bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting Angiogenesis with Multitargeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Scagliotti Giorgio , Govindan Ramaswamy
Published: April 2010

It has been >35 years since the link between angiogenesis and the growth of tumors was first reported. Targeting angiogenesis became feasible with the availability of bevacizumab, an anti–vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody. Initial studies revealed that the combination of bevacizumab and chemotherapy led to longer overall survival times than with chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Since then, drug development strategies have added small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors to the panel of antiangiogenic agents under evaluation; data from numerous trials are now available. The challenge now is to identify the optimal antiangiogenic agent for specific patient groups and to understand not only the mechanistic differences between agents, but also the variability in their antitumor activity across different tumor types and their differing side-effect profiles. As in other solid tumors, angiogenesis contributes to the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and this review summarizes the role of angiogenesis in this disease. We review the current developmental status of antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors (including vandetanib, sunitinib, axitinib, sorafenib, vatalanib, and pazopanib) in NSCLC and conclude by briefly discussing the need for optimal patient selection and potential future directions.
Molecular Profiling in Unknown Primary Cancer: Accuracy of Tissue of Origin Prediction
Authors: Greco F. Anthony , Spigel David R. , Yardley Denise A. , Erlander Mark G. , Ma Xiao-Jun , Hainsworth John D.
Published: April 2010

Introduction.

This retrospective, multi-institutional study evaluated the accuracy of tissue-of-origin prediction by molecular profiling in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUP).

Methods.

Thirty-eight of 501 patients (7.6%) with CUP, seen in 2000–2008, had their latent primary site tumor subsequently identified during life. Twenty-eight of these patients (73.7%) had adequate initial tissue biopsies available for molecular profiling with a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay (Cancer Type ID; bioTheranostics, Inc., San Diego, CA). The assay was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens in a blinded fashion, and the assay results were compared with clinicopathologic data and the actual latent primary sites.

Results.

Twenty of the 28 (71.4%) RT-PCR assays were successfully completed (eight biopsies had either insufficient tumor or poorly preserved RNA). Fifteen of the 20 assay predictions (75%) were correct (95% confidence interval, 60%–85%), corresponding to the actual latent primary sites identified after the initial diagnosis of CUP. Primary sites correctly identified included breast (four patients), ovary/primary peritoneal (four patients), non-small cell lung (three patients), colorectal (two patients), gastric (one patient), and melanoma (one patient). Three predictions were incorrect (intestinal, testicular, sarcoma) in patients with gastroesophageal, pancreatic, and non-small cell lung cancer, respectively, and two were unclassifiable in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Clinicopathologic findings were helpful in suggesting the correct primary site in some patients and appear to complement the molecular assay findings.

Conclusions.

These data validate the reliability of this assay in predicting the primary site in CUP patients and may form the basis for more successful site-directed therapy, when used in concert with clinicopathologic data.
Breast Cancer in Latinas: Gene Expression, Differential Response to Treatments, and Differential Toxicities in Latinas Compared with Other Population Groups
Authors: Patel Tejal A. , Colon-Otero Gerardo , Bueno Hume Celyne , Copland John A. , Perez Edith A.
Published: April 2010

Disparities in clinical outcomes of breast cancer have been described among different racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Convincing data exist showing that Latina women have a lower incidence of breast cancer but a higher breast cancer–related mortality rate compared with white women. Noticeable differences in breast cancer incidence are present even within different Latina subsets with a higher incidence in second- and third-generation women compared with foreign born. An increasing amount of data exists pointing to significant differences in the genetics and biology of breast cancer in Latinas as a significant contributor to the higher mortality, including a higher incidence of triple-negative breast cancers (which do not overexpress HER-2 protein and are negative for estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors). Other social and environmental factors are likely to play a significant role as well, including a lower rate of screening mammography, variable access to medical care, among others. Recent data are inconclusive regarding differences among racial/ethnic groups in the response to chemotherapy. Data on racial/ethnic variations in the pharmacogenomics of chemotherapy, endocrine treatments, and toxicity are more limited, with some data suggesting differences in frequencies of polymorphisms of genes involved in the metabolism of some of these agents. Further studies are needed on this subject.
Four millennia of woodland structure and dynamics at the Arctic treeline of eastern Canada
Authors: Auger Sarah , Payette Serge
Published: April 2010

Paleoecological analysis using complementary indicators of vegetation and soil can provide spatially explicit information on ecological processes influencing trajectories of long‐term ecosystem change. Here we document the structure and dynamics of an old‐growth woodland before and after its inception 1000 years ago. We infer vegetation and soil characteristics from size and age distributions of black spruce (Picea mariana(Mill.) B.S.P.), soil properties, plant fossils, and paleosols. Radiocarbon ages of charcoal on the ground and in the soil indicate that the fire return interval was ∼300 years between 2750 and 1000 cal. yr BP. No fire evidence was found before and after this period despite the presence of spruce since 4200 cal. yr BP. The size structures of living and dead spruce suggest that the woodland is in equilibrium with present climate in absence of fire. Tree establishment and mortality occurred regularly since the last fire event around 950 cal. yr BP. Both layering and occasional seeding have contributed to stabilize the spatial distribution of spruce over the past 1000 years. Since initial afforestation, soil development has been homogenized by the changing spatial distribution of spruce following each fire. We conclude that the history of the woodland is characterized by vegetation shifts associated with fire and soil disturbances and by millennial‐scale maintenance of the woodland's structure despite changing climatic conditions.
Higher diversity of deposit‐feeding macrofauna enhances phytodetritus processing
Authors: Karlson Agnes M. L. , Nascimento Francisco J. A. , Näslund Johan , Elmgren Ragnar
Published: April 2010

The link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is an important question that remains unresolved, particularly in marine systems, in which cycling of organic matter by benthic organisms is of global significance. Direct observations of specific resource use by each species in single‐ and multispecies communities, as quantified by stable isotopes, facilitates a mechanistic understanding of the importance of each species for ecosystem functioning. We tested the effects of altered biodiversity (species richness) of deposit‐feeding macrofauna on incorporation and burial of phytodetritus in combinations of three species representing natural communities found in the sediments of the species‐poor Baltic Sea. The three species, two amphipods and a bivalve, had different rates of incorporation and burial and different needs for carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). The amphipods exhibited clear resource partitioning in sympatry, as a result of vertical separation in the sediment and consequent differential use of food. Communities of several species incorporated more C and N than expected from the respective single‐species treatments, due to higher incorporation by surface feeders in multispecies treatments. Community incorporation of N in the most diverse treatment even exceeded N incorporation by a single‐species treatment of the best‐performing species, showing transgressive over‐yielding. This over‐yielding was primarily due to positive complementarity in all treatments. Diverse soft bottoms are also likely to be more productive in the long run, as species‐specific traits (subsurface feeding) preserve fresh phytodetritus by burying it to depths in the sediment at which the mineralization rate is low. The more diverse sediment communities showed more efficient trophic transfer of phytodetritus, a finding of general significance for understanding biological processes driving the transformation of nutrients and energy in benthic ecosystems.
Thermal heterogeneity mediates the effects of pulsed subsidies across a landscape
Authors: Armstrong Jonathan B. , Schindler Daniel E. , Omori Kristen L. , Ruff Casey P. , Quinn Thomas P.
Published: April 2010

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity interact to make the foraging rates of individuals more variable than expected from models assuming that spatial and temporal dimensions of habitat conditions operate independently. For example, trophic resource pulses produce temporal patches of prey superabundance, yet little is known about how spatial heterogeneity in habitat conditions mediates the ability of consumers to exploit these high‐quality foraging opportunities. We studied how spatial variation in water temperature regulates the potential for juvenile coho salmon to exploit a seasonal pulsed subsidy of eggs produced by anadromous sockeye salmon. Streams within the Wood River watershed, southwestern Alaska, USA, ranged in mean summer temperature from 3.6° to 14.5°C. Growth of juvenile coho prior to the arrival of the seasonal egg subsidy was positively related to water temperature among streams. An in situ experiment combined with field samples of diets revealed a size threshold for egg consumption; only individuals longer than ∼70 mm could consume eggs due to gape limitation of smaller individuals. A bioenergetics simulation demonstrated that water temperature regulated whether age‐0 coho salmon could grow large enough to exceed the size threshold for egg consumption. Coho salmon that consumed eggs had energy rations that were five times higher than fish that did not consume eggs, resulting in a positive feedback of water temperature on their integrated seasonal growth. Across this landscape, heterogeneity in water temperature mediates individual‐ and population‐level responses to seasonally available resource pulses. Our study illustrates that ecological mechanisms, such as size‐based foraging asymmetries, can magnify the effects of climate change compared to predictions based on physiology alone.
Linking the patterns of change in composition and function in bacterioplankton successions along environmental gradients
Authors: Comte Jérôme , del Giorgio Paul A.
Published: April 2010

The connections that exist between the composition of bacterial communities and their functional attributes are still a matter of intense debate, despite over a decade of intense studies. Here we explored three different facets of the links that may exist between bacterioplankton compositional and functional successions that occurred along the water flow path in a complex watershed in southern Quebec. We analyzed the correlation between composition and function in terms of their absolute patterns, and in terms of their rates of change relative to transit time in environmental transitions, and relative to shifts in resources along the same transitions. Our results showed that the absolute patterns in bacterial community composition (BCC, using DGGE [denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis] profiles) and functional capacities (FC, using BIOLOG profiles) were not correlated, but that the rates of change in BCC and FC along the transitions were strongly correlated to each other. Further, we observed that the strength and shape of the relationship between the changes in BCC and FC varied relative to the type and intensity of gradient considered. Collectively, these results showed that BCC and FC are strongly related but in a very dynamic manner, such that their absolute patterns do not appear to be connected. This in turn suggests a high level of functional redundancy that occurs both within the existing community and in the meta‐community from which phylotypes are selected to occupy the new niches that are created along the transitions.
Elevated resource availability sufficient to turn opportunistic into virulent fish pathogens
Authors: Wedekind C. , Gessner M. O. , Vazquez F. , Maerki M. , Steiner D.
Published: April 2010

There is mounting evidence that organic or inorganic enrichment of aquatic environments increases the risk of infectious diseases, with disease agents ranging from helminth parasites to fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. The causal link between microbial resource availability and disease risk is thought to be complex and, in the case of so‐called “opportunistic pathogens,” to involve additional stressors that weaken host resistance (e.g., temperature shifts or oxygen deficiencies). In contrast to this perception, our experiment shows that the link between resource levels and infection of fish embryos can be very direct: increased resource availability can transform benign microbial communities into virulent ones. We find that embryos can be harmed before further stresses (e.g., oxygen depletion) weaken them, and treatment with antibiotics and fungicides cancels the detrimental effects. The changed characteristics of symbiotic microbial communities could simply reflect density‐dependent relationships or be due to a transition in life‐history strategy. Our findings demonstrate that simple microhabitat changes can be sufficient to turn “opportunistic” into virulent pathogens.
A Proposed Prevention Intervention for Nondrug-Dependent Drug Court Clients
Authors: DeMatteo David
Published: April 2010

A substantial body of research supports the effectiveness of drug courts in terms of reducing drug use and criminal recidivism among drug-involved offenders. However, it is unclear whether drug courts are appropriate for all clients, most notably the sizeable portion of clients who do not have a diagnosable or clinically significant substance use disorder. For these clients, drug court treatment may be ineffective or even contraindicated. Instead, best practice standards suggest that these clients would benefit from a prevention intervention designed to interrupt the acquisition of addictive behaviors. Unfortunately, such interventions have not been tested with adult offenders in drug courts. In this article, we describe a platform of cognitive and behavioral techniques that can potentially be used with nondrug-dependent drug court clients.
EMDR Treatment of Comorbid PTSD and Alcohol Dependence: A Case Example
Authors: Abel Nancy J. , O’Brien John M.
Published: April 2010

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A relatively small but growing body of literature indicates that EMDR may be an effective adjunctive treatment for substance abuse. This article reviews the various protocols that have been developed for that purpose, including protocols by Vogelmann-Sine et al., Omaha, Popky, and Hase. A case study that incorporates the use of some of these interventions is presented to illustrate successful EMDR treatment of a woman who had long-standing comorbid alcohol abuse and PTSD. Two-year follow-up after EMDR showed that the woman was successfully maintaining sobriety and that the PTSD continued in full remission. After a discussion of the important aspects of this case, the authors explore future directions for research.
Identification of the main site factors and management intensity affecting the establishment of Short-Rotation-Coppices (SRC) in Northern Italy through stepwise regression analysis
Authors: Bergante Sara , Facciotto Gianni , Minotta Gianfranco
Published: April 2010

Data collected from 183 poplar and 102 willow SRC experimental plots, located in Central-North Italy, were subjected to stepwise regression analysis to acquire information on the environmental factors affecting plant survival and productivity in the first two-year rotation cycle. Nine Populus ×canadensis Mönch, eight P. deltoids Bartr. clones and four hybrids of Sali× matsudana Koidz were included in analysis. Independent variables were: annual and seasonal water availability (rainfall and irrigation), annual mean air temperature, soil texture, pH, N and organic matter content, planting density and management intensity. Dependent variables were: a) mean annual yield during the first two-year rotation cycle in tons per hectare per year of dry matter (Odt·ha−1·y−1); b) plant survival at the end of the second year from planting (%). Water availability resulted the main variable driving plant survival and biomass production in both poplar and willow clones. Water availability appeared to be the principal factor affecting the establishment of poplar and willow energy plantations in the Po valley. Possible variations in the rainfall regime consequent to climate changes could seriously influence land suitability to SRC. Experimental data also indicate that choice of planting density may increase the biomass yield during the first two-year especially with P. deltoides clones.
The role of p53, bax, bcl2, and 8-OHdG in human acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Najar Reza , Ghaderian Sayyed , Vakili Hosain , Panah Akram , Farimani Azam , Rezaie Gashin , Harchegani Asghar
Published: April 2010

Apoptosis is implicated in unfavorable remodeling of the left ventricle during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Both DNA damage and p53 play important roles in regulating apoptosis. Expression patterns of apoptotic regulating genes such as p53, bax, and bcl-2 highlight the importance of inhibiting ventricle remodeling and subsequent injuries. In the present study, serum levels of p53 and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as well as p53, bax, and bcl-2 expression were examined after the onset of AMI in Iranian patients. Serum levels of p53 and 8-OHdG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the presence of p53 protein and mRNA expression of p53, bax, and bcl-2 were analyzed by Western blotting and real time RT-PCR methods respectively. In patients presenting with AMI, serum levels of p53 and 8-OHdG were increased in comparison to healthy controls. Likewise, transcripts of p53 and bax were also elevated in patients while bcl-2 was decreased. Collectively, our data suggest the novel use of p53 and 8-OHdG as markers of apoptosis and DNA damage following AMI. Our results also revealed that apoptosis occurs in concert with an up-regulation of p53 and bax and a down-regulation of bcl-2 which may suggest a possible therapeutic intervention in patients recovering from AMI.
The genetic structure of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) populations in Lithuania
Authors: Patamsytė Jolanta , Kleizaitė Violeta , Čėsnienė Tatjana , Rančelis Vytautas , Žvingila Donatas
Published: April 2010

The red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is widely distributed in Lithuania and occupies a range of habitats. The presence of coadapted gene pools in local populations of R. idaeus is a question of interest not only to plant scientists, but also to plant breeders. In this study, we investigated the genetic structure of R. idaeus and the influence of local habitats on the genetic diversity within and among populations. Nineteen populations of R. idaeus were sampled from different habitats in various agroclimatic subregions of Lithuania, and analyzed using RAPD markers. 113 RAPD bands were identified among 315 individuals; 84.31% of these were polymorphic. The mean values of Shannon’s information index for different populations ranged from 0.341 to 0.455. Nei’s gene diversity established within populations averaged 0.266. An AMOVA revealed 74% of genetic variation among individuals within populations of R. idaeus, and 23% among populations. The remaining genetic variation was distributed among populations from different agroclimatic subregions (3%). The results of this study suggest that the genetic structure of R. idaeus populations in Lithuania may be influenced partially by isolation by distance as well as by local environmental conditions.
Comparison of expression systems for the production of human interferon-α2b
Authors: Rajabi Memari Hamid , Ramanan Ramakrishnan , Ariff Arbakariya
Published: April 2010

The production of human interferon alpha2b (IFN-α2b) in two expression systems, tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) and Escherichia coli, was compared in various aspects such as safety, yield, quality of product and productivity. In the E. coli system, IFN-α2b was expressed under a pelB signal sequence and a T7lac promoter in a pET 26b(+) vector. The same gene was also cloned in expression plant vector (pCAMBIA1304) between cauliflower mosaic virus promoter (CaMV35S) and poly A termination region (Nos) and expressed in transgenic tobacco plants. The expression of protein in both systems was confirmed by western immunoblotting and the quantity of the protein was determined by immunoassay. The amount of periplasmic expression in E. coli was 60 µg/L of culture, while the amount of nuclear expression in the plant was 4.46 µg/kg of fresh leaves. The result of this study demonstrated that IFN-α2b was successfully expressed in periplasm of bacterial and plant systems. The limitations on the production of IFN-α2b by both systems are addressed and discussed to form the basis for the selection of the appropriate expression platform.
Flavonoids from Artemisia annua L. as Antioxidants and Their Potential Synergism with Artemisinin against Malaria and Cancer
Authors: Ferreira Jorge F.S. , Luthria Devanand L. , Sasaki Tomikazu , Heyerick Arne
Published: April 2010

Artemisia annua is currently the only commercial source of the sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin.Since artemisinin was discovered as the active component of A. annua in early 1970s, hundreds of papers have focused on the anti-parasitic effects of artemisinin and its semi-synthetic analogs dihydroartemisinin, artemether, arteether, and artesunate. Artemisinin per se has not been used in mainstream clinical practice due to its poor bioavailability when compared to its analogs. In the past decade, the work with artemisinin-based compounds has expanded to their anti-cancer properties. Although artemisinin is a major bioactive component present in the traditional Chinese herbal preparations (tea), leaf flavonoids, also present in the tea, have shown a variety of biological activities and may synergize the effects of artemisinin against malaria and cancer. However, only a few studies have focused on the potential synergistic effects between flavonoids and artemisinin. The resurgent idea that multi-component drug therapy might be better than monotherapy is illustrated by the recent resolution of the World Health Organization to support artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT), instead of the previously used monotherapy with artemisinins. In this critical review we will discuss the possibility that artemisinin and its semi-synthetic analogs might become more effective to treat parasitic diseases (such as malaria) and cancer if simultaneously delivered with flavonoids. The flavonoids present in A. annua leaves have been linked to suppression of CYP450 enzymes responsible for altering the absorption and metabolism of artemisinin in the body, but also have been linked to a beneficial immunomodulatory activity in subjects afflicted with parasitic and chronic diseases.
Health Economics of Antibiotics
Authors: Simoens Steven
Published: April 2010

Antibiotics have made a significant contribution to improving patient health, but policy makers and health care payers are concerned about the costs of antibiotics in addition to their effectiveness. This paper aims to assess the value of antibiotics by examining incremental cost-utility ratios of antibiotics. Evidence was derived from cost-utility analyses of antibiotics included in the Tufts-New England Center Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry through September 2009. The analysis included 85 incremental cost-utility ratios from 23 cost-utility analyses. The findings showed that 38.8% of incremental cost-utility ratios related to dominant antibiotics (i.e., more effective and less costly than the comparator); 45.9% referred to antibiotics that improved effectiveness, but also increased costs; and 15.3% related to dominated antibiotics (i.e., less effective and more costly than the comparator). The median ratio was 748 € per quality-adjusted life year. Using threshold values of 20,000 € per quality-adjusted life year and 50,000 € per quality-adjusted life year, the probability that an antibiotic provides value for money was 64% and 67%, respectively. The current evidence base suggests that the majority of antibiotics provide value for money and that antibiotics can aid decision makers to attain further population health improvements, whilst containing pharmaceutical expenditures.
Noether Symmetries and Covariant Conservation Laws in Classical, Relativistic and Quantum Physics
Authors: Fatibene Lorenzo , Francaviglia Mauro , Mercadante Silvio
Published: April 2010

We review the Lagrangian formulation of (generalised) Noether symmetries in the framework of Calculus of Variations in Jet Bundles, with a special attention to so-called “Natural Theories” and “Gauge-Natural Theories” that include all relevant Field Theories and physical applications (from Mechanics to General Relativity, to Gauge Theories, Supersymmetric Theories, Spinors, etc.). It is discussed how the use of Poincar´e–Cartan forms and decompositions of natural (or gauge-natural) variational operators give rise to notions such as “generators of Noether symmetries”, energy and reduced energy flow, Bianchi identities, weak and strong conservation laws, covariant conservation laws, Hamiltonian-like conservation laws (such as, e.g., so-calledADMlaws in General Relativity) with emphasis on the physical interpretation of the quantities calculated in specific cases (energy, angular momentum, entropy, etc.). A few substantially new and very recent applications/examples are presented to better show the power of the methods introduced: one in Classical Mechanics (definition of strong conservation laws in a frame-independent setting and a discussion on the way in which conserved quantities depend on the choice of an observer); one in Classical Field Theories (energy and entropy in General Relativity, in its standard formulation, in its spin-frame formulation, in its first order formulation “à la Palatini” and in its extensions to Non-Linear Gravity Theories); one in Quantum Field Theories (applications to conservation laws in Loop Quantum Gravity via spin connections and Barbero–Immirzi connections).
Role of Cellular Lipids in Positive-Sense RNA Virus Replication Complex Assembly and Function
Authors: Stapleford Kenneth A. , Miller David J.
Published: April 2010

Positive-sense RNA viruses are responsible for frequent and often devastating diseases in humans, animals, and plants. However, the development of effective vaccines and anti-viral therapies targeted towards these pathogens has been hindered by an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in viral replication. One common feature of all positive-sense RNA viruses is the manipulation of host intracellular membranes for the assembly of functional viral RNA replication complexes. This review will discuss the interplay between cellular membranes and positive-sense RNA virus replication, and will focus specifically on the potential structural and functional roles for cellular lipids in this process.
A POTENTIAL STUDY ON CLOVE OIL, EUGENOL AND EUGENYL ACETATE AS DIESEL FUEL BIO‐ADDITIVES AND THEIR PERFORMANCE ON ONE CYLINDER ENGINE
Authors: Kadarohman Asep , ​ Hernani , Khoerunisa Fitri , Astuti Rizki Maryam
Published: April 2010

Research on the potency of essential oils as diesel fuel bio-additives has been reported. It also has been found out that clove oil has a better performance than turpentine oil on decreasing Break Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) and reduces the exhaust emissions of the engine. Clove oil is essential oil the content of which is made of eugenol acting as the main component. Eugenol has a bulky structure, two oxygen atoms and can form eugenyl acetate from ester reaction. Eugenyl acetate has a bulkier structure and higher oxygen content than eugenol which leads to optimizing the process of fuel combustion. This experiment can give information about the potency of the bio-additive based on clove oil and eugenol and about the influence of oxygen enrichment with eugenol on the performance of the diesel fuel bio-additive. In general, this experiment covered three stages. The first step is the characterization of the diesel fuel bio-additive using a GCMS and FTIR spectrophotometer. The second step is the characterization of the diesel fuel bio-additive and composition optimization. The final step is conducting a diesel fuel bio-additive performance test on one cylinder engine on a laboratory scale. The results of the carried out experiment show that clove oil, eugenol and eugenyl acetate can decrease Break Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) and reduce the exhaust emissions of the engine as well as oxygen enrichment can help in reaching optimal fuel combustion.
Les diamants et les relations internationales illicites
Authors: Mugnier David
Published: April 2010

Dans plusieurs régions d’Afrique, la crise économique et le délitement des États rentiers hérités de la colonisation ont entraîné l’apparition de pouvoirs personnels assis sur le contrôle du diamant. Les sites diamantifères, longtemps restés hors du champ des relations internationales, se retrouvent ainsi au centre des enjeux de pouvoir locaux et deviennent dans les régions en guerre autant un objectif militaire qu’une des causes de l’entretien des conflits. Les tentatives faites par la communauté internationale pour mettre un terme à ce phénomène ont des effets encore limités car elles se heurtent à la puissance des réseaux mondialisés qui savent profiter des déficiences dont souffrent encore les mécanismes de régulation de la mondialisation.
La corruption internationale au tournant du siècle
Authors: Dommel Daniel
Published: April 2010

Conçue à l’origine comme un moyen de gagner des marchés à l’étranger, la corruption internationale est devenue depuis une trentaine d’années un problème essentiel dans les relations commerciales internationales. Elle est d’abord un handicap au développement des pays les plus pauvres, en accroissant leur endettement, lorsque leurs dirigeants commandent aux entreprises occidentales des réalisations surdimensionnées ou inutiles, dans le seul but d’obtenir des pots-de-vin. Mais la corruption internationale atteint aussi les pays développés. Facteur profondément déstabilisant pour la démocratie, elle fait l’objet depuis quelques années d’une attention croissante de la part des organisations internationales ; malgré des avancées significatives et la signature de conventions interétatiques, il convient de rester vigilant face à la frilosité des gouvernements.
Les ambiguïtés des politiques conduites par les États pour lutter contre les activités financières illicites
Authors: Darne Jacky
Published: April 2010

La libéralisation des mouvements de capitaux et l’internationalisation du commerce se sont accompagnées d’une mutation des activités financières illicites, qui ont vu leurs profits et leur rapidité s’accroître, tandis que leurs débouchés s’élargissaient. Face à leurs opinions publiques et dans le but déclaré de lutter efficacement contre ces pratiques, les États ont été contraints de mettre en place, dans le cadre des organisations internationales, des systèmes de surveillance et des codes de conduite. Mais ces dispositions de lutte contre l’argent sale ont été souvent prises de mauvais gré et de façon totalement hypocrite : les États les plus puissants voient dans ces engagements des désavantages dont risquent de profiter leurs concurrents pour conquérir des marchés en dissimulant plus habilement les pratiques habituelles de corruption, alors que les États blanchisseurs ou criminels trouvent dans les transactions illicites une part importante de leurs revenus. Au final, les principales victimes de ces activités sont les populations des États les plus faibles.
Les relations internationales illicites dans les Balkans occidentaux : État, criminalité et société
Authors: Debié Franck
Published: April 2010

Nées de la guerre et de la fermeture des frontières au cours de la dernière décennie, les relations internationales illicites dans les Balkans ont été dictées par l’impératif de la raison d’État, par-delà la corruption et les mafias. Les plus grandes puissances se sont engagées dans ces relations illicites à la suite des États balkaniques qui les employaient, sans autre forme de culpabilité, comme des instruments sophistiqués d’influence stratégique, capables de fidéliser quelque temps de puissantes clientèles. Les relations internationales illicites ont démontré leur nature profondément politique, mais aussi leur logique propre : la prolifération rapide de l’illégalité internationale et le discrédit du droit international. Les régimes se sont lancés dans une politique de contournement de leur propre réglementation et de leurs frontières, de discrédit de leurs engagements internationaux, donnant naissance, non à des États mafieux, mais à des entités paraétatiques sans règles fermes, sans foi ni loi au sein de la société des États.
Les cercles vicieux de la corruption en Algérie
Authors: Jolly Cécile
Published: April 2010

Il semble désormais impossible de porter un regard sur l’Algérie sans y déceler les symptômes d’une société en proie à la corruption. Des articles de la presse algérienne et internationale viennent régulièrement mettre en évidence la pérennité du phénomène. Recherche de rentes économiques autant qu’arme politique, la corruption a su profiter des carences institutionnelles du pays et d’une transition difficile à l’économie de marché pour se généraliser tout le long de l’échelle sociale. Plus grave, le phénomène s’enracine dans la structure même de l’appareil d’État, conduisant les nouveaux acteurs économiques et politiques à se plier aux règles du clientélisme et de la gestion patrimoniale des biens publics. Mais le contexte de guerre civile et d’appauvrissement qui frappe la population pourrait remettre en cause les racines d’un système devenu à son tour corrupteur. Plus que jamais, en Algérie, l’heure est à la crise.
L'Afrique au prisme de l'ethnicité : perception française et actualité du débat
Authors: Otayek René
Published: April 2010

L’ethnicité est fréquemment perçue de manière négative en France alors que la nation y est très positivement connotée. L’une renverrait aux liens de culture et de sang alors que l’autre serait une communauté imaginée fondée sur le lien politique et le contrat social. Cette perception de l’ethnicité a décisivement informé la politique coloniale de la France comme construction du rapport à l’Autre et détermine encore sa manière de se représenter l’Afrique. Mais l’ethnicité est-elle l’unique grille de lecture du politique en Afrique et explique-t-elle tout ? Son analyse peut-elle être dissociée des autres dynamiques qui « travaillent » les sociétés africaines ? Comment interpréter sa récurrence dans les situations de changement politique que connaît le continent depuis une dizaine d’années ? Au rebours de toute diabolisation, on peut faire l’hypothèse que l’ethnicité peut être un mode légitime de participation politique et d’accès à l’espace public. Autrement dit, sa prégnance ne serait pas forcément incompatible avec l’enracinement de la démocratie, comme idée et système politique.
L'accès aux soins des populations les plus démunies : un débat enfin ouvert
Authors: Hamel Annick
Published: April 2010

Le retrait, sous la pression publique, d’une plainte déposée par 39 laboratoires pharmaceutiques contre le gouvernement sud-africain a fait émerger dans le débat public la question de l’accès aux médicaments des malades les plus démunis. Le procès de Pretoria a mis en lumière la responsabilité de l’industrie pharmaceutique et des accords sur la propriété intellectuelle dans le prix et le statut du médicament. L’épidémie de sida a, quant à elle, montré les limites des théories sanitaires du « tout prévention » et la responsabilité des pouvoirs politiques nationaux et internationaux. Aujourd’hui, si le discours de la plupart des acteurs change, il reste encore à le traduire en actes pour que les médicaments et les soins deviennent une réalité pour les malades les plus démunis.
Le « zéro-mort » : entre le slogan et le concept
Authors: Dumoulin André
Published: April 2010

Le slogan « zéro-mort », introduit lors de la guerre du Golfe, est en voie de conceptualisation stratégique et culturelle dans le monde occidental. L’évolution des enjeux de la guerre, l’impact de la technologie en matière d’armement et la mutation des mentalités ont joué un rôle moteur dans l’avènement de cette volonté insistante de préserver les vies humaines. L’intégration progressive du « zéro-mort » génère d’ores et déjà de nombreuses modifications et des effets pervers dans les domaines de la stratégie militaire, de l’organisation nationale et internationale des armées, et de la psychologie des combattants. L’avenir de ce concept est cependant incertain, puisqu’il tend à nier la notion de risque dans l’intervention militaire, notion qui est pourtant inhérente à l’idée même de la guerre. Le concept de « zéro-mort » pourra-t-il orienter les stratégies militaires sans risquer de fragiliser la solidarité militaire occidentale et l’efficacité des missions ?
Le Chili du président Lagos : de l'isolement imposé au volontarisme extérieur
Authors: Kourliandsky Jean-Jacques
Published: April 2010

Le Chili a occupé, pendant plus de vingt ans, une place paradoxale dans les relations et les médias internationaux, celle d’un État repoussoir, dont l’isolement a été volontairement mis en évidence, pour des raisons morales. Le retour des libertés, difficilement négocié, a laissé des scories autoritaires cohabiter avec les institutions démocratiques. Dix ans après les premières élections, le Chili était toujours un pays paria, montré du doigt au travers du général Pinochet par la communauté occidentale. En quelques mois, le président élu en 1999, Ricardo Lagos, en mettant en examen Augusto Pinochet, a rendu sa dignité internationale au Chili. Récupérant par ricochet la pleine reconnaissance de sa souveraineté, le Chili d’aujourd’hui, sous l’impulsion du nouveau chef de l’État, affirme une identité extérieure, commerciale pour l’essentiel, qui a fait grincer bien des dents, du Brésil à l’Union européenne. Ce volontarisme reste fragile, soumis aux aléas d’élections difficiles au mois de décembre 2001.
Les butoirs de la croissance et de la puissance en Asie orientale
Authors: Dourille-Feer Évelyne
Published: April 2010

Renommés pour des taux de croissance records dans les années 1970, les États d’Asie orientale durent assumer les faiblesses de leurs systèmes financier et monétaire lors de la crise de 1997-1998. En dépit de quelques réformes structurelles, les progrès sont lents, et les prévisions de croissance pour 2001, initialement calculées autour de 5 %, tendent à la baisse en raison, notamment, du ralentissement de l’économie nord-américaine. Concentrant près d’un tiers de la population mondiale, l’environnement, la sécurité alimentaire, le contrôle des énergies primaires, une forte urbanisation et le vieillissement de la population sont des questions centrales dans le développement de ces États. Bien que le Japon présente une avancée certaine, il n’arrive pas à s’imposer comme la puissance économique dominante, car la Chine et l’Inde se présentent comme les deux puissances montantes de la région.
La politique étrangère de la France entre continuité et ajustements post-guerre froide
Authors: Zuqian Zhang
Published: April 2010

Si la politique étrangère française se rapproche grandement de celles menées par les principales puissances occidentales, elle s’en distingue tout de même, et ce, par le souci constant de maintenir la France dans un rôle de puissance indépendante et souveraine. Cependant, si la France a su s’adapter aux mutations de l’ordre international post-guerre froide, il n’en demeure pas moins que les ressources mobilisées par les autorités françaises ne semblent pas à la hauteur des ambitions affichées sur la scène internationale. Ce qui pourrait se révéler relativement fâcheux, à l’avenir, si la voix de la France n’était en mesure de se faire entendre dans le concert des nations que par le biais de discours à la portée politique effective limitée. Ainsi, de la poursuite de l’intégration européenne au rapprochement des structures intégrées de l’OTAN, de la redéfinition de sa politique africaine à l’élaboration d’une véritable politique asiatique, la diplomatie française doit faire face à une série de défis dont la gestion déterminera fortement le poids et l’influence de la France dans le champ des relations internationales en ce début de XXI e  siècle.
L'Algérie depuis 1962 : retour sur une histoire contrastée
Authors: Ait-Chaalal Amine
Published: April 2010

Depuis son indépendance, le 5 juillet 1962, l’Algérie est devenue un protagoniste influent de la scène internationale. Face à des problématiques sociales lourdes, le pays a su élaborer des politiques crédibles véhiculant l’image d’un partenaire économique important. Malgré une situation politique interne troublée, l’Algérie a développé un jeu diplomatique pragmatique lui donnant tout son poids sur la scène internationale. Cependant, depuis 1992, le pays doit faire face à des événements d’une grande violence opposant le pouvoir en place à une nébuleuse de groupes armés. Il importe désormais à l’Algérie de régler les difficultés structurelles qu’elle rencontre sur le plan interne si elle veut disposer d’une réelle capacité d’action internationale.
Une nouvelle initiative pour le développement en Afrique
Authors: Ould-Abdallah Ahmedou
Published: April 2010

De nombreuses initiatives économiques ont été élaborées afin de lutter contre la pauvreté en Afrique, et beaucoup d’entre elles n’ont jamais abouti, à l’instar de l’Initiative spéciale pour l’Afrique, annoncée par le Secrétaire général des Nations unies en 1996. Lancé en juillet 2001, le Nouveau partenariat pour le développement de l’Afrique (NEPAD) ravive toutes les espérances. Projet novateur, il constitue la synthèse de plusieurs plans antérieurs, mais s’en distingue tant par son approche que par son champ d’application et, surtout, par le suivi qu’il propose de ses actions. Sa viabilité n’en demeure pas moins conditionnée aux questions de son financement et de sa réappropriation par les populations africaines. Or ces problématiques devront être rapidement levées afin, non seulement, d’assurer son efficacité et sa pérennité, mais surtout de tenir ses promesses.
Des privatisations forcées à la démocratie imposée : quels critères d'adhésion à l'Union européenne ?
Authors: Samary Catherine
Published: April 2010

L’élargissement de l’Europe vers l’Est ne résulte pas d’un processus de coopération, mais d’une démarche à sens unique selon laquelle les États candidats doivent s’aligner sur les exigences de l’Union européenne (UE). Une intégration des pays par « vagues » a, dans un premier temps, été préconisée. Des critères de sélection devaient permettre de déterminer les États qui formeraient la première vague. Or, en définitive, des considérations géostratégiques motivèrent le choix de l’UE. Au printemps 1999, la nécessité de stabiliser la situation dans les Balkans a conduit à l’abandon de la méthode d’adhésion par « vagues ». Le Conseil d’Helsinki, de décembre 1999, a décidé d’engager des négociations avec l’ensemble des pays candidats et d’abandonner toute garantie concernant le calendrier de l’adhésion. Les pays de l’Europe de l’Est se sont engagés sur la voie d’une ouverture à la concurrence de leurs marchés afin de remplir les critères d’adhésion. Or la faiblesse de leurs économies infirme l’efficacité supposée des préceptes libéraux. Néanmoins, l’UE continue à promouvoir ce modèle assimilant à tort démocratisation et privatisations.
Les « droits de la femme » : construction d'un enjeu en relations internationales
Authors: Gaspard Françoise
Published: April 2010

La constitution d’une « sous-commission de la condition de la femme » au sein des Nations unies a conduit à l’élaboration progressive de normes visant à promouvoir les droits de la femme, et à la sensibilisation de la communauté internationale qui, désormais, intègre la dimension du genre dans ses conférences thématiques. Sa création et son œuvre sont, néanmoins, fortement contestées, ses pourfendeurs s’élevant contre ce droit « particulariste », y voyant une remise en cause du principe d’universalité des droits des personnes. Il leur est alors rétorqué que la « question des femmes » n’aurait jamais été intégrée dans les débats sans la création d’organismes spécifiques. Par ailleurs, la promotion de la femme a donné lieu à d’autres clivages, qui se sont constitués pendant la guerre froide autour des deux « blocs » et entre le Nord et le Sud. Depuis les années 1990, cette configuration du débat, qui représente un enjeu national dans de nombreux pays, a volé en éclats, et des dissensions sont apparues entre les pays traditionalistes et les États plus progressistes, notamment au sujet des « droits procréatifs ».
La nouvelle posture nucléaire américaine : révolution dans les concepts stratégiques ?
Authors: Le Guelte Georges
Published: April 2010

La fin de la guerre froide avait fait espérer que les États s’engageraient sur la voie du désarmement. Dans cette perspective, la dissuasion nucléaire, et donc l’équilibre des puissances, semblait dépassée. Mais, aujourd’hui, les États-Unis doivent faire face à de nouvelles menaces, et la nouvelle posture nucléaire, prônée par l’armée américaine, préconise une modernisation de l’arsenal nucléaire afin que le président puisse disposer d’une panoplie complète d’armes, devant lui permettre de dissuader toute tentative d’agression. Ce faisant, l’éventualité de l’utilisation de l’arme nucléaire se banalise et la dissuasion s’effrite. L’accord russo-américain, signé à Moscou, le 24 mai 2002, malgré les apparences d’un accord de désarmement, n’empêche pas les deux pays de continuer à développer leur arsenal. Ainsi, l’arsenal américain devrait conserver, pendant le siècle à venir, le niveau qu’il avait atteint à la fin de la guerre froide.
Les relations internationales dans le champ scientifique français ou les pesanteurs d'une lourde hérédité
Authors: Constantin François
Published: April 2010

Les relations internationales ne constituent pas une science mais un objet d’étude dont l’analyse nécessite l’utilisation de concepts empruntés à l’ensemble des sciences sociales et humaines. Cette approche interdisciplinaire des relations internationales a longtemps été négligée par les traditions juridique, historique et économique qui s’approprièrent cet objet d’étude. Ces traditions ont privilégié la notion d’État, l’héritage européen ainsi qu’une vision élitaire des relations internationales, éludant tout un pan des relations internationales. De plus, elles ne sont pas suffisamment indépendantes de la pratique des relations internationales et fortement influencées par le contexte géopolitique, comme en témoigne la corrélation entre le statut international de l’État et la place accordée à l’étude des relations internationales. La constitution de groupes de travail pourrait mettre un terme à ce réductionnisme abusif. Néanmoins, le manque de crédits alloués à ce type de laboratoire est un frein à l’essor de cette approche des relations internationales.