The DELOS (Deep‐ocean Environmental Long‐term Observatory System) project is a long‐term research program focused on understanding the impacts of oil and gas extraction on deep‐sea ecosystems. We ...have installed two seafloor observation platforms, populated with ROV‐serviced sensor modules, at 1400 m water depth in the Southeast Atlantic off the coast of Angola. The ‘impact’ Near‐Field platform is located 50 m from subsea oil production facilities. The ‘control’ Far‐Field platform is 16 km distant from any industry seafloor activity. Each platform includes oceanographic, acoustic, and camera sensor modules. The latter carries two still cameras providing close‐up and wide‐angle views of the seabed. The Far‐Field platform is also equipped with a sediment trap that deploys to 100 m above the seafloor. The instrumented platforms were installed in Feb 2009, and the sensor modules subsequently serviced in Aug 2009, Feb 2010, and Aug 2010. Here, we report on our first experiences of operating the observatories and present some of the first data. The oceanographic data (temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration) and biological observations (demersal fish and benthic invertebrates) suggest that the two study sites have near identical environmental characteristics. We, therefore, believe that these sites are appropriate as control and impact locations for long‐term monitoring of potential anthropogenic effects referenced to natural background environmental variation. We suggest that DELOS‐type observatories, particularly operated as pairs (or in networks), are a highly effective means of appropriately monitoring deep‐water resource exploitation—both hydrocarbon extraction and mineral mining.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is a United States National Science Foundation-funded major research facility that provides continuous observations of the ocean and seafloor from coastal and ...open ocean locations in the Atlantic and Pacific. Multiple cycles of OOI infrastructure deployment, recovery, and refurbishment have occurred since operations began in 2014. This heterogeneous ocean observing infrastructure with multidisciplinary sampling in important but challenging locations has provided new scientific and engineering insights into the operation of a sustained ocean observing system. This paper summarizes the challenges, successes, and failures experienced to date and shares recommendations on best practices that will be of benefit to the global ocean observing community.
BACKGROUND. Initial reports from the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic described children as being less susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than adults. ...Subsequently, a severe and novel pediatric disorder termed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) emerged. We report on unique hematologic and immunologic parameters that distinguish between COVID-19 and MIS-C and provide insight into pathophysiology. METHODS. We prospectively enrolled hospitalized patients with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and classified them as having MIS-C or COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 were classified as having either minimal or severe disease. Cytokine profiles, viral cycle thresholds (Cts), blood smears, and soluble C5b-9 values were analyzed with clinical data. RESULTS. Twenty patients were enrolled (9 severe COVID-19, 5 minimal COVID-19, and 6 MIS-C). Five cytokines (IFN-y, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a) contributed to the analysis. TNF-a and IL-10 discriminated between patients with MIS-C and severe COVID-19. The presence of burr cells on blood smears, as well as Cts, differentiated between patients with severe COVID-19 and those with MIS-C. CONCLUSION. Pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 are at risk for critical illness with severe COVID-19 and MIS-C. Cytokine profiling and examination of peripheral blood smears may distinguish between patients with MIS-C and those with severe COVID-19. FUNDING. Financial support for this project was provided by CHOP Frontiers Program Immune Dysregulation Team; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Cancer Institute; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Cookies for Kids Cancer; Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer; Children's Oncology Group; Stand UP 2 Cancer; Team Connor; the Kate Amato Foundations; Burroughs Wellcome Fund CAMS; the Clinical Immunology Society; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics.
The field of oceanography is transitioning from data-poor to data-rich, thanks in part to increased deployment of in-situ platforms and sensors, such as those that instrument the US-funded Ocean ...Observatories Initiative (OOI). However, generating science-ready data products from these sensors, particularly those making biogeochemical measurements, often requires extensive end-user calibration and validation procedures, which can present a significant barrier. Openly available community-developed and -vetted Best Practices contribute to overcoming such barriers, but collaboratively developing user-friendly Best Practices can be challenging. Here we describe the process undertaken by the NSF-funded OOI Biogeochemical Sensor Data Working Group to develop Best Practices for creating science-ready biogeochemical data products from OOI data, culminating in the publication of the GOOS-endorsed OOI Biogeochemical Sensor Data Best Practices and User Guide. For Best Practices related to ocean observatories, engaging observatory staff is crucial, but having a “user-defined” process ensures the final product addresses user needs. Our process prioritized bringing together a diverse team and creating an inclusive environment where all participants could effectively contribute. Incorporating the perspectives of a wide range of experts and prospective end users through an iterative review process that included “Beta Testers’’ enabled us to produce a final product that combines technical information with a user-friendly structure that illustrates data analysis pipelines via flowcharts and worked examples accompanied by pseudo-code. Our process and its impact on improving the accessibility and utility of the end product provides a roadmap for other groups undertaking similar community-driven activities to develop and disseminate new Ocean Best Practices.
Veronelli et al compare the effect of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and of conventional diet on white blood cell count in patients with morbid obesity that is simple or complicated by ...impaired glucose tolerance. Their finding agrees with a previous report indicating that adhesion molecules decrease in morbidly obese patients after significant weight loss, not after normalization of glucose metabolism.
Five spongian diterpenoids 2, 3, 6-8, previously found in sponges and nudibranchs from very distinct geographical areas, have been isolated from the Cantabrian nudibranch Chromodoris luteorosea. The ...terpenoids are mainly localized along the border of the mantle of the mollusk. All the diterpenoids are toxic to Gambusia affinis.
To assess the efficacy of nedocromil sodium 2% eye drops and emedastine difumarate 0.05% eye drops in controlling the ocular allergic reaction induced by conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC).
Thirty ...subjects with a personal history of allergic conjunctivitis were enrolled (first visit). At the second visit each subject randomly received emedastine 0.05% or nedocromil 2% in one eye and placebo in the other eye. Five minutes after the medication the offending allergen was instilled in both eyes. Ocular redness and itching were evaluated according to a standardized scoring system at 3, 10 and 20-minute intervals after instillation of the allergen. After one week (third visit) the whole procedure was repeated using the placebo in the eye used as control during second visit and one of the trial drug that was not used at second visit in the other eye (either emedastine or nedocromil).
Emedastine 0.05% and nedocromil 2% eye drops were more effective than placebo in controlling ocular redness and itching (p<0.01). Emedastine was more effective (p<0.01) than nedocromil in alleviating redness and itching 3 and 10 minutes after application of the allergen.
Emedastine 0.05% appeared superior to nedocromil 2% in producing immediate relief when subjects with allergic conjunctivitis were exposed to the offending allergen.
Full text
Available for:
NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The device was designed to be 6' in height with a 4" Outer Diameter. It will extend 3' from the vertical member. The device has passed all qualitative testing.
PDF
