Do pornographic websites influence boys' sexual behavior?

Purpose: To compare the sexual behavior of adolescent males who do and do not watch pornographic websites. Methods: This study was presented as a school survey. Data were drawn from the 2002 Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Survey on Health (SMASH02) database, a survey including 7,548 adolescents age 16-20. The setting was post-mandatory schools in Switzerland. A total of 2,891 male students who connected to the internet in the last 30 days were enrolled and distributed into two groups: boys who deliberately watched pornographic websites in the last 30 days (n ¼ 942; 33%) and boys who did not (n ¼ 1,949; 67%). Socio-demographic characteristics; frequency of connection to the internet; sexual behavior parameters (having a girlfriend and if yes, for more or less than 6 months; having had sexual intercourse; age at first sexual intercourse; use of a condom at last sexual intercourse; number of sexual partners; having made a partner pregnant). Results: A logistic regression was performed using STATA 9.2. The only significant socio-demographic variable was having a low socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.66); no difference was found for age and academic track between the two groups. Boys who watch pornographic websites were also significantly more likely to connect frequently to the internet (one day a week: AOR 1.75; several days a week: AOR 2.36; every day: AOR 3.11), to have had sexual intercourse (AOR 2.06), and to have had their first sexual intercourse before age 15 (AOR 1.48). The stability of the relationship with their girlfriend did not appear to have any influence on the search for pornography on the internet. Conclusions: About one third of boys in our sample report having accessed pornographic websites in the last 30 days, a proportion similar to other studies. Watching such websites increases with the frequency of connection to the internet and seems to be correlated with an earlier sexual activity debut among adolescent males. However, having had first sexual intercourse before age 15 is the only sexual risk behavior that seems to be increased when watching pornographic websites among boys. Further studies should address the causality of this correlation and the factors influencing the search for pornography on the web among boys, in order to explore some new ways of prevention about sexual risk behaviors. Sources of Support: The SMASH02 survey was carried out with the financial support of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the participating cantons.

A survey on transfer-based approaches to MT using feature structures

Aquest treball és una revisió d'alguns sistemes de Traducció Automàtica que segueixen l'estratègia de Transfer i fan servir estructures de trets com a eina de representació. El treball s'integra dins el projecte MLAP-9315, projecte que investiga la reutilització de les especificacions lingüístiques del projecte EUROTRA per estàndards industrials.

Santé et styles de vie des adolescents âgés de 16 à 20 ans en Suisse (2002). SMASH 2002 : Swiss multicenter adolescent survey on health 2002

Le présent rapport décrit les grandes tendances qui se dégagent des résultats de l'Enquête SMASH 2002 et propose quelques hypothèses pour éclairer la compréhension et les enjeux de la situation actuelle ainsi que des pistes de réflexion pour l'avenir. Cette étude repose sur deux approches complémentaires de la santé: l'une donne la primauté aux aspects sociologiques des conduites de santé ("lifestyle"); l'autre, de nature épidémiologique, met l'accent sur la prévalence des comportements et procède à des analyses dans divers sous-groupes ou dans le temps. L'étude SMASH 2002 fournit une photographie de la situation des adolescents et de leur état de santé : besoins et comportements de santé, facteurs associés et évaluation des grands changements intervenus depuis une dizaine d'années. Ces données doivent permettre de réfléchir à une planification optimale des services de soins et des programmes de prévention et de promotion de la santé en faveur des adolescents. [extraits du résumé des auteurs]

Exhumation history of the NW Indian Himalaya revealed by fission track and 40Ar/39Ar ages

New fission track and Ar/Ar geochronological data provide time constraints on the exhumation history of the Himalayan nappes in the Mandi (Beas valley) - Tso Monad transect of the NW Indian Himalaya. Results from this and previous studies suggest that the SW-directed North Himalayan nappes were emplaced by detachment from the underthrusted upper Indian crust by 55 Ma and metamorphosed by ca. 48-40 Ma. The nappe stack was subsequently exhumed to shallow upper crustal depths (<10 km) by 40-30 Ma in the Tso Monad dome (northern section of the transect) and by 30-20 Ma close to frontal thrusts in the Baralacha La region. From the Oligocene to the present, exhumation continued slowly.

Medical and legal professionals' attitudes towards confidentiality and disclosure of clinical information in forensic settings: a survey using case vignettes.

OBJECTIVE: When potentially dangerous patients reveal criminal fantasies to their therapists, the latter must decide whether this information has to be transmitted to a third person in order to protect potential victims. We were interested in how medical and legal professionals handle such situations in the context of prison medicine and forensic evaluations. We aimed to explore the motives behind their actions and to compare these professional groups. METHOD: A mail survey was conducted among medical and legal professionals using five fictitious case vignettes. For each vignette, participants were asked to answer questions exploring what the professional should do in the situation and to explain their justification for the chosen response. RESULTS: A total of 147 questionnaires were analysed. Agreement between participants varied from one scenario to another. Overall, legal professionals tended to disclose information to a third party more easily than medical professionals, the latter tending to privilege confidentiality and patient autonomy over security. Perception of potential danger in a given situation was not consistently associated with actions. CONCLUSION: Professionals' opinions and attitudes regarding the confidentiality of potentially dangerous patients differ widely and appear to be subjectively determined. Shared discussions about clinical situations could enhance knowledge and competencies and reduce differences between professional groups.

Survey of aspergillosis in non-neutropenic patients in Swiss teaching hospitals.

Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 17: 1366-1371 ABSTRACT: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a live-threatening opportunistic infection that is best described in haematological patients with prolonged neutropenia or graft-versus-host disease. Data on IA in non-neutropenic patients are limited. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence, disease manifestations and outcome of IA in non-neutropenic patients diagnosed in five Swiss university hospitals during a 2-year period. Case identification was based on a comprehensive screening of hospital records. All cases of proven and probable IA were retrospectively analysed. Sixty-seven patients were analysed (median age 60 years; 76% male). Sixty-three per cent of cases were invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), and 17% of these were disseminated aspergillosis. The incidence of IPA was 1.2/10 000 admissions. Six of ten cases of extrapulmonary IA affected the brain. There were six cases of invasive rhinosinusitis, six cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, and cases three of subacute pulmonary aspergillosis. The most frequent underlying condition of IA was corticosteroid treatment (57%), followed by chronic lung disease (48%), and intensive-care unit stays (43%). In 38% of patients with IPA, the diagnosis was established at autopsy. Old age was the only risk factor for post-mortem diagnosis, whereas previous solid organ transplantation and chronic lung disease were associated with lower odds of post-mortem diagnosis. The mortality rate was 57%.

Iowa Public Library Statistics, 2004-2005

Public library statistics are taken from the annual survey. The statistics are used at the local, regional, state, and national levels to compare library performance, justify budget requests, track library data over time, assist in planning and evaluation, and provide valuable information for grants and other library programs. The annual survey collects current information from 543 public libraries about public service outlets, holdings, staffing, income, expenditures, circulation, services, and hours open. Furthermore, it helps provide a total picture of libraries on a state and nationwide basis. This report is authorized by law (Iowa Code 256.51 (H)). Each of the 50 states collects public library information according to guidelines established by the Federal State Cooperative System for public library data (FSCS). The information contained in the Iowa Public Library Statistics is based on definitions approved by FSCS. For additional information, contact Gerry Rowland, State Library, gerry.rowland@lib.state.ia.us; 1-800-248-4483.

Iowa Public Library Statistics, 2003-2004

Public library statistics are taken from the annual survey. The statistics are used at the local, regional, state, and national levels to compare library performance, justify budget requests, track library data over time, assist in planning and evaluation, and provide valuable information for grants and other library programs. The annual survey collects current information from 543 public libraries about public service outlets, holdings, staffing, income, expenditures, circulation, services, and hours open. Furthermore, it helps provide a total picture of libraries on a state and nationwide basis. This report is authorized by law (Iowa Code 256.51 (H)). Each of the 50 states collects public library information according to guidelines established by the Federal State Cooperative System for public library data (FSCS). The information contained in the Iowa Public Library Statistics is based on definitions approved by FSCS. For additional information, contact Gerry Rowland, State Library, gerry.rowland@lib.state.ia.us; 1-800-248-4483.

A non-interventional phase IV Belgian survey to assess the antiviral effectiveness of pegylated interferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin treatment according to the stage of liver fibrosis in previously untreated patients with genotype 1/4/5/6 chronic hepatitis C (PRACTICE).

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: This was an observational, non-interventional, multicenter, phase IV study, in patients with genotype 1/4/5/6 chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The primary objectives were to evaluate SVR in patients with no or minimal fibrosis (METAVIR F0-F1) versus well established fibrosis (F2-F4), and to estimate response on Weeks 12, 24 and 48 on treatment in previously untreated patients with genotypes 1/4/5/6 CHC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 538 patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2b 1.5 mcg/kg in combination with ribavirin 800-1200 mg/day were enrolled in 55 sites in Belgium and Luxembourg, 505 being considered for the analysis. 40% of the patients were female and 60% male, the average age was 47.5 years, 10.5% were 65 or older. RESULTS: SVR was observed in 35% of the patients, EVR in 68%, of which pEVR in 33% and cEVR in 35%. SVR was observed in 43% of the low fibrosis group (F0, F1) and 30% of the high fibrosis group (F2, F3, F4) (p = 0.005). SVR rates were 34% for genotype 1, 37% for genotype 4, and 47% for genotype 5 (NS). Multivariate analysis showed that EVR and baseline METAVIR score are independent prognostic factors for SVR. CONCLUSIONS: This trial confirms that fibrosis stage and early viral response are the most important key-factors to predict sustained response, suggesting that the earlier patients are treated, the better the outcome. Non-invasive techniques enable us to closely monitor progression of fibrosis, allowing a better selection of patients for antiviral treatment in the DAA-era.

[Archives de la Parole]. , Chanson fantaisiste en mēwātī / [Sir George Grierson], éd. ; Linguistic survey of India ; [Hassaina], voix ; accompagnement instrumental (harmonium indien et tabla)

[Traditions. Asie. Inde. Province de Delhi. Delhi]

[Archives de la Parole]. , Fortune favours the brave : in Bhojpuri of Shahabad (récit, fable) / [Sir George Grierson], éd. ; Linguistic survey of India ; [Hari Sankar Nath], voix

[Traditions. Asie. Inde. Bihar]

[Archives de la Parole]. , The covetous Brahmin [and his reward] : in Oriya - Récit - Indo-Aryen - Ling[uistic] Survey of India / [Sir George Grierson], éd. ; Linguistic survey of India ; [Bepin Chandra Patra], voix

[Traditions. Asie. Inde. Orissa]

[Archives de la Parole]. , Special text in santali / [Sir George Grierson], éd. ; Linguistic survey of India ; Voix parlée, homme

[Traditions. Asie. Inde. Chotā Nāgpur]

[Archives de la Parole]. , A kahani : in Mundari / [Sir George Grierson], éd. ; Linguistic survey of India ; Voix parlée, homme

[Traditions. Asie. Inde. Chotā Nāgpur]

[Archives de la Parole]. , Special text in mundari / [Sir George Grierson], éd. ; Linguistic survey of India ; Voix parlée, homme

[Traditions. Asie. Inde. Chotā Nāgpur]