bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virtual machine support for zero‐loss Internet service recovery and upgrade
Authors: Chang Da‐Wei , Hsieh Cheng‐En , Chen Yan‐Pai , Chiu Kwo‐Cheng 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSoftware is critical for Internet service availability since an Internet service may become unavailable due to software faults or software maintenance. In this paper, we propose a framework to allow zero‐loss recovery and online maintenance for Internet services. The framework is based on the virtual machine (VM) technology and a connection migration technique called FT‐TCP. It can recover transient application/operating system faults and it allows fault recovery and online maintenance on a single host. The framework substantially enhances FT‐TCP so that it can be run efficiently in the VM environment. Specifically, we propose techniques to reduce the inter‐VM switches and communication. Moreover, we propose service‐specific optimizations to reduce the recovery time of FT‐TCP. Finally, the framework provides an interface for the service designers to implement more service‐specific optimizations. The framework was implemented by modifying an open source VM monitor, Xen, and the Linux kernel running on top of Xen. The effectiveness and efficiency of the framework were evaluated by running two Internet services, WWW proxy and FTP, on the proposed framework and measuring the impact on their performance. According to the experimental results, our approach causes only slight performance overhead (i.e. less than 4%) and memory overhead (i.e. less than 750 KB) for both the services. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing a software toolkit for urban traffic modeling
Authors: Wainer Gabriel 
Published: March 2007

AbstractATLAS is a modeling language that permits a static view of a city section to be defined for simulating traffic in closed areas. We propose a methodology that is focused on the user while being able to improve the software development activities. The models are formally specified, avoiding a high number of errors in the application, thus reducing the problem solving time. Streets are characterized by their traffic direction, number of lanes, etc. Once the urban section is outlined, the traffic flow is automatically set up. Specialized behavior is included to model traffic lights, trucks, traffic signs, railways, etc. The basic idea is to provide a mapping into DEVS and Cell‐DEVS models that can be easily executed with a simulation tool. As the modelers can focus on the problem to solve, development times for the simulators can be dramatically reduced. A front‐end system allows the user to draw city sections (and then parse the drawing to create a valid ATLAS file), and an output subsystem permitting cars to be shown with realistic 3D graphics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A constraint solver for discrete lattices, its parallelization, and application to protein structure prediction
Authors: Dal Palù Alessandro , Dovier Agostino , Pontelli Enrico 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper presents the design, implementation and application of a constraint programming framework on 3D crystal lattices. The framework provides the flexibility to express and resolve constraints dealing with structural relationships of entities placed in a 3D lattice structure in space. Both sequential and parallel implementations of the framework are described, along with experiments that highlight its superior performance with respect to the use of more traditional frameworks (e.g. constraints on finite domains and integer programming) to model lattice constraints. The framework is motivated and applied to address the problem of solving the protein folding prediction problem, i.e. predicting the 3D structure of a protein from its primary amino acid sequence. Results and comparison with performance of other constraint‐based solutions to this problem are presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The simple and powerful yfx operator precedence parser
Authors: Favero E. L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractDynamic operator declarations were introduced in the first Prolog system in the early 1970s. Today several other logical and functional languages adopt the Prolog style of dynamic operators. Despite this widespread use, there are no guidelines to assist the development of dynamic operator parsers. This paper presents an in‐depth study of the built‐in classical dynamic operator parser in Prolog systems. It is a powerful operator precedence parser covering pre/in/postfix operators; it is table‐driven, allowing operators to be redefined at run‐time; it is encoded in a simple, small and fast code; and, finally, it is widely used as a standard parser by the logic programming community. In a stepwise refinement approach (from specification to implementation and evaluation), this paper presents a detailed analysis of this parser. As an additional contribution, it is also shown how to encode the parser as a plug‐in component in procedural languages. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Operational risk management in financial institutions: Process assessment in concordance with Basel II
Authors: Di Renzo B. , Hillairet M. , Picard M. , Rifaut A. , Bernard C. , Hagen D. , Maar P. , Reinard D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe improvement of banks' operational risk management frameworks concerns new requirements addressed in the Basel II Framework, a new capital adequacy regulation proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS). Basel II will apply to internationally active banks and to all banks and investment firms in the EU via transposition of a new Directive into national regulations.By doing so, the national financial supervisory authority, Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg, and a public research centre, Centre de Recherche Public Henri Tudor (CRPHT), have engaged in a joint research project that investigates solutions conformant to ISO/IEC 15504 for assessing operational risk management frameworks implemented in banks.The ISO/IEC 15504 requirements can meet the CSSF's expectation on consistent, transparent and sound risk assessments, as well as the expectation on promoting enhancements in institutions' risk management practices without dictating the form or operational detail of their policies and practices.Moreover, although the domain is largely outside the scope of software and systems engineering, the ISO/IEC 15504 process assessment standard provides for an adequate solution to the so‐called supervisory review process. This adequacy is validated through the structure of Basel II and financial domain requirements. Last but not least, we will show that ISO/IEC 15504 provides an adequate approach to assessing institutions in two sub‐domains, namely, the domain of credit operational risk management and the domain of IT risk management (including IT security risks management). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative study of the self‐efficacy beliefs of successful men and women in mathematics, science, and technology careers
Authors: Zeldin Amy L. , Britner Shari L. , Pajares Frank 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the personal stories of men who selected careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) to better understand the ways in which their self‐efficacy beliefs were created and subsequently influenced their academic and career choices. Analysis of 10 narratives revealed that mastery experience was the primary source of the men's self‐efficacy beliefs. These results are compared to those from Zeldin and Pajares' earlier study involving women in STEM careers. For women, social persuasions and vicarious experiences were the primary sources of self‐efficacy beliefs. Together, these findings suggest that different sources are predominant in the creation and development of the self‐efficacy beliefs of men and women who pursue STEM careers. The self‐efficacy beliefs of men in these male‐dominated domains are created primarily as a result of the interpretations they make of their ongoing achievements and successes. Women, on the other hand, rely on relational episodes in their lives to create and buttress the confidence that they can succeed in male‐dominated domains. Findings were consistent with the theoretical tenets of A. Bandura's social cognitive theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 1036–1058, 2008
Characterisation of a potyvirus from Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Authors: Odedara OO , Hughes J d'A , Tarawali SA , Odebode AC , Winter S 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA virus, 750 × 18 nm, was isolated from Centrosema pubescens from Nigeria, causing leaf malformation, mosaic and mottling on the plant. When inoculated on to various test plants, it failed to produce necrotic or chlorotic lesions on Chenopodium amaranticolor, but symptoms of mottling were observed. The virus did not infect cowpea (Vigna unguiculata varieties IT82E‐10, IT84S‐2114, Ife brown, TVU 76 or TVU 2657), but produced chlorotic spots, vein clearing and mottling on soybean (Glycine max cultivars Malayan and Samsoy‐2). Protein‐A sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) shows that the virus is serologically closely related to Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) genus Potyvirus, Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) genus Potyvirus and Tobacco etch virus (TEV) genus Potyvirus. Comparison of amino acid sequences of the coat protein of the virus with several potyvirus coat protein sequences, using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) analysis, confirmed the relationships. The antiserum raised against the virus had a titre value greater than 1 : 16,000, using antigen‐coated plate ELISA. The name Centrosema mosaic virus (CenMoV) for this apparently new Potyvirus is suggested. The consequences of infection of forage legumes with this virus are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Effect of irrigation, fertiliser and manure on yield and economic return of okra/pepper intercrops
Authors: Lawal AB , Rahman SA 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn an experimental trial in northern Nigeria, intercrops of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) gave better yields and economic returns with application of 400 kg ha−1 of inorganic fertiliser, 5 t ha−1 of manure and 10‐day irrigation intervals. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Effect of supplementation of tef (Eragrostis tef) straw with different levels of noug (Guizotia abyssinica) meal on worked Arsi oxen (Bos indicus)
Authors: Mengistu Ashenafi , Ebro Abule , Assefa Tadesse , Hirpa Adane , Shenkute Belete 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSupplementing the tef (Eragrostis tef) straw feed of Arsi oxen (Bos indicus) with 1, 2 or 4 kg per animal per day of noug (Guizotia abyssinica) meal for 90 days improved growth parameters. Supplementation significantly increased feed intake, average daily gain, and the weight of dressed carcass and lean meat. Supplementation with 1 kg of noug meal was the most profitable, giving a net return per animal of US$17.10, whereas a sole diet of tef straw gave a loss of US$18.66 per animal. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Development of a new tapioca product with tropical fruit pulp and soy extract
Authors: de Brito Edy Sousa , dos Santos Garruti Deborah , Silva Daniele Sales 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTapioca is a traditional product with great acceptability, especially in Brazil. As a starch‐based food, its nutritional quality is limited to carbohydrates. The aim of this work was to evaluate the contribution of tropical fruit pulps and soy extract to tapioca's nutritional and sensory characteristics. The products were formulated with dried tapioca starch (63%) supplemented by acerola or mango fruit pulps or by soy extract in selected combinations (37%). The mixtures were homogenised and roasted for starch gelatinisation. The final product was submitted to vitamin C and protein determinations and sensory analysis (appearance, flavour, texture and overall acceptance). Vitamin C content of the acerola tapioca products was significantly increased. Protein content was increased by supplementation with soy but the absolute levels were still quite low. Acceptability by sensory attributes of formulated tapiocas was similar to, or in some cases higher than, the traditional product. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Successful ultrasound‐guided laser treatment of fetal hydrops caused by pulmonary sequestration
Authors: Oepkes D. , Devlieger R. , Lopriore E. , Klumper F. J. C. M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMicrocystic or solid‐looking fetal lung lesions associated with hydrops are associated with a high mortality rate. The most common of these lesions are microcystic congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations and pulmonary sequestrations (PS). Performing open fetal surgery by hysterotomy and lobectomy has, until now, been the only therapeutic option available following diagnosis of these lesions in the second trimester. Here we describe a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of PS in the second trimester. Laser coagulation of the feeding systemic artery of the sequestration was performed under ultrasound guidance. The blood flow to the lung tumor was successfully arrested and hydrops reversed. The child was born at term and, at the time of writing, was alive and well at 2 years of age.Large PS with hydrops can be treated successfully by ultrasound‐guided minimally invasive laser surgery. It is therefore important to utilize color Doppler ultrasound imaging for identification of a systemic feeding blood vessel in solid fetal lung tumors. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of Outcomes Following Ileostomy versus Colostomy for Defunctioning Colorectal Anastomoses
Authors: Tilney Henry S. , Sains Parvinder S. , Lovegrove Richard E. , Reese George E. , Heriot Alexander G. , Tekkis Paris P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe present study evaluated outcomes of patients undergoing proximal diversion using either a loop ileostomy or loop colostomy following distal colorectal resection for malignant and non‐malignant disease.MethodsA literature search of the Medline, Ovid, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed to identify studies published between 1966 and 2006, comparing loop ileostomy and loop colostomy to protect a distal colorectal anastomosis. A random effect meta‐analytical technique was used and sensitivity analysis performed on studies published since 2000, higher quality papers, those reporting on 70 or more patients, and those reporting outcomes following colorectal cancer resections.ResultsSeven studies, including three randomised controlled trials, satisfied the inclusion criteria. Outcomes of a total of 1,204 patients were analysed, of whom 719 (59.7%) underwent defunctioning loop ileostomy. High stoma output was more common following ileostomy formation (OR = 5.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 26.12, P = 0.04), but wound infections following their reversal were significantly fewer (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.62, P = 0.004). Overall complications were less frequent for ileostomy patients in the subgroup of high quality studies (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.59, P = 0.003).ConclusionThe results of this meta‐analysis suggest that ileostomy may be preferable to colostomy when used to defunction a distal colorectal anastomosis. Wound infections following stoma reversal were reduced, as were overall stoma‐related complications and incisional hernia following stoma reversal for ileostomy patients in high quality studies.
VEGF‐C Expression in Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus
Authors: Möbius Christian , Freire José , Becker Ingrid , Feith Marcus , Brücher Björn L. D. M. , Hennig Michael , Siewert J. Rüdiger , Stein Hubert J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) is the only factor known to cause lymphangiogenesis. In esophageal cancer the histologic tumor type and lymph node metastasis are independent predictors of recurrence and poor outcome. To evaluate the rule of VEGF‐C expression in esophageal cancer, we investigated 113 specimens, 59 squamous cell and 54 adenocarcinomas of the esophagus.MethodsThe expression of VEGF‐C was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 59 paraffin‐embedded archival specimens from patients with squamous cell esophageal carcinomas and 54 paraffin‐embedded archival specimens of patients with esophageal adenocarcinomas arising in Barrett’s mucosa. All patients had a complete tumor resection. A complete and updated follow‐up was available for all patients.ResultsThe expression of VEGF‐C was significantly different between the two histological types of esophageal tumors. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma and lymph node metastases had a significantly higher VEGF‐C expression (P < 0.01). In patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus there was no correlation between VEGF‐C expression and clinicopathological parameters. High VEGF‐C expression tended to be correlated with poor survival in squamous cell cancer but not in adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that VEGF‐C may play a role in tumor progression via lymphangiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. This seems not to be true for the adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. These data could help with the understanding of the different onset and characteristics of lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.
High Incidence of Tracheomalacia in Longstanding Goiters: Experience from an Endemic Goiter Region
Authors: Agarwal Amit , Mishra Anand K. , Gupta Sushil K. , Arshad Farah , Agarwal Anil , Tripathi M. , Singh P. K. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundOur institute caters to a large number of patients with large, longstanding multinodular goiters; tracheal deviation and resulting airway problems like tracheomalacia are relatively common. However, the literature is sparse on the criteria of early diagnosis and optimum management of tracheomalacia, which our study highlights.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 900 thyroidectomies carried out during 1990–2005 for which data from 28 patients treated for tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy were available for analysis. Criteria for making a diagnosis of tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy included one or more of the following: normal vocal cord mobility, absence of glottic or subglottic edema or hematoma, soft and floppy trachea on palpation, obstruction to spontaneous respiration on gradual withdrawal of the endotracheal tube.ResultsMean duration of thyroid enlargement was 13.75 years. Only 7 patients had a history of stridor. Tracheostomy was performed in 26 patients, and 2 patients were put on prolonged intubation. Tracheostomy was performed in 18 patients on the operating table, and 8 in the recovery room. The mean weight of the gland was 442 g and histopathology revealed that 11 cases were benign goiter. The tracheostomy tube was removed after an average of 8.5 days. There were no cases of tracheal stenosis on long‐term follow‐up.ConclusionsPatients with longstanding goiter, even when benign, are more prone to develop tracheomalacia. On the basis of our experience we strongly advocate tracheostomy intraoperatively if the trachea is soft and floppy and/or collapse of the trachea is observed following gradual withdrawal of the endotracheal tube.
QuiCk‐IntraOperative Bio‐Intact PTH Assay at Parathyroidectomy for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Matsuoka Susumu , Tominaga Yoshihiro , Sato Tetsuhiko , Uno Nobuaki , Goto Norihiko , Katayama Akio , Uchida Kazuharu , Takami Hiroshi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundIn uremic patients, metabolism of 1‐84 parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fragments are delayed, and in these patients, the usefulness of intraoperative PTH assay may be problematic. We evaluated the usefulness of the QuiCk‐IntraOperative Bio‐Intact PTH (QPTH) assay for uremic patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism who required total parathyroidectomy (PTx) with forearm autograft. The purpose of our study was to recognize whether QPTH in uremic patients was useful to determine during operation whether complete PTx had been achieved.MethodsForty‐four patients who underwent initial PTx were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were drawn just after induction of general anesthesia (basal samples), immediately after removal of the last gland, and at 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes, and at the first morning after PTx. The assay was performed immediately after sample collection. Reductions of PTH levels were evaluated and expressed in percentage of basal levels.ResultsThe mean PTH levels in 41 patients, excluding 3 in whom the PTH level did not drop significantly (>60 pg/ml), measured by QPTH at anesthesia, 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes were 734.3, 104.7, 58.8, 37.4, 27.0, 16.3 pg/ml, corresponding to 100%, 17.1%, 9.3%, 5.8%, 4.1%, 2.4% of the preexcision values, respectively. If the cutoff value was defined as 10.8% at 10 minutes, the sensitivity was 100% and specificity 90%. When the QPTH level dropped to under 10.8% at 10 minutes, we could consider that all glands were removed.ConclusionsQPTH in uremic patients is very useful to determine whether complete PTx is achieved during operation.