bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Nice Treaty and Voting Rules in the Council: A Reply to Moberg (2002)
Authors: Hosli Madeleine O. , Machover Moshé 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis response to Moberg (2002) demonstrates that some of his figures and calculations require more thorough analysis. His dismissal of the risk of inertia in the Council after enlargement, his measurement of blocking power of individual EU states and his figures on relative under‐ and over‐representation of EU states in the Council are disputed. The article pleads for a dialogue between academics and practitioners in order to avoid random outcomes and ad hoc deals, such as those resulting from the political bargaining during the 2000 Nice summit meeting. Sound expert advice on voting rules and their effects is desirable for achieving more transparent, equitable and sensible institutional solutions, and allocation of voting weights and seats in the EU Council and Parliament.
Conditionality and Compliance in the EU's Eastward Enlargement: Regional Policy and the Reform of Sub‐national Government
Authors: Hughes James , Sasse Gwendolyn , Gordon Claire 
Published: August 2004

AbstractStudies of EU conditionality assume one basic premise: that it exists and works because there is a power asymmetry which enables the Commission to impose the adoption of the acquis on the CEECs as a precondition of their entry to the Union. Thus this literature posits that there are clear causal relationships in the use of conditionality to ensure policy or institutional outcomes. Existing studies of enlargement conditionality analyse its correlation with macro‐level democratization and marketization. This article, however, takes a policy‐tracking approach to analyse how conditionality was actually put into operation in policy‐making and institution‐building in the fields of regional policy and regionalization in the CEECs. The research draws on interviews conducted with officials in the Commission and in CEEC delegations in Brussels to illustrate the views of key actors, and to examine the interactions between the Commission and the candidate countries. By studying the policy process, the article demonstrates the fluid nature of conditionality, the inconsistencies in its application by the Commission over time, and the weakness of a clear‐cut causal relationship between conditionality and outcome in this policy area. By charting the changes in the Commission's approach over time, and illustrating the diverse responses of the CEECs, this study confirms the need for a more nuanced approach to the concept of EU conditionality, and argues for a logic of differentiation in the study of its impact on the CEECs.
Completing the Maastricht Contract: Institutional Handicraft and the Transition to European Monetary Union
Authors: Leblond Patrick 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWhen the Maastricht Treaty on European Union was finally ratified in 1993, many EU observers and participants expressed serious doubts that economic and monetary union (EMU) would ever take place. Nevertheless, five years later EMU took flight, on 1 January 1999, as planned. It is this puzzle that this article seeks to explain. It does so by focusing on how EU institutions completed the incomplete contract agreed by the Member States at Maastricht.
European Identities and the EU – The Ties that Bind the Peoples of Europe
Authors: Mayer Franz C. , Palmowski Jan 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis article addresses a crucial issue underlying enlargement and constitutional reform: the ways in which the EU has come to relate to a common European identity. The discussion problematizes the concept of identity in order to distinguish between different types of identities. It proposes that, while a meaningful common European historical identification barely exists, European identities have come to be expressed first and foremost through EU institutions and EU law. The best way for EU institutions, and the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, to respond to and promote such identifications are through enhancing distinctive common citizenship rights and strengthening Europe's supranational institutions.
The Political Economy of Multi‐tiered Regulation in Europe
Authors: Nicolaides Phedon 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe European Union (EU) faces a problem of uneven implementation of its rules by national authorities. Agreement on common rules at the Community level does not necessarily translate into commitment by national authorities to apply those rules coherently and effectively. The EU has responded to this problem by making its rules more detailed, and by empowering the Commission to monitor decisions of national regulatory authorities (NRAs). A ‘multi‐tiered’ system of regulation has emerged in the EU. On the basis of a model of delegated implementation responsibility in the context of economic integration, this article examines how NRAs may be made more accountable. The model suggests that the delegation problem is actually worse, as NRAs tend to act asymmetrically. However, this asymmetry also offers a tool for controlling NRAs through benchmarking. The advantage of this is that it allows NRAs to retain a considerable degree of decision‐making autonomy. Although recently introduced EU rules and procedures promote co‐operation between NRAs, the problem with this approach is that the pivotal position of the Commission may lead to excessively homogeneous regulation across Member States. This defeats the purpose of endowing NRAs with decision‐making discretion in the first place. A more explicit process of comparing and evaluating the actions and performance of NRAs avoids this problem.
Europeanization, Conditionality and Domestic Change: The Twinning Exercise and Administrative Reform in Romania
Authors: Papadimitriou Dimitris , Phinnemore David 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA key requirement of the countries of central and eastern Europe (CEECs) that wish to join the EU is that they develop the administrative capacity to implement effectively the acquis communautaire. The ‘twinning’ programme is designed to assist in this process. Drawing on experiences in Romania, and linking these to debates on Europeanization, this article argues that the success of twinning to date is related to the design of the programme, institutional fluidity and politicization within central administration, the individual agency and the reform commitment of those hosting twinning projects.
A Two‐Tier or Multi‐Tier Europe? Assessing the Innovation Capacities of Central and East European Countries in the Enlarged EU
Authors: Radosevic Slavo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis article assesses the innovation capacities of the candidate central and east European countries (CEECs) and the countries of the EU by using a new framework for measuring national innovation capacity (NIC), based on 25 indicators. Based on regression and cluster analysis the article shows that NIC in the enlarged EU does not follow a simple east–west divide. The wider Europe is structured into three groups of countries, and CEECs fall into two, the less‐developed and medium‐developed EU groups. NICs in the enlarged EU are assessed across four dimensions of capacity: absorptive, R&D, diffusion and demand. In each of these dimensions a two‐ to three‐tiering of countries is observed, which goes beyond a simple east–west pattern. The results of this assessment have important implications for new Member States and candidate countries, as well as for the EU policy towards structural assistance.
Governance Structures and Political Processes in a Public System: Lessons from Quebec
Authors: Contandriopoulos Damien , Denis Jean‐Louis , Langley Ann , Valette Annick 
Published: August 2004

Debates about the form and nature of changes in the management of public systems have for some time now been articulated under the theme of governance. All definitions of governance are related to the problems of securing convergence among a diversity of actors and organizations, of redistributing power in an organizational or social field characterized by a high level of heterogeneity and of gaining sufficient legitimacy to act in the name of the collectivity. This paper concentrates on the dynamics involved in the emergence of new governing capabilities in public systems. More precisely we study the implementation of regionalization policies in the health care field (in this case of Canada) conceived as one major attempt to renew the governance structures in a large public system.Our study draws on the comparative analysis of empirical regulation in three health regions as contrasted with three ideal type models of governance in regionalized systems. The first model is inspired by an economic approach to organizational behaviour and focuses on mandate‐giving, execution and control. The second model is based on a political interpretation of behaviours and focuses on negotiation processes between actors. Finally, the third model is based on the theory of deliberation as well as the institutional school of policy analysis and focuses on direct public participation in public affairs. Evidence for this article is primarily derived from interviews with key informants and documentary analysis.Our analysis shows that none of the three models is sufficient in itself to grant regional structures the authority and legitimacy they need to create added value in terms of regulation that could ensure their survival. Regional Boards are thus forced by environmental constraints to conceive and implement original mixes of these models. The two predominant logics in regional action are inspired by the first two models although the last one also has an influence. Overall, our study also suggests that the implementation of new sources of governing authorities in a public system is rather fragile because of dependence on existing institutions. Clearly, the attempt to modify the dynamics of governance in a given system must be conceived as a political exercise and not just as a technical problem consisting of the rational adjustment of policy instruments.
Assessing Member States’ Management of Eu Finances: an Empirical Analysis of the Annual Reports of the European Court of Auditors, 1996–2001
Authors: Groenendijk Nico S. 
Published: August 2004

The aim of this article is to gain some understanding of the way the European Court of Auditors (ECA) assesses European Union (EU) member states’ performances in managing EU finances. To this end the ECA's annual reports for 1996–2001 have been analysed.We find that the information provided in the ECA annual reports is somewhat unsystematic, which is the result of the ECA's approach to auditing and its working methods. A review of the literature, as well as our own empirical analysis, allows us to conclude that the ECA does not in fact live up to its own mission of providing relevant, objective reports. Our analysis suggests, for instance, that there is some ambiguity within the ECA due to differences in audit traditions within the EU. Improvements could be made by reducing the number of ECA members to three or five, by (further) integrating the traditional ECA audit and the audit within the framework of the statement of assurance, and by further integrating internal and external budgetary control within the EU.
The development and initial validation of a questionnaire to measure craving for amphetamine
Authors: James Darren , Davies Gareth , Willner Paul 
Published: August 2004

ABSTRACTAim  To develop and initially validate a multi‐dimensional questionnaire to measure cravings for amphetamine (speed).Design, setting and participants  The design of the Desires for Speed Questionnaire (DSQ) was based on the Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire and was administered to 174 amphetamine users. Exploratory factor analyses were carried out on the data and relationships between questionnaire score and other variables were assessed. Further analyses were carried out to assess the sensitivity of the factor scores of the DSQ to various methods of amphetamine ingestion.Findings  Factor analysis revealed that a four‐factor solution best described the data and that each of these factors were differentially sensitive to methods of amphetamine ingestion, with greater craving on all measures in intravenous amphetamine users. The factor structure identified from the present analysis was almost identical to that identified in recreational drinkers by Love et al. (1998).Conclusions  The results validate and extend the findings of the work of Love et al. (1998) and provide support for a multifactorial account of amphetamine craving.
Variation in habitat preference and population structure among three species of the Lake Malawi cichlid genus Protomelas
Authors: PEREYRA RICARDO , TAYLOR MARTIN I. , TURNER GEORGE F. , RICO CIRO 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSeveral studies have demonstrated strong population structuring over small distances in the rocky‐shore mbuna cichlid fishes from Lake Malawi, suggesting the potential for allopatric speciation. However, many endemic Lake Malawi cichlids are neither mbuna, nor confined to rocky shores. Using microsatellites, we investigated the population structure in three species of the non‐mbuna genus Protomelas. The rocky‐shore P. taeniolatus showed high levels of population structure even over distances of less than 1 km, while the sandy‐shore species P. similis showed no significant structure over distances up to 21 km. Protomelas fenestratus, which is generally found at the interface between rocks and sand, also showed low levels of population structure. Our results suggest that the model of allopatric speciation based on habitat fragmentation within the current lake basin may be equally applicable to rocky‐shore non‐mbuna as to mbuna, but that an alternative model is required to explain speciation among sandy‐shore species as well as the deep‐water and pelagic species.
Small effective population sizes in a widespread selfing species, Lymnaea truncatula (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)
Authors: MEUNIER C. , HURTREZ‐BOUSSES S. , DURAND P. , RONDELAUD D. , RENAUD F. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe present here a spatial and temporal population genetic survey of a common freshwater snail, also a predominantly selfing species, Lymnaea truncatula. The rate of genetic diversity loss was quantified by estimating the effective size (Ne) of the snail populations, using two different methods. A temporal survey allowed estimation of a variance effective size of the populations, and a spatial survey allowed the estimation of an inbreeding effective size, from two‐locus identity disequilibria estimates. Both methods were consistent and provided low Ne values. Drift due to (i) high amounts of selfing and (ii) fluctuations in population sizes because of temporary habitats, and also selection coupled to genome‐wide linkage disequilibria, could explain such reductions in Ne. The loss of genetic diversity appears to be counterbalanced only very partially by low apparent rates of gene flow.
Chloroplast haplotype variation among monoecious and dioecious populations of Sagittaria latifolia (Alismataceae) in eastern North America
Authors: DORKEN M. E. , BARRETT S. C. H. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAquatic plants commonly have extensive geographical distributions, implying few restrictions to dispersal. Here we investigate the postglacial history of an aquatic plant with contrasting sexual systems (monoecy and dioecy), which are predicted to affect dispersal ability. We examined the distribution of cpDNA haplotypes using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) among 76 populations (32 monoecious, 38 dioecious, two mixed and four undetermined populations) of Sagittaria latifolia sampled throughout eastern North America. We also use these data to investigate the polarity of the evolutionary transition between monoecy and dioecy. Using PCR–RFLP, we identified eight cpDNA haplotypes. All haplotypes were found in unglaciated areas of the species’ range, clustered primarily in the southeastern United States, providing evidence that glacial refugia probably occurred in this area. Genetic diversity (hT) was more than six times greater among monoecious compared to dioecious populations. All seven of the haplotypes for which the sexual system could be determined were represented among monoecious populations. In contrast, only four haplotypes were detected in dioecious populations and 94% of individuals from dioecious populations possessed a single haplotype. Monoecious populations possessing this widespread haplotype were restricted to the southern portion of the range, indicating that dioecy probably originated in this region and then spread northwards. The distribution of cpDNA haplotypes in dioecious populations represents a subset of the variation found in monoecious populations, a pattern expected if dioecy has evolved from monoecy in S. latifolia.
Population genetic structure of North American thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli)
Authors: WORLEY K. , STROBECK C. , ARTHUR S. , CAREY J. , SCHWANTJE H. , VEITCH A. , COLTMAN D. W. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli ssp.) provides a rare example of a North American large mammal that occupies most of its native range and maintains close to ancestral population size. There are currently two recognized subspecies, Dall's sheep (O. d. dalli) and Stone's sheep (O. d. stonei), the validity of which remains uncertain. We investigated the spatial genetic structure of thinhorn sheep populations representing both subspecies by genotyping individuals (n = 919) from across the species range at 12 variable microsatellite loci. We found high levels of genetic diversity within (HE = 0.722) and significant genetic structure among the 24 sampled areas (FST = 0.160). Genetic distance measures and Bayesian clustering analyses revealed the presence of at least eight subpopulations that are delineated by mountain range topology. A strong overall pattern of isolation‐by‐distance is evident across the sampling range (r = 0.75, P < 0.001) suggesting limited dispersal and extensive philopatry. Partial Mantel tests of this relationship showed mountain range distinctions represent significant barriers to gene flow (P = 0.0001), supporting the Bayesian analyses. Genetic structure was more strongly pronounced in southern Yukon and Alaska than elsewhere. We also show evidence for genetic differences between the two currently recognized thinhorn subspecies.
Exploring population genetic structure in three species of Lesser Antillean bats
Authors: CARSTENS B. C. , SULLIVAN J. , DAVALOS L. M. , LARSEN P. A. , PEDERSEN S. C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe explore population genetic structure in phyllostomid bats (Ardops nichollsi,Brachyphylla cavernarumandArtibeus jamaicensis) from the northern Lesser Antilles by investigating the degree to which island populations are genetically differentiated. Our hypothesis, that the island populations are genetically distinct because of a combination of founding events, limited migration and genetic drift exacerbated by catastrophe‐induced fluctuations in population size, is derived from a priori hypotheses erected in the literature. The first prediction of this hypothesis, that within each species island populations are monophyletic, was tested using a parametric bootstrap approach. Island monophyly could not be rejected inArdops nichollsi(P = 0.718), but could be rejected inB. cavernarum(P < 0.001) andArtibeus jamaicensis(P < 0.001). A second prediction, that molecular variance is partitioned among islands, was tested using anamovaand was rejected in each species [Ardops nichollsi(P = 0.697);B. cavernarum(P = 0.598);Artibeus jamaicensis(P = 0.763)]. InB. cavernarumandArtibeus jamaicensis, the admixture in mitochondrial haplotypes from islands separated by > 100 km of ocean can be explained either by interisland migration or by incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphism in the source population. As an a posteriori test of lineage sorting, we used simulations of gene trees within a population tree to suggest that lineage sorting is an unlikely explanation for the observed pattern of nonmonophyly inArtibeus jamaicensis(PW < 0.01;PSE = 0.04), but cannot be rejected inB. cavernarum(PW = 0.81;PSE = 0.79). A conservative interpretation of the molecular data is that island populations ofArtibeus jamaicensis, although isolated geographically, are not isolated genetically.
Increased selfing and correlated paternity in a small population of a predominantly outcrossing conifer, Pinus sylvestris
Authors: ROBLEDO‐ARNUNCIO J. J. , ALÍA R. , GIL L. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractOutcrossing rate, the rates of ovule and seed abortion, and levels of correlated paternity were estimated in a small population of Pinus sylvestris, a predominantly outcrossing conifer, and were compared with estimates from two widely dispersed woodlands of the same species, showing a range of densities. On average, seed trees of the small population showed an eight‐fold higher selfing rate (25 vs. 3%) and a 100‐fold greater incidence of correlated paternity (19.6 vs. 0.2%) than did trees from the large populations. No evidence was found of pollen limitation within the remnant stand, as suggested by ovule abortion rates. Investigation of the mating patterns in the small population, based on the unambiguous genealogy of 778 open‐pollinated seeds, showed a large departure from random mating. Only 8% of the possible mating pairs within the stand were observed. Correlated paternity rate within a maternal sibship was negatively associated (rs = −0.398, P < 0.050) with the distance to the nearest neighbour, and shared paternity among maternal sibships was negatively correlated (rs = −0.704, P < 0.001) with the distance between seed trees. Numerical simulations, based on the estimated individual pollen dispersal kernel, suggest that restricted dispersal might have been the key factor affecting mating patterns in the small population and, together with low population density, may account for the observed mating system variation between the small and the large populations. The results of this study show that a severe size reduction may substantially affect the mating system of a wind‐pollinated, typically outcrossed plant species.
Odorant receptor gene expression changes during the parr–smolt transformation in Atlantic salmon
Authors: DUKES J. P. , DEAVILLE R. , BRUFORD M. W. , YOUNGSON A. F. , JORDAN W. C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe ability of salmon to home accurately to their natal stream to spawn has long intrigued biologists and has important consequences for the maintenance of population structure in these species. It is known that olfaction is crucial to homing, and that the transition from the freshwater to the marine environment (the parr–smolt transformation; PST) is a period of increased olfactory sensitivity and learning, resulting in a permanent memory of natal site odours that is retained, at least in part, in peripheral sensory neurones. These odours are then used as cues by sexually maturing fish on their homeward migration. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques to demonstrate transient increases in expression of odorant receptor transcripts (of up to fifty‐fold over pre‐PST levels) coincident with PST. Both olfactory (SORB) and vomeronasal receptors (SVRA and SVRC) are involved, which suggests that the fish learn both environmental odours and semiochemicals (pheromones). Receptor expression varies between families and changes over time indicating both genetic differences in odour stimuli and multiple periods of olfactory sensitivity. We suggest that changes in OR gene expression may have a role in homing behaviour and thus the maintenance of population structure in Atlantic salmon.