Neogene benthic foraminiferal stratigraphy and deep water history of Sites 645, 646, and 647, Baffin Bay and Labrador Sea

Benthic foraminifers were examined from Neogene sediments of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 645, 646, and 647 to determine their biostratigraphy and to place constraints on the paleoceanographic history of Baffin Bay, Eirik Ridge, and the Gloria Drift. At Site 645 in Baffin Bay, a Pleistocene Stetsonia assemblage is similar to the modern Baffin Bay assemblage, but an underlying Epistominella takayanagii assemblage has no modern analog. Miocene assemblages below a barren interval display low diversity and consist mainly of agglutinated species. At Site 646 in the Labrador Sea, benthic faunal turnovers occur near important seismic horizons. A Miocene Nuttallides umbonifera assemblage similar to assemblages at other North Atlantic sites occurs below reflector R3. Above reflector R3, a coarse agglutinated assemblage containing more diversified calcareous benthic foraminifers was found that displays affinity to assemblages in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea. The faunal turnover near reflector R3 was interpreted as reflecting the onset (or renewal) of significant Denmark Straits Overflow Water at Site 646 at ~7.5 Ma, Agglutinated species disappear between reflector R2 and the base of the sediment drift, indicating a change in deep-water properties that occurred at ~ 4.7 Ma. This turnover ultimately may be linked to the reopening of the Mediterranean. The beginning of drift sedimentation at the Eirik Ridge is dated at —4.5 Ma. Drift formation ceased at ~2.5 Ma, concomitant with the appearance of ice-rafted sediments. Pleistocene assemblages containing Stetsonia horvathi display affinity to deep assemblages in high-latitude ocean basins. Upper Pliocene and Pleistocene benthic assemblages at Site 647 contain N. umbonifera, which indicates a continued influence of corrosive deep water at the Gloria Drift

Investigations for Ergonomic Presentation of AIS Symbols for ECDIS

Empirical investigations were carried out in a research project for the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Housing to evaluate the presentation of AIS target information on ECDIS. The investigations were performed at three international simulation centres. The features, colour and fillingjsize of AIS symbols, as well as the influence of the ECDIS display category on the detection of AIS targets were the main issues of the investigations. Results show that blue (5-52 colour token RE5BL) is the most suitable colour of the tested colours for the presentation of AIS targets under all ambient light conditions on the tested IHO S-52 colour tables

Infrared spectra of Mg-SiO smokes : comparison with analytical electron microscopy studies

An important component of current models for interstellar and circumstellar evolution is the infrared (IR)spectral data collected from stellar outflows around oxygen-rich stars and from the general interstellar medium [1]. IR spectra from these celestial bodies are usually interpreted as showing the general properties of sub-micron sized silicate grains [2]. Two major features at 10 and 20 microns are reasonably attributed to amorphous olivine or pyroxene (e.g. Mg2Si04 or MgSi03) on the basis of comparisons with natural standards and vapor condensed silicates [3-6]. In an attempt to define crystallisation rates for spectrally amorphous condensates, Nuth and Donn [5] annealed experimentally produced amorphous magnesium silicate smokes at 1000K. On analysing these smokes at various annealing times, Nuth and Donn [5] showed that changes in crystallinity measured by bulk X-ray diffraction occured at longer annealing times (days) than changes measured by IR spectra (a few hours). To better define the onset of crystallinity in these magnesium silicates, we have examined each annealed product using a JEOL 1OOCX analytical electron microscope (AEM). In addition, the development of chemical diversity with annealing has been monitored using energy dispersive spectroscopy of individual grains from areas <20nm in diameter. Furthermore, the crystallisation kinetics of these smokes under ambient, room temperature conditions have been examined using bulk and fourier transform infrared (FTIR)spectra

Teaching percutaneous renal biopsy using unfixed human cadavers

Background: Percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) is an important diagnostic procedure. Despite advances in its safety profile there remains a small but significant risk of bleeding complications. Traditionally, operators train to perform PRB through tutor instruction and directly supervised PRB attempts on real patients. We describe an approach to teaching operators to perform PRB using cadaveric simulation. Methods: We devised a full day course hosted in the Clinical Anatomy Skills Centre, with places for nine candidates. Course faculty consisted of two Consultant Nephrologists, two Nephrology trainees experienced in PRB, and one Radiologist. Classroom instruction included discussion of PRB indications, risk minimisation, and management of complications. Two faculty members acted as models for the demonstration of kidney localisation using real-time ultrasound scanning. PRB was demonstrated using a cadaveric model, and candidates then practised PRB using each cadaver model. Results: Written candidate feedback was universally positive. Faculty considered the cadaveric model a realistic representation of live patients, while the use of multiple cadavers introduced anatomical variation. Conclusions: Our model facilitates safe simulation of a high risk procedure. This might reduce serious harm associated with PRB and improve patient safety, benefiting trainee operators and patients alike

From ethnographic research to big data analytics - A case of maritime energy-efficiency optimization

The shipping industry constantly strives to achieve efficient use of energy during sea voyages. Previous research that can take advantages of both ethnographic studies and big data analytics to understand factors contributing to fuel consumption and seek solutions to support decision making is rather scarce. This paper first employed ethnographic research regarding the use of a commercially available fuel-monitoring system. This was to contextualize the real challenges on ships and informed the need of taking a bigdata approach to achieve energy efficiency(EE).Then this study constructed two machine-learning models based on the recorded voyage data of five different ferries over a one-year period. The evaluation showed that the models generalize well on different training data sets and model outputs indicated a potential for better performance than the existing commercial EE system. How this predictive-analytical approach could potentially impact the design of decision support navigational systems and management practices was also discussed. It is hoped that this inter disciplinary research could provide some enlightenment for a richer methodological framework in future maritime energy research.\ua0\ua9 2020 by the authors

From ethnographic research to big data analytics - A case of maritime energy-efficiency optimization

The shipping industry constantly strives to achieve efficient use of energy during sea voyages. Previous research that can take advantages of both ethnographic studies and big data analytics to understand factors contributing to fuel consumption and seek solutions to support decision making is rather scarce. This paper first employed ethnographic research regarding the use of a commercially available fuel-monitoring system. This was to contextualize the real challenges on ships and informed the need of taking a big data approach to achieve energy efficiency (EE). Then this study constructed two machine-learning models based on the recorded voyage data of five different ferries over a one-year period. The evaluation showed that the models generalize well on different training data sets and model outputs indicated a potential for better performance than the existing commercial EE system. How this predictive-analytical approach could potentially impact the design of decision support navigational systems and management practices was also discussed. It is hoped that this interdisciplinary research could provide some enlightenment for a richer methodological framework in future maritime energy researc

Investigations for Ergonomic Presentation of AIS Symbols on ECDIS

Empirical investigations were carried out in a research project for the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Housing to evaluate the presentation of AIS target information on ECDIS. The investigations were performed at three international simulation centres. The features, colour and fillingjsize of AIS symbols, as well as the influence of the ECDIS display category on the detection of AIS targets were the main issues of the investigations. Results show that blue (5-52 colour token RE5BL) is the most suitable colour of the tested colours for the presentation of AIS targets under all ambient light conditions on the tested IHO S-52 colour tables.Las investigaciones empfricas fueron llevadas a cabo en un proyecto de investigacion para el Ministerio Federal Aleman de Transporte, Construccion y Vivienda para evaluar la presentacion de la informacion de objetos del AIS en el ECDIS. Se emprendieron investigaciones en tres centros de simulacion intemacionales. Las caracterfsticas, color y tamaino de los simbolos del AIS, asi como la influencia de la categoria de la presentacion ECDIS en la deteccion de objetos del AIS fueron los temas principales de las investigaciones. Los resultados muestran que el azul (muestras del color RESBL de la S-52) es el color mas apropiado de entre los colores puestos a prueba, para la presentacion de los objetos del AIS bajo todas las condiciones de luz ambiente en las tablas de colores puestos a prueba de la S-52 de la OHI.Des investigations empiriques ant ete effectuees dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche du Ministere federal allemand des Transports, de la Construction et du logement, en vue d'evaluer la presentation des informations cibles des systemes AIS sur les ECDIS. Ces investigations ont ete effectuees dans trois centres de simulation intemationaux. La couleur des elements et la teinte /la taille des signes conventionnels des AIS, ainsi que l'influence de la categorie d'affichage de l'ECDIS sur la detection des cibles AIS ant constitue les principaux themes des investigations. Les resultats ant montre que le bleu (code de couleur RE5BL dans la S52) est la couleur la plus appropriee parmi celles testees pour la presentation des cibles AIS sous toutes les conditions ambiantes de lumiliere dans le cadre des tables de couleur testees de la S52 de l'OHI

Lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and stable-isotope stratigraphy of cores from ODP Leg 105 site surveys, Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay

Trigger weight (TWC) and piston (PC) cores obtained from surveys of the three sites drilled during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 105 were studied in detail for benthic foraminiferal assemblages, total carbonate (all sites), planktonic foraminiferal abundances (Sites 645 and 647), and stable isotopes (Sites 646 and 647). These high-resolution data provide the link between modern environmental conditions represented by the sediment in the TWC and the uppermost cores of the ODP holes. This link provides essential control data for interpretating late Pleistocene paleoceanographic records from these core holes. At Site 645 in Baffin Bay, local correlation is difficult because the area is dominated by ice-rafted deposits and by debris flows and/or turbidite sedimentation. At the two Labrador Sea sites (646 and 647), the survey cores and uppermost ODP cores can be correlated. High-resolution data from the site survey cores also provide biostratigraphic data that refine the interpretations compiled from core-catcher samples at each ODP site

"Are You Planning to Follow Your Route?" The Effect of Route Exchange on Decision Making, Trust, and Safety

The Sea Traffic Management (STM) Validation project is a European based initiative which focuses on connecting and updating the maritime world in real time, with efficient information exchange. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate two functions developed during the project: a ship to ship route exchange (S2SREX) function and rendezvous (RDV) information layer, collectively referred to as S2SREX/RDV. S2SREX displays the route segment consisting of the next seven waypoints of the monitored route of a collaborating ship and the RDV layer that predicts a meeting point. S2SREX/RDV provides supplementary information to data acquired by existing navigation systems and is intended to improve situational awareness and safety through a more comprehensive understanding of the surrounding traffic. Chalmers University of Technology and Solent University completed an experiment using twenty-four experienced navigators in bridge simulators. Six traffic scenarios were developed by subject matter experts and tested with and without S2SREX/RDV functionalities. Qualitative data were collected using post-test questionnaires and group debriefs to evaluate the participants\u27 perceptions of S2SREX/RDV in the various traffic scenarios, and quantitative data were collected to assess the ship distances and behavior in relation to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). The results revealed that participants generally trusted the S2SREX/RDV information, and most used S2SREX/RDV for decision support. The quantitative assessment revealed that the COLREGs were breached more often when S2SREX/RDV was used. Experimental findings are discussed in relation to safety, trust, reliance, situational awareness, and human-automation interaction constructs

An evaluation of low-level automation navigation functions upon vessel traffic services work practices

The Sea Traffic Management (STM) Validation Project is a European-based initiative with ambitions to improve maritime safety and efficiency through information sharing in real time. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the “STM services,” which can be categorized as low-level automated functions designed to improve information exchange between ship and shore. Full-scale simulated scenarios were developed and tested on 16 professional vessel traffic service (VTS) operators comparing VTS operations as they are today with the added STM functionality. Data collection involved observations which assessed the frequency and type of interactions between ships and VTS, followed by questionnaires to provide an overall assessment of the user experience. The results indicate that the frequency and method of communication patterns between VTS operators and ships will be affected by the integration of the STM services. Additional access to navigational information could change the role of VTS operators in traffic situations compared with traditional operations. This paper discusses the findings from a socio-technical systems perspective while also addressing the individual STM services and their potential impact on VTS operations. This research provides valuable information for European VTS centers that could be affected by the implementation of e-Navigation and, specifically, the STM services