bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiative and turbulent heating rates in the clear‐air boundary layer
Authors: Savijärvi Hannu 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe diurnal evolution of a clear‐sky midlatitude summertime boundary layer (BL) was studied using a column model over smooth and homogeneous land, subject to weak, moderate, and strong winds. The high‐resolution BL model (lowest point at 30 cm) was equipped with an adequate turbulence scheme and a narrow‐band long‐wave (LW) radiation scheme, the latter validated using data from the International Comparison of Radiation Codes in Climate Models (ICRCCM).In off‐line ICRCCM experiments, ground emissivity ε < 1 led to extra LW cooling of air near the surface compared to ε = 1. However, much stronger LW cooling at heights of 1–3 m, and warming below 1 m, was obtained by setting the ground colder than air at screen height, a typical condition during clear nights. Conversely, a warm surface anomaly typical of sunny days leads to strong LW warming at 1–3 m, with LW cooling just above the ground. These ground temperature anomalies dominated the LW heating/cooling patterns at heights of up to 3–4 m, perhaps explaining controversies in the observed LW flux divergences close to the ground.Interactive model results indicate that the middle part of a windy clear‐air nocturnal BL (NBL) is dominated by turbulent cooling, while the upper and lower NBL is dominated by LW cooling. Below about 1 m, a fourth layer is formed with LW warming and turbulent cooling, in agreement with the off‐line experiments. When the surface winds fall below about 1–1.5 m s−1 LW cooling dominates in the whole NBL, except very near the surface. In these light wind conditions the Monin–Obukhov theory should be revised to include radiative effects.In clear‐air daytime conditions strong convective BL heating dominates over weak LW cooling except at 1–3 m heights where the cooler air absorbs the thermal emission of the hot ground. The subsequent LW warming of the superadiabatic surface layer appears to be strong enough to induce local turbulent cooling (despite the hot surface) in an ‘hour glass’ pattern independently of wind speed, such that the total diabatic heating rate remains nearly constant with height. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Simulation of the observed evening transition and nocturnal boundary layers: Single‐column modelling
Authors: Edwards J. M. , Beare R. J. , Lapworth A. J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObservations of the evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer through the evening transition and the early hours of the night are presented. Parallel simulations in a single‐column model are conducted to assess the performance of the parametrization scheme and the sensitivity to vertical resolution. The study is set within the context of a numerical weather‐prediction system and the importance of the synoptic situation is emphasized.Comparisons are also drawn with an accompanying study describing large‐eddy simulations based on these same data. These show that, when the single‐column model is run with sharp‐tailed stability functions, turbulent diffusion is systematically underestimated in and just above the surface layer, while it is overestimated at greater heights; the parametrized profile of diffusivity is therefore too uniform, causing the temperature profile in the single‐column model to exhibit negative curvature, rather than the positive curvature seen in the observations and in the large‐eddy simulations. Copyright © 2006 Crown copyright
Simulation of the observed evening transition and nocturnal boundary layers: Large‐eddy simulation
Authors: Beare R. J. , Edwards J. M. , Lapworth A. J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractLarge‐eddy simulations are performed of two observed cases of evening transition boundary layers over land. Although generally similar to the observations, the simulations have a poor match to the ageostrophic wind above the boundary layer and overestimate the nocturnal 4 m wind speed. For one case, the nocturnal phase is also simulated using a close match to observations in the early evening, reproducing well the early morning boundary layer and jet. This is achieved with a moderate resolution (5 m) and also demonstrates the importance of a good initial wind state. In a numerical weather‐prediction context, these findings motivate improved wind profile observations around transition, and a better representation of the ageostrophic wind by the boundary‐layer parametrization. Copyright © 2006 Crown copyright
Calibration of HbA1c and its measurement in the presence of variant haemoglobins: report on questionnaire to manufacturers
Authors: Manley S E , Round R A , Smith J M 
Published: February 2006

Aims: To review 'Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)-aligned' HbA1c reporting in UK, use of individual/network equations relating IFCC calibration to 'DCCT alignment', and whether HbA1c in the presence of variant haemoglobins is, according to manufacturers, suitable for current, clinical guidelines. Methods: Questionnaire sent to nine manufacturers and responses analysed. Results: All methods were certified as 'DCCT-aligned' by National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP); UK EQA schemes reported 95% of results 'DCCT-aligned' in December 2004. The master equation relating networks was used by six manufacturers and specific equations for individual methods by three. HbA1c results from laboratory/point of care testing analysers can be affected by variant haemoglobins including elevated HbF; only IE HPLC (and LPLC) detect their presence. If chromatographic separation is ideal in heterozygous patients, laboratories either choose not to report HbA1c and propose another strategy for monitoring glycaemia, or report HbA1c and issue a caution that it may not be appropriate for guidelines. HbA1c reported from immunochemistry or affinity chromatography in presence of variant haemoglobins, may not be reliable for use with clinical guidelines. Conclusions: For clinical care, HbA1c must reflect its relationship to glycaemia in clinical trials underpinning national guidelines. A flowchart to establish if HbA1c measurement is appropriate has been produced for use in a clinical setting.
The value of measuring serum cholesterol-adjusted vitamin E in routine practice
Authors: Ford Loretta , Farr Jayne , Morris Paul , Berg Jonathan 
Published: February 2006

Background: If the lipid concentration is not taken into account, then in certain situations the vitamin E status of a patient may be wrongly assigned based on serum measurement alone. In this study, the utility of using the calculated vitamin E:cholesterol ratio to determine vitamin E status was compared to the measurement of vitamin E alone. Methods: The vitamin E:cholesterol ratio was measured in 457 patient samples received for routine vitamin E analysis. Serum vitamin E concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection and cholesterol concentration, using a Roche analyser and reagents. Results: The mean vitamin E concentration and vitamin E:cholesterol ratio for the total study population was 22.0 μmol/L and 5.9 μmol/mmol, respectively. Of the 457 patient samples analysed, 57 (12.5%) were found to have a low vitamin E concentration, but only 25 (47%) of these patients had a low vitamin E:cholesterol ratio as well. Two patients both with cholestasis had a normal vitamin E concentration but low vitamin E:cholesterol ratio. Conclusion: The determination of vitamin E:cholesterol ratios can be used to better define the vitamin E status of patients with disease states or disorders likely to raise LDL cholesterol, for example cholestasis. For the majority of samples, measurement of serum vitamin E concentration alone is sufficient to establish patient vitamin E status.
Validation of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay for serum creatinine and comparison with enzymatic and Jaffe methods
Authors: Owen Laura J , Wear Joanne E , Keevil Brian G 
Published: February 2006

Background: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated using creatinine clearance or calculated formulae, methods which rely on creatinine quantification in serum. Creatinine is most frequently measured using the Jaffe method, but this is prone to interference by, for example, bilirubin, protein and ketones. Recent amendments to this assay have been made by manufacturers in an attempt to compensate for the protein interference. Methods: We developed a novel liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the analysis of creatinine in serum, using a strong cation exchange column to give a short run time of 1.5 min and minimal ion suppression. The method had a lower limit of quantification of 5 μmol/L and the intra- and inter-assay imprecision was <5% and <7%, respectively. Serum samples ( n = 182) were subsequently analysed by enzymatic, compensated Jaffe and LC-MS/MS methods and results compared. Results: The compensated Jaffe and enzymatic methods gave similar results to the LC-MS/MS method at concentrations below 150 μmol/L. At concentrations above this value, creatinine was underestimated by both the compensated Jaffe and enzymatic methods compared with the LC-MS/MS method. Conclusions: We have developed a novel, simple, sensitive LC-MS/MS assay for use in comparative studies or when the results of either Jaffe or enzymatic assays are in question.
Assay for urinary desmosines in a healthy pre-pubertal population using an improved extraction technique
Authors: Winfield Kaye R , Gard Samantha , Kent G Neil , Sly Peter D , Brennan Siobhain 
Published: February 2006

Background: Current evidence indicates that increased desmosine excretion reflects the active inflammatory status of some connective tissue diseases. Our goal was to establish a reliable method of detection and to investigate the normal distribution of urinary desmosine excretion in a healthy pre-pubertal population. Method: Urine was collected from healthy volunteers aged four weeks to 12 years old. We modified a published high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method by (a) increasing hydrolysis time and temperature and (b) increasing cellulose column size. Results: Our modified method had small inter- and intra-assay variability, with coefficients of variation of <6.4% and 5.3%, respectively. There was positive correlation between isodesmosine and desmosine ( r2 = 0.91). There was no significant diurnal or day-to-day variability in total desmosine levels. A reference range for healthy pre-pubertal children aged four weeks to 12 years was established. Conclusion: The modified HPLC method is reliable with low variability. The technique can now be applied as a non-invasive research or diagnostic tool for children with chronic lung disease.
Plasma gastrin measurement cannot be used to diagnose a gastrinoma in patients on either proton pump inhibitors or histamine type-2 receptor antagonists
Authors: Dhillo WS , Jayasena CN , Lewis CJ , Martin NM , Tang KCN , Meeran K , Todd JF 
Published: February 2006

Background: Patients with a gastrinoma are treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and histamine type-2 receptor antagonists (H2). In order to diagnose a gastrinoma these drugs must be discontinued, but this increases the risk of gastrointestinal perforation. We aimed to determine if a gastrinoma could be diagnosed without cessation of PPI/H2 therapy. Methods: In all, 90 patients (controls and patients diagnosed with a gastrinoma both on and off PPI/H2 therapy) were recruited, and plasma gastrin measured. Results: Patients with a gastrinoma on PPI/H2 medication had a significantly higher fasting plasma gastrin concentration than control patients on PPI/H2 medication (298±33 versus 204±30 pmol/L, P = 0.01). However, there was substantial overlap between gastrin levels in these two groups. Conclusion: This study confirms that a gastrinoma cannot be diagnosed on the basis of a fasting plasma gastrin assay while patients remain on PPI/H2 therapy.
Factors Associated with Medicine Use and Non-use by Ontario Seniors
Authors: Ballantyne Peri J. , Victor J. Charles , Fisher Judith E. , Marshman Joan A. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTWhile there is growing evidence of the increasing use of medicines by the elderly, research undertaken to critically examine differences among types of medicine users in this population is limited. Using population data, we examine the influence of social, demographic, and health-related factors on likelihood of being a non-user, a user of non-prescribed medicines only, or a user of prescription medicines only. We find some evidence of the rational use of drugs (i.e., those who are in better health are more likely to be non-users or to use non-prescribed medicines than those who are in poor health) and of rational explanations for reported use (i.e., being female is associated with less likelihood of non-use or exclusive use of non-prescription medicines than being male). Further analysis of the medicine-use patterns and decisions of elderly men and of those of elderly persons who are widowed or separated/divorced is warranted.
Étude préliminaire d'une intervention non-pharmacologique pour réduire l'agitation verbale chez les personnes atteintes de démence
Authors: Bédard Annick , Landreville Philippe 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTVerbally agitated behaviours are among the behavioural symptoms of dementia most commonly encountered in long-term care facilities. These behaviours may be related to unmet needs that cannot be expressed adequately because of cognitive impairment. The objective of this preliminary study is to assess an intervention, based on the needs of social attention, sensory stimulation, and comfort, for managing verbally agitated behaviours in long-term care demented patients. A multiple baseline case study design was used, with two participants.
S. Cusack and W. Thompson. Mental Fitness for Life: Seven Steps to Healthy Aging. Toronto, ON: Key Porter, 2003.
Authors: Cappeliez Philippe 
Published: February 2006

RÉSUMÉCet ouvrage, qui s'adresse aux personnes âgées, présente un programme favorisant le fonctionnement mental optimal. Parmi les sujets abordés on retrouve l'instauration d'objectifs, la pensée constructive, la créativité, l'apprentissage et la mémoire, et l'affirmation de ses opinions. En général, il promeut une disposition de vie caractérisée par l'optimisme, la flexibilité mentale, la confiance en soi, et l'humour. Ce livre communique son message avec enthousiasme et dans un langage accessible au grand public. De nombreux exemples, des citations de même que des exercices stimulants facilitent la progression dans le programme et l'application des conseils formulés. Même s'il contient quelques simplifications et exagérations, ce livre est fortement recommandé non seulement pour les personnes âgées mais aussi pour les éducateurs, les professionnels de la santé, et les étudiants de toutes les disciplines de la gérontologie.
From Cues to Action: Information Seeking and Exercise Self-Care among Older Adults Managing Chronic Illness
Authors: Chou Pak Hei Benedito , Wister Andrew V. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTDrawing from the health belief model, cues to action have been theorized to influence health behaviours; however, few studies have examined these constructs explicitly. This study investigated the relationship between information cues to action and exercise self-care. It was hypothesized that reading about illness information, knowing about services, and consulting with others about one's illness triggers exercise self-care. The sample consisted of 879 chronically ill adults aged 50 and over, drawn from the Vancouver North Shore Self-Care Study. It was found that the odds of exercising almost doubled for readers of information about illness (compared to non-readers), after controlling for socio-demographic factors, illness context, and illness efficacy. Furthermore, knowledge of services and consultations were shown to increase the odds of exercise self-care. These findings provide support for the salience of cues to action as a pivotal theoretical construct. The implications of these findings for health promotion programs targeting persons with chronic illnesses are discussed.
The Degree of Bedroom Personalization in Institutional and Homelike Settings for Persons with Dementia: A Quantitative Investigation
Authors: Chuck Anderson W. , Milke Doris L. , Beck Charles H.M. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to provide an empirical measure of bedroom personalization and a descriptive characterization of the types of items included in a personalized space. The study compared the extent of personalization in three types of bedrooms, varying as to their homelike quality (private-homelike, private-institutional, and ward-institutional). A measure of the relative degree of personalization was obtained by recording the number of personal items for each room and dividing the number of items per room by each room's available vertical and horizontal surface area. The degree of personalization was found to be significantly greater in private-homelike rooms than in private-institutional or ward-institutional rooms. This study provides the first demonstration that personalization of a resident's bedroom can be quantified and opens the way for studies of factors contributing to the effect (e.g., facility regulations, family, and staff attitudes) and empirical studies of presumed consequences (e.g., resident satisfaction and improved functioning).
Comparison of a Frail-Friendly Nomogram with Physician-Adjusted Warfarin Dosage for Prophylaxis after Orthopaedic Surgery on a Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit
Authors: Freter Susan , Bowles Susan K. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTWarfarin dosing for thromboprophylaxis in post-operative patients is time-consuming. Warfarin-dosing nomograms can be used in post-operative arthroplasty patients, but warfarin requirements are lower in frail older people. We modified an existing post-arthroplasty nomogram to a frail-friendly version and evaluated its performance in a frail elderly post-orthopaedic surgery on a geriatric rehabilitation ward to determine if it would improve quality indicators for oral anticoagulation. On a geriatric rehabilitation unit, post-operative orthopaedic patients were assigned to either physician-adjusted warfarin dosing or the nursing-administered nomogram. The proportion of days within target INR values was significantly higher in the nomogram group (77%, 95% CI 74% to 81%) compared to the physician-adjusted group (53%, 95% CI 46% to 60%), with no major bleeding or thromboembolic complications. The number of warfarin-related telephone calls to physicians was significantly reduced by tenfold. Use of a frail-friendly nomogram improved quality and efficiency of patient care on a geriatric rehabilitation unit.
Effects of Horticulture Therapy on Engagement and Affect
Authors: Gigliotti Christina M. , Jarrott Shannon E. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTImplementing generationally appropriate activities for persons with dementia is a challenging task. Horticulture therapy (HT) addresses this challenge through the use of plants to facilitate holistic outcomes. Utilizing the model of environmental press, the current study sought to analyse adult day service (ADS) participants' responses to HT as compared to traditional activities.HT activities were conducted once a week for a half an hour at four different ADS programs over the course of 9 weeks. Observational data were collected during HT and traditional ADS activities using a modified dementia care mapping (DCM) technique. Observers coded predominant behavioural and affectual responses for each participant.HT activities facilitated higher levels of productive engagement and positive affect and lower levels of non-engagement than did traditional ADS activities. Therefore, HT offers dementia-care staff a viable activity alternative that is well received by clients and inclusive of all interested persons, despite cognitive limitations.
Réapprendre à voir le monde : Rééduquer les personnes atteintes de dégénérescence maculaire en exploitant les capacités perceptives et cognitives de la vision périphérique
Authors: Giraudet Guillaume , Corbé Christian , Roumes Corinne 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTAge-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a frequent cause of vision loss among people over age of 60. It is an aging process involving a progressive degradation of the central retina. It does not induce total blindness, since it does not affect the peripheral vision. Nonetheless, it makes difficult to read, drive, and perform all daily activities requiring fine details perception. Low-vision care consists in inducing an eccentric fixation so that relevant visual targets impact an unaffected retinal locus. It is necessary but not sufficient to enhance visual extraction. The present work aims to draw the attention of low-vision professionals to the necessity of developing new re-education tools. Beyond theperceptualre-education linked to an optimization of visual information extraction, acognitivere-education should also be provided in order to enhance the interpretation processes. Indeed, the spatial-frequency properties of the visual world no longer match patient perceptual habits. The visually impaired person has to learn again to use these new sensory data in an optimal way. Contextual information can be a precious help in this learning process. An experimental study involving young people provides elements for another method of low-vision care, in terms of visual cognitive re-education.
Stacking the Odds: A Phenomenological Study of Non-problem Gambling in Later Life
Authors: Hagen Brad , Nixon Gary , Solowoniuk Jason 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this exploratory, phenomenological-hermeneutic study was to explore the experience of non-problem gambling by older adults. Twelve older gamblers were identified as non-problem gamblers using two gambling screens and participated in in-depth interviews about their experience of gambling. Two major themes emerged from the interviews: the attractions of gambling and methods to keep gambling in control. Older persons sought out gambling for a variety of reasons: social contact, the food and the excitement, chances to give to charity, chances to have an inexpensive holiday, and the need for a safe way to be “bad”. Participants also described a number of cognitive and behavioural strategies to keep their gambling from becoming a problem. The results of this small exploratory study suggest that gambling is a popular form of social entertainment for older persons, although the main attractions of gambling have little or nothing to do with gambling itself. Older persons also appear to possess numerous strategies to keep gambling from becoming a problem.
Stereotyping Older Workers and Retirement: The Managers' Point of View
Authors: Henkens Kène 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTThis article presents the results of a study into stereotyping by managers of their older workers and the influence of these stereotypes on the inclination of managers to keep their older workers in employment. The data for the study were gathered among 796 managers. Through principal components analysis, 15 opinions about older workers were reduced to three dimensions of stereotypes. The first dimension deals with the productivity of older staff; the other two dimensions have to do with their reliability and their adaptability. These stereotypical ideas about older workers influence managers' attitudes toward the retirement of their employees. The analyses show that, besides organizational factors, psychological mechanisms also explain why people view older workers through stereotypes. Managers who are older and in more frequent contact with older employees tend to hold more positive views.