Supplementary report to the final report of the coral reef expert group: S6. Novel technologies in coral reef monitoring

[Extract] This report summarises a review of current technological advances applicable to coral reef monitoring, with a focus on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (the Marine Park). The potential of novel technologies to support coral reef monitoring within the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program (RIMReP) framework was evaluated based on their performance, operational maturity and compatibility with traditional methods. Given the complexity of this evaluation, this exercise was systematically structured to address the capabilities of technologies in terms of spatial scales and ecological indicators, using a ranking system to classify expert recommendations.An accessible copy of this report is not yet available from this repository, please contact [email protected] for more information

Microdeletion del(22)(q12.2) encompassing the facial development-associated gene, MN1 (meningioma 1) in a child with Pierre-Robin sequence (including cleft palate) and neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2): a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pierre-Robin sequence (PRS) is defined by micro- and/or retrognathia, glossoptosis and cleft soft palate, either caused by deformational defect or part of a malformation syndrome. Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant syndrome caused by mutations in the <it>NF2 </it>gene on chromosome 22q12.2. NF2 is characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas, spinal cord schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas, and juvenile cataracts. To date, NF2 and PRS have not been described together in the same patient.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a female with PRS (micrognathia, cleft palate), microcephaly, ocular hypertelorism, mental retardation and bilateral hearing loss, who at age 15 was also diagnosed with severe NF2 (bilateral cerebellopontine schwannomas and multiple extramedullary/intradural spine tumors). This is the first published report of an individual with both diagnosed PRS and NF2. High resolution karyotype revealed 46, XX, del(22)(q12.1q12.3), FISH confirmed a deletion encompassing <it>NF2</it>, and chromosomal microarray identified a 3,693 kb deletion encompassing multiple genes including <it>NF2 </it>and <it>MN1 </it>(meningioma 1).</p> <p>Five additional patients with craniofacial dysmorphism and deletion in chromosome 22-adjacent-to or containing <it>NF2 </it>were identified in PubMed and the DECIPHER clinical chromosomal database. Their shared chromosomal deletion encompassed <it>MN1</it>, <it>PITPNB </it>and <it>TTC28</it>. <it>MN1</it>, initially cloned from a patient with meningioma, is an oncogene in murine hematopoiesis and participates as a fusion gene (<it>TEL</it>/<it>MN1</it>) in human myeloid leukemias. Interestingly, <it>Mn1</it>-haploinsufficient mice have abnormal skull development and secondary cleft palate. Additionally, <it>Mn1 </it>regulates maturation and function of calvarial osteoblasts and is an upstream regulator of <it>Tbx22</it>, a gene associated with murine and human cleft palate. This suggests that deletion of <it>MN1 </it>in the six patients we describe may be causally linked to their cleft palates and/or craniofacial abnormalities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Thus, our report describes a <it>NF2</it>-adjacent chromosome 22q12.2 deletion syndrome and is the first to report association of <it>MN1 </it>deletion with abnormal craniofacial development and/or cleft palate in humans.</p

Hollow &quot;graphene&quot; microtubes using a polyacrylonitrile nanofiber template and their potential applications of field emission

We report a simple process to connect graphene sheets forming graphene hollow microtubes (GHMs), where the tube diameter can be adjusted in the 100-500 nm range by changing reaction conditions. We discovered that graphene sheets can be seamlessly linked to each other if C atoms are substituted for N atoms at the edges of the sheets during annealing of graphene oxide(G-O)-coated electrospun PAN carbon fibers in ammonia atmosphere. The G-O/carbon hybrid nanofibers framework served as a confining template around which graphene sheets curved to form tubular structures. The GHMs formed by this process are similar to (very) large diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with relatively low curvature whose electron field-emission properties include a low turn-on voltage of 0.18 V/mm (at J = 10 mu A/cm(2)), low threshold field of 0.35 V/mm (at J = 10 mA/cm(2)), and high field-emission stability. This process to produce GHMs can be scaled up to fabricate GHMs of variable diameter in bulk quantities. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Evaluating the thermal damage resistance of graphene/carbon nanotube hybrid composite coatings

We study laser irradiation behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and chemically modified graphene (rGO)-composite spray coatings for use as a thermal absorber material for high-power laser calorimeters. Spray coatings on aluminum test coupon were exposed to increasing laser irradiance for extended exposure times to quantify their damage threshold and optical absorbance. The coatings, prepared at varying mass % of MWCNTs in rGO, demonstrated significantly higher damage threshold values at 2.5 kW laser power at 10.6 μm wavelength than carbon paint or MWCNTs alone. Electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy of irradiated specimens show that the coating prepared at 50% CNT loading endure at least 2 kW.cmˉ² for 10 seconds without significant damage. The improved damage resistance is attributed to the unique structure of the composite in which the MWCNTs act as an efficient absorber of laser light while the much larger rGO sheets surrounding them, dissipate the heat over a wider area

A contemporary baseline record of the world’s coral reefs

Addressing the global decline of coral reefs requires effective actions from managers, policymakers and society as a whole. Coral reef scientists are therefore challenged with the task of providing prompt and relevant inputs for science-based decision-making. Here, we provide a baseline dataset, covering 1300 km of tropical coral reef habitats globally, and comprised of over one million geo-referenced, high-resolution photo-quadrats analysed using artificial intelligence to automatically estimate the proportional cover of benthic components. The dataset contains information on five major reef regions, and spans 2012-2018, including surveys before and after the 2016 global bleaching event. The taxonomic resolution attained by image analysis, as well as the spatially explicit nature of the images, allow for multi-scale spatial analyses, temporal assessments (decline and recovery), and serve for supporting image recognition developments. This standardised dataset across broad geographies offers a significant contribution towards a sound baseline for advancing our understanding of coral reef ecology and thereby taking collective and informed actions to mitigate catastrophic losses in coral reefs worldwide