Niche breadth and overlap of spotted deer and domestic cattle with swamp deer in tropical region of Nepal

Background Knowledge about the niche overlap among wild species and domestic cattle is helpful to conserve and manage wildlife. We assessed the habitat niche breadth and overlap of sympatrically living spotted deer (Axis axis) and domestic cattle with swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelii) in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal during the dry season to explore the possibility of interspecific competition by studying the habitat use by these species. The assumption was made that the presence of pellets is proof of habitat used by species. Methods Grids of 2 km x 2 km have four subgrids, each with four sample plots, making a total of 16 plots (20 m x 20 m) in each grid. The size of each sub-grid was 200 m x 200 m and they were placed randomly inside the grid but at least 1 km apart from one another. The data was collected in a 96 plots in total. Levin's niche breadth and Morisita's overlap index were calculated to determine the niche breadth and the habitat overlap, respectively. Results The Levin's measure of niche breadth suggested that spotted deer had the highest acclimatization with an index value of 0.94, followed by domestic cattle at 0.50, and swamp deer at 0.33 in our study area. Thus, our findings supported the evidence that spotted deer are habitat generalists, whereas swamp deer are habitat specialists. The swamp deer had lower niche breadth and more overlap with domestic cattle. Conclusion Our study showed the least niche breadth of swamp deer in comparison to spotted deer and domestic cattle. The domestic cattle had the highest and least niche overlap with spotted deer and swamp deer, respectively, in terms of habitat use. Our study suggests that domestic cattle grazing should be stopped, and grassland management should be carried out for the benefit of ungulates. Similar studies should be conducted, including different seasons and places, prior to appropriate habitat management. In addition, further studies are needed to quantify the extent of interspecific competition by incorporating more species.Peer reviewe

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Marzieh Domirani et al. (2021) had developed the mechanistic model with the implementation of integration of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) with anaerobic digestion (AD) technology for biogas upgrading. The model's predictions varied significantly from the real-case scenario and required proper parameter estimation. Model modification and development of a new improved ADM1 based model with the bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction process in MES biofilm reactor was focused on this thesis to understand MES application. The model considered a single chamber MES biofilm reactor and the AD process also occurred on the same reactor. Microbially active CO2 reduction to CH4 was included in the MES biofilm model. The Nernst expression was incorporated as a Monod-type kinetic expression to formulate the reaction rate. For the biofilm reactor compartment (BRC) in AQUASIM, ADM1 was implemented solely as a set of differential equations (DE). Seven dynamics processes (DE) along with one equilibrium process, (input and initial condition as per ADM1) were activated on BRC along with disintegration, hydrolysis, and uptake subprocesses of AD. The simulation was not achieved in AQUASIM due to a dynamic problem (DAZZL error) during simulation. Checking rate and input in BRC and changing the accuracy of state and program variables were recommended to rectify the error. The maximum CH4 content in upgraded biogas with optimized parameters was expected high (>87%) with efficient biogas yield. CO2 from external sources could reduce the pH inhibitory effect in the MES-BRC reactor. Furthermore, the possible simulation of the model identifies the key process parameter and understands MES application

ElectroCautery-Facilitated Crossing (ECFC) of Chronic Total Occlusions

Background: The use of electrocautery (EC) facilitated re-entry in an aorto-ostial chronic total occlusion (CTO) of right coronary artery (RCA) was described in 2016. Since then, it has been utilized sporadically, but little is reported about the use of EC in lesion crossing during CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: We report a case-series of EC facilitated crossing of both aorto-ostial and nonaorto-ostial CTOs where standard techniques are either not suitable or ineffective. We utilized high tip-load, stiff, and tapered 0.014-inch guidewires energized with EC in a crossing wire uncrossable CTO cap. Results: A total of 293 CTO PCIs were performed at our institution between October 16, 2016, and October 30, 2018, and ECFC was performed in 6 (2%) cases: 5 retrograde and 1 both antegrade and retrograde. All 6 cases were classified as very difficult by J-CTO score (3). ECFC led to successful crossing of CTO using EC in 5 (83%) CTO lesions. ECFC was performed in 2 aorto-ostial RCA CTOs, 3 lesions at the major bifurcation, and 1 lesion in the proximal obtuse marginal. One CTO lesion was at a stent fracture at the distal RCA bifurcation; ECFC failed to cross the occlusion both antegrade and retrograde. There were no ECFC-related complications (Figues A to D). [Figure presented] Conclusion: The use of energized stiff guidewire to perform ECFC can be of great value for CTO lesions when standard CTO techniques fail. ECFC should only be performed with caution at experienced and high-volume CTO PCI centers to avoid complications

Drought Stress and Livelihood Response Based on Evidence from the Koshi River Basin in Nepal: Modeling and Applications

Drought vulnerability analysis at the household level can help people identify livelihood constrains and potential mitigation and adaptation strategies. This study used meteorological and household level data which were collected from three different districts (Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhuli, and Saptari) in the Koshi River Basin of Nepal to conduct a drought vulnerability analysis. We developed a model for assessing drought vulnerability of rural households based on three critical components, i.e., exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The results revealed that Saptari (drought vulnerability index, 0.053) showed greater vulnerability to drought disasters than Kavrepalanchowk (0.014) and Sindhuli (0.007). The most vulnerable district (Saptari) showed the highest exposure, the highest sensitivity, and the highest adaptive capacity. Kavrepalanchowk had the middle drought vulnerability index with middle exposure, low sensitivity, and middle adaptive capacity. Sindhuli had the lowest vulnerability with the lowest exposure, the lowest sensitivity, and the lowest adaptive capacity. On the basis of the results of the vulnerability assessment, this paper constructed livelihood adaptation strategies from the perspectives of households, communities, and the government. Many households in Kavrepalanchowk and Sindhuli significantly depend on agriculture as their main source of income. They need to implement some strategies to diversify their sources of income. In addition, the most important livelihood adaptation strategy for Saptari is improving water conservancy facilities to facilitate the allocation of water

Pheochromocytoma disguised as gestational hypertensive disease during pregnancy: A case report

Abstract Pheochromocytoma is often diagnosed prior to pregnancy. Sometimes, the disease may be diagnosed for the first‐time during pregnancy masking itself as a hypertensive disease in pregnancy. Early diagnosis and timely, appropriate management reduce possible maternal and fetal complications. We identified a case of pheochromocytoma during pregnancy misdiagnosed as preeclampsia

High-Risk Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Assisted With Tandem Heart

Background: Mechanical circulatory support devices are increasingly used to avoid hemodynamic collapse during high-risk chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Intermediate-term outcomes of Tandem Heart (TH) supported CTO PCI has not been previously reported. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated procedural and clinical outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing elective or urgent TH-assisted CTO PCI at our institution from April 1, 2016, to January 30, 2019. Results: A total of 13 CTOs were performed with hemodynamic support using TH during the study period. TH was placed before PCI in all the procedures. The most common reason for hemodynamic support was the use of retrograde CTO PCI technique in the setting of LV dysfunction (5 [38%]). Eleven (92%) patients had decreased left ventricular function with severe congestive heart failure symptoms before the procedure. The CTO vessel treated was the right coronary artery (38%), followed by left anterior descending and left circumflex (31% each). A retrograde approach was utilized in 6 (46%) PCIs. Technical success was achieved in 12 (92%) PCIs despite very complex and very difficult CTO lesions as indicated by a median J-CTO score of 3 and Progress CTO score of 2. Procedure success was achieved in 10 (77%) patients. TH was removed at the completion of PCI in 11 (85%) patients. One patient developed AV fistula at the arterial cannula insertion site and there was no major bleeding complication. One patient had coronary perforation with hemodynamic compromise requiring pericardiocentesis. One patient developed severe persistent cardiogenic shock presumed to be secondary to RV wall hematoma and died after prolonged intensive care unit stay. Conclusion: TH can be safely used for hemodynamic support during CTO PCI to achieve very high technical success rate