bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research with older people: Comparison of a General Practice and Electoral Roll Sample with the Australian National Health Survey
Authors: Kerse Ngaire , Osborne Deborah , Browning Colette , Flicker Leon , Young Doris 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. To establish the utility of general practice and electoral roll sampling frames in research involving older age groups.
Methods. Demographic characteristics, medication use, self‐rated health and walking behaviour of research based samples derived from general practice patients, and members of the electoral roll, were compared with participants in the National Health Survey (NHS) residing in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Participants. The GP sample comprised 267 older patients, (64% patient participation rate), randomly selected from 42 general practices, (52% GP participation rate). The electoral roll sample comprised 1000 older people sampled from electoral roll data (70% participation rate). These two samples were compared with data on those over age 6Syears from the 1995 NHS sample, a multi‐stage area sample (93.5% completion rate).
Results. The distribution of demographic characteristics in the GP group was similar to that of the NHS group whereas the sample based on the electoral roll contained more men. The GP sample rated their health in the middle of the range and the electoral roll sample rated their health more positively compared with the NHS group. Medication use differed in both groups compared with the NHS sample. Conclusion. Health related characteristics of both the general practice and the electoral roll samples differed from the “gold standard” NHS sample. Interpretation of research findings from similar samples would benefit from consideration of potential effects of selection and response bias. General practice sampling frames may provide a useful alternative for population based research.
Advance Care Planning: Should we be Discussing it with our Patients?
Authors: Mador Julie 
Published: December 2008

Introduction: Advance care planning (ACP) is a term used for a variety of legal and informal options available to ensure that our wishes will be respected in the future, should we lose competence in decision making.
Objectives: This research aimed to establish whether older people being treated at a regional rehabilitation service were aware of ACP options and whether discussion with a physician supplemented with written information increased their uptake of ACP options. Method: Forty people aged over 60 years and participating in inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs in Lismore, New South Wales (NSW) were interviewed and provided with verbal and written information about ACP options. They were then interviewed by telephone one month later to determine whether they had taken further action concerning ACP. Results: Overall 30 (78%) demonstrated a good level of knowledge of enduring power of attorney at baseline interview. Only 1 (2.5%) knew about enduring guardianship and 1 (2.5%) knew about advance directives. All those interviewed felt that ACP was an important issue, grading its' importance as 6 or greater on a 10 point scale. Thirty four (85%) patients were successfully followed up one month later. Of these 27 (77%) had taken further action in relation to their ACP‐ 13 (33%) had had discussions with family and important others and 14 (35%) had completed further documentation (10 enduring power of attorney, 3 enduring guardianship and 1 an advance directive).
Conclusions: ACP is considered an important issue by older people undergoing rehabilitation. A short discussion with a physician along with written information increases the uptake of ACP. However the options of advance directives and enduring guardian are not readily taken up, with most people in this study preferring informal discussions with family and friends when considering advance care planning.
A health surveillance program for the community dwelling elderly
Authors: Greenway‐Crombie Angela M. , Conners Ann‐Maree , Snell Anthony P. , Jamieson Robert D. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives: The objective of the study was to develop and evaluate a health surveillance program for the community‐dwelling elderly.Method: Participants were community‐dwelling people, aged between 70 and 75 years, registered with a local general practice. A health surveillance screening instrument (HSSI) was developed and trialed. The nurse project worker administered the HSSI and sent a health summary to the participant and to their general practitioner.Results: Seventy one participants were assessed and twenty five participants (35.2%) were referred for further evaluation by their doctor. The majority of referrals were for hearing impairment (28%), home maintenance (16%) and podiatry (16%). Validation studies were supportive.Conclusion: A large number of potential health problems requiring referral were detected in the study population.
Cessation of driving in later life may not result in dependence
Authors: Buys Laurie R. , Carpenter Lorelei 
Published: December 2008

Introduction: The relationship between driving and independence appears to strengthen as we age, so that retaining our licence is vital. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether dependency necessarily follows the cessation of driving or whether it could represent a later life rite of passage.Method: The respondents were 26 individuals over the age of 70 years living in the Brisbane area. Half of the participants were current drivers with the remainder having surrendered their licence within two years. Semi‐structured, qualitative, telephone interviews were used to gather data. Results and Discussion: Older drivers expressed that the cessation of driving would result in the loss of their independence. However, the stories of ex‐drivers directly challenged this strongly held belief and raised the possibility that the struggle of relinquishing a drivers licence may represent another of life's rites of passage that does not necessarily lead to a loss of independence.
The mismanagement of the assets of older people: the concerns and actions of aged care practitioners in Queensland
Authors: Tilse Cheryl , Wilson Jill , Setterlund Deborah 
Published: December 2008

Objective: To explore the types of financial abuse coming to their attention of aged care workers, the practice responses and the barriers to effective responses.Method: A mailed survey of 159 ACAT members, allied health professionals and other aged care workers across metropolitan, regional and remote Queensland.Results: Financial abuse is coming to the attention of a broad range of aged care workers. It takes a variety of forms with a consistent pattern reported across urbanlregionallrural locations and differing ethnic groups. Although a range of resources exists, one third of respondents reported limitations in their capacity to intervene appropriately.Conclusions: This complex area requires a greater understanding of the dimensions of financial abuse, further evaluation of the effectiveness of current mechanisms, professional and community education and additional support for workers seeking to intervene.
Older patients request more information: a survey of use of written patient education materials in general practice
Authors: McKenna Kryss T. , Tooth Leigh R. , King David B. , Clark Michele J. , O'Rourke Peter K. , Steinberg Margaret A. , de Looze Ferdinandus J. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives: To determine GPs' reported use of written education materials with older patients and older patients' reported receipt of these materials. To determine GPs' and older patients' perceptions of written materials.Method: Using self‐report questionnaires, two populations were surveyed; a randomised sample of SO GPs (29 males and 21 females) practising in Brisbane's southern suburbs and a convenience sample of 188 older community‐dwelling people (aged over 64 years).Results: All GPs reported using written materials with patients, although 28% had not given any to the last 10 patients. This increased to 46% when patients were older. Twenty percent of patients wanted more written information from their GP, while some GPs believed that older patients preferred verbal information and gave out written information only when they perceived patient interest. All GPs reported giving written materials at the time of consultation and over two‐thirds discussed the content with patients. Just over 50% of patients reported receiving written information from GPs in the last six months and only half of these again discussed it directly with their GP. Overall, patients were more positive than GPs about the value of written education materials.Conclusions: Older patients' desire for written information may be better met if they are more assertive in requesting this of GPs and GPs may better serve their patients' needs if they make written information more readily available to them. Better access to materials and more financial incentives to give them out might also increase GPs' use of written materials.
Hip Protectors: an Implementation Trial in two geriatric rehabilitation wards
Authors: Lockwood K. , Cameron I.D. , Gladman J. , Kurrle S.E. , Lanzarone S. 
Published: December 2008

Objective: To ascertain the feasibility of introducing hip protectors into the hospital ward environment and to examine issues of practicality, adherence and staff acceptance.Method: A falls risk assessment tool was used to identify those patients most at risk of falling. At risk patients were then invited to wear the hip protectors for the remainder of their time in hospital. Adherence with wearing the hip protectors was monitored and participants followed up post discharge. At the end of the trial, nursing staff were asked to complete a questionnaire.Results: Of the 48 patients assessed as at risk, 30 were recruited, and 29 wore the hip protectors for the remaining period they were in hospital. Only two of these patients fell during this time. 27 participants were still wearing the hip protectors two weeks after discharge. Staff acceptance was high with only minor problems experienced with adherence with wearing hip protectors throughout the day.
Optimizing the management of advanced breast cancer in the Asia–Pacific region: Role of clinical trials and treatment guidelines
Authors: CHEN Shin‐Cheh , CHANG Alex Yuang‐Chi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThere is an urgent need to identify the best ways to manage breast cancer in women in the Asia–Pacific region. It is increasingly recognized that disease patterns, efficacy and toxicities of various treatment regimens, differ between Asia–Pacific women and women in the West. Despite these differences, breast cancer treatment in the Asia–Pacific region often follows evidence‐based treatment guidelines based on Western clinical trials. To obtain the best possible outcomes in the Asia–Pacific region, country‐specific breast cancer clinical trials and registries are crucial. Findings should be integrated into country‐specific consensus treatment guidelines. These measures would facilitate the best choice of drugs, the optimal doses, and the optimal schedules for treating women with breast cancer in the Asia–Pacific region.
Collagen V and vascular injury promote lung architectural changes in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Parra Edwin Roger , Aguiar Armando Costa , Teodoro Walcy Rosolia , De Souza Romy , Yoshinari Natalino Hajime , Capelozzi Vera Luiza 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground:  Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disorder characterized by inflammation, fibrosis and vascular damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions between basement membrane disruption, endothelial injury and collagen V deposition on the vascular wall, as well as their association with pulmonary function tests in patients with SSc.Method:  The endothelial apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL and electron microscopy, and quantified through the point‐counting technique. To evaluate basement membrane integrity, laminin immunostaining and electron microscopy were used. Immunofluorescence and morphometric analysis were used to determine the amount of collagen V in the vascular walls in 23 open lung biopsies of patients with SSc without pulmonary hypertension. Normal lung tissue was obtained from five individuals who had died of traumatic injuries.Results:  The apoptosis index in SSc was higher in the endothelial cells (13.83 ±  6.83) when compared with the control (2.51 ± 2.06) group (P < 0.001) and confirmed by electron microscopy. We observed an important disruption of the basement membrane on the vascular wall shown by discontinuous laminin immunostaining and electron microscopy. An increase in collagen V on the vascular wall of the SSc group was observed (45.28 ± 13.21), when compared with control group (22.90 ± 4.13, P < 0.001), and this difference was statistically significant.An inverse correlation was found between vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, vascular collagen V and endothelial apoptosis (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  We conclude that the endothelial apoptosis and vascular collagen V interaction reinforce the vascular pathway in the SSc pathogenesis. Further studies are needed to determine whether this relationship is causal or consequential.Please cite this paper as: Parra ER, Aguiar AC Jr, Teodoro WR, de Souza R, Yoshinari NH and Capelozzi VL. Collagen V and vascular injury promote lung architectural changes in systemic sclerosis. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 135–142.
Sarcoidosis‐associated pulmonary hypertension: acute vasoresponsiveness to inhaled nitric oxide and the relation to long‐term effect of sildenafil
Authors: Milman Nils , Svendsen Claus Bo , Iversen Martin , Videbæk Regitze , Carlsen Jørn 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground:  Severe pulmonary sarcoidosis is often complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by different pathophysiological mechanisms.Objectives:  To assess the acute vasoresponsiveness in patients with sarcoidosis and PH and the relation to the therapeutic effect of sildenafil.Methods:  A retrospective chart review of 25 patients with recalcitrant pulmonary sarcoidosis being evaluated for lung transplantation at our centre. Haemodynamics were evaluated by right heart catheterisation in 24 patients of whom 19 had PH. Eight of the 19 patients received vasodilator challenge with inhaled nitric oxide (iNO).Results:  The study group of eight patients (seven men) had a median age of 51 years (range 38 years–58 years). During iNO we observed a reduction in all patients’ mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) of median 9 mmHg (range 1 mmHg–20 mmHg) (P = 0.01) and in all patients’ pulmonary vascular resistance of median 2.0 Wood Units (0.7 Wood Units–5.8 Wood Units) (P = 0.01). Acute vasoresponsiveness defined as reduction in MPAP of ≥10 mmHg to a MPAP of ≤40 mmHg without reduction in cardiac output was achieved in two of eight patients. Seven patients were subsequently started on sildenafil and had haemodynamics measured during treatment. There was no relationship between the acute vasoresponsiveness and the response to treatment. One patient had similar responses, but in six patients, the responses were reversed. Conclusions: Approximately a quarter of the tested patients with end‐stage pulmonary sarcoidosis and PH displayed acute vasoresponsiveness to iNO. However, the degree of vasoresponsiveness appears to be a poor predictor of the response to treatment of PH with sildenafil.Please cite this paper as: Milman N, Svendsen CB, Iversen M, Videbæk R and Carlsen J. Sarcoidosis‐associated pulmonary hypertension: acute vasoresponsiveness to inhaled nitric oxide and the relation to long‐term effect of sildenafil. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 207–213.
Polyimides Containing 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Rings
Authors: Bruma Maria , Damaceanu Mariana-Dana 
Published: December 2008

Two series of polyimides containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole rings in the main chain, one of them having flexible hexafluoropropane-2,2-diyl groups and the other with carbonyl groups, were prepared by polycondensation of aromatic diamines containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole rings with hexafluoropropane-2,2-diyl-bis(phthalic anhydride) or benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride. Their properties, such as solubility in organic solvents, thermal stability, glass transition temperature, photoluminescence and film-forming properties of the two groups of polymers have been studied and compared.
[Ba(XeF2)5](AF6)2, A = Ru, Nb - Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Raman Spectra
Authors: Bunič Tina , Tramšek Melita , Goreshnik Evgeny , Žemva Boris 
Published: December 2008

The reaction of Ba(NbF6)2and excess XeF2in anhydrous HF at room temperature yields [Ba(XeF2)5](NbF6)2. This is the first example of the coordination compound with XeF2molecule as a ligand and NbF6-anion. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupFmmm, witha= 12.084(6) Å,b= 13.646(7) Å,c= 13.927(7) Å,V= 2297(2) Å3, andZ= 4. The reaction of XeF2·Xe2F3·RuF6and BaF2in anhydrous HF yields [Ba(XeF2)5](RuF6)2- the first example of the coordination compound containing RuF6-anion and XeF2molecules. It appears to be isostructural with [Ba(XeF2)5](NbF6)2, witha= 11.9510(14) Å,b= 13.5174(14) Å,c= 13.8488(12) Å,V= 2237.2(4) Å3, andZ= 4. The Raman spectra of both compounds prove that all the XeF2molecules are symmetrical. Four XeF2molecules per formula unit act as bridges between Ba centres, while one molecule is held in the structure by electrostatic forces. In the series of compounds [Ba(XeF2)5](AF6)2with A = As, Sb, Ru, Nb, the influence of the anions AF6-was analyzed.
Radical Addition of Diethyl Carbonate to Pentafluoropropen-2-yl Benzoate
Authors: Hosoya Akihiro , Narita Tadashi , Hamana Hiroshi 
Published: December 2008

The reactivity in radical addition of diethyl carbonate to pentafluoropropen-2-yl benzoate [CF2=C(CF3)OCOC6H5] (BPFP) was investigated to afford the one-to-one addition product by the carbon-carbon bond formation in the presence of dibenzoyl peroxide at 80 °C. The reaction took place predominantly on the methylene group of diethyl carbonate. The mechanism of the hydrogen abstraction from diethyl carbonate followed by the addition to BPFP was proposed. This might be the first example that shows an addition of an organic compound bearing carbonyl group to a polyfluorinated vinyl compound. The method may be a facile way to prepare pentafluoroalkyl-substituted organic compounds by the formation of carbon-carbon bonds with the aid of fluorine atoms. The radical addition reaction of dipropyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, dibenzyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate to BPFP showed no peaks assignable to addition products by the analysis of reaction systems with GC-MS.
Cloud Droplet Growth by Condensation in Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence
Authors: Lanotte Alessandra S. , Seminara Agnese , Toschi Federico 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe growth of cloud droplets by diffusion of water vapor in a three-dimensional homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow is considered. Within a simple model of advection and condensation, the dynamics and growth of millions of droplets are integrated. A droplet-size spectra broadening is obtained and it is shown to increase with the Reynolds number of turbulence by means of two series of direct numerical simulations at increasing resolution. This is a key point toward a proper evaluation of the effects of turbulence for condensation in warm clouds, where the Reynolds numbers typically achieve extreme values. The obtained droplet spectral broadening as a function of the Reynolds number is shown to be consistent with dimensional arguments. A generalization of this expectation to Reynolds numbers not accessible by direct numerical simulation (DNS) is proposed, yielding upper and lower bounds to the actual size spectra broadening. It is argued that the lower bound is the relevant limit at high Reynolds numbers. A further DNS matching the large scales of the system suggests consistency of the picture drawn. The assumptions underlying the model are expected to hold up to spatial scales on the order of 100 m; no direct comparison with in situ measures is possible. Additional effort is needed to evaluate the impact of this effect for condensation in more realistic cloud conditions.
A New Look at Radiosonde Data prior to 1958
Authors: Grant Andrea N. , Brönnimann Stefan , Ewen Tracy , Nagurny Andrey 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Historical radiosonde data are known to suffer from inhomogeneities. The first radiosonde intercomparison was made at Payerne, Switzerland, in 1954, and a major international effort to standardize the network, including launch times, was made for the International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957–58. Data from before this period, in some cases extending back as far as 1934, have been viewed with even more suspicion than recent data. These early data are scattered among numerous archives with a variety of station identifier schemes and quality-control procedures, and some of the data have only recently been digitized from paper records. Here, the first systematic compilation of pre-IGY data is made, and a novel quality-assessment technique is applied, which reveals that much of the early data have uncorrected radiation and lag errors, especially in the former Soviet Union. Incorrect geopotential height units and problematic time stamps were also found. The authors propose corrections and present corrected hemispheric fields that show large changes and improved internal consistency in height and temperature across Eurasia compared with uncorrected data. The corrections are important, especially as they have a clear spatial structure that interferes with the planetary wave structure. These corrected data are useful for climate studies and considerably enhance the length and quality of the upper-air record but may not be suitable for trend analysis. Assimilation of the uncorrected data has led to a widespread warm bias in NCEP–NCAR reanalysis in the 1950s.
Simulation of Atmospheric Circulation over Tahiti and of Local Effects on the Transport of 210Pb
Authors: Heinrich P. , Blanchard X. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Atmospheric transport of the natural radionuclide 210Pb is simulated by a general circulation model (GCM) and calculated surface concentrations are compared with those recorded at the Tahiti station on a daily scale. Numerical results for 2006 show the underestimation of concentrations for most recorded peaks. The purpose of this paper is to explain the observed discrepancies, to evaluate the GCM physical parameterizations, and to determine by numerical means the concentrations at Tahiti for a pollutant circulating across the South Pacific Ocean. Three meteorological situations in 2006 are further analyzed. Circulation over Tahiti for these periods is simulated by a mesoscale meteorological model using four nested grids with resolutions ranging from 27 to 1 km. The calculated wind fields are validated by those observed at two stations on the northwest coast of Tahiti, which is exposed both to topography-induced vortices and to thermally driven local breezes. Atmospheric dispersion of an offshore plume is then calculated by a particle Lagrangian transport model, driven by the mesoscale model at 1- and 81-km resolutions, representing local and global circulations, respectively. Simulations at 1-km resolution show the complex atmospheric circulation over Tahiti, which results in a large spatial and temporal variability of 210Pb surface concentrations on an hourly scale. The impact of local circulation is, however, limited when daily averaged concentrations at the station are considered. Under the studied regimes, transport simulations at the two resolutions lead to similar daily averaged concentrations. The deficiencies of the GCM in simulating daily averaged 210Pb concentrations could be attributable to the deep convection parameterization.