bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinematic state estimation and motion planning for stochastic nonholonomic systems using the exponential map
Authors: Park Wooram , Liu Yan , Zhou Yu , Moses Matthew , Chirikjian Gregory S. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYA nonholonomic system subjected to external noise from the environment, or internal noise in its own actuators, will evolve in a stochastic manner described by an ensemble of trajectories. This ensemble of trajectories is equivalent to the solution of a Fokker–Planck equation that typically evolves on a Lie group. If the most likely state of such a system is to be estimated, and plans for subsequent motions from the current state are to be made so as to move the system to a desired state with high probability, then modeling how the probability density of the system evolves is critical. Methods for solving Fokker-Planck equations that evolve on Lie groups then become important. Such equations can be solved using the operational properties of group Fourier transforms in which irreducible unitary representation (IUR) matrices play a critical role. Therefore, we develop a simple approach for the numerical approximation of all the IUR matrices for two of the groups of most interest in robotics: the rotation group in three-dimensional space,SO(3), and the Euclidean motion group of the plane,SE(2). This approach uses the exponential mapping from the Lie algebras of these groups, and takes advantage of the sparse nature of the Lie algebra representation matrices. Other techniques for density estimation on groups are also explored. The computed densities are applied in the context of probabilistic path planning for kinematic cart in the plane and flexible needle steering in three-dimensional space. In these examples the injection of artificial noise into the computational models (rather than noise in the actual physical systems) serves as a tool to search the configuration spaces and plan paths. Finally, we illustrate how density estimation problems arise in the characterization of physical noise in orientational sensors such as gyroscopes.
SPINNING AND WEAVING TOOLS FROM SANTA ISABEL, NICARAGUA
Authors: McCafferty Sharisse D. , McCafferty Geoffrey G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCostume is one of the most significant forms of material culture in ethnographic contexts, yet remains of cloth are extremely rare at most archaeological sites. Artifacts that typically relate to textile production include spindle whorls and bone tools. This paper summarizes results of analyses of a large corpus of whorls and a remarkably extensive assemblage of bone tools from the Early Postclassic site of Santa Isabel in Pacific Nicaragua. Ethnohistoric sources identify several Mesoamerican groups as living in the region during the Postclassic period, with the Oto-Manguean-speaking Chorotega likely candidates for the cultural group at Santa Isabel. Textiles were probably made from cotton, among other plant fibers. In addition to cloth production, we consider the importance of spinning thread for fishnets and hammocks.
Intra‐operative awareness in children and post‐traumatic stress disorder*
Authors: Lopez U. , Habre W. , Van der Linden M. , Iselin‐Chaves I. A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAdults who experience intra‐operative awareness can develop disturbing long‐lasting after‐effects, such as daytime anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares, flashbacks and, in the worst case, a post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is unknown whether intra‐operative awareness has a similar psychological impact in children. We designed the present study in order to evaluate the incidence of psychological symptoms in children who had either confirmed or possible intra‐operative awareness. Attempts were made to locate 11 children who had been identified in a previous study, approximately 1 year following their experience. A PTSD questionnaire was administered to the children and their parents in order to detect any long‐term or short‐term psychological symptoms (the 1‐month postoperative data were evaluated retrospectively). Factors believed to be associated with PTSD, such as intra‐operative perceptions, the children’s temperament and cognitive strategies, and the parents’ coping strategies, were also analysed. Seven children were successfully located and interviewed and no short or long‐term psychological symptoms were identified. None of them offered negative appraisals of the traumatic event and none had displayed dysfunctional behaviour or cognitive strategies. Thus, none of them had developed a PTSD syndrome. In contrast with what has been reported in adults, these children claimed not to have experienced major pain, terror or helplessness during their surgery. Despite the small sample size, the results of the present study suggest that children suffer less psychological sequelae than adults following intra‐operative awareness. This may be due to the fact that the children reported less frightening intra‐operative sensations as compared with the adults, and had less understanding of the anaesthesia procedure, and this may have influenced their appraisal of their awareness and protected them from the full impact of this potentially traumatic experience.
An equine chromosome 3 inversion is associated with the tobiano spotting pattern in German horse breeds
Authors: Haase B. , Jude R. , Brooks S. A. , Leeb T. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe tobiano white‐spotting pattern is one of several known depigmentation phenotypes in horses and is desired by many horse breeders and owners. The tobiano spotting phenotype is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Horses that are heterozygous or homozygous for the tobiano allele (To) are phenotypically indistinguishable. A SNP associated with To had previously been identified in intron 13 of the equine KIT gene and was used for an indirect gene test. The test was useful in several horse breeds. However, genotyping this sequence variant in the Lewitzer horse breed revealed that 14% of horses with the tobiano pattern did not show the polymorphism in intron 13 and consequently the test was not useful to identify putative homozygotes for To within this breed. Speculations were raised that an independent mutation might cause the tobiano spotting pattern in this breed. Recently, the putative causative mutation for To was described as a large chromosomal inversion on equine chromosome 3. One of the inversion breakpoints is approximately 70 kb downstream of the KIT gene and probably disrupts a regulatory element of the KIT gene. We obtained genotypes for the intron 13 SNP and the chromosomal inversion for 204 tobiano spotted horses and 24 control animals of several breeds. The genotyping data confirmed that the chromosomal inversion was perfectly associated with the To allele in all investigated horses. Therefore, the new test is suitable to discriminate heterozygous To/+ and homozygous To/To horses in the investigated breeds.
Genetic variation in the pro‐melanin‐concentrating hormone gene affects carcass traits in Bos taurus cattle
Authors: Helgeson S. C. , Schmutz S. M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryMammalian pro‐melanin‐concentrating hormone (PMCH) has previously been shown to affect feed intake in rodent species. The objectives of this study were to sequence the Bos taurus PMCH gene in order to identify any existing genetic variants and to evaluate whether these affected carcass traits. An A‐to‐T SNP was identified at position −134 relative to the ATG start codon (g.‐134A>T). The alleles at this SNP were significantly associated with average fat and grade fat in two crossbred populations of Bos taurus cattle. The g.‐134T allele may introduce a binding site for the transcriptional repressor, adenovirus E4 promoter binding protein, which may contribute to this effect. The g.‐134A allele occurred in 67% of cattle examined and was associated with higher fat levels.
Brain histamine H1receptor occupancy of orally administered antihistamines, bepotastine and diphenhydramine, measured by PET with11C‐doxepin
Authors: Tashiro Manabu , Duan Xudong , Kato Motohisa , Miyake Masayasu , Watanuki Shoichi , Ishikawa Yoichi , Funaki Yoshihito , Iwata Ren , Itoh Masatoshi , Yanai Kazuhiko 
Published: April 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• ‘Bepotastine besilate’ is a novel second‐generation antihistamine developed in Japan and its antiallergic effects have already been demonstrated by various studies.• However, only a few clinical studies regarding its sedative property are available.• In addition, histamine H1receptor occupancy (H1RO) of this new antihistamine has never been measured by positron emission tomography (PET).WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• This paper provides the first measurement result of cerebral H1RO of bepotastine besilate (approximately 15%) as determined by PET.• This result is in accordance with the clinical classification of bepotastine as a second‐generation antihistamine.• In addition, the relationship between subjective sleepiness and cerebral H1RO of this second‐generation antihistamine is demonstrated for the first time using a placebo‐controlled crossover study design.AIMSAntihistamines are frequently used for treating various allergic diseases, but often induce sedation. The degree of sedation can be evaluated by measuring histamine H1receptor occupancy (H1RO) in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET). The aim was to measure H1RO of bepotastine, a new second‐generation antihistamine, and to compare it with that of diphenhydramine.METHODSEight healthy male volunteers (mean age ± SD 24.4 ± 3.3 years) were studied after single oral administration of bepotastine (10 mg), diphenhydramine (30 mg) or placebo, by PET imaging with11C‐doxepin in a crossover study design. Binding potential ratio and H1ROs were calculated using placebo data and were compared between bepotastine and diphenhydramine in the anterior and posterior cingulate gyri (ACG and PCG, respectively), superior and inferior frontal cortices (SFC and IFC, respectively), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insular cortex (IC), lateral and medial temporal cortices (LTC and MTC, respectively), parietal cortex (PC), occipital cortex (OC) and sensorimotor cortex (SMC). Plasma concentration of each antihistamine was measured, and its correlation to H1RO was examined.RESULTSH1RO after bepotastine treatment was significantly lower than that after diphenhydramine treatment in all cortical regions (P < 0.001). Mean H1ROs of bepotastine and diphenhydramine were 14.7% and 56.4%, respectively. H1ROs of both bepotastine and diphenhydramine correlated to their respective drug plasma concentration (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONOral bepotastine (10 mg), with its relatively low H1RO and thus minimal sedation, has the potential for use as a mildly or slightly sedative antihistamine in the treatment of various allergic disorders.
Enriched enrolment: definition and effects of enrichment and dose in trials of pregabalin and gabapentin in neuropathic pain. A systematic review
Authors: Straube Sebastian , Derry Sheena , McQuay Henry J. , Moore R. Andrew 
Published: April 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Enriched enrolment (the exclusion of non‐responders or specific inclusion of responders) is believed to add both to trial sensitivity and to the measured effect of an intervention.• Enriched enrolment lacks specific definition, and the extent of any differences between results with non‐enriched recruitment and enriched enrolment is not known.• Enriched enrolment is thought to have influenced neuropathic pain trials. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • The paper suggests definitions for complete and partial enriched enrolment, and applies those definitions to trials of pregabalin and gabapentin in neuropathic pain.• The effect of enrichment was small, and especially in pregabalin trials with the best data, no difference was found between partial enrichment and no enrichment.• The effects of complete enrichment are unknown.AIMSEnriched enrolment study designs have been suggested to be useful for proof of concept when only a proportion of the diseased population responds to a treatment intervention. We aim to investigate whether this really is the case in trials of pregabalin and gabapentin in neuropathic pain.METHODSWe defined ‘complete’, ‘partial’ and ‘non‐enriched’ enrolment, and examined pregabalin and gabapentin trials for the extent of enrichment and for effects of enrichment on efficacy and adverse event outcomes.RESULTSThere were no studies using complete enriched enrolment; seven trials used partial enriched enrolment and 14 non‐enriched enrolment. In pregabalin trials the maximum extent of enrichment was estimated at about 12%. Partial enriched enrolment did not change estimates of efficacy or harm. Over 150–600 mg maximum daily dose there was strong dose dependence for pregabalin.CONCLUSIONSA benefit of partial over non‐enriched enrolment could not be demonstrated because the degree of enrichment was rather small, and possibly because enrichment produced little enhancement of treatment effect. Whether a greater degree of enrichment would result in important differences is unknown. Researchers reporting clinical trials with any enrichment must describe both process and extent of enrichment. As things stand, the effects of enriched enrolment remain unknown for neuropathic pain trials.
Identification and characterization of four PAX8 rare sequence variants (p.T225M, p.L233L, p.G336S and p.A439A) in patients with congenital hypothyroidism and dysgenetic thyroid glands
Authors: Esperante Sebastián A. , Rivolta Carina M. , Miravalle Lucrecia , Herzovich Viviana , Iorcansky Sonia , Baralle Marco , Targovnik Héctor M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryContext  Thyroid dysgenesis may be associated with mutations in the paired box transcription factor 8 (PAX8) gene and is characterized by congenital hypothyroidism transmitted in an autosomal dominant mode.Objectives  The aim of this study was to identify new mutations in the PAX8 gene. Sixty congenital hypothyroidism‐affected individuals with dysgenetic (agenesis, ectopia and hypoplasia) and eutopic thyroid glands were studied.Methods  The 12 exons of the PAX8 gene along with their exon–intron boundaries were amplified from genomic DNA and a mutational screening was performed by single‐strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) followed by direct sequencing of samples with abnormal migration patterns. The PAX8 mutations were functionally characterized by transient transfection experiments.Results  Molecular analysis of the PAX8 gene indicated that four affected individuals had four sequence differences: three novel variations [c.699C>T (p.L233L), c.1006G>A (p.G336S) and c.1317A>G (p.A439A)] and one recently reported [c.674C>T (p.T225M)], whereas the 56 remaining patients showed only wild‐type alleles of PAX8. p.T225M, p.L233L and p.G336S variants were not detected in 530 chromosomes from 265 subjects randomly selected from the general population, whereas the p.A439A variant was identified in only one of the 530 chromosomes analysed. Functional analysis of the nonsynonymous substitutions showed that the p.T225M and p.G336S proteins had not lost their ability to bind a specific DNA sequence and to activate the transcription of the thyroglobulin (TG) promoter in synergy with thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1).Conclusions  We report the occurrence of two nonsynonymous substitutions, one recently reported (p.T225M) and one novel (p.G336S), and two novel synonymous substitutions (p.L233L and p.A439A) in the PAX8 gene. p.T225M and p.G336S are rare sequence variants or may act by inhibiting an unknown particular function. Our study also confirms the very low prevalence of PAX8 mutations in thyroid dysgenesis.
Reduced postprandial proinsulinaemia and 32–33 split proinsulinaemia after a mixed meal in type 2 diabetic patients following sensitization to insulin with pioglitazone
Authors: Cooper Michael B. , Al Majali Khulood , Bailey Clifford J. , Betteridge D. John 
Published: April 2008

SummaryObjective  Reduced insulin sensitivity associated with fasting hyperproinsulinaemia is common in type 2 diabetes. Proinsulinaemia is an established independent cardiovascular risk factor. The objective was to investigate fasting and postprandial release of insulin, proinsulin (PI) and 32–33 split proinsulin (SPI) before and after sensitization to insulin with pioglitazone compared to a group treated with glibenclamide.Design and patients  A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Twenty‐two type 2 diabetic patients were recruited along with 10 normal subjects. After 4 weeks washout, patients received a mixed meal and were assigned to receive pioglitazone or glibenclamide for 20 weeks, after which patients received another identical test meal. The treatment regimes were designed to maintain glycaemic control (HbA1c) at pretreatment levels so that β‐cells received an equivalent glycaemic stimulus for both test meals.Measurements  Plasma insulin, PI, SPI and glucose concentrations were measured over an 8‐h postprandial period. The output of PI and SPI was measured as the integrated postprandial response (area under the curve, AUC).Results  Pioglitazone treatment resulted in a significant reduction in fasting levels of PI and SPI compared to those of the controls. Postprandially, pioglitazone treatment had no effect on the insulin AUC response to the meal but significantly reduced the PI and SPI AUCs. Glibenclamide increased fasting insulin and the postprandial insulin AUC but had no effect on the PI and SPI AUCs.Conclusions  Sensitization to insulin with pioglitazone reduces the amount of insulin precursor species present in fasting and postprandially and may reduce cardiovascular risk.
Insulin resistance and body composition in preterm born children during prepubertal ages
Authors: Darendeliler Feyza , Bas Firdevs , Bundak Ruveyde , Coban Asuman , Sancakli Ozlem , Eryilmaz Sema Kabatas , Kucukemre Banu , Disci Rian , Gokcay Gulbin , Aki Semih , Ince Zeynep , Eskiyurt Nurten 
Published: April 2008

SummaryBackground  Premature born children may show insulin resistance in childhood which may be due to intrauterine or postnatal adverse environmental factors.Objective  Aim of this study was to evaluate insulin resistance and body composition in preterm born children born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) and relations with IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 axis.Methods  Ninety‐three preterm born children grouped as premature SGA (n = 30) and premature AGA (n = 63) were evaluated at age 4·6 ± 0·2 years and 4·7 ± 0·1 years with respect to their glucose, insulin, IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3, IGFBP‐1, leptin levels and body composition by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Their data were compared to that of body mass index (BMI) matched term SGA (n = 42) and term AGA (n = 44) children of age 4·5 ± 0·2 and 3·8 ± 0·1 years. All children had height appropriate for their target height. Insulin resistance was evaluated by basal insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR).Results  Basal insulin level was similar in preterm AGA (4·3 ± 1·4 pmol/l) and term AGA (7·9 ± 6·4 pmol/l) children at similar and normal BMI levels. Preterm SGA children had insulin levels (5·0 ± 3·6 pmol/l) similar to preterm AGA children but significantly lower than that in term SGA children (23·7 ± 20·8 pmol/l) (P = 0·001). Similar results were obtained for HOMA‐IR. Term SGA children had also significantly lower IGFBP‐1 levels. Body composition, leptin and IGFBP‐3 did not differ between the respective groups. IGF‐I was lower in preterm AGA (5·0 ± 0·6 nmol/l) than in term AGA (8·3 ± 1·2 nmol/l) (P < 0·001) children.Conclusions  Premature born AGA and SGA children do not have insulin resistance when compared to term children if they have made a catch‐up growth appropriate for their target height and have normal BMI. The similar insulin levels in preterm SGA and preterm AGA children together with increased insulin levels in term SGA children points to the fact that it is the intrauterine restriction in the third trimester that has an adverse effect on future adverse metabolic outcome.
Non‐insulinoma persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia caused by an activating glucokinase mutation: hypoglycaemia unawareness and attacks
Authors: Christesen H. B. T. , Brusgaard K. , Beck Nielsen H. , Brock Jacobsen B. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryObjective  Adult‐onset non‐insulinoma persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (NI‐PHH) and the variant NI‐pancreatogenous hypoglycaemia syndrome (NIPHS) are genetically unexplained diseases, without reports of hypoglycaemia unawareness or familial inheritance.Design and patients  In a prospective 8‐year follow‐up, a boy (i) with NI‐PHH since age 14 years, his mother (ii), the mother's brother (iii) and his daughter (iv) were studied.Results  Patient (i) was characterized by especially postprandial hypoglycaemia down to 1·6 mmol/l and pronounced variability in diazoxide need with obesity; (ii) had asymptomatic blood glucose down to 2·9 mmol/l, but a severe hypoglycaemic postprandial attack after a slimming diet; (iii) had moderate hypoglycaemic symptoms since childhood and need of frequent eating; and (iv) was asymptomatic until a hypoglycaemic accident in the age of 24. After a slimming diet, symptomatic fasting, but especially postprandial hypoglycaemia occurred (blood glucose 1·9 mmol/l after 19 h fasting; 1·6 mmol/l 3·5 h after OGTT). By CT‐scan/endoscopic ultrasound in three of the individuals, insulinoma could not be detected. In all four individuals, an activating glucokinase (GCK) mutation A456V was found. No mutations were found in the ABCC8 or KCNJ11 genes. The patients responded to treatment with diazoxide or octreotide long acting release.Conclusion  This is the first report to highlight a genetic cause to adult‐onset NI‐PHH/NIPHS. The activating GCK mutation was dominantly inherited, but only after year‐long follow‐up and investigations, other family members were diagnosed symptomatic. Hypoglycaemia unawareness seems to be a prominent feature, but hypoglycaemic attacks occur after slimming, especially postprandially. PHH‐GCK was medical responsive.
Geographical variation of genetic and phenotypic traits in the Mexican sailfin mollies, Poecilia velifera and P. petenensis
Authors: HANKISON S. J. , PTACEK M. B. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractComparing the patterns of population divergence using both neutral genetic and phenotypic traits provides an opportunity to examine the relative importance of evolutionary mechanisms in shaping population differences. We used microsatellite markers to examine population genetic structure in the Mexican sailfin mollies Poecilia velifera and P. petenensis. We compared patterns of genetic structure and divergence to that in two types of phenotypic traits: morphological characters and mating behaviours. Populations within each species were genetically distinct, and conformed to a model of isolation by distance, with populations within different geographical regions being more genetically similar to one another than were populations from different regions. Bayesian clustering and barrier analyses provided additional support for population separation, especially between geographical regions. In contrast, none of the phenotypic traits showed any type of geographical pattern, and population divergence in these traits was uncorrelated with that found in neutral markers. There was also a weaker pattern of regional differences among geographical regions compared to neutral genetic divergence. These results suggest that while divergence in neutral traits is likely a product of population history and genetic drift, phenotypic divergence is governed by different mechanisms, such as natural and sexual selection, and arises at spatial scales independent from those of neutral markers.