Pavements of Siderastrea radians on Cape Verde Reefs

Without Abstrac

Application of Paleoclimatology to Coral Reef Monitoring and Management

The skeletons of reef-building corals are valuable archives of climatic and environmental information. Paleoclimatic data chiefly have been generated in areas most sensitive to global or regional climatic variability. However, these records also provide valuable information on anthropogenic influences – guidance of value to resource managers. NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch targets observations of current and past coral reef health in or near marine protected areas through satellites, in situ sensor platforms, and paleoclimatic analyses. Paleoclimatic data provide retrospective monitoring through multi-century environmental reconstructions that improve our understanding of past stress to coral reefs. Two sites in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary were the first to benefit from Coral Reef Watch Program paleoenvironmental analyses. Coral cores yielded direct measurements of δ18O, δ13C, Sr/Ca, and coral skeletal growth (extension, density, and calcification) and reconstructions of reef temperatures. Temperature reconstructions were compared with instrumental data from nearby stations and global data sets, while skeletal growth was used to infer responses to changing climatic and environmental conditions. Differences between paleoclimatic data and gridded datasets demonstrated that paleodata provide more accurate estimates of reef temperatures as they sample subsurface temperatures where the corals live. Because of relatively high thermal variability, at least 12 samples per year are needed at these sites. Further work will extend these records back in time, to new locations, and expand on the data reconstructed from the skeletal archives

Infliximab plus methotrexate is superior to methotrexate alone in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in methotrexate-naive patients: the RESPOND study

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate with methotrexate alone in methotrexate-naive patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: In this open-label study, patients 18 years and older with active PsA who were naive to methotrexate and not receiving disease-modifying therapy (N=115) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either infliximab (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2, 6 and 14 plus methotrexate (15 mg/week); or methotrexate (15 mg/week) alone. The primary assessment was American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response at week 16. Secondary outcome measures included psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) and dactylitis and enthesitis assessments. Results: At week 16, 86.3% of patients receiving infliximab plus methotrexate and 66.7% of those receiving methotrexate alone achieved an ACR20 response (p<0.02). Of patients whose baseline PASI was 2.5 or greater, 97.1% receiving infliximab plus methotrexate compared with 54.3% receiving methotrexate alone experienced a 75% or greater improvement in PASI (p<0.0001). Improvements in C-reactive protein levels, DAS28 response and remission rates, dactylitis, fatigue and morning stiffness duration were also significantly greater in the group receiving infliximab. In the infliximab plus methotrexate group, 46% (26/57) had treatment-related adverse events (AE) and two patients had serious AE, compared with 24% with AE (13/54) and no serious AE in the methotrexate-alone group. Conclusions: Treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate in methotrexate-naive patients with active PsA demonstrated significantly greater ACR20 response rates and PASI75 improvement compared with methotrexate alone and was generally well tolerated. This trial is registered in the US National Institutes of Health clinicaltrials.gov database, identifier NCT00367237

Growth and Demography of the Solitary Scleractinian Coral Leptopsammia pruvoti along a Sea Surface Temperature Gradient in the Mediterranean Sea

The demographic traits of the solitary azooxanthellate scleractinian Leptopsammia pruvoti were determined in six populations on a sea surface temperature (SST) gradient along the western Italian coasts. This is the first investigation of the growth and demography characteristics of an azooxanthellate scleractinian along a natural SST gradient. Growth rate was homogeneous across all populations, which spanned 7 degrees of latitude. Population age structures differed between populations, but none of the considered demographic parameters correlated with SST, indicating possible effects of local environmental conditions. Compared to another Mediterranean solitary scleractinian, Balanophyllia europaea, zooxanthellate and whose growth, demography and calcification have been studied in the same sites, L. pruvoti seems more tolerant to temperature increase. The higher tolerance of L. pruvoti, relative to B. europaea, may rely on the absence of symbionts, and thus the lack of an inhibition of host physiological processes by the heat-stressed zooxanthellae. However, the comparison between the two species must be taken cautiously, due to the likely temperature differences between the two sampling depths. Increasing research effort on determining the effects of temperature on the poorly studied azooxanthellate scleractinians may shed light on the possible species assemblage shifts that are likely to occur during the current century as a consequence of global climatic change

Women and power: a theoretical approach using the example of copreneurial businesses

Despite the gradual recognition of strategic issues related to the integration of women into the economy, female entrepreneurship continues to receive little attention. Family business research attributes this situation to a lack of recognition given to the (decisive) role of women in these organizations. However, there is one type of family governance that formally acknowledges the man/woman combination: the copreneurial company. Copreneurs are couples who run a business together. This theoretical article highlights the role of women in the copreneurial context by distinguishing between formal and informal power- the latter being primarily held by women, but which is no less influential. The distribution of power reduces opposition costs between partners and the social costs of non-compliance, and improves the clarity of the entrepreneurial structure. Moreover, it increases satisfaction and a feeling of equality between the partners. These results can be generalized and shed light on the role of women in other entrepreneurial and social contexts. This article is published as part as part of a collection on the role of women in management and business

Skeletal architecture and density banding in Diploria strigosa by X-ray computed tomography

Density bands in corals have long been considered a valuable tool for reconstructing past environmental and climatic conditions. X-radiographs reveal density banding within a skeletal slab, but provide little information about the skeletal variability causing banding. The skeletal architecture of Diploria strigosa was analyzed by X-radiography, X-ray computed tomography, and image analysis to identify the specific skeletal elements responsible for density banding. Threedimensional skeletal reconstructions, density-band reconstructions, and skeletal animations were created to assess the apparent changes in skeletal structure associated with density banding. Measurements were made of the dissepiments, thecae, septa, and columellae to determine how element size related to density banding. Dissepiment spacing and thecal wall thickness exhibited no consistent variation relative to density. Density bands were associated with thickening of septal and columellar structures. X-ray computed tomography provided an effective tool for revealing density banding as well as measuring variations in skeletal elements

Coral Growth Records from Southeast Florida: A History of Anthropogenic Influence

Coral skeletal growth records of extension, density, and calcification from Southeast Florida reveal a three-decade period of stress spanning ca. 1940 to 1970. The period is characterized by dramatically decreased annual extension rate and increased skeletal bulk density. No similar periods of growth departures of this intensity or duration are present in locally collected corals dating back to 1694. Coral growth from a total of 80 corals exhibits strong correlation with master chronologies indicating a common growth response to one or a combination of environmental limiting factors. Near-shore shallow-water corals in Southeast Florida are affected by a number of stresses including freshwater drainage and coastal runoff. The 30-year period of high skeletal densities and low extension rates matches with a 30-year period of increased freshwater discharge, at times, an order of magnitude greater than normal. Construction of the four major South Florida canal systems diverted waters from Lake Okeechobee in the 40s, 50s, and 60s to the ocean. Comparison of temporal patterns in coral extension with environmental variables reveals a positive correlation between extension rate and salinity (represented by sea water density). The direct cause may be linked to influences from freshwater discharge such as high turbidity and decreased light penetration, salinity, or deleterious water quality. Further analysis of skeletal chemistry will help to identify specific limitations on the growth potential of these corals. Since the early 1970’s, growth rates have generally increased relative to the historical average; however, the frequency of single-year stress bands has also risen. Increased growth rates coincide with warmer temperatures and stress bands likely resulting from partial bleaching when temperature thresholds are exceeded. This research has applications to better understanding coral stress and recovery with particular regard to watershed management

Growth Rates of Florida Corals from 1937 to 1996 and Their Response to Climate Change

Ocean acidification causes declines in calcification rates of corals because of decreasing aragonite saturation states (Ωarag). Recent evidence also indicates that increasing sea surface temperatures may have already reduced growth and calcification rates because of the stenothermic threshold of localized coral populations. Density banding in coral skeletons provides a record of growth over the coral\u27s lifespan. Here we present coral extension, bulk density and calcification master chronologies from seven subtropical corals (Montastraea faveolata) located in the Florida Keys, USA with a 60-year common period, 1937–1996. Linear trends indicate that extension increased, density decreased and calcification remained stable while the most recent decade was not significantly different than decadal averages over the preceding 50 years for extension and calcification. The results suggest that growth rates in this species of subtropical coral have been tolerant to recent climatic changes up to the time of collection (1996)

Geochemical Analyses From Florida’s ‘monster Coral’: Reconstructing Environmental Changes From The Port Everglades Area Over The Last 100 Years

In 2005, a 300+ year old colony of the star coral, Montastraea faveolata, was cored in 20 feet of water approximately 2 miles south of Port Everglades, Florida USA. Given the coral’s latitude and proximity to the activity and impact of a large urban population and a large shipping and cruise port, it is considered exceptional for both its age and size. The specimen therefore may provide insight into the effects of South Florida’s development on corals over time. Stable isotopic analysis of this coral’s skeleton reveals δ18O values between -4.1 and -2.6‰, and δ13C values between -3.5 and +0.4‰. Both the oxygen and carbon isotopes demonstrate regular seasonal cyclicity. Minor element concentrations were also measured. Ratios of Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, and Ba/Ca vary between ~9.1 and 9.6 mM/M, 5 and 13 mM/M, and 4.5 to 6.5 mM/M respectively, and depict annual fluctuations in concentration. X-radiography of slabs from this coral’s skeleton reveals a 300 year chronology of seasonal density banding along with a period of anomalously high density from 1940 to 1970 which suggest that some sort of stress was acting on the coral. Re-evaluating the geochemical data in light of this density anomaly reveals, with few exceptions, little difference between the typical modern growth and the relatively high density period between 1940 and 1970. The exception to this is in the amplitude of stable isotopic variation, which does appear to be slightly suppressed where density was anomalously high in the coral with δ18O from -3.8 and -2.6‰ and δ13C between -2.5 and +0.4‰

Stable Isotopes And Sr/ca Ratios Indicate Records Of Groundwater Influence On Florida Reefs

The waters off Elliot Key, within Biscayne National Park (BNP) in the United States, contain some of the longest lived specimens of Montastraea faveolata in the Caribbean. Previously we have noticed an inconsistency between measured water temperatures and temperatures estimated using the Sr/Ca and the 18O of the coral skeletons. This inconsistency is a result of the fact that the reefs are influenced by evaporated water emanating from Biscayne Bay as well as groundwater from the adjacent mainland. The water from Biscayne Bay is elevated in 18O, which influences the reefs to a greater extent during the summer thereby depressing the 18O amplitude of the skeleton. At the same time the ground and surface waters are highly elevated in calcium, resulting in lower than expected Sr/Ca ratios. This enhances the range of Sr/Ca in the corals. By combining these two proxies with measured SST data, it is possible to use the corals as proxies of the amount of freshwater discharge from the adjacent mainland. It is possible to distinguish surface water from ground water using the Ba/Ca ratio. Surface waters have elevated Ba/Ca ratios compared to ground water, and therefore distinctions between surface discharge and groundwater discharge can be assessed using this ratio in the coral skeletons. In this presentation we present (i) high resolution reconstructions (\u3e40 samples per year) over the past 50 years from three sites in Biscayne National Park, and (ii) a lower resolution record extending back to ~1750