Distribution of Shell Formation Proteins in Oyster Hemolymph, Hemocytes, and Mantle Tissue

The occurrence and composition of L,3-4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-containing proteins (L-DOPA proteins) that participate in oyster shell formation has not been fully determined. It is known that the oyster mantle tissue is primarily responsible for shell formation and recent research has demonstrated the involvement of the hemolymph (blood) and hemocytes (blood cells). L-DOPA proteins are known to aid in the cross linking of shell formation proteins, in turn creating the insoluble organic matrix formed to produce the organic component of the shell. Using the biomarker amino acid L-DOPA, this research focuses on determining the localization of these shell formation proteins in hemocytes, hemolymph, and mantle tissue of Crassostrea virginica (the Eastern oyster). In order to study the localization of these proteins, rapid shell formation/repair will be induced by notching the oyster (mimicking predation) and shell protein composition and location will be determined as the oyster repairs the shell. Proteins responsible for shell formation and regeneration containing L-DOPA will be collected from the adductor muscle near the site of notching in the oysters. These proteins will be further examined after centrifugation by amino acid analysis of the cell pellet (hemocytes), supernatant (hemolymph), and mantle tissue rinsed in filtered sea water. The newly regenerated shell, like the other samples, will be extracted and analyzed for protein composition and distribution as well. All samples will be extracted at regular intervals beginning at time of induction and continuously throughout shell regeneration (t=0hrs, 48hrs, 96hrs, 168hrs, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks) in order to determine their amino acid composition. Amino acid analysis will be done using integrated pulse amperometryanion exchange high performance liquid chromatography

Using Multiple Environmental Tracers to Estimate Field-Scale Longitudinal Dispersivity

In this study, we seek to reduce parameter uncertainty in groundwater modeling systems, particularly in reactive transport models, by quantifying effective field-scale longitudinal dispersivity using anthropogenic environmental tracers. We generate synthetic aquifer fields and model transport of atmospheric tracers and test whether tracers can be used to determine an effective aquifer-scale dispersion coefficient. We generate synthetic datasets by simulating transport of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC11, CFC12, CFC113), sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) and tritium (3H) with input functions derived from known atmospheric concentrations, through a three-dimensional, stochastic, heterogeneous synthetic aquifer developed using sequential Gaussian simulation using the PFLOTRAN reactive transport model. Flux-averaged concentrations calculated from model output are used as synthetic observation datasets to calibrate effective dispersivity for simplified homogeneous models with the PEST parameter estimation software. Tracer-derived effective dispersivity values are compared with theoretical and empirical values reasonable for our stochastic structure. We assess the ability of our homogenous model with tracer-derived effective dispersion coefficients to reproduce transport of a synthetic contaminant through the heterogeneous 3D field with two new boundary conditions. The ratio of CFC11/SF6 displays less than a 10% difference between the full (4.12m) and single-time (4.43m) series derived effective dispersivity. The ratio of CFC12/SF6 displays less than a 10% difference between the full (4.09m) and single-time (4.43m) series value. While all tracer-derived values from both the full-time and single-time series (1.96 m to 10.75 m) were within reason compared to the theoretically and empirically derived values (1.01 m to 5.32 m), dispersivity values derived from CFC11/SF6 and CFC12/SF6 for the full and single-time series display quantitatively smaller residuals compared to our heterogeneous truth model for our new boundary conditions. Our results indicate that environmental tracers can be useful in estimating effective dispersion coefficients for reactive transport models over longer length and time scales than traditional applied tracer studies. This new method of utilizing multiple environmental tracers over a limited time series could be an easy, inexpensive, and effective solution in quantifying field-scale longitudinal dispersivity and reduce parameter uncertainty in groundwater/contamination transport models

The state of Florida's estuaries and future needs in estuarine research: Part 2. an academic research agenda (review draft)

As a program supporting academic research that addresses recognized societal needs, the Florida Sea Grant Program is developing a research theme area on estuaries to provide a uniquely academic product that will augment mission-oriented research undertaken by government and by the private sector. This report is not a call for proposals. It does not prescribe a specific research plan. Rather, it is a concept paper designed to focus research on two broad "organizing themes": (1) the hydrology of Florida's estuaries, and (2) the impact of cyclic environmental variability on estuarine function. (46pp.

Auswirkungen körperlicher Aktivität auf die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit: Wie beeinflussen Sportfechten und le Parkour die Konzentrationsfähigkeit bzw. Kreativität von Studierenden?

In the first intervention study, 26 students learnt fencing, while 46 students participated in an aerobic endurance training (Ø 87.8±3.5 days). Results indicate no sport-specific influence. The second intervention study (Ø 87.5±3.6 & 86.5±3.4 days) indicated a sport-specific effect of le Parkour on creative thinking skills (ASK). Verbal creativity increased significantly more through le Parkour than aerobic endurance training (p=.001, eta²=.215 & p=.001, eta²=.266)

The Physiological Implications of Bleaching of Corals Off Southeast Florida

As part of an ongoing study of coral bleaching, observations were made of corals on reefs (ca. 8m) off John U. Lloyd Beach, Dania, FL, in December, 1987. Bleaching was evident in approximately 50% of Montastrea annularis, the dominant scleractinian coral species. Quantitative pigment measurements by HPLC show that bleached corals containe

Bull terrier hereditary nephritis: A model for autosomal dominant Alport syndrome

Bull terrier hereditary nephritis: A model for autosomal dominant Alport syndrome. Bull terrier hereditary nephritis is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease and causes renal failure at variable ages in affected dogs. The aims of this study were to compare the clinical, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of bull terrier hereditary nephritis with the characteristics of the human forms of Alport syndrome. Many animals with bull terrier hereditary nephritis have hematuria, and some have anterior lenticonus. However, deafness is not associated with the renal disease, and affected dogs do not have the large platelets that are occasionally seen in patients with autosomal Alport syndrome. The glomerular capillary basement membrane (GCBM) in affected bull terriers has an identical ultrastructural appearance to that seen in X-linked Alport syndrome, with lamellations and intramembranous electron-dense deposits. However, both the Goodpasture and the Alport antigens, which represent parts of the alpha 3(IV) and alpha 5 (IV) collagen chains, respectively, are present in the GCBM of affected dogs. Bull terrier hereditary nephritis represents an animal model for autosomal dominant Alport syndrome, and can be used to further examine how genetic mutations affect a basement membrane protein and the corresponding membrane structure

A Medical student, Pharmacy student and a Nurse resident walk into a room

Learning Objectives Participants will: 1. Describe how an innovative interprofessional education project was designed and implemented in an academic clinical setting. 2. Demonstrate how simulation was employed to achieve specific Core Competencies of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice a. The Purpose of our project was to develop, implement and evaluate an interprofessional simulation program to assist medical students, pharmacy students and nursing residents in achieving the competencies required for interprofessional practice (IP). b. Background: Working as a part of an interprofessional team is an essential skill for healthcare providers. As such it has become a core competency among trainees in many professional fields. Despite this need, there is little that currently exists in the clinical curriculum for students to participate in deliberately. c. Description of Intervention or Program: An IP educational curriculum was built consisting of an online module describing each profession’s education requirements and elements of effective team function. Three simulation exercises were developed with an embedded issue requiring team approach to address the patient’s concern. The Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment survey (ICCAS) was issued pre and post program for quantitative data. Additionally a focus group was held post project for qualitative data. All participants were asked to attend all education and simulation sessions. d. Preliminary Results: Focus group comments include,” It was interesting to see different thought processes”. “We didn’t know (at first) what we were all capable of”. Initial ICCA results indicate that respondents perceive their IP abilities improved by participating in the project. Participants reported overall that they enjoyed the program and thought it should be continued. e. Relevance to interprofessional education or practice: The results indicate that by participating in the project, these emerging professionals learned about another health care team members’ scope of practice, role and capabilities to managing patient problems. f. Recommendations for future investigation and/or incorporation into education and/or practice settings: The importance of continued opportunities for emerging professionals to work together deliberately in the clinical setting will improve their outlook on team work in future interactions with other professionals. Scenarios need to be well focused and provide good opportunity for each involved discipline to contribute meaningfully. Individuals must be matched well in terms of experience or at least self-efficacy

The Gulf Stream Front, Its Role in Larval Fish Survival and Recruitment in Florida: Hydrographic Station and Plankton Data

The goal of this project was to develop a clearer understanding of the role that the Gulf Stream system plays in larval fish survival and recruitment in Florida waters. The specific objectives of this study were to: Determine whether the biomass of fish larva, other zooplankton, microzooplankton and phytoplankton is higher at the shoreward front of the Gulf Stream than on either side of it. Characterize the assemblages of fish larvae predators and prey both at the front and on either side of it. Determine if the composition, abundance and size frequency distribution of larval and juvenile fishes in the front is different from that in the coastal zone or in the Gulf Stream. Monitor the position of the Gulf Stream by continuous measurements of physical variables at moorings located in the Gulf Stream off Fort Lauderdale and within Port Everglades. This project was a first effort to characterize the coupling between physical and biological processes that may influence the early life histories of fishes in Florida\u27s coastal waters. This report contains the hydrographic and plankton data from the project. It is intended to facilitate data access by the scientific and management communities. Interpretations and detailed analyses of these data are being given in meeting presentations, peer-reviewed journal articles (Stone et al. draft manuscript, Braker et al. draft manuscript, Frazel et al. in preparation) and graduate theses (Stone 1993; Braker 1993)

AN ANALYSIS of the 20-year use of a deep Broward County lime-rock pit as a natural advanced wastewater treatment and groundwater recycling facility, with a recommendation that: with the large number of similar lime-rock pits in Southeast Florida, the opportunity for expanding the benefits of such inland wastewater retention should be given serious consideration instead of wastefully discharging the water into the ocean.

The benefits of the inland retention of freshwaters in South Florida are indisputable. During periods of prolonged drought, the maintenance of a higher groundwater table, which benefits terrestrial vegetation and retards saltwater intrusion, is clearly preferable to the alternative of discharging up to 400,000 gallons of freshwater per day into the ocean. Therefore, the only objections to the retention of treated sewage effluent in an inland lime-rock pit, with the physical, chemical and biologic characteristics of our pits, would have to do with possible detrimental effects to public health or the environment. The major public health concern involves the possible discharge of human pathogens. This can be prevented by high-level chlorination of well-treated effluent such as that of the Ferncrest Utilities. With the cooperation and help of the Nova University Oceanographic Center, the Florida Agricultural Research and Education Station, the Broward County Environmental Quality Control Board and the landowners, the Tindall Hammock Irrigation and Soil Conservation District and the Ferncrest Utilities respectfully submit that retention of the excellent tertiary-treated Ferncrest Utilities effluent in such a lime-rock pit accomplishes the following: • Provides an inexpensive, safe, practical, alternative, non-structural, natural, and environmentally sound drainage and wastewater pollutant treatment and inactivation facility that uses no energy except sunlight. • Conserves, stores and recycles stormwater and wastewater instead of wasteful discharge into canals or the ocean. • Helps to maintain a higher groundwater elevation, thereby reducing the volume of irrigation water needed for area lawns and shrubbery, and the energy and expense thereof. • Retards the rate of saltwater intrusion into the aquifer. • Enhances the U.S. EPA\u27s goal of fishable, swimmable public waters by complexing and precipitating runoff and wastewater pollutants, thereby keeping them out of the North New River Canal, the New River and the ocean. With the large number of similar lime-rock pits in Southeast Florida, the opportunity for expanding the benefits of such inland wastewater retention should be given serious consideration