Walton Beach Research Articles

Sales Anomaly Detection Using Automatic Time Series Decomposition

This study proposes an automated time series decomposition (ATSD) technique for sales anomaly detection using weekly ice cream sale data from Google Trends with the caption "(Mobile AL-Pensacola (Ft. Walton Beach) FL. In this study, an empirical approach based on automatic time series decomposition (ATSD) was used to detect anomalies in sales data. A historical quantitative weekly ice cream sales data between periods of 9 April 2017 to 3 April 2022 consisting of 261 data points was used. The process for discovering the anomalous sales point includes importing of the necessary libraries, data visualization, construction of the ATSD model, creating the time series components from original data (seasonal, trend, residual), calculating the estimated from the original, and finally, the extraction of the anomalous sales. Anomalies were first discovered during the data visualization stage, which revealed some abnormal sales in mid-2019, late-2019, and early 2020. However, after applying the ATSD, our model detected anomalies with the specific dates of these anomalies. Following the application of the ATSD, our results indicate that the proposed anomaly detection approach can reliably detect anomalies with the dates of these anomalies. Because this technique worked well with our data, we assume it will work with any time series data.

Nymphoides humboldtiana (Menyanthaceae) in Florida (U.S.A.) verified by DNA data

Certain Nymphoides populations in Florida, U.S.A., previously identified as the non-native N. indica (L.) Kuntze, are actually N. humboldtiana (Kunth) Kuntze, as verified using nuclear and plastid DNA data. These new records of N. humboldtiana in Florida are the only known localities in the U.S.A. outside of Uvalde County, Texas. Nymphoides humboldtiana is native to Texas, México, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The newly identified Florida populations found near the city of Tampa in Manatee County (Ward Lake and Braden River) and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County (Bass Lake) are presumed to be native. Nymphoides humboldtiana and N. indica share many superficial similarities, most notably white petals with ciliate hairs. Our findings suggest that certain morphologically-determined populations of N. indica in the U.S.A. may be incorrectly identified. Such populations might be re-examined using DNA methods to avoid any management actions against N. humboldtiana.

The effects of a bike active video game on players' physical activity and motivation

BackgroundPlayers may not acquire adequate levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) when playing commercial video games. This study's goal was to evaluate the effects of an exercise bike video game played by using a mobile application-based exergame that was designed exclusively to promote participants' MVPA, with additional attention paid to this game's ability to promote greater situational interest. MethodsAn experimental design was used with 163 students (aged 20.31 ± 1.30, 18–26 years, 61.3% male), all of whom were randomly allocated into an experimental group and a control group. Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed with ActiGraph GT3X+ (ActiGraph Inc., Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA) accelerometers. The situational interest scale was used to evaluate students' situational interest in both groups. Multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences between sedentary behavior, PA levels, and situational interest between groups. Regression analyses were also used, with the purpose being to evaluate the strength of the relationship between PA and situational interest. ResultsResults revealed that the experimental group had higher degrees of sedentary behavior, light PA, total interest, instant enjoyment, exploration intention, attention demand, novelty, and challenge, whereas the control group received higher scores for MVPA (control 95.01% vs. experimental group 89.94%). Regression analysis indicated that instant enjoyment (β = 0.49, p < 0.01), exploration intention (β = 0.18, p < 0.05), and attention demand (β = 0.17, p < 0.05) were positive predictors for total interest, explaining 43% of its variance. ConclusionA newly designed mobile application-based exergame played via an exercise bike may enhance situational interest and provide a decent level of PA for players.

Say Versus Do: Analysis of Fitch Ratings and Bond Grades for a Regional Airport

AbstractIn this short article, we examine the airport bond rating system by Fitch Ratings, including what Fitch documents “say” are important versus the level of analysis that is actually “done.” One thing that is apparently not done is construction of a travel model for measuring competition between airports. We do this for the Pensacola, Florida, airport. Results indicate the Fort Walton Beach facility is the largest threat and the staff at Fitch Ratings have, to some degree, focused on the wrong airport. We also found that, while ratings affect interest rates, the relationship to risk is less clear.

Variability of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior.

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate variability of sedentary behavior (SB) throughout a 7-d measurement period and to determine if <7 d of SB measurement would be comparable with the typical 7-d measurement period. Retrospective data from Ball State University's Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory on 293 participants (99 men, 55 ± 14 yr, body mass index = 29 ± 5 kg·m(-2); 194 women, 51 ± 12 yr, body mass index = 27 ± 7 kg·m(-2)) with seven consecutive days of data collected with ActiGraph accelerometers were analyzed (ActiGraph, Fort Walton Beach, FL). Time spent in SB (either <100 counts per minute or <150 counts per minute) and breaks in SB were compared between days and by sex using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Stepwise regression was performed to determine if <7 d of SB measurement were comparable with the 7-d method, using an adjusted R2 of ≥0.9 as a criterion for equivalence. There were no differences in daily time spent in SB between the 7 d for all participants. However, there was a significant interaction between sex and days, with women spending less time in SB on both Saturdays and Sundays than men when using the 100 counts per minute cut-point. Stepwise regression showed using any 4 d would be comparable with a 7-d measurement (R2 > 0.90). When assessed over a 7-d measurement period, SB appears to be very stable from day to day, although there may be some small differences in time spent in SB and breaks in SB between men and women, particularly on weekend days. The stepwise regression analysis suggests that a measurement period as short as 4 d could provide comparable data (91% of variance) with a 1-wk assessment. Shorter assessment periods would reduce both researcher and subject burden in data collection.

Head-Started Kemp's Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Nest Recorded in Florida: Possible Implications

Abstract A head-started Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) was documented nesting on South Walton Beach, Florida on 25 May 2015. This record supports the possibility that exposure to Florida waters after being held in captivity through 1–3 yrs of age during the head-starting process may have influenced future nest site selection of this and perhaps other Kemp's ridley turtles. Such findings could have important ramifications for marine water experimentation and release site selection for turtles that have been reared in captivity.

Do Activity Levels Increase After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty?

People with osteoarthritis (OA) often are physically inactive. Surgical treatment including total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty can substantially improve pain, physical function, and quality of life. However, their impact on physical activity levels is less clear. We used accelerometers to measure levels of physical activity pre- and (6 months) postarthroplasty and to examine the proportion of people meeting the American Physical Activity Guidelines. Sixty-three people with hip or knee OA awaiting arthroplasty were recruited from a major metropolitan hospital. Physical activity was measured using accelerometry before, and 6 months after, surgery. The ActiGraph GT1M (ActiGraph LLC, Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA) was used in this study and is a uniaxial accelerometer contained within a small activity monitor designed to measure human movement through changes in acceleration, which can then be used to estimate physical activity over time. Questionnaires were used to assess patient-reported changes in pain, function, quality of life, and physical activity. Complete data sets (including valid physical activity data) for both time points were obtained for 44 participants (70%). At baseline before arthroplasty, the activity level of patients was, on average, sedentary for 82% of the time over a 24-hour period (based on accelerometry) and self-rated as "sometimes participates in mild activities such as walking, limited shopping, and housework" according to the UCLA activity scale. There was no change in objectively measured physical activity after arthroplasty. The majority of participants were sedentary, both before and after arthroplasty, and did not meet the American Physical Activity Guidelines recommended to promote health. This was despite significant improvements in self-reported measures of pain, function, quality of life, and physical activity after arthroplasty. Despite patient-reported improvements in pain, function, and physical activity after arthroplasty, objectively measured improvements in physical activity may not occur. Clinicians should incorporate strategies for improving physical activity into their management of patients after hip and knee arthroplasty to maximize health status. Future research is needed to explore the factors that impact physical activity levels in people after arthroplasty. Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Criterion-related Validity of the Short Form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in Adults who are Blind

The World Health Organization advocates that a greater focus should be placed on the surveillance of patterns of physical activity and the identification of specific high-risk groups and measures to respond to their needs (World Health Assembly, 2004). From a public health perspective, it is important to examine if adults meet the current general recommendation of at least 30 minutes of moderate or greater physical activity per day (World Health Assembly, 2004). Doing so requires accurate measurements of physical activity for supporting the promotion of health and physical activity. Currently, there are various methods to assess physical activity in daily life, including objective measures, such as heart rate, accelerometry, and pedometry, and subjective recall questionnaires or physical activity diaries. Questionnaires have been the most frequent method of assessing the physical activity of populations or population groups because of their low cost and their general acceptance by participants (Lee, Macfarlane, Lam, & Stewart, 2011). The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-S) has been recommended for use in studies to evaluate patterns of physical activity that are relevant to health (World Health Organization, 2007). The IPAQ-S also includes a measure of sedentary behavior, which may be useful since there is ample evidence that sedentary behavior and the lack of physical activity are independent behaviors that have specific effects on health (Garber et al., 2011). Thus, even when adults meet physical activity guidelines, sitting for prolonged periods can compromise their metabolic health (Owen, Healy, Matthews, & Dunstan, 2010). The IPAQ-S has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of physical activity and sedentary behavior of the general population (Craig et al., 2003; Rosenberg, Bull, Marshall, Sallis, & Bauman, 2008). Nevertheless, there is evidence that it overestimates physical activity when compared to objective methods like accelerometry (Lee et al., 2011); thus, like other questionnaires, the IPAQ-S appears to be vulnerable to recall and reporting bias. To our knowledge, there is no evidence on the use of the IPAQ-S with adults who are blind. Therefore, the study presented here examined the criterion validity and measurement bias of the IPAQ-S in adults who are blind using accelerometry as an objective measure of physical activity. METHODS Participants The inclusion criteria consisted of being aged 18 to 65, being legally blind (with a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of corrective lenses or a corrected field of vision less than 20 degrees), living independently in the community, being an associate of Associacao dos Cegos e Amblfopes de Portugal (ACAPO), the Portuguese association for people with visual impairments, having a telephone number registered in the ACAPO database, and living in the Lisbon area. Of the 177 potential participants, 77 could not be contacted by telephone (because they had invalid telephone numbers or were unreachable after two attempts), 30 declined to participate, and 3 had moved out of the Lisbon area, leaving 67 participants. One of the researchers met each of the persons who agreed to participate in his or her home. During the first visit, the participants were instructed on the proper use of the accelerometer. After they wore the accelerometer for a week, they were administered the IPAQ-S during the second visit. The participants were informed about the objectives of the study and gave their informed consent to participate. The study was approved by the University of Evora ethics committee and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Accelerometry Daily physical activity was assessed by accelerometers (ActiGraph, GT1M model, Fort Walton Beach, Florida), which are small electronic devices (3. …

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with low level of physical activity: a population‐based study

High intensity exercise improves metabolic status and may potentially mobilise hepatic fat. To assess the level of physical activity (PA) of subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data were obtained from NHANES (2003-2006). Activity counts obtained from accelerometer readings (ActiGraph, Fort Walton Beach, FL), from 7 consecutive days quantified total PA and time spent engaged in different levels of activity. All measures were counts/minutes/day: (sedentary <100; light 100-0027; moderate, 2020-5999 and vigorous, 6000+). NAFLD was defined as a fatty liver index >60 (FLI) in the absence of other chronic liver disease. Subjects with NAFLD were compared to controls using stratum-specific Chi-squared and t-tests. Simple linear regression analyses (with Taylor series linearised variance estimation and weighting) were used to determine the association between PA levels and NAFLD. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Statistical analyses were conducted using sudaan version 10.1 and sas version 9.1. We included 3056 participants. NAFLD patients were older, had higher BMI, larger waist circumference, higher sum of skinfolds, more likely to have insulin resistance (HOMA>3.0) and type-2 diabetes (all P-values <0.01). Average PA for NAFLD subjects was about 28.7 counts/minute/day less than controls (P<0.01). Furthermore, NAFLD subjects spent less time participating in activity at any level (P<0.01). Subjects with NAFLD and DM were in the lowest quartile of average PA as well as moderate-vigorous PA (P<0.01). Data from this study show that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients have low level of physical activity and, when they have diabetes mellitus, they perform at the lowest quartile of physical activity and moderate-vigorous physical activity.

Recovery of physical activity levels in adolescents after lower limb fractures: a longitudinal, accelerometry-based activity monitor study

BackgroundIn adolescents, loss of bone mineral mass usually occurs during phases of reduced physical activity (PA), such as when an injured extremity spends several weeks in a cast. We recorded the PA of adolescents with lower limb fractures during the cast immobilization, at 6 and at 18 months after the fracture, and we compared these values with those of healthy controls.MethodsFifty adolescents with a first episode of limb fracture and a control group of 50 healthy cases were recruited for the study through an advertisement placed at the University Children’s Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. PA was assessed during cast immobilization and at 6- and 18-month follow-up by accelerometer measurement (Actigraph® 7164, MTI, Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA). Patients and their healthy peers were matched for gender and age. Time spent in PA at each level of intensity was determined for each participant and expressed in minutes and as a percentage of total valid time.ResultsFrom the 50 initial teenagers with fractures, 44 sustained functional evaluations at 6 months follow-up, whereas only 38 patients were studied at 18 months. The total PA count (total number of counts/min) was lower in patients with lower limb fractures (-62.4%) compared with healthy controls (p<0.0001) during cast immobilization. Similarly, time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA was lower by 76.6% (p<0.0001), and vigorous PA was reduced by 84.4% (p<0.0001) in patients with cast immobilization for lower limb injuries compared to healthy controls values. At 6 and 18 months after the fracture, the mean PA level of injured adolescents was comparable to those of healthy teenagers (-2.3%, and -1.8%, respectively).Importantly, we observed that time spent in vigorous PA, which reflects high-intensity forces beneficial to skeletal health, returned to similar values between both groups from the six month follow-up in adolescents who sustained a fracture. However, a definitive reduction in time spent in moderate PA was observed among patients with a lower limb fracture at 18 months, when comparing with healthy controls values (p = 0.0174).ConclusionsAs cast immobilization and reduced PA are known to induce bone mineral loss, this study provides important information to quantify the decrease of skeletal loading in adolescents with limb fractures. The results of this study demonstrate that the amount of skeletal loading returns to normal values in adolescents with lower limb fractures after bone healing and is probably linked to an overall better pattern of functional recovery among this age group. When comparing both populations of adolescents, a definitive decrease in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA was observed among patients with a lower limb fracture at 18 months and may suggest a modification of lifestyle. The high rate of missing data (26.5%) due to above all non compliance with monitor wearing among teenagers complicates the data analysis, and requires a more cautious interpretation of the results. Future studies using accelerometer to monitor PA in adolescents should therefore include strategies for improving the rate of adherence and minimizing the ratio of missing data.

1334 CLINICAL AND ANTHROPOMETRIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LIVER-SPECIFIC MORTALITY IN SUBJECTS WITH NON ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD)

counts from accelerometer readings (ActiGraph, Fort Walton Beach, FL) were available. For each participant, activity counts from 7 consecutive days were used to assess overall activity levels (counts/min/d), and time spent in different levels of activity (sedentary, 60 in the absence of all other causes of chronic liver disease (e.g. HCV antibody, HBV surface antigen negative, normal transferrin saturation and alcohol consumption 3.0) and type 2 diabetes (all P-values <0.01). Average physical activity for NAFLD subjects was 28.7cnt/min/day less than controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, NAFLD subjects spent less time participating in activity at any level (P < 0.01) than controls. A negative association was noted between physical activity levels and NAFLD (P < 0.01). The lowest quartile of average physical activity as well as moderatevigorous physical activity were associated with an increased likelihood of having NAFLD (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Data from this large population study show that NAFLD patients have low level of physical activity and perform at the lowest quartile of moderate-vigorous physical activity.

Does a waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer quantify community ambulation in persons with multiple sclerosis?

Accelerometry has been recognized as a method of objectively measuring community ambulation in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the assumption that walking itself serves as a major contributor to the accelerometer signal has yet to be tested. This study examined the assumption that community-based walking is a primary contributor to accelerometer output in MS. Ambulatory persons (5 males/17 females; 13 without aid/9 with aid) with MS wore a triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X, Health One Technologies; Fort Walton Beach, Florida) as well as an IDEEA system (MiniSun, Inc; Fresno, Florida) over the course of a single day. Outcome measures for the accelerometer included movement counts/hour for the vertical, anterior-posterior, and mediolateral axes. Outcomes for the IDEEA system included percent time walking, sitting, and standing, as well as walking speed. Pearson product correlations (r) were used to examine the associations between outcomes from the accelerometer and IDEEA system. Significant correlations were observed between percent walking time and movement counts/hour along the vertical (r = 0.84) and anterior-posterior (r = 0.69) axes. Significant correlations were further noted between movement counts/hour along the vertical axis and walking speed (r = 0.45) and self-report walking impairment (r = -0.50) and disability (r = -0.46). Such observations further support accelerometry as an objective marker of community ambulation in persons with MS.

Now you see it, now you don't: Chirp imaging of the intermittently shelly shoreface ravinement surface on the inner shelf of Panama City, Florida

Reconnaissance CHIRP data and vibracores were collected on the inner shelf off Panama City, Florida, in April, 2011, for the purpose of providing seabed characterization for an upcoming ONR acoustic reverberation experiment. The seafloor in this region is part of the MAFLA sand sheet: Holocene shelfal marine sands, 0–5 m thick, extending from Mississippi to the Florida panhandle. Coring often samples a thin shelly layer, associated with the shoreface ravinement, at the base of the sand sheet, followed by finer-grained estuarine sediments. Prior CHIRP data collected by Steve Schock off nearby Fort Walton Beach revealed a highly intermittent reflector that could be correlated to the base of the sand sheet; whether the reflector is caused by the estuarine sediments or the shells was uncertain. The new data also reveal an intermittent basal reflector. Estuarine layering can also be identified, and in parts of our survey area the basal and estuarine horizons are distinct. A core at one of these locations sampled a 0.5-m thick shell layer corresponding to the basal reflector with sand both above and beneath. Shells are therefore likely responsible for this intermittent reflector, and thus themselves likely very heterogeneous in concentration at the ravinement surface.

Examining the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, long form (IPAQ-LC)

To investigate the reliability and the validity of the long format, Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LC). Cross-sectional study, examining the reliability and validity of the IPAQ-LC compared with a physical activity log (PA-log) and objective accelerometry. Self-reported physical activity (PA) in Hong Kong adults. A total of eighty-three Chinese adults (forty-seven males, thirty-six females) were asked to wear an ActiTrainer accelerometer (MTI-ActiGraph, Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA) for >10 h over 7 d, to complete a PA-log at the end of each day and to complete the IPAQ-LC on day 8. On a sub-sample of twenty-eight adults the IPAQ-LC was also administered on day 11 to assess its reliability. The IPAQ-LC had good test-retest reliability for grouped activities, with intra-class correlation coefficients ranging from 0·74 to 0·97 for vigorous, moderate, walking and total PA, with between-test effect sizes that were small (<0·49). The Spearman correlation coefficients were statistically significant for vigorous PA (r = 0·28), moderate + walking PA (r = 0·27), as well as overall PA (r = 0·35), when compared with the accelerometry-based criterion measures, but none of the IPAQ activity categories correlated significantly with the PA-log. In absolute units, only the IPAQ light and overall PA did not differ significantly from the accelerometry measures, yet overall PA was able to faithfully discriminate between quartiles of PA (P = 0·019) when compared to accelerometry. The IPAQ-LC demonstrated adequate reliability and showed sufficient evidence of validity in assessing overall levels of habitual PA to be used on Hong Kong adults.

Sediment sound speed and attenuation results from the sediment acoustics experiments in 1999 (SAX99) and 2004 (SAX04).

Sediment acoustics experiments in 1999 (SAX99) and 2004 (SAX04) were conducted in shallow water off the Florida Panhandle near Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Measurements were made of the frequency dependence of sound speed and attenuation in sandy sediments, supplemented by detailed environmental characterization. Following SAX99 laboratory measurements were conducted to further investigate the physical mechanisms contributing to the frequency dependences observed. An overview will be given of these sound speed and attenuation results, and the implications for sediment acoustics modeling will be discussed. [Work supported by ONR.]

Measurement of the frequency dependence of the sound speed and attenuation of seafloor sands from 1 to 400 kHz

Measurements of sound speed and attenuation were performed over a frequency range from 1 to 400 kHz in the sandy seafloor near Ft. Walton Beach, FL, as part of the 2004 Sediment Acoustics Experiment (SAX04). The measurements at the lowest frequencies, from 1 to 20 kHz, were performed by transmitting tone burst signals from two acoustic sources positioned at depths up to 1 m below the seafloor which were recorded on a 4 m × 4 m array of 35 hydrophones emplaced to depths of between 0.1 and 1 m. Measurements were obtained at frequencies from 40 to 200 kHz with the In Situ Sediment Acoustic Measurement System (ISSAMS), a fixed linear array of four piezoelectric probes. The probes were inserted to a depth of 0.3 m, and the outer two probes were used as transmitters, with the inner probes acting as receivers. Sound-speed measurements were also made at 100, 200, and 400 kHz on diver-collected cores using four separate pairs of ultrasonic transducers. The sound-speed measurements above 40 kHz demonstrate an essentially constant sound-speed ratio with frequency of between 1.165 and 1.175, where the sound-speed ratio is the ratio of the speed through the sand to the speed through the overlying seawater. The sound-speed ratio determined from the low-frequency array data decreased from 1.135 to 1.115 with decreasing frequency below 20 kHz. Uncertainties in the sound-speed ratio values on the order of ±0.02 do not allow meaningful tests of the ability of Biot-Stoll or Buckingham propagation models to describe the observed dispersion. The measured attenuation values show a range from 1 to 120 dB/m with frequency from 1 to 400 kHz. At frequencies above 40 kHz, the attenuation follows a linear trend parallel to the estimates from the Buckingham model, as fit to the data with two free parameters, and at the highest frequencies significantly exceeding the Biot model prediction, as parameterized with values selected from the range of measurements of sediment and pore-water properties made from throughout the SAX04 site. At frequencies below 20 kHz, the data straddle the trends from the two models.

Fine-Scale Volume Heterogeneity in a Mixed Sand/Mud Sediment off Fort Walton Beach, FL

As part of the effort to characterize the acoustic and physical properties of the seafloor during the high-frequency 2004 Sediment Acoustics Experiment (SAX04), fine-scale variability of sediment sound speed and density was measured in a medium quartz sand using diver cores and an in situ conductivity probe. This study has a goal of providing environmental input to high-frequency backscatter modeling efforts. Because the experiment was conducted immediately following exposure of the site to Hurricane Ivan, measurements revealed storm-generated sedimentary structure that included mud deposits and trapped sand pockets suspended in the mud. Fluctuations of sediment sound speed and density were measured downcore at 1- and 2-cm increments, respectively, with standard laboratory techniques. Sediment density was also measured on a very fine scale with an in situ conductivity probe [in situ measurement of porosity (IMP2)] and by means of computed tomography (CT) imaging of a diver core. Overlap between the locations of the diver cores and the conductivity probe measurements allowed an examination of multiple scales of sediment heterogeneity and a comparison of techniques. Sediment heterogeneity was characterized using estimates of covariance corresponding to an algebraic form for the power spectrum of fluctuations obtained from core, conductivity, and CT measurements. Correcting for sampling brings the power spectra for density fluctuations determined from the various measurements into agreement, and supports description of heterogeneity at the site over a wide range of scales by a power spectrum having a simple algebraic form.

Clinical relevance of urate nephrolithiasis in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus

Few cases of nephrolithiasis (renal calculi) have been reported in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. A case-control study was conducted to compare ultrasonographic images and clinicopathologic serum and urine values among 14 dolphins with nephrolithiasis (mild cases: 1 to 19 nephroliths, n = 8; advanced cases: > or = 20 nephroliths, n = 6) to 6 controls over an 18 mo period. Archived nephroliths collected postmortem from 7 additional bottlenose dolphins were characterized using quantitative analysis. All advanced cases had bilateral nephroliths, and 67% had visible collecting ducts. During the study, 2 of the advanced cases developed hydronephrosis, and 1 of these cases had ureteral obstruction due to a nephrolith. Compared to controls, cases (mild and advanced) were significantly more likely to have anemia (hematocrit [HCT] < 38%), high blood urea nitrogen (>59 mg dl(-1)), high creatinine (>1.9 mg dl(-1)), and low estimated glomerular filtration rate (<150 ml min(-1) 2.78 m(-2)). Advanced-case urine samples were more likely to have erythrocytes, occult blood, and lower pH compared to mild cases and controls. Mean serum uric acid among all study groups was low (0.15 to 0.27 mg dl(-1)). Urinary uric acid concentrations were highest among mild cases (272 mg g(-1) creatinine), but advanced cases had levels lower than that of controls (40 and 127 mg g(-1) creatinine, respectively). All nephroliths were characterized as 100% ammonium acid urate. We conclude that nephrolithiasis is clinically relevant in dolphins and can decrease renal function and HCT. The presence of nephrolithiasis, presumably ammonium acid urate nephrolithiasis, in the face of low serum uric and relatively low urinary uric acid in advanced cases may indicate a metabolic syndrome similar to that reported in humans.

Mid- to High-Frequency Acoustic Penetration and Propagation Measurements in a Sandy Sediment

During the recent 2004 sediment acoustics experiment (SAX04), a buried hydrophone array was deployed in a sandy sediment near Fort Walton Beach, FL. The array was used to measure both the acoustic penetration into the sediment and sound speed and attenuation within the sediment while a smaller, diver-deployed array was also used to measure sound speed and attenuation. Both of these systems had been deployed previously during the 1999 Sediment Acoustics Experiment (SAX99). In that experiment, the buried array was used to make measurements in the 11-50-kHz range while the diver-deployed array made measurements in the 80-260-kHz range. For the SAX04 deployment, the frequency range for the measurements using the buried array was lowered to 2 kHz. The diver-deployed array was also modified to cover the 40-260-kHz range. Unlike the SAX99 deployment, there were no obvious sand ripples at the SAX04 buried array site at the time of the measurements. To examine the role of sand ripples in acoustic penetration over this new frequency range, artificial ripple fields were created. For the high frequencies, the penetration was consistent with the model predictions using small-roughness perturbation theory as in SAX99. As the frequency of the incident acoustic field decreased, the evanescent field became the dominant penetration mechanism. The sound speed measured using the buried array exhibits dispersion consistent with the Biot theory while the measured attenuation exceeds the theory predictions at frequencies above 200 kHz.

A Comparison Of Physical Activity Levels Between Children With And Without A Congenital Heart Defect

PURPOSE: To describe and compare daily physical activity (PA) levels of children with and without a congenital heart defect (CHD). Secondarily, to compare groups for time spent in moderate intensity PA (MPA), vigorous intensity (VPA), sedentary behavior, and physical education (PE), sport, and recess. METHODS: Twenty-one children with mild to moderate CHD (16 females, 10.6 ± 3.4 y) were matched for gender and age group (6-11 y, 12-15 y, 16-19 y) with 21 children without CHD (16 females, 10.8 ± 3.2 y). Participants wore an accelerometer (Actigraph 7164, Fort Walton Beach, Fl) and completed a PA log for seven consecutive days. Moderate intensity PA was defined as 4.0-6.9 METs and VPA was defined as greater than or equal to 7 METs (Wickel & Eisenmann, 2007). Sedentary behavior was defined by any accelerometer activity count being less then or equal to 50 counts/30 sec. The amount of time spent in the three structured physical activities (PE, sport, and recess) were self-reported on the the PA log. Paired sample t-tests were utilized to compare daily PA levels, total time spent in MPA (min/day), VPA (min/day), sedentary behavior (min/day), and PE (min/week), recess (min/week), and sport (min/week) between the two study groups. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in total PA level (p = 0.297), time spent in MPA (p = 0.250), VPA (p = 0.220), sedentary behavior (p = 0.712), physical education (p = 0.978), and recess (p = 0.217) between children with and without CHD. However, children with CHD spent significantly less time participating in sport than children without CHD (CHD: 51.6 ± 91.8 min/week; Non-CHD: 185.8 ± 216.7 min/week, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Although children with CHD had similar overall PA levels as children without CHD, they spent over two less hours per week participating in sport. An additional study with a larger sample size and qualitative methods to determine exposure to sport among children with CHD would address not only activity but also participation among this at-risk population.