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The extreme or pathological fear of pregnancy and childbirth, also known as tokophobia, was first described in the mid-to-late 1800s but then rarely discussed in the literature until the turn of the 21st century. However, information remains scarce. Therefore, the goals of this case study are to describe the clinical presentation and management options of extreme fear of pregnancy and/or birth. The patient in our study is from the United States. She presented with tokophobia at her first prenatal appointment, requesting a cesarean surgery immediately, but experienced discontinuous care throughout her pregnancy. She became frustrated by the need to repeat her desire for a cesarean surgery and eventually was verbally disruptive at her 38-week visit, crying and yelling at providers and staff. If this patient had received continuous care and earlier intervention and education, her pregnancy may have been a more positive experience. This case highlights the importance of establishing a standard of care for women with tokophobia and then adapting that standard to fit each woman's individual needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The STEM TIPS mobile-ready support platform gives institutions or school districts the ability to provide immediate and customized mentoring to teachers through multiple tiers of web-based support and resources. Using the results of a needs assessment, STEM TIPS was created and launched in partnership with 18 Florida school districts. Further results of a user survey from the pilot year of implementation reveal that this program served teacher needs from the initial assessment and enhanced teacher practice. The platform is now structured to provide instructional and support services for multiple partnering districts and institutions both nationally and internationally. Since this program offers induction support to distant and often isolated teachers in real time, it is a substantive model of a solution to the professional development of significant numbers of new teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in middle and high schools.

Geoelectric and electromagnetic (EM) methods are rapid and non‐invasive geophysical techniques for estimating groundwater properties and characterizing the spatial and temporal variability of subsurface formations. However, to quantitatively interpret the EM data, the systematic error due to calibration problems and random error must be considered. We conducted coincident EM and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys in January and December 2018 on Big Pine Key, FL. In this study, we used vertical electrical sounding (VES) data extracted from a 220 m long ERT profile to calibrate the EM data. The inverted VES data were used as input in the EM forward model to estimate the quadrature component response. Then, the observed offset between the calculated and observed quadrature data was corrected using a multiple linear regression model. Finally, the calibrated quadrature data were converted to apparent electrical conductivity and inverted as a 2‐layer model using both the full solution and the low induction approximation. These models were used to assess the temporal and spatial variations of conductivity on a 2.2 km long E–W trending profile across the island. The calibrated apparent electrical conductivity on the profile decreased between January and December 2018, with the largest decreases in the lower elevation regions of the profile. In addition, the 2‐layer models inverted using the full solution and low induction approximation showed the depth of the freshwater interface increased by December 2018. These observations suggest the recovery of the freshwater lens due to precipitation. Based on this study, we concluded the VES at pilot locations can be used for calibration purposes and verification of the accuracy of EM measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted native species and ecosystems in Florida and represent one of the most intractable invasive-species management issues across the globe. The difficulty stems from a unique combination of inaccessible habitat and the cryptic and resilient nature of pythons that thrive in the subtropical environment of southern Florida, rendering them extremely challenging to detect. Here we provide a comprehensive review and synthesis of the science relevant to managing invasive Burmese pythons. We describe existing control tools and review challenges to productive research, identifying key knowledge gaps that would improve future research and decision making for python control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large estuaries are often highly productive and biodiverse areas of ecological and economical significance. Assessing the movement behavior and space use patterns of mobile organisms in these highly dynamic areas is critical for understanding ecological dynamics within systems. Fine-scale movement data, which is useful for successful species management and conservation, is lacking for ecologically relevant species in many estuarine systems, due to the demands for fine-scale data collection methods and increased use of more passive tracking methods. Six bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo) and four bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) were tracked within the Apalachicola Bay system using active acoustic telemetry for periods up to 52 h to compare space use patterns and rates of movement across tidal and diel cycles. Tidal and diel periods had significant effects on the rate of movement (ROM) of both species, with increased ROM during crepuscular periods. Movement behavior was likely driven by a combination of optimal foraging strategies, predator avoidance, and abiotic factors. Unique movement behaviors exhibited by mature bonnetheads provide clarity for their high bycatch rates in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl and should be considered during the formulation of conservation and management measures for the species. By comparing simultaneous active and passive acoustic telemetry data from bonnetheads, we determined that ROM has a negative effect on passive acoustic detection success. More investigation into the effects of environmental conditions and movement on detection efficiency is needed as passive telemetry becomes more widely used to study aquatic animal movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date Presented 03/23/24 Technology can improve older adults' lives as they age in place. Older adults were found to possess technology and be interested in using it, but individualized education is recommended to improve technology use, health, and independence. Primary Author and Speaker: Katy Schmidt Contributing Authors: Teresa Plummer, Aubrey Barcelo, Sarah Dean, Brianne Dombrowski, Alexandra Hurd, Alexandra Joynes, Kelly Struthers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date Presented 03/22/24 Disability awareness training is an important component of accessibility practices in museum settings. This study summarizes research on staff training and gaps in the literature. OTs are underutilized resources for staff training. Primary Author and Speaker: Jennifer Fortuna Additional Authors and Speakers: Jonathan Dean, Holly Fry, Samantha Ross Contributing Authors: Laureen Cantwell-Jurkovic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grooming may be an effective technique to control marine biofouling without damaging the coating or discharging active ingredients into the environment. This study assessed the grooming performance of three experimental biocide-free siloxane polyurethane (SiPU) fouling-release coatings. Coatings were statically immersed in Port Canaveral, Florida, and groomed every two weeks for five months using three different brush types. The ungroomed panels became heavily fouled with biofilm, tubeworms, barnacles, and bryozoans. Two of the brushes were able to control the fouling with a coverage of <5%. The commercial silicone elastomer coating was damaged from grooming procedures, while the SiPU coatings were not. Laboratory biological assays were carried out and mirrored the grooming results. Through surface characterization techniques, it was concluded that the coatings were unaffected by the grooming procedures. This study shows that marine fouling on durable SiPU fouling-release coatings can be controlled via grooming without damage or changing the surface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidental catch of marine species can create ecological and economic issues, particularly for endangered species. The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) is endemic to the Atlantic Ocean and listed as Endangered in the US Endangered Species Act. One of its major threats is bycatch mortality in commercial fisheries.Despite the protection afforded by the US Endangered Species Act, smalltooth sawfish are still captured as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Acoustic and satellite tag data collected on 59 sawfish between 2011 and 2019 were analysed to assess commercial fishery bycatch risk for large juveniles and adults off Florida. This study focused on shrimp trawl, south‐east coastal gillnet, and shark bottom longline fisheries, as these were identified in the recovery plan as having the greatest potential threats to recovery.Bycatch risk associated with the shrimp trawl fishery was significantly higher than the other fisheries, indicating that this fishery currently poses the greatest threat to recovery.Bycatch risk was concentrated in all seasons in the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to the lower Florida Keys for the shrimp trawl fishery, off Cape Canaveral in the south‐east coastal gillnet fishery, and in the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the Florida Keys in the shark bottom longline fishery.Tagging location and sex were predictors of bycatch risk. Individuals tagged in Charlotte Harbor had the highest shrimp trawl bycatch risk. Females tagged in south Florida tended to reside in the deepest water, which is where shrimp trawl effort is highest. Therefore, females may be at more risk in these deeper waters.Results from this study indicate a year‐round closure of waters off south‐west Florida to the shrimp trawl fishery between Charlotte Harbor and the western Florida Keys would reduce sawfish bycatch, and thus mortality, which is in line with recovery plan goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schinus terebinthifolia is a problematic invasive alien plant (IAP) in South Africa that is a high priority target for biological control. Biological control has been implemented in the states of Florida and Hawaii (USA), where S. terebinthifolia is also an IAP. Phylogeographic work determined that there have been multiple introductions of two lineages (haplotype A and B) into the USA. Haplotype A was introduced to western Florida and Hawaii, while haplotype B was introduced to eastern Florida. Haplotypes A and B have subsequently hybridized in Florida, resulting in novel plant genotypes. Biological control agents in the USA are known to vary in efficacies on the two different haplotypes and hybrids. This study used molecular techniques to uncover the source populations of S. terebinthifolia in South Africa using chloroplast DNA and microsatellites. Populations from the introduced ranges in Florida (east, west and hybrids) and Hawaii were included (n = 95). All South Africa populations (n = 51) were found to be haplotype A. Microsatellite analysis determined shared alleles with western Florida and Hawaiian populations. The likely source of South African S. terebinthifolia was determined to be western Florida through the horticultural trade. These results will help guide a biological control programme to source agents that perform well on these populations in the USA. Furthermore, the presence of only one haplotype in South Africa highlights the need to ensure no further introductions of other haplotypes of the plant are made, in order to avoid similar hybridization events like those recorded in Florida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to evaluate growth and nutritional characteristics of seven warm season grasses, including several natives, produced under simulated partial shading (50%) typical of loblolly pine silvopastoral systems in the southeastern United States. Forages included 'Tifton 9' bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), 'Alamo' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), 'Kaw' Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), 'Americus' Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), 'Harrison' Florida paspalum (Paspalum floridanum), and Nacogdoches Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides). Shade affected several quality parameters, including crude protein (CP) (p < 0.0001), acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p = 0.0413), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) (p < 0.0001), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) (p = 0.0132). Shade affected the parameters differently depending on forage type, but generally improved quality by increasing CP, IVTD, and TDN; however, shade significantly increased ADF (p = 0.0413), though the magnitude was small (344.2 vs. 351.1 g kg−1), and increases were isolated to big bluestem and bahiagrass. Shade reduced dry matter yield (DMY) (p < 0.0001), and there were differences among forage species (p < 0.0001). Bahiagrass and Florida paspalum showed the highest yields, regardless of shade treatment. Gamagrass and Florida paspalum would likely have performed better if harvested by days of rest, instead of by height. These could be viable forage species to a silvopasture system, but further studies should be conducted. Based on overall quality and yield, potential beef cattle gains, and persistence under intensive defoliation, the best forage was bahiagrass (introduced), and the best selections for native grasses were switchgrass and Indiangrass. These results indicate that there is potential for several warm season forages, including native grasses, to maintain productivity and quality under shade, which would increase the site-specific options for forage selections in this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals and plants on low elevation oceanic islands often rely on a thin lens of fresh groundwater and this lens is vulnerable to seawater contamination from storm surge. Documentation of the impact of the storm surge on the freshwater lens and its subsequent recovery is limited. In September 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a category 4 storm with storm surge heights in excess of 2 m. This study used Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to investigate the effect of the storm surge on the freshwater lens of Big Pine Key, FL. The study compared ERT images along three profiles ranging between 220 and 280 m length collected in 2011 with post storm data collected about 3 to 4 months (November 2017/January 2018) and eight (May 2018) months after Irma. The post storm data documented that the storm surge impacted the freshwater lens on all three profiles with low resistivity (i.e., high salinity) zones in the upper 2 m of the groundwater. The increase in salinity was most pronounced in the lower elevations of the profiles. The May 2018 data were collected immediately after 2 weeks of intense precipitation. These data showed 40% recovery of the freshwater lens, most pronounced in the lower elevation of the profiles. This suggests that both the impact of storm surge and the freshwater recovery due to precipitation are most pronounced in low elevation regions where both saline and freshwater can collect at the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frosted elfins (Callophrys irus Godart) are a rare lycaenid currently being assessed for potential listing under the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Species Act. We recorded observations on the early life stages of C. irus in north Florida as part of a larger multi-year study of a C. irus metapopulation. Oviposition was observed as early as February 20 and as late as April 7, and occurred primarily on immature inflorescences, apical shoots of a non-flowering stem, leaf petioles, leaf buds, and the margins of leaflets. Larvae were observed as early as March 18 and as late as May 11. Different larval stages fed on different portions of their host plants. The frequency of ant associations with C. irus larvae was similar to other lupine-feeding populations, but less than wild indigo-feeding populations. Larval feeding sign was useful for focusing larval search efforts and may be valuable for researchers trying to determine presence or absence of species in areas that cannot be systematically surveyed for adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prokaryotic species classification has lagged dramatically behind eukaryotic species due to the dependence on the difficult DNA-DNA hybridization technique required for species designation. This is disadvantageous for the general understanding of the diversity of microbial life and unique microorganisms, along with their metabolic abilities, like bioremediation of hazardous waste. This applies to the secondary metabolites microorganisms produce that can be beneficial for humans and other living organisms, such as antibiotics or other industrially important compounds. In an effort to isolate and identify new microbial species, environmental samples were collected from marine sediment environments as marine habitats are under-sampled compared to non-marine habitats. Two marine isolates designated MI-1 and MI-2 were isolated from marine sediment environments off the Gulf Coast of Florida and chosen for further study because of their antibacterial production and unique colony pigmentation. They were genetically analyzed through sequencing of the 16s rRNA gene, shotgun cloning, and an eight-gene multi-locus sequence analysis comparison to 66 other species of the same genus. From these, MI-1 and MI-2 can be classified as members of the Vibrio genus most closely related to Vibrio ruber and a distinct strain from V. ruber type strain VR-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We sampled the herbivores of Acacia holosericea and A. auriculiformis. • Few herbivores were shared across these two Acacia species. • Our results suggest that most herbivores of A. auriculiformis are host specific. • Our study illustrates the value of surveying sympatric relatives of target weeds. Acacia auriculiformis is an invasive weed that causes significant environmental damage across Florida, USA. Previous native range surveys in Australia identified a number of herbivores that are commonly associated with this plant, including several species of leaf-tying moths (Macrobathra spp.) and a chrysomelid beetle (Calomela intemerata). These herbivores are considered strong candidates as biological control agents, but the range of host species they use has not been determined. We therefore conducted a transect survey of herbivorous insects on A. holosericea , a closely-related sympatric relative of A. auriculiformis. These species share areas of sympatry and the latter was sampled simultaneously (in sympatry and allopatry). DNA barcoding approach identified an array of herbivorous insects feeding on A. holosericea , but few were found on both the Acacia species sampled. A literature survey suggested this pattern of host specificity may be consistent across Australian acacias, to the extent that each Acacia species may largely host its own suite of herbivores. These results do not negate the need for host testing procedures in biological control, but they do increase our confidence substantially that several promising potential biological control agents of A. auriculiformis (Macrobathra moths and Calomela beetles) have a restricted host species range. Our study illustrates how exploring the herbivore diversity of plant species closely related to the target weed can provide crucial information for biological control researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to determine the effect of different body postures on neck proprioception and head/neck stabilization. Methods: Twelve healthy college students completed a head repositioning task and a 'head still' task while wearing a headpiece (helmet) with laser fixed on top during standing, kneeling, sitting, and sitting with stabilization. Video data of the laser dot coordinates on a projection screen were obtained to examine the accuracy of the two tasks. Results: There was a significant effect of both posture and vision for both vertical and horizontal head movements during the head still task. Standing and kneeling generated more variable head movement than sitting with or without stabilization. Posture did not significantly affect head repositioning accuracy. Conclusion: For healthy young adults, clinicians and researchers need to be concerned with postural influences on tasks that involve head/cervical spine stabilization, but not head repositioning accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nationally, racial and ethnic disparities in childhood asthma plateaued from 2005 to 2013. We assessed trends in childhood asthma in Miami, Florida using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data and emergency department (ED) utilization and hospitalization rates by zip code population characteristics. Asthma prevalence in Miami did not vary significantly by race/ethnicity in YRBSS respondents in 2005 (16.2-17.2%, all groups), but rose in African-Americans and Hispanics and declined in Whites by 2013 to 27.9, 20.9 and 12.6%, respectively (P = 0.02). Median asthma ED visit rates rose from 106.8 (2006-2008) to 138.2 (2011-2013; P = 0.004) per 10,000 children. High-poverty and majority African-American zip codes were 6.3 and 7.3 times more likely to have asthma ED visit rates > 200 than others (P < 0.001). In high-poverty zip codes, majority African-American population was not associated with significantly higher ED utilization. In low-poverty zip codes, the association became stronger. Greater poverty explains much, but not all of Miami African-Americans’ higher asthma risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of many sessile invertebrates in marine benthic communities is linked to their ability to efficiently remove suspended organic matter from the surrounding water column. To investigate the diet of the barnacle Amphibalanus eburneus, a dominant suspension feeder within the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) of central Florida, we compared the stable isotopes ratios (δ13C and δ15N) of barnacle tissue to those of particulate organic matter (POM). Collections were carried out quarterly for a year from 29 permanent sites and at sites impacted by an Aureoumbra lagunensis bloom. δ13C and δ15N values of Amphibalanus eburneus varied across sites, but δ15N was more stable over time. There was a range of δ15N values of Amphibalanus eburneus tissue from 6.0‰to 10.5‰across sites. Because land-based sources such as sewage are generally enriched in 15N, this suggests a continuum of anthropogenic influence across sites in the IRL. Over 70% of the variation in δ15N values of Amphibalanus eburneus across sites was driven by the d15N values of POM, supporting a generalist feeding strategy on available sources of suspended organic matter. The dominance of this generalist consumer in the IRL may be linked to its ability to consume spatially and temporally variable food resources derived from natural and anthropogenic sources, as well as Aureoumbra lagunensis cells. Generalist consumers such as Amphibalanus eburneus serve an important ecological role in this ecosystem and act as a sentinel species and recorder of local, site-specific isotopic baselines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employed catch data from 2 fishery-independent shark surveys conducted from 2009-2012, as well as stable isotope analysis, to investigate potential effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on large coastal fishes in Florida's Big Bend region. The catch-per-unit-effort of 5 indicator species (3 sharks and 2 teleosts) varied significantly among years in only 2 cases. The stable isotope profiles were significantly different among years in 2 of 5 indicator species, but the relative differences were small, and patterns were not consistent among taxa analyzed. Our results provide no evidence that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill had a significant effect on the relative abundances and food-web structure among large coastal fishes in Florida's Big Bend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat use studies can be used to investigate ecological and behavioural patterns of animals and serve as useful tools for conservation planners. However, specific habitats essential to survival can be difficult to determine for highly mobile marine animals, especially when these species are rare or endangered., Active acoustic tracking telemetry was used to determine daily activity spaces and rates of movement of juvenile smalltooth sawfish ( Pristis pectinata) in critical habitat areas of south-west Florida, USA., Activity space size and rates of movement were positively related with the size of the area where the animal was tracked. Overall, activity spaces were small and ranged from 0.07-0.17 km2 using 95% minimum convex polygons, 0.01-0.16 km2 based on 50% kernel density estimates (KDE), and 0.08-0.68 km2 based on 95% KDE. Rates of movement ranged from 2.4 to 6.1 m min-1., There were no detectable differences in activity space or rates of movement between ebb and flood tide or high or low tide. Activity space decreased and rates of movement increased at night, possibly related to nocturnal foraging behaviour or predator avoidance. Comparisons of tracked animal locations and random locations suggested there was selection for those habitats in close proximity to mangrove shoreline., Though daily activity spaces were small, juvenile smalltooth sawfish did exhibit a daily expansion in activity space over the monitoring period., Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We compared the genetic structure of Macrobathra moth species feeding on Acacia auriculiformis. • Contrasting patterns of genetic structure were found across the four species. • Our results suggest that there may be host-specific cryptic species within two species. • Our results illustrate how initial genetic screening can be used to direct future biological control surveys. Acacia auriculiformis is a native Australian tree that has now become a category 1 invasive weed in Florida, USA. Previous research has identified Macrobathra moths as potential biological control agents for this weed, but little is known about the genetic diversity and structuring of these moths. In this study, we compared the genetic structure of four common Macrobathra moth species across the geographic distribution of A. auriculiformis and across regions where A. auriculiformis does not occur to assess whether any of these moth species may comprise unrecognised cryptic species. We found contrasting patterns of genetic structuring among the four moth species, indicating that host-specific cryptic species could be present in Macrobathra arrectella and M. diplochrysa. Furthermore, we identified a deep genetic disjunction in both M. arrectella and M. callipetala across the Gulf of Carpentaria, a pattern that is also found in A. auriculiformis. The geographic distribution and host plant associations of the distinct mitochondrial lineages of each of these moth species should be further evaluated with additional ecological sampling, and the species status of these lineages tested directly, using additional molecular screening and/or carefully designed cross-mating tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire is a major factor in the ecosystem dynamics of upland Florida habitats. Fire impacts have been well studied in terms of plant community responses, but the effects of fire on soil characteristics and post-fire plant-microbial interactions in these systems remain poorly documented. We investigated the effect of fire intensity and pre-fire vegetation on soil biogeochemistry in Florida scrubby flatwoods. We measured vegetation structure in 30 plots of ¼ m radius before a prescribed burn. Fire duration and temperatures were recorded in each plot. Soil samples taken immediately preceding and 2 w after the burn were analyzed for organic matter, inorganic N, available P and K, N mineralization rates, and potential nitrification rates. All nutrients and N mineralization rates significantly increased after fire. N and P increases were positively correlated with both fire intensity and vegetation. N mineralization was most strongly correlated with changes in available soil P, suggesting P stimulated N mineralization. These results contrast with the few other studies in Florida scrub, which found no effect of fire on soil nutrients. We suggest that taking measurements within a few weeks of burn and using a shallow sampling depth is necessary to document the nutrient pulse in these sandy, nutrient poor systems, and we recommend more research into fire's effect on the soil microbial community. Fire's impact on nutrients and nutrient turnover rates could have important repercussions on post-fire vegetation regrowth. Understanding the effects of fires on soils is therefore critical to developing fire management protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Return visits to the emergency department (ED) or hospital after an index ED visit strain the health system, but information about rates and determinants of revisits is limited. Objective: To describe revisit rates, variation in revisit rates by diagnosis and state, and associated costs. Design: Observational study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project databases. Setting: 6 U.S. states. Patients: Adults with ED visits between 2006 and 2010. Measurements: Revisit rates and costs. Results: Within 3 days of an index ED visit, 8.2% of patients had a revisit; 32% of those revisits occurred at a different institution. Revisit rates varied by diagnosis, with skin infections having the highest rate (23.1% [95% Cl, 22.3% to 23.9%]). Revisit rates also varied by state. For skin infections, Florida had higher risk-adjusted revisit rates (24.8% [Cl, 23.5% to 26.2%]) than Nebraska (10.6% [Cl, 9.2% to 12.1%]). In Florida, the only state with complete cost data, total revisit costs for the 19.8% of patients with a revisit within 30 days were 118% of total index ED visit costs for all patients (including those with and without a revisit). Limitation: Whether a revisit reflects inadequate access to primary care, a planned revisit, the patient's nonadherence to ED recommendations, or poor-quality care at the initial ED visit remains unknown. Conclusion: Revisits after an index ED encounter are more frequent than previously reported, in part because many occur outside the index institution. Among ED patients in Florida, more resources are spent on revisits than on index ED visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herpetofaunal declines have been documented globally, and southern Florida, USA, is an especially vulnerable region because of high impacts from hydrological perturbations and nonindigenous species. To assess the extent of recent change in herpetofauna community composition, we established a baseline inventory during 1995-97 at a managed preserve in a habitat rich area of southwest Florida, and repeated our sampling methods fifteen years later (2010-11). Nine drift fence arrays were placed in four habitat types: mesic flatwood, mesic hammock, depression marsh, and wet prairie. Trapping occurred daily for one week during 7-8 sampling runs in each period (57 and 49 total sampling days, respectively). Species richness was maintained in mesic hammock habitats but varied in the others. Catch rates of several native species (Anaxyrus terrestris, Lithobates grylio, Anolis carolinensis, Nerodia fasciata) declined significantly. Other native species (Lithobates sphenocephalus, Siren lacertian, and Notophthalmus viridescens piaropicola) that were abundant in 1995-97 declined by greater than 50%. Catch rate of only two species (the nonindigenous Anolis sagrei and the native Diadophis punctatus) increased significantly. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated similarity within habitat types but significant dissimilarity between sampling periods, confirming shifts in community composition. Analysis of individual species’ contributions to overall similarity across habitats shows a shift from dominance of native species in the 1990s to increased importance of nonindigenous species in 2010-11. Although natural population fluctuations may have influenced differences between the two sampling periods, our results suggest considerable recent change in the structure and composition of this southwest Florida herpetofaunal community. The causes are unknown, but hydrological shifts and ecological impacts of nonindigenous species may have contributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term population trend data are not available for most butterfly species in many areas. Historically, this has meant that many governmental agencies make conservation decisions affecting this group of organisms with limited knowledge about their existing populations. To remedy this situation in Florida, a statewide database containing locations of at-risk butterfly species on conservation lands was developed primarily through the efforts of citizen scientists. This paper describes the data collection methodology that was used and presents several cases studies showing how this database has already made a difference in shaping the decision-making process to help in the conservation of at-risk butterfly species. A discussion of the methodologies used to generate the at-risk butterfly database, relative to more traditional butterfly monitoring surveys, is presented and recommendations are made on ways to optimize the contributions of volunteers to insect conservation and research programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the possibility of establishing of a land and sea trail in Putnam County, Florida based on the travels embarked on by Philadelphia botanist William Bartram in between 1773 and 1777.

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR), located along the central east coast of Florida (USA) in the western North Atlantic, hosts one of the largest loggerhead ( Caretta caretta) nesting assemblages in the western Hemisphere. Sea turtle nesting activity has been continuously monitored on this beach for > 31 yrs, representing one of the longest sea turtle reproductive data sets in the world. Between 1982 and 2012, an estimated 358,243 nests were deposited on the ACNWR with an estimated annual mean plus 95% confidence interval of 11,556 ± 1,129 nests. This constitutes 25.4% ± 0.8% of the mean annual Florida Index Nesting Beach Survey loggerhead complement. Mean annual clutch size was 113.9 ± 1.4, resulting in a 55.1% ± 4.0% mean annual hatching success rate and a mean emerging success rate of 53.3% ± 3.7%. The only egg-fate that was statistically correlated with emerging success were eggs washed out by erosion. The loss of eggs by erosion was significantly greater during storm and poststorm years, compared with nonstorm years. Among individual first-time nesting females that were measured, mean straight carapace length was 91.2 ± 0.15 cm and mean curved carapace length was 98.2 ± 0.15 cm. These data suggest that the ACNWR supports the greatest loggerhead nest density per kilometer in Florida, underscoring the importance of the ACNWR as one of the most important nesting habitats for loggerhead turtles in the Western Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical anisotropy occurs when electric current flow varies with azimuth. In porous media, this may correspond to anisotropy in the hydraulic conductivity resulting from sedimentary fabric, fractures, or dissolution. In this study, a 28-electrode resistivity imaging system was used to investigate electrical anisotropy at 13 sites in the Biscayne Aquifer of SE Florida using the rotated square array method. The measured coefficient of electrical anisotropy generally ranged from 1.01 to 1.12 with values as high as 1.36 found at one site. The observed electrical anisotropy was used to estimate hydraulic anisotropy (ratio of maximum to minimum hydraulic conductivity) which ranged from 1.18 to 2.83. The largest values generally were located on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge while the lowest values were in low elevation areas on the margin of the Everglades to the west. The higher values of anisotropy found on the ridge may be due to increased dissolution rates of the oolitic facies of the Miami formation limestone compared with the bryozoan facies to the west. The predominate trend of minimum resistivity and maximum hydraulic conductivity was E-W/ SE-NW beneath the ridge and E-W/ SW-NE farther west. The anisotropy directions are similar to the predevelopment groundwater flow direction as indicated in published studies. This suggests that the observed anisotropy is related to the paleo-groundwater flow in the Biscayne Aquifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Houston, J.R. and Dean, R.G., 2014. Shoreline change on the east coast of Florida. A shoreline change data base for Florida dating back to the mid-1800s is unique in the United States, and perhaps the world, with thousands of shoreline change measurements at a nominal spacing of 300 m. Moreover, data are available on factors contributing to shoreline change, including beach nourishment, disposal of dredged sand outside the littoral zone, cutting of new inlets and subsequent growth of ebb shoals, and longshore sediment transport into and along the east coast of Florida. Effects of relative sea level rise can be estimated using the Bruun Rule. These factors should have caused significant shoreline recession since the mid-1800s, but instead, the east coast of Florida has experienced significant average shoreline advance. The formation of carbonate sand is shown not to account for this difference. Onshore transport of sand from beyond closure depth, probably during episodic storm events, is the only possible source of the large quantity of sand that has advanced on average the shoreline of Florida's east coast. For shorelines with significant offshore deposits of sand, it is possible that sea level rise in conjunction with wave action contributes to onshore transport and shoreline accretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the outbreak of adenovirus-associated epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) during the year 2008-2010 in four countries including Florida, Illinois and Minnesota. It states that the outbreak of EKC resulted in significant morbidity and the temporary closure of a neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU) and several clinics. It highlights the risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis of EKC.

Objective. Asthma is the most common chronic condition in childhood and disproportionately impacts the poorer and ethnic minorities. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of asthma in Miami-Dade County (MDC) schoolchildren to aid case-finding and linkage to care. Methods. We used the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) definition of possible asthma ('Ever told by a doctor or nurse that they had asthma and still had asthma') and analyzed data from four sources. These included the: (1)-MDC YRBSS 2009, (2)-MDC Health Connect Asthma Survey of school nurses (>2008), (3)-parents' survey in the five HealthConnect survey elementary schools with highest asthma prevalence, and (4)-focus group with parents of asthmatic children. Results. (1)-MDC YRBSS data showed that 21.3% of high- and 21.4% of middle-school students had been diagnosed with possible asthma. Prevalence was the highest in African-American middle-school girls (26.9%). (2)-HealthConnect survey responders reported that 4.9% of the students in 131 MDC schools had possible asthma. Asthma prevalence was higher in elementary schools (median = 7.1%) and in low-income MDC zip codes. (3)-Of the parent survey responders, 24.9% indicated that their child had possible asthma, and 19.2% reported that their children had no usual source of care. (4)-Focus group participants reported frequent loss of Medicaid coverage for their children, landlords' indifference to the role of poorly maintained housing in asthma, and unmet needs regarding knowledge of health system navigation. Conclusions. Asthma may be common in MDC schoolchildren, particularly in poor communities. Formidable structural factors limit the caregivers' abilities to manage childhood asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), an Asian pest of strawberries and other thin-skinned fruit, was first detected in the Americas in California in the fall of 2008, and its first discovery in Florida came on 4 August 2009 in Hillsborough Co. Although D. suzukii is now found throughout much of Florida, no commercially damaging larval infestations have been reported in fresh market strawberries. Although other drosophilids were present in surveys, only Drosophila melanogaster appears to be a formidable competitor for D. suzukii in strawberries and may prevent or even conceal economic damage in strawberries held for processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A training partnership was established with the Florida Department of Corrections in 2003, and over the ensuing years, art therapy graduate student interns from Florida State University’s Graduate Art Therapy Program have been placed in local prisons at different times. Recently, the art therapy interns worked closely with the supervising psychologist in one prison to alleviate and redirect aggression by integrating cognitive-behavioral techniques with art therapy directives. The art therapy interns and the psychologist developed a curriculum using a combination of workbook exercises and art tasks to develop and increase the participants’ anger management skills, the Art Therapy Anger Management Protocol. This article provides an overview of art therapy in prison, the cognitive-behavioral approach to anger management with prison inmates, and how art therapy was used to support this approach. Examples of completed art tasks designed to correspond with the workbook curriculum are presented. Overall, this article presents the successful collaboration between the psychologist and art therapists and demonstrates how they facilitated improvement in the participants’ anger management skills through this program. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hydrochory may move species into areas appropriate for establishment, increasing the probability that species can take advantage of restored habitat. This research examined the influence of Everglades ridge and slough degradation on hydrochory, the interaction of hydrochory, hydrology, and ecosystem structure, and the role of hydrochory in ecosystem restoration. We identified 41 seed species from 2343 and 2849 seeds trapped in the intact and degraded sites, respectively. Month and the interaction of month and site type had significant effects within subjects in repeated measures ANOVA for seed density/trap, species richness, water depth, and water velocity. Percent cover of standing vegetation and periphyton, and S&3x00F8;renson's Similarity Index comparing standing vegetation and the dispersing seed pool differed significantly between sites in both the wet and dry seasons. Regression analyses indicated that seed species richness and seed density/trap were significantly positively related to water depth and velocity. The timing of increasing water depths and velocity coincided with the dispersal phenology strategy in intact sloughs in late spring/early summer, which may assist the dispersal of slough species through the system into physically restored deeper water areas once they are restored. Ridge species in degraded sloughs, such as swamp sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), timed their seed release with peak water depths immediately before drawdown, and during substantially reduced water velocities. This strategy may increase the probability of these species being deposited on elevated peat locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The xanthophyll cycle pigments [zeaxanthin (ZEA)+antheraxanthin (ANT)+violaxanthin (VIO)] in plants are vital for energy dissipation of excess absorbed light. It is possible to manipulate xanthophyll cycle pigment levels through exposure to light. The objective of this study was to increase ZEA concentrations in mustard (Brassica juncea L. ‘Florida Broadleaf’) microgreens through exposure to high light just prior to tissue harvest. Mustard microgreen plants were cultured on growing pads in a controlled environment under a 14h photoperiod under 275μmolphotonsm−2 s−1. Upon emergence of the first true leaf, light treatments of: (1) 275μmolphotonsm−2 s−1; and (2) 463μmolphotonsm−2 s−1 were initiated. Microgreen plants were harvested after light treatments had accumulated 36h during the photoperiod. Shoot pigments were measured for pigments using HPLC separation. Significant decreases in chlorophyll a (P ≤0.001) and b (P ≤0.01) concentrations under the 463μmolphotonsm−2 s−1 light treatment indicated high light stress had occurred. There were significant decreases in β-carotene (P ≤0.01) and neoxanthin (P ≤0.001) in the 463μmolphotonsm−2 s−1 light treatment; however, lutein concentrations were unchanged. Increases in ZEA (P ≤0.001), and ANT (P ≤0.01) occurred under the 463μmolphotonsm−2 s−1 light treatment. Increasing the ZEA levels in microgreens with a simple change in light management may be an effective way for producers to enhance the nutritional value of this increasingly popular specialty crop. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of urbanization on hydrology, water quality and macroinvertebrates were examined in 7 headwater tributaries of the St. Johns River in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of northeast Florida. All streams had sandy substrata and drained small catchments (24-231 ha) that ranged from 0 to 51% total impervious area (TIA). Streams unaffected by urbanization had intermittent stream flow and completely dry channels for several weeks in autumn and spring. Urbanized streams always possessed channel water, but 2 streams ceased flowing and became stagnant in autumn and spring. Principle components analysis of chemical and physical measures (i.e. conductivity, nutrients, pH, metals, and stream flow) produced one axis (PCA1) that explained 54% of the total variation among the streams. The variables that loaded negatively on this axis were associated with low flows, while the variables that loaded positively were associated with urban land-use. PCA1 was also positively associated with %TIA. Macroinvertebrate richness ranged from 27 to 45 taxa and was positively associated with %TIA. Macroinvertebrate biomass ranged from 3 to 45 g AFDM/m and showed a significant, exponential relationship with PCA1 ( r = 0.93) with greatest biomass occurring at intermediate %TIA. Invertebrate community structure in the urbanized streams appeared to be mainly influenced by hydrologic factors (perennial vs. intermittent flow regimes). The effects of urbanization on both hydrological and biological variables among the study streams were apparent, but also influenced by site-specific conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of Lyngbya (Lyngbya majuscula), a cyanobacterium and a considerable nuisance in the Crystal River, Florida was studied under laboratory conditions. Specifically the cyanobacterium was grown in stoppered inverted 500-mL Erlenmeyer flasks using water from the Crystal River as the control medium. The test medium was prepared using the river water passed over a chromatography column packed with Octolig®, a commercially available product consisting of chelating agents covalently attached to high-surface- area silica gel. Octolig® was designed to be used for removing transition metals, but work has demonstrated that it is also capable of removing nitrate and phosphate from deionized water or well water. Samples were replicated five times each for test and control systems with measurements taken over a two-week period. There were statistically significant differences between test and control for such characteristics as dissolved oxygen (positive for control, negative for test), wet weight, and pH change. In addition, control samples were characteristically green; test samples were obviously chloretic. The origin of the notable differences was not determined in this study, but the results were sufficiently distinctive as to justify further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the recently developed resource "Characteristics of the Shoreline Change along the Sandy Beaches of the State of Florida: An Atlas" (available on the web). The shoreline positions on which the Atlas is based encompass 2F coastal counties extending over 1162 km of shoreline and averages over almost 140 years. The data were analyzed over three different periods (early, recent, and total) to distinguish mainly beach nourishment and sand bypassing projects, primarily in the recent period. The east and west coastlines of Florida have advanced significantly in the recent period relative to the early period, with the recent and early period average shoreline change rates being +23 cm/y and +18 cm/y on the east coast and +27 cm/y and -7 cm/y on the west coast, respectively. This improvement is attributable to, in part the large quantities of sand placed during nourishment and sand bypass projects. Shoreline changes in the vicinity of the inlets were examined, and it was found that shoreline fluctuations decreased significantly with increasing distance from the inlets, and that sand bypass and nourishment projects reduced the shoreline variability during the recent period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]