260 research outputs found
China, autocratic cooperation and autocratic survival
This thesis examines whether China, as an emerging autocratic power, is a force of autocratic stability in the world. By combining expertise accumulated in the field of area studies with a comparative research design that is common in the field of international politics, this thesis contributes to two scientific debates: First, it adds to the discussion on the external factors of regime type. Second, it explores the effects and attempts to quantify the impact of China's rise on other governments. Against the background of a political economy argument, I argue that autocratic powers should prefer other states to become autocratic too. Reliant on the distribution of private goods to bind domestic supporters, autocratic leaders benefit from other similar small winning coalition governments, because it is easier to extract resources from other small winning coalitions. These resources can then be distributed at home. Given these considerations, I suppose that cooperation between autocrats is a cause of autocratic longevity rather than a mere consequence of regime similarity as is usually assumed. In order to test my hypotheses, I construct an innovative data set on China's foreign relations. My regression results suggest that the Chinese government prefers cooperation with autocratic small coalition governments and that trade with China improves the likelihood of survival for autocratic leaders. Furthermore, the argument is tested by the means of three comparative case studies. In order to do so, Chinaâs success is compared in realizing three Chinese foreign policy interests in three Asian developing countries with a variety of political systems. The case studies compare whether or not Myanmar, Cambodia and Mongolia adhered to the âone-Chinaâ policy, to what extent they provided access to natural resources to Chinese companies and how they positioned themselves with regard to Chinaâs geo-political interests. Suggesting that more autocratic countries showed greater compliance, the results support the theoretical argument
Innenpolitischer Wandel und seine Auswirkungen auf die AuĂenpolitik Chinas
Im Mittelpunkt steht die Frage, welche Konsequenzen die mit den Reformen von 1979 angestoĂenen sozioökonomischen und politischen VerĂ€nderungen fĂŒr die AuĂenbeziehungen des Landes haben. Der hier zu Grunde gelegte Ansatz der liberalen AuĂenpolitikforschung bzw. der politischen Ăkonomie basiert auf der Annahme, dass Regierungen rationale, an der Maximierung des Eigennutzes orientierte Akteure sind, deren oberstes Ziel der eigene Machterhalt ist. Aus diesem Grunde kann auĂenpolitisches Verhalten grundsĂ€tzlich nicht abgekoppelt von der innenpolitischen Situation betrachtet werden. Die Analyse des politischen Systems Chinas gelangt zu dem Ergebnis, dass der Wandel, den dieses System seit der Ăffnungspolitik Deng Xiaopings erfahren hat, in erster Linie eine Anpassungsstrategie der Kommunistischen Partei Chinas (KPCh) zur Erlangung neuer Steuerungsmechanismen darstellt, die die eigene Macht, also das politische System erhalten sollen. Die ökonomische Liberalisierung zeitigt RĂŒckwirkungen auf das VerhĂ€ltnis von LoyalitĂ€t und Repression als Instrumente des Machterhalts, die sich in der chinesischen AuĂenpolitik widerspiegeln. Die kaum ĂŒbersehbare Wende in den AuĂenbeziehungen Chinas lĂ€sst sich dieser Argumentation folgend als die auĂenpolitische Fortsetzung der innenpolitischen Machterhaltungsstrategien darstellen. Einerseits gewinnen damit wirtschaftliche Aspekte eine gröĂere Bedeutung in den AuĂenbeziehungen. Andererseits erhĂ€lt die UnterstĂŒtzung durch andere autokratische Regierungen fĂŒr den eigenen Machterhalt einen höheren Stellenwert. (ICH2
Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(hydrogen halide) Halogenates (âI)
Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a variety of novel poly(hydrogen halide) halogenates (âI). The bifluoride ion, which is known to have the highest hydrogen bond energy of â160â
kJâmolâ1, is the most famous among many examples of [X(HX)n]â anions (X=F, Cl) known in the literature. In contrast, little is known about poly(hydrogen halide) halogenates containing two different halogens, ([X(HY)n]â). In this work we present the synthesis of anions of the type [X(HY)n]â (X=Br, I, ClO4; Y=Cl, Br, CN) stabilized by the [PPh4]+ and [PPN]+ cation. The obtained compounds have been characterized by singleâcrystal Xâray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and quantumâchemical calculations. In addition, the behavior of halide ions in hydrogen fluoride was investigated by using experimental and quantumâchemical methods in order to gain knowledge on the acidity of hydrogen halides in HF
Uncoupling JAK3 activation induces apoptosis in human lymphoid cancer cells via regulating critical survival pathways
AbstractIn the current work, we report that specific inhibition of Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK3) via NC1153 induces apoptosis of certain leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. Affymetrix microarray profiling following NC1153 treatment unveiled JAK3 dependent survival modulating pathways (p53, TGF-ÎČ, TNFR and ER stress) in Kit225 cells. IL-2 responsive NC1153 target genes were regulated in human JAK3 positive, but not in JAK3 negative lymphoid tumor cells. Moreover, primary lymphoma samples revealed that a number of these genes were reciprocally regulated during disease progression and JAK3 inhibition suggesting that downstream targets of JAK3 could be exploited in the development of novel cancer treatment regimes
Safety and Outcome of Modified Laparoscopic Bilateral Sacropexy
Sacropexy is a generally applied treatment of prolapse, yet there are known
possible complications of it. An essential need exists for better alloplastic
materials. Methods. Between April 2013 and June 2014, we performed a modified
laparoscopic bilateral sacropexy (MLBS) in 10 patients using a MRI-visible
PVDF mesh implant. Selected patients had prolapse POP-Q stages II-III and
concomitant OAB. We studied surgery-related morbidity, anatomical and
functional outcome, and mesh-visibility in MRI. Mean follow-up was 7.4 months.
Results. Concomitant colporrhaphy was conducted in 1/10 patients. Anatomical
success was defined as POP-Q stage 0-I. Apical success rate was 100% and
remained stable. A recurrent cystocele was seen in 1/10 patients during
follow-up without need for intervention. Out of 6 (6/10) patients with
preoperative SUI, 5/6 were healed and 1/6 persisted. De-novo SUI was seen in
1/10 patients. Complications requiring a relaparoscopy were seen in 2/10
patients. 8/10 patients with OAB were relieved postoperatively. The first in-
human magnetic resonance visualization of a prolapse mesh implant was
performed and showed good quality of visualization. Conclusion. MLBS is a
feasible and safe procedure with favorable anatomical and functional outcome
and good concomitant healing rates of SUI and OAB. Prospective data and larger
samples are required
Infant care practices among resettled refugee mothers from east and central Africa
Refugees often parent under extreme circumstances. Parenting practices have implications for child outcomes, and parenting in the context of refugee resettlement is likely to be dynamic as parents negotiate a new culture. This study examined African origin mothersâ infant care values and practices related to feeding, carrying, and daily activities following resettlement in the Southeastern region of the U.S. Ten African origin mothers were asked about their infant care practices through semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that mothers valued breastfeeding but often chose to use formula as a supplement or instead of breastfeeding. In addition, participants valued carrying their infants close to the body but used equipment such as strollers. Mothers expressed that perceptions of American culture and rules, social support, interactions with community agencies, and the need to engage in formal employment were factors that influenced their infant care practices
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