Traumatic events in the life of the deep-sea cephalopod mollusc, the coleoid Spirula spirula

Here, we report on different types of shell pathologies of the enigmatic deep-sea (mesopelagic) cephalopod Spirula spirula. For the first time, we apply non-invasive imaging methods to: document trauma-induced changes in shell shapes, reconstruct the different causes and effects of these pathologies, unravel the etiology, and attempt to quantify the efficiency of the buoyancy apparatus. We have analysed 2D and 3D shell parameters from eleven shells collected as beach findings from the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura), West-Australia, and the Maldives. All shells were scanned with a nanotom-m computer tomograph. Seven shells were likely injured by predator attacks: fishes, cephalopods or crustaceans, one specimen was infested by an endoparasite (potentially Digenea) and one shell shows signs of inflammation and one shell shows large fluctuations of chamber volumes without any signs of pathology. These fluctuations are potential indicators of a stressed environment. Pathological shells represent the most deviant morphologies of a single species and can therefore be regarded as morphological end-members. The changes in the shell volume / chamber volume ratio were assessed in order to evaluate the functional tolerance of the buoyancy apparatus showing that these had little effect. Key words: pathology; parasitism; Spirula; mesopelagic; ecology; predator; buoyancy; cephalopod

Non-invasive imaging methods applied to neo- and paleo-ontological cephalopod research

Several non-invasive methods are common practice in natural sciences today. Here we present how they can be applied and contribute to current topics in cephalopod (paleo-) biology. Different methods will be compared in terms of time necessary to acquire the data, amount of data, accuracy/resolution, minimum/maximum size of objects that can be studied, the degree of post-processing needed and availability. The main application of the methods is seen in morphometry and volumetry of cephalopod shells. In particular we present a method for precise buoyancy calculation. Therefore, cephalopod shells were scanned together with different reference bodies, an approach developed in medical sciences. It is necessary to know the volume of the reference bodies, which should have similar absorption properties like the object of interest. Exact volumes can be obtained from surface scanning. Depending on the dimensions of the study object different computed tomography techniques were applied

Bioinspired approaches for toughening of fibre reinforced polymer composites

In Nature, there are a large range of tough, strong, lightweight and multifunctional structures that can be an inspiration to better performingmaterials. Thiswork presents a review of structures found in Nature, frombiological ceramics and ceramics composites, biological polymers and polymers composites, biological cellular materials, biological elastomers to functional biological materials, and their main tougheningmechanisms, envisaging potential mimicking approaches that can be applied in advanced continuous fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite structures. For this, themost common engineering compositemanufacturing processes and current composite damage mitigation approaches are analysed. This aims at establishing the constraints of biomimetic approaches development as these bioinspired structures are to be manufactured by composite technologies. Combining both Nature approaches and engineering composites developments is a route for the design and manufacturing of high mechanical performance and multifunctional composite structures, therefore new bioinspired solutions are proposed.This research was funded by the project “IAMAT—Introduction of advanced materials technologies into new product development for the mobility industries”, with reference MITP-TB/PFM/0005/2013, under the MIT-Portugal program and in the scope of projects with references UIDB/05256/2020 and UIDP/05256/2020, exclusively financed by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Dr. Jesse Parks and protestors outside of Administration Building (May 14, 1969)

This photograph shows Dr. Jesse Parks, a faculty member at Springfield College, leading a group of Black student protesters out of the Administration Building. Dr. Parks is in the center holding a megaphone in his right hand. In this image, he is looking off to his left. The students occupied the building for 12 hours to protest the prejudices suffered by the Black community and the lack of response to their demands. The three men behind Parks are John Woodruff (left of him), Nolan Thaxton (left of Woodruff), and Robert McCarthy (right of Parks), with Woodruff and McCarthy both giving the closed-fist “Black Power Salute.” John Dover and Shirley Enoch, respectively, are right of MaCarthy’s head and directly above him. Other SC students formed a cordon for the protesters to cross the campus; in the line (second from the right, wearing glasses) is Jay Griffin. A similar image was published on May 15, 1969, in the Springfield Daily news. The event took place on May 14, 1969.Stamped on back is, "Stephen N. Lemanis"; Legacy Alumni of Color idenfication on June 8th, 2021: Dr. Jesse Parks (center w/ bullhorn) leads SC Black student activists out of the Administration Building. To Parks's left is John Woodruff. To Woodruff's left is Nolan Thaxton. According to Richard Griffin, Thaxton was the first employee hired to recruit Black students; however, he was unable to obtain a full-time position. Thaxton was a Phys. Ed major and went on to get his PhD and work at Bronx Community College. To Parks's right (wearing a dashiki) is Robert (Bob) McCarthy, one of the student protesters. In the rear (coming down the steps of the Administration Building) is John Dover (to the right of McCarthy's head) and Shirley Enoch (directly above McCarthy). In the crowd lined up to greet the student protesters is Jay Griffin (second from the right, wearing glasses) along with other members of the community who came to support the students.

Faculty Member Attempting Entry to the Basement of Administration Building (May 14, 1969)

This photograph was taken on May 14, 1969, and shows faculty member attempting entry to the basement of the Administration Building during the Black student takeover of the building. Behind the man opening the day is three other people watching him. Within this group, two men are identified as Harold G. Lynch and Edward S. Seitz. You can just see the side of Steitz's face behind the man on the stairs' shoulders. Handwritten on the back is "Member of faculty attempting; entry to basement of administration bldg. – wanted to get "bull-barns"", "Identifiable are Mr. Ed. Steitz & Harold Lynch", "5/14/69."Handwritten on the back is "Member of faculty attempting; entry to basement of administration bldg. – wanted to get "bull-barns"", "Identifiable are Mr. Ed. Steitz & Harold Lynch", "5/14/69."

Tent and Student Protestors on Naismith Green (April 10, 1970)

This photograph was taken on April 10, 1970, and shows two female student protestors lying on a blanket next to a tent on the main campus green now known as Naismith Green. Behind them are two male students standing. In the background of the four are several vehicles, the backside of Judd Gymnasium and the Dining Hall. The photograph was taken during the demonstrations that took place on the campus of Springfield College. During this time a tent was set up on the main college green where students staged a hunger strike.Handwritten on the back is “Girls [illigebile] 4/10/70 [illegiblie]” and “S.C. Tent.”

Sheriff John Curley attempting to cut the through the doors of Massasoit Hall (March 11, 1970)

This photograph was taken on March 11, 1970, showing Hampden County Sheriff John Curley (glasses and fedora hat) attempting to cut through the doors of Massasoit Hall with a giant tool. Around him are four other officers, two operating the device while the others stand near the door. Also in the photograph is one protester with an afro, whose back is closest facing the camera. It is believed that this photograph was used by Springfield newspapers reporting on the Black students' involvement in the Springfield College Massasoit Hall takeover. Handwritten on the back is "Spfld College," "Wed 3/11/70", and "Sheriff Curley Cuts way in at Massasoit Hall."Handwritten on the back is "Spfld College," "Wed 3/11/70", and "Sheriff Curley Cuts way in at Massasoit Hall.

Wilbert E. Locklin and son Randy

This photograph shows Wilbert E. Locklin, the ninth president of Springfield College, sitting with his son Randy. The two have a camera in front of them, and appear to be videotaping something. It appears that they are on in the Linkletter Natatorium.Dr. Wilbert E. Locklin (April 2, 1920 – March 4, 2006) was raised in Washington, D.C. He graduated from John Hopkins University in 1942. During World War II, he served on bomber crews and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After his military service, Locklin returned to work at Johns Hopkins. In 1965, Locklin was named president of Springfield College, where he served for twenty years. He was responsible for raising funds and developing strategic plans for Babson Library, Cheney Dining Hall, Fuller Arts Center, Gulick Hall, the Physical Education Complex, Linkletter Natatorium, and the Towne Health Center. He also introduced new academic programs in business, physical therapy, and YMCA studies. Furthermore, he was the driving force in expanding the college's international scope through his development of programs in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. Following his retirement in 1985, Locklin founded Locklin Management Services, which helped local nonprofit organizations with fundraising