A systems perspective on national prioritisation of sustainable development goals:Insights from Australia

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)requires effective national initiatives and resource allo-cation.Yet,the simultaneous attainment of all goals is hindered by constraints such as limited budgets and resources,varied national priorities,and the intricate nature of the goals.As we approach 2030 and beyond,an urgent need for an effective,data-driven prioritisation system exists to optimise what can be accomplished.A considerable knowledge gap persists in identifying the priority areas that demand concentrated attention and how their improvement would propel overall sustainability goals.To bridge this gap,our study presents a priori-tisation approach that identifies significant SDG indicators based on urgency and impact,utilising Benchmarking,Bivariate,and Network analysis.Furthermore,we introduce an innovative Impact Index(IMIN)to assess an indi-cator’s extensive effect on the SDG network.This system carries significant international relevance by establishing a robust framework to identify key,potent,and interconnected indicators.It supports decision-makers worldwide in comprehending their nation’s SDG performance and promotes efficient resource allocation.In the specific con-text of Australia,our analysis spotlights several impactful,yet underperforming SDG indicators.These include the protection of Freshwater,Terrestrial,and Mountain Key Biodiversity Areas(KBAs),the share of renewable energy and energy intensity level of primary energy,targeted research and development,gender equality in national parliaments,and carbon-efficient manufacturing,amongst others.

The 2 ℃ Global Temperature Target and the Evolution of the Long-TermGoal of Addressing Climate Change-From the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change to the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement proposed to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 ℃ abovepre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 ℃ above pre-industriallevels. It was thus the first international treaty to endow the 2 ℃ global temperature target with legal effect.The qualitative expression of the ultimate objective in Article 2 of the United Nations Framework Conventionon Climate Change （UNFCCC） has now evolved into the numerical temperature rise target in Article 2 of theParis Agreement. Starting with the Second Assessment Report （SAR） of the Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-mate Change （IPCC）, an important task for subsequent assessments has been to provide scientific informa-tion to help determine the quantified long-term goal for UNFCCC negotiation. However, due to involvementin the value judgment within the scope of non-scientific assessment, the IPCC has never scientifically af-firmed the unacceptable extent of global temperature rise. The setting of the long-term goal for addressingclimate change has been a long process, and the 2 ℃ global temperature target is the political consensuson the basis of scientific assessment. This article analyzes the evolution of the long-term global goal foraddressing climate change and its impact on scientific assessment, negotiation processes, and global low-carbon development, from aspects of the origin of the target, the series of assessments carried out by the 1PCCfocusing on Article 2 of the UNFCCC, and the promotion of the global temperature goal at the political level.

Prioritizing sustainable development goals and linking them to ecosystem services:A global expert’s knowledge evaluation

The implementation of strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)is frequently hindered by potential trade-offs between priorities for either environmental protection or human well-being.However,ecosystem services(ES)-based solutions can offer possible co-benefits for SDGs implementation that are often overlooked or underexploited.In this study,we cover this gap and investigate how experts from different countries value the SDGs and relate them with ES.A total of 66 countries participated to the survey,and answers were grouped into three macro-regions:Asia;Europe,North America,and Oceania(ENO);Latin America,Caribbean and Africa(LA).Results show that the most prioritized SDGs in the three macro-regions are usually those related to essential material needs and environmental conditions,such as SDG2(Zero Hunger),SDG1(No Poverty),and SDG6(Clean Water).At a global scale,the number of prioritized synergies between SDGs and ES largely exceeded trade-offs.The highest amount of synergies was observed for SDG1(No Poverty),mainly with SDG2,SDG3(Good Health),SDG5(Gender Equality),and SDG8(Economic Growth).Other major synergies among SDGs include SDG14-15(Life below water-Life on land),SDG5-10(Gender Equity-Reduced Inequality),and SDG1-2(No poverty-Zero Hunger).At a global scale,SDG15,SDG13,SDG14,and SDG6 were closely related to ES like climate regulation,freshwater,food,water purification,biodiversity,and education.SDG11(Sustainable Cities)and SDG3 were also relevant in Asia and in LA,respectively.Overall,this study shows the potential to couple future policies that can implement SDGs’strategies while adopting ES-based solutions in different regions of the world.

CHINA'S NON-FERROUS METALS INDUSTRY——Its Development Policies and Goals During the Ninth Five-year Plan Period

The China Non-ferrous MetalsIndustry Corporation has putforward ten development policiesfor the Ninth Five-year Plan period,according to the central government’sinstruction to change the way of economicgrowth,and raise the integral quality andbenefit of the national economy:

Achievements and Goals of China's Satellite Oceanic Remote Sensing

This paper is divided into three parts.In the first part,it describes the major objects of o-cean monitoring and investigation by means of satellite remote sensing technology,including the observation of dynamic phenomena of ocean,ocean color and sea surface temperature as well as mapping of coastal zone and islands.In the second part,some research results of oceanic environment which were obtained in the past decade in China are presented.In the third part,some fundamental technologies are described,to which we should pay attention in order to make great contribution to marine environment by using satellite remote sensing technology in the coming few years in China.

Laparoscopic vs open partial colectomy in elderly patients:Insights from the American College of Surgeons- National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database

AIM: To compare the outcomes between the laparoscopic and open approaches for partial colectomy in elderly patients aged 65 years and over using the American College of Surgeons- National Surgical Quality Improvement Program(ACS NSQIP) database. METHODS: The ACS NSQIP database for the years 2005-2011 was queried for all patients 65 years and above who underwent partial colectomy. 1:1 propensity score matching using the nearest- neighbor method was performed to ensure both groups had similar preoperative comorbidities. Outcomes including postoperative complications, length of stay and mortality were compared between the laparoscopic and open groups. χ2 and Fisher's exact test were used for discrete variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant and odds ratios with 95%CI were reported when applicable. RESULTS: The total number of patients in the ACS NSQIP database of the years 2005-2011 was 1777035. We identified 27604 elderly patients who underwent partial colectomy with complete data sets. 12009(43%) of the cases were done laparoscopically and15595(57%) were done with open. After propensity score matching, there were 11008 patients each in the laparoscopic(LC) and open colectomy(OC) cohorts. The laparoscopic approach had lower post-operative complications(LC 15.2%, OC 23.8%, P < 0.001), shorter length of stay(LC 6.61 d, OC 9.62 d, P < 0.001) and lower mortality(LC 1.6%, OC 2.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Even after propensity score matching, elderly patients in the ACS NSQIP database having a laparoscopic partial colectomy had better outcomes than those having open colectomies. In the absence of specific contraindications, elderly patients requiring a partial colectomy should be offered the laparoscopic approach.

Nationwide trends and predictors of inpatient mortality in 83884 transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

AIM: To evaluate and validate the national trends and predictors of in-patient mortality of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) in 15 years.METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample which is a part of Health Cost and Utilization Project, we identified a discharge-weighted national estimate of 83884 TIPS procedures performed in the United States from 1998 to 2012 using international classification of diseases-9 procedural code 39.1. The demographic, hospital and co-morbility data were analyzed using a multivariant analysis. Using multi-nominal logistic regression analysis, we determined predictive factors related to increases in-hospital mortality. Comorbidity measures are in accordance to the Comorbidity Software designed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.RESULTS: Overall, 12.3% of patients died during hospitalization with downward trend in-hospitalmortality with the mean length of stay of 10.8 ± 13.1 d. Notable, African American patients(OR = 1.809 vs Caucasian patients, P < 0.001), transferred patients(OR = 1.347 vs non-transferred, P < 0.001), emergency admissions(OR = 3.032 vs elective cases, P < 0.001), patients in the Northeast region(OR = 1.449 vs West, P < 0.001) had significantly higher odds of inhospital mortality. Number of diagnoses and number of procedures showed positive correlations with in-hospital death(OR = 1.249 per one increase in number of procedures). Patients diagnosed with acute respiratory failure(OR = 8.246), acute kidney failure(OR = 4.359), hepatic encephalopathy(OR = 2.217) and esophageal variceal bleeding(OR = 2.187) were at considerably higher odds of in-hospital death compared with ascites(OR = 0.136, P < 0.001). Comorbidity measures with the highest odds of in-hospital death were fluid and electrolyte disorders(OR = 2.823), coagulopathy(OR = 2.016), and lymphoma(OR = 1.842).CONCLUSION: The overall mortality of the TIPS procedure is steadily decreasing, though the length of stay has remained relatively constant. Specific patient ethnicity, location, transfer status, primary diagnosis and comorbidities correlate with increased odds of TIPS in-hospital death.

U.S. national parks accessibility and visitation

Accessibility is a factor affecting national park visitation.However,the effect of accessibility on national park visitation is not fully understood.This paper examines the relationship between U.S.national park visitation and accessibility.First,the global and local accessibility indexes of each park unit are computed based on an accessibility model that takes into account the surrounding population and its proximity to the park unit.Integrated in the model is a distance decay coefficient that is derived from U.S.national park visitor surveys and therefore pertinent to the case of study.Then correlation analysis is performed between park visitation and accessibility based on park types,regions,and visitation types.Results show that total visitation is positively related to accessibility in National Memorials,Military Parks and Battlefield Parks/Sites but negatively related to accessibility in national parks and national monuments.However,recreational overnight stay visits are commonly negatively correlated to accessibility for almost all park types.Moreover,local accessibility index displays enhanced correlation coefficients with improved significance levels in many categories of analysis.Results suggest that historical/cultural national parks which often show positive correlations tend to attract more local visitors,but nature-based parks which mainly show negative correlations tend to attract more distant visitors.

The Impact of Spiritual Leadership on Employee’s Work Engagement--A Study Based on the Mediating Effect of Goal Self-Concordance and Self-Efficacy

The average stress of people in China’s workplace is reaching the peak in recent two years.To improve employee’s positive psychological factors,Spiritual leadership has a good performance in this regard.Based on the mediating effect of goal self-concordance and self-efficacy,this paper further studies the impact of spiritual leadership on employee’s work engagement.Through the empirical study,the following conclusions are drawn:(1)Spiritual leadership significantly positively affects the employee’s work engagement.(2)Spiritual leadership has a significant positive effect on goal self-concordance and self-efficacy.(3)Goal self-concordance and self-efficacy have significant positive effects on employee’s work engagement.(4)Goal self-concordance and self-efficacy play a partial mediating role in the process of spiritual leadership’s impact on employees’work engagement.This study found the new mediator which partly revealed the mechanism between the effectiveness of Spiritual Leadership and employee’s work engagement.This study may serve as one of the researches for improving the effectiveness of leaders in organizations and promoting the motivation of employees in the workplace.

U. S. -Iraq War and China's National Security

Discussions about the U. S-Iraq war would last for years, but the war will surely produce long-term influences on international strategic structure and China’s security environment. The feature and influence of the war are determined by the America’ purposes in launching the war, which, in the common.

China-U.S. Trade Balance from the National Income Perspective

This paper calculates the China-U.S. trade balance from the national income perspective based on an input-output model that differentiates domestic and foreign-invested companies. The result shows that due to different degrees of dependence of both countries on foreign production factors such as foreign capital for the manufacturing of export goods,only 87.7% of the domestic value-added created by China's exports to the U.S. in 2012 was China's national income, whereas 96.2% of value-added in U.S. exports to China was U.S.national income. In the comparison of total export volume and export value-added, the home country's national income created by exports can more realistically reflect a country's gains from trade. In 2012, China's trade surplus with the U.S. stood at 102.8 billion US dollars in national income terms, which is 61% and 22% smaller than the results in gross and value-added terms, respectively. The implication is that the traditional trade balance accounting method seriously exaggerates the China-U.S. trade imbalance.

THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE NATIONAL LABORATORIES IN MATERIALS RESEARCH

The role of the National Laboratories is summarized from the era of post World War II to the present time. The U.S. federal government policy for the National Laboratories and its influence on their materials science infrastructure is reviewed with respect to .determining overall research strategies, various initiatives to interact with industry (especially in recent years),building facilities that serve the nation, and developing leading edge research in the materials sciences. Despite reductions in support for research in the U.S. in recent years, and uncertainties regarding the specific policies for Research &Development (R&D) in the U.S., there are strong roles for materials research at the National Laboratories. These roles will be centered on the abilities of the National Laboratories to field multidisciplinary teams, the use of unique cutting edge facilities, a focus on areas of strength within each of the labs,increased teaming and partnerships, and the selection of motivated research areas. It is hoped that such teaming opportunities will include new alliances with China, in a manner similar, perhaps, to those recently achieved between the U.S. and other countries.

Statistical Communique of the People's Republic of China on the 1998 National Economic and Social Development

In 1998, facing the complicated and severe domestic and internationaleconomic environment, people of all nationalities, under the correct lead-ership of the Central Party Committee and the State Council, implement-ed a series of policies aiming at increasing input and expanding domesticdemand. Difficulties brought about by the Asian financial crisis and dev-astating flooding were overcome, various reforms were further deepened,and economic growth was promoted, resulting in great achievements at-tracting worldwide attention.

Maternal Mortality Correlates by Nation

Background: This study reports the results of a secondary analysis of data provided by the World Health Organization to determine the correlates of maternal mortality among all reporting nations worldwide. Historically, maternal mortality ratios have declined in nations that provided a system for access to skilled care for the majority of its women. Currently, maternal mortality ratios are associated with access to skilled care as well as economic indicators, literacy, education, access to contraceptives, transportation and HIV prevalence. Methods: Descriptive statistics, bi-variate correlations and multiple linear regression analyses are reported using maternal mortality ratios as the dependent variable. In addition, an examination of countries that are exceptions to the regression is also reported. Results: Strong positive Pearson two-tailed correlations were found between MMR and infant mortality rate (0.866), total fertility rate (0.854), poverty rate (0.756), and adolescent fertility rate (0.710). Strong negative correlations were found between MMR and percentage of births attended by a skilled attendant (-0.786), percentage of women using contraceptives (-0.786), and adult literacy rate (-0.710). Eighty-one percent of the variation in MMR can be explained by differences in IMR, percent of births attended by a skilled provider, percent of women using contraceptive, total fertility rate, adolescent fertility rate, adult literacy rate and poverty. Discussion: Examination of the correlates of maternal mortality gives direction to the effort to achieve the WHO’s Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality by two-thirds from 1995-2015.

U.S. National Strategy: betweem Offensive and Integration

As the hegemonic country in the world system, U. S. national strategy is global and multi-directional. Since September 11, 2001, America has made series of adjustments in its global strategy, including adjustment in security focus and change of security means. Come what may, since America has become the superpower in the world system, its national strategy has always been between offensive and integration. In a sense, current American strategy is the combination of the two. Although different government would tilt toward one direction, none

The Transformation of Environmental Governance from the Point of the Interaction between Government and National People's Congress

Taking cadmium pollution in X River as an example, the interaction between National People＇s Congress and local government was de- scribed. How the local government transforms its role in environment protection with the help of several deputies to National People＇s Congress was expounded from the angle of social construction, which also enlightened the way to build an environment protection road with Chinese characteristics.

In-hospital outcomes of transapical versus surgical aortic valve replacement: from the U.S. national inpatient sample

OBJECTIVE To compare the outcomes of transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TA-TAVR)and surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR)using a large US population sample.METHODS The U.S.National Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients who underwent TA-TAVR or SAVR during the years2016-2017.The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality.Secondary outcomes were in-hospital stroke,pericardiocentesis,pacemaker insertion,mechanical ventilation,vascular complications,major bleeding,acute kidney injury,length of stay,and cost of hospitalization.Outcomes were modeled using multi-variable logistic regression for binary outcomes and generalized linear models for continuous outcomes.RESULTS A total of 1560 TA-TAVR and 44,280 SAVR patients were included.Patients who underwent TA-TAVR were older and frailer.Compared to SAVR,TA-TAVR correlated with a higher mortality(4.5%vs.2.7%,effect size(SMD)=0.1)and higher periprocedural complications.Following multivariable analysis,both TA-TAVR and SAVR had a similar adjusted risk for in-hospital mortality.TA-TAVR correlated with lower odds of bleeding with(adjusted OR(aOR)=0.26;95%CI:0.18-0.38;P<0.001),and a shorter length of stay(adjusted mean ratio(aMR)=0.77;95%CI:0.69-0.84;P<0.001),but higher cost(aMR=1.18;95%CI:1.10-1.28;P<0.001).No significant differences in other study outcomes.In subgroup analysis,TA-TAVR in patients with chronic lung disease had higher odds for mortality(aOR=3.11;95%CI:1.37-7.08;P=0.007).CONCLUSION The risk-adjusted analysis showed that TA-TAVR has no advantage over SAVR except for patients with chronic lung disease where TA-TAVR has higher mortality.

UNITED NATION'S REFORM IN PROSPECT

Soon after Kofi Annan assumed his office as the new Secretary-General of theUnited Nations,he declared his determination to quicken the pace of the UN’s reform with the purpose of enabling the world body to serve its member states thebetter.If successful,the reform will no doubt bring the 52-years-old

Letter from Li Peng Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, To China Society for Human Rights Studies

China Society for Human Rights Studies, I would like to extend my warm greetings to the launch of your Human Rights magazine. Enjoying human rights fully is a lofty goal long pursued after by human race. Over the years when they carried out revolution, construction and reforms, the Chinese people have struggled indomitably and strived incessantly to achieve this goal. Progress made in this regard has caught worldwide attention. When struggling for, safeguarding, promoting and developing human rights, the Chinese people have always combined the universality prin-