Genome Sequences of Akoni, Ashton, and Truong, Podoviridae Bacteriophages Isolated from Microbacterium foliorum.

Cluster EK2 Akoni, Ashton, and Truong are lytic Podoviridae actinobacteriophages that were isolated from soil in Florida using Microbacterium foliorum NRRL B-24224 as the host. The genomes are 54,307 bp, 54,560 bp, and 54,309 bp, respectively, and are 60% GC rich. Each genome contains a novel 13,464-bp gene that encompasses 25% of the genome.

Abundance and demography of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: A robust design capture-recapture analysis.

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) estuarine system along the east coast of Florida are impacted by anthropogenic activities and have had multiple unexplained mortality events. Given this, managers need precise estimates of demographic and abundance parameters. Mark-recapture photo-identification boat-based surveys following a Robust Design were used to estimate abundance, adult survival, and temporary emigration for the IRL estuarine system stock of bottlenose dolphins. Models allowed for temporary emigration and included a parameter (time since first capture) to assess evidence for transient individuals. Surveys (n = 135) were conducted along predetermined contour and transect lines throughout the entire IRL (2016-2017). The best fitting model allowed survival to differ for residents and transients and to vary by primary period, detection to vary by secondary session, and did not include temporary emigration. Dolphin abundance was estimated from 981 (95% CI: 882-1,090) in winter to 1,078 (95% CI: 968-1,201) in summer with a mean of 1,032 (95% CI: 969-1,098). Model averaged seasonal survival rate for marked residents was 0.85-1.00. Capture probability was 0.20 to 0.42 during secondary sessions and the transient rate was estimated as 0.06 to 0.07. This study is the first Robust Design mark-recapture survey to estimate abundance for IRL dolphins and provides population estimates to improve future survey design, as well as an example of data simulation to validate and optimize sampling design. Transients likely included individuals with home ranges extending north of the IRL requiring further assessment of stock delineation. Results were similar to prior abundance estimates from line-transect aerial surveys suggesting population stability over the last decade. These results will enable managers to evaluate the impact of fisheries-related takes and provide baseline demographic parameters for the IRL dolphin population which contends with anthropogenic impacts and repeated mortality events.

Gwên am Byth: a programme introduced to improve the oral health of older people living in care homes in Wales - from anecdote, through policy into action.

Introduction and context This paper describes how research and evidence influenced Welsh Government policy to fund a programme (Gwên am Byth - A Lasting Smile) with the aim of improving the oral health of older people living in care homes. It describes how collaborative multi-agency working supported development and delivery of the programme. The context was policy in Wales. This included the Welsh Government response to the public inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, the report into care homes by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, and the Welsh Government Health and Care Standards for Wales which include a standard relating to oral health. The aim was to introduce a programme, Gwên am Byth, to support 'oral hygiene and mouth care for older people living in care homes through the development of a consistent all-Wales approach'; this aligns with contemporaneous NICE guidelines.Materials and methods Recurrent Welsh Government funding was identified to support a community dental service (CDS) led programme (Gwên am Byth). A multi-professional team led the development and testing of materials and resources to support the programme, underpin training for care home staff, and allow them to assess and provide safe mouth care for residents. A Welsh Health Circular was published to ensure a consistent all-Wales approachResults New staff have been employed in all health boards, and an assessment tool has been developed and is in the final stages of validation. All Wales resources have been published for induction, training and education, and to support care home staff. Evidence-based care plans have been produced which link to individual residents' risks and needs. There is close working with other health and social care professionals. By March 2019, half of all care homes were participating in the programme to a greater or lesser extent. Over 5,000 health and care staff had been trained, and over 5,600 residents had been assessed and supported with delivery of an individual mouth care plan. There has been positive feedback from care home staff, residents, carers and CDS staff, although barriers to delivery remain.Discussion This paper describes programme delivery in the four years since Gwên am Byth began. The drivers for change are described and the need to influence Welsh Government policy decisions when funding was available. The authors discuss issues which can impact on the pace of change, and ways in which health and care staff can effectively work together to implement improvements.Conclusions Starting with a blank page, a national programme has been established with the aim of improving the oral health of older people living in care homes in Wales. The paper describes the lessons learnt in implementing the programme and notes that Welsh Government has recognised the value of Gwên am Byth by committing to double the recurrent programme funding.

Effects of study area size on home range estimates of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus.

Knowledge of an animal's home range is a crucial component in making informed management decisions. However, many home range studies are limited by study area size, and therefore may underestimate the size of the home range. In many cases, individuals have been shown to travel outside of the study area and utilize a larger area than estimated by the study design. In this study, data collected by multiple research groups studying bottlenose dolphins on the east coast of Florida were combined to determine how home range estimates increased with increasing study area size. Home range analyses utilized photo-identification data collected from 6 study areas throughout the St Johns River (SJR; Jacksonville, FL, USA) and adjacent waterways, extending a total of 253 km to the southern end of Mosquito Lagoon in the Indian River Lagoon Estuarine System. Univariate kernel density estimates (KDEs) were computed for individuals with 10 or more sightings (n = 20). Kernels were calculated for the primary study area (SJR) first, then additional kernels were calculated by combining the SJR and the next adjacent waterway; this continued in an additive fashion until all study areas were included. The 95% and 50% KDEs calculated for the SJR alone ranged from 21 to 35 km and 4 to 19 km, respectively. The 95% and 50% KDEs calculated for all combined study areas ranged from 116 to 217 km and 9 to 70 km, respectively. This study illustrates the degree to which home range may be underestimated by the use of limited study areas and demonstrates the benefits of conducting collaborative science.

Home ranges of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: environmental correlates and implications for management strategies.

Photo-identification surveys conducted between 2002 and 2005 were used to determine dolphin home ranges and site fidelity within the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida. The IRL was divided into six segments based on hydrodynamics and geographic features for purposes of characterization. Among the 615 dolphins with identifiable dorsal fins, 339 had > or =6 sightings and were used in segment and linear range analyses. The majority (98%) of dolphins were seen in < or =3 consecutive segments (331/339); of these, 44% (144/331) occurred in two segments, and 33% (109/331) in one segment. No dolphins were observed in all six segments. The largest number of dolphins was sighted in segment 1C (North Indian River). However, the highest density of dolphins was found in segment 2 (North-Central Indian River). Re-sighting rates for dolphins with > or =6 sightings ranged from 2.8 to 8.7 times observed. The mean linear home range varied from 22 to 54 km. Distributional analyses indicated that at least three different dolphin communities exist within the IRL: Mosquito Lagoon, and the North and South Indian River. No statistically significant correlations were found between the total number or density per km(2 )of dolphins and surface water area, salinity, or contaminant loads within segments of the lagoon. These results suggest that dolphins do not selectively avoid areas with relatively unfavorable water quality. IRL dolphins should be studied on smaller spatial scales than currently practiced, and potential anthropogenic impacts should be evaluated based on geographic partitioning.