Background:One-third of veterans returning from the 1990–1991 Gulf War reported a myriad of symptoms including cognitive dysfunction,skin rashes,musculoskeletal discomfort,and fatigue.This symptom cluster is now refe...Background:One-third of veterans returning from the 1990–1991 Gulf War reported a myriad of symptoms including cognitive dysfunction,skin rashes,musculoskeletal discomfort,and fatigue.This symptom cluster is now referred to as Gulf War Illness(GWI).As the underlying mechanisms of GWI have yet to be fully elucidated,diagnosis and treatment are based on symptomatic presentation.One confounding factor tied to the illness is the high presence of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).Previous research efforts have demonstrated that both GWI and PTSD are associated with immunological dysfunction.As such,this research endeavor aimed to provide insight into the complex relationship between GWI symptoms,cytokine presence,and immune cell populations to pinpoint the impact of PTSD on these measures in GWI.Methods:Symptom measures were gathered through the Multidimensional fatigue inventory(MFI)and 36-item short form health survey(SF-36)scales and biological measures were obtained through cytokine&cytometry analysis.Subgrouping was conducted using Davidson Trauma Scale scores and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(DSM)-5,into GWI with high probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIH)and GWI with low probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIL).Data was analyzed using analysis of variance(ANOVA)statistical analysis along with correlation graph analysis.We mapped correlations between immune cells and cytokine signaling measures,hormones and GWI symptom measures to identify patterns in regulation between the GWIH,GWIL,and healthy control groups.Results:GWI with comorbid PTSD symptoms resulted in poorer health outcomes compared with both healthy control(HC)and the GWIL subgroup.Significant differences were found in basophil levels of GWI compared with HC at peak exercise regardless of PTSD symptom comorbidity(ANOVA F=4.7,P=0.01)indicating its potential usage as a biomarker for general GWI from control.While the unique identification of GWI with PTSD symptoms was less clear,the GWIL subgroup was found to be delineated from both GWIH and HC on measures of IL-15 across an exercise challenge(ANOVA F>3.75,P<0.03).Additional differences in natural killer(NK)cell numbers and function highlight IL-15 as a potential biomarker of GWI in the absence of PTSD symptoms.Conclusions:We conclude that disentangling GWI and PTSD by defining trauma-based subgroups may aid in the identification of unique GWI biosignatures that can help to improve diagnosis and target treatment of GWI more effectively.展开更多
The U.S.bombing of Caracas,Venezuela,and kidnapping of its democratically elected president Nicolas Maduro in the early hours of January 3,of course,violated an international law regime that the U.S.Government has nev...The U.S.bombing of Caracas,Venezuela,and kidnapping of its democratically elected president Nicolas Maduro in the early hours of January 3,of course,violated an international law regime that the U.S.Government has never had much respect for.Nonetheless,the openness of the discourse surrounding the U.S.'imperial bellicosity is novel in the modem era.展开更多
Background: Maxillofacial war injuries usually cause severe facial organ defects and deformities, handicapping the patient's daily activities, even result in a tendency to commit suicide. The application of maxill...Background: Maxillofacial war injuries usually cause severe facial organ defects and deformities, handicapping the patient's daily activities, even result in a tendency to commit suicide. The application of maxillofacial prosthesis is an alternative to surgery in functional–aesthetic facial reconstruction. Computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing has opened up a new approach to the fabrication of maxillofacial prosthesis. An intelligentized rapid simulative design and manufacture system for prosthesis was developed to facilitate the prosthesis fabrication procedure.Methods: Maxillofacial prosthesis rapid simulation design and rapid fabrication system consists of three components: digital impression, intelligentized prosthesis designing, and rapid manufacturing. The patients' maxillofacial digital impressions were taken with Structured-light 3D scanner; and then the 3D model of prostheses and their negative molds could be designed in specific software; finally, with the resin molds fabricated by rapid prototyping machine, the prostheses could be produced directly and quickly.Results: Fifteen patients of maxillofacial defect caused by traumatic injuries received prosthesis rehabilitation provided by the established system. The contour of the prostheses coordinated properly with the appearance of the patients, and the uniform-thickness border sealed well to adjacent tissues. All the patients were satisfied with their prostheses.Conclusions: The rapid simulative rehabilitation system of maxillofacial defects has been approaching completion. It could provide advanced technological reservation for the Army in the issue of maxillofacial defect rehabilitation.展开更多
Background: Upper limb amputations are one of the unpleasant war injuries that armed forces are exposed to frequently. The present study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems in Iraq-Iran ...Background: Upper limb amputations are one of the unpleasant war injuries that armed forces are exposed to frequently. The present study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems in Iraq-Iran war veterans with bilateral upper extremity amputation.Methods: The study consisted of taking a history and clinical examinations including demographic data, presence and location of pain, level of amputation, passive and active ranges of movement of the joints across the upper and lower extremities and spine, manual palpation, neurological examination, blood circulation pulses and issues related to a prosthetic limb. In this study, 103 Iranian bilateral upper extremity amputees(206 amputations) from the IranIraq war were evaluated, and a detailed questionnaire was also administered.Results: The most common level of amputation was the finger or wrist level(108, 52.4%). Based on clinical examination, we found high frequencies of limited active and passive joint range of movement across the scapula, shoulder, elbow, wrist and metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal and thumb joints. Based on muscle strength testing, we found varying degrees of weakness across the upper limbs. Musculoskeletal disorders included epicondylitis(65, 31.6%), rotator cuff injury(24, 11.7%), bicipital tendonitis(69, 33.5%), shoulder drop(42, 20.4%) and muscle atrophy(19, 9.2%). Peripheral nerve disorders included carpal tunnel syndrome in 13(6.3%) and unilateral brachial plexus injury in 1(1%). Fifty-three(51.5%) were diagnosed with facet joint syndrome at the level of the cervical spine(the most frequent site). Using a prosthesis was reported by 65(63.1%), both left and right sides. The back was the most common site of pain(71.8%).Conclusion: The high prevalence of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders among bilateral upper extremity amputees indicates that they need regular rehabilitation care.展开更多
After September 11 events, America has launched a worldwide financial war against terrorism with a series of farreaching measures. It is not only confined to combating international terrorist activities, but will also...After September 11 events, America has launched a worldwide financial war against terrorism with a series of farreaching measures. It is not only confined to combating international terrorist activities, but will also exert great展开更多
The ongoing U. S. -Iraq war is the focus of various governments, peoples and media of the world. Analyses can be made from different angles. I want to discuss the influence of the U. S. -Iraq war on current and future...The ongoing U. S. -Iraq war is the focus of various governments, peoples and media of the world. Analyses can be made from different angles. I want to discuss the influence of the U. S. -Iraq war on current and future world system and international system. The U. S. -Iraq war is not a war in a traditional sense, but the first comprehensive war in the new century, involving military, political,展开更多
The question of the impact of war on ecosystems still remains secondary in the internal and external policy of states, society and the agenda of international organizations. From the point of view of losses in monetar...The question of the impact of war on ecosystems still remains secondary in the internal and external policy of states, society and the agenda of international organizations. From the point of view of losses in monetary terms, the values of ecosystem damages obtained in the work, which are a consequence of the impact of hostilities on the environment, correspond to the annual budgets of the largest countries in the world or exceed them. The presented calculations significantly exceed the known normative methods, the use of which in the conditions of war is limited in space and time. Objective difficulties associated with the uncertainty of many processes of the development of ecological systems and their reaction to the multifactorial impact of war are also significant limitations. Therefore, as part of the study, a method of assessing the impact of war on the environment is proposed, which is based on the patterns of energy flows in ecosystems from the moment it is binding by producers. This made it possible to take into account in the calculations the principle of functional integrity of the ecological system, according to which the destruction or damage of the components of a functionally whole environment will necessarily cause negative phenomena in the development of ecological systems. The results are presented in the form of real values of ecological losses in energy and monetary equivalents, as consequences of the loss of ecosystem services. As the results of the research show, the minimum amount of damage to ecosystems from Russian tanks is 43,500 USD per day. Environmental damage from Russian fighter jets has been estimated at $1.5 billion per week since the start of the war. Noise from military operations causes losses of at least 2.3 billion US dollars per year. The obtained results create prerequisites for improving the system of ensuring environmental safety at the local, state, and international levels and transferring the obtained solutions into safety-shaping practice.展开更多
THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.Pages from this period of world history not only offer historic...THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.Pages from this period of world history not only offer historical narratives about national fates but also narrate stories of how individual people reacted under extreme circumstances.Even amid the fiercest conflicts,the spirit of humanitarianism persisted,transcending national borders and ideological divides.These acts of kindness offer a unique lens through which to understand the complexities of war and provide valuable lessons for today’s world.展开更多
During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the ...During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This protest was led by Dr. Arthur Galston and eventually included scientists with the National Academy of Science. By 1970, the Department of Defense (DoD) was ordered to permit the scientists to visit South Vietnam during the war to document these impacts. In all 1500 scientist days were spent in South Vietnam. In addition, the US government and military funded research studies on the impact of herbicides on animals. The goal of military use of herbicides, as chemical weapons, was to defoliate jungle forests and destroy food crops as a strategy to win battles and the war. The primary objective of this research study is to describe how it is possible for a country to fund and carry out scientific studies during the conduct of a war rather than decades later. The environmental impact study findings often lack boots on the ground validation and can be inaccurate or misleading in some situations. The United States (US) and other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, need to learn the historical lessons from the US use of herbicides, containing dioxin TCDD and/or arsenic (As), as chemical weapons during the Vietnam War.展开更多
In the 21st century,as algorithmic hegemony reconfigures global security architectures,war gaming methodologies have been strategically reconstituted through national security frameworks.These encompass military simul...In the 21st century,as algorithmic hegemony reconfigures global security architectures,war gaming methodologies have been strategically reconstituted through national security frameworks.These encompass military simulation training,gamified military exercises,and virtual reality battlefield projections.Against the backdrop of intensifying global security crises,postcolonial resurgence,and accelerated technological innovation,this study employs national security theory to analyze the multifaceted roles of Western war gaming in advancing military-technological innovation,disseminating strategic cultural paradigms,and reshaping public consciousness.Through empirical case studies,it investigates how such practices generate novel forms of strategic deterrence while critically assessing their implications for the evolving global security landscape.展开更多
The 2025 U.S.-China Trade War has intensified the vulnerability of China's oil supply chain due to heavy reliance on soybean imports,posing serious challenges to food security.This study examines soybean dependenc...The 2025 U.S.-China Trade War has intensified the vulnerability of China's oil supply chain due to heavy reliance on soybean imports,posing serious challenges to food security.This study examines soybean dependency risks and evaluates substitution strategies through diversified oilseed use,including palm-based alternatives.Findings show that high reciprocal tariffs caused a 75%drop in U.S.soybean exports to China.Palm oil,with high yield efficiency and cost-effectiveness,offers a viable supplement to fill supply chain gaps.Promoting oil palm cultivation through northward expansion and cooperation with Belt and Road countries is recommended.Additionally,multi-omics,gene editing,tissue culture,and precision agriculture are crucial to address technical bottlenecks.The study concludes that palm and soybean oils will form a complementary system,and that policy and technology investments are essential to strengthen China's oilseed supply chain resilience and sustainability.展开更多
Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that manifests largely as gastrointestinal symptoms.Among these gastrointestinal symptoms,motility disorders are highly prevalent,presenting as chronic...Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that manifests largely as gastrointestinal symptoms.Among these gastrointestinal symptoms,motility disorders are highly prevalent,presenting as chronic constipation,stomach pain,indigestion,diarrhea,and other conditions that severely impact the quality of life of GWI veterans.However,despite a high prevalence of gastrointestinal impairments among these veterans,most research attention has focused on neurological disturbances.This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of current in vivo research advancements elucidating the underlying mechanisms contributing to gastrointestinal disorders in GWI.Generally,these in vivo and in vitro models propose that neuroinflammation alters gut motility and drives the gastrointestinal symptoms reported in GWI.Additionally,this perspective highlights the potential and challenges of in vitro bioengineering models,which could be a crucial contributor to understanding and treating the pathology of gastrointestinal related-GWI.展开更多
After Donald Trump returned to the White House,the U.S.government launched a host of measures of“tariff wars”.In addition to announcing tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Canada,Mexico and China,the...After Donald Trump returned to the White House,the U.S.government launched a host of measures of“tariff wars”.In addition to announcing tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Canada,Mexico and China,the government also imposed trade restrictions on specific industries including steel,aluminum and copper,as well as advanced plan for“reciprocal tariffs”.Donald Trump claimed that a“tariff war”would correct trade imbalances,boost government revenue and promote the reshoring of manufacturing to the United States.By leveraging tariffs,the U.S.also attempts to achieve goals in border security,illegal immigration and fentanyl control.Undoubtedly at a central position in Trump’s second term in office,the“tariff war”will exert impacts far beyond economic and trade policies and upon the direction of China-U.S.relations.展开更多
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations(UN).As the most universal,representative,and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in the world,the UN serves as the ...The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations(UN).As the most universal,representative,and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in the world,the UN serves as the core platform for upholding multilateralism and a crucial cornerstone of the international order.In recent years,the UN’s ability to address global challenges is tested.展开更多
In 1945,after a same generation went through two world wars,the community of states united to create the United Nations(UN),in the hope of not returning to make the mistakes of the past.However,due to disparate ideolo...In 1945,after a same generation went through two world wars,the community of states united to create the United Nations(UN),in the hope of not returning to make the mistakes of the past.However,due to disparate ideologies and conflicting strategic interests,the main powers of that era,e.g.the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR),two different world orders emerged,each with their own worldviews and geopolitical concerns,although both orders were part of the same international system.展开更多
Over one-third of 700,000 military personnel who served in the first Gulf War(GW)suffer from an assortment of symptoms,including cognitive and memory problems,musculoskeletal pain,gastrointestinal discomfort,fatigue,a...Over one-third of 700,000 military personnel who served in the first Gulf War(GW)suffer from an assortment of symptoms,including cognitive and memory problems,musculoskeletal pain,gastrointestinal discomfort,fatigue,and respiratory issues[1,2].The precise etiology of Gulf War illness(GWI)is unclear.However,epidemiological and preclinical studies imply that exposures to the prophylactic drug pyridostigmine bromide,insecticides,pesticides,smoke from oil well fires,and interaction between these exposures and war-related stress underlie this illness[2].As per the Kansas case definition,GWI is a chronic multi-symptom illness displaying one moderately severe and/or multiple symptoms of any severity in at least 3 of 6 symptom domains(fatigue,pain,neurological/cognitive/mood,skin,gastrointestinal,respiratory)[1,2].While the exact pathophysiological changes underlying GWI have not been identified,alterations in immune regulation and dysregulation of the redox balance have been observed in GWI,resulting in chronic systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation[2].展开更多
Background:Chronic Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by cognitive and mood impairments,as well as persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Epidiolex®,a...Background:Chronic Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by cognitive and mood impairments,as well as persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Epidiolex®,a Food and Drug Administration(FDA)-approved cannabidiol(CBD),in improving brain function in a rat model of chronic GWI.Methods:Six months after exposure to low doses of GWI-related chemicals[pyridostigmine bromide,N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide(DEET),and permethrin(PER)]along with moderate stress,rats with chronic GWI were administered either vehicle(VEH)or CBD(20 mg/kg,oral)for 16 weeks.Neurobehavioral tests were conducted on 11 weeks after treatment initiation to evaluate the performance of rats in tasks related to associative recognition memory,object location memory,pattern separation,and sucrose preference.The effect of CBD on hyperalgesia was also examined.The brain tissues were processed for immunohistochemical and molecular studies following behavioral tests.Results:GWI rats treated with VEH exhibited impairments in all cognitive tasks and anhedonia,whereas CBD-treated GWI rats showed improvements in all cognitive tasks and no anhedonia.Additionally,CBD treatment alleviated hyperalgesia in GWI rats.Analysis of hippocampal tissues from VEH-treated rats revealed astrocyte hypertrophy and increased percentages of activated microglia presenting NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)complexes as well as elevated levels of proteins involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling.Furthermore,there were increased concentrations of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers along with decreased neurogenesis.In contrast,the hippocampus from CBD-treated GWI rats displayed reduced levels of proteins mediating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and JAK/STAT signaling,normalized concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers,and improved neurogenesis.Notably,CBD treatment did not alter the concentration of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide in the hippocampus.Conclusions:The use of an FDA-approved CBD(Epidiolex®)has been shown to effectively alleviate cognitive and mood impairments as well as hyperalgesia associated with chronic GWI.Importantly,the improvements observed in rats with chronic GWI in this study were attributed to the ability of CBD to significantly suppress signaling pathways that perpetuate chronic neuroinflammation.展开更多
基金suppor ted by the US Depar tment of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP)awards (http://cdmrp.army.mil/) W81XWH-16-1-0632 (Craddock PI),W81XWH-16-1-0552 (Craddock PI),W81XWH-18-1-0549 (Sullivan PI),W81XWH-13-2-0072 (Sullivan PI),and W81XWH-09-2-0071 (Klimas PI)a Veterans Affairs Merit Award (4987.69) to Dr.Nancy Klimas。
文摘Background:One-third of veterans returning from the 1990–1991 Gulf War reported a myriad of symptoms including cognitive dysfunction,skin rashes,musculoskeletal discomfort,and fatigue.This symptom cluster is now referred to as Gulf War Illness(GWI).As the underlying mechanisms of GWI have yet to be fully elucidated,diagnosis and treatment are based on symptomatic presentation.One confounding factor tied to the illness is the high presence of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).Previous research efforts have demonstrated that both GWI and PTSD are associated with immunological dysfunction.As such,this research endeavor aimed to provide insight into the complex relationship between GWI symptoms,cytokine presence,and immune cell populations to pinpoint the impact of PTSD on these measures in GWI.Methods:Symptom measures were gathered through the Multidimensional fatigue inventory(MFI)and 36-item short form health survey(SF-36)scales and biological measures were obtained through cytokine&cytometry analysis.Subgrouping was conducted using Davidson Trauma Scale scores and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(DSM)-5,into GWI with high probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIH)and GWI with low probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIL).Data was analyzed using analysis of variance(ANOVA)statistical analysis along with correlation graph analysis.We mapped correlations between immune cells and cytokine signaling measures,hormones and GWI symptom measures to identify patterns in regulation between the GWIH,GWIL,and healthy control groups.Results:GWI with comorbid PTSD symptoms resulted in poorer health outcomes compared with both healthy control(HC)and the GWIL subgroup.Significant differences were found in basophil levels of GWI compared with HC at peak exercise regardless of PTSD symptom comorbidity(ANOVA F=4.7,P=0.01)indicating its potential usage as a biomarker for general GWI from control.While the unique identification of GWI with PTSD symptoms was less clear,the GWIL subgroup was found to be delineated from both GWIH and HC on measures of IL-15 across an exercise challenge(ANOVA F>3.75,P<0.03).Additional differences in natural killer(NK)cell numbers and function highlight IL-15 as a potential biomarker of GWI in the absence of PTSD symptoms.Conclusions:We conclude that disentangling GWI and PTSD by defining trauma-based subgroups may aid in the identification of unique GWI biosignatures that can help to improve diagnosis and target treatment of GWI more effectively.
文摘The U.S.bombing of Caracas,Venezuela,and kidnapping of its democratically elected president Nicolas Maduro in the early hours of January 3,of course,violated an international law regime that the U.S.Government has never had much respect for.Nonetheless,the openness of the discourse surrounding the U.S.'imperial bellicosity is novel in the modem era.
基金funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81271188)supported by National Key Technology R&D Program of China (2012BAI07B02)
文摘Background: Maxillofacial war injuries usually cause severe facial organ defects and deformities, handicapping the patient's daily activities, even result in a tendency to commit suicide. The application of maxillofacial prosthesis is an alternative to surgery in functional–aesthetic facial reconstruction. Computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing has opened up a new approach to the fabrication of maxillofacial prosthesis. An intelligentized rapid simulative design and manufacture system for prosthesis was developed to facilitate the prosthesis fabrication procedure.Methods: Maxillofacial prosthesis rapid simulation design and rapid fabrication system consists of three components: digital impression, intelligentized prosthesis designing, and rapid manufacturing. The patients' maxillofacial digital impressions were taken with Structured-light 3D scanner; and then the 3D model of prostheses and their negative molds could be designed in specific software; finally, with the resin molds fabricated by rapid prototyping machine, the prostheses could be produced directly and quickly.Results: Fifteen patients of maxillofacial defect caused by traumatic injuries received prosthesis rehabilitation provided by the established system. The contour of the prostheses coordinated properly with the appearance of the patients, and the uniform-thickness border sealed well to adjacent tissues. All the patients were satisfied with their prostheses.Conclusions: The rapid simulative rehabilitation system of maxillofacial defects has been approaching completion. It could provide advanced technological reservation for the Army in the issue of maxillofacial defect rehabilitation.
基金the Veterans and Martyrs Affair Foundation (VMAF)Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center (JMERC)
文摘Background: Upper limb amputations are one of the unpleasant war injuries that armed forces are exposed to frequently. The present study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems in Iraq-Iran war veterans with bilateral upper extremity amputation.Methods: The study consisted of taking a history and clinical examinations including demographic data, presence and location of pain, level of amputation, passive and active ranges of movement of the joints across the upper and lower extremities and spine, manual palpation, neurological examination, blood circulation pulses and issues related to a prosthetic limb. In this study, 103 Iranian bilateral upper extremity amputees(206 amputations) from the IranIraq war were evaluated, and a detailed questionnaire was also administered.Results: The most common level of amputation was the finger or wrist level(108, 52.4%). Based on clinical examination, we found high frequencies of limited active and passive joint range of movement across the scapula, shoulder, elbow, wrist and metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal and thumb joints. Based on muscle strength testing, we found varying degrees of weakness across the upper limbs. Musculoskeletal disorders included epicondylitis(65, 31.6%), rotator cuff injury(24, 11.7%), bicipital tendonitis(69, 33.5%), shoulder drop(42, 20.4%) and muscle atrophy(19, 9.2%). Peripheral nerve disorders included carpal tunnel syndrome in 13(6.3%) and unilateral brachial plexus injury in 1(1%). Fifty-three(51.5%) were diagnosed with facet joint syndrome at the level of the cervical spine(the most frequent site). Using a prosthesis was reported by 65(63.1%), both left and right sides. The back was the most common site of pain(71.8%).Conclusion: The high prevalence of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders among bilateral upper extremity amputees indicates that they need regular rehabilitation care.
文摘After September 11 events, America has launched a worldwide financial war against terrorism with a series of farreaching measures. It is not only confined to combating international terrorist activities, but will also exert great
文摘The ongoing U. S. -Iraq war is the focus of various governments, peoples and media of the world. Analyses can be made from different angles. I want to discuss the influence of the U. S. -Iraq war on current and future world system and international system. The U. S. -Iraq war is not a war in a traditional sense, but the first comprehensive war in the new century, involving military, political,
文摘The question of the impact of war on ecosystems still remains secondary in the internal and external policy of states, society and the agenda of international organizations. From the point of view of losses in monetary terms, the values of ecosystem damages obtained in the work, which are a consequence of the impact of hostilities on the environment, correspond to the annual budgets of the largest countries in the world or exceed them. The presented calculations significantly exceed the known normative methods, the use of which in the conditions of war is limited in space and time. Objective difficulties associated with the uncertainty of many processes of the development of ecological systems and their reaction to the multifactorial impact of war are also significant limitations. Therefore, as part of the study, a method of assessing the impact of war on the environment is proposed, which is based on the patterns of energy flows in ecosystems from the moment it is binding by producers. This made it possible to take into account in the calculations the principle of functional integrity of the ecological system, according to which the destruction or damage of the components of a functionally whole environment will necessarily cause negative phenomena in the development of ecological systems. The results are presented in the form of real values of ecological losses in energy and monetary equivalents, as consequences of the loss of ecosystem services. As the results of the research show, the minimum amount of damage to ecosystems from Russian tanks is 43,500 USD per day. Environmental damage from Russian fighter jets has been estimated at $1.5 billion per week since the start of the war. Noise from military operations causes losses of at least 2.3 billion US dollars per year. The obtained results create prerequisites for improving the system of ensuring environmental safety at the local, state, and international levels and transferring the obtained solutions into safety-shaping practice.
文摘THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.Pages from this period of world history not only offer historical narratives about national fates but also narrate stories of how individual people reacted under extreme circumstances.Even amid the fiercest conflicts,the spirit of humanitarianism persisted,transcending national borders and ideological divides.These acts of kindness offer a unique lens through which to understand the complexities of war and provide valuable lessons for today’s world.
文摘During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This protest was led by Dr. Arthur Galston and eventually included scientists with the National Academy of Science. By 1970, the Department of Defense (DoD) was ordered to permit the scientists to visit South Vietnam during the war to document these impacts. In all 1500 scientist days were spent in South Vietnam. In addition, the US government and military funded research studies on the impact of herbicides on animals. The goal of military use of herbicides, as chemical weapons, was to defoliate jungle forests and destroy food crops as a strategy to win battles and the war. The primary objective of this research study is to describe how it is possible for a country to fund and carry out scientific studies during the conduct of a war rather than decades later. The environmental impact study findings often lack boots on the ground validation and can be inaccurate or misleading in some situations. The United States (US) and other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, need to learn the historical lessons from the US use of herbicides, containing dioxin TCDD and/or arsenic (As), as chemical weapons during the Vietnam War.
基金Funded by Hunan Provincial College Students Innovation Project(S202490002265).
文摘In the 21st century,as algorithmic hegemony reconfigures global security architectures,war gaming methodologies have been strategically reconstituted through national security frameworks.These encompass military simulation training,gamified military exercises,and virtual reality battlefield projections.Against the backdrop of intensifying global security crises,postcolonial resurgence,and accelerated technological innovation,this study employs national security theory to analyze the multifaceted roles of Western war gaming in advancing military-technological innovation,disseminating strategic cultural paradigms,and reshaping public consciousness.Through empirical case studies,it investigates how such practices generate novel forms of strategic deterrence while critically assessing their implications for the evolving global security landscape.
基金financially sponsored by Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation(324QN360)Project of Sanya Yazhou Bay Sci-ence and Technology City(SCKJ-JYRC-2024-35).
文摘The 2025 U.S.-China Trade War has intensified the vulnerability of China's oil supply chain due to heavy reliance on soybean imports,posing serious challenges to food security.This study examines soybean dependency risks and evaluates substitution strategies through diversified oilseed use,including palm-based alternatives.Findings show that high reciprocal tariffs caused a 75%drop in U.S.soybean exports to China.Palm oil,with high yield efficiency and cost-effectiveness,offers a viable supplement to fill supply chain gaps.Promoting oil palm cultivation through northward expansion and cooperation with Belt and Road countries is recommended.Additionally,multi-omics,gene editing,tissue culture,and precision agriculture are crucial to address technical bottlenecks.The study concludes that palm and soybean oils will form a complementary system,and that policy and technology investments are essential to strengthen China's oilseed supply chain resilience and sustainability.
基金supported by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Award through the Gulf War Illness Research Program (SAR, W81XWH-21±1-0477)funding from the Aviles-Johnson Doctoral Diversity Fellowship Awardthe National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Awards (CAC)
文摘Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that manifests largely as gastrointestinal symptoms.Among these gastrointestinal symptoms,motility disorders are highly prevalent,presenting as chronic constipation,stomach pain,indigestion,diarrhea,and other conditions that severely impact the quality of life of GWI veterans.However,despite a high prevalence of gastrointestinal impairments among these veterans,most research attention has focused on neurological disturbances.This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of current in vivo research advancements elucidating the underlying mechanisms contributing to gastrointestinal disorders in GWI.Generally,these in vivo and in vitro models propose that neuroinflammation alters gut motility and drives the gastrointestinal symptoms reported in GWI.Additionally,this perspective highlights the potential and challenges of in vitro bioengineering models,which could be a crucial contributor to understanding and treating the pathology of gastrointestinal related-GWI.
文摘After Donald Trump returned to the White House,the U.S.government launched a host of measures of“tariff wars”.In addition to announcing tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Canada,Mexico and China,the government also imposed trade restrictions on specific industries including steel,aluminum and copper,as well as advanced plan for“reciprocal tariffs”.Donald Trump claimed that a“tariff war”would correct trade imbalances,boost government revenue and promote the reshoring of manufacturing to the United States.By leveraging tariffs,the U.S.also attempts to achieve goals in border security,illegal immigration and fentanyl control.Undoubtedly at a central position in Trump’s second term in office,the“tariff war”will exert impacts far beyond economic and trade policies and upon the direction of China-U.S.relations.
文摘The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations(UN).As the most universal,representative,and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in the world,the UN serves as the core platform for upholding multilateralism and a crucial cornerstone of the international order.In recent years,the UN’s ability to address global challenges is tested.
文摘In 1945,after a same generation went through two world wars,the community of states united to create the United Nations(UN),in the hope of not returning to make the mistakes of the past.However,due to disparate ideologies and conflicting strategic interests,the main powers of that era,e.g.the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR),two different world orders emerged,each with their own worldviews and geopolitical concerns,although both orders were part of the same international system.
基金Department of Defense(W81XWH-17-1-0447 and W81XWH1910548 to AKS)Texas A&M University School of Medicine。
文摘Over one-third of 700,000 military personnel who served in the first Gulf War(GW)suffer from an assortment of symptoms,including cognitive and memory problems,musculoskeletal pain,gastrointestinal discomfort,fatigue,and respiratory issues[1,2].The precise etiology of Gulf War illness(GWI)is unclear.However,epidemiological and preclinical studies imply that exposures to the prophylactic drug pyridostigmine bromide,insecticides,pesticides,smoke from oil well fires,and interaction between these exposures and war-related stress underlie this illness[2].As per the Kansas case definition,GWI is a chronic multi-symptom illness displaying one moderately severe and/or multiple symptoms of any severity in at least 3 of 6 symptom domains(fatigue,pain,neurological/cognitive/mood,skin,gastrointestinal,respiratory)[1,2].While the exact pathophysiological changes underlying GWI have not been identified,alterations in immune regulation and dysregulation of the redox balance have been observed in GWI,resulting in chronic systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation[2].
基金supported by grants from Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.the Texas A&M University of School of Medicine to AKS
文摘Background:Chronic Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by cognitive and mood impairments,as well as persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Epidiolex®,a Food and Drug Administration(FDA)-approved cannabidiol(CBD),in improving brain function in a rat model of chronic GWI.Methods:Six months after exposure to low doses of GWI-related chemicals[pyridostigmine bromide,N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide(DEET),and permethrin(PER)]along with moderate stress,rats with chronic GWI were administered either vehicle(VEH)or CBD(20 mg/kg,oral)for 16 weeks.Neurobehavioral tests were conducted on 11 weeks after treatment initiation to evaluate the performance of rats in tasks related to associative recognition memory,object location memory,pattern separation,and sucrose preference.The effect of CBD on hyperalgesia was also examined.The brain tissues were processed for immunohistochemical and molecular studies following behavioral tests.Results:GWI rats treated with VEH exhibited impairments in all cognitive tasks and anhedonia,whereas CBD-treated GWI rats showed improvements in all cognitive tasks and no anhedonia.Additionally,CBD treatment alleviated hyperalgesia in GWI rats.Analysis of hippocampal tissues from VEH-treated rats revealed astrocyte hypertrophy and increased percentages of activated microglia presenting NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)complexes as well as elevated levels of proteins involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling.Furthermore,there were increased concentrations of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers along with decreased neurogenesis.In contrast,the hippocampus from CBD-treated GWI rats displayed reduced levels of proteins mediating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and JAK/STAT signaling,normalized concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers,and improved neurogenesis.Notably,CBD treatment did not alter the concentration of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide in the hippocampus.Conclusions:The use of an FDA-approved CBD(Epidiolex®)has been shown to effectively alleviate cognitive and mood impairments as well as hyperalgesia associated with chronic GWI.Importantly,the improvements observed in rats with chronic GWI in this study were attributed to the ability of CBD to significantly suppress signaling pathways that perpetuate chronic neuroinflammation.
