Correlations in Microplastic Abundance Between Water, the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and Their Biodeposits in a Dynamic Florida Estuary

Estuaries have been identified as hotspots of microplastic pollution because they are transitional zones where coastal freshwater and oceans converge. Microplastics (MP) are transported through estuaries by a dynamic series of forces such as surface flow and tides, which influence MP abundances and trends. The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is an estuarine bivalve known to ingest MP, resulting in negative impacts on organism physiology. I investigated MP pollution as a threat to C. virginica in a dynamic Florida estuary, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), and determined there are both regional and small-scale spatial and temporal fluctuations in MP abundance. Tributaries were identified sources of MP, while inlets flush them out of the system. The south IRL is a hotspot for MP, where the St Lucie Estuary is the primary tributary. Throughout the IRL, fibers dominated MP and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most abundant polymer type ( \u3e 50%). Overall, C. virginica had a mean of 2.2 MP/individual and lagoon water had 1.5 MP/L. An in-situ biodeposition experiment revealed C. virginica of all sizes were able to egest environmental MP at a rate of 1 MP per 1 hour through feces, and 1 MP per 2 hours through pseudofeces. Oysters had a mean MP egestion efficiency of 62.1%, and 32.1% of oysters were able to egest all MP from their tissues within 2 hours. Smaller C. virginica were more efficient at egesting MP, and egestion efficiency decreased by 0.8% for every 1-g increase in tissue weight. Overall, I provide an argument that MP are ubiquitous in this hydrologically dynamic estuary in both the water and in a keystone, filter-feeding invertebrate. I estimate there are currently ~1.4 trillion microplastics in the Indian River Lagoon

The Impact of Crown Conch on Intertidal Oyster Populations in Mosquito Lagoon

Commercial oyster harvesters in Florida have long complained that the Florida crown conch Melongena coronais in competition with them for harvestable-sized eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Harvesters also suggest that crown conch, rather than overharvesting, has led to a large decline in oyster populations. To determine the role of M. corona on oysters in Mosquito Lagoon, we must first better understand the biology and ecology of M. corona., and to comprehend crown conch biology in Mosquito Lagoon along the east coast of central Florida, we conducted a three-part experiment in Canaveral National Seashore (northern Mosquito Lagoon). Specifically, we designed a field feeding trial to determine prey oyster size preference. To this end, we executed surveys of oyster reefs to gauge the population density of M. corona in Mosquito Lagoon and tracked conch movements in intervals to determine locomotive capabilities. Our results indicate M. corona: 1) was uncommon in Mosquito Lagoon, with the exception of hotspots, 2) did not selectively forage based on tested oyster shell lengths, and 3) moved a mean of 63.5 meters in 24 hours. Based on our abundance data, we estimate that there are 5137 M. corona across 2802 oyster reefs in Mosquito Lagoon (mean: 0.01 conch/m2, with 0.75 conch/m2 in hotspots). More common were thin stripe hermit crabs (Clibanarius vittatus) occupying shells that once housed M. corona. Therefore, it is not likely that M. corona has played a significant role in oyster population declines in Canaveral National Seashore

Exploring the use of lung ultrasound in the cardiac surgery population: a scoping review.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a safe, quick, and portable diagnostic tool which can accurately detect respiratory complications post-surgery without radiation. The aim of this scoping review was to map the evidence base regarding the use of LUS within the cardiac surgery population. JBI methodology for scoping reviews. In total, 90 reports were identified: 73 research studies, 6 narrative reviews, and 11 narrative, opinion and text articles. Studies were predominantly observational cohort and aimed to determine or compare LUS diagnostic ability, prognostic ability or both. LUS methods were heterogenous and variably reported. Despite an increasing number of studies since 2014, standardised protocols for the use of LUS are yet to be widely adopted and remain an important area for further work. Future research should consider exploring perceptions and experiences of LUS, the use of LUS in treatment outcome measurement, and use by non-physician healthcare professionals

How Does a Pre-Assessment of Off-Campus Students\u27 Information Literacy Affect the Effectiveness of Library Instruction?

This study investigates the impact that pre-tests have on the effectiveness of library instruction when students are given feedback on their pre-test performance. Librarians and academic faculty partnered to measure library instruction outcomes in two Master\u27s degree classes. The Research Readiness Self-Assessment (RRSA) was used as a pre-test (before instruction) and a post-test (after instruction) in Class 1 and as a post-test only in Class 2. Students who completed both tests performed significantly better on a post-test, earning higher scores on obtaining information and overall information literacy. They reported greater library/research experience and less reliance on browsing. Compared to students who did not take a pre-test, students who received pre-test-based feedback had higher scores on library/research experience and lower scores on reliance on browsing. To enhance the effectiveness of library instruction, students can be given pre-test-based feedback that compares their actual and perceived literacy and encourages the use of library databases

Digitech, Remix and Design Research for course /program-wide thinking and enhancement

[EN] This paper describes the initial stage of an exploratory investigation in which the authors aim to build course/program-wide thinking into a process aimed atsupporting, documenting and sharing technology-rich practices, innovative teaching and active student learning. The investigation uses a remix lens, in an attempt to creatively consider the manipulation of resources and approaches for reuse, while supporting consistency across subjects/units within a course. The authors are workingwithin Deakin University’sCourse EnhancementProcess, which is a major universitywide initiative that includes a framework of collaborative teams comprising academic and resourcing specialists working with faculty academic leaders. The Course Enhancement Process is flexible in its implementation and the authors aim to use the process to build a sustainable course-wide sharing and thinking approach within the Business and Law faculty at Deakin University, Australia.Casey, G.; Craig, A. (2015). Digitech, Remix and Design Research for course /program-wide thinking and enhancement. En 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION ADVANCES (HEAD' 15). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 103-110. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd15.2015.368OCS10311

Microplastics, Oysters, and the Indian River Lagoon – Final Report to IRL NEP, March 2021

UCF and partners initiated microplastics (MP) sampling in the Indian River Lagoon in March 2019, with monthly sampling of water samples at 35 locations, and quarterly sampling of oysters through February 2020. Additionally, the ability of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica to excrete microplastics was examined. Forty-four percent of water samples contained MP and there was an overall mean (± S.E.) of 1.47 (± 0.05) MP per liter of lagoon water (range: 0 – 25 MP). Fibers were the dominant MP type of MP (95.6%) and no nurdles or microbeads were collected. The dominant color of MP in water was clear followed by light blue, black and dark/royal blue. The mean length of MP was 1.94 (± 0.13) mm with a range in length from 0.1 to 30 mm. Water from the southern regions of the lagoon contained significantly higher abundances of MP and these MP were smaller in length. A significant difference in MP abundance across sampling months was also detected. Samples collected during April, May, June, October, December and February samples had significantly more MP than all other months. Oyster sampling took place in May, August, and November 2019, and February 2020. Overall, 70% of 1440 oysters contained MP. A total of 3181 MP was found in oysters. Lagoon-wide, the mean abundance of MP in oysters was 2.26 (± 0.08), and mean density per gram tissue weight was 2.43 (± 0.26) MP. The mean length of MP was 2.79 (± 0.06) mm. Fibers dominated collections (95.0%) and black, clear and dark blue were the dominant colors. Smaller oysters (\u3c 35 mm) contained higher densities of MP per gram tissue weight than adults and contained larger MP. Oysters from the southern IRL had more MP than other regions, but there was no difference in MP length between locations. Experimental trials to examine MP in oyster biodeposits (feces + pseudofeces) were conducted from 15 July through 18 July 2019. MP were present in both feces and pseudofeces from both small and adult oysters. Overall, 67% of oysters produced biodeposits that contained MP. MP ranged in length from 0.05 - 20 mm in pseudofeces and 0.05 - 6 mm in feces. Mean length of MP in pseudofeces was 1.73 (± 0.16), and 1.46 (± 0.08) mm in feces. Fibers accounted for 88.3% of MPs found in biodeposits, and black MPs were the most abundant color. MPs in biodeposits from small oysters were significantly larger than those in adult biodeposits by an average of 1.07 mm. Oysters had a mean MP egestion efficiency of 62.1%, and 32% of oysters were able to egest all MP from their tissues during the 2-h trials. There was no egestion efficiency difference among IRL regions. MP egestion efficiency decreased significantly with increasing oyster shell height and tissue mass; AIC model selection revealed tissue mass was best at predicting MP egestion efficiency in C. virginica. Egestion efficiency decreased by 0.8% for every 1-gram increase in tissue weight. Overall, results indicated that oysters excreted at a rate of approximately 1 MP per 1 hour through feces, and 1 MP per 2 hours through pseudofeces

The Pim kinases control rapamycin-resistant T cell survival and activation

Although Pim-1 or Pim-2 can contribute to lymphoid transformation when overexpressed, the physiologic role of these kinases in the immune response is uncertain. We now report that T cells from Pim-1−/−Pim-2−/− animals display an unexpected sensitivity to the immunosuppressant rapamycin. Cytokine-induced Pim-1 and Pim-2 promote the rapamycin-resistant survival of lymphocytes. The endogenous function of the Pim kinases was not restricted to the regulation of cell survival. Like the rapamycin target TOR, the Pim kinases also contribute to the regulation of lymphocyte growth and proliferation. Although rapamycin has a minimal effect on wild-type T cell expansion in vitro and in vivo, it completely suppresses the response of Pim-1−/−Pim-2−/− cells. Thus, endogenous levels of the Pim kinases are required for T cells to mount an immune response in the presence of rapamycin. The existence of a rapamycin-insensitive pathway that regulates T cell growth and survival has important implications for understanding how rapamycin functions as an immunomodulatory drug and for the development of complementary immunotherapeutics