The use of imaging technology in the assessment of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome—imaging of the fetal thymus

The fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) describes a state of extensive fetal multi organ involvement during chorioamnionitis, and is associated with grave implications on perinatal outcome. The syndrome has been linked to the preterm parturition syndrome and is associated with inflammation/infection processes in most of the fetal organs. The fetal thymus, a major organ in the developing immune system involutes during severe neonatal disease and has been shown to be smaller in fetuses with FIRS. Various methods for imaging of the fetal thymus and measurement are described. Currently the only method to diagnose FIRS prenatally is through amniocentesis. We suggest that women who are admitted with preterm labor with intact membranes and those with PPROM should have a detailed sonographic examination of the fetal thymus as a surrogate marker of fetal involvement in intrauterine infection/inflammation processes. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shielding from ELF Magnetic Fields Emanating from Power Plants in Large Facilities

Summary Large facilities frequently have internal power plants. High power transformers and low voltage cables associated with these plants generate low-frequency magnetic fields of large amplitude, which can be above allowed exposure levels. In order to shield against these magnetic fields large shields are used. These plates are finite and their shielding effectiveness is compromised due to their finite dimensions. This paper evaluates the shielding afforded by such a plate, as related to the geometry of the placement of the source and victim and the dimensions and structure of the shield plate.     

Results of the UNDP (SF)/FAO regional fisheries survey in West Africa. Report no. 4. T/S relationship in the Canary Current area

Based on historical oceanographic data supplied by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), Washington, D.C., USA, temperature salinity (T/S) diagrams were drawn for a large number of one-degree squares within marsden Squares (MS) 074, 038 and the northern half of MS 002. The shelf area of these squares was the area of the Regional Fisheries Survey activities in 1969 and 1970. The aim of the work is to illustrate the different characteristics of the water in the area. It is shown, in a set of diagrams, that the northern part of MS 074 contains nearly pure North Atlantic Central Water (NACW), except for the surface layer, where the characteristics change with season. In the upwelling area of Senegambia, during the upwelling season, the water is of a South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) and NACW mixed type, while in the offshore area it is nearly pure NACW. In the southern part of MS 074 and the northern part of MS 038, the subsurface water is a mixture of NACW and SACW, which changes into pure SACW southwards, but remains a mixture in medium depths. The SACW is always superimposed on the NACW. Inshore, the water mass changes with season. During the rainy season this is Liberian surface water of low salinity and high temperature. In MS 002, to the south, offshore, the subsurface water becomes pure SACW, which in deep parts overlays the Antarctic Water. Inshore at the surface, the water is desalinated during the rainy season. The Liberian surface water spreads over the whole of MS 002, nearly 1000 miles offshore.     

Results of the UNDP(SF)/FAO Regional Fisheries Survey in West africa. Report no 3. Silicates in the Canary Current area

The Canary Current region off West Africa was examined for its temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen relations. When historical data on dissolved silicate were examined in the same area, it was found that the area of intensive upwelling has the least amounts of silicate compared with adjacent regions.     

Mercury in twelve Mediterranean trawl fishes of Israel

Total mercury concentration was investigated in the edible portion (muscle tissue) of twelve commercial trawl fishes. Samples were collected by a commercial trawl from five stations along the Mediterranean coast of Israel at depths from 32.9 – 91.4 m.The range and average mercury concentrations for both individual and composite samples of ten species are tabulated. The range of total lengths and weights for each species is also given. For two species only one composite sample was obtained.Sufficient data were obtained for five species to discuss the variation of mercury concentration with length, with depth and by station. Mercury concentration was found to increase with length for Saurida undosquamis, Trachurus mediterraneus, Upeneus moluccensis and Pagellus erythrinus. The correlation between mercury concentration and total length in Mullus barbatus was low. The mercury concentration of this species appeared to increase with depth. Mercury concentration in the fishes examined is discussed in regard to their position in the food web, depths and distribution along the shore.     

Why do females have so few extra-pair offspring?

It is generally accepted that if a female can improve her offspring’s genetics via extra-pair copulations (EPC), it is by copulating with extra-pair males whose phenotypes are more superior or whose genes are more compatible to hers than those of her bonded male. Here, we present a model that puts together uncertainties about the male genetic quality, a postcopulatory sperm bias in favor of the better or the more compatible genes, and costs that females pay by being choosy about extra-pair male quality. The model’s conclusions challenge traditional views of good genes explanations of EPC. When phenotypes give incomplete information about genotypes, a female choosing a phenotypically superior extra-pair male, may nevertheless find herself trading good genes of a bonded male for poor genes of an extra-pair male. Such “unfortunate sperm replacements” can limit the female involvement in EPC even when EPC are otherwise cost-free. The model also shows that even a female bonded to a phenotypically superior male may benefit by EPC, provided that sperm competition is biased toward sperm with more fit or more compatible genes. Furthermore, if choosiness is sufficiently costly, a female may even do best by copulating with a random extra-pair male.     

Chemical changes in different types of coal ash during prolonged,large scale,contact with seawater

In this study, we followed the chemical changes occurring in coal ash exposed to prolonged (300 days), large scale, contact with running seawater. Four major components (Al, Ca, Mg, Fe) and seven minor and trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Hg) were measured in four coal ash types: fly and bottom ash freshly obtained from coal-fired power plant, and old ash (crushed and blocks) recovered from the sea after 3-5 years contact with seawater. Changes occurred in the chemical composition of the coal ash along the experiment: Fe increased in fresh ash, Al increased in old ash and Ca increased in all ash types except old ash blocks. Cu and Hg decreased in fresh fly ash while Cr increased, Cd decreased in all ash types except bottom ash, and Mn decreased in bottom ash. Most of the changes occurred in the fresh fly ash, and not in the old ash, indicating equilibrium after prior exposure to seawater. In addition, more changes occurred in fresh fly ash than in bottom ash, emphasizing the differences between the two ash types. While the changes in the concentrations of the major elements may be an indication of the integrity of the ash matrix, the only elements of environmental significance released to the environment were Hg and Cd. However, calculated seawater concentrations were much lower than seawater quality criteria and therefore the coal ash was considered suitable for marine applications concerning seawater quality.