bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs) and mental health status in twin and singleton Japanese high school students
Authors: Oshima Norihito , Nishida Atsushi , Fukushima Masako , Shimodera Shinji , Kasai Kiyoto , Okazaki Yuji , Sasaki Tsukasa
Published: August 2010

Aim: Studying what factors and behaviours to work on may be a key to develop the effective prevention of future mental disorder in both high‐risk and general young subjects. This study aimed to investigate whether twins are more vulnerable to mental health problems including psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs) than singletons and what factors on lifestyle and social environment are associated with poor mental health.

Methods: Subjects comprised 341 Japanese high‐school students (173 males and 168 females) including 62 twins. We examined PLEs, general psychological distress, length and regularity of sleep, domestic violence, being bullied and other environmental factors using questionnaires including the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12). The variables were compared between twins and singletons. Whether variables on lifestyle and social environment affect PLEs and GHQ‐12 scores were studied by logistic regression.

Results: Significant difference was observed in PLEs and GHQ‐12 between twins and singletons. Experiencing PLEs was negatively associated with being a twin (OR = 0.293, 95% CI = 0.101–0.847) and length of sleep (OR = 0.685, 95% CI = 0.519–0.903). GHQ‐12 > 4 was significantly associated with irregular sleep schedule (OR = 3.042, 95% CI = 1.818–5.090), being bullied (OR = 3.677, 95% CI = 1.317–10.266) and having no people to confide in (OR = 2.615, 95% CI = 1.249–5.475).

Conclusion: Poor mental health status including experiencing PLEs might be less frequent in twins than in singletons. Problems in sleep length, its schedule and human relationships were significantly associated with mental health in high‐school students as we hypothesized. Early identification programmes and mental health education focused on these factors may be helpful.
Paranoid thinking as a heuristic
Authors: Preti Antonio , Cella Matteo
Published: August 2010

Paranoid thinking can be viewed as a human heuristic used by individuals to deal with uncertainty during stressful situations. Under stress, individuals are likely to emphasize the threatening value of neutral stimuli and increase the reliance on paranoia‐based heuristic to interpreter events and guide their decisions. Paranoid thinking can also be activated by stress arising from the possibility of losing a good opportunity; this may result in an abnormal allocation of attentional resources to social agents. A better understanding of the interplay between cognitive heuristics and emotional processes may help to detect situations in which paranoid thinking is likely to exacerbate and improve intervention for individuals with delusional disorders.
Early intervention for psychosis in Hong Kong – the EASY programme
Authors: Tang Jennifer Y. M. , Wong Gloria H. Y. , Hui Christy L. M. , Lam May M. L. , Chiu Cindy P. Y. , Chan Sherry K. W. , Chung Dicky W. S. , Tso Steve , Chan Kathy P. M. , Yip K. C. , Hung S. F. , Chen Eric Y. H.
Published: August 2010

Aim: This article aims to describe the Hong Kong experience in developing and implementing an early psychosis programme.

Methods: In 2001, the Early Assessment Service for Young People with Psychosis programme was launched in Hong Kong, providing both educational and service components. Public education includes promotion of timely help‐seeking, accessible channels to service and knowledge of psychosis. The 2‐year phase‐specific intervention includes intensive medical follow‐up and individualized psychosocial intervention. The programme has adopted the case‐management approach, in which case managers provide protocol‐based psychosocial intervention. The programme collaborates with non‐governmental organizations and community networks in the provision of rehabilitation service.

Results: An average of over 600 young patients enter the programme for intensive treatment each year. Based on preliminary data from a 3‐year outcome study, patients in the programme have remarkable reductions in hospital stay accompanied by improvements in vocational functioning.

Conclusions: The results suggested that the programme improved patients' outcome. Additional costs such as extra medical staff and medications may be offset by the shortened hospital stay. Further directions in early intervention are also discussed.
The relationship between bed rest and sitting orthostatic intolerance in adults residing in chronic care facilities
Authors: Fox Mary T , Sidani Souraya , Brooks Dina
Published: August 2010

fox mt, sidani s & brooks d (2010)
 Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness2, 187–196 The relationship between bed rest and sitting orthostatic intolerance in adults residing in chronic care facilities

Aim.  To examine the relationship between orthostatic intolerance and bed rest as it was used by/with 65 adults residing in chronic care facilities.

Background.  The evidence on the relationship between bed rest and orthostatic intolerance has been obtained from aerospace studies conducted in highly controlled laboratory settings, and is regarded as having high internal validity. In the studies, prolonged and continuous bed rest, administered in a horizontal or negative tilt body position, had a major effect on orthostatic intolerance in young adults. However, the applicability of the findings to the conditions of the real world of practice is questionable.

Methods.  Participants were recruited over the period of April 2005 to August 2006. A naturalistic cohort design was used. The cohorts represented different doses of bed rest that were naturally occurring. Comparisons were made between patients who had no bed rest (comparative dose group, n = 20), two to four days (moderate dose, n = 23) and five to seven days of bed rest (high dose, n = 22) during a one‐week monitoring period. Orthostatic intolerance was measured by orthostatic vital signs and a self‐report scale. Bed rest dose was measured by the total number of days spent in bed during one week.

Results.  Post hoc comparisons, using Bonferroni adjustments, indicated significant differences in adjusted means on self‐reported orthostatic intolerance between the comparative and high (CI: −4·12, −0·85; p < 0·001), and the moderate and high (CI: 0·35, 3·56, p < 0·01) bed rest dose cohorts. No group differences were found on orthostatic vital signs.

Conclusions.  A moderate dose of bed rest with intermittent exposure to upright posture may protect against subjective orthostatic intolerance in patients who are unable to tolerate being out of bed every day. Future research may examine the effects of reducing bed rest days on orthostatic intolerance in individuals with high doses of five to seven days of bed rest.
Making a difference through integrated community care for older people
Authors: Littleford Angela , Kralik Debbie
Published: August 2010

littleford a & kralik d (2010)
 Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness2, 178–186 Making a difference through integrated community care for older people

Aim.  To promote early intervention though better co‐ordination and integration of services so as to meet the holistic and often complex needs of older people with co morbid chronic health conditions.

Background.  Australia’s population is ageing, hence there is an urgent need to develop appropriate community based health models that meet the needs of older people, and integrate services to keep older people with chronic illness in optimal health and at home.

Model development.  Integrated Community Care for Older People (ICCOP) is a systematically integrated model of care piloted in Adelaide, South Australia. The model was developed in partnership between a community nursing organisation, a division of General Practice and a large public hospital.

Findings.  The ICCOP model has demonstrated efficacy in keeping older people healthy at home, demonstrating a 51% reduction in unplanned Emergency Department presentations and hospital admissions and a 37% reduction in total bed days for the ICCOP clients.

Conclusion.  Services like ICCOP are currently not reflected in health policy or funding models, despite the increase in packaged community care over the past decade. The need to formalise these models in both policy and practice is urgent if Australia is to respond to the ageing population, particularly with the anticipated peak in person’s aged over 85 years in 2012.
Illness representations, emotional distress, coping strategies, and coping efficacy as predictors of patient outcomes in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hart Patricia L , Grindel Cecelia Gatson
Published: August 2010

hart pl & grindel cg (2010)
 Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness2, 225–240 Illness representations, emotional distress, coping strategies, and coping efficacy as predictors of patient outcomes in type 2 diabetes

Aim.  To examine the relationship between illness representations, emotional distress, coping strategies, and coping efficacy as predictors of self‐care behaviour and A1c levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Background.  Diabetes mellitus affects 23·6 million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Reduction in complications can be best achieved by individuals’ adhering to appropriate lifestyle changes and maintaining tight glycemic control. Understanding the degree of influence that psychosocial factors have on individuals’ decisions to perform self‐regulation activities will give insight on strategies to encourage better decision‐making to prevent acute and chronic complications.

Methods.  A descriptive, correlational design examined the psychosocial factors to determine the predictive relationships with self‐care behaviour and A1c levels. Participants were 119 men and women recruited from physician offices, medical clinics, and diabetes education centers. The research was conducted from March–December 2007.

Results.  Participants perceived their diabetes to be a chronic, moderately cyclical condition with negative consequences and with moderate amounts of symptomatology that greatly influenced their emotional status. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses revealed that a) coping efficacy uniquely accounted for 9% of the variance in self‐care behaviour and b) illness representations, particularly timeline‐cyclical, uniquely accounted for 12% of the variance in A1c levels.

Conclusions.  The findings confirm how illness representations, emotional distress, coping strategies, and coping efficacy influence self‐care behaviour and health outcomes. Psychosocial factors can influence lifestyle behaviour changes and outcomes of individuals with diabetes mellitus.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Findings from the study have implications for nurses in the areas of assessment, diabetes management, coping skills training, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Nurses should incorporate these strategies into their daily practice to help individuals identify successful coping strategies, enhance coping efficacy, and change misconceptions about diabetes mellitus to improve self‐care behaviour and health outcomes.
Parenting children requiring complex care at home: re‐visiting normalisation and stigma
Authors: MacDonald Heather L , Gibson Cheryl H
Published: August 2010

macdonald hl & gibson ch (2010)
 Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness2, 241–250 Parenting children requiring complex care at home: re‐visiting normalisation and stigma

Aims/objectives.  To increase our understanding about the impact of stigma and normalisation on parents of children who require complex care.

Background.  This paper focuses on normalisation and stigma, two phenomenon that were extracted from the findings of an ethnographic study that explored parents’, nurses’, and social workers’ beliefs and experiences with respite services.

Design.  Qualitative study.

Methods.  In depth interviews and participant observation with 47 participants that included 19 mothers, 4 fathers, and 7 grandparents of children who required complex care, and 13 nurses and 4 social workers.

Results.  Issues of normalisation and stigma emerged from the data. Unlike parents of children with various chronic illnesses, these parents were not able to use normalisation as described in the literature.

Conclusions.  Parents of children requiring complex care described normalisation as keeping up appearances and as escaping. Normalisation, to them, was about counter‐acting stigma.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings of this study have important implications for practice. Rather than encouraging parents to use normalisation as defined in the literature, clinicians should seek ways in which the parents see themselves as normal. In this study one of the ways for parents to achieve feelings of normalcy was to escape from their caregiving role for a period of respite.
Prospects of barcoding the Italian wild dendroflora: oaks reveal severe limitations to tracking species identity
Authors: PIREDDA ROBERTA , SIMEONE MARCO C. , ATTIMONELLI MARCELLA , BELLAROSA ROSANNA , SCHIRONE BARTOLOMEO
Published: August 2010

DNA barcoding may be particularly important in influencing ecology, economic issues, and the fundamental crisis facing biodiversity as a standardized, species‐level identification tool for taxonomy assessment. Trees play important roles in the conservation of many land ecosystems, the wood trade, and the definition of biogeographical processes; nevertheless, peculiar biological, evolutionary and taxonomical features will probably constitute an intriguing challenge to barcoders. We examined whether four marker regions (trnh‐psba, rbcL, rpoc1, matK) proposed by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) matched species taxonomy in a preliminary tree biodiversity survey of Italian forested land. Our objective was to provide a test of future in situ applications of DNA barcodes by evaluating the efficacy of species discrimination under the criteria of uniformity of methods and natural co‐occurrence of the species in the main forest ecosystems. Fifty‐two species were included in a floristic study. We obtained 73% total discrimination success, with trnH‐psbA as the best performing marker and oaks as the least responsive plants to the markers used. A further taxon‐based study of Quercus (thirty specimens, 12 species) revealed that this genus is refractory to barcoding (0% discrimination success), a probable consequence of low variation rate at the plastid genome level, hybridization, and the incidence of biogeography. We conclude that some species‐rich tree genera in small geographical regions may prove exceptionally difficult to barcode. Until more efficient markers are developed, we recommend that improved and diversified sampling (multiple locations of sympatric and co‐occurring congenerics) be embraced as a timely and important goal for the precise assessment of haplotype specificity to facilitate the productive application of barcoding in practice.
REVIEW: Atrial Fibrillation and Dabigatran: Has the Time Come To Use New Anticoagulants?
Authors: Escobar Carlos , Barrios Vivencio , Jimenez David
Published: August 2010

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance found in clinical practice, increasing in prevalence with age. AF is often associated with structural heart disease, although a significant proportion has no detectable heart disease. In the last 2 decades, there has been an increase of 66% in hospitalizations for AF, and it is an extremely costly public health problem. AF is associated with an increased long‐term risk of stroke, heart failure, and all‐cause mortality. In fact, the mortality rate in patients with AF is about double that of patients in normal sinus rhythm. Antithrombotic therapy is recommended for all patients with AF to prevent thromboembolism, except those with lone AF or contraindications. Selection of the antithrombotic agent should be based upon the absolute risks of stroke and bleeding and the relative risk and benefit for a given patient. However, despite oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (warfarin or acenocoumarol) some patients still have thromboembolic events. Furthermore, for the majority of patients, international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring may be an inconvenience. This is why new anticoagulants, such as the direct thrombin inhibitors, are being investigated. The results of the RE‐LY trial have recently been published. In this study, in a population of patients with AF, dabigatran at 110 mg b.i.d was associated with stroke and systemic embolism rates similar to those associated with warfarin, and with lower rates of major hemorrhage. However, when dabigatran was administered at a dose of 150 mg, lower rates of stroke and systemic embolism and similar rates of major hemorrhage were found compared with warfarin. The aim of this review is to update information on the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with AF and how dabigatran may change daily clinical practice.
Relationship between Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Cytokines in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Elmarakby Ahmed A. , Sullivan Jennifer C.
Published: August 2010

The prevalence of diabetes has dramatically increased worldwide due to the vast increase in the obesity rate. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and it is currently the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease. Hyperglycemia is the driving force for the development of diabetic nephropathy. It is well known that hyperglycemia increases the production of free radicals resulting in oxidative stress. While increases in oxidative stress have been shown to contribute to the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy, the mechanisms by which this occurs are still being investigated. Historically, diabetes was not thought to be an immune disease; however, there is increasing evidence supporting a role for inflammation in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Inflammatory cells, cytokines, and profibrotic growth factors including transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy via increased vascular inflammation and fibrosis. The stimulus for the increase in inflammation in diabetes is still under investigation; however, reactive oxygen species are a primary candidate. Thus, targeting oxidative stress‐inflammatory cytokine signaling could improve therapeutic options for diabetic nephropathy. The current review will focus on understanding the relationship between oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines in diabetic nephropathy to help elucidate the question of which comes first in the progression of diabetic nephropathy, oxidative stress, or inflammation.
Genomics and Pharmacogenomics of Schizophrenia
Authors: Cacabelos Ramón , Martínez‐Bouza Rocío
Published: August 2010

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is among the most disabling of mental disorders. Several neurobiological hypotheses have been postulated as responsible for SCZ pathogenesis: polygenic/multifactorial genomic defects, intrauterine and perinatal environment‐genome interactions, neurodevelopmental defects, dopaminergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, gamma‐aminobutiric acid (GABAergic), neuropeptidergic and glutamatergic/N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate (NMDA) dysfunctions, seasonal infection, neuroimmune dysfunction, and epigenetic dysregulation. SCZ has a heritability estimated at 60–90%. Genetic studies in SCZ have revealed the presence of chromosome anomalies, copy number variants, multiple single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of susceptibility distributed across the human genome, aberrant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNA genes, mitochondrial DNA mutations, and epigenetic phenomena. Pharmacogenetic studies of psychotropic drug response have focused on determining the relationship between variation in specific candidate genes and the positive and adverse effects of drug treatment. Approximately, 18% of neuroleptics are major substrates of CYP1A2 enzymes, 40% of CYP2D6, and 23% of CYP3A4; 24% of antidepressants are major substrates of CYP1A2 enzymes, 5% of CYP2B6, 38% of CYP2C19, 85% of CYP2D6, and 38% of CYP3A4; 7% of benzodiazepines are major substrates of CYP2C19 enzymes, 20% of CYP2D6, and 95% of CYP3A4. About 10–20% of Western populations are defective in genes of the CYP superfamily. Only 26% of Southern Europeans are pure extensive metabolizers for the trigenic cluster integrated by the CYP2D6+CYP2C19+CYP2C9 genes. The pharmacogenomic response of SCZ patients to conventional psychotropic drugs also depends on genetic variants associated with SCZ‐related genes. Consequently, the incorporation of pharmacogenomic procedures both to drugs in development and drugs on the market would help to optimize therapeutics in SCZ and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Association between nonspecific skeletal pain and vitamin D deficiency
Authors: HEIDARI Behzad , SHIRVANI Javad Shokri , FIROUZJAHI Alireza , HEIDARI Parnaz , HAJIAN‐TILAKI Karim O.
Published: August 2010

Background:  Deficiency of vitamin D has been reported in patients with many types of musculoskeletal pain. The present study was designed to determine the association between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25‐(OH)D] deficiency and nonspecific skeletal pain.

Methods:  A total of 276 patients with nonspecific skeletal pain at different regions of the skeletal system diagnosed as leg pain, widespread pain, arthralgia, rib pain, back pain and fibromyalgia were compared with 202 matched controls with regard to mean serum 25‐(OH)D level and 25‐(OH)D deficiency. Serum 25‐(OH)D was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method and levels < 20 ng/mL were considered as deficient. Nonparametric one‐way analysis of variance, Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were used for group comparisons. Multiple logistic regression analysis with calculation of adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were performed to determine associations.

Results:  In patients with nonspecific skeletal pain the mean 25‐(OH)D was significantly lower (P = 0.0001) and the proportion of 25‐(OH)D deficiency was significantly higher (63.4%vs. 36.1%, P = 0.0001) compared with controls. There was a significantly positive association between 25‐(OH)D deficiency and skeletal pain (OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.01–4.3, P = 0.0001). The strength of association varied across the groups with strongest association observed with leg pain (OR = 7.4; 95% CI = 3.9–13.9, P = 0.0001) followed by arthralgia (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 2.1–7.1, P = 0.0001) and widespread pain (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1–6.6, P = 0.020) but no association with back pain and fibromyalgia. There was a greater positive associations in women compared with men (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1–4.3, P = 0.001).

Conclusion:  The results of this study indicate a positive association of vitamin D deficiency with a variety of nonspecific bone pain, particularly in women. More studies with larger samples are required to confirm these findings. Increasing serum vitamin D to sufficient levels and longitudinal follow‐up of patients may provide further evidence in relation to vitamin D deficiency and skeletal pain.
Biofuels and invasive species from an African perspective – a review
Authors: WITT ARNE B. R.
Published: August 2010

A large number of proposed biofuel crops share the same traits as known invasive plant species, many of which are already present in Africa and include species such as Prosopis glandulosa Torrey (Mimosaceae), P. juliflora (Sw.) DC, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (Mimosaceae), Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), and others. In this paper, we mainly assess the impacts of invasive Prosopis species in Africa, particularly in Kenya and South Africa. Introduced Prosopis species have invaded over 4 million hectares in Africa, threatening crop and pasture production, reducing underground water reserves, and displacing native plant and animal species. This has major implications for millions of people who depend on natural resources for their survival. It is therefore suggested that known invasive or potentially invasive plant species not be introduced to countries or regions for biofuel production. If (after a stringent cost–benefit analysis) the introduction of a potentially invasive species is deemed critical for economic development and the benefits clearly outweigh the potential costs, countries should endeavour to abide by the Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Biofuel Production developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels.
Analysis and Improvement of Information‐Intensive Services: Evidence from Insurance Claims Handling Operations
Authors: Apte Uday M. , Cavaliere Richard A. , Kulkarni Shailesh S.
Published: August 2010

Information‐intensive services (IIS), such as financial services, business services, health care, and education, form a large and growing part of the service sector in the US economy. In this paper we present a classification of IIS based on their operational characteristics. We also propose empirically grounded conceptual analysis and prescriptive frameworks useful for the improvement of certain types of IIS. By conducting statistical analyses of a large sample of claims data from one of the largest property and casualty companies in the United States, we isolate key drivers of service performance and identify preemptive actions that can favorably impact performance metrics. Those results demonstrate the direct operationalization of the proposed frameworks with primary data. Our conceptual analysis, empirical findings, and the prescriptive framework that follow, provide an action plan that can lead to a systemic improvement in the performance of information and customer contact intensive services.
Optimizing the Collections Process in Consumer Credit
Authors: De Almeida Filho Adiel T. , Mues Christophe , Thomas Lyn C.
Published: August 2010

This paper builds a dynamic programming model to optimize the collections process in consumer credit. It determines which collections actions should be undertaken and how long they should be performed, including theoretical results about the form of the optimal policy under certain conditions. Finally, a case study is described based on data from the collections department of a European bank.
Paths of Glory: Semiconductor Leapfrogging in Taiwan and South Korea
Authors: Hong Sung Gul
Published: August 2010

The author would like to thank Professors John D. Stephens, Meredith Woo‐Cumings, Michael Loriaux, William Munro, and Chung‐in Moon for their valuable comments.
The Gun and the Reform: Changes and Continuities in Civil‐Military Relations in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Zhong Yang
Published: August 2010

An earlier version of this article was presented at the Inter‐University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 13, 1991. The author wishes to express his gratitude to Daniel Nelson, Karen Mingst, Chung‐In Moon, Charles Davis, and Robert Goldich for their helpful comments on the paper. The author also wishes to thank Ms. Elizabeth Weatherford for her editorial assistance. This research is facilitated by a Faculty Research Award provided by the Graduate School of the University of Tennessee.
Analyzing State Structure: Japan and South Korea in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Cho Mun‐boo
Published: August 2010

This article is drawn partly on Mun‐Boo Cho, Yosanseiji: Antesei to Hentosei (Budget Politics: Stability and Variability) (Tokyo: Tsijosha, 1992) and Mun‐Boo Cho and Chung‐in Moon, “State Structure and Policy Choice: Japan and South Korea in Comparative Perspective,” which was presented at the annual convention of the International Studies Association, Vancouver, Canada, March 20–23, 1991.1 would like to thank Dr. Chung‐in Moon for his comments and assistance in preparing this article.
The U.S. Policy and Strategy toward DPRK: Comparison and Evalution of the Clinton and Bush Administrations
Authors: Lee Hun Kyung
Published: August 2010

This article focuses on studying and evaluating the Clinton and Bush administrations' policies and strategies toward North Korea.

The Clinton administration's policy toward North Korea was a continuation of the abandonment of containment and confrontation strategies of the Cold War era. That policy was based on a strategic transfer of power for the purpose of preventing a war, through a combination of aid and deterrence in the Korean peninsula by its engagement policy. The Administration believed that additional food aid and easing of economic sanctions would make a contribution to North Korean survival, and hence, a reduction in its bellicose disposition. Providing that this policy continued, it would be possible not merely to lead North Korea's change, but also to help it enter into international society by breaking down its self‐imposed isolation. To the contrary, the Bush administration points out that the Clinton administration's engagement policy did not lead to North Korea's change, and even left the wrong precedent in nuclear and missile negotiations. Focusing on nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction with an emphasis of transparency, monitoring, and verification, the Bush administration has claimed a broad agenda. This includes an improved implementation of the Agreed Framework relating to North Korea's nuclear activities, verifiable control over North Korea's missile programs and a ban on its missile exports, and a less threatening conventional military posture.

With the different views of these two administrations as a background, this article explores the U.S. efforts for achieving such policy goals as freezing North Korea's nuclear weapons program and halting its missile development and sales, together with looking at North Korea's response. American efforts for supporting the necessities for life, easing of some economic sanctions toward DPRK are also described. At the same time, the U.S. policy toward DPRK is evaluated on the whole in considering U.S. policy limits for nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the lack of effort by North Korea for peacemaking and survival, and inconsistency on U.S. assistance. Lastly, this article suggests a way for an alternative solution by thinking about some dilemmas for the U.S. and the DPRK.
Russia on Korean Peace and Unification
Authors: Joo Seung‐Ho
Published: August 2010

As a major power surrounding Korea, Russia has an inherent interest in the Korean peace and unification process. Will Russia support or obstruct Korean unification? This article analyzes this question from the viewpoint of Russia's national interests. If we clearly understand Russia's interests, we will be better able to predict Russia's attitudes and policy toward Korean unification in the future. Specifically, this article discusses the following questions: What are Russia's national interests vis‐à‐vis Korea? How can Russia contribute to the Korean peace process? Under what circumstances will Russia support or obstruct Korean unification?
China on the Korea Peace and Unification Process
Authors: Zhao Quansheng
Published: August 2010

This study examines China's relations with the Korean peninsula by focusing on the issues of Korea peace and unification process. After a brief review of historical legacy, it looks closely at Beijing's attitudes towards Korean unification and peace process, the changing priorities in Chinese foreign policy, balance of power and community‐building in the region, and decline of ideology and personal ties in Beijing's foreign policy considerations. It also analyzes Korean minorities in China and Beijing's diplomatic dilemma created by the issue of North Korean refugees. The conclusion section summarizes Beijing's major concerns towards the Korean Peninsula and future directions ofSino‐Korean relations.
Japan's Nuclear Option: Its Possibilities and Limitations
Authors: Park Hahnkyu
Published: August 2010

This study seeks to illuminate the possibility of Japan's nuclear option in the changing context of both domestic and international politics in the Post‐Cold War era.

Currently, it may be very difficult for Japan to choose a nuclear option considering the domestic political context. The majority of the Japanese people still possess a strong anti‐nuclear sentiment because of the experience of nuclear bombing that took place in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Those who advocate Japan's nuclear armament have also not become a major political force in Japanese politics. Japan has also established several legal and institutional mechanisms that prohibit Japan from becoming a nuclear power.

However, international crises that could severely damage Japan's national security and vital interests, would bring about major changes in Japan's domestic political context that has so far successfully constrained Japan's move toward nuclear armament. These international crises may include mounting nuclear and military threats from neighboring countries, failure of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime, and weakening or breakdown of the U.S.‐Japan security alliance. Under these international crises, the Japanese people could feel a sense of severe insecurity and they might agree to the nuclear option for the sake of national security.

It seems that, although Japan will not take a direct course to go nuclear in the near future due to the domestic political constraints, it will continue to keep a nuclear option open, which makes it possible for Japan to possess nuclear weapons when domestic and international circumstances dictate to do so.
Constructivism in Security Studies on Pacific Asia: Assessing Its Strengths and Weaknesses*
Authors: Peou Sorpong
Published: August 2010

In the last decade or so, security scholars have paid attention to non‐material factors in trying to make sense of the varied behavior of states in Pacific Asia. Although they do not totally reject material rationalism, constructivists have found it inadequate or misleading and sought to prove that ideational factors help shed better light on states' security policies. Constructivism on security in Pacific Asia has at least three variants: Cultural realism, social interactionism, and historical culturalism. Cultural realists build their theories on the concept of strategic culture, emphasizing the role of central decision‐makers; social interactionists stress the importance of socialization; historical culturalists pay considerable attention to cultural change in domestic political attitudes. This paper asks whether constructivism, one of today's most influential competing paradigms, has supplanted or supplemented realist perspectives on national security. As the latest challenger in security studies, constructivism has become a general approach in security studies, but still needs to prove itself further before it can claim to be superior to realism. This paper also suggests what its proponents should do to improve their social theories and farther shows that constructivism should be treated essentially as a theory of difference, which implies that states are most likely to behave in ways that conform to balance‐of‐threat logic.
China's Hobbled Leviathan: The Problems, Achievements and Challenges in Reforming the Banking Sector
Authors: Sharma Shalendra D.
Published: August 2010

China's banking system has undergone significant changes in the past two decades. It has been transformed from a mono‐bank system typical of centrally‐planned economies to an increasingly diversified multi‐layered system comprising a central bank together with a growing number of domestic and foreign commercial banks. In fact, China's banking system is now among the worlds largest, particularly in relation to GDP. Nevertheless, China's banks are beset with a number of long‐standing structural problems rooted in the legacies of the past command economy. This paper examines the nature and economic implications of these problems, the efficacy of the policies designed to reform the banking sector and the challenges the system faces, especially in light of China's moves towards full membership in the WTO.
Time to Keep Going: The Role and Structure of U.S. Forces in a Unified Korea
Authors: Kim Il‐Young , Singh Lakhvinder
Published: August 2010

This year Korea and the U.S. celebrate 50 years of their alliance, which has seen many ups and downs since it came into existence. Today a very intense debate is going on in the USA and Korea about the future role of the U.S. in both the re‐unification process and a post‐unified Korea. Anti‐Americanism is on the rise in South Korea, and demand for withdrawal of American forces is gaining ground in Korean society. An American withdrawal from Korea, however, would be very destabilizing for Korea and the whole of the East Asian region. Since the Korean war, the factors that have made it possible for South Korea, and other countries in the region, to economically prosper are the combination of sound economic polices and hard work by the peoples of these countries, and of the U.S. policies of reopening international markets to the countries of the region. While the presence of the U.S. forces in a post‐unified Korea would be a positive factor, the actual structure of these forces would depend on the ground realities and threat perceptions at that time. It would be determined by complex issues of peace and stability inside Korea, its economic situation, and the external situation outside Korea's borders, including Korea's threat perceptions from China. Despite great improvements in technology in the Naval and Air forces, almost all military contingencies still require the use of ground forces to fight or to deter wars. Thus even if U.S. air and naval forces remained stationed in Korea, the absence of the U.S. ground forces would seriously undermine the deterrent and fighting power of the United States in the country and the region as whole. Given the terrain of the Korean peninsula, any possible future military conflict involving Korea would almost certainly be won or lost on land. Accordingly, infantrymen and tanks must remain an essential component of the American forces in Korea. What is more, dependence on air and naval forces for the protection of Korea would weaken traditional alliances and deterrence as well as American support for the very values and political principles that make other countries respect and trust the United States.
Trilateral (U.S., ROK, Japan) Cooperation in the Resolution of the North Korean Nuclear Crisis
Authors: Olsen Edward A.
Published: August 2010

North Korea's use of diplomatic brinkmanship as part of its nuclear agenda has generated much international attention. Major repercussions have been experienced by the United States and its two Northeast Asian allies, South Korea and Japan, as they have tried to cooperate in meeting the challenges posed by North Korea. Although there are overlapping interests among all three members of the triangular diplomatic coalition, there also are gaps caused by each's perspective on how best to cope with the DPRK These gaps are exacerbated by tensions within each leg of the triangle, especially the ROK‐Japan leg. These relationships are influenced by each's pre‐crisis policies, the impact of North Korea's nuclear agenda on each part of the triangle, transnational differences caused by each member's broader interests, and the problems these factors have caused in creating meaningful cooperation. Triangular cooperation could be improved externally by working more closely with China and internally by devising means for the U.S. and Japan to be more attentive to ROK views of a sound solution for the problems caused by North Korea.
Russia's Role in the Six‐Party Negotiations
Authors: Joo Seung‐Ho
Published: August 2010

The second nuclear crisis over North Korea's nuclear issue erupted in the winter of 2002–2003. With the convening of the six‐party talks in August 2003, an imminent military showdown of the U.S. and the DPRK was postponed, and Russia for the first time was allowed to participate in a multinational conference on North Korea's nuclear issue. How then did Russia gain a seat at the six‐party negotiating table? What are Russian contributions at the six‐party talks? What are Russian views on the North Korean nuclear issue ? These are the main questions this paper will address. After three full sessions, the six‐party talks are still in impasse. To date, Russia's contributions in resolving the substantive issues have been most noticeable in the format and procedural matters of the six‐party talks. Russia's drawing the “red‐line” and “saber‐rattling” contributed to the convening of the six‐party talks as well. Russia's role in the six‐party negotiations has been quite visible and positive, but failed to bring a breakthrough in the deadlocked U.S.‐DPRK relations. For now, Russia is funneling its diplomatic efforts to create a favourable atmosphere for dialogue and compromises between the U.S. and the DPRK, and will continue to pursue the limited foreign policy objective in the foreseeable future.
The Northern Limit Line Incident of 2002: Motivations and Implications*
Authors: Bechtol Bruce E.
Published: August 2010

The Northern Limit Line(NLL) incident of 2002 helped contribute to an environment of tension on the Korean Peninsula, and created political problems for President Kim Dae‐jung's Sunshine Policy. The attack now appears to have been carefully planned and carried out by the North Koreans. Based on the nature of the North Korean regime, and past precedent based on other recent provocations, it is likely that the attack on the ROK Navy on June 2 of 2002 was ordered, or at least carried out, with the expressed consent of Kim Chong‐il. The most likely reason for the attack appears to have been revenge for a naval defeat Pyongyang suffered near the NLL during the summer of 1999, although other reasons such as an attempt to interfere with the World Cup soccer games in Seoul, a gambit aimed at increasing leverage during upcoming talks with the U.S., or a move aimed at bringing the world's attention to the “illegality” of the NLL, are also possible. Implications of the incident included increased tensions on the Peninsula and postponed foreign aid and security talks, but in the long run, the incident will probably be remembered as one of many provocations conducted by the North since 1953.
U.S. Relations with North Korea
Authors: Scalapino Robert A.
Published: August 2010

Given its reclusive nature, hard facts about North Korea are difficult to discern. However, the recent history of U. S.‐DPRK relations reveals periodic advances followed b y breakdowns, with disputes over critical details. Yet most recently, both parties have shown greater flexibility due to ongoing domestic conditions. It is premature to predict the outcome of the current dialogues. Many difficult is sues remain to be resolved but some hope is justified.
Assessing Internal North Korea
Authors: Niksch Larry A.
Published: August 2010

Assessing North Korea's internal situation is a near impossible task for anyone on the outside. Access to the country is extremely limited for a selected few and is prohibited for a much larger number. Access to classified information appears to be of little help. Witness the key figures of the Clinton Administration who predicted a collapse of the Kim Jong‐il regime in 1994 and 1995 and justified the weaknesses of the 1994 Agreed Framework on the assumption of an early collapse that would render the agreement and its weaknesses mute. They were largely in the dark as we are today. My assessments in this paper could be broken down into 10 percent fact, 20 percent analysis, 50 percent speculation, and 20 percent crystal ball gazing. I may be too optimistic on the extent of analysis.
The Second North Korean Nuclear Crisis: Assessing U.S. and DPRK Negotiation Strategies
Authors: Snyder Scott
Published: August 2010

The experience of U.S.‐DPRK negotiations during the first North Korean nuclear crisis has framed American and North Korean strategies and tactics as they have approached the second crisis. The six party talks negotiating format itself has been favored by the Bush administration based on its own perception of lessons learned from the Clinton administration's experience. For its part, the DPRK leadership has relied on a range of familiar tactics in the initial rounds of talks, including calculated efforts to utilize brinkmanship and crisis escalation to catalyze a direct response to the Bush administration.

In the case of both Washington and Pyongyang, the use of these tactics reveal that until North Korea's nuclear test on October 9th, 2006, neither side had truly committed itself to resolving the nuclear issue through a give‐and‐take negotiation process. Instead, both sides have attempted to shape the environment to their own ends as a vehicle for reaping benefits through the mechanism of negotiations. The North Korean nuclear test achieved Pyongyang's tactical goal of drawing the United States into direct talks, but against a strategic context that initially appeared to be relatively unfavorable to North Korea's longer‐term strategic aims. This paper will examine possible lessons learned from the first North Korean nuclear crisis, will review the progress of the six party process, and will analyze the tactics and strategies of the U.S. and DPRK, respectively, as well as the other parties to the talks.
The U.S. Financial Sanctions against North Korea
Authors: Kwak Tae‐Hwan , Joo Seung‐Ho
Published: August 2010

In September 2005, the U.S. imposed financial restrictions on North Korea after blaming the North for illicit financial activities, including counterfeiting and money‐laundering. The U.S. financial sanctions against the North had direct and immediate impact on the ongoing six‐party negotiations on North Korea's nuclear issue. North Korea insisted on the lifting of U.S. financial sanctions as the precondition for returning to the negotiating table and consequently the six‐party talks on North Korea's nuclear issue stalled. The third session of the fifth round of six‐party talks in February 2007 produced an important accord on North Korea's nuclear question. This agreement was made possible after the U.S. and the DPRK reached a compromise on the financial sanctions issue. This article discusses the U.S. financial sanctions against North Korea and their implications for North Korea's nuclear question. It begins with an overview of the U.S. financial restrictions. This study then examines the nexus between the financial sanctions and the impasse at the six‐party talks on North Korea's nuclear issue. This is followed by a discussion of the breakthrough on the financial restrictions issue and the landmark agreement on North Korea's nuclear issue in February 2007. In this study, the authors argue that a mutually satisfactory resolution of the BDA dispute holds the key to a peaceful settlement of the second North Korean nuclear crisis. With the BDA dispute behind, the six‐party talks should gain momentum and prepare a road map for implementing the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Both the U.S. and North Korea should not miss this golden opportunity and make earnest efforts to build a firm foundation for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia.