Peatland dynamics in response to past and potential future climate change : A regional modelling approach

The majority of the northern peatlands developed during the Holocene as a result of a positive mass balance between net primary productivity (NPP) and heterotrophic decomposition rates. Over that time they have sequestered a huge amount of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. A significant proportion of these areas also coincides with areas underlain with permafrost and shows a diverse range of peat accumulation patterns. Thus, for predicting and understanding the long-term evolution of peatland carbon stocks across the pan-Arctic, mechanistic representations of both peatland and permafrost dynamics are needed in the modelling framework. In this thesis, a novel implementation of dynamic multi-layer peatland and permafrost dynamics in the individual- and patch- based dynamic vegetation and ecosystem model (LPJ-GUESS) is described. The major emphasis of this work goes into enhancing the current understanding of the processes involved in the long-term peat accumulation and its internal dynamics, including how these systems are influenced by small-scale heterogeneity, vegetation dynamics and interactions with underlying permafrost. A simple two-dimensional microtopographical (2-DMT) model was also developed to address the established hypotheses concerning stability, behaviour and transformation of these microstructures and the effects of this small-scale heterogeneity on the coupled dynamics of vegetation, hydrology and peat accumulation. LPJ-GUESS was calibrated and validated using data from a mire in Stordalen, northern Sweden, and evaluated using data from multiple sites in Scandinavia and from Mer Bleue, Canada. It was subsequently applied across the pan-Arctic to advance the existing knowledge on carbon accumulation rates at different spatial and temporal scales, and also to demonstrate the potential implications of current warming on these climate sensitive ecosystems. Both of the models developed in this thesis performed satisfactorily when confronted with experimental data.LPJ-GUESS is quite robust in capturing peat accumulation and permafrost dynamics including reasonable vegetation and hydrological conditions at temporal and spatial scales across various climate gradients. The simulations improved our knowledge of peatland functioning in the past, present and future. It was found that Stordalen mire will continue to accumulate carbon in the coming decades but later will turn into a carbon source. It was also found that permafrost-free regions that are predicted to experience reduced rates of precipitation may lose significant amount of carbon in the future due to reductions in soil moisture. Conversely, peatlands currently underlain with permafrost could gain carbon due to an initial increase in soil moisture as a result of permafrost thawing. My modelling results also suggest that peatlands can show diverse range of behaviour with alternative compositional and structural dynamics depending on the initial topographical, climatic conditions, and plant characteristics, therefore, it will be challenging to represent such dynamics in current Earth System Models (ESMs). With the inclusion of aforementioned processes, LPJ-GUESS has now become quite robust. The resultant model can now be coupled with ESM where it can address issues related to peatland-mediated biogeochemical and biophysical feedbacks to climate change in the Arctic and globally

Pregabalin Addiction: Case Report of a Young Adult

Pregabalin has been used widely for the treatment of neuropathic pain, generalized anxiety disorders and epilepsy. Data is scarce and much is not known about the addictive potential of pregabalin. Herein, we report details of a young adult who got addicted to pregabalin and approached for a smooth withdrawal. The subject had a successful outcome. Literature suggests a growing concern for the abuse of pregabalin. Risk factors associated with the development of addictive behavior with pregabalin need to be assessed

EVALUATION OF ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF PRUNUS PERSICA (L.)

Objective: Prunus persica leaves are used as anthelmintic, insecticidal, sedative, diuretic, demulcent, expectorant and vermicidal ethnopharmacologically. Objective of present study was evaluation of anthelmintic activity of different extracts of Prunus persica leaves.Methods: Pheretima posthuma (annelids) and Ascaridia galli (nematods) were used to perform experiments for anthelmintic activity. Piperazine citrate was used as standard. Time required for paralysis and death (lethal time) of worms were noted for each sample of P. persica extracts and standard.Results: The results demonstrated that treatment with Prunus persica significantly (P<0.05-P<0.01) with dose-dependently paralyzed and killed the both A. galli and earthworms. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts have showed comparable anthelmintic activity at the highest concentration (60 mg/ml) to the well known anthelmintic agent Piperazine citrate against A. galli.Conclusion: The ethanolic & ethyl acetate extracts exhibited maximum potency i.e. shortest paralysis and lethal times. The potency was not more than the reference drug, piperazine citrate but comparable to it at 60 mg/ml concentrations in both test worms.Keywords: Prunus. Persica, Anthelmintic activity, Pheretima posthuma, Ascaridia galli

General weighted extropy of minimum and maximum ranked set sampling with unequal samples

In industrial, environmental, and ecological investigations, ranked set sampling is a sample method that enables the experimenter to use the whole range of population values. The ranked set sampling process can be modified in two extremely helpful ways: maximum ranked set sampling with unequal samples and minimum ranked set sampling with unequal samples. They permit an increase in set size without too many ranking errors being introduced. In this paper, we are defining general weighted extropy (GWJ) of minimum and maximum ranked set samples when samples are of unequal size (minRSSU and maxRSSU, respectively). Stochastic comparison and monotone properties have been studied under different situations. Additionally, we compare the extropy of these two sampling data with that of ranked set sampling data and simple random sampling data. Finally, Bounds of GWJ of minRSSU and maxRSSU have been obtained.Comment: 16 page

Extropy and Varextropy estimators with applications

In many statistical studies, the measure of uncertainties like entropy, extropy, varentropy and varextropy of a distribution function is of prime interest. This paper proposes estimators of extropy and varextropy. Proposed estimators are consistent. Based on extropy estimator, a test of symmetry is given. The proposed test has the advantage that we do not need to estimate the centre of symmetry. The critical value and power of the proposed test statistics have been obtained. The test procedure has been implemented on six real-life data sets to verify its performance in identifying the symmetric nature.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2209.0670

Placental cord drainage during third stage of labour: a randomized control trial at a tertiary care centre

Background: Labour is a physiological process, but it is often associated with morbidity and mortality, with the most common cause being blood loss. Primary postpartum hemorrhage is commonly defined as a blood loss of 500 ml or more within 24 hours after normal vaginal birth. A prolonged third stage of labour (more than 20 min) is associated with postpartum hemorrhage. The present study was undertaken with the objective of assessing efficacy of placental cord drainage (PCD) during active management of third stage of labour.Methods: This is a randomized control trial in which full term primi gravida who were expected to have normal vaginal delivery, admitted in labour room of a tertiary care centre were evaluated for inclusion in the study. Total 126 participants were enrolled after having normal vaginal delivery. In study group (n = 63), placental cord drainage was used for management of third stage of labour while in control group (n = 63), third stage was managed without PCD.Results: The mean difference in duration of third stage of labour in study and control group was 1.79 minute and the mean difference in blood loss during third stage of labour in both groups was 57.86 ml which was statistically significant.Conclusions: The results of this study show small positive effects from cord drainage in reducing the length of the third stage of labour and in reducing the amount of blood loss when compared with those without cord drainage. The observed changes may be of clinical significance in reducing third stage related complications

On weighted cumulative residual extropy and weighted negative cumulative extropy

In this paper, we define general weighted cumulative residual extropy (GWCRJ) and general weighted negative cumulative extropy (GWNCJ). We obtain its simple estimators for complete and right censored data. We obtain some results on GWCREJ and GWNCJ. We establish its connection to reliability theory and coherent systems. We also propose empirical estimators of weighted negative cumulative extropy (WNCJ)

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen among pregnant females attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary care hospital in North India

Background: Hepatitis B infection is one of the most common public health problems worldwide. Hepatitis B virus Surface Antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers may transmit the virus vertically to neonates transplacentally during pregnancy, perinatally during delivery or postnatally through breast milk. Such neonates being carriers of virus are at a very high risk of developing chronic liver diseases at a younger age and also, they act as reservoirs of infection in the community. Objective of the study is to evaluate the seroprevalence of HBsAg in pregnant females attending Antenatal Clinic.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was done from January to June 2019. A total of 840 pregnant females were included in the study who attended Antenatal Clinic for routine checkup whose blood samples were sent to Microbiology Laboratory for screening of HBsAg by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).Results: Out of 840 pregnant females included in the study, 8 were reactive to HBsAg, hence, prevalence was found to be 0.95%. The seroprevalence of HBsAg was found to be more (1.40%) in 26-35 year females. Maximum seropositivity was seen in females from urban areas (1.0%), those attending OPD of ANC (1.03%) and those who belonged to lower socio-economic class (1.02%).Conclusions: Routine free screening for HBV infection should be offered to all antenatal females to reduce the risk of vertical transmission to the neonates born to infected mothers, thereby, preventing them from becoming carriers and developing chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma later in life

Assessing speech at three years of age in the cleft palate population: A scoping review of assessment practices

Background. There is no consensus in the UK regarding the types of speech samples or parameters of speech that should be assessed at 3 years of age in children with cleft palate ± cleft lip (CP±L), despite cleft units routinely assessing speech at this age. The standardization of assessment practices would facilitate comparisons of outcomes across UK cleft units; earlier identification of speech impairments—which could support more timely treatments; and more reliable recording of therapy impacts and surgical interventions. Aims. To explore assessment practices used to assess speech in 3‐year‐old children with CP±L, including speech parameters, methods of assessment and the nature of the speech sample used. Methods & Procedures. A broad examination of the literature was undertaken through the use of a scoping review conducted in accordance with Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Search terms were generated from a preliminary search and then used in the main search (Medline, CINAHL, Embase, AMED and PsycINFO). Main Contribution. A combination of approaches (medical, linguistic, developmental and functional) is required to assess CP±L speech at age 3. A developmental approach is recommended at this age, considering the complexity of speech profiles at age 3, in which typically developing speech processes may occur alongside cleft speech characteristics. A combined measure for both nasal emission and turbulence, and an overall measure for velopharyngeal function for speech, show potential for assessment at this age. Categorical ordinal scales are frequently used; the use of continuous scales has yet to be fully explored at age 3. Although single‐word assessments, including a subset of words developed for cross‐linguistic comparisons, are frequently used, more than one type of speech sample may be needed to assess speech at this age validly. The lack of consensus regarding speech samples highlights a need for further research into the types of speech samples 3‐year‐olds can complete; the impact of incomplete speech samples on outcome measures (particularly relevant at this age when children may be less able to complete a full sample); the impact of different speech samples on the validity of assessments; and the reliability of listener judgements. Conclusions & Implications. Whilst a medical model and linguistic approaches are often central in assessments of age‐3 cleft speech, this review highlights the importance of developmental and functional approaches to assessment. Cross‐linguistic single‐word assessments show potential, and would facilitate the comparison of UK speech outcomes with other countries. Further research should explore the impact of different speech samples and rating scales on assessment validity and listener reliability

Modelling past and future peatland carbon dynamics across the pan-Arctic

The majority of northern peatlands were initiated during the Holocene. Owing to their mass imbalance, they have sequestered huge amounts of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. Although recent syntheses have filled some knowledge gaps, the extent and remoteness of many peatlands pose challenges to developing reliable regional carbon accumulation estimates from observations. In this work, we employed an individual- and patch-based dynamic global vegetation model (LPJ-GUESS) with peatland and permafrost functionality to quantify long-term carbon accumulation rates in northern peatlands and to assess the effects of historical and projected future climate change on peatland carbon balance. We combined published datasets of peat basal age to form an up-to-date peat inception surface for the pan-Arctic region which we then used to constrain the model. We divided our analysis into two parts, with a focus both on the carbon accumulation changes detected within the observed peatland boundary and at pan-Arctic scale under two contrasting warming scenarios (representative concentration pathway—RCP8.5 and RCP2.6). We found that peatlands continue to act as carbon sinks under both warming scenarios, but their sink capacity will be substantially reduced under the high-warming (RCP8.5) scenario after 2050. Areas where peat production was initially hampered by permafrost and low productivity were found to accumulate more carbon because of the initial warming and moisture-rich environment due to permafrost thaw, higher precipitation and elevated CO2 levels. On the other hand, we project that areas which will experience reduced precipitation rates and those without permafrost will lose more carbon in the near future, particularly peatlands located in the European region and between 45 and 55°N latitude. Overall, we found that rapid global warming could reduce the carbon sink capacity of the northern peatlands in the coming decades