南非的“国家性”问题与民主转型

"国家性"问题是一个国家的公民对该国的政治制度建构、公民资格及权利实现等有诸多分歧,导致国民对国家缺乏一致的政治认同,影响国家统一和政治整合的分离主义问题。关于"国家性"的共识,在逻辑上优先于民主制度的创建。南非"国家性"问题肇始于南非联邦时期,其"二元型"殖民地的特征埋下了国家分裂的隐患;种族隔离制度的实行使南非共和国成为外部独立、内部殖民主义的高分裂国家,南非"国家性"问题进一步恶化。在国内分裂和国际制裁的双重压力下,南非政治领导人用妥协和宽容的精神,通过"权力共享"的制度设计重构了南非的政治认同。新南非和平地解决了"国家性"问题,成为一个统一的民主国家。

俄罗斯“国家性”的历史结构

"国家性"是一个涵义多端的复杂概念,19世纪下半叶出现在俄国工人运动理论家的文献中,随后在俄国境内外得到了广泛运用。作为一个法政概念,"国家性"的涵义一开始主要与"国家"概念类似,但是在俄国保守主义者那里却被赋予了神性色彩,体现了俄罗斯历史发展的特殊性。"国家性"既是一个内核相对稳定的概念,又是一个发展变迁的概念;它既源于基本政治制度的历史架构,也源于以意识形态和理念为核心的精神结构。历史上的基辅罗斯是一个松散的贵族共和国联盟,但是鞑靼蒙古人的入侵破坏了它的政治系统,将王公-贵族-教会-谓彻所组成的四元结构转变为单一的王公专制独裁结构。绵延的世袭制传统、东正教中的神性因素以及在此基础上形成的最高权力与民众的心理结构,共同服务于专制统治的合法性,构成了俄罗斯国家性的精神层面。俄罗斯政治转型主要在于由专制政治向现代政治过渡,其关键是重构国家性,使传统国家性蜕变为现代国家性。

“国家性”问题:民主化研究不可忽视的重要视域

"国家性"问题是指一个国家的政党、政治团体和公民对该国的领土范围存在分歧与争议,在政治制度的建构、政治冲突的化解、公民资格的确立、公民权利的实现等方面缺乏基本共识,有的地方甚至出现了分离主义,从而导致国民缺乏统一的国家认同,影响国家统一和政治整合。在民主转型时期,维护国家统一的力量(政府或执政党)容易受到民主化的冲击,整个社会的思想比较混乱,多数决的民主制度设计容易刺激民族主义的膨胀,导致民族关系紧张,甚至引发民族分离主义。后发国家的民主转型通常比较激进,大都伴随着社会动荡,民主化后反分离的手段受到限制及相关制度化建设滞后,因此民主转型常常会加剧"国家性"问题。随着民主巩固的实现,政府的权威将得到有效型塑,统一的国族文化逐渐建立,民主共识形成并不断叠加,各民族的关系将在民主制度的框架下得到协调,社会整体呈稳定状态,维护国家统一和反分离逐渐纳入民主和法治的制度化轨道,"国家性"问题将得到有效抑制和缓解。

民族国家构建视阈下的乌克兰危机研究

持续发酵的乌克兰危机牵动着全世界的神经,带动着全球政治力量的博弈,深刻影响着国际关系。乌克兰民族问题由来已久,民族、历史、宗教、政治、文化等因素长期交织是乌克兰民族问题形成的历史根源,乌克兰独立后的政治民主化进程中,"橙色革命"、"蓝色革命"的相继上演,"引爆"了乌克兰危机。基于民族国家构建的视阈来分析,因地理、历史因素产生的区域主义现实,因社会"特性"分裂而导致乌克兰的"国家性"问题,使其民族构建面临困境;国家政治制度设计上的缺陷,在政体上的左右徘徊,脆弱的政党政治使其国家构建产生严重的问题。研究乌克兰危机对多民族国家有效治理民族问题、防止国家分裂具有借鉴意义。

Gastroenterology in developing countries:Issues and advances

Developing countries shoulder a considerable burden of gastroenterological disease. Infectious diseases in particular cause enormous morbidity and mortality. Diseases which afflict both western and developing countries are often seen in more florid forms in poorer countries. Innovative techniques continuously improve and update gastroenterological practice. However, advances in diagnosis and treatment which are commonplace in the West, have yet to reach many developing countries. Clinical guidelines, based on these advances and collated in resource-rich environments, lose their relevance outside these settings. In this two-part review, we first highlight the global burden of gastroenterological disease in three major areas： diarrhoeal diseases, hepatitis B, and Helicobacter pylori. Recent progress in their management is explored, with consideration of future solutions. The second part of the review focuses on the delivery of clinical services in developing countries. Inadequate numbers of healthcare workers hamper efforts to combat gastroenterological disease. Reasons for this shortage are examined, along with possibilities for increased specialist training. Endoscopy services, the mainstay of gastroenterology in the West, are in their infancy in many developing countries. The challenges faced by those se^ing up a service are illustrated by the example of a Nigerian endoscopy unit. Finally, we highlight the limited scope of many clinical guidelines produced in western countries. Guidelines which take account of resource limitations in the form of ＂cascades＂ are advocated in order to make these guidelines truly global. Recognition of the different working conditions facing practitioners worldwide is an important step towards narrowing the gap between gastroenterology in rich and poor countries.

ASYMMETRIC RAINBAND BREAKING IN TYPHOON HAITANG(2005) BEFORE AND AFTER ITS LANDFALL

Using the WRF(Weather Research Forecast)model,this work performed analysis and simulation on the rainband change during the landfall of Typhoon Haitang(2005)and found that breaking may occur over land and oceans leads to distinct asymmetric precipitation.The breaking is related to the topographic effect as well as interactions between the typhoon and midlatitude systems at upper levels.During the landfall,divergent flows at the 200-hPa level of the South-Asian high combined with divergent flows at the periphery of the typhoon to form a weak,inverted trough in the northwest part of the storm,with the mid- and low-level divergence fields on the west and northwest side of the typhoon center maintaining steadily.It intensifies the upper-level cyclonic flows,in association with positive vorticity rotating counterclockwise together with air currents that travel stepwise into a vorticity zone in the vicinity of the typhoon core, thereby forming a vorticity transfer belt in 22–25°N that extends to the eastern part of the storm.It is right here that the high-level vorticity band is subsiding so that rainfall is prevented from developing,resulting in the rainbelt breaking,which is the principal cause of asymmetric precipitation occurrence.Migrating into its outer region,the banded vorticity of Haitang at high levels causes further amplification of the cyclonic circulation in the western part and transfer of positive vorticity into the typhoon such that the rainband breaking is more distinct.

Quantitative similarity assessment of non-linear chemical fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine by similarity system theory

The similarities of the non-linear chemical （NLC） fingerprints of Radix Glycyrrhizaes from four producing areas and eight other traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） were calculated, using a systemic similarity calculation method proposed and three other main calculation ones （Euclidean distance, correlation coefficient and included angle cosine）. All of the correlation coefficient similarities of different TCMs are higher than 0.952, and the included angle cosines are all higher than 0.962. So, both the conelation coefficient and included angle cosine similarities are unable to be used as the criteria for quantitatively evaluating the similarities of NLC fingerprints of TCMs. Although all of the Euclidean distance similarities of Berry Liquorices from four producing areas are less than 73, those of the other eight TCMs are all more than 180. The Euclidean distance cannot reflect the relative magnitudes of the feature differences in the NLC fingerprints very correctly. The systemic similarity method is the best among the four ones. All of the systemic similarities of Berry Liquorices from the four producing areas are higher than 0.962, while those of the other eight TCMs are all lower than 0.805, and the systemic similarity can reflect the differences between samples most faithfully, and can be used as a quantitative one evaluating the similarities of NLC fingerprints of TCMs, by which TCM could be distinguished and evaluated quickly, simply and exactly.

Detection of hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutations in Chinese hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer kindreds

AIM： To establish and validate the mutation testing for identification and characterization of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer （HNPCC） in suspected Chinese patients. METHODS： Five independent Chinese kindreds with HNPCC fulfilling the classical Amsterdam criteria were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted after informed consent was obtained. The coding region of hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography （DHPLC）. Mutations identified in the proband by DHPLC were directly sequenced using a 377 DNA sequencer, analyzed with a basic local alignment tool （BLAST）, and tested in the corresponding family members by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS： Mutations were identified in two Chinese HNPCC kindreds. One was the missense mutation of hMSH2 c.1808A→G resulting in Asp 603 Gly identified in the proband of the fifth HNPCC （HNPCCS） kindred. In the HNP5 kindred, three family members were found to have this mutation and two of them had colorectal cancer. The other mutation of hMLH1 c.1882A→G was identified in the HNP2 kindred＇s proband, which might be the nonsense mutation analyzed by BLAST. CONCLUSION： Pedigree investigation and mutation testing of hMSH2 and hMLH1 are the practical methods to identify high-risk HNPCC patients in China.

Effects of telbivudine and entecavir for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: A meta-analysis

AIM:To compare the effects of telbivudine (LDT) and entecavir (ETV) in treatment of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B by meta-analysis. METHODS:We conducted a literature search using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the VIP database, the Wanfang database and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register for all relevant articles published before April 1, 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LDT with ETV for treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B were included. The data was analyzed with Review Manager Software 5.0. We used relative risk (RR) as an effect measure, and reported its 95% CI. Meta-analysis was performed using either a fixedeffect or random-effect model, based on the absence or presence of significant heterogeneity. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias and extracted data indepen- dently and in duplicate. The analysis was executed using the main outcome parameters including hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA undetectability, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization, HBeAg loss, HBeAg seroconversion, drug-resistance, and adverse reactions. Meta-analysis of the included trials and subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the association between pre-specified characteristics with the therapeutic effects of the two agents. RESULTS:Thirteen eligible trials (3925 patients in total) were included and evaluated for methodological quality and heterogeneity. In various treatment durations of 4 wk, 8 wk, 12 wk, 24 wk, 36 wk, 48 wk, 52 wk, 60 wk and 72 wk, the rates of HBV DNA undetectability and ALT normalization in the two groups were similar, without statistical significance. At 4 wk and 8 wk of the treatment, no statistical differences were found in the rate of HBeAg loss between the two groups, while the rate in the LDT group was higher than in the ETV group at 12 wk, 24 wk, 48 wk and 52 wk, respectively (RR 2.28, 95% CI 1.16, 7.03, P = 0.02; RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.16, 1.82, P = 0.001; RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.11, 1.89, P = 0.006; and RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.04, 3.32, P = 0.04). At 4 wk, 8 wk, 60 wk and 72 wk of the treatment, there were no significant differences in the rate of HBeAg seroconversion between the two groups, while at 12 wk, 24 wk, 48 wk and 52 wk, the rate in the LDT group was higher than in the ETV group (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.36, 3.24, P = 0.0008; RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.29, 2.28, P = 0.0002; RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.36, 2.54, P < 0.0001; and RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.21, 2.90, P = 0.005). The rate of drug-resistance was higher in the LDT group than in the ETV group (RR 3.76, 95% CI 1.28, 11.01, P = 0.02). In addition, no severe adverse drug reactions were observed in the two groups. And the rate of increased creatine kinase in the LDT group was higher than in the ETV group (RR 5.58, 95% CI 2.22, 13.98, P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION:LDT and ETV have similar virological and biomedical responses, and both are safe and well tolerated. However, LDT has better serological response and higher drug-resistance.

Mapping the Farming-pastoral Ecotones in China

Conventional farming-pastoral ecotones methods of delineating were not quantitative and could not fully show their spatial distribution. The present paper attempts to develop quantitative methods for mapping farming-pastoral ecotones in China. Nine indicators, related to temperature, precipitation and altitude aspects, were selected to quantify ecological susceptibility of vegetation （crops and forage）. Methods of analytic hierarchy process （AHP） and expert score ranking combined with fuzzy set theory were applied to assign the weight for each indicator and to define the membership functions. The geographic information system （GIS） was used to manage the spatial database and conduct the spatial analysis. According to the spatial calculation of evaluation model integrated with GIS, the ecological susceptibility of vegetation （crops and forage） was mapped. Three different zones, pastoral area, farming-pastoral ecotones and farming area, were classified by spatial cluster analysis and the maximum likelihood classification for the numeric map of vegetation ecological susceptibility by GIS. This map was validated by the economic statistical result based on the ratio of the output value from animal husbandry in total output value of agriculture by the National Bureau of Statistics in China, indicating that the mapping of the farming-pastoral ecotones may be accepted.

Nonlinear adaptive optimal control for vehicle handling improvement through steer-by-wire system

A control algorithm for improving vehicle handling was proposed by applying right angle to the steering wheel,based on the nonlinear adaptive optimal control(NAOC).A nonlinear 4-DOF model was initially developed,then it was simplified to a 2-DOF model with reasonable assumptions to design observer and optimal controllers.Then a simplified model was developed for steering system.The numerical simulations were carried out using vehicle parameters for standard maneuvers in dry and wet road conditions.Moreover,the hardware in the loop method was implemented to prove the controller ability in realistic conditions.Simulation results obviously show the effectiveness of NAOC on vehicle handling and reveal that the proposed controller can significantly improve vehicle handling during severe maneuvers.

Can Emerging Economies Catch-up Sustainably？-An Analysis of BRICS＇ Economic Growth Pattern

The BRICS （Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa） and other emerging economies have become a driving global force for the past twenty years. However, their growth patterns are obsolete, impeding the quality and competitiveness of their economic growth, while simultaneously threatening the sustainability of their economic convergence with developed nations. Transforming the domestic growth pattern-the solution to the middle-income trap-has therefore become a key priority for each of these economies. This paper presents a comparative analysis of how to transform the pattern of economic growth in BRICS and achieve sustainable economic convergence with a comparative analysis of the pattern of economic growth and problems among BRICS countries.

NIS One-Temperature Dew-Point Generator Operating in the Ranae -50℃ to 0 ℃

This paper describes construction and characterization of a dew/frost -point generator developed at national institute for standards. It is intended to operate in the range from -50 ℃to 0 ℃. The air flows through a saturator controlled by a regulated flow meter. The reference dew/frost -point temperature was measured by standard platinum resistance thermometer （SPRT） connected to a resistance bridge. A comparative study between the saturator temperature of the new generator measured by SPRT and the dew/frost-point temperature of a calibrated chilled-mirror hygrometer was conducted. It helped to determine the uncertainty of saturator; this uncertainty was found to be between ±0.06℃ to -4- 0.15℃ at confidence limit of 95%.Several experiments were carried out in the mentioned range. Obtained results gave the confidence that NIS generator could be used as a primary humid air generator.

Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation in Australia:Strategy and Research Developments

Many countries are developing national strategies and action plans aimed at minimising the negative impacts of climate change on biodiversity.The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview not only of strategies and plans that have been developed in Australia,but also of research that has been carried out in Australia by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation(CSIRO) Climate Adaptation Flagship to assist the development of future strategies and plans.Major points are summarised from key policy documents such as the National Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan 2004-2007,and Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030,as well as the 2009 report on "Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change".Within the first three years of its existence,the Natural Ecosystems theme in CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship has carried out studies analysing impacts and identifying potential adaptations across the whole of Australia's vast terrestrial and marine environments.Techniques used in these studies could be applied easily in other countries and could assist the development of more effective national strategies and adaptation action plans for the conservation of biodiversity under climate change.

Media Stakeholders＇ Perspectives and Policy Integrity

Objectivity in media practice is the journalist＇s ability to give every segment of the audience an equal right to be heard and seen, to read or to react. Disappointingly, that objectivity does not extend to the policies that regulate that practice. This concern is demonstrated in the incoherence and lack of judgment that exist in media policy domains where journalism is confined to a deal between only the journalist and his or her audience. This linear process conspicuously excludes those crucial stakeholders whose interests tremendously affect the destiny of journalists and their audience. The development has adversely affected policy rationality in some developing countries as media policies lack interactive planning, robust policy discourses and stakeholder dialogue, thereby undermining policy integrity. This paper attempts to argue that for a media policy to be truly in public interest, formulators have to expand their horizon beyond government, journalists and their audience to other stakeholders. Newsmakers, who fall into a category of such stakeholders, can make the journalist＇s pen run dry if they go on strike! Others include media users, media owners and media scholars. The paper recommends the process of harnessing the perspectives of these stakeholders in a manner that can make analysts consider drafting a fresh all-encompassing media policy for developing countries, especially those of Africa.

Heteroplasmy Level of the Mitochondrial tRNA^(Leu(UUR)) A3243G Mutation in a Chinese Family Is Positively Associated with Earlier Age-of-onset and Increasing Severity of Diabetes

Objective To investigate the mutations of mitochondrial genome in a pedigree with suspected maternally inherited diabetes and deafness and to explore the correlations between the mutations and clinical features. Methods Genomic DNA was isolated from blood leucocytes of each member of the pedigree. The mitochondrial genome was amplified with 24-pair primers that could cover the entire mitochondrial DNA. Direct sequencing of PCR products was used to identify any mitochondrial DNA mutations. Results Family members on the maternal side all harbored the tRNA^Lcu（UUR） A3243G mutation. The paternal side family members did not have the mutation. The age-of-onset of diabetes of the 4 maternal side family members was 15, 41, 44, and 65 years old, and their corresponding heteroplasmy level of the mutation was 34.5%, 14.9%, 14.6%, and 5.9%, respectively. The age-of-onset of diabetes and heteroplasmy level of A3243G mutation were negatively correlated with a correlation coefficient of -0.980（P=0.02）. Meanwhile, patient with high heteroplasmy level of A3243G mutation had relatively low severity of disease. Moreover, 6 reported polymorphisms and 2 new variants were found. Conclusions The main cause of diabetes in this pedigree is the tRNA^Lcu（UUR） A3243G mutation. However, other gene variants may contribute to its pathogenicity. The heteroplasmy level of the tRNA^Lcu（UUR） A3243G mutation is positively associated with earlier age-of-onset and increasing severity of diabetes.

Nurse-staffing level and quality of acute care services:Evidence from cross-national panel data analysis in OECD countries

Background:Most of previous studies aimed to estimate the effect of nurse staffing on quality of acute hospital care have used stochastic methods and their results are mixed.Objective:To measure the magnitude of effect of nurse-staffing level on increasing quality of acute care services in long-run.Data:The number of practicing nurses'density per 1000 population as the proxy of nurse-staffing level and three Health Care Quality Indicators(HCQI)included 30-day mortality per 100 patients based on acute myocardial infarction(MORTAMIO),hemorrhagic stroke(MORTHSTO)and ischemic stroke(MORTISTO)were collected as a part of ongoing project by OECD.org in panels of 26 OECD countries over 2005-2015 period.Method:Panel data analysis.Results:There were committed relationships from nurse-staffing level to the enhancement of HCQI i.e.1%increase in nurse-staffing level would reduce the rates of patient mortality based on MORTAMIO,MORTHSTO and MORTISTO by 0.65%,0.60%and 0.80%,respectively.Furthermore,the role of nursestaffing level in increasing overall HCQI were simulated at the highest level in Sweden(-3.53),Denmark(-3.31),Canada(-2.59),Netherlands(-2.33),Finland(-2.09),Switzerland(-1.72),Australia(-1.64)and United States(-1.53).Conclusion:A higher proportion of nurses-staffing level is associated with higher quality of acute care services in OECD countries.Also,the nursing characteristics of Sweden,Denmark,Canada,Netherlands,Finland,Switzerland,Australia and United States would be good patterns for other countries to maximize nursing outcomes in the care of patients with acute and life-threatening conditions by reducing the risk of complication,mortality and adverse clinical outcomes.

Association between Two Polymorphisms of Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor Gene and Susceptibility to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Meta-analysis

Objective To investigate the association between two polymorphisms of follicle stimulating hormone receptor （FSHR） gene and polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） susceptibility. Methods Case-control studies on relationship of Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms in FSHR gene and PCOS susceptibility were searched from PubMed, ISI web of knowledge, EBSCO, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） databases up to March 21, 2013. The pooled odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence interval （CO were calculated using fixed- or random-effect model based on heterogeneity test in 5 genotype models analyses. Results A total of 11 studies were included in the Meta-analysis. The random-effect analysis showed Asn680Ser was significantly associated with the reduced susceptibility to PCOS with dominant model （Asn/Asn＋Asn/Ser vs. Ser/Ser, OR=0.83, 95% CI： 0.69-1.00）, recessive model （Asn/Asn vs. Asn/Ser＋ Ser/Ser, OR=0.84, 95% CI： 0.72-0.98）, homozygote comparison （Ash/Ash vs. Ser/Ser, 0R=0.79, 95% CI： 0.63-0.98）, and the allele contrast （Asn vs. Ser, OR=0.87, 95% CI： 0.79-0.97） respectively（P=0.02, I2=56.0%）, being protective factors for PCOS. However, no significant associations were found between Thr307Ala and PCOS. Conclusion There might be a significant association between Asn680Ser polymorphism and PCOS.

Incidence and mortality of female breast cancer in the AsiaPacific region

Objective: To provide an overview of the incidence and mortality of female breast cancer for countries in the Asia-Pacific region.Methods: Statistical information about breast cancer was obtained from publicly available cancer registry and mortality databases(such as GLOBOCAN), and supplemented with data requested from individual cancer registries. Rates were directly age-standardised to the Segi World Standard population and trends were analysed using joinpoint models.Results: Breast cancer was the most common type of cancer among females in the region, accounting for 18% of all cases in 2012, and was the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths(9%). Although incidence rates remain much higher in New Zealand and Australia, rapid rises in recent years were observed in several Asian countries. Large increases in breast cancer mortality rates also occurred in many areas, particularly Malaysia and Thailand, in contrast to stabilising trends in Hong Kong and Singapore, while decreases have been recorded in Australia and New Zealand. Mortality trends tended to be more favourable for women aged under 50 compared to those who were 50 years or older. Conclusion: It is anticipated that incidence rates of breast cancer in developing countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region will continue to increase. Early detection and access to optimal treatment are the keys to reducing breast cancerrelated mortality, but cultural and economic obstacles persist. Consequently, the challenge is to customise breast cancer control initiatives to the particular needs of each country to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Effect of Cereal Brans Supplementation on Quality Characteristics of Various Indigenous Products

The effect of using different cereal brans （wheat, rice, oat and their combination） at different levels （0, 5, 10%） in different indigenous products （Balushahi, Mathi, Kulcha and Paratha） on color, texture and sensory quality was studied. The addition of cereal bran decreased the ＂L＂ values and increased the ＂a＂ value of all the developed indigenous products. Supplementation of different cereal bran had significant effect on texture of the developed indigenous products. Overall hardness of the products decreased with addition of cereal brans. Among various cereal bran levels used, 10% supplementation showed maximum hardness in all types of products. Cereal bran supplementation significantly improved the protein and fibre content of all indigenous products. On the basis of physical analysis and sensory attributes, it was concluded that cereal brans can be substituted upto 5% （rice bran and bran in combination） and 10% levels （wheat bran and oat bran） in whole wheat flour and maida for developing indigenous products without adversely affecting quality attributes.