/20.5 ml (2.4-9.5/17.3-25.8). Stage 2 (n = 29): Ropivacaine 20 ml ED(concentration)50/ED(concentration)95 (95% CI) estimates were 0.15/0.34% (0.13-0.30/0.29-0.43). The ED(dose)50 was similar for stages 1/2 (13.5 vs. 30 mg), but the ED(dose)95 was higher for stage 1 (102.5 vs. 68 mg). Stage 3 (n = 40): Satisfaction (0-10) was modestly higher for the new/lower dose (median [interquartile range] = 10 [10-10] versus 9 [8-10], P = 0.007). Pooled data regression analysis showed that increasing ropivacaine concentration increased grip weakness but not block duration.

Conclusions
Ropivacaine interscalene block requires a threshold volume and concentration, with concentration primarily determining motor block. When combined with continuous blockade, suprathreshold ropivacaine doses do not significantly prolong primary block duration but may compromise patient satisfaction.
Role of 70-kDa Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinase, Nitric Oxide Synthase, Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β, and Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in Desflurane-induced Postconditioning in Isolated Human Right Atria
Authors: Lemoine Sandrine , Zhu Lan , Beauchef Gallic , Lepage Olivier , Babatasi Gérard , Ivascau Caline , Massetti Massimo , Galera Philippe , Gérard Jean-Louis , Hanouz Jean-Luc 
Published: May 2010

Background
Desflurane during early reperfusion has been shown to postcondition human myocardium. Whether it involves "reperfusion injury salvage kinase" pathway remains incompletely studied. The authors tested the involvement of 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase, nitric oxide synthase, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore in desflurane-induced postconditioning.

Methods
The authors recorded isometric contraction of human right atrial trabeculae suspended in an oxygenated Tyrode's solution (34 degrees C, stimulation frequency 1 Hz). After a 30-min hypoxic period, desflurane 6% was administered during the first 5 min of reoxygenation. Desflurane was administered alone or with pretreatment of rapamycin, a 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and atractyloside, the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opener. GSK-3beta inhibitor VII was administered during the first few minutes of reoxygenation alone or in the presence of desflurane 6%, rapamycin, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and atractyloside. Developed force at the end of a 60-min reoxygenation period was compared (mean +/- SD). Phosphorylation of GSK-3beta was measured using blotting.

Results
Desflurane 6% (84 +/- 4% of baseline) enhanced the recovery of force after 60 min of reoxygenation when compared with the control group (54 +/- 4%, P < 0.0001). Rapamycin (68 +/- 8% of baseline), NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (57 +/- 8%), atractyloside (52 +/- 7%) abolished desflurane-induced postconditioning (P < 0.001). GSK-3beta inhibitor-induced postconditioning (84 +/- 5%, P < 0.0001 vs. control) was not modified by desflurane (78 +/- 6%), rapamycin (81 +/- 6%), and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (82 +/- 10%), but it was abolished by atractyloside (49 +/- 6%). Desflurane increased the phosphorylation of GSK-3beta (3.30 +/- 0.57-fold increase in desflurane vs. control; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions
In vitro, desflurane-induced postconditioning protects human myocardium through the activation of 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase, nitric oxide synthase, inhibition, and phosphorylation of GSK-3beta, and preventing mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening.
Isoflurane Causes Greater Neurodegeneration Than an Equivalent Exposure of Sevoflurane in the Developing Brain of Neonatal Mice
Authors: Liang Ge , Ward Christopher , Peng Jun , Zhao Yifan , Huang Baosheng , Wei Huafeng 
Published: May 2010

Background
We hypothesized that isoflurane has a greater potency to induce neurodegeneration than sevoflurane in the developing brains of neonatal mice based on our previous studies in cell culture.

Methods
We treated 7-day-old mice with either 0.75% isoflurane or 1.1% sevoflurane ( approximately 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration) for 6 h and then obtained blood and brain samples at 2 h after the anesthesia treatment for determination of neuroapoptosis in different brain regions and the neurodegenerative biomarker S100beta in the blood. The mechanisms of neurodegeneration induced by isoflurane or sevoflurane were also compared by determining protein expressions of the cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins. In separate groups, memory and learning ability were evaluated through the use of Morris Water Maze testing in mice at postnatal day 42 after anesthesia treatment at postnatal day 7.

Results
Isoflurane but not sevoflurane significantly increased the neurodegenerative biomarker S100beta in the blood. Isoflurane treatments significantly increased apoptosis indicated by the activation of caspase-3 and elevation of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase in different brain regions. An equipotent exposure of sevoflurane tended to increase apoptosis in hippocampal and cortex areas but was significantly less potent than isoflurane. Neither isoflurane nor sevoflurane significantly changed protein levels of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, beta-site amyloid beta-precursor protein-cleaving enzyme, and cell cycle regulatory proteins (CDK4, cyclin D1). Isoflurane and sevoflurane at the selected exposures did not significantly alter memory and learning ability.

Conclusion
At equipotent exposures, isoflurane has a greater potency than sevoflurane to cause neurodegeneration in the developing brains of neonatal mice.
Clinical trial: vitamin D3 treatment in Crohn’s disease – a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Jørgensen S. P. , Agnholt J. , Glerup H. , Lyhne S. , Villadsen G. E. , Hvas C. L. , Bartels L. E. , Kelsen J. , Christensen L. A. , Dahlerup J. F. 
Published: May 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 377–383SummaryBackground  Vitamin D has immune‐regulatory functions in experimental colitis, and low vitamin D levels are present in Crohn’s disease.Aim  To assess the effectiveness of vitamin D3 treatment in Crohn’s disease with regard to improved disease course.Methods  We performed a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial to assess the benefits of oral vitamin D3 treatment in Crohn’s disease. We included 108 patients with Crohn’s disease in remission, of which fourteen were excluded later. Patients were randomized to receive either 1200 IU vitamin D3 (n = 46) or placebo (n = 48) once daily during 12 months. The primary endpoint was clinical relapse.Results  Oral vitamin D3 treatment with 1200 IU daily increased serum 25OHD from mean 69 nmol/L [standard deviation (s.d.) 31 nmol/L] to mean 96 nmol/L (s.d. 27 nmol/L) after 3 months (P < 0.001). The relapse rate was lower among patients treated with vitamin D3 (6/46 or 13%) than among patients treated with placebo (14/48 or 29%), (P = 0.06).Conclusions  Oral supplementation with 1200 IE vitamin D3 significantly increased serum vitamin D levels and insignificantly reduced the risk of relapse from 29% to 13%, (P = 0.06). Given that vitamin D3 treatment might be effective in Crohn’s disease, we suggest larger studies to elucidate this matter further. ClinicalTrial.gov(NCT00122184).
Effects of desmopressin on platelet function under conditions of hypothermia and acidosis: an in vitro study using multiple electrode aggregometry*
Authors: Hanke A. A. , Dellweg C. , Kienbaum P. , Weber C. F. , Görlinger K. , Rahe‐Meyer N. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryHypothermia and acidosis lead to an impairment of coagulation. It has been demonstrated that desmopressin improves platelet function under hypothermia. We tested platelet function ex vivo during hypothermia and acidosis. Blood samples were taken from 12 healthy subjects and assigned as follows: normal pH, pH 7.2, and pH 7.0, each with and without incubation with desmopressin. Platelet aggregation was assessed by multiple electrode aggregometry. Baseline was normal pH and 36 °C. The other samples were incubated for 30 min and measured at 32 °C. Acidosis significantly impaired aggregation. Desmopressin significantly increased aggregability during hypothermia and acidosis regardless of pH, but did not return it to normal values at low pH. During acidosis and hypothermia, acidosis should be corrected first; desmopressin can then be administered to improve platelet function as a bridge until normothermia can be achieved.