What lies beneath: offshore data acquisition and how we turn those data into science

Detailed and accurate mapping of the marine environment is important for a number of stakeholder groups, including energy companies (oil and gas, and, increasingly, offshore renewables), policy groups who require environmental data for marine spatial planning, resource and conservation management, and academic researchers who aim to better understand the processes that initially formed, and continue to shape these environments. Since the 1960s both industry and researchers alike have undertaken systematic exploration of the UK offshore territory (e.g. Gatliff et al. 1994; Johnson et al. 1993; Ritchie et al. 2011 and references therein). More than 11,000 industry exploration and production wells, and 580 scientific boreholes have been acquired in UK waters. Other physical sampling techniques such as Shipek Grabs that sample the seabed sediments, vibrocorers, gravity corers, piston corers and rock corers total more than 45,000 samples in the territorial waters of the United Kingdom (UK). Integration of these physical samples with 2D and 3D seismic reflection data, and with multibeam echosounder data facilitate the production of detailed maps and an improved understanding of our offshore area. International programmes such as the International Ocean Discovery Program, are also a means by which researchers can acquire offshore data. This paper briefly summarises both traditional techniques and the development of newer tools for offshore data acquisition. Case studies from the central North Sea and offshore deep-water areas of the UK are presented to illustrate their application

Accelerated Reader Program: An Implementation Guide for Teachers

The purpose of this project was to develop a plan for educators, librarians and administrators to use in implementing the Accelerated Reader Program, a computerized reading management program. Research on the benefits of this program was studied. A handbook was created that includes information and processes for the set up, management and use of incentives for the Accelerated Reader Program. This information is presented both for implementation in the individual classrooms as well as school wide

Habitat heterogeneity of hadal trenches: considerations and implications for future studies

The hadal zone largely comprises a series of subduction trenches that do not form part of the continental shelf-slope rise to abyssal plain continuum. Instead they form geographically isolated clusters of deep-sea (6000-11000 m water depth) environments. There is a growing realization in hadal science that ecological patterns and processes are not driven solely by responses to hydrostatic pressure, with comparable levels of habitat heterogeneity as observed in other marine biozones. Furthermore, this heterogeneity can be expressed at multiple scales from inter-trench levels (degrees of geographical isolation, and biochemical province), to intra-trench levels (variation between trench flanks and axis), topographical features within the trench interior (sedimentary basins, ridges, escarpments, ‘deeps’, seamounts) to the substrate of the trench floor (seabed-sediment composition, mass movement deposits, bedrock outcrop). Using best available bathymetry data combined with the largest lander-derived imaging dataset that spans the full depth range of three hadal trenches (including adjacent slopes); the Mariana, Kermadec and New Hebrides trenches, the topographic variability, fine-scale habitat heterogeneity and distribution of seabed sediments of these three trenches have been assessed for the first time. As well as serving as the first descriptive study of habitat heterogeneity at hadal depths, this study also provides guidance for future hadal sampling campaigns taking into account geographic isolation, total trench particulate organic matter flux, maximum water depth and area

British Geological Survey remotely operated sea bed rockdrills and vibrocorers: new advances to meet the needs of the scientific community

The British Geological Survey (BGS) have developed a number of coring and drilling systems for use in science projects in the UK and internationally. These include 3m, 4m and 6m vibrocoring systems; a 5m combined rockdrill and vibrocorer system (RD1); an oriented drill designed specifically to recover samples for use in palaeomagnetic studies; and a 55m rockdrill (RockDrill2). The BGS has recently completed a series of modifications to increase the flexibility and performance of its vibrocoring and rock-drilling capability to meet the ever increasing needs of the scientific community. The latest generation vibrocorers can be operated without an umbilical power cable. The new system not only allows vibrocoring in greater water depths, but can also be used on a wider range of vessels including those with limited deck space. The BGS RockDrill2 can core up to 55m sub-seabed by focussing on reducing the overall weight therefore extending operational water depth to 4000m

Long Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long Term Depression (LTD) Cause Differential Spatial Redistribution of the Synaptic Vesicle Protein Synaptophysin in the Middle Molecular Layer of the Dentate Gyrus in Rat Hippocampus

The presynaptic modifications that accompany long-term changes in synaptic plasticity are still not fully understood. Synaptophysin is a major synaptic vesicle protein involved in neurotransmitter release. We have used quantitative electron microscopy to study synaptophysin (Syn) immunolabelling in the hippocampus of adult rats 24h after induction in vivo of long term potentiation (LTP), and long term depression (LTD). Electrodes were implanted chronically in hippocampus with stimulation at either the medial (MPP) or lateral perforant path (LPP). 24h following induction of LTP or LTD rats were rapidly perfusion fixed and hippocampal tissue processed to electron microscopy via freeze substitution method. Anti-synaptophysin post-embedding immunolabelling was performed and tissue was imaged in the middle molecular layer (MML) of the dentate gyrus. There was a significant decrease in number of Syn labelled vesicles per unit area of bouton after LTP, but not LTD. An analysis of the spatial distribution of Syn labelled synaptic vesicles showed an increase in nearest neighbour distances, more so in the LTP than the LTD group, which is consistent with the overall decrease of Syn after LTP. These data are in agreement with the suggestion that Syn is involved in clathrin-dependent and “kiss and run” endocytosis which occurs perisynaptically. Thus, an increase in release of neurotransmitter and in consequence endocytosis would be consistent with an increased active zone distance for vesicles containing Syn

Ultrastructural Distribution of the 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit in Rat Hippocampus

Acetylcholine (ACh) is an important neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain; it is implicated in arousal, learning, and other cognitive functions. Recent studies indicate that nicotinic receptors contribute to these cholinergic effects, in addition to the established role of muscarinic receptors. In the hippocampus, where cholinergic involvement in learning and memory is particularly well documented, 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits (7 nAChRs) are highly expressed, but their precise ultrastructural localization has not been determined. Here, we describe the results of immunogold labeling of serial ultrathin sections through stratum radiatum of area CA1 in the rat. Using both anti-7 nAChR immunolabeling and -bungarotoxin binding, we find that 7 nAChRs are present at nearly all synapses in CA1 stratum radiatum, with immunolabeling present at both presynaptic and postsynaptic elements. Morphological considerations and double immunolabeling indicate that GABAergic as well as glutamatergic synapses bear 7 nAChRs, at densities approaching those observed for glutamate receptors in CA1 stratum radiatum. Postsynaptically, 7 nAChRs often are distributed at dendritic spines in a perisynaptic annulus. In the postsynaptic cytoplasm, immunolabeling is associated with spine apparatus and other membranous structures, suggesting that 7 nAChRs may undergo dynamic regulation, with insertion into the synapse and subsequent internalization. The widespread and substantial expression of 7 nAChRs at synapses in the hippocampus is consistent with an important role in mediating and/or modulating synaptic transmission, plasticity, and neurodegeneration

Spontaneous Arterial Thrombus and Dissection Associated With Exercise and Exogenous Testosterone Use

Spontaneous lower extremity arterial dissection has been linked to atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic causes. A 55-year-old male presented to the emergency department via emergency medical services for a chief complaint of right leg pain. He stated that he was performing leg exercises when he felt a sudden pop in his right leg followed by severe pain. His exam was remarkable for lack of ipsilateral distal popliteal or dorsalis pedis pulse by palpation or doppler. The patient was admitted to a three-year history of non-prescription testosterone injection use along with a history of prior portal vein thrombosis two years prior with anticoagulation noncompliance after one month of therapy. A computed tomography angiography of the lower extremity was performed which demonstrated complete acute occlusion of the right common iliac, and right external iliac, along with right femoral artery dissection. The patient was emergently taken to the operating room with vascular surgery where a thrombectomy with stent placement was performed. After three days in the surgical intensive care unit and nine days in the hospital, the patient was subsequently discharged from the hospital in good condition. A post-operative follow-up appointment three weeks after discharge revealed mild residual pain; however, no issues ambulating or residual weakness, and normal ankle-brachial indexes. This case highlights a unique presentation of acute limb ischemia associated with exogenous testosterone use

The impact of modelling method selection on predicted extent and distribution of deep-sea benthic assemblages

Predictive modelling of deep-sea species and assemblages with multibeam acoustic datasets as input variables is now a key tool in the provision of maps upon which spatial planning and management of the marine environment can be based. However, with a multitude of methods available, advice is needed on the best methods for the task at hand. In this study, we predictively modelled the distribution and extent of three vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) at the assemblage level (‘Lophelia pertusa reef frameworks’; ‘Stylasterids and lobose sponges’; and ‘Xenophyophore fields’) on the eastern flank of Rockall Bank, using three modelling methods: MaxEnt; RandomForests classification with multiple assemblages (gRF); and RandomForests classification with the presence/absence of a single VME (saRF). Performance metrics indicated that MaxEnt performed the best, but all models were considered valid. All three methods broadly agreed with regard to broad patterns in distribution. However, predicted extent presented a variation of up to 35 % between the different methods, and clear differences in predicted distribution were observed. We conclude that the choice of method is likely to influence the results of predicted maps, potentially impacting political decisions about deep-sea VME conservation

Assessing Ecological and Social Outcomes of a Bear-Proofing Experiment

Human-black bear conflicts within urban environments have been increasing throughout North America, becoming a high priority management issue. The main factor influencing these conflicts is black bears foraging on anthropogenic foods within areas of human development, primarily on residential garbage. Wildlife professionals have advocated for increased bear-proofing measures to decrease the accessibility of garbage to bears, but little research has been conducted to empirically test the effectiveness of this approach for reducing conflicts. Between 2011 and 2016, we conducted a before-after-control-impact experiment in Durango, Colorado where we distributed 1,110 bear-resistant trash containers, enhanced education, and increased enforcement to residents in 2 treatment areas, and monitored 2 paired control areas. We examined the ecological and social outcomes of this experiment, assessing whether bear-resistant containers were effective at reducing conflicts; the level of public compliance (i.e., properly locking away garbage) needed to reduce conflicts; whether the effectiveness of bear-resistant containers increased over time; and if the distribution of bear-resistant containers changed residents’ attitudes about bear management, support for ordinances that require bear-proofing, or perceptions of their future risk of garbage-related conflicts. After the bear-resistant containers were deployed, trash-related conflicts (i.e., observations of strewn trash) were 60% lower in treatment areas than control areas, resident compliance with local wildlife ordinances (properly locking away trash) was 39% higher in treatment areas than control areas, and the effectiveness of the new containers was immediate. Conflicts declined as resident compliance with wildlife ordinances increased to approximately 60% (by using a bear-resistant container or locking trash in a secure location), with minor additional declines in conflicts at higher levels of compliance. In addition to these ecological benefits, public mail surveys demonstrated that the deployment of bear-resistant containers was associated with increases in the perceived quality of bear management and support for ordinances that require bear-proofing, and declines in the perceived risk of future trash-related conflicts. Our results validate efforts by wildlife professionals and municipalities to reduce black bear access to human foods, and should encourage other entities of the merits of bear-proofing efforts for reducing human-bear conflicts and improving public attitudes about bears and their management