bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
De l'usage des sciences cognitives dans l'analyse des politiques publiques
Authors: Gouin Rodolphe , Harguindéguy Jean‐Baptiste
Published: January 2011

Depuis les années 1980 les approches cognitives des politiques publiques rencontrent un grand succès. Nous nous interrogeons ici sur leur contenu en le confrontant à la cognition telle que la pensent les sciences du même nom (principalement ici la psychologie cognitive) qualifiée de cognition forte. Après avoir défini trois types d'intégration des sciences cognitives aux sciences sociales (terminologique, méthodologique et théorique), nous cherchons à classer plusieurs approches de politiques publiques en fonction de notre taxinomie. Nous observons que dans la majorité des cas, les références à la cognition ne visent pas à transférer une théorie d'une discipline à l'autre. La cognition étudiée par les analyses des politiques publiques est le plus souvent une cognition faible, sauf exceptions. Nous concluons en examinant les enjeux épistémologiques soulevés par ces dernières et tâchons d'avancer quelques pistes pour expliquer ce phénomène.
The Ends of Deliberation: Meta‐consensus and Inter‐subjective Rationality as Ideal Outcomes
Authors: Niemeyer Simon , Dryzek John S.
Published: January 2011

Normative deliberative theory has contributed much to an understanding of ideal procedural standards, but there is considerable uncertainty regarding the appropriate nature of desired deliberative outcomes. In this paper we identify two inter‐related concepts of meta‐consensus and inter‐subjective rationality as outcomes that an authentic deliberative process ought to produce. Importantly, these deliberative ends are consistent with ideal deliberative procedure. They are also empirically tractable, where preference transformation can be described in terms of underlying values, and judgments. Methods for assessing deliberative ends are provided and demonstrated using a case study.
Institutional Regimes for Sustainable Collective Housing Stocks
Authors: Nicol Lee , Knoepfel Peter
Published: January 2011

The influence of public policy, property rights and contracts on the sustainability of residential buildings remains largely unknown. This research will use the analytical framework of the housing institutional regime to study the sustainability over time of the housing stock. We aim to produce an inventory of the housing institutional regime in Switzerland, a comparison with the German and Catalan regimes, and policy suggestions to achieve a better sustainability of the housing stock.
Links, Mitte, Rechts: Worauf grã¼ndet die ideologische Selbstidentifikation der Schweizer und Schweizerinnen?
Authors: Milic Thomas
Published: January 2011

Die Links‐Rechts‐Selbsteinschã¤tzung wird in Stimmverhaltensstudien hã¤ufig als ein Ã¤usserst zuverlã¤ssiger Prã¤diktor des individuellen Entscheids ausgewiesen. Dabei ist jedoch keineswegs klar, wie sie auf den Urnenentscheid Einfluss nimmt. Ãœber ihre Verhaltensrelevanz besitzen wir deshalb nur wenig gesichertes Wissen, da nach wie vor umstritten ist, worauf die ideologische Selbsteinstufung fusst. Ist sie ein Surrogat der Parteisympathie, wird sie aus grundlegenden gesellschaftspolitischen Ãœberzeugungen hergeleitet oder ist sie â‐“ zumindest teilweise â‐“ ein Datenartefakt? Die empirische Analyse zeigt, dass eine Unterscheidung zwischen Parteigebundenen und ‐ungebundenen sowie der Einbezug der intervenierenden Variablen der politischen Informiertheit nã¶tig ist, um den Determinanten der ideologischen Selbstidentifikation auf die Spur zu kommen. Dies ermã¶glicht die Differenzierung von vier Analysegruppen, fã¼r die unterschiedliche Aussagen Geltung haben.
Collegiate Executives and Direct Democracy in Switzerland and Uruguay: Similar Institutions, Opposite Political Goals, Distinct Results
Authors: Altman David
Published: January 2011

Uruguay, defining itself as the “Switzerland of Latin America”, took the Swiss model (collegial executives and direct democracy) as an example when building its own political institutions. Despite the similarities of these institutions, the results were quite different due to the different context. The comparison between the institutions in these two isolated countries highlights the ways in which the same institutions may produce different results and evolve in distinctive ways. This is important to recognize as foreign models and experiences continue to inspire policies. Contrary to common arguments presented in the literature, even in such a “most likely case”, institutions cannot simply be copied. Institutional effects are context‐dependent and we need to pay attention to this interaction. This article provides new evidence showing that universalist institutional arguments can be misleading.
La parité législative en France, 2002‐07: Les stratégies partisanes de contournement de la loi
Authors: Sineau Mariette
Published: January 2011

L'article dresse un bilan critique de la loi dite de parité, à partir de son application stratégique par les partis, lors des législatives de 2002 et de 2007. A partir de ces deux « cas pratiques », il s'efforce d'apprécier, face à l'épreuve des urnes, la portée d'une loi complexe, en fin de compte peu adaptée à la logique du scrutin uninominal. Quelques éléments d'explication sont proposés pour tenter de comprendre pourquoi la loi laisse paraître une (relative) inefficacité, avant de pointer les raisons pour lesquelles la plupart des partis parlementaires ne se sont pas saisis, autant qu'ils auraient pu, de l'outil égalitaire qui leur était proposé pour faire progresser la représentativité des femmes et, au‐delà, diversifier et démocratiser le recrutement parlementaire. Enfin, est esquissé à grands traits le profil politique et sociologique des femmes députées de la « génération parité », donnant à voir les principaux atouts dont elles disposent pour se couler dans le moule de la profession politique.
Intérêts spécifiques et formation de l'opinion politique des Suissesses (1999‐2005)
Authors: Nai Alessandro , Lloren Anouk
Published: January 2011

L'existence “d'intérêts spécifiques” qu'on pourrait naturellement attribuer à la catégorie des femmes est amplement débattue dans la littérature contemporaine. Ainsi, selon certains, les femmes en tant que catégorie sociodémographique seraient traditionnellement plus portées à s'intéresser à certains sujets (l'enfance, la parité entre les sexes, l'avortement, etc.) qu'à d'autres. Or, bien que la littérature sur la définition des intérêts des femmes soit assez étoffée, peu d'études essaient, de mesurer leurs effets sur le comportement politique des citoyennes. Ainsi, aucune analyse n'a été proposée jusqu'à maintenant pour mesurer si la présence d'enjeux particulièrement parlants pour les citoyennes augmente leur engagement intellectuel (notamment dans des enjeux de démocratie directe). A travers l'analyse des votations populaires pour la période 1999‐2005 (VOX), nous nous proposons de voir dans quelle mesure le niveau d'intérêt spécifique qui caractérise l'objet soumis au vote influence les stratégies cognitives que les femmes activent lors du processus de formation de l'opinion. En partant de modèles dualistes développés en psychologie cognitive, nos analyses montrent que les citoyennes sont davantage prêtes que les hommes à activer des stratégies cognitives plus exigeantes d'un point de vue intellectuel lorsque le projet soumis au vote les touche de près.
Explaining Policy Stability and Change in Swiss Health Care Reforms
Authors: Braun Dietmar , Uhlmann Björn
Published: January 2011

The article investigates recent health reforms and reform attempts in Switzerland. A substantial reform, the revision of the health insurance law in 1994, is followed by a long period of refused reform proposals and incremental change. In order to explain policy change and policy stability in health policies, we apply veto‐player theory to partisan and parliamentary debates on reform proposals of the health insurance from the end of the 1980s until today. Shifts in ideological positions of parties, especially with regard to the objective of solidarity, allowed for a new win‐set in the 1990s that was at the base of the law revision. Since then, the win‐set is empty as parties did not change their preferences. New and substantial reforms will only be possible, it is concluded, if the pivot player, the Christian‐democratic party, changes its ideological positions to a significant extent.
Stability and Change in Party Preference
Authors: Kuhn Ursina
Published: January 2011

This article analyses stability and volatility of party preferences using data from the Swiss Household‐Panel (SHP), which, for the first time, allow studying transitions and stability of voters over several years in Switzerland. Analyses cover the years 1999–2007 and systematically distinguish changes between party blocks and changes within party blocks. The first part looks at different patterns of change, which show relatively high volatility. The second part tests several theories on causes of such changes applying a multinomial random‐effects model. Results show that party preferences stabilise with their duration and with age and that the electoral cycle, political sophistication, socio‐structural predispositions, the household‐context as well as party size and the number of parties each explain part of electoral volatility. Different results for within‐ and between party‐block changes underlie the importance of that differentiation.
Damoklesschwert Referendum? Die indirekte Wirkung ausgebauter Volksrechte auf die Rechte religiöser Minderheiten
Authors: Christmann Anna
Published: January 2011

Die indirekte Wirkung der Volksrechte auf den parlamentarischen Prozess bleibt gerade im Bereich der Minderheitenrechte meist unberücksichtigt. Anhand der Analyse von Anerkennungsprozessen für religiöse Minderheiten in den Schweizer Kantonen soll ein Beitrag zur Schliessung dieser Lücke geleistet werden. Es wird argumentiert, dass Parlamente prinzipiell minderheitenfreundlicher entscheiden als das Volk, wenn es sich um schlecht integrierte Minderheiten handelt – drohende Referenden können diesen Effekt jedoch verringern. Die systematische Analyse der entsprechenden Parlamentsprozesse mittels einer Fuzzy Set‐QCA zeigt auf, dass Minderheitenrechte eher innerhalb von Totalrevisionen von Verfassungen umgesetzt werden, in denen keine Debatte über eine mögliche Ablehnung durch das Volk geführt wurde. Restriktive Regelungen entstehen hingegen, wenn diese Gefahr der direkten Demokratie thematisiert wurde. Zudem spielt der Islam eine besondere Rolle – allerdings führt er nur dann zu restriktiveren Regelungen, wenn befürchtet wird, dass eine Öffnung gegenüber Muslimen die Ablehnung der Vorlage durch das Volk zur Folge haben könnte.
Apprendre pour le futur: Une analyse de la politique climatique suisse
Authors: Ingold Karin
Published: January 2011

Cet article constitue une contribution à l'analyse des politiques publiques en Suisse. Concrètement et en appliquant une approche bi‐dimensionnelle, il explique l'output actuel de la politique climatique suisse en tenant compte des structures et préférences au sein de l'élite politique. Sur la base de l'Advocacy Coalition Framework, l'article étudie l'existence de coalitions, les rapports de force et les préférences politiques. d'une part, l'analyse de réseau encadre l'étude empirique des structures et relations au sein du réseau d'acteurs du processus de décision autour de la loi sur le CO2. D'autre part, l'analyse multicritère fournit une évaluation des systèmes de croyances de l'élite en se basant sur un algorithme mathématique sophistiqué. Cette combinaison méthodologique constitue la valeur ajoutée de ce travail et permet une conclusion plus complémentaire pour expliquer le choix des instruments climatiques actuels. Le but principal de cette contribution est ensuite de tirer des leçons pertinentes pour la formulation d'une politique climatique future qui suivra après 2010/2012.
Politiques du care et gouvernement de la vie: Une typologie des pratiques locales en Suisse
Authors: Lucas Barbara
Published: January 2011

Le concept de « care » rend compte des activités et des relations relatives à la prise en charge des situations de dépendance (petite enfance, personnes âgées, handicap). Sur la base du cas Suisse, cet article soutient que les politiques locales du care participent à une forme de gouvernement de la vie. Dans la première partie, théorique, je propose de rattacher le care aux théories contemporaines sur le biopouvoir, en tant que mode de régulation de la vie dans sa dimension sociale; puis, je présente un cadre d'analyse du care permettant la comparaison des politiques publiques concrètes du care comme biopolitiques. Dans une seconde partie, empirique, je compare six politiques locales menées en Suisse. Cette analyse permet de mettre en évidence trois types idéaux de gouvernement de la vie et d'en discuter les implications normatives.
Enzymatic membrane reactors: the determining factors in two separate phase operations
Authors: Agustian Joni , Kamaruddin Azlina Harun , Bhatia Subhash
Published: January 2011

A two separate phase‐enzymatic membrane reactor is an attractive process since it has a large interfacial area and exchange surfaces, simultaneous reaction and separation and other benefits. Many factors influence its successful operation, and these include characteristics of the enzyme, membrane, circulating fluids and reactor operations. Although the operating conditions are the main factor, other factors must be considered before, during or after its application. At the initial stage of reactor development, the solubility of substrates and products, type of operation, membrane material and size, enzyme preparation and loading procedure, and cleanliness of the recirculated fluids should be specified. The immobilization site, reactor arrangement, dissolved or no‐solvent operation, classic or emulsion operation and immobilized or suspended enzyme(s) are determined later. Some factors still need further studies. Utilization of the technology is described for use from multigram‐ to plant‐scale capacity to process racemic and achiral compounds. The racemates were resolved primarily by kinetic resolution, but dynamic kinetic resolution has been exploited. The technology focused on hydrolytic reactions, but esterification processes were also exploited. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
On the multi‐colored Ramsey numbers of cycles
Authors: Łuczak Tomasz , Simonovits Miklós , Skokan Jozef
Published: January 2011

For a graph L and an integer k≥2, Rk(L) denotes the smallest integer N for which for any edge‐coloring of the complete graph KN by k colors there exists a color i for which the corresponding color class contains L as a subgraph.

Bondy and Erdos conjectured that, for an odd cycle Cn on n vertices,
equation image
They proved the case when k = 2 and also provided an upper bound Rk(Cn)≤(k+ 2)!n. Recently, this conjecture has been verified for k = 3 if n is large. In this note, we prove that for every integer k≥4,
equation image
When n is even, Sun Yongqi, Yang Yuansheng, Xu Feng, and Li Bingxi gave a construction, showing that Rk(Cn)≥(k−1)n−2k+ 4. Here we prove that if n is even, then
equation image
© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 69: 169‐175, 2012
Pilzfarbstoffe, 491) Synthese der Grevilline und verwandter 2H‐Pyran‐2,5(6H)‐dione
Authors: Lohrisch Hans‐Joachim , Kopanski Lothar , Herrmann Rupert , Schmidt Holger , Steglich Wolfgang
Published: January 2011

Eine konvergente Synthese der Grevilline 1 geht von Diazoketonen 6 aus, die über die Bromketone 7 in Oxalsäure‐(3‐aryl‐2‐oxopropyl)(ethyl)ester 4 verwandelt werden. Cyclisierung mit Basen ergibt Pyrandione 2, die mit aromatischen Aldehyden zu 4‐Aryl‐6‐benzyliden‐3‐hydroxy‐2H‐pyran‐2,5(6H)‐dionen 1 kondensiert werden. Die nach Demethylierung erhaltenen Verbindungen 1a, b, c und d erweisen sich als identisch mit den natürlichen Grevillinen A, B, C und D.
Impact of Lateglacial cold events on the northern Aegean region reconstructed from marine and terrestrial proxy data
Authors: Kotthoff Ulrich , Koutsodendris Andreas , Pross Jörg , Schmiedl Gerhard , Bornemann André , Kaul Christian , Marino Gianluca , Peyron Odile , Schiebel Ralf
Published: January 2011

Marine palynomorph data paired with other indicators of sea‐surface hydrography (planktic foraminiferal assemblages and oxygen isotopes) were used to decipher the impact of cold events on the northern Aegean region during the last glacial to interglacial transition. The data, which were derived from marine sediment cores GeoTü SL152 and GeoTü SL148, point to a strong impact of the Heinrich 1 and Younger Dryas cold events on surface‐water conditions in the northern Aegean Sea. Shifts in marine palynomorph assemblages correlate with changes in terrestrial vegetation and climate (i.e. precipitation and temperature reconstructions based on pollen assemblages) in the northern borderlands of the Aegean Sea. The climate responses of the Aegean region to Heinrich event 1 (H1, ca. 17.5 to ca. 15.7 cal ka BP) and Younger Dryas (ca. 12.6 to ca. 11.7 cal ka BP) events appear similar in magnitude (with mean annual temperatures between ∼6 and 10°C and mean annual precipitation between ∼300 and ∼450 mm). However, the annual temperature decline during the H1 relative to the preceding already cold conditions was minor (<3°C). The transition from the relatively warm and humid local equivalent of the Allerød interstadial to the Younger Dryas, on the other hand, witnessed an annual temperature decline of 6°C and an annual precipitation decrease of 300 mm, the latter occurring abruptly within only ca. 150 a. The return to warmer conditions in the northern Aegean region after the Younger Dryas was completed at ca. 11.6 cal ka BP. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Notch1 is an independent prognostic factor for patients with glioma
Authors: Li Jiang , Cui Ying , Gao Guodong , Zhao Zhenwei , Zhang Hua , Wang Xuelian
Published: January 2011

Objectives

Notch signaling plays a complex role in human malignancy. It can affect cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis either positively or negatively, depending on cell type.

Methods

Clinical gliomas from 274 patients who had not received chemotherapy were collected, and the expression of Notch1 protein was assessed by immunochemistry assays. Staining evaluation results were analyzed statistically in relation to various clinicopathological characters. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression methods were used to assess associations of Notch1 expression with glioma survival.

Results

We found that the levels of expression of Notch1 protein were higher in glioma than control normal brain tissue. Moreover, the expression of Notch1 was associated closely with glioma progression, since expression levels increased from grades I to IV glioma. The overall survival rate was significantly lower for patients with Notch1 positive than those with Notch1 negative tumors. Multivariate analysis showed that Notch1 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with glioma.

Conclusions

These findings we confirm that Notch1 expression is up‐regulated in glioma and related to tumor progression. Notch1 might also serve as a novel prognostic marker that is independent of, and additive to, the WHO grade. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:813–817. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The prognostic impact of the ratio of positive lymph nodes on survival of epithelial ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Mahdi Haider , Thrall Melissa , Kumar Sanjeev , Hanna Rabbie , Seward Shelly , Lockhart David , Morris Robert T. , Swensen Ron , Munkarah Adnan R.
Published: January 2011

Background and Objectives

To study the prognostic significance of ratio of positive to examined lymph nodes (LNR) on survival of patients with node positive epithelial ovarian cancer (NPEOC).

Methods

Data were obtained from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) from 1988 to 2006, and analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox regression proportional hazard methods. Patients were divided into: stage IIIC group 1 (no macroscopic peritoneal disease), stage IIIC group 2 (macroscopic peritoneal disease), and stage IV.

Results

A total of 6,310 women were included. The 5‐year survival for stage IIIC groups 1, 2, and stage IV was 55.4%, 35.5%, and 20.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). Increasing LNR (<10%, 10–50%, and >50%) was associated with decreased survival from 51.5% to 38.1% to 27.0%, respectively, (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LNR was an independent prognostic factor for survival after adjusting for extent of peritoneal disease, stage, grade, race, age, extent of lymphadenectomy and absolute number of positive nodes.

Conclusions

The impact of increasing LNR was strongly related to survival, especially in patients with no macroscopic peritoneal disease. Stratification of this subpopulation of node positive EOC based on nodal burden provides a significant prognostic value that may be considered in future staging and aid in management decisions. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:724–729. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fluorescence spectroscopy measurements in ultrasonic navigated resection of malignant brain tumors
Authors: Richter Johan C.O. , Haj‐Hosseini Neda , Andersson‐Engel Stefan , Wårdell Karin
Published: January 2011

Background and Objective

Glioblastoma multiforme is a highly malignant primary brain tumor. It has no border but at best a marginal zone, however, invisible to the surgeon. An optical touch pointer (OTP) enabling differentiation of healthy and tumor tissue by means of fiber‐optic fluorescence spectroscopy has been developed. In combination with an ultrasonic navigation system, the OTP may be used for demarcation of resectable tumor tissue. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical performance of OTP during surgery of malignant brain tumors.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Nine patients were operated on with the standard surgical procedure, including white light microscopy and navigation. A total of 5 mg/kg bodyweight of 5‐amino‐levulin acid was orally administrated before surgery. The OTP was calibrated into the ultrasound‐based navigation system and measurements were performed in tumor core and along the tumor border. The ratio between the protoporphyrin IX fluorescence at 635 nm and the autofluorescence was used for quantifications of data. Biopsies (n = 20), ultrasound images (n = 30), and visual inspection (n = 180) were compared to the fluorescence ratio.

Results/Conclusion

Healthy and tumor tissue could be identified and differentiated with the OTP (P < 0.001). The fluorescence ratio in average was 0 outside the tumor and low in the gliotic edema zone around the tumor. It increased in the marginal zone and was highest in the solid tumor tissue. In the necrotic tissue, in the center of the tumor, the ratio in average was 0. The OTP can be used in combination with ultrasound‐based navigation and may help to determine whether to resect otherwise not identifiable tissue. Lasers Surg. Med. 43:8–14, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Application of a novel boronated porphyrin (H2OCP) as a dual sensitizer for both PDT and BNCT
Authors: Hiramatsu Ryo , Kawabata Shinji , Miyatake Shin‐Ichi , Kuroiwa Toshihiko , Easson Michael W. , Vicente M. Graça H.
Published: January 2011

Background and Objective

Boronated porphyrins have emerged as promising dual sensitizers for use in both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), by virtue of their known tumor affinity, low cytotoxicity in dark conditions, and easy synthesis with high boron content. Octa‐anionic 5,10,15,20‐tetra[3,5‐(nido‐carboranylmethyl)phenyl] porphyrin (H2OCP) is a boronated porphyrin having eight boron clusters linked to the porphyrin ring. To evaluate H2OCP's applicability to both PDT and BNCT, we performed an in vitro and ex vivo study using F98 rat glioma cells.

Materials and Methods

We examined the time‐dependent cellular uptake of H2OCP by measuring the boron concentration over time, and compared the cellular uptake/clearance of boron after exposure to H2OCP in conjunction with boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium borocaptate (BSH), both of which are currently used in clinical BNCT studies. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of H2OCP‐mediated PDT using a colony‐forming assay and assessed the tumorigenicity of the implantation of pre‐treated cells using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Fluorescence microscopy was also performed to evaluate the cellular uptake of H2OCP.

Results

H2OCP accumulated within cells to a greater extent than BPA/BSH, and H2OCP was retained inside the cells to approximately the same extent as BSH. The cell‐surviving fraction following laser irradiation (8 J/cm2, 18 hours after exposure to 10 µg B/ml H2OCP) was <0.05. The median survival times of the pre‐treated cell‐implanted rats were longer than those of the untreated group (P < 0.05). The fluorescence of H2OCP was clearly demonstrated within the tumor cells by fluorescence microscopy.

Conclusions

H2OCP has been proven to be a promising photosensitizer for PDT. H2OCP has also been proposed as a potentially effective replacement of BPA or BSH, or as a replacement of both BPA/BSH. Our study provides more evidence that H2OCP could be an effective novel dual sensitizing agent for use in both PDT and BNCT. Lasers Surg. Med. 43:52–58, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bismuth‐Triflate‐Catalyzed Polymerizations of ε‐Caprolactone
Authors: Lahcini Mohammed , Qayouh Hicham , Yashiro Takao , Weidner Steffen M. , Kricheldorf Hans R.
Published: January 2011

εCL was polymerized using the triflates of lanthanum, samarium, magnesium, aluminum, scandium, and bismuth as catalysts. Bismuth triflate proved to be extraordinarily reactive, and catalyzed polymerizations of εCL even at 20 °C. Adding DTBMP reduced the polymerization rate only slightly. Furthermore, no evidence of a cationic mechanism was found by end‐group analyses. Polymerization at 20 °C either in bulk or in solution only yielded polyesters of low or medium molecular weights ($\overline {M} _{{\rm n}} $ up to 30 000 Da). Yet addition of alcohols allowed for a proper control of molecular weight and end‐groups. Additionally, low catalyst concentrations and low temperature resulted in narrow molecular weight distributions and polylactones almost free of cyclic compounds.

magnified image
LIM kinases are attractive targets with many macromolecular partners and only a few small molecule regulators
Authors: Manetti Fabrizio
Published: January 2011

The LIM kinases 1 and 2 (LIMK1 and LIMK2) are dual specificity (serine/threonine and tyrosine) kinases. Although they show significant structural similarity, LIMK1 and LIMK2 show different expression, subcellular localization, and functions. They are involved in many cellular functions, such as migration, cycle, and neuronal differentiation and also have a role in pathological processes, such as cancer cell invasion and metastatis, as well as in neurodevelopmental disorders (namely, the William's syndrome). LIM kinases have a relevant number of known partners that are able to induce or limit the ability of LIMK1 and LIMK2 to phosphorylate and inactivate their major substrate, cofilin. On the contrary, only a limited number of small molecules that interact with the two proteins to modulate their kinase activity have been identified. In this review, the most important partners of LIM kinases and their modulating activity toward LIMKs are described. The small compounds identified as LIMK1 and LIMK2 modulators are also reported, as well as their role as possible therapeutic agents for LIMK‐induced diseases.
Metastasis suppressors in human benign prostate, intraepithelial neoplasia, and invasive cancer: their prospects as therapeutic agents
Authors: Khamis Zahraa I. , Iczkowski Kenneth A. , Sang Qing‐Xiang Amy
Published: January 2011

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, development of metastases remains a major clinical challenge. Research efforts are dedicated to overcome this problem by understanding the molecular basis of the transition from benign cells to prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), localized carcinoma, and metastatic cancer. Identification of proteins that inhibit dissemination of cancer cells will provide new perspectives to define novel therapeutics. Development of antimetastatic drugs that trigger or mimic the effect of metastasis suppressors represents new therapeutic approaches to improve patient survival. This review focuses on different biochemical and cellular functions of metastasis suppressors known to play a role in prostate carcinogenesis and progression. Ten putative metastasis suppressors implicated in prostate cancer are discussed. CD44s is decreased in both PIN and cancer; Drg‐1, E‐cadherin, KAI‐1, RKIP, and SSeCKS show similar expression between benign epithelia and PIN, but are downregulated in invasive cancer; whereas, maspin, MKK4, Nm23 and PTEN are upregulated in PIN and downregulated in cancer. Moreover, the potential role of microRNA in prostate cancer progression, the understanding of the cellular distribution and localization of metastasis suppressors, their mechanism of action, their effect on prostate invasion and metastasis, and their potential use as therapeutics are addressed.
Small molecule agents targeting the p53‐MDM2 pathway for cancer therapy
Authors: Wang Weisi , Hu Yongzhou
Published: January 2011

The powerful tumor suppressor p53 takes charge of a regulatory network to guard over the living cells from harmful effect of different forms of stress and eradicate the tumor cells for normal physiological condition maintenance. However the antitumor function of p53 is often attenuated or even omitted mainly due to two alternative mechanisms, direct gene alterations in p53 or negative controlled by MDM2 protein. In this article, overview on different therapeutic strategies that are exploited to restore the neoplasm therapeutic effect to p53 will be provided, including pharmacological rescue of mutant p53 and modulation of the p53‐MDM2 interaction. We attempt to focus on the medicinal chemistry aspects of small molecule agents targeting the p53‐MDM2 pathway and recent progress in these agents. In addition, the mechanism of action and anticancer activity of different classes of compounds targeting the p53‐MDM2 pathway, as well as structure–activity relationships, are discussed.
Immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer treatment: A novel protein transfer approach for cancer vaccine development
Authors: Shashidharamurthy Rangaiah , Bozeman Erica N. , Patel Jaina , Kaur Ramneet , Meganathan Jeyandra , Selvaraj Periasamy
Published: January 2011

Cancer cells have developed numerous ways to escape immune surveillance and gain unlimited proliferative capacity. Currently, several chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy, either alone or in combination, are being used to treat malignancies. However, both of these therapies are associated with several limitations and detrimental side effects. Therefore, recent scientific investigations suggest that immunotherapy is among the most promising new approaches in modern cancer therapy. The focus of cancer immunotherapy is to boost both acquired and innate immunity against malignancies by specifically targeting tumor cells, and leaving healthy cells and tissues unharmed. Cellular, cytokine, gene, and monoclonal antibody therapies have progressively become promising immunotherapeutic approaches that are being tested for several cancers in preclinical models as well as in the clinic. In this review, we discuss recent advances in these immunotherapeutic approaches, focusing on new strategies that allow the expression of specific immunostimulatory molecules on the surface of tumor cells to induce robust antitumor immunity.
Resveratrol prevents embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with diabetic embryopathy and improves glucose and lipid profile of diabetic dam
Authors: Singh Chandra K. , Kumar Ambrish , Hitchcock David B. , Fan Daping , Goodwin Richard , LaVoie Holly A. , Nagarkatti Prakash , DiPette Donald J. , Singh Ugra S.
Published: January 2011

Scope: Diabetic embryopathy, a consequence of diabetic pregnancy, is associated with increase in embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis, which lead to severe embryonic damage at early stage of organogenesis.

Methods and results: This study investigated if resveratrol, found in red grapes and blue‐berries, may prevent diabetes‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos and have beneficial effects in diabetic dams. A rodent model of diabetic embryopathy was used. Diabetes was associated with lowered reduced glutathione levels (26.98%), increased total thiol (100.47%) and lipid peroxidation (124.73%) in embryos, and increased blood sugar (384.03%), cholesterol (98.39%) and triglyceride (1025.35%) in diabetic dams. Increased apoptosis (272.20%) was also observed in the embryos of diabetic dams. Administration of resveratrol (100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) during pregnancy prevented both oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos. Resveratrol reduced embryonic maldevelopment by improving embryo weight (41.23%), crown rump length (16.50%) and somite number (11.22%). It further improved the glucose (33.32%) and lipid (cholesterol 41.74%, triglyceride 60.64%) profile of the diabetic dams, which also represents the protective role of resveratrol in diabetes.

Conclusion: Resveratrol was found to prevent embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis. It also improved glucose and lipid profile of diabetic dams, indicating the beneficial effects in diabetic pregnancy.
CMOS quadrature voltage‐controlled oscillator using the diode coupling technique
Authors: Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Chang Chia‐Wei , Yeh Hsiu‐An , Juang Miin‐Horng , Song Yi‐Jhe
Published: January 2011

A diode‐ring coupling technique has been used to design quadrature voltage‐controlled oscillators (QVCOs), which consist of two n‐core VCOs.The proposed CMOS QVCOs have been implemented with the TSMC 0.18 μm CMOS technology. A single‐band and a dual‐band QVCOs have been implemented to support the feasibility of the coupling technique. The die area of the single‐band QVCO is 0.506 × 0.905 mm2. At the supply voltage of 0.54 V, the total power consumption is 1.78 mW. The free‐running frequency of the QVCO is tunable from 4.295 to 5.185 GHz as the tuning voltage is varied from 0.0 to 1.1 V. The measured phase noise at 1 MHz frequency offset is −114 dBc/Hz at the oscillation frequency 4.587 GHz, and the figure of merit of the proposed QVCO is −184.73 dBc/Hz. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:551–553, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25774
Enhanced gain dual band patch antenna based on complementary rectangular split‐ring resonators
Authors: Ortiz N. , Falcone F. , Sorolla M.
Published: January 2011

A simple and successful dual band patch vertical polarized rectangular antenna design is presented. The dual band antenna is designed etching a complementary rectangular split ring resonator in the patch of a conventional rectangular patch antenna. Furthermore, a miniaturization of the conventional rectangular patch antenna and an enhancement of the complementary split ring resonator resonance gain are achieved. The dual band antenna design has been made feasible due to the quasi‐static resonance property of the complementary split ring resonators. The simulated results are compared with measured data and good agreement is reported. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:590–594, 2011; View this article at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25797
24‐GHz transceiver patch array front‐end with a balanced Tx leakage canceller
Authors: Lee Han‐Lim , Son Wang‐Ik , Yu Jong‐Won
Published: January 2011

A new 24‐GHz transceiver patch array with a balanced Tx leakage canceller insensitive to antenna impedance variation and mutual coupling among ports is proposed. Consisting of two quadrature hybrids, two ring hybrids, and 4‐port feed antenna, high transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) isolation is maintained regardless of antenna impedance variation and antenna mutual coupling. The proposed 4‐port feed antenna is configured by dual fed 2x1 patch array having 6.12 and 5.06 dBi of measured Tx and Rx peak gain, respectively. In addition, the proposed architecture undergoes no power loss because of load termination (usually 50 Ω) in both transmit and receive paths. The proposed architecture obtains the measured Tx/Rx isolation of more than −40 dB stable at 24 GHz regardless of the antenna impedance variation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:559–562, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25815
A new approach to autocalibrated dynamic parallel imaging based on the Karhunen‐Loeve transform: KL‐TSENSE and KL‐TGRAPPA
Authors: Ding Yu , Chung Yiu‐Cho , Jekic Mihaela , Simonetti Orlando P.
Published: January 2011

TSENSE and TGRAPPA are autocalibrated parallel imaging techniques that can improve the temporal resolution and/or spatial resolution in dynamic magnetic resonance imaging applications. In its original form, TSENSE uses temporal low‐pass filtering of the undersampled frames to create the sensitivity map. TGRAPPA uses a sliding‐window moving average when finding the autocalibrating signals. Both filtering methods are suboptimal in the least‐squares sense and may give rise to mismatches between the undersampled k‐space raw data and the corresponding coil sensitivities. Such mismatches may result in aliasing artifacts when imaging patients with heavy breathing, as in real‐time imaging of wall motion by MRI following a treadmill exercise stress test. In this study, we demonstrate the use of an optimal linear filter, i.e., the Karhunen‐Loeve transform filter, to estimate the channel sensitivity for TSENSE and acquire the autocalibration signals for TGRAPPA. Phantom experiments show that the new reconstruction method has comparable signal‐to‐noise ratio performance to traditional TSENSE/TGRAPPA reconstruction. In vivo real‐time cardiac cine experiments performed in five healthy volunteers post‐exercise during rapid respiration show that the new method significantly reduces the chest wall aliasing artifacts caused by respiratory motion (P < 0.001). Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human skeletal remains from a multiple burial associated with the mutiny of the VOC Retourschip Batavia, 1629
Authors: Franklin D.
Published: January 2011

On 4 June 1629, the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) Retourschip Batavia wrecked on Morning Reef in the Houtman Abrolhos, approximately 65 km off the Western Australian coast. The macabre events that followed the wrecking saw more than 100 individuals murdered over a three‐month period by mutineers attempting to establish control of the surviving crew and passengers. The mutineers, however, never realised their ultimate objective of hijacking the anticipated rescue ship, and most were instead duly executed in the Abrolhos. Cultural and physical material directly associated with the Batavia mutiny has since been recovered, primarily from Beacon Island, which was the focal area of the mutinous attempts to establish control.

Between 1960 and 1964, four individual burials were recovered on Beacon Island; a further six individuals were recovered from a multiple grave that was excavated in stages between 1994 and 2001. The focus of the present study, however, is to briefly describe the skeletal remains of the multiple burial individuals only, including their demographics (sex, age and stature) and descriptions of potential palaeopathology (trauma, nutritional deficiencies and disease). Osteological analyses indicated an unbalanced sex ratio in favour of males; the age at death distribution ranges from about 8 months to no older than 35–49 years. It appears that prior to their untimely demise, the multiple burial individuals were mostly healthy, with relatively little evidence of disease, illness or ante‐mortem trauma. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss of p53 partially rescues embryonic development of Palb2 knockout mice but does not foster haploinsufficiency of Palb2 in tumour suppression
Authors: Bouwman Peter , Drost Rinske , Klijn Christiaan , Pieterse Mark , Gulden Hanneke van der , Song Ji‐Ying , Szuhai Karoly , Jonkers Jos
Published: January 2011

PALB2 interacts with BRCA1 and BRCA2 in supercomplexes involved in DNA repair via homologous recombination. Heterozygous germline mutations in PALB2 confer a moderate risk of breast cancer, while biallelic PALB2 mutations are linked to a severe form of Fanconi anaemia characterized by early childhood solid tumours and severe chromosomal instability. In contrast to BRCA1‐ or BRCA2‐associated cancers, breast tumours in heterozygous PALB2 mutation carriers do not show loss of the wild‐type allele, suggesting PALB2 might be haploinsufficient for tumour suppression. To study the role of PALB2 in development and tumourigenesis, we have generated Palb2GT mouse mutants using a gene trap approach. Whereas Palb2GT/GT homozygous mutant embryos died at mid‐gestation due to massive apoptosis, Palb2GT/+ heterozygous mice were viable and did not show any obvious abnormalities. Deletion of p53 alleviated the phenotype of Palb2GT/GT embryos, but did not rescue embryonic lethality. In addition, loss of p53 did not significantly collaborate with Palb2 heterozygosity in tumourigenesis in heterozygous or homozygous p53 knockout mice. Tumours arising in Palb2GT/+;p53+/− or Palb2GT/+;p53−/− compound mutant mice retained the wild‐type Palb2 allele and did not display increased genomic instability. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The cost of childhood cancer from the family's perspective: A critical review
Authors: Tsimicalis Argerie , Stevens Bonnie , Ungar Wendy J. , McKeever Patricia , Greenberg Mark
Published: January 2011

The costs incurred by the families of children with cancer remain under researched. The objectives were to systematically review the literature and identify research and clinical implications. Thirteen studies were critically appraised using the Pediatric Quality Appraisal Questionnaire (PQAQ) [Ungar and Santos. Value Health 2003; 6:584–594]. Existing research indicates that families incur significant variable costs throughout cancer treatment. However, problems with the published studies related to various PQAQ domains (e.g., time horizon, sensitivity analysis) rendered the magnitude of families' childhood cancer costs somewhat uncertain. Strategies for enhancing the quality of childhood cancer cost of illness research are presented. Implications for clinical practice are discussed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:707–717. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility and parent satisfaction of a physical therapy intervention program for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the first 6 months of medical treatment
Authors: Gohar Shadi Farzin , Comito Melanie , Price Jennifer , Marchese Victoria
Published: January 2011

Background

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for developing musculoskeletal complications during and after their medical treatment. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of an in‐hospital physical therapy‐ and home exercise program during the first four phases of medical treatment, for children with newly diagnosed ALL.

Procedure

Nine patients, between the ages of 2–14 years old were enrolled within 2 weeks of diagnosis in the study. Each patient was evaluated at study entry, after each of the first four phases of therapy and each time patients were re‐admitted to the hospital. Following the initial physical therapy evaluation an individualized home exercise program was developed, consisting of stretching, strengthening, and aerobic exercises. The following end points were measured at each evaluation: gross motor assessment as measured by gross motor function measure (GMFM), health‐related quality of life as measured by the PedsQL and parent satisfaction questionnaire.

Results

This study was feasible with 98% of the evaluation sessions completed. The GMFM and PedsQL improved steadily throughout the study; however, the PedsQL slightly decreased from interim maintenance to delayed intensification. The parents reported being satisfied with the physical therapy program.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that an in‐hospital‐ and home exercise physical therapy program during the first four phases of medical treatments is feasible for children with ALL. Future randomized studies are needed to confirm whether an initial physical therapy program at diagnosis in children with ALL will limit functional impairments, improve overall fitness and increase health‐related quality of life. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:799–804. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia following chemotherapy for EBV‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Sathiyamoorthy Srividya , Shad Aziza , Ozdemirli Metin
Published: January 2011

We report a case of chemotherapy‐related acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) following therapy with VP‐16/etoposide for EBV‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). A 17‐month‐old male presented with fever and lymphadenopathy. Bone marrow and liver biopsies showed hemophagocytosis. He responded well to chemotherapy including dexamethasone, VP‐16/etoposide, and cyclosporine. One and a half year later, he developed fever and pancytopenia. Clinical work‐up revealed APL with t(15;17)(q22;q12);PML‐RARα translocation. He underwent chemotherapy for APL and is in remission 8 years after diagnosis. Alternative non‐leukemogenic agents to effectively treat HLH would be desirable. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:850–852. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mesoblastic nephroma: A report of the United Kingdom children's cancer and leukaemia group (CCLG)
Authors: England Richard J. , Haider Nadeem , Vujanic Gordan M. , Kelsey Anna , Stiller Charles A. , Pritchard‐Jones Kathy , Powis Mark
Published: January 2011

Background

Mesoblastic nephroma (MN) is a rare tumour which occurs mainly in early infancy and for which primary nephrectomy is the treatment of choice. This study aimed to assess surgical complications and outcomes in this patient group and to re‐evaluate the age threshold of 6 months for recommending primary nephrectomy.

Procedure

A retrospective file review of all cases of MN registered in UK Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group renal tumour trials between October 1991 and March 2008. Data from the trials were compared with data held by the National Registry of Childhood Tumours, Oxford.

Results

Forty‐seven (3.5%) confirmed cases of MN were found among 1346 registered renal tumours. Median age at diagnosis was 30 days (range birth‐3.8 years). MN was significantly more common in the first 3 months of life compared to between 3 and 6 months (33 vs. 2 cases). Seven cases occurred between 6 months and 1 year and only five cases occurred beyond 1 year of age. There was a significant difference in the age of diagnosis by histological subtype. There were 11 complications in the series; no registered patient developed a recurrent tumour; and all were alive at last follow‐up.

Conclusions

Outcome for children with MN is excellent at all ages, with little indication for adjuvant chemotherapy. Children presenting at <3 months of age, should be treated by primary nephrectomy. In those presenting aged >3 months, alternative diagnoses should be considered, especially in the presence of surgical risk factors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:744–748. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.