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The basis of natural resource management is decision making under uncertainty while balancing competing objectives. Within fisheries management, a process described as management strategy evaluation (MSE) is becoming increasingly requested globally to develop and test management procedures. In a fisheries or other natural resource context, a management procedure is a rule that predetermines the management response given feedback from the resource and is simulation tested to be robust to multiple uncertainties. MSEs are distinguished from other risk or simulation analyses by the explicit testing of the feedback mechanism that applies decision rule-based management advice back to the simulated population or ecosystem. Stakeholder input is frequently cited as a best practice in the MSE process, since it fosters communication and facilitates buy-in to the process. Nevertheless, due to the substantial additional cost, time requirement, and necessary scientific personnel, full stakeholder MSEs remain relatively uncommon. With this communication, we provide guidance on what constitutes an MSE, when MSEs should be undertaken or where simpler approaches may suffice, and how to prioritize the degree of stakeholder participation.

To examine whether semen parameters are associated with live birth among couples seeking infertility treatment after accounting for semen parameter variability.Folic Acid and Zinc Supplementation Trial (FAZST) prospective cohort.Four US reproductive endocrinology and infertility care study centers, 2013-2017.Couples (n = 2,369) seeking fertility consultations at 4 US infertility care study centers.Semen volume, pH, sperm viability, morphology, progressive and total motility, concentration, count, and total and progressive motile count assessed at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months after enrollment.Log-binomial models stratified by fertility treatment received (in vitro fertilization [IVF], intrauterine insemination [IUI], ovulation induction [OI], or no treatment) estimated risk differences (RDs) between semen parameter quartiles and live birth and accounted for multiple semen assessments per person. We accounted for abstinence time, the biological interdependence of semen parameters, and potential selection bias because of loss to follow-up.Among couples using OI only or no treatment, 39% had a live birth, and relative to the highest quartile, the lowest quartiles of morphology (RD, -19 [95% CI, -23 to -15] per 100 couples), motility (RD, -13 [95% CI, -17 to -9]), concentration (RD, -22 [95% CI, -26 to -19]), and total motile count (RD, -18 [95% CI, -22 to -14]) were associated with fewer live births. For IUI, 26% had a live birth, and the lowest quartiles of volume (RD, -6 [95% CI, -11 to -0.4]), concentration (RD, -6 [95% CI, -11 to -0.1]), count (RD, -10 [95% CI, -15 to -4]), and total motile count (RD, -7 [95% CI, -13 to -1]) were associated with fewer live births. For IVF, 61% had a live birth, and only morphology (Q1 RD, -7 [95% CI, -14 to 0.2]; Q2 RD, -10 [95% CI, -17 to -2.2]) was associated with live birth.Semen parameters are critical in couples undergoing OI/IUI. Only low morphology was important for live birth after IVF. Although data supporting the use of semen parameters are fragmented across differing populations, current findings are generalizable across the range of male fertility and couple fertility treatments, providing evidence about which semen parameters are most relevant in which settings.NCT#01857310.

BACKGROUND: Women with endometriosis may have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research has focused on infertility clinic populations limiting generalisability. Few studies report differences by endometriosis severity. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationships between endometriosis diagnosis, staging and typology and pregnancy outcomes among an operative and population-based sample of women. METHODS: Menstruating women ages 18–44 years enrolled in the ENDO Study (2007–2009), including the operative cohort: 316 gravid women undergoing laparoscopy/laparotomy at surgical centres in Utah and California; and the population cohort: 76 gravid women from the surgical centres’ geographic catchment areas. Pregnancy outcomes were ascertained by questionnaire and included all pregnancies prior to study enrolment. Endometriosis was diagnosed via surgical visualisation in the operative cohort and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging in the population cohort. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalised linear mixed models for pregnancy outcomes, adjusting for women’s age at study enrolment and at pregnancy, surgical site, body mass index and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: Women in the operative cohort with visualised endometriosis (n = 109, 34%) had a lower prevalence of live births, aPR 0.94 (95% CI 0.85, 1.03) and a higher prevalence of miscarriages, aPR 1.48 (95% CI 1.23, 1.77) compared with women without endometriosis. The direction and magnitude of estimates were similar in the population cohort. Women with deep endometriosis were 2.98-fold more likely (95% CI 1.12, 7.95) to report a miscarriage compared with women without endometriosis after adjusting for women’s age at study enrolment and at pregnancy, surgical site and body mass index. No differences were seen between endometriosis staging and pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: While there was no difference in number of pregnancies among women with and without endometriosis in a population-b ased sample, pregnancy loss was more common among women with endometriosis, notably among those with deep endometriosis.

Objective To determine if 6-month folic acid (5 mg) and zinc (30 mg) supplementation impacts sperm DNA methylation patterns. Design A multicenter, double-blind, block randomized, placebo-controlled trial titled “The Folic Acid and Zinc Supplementation Trial (FAZST).” Setting Infertility care centers. Patient(s) Male partners (18 years and older) from heterosexual couples (female partners aged 18–45 years) seeking fertility treatment were recruited. Intervention(s) Men were randomized 1:1 to receive folic acid (5 mg) and elemental zinc (30 mg) (n = 713) or a matching placebo (n = 757) daily for 6 months. Main Outcome Measure(s) Sperm DNA methylation was analyzed using the EPIC methylation array (Illumina) at 6 months. Differential sperm DNA methylation was assessed at multiple levels (regional, single cytosine phosphate guanine, etc.). We additionally assessed the impact of supplementation on epigenetic age. Result(s) No significant differences were identified between the treatment and placebo groups although some trends appeared to be present. To determine if these trends were noteworthy, we implemented various permutations and found that the patterns we identified were no more than would be expected by random chance. Conclusion(s) The data presented here strongly suggest that this supplementation regimen is not effective at altering sperm DNA methylation. These data comport well with previous findings from the FAZST study that found no impact of supplementation on basic semen analysis parameters or live birth. Clinical Trial Registration Number ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01857310.

The effect of whole cluster at 50% (50% WC) and 100% additions (100% WC), as well as that of Dried stems (DS) on Pinot noir wines from the Edna Valley AVA of California (USA) were investigated over two consecutive vintages at commercial scale. Additions of 100% WC led to significant increases in pH and volatile acidity. Anthocyanins, polymeric pigments, and color were more influenced by vintage than by the winemaking treatments, but in the case of 100% WC wines, they were either unaffected or negatively affected. Conversely, the tannin content of the wines increased more or less proportional to the percentage of whole clusters and stems added, that is, 68% (50% WC), 100% (100% WC) and 90% (DS) in 2016 and 61% (50% WC), 123% (100% WC) and 137% (DS) in 2017, relative to Control (C) wines. GC-MS data showed higher relative levels of ethyl cinnamate and benzaldehyde in 100% WC wines and relative abundance of esters in DS wines. Descriptive sensory analysis showed that 100% WC additions led to vegetal, cooked fruit flavors and spicy (clove) notes, whereas DS additions produced wines that were more herbal, fruity and astringent, with lifted fruity notes related to esters, and astringency sensations related to enhanced tannin extraction from the stems. Both whole clusters and dried stem additions led to variable increases in perceived astringency, suggesting that they can be used to add mouthfeel and improve texture in Pinot noir wines.

This study aimed to evaluate the laboratory-related outcomes of participants who were offered genomic testing based on cancer family history risk assessment tools.Patients from clinics that serve populations with access barriers, who are screened at risk for a hereditary cancer syndrome based on adapted family history collection tools (the Breast Cancer Genetics Referral Screening Tool and PREMMOf all the participants, 87% successfully returned a saliva kit. Overall, 5% had a pathogenic/likely pathogenic cancer risk variant and 1% had a secondary finding. Almost all (14/15, 93%) participants completed recommended consultations with nongenetics providers after an average of 17 months. The recommended actions (eg, breast magnetic resonance imaging) were completed by 17 of 25 participants. Participant personal history of cancer and PREMMThis accessible model of hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing yielded results that were often acted upon by patients and physicians.

Objective Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) shows durable long-term weight loss and control of comorbidities in randomized controlled trials. However, the impact of the proportions of the biliopancreatic limb (BPL) and the total alimentary limb (TALL) on weight loss or glucose metabolism is still unclear. Methods Six weeks old C57BL/6J mice were fed high fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and glucose intolerance. Mice underwent RYGB surgery with a very-long BPL (35% of total bowel length [TBL]), long BPL (25% of TBL), short BPL (15 % of TBL), or sham surgery. The alimentary limb (AL) was adjusted in dependency on the BPL to achieve a fixed CC length. Glycemia was assessment by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests. Results Mice undergoing RYGB with a very-long BPL showed excessive weight loss and mortality and were therefore excluded for further analyses. Total weight loss (TWL%) was significantly higher in the long BPL- compared to short BPL-group. Mice with a long BPL showed significantly improved glucose tolerance 14 days postoperatively, while 35 days postoperatively, the improvement in glucose tolerance with a long BPL was much less distinctive. Conclusion RYGB with a longer BPL leads to improved results including weight loss and glucose tolerance. However, the metabolic improvements seem to decrease over time. These findings could potentially be translated to humans by adjusting the BPL according to body weight and comorbidities. To avoid possible negative effects of a longer BPL total bowel length measurement is mandatory.

Brian G. Henning and Zack Walsh, Climate Change Ethics and the Nonhuman World (New York: Routledge, 2020), 226 pp., $160 (hbk), ISBN: 9780367406103.

The SuperCam instrument suite provides the Mars 2020 rover, Perseverance, with a number of versatile remote-sensing techniques that can be used at long distance as well as within the robotic-arm workspace. These include laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), remote time-resolved Raman and luminescence spectroscopies, and visible and infrared (VISIR; separately referred to as VIS and IR) reflectance spectroscopy. A remote micro-imager (RMI) provides high-resolution color context imaging, and a microphone can be used as a stand-alone tool for environmental studies or to determine physical properties of rocks and soils from shock waves of laser-produced plasmas. SuperCam is built in three parts: The mast unit (MU), consisting of the laser, telescope, RMI, IR spectrometer, and associated electronics, is described in a companion paper. The on-board calibration targets are described in another companion paper. Here we describe SuperCam's body unit (BU) and testing of the integrated instrument. The BU, mounted inside the rover body, receives light from the MU via a 5.8 m optical fiber. The light is split into three wavelength bands by a demultiplexer, and is routed via fiber bundles to three optical spectrometers, two of which (UV and violet; 245-340 and 385-465 nm) are crossed Czerny-Turner reflection spectrometers, nearly identical to their counterparts on ChemCam. The third is a high-efficiency transmission spectrometer containing an optical intensifier capable of gating exposures to 100 ns or longer, with variable delay times relative to the laser pulse. This spectrometer covers 535-853 nm ( 105 - 7070 cm − 1 Raman shift relative to the 532 nm green laser beam) with 12 cm − 1 full-width at half-maximum peak resolution in the Raman fingerprint region. The BU electronics boards interface with the rover and control the instrument, returning data to the rover. Thermal systems maintain a warm temperature during cruise to Mars to avoid contamination on the optics, and cool the detectors during operations on Mars. Results obtained with the integrated instrument demonstrate its capabilities for LIBS, for which a library of 332 standards was developed. Examples of Raman and VISIR spectroscopy are shown, demonstrating clear mineral identification with both techniques. Luminescence spectra demonstrate the utility of having both spectral and temporal dimensions. Finally, RMI and microphone tests on the rover demonstrate the capabilities of these subsystems as well., Proyecto MINECO Retos de la Sociedad. Ref. ESP2017-87690-C3-1-R

Unlike most crop industries, there is a strongly held belief within the wine industry that increased vine age correlates with quality. Considering this perception could be explained by vine physiological differences, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vine age on phenology and gas exchange parameters. An interplanted, dry farmed, Zinfandel vineyard block under consistent management practices in the Central Coast of California was evaluated over two consecutive growing seasons. Treatments included Young vines (5 to 12 years old), Control (representative proportion of young to old vines in the block), and Old vines (40 to 60 years old). Phenology, leaf water potential, and gas exchange parameters were tracked. Results indicated a difference in phenological progression after berry set between Young and Old vines. Young vines progressed more slowly during berry formation and more rapidly during berry ripening, resulting in Young vines being harvested before Old vines due to variation in the timing of sugar accumulation. No differences in leaf water potential were found. Young vines had higher mid-day stomatal conductance and tended to have higher mid-day photosynthetic rates. The results of this study suggest vine age is a factor in phenological timing and growing season length.

J. Baird Callicott, John Van Buren, and Keith Wayne Brown, Greek Natural Philosophy:The Presocratics and their Importance for Environmental Philosophy (San Diego: CognellaAcademic Publishing, 2017), 386 pp., $93.95 (pbk), ISBN: 978-1516528561.

The prevalence of injustice in society should be understood as the outcome of both individual and household level forces as well as those that take place at various levels of societal interaction. ...

Vaginal drug delivery represents an attractive strategy for local and systemic delivery of drugs otherwise poorly absorbed after oral administration. The rather dense vascular network, mucus permeability and the physiological phenomenon of the uterine first-pass effect can all be exploited for therapeutic benefit. However, several physiological factors such as an acidic pH, constant secretion, and turnover of mucus as well as varying thickness of the vaginal epithelium can impact sustained drug delivery. In recent years, polymers have been designed to tackle challenges mentioned above. In particular, thermosensitive hydrogels hold great promise due to their stability, biocompatibility, adhesion properties and adjustable drug release kinetics. Here, we discuss the physiological and anatomical uniqueness of the vaginal environment and how it impacts the safe and efficient vaginal delivery and also reviewed several thermosensitive hydrogels deemed suitable for vaginal drug delivery by addressing specific characteristics, which are essential to engage the vaginal environment successfully.

Body mass index (BMI) and endometriosis have been inversely associated. To address gaps in this research, we examined associations among body composition, endometriosis, and physical activity.Women from 14 clinical sites in the Salt Lake City, Utah and San Francisco, California areas and scheduled for laparoscopy/laparotomy were recruited during 2007-2009. Participants (N = 473) underwent standardized anthropometric assessments to estimate body composition before surgery. Using a cross-sectional design, odds of an endometriosis diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]) were calculated for anthropometric and body composition measures (weight in kg; height in cm; mid upper arm, waist, hip, and chest circumferences in cm; subscapular, suprailiac, and triceps skinfold thicknesses in mm; arm muscle and fat areas in cmInverse relationships were observed between endometriosis and standardized: weight (aOR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.88); subscapular skinfold thickness (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.98); waist and hip circumferences (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.98 and aOR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.94, respectively); total upper arm and upper arm muscle areas (aOR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.94 and aOR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.93, respectively); and BMI (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.93), despite similar heights. Women in the highest versus lowest quartile had lower adjusted odds of an endometriosis diagnosis for: weight; mid-upper arm, hip, and waist circumferences; total upper arm and upper arm muscle areas; BMI; and centripetal fat ratio. There was no evidence of a main effect or moderation of physical activity or sedentariness.In a surgical cohort, endometriosis was inversely associated with anthropometric measures and body composition indicators.

This article presents an exploration of the relationship between community building and lifelong learning. Using a reflective style, the authors propose that the fusion of community building principles with lifelong learning practice can positively transform educational practice. Seven positive pursuits are highlighted regarding their potential to assist the implementation of community building into lifelong learning programs: (1) asset-based thinking; (2) critical reflection; (3) systems thinking; (4) cognitive vibrancy, (5) inclusiveness; (6) creative expression; and, (7) purpose in life. These pursuits draw upon the power of the community development field to bring about more positive transformative moments for individuals and communities participating in lifelong learning programs. The metaphor of bread making is used to illustrate how such transformative moments occur and why they are meaningful to individuals pursuing lifelong learning.