Florida Counties Research Articles

Rise and fall of St. Louis Encephalitis Virus in Florida

St. Louis encephalitis virus has had a fascinating history in Florida. The virus was introduced into the Miami area in the early 1950s. This introduction resulted in two human outbreaks, one in 1952 and a second in 1958. Three urban SLE epidemics were reported in the Tampa Bay area in 1959, 1961, and 1962. The virus virtually disappeared from the state until 1977 when a widespread rural SLE epidemic was reported in 20 Florida counties with 110 confirmed human cases. An almost identical rural SLE epidemic was reported in 1990 when 226 human SLE cases were reported in 28 Florida counties. Following the introduction of West Nile virus into Florida in 2001, reports of SLEV transmission to sentinel chickens and humans decreased dramatically. Except for a 2014 focal outbreak of two SLE cases in Duval County, only sporadic transmission of SLEV to humans and sentinel chickens was reported in the state between 1998 and 2022.

Perinatal Health Outcomes Across Rural and Nonrural Counties Within a Single Health System Catchment.

Perinatal health outcomes are influenced by a variety of socioeconomic, behavioral, and economic factors that reduce access to health services. Despite these observations, rural communities continue to face barriers, including a lack of resources and the fragmentation of health services. To evaluate patterns in health outcomes, health behaviors, socioeconomic vulnerability, and sociodemographic characteristics across rural and nonrural counties within a single health system catchment area. Socioeconomic vulnerability metrics, health care access as determined by licensed provider metrics, and behavioral data were obtained from FlHealthCHARTS.gov and the County Health Rankings. County-level birth and health data were obtained from the Florida Department of Health. The University of Florida Health Perinatal Catchment Area (UFHPCA) was defined as all Florida counties where ≥5% of all infants were delivered at Shands Hospital between June 2011 and April 2017. The UFHPCA included 3 nonrural and 10 rural counties that represented more than 64,000 deliveries. Nearly 1 in 3 infants resided in a rural county, and 7 out of 13 counties did not have a licensed obstetrician gynecologist. Maternal smoking rates (range 6.8%-24.8%) were above the statewide rate (6.2%). Except for Alachua County, breastfeeding initiation rates (range 54.9%-81.4%) and access to household computing devices (range 72.8%-86.4%) were below the statewide rate (82.9% and 87.9%, respectively). Finally, we found that childhood poverty rates (range 16.3%-36.9%) were above the statewide rate (18.5%). Furthermore, risk ratios suggested negative health outcomes for residents of counties within the UFHPCA for each measure, except for infant mortality and maternal deaths, which lacked sample sizes to adequately test. The health burden of the UFHPCA is characterized by rural counties with increased maternal death, neonatal death, and preterm birth, as well as adverse health behaviors that included increased smoking during pregnancy and lower levels of breastfeeding relative to nonrural counties. Understanding perinatal health outcomes across a single health system has potential to not only estimate community needs but also facilitate planning of health care initiatives and interventions in rural and low-resource communities.

Reproductive challenges related to a complex sexual system in Euphorbia rosescens, a rare endemic herb

AbstractWhen the sexual system of a rare plant species is complex, characterizing floral development, plant morphology, and subpopulation structure is essential for assessing reproductive potential. Availability of pollinator rewards and positioning of sexual morphs within inflorescences relates to outcrossing potential. We studied the complex sexual system of the recently discovered Euphorbia rosescens E.L. Bridges & Orzell, a rare species occurring in a single Florida county. Euphorbia rosescens has both monomorphic subpopulations of female plants and mixed subpopulations with male and andromonoecious plants. Most data on cyathia sex, inflorescence architecture, floral visitors, and fruit set came from one female subpopulation and one mixed subpopulation. Cyathia longevity, flowering phase, nectar secretion, pollen production, and viability were measured in female, male, and hermaphrodite cyathia. Female plants had fewer inflorescence levels and cyathia and significantly smaller cyathia than male and andromonoecious plants. Andromonoecious plants were larger and produced more cyathia relative to male plants. Within mixed populations, sex switching occurred in both directions between male and andromonoecious plants. Female plants did not switch sexes. Proximal to distal inflorescence levels transitioned from hermaphrodite to male cyathia on andromonoecious plants. Nectar secretion corresponded to initiation of staminate flowering, but in female cyathia stigmas were receptive approximately a day before nectar secretion. Pollen production and viability were similar in male and hermaphrodite cyathia. Fruit maturation was minimal, primarily observed on andromonoecious plants. Nectar availability, pollen rewards, trimorphic inequalities in inflorescence display, and low fruit set suggest high geitonogamy, thus limiting outcrossing potential for this species.

Abstract 722: Epidemiological characterization of renal cell carcinoma in Hispanics: A single US center cohort study

Abstract Background: Annually, there are over 400,000 new cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and more than 170,000 deaths worldwide. RCC is one of the top ten more prevalent malignancies in the United States, with 76,000 new cases each year and almost 14,000 deaths. Over the past half-century, RCC has more than doubled in incidence. RCC seems to have a greater incidence among Hispanics with a nearly three-fold increase. The epidemiology of RCC in the Caucasian population has been previously studied. However, there is a knowledge gap on disparities in RCC on minority populations. Studying the epidemiology of RCC in Hispanics is integral to our community where Hispanics make up 70%. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to describe the characteristics and rates of recurrence of RCC among patients treated at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami (which serves four counties in South Florida) between June 2010 to June 2022. We identified ethnicity as Hispanic/Latino (HL) or non-Hispanic/Latino (NHL). Clinical presentation was classified based on the last encounter as local RCC without recurrence, metastatic RCC after nephrectomy, and metastatic RCC at diagnosis/de novo. Results: We analyzed a total of 2049 patients aged 18 and older diagnosed with RCC, from which 1014 patients (47.90%) were identified as NHL and 933 (48.02%) as HL. A subtotal of 435 patients (22.86%) had metastatic RCC at diagnosis/de novo, from which 245 (55.60%) were NHL, and 176 (40.57%) were HL. A subtotal of 1614 patients (77.14%) were diagnosed with local RCC and underwent nephrectomy, from which 769 (45.61%) were identified as NHL and 787 (50.22%) as HL. From the NHL group that underwent nephrectomy, 223 patients (28.28%) had recurrent disease, and 546 patients (71.72%) did not. From the HL group, 176 patients (21.81%) had recurrent disease, and 611 (78.19%) did not. Overall, 409 patients had metastasis after nephrectomy, of which 176 (44.5%) were HL, and 203 (52.42%) were NHL. Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with RCC, almost 50% of patients diagnosed with metastasis were HL. NHL appeared to have more disease recurrence after nephrectomy and higher rates of metastatic disease at diagnosis compared to Hispanics. Further histopathological differences, clinical outcomes, genomic characterization, and rates of clinical trial participation between the NHL and HL cohorts will be presented at the meeting, along with comparisons between US and foreign-born HLs. Citation Format: Abner A. Murray, Jesus A. Ocejo Gallegos, Sandra Jones, Jose Noy, Rosa L. Frias, Leticia E. Campoverde, Jaime R. Merchan. Epidemiological characterization of renal cell carcinoma in Hispanics: A single US center cohort study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 722.

Documenting Range Expansion of the Invasive Pentastome Parasite, Raillietiella orientalis, Using Southern Black Racer and Eastern Coachwhip Road Mortality

The spillover of an invasive lung parasite, Raillietiella orientalis, is an important conservation concern for snake species in the southeastern US, as native snake hosts exhibit severe infections that can be fatal. In this report, we used opportunistic captures of road-killed snakes to document the presence of R. orientalis in 4 central Florida counties where it had not previously been documented. These new localities expand the known range of R. orientalis on the eastern and western coasts of Florida as well as fill in gaps of its known range. In 2 of 4 cases, R. orientalis individuals moved into the snake's mouth and emerged after host death. This evidence indicates that the use of road-killed specimens of frequently infected snake species may be a useful method for detecting R. orientalis. Additional surveys for R. orientalis are needed throughout the southeastern US, as this parasite is a major conservation concern for many snake species, its use of synanthropic intermediate hosts make its geographic spread unpredictable, and it is rapidly infiltrating additional populations of snakes.

The Effect of Community Type on Access to Orthopedic Services for Medicaid-Insured Patients

Purpose Medicaid-insured patients have less access to specialty care compared to those who are privately insured. Limited and delayed access to orthopaedic services can affect patient outcomes, especially for patients living in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of community setting in access to orthopaedic care for Medicaid-insured patients. Methods The study population included board-certified orthopaedic specialists obtained from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) within five Florida counties, representing urban and rural communities. Investigators used the Secret Shopper methodology to schedule an appointment for a rotator cuff repair. Medicaid acceptance rate, wait time, and average distance to clinics accepting Medicaid were calculated and compared between urban and rural counties. Results Of the 108 clinics identified, 76.9% performed arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The appointment rate across all counties was 100% (n=83) for privately insured patients and 9.6% (n=8) for Medicaid patients. There was no significant difference in access when comparing access to care with Medicaid in urban and rural counties (p=0.984). Medicaid patients had significantly shorter wait times in rural counties compared to urban counties (p=0.021). Rural counties encountered a significantly greater average travel distance to clinics accepting Medicaid compared to urban counties (p=0.042). Conclusion Medicaid-insured patients have limited access to orthopaedic care, regardless of community setting. Medicaid-insured patients in rural counties were more likely to have shorter wait times to the appointment and travel longer distances to clinics.

Culex (Phenacomyia) lactator (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern Florida, USA: a new subgenus and species country record.

The Culex subgenus Phenacomyia is a small and poorly studied group of three mosquito species native to the American tropics. Here, we report the first detections of established populations of Culex (Phenacomyia) lactator Dyar & Knab in three counties of southern Florida. Culex lactator was first detected in May 2018 in southern Miami-Dade County, and, at this locality, was collected in subsequent years from 2018 to 2022 as both adults and immatures. Larvae and adults were subsequently collected in 2022, ~175 km northwest of the initial locality at nine sites in Collier and Lee Counties. Identification of specimens collected in these counties as Cx. lactator is supported by molecular analysis and morphological characters of the adult female, male genitalia, and larva. The host associations and vector competence of Cx. lactator have not been extensively studied, and the public health implications, if any, of the addition of this species to Florida's mosquito fauna are unclear. These collections represent the first detections of Cx. lactator, or any Phenacomyia species, in the United States, adding to a trend in which detections of established populations of mosquito species from the American tropics in Florida appear to be increasing.

Smoke-free beaches in Florida

Beach tourism is often the most important source of revenue for coastal communities, and surveys have shown that the foremost requirements for beachgoers are clean sand and clean water. Beach litter is harmful and costly in many ways, and the No. 1 form of litter on U.S. beaches is cigarette butts. Campaigns for smoke-free beaches have been based largely on environmental issues and aesthetics, but there are other important reasons. Hawaii was the first state to ban smoking on beaches. This paper presents the rationale for Florida cities and counties to adopt smoke-free policies for one of their most important natural resources and recreational destinations.

Non-targeted analysis for the screening and semi-quantitative estimates of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water samples from South Florida environments

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of anthropogenic pollutants that are found ubiquitously in surface and drinking water supplies. Due to their persistent nature, bioaccumulative potential, and significant adverse health effects associated with low concentrations, they pose a concern for human and environmental exposure. With the advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) methods, there has been an increasing number of non-targeted analysis (NTA) approaches that allow for a more comprehensive characterization of total PFAS present in environmental samples. In this study, we have developed and compared NTA workflows based on an online solid phase extraction- liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (online SPE-LC-HRMS) method followed by data processing using Compound Discoverer and FluoroMatch for the screening of PFAS in drinking waters from populated counties in South Florida, as well as in surface waters from Biscayne Bay, Key west, and Everglades canals. Tap water showed the highest number of PFAS features, indicating a poor removal of these chemicals by water treatment or perhaps the breakdown of PFAS precursors. The high number of PFAS features identified only by CD and FluoroMatch emphasizes the complementary aspects of these data processing methods. A Semi-quantitation method for NTA (qNTA) was proposed using a global calibration curve based on existing native standards and internal standards, in which concentration estimates were determined by a regression-based model and internal standard (IS) response factors. NTA play a crucial role in the identification and prioritization of non-traditionally monitored PFAS, needed for the understanding of the toxicological and environmental impact, which are largely underestimated due to the lack of such information for many PFAS.

An interprofessional school-based initiative to increase access to oral health care in underserved Florida counties.

To examine and describe the effect of an oral health education program on school-based nurses' acquisition of oral health knowledge. Three-hour synchronous videoconference sessions provided training for nurses to conduct oral health risk assessments, screen for oral diseases, deliver oral health education, apply fluoride varnish, and refer children identified in need of further assessment and treatment to a dentist. Oral health knowledge acquisition was assessed by comparing pre-training and post-training examination scores. Analyses included descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Seventeen nurses from Suwannee, Lafayette, and Hamilton counties participated in the oral health education training program. Analyses of the school-based nurses' test results showed a significant increase in correct answers on the post-training test (93%) compared to the pre-training test (56%). Six hundred forty-one children from six elementary public schools received oral health education, oral screenings, and fluoride varnish applications. Fifty-eight percent of the children had untreated caries, 43% had treated caries, 15% had sealant on permanent molars, and 3% required urgent care. Nurses successfully referred children identified in need of further assessment and treatment to a dentist. The synchronous videoconference oral health training program was effective in improving school-based nurses' oral health knowledge. The knowledge acquired by school-based nurses via oral health training programs can be leveraged to increase access to oral health care for vulnerable and unserved school-aged populations.

Applying the Surgical Checklist Approach for Psychiatric Trainees to a Busy, Time Sensitive Psychiatric Crisis Environment

IntroductionThe Jackson Hospital Crisis (Psychiatric ED) Center serves the entirety of Miami-Dade County in Florida and is considered one of the top three busiest and per capita of clinical staff likely the busiest nationally across the United States. Simultaneously, the management of mental health emergencies has ascended near the top of international priorities driven by multiple trends (e.g., growing social isolation associated with the pandemic, de-stigmatization). The crisis environment presents a uniquely difficult challenge in applying high quality medical care: frequent suicidal gestures, impulsive often intoxicated or psychotic patients, unprecedented demand, diminishing staff capacity, and requirements to consistently apply specific medical and psychiatric protocols. These challenges are specifically difficult for new trainees who are not yet accustoms to the high acuity situations found in psychiatry. Moreover, academic, institutional, and governmental policies change on a monthly, or even weekly basis, often with the objective of improving care. Nevertheless, such constant shifts in workflow result in opportunities for errors that impact patient trajectories.ObjectivesAs such we endeavored to apply an evidence-based approach to improving the likelihood of success. One such vetted approach, the use of checklists, benefits from 10+ years of peer-reviewed research in “operational” medical specialties (e.g., surgery, ED, ICU) where work is segmented around interventions or time-shifts which share commonalities with the Psychiatric ED model. Yet the difficulty in implementing such models is typically not in the “hard” aspects of defining the checklist, but in the “soft” implementation dimensions of syndication, distribution, and enablement in the context of the individual unique settings.MethodsWe developed a checklist that will be implemented on the Jackson Crisis emergency department, with the aim of having first year trainees complete the check list on each individual patient. Surveys were administered before implementation of checklist and will be distributed on a quarterly basis to trainees to evaluate for changes in resident confidence and clinical care.ResultsOver six months, we launched this initiative with drivers of adoption focused on accelerating and easing new resident training, safety incident targeting, and in the balancing of “push” top/down and “pull” bottom/up dynamics. Initial learnings include rapidly improving resident satisfaction as well as various other impacts currently being observed throughout the institution.ConclusionsOverall reception to the checklist has been positive from attendings and new trainees alike, further evidence will be analyzed and presented as the checklist is utilized throughout the psychiatric ED.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Attitudes about Rehabilitation among Jail Correctional Officers

ABSTRACT There are few studies that focus on jail correctional officers’ views. We surveyed officers in thirteen Florida county jails and examine the impact of personal characteristics and officer attitudes on rehabilitation attitudes, as well as differences in rehabilitative attitudes across jails. Results indicate female, nonwhite, more religious, less conservative officers, and those more satisfied with their job were more likely to support rehabilitation, while those who preferred more social distance were less likely to. Results also reveal significant differences in support for rehabilitation between jails. This study confirms that findings regarding prison officers are consistent with those for jail officers.

Employment impacts and industry workforce shifts in the Florida Panhandle post-Hurricane Michael

Disaster-impacted communities are expected to experience a brief economic disruption, but less resilient communities are at risk for prolonged economic decline, increased unemployment, and shifts in industries and workforces. Florida is historically susceptible to hurricanes, having experienced six major hurricanes (> 110 mph winds) from 2000 to 2021, including Hurricane Michael, a rare Category 5 (> 157 mph winds) in October 2018 that devastated the already economically vulnerable Florida Panhandle. The area experienced a stagnant recovery, and it wasn’t until 2021 that a state-funded economic revitalization program was implemented to aid business restoration. An analysis of unemployment and employment rate trends for all Florida counties that experienced a major hurricane between 2000 and 2021 was conducted to quantify Hurricane Michael's economic impact compared to the other major hurricanes. Using difference-in-differences analysis, results found that the coastal counties impacted by Hurricane Michael experienced up to 11 months of significantly increased unemployment compared to other major Florida storms, from which counties only experienced up to two months of increased unemployment. Additionally, to provide context to the results of Hurricane Michael, observations of the volume trend of employee counts by industry were used to show that during the post-storm year the area saw a reduction in the hospitality, retail, health care and social assistance, and educational services workforces, yet an increase in the construction sector. This study highlights the need for increased disaster resilience against economic disruptions, the anticipation of post-disaster workforce disruptions, as well as support services for workers in a longstanding disaster recovery area. Furthermore, while post-disaster revitalization programs can be beneficial, building economic resilience to support rapid adaptation and recovery is more sustainable.

Public-Private Partnership (P3) Success: Critical Success Factors for Local Government Services and Infrastructure Delivery

The Public-Private Partnership (P3) approach is a viable option to address the slow growth and burgeoning need to deliver infrastructure projects and services by state and local governments. This study focuses on identifying critical success factors (CSF) that influence the success of P3s for local government service and infrastructure delivery. A framework is presented for integrating relationship and project management CSFs identified from previous literature into P3s. In addition, public agency entrepreneurial orientation is introduced as a potential CSF – a focus that has been absent in previous P3 CSF literature. To empirically assess the influence of these CSFs on P3 success, we surveyed public administrators from municipalities and counties in Florida, asking about their perceptions of these success factors. The results show that the P3 relationship, project management, and public agency entrepreneurial orientation are critical to a project’s success. Moreover, government stakeholder influence significantly affects these factors. Private sector stakeholder influence also affects project management and public agency entrepreneurial orientation’s effect on P3 success. When applied in a managerial context, these findings can help public agencies to improve their P3 success rates and growth and help to solve the infrastructure and service delivery challenges facing local governments in the US today.

Yes, no, maybe so: Caregiver autonomy support, conversation context, and children's memory performance.

The extant literature on the use of autonomy support during caregiver-child conversations has focused primarily on conversations about fun, shared experiences, with limited consideration of unshared experiences or attention toward the role of conversation context. The present study examined how autonomy support, conversation context, and child age interact to predict 3-to-5-year-old children's disclosure of accurate information when discussing an unshared past event with their caregiver and an experimenter. Dyads (N = 111) were recruited from two locations (Miami, Florida and Orange County, California) by research recruitment firms. Children completed a standardized activity alone and then discussed the activity with their caregiver. The context of the discussion was manipulated so that dyads focused on either accumulating facts (Fact condition) or having fun (Fun condition). Afterward, children discussed the activity with a neutral interviewer. Caregivers in the fact condition were less autonomy supportive when discussing the activity than those in the fun condition. During the caregiver-child interview, caregiver autonomy support was negatively associated with children's disclosure of correct event details for those in the fun condition only. Caregiver autonomy support was negatively associated with children's correct details during the experiment-child interview across both context conditions. While older children provided more correct details during both interviews, there were no other age-related effects. These results demonstrate that conversation context moderates the link between autonomy support and children's autobiographical memory performance. Past contradictory findings in the field are discussed in light of these results. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Taxation and citizen choice: The effect of a county charter on property taxes

AbstractAs saliency of the tax burden increases, the preference for a lower burden increases, but most counties are restricted by the state from adopting new taxes or changing the existing rates. Some states allow counties to adopt a charter, freeing them from state control. Using a panel of Florida counties from 1980 to 2017, we explore whether citizens act to reduce their property tax once a charter is passed. Citizens act against their preferences not by lowering burden but rather by increasing it in the case of debt service, suggesting citizens are maximizing their optimal tax burden in exchange for services.

Building Flood Resilience Among Older Adults Living in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

This paper explores compounding challenges for older coastal populations due to accelerated sea level rise at the nexus of physical hazard exposure and place-based socioeconomic and health considerations. This study applies geospatial analysis to assess the spatial distribution of older adults (age 65+) and their socioeconomic characteristics in Miami-Dade County in Florida. Next, it uses logistic regression to evaluate the socioeconomic determinants of block groups with 20% or more of residents age 65 and older at 3 feet of sea level rise compared to the other block groups in Miami-Dade. The results show that this study area has an older population clustered in flood-prone locations along the shoreline. The block groups with more than 20% of older adults and sea level rise risk have higher homeownership and vacancy rates, a higher percentage of homes constructed before 1980, and more older individuals who live alone. This study identifies place-based compounding factors undermining the ability of older residents to adequately cope with accelerated sea level rise flooding in coastal urban locations. Namely, owning an older home in a declining neighborhood and living alone can trap older individuals in place and increase their flood risk.

Prevalence of and exposure factors for infectious diseases in free-roaming cats from two Florida counties

Introduction: Ninety-nine deceased free-roaming cats (FRCs) from two nonadjacent counties (Volusia and Alachua) in Florida were used to determine the prevalence of and associated exposure to pathogens postmortem, including Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Dirofilaria immitis, Mycoplasma haemofelis, Mycoplasma haemominutum, and Cytauxzoon felis. Methods: Humanely euthanized FRCs or those FRCs found dead in the community were submitted for postmortem examinations. Blood samples from these FRCs were analyzed using a combination of antibody, antigen, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Results: Male cats were at higher risk of infection for FeLV and FIV, intact cats were less likely to be infected with FeLV, and cats in the Volusia county were more likely to be infected with FIV. Mycoplasma haemominutum had the highest prevalence of all surveyed pathogens in this study, and infections were only identified in male cats. Conclusion: FRCs in this study had similar or higher prevalence rates of infections compared to studies assessing FRCs enrolled in trap-neuter-return programs from Florida.

Professional Quality of Life and Fear of Covid-19 Moderated by Perceived Job Market Outlook: Predicting Registered Nurse Turnover Intentions in South Florida During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: The nursing shortage and the aging of the nursing workforce is a growing concern for health care institutions. Understanding nurses attitudes toward turnover intentions is a crucial step to develop effective policies and maintain nurse staffing continuity. Objective: This research aims to study the impact of the Professional Quality of Life and Fear of COVID-19 moderated by perceived Job Market Outlook on South Florida registered nurses by predicting turnover intentions. Methods: From March to August, 2021, 202 registered nurses from seven South Florida counties completed the self-reporting Professional Quality of Life, Fear of COVID-19, and perceptions of Job Market Outlook surveys when predicting turnover intentions in a quantitative nonexperimental predictive correlational design research study. Results: Results showed that in the professional quality of life, burnout significantly predicted (p <.001) registered nurses (n=202) turnover intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction and fear of COVID-19 did not significantly predict registered nurses’ turnover intentions. Hierarchical regression analysis confirmed burnout is significantly more predictive than no model of turnover intentions accounting for more variance at 15.45% (p < .001). Perceived job market outlook did not moderate between the independent variables and the dependent variable turnover intentions. Conclusion: This research reveals the deleterious impact of burnout in the registered nurses’ professional quality of life and turnover intentions warranting the need for health care institutions and nursing leadership to collaborate on the needs of the nursing workforce on a micro and macro level.

Improving Pennsylvania Bittercress Weed Control Efficacy with Mulch and Herbicide in Containers

Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) and other bittercress (Cardamine) species are among the most common and difficult-to-control weed species in container nurseries, and they have been vouched in most counties in Florida. Preemergence herbicides can provide control, but concerns over potential resistance development, environmental issues, and crop injury problems associated with herbicide use create the need for alternative weed control methods to be explored. Previous studies have shown the potential of mulch materials for controlling weeds in nurseries, but their use along with preemergence herbicides has not been extensively investigated. To compare the effects of different mulch materials and herbicides on Pennsylvania bittercress control, a full factorial designed greenhouse study was conducted. Three mulch treatments including no mulch, pine (Pinus sp.) bark, and rice (Oryza sativa) hulls were evaluated with three herbicide treatments, including water (i.e., no herbicide), isoxaben, and prodiamine applied at label rates. Twenty-five seeds of Pennsylvania bittercress were sown on the surface of each container and emergence (percent), coverage (square centimeters), seedhead number, and biomass (grams) were measured. The results showed that Pennsylvania bittercress in containers mulched with rice hulls had the lowest emergence throughout the experiment. For coverage, seedhead, and biomass parameters, Pennsylvania bittercress seeded in rice hulls treatments had significantly lower coverage, fewer seedheads, and lower biomass compared with those in nonmulched or pine bark treatments, regardless of herbicide treatment. With isoxaben and the water check, nonmulched treatments had the highest coverage/seedhead/biomass, whereas with prodiamine, Pennsylvania bittercress in pine bark mulched containers had the highest coverage/seedhead/biomass. In conclusion, applying rice hulls alone can provide better Pennsylvania bittercress control compared with isoxaben or prodiamine applied alone.