This volume consists of seven papers related in various matters to the research work of Kostia Beidar, a distinguished ring theorist and professor of National Ching Kung University (NCKU). Written by leading experts in these areas, the papers also emphasize important applications to other fields of mathematics. Most papers are based on talks that were presented at the memorial conference which was held in March 2005 at NCKU.

This volume contains one invited lecture which was presented by the 1994 Fields Medal ist Professor E. Zelmanov and twelve other papers which were presented at the Third International Conference on Algebra and Their Related Topics at Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Republic of China, during the period June 26-July 1, 200l. All papers in this volume have been refereed by an international referee board and we would like to express our deepest thanks to all the referees who were so helpful and punctual in submitting their reports. Thanks are also due to the Promotion and Research Center of National Science Council of Republic of China and the Chang Jung Christian University for their generous financial support of this conference. The spirit of this conference is a continuation of the last two International Tainan Moscow Algebra Workshop on Algebras and Their Related Topics which were held in the mid-90's of the last century. The purpose of this very conference was to give a clear picture of the recent development and research in the fields of different kinds of algebras both in Taiwan and in the rest ofthe world, especially say, Russia" Europe, North America and South America. Thus, we were hoping to enhance the possibility of future cooperation in research work among the algebraists ofthe five continents. Here we would like to point out that this algebra gathering will constantly be held in the future in the southern part of Taiwan."

This volume contains three invited lectures and sixteen other papers which were pre- sented at the 14th International Conference on Nearrings and Nearfields held in Stellen- bosch, South Africa, July 9-161997. It was also the first nearring conference to be held after the untimely death of James R Clay, who over the years had been an inspiration to many algebraists interested in nearring theory. The occasion was marked by the invitedtalk of Gerhard Betsch, which was devoted to an overview of Clay's contributions to nearring and nearfield theory. This book is affectionately dedicated to the memory of James R Clay. All the papers presented here have been refereed under the supervision of the Editorial Board: Fong Yuen, Carl Maxson, John Meldrum, GUnterPilz, Leon van Wyk and Andries van der Walt. Thanks are due to the referees and to the Editorial Board. A special word of thanks is due to Wen-fong Ke for preparing the final version of the TEX files, and to Fong Yuen for his pains in arranging for the publication of the volume with Kluwer Academic Publishers. Andries van der Walt Stellenbosch, August 1999 COMBINATORIAL ASPECTS OF NEARRING THEORY TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES RAY CLAY GERHARDBETSCH A briefcurriculum vitae ofJames Ray (Jim) Clay Born November5,1938 at Burley (Idaho). Died January 16, 1996 at Tucson (Arizona). Married since 1959 to Carol Cline BURGE, "a truly beautiful daughter of Zion" (Dedication ofJim's 1992 book). Three daughters, ten grand-children.

Near-Rings and Near-Fields opens with three invited lectures on different aspects of the history of near-ring theory. These are followed by 26 papers reflecting the diversity of the subject in regard to geometry, topological groups, automata, coding theory and probability, as well as the purely algebraic structure theory of near-rings. Audience: Graduate students of mathematics and algebraists interested in near-ring theory.

Near-Rings and Near-Fields opens with three invited lectures on different aspects of the history of near-ring theory. These are followed by 26 papers reflecting the diversity of the subject in regard to geometry, topological groups, automata, coding theory and probability, as well as the purely algebraic structure theory of near-rings. Audience: Graduate students of mathematics and algebraists interested in near-ring theory.

This volume contains three invited lectures and sixteen other papers which were pre- sented at the 14th International Conference on Nearrings and Nearfields held in Stellen- bosch, South Africa, July 9-161997. It was also the first nearring conference to be held after the untimely death of James R Clay, who over the years had been an inspiration to many algebraists interested in nearring theory. The occasion was marked by the invitedtalk of Gerhard Betsch, which was devoted to an overview of Clay's contributions to nearring and nearfield theory. This book is affectionately dedicated to the memory of James R Clay. All the papers presented here have been refereed under the supervision of the Editorial Board: Fong Yuen, Carl Maxson, John Meldrum, GUnterPilz, Leon van Wyk and Andries van der Walt. Thanks are due to the referees and to the Editorial Board. A special word of thanks is due to Wen-fong Ke for preparing the final version of the TEX files, and to Fong Yuen for his pains in arranging for the publication of the volume with Kluwer Academic Publishers. Andries van der Walt Stellenbosch, August 1999 COMBINATORIAL ASPECTS OF NEARRING THEORY TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES RAY CLAY GERHARDBETSCH A briefcurriculum vitae ofJames Ray (Jim) Clay Born November5,1938 at Burley (Idaho). Died January 16, 1996 at Tucson (Arizona). Married since 1959 to Carol Cline BURGE, "a truly beautiful daughter of Zion" (Dedication ofJim's 1992 book). Three daughters, ten grand-children.

This volume contains one invited lecture which was presented by the 1994 Fields Medal ist Professor E. Zelmanov and twelve other papers which were presented at the Third International Conference on Algebra and Their Related Topics at Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Republic of China, during the period June 26-July 1, 200l. All papers in this volume have been refereed by an international referee board and we would like to express our deepest thanks to all the referees who were so helpful and punctual in submitting their reports. Thanks are also due to the Promotion and Research Center of National Science Council of Republic of China and the Chang Jung Christian University for their generous financial support of this conference. The spirit of this conference is a continuation of the last two International Tainan Moscow Algebra Workshop on Algebras and Their Related Topics which were held in the mid-90's of the last century. The purpose of this very conference was to give a clear picture of the recent development and research in the fields of different kinds of algebras both in Taiwan and in the rest ofthe world, especially say, Russia" Europe, North America and South America. Thus, we were hoping to enhance the possibility of future cooperation in research work among the algebraists ofthe five continents. Here we would like to point out that this algebra gathering will constantly be held in the future in the southern part of Taiwan."

Bridging the collapse of the Confucian state and the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the period 1911-49 is particularly fascinating to historians, anthropologists, sociologists and political scientists. Unfortunately, it is also a very confusing period, full of shifts and changes in economic, social, and political organizations. The social implications of these changes, and the relationships between officials on the subdistrict level, the unofficial leaders, and the bulk of the peasantry remain inadequately known. South China, which nurtured the Communist Party in its formative years, is a particularly interesting case. In this study I use the Kuan lineage of K'ai-p'ing as a case study to show the effects of demographic, economic, administrative, and educational changes after the Treaty of Nanking (1842) on patrilineal kinship as a principle of social organization in South China. [vii]