bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Restructuring Europe
Authors: Bartolini Stefano 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
This study focuses on the historical configuration of territorial borders and functional boundaries of the European nation states, and interprets integration as a process of transcendence, redefinition, and shift of those same boundaries that alters the nature of the nation states’ domestic political structures. The core of the argument concerns the relationship between the institutional design of the new Brussels centre, the boundary redefinitions that result from its political production, and the consequences of both these processes on the established national and emerging European political structures. The EU is interpreted through three key conceptual tools: ‘centre formation’, ‘system building’, and ‘political structuring’. The ‘centre formation’ — with limited administrative and fiscal capabilities and strong regulatory and judicial capabilities — is not accompanied by ‘system building’ in the field of cultural integration, social sharing institutions, and participation rights, that is, by institutions forcing its components to stay within it beyond the mere instrumental calculations. Given that for any new centre a balance must exist between its system building capacity and the scope and reach of its political production, the argument is that the ambitious political production of the EU is clearly out of balance with its weak system building capacity. As far as the ‘political structuring’ is concerned, this work argues that the institutional design of the Union and its weak system building militate to date against any stable form of political structuring for its representative actors, while its growing political production tends to undermine national mechanisms of political representation and legitimation. Under these conditions, any institutional democratization without political structuring may turn into facade electioneering, at best, or dangerous experiments, at worst. In the view of classical sociology — that takes the existence of a certain overlap between social identities, political boundaries, and social practices as a precondition for establishing political agency and a ‘rational’ political order — the EU is both a source of problems but also a possible solution to them. It can be seen as a project for regaining some degree of coherence between extended social practices, social identities, solidarity ties, and rules of deliberation at the European level. Most of the ideas expressed in this book show how problematic this project is believed to be.
3 Centre Formation in the European Union
Authors: Bartolini Stefano 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
This chapter devotes attention to the specific features of the new centre at the European level, and focuses on the peculiarities of its institutional design. The typical centre-building features of territorial expansion, legal centralization, integration of the national and supra-national techno-bureaucratic infrastructure, and competence accretion have developed together with a persisting weak territoriality, an unclear competence attribution in vertical and horizontal senses, a partial constitutional empowerment of the subjects qua economic agents, and uncertain legitimacy sources. This configuration points to an ‘elite consolidation’, resulting from an alliance between national rulers (the national governments, the MPs) and the supra-national techno-bureaucratic centre builders (in the Commission, the Court, the European Central Bank). It is argued that any attempt to separate the powers, distribute the competencies, and strengthen direct forms of legitimacy would upset the inter-elite form of control on which this consolidation has rested to date.
5 Political Structuring in Loosely Bounded Territories: Territorial and Corporate Structures
Authors: Bartolini Stefano 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Any configuration of boundaries is relevant for the level and type of confinement of actors and resources within the new system. Chapters Five and Six analyse the implications of the EU boundary redrawing for the different types of actors and resources active in the territorial, corporate and political-electoral channels of representation. The chapters also discuss the consequences for established national political structures and the prospects for the development of new, European-wide political structures. In the territorial channel, the European integration is likely to foster processes of sub-state territorial differentiation, generate accrued sub-state territorial competition and a renewed awareness of it, and contribute towards a rebirth of (sub-state) territorially-based politics in Europe. In the corporate channel, it is suggested that the existing interest groups experience declining interest compatibility or declining solidarity ties. This is likely to generate further pluralization and fragmentation, declining cohesion of national groups, and a destructuring of national patterns of interest intermediation associated with a predominant lobbyist incorporation into the European techno-bureaucratic decision-making processes.
7 Restructuring Europe
Authors: Bartolini Stefano 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
This chapter discusses the implications of the model of centre formation, system building, and political structuring prevalent at the EU level to date. It interprets European integration from a long-term historical perspective in relation to the early stages of the development of the European system of states. It then discusses the macro and micro consequences of the boundary-redrawing activities for different types of actors, following the framework presented in Chapter One. Finally, the institutional and boundary configuration of the new EU centre is related to the main structures of representation at the national and EU level. This chapter also underlines the perspective of this work as based on the interactions between ‘options’ and ‘roots’, ‘exits’ and ‘locking in’, ‘collective burdens’ and ‘individual free-riding’, ‘opportunities’ and ‘costs’ involved in the process of functional and territorial boundary redefinition in Europe.
4 Research Questions for Comparative Investigation
Authors: McDonald Michael D. , Budge Ian 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis chapter describes the data and the way thse are deployed operationally in the subsequent analysis. The data falls into three main categories: aggregate voting results for post-war national elections over 21 democracies with the resulting distribution of seats in parliaments and places in cabinets; policy preferences stated by all significant parties in each election in their published policy programme (their manifesto or platform); party policy preferences can also be weighted if they are in government by their share of cabinet seats. The research questions asked with these data are how far policy outputs compare with preferences on an election-to-election and government-to-government basis. More importantly, how policy relationships evolve over time canbe examined, and equilibria both for policy and preferences can be established and compared.
6 Mandates Without Obvious Majorities?
Authors: McDonald Michael D. , Budge Ian 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe government mandate in its full form fails descriptively because few spontaneous majorities form in support of one party, and there is no guarantee that the plurality party is not actually opposed by most electors. A minimal version might still apply however in terms of retrospective voting — a majority might still vote against a government. This idea has been particularly prominent in the economic voting literature, This chapter examines the evidence for ‘economic’ voting. It confirms previous comparative research by showing there is only limited evidence of consistent effects from growth, unemployment and inflation on voting. This is explained in terms of electoral reactions to any set of economic conditions never being undifferentiated or unproblematic. As there is always some rational argument for voting against incumbents some electors will always do so, accounting for a general fall of incumbent votes towards their long term norm. Median voter positions are not predictable from the state of the economy, but they do match government positions over the long term and indeed provide the equilibrium towards which government policy tends.
11 Fluctuating Political Forces
Authors: McDonald Michael D. , Budge Ian 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPolitical variables (median voter and median parliamentary, government and ministry positions) change more radically and more quickly than policy outputs. This accounts for the lack of relationships previous studies have failed to find as we did, too, in chapters 8 and 9, between political changes and policy. However, political forces oscillate round stable equilibrium positions, which show a strong relationship to the policy regimes’ equilibria previously uncovered. In the long term, the responsiveness of the median parliamentary position to the median voter position is high, as is government position to MPP, and ministries to government position.
The influences of hyperprolactinemia and obesity on cardiovascular risk markers: effects of cabergoline therapy
Authors: Serri Omar , Li Ling , Mamputu Jean‐Claude , Beauchamp Marie‐Claude , Maingrette Fritz , Renier Geneviève 
Published: February 2006

SummaryObjective  In view of the association of hyperprolactinaemia with insulin resistance, we hypothesized that patients with hyperprolactinaemia may present increased cardiovascular risk markers.Design  Descriptive clinical trial.Methods  Serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, lipids, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)‐6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and soluble E‐selectin (sELAM‐1) serum levels were determined in 15 patients with hyperprolactinaemia at baseline (compared with 20 healthy subjects) and after 12 weeks of cabergoline therapy (0·5–1 mg twice per week). We also measured mononuclear cell NF‐κB activation and TNF‐α production in a subset of subjects.Results  Serum levels of prolactin (PRL), insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index and hsCRP were significantly higher in patients than in control subjects. Markers of mononuclear cell activation did not differ between the groups. Hyperprolactinaemia, BMI and age were predictors of hsCRP. BMI was the only predictor of HOMA‐IR. Cabergoline therapy significantly reduced serum PRL, insulin, hsCRP and sELAM‐1 levels.Conclusions  These data suggest that hyperprolactinaemia is associated with insulin resistance related to increased BMI and low‐grade inflammation independently of BMI. Short‐term cabergoline therapy can reduce the inflammatory markers.
Pulsed tissue Doppler identifies subclinical myocardial biventricular dysfunction in active acromegaly
Authors: Galderisi Maurizio , Vitale Giovanni , Bianco Antonio , Pivonello Rosario , Lombardi Gaetano , Divitiis Oreste de , Colao Annamaria 
Published: February 2006

SummaryObjective  The aim of this study was to assess the role of pulsed tissue Doppler (TD) to identify left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) myocardial regional involvement in acromegaly.Patients and measurements  Thirty active acromegaly patients, free of diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, valvular and coronary heart disease, clinically overt heart failure, and 30 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls underwent standard Doppler echocardiography and pulsed TD, by placing the sample volume at the level of basal posterior septum, LV lateral mitral annulus and RV lateral tricuspid annulus. Myocardial systolic (Sm) and diastolic velocities (Em/Am ratio) and time‐intervals of relaxation (RTm), precontraction (PCTm) and contraction (CTm) and the PCTm/CTm ratio were measured at each level.Results  The two groups had similar heart rate, whereas acromegaly patients had higher body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LV mass and impaired Doppler indexes of LV and RV diastolic function, without any difference in the global systolic function. At TD, acromegaly patients showed significantly delayed RTm and PCTm, reduced Em/Am, Sm and increased PCTm/CTm of posterior septum, mitral annulus and tricuspid annulus in comparison with controls. By separate multilinear regression analyses, after adjusting for body mass index, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and LV mass index, age was the main independent determinant of tissue Doppler diastolic but not of systolic indexes.Conclusions  In active acromegaly, pulsed TD confirms LV and RV diastolic abnormalities detectable by standard Doppler, additionally identifying subclinical biventricular impairment of systolic function.
Uterine vein and maternal urinary levels of activin A and inhibin A in pre‐eclampsia patients
Authors: Muttukrishna S. , Hyett J. , Paine M. , Moodley J. , Groome N. , Rodeck C. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryObjectives  The aims of this study were to investigate if (i) urinary concentrations of activin A and inhibin A are altered in pre‐eclampsia (PE) and (ii) to study the relationship between uterine vein and peripheral vein concentrations of these hormones in PE patients.Design and method  In a retrospective study, maternal peripheral vein and uterine vein serum and maternal urine samples collected at the time of delivery were analysed. There were three groups of patients; (i) group 1: term normal pregnancies (n = 19) (ii) group 2: patients who developed PE ≤ 37 weeks (n = 17) and (iii) group 3: patients who developed PE 37–40 weeks (n = 8). Serum and urinary activin A, follistatin, inhibin A and pro alpha C and urinary creatinine levels were measured using enzyme immunoassays in the laboratory.Results  Normal pregnant urine samples had very low levels of activin A and inhibin A. Both groups 2 and 3 PE patients had significantly higher levels of inhibin A (P < 0·001) and activin A (P < 0·001) compared to the controls. Pro‐alpha C was not altered and follistatin was below the detection limit of the assay in the urine. Maternal peripheral serum activin A and inhibin A were significantly higher in groups 2 (P < 0·001) and 3 (P < 0·05) patients compared to the controls. Pro‐alpha C‐containing inhibins were higher in group 2 patients (P < 0·05) compared to the controls in the peripheral circulation. Uterine vein serum activin A and inhibin A levels were also significantly higher in groups 2 (P < 0·001) and 3 (P < 0·05) patients compared to the controls. There was a highly significant positive correlation between peripheral and uterine vein serum concentrations of activin A, follistatin, inhibin A and pro alpha C, suggesting the same source for these proteins in PE.Conclusion  Urinary activin A and inhibin A are raised in groups 2 and 3 PE patients. The magnitude of rise (> 25‐fold) suggests these proteins may rise in patients before the onset of the clinical symptoms of PE. Uterine vein levels of these proteins are also raised in PE.
Effects of growth reduction therapy using high‐dose 17β‐estradiol in 26 constitutionally tall girls
Authors: Radivojevic U. , Thibaud E. , Samara‐Boustani D. , Duflos C. , Polak M. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryObjective  The efficacy and safety of height‐limiting therapy with high‐dose 17β‐oestradiol in girls with constitutionally tall stature (CTS) are controversial. We evaluated the effectiveness of high‐dose 17β‐oestradiol in premenarchal girls with CTS treated until their bone age reached 14 years.Design  We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the girls managed between 1989 and 2000 with high‐dose 17β‐estradiol for CTS with a predicted final height greater than +3SDs.Patients  Twenty‐six girls met our inclusion criteria. At baseline, mean chronological age was 12·06 ± 1·51 years and mean height was 171·1 ± 6·5 cm with a height standard deviation score of 4·5 ± 0·24, and mean predicted final height was 183·0 ± 4·2 cm. Treatment was stopped when bone age reached 14 years; mean treatment duration was 1·62 ± 0·76 years.Measurements  The following were obtained at 6‐month intervals: height, body weight, Tanner stage, bone age, plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, plasma glucose and side effects. A mailed questionnaire on final height and satisfaction was sent 2 years after treatment discontinuation (response rate, 24/26).Results  Final height was significantly (P < 0·001) reduced, by 2·4 ± 3·2 cm, as compared to predictions. High‐dose 17β‐estradiol therapy decreased growth velocity and significantly increased skeletal maturation (P < 0·001). Linear growth after treatment discontinuation was 3·3 ± 1·9 cm. No serious side effects were recorded. Most of the patients were satisfied with the treatment.Conclusion  High‐dose 17β‐estradiol was moderately effective in reducing final height and should probably be reserved for selected patients, particularly as knowledge on potential long‐term side effects is lacking.
A bioluminescence assay for thyrotropin receptor antibodies predicts serum thyroid hormone levels in patients with de novo Graves’ disease
Authors: Hovens G. C. J. , Buiting A. M. J. , Karperien M. , Ballieux B. E. P. B. , van Der Pluijm G. , Pereira A. M. , Romijn J. A. , Smit J. W. A. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryBackground  TSH receptor antibodies (TBII) in Graves’ disease (GD) may be TSH receptor stimulating (TSAb) and blocking (TBAb) antibodies. In commercially available assays however, only total TBII titres can be measured, without discriminating between TSAb and TBAb.Objective  To design a TBII bioassay to detect of TSAb and to correlate TSAb activity with severity of hyperthyroidism in de novo GD patients.Patients  Thirty‐five patients with de novo GD and 27 controls.Methods  The JP‐26–26 cell line, which constitutively expresses the TSH receptor (TSHR), was stably transfected with a cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element – luciferase construct. The clone B1 exhibited a near linear increase in luminescence from 0·2 mU/l to 50 mU/l bovine TSH and was used as a TBII bioassay. TBII, free T4 and TSH were measured in the sera of all patients and controls.Results  In the sera of 35 GD patients, TBII titres did not correlate with serum free T4 concentrations. In contrast, a strong and highly significant correlation was found between TSHR stimulating activity (luminescence) as measured with the TBII bioassay and serum free T4 levels (R = 0·80, P < 0·001).Interestingly, the luminescence/TBII ratio had a wide range at low TBII titres, whereas high TBII titres were associated with a low degree of TSHR activation. The TBII bioassay also detected TBAb in GD patients who spontaneously developed hypothyroidism.Conclusions  The B1‐TBII‐bioassay as developed in our laboratory has a high sensitivity for the detection of TSAb in GD and predicts the severity of hyperthyroidism in untreated GD patients. In addition, we found that high TBII titres are associated with weak TSHR activation.
Quality of life of cancer patients receiving inpatient and home‐based palliative care
Authors: Peters Louise , Sellick Ken 
Published: February 2006

Aims.  This paper reports a comparative study of the symptom experience, physical and psychological health, perceived control of the effects of cancer and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients receiving inpatient and home‐based palliative care, and the factors that predict quality of life.Background.  Quality of life is a major goal in the care of patients with terminal cancer. In addition to symptom management, psychological care and provision of support, being cared for at home is considered an important determinant of patient well‐being. A more comprehensive understanding of the impact of cancer on patients and their families will inform the delivery of palliative care services.Methods.  Fifty‐eight patients with terminal cancer (32 inpatients, 26 home‐based) were recruited from major palliative care centres in Australia in 1999. A structured questionnaire designed to obtain sociodemographic information, medical details and standard measures of symptoms, physical and psychological health, personal control and quality of life was administered by personal interview.Results.  The two groups were similar on most demographic measures, although more home‐care patients were married, of Australian descent and had private health insurance cover. The most prevalent symptoms reported were weakness, fatigue, sleeping during the day and pain. Patients receiving home‐based services had statistically significantly less symptom severity and distress, lower depression scores, and better physical health and quality of life than those receiving inpatient care. Home‐care patients also reported statistically significantly more control over the effects of their illness, medical care and treatment received, and the course of the disease. Multiple regression analyses showed that better global physical health, greater control over the effects of cancer and lower depression scores were statistically significant predictors of higher quality of life.Conclusions.  The main issues arising from the findings for nurses are the early detection and management of both physical and psychological symptoms, particularly fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression, and the need to use strategies that will empower patients to have a greater sense of control over their illness and treatment. Research is needed to identify other factors that may impact on quality of life, and to establish the extent to which inpatient and home‐based care meets the needs of both the patient with terminal cancer and their family.
Assessing children's emotional responses to surgery: a multidimensional approach
Authors: Li Ho Cheung William , Lopez Violeta 
Published: February 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study to assess the interrelationships between physiological measures of children's heart rates and blood pressure, subjective measures of children's level of anxiety, and direct behavioural observations in children's emotional responses to surgery.Background.  Psychological upset has been described as a multidimensional phenomenon which includes behavioural, subjective, and physiological components. However, a majority of previous studies have employed only one or two measures of psychological upset. Most importantly, the interrelationships among these three components of psychological upset have seldom been explored.Methods.  A cross‐sectional design was employed, and 106 Chinese children admitted for day surgery during the summer of 2004 were invited to participate in the study. They were asked to respond to the Chinese version of the State Anxiety Scale for Children. Their mean arterial blood pressure and heart rates were recorded in the operating theatre after being transferred to the operating table but before anaesthesia induction. A research nurse used the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale to document the children's emotional behaviours during anaesthesia induction. The data were collected in 2004.Results.  Children with high preoperative anxiety levels manifested more negative emotional behaviour during anaesthesia induction. Those with more negative emotional behaviour or high levels of state anxiety also had faster heart rates and higher mean arterial blood pressure.Conclusion.  A child's response to stressful medical procedures can be varied. The emotional responses of children to surgery need to be understood as a multidimensional phenomenon. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of surgery on children, it is recommended that assessment strategies used should reflect the multidimensional phenomenon of the emotional upset.