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In March 2020, emergency school closings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic initiated a sudden widespread use of virtual learning and brought new challenges that affected teaching and learning across multiple contexts. The complex change caused school district leaders to make plans to reinvent and reimagine schools and created a need for teacher professional learning on effective techniques for teaching remotely. As education leaders around the world faced the same problem, Learning Forward responded with a deliberately designed community of practice to facilitate community learning and shared problem-solving. The community of practice, called Design Professional Learning for a Virtual World, enables members to share expertise, resources, and knowledge, pursue a common purpose, and learn from one another. In this article, Michelle Bowman describes a study she conducted on the community of practice model which showed that when school district leaders engaged and collaborated in the community of practice specifically focused on designing and implementing a comprehensive professional learning system, their professional learning knowledge, skills, and leadership behaviors changed significantly. They learned more, collaborated more effectively, and became more proficient in leading professional learning. This article describes the study's design and findings.

Citrus is commercially propagated via grafting, which ensures trees have consistent fruit traits combined with favorable traits from the rootstock such as soil adaptability, vigor, and resistance to soil pathogens. Graft incompatibility can occur when the scion and rootstock are not able to form a permanent, healthy union. Understanding and preventing graft incompatibility is of great importance in the breeding of new fruit cultivars and in the choice of scion and rootstock by growers. The rootstock US-1283, a citrandarin generated from a cross of "Ninkat" mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and "Gotha Road" #6 trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), was released after years of field evaluation because of its superior productivity and good fruit quality on "Hamlin" sweet orange (C. sinensis) under Florida's growing conditions. Subsequently, it was observed that trees of "Bearss" lemon (C. limon) and "Valencia" sweet orange (C. sinensis) grafted onto US-1283 exhibited unhealthy growth near the graft union. The incompatibility manifested as stem grooving and necrosis underneath the bark on the rootstock side of the graft. Another citrandarin rootstock, US-812 (C. reticulata "Sunki" x P. trifoliata "Benecke"), is fully graft compatible with the same scions. Transcriptome analysis was performed on the vascular tissues above and below the graft union of US- 812 and US-1283 graft combinations with "Bearss" and "Valencia" to identify expression networks associated with incompatibility and help understand the processes and potential causes of incompatibility. Transcriptional reprogramming was stronger in the incompatible rootstock than in the grafted scions. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in US-1283, but not the scions, were associated with oxidative stress and plant defense, among others, similar to a pathogen-induced immune response localized to the rootstock; however, no pathogen infection was detected. Therefore, it is hypothesized that this response could have been triggered by signaling miscommunications between rootstock and scion either through (1) unknown molecules from the scion that were perceived as danger signals by the rootstock, (2) missing signals from the scion or missing receptors in the rootstock necessary for the formation of a healthy graft union, (3) the overall perception of the scion by the rootstock as non-self, or (4) a combination of the above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Subsolid nodules (SSN), including ground-glass nodules (GGNs) and part-solid nodules (PSNs), are slow-growing but have a higher risk for malignancy. Therefore, timely diagnosis is imperative. Shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (ssRAB) has emerged as reliable diagnostic procedure, but data on SSN and how ssRAB compares to other diagnostic interventions such as CT-guided transthoracic biopsy (CTTB) are scarce. In this study, we compared diagnostic yield of ssRAB versus CTTB for evaluating SSN. Methods: A retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent either ssRAB or CTTB for evaluating GGN and PSN with a solid component less than 6 mm from February 2020 to April 2023 at Mayo Clinic Florida and Rochester. Clinicodemographic information, nodule characteristics, diagnostic yield, and complications were compared between ssRAB and CTTB. Results: A total of 66 nodules from 65 patients were evaluated: 37 PSN and 29 GGN. Median size of PSN solid component was 5 mm (IQR: 4.5, 6). Patients were divided into two groups: 27 in the ssRAB group and 38 in the CTTB group. Diagnostic yield was 85.7% for ssRAB and 89.5% for CTTB (p = 0.646). Sensitivity for malignancy was similar between ssRAB and CTTB (86.4% vs. 88.5%; p = 0.828), with no statistical difference. Complications were more frequent in CTTB with no significant difference (8 vs. 2; p = 0.135). Conclusion: Diagnostic yield for SSN was similarly high for ssRAB and CTTB, with ssRAB presenting less complications and allowing mediastinal staging within the same procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, research has revealed a gender disparity in criminal case outcomes. This phenomenon was traditionally explained as a product of male court actors' protectiveness of women and the minimization of female threat. In the current study, we capitalize on the increasing gender diversity of courts to examine if the gender gap in punishment is explained by the gender composition of the decision-making body in criminal courts: the courtroom workgroup. Using a sample of felony cases from Florida's circuit courts in 2017 (N = 10,605), we measure workgroups as judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys assigned to the same division. We find that the gender diversity of the workgroup does not explain variations in court outcomes, nor does it explain the presence of gender disparities we observed in all but one of our case outcomes. As such, male protectionism is insufficient to explain the more lenient treatment of women in Florida's criminal courts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Currently, computed tomography‐guided transthoracic biopsy (CTTB) is the most accurate diagnostic approach for pulmonary nodules suspected of malignancy. Traditional bronchoscopy has shown suboptimal diagnostic sensitivity, but the emergence of robotic‐assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, maximize diagnostic yield and complete mediastinal and hilar staging in a single procedure. We aim to assess the efficacy and diagnostic performance of RAB compared to CTTB for diagnosing pulmonary nodules suspected of lung cancer. Methods: A multicenter retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent RAB and CTTB for evaluating pulmonary nodules from January 2019 to March 2021 at Mayo Clinic Florida and Mayo Clinic Rochester, United States. Clinical and demographic information, nodule characteristics, outcomes and complications were compared between RAB and CTTB. Results: A total of 225 patients were included: 113 in the RAB group and 112 in the CTTB group. Overall diagnostic yield was 87.6% for RAB and 88.4% for CTTB. For malignant disease, RAB had a sensitivity of 82.1% and a specificity of 100%, CTTB had a sensitivity of 88.5% and a specificity of 100%. Complication rate was significantly higher for CTTB compared to RAB (17% vs. 4.4%; p = 0.002). Conclusion: RAB, when available, can be as accurate as CTTB for sampling pulmonary nodules with similar or reduced complications and should be considered as a means for nodule biopsy, particularly when mediastinal staging is also clinically warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Animals frequently interrupt their activities to monitor their surroundings for possible threats such as predators and intruders. How animals carry out this vigilance has received little attention. In particular, the quality of vigilance depends on where animals look and how long each look lasts. We examine how vigilance is organized in the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma caerulescens). During vigilance, these birds turn their heads in different directions to detect threats. We found that birds turned their heads regularly and also regularly returned their gaze to areas previously monitored, which is predicted when predators and intruders rely on surprise to approach. Birds turned their heads in several directions during vigilance, but often more frequently on one side of the body than the other, which was not predicted for regular vigilance. Looks were shorter in smaller groups and in juveniles presumably to increase visual coverage in more threatening situations. Visual monitoring strategies during vigilance reflect the risk posed by predators and intruders. Vigilance is important for early detection of threats. Previous studies have focused on the allocation of time to vigilance but neglected how animals monitor their surroundings during vigilance. Where animals look and how long each look lasts can affect the quality of visual monitoring and thus the ability to detect threats during vigilance. We examined visual monitoring strategies in the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), a cooperative breeder with sentinel behaviour. Sentinels in this species make head turns from vantage points to detect the arrival of predators and intruding neighbours. We found that sentinels initiated head turns at regular intervals and also returned their gaze to areas previously monitored at regular intervals, which is predicted when predators and intruders rely on surprise rather than stealth to approach. Sentinels made head turns in several directions, but often more frequently on one side of the body than the other, which was not predicted for regular vigilance. Average look duration during sentinel bouts was shorter in smaller groups and in juveniles. We argue that shorter looks are beneficial to increase visual coverage in more threatening situations. Our study highlights how visual monitoring strategies during vigilance reflect the risk posed by predators and intruders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studied the instructional and interpersonal factors that led a group of 17- to 19-year-old students (urban, rural, and suburban) at risk to persist in school rather than drop out. Interviews with 18 students, 13 compensatory education teachers, and 9 guidance counselors show the importance of caring relationships and personalized instruction in a structured program with clear expectations. (SLD)

Understanding the genomic consequences of population decline is important for predicting species' vulnerability to intensifying global change. Empirical information about genomic changes in populations in the early stages of decline, especially for those still experiencing immigration, remains scarce. We used 7834 autosomal SNPs and demographic data for 288 Florida scrub jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens; FSJ) sampled in 2000 and 2008 to compare levels of genetic diversity, inbreeding, relatedness, and lengths of runs of homozygosity (ROH) between two subpopulations within dispersal distance of one another but have experienced contrasting demographic trajectories. At Archbold Biological Station (ABS), the FSJ population has been stable because of consistent habitat protection and management, while at nearby Placid Lakes Estates (PLE), the population declined precipitously due to suburban development. By the onset of our sampling in 2000, birds in PLE were already less heterozygous, more inbred, and on average more related than birds in ABS. No significant changes occurred in heterozygosity or inbreeding across the 8‐year sampling interval, but average relatedness among individuals decreased in PLE, thus by 2008 average relatedness did not differ between sites. PLE harbored a similar proportion of short ROH but a greater proportion of long ROH than ABS, suggesting one continuous population of shared demographic history in the past, which is now experiencing more recent inbreeding. These results broadly uphold the predictions of simple population genetic models based on inferred effective population sizes and rates of immigration. Our study highlights how, in just a few generations, formerly continuous populations can diverge in heterozygosity and levels of inbreeding with severe local population decline despite ongoing gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why unrelated members form groups in animal societies remains a pertinent topic in evolutionary biology because benefits for group members often are not obvious. We studied subordinates that disperse to join unrelated social groups in the Florida scrub‐jay Aphelocoma coerulescens, a cooperative breeding species mainly composed of kin‐based groups.We evaluated potential adaptive benefits of dispersing to become an unrelated helper (staging) versus remaining home and dispersing only to pair and breed (direct dispersal) to understand why non‐kin‐based groups form.Using 35 years of demographic data, we quantified life‐history aspects of staging individuals and tested associations between social and ecological factors on the natal and staging territories. We compared fitness outcomes between dispersal strategies by analysing survival, breeding recruitment and direct reproductive output. We tested for sexual asymmetry potentially driven by differences in territory acquisition patterns and female‐biased dispersal for this species.Of birds that reached 1 year, 28% staged at a non‐natal territory before breeding or disappearing. Staging dispersers departed at younger ages and moved greater distances than direct dispersers. When looking at proximate factors on the natal territory associated with staging, males left groups with many same‐sex helpers, while females often left when their father disappeared. For both sexes, staging individuals more likely came from high‐quality territories and joined groups with fewer same‐sex helpers than in their natal group. While staging and direct dispersers did not differ in survival or likelihood of becoming a breeder, staging males became breeders later and had lower lifetime reproductive success than direct dispersers.In Florida scrub‐jays, staging appears to be an alternative strategy for female helpers, but a best‐of‐a‐bad‐situation for males. This sexual asymmetry is consistent with males having more options than females to achieve higher reproductive success by breeding near home. Trade‐offs in cost–benefits of departing the natal territory and joining unrelated groups as a helper seem to best explain alternative dispersal patterns, with optimal social queues primarily driving the benefits. This research highlights plasticity in dispersal behaviour in response to social and environmental conditions and offers a new perspective in our understanding of non‐kin‐based social groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) cancer patients experience substantial health disparities, including poorer overall health and lower satisfaction with their cancer care than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, which may be due in part to a lack of culturally competent providers. To address these disparities, a web-based LGBT cultural competency training tailored to oncologists was developed by an interdisciplinary team of scientists, LGBT cancer survivors, cultural competency experts, oncologists, a web designer, and an instructional designer.Methods: Oncologists (n = 44) were recruited from 3 academic cancer centers in Florida. Participants were administered the LGBT cultural competency training Curriculum for Oncologists on LGBT populations to Optimize Relevance and Skills (COLORS) and completed pre- and posttraining measures regarding LGBT-related knowledge, attitudes (including general negative attitudes and health care-related attitudes), and clinical practices. After the training, participants completed training acceptability measures.Results: Of the 44 participants, 33 (75%) completed the COLORS training. Participants were 55% non-Hispanic white, 63% male, and had a mean age of 47 years. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in LGBT-related knowledge (t = -4.9, P < .001), attitudes (Z = -3.0, P = .002; t = -2.5, P = .019), and clinical practices (Z = -3.5, P < .001) after completing the COLORS training (Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used for nonnormally distributed variables). Moreover, training acceptability was high, with 82% of participants rating the training as high quality, and 97% being willing to recommend the training to a colleague.Conclusion: The COLORS training is both feasible to administer and acceptable for use with oncologists, and may improve oncologists' LGBT-related knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices. Larger trials are needed to examine the training's effectiveness in reducing LGBT cancer disparities, as well as its applicability to other types of care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern citrus nursery production makes use of potted-tree propagation in greenhouses. Supplemental lighting is one method by which nursery tree growth and profitability may be significantly improved, but limited specific information is available. Five replicated experiments were conducted to determine the utility and effects of increasing daylength during the winter months by supplemental illumination from lightemitting diode (LED) or high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights in citrus nursery propagation. Studies used 'Valencia' sweet orange scion, the most common citrus cultivar grown in Florida, and the commercially important rootstocks sour orange, 'Cleopatra' mandarin, 'US-812', 'US-897', 'US-942', and 'US-1516'. Comparisons used the three common types of citrus rootstock propagation: seed, stem cuttings, and micropropagation. Six responses were measured in the lighting experiments, including vegetative growth before budding, scion bud survival, and scion bud growth after budding. Supplemental HPS or LED light to extend daylength to 16 h in the citrus nursery during short-day winter months was observed to be effective in increasing unbudded rootstock liner growth and 'Valencia' scion growth on all rootstocks and propagation types. Generally, the positive effect on vegetative growth from an increased daylength was stronger with the HPS light than with LED light, while increasing daylength with LED light, but not HPS light, provided some increased bud growth initiation. Use of HPS or LED supplemental lighting to extend daylength offers significant growth advantage for the citrus nursery industry in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natal dispersal is a crucial life-history trait that affects both individual fitness and population structure, yet drivers of variation in dispersal probability and distance are difficult to study in wild populations. In cooperatively breeding species, individuals typically delay dispersal beyond their first breeding season and remain on the natal territory as nonbreeders, which prolongs social dynamics that can affect dispersal decisions. Using a 35-year data set covering almost 600 dispersal events in the cooperatively breeding Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), we examined the environmental and social parameters that predict dispersal probability over time and distance. In both sexes, dispersal probability increased with age, which, in turn, was negatively correlated with dispersal distance. In males, individuals occupying low-quality natal territories and living with a stepfather had an increased probability of dispersal. Older and more dominant males were more likely to inherit their natal territory. In females, which generally disperse earlier and farther than males, socially subordinate jays dispersed farther than dominant ones. Overall, jays that delayed dispersal the longest were more likely to attain breeding status near their natal territory, which was previously found to be associated with increased survival and lifetime fitness. Our results suggest that social dynamics and environmental factors on the natal territory affect delayed dispersal patterns differently for the two sexes in this cooperative breeder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In species with stage-structured populations selection pressures may vary between different life history stages and result in stage-specific behaviors. We use life history stage to explain variation in the pre and early breeding season social behavior of a cooperatively breeding bird, the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) using social network analysis. Life history stage explains much of the variation we observed in social network position. These differences are consistent with nearly 50 years of natural history observations and generally conform to a priori predictions about how individuals in different stages should behave to maximize their individual fitness. Where the results from the social network analysis differ from the a priori predictions suggest that social interactions between members of different groups are more important for breeders than previously thought. Our results emphasize the importance of accounting for life history stage in studies of individual social behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placing Florida in the context of national developments, this article examines the quality circle (QC) form, problems encountered with it, and approaches used to address these difficulties. It analyzes QCs in the state's public sector and discusses the implications for QC programs. (98 references) (Author/JOW)

• Different citrus scion/rootstock combinations respond differently to infection with CLas. • Sensitivity of the cultivar in the scion position has a larger influence on disease progression. • Gene expression response is different in leaves and roots. • Genes associated with starch metabolism respond in an opposite fashion in roots and leaves. The devastating citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB), associated with bacterial pathogens of the genus Candidatus Liberibacter, has spread across many citrus production areas worldwide causing devastating economic losses. In Florida, infection rates in most commercial citrus orchards approach 100 percent by the time trees are 3–4 years old. Most scion cultivars are highly susceptible to Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the pathogen prevalent in Florida, but significant tolerance has been identified within the species Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange) and some of its hybrids that are commonly used as rootstocks. In this study we investigated the relative influence of rootstock and scion in citrus plants composed of susceptible and tolerant cultivars in both the scion and the rootstock position on HLB disease progression and expression of stress and disease-related genes. Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse using the susceptible cultivars 'Valencia' orange (Citrus sinensis) and 'Cleopatra' mandarin (C. reticulata), and the tolerant trifoliate hybrid cultivars 'US-802' (C. grandis × P. trifoliata), 'US-897' (C. reticulata × P. trifoliata), and 'US-942' (C. reticulata × P. trifoliata). Plants were either mock-inoculated or graft-inoculated with CLas. The incidence of CLas infection at 6 and 12 months after inoculation and the severity of the disease was different among scion/rootstock combinations. Typically, trees with a tolerant cultivar in the scion position contained a lower number of bacteria and were less damaged by infection than trees with a susceptible cultivar in the scion position, regardless of rootstock. Previous observations of significant influence from rootstock on field tree tolerance to CLas may be partially the result of differential rootstock ability to tolerate other stresses, or respond favourably to therapeutic treatments, under the weakened condition caused by the infection. Differential expression of defense-related and other genes found largest fold-differences between non-infected and infected plants when a susceptible cultivar was in the scion position. Fewer genes responded in roots than in leaves, and genes associated with starch metabolism responded strongly and in an opposite direction when comparing roots and leaves, probably indicative of carbon depletion occurring in roots of infected plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much evidence suggests that birds actively regulate their body mass reserves relative to their energy needs. Energy requirements during reproduction may differ in relation to sex-specific behavioural roles or, in the case of cooperative breeders, breeders relative to helpers. We measured body mass of free-living Florida scrub-jays throughout the nesting season by training them to land on an electronic balance. Jays exhibited a pattern of diurnal linear mass gain, from morning to afternoon. Day-to-day mass fluctuations, defined as the difference between mass on two consecutive days, were small (>80% were within 2 g, less than 3% of the mass of an adult bird) for all classes of jays: female breeders, male breeders and prebreeding helpers. The jays, which live in subtropical south-central Florida, did not exhibit changes in day-to-day mass fluctuation relative to weather or climate variables or calendar date. Day-to-day mass fluctuations influenced mass fluctuation between the following third and fourth days. These changes were usually compensatory, indicating that jays are able to regulate their body mass on a short-term basis, despite strong differences in their roles in reproduction. During reproduction, jays have a relatively predictable and abundant food supply, thus the appropriate strategy may be to maintain a stable body mass that balances some energy reserves against maintaining a low body mass for efficient flight, as required during reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new citrus rootstocks developed by USDA, ARS and released between 2001 and 2010 have gained considerable commercial popularity in Florida and have been used for propagation of more than 2 million trees over the last 2 years. Results from three new field trials are presented comparing these rootstocks with other important rootstocks, and discussion is presented to summarize field performance in these trials and from numerous other sources. The rootstocks vary widely in their effect on tree vigor. When used as a rootstock for sweet orange, 'US-802' typically supports strong vigor and development of a large tree, 'US-812' and 'US-942' provide moderate vigor, and 'US-897' induces a relatively dwarf tree. Other characteristics and attributes of the four rootstocks are also discussed, including effects on cropping, fruit quality, disease and pest resistance, and tolerance of abiotic factors. Of special relevance, relative tolerance of these rootstocks to huanglongbing (HLB) disease can be surmised from a combination of data from several sources, with 'US-942' and 'US-802' typically providing the best yields per tree in trials containing many rootstocks and affected by HLB. 'US-812' and 'US-897' have appeared to have most utility in locations where HLB is not present or effectively managed, or where trees are being planted at high density to optimize production per unit area. To facilitate continuing expansion of commercial use, information on seed production, and the relative ease of nursery propagation is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hospital discharge data are used for occupational injury surveillance, but observed hospitalisation trends are affected by trends in healthcare practices and workers' compensation coverage that may increasingly impair ascertainment of minor injuries relative to severe injuries. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the development of a severe injury definition for surveillance purposes and (2) assess the impact of imposing a severity threshold on estimated occupational and non-occupational injury trends. Methods Three independent methods were used to estimate injury severity for the severe injury definition. 10 population-based hospital discharge databases were used to estimate trends (1998-2009), including the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) and State Inpatient Databases (SID) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Negative binomial regression was used to model injury trends with and without severity restriction and to test trend divergence by severity. Results Trend estimates for occupational injuries were biased downwards in the absence of severity restriction, more so than for non-occupational injuries. Imposing a severity threshold resulted in a markedly different historical picture. Conclusions Severity restriction can be used as an injury surveillance methodology to increase the accuracy of trend estimates, which can then be used by occupational health researchers, practitioners and policymakers to identify prevention opportunities and to support state and national investments in occupational injury prevention efforts. The newly adopted state-based occupational health indicator, 'Work-Related Severe Traumatic Injury Hospitalizations', incorporates a severity threshold that will reduce temporal ascertainment threats to accurate trend estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) transmits a bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) putatively responsible for a devastating citrus disease known as Asiatic huanglongbing (HLB) (citrus greening disease). The psyllid and disease have invaded many citrus-growing regions including the United States, where the disease is seriously jeopardizing the Florida citrus industry. We recently concluded research that showed CLas transmission rates are increased when citrus flush is present. Flush is any new leaf growth ranging in development from first emergence up until the leaves are fully expanded yet still tender. In an experiment with seedlings of a rootstock cultivar 'US-942', a 1-wk infestation of 20 Asian citrus psyllids from an infected colony resulted in 53–60% of seedlings becoming infected when flush was present compared with only 7% when no flush was present. In a second experiment with 'US-942', 77–97% of seedlings became infected when flush was present compared with 40% when no flush was present. A similar experiment with 'Valencia' sweet orange resulted in 23, 80, and 3% seedlings becoming infected when young, older, or no flush was present, respectively. Young plants are therefore more likely to contract HLB if flush is present, with older flush promoting higher infection rates under the conditions of this study. Based on this finding, healthy citrus should be protected from Asian citrus psyllid infestations throughout a flush. To evaluate germplasm for CLas resistance, inoculations using infected Asian citrus psyllid would best be achieved if flush is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘Valencia’ orange ( Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) was grown on 17 rootstocks through seven years of age and the first four harvest seasons in a central Florida field trial severely affected by huanglongbing (HLB) disease. All trees in the trial had HLB symptoms and were shown by PCR to be infected with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las). Large differences were noted between rootstocks for many metrics examined, including yield, fruit quality, and tree size. Highest yields in the trial were on US-942 rootstock, which was significantly more productive than trees on the common commercial rootstocks Carrizo, Kuharske, Cleopatra, and Kinkoji. Other new hybrid rootstocks also performed well in this trial strongly affected by HLB, including the rootstock US-1516, which had the second highest cumulative yield, best tree health rating, and lowest number of trees lost due to HLB damage. Comparison of tree performance in this trial with a similar trial conducted prior to the HLB epidemic, allows us to estimate that the disease resulted in a 33% reduction in yield and 21% reduction in tree growth through seven years of age. Use of a tolerant rootstock is suggested as an effective means of ameliorating crop losses to HLB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexually dimorphic plumage coloration is widespread in birds and is generally thought to be a result of sexual selection for more ornamented males. Although many studies find an association between coloration and fitness related traits, few of these simultaneously examine selection and inheritance. Theory predicts that sex-linked genetic variation can facilitate the evolution of dimorphism, and some empirical work supports this, but we still know very little about the extent of sex linkage of sexually dimorphic traits. We used a longitudinal study on juvenile Florida scrub-jays ( Aphelocoma coerulescens) to estimate strength of selection and autosomal and Z-linked heritability of mean brightness, UV chroma, and hue. Although plumage coloration signals dominance in juveniles, there was no indication that plumage coloration was related to whether or not an individual bred or its lifetime reproductive success. While mean brightness and UV chroma are moderately heritable, hue is not. There was no evidence for sex-linked inheritance of any trait with most of the variation explained by maternal effects. The genetic correlation between the sexes was high and not significantly different from unity. These results indicate that evolution of sexual dimorphism in this species is constrained by low sex-linked heritability and high intersexual genetic correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses several of the tax- and nontax-related aspects of Florida family trust companies (FTCs), and it mentions how the Florida Family Trust Company Act was signed into law on June 13, 2014. According to the article, unresolved U.S. federal income and transfer tax issues could impact the use of FTCs in Florida and other American states. Florida's state trust laws are examined, as well as information about fiduciaries, state regulations, and the definition of a family member.

Background: Onchocerca lupi, a filarioid of zoonotic concern, infects dogs and cats causing ocular lesions of different degrees, from minor to severe. However, infected animals do not always display overt clinical signs, rendering the diagnosis of the infection obscure to the majority of veterinarians. Canine onchocercosis has been reported in the Old World and the information on its occurrence in the United States, as well as its pathogenesis and clinical management is still meagre. This study reports on the largest case series of O. lupi infection from the United States and reviews previous cases of canine onchocercosis in this country. Methods: Information on the clinical history of a series of eight cases of O. lupi infection in dogs diagnosed in Minnesota, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida, from 2011 to 2014, was obtained from clinical records provided the veterinary practitioners. Nematodes were morphologically identified at species level and genetically analyzed. Results: All dogs displayed a similar clinical presentation, including subconjunctival and episcleral nodules, which were surgically removed. Each dog was subjected to post-operative therapy. Whitish filaria-like parasites were morphologically and molecularly identified as O. lupi. Conclusions: This study confirms that O. lupi is endemic in the United States, indicating that the distribution of the infection is probably wider than previously thought. With effect, further studies are urgently needed in order to improve the diagnosis and to assess the efficacy of therapeutic protocols, targeting the parasite itself and/or its endosymbionts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a legal primer on private placement life insurance (PPLI) as of July 2014, focusing on practical advice for Florida attorneys on estate planning, transfer tax exemptions in the U.S., and the tax benefits that are associated with life insurance. According to the article, PPLI is a form of variable universal life insurance. American income tax laws and life insurance-related risk shifting are mentioned, along with investor control and several insurance policy-related cases.

The Men in STD Training and Empowerment Research Study (MISTERS) program and epidemiological criminology began their development in Atlanta at about the same time. MISTERS focuses on men recently released from jail to reduce both HIV/STD and crime-related risk factors through a brief educational intervention. This article examines ways in which MISTERS and epidemiological criminology have been used to inform one another in the replication of the MISTERS program in Orange County, Florida. Data from 110 MISTERS participants during the first 10 months of operation are analyzed to examine the overlapping occurrence of health and criminal risk behaviors in the men’s lives. This provides a test of core hypotheses from the epidemiological criminology framework. This article also examines application of the epidemiological criminology framework to develop interventions to address health and crime risk factors simultaneously in Criminal Justice-Involved populations in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Phytoseiid populations imported from Mauritius for evaluation for a classical biological control program in Florida, USA, were morphologically identified as Amblyseius largoensis Muma, a species associated with the red palm mite in south Florida and the Caribbean. Bayesian analysis and sequence divergences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and nuclear Elongation factor- I alpha ( EF- Iα) genes and Neighbor-Joining analysis of High-fidelity-RAPD-PCR markers were used to discriminate between the south Florida and Mauritius populations. High-fidelity-RAPD-PCR markers in addition to Bayesian and sequence divergence analyses of the 12S rRNA sequences suggest that the Mauritius and south Florida populations are genetically different but whether these are species or population differences is unknown. The degenerate EF- Iα primers used to survey the phytoseiids amplified two different elongation factor sequences with distinct amino acid translations, the putative EF- Iα and an unknown elongation factor. Variability within the 12S gene was used to develop population-specific primers for identifying the Mauritius phytoseiids in the event they are released in south Florida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las), a non-culturable phloem-limited bacterium, is the suspected causal agent of huanglongbing (HLB) in Florida. HLB is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus and no resistant cultivars have been identified to date, though tolerance has been observed in the genus Poncirus and some of its hybrids. This study compares transcriptional changes in tolerant US-897 (Citrus reticulata Blanco× Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) and susceptible ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin (C. reticulata) seedlings in response to infection with Las using the Affymetrix GeneChip citrus array, with the main objective of identifying genes associated with tolerance to HLB. Microarray analysis identified 326 genes which were significantly upregulated by at least 4-fold in the susceptible genotype, compared with only 17 genes in US-897. Exclusively upregulated in US-897 was a gene for a 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) and Fe(II)-dependant oxygenase, an important enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. More than eight hundred genes were expressed at much higher levels in US-897 independent of infection with Las. Among these, genes for a constitutive disease resistance protein (CDR1) were notable. The possible involvement of these and other detected genes in tolerance to HLB and their possible use for biotechnology are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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The article presents a study that investigated whether scrub-jays with access to food on an unpredictable schedule exhibited delayed or reduced production of reproductive hormones compared with birds given food on a predictable schedule. Florida scrub-jays in the suburban environment with year-round access to multiple sources of abundant, human-source foods have lower baseline levels of circulating corticosterone (CORT) than jays in a nearby wildland setting, which suggests that food supplies influence CORT levels. Researchers tested the notion that food provided on an unpredictable schedule may slow reproduction.

Simple Summary: Orange and grapefruit production in Florida has dropped 75% because of a disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB) which is caused by a bacteria (CLas). Infected trees produce immature, green fruit and eventually die. Methods to treat CLas are very expensive and there is no cure. Many of the valuable products found in oranges and grapefruits can be found in citrus hybrid varieties and these hybrid varieties are known to be naturally very tolerant to CLas. In this work, we used steam treatment followed by water washing for the recovery of valuable citrus products from three citrus hybrids, US-802, US-897, and US-942. For most of the products, more than 80% could be recovered from the hybrids using steam treatment followed by water washing. These citrus hybrids, therefore, have the potential to be an alternative citrus crop that thrives in an HLB environment producing economically valuable products that are recovered in high yields in an environmentally friendly way. Florida citrus production has declined 75% due to Huanglongbing (HLB), a disease caused by the pathogenic bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). Methods to combat CLas are costly and only partially effective. The cross-compatible species Poncirus trifoliata and some of its hybrids are known to be highly tolerant to CLas, and thus can potentially serve as an alternative feedstock for many citrus products. To further investigate the commercial potential of citrus hybrids, three citrus hybrids, US-802, US-897, and US-942, were studied for their potential as feedstocks for citrus co-products using steam explosion (STEX) followed by water extraction. Up to 93% of sugars were recovered. US-897 and US-942 have similar volatile profiles to that of the commercial citrus fruit types and as much as 85% of these volatiles could be recovered. Approximately 80% of the pectic hydrocolloids present in all three hybrids could be obtained in water washes of STEX material. Of the phenolics identified, the flavanone glycosides, i.e., naringin, neohesperidin, and poncirin were the most abundant quantitatively in these hybrids. The ability to extract a large percentage of these compounds, along with their inherent values, make US-802, US-897, and US-942 potentially viable feedstock sources for citrus co-products in the current HLB-blighted environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Huanglongbing (HLB) (=citrus greening) is a destructive disease of citrus which is caused by a fastidious, phloem-inhabiting bacterium of the genus Candidatus Liberibacter. Large-scale analysis of gene expression changes in ‘Valencia’ orange leaves were studied during the course of 19 weeks after inoculation with Ca. L. asiaticus using the Affymetrix GeneChip® citrus genome array to provide new insights into the molecular basis of citrus response to this pathogen. Of the more than 33,000 probe sets on the microarray 21,067 were expressed in the leaves, of which 279 and 515 were differentially expressed (false-discovery rate (FDR)≤0.05) 5–9 and 13–17 weeks after inoculation, respectively. Results from semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis performed on 14 selected genes were highly correlated with those observed with the microarray. Gene expression changes involved a variety of different processes including cell defense, transport, cellular organization, photosynthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. Notable was the pathogen-induced accumulation of transcripts for a phloem-specific lectin PP2-like protein. Transcriptional changes and their relation to disease symptom development are discussed. This is the first study of transcriptional profiling in citrus in response to liberibacter infection using microarray technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines the impact of civil service reform in state agencies. The objective is to ascertain the extent to which the elimination of the defining characteristic of the merit system—job protection against partisan interference—has affected employees. After the introduction and background, the third section describes the study method. This is followed by the presentation of findings and discussion of their implications for the future of reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a population of Florida scrub-jays, Aphelocoma coerulescens (Bosc. 1795), in a suburban scrub habitat, partial brood loss is much more common (averaging about 30% of nestlings from successful nests) than in a natural habitat (averaging about 5%). We hypothesized that this partial brood loss was attributable to starvation of last-batched nestlings (i.e., brood reduction), and that large differences in partial brood loss were caused by differences in arthropod food abundance between the two sites. To test these hypotheses, we closely monitored nests in suburban scrub in 1999 and performed arthropod surveys and focal-nest observations in both habitats in 1998 and 1999. In suburban scrub, later hatched nestlings were three times more likely to die before fledging than earlier hatched nestlings, suggesting that brood reduction occurred. In both years, arthropod abundance in the suburban scrub was less than half that of the natural scrub. However, patterns of food delivery by parents were not significantly different between sites, suggesting that lower food abundance does not in itself explain higher partial brood loss in suburban habitat. Differences in the number of helpers, a greater degree of hatching asynchrony or the delivery of lower quality food throughout the nestling period may increase the probability that later hatched nestlings starve in suburban scrub. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring and assessing changes in contaminants in urban and suburban environments is essential to assessing ecosystem well-being in human-influenced landscapes. We analyzed metal and metalloid levels in the eggs of the threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), an extremely sedentary and modestly long-lived passerine bird that is federally threatened and endemic only in Florida. Eggs that failed to hatch were collected in a suburban environment to compare with the long-term study of this species at the Archbold Biological Station, located 8 km south in a more rural part of south-central Florida. Florida scrub-jays remain in a permanent territory in scrub oak habitat where they feed mainly on insects and acorns, but in suburban habitats human-provided foods comprise 30% of their diet. From the data previously collected at Archbold, and their low position on the food chain, we expected levels of contaminants to be comparatively low and remain relatively constant over time. Except for the low mercury value, all means were within the range of mean values reported for a wide range of non-passerine species (including those at higher tropic levels), are lower than concentrations associated with abnormalities in birds, and are lower than those previously reported for scrub-jays from Archbold Biological Station. A significant increase in selenium occurred from 1996 to 2001, but did not appear associated with changes in human density. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Emerging as a "megastate" during the last generation, Florida now rivals California as a national trendsetter in popular culture and political importance. In 2001, it passed a civil service reform law known as Service First. Although government reform has been on the agenda in a number of states, seldom has it been as sweeping as Florida's initiative abolishing job tenure for 16,300 career employees. This study reports the poll findings from employees recently transferred from the state's tenured Career Service to unprotected Selected Exempt Service. The analysis provides background information, discusses the study methodology, presents the survey results, and examines implications for the future by reporting interview data from a variety of political actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timing of breeding in Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) varies both within and between years. Social status and breeding experience may explain much of the within-year variation, but the availability of certain foods may partially explain between-year patterns. Scrub-jays in suburban habitats with access to unlimited human-provided foods breed earlier and with less between-year variation in timing of breeding than jays in wildland habitats. We hypothesized that those differences in timing of breeding result from access to human-provided foods in the suburban site. Human-provided food may influence timing of breeding by improving the overall body condition of females, or it may influence breeding by providing nutrients essential for breeding. If condition mediated, breeding females in the two habitats should differ in certain physiological parameters relative to time before egg laying and calendar date. If the effect is not related to body condition, we expect differences in prebreeding females relative to calendar date, but not in relation to time before egg laying. To test those predictions, we measured plasma levels of total protein, calcium, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. We also measured variables associated with body condition--body mass, a size-corrected condition index, and total body lipids. Most variables tended to increase with both days before laying and calendar date, except total body lipids, which decreased. Suburban females had higher levels of plasma protein relative to both days before egg laying and calendar date than female breeders in the wildland habitat. Luteinizing hormone differed between sites relative to calendar date but not days before laying. Our data suggest that suburban scrub-jays with access to predictable sources of high-quality human-provided foods accumulate endogenous protein that can be used to breed earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the process of quality management implementation in government agencies in Florida. Role of implementation process in program success; Discussion of five implementation elements; Variation in deployment and progress among different agencies.

Presents information on a study that reported on the interspecific interactions with Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in a small population in south-central Florida. Methods of the study; Results of the study; Discussion.

Describes the elements critical to the development of the partnership among private industry, local government, branches of the military and two institutions of higher education to reform secondary education in Jacksonville, Florida. Focus on how representatives of each sector worked with teachers to stimulate educational reform.

Six south Florida populations of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides Borealis) were sampled to examine genetic diversity and population structure in the southernmost portion of the species' range relative to 14 previously sampled populations from throughout the species range. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses were used to evaluate the populations (n = 161 individuals, 13 primers. One band/primer). Results suggested that south Florida populations have significant among-population genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.17, P < 0.000), although gene flow may be adequate to offset drift (Nm = 1.26). Comparison of Florida populations with others sampled indicated differentiation was less in Florida (Fst for all populations =0.21). Cluster analyses of all 20 populations did not reflect complete geographical predictions, although clustering of distant populations resulted in a significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance. Overall, results suggest populations in south Florida, similar to the remainder of the species, have low genetic diversity and high population fragmentation. Exact clustering of distant populations supports the ability of RAPDs to differentiate populations accurately. Our results further support past management recommendations that translocations of birds among geographically proximate populationsis preferable to movement of birds between distant populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I observed an apparent coordinated attack by a mated pair of Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) on a black racer (Coluber constrictor) in southcentral Florida. Depending upon their size, snakes can be either prey or predators of scrubjays. This medium-sized snake may have been large enough that one bird could not safely subdue it. By coordinating their attack, the birds were able to kill and feed on the snake. This appears to be an example of pair hunting. The cooperative hunting technique, in which two mated birds perform coordinated movements, enables the pair to attack otherwise prohibitively large prey. Both members of the attack benefit by eating the prey. Cooperative hunting has only rarely been described in passerines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, children 2 to 5 years, on average, consume 1.3 cup equivalent (eq.) fluid milk and 1.2 cup eq. total fruit, of which, 0.45 cup eq. is fruit juice. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting fruit juice to one-half of total fruit intake and to increase dairy intake. The research objective was to find out whether children who meet fruit juice recommendation consume significantly different amount of fluid milk than children who do not meet this recommendation. Children 2 to 5 years of age (N=665) who had complete dietary intake on Day 1 of What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015-2016 were included in the study. They were divided two groups: those who met the fruit juice recommendation and those who did not meet the fruit juice recommendation. The groups' mean intakes of total fruit, intact fruit, 100% fruit juice, and fluid milk were estimated and compared using t-test; P-value less than 0.01 was considered as significantly different. Overall, 29 percent of children did not meet the fruit juice recommendation. The mean total fruit intake was not significantly different between the groups; Group 1 had 1.1 ± 0.1 cup eq., and Group 2 had 1.4 ± 0.1 cup eq. However, the proportion of fruit juice consumed by the two groups were strikingly different. The children who meet the fruit juice recommendation consumed only 12 ± 1 percent of their total fruit as fruit juice, whereas, the children who did not meet the fruit juice recommendation consumed 84 ± 1 percent as fruit juice. In addition, the children who did not meet the fruit juice recommendation consumed significantly less fluid milk than the other group, 1.1 ± 0.1 and 1.4 ± 0.07 cup eq., respectively. Consuming more than 50 percent of fruit as fruit juice was associated with lower milk intake in young children. Nutrition interventions can help inform caregivers of the importance of limiting fruit juice and simultaneously increasing intact fruit and fluid milk in children's diet. USDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease of citrus that is found in most citrus production areas around the world. The bacterium associated with HLB resides in and damages the phloem, restricting the movement of photosynthates throughout the plant and leading to tree decline. Considerable root loss can be observed in affected trees even when few disease symptoms are visible aboveground. Root traits can substantially influence tree performance and use of superior rootstocks is one strategy to manage tree health and reduce production losses in a disease-endemic environment. Citrus rootstocks are typically propagated by seed, but due to the increased demand for some of the bestperforming cultivars, propagation by other methods is being used to overcome seed shortages. In this research, differences in root architecture and root growth of six different rootstocks propagated by seed, cuttings, and tissue culture, and their influence on the grafted 'Valencia' (Citrus sinensis) scion were investigated. A field trial was established in southwest Florida in 2017. Trees were evaluated for their performance during the first 2 years after planting and a subset of trees was excavated for detailed analysis of root architectures and biomass distribution. Significant differences among propagation methods were found for the rootstock trunk diameter and the lateral (structural) root length, which were largest in seed-propagated rootstocks. Most of the other horticultural and root architectural traits were not significantly influenced by the rootstock-propagation method; however, many of the measured variables were significantly influenced by the rootstock cultivar regardless of the propagation method. The results showed that rootstocks propagated by cuttings and tissue culture were similar to seed-propagated rootstocks in their influence on the grafted tree during the early years of growth in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the unmanned aircraft system (UAS), also known as the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system's ecological research and natural-resource monitoring tool of the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. It relates that the research unit has assembled its own criteria for UAV, in which it is hand-launched and operable by one or two people not trained as pilots. They also design a UAV that has the capability for autonomous operation using a computer autopilot, and imagery geo-referencing capability. In addition, the research unit's UAV system is powered by an electric motor and rechargeable batteries, with a global positioning system-guided autopilot that enables autonomous navigation.