Jiwei Qian,The Political Economy of Making and Implementing Social Policy in China

Journal of Chinese Political Science -     

IMPACTFUL YEARS

The 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) gives people inside and outside the country a chance to assess what the key achievements of the past decades have been, and where China is heading.     

Neonaticide: A Comprehensive Review of Investigative and Pathologic Aspects of 55 Cases

Analysis of neonaticide cases from a law enforcement perspective is virtually non-existent in the research literature. Nonetheless, law enforcement and prosecutors face unique challenges when investigating and prosecuting neonaticide; and a specialized, informed approach is necessary. By highlighting the crime scene characteristics and autopsy findings of 55 neonaticide victims, the authors hope to assist the law enforcement and legal communities in their neonaticide investigations. Specifically, this article clarifies how neonaticide occurs by chronologically examining the pregnancy, the birth and death of the infant, the subsequent crime scene (or scenes) and the pathological findings. The article also highlights the potential challenges that may arise during investigation and prosecution of these cases in addition to providing the forensic community with recommended investigative techniques.     

History of interpersonal violence, abuse, and nonvictimization trauma and severity of psychiatric symptoms among children in outpatient psychiatric treatment

In a clinical sample of child psychiatry outpatients, chart review data were collected for 114 consecutive admissions over a 1-year period at a Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. Data included history of documented maltreatment, potentially traumatic domestic or community violence, neglect or emotional abuse, and noninterpersonal stressors as well as demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, and parent-rated child emotional and disruptive behavior problems. On a bivariate and multivariate basis, any past exposure to interpersonal violence-but not to noninterpersonal traumas-was related to more severe disruptive behavior problems, independent of the effects of demographics and psychiatric diagnoses. Noninterpersonal trauma and psychiatric diagnoses were associated with emotional problems; exposure to interpersonal violence appeared to partially account for this relationship despite not being independently associated with emotional problem severity. History of exposure to interpersonal violence warrants clinical and research attention as a severity marker and potential treatment focus in psychiatric outpatient services for children, particularly those with disruptive behavior problems.     

The counselor's trauma as counseling motivation: vulnerability or stress inoculation?

Should counselors with interpersonal trauma histories work with similarly traumatized clients? How does the work affect them? Current research is inconsistent. This study examines 101 sexual assault and domestic violence counselors' recalled motivations for trauma work, their reported subjective personal changes, and their secondary and vicarious trauma symptoms and burnout. Counselors motivated by interpersonal trauma report both more symptoms and positive changes (including dealing with their own trauma). Those seeking personal meaning report becoming more hypervigilant and self-isolating. Those saying they learned from clients rate symptoms lower, suggesting stress inoculation. Supervisors of trauma counselors should facilitate learning from clients separately from processing the counselor's trauma.     

Early Reflections on Local Perceptions, Legitimacy and Legacy of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Resolution 1757 (2007) has come into force in challenging circumstancesin terms of Lebanese politics. At the time of writing, Lebanon'sgovernment is at a deadlock between two political alliancesknown as March 8 and March 14. While the latter has welcomedthe Resolution, the former has expressed reservations aboutthe impact of the Resolution's passage on Lebanese sovereignty.Further challenges to the legitimacy of the Special Tribunalfor Lebanon (‘STL’) are posed by (1) Lebanon's historicalcontext including its 15-year war followed by selective impunity;(2) the highly selective nature of the jurisdiction of the STLand (3) the political context and fears that the STL itselfwill act as an instrument for foreign powers. This article suggeststhat the UN and STL can address some of these legitimacy challengesthrough their operations, including the transparent selectionof judges and senior officials; attracting funding from a varietyof states; and effective outreach. Above all, the STL shouldbe differentiated from the other Tribunals. It should be seenas the logical next step to the International Independent InvestigativeCommission. In addition, the STL should strive to leave a lastinglegacy in Lebanon and in the field of international criminallaw.     

DETECHIP®: A Sensor for Drugs of Abuse*

Abstract: The design and preliminary characterization of a novel sensor for drugs of abuse, DETECHIP^®, is described in this proof‐of‐concept note. Combining both colorimetric and fluorimetric assays, DETECHIP^® is suitable for lab and field use. More than a conventional spot test which provides a single “yes or no” answer, DETECHIP^® provides twenty responses for a more complete characterization of suspect material. This is accomplished by visually noting colorimetric and fluorescent changes of carefully selected dyes upon the addition of test analytes, including drugs of abuse, with respect to controls. Color and fluorescence changes are recorded numerically so that a 20 digit identification code can be constructed for comparison of test analytes and known compounds. DETECHIP^® is applicable to a variety of drugs, both plant‐derived and synthetic, addressing the need to use several different spot tests simultaneously for a single sample.     

Turning Points

A new book explores the dynamics of a changing world The world is becoming a complex and unpredictableplace.Andthecombina- tion of complexity and uncertainty is often volatile, especially for policy makers in business and government who prefer their