Detection of optical coronal emission from 10^6 K gas in the core of the Centaurus cluster

We report a detection (3.5x10^37 \pm 5.6x10^36 ergps) of the optical coronal emission line [Fe X]6374 and upper limits of four other coronal lines using high resolution VIMOS spectra centred on NGC 4696, the brightest cluster galaxy in the Centaurus cluster. Emission from these lines is indicative of gas at temperatures between 1 and 5 million K so traces the interstellar gas in NGC 4696. The rate of cooling derived from the upper limits is consistent with the cooling rate from X-ray observations (~10 solar masses per year) however we detect twice the luminosity expected for [Fe X]6374 emission, at 1 million K, our lowest temperature probe. We suggest this emission is due to the gas being heated rather than cooling out of the intracluster medium. We detect no coronal lines from [Ca XV], which are expected from the 5 million K gas seen near the centre in X-rays with Chandra. Calcium is however likely to be depleted from the gas phase onto dust grains in the central regions of NGC 4696.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

Participation in education among older people

National random sample data on 4254 people in four adult age categories were analyzed with regard to enrollments in different kinds of education settings, enrollment motives, and barriers to enrollment. Further analysis compared participants to nonparticipants. Most adult enrollments were at the college or university level before age 40, in other settings thereafter, and instrumental motives were predominant across the lifespan. Lack of time and interest were major barriers to enrollment among older people, and those enrolled generally had higher prior educational attainments, were younger, and lived in urban or suburban locations.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44538/1/10755_2005_Article_BF01080356.pd

Vitality and the course of limitations in activities in osteoarthritis of the hip or knee

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of the study was to determine whether psychological and social factors predict the course of limitations in activities in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, in addition to established somatic and cognitive risk factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A longitudinal cohort study with a follow-up period of three years was conducted. Patients (N = 237) with hip or knee osteoarthritis were recruited from rehabilitation centers and hospitals. Body functions, comorbidity, cognitive functioning, limitations in activities and psychological and social factors (mental health, vitality, pain coping and perceived social support) were assessed. Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Psychological and social factors were added to a previously developed model with body functions, comorbidity and cognitive functioning.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In knee OA, low vitality has a negative impact on the course of self-reported and performance-based limitations in activities, after controlling for somatic and cognitive factors. In hip OA, psychological and social factors had no additional contribution to the model.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Low vitality predicts deterioration of limitations in activities in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, in addition to established somatic and cognitive risk factors. However, the contribution of vitality is relatively small. Results of this study are relevant for the group of patients with knee or hip OA, attending hospitals and rehabilitation centers.</p

Osteoarthritis and functional disability: results of a cross sectional study among primary care patients in Germany

Contains fulltext : 52359.pdf ( ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine factors associated with functional disability in patients with OA. METHODS: 1250 questionnaires were distributed to OA outpatients from 75 general practices; 1021 (81.6%) were returned. Questionnaires included sociodemographic data, the short form of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS2-SF), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess concomitant depression. A hierarchical stepwise multiple regression analysis with the AIMS2-SF dimension "lower body" as dependent was performed. RESULTS: Main factors associated with functional disability were depression symptoms, as reflected in a high score of the PHQ-9 (beta = 0.446; p < 0.0009), pain as reflected in the AIMS2-SF symptom scale (beta = 0.412; p = 0.001), and few social contacts (beta = 0.201; p < 0.042). A high body mass index was associated with lower functional ability (beta = 0.332; p = 0.005) whereas a higher educational level (beta = -0.279; p = 0.029) predicted less impairment. Increased age was a weak predictor (beta = 0.178; p = 0.001) of disability. With a p of 0.062 the radiological severity according to the grading of Kellgren and Lawrence slightly surpassed the required significance level for remaining in the final regression model. CONCLUSION: The results emphasize that psychological as well as physical factors need to be addressed similarly to improve functional ability of patients suffering from OA. More research with multifaceted and tailored interventions is needed to determine how these factors can be targeted appropriately

Monitoreo del progreso del alumno en la identificación de riesgo en la lectura

Este estudo tem por nalidade analisar o uso da monitorização com base no currículo como sistema escolar de identi cação de alunos em risco na leitura, no contexto de um modelo educativo baseado no grau de resposta à intervenção. Realizou-se uma investigação quantitativa em que participaram todos os alunos do 3o ano (82 alunos) de um agrupamento de escolas do norte de Portugal. O tratamento de dados foi feito com recurso à estatística descritiva e inferencial. Destacam-se, entre outras conclusões, a existência de dez alunos em risco na leitura durante todo o ano letivo e o facto de, no nal do 3o ano de escolaridade, a média de resultados dos alunos que nunca estiveram em risco ser superior ao dobro da média de resultados dos alunos que estiveram em risco todo o ano.This study aims to analyze the use of curriculum-based monitoring as a school system to identify students at risk in reading, in the context of an educational model based on the degree of response to intervention. A quantitative investigation was conducted with all third grade students (82 students) from a group of schools in the north of Portugal. Data processing was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Among the conclusions, the following stand out: the existence of ten students at risk in reading throughout the school year and the fact that, at the end of the third year of schooling, the mean results of students who were never at risk was more than double the mean results of students who were at risk for the entire year.Cette étude a pour but d’analyser l’usage du contôle ayant pour base le coursus comme système scolaire d’identification des élèves présentant des risques dans la lecture, dans le contexte d’un modèle éducatif fondé sur le degrée de réponse à l’intervention. On a fait une investigation quantitative à laquelle ont participé tous les élèves de CM1 (82 élèves) d’un groupement d’écoles du nord du Portugal. Le traitement des données a été fait à l’aide de la statistique descriptive et inférentielle. On souligne, entre autres conclusions, l’existence de dix élèves en risque dans la lecture pendant toute l’année scolaire et le fait qu’à la fin de la troisièmme année de scolarité, la moyenne des résultats des élèves n’ayant jamais été en risque soit supérieur au double de la moyenne des résultats des élèves qui ont été en risque toute l’année.Este estudio tiene la finalidad de analizar el uso del monitoreo del currículo como sistema escolar de identificación de alumnos en riesgo en la lectura, en el marco de un modelo educativo basado en el grado de respuesta a la intervención. Se llevó a cabo una investigación cuantitativa en la que participaron todos los alumnos del 3er año (82 alumnos) de un agrupamiento de escuelas del norte de Portugal. El tratamiento de datos se efectuó por medio de la estadística descriptiva e de inferencias. Se destacan, entre otras conclusiones, la existencia de diez alumnos en riesgo en la lectura durante todo el año lectivo y el hecho de que, al final del 3er año de escolaridad, el promedio de resultados de los alumnos que nunca estuvieron en riesgo era superior al doble del promedio de resultados de los alumnos que estuvieron en riesgo todo el año.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparing the Functional Independence Measure and the interRAI/MDS for use in the functional assessment of older adults: a review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rehabilitation of older persons is often complicated by increased frailty and medical complexity - these in turn present challenges for the development of health information systems. Objective investigation and comparison of the effectiveness of geriatric rehabilitation services requires information systems that are comprehensive, reliable, valid, and sensitive to clinically relevant changes in older persons. The Functional Independence Measure is widely used in rehabilitation settings - in Canada this is used as the central component of the National Rehabilitation Reporting System of the Canadian Institute of Health Information. An alternative system has been developed by the interRAI consortium. We conducted a literature review to compare the development and measurement properties of these two systems.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>English language literature published between 1983 (initial development of the FIM) and 2008 was searched using Medline and CINAHL databases, and the reference lists of retrieved articles. Relevant articles were summarized and charted using the criteria proposed by Streiner. Additionally, attention was paid to the ability of the two systems to address issues particularly relevant to older rehabilitation clients, such as medical complexity, comorbidity, and responsiveness to small but clinically meaningful improvements.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total, 66 articles were found that met the inclusion criteria. The majority of FIM articles studied inpatient rehabilitation settings; while the majority of interRAI/MDS articles focused on nursing home settings. There is evidence supporting the reliability of both instruments. There were few articles that investigated the construct validity of the interRAI/MDS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><b>A</b>dditional psychometric research is needed on both the FIM and MDS, especially with regard to their use in different settings and with different client groups.</p