Deep Solicitude for The Poor Rural People——An Interview with Lin Yuechan, a government official from Fujianofficial from Fujian

Fujian Province has made tremendous achievements in poverty alleviation and human rights protection, which provided valuable experience for the rest of the world. For this reason, our correspondents interviewed Lin Yuechan, deputy director of the Office of Rural Affairs under the People's Government of Fujian Province.

Nail Selenium Level and Diabetes in Older People in Rural China

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between selenium levels and diabetes in an older population with life-long natural exposure to selenium in rural China. A total of 1856 subjects aged 65 years or older from four Chinese rural counties with different environmental selenium levels were evaluated. Analysis of covariance models and logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between nail selenium levels and serum glucose, serum insulin, insulin resistance [using the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance （HOMA-IR）], and the risk of diabetes. The mean nail selenium level was 0.461μg/g and the prevalence rate of diabetes was 8.3% in this population. The mean nail selenium level was significantly higher in the group with diabetes than in the group without diabetes （P〈0.0001）. The adjusted odds ratios for diabetes were 2.65 （95% Cl： 1.48 to 4.73）, 2.47 （95% CI： 1.37 to 4.45）, and 3.30 （95% Cl： 1.85 to 5.88） from the second selenium quartile to the fourth quartile, respectively, compared with the first quartile group. The mean serum glucose and HOMA-IR in the higher selenium quartile groups were significantly higher than those of the lowest quartile group. However, no significant differences in insulin were observed among the four quartile groups. A long-term, higher level of exposure to selenium may be associated with a higher risk of diabetes. Future studies are needed to elucidate the association between selenium and insulin resistance.

A study of information exchange through social networks in rural China

This research looks at the characteristics of social networks of rural people in different careers and income conditions.The study also investigates information exchange amongst rural people.The aim of this research is to analyze social networks’implication in the information exchange of rural people in China.Design/methodology/approach:The field work investigation of this study is a questionnaire survey of the egocentric social networks of 660 rural people in China.The characteristics of social networks are revealed through social network analysis(SNA).Findings:Analysis of quantitative date indicates that the social networks of Chinese rural people are small sized,filled with very strong ties and characterized by high-homogeneity.These characteristics limit the exchange of useful and new information.Research limitations:This survey was taken on a small scale of respondents.It did not focus on the information poverty issue,though the results indicate that a strong information divide exists amongst rural people.Practical implications:The social networks of rural people are viewed as their main information exchange channel on the one hand;however on the other hand,they does play a negative role in ameliorating information poverty.Through these social networks,rural people with different educational backgrounds and income levels suffer the information divide.Originality/value:This research focuses on the seven kinds of information which are crucial in rural people’s living and productivity.The connection between the characteristics of social networks and information exchange are revealed.

Income Growth of Peasants Based on Grey Theory

Taking Jiangsu Province for example and using the relevant data in Jiangsu Statistical Yearbook and Statistical Communique of Jiangsu Province on National Economic and Social Development during 2002-2009,the thesis selects eight indexes including per capita net income of farmers,the fixed asset investment level in rural areas,average educational level,agricultural scientific and technological level,urbanization level,industrialization level,average consumption level per rural residents and per capita GDP and adopts the theory of grey correlation to analyze the factors influencing the peasants' net income.As shown in the result,the effect on the peasants' net income gives the following subsequence from great to little:average consumption level per capita of rural residents,urbanization level,average educational level,industrialization level,per capita GDP,number of scientific and technical personnel and fixed asset investment level in rural areas,that is,r06>r04>r02>r05>r07>r03>r01.Then combining with the practical conditions,the thesis makes a detailed analysis of each factor influencing the peasant's income growth and proposes corresponding measures in order to improve the peasants' income.

Agriculture and Technical Cooperation： Nelson Rockefeller and the Work of AIA in Brazil （ 1946-1961 ）

It aims to analyze the work of American International Association for Economic and Social Development （AIA）, a philanthropic agency founded by Nelson Rockefeller, between 1946 and 1961 in Brazil. Aiming to promote better standards of living to the Latin American rural population, AIA is merged in a historical context of increasing US economic and politic influence over Latin America and Brazil, diffusing and adapting US technical assistance programs to local contexts. However, this research developed the idea of an intense process of political negotiation, including resistance from Brazilian political staff. Also, there were many difficulties in adapting these programs to the local context, leading to constant reorganization of the AIA＇s work in Brazil.

Survey Pinpoints Farmers＇ Changing Needs for Medical Services

Our survey indicates that rural people＇s satisfaction with medical service in the countryside is currently low. Intermediate variables of comments on medical institutions, medical staff and medicine directly influence their satisfaction with rural medical service. Among initial variables, except for age, legion, occupation and family income which also directly influence overall satisfaction, factors like education, primary type of illness among family members and diagnostic procedure and treatment afterwards have all indirect impact on overall satisfaction.

An overview report on the situation of elderly people in urban and rural China:2000-2015

China had become a country with an aging population by the end of the 20th century.Dealing with the aging of its population is a long-term strategic task for China.“The National Survey on Elderly People in Urban and Rural China”has been carried out four times since the year 2000.The data shows that during the years 2000 to 2015 the wellbeing of elderly people in urban and rural China improved greatly.The economic status of the elderly has obviously improved;and there have also been steady improvements to social security protections,health care services and the availability of social activities in which the elderly can participate.In addition,the spiritual and cultural life of the elderly has become richer and more colorful.The aging of society creates challenges,such as potential shortages of labor resources,the weakening of family functions and the need for more medical care facilities and services,and these intensify over time.At the same time,changes to the structure of demand and of industry caused by societal aging bring many opportunities.