University Of Florida In Gainesville Research Articles

Characteristics of Patients with Dermatologic Conditions in a Student-Run Free Clinic: A Retrospective Study

Background: The Equal Access Clinic is a free, student-run clinic affiliated with the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Four days a week, a general clinic is held at various sites, providing free healthcare to patients in North Florida. Once a month, a specialty clinic for dermatology is held based on a referral system from general clinics. We aimed to characterize patients’ demographics and diagnoses who received dermatologic care at a free clinic in North Florida.
 Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed for patients seen at Equal Access Clinic for a dermatology diagnosis from 2013 to 2020 (n=864).
 Results: One third of patients were seen for a chronic dermatology condition. Patients who were white and higher earners were more likely to travel further distances for care.
 Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of improving access of dermatology care to underserved areas and may be accomplished in part by increasing access to transportation to clinics. Limitations include the retrospective nature of our chart review and the reliance on zip code to estimate median household income. Additionally, the patients in this study were seen by primary care physicians, rather than dermatologists.

Hazmat and Hate: Planning and Response for Special Operations Teams to a Neo-Nazi Public Demonstration

Introduction:October 18, 2017 an unfortunately popular white supremacist brought hate and thousands of protesters to the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL just months after the violent domestic terrorist attacks in Charlottesville, VA. The threats, violent possibilities, and intense planning undertaken by law enforcement and fire-rescue were hugely successful.Method:Multi-faceted planning from law enforcement, to crowd control, to medical emergency response, to fire suppression, to hazardous material detection and response, to rescue task forces, to extreme sides to protesting... all proved hugely successful.Results:While there was still violence, complex plans of violence among protests were successfully thwarted.Conclusion:The coordination between Gainesville Fire Rescue, Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, the University of Florida and more was hugely successful and something to be proud of despite such hatred and violence projected while also protecting the first amendment.

Divestment and lemon meringue pie: anti-apartheid movements at the University of Florida in Gainesville

This paper will analyze the 40-day sleep-in and protest at the University of Florida to illustrate the growing popular support for the anti-apartheid movement amongst student and citizen activists in the 1980s. Particular focus will be paid to the issue of divestment, student protests, and public action that called for the university to remove itself from financially supporting the apartheid regime. It will show that student organizations like the UF Coalition for Divestment for South Africa and the Student Coalition Against Apartheid and Racism (SCAAR) represented a wave of public support that dominated this period and acted as a small but crucial component in the eventual toppling of apartheid.

Lodewyk H.S. van Mierop (March 31, 1927-October 17, 2021): a true giant.

We honour a great man and a true giant. Lodewyk H.S. van Mierop (March 31, 1927 - October 17, 2021), known as Bob, was not only a Paediatric Cardiologist but also a dedicated Scientist. He made many significant and ground-breaking contributions to the fields of cardiac anatomy and embryology. He was devoted as a teacher, spending many hours with medical students, Residents, and Fellows, all of whom appreciated his regularly scheduled educational sessions. Those of us who were fortunate to know and spend time with him will always remember his great mind, his willingness to share his knowledge, and his ability to encourage spirited and fruitful discussions. His life was most productive, and he will long be remembered by many through his awesome and exemplary scientific contributions.His legacy continues to influence the current and future generations of surgeons and all providers of paediatric and congenital cardiac care through the invaluable archive he established at University of Florida in Gainesville: The University of Florida van Mierop Heart Archive. Undoubtedly, with these extraordinary contributions to the fields of cardiac anatomy and embryology, which were way ahead of his time, Professor van Mierop was a true giant in Paediatric Cardiology. The invaluable archive he established at University of Florida in Gainesville, The University of Florida van Mierop Heart Archive, has been instrumental in teaching medical students, Residents, Medical Fellows, and Surgical Fellows. Only a handful of similar archives exist across the globe, and these archives are the true legacy of giants such as Dr. van Mierop. We have an important obligation to leave no stone unturned to continue to preserve these archives for the future generations of surgeons, physicians, all providers of paediatric and congenital cardiac care, and, most importantly, our patients.

Editorial Issue 33.2

This issue contains five papers. In the first paper, Ege Tekgün, Muhtar Çağkan Uludağlı, Hüseyin Akcan, and Burak Erdeniz, from Izmir University of Economics in Turkey assess the influence of virtual avatar anthropomorphism and the synchronicity of the visuo-tactile stimulation on self-location using a virtual reality (VR) full-body illusion (FBI) experiment. During the experiment, half of the 36 participants observed a gender-matched full-body humanoid avatar from a first-person perspective (1PP) and the other half observed a less anthropomorphic full-body cubical avatar from 1PP while they were receiving synchronous and asynchronous visuo-tactile stimulation. Results show a significant main effect of the synchronicity of the visuo-tactile stimulation and avatar body type on self-location but no significant interaction was found between them. Moreover, the results of the self-report questionnaire provide additional evidence showing that participants who received synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation, experienced not only greater changes in the feeling of self-location, but also, increased ownership, and referral of touch. In the second paper, Ke Li, Qian Zhang, Jinyuan Jia, from Tongji University in Shanghai, China, and Hantao Zhao, from Southeast University in Nanjing, all in China discuss the technology of presenting building information modeling (BIM) with an online platform and the difficulty to display large-scale BIM scenes in a flawless manner on mobile browsers, due to network bandwidth and browser performance limitations. The authors propose CEBOW, a Cloud-Edge-Browser Online architecture for visualizing BIM components with online solutions. The method combines transmission scheduling, cache management, and optimal initial loading into a single system architecture. For network transmission testing, BIM scenes are used, and the results show that their method effectively reduces scene loading time and networking delay while improving the visualization effect of large-scale scenes. In the third paper, Yuzhu Dong and Eakta Jain, from University of Florida in Gainesville, and Sophie Jörg, from Clemson University, all in United States discuss how the importance of eyes for virtual characters stems from the intrinsic social cues. They emphasize that the eye animation impacts the perception of an avatar's internal emotional state. They present three large scale experiments that investigate the extent to which viewers can identify if an avatar is scared. The authors find that participants can identify a scared avatar with 75% accuracy using cues in the eyes including pupil size variation, gaze, and blinks. Because eye trackers return pupil diameter in addition to gaze, their experiments inform practitioners that animating the pupil correctly will add expressiveness to a virtual avatar with negligible additional cost. These findings also have implications for creating expressive eyes in intelligent conversational agents and social robots. The fourth paper, by Osman Güler, from TUSAŞ Şehit Hakan Gülşen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Ankara and Serkan Savaş, from Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi, both in Turkey present a study showing that Interactive Boards (IBs) have the necessary hardware to run Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) training materials, but the panel has not got an S3D imaging feature. Therefore, only the Anaglyph S3D imaging method can be applied to IBs. Thus, an Anaglyph S3D training material was prepared for the interaction of the skeletal system and interactive 3D material design for IBs with its effects in education was investigated. A Likert-type scale was developed to measure the usability of the training material on IBs and the material was evaluated by 20 experts. The data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical program and the results were interpreted. According to the results, educational material seems to be positive in terms of image characteristics, content, navigation, and ease of use, font sizes were moderate for readability, the feedback process and the help menu were moderately effective. The last paper by Alexandra Sierra, Marie Postma, from Tilburg University in Netherlands and Menno Van Zaanen, from North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa investigate whether the uncanny valley effect, which has already been found for the human-like appearance of virtual characters, can also be found for animal-like appearances. They conducted an online study in which six different animal designs were evaluated in terms of the following properties: familiarity, commonality, naturalness, attractiveness, interestingness, and animateness. The study participants differed in age (under 10–60 years) and origin (Europe, Asia, North America, and South America). For the evaluation of the results, the authors ranked the animal-likeness of the character using both expert opinion and participant judgments. They also investigated the effect of movement and morbidity. The results confirm the existence of the uncanny valley effect for virtual animals, especially with respect to familiarity and commonality, for both still and moving images. No uncanny valley effect was detected for interestingness and animateness.

A Bevy of Black Swan Events: Existential Threats to the Future of Nursing

A Bevy of Black Swan Events: Existential Threats to the Future of Nursing

Private Equity Real Estate Fund Performance: A Comparison to REITs and Open-End Core Funds

1. Thomas R. Arnold 1. is a visiting scholar in the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. (tra622{at}ufl.edu) 2. David C. Ling 1. is the McGurn Professor of Real Estate in the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. (ling{at}ufl.edu) 3. Andy Naranjo 1. is the John B. Hall Professor of Finance & Chairman in the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. (andy.naranjo{at}warrington.ufl.edu) <!-- --> 1. To order reprints of this article, please contact David Rowe at d.rowe{at}pageantmedia.com or 646-891-2157. We provide a comprehensive examination of the return performance of closed-end, private equity real estate (PERE) funds relative to the performance of listed real estate stocks (real estate investment trusts [REITs]) and the NCREIF ODCE fund index. We first match each PERE fund in our sample and its realized internal rate of return and equity multiple with the return that would have been earned by an LP investor on an investment in the designated benchmark over each fund’s investment horizon. Overall, we find that closed-end PERE funds have underperformed listed REITs. In contrast, we find similar overall performance between PERE and the NCREIF ODCE fund index. We also examine the determinants of the relative performance spread between the PERE funds and the equity REIT index and find that the spread widens with interest rate environment variables (Treasury yields and default spreads) and narrows with broad macroeconomic performance indicators (growth rate of GDP). Key Findings

Identification and Morphogenesis of Vestibular Atrial Septal Defects.

Background: The vestibular atrial septal defect is an interatrial communication located in the antero-inferior portion of the atrial septum. Reflecting either inadequate muscularization of the vestibular spine and mesenchymal cap during development, or excessive apoptosis within the developing antero-inferior septal component, the vestibular defect represents an infrequently recognized true deficiency of the atrial septum. We reviewed necropsy specimens from three separate archives to establish the frequency of such vestibular defects and their associated cardiac findings, providing additional analysis from developing mouse hearts to illustrate their potential morphogenesis. Materials and methods: We analyzed the hearts in the Farouk S. Idriss Cardiac Registry at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL, the Van Mierop Archive at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and the archive at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, identifying all those exhibiting a vestibular atrial septal defect, along with the associated intracardiac malformations. We then assessed potential mechanisms for the existence of such defects, based on the assessment of 450 datasets of developing mouse hearts prepared using the technique of episcopic microscopy. Results: We analyzed a total of 2100 specimens. Of these, 68 (3%) were found to have a vestibular atrial septal defect. Comparable defects were identified in 10 developing mouse embryos sacrificed at embryonic data 15.5, by which stage the antero-inferior component of the atrial septum is usually normally formed. Conclusion: The vestibular defect is a true septal defect located in the muscular antero-inferior rim of the oval fossa. Our retrospective review of autopsied hearts suggests that the defect may be more common than previously thought. Increased awareness of the location of the defect should optimize its future clinical identification. We suggest that the defect exists because of failure, during embryonic development, of union of the components that bind the leading edge of the primary atrial septum to the atrioventricular junctions, either because of inadequate muscularisation or excessive apoptosis.

Preparations for a Controversial Speaker and Anticipated Volatility in a College Town.

In summer of 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia, white nationalists clashed with counterprotestors, ultimately leading to the death of three people and leaving 34 more injured. Soon after, the same group was granted permission to speak on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Despite our college town having limited resources and personnel, the comprehensive and extensive preparation preceding the event ensured a peaceful resolution for such a large and potentially volatile situation. The preparatory steps required joint efforts from local and state partners in law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency departments. We describe here the situation we faced, the pre-event preparations, the response in the field and in our emergency department, and the outcomes from an emergency and tactical medicine perspective. We hope our successful experience will impart knowledge for similar events.

International academic partnership: Case study in South Africa

Tourism is a very important industry for the economy of South Africa. With the growth of international and domestic visitors, qualified and skilled human resources are increasingly essential to further support the tourism industry. Human capacity development with respect to vocational and managerial education is central to the tourism industry in South Africa. Academic institutions play a crucial role in developing and delivering training and education via short courses, certificate programs, and academic degrees there. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a multi-year partnership project between the University of Florida in Gainesville, U.S., and Tshwane University of Technology in Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa. The objectives of the academic partnership are to strengthen teaching, research, service, and faculty development initiatives in tourism management in South Africa. Based on mutually identified objectives, this paper provides a descriptive narrative associated with its execution. The engaged process, progress, and products, inclusive of challenges, offer an established example with respect to developing and sustaining international academic linkages in tourism education.

For distinguished contributions to psychophysiology: Margaret M. Bradley

For distinguished contributions to psychophysiology: Margaret M. Bradley

Floral fragrance analysis of Prosthechea cochleata (Orchidaceae), an endangered native, epiphytic orchid, in Florida

ABSTRACTSouth Florida is home to a number of native species of orchids. The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge has 27 known species, including Prosthechea cochleata, the clamshell orchid, which is listed as endangered on Florida's Regulated Plant Index. In a prior study done on this species in Mexico, P. cochleata was found to produce no floral fragrance at the particular study location. However, blooming orchids of this species at the University of Florida in Gainesville, were noted to be fragrant. In this paper, we document the presence of floral fragrance compounds from P. cochleata by using by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of headspace volatile collection. The orchids sampled were found to be consistently producing eight volatiles that are common in floral fragrances, including those of previous orchid species studied. By knowing the fragrance compounds produced, we can better understand the pollination biology of this endangered orchid. This information could be used to help future conservation efforts for P. cochelata by increasing pollination and subsequent seed capsule production.

UZIG Research: Measurement and Characterization of Unsaturated Zone Processes under Wide‐Ranging Climates and Changing Conditions

UZIG Research: Measurement and Characterization of Unsaturated Zone Processes under Wide‐Ranging Climates and Changing Conditions

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

The Impact of Florida’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome [39F

INTRODUCTION: The Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), E-FORCSE, was implemented in response to the national opioid epidemic in 2011 as a way to decrease inappropriate prescribing and access to opioid medications. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at UF Health at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL with IRB approval. Data was collected from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015. We investigated the in-hospital length of stay, hospital charges associated with observation and treatment of newborns affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), type of treatment required (eg, pharmacologic, supportive), and type of opioid exposure during pregnancy. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-three eligible newborns were included in the study. The average length of stay for newborns diagnosed with NAS, requiring only supportive measures was 4.6 days. The average length of stay for newborns diagnosed with NAS requiring pharmacologic management was 14.4 days. Over the four year study period, hospital charges related to the diagnosis and treatment of NAS increased from $1.7 million in 2012 to $2.5 million in 2015. The percentage of newborns diagnosed with NAS requiring pharmacologic management increased from 53.8% in 2012 to 64.5% in 2015. CONCLUSION: Despite the initiation of the PDMP in Florida, there was no noted decrease in the incidence of NAS. In fact, the incidence of NAS, hospital charges, and length of stay all increased over the length of the study. Encouraging use of contraception, including LARC, may decrease the incidence of unintended pregnancy and may play a part in decreasing in-utero exposure to opioids.

Regulatory roulette

Regulatory roulette

Double-outlet right ventricle revisited

ObjectivesDouble-outlet right ventricle is a form of ventriculoarterial connection. The definition formulated by the International Society for Nomenclature of Paediatric and Congenital Heart Disease is based on hearts with both arterial trunks supported in their greater part by a morphologically right ventricle. Bilateral infundibula and ventricular septal defects are highly debated criteria. This study examines the anatomic controversies surrounding double-outlet right ventricle. We show that hearts with double-outlet right ventricle can have atrioventricular-to-arterial valvular continuity. We emphasize the difference between the interventricular communication and the zone of deficient ventricular septation. MethodsThe hearts examined were from the University of Florida in Gainesville; Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St Petersburg, Fla; and Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Ill. Each specimen had at least 75% of both arterial roots supported by the morphologically right ventricle, with a total of 100 hearts examined. The morphologic method was used to assess anatomic features, including arterial-atrioventricular valvular continuity, subarterial infundibular musculature, and the location of the hole between the ventricles. ResultsMost hearts had fibrous continuity between one of the arterial valves and an atrioventricular valve, with bilateral infundibula in 23%, and intact ventricular septum in 5%. ConclusionsBilateral infundibula are not a defining feature of double-outlet right ventricle, representing only 23% of the specimens in our sample. The interventricular communication can have a posteroinferior muscular rim or extend to become perimembranous (58%). Double-outlet right ventricle can exist with an intact ventricular septum.

Notes on Contributors

Notes on Contributors

The great divide: some worry of a gap between what is being taught in American university undergraduate BME programs and the job market.

For decades, BME has been touted worldwide as the rising star in engineering disciplines. The number of technological advancements that can be credited to the field since the 1950s is staggering, ranging from new biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics to sensors, imaging technology, and orthopedics. In the United States, job numbers are on a steady rise and expected to grow by 27% within the next ten years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In those terms, "there has never been a better, more exciting time to enter the field," says Bruce Wheeler (Figure 1), former president of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society and a BME professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Alan Roy Katritzky. 18 August 1928 — 10 February 2014

After a bright start, first in Oxford and then in Cambridge, Alan Katritzky’s scientific career was spent at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, where he became the founding Professor of Chemistry (1962) and at the University of Florida in Gainesville, USA, in the Kenan Chair of Chemistry from 1980 until his death in 2014. For more than 60 years he was a pioneer in the development of the field of heterocyclic chemistry. His work contributed much to the science that underpins the synthetic work of the modern pharmaceutical and agrichemical industries as well as that of dyestuffs and polymers. His research also touched other areas such as physical organic and polymer chemistry, organic reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, chemical sensors, peptide synthesis, and reactions in water at high temperatures and pressures. Alan Katritzky worked with large cohorts of graduate students and research fellows drawn from across the globe. Their work was reported in nearly 2200 papers published in the primary scientific literature. He was also very active in the publishing field, writing and editing monographs and reviews, maintaining this prodigious level of output until a few days before he died.