bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementing design patterns in Object Teams
Authors: Monteiro Miguel P. , Gomes João 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYThis paper presents a study of the support for modularity of Object Teams, an aspect‐oriented language backwards compatible with Java. The study is based on implementations in Object Teams of two complete collections of the Gang‐of‐Four design patterns. An analysis of the implementations is provided, in terms of advantages of Object Teams over Java with respect to modularity, module composition and reuse. We present a systematic comparison with a functionally equivalent collection of implementations in AspectJ, regarding five modularity properties: locality, reusability, composition transparency, (un)pluggability and extensibility. Object Teams yields broadly comparable results in terms of the first four properties. Object Teams yields better results as regards flexible module extensibility, composition at the instance level and enclosing multiple pattern participants into a larger, cohesive module. AspectJ is more successful than Object Teams in the Singleton pattern because of its ability to intercept constructor events. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vaginal progesterone, cerclage or cervical pessary for preventing preterm birth in asymptomatic singleton pregnant women with a history of preterm birth and a sonographic short cervix
Authors: Alfirevic Z. , Owen J. , Carreras Moratonas E. , Sharp A. N. , Szychowski J. M. , Goya M. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo compare the outcome of pregnancy in cohorts of women with singleton pregnancy and history of preterm birth and sonographic short cervix managed with different treatment protocols, namely cerclage, vaginal progesterone or cervical pessary.MethodsThis was a comparison of three management protocols for women with singleton pregnancy and a high risk of preterm birth because of a prior spontaneous preterm birth before 34 weeks and a shortened cervical length detected by transvaginal ultrasound. The study included 142 women who were initially treated with cerclage (USA), 59 with vaginal progesterone (UK) and 42 with cervical pessary (Spain). Perinatal outcomes were compared between the three cohorts.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in perinatal losses, neonatal morbidity and preterm births among the three groups, apart from a higher rate of preterm birth before 34 weeks' gestation after treatment with vaginal progesterone in comparison with treatment with cervical pessary (32% vs 12%; relative risk (RR) = 2.70; 95% CI, 1.10–6.67). When only the subgroups of women with cervical length < 25 mm, irrespective of gestational age, were compared, the difference between these two cohorts was not statistically significant (RR = 2.21; 95% CI, 0.83–5.89).ConclusionCerclage, vaginal progesterone and pessary appear to have similar effectiveness as management strategies in women with singleton pregnancy, previous spontaneous preterm birth and short cervix. Direct randomized comparisons of these strategies, or combinations thereof, are needed to determine optimal management.
Love is in the air: olfaction-based mate-odour identification by jumping spiders from the genus Cyrba
Authors: Cerveira Ana M. , Jackson Robert R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractJumping spiders (Salticidae) are known for having good eyesight, but the extent to which they rely on olfaction is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate for the first time that olfactory pheromones are used by two species from the salticid genusCyrba(C. algerinaandC. ocellata). Using a Y-shape olfactometer, we investigated the ability of adult males and females of both species to discriminate between mate and non-mate odour. A hidden spider or a spider’s draglines (no spider present) were used as odour sources. There was no evident response by females of eitherCyrbaspecies to any tested odour. Males of both species chose odour from conspecific females, or their draglines, significantly more often than the no-odour control, but there was no evident response by males to any of the other odours (conspecific male and heterospecific female). Our findings demonstrate thatC. algerinaandC. ocellatamales can make sex- and species-specific discriminations even when restricted to using olfaction alone. Also, by showing that draglines can be a source of olfactory pheromones, our findings illustrate the difficulty of ruling out olfaction when attempting to test for chemotactile cues.
Trauma and suicidality in war affected communities
Authors: Jankovic J. , Bremner S. , Bogic M. , Lecic-Tosevski D. , Ajdukovic D. , Franciskovic T. , Galeazzi G.M. , Kucukalic A. , Morina N. , Popovski M. , Schützwohl M. , Priebe S. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractPurposeThe aim was to assess whether experiences of war trauma remain directly associated with suicidality in war affected communities when other risk factors are considered.Materials and methodsIn the main sample 3313 participants from former Yugoslavia who experienced war trauma were recruited using a random sampling in five Balkan countries. In the second sample 854 refugees from former Yugoslavia recruited through registers and networking in three Western European countries. Sociodemographic and data on trauma exposure, psychiatric diagnoses and level of suicidality were assessed.ResultsIn the main sample 113 participants (3.4%) had high suicidality, which was associated with number of potentially traumatic war experiences (odds ratio 1.1) and war related imprisonment (odds ratio 3) once all measured risk factors were considered. These associations were confirmed in the refugee sample with a higher suicidality rate (10.2%).Discussion and conclusionsNumber of potentially traumatic war experiences, in particular imprisonment, may be considered as a relevant risk factor for suicidality in people affected by war.
Prevalence of high‐risk HPV and associated risk factors in cases of cervical carcinoma in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Vinodhini Krishnakumar , Shanmughapriya Santhanam , Sanmugham Sumathy , Senthikumar Ganesan , Das Bhudev C. , Natarajaseenivasan Kalimuthusamy 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of HPV infection among women with cervical cancer in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India.MethodsA case–control study was conducted with 246 women with cervical cancer and 257 control participants aged between 20 and 70 years. The presence of HPV DNA was determined using the MY09/11 PCR protocol, the GP5+/6+ PCR protocol, and type‐specific PCR‐based assays.ResultsThe overall HPV prevalence was 54.9% and HPV 16 was the most prevalent type. The women the most vulnerable for HPV infection were those aged 41 to 60 years. The major contributing risk factors for cervical cancer were having had 3 or more pregnancies (OR 19.2; 95% CI, 10.78–10.16); harboring high‐risk HPV DNA (OR 15.3; 95% CI, 9.81–23.8); being a manual worker (OR 14.9; 95% CI, 9.62–23.08); being illiterate (OR 8.28; 95% CI, 5.51–12.43); and having never been screened for cervical dysplasia (OR 6.70; 95% CI, 10.78–34.44).ConclusionThe present report on the overall and type‐specific prevalence rates and risk burden of HPV infection in Tamil Nadu confirms that screening and vaccination programs are urgently needed in this state to overcome the burden of HPV‐associated cervical cancer.
Outcomes of traditional prolapse surgery for pelvic organ prolapse repair at a single center
Authors: Fukuda Takeshi , Sumi Toshiyuki , Yasui Tomoyo , Koyama Masayasu , Ishiko Osamu 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical outcomes of traditional surgical approaches to pelvic organ prolapse.MethodsFrom January 20, 2000, to March 24, 2009, 182 patients underwent traditional prolapse surgery at Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan, after prolapse assessment by the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system. Incontinence, defined as more than 2 g of urine leaked in a 1‐hour pad test; posterior urethrovesical angle, using chain cystography; and quality of life (QOL), using a face visual analog scale, were assessed 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and then annually for 2 more years, in the 167 patients who completed follow‐up. The presence of lower urinary tract symptoms was determined preoperatively and postoperatively.ResultsThe anatomic and subjective recurrence rates were 21.0% and 6.0%. There was a significant difference in time to recurrence between anatomic and subjective prolapse. The posterior urethrovesical angle was improved postoperatively. The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms was 67.1% preoperatively and decreased to 28.2%, 17.2%, 16.2%, 15.6%, and 15.6% at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, respectively, and QOL was improved postoperatively regardless of anatomic recurrence.ConclusionAnatomic support and QOL were satisfactory after traditional prolapse surgery.
The protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract against experimental cisplatin ototoxicity: animal research using distortion product otoacoustic emissions
Authors: Cakil B , Basar F Suren , Atmaca S , Cengel S Kurnaz , Tekat A , Tanyeri Y 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground:Cisplatin, an effective therapeutic agent for various human cancers, has dose-limiting side effects of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin ototoxicity is thought to result from increased amounts of toxic free radicals or cell membrane changes leading to increased intracellular calcium content. Ginkgo biloba extract prevents lipid peroxidation, decreases intracellular free oxygen radical levels, regulates the cell membrane calcium transport mechanism and prevents cell death. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats.Methods:Twenty Wistar albino rats with normal hearing (confirmed by distortion product otoacoustic emission testing prior to cisplatin application) were randomly allocated to two groups. Both groups received a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (12 mg/kg). Group two also received daily intraperitoneal doses of Ginkgo biloba extract (100 mg/kg) for 10 days. Distortion product otoacoustic emission measurements were repeated on days 10 and 17 and signal-to-noise ratios were compared.Results:Compared with group one, group two had significantly better distortion product otoacoustic emission results at 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz on days 10 and 17.Conclusion:These findings suggest that Ginkgo biloba extract protects the inner ear against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
ATTITUDES AND BARRIERS TOWARD MINI-HTA IN THE DANISH MUNICIPALITIES
Authors: Ehlers Lars , Jensen Morten Berg 
Published: September 2012

Background: In 2008 the Danish National Board of Health launched an information campaign aimed at introducing mini-HTA as a management and decision support tool for the municipalities. Today (January 2012), mini-HTA is still not used regularly in the municipalities.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the latent attitudes toward mini-HTA among ninety-three participants in five voluntary workshops on mini-HTA held in the period of May 2008 to February 2009.Methods: In a questionnaire including three open questions respondents were asked to state their perception of what mini-HTA could be used for in the municipality, the main barriers for using mini-HTA, and what could make it easier to implement mini-HTA. Answers were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using binary coding and statistical examination of patterns in form of R-factor analysis.Results: The four significant latent attitudes were a general acceptance of HTA-principles, a derived need for a political/managerial decision to use mini-HTA in the municipality, worries about barriers in the medium run, and worries about barriers in the short run.Conclusions: A national information campaign to support the uptake of mini-HTA in local health-care institutions was insufficient in the Danish municipalities and should have been supplemented with a strategy to secure local political/managerial willingness to use mini-HTA and the removal of short- and medium-term barriers. The implementation of local HTA should not just be seen as a question of how to increase the use of evidence in decision-making, but as a matter of reforming local decision processes.
ANALYZING 10 YEARS OF EARLY AWARENESS AND ALERT ACTIVITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: Packer Claire , Fung Matthew , Stevens Andrew 
Published: September 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the English National Horizon Scanning Centre (NHSC) in identifying and filtering pharmaceutical developments using end user and international collaborator databases of emerging technologies as proxies for new drugs of likely significance to health services and/or patients.Methods: We used the NHSC information system and the list of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals to estimate the false positive rate for NHSC identification, filtration, and reporting. We assessed the sensitivity of NHSC identification and filtration of pharmaceuticals for NICE technology appraisals from 1999 to the end of December 2010, and for pharmaceuticals entered into the EuroScan International Network database.Results: We estimate that overall NHSC identification, filtration and reporting had a positive predictive value of 0.39 (95 percent CI, 0.36 to 0.43) and a false positive rate of 60 percent. Using NICE appraisals and EuroScan's database as proxies for pharmaceuticals of significance, we estimate the NHSC sensitivity over the 10-year period at 0.92 (95 percent CI, 0.89 to 0.95) and 0.89 (95 percent CI, 0.82 to 0.96) respectively.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the NHSC has performed well in terms of sensitivity over the past decade, but that the false positive rate of 60 percent may indicate that the filtration criteria for pharmaceuticals could be tightened for increased efficiency. Future evaluations of EAA systems should include an element of external review and explore the level of accuracy acceptable to funders and customers of such systems.
EARLY AWARENESS AND ALERT ACTIVITIES IN LATIN AMERICA: CURRENT SITUATION IN FOUR COUNTRIES
Authors: Pichon-Riviere Andres , Silva Elias Flávia Tavares , Rivero Verónica Gallegos , Vaca Claudia P. 
Published: September 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study was to briefly describe the current state of early awareness and alert (EAA) activities and systems in four Latin-American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico).Methods: Key informants were selected and completed an open questionnaire that included the following domains: current state of EAA activities and systems in each country, potential role for EAA systems in the health system, and future EAA projects that are currently being considered.Results: In all four countries, health technology assessment (HTA) processes are used to prioritize the use of health resources, albeit at varying degrees and with different mechanisms and methodologies. EAA activities are still limited and there are virtually no institutions or units with specific functions explicitly devoted to EAA activity. However, most countries have developed some initial forms of EAA systems. Being in its initial stages there is no clear differentiation between these early awareness activities and other HTA functions, and no specific methodologies or processes are used to anticipate the emergence of new technologies. Consequently, early evaluation of technologies generally occurs in a reactive manner, after they have been introduced in the market and under the pressure of different stakeholders.Conclusions: There is growing awareness that the early identification and assessment of emerging technologies should be an integral part of HTA and the decision-making process. Many initiatives are currently focusing on building partnerships between the various regulatory bodies involved in the incorporation of technologies at national levels. It is reasonable to foresee that EAA activities will continue to develop and expand in the region.
ROMIPLOSTIM AND ELTROMBOPAG FOR IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA: METHODS FOR INDIRECT COMPARISON
Authors: Cooper Katy L. , Fitzgerald Patrick , Dillingham Kerry , Helme Kawitha , Akehurst Ron 
Published: September 2012

Objectives:Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) causes increased platelet destruction and suboptimal platelet production, increasing risk of bleeding. This analysis uses a Bayesian metaregression model to indirectly compare effectiveness of the thrombopoietin mimetics romiplostim and eltrombopag for increasing platelet counts, and contrasts the results with those of non-Bayesian approaches.Methods:Ten databases were searched during 2010. Placebo-controlled trials of 24 weeks’ duration were included. An indirect comparison was undertaken using Bayesian metaregression, which includes all trials in a single model. This was compared with previous analyses in which data for each intervention were combined using simple pooling, logistic regression or meta-analysis, followed by indirect comparison of pooled values using the Bucher method.Results:Two trials of romiplostim and one of eltrombopag were included. The indirect evidence suggests romiplostim significantly improves overall platelet response compared with eltrombopag. Bayesian metaregression gave an odds ratio (OR) for eltrombopag versus romiplostim of 0.11 (95 percent credible interval 0.02–0.66);pvalues and Bayesian posterior probabilities ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 for all analyses. There was no significant difference in durable platelet response in any of the analyses, although the direction of effect favored romiplostim (OR = 0.15; 95 percent credible interval, 0.01–1.88);pvalues and Bayesian posterior probabilities ranged from 0.08 to 0.40 across analyses. Results were relatively consistent between analyses.Conclusions:Bayesian metaregression generated similar results to other indirect comparison methods, and may be considered the most robust as it incorporates all data in a single model and accounts appropriately for parameter uncertainty.
Rapid Naming by Children With and Without Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Coady Jeffry A. 
Published: September 2012

Purpose
Previous studies have reported that children with specific language impairment (SLI) name pictures more slowly than do chronological age–matched (CAM) peers. Rapid naming depends on 2 factors known to be problematic for children with SLI—lexical retrieval and nonlinguistic speed of processing. Although all studies implicate a speed-of-processing deficit as a contributing factor, researchers do not agree on the influence of language factors. The purpose of the current study was to explore word frequency (WF) and phonotactic pattern frequency (PPF) as potential lexical factors contributing to the naming deficits experienced by children with SLI.

Method

Three groups of children—20 children with SLI (
M
age
= 9;8 [years;months]), 20 younger vocabulary-matched (VM) controls, and 20 CAM controls—named pictures whose labels varied by WF and PPF.

Results
Reaction time results revealed significant main effects of group (CAM < SLI = VM) and WF (high WF < low WF). Effects due to WF were comparable for all groups, but a significant Group × PPF interaction revealed that PPF effects were greater for children with SLI than for VM or CAM children.

Conclusion
Results replicate previous findings of a naming deficit in children with SLI. Furthermore, results suggest that children with SLI are more vulnerable to increased competition from words with frequent phonotactic patterns, which also come from dense phonological neighborhoods.
Sentence Comprehension in Specific Language Impairment: A Task Designed to Distinguish Between Cognitive Capacity and Syntactic Complexity
Authors: Leonard Laurence B. , Deevy Patricia , Fey Marc E. , Bredin-Oja Shelley L. 
Published: September 2012

Purpose
This study examined sentence comprehension in children with specific language impairment (SLI) in a manner designed to separate the contribution of cognitive capacity from the effects of syntactic structure.

Method
Nineteen children with SLI, 19 typically developing children matched for age (TD-A), and 19 younger typically developing children (TD-Y) matched according to sentence comprehension test scores responded to sentence comprehension items that varied in either length or their demands on cognitive capacity, based on the nature of the foils competing with the target picture.

Results
The TD-A children were accurate across all item types. The SLI and TD-Y groups were less accurate than the TD-A group on items with greater length and, especially, on items with the greatest demands on cognitive capacity. The types of errors were consistent with failure to retain details of the sentence apart from syntactic structure.

Conclusions
The difficulty in the more demanding conditions seemed attributable to interference. Specifically, the children with SLI and the TD-Y children appeared to have difficulty retaining details of the target sentence when the information reflected in the foils closely resembled the information in the target sentence.
Are Yellowstone Lake Temperatures More Suitable to Nonnative Lake Trout than to Native Cutthroat Trout?
Authors: Kaeding Lynn R. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A recent study revealed limitations to the reproduction potential of Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri (YCT) in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, resulting from suboptimal conditions for somatic growth. The present study evaluated the lake as suitable thermal habitat for YCT and lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, a highly piscivorous, nonnative species, a reproducing population of which was discovered there in 1994. Because the fundamental thermal niche of lake trout delimits a zone of the lake's annual temperature profile that surrounds the corresponding, separate zone for YCT, the annual growing season and volume of suitable Yellowstone Lake habitat will invariably be larger for lake trout than YCT across the range of cool-to-warm climate years. Ongoing management actions to control lake trout emphasize intensive gill netting, while temporal changes in lake trout catch rates and population structure provide metrics of program success. However, the limits to YCT reproduction potential attributed to the short growing season make the YCT population especially susceptible to lake trout predation, perhaps even from a measurably reduced predator population. Identification of such effects requires that dynamic, age-structured models of the YCT population that incorporate all important population drivers be formulated and used in data analyses and control program assessment.
Received February 5, 2012; accepted May 8, 2012