This study looks for clues to Chinese thinking on defensive strategy and doctrine and to its approach to military modernization in the recent history of the Chinese People's Militia. The role of the militia in China's military system is little known or understood outside of China. Yet the militia and the Maoist doctrine of the People's War -- since 1949 the officially proclaimed cornerstone of china's strategy for the defense of its land frontiers -- are inseparably linked. Analysis of Beijing's policy towards the militia can tell us much, therefore, about how Chinese defense planners view that doctrine and the extent to which it continues to provide the fundamental framework of planning for the ground defense of China.

Abstract: Extracellular small RNAs (sRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), are promising biomarkers for diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), although their biological relevance is largely unknown. To investigate the relationship between intracellular and extracellular sRNA levels on a global scale, we performed sRNA sequencing in four muscle types and serum from wild-type, dystrophic mdx, and mdx mice in which dystrophin protein expression was restored by exon skipping. Differentially abundant sRNAs were identified in serum (mapping to miRNA, small nuclear RNA [snRNA], and PIWI-interacting RNA [piRNA] loci). One novel candidate biomarker, miR-483, was increased in both mdx serum and muscle, and also elevated in DMD patient sera. Dystrophin restoration induced global shifts in miRNA (including miR-483) and snRNA-fragment abundance toward wild-type levels. Specific serum piRNA-like sRNAs also responded to exon skipping therapy. Absolute miRNA expression in muscle was positively correlated with abundance in the circulation, although multiple highly expressed miRNAs in muscle were not elevated in mdx serum, suggesting that both passive and selective release mechanisms contribute to serum miRNA levels. In conclusion, this study has revealed new insights into the sRNA biology of dystrophin deficiency and identified novel DMD biomarkers

Patricia Ireland here faithfully presents her father's genuin and unique diary, secretly written when a prisoner of war of the Japanese. After a sad childhood, Tommy Roberts joined the Liverpool King's Regiment and served in India, where for seven years this new life of friendship, discipline and education suited him well. On his return to England and civilian life, he quickly fell in love and he and Edith were married in June 1939. However, war was of course imminent. Tommy was quickly recalled to the Reserve and by August 1939 he had volunteered as a regular soldier. There followed a year as Instructor in Drill and Weapons Training in Burscough where, in September 1940, he and Ede welcomed their baby son. Yet the War was raging and in December Tommy felt called to active service once again. After a year in Coastal and Home Defence his 13th Battalion King 's Regiment was sent to India. Three months later Orde Wingate asked for volunteers for his 77th India Brigade which was to fight the Japanese behind enemy lines in Burma. Tommy volunteered. A gruelling training followed to prepare the volunteers for war against jungle, disease and a ruthless enemy. In early 1943 the Brigade, now known as the Chindits, entered Burma. An even more gruelling, perhaps unimaginable, time began. Tommy was Commander of the Support Group in Column 5, led by Major Bernard Fergusson. By April 1943, Column 5 was 250 miles behind Japanese lines. Meanwhile however, supply lines for food, ammunition and communication had evaporated. Column 5 became spread out and decimated. In April 1943 Tommy's group was ambushed at Kaukkwe and the few survivors taken prisoner. Arriving eventually at Changi Prison, Tommy would spend the next 3 years just managing to survive. Yet somehow, secretly, he was writing a diary. Written in tiny writing in pencil, hidden away as even risking execution if found, both he and the diary somehow did survive. In 1986 Tommy made a recording of his diary and Tommy's daughter Patricia, with the help of the recording, has managed to transcribe the tiny writing in the original Malay exercise books. She presents here this unique, genuine and historic record for all to read....

This study looks for clues to Chinese thinking on defensive strategy and doctrine and to its approach to military modernization in the recent history of the Chinese People's Militia. Organized in four chapters, the study begins with a detailed examination of the militia system itself. The first chapter adds considerably to the body of knowledge available on this hitherto obscure component of the Chinese armed forces. The second and third chapters examine recent developments in China which have shaped Beijing's current militia policy. These chapters describe the way in which Chinese defensive strategy and the militia's role in that strategy have been influenced by the evolution since 1977 of Beijing's military modernization program. In the final chapter, the author concludes that the many obituaries written on People's War in recent years by observers of Chinese military affairs are premature. In summary, this study shows that valuable insights into Chinese thinking on major issues of national military policy can be gained through use of the militia as a lens through which to view the evolution of Chinese strategy and doctrine.