Introducing China International Studies

The world situation is experiencing profound and complex changes. With the further deepening of economic globalization, various countries with interwoven interests are becoming increasingly interdependent and interrelated. A large number of big developing countries are rising, adding fresh rich elements to the trend of development toward multi-polarity.

Happy New Year to Our Readers and Greetings to China International Studies

Editors’ Note: The New Year approaches as we greet the first anniversary of China International Studies. Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we sincerely wish our readers a happy and prosperous New Year! China International Studies began its publication last December. Since its inception, various think-tanks and institutions of higher learning both at home and abroad as well as Chinese embassies in foreign countries and foreign embassies in Beijing have offered it great support. Many readers wrote to us giving their encouragement on this new-born publication. We are carrying some of the messages in this issue to express our deep appreciation. Articles in this issue are mainly on the Middle East situation, the Iran nuclear issue, China-EU relations, China-India relations and China’s peaceful diplomacy. We are also publishing a paper by a foreign scholar for the first time.

On the 2002 U. S. Mid-Term Election Zhang Yanyu and Wang Wenfeng are both assistant research professors at the Division for American Studies in China Institute of Contemporary International Relations

The first mid-term election of the U. S. in the new century took place on November 5, 2002. One third of the senators from the 107th Congress (34 out of 100), all representatives (435), 36 state governors, and numerous local officials and legislators were to be elected or reelected. The resounding victory of the GOP in the congressional elections and the fact that the Democrats only got three more.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE STUDIES ON THE QINGHAI-XIZANG PLATEAU

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is known as "the roof of the world".Its intensive uplifting has been one of the most important events in the past two million years of the earth history,which strongly affects the physical environment and human activities both in the plateau itself and in its nearby regions.As a natural laboratory in the fields of geo-science,biology,resources and environment,the Plateau has attracted worldwide attention from the academic circles.Because the main body of the plateau is located in China,Chinese scientists shoulder major responsibilities for

The 3rd South China Cardiovascular Scientific Sessions and The International Information Conference on Heart Failure Studies

Sponsored by Guangdong Provincial Cardiovgscular Association South China Journal of Cardiology Date: August 3rd to 6th, 2001

The Path of Undergraduate Intemational Relations Studies in Chile： Stumbling Under the Umbrella of Political Science

In Chile, the study of international relations is very limited both in the number of programs and in its scope. Furthermore, it is still a country where international relations are under the umbrella of political science and political science itself is heavily influenced by the study of the law. This paper looks at the development of international relations both as a tool for training diplomats and as a topic of study within political science in Chile. It does so within the framework of the social sciences. Using interviews as a complimentary tool of research, it concludes that, along with a marked influence of economics in the study of social sciences in Chile, the country＇s political and social history has shaped the advent of social sciences at the undergraduate level and has dwarfed the growth and contents of both political science and international studies, in spite of the country＇s successful embrace of globalization.

Nursing in a Globalized World: Nursing Students with International Study Experience Report Higher Competence at Graduation

Due to globalization, there is a need for nurses with skills and competence in providing safe, competent and culturally appropriate care. The aim of the study was to investigate whether International Study Experiences (ISE) in other countries during basic nursing education had an impact on newly graduated nurses as regards to self-reported competence. Moreover, a second aim was to explore what background factors that facilitated or constituted a hindrance for nursing students to choose to conduct part of their basic nursing education abroad. At 11 Universities/University Colleges (henceforth called Higher Education Institutions [HEIs]) in Sweden, 565 nursing students responded to the Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) Scale. Students with ISE rated their competence significantly higher on three NPC competence areas—“Legislation in nursing and safety planning”, “Leadership and development of nursing” and “Education and supervision of staff/students”. Background factors that significantly seemed to enhance ISE were living alone, not having children or other commitments in relation to family, international focus at the HEI and previous international experience. Lack of financial means was reported to prevent students from choosing ISE. The study implies that several background factors are of importance whether students choose ISE or not. ISE during basic nursing education might result in better self-reported competence in leading and developing nursing care, including education of future nurses, and in providing safe care.

A comparison of perinatal and infant mortality rates in British Columbia and Finland:Similarities and differences

Introduction: Despite similarities, perinatal and infant mortality rates between British Columbia, (BC) Canada and Finland differ. Key variables that may influence stillbirth, early neonatal, perinatal and infant mortality rates in BC and Finland were studied. Methods: After standardizing definitions, data for all births between 2001 and 2009 from provincial and national registries were used to compare perinatal outcomes between BC and Finland. Annual change was evaluated with regression analyses. Results: Births before 22 weeks gestation were excluded. All mortality rates per 1000 were lower in Finland vs BC (perinatal: 5.1 vs 6.2, stillbirth: 3.4 vs 3.9, early neonatal 1.7 vs 2.4, infant 2.9 vs 4.0;all p Higher multiple birth and preterm birth rates in BC are affecting mortality rates. Finland’s policy of single embryo transfer is a potential explanation. It is possible to have good perinatal outcomes and low caesarean section rates. Conclusions: The Finnish health care system may suggest possible solutions for improved perinatal outcomes. Lower per capita health care expenditures in Finland do not appear to have adversely affected perinatal outcomes.

Looking Towards the 1995 World Women's Conference——the second international seminar on women's studies

Women’s development is a process. It is also a process to await the Fourth World Conference on Women to be held in Beijing in 1995, a process to further mobilize women from various countries to gain equality between the sexes and to take a part in social development. The second international seminar on women’s studies was held from November 23 to 26, 1993, at Beijing University in preparation for this day. Some 100 women researchers from Australia, Bangladesh’, Canada, the United States, England, Malaysia and Japan, as well as Hong Kong and China participated in the event. It was one of the most lively and active seminars held during this process. To take prompt action in development was a common nderstanding of the participants.

Retrospective and Prospects for China’s International Educational Exchange in the 40th Anniversary Year of Reform and Opening Up

International exchange is an important part of China’s educational opening up,cooperation,and connection with other countries.It also serves as a unique strategic resource,helping to develop and consolidate mutual political trust,diplomatic exchange,economic and trade relations,cultural exchange and educational cooperation between China and other countries in the world,thereby enhancing China’s international image.We have seen positive contributions made to our progress towards peace among peoples,and noted the irreplaceable role played by China.International educational exchange is an important part of global international student flows.Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China,especially in the 40 years of reform and opening up,China has experienced a development process in education from language students to students at all levels and from quantity to quality.The change in the type of international students studying in China and of Chinese students studying abroad reflects the Chinese spirit and the broadening the appeal of China’s programs.It can be interpreted as the fulfillment of the“Chinese Dream,”contributing to national revitalization.The trade imbalance between exporting countries and destination countries in international educational exchange has been reduced.

CURRENT STUDIES ON BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LOW LEVEL INTERNAL IRRADIATION

The biological effects of relative low level internal irradiation were introduced. 1. Life span studies on carcinogenesis. Pacific Northwest Laboratory observed 3782 rats given a single inhalation of 239Pu O2 at initial lung burden ranging from 0.25 to 180 nCi. Significant life span shortening was found at lung dose > 8 Gy and it was indicated that the presence of a 'possible' threshold of about 1 Gy for lung tumor formation. 2. Health effects of radon and its progeny. Both experimental and epidemiological survey were studied. The nominal probability coefficient (fatality) for the public and workers are 7.90×105 per mJhm-3 (2.77 ×10~4 per working level month, WLM). 3. Health effects of 3H on postnatal brain development and neurobehavior, genetic effects, carcinogenic effects and adaptive effects of 3H were investigated. 4. Study on the effects of neuroendocrine system under low level irradiation of 75Se (Auger electron emitter) and 35S (β-particles emitter). The results showed that the neuroendocrine system is very sensitive to small dose of internal irradiation.

Internal field study of 21700 battery based on long-life embedded wireless temperature sensor

The safety of lithium-ion batteries is an essential concern where instant and accurate temperature sensing is critical.It is generally desired to put sensors inside batteries for instant sensing.However,the transmission of internal measurement outside batteries without interfering their normal state is a non-trivial task due to the harsh electrochemical environment,the particular packaging structures and the intrinsic electromagnetic shielding problems of batteries.In this work,a novel in-situ temperature sensing framework is proposed by incorporating temperature sensors with a novel signal transmission solution.The signal transmission solution uses a self-designed integrated-circuit which modulates the internal measurements outside battery via its positive pole without package breaking.Extensive experimental results validate the noninterference properties of the proposed framework.Our proposed in-situ temperature measurement by the self-designed signal modulation solution has a promising potential for in-situ battery health monitoring and thus promoting the development of smart batteries.

The incidence and severity of post-hepatectomy bile leaks is affected by surgical indications,preoperative chemotherapy,and surgical procedures

Background:Bile leaks are one of the most common complications after liver resection.The International Study Group of Liver Surgery(ISGLS)established a uniform bile leak definition including a severity grading.However,a risk factor assessment according to ISGLS grading as well as the clinical implications has not been studied sufficiently so far.Methods:The incidence and grading of bile leaks according to ISGLS were prospectively documented in 501 consecutive liver resections between July 2012 and December 2016.A multivariate regression analysis was performed for risk factor assessment.Association with other surgical complications,90-day mortality as well as length of hospital stay(LOS)was studied.Results:The total rate of bile leaks in this cohort was 14.0%:2.8%grade A,8.0%grade B,and 3.2%grade C bile leaks were observed.Preoperative chemotherapy or biliary intervention,diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma,colorectal metastasis,central minor liver resection,major hepatectomy,extended hepatectomy or two-stage hepatectomy,were some of the risk factors leading to bile leaks.The multivariate regression analysis revealed that preoperative chemotherapy,major hepatectomy and biliodigestive reconstruction remained significant independent risk factors for bile leaks.Grade C bile leaks were associated not only with surgical site infection,but also with an increased 90-day mortality and prolonged LOS.Conclusions:The preoperative treatment as well as the surgical procedure had significant influence on the incidence and the severity of bile leaks.Grade C bile leaks were clinically most relevant,and led to significant increased LOS,rate of infection,and mortality.

Quantitative Histological Study on Changes of the Cortical Bones after Internal Fixation with Plates of Different Rigidity

In an effect to explore the potemtial role of bone microcirculation causing plate-induced reginal osteoporosis

Survival trends of patients with non-metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma in the US and European countries:the impact of decreasing resection rates

Background:We previously observed decreasing resection rates of nonmetastatic gastric adenocarcinoma(GaC)in the US and some European countries.If and to what extent these trends affect the trends in overall survival(OS)of patients with non-metastatic GaC at the population level remain unclear.This large international population-based cohort study aimed to assess the impact of the previously observed decreasing resection rates on multivariable-adjusted trends in the long-term OS of patients with non-metastatic GaC.Methods:Individual-level data of patients with non-metastatic GaC were obtained from the national cancer registries of the Netherlands,Belgium,Sweden,Norway,and Slovenia,and the US Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results database.We analyzed data for each country separately.Associations between year of diagnosis and OS were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression model with adjustment for multiple prognostic variables,with and without including resection and chemotherapy as potential explanatory variables.Results:A total of 66,398 non-metastatic GaC patients diagnosed in 2003-2016 were analyzed,with an accumulated follow-up of 172,357 person-years.Without adjustment for resection,OS was improved only slightly in the US[hazard ratio(HR)_(per year)=0.99;HR_(≥vs.<2010)=0.96],and no improvement was observed in the investigated European countries,with OS even worsening in Sweden(HR_(per year)=1.03;HR_(≥vs.<2010)=1.17).After adjusting for resection,the increasing OS trend became stronger in the US(HR_(per year)=0.98;HR_(≥vs.<2010)=0.88),and the temporal trend became insignificant in Sweden.In Slovenia(HR_(per year)=0.99;HR_(≥vs.<2010)=0.92)and Norway(HR_(per year)=0.97;HR_(≥vs.<2010)=0.86),improved OS over time emerged after resection adjustment.Improved OS in patients undergoing resection was observed in the US,the Netherlands,and Norway.Adjustment for chemotherapy did not alter the observed associations.Stratified analyses by tumor location showedmostly similar resultswith the findings in all patients with non-metastatic GaCs regarding the associations between year of diagnosis and survival.Conclusions:OS of patients with non-metastatic GaC mostly did not improve in selected European countries and was even worsened in Sweden,while it was slightly increased in the US in the early 21st century.Progress in OS of patients with non-metastatic GaC seems to have been impeded to a large extent by decreasing rates of resection.