Controlled Field Trial Research Articles

Assessing the potential of native copepods in Guatemala for Aedes vector control.

In this study we examine the feeding efficiency of copepods locally found in Guatemala on first instar Aedes aegypti larvae. Copepods are a potential tool for Aedes vector control that has shown promising results in the laboratory and in community-based field trials. Four different copepod species from different habitat types were included in the laboratory assays of this study. All four tested copepod species decreased the number of the first instar Aedes larvae that were inserted into the glass vessels compared with controls. However, average predation rates between the tested species were highly different, with Thermocyclops crassus and Mesocyclops longisetus achieving the highest, with 31.0% (standard deviation [SD] 18.9) and 28. 9% (SD 11.2), respectively. The copepod species with identified high predation rates are potential candidates for planned and other future field trials for community-based Aedes vector control with copepods in the region.

The Effect of Tele-Continuous Care on Maternal Functioning and Neonatal Perception among Iranian Primiparous Mothers: A Randomized Field Trial Study

Background/Objectives: New mothers face significant challenges during the postpartum period, which can impact their maternal performance. This study aimed to assess the effect of tele-continuous midwifery care on maternal functioning and neonatal perception in first-time Iranian mothers. Methods: A randomized controlled field trial was conducted from January to May 2023 on 48 first-time mothers in the postpartum ward at Arash Women’s Hospital, Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group received tele-continuous care for six weeks postpartum, while the control group received standard care. The Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) and the Neonatal Perception Inventory (NPI) were used to collect data in the second and sixth weeks after delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26. Results: The mean age was 26.2 ± 4.8 years in the intervention group and 28.0 ± 6.1 years in the control group. An independent t-test revealed a significant difference in maternal functioning (BIMF score) between the intervention and control groups by the sixth week postpartum (p < 0.0001). A significant improvement in BIMF scores was observed within the intervention group from the second to the sixth week (p = 0.007). However, the Mann–Whitney test showed no significant difference in neonatal perception (NPI scores) within the intervention group (p = 0.219), while a significant difference was found in the control group (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Tele-continuous midwifery care effectively enhances maternal functioning during the vulnerable postpartum period, highlighting the necessity of ongoing support for new mothers.

A randomized controlled trial of Tickoff® (Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 7) for control of tick infestations and transmission of tick-borne infections in extensively grazed zebu cattle in coastal Kenya

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ICIPE 7 is being developed as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical acaricides in managing natural tick infestation on livestock. Its impact on tick infestation and tick-borne infections in cattle under natural conditions are yet unclear. We conducted a randomized controlled field trial to assess the safety and effects of Tickoff® (a formulation of M. anisopliae isolate ICIPE 7) and the chemical acaricide Triatix® on tick infestation and incidence of Anaplasma marginale and Theileria parva in extensively grazed zebu cattle in coastal Kenya. A total of 217 eligible herds comprising 1459 intent-to-treat zebu cattle were enrolled from 12 villages. The herds were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to Tickoff®, Triatix®, or Tickoff® excipients. Tick counts, treatment administrations, and adverse events were registered every two weeks for seven months. The mortality of ticks collected from treated cattle was monitored in vitro. Infections with A. marginale and T. parva were monitored every two months. No adverse events were reported in either treatment group. Tickoff® did not significantly affect tick infestation (p = 0.869) or infection incidence (p > 0.05) compared to excipients. Triatix® significantly reduced tick infestation (p < 0.001) and incidence of T. parva (p = 0.042), but not A. marginale (p = 0.509) compared to the reference Tickoff®. In ticks that were removed from cattle, Tickoff® demonstrated significant pathogenicity in vitro relative to excipients (hazard ratio: 8.50, 95 % CI: 4.67–15.47). Fungus growth and sporulation were also observed on tick cadavers from Tickoff®, but not from excipients. While Tickoff® did not impact tick counts, its delayed, but significant effect on tick mortality may hinder onward pathogen transmission and give rise to indirect (i.e., to untreated animals) epidemiological effects, that were not picked up with this study design. Additionally, adverse environmental conditions resulted in low tick abundance and pathogen circulation towards the end of the study period, reducing the power of the study. This work re-emphasizes the challenges of randomized controlled field trials and the complexity of assessing the impact of vector control products on both direct and indirect impacts on pathogen transmission.

The impact of religious spiritual care training on the spiritual health and care burden of elderly family caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a field trial study

BackgroundFamily caregiving is associated with many physical and psychological problems for caregivers, but the effect of spiritual support on reducing their issues during a crisis is also the subject of research. The study aims to examine the impact of religious spiritual care training on the spiritual health and care burdens of elderly family caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe randomized controlled field trial involved 80 Iranian family caregivers in Bushehr City, who were selected by convenience sampling based on the inclusion criteria and divided into experimental (40 people) and control (40 people) groups by simple random sampling in 2021 and 2022. Data collection was conducted using spiritual health and care burden questionnaires using the Porsline software. The virtual intervention included spiritual and religious education. Four virtual sessions were held offline over two weeks. The first session was to get to know the participants and explain the purpose, The second session focused on the burden of care, the third on empowerment, and the fourth on mental health and related issues. In the control group, daily life continued as usual during the study.ResultsMean changes in existential health (3.40 ± 6.25) and total spiritual health (5.05 ± 11.12) increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups for existential health (t = 3.78, p = 0.001) and spiritual health (t = 3.13, p = 0.002). Cohen’s d-effect sizes for spiritual health and caregiving burden were 0.415 and 0.366, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in mean changes in religious health (p = 0.067) or caregiving burden (p = 0.638) between the two intervention and control groups.ConclusionGiven that the religious-spiritual intervention had a positive effect on existential health and no impact on religious health or care burden, it is recommended that comprehensive planning be undertaken to improve the spiritual health of family caregivers to enable them to better cope with critical situations such as a COVID-19 pandemic.Trial registrationIRCT code number IRCT20150529022466N16 and trial ID number 48,021. (Registration Date2020/06/28)

Effects of a Teacher-Led Intervention Fostering Self-Regulated Learning and Reading among 5th and 6th Graders—Treatment Integrity Matters

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a crucial competence in our rapidly changing society, yet its systematic promotion in the classroom remains limited. Addressing this gap, this study reports on a teacher-led intervention to promote SRL within reading tasks among 5th and 6th grade students. Although some interventions have been implemented to promote SRL, little attention has been paid to promoting SRL in primary schools. Building on a previous SRL intervention, the current study added cooperative learning among students and parental involvement, two aspects that are assumed to add value when fostering SRL. A randomized controlled field trial was designed to evaluate the effect of an intervention using pre-test, post-test and follow-up measures. A total of 757 students from 40 classes participated in the study. The data were analyzed using a multilevel approach. This study revealed no significant difference in SRL or reading comprehension outcomes in the post-test and the follow-up test between students of the experimental and control group. Further investigations showed that several aspects of treatment integrity had a significant impact on SRL outcome. This study encourages future SRL and reading intervention studies to assess and analyze the multiple aspects of treatment integrity.

Vaccines for all stages

There are many vaccines to select from when developing proto­cols for beef cattle operations, and no single vaccine protocol is appropriate for all operations. Thus, vaccine protocol develop­ment requires understanding of the management of each op­eration. Unfortunately, current field trials confirming efficacy of vaccines to prevent disease in “real life” settings are not com­mon, and not all protocols have been tested. Thus, development of protocols for farm or ranch use often relies on experimental challenge studies or expert opinion. When vaccination of calves in the first 3 to 4 months of life is possible, vaccines for clostrid­ial infections and respiratory viral infections are most likely to be used to limit preweaning disease. On some operations, pre­weaning vaccination may be delayed until close to weaning if the aim is to limit postweaning disease. Vaccines likely appro­priate to limit postweaning disease include those for clostridial agents, agents that cause bovine respiratory disease, and agents likely to impact fertility in replacement heifers. Other vaccines may be appropriate on a case-by-case basis. Health records in­cluding vaccine timing and occurrence of disease in vaccinated animals can be a major help to confirm efficacy of vaccine pro­tocols. Veterinarians should periodically check for new sys­tematic reviews, meta-analyses, or randomized controlled field trials testing vaccines they used, to have the best information to use when planning vaccination protocols.

Development and validation of a standard area diagram set to assess corn grey leaf spot severity and foliar fungicide control efficacy

AbstractGrey leaf spot (GLS), caused by Cercospora spp., has become a very important foliar disease for second‐crop corn season, mainly in South America. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a standard area diagram set (SADs) to estimate the severity of GLS and to apply the SADs established in this study to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides for GLS control in field trials. The SADs with nine levels of severity (0.5; 2; 5; 10; 20; 30; 40; 50 and 60%) improved accuracy, precision and reliability. To evaluate the control of GLS in corn, two experiments spraying chemical fungicides were conducted, one in Rio Verde (GO) (experiment A) and another in Chapadão do Sul (MS) (experiment B). Both experiments were conducted in randomized block design, with 10 treatments and four replicates. For the severity assessment, the SADs elaborated in this study was used. From this severity data over time, disease progress curves, area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), and yield were obtained. Based on the AUDPC and yield values, all treatments differed from the control. The fungicide fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin + mefentrifluconazole had the highest value, giving 72.8% control efficacy and the highest yield maintenance of 43.5%. The other treatments had an intermediate control efficacy and yield. The SADs proposed here is a useful tool for improving visual assessments of GLS severity on corn leaves and fungicides can be used for integrated disease management.

Early childhood caries among pre-school children in rural areas

Background: Early childhood caries can occur and exist among children in slums areas, rural areas and under-served communities. Africa has countries with rural areas inhabited by diverse ethnic populations of pre-school children, with their parents and family members. Method: An electronic literature search in Science direct and PubMed was done in January, 2024 using the Population, Concept and Context framework. Search terms and keywords were combined by Boolean operators. Two independent investigators screened titles and abstracts of publications on early childhood caries among pre-school children in rural areas. The inclusion criteria was original (primary) research articles with accessible full text, related to early childhood caries among pre-school children in rural areas, carried out in Africa, published in English and in electronic databases. Original research articles related to early childhood caries among pre-school children in urban, semi-urban or sub-urban areas, hospital based studies, studies with participants selected from rural and urban or rural and semi-urban communities, review articles, systematic reviews, thesis or dissertations were excluded during screening. Results: Three articles with accessible full texts were included as it was assessed to meet the aim of the review. The study designs of the included studies were cross-sectional study, randomized, controlled field trial and a case-control study respectively. The studies were carried out in rural areas of Uganda and Egypt respectively. Conclusion: Early childhood caries has multifactorial aetiology. More studies from diverse ethnic population in Africa countries will fill the gaps in knowledge and add to the existing literature.

A school-based randomized controlled field trial to improve Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) and Attitudes Towards Obese Persons (ATOP) among adolescents.

A negative attitude towards obesity may lead to stigma and thus lower self-esteem in people with obesity of any society. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a school-based randomized controlled field trial on female adolescents' attitudes and beliefs towards people with obesity. This experimental study was conducted among 124 middle school students (control group=62, intervention group=62). Using a cluster random sampling method, four schools were chosen and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The data collection tool was the Attitudes Toward Obese Persons (ATOP) and Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) scales, which were used after validity and reliability processes. The intervention program was developed and implemented following pretest, responses analysis, and educational needs assessment in two sessions (180 min). The follow-ups were performed immediately and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 using independent t-test, chi-square test, repeated measures ANOVA, and ANCOVA at the significance level of 0.05. The mean BAOP scores of each group before, immediately and two months after the intervention were significantly different between (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean ATOP and BAOP scores of the two groups before, immediately, and two months after the intervention (p>0.001). It seems that beliefs and attitudes regarding obesity as well as discriminatory perceptions towards people with obesity have high firmness and resistance and require innovative and appropriate interventions.

A randomized control trial investigating the effectiveness of a commercial pneumonia vaccine (Part II): Weaned lambs

The objective of this randomized controlled vaccine field trial was to determine the effectiveness of a commercial respiratory bacterin, Ovipast™ Plus, administered to feedlot lambs at weaning, approximately 8 wk of age, to improve animal health, growth performance, and carcass traits. Lambs were weaned, weighed, and sorted into groups by sex and the previous Ovipast™ Plus vaccination status of their mother, because this is stage 2 of that ongoing trial (Gardner et al., 2023). Lambs born to vaccinated ewes were vaccinated with the Ovipast™ Plus bacterin and revaccinated 3–5 wk later. Lambs born to unvaccinated ewes were not vaccinated. During the growing and finishing phases of the trial, vaccination did not reduce pneumonia treatment rates, crude or pneumonia specific mortality rates, or improve growth rates. Vaccinated lambs had a lower carcass fat cover (P < 0.001) and a 1.33 times increased odds of yielding a Grade 1 carcass compared to unvaccinated lambs (P = 0.01). Vaccination reduced carcass fat cover and improved yield grades, but it had no beneficial effect on disease rates or growth performance, suggesting a limited economic benefit of vaccinating lambs post-weaning, which were borne from ewes vaccinated with Ovipast™ Plus during gestation.

Design and evaluation of mobile application for adolescents’ self-care: protocol for a randomized controlled field trial

BackgroundAdolescence is a critical stage for the development of self-care. Many adolescents use mobile apps to monitor and improve their health. Health information technology plays a significant role in the field of self-care. This article provides a protocol for a study to design and evaluate mobile applications for adolescent self-care.MethodsThe present research is a combination of applied development study, methodological, and intervention experimental. This study will be done in three stages: The first stage is the design and evaluation of a mobile application for adolescent self-care. The second stage is, designing and evaluating the psychometric properties of the “Questionnaire for Measuring Adolescent Self-Care Performance.” This questionnaire will be used before and after using the application in the third stage. The third stage is determining the effectiveness of self-care interventions based on mobile applications among adolescents. The target group will be adolescents aged 10–19 from the schools of Amol City. In the first stage, the opinions of 30 people adolescents, parents, and experts will be used. In the second stage, the number of samples will be 10 times the number of items in the questionnaire. In the third stage, 50 people will be in the intervention group and 50 people will be in the control group. Descriptive statistics will be used for data analysis. Between-group and intra-group comparisons will be calculated about quantitative variables, independent t-test and paired t-test, and analysis of variance. The chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test will be used in SPSS 16 software to test the homogeneity of qualitative variables between the two groups.DiscussionIn the first stage, based on the opinions received from the target group, a user-centered educational application for self-care of adolescents will be designed. In the second stage, after determining the validity and reliability, a questionnaire will be designed to measure the self-care performance of adolescents. In the third stage, using an intervention study for 3 months, the effectiveness of the training will be determined through the designed application. Our findings are scheduled for a full analysis, with expectations that analyses will be completed by September 2023.

Improving hand hygiene of young children with a digital intervention: a cluster-randomised controlled field trial

Contagious diseases that affect young children place a great burden on them and their families. Proper hand hygiene is an important measure to reduce the disease burden, however, its implementation in day care centres is challenging. This paper introduces a digital intervention to support independent and good handwashing among young children. The intervention leverages animated instructions triggered by water and soap use, together with a symbolic reward shown to children on a screen during and immediately after handwashing. We tested the intervention in a pre-registered, cluster-randomised controlled field trial in 4 day care centres in Finland and Germany with 162 children over 42 days. The intervention increased soaping time, used as a proxy for handwashing quality, by 5.30 s (+ 62%, p < 0.001). The effect occurs immediately at the onset of the intervention and is maintained throughout the intervention phase.

The Effect of Sexual Health Empowerment on the Sexual Function of Pregnant Women: An Intervention Based on the James Brown Model

Background and Objectives Pregnancy is associated with many physical and mental changes. These changes can lead to sexual dysfunction. Targeted and appropriate training can be effective in reducing this disorder. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of sexual health empowerment based on the James Brown model on the sexual function of pregnant women. Subjects and Methods This study was a randomized controlled field trial conducted on 68 pregnant women referring to health centers in 2018. The women were placed in intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended 4 training sessions based on the James Brown model. Evaluation of sexual function before, two weeks and one month after the intervention was done with the FSFI tool. Data analysis was done in SPSS software (version 20), using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, analysis of variance, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and Friedman, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Before the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of the sexual function score of pregnant women in the two groups were homogeneous based on independent t-test (P=0.081). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p &lt; 0.001) in total sexual function scores between the intervention and control groups at both two weeks and one month post-intervention. Conclusion Sexual health education based on the James Brown model has a positive effect on the sexual function of pregnant women. Therefore, by training based on this model, it is possible to increase awareness and then improve the sexual function of pregnant women.

A Systematic Review of Fumagillin Field Trials for the Treatment of Nosema Disease in Honeybee Colonies.

This article systematically reviews controlled field trials of fumagillin dicyclohexylamine in honeybee colonies to determine whether fumagillin effectively controls nosema and whether it is beneficial to colonies. Fifty publications were found that described controlled field trials of fumagillin in honeybee colonies between 1952 and 2023. Fumagillin consistently reduced the prevalence and severity of nosema infections. Doses applied in recent studies were similar to or below those recommended historically. Furthermore, our study showed no negative effects on colony health. Improvements in colony survival, size, and honey production have been demonstrated frequently, though not consistently, in both historic and recent studies. Nevertheless, some practices are not optimal. Treatment decision thresholds based on the number of spores per bee are not well supported by evidence and may be no better than calendar-based prophylactic treatments. In addition, reasonable recommendations to employ quarantine and disinfection procedures together with fumagillin treatment do not appear to have been widely adopted. When used as stand-alone treatments, both the fall- and spring-label doses provide benefits but may be too low and short-term to ensure full control of the disease.

The effect of sexuality education based on the information, motivation, and behavioral skills model on improving the teachers’ professional competence

IntroductionProfessional competence is the basic need of teachers in effective sexuality education. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of school-based sexuality education (SBSE) on teachers' professional competence (TPC), using the information, motivation, and behavioral skills (IMB) model, in boys' schools. MethodsA randomized controlled field trial was conducted on 60 teachers who taught adolescents aged 11–19 years and were selected from 12 public boys' schools in Sari, northern Iran. Two groups (intervention and control) were assigned using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. Researchers utilized a self-reported socio-demographic questionnaire and an IMB model-based questionnaire to assess the effects of the educational program. Four groups of 6–8 people underwent six 2-h training sessions based on an IBM model. Teachers were assessed before, immediately, and six weeks after the intervention to evaluate the outcome variables. The data were analyzed using the software SPSS-V19 and Chi-square test, Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Repeated Measure ANOVA. ResultsThere were no significant differences between intervention and control groups at the baseline in socio-demographic characteristics and TPC (p > 0.05). The mean scores of TPC in sexuality education in every three dimensions of knowledge (P = 0.001), skill (P = 0.002), and attitude (P = 0.007) were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. ConclusionsThe results of this study show that by using the SBSE program based on the IMB model, the TPC for teaching sexual issues can be improved.

Co-application of Brassinolide and Pyraclostrobin Improved Disease Control Efficacy by Eliciting Plant Innate Defense Responses in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Applying brassinolide (BL, a phytohormone) in combination with pyraclostrobin (Pyr, a fungicide) has shown effective disease control in field trials. However, the mechanism by which BL + Pyr control disease remains uncertain. This work compared the disease control and defense responses of three pretreatments (BL, Pyr, and BL + Pyr) in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that BL + Pyr improved control against Pyr-sensitive Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis and Botrytis cinerea by 19 and 17% over Pyr, respectively, and achieved 29% control against Pyr-resistant B. cinerea. Furthermore, BL + Pyr outperformed BL or Pyr in boosting transient H2O2 accumulation, and the activities of POD, APX, GST, and GPX. RNA-seq analysis revealed a more potent activation of defense genes elicited by BL + Pyr than by BL or Pyr. Overall, BL + Pyr controlled disease by integrating the elicitation of plant innate disease resistance with the fungicidal activity of Pyr.

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal is a viable protein source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during a large-scale controlled field trial under commercial-like conditions

Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFL) from Hermetia illucens is a promising alternative protein source in diets for farmed fish. The larvae can efficiently convert low-value organic material into high-value protein in a production cycle with low arable land and freshwater inputs. A few recent studies have shown that BSFL is a suitable protein source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in smaller controlled experiments. However, industry-relevant field trials conducted under large scale near-commercial conditions over a longer period are lacking. In this study, a feeding trial was performed to evaluate the impact of BSFL on growth performance and health of Atlantic salmon during the grow-out phase in seawater, in a commercial site in Vestland county, Norway. A total of 181,046 post-smolt Atlantic salmon were distributed into six duplicate sea cages and fed one of three diets (commercial-like control diet and two test diets partially replacing the protein content of the control diet with 4% and 8% defatted BSFL meal) for 21 weeks, until a relevant commercial slaughter size of 4.5–5.0 kg was reached. Health parameters were assessed, including histology of the distal intestine (DI), DI microbiota identification (by 16 s rRNA-seq) and salmon RNA-seq of DI and head kidney (HK). The results showed that the inclusion of BSFL meal supported growth performance and had no adverse effect on gut health. The beta diversity of the DI microbiota and the relative abundance of families Lactobacillaceae and the chitinolytic Bacillaceae increased in the fish fed the BSFL diets. Additionally, no histopathological changes were attributable to BSFL meal intake. Results from RNA-seq in DI revealed that BSFL inclusion modulates metabolic processes associated with lipids, response to estrogens, activity of immune receptors (to chemokines), phagocytosis and extracellular vesicles. Based on these results, black soldier fly larvae meal was shown to be a suitable alternative protein ingredient in inclusions of up to at least 8% for Atlantic salmon under industrial fish farming conditions.

Randomized controlled field trial to assess the efficacy of an intranasal Moraxella bovis cytotoxin vaccine against naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis

BackgroundInfectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK; pinkeye) is generally considered to be caused by corneal infections with Moraxella bovis. Previous studies demonstrated that M. bovis cytotoxin-specific mucosal immune responses in the bovine eye can be stimulated by intranasal vaccination with a recombinant M. bovis cytotoxin subunit adjuvanted with polyacrylic acid. MethodsA randomized controlled field trial (two-arm parallel design with blinding) was conducted in beef steers in Northern California to determine if this vaccine could prevent naturally occurring IBK and/or reduce morbidity rates associated with this disease. Beef steers were vaccinated intranasally on days 0 and 21 with either a recombinant M. bovis cytotoxin subunit adjuvanted with polyacrylic acid (Vaccine group) or adjuvant alone (Control group). Eye examinations were performed on all steers every 7 days for 16 weeks to document the occurrence of IBK and to determine sizes of corneal ulcers. Serum and tear samples were collected on days 0, 42, and 112 from a subset of animals to measure changes in systemic and ocular immune responses to M. bovis cytotoxin. ResultsThe cumulative proportion of steers that developed IBK after 16 weeks did not differ between groups. Variables related to disease severity were numerically lower in steers that received the experimental vaccine. IBK-affected Vaccine group steers had a significantly lower number of observation weeks with severe ulcers versus Control group steers. Cytotoxin-specific tear IgA was significantly higher in Vaccine group compared to Control group steers on day 112. Conclusion: Although the proportion of animals that developed corneal ulcers associated with IBK did not differ between groups, the lowered metrics of disease severity in vaccinated steers suggests that intranasal vaccination with recombinant M. bovis cytotoxin can reduce the severity of IBK in cattle.

Influence of Equilibration Time and Bull-Specific Extender for Cryopreservation on Semen Quality and Fertility in German Holstein Friesian Bulls: A Controlled Field Trial.

Equilibration with an extender is necessary to allow cryopreservation of bovine sperm. The aim of trial 1 was to assess the effect of 24 h versus 4 h equilibration time with three different extenders on sperm quality and to select the preferred extender for each bull. The aim of trial 2 was to investigate the effect of using a 24 h equilibration time with a bull-specific extender on field fertility. For trial 1, three ejaculates each from eight Holstein Friesian breeding bulls were used as the split-sample, including two equilibration times (4 h and 24 h) and three extenders (BioXcell, Triladyl, and OptiXcell). For trial 2, from 5 to 10 ejaculates from the same bulls were collected and treated (split-sample) as BioXcell with 4 h equilibration and either Triladyl or OptiXcell, both with 24 h equilibration. A total of 11,059 straws were used for insemination of cows and heifers. For Triladyl, progressive sperm motility, acrosome defects, and plasma membrane and acrosome integrity improved with a 24 h compared to a 4 h equilibration time. Four bulls each were used with Triladyl and OptiXcell for trial 2. In trial 2, non-return rates did not differ among groups. Therefore, using a 24 h equilibration time might improve in vitro sperm parameters, depending on the extender used. Moreover, it would be possible to change from 4 h to 24 h equilibration time without impairing field fertility.

The effect of Real-Time feedback and incentives on speeding behaviors using Telematics: A randomized controlled trial

Speeding behaviour of drivers is highly correlated to their tangible consequence. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of telematics-based feedback and financial incentives in reducing speeding behaviors through a randomized controlled field trial. This randomized controlled trial included four groups of (1) control, (2) information-only, (3) gain-of-reward, and (4) loss-of-reward. While drivers of the control group were unobtrusively monitored using telematics devices, drivers of the information-only group received real-time, weekly, and monthly feedback via text message. In both groups with financial incentives, in addition to receiving feedback, drivers could receive payments at the end of each month based on observed speeding. The primary outcome was the distance traveled at speeds more than 10% (S10 + ) above the posted speed limit as a proportion of the total traveled distance. A total of 397 male taxi drivers consented to participate in the study. After the stratified randomization, the mean age of the participant was 46.0 (95% Confidence Interval: 43.8 to 48.2), 47.0 (44.7 to 49.3), 46.1 (43.7 to 48.5), and 48.8 (46.5 to 51.1) years for the control, the information-only, the gain-of-reward, and the loss-of-reward groups, respectively. The mean S10 + rate per 100 km was 0.9 (0.5 to 1.2) for the control, 0.8 (0.4 to 1.1) for the information-only, 0.7 (0.3 to 1.1) for the gain-of-reward, and 1.3 (0.4 to 2.2) for the loss-of-reward group at the start of intervention. During the intervention phase, the loss-of-reward group with 0.6 (0.5 to 0.7) had the lowest mean of S10 + rate, followed by the gain-of-reward group with 0.8 (0.7 to 0.8). The loss-of-reward and gain-of-reward groups were the most influenced groups by the intervention, with 38.0% (13.2 to 55.7; p-value < 0.01) and 29.4% (2.0 to 49.2; p-value = 0.04) less S10 + rate than the control group, respectively. It was figured out that providing information regarding drivers' behavior without appropriating motives or penalties would have a minuscule impact.In addition, the group of drivers who were treated with instant punishment was the most influenced group by the intervention.