Seabed geomorphology: a two-part classification system

The BGS has developed a two- part classification system (‘Morphology’ and ‘Geomorphology’) to facilitate work on a new ‘S eabed Geomorphology’ mapping initia tive, and this classification system is the focus of this report. As stated in the Foreword, the rationale and the basic framework of the classification system were conceived and es tablished within BGS, but recent collaboration within the MAREANO -Norway, INFOMAR -Ireland, and MAREMAP -UK (MIM) partnership has led to significant improvement of the classifi cation system, and this report. To further support this effort, existing BGS GIS tools (SIGMA) ha ve been adapted to apply this two-part classification system for more efficient geom orphological mapping in the marine environment. This report: provides a brief background on seabed mapping and characterisation, as well as how this science has been addressed historically within BGS; describes the current motiva tion to conduct seabed geom orphological mapping, and the requirement for a new set of t ools to facilitate this work; describes the logical framework that underpins the classification system; outlines the attributes of the classification system, how it can be applied, and discusses the advantages and limitations of the approach. It is anticipated that through testing and usage, the classification syst em will be revised and improved over time, with updated versions released through MIM partnershi p. It is also planned that a further ‘user guide’ report will be produced for the classifi cation system and the GIS tools, including thematic details (e.g. background information on ‘coastal’ or ‘glacial’ features) and a feature glossary

Pax6 Represses Androgen Receptor-Mediated Transactivation by Inhibiting Recruitment of the Coactivator SPBP

The androgen receptor (AR) has a central role in development and maintenance of the male reproductive system and in the etiology of prostate cancer. The transcription factor Pax6 has recently been reported to act as a repressor of AR and to be hypermethylated in prostate cancer cells. SPBP is a transcriptional regulator that previously has been shown to enhance the activity of Pax6. In this study we have identified SPBP to act as a transcriptional coactivator of AR. We also show that Pax6 inhibits SPBP-mediated enhancement of AR activity on the AR target gene probasin promoter, a repression that was partly reversed by increased expression of SPBP. Enhanced expression of Pax6 reduced the amount of SPBP associated with the probasin promoter when assayed by ChIP in HeLa cells. We mapped the interaction between both AR and SPBP, and AR and Pax6 to the DNA-binding domains of the involved proteins. Further binding studies revealed that Pax6 and SPBP compete for binding to AR. These results suggest that Pax6 represses AR activity by displacing and/or inhibiting recruitment of coactivators to AR target promoters. Understanding the mechanism for inhibition of AR coactivators can give rise to molecular targeted drugs for treatment of prostate cancer

Costs and effectiveness of a brief MRI examination of patients with acute knee injury

The aim of this study was to assess the costs and effectiveness of selective short magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute knee injury. A model was developed to evaluate the selective use of MRI in patients with acute knee injury and no fracture on radiography based on the results of a trial in which 208 patients were randomized between radiography only and radiography plus MRI. We analyzed medical (diagnostic and therapeutic) costs, quality of life, duration of diagnostic workup, number of additional diagnostic examinations, time absent from work, and time to convalescence during a 6-month follow-up period. Quality of life was lowest (EuroQol at 6 weeks 0.61 (95% CI 0.54–0.67)); duration of diagnostic workup, absence from work, and time to convalescence were longest; and the number of diagnostic examinations was largest with radiography only. These outcomes were more favorable for both MRI strategies (EuroQol at 6 weeks 0.72 (95% CI 0.67–0.77) for both). Mean total costs were 2,593 euros (95% CI 1,815–3,372) with radiography only, 2,116 euros (95% CI 1,488–2,743) with radiography plus MRI, and 1,973 euros (95% CI 1,401–2,543) with selective MRI. The results suggest that selective use of a short MRI examination saves costs and potentially increases effectiveness in patients with acute knee injury without a fracture on radiography

An evaluation of compiled single-beam bathymetry data as a basis for regional sediment and biotope mapping

Maps of surficial sediment distribution and benthic habitats or biotopes provide invaluable information for ocean management and are at the core of many seabed mapping initiatives, including Norway's national offshore mapping programme MAREANO (www.mareano.no). Access to high-quality multibeam echosounder data (bathymetry and backscatter) has been central to many of MAREANO's mapping activities, but in order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of future mapping and ensure timely delivery of scientific information, seabed mappers worldwide may increasingly need to look to existing bathymetry data as a basis for thematic maps. This study examines the potential of compiled single-beam bathymetry data for sediment and biotope mapping. We simulate a mapping scenario where full coverage multibeam data are not available, but where existing bathymetry datasets are supplemented by limited multibeam data to provide the basis for thematic map interpretation and modelling. Encouraging results of sediment interpretation from the compiled bathymetry dataset suggest that production of sediment grain size distribution maps is feasible at a 1:250 000 scale or coarser, depending on the quality of available data. Biotope modelling made use of full-coverage predictor variables based on (i) multibeam data, and (ii) compiled single-beam data supplemented by limited multibeam data. Using the same response variable (biotope point observations obtained from video data), the performance of the respective models could be assessed. Biotope distribution maps based on the two datasets are visually similar, and performance statistics also indicate there is little difference between the models, providing a comparable level of information for regional management purposes. However, whilst our results suggest that using compiled bathymetry data with limited multibeam is viable as a basis for regional sediment and biotope mapping, it is not a substitute. Backscatter data and the better feature resolution provided by multibeam data remain of great value for these and other purposes

System Thinking, Evaluations and Learning - Experience from Road Construction Megaproject in Algeria

Ex-post evaluation is starting to be recognized in the Algerian different government institutions (e.g., ministries); and evaluation is becoming part of any program or project for two main reasons, justify the legitimacy of the programs and projects, and collect lessons learned for the next similar programs and projects. On the other hand, academicians believe that programs and projects can be improved by conducting proper evaluations and extracting lessons learned. Program/Project evaluation is comprehensive evaluation, which mainly applies to ex-post evaluation. This paper will look closer at an ex-post evaluation of an Algerian highway megaproject based on PESTOL model, this evaluation is already conducted in the period of 2014 – 2016. Considering ex-post evaluation of projects has many purposes and among them is linked to learning and knowledge sharing and transfer. In this regard, the paper describes very briefly the approach used to the post project evaluation. In addition, link it to learning and to other types of evaluations – i.e., ex-ante, monitoring, midterm, terminal evaluations, and using system-thinking approach, and proposes a framework for learning in projects by evaluations. This paper is based on qualitative case study approach

Semi-Automatic Versus Manual Mapping of Cold-Water Coral Carbonate Mounds Located Offshore Norway

Cold-water coral reefs are hotspots of biological diversity and play an important role as carbonate factories in the global carbon cycle. Reef-building corals can be found in cold oceanic waters around the world. Detailed knowledge on the spatial location and distribution of coral reefs is of importance for spatial management, conservation and science. Carbonate mounds (reefs) are readily identifiable in high-resolution multibeam echosounder data but systematic mapping programs have relied mostly on visual interpretation and manual digitizing so far. Developing more automated methods will help to reduce the time spent on this laborious task and will additionally lead to more objective and reproducible results. In this paper, we present an attempt at testing whether rule-based classification can replace manual mapping when mapping cold-water coral carbonate mounds. To that end, we have estimated and compared the accuracies of manual mapping, pixel-based terrain analysis and object-based image analysis. To verify the mapping results, we created a reference dataset of presence/absence points agreed upon by three mapping experts. There were no statistically significant differences in the overall accuracies of the maps produced by the three approaches. We conclude that semi-automated rule-based methods might be a viable option for mapping carbonate mounds with high spatial detail over large areas