A general pattern of trade-offs between ecosystem resistance and resilience to tropical cyclones.

Tropical cyclones drive coastal ecosystem dynamics, and their frequency, intensity, and spatial distribution are predicted to shift with climate change. Patterns of resistance and resilience were synthesized for 4138 ecosystem time series from n = 26 storms occurring between 1985 and 2018 in the Northern Hemisphere to predict how coastal ecosystems will respond to future disturbance regimes. Data were grouped by ecosystems (fresh water, salt water, terrestrial, and wetland) and response categories (biogeochemistry, hydrography, mobile biota, sedentary fauna, and vascular plants). We observed a repeated pattern of trade-offs between resistance and resilience across analyses. These patterns are likely the outcomes of evolutionary adaptation, they conform to disturbance theories, and they indicate that consistent rules may govern ecosystem susceptibility to tropical cyclones.

Effects of Lyngbya majuscula blooms on the seagrass Halodule wrightii and resident invertebrates.

Cyanobacterial blooms have been increasing worldwide due to increased nutrients associated with urban, industrial, and agricultural development. Blooms that occur in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida may be increased by nutrient-laden runoff from storm water and non-point sewage pollution due to alterations to the watershed. In the IRL, during the summer of 2006, extensive blooms of the marine cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula, were observed forming mats throughout beds of the seagrass Halodule wrightii in Fort Pierce, Florida. The effects of cyanobacterial blooms were compared to artificial shading of H. wrightii to assess the shading potential of L. majuscula. The combined effects of L. majuscula removal and artificial shading showed increases in the below ground biomass of H. wrightii. However, leaf length increased in the presence of L. majuscula. In response to artificial shading, H. wrightii decreased in density, but showed similar leaf elongation. A common bivalve in our study area, Macoma constricta, increased in density when L. majuscula was removed. Therefore, when L. majuscula blooms occur, light limitation is one of the mechanisms altering H. wrightii density and leaf lengths in the IRL. Loss of H. wrightii biomass due to shading from cyanobacterial mats may further damage the diversity and habitat value of the IRL.

Postglacial expansion pathways of red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, in the Caribbean Basin and Florida.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was a period of massive range contraction. Post-LGM, water-dispersed coastal species, including the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), expanded poleward as propagules were transported by ocean currents. We assessed postglacial marine expansion pathways for R. mangle within the Caribbean Basin and Florida. METHODS: Six microsatellite loci were used to genotype 237 individuals from nine R. mangle populations in the Caribbean, Florida, and Northwest Africa. We evaluated genetic variation, population structure, gene flow along alternative post-LGM expansion pathways to Florida, and potential long-distance dispersal (LDD) from West Africa to Caribbean islands. KEY RESULTS: These R. mangle populations had substantial genetic structure (FST = 0.37, P < 0.0001) with three discrete population clusters (Caribbean mainland, Caribbean islands, and Florida). Genetic connectivity along the mainland pathway (Caribbean mainland to Florida) vs. limited gene dispersal along the Antilles Island pathway (Caribbean islands to Florida) supported Florida recolonization from Caribbean mainland sources. Genetic similarity of Northwest Africa and two Caribbean islands provided evidence for trans-Atlantic LDD. We did not find a pattern of decreasing genetic diversity with latitude. CONCLUSIONS: We outline a complex expansion history for R. mangle, with discrete pathways of recolonization for Florida and Caribbean islands. Contrary to expectation, connectivity to putative Caribbean mainland refugial populations via ocean currents, and not latitude, appears to dictate genetic diversity within Caribbean island and Florida R. mangle. These findings provide a framework for further investigation of additional water-dispersed neotropical species, and insights for management initiatives.

Nutrient enrichment intensifies hurricane impact in scrub mangrove ecosystems in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA.

Mangroves are an ecological assemblage of trees and shrubs adapted to grow in intertidal environments along tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate coasts. Despite repeated demonstrations of their ecologic and economic value, multiple stressors including nutrient over-enrichment threaten these and other coastal wetlands globally. These ecosystems will be further stressed if tropical storm intensity and frequency increase in response to global climate changes. These stressors will likely interact, but the outcome of that interaction is uncertain. Here, we examined potential interaction between nutrient over-enrichment and the September 2004 hurricanes. Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne made landfall along Florida's Indian River Lagoon and caused extensive damage to a long-term fertilization experiment in a mangrove forest, which previously revealed that productivity was nitrogen (N) limited across the forest and, in particular, that N enrichment dramatically increased growth rates and aboveground biomass of stunted Avicennia germinans trees in the interior scrub zone. During the hurricanes, these trees experienced significant defoliation with three to four times greater reduction in leaf area index (LAI) than control trees. Over the long-term, the +N scrub trees took four years to recover compared to two years for controls. In the adjacent fringe and transition zones, LAI was reduced by > 70%, but with no differences based on zone or fertilization treatment. Despite continued delayed mortality for at least five years after the storms, LAI in the fringe and transition returned to pre-hurricane conditions in two years. Thus, nutrient over-enrichment of the coastal zone will increase the productivity of scrub mangroves, which dominate much of the mangrove landscape in Florida and the Caribbean; however, that benefit is offset by a decrease in their resistance and resilience to hurricane damage that has the potential to destabilize the system.

Red mangrove life history variables along latitudinal and anthropogenic stress gradients.

Mangroves migrate northward in Florida and colonize marshes historically dominated by salt marsh species. In theory, this migration should be facilitated by greater numbers of propagules stemming from increased reproductive activity and greater genetic variability caused by outcrossing. We aimed to determine if stand reproduction and % outcrossing were affected by cold stress (stress increases with latitude), anthropogenic stress (human population density as a proxy), and years since a major hurricane. Further, we wished to determine if mutation rate varied with the stressors and if that affected stand reproduction. Both coasts of Florida from the southern Florida Keys to Tampa Bay on the Gulf of Mexico coast, and Merritt Island on the Atlantic coast. We conducted field surveys of frequency of reproducing trees (104,211 trees surveyed in 102 forested stands), incidence of trees showing albinism in propagules, and% outcrossing estimated from the ratio of albino:normal propagules. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test a conceptual model that served as a multivariate hypothesis. Reproductive frequencies varied by site and increased with latitude although more strongly on the Gulf coast. Our SEM results indicate that outcrossing increases in this predominately selfing species under conditions of cold and anthropogenic stress, and that this increases reproductive output in the population. Further, we find that increased mutation rates suppress stand reproductive output but there is no significant relationship between outcrossing and mutation rate. Tree size responded to stressors but did not affect stand reproduction. Reproduction increased with years since major hurricane. Potential for colonization of northern Florida salt marshes by mangroves is enhanced by increased reproductive rates that provides more propagules and outcrossing that should enhance genetic variation thereby promoting adaptation to novel environmental conditions. Natural (cold) stress reduced mutation rate and increased stand reproductive output but anthropogenic stress did the opposite.

On the myths of indicator species: issues and further consideration in the use of static concepts for ecological applications.

The use of static indicator species, in which species are expected to have a similar sensitivity or tolerance to either natural or human-induced stressors, does not account for possible shifts in tolerance along natural environmental gradients and between biogeographic regions. Their indicative value may therefore be considered at least questionable. In this paper we demonstrate how species responses (i.e. abundance) to changes in sediment grain size and organic matter (OM) alter along a salinity gradient and conclude with a plea for prudency when interpreting static indicator-based quality indices. Six model species (three polychaetes, one amphipod and two bivalves) from the North Sea, Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea region were selected. Our study demonstrated that there were no generic relationships between environment and biota and half of the studied species showed different responses in different seas. Consequently, the following points have to be carefully considered when applying static indicator-based quality indices: (1) species tolerances and preferences may change along environmental gradients and between different biogeographic regions, (2) as environment modifies species autecology, there is a need to adjust indicator species lists along major environmental gradients and (3) there is a risk of including sibling or cryptic species in calculating the index value of a species.

Insights on the poster preparation and presentation process.

Dissemination of research findings and effective clinical innovations is key to the growth and development of the nursing profession. Several avenues exist for the dissemination of information. One forum for communication that has gained increased recognition over the past decade is the poster presentation. Poster presentations are often a significant part of regional, national, and international nursing conferences. Although posters are frequently used to disseminate information to the nursing community, little is reported about actual poster presenters' experiences with preparation and presentation of their posters. The purpose of this article is to present insights derived from information shared by poster presenters regarding the poster preparation and presentation process. Such insights derived from the personal experiences of poster presenters may assist others to efficiently and effectively prepare and present scholarly posters that disseminate information to the nursing community.

Effects of educational intervention in gerontology on hospital employees' knowledge of and attitudes about the older adult.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a continuing education program in gerontology on knowledge and attitudes of acute care hospital personnel with respect to the older adult. One hundred and sixty-nine acute care hospital personnel completed both the Kogan's Old People Scale and Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz Part 1 and Part 2 before and after participating in the four-session gerontology education program (GEP). The hypothesis was that the GEP would have positive effects on both knowledge of and attitudes toward the elderly. Results suggest that the GEP effectively enhanced the knowledge and attitudes of the participants. The most consistent moderator variable influencing attitude was gender: women were found to have more positive attitudes both before and after the program.

Determination of cadmium, lead, and nickel by simultaneous multielement flame atomic absorption spectrometry in burned and unburned Venezuelan crude oil.

This work describes the use of simultaneous multielement flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of cadmium, lead, and nickel in burned and unburned Venezuelan crude oil (5 ml volumes) in controlled laboratory experiments. The simultaneous detection limits were 0.010 mug ml(-1) (Cd), 0.04 mug ml(-1) (Pb), and 0.40 mug ml(-1) (Ni) with precision's of these elements at concentrations of 10x above these detections limits, and in the crude oil, of 1-2%. Loss of elemental concentrations in the crude oil in a 3-5 ml volume when burned were 4% (Cd), 50% (Pb), and 22% (Ni). These results suggest that the form of the elements and the temperature attained in the burning crude oil effect the removal of the elements. The type of surface affected the volume of oil removed. Soil gave a 15% and a smooth surface almost 50% volume reduction.

Geriatric depression: a survey of nurses' knowledge and assessment practices.

A sample of 149 registered nurses were surveyed to determine their knowledge of the symptoms of depression in the elderly and their assessment practices. Respondents were able to identify not only the traditionally associated symptoms but also two other behaviors, irritability and blaming others, which are not usually designated by other health care providers as associated with geriatric depression. These additional observations may reflect nurses' providing extensive physical as well as verbal care over much longer time periods for patients in inpatient and home settings than do other professionals. Recent findings in nursing research support the presence of these other behaviors as symptoms of depression. An additional finding revealed that nurses were not assessing their patients for depression even though they had a knowledge base of the symptoms.

An improved microscope stage for direct observation of freezing and freeze drying.

A microscope stage for observation of freezing and freeze drying is described. The stage uses thermoelectric (Peltier) heaters configured in two stages, with circulating fluid as a heat sink on the high temperature side. Lowest attainable sample temperature is about -47 degrees C. Principal advantages of this system are closed-loop control of stage temperature, rapid response to changes in temperature set point, and improved documentation of experiments by use of a video recorder system with a character generator which allows display of sample identity and temperature. Accuracy of measuring the sample temperature in the field of view was validated by comparing observed values of eutectic melting with published values for a series of solutes with eutectic temperatures in the range from -2 degrees C to -32 degrees C. Good agreement was obtained throughout this range.

The nurse clinician: role conflict in research.

In a recent pilot study focusing on stroke rehabilitation, four clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) experienced role conflict when assuming the nurse researcher-interviewer role. Presenting an overview of the pilot study and the experiences that occurred, the authors question the reliability of the interviews. They propose that outcomes of research can be biased by role conflict when CNSs serve as interviewers and collect data. The authors suggest that interviewing training specifically address role conflict.

The ethics of role conflict in research.

While engaged in interviewing stroke patients, nurses found their research responsibilities conflicting with traditional patient care values. At the termination of the pilot project, the nurses, doubting their role, shared their concerns with the research team. They made recommendations regarding the appropriateness of tools and training needs of research assistants. Unresolved role conflict motivated the nurses to review the literature, seeking answers to the issue. Other nurses have experienced this same conflict. While nursing has been referred to as a profession that complements art with science, in practice, altruism may conflict with maintaining research integrity. The nurse, when functioning as a researcher, may find situations where a choice needs to be made whether to implement nursing interventions or continue the research protocol. The difficulty remains in deciding when the patient advocate role takes precedence over other legitimate concerns. Even though the ANA Code for Nurses with Interpretive Statements requires that the nurse participate in research to advance the profession's body of knowledge, the code's primary principle mandates respect for the rights of the individuals the nurse serves. Research need not be undertaken at the expense of human dignity. If conflicts develop, nursing's primary responsibility is to the individual. Concern for the individual always takes precedence over maintaining research integrity. Nurses are "advocates, where trust, compassion, and empathy encompass all our nursing endeavors, including research" (p. 161). While striving to achieve research goals, nurses must not lose sight of the traditional values inherent in nursing.

Communicating effectively with elderly surgical patients.

Effective communication promotes trusting, productive nurse/patient relationships. It is the perioperative nurse's responsibility to establish effective communication with each patient. Perioperative nurses strive to provide quality care to all patients, including the elderly. Communication barriers often do exist, however, between nurses and elderly patients. Perioperative nurses are challenged, therefore, to recognize potential communication barriers and to manage each nurse/patient relationship accordingly. Clear communication between nurse and patient enhances the elderly patient's ability to progress smoothly through surgery and recovery.

Predicting and understanding mothers' infant-feeding intentions and behavior: testing the theory of reasoned action.

The present study examines the applicability of Fishbein and Ajzen's theory of reasoned action to the prediction and understanding of how primiparous and multiparous mothers intended to feed their infants and how they actually fed these infants during the 6 weeks following delivery. Measures of attitudes to behavior, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions were taken during the last trimester of pregnancy. Behavior was assessed by self-report 6 weeks postpartum. In most respects the findings supported the theory of reasoned action. However, attitudes to behavior were found to make an independent and significant contribution to the prediction of infant-feeding behavior, and the previous behavior of multiparous mothers explained an independent and significant proportion of variation in their behavioral intentions. The relative importance of the attitudinal and normative components of the theoretical model tended to vary according to whether the mothers had direct experience of the criterion behavior. Further analysis revealed that mothers who breast-fed during the 6-week postpartum period differed from those who bottle-fed exclusively during this period on a number of behavioral beliefs, outcome evaluations, and normative beliefs, and on one measure of motivation to comply. The implications of these findings for the theory of reasoned action are discussed.

Dietary obesity in adult and weanling rats following removal of interscapular brown adipose tissue.

In order to investigate the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), a selection of palatable, energy-dense foods (Cafeteria diet) was used to increase the energy intakes of adult and weanling male rats, from some of which interscapular BAT (IBAT) had been surgically excised. Removal of IBAT had no effect upon energy intakes of the cafeteria-fed rats, nor of controls fed a pelleted stock diet. The rate of weight gain of intact controls was similar for the two diets, but adults with IBAT removed and fed with the cafeteria diet gained weight more rapidly than those fed the stock diet. Similarly, although intact weanlings did not exhibit excess weight gain when fed the cafeteria diet, removal of IBAT did result in more rapid weight gain of the cafeteria-fed weanlings relative to their stock-fed siblings. Nevertheless, total carcass energy was increased by some 20% in cafeteria-fed animals, irrespective of whether they had had IBAT removed. Thus there was no evidence of removal of IBAT having improved the efficiency of energy utilisation for growth. The failure to find evidence for altered levels of energy expenditure following removal of IBAT does not necessarily contradict the hypothesis that BAT mediates DIT, however, since, following removal of IBAT, there was hypertrophy of remaining BAT sites which may have compensated for the BAT removed.