Investigation Of Biomechanical Risk Factors Of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Through Finite Element Analysis

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is an overuse injury in the lower extremity associated with endurance running. MTSS is a palpitation of pain of at least 5 centimeters along the medial tibia with possible microfractures in the tibia. The various risk factors which may lead to the development of MTSS are body mass index, over pronation, heel striking, level of shod in the running shoe, type and angle of running surface, high volume training, age, gender, stride length, range of motion, and calf girth. Few investigations have been made to limit these risk factors through the utilization of finite element analysis (FEA). This study investigates the likelihood of MTSS developing and the possibility of microfractures in the tibia under varying conditions of pronation degree, body mass index, material property, and gait phase. FEA was used in order to measure the von Mises stress of 24 human tibia models. The simulations were run for three main phases of gait “impactâ€, “mid-stanceâ€, and “push-offâ€. The risk factors under investigation were intrinsic in nature, which are over pronation (OP) and body mass index (BMI). Forces were input for 2 male subjects running at 8 miles per hour on a flat surface. Simulations were run for isotropic and orthotropic tibia models with “normal pronation and normal BMIâ€, “over pronation and normal BMIâ€, “normal pronation and high BMIâ€, and “over pronation and high BMIâ€. FEA revealed that the combination of over pronation and high BMI consistently had the greatest von Mises stresses throughout each phase of gait for isotropic and orthotropic tibia models. Statistical results show that material properties had the greatest effect on the measured von Mises stress followed by pronation degree, gait phase, and BMI. A normality test with a confidence interval of 95% proved that the distribution of von Mises stress across was acceptable for all models with P=0.130. Factorial ANOVA was run for gait phase, BMI, pronation degree, and material property, which also confirmed the greatest effects on von Mises stress are material property, pronation degree, gait phase, and then BMI

Stream Water Quality Responses in a Tornado Damaged Residential Watershed

Tornado damage has the potential to impact stream water quality from seeping anthropogenic compounds and scattered debris in affected areas. On 3 March 2020, an EF4 tornado (~282 km h-1 winds) hit Putnam County, Tennessee, destroying structures, trees, and removing vegetation across the area. This study assessed the influence of tornado damage on the water quality of streams draining the damaged area. We compared physiochemical conditions, fecal contamination, and chemical water quality measures for affected and unaffected watersheds over three months. We found differences between stormflow and baseflow conditions between watersheds, with elevated nutrients, dissolved metals, and fecal coliform bacteria after rain events. However, there were no significant differences between affected and unaffected watersheds for any parameter. Similarly, there were no relationships among nutrients or contaminants and distance to, or density of tornado wreckage. This study provides evidence that unlike other natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, tornados may have minimal effects on water quality when residential areas are hit, possibly due to the localized area of destruction that tornados leave. However, tornado influence may still be event-specific and depend on the type of structures damaged

Vertical integration and firm boundaries : the evidence

Since Ronald H. Coase's (1937) seminal paper, a rich set of theories has been developed that deal with firm boundaries in vertical or input–output structures. In the last twenty-five years, empirical evidence that can shed light on those theories also has been accumulating. We review the findings of empirical studies that have addressed two main interrelated questions: First, what types of transactions are best brought within the firm and, second, what are the consequences of vertical integration decisions for economic outcomes such as prices, quantities, investment, and profits. Throughout, we highlight areas of potential cross-fertilization and promising areas for future work

1965: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

LIFT UP YOUR EYES” Being the Abilene Christian College Annual Bible Lectures 1965 Price: $3.95 Published by ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS EXCHANGE ACC Station Abilene. Texa

Optical scattering and backscattering by organic and inorganic particulates in U.S. coastal waters

We present the results of a study of optical scattering and backscattering of particulates for three coastal sites that represent a wide range of optical properties that are found in U.S. near-shore waters. The 6000 scattering and backscattering spectra collected for this study can be well approximated by a power-law function of wavelength. The power-law exponent for particulate scattering changes dramatically from site to site (and within each site) compared with particulate backscattering where all the spectra, except possibly the very clearest waters, cluster around a single wavelength power-law exponent of −0.94 . The particulate backscattering-to-scattering ratio (the backscattering ratio) displays a wide range in wavelength dependence. This result is not consistent with scattering models that describe the bulk composition of water as a uniform mix of homogeneous spherical particles with a Junge-like power-law distribution over all particle sizes. Simultaneous particulate organic matter (POM) and particulate inorganic matter (PIM) measurements are available for some of our optical measurements, and site-averaged POM and PIM mass-specific cross sections for scattering and backscattering can be derived. Cross sections for organic and inorganic material differ at each site, and the relative contribution of organic and inorganic material to scattering and backscattering depends differently at each site on the relative amount of material that is present

International consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome: Executive summary—Workgroup Report of the Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Food protein-induced enterocolitis (FPIES) is a non-IgE cell- mediated food allergy that can be severe and lead to shock. Despite the potential seriousness of reactions, awareness of FPIES is low; high-quality studies providing insight into the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management are lacking; and clinical outcomes are poorly established. This consensus document is the result of work done by an international workgroup convened through the Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the International FPIES Association advocacy group. These are the first international evidence-based guidelines to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with FPIES. Research on prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnostic markers, and future treatments is necessary to improve the care of patients with FPIES. These guidelines will be updated periodically as more evidence becomes available

Comparative Genomic Analysis of six Glossina Genomes, Vectors of African Trypanosomes

Background: Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis throughout subSaharan Africa. Tsetse flies are distinguished from other Diptera by unique adaptations, including lactation and the birthing of live young (obligate viviparity), a vertebrate blood-specific diet by both sexes, and obligate bacterial symbiosis. This work describes the comparative analysis of six Glossina genomes representing three sub-genera: Morsitans (G. morsitans morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni), Palpalis (G. palpalis, G. fuscipes), and Fusca (G. brevipalpis) which represent different habitats, host preferences, and vectorial capacity. Results: Genomic analyses validate established evolutionary relationships and sub-genera. Syntenic analysis of Glossina relative to Drosophila melanogaster shows reduced structural conservation across the sex-linked X chromosome. Sex-linked scaffolds show increased rates of female-specific gene expression and lower evolutionary rates relative to autosome associated genes. Tsetse-specific genes are enriched in protease, odorant-binding, and helicase activities. Lactation-associated genes are conserved across all Glossina species while male seminal proteins are rapidly evolving. Olfactory and gustatory genes are reduced across the genus relative to other insects. Visionassociated Rhodopsin genes show conservation of motion detection/tracking functions and variance in the Rhodopsin detecting colors in the blue wavelength ranges. Conclusions: Expanded genomic discoveries reveal the genetics underlying Glossina biology and provide a rich body of knowledge for basic science and disease control. They also provide insight into the evolutionary biology underlying novel adaptations and are relevant to applied aspects of vector control such as trap design and discovery of novel pest and disease control strategies

Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes

BACKGROUND Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Tsetse flies are distinguished from other Diptera by unique adaptations, including lactation and the birthing of live young (obligate viviparity), a vertebrate blood-specific diet by both sexes, and obligate bacterial symbiosis. This work describes the comparative analysis of six Glossina genomes representing three sub-genera: Morsitans (G. morsitans morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni), Palpalis (G. palpalis, G. fuscipes), and Fusca (G. brevipalpis) which represent different habitats, host preferences, and vectorial capacity. RESULTS Genomic analyses validate established evolutionary relationships and sub-genera. Syntenic analysis of Glossina relative to Drosophila melanogaster shows reduced structural conservation across the sex-linked X chromosome. Sex-linked scaffolds show increased rates of female-specific gene expression and lower evolutionary rates relative to autosome associated genes. Tsetse-specific genes are enriched in protease, odorant-binding, and helicase activities. Lactation-associated genes are conserved across all Glossina species while male seminal proteins are rapidly evolving. Olfactory and gustatory genes are reduced across the genus relative to other insects. Vision-associated Rhodopsin genes show conservation of motion detection/tracking functions and variance in the Rhodopsin detecting colors in the blue wavelength ranges. CONCLUSIONS Expanded genomic discoveries reveal the genetics underlying Glossina biology and provide a rich body of knowledge for basic science and disease control. They also provide insight into the evolutionary biology underlying novel adaptations and are relevant to applied aspects of vector control such as trap design and discovery of novel pest and disease control strategies