THE EFFECT OF ARTIFICIALLY EXTENDED PHOTOPERIOD DURING LACTATION ON MATERNAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SOW

A 20-stall farrowing facility was partitioned into two separate rooms of 10 stalls each so that photoperiod could be controlled. In addition, temperature and air movement were equalized in the two rooms. The two light regimens utilized were 8 h light: 16 h dark, and 16 h light:8 h dark. A total of 26 sows in two replicates were used. Females were moved into the facility on d 103 -+2 of pregnancy, litters were equalized at birth and weaning was at 28 d of age. Traits evaluated included litter size at birth and weaning, 21-d pig and litter weights, milk yield on d 15, survival rate and number of days from weaning to estrus for the sow. The number of pigs born alive was similar across treatments. However, after equalization of litter size, differences in the number weaned/ litter were significant (P\u3c.05) as sows exposed to 16 h of light weaned approximately one pig more per litter. The survival rate within each litter from birth (after equalization) to 21 d of age was greater (P\u3c.05) for sows exposed to 16 h light (91.2%) than for those from sows exposed to 8 h light (81.5%). Milk yield at d 15 was measured for 21 of the sows. The sows exposed to 16 h light produced significantly more milk (P\u3c.05) than sows exposed to 8 h light. The time from weaning to first estrus was similar for each treatment group

THE EFFECT OF ARTIFICIALLY EXTENDED PHOTOPERIOD DURING LACTATION ON MATERNAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SOW

A 20-stall farrowing facility was partitioned into two separate rooms of 10 stalls each so that photoperiod could be controlled. In addition, temperature and air movement were equalized in the two rooms. The two light regimens utilized were 8 h light: 16 h dark, and 16 h light:8 h dark. A total of 26 sows in two replicates were used. Females were moved into the facility on d 103 -+2 of pregnancy, litters were equalized at birth and weaning was at 28 d of age. Traits evaluated included litter size at birth and weaning, 21-d pig and litter weights, milk yield on d 15, survival rate and number of days from weaning to estrus for the sow. The number of pigs born alive was similar across treatments. However, after equalization of litter size, differences in the number weaned/ litter were significant (P\u3c.05) as sows exposed to 16 h of light weaned approximately one pig more per litter. The survival rate within each litter from birth (after equalization) to 21 d of age was greater (P\u3c.05) for sows exposed to 16 h light (91.2%) than for those from sows exposed to 8 h light (81.5%). Milk yield at d 15 was measured for 21 of the sows. The sows exposed to 16 h light produced significantly more milk (P\u3c.05) than sows exposed to 8 h light. The time from weaning to first estrus was similar for each treatment group

Solution spraying of poly(methyl methacrylate) blends to fabricate microtextured, superoleophobic surfaces

We describe a simple technique to prepare superhydrophobic and superoleophobic microtextured surfaces by spray coating a blend of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and the low surface energy molecule 1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (fluorodecyl POSS, γ[subscript sv] ≈ 10 mN/m) using an air brush with a pressurized nitrogen stream. Scanning electron micrographs show the formation of microtextured surfaces possessing re-entrant curvature; a critical feature for obtaining liquid repellency with low surface tension liquids. The surface morphology can be tuned systematically from a corpuscular or spherical microstructure to a beads-on-string structure and finally to bundled fibers by controlling the solution concentration and molecular weight of the sprayed polymer. The oleophobicity of the resulting structures is characterized by advancing and receding contact angle measurements with liquids of a range of surface tensions.United States. Army Research Office (Contract W911NF-07-D-0004)Air Force Research Laboratory (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio). Propulsion DirectorateUnited States. Air Force Office of Scientific Researc

Utilizing Dynamic Tensiometry to Quantify Contact Angle Hysteresis and Wetting State Transitions on Nonwetting Surfaces

Goniometric techniques traditionally quantify two parameters, the advancing and receding contact angles, that are useful for characterizing the wetting properties of a solid surface; however, dynamic tensiometry, which measures changes in the net force on a surface during the repeated immersion and emersion of a solid into a probe liquid, can provide further insight into the wetting properties of a surface. We detail a framework for analyzing tensiometric results that allows for the determination of wetting hysteresis, wetting state transitions, and characteristic topographical length scales on textured, nonwetting surfaces, in addition to the more traditional measurement of apparent advancing and receding contact angles. Fluorodecyl POSS, a low-surface-energy material, was blended with commercially available poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and then dip- or spray-coated onto glass substrates. These surfaces were probed with a variety of liquids to illustrate the effects of probe liquid surface tension, solid surface chemistry, and surface texture on the apparent contact angles and wetting hysteresis of nonwetting surfaces. Woven meshes were then used as model structured substrates to add a second, larger length scale for the surface texture. When immersed into a probe liquid, these spray-coated mesh surfaces can form a metastable, solid–liquid–air interface on the largest length scale of surface texture. The increasing hydrostatic pressure associated with progressively greater immersion depths disrupts this metastable, composite interface and forces penetration of the probe liquid into the mesh structure. This transition is marked by a sudden change in the wetting hysteresis, which can be systematically probed using spray-coated, woven meshes of varying wire radius and spacing. We also show that dynamic tensiometry can accurately and quantitatively characterize topographical length scales that are present on microtextured surfaces.United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (W 911NF-07-D-0004

Presolar Grains from Novae: Evidence from Neon and Helium Isotopes in Comet Dust Collections

Presolar grains in meteorites and interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) carry non-solar isotopic signatures pointing to origins in supernovae, giant stars, and possibly other stellar sources. There have been suggestions that some of these grains condensed in the ejecta of classical nova outbursts, but the evidence is ambiguous. We report neon and helium compositions in particles captured on stratospheric collectors flown to sample materials from comets 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup and 55P/Tempel-Tuttle that point to condensation of their gas carriers in the ejecta of a neon (ONe) nova. The absence of detectable 3He in these particles indicates space exposure to solar wind (SW) irradiation of a few decades at most, consistent with origins in cometary dust streams. Measured 4He/20Ne, 20Ne/22Ne, 21Ne/22Ne and 20Ne/21Ne isotope ratios, and a low upper limit on 3He/4He, are in accord with calculations of nucleosynthesis in neon nova outbursts. Of these, the uniquely low 4He/20Ne and high 20Ne/22Ne ratios are the most diagnostic, reflecting the large predicted 20Ne abundances in the ejecta of such novae. The correspondence of measured Ne and He compositions in cometary matter with theoretical predictions is evidence for the presence of presolar grains from novae in the early solar system.Comment: As appeared in the Astrophysical Journa

Comparison of Outcomes in Level I vs Level II Trauma Centers in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy or Craniectomy for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) carries a devastatingly high rate of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patients undergoing craniotomy/craniectomy for severe TBI fare better at level I than level II trauma centers in a mature trauma system. METHODS: The data were extracted from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database. Inclusion criteria were patients \u3e 18 yr with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score less than 9) undergoing craniotomy or craniectomy in the state of Pennsylvania from January 1, 2002 through September 30, 2017. RESULTS: Of 3980 patients, 2568 (64.5%) were treated at level I trauma centers and 1412 (35.5%) at level II centers. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups except for significantly worse GCS scores at admission in level I centers (P = .002). The rate of in-hospital mortality was 37.6% in level I centers vs 40.4% in level II centers (P = .08). Mean Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores at discharge were significantly higher in level I (10.9 ± 5.5) than level II centers (9.8 ± 5.3; P \u3c .005). In multivariate analysis, treatment at level II trauma centers was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.37; P = .01) and worse FIM scores (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.7; P = .001). Mean hospital and ICU length of stay were significantly longer in level I centers (P \u3c .005). CONCLUSION: This study showed superior functional outcomes and lower mortality rates in patients undergoing a neurosurgical procedure for severe TBI in level I trauma centers

From Aaron to Ivanhoe

A collection of Bulloch County history materials compiled by Charles Bonds, Dorothy Brannen, Maggie Collins, Dan Good, Nkenge Jackson, Evelyn Mabry, Carolyn Postell, Robert M. Seel, and Rita Turner Wall. Included are a brief history of Bulloch County, an article on local 19th century architecture, two accounts on county history by Rita Turner Wall, a short history of Willow Hill School, a report on the research on Willow Hill School, “Extinct Towns in Bulloch County,” “Pretoria Station,” the biographies of Beatrice Riggs and Laura Bell Hendley Martin, three articles from the Bulloch Times on the memories of a Confederate veteran and the 1865 Census of Bulloch County. The index to this collection was compiled by Julius Ariail.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/bchs-pubs/1014/thumbnail.jp

Using systems science to understand the determinants of inequities in healthy eating

Introduction: Systems thinking has emerged in recent years as a promising approach to understanding and acting on the prevention and amelioration of non-communicable disease. However, the evidence on inequities in non-communicable diseases and their risks factors, particularly diet, has not been examined from a systems perspective. We report on an approach to developing a system oriented policy actor perspective on the multiple causes of inequities in healthy eating. Methods: Collaborative conceptual modelling workshops were held in 2015 with an expert group of representatives from government, non-government health organisations and academia in Australia. The expert group built a systems model using a system dynamics theoretical perspective. The model developed from individual mind maps to pair blended maps, before being finalised as a causal loop diagram. Results: The work of the expert stakeholders generated a comprehensive causal loop diagram of the determinants of inequity in healthy eating (the HE2Diagram). This complex dynamic system has seven sub-systems: (1) food supply and environment; (2) transport; (3) housing and the built environment; (4) employment; (5) social protection; (6) health literacy; and (7) food preferences. Discussion: The HE2causal loop diagram illustrates the complexity of determinants of inequities in healthy eating. This approach, both the process of construction and the final visualisation, can provide the basis for planning the prevention and amelioration of inequities in healthy eating that engages with multiple levels of causes and existing policies and programs

Periodontal diseases in the child and adolescent

Background: Periodontal diseases are among the most frequent diseases affecting children and adolescents. These include gingivitis, localized or generalized aggressive periodontitis (a.k.a., early onset periodontitis which includes generalized or localized prepubertal periodontitis and juvenile periodontitis) and periodontal diseases associated with systemic disorders. The best approach to managing periodontal diseases is prevention, followed by early detection and treatment. Methods: This paper reviews the current literature concerning the most common periodontal diseases affecting children: chronic gingivitis (or dental plaque-induced gingival diseases) and early onset periodontitis (or aggressive periodontitis), including prepubertal and juvenile periodontitis. In addition, systemic diseases that affect the periodontium and oral lesions commonly found in young children are addressed. The prevalence, diagnostic characteristics, microbiology, host-related factors, and therapeutic management of each of these disease entities are thoroughly discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73561/1/j.1600-051X.2002.290504.x.pd