Role of calculus in marine sciences

Calculus has two parts: differential and integral calculus. Historically, differential calculus was concerned with finding lines tangent to curves and with calculating extrema (i.e., maxima and minima) of curves. Integral calculus has its roots in attempting to determine the areas of regions bounded by curves or in finding the volumes of solids. The two parts of calculus are closely related: The basic operation of one can be considered the inverse of the other. This result is known as the fundamental theorem of calculus and goes back to Newton and Leibniz, who were the first to understand its meaning and to put it to use in solving difficult problem

Application of geophysical data sets to resolve ecosystem challenges

Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) datasets are often used in empirical or semi-analytical validated models, either to extrapolate regional datasets in space or to generate derived geo-physical products. A simple example for this can be the summation of thermal signals from different wavelengths for generation of SST. In a similar way, some of the most useful and relevant environmental properties in fisheries research such as sea surface salinity (SSS), Wind Speed (WS) and Wind Direction (WD), sea surface height (SSH), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and Chl-a derived primary production (PP) are available online as processed and unprocessed geo-physical datasets. These datasets can be used to advantage in various fisheries research and management programmes

Python: A tool for analysis and visualization for remotely sensed datasets

Python is a programming language which helps you to tell the computer what you want to do with the data that you have

Development of individual based models in marine fisheries research

Modern fisheries stock assessment models are evolving towards increasing complexity (Maunder & Punt, 2013), with capabilities to assimilate a diverse suite of data and incorporate spatial structure (Cadrin & Secor, 2009) and the influence of environmental factors. As the number of such efforts increase, the behavior and performance of these complex models need to be tested to assure a scientific basis for fishery management. These efforts to test the plethora of models have resulted in extensive simulation studies have been conducted to examine the robustness of the models and incorporate various process and measurement errors, including data quality and quantity (Chen et al., 2003), mis-specifications of life history parameters (Deroba & Schueller, 2013; Punt, 2003), fishery characteristics (Cope & Punt, 2011), and violations of model assumptions (Guan, Cao, Chen, & Cieri, 2013)

Furosemide Induced Tubulointerstitial Nephritis

Introduction Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), also called tubulointerstitial nephritis, is a renal pathology that can cause a significant decline in kidney function. Drug-induced AIN accounts for 70% of all cases and is often due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimicrobials, and proton pump inhibitors. However, there have been isolated reports of other drugs being responsible for AIN. We hereby report a case of furosemide-induced AIN. Case Presentation A 68-year-old caucasian male with a medical history significant for chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 due to hypertensive nephrosclerosis with a baseline serum creatinine (Cr) of 1.3-1.5, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and hypogonadism was admitted for evaluation of worsening renal failure. At initial evaluation, the patient had nonspecific symptoms like malaise, nausea, and vomiting but denied any other complaints. Physical examination was unremarkable, without any rashes or abdominal bruit. The patient’s creatinine progressively trended up from his baseline to 3.5 over three months. Pre-renal pathology was suspected initially, and the patient\u27s furosemide was held on admission with concurrent fluid resuscitation. However, this did not improve his kidney function as repeat lab work showed a worsening Cr level of 4.4, along with a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 72. Further evaluation showed a complete blood count significant for mild eosinophilia with urinalysis revealing hematuria, pyuria with eosinophiluria but no protein, WBC casts, or RBC casts. Renal ultrasound and abdominal CT scan were unremarkable. The patient had no known drug allergies until that point and was on a stable medication regimen for his chronic conditions for several years, except for a daily dose of furosemide started three months ago for fluid retention and elevated BNP. Ultrasound-guided renal biopsy revealed findings consistent with acute interstitial nephritis on top of chronic tubulointerstitial fibrosis plus underlying moderate arterial sclerosis from hypertension. Other extensive workup was negative for any autoimmune process, IgG4 related disease, sarcoidosis, or infection, thus favoring the diagnosis of drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis. Given the temporal relationship between the initiation of furosemide in this patient and his worsening kidney function makes it the likely offending agent. He was observed off furosemide without any immunosuppressant treatment. The patient’s creatinine level gradually trended down and ultimately returned to his baseline at a one-month follow-up. Discussion Furosemide is a loop diuretic, often used in patients to prevent volume overload. Therefore, furosemide is often implicated as a cause of pre-renal acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to volume depletion. However, interstitial inflammation as a mechanism of furosemide-induced kidney injury is uncommon and can often be overlooked as a potential cause, especially in patients with long medication lists. In such patients, a causal link can be established by correlating the onset of decline in kidney function with the time of initiation of a new drug and resolution of AKI after discontinuation of the drug

How oceanography influences Fishery Biology? - A Case of distribution differences in carnivorous and planktivorous fishes along the Coastal Waters of Eastern Arabian Sea In: ICAR Sponsored Winter School on Recent Advances in Fishery Biology Techniques for Biodiversity Evaluation and Conservation, 1-21 December 2018, Kochi.

Understanding the link between physical oceanographic events and seasonality in catch composition is a critical component in the accurate assessment of climate change impacts in context of fisheries. This remains elusive owing to the lack of synoptic-level datasets on the relevant oceanographic variables. The advent of satellite remote sensing that can measure oceanographic variables at high spatial and temporal resolution has helped to address this challenge. Prior studies have communicated the puzzling dominance of carnivores (fish groups) in North East Arabian Sea (NEAS) whereas planktivores appear to thrive in South East Arabian Sea (SEAS). The study attempts to address this conundrum by taking cues from the influence of oceanographic forcing upon seasonal trends in catch composition using remotely-sensed oceanographic variables and mean standardized catch. The anoxic conditions associated with intense seasonal upwelling in SEAS waters leads to the reduction in the vertical extent of demersal carnivore habitats. The demersal habitats in NEAS waters have a higher likelihood of entraining oxygen rich (>0.5 ml/L) water column when compared with its southern counterpart especially from August to November. Moreover, NEAS waters cater to the nutritional requirements of juvenile demersal carnivore population as it supports primary production both during summer and winter monsoon months. The perpetual presence of chlorophyll biomass allows for the persistence of a prey base that maximizes the likelihood of demersal adult population being well-fed. The poleward directed West India Coastal Current facilitates the passive drift of juveniles towards productive and oxygen rich habitats in NEAS waters. For demersal/pelagic carnivores that undergo recruitment over a long span of time (> 6 months), NEAS waters provide the best spawning ground capable of meeting their long-term nutritional demands. Pelagic planktivores thrive in SEAS, where seasonal upwelling supported primary production remains the norm, owing to their relatively short recruitment span (< 4 months). Unlike SEAS, NEAS waters are found to provide suitable environment geared towards the successful larval recruitment, sustenance and survival of the demersal carnivore group. This could act as a forcing function in driving the annual catch composition of landing data registered in NEAS waters toward carnivore spectrum

Implications of Extreme Climatic Events on Marine Fisheries Sector

Implications of Extreme Climatic Events on Marine Fisheries Secto

Severe Hypercalcemia With Chronic Gout, a Correlation or Causation?

Introduction Severe hypercalcemia from chronic gout is a rare phenomenon seen after the advent of newer drugs for its treatment. The hypercalcemia is secondary to either granuloma formation around the tophi or chronic immobilization from severe gouty arthritis. We present a patient with chronic tophaceous gout presenting with severe hypercalcemia and acute kidney injury. Case presentation A 63-year-old male patient with a past medical history of hypertension and chronic gout presented to the office with chronic, severe left knee pain. Initial evaluation of the knee with X-rays revealed destruction of the knee joint with cystic changes, and subsequent MRI with contrast showed soft tissue mass in the suprapatellar pouch with intraosseous extension and involvement of medial and lateral collateral ligament involvement. After interdisciplinary evaluation between radiology, orthopedic surgery, and oncology, this was concerning for highly aggressive pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee, and a decision was made for the patient to undergo complete knee replacement. Perioperative workup was significant for severe hypercalcemia with a total calcium level of 13.2 mg/dl with ionized calcium of 7.2 mg/dl. Further evaluation into the cause of hypercalcemia revealed a low normal intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level with normal phosphorus, calcidiol, and calcitriol levels. Other etiologies of hypercalcemia such as multiple myeloma, malignancies, metastatic disease, autoimmune, granulomatous, and infectious processes are excluded with extensive workup. The hypercalcemia is treated with fluids, diuretics, and bisphosphonates, eventually normalizing the calcium levels. The patient underwent total left knee replacement, and the mass identified was sent for biopsy. Biopsy revealed a prominent granulomatous reaction to amorphous crystals containing birefringent crystals under polarised light. Uniquely during our evaluation, vitamin D metabolites, uric acid, and PTH levels were normal despite the biopsy findings. The patient\u27s calcium continued to be normal (8.4 to 10.4 mg/dl) over six months after the surgery. Thus, the scenario is supportive of hypercalcemia secondary to granulomatous inflammation around the large tophi. Conclusion Although rare, the knee joint is a site of severe tophaceous gout, and deposition of uric acid crystals can invoke a granulomatous reaction presenting with severe hypercalcemia as in our patient. Unique to our case, the patient can have benign lab findings on evaluation of hypercalcemia. Only a few case reports are illustrated in the literature, making our case and patient presentation unique

Apixaban-induced Nephropathy Causes a Significant Decline in Patients’ Health and the Ever-developing Concept of Anti-Coagulant-Induced Nephropathy

INTRODUCTION Apixaban has revolutionized anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation in preventing strokes. Anticoagulant-induced nephropathy with warfarin is well known, but nephropathy with apixaban is a rare entity, and here we present a case of Apixaban-induced nephropathy. Case Description A 71-year-old patient with a medical history of persistent atrial fibrillation on apixaban, Ischemic cardiomyopathy, and chronic kidney disease stage (CKD) IIIa presented to the hospital with complaints of dyspnea and hemoptysis and tea-colored urine of three-day duration. On admission, the patient had acute kidney injury (AKI) on CKD, Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia, and elevated international normalized ratio (INR) and apixaban were held. The hemoptysis worsened and prompted bronchoscopy revealing diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. The urinalysis showed gross hematuria with high red blood cell (RBC) count and 1+ proteinuria presumed secondary to MSSA associated glomerulonephritis. Evaluation for coagulopathy with serum mixing studies and autoimmune workup has been unremarkable. The patient\u27s coagulopathy was considered secondary to decreased clearance of apixaban with AKI on CKD. However, the patient\u27s kidney function continued to worsen, needing continuous renal replacement therapy and a kidney biopsy for a definitive diagnosis for his decline in kidney function. Kidney biopsy revealed IgA dominant infection associated glomerulitis with one out of hundred glomeruli with the crescent formation and signs of anticoagulant induced nephropathy with several intratubular RBC casts out of proportion to the degree of glomerular injury causing acute tubular damage. The patient\u27s INR improved on dialysis. However, he continued to be oliguric before being terminally extubated. DISCUSSION With the increasing incidence of atrial fibrillation and the use of oral anticoagulants, it is vital to have anticoagulant induced as a differential in patients presenting with supra therapeutic INR and AKI. Apixaban-induced nephropathy is a subset of anticoagulant-induced nephropathy and an uncommon cause of the acute decline in kidney function needing dialysis. Prompt recognition and treatment will prevent further deterioration in kidney function and possible improvement

Roadmap on Printable Electronic Materials for Next-Generation Sensors

Abstract The dissemination of sensors is key to realizing a sustainable, ‘intelligent’ world, where everyday objects and environments are equipped with sensing capabilities to advance the sustainability and quality of our lives—e.g., via smart homes, smart cities, smart healthcare, smart logistics, Industry 4.0, and precision agriculture. The realization of the full potential of these applications critically depends on the availability of easy-to-make, low-cost sensor technologies. Sensors based on printable electronic materials offer the ideal platform: they can be fabricated through simple methods (e.g., printing and coating) and are compatible with high-throughput roll-to-roll processing. Moreover, printable electronic materials often allow the fabrication of sensors on flexible/stretchable/biodegradable substrates, thereby enabling the deployment of sensors in unconventional settings. Fulfilling the promise of printable electronic materials for sensing will require materials and device innovations to enhance their ability to transduce external stimuli—light, ionizing radiation, pressure, strain, force, temperature, gas, vapours, humidity, and other chemical and biological analytes. This Roadmap brings together the viewpoints of experts in various printable sensing materials—and devices thereof—to provide insights into the status and outlook of the field. Alongside recent materials and device innovations, the roadmap discusses the key outstanding challenges pertaining to each printable sensing technology. Finally, the Roadmap points to promising directions to overcome these challenges and thus enable ubiquitous sensing for a sustainable, ‘intelligent’ world.</jats:p