bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internet Information Sources for the Identification of Emerging Health Technologies: A Starting Point
Authors: Trindade Evelinda , Topfer Leigh-Ann , De Giusti Mara 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe basis of an early warning system for new and emerging health technologies is information, and in particular, information that has been selectively extracted from the huge quantity of data in the fields of medicine, science, and biobusiness. The information will be useful only if presented in a format suitable to the needs of health care decision makers and produced at the time most likely to influence the introduction or diffusion of new technologies. In 1997 the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA) began a one-year pilot project to identify and provide information on developments in medical technologies that may have a significant impact on health care in Canada. We began by examining the information available to us through the Internet, based on the assumption that electronic sources can offer more timely access to a greater range of information, often with little or no cost involved. It was important to identify the sites that offered the most relevant information in the least amount of time.
The Preliminary Economic Evaluation of Health Technologies for the Prioritization of Health Technology Assessments: A Discussion
Authors: Harper Gareth , Townsend Joy , Buxton Martin 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper critically evaluates methods for the preliminary economic evaluation of health technologies and the prioritization of health technology assessment projects. It reports on the literature, and considers methods currently employed and the purposes of preliminary appraisal. It concludes that a preliminary economic appraisal needs to be applied to the two main stages of the prioritization process; to have transparent criteria; to allow for an appropriate range of potential outcomes; to be practicable, flexible, and efficient; and to be relevant to the assessment of different research projects.
Scanning the Horizon for Emerging Health Technologies: Conclusions from a European Workshop
Authors: Carlsson Per , Jorgensen Torben 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTo share the existing, albeit limited, experience among nations and to explore the feasibility of international collaboration on the identification and early evaluation of health care technologies, an workshop was arranged in September 1997. Twenty-seven policy makers and researchers from twelve countries attended the meeting and concluded that: the policy environment in most European countries is characterized by insufficient data on safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of health care innovations; that an early warning system is perceived as an essential mechanism for facilitating communication among policy makers, technology experts, and health professionals; and that collaboration on early warning activities might be even more useful than traditional collaboration in health technology assessment.
Assessing the Predictive Validity of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method Criteria for Performing Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Shekelle Paul G. , Chassin Mark R. , Park R. E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWe assessed the predictive validity of an expert panel's ratings of the appropriateness of carotid endarterectomy by comparing ratings to the results of subsequent randomized clinical trials. We found the trials confirmed the ratings for 44 indications (covering almost 30% of operations performed in 1981) and refuted the ratings for none.
A Training Course in Health Technology Assessment in Malaysia
Authors: Sivalal Sadasivan , Banta H. David , 't Hoen Ellen F. M. , Rusilawati Jaudin 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article describes a 1-week training course in health technology assessment (HTA) presented in Malaysia by the Ministry of Health in 1996. Malaysia established an HTA unit in the Ministry of Health in 1995 and a National Health Technology Assessment Program in 1996. The purpose of the course was to develop HTA knowledge and skills in Malaysia, since these are largely lacking. The course consisted of didactic sessions and group work. Didactic sessions covered the principles of HTA. Group work was for the purpose of developing practical skills, and was based on reports from HTA agencies, published articles, and candidates for assessment suggested by course participants. Course participants were a mix of physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and Ministry of Health officials. Experiences in this course may be helpful to others who wish to organize training courses in developing countries.
The Costs of Treating Breast Cancer in the United Kingdom: Implications for Screening
Authors: Wolstenholme Jane L. , Smith Sarah J. , Whynes David K. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTotal treatment costs by stage at diagnosis are estimated for a sample of breast cancer patients. At 4 years, stage 4 cancers emerge as being more expensive to treat than those at earlier stages, although this difference fails to achieve significance when expected lifetime costs are considered. The inclusion of treatment cost estimates in a screening model indicates that screening may increase expected treatment costs by a marginal amount, although the model also suggests that the cost effectiveness ratio of breast cancer screening might be better than had originally been thought.
Assessing the Scientific Basis of Antenatal Care The Case of Sweden
Authors: Lindmark Gunilla 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe Swedish routine program for antenatal care is based on a number of scheduled visits for the detection of symptomless complications, as well as psychosocial support and health education. The scientific evidence to support the present timing and contents of routine visits is unsatisfactory, and there is a great need for evaluation both of single diagnostic procedures and interventions and of programs of antenatal care.
Methodological Problems and Possible Endpoints in the Evaluation of Antenatal Care
Authors: Bakketeig Leiv S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAntenatal care is evaluated based on observational trend studies, geographical comparisons, medical audits, and randomized trials. The last method is preferable and should be applied whenever feasible. Most components of antenatal care have not been properly evaluated. In order to evaluate an antenatal care program, a randomized study is suggested using geographical areas as units of randomization.
Alcohol and Narcotics:Epidemiology and Pregnancy Risks
Authors: Olegård Ragnar 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAmong alcohol and narcotics, alcohol is most comprehensively documented as a teratogen. However, for all other narcotics, data are continuously accumulating, convincingly displaying the teratogenic effects. The proportions between “somatic” teratogenicity and “behavioral” teratogenicity vary between the different agents. Preventive work in prenatal clinics and among social workers, as well as objective mass media attention to the problem, seems to have lowered the incidence of severe fetal alcohol syndrome where the above-mentioned activities have been practiced. The female alcohol consumption in Sweden decreased from 1976 to 1985; thereafter, a slow continuous increase is underway again, in Sweden the number of recruits to narcotic abuse peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s. Thereafter, the number of recruits among females decreased, but abuse has continued among the members of the older age groups.
On the Existence of Moments of Ratios of Quadratic Forms
Authors: Roberts Leigh A. 
Published: March 2009

We obtain simple and generally applicable conditions for the existence of mixed moments E([X′ AX]″/[X′BX]U) of the ratio of quadratic forms T = X′ AX/X′BX where A and B are n × n symmetric matrices and X is a random n-vector. Our principal theorem is easily stated when X has an elliptically symmetric distribution, which class includes the multivariate normal and t distributions, whether degenerate or not. The result applies to the ratio of multivariate quadratic polynomials and can be expected to remain valid in most situations in which X is subject to linear constraints.If u ≤ v, the precise distribution of X, and in particular the existence of moments of X, is virtually irrelevant to the existence of the mixed moments of T; if u > v, a prerequisite for existence of the (u, v)th mixed moment is the existence of the 2(u − v)th moment of X When Xis not degenerate, the principal further requirement for the existence of the mixed moment is that B has rank exceeding 2v.
Rethinking the Univariate Approach to Unit Root Testing: Using Covariates to Increase Power
Authors: Hansen Bruce E. 
Published: March 2009

In the context of testing for a unit root in a univariate time series, the convention is to ignore information in related time series. This paper shows that this convention is quite costly, as large power gains can be achieved by including correlated stationary covariates in the regression equation.The paper derives the asymptotic distribution of ordinary least-squares estimates of the largest autoregressive root and its t-statistic. The asymptotic distribution is not the conventional Dickey-Fuller distribution, but a convex combination of the Dickey-Fuller distribution and the standard normal, the mixture depending on the correlation between the equation error and the regression covariates. The local asymptotic power functions associated with these test statistics suggest enormous gains over the conventional unit root tests. A simulation study and empirical application illustrate the potential of the new approach.
A New Birth Control Campaign?
Authors: Orleans Leo A. 
Published: March 2009

Anyone who has been scanning the news sections of the world press over the past few months must have come across headlines proclaiming Peking's “revived birth control bid” and the “renewal of the birth control campaign in Communist China.” The implication, as suggested by most of the articles, is that since China has suffered a series of grave agricultural reverses she is finally coming to her senses and again instituting controls over fertility. Has there recently been a change in the régime's attitude with respect to the population problem, and are the present measures likely to produce significant results in the rate of growth of China's population?Let us briefly review some of China's population policies over the past ten years. The initial jubilation over the results of the 1953 census, showing a population of almost 600 million on the Chinese mainland, was gradually modified to concern over the economic and social implications of both the size and the rate of growth of this population. The official propaganda, however, never admitted the economic problems inherent in a rapidly growing population, and the birth control campaign which started slowly in late 1954 and 1955 stressed the health and educational advantages of having a small family. After the campaign reached its peak in the middle of 1957 and the early part of 1958, it began to lose its impetus; and by the autumn of that year it became obvious that Communist China had reversed its recently introduced policy of birth control, at the same time introducing the communes and the “great leap forward.” The new policy proclaimed a severe labour shortage and attacked all proponents of controlled fertility as Malthusians and rightists. The labour shortage, proclaimed in 1958 as an excuse for the reversal of the birth control policy, became a reality in 1959, when the overzealous cadres created an artificial labour crisis by conscripting millions of men into a variety of mass projects.
The Li Li-san Line and the CCP in 1930 (Part 2)
Authors: Harrison James P. 
Published: March 2009

Ch'en Shao-yü, Ch'in Pang-hsien (Po Ku) and others of the “returned students” group later claimed they had opposed the June resolution of the CC. According to a Japanese source, opponents centred within the propaganda and labour departments hastily convened a Central Workers' Conference in late June to criticise the Li Li-san leadership. The article stated that Li was able to override this opposition through the support of Hsiang Chung-fa, Chou En-lai, Hsiang Ying and others. However, in fact, Ch'en Shao-yü had urged a virtual replica of the “Li Li-san line” including the use of the Red Army two years earlier, and just a month before the June resolution he had written:Only those who are willing to protect the militarists, and the Iiquidationists who basically oppose armed uprisings can scold the CCP for preparing armed uprisings to seize power or term these actions adventurism….
The Salary, Structure, Allowances and Benefits of a Shanghai Electronics Factory
Authors: Wong Thomas T. 
Published: March 2009

The employees of this profitable and technologically advanced factory seem satisfied with their relatively high salaries, bonuses and allowances, and pleased with the extensive benefits and services given by the factory. In particular, the bonus system of this factory offers factory-wide, production-group and individual bonuses that seem to offer adequate incentives for the improvement of both productivity and quality, two key goals in the present nationwide economic reform. The possibility and means of improving status and income through study, hard work and innovation have been effective in encouraging many employees to apply their efforts and talents to their jobs and to study after work in the hope of qualifying for higher education in the case of technical workers, and for higher technical and language proficiency levels in the case of technicians and engineers.The relatively high standard of living of this factory's employees seems to have dampened outspoken criticism of its leaders and policies. Continued increases in remuneration and benefits should keep the employees satisfied in the immediate future.
Communism and Chinese Communalism in Sarawak
Authors: Van Der Kroef Justus M. 
Published: March 2009

The Chinese are still divided into two groups. One group is very left in its views, very vociferous, very active, very humourless, very narrow minded and forceful, and knows what it wants and intends to achieve its objects by fair means or foul, regardless of what the rest of the population may think. The other group is undoubtedly immensely larger, though one might be excused for not realising this, as it lacks cohesion and the people in it merely wish to be left alone to carry on their normal avocations. Since it has no strong feelings not only does this group not speak out, but in many cases it finds the line of least resistance is to support the other group when asked to do so.The 1962 Annual Report for the District of Kuching, The Sarawak Gazette, May 31, 1963.
Two Models of Agricultural Development: A Context for Current Chinese Policy
Authors: Reynolds Bruce L. 
Published: March 2009

Less than three years ago, in the early stages of the anti-Teng Hsiao-p'ing campaign of 1976, the Chinese press abounded with statements of the following kind:[Capitalist roaders] energetically peddle the economic thinking of the bourgeoisie, saying that science and technology are most important… They advocate letting experts run factories, oppose putting proletarian politics in command and advocate material incentives… They oppose the activation of both central and local initiatives and reimpose the practice of “direct central control” …by the ministry concerned, oppose walking on two legs, lay onesided stress on things big and foreign, and oppose independence and selfreliance.
The worker/wrapper transformation
Authors: GILL ANDY , HUTTON GRAHAM 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe worker/wrapper transformation is a technique for changing the type of a computation, usually with the aim of improving its performance. It has been used by compiler writers for many years, but the technique is little known in the wider functional programming community, and has never been described precisely. In this article we explain, formalise and explore the generality of the worker/wrapper transformation. We also provide a systematic recipe for its use as an equational reasoning technique for improving the performance of programs, and illustrate the power of this recipe using a range of examples.
European Communities – Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products
Authors: HOWSE ROBERT L. , HORN HENRIK 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTheEC-Biotechdispute exposed the WTO dispute settlement system to a more challenging test than any previous dispute. Not only did the Panel have to take a stand on the limits of science, or technocratic regulatory controls, to protect against objective risk, but in this regard faced more complex issues than ever addressed before by an adjudicating body. The dispute also concerned an extremely charged political issue, partly because of inherent ethical sensitivities with regard to foodstuffs, partly due to public skepticism about the role of science, and partly due to a common public perception of the complaint as being driven by the interests of an untrustworthy industry. Because of these and other challenges, the Panel faced an almost impossible task. This paper discusses how the Panel addressed some of these issues. The recently (after our report was drafted) decided appeal inEC–Hormones Suspensionis likely to reduce the significance for WTO jurisprudence of some of the Panel's findings inEC–Biotech, given the apparently different approach of the AB to fundamental interpretative issues under SPS concerning the meaning of risk assessment and precaution.
Nothing Dramatic (… regarding administration of customs laws)
Authors: HOEKMAN BERNARD M. , MAVROIDIS PETROS C. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper discusses the 2005 dispute between the European Community (EC) and the United States (US) regarding the customs classification of two specific products and the ambit of Art. X GATT (Publication and Administration of Trade Regulations). The Dispute Settlement Panel and the Appellate Body (AB) essentially upheld the position advocated by the EC, with one exception that is of no practical import, as the EC had already modified its regime. While the AB followed prior case law, it added two new findings. First, the WTO-consistency of laws can be challenged under Art. X GATT if they concern the implementation or application of laws concerning customs administration and enforcement. Second, the obligation included in Art. X.3(b) GATT to establish tribunals or procedures to review and correct administrative actions relating to customs matters concerns courts of first instance only. Thus it is quite possible that their decisions might not be uniform, and absence of uniformity at this level is not a violation of Art. X.3(b).
The influence of pension plan risk on equity risk and credit ratings: a study of FTSE100 companies
Authors: MCKILLOP DONAL , POGUE MICHAEL 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between funding risk of defined benefit pension plans and both corporate debt ratings and equity risk measures for FTSE100 companies. Panel based models highlighted a direct relationship between pension plan risk and equity risk. Pension risk was also demonstrated to be factored into credit ratings with the analysis highlighting that the greater the pension risk, the greater the probability of obtaining a lower debt rating. From a rating agency viewpoint, this is positive news, particularly at present when agencies are being criticized for a perceived failure to reflect sub-prime mortgage problems in firm-specific ratings.
MULTIPOLE FORMULAE FOR GRAVITATIONAL LENSING SHEAR AND FLEXION
Authors: Bernstein Gary M. , Nakajima Reiko 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
The gravitational lensing equations for convergence, potential, shear, and flexion are simple in polar coordinates and separate under a multipole expansion once the shear and flexion spinors are rotated into a “tangential” basis. We use this to investigate whether the useful monopole aperture–mass shear formulae generalize to all multipoles and to flexions. We re-derive the result of Schneider and Bartelmann that the shear multipole m at radius R is completely determined by the mass multipole at R, plus specific moments Q
(m)
in and Q
(m)
out of the mass multipoles internal and external, respectively, to R. The m ⩾ 0 multipoles are independent of Q
out. But in contrast to the monopole, the m < 0 multipoles are independent of Q
in. These internal and external mass moments can be determined by shear (and/or flexion) data on the complementary portion of the plane, which has practical implications for lens modeling. We find that the ease of E/B separation in the monopole aperture moments does not generalize to m ≠ 0: the internal monopole moment is the only nonlocal E/B discriminant available from lensing observations. We have also not found practical local
E/B discriminants beyond the monopole, though they could exist. We show also that the use of weak-lensing data to constrain a constant shear term near a strong-lensing system is impractical without strong prior constraints on the neighboring mass distribution.
Stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1‐positive breast cancers are characterized by negative estrogen receptor, positive human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2, and high Ki67 expression
Authors: Morimoto Koji , Kim Seung Jin , Tanei Tomonori , Shimazu Kenzo , Tanji Yoshio , Taguchi Tetsuya , Tamaki Yasuhiro , Terada Nobuyuki , Noguchi Shinzaburo 
Published: March 2009

Recently, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 1 has been identified as a reliable marker for breast cancer stem cells. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancers with ALDH1+ cancer stem cells. In addition, the distribution of ALDH1+ tumor cells was compared on a cell‐by‐cell basis with that of estrogen receptor (ER)+, Ki67+, or human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)+ tumor cells by means of double immunohistochemical staining. Immunohistochemical staining of ALDH1 was applied to 203 primary breast cancers, and the results were compared with various clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancers including tumor size, histological grade, lymph node metastases, lymphovascular invasion, ER, progesterone receptor, HER2, Ki67, and topoisomerase 2A as well as prognosis. Immunohistochemical double staining of ALDH1 and ER, Ki67, or HER2 was also carried out to investigate their distribution. Of the 203 breast cancers, 21 (10%) were found to be ALDH1+, and these cancers were significantly more likely to be ER− (P = 0.004), progesterone receptor− (P = 0.025), HER2+ (P = 0.001), Ki67+ (P < 0.001), and topoisomerase 2A+ tumors (P = 0.012). Immunohistochemical double staining studies showed that ALDH1+ tumor cells were more likely to be ER−, Ki67−, and HER2+ tumor cells. Patients with ALDH1 (score 3+) tumors showed a tendency (P = 0.056) toward a worse prognosis than did those with ALDH1− tumors. Breast cancers with ALDH1+ cancer stem cells posses biologically aggressive phenotypes that tend to have a poor prognosis, and ALDH1+ cancer stem cells are characterized by ER−, Ki67−, and HER2+. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1062–1068)