Acoustic and optical variations during rapid downward motion episodes in the deep north-western Mediterranean Sea

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was moored at the deep-sea site of the ANTARES neutrino telescope near Toulon, France, thus providing a unique opportunity to compare high-resolution acoustic and optical observations between 70 and 170 m above the sea bed at 2475 m. The ADCP measured downward vertical currents of magnitudes up to 0.03 m s-1 in late winter and early spring 2006. In the same period, observations were made of enhanced levels of acoustic reflection, interpreted as suspended particles including zooplankton, by a factor of about 10 and of horizontal currents reaching 0.35 m s-1. These observations coincided with high light levels detected by the telescope, interpreted as increased bioluminescence. During winter 2006 deep dense-water formation occurred in the Ligurian subbasin, thus providing a possible explanation for these observations. However, the 10-20 days quasi-periodic episodes of high levels of acoustic reflection, light and large vertical currents continuing into the summer are not direct evidence of this process. It is hypothesized that the main process allowing for suspended material to be moved vertically later in the year is local advection, linked with topographic boundary current instabilities along the rim of the 'Northern Current'.Comment: 30 pages, 7 figure

Free Surface Energy Change for Water Adsorbed on Hydroxyapatite

The free energies of immersion for three hydroxyapatite samples of different origin and method of preparation were determined from water adsorption isotherms at 20 and 25 C. The free energies varied with the temperature of the isotherm, changing linearly with the outgassing temperature in the range of 20 and 300 C. The samples outgassed at 300 C yielded free energy of immersion values of 365, 432, and 476 ergs/ cm2 for the VIC-, NBS-, and TVA-HAP, respectively. Work of adhesion and work of spreading were calculated for water on these samples.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67535/2/10.1177_00220345770560070701.pd

Reduced maternal corticosteroid-binding globulin and cortisol levels in pre-eclampsia and gamete recipient pregnancies

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comObjective To measure and contrast maternal cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) levels in pregnancies with normal outcomes, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and in gamete recipients. Study design Prospective study of 93 women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, including gamete recipients (n = 22) and 33 controls. Plasma total and free cortisol and CBG were measured every 2 weeks from 16 weeks’ gestation until delivery. Results Forty-two per cent of the high-risk group had complications, including pre-eclampsia (n = 11), gestational hypertension (n = 16) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates (n = 12). There were no complications in the controls. In all groups, plasma CBG concentrations increased progressively across gestation (P < 0·05), in parallel to total cortisol, but fell significantly from 36 weeks’ gestation onwards, with a corresponding rise in free cortisol concentrations. In pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension, plasma CBG, and total and free cortisol concentrations were lower from 36 weeks onwards (P < 0·05). In IUGR, plasma CBG concentrations were suppressed from 28 weeks’ gestation until delivery (P < 0·05), but with no significant difference in plasma total and free cortisol. Gamete recipients had significantly lower plasma CBG from 20 weeks’ gestation onwards, and plasma total and free cortisol were reduced at 24 and 32 weeks onwards, respectively. Conclusions Maternal plasma CBG, total and free cortisol concentrations are reduced in pre-eclampsia/gestational hypertension, and markedly reduced in gamete recipients. Low CBG may be due to reduced synthesis or enhanced inflammation-driven degradation. Low maternal cortisol may be due to a lack of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone or reduced maternal ACTH, driving cortisol production. Low maternal cortisol may influence the foetal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and disease patterns later in life following complicated pregnancy.Jui T. Ho, John G. Lewis, Peter O’Loughlin, Christopher J. Bagley, Roberto Romero, Gus A. Dekker and David J. Torp