Introduction to the Special Issue: Strategic Deployment of the China Model in Africa

This introductory article examines the concept of strategic localization, which is central to the theme of this Special Issue ofPolitics & Policy. We focus on how African states, for regime survival and/or pragmatic reasons, reinterpret China's development discourse and preferences and implement them in their local contexts. We hypothesize that the China model of development has become a rhetorical commonplace used to legitimize policies perceived to be: (1) better for regime survival (e.g., no political conditionalities; dissemination of resources to elites); and (2) superior to other development models (more suitable for developing countries, better at developing strong states). The article will also give a synopsis of the other articles in the Special Issue-highlighting their main arguments and findings

Spatial orientation and cognitive load as factors influencing learning amongst blind learners in the Life Sciences

In Suid-Afrika word min navorsing gedoen oor faktore wat kognitiewe belading tydens onderrig en leer beïvloed. Die gebrek rig ’n uitdaging tot ons sosiale aanspreeklikheid teenoor leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes aangesien die beginsels van gelykheid en billikheid nie altyd in hierdie spesialiseringsveld nagekom word nie. Hierdie artikel berig oor ’n sekondêre analise van die resultate van twee onlangse ondersoeke deur Maguvhe (2005) en Gumede (2010). Die twee ondersoeke het ten doel gehad om te bepaal hoe onderwysers lewenswetenskappe aan blinde leerders en leerders met swak sig onderrig. Die doel met hierdie sekondêre analise was om die oorspronklike resultate verder te analiseer om vas te stel hoe die beginsels van kognitiewe belading, modaliteit en ruimtelike oriëntering tydens die onderrig van lewenswetenskappe aan blinde leerders en leerders met swak sig verreken word. Die sekondêre analise bevestig dat blinde leerders selde aan ondersoeke, eksperimente en aktiwiteite deelneem. Wanneer dit wel gebeur, is sulke interaksies basies, elementêr en bevestigend. Omdat die onderrig hoofsaaklik narratief van aard is, verhoog die moontlikheid dat kognitiewe belading die ouditiewe funksies, in die afwesigheid van visuele en taktiele stimuli, sal laat afneem. Taktiele stimulering is in ’n groot mate afhanklik van faktore soos gespesialiseerde hulpbronne, goedopgeleide onderwysers, Braille-geletterde onderwysers, lesers en skrywers en ’n goeie begrip van hoe ’n holistiese metodologie die taktiele sintuie van blinde en visueelgestremde leerders mag optimaliseer.Little research is done in South Africa on factors influencing cognitive load during teaching and learning. It challenges our social accountability towards learners with special education needs as the principles of equity and equality are not always achieved in this field of specialisation. This article reports on a secondary analysis conducted on the results of two recent investigations by Maguvhe (2005) and Gumede (2010) that focused on the teaching of Life Sciences to blind and visually impaired learners. The purpose of the secondary analysis was to determine from the original results how the principles of cognitive load, modality and spatial orientation are accounted for when Life Sciences is taught to blind and visually impaired learners. The secondary analysis confirmed that blind learners very seldom participate in investigations, experiments and activities, and when they do, such interactions remain basic, elementary and confirmatory. Because teaching occurs mainly by means of narratives, the possibilities remain high that cognitive load might decrease the auditory functions in the absence of other visual and tactile stimuli. Tactile stimulation depends heavily on factors such as specialised resources, well-trained teachers, Braille trainers, readers and writers, and a sound understanding of a holistic methodology that can optimise the tactile senses of blind and visually impaired learners.W.J.F. (Universiteit van Pretoria) en H.S. (Christian Blind Mission) was die studieleiers van M.O.M (South African Council for the Blind) en W.J.F. (Universiteit van Pretoria) was die studieleier van M.J.G. (Universiteit van Pretoria). M.O.M (South African Council for the Blind) en M.J.G. (Universiteit van Pretoria) se studies het op die onderrig van biologie aan blinde leerders en leerders met swak sig gefokus. W.J.F. (Universiteit van Pretoria) was verantwoordelik vir die uitvoering van ’n sekondêre analise op die oorspronklike data.Die Nasionale Navorsingstigting (NNS) en die Universiteit van Pretoriahttp://www.satnt.ac.zahttp://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-06062011-140653/http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08102005-112348/am2013gv201

Influenza in Migratory Birds and Evidence of Limited Intercontinental Virus Exchange

Migratory waterfowl of the world are the natural reservoirs of influenza viruses of all known subtypes. However, it is unknown whether these waterfowl perpetuate highly pathogenic (HP) H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses. Here we report influenza virus surveillance from 2001 to 2006 in wild ducks in Alberta, Canada, and in shorebirds and gulls at Delaware Bay (New Jersey), United States, and examine the frequency of exchange of influenza viruses between the Eurasian and American virus clades, or superfamilies. Influenza viruses belonging to each of the subtypes H1 through H13 and N1 through N9 were detected in these waterfowl, but H14 and H15 were not found. Viruses of the HP Asian H5N1 subtypes were not detected, and serologic studies in adult mallard ducks provided no evidence of their circulation. The recently described H16 subtype of influenza viruses was detected in American shorebirds and gulls but not in ducks. We also found an unusual cluster of H7N3 influenza viruses in shorebirds and gulls that was able to replicate well in chickens and kill chicken embryos. Genetic analysis of 6,767 avian influenza gene segments and 248 complete avian influenza viruses supported the notion that the exchange of entire influenza viruses between the Eurasian and American clades does not occur frequently. Overall, the available evidence does not support the perpetuation of HP H5N1 influenza in migratory birds and suggests that the introduction of HP Asian H5N1 to the Americas by migratory birds is likely to be a rare event

Does the Degree of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Necrosis following Transarterial Chemoembolization Impact Patient Survival?

Purpose. The association between transarterial chemoembolization- (TACE-) induced HCC tumor necrosis measured by the modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (mRECIST) and patient survival is poorly defined. We hypothesize that survival will be superior in HCC patients with increased TACE-induced tumor necrosis. Materials and Methods. TACE interventions were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor response was quantified via dichotomized (responders and nonresponders) and the four defined mRECIST categories. Results. Median survival following TACE was significantly greater in responders compared to nonresponders (20.8 months versus 14.9 months, p=0.011). Survival outcomes also significantly varied among the four mRECIST categories (p=0.0003): complete, 21.4 months; partial, 20.8; stable, 16.8; and progressive, 7.73. Only progressive disease demonstrated significantly worse survival when compared to complete response. Multivariable analysis showed that progressive disease, increasing total tumor diameter, and non-Child-Pugh class A were independent predictors of post-TACE mortality. Conclusions. Both dichotomized (responders and nonresponders) and the four defined mRECIST responses to TACE in patients with HCC were predictive of survival. The main driver of the survival analysis was poor survival in the progressive disease group. Surprisingly, there was small nonsignificant survival benefit between complete, partial, and stable disease groups. These findings may inform HCC treatment decisions following first TACE

Total elbow arthroplasty versus plate fixation for distal humeral fractures in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Distal humeral fractures represent about 1% to 2% of adult fractures. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) has traditionally been the standard treatment; however, fracture comminution and osteoporotic bone may prevent adequate fixation, and total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an alternative. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine which procedure provided superior clinical outcomes for elderly patients with distal humeral fractures. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Cases series and comparative studies reporting functional outcomes or complications after TEA and ORIF in patients over 60 yr of age with an acute distal humeral fracture were included. The studies were appraised using validated quality assessment scales. Results were pooled from different studies using meta-analysis techniques, and the functional outcomes, complications, and frequency of revision surgery were compared. Results: The search strategy identified 27 studies: one randomized controlled trial, four comparative studies, 14 ORIF cases series, and eight TEA case series. TEA was associated with statistically significant and clinically superior Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS) and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores when compared to ORIF in elderly patients while having a statistically significant lower complication rate. Conclusions: Meta-analysis of comparative studies demonstrated that TEA is associated with statistically significant and clinically superior MEPS and DASH scores when compared to ORIF in elderly patients

Politik Islam kelangsungan dan perubahan di dunia modern

Yogyakarta471 p.; 23 c

Islam Continuity and Change in the Modern World

Coloradoxii, 397 p.; 23 c

Politik Islam Kalangsungan dan Perubahan Di Dunia Modern

471 hlm, 23,5c

Politik islam, kelangsungan dan perubahan di dunia modern/ Voll

432 p.; 23 cm