Population-based study of medically treated self-inflicted injuries

ABSTRACTObjective:Self-inflicted injury is commonly seen in emergency departments (EDs). It may be a precursor to death by suicide. The objective of this study was to examine the epidemiology of self-inflicted injury presentations to EDs in the province of Alberta.Methods:Self-inflicted injury records for the 3 fiscal years 1998/99 to 2000/01 were accessed from the Ambulatory Care Classification System, a database that captures all ED encounters in the province of Alberta. Available data for each case included demographic details, location and time of visit, diagnoses and procedures.Results:There were 22 396 self-inflicted injury presentations to Alberta EDs during the study period. Self-inflicted injury rates were higher in females, younger patients, those on social services and those with Aboriginal treaty status. There were higher rates of return visits in the year following the self-inflicted injury than in other patient groups. Data showed regional variation. Trends could be seen in the timing of self-inflicted injury presentations by hour of day, day of week, and month of year.Conclusions:Self-inflicted injury is common, with particularly high rates demonstrated among marginalized populations. This study provides comprehensive data on those who present with self-inflicted injuries, and can be used to guide further treatment, research and evaluation for this population.

About this title

The Svalbard archipelago and its principal island, Spitsbergen, respectively about the size of Scotland and Switzerland, have a wealth in variety and complexity in stratigraphy and structure no less than those classic areas. Moreover, with an international history and present treaty status many nations have participated in research, and the geological literature currently comprising far more than 3000 publications is widely scattered and rapidly increasing. There are indeed excellent published geological outlines, but no comprehensive work.This work presents the detailed geology of Svalbard. It arises from about 50 years of research in many aspects of Svalbard geology by the author with many colleagues and collaborato~ It is arranged systematically as a definitive study reflecting the present conjuncture of research. It thus meets the needs of specialists with convenient information on related fields or of any geoscientist surveying some aspect of global geology for an indication of what is known about this key region.This work is planned as an integrated synthesi~ Part I is introductory, setting the stage. Chapter 3 in particular outlines the main geological features and the principal geological conventions used throughout. Part 2 divides Svalbard into eight regions/sectors and each chapter describes these with minimal interpretation. The rock successions are listed from the top down as observed, and the structures are outlined and to some extent illustrated. Part 3, in forward time sequence, interprets historical events and environments. Part 4 comprises a summary of the economic aspects of Svaibard geology and three alphabetical lists as reference aids namely place names, stratigraphic names and general index. There is also an extensive reference list, which will be a significant bibliographic resource for researchers of Svalbard geology.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child: It's Time for the United States to Ratify

On November 20, 1989, in an historic action, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a treaty statement labeled "The Convention on the Rights of the Child." It was ratified within 4 months by the required 20 countries to give it treaty status. The American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed it promptly, but it has yet to be ratified by the appropriate governmental body in the United States—the Senate. The United States (US) is the only Western democracy not to have signed; to date over 157 countries worldwide have adopted the Convention—only 30 have not. To understand the reasons why the US has abstained requires outlining some of the major points of the treaty, particularly those that have been the basis for the US inaction.

The Chinese Nationalists and the Unequal Treaties 1924–1931

The movement to abolish the unequal treaties was the cause célèbre of Chinese nationalism after the First World War. It was an extension of the late Qing movement to retrieve the rights and interests (shouhui liquan yundong) that had been lost to the powers over the decades. Whereas the quintessence of the late Qing campaign was economic nationalism and the means it employed peaceful, the post-war drive was highly political and at times accompanied by a degree of violence. The Chinese determination, strengthened by Germany's and Austria's relinquishment of their treaty status, was a bond that united the whole nation from Beijing to Guangzhou (Canton) despite their domestic political differences.