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Developing protocols that maximize the total sperm output during a semen collection from an endangered species is essential for strategic genome resource banking practices. Exogenous oxytocin has been administered to domestic bovid species prior to semen collection to increase the total sperm count from a single collection. The hypothesis tested in the present study was that the administration of exogenous oxytocin prior to semen collection by electroejaculation (EEJ) would significantly increase the total sperm count of the ejaculate obtained from banteng. Banteng were administered exogenous oxytocin (50 i.u.) intravenously ∼10 min prior to EEJ. Ejaculates from 13 banteng (n = 6 oxytocin treated, n = 8 untreated) were assessed for volume, pH, osmolarity, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percentage of motile sperm, status (scale of 0–5; 0 = no forward progression, 5 = rapid straight forward progression). In banteng ejaculates, significant (p

Background: Legumes are an inexpensive, healthy source of protein, fiber, and micronutrients, have low greenhouse gas and water footprints, and enrich soil through nitrogen fixation. Although higher legume consumption is recommended under US dietary guidelines, legumes currently comprise only a minor part of the US diet.Objectives: To characterize the types of legumes most commonly purchased by US consumers and patterns of legume purchases by state and region, seasonality of legume purchases, and to characterize adults that have a higher intake of legumes.Methods: We examined grocery market, chain supermarket, big box and club stores, Walmart, military commissary, and dollar store retail scanner data from Nielsen collected 2017–2019 and dietary intake from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2017–2018.Results: The five leading types of legumes purchased in the US were pinto bean, black bean, kidney bean, lima bean, and chickpea. The mean annual per capita expenditure on legumes based on grocery purchases was $4.76 during 2017–2019. The annual per capita expenditure on legumes varied greatly by state with highest expenditure in Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and lowest expenditure in Washington, New York, and Wisconsin. There were large regional differences in the most commonly purchased legumes. Of 4,741 adults who participated in the 24-h dietary recall in NHANES, 2017–2018, 20.5% reported eating any legumes in the previous 24 h. Those who consumed legumes were more likely to be Hispanic, with a higher education level, with a larger household size (all P < 0.05), but were not different by age, gender, or income level compared to those who did not consume legumes.Conclusion: Although legumes are inexpensive, healthy, and a sustainable source of protein, per capita legume intake remains low in the US and below US dietary guidelines. Further insight is needed into barriers to legume consumption in the US.

The data presented in this article contain datasets of passive noise measurements at regolith sites in Adelaide, South Australia. The data were acquired using three component (3C) LE-3Dlite Lennartz seismometers with an eigenfrequency of 1 Hz. The data were acquired at eight sites across Adelaide׳s regolith in a hexagonal array layout. Four tests, each with a duration of 30 min, were conducted at different times. The ambient noise data can be used for both horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) analysis and array analyses, which are essential to obtain the site fundamental frequency and the ellipticity of the fundamental mode Rayleigh waves at the measured site. The array analyses are useful to obtain the dispersion curves, which are needed to estimate the shear wave velocity profile. Keywords: Passive noise, Array, HVSR, SPAC, Regolith

Abstract Background Tritrichomonas foetus is a sexually transmitted protozoon that causes reproductive failure, among cattle, so disruptive that many western US states have initiated control programs. Current control programs are based on the testing and exclusion of individual bulls. Unfortunately, these programs are utilizing screening tests that are lacking in sensitivity. Blanket treatment of all the exposed bulls and adequate sexual rest for the exposed cows could provide a more viable disease control option. The objectives of this study were twofold. The first objective was to demonstrate effectiveness for metronidazole treatment of a bull under ideal conditions and with an optimized treatment regime. This type of study with a single subject is often referred to as an n-of-1 or single subject clinical trial. The second objective of the current study was to review the scientific basis for the banning of metronidazole for use in Food Animals by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA). Results Results from an antimicrobial assay indicated that metronidazole at a concentration of 0.5 μg/mL successfully eliminated in vitro protozoal growth of bovine Tritrichomonas foetus. The estimated effective intravenous dose was two treatments with 60 mg/kg metronidazole, 24 h apart. A bull that had tested positive for Tritrichomonas foetus culture at weekly intervals for 5 weeks prior to treatment was negative for Tritrichomonas foetus culture at weekly intervals for five consecutive weeks following this treatment regimen. An objective evaluation of the published evidence on the potential public health significance of using metronidazole to treat Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls provides encouragement for veterinarians and regulators to consider approaches that might lead to permitting the legal use of metronidazole in bulls. Conclusion The study demonstrated successful inhibition of Tritrichomonas foetus both in vitro and in vivo with metronidazole. The current status of metronidazole is that the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 prohibits its extra-label use in food-producing animals. Veterinarians and regulators should consider approaches that might lead to permitting the legal use of metronidazole in bulls.

Hamstring tendon autograft has been shown to be an excellent option for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Adequate graft size can usually be achieved through either a double-bundle technique of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons or a quadruple-bundle technique using a single tendon. To minimize failure rates that result from graft insufficiency, a minimum graft thickness of 8 mm is recommended for reconstruction. However, certain patients possess small native hamstring tendons that do not allow for recommended graft thickness using either of these traditional techniques. Although patient characteristics such as gender, height, and weight have all been associated with hamstring tendon size, accurately predicting which patients will possess inadequate autograft size is not possible. Recognizing this problem intraoperatively after harvesting the tendon presents a difficult scenario for the surgeon. In this technical note, we describe an alternative technique for preparing hamstring tendon autograft that results in significantly increased thickness by essentially utilizing a quadruple-bundle technique with both tendons. We proceed to reconstruct the ACL using an all-inside technique with suture buttons on both the femoral and tibial tunnels. The technique can serve as a rescue method for patients with insufficient hamstring tendon thickness.

This study proposes a synergistic approach that aligns environmental sustainability with economic viability to meet the energy trilemma of energy security, affordability, and sustainability. Employing two qualitative methods-bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review- the research focused on Scopus-based articles related to renewable energy optimization using the VOSviewer software. The analysis revealed prevalent environmental tradeoffs in renewable energy schemes, including habitat loss, fragmentation, sediment transportation, and deforestation. Similarly, economic tradeoffs such as high initial costs, intermittency, reliability challenges, job security, resource scarcity, and supply chain risks were identified. Following a thorough examination, the study suggests solutions to manage these tradeoffs viz. strategic planning, continuous monitoring and adaptation, life cycle evaluation, policy and regulation implementation, and diversification of renewable energy sources. In conclusion, the study advocates a three-tiered recommendation for a smooth and predictable transition toward a secure energy future viz. integrated policy frameworks, and technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization is a socioeconomic and geopolitical issue that affects the sustainability of resources. Therefore, this study uses Mean Item Score (MIS) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse urbanization governance for the sustainability of WEF resources. The study established urbanization measures that significantly affect the WEF nexus and the urban governance approaches for WEF Nexus sustainability. The research findings revealed that urbanization has a statistically significant effect on the sustainability of the WEF nexus through indicators of urban place (population size and employment status), over-urbanization (overpopulation) and urban primacy. Moreover, the study revealed three urban governance approaches to ensuring the sustainability of the WEF nexus: Circular economy business models in the CBD, migration-orientated urban infrastructures and demand–pull governance modes for urban poverty. This study concludes with two policy recommendations for redesigning migration documents with WEF statistics and repurposing urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The success of amplicon sequencing studies of environmental DNA (eDNA) depends on the choice of primer pairs used to select taxa‐specific regions of DNA for amplification then sequencing to characterize sample composition. This paper presents practical methods to visualize the extent to which different primer pairs can differentiate taxonomic groups, enabling researchers to assess which primers might be best suited for a study or environment of interest. These methods can also be used to review taxonomic annotations in genomic reference sequence databases. We apply the concept of DNA barcoding gaps to metabarcoding of multiple species in environmental DNA to leverage reference data on the amplicon sequences of previously characterized specimens. Since reference data sets are large and complex, we provide a simple and intuitive method to navigate subsets of reference sequence data containing conflicting or ambiguous relationships between genomic information and taxonomic classification. We demonstrate how to use gap visualization and taxonomic segmentation in comparing how well different primer pairs discriminate species of interest, and in detecting anomalies in reference sequence annotation. We show how these visualization methods can enable amplicon survey study design and make fundamental molecular resources more accessible to a wider research audience beyond bioinformaticians and data scientists.