Mapping and Characterizing Subtidal Oyster Reefs Using Acoustic Techniques, Underwater Videography and Quadrat Counts

Populations of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica have been in long-term decline in most areas. A major hindrance to effective oyster management has been lack of a methodology for accurately and economically obtaining data on their distribution and abundance patterns. Here, we describe early results from studies aimed at development of a mapping and monitoring protocol involving acoustic techniques, underwater videography, and destructive sampling (excavated quadrats). Two subtidal reefs in Great Bay, New Hampshire, were mapped with side-scan sonar and with videography by systematically imaging multiple sampling cells in a grid covering the same areas. A single deployment was made in each cell, and a 5-10-s recording was made of a 0.25-m2 area; the location of each image was determined using a differential global position system. A still image was produced for each of the cells and all (n = 40 or 44) were combined into a single photomontage overlaid onto a geo-referenced base map for each reef using Arc View geographic information system. Quadrat (0.25 m2 ) samples were excavated from 9 or 10 of the imaged areas on each reef, and all live oysters were counted and measured. Intercomparisons of the acoustic, video, and quadrat data suggest: (1) acoustic techniques and systematic videography can readily delimit the boundaries of oyster reefs; (2) systematic videography can yield quantitative data on shell densities and information on reef structure; and (3) some combination of acoustics, systematic videography, and destructive sampling can provide spatially detailed information on oyster reef characteristics

(Chloromethyl)pentacarbonylmanganese(I): a crystal structure with a non-crystallographic centre of symmetry

There are two molecules in the asymmetric unit of the P2₁/c unit cell of ClCH₂Mn(CO)₅, the first halomethyl complex of manganese to be structurally determined. The molecules are crystallographically independent, despite an apparent local centre of symmetry. The average bond parameters include Mn–Calkyl 2.128(8) Å, C–Cl 1.811(8) Å and Mn–C–Cl 116.4(4)

Profiles of Ocean surface Heating (POSH): A New Model of Upper Ocean Diurnal Warming

Shipboard radiometric measurements of diurnal warming at the ocean surface and profiles through the diurnal thermocline were utilized to assess the temporal and vertical variability and to develop a new physics-based model of near-surface warming. The measurements and modeled diurnal warming were compared, with the goal of comprehensively evaluating differences between the data and model results. On the basis of these results, the diurnal model was refined while attempting to maintain agreement with the measurements. Simplified bulk models commonly do not provide information on the vertical structure within the warm layer, but this new model predicts the vertical temperature profile within the diurnal thermocline using an empirically derived function dependent on wind speed. The vertical profile of temperature provides both a straightforward methodology for modeling differences due to diurnal warming between measurements made at different depths (e.g., in situ measurements at various depths and measurements of the surface temperatures by satellite radiometers) and information on upper ocean thermal structure. Additionally, the model estimates of diurnal warming at the ocean surface are important for air-sea heat and gas flux calculations, blending satellite sea surface temperature fields, and air-sea interaction studies. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union

USING OTOLITH MICROCHEMISTRY TO CLASSIFY YELLOW PERCH AS STOCKED OR NATURALLY PRODUCED

Fisheries managers routinely use stocking to supplement fish populations (Schramm and Piper 1995, Fisher 1996). Stocking eyed-eggs offers substantial cost savings compared to stocking fry and fingerlings (PFBC 2011); however, traditional stocking evaluation using oxytetracycline (OTC) marking of otoliths is ineffective for eyed-eggs of some species (e.g., yellow perch, [Perca fla- vescens]). Thus, there is a need for additional approaches to be able to classify fish as stocked or naturally produced. Fish otoliths are paired calcified structures in the inner ear that permanently deposit trace elements in proportion to water column concentrations (Campana 1999, Campana et al. 2000). Coupled with otolith growth increments (i.e., annuli), elemental accumulation permits retrospective evaluation of environmental history (e.g., natal origins, movement) if water chemistry is spatially heterogeneous and temporally constant (Elsdon et al. 2008). Otolith microchemistry can be used to evaluate stocking contributions (Pracheil et al. 2014) and in the context of eyed-egg stockings, may be useful for classifying fish as stocked or naturally produced. Yellow perch is a popular sport fish species in South Dakota (Gigliotti 2007) and is routinely stocked by fisheries managers to supplement weak year classes (Schoene- beck et al. 2010). The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) propagates yellow perch for stocking (e.g., eyed-eggs, fry, fingerlings) and also stocks adult perch through trap and transfer operations (Lott 1991, Fisher 1996). However, the contributions of yellow perch stockings in South Dakota are largely unknown because it is difficult to differentiate stocked fish from resident individuals (Brown and St. Sauver 2002). Our objective was to assess the utility of otolith microchemistry to distinguish hatchery-reared yellow perch stocked at the eyed-egg stage from naturally produced individuals

MINNESOTA CURRENT FARM SITUATION

These papers describe the current economic conditions and outline some of the opportunities facing Minnesota farmers as they complete 1998 and develop plans for 1999. The first paper, Prospects For Farm Income in 1998, describes the variation in net farm income farmers in the Southeastern and Southwestern Farm Management Associations have experienced over the past twenty years. The possible effects of 1998's low commodity prices and government program payments on net farm income are discussed in the context of this historical variation. This paper points out that some farmers are experiencing a very good year in 1998, while others may have very low net farm income this year. Those with high incomes in 1998 may be primarily interested in opportunities to enhance their cash flow for 1999, while those experiencing financial stress during 1998 may need to consider a wider range of adjustments as they plan for the coming year. The remaining papers provide information farmers may want to consider as they plan their marketing and financial strategies for the coming year. Financial Management Alternatives outlines a wide range of financial management alternatives that can be used to deal with cash flow problems. Some of these alternatives will be of interest to farmers who have difficulty in projecting a positive net cash flow with the relatively low commodity prices being projected for 1999. Others are of primary interest to farmers who have relatively high debt levels and must find ways to improve both their net cash flow and their debt/asset position. Some observers have suggested that the low commodity prices projected for 1999 may lead to reductions in cash rental rates. The paper, Cropland Rental Market Impacts of Low Crop Prices, discusses a procedure to estimate "fair rental rates", and provides an historical perspective of the impact low commodity prices have had on land rental rates. The remaining two papers, Situation and Outlook For the Livestock Sector, and Considerations in Developing a Corn/Soybean Marketing Plan for 1998/1999, discuss the major factors to evaluate and options to consider in developing a marketing plan for corn, soybeans, hogs and cattle for the coming year.Farm Management,

Oral activated charcoal prevents experimental cerebral malaria in mice and in a randomized controlled clinical trial in man did not interfere with the pharmacokinetics of parenteral artesunate.

BACKGROUND: Safe, cheap and effective adjunct therapies preventing the development of, or reducing the mortality from, severe malaria could have considerable and rapid public health impact. Oral activated charcoal (oAC) is a safe and well tolerated treatment for acute poisoning, more recently shown to have significant immunomodulatory effects in man. In preparation for possible efficacy trials in human malaria, we sought to determine whether oAC would i) reduce mortality due to experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in mice, ii) modulate immune and inflammatory responses associated with ECM, and iii) affect the pharmacokinetics of parenteral artesunate in human volunteers. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We found that oAC provided significant protection against P. berghei ANKA-induced ECM, increasing overall survival time compared to untreated mice (p<0.0001; hazard ratio 16.4; 95% CI 6.73 to 40.1). Protection from ECM by oAC was associated with reduced numbers of splenic TNF(+) CD4(+) T cells and multifunctional IFNgamma(+)TNF(+) CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Furthermore, we identified a whole blood gene expression signature (68 genes) associated with protection from ECM. To evaluate whether oAC might affect current best available anti-malarial treatment, we conducted a randomized controlled open label trial in 52 human volunteers (ISRCTN NR. 64793756), administering artesunate (AS) in the presence or absence of oAC. We demonstrated that co-administration of oAC was safe and well-tolerated. In the 26 subjects further analyzed, we found no interference with the pharmacokinetics of parenteral AS or its pharmacologically active metabolite dihydroartemisinin. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: oAC protects against ECM in mice, and does not interfere with the pharmacokinetics of parenteral artesunate. If future studies succeed in establishing the efficacy of oAC in human malaria, then the characteristics of being inexpensive, well-tolerated at high doses and requiring no sophisticated storage would make oAC a relevant candidate for adjunct therapy to reduce mortality from severe malaria, or for immediate treatment of suspected severe malaria in a rural setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN64793756