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The transnational adoption process includes a child assessment programme that evaluates children's mental and physical health to select and produce adoptable children. Based on ethnographic research conducted in 2015 and 2016, this paper describes in detail this assessment programme, which compares children to their global peers. Adoption agencies and Chinese social welfare institutions rank children by their likelihood of being adopted. The closer a child is to what is considered normal, the easier it will be for the child to be adopted. This socially and spatially shifting ranking of the children's normality enables the flow of children from societies that exclude children from families to societies that re‐include them in families. In addition to ranking the children, the process also involves further normalising them. This paper contributes to the geography of adoption by focusing on the normalisation process implemented to produce adoptable children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across Asia, countries have signed the UNCRPD and to a greater or lesser extent are pursuing inclusive education (IE). In this article, we present case studies from Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, and China analyzing them for common themes around the education of students intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and noting commonalities, challenges, and emerging issues. While the definition of IE (being the philosophy, process and practice of welcoming, valuing and supporting all learners in general education environments) and the conceptual distinction between integration and segregation are clear in the UNCRPD and subsequent comments, the terminology used in some of the countries is inconsistent with these definitions. This makes interpretation of reports from government instrumentalities difficult. In some cases, misuse of terminology allows justification of practices that are contrary to the UNCRPD. Terminology differences coupled with challenges of finding data related to the education of children with IDD, if the data exist, make a regional analysis of progress towards IE complex. In our paper, we have drawn on previous reviews and reports to discuss common issues and make suggestions for ways forward. Our findings add to the few other reviews from Asia on IE and draw attention to the continuing need for improved access to any education at all for learners with IDD. Provision of IE is caught up in dilemmas in the region about teacher preparation and professional learning, and how to provide specialist support in inclusive settings. School structure decisions including staffing provision and class sizes affect the education outcomes of students with IDD. School leadership, with the fundamental role of translating policy into practice, is critical for the development of IE and must be aligned with system and country priorities. Collaboration across the region has the potential to share best practice and continue to improve the educational opportunities for learners with IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coal seam gas development in closed gob zone is still in the exploratory stage in China, and potential evaluation and sweet spots selection are the key issues. This paper establishes a complete evaluation system for selecting sweet spots for closed gob methane extraction with surface wells in the Tiefa mining area to reduce the blindness of area selection. The one‐vote veto system, the comprehensive evaluation index system, and the AHP‐entropy combined weight model are used to screen and evaluate the closed gob zones in the Tiefa mining area. A total of twenty evaluation units are evaluated and the development potential of which is classified as three levels by the optimal segmentation method. The relationship between the results of the assessment and the closed gob methane resource is also discussed, as well as the combined weight distribution coefficient. The results show that the development potential of the block cannot be estimated simply by the closed gob methane resource because the consistency between the comprehensive evaluation value and the closed gob methane resource is poor. The size of the combined weight distribution coefficient has little effect on the comprehensive evaluation values and only affects the ranking of evaluation units in a small range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coal production exploited from extra‐thick coal seams accounts for 45% of China's total coal production. With large coal output, the extra‐thick coal seams require that the chamber section be more than 100 m2. In case of parting (the noncoal rock, usually mudstone, sandwiched in the coal seam) in the extra‐thick coal seams, the integrity of the coal seams will be damaged and the large‐section chamber is extremely easy to occur rib spalling and roof leakage, which will increase the chamber's supporting difficulty. To solve such problems, this paper took the electromechanical chamber in Tashan Coal Mine as the engineering background and analyzed the deformation and failure characteristics of this chamber surrounding rocks by the numerical simulation method during the excavation process. The results indicated that the failure areas of surrounding rocks were mainly in partings, chamber ribs, and chamber dome with the failure depths of 15 m, 10 m, and 5 m, respectively. Based on the obtained deformation and failure characteristics, the supporting method of grouting integrated with high‐strength bolts and anchor cables was put forward. The grouting method was firstly used to improve the integrity of the chamber surrounding rocks, and the high‐strength bolts and anchor cables were used for supporting. Then, the supporting parameters of the bolts and anchor cables and the grouting parameters were optimized by the numerical simulation method. The optimized parameters were applied in the electromechanical chamber in Tashan Coal Mine, and the on‐site chamber ribs lateral displacement and roof separation amounts were only 0.018 m and 0.012 m, respectively, indicating that the surrounding rocks were controlled effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the complex geostress and mining conditions in the coal seam with depth of 800 m, stability of surrounding rock for gob‐side entry retaining is very difficult to achieve. In this paper, we firstly propose an innovative bolt‐grouting controlled roof‐cutting for gob‐side entry retaining (BCR‐GER) approach for deep coal mines. Secondly, a mechanical model of "surrounding rock‐supporting body" for BCR‐GER is constructed, which consists of coal wall, roadside props, and gangues in gob (the whole supporting body). Thirdly, the key parameters (ie, cutting height, cutting angle, grouting cable length, and row of roadside props) are designed. Finally, field practice was applied at the No. 31120 haulage roadway of the Suncun coal mine in China, and in situ investigations were conducted for verification. Field measurement results show that maximum convergences of roof‐to‐floor and side‐to‐side were 264 mm and 113 mm, respectively. What is more, the maximum support resistance of roadside props was reduced by approximately 58%. The deformation and failure of surrounding rock were effectively controlled, and the pressure on roadside props was greatly reduced. This research fully considers the bearing properties of gangues in gob, eliminates the secondary disasters caused by borehole blasting, and provides guidance and reference for deep surrounding rock control of the same or similar gob‐side entry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most scientific attention on port studies centers on deep sea ports, especially container ports. In this paper, in contrast, attention is focused on the spatial–temporal development of inland waterway ports on the Midstream Yangtze River from 2001 to 2013. The aim of this study is to assess two relevant and complementary questions of the hinterland evolution: its geographical extent and the coordination relationship with the inland port. To conduct the study, it was necessary to first identify the boundaries of the ports' hinterlands within the given timeframe. Then, the coupling coordination degree model was introduced to explore the underlying relationship between the port service and hinterland economy. Furthermore, to better depict the intricate economic characteristics of the hinterland, the development stage theory was applied in the models. The results highlight the emergence of a discontinuous hinterland at Wuhan Port and its reinforcement of primacy with respect to fierce hinterland rivalry. It also demonstrates that an interplay between major ports and their corresponding hinterlands evolves from the transitional stage, characterized by lagging port service, to the multi‐stage, wherein the supply of ports partly outstrips hinterland demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term ‘nurse’ (hushi—’caring scholar’) did not enter the Chinese language until the early 20th century. Modern nursing—a fundamentally Western notion popularized by Nightingale and introduced to China in 1884—profoundly changed the way care of the sick was practiced. For 65 years, until 1949, nursing developed in China as a transnational project, with Western and Chinese influences shaping the profession of nursing in ways that linger today. Co‐authored by Chinese, Canadian, and American nurses, this paper examines the early stages of nursing in one province of China as an exemplar of the transnational nature of nursing development. By identifying sociopolitical influences on the early development of nursing in Shandong, the authors aimed not only to contribute to the nascent body of knowledge on China nursing history, but also to heighten readers’ sensitivity to the existence of historical echoes, residue, and resonances in their own nursing practices. Tracing current issues, values, or practices back to their roots provides context and helps us to better understand the present. Whether we are aware of the details or not, the gestalt of nursing practice in a particular place has been shaped by its history—including in Shandong province in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Epidermal growth factor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors ( EGFR- TKIs) are one of the effective medicines in advanced lung adenocarcinoma leptomeningeal metastasis ( LM) treatment in recent years. Methods This paper reports two cases of advanced lung adenocarcinoma with exon-EGFR19 mutation. LM occurred during gefitinib treatment with an extracranial condition under control. Later, erlotinib was adopted with a recurrent response. Results The progression free survival of both patients was over six months and their LM was under control for six and a half and nine months, respectively. LM may be sensitive on different levels to different EGFR- TKIs. Conclusion Erlotinib can be used to replace gefitinib if intracranial tumor progress occurs during gefitinib treatment. However, our conclusion still needs to be proven by further clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of cities as geographical units, intercity cooperation has been increasing worldwide. Benefits of regional city-to-city (C2C) cooperation can be seen in the political added value and added value of urban competitiveness. This paper focuses on the Jiangyin-Jingjiang Industrial Park in the Yangtze River Delta region as a case study to explore these benefits in regional C2C cooperation in China's local context. It is found that political added value is more effective and efficient in accelerating strategy formulation and partner selection within regional C2C cooperation. The added value of urban competitiveness is more crucial in regional C2C partnership maintenance serving as an internal driving force for sustainable C2C cooperation. In addition, intervention from the provincial government tends to consolidate the impact of urban competitiveness in regional C2C cooperation. The empirical study also sheds light on the dynamics of China's economic decentralisation, political centralisation and the market logic interwoven with state authority. 摘要 随着城市作为地理单元的崛起，城市间的合作正在全球范围内不断涌现。通过引入城市竞争力的视角，本文将区域城市间合作（Regional City-to-city cooperation）所带来的收益划分为政治附加值和城市竞争力附加值，并以长江三角洲地区江苏江阴-靖江工业园区为案例着重审视和探讨了中国本土语境下区域城市间合作的激励机制。本研究发现对于推动区域城市间合作战略的形成和伙伴城市的选择，政治附加值更加有效；而对于区域城市间合作关系的维系，城市竞争力附加值则更为关键。因此，城市竞争力附加值是可持续的城市间合作的内在推动力。本文的实证研究折射出转型期中国的经济分权与政治集中，以及市场逻辑与国家权利逻辑的相互交织。 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of alluvial-pluvial fan depositional systems makes the detailed characterization of their heterogeneity difficult, yet such a detailed characterization is commonly needed for construction of reliable groundwater models. Traditional models mainly focus on using a single aquifer property to qualitatively or semi-quantitatively characterize the heterogeneity of aquifer, so that they are unable to quantitatively reflect the synthetic heterogeneity of all aquifer properties. In this paper, we propose the heterogeneity synthetic index (HSI) for quantitative characterization of synthetic heterogeneity of an aquifer. The proposed calculation process involves four steps: (1) estimation of the hydraulic conductivity of a sediment sample using the cloud-Markov model, (2) establishment of the sedimentary microfacies distribution model through the Markov chain, (3) characterization of the distribution model of hydrogeological parameters using the improved sequential simulation method according to the 'facies-controlled modeling' technique, and (4) application of the entropy weight method to calculate the weight coefficient of the above aquifer properties. The HSI of an aquifer is calculated by superposition of these models according to the corresponding weight coefficient. This approach was applied to the Luancheng aquifer deposit in the southeast Hutuo River alluvial-pluvial fan in the North China Plain (NCP). The results have demonstrated that aquifer 3 which was formed in the middle Pleistocene has the strongest heterogeneity, with an HSI of 0.25-0.75. Aquifer 4 formed in the early Pleistocene shows an intermediate heterogeneity, with the HSI ranging 0.35-0.75. The weakest heterogeneity was found in aquifers 1 and 2 formed in the Holocene and late Pleistocene, with HSI values of 0.40-0.75 and 0.40-0.80, respectively. The heterogeneity of all the four aquifers is relatively strong in the radial direction of the Huai River alluvial-pluvial fan due to the abrupt change of microfacies. In contrast, in the radial direction of the Hutuo River alluvial-pluvial fan, the microfacies change mildly, and the continuity of hydrogeological parameters is better, which has resulted in weaker heterogeneity of the four aquifers in this direction. Findings suggest that the sedimentary environment has significant effects on the aquifer heterogeneity. Considering that there arc many aquifer properties, HSI can quantitatively characterize the synthetic heterogeneity of the aquifer and describe the influence of each aquifer property on the synthetic heterogeneity of the aquifer according to its weight coefficient. Thus the HSI approach can be successfully used to deal with the spatial heterogeneity of aquifer and provide a foundation for studies on contaminant transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been recognized as an extremely potent irritant and sensitizer found in sachets inside furniture. The first skin manifestations were correlated to contact with sofas, chairs, and other furniture. In these last years, some papers have reported a development of allergic contact dermatitis on the foot caused by DMF present in high concentration in shoes made in China. Methods We report the case of a 37-year-old woman who presented with severe eczema on the foot shortly after having bought a new pair of shoes. The diagnosis was performed by patch tests with DMF in several dilutions, with pieces of internal and external parts of the shoes, and by chemical analysis of the shoes. Results In the last three years, goods containing DMF increased diffusely despite the augmentation on global preventive measures by Europe. Conclusions Therefore, new cases of contact dermatitis could be dependent on DMF, and it is of note that this allergen is not included in most series for patch testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of neoliberal contexts on livestock production have been relatively ignored in geography. This paper contributes to this literature through a case study of continuity and change in pastoralism on the Tibetan Plateau in China. Since use rights to winter pasture were allocated to individual households, herders in Gouli, Qinghai, have developed an extensive, new practice of renting livestock and pasture from each other. Written contracts entail a calculation of potential price of livestock and pasture, as well as a mechanism for the wealthy to offload risk of livestock loss onto the poor. Social relations between family members have become monetised as herders become market actors. At the same time, however, these transactions allow herders to partially maintain flexibility over the opportunistic use of pasture resources that has long been at the basis of pastoralist livelihood strategies. They engage in these practices in order to maintain, rather than give up, their identities as Tibetan pastoralists, which also manifest in the limited spheres in which profit-making and entrepreneurialism are condoned. Thus, pastoralists are adapting to their new circumstances, though in potentially compromising ways. As a form of governance, neoliberal rationality intersects in contingent ways not only with other logics of governance but also with historically rooted identities and cultural idioms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was originally designed to explore the impact of a distributed approach to developing curriculum leadership among schoolteachers. Previous papers have focused on reporting evidence of teacher learning in the process of engaging teachers in various types of curriculum decision-making in an innovation project based on interview data. This article reports a discourse analysis of the interactions based on the visual data in videotaped meetings between teachers in a Chinese curriculum development team and shows that teacher participation is constrained by the leadership styles of the positional leaders in the team in the second action cycle in the project. The mediational effects of the leadership styles invite policy-makers and school management to rethink the effectiveness of school-based approaches to curriculum development in enhancing teacher learning and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land management has made a strong impact on the landscapes, especially in arid environments. Based on historical data, this paper evaluates the role of Catholic churches in the shaping of the Sanshenggong area in western China in the 1870s. Sanshenggong, an arid/semi-arid region located in western Inner Mongolia, was an important Catholic region in the west Ordos Plateau after the 1870s. After the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae) (CICM) obtained land from the Maharajah of Alashan Banner, the Belgian priests converted local Chinese (Hans) to Catholicism by lending land, houses and farm implements. By 1949 most people living there had been converted. As a result of intensive land management by the Catholic mission, the arid/semiarid landscape, formerly used as grazing lands, was changed to more intensive agricultural use. This case study exemplifies the practices and the important role an authoritarian religious organisation played in shaping oasis landscapes in arid and semiarid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of this paper is to examine what is known about the nurse workforce and nursing education in China in order to assess the likely potential for nurse migration from China in the future. Principle Findings. There is a severe shortage of nurses in China (only one nurse per thousand in population), but at the same time there is a very high level of unemployment and underemployment of nurses. China's nursing education system is huge in size (about 500,000 nursing students in 2005), but weak in quality and career development. Conclusions. As a result of lack of limited job opportunities, low salary, and low job satisfaction, many talented Chinese nurses intend to switch occupation or work outside China. Commercial recruiters have expressed a strong interest in recruitment of nurses in China, but to date there are few examples of successful ventures. Even if the Chinese government were to implement health care financing reforms that led to an increase in nursing jobs and improved work conditions, some level of surplus will remain. As such, it is likely that China will become an important source of nurses for developed nations in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]