bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel FMR1 PCR Method for the Routine Detection of Low Abundance Expanded Alleles and Full Mutations in Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Filipovic-Sadic Stela , Sah Sachin , Chen Liangjing , Krosting Julie , Sekinger Edward , Zhang Wenting , Hagerman Paul J , Stenzel Timothy T , Hadd Andrew G , Latham Gary J , Tassone Flora 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a trinucleotide-repeat disease caused by the expansion of CGG sequences in the 5′ untranslated region of the FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1) gene. Molecular diagnoses of FXS and other emerging FMR1 disorders typically rely on 2 tests, PCR and Southern blotting; however, performance or throughput limitations of these methods currently constrain routine testing.Methods: We evaluated a novel FMR1 gene–specific PCR technology with DNA templates from 20 cell lines and 146 blinded clinical samples. The CGG repeat number was determined by fragment sizing of PCR amplicons with capillary electrophoresis, and results were compared with those for FMR1 Southern blotting analyses with the same samples.Results: The FMR1 PCR accurately detected full-mutation alleles up to at least 1300 CGG repeats and consisting of &gt;99% GC character. All categories of alleles detected by Southern blotting, including 66 samples with full mutations, were also identified by the FMR1 PCR for each of the 146 clinical samples. Because all full mutation alleles in samples from heterozygous females were detected by the PCR, allele zygosity was reconciled in every case. The PCR reagents also detected a 1% mass fraction of a 940-CGG allele in a background of 99% 23-CGG allele—a roughly 5- fold greater sensitivity than obtained with Southern blotting.Conclusions: The novel PCR technology can accurately categorize the spectrum of FMR1 alleles, including alleles previously considered too large to amplify; reproducibly detect low abundance full mutation alleles; and correctly infer homozygosity in female samples, thus greatly reducing the need for sample reflexing to Southern blotting.
Diet of the otterLutra lutrain an almost pristine Portuguese river: seasonality and analysis of fish prey through scale and vertebrae keys and length relationships
Authors: Novais Anabela , Sedlmayr Ambra , Moreira-Santos Matilde , Gonçalves Fernando , Ribeiro Rui 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe seasonal diet and size of fish prey of the otterLutra lutrawere studied in an almost pristine river of North Portugal (Paiva river) through the analysis of spraints collected during 1 year. To identify Iberian freshwater fish species (Salmo trutta,Micropterus salmoides,Lepomis gibbosus,Luciobarbus bocagei,Cyprinus carpio,Carassius auratus,Pseudochondrostoma polylepis,Achondrostoma arcasii, andIberocypris alburnoides) consumed by the otter keys based on scales and vertebrae were first developed and tested. Both keys allowed identification of all fish species, although three Cyprinidae species could not be discriminated (P. polylepis,A. arcasii, andI. alburnoides). Regression equations were calculated to estimate the dimensions of preyed fish. Highly significant linear relationships were obtained for the standard length versus vertebrae measurements, for all fish species, except forC. carpio. Fish was the predominant prey category in autumn and winter, but the otter also preyed on amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds, particularly during spring and summer. In general, the otter consumed high proportions of small size fish (3–12 cm for the three indiscriminate Cyprinidae, 3–9 cm forC. carpio, and 6–12 cm forS. trutta).
Costs and Consequences Associated With Newer Medications for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sinha Anushua , Rajan Mangala , Hoerger Thomas , Pogach Len 
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE
Newer medications offer more options for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. However, they come at considerable costs. We undertook a health economic analysis to better understand the value of adding two newer medications (exenatide and sitagliptin) as second-line therapy to glycemic control strategies for patients with new-onset diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis for the U.S. population aged 25–64. A lifetime analytic horizon and health care system perspective were used. Costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were discounted at 3% annually, and costs are presented in 2008 U.S. dollars. We compared three glycemic control strategies: 1) glyburide as a second-line agent, 2) exenatide as a second-line agent, and 3) sitagliptin as a second-line agent. Outcome measures included QALYs gained, incremental costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio associated with each strategy.

RESULTS
Exenatide and sitagliptin conferred 0.09 and 0.12 additional QALYs, respectively, relative to glyburide as second-line therapy. In base case analysis, exenatide was dominated (cost more and provided fewer QALYs than the next most expensive option), and sitagliptin was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $169,572 per QALY saved. Results were sensitive to assumptions regarding medication costs, side effect duration, and side effect–associated disutilities.

CONCLUSIONS
Exenatide and sitagliptin may confer substantial costs to health care systems. Demonstrated gains in quality and/or quantity of life are necessary for these agents to provide economic value to patients and health care systems.
Protective potential of L. acidophilus in murine giardiasis
Authors: Shukla Geeta , Kaur Tarveen , Sehgal Rakesh , Rishi Praveen , Prabha Vijay 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
This study describes the in vivo activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus in Giardia lamblia infected BALB/c mice. Experimentally, it was observed that daily administration of lactobacilli 7 days before or in simultaneous inoculation with Giardia trophozoites efficiently reduced G. lamblia infection in mice. More specifically, excretion of Giardia cysts were reduced significantly in probiotic-treated groups, and resolution of infection was observed by day 21 post-inoculation. It was also observed that the lactobacillus count increased tremendously and continuously in faeces of all probiotic-fed mice, and was significantly higher as compared with that in control mice. Histological analysis of microvilli membrane integrity revealed that probiotic administration also protected mice against parasite-induced mucosal damage, whereas Giardia-infected mice had severe villous atrophy, oedema, vacuolation and ileitis. Immunologically, the anti-Giardia serum IgG level was not stimulated significantly by probiotic treatment administered both prior to and simultaneous with Giardia infection, but remained high after the infection peak. Taken together, the data demonstrates the anti-giardial effect of the probiotic in vivo by modulation of the intestinal epithelial cells, inhibiting the colonization of Giardia trophozoites and thereby reducing the severity of Giardia infection.
Trajectory tracking for a mobile robot with skid-slip compensation in the vector-field-orientation control system
Authors: Michałek Maciej , Dutkiewicz Piotr , Kiełczewski Marcin , Pazderski Dariusz 
Published: January 2010

Trajectory tracking for a mobile robot with skid-slip compensation in the vector-field-orientation control systemThe article is devoted to a motion control problem for a differentially driven mobile robot in the task of trajectory tracking in the presence of skid-slip effects. The kinematic control concept presented in the paper is the Vector Field Orientation (VFO) feedback approach with a nonlinear feed-forward skid-slip influence compensation scheme. The VFO control law guarantees asymptotic convergence of the position tracking error to zero in spite of the disturbing influence of skid-slip phenomena. The paper includes a control law design description, stability and convergence analysis of a closed-loop system, and practical verification of the proposed control concept. The experimental results illustrate control quality obtained on a laboratory setup equipped with vision feedback, where the Kalman filter algorithm was used in order to practically estimate skid-slip components.
Simultaneous localization and mapping: A feature-based probabilistic approach
Authors: Skrzypczyński Piotr 
Published: January 2010

Simultaneous localization and mapping: A feature-based probabilistic approachThis article provides an introduction to Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM), with the focus on probabilistic SLAM utilizing a feature-based description of the environment. A probabilistic formulation of the SLAM problem is introduced, and a solution based on the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF-SLAM) is shown. Important issues of convergence, consistency, observability, data association and scaling in EKF-SLAM are discussed from both theoretical and practical points of view. Major extensions to the basic EKF-SLAM method and some recent advances in SLAM are also presented.
Recursive identification algorithm for dynamic systems with output backlash and its convergence
Authors: Dong Ruili , Tan Qingyuan , Tan Yonghong 
Published: January 2010

Recursive identification algorithm for dynamic systems with output backlash and its convergenceThis paper proposes a recursive identification method for systems with output backlash that can be described by a pseudo-Wiener model. In this method, a novel description of the nonlinear part of the system, i.e., backlash, is developed. In this case, the nonlinear system is decomposed into a piecewise linearized model. Then, a modified recursive general identification algorithm (MRGIA) is employed to estimate the parameters of the proposed model. Furthermore, the convergence of the MRGIA for the pseudo-Wiener system with backlash is analysed. Finally, a numerical example is presented.
Balance Impairment as a Risk Factor for Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Who Are High Functioning: A Prospective Study
Authors: Muir Susan W. , Berg Katherine , Chesworth Bert , Klar Neil , Speechley Mark 
Published: January 2010

BackgroundScreening should have simple and easy-to-administer methods that identify impairments associated with future fall risk, but there is a lack of literature supporting validation for their use.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the independent contribution of balance assessment on future fall risk, using 5 methods to quantify balance impairment, for the outcomes “any fall” and “any injurious fall” in community-dwelling older adults who are higher functioning.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study.MethodsA sample of 210 community-dwelling older adults (70% male, 30% female; mean age=79.9 years, SD=4.7) received a comprehensive geriatric assessment at baseline, which included the Berg Balance Scale to measure balance. Information on daily falls was collected for 12 months by each participant's monthly submission of a falls log calendar.ResultsSeventy-eight people (43%) fell, of whom 54 (30%) sustained an injurious fall and 32 (18%) had recurrent falls (≥2 falls). Different balance measurement methods identified different numbers of people as impaired. Adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates for an increased risk of any fall were 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.06, 2.35) for self-report of balance problems, 1.58 (95% CI=1.03, 2.41) for one-leg stance, and 1.46 (95% CI=1.02, 2.09) for limits of stability. An adjusted RR estimate for an increased risk of an injurious fall of 1.95 (95% CI=1.15, 3.31) was found for self-report of balance problems.LimitationsThe study was a secondary analysis of data.ConclusionsNot all methods of evaluating balance impairment are associated with falls. The number of people identified as having balance impairment varies with the measurement tool; therefore, the measurement tools are not interchangeable or equivalent in defining an at-risk population. The thresholds established in this study indicate individuals who should receive further comprehensive fall assessment and treatment to prevent falls.
Multidisciplinary care of occipital arteriovenous malformations: effect on nonhemorrhagic headache, vision, and outcome in a series of 135 patients
Authors: Dehdashti Amir R. , Thines Laurent , Willinsky Robert A. , terBrugge Karel G. , Schwartz Michael L. , Tymianski Michael , Wallace M. Christopher 
Published: January 2010

Object
In this study, the authors evaluated how an appropriate allocation of patients with occipital arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) who were treated according to different strategies would affect nonhemorrhagic headache, visual function, and hemorrhage risk levels.

Methods
Of the 712 patients with brain AVMs in the Toronto Western Hospital prospective database, 135 had occipital AVMs. The treatment decision was based on patients' characteristics, presentation, and morphology of the AVM. The management modalities were correlated with their outcomes.

Results
The mean follow-up period was 6.78 years. Nonhemorrhagic headache was the most frequent symptom (82 [61%] of 135 patients). Ninety-four patients underwent treatment with one or a combination of embolization, surgery, or radiosurgery, and 41 were simply observed. Of the 40 nontreated patients with nonhemorrhagic headache, only 12 (30%) showed improvement. In the observation group 2 patients (22%) had worsening of visual symptoms, and 2 experienced hemorrhage, for an annual hemorrhage rate of 0.7% per year; 1 patient died. In the treatment group, the improvement in nonhemorrhagic headache in 35 patients (83%) was significant (p < 0.0001). Visual deficit at presentation worsened in 2 (8%), and there were 8 new visual field deficits (9%). The visual worsening was not significantly different. There were 2 other neurological deficits (2%) and 2 deaths (2%) related to the AVM treatment. One AVM hemorrhaged. The annual hemorrhage rate was 0.1% per year. The hemorrhage risk in the observation and treatment groups was lower than the observed hemorrhage risk of all patients with AVMs (4.6%) at the authors' institution.

Conclusions
Appropriate selection of patients with occipital AVMs for one or a combination of treatment modalities yields a significant decrease in nonhemorrhagic headache without significant visual worsening. The multidisciplinary care of occipital AVMs can aim for an apparent decrease in hemorrhage risk.
Assessing the Introduction of Mobile Banking in Jordan Using Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Jaradat Mohammed-issa R , Twaissi Naseem M 
Published: January 2010

The continuously growing number of mobile users demonstrates that more and more users seek to benefit from the freedom afforded without the need for cables, time and place. The mobility is the driving force behind the new global economy, with mobile banking, banks offer a new revolutionize services and giving their consumers more options than ever before.
This study aimed to: (1) Investigate consumers' expectations and attitudes towards mobile banking in Jordan. (2) Identify the problems that organizations and consumers encounter while adopting or using mobile banking. (3) Measure the level of consumersâ?? perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitude towards using (ATU), behavioral intention to use (BI), and the actual use (AU) of mobile banking.
Data for this study have been collected using a questionnaire containing 44 questions. Out of 325 questionnaires that have been distributed, 275 are returned (84.6%).
As a result of this study it appeared that if consumers have positive Attitudes towards mobile banking, they would rely on it to conduct their banking transactions. This study finds that Jordanian consumers rely on wireless devices (Mobile) for their banking transactions, which leads to the actual use of this new technology, taking into consideration trust as a factor that could affect the success of using mobile banking in Jordan. This study gives quantified indicators about mobile banking and a model that might help in understanding the mobile banking environment in Jordan.
Hyperuricemia and coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim Seo Young , Guevara James P. , Kim Kyoung Mi , Choi Hyon K. , Heitjan Daniel F. , Albert Daniel A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectiveThe role of serum uric acid as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease remains unclear, although hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and hypertension.MethodsA systematic review and meta‐analysis using a random‐effects model was conducted to determine the risk of CHD associated with hyperuricemia in adults. Studies of hyperuricemia and CHD were identified by searching major electronic databases using the medical subject headings and keywords without language restriction (through February 2009). Only prospective cohort studies were included if they had data on CHD incidences or mortalities related to serum uric acid levels in adults.ResultsTwenty‐six eligible studies of 402,997 adults were identified. Hyperuricemia was associated with an increased risk of CHD incidence (unadjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.19–1.49) and mortality (unadjusted RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.20–1.73). When adjusted for potential confounding, the pooled RR was 1.09 (95% CI 1.03–1.16) for CHD incidence and 1.16 (95% CI 1.01–1.30) for CHD mortality. For each increase of 1 mg/dl in uric acid level, the pooled multivariate RR for CHD mortality was 1.12 (95% CI 1.05–1.19). Subgroup analyses showed no significant association between hyperuricemia and CHD incidence/mortality in men, but an increased risk for CHD mortality in women (RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.30–2.04).ConclusionHyperuricemia may marginally increase the risk of CHD events, independently of traditional CHD risk factors. A more pronounced increased risk for CHD mortality in women should be investigated in future research.
Characterization of individual radiographic features of hip osteoarthritis in African American and White Women and Men: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project
Authors: Nelson Amanda E. , Braga Larissa , Renner Jordan B. , Atashili Julius , Woodard Janice , Hochberg Marc C. , Helmick Charles G. , Jordan Joanne M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo describe differences in radiographic features of hip osteoarthritis (OA) between African American and white men and women.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of radiographic hip OA using baseline data from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, using Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade, and the presence, location, and severity of 4 individual radiographic features (joint space narrowing [JSN], subchondral cysts, sclerosis, and osteophytes). Sex‐specific logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between race and individual radiographic features, adjusting for age, body mass index, education, and prior hip injury. Robust variance estimators via generalized estimating equations were used to account for correlation between hips from the same individual.ResultsThe sample (n = 2,739) comprised 57% women and 31% African American participants. Among women, African Americans and whites had a similar prevalence of hip OA, defined as K/L grade ≥2 (23% versus 22%), but African American women were significantly more likely to have superior or medial JSN, moderate or severe axial JSN, medial or lateral osteophytes, and subchondral cysts. Among men, 21% of African Americans and 17% of whites had hip OA; African American men were more likely to have superior or medial JSN and lateral osteophytes, but were less likely to have axial JSN.ConclusionIndividual radiographic features and patterns of hip OA differed by race among women and men, suggesting the possibility of anatomic and/or developmental variation in the hip joint. African Americans have an increased frequency of features that have been predictive of hip replacement in other populations, a finding worthy of further study.
Fe2O3 on Ce‐, Ca‐, or Mg‐stabilized ZrO2 as oxygen carrier for chemical‐looping combustion using NiO as additive
Authors: Rydén Magnus , Cleverstam Erik , Johansson Marcus , Lyngfelt Anders , Mattisson Tobias 
Published: January 2010

AbstractOxygen‐carrier particles for chemical‐looping combustion have been manufactured by freeze granulation. The particles consisted of 60 wt % Fe2O3 as active phase and 40 wt % stabilized ZrO2 as support material. Ce, Ca, or Mg was used to stabilize the ZrO2. The hardness and porosity of the particles were altered by varying the sintering temperature. The oxygen carriers were examined by redox experiments in a batch fluidized‐bed reactor at 800–950°C, using CH4 as fuel. The experiments showed good reactivity between the particles and CH4. NiO was used as an additive and was found to reduce the fraction of unconverted CH4 with up to 80%. The combustion efficiency was 95.9% at best and was achieved using 57 kg oxygen carrier per MW fuel. Most produced oxygen carriers appear to have been decently stable, but using Ca as stabilizer resulting in uneven results. Further, particles sintered at high temperatures had a tendency to defluidize. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Exploring the location and function of a Late Neolithic house at Crossiecrown, Orkney by geophysical, geochemical and soil micromorphological methods
Authors: Jones Richard , Challands Adrian , French Charles , Card Nick , Downes Jane , Richards Colin 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMagnetic prospection was instrumental in the discovery of a multiphase Neolithic settlement at Crossiecrown on Mainland Orkney. Subsequent excavation revealed a number of structures, including a large circular walled house of Late Neolithic date with a range of well‐defined architectural features in its interior. This paper presents the discovery, excavation and in particular the functional analysis of this house. Soil micromorphology established the sequence from the house's initial floor construction to its abandonment. On the basis of multi‐element and magnetic susceptibility data obtained from analysis of samples taken from the floor of the house, several element distributions were found to be distinctive in the way they correlated with some of the house's ‘fixed furniture’ and moreover with the distributions of certain artefacts, notably the stone tools. The archaeological implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward a new way of mapping scientific fields: Authors' competence for publishing in scholarly journals
Authors: Minguillo David 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe objective of this article is to introduce a socially oriented approach to the analysis and representation of the social and intellectual structure of scientific fields. A sociological perspective is introduced as the theoretical basis to analyze scientific fields, and the social network framework is adopted to develop a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the organization of science. This approach is then applied to study the Spanish Library and Information Science community from 1999 to 2007. The underlying notion is that science is organized work, in which the pursuit of impact shapes the specific scientific organization. This generates mutual dependence and control among researchers, which may restrict access when formally communicating with other scientific communities. On the other hand, scholarly journals facilitate the coordination of new knowledge and serve as platforms for interaction among scientists. Consequently, the interaction of well‐defined groups of homogenous researchers, concentrated around particular sets of journals, leads to the formation of cohesive (sub)groups tied together by the degree of similarity of the researchers' competence. An empirical test suggests that this consideration can accurately reveal a segment of the structure of the scientific field. This study therefore introduces a new approach for mapping the structure of scientific fields that differs from most existing methods, which are based on (co)citation.