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Universities in Canada are increasingly attracting international students, but few studies have examined their academic and social experiences. This research identified the key supports and barriers for international students in order to make policy-relevant recommendations. This convergent mixed-methods study combined survey (n = 104) and interview (n = 14) data to investigate international student experiences through the lens of international students. Exploratory factor analyses revealed writing and mathematics skills and relationships with faculty and students as key factors for success. Frequency analyses revealed that racism was a persistent barrier. Assistance, access, diversity and equity issues were also raised. Open and axial coding of qualitative data corroborated these findings and revealed three dimensions of internationalization according to international students' perspectives: Exchange; Understanding, Sharing, and Support; and Transformation. Recommendations to universities included offering bursaries to international students from underrepresented regions, developing intercultural awareness of faculty, and providing program-specific student support centres with peer mentors.

The purpose of this study is to assess the changing indications, survivorship, and functional outcomes of patients who underwent a semi-constrained total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) of a homogenous design at an Asian institution. Retrospective analysis of 47 patients (47 elbows) who underwent TEA from January 1998 to December 2016 was performed. Demographic data, baseline comorbidities as defined by the Charlson Comorbidity Index, indication for surgery, preoperative and postoperative range of motion, radiographic analysis, complications, and need for revisions were collected. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed. Of the 47 patients, none were lost to follow-up. The mean duration of follow-up was 127 months. There was a total of 13 male patients and 34 female patients with a mean age at the time of implantation of 65.4 years (range 24-92). The final arc of motion had a mean flexion of 115.8° and a mean extension of 14.8°. The functional range of motion of the elbow improved from 58.8° ± 38.2° preoperatively to 106.6° ± 20.3° postoperative (P <.001). From 1998 to 2004, 39.1% of TEAs were associated with trauma and another 39.1% with rheumatoid arthritis. From 2010 to 2016, 66.7% of TEAs were performed for trauma and only 20% were performed for rheumatoid arthritis. All our patients had either the extra small or the small-sized Coonrad-Morrey TEA prosthesis implanted with 21.1% of patients with the ulna stem ending before the proximal ulna dorsal angulation. There was a total of 11 complications with revision surgery required for 2 periprosthetic fractures, 1 humeral loosening, and 1 linkage disassembly. The overall survivorship for TEA at our institution was 91.5%. Our results reflect that good outcomes and robust survivorship to that experienced in the United States are demonstrated despite the changing indications of TEA. Current trends of usage demand continued development of linked elbow prosthesis with smaller sizing options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examined trust, perceived risks and benefits, and normative acceptance associated with using breeding and genetic engineering (GE) to restore American chestnut (AC) trees. Questionnaires were completed by a random representative sample of the public in the United States (n = 278) and a purposive sample of forest interest groups (FIG) such as scientists and managers (n = 195). These concepts were examined in relation to breeding (breed the AC with chestnut trees from Asia) and GE (add the oxalate oxidase [OxO] gene from bread wheat to the AC) approaches for mitigating chestnut blight and restoring AC trees. The public sample considered adding the gene from bread wheat (GE) to be more beneficial and slightly more acceptable, but also slightly riskier, compared to the breeding approach. The FIGs viewed the breeding approach to be more acceptable, less risky, and more beneficial than the GE approach. The FIGs viewed both approaches as less risky, more beneficial, and more acceptable than did the public sample. Path analysis showed that: (i) perceived environmental benefits were the strongest predictors of normative acceptance of both approaches for the public sample, (ii) perceived environmental risks were the strongest predictors of acceptance of both approaches for the FIGs, (iii) human benefits and risks were mostly unrelated to acceptance, and (iv) trust in government agencies charged with managing forests was only weakly associated with benefits, risks, and acceptance. Implications of these results for both research and management were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary health care is essential for equitable, cost-effective and sustainable health care. It is the cornerstone to achieving universal health coverage against a backdrop of rising health expenditure and aging populations. Implementing strong primary health care requires grassroots understanding of health system performance. Comparing successes and barriers between countries may help identify mutual challenges and possible solutions. This paper compares and analyses primary health care policy in Australia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Data were collected at the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (WONCA) Asia–Pacific regional conference in November 2017 using a predetermined framework. The six countries varied in maturity of their primary health care systems, including the extent to which family doctors contribute to care delivery. Challenges included an insufficient trained and competent workforce, particularly in rural and remote communities, and deficits in coordination within primary health care, as well as between primary and secondary care. Asia–Pacific regional policy needs to: (1) focus on better collaboration between public and private sectors; (2) take a structured approach to information sharing by bridging gaps in technology, health literacy and interprofessional working; (3) build systems that can evaluate and improve quality of care; and (4) promote community-based, high-quality training programs. Strengthening primary health care (PHC) leads to improved population health outcomes at lower cost. By analysing the PHC policy of six Asia–Pacific countries, we identified key areas for regional development and outline recommendations for future policy. Successful PHC policy in this region requires equitable public–private partnerships, structured approaches to information sharing, an improved multidisciplinary focus on health literacy, systematic improvement and evaluation of the quality of care provided and high-yield, high-quality community-based training programs for sustainable workforce development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processes of making foreign policy decisions and forming assumptions about the nature of the "other" comprise major challenges to the transformation of conflictual relationships and construction of an enduring peace in Northeast Asia. In this article, in order to make progress towards these goals, methodologies for unpacking the "black box of decision," understanding the "other" deconstructing the relationship between positions and interests, and increasing the role played by non-state and substate actors are explored. The paper first assesses theoretical and practical tools used for addressing the problems. It then considers other conflictual relationships that have faced similar obstacles, and the processes which were employed in an attempt to ameliorate them. It concludes with a policy prescription for breaking the vicious cycle of hurt, blame, and rising nationalism in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the Australasian Journal on Ageing ( AJA) in the Asia- Oceania region has been developing over the 30 years of the journal's publication, and review of its current and potential future roles is timely in the context of a number of developments in the region. This review describes the regional reach of the AJA, presents an analysis of regional content published over the 5 years to 2012, discusses the regional context with reference to other journals published in the region, and proposes several strategies for advancing the AJA's regional role. Pursuing these strategies would realise the AJA's potential as a vehicle for promoting the exchange of multidisciplinary knowledge on ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the implications of future predictions on security studies in Northeast Asia. A broad spectrum of possible futures has been identified for both the global political, economic and security order. A liberal modernist hypotheses was considered. The focus is on the virtuous triangle of democracy, economic interdependence and international organization as a source of peace.

Comments on the bamboo fire cycle hypothesis by Jon E. Keeley and William J. Bond regarding effects of lightning-ignited wildfire on the synchrony in the flowering and recruitment of bamboo throughout Asia. Information on the geographic distribution and evolution of bamboo; History of vegetation in India; Explanation of synchrony in plants.