A live video observatory reveals temporal processes at a shelf-depth whale-fall

There have been very few studies of temporal processes at chemosynthetic ecosystems, even at relatively more accessible shallow water sites. Here we report the development and deployment of a simple cabled video observatory at ≈ 30 m water depth in Gullmarsfjorden, Sweden. The camera provides a live video feed to the internet of faunal activity at the experiments, which to date have included 5 separate whale-fall deployments. Our data suggest that the time to decomposition of small cetacean carcasses at shelf-depth settings is considerably slower than at deep-sea sites. We have also provided a new methodology for the deployment of low-cost live video observatories at up to 30 m water depth, which can be used both for research and outreach activities

The Makeenko-Migdal equation for Yang-Mills theory on compact surfaces

We prove the Makeenko-Migdal equation for two-dimensional Euclidean Yang-Mills theory on an arbitrary compact surface, possibly with boundary. In particular, we show that two of the proofs given by the first, third, and fourth authors for the plane case extend essentially without change to compact surfaces.Comment: Final version, minor typographical corrections. To appear in Comm. Math. Phy

An Archaeological Survey of the South Salado Creek Greenway: Rigsby Avenue to Southside Lion\u27s Park East, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

In October and November of 2007, The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an intensive pedestrian archaeological survey of the South Salado Creek located in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The work was conducted in advance of construction of a multi-use greenway trail between Rigsby Avenue to Southside Lion’s Park East along the Salado Creek proposed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Antonio and to fulfill contract requirements with Rehler, Vaughn & Koone, Inc. (RVK) of San Antonio. RVK, in turn, was hired by the City of San Antonio. The survey was conducted under the requirements of the City of San Antonio Unified Development Code Chapter 35, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, and the Texas Antiquities Code. The survey was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4702, with Dr. Steve Tomka, CAR Director, serving as Principal Investigator and Leonard Kemp serving as the Project Archaeologist. This report summarizes the results of the archaeological investigation, and provides recommendations regarding the management of cultural resources located in the project area. Pedestrian reconnaissance, and shovel tests were used to search for cultural resources within the project right of way (ROW). One archaeological site, 41BX1756 was found and recorded within the project area. It is a site with both prehistoric and historic components. The historic component consists of the remains of a house and an agricultural processing structure. In addition, two shovel tests adjacent to the facility were positive for prehistoric artifacts including debitage and burned rock. Field, laboratory and archival investigations suggest that neither the prehistoric nor historic components have significant research value. CAR recommends that because this site falls within the alternative trail designation the primary trail be utilized to avoid any impact to the site. In summary, because no significant deposits were found within the depth of impact along the proposed alignment, CAR recommends that the development of the South Salado Creek Greenway project proceed as planned. Artifacts collected and records generated during this project were prepared for curation according to Texas Historical Commission guidelines and are permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio