Confirmation bias: A ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises.

Confirmation bias, as the term is typically used in the psychological literature, connotes the seeking or interpreting of evidence in ways that are partial to existing beliefs, expectations, or a hypothesis in hand. The author reviews evidence of such a bias in a variety of guises and gives examples of its operation in several practical contexts. Possible explanations are considered, and the question of its utility or disutility is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Doctors who perform operations. A study on in-hospital surgery in four diverse geographic areas (second of two parts)

To facilitate manpower planning in the surgical field, a study was c onducted into the work loads of surgeons in various specialities in 4 different geographical areas. Surgeons in group practice and surgeons who were Board-certified specialists carried a statistically significant larger work load of surgery. The certified surgeons performed more and more complex operations. The mean operative work load increased steeply with age, reaching a maximum at 40-44 years, and fell linearly after that age. Approximately 18 years following medical school graduation were needed for a surgeon to achieve his maximum work load. The geographic factor had no appreciable effect on work loads. Tables which broke down frequencies for each major type of operation for each type of surgical specialist indicated that even commonplace operations were not frequent events on the average for any individual surgeon. It is concluded from the study that work loads are relatively low due to excessive supply of surgeons. This is of concern because there is some doubt about maintenance of surgical skills by those doctors who perform infrequent operations. The widest variation in practice was evident between ophthalmologists and thoracic surgeons, indicating that manpower planning in this field would have to be done on a specialty-by-specialty basis. 3 plans for redistributing the operative work load and reducing the number of specialist surgeons are considered.     

OSA uniform color scale samples: A unique set

The Optical Society of America, in early 1977, published a set of uniformly scaled coor samples based on specifications developed after long years of study by its Committee on Uniform Color Scales. The model for arranging and specifying the samples is based on an octahedral unit which consists of a cluster of 12 colors equally different from a central color and from each of its nearest neighbors. This space lattice, extended to accommodate all samples that can be produced within the gamut of present-day colorants, is described, together with the adopted system of notation. The lattice provides three sets of square grids and four sets of triangular grids that correspond to the seven pairs of parallel faces of a cuboctahedron. Horizontal, vertical, and oblique cleavage planes through the lattice are described and illustrated. The OSA-UCS set consists of 558 samples: 424 represent a regular 2-unit sampling of OSA-UCS committee space; 134 additional samples are provided in the much used, near-neutral, central-lightness region of color space. The set is unique because each sample in the regular set is represented in six different uniform color scales. These appear as linear arrays that pass in six different directions through each sample. The samples are intended for use by artists and designers as well as by scientists. With a relatively small number of samples, material is provided for constructing color scales and charts with colors uniformly spaced in six directions in any chosen part of color space. The OSA-UCS set provides a “storehouse of color-contrast information in efficient form.” It provides useful color research material such as has never before been available.     

Recovery of residual nutrients from agri-food byproducts using a combination of solid-state fermentation and insect rearing

The present research develops an innovative nutrient recovery strategy for capturing of un-utilised nutrients from agri-food byproducts using a combination of solid state fermentation (SSF) and insect rearing. SSF of borage and flaxseed meals were performed using GRAS organisms to release indigenous nutrients and to produce additional nutrients. Proximate analysis of the SSF-meals showed increases in both lipid and protein contents. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) were then grown on these SSF-meals for 12 day. The meals fermented singularly with Lactobacillus plantarum or Aspergillus niger displayed up to 30% enhancement in BSFL biomass, and dual fermentation with L. plantarum and Aspergillus oryzae resulted in an additional 10% enhancement. These examinations showed SFL use over-90% of proteins and lipids in SSF-meals. The results indicate that fermentation of these low-value meals can boost the efficacy of larval growth and the recovery of nutrients from agricultural byproducts as larval biomass.     

Mechanical and physical properties of calcium-treated gellan films

The physicochemical properties of Ca²⁺-treated gellan films plasticized with glycerol were investigated as a function of CaCl₂ concentration (0–20%, w/w) in an aqueous soaking solution. Films were examined based on their mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), swelling index (SI), thickness and opacity. The SI was lower for Ca²⁺-treated films relative to a control, however, above 13% (w/w) CaCl₂ no differences in SI were found. At 13% (w/w) CaCl₂, tensile and puncture strengths reached a maximum. Tensile elongation, puncture deformation, film thickness and WVP were lower for CaCl₂-treated films than untreated, however, all increased with CaCl₂ concentration. Opacity of gellan films increased with the Ca²⁺-treatment relative to the untreated film, however declined as CaCl₂ concentration increased. In general, Ca²⁺-treated gellan films were stronger, acted as better water vapor barriers, swelled less when in contact with water, and became less pliable and transparent.     

Effect of plasticizer-type and genipin on the mechanical, optical, and water vapor barrier properties of canola protein isolate-based edible films

The mechanical properties, opacity, and water vapor permeability of 5.0 % (w/w) canola protein isolate (CPI) films were investigated in the presence and absence of 1 % (w/w of CPI) genipin, and as a function of plasticizer-type [50 % (w/w of CPI); glycerol, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol 400]. Findings indicated that tensile strength (TS), puncture strength (PS), and elastic modulus (E) values for CPI films prepared with sorbitol were the highest, followed by PEG-400 and then glycerol, whereas tensile elongation (TE) and puncture deformation (PD) values were greater for films prepared with glycerol, followed by PEG-400 and then sorbitol. In all cases, films prepared with genipin were stronger (greater TS, PS, and E) and less flexible (lower TE and PD) than uncross-linked films. Films also showed greater water vapor permeability when prepared with glycerol, followed by PEG-400 and then sorbitol; however, no differences were observed in the presence and absence of genipin. Opacity was least with glycerol present, followed by sorbitol and PEG-400, and increased in the presence of genipin.     

Efficacy of dodecylaminoalkyl glycine teat dip against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis

Dodecylaminoalkyl glycine teat dip, diluted to 1.5% active ingredients, was evaluated in a controlled experimental challenge study to determine efficacy for preventing new intramammary infections with Staphylococcus aureus (Newbould 305) and Streptococcus agalactiae (McDonald 44). The dip reduced the incidence of intramammary infection with Staphylococcus aureus by 81.2%. Reduction of Streptococcus agalactiae intramammary infection was 67.5%.     

Effects of extrusion screw speed,feed moisture content,and barrel temperature on the physical,techno-functional,and microstructural quality of texturized lentil protein

Utilizing lentil protein as a novel ingredient for producing texturized vegetable proteins (TVPs) can provide new opportunities for the production of next-generation hybrid meat products. TVPs from lentil protein isolate were manufactured using low-moisture extrusion cooking at different combinations of screw speed (SS), feed moisture content (MC), and barrel temperature (BT) profile. In total, seven different combinations of processing treatments were tested, and the resulting TVPs were characterized for their physical (rehydration ratio, texture profile analysis, color, and bulk density), techno-functional (oil and water holding capacities), and microstructural properties. The processing conditions of higher SS and lower MC resulted in increased values of several textural profile attributes (springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience), increased water holding capacity (WHC), and decreased bulk density. Compared to raw lentil protein, TVPs showed enhanced oil holding capacity, though WHC either decreased or remained constant. The extrusion response parameters (die pressure, torque, and specific mechanical energy) showed positive correlations with several physical properties (texture, WHC, and total color change), revealing their potential for serving as important TVP quality indicators. TVPs produced at SS, MC, and BT of 450 rpm, 30%, and 140°C, respectively, showed relatively better overall physical and techno-functional quality and can be used as meat extenders in hybrid meat patties. Overall, this research evidenced the viability of lentil protein as a potential ingredient for producing low-moisture TVPs.