bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P.E. Ruskin and J.A. Talbott (eds.). Aging and posttraumatic stress disorder. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1996.
Authors: Cappeliez Philippe
Published: November 2010

Post-traumatic stress disorder refers to the aftermath of highly traumatic events involving death, serious injury, or threat to one's physical integrity in circumstances out of the ordinary, such as war, natural disasters, rape, or torture. Four chapters of this book specifically address post-traumatic stress disorder, as a late-onset or reactivated condition, in World War II veterans and older adults who survived a natural disaster. These contributions, from American and Dutch researchers, bring first-hand information on the prevalence and course of the disorder and they constitute the originality of the book. Two chapters, on the maltreatment of older adults and on the stressful impact of ordinary negative events on older adults, expand the coverage of stress in late adulthood. Starting and finishing with a discussion of general issues in stress and post-traumatic stress research, the book also contains two chapters of a more general nature on the effects of age on physiological responses to stress in both laboratory animals and human beings. Contributions providing a theoretical context for integration and drawing the therapeutic implications of the research findings would have been useful. Still, this book constitutes a unique source of information and a basic reading, given the paucity of research in the area of post-traumatic stress disorder in older adults.
Thomas Beresford and Edith Gomberg (eds.). Alcohol and Aging. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Authors: Carver Virginia
Published: November 2010

«Alcohol and Aging» est un ouvrage qui rassemble d'éminents chercheurs et praticiens du domaine et qui explore toutes les facettes du sujet. Le livre comporte cinq parties: diagnostic et épidémiologie, biologie et biochimie, traitement des problèmes liés à l'alcool, groupes spéciaux et résumé. Bien qu'entre le Canada et les États-Unis il existe des différences d'ordre démographique et jusquʼà un certain point dans l'approche du traitement des abus d'intoxicants, cet ouvrage contient bon nombre de renseignements que les chercheurs et praticiens canadiens trouveront utiles. La première partie de l'ouvrage couvre les questions de prévalence des problèmes de consommation et d'abus d'alcool chez les aînés ainsi que les difficultès d'établir un diagnostic en raison du manque de critères appropriés. On y examine aussi les interactions complexes entre alcool et médicaments tout comme les effets de l'alcool sur la perception. La deuxième partie porte sur la biologie et la biochimie et rend compte des effets de l'alcool sur le fonctionnement du cerveau. La troisième partie aborde le traitement des problèmes liés à l'alcool chez les aînes et décrit un certain nombre de nouvelles méthodes visant à rejoindre et à engager les alcooliques âgés. La partie sur les groupes spéciaux comporte des chapitres traitant particulièrement des aînés, hommes et femmes.
Anne Opie. Beyond Good Intentions: Support Work with Older People. Wellington, New Zealand: Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, 1995, pp. 253.
Authors: Aronson Jane
Published: November 2010

L'étude qualitative sur l'efficacité des pratiques de service social menée par Anne Opie auprès des soignants naturels qui s'occupent de parents atteints de démence prend sa source dans la perception de l'auteure selon laquelle la rhétorique politique sur l'importance du soutien que l'État doit accorder à ces populations à haute incidence de stress trouve peu d'applications pratiques dans l'organisation des services sociaux et sanitaires en Nouvelle-Zélande. Opie relève deux discours opposés dans l'expérience des soignants et des travailleurs sociaux en matière de services de soutien. Le premier est un discours de gestion/organisation axé sur l'efficacité, des définitions étriquées des besoins et du bien-être, des images réductrices de la signification du soutien et des pratiques de travail social de plus en plus orientées sur la routine. Le second, relativement effacé, est un discours qui met en lumière l'aspect complexe de la tâche des soignants, ses transitions et sespertes, ainsi que la valeur d'un service substantial et efficace, intégrant une aide à la fois pratique et émotive accordée sur une base continue. Àpartir de données provenant des soignants, des travailleurs sociaux, d'autres intervenants du secteur de la santé et de gestionnaires, l'auteure étudie l'axe et l'importance des différentes approches d'évaluation des services sous-jacentes à ces deux discours. Que ce soit à titre de praticiens, de chercheurs, d'activistes ou d'éducateurs, nous avons tous beaucoup à apprendre de l'analyse nuancée faite par Opie d'un territoire semblable à celui du Canada et qui a évolué plus loin etplus rapidement vers une limitation des droits des soignants et des aînés vulnérables dont Us prennent soin, et vers une définition de plus en plus restrictive des activités formelles de soutien et de soin.
Ronald J. Manheimer, Denise D. Snodgrass and Diane Moskow-McKenzie (eds.). Older Adult Education: A Guide to Research, Programs and Policies. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995, pp. 245, $65U.S.
Authors: Oussoren John
Published: November 2010

Older Adult Education: A Guide to Research, Programs and Policies est un guide complet et très bien fait sur le secteur de l'éducation des aînés aux États-Unis. Les auteurs, Ronald J. Manheimer, directeur exécutif du North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement de l'Université de Caroline du Nord, à Asheville (l'un des principaux centres d'éducation des adultes en Amérique du Nord) et Denise D. Snodgrass, directrice-adjointe du méme centre, avec l' aide de Diane Moskow-McKenzie, apportent une contribution importante à la documentation portant sur l'éducation des aînés. Dans ce volume utile mais coûteux, les auteurs tracent le bilan de 40 années de recherches, de programmes et de politiques dans le secteur de l'éducation des aînés. Les antécédents et l'expertise de Manheimer en philosophie (professeur associé de recherche à l'Université de Caroline du Nord) font également de cet ouvrage bien plus qu'un simple outil de recherche présentant les différents programmes d'éducation des aînés aux États-Unis. C'est également une analyse pertinente des hypothèses idéologiques non-vérifiées qui sous-tendent une grande partie des pratiques nord-américaines en matière d'éducation des aînés. Le lien entre les programmes d'éducation des aînés et l'épanouissement personnel ainsi que l'émancipation de même que les grands thèmes sociaux comme la justice, le racisme et les relations intergénérationnelles sont explorés de façon exemplaire.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap: From Evidence to Policy and Practice that Fosters Seniors' Independence
Authors: Shapiro Evelyn , Havens Betty
Published: November 2010

Cette synthèse vise à mettre en relief certaines conclusions des autres articles de ce numéro et à démontrer de quelle façon on peut les utiliser dans la conception de politiques et de soins de santé qui mettront de l'avant une réforme assurant l'autonomie des aîné(e)s. L'article examine d'abord la réforme de santé et s'y appuie pour commenter les principales conclusions des études du présent numéro. Le débat porte ensuite sur l'importance de la preuve présentée pour l'élaboration des politiques, la planification et les pratiques dans le contexte actuel. Chaque section se termine par la présentation de l'écart pour lequel il faudra faire un examen plus approfondi de la documentation ou sur lequel il faudra pousser la recherche.
What does Solitude Mean to the Aged?
Authors: Delisle Marc-André
Published: November 2010

This article examines the extent and the meaning of solitude among the aged. A comprehensive study of the foreign, Canadian and Quebec literature was undertaken to prepare this document, but priority was given to the somewhat lesser known investigations originating from Quebec. First, the concepts most often utilized in discussing the phenomena under scrutiny were defined: solitude, social isolation and the feeling of loneliness. Then, the relative importance of each phenomenon was assessed, based on the available data. In order to fully understand the meaning of the facts observed, their causes were also examined. Finally, avenues for future research were proposed. This study suggests that solitude among the elderly is a more complex problem than believed. Even if the isolated and (or) lonely aged are in the minority, this does not mean that all their socio-affective needs are being met. These people spend long periods of time alone and this affects their lives. The problem as such is largely caused by the position the elderly occupy in the society and, in turn, this position probably influences their behaviour. However, gerontologists have scarcely studied this hypothesis. This article then highlights certain aspects of the solitude phenomenon which have so far been overlooked by gerontologists.
Stratégies d'encodage et performances au rappel d'une figure complexe par des sujets âgés normaux
Authors: Ska Bernadette , Nespoulous Jean-Luc
Published: November 2010

L'analyse de la copie et du rappel immédiat de la figure complexe de Rey produits par 150 sujets âgés de 20 à 84 ans et répartis en 5 groupes d'âge, suggère que a) la stratégie d'encodage lors de la phase de copie de la figure complexe n'est pas typique d'un âge donné, b) les sujets âgés reproduisent moins lors de la phase d'encodage et recouvrent moins d'eléments lors de la phase de rappel c)jusqu'à 74 ans, il existe une relation entre la stratégie d'encodage et les performances au rappel; par contre, chez les sujets de plus de 75 ans de notre échantillon, les problèmes de mémoire se présentent différemment et la relation entre la stratégie à l'encodage et les résultats au rappel n'est plus significative.
Some Thoughts on the Prevalence and Etiology of Depressive Conditions in the Elderly
Authors: Cappeliez P.
Published: November 2010

This article reevaluates the issue of the prevalence of depressive conditions (clinical depressions and depressive symptoms) in the elderly with the help of recent epidemiological data. It then underlines several key aspects of the etiology of depressive conditions of older adults. The perspective is a psychosocial analysis, which considers the etiological contributions of three types of factors: the socio-demographic status of the person, life events, and the resources of the person. The article concludes by delineating the implications for research in this area.
S.A. Cusack and W.J.A. Thompson. Leadership for Older Adults: Aging with Purpose and Passion. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1999.
Authors: Haber David
Published: November 2010

À lire absolument!…. Cusack et Thompson tentent, de façon audacieuse et remarquable, d'intégrer une théorie sur le leadership, la motivation et l'organisation à leurs propres efforts empiriques et à d'autres recherches en matière de leadership des aîné(e)s. Les auteurs partent du principe que les organismes de retraite sont fondamentalement différents de tout autre type d'organisation et qu'il vaut mieux favoriser un milieu de prise en charge personnelle pour les aîné(e)s que de se plier à la structure et au fonctionnement d'une organisation traditionnelle du travail.

Le lecteur n'apas à accepter ces hypothèses ni à partager les valeurs qui en découlent pour apprécier les ressources du livre. Il faut en particulier souligner l'intérêt du dernier chapitre qui porte sur la pratique du leadership. Ce livre constitue un outil précieux à consulter fréquemment
The Psychology of Aging: Canadian Research in an International Context
Authors: Dixon Roger A. , Cohen Anna-Lisa
Published: November 2010

The psychology of aging includes a variety of theoretical perspectives, methodological conventions, and techniques and targets of application. Psychological aging-related processes include phenomena from such disparate domains as neurological, sensory, physiological, physical health, mental health, cognition, personality and affect, social, family, interactional, and coping and adjustment. Canadian researchers actively contribute to these and other research topics and professional issues. We summarize a broad and inclusive model of the psychology of aging and highlight some of the ways in which Canadian research and training reflects and advances numerous pertinent scholarly agendas.
APOCALYPSE NO: Population Aging and The Future of Health Care Systems
Authors: Evans Robert G. , McGrail Kimberlyn M. , Morgan Steven G. , Barer Morris L. , Hertzman Clyde
Published: November 2010

Illness increases with age. All else being equal, an older population has greater needs for health care. This logic has led to dire predictions of skyrocketing costs “apocalyptic demography”. Yet numerous studies have shown that aging effects are relatively small, and all else is not equal. Cost projections rest on specific assumptions about trends in age-specific morbidity and health care use that are far from self-evident. Sharply contrasting assumptions, for example, are made by Fries, who foresees a “of morbidity” and falling needs. Long-term trends in health care use in British Columbia show minimal effects of population aging, but major effects, up and down, from changes in age-specific use patterns. Why then is the demographic apocalypse story so persistent, despite numerous contrary studies? It serves identifiable economic interests.
Age Differences in Lay Conceptions of Health and Self-Care Responses to Illness
Authors: Segall Alexander
Published: November 2010

This paper explores lay health care beliefs and practices. More specifically, the research tests the hypothesis that traditional “popular” health beliefs and self care practices are most likely to be found among older persons. Data were obtained through personal interviews with a randomly selected cross-sectional sample of 524 residents of Winnipeg, Canada. Statistical analysis was intended to assess the relationship between age and lay health care beliefs and practices, and to evaluate the relative explanatory power of age compared to other sociodemographic factors; self-reported health status; and medical care contact. The results suggest that the relationship between age and lay conceptions of health and self-care responses to illness is a rather complex one. Furthermore, respondents' age alone explained little of the variance in any of the dependent measures. Finally, this study revealed that although lay self-care beliefs and behaviour exist, they are not limited to older persons.
Organizing for Influence: The Relationship of Structure to Impact
Authors: Neysmith Sheila M.
Published: November 2010

This case study is an analysis of a mandated municipal senior's group. Earlier work has suggested that variability in effectiveness is related to organizational structures, external forces and the level of institutional change sought.

In this study information was obtained on the political, economic and social context within which the group operated; its organizational composition and structure; its objectives and strategies employed to achieve these; and resources available to the group. Outcome was assessed in terms of impact on programs, resource allocation, policy statements, changes in the definition of issues, and influence on decision makers. Data collection methods included non-participant observation; taped interviews with group members and leaders; key informants in the community; and content analysis of written committee documents.
Institutional Racism in Old Age: Theoretical Perspectives and a Case Study About Access to Social Services
Authors: MacLean Micheal J. , Siew Nancy , Fowler Dawn , Graham Ian
Published: November 2010

This paper presents an analysis of access to social and health services of elderly people at three community and social service centres (CLSCs) in Montreal. Workers at the CLSCs were interviewed about service accessibility for elderly people in their neighbourhood. The elderly clientele of one CLSC, located in the centre of Montreal, primarily consists of French-Canadians and English-Canadians; the second CLSC is in a neighbourhood with many elderly Portuguese and the third CLSC is in a neighbourhood where a large concentration of elderly Chinese people live. No problems of access to services were perceived for elderly French-Canadian, English-Canadian or Portuguese people while serious problems of access were perceived for elderly Chinese people. Services provided for elderly people of the dominant cultures and elderly Portuguese are limited or unavailable to elderly Chinese people of Montreal. This suggests institutional racism against elderly Chinese people.
Generations, Age Groups and Cohorts: Conceputal Distinctions
Authors: Marshall Victor W.
Published: November 2010

Current scholarship in the sociology of age relations suffers from conceptual ambiguity and confusion in the area of age and generational relations. This paper recommends precise definition and use of the terms cohort, generation, age grade, age stratum, age group, and generation groups. Concrete or real definitional constructs are distinguished from nominal constructs and their advantages are described. The central thrust of the paper is a call for a return to the conceptualization of Mannheim about generations and a parallel conceptualization concerning age groups. The usefulness of this approach is discussed in terms of the political sociology of age relations.
Older Adult Perceptions of Attitudes Toward Sex Among the Elderly
Authors: Bond John B. , Tramer Richard R.
Published: November 2010

Two hundred and seventy three married, independently living adults completed an 11-item Likert questionnaire of perceived attitudes of various reference groups toward sexual relations among the elderly. Multivariate analysis of variance of Helmert contrasts revealed no significant age, sex or age X sex interaction effects among the respondents. With the exception of elderly females, the younger the age of the reference group, the less favorable the perceived attitude toward sexual activities among the elderly; the self, the doctor and spouse were seen as more favorable toward sex among the elderly than friends, clergy or children.
Use of Observer-Rated Clinical Indicators of Pain in the Elderly
Authors: Mohide E. Ann , Byles John , Chambers Larry W.
Published: November 2010

This study's objective was to determine the extent of agreement between experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Nursing Assistants (RNAs) in their use of pain indicators in assessing elderly nursing home residents for the presence of pain. Twenty-three pain indicators were judged appropriate by seasoned clinicians for assessment of pain in the elderly. Structured interviews with a card-sort technique were administered to 30 RNs and 30 RNAs from five nursing homes. Respondents were asked to rank the indicators in order of their perceived usefulness. Substantial agreement (Kappa=0.74, p<0.001) was found between the two groups. Personal characteristics of the two groups were not significantly different (p<.05). Clinical, educational and research implications are discussed.
Les stratégies comportementales adoptées par les personnes âgées devant les sentiments dépressifs
Authors: Vézina Jean , Bourque Paul
Published: November 2010

In the present study, 50 French speaking elderly, living in a home for the aged, were asked to indicate situations which provoked depressive feelings and the strategies they used to cope with these situations. The results show marked differences between the depressed and the non-depressed elderly in the situations that provoke and/or maintain depressive feelings. In regard to the type of strategies reported to cope with depressive feelings, the results show that the depressed elderly not only reported employing fewer strategies, but also noted having less success in coping with these situations. The findings have implications for the clinical assessment and treatment of depression in the elderly.
Affective Discrimination in Moderately to Severely Demented Patients
Authors: Sainsbury Robert S. , Coristine Marjorie
Published: November 2010

Fifteen subjects with moderate or severe dementia failed to recognize pictures of close relatives. When given a simple preference test which involved choosing the picture they liked from a matrix of four pictures they most frequently chose the picture of their relative. This suggests that while recognition memory may be impaired affective memory appears to remain intact.
The Practice of Respite Admissions on a Geriatric Assessment Unit: The Correlates of Successful Outcome
Authors: Zorzitto Maria L. , Ryan David P. , Fisher Rory H.
Published: November 2010

A program of respite admission to a geriatric assessment unit was evaluated through a retrospective review of the medical records of 50 consecutive male respite patients.

The demographic and medical characteristics of these patients were examined and their hospital course was reconstructed. The correlates of several outcome variables were also examined. These included: 1) family response 2) the patient's condition at discharge and 3) the location of discharge.

The results indicate that although the program was appraised positively by family members, not all patients thrived during the admission and the condition of 22% deteriorated. Age and the incidence of a variety of intercurrent illnesses were among the most significant correlates of outcomes.

Finally, several recommendations are provided. These include the need for family counselling, following a pre-admission assessment, and the need for sound principles of geriatric management which can decrease the risk to the patient which appear to arise during a short-term respite admission.
L'article 21 du Code civil du Québec: ses implications sur la recherche en gérontologie
Authors: Bravo Gina , Charpentier Michèle , Dubois Marie-France , De Wals Philippe
Published: November 2010

The new Quebec Civil Code came into effect on January 1,1994. This text enacted among other things the new provisions for consent to experimentation. In this article, we summarize these provisions and highlight the necessity of excluding from the majority of research protocols, people unable to consent without legal representative. Thanks to the database of a recent study, we then show that this provision can render certain gerontological studies invalid. This leads us to recommend that the Civil Code be amended in a way to allow impaired persons who are not legally represented to participate in studies that do not pose any serious risk to their health.
Hospitalization in two waves of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) in England
Authors: CAMPBELL C. N. J. , MYTTON O. T. , McLEAN E. M. , RUTTER P. D. , PEBODY R. G. , SACHEDINA N. , WHITE P. J. , HAWKINS C. , EVANS B. , WAIGHT P. A. , ELLIS J. , BERMINGHAM A. , DONALDSON L. J. , CATCHPOLE M.
Published: November 2010

Uncertainties exist regarding the population risks of hospitalization due to pandemic influenza A(H1N1). Understanding these risks is important for patients, clinicians and policy makers. This study aimed to clarify these uncertainties. A national surveillance system was established for patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A(H1N1) in England. Information was captured on demographics, pre-existing conditions, treatment and outcomes. The relative risks of hospitalization associated with pre-existing conditions were estimated by combining the captured data with population prevalence estimates. A total of 2416 hospitalizations were reported up to 6 January 2010. Within the population, 4·7 people/100 000 were hospitalized with pandemic influenza A(H1N1). The estimated hospitalization rate of cases showed a U-shaped distribution with age. Chronic kidney disease, chronic neurological disease, chronic respiratory disease and immunosuppression were each associated with a 10- to 20-fold increased risk of hospitalization. Patients who received antiviral medication within 48 h of symptom onset were less likely to be admitted to critical care than those who received them after this time (adjusted odds ratio 0·64, 95% confidence interval 0·44–0·94,P=0·024). In England the risk of hospitalization with pandemic influenza A(H1N1) has been concentrated in the young and those with pre-existing conditions. By quantifying these risks, this study will prove useful in planning for the next winter in the northern and southern hemispheres, and for future pandemics.
Pneumonia and influenza hospitalization in HIV-positive seniors
Authors: MOR S. M. , AMINAWUNG J. A. , DEMARIA A. , NAUMOVA E. N.
Published: November 2010

HIV-positive persons and the elderly have increased risk for influenza-related complications, including pneumonia. Using claims data for pneumonia and influenza (P&I) hospitalization in the USA, we described the temporo-demographic trends and in-patient case-fatality in persons aged ⩾65 years by HIV status. Our results showed a near doubling in the fraction of P&I admissions representing HIV-positive persons between 1991 and 2004 [relative risk (RR) 1·95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·80–2·13]. HIV-positive adults were younger (70·3 vs. 79·9 years, P<0·001), and had higher case-fatality (18·0% vs. 12·6%, P<0·001). Adjusting for other variables, case-fatality decreased by 5·8% in HIV-positive persons with the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (P=0·032). However, HIV-positive seniors were still 51% more likely to die during hospitalization than HIV-negative persons in 2004 (OR 1·51, 95% CI 1·23–1·85). HIV-infected persons represent a growing fraction of the elderly population hospitalized with P&I. Additional measures are needed to reduce case-fatality associated with P&I in this population.
Increasing nutritional support for patients undergoing radiation therapy: the radiation therapist perspective
Authors: Dempsey Shane E. , Findlay Naomi , MacDonald-Wicks Lesley
Published: November 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine radiation therapists’ knowledge on the nutritional management of side effects for patients receiving treatment to the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system and to determine the willingness of radiation therapists’ to participate in nutritional training.

Method: A cross-sectional survey at a Radiation Oncology Treatment Centre was performed coupled with a semi-structured interview to explore radiation therapists’ knowledge and experiences related to patient nutritional care.

Results: Eighty-one percent of participants agreed that they were often asked by patients for advice on eating. The majority of participants recognised that providing adequate nutrition support would be beneficial in terms of patient outcomes (91%) and ongoing patient compliance with nutrition advice (81%). However, participants demonstrated low confidence in providing nutrition support. Eighty-six percent of radiation therapists had not received any training on nutritional interventions and 100% of radiation therapists were interested in receiving more training.

Conclusion: This research indicates that radiations therapists are often asked for nutritional advice by patients and recognise the associated benefits but are not confident in providing advice. Our findings reveal an opportunity for radiation therapists to provide scripted nutrition advice to patients to reinforce recommendations made by dietitian.
A retrospective study on accessibility of palliative radiation therapy in the management of prostate cancer in British Columbia
Authors: Soo Jenny , French John , McGahan Colleen E. , Duncan Graeme , Lengoc Sonca
Published: November 2010

Timely administration of palliative radiation therapy (PRT) to manage symptoms derived from advanced prostate cancer is necessary to help alleviate discomfort and improve quality of life. Despite PRT being an effective treatment, analyzing utilization rates in British Columbia (BC), Canada for palliative purposes implies it is an under-utilized medical resource. Access to and utilization of radiation therapy (RT) is lower in remote geographical regions and higher in urban regions where a cancer care facility is close in proximity suggesting the presence of geographical barrier affecting access to health care and services. Equitable access to PRT can be achieved by reducing barriers such as geographical distance. This retrospective cohort study describes accessibility of PRT in the management of prostate cancer and the impact of an additional facility on improving access to PRT.
Contribution of PET-CT to staging, gross tumour volume definition, planning and response assessment in IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Guden Metin , Ceylan Cemile , Berberoglu Kezban , Dogan Semih , Kucuk Nadir , Bas Hande , Kilic Ayhan , Engin Kayıhan
Published: November 2010

The effectiveness of PET-CT (positron emission tomography–computed tomography) was investigated for staging target delineation compared with CT-MR (computed tomography–magnetic resonance) and early response of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Gross tumour volume–clinical target volume (GTV-CTV) differences between PET-CT and CT-MR for 14 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients were compared. Evaluation of doses of organs at risk (OARs) was done by IMRT plans. Responses of IMRT were evaluated with both sets. PET-CT changed MR-based TNM (Tumour Lymph Nodes Metastasis) in 11 of 14 patients. The median GTVNP (nasopharyx gross tumour volume) was 49.25 and 18.8 cm3 for CT-MR and PET-CT, respectively. In eight cases, GTVNP in the PET-CT was smaller than the CT-MR. The PET-CT presented a larger GTVNP than the CT-MR for six cases. Mean doses for the parotid glands were found to be higher than in CT-MR-based plan in one patient although he had smaller GTVNP at the PET-CT. The median follow-up was 16 months. Only one patient experienced recurrence in the CTVNP (nasopharyx clinical target volume). MR showed a decrease in the size-number of lymph nodes in four patients whereas PET-CT showed no uptake. All patients had positive responses to IMRT in their second control MR and PET-CT. PET-CT could improve tumour delineation. This enables an increase in dose inside the CTV. PET-CT provided significant information on the control scans for most of our patients whose MR imaging showed residual or recurrence.
Genetic disorders of vitamin B12metabolism: eight complementation groups – eight genes
Authors: Froese D. Sean , Gravel Roy A.
Published: November 2010

Vitamin B12(cobalamin, Cbl) is an essential nutrient in human metabolism. Genetic diseases of vitamin B12utilisation constitute an important fraction of inherited newborn disease. Functionally, B12is the cofactor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl CoA mutase. To function as a cofactor, B12must be metabolised through a complex pathway that modifies its structure and takes it through subcellular compartments of the cell. Through the study of inherited disorders of vitamin B12utilisation, the genes for eight complementation groups have been identified, leading to the determination of the general structure of vitamin B12processing and providing methods for carrier testing, prenatal diagnosis and approaches to treatment.
Grain growth and loss of texture during annealing of alloys, and the translation of Earth’s inner core
Authors: Bergman Michael I. , Lewis Daniel J. , Myint Ingyin Hla , Slivka Liam , Karato Shun‐ichiro , Abreu Andrew
Published: November 2010

The Earth's inner core is seismically anisotropic, with the direction parallel to the rotation axis both fast and more attenuating. There is also increasing evidence that the inner core is asymmetric, with the western hemisphere exhibiting slower direction‐averaged P wave velocity, less overall attenuation, and greater elastic anisotropy. It was recently suggested that the hemispherical variations might result from convective translation, whereby enhanced solidification in the western hemisphere leads to a net eastward translation of inner core material, with melting occurring in the east. Annealing accompanies this eastward movement. This study examines experimentally a previously unobserved sequence of grain growth and loss of texture during the annealing of a directionally solidified alloy. The growth of newly nucleated grains results because the original grains that resulted from directional solidification have a high energy associated with intragranular interphase boundaries, and because the minor element has a very low solubility in the primary phase so that a more traditional sequence of coarsening is not possible. This supplies a physical mechanism for the loss of texture that is suggested seismically.
Seasonal and interplanetary magnetic field–dependent polar cap contraction during substorm expansion phase
Authors: Laundal K. M. , Østgaard N. , Frey H. U. , Weygand J. M.
Published: November 2010

Recent observations from simultaneous imaging in two hemispheres have shown that the polar caps can attain considerably different shapes as the auroral ovals contract during the substorm expansion phase. We use images from 2770 substorms to study the evolution of the polar cap boundary location statistically. We show that, during the first 26 min after substorm expansion phase onset, the polar cap boundary location depends on seasons, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By, and IMF Bx. For different signs of By, with ∣By∣ > 3 nT, the asymmetry in polar cap boundary observed at onset increases during the expansion phase, consistent with an increase in tail reconnection of field lines with asymmetrical footpoints. When Bx > 2 nT and ∣By∣ < 2 nT, the polar cap boundary dawnward of the onset propagates slightly farther poleward compared to negative Bx conditions. In the sunlit hemisphere, the polar cap boundary evolves from a pronounced equatorward displacement at onset to an almost reversed displacement during the expansion phase, compared to substorms observed in darkness. Substorms in the dark hemisphere also have a much more pronounced bulge than substorms in the sunlit hemisphere. If the interpretation of the poleward auroral boundary as being coincident with the open/closed field line boundary (OCB) is correct, the seasonal differences in OCB locations imply seasonal differences in the ionospheric convection during the substorm expansion phase.
Ocean mass from GRACE and glacial isostatic adjustment
Authors: Chambers Don P. , Wahr John , Tamisiea Mark E. , Nerem R. Steven
Published: November 2010

We examine geoid rates and ocean mass corrections from two published global glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models, both of which have been used in previous studies to estimate ocean mass trends from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite gravity data. These two models are different implementations of the same ice loading history and use similar mantle viscosity profiles. The model results are compared with each other and with geoid rates determined from GRACE during August 2002 to November 2009. When averaged over the global ocean, the two models have rates that differ by nearly 1 mm yr−1 of ocean mass, with the first model giving a correction closer to 2 mm yr−1 and the second closer to 1 mm yr−1. By comparing the two models, we have discovered that 50% of the difference is caused by a global (land + ocean) mean in the first model. While it is appropriate to include this mean when subtracting GIA effects from measurements of sea level change measured by tide gauges or satellite altimetry, the mean should not be included when subtracting GIA effects from ocean mass variations derived from satellite gravity data. When this mean is removed, the ocean mass corrections from the two models still disagree by 0.4 mm yr−1. We trace the residual difference to the fact that the first model also has large trends over the ocean related to large rates in its predicted degree 2, order 1 geoid coefficients. Such oceanic trends are not observed by GRACE nor are they predicted by the second model, and they are shown to be inconsistent with the polar wander rates predicted by the first model itself. If these two problems are corrected, we find that the two model predictions agree at the 3% level. On the basis of this analysis, we conclude that the ocean mass correction for GRACE is closer to 1 mm yr−1 than 2 mm yr−1, although significant uncertainties remain.
Infrasonic harmonic tremor and degassing bursts from Halema'uma'u Crater, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Authors: Fee David , Garcés Milton , Patrick Matt , Chouet Bernard , Dawson Phil , Swanson Don
Published: November 2010

The formation, evolution, collapse, and subsequent resurrection of a vent within Halema'uma'u Crater, Kilauea Volcano, produced energetic and varied degassing signals recorded by a nearby infrasound array between 2008 and early 2009. After 25 years of quiescence, a vent‐clearing explosive burst on 19 March 2008 produced a clear, complex acoustic signal. Near‐continuous harmonic infrasonic tremor followed this burst until 4 December 2008, when a period of decreased degassing occurred. The tremor spectra suggest volume oscillation and reverberation of a shallow gas‐filled cavity beneath the vent. The dominant tremor peak can be sustained through Helmholtz oscillations of the cavity, while the secondary tremor peak and overtones are interpreted assuming acoustic resonance. The dominant tremor frequency matches the oscillation frequency of the gas emanating from the vent observed by video. Tremor spectra and power are also correlated with cavity geometry and dynamics, with the cavity depth estimated at ∼219 m and volume ∼3 × 106 m3 in November 2008. Over 21 varied degassing bursts were observed with extended burst durations and frequency content consistent with a transient release of gas exciting the cavity into resonance. Correlation of infrasound with seismicity suggests an open system connecting the atmosphere to the seismic excitation process at depth. Numerous degassing bursts produced very long period (0.03–0.1 Hz) infrasound, the first recorded at Kilauea, indicative of long‐duration atmospheric accelerations. Kilauea infrasound appears controlled by the exsolution of gas from the magma, and the interaction of this gas with the conduits and cavities confining it.
Contributions of modern and dead organic carbon to individual fatty acid homologues in spring aerosols collected from northern Japan
Authors: Kawamura Kimitaka , Matsumoto Kohei , Uchida Masao , Shibata Yasuyuki
Published: November 2010

Radiocarbon (14C) and stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) have been used as proxies to evaluate the contributions of modern/fossil carbon and marine/terrestrial organic matter, respectively, in geochemical samples. However, there are few such studies in atmospheric aerosols. Here, we measured 14C contents and δ13C of individual n‐fatty acids in an aerosol sample collected from northern Japan in spring 2001 during Asian dust season. Our results show that the distribution of fatty acids in the spring aerosols was characterized by a strong even/odd carbon number predominance with two maxima at C16 and C26. Their δ13C (range: −30.6 to −20.5‰) showed higher values (average: −24.5‰) for lower molecular weight (LMW) fatty acids (C16 − C19) and lower values (average: −29.7‰) for higher MW (HMW) fatty acids (C20 − C32). This difference suggests that LMW acids are mainly derived from lacustrine and/or marine algal sources whereas HMW acids are predominantly from terrestrial C3 higher plants. Δ14C values of fatty acids were found to range from −96.9 to +122.9‰ with lower values for HMW acids and higher values for LMW acids. LMW acids in the aerosols contain only modern carbon. In contrast, HMW acids ≥C24 were found to contain up to 9.7 wt% dead carbon, although their major portion (up to 92.3%) is composed of modern carbon. Backward trajectory analyses indicated that the source regions of the spring aerosols were dominated by central and north China (62%). This study suggests that the old fatty acids in the spring aerosols are most likely originated from the loess deposits in China via long‐range atmospheric transport over the western North Pacific, although their contribution to the aerosols was relatively small.
Predictability of summer northwest Pacific climate in 11 coupled model hindcasts: Local and remote forcing
Authors: Chowdary J. S. , Xie Shang‐Ping , Lee June‐Yi , Kosaka Yu , Wang Bin
Published: November 2010

The skills of 11 coupled ocean‐atmosphere general circulation models (CGCMs) are investigated in the prediction of seasonal rainfall and circulation anomalies over the northwest (NW) Pacific for the period 1980–2001, with a focus on the summer following the mature phase of El Niño (hereafter JJA(1)). It is shown that the first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode of sea level pressure is closely tied to the second EOF mode of rainfall variability over the NW Pacific during JJA(1), indicative of strong feedback between circulation and convection. Most coupled models and the associated multimodel ensemble well predict these EOF modes and their relationship with high fidelity. Coupled models are capable of predicting suppressed rainfall over the NW Pacific in JJA(1). A few models fail to predict the concurrent weak negative sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on the southeastern flank of the anomalous anticyclone. This suggests that remote forcing via teleconnections is important for NW Pacific rainfall prediction in those models. In some models, local air‐sea interactions seem also to play a role. Specifically, remote forcing by tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) SST variability is identified as influential on NW Pacific climate during JJA(1). TIO SST affects the atmosphere over the NW Pacific by two mechanisms, via the equatorial Kelvin wave and the intensification of the subtropical westerly jet. Overall, models are successful in predicting the antisymmetric patterns of precipitation and winds over TIO during spring, which are critical in sustaining the TIO warming through the subsequent summer.
A multiscale probabilistic collocation method for subsurface flow in heterogeneous media
Authors: Shi Liangsheng , Zhang Dongxiao , Lin Lin , Yang Jinzhong
Published: November 2010

Owing to the spatial variability of the media properties, uncertainty quantification for subsurface flow and solute transport usually requires high‐resolution simulations. In this work, a multiscale probabilistic collocation method (MSPCM) is developed for solving such problems in a computationally efficient manner. The subsurface flow problem is cast in a stochastic framework, and probabilistic collocation strategy is used to represent the original stochastic differential equation. The resulting equations are a set of decoupled deterministic equations with respect to collocation points. A multiscale finite element method is utilized to solve these deterministic problems on a coarse mesh. Coarse‐scale basis functions are constructed on a field in which the conductivity varies spatially at each set of stochastic collocation points. The coarse‐scale solution is then obtained by solving a modified coarse formulation that takes into account the fine‐scale heterogeneity. The fine‐scale solution is reconstructed after the coarse‐scale solution is available. Since the PCM and multiscale finite element method are implemented at different levels, the MSPCM inherits their respective advantages, in which a stochastic problem is decomposed by fewer realizations and is solved on a coarser grid. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated with numerical examples. The capability of MSPCM in reproducing the probability density functions (PDFs) of head and velocity is investigated. The numerical results show that the MSPCM with proper coarsening level is able to capture small‐scale heterogeneity with a coarse mesh and to generate satisfactory probability density functions of head and velocity.
Ecohydrological feedbacks between salt accumulation and vegetation dynamics: Role of vegetation‐groundwater interactions
Authors: Runyan Christiane W. , D'Odorico Paolo
Published: November 2010

When plants are both sensitive to salt levels in the root zone and able to modify the soil salt balance, changes in vegetation cover may affect the local hydrologic conditions and favor the accumulation of salt within different parts of the soil profile. In such cases a salt‐vegetation feedback may exist, whereby both a state with vegetation cover, deep water table, and low salinity and a state with sparse or no vegetation, shallow water table, and high salinity can be stable. In this paper, we develop a modeling framework to relate vegetation–soil salinity feedbacks to the emergence of multiple stable states in the underlying dynamics. This model is used to simulate various scenarios involving changes in forcing parameters of salinity‐vegetation dynamics using data from the Murray‐Darling Basin. Results show the presence of a strong feedback resulting in bistable dynamics for a wide range of environmental conditions, which has the effect of reducing the resilience of plant ecosystems and the productivity of agricultural systems for areas where such a feedback can occur.
The hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor pathway regulates oxygen sensing in the simplest animal, Trichoplax adhaerens
Authors: Loenarz Christoph , Coleman Mathew L , Boleininger Anna , Schierwater Bernd , Holland Peter W H , Ratcliffe Peter J , Schofield Christopher J
Published: November 2010

The hypoxic response in humans is mediated by the hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor (HIF), for which prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) act as oxygen‐sensing components. The evolutionary origins of the HIF system have been previously unclear. We demonstrate a functional HIF system in the simplest animal, Trichoplax adhaerens: HIF targets in T. adhaerens include glycolytic and metabolic enzymes, suggesting a role for HIF in the adaptation of basal multicellular animals to fluctuating oxygen levels. Characterization of the T. adhaerens PHDs and cross‐species complementation assays reveal a conserved oxygen‐sensing mechanism. Cross‐genomic analyses rationalize the relative importance of HIF system components, and imply that the HIF system is likely to be present in all animals, but is unique to this kingdom.
miR‐146a and Krüppel‐like factor 4 form a feedback loop to participate in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation
Authors: Sun Shao‐guang , Zheng Bin , Han Mei , Fang Xin‐mei , Li Hui‐xuan , Miao Sui‐bing , Su Ming , Han Yi , Shi Hui‐jing , Wen Jin‐kun
Published: November 2010

MicroRNAs are phenotypic regulators of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In this paper, we demonstrate that miR‐146a targets the Krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) 3′‐untranslated region and has an important role in promoting VSMC proliferation in vitro and vascular neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. Silencing of miR‐146a in VSMCs increases KLF4 expression, whereas overexpression of miR‐146a decreases KLF4 levels. Furthermore, we demonstrate that KLF4 competes with Krüppel‐like factor 5 (KLF5) to bind to and regulate the miR‐146a promoter, and that KLF4 and KLF5 exert opposing effects on the miR‐146a promoter. Overexpression of KLF4 in VSMCs decreases miR‐146a transcription levels. By using both gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function approaches, we found that miR‐146a promotes VSMC proliferation in vitro. Transfection of antisense miR‐146a oligonucleotide into balloon‐injured rat carotid arteries markedly decreased neointimal hyperplasia. These findings suggest that miR‐146a and KLF4 form a feedback loop to regulate each other's expression and VSMC proliferation.
Evolutionary origins of oxygen sensing in animals
Authors: Rytkönen Kalle T , Storz Jay F
Published: November 2010

Oxygen is required for aerobic energy production but its levels have to be tightly regulated to avoid deleterious effects. Thus, animals have evolved mechanisms to monitor and respond to fluctuations in oxygen availability. Here, the evolution of the HIF system is discussed in light of a report that reveals its presence in the simplest animal.