The University of Kansas: Journals@KU
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Establishment of aquatic Rio Cauca Caecilians, Typhlonectes natans (Fischer 1880) (Gymnophiona: Typhlonectidae), in Florida, with notes on their relative abundance, distribution, and natural history
Get PDFIn 2021, the first occurrence of an aquatic caecilian identified as a Rio Cauca Caecilian, Typhlonectes natans(Gymnophiona: Typhlonectidae), in the Tamiami (C-4) Canal was documented in Florida, USA. However, whetherthe species was established at the time was not known. We subsequently trapped for caecilians at nine different sitesalong the main C-4 Canal and secondary canals between 2021 and 2024. We captured 115 caecilians and receivednumerous additional reports and observations from multiple individuals. Caecilians of both sexes and all age classeswere captured. Twenty-seven preserved specimens were X-ray-imaged to check for pregnancy and stomach contents,and 11 of those specimens were microCT-scanned. Three specimens contained late-stage fetuses, and one containedstomach contents identified as fish bones. We screened 78 specimens for the presence of the amphibian fungalpathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), but did not detect Bd on any specimens. Results suggest that T. natansis well established and locally abundant in at least 16 km of the C-4 Canal system. Preliminary results suggest theirdiet consists primarily of soft-bodied prey and/or scavenged vertebrate carrion. The caecilians do not appear to be areservoir for transmission of Bd, although further testing is required. Further studies are needed to better understandtheir distribution, biomass, reproductive cycles, diet, movement patterns, role in disease transmission, risk of spread,and basic biology. Efforts are needed to assess the viability of eradication or control and to understand how theestablishment of these aquatic caecilians might affect freshwater ecosystems in southern Florida
A Great Black Hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga) preying on a Marine Toad (Rhinella marina) in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador
Get PDFBook Review on Christina Sharpe’s Ordinary Notes
No full textThis is a brief book review of Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe. Published in April 2023, the text deals with various aspects of Black life, such as memory, trauma, and ongoing racial violence. Being an acclaimed scholar of the Black community, Christina Sharpe shares a surfeit of memories throughout her text, which is why I found this book to be an excellent addition to Black memory studies. The author argues on the functionality of museums and memorials. While many may insist on the necessity of these sites of memory, the author argues that memorial narratives fail to provide ‘reconciliation and healing’. She also asserts how language is usually manipulated by white supremacists, and hence, memory is manipulated as well. Motherhood is also a dominant topic that Sharpe explores in her book
The Federal Income Tax and Reform of College Athletics: A Response to Professor Colombo and an Independent Critique
Get PDFLarge athletics programs bring a lot of attention to themselves and the universities of which they are a part. Once, that attention came only from success on the field or court. Now it also comes from how much money these programs spend, and on what, and its source. Calls to use the federal tax code to rein in athletics spending are, we believe, ill-advised. The IRS has limited resources and a lot to do. Its staff members know tax law, not the ins and outs of college athletics. Because universities are adept at “zeroing out” revenues and expenses, it is unlikely that new tax rules and added IRS oversight would do much to curtail spending. They could, however, impose significant compliance costs on universities. The result could be the worst of all worlds: considerable expense on universities to comply; little or no spending reform achieved; and an IRS diverted from core responsibilities
Ecuadorian bumble bees (Apidae: Bombus): Species diversity, distribution, and floral associations
Get PDFEcuador’s bee diversity, particularly bumble bees, remains underexplored despite their significant ecological role. This study provides an updated species list, identification keys in both English and Spanish, potential distribution maps based on Ecological Niche Models (ENM), and a summary of known plant associations. Our dataset includes 1,756 records, comprising 408 museum specimens, 1,234 observations from iNaturalist, and 114 field observations recorded by the first author. We document 13 species distributed across two subgenera. Bombus (Cullumanobombus): B. butteli, B. ecuadorius, B. funebris, B. handlirschi, B. hortulanus, B. melaleucus, B. robustus, B. rubicundus, and B. vogti. Bombus (Thoracobombus): B. excellens, B. pauloensis, B. pullatus, and B. transversalis. Most species are associated with high Andean ecosystems above 2,300 m, though several extend into lower elevations, with records ranging from 180 to 4,719 m. The compiled data span five decades and include records from 17 of 24 provinces in Ecuador. Bumble bees were documented visiting 143 plant species across 39 families, highlighting their broad trophic interactions and potential importance for native vegetation. The ENM-based potential distribution maps offer updated insights into the geographic ranges of those species with sufficient occurrence data, providing a foundation for future ecological and conservation assessments. This study synthesizes the most comprehensive information currently available on Ecuadorian bumble bees, contributing to improved taxonomic knowledge, a deeper understanding of their trophic interactions, and clearer biogeographic insights for the group. Our findings also highlight the importance of continued monitoring and research, particularly to evaluate how these species respond to environmental change and to better understand their functional roles within both Andean and lowland ecosystems
Improving Prophylactic Antibiotic Selection for Type 3 Open Fractures in the Trauma Setting
Get PDFIntroduction. The purpose of this quality improvement study was to implement a standardized prophylactic antibiotic protocol for type 3 open fractures and to evaluate changes in both subjective comfort and objective knowledge of open fracture management among trauma team personnel.Methods. A simplified protocol for antibiotic selection in open fractures was developed and implemented at two regional Level 1 trauma centers. We used pre-intervention surveys to assess participants’ ability to select the preferred antibiotic regimen for open fracture clinical scenarios and their comfort with open fracture management. The intervention consisted of instructional posters displayed in trauma bays showing the Gustilo classification for open fractures and the approved prophylactic antibiotic regimen for each fracture type. After a six-week intervention period, unmatched post-education survey responses were compared with pre-intervention responses using Fisher’s Exact Test or the Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact Test, with significance set at p <0.05.Results. Participants included 16 orthopedic residents and 18 trauma staff members. The proportion of respondents who reported being very comfortable selecting antibiotics for type 3 open fractures increased from 6% to 68% (p <0.001). Correct identification of the preferred antibiotic regimen across three clinical scenarios involving type 3 open fractures increased by an average of 58%, with all improvements reaching statistical significance (p <0.001).Conclusions. Implementation of a simplified antibiotic prophylaxis protocol, reinforced with instructional posters in the emergency department, significantly improved participants’ knowledge and confidence in antibiotic selection for type 3 open fractures. These findings support the adoption of standardized treatment algorithms in trauma care settings
Understanding College Athlete Mental Health: Insights from Division I Athletic Department Personnel
Get PDFThroughout contemporary society, mental health and well-being are viewed as critical components of holistic, biopsychosocial development. This perspective has gained momentum within the context of sport, as athletes utilize their social platform to advocate for mental health resources and supports. However, the diverse and dynamic needs of many athletes remain unmet. Within the current study, six focus groups—which included 27 partners of collegiate athletics—were conducted and included athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, as well as athletic administrators and academic counselors. Using a reflexive thematic analysis, findings indicated that college athlete mental health is understood as holistic well-being and the ability to thrive in daily life. Participants discussed learning about mental health through academic education and training, as well as lived experiences (e.g., dual pandemic). Finally, participants believed more athletes are talking about mental health and that athletes feel most comfortable discussing mental health with their teammates and friends, the team’s sport staff (e.g., athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, assistant coaches), and mental health professionals. These conversations often occurred in the locker room and on team bus rides. However, there was hesitancy discussing mental health with head coaches and because of gender differences
College Athlete Resilience: Achieving Mental Wellbeing During a Pandemic
Get PDFThe long-term negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health outcomes among college athletes has been well-established. However, mental wellbeing in this population remains understudied. Guided by the conceptual framework of sport resilience, this study examined the impact of COVID-19 on mental wellbeing among NCAA Division I college athletes and, more specifically, the moderation effect of resilience on the relationship between COVID-19 and mental wellbeing. Among college athletics, resilience is believed to not only mitigate mental health concerns but may also promote mental wellbeing. Findings revealed a significant and negative correlation between COVID-19 and mental wellbeing, as well as a positive relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing. Further, resilience was found to significantly moderate the relationship between the impact of COVID-19 and mental wellbeing. Regardless of the impact level of COVID-19, college athletes with high levels of resilience consistently reported greater mental wellbeing than those with medium or low levels of resilience. Although prior research has clearly demonstrated the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health, findings from the current study illustrate the positive influence of resilience. Given the likelihood of future public health pandemics (e.g., avian influenza, measles) and ongoing changes to federal food safety policies—we believe that this study highlights the importance of resilience in navigating challenging circumstances
