Phosphorus removal in the activated sludge process

The results from this research suggest that both calcium phosphate precipitation and enhanced biological uptake play a role in phosphorus removal in the activated sludge process when a non-nitrifying, anaerobic-aerobic system is used to treat a low calcium wastewater. The primary removal mechanism was found to be biological uptake, as calcium phosphate precipitation accounted for only 15–27% of the total phosphorus removed. Calcium phosphate precipitation in the aerobic unit was enhanced because of the pH increase in that reactor. This was the result of low CO₂ production (indicated by low specific oxygen uptake values) and intense aeration which caused excessive CO₂ stripping in the aerobic unit     

Communication and records: Hippa issues when working in health care settings.

To refocus awareness on the original mandate of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) regulations, this article will review record keeping requirements and examine patient-doctor and interdisciplinary communication as a way to improve the health care consumer's trust in the privacy of their personal information while facilitating integrated and fluid health care delivery systems. The HIPPA rules especially important in medical settings are discussed with a special emphasis on issues confronting psychologists who practice outside of medical institutions and hospitals. The article also examines important implications for practice activities when psychologists attend patients who are hospitalized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of frustration in successive positive contrast.

Attempted to replicate the essential features of L. Crespi's (see record 1943-01494-001) study as it relates frustration to positive contrast, using 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Experimental Ss were shifted from large to small incentive before being shifted back to large incentive to test for positive contrast. The 2nd shift was made when Ss were running slowly, on the assumption that this reflected frustration from the 1st shift. Comparison with controls showed a significant positive contrast under 2 drive levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of the mechanism of action of conjugated linoleic acid isomers on reproduction in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of action through which conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) beneficially affects reproduction. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 45, 20 ± 1 DIM) were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 70 g/d of Ca salts of tallow (control); 63 g/d of lipid-encapsulated CLA providing 7.1 g/d of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and 2.4 g/d of trans-10, cis-12 CLA (CLA 75:25); or 76 g/d of lipid-encapsulated CLA providing 7.1 g/d each of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA (CLA 50:50). Supplements were top-dressed for 37 d, milk production and DMI were recorded daily, and blood samples were taken 3 times per week. At 30 ± 3 DIM, ovulation was synchronized in all cows with a modified Ovsynch protocol, and on d 15 of the cycle cows received an oxytocin injection; blood samples were obtained frequently to measure 13,14 dihydro, 15-keto PGF_2α. On d 16 of the cycle cows received a PGF_2α injection and ovarian follicular aspiration was performed 54 h later. Follicular fluid was analyzed for fatty acids, progesterone, and estradiol. Endometrial biopsies were taken before and again near the end of the supplementation period for fatty acid analysis. The CLA resulted in decreased milk fat content of 14.1 and 6.1% at wk 5 of treatment of CLA 50:50 and CLA 75:25, respectively. There were no differences in energy balance or plasma nonesterified fatty acids; however, plasma IGF-I was greater in cows supplemented with CLA 50:50. The CLA isomers were not detectable in endometrial tissue, but cis-9, trans-11 CLA tended to be greater in follicular fluid of supplemented cows. Response to the oxytocin challenge was not different among treatments. Progesterone during the early luteal phase and the estradiol:progesterone ratio in follicular fluid tended to be greater in cows supplemented with CLA 50:50. Overall, these results indicate that short periods of CLA supplementation do not alter uterine secretion of PGF_2α. The mechanism through which CLA affects reproduction may involve improved ovarian follicular steroidogenesis and increased circulating concentrations of IGF-I.     

Mechanism of lymph node metastases: current concepts

Advances in head and neck surgical techniques with aggressive adjuvant treatment have reduced the incidence of locoregional failure in many types of head and neck cancer. Failure to control distant disease, however, remains of the most frustrating aspects in the care of these patients. A strong foundation in the biology of invasion and metastasis is necessary to understand more clearly the reasons for the development of distant and locally recurrent disease. This article focuses on basic mechanisms of invasion and metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.     

Evaluation of rumen-protected methionine sources and period length on performance of lactating dairy cows within Latin squares

Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 16) were used in a replicated (n = 4) Latin square design with 2-wk periods to determine whether length of the experimental period chosen within Latin square designs would influence experimental outcomes for performance-related variables. Cows were fed a basal TMR formulated to supply Lys in excess of the predicted requirements and either no rumen-protected Met (RP-Met; control), or 6 (M6) or 12 (M12) g/d of RP-Met (Mepron), or 12 (S12) g/d of RP-Met (Smartamine M). Performance outcomes were evaluated separately using data collected at the end of each week of each period, and as overall means for each period. Milk yield was not affected by treatment in any period. Supplementation of RP-Met from all sources tended to increase milk fat percentage when evaluated using wk-1 data, but responses evaluated using wk-2 data only were not significant. Supplementation of M12 and S12 tended to increase milk fat percentage over the entire experimental period. Supplementation of M6 and M12 tended to increase milk true protein percentage when evaluated using wk-1 data only; however, responses to treatments during wk 2 were not significant. All supplemental RP-Met treatments either tended to increase (M6 and S12) or increased (M12) milk true protein content over the entire experimental period relative to the control treatment. Yields of fat and true protein were not affected by treatment. Carryover effects of treatment on production variables were largely not significant. Predictions of nutrient supply with 3 models used in dairy ration formulation and evaluation (CPM-Dairy, AminoCow, and 2001 NRC Dairy) indicated that energy, protein, and Met all were supplied in excess of requirements for all treatments. Overall, results suggest that interpretation of performance outcomes can vary depending on selection of the experimental period in Latin squares, and responses to increased Met supply based on ratio-based formulation may not be independent of the grams of Met supplied.     

NutriDense corn grain and corn silage for dairy cows

Twenty multiparous Holstein cows, 4 of them surgically fitted with ruminal cannulas, were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square to compare the effects of whole-plant silage and grain produced from NutriDense (ND), leafy NutriDense (LND), or a conventional yellow dent (YD) hybrid on ruminal fermentation, total tract nutrient digestibility, and performance of lactating dairy cows. On a DM basis, diets contained 30.6% corn silage and 27.7% corn grain provided from the 3 hybrids according to the following combinations: 1) YD grain and YD silage, 2) YD grain and LND silage, 3) ND grain and YD silage, and 4) ND grain and LND silage. The average concentrations of crude protein, neutral and acid detergent fiber, and ether extract of LND silage and ND grain were higher, but the contents of nonfibrous carbohydrates and starch were lower than those of their YD counterparts. Although DM intake was similar among treatments, feeding ND grain, LND silage, or both reduced the intakes of nonfibrous carbohydrates and starch but increased the intake of ether extract. Apparent digestibility of starch in the total tract was highest for the diet that contained LND silage and YD grain, whereas the amount and percentage of ether extract that were apparently digested in the total tract was increased and tended to be increased, respectively, by the addition of ND grain, LND silage, or both to the diets. Ruminal fermentation parameters were unaffected by treatments except for the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the ruminal fluid, which tended to be increased by the feeding of ND grain, LND silage, or both. Production of milk, crude and true protein, fat, lactose, and total solids did not differ among diets. Concentration of milk urea nitrogen increased when the ND grain, LND silage, or both were fed to the cows. Results indicate that ND grain and LND silage were similar to the conventional grain and silage for the feeding of lactating dairy cows.     

Quality Improvement in a College of Engineering Instructional Program

This paper summarizes one institution's efforts to develop an ongoing strategy for gathering and analyzing data from constituents for use in appraisal and improvement efforts in its instructional programs. Although a large number of different constituents were identified, for logistical reasons it was decided to focus on five groups: undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, alumni and industry. The primary emphasis of this paper is on the results from the alumni and industry surveys. Demographics of these two groups are given and the influence of these characteristics on responses to survey questions is noted. Comparisons drawn among the two groups show that alumni and industry responses are virtually identical on the importance of specific attributes associated with newly graduated engineers. A short discussion is also given which compares the responses of all five constituent groups on certain instructional program attributes.     

Enhancing motivation for change in problem drinking: A controlled comparison of two therapist styles.

To investigate the impact of counselor style, a 2-session motivational checkup was offered to 42 problem drinkers (18 women and 24 men) who were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) immediate checkup with directive-confrontational counseling, (2) immediate checkup with client-centered counseling, or (3) delayed checkup (waiting-list control). Overall, the intervention resulted in a 57% reduction in drinking within 6 wks, which was maintained at 1 yr. Clients receiving immediate checkup showed significant reduction in drinking relative to controls. The 2 counseling styles were discriminable on therapist behaviors coded from audiotapes. The directive-confrontational style yielded significantly more resistance from clients, which in turn predicted poorer outcomes at 1 yr. Therapist styles did not differ in overall impact on drinking, but a single therapist behavior was predictive (r?=?.65) of 1-yr outcome such that the more the therapist confronted, the more the client drank. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)