Young volcanism and related hydrothermal activity at 5°S on the slow-spreading southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The effect of volcanic activity on submarine hydrothermal systems has been well documented along fast- and intermediate-spreading centers but not from slow-spreading ridges. Indeed, volcanic eruptions are expected to be rare on slow-spreading axes. Here we report the presence of hydrothermal venting associated with extremely fresh lava flows at an elevated, apparently magmatically robust segment center on the slow-spreading southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 5°S. Three high-temperature vent fields have been recognized so far over a strike length of less than 2 km with two fields venting phase-separated, vapor-type fluids. Exit temperatures at one of the fields reach up to 407°C, at conditions of the critical point of seawater, the highest temperatures ever recorded from the seafloor. Fluid and vent field characteristics show a large variability between the vent fields, a variation that is not expected within such a limited area. We conclude from mineralogical investigations of hydrothermal precipitates that vent-fluid compositions have evolved recently from relatively oxidizing to more reducing conditions, a shift that could also be related to renewed magmatic activity in the area. Current high exit temperatures, reducing conditions, low silica contents, and high hydrogen contents in the fluids of two vent sites are consistent with a shallow magmatic source, probably related to a young volcanic eruption event nearby, in which basaltic magma is actively crystallizing. This is the first reported evidence for direct magmatic-hydrothermal interaction on a slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge

Sudden infant death syndrome: deletions of glutathione-S-transferase genes M1 and T1 and tobacco smoke exposure

In developed countries, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in infants in their first year of life. The risk of SIDS is increased if parents smoked during pregnancy and in presence of the child. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) catalyse the conjugation of glutathione with electrophilic compounds and toxins, making them less reactive and easier to excrete. As a gene dose effect was observed for GSTM1 and GSTT1, the aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a connection between homozygous or heterozygous gene deletions of GSTM1 or GSTT1 and the occurrence of SIDS. We found that heterozygous deletion of GSTM1 occurred significantly more frequently in the SIDS case group compared to the control group. A homozygous deletion of GSMT1 was slightly more frequently in the control group. A homozygous gene deletion of GSTT1 showed no significant difference between the SIDS group and the control group. We also found that in the SIDS group, the number of victims that were exposed to cigarette smoke was significantly higher than the number of victims without cigarette smoke exposure and that the mean lifetime of children whose mothers smoked was shorter in comparison with non-smoking mothers. In SIDS cases with homozygous gene deletions of GSTM1, the median life span of children with tobacco smoke exposure was 60 days shorter than without smoke exposure. In conclusion, the absence of these two genes is not the only trigger for SIDS but could be a critical aspect of SIDS aetiology, particularly in SIDS cases with smoking parents

Sustainable gold catalysis in water using cyclodextrin-tagged NHC-gold complexes

The synthesis of 10 water‐soluble β‐cyclodextrin‐tagged NHC‐gold(I) complexes is described. Key steps are nucleophilic substitutions, as well as, copper‐(CuAAC)‐ and ruthenium‐(RuAAC)‐catalyzed azide alkyne cycloadditions. Whereas the CuAAC reliably affords 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles, the regioselectivity of the RuAAC depends on the structure of the coupling partners. Permethylated cyclodextrin‐tagged NHC‐gold(I) complexes are soluble both in water and in organic solvents. They show excellent catalytic activity and recyclability in cyclization reactions of functionalized allenes and alkynes in bulk water. The enantioselective cycloisomerization of γ‐ and δ‐hydroxyallenes could be achieved with up to 38 % ee. Thus, it is possible to take advantage of the chirality of the cyclodextrin moiety for enantioselective gold‐catalyzed transformations

Vermeiden von Gefaehrdung durch Blitzschlag beim Arbeiten an Rohrfernleitungsanlagen

The report deals with risks for persons, who are working at pipelines during local or more distant thunderstorms. It also describes measures to ensure safe working at pipelines. 1. Working at pipelines must be stopped, when a thunderstorm is approaching. 2. Generally, the range in which a thunderstorm can be detected amounts to a distance of 15 to 25 km. Lightning information services can provide information even for remote thunderstorms approaching the relevant area. 3. If work at a pipeline needs to be continued despite an approaching thunderstorm although it can not yet be recognized: no additional action is required, if the pipeline is insulated by bitumen; measures to avoid personal injuries have to be taken, if the pipeline is insulated by PE. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 4117(609) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Fluid compositions and mineralogy of precipitates from Mid Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vents at 4°48'S

The effect of volcanic activity on submarine hydrothermal systems has been well documented along fast- and intermediate-spreading centers but not from slow-spreading ridges. Indeed, volcanic eruptions are expected to be rare on slow-spreading axes. Here we report the presence of hydrothermal venting associated with extremely fresh lava flows at an elevated, apparently magmatically robust segment center on the slow-spreading southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 5°S. Three high-temperature vent fields have been recognized so far over a strike length of less than 2 km with two fields venting phase-separated, vapor-type fluids. Exit temperatures at one of the fields reach up to 407°C, at conditions of the critical point of seawater, the highest temperatures ever recorded from the seafloor. Fluid and vent field characteristics show a large variability between the vent fields, a variation that is not expected within such a limited area. We conclude from mineralogical investigations of hydrothermal precipitates that vent-fluid compositions have evolved recently from relatively oxidizing to more reducing conditions, a shift that could also be related to renewed magmatic activity in the area. Current high exit temperatures, reducing conditions, low silica contents, and high hydrogen contents in the fluids of two vent sites are consistent with a shallow magmatic source, probably related to a young volcanic eruption event nearby, in which basaltic magma is actively crystallizing. This is the first reported evidence for direct magmatic-hydrothermal interaction on a slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge