Fear of devaluation : understanding the experience of intersexed women with androgen insensitivity syndrome

Objectives: We aim to provide an understanding of the psychological sequela of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) in phenotypic females in order to begin to inform psychosocial health care services. Design: Eight adult women with AIS were recruited through United Kingdom-Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group (UK-AISSG). Data was collected via two semi-structured interviews with each woman. Methods: Transcripts were analysed using grounded theory and a conceptual model was developed which suggests a way of understanding the AIS DISTRESS experienced by our participants. Results: The pivotal concept is a woman’s FEAR OF DEVALUATION. This is connected to her level of ADAPTATION and perception of having a COMPROMISED WOMANHOOD. These, in turn, are related to her MEDICAL MANAGEMENT and involvement with others (SUPPORT GROUP and TALKING ABOUT AIS). Conclusions: Participants showed a clear preference for open communication about their condition and we recommend sensitive, pacing of information in order to allow young women and their family to make informed decisions about treatment and a realistic adaptation to life with AIS

The birds of Tinjil and Deli Islands, West Java

Pulau Tinjil and Pulau Deli are islands of 600 ha and 950 ha respectively lying 14 km off the south coast of West Java. The authors made six visits to one or other of the islands between 1988 and 1995. Both are covered with primary forest, but a large population of Long-tailed Macaque monkeys has recently been introduced on both islands as a free-range monkey-breeding facility. The islands have an depauperate avifauna with probably just 20 resident landbird species, common to both islands. These include one near-threatened species, the Nicobar Pigeon, which was formerly very common but which may have suffered as a result of the introduction of monkeys. Other small island/coastal specialists include the Beach Thick-knee, Pied Imperial Pigeon and Chestnut-capped Thrush. Except along the beaches, there are few forest-edge habitats, and most of the landbirds, including those normally occupying open habitats on the mainland such as White-breasted Waterhen, Yellow-vented Bulbul and Brown-throated Sunbird, have expanded their range to occupy the forest nich

Jabuka Shoal, a New Location with Igneous Rocks in the Adriatic Sea

Petrographic and XRF analyses of the magmatic rock from Jabuka Shoal, 2300 m west of Jabuka Islet (central Adriatic Sea) revealed that the rock is gabbro. This new location of magmatic rocks in the Adriatic confirms their linear arrangement, and indicates the presence of an important fault line which predisposed the occurrences of magmatic rocks

Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala on Taliabu Island, Sula Island group: The first record for Indonesia

No abstract availabl