Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies of Phase Transitions in Organic Molecular Crystals and Dicarboxylic Acids

Order-disorder transitions in 2,3-benzothiophene and cyclopentyl- 1-thiaethane as well as the vibronic effects in the phase transitions of the alkali metal salts of TCNQ have been investigated by infrared spectroscopy. In all these cases, marked variations in band intensities accompany the transitions. Existence of two crystalline forms of methylcyclohexane has been established by infrared spectroscopy. Phase transitions of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids have been examined with particular attention to the transiti_ ons in malonic, succinic, and glutaric acids

Beyond Task-technology Fit: Exploring Network Value of Blockchain Technology Based on Two Supply Chain Cases

Despite the popularity of blockchain technology in the supply chain domain, cases with adoption beyond the pilot phase are limited. Even though technology fit is essential for blockchain adoption, we find network fit to be equally important for participating companies in a network. This research explores how the network affects value creation beyond a technology fit. Studying two cases, one from the gemstone industry and another from the shipping industry, we use the task technology fit model, network effects, and structural embeddedness as theoretical lenses to explore the fit that leads to the success of blockchain adoption. Our investigation reveals the task technology fit as a prerequisite and shows central organizations acting as initiators in the early phase, trying to extend the network in subsequent phases. Our investigation indicates that the network fit, autonomy, and equivalence of the organizations contributed to the successful adoption of blockchains

Study of role of vitamin C in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common non-communicable diseases in the present millennium which has become a global public health problem. The treatment of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2 DM) often is initiated with monotherapy of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), which often do not decrease the plasma sugar levels effectively and consistently that will reduce short term and long-term complications associated with T2 DM. Hence the current study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation with standard OADs on glycemic control.Methods: This study consisted of 120 T2 DM patients with 80 males and 40 females with a mean age of 50.88 yrs were divided into four groups with equal number of males and females in each group depending upon the OADs they received in solo or with vitamin C for 12 weeks. After the written consent, a detail clinical history, clinical examination, biochemical investigations including fasting plasma sugar (FPS), post prandial plasma sugar (PPS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c), serum creatinine, serum electrolytes, chest X-ray PA view and standard ECG were done. Repeat FPS, PPS and HBA1c were done after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of study.Results: After 12 weeks of study FBS, PPS and HBA1c decreased significantly (p<0.01) in study groups (Metformin and teneligliptin with vitamin C) as compared to control groups (OADs without vitamin C). Vitamin C supplementation with OADs found to be effective, well tolerated and devoid of any side effects.Conclusions: OADs are effective and affordable hypoglycemic agents with vitamin C supplementation

Study of lipid lowering effects of oral antidiabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases associated with ‘atherogenic dyslipidemia’ The treatment of T2DM often is initiated with oral antidiabetic drugs, most of which not only decrease blood sugar levels effectively but also decrease the lipid levels. Hence the current study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic agents in dealing with associated dyslipidemia.Methods: 150 T2DM patients were divided equally into five groups depending upon the oral antidiabetic drugs they received in solo or in combination for 24 weeks, with equal number of males and females in each group. After the written consent, a detail clinical history, clinical examination, Biochemical investigations including, glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile, chest X-ray and ECG were done.Results: After 24 weeks of study, the mean total cholesterol and mean triglycerides decreased significantly (p <0.05 to p <0.01) with monotherapy of metformin and teneligliptin as well as with combination of either metformin and glimepiride or metformin and teneligliptin. The decrease of LDL-C and VLDL-C was not statistically significant with any of the OAD drugs in solo or in combination. Similarly, HDL-C increased significantly (p <0.05) in Group I, III, IV and V; but was most effective with combination therapy. The atherogenic index of plasma also decreased (p <0.05) with metformin or its combination with either teneligliptin or glimepiride.Conclusions: Oral antidiabetic drugs are not only affordable and effective hypoglycemic agents but can also decrease serum lipids and thereby aids in the prevention and management of atherosclerosis and its complications in T2DM

GMRT observation towards detecting the Post-reionization 21-cm signal

We have analyzed 610 MHz GMRT observations towards detecting the redshifted 21-cm signal from z=1.32. The multi-frequency angular power spectrum C_l(Delta nu) is used to characterize the statistical properties of the background radiation across angular scales ~20" to 10', and a frequency bandwidth of 7.5 MHz with resolution 125 kHz. The measured C_l(Delta nu) which ranges from 7 mK^2 to 18 mK^2 is dominated by foregrounds, the expected HI signal C_l^HI(Delta nu) ~10^{-6}- 10^{-7} mK^2 is several orders of magnitude smaller. The foregrounds, believed to originate from continuum sources, is expected to vary smoothly with Delta nu whereas the HI signal decorrelates within ~0.5 MHz and this holds the promise of separating the two. For each l, we use the interval 0.5 < Delta nu < 7.5 MHz to fit a fourth order polynomial which is subtracted from the measured C_l(Delta nu) to remove any smoothly varying component across the entire bandwidth Delta nu < 7.5 MHz. The residual C_l(Delta nu), we find, has an oscillatory pattern with amplitude and period respectively ~0.1 mK^2 and Delta nu = 3 MHz at the smallest l value of 1476, and the amplitude and period decreasing with increasing l. Applying a suitably chosen high pass filter, we are able to remove the residual oscillatory pattern for l=1476 where the residual C_l(Delta nu) is now consistent with zero at the 3-sigma noise level. We conclude that we have successfully removed the foregrounds at l=1476 and the residuals are consistent with noise. We use this to place an upper limit on the HI signal whose amplitude is determined by x_HI b where x_HI and b are the HI neutral fraction and the HI bias respectively. A value of x_HI b greater than 7.95 would have been detected in our observation, and is therefore ruled out at the 3-sigma level. (abridged)Comment: 29 pages, 13 figures, Accepted to MNRA

Return-to-Play Rates and Clinical Outcomes of Baseball Players After Concomitant Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction and Selective Ulnar Nerve Transposition.

Background: Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) leading to medial elbow instability and possible ulnar neuritis is common in overhead-throwing athletes. Treatment may require UCL reconstruction (UCLR) and concomitant ulnar nerve transposition (UNT) for those with preoperative ulnar neuritis. Purpose: To evaluate the return-to-play (RTP) rates, clinical outcomes, and rates of persistent ulnar neuritis after concomitant UCLR and UNT in a cohort of baseball players with confirmed preoperative ulnar neuritis. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Eligible patients were those who underwent concomitant UCLR and UNT at a single institution between January 2008 and June 2018 and who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Additional inclusion criteria were athletes who identified as baseball players and who had a confirmed history of ulnar neuritis. Patients were contacted at a minimum of 2 years from surgery and assessed with the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow Score, Andrew-Timmerman (A-T) Elbow Score, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, and a custom RTP questionnaire. Results: Included were 22 male baseball players with a mean age of 18.9 ± 2.1 years (range, 16-25 years). The mean follow-up was 6.1 ± 2.4 years (range, 2.5-11.7 years). Preoperatively, all 22 patients reported ulnar nerve sensory symptoms, while 4 (18.2%) patients reported ulnar nerve motor symptoms. At the final follow-up, 7 (31.8%) patients reported persistent ulnar nerve sensory symptoms, while none of the patients reported persistent ulnar nerve motor symptoms. Overall, 16 (72.7%) players were able to return to competitive play at an average of 11.2 months. The mean postoperative patient-reported outcome scores for the KJOC Shoulder and Elbow Score, MEPS, A-T Elbow Score, and SANE score were 77.9 ± 20.9 (range, 14-100), 92.7 ± 12.7 (range, 45-100), 86.1 ± 17.1 (range, 30-100), and 85.5 ± 14.8 (range, 50-100), respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that after concomitant UCLR and UNT for UCL insufficiency and associated ulnar neuritis, baseball players can expect reasonably high RTP rates and subjective outcomes; however, rates of persistent sensory ulnar neuritis can be as high as 30%

Return to Play Criteria Following Operative Management of Acromioclavicular Joint Separation: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation is a leading cause of shoulder injury among athletes. High grade injuries may require operative fixation, and comprehensive return to play guidelines have not yet been established. The purpose of this investigation is to summarize return to play criteria following operative management of AC joint separation. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate clinical evidence regarding return to play following operative management of isolated AC joint separation. Studies satisfying inclusion criteria were analyzed for return to play timeline and other factors used to guide return to play following surgery. Results: Sixty-three studies with at least 1 explicitly stated return to play criterion were identified out of an initial database search of 1,253 published articles. Eight separate categories of return to play criteria were identified, the most common of which was time from surgery (95.2%). Return to play timelines ranged from 2 – 12 months, the most common timeline being 6 months (37.8%). Only 4 (6.3%) studies utilized conditional criteria to guide return to play, among which included range of motion, strength, clinical stability, radiographic stability, functional assessment, safety assessment, and hardware removal. Discussion: Most published studies utilize only time-based return to play criteria, and only a small number of studies employ patient-centered conditional criteria. While this systematic review helps provide a foundation for developing a comprehensive return to play checklist, further investigation is needed to establish safe and effective guidelines that will enable athletes to safely return to sport and minimize the recurrence of injury