Investigating biomechanical noise in neuroblastoma cells using the quartz crystal microbalance.

Quantifying cellular behaviour by motility and morphology changes is increasingly important in formulating an understanding of fundamental physiological phenomena and cellular mechanisms of disease. However, cells are complex biological units, which often respond to external environmental factors by manifesting subtle responses that may be difficult to interpret using conventional biophysical measurements. This paper describes the adaptation of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to monitor neuroblastoma cells undergoing environmental stress wherein the frequency stability of the device can be correlated to changes in cellular state. By employing time domain analysis of the resulting frequency fluctuations, it is possible to study the variations in cellular motility and distinguish between different cell states induced by applied external heat stress. The changes in the frequency fluctuation data are correlated to phenotypical physical response recorded using optical microscopy under identical conditions of environmental stress. This technique, by probing the associated biomechanical noise, paves the way for its use in monitoring cell activity, and intrinsic motility and morphology changes, as well as the modulation resulting from the action of drugs, toxins and environmental stress.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Royal Society Publishing via http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.138

Web-PST : Web-based Pesticide Screening Tool

We have developed a web-based software tool for evaluating the potential risk of pesticides on the surrounding environment. The software tool is called Web-based Pesticide Screening Tool (Web-PST). It uses the formulas and standards specified by the Soil/Pesticide Interaction Screening Procedure Version II (SPISP II). Web-PST closely models the stand-alone Windows application Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WIN-PST). For a given pesticide, a soil type, and a cultivation practice, Web-PST evaluates the likelihood of pesticide loss and its potential risks to both humans and fish. In addition to hazard ratings, Web-PST allows the user to generate a list of pests that can be controlled with a given pesticide. It also generates a list of the types of agricultural situations where the pesticide is commonly applied

Tool wear and surface integrity analysis of machined heat treated selective laser melted Ti-6Al-4V

In this study, the tool wear and surface integrity during machining of wrought and Selective LaserMelted (SLM) titanium alloy (after heat treatment) are studied. Face turning trails were carried out onboth the materials at different cutting speeds of 60,120 and 180 m/min. Cutting tools and machinedspecimens collected are characterized using scanning electron microscope, surface profiler and opticalmicroscope to study the tool wear, machined surface quality and machining induced microstructuralalterations. It was found that high cutting speeds lead to rapid tool wear during machining of SLMTi-6Al-4V materials. Rapid tool wear observed at high cutting speeds in machining SLM Ti-6Al-4Vresulted in damaging the surface integrity by 1) Deposition of chip/work material on the machinedsurface giving rise to higher surface roughness and 2) Increasing the depth of plastic deformationon the machined sub surface

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treating symptomatic uncomplicated urinary tract infections in non-pregnant adult women

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: This review aims to investigate the benefits and risks associated with the use of NSAIDs in the treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated UTIs in non‐pregnant adult women

The Emergence of Large Language Models in Static Analysis: A First Look through Micro-Benchmarks

The application of Large Language Models (LLMs) in software engineering, particularly in static analysis tasks, represents a paradigm shift in the field. In this paper, we investigate the role that current LLMs can play in improving callgraph analysis and type inference for Python programs. Using the PyCG, HeaderGen, and TypeEvalPy micro-benchmarks, we evaluate 26 LLMs, including OpenAI's GPT series and open-source models such as LLaMA. Our study reveals that LLMs show promising results in type inference, demonstrating higher accuracy than traditional methods, yet they exhibit limitations in callgraph analysis. This contrast emphasizes the need for specialized fine-tuning of LLMs to better suit specific static analysis tasks. Our findings provide a foundation for further research towards integrating LLMs for static analysis tasks.Comment: To be published in: ICSE FORGE 2024 (AI Foundation Models and Software Engineering

TypeEvalPy: A Micro-benchmarking Framework for Python Type Inference Tools

In light of the growing interest in type inference research for Python, both researchers and practitioners require a standardized process to assess the performance of various type inference techniques. This paper introduces TypeEvalPy, a comprehensive micro-benchmarking framework for evaluating type inference tools. TypeEvalPy contains 154 code snippets with 845 type annotations across 18 categories that target various Python features. The framework manages the execution of containerized tools, transforms inferred types into a standardized format, and produces meaningful metrics for assessment. Through our analysis, we compare the performance of six type inference tools, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Our findings provide a foundation for further research and optimization in the domain of Python type inference.Comment: To be published in ICSE 202

The great mimicker “Burkholderia cepacia”: A case of intra-abdominal abscesses

Burkholderia cepacia infections are underreported and often seen in immunocompromised or cystic fibrosis patients. We describe a case of intra-abdominal abscesses and bacteraemia due to Burkholderia cepacia in a non-cystic fibrosis patient. A middle aged farmer with uncontrolled diabetes presented with 1 month of fever, abdominal pain, anorexia and weight loss. Examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly. Imaging showed multiple abscesses in liver and spleen. Burkholderia cepacia grew in the blood cultures. Patient showed clinical and radiological resolution post treatment with meropenem and subsequently co-trimoxazole. Clinicians' awareness, targeted investigations and early therapeutic intervention are essential for diagnosis and management of Burkholderia cepacia infections