NOAA Ocean Exploration

A new 30-arc second resolution global topography/bathymetry grid (SRTM30_PLUS) has been developed from a wide variety of data sources. Land and ice topography comes from the SRTM30 and ICESat topography, respectively. Ocean bathymetry is based on a new satellite-gravity model where the gravity-to-topography ratio is calibrated using 298 million edited soundings. The main contribution of this study is the compilation and editing of the raw soundings, which come from NOAA, individual scientists, SIO, NGA, JAMSTEC, IFREMER, GEBCO, and NAVOCEANO. The gridded bathymetry is available for ftp download in the same format as the 33 tiles of SRTM30 topography. There are 33 matching tiles of source identification number to convey the provenance of every grid cell. The raw sounding data, converted to a simple common format, are also available for ftp download.

This paper reviews the basic physical mechanisms of the interactions of ionizing radiation with MOS oxides, including charge generation, transport, trapping and detrapping, and interface trap formation. Device and circuit effects are also discussed briefly.

Abstract Porphyry deposits arguably represent the most economically important class of nonferrous metallic mineral resources. These magmatic-hydrothermal deposits are characterized by sulfide and oxide ore minerals in vein-lets and disseminations in large volumes of hydrothermally altered rock (up to 4 km3). Porphyry deposits occur within magmatic belts worldwide and are spatially, temporally, and genetically related to hypabyssal dioritic to granitic intrusions that are porphyritic and that commonly have an aplitic groundmass. The preponderance are Phanerozoic and most typically Cenozoic in age, which reflects the dominance of magmatism related to subduction tectonics and preservation in young rocks. Porphyry deposits are here grouped into five classes based on the economically dominant metal in the deposits: Au, Cu, Mo, W, and Sn. For each porphyry class, the major metal concentration is enriched by a factor of 100 to 1,000 relative to unmineralized rocks of a similar composition. The mass of porphyry deposits ranges over four orders of magnitude, with the mean size of a deposit ordered Cu > Mo ~ Au > Sn > W. Hydrothermal alteration is a guide to ore because it produces a series of mineral assemblages both within the ore zones and extending into a larger volume (>10 km 3) of adjacent rock. The typically observed temporal evolution in porphyry ores is from early, high-temperature biotite ± K-feldspar assemblages (potassic alteration) to muscovite ± chlorite assemblages (sericitic alteration) to low-temperature, clay-bearing assemblages (advanced argillic and intermediate argillic alteration), which is consistent with progressively greater acidity and higher fluid-to-rock ratios of fluids, prior to their eventual neutralization. Although advanced argillic alteration is relatively late in the deposits where it is superimposed on ore and potassic alteration, in the deposits where advanced argillic alteration (especially as quartz + alunite) is preserved spatially above ore and commonly extending to the paleosurface, it can form early, broadly contemporaneous with potassic alteration. In contrast, assemblages of Na plagioclase-actinolite (sodic-calcic alteration) and albite-epidote-chlorite-carbonate (propy-litic alteration) form from a fluid with low acidity and commonly lack ore minerals. Geologic, fluid inclusion, and isotopic tracer evidence indicate magmatic fluids dominate acidic alteration associated with ore and non-magmatic fluids dominate sodiccalcic and propylitic alteration. Veins contain a large percentage of ore minerals in porphyry deposits and include high-temperature sugary-textured quartz veinlets associated with ore minerals and biotitefeldspar alteration and moderate-temperature pyritic veins with sericitic envelopes. The compositions of igneous rocks related to porphyry deposits cover virtually the entire range observed forpresentday volcanic rocks. Mineralizing porphyries are intermediate to silicic (>56 wt % SiO 2) and their aplitic-textured groundmass represents crystallization as a result of abrupt depressurization of water rich magma; however, small volumes of ultramafic to intermediate rocks, including lamprophyres, exhibit a close spatial and temporal relationship to porphyry ore formation in some deposits. The understanding of porphyry systems depends critically on determination of the relative ages of events and correlation of ages of events in different locations, which in part depends on exposure. Systems with the greatest degree and continuity of exposure generally have been tilted and dismembered by postmineralization deformation. Most porphyry intrusions associated with ore are small-volume (<0.5 km3) dikes and plugs that were emplaced at depths of 1 to 6 km, though some were emplaced deeper. Deposits commonly occur in clusters above one or more cupolas on the roof of an underlying intermediate to silicic intrusion. Altered rocks extend upward toward the paleosurface, downward into the granitoid intrusion from which the porphyry magma and aqueous fluids were generated, and laterally for several kilometers on either side of a deposit. The underlying magma chambers operated as open systems via mafic magma recharge, wall-rock assimilation, crystallization, and intrusion, but mineralizing intrusions did not erupt. Present-day distributions of hydrothermally altered rock and sulfide-oxide ore minerals are time-integrated products of fracture-guided fluid flow. We distinguish three spatial configurations characteristic of all five classes of porphyry deposits, the first of which has two variants: (1a) sericitic alteration largely lies above and beside potassic alteration in a bell- or hood-shaped volume that narrows upward, as at Chorolque, Henderson, and San Manuel-Kalamazoo; (1b) sericitic alteration is present with advanced argillic alteration, and the latter in some cases forms a broader zone at higher levels in the system, as at Batu Hijau, Cerro Rico, and El Salvador; (2) intense sericitic and local advanced argillic alteration cuts through enclosing potassic alteration near ore but also extends above potassic alteration in an upwardly expanding zone with an overall geometry of a funnel, as at Butte, Chuquicamata, and Resolution; (3) sodic-calcic, in addition to potassic, alteration is widespread in the center of the system and has an inverted cup-shaped volume under potassic alteration, with fingerlike projections of sodic alteration extending up through the overlying orebody, as at Yerington. Metal grades are directly related to where ore minerals originally precipitate and the degree of subsequent remobilization. Precipitation of metals is a function of multiple variables, typically including temperature, acidity, and iron and sulfide availability. Hence, the shape of an orebody depends on the number and positions of mineralizing versus barren intrusions; the proportions, shapes, and orientations of veins, lodes, or breccias; and pressure-temperature changes and wall-rock reactions that govern ore mineral stability. Geochronology and thermal models suggest that durations of hydrothermal activity of 50,000 to 500,000 yr are common, but several large porphyry Cu deposits include multiple events spanning several million years. Crosscutting relationships, including offset veins, provide definitive evidence for the relative ages of hydrothermal events at a particular spatial location. Intrusive contacts that cut off older veins and are in turn cut by younger veins provide time lines that permit correlation of spatially separated events. Most porphyry deposits exhibit multiple intrusions, each associated with a series of hydrothermal veins formed over a declining temperature interval. The high-temperature starting point of hydrothermal fluid compositions varies systematically between porphyry classes and must reflect magma composition and chemical partitioning between melt, mineral, and aqueous fluid. Although the data are sparse, the magmas and associated high-temperature ore fluids vary such that oxidation state, sulfidation state, and total sulfur content are highest for porphyry Cu and Au classes, slightly lower for Mo, lower yet for Sn, and lowest for W. Nearly all classes and subclasses, however, have examples that diverge to low aK+/aH+ and high sulfur fugacity at lower temperature to produce advanced argillic alteration and high-sulfidation state ore minerals. Just as with the spectrum of global magmatism, the breadth of porphyry mineralization shares fundamental processes yet maintains distinctive geologic characteristics. In spite of a century of study and economic impact, many questions remain unanswered.

The deep ocean below 200 m water depth is the least observed, but largest habitat on our planet by volume and area. Over 150 years of exploration has revealed that this dynamic system provides critical climate regulation, houses a wealth of energy, mineral, and biological resources, and represents a vast repository of biological diversity. A long history of deep-ocean exploration and observation led to the initial concept for the Deep-Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS), under the auspices of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Here we discuss the scientific need for globally integrated deep-ocean observing, its status, and the key scientific questions and societal mandates driving observing requirements over the next decade. We consider the Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) needed to address deep-ocean challenges within the physical, biogeochemical, and biological/ecosystem sciences according to the Framework for Ocean Observing (FOO), and map these onto scientific questions. Opportunities for new and expanded synergies among deep-ocean stakeholders are discussed, including academic-industry partnerships with the oil and gas, mining, cable and fishing industries, the ocean exploration and mapping community, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Future deep-ocean observing will benefit from the greater integration across traditional disciplines and sectors, achieved through demonstration projects and facilitated reuse and repurposing of existing deep-sea data efforts. We highlight examples of existing and emerging deep-sea methods and technologies, noting key challenges associated with data volume, preservation, standardization, and accessibility. Emerging technologies relevant to deep-ocean sustainability and the blue economy include novel genomics approaches, imaging technologies, and ultra-deep hydrographic measurements. Capacity building will be necessary to integrate capabilities into programs and projects at a global scale. Progress can be facilitated by Open Science and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) data principles and converge on agreed to data standards, practices, vocabularies, and registries. We envision expansion of the deep-ocean observing community to embrace the participation of academia, industry, NGOs, national governments, international governmental organizations, and the public at large in order to unlock critical knowledge contained in the deep ocean over coming decades, and to realize the mutual benefits of thoughtful deep-ocean observing for all elements of a sustainable ocean.

Abstract. A well-documented, publicly available, global data set of surface ocean carbon dioxide (CO2) parameters has been called for by international groups for nearly two decades. The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) project was initiated by the international marine carbon science community in 2007 with the aim of providing a comprehensive, publicly available, regularly updated, global data set of marine surface CO2, which had been subject to quality control (QC). Many additional CO2 data, not yet made public via the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC), were retrieved from data originators, public websites and other data centres. All data were put in a uniform format following a strict protocol. Quality control was carried out according to clearly defined criteria. Regional specialists performed the quality control, using state-of-the-art web-based tools, specially developed for accomplishing this global team effort. SOCAT version 1.5 was made public in September 2011 and holds 6.3 million quality controlled surface CO2 data points from the global oceans and coastal seas, spanning four decades (1968–2007). Three types of data products are available: individual cruise files, a merged complete data set and gridded products. With the rapid expansion of marine CO2 data collection and the importance of quantifying net global oceanic CO2 uptake and its changes, sustained data synthesis and data access are priorities.

Global sea level provides an important indicator of the state of the warming climate, but changes in regional sea level are most relevant for coastal communities around the world. With improvements to the sea-level observing system, the knowledge of regional sea-level change has advanced dramatically in recent years. Satellite measurements coupled with in situ observations have allowed for comprehensive study and improved understanding of the diverse set of drivers that lead to variations in sea level in space and time. Despite the advances, gaps in the understanding of contemporary sea-level change remain and inhibit the ability to predict how the relevant processes may lead to future change. These gaps arise in part due to the complexity of the linkages between the drivers of sea-level change. Here we review the individual processes which lead to sea-level change and then describe how they combine and vary regionally. The intent of the paper is to provide an overview of the current state of understanding of the processes that cause regional sea-level change and to identify and discuss limitations and uncertainty in our understanding of these processes. Areas where the lack of understanding or gaps in knowledge inhibit the ability to provide the needed information for comprehensive planning efforts are of particular focus. Finally, a goal of this paper is to highlight the role of the expanded sea-level observation network-particularly as related to satellite observations-in the improved scientific understanding of the contributors to regional sea-level change.

Abstract. As a response to public demand for a well-documented, quality controlled, publically available, global surface ocean carbon dioxide (CO2) data set, the international marine carbon science community developed the Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT). The first SOCAT product is a collection of 6.3 million quality controlled surface CO2 data from the global oceans and coastal seas, spanning four decades (1968–2007). The SOCAT gridded data presented here is the second data product to come from the SOCAT project. Recognizing that some groups may have trouble working with millions of measurements, the SOCAT gridded product was generated to provide a robust, regularly spaced CO2 fugacity (fCO2) product with minimal spatial and temporal interpolation, which should be easier to work with for many applications. Gridded SOCAT is rich with information that has not been fully explored yet (e.g., regional differences in the seasonal cycles), but also contains biases and limitations that the user needs to recognize and address (e.g., local influences on values in some coastal regions).

Recent studies of circulating lipoproteins in man and the rat have shown that apolipoprotein B in plasma exists in two immunologically distinct forms with apparent Mr, in the rat, of approximately 335,000 (apoB335K) and 240,000 (apoB240K). With isolated, perfused organs and single and double isotope labeling methods in vivo (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 7316), we have now found that the rat liver produces both apoB variants in abundance while the small intestine produces apoB240K but only trace amounts of apoB335K. The hepatic apoB335K/apoB240Kleucine incorporation ratio ranged from 0.5-1.7 under different conditions, suggesting physiological regulation of the relative amounts produced. Disappearance of both newly synthesized hepatic apoB variants from plasma followed first order kinetics. The circulating half-life of hepatic apoB335K was 2.4 times that of hepatic apoB240K, indicating independent catabolism of the two variants and consistent with the hepatic production of multiple apoB-containing lipoproteins with different metabolic properties. The half-life of apoB240K from the intestine was even shorter than that of apoB240K from the liver.

This study continues the work reported by Futher data on syngenetic inclusion abundances at Argyle has been given by

Abstract Seeps of free methane gas escaping the seabed can be found throughout the ocean basins. To understand the role of methane gas seeps in the global carbon cycle—including both gas added to the atmosphere and that which is dissolved and potentially oxidized in the ocean volume—it is important to quantify the amount of methane escaping the seabed. Few large‐scale mapping projects of natural methane seeps have been undertaken, however, and even among these, quantitative estimates of flux are rare. Here we use acoustic mapping techniques to survey 357 natural methane seeps in a large region (6000 km 2 ) of the northern Gulf of Mexico and outline a general approach for methane seep mapping using a combination of multibeam and split‐beam echo sounders. Using additional measurements collected with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) together with the acoustic mapping results, we estimate the total gas flux within the 6000 km 2 region to be between 0.0013 and 0.16 Tg/yr, or between 0.003 and 0.3% of the current estimates for global seabed methane seepage rates.

The continental margin off the northeastern United States (NEUS) contains numerous, topographically complex features that increase habitat heterogeneity across the region. However, the majority of these rugged features have never been surveyed, particularly using direct observations. During summer 2013, 31 Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) dives were conducted from 494 to 3271 m depth across a variety of seafloor features to document communities and to infer geological processes that produced such features. The ROV surveyed six broad-scale habitat features, consisting of shelf-breaching canyons, slope-sourced canyons, inter-canyon areas, open-slope/landslide-scar areas, hydrocarbon seeps, and Mytilus Seamount. Four previously unknown chemosynthetic communities dominated by Bathymodiolus mussels were documented. Seafloor methane hydrate was observed at two seep sites. Multivariate analyses indicated that depth and broad-scale habitat significantly influenced megafaunal coral (58 taxa), demersal fish (69 taxa), and decapod crustacean (34 taxa) assemblages. Species richness of fishes and crustaceans significantly declined with depth, while there was no relationship between coral richness and depth. Turnover in assemblage structure occurred on the middle to lower slope at the approximate boundaries of water masses found previously in the region. Coral species richness was also an important variable explaining variation in fish and crustacean assemblages. Coral diversity may serve as an indicator of habitat suitability and variation in available niche diversity for these taxonomic groups. Our surveys added 24 putative coral species and three fishes to the known regional fauna, including the black coral Telopathes magna, the octocoral Metallogorgia melanotrichos and the fishes Gaidropsarus argentatus, Guttigadus latifrons, and Lepidion guentheri. Marine litter was observed on 81% of the dives, with at least 12 coral colonies entangled in debris. While initial exploration revealed the NEUS region to be both geologically dynamic and biologically diverse, further research into the abiotic conditions and the biotic interactions that influence species abundance and distribution is needed.

Abstract Bio‐logging data obtained by tagging animals are key to addressing global conservation challenges. However, the many thousands of existing bio‐logging datasets are not easily discoverable, universally comparable, nor readily accessible through existing repositories and across platforms, slowing down ecological research and effective management. A set of universal standards is needed to ensure discoverability, interoperability and effective translation of bio‐logging data into research and management recommendations. We propose a standardisation framework adhering to existing data principles (FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable; and TRUST: Transparency, Responsibility, User focus, Sustainability and Technology) and involving the use of simple templates to create a data flow from manufacturers and researchers to compliant repositories, where automated procedures should be in place to prepare data availability into four standardised levels: (a) decoded raw data, (b) curated data, (c) interpolated data and (d) gridded data. Our framework allows for integration of simple tabular arrays (e.g. csv files) and creation of sharable and interoperable network Common Data Form (netCDF) files containing all the needed information for accuracy‐of‐use, rightful attribution (ensuring data providers keep ownership through the entire process) and data preservation security. We show the standardisation benefits for all stakeholders involved, and illustrate the application of our framework by focusing on marine animals and by providing examples of the workflow across all data levels, including filled templates and code to process data between levels, as well as templates to prepare netCDF files ready for sharing. Adoption of our framework will facilitate collection of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) in support of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and inter‐governmental assessments (e.g. the World Ocean Assessment), and will provide a starting point for broader efforts to establish interoperable bio‐logging data formats across all fields in animal ecology.

Over a three-year period, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration organized and implemented a Pacific-wide field campaign entitled CAPSTONE: Campaign to Address Pacific monument Science, Technology, and Ocean NEeds. Under the auspices of CAPSTONE, NOAA mapped 597,230 km 2 of the Pacific seafloor (with ~ 61% of mapped area located within US waters), including 323 seamounts, conducted 187 ROV dives totaling 189 hours of ROV benthic imaging time, and documented more than 347,000 individual organisms. This comprehensive effort yielded dramatic insight into differences in biodiversity across depths, regions, and features, at multiple taxonomic scales. For all deep sea taxonomic groups large enough to be visualized with the ROV, we found that fewer than 20% of the species were able to be identified. The most abundant and highest diversity taxa across the dataset were from one class and two phyla (Anthozoa, Porifera and Echinodermata). We further examined these phyla for taxonomic assemblage patterns by depth, geographic region, and geologic feature. Within each taxon, there were multiple genera with specific distribution and abundance by depth, region, and feature. Additionally, we observed multiple genera with broad abundance and distribution, which may focus future ecological research efforts. Novel taxa, records, and behaviors were observed, which are suggestive of new species interactions, drivers of community composition, and overall diversity patterns. To date, only 13.8% of the Pacific has been mapped using modern methods. Despite the many new contributions and insights to the Pacific deep-sea, CAPSTONE is far from the culminating experience the name suggests. Rather, it marks the beginning of a new era for exploration that will offer extensive opportunities via mapping, technology, analysis, and insights.

The Perseverance rover has explored and sampled igneous and sedimentary rocks within Jezero Crater to characterize early Martian geological processes and habitability and search for potential biosignatures1–7. Upon entering Neretva Vallis, on Jezero Crater’s western edge8, Perseverance investigated distinctive mudstone and conglomerate outcrops of the Bright Angel formation. Here we report a detailed geological, petrographic and geochemical survey of these rocks and show that organic-carbon-bearing mudstones in the Bright Angel formation contain submillimetre-scale nodules and millimetre-scale reaction fronts enriched in ferrous iron phosphate and sulfide minerals, likely vivianite and greigite, respectively. This organic carbon appears to have participated in post-depositional redox reactions that produced the observed iron-phosphate and iron-sulfide minerals. Geological context and petrography indicate that these reactions occurred at low temperatures. Within this context, we review the various pathways by which redox reactions that involve organic matter can produce the observed suite of iron-, sulfur- and phosphorus-bearing minerals in laboratory and natural environments on Earth. Ultimately, we conclude that analysis of the core sample collected from this unit using high-sensitivity instrumentation on Earth will enable the measurements required to determine the origin of the minerals, organics and textures it contains. A geological, petrographic and geochemical survey of distinctive mudstone and conglomerate outcrops of the Bright Angel formation on Mars reveals textures, chemical and mineral characteristics, and organic signatures that warrant consideration as potential biosignatures.

The hydrology of a nest of three watersheds has been studied since 1992 on the North Slope of Alaska, with some additional data collected at individual sites previously. Hydrologic studies of nested watersheds are rare in the circumpolar arctic. Presented here is a comparison of the variability of important runoff-related processes from the headwater foothills to the low gradient, wetland dominated coastal area. Watersheds studied include Imnavait Creek, Upper Kuparuk River and finally the entire Kuparuk River. Also, runoff data from the low gradient Putuligayuk River, measured earlier (1970-1986), is included. Generally, rainfall constitutes 53 to 67 % of the annual precipitation. Most runoff is generated from the foothills; runoff is normally only generated from the coastal plain during snowmelt. Surface storage is an important process on the coastal plain where vertical processes (precipitation and evapotranspiration) are dominant during the summer. Continuous permafrost produces high soil moisture levels except where there are relatively steep slopes with gravity-induced drainage. Snowmelt results in a nearly saturated active layer with summer moisture levels closely allied with summer precipitation. High runoff ratios prevail during snowmelt and rainfall, except for the summer rainfall-generated runoff of the low gradient Putuligayuk River.

Video and image data are regularly used in the field of benthic ecology to document biodiversity. However, their use is subject to a number of challenges, principally the identification of taxa within the images without associated physical specimens. The challenge of applying traditional taxonomic keys to the identification of fauna from images has led to the development of personal, group, or institution level reference image catalogues of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) or morphospecies. Lack of standardisation among these reference catalogues has led to problems with observer bias and the inability to combine datasets across studies. In addition, lack of a common reference standard is stifling efforts in the application of artificial intelligence to taxon identification. Using the North Atlantic deep sea as a case study, we propose a database structure to facilitate standardisation of morphospecies image catalogues between research groups and support future use in multiple front-end applications. We also propose a framework for coordination of international efforts to develop reference guides for the identification of marine species from images. The proposed structure maps to the Darwin Core standard to allow integration with existing databases. We suggest a management framework where high-level taxonomic groups are curated by a regional team, consisting of both end users and taxonomic experts. We identify a mechanism by which overall quality of data within a common reference guide could be raised over the next decade. Finally, we discuss the role of a common reference standard in advancing marine ecology and supporting sustainable use of this ecosystem.

Worldwide coral reefs face catastrophic damage due to a series of anthropogenic stressors. Investigating how coral reefs ecosystems are connected, in particular across depth, will help us understand if deeper reefs harbour distinct communities. Here, we explore changes in benthic community structure across 15-300 m depths using technical divers and submersibles around Bermuda. We report high levels of floral and faunal differentiation across depth, with distinct assemblages occupying each depth surveyed, except 200-300 m, corresponding to the lower rariphotic zone. Community turnover was highest at the boundary depths of mesophotic coral ecosystems (30-150 m) driven largely by taxonomic turnover and to a lesser degree by ordered species loss (nestedness). Our work highlights the biologically unique nature of benthic communities in the mesophotic and rariphotic zones, and their limited connectivity to shallow reefs, thus emphasizing the need to manage and protect deeper reefs as distinct entities.

We present the first evidence for widespread seabed methane venting along the southeastern United States Atlantic margin beyond the well-known Blake Ridge diapir seep. Recent ship- and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)–collected data resolve multiple water-column anomalies (>1000 m height) and extensive new chemosynthetic seep communities at the Blake Ridge and Cape Fear diapirs. These results indicate that multiple, highly localized fluid conduits punctuate the areally extensive Blake Ridge gas hydrate province, and enable the delivery of significant amounts of methane to the water column. Thus, there appears to be an abundance of seabed fluid flux not previously ascribed to the Atlantic margin of the United States.

BACKGROUND: Human acellular dermal matrices have gained increasing use in immediate expander-based breast reconstruction. However, some studies suggest that these grafts may be associated with a higher incidence of infection and seroma. To evaluate complication rates after matrix-based breast reconstruction, the authors conducted a prospective, multicenter, cohort study to evaluate a sterile human acellular dermal matrix in immediate expander-based breast reconstruction, specifically, to determine whether it offered a more favorable risk profile with respect to infection and seroma. A secondary purpose was to determine whether the sterilization process affects graft incorporation. METHODS: The authors performed 65 consecutive tissue expander-based breast reconstructions in a cohort of patients over a 1-year period using a single protocol. Sterile human matrix was used in all cases. The patients were evaluated for early complications (infection, seroma) and graft incorporation at the time of exchange or definitive reconstruction. Biopsies were performed in the first 20 reconstructions to provide histologic correlation of graft incorporation. RESULTS: Complications occurred in three breasts (4.6 percent), including one case of cellulitis (1.5 percent) and two cases of partial mastectomy flap necrosis (3.0 percent) that required débridement. There were no seromas or explantations. The grafts were incorporated in all cases and verified histologically in the first 20 biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: Sterile human acellular dermal matrix can offer reliable matrix incorporation and a low complication rate. Sterilization does not negatively impact incorporation of the graft. The infection and seroma rates in this prospective study compare favorably to those in previous studies with nonsterilized (aseptic) acellular dermal matrix.

Abstract We conducted a meta‐analysis of literature reporting on the use of circle hooks and J‐hooks in pelagic longline fisheries. Our study included more data than previous meta‐analyses of the effects of hook type, due to both a larger number of relevant studies available in recent years and a more general modelling approach. Data from 42 empirical studies were analysed using a random effects model to compare the effects of circle hooks and J‐hooks on catch rate (43 species) and at‐vessel mortality (31 species) of target and bycatch species. Catch rates with circle hooks were greater for 11 species, including four tuna species, six shark species and one Istiophorid billfish. Catch rates on circle hooks were lower for seven species, including two Istiophorid billfishes and two species of sea turtle. At‐vessel mortality was significantly lower with circle hooks in 12 species, including three tuna species, three Istiophorid billfishes, swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) and three shark species. No species had significantly greater at‐vessel mortality when captured with a circle hook rather than a J‐hook. While our general approach increased model variability compared to more detailed studies, results were consistent with trends identified in previous studies that compared the catch rates and at‐vessel mortality (between hook types) for a number of species. Our results suggest that circle hooks can be a promising tool to reduce mortality of some bycatch species in pelagic longline fisheries, although the effects depend on the species and the metric (catch rate or at‐vessel mortality), emphasizing the need for fishery‐specific data in conservation and management decisions.