Late Holocene shorelines deduced from tidal notches on both sides of the Ionian Thrust (Greece): Fiscardo Peninsula (Cephalonia) and Ithaca Island.

Fossil shorelines produced by recent co-seismic movements were identified throughasubmarine survey along the coasts of Ithaca and Fiscardo (Greece).In both areas a tidal notch-slightly submerged below present Mean Sea Level (MSL) was observed at various sites. This “modern” notch is known to have been submerged by the global sea-level rise during the 19th and 20th centuries. The depth after tide and air-pressure correction of the vertex of the “modern” notch (that owes its submergence to the current rapid sea level rise) was measured between -20 and -30±5cm at Fiscardo and between -36 and -45±6cm at Ithaca. This “modern” notch at the same depth on east and west sides of the Ionian Thrust suggests that both areas were not affected by the co-seismic vertical movements that occurred in 1953 (in the wider area). On the other hand, a greater depth in Ithaca could be an effect of co-seismic subsidence. Over the long term, the tectonic behavior of Ithaca differs from Fiscardo. At Ithaca no evidence of emergence was found and Holocene vertical movements have been only of subsidence: submerged fossil tidal notches were distinguished below MSL at about -40 (modern), -60, -75, -95, -106, -126, -150 and -220±6cm. On the East coast of Fiscardo peninsula impacts of ancient earthquakes have left some marks of emergence at about +18 and +44±5cm, and of submergence at about -25 (modern), -45, -60, -75, -82, -100 and -230cm, with even some evidence of past uplift and subsidence at the same sites

Late Holocene tectonic implications deduced from tidal notches in Leukas and Meganisi islands (Ionian Sea)

In this paper the tectonic behavior of Leukas and Meganisi islands (Ionian Sea) is examined through underwater research carried out in both islands. A possible Late Holocene correlation between coseismic subsidences is attempted and evidenced by submerged tidal notches in both islands. These subsidence events probably occurred after the uplift that affected the northernmost part of Leukas around 4 to 5ka BP. In conclusion, although the whole area was affected by a similar tectonic strain, certain coseismic events were only recorded in one of the two islands and in some cases they affected only part of the study are

Rapid Profiling of Marine Notches Using a Handheld Laser Distance Meter

A rapid, single-user profiling method for rocky shores is described. The Leica Disto D8 handheld laser distance meter measures distance up to 100 m and inclination in 360 degrees. It automatically calculates horizontal distance and vertical elevation. Memory storage accommodates data for 30 measurement points, allowing easy plotting of shore profiles. This technique allows even inaccessible, dangerous, and overhanging cliff faces to be evaluated faithfully and within minutes. It is a major improvement over standard methods that often involve risky coasteering and climbing. Examples are given from marine notches in Thailand

Decadal variability of European sea level extremes in relation to the solar activity

This study investigates the relationship between decadal changes in solar activity and sea level extremes along the European coasts and derived from tide gauge data. Autumn sea level extremes vary with the 11 year solar cycle at Venice as suggested by previous studies, but a similar link is also found at Trieste. In addition, a solar signal in winter sea level extremes is also found at Venice, Trieste, Marseille, Ceuta, Brest, and Newlyn. The influence of the solar cycle is also evident in the sea level extremes derived from a barotropic model with spatial patterns that are consistent with the correlations obtained at the tide gauges. This agreement indicates that the link to the solar cycle is through modulation of the atmospheric forcing. The only atmospheric regional pattern that showed variability at the 11 year period was the East Atlantic pattern

Impaired GH Secretion in Patients with SHOX Deficiency and Efficacy of Recombinant Human GH Therapy.

Background/Aims: Mutations of the short stature homeobox-containing (SHOX) gene on the pseudoautosomal region of the sex chromosomes cause short stature. GH treatment has been recently proposed to improve height in short patients with SHOX deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate GH secretion and analyze growth and safety of recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy in short children and adolescents with SHOX deficiency. Patients and Design: We studied 16 patients (10 females; 9.7 ± 2.9 years old; height -2.46 ± 0.82 standard deviation score, SDS) with SHOX deficiency. All subjects underwent auxological evaluations, biochemical investigations, and were treated with rhGH (0.273 ± 0.053 mg/kg/week). Results: Impaired GH secretion was present in 37.5% of the studied subjects. Comparing baseline data with those at the last visit, we found that rhGH treatment improved growth velocity SDS (from -1.03 ± 1.44 to 2.77 ± 1.95; p = 0.001), height SDS (from -2.41 ± 0.71 to -1.81 ± 0.87; p < 0.001), and IGF-1 values (from -0.57 ± 1.23 to 0.63 ± 1.63 SDS, p = 0.010) without affecting body mass index SDS. Height SDS measured at the last visit was significantly correlated with chronological age (r = -0.618, p = 0.032), bone age (r = -0.582, p = 0.047) and height SDS (r = 0.938, p < 0.001) at the beginning of treatment. No adverse events were reported on rhGH therapy which was never discontinued. Conclusion: These data showed that impaired GH secretion is not uncommon in SHOX deficiency subjects, and that rhGH therapy may be effective in increasing height in most of these patients independent of their GH secretory status, without causing any adverse events of concern

Flood Protection in Venice under Conditions of Sea-Level Rise: An Analysis of Institutional and Technical Measures

It is widely acknowledged that in times of climate change loss of coastal resources and risk for human life can be minimized by implementing adaptation strategies. Such strategies need to encompass a balanced mix of non-structural (institutional) and structural (technical) measures based on sound scientific knowledge. This article discusses measures carried out to protect the city of Venice, Italy from flooding (locally known as “high water”), and reflects on their ability to anticipate a possible acceleration of sea-level rise as induced by climate change. It is based on scientific literature, legislative and policy documents of key institutions, reports and documents of organizations working on Venice issues, newspaper articles, and interviews. Our analysis shows that the synergic action of the hydraulic defense infrastructure under construction is in principle adequate to withstand a broad range of sea-level rise scenarios for the next 100 years. However, when the goal is to use these investments effectively major changes in the existing institutional arrangements will be required in the years to come. The Venice findings point out the difficulties and yet the importance of identifying and implementing both non-structural and structural measures to adapt to climate change

A flood damage allowance framework for coastal protection with deep uncertainty in sea-level rise

Future projections of Antarctic ice sheet (AIS) mass loss remain characterized by deep uncertainty (i.e., behavior is not well understood or widely agreed upon by experts). This complicates decisions on long-lived projects involving the height of coastal flood protection strategies that seek to reduce damages from rising sea levels. If a prescribed margin of safety does not properly account for sea-level rise and its uncertainties, the effectiveness of flood protection will decrease over time, potentially putting lives and property at greater risk. We develop a flood damage allowance framework for calculating the height of a flood protection strategy needed to ensure that a given level of financial risk is maintained (i.e., the average flood damage in a given year). The damage allowance framework considers decision-maker preferences such as planning horizons, preferred protection strategies (storm surge barrier, levee, elevation, and coastal retreat), and subjective views of AIS stability. We use Manhattan (New York City)\textemdash with the distribution of buildings, populations, and infrastructure fixed in time\textemdash as an example to show how our framework could be used to calculate a range of damage allowances based on multiple plausible AIS outcomes. Assumptions regarding future AIS stability more strongly influence damage allowances under high greenhouse gas emissions (Representative Concentration Pathway [RCP] 8.5) compared to those that assume strong emissions reductions (RCP2.6). Design tools that specify financial risk targets, such as the average flood damage in a given year, allow for the calculation of avoided flood damages (i.e., benefits) that can be combined with estimates of construction cost and then integrated into existing financial decision-making tools, like benefit-cost or cost-effectiveness analyses

Nomenclature for renal replacement therapy and blood purification techniques in critically ill patients: practical applications

This article reports the conclusions of the second part of a consensus expert conference on the nomenclature of renal replacement therapy (RRT) techniques currently utilized to manage acute kidney injury and other organ dysfunction syndromes in critically ill patients. A multidisciplinary approach was taken to achieve harmonization of definitions, components, techniques, and operations of the extracorporeal therapies. The article describes the RRT techniques in detail with the relevant technology, procedures, and phases of treatment and key aspects of volume management/fluid balance in critically ill patients. In addition, the article describes recent developments in other extracorporeal therapies, including therapeutic plasma exchange, multiple organ support therapy, liver support, lung support, and blood purification in sepsis. This is a consensus report on nomenclature harmonization in extracorporeal blood purification therapies, such as hemofiltration, plasma exchange, multiple organ support therapies, and blood purification in sepsis

Holocene evolution of a barrier island system, Ria Formosa, South Portugal

Holocene evolution of the Ria Formosa barrier island system was studied through the examination of a large subsurface dataset acquired from 191 boreholes and five seismic refraction profiles. Two boreholes with total depths of 26 and 16.5 m were selected for a multi-proxy detailed laboratory analysis, including mean grain size distribution, organic matter (OM) content, color variation, shell identification, and benthic foraminifera assemblages. Selected cores are thought to be representative of the identified depositional sub-basins. Subsurface age data from 16 AMS C-14 dated samples were plotted against depth and resulted in a coherent age model of sedimentary infill. The system evolution was largely controlled by sediment availability, accommodation space, and Holocene sea level rise, first at a rapid rate of 7 mm/yr from 10 kcal yr BP to 7.25 kcal yr BP, followed by a slowdown to 1.1 mm/yr until present. A conceptual model for the origin and Holocene evolution of the Ria Formosa barrier island system implies three main steps, leading to the present system geomorphology: (1) marine flooding of incised palaeovalleys by the rapid transgression of palaeovalleys in the early Holocene(2) development of a proto-barrier island chain perched on Pleistocene detritic headlands and steeper interfluve areas during the early to middle Holoceneand (3) full development of the barrier islands chain and enclosing of the coastal lagoon, followed by the maturation of the system with subsequent siltation and salt marsh expansion from the middle Holocene until present. The onset of barrier system formation dates back to ca. 8 kcal yr BP, predating previously proposed age.SIHER project [PTDC/CTE-GIX112236/2009]EU Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate in Marine and Coastal Management (MACOMA) fellowship grant, under University of AlgarveEU Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate in Marine and Coastal Management (MACOMA) fellowship grant, under University of Cadi

Quaternary development of resilient reefs on the subsiding kimberley continental margin, Northwest Australia

The Kimberley region in remote northwest Australia has poorly known reef systems of two types; coastal fringing reefs and atoll-like shelf-edge reefs. As a major geomorphic feature (from 12ºS to 18ºS) situated along a subsiding continental margin, the shelf edge reefs are in a tropical realm with warm temperatures, relatively low salinity, clear low nutrient waters lacking sediment input, and Indo-West Pacific corals of moderate diversity. Seismic architecture of the Rowley Shoals reveals that differential pre-Holocene subsidence and relative elevation of the pre-Holocene substrate have controlled lagoon sediment infill and reef morphology, forming an evolutionary series reflecting differential accommodation in three otherwise similar reef systems.The Holocene core described for North Scott Reef confirms previous seismic interpretations, and provides a rare ocean-facing reef record. It demonstrates that the Indo-Pacific reef growth phase (RG111) developed during moderate rates of sea level rise of 10 mm/year from 11 to about 7-6.5 ka BP until sea level stabilization, filling the available 27 m of pre-Holocene accommodation. Despite the medium to high hydrodynamic energy imposed by the 4m tides, swell waves and cyclones the reef-building communities represent relatively low-wave energy settings due to their southeast facing and protection afforded by the proximity of the South Reef platform. This study demonstrates the resilience of reefs on the subsiding margin whilst linking Holocene reef morphology to the relative amount of pre-Holocene subsidence