Remade in China: Rule of Law, Democracy, and the Chinese 12 Angry Men

Against the background of the growing effort in the Xi Jinping era to sinicize democracy and rule of law, much critical attention has surrounded Chinese models of governance variously conceived as “humane authority” and “political meritocracy.” What is missing from the literature on the export of the so-called “Chinese solution,” however, is the consideration of popular cultural products. This article takes as its case study the state-sponsored film 12 Citizens, the 2014 remake of the classic 12 Angry Men, most famously known in its 1957 version directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda. As there is no jury system in China, 12 Citizens instead presents the scenario as a law school mock trial on Anglo-American law, with crucial elements indigenized to the local setting. In one masterly maneuver after another, the remake overturns the democratic tenor of the original. Yet as a metanarrative about adaptation, the film reveals ambivalent attitudes not only toward the jury system and the West but also toward adaptation itself, open to an alternative interpretation in which the figure of the citizen, as a member of a political community actively engaged in public matters, precisely takes center stage. This ambivalence challenges the very concept of “Chinese characteristics.”

The accuracy of several in vitro methods in estimating in vivo digestibility of the tropical dairy ration

In vitro digestibility methods have been developed to overcome problems in the in vivo digestibility measurement, but its accuracy should be tested in a local setting. In vitro methods developed by Tilley and Terry (T2), Theodorou (T3) and Sutardi (T4) have been compared to in vivo method (T1) in a block randomized design study. Four heifers FH (337.50 ± 45.87 kg BW) were used in T1, and two fistulated FH bulls (510 ± 20 kg BW) were used as inoculant sources in the in vitro methods. Dairy cattle ration consisted of 54.0% Napier grass and 46.0% concentrate with 58.8% DM, 12.1% ash, 10.0% CP, 3.3% EE, 26.5% CF, and 61.1% TDN. The observed parameters were ration fermentability (pH, NH3, and VFA concentration) and digestibility (DMD and OMD). The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test. The correlation was made before regression analysis to estimate the in vivo parameters from the in vitro. The results showed that pH values are in the normal range (6.7 – 6.8), and insignificantly different between treatments (P>0.05). The concentration of NH3 and VFA were significantly different between the treatments (P<0.05), but T2 produced similar NH3 and VFA concentrations to T1. Similar results were also found in the DMD and OMD. Correlation analysis showed that pH value of T3 correlated significantly with T1, while DMD value of T4 correlated to T1. The T1 DMD (Y) could be estimated from T4 DMD (X) using formula Y (%) = y = -0.091x2 + 9.1632x - 168.4. It is concluded that tropical dairy feedstuffs in vitro digestibility using Tilley and Terry’s method produced similar result to in vivo digestibility method, but in vivo dry matter digestibility can be estimated accurately by in vitro dry matter digestibility using Sutardi method.

Psychosis in Parkinson’s disease in a Southeast Asian cohort: prevalence and clinical correlates

Introduction: Psychosis is a prominent neuropsychiatric symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is associated with negative outcomes, such as poorer quality of life and greater rate of functional impairment. Early identification of patients with PD at risk of developing psychosis facilitates appropriate management to improve outcomes. However, this phenomenon has not been examined locally. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of PD-associated psychosis in the local setting, identify any associated risk factors, as well as characterise the cognitive trajectory of patients with PD with psychosis. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 336 patients with PD, who presented to the National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, in 2006 and 2007 and attended follow-up visits through to 2013 was analysed. The data analysed included scores from clinician assessments of cognitive function, disease severity and presence of psychotic symptoms, conducted when clinically appropriate during patients’ medical visits. Survival analysis and logistic and linear regression analysis were performed. Results: Psychosis was diagnosed in 63 patients with PD, indicating a prevalence of 18.8% for PD-associated psychosis. Incidence of psychosis in PD was calculated to be 40 per 1,000 person-years. No significant association was found between demographic variables and the odds of developing psychosis in PD. Regression analyses found that the presence of psychosis significantly predicted greater cognitive decline and disease severity. Conclusion: Psychosis has a significant presence among the PD population in Singapore, possibly serving as an indicator of more rapid cognitive decline and progression of PD severity.

Patient advocacy group involvement in health technology assessments: an observational study

Background In some jurisdictions, patients and patient groups may be invited to provide input when Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is used to inform decisions about which medicines should be subsidised or funded. This input can help frame the evidence from a patient perspective, address uncertainties in the evidence and interpret it for the local setting. However, there is currently no evidence linking patient involvement with positive reimbursement decisions. Aim We aimed to understand the expectations of patient involvement in the reimbursement process, especially among cancer patient advocacy groups (PAGs) in New Zealand (Aotearoa), South Korea and Taiwan. Methods We developed an online survey to help understand the role that cancer PAGs play in reimbursement processes and identify knowledge gaps about the processes that might impact the efforts of PAGs. The survey elicited the views of staff and patients affiliated with PAGs (n = 43) on current practices and how the assessment and reimbursement of new cancer drugs might be improved. Results There was variability in knowledge of the HTA assessment processes and in experience of being involved in them. Those with HTA experience were more likely to have confidence in the process. Those who had not been involved tended to have little awareness of, or frustration with, decision-making processes. Most identified cost, finances and economic assessments as key considerations in current processes. Some respondents had clear ideas about how their knowledge and involvement could improve processes to determine the value of new medicines. However, for many, a lack of information about the basis for decision making and opportunities to be involved was a barrier to identifying process improvement. Conclusions HTA is implemented primarily in countries seeking to have fair and equitable processes for funding medicines. PAGs often recognise the financial challenges of funding new medicines and share the desire for procedural fairness. The connection PAGs make between patient involvement and improved access to new medicines may be based on the belief they can add information to the evidence base, help solve problems, ensure fairness through transparency and/or influence the culture towards increased access to medicines they value.

Phylogeography of the Common New Zealand Wrasse Species, Notolabrus Celidotus, and the Phylogenetics of the Pseudolabrine Tribe

<p>The New Zealand coastline and marine environment is a diverse place and presents plenty of dispersal obstacles to many of the organisms that live there. This thesis investigates the phylogeography of one of the most common fish species around the coast of New Zealand, the endemic wrasse Notolabrus celidotus, using the mitochondrial DNA control region and compares genetic variability to another common New Zealand wrasse, Notolabrus fucicola in a local setting. These species are part of a tribe of temperate fish, the pseudolabrines, which can be found throughout the South and North-West Pacific. The phylogeny of this tribe was also analysed using the mitochondrial 16S gene to investigate the relationships among the New Zealand pseudolabrines and to those species elsewhere. The results suggest that pseudolabrines from mainland New Zealand are closely related and are likely to have originated from southern Australia while species from the Kermadec Islands and other northern islands are more closely related to the species of eastern Australia. The Notolabrus and Pseudolabrus genera should be reviewed to remedy paraphyly of Pseudolabrus. Furthermore, N. celidotus shows no population structuring throughout its range and appears to be rapidly expanding. Genetic variability was similar for both N. celidotus and N. fucicola. The results suggest that the pseudolabrine tribe has made multiple migrations to New Zealand where Notolabrus celidotus was able to spread around the three main islands and, likely facilitated by a long planktonic larval duration, was able to maintain high gene flow among populations.</p>

Phylogeography of the Common New Zealand Wrasse Species, Notolabrus Celidotus, and the Phylogenetics of the Pseudolabrine Tribe

<p>The New Zealand coastline and marine environment is a diverse place and presents plenty of dispersal obstacles to many of the organisms that live there. This thesis investigates the phylogeography of one of the most common fish species around the coast of New Zealand, the endemic wrasse Notolabrus celidotus, using the mitochondrial DNA control region and compares genetic variability to another common New Zealand wrasse, Notolabrus fucicola in a local setting. These species are part of a tribe of temperate fish, the pseudolabrines, which can be found throughout the South and North-West Pacific. The phylogeny of this tribe was also analysed using the mitochondrial 16S gene to investigate the relationships among the New Zealand pseudolabrines and to those species elsewhere. The results suggest that pseudolabrines from mainland New Zealand are closely related and are likely to have originated from southern Australia while species from the Kermadec Islands and other northern islands are more closely related to the species of eastern Australia. The Notolabrus and Pseudolabrus genera should be reviewed to remedy paraphyly of Pseudolabrus. Furthermore, N. celidotus shows no population structuring throughout its range and appears to be rapidly expanding. Genetic variability was similar for both N. celidotus and N. fucicola. The results suggest that the pseudolabrine tribe has made multiple migrations to New Zealand where Notolabrus celidotus was able to spread around the three main islands and, likely facilitated by a long planktonic larval duration, was able to maintain high gene flow among populations.</p>

Point-of-care testing in a high-income country paediatric emergency department: a qualitative study in Sweden

ObjectivesIn many resource-limited health systems, point-of-care tests (POCTs) are the only means for clinical patient sample analyses. However, the speed and simplicity of POCTs also makes their use appealing to clinicians in high-income countries (HICs), despite greater laboratory accessibility. Although also part of the clinical routine in HICs, clinician perceptions of the utility of POCTs are relatively unknown in such settings as compared with others. In a Swedish paediatric emergency department (PED) where POCT use is routine, we aimed to characterise healthcare providers’ perspectives on the clinical utility of POCTs and explore their implementation in the local setting; to discuss and compare such perspectives, to those reported in other settings; and finally, to gather requests for ideal novel POCTs.DesignQualitative focus group discussions study. A data-driven content analysis approach was used for analysis.SettingThe PED of a secondary paediatric hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.ParticipantsTwenty-four healthcare providers clinically active at the PED were enrolled in six focus groups.ResultsA range of POCTs was routinely used. The emerging theme Utility of our POCT use is double-edged illustrated the perceived utility of POCTs. While POCT services were considered to have clinical and social value, the local routine for their use was named to distract clinicians from the care for patients. Requests were made for ideal POCTs and their implementation.ConclusionDespite their clinical integration, deficient implementation routines limit the benefits of POCT services to this well-resourced paediatric clinic. As such deficiencies are shared with other settings, it is suggested that some characteristics of POCTs and of their utility are less related to resource level and more to policy deficiency. To address this, we propose the appointment of skilled laboratory personnel as ambassadors to hospital clinics offering POCT services, to ensure higher utility of such services.

A case of red nucleus and hillock syndrome

Th. Dosuzkov in Revue v neurologii i psychiatrii, 1928, no. In addition to the presence of semi-paresis, sensory disturbances, pain, intentional tremor, the author indicates cerebellar disorders on the same side, changes in local setting reflexes on both sides, and on the part of the psyche, euphoria and mild dementia.

‘Your’s Truly’: The Creation and Consumption of Commercial Tourist Portraits

There is a long history of tourists substantiating their visits to a destination through the purchase of portraits that show them against a backdrop of the local setting. While its initial expression in the form of paintings was confined to the social elite who could afford to commission and sit for an artist, the advent of photography democratized the process, enabling the aspiring middle classes to partake in the custom. While some tourists took their own photographs, the majority relied on local photographers who offered their services in studio and open-air settings. Smaller-sized images, such as Cartes de Visite (2.5″ × 4″) and Cabinet Cards (4.5″ × 6.5″), could be enclosed with letters to family and social circles, thus providing proof of visits while the voyage was still in progress. The development of picture postcards as a postal item in the 1890s, coupled with the manufacture of precut photographic paper with preprinted address fields, revolutionized tourist portraiture. Photographers could set-up outside tourist attractions, where tourists could have their portrait taken with formulaic framing against a canonized background. Efficient production flows meant that tourists could pick up their printed portraits, ready for mailing within an hour. Using examples of San Marc’s Basilica in Venice (Italy), as well as Ostrich Farms in California and Florida (U.S.A.), this paper contextualizes the production and consumption of such commercial tourist portraits as objects of social validation. It discusses their ability to situate the visitor in locales iconic of the destination, substantiating their presence and validating their experience. Given the speed of production (within an hour) and their ability to be immediately mailed through the global postal network, such images were the precursor of the modern-day ‘selfies’ posted on social media.