Plutonium Isotopes (Pu) Dissolved in Pacific Ocean Waters Detected by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry: No Effects of the Fukushima Accident Observed.

The concentration of plutonium (Pu) and the isotopic ratios of Pu to Pu and Pu to Pu were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in Pacific Ocean water samples (20 L each) collected in late 2012. The isotopic Pu ratios are important indicators of different contamination sources and were used to identify a possible release of Pu into the ocean by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. In particular, Pu is a well-suited indicator for a recent entry of Pu because Pu from fallout of nuclear weapon testings has already significantly decayed.

[A theoretical model for transcultural psychiatry].

Background: Patients of non-Western origin quite often fail to complete their course of treatment. The reasons are generally unclear. aim To suggest ways of tackling the problems in transcultural psychiatric practice.

Transcultural psychiatry: from practice to theory.

Psychiatric patients of non-western origin leave treatment against the advice of their clinicians far more often than do their western counterparts. This article presents a theoretical framework for better understanding such clinical cases, developed from examples of psychiatric practice in different cultures. The theory is based on two meanings of the concept of culture, an elaboration of the universality-relativity dichotomy, and a view of the work of mental health care providers as involving three components: (1) building a trusting relationship with the patient; (2) making a diagnosis and treatment plan; and (3) carrying out treatment that is acceptable and meaningful to the patient.

[Transcultural psychiatry; developments in the past 25 years].

Until the 1970's the universality hypothesis was the leading theory in transcultural psychiatry. Kleinman argued in favour of a more anthropological approach. This was reflected in Appendix I of the DSM IV (Cultural Formulation).

Validity of 'post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features': a review of the evidence.

Objective: To review the evidence from empirical studies regarding the validity of 'post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features' (PTSD-SP) as a separate diagnostic entity.

Method: The authors performed a review tracing publications between 1980 and January 2008.

Results: Twenty-four comparative studies were included.