Replica-molded electro-optic polymer Mach–Zehnder modulator

A Mach-Zehnder electro-optic polymer amplitude modulator is fabricated by a simple and high-throughput soft-stamp replica-molding technique. The modulator structure incorporates the highly nonlinear and stable chromophore, AJL8, doped in amorphous polycarbonate. Single-arm phase-retardation results in a halfwave voltage (V-pi) of 8.4 V at 1600 nm. The on/off extinction ratio is better than 19 dB, resulting from precise Y-branch power splitters and good waveguide uniformity. These results indicate that the simple fabrication process allows for good optical performance from high-fidelity replicas of the original master devices

IMU Tracking of Kinematic Chains in the Absence of Gravitational and Magnetic Fields

Tracking kinematic chains has many uses from healthcare to virtual reality. Inertial measurement units, IMUs, are well-recognised for their body tracking capabilities, however, existing solutions rely on gravity and often magnetic fields for drift correction. As humanity's presence in space increases, systems that don't rely on gravity or magnetism are required. We aim to demonstrate the viability of IMU body tracking in a microgravity environment by showing that gravity and magnetism are not necessary for correcting gyroscope-based dead-reckoning drift. We aim to build and evaluate an end-to-end solution accomplishing this. A novel algorithm is developed that compensates for drift using local accelerations alone, without needing gravity or magnetism. Custom PCB sensor, IMU, nodes are created and combined into a body-sensor-network to implement the algorithm and the system is evaluated to determine its strengths and weaknesses. Dead-reckoning alone is accurate to within 1 degree for 30s. The drift correction solution can correct large drifts in yaw within 4 seconds of lateral accelerations to within 3.3 degrees RMSE. Correction accuracy when drift-free and under motion is 1.1 degrees RSME. We demonstrate that gyroscopic drift can be compensated for in a kinematic chain by making use of local acceleration information and often-discarded centripetal and tangential acceleration information, even in the absence of gravitational and magnetic fields. Therefore, IMU body tracking is a viable technology for use in microgravity environments.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figure

Clinical, hemodynamic, echocardiographic, angiographic profiles and post-operative outcomes among DCRV patients from a tertiary care referral center in India

Background: This retrospective study of data from 2006 to 2018 at a tertiary care referral center in India aims to document the contemporary clinical and hemodynamic profile of patients who were diagnosed with double chamber right ventricle (DCRV) based on echocardiography and cardiac  catheterization. Patients were followed up and their outcomes were studied to document their short and long term outcomes.Methods: It is a retrospective observational study of patients diagnosed with DCRV in a tertiary care hospital in India. The diagnosis of DCRV was based on the following criteria: an echocardiographic diagnosis of DCRV with doppler evidence of a mid ventricular gradient; cardiac catheterization revealing a systolic pressure gradient between right ventricular inflow and outflow tracts; a right ventricular angiogram demonstrating an anomalous muscle bundle causing obstruction well below the infundibulum. All the patients were followed up for their long term outcomes.Results: All the patients underwent echocardiography and cardiac catheterization for confirmation of the diagnosis. Sixty percent of our patients presented during adulthood, which is very unusual presentation of this disease entity. Median age of our patient cohort was 23.5 years. Patients presenting during adulthood have atypical symptoms. Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom in this study. Right ventricular hypertrophy (73.3%)and right bundle branch pattern (26.6%) were the common electrocardiographic findings in our patients. DCRV is commonly associated with other anomalies. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the commonest associated anomaly, which was seen in 80% of our patients. Mean gradient cross the anomalous muscle bundle was 67.5 mmHg. Three of our patients (20%) had no associated anomaly, which is very rare in DCRV. Eight patients underwent surgical correction with significant reduction in gradients in all and no perioperative mortality. Median follow up of 8 years showed no adverse outcomes and no progression of gradients.Conclusions: This study describes in detail the clinical profile, echocardiographic and angiographic identification of anomalous muscle bundles in DCRV patients, which will help the young readers in identifying this often missed diagnosis. It highlights the unusual presentation during adulthood with atypical symptoms in DCRV patients with excellent long-term outcomes on follow up

A clinical study of factors predicting prognosis in acute ischemic stroke in a tertiary care center in north Kerala

Background: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and third most common cause of disability in the world. Knowledge of prognostic factors is necessary for the clinician to make a reasonable prediction of outcome for individual patients, to provide rational approach to management and to help patients and their families understand course of the disease. Hence, this study to determine the prognostic factors in acute ischemic stroke with special emphasis on atrial fibrillation, hyperglycemia and fever was undertaken.Methods: This is a prospective and hospital based observational study of 70 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke was based on history, physical examination and CT imaging. The severity was assessed based on Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS). The prognostic factors with special emphasis on atrial fibrillation, hyperglycemia and fever were studied based on the standard diagnostic criteria.Results: Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation was 20% in present study. Mortality and dependency rates were significantly higher in AF group. Fever during the first few days of acute ischemic stroke was a statistically significant predictor of poor outcome. Neuronal damage in brain is directly proportional to its temperature. The results of the study confirm that hyperglycemia at stroke onset is an adverse prognostic factor with 33.33% mortality in hyperglycemic stroke.Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation, hyperglycemia and fever were found to be poor prognostic factors in acute ischemic stroke. Prompt recognition and correction of these poor prognostic factors improve the outcome for such patients

Kinetic Description of Ionospheric Outflows Based on the Exact Form of Fokker-Planck Collision Operator: Electrons

We present the results of a finite difference implementation of the kinetic Fokker-Planck model with an exact form of the nonlinear collisional operator, The model is time dependent and three-dimensional; one spatial dimension and two in velocity space. The spatial dimension is aligned with the local magnetic field, and the velocity space is defined by the magnitude of the velocity and the cosine of pitch angle. An important new feature of model, the concept of integration along the particle trajectories, is discussed in detail. Integration along the trajectories combined with the operator time splitting technique results in a solution scheme which accurately accounts for both the fast convection of the particles along the magnetic field lines and relatively slow collisional process. We present several tests of the model's performance and also discuss simulation results of the evolution of the plasma distribution for realistic conditions in Earth's plasmasphere under different scenarios

Timber harvesting on fragile ground and impacts of uncertainties in the operational costs

Forested wetlands with high water tables are sensitive to disruption from harvesting yet support commercially desired tree species like northern white-cedar. Winter harvest was conducted in Maine, USA, to compare operational costs and productivity of cut-to-length harvesting in cedar (fragile soil) and non-cedar stands (mixed wood, sturdy soil), evaluate uncertainties in harvesting costs and influential factors, and forecast time for post-harvest recovery to pre-harvest volumes. Operational costs were calculated using detailed time and motion studies. Operational costs for the cedar stands were higher than non-cedar. Regression models were developed for harvesters, forwarders, and self-loading trucks; number of logs per cycle was a common factor. Sensitivity analysis showed the dependence of operational costs on labor and fuel costs. Forest Vegetation Simulator projections were used to assess harvest sustainability and suggested the time required to regrow harvested merchantable volume is comparable to cutting cycles recommended for similar treatments in the region. Predicted growth rates exceed those reported regionally on similar sites, suggesting additional study of post-harvest response is warranted. Results highlight site constraints on both operational and stand productivity in lowlands and will be useful for timber harvesting decision-making and forest management planning if combined with assessment of residual stand growth response

A study to assess the effectiveness of the structured teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding family planning methods among the selected rural male population living in Paruvachi Village, Bhavani Taluk, Erode District

OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the pre-test and post test knowledge and attitude of experimental and control group regarding family planning method. 2. To compare the pre-test and post test knowledge and attitude of experimental and control group. 3. To find out the correlation between knowledge and attitude of experimental and control group. 4. To find out the association between demographic variable with knowledge and attitude. HYPOTHESIS: H1: There will be significant difference between pretest and post-test knowledge and attitude of experimental group. H2: There will be significant relation between knowledge and attitude in control and experimental group. H3: There will be a significant association between knowledge, attitude and selected demographic variables. MAJOR FINDINGS: 1. The age of male in experimental group 8(26.7%) of the respondents were in the age group of less than 25 years, 8(26.7%) of the respondents were in the age group of 26-33 years, 8(26.7%) of the respondents were in the age group 34-41 years, 6(20%) of the respondents were in the age group of 42-49 years. 2. In control group 7(23.3%) of the respondents were in the age group of less than 25 years, 7(23.3%) of the respondents were in the age group of 26-33 years, 8(26.7%) of the respondents were in the age group of 34-41 years, 8(26.7%) of the respondents were in the age group of 42-49 years. 3. The majority of number of children in family in experimental group one child 33.3% and control group one child 30.0%. 4. The majority of educational status in experimental group primary school 56.7% and control group primary school 46.7%. 5. The majority of monthly income in experimental group Rs.5001-8000 50.0% and control group Rs.5001-8000 36.7%. 6. The majority of occupation in experimental group Farmer 53.3% and control group Farmer 60.0%. 7. The majority of religion in experimental group Hindu 66.7% and control group Hindu 73.3%. 8. In experimental group, the pretest level of knowledge was inadequate among 86.7% and moderately adequate among 13.3% and none of them had adequate knowledge. In post test, the level of knowledge was inadequate among 0.0% and moderately adequate among 30% and adequate among 70% of participants. 9. In control group, the pretests 86.7% of males are having inadequate knowledge regarding family planning methods. 13.3% of males are having moderately adequate knowledge and none of them are having adequate knowledge regarding family planning methods in posttest 83.3% of males are having inadequate knowledge 66.7% of males are having moderately adequate knowledge, 0.0% of males are having adequate knowledge regarding family planning methods. 10. In experimental group the pretest level of attitude 16.7% are having inadequate attitude regarding family planning methods 83.3% are moderately adequate attitude and 0.0% are having adequate attitude regarding family planning methods. In post test none of are having inadequate attitude 20.0% are having moderately adequate attitude regarding family planning methods. 80.0% are having attitude regarding family planning methods. 11. In control group the pretest 26.7% are having inadequate attitude 73.3% are having moderately adequate attitude. 0.0% are having adequate attitude regarding family planning methods. In the post test 23.3% are having inadequate attitude 76.7% are having moderately adequate attitude 0.0% are having adequate attitude regarding family planning methods. 12. STP was found to be effective in improving the knowledge regarding family planning methods among male population. 13. In the experimental group pretest knowledge mean score 7.73, SD-2.16 and in control group in mean score 7.73, SD-2.23, In the experimental group post-test mean score 16.40, SD-1.65 and in control group mean score 8.03, SD-3.01. Both significant. 14. In the experimental group pretest attitude mean score 34.30, SD-2.168 and in control group mean score 33.37, SD-2.399, in the experimental group post-test mean score 49.67, SD-2.758, in the control group mean score 34.50, SD-2.980, in the experimental group pretest and post-test overall attitude were significant and in the control group were not significant. 15. In experimental group pretest, there is no correlation between knowledge and attitude. In post test their attitude increases when their knowledge increases. 16. There is no correlation between knowledge and attitude in pretest and post-test score of control group. 17. There is no association between experimental group levels of pretest knowledge and their demographic variables such as age of eligible couple, number of children in family, educational status, monthly income, occupation and religion. 18. There is association between experimental group level of post test knowledge and their demographic variables such as age of eligible couples, educational status. There is no association between experimental group level of post test knowledge and their demographic variables such as number of children in family, monthly income, occupation and religion. 19. There is no association between control group level of pretest and post test knowledge and their demographic variables. 20. There is no association between experimental group level of pretest attitude and their demographic variables. 21. There is association between experimental group level of post test attitude and their demographic variables such as age of eligible couple, occupation. There is no significant association between experimental group level of post test attitude and demographic variables such as no. of children’s in family, educational status, monthly income, religion. 22. There is no association between control group level of pretest and post test attitude and demographic variables. CONCLUSION: STP was affective to increase the knowledge regarding family planning methods among male population as per: In experimental group, none of them had adequate knowledge in the pretest, whereas during the post test, level of knowledge of the study subjects was adequate among 70%. In control group none of the participants had adequate knowledge both in pretest and post-test. In experimental group, none of the participants had adequate attitude in the pretest whereas during the post test, the level of attitude of study subjects was adequate among 24%. In control group, none of the participants had adequate attitude in the pretest and post-test. It was assess that when knowledge increases attitude also increases

Development of a Clinical MALDI-ToF Mass Spectrometry Assay for SARS-CoV-2: Rational Design and Multi-Disciplinary Team Work.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has stretched national testing capacities to breaking points in almost all countries of the world. The need to rapidly screen vast numbers of a country's population in order to control the spread of the infection is paramount. However, the logistical requirement for reagent supply (and associated cost) of RT-PCR based testing (the current front-line test) have been hugely problematic. Mass spectrometry-based methods using swab and gargle samples have been reported with promise, but have not approached the task from a systematic analysis of the entire diagnostic process. Here, the pipeline from sample processing, the biological characteristics of the pathogen in human biofluid, the downstream bio- and physical-chemistry and the all-important data processing with clinical interpretation and reporting, are carefully compiled into a single high-throughput and reproducible rapid process. Utilizing MALDI-ToF mass spectrometric detection to viral envelope glycoproteins in a systems biology-multidisciplinary team approach, we have achieved a multifaceted clinical MALDI ToF MS screening test, primarily (but not limited to) SARS-CoV-2, with direct application to other future epidemics/pandemics that may arise. The clinical information generated not only includes SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus detection-(Spike protein fragments S1, S2b, S2a peaks), but other respiratory viral infections detected as well as an assessment of generalised oral upper respiratory immune response (elevated total Ig light chain peak) and a measure of the viral immune response (elevated intensity of IgA heavy chain peak). The advantages of the method include; (1) ease of sampling, (2) speed of analysis, and much reduced cost of testing. These features reveal the diagnostic utility of MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry as a powerful and economically attractive global solution

Roughness of Interfacial Crack Front: Correlated Percolation in the Damage Zone

We show that the roughness exponent zeta of an in-plane crack front slowly propagating along a heterogeneous interface embeded in a elastic body, is in full agreement with a correlated percolation problem in a linear gradient. We obtain zeta=nu/(1+nu) where nu is the correlation length critical exponent. We develop an elastic brittle model based on both the 3D Green function in an elastic half-space and a discrete interface of brittle fibers and find numerically that nu=1.5, We conjecture it to be 3/2. This yields zeta=3/5. We also obtain by direct numerical simulations zeta=0.6 in excellent agreement with our prediction. This modelling is for the first time in close agreement with experimental observations.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX

Evaluation of Concussion Incidence and Modulating Factors in the 2013-2017 Australian Football League

The increasing awareness and popularization of concussions in the research realm over the last few years have begun to shed more light on the detrimental effects associated with repetitive head trauma. While the majority of the current literature focuses on the National Football League (NFL) and National Hockey League (NHL), several other high-impact sports have been implementing concussion management protocols to protect their players. The Australian Football League (AFL) is a prime example of a major contact sport that has undertaken recent changes to its concussion assessment and management modalities. We recognize the benefit of reporting potential changes in concussion rates over the 2013-2017 AFL seasons. We were interested in some of the factors not yet evaluated before, which may contribute to the overall concussion incidence such as “style-of-play” factors” (home/away, win/loss, points scored, time of season). We hope the results of this analysis shed light on the mechanisms by which concussion rates can be mitigated across major contact sports