A Process for Producing Ice Coverage Marine Information Objects (MIOs) in IHO S-57 Format

While global warming may be opening up more Arctic waters in the summer, ice still infests key shipping lanes in the northern hemisphere during the winter months. To safely navigate these areas, mariners rely on daily ice coverage charts produced by national governmental agencies. Ice charts are primarily issued in paper format or as a fax. However, there is increased interest to ice coverage information on vessel navigation systems such as an Electronic Chart and Display Information Systems (ECDIS). However, to do so, the ice information must be provided as a separate layer of information to the Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)

A Process for Producing Ice Coverage Marine Information Objects (MIOs) in IHO S-57 format

While global warming may be opening up more Arctic waters in the summer, ice still infests key shipping lanes in the northern hemisphere during the winter months. To safely navigate these areas, mariners rely on daily ice coverage charts produced by national governmental agencies. Ice charts are primarily issued in paper format or as a fax. However, there is increased interest to ice coverage information on vessel navigation systems such as an Electronic Chart and Display Information Systems (ECDIS). However, to do so, the ice information must be provided as a separate layer of information to the Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC).Mientras que un calentamiento global puede aumentar la extension de las aguas ârticas en verano, el hieio sigue infestando las dénotas maritimas en el hemisferio septentrional durante los meses de invierno. Para navegar en estas zonas de forma segura, los navegantes conffan en las cartas de cobertura diaria del hielo producidas por agendas gubernamentales nacionales. Las cartas del hielo son editadas principaimente en formato impreso o como fax. Sin embargo, hay un interés creciente por la informaciôn de cobertura del hielo en los sistemas de navegaciôn de los buques, como por ejemplo en los Sistemas de Presentaciôn de las Cartas Electrônicas y de Informaciôn (ECDIS). Sin embargo, para producirlas, tiene que proporcionarse la informaciôn sobre el hielo como una serie de informaciôn separada para la Carta Electrônica de Navegaciôn (ENC).Bien que le réchauffement global puisse faire enfler les eaux arctiques en été, les glaces envahissent toujours les principaux couloirs de navigation dans l'hémisphère, pendant la saison hivernale. Afin de naviguer en toute sécurité dans ces zones, les navigateurs se fient aux cartes des glaces produites quotidiennement par les agences gouvernementales nationales. Les cartes des glaces sont essentiellement communiquées sous forme imprimée ou de télécopie. On note cependant un regain d’intérêt pour les informations sur la couverture des glaces, dans des systèmes de navigation maritime tel que l ’ECDIS (système de visualisation des cartes électroniques et d'information). Toutefois, pour ce faire, les renseignements sur les glaces doivent être transmis, en tant que « niveau » d’information distinct, aux Cartes électroniques de navigation (ENC)

Analysis of high-identity segmental duplications in the grapevine genome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Segmental duplications (SDs) are blocks of genomic sequence of 1-200 kb that map to different loci in a genome and share a sequence identity > 90%. SDs show at the sequence level the same characteristics as other regions of the human genome: they contain both high-copy repeats and gene sequences. SDs play an important role in genome plasticity by creating new genes and modeling genome structure. Although data is plentiful for mammals, not much was known about the representation of SDs in plant genomes. In this regard, we performed a genome-wide analysis of high-identity SDs on the sequenced grapevine (<it>Vitis vinifera</it>) genome (PN40024).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrate that recent SDs (> 94% identity and >= 10 kb in size) are a relevant component of the grapevine genome (85 Mb, 17% of the genome sequence). We detected mitochondrial and plastid DNA and genes (10% of gene annotation) in segmentally duplicated regions of the nuclear genome. In particular, the nine highest copy number genes have a copy in either or both organelle genomes. Further we showed that several duplicated genes take part in the biosynthesis of compounds involved in plant response to environmental stress.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data show the great influence of SDs and organelle DNA transfers in modeling the <it>Vitis vinifera </it>nuclear DNA structure as well as the impact of SDs in contributing to the adaptive capacity of grapevine and the nutritional content of grape products through genome variation. This study represents a step forward in the full characterization of duplicated genes important for grapevine cultural needs and human health.</p

Improving Resistivity Survey Resolution at Sites with Limited Spatial Extent using Buried Electrode Arrays

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys are widely used in geological, environmental and engineering studies. However, the effectiveness of surface ERT surveys is limited by decreasing resolution with depth and near the ends of the survey line. Increasing the array length will increase depth of investigation, but may not be possible at urban sites where access is limited. One novel method of addressing these limitations while maintaining lateral coverage is to install an array of deep electrodes. Referred to here as the Multi-Electrode Resistivity Implant Technique (MERIT), self-driving pointed electrodes are implanted at depth below each surface electrode in an array, using direct-push technology. Optimal sequences of readings have been identified with the “Compare R” method of Wilkinson. Numerical, laboratory, and field case studies are applied to examine the effectiveness of the MERIT method, particularly for use in covered karst terrain. In the field case studies, resistivity images are compared against subsurface structure defined from borings, GPR surveys, and knowledge of prior land use. In karst terrain where limestone has a clay overburden, traditional surface resistivity methods suffer from lack of current penetration through the shallow clay layer. In these settings, the MERIT method is found to improve resolution of features between the surface and buried array, as well as increasing depth of penetration and enhancing imaging capabilities at the array ends. The method functions similar to a cross-borehole array between horizontal boreholes, and suffers from limitations common to borehole arrays. Inversion artifacts are common at depths close to the buried array, and because some readings involve high geometric factors, inversions are more susceptible to noise than traditional surface arrays. Results are improved by using errors from reciprocal measurements to weight the data during the inversion