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Prescribed burning is a popular method for the control of invasive species; however, research is lacking on the application of fire in a species-specific manner. We assess whether heat sensitivity differences among seeds of Texas grassland species can be used to target invasive species in prescribed burns. We conducted heat treatments on the invasive yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum), and 5 native species, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), silver beardgrass (Bothriochloa laguroides), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and Texas bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) at 125, 175, 225, and 250°C and at durations of 30, 60, 120 and 240 s. Temperature affected percent germination of yellow bluestem, while duration affected all species except Texas bluebonnet. A temperature*duration interaction affected sideoats grama. We also calculated a native species:yellow bluestem index of germination response which provided a measure of the responses of the native species relative to yellow bluestem. Little bluestem was the only species that germinated at higher percentages than yellow bluestem across all treatments, although, at the highest temperature Indiangrass outperformed yellow bluestem. Among native species, intermediate temperatures and exposure times had the least damaging effects on germination. Burning during the non-growing season will result in little damage to grass tissue and greater damage to the seeds of native species, while active-season burns applied at an optimal time are likely to have greater consequences for the target invasive. The use of invasive-species-targeted prescribed fire will require careful planning to maximize damage to the invasive while minimizing damage to the native seed bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What Is Known and Objective: Despite recommendations to avoid fluoroquinolones (FQs) as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated cystitis, recent data suggest that FQs remain widely prescribed. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the appropriateness of empiric FQ use compared to nitrofurantoin for uncomplicated cystitis and to determine whether there are any trends or predictors of empiric FQ versus nitrofurantoin use for uncomplicated cystitis., Methods: This retrospective study included women ages 19-64 years who were seen at five family medicine clinics and were prescribed targeted antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin) for uncomplicated cystitis. Charts were reviewed to collect data, including symptoms, comorbidities, allergies, creatinine clearance, recent antibiotic use and urine culture data. Appropriateness of empiric selection was determined based on national guidelines and local susceptibility data., Results and Discussion: A total of 677 patient encounters were screened for inclusion. Of those, 567 met the inclusion criteria: 395 nitrofurantoin and 172 FQs. Treatment was considered appropriate in 86.8% and 10.5% of cases that were prescribed nitrofurantoin and FQs, respectively (P < .01). There were four independent predictors of FQ use identified by multivariate logistical regression: clinic at which the patient was treated, age, nitrofurantoin use within 90 days prior to encounter and previous urine culture within one year with an organism non-susceptible to nitrofurantoin., What Is New and Conclusion: Despite recommendations against FQs for uncomplicated cystitis, they continue to be widely prescribed, and their use for this indication is often inappropriate. This highlights the need for additional interventions and education to improve use and preserve the utility of FQs., (Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.)