Macroalgae and Eelgrass Mapping in Great Bay Estuary Using AISA Hyperspectral Imagery.

Results Increases in nitrogen concentration and declining eelgrass beds in Great Bay Estuary have been observed in the last decades. These two parameters are clear indicators of the impending eutrophication for New Hampshire’s estuaries. The NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) in collaboration with the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership adopted the assumption that eelgrass survival can be used as the target for establishing numeric water quality criteria for nutrients in NH’s estuaries. One of the hypotheses put forward regarding eelgrass decline is that an eutrophication response to nutrient increases in the Great Bay Estuary has been the proliferation of nuisance macroalgae, which has reduced eelgrass area in Great Bay Estuary. To determine the extent of this effect, mapping of eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae beds using hyperspectral imagery was suggested. A hyperspectral image was made by SpecTIR in August 2007 using an AISA Eagle sensor. The collected dataset was then used to map eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae throughout the Great Bay Estuary. Here we outline the procedure for mapping the macroalgae and eelgrass beds. Hyperspectral imagery was effective where known spectral signatures could be easily identified. Comprehensive eelgrass and macroalgae maps of the estuary could only be produced by combining hyperspectral imagery with ground-truth information and expert opinion. Macroalgae was predominantly located in areas where eelgrass formerly existed. Macroalgae mats have now replaced nearly 9% of the area formerly occupied by eelgrass in Great Bay

Restoration of Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Habitat for Multiple Estuarine Species Benefits

Increase in nitrogen concentration and declining eelgrass beds in Great Bay Estuary have been observed in the last decades. These two parameters are clear indicators of the impending problems for NH’s estuaries. The NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) in collaboration with the New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) adopted the assumption that eelgrass survival can be used as the water quality target for nutrient criteria development for NH’s estuaries. One of the hypotheses put forward regarding eelgrass decline is that a possible eutrophication response to nutrient increases in the Great Bay Estuary has been the proliferation of nuisance macroalgae, which has reduced eelgrass area in Great Bay Estuary. To test this hypothesis, mapping of eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae beds using hyperspectral imagery was suggested. A hyperspectral imagery was conducted by SpecTIR in August 2007 using an AISA Eagle sensor. The collected dataset was used to map eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae throughout the Great Bay Estuary. This report outlines the configured procedure for mapping the macroalgae and eelgrass beds using hyperspectral imagery. No ground truth measurements of eelgrass or macroalgae were collected as part of this project, although eelgrass ground truth data was collected as part of a separate project. Guidance from eelgrass and macroalgae experts was used for identifying training sets and evaluating the classification results. The results produced a comprehensive eelgrass and macroalgae map of the estuary. Three recommendations are suggested following the experience gained in this study: conducting ground truth measurements at the time of the HS survey, acquiring the current DEM model of Great Bay Estuary, and examining additional HS datasets with expert eelgrass and macroalgae guidance. These three issues can improve the classification results and allow more advanced applications, such as identification of macroalgae types

Macroalgae and eelgrass mapping in Great Bay Estuary using AISA hyperspectral imagery

Increase in nitrogen concentration and declining eelgrass beds in Great Bay Estuary have been observed in the last decades. These two parameters are clear indicators of the impending problems for NH’s estuaries. The NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) in collaboration with the New Hampshire Estuaries Project (NHEP) adopted the assumption that eelgrass survival can be used as the water quality target for nutrient criteria development for NH’s estuaries. One of the hypotheses put forward regarding eelgrass decline is that a possible eutrophication response to nutrient increases in the Great Bay Estuary has been the proliferation of nuisance macroalgae, which has reduced eelgrass area in Great Bay Estuary. To test this hypothesis, mapping of eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae beds using hyperspectral imagery was suggested. A hyperspectral imagery was conducted by SpecTIR in August 2007 using an AISA Eagle sensor. The collected dataset was used to map eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae throughout the Great Bay Estuary. This report outlines the configured procedure for mapping the macroalgae and eelgrass beds using hyperspectral imagery. No ground truth measurements of eelgrass or macroalgae were collected as part of this project, although eelgrass ground truth data was collected as part of a separate project. Guidance from eelgrass and macroalgae experts was used for identifying training sets and evaluating the classification results. The results produced a comprehensive eelgrass and macroalgae map of the estuary. Three recommendations are suggested following the experience gained in this study: conducting ground truth measurements at the time of the HS survey, acquiring the current DEM model of Great Bay Estuary, and examining additional HS datasets with expert eelgrass and macroalgae guidance. These three issues can improve the classification results and allow more advanced applications, such as identification of macroalgae types

Using Moored Arrays and Hyperspectral Aerial Imagery to Develop Eelgrass-based Nutrient Criteria for New Hampshire\u27s Great Bay Estuary

Increasing nitrogen concentrations and declining eelgrass beds in the Great Bay Estuary, NH are clear indicators of impending problems for the state’s estuaries. A workgroup established in 2005 by the NH Department of Environmental Services and the NH Estuaries Project (NHEP) adopted eelgrass survival as the water quality target for nutrient criteria development for NH’s estuaries. In 2007, the NHEP received grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to collect water quality information including that from moored sensors and hyper-spectral imagery data of the Great Bay Estuary. A second grant in 2008 was directed at determining the influence of nuisance macroalgae proliferation on eelgrass bed extent in the context of eutrophication. Here we present the results of these two projects with the spatial distributions of water quality, shallow water bathymetry, and the extent of eelgrass and macroalgae. The results are discussed with respect to eelgrass survivability models, historical eelgrass distributions, and using eutrophication responses in the Great Bay Estuary as a model for other northern, macrotidal estuaries. The expected outcome of this research will support the development of numeric nutrient criteria for NH’s estuaries

Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy of a Web- and Telephone-Based Personalised Exercise Intervention for Individuals with Metastatic Prostate Cancer: The ExerciseGuide Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

Preliminary research has shown the effectiveness of supervised exercise-based interventions in alleviating sequela resulting from metastatic prostate cancer. However, many individuals encounter barriers that limit the uptake of face-to-face exercise. Technology-enabled interventions offer a distance-based alternative. This pilot study aimed to explore the acceptability, safety and preliminary efficacy of a web-based exercise intervention (ExerciseGuide) in individuals with metastatic prostate cancer. Forty participants (70.2 ± 8.5 years) with metastatic prostate cancer were randomised into the 8-week intervention (N = 20) or a wait-list control (N = 20). The intervention arm had access to a computer-tailored website, personalised exercise prescription and remote supervision. ExerciseGuide was deemed acceptable with a score ≥20 on the client satisfaction questionnaire; however, the usability score was just below the pre-specified score of ≥68 on the software usability scale. There were no serious adverse events reported. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels between baseline and follow-ups were significantly higher (10.0 min per day; 95% CI = (1.3-18.6); p = 0.01) in the intervention group compared to wait-list control. There were also greater improvements in step count (1332; 95% CI = (159-2505); p = 0.02) and identified motivation (0.4, 95% CI = (0.0, 0.7); p = 0.04). Our findings provide preliminary evidence that ExerciseGuide is acceptable, safe and efficacious among individuals with metastatic prostate cancer

Pan-cancer analysis of whole genomes

Cancer is driven by genetic change, and the advent of massively parallel sequencing has enabled systematic documentation of this variation at the whole-genome scale(1-3). Here we report the integrative analysis of 2,658 whole-cancer genomes and their matching normal tissues across 38 tumour types from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We describe the generation of the PCAWG resource, facilitated by international data sharing using compute clouds. On average, cancer genomes contained 4-5 driver mutations when combining coding and non-coding genomic elements; however, in around 5% of cases no drivers were identified, suggesting that cancer driver discovery is not yet complete. Chromothripsis, in which many clustered structural variants arise in a single catastrophic event, is frequently an early event in tumour evolution; in acral melanoma, for example, these events precede most somatic point mutations and affect several cancer-associated genes simultaneously. Cancers with abnormal telomere maintenance often originate from tissues with low replicative activity and show several mechanisms of preventing telomere attrition to critical levels. Common and rare germline variants affect patterns of somatic mutation, including point mutations, structural variants and somatic retrotransposition. A collection of papers from the PCAWG Consortium describes non-coding mutations that drive cancer beyond those in the TERT promoter(4); identifies new signatures of mutational processes that cause base substitutions, small insertions and deletions and structural variation(5,6); analyses timings and patterns of tumour evolution(7); describes the diverse transcriptional consequences of somatic mutation on splicing, expression levels, fusion genes and promoter activity(8,9); and evaluates a range of more-specialized features of cancer genomes(8,10-18).Peer reviewe

Potential cellular and biochemical mechanisms of exercise and physical activity on the ageing process

Exercise in young adults has been consistently shown to improve various aspects of physiological and psychological health but we are now realising the potential benefits of exercise with advancing age. Specifically, exercise improves cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic health through reductions in oxidative stress, chronic low-grade inflammation and modulating cellular processes within a variety of tissues. In this this chapter we will discuss the effects of acute and chronic exercise on these processes and conditions in an ageing population, and how physical activity affects our vasculature, skeletal muscle function, our immune system, and cardiometabolic risk in older adults

Evaluating a web- and telephone-based personalised exercise intervention for individuals living with metastatic prostate cancer (ExerciseGuide): protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Preliminary research has shown the effectiveness of supervised exercise-based interventions in alleviating sequela resulting from metastatic prostate cancer. Despite this, many individuals do not engage in sufficient exercise to gain the benefits. There are many barriers, which limit the uptake of face-to-face exercise in this population including lack of suitable facilities, remoteness, and access to experts, significant fatigue, urinary incontinence and motivation. Technology-enabled interventions offer a distance-based alternative. This protocol describes a pilot two-armed randomised controlled study that will investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an online exercise and behavioural change tool (ExerciseGuide) amongst individuals with metastatic prostate cancer. Methods: Sixty-six participants with histologically diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer will be randomised into either the 8-week intervention or a wait-list control. The intervention arm will have access to a tailored website, remote supervision, and tele-coaching sessions to enhance support and adherence. Algorithms will individually prescribe resistance and aerobic exercise based upon factors such as metastasis location, pain, fatigue, confidence and current exercise levels. Behavioural change strategies and education on exercise benefits, safety and lifestyle are also tailored through the website. The primary outcome will be intervention feasibility (safety, usability, acceptability, and adherence). Secondary exploratory outcomes include changes in physical activity, quality of life, sleep, and physical function. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and week 9. Discussion: The study aims to determine the potential feasibility of an online remotely monitored exercise intervention developed for individuals with metastatic prostate cancer. If feasible, this pilot intervention will inform the design and implementation of further distance-based interventions

Macroalgae and Eelgrass Mapping in Great Bay Estuary Using AISA Hyperspectral Imagery

Increases in nitrogen concentration and declining eelgrass beds in Great Bay Estuary have been observed in the last decades. These two parameters are clear indicators of the impending eutrophication for New Hampshire’s estuaries. The NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) in collaboration with the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership adopted the assumption that eelgrass survival can be used as the target for establishing numeric water quality criteria for nutrients in NH’s estuaries. One of the hypotheses put forward regarding eelgrass decline is that an eutrophication response to nutrient increases in the Great Bay Estuary has been the proliferation of nuisance macroalgae, which has reduced eelgrass area in Great Bay Estuary. To determine the extent of this effect, mapping of eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae beds using hyperspectral imagery was suggested. A hyperspectral image was made by SpecTIR in August 2007 using an AISA Eagle sensor. The collected dataset was then used to map eelgrass and nuisance macroalgae throughout the Great Bay Estuary. Here we outline the procedure for mapping the macroalgae and eelgrass beds. Hyperspectral imagery was effective where known spectral signatures could be easily identified. Comprehensive eelgrass and macroalgae maps of the estuary could only be produced by combining hyperspectral imagery with groundtruth information and expert opinion. Macroalgae was predominantly located in areas where eelgrass formerly existed. Macroalgae mats have now replaced nearly 9% of the area formerly occupied by eelgrass in Great Bay

Eelgrass and macroalgal mapping to develop nutrient criteria in New Hampshire’s estuaries using hyperspectral imagery

In recent years, mapping of seagrass beds for assessment of water quality has become more common in the United States and around the world. The static location of seagrass on marine sediments and its sensitivity to light make it a good environmental indicator and an alternative to water sampling of suspended particulates and dissolved matter. The New Hampshire (NH) Department of Environmental Services (DES) adopted the assumption that eelgrass survival could be used as the water quality target for nutrient criteria in NH\u27s estuaries. One of the hypotheses put forward regarding eelgrass decline in the Great Bay Estuary (GBE) is that a eutrophication response to nutrient increases caused proliferation of nuisance macroalgae. This paper presents an eelgrass and macroalgae mapping procedure using hyperspectral imagery (HSI) collected by an AISA Eagle sensor. In addition to HSI, an external source bathymetric dataset provided a key dataset in the procedure. The bathymetric dataset was used to correct for light attenuation by the water column for resolving bottom reflectance and to calculate the extinction depth of light in the estuary\u27s water for mapping areas that are optically deep. The procedure was developed in the Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) and includes two separate approaches based on the available spectral ranges for mapping vegetation above and below the water. A composite eelgrass and macroalgal map was produced over Great Bay proper. A high level of correlation was found between the eelgrass results to more detailed eelgrass maps (above 30% density) produced from aerial imagery and ground truthing. Little quantitative verification for the macroalgal data was available beyond a visual inspection. The two datasets showed good correlation. Based on the procedural results and long-term eelgrass mapping data, numeric nutrient criteria for NH\u27s estuaries were developed