Global influences on UK manufacturing prices: 1970-2000

This paper presents substantial new evidence on the competitive process that links together industrial economic and international economics. Our time-series data base concerns manufactured product prices and their domestic and international determinants. We identity cointegrating relationships, using single equation and multivariate methods. We find that both market imperfections, largely ignored in international economics, and international factors, mostly neglected in industrial economics, should be jointly incorporated into pricing analysis. The significance of global factors varies markedly: differentiated-product sectors respond little to foreign price signals. Our findings are relevant to many fields within economics, including the transmission of inflation

Radiation resistance and comparative performance of ITO/InP and n/p InP homojunction solar cells

The radiation resistance of ITO/InP cells processed by DC magnetron sputtering is compared to that of standard n/p InP and GaAs homojunction cells. After 20 MeV proton irradiations, it is found that the radiation resistance of the present ITO/InP cell is comparable to that of the n/p homojunction InP cell and that both InP cell types have radiation resistance significantly greater than GaAs. The relatively lower radiation resistance, observed at higher fluence, for the InP cell with the deepest junction depth, is attributed to losses in the cells emitter region. Diode parameters obtained from I sub sc - V sub oc plots, data from surface Raman spectroscopy, and determinations of surface conductivity types are used to investigate the configuration of the ITO/InP cells. It is concluded that thesee latter cells are n/p homojunctions, the n-region consisting of a disordered layer at the oxide semiconductor

Developing a viva exam to assess clinical reasoning in pre-registration osteopathy students

Background: Clinical reasoning (CR) is a core capability for health practitioners. Assessing CR requires a suite of tools to encompass a wide scope of contexts and cognitive abilities. The aim of this project was to develop an oral examination and grading rubric for the assessment of CR in osteopathy, trial it with senior students in three accredited university programs in Australia and New Zealand, and to evaluate its content and face validity. Methods: Experienced osteopathic academics developed 20 cases and a grading rubric. Thirty senior students were recruited, 10 from each university. Twelve fourth year and 18 fifth year students participated. Three members of the research team were trained and examined students at an institution different from their own. Two cases were presented to each student participant in a series of vignettes. The rubric was constructed to follow a set of examiner questions that related to each attribute of CR. Data were analysed to explore differences in examiner marking, as well as relationships between cases, institutions, and different year levels. A non-examining member of the research team acted as an observer at each location. Results: No statistical difference was found between the total and single question scores, nor for the total scores between examiners. Significant differences were found between 4th and 5th students on total score and a number of single questions. The rubric was found to be internally consistent. Conclusions: A viva examination of clinical reasoning, trialled with senior osteopathy students, showed face and content validity. Results suggested that the viva exam may also differentiate between 4th and 5th year students’ capabilities in CR. Further work is required to establish the reliability of assessment, to further refine the rubric, and to train examiners before it is implemented as a high-stakes assessment in accredited osteopathy programs

Understanding clinical reasoning in osteopathy: a qualitative research approach.

Background Clinical reasoning has been described as a process that draws heavily on the knowledge, skills and attributes that are particular to each health profession. However, the clinical reasoning processes of practitioners of different disciplines demonstrate many similarities, including hypothesis generation and reflective practice. The aim of this study was to understand clinical reasoning in osteopathy from the perspective of osteopathic clinical educators and the extent to which it was similar or different from clinical reasoning in other health professions. Methods This study was informed by constructivist grounded theory. Participants were clinical educators in osteopathic teaching institutions in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Focus groups and written critical reflections provided a rich data set. Data were analysed using constant comparison to develop inductive categories. Results According to participants, clinical reasoning in osteopathy is different from clinical reasoning in other health professions. Osteopaths use a two-phase approach: an initial biomedical screen for serious pathology, followed by use of osteopathic reasoning models that are based on the relationship between structure and function in the human body. Clinical reasoning in osteopathy was also described as occurring in a number of contexts (e.g. patient, practitioner and community) and drawing on a range of metaskills (e.g. hypothesis generation and reflexivity) that have been described in other health professions. Conclusions The use of diagnostic reasoning models that are based on the relationship between structure and function in the human body differentiated clinical reasoning in osteopathy. These models were not used to name a medical condition but rather to guide the selection of treatment approaches. If confirmed by further research that clinical reasoning in osteopathy is distinct from clinical reasoning in other health professions, then osteopaths may have a unique perspective to bring to multidisciplinary decision-making and potentially enhance the quality of patient care. Where commonalities exist in the clinical reasoning processes of osteopathy and other health professions, shared learning opportunities may be available, including the exchange of scaffolded clinical reasoning exercises and assessment practices among health disciplines

Small-sided games training reduces CRP, IL-6 and leptin in sedentary, middle-aged men

© 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Purpose: Long-term physical activity is reported to improve chronic systemic inflammation, which provides protection against the ensuing development of chronic disease. Accordingly, the present study assessed changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, aerobic capacity and body composition following 8 weeks of either small-sided games (SSG) or cycling (CYC) training compared to a sedentary control (CON) condition.Methods: Thirty-three middle-aged, sedentary men were randomized into CYC (n = 11), SSG (n = 11), or CON (n = 11) conditions. The CYC and SSG conditions trained 3 days/week for 8 weeks, whilst CON maintained habitual activity and dietary patterns. Pre- and post-intervention testing included a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, sub-maximal (80 % maximal heart rate) aerobic capacity (VO2) and fasting venous blood. Venous blood measures for pro-inflammatory markers included C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and leptin; anti-inflammatory markers included IL-10, IL-1 receptor agonist, and adiponectin.Results: Both CYC and SSG increased submaximal power output and VO2 (P < 0.05), decreased total body fat-mass (TB-FM; P < 0.05), and CRP (SSG, −0.45 ± 0.42 mg L−1; P = 0.008; CYC, −0.44 ± 0.59 mg L−1; P = 0.02). Only SSG increased total body fat-free mass (TB-FFM; +1.1 ± 1.2 kg; P = 0.001) and decreased concentration of plasma IL-6 (−0.69 ± 0.62 pg mL−1; P = 0.002) and leptin (−2,212 ± 2,531 ng mL−1; P = 0.014).Conclusion: Cycling and SSG training were both effective at improving CRP, VO2 and TB-FM. Furthermore, SSG training has also shown to be an effective training approach in reducing IL-6 and leptin and increasing muscle mass within sedentary, middle-aged men

Differences in post-exercise inflammatory and glucose regulatory response between sedentary Indigenous Australian and Caucasian men completing a single bout of cycling

Objectives: This study compared the acute inflammatory and glucose responses following aerobic exercise in sedentary Indigenous Australian and Caucasian men, matched for fitness and body composition. Methods: Sedentary Indigenous (n=10) and Caucasian (n=9) Australian men who were free from chronic disease volunteered to participate. Following baseline testing, participants completed a 40 min cycling bout at ~80% maximal heart rate. Fasting venous blood was collected pre, 0, 30, 60, and 240 min post-exercise for analysis of glucose, insulin, cortisol, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-1 receptor agonist (ra), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: Resting TNF-α and glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the Indigenous group (P0.05). The post-exercise (0 min) increase in cortisol and glucose for the Caucasians was higher (P0.05). Conclusions: Despite being matched for fitness and body composition the Indigenous men had elevated resting TNF-α and glucose compared with the Caucasian men, which may have contributed to the suppressed post-exercise anti-inflammatory response of the Indigenous men; however, glucose normalized between groups post-exercise. As such, it is recommended for acute moderate-intensity exercise to be completed daily for long-term improvements in glucose regulation, irrespective of ancestry. Of note, results suggest it to be even more pertinent for exercise to be encouraged for Indigenous Australian men due to their elevated resting glucose levels at a younger age, when compared to the respective Caucasian group. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:208-214, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

A 12-week sports-based exercise programme for inactive Indigenous Australian men improved clinical risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

© 2014 Sports Medicine Australia. Objectives: This study assessed the effect of a 12-week sports-based exercise intervention on glucose regulation, anthropometry and inflammatory markers associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Indigenous Australian men. Design: Twenty-six inactive Indigenous Australian men (48.6. ± 6.6 years) were randomized into exercise (n=16) or control (n=10)conditions. Methods: Training included ~2-3 days/week for 12 weeks of sports and gym exercises in a group environment, whilst control participants maintained normal activity and dietary patterns. Pre- and post-intervention testing included: anthropometry, peak aerobic capacity, fasting blood chemistry of inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, leptin, cholesterol, glucose, insulin and C-peptide. An oral glucose tolerance test measured glucose, insulin and C-peptide 30, 60, 90 and 120. min post 75. g glucose ingestion. Results: The exercise condition decreased insulin area under the curve (25. ± 22%), increased estimated insulin sensitivity (35. ± 62%) and decreased insulin resistance (9. ± 35%; p 0.05). The exercise condition decreased in body mass index, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio (p 0.05). Leptin decreased in the exercise group, with no changes for adiponectin (p> 0.05) or inflammatory markers (p> 0.05) in either condition. Aerobic fitness variables showed significant increases in peak oxygen consumption for the exercise condition compared to no change in control (p> 0.05). Conclusions: Findings indicate positive clinical outcomes in metabolic, anthropometric and aerobic fitness variables. This study provides evidence for sport and group-based activities leading to improved clinical risk factors associated with T2DM development in clinically obese Indigenous Australian men

Subchondral bone of the human knee joint in aging and osteoarthritis

AbstractObjective Although most research investigating the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) has focused on cartilage, it has been suggested that the subchondral bone (SCB) plays an important role in the development of OA. The relationships between aging, severity of OA change and the SCB thickness and density in the human knee joint specimens from a wide range of ages were examined.Methods One hundred forty knee joints from 72 individuals (25 females, 45 males and 2 unknowns; average age 54.8 years, range 17 to 91 years) were obtained. The surface of the articular cartilage of both the femur and tibia was evaluated for gross morphological changes with a 4-point grading scale. The lateral and medial femoral condyles were cut along a sagittal plane and the tibia along a coronal plane to make bone and cartilage strip specimens. The strips were X-rayed onto mammography film and then scanned into a computer for assessment of SCB thickness and density using image analysis software.Results Medial tibial SCB thickness was significantly lower among the elderly (age>69 years) than among the young (age<40) or the middle-aged (40 to 69) (P< 0.001 via ANOVA). Lateral tibial SCB thickness also showed the same trend of decreasing thickness with increasing age, but differences between age groups were not statistically significant. Tibial SCB thicknesses were significantly lower in arthritic grades compared to normal grades (P=0.008 in lateral and 0.017 in medial via ANOVA); in contrast, no significant differences between normal and arthritic were found in femoral SCB thicknesses. The arthritic group tended to have lower SCB densities than the normal group, but this was statistically significant in only the lateral femoral condyle.Conclusions The results obtained in the present study are not consistent with generally accepted notions of the relationship between subchondral bone thickness or density and OA. Subchondral bone changes are not etiologic for OA but, more likely, are secondary to loss of articular cartilage which precedes the appearance of subchondral sclerosis. Copyright 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of OsteoArthritis Research Society International

Understanding clinical reasoning in osteopathy: a qualitative research approach.

BACKGROUND: Clinical reasoning has been described as a process that draws heavily on the knowledge, skills and attributes that are particular to each health profession. However, the clinical reasoning processes of practitioners of different disciplines demonstrate many similarities, including hypothesis generation and reflective practice. The aim of this study was to understand clinical reasoning in osteopathy from the perspective of osteopathic clinical educators and the extent to which it was similar or different from clinical reasoning in other health professions. METHODS: This study was informed by constructivist grounded theory. Participants were clinical educators in osteopathic teaching institutions in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Focus groups and written critical reflections provided a rich data set. Data were analysed using constant comparison to develop inductive categories. RESULTS: According to participants, clinical reasoning in osteopathy is different from clinical reasoning in other health professions. Osteopaths use a two-phase approach: an initial biomedical screen for serious pathology, followed by use of osteopathic reasoning models that are based on the relationship between structure and function in the human body. Clinical reasoning in osteopathy was also described as occurring in a number of contexts (e.g. patient, practitioner and community) and drawing on a range of metaskills (e.g. hypothesis generation and reflexivity) that have been described in other health professions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of diagnostic reasoning models that are based on the relationship between structure and function in the human body differentiated clinical reasoning in osteopathy. These models were not used to name a medical condition but rather to guide the selection of treatment approaches. If confirmed by further research that clinical reasoning in osteopathy is distinct from clinical reasoning in other health professions, then osteopaths may have a unique perspective to bring to multidisciplinary decision-making and potentially enhance the quality of patient care. Where commonalities exist in the clinical reasoning processes of osteopathy and other health professions, shared learning opportunities may be available, including the exchange of scaffolded clinical reasoning exercises and assessment practices among health disciplines

Differences in the acute inflammatory and glucose regulatory responses between small-sided games and cycling in sedentary, middle-aged men

© 2014 Sports Medicine Australia. Objectives: This study compared the acute inflammatory and glucose regulatory response within and between rugby specific small-sided games and stationary cycling in sedentary, middle-aged Caucasian men. Design: Nine middle-aged, sedentary men who were free from disease participated in 2. ×. 40 min exercise conditions (stationary cycling and small-sided games) in a randomised, cross-over design. Methods: Heart rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion were collected during each bout. Venous blood was collected at fasting, 0, 30, 60 and 240. min post-exercise for measurement of glucose, insulin, cortisol and inflammatory markers including tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 receptor agonist and C-reactive protein. Results: No significant differences existed between conditions for heart rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion (p>. 0.05). Interleukin-6 was increased immediately post-exercise in both conditions (p 0.05). Results for C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β showed no significant exercise-induced changes within or between conditions (p>. 0.05). Conclusions: Both small-sided games and stationary cycling conditions were sufficient to stimulate an acute anti-inflammatory response as indicated by the post-exercise elevation of interleukin-6, interleukin-1receptor agonist and cortisol. The novel findings are that an acute bout of small-sided games bout is capable of maintaining an elevated post-exercise interleukin-6 response and lowered blood glucose concentration, compared with intensity- and duration-matched stationary cycling condition