bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complexity analysis of BPEL Web processes
Authors: Cardoso Jorge 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSeveral organizations have already realized the potential of using WS‐BEPL, the Process Execution Language for Web Services, to model the behavior of Web services in business processes. WS‐BPEL provides a model for describing simple or complex interactions between business partners. In some cases, WS‐BPEL process designs can be highly complex, due, for example, to the vast number of Web services carried out in global markets. High complexity in a process has several undesirable drawbacks; it may result in poor understandability, more errors, defects, and exceptions, leading to processes requiring more time to be developed, tested, and maintained. Therefore, excessive complexity should be avoided. Processes that are highly complex tend be less flexible, since it is more complicated to make changes to the process. The major goal of this article is to present two metrics to analyze the control‐flow complexity (CFC) of WS‐BPEL Web processes. The metrics are to be used at design‐time to evaluate the complexity of a process design before implementation actually takes place. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An iterative improvement process for agile software development
Authors: Salo Outi , Abrahamsson Pekka 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAgile software development of short iterative cycles offers an opportunity for rapid, visible and motivating software process improvement (SPI). The agile principles suggest the regular reflections of agile project teams for improving the efficiency and adaptation of the process. However, current literature provides little support or empirical evidence for conducting such improvement efficiently, systematically and in a validated manner. Thus, this article proposes an Iterative Improvement Process for conducting SPI within individual agile project teams, which aims at increasing the ability of software developers to improve the development process based on their experiences and context knowledge. The approach has been trialed within a multiple case study of five consecutive case projects where both qualitative and quantitative research data has been systematically collected. The empirical data confirms the positive effects of the Iterative Improvement Process on the software development projects and reveals the willingness of software developers to participate in the Iterative Improvement activities due to the rapid and visible changes in their working practices. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structures and Functional Properties of Starch From Seeds of Three Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Varieties*
Authors: Stevenson David G. , Doorenbos Russell K. , Jane Jay‐lin , Inglett George E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractStructures and functional properties of starch from high‐protein, lipoxygenase‐free and low‐linolenic acid soybean variety seeds collected 20 d prior to harvest were investigated. Soybean starches exhibit CB‐type X‐ray diffraction patterns, and granule diameters were very small (0.7 to 4 µm). Soybeans, 20 d prior to harvest contained 10.9–11.7% starch (dry basis). Apparent amylose content was 19–22% and absolute amylose content was 11.8–16.2%. Amylopectin weight‐average molar mass ranged from 5.1 to 11.3×108 g/mol. Amylopectin average branch chain‐length, determined by anion‐exchange chromatography with an amyloglucosidase post‐column and pulsed amperometric detector, was very short relative to other starches (20.4–20.9). Onset gelatinization temperature ranged from 52–54°C, and ΔH was 12–13 J/g. Paste viscosity was low relative to other starches, especially peak (81–93 RVU) and final (93–106 RVU) viscosity. The apparent amylose content of the low‐linolenic acid soybean starch was significantly higher than that of high‐protein soybean starch, and absolute amylose content of low‐linolenic acid soybean starch was significantly higher than that of lipoxygenase‐free soybean starch. Based on our results, investigations on whether soybeans with different fatty acid oil composition have different starch structures would be worthwhile. Field replicates for each soybean variety exhibited high variation in starch characteristics, with further differences in starch structures and functional properties likely to be determined once variation is minimized.
Acylation of Starch using Trifluoroacetic Anhydride Promoter
Authors: Yang Byung Y. , Montgomery Rex 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe use of trifluoroacetic anhydride as a promoter for the acylation of granular starch is reported. Efficient acylation in a homogeneous solution is attained when the carboxylic acid of interest and trifluoroacetic anhydride are added, the latter in at least twice molar excess to the hydroxyl groups of the anhydroglucose residues. The reaction necessitates prior heating of granular starch in acetic acid before the acylation reagent is added. The product is an acylated starch with degrees of substitution (DS) of 2 to 3, as analyzed by gas‐liquid chromatography or high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Lower molar ratios of trifluoroacetic anhydride to the anhydroglucose residue gave lower degree of substitution. Additionally, starch acetates with different degree of substitution are prepared by addition of limited amounts of the acylation reagent or by partial de‐acetylation of starch triacetate with sodium methoxide. Starch esters are prepared from acetic, butanoic, hexanoic, octanoic, palmitic and benzoic acids.
Modulation of Antigenic Phenotype in Cultured Human Osteoblast-like Cells by FGFb, TGFβ1, PDGF-BB, IL-2, IL-1β, LPS and IFNγ
Authors: Pérez E. , García-Martínez O. , Arroyo-Morales M. , Reyes-Botella C. , Ruiz C. 
Published: October 2006

Background/AimsRecent reports demonstrated that osteoblast-like cells can also exert activities directly associated with the immune system (cytokine synthesis, antigen presentation, phagocytosis and stimulation of T lymphocytes). The present study aimed to analyze the effect of Transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1), Fibroblast growth factor basic (FGFb), Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Interferon-γ (IFNγ) on the expression on osteoblast-like cells of antigens involved in antigen presentation.MethodsFlow cytometry was used to investigate whether the growth factors FGFb, TGFβ1, PDGF-BB, IL-2, IL-1β, LPS and IFNγ modulate the expression on cultured human osteoblast-like cells of different antigens involved in antigen-presentation and T cell activation.ResultsTGFβ1 treatment significantly reduced the expression of CD54 and CD86. IL-1β treatment significantly enhanced the expression of CD54, CD86 and HLA-DR. LPS and IFNγ treatments produced a major increase in CD54, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR expression. Expression of these antigen-presenting molecules was not significantly modified by FGFb, PDGF-BB or IL-2 treatment.
Sleep‐disordered breathing in patients with symptomatic heart failure A contemporary study of prevalence in and characteristics of 700 patients
Authors: Oldenburg Olaf , Lamp Barbara , Faber Lothar , Teschler Helmut , Horstkotte Dieter , Töpfer Volker 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAim:Evaluation of the prevalence and nature of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure (CHF) receiving therapy according to current guidelines.Methods and results:We prospectively screened 700 patients with CHF (NYHA class≥II, LV‐EF≤40%) for SDB using cardiorespiratory polygraphy (Embletta™). Furthermore, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise and 6‐min walk testing were performed. Medication included ACE‐inhibitors and/or AT1‐receptor blockers in at least 94%, diuretics in 87%, β‐blockers in 85%, digitalis in 61% and spironolactone in 62% of patients.SDB was present in 76% of patients (40% central (CSA), 36% obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)). CSA patients were more symptomatic (NYHA class 2.9±0.5 vs. no SDB 2.57±0.5 or OSA 2.57±0.5; p<0.05) and had a lower LV‐EF (27.4±6.6% vs. 29.3±2.6%, p<0.05) than OSA patients. Oxygen uptake (VO2) was lowest in CSA patients: predicted peak VO2 57±16% vs. 64±18% in OSA and 63±17% in no SDB, p<0.05. 6‐min walking distances were 331±111m in CSA, 373±108m in OSA and 377±118m in no SDB (p<0.05).Conclusions:This study confirms the high prevalence of SDB, particularly CSA in CHF patients. CSA seems to be a marker of heart failure severity.
Effects of combined deferiprone and desferrioxamine iron chelating therapy in β‐thalassemia major end‐stage heart failure
Authors: Porcu Maurizio , Landis Novella , Salis Stefano , Corda Marco , Orrù Pierpaolo , Serra Emanuela , Usai Barbara , Matta Gildo , Galanello Renzo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDespite usual iron chelating therapy based on desferrioxamine, patients affected by β‐thalassemia major (β‐TM) often develop progressive heart failure caused by myocardial iron overload, which is the leading cause of mortality within the third decade of life. Heart transplantation is a limited therapeutic option, as very often these patients have multi‐organ iron deposits and infective complications (particularly hepatitis C), secondary to frequent blood transfusions. We report the case of a 26‐year‐old male affected by β‐TM with end‐stage heart failure, who showed a dramatic improvement in symptoms and myocardial function when a new oral iron chelating agent, deferiprone, was added to standard therapy with desferrioxamine.
Last glacial maximum equilibrium-line altitude and paleo-temperature reconstructions for the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuelan Andes
Authors: Stansell Nathan D. , Polissar Pratigya J. , Abbott Mark B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe pattern and magnitude of glacier equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) lowerings in the tropics during the last glacial maximum (LGM) are topics of current debate. In the northern tropics, paleo-ELA data are particularly limited, inhibiting the ability to make regional and large-scale paleoclimatic inferences. To improve these records, nine paleo-glaciers in the Venezuelan Andes were reconstructed based on field observations, aerial photographs, satellite imagery and high-resolution digital topographic data. Paleo-glacier equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) were estimated using the accumulation-area ratio (AAR) and the area-altitude balance ratio (AABR) methods. During the local LGM in Venezuela (∼ 22,750 to 19,960 cal yr BP), ELAs were ∼ 850 to 1420 m lower than present. Local LGM temperatures were are at least 8.8 ± 2°C cooler than today based on a combined energy and mass-balance equation to account for an ELA lowering. This is greater than estimates using an atmospheric lapse rate calculation, which yields a value of 6.4 ± 1°C cooler. The paleo-glacial data from the Venezuelan Andes support other published records that indicate the northern tropics experienced a greater ELA lowering and possibly a greater cooling than the Southern Hemisphere tropics during the LGM.
A 6000-year record of ecological and hydrological changes from Laguna de la Leche, north coastal Cuba
Authors: Peros Matthew C. , Reinhardt Eduard G. , Davis Anthony M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractLaguna de la Leche, north coastal Cuba, is a shallow (≤ 3 m), oligohaline (∼ 2.0–4.5‰) coastal lake surrounded by mangroves and cattail stands. A 227-cm core was studied using loss-on-ignition, pollen, calcareous microfossils, and plant macrofossils. From ∼6200 to ∼ 4800 cal yr BP, the area was an oligohaline lake. The period from ∼ 4800 to ∼ 4200 cal yr BP saw higher water levels and a freshened system; these changes are indicated by an increase in the regional pollen rain, as well as by the presence of charophyte oogonia and an increase in freshwater gastropods (Hydrobiidae). By ∼ 4000 cal yr BP, an open mesohaline lagoon had formed; an increase in salt-tolerant foraminifers suggests that water level increase was driven by relative sea level rise. The initiation of Laguna de la Leche correlates with a shift to wetter conditions as indicated in pollen records from the southeastern United States (e.g., Lake Tulane). This synchronicity suggests that sea level rise caused middle Holocene environmental change region-wide. Two other cores sampled from mangrove swamps in the vicinity of Laguna de la Leche indicate that a major expansion of mangroves was underway by ∼ 1700 cal yr BP.
Lumican, a small leucine‐rich proteoglycan substituted with keratan sulfate chains is expressed and secreted by human melanoma cells and not normal melanocytes
Authors: Sifaki M. , Assouti M. , Nikitovic D. , Krasagakis K. , Karamanos N. K. , Tzanakakis G. N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMelanoma is a frequent and therapy‐resistant human disease. Malignant melanocytes modulate their microenvironment in order to penetrate the dermal/epidermal junction and eventually invade the dermis. The small leucine‐rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) constitute important constituents of the dermis extracellular matrix (ECM), participating in both the structural and the functional organization of the skin. The role of a keratan sulphate SLRP lumican, has recently been investigated in the growth and metastasis of several cancers. In this study, the expression of lumican was studied in two human melanoma cell lines (WM9, M5) as well as in normal neonatal human melanocytes (HEMN) using real time PCR, western blotting with antibodies against the protein core and keratan sulfate, and treatments with specific enzymes. Both human metastatic melanoma cell lines were found to express lumican mRNA and effectively secrete lumican in a proteoglycan form, characterized to be substituted mostly with keratan sulfate chains. Lumican mRNA was not detected in normal melanocytes. This is the first time that the synthesis and secretion of lumican in human melanoma cell lines is reported. The role of this proteoglycan in the development and progression of malignant melanoma has to be further investigated.
iubmb Life, 58: 606‐610, 2006
MT1‐MMP: A key regulator of cell migration in tissue
Authors: Itoh Yoshifumi 
Published: October 2006

AbstractControlled cell migration is a fundamental and critical event in many physiological processes. However once control is lost, cell migration facilitates disease progression such as seen in cancer metastasis, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. One of the critical proteinases involved in cell migration is membrane‐type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP/MMP‐14). MT1‐MMP degrades extracellular matrix to make a path for cells to migrate, sheds cell surface molecules to give migratory signals, and activates ERK (extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase) enhancing cell migration. For MT1‐MMP to promote cell migration, it needs to act in co‐ordination with other cell migration machinery. Understanding such regulatory links may provide insights into the development of novel disease therapies.
iubmb Life, 58: 589‐596, 2006
The Clinical Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Lyme Disease, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis: Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Authors: Wormser Gary P. , Dattwyler Raymond J. , Shapiro Eugene D. , Halperin John J. , Steere Allen C. , Klempner Mark S. , Krause Peter J. , Bakken Johan S. , Strle Franc , Stanek Gerold , Bockenstedt Linda , Fish Durland , Dumler J. Stephen , Nadelman Robert B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEvidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis (formerly known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis), and babesiosis were prepared by an expert panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. These updated guidelines replace the previous treatment guidelines published in 2000 (Clin Infect Dis 2000; 31[Suppl 1]:1–14). The guidelines are intended for use by health care providers who care for patients who either have these infections or may be at risk for them. For each of these Ixodes tickborne infections, information is provided about prevention, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. Tables list the doses and durations of antimicrobial therapy recommended for treatment and prevention of Lyme disease and provide a partial list of therapies to be avoided. A definition of post–Lyme disease syndrome is proposed.
Experimental study of pedestrian counterflow in a corridor
Authors: Kretz Tobias , Grünebohm Anna , Kaufman Maike , Mazur Florian , Schreckenberg Michael 
Published: October 2006

In this work the results of a pedestrian counterflow experiment in a corridor of width 2 m
are presented. 67 participants were divided into two groups with varying relative and
absolute size and walked in opposite directions through a corridor. The video footage taken
from the experiment was evaluated for passing times, walking speeds, fluxes and lane
formation, including symmetry breaking. The results include comparatively large fluxes and
speeds as well as a maximal asymmetry between left- and right-hand traffic. The sum of
flow and counterflow in any case turns out to be larger than the flow in all situations
without counterflow.
A molecular phylogeny of annelids
Authors: Rousset Vincent , Pleijel Fredrik , Rouse Greg W. , Erséus Christer , Siddall Mark E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe present parsimony analyses of annelids based on the largest taxon sample and most extensive molecular data set yet assembled, with two nuclear ribosomal genes (18S rDNA and the D1 region of 28S rDNA), one nuclear protein coding‐gene (Histone H3) and one mitochondrial ribosomal gene (16S rDNA) from 217 terminal taxa. Of these, 267 sequences are newly sequenced, and the remaining were obtained from GenBank. The included taxa are based on the criteria that the taxon must have 18S rDNA or at least two other loci. Our analyses show that 68% of annelid family ranked taxa represented by more than one taxon in our study are supported by a jackknife value > 50%. In spite of the size of our data set, the phylogenetic signal in the deepest part of the tree remains weak and the majority of the currently recognized major polychaete clades (except Amphinomida and Aphroditiformia) could not be recovered. Terbelliformia is monophyletic (with the exclusion of Pectinariidae, for which only 18S data were available), whereas members of taxa such as Phyllodocida, Cirratuliformia, Sabellida and Scolecida are scattered over the trees. Clitellata is monophyletic, although Dinophilidae should possibly be included, and Clitellata has a sister group within the polychaetes. One major problem is the current lack of knowledge on the closest relatives to annelids and the position of the annelid root. We suggest that the poor resolution in the basal parts of the trees presented here may be due to lack of signal connected to incomplete data sets both in terms of terminal and gene sampling, rapid radiation events and/or uneven evolutionary rates and long‐branch attraction.© The Willi Hennig Society 2006.
What determines conditionality in ant–Hemiptera interactions? Hemiptera habitat preference and the role of local ant activity
Authors: GOVE AARON D. , RICO‐GRAY VICTOR 
Published: October 2006

Abstract1. This paper describes spatial variation in density of a mutualist Hemiptera, and attempts to elucidate an understanding of the spatial variation in conditionality of its mutualism with ants.2. Aggregations of the membracid treehopper,Campylenchiasp., occurred more frequently, and with higher number of individuals, in isolated trees as compared with their occurrence in the same tree species in wooded patches.3. Using treehopper aggregations as the level of replication, there was a habitat × ant presence interaction associated with colony survival time. However, when the median survival time of all aggregations within each tree was used, only an additive effect of both habitat type and ant presence were apparent. This suggests that treehopper aggregations in some isolated trees experienced more benefit from ant presence than other trees.4. The ant:treehopper ratio averaged over each tree was correlated with effect of ant presence on survivorship (survival time without ants/survival time with ants). Therefore, conditionality in the ant–membracid mutualism appears related to ant attendance level at the scale of individual trees.5. Ant attendance at treehopper aggregations in isolated and matorral trees did not differ, and therefore there is no clear mechanism by which ants create the contrast in treehopper densities between the two habitat types.6. The main force shaping initial treehopper densities in the two habitats is likely plant quality. Results suggest that growing situation (or more specifically plant health) is likely a good predictor of membracid density, while general ant activity within a tree is the best indicator of interaction strength.
Aspartyl‐phosphate phosphatases deactivate the response regulator components of the sporulation signal transduction system in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Perego Marta , Glaser Philippe , Hoch James A. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBacteria use two‐component signal transduction systems to sense and respond to their environment. A sensor kinase and a response‐regulator transcription factor work in concert by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation through kinase and phosphatase activities to maintain a level of phosphorylated response regulator commensurate with the level of signal input. Signal input can be accommodated through stimulation of the kinase activity or the phosphatase activity of the two‐component system. With some notable exceptions, the sensor kinases recognize a single stimulatory ligand. A new dimension in the regulation of two‐component signal transduction systems was discovered in the Rap phosphatases which dephosphorylate the Spo0F response‐regulator of Bacillus subtilis independent of the sensor kinases. This family of phosphatases is encoded by at least six chromosomal genes. Although not all of the phosphatases of the family have activity on phosphorylated Spo0F, the two best‐characterized members, RapA and RapB, prevent sporulation by dephosphorylating this response regulator component of the phosphorelay. Phosphatase activity of RapA is regulated by a gene, phrA, in the same transcriptional unit, that encodes a peptide secreted from the cell which may serve as a quorum sensor. Most of the Rap phosphatase operons have a gene coding for a protein with some similarity to PhrA in their transcription units, but it is uncertain whether all of these play a role in regulation. The Rap phosphatases are postulated to be a mechanism for allowing signals other than those that affect the sensor kinases to regulate the signal transduction pathway. They may have been recruited to help regulate sporulation because the multiple signals regulating this process may out‐strip the recognition capacity of the kinases.
Stationary phase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Werner‐Washburne Margaret , Braun Edward L. , Crawford Matthew E. , Peck Vickie M. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryLike other microorganisms, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to starvation by arresting growth and entering stationary phase. Because most microorganisms exist under conditions of nutrient limitation, the ability to tolerate starvation is critical for survival. Molecular analyses have identified changes in transcription, translation, and protein modification in stationary‐phase cells. At the level of translation, the pattern of newly synthesized proteins in stationary‐phase cells is surprisingly similar to the pattern of proteins synthesized during exponential growth. When limited for different nutrients, yeast strains may not enter stationary phase but opt for pathways such as pseudohyphal growth. If nutrient limitation continues, the end‐point is likely to be a stationary‐phase cell. Based on the results of recent studies, we propose a model for entry into stationary phase in which G0 arrest is separable from acquisition of the ability to survive long periods of time without added nutrients.