The relevance to firm valuation of capitalising intangible assets in total and by category

Debate about the appropriate treatment of intangible assets can benefit from knowledge about the relevance of their financial statement capitalisation to valuation of firms. With rules permitting or requiring intangible asset capitalisation, Australia provides an ideal setting to obtain this evidence. This paper reports findings that indicate that capitalisation of intangibles is value-relevant for Australia's largest firms. Results indicate that investors place greater value on capitalised goodwill than on other categories of capitalised balance sheet items. Similarly, capitalisation of identifiable intangible assets adds value to large firms. However, research and development capitalisation does not affect the value of firms in our study.

Detection of human respiratory syncytial virus in respiratory samples by LightCycler reverse transcriptase PCR

Laboratory diagnosis of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) infections has traditionally been performed by virus isolation in cell culture and the direct fluorescent-antibody assay (DFA). Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) is now recognized as a sensitive and specific alternative for detection of hRSV in respiratory samples. Using the LightCycler instrument, we developed a rapid RT-PCR assay for the detection of hRSV (the LC-RT-PCR) with a pair of hybridization probes that target the hRSV L gene. In the present study, 190 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples from patients with clinically recognized respiratory tract infections were examined for hRSV. The results were then compared to the results obtained with a testing algorithm that combined DFA and a culture-augmented DFA (CA-DFA) assay developed in our laboratory. hRSV was detected in 77 (41%) specimens by LC-RT-PCR and in 75 (39%) specimens by the combination of DFA and CA-DFA. All specimens that were positive by the DFA and CA-DFA testing algorithm were positive by the LC-RT-PCR. The presence of hRSV RNA in the two additional LC-RT-PCR-positive specimens was confirmed by a conventional RT-PCR method that targets the hRSV N gene. The sensitivity of LC-RT-PCR was 50 PFU/ml; and this, together with its high specificity and rapid turnaround time, makes the LC-RT-PCR suitable for the detection of hRSV in clinical specimens.

[18O]-Oxygen incorporation reveals novel pathways in spiroacetal biosynthesis by Bactrocera cacuminata and B. cucumis

The origins of the oxygen atoms in 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (1) and hydroxyspiroacetal (2) from Bactrocera cacuminata, and in 2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (3) and hydroxyspiroacetal (4) from B. cucumis, have been investigated by incorporation studies from both [18O2]-dioxygen and [18O]-water. Combined GC-MS examination and high-field NMR analysis have demonstrated that all oxygen atoms in 1 and 2 from B. cacuminata are dioxygen derived, but in contrast, the spiroacetals 3 and 4 from B. cucumis incorporate one ring oxygen from water and one ring oxygen (and the hydroxyl oxygen in 4) from [18O2]-dioxygen. These results reveal not only the generality of monoxygenase mediation of spiroacetal formation in Bactrocera sp., but also an unexpected complexity in their biosynthesis. A general paradigm accommodating these and other observations is presented.

Improved detection of lacZ reporter gene expression in transgenic epithelia by immunofluorescence microscopy

The bacterial lacZ gene is commonly used as a reporter for the in vivo analysis of gene regulation in transgenic mice. However, several laboratories have reported poor detection of beta-galactosidase (the lacZ gene product) using histochemical techniques, particularly in skin. Here we report the difficulties we encountered in assessing lacZ expression in transgenic keratinocytes using classic X-gal histochemical protocols in tissues shown to express the transgene by mRNA in situ hybridization. We found that lacZ reporter gene expression could be reliably detected in frozen tissue sections by immunofluorescence analysis using a beta-galactosidase-specific antibody. Moreover, we were able to localize both transgene and endogenous gene products simultaneously using double-label immunofluorescence. Our results suggest that antibody detection of beta-galactosidase should be used to verify other assays of lacZ expression, particularly where low expression levels are suspected or patchy expression is observed.

Quantification and stability of everolimus (SDZ RAD) in human blood by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

We report here a validated method for the quantification of a new immunosuppressant drug, everolimus (SDZ RAD), using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Whole blood samples (500 mul) were prepared by protein precipitation, followed by C-18 solid-phase extraction. Mass spectrometric detection was by selected reaction monitoring with an electrospray interface operating in positive ionization mode. The assay was linear from 0.5 to 100 mug/l (r(2) > 0.996, n = 9). The analytical recovery and inter-day imprecision, determined using whole blood quality control samples (n = 5) at 0.5, 1.2, 20.0, and 75.0 mug/l, was 100.3-105.4% and less than or equal to7.6%, respectively. The assay had a mean relative recovery of 94.8 +/- 3.8%. Extracted samples were stable for up to 24 h. Fortified everolimus blood samples were stable at -80 degreesC for at least 8 months and everolimus was found to be stable in blood when taken through at least three freeze-thaw cycles. The reported method provides accurate, precise and specific measurement of everolimus in blood over a wide analytical range and is currently supporting phase 11 and III clinical trials. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Perception or synthesized voice quality in connected speech by Cantonese speakers

Perceptual voice analysis is a subjective process. However, despite reports of varying degrees of intrajudge and interjudge reliability, it is widely used in clinical voice evaluation. One of the ways to improve the reliability of this procedure is to provide judges with signals as external standards so that comparison can be made in relation to these anchor signals. The present study used a Klatt speech synthesizer to create a set of speech signals with varying degree of three different voice qualities based on a Cantonese sentence. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether different abnormal voice qualities could be synthesized using the built-in synthesis parameters using a perceptual study. The second objective was to determine the relationship between acoustic characteristics of the synthesized signals and perceptual judgment. Twenty Cantonese-speaking speech pathologists with at least three years of clinical experience in perceptual voice evaluation were asked to undertake two tasks. The first was to decide whether the voice quality of the synthesized signals was normal or not. The second was to decide whether the abnormal signals should be described as rough, breathy, or vocal fry. The results showed that signals generated with a small degree of aspiration noise were perceived as breathiness while signals with a small degree of flutter or double pulsing were perceived as roughness. When the flutter or double pulsing increased further, tremor and vocal fry, rather than roughness, were perceived. Furthermore, the amount of aspiration noise, flutter, or double pulsing required for male voice stimuli was different from that required for the female voice stimuli with a similar level of perceptual breathiness and roughness. These findings showed that changes in perceived vocal quality could be achieved by systematic modifications of synthesis parameters. This opens up the possibility of using synthesized voice signals as external standards or anchors to improve the reliability of clinical perceptual voice evaluation. (C) 2002 Acoustical Society of America.

A clinical audit of the prescribing of celecoxib and rofecoxib in Australian rural general practice

Aims The new cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors, celecoxib (Celebrex®) and rofecoxib (Vioxx®), have been widely prescribed since their launch. No reviews currently appear in the literature of prescribing patterns in Australia. This paper describes a self-audit of the clinical use of selective COX-2 inhibitor therapy undertaken with rural general practitioners (GPs) in Australia. Methods A structured audit form was developed and distributed to interested GPs. The form was self-administered and focused on issues about COX-2 inhibitors and the types of patients who were receiving them, e.g. indications, patient demographics, risk factors and drug interactions. Results A total of 627 patients were recruited (569 celecoxib and 58 rofecoxib). A range of doses was prescribed. Osteoarthritis was the most common indication (68.1%). Risk factors known for the nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were identified in 65.1% of patients, with the most common being advanced age, hypertension and previous peptic ulcer disease. Potential drug interactions were common. A variety of reasons for initiation of therapy was identified; these included perceived increased efficacy, safety and failure of other treatment. Conclusions These results show that COX-2 inhibitors are being prescribed for patients with multiple risk factors that may place the patient at increased risk of adverse drug reactions to a COX-2 inhibitor. The perception of improved safety and efficacy was common and is of concern. Limitations of the study include the reliance on self-reporting.

Study on diffusion and flow of benzene, n-hexane and CCl4 in activated carbon by a differential permeation method

In this paper the diffusion and flow of carbon tetrachloride, benzene and n-hexane through a commercial activated carbon is studied by a differential permeation method. The range of pressure is covered from very low pressure to a pressure range where significant capillary condensation occurs. Helium as a non-adsorbing gas is used to determine the characteristics of the porous medium. For adsorbing gases and vapors, the motion of adsorbed molecules in small pores gives rise to a sharp increase in permeability at very low pressures. The interplay between a decreasing behavior in permeability due to the saturation of small pores with adsorbed molecules and an increasing behavior due to viscous flow in larger pores with pressure could lead to a minimum in the plot of total permeability versus pressure. This phenomenon is observed for n-hexane at 30degreesC. At relative pressure of 0.1-0.8 where the gaseous viscous flow dominates, the permeability is a linear function of pressure. Since activated carbon has a wide pore size distribution, the mobility mechanism of these adsorbed molecules is different from pore to pore. In very small pores where adsorbate molecules fill the pore the permeability decreases with an increase in pressure, while in intermediate pores the permeability of such transport increases with pressure due to the increasing build-up of layers of adsorbed molecules. For even larger pores, the transport is mostly due to diffusion and flow of free molecules, which gives rise to linear permeability with respect to pressure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Short report: Molecular genetic characterization of an unusually severe case of hydatid disease in Alaska caused by the cervid strain of Echinococcus granulosusi

Distinct Echinococcus granulosus life cycle patterns have been described in North America: domestic and sylvatic. Gene sequences of the sylvatic E. granulosus indicate that it represents a separate variant. Case-based data have suggested that the course of sylvatic disease is less severe than that of domestic disease. which led to the recommendation to treat cystic echinococcosis patients in the Arctic by careful medical management rather than by aggressive surgery. We recently reported the first two documented E. granalosus human cases in Alaska with accompanying severe sequelae. Here we describe the results of molecular genetic analysis of the cyst material of one of the subjects that supported identification of the parasite as the sylvatic (cervid) strain and not the domestic (common sheep strain), which was initially thought to be implicated in these unusually severe Alaskan cases.

Rapid genotyping of loci involved in antifolate drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum by primer extension

Current methods used to genotype point mutations in Plasmodium falciparum genes involved in resistance to antifolate drugs include restriction digestion of PCR products, allele-specific amplification or sequencing. Here we demonstrate that known point mutations in dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase can be scored quickly and accurately by single-nucleotide primer extension and detection of florescent products on a capillary sequencer. We use this method to genotype parasites in natural infections from the Thai-Myanmar border. This approach could greatly simplify large-scale screening of resistance mutations of the type required for evaluating and updating antimalarial drug treatment policies. The method can be easily adapted to other P. falciparum genes and will greatly simplify scoring of point mutations in this and other parasitic organisms. © 2002 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.