Paths to psychiatric care in Hong Kong

The pattern of psychiatric consultation in Hong Kong is examined among 226 patients at a public outpatient clinic and 56 patients at a private psychiatric clinic. The approach to psychiatric services is marked by lengthy delay during which patients get help from their family members or close friends. Arrival at the present psychiatric clinic was diverted through other medical resources, primarily Western-style medical services, and to some extent, traditional Chinese medicine. Individual routes were diverse, characterized by frequent switches among resources especially in the private sector. The nature of the patients' presenting complaints as well as the conceptualization of their initial complaints were multi-faceted, including both psychological and somatic factors. The overall consultation pattern of patients in Hong Kong is compared with other studies on Chinese and Western patients. Questions are raised for further analysis.The study was funded by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia Faculty Research Grant made through Chung Chi College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.     

Corticolous ascomycetes in Hong Kong

Some corticolous ascomycetes from Hong Kong are reported, based on materials recently collected by the first author. Corticolous ascomycetes form a component of the biodiversity in the tropics that has been neglected until now. Some unexpected species were found, including species so far only known from temperate areas.     

Visualizing Marriage in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT

In this article, I propose using bridal photography and wedding video-recording to gain a better understanding of the meanings of romance and the ideal life among young generations and to consider how relevant images of getting married shed light on the changing social life in Hong Kong. Bridal photography and wedding videorecording not only play the role of documentation but also reflect the social change and values among new married couples in the society. By examining packaged bridal photography and the process of wedding video-shooting, I propose to state how visualization brings subtle influences into the new dynamism of marriage as a ritual and reflects the changing social contexts in today's Hong Kong everyday life.     

Mycorrhizal associations in Hong Kong Fagaceae

Polyphenols histochemically detected in fresh uninfected roots of Quercus, Castanopsis and Lithocarpus growing in Hong Kong and shown to be condensed tannins were found mainly as intracellular material in the cells of the root cap, the epidermal layer and the endodermis. The cell walls of the outer cortex and the endodermis also contained suberin. Following invasion by compatible ectomycorrhizal symbionts, condensed tannins disappeared from cells of the root cap and the epidermal layer but hyphae were prevented from colonizing the cortex presumably due to suberin barriers. In vitro experiments indicated that a number of broad-host ectomycorrhizal fungi could utilise various polyphenolic compounds, including tannins found in the root exudates of the host trees, with different degrees of efficiency.     

Mycorrhizal associations in Hong Kong Fagaceae

A rapid method of screening has been devised whereby the large seeds (acorns) of Castanopsis, Lithocarpus and Quercus growing in Hong Kong can be germinated in the presence of a variety of known mycorrhizal fungi and observations made on the initiation of host/fungal associations. Early stages of Hartig net formation could be detected in bleached roots, and an observation was made on the antibiotic activity of the mycorrhizal fungus, Pisolithus tinctorius. The method offers a simple and effective means of assessing the potential of fungi to form mycorrhizal associations under non-sterile conditions.     

Mycorrhizal associations in Hong Kong Fagaceae

Castanopsis fissa Rehd. & Wils. is widely distributed from the tropics to the temperate regions of China and Japan and is an important forest component in Hong Kong. Pot-grown C. fissa seedlings inoculated with vegetative mycelial inocula of seven ectomycorrhizal fungi for 20 weeks were analysed for growth performance and mineral nutrient uptake of N, P, K and Ca. Shoot growth stimulation in all fungal treatments generally occurred in the first 4–8 weeks of seedling development. Uptake of P was generally enhanced by all fungi inoculated. Seedlings inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch and Cenococcum geophilm (Sow.) Fredinard et Winge, which colonized 22% and 33% of roots respectively, exhibited growth stimulation. The results indicate that P. tinctorius and C. geophilum are suitable for use in large-scale nursey inoculation.     

香港瓮缸群岛野生植物资源调查研究

香港瓮缸群岛共有维管植物166种,隶属于69个科138个属,其中蕨类植物7科8属10种,裸子植物2科2属2种,被子植物60科128属154种。瓮缸群岛为香港著名离岛,植被生境无人为干扰,野生植物资源利用度较低,本文通过对瓮缸群岛的植被类型和野生植物资源进行统计分析,结果表明,该群岛可供利用的植物资源共10类,分别为：药用植物103种、观赏植物107种、食用植物21种、牧草及饲用植物23种、材用植物17种、油脂植物22种、芳香精油植物25种、纤维植物13种、鞣料植物11种、有毒植物26种等,都有很高的开发利用潜力,在此基础上提出相应的保育及开发利用建议,旨在更好地保护和合理利用该群岛的野生植物资源。     

香港蕨类植物新记录

报道了香港蕨类植物新记录种5种,即台湾轴脉蕨(Ctenitopsis kusukuensis)、掌叶线蕨(Colysis digi-tata)、德化鳞毛蕨(Dryopteris dehuaensis)、海岛鳞始蕨(Lindsaeaorbiculatavar.commixta)和石松(Lycopo-diumclavatum),其中包括两个新记录属轴脉蕨属(Ctenitopsis)和石松属(Lycopodium)。另外,还列出了每个种的重要特征及其与相关种类的差异。