Carer provisioning rules in an obligate cooperative breeder: prey type, size and delivery rate

A recent trend in the field of membrane research is the incorporation of nanoparticles into polymeric membranes, which could produce synergistic effects when using different types of materials. This paper discusses the effect of the introduction of different nanometals such as silver, iron, silica, aluminum, titanium, zinc, and copper and their oxides on the permeability, selectivity, hydrophilicity, conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antiviral and antibacterial properties of polymeric membranes. The effects of nanoparticle physicochemical properties, type, size, and concentration on a membrane’s intrinsic properties such as pore morphology, porosity, pore size, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, membrane surface charge, and roughness are discussed, and the performance of nanocomposite membranes in terms of flux permeation, contaminant rejection, and antifouling capability are reviewed. The wide range of nanocomposite membrane applications including desalination and removal of various contaminants in water-treatment processes are discussed.

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Microplastics distribution in the Eurasian Arctic is affected by Atlantic waters and Siberian rivers

Communications Earth & Environment ◽

10.1038/s43247-021-00091-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Evgeniy Yakushev ◽

Anna Gebruk ◽

Alexander Osadchiev ◽

Svetlana Pakhomova ◽

Amy Lusher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surface Water ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Water Masses ◽

The Arctic ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Siberian River ◽

Highest Weight ◽

Surface Samples ◽

Atlantic Origin ◽

Type Size

AbstractPlastic pollution is globally recognised as a threat to marine ecosystems, habitats, and wildlife, and it has now reached remote locations such as the Arctic Ocean. Nevertheless, the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic is particularly underreported. Here we present analyses of 60 subsurface pump water samples and 48 surface neuston net samples from the Eurasian Arctic with the goal to quantify and classify microplastics in relation to oceanographic conditions. In our study area, we found on average 0.004 items of microplastics per m3 in the surface samples, and 0.8 items per m3 in the subsurface samples. Microplastic characteristics differ significantly between Atlantic surface water, Polar surface water and discharge plumes of the Great Siberian Rivers, allowing identification of two sources of microplastic pollution (p < 0.05 for surface area, morphology, and polymer types). The highest weight concentration of microplastics was observed within surface waters of Atlantic origin. Siberian river discharge was identified as the second largest source. We conclude that these water masses govern the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic. The microplastics properties (i.e. abundance, polymer type, size, weight concentrations) can be used for identification of the water masses.

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High dose vs. low dose oxytocin for labor augmentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Journal of Perinatal Medicine ◽

10.1515/jpm-2020-0042 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Rehab Abdelhamid Aboshama ◽

Ahmed Mohamed Abdelhakim ◽

Mohammad Abrar Shareef ◽

Abdulhadi A. AlAmodi ◽

Mohammad Sunoqrot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Delivery ◽

Low Dose ◽

Delivery Rate ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

High Dose ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Labor Duration ◽

Uterine Hyperstimulation ◽

Cesarean Delivery Rate ◽

Labor Augmentation

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the safety and efficacy between high dose and low dose oxytocin administration for labor augmentation.MethodsWe searched for the available studies during March 2020 in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ISI Web of science. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed safety and efficacy of high dose vs. low dose oxytocin for labor augmentation were considered. The extracted data were entered into RevMan software. Dichotomous and continuous data were pooled as odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) respectively, with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our main outcomes were cesarean delivery rate, spontaneous vaginal delivery rate, uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole, and labor duration from oxytocin infusion.ResultsEight RCTs with 3,154 patients were included. High dose oxytocin did not reduce cesarean delivery rate compared to low dose oxytocin (OR=0.76, 95% CI [0.52, 1.10], p=0.15). After solving the reported heterogeneity, high dose oxytocin did not increase the rate of spontaneous vaginal deliveries vs. low dose oxytocin (OR=1.06, 95% CI [0.84, 1.32], p=0.64). Low dose oxytocin was linked to a significant decline in uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole (p>0.001). A reduction in labor duration was found in high dose oxytocin group over low oxytocin regimen (MD=−1.02 h, 95% CI [−1.77, −0.27], p=0.008).ConclusionsWe found no advantages for high dose oxytocin over low dose oxytocin in labor augmentation except in reducing labor duration. Low dose oxytocin is safer as it decreases the incidence of uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole. More trials are needed to confirm our findings.

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