Using MERIS full resolution data to monitor coastal waters — A case study from Himmerfjärden, a fjord-like bay in the northwestern Baltic Sea

In this paper we investigate if MERIS full resolution (FR) data (300 m) is sufficient to monitor changes in optical constituents in Himmerfjärden, a fjord-like, north–south facing bay of about 30 km length and 4 km width. The MERIS FR products were derived using a coastal processor (FUB Case-2 Plug-In). We also compared the performance between FUB and standard processor (MEGS 7.4), using reduced resolution (RR) data (1 km resolution) from the open Baltic Sea, and compared the products to sea-truthing data. The optical variables measured for sea-truthing were chlorophyll, suspended particulate matter (SPM), as well as coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM, also termed yellow substances), and the spectral diffuse attenuation coefficient, K_d(490). The comparison of the RR data to the sea-truthing data showed that, in the open Baltic Sea, the MERIS standard processor overestimated chlorophyll by about 59%, and SPM by about 28%, and underestimated yellow substance by about 81%, whereas the FUB processor underestimated SPM by about 60%, CDOM by about 78%, and chlorophyll a by about 56%. The FUB processor showed a relatively high precision for all optical components (standard deviation: 6–18%), whereas the precision for the MEGS 7.4 was rather low (standard deviation: 43–73%), except for CDOM (standard deviation: 13%). The analysis of the FR data showed that all FR level 2 water products derived from MERIS followed a polynomial decline in concentration when moving off-shore. The distribution of chlorophyll and SPM was best described by a 2nd order polynomial, and the distribution of CDOM by a 3rd order polynomial, verifying the diffusional model described in Kratzer and Tett [Kratzer, S. and Tett, P. (in press). Using bio-optics to investigate the extent of coastal waters — a Swedish case study. Hydrobiologia.]. A new K_d(490) and Secchi depth algorithm based on MERIS channel 3 (490 nm) and channel 6 (620 nm) each was derived from radiometric sea-truthing data (TACCS, Satlantic). Applying the K_d(490) algorithm to the MERIS FR data over Himmerfjärden, and comparing to sea-truthing data the results showed a strong correlation (r = 0.94). When comparing the FR data to the sea-truthing data CDOM and K_d(490) showed a low accuracy, but a high precision with a rather constant off-set. In summary, one may state that the precision of MERIS data improves by applying the FUB Case-2 processor and the accuracy improves with improved spatial resolution for chlorophyll and SPM. Furthermore, the FUB processor can be used off-the-shelf for open Baltic Sea monitoring, provided one corrects for the respective off-set from sea-truthing data which is most likely caused by an inaccuracy in the atmospheric correction. Additionally, the FR data can be used to derive CDOM, K_d(490) and Secchi depth in Himmmerfjärden if one corrects for the respective off-set. We will need to perform more comparisons between sea-truthing and MERIS FR data before the new K_d(490) algorithm can be made operational, including also scenes from other times of year. In order to provide a level 2 product that can be used reliably by the Baltic Sea user community, our recommendation to ESA is to include the spectral attenuation coefficient as a MERIS standard product.     

Sanierung und Adaptierung des Hochwasserschutzdammes Bad Radkersburg

Flow simulations showed that the flood protection dam for Bad Radkersburg was not tall enough, or in technical terms that it offered insufficient freeboard. In the course of subterranean research in conjunction with plans to increase the dam’s height, it became apparent that the dam was highly permeable. Not only did it consist of a mixture of structures; it was also heavily overgrown with encrustations. Calculations revealed that, though the dam generally offered adequate structural stability, there was nevertheless the potential risk of hydraulic erosion. Implementing deep seals by means of vibration compaction was determined to be a suitable solution for repairing and adapting the dam. In addition, it was decided to remove a portion of the encrustations on both the water and air sides.     

Axonal neuropathy and predominance of type II myofibers in infantile spinal muscular atrophy

Two affected siblings with infantile spinal muscular atrophy (SMA I) presented with generalized muscular hypotonia, which progressed to early death. Quadriceps muscle biopsy did not show the typical neurogenic pattern of spinal muscular atrophy. The histochemical fiber type determination revealed a predominance of type II fibers without type I hypertrophy, an unprecedented finding in spinal muscular atrophy. Sural nerve biopsy exhibited findings typical for axonal neuropathy. In one patient, electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves showed an inexcitability of motor and sensory nerves. Genetic studies revealed homozygous deletions of the telomeric survival motor neuron (SMN) gene and the neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene in the affected children. This is the second case report of molecular genetically proven spinal muscular atrophy associated with axonal neuropathy. We conclude atypical findings on muscle biopsy and evidence of axonal neuropathy are compatible with the diagnosis of infantile spinal muscular atrophy.     

Postparturient metabolic and production responses in cows previously exposed to long-term treatment with somatotropin.

Postparturient metabolic and production responses were studied for 85 multiparous cows consisting of controls and animals that had been previously exposed to long-term treatment with bST. Older cows previously exposed to bST at high doses (51.6 mg/d) had lower milk yields than controls. However, there were no significant differences compared with controls in milk yield for lower dose (17.2 mg/d) older cows or parity 2 cow groups. The bST-treated groups had higher postpartum DMI, lower serum FFA, lower serum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels, and higher serum glucose than controls. Some bST-exposed groups had lower milk fat but higher milk protein levels. All bST-treated groups had significantly lower ratios of C18 to C4 to 10 milk fatty acids. Control cows of both parity groups were in higher body condition and weighed more than bST-treated cows prior to calving. The differences in postpartum metabolism may be attributed to differences in body composition resulting from bST treatment in the prior lactation, because use of body condition score prior to calving as a covariate did not substantially alter responses. The control cows probably had greater reserves of mobilizable lipid. These contentions are supported by changes in milk composition for bST-treated cows, which were consistent with animals of greater appetite, mobilizing less lipid. The bST-treated cows were probably more energetically efficient milk producers because they produced milk from feed rather than from mobilization of tissue stores. These data suggest that bST use in a prior lactation may have potential benefit in reducing risk of metabolic disorders associated with lipid mobilization in the postparturient period.     

Thermal oxidative studies of poly(hexafluoropropene oxide) fluids

Elucidation of mechanisms operative in thermal oxidative degradation of hexafluoropropene oxide derived polyethers and the effect of metals on these processes are reported. Thermal oxidative instability of a commercial fluid, at moderate temperatures (550°F), was found to be due to the presence of ～3% of thermooxidatively unstable chains believed to be hydrogen terminated; treatment at 650°F in oxygen volatilized these chains by unzipping. The resultant fluid was unaffected by oxygen at 650°F and by M-50 and Ti(4Al, 4Mn) alloys at 600°F in oxidizing atmospheres. M-50 alloy catalyzed the degradation of the hydrogen-terminated chains below and at 600°F, but after completion of this process did not affect the remainder of the fluid at these temperatures. At 650°F a chain scission process promoted by the metals constituting the alloy, or their oxides or fluorides, came into play. Ti(4Al, 4Mn) alloy in the presence of CF₃COF and COF₂ species, formed via decomposition of the hydrogen-terminated chains, degraded poly(hexafluoropropene oxide) fluids at 550°F by chain scissions.     

Presence of T-antigen on the vascular endothelium

Bacterial neuraminidase plays an important role in the pathogenesis of some haemolytic anaemias. It divides neuraminic acid from the red cell surface to expose a hidden antigen (Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen, T). A physiologically circulating antibody can then react with the uncovered T and cause a rapid haemolysis. This study demonstrates the presence of T on human vascular endothelium. Similar to red cells it is exposed by the action of bacterial neuraminidase. The subsequent reaction with the physiological antibody could be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular damage observed in severe cases of bacterial septicaemia.     

Designing surface alloys with specific active sites

This report describes a combined experimental and theoretical approach to the problem of designing surface alloys with specific chemical properties. Au-Ni(111) surface alloys were prepared and the distribution of active sites was determined by atomically resolved STM as a function of Au coverage. Using density functional theory the difference in activation energy for methane over the various sites was determined. The activity of the surface could be predicted directly by combining this information with the distribution of sites. Subsequent measurements of the activity proved this method to be quantitative and demonstrated that surface alloys with specific activity can be synthesized.     

Direct atomic scale imaging of III-V nanowire surfaces

We have succeeded in direct atomic scale imaging of the exterior surfaces of III-V nanowires by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). By using atomic hydrogen, we expose the crystalline surfaces of InAs nanowires with regular InP segments in vacuum while retaining the wire morphology. We show images with atomic resolution of the two major types of InAs wurtzite nanowire surface facets and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) data. Ab initio calculations of the lowest energy surface structures and simulated STM images, agree very well with experiments.     

On the calibration and use of in situ ocean colour measurements for monitoring algal blooms

Simultaneous in situ measurements of chlorophyll concentration and water colour are reported at three diverse sites: a sea loch, the west Scottish shelf and the north Atlantic. A good (R² =0.97) log-log relation exists between the ratio, gamma, of the irradiance reflection coefficients at 490 and 570 nm and the chlorophyll concentration, C, over a range of chlorophyll concentrations from 0.01 to nearly 50 mg m ^-3