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, China’s 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 ‘one-China’ policy, to what extent they provided access to natural resources to Chinese companies and how they positioned themselves with regard to China’s geo-political interests. Suggesting that more autocratic countries showed greater compliance, the results support the theoretical argument

Innenpolitischer Wandel und seine Auswirkungen auf die Außenpolitik Chinas

Im Mittelpunkt steht die Frage, welche Konsequenzen die mit den Reformen von 1979 angestoßenen sozioökonomischen und politischen Veränderungen für die Außenbeziehungen des Landes haben. Der hier zu Grunde gelegte Ansatz der liberalen Außenpolitikforschung bzw. der politischen Ökonomie 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 außenpolitisches Verhalten grundsätzlich 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 Öffnungspolitik 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 Rückwirkungen auf das Verhältnis von Loyalität und Repression als Instrumente des Machterhalts, die sich in der chinesischen Außenpolitik widerspiegeln. Die kaum übersehbare Wende in den Außenbeziehungen Chinas lässt sich dieser Argumentation folgend als die außenpolitische Fortsetzung der innenpolitischen Machterhaltungsstrategien darstellen. Einerseits gewinnen damit wirtschaftliche Aspekte eine größere Bedeutung in den Außenbeziehungen. Andererseits erhält die Unterstützung durch andere autokratische Regierungen für den eigenen Machterhalt einen höheren Stellenwert. (ICH2

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(hydrogen halide) Halogenates (–I)

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a variety of novel poly(hydrogen halide) halogenates (−I). The bifluoride ion, which is known to have the highest hydrogen bond energy of ≈160 kJ mol−1, is the most famous among many examples of [X(HX)n]− 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]−). In this work we present the synthesis of anions of the type [X(HY)n]− (X=Br, I, ClO4; Y=Cl, Br, CN) stabilized by the [PPh4]+ and [PPN]+ cation. The obtained compounds have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and quantum‐chemical calculations. In addition, the behavior of halide ions in hydrogen fluoride was investigated by using experimental and quantum‐chemical 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-β, 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 mothers’ 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