Global environmental change is one of the major distinguishing features associated with the contemporary world political map. It is significant not only because it illustrates the intersections between geopolitics and...Global environmental change is one of the major distinguishing features associated with the contemporary world political map. It is significant not only because it illustrates the intersections between geopolitics and environmental change, but also because identifying the major environmental features and solving existing and future problems are primarily political in nature. Key features of global environmental change include global warming impacts on the poleward shifts in biodiversity and agricultural patterns, rising sea levels and human adjustments, changing coastal habitats, and promoting increased environmental awareness especially in urban clusters, where most people live. In the contemporary geopolitical and environmental world, visualization is a key feature not only used to inform both planetary inhabitants, environmental organizations and governments, but also serves as an effective policy, that is, to “show” or demonstrate effective changes and the need for action. States are key institutions in this thinking as they can both inform and address the impacts of global environmental change through various images: maps, earth-based photographs, satellite coverage, websites and educational venues including curriculum content and stamps. Visual geopolitics is already recognized as being an important source influencing public opinion, as evidenced in the attractive visible layouts, graphics, colors, often “seductive” designing of official websites. Postage stamps is an additional important and “informing” visible way that states inform both insiders and outsiders about how they “see” their place in the world. They also provide a view into how a state sees its “own” place in the world of environmental change and how it sees “the world beyond its own borders”. I introduce the concept of “visual geopolitics” and use recent postage stamp issues about global environmental change from a number of countries to illustrate how they are informing views of their own and the world about pressing environmental issues.展开更多
Background:Autologous split skin grafting is the gold standard in treating patients with massive burns.However,the limited availability of donor sites remains a problem.The aim of this study is to present our experien...Background:Autologous split skin grafting is the gold standard in treating patients with massive burns.However,the limited availability of donor sites remains a problem.The aim of this study is to present our experience with the modified Meek technique of grafting,outcomes achieved and recommendations for optimized outcomes.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed patient records from our tertiary referral burn centre and the Bi-National Burns Registry to identify all patients who had modified Meek grafting between 2010 and 2013.Patient records were reviewed individually and information regarding patient demographics,mechanism of injury and surgical management was recorded.Outcome measures including graft take rate,requirement for further surgery and complications were also recorded.Results:Eleven patients had modified Meek grafting procedures.The average age of patients was 46 years old(range 23–64).The average total body surface area(TBSA)burnt was 56.75%(range 20–80%).On average,87%of the grafted areas healed well and did not require regrafting.In the regrafted areas,infection was the leading cause of graft failure.Conclusions:Modified Meek grafting is a useful method of skin expansion.Similar to any other grafting technique,infection needs to be sought and treated promptly.It is recommended for larger burns where donor sites are not adequate or where it is desirable to limit their extent.展开更多
文摘Global environmental change is one of the major distinguishing features associated with the contemporary world political map. It is significant not only because it illustrates the intersections between geopolitics and environmental change, but also because identifying the major environmental features and solving existing and future problems are primarily political in nature. Key features of global environmental change include global warming impacts on the poleward shifts in biodiversity and agricultural patterns, rising sea levels and human adjustments, changing coastal habitats, and promoting increased environmental awareness especially in urban clusters, where most people live. In the contemporary geopolitical and environmental world, visualization is a key feature not only used to inform both planetary inhabitants, environmental organizations and governments, but also serves as an effective policy, that is, to “show” or demonstrate effective changes and the need for action. States are key institutions in this thinking as they can both inform and address the impacts of global environmental change through various images: maps, earth-based photographs, satellite coverage, websites and educational venues including curriculum content and stamps. Visual geopolitics is already recognized as being an important source influencing public opinion, as evidenced in the attractive visible layouts, graphics, colors, often “seductive” designing of official websites. Postage stamps is an additional important and “informing” visible way that states inform both insiders and outsiders about how they “see” their place in the world. They also provide a view into how a state sees its “own” place in the world of environmental change and how it sees “the world beyond its own borders”. I introduce the concept of “visual geopolitics” and use recent postage stamp issues about global environmental change from a number of countries to illustrate how they are informing views of their own and the world about pressing environmental issues.
基金We thank John Mills MD FACP FRACP ARCPA(Faculty of Medicine,Monash University,Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health,Melbourne,Australia)for his input with statistical analyses
文摘Background:Autologous split skin grafting is the gold standard in treating patients with massive burns.However,the limited availability of donor sites remains a problem.The aim of this study is to present our experience with the modified Meek technique of grafting,outcomes achieved and recommendations for optimized outcomes.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed patient records from our tertiary referral burn centre and the Bi-National Burns Registry to identify all patients who had modified Meek grafting between 2010 and 2013.Patient records were reviewed individually and information regarding patient demographics,mechanism of injury and surgical management was recorded.Outcome measures including graft take rate,requirement for further surgery and complications were also recorded.Results:Eleven patients had modified Meek grafting procedures.The average age of patients was 46 years old(range 23–64).The average total body surface area(TBSA)burnt was 56.75%(range 20–80%).On average,87%of the grafted areas healed well and did not require regrafting.In the regrafted areas,infection was the leading cause of graft failure.Conclusions:Modified Meek grafting is a useful method of skin expansion.Similar to any other grafting technique,infection needs to be sought and treated promptly.It is recommended for larger burns where donor sites are not adequate or where it is desirable to limit their extent.
