The Establishment Meeting of International Society of Bionic Engineering

The establishment meeting of International Society of Bionic Engineering (ISBE) convened grandly at Zhuhai,China in September 14-16, 2010. Related officials and representatives attended the opening ceremony, who camefrom the Research Councils, UK, the National Natural Science Foundation of America, the Bionic Society of Ger-

Opening Address to the 1987 International Conference of the System Dynamics Society

1987年国际系统动力学会议于今年6月9日至12日在上海召开。同时,会议收到的各国学者的64篇论文也在我院汇篇成论文集。现选择其中有代表性的6篇在本刊发表,本期刊登的是:国务院发展研究中心总干事、我国著名社会经济学家马洪教授的开幕词;国际系统动力学创始人、美国MIT教授Jay.W.Forrester的“系统动力学在城市与区域发展分析上的应用”;国际系统动力学协会政策委员会委员、全国系统动力学学术委员会筹委会主任、本院王其藩教授的“系统动力学的哲学观和基本理论”。

Preimplantation genetic testing guidelines of International Society of Reproductive Genetics

The International Society of Reproductive Genetics(ISRG)assembled a workgroup made up of clinicians,clinical laboratory directors,and scientists for the purpose of creating the guidelines for preimplantation genetic testing(PGT).The most up-to-date information and clinical insights for the optimal PGT practice were incorporated in these guidelines.Recommendations are provided for embryologists,medical geneticists,clinical laboratorians,and other healthcare providers to improve the wellbeing of patients seeking assisted reproductive treatment and their offspring.

Predictive efficacy of the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology Gleason grading system in initially diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer

We compared the predictive ability of the 2014 and 2005 Gleason grading systems in 568 patients initially diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer （PCa）. Outcomes included the duration of castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival （CFS） and overall survival （OS）. Univariate analyses and log-rank tests were used to identify prognosis indicators and assess univariable differences in CFS and OS in Gleason score （GS） groups. Cox proportional hazards and area under the curves of receiver operator characteristics methods were used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the 2005 and 2014 ISUP grading systems. Univariate analyses showed that the 2005 and 2014 grading systems were prognosticators for CFS and OS; both systems could distinguish the clinical outcome of patients with GS 6, GS 7, and GS 8-10. Using the 2014 criteria, no statistical differences in patient survival were observed between GS 3 ＋ 4 and GS 4 ＋ 3 or GS 8 and GS 9-10. The predictive ability of the 2014 and 2005 grading systems was comparable for CFS and OS （P = 0.321）. However, the 2014 grading system did not exhibit superior predictive efficacy in patients initially diagnosed with PCa and bone metastasis; trials using larger cohorts are required to confirm its predictive value. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study to compare the 2005 and 2014 grading systems in initially diagnosed PCa with bone metastasis. At present, we recommend that both systems should be used to predict the prognosis of patients with metastatic PCa.

The evolving Gleason grading system

The Gleason grading system for prostate adenocarcinoma has evolved from its original scheme established in the 1960s-1970s, to a significantly modified system after two major consensus meetings conducted by the International Society of Urologic Pathology （ISUP） in 2005 and 2014, respectively. The Gleason grading system has been incorporated into the WHO classification of prostate cancer, the AJCC/ UICC staging system, and the NCCN guidelines as one of the key factors in treatment decision. Both pathologists and clinicians need to fully understand the principles and practice of this grading system. We here briefly review the historical aspects of the original scheme and the recent developments of Gleason grading system, focusing on major changes over the years that resulted in the modern Gleason grading system, which has led to a new ＂Grade Group＂ system proposed by the 2014 ISUP consensus, and adopted by the 2016 WHO classification of tumours of the prostate.

Human Brucellosis Mimicking Axial Spondyloarthritis: a Challenge for Rheumatologists when Applying the 2009 ASAS Criteria

Although the development of the 2009 Sp A classification criteria by Assessment of Spondylo Arthritis international Society（ASAS） represents an important step towards a better definition of the early disease stage particularly in axial spondyloarthritis（ax Sp A）, the specificity of the criteria has been criticized these days. As the commonest zoonotic infection worldwide, human brucellosis can mimic a large number of diseases, including Sp A. This study was performed to determine the frequency of rheumatologic manifestations in patients with brucellosis and the chance of misdiagnosing them as having ax Sp A in central China. The results showed that clinical manifestations of ax Sp A could be observed in brucellosis. Over half of patients had back pain, and one fifth of the patients with back pain were less than 45 years old at onset and had the symptom for more than 3 months. Two young males were falsely classified as suffering from ax Sp A according to the ASAS criteria, and one with MRI proved sacroiliitis was once given Etanercept for treatment. Therefore, differential diagnosis including human brucellosis should always be kept in mind when applying the ASAS criteria, even in traditionally non-endemic areas.

The 24th International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry Congress-ISHC24

The ISHC-24 is sponsored by Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry （SIOC）, Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS） and Chinese Chemical Society （CCS）. It will be held at Shanghai International Convention Center from Sept. 8 to Sept. 13, 2013. As a famous worldwide series conference, ISHC-24 is aim to have an exciting range of cutting edge heterocyclic chemistry on offer to reflect recent advances in a truly international coverage. Under the theme of ＇Heterocycles for Better Life＇, we envisage at this stage four major topics： Heterocyclic Natural Products, Synthesis of Heterocycles and Heterocycles for Synthesis, Bioactive Heterocycles, and Functional Heterocycles. Over 1000 participants from both academic and industry are anticipated to attend this congress.

A Study of the Effects of the Current InternationalSettlement of Internet

From an economic angle, this paper analyzes and demonstrates theirrationality of the current Internet settlement of Interconnection; then points out that the heavycharges for Internet interconnection from developing countries to the developed country can bethought of as one of the main and key reasons that restrict the balanced development of the Internetin the world, which causes the intensification of 'digital divide', widens the gap between poor andrich countries and further aggravates the disequilibrium of the global economic development; andthus the conclusion is reached : the public policy selection should be made by the wholeinternational society jointly for paying close attention and regulating settlement systems ofInternet interconnection to dwindle ' digital divide ' throughout the world.

A Community of Shared Future for Mankind——The Contemporary Development of the Social Foundations Theory of International Law

In the traditional understanding,the social basis of the emergence and existence of international law can be summed up as an international society in which interstate conflict and cooperation and interests and contradictions coexist.In recent years,the term“international community”has been widely used in national practice and academic discourse.Many scholars believe that the development of interstate relations indicates that the international community is being transformed into a global international community.The concept of“a community of shared future for mankind”reflects China’s new understanding of the social foundations of international law.It introduces Chinese traditional culture into global governance,develops Marxist theory on the community,is concerned both for mankind as a whole and for individuals,highlights the ultimate issues of the international community,and emphasizes the international community’s union of diversity and interdependence.The idea of“a community of shared future for mankind”is of great significance for the theory and practice of international law;it reflects the emergence of methodological holism,the response of international law to the questioning of its legitimacy,and the trend toward hierarchical systematization in international law.The concept of“a community of shared future for mankind”is of great value to China’s participation in the reform of the global governance system.It will help promote appreciation of the relations between China and the world,enhance China’s international discourse power and discourse force,and promote the rule of law in international relations that China advocates.

Gottfried Konecny:the influence in the global development of the three geosciences

The paper contains a brief overview of the professional activities of Professor Gottfried Konecny,Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Photogrammetry and GeoInformation,Leibniz University Hannover,Germany,and his influence on photogrammetry,remote sensing and geospatial information science during his time at the University of New Brunswick,Canada,and at the Leibniz University.His work can be divided into educational,scientific,application,organizational,and work in international societies.Additional activities comprised of giving courses in various languages,consultancy activities,and various other cooperations which took place in many South American countries,in Africa and Asia,for organizations such as the World Bank,United Nations,German Space Agency DLR,to name only a few.Activities in connection with international societies mainly took place during Prof.Konecny’s engagement in the Council of the International Society for Photogrammetry(ISP),renamed the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing(ISPRS),and the European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories(EARSeL)Bureau.He was a key figure in bringing many countries and organizations to ISPRS as Ordinary and Sustaining Members.Professor Konecny has always been aware of the importance of international cooperation at various levels,also with sister societies such as the International Cartographic Association and the United Nations-Global Geospatial Information Management(UN-GGIM).His application activities span from the photogrammetry-oriented projects he was awarded in Canada,to remote sensing topics and geospatial sciences,combined with cartography during his Hannover period.His vision and endless effort are exemplary for a person who has always been devoted to the three geosciences mentioned above.Professor Konecny is the author of a number of books,journal papers and papers presented at international and national conferences.He has been a recognized keynote speaker at many conferences throughout the world due to his vast experience.This paper describes 75 years of a man who is an expert in fields which arose during his academic life.

Fusing Systems Thinking with Knowledge Management

This paper introduces the background and purpose of the International Society for Knowledge and Systems Sciences and considers new developments in systems science in the knowledge society.First,in connection with the reason why the name of the society includes knowledge and systems,this paper argues that it is important to support each other for the development of both systems science and knowledge science.Next,this paper introduces three approaches that have tried to combine systems thinking and knowledge management in this academic society.They are Knowledge Systems Engineering,Informed Systems Approach,and Knowledge Construction Systems Methodology.This paper suggests new developments in systems science and engineering that incorporate the concept of knowledge management through explanations of these significances.

The “Dual Structure” of World History and Contemporary China's Development Road in the Context of Globalization

The Marxist view of world history provides theoretical evidence for the correct use of the term ＂globalization.＂ Many of the facts implied in the popular yet non-standard use of ＂globalization＂ reflect our identification of the ＂transition from history to world history.＂ However, this has failed to bring about a realization of the structural changes in world history that are taking place in the course of this transition. The ＂transition from history to world history＂ has led to the emergence of ＂international society＂ and ＂global society,＂ which together constitute the ＂dual structure＂ of world history. Despite differences in their main structure and interest structure, their development goals and principles, and in their characteristics and patterns, international society and global society are interconnecting and interpenetrating. On the basis of a critique of ＂globalizing＂ ＂world history＂ and a scientific analysis of the situation and trends in contemporary world history, the ＂dual structure＂ theory of world history is a good entry point both for the full application to globalization of the Marxist view of world history and research on its development and for the contemporary development of the Marxist view of world history. At the same time, this theory will also provide methodological support for our exploration of socialist China＇s developmental road in a globalizing world.

LIU Chang-xiao

Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering Editor-in-chief of Chinese Herbal Medicines(CHM)Honorary president and director of Academic Committee of TianjinInstitute of Pharmaceutical Research,Tianjin300193,China Tel/Fax:+86-22-23006860 E-mail:liuchangxiao@163.com Professor LIU Chang-Xiao,