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
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
This study examines the mediating role of innovation strategy in the relationship between network capital and the internationalization of Chinese high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs),as well as the moder...This study examines the mediating role of innovation strategy in the relationship between network capital and the internationalization of Chinese high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs),as well as the moderating effect of government policy on this mediating pathway.Based on survey data collected from 289 high-tech SMEs located in Shenzhen,China,a moderated mediation model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling(PLS-SEM).The results indicate that innovation strategy serves as a significant mechanism through which network capital enhances international performance.Furthermore,government support plays a critical moderating role by strengthening the indirect effect of network capital on internationalization via innovation strategy.Specifically,the mediating effect is more pronounced under high levels of government policy support.These findings contribute to the literature on internationalization by elucidating a conditional process model that explains how relational resources are transformed into global competitive advantage through strategic innovation,contingent on institutional support.The study offers practical implications for SME managers seeking to leverage external networks and innovation capabilities,as well as for policymakers aiming to design effective public interventions that facilitate international expansion.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
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: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
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
This comparative review explores the dynamic and evolving landscape of artificial intelligence(AI)-powered innovations within high-tech research and development(R&D).It delves into both theoreticalmodels and pract...This comparative review explores the dynamic and evolving landscape of artificial intelligence(AI)-powered innovations within high-tech research and development(R&D).It delves into both theoreticalmodels and practical applications across a broad range of industries,including biotechnology,automotive,aerospace,and telecom-munications.By examining critical advancements in AI algorithms,machine learning,deep learning models,simulations,and predictive analytics,the review underscores the transformative role AI has played in advancing theoretical research and shaping cutting-edge technologies.The review integrates both qualitative and quantitative data derived from academic studies,industry reports,and real-world case studies to showcase the tangible impacts of AI on product innovation,process optimization,and strategic decision-making.Notably,it discusses the challenges of integrating AI within complex industrial systems,such as ethical concerns,technical limitations,and the need for regulatory oversight.The findings reveal a mixed landscape where AI has significantly accelerated R&D processes,reduced costs,and enabled more precise simulations and predictions,but also highlighted gaps in knowledge transfer,skills adaptation,and cross-industry standardization.By bridging the gap between AI theory and practice,the review offers insights into the effectiveness,successes,and obstacles faced by organizations as they implement AI-driven solutions.Concluding with a forward-looking perspective,the review identifies emerging trends,future challenges,and promising opportunities inAI-poweredR&D,such as the rise of autonomous systems,AI-driven drug discovery,and sustainable energy solutions.It offers a holistic understanding of how AI is shaping the future of technological innovation and provides actionable insights for researchers,engineers,and policymakers involved in high-tech Research and Development(R&D).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
Under the background of new infrastructure,the Yellow River Basin’s superior growth cannot be separated originating with the synergistic effect of scientific and technological inventiveness and ecological civilizatio...Under the background of new infrastructure,the Yellow River Basin’s superior growth cannot be separated originating with the synergistic effect of scientific and technological inventiveness and ecological civilization construction.In light of the coupling coordination analysis of the coordination effect of provincial high-tech industry agglomeration and resource carrying capacity in the Yellow River Basin from 2009 to 2021,The evolution of the geographical and temporal pattern of development was investigated using the Moran index and kernel density estimation.The results show that the agglomeration of high-tech industries in the Yellow River Basin presents a development trend of seek improvement in stability,and there is a good coupling and coordination throughout the progression of scientific and technological innovation and the loading capacity of the resource,from the viewpoint of a time series.From the perspective of spatial pattern distribution,the whole basin aims at the lower reaches,accelerates the optimization of digital industry and promotes Yellow River Basin development of superior quality through innovation support and increase of input,and based on policy guidance.展开更多
During the 2nd Indochina War which started in 1959, the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Air America, and the Air Force waged a secret and unconventional air war in Laos from Udorn Air Force base locat...During the 2nd Indochina War which started in 1959, the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Air America, and the Air Force waged a secret and unconventional air war in Laos from Udorn Air Force base located in Thailand and across the Mekong River from Vientiane, Laos. Starting in 1961, four years before the official start of the American-Vietnam War, Agent Blue, the arsenic-based herbicide used to kill rice and other food crops, was used extensively in Laos, Vietnam and to a lesser extent in Cambodia. During the secret 2nd Indochina War and the Vietnam Civil War the public knew little about the use of Agent Blue. After the official start of the American-Vietnam War in 1965, the United States media news reports, about chemical warfare were dominated by the story of Agent Orange and its devastating impacts. The public knew very little about the previous use of Agent Blue in both wars. The first known media pick up of the Agent Blue (arsenic based) and Agent Pink, Agent Green, and Agent Purple (all three contain 2, 4, 5-T and unknown amounts of dioxin TCDD) was in May of 1964. Jim G. Lucas, a Scripps-Howard staff reporter submitted an article that was published as an editorial in Washington Post on May 26, 1964. The next news reference to this chemical weapon was a Letter to the Editor published in the New York Times titled “Agent Blue” in Vietnam by Arthur H. Westing in (1971). The use of herbicides, including Agent Blue in Laos during the 2nd Indochina War, was kept a secret until 1982, when a draft of Buckingham’s study of Operation Ranch Hand was made public. Much about the U.S. war effort in Laos is still classified. In a 2014 issue of the VVA Veteran magazine, Loana Hoylman published an article on “Today’s Blue Arsenic in the Environment”. The first refereed journal article on this topic, “The Fate of Agent Blue, the Arsenic-Based Herbicide, Used in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War” was published in 2020 in the Open Journal of Soil Science by Kenneth R. Olson and Larry Cihacek. In 2021 the Asia Times (print) and VietnamVeteranNews (radio podcast) picked up the Agent Blue story. During the early 2020s, Olson published six additional refereed journal articles on Agent Blue, cacodylic acid, and arsenic. The primary objective is to determine why no major news organization in the United States, including the New York Times and Washington Post, have never investigated Agent Blue use during the 2nd Indochina and Vietnam wars? Why did the use of Agent Blue story, used to destroy Laotian and South Vietnamese civilian food (rice) sources and production sites, received only very limited coverage by US print media news organizations during the last 64 years?展开更多
The legacy of the human misery caused by the application of the herbicides including Agent Purple and Agent Orange contaminated with unknown amounts of dioxin TCDD and Agent Blue, the arsenic-based herbicide, sprayed ...The legacy of the human misery caused by the application of the herbicides including Agent Purple and Agent Orange contaminated with unknown amounts of dioxin TCDD and Agent Blue, the arsenic-based herbicide, sprayed over the jungles, rice fields, and hamlets of Vietnam is still haunting us today. Why did this happen? Could it have been prevented? Was it necessary United States military strategy? Was it an intentional decision to inflict this blight on the enemy soldiers and the Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian civilians, to poison their land and cause generations of harm? Alternatively, was it an unpreventable accident in the march of military history? What patterns in the U.S. government’s thought process could be identified as the cause, which led to the decision to use these herbicides as tactical chemical weapons? If the introduction of herbicide (chemical) weapons had not been made, would the outcome of the Vietnam War and the Secret Wars in Laos and Cambodia have been any different? The objective of this treatise is to outline the role of world events and backgrounds and the role of the leaders, U.S. military, CIA, USDA, U.S. State Department, the U.S. President appointed Ambassadors to Vietnam and Laos, chemical companies, and President Diệm’s Republic of Vietnam (RVN) government and military. Their collective advice led to the decision to use herbicides as military and environmental chemical weapons in the Second Indochina War. Were the National interests achieved by U.S. military strategy in the RVN using herbicide weapons worth the long-term environmental and human health consequences in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos? Did it impact the outcome of the Second Indochina War?展开更多
The management of cultural urban heritage monuments in European cities after war is a matter that presents some interesting variations over time.It usually underlines a dual political manifestation,either as an attemp...The management of cultural urban heritage monuments in European cities after war is a matter that presents some interesting variations over time.It usually underlines a dual political manifestation,either as an attempt to reverse history,through a form of cultural"recovery"of monuments and encouraging a pre-war statement,either as an attempt to perpetuate the dark memory of the"atrocity"of the enemies through the preservation of the monument in form of a ruin,or in some cases as a kind of"purism"by removing cultural symbols and monuments attributed to war opponents in a process of symbolic reconstruction to support a new political narrative.Cultural properties,as described by UNESCO since 1954,represent a valuable urban asset that despite any political intentions are at serious threat during war times.Almost eight decades since World War II,the war in Ukraine raises forgotten issues for the European Region.The historic centre of the city of Lviv and the Saint Sophia Cathedral of Kyiv,among others,are world heritage sites,registered in the list of UNESCO,all of which various international organisations have expressed serious concerns about their state of survival.This paper aims to demonstrate from past examples the importance of safekeeping-built heritage,from any side of conflict parts,and in this respect highlighting the significance of culture over politics.Analysing thus monuments in recent European history that had suffered serious damage during military operations,as well as demonstrating various means of management that followed,in relation to the political expediency from which these options were dictated,considered in their historical context,while,at the same time,cross-referencing similar practices applied in Ukraine.展开更多
The frequent rebellions in Northern Manchuria during the Third Revolutionary War occurred in the special context of the struggle between the Kuomintang(KMT)and the Communist Party of China(CPC)for Northeast China afte...The frequent rebellions in Northern Manchuria during the Third Revolutionary War occurred in the special context of the struggle between the Kuomintang(KMT)and the Communist Party of China(CPC)for Northeast China after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War.The rebellion reached its peak during the KMTs attack on Northeast China,followed by a second wave of rebellion after the defeat in the Defensive Battle of Siping.It tended to disappear after the downfall of the Jiang Pengfei Group.In addition to the blind recruitment of the CPC in traditional narratives,the instigation of the KMT,the traditional mutiny of the old army,the limitations of the early work of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army,the early activities of the KMT,and the regional conflicts between the local and foreign forces are also important reasons for the concentration of rebellions.展开更多
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.
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This study examines the mediating role of innovation strategy in the relationship between network capital and the internationalization of Chinese high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs),as well as the moderating effect of government policy on this mediating pathway.Based on survey data collected from 289 high-tech SMEs located in Shenzhen,China,a moderated mediation model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling(PLS-SEM).The results indicate that innovation strategy serves as a significant mechanism through which network capital enhances international performance.Furthermore,government support plays a critical moderating role by strengthening the indirect effect of network capital on internationalization via innovation strategy.Specifically,the mediating effect is more pronounced under high levels of government policy support.These findings contribute to the literature on internationalization by elucidating a conditional process model that explains how relational resources are transformed into global competitive advantage through strategic innovation,contingent on institutional support.The study offers practical implications for SME managers seeking to leverage external networks and innovation capabilities,as well as for policymakers aiming to design effective public interventions that facilitate international expansion.
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.
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.
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.
文摘This comparative review explores the dynamic and evolving landscape of artificial intelligence(AI)-powered innovations within high-tech research and development(R&D).It delves into both theoreticalmodels and practical applications across a broad range of industries,including biotechnology,automotive,aerospace,and telecom-munications.By examining critical advancements in AI algorithms,machine learning,deep learning models,simulations,and predictive analytics,the review underscores the transformative role AI has played in advancing theoretical research and shaping cutting-edge technologies.The review integrates both qualitative and quantitative data derived from academic studies,industry reports,and real-world case studies to showcase the tangible impacts of AI on product innovation,process optimization,and strategic decision-making.Notably,it discusses the challenges of integrating AI within complex industrial systems,such as ethical concerns,technical limitations,and the need for regulatory oversight.The findings reveal a mixed landscape where AI has significantly accelerated R&D processes,reduced costs,and enabled more precise simulations and predictions,but also highlighted gaps in knowledge transfer,skills adaptation,and cross-industry standardization.By bridging the gap between AI theory and practice,the review offers insights into the effectiveness,successes,and obstacles faced by organizations as they implement AI-driven solutions.Concluding with a forward-looking perspective,the review identifies emerging trends,future challenges,and promising opportunities inAI-poweredR&D,such as the rise of autonomous systems,AI-driven drug discovery,and sustainable energy solutions.It offers a holistic understanding of how AI is shaping the future of technological innovation and provides actionable insights for researchers,engineers,and policymakers involved in high-tech Research and Development(R&D).
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.
基金supported by the 2021 Research and Practice Project of Higher Education Teaching Reform in Henan Province(Grant No.2021SJGLX072Y).
文摘Under the background of new infrastructure,the Yellow River Basin’s superior growth cannot be separated originating with the synergistic effect of scientific and technological inventiveness and ecological civilization construction.In light of the coupling coordination analysis of the coordination effect of provincial high-tech industry agglomeration and resource carrying capacity in the Yellow River Basin from 2009 to 2021,The evolution of the geographical and temporal pattern of development was investigated using the Moran index and kernel density estimation.The results show that the agglomeration of high-tech industries in the Yellow River Basin presents a development trend of seek improvement in stability,and there is a good coupling and coordination throughout the progression of scientific and technological innovation and the loading capacity of the resource,from the viewpoint of a time series.From the perspective of spatial pattern distribution,the whole basin aims at the lower reaches,accelerates the optimization of digital industry and promotes Yellow River Basin development of superior quality through innovation support and increase of input,and based on policy guidance.
文摘During the 2nd Indochina War which started in 1959, the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Air America, and the Air Force waged a secret and unconventional air war in Laos from Udorn Air Force base located in Thailand and across the Mekong River from Vientiane, Laos. Starting in 1961, four years before the official start of the American-Vietnam War, Agent Blue, the arsenic-based herbicide used to kill rice and other food crops, was used extensively in Laos, Vietnam and to a lesser extent in Cambodia. During the secret 2nd Indochina War and the Vietnam Civil War the public knew little about the use of Agent Blue. After the official start of the American-Vietnam War in 1965, the United States media news reports, about chemical warfare were dominated by the story of Agent Orange and its devastating impacts. The public knew very little about the previous use of Agent Blue in both wars. The first known media pick up of the Agent Blue (arsenic based) and Agent Pink, Agent Green, and Agent Purple (all three contain 2, 4, 5-T and unknown amounts of dioxin TCDD) was in May of 1964. Jim G. Lucas, a Scripps-Howard staff reporter submitted an article that was published as an editorial in Washington Post on May 26, 1964. The next news reference to this chemical weapon was a Letter to the Editor published in the New York Times titled “Agent Blue” in Vietnam by Arthur H. Westing in (1971). The use of herbicides, including Agent Blue in Laos during the 2nd Indochina War, was kept a secret until 1982, when a draft of Buckingham’s study of Operation Ranch Hand was made public. Much about the U.S. war effort in Laos is still classified. In a 2014 issue of the VVA Veteran magazine, Loana Hoylman published an article on “Today’s Blue Arsenic in the Environment”. The first refereed journal article on this topic, “The Fate of Agent Blue, the Arsenic-Based Herbicide, Used in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War” was published in 2020 in the Open Journal of Soil Science by Kenneth R. Olson and Larry Cihacek. In 2021 the Asia Times (print) and VietnamVeteranNews (radio podcast) picked up the Agent Blue story. During the early 2020s, Olson published six additional refereed journal articles on Agent Blue, cacodylic acid, and arsenic. The primary objective is to determine why no major news organization in the United States, including the New York Times and Washington Post, have never investigated Agent Blue use during the 2nd Indochina and Vietnam wars? Why did the use of Agent Blue story, used to destroy Laotian and South Vietnamese civilian food (rice) sources and production sites, received only very limited coverage by US print media news organizations during the last 64 years?
文摘The legacy of the human misery caused by the application of the herbicides including Agent Purple and Agent Orange contaminated with unknown amounts of dioxin TCDD and Agent Blue, the arsenic-based herbicide, sprayed over the jungles, rice fields, and hamlets of Vietnam is still haunting us today. Why did this happen? Could it have been prevented? Was it necessary United States military strategy? Was it an intentional decision to inflict this blight on the enemy soldiers and the Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian civilians, to poison their land and cause generations of harm? Alternatively, was it an unpreventable accident in the march of military history? What patterns in the U.S. government’s thought process could be identified as the cause, which led to the decision to use these herbicides as tactical chemical weapons? If the introduction of herbicide (chemical) weapons had not been made, would the outcome of the Vietnam War and the Secret Wars in Laos and Cambodia have been any different? The objective of this treatise is to outline the role of world events and backgrounds and the role of the leaders, U.S. military, CIA, USDA, U.S. State Department, the U.S. President appointed Ambassadors to Vietnam and Laos, chemical companies, and President Diệm’s Republic of Vietnam (RVN) government and military. Their collective advice led to the decision to use herbicides as military and environmental chemical weapons in the Second Indochina War. Were the National interests achieved by U.S. military strategy in the RVN using herbicide weapons worth the long-term environmental and human health consequences in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos? Did it impact the outcome of the Second Indochina War?
文摘The management of cultural urban heritage monuments in European cities after war is a matter that presents some interesting variations over time.It usually underlines a dual political manifestation,either as an attempt to reverse history,through a form of cultural"recovery"of monuments and encouraging a pre-war statement,either as an attempt to perpetuate the dark memory of the"atrocity"of the enemies through the preservation of the monument in form of a ruin,or in some cases as a kind of"purism"by removing cultural symbols and monuments attributed to war opponents in a process of symbolic reconstruction to support a new political narrative.Cultural properties,as described by UNESCO since 1954,represent a valuable urban asset that despite any political intentions are at serious threat during war times.Almost eight decades since World War II,the war in Ukraine raises forgotten issues for the European Region.The historic centre of the city of Lviv and the Saint Sophia Cathedral of Kyiv,among others,are world heritage sites,registered in the list of UNESCO,all of which various international organisations have expressed serious concerns about their state of survival.This paper aims to demonstrate from past examples the importance of safekeeping-built heritage,from any side of conflict parts,and in this respect highlighting the significance of culture over politics.Analysing thus monuments in recent European history that had suffered serious damage during military operations,as well as demonstrating various means of management that followed,in relation to the political expediency from which these options were dictated,considered in their historical context,while,at the same time,cross-referencing similar practices applied in Ukraine.
文摘The frequent rebellions in Northern Manchuria during the Third Revolutionary War occurred in the special context of the struggle between the Kuomintang(KMT)and the Communist Party of China(CPC)for Northeast China after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War.The rebellion reached its peak during the KMTs attack on Northeast China,followed by a second wave of rebellion after the defeat in the Defensive Battle of Siping.It tended to disappear after the downfall of the Jiang Pengfei Group.In addition to the blind recruitment of the CPC in traditional narratives,the instigation of the KMT,the traditional mutiny of the old army,the limitations of the early work of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army,the early activities of the KMT,and the regional conflicts between the local and foreign forces are also important reasons for the concentration of rebellions.
