Shape change in the saddle region of the equine back during trot and walk.

Equine back pain is prevalent among ridden horses and is often attributed to poor saddle fit. An alternative explanation is that saddle fits are technically good but fit to the wrong configuration. Saddles are fit for the standing horse, but much of the time ridden is instead spent locomoting when the back experiences the greatest peak forces.

Comparison of costs associated with substituting culture medium with saline solution for follicular flushing during oocyte retrieval.

Objectives: To compare culture medium and saline solution for follicular flushing during oocyte retrieval with assisted reproductive technologies.

Methods: The present retrospective study analyzed data collected at Galway Fertility Clinic, Galway, Ireland, between January 1, 2015 and August 31, 2016; all patients attending the clinic for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection during this period were included. Data were stratified by whether follicular flushing was performed with culture medium or saline, and the oocyte yield rate, fertilization rate, embryo utilization rate, and biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates were compared between the groups.

Size-related changes in foot impact mechanics in hoofed mammals.

Foot-ground impact is mechanically challenging for all animals, but how do large animals mitigate increased mass during foot impact? We hypothesized that impact force amplitude scales according to isometry in animals of increasing size through allometric scaling of related impact parameters. To test this, we measured limb kinetics and kinematics in 11 species of hoofed mammals ranging from 18-3157 kg body mass. We found impact force amplitude to be maintained proportional to size in hoofed mammals, but that other features of foot impact exhibit differential scaling patterns depending on the limb; forelimb parameters typically exhibit higher intercepts with lower scaling exponents than hind limb parameters.

An evidence-based protocol for nurse retention.

Registered nurse turnover can drastically affect the quality of patient care while costing more than 1 billion dollars. The ongoing nursing shortage makes it hard to replace nurses, necessitating a novel approach to reduce nurse turnover. The authors discuss an evidence-based protocol that improves organizational commitment among nurses as a way to retain nurses through facilitating autonomy, improving communication, and offering recognition and rewards to nursing staff.