Do small-scale saltmarsh planting living shoreline projects enhance coastal functionality? A case study in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

Human coastal occupation often leads to the degradation of the structural properties and environmental functions of natural coastlines. . Much research has been done on the cost-effectiveness of various living shorelines designs, however more work is needed for simple, small-scale designs that are typically adopted in waterfront residential or recreational properties. To contribute to this gap, we planted small-scale plots of black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) in two sites, one in a residential property and another one in a recreational property in the Northern Gulf of Mexico that experienced significant wave energy. Plots were planted at two different densities (50% or 100% initial cover) or left unplanted (controls) and, along with monitoring the evolution of the planted salt marsh, we measured a number of functional metrics including soil slope, abundance of nekton within and in front of the plots, and cover of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in front of the plots monthly over two years. In one of the sites plant cover decreased precipitously, and in the other site we did not observe any significant changes in plant cover over time (i.e. the initial 50% and 100% plantings remained at that level throughout the experiment) despite protecting the planted salt marsh with coir logs. We did not find any changes in soil slope or nekton abundance between planted and control plots. SAV growth was restrained in front of planted plots in relation to control plots, possibly due to deleterious impacts by the coir logs. Overall, the results suggest the protection against wave energy attained in this experiment is insufficient for adequate saltmarsh establishment and growth, thereby encountering decreasing or stationary plant density and no significant differences in soil slope or nekton abundance between planted and non-planted plots. Our results indicate the adoption of small-scale saltmarsh planting to reduce erosion and enhance coastal functionality needs to ensure that wave energy is sufficiently dampened for adequate saltmarsh growth and, concomitantly, the conceived saltmarsh protection mechanism does not negatively impact adjacent SAV.

Large-scale variation in wave attenuation of oyster reef living shorelines and the influence of inundation duration.

One of the paramount goals of oyster reef living shorelines is to achieve sustained and adaptive coastal protection, which requires meeting ecological (i.e., develop a self-sustaining oyster population) and engineering (i.e., provide coastal defense) targets. In a large-scale comparison along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, the efficacy of various designs of oyster reef living shorelines at providing wave attenuation was evaluated accounting for the ecological limitations of oysters with regard to inundation duration. A critical threshold for intertidal oyster reef establishment is 50% inundation duration. Living shorelines that spent less than one-half of the time (<50%) inundated were not considered suitable habitat for oysters, however, were effective at wave attenuation (68% reduction in wave height). Reefs that experienced >50% inundation were considered suitable habitat for oysters, but wave attenuation was similar to controls (no reef; ~5% reduction in wave height). Many of the oyster reef living shoreline approaches therefore failed to optimize the ecological and engineering goals. In both inundation regimes, wave transmission decreased with an increasing freeboard (difference between reef crest elevation and water level), supporting its importance in the wave attenuation capacity of oyster reef living shorelines. However, given that the reef crest elevation (and thus freeboard) should be determined by the inundation duration requirements of oysters, research needs to be refocused on understanding the implications of other reef parameters (e.g., width) for optimizing wave attenuation. A broader understanding of the reef characteristics and seascape contexts that result in effective coastal defense by oyster reefs is needed to inform appropriate design and implementation of oyster-based living shorelines globally.

Early enteral feeding after intestinal anastomosis in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: Delayed enteral feeding (DEF) contributes to postoperative complications among children undergoing intestinal surgery. Various recent studies indicate the benefits of early enteral nutrition after intestinal surgery in adults. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates whether early enteral feeding (EEF) is beneficial in children who underwent intestinal anastomosis. METHODS: MEDLINE, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for RCTs that addressed the effect of EEF in children (younger than 18 years old) undergoing intestinal anastomosis. EEF was defined as starting enteral feeding before the 3rd postoperative day. Studies were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 to estimate odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Four RCT studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 97 cases with EEF and 89 cases with DEF. Enteral feeding started significantly earlier in the EEF group compared to the DEF group (MD = - 2.80; 95% CI - 3.11 to - 2.49; p < 0.00001). Postoperative anastomotic leak rate was unchanged between EEF and DEF groups (OR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.17-4.46; p = 0.86). The EEF group had a shorter length of hospital stay (MD = - 3.38; 95% CI - 4.29 to - 2.48; p < 0.00001), earlier time to bowel movement return (MD = - 0.57; 95% CI - 0.79 to - 0.35; p < 0.00001), lower incidence of surgical infection (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.08-0.90; p = 0.03), and faster tolerance of full enteral feeding (MD = - 2.00; 95% CI - 3.01 to - 2.79; p < 0.00001). Incidence of fever (OR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.10-1.31; p = 0.12), emesis, and abdominal distention (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.13-3.16; p = 0.58) were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Early enteral feeding after intestinal anastomosis in children does not increase the risk of postoperative anastomotic leak, fever, emesis, and abdominal distention. However, early enteral feeding is beneficial as it promotes the return of bowel function, reduces the length of hospital stay and the incidence of surgical infection in comparison to delayed enteral feeding.

Challenges and opportunities for sustaining coastal wetlands and oyster reefs in the southeastern United States.

Formed at the confluence of marine and fresh waters, estuaries experience both the seaside pressures of rising sea levels and increasing storm severity, and watershed and precipitation changes that are shifting the quality and quantity of freshwater and sediments delivered from upstream sources. Boating, shoreline hardening, harvesting pressure, and other signatures of human activity are also increasing as populations swell in coastal regions. Given this shifting landscape of pressures, the factors most threatening to estuary health and stability are often uncertain. To identify the greatest contemporary threats to coastal wetlands and oyster reefs across the southeastern United States (Mississippi to North Carolina), we summarized recent population growth and land-cover change and surveyed estuarine management and science experts. From 1996 to 2019, human population growth in the region varied from a 17% decrease to a 171% increase (mean = +43%) with only 5 of the 72 SE US counties losing population, and nearly half growing by more than 40%. Individual counties experienced between 999 and 19,253 km2 of new development (mean: 5725 km2), with 1-5% (mean: 2.6%) of undeveloped lands undergoing development over this period across the region. Correspondingly, our survey of 169 coastal experts highlighted development, shoreline hardening, and upstream modifications to freshwater flow as the most important local threats facing coastal wetlands. Similarly, experts identified development, upstream modifications to freshwater flow, and overharvesting as the most important local threats to oyster reefs. With regards to global threats, experts categorized sea level rise as the most pressing to wetlands, and acidification and precipitation changes as the most pressing to oyster reefs. Survey respondents further identified that more research, driven by collaboration among scientists, engineers, industry professionals, and managers, is needed to assess how precipitation changes, shoreline hardening, and sea level rise are affecting coastal ecosystem stability and function. Due to the profound role of humans in shaping estuarine health, this work highlights that engaging property owners, recreators, and municipalities to implement strategies to improve estuarine health will be vital for sustaining coastal systems in the face of global change.

Restoring Fringing Tidal Marshes for Ecological Function and Ecosystem Resilience to Moderate Sea-level Rise in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

Tidal marshes are increasingly vulnerable to degradation or loss from eutrophication, land-use changes, and accelerating sea-level rise, making restoration necessary to recover ecosystem services. To evaluate effects of restoration planting density and sea-level rise on ecosystem function (i.e., nitrogen removal), we restored three marshes, which differed in elevation, at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alabama, USA and planted them with Juncus roemerianus sods at 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% initial cover. We simulated future sea level using passive weirs that increased flooding during low tide. Because additional species emerged shortly after transplantation, we also tested for treatment effects on community structure. In all marshes, species richness increased following restoration, regardless of treatments, while relative abundances of new species tended to increase with increasing initial cover. Plant percent cover increased with increasing initial cover in all marshes, with similar vegetated cover at 50, 75, and 100% after 3 years in the highest elevation marsh. Porewater dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations ([DIN]) decreased with increasing initial cover in all marshes, and were significantly lower in 50, 75, and 100% treatments than 0 or 25% after 1 year. Furthermore, [DIN] was similarly low among 50, 75, and 100% treatments when elevation capital was highest. These results suggest that intermediate initial cover (50%) can recover plant cover and promote nitrogen removal when elevation capital is adequate at relatively lower labor and material costs than planting at higher cover, thereby maximizing restoration outcomes in the face of low to moderate sea-level rise.

Contemporary Outcomes of Infants with Gastroschisis in North America: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify outcomes and analyze factors predictive of morbidity and mortality in infants with gastroschisis. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical data regarding neonates with gastroschisis born between 2009 and 2014 were prospectively collected at 175 North American centers. Multivariate regression was used to assess risk factors for mortality and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: Gastroschisis was diagnosed in 4420 neonates with median birth weight 2410 g (IQR 2105-2747). Survival (discharge home or alive in hospital at 1 year) was 97.8% with a 37 day median LOS (IQR 27-59). Sepsis, defined by positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture, was the only significant independent predictor of mortality (P = .04). Significant independent determinants of LOS and the percentage of neonates affected were as follows: bowel resection (9.8%, P < .0001), sepsis (8.6%, P < .0001), presence of other congenital anomalies (7.6%, including 5.8% with intestinal atresias, P < .0001), necrotizing enterocolitis (4.5%, P < .0001), and small for gestational age (37.3%, P = .0006). Abdominal surgery in addition to gastroschisis repair occurred in 22.3%, with 6.4% receiving gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes and 6.3% requiring ostomy creation. At discharge, 57.0% were less than the 10th percentile weight for age. The mode of delivery (52.4% cesarean delivery) was not associated with any differences in outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Although neonates with gastroschisis have excellent overall survival they remain at risk for death from sepsis, prolonged hospitalization, multiple abdominal operations, and malnutrition at discharge. Outcomes appear unaffected by the use of cesarean delivery. Further opportunities for quality improvement include sepsis prevention and enhanced nutritional support.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome in 21 children: outcomes after multidisciplinary care.

OBJECTIVE: To review the presentation, management, and outcomes of Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) in children and propose a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm involving pediatric and vascular surgery, interventional radiology, and hematology. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with PSS presenting between 2003 and 2013 were reviewed. Demographics, symptoms, therapies, and functional outcomes were noted. Data from early patients informed the development of a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm applied to later patients. RESULTS: Of 21 patients, mean ± SD age was 16 ± 1.6 years and 11 (52%) were male. Of patients with complete presentation data, common symptoms were edema (84%), discoloration (58%), and pain (58%). Thrombophilia workup revealed one heterozygote for factor V Leiden, 2 patients with factor VIII elevation and 1 patient with mildly low antithrombin. The most recent 8 patients were treated according to an algorithm developed by a multidisciplinary working group through experience with the first 13 cases. All patients underwent a venogram, endovascular intervention (including 15 receiving catheter-directed thrombolysis), and operative ipsilateral thoracic outlet decompression (first rib resection, anterior scalenectomy, and venolysis). Postoperative complications included hemothorax (2), pneumothorax (1), and recurrent thrombosis (2). Follow up duration was 12 ± 9.5 months. Symptoms recurred transiently in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients with PSS can be treated successfully using a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm including anticoagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis, and operative decompression of the thoracic outlet. Early outcomes are promising.

Preservation of biochemical liver function with low-dose soy-based lipids in children with intestinal failure-associated liver disease.

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) contributes to significant morbidity in pediatric patients with intestinal failure (IF); however, the use of parenteral nutrition (PN) with a fish oil-based intravenous (IV) emulsion (FO) has been associated with biochemical reversal of cholestasis and improved outcomes. Unfortunately, FO increases the complexity of care: because it can be administered only under Food and Drug Administration compassionate use protocols requiring special monitoring, it is not available as a 3-in-1 solution and is more expensive than comparable soy-based IV lipid emulsion (SO). Because of these pragmatic constraints, a series of patient families were switched to low-dose (1 g kg(-1) day(-1)) SO following biochemical resolution of cholestasis. The present study examines whether reversal of cholestasis and somatic growth are maintained following this transition. METHODS: The present study is a chart review of all children with IFALD who switched from FO to SO following resolution of cholestasis. Variables are presented as medians (interquartile ranges). Comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Seven patients ages 25.9 (16.2-43.2) months were transitioned to SO following reversal of cholestasis using FO. At a median follow-up of 13.9 (4.3-50.1) months, there were no significant differences between pretransition and post-transition serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, direct bilirubin, and weight-for-age z scores. Because of recurrence of cholestasis, 1 patient was restarted on FO after 4 months on SO. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical reversal of IFALD and growth were preserved after transition from FO to SO in 6 of 7 (86%) patients. Given the challenges associated with the use of FO, SO may be a viable alternative in select patients with home PN.

Tight Glycemic Control With Insulin Does Not Affect Skeletal Muscle Degradation During the Early Postoperative Period Following Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Critical illness is associated with significant catabolism, and persistent protein loss correlates with increased morbidity and mortality. Insulin is a potent anticatabolic hormone; high-dose insulin decreases skeletal muscle protein breakdown in critically ill pediatric surgical patients. However, insulin's effect on protein catabolism when given at clinically utilized doses has not been studied. The objective was to evaluate the effect of postoperative tight glycemic control and clinically dosed insulin on skeletal muscle degradation in children after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a two-center, prospective randomized trial comparing tight glycemic control with standard care. Randomization was stratified by study center. PATIENTS: Children 0-36 months who were admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: In the tight glycemic control arm, insulin was titrated to maintain blood glucose between 80 and 110 mg/dL. Patients in the control arm received standard care. Skeletal muscle breakdown was quantified by a ratio of urinary 3-methylhistidine to urinary creatinine. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 561 patients were included: 281 in the tight glycemic control arm and 280 receiving standard care. There was no difference in 3-methylhistidine to creatinine between groups (tight glycemic control, 249 ± 127 vs standard care, 253 ± 112, mean ± SD in µmol/g; p = 0.72). In analyses restricted to the patients in tight glycemic control arm, higher 3-methylhistidine to creatinine correlated with younger age, as well as lower weight, weight-for-age z score, length, and body surface area (p < 0.005 for each) and lower postoperative day 3 serum creatinine (r = -0.17; p = 0.02). Sex, prealbumin, and albumin were not associated with 3-methylhistidine to creatinine. During urine collection, 245 patients (87%) received insulin. However, any insulin exposure did not impact 3-methylhistidine to creatinine (t test, p = 0.45), and there was no dose-dependent effect of insulin on 3-methylhistidine to creatinine (r = -0.03; p = 0.60). CONCLUSION: Although high-dose insulin has an anabolic effect in experimental conditions, at doses necessary to achieve normoglycemia, insulin appears to have no discernible impact on skeletal muscle degradation in critically ill pediatric cardiac surgical patients.

Groundwater nitrogen processing in Northern Gulf of Mexico restored marshes.

Groundwater nitrogen processing was examined in a restored black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) marsh to assess its potential for removing land-derived nitrogen pollution. Two restoration designs, one initially planted at 50% cover (half density plots) and the other one at 100% cover (full density plots), were compared with non-vegetated controls. The introduction via groundwater of a NO3(-) solution with a conservative tracer (Br(-)) and labeled isotopically ((15)N) allowed calculation of nitrogen removal in the plots following two methods. The first method used changes in the ratio [NOx]:[Br(-)] as the groundwater plume traveled through the plot, and the second method relied on balancing (15)N input with (15)N export. Both methods showed ≈97% of the N from the simulated groundwater plume was removed (i.e. not delivered to the open waters of the adjacent estuary) in vegetated plots and ≈86% was removed in non-vegetated controls. The most dominant routes of N removal from the introduced solution were N2 production and assimilation into macrophyte biomass, which were similar in magnitude for the vegetated plots, whereas N2 production dominated in the unvegetated plots. The majority of N removed from the introduced solution occurred in the first 30 cm the solution traveled in the vegetated treatments. In addition, ambient porewater concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were similar between full and half density plots, but lower than the non-vegetated control (≈8.5× and 7.5×), suggesting full and half density plots removed more DIN than non-vegetated plots. These results suggest that restoring marshes by planting 50% of the area may be a more cost-effective restoration design in terms of mitigating land-derived nutrient pollution than planting 100% of the area since it requires less effort and cost while removing similar quantities of N.

Economic impacts of marine debris encounters on commercial shrimping.

The commercial shrimping industry is subjected to myriad stressors that have led to financial hardships among industry members. One of these stressors is marine debris; however, there is limited understanding of the type and magnitude of impacts. Quantitative methods of estimating the economic impacts of marine debris on the commercial shrimping industry were developed. From June to December 2019, participating shrimpers submitted 393 daily summaries, including shrimping activities, marine debris encounters, damages, and impacts. The impacts of marine debris encounters were assessed from reports of daily damages to fishing assets, daily lost fishing time, daily loss-catch ratios, and daily catch losses. The results of this study demonstrate substantial negative economic impacts on commercial shrimpers related to marine debris encounters. About 17 % of shrimp caught were lost due to marine debris encounters, resulting in foregone total sales and job impacts of $3.2 million and 33 jobs in shrimping and associated businesses.

Warming waters lead to increased habitat suitability for juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas).

Coastal ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and other stressors, including urbanization and overfishing. Consequently, distributions of coastal fish have begun to change, particularly in response to increasing temperatures linked to climate change. However, few studies have evaluated how natural and anthropogenic disturbances can alter species distributions in conjunction with geophysical habitat alterations, such as changes to land use and land cover (LU/LC). Here, we examine the spatiotemporal changes in the distribution of juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) using a multi-decadal fishery-independent survey of coastal Alabama. Using a boosted regression tree (BRT) modeling framework, we assess the covariance of environmental conditions (sea surface temperature, depth, salinity, dissolved oxygen, riverine discharge, Chl-a) as well as historic changes to LU/LC to the distribution of bull sharks. Species distribution models resultant from BRTs for early (2003-2005) and recent (2018-2020) monitoring periods indicated a mean increase in habitat suitability (i.e., probability of capture) for juvenile bull sharks from 0.028 to 0.082, concomitant with substantial increases in mean annual temperature (0.058°C/yr), Chl-a (2.32 mg/m3), and urbanization (increased LU/LC) since 2000. These results align with observed five-fold increases in the relative abundance of juvenile bull sharks across the study period and demonstrate the impacts of changing environmental conditions on their distribution and relative abundance. As climate change persists, coastal communities will continue to change, altering the structure of ecological communities and the success of nearshore fisheries.

Marine debris awareness improvement using immersive virtual reality.

Improving awareness of marine debris could lead to large scale benefits. However, existing marine debris awareness approaches can often be limited in engagement. A more interactive and innovative educational method is needed to increase engagement and action. In this study, we use an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) approach and assess the efficacy and effectiveness of this approach. Three marine debris-related VR modules were developed. To validate the performance VR approach, we compared VR with traditional video-based education. Efficacy measured simulation sickness, system usability, and user experience; effectiveness evaluated knowledge gained and motivation. Twenty-five students were recruited in the study and randomly allocated into two groups. Within the current sample, the developed VR educational approach led to a significantly higher motivation for action and acceptable efficacy performance. These results indicate that VR-based education has the potential to lead to large scale prevention and management of marine debris.

The development of a derelict crab trap removal incentive program for commercial shrimpers.

Due to fishery-tailored gear, shrimpers are often affected by benthic marine debris, specifically derelict crab traps. To alleviate the impacts on the commercial shrimping industry in the Mississippi Sound, a team of natural resource professionals and stakeholders developed a derelict crab trap removal incentive program for commercial shrimpers. In three years, this program led to the removal of 2904 derelict crab traps from the north-central Gulf of Mexico at a total average cost of $35,595 per year to implement the program, or $53 per derelict crab trap. Results from this study showed the cost of the program could further be reduced while covering the same shrimping area, through the inclusion of fewer disposal locations and targeting active and engaged shrimpers. This program led to the removal of crab traps by non-registered shrimpers, indicating that the existence of the program and associated outreach could lead to improved environmental stewardship without an incentive.

The distribution and direct impacts of marine debris on the commercial shrimping industry.

Commercial shrimpers frequently encounter marine debris in their nets, resulting in economic impacts. Currently, no information existed on the spatial and temporal distribution of marine debris that shrimpers encounter and the subsequent economic impact on commercial shrimping. Twenty commercial shrimpers participated in a comprehensive data collection program (July 2020 through December 2020) within the north-central Gulf of Mexico, USA to characterize the quantity and impacts of marine debris. Derelict crab traps were an overwhelming issue for shrimpers. The type of fishing gear used influenced the type of marine debris encountered and the subsequent economic impacts. Surveyed shrimpers encountered marine debris on 19 % of tows and lost an average of 18.21 min, 7.88 kg of catch, and $6.37 in gear damage per tow with encounters, resulting in average annual losses of $6601 per shrimper. The results of this study show that marine debris encounters can have a large impact on the commercial shrimping industry.

The blue carbon of southern southwest Atlantic salt marshes and their biotic and abiotic drivers.

Coastal vegetated ecosystems are acknowledged for their capacity to sequester organic carbon (OC), known as blue C. Yet, blue C global accounting is incomplete, with major gaps in southern hemisphere data. It also shows a large variability suggesting that the interaction between environmental and biological drivers is important at the local scale. In southwest Atlantic salt marshes, to account for the space occupied by crab burrows, it is key to avoid overestimates. Here we found that southern southwest Atlantic salt marshes store on average 42.43 (SE = 27.56) Mg OC·ha-1 (40.74 (SE = 2.7) in belowground) and bury in average 47.62 g OC·m-2·yr-1 (ranging from 7.38 to 204.21). Accretion rates, granulometry, plant species and burrowing crabs were identified as the main factors in determining belowground OC stocks. These data lead to an updated global estimation for stocks in salt marshes of 185.89 Mg OC·ha-1 (n = 743; SE = 4.92) and a C burial rate of 199.61 g OC·m-2·yr-1 (n = 193; SE = 16.04), which are lower than previous estimates.

In-Stream Marine Litter Collection Device Location Determination Using Bayesian Network.

Increased generation of waste, production of plastics, and poor environmental stewardship has led to an increase in floating litter. Significant efforts have been dedicated to mitigating this globally relevant issue. Depending on the location of floating litter, removal methods would vary, but usually include manual cleanups by volunteers or workers, use of heavy machinery to rake or sweep litter off beaches or roads, or passive litter collection traps. In the open ocean or streams, a common passive technique is to use booms and a collection receptacle to trap floating litter. These passive traps are usually installed to intercept floating litter; however, identifying the appropriate locations for installing these collection devices is still not fully investigated. We utilized four common criteria and fifteen sub-criteria to determine the most appropriate setup location for an in-stream collection device (Litter Gitter-Osprey Initiative, LLC, Mobile, AL, USA). Bayesian Network technology was applied to analyze these criteria comprehensively. A case study composed of multiple sites across the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Coast was used to validate the proposed approach, and propagation and sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate performance. The results show that the fifteen summarized criteria combined with the Bayesian Network approach could aid location selection and have practical potential for in-stream litter collection devices in coastal areas.

Qualitative assessment of the impacts of marine debris on Mississippi commercial shrimping.

Commercial fishing is a fragile industry that is exposed to a multitude of stressors. Marine debris is known to be one of these stressors; however, the prevalence and impact is rarely assessed. Therefore, this analysis assessed the perceived encounter frequency and impacts of marine debris on commercial fishing through an end-of-the year survey of registered Mississippi commercial shrimpers. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of shrimpers indicated they encountered marine debris in 2018 with 85% encountering it frequently. The most common debris reported to be encountered was abandoned or derelict fishing gear (93% of shrimpers), primarily crab traps. Most shrimpers reported reduced catch (80%), lost fishing time (82%), and vessel repairs (75%) due to marine debris. Additionally, 93% of shrimpers categorized marine debris as destructive to their operations. These results indicate that marine debris does have significant direct impacts on the commercial shrimping industry in Mississippi and likely other regions.

Herbivory patterns along the intertidal gradient of Juncus roemerianus salt marshes.

Grasshopper herbivory can vary substantially among locations within a salt marsh or among marshes, but its variability along the marsh intertidal gradient (extending from the shoreline to the upland fringing forest) is not well reported. Previous papers have shown that grasshopper herbivory may affect nutrient processes in salt marsh ecosystems, but how such effects are tied up to the intensity of herbivory and how they vary spatially is poorly known. To help address these gaps, we evaluated whether grasshopper herbivory intensity and herbivore abundance together with other plant characteristics (such as total leaf length, plant live and dead biomass, plant nutrient content and plant nutrient standing stocks) varied along the intertidal gradient of two black needlerush marshes in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Our results show that in one marsh grazing intensity decreased from the shoreline to the forest tree line, but in the other there was similar grazing intensity across the entire intertidal gradient. None of the measured plant characteristics followed the differences in herbivory found along the intertidal gradient and between salt marshes. We also found that, in the salt marsh with decreasing herbivory towards the upland edge, the combination of herbivory, plant nutrient content and plant nutrient standing stocks suggest two different functional zones along the intertidal gradient, one of nutrient availability and recycling near the shoreline and another one of nutrient inmobilization near the upland fringing forest. In concert, the results suggest that grasshopper herbivory intensity may vary along the intertidal gradient in some marshes, but not in others. In turn, spatial differences in herbivory along the intertidal gradient, if they occur, may influence nutrient processes, such as recycling and storage, leading to associated spatial differences in nutrient dynamics in the salt marsh.

Is the Laparotomy Here to Stay? A Review of the Disadvantages of Laparoscopy.

Minimally invasive procedures have seen increasing utilization in the pediatric patient population since the 1990s. Most thoracic and abdominal operations in pediatric surgery can be performed in a minimally invasive manner including those performed in neonates and infants. Thoracoscopic or laparoscopic operations can reduce hospital length of stay, minimize postoperative pain, and lead to more aesthetic results. However, it is important to be aware of the inherent risks, limitations, and adverse effects associated with these thoracoscopic and laparoscopic techniques, particularly in special populations. In this article, we will review the risks and limitations of laparoscopy in pediatric patients such as cost, operative time, reduced effectiveness, air embolism, hypercarbia, hypothermia, and access-related injuries.