Objective. To develop and perform an initial validation of a damage index for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods.A list of items considered to reflect damage in SLE was generated through a nominal group

We report in this paper, the results of an investigation of the effect of national culture on the interpretation of “in context” verbal probability expressions. We develop hypotheses with regard to the effect that the interaction of the accounting value of conservatism and the context in which probability expressions are used will have on accountants' interpretations of those expressions. We elicit information from U.S. and German professional accountants to test three hypotheses. We find significant differences between U.S. and German accountants in the interpretation of several verbal probability expressions. In most cases, the German accountants are more conservative; for example, Germans exhibit a conservative bias in their interpretation of the word “probable” when used across a variety of accounting contexts. The study's results suggest that culture influences the interpretation of verbal probability expressions used in accounting standards in a systematic and predictable manner. This phenomenon raises the question of whether a common set of accounting standards can be applied consistently across cultures.

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The results of open carpal tunnel release using a short incision (2.5 cm) have been compared with those following a long incision (4.5 cm) in a prospective randomized study. Eighty patients were operated upon with a follow-up rate of 100%. The variables examined included grip strength, key and pulp pinch strength, sensory function and scar tenderness. Subjective variables such as tingling, numbness and night symptoms were specifically enquired into, and time for return to work was noted. The examinations took place pre-operatively, as well as one, two, three and six weeks post-operatively. Median time for return to work was 21 days for the short incision group and 18 days for the long incision group. The long incision resulted in a significant 10% loss of strength only at week three, otherwise no significant difference was found between the results of the two groups.