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Background Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a common cause of shoulder disability, yet both conservative and surgical treatment strategies can lead to poor results in some patient populations. Enhanced understanding of the genetic processes associated with RCTs can assist in the development of more effective management options and help predict individual responses to surgical treatment. This systematic review analyzes the current literature on the genetic footprint associated with RCTs and interprets these findings to enhance the current understanding of RCT pathogenesis, potential treatment regimens, and prognostic biomarkers of outcomes after surgical repair. Methods A systematic search of the Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science electronic databases was performed. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Emtree index terms were formulated from the concept terms “rotator cuff tear,” “genetics,” and “human,” and synonyms of these concepts were applied to the Web of Science search. Articles were screened against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible studies compared gene expression patterns and genetic polymorphisms between cases (with RCTs) and controls (without RCTs). Quality assessment was performed with studies being rated as high, moderate, or poor quality. A modified best-evidence synthesis was applied, and studies were determined to be of strong, moderate, or limited evidence. Results The search identified 259 articles. Of these studies, 26 were eligible for review. Two studies were considered poor quality; 15 studies, moderate quality; and 9 studies, high quality. Analysis of these articles found that RCTs were associated with alterations in genes that code for the extracellular matrix, cell apoptosis, immune and inflammatory responses, and growth factor pathways. In particular, there was strong evidence of a significant association between RCTs and the genes MMP3, TNC, and ESRRB. Strong evidence of an association between BMP5 upregulation and successful healing after surgical repair was also found. Conclusion This review provides strong evidence of an genetic association with RCTs. The genotype and gene expression patterns detailed within this review can assist in deciphering the biological mechanisms resulting in RCTs, as well as predicting an individual's response to surgical repair. Future research could investigate whether manipulating these genes—or their associated signaling pathways—could assist in RCT healing and whether genetic biomarkers could be used clinically to predict patient outcomes after surgical repair of RCTs.

Conventional methods using HPLC with UV detection have used vitamin D2 as an internal standard with the expectation that this fully compensates for the heat-dependent equilibrium of vitamin D3 with its previtamin. Previtamin D has a different spectral absorptivity from vitamin D and may be present in different proportions in samples and standards. Therefore, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 and their previtamin forms must be chromatographically resolved to achieve accurate quantitation of total vitamin D. This study identified four chromatographic columns (ACE C18, ACE C18 AR, Vydac 201 TP C18 and Polaris C18-Ether) with adequate selectivity that should be applied for food testing and further confirmed that both parent vitamins isomerise at the same rate under thermal conditions.

Background Decisions to admit high-risk postoperative patients to critical care may be affected by resource availability. We aimed to quantify adult ICU/high-dependency unit (ICU/HDU) capacity in hospitals from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand (NZ), and to identify and describe additional ‘high-acuity' beds capable of managing high-risk patients outside the ICU/HDU environment. Methods We used a modified Delphi consensus method to design a survey that was disseminated via investigator networks in the UK, Australia, and NZ. Hospital- and ward-level data were collected, including bed numbers, tertiary services offered, presence of an emergency department, ward staffing levels, and the availability of critical care facilities. Results We received responses from 257 UK (response rate: 97.7%), 35 Australian (response rate: 32.7%), and 17 NZ (response rate: 94.4%) hospitals (total 309). Of these hospitals, 91.6% reported on-site ICU or HDU facilities. UK hospitals reported fewer critical care beds per 100 hospital beds (median=2.7) compared with Australia (median=3.7) and NZ (median=3.5). Additionally, 31.1% of hospitals reported having high-acuity beds to which high-risk patients were admitted for postoperative management, in addition to standard ICU/HDU facilities. The estimated numbers of critical care beds per 100 000 population were 9.3, 14.1, and 9.1 in the UK, Australia, and NZ, respectively. The estimated per capita high-acuity bed capacities per 100 000 population were 1.2, 3.8, and 6.4 in the UK, Australia, and NZ, respectively. Conclusions Postoperative critical care resources differ in the UK, Australia, and NZ. High-acuity beds may have developed to augment the capacity to deliver postoperative critical care.

Aluminum sandwich panel provides a high-strength, light-weight structural material for use in aircraft and aerospace applications such as cabin bulkheads, rotor blades, and luggage and cargo unit load devices. This unique material also has application in many other industries such as machine tool enclosures, museum exhibits, marine craft bulkheads, and hurricane panels for storm survivability. This material, consisting of aluminum face sheets surrounding an aluminum honeycomb core, offers very high rigidity in a low density material. Machining this material is quite challenging due to variable cutting conditions in the low density, low lateral stiffness honeycomb core. Machining often requires a significant amount of post-processing in the form of manual removal of the partially released core walls (flags) along machined edges. The purpose of this work is to reduce the flagging created in the machining of this material. The first step to improving the cutting conditions is to better understand the causes that impact them. In this pursuit, a series of experiments was conducted to measure, quantify, and study the cutting forces during the machining of aluminum sandwich panel. A force dynamometer was used to measure forces during slot milling in bulk aluminum generating cutting coefficients for the force model. Cutting results in bulk aluminum showed generally good agreement with the model with over-predictions ranging from 5 to 20% depending on the feed rate. A series of cutting tests was then conducted on the aluminum sandwich panel in order to decouple the machining forces for the face sheets, the honeycomb core, and combinations of face sheets and core. The data revealed vibration in the honeycomb material that were significantly worse for shallower depths of cut involving the top face sheet and the upper portion of the honeycomb structure despite efforts at stiffening the fixture. The data showed force spikes that correlate with specific engagement conditions in the honeycomb structure. Peak forces were measured as high as 400N though it is not entirely clear whether these peak values are representative of actual peak forces or a combination of peak force with harmonic vibration. The resulting cut walls showed signs of tearing, rubbing, and remaining cell walls indicating that for much of the cut, ideal shearing of the material did not occur. The research highlights the need for further study of the actual mechanism of cell wall removal in this complex cutting environment.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to review the surgical management procedures of shoulder instability injuries in Australian Football League (AFL) players, and determine outcomes regarding return to sport and injury recurrence. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Elite AFL players with shoulder instability resulting in surgery were assessed in a retrospective cohort design (72 players/77 shoulders). Type of initial injury, surgical management, return to sport and injury recurrence were obtained. The mean follow-up period post-surgery was 2.9 years. Return to sport outcomes were compared between arthroscopic and open surgery using a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Logistic regression modelling was used to determine associations between injury recurrence, type of injury, participant age and method of surgery. Results Shoulder instability injuries occurred most frequently during tackling (40%). Arthroscopic surgery was preferred for primary shoulder instability. Nine (16%) recurrences occurred in those who underwent arthroscopic surgery compared to two (9%) following open surgery. Return to the elite level was slightly but significantly (2 weeks, p = 0.049) longer for open compared to arthroscopic surgery. Recurrence was 5 times more likely if the primary injury was a dislocation and more likely in players who were younger at the time of surgery. Conclusion Tackling was the predominant mechanism for shoulder instability injuries in AFL players and arthroscopic surgery was more commonly performed for primary injuries. Sustaining a dislocation as the primary injury and younger age increased the likelihood of recurrent instability. Careful consideration should be given to the operative management of these individuals.

Selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) can be used to analyse the concentration of volatile compounds in the headspace over food samples. Utilising chemometric classifiers, the concentration of aroma compounds detected by SIFT-MS was used to differentiate products. Nineteen compounds most useful in differentiating a range of dairy products were identified from the results of classification and selected for the development of preliminary threshold models to distinguish acceptable products from those containing off-aromas. Product differentiation was used to select the compounds for the threshold models, because sensory panel analysis rarely detects off-aromas in the products being examined. Threshold models for these compounds in the different products were developed using the 95% percentiles for the concentrations of these compounds that sensory panels found to be acceptable. These models have been used successfully during routine analysis to distinguish good products from marginal or off-aroma products, thereby lowering the demand on sensory panels.

A preliminary investigation of the potential binding interaction of isolated whey proteins and casein proteins with aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) using a surface plasmon resonance optical biosensor is described. The experimental conditions were restricted to facilitate a qualitative analysis that, for the first time, has demonstrated that AFM1 differentially binds to α-casein and κ-casein; it has negligible interaction with β-casein and the individual whey proteins. These observations with individual casein proteins can be extrapolated to infer that such differential binding occurs in intact milk, and explains the many previous reports of the heterogeneous distribution of AFM1 in milk and milk products that have only indirectly proposed its affinity for casein.

A label-free optical biosensor immunoassay exploiting surface plasmon resonance detection for the estimation of the β-casein content in bovine milk and milk products is described. Samples were prepared by direct dilution with buffer and the protein was detected, under direct assay conditions, through binding with a commercially available anti-β-casein polyclonal antibody immobilised on the sensor surface. Assay conditions, selectivity and the potential for non-specific binding were defined. Analytical performance parameters included a method detection limit of 2.3 mg mL−1 for fluid milk, an intermediate precision RSDiR of 10.7 % for a skim milk powder and a mean recovery of 101.7 %, with a single functionalised flow cell being stable for at least 200 cycles. The method was found to be rapid, sensitive, precise and accurate, and is reliable for a range of milk products containing intact β-CN, and provides a routine complement to alternative conventional immunoassay and separation-based methods.

An optical biosensor immunoassay exploiting surface plasmon resonance is described for the quantification of β-lactoglobulin in milk. Samples were diluted with buffer, and the protein estimated from binding with a polyclonal antibody immobilised on the sensor surface. Analytical method performance characteristics including range, detection limit, precision and accuracy were determined and reported. The temporal variability in the β-lactoglobulin content of milk from pasture-fed cows during early lactation and across a production season was investigated. The content of β-lactoglobulin decreased from >10 mg mL −1 in early colostrum to −1 in mature milk, and the β-lactoglobulin content of skim milk powder trended from 25 to 60 mg g −1 across a season. In view of its allergenicity, these data will improve understanding of the expression of innate β-lactoglobulin in the milk of pasture-grazed dairy herds, thereby providing information that is applicable to the formulation of bovine milk-based products.

There is a need to account for the content of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 (25OH-D 3 ) in foods to more accurately estimate dietary vitamin D intake, given its higher biological activity. A high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was applied to the determination of vitamin D 3 and 25OH-D 3 in bovine milk obtained during early lactation and over the course of a full milking season. In this seasonal study of bovine milk, vitamin D 3 levels ranged from 167 ng L −1 in winter to 615 ng L −1 in summer, whereas the content of 25OH-D 3 in bovine milk was −1 and showed little variation. This study will provide manufacturers with data concerning endogenous vitamin D content that will enhance formulation capability related to the production of bovine-milk-based paediatric products.

Reflectance colorimetry was investigated to measure the colour of whole (WMP) and skim milk (SKMP) powders, infant formulas (IF), an adult nutritional product (ANP), unsalted (USB) and salted (SB) butters. The colorimeter gave precise results and was cost effective, illustrating the benefits of the adoption of a colorimeter rather than the current practice of using reference charts and powders. New Zealand dairy products are yellower compared with other dairy products because of their relatively high naturally occurring β-carotene content.

Infant formulas are strictly regulated and rigorously tested for compliance. Recently, new official analytical methods/standards have been established for nutrient analyses in these product categories through the Stakeholder Panel on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals (SPIFAN), governed by AOAC INTERNATIONAL. Many of these methods have been adopted or are in the process of being adopted as reference methods by Codex Alimentarius. The purpose of this paper is to assess the ability of these cutting-edge analytical methods to deliver acceptable results in the context of established regulatory limits for nutrients in food standards and regulations. For this evaluation, the analytical method variability is considered as one of the three main sources of overall process variability, which also includes variation in raw materials/ingredients and the manufacturing process. The process capability (Cp) is a concept for determining the overall process variability relative to specification limits for a parameter in the final product. Based on this principle an analytical method capability (Cm) was defined and calculated for SPIFAN methods. Global regulatory requirements were evaluated including minimum and maximum limits and tolerances from the declared label values. Compared to these requirements, analytical methods for vitamins A, B12, D and folic acid are of particular concern in relation to the requirements in China, some EU member states, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand. For a product with a manufacturing target at the midpoint of the regulatory range for these nutrients, the probability of obtaining an analytical result outside the regulatory requirements due to analytical variation alone can be as high as 19%. This does not consider variability caused by the production process and/or raw materials/ingredients. These currently used analytical methods are state-of-the-art and represent the latest developments in technology. However, this work demonstrates that continuous method improvements for the nutrients identified must be pursued. In addition, this work supports a risk management approach that takes into consideration analytical method capability when establishing regulatory limits for nutrients in infant formulas. Ongoing efforts towards harmonization of regulatory requirements across global markets will facilitate evaluation of regulatory compliance in infant formulas.

A high performance anion-exchange chromatographic method employing pulsed amperometric detection was applied to the determination of endogenous free and total myo-inositol in bovine milk, for which there is limited information. The contents and trend variability of myo-inositol in milk from extensively pasture-fed cows during early lactation and across a production season were therefore evaluated. Free and total myo-inositol in seasonal milk were within the ranges of 2.3–4.5 mg 100 g−1 and 5.3–8.7 mg 100 g−1, respectively. This novel information will both improve understanding of the expression of innate myo-inositol in bovine milk, and provide manufacturers with information that can enhance formulation capability related to the production of cow's milk-based products

Anthracene (AN) attachment to silica nanoparticles leads to multiple fluorescence lifetimes, due to different environments on the silica surface. Under ultraviolet (365 nm) illumination, the AN surface groups undergo a [4 + 4] photodimerization reaction that cross-links the nanoparticles and induces aggregation. The kinetics of both intra- and inter-particle photochemical reactions are measured by monitoring changes in the surface-bound AN absorbance at different nanoparticle concentrations. Our results confirm that the AN photodimerization reaction can be used to cross-link silica NPs but also suggest that silica’s chemical heterogeneity enables competing reactions that reduce the efficiency of the photochemical cross-linking.

Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in human metabolism and is an essential vitamin obtained predominantly from food of animal origin. Amongst all animal products, naturally occurring vitamin B12 in milk has the highest bioavailability and dairy products are a broad-access source, especially for vegetarian individuals. The dairy industry requires an accurate and highly sensitive detection method for vitamin B12, however, the extremely low concentration and instability of vitamin B12 creates challenges in analysis. This review discusses the application of modern instrumental techniques for analysis of vitamin B12 in milk as well as a variety of sample preparations, together with their respective advantages and drawbacks.

Question: What do physiotherapists consider to be the structure and content of an effective clinical supervision program for public sector staff? Design: Qualitative study using emergent-systematic focus group design. Participants: 46 physiotherapists and six physiotherapy assistants from a large, regional, Australian health service participated in one of seven focus groups. Results: Data were represented by three major categories: the content of supervision; the structure of supervision; and participants' roles and attributes. The content of supervision should encompass all issues affecting workplace experience and performance; supervision should be individualised and needs based. For the structure of supervision, a variety of methods and formats should be available, including: scheduled and unscheduled supervision (unscheduled supervision addresses needs as they arise but its usefulness can be restricted by supervisor availability); the environment should be organised to facilitate supervision; supervision should be integrated into existing practices; and supervision should be adequately prioritised and resourced to enable sustainability. In relation to participants' roles and attributes, respondents recommended: clearly defined supervisor and supervisee roles, responsibilities, skills and attributes are required to facilitate a constructive relationship on which successful supervision depends; the supervisee should take primary responsibility for leading and organising their supervision; the supervisor provides support and accountability and assists with goal setting and attainment; and successful supervision requires considerable knowledge and skills from the supervisee and supervisor (supervision education and training might be necessary). Conclusion: The physiotherapists' perspectives that were identified in this study are important to consider when assessing current clinical supervision models, as well as when designing and implementing effective physiotherapy supervision programs. [Redpath AA, Gill SD, Finlay N, Brennan F, Hakkennes S (2015) Public sector physiotherapists believe that staff supervision should be broad ranging, individualised, structured, and based on needs and goals: a qualitative study. Journal of Physiotherapy 61: 210–216]

Supreme Court oral arguments are the only publicly scheduled opportunities for the Justices and advocates to directly engage in discussions about a case. There are few rules to regulate these conversations. Within this unique setting and due to the lack of argument structure combined with the limited time allotted to each argument, the Justices vie for chances to speak, sometimes at the expense of utterances from other Justices. In this Article we examine how the Justices’ genders dictate much of the Justices’ interactions and ultimately the power structure of oral argument.This Article shows how gender is an embedded characteristic of the oral arguments and how the Justices’ appropriations and perceptions of gender roles create disparities in the balance of authority on the Court. The Article’s analysis shows a major gap between male Justices’ interruptions of female Justices and female Justices interruptions’ of male Justices during oral arguments. After discussing why this is problematic, the Article offers suggestions for how the Court can reduce these interruptions through institutional reforms. The Article’s analyses corroborate conversational and power dynamics previously elucidated by sociolinguists, but also extend those findings to the insular environment of the United States Supreme Court.

Lutein is a carotenoid that is considered to be important to the integrity of the retina and is therefore increasingly being supplemented into bovine milk-based paediatric formulae to levels equivalent to those found in human milk. A simple analytical method has been developed and intra-laboratory validated to facilitate routine in-process control of lutein addition. The method involves dilution of a carotenoid premix, followed by C30 reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene, with detection and quantitation at 450 nm. The method performance parameters include range (0–700 ng mL−1), method limit of detection (0.08 μg g−1), recovery (95.5–109.5%) and precision (1.2% RSDr). The method has been applied to an evaluation of lutein recovery (95.6–104.2%) through the manufacture of paediatric formulae, which confirms that lutein loss through the entire process is insignificant.

An optical biosensor assay utilising a monoclonal antibody was developed for the quantitation of the biotin content of milk and paediatric formulae. The method provides a reliable estimate of total biotin accomplished by simple aqueous extraction, combined with heat treatment, prior to automated biosensor analysis. The binding assay was configured under inhibition conditions utilising a sensor surface functionalised with biotin and was subjected to single-laboratory validation. Critical assay factors, including calibration parameters, cross-reactivity, non-specific binding and matrix interferences were evaluated systematically. Assay performance parameters including range, detection limits, precision, recovery and bias were estimated. The method was applied to the routine compliance testing of paediatric formulae and the temporal change in the biotin content of early lactation milk and seasonal milk powder. The assay is an expedient alternative to current HPLC, microbiological and proprietary kit-based immunoassay methods for the determination of the biotin content of milk-based foods.

There is a good deal of evidence that planned media exposure influences outcomes in judicial elections via campaign spending and paid campaign advertisements. However, less well understood is the influence of unplanned media exposure of the sort that happens spontaneously in the news media. Here, we investigate the proposition that unplanned media exposure can influence both the emergence of challengers and the outcome of contested judicial elections. Using data from 282 state supreme court elections in 22 states from 2000-2012, we use two-stage selection models to examine the effect of different types of unplanned newspaper exposure on judicial races. we find, among other things, that unplanned media exposure of the incumbent generally benefits the incumbent. Challengers, on the other hand, have difficulty getting the same level of unplanned media coverage. When they do, the benefits to their campaign are not significant.

Background: Despite evidence of antioxidant effects of vitamin E in vitro and in animal studies, large, randomized clinical trials have not substantiated a benefit of vitamin E in reducing inflammation in humans. An individual's genetic background may affect the response to ?-tocopherol supplementation, but this has rarely been investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the role of genetic polymorphisms on changes in LPS-stimulated inflammatory cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after ?-tocopherol supplementation. Design: A total of 160 healthy, middle-aged male volunteers (mean age: 52.7 y) were given dietary supplements of either 75 IU (low dose; n = 57) or 600 IU (high dose; n = 103) ?-tocopherol/d for 6 wk. The production of TNF-? and IL-1?, -6, and -10 by PBMCs after LPS stimulation was measured at baseline and after 6 wk. Polymorphisms in 15 genes involved in inflammation or responses to oxidative stress were characterized in the subjects. Results: The ability of ?-tocopherol to affect TNF-? production by LPS-stimulated PBMCs was influenced by the TNFA ?238 polymorphism (P = 0.016). The ability of ?-tocopherol to affect IL-6 production was influenced by the GSTP1 313 polymorphism (P = 0.019). The ability of ?-tocopherol to affect IL-1? production was influenced by the IL10 ?592 and ?1082 polymorphisms (P = 0.025 and P = 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: In healthy control subjects, the effect of ?-tocopherol supplementation on the production of inflammatory cytokines appears to be dependent on an individual's genotype. These genotype-specific differences may help explain some of the discordant results in studies that used vitamin E.

The total potentially available nucleosides (TPAN) in bovine, caprine, and ovine milk were analyzed through the sequential application of phosphatase, pyrophosphatase, and nuclease enzyme treatments prior to high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of released nucleosides. The contributions to TPAN from polymeric nucleotides, monomeric nucleotides, and nucleotide adducts were then calculated. Ovine milk contained the highest concentration of TPAN, i.e., 374.1 μmol dL −1 , with lower concentrations in caprine milk (97.4 μmol dL −1 ) and bovine milk (7.9 μmol dL −1 ). Ovine milk contained the highest concentrations of each of the different nucleoside and nucleotide forms, and bovine milk contained the lowest.

Bovine colostrum and milk samples were collected from two herds over the course of the first month post-partum, pooled for each herd by stage of lactation and total potentially available nucleosides were determined. Sample analysis consisted of parallel enzymatic treatments, phenylboronate clean-up, and liquid chromatography to quantify contributions of nucleosides, monomeric nucleotides, nucleotide adducts, and polymeric nucleotides to the available nucleosides pool. Bovine colostrum contained high levels of nucleosides and monomeric nucleotides, which rapidly decreased as lactation progressed into transitional milk. Mature milk was relatively consistent in nucleoside and monomeric nucleotide concentrations from approximately the tenth day post-partum. Differences in concentrations between summer-milk and winter-milk herds were largely attributable to variability in uridine and monomeric nucleotide concentrations.

This study attempted to confirm that humour recognition deficits previously found in schizophrenia are specific to the condition and not attributable to other parameters such as depression or anxiety. Secondarily, we explored any possible cognitive or social functioning correlates to humour recognition deficits. A total of 60 participants (20 outpatients with schizophrenia, 20 psychiatric control participants and 20 control participants) underwent a 64-question humour task in addition to a battery of standard cognitive tests and Social Functioning Scales. In order to compare the three groups of participants, we conducted an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc t-tests on neuropsychological measures, social functioning measures, and the primary outcome, humour recognition. The schizophrenia group showed significant and substantial deficits in humour recognition compared to the healthy control group, t(38)=5.1, P

Gill SD, McBurney H, Schulz DL. Land-based versus pool-based exercise for people awaiting joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee: results of a randomized controlled trial. Objective To compare the preoperative effects of multidimensional land-based and pool-based exercise programs for people awaiting joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee. Design Randomized, single-blind, before-after trial. Setting Physiotherapy gymnasium and hydrotherapy pool. Participants Patients awaiting elective hip or knee joint replacement surgery. Interventions Land-based (n=40) or pool-based exercise program (n=42). Each 6-week program included an education session, twice-weekly exercise classes, and an occupational therapy home assessment. Main Outcome Measures Participants were assessed immediately before and after the 6-week intervention, then 8 weeks later. Primary outcomes were pain and self-reported function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) and patient global assessment. Secondary outcomes were performance-based measures (timed walk and chair stand) and psychosocial status (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey mental component score). Pain was also measured before and after each exercise class on a 7-point verbal rating scale. Results Although both interventions were effective in reducing pain and improving function, there were no postintervention differences between the groups for the primary and secondary outcomes. However, the pool-based group had less pain immediately after the exercise classes. Conclusions While our multidimensional exercise-based interventions appeared to be effective in reducing disability in those awaiting joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee, there were no large differences in the postintervention effects of the interventions. However, pool-based exercise appeared to have a more favorable effect on pain immediately after the exercise classes.

A method for the simultaneous determination in milk of the 5′-mononucleotides adenosine 5′-monophosphate, cytidine 5′-monophosphate, guanosine 5′-monophosphate, inosine 5′-monophosphate and uridine 5′-monophosphate and their corresponding nucleosides is described. Following deproteinisation, the sample extract was analysed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, whereby chromatographic separation was achieved using a polymer grafted silica C 18 column, gradient elution with a simple binary mobile phase and UV detection by photodiode array. Performance parameters included recoveries of 95.5–105.2% and precision evaluated as 3.42–6.38% relative standard deviation. The described technique has been applied to the analysis of bovine and human milk, a range of commercial bovine milk-based infant and follow-on formulas, a seasonal study of skim milk powders and an assessment of alkaline phosphatase influence on nucleotide retention.

Social science research on gender in the legal system has largely focused on the woman as the \other." This research has looked for ways in which women judge or are judged dierently from the norm. The results of this line of research have been mixed. Male-centered theories of masculinity and chivalry provide promising tools help researchers understand the contribution that maleness has on outcomes in the legal system. Immigration appeals provide an ideal test of these theories, which predict that male judges will be harder on male immigrants and easier on female litigants than will female judges. In this paper, we implement a research design that takes seriously both female-centric and male-centric explanations of decision outcomes. Using an original database of immigration appeals in the U.S. Courts of Appeal, we nd evidence to support the research of maleness on its own terms. We nd that elements of chivalry and masculinity theory both operate to frame the decisions made by male judges. The introduction of women on the panel of judges is associated with signicant changes in the relative success of male and female petitioners, but not in a way that is consistent with theories of women judges as representatives.

Judicial Performance Evaluation (JPE) is generally seen as an important part of the merit system, which often suffers from a lack of relevant voter information. Utah's JPE system has undergone significant change in recent years. Using data from the two most recent JPE surveys, we provide a preliminary look at the operation of this new system. Our results suggest that the survey component has difficulty distinguishing among the judges on the basis of relevant criteria. The question prompts intended to measure performance on different ABA Categories are also indistinguishable. We also find evidence that, on some measures, female judges do disproportionately worse than male judges. We suggest that the free response comments and the new Court Observation Program results may improve the ability of the commission to make meaningful distinctions among the judges on the basis of appropriate criteria.

We seek to evaluate the clinical consequences of resistance to antihormonal therapy by studying analogous animal xenograft models. Two approaches were taken: (1) MCF-7 tumors were serially transplanted into selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)-treated immunocompromised mice to mimic 5 years of SERM treatment. The studies in vivo were designed to replicate the development of acquired resistance to SERMs over years of clinical exposure. (2) MCF-7 cells were cultured long-term under SERM-treated or estrogen withdrawn conditions (to mimic aromatase inhibitors), and then injected into mice to generate endocrine-resistant xenografts. These tumor models have allowed us to define Phase I and Phase II antihormonal resistance according to their responses to E(2) and fulvestrant. Phase I SERM-resistant tumors were growth stimulated in response to estradiol (E(2)), but paradoxically, Phase II SERM and estrogen withdrawn-resistant tumors were growth inhibited by E(2). Fulvestrant did not support growth of Phases I and II SERM-resistant tumors, but did allow growth of Phase II estrogen withdrawn-resistant tumors. Importantly, fulvestrant plus E(2) in Phase II antihormone-resistant tumors reversed the E(2)-induced inhibition and instead resulted in growth stimulation. These data have important clinical implications. Based on these and prior laboratory findings, we propose a clinical strategy for optimal third-line therapy: patients who have responded to and then failed at least two antihormonal treatments may respond favorably to short-term low-dose estrogen due to E(2)-induced apoptosis, followed by treatment with fulvestrant plus an aromatase inhibitor to maintain low tumor burden and avoid a negative interaction between physiologic E(2) and fulvestrant.

We present a study of the base (DBU)-catalysed epoxidation of a number of important naturally occurring quinones using a series of pyranose-derived anomeric hydroperoxides. The absolute (viz. d or l ) stereochemistry of the carbohydrate, electronic nature of the 6-substituent and ring substitution are all important variables, both for the formation of the hydroperoxide and its reactivity. Reactions studied were the epoxidation of a precursor of the natural antibiotic, alisamycin and a series of naphthoquinones related to Vitamin K. In the best case, an ee of 82% was obtained; either product enantiomer is accessible according to the absolute stereochemistry of the carbohydrate. Finally, a molecular modelling study of the reaction is reported, concluding that the reactions are under kinetic control and that the observed ees cannot be explained by considering transition states that involve only the quinone and peroxide anion. It seems likely that the DBU molecule may play a key role in the transition state.

To test the multi-process theory (The psychobiology of relaxation and related states: a multi-process theory, in: D.E. Mostofsky (Ed.), Behavioural Control and Modification of Physiological Activity, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp. 399–442.), the effects of Benson's relaxation method (The Relaxation Response, William Morrow and Company, New York.) and progressive relaxation (Progressive Relaxation, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.) on state anxiety were measured in 76 undergraduate university students using a modified version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (Development and validation of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, in: R. Martens, R.S. Vealey, D. Burton. (Eds.), Competitive Anxiety in Sport, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, pp. 117–213). Results suggested that both relaxation techniques were effective in reducing cognitive and somatic anxiety, and elevating self-confidence. However, contrary to the predictions of the multi-process theory, there were no significant differences between the effects of either technique. The findings were discussed in light of the relaxation response (The Relaxation Response, William Morrow and Company, New York) and the cognitive-behavioural model (Meditation as psychotherapy: a new look at the evidence, in: M.A. West, (Ed.), Psychology of meditation, Oxford University Press, London, pp. 136–149; Relaxation Dynamics: A Cognitive-Behavioural Approach to Relaxation, Research Press, Champaign, IL; Cognitive-Behavioural Relaxation Training: A New System of Strategies for Treatment and Assessment, Springer, New York) as alternatives in predicting the effects of relaxation techniques on anxiety.

The synthesis of the alkaloid jamtine and the antidepressant paroxetine have been addressed by a strategy involving asymmetric desymmetrisation of prochiral imides by a chiral lithium amide base. A short reaction sequence, starting with a cyclohexane fused succinimide, led to the structures originally reported for the alkaloid jamtine and its derived N-oxide. The structures synthesised are shown not to correspond with those originally reported. A second sequence involves desymmetrisation of a 4-arylglutarimide, and provides a short enantioselective synthesis of the drug substance paroxetine.

A new asymmetric approach to the erythrinan alkaloid system is described, which involves chiral base desymmetrisation of a ring fused imide and a 6-exo-trig radical cyclisation as the key steps.

Gravity Probe B is an experiment to measure the geodetic and frame-dragging precessions, relative to the “fixed” “stars”, of a gyroscope placed in a 650 km altitude polar orbit about the earth. For Einstein's general relativity, the precessions are calculated to be 6.6 arcsec/yr for the geodetic precession and 0.042 arcsec/yr for the frame-dragging precession. The goal of the experiment is to measure these precessions to better than 0.01% and 1%, respectively. This paper gives an overview of the experiment and a discussion of the flight hardware development and its status. This paper also includes an estimate of the geodetic and frame-dragging errors expected for the experiment.

The purpose of the present study was to accurately and reliably analyse the nature of movement undertaken by National Rugby League (NRL) referees during matches played in the 2000 season. The movements of NRL referees (n=5) were analysed from videotape footage of ten games. The researchers assigned each movement to one of six defined categories (stationary, walking forwards, jogging forwards, sprinting, sideways, and backwards), and recorded number of repetitions, movement durations, and distances covered during each specific movement category. Distance was estimated using on-field markings as known points. Mean total distance per game was 6.7 km +/- 0.4 km (mean +/- standard deviation), and was made up of approximately 940 movements per game. The data showed 87% of distance was made up of a cyclic activity comprising jogging forwards, then backwards at mean running speeds of 7.2 km x h(-1) and 10.8 km x h(-1) respectively (made up of 9s bursts on average, each separated by 3s breaks). However, this cyclic activity accounted for only 47% of time, as referees were stationary 41% of time. Play was continuous for 90s +/- 71s at each phase of play, and was followed by rest of 45s +/- 36s throughout matches (work to rest ratio was 2:1). These findings suggest Rugby League refereeing is a highly intermittent activity and therefore training and fitness assessments should reflect these specific demands experienced during a game.

The enantioselective deprotonation of several ring-fused imides with a chiral base, followed by electrophilic quenching, gives a range of chiral products in good yield and in ≥91% ee. The absolute stereochemistry of two of the products was determined by X-ray crystallography. A number of the imide products were subjected to further, highly regioselective, transformations, including enolate substitution, reduction and thionation.

The most demanding goal of the Gravity Probe B Relativity Mission (GP-B) is the measurement of the parametrized post-Newtonian parameter γ to one part in 105. This goal requires a total experimental accuracy of ≤ 0.044 marcsec/yr. Analysis of and results from 100,000 hours of gyroscope operation on the ground show that the residual Newtonian drift will be < 0.17 marcsec/yr for a supported gyroscope in 10−9 m/s2, and < 0.020 marcsec/yr for an unsupported gyroscope in a fully inertial orbit. The expected error due to gyroscope drift is thus consistent with the measurement goal. The main gyroscope disturbance caused by cosmic radiation is charging of the rotor. A force modulation technique allows measurement of the charge of the gyroscope rotor to about 5 pC, while bipolar charge control to 10 pC is achieved using electrons generated by UV photoemission.

The NASA/Stanford Relativity Mission Gravity Probe B (GP-B) experiment will provide two extremely precise tests of General Relativity based on observations of electrically suspended gyroscopes in a satellite in a 650 km circular polar orbit around the Earth. The project is now nearing completion. Final assembly of the instrument will take place later this year and launch is scheduled for October 2000. GP-B will provide a very accurate measurement of the frame-dragging effect, with its subtle connections to gravitomagnetism and Mach's principle. In addition to measuring frame dragging to 0.3%, it will measure the geodetic effect to approximately 1 part in 105. GP-B is a controlled physics experiment where error terms such as the Newtonian drifts of gyroscopes are reduced to negligible values, and where the apparatus is under the experimenters' control.

The ethical debate surrounding the payment of living unrelated donors continues despite very little evidence regarding the outcome. The aim of this audit was to identify the scale of the problem and assess the results of patients undergoing these procedures. The large Indo-Asian population within our region has a high demand for renal replacement therapy and transplantation. These patients have a limited chance of receiving a transplant for several reasons and some resort to traveling abroad, against medical advice, to procure an unrelated donor kidney transplant. Following an initial audit in our region, a national audit was conducted within the UK. A total of 23 patients were identified, all of whom had done so against medical advice. Mortality from causes directly related to transplantation was high in this group (35%), as was graft loss. The overall rate of successful transplants was only 44% (overall graft loss was 56%) in the short term. The information regarding both donor and recipient, provided from the transplanting center, was inadequate in all cases. These results, which almost certainly represent an underestimate of an ongoing situation, reinforce the standpoint that organ trading is associated with unacceptable risks and poor outcomes. The basis of this trade in organs is based on monetary rather than clinical criteria and such exploitation of both donor and recipient lead us to conclude that this practice cannot be endorsed and even the most desperate dialysis patients should be reminded of the unacceptable risks involved in this practice.

The Colorado system of judicial performance evaluations is the Cadillac of JPEs; they spend more money on their system than other states, and their system has been designed by experts. Even still, disparities in the scores of female and male judges persist. These disparities cannot be explained away using objective measures of judicial performance. The gap appears in the attorney survey stage. The commission's recommendations are based largely on the recommendations from these problematic attorney surveys. What's more, the commission adds another layer of gender bias on top of that included in the attorney surveys.

The JET neutral beam injection system has proved to be both effective and reliable as a plasma heating device. The ion heating and plasma fuelling characteristics of the system are ideally suited to the production of high fusion performance plasmas while the flexibility in the choice of beam species (H, D, T, 3 He or 4 He) and the ability to inject into almost any JET plasma configuration allows a wide variety of related physics experiments to be carried out. The capability to inject (for the first time) tritium beams was essential to the successful execution of the first tritium experiments in which 1.7 MW of power from DT fusion reactions was generated.

Judicial performance evaluations (JPEs) are an important part of the judicial selection process in the states, particularly those using a version of the merit plan. All states that use JPEs follow the ABA’s Guidelines (1985), which claim to minimize the potential for unconscious bias through the use of behavior-based evaluation. But these measures have yet to be subjected to rigorous analysis. This analysis of the 'Judging the Judges' survey of Nevada attorneys provides such an analysis. After controlling for objective measures of judicial performance, gender and race still contribute significantly to the scores on all of the behavior-based measures implemented in the Nevada poll. I find evidence of significant unconscious bias, as social cognition theory would predict. This result raises serious questions about the validity and fairness of JPEs around the country.

Judicial performance evaluations (JPEs) are an important part of the judicial selection process in the states, particularly those using a version of the merit plan. All states that use JPEs follow the ABA’s Guidelines (1985), which claim to minimize the potential for unconscious bias through the use of behavior-based evaluation. But these measures have yet to be subjected to rigorous analysis. This analysis of the “Judging the Judges” survey of Nevada attorneys provides such an analysis. After controlling for objective measures of judicial performance, gender and race still contribute significantly to the scores on all of the behavior-based measures implemented in the Nevada poll. I find evidence of significant unconscious bias, as social cognition theory would predict. The analysis also cast serious doubt on the overall validity of these measures of judicial quality. This result raises serious questions about the validity and fairness of JPEs around the country.