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Abstract. Specific features observed in the Baltic coastal phytoplankton field are investigated in this work. The features are initially described by the means of Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) level-3 imagery processed within the Ocean Colour European Archive Network (OCEAN) Project and indexed for the Baltic region. The observations made are further supported by other remotely sensed data, namely Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data where channel 1 is used as an indicator of turbidity and channel 4 is used as an indicator of thermal structure. Furthermore, to describe the three-dimensional ecosystem structure of the features, modelling and a database of in situ hydrological, hydrooptical and acoustical observations are included in the investigation. A full dynamic ecosystem description can be achieved from remotely sensed and sea truth data assimilation by integrating them with a coupled ecodynamics-hydrodynamics model. Here a simple three-component phytoplankton-zooplanktonnutrients population dynamics model with a high resolution bio-optical block is coupled with the model of vertical mixing and a model of wind-driven currents. The model is used for experiments with CZCS and seatruth chlorophyll data assimilation. The resulting models of the effects of mesoscale features (a local upwelling and a river front) on local ecodynamics were constructed along sections of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the Paris Agreement (PA), progress of emission reduction efforts is tracked on the basis of regular updates to national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, referred to as bottomup estimates. However, only top-down atmospheric measurements can provide observation-based evidence of emission trends. Today, there is no internationally agreed, operational capacity to monitor anthropogenic GHG emission trends using atmospheric measurements to complement national bottom-up inventories. The European Commission (EC), the European Space Agency, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, and international experts are joining forces to develop such an operational capacity for monitoring anthropogenic CO2 emissions as a new CO2 service under the EC's Copernicus program. Design studies have been used to translate identified needs into defined requirements and functionalities of this anthropogenic CO2 emissions Monitoring and Verification Support (CO2MVS) capacity. It adopts a holistic view and includes components such as atmospheric spaceborne and in situ measurements, bottom-up CO2 emission maps, improved modeling of the carbon cycle, an operational data-assimilation system integrating top-down and bottom-up information, and a policy-relevant decision support tool. The CO2MVS capacity with operational capabilities by 2026 is expected to visualize regular updates of global CO2 emissions, likely at 0.05° x 0.05°. This will complement the PA's enhanced transparency framework, providing actionable information on anthropogenic CO2 emissions that are the main driver of climate change. This information will be available to all stakeholders, including governments and citizens, allowing them to reflect on trends and effectiveness of reduction measures. The new EC gave the green light to pass the CO2MVS from exploratory to implementing phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Estimating primary production at large spatial scales is key to our understanding of the global carbon cycle. Algorithms to estimate primary production are well established and have been used in many studies with success. One of the key parameters in these algorithms is the chlorophyll-normalised production rate under light saturation (referred to as the light saturation parameter or the assimilation number). It is known to depend on temperature, light history and nutrient conditions, but assigning a magnitude to it at particular space-time points is difficult. In this paper, we explore two models to estimate the assimilation number at the global scale from remotely-sensed data that combine methods to estimate the carbon-to-chlorophyll ratio and the maximum growth rate of phytoplankton. The inputs to the algorithms are the surface concentration of chlorophyll, sea-surface temperature, photosynthetically-active radiation at the surface of the sea, sea surface nutrient concentration and mixed-layer depth. A large database of in situ estimates of the assimilation number is used to develop the models and provide elements of validation. The comparisons with in situ observations are promising and global maps of assimilation number are produced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Styela clava, an ascidian native to the northwest Pacific, was first recorded in the Atlantic at Plymouth, southwest England, in 1953. It now ranges in the northeast Atlantic from Portugal to northern Denmark, and has colonized the east coast of North America. Within the region of first introduction, we aimed to characterize current genetic diversity in the species, elucidate the respective roles of human-aided vs. natural dispersal, and assess the extent of larval dispersal by looking for genetic differentiation at very small scales. Eight sites, mostly marinas, were studied along c. 200 km of coast in southwest England encompassing Plymouth. Five microsatellite loci were genotyped in 303 individuals to analyse gene flow at regional (among sites) and fine (within sites) scales. F-statistics and assignment tests were used to investigate regional genetic structure. At the fine scale, deviation from mutation–drift equilibrium was tested, and isolation by distance and genetic clustering analyses were undertaken. Significant genetic differentiation existed between sites, unrelated to geographical separation; migration between geographically distant marinas was inferred, highlighting the likely importance of human-mediated dispersal in range expansion and occupancy by S. clava. Fine-scale population structure was present within at least four sites, which may be explained by the limited dispersal ability of this ascidian and recruitment from differentiated pools of larvae. Populations in enclosed marinas had higher self-recruitment rates than those in open sites. Some marinas might therefore function as reservoirs of propagules for subsequent spread, whereas others might be sinks for migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the bioavailability of calcium from two fortification systems used in orange juice. The design was randomized crossover, within-subject. The subjects were 25 healthy premenopausal women in an academic health sciences center. Two commercially marketed calcium-fortified orange juices, ingested in an amount providing 500 mg calcium, were taken at breakfast after an overnight fast. The two fortification systems tested were calcium citrate malate and a combination of tricalcium phosphate and calcium lactate (tricalcium phosphate/calcium lactate). The main outcome measure was the area under the curve (AUC) for the increase in serum calcium from 0 to 9 hours after ingesting the test calcium source. Statistical analyses performed were repeated measures analysis of variance, testing source, and sequence. AUC9 was 48% greater for calcium citrate malate than for tricalcium phosphate/calcium lactate (P<.001); absorbed calcium calculated from AUC9 values (mean±standard error of the mean) was 148±9.0 mg and 100±8.9 mg for calcium citrate malate and tricalcium phosphate/calcium lactate, respectively. The results indicate that equivalent calcium contents on a nutritional label do not guarantee equivalent nutritional value. Nutritionists and dietetics professionals should encourage manufacturers of fortified products to provide information on bioavailability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adding three servings of yogurt to the daily diet of older women with habitually low calcium intakes resulted in a significant reduction in urinary excretion of N-telepeptide, a marker for bone resorption. Results were compared to the effects of three servings of a nutrition-poor snack and differences were apparent 7–10 days of starting the diet change. The satiety effect of the snacks resulted in a decrease in intake of other foods. The added nutrients of the yogurt improved overall diet quality substantially, while diet quality declined with the nutrient-poor snack. The results show that diets low in dairy intake are often marginal for several nutrients and that, so far as calcium is concerned, bone makes up for what the diet lacks. Moreover, bone resorption responds rapidly and sensitively to improvements in calcium intake that are readily achievable by an older female population. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002; 102:1672-1674. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reports a study on salmonellosis associated with pet turtles in Wisconsin and Wyoming in 2004. The epidemiologic investigations into six human cases of salmonellosis linked to small turtles; The public health response to the reported salmonella infections; CDC editorial note commenting on the role of local health and environmental officers in managing turtle-associated salmonellosis and illegal distribution of small turtles.

Focuses on the investigation of salmonellosis associated with small turtles in Wisconsin and Wyoming in 2004. Efforts made by the Wisconsin Department of Public Health to address the issue; Reasons of a retailer for refusing to comply with an order from the local health department to discontinue selling small turtles; Complications of Salmonella infections.