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Introduction Methods Results Discussion and Conclusions Online forums provide an environment for peer discussions to anonymously share experiences about sensitive topics. In this article we explore discussions about alcohol use during pregnancy, including representations of ‘appropriate’ behaviour and risks, in relation to alcohol use.We sampled Mumsnet posts from 2016 to 2021 and analysed these using a two‐staged approach: describing the content of original posts and employing discourse analysis on the entire thread which focused on unpacking the significance, activity and identity within the discourse.Seventy‐three threads with 1554 replies analysed. Users engaged with different sources of evidence and mentioned guidelines and scientific sources, though most commonly provided, requested and appreciated anecdotal information. Risk was discussed in several ways but all users engaged with ‘othering’ drinking they perceived as risky. Only a few prescribed risks to any and all levels of drinking. There was a lack of knowledge around drinking while trying to conceive and early pregnancy. Expectations and norms of behaviour during pregnancy engaged in a ‘good motherhood’ discourse. Users positioned their drinking according to perceived norms through language choices; when not pregnant (or unknowingly pregnant) being ‘plastered’ was justified but when pregnant drinking only ‘sips’ or ‘tiny’ quantities of alcohol was considered appropriate.Forum users demonstrated a desire to adhere to ‘responsible motherhood’, which did not equate to abstinence if consumption was perceived as acceptable and justified. Future research should explore information needs and effective approaches to health communication for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has a multifactorial etiology, with a majority of cases remaining unexplained. To account for these unexplained cases, possible male factors are being explored. Conventional semen analysis lacks a qualitative assessment of sperms and information regarding sperm DNA integrity. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has diagnostic value in unexplained RPL, and it may account for a number of unexplained cases. Hence, we planned a study to explore and evaluate the impact of sperm DNA fragmentation in couples with unexplained recurrent pregnancy losses. Study Design: Analytical cross‐sectional study was conducted at a tertiary‐level referral facility in India between August 2021 and July 2023. Participants (n = 70) were divided into two groups—male partners of couples with unexplained RPL (following spontaneous conceptions) (n = 35) and men with at least one previous live birth (spontaneous or following fertility treatments for female factor infertility such as ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination) as controls (n = 35). Neither of the two groups of couples recruited for this study had undergone ART as fertility treatment. Primary outcome assessed was mean DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Secondary outcomes included differences in semen parameters such as sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility and morphology, proportion of men with high (≥30%) and low DFI in the two groups, and the association between various semen parameters and DFI. Results: Univariate logistic regression revealed that sperm DNA fragmentation was higher in men with unexplained RPL (30.0; IQR (interquartile range) 19.0, 46.0) as compared to controls (22.0; IQR 14.0, 30.0) although it was not statistically significant (OR, odds ratio, 1.02; 95% CI 1.0–1.1, p = 0.08). A higher proportion of men with unexplained RPL had DFI ≥30% compared to controls (54.2% vs. 25.7%; OR 3.43 (95% CI 1.2–9.4); p = 0.02). No statistically significant differences were observed in semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and morphology between the two groups. Sperm DNA fragmentation index also showed a weak but significant inverse relationship with sperm morphology (r = −0.336, p = 0.004). Conclusion: The current study did not show any significant difference in the mean sperm DNA fragmentation levels in male partners of couples with unexplained RPL compared to controls. However, a higher proportion of men with DFI ≥30% were observed in unexplained RPL population when compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Disordered eating is common in pregnancy and associated with adverse health outcomes. Weight suppression (WS), the discrepancy between highest lifetime and current weight, is a robust predictor of loss of control (LOC) and binge eating and weight gain trajectories in clinical populations. This study explored the role of preconception WS as a predictor of disordered eating and weight gain in pregnancy. Method: Pregnant individuals (n = 137) reported their highest, preconception, and current weights to calculate preconception WS, actual gestational weight gain (GWG), and deviations from recommended weight gain trajectories in pregnancy. Participants also completed the Prenatal Eating Behaviours Screening (PEBS) tool, a validated measure of disordered eating specifically in pregnancy. Results: Preconception WS was a significant predictor of PEBS total scores [F(5, 122) = 2.70, p = 0.02, R2 = 0.10] and significantly and positively correlated with individual item scores quantifying restrictive eating behaviours. Preconception WS was not predictive of deviations from recommended GWG trajectories or LOC or binge eating frequency and did not interact with pre‐pregnancy body mass index or GWG to predict eating disorder symptom severity. Conclusions: Preconception WS was predictive of disordered eating, and specifically restrictive eating behaviours in pregnancy, and should be assessed as part of screening for eating disorder risk in pregnant individuals. Highlights: Disordered eating is common in pregnancy and associated with adverse health outcomes.Weight suppression (WS) is predictive of loss of control and binge eating in clinical populations.Preconception WS was found to be predictive of restrictive eating behaviours in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been used not only to avoid genetic diseases and increase conception success rates but also to perform non‐medical sex selection, particularly in the surging cross‐border reproductive care (CBRC). In the context of commercialised biomedicine, assisted reproductive technologies, such as lifestyle sex selection, have been tailored to meet intended parents' preferences. However, there is a lack of analysis on how individuals' reproductive decisions on PGD‐assisted sex selection were shaped within the sociocultural norms and CBRC. This article explores Taiwanese gay fathers' navigations on sex selection while seeking third‐party reproduction overseas because of local legal constraints. Drawing on in‐depth interviews with 53 gay fathers (to‐be), I analysed how 'individual preferences' were dynamically shaped by local sociocultural norms and embedded within transnational settings of routinising PGD in chosen repro‐destinations. The findings showed that gay fathers mobilised strategic discourses on non‐medical sex selection from both the local and the global to negotiate their decisions in coherence with their LGBTQ+ identity and their role as sons carrying familial responsibility to procreate male heirs. This article proposed a nuanced understanding of gay fathers' reproductive practices of 'gendering the beginning of life' through PGD‐assisted sex selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the association between neonatal birthweight (NBW) discordance and preeclampsia (PE) in twin pregnancy. Methods: This was a single‐center retrospective cohort study. Women with two live births in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University from January 2011 to June 2020 were eligible. They were classified into four groups based on the quartiles of NBW discordance in monochorionic (MC) and dichorionic (DC) twin pregnancy. The relationship between NBW discordance and the risk of PE was assessed by logistic regression, subgroup analyses was further analyzed. Results: A total of 1566 women were eligible for the final analysis, there were 445 MC cases and 1121 DC cases. No matter in monochorionic or dichorionic pregnancy, higher NBW discordance quartiles were associated with increased risks of PE. Compared with women in the lowest NBW discordance quartile, women in the highest NBW discordance quartile had approximately 3.6 and 6.0 times risk of PE in monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancy respectively. The association between quartiles of NBW discordance and the risk of PE were higher in dichorionic pregnancy than in monochorionic pregnancy. No matter in MC or DC pregnancy, no significant interaction effects were identified for maternal age, pregnancy body mass index, mode of conception and whether complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: The increased NBW discordance quartile was related to an increased risk of PE. Assessing estimated fetal weight discordance by using ultrasound in clinical practice to predict PE remained to be further researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction in which a gamete (ovum or sperm) develops without being fertilized. Tomer Jordi Chaffer uses parthenogenesis to challenge Don Marquis' future‐like‐ours (FLO) argument against abortion. According to Marquis, (1) what makes it morally wrong to kill us is that it would deprive us of a possible future that we might come to value—a future "like ours" (FLO) and (2) human fetuses are numerically identical to any adult human organism they may develop into, and thus have a FLO. Chaffer contends that if human ova are capable of parthenogenesis, then they would have a FLO, which contraception may deprive them of, but contends this is absurd. Bruce P. Blackshaw challenges Chaffer, contending sexually fertilized embryos are not identical to unfertilized ovum, but this would yield a more absurd implication, that fertilization deprives an ovum of a FLO! Here I show Marquis' account of identity rules out both Chaffer's and Blackshaw's accounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub‐estrus buffaloes do not exhibit estrus signs despite being cyclic contributing to extended service periods and inter‐calving intervals causing significant economic loss. The present study described the effect of synthetic prostaglandin (PGF2α) on estrus behaviour, follicular and luteal morphometry, and serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) profile in sub‐estrus buffaloes during the non‐breeding season. The incidence of sub‐estrus was 38.4% during the non‐breeding season. The sub‐estrus buffaloes (n = 33) were divided into two groups, viz., Control (n = 16) and PGF2α treatment (Inj. Cloprostenol 500 μg, i.m., n = 17). Estrus induction response was significantly greater in the treatment (100 vs. 18.75%, p <.001), and a relatively greater proportion of animals conceived in the treatment group (29.41 vs. 6.25%, p =.08). The time elapsed to induction of estrus and insemination following treatment was significantly lower in the treatment group than control. A significant increment in the follicle diameter (9.72 ± 0.45 vs. 13.00 ± 0.45 mm, P <.0001) and serum estradiol (E2) concentration (66.01 ± 11.92 vs. 104.9 ± 13.21 pg/mL, p =.003) observed at the post‐treatment period in the PGF2α treatment group. At the same time, CL diameter was reduced significantly at a higher regression rate in the PGF2α treated buffaloes than those of control. Of the responded buffaloes, only 30% showed high‐intensity estrus attributed to the expulsion of cervico‐vaginal mucus (CVM), uterine tonicity, micturition, and mounting response by a teaser bull. From this study, it can be concluded that the administration of PGF2α could induce estrus in the sub‐estrus buffaloes during the non‐breeding season. Behavioural changes, along with sonographic observation of POF, regressing CL, and serum E2 and P4 concentration would be useful to determine the right time of insemination in sub‐estrus buffaloes during non‐breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub‐estrus is a condition when buffaloes do not display behavioural estrus signs, despite being in estrus and causes a delay in conception and increases the service period. The present study describes the effect of synthetic prostaglandin (PGF2α) alone and in combination with trace minerals on the follicular and corpus luteum (CL) dynamics, serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentration correlating estrus response and pregnancy outcome in sub‐estrus buffaloes during the breeding season. A total of 50 sub‐estrus buffaloes, identified through ultrasonography (USG) examination, were randomly allocated into three groups, viz. T1 (Synthetic PGF2α, Inj. Cloprostenol 500 μg, i.m, n = 17), T2 (Synthetic PGF2α + Trace mineral supplementation, Inj. Stimvet 1 mL/100 kg body weight, i.m., n = 17) and control (untreated; n = 16). Following treatment, 100% of sub‐estrus buffaloes were induced estrus in the T1 and T2 groups, while only 18.75% were induced in the control. The CL diameter and serum P4 concentration were significantly lower at post‐treatment, whereas the pre‐ovulatory follicle (POF) size and serum E2 concentration were significantly higher in the T1 and T2 groups as compared to the control (p <.05). The buffaloes of the T2 group had a greater proportion of moderate intensities estrus than those of T1. Moreover, the proportion of buffaloes conceived in the T1 and T2 were 41.2% and 52.95%, respectively. The larger POF diameter and higher serum E2 concentration were associated with intense intensity estrus and higher conception rate (66.7%) in sub‐estrus buffaloes. Similarly, CL regression rate, POF size and serum E2 concentration were relatively higher in the buffaloes conceived as compared to those not conceived. It is concluded that synthetic PGF2α in combination with trace minerals induces moderate to intense intensities estrus in a greater proportion of sub‐estrus buffaloes and increases the conception rate during the breeding season. Moreover, behavioural estrus attributes correlating follicle and luteal morphometry, serum E2 and P4 concentration could be used to optimise the breeding time for augmenting the conception rate in sub‐estrus buffaloes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this case study, informed by a Lakatosian perspective, is to identify how an alternative conception that originates in present learning but is related directly to subsequent learning contexts can be constructed. Before the study, one of the authors found by accident that a student who had learned about Avogadro's principle and chemical reaction in South Korea constructed an alternative conception related to the volume of gas. Later, we identified seven Korean high school students with the alternative conception through a test and analyzed their underlying understandings qualitatively through interviews. The results show that they had a scientific conception—core conception—and intuitive assumptions about implicit information of external representations—implicit assumptions—in common. The students' implicit assumptions could be divided into three types again: core assumption, auxiliary assumption, and context‐inducing assumption. The core assumption, like the core conception, played a significant role in constructing the alternative conception (hard core), while the auxiliary assumptions were incomplete implicit assumptions to protect the alternative conception (protective belt). The context‐inducing assumption was an implicit assumption bringing the context of the subsequent curriculum, and the core conception and the core assumption could be interpreted in this induced context. At the end of the study, the implications related to learning progressions were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women of reproductive age. This study sought to explore the postcancer conception and pregnancy experience of young BC survivors to inform counseling. Methods: In the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study (NCT01468246), a multicenter, prospective cohort, participants diagnosed at age ≤40 years with stage 0‐III BC who reported ≥1 postdiagnosis live birth were sent an investigator‐developed survey. Results: Of 119 eligible women, 94 (79%) completed the survey. Median age at diagnosis was 32 years (range, 17–40) and at first postdiagnosis delivery was 38 years (range, 29–47). Most had stage I or II (77%) and HR+ (78%) BC; 51% were nulligravida at diagnosis. After BC treatment, most (62%) conceived naturally, though 38% used assisted reproductive technology, 74% of whom first attempted natural conception for a median of 9 months (range, 2–48). Among women with a known inherited pathogenic variant (n = 20), two underwent preimplantation genetic testing. Of 59 women on endocrine therapy before pregnancy, 26% did not resume treatment. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (20%) was the most common obstetrical condition. Nine percent of newborns required neonatal intensive care unit admission and 9% had low birth weight. Conclusion: Among women with live births after BC treatment, most conceived naturally and having a history of BC did not appear to negatively impact pregnancy complications, though the high rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy warrants further investigation. The prolonged period of attempting natural conception for some survivors suggests the potential need for improved understanding and counseling surrounding family planning goals after BC. In a cohort of 94 women surveyed with one or more live birth(s) after breast cancer treatment, although most conceived naturally, observations suggest potential gaps in counseling related to use of artificial reproductive technology and future childbearing when planning endocrine therapy. History of breast cancer did not appear to negatively impact pregnancy complications, though a higher rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was observed compared with prior studies of breast cancer survivors, requiring further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Raising offspring imposes energetic costs, especially for female mammals. Consequently, seasons favoring high energy intake and sustained positive energy balance often result in a conception peak. Factors that may weaken this coordinated effect include premature offspring loss and adolescent subfertility. Furthermore, seasonal ingestion of phytochemicals may facilitate conception peaks. We examined these factors and potential benefits of a conception peak (infant survival and interbirth interval) in Phayre's leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus phayrei crepusculus). Materials and Methods: Data were collected at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand (78 conceptions). We estimated periods of high energy intake based on fruit and young leaf feeding and via monthly energy intake rates. Phytochemical intake was based on fecal progestin. We examined seasonality (circular statistics and cox proportional hazard models) and compared consequences of timing (infant survival and interbirth intervals, t‐test, and Fisher exact test). Results: Conceptions occurred in all months but peaked from May to August. This peak coincided with high fecal progestin rather than presumed positive energy balance. Primipara conceived significantly later than multipara. Neither infant survival nor interbirth intervals were related to the timing of conception. Discussion: Periods of high energy intake may not exist and would not explain the conception peak in this population. However, the presumed high intake of phytochemicals was tightly linked to the conception peak. Timing conceptions to the peak season did not provide benefits, suggesting that the clustering of conceptions may be a mere by‐product of phytochemical intake. To confirm this conclusion, seasonal changes in phytochemical intake and hormone levels need to be studied more directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children conceived with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) or after a long waiting time have a higher prevalence of congenital malformations, but few studies have examined the contribution of type of infertility. Objectives: To quantify the association between causes of infertility and prevalence of malformations. Methods: We compared the prevalence at birth of all and severe malformations diagnosed up to age 2 between 6656 children born in 1996–2017 to parents who had previously been assessed for infertility a an academic fertility clinic ("exposed") and 10,382 children born in the same period to parents with no recent medical history of infertility ("reference"). We estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and prevalence differences (PD), by infertility status, type of treatment (non‐ART, ART), and infertility diagnosis, in all children and among singletons. Results: Compared with children of parents with no infertility, children of parents with infertility had a higher prevalence of malformations (both definitions), particularly following ART conceptions. After accounting for treatment, ovulatory disorders were associated with a higher prevalence of both all (PR 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15, 1.93; PD 3.8, 95% CI 1.0, 6.6) and severe (PR 1.53, 95% CI 1.02, 2.29; PD 1.8, 95% CI −0.2, 3.7) malformations (the estimates refer to exposed children conceived without treatment). Unexplained and male factor infertility were associated with all and severe malformations, respectively. Estimates among singletons were similar. A diagnosis of ovulatory disorders was associated with all malformations also in analyses restricted to exposed children, regardless of treatment (we did not examine severe malformations, due to limited power). Conclusions: In this study, ovulatory disorders were consistently associated with a higher prevalence of congenital malformations (including severe malformations) among live births, regardless of mode of conception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key content: Medical management of endometriosis is often contraceptive. In contrast, surgical treatment may improve the chance of spontaneous conception. There is conflicting evidence as to whether surgery improves outcomes with assisted conception, and this should be discussed with a specialist in reproductive medicine.Surgery, particularly for ovarian endometriosis, can cause a decreased ovarian reserve and fertility preservation should be considered.There is no standard approach to managing endometriosis in the fertility setting. It is important to take a holistic approach to diagnosis and management of the subfertile couple where endometriosis may be a contributing factor. Learning objectives: To understand the mechanisms by which endometriosis can contribute to subfertility.To understand the importance of a comprehensive assessment of the subfertile couple and the important factors that will inform an individualised management plan.To develop a framework for managing endometriosis in the context of subfertility including fertility preservation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the unique propositions within the 'Charter for the Rights of Children yet to be Conceived' posited by First 1000 Days Australia. It argues that the Charter's pioneering focus on preconception conditions significantly broadens the life‐course framework for early childhood, challenging traditional rights frameworks that typically commence at birth. The Charter's tenets, their implications, and their relation to international rights frameworks are also discussed. The Charter for the Rights of Children yet to be Conceived expands the landscape within which family therapists can explore not just cultural inclusivity, but an inclusion of imagining what sort of world, future, and family we want for children yet to be conceived; and what we imagine these children would want from us for this to be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Art and design involve divergent creative processes. Design is a more constrained domain than art. While creativity in some specific domains, such as painting, sculpture, and music, has been widely studied, some have as yet been little explored. One example is stone carving. What characterizes stone carving, as a creative occupation? What is a stone carver's creative process? We set out to answer these questions by interviewing a stone carver about his profession, his process, his productions, and his place in society. In this case study, we examined the stone carver's discourse using a combination of three content analysis software tools. Taken together, the results highlight and detail 3 of the 7 Cs of creativity: the stone carver as creator, his creating (creative process), and his creations (productions) on which the interview focuses. The results of this participatory case study were validated by the stone carver himself. They reveal that stone carving sits at the intersection between handicraft, design, and art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globalization and socially complex problems will greatly affect the way engineers work in the future. Therefore, efforts to transform engineering education must focus on professional skills and engagement of faculty as key change agents. Purpose/Hypotheses: For engineering programs to address the needs of society, graduates must have the skills to tackle future challenges. Transformation will only be successful if faculty fully engage in all curriculum design aspects; however, little is known about how faculty view professional skills. This understanding is critical if we wish to support and encourage their participation in the transformation effort. This novel study reveals the qualitatively different ways faculty conceptualize professional skills. Design/Method: Phenomenography was selected as the most appropriate method to showcase the variations in faculty conceptions. The study selected 19 interview participants from 273 responses to an online survey. Results: Faculty revealed their conceptions of professional skills in six ways: communication skills, technical skills, enabling skills, a combination of skills, interpersonal behaviors, and acting professionally. Conclusions: Findings revealed a tension between technical and nontechnical skills. The study highlights that engineering education must focus on behaviors and interactions between people rather than technical skills alone. Further, there was a gendered difference in conceptions between women and men with women more likely to consider professional skills to be inclusive of behavioral aspects. The findings can help create future strategies for engineering education and can be used as a reflective tool for engineering faculty in efforts to transform engineering education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A populational, observational and longitudinal‐retrospective study with records of 28 dairy‐specialized and dual‐purpose farms was carried out to compare the productive performance of cows born by embryo transfer (ET), artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating (NM), using the database of Centro Regional de Investigación para la Producción Animal Sostenible (CRIPAS) of cattle herds in Costa Rica. Herds (system × altitude), conception method (ET, AI and NM), genetic background (DSpB: specialized dairy breeds [Bos taurus] and crosses, GYR × HOL: Gyr × Holstein Crossbred and DSpB × BI: crosses between dairy breeds and Bos indicus), year of birth (or at calving), lactation number and days in milk were evaluated for the productive parameters age at first calving (AFC), calving to conception interval (CCI) and lactation milk yield (LMY) using a GLIMMIX procedure on SAS. The AFC, CCI and LMY were affected (p <.0001) by all factors considered in each parameter. ET has lower (p <.0001) AFC in months (33.1) than AI (35.2) and NM (36.44). NM had lower (p =.004) CCI (110 days) than AI or ET (121 days) values which were similar (p >.05). The higher LMY (p <.0001) was observed in ET (4140 kg), compared to AI (3706 kg) and NM (3595 kg). There was no difference between AI and NM. In conclusion, the method of conception in calves affected their future reproduction and production during puberty, postpartum and lactation. The effects on management decisions will require a rigorous economical study to discern whether ET would be a cost‐effective alternative to AI or NM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After fertilization, sperm and oocyte fused and gave rise to a zygote which is the beginning of a new life. Then the embryonic development is monitored and regulated precisely from the transition of oocyte to the embryo at the early stage of embryogenesis, and this process is termed maternal‐to‐zygotic transition (MZT). MZT involves two major events that are maternal components degradation and zygotic genome activation. The epigenetic reprogramming plays crucial roles in regulating the process of MZT and supervising the normal development of early development of embryos. In recent years, benefited from the rapid development of low‐input epigenome profiling technologies, new epigenetic modifications are found to be reprogrammed dramatically and may play different roles during MZT whose dysregulation will cause an abnormal development of embryos even abortion at various stages. In this review, we summarized and discussed the important novel findings on epigenetic reprogramming and the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating MZT in mammalian embryos. Our work provided comprehensive and detailed references for the in deep understanding of epigenetic regulatory network in this key biological process and also shed light on the critical roles for epigenetic reprogramming on embryonic failure during artificial reproductive technology and nature fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this TESG Forum, we revisit Torsten Hägerstrand's 1982 Diorama, Path and Project, a paper that significantly expanded Hägerstrand's time‐geographical conceptual vocabulary in the international geographical literature. The paper was the crystallization of a process where Hägerstrand tried to bridge regional science ideas with humanistic ones. The 'diorama' was introduced to discuss how imaginations emerge from the togetherness of objects and memories in localized space and initially formulated to help geography overcome the disciplinary fragmentation and paradigmatic rows that had splintered geography in the 1970s. 'Path' is Hägerstrand's well‐known concept describing people's spatial pattern of activities. Finally, the concept of 'project' tried to capture a broader conception of agency that was able to accommodate people's paths as the result of goal‐intended and value‐inspired actions. In this introductory essay, we contextualize the paper in the development of Hägerstrand's work and introduce the separate contributions to the Forum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in science education with multilingual learners (MLs) has expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion can be situated within a larger dialogue about what it means to provide minoritized students with an equitable education. Whereas some conceptions of equity focus on ensuring all students have access to the knowledge, practices, and language normatively valued in K‐12 schools (equity as access), increasingly prominent conceptions focus on transforming those knowledge, practices, and language in ways that center minoritized students and their communities (equity as transformation). In this article, we argue that conceptions of equity provide a useful lens for understanding emerging research in science education with MLs and for charting a research agenda. We begin by tracing how conceptions of equity have evolved in parallel across STEM and multilingual education. Then, we provide an overview of recent developments from demographic, theoretical, and policy perspectives. In the context of these developments, we provide a conceptual synthesis of emerging research by our team of early‐career scholars in three areas: (a) learning, (b) assessment, and (c) teacher education. Within each area, we unpack the research efforts in terms of how they attend to equity as access while pushing toward equity as transformation. Finally, we propose a research agenda for science education with MLs that builds on and extends these efforts. We close by offering recommendations for making this research agenda coherent and impactful: (a) being explicit about our conceptions of equity, (b) paying attention to the interplay of structure and agency, and (c) promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the status quo of cognitive appraisal of health and its influencing factors among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted from June 2020 to November 2020. Participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital by a convenient sample method. A total of 300 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus completed the survey, including self‐compiled individual information questionnaire, Cognitive Appraisal of Health Scale, Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale and General Self‐Efficacy Scale. Results: For cognitive appraisal of health, the median score of challenge dimension was 3.75 (3.50, 4.00), benign/irrelevant was 2.75 (2.00, 3.50), harm/loss was 2.38 (2.00, 3.00) and threat was 2.40 (2.00, 2.80), respectively. Regression analyses showed that gestational age, mode of conception, history of abortion, insulin usage, pregnancy stress and self‐efficacy were the predictors of cognitive appraisal of health. Conclusions: This study revealed that pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus tended to make positive cognitive appraisal of health. And healthcare providers need to make full use of their predictors of cognitive appraisal of health to improve cognitive appraisal to manage stress and ameliorate pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited data exist on pregnant women living with HIV exposed to cabotegravir + rilpivirine (CAB + RPV). Outcomes in pregnant participants exposed to CAB + RPV, and pharmacokinetic washout data in those exposed to CAB + RPV long‐acting (LA) with live births, are presented. Methods: Women exposed to one or more doses of CAB + RPV (oral/LA) from ViiV Healthcare‐sponsored phase 2b/3/3b clinical trials and the compassionate use programme who became pregnant were included. Upon pregnancy in the trial programme, CAB + RPV was discontinued, an alternative antiretroviral regimen was initiated, and quarterly pharmacokinetic sampling for 52 weeks post‐last injection was obtained. CAB + RPV continuation or alternative antiretroviral regimen initiation was decided by pregnant compassionate use programme participants and their treating physicians. Results: As of 31 March 2021, 25 pregnancies following CAB + RPV exposure at conception were reported (five oral, 20 LA), including four who conceived during pharmacokinetic washout following treatment discontinuation. There were eight elective abortions, six miscarriages (five in first trimester), one ectopic pregnancy, and 10 live births (one oral, nine LA), including one infant born with congenital ptosis. Among participants exposed to CAB + RPV LA at conception with live births, plasma CAB and RPV washout concentrations during pregnancy were within the range of those observed in non‐pregnant women. Conclusion: In this first analysis of pregnancy outcomes following CAB + RPV exposure at conception, 10 live births, including one with congenital anomaly, were reported. Plasma CAB and RPV washout concentrations during pregnancy were within the range of those in non‐pregnant women. Pregnancy surveillance within ViiV Healthcare‐sponsored clinical trials is ongoing, with dedicated pregnancy studies planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the relationship between serum 25(OH)D level and pregnancy outcomes (clinical pregnancy rate [CPR] and live birth rate [LBR]) in Chinese women receiving in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)‐embryo transfer (ET) (IVF/ICSI‐ET). Methods: A total of 612 patients included in the study were divided into four cohorts according to serum 25(OH)D with the threshold of 20 ng/ml, 25 ng/ml, 30 ng/ml, and retrospectively analyzed. Results: None of the baseline characteristics of participants was significantly different in the four cohorts except gravid status. The trend of 25(OH)D concentration was positively correlated with CPR and LBR. The younger (age: p < 0.001 both in CPR and LBR) women with primary infertility (infertility type: p = 0.004 in LBR) were more likely to get a better pregnancy outcome under the same 25(OH)D concentration stages. As shown on heatmap plots, CPR, and LBR were significantly increased for 25(OH)D concentrations above 30.00 ng/ml and women younger than 30 years old. The adjusted binary logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) showed that there existed a nonlinear positive correlation between 25(OH)D concentration and pregnancy outcome (CPR and LBR) (Pnonlinear < 0.001, respectively). The women with a sufficient 25(OH)D concentration (30 ng/ml) had 1.07 (clinical pregnancy) and 1.05 (live birth) times higher successful birth outcomes compared to women with an insufficient 25(OH)D concentration (25 ng/ml). (OR25 ng/ml, ref = 30 ng/ml [95% CI] = 0.935 [0.932–0.938] and 0.947 [0.945–0.950], p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: In Chinese women receiving IVF/ICSI‐ET, the serum level of 25(OH)D demonstrated a nonlinear positive correlation with pregnancy outcomes (CPR and LBR), with stronger correlations above 25 ng/ml and worse yields below 30 ng/ml. However, it could not yet be considered different in distinct ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The initial COVID‐19 pandemic response−related effects on conceptions following the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), and on changes in the maternal characteristics of women who conceived during the early vs. pre‐pandemic period, have been understudied. Objectives: To examine the effects of ART clinic closures in the United States (US) in March 2020 on the frequency of ART‐conceived live births, multiple births and stillbirths; and to describe changes in the characteristics of women who conceived in the early pandemic period. Methods: Population‐based cohort study including all births in the US from January 2015 to December 2020 (22,907,688 live births; 134,537 stillbirths). Interrupted time series (ITS) methodology was used to estimate rate ratios (RR) of expected versus observed rates in December 2020 (i.e., among births conceived mainly in March 2020). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between mothers who conceived in March 2020 versus March 2015–2019. Results: Overall, 1.1% of live births and 1.7% of stillbirths were conceived by ART. ART‐conceived live births decreased by 57.0% in December 2020 (observed vs. expected RR 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40, 0.45), and these declines occurred in all subgroups of women. Multiple births also declined in December 2020. Stillbirth rates increased in December 2020 in ART‐conceived births (RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.63, 3.92) but remained unchanged in the non‐ART group. Maternal characteristics of women who conceived in the early pandemic versus pre‐pandemic period differed and included an increased prevalence of pre‐pregnancy obesity class 3 and chronic hypertension. Conclusions: The early pandemic closure of ART clinics resulted in a substantial decline in ART‐conceived live births and multiple births in December 2020 and an increase in the proportion of stillbirths among ART‐conceived births. Women who conceived in the early pandemic period also had an increased prevalence of obesity and chronic hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migration has substantial consequences on the wellness of affected households, thereby exposing children to circumstances that are detrimental for healthy cognitive development. This study evaluates the relationship between conflict and migration during conception or early childhood and childhood cognitive development outcomes among families in Ethiopia. We hypothesized that migration is associated with worse cognitive development outcomes among children and that this association is mediated by educational disparities and caregiver psychological distress. Methods: The study used longitudinal data of children enrolled in the Young Lives Study (YLS) conducted in Ethiopia during 2002 (age 1), 2006–2007 (age 5), and 2009–2010 (age 8). We used multivariate linear and logistic regression to analyze the association between migration on cognitive development during middle childhood. Household migration and caregiver psychological distress were measured during round 1, type of education was measured at round 2, and cognitive development was measured at round 3. Results: Results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that migrant children achieved lower scores on a test of verbal intelligence after controlling for sex, ethnicity, religion, and caregiver distress (β: −8.09; 95% CI: −15.33, −0.85). Results of the mediation analysis show that the type of schooling that children attended, but not caregiver psychological distress, mediated the association between migration and cognitive development. Migrant children were more likely to attend private schools, which buffered the association between migration and lower cognitive development. Conclusions: This study suggests that migration is a key determinant of childhood cognitive development among migrated populations. More research is needed to build the evidence base to support interventions for this growing, underserved population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Data on the safety of paternal use of 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) prior to conception are lacking, and the safety of maternal use of 5‐ASA during pregnancy has not been examined in nationwide data. Aims: To examine offspring outcomes after paternal pre‐conception use of 5‐ASA, and after maternal use during pregnancy Methods: This nationwide cohort study was based on Danish health registries. The study population included live born singletons of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD). Paternal exposure included 2168 children fathered by men treated with 5‐ASA, and 7732 unexposed. Maternal exposure included 3618 children exposed in utero to 5‐ASA, and 7128 unexposed. The outcomes were pre‐term birth, small for gestational age (SGA), low Apgar score and major congenital abnormalities (CAs) according to EUROCAT guidelines. Results: The vast majority of fathers and mothers used mesalazine. In children fathered by men with UC using 5‐ASA, we found no increased risk of pre‐term birth, SGA or low Apgar score. The hazard ratio (HR) of CAs was 1.30 (95% CI 0.92–1.85). In children of fathers with CD, the odds ratio (OR) of SGA was 1.52 (95% CI 0.65–3.55). After maternal 5‐ASA exposure, the OR of SGA in children of women with UC was 1.46 (95% CI: 0.93–2.30); for CAs in children of women with CD, HR was 1.44 (95% CI 0.84–2.47). Conclusions: Paternal and maternal use of 5‐ASA was safe across offspring outcomes; none of the findings reached statistical significance. The safety of 5‐ASA formulations that are used infrequently cannot be settled here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to explore fetal cortical brain development by neurosonography in fetuses conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART), including frozen and fresh embryo transfer (ET), compared with those conceived spontaneously (SC), and to investigate its association with infant neurobehavior at 12 months of age.Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 210 singleton pregnancies, including 70 SC pregnancies, 70 conceived by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) following frozen ET and 70 conceived by IVF after fresh ET. Fetal neurosonography was performed at 32 ± 2 gestational weeks to assess cortical development. Sulci depths were measured offline and normalized by biparietal diameter (BPD). Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were completed postnatally, at 12 ± 1 months of corrected age. Neurosonographic findings were adjusted by regression analysis for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, fetal sex and fetal-weight centile and gestational age at scan, and ASQ scores were adjusted for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, educational level and employment status, gestational age at birth, breastfeeding, infant sex and infant age at the ASQ evaluation.Results: Overall, in comparison to the SC fetuses, fetuses conceived by ART showed statistically significant differences in cortical development, with reduced parieto-occipital sulci depth adjusted for BPD (mean ± SD: fresh ET, 12.5 ± 2.5 vs frozen ET, 13.4 ± 2.6 vs SC, 13.4 ± 2.6, P < 0.001), cingulate sulci depth adjusted for BPD (median (interquartile range (IQR)): fresh ET, 5.8 (4.2-7.4) vs frozen ET, 5.8 (4.1-7.5) vs SC, 6.5 (4.8-7.8), P = 0.001) and calcarine sulci depth adjusted for BPD (median (IQR): fresh ET, 13.5 (10.1-16.1) vs frozen ET, 14.5 (12.1-15.8) vs SC, 16.4 (14.3-17.9), P < 0.001), together with lower Sylvian fissure grading score. Changes in cortical development were more pronounced in the fresh ET than in the frozen ET group. ART infants showed lower ASQ scores as compared to SC infants, particularly in the fresh ET group (mean ± SD global ASQ Z-score: fresh ET, -0.3 ± 0.4 vs frozen ET, -0.2 ± 0.4 vs SC, 0 ± 0.4, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Fetuses conceived by ART show a distinctive pattern of cortical development and suboptimal infant neurodevelopment, with more pronounced changes in those conceived following fresh ET. These findings support the existence of in-utero brain reorganization associated with ART and warrant follow-up studies to assess its long-term persistence. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Problem‐oriented project work, also known as problem and project‐based learning (PBL), is a popular educational approach in engineering education. However, the focus of the literature on the implementation of PBL has been at the course and institutional levels. Scant attention has been paid to the student experience, especially regarding student conceptions of PBL. Purpose: This is a phenomenographic study of student conceptions of PBL in a Danish engineering program that uses a systemic PBL model. Design/method: This study follows a phenomenographic qualitative design. Sixteen participants from four different engineering disciplines were asked to share their views and experiences with PBL. The interview transcripts were analyzed to identify emerging variations in the student conceptions of PBL. Results: The outcome space suggests three levels of students' conceptions of PBL: individual, group and society levels. Within the categories of description, sublevel variations appear: PBL as an unsupportive process and environment, PBL as a supportive process and environment, and PBL as a structured education method. These conceptions were organized hierarchically from a narrow individual to a broader society level. Conclusions: Student conceptions of PBL as a structured education method echo the literature on the intended learning outcomes of PBL. However, our study shows that conceptions of PBL as personal and social processes fall outside of the scope of current scholarly discussions on PBL. Issues of societal relevance, while prominent in the literature on PBL, do not feature in students' thinking about PBL at this stage. Introducing broader reflection practices informed by exemplarity could address some of these discrepancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study sought to determine childbearing patterns and decision making among female otolaryngologists. Study Design: Anonymous survey. Setting: An anonymous survey was sent in 2020 to female otolaryngologists identified through their membership with the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Methods: Data were analyzed concerning individual fertility and childbearing history, reflections regarding decision making, perceptions of workplace support, and estimations of objective childbearing potential. Results: There were 398 responses. The mean age at first pregnancy was 32.3 years. Almost one-third of respondents who attempted to conceive (30.4%) were diagnosed with infertility. Of those who had their first pregnancy during training, 55% reported having substantial workplace support, as opposed to 70% of those whose first pregnancies followed completion of training (P =.01). When asked what they would do differently in retrospect, most women with infertility (65.0%) would have attempted conception earlier; 41 (41.0%) would have used cryopreservation to extend fertility; and 14 (14.0%) would have gone into a different specialty. Conclusion: Female otolaryngologist respondents have children later in life than the general population, and a substantial proportion face infertility or have regrets about family planning decisions and career decision making. Increased awareness, further investigation, and targeted programs are needed to support the growing number of female otolaryngologists who desire both a career and a family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (1,3‐DCA) reaction, conceptualized by Rolf Huisgen in 1960, has proven immensely useful in organic, material, and biological chemistry. The uncatalyzed, thermal transformation is generally sluggish and unselective, but the reactivity can be enhanced by means of metal catalysis or by the introduction of either predistortion or electronic tuning of the dipolarophile. These promoted reactions generally go with a much higher reactivity, selectivity, and yields, often at ambient temperatures. The rapid orthogonal reactivity and compatibility with aqueous and physiological conditions positions the 1,3‐DCA as an excellent bioorthogonal reaction. Quantum chemical calculations have been critical for providing an understanding of the physical factors that control the reactivity and selectivity of 1,3‐DCAs. In silico derived design principles have proven invaluable for the design of new dipolarophiles with tailored reactivity. This review discusses everything from the conception of the 1,3‐DCA all the way to the state‐of‐the‐art methods and models used for the quantum chemical design of novel (bioorthogonal) reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay is the second paper of a related three‐paper set that examines, critiques, and offers responses to current conceptions of academic advising within P‐20+ STEM education. In this essay, we offer a review of the current understandings of academic advising and its existing limitations with meaningfully supporting Black and Brown STEM learners. As a response to this critique, we call for a critical‐ecological perspective to STEM academic advising, leveraging Phenomenological Variant Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) as the conceptual background for this approach. We then provide a set of guiding principles for educators to consider when taking a PVEST approach to academic advising. In providing these guiding principles, we situate the third paper in the set as those authors offer specific examples for how this approach can be implemented across the P‐20+ STEM spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

And on this understanding of what makes something "a function of human agency", gestating or being genetically related to a child via the mechanisms of non-traditional family-making (choosing a surrogate or donor, undergoing IVF etc.) is a function of human agency: non-traditional family-making, either through use of gamete donors or gestational surrogates, causes a child to come into existence. 47 For example, Weinberg's theory of parental responsibility implies that gamete donors are parentally responsible and that, as a result, the practice of donor conception is, in most cases, immoral since children are being abandoned by their parents. Almeling's I Sex Cells i is the result of data that come "from six donation programs, where I interviewed a total of forty-five staff members, nineteen egg donors, and twenty sperm donors between 2002 and 2006" (14). This two-step - downplay genetics, play-up gestation - is common among egg donors. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: This study determined the factors associated with pregnancy uptake decision among seropositive HIV people receiving antiretroviral therapy in sub‐Saharan Africa. Design: Systematic review. Methods: The population, intervention, comparison and outcomes framework was adopted to search for literature after a scoping review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses guidelines adopted in searching, and screening articles from four databases (PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, and Google scholar) to find 12 articles suitable for this study. Results: Motivators of pregnancy uptake among HIV‐positive women include desire to have children, knowledge about PMTCT, cultural duty for married women to have children, and household income. Demotivating factors included the modern method of contraception and burden associated with pregnancy. Conclusion: There is a need to improve on services that reduce conception‐related risks especially for women who choose to conceive and to incorporate fertility‐related counselling into HIV treatment services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propafenone is a well‐known Class 1C antiarrhythmic agent that has sodium channel blocking properties as well as the ability to block 13 other channels and a modest calcium antagonistic effect. Propafenone has a profound electrophysiologic effect on auxiliary atrioventricular circuits and in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia can obstruct conduction in the fast conducting pathway. Furthermore, propafenone is less likely than other Class 1C drugs to cause proarrhythmia. However, although this medicine can pass through the placenta, the effects during pregnancy remain unknown. Here, we investigated the potential teratogenic and genotoxic effects of Rythmol during rat development. Pregnant Wistar rats received 46.25 mg/kg body weight of propafenone daily by gavage from Gestation Day (GD) 5 to GD 19. At GD 20, the dams were dissected, and their fetuses were assessed via morphologic, skeletal, and histologic investigation. In addition, a comet assay was used to measure DNA impairment of fetal skull osteocytes and hepatic cells. The study showed that propafenone treatment of pregnant rats led to a marked decrease in gravid uterine weight, number of implants/litter, number of viable fetuses, and bodyweight of fetuses but a clear increase in placental weight and placental index in the treated group. Frequent morphologic abnormalities and severe ossification deficiency in the cranium bones were observed in the treatment group. Various histopathological changes were observed in the liver, kidney, and brain tissues of maternally treated fetuses. Similarly, propafenone induced DNA damage to examined samples. Thus, our study indicates that propafenone may be embryotoxic in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using evidence of student thinking and performance is crucial to enacting ambitious science teaching because intimate, formative data can be responsive to student ideas about science. However, narratives and policies about assessment and data use do not always position teachers to draw on the breadth and variety of evidence from the classroom to make instructional decisions that foster sensemaking. Thus, understanding whether, when, and how teachers view and use assessment and other forms of student data is critical to understanding classroom interactions and learning. This study explores teachers' baseline assessment conceptions and practices as well as their changes with relation to assessment and data use across a year‐long intervention using a portfolio of classroom assessment artifacts. Middle school science teachers participated in professional development in which they reflected on assessment artifacts in light of nine dimensions of effective science assessment and data‐use practice. Drawing on interviews, as well as baseline and outcome portfolios from the classroom, we noticed that initial conceptions of practice focused on the variety and frequency of assessment. Nine months later, participants' practice showed growth in several dimensions, but differentially among teachers based on their baseline proficiency. Teachers were more likely to show growth in dimensions related to feedback and data use if they had initially showed proficiency in articulating clear learning goals and had previously aligned their assessments to the stated goals. These findings suggest a possible developmental trajectory for improving teachers' assessment and data use practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual intimacy characterized by desire is a critical component of the cultural ideal of successful marriage in the contemporary United States. How, then, does the experience of sexual intimacy in committed relationships change when its primary purpose is to promote conception? Through in‐depth interviews with 52 women married to men in the United States who recently attempted—and often struggled—to conceive through sexual intercourse with their spouses, this study finds that sex for the purpose of pregnancy becomes a highly rationalized project in which participants attempt to perfect their timing and promote the best chance for conception. In these married heterosexual couples, women manage the project of sex for the purpose of pregnancy and dictate to their husbands when they need to have sex. Using the third shift as a theoretical framework, this article demonstrates how sex for pregnancy becomes a gendered chore involving emotion work, cognitive labor, and body work. This research contributes to our understanding of household labor, sexual intimacy, and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Now'‐thoughts are often categorised alongside 'I'‐thoughts. The word 'I'‐ (including its counterparts in other languages) and the thoughts typically expressed with it have long been a source of fascination for philosophers. 'I'‐ seemingly behaves in peculiar ways, which many writers take to reflect some interesting features of the thoughts it typically expresses. Whilst the similarities between the behaviour of 'I'‐ and 'now'‐ have often been noted, the latter has received much less attention in the literature. In this paper, I will take some of the most influential ideas and frameworks that have been used to analyse 'I'‐thought and draw on phenomenological descriptions of temporal experience to provide an account of 'now'‐ thought. I will argue that a certain important class of 'now'‐thoughts do not involve thinking about a particular time and predicating something of it, but instead merely involve registering the presence of events. I will end by sketching an account of how these claims might sit with a theory of the word 'now'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents: This study investigated the effects of melatonin implants in the female and male animals before the breeding season on the reproductive performance of Tahirova sheep and Turkish Saanen goats. Seventy‐five sheep and 53 goats (including 6 rams and 4 bucks) were used in the research. Melatonin implants (18 mg) were applied to half of the female and male animals, one to female animals and three to male animals. The rate of oestrus was determined as 100% in the melatonin (M) and control (C) groups. The non‐return rate, conception rate and lambing rate were close in both groups of ewes and rams groups (p >.05). The rate of oestrus was 100% in the melatonin and control groups of does and bucks groups in Turkish Saanen goats. The non‐return rate in does was 75.0 ± 9.02% in M group and 92.0 ± 5.53% in C group (p =.0101), the non‐return rate was 83.3 ± 6.92% in group M and 84.2 ± 8.59% in group C for bucks (p =.5570). For ewes, the duration from ram introduction to first oestrus, conception and lambing was significantly lower in group M than in group C (p ≤.05). Litter size of M in ewe and ram groups were 1.70 ± 0.08 and 1.59 ± 0.09, respectively, whereas it was 1.62 ± 0.10 and 1.74 ± 0.10 in C group, respectively. Birth weight significantly differed between ewe groups (p =.0017). For goats, the duration from buck introduction to first oestrus, conception and lambing was similar in the groups of does and bucks (p >.05). Litter size of M in doe and buck groups were 1.57 ± 0.11 and 1.53 ± 0.12, respectively, and 1.46 ± 0.11and 1.50 ± 0.09 in C group, respectively (p >.05). While the live weight and body condition score (BCS) of ewes were significantly affected by melatonin implants (p ≤.05), the live weight and BCS of does were not affected. In conclusion, it might be said that melatonin implants obtained better results for reproduction in Tahirova sheep than Turkish Saanen goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual intimacy characterized by desire is a critical component of the cultural ideal of successful marriage in the contemporary United States. How, then, does the experience of sexual intimacy in committed relationships change when its primary purpose is to promote conception? Through in‐depth interviews with 52 women married to men in the United States who recently attempted—and often struggled—to conceive through sexual intercourse with their spouses, this study finds that sex for the purpose of pregnancy becomes a highly rationalized project in which participants attempt to perfect their timing and promote the best chance for conception. In these married heterosexual couples, women manage the project of sex for the purpose of pregnancy and dictate to their husbands when they need to have sex. Using the third shift as a theoretical framework, this article demonstrates how sex for pregnancy becomes a gendered chore involving emotion work, cognitive labor, and body work. This research contributes to our understanding of household labor, sexual intimacy, and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on critiquing a study by Sakas et al. on fine needle testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), raising concerns about the reliability of NOA diagnosis without histopathological evidence and the appropriateness of TESA as a therapeutic tool given its lower success rate compared to microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MD-TESE).

Students possess alternative conceptions of many science topics, and these conceptions can act as obstacles for learning scientific concepts. In the field of biology education, students' alternative conceptions of evolution have been widely investigated. However, there is little research on how teachers diagnose and deal with these alternative conceptions, although these abilities are a crucial part of teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. Additionally, little is known about how these abilities are connected to professional experience and content knowledge. Thus, our study investigated how (prospective) biology teachers at various points in their teaching careers diagnosed and reported dealing with alternative conceptions. Therefore, 182 preservice biology teachers, biology teachers in practical training, and in‐service biology teachers were surveyed using a questionnaire. The participants were confronted with students' explanations of evolutionary phenomena, most of them based on common student conceptions, such as anthropomorphism, teleology, and essentialism. These student conceptions are rooted in cognitive biases and are common in evolutionary and other contexts. We found that the participants diagnosed only approximately half of the alternative conceptions, with the in‐service teachers diagnosing significantly more of the alternative conceptions than the preservice teachers. Furthermore, the analyses revealed a variety of ways to deal with student conceptions. The in‐service teachers more often suggested scientifically correct approaches that address student conceptions, whereas the preservice teachers more often did not respond or responded incorrectly. Moreover, the ability to diagnose and deal with alternative conceptions correlated with teachers' content knowledge regarding the topic of evolution and their acceptance of evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While much research investigates how social capital relates to mental health after disasters, less work employs a multi‐scalar, multi‐dimensional social capital framework. This study applies such a construct to an analysis of novel survey data of approximately 1,000 rural and urban Texans after Hurricane Harvey struck the United States in August 2017. On the individual level, it finds that greater social support is linked to fewer mental health impacts, but that greater civic and organisational engagement is connected to greater mental health impacts. At the community level, it finds that neither a density of bridging social capital organisations nor of bonding social capital organisations is associated with poorer mental health, although a greater number of bonding organisations is related to negative mental health impacts on rural residents. The paper concludes by focusing on how individual and community social capital relationships with mental health are contingent on measurement, scale, and rural or urban location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate the results of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro‐TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for treatment of non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Materials and methods: We retrospectively analysed data of 88 consecutive patients with clinical NOA who were treated with micro‐TESE by a single surgeon, between August 2014 and September 2020, in Melbourne, Victoria. Upon a successful sperm retrieval, sperm was either used fresh for ICSI, frozen for future use or both. The outcome measures were sperm retrieval rate (SRR), and in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/ICSI results. Furthermore, SRR was calculated for the predominant causes and histopathological patterns. Results: The overall SRR was 61.2%. It was significantly higher in patients with a history of cryptorchidism and other childhood diseases (100%) than in the other NOA groups (P < 0.05). Patients with Klinefelter syndrome had a 75% SRR. Among the different types of testicular histology, the highest SRR were noted in patients with complete hyalinisation (100%) and hypospermatogenesis (92.9%), and low with Sertoli cell‐only syndrome (46.3%). The SRR has significantly increased from 33.3% in 2015–2016 to 73.6% in 2019–2020 (P = 0.009). Of the 52 patients with SSR, 47 underwent IVF/ICSI. Fertilisation rate was 42.4%. Twenty‐nine couples achieved at least one good‐quality embryo and had embryo transfer. Nineteen achieved pregnancy (40.4%), and in three patients a miscarriage resulted. Conclusions: This is the first report from Australia showing that micro‐TESE is an effective treatment for NOA with high SRR. The increasing success rates over several years indicate the importance of surgical skill and laboratory staff experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines Indigenous Fijian and Papua New Guinean enterprises on customary land. It explores the duality of merging Indigenous and Western principles of entrepreneurship and the ability to balance business and socio‐cultural imperatives. A qualitative, ethnographic‐case study approach is deployed, with talanoa/tok stori used to collect empirical materials. Two interrelated themes emerged from the study: The need for Indigenous enterprise models to contribute to a more holistic conception of well‐being, and as a result, the requirement to rethink how surplus is distributed beyond mainstream shareholder ownership models. This study reveals a more nuanced approach to distributing surplus based on Indigenous conceptions of kinship. The specific theoretical contribution of this study is an Indigenous conception of surplus distribution that offers a challenge to traditional shareholder models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During his first trip to the US in 1929 Ernst Toller was impressed by the Newsreel cinemas of William Fox. In his words – 'die Zeitung ist lebendig geworden' – the films were a sort of 'living newspaper'. He tried to write such a 'Living Newspaper' in his first radio play Berlin, letzte Ausgabe! (1930), as well as in one of his last texts for the stage which was found among his literary remains: 'Forget Europe!' is a short concept paper he wrote for Hallie Flanagan's Federal Theatre Project (FTP) in the late 1930s. This article compares the different conceptions of the FTP's 'Living Newspaper'‐plays with Toller's own ideas about bringing the news to the stage. Reflecting on Toller's poetics, I trace why the exiled author ultimately failed to finish his 'Living Newspaper' for the FTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intravaginal washing, practised by a significant proportion of women globally, is associated with acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV). A single prior study among women in the United States found that vaginal washing was associated with lower fecundability. Objective: To examine the association between vaginal washing and fecundability among Kenyan women. Methods: HIV‐negative Kenyan women who were trying to conceive and reported no history of infertility care‐seeking were followed prospectively for incident pregnancy for up to six months. At monthly visits, participants reported the first day of last menstrual period, sexual behaviour, vaginal washing behaviour, underwent pregnancy testing and provided vaginal swabs for detection of BV by Gram stain (Nugent score ≥7). Discrete time proportional probability models were used to estimate fecundability ratio (FR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) comparing menstrual cycles when women reported vaginal washing to menstrual cycles when no vaginal washing was reported. Results: Four hundred and fifty‐eight women contributed 1,376 menstrual cycles and 255 pregnancies. At enrolment, a third (35.2%, 161 of 458) of participants reported vaginal washing with the majority using water only (73.9%, 119 of 161). After adjustment for age, frequency of unprotected intercourse and study site, vaginal washing in the prior four weeks was associated with a 29% lower fecundability (adjusted FR [aFR] 0.71, 95% CI 0.53, 0.94), which did not change after further adjustment for BV at the visit prior to each pregnancy test (aFR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54, 0.95). Conclusions: Periconceptual vaginal washing may reduce fecundability. Potential mechanisms include vaginal washing‐associated changes in the vaginal microbiota, inflammation, disruption of cervical mucus and effects on sperm function. Vaginal washing has no known health benefits, and cessation may improve women's likelihood of conceiving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal case study investigates how one science teachers' conceptions change in one domain (assessment of science learning) but not in another (understanding the pedagogical implications of student diversity) over a period of 10 years that includes a university teacher education program and nine subsequent years of experience of classroom teaching. This article describes the case of Victor, a White and male high school physics teacher, and documents changes in his conceptions of teaching science over 10 years. This study suggests that teachers who undertake the effort to change an aspect of their practice, knowing that they will need to rethink some of their existing ideas, can be successful. Conversely, if an area of teacher knowledge is underdeveloped at the conclusion of a teacher preparation program, there is no guarantee that the situation will be ameliorated simply through years of classroom experience, even if teachers grow to feel a level of increased confidence and comfort in that domain. It also demonstrates that the opportunity to undergo conceptual change with regard to issues of student diversity is highly dependent on a science teacher's identity, personal history, and teaching contexts and experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Alcohol consumption is common in adolescence and young adulthood and may continue into pregnancy, posing serious risk to early fetal development. We examine the frequency of periconception alcohol use (prior to pregnancy awareness) and the extent to which adolescent and young adult alcohol use prospectively predict periconception use. Design A longitudinal, population‐based study. Setting: Victoria, Australia. Participants: A total of 289 women in trimester three of pregnancy (age 29–35 years; 388 pregnancies). Measures: The main exposures were binge [≥ 4.0 standard drinks (SDs)/day] and frequent (≥ 3 days/week) drinking in adolescence (mean age = 14.9–17.4 years) and young adulthood (mean age 20.7–29.1 years). Outcomes were frequency (≥ 3 days/week, ≥ monthly, never) and quantity (≥ 4.0 SDs, ≥ 0.5 and < 4.0 SDs, none) of periconception drinking. Findings Alcohol use was common in young adulthood prior to pregnancy (72%) and in the early weeks of pregnancy (76%). The proportions drinking on most days and binge drinking were similar at both points. Reflecting a high degree of continuity in alcohol use behaviours, most women who drank periconceptionally had an earlier history of frequent (77%) and/or binge (85%) drinking throughout the adolescent or young adult years. Young adult binge drinking prospectively predicted periconception drinking quantity [odds ratio (OR) = 3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.9–7.4], compared with women with no prior history. Similarly, frequent young adult drinking prospectively predicted frequent periconception drinking (OR = 30.7, 95% CI = 12.3–76.7). Conclusions: Women who engage in risky (i.e. frequent and binge) drinking in their adolescent and young adult years are more likely to report risky drinking in early pregnancy prior to pregnancy recognition than women with no prior history of risky drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Iodine supplements are recommended for women planning pregnancy, but their impact on thyroid function during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and into pregnancy is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of iodine supplementation on thyroid function during COH. Methods: One‐hundred and six euthyroid women (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) 0.4–2.5 mIU/L) planning their first COH cycle were subdivided according to iodine supplementation (nil, <6 months, ≥6 months) and compared to levothyroxine (LT4)‐treated controls. Serial TSH, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine and thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were recorded at four time points: (i) baseline, (ii) day 7 ovarian stimulation, (iii) ovulation trigger and (iv) two weeks post oocyte retrieval. Oocyte numbers, fertilisation rates and pregnancy outcome were recorded. Results: TSH increased during COH for those women taking iodine supplements for ≥6 months (P = 0.025). One quarter recorded a TSH level >2.5 mIU/L before embryo transfer. A similar increase in TSH was demonstrated by LT4‐dependent controls (P = 0.024) but not the remaining subgroups. Tg levels did not change during COH in any group but decreased significantly post oocyte retrieval if nil iodine (P < 0.0001) or supplemented for ≥6 months (P < 0.005). Iodine supplementation did not influence oocyte count, fertilisation or implantation rates. Women taking iodine for <6 months were four times more likely to achieve a live birth than women taking iodine for longer. Conclusions: Women taking iodine supplements for ≥6 months are less able to adapt to the thyroidal demands of COH, with responses comparable to LT4‐dependent patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]