cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of microdilution and standard agar dilution method for determining Penicillin resistance among S.pneumoniae.

Background: Antibiotic resistance among different microbial organisms is increasing. No study exists from Pakistan comparing methods of determining antibiotic resistance among bacterial isolates. Methods: Ten clinical patient sample strains of S.pneumoniae were used to compare agar dilution with broth microdilution method for determining Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of Penicillin G. Agar dilution was conducted as per National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Broth microdilution was performed in Brain Heart Infusion broth using sterile plastic microtiter trays with 96 U-shaped wells. In both methods, concentration of Penicillin G ranged from 0.03 to 16µg/mL and S.aureus ATCC 29213 with an MIC of 0.25µg/mL was used as a control. MIC =0.06µg/mL was considered sensitivity to antibiotic, MIC 0.12-1.0 intermediate resistance and MIC =2 full resistance. Results: Good agreement was found between two methods. Four strains gave identical MICs in both. The other six strains agreed to within one log2 dilution step. Both methods categorized same five strains as Penicillin sensitive and four as Penicillin resistant; one strain was classified as sensitive on agar dilution but resistant on broth microdilution. Broth microdilution was more expensive, tedious and time consuming than the agar dilution with multipoint inoculator. This would limit its clinical applicability in a busy diagnostic lab with a large sample turnover. Conclusions: We propose agar dilution for the clinical labs in developing countries that use Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and want to initiate MIC determination of antibiotics for patient samples. Keywords: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration; Pakistan; penicillin; resistances; Streptococcus pneumoniae
Systematics of mid-rapidity K−/π ratio in heavy-ion collisions

It is observed that K−/π in A + A and possibly p + p and + p collisions follows interesting systematics in ω, the pion transverse energy per unit of rapidity and transverse overlap area. The systematics show a linear increase of K−/π with ω in the AGS and SPS energy regime and a saturation at RHIC energy. The systematics indicate that ω might be the relevant variable underlying K−/π. At high energy, the ω variable is related to the gluon saturation scale in high density QCD, and perhaps to the initial energy density in the Bjorken picture.
Analysts' qualitative statements and the profitability of favorable investment recommendations

Abstract In this study, we examine the relation between sell-side analysts' justifications and favorable rating profitability. Using a novel text analysis methodology, we transform analysts' qualitative statements into a content-based text signal. Our results indicate that information contained in analysts' justifications is indeed associated with favorable recommendation profitability, controlling for information in the quantitative summary measures. We also develop trading strategies using our text signal and find that using the text signal generates economically significant returns. Importantly, to increase our understanding of factors associated with favorable rating quality, we disaggregate the text signal into five discrete information categories. Results show that references to historical financial and nonfinancial performance measures contain significant predictive power. Our findings have important implications for investors and financial analysts.
Inferring Mobile Apps from Resource Usage Patterns

Despite many applications, mobile cloud computinginduces privacy concerns. In particular, when mobile device usersoffload the computation of a mobile app to the cloud, they may notwant the cloud service provider (CSP) to know what kind of appthey are using, since that information might be used to infer theirpersonal activities and living habits. One possible way for the CSPto learn the type of an offloaded app is to observe the resourceusage patterns of the app (e.g., CPU and memory usage), sincedifferent apps have different resource needs due to their distinctcomputation workloads. To assess this risk, this paper answers thefollowing question: Can the type of mobile app (e.g., email, webbrowsing, mobile game, etc.) used by a user be inferred from theresource usage pattern of the mobile app? We investigate theresource usage patterns of apps and whether the difference inresource usage pattern is sufficient to classify different types ofapps. Specifically, two privacy attacks under the same frameworkare proposed based on supervised learning algorithms. Then theseattacks are implemented and tested in a mobile device and in acloud computing environment. Experiments show that, when theresource usage patterns on a mobile device are used, the type ofapp can be inferred with high probabilities, when the resourceusage patterns on a cloud server are used, the type of app can beinferred with accuracy much higher than random guess.
An expanding footprint

The shale gas revolution has led to a boom in construction of shale oil and gas wells in recent years. New research offers a more accurate accounting of its growing land-use footprint.
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel C-8 Substituted Tetrahydroquinolines as Balanced-Affinity Mu/Delta Opioid Ligands for the Treatment of Pain.

The use of opioids for the treatment of pain, while largely effective, is limited by detrimental side effects including analgesic tolerance, physical dependence, and euphoria, which may lead to opioid abuse. Studies have shown that compounds with a μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist/δ-opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist profile reduce or eliminate some of these side effects including the development of tolerance and dependence. Herein we report the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a series of tetrahydroquinoline-based peptidomimetics with substitutions at the C-8 position. Relative to our lead peptidomimetic with no C-8 substitution, this series affords an increase in DOR affinity and provides greater balance in MOR and DOR binding affinities. Moreover, compounds with carbonyl moieties at C-8 display the desired MOR agonist/DOR antagonist profile whereas alkyl substitutions elicit modest DOR agonism. Several compounds in this series produce a robust antinociceptive effect in vivo and show antinocicep...
Nonimaging optics: a tutorial

Nonimaging optics is the theory of thermodynamically efficient optics and as such, depends more on thermodynamics than on optics. Historically, nonimaging optics that work as ideal concentrators have been discovered through such heuristic ideas as “edge ray involutes,” “string method,” “simultaneous multiple surface,” and “tailored edge ray concentrator,” without a consistent theoretical definition of what “ideal” means. In this tutorial, we provide a thermodynamic perspective of nonimaging optical designs to shine light on the commonality of all these designing ideas, or what “ideal” nonimaging design means. Hence, in this paper, a condition for the “best” design is proposed based purely on thermodynamic arguments, which we believe have profound consequences. Thermodynamics may also be the most intuitive way for a reader who is new to this subject to understand or study it within a certain framework, instead of learning from sporadic designing methodologies. This way of looking at the problem of efficient concentration and illumination depends on probabilities, the ingredients of entropy, and information theory, while “optics” in the conventional sense recedes into the background. We attempt to link the key concept of nonimaging optics, etendue, with the radiative heat transfer concept of view factor, which may be more familiar to some readers. However, we do not want to limit the readers to a single thermodynamic understanding of this subject. Therefore, two alternative perspectives of nonimaging optics will also be introduced and used throughout the tutorial: the definition of a nonimaging optics design according to the Hilbert integral, and the phase space analysis of the ideal design. The tutorial will be organized as follows: Section 1 highlights the difference between nonimaging and imaging optics, Section 2 describes the thermodynamic understanding of nonimaging optics, Section 3 presents the alternative phase space representation of nonimaging optics, Section 4 describes the most basic nonimaging designs using Hottel’s strings, Section 5 discusses the geometric flow line designing method, and Section 6 summarizes the various concepts of nonimaging optics.
Comparative Immunology of Old World Hamsters -- Cricetinae

Previous work in our laboratory has centered on the immunoglobulins (Ig) and immune response of the Syrian hamster. Various other hamster species are becoming available (1), however, and will be useful as models in medical research. The question arises whether these hamsters have Ig’s comparable to and antigenically cross-reactive with those described in the Syrian hamster, so that antisera to previously characterized serum proteins of Syrian hamsters would be useful in studies with non-Syrian hamsters. In addition, the degree of identity of the various Ig classes in these other species would provide some idea of their relative taxonomic distance from Syrian hamsters. To answer these questions sera fromheterologous non-Syrian hamsters were tested on simple gel diffusion for precipitin reactions with rabbit antisera specific for Syrian hamster IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM (2). The hamsters also were evaluated for the presence of an interesting sex-limited serum protein called Female Protein (FP) (3). In the diffusion analysis, the antisera were reacted with the heterologous hamster sera and an adjacent well contained homologous Syrian hamster sera so that the heterologous protein could be evaluated for its antigenic identity (+ = fusion reaction) or antigenic deficiency (+ = spur formation) with the homologous interaction.
Reforming Regulatory Analysis, Review, and Oversight: A Guide for the Perplexed

The number of regulations and their economic impact continue to grow. Yet the quality and use of economic analysis to inform regulatory decisions falls far short of the standards enunciated in executive orders governing regulatory analysis and review. Both the president and Congress have grappled in recent years with initiatives intended to reform the analytical requirements and oversight mechanisms that federal agencies must comply with when they propose and finalize regulations. Regulatory scholars have identified numerous additional provisions that could strengthen regulatory analysis, review, and oversight. This article summarizes proposals for change, explains their underlying rationales, and lists the pros and cons associated with each.
Extending Flash Lifetime in Embedded Processors by Expanding Analog Choice

We extend the lifetime of Flash memory in embedded processors by exploiting the fact that data from sensors is inherently analog. Prior work in the computer architecture community has assumed that all data is digital and has overlooked the opportunities available when working with analog data, such as the data recorded by sensors. In this paper, we introduce redundancy into the quantization of sensor data in order to provide several alternative representations. Notably, we tradeoff distortion—the difference between the sensed analog value and the digital quantization of that value—to improve lifetime. Our simulations show that when combining rate, distortion, and lifetime tradeoffs we can extend Flash lifetime at a far smaller capacity cost compared to prior work. More specifically the simulated system shows that it is possible to achieve up to $2.75 \times$ less capacity cost compared to redundant Flash memory and $1.29 \times$ less capacity cost compared to the state of the art coding schemes.
Delayed Presentation of Isolated Adrenocorticotropin Insufficiency after Nivolumab Therapy for Advanced Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)

We describe a 73-year-old man who developed adrenal insufficiency 7 months after completing nivolumab therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. He presented with non-specific symptoms of malaise and fatigue with an insidious 13.6 kilogram weight loss, prompting an evaluation for disease progression, which was negative. Subsequent evaluation revealed isolated adrenocorticotropin insufficiency as the aetiology, attributed to a delayed side effect of nivolumab therapy.
Herbicide-Resistant Kochia (Bassia scoparia) in North America: A Review

Kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott] is a problematic annual broadleaf weed species in the North American Great Plains. Bassia scoparia inherits unique biological characteristics that contribute to its propensity to evolve herbicide resistance. Evolution of glyphosate resistance in B. scoparia has become a serious threat to the major cropping systems and soil conservation practices in the region. Bassia scoparia populations with resistance to four different herbicide sites of action are a concern for growers. The widespread occurrence of multiple herbicide–resistant (HR) B. scoparia across the North American Great Plains has renewed research efforts to devise integrated weed management strategies beyond herbicide use. In this review, we aim to compile and document the growing body of literature on HR B. scoparia with emphasis on herbicide-resistance evolutionary dynamics, distribution, mechanisms of evolved resistance, agronomic impacts, and current/future weed management technologies. We focused on ecologically based, non-herbicidal strategies such as diverse crop rotations comprising winter cereals and perennial forages, enhanced crop competition, cover crops, harvest weed seed control (HWSC), and tillage to manage HR B. scoparia seedbanks. Remote sensing using hyperspectral imaging and other sensor-based technologies would be valuable for early detection and rapid response and site-specific herbicide resistance management. We propose research priorities based on an improved understanding of the biology, genetic diversity, and plasticity of this weed that will aid in preserving existing herbicide resources and designing sustainable, integrated HR B. scoparia mitigation plans.
Evaluating Customer Special Requests

This paper describes the development of a 16-item special request scale (SRS) to measure evaluative criteria used by frontline employees when facing customer special requests. Built on a preliminary research, our study provided evidence for the reliability, factor structure, validity, and potential applications of the SRS scale on the basis of analyzing data from 131 employees of an oil exchange company.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome is a chronic pain condition unrelieved by or recurring after lumbar spine surgery. Low back pain with or without lower extremity pain is the characteristic feature of the syndrome unrelated to other causes. The condition is debilitating and has significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. We discuss the etiology, typical clinical findings, diagnostic modalities, and multidisciplinary management of failed back surgery syndrome.
The thermodynamics of gas absorption and guest-induced flexibility in zeolite Y

Abstract The interaction of water, carbon dioxide and methane with faujasite zeolite Y has been probed by gas absorption calorimetry. The energetics of water sorption reveals guest-induced framework flexibility with transition from a less hydrated form to a more hydrated phase. The differential enthalpy of absorption directly measures strengths of guest-host interactions at different sites and possible binding mechanisms. Interactions of CO2 and CH4 with the faujasite framework are weaker and no phase transition is seen. The most negative enthalpies in water, CO2 and CH4 absorption occur near zero loading with exothermic values (relative to the vapor) of −110.59 ± 1.5 kJ/mol, −34.40 ± 0.47 kJ/mol and −21.87 ± 0.78 kJ/mol respectively. The initial entropy of CO2 sorption, unlike that of water sorption, is not the lowest near zero loading but falls to a stable plateau of lowest level before increasing, reflecting a possible dynamic ordering process of absorbed CO2 molecules. The entropy of CH4 sorption follows a monotonic change upon loading. Thus the chemical potential obtained directly from the absorption isotherm and the calorimetrically measured enthalpy can be used to calculate the entropy of sorption and together provide a detailed map of thermodynamic behavior of H2O, CO2 and CH4) in this flexible zeolite framework.
Elucidating Proteoform Dynamics Underlying the Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotype

Primary diploid cells exit the cell cycle in response to exogenous stress or oncogene activation through a process known as cellular senescence. This cell-autonomous tumor-suppressive mechanism is also a major mechanism operative in organismal aging. To date, temporal aspects of senescence remain understudied. Therefore, we use quantitative proteomics to investigate changes following forced HRASG12V expression and induction of senescence across 1 week in normal diploid fibroblasts. We demonstrate that global intracellular proteomic changes correlate with the emergence of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and the switch to robust cell cycle exit. The senescence secretome reinforces cell cycle exit, yet is largely detrimental to tissue homeostasis. Previous studies of secretomes rely on ELISA, bottom-up proteomics or RNA-seq. To date, no study to date has examined the proteoform complexity of secretomes to elucidate isoform-specific, post-translational modifications or regulated cleavage of sign...
Enhanced surface superconductivity in Ba(Fe0.95Co0.05)2As2

We present direct evidence for an enhanced superconducting Tc on the surface of cleaved single crystals of Ba( Fe 0.95 Co 0.05)2As2. Transport measurements performed on samples cleaved in ultra-high vacuum show a significantly enhanced superconducting transition when compared to equivalent measurements performed in air. Deviations from the bulk resistivity appear at 21 K, well above the 10 K bulk Tc of the underdoped compound. We demonstrate that the excess conductivity above the bulk Tc can be controllably suppressed by application of potassium ions on the cleaved surface, indicating that the enhanced superconductivity is strongly localized to the sample surface. Additionally, we find that the effects of the potassium surface dosing are strongly influenced by the presence of residual gas absorbates on the sample surface, which may prevent effective charge transfer from the potassium atoms to the FeAs plane. This further supports the conclusion that the effects of the dosing (and enhanced superconductivity) are localized within a few layers of the surface.
Exploring the Effects of Reaction Conditions on Morphologyand Stability of Sonochemically Generated Ti–Al–B FuelPowders

Sonochemically mediated dehydrogenation of in situ generated complex metal hydrides is a promising methodology for the synthesis of mixed-metal powders for fuel applications that can be tailored toward greater energy content and other desirable characteristics. Here, we report a significant improvement in the synthesis of Ti–Al–B reactive metal powders by the elimination of parasitic impurities from the synthesis, focusing on the effects of synthetic and processing parameters on the final fuel composition, morphology, energy content, and reactivity. Reactions to produce fuel samples were carried out using both the previously reported addition of ethereal solutions of LiAlH4 and LiBH4 to a solution of TiCl4 and, importantly, the reverse, where a homogeneous solution of TiCl4 in diethyl ether was added to a homogeneous solution of LiAlH4 and LiBH4. The product powders were characterized via TGA/DSC, XPS, ICP-OES of the digestate, and oxygen bomb calorimetry of polymer-encased metal powder–fuel composites. In order to accurately measure the energy content of these materials, HTPB was used as a protective matrix for powders combusted using bomb calorimetry. The powders produced by the two methods had similar elemental compositions; however, the materials produced by “reverse addition” exhibited surprisingly different morphology and fuel properties compared to the “traditional” counterparts. The improvements in synthetic methodology lead to significant improvements in the fuel energy content, remarkable particle size monodispersity in the submicron size regime, and excellent reproducibility of the energy release observed for powder fuel-HTPB composites.
Do I (Want to) Fit In? Women Entrepreneurs’ Journey from Imposter Fears to Authenticity

Research has established that entrepreneurship is a masculine domain in which women experience a ‘lack of fit’, yet we know surprisingly little about women entrepreneurs’ own perspectives on the ro...
Central nervous system stimulants: basic pharmacology and relevance to anaesthesia and critical care

Abstract Central nervous system stimulants provoke cortical, brain stem and spinal cord excitation. They have a wide range of clinical uses and a strong potential for abuse. Central nervous system stimulants can be divided into three categories: (i) psychomotor stimulants; (ii) psychotomimetic stimulants; and (iii) respiratory stimulants/convulsants. Psychomotor stimulants produce excitement and euphoria, increase motor activity and reduce fatigue. Psychotomimetic stimulants alter mental function and affect perception and cognition. Respiratory stimulants and convulsants increase activity in the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to hyperreflexia, activation of the respiratory and vasomotor centres, and promotion of seizure activity.
Pollinators of the Great Plains: Disturbances, Stressors, Management, and Research Needs

Abstract Recent global declines of pollinator populations have highlighted the importance of pollinators, which are undervalued despite essential contributions to ecosystem services. To identify critical knowledge gaps about pollinators, we describe the state of knowledge about responses of pollinators and their foraging and nesting resources to historical natural disturbances and new stressors in Great Plains grasslands and riparian ecosystems. In addition, we also provide information about pollinator management and research needs to guide efforts to sustain pollinators and by extension, flowering vegetation, and other ecosystem services of grasslands. Although pollinator responses varied, pollinator specialists of disturbance-sensitive plants tended to decline in response to disturbance. Management with grazing and fire overall may benefit pollinators of grasslands, depending on many factors; however, we recommend habitat and population monitoring to assess outcomes of these disturbances on small, isolated pollinator populations. The influences and interactions of drought and increasingly variable weather patterns, pesticides, and domesticated bees on pollinators are complex and understudied. Nonetheless, habitat management and restoration can reduce effects of stressors and augment floral and nesting resources for pollinators. Research needs include expanding information about 1) the distribution, abundance, trends, and intraregional variability of most pollinator species; 2) floral and nesting resources critical to support pollinators; 3) implications of different rangeland management approaches; 4) effects of missing and reestablished resources in altered and restored vegetation; and 5) disentangling the relative influence of interacting disturbances and stressors on pollinator declines. Despite limited research in the Great Plains on many of these topics, consideration of pollinator populations and their habitat needs in management plans is critical now to reduce future pollinator declines and promote recovery.
Plasma transfusions in failure of colostral immunoglobulin transfer (1)

Partial or complete failure of colostral immunoglobulin transfer (FCIT) is frequently encountered in neonatal calves and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therapy for FCIT and associated diseases may include administration of antimicrobials, fluids, various supportive measures and attempts to restore protective levels of circulating immunoglobulins (Ig). Because FCIT is frequently encountered after gut closure to absorption of exogenous Ig, administration of Ig in plasma or whole blood has been used to restore protective levels of Ig. Recommendations for plasma administration to neonatal calves are empirical and have been based upon practices commonly used in neonatal foals. A commonly recommended dose is administration of plasma at 20ml/kg body weight. In the present study, plasma administration was studied in newborn calves with FCIT. The purposes of the study were: 1.) To determine if administration of plasma at 20ml/kg would produce protective levels of circulating Ig in calves with FCIT; and 2.) To compare levels of circulating Ig in calves administered plasma IP once, IV once, and IV twice with 7 days between dosing. In addition, calves with FCIT and administered plasma were compared to calves receiving colostrum.
Inequalities for $tgs$-convex functions via some conformable fractional integrals

In this research article, we establish several Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for tgs-convex functions via conformable fractional integrals and new fractional conformable integral operators.
Precision timing and communication networking experiments in a real-time power grid hardware-in-the-loop laboratory

Abstract The growing wave of digitization in power grids is bringing increased reliance on information and communication technologies (ICT) for the operation of the grid. Such cyber–physical power systems (CPPS) involve the interaction of the physics of the power grid with the performance of other engineered systems, such as communications and time-synchronization. To understand the interplay of such interactions, experimentation is required. However, there are very limited opportunities to perform experiments on actual CPPS systems, due to safety and security concerns. Nevertheless, the demand for more functionalities on cyber components will continue to rise, and thus, other means to understand CPPS behavior for design, implementation and testing are needed. To address this gap, a real-time simulator-based power system laboratory was implemented with the objective of facilitating experiments involving precision timing and communication networking systems which are coupled with power grid models running in real-time. These are integrated in three layers: (a) Precise Timing Layer, (b) Communication/Network Layer, and (c) Electrical Component Layer. This paper reports on detailed experiments performed on the precision timing and communication layers of the laboratory. It shows how to couple the different layers together, and how to conduct experiments to tamper with both the precision timing and communication layers, along with their interactions with the simulated grid. Finally, the paper shows how to validate the Quality of Service (QoS) rules implemented in virtual local area networks (VLANs) in the laboratory environment when using different power system communication protocols.
A 1,000,000 transistor microprocessor

The authors describe a 1,000,000-transistor single-chip microprocessor which uses RISC (reduced-instruction-set-computer) design techniques, parallel instruction execution, a 64-bit data bus, and supercomputer architectural concepts. To achieve balanced performance, one-third of the chip area is devoted to integer instructions, including a 32-bit integer core, paging unit, and bus unit; one-third is devoted to floating-point instructions, including the floating-point control unit, add and multiply units, and a 3-D graphics unit; and one-third to three instruction and data caches. The integer unit and floating-point add and multiply units can execute in parallel to provide up to three operations per clock. Bringing the instruction and data caches on-chip allows an aggregate data rate of 1.2 Gbytes/s, which is necessary to support the parallel execution. At 50 MHz, the device achieves 105000 dhrystones and 21 MFLOPs (million floating-point operations per second) in the double-precision Linpack inner loop. The chip size is 10 mm*15 mm using a 1- mu m double-metal CHMOS process. >
Factors Affecting Disruption in Families of Adults With Mental Illness

Purpose This study examined relationships between vulnerability/risk and protective factors, and family functioning in women family members of adults with serious mental illness. Design and Methods Using a descriptive, correlational design, this secondary analysis examined characteristics of the family member with mental illness (e.g., diagnosis, level of care) and measures of caregiver stigma and strain, client dependence, family disruption, sense of coherence, and resourcefulness. Findings Family disruption was greatest in women who provided direct care and whose family member had major depression, followed by bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and panic disorder. Sense of coherence and resourcefulness were associated with lower family disruption, but did not mediate the effects of caregiver strain. Practice Implications Interventions restricted to one family member may be insufficient for improving the family functioning.
Photoactivatable green fluorescent protein-based visualization and quantification of mitochondrial fusion and mitochondrial network complexity in living cells.

Abstract Technological improvements in microscopy and the development of mitochondria-specific imaging molecular tools have illuminated the dynamic rearrangements of these essential organelles. These rearrangements are mainly the result of two opposing processes: mitochondrial fusion and mitochondrial fission. Consistent with this, in addition to mitochondrial motility, these two processes are major factors determining the overall degree of continuity of the mitochondrial network, as well as the average size of mitochondria within the cell. In this chapter, we detail the use of advanced confocal microscopy and mitochondrial matrix-targeted photoactivatable green fluorescent protein (mito-PAGFP) for the investigation of mitochondrial dynamics. We focus on direct visualization and quantification of mitochondrial fusion and mitochondrial network complexity in living mammalian cells. These assays were instrumental in important recent discoveries within the field of mitochondrial biology, including the role of mitochondrial fusion in the activation of mitochondrial steps in apoptosis, participation of Bcl-2 family proteins in mitochondrial morphogenesis, and stress-induced mitochondrial hyperfusion. We present some basic directions that should be helpful in designing mito-PAGFP-based experiments. Furthermore, since analyses of mitochondrial fusion using mito-PAGFP-based assays rely on time-lapse imaging, critical parameters of time-lapse microscopy and cell preparation are also discussed.
Alprazolam in Bipolar‐I Depressions

In an open-label study of alprazolam in five bipolar-I depressed patients, three patients remitted completely, one failed to respond, and one responded transiently, based on the Hamilton Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory scores. Further studies of alprazolam as an antidepressant are warranted.
Static voltage drop and current density analysis for high performance FPGA flip-chip package design

As the FPGA device performance increases and integrated circuit reduces in size there will be more and more challenges on the package design. Detailed analysis to capture and address design challenges is important for a viable power distribution network (PDN) package design. This paper will discuss the modeling methodology to analyze the static voltage drop for the high performance and high density FPGA flip-chip packages. Thru the analysis, the design solution to optimize the IR drop and EM problem will be presented.
Design and scaling of BiCMOS circuits

A design procedure for sizing all devices in multi-input BiCMOS gates is presented. The notion of an equivalent inverter is introduced, and the optimal ratio of P to N MOSFETs in this inverter is observed to be a constant dependent only on the technology. The bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are optimally sized for all multi-input gates using data generated only once for the equivalent inverter. Conventional BiCMOS, BiNMOS and CMOS gates are compared in the context of technology scaling. The conventional BiCMOS gate has a 1.4* advantage over CMOS for V/sub dd/ as low as 3.1 V when scaled 0.4- mu m devices are used. The BiNMOS gate overcomes the limitation to further scaling of the conventional gate and shows a 1.23-1.45* advantage over CMOS even for 0.25- mu m, 2.5-V technology. >
Computations of Dendrites in 3-D and Comparison with Microgravity Experiments

The phase field model is used to compute numerically the temporal evolution of the interface for solidification of a single needle crystal of succinonitrile (SCN) in a three dimensional cylindrical domain with conditions satisfying microgravity experiments. The numerical results for the tip velocity are (i) consistent with the experiments, (ii) compatible with the experimental conclusion that tip velocity does not increase for larger anisotropy (e.g., for pivalic acid), (iii) different for 3D versus 2D by a factor of approximately 1.76, (iv) strongly dependent on physical value of the kinetic coefficient in the model. Also, as indicated by theory and the laboratory experiments, the results obtained for single needle crystal show that the growth velocity approaches a constant value in large time.
Riboflavin Deficiency Impairs Oxidative Folding and Secretion of Apolipoprotein B-100 in HepG2 Cells, Triggering Stress Response Systems

Secretory proteins such as apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB) undergo oxidative folding (formation of disulfide bonds) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) before secretion. Oxidative folding depends on flavoproteins in eukaryotes. Here, human liver (HepG2) cells were used to model effects of riboflavin concentrations in culture media on folding and secretion of apoB. Cells were cultured in media containing 3.1, 12.6, and 300 nmol/L of riboflavin, representing moderately deficient, physiological, and pharmacological plasma concentrations in humans, respectively. When cells were cultured in riboflavin-deficient medium, secretion of apoB decreased by >80% compared with controls cultured in physiological medium. The nuclear translocation of the transcription factor ATF-6 increased by >180% in riboflavin-deficient cells compared with physiological controls; this is consistent with ER stress. Nuclear translocation of ATF-6 was associated with activation of the unfolded protein response. Expression of stress-response genes coding for ubiquitin-activating enzyme 1, growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene, and glucose regulated protein of 78 kDa was greater in riboflavin-deficient cells compared with other treatment groups. Finally, phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor (eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha) increased in riboflavin-deficient cells, consistent with decreased translational activity. We conclude 1) that riboflavin deficiency causes ER stress and activation of unfolded protein response in HepG2 cells, and 2) that riboflavin deficiency decreases protein secretion in HepG2 cells. Decreased secretion of apoB in riboflavin-deficient cells might interfere with lipid homeostasis in vivo.
Assessing the Effects of High Methionine Intake on DNA Methylation

Methylation of DNA occurs at cytosines within CpG (cytosine-guanine) dinucleotides and is 1 of several epigenetic mechanisms that serve to establish and maintain tissue-specific patterns of gene expression. The methyl groups transferred in mammalian DNA methylation reactions are ultimately derived from methionine. High dietary methionine intake might therefore be expected to increase DNA methylation. Because of the circular nature of the methionine cycle, however, methionine excess may actually impair DNA methylation by inhibiting remethylation of homocysteine. Although little is known regarding the effect of dietary methionine supplementation on mammalian DNA methylation, the available data suggest that methionine supplementation can induce hypermethylation of DNA in specific genomic regions. Because locus-specific DNA hypomethylation is implicated in the etiology of various cancers and developmental syndromes, clinical trials of "promethylation" dietary supplements are already under way. However, aberrant hypermethylation of DNA could be deleterious. It is therefore important to determine whether dietary supplementation with methionine can effectively support therapeutic maintenance of DNA methylation without causing excessive and potentially adverse locus-specific hypermethylation. In the viable yellow agouti (Avy) mouse, maternal diet affects the coat color distribution of offspring by perturbing the establishment of methylation at the Avy metastable epiallele. Hence, the Avy mouse can be employed as a sensitive epigenetic biosensor to assess the effects of dietary methionine supplementation on locus-specific DNA methylation. Recent developments in epigenomic approaches that survey locus-specific DNA methylation on a genome-wide scale offer broader opportunities to assess the effects of high methionine intake on mammalian epigenomes.
Paired comparison scaling of reaction potential in two different experiments on habituation

Thurstone’s method of paired comparisons was employed to obtain scaled values of reaction potential from two completely different experimental situations involving response decrement. The first was one in which the GSR was measured on 10 repeated presentations of a visual stimulus (N= 89). The second involved 80 presentations of ordinary visual scenes; the S looked at each scene as long as he wished before switching to the next (i.e., looking time was measured. N=80). Scaling reaction potential by Thurstone’s method provided a common operational definition for both sets of data and permitted their direct comparison in identical units. Both measures showed substantial decrement in reaction potential across stages, with the GSR scale values dropping steeply from the first to the second trial and. thereafter, following a course of decline similar to the looking time scale values. Tlie correlation of the two sets of scale values was essentially linear and equalled 0.90.
Homozygous hypobetalipoproteinemia: transcriptional regulation and 5'-flanking sequence analysis in an apolipoprotein B deficiency state.

Abstract Apolipoprotein (apo) B is the principal apolipoprotein of chylomicrons, very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Patiens with homozygous hypobetalipoproteinemia (HBL), characterized by apoB deficiency, have markedly decreased levels of hepatocyte mRNA as well as intracellular B apolipoprotein, and a virtual absence of plasma apoB. We have cloned, sequenced and analyzed the 5′ regulatory region of the human apoB gene from −899 to +121 bp in normal and hypobetalipoproteinemic subjects. TATA and CAAT boxes were located at −30 and −61, respectively, and two GC-like boxes were identified at positions +56 and +108. The analysis of the HBL sequence revealed two substitutions at positions −838 and −517, when compared to the normal sequence. These substitutions were not present in any known apoB regulatory elements. The transcriptional activities of the homozygous hypobetalipoproteinemic and normal regulatory regions were compared by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays in Hep G2 cells, and were found to be the same. Therefore, we conclude that the 5′ regulatory region of the HBL apoB gene in this kindred is normal, and the two base substitutions do not affect promoter activity of the apoB gene. These studies suggest that a coding region abnormality in the apoB gene may lead to HBL.
ARTIFACT: THE INTERACTION OF PRACTICE AND THEORY

Design is about making and reflecting, about bringing the mind and hand together. Good design theory is inspired by practice, and good practice values reflection. (Erik Stolterman – as we began to consider this project)
Extraordinary Hall-Effect Measurements on Ni, Some Ni Alloys, and Ferrites

Extraordinary Hall-effect measurements over a wide range of temperature are reported for 99.9 Ni, 99.4 Ni, 95 Ni, several 80% Ni alloys, ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$, and ${(\mathrm{NiO})}_{0.75}$ ${(\mathrm{FeO})}_{0.25}$ (${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$). The resistivity $\ensuremath{\rho}$ of all samples over the same temperature range is also reported. At high temperatures, the extraordinary Hall coefficient ${R}_{1}$ for 99.9 Ni is proportional to ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{2}$ as predicted by theory. However, the dependence upon $\ensuremath{\rho}$ is smaller in the 99.9 Ni sample at lower temperatures and in the samples with higher impurity concentration at all temperatures. The 80% Ni samples exhibit positive ${R}_{1}$, while ${R}_{1}$ in the high-concentration Ni samples is negative. ${R}_{1}$ for both ferrites is negative below about 400\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and positive above this temperature.The theoretical work on metals generally indicates that ${R}_{1}$ is proportional to ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{2}$ and the constant of proportionality $r$ is weakly temperature dependent and of the order of unity. In the high-concentration Ni samples $r$ is negative, of the order of unity, and exhibits a significant temperature dependence at low temperatures. In the 80% Ni samples, $r$ is positive and of the order of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. At room temperature, $r$ is of the order of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ in ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and of the order of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ in ${(\mathrm{NiO})}_{0.75}$ ${(\mathrm{FeO})}_{0.25}$ (${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$). In both ferrites, $r$ is strongly temperature dependent. The change of sign of $r$ with temperature observed in both ferrites has not been previously observed in metals or alloys.
Computer Applications in Interior Design Education and Practice

This study surveyed professional members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Institute of Business Designers (IBD) and compared competencies desired by practicing interior designers with the computer competencies required by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) first professional-level degree-accredited programs. The study also surveyed FIDER-accredited programs regarding instruction in computer applications. Mailed questionnaires to 800 randomly selected ASID and IBD members included questions concerning size of firm, type of practice, educational background, computer applications, and attitudes toward the use of computers in the future of the interior design industry. A separate questionnaire addressing pedagogical methods, media, and requirements was mailed to representatives of the first professional-level degree programs accredited by FIDER. Although data indicate that practicing interior designers require an awareness level of student achievement for computer applications, more agree than disagree that interior design graduates should possess a competency in computer applications. The majority of FIDER-accredited programs required a level of student achievement for computer systems higher than the awareness level recommended in the FIDER standards and guidelines. FIDER-accredited programs, as a whole, currently meet entry-level computer skill requirements, but professional interior designers predict that knowledge of computer applications will be essential in the future. Therefore, educators should continually evaluate curricula, methods, and media to stay abreast of industry standards, and FIDER should reexamine the standards and guidelines for determining computer competencies.
A Response to Celmer and Winer

According to Celmer and Winer (1990). the presence of an absolute papal ban against women who aspire to the Roman Catholic priesthood creates both a unique opportunity for investigation of vocational theory (Holland, 1985) and a rare sample for the counselor and researcher. While acknowledging our respect for this ambitious and thought-provoking investigation, we found problems with the sample selection procedure, the choice of samples, and the instrument selection that threaten the external validity of the study. As a result of these limitations, the application of this study for the counselor and the researcher was diminished.
Genetic negative feedback circuits for filtering stochasticity in gene expression

The inherent stochastic nature of biochemical reactions coupled with low copy numbers of many mRNA species can create large stochastic fluctuations in protein levels over time. These fluctuations in protein molecular counts are referred to as gene-expression noise and are known to profoundly effect biological function and phenotype. Cells often encode negative feedback circuits to suppress or filter gene-expression noise and reduce intercellular variability in protein levels. We here compare and contrast the noise suppression ability of different negative feedback architectures. Using stochastic models of gene-expression we derive analytical formulas that quantify the extent of stochastic fluctuations in protein levels corresponding to different negative feedback circuits. These formulas reveal that some feedback architectures are inherently better at noise suppression, while the performance of others is dependent on the parameters of gene-expression. More specifically, our results show that among different negative feedback architectures, negative feedback through the mRNA provides the best filtering of gene-expression noise in a mathematically controlled comparison. Finally, we discuss potential ways these negative feedback circuits can be implemented within the process of gene-expression.
Biosynthetic Pathways in Nutritionally Deficient Mutants of Marchantia polymorpha L.

NUTRITIONALLY deficient mutants of microorganisms have provided valuable tools for investigating biosynthetic pathways. Relatively few examples of such mutants are known in ‘higher’ plants1,2. Methods have been devised to obtain nutritionally deficient mutants of a liverwort species, Marchantia polymorpha.
The Great Mimickers

Readers of capsule endoscopy must have experience in interpreting endoscopic images, to differentiate normal from abnormal. The reader must be able to diagnose based on the images. This will allow the dismissal of normal variants and non-pathologic lesions and the identification of specific pathologies requiring specific therapies. The basic rules of interpreting these difficult images include (1) looking at the surrounding mucosa for other clues, (2) not basing diagnosis on a single image if possible, (3) viewing the video flow of images to see the intestinal lining before or after the lesions and (4) looking for similar abnormalities in images well before or after the images in question.
Linear Regression Analysis with Missing Observations among the Independent Variables

Abstract An intuitive estimate is presented for estimating linear regression coefficients when an unspecified number and pattern of the independent variables for some individuals are not observed. It is shown that the efficiency of this approach depends upon the correlation among the independent variables as well as the proportion of observations which is missing.