Experimental results on the physical model of an USBR type II stilling basin

The present paper describes the experimental campaign carried on the physical model of the spillway of Lower Diamphwe Dam (Malawi), which is provided with a USBR type II stilling basin. Stilling basins are used in order to reduce the excessive kinetic energy of flowing water downstream of spillways. Specifically, a USBR type II basin is provided with blocks at the end of the chute and with a confining dentated sill; these appurtenances allow to dissipate excess energy with high efficiency. The study focuses on the hydraulic behavior of the stilling basin; tests were carried on for different values of incoming discharge and downstream water depth. Results show the dissipation efficiency of the stilling basin in terms of pressure fluctuation and the variability of the jump type with the hydraulic characteristics of the incoming and the downstream flow depths

Management practices and forage quality affecting the contamination of milk with anaerobic spore‐forming bacteria

BACKGROUND: Anaerobic spore-forming bacteria (ASFB) in milk derive from the farm environment, and the use of silages and management practices are the main responsible of milk ASFB contamination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between feeding, milking routine and cow hygiene and milk and Grana Padano cheese (produced with and without lysozyme) ASFB contamination. RESULTS: The study involved 23 dairy farms. ASFB in corn silage were on average 2.34\ub10.87 log10 MPN g-1. For grass, Italian ryegrass and alfalfa, ASFB (log10 MPN g-1) were numerically higher for silages (3.22) than hays (2.85). The use of corn silages of high quality (high lactic and acetic acids concentrations) decreased the milk ASFB contamination, whilst the use of herbage silages did not affect it. The presence (>40%) of cows with dirty udders increased the ASFB contamination of milk, while forestripping had a positive effect (-9% ASFB). Ripened Grana Padano had an ASFB count below the analytical limit; Clostridium tyrobutyricum DNA was found only in wheels produced without lysozyme, which also showed late blowing. CONCLUSION: The factors increasing milk spore contamination were corn silage quality, cow udder hygiene and inadequate milking routine. Late blowing was present only in cheeses without lysozyme

Effect of Different Percentage of Camelina sativa Cake in Laying Hens Diet: Performance, Welfare, and Eggshell Quality

Although camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] is a good source of protein, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, its antinutritional compounds limit its use in animal feeding. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of feeding laying hens with up to 20% of camelina cake from a breeding line containing a low level of glucosinolates on performance, welfare, and eggshell quality. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line\uae hens from 18 to 51 weeks of age were divided into three treatments: control (C), camelina cake 10% (CAM10), and camelina cake 20% (CAM20). Egg number was recorded daily, while egg weight, feed consumption, and mortality were recorded weekly. At 24 and 43 weeks of hen age, shell resistance to fracture was measured. Our results demonstrate no detrimental effects for CAM10 and CAM20 diets on feed intake, growth performance, and welfare. No difference in egg production was detected among the diets. The significant (p < 0.05) interaction of diet and age factors suggest that the addition of camelina cake, up to 20%, likely protects the eggshell of older hens. Our findings confirm that camelina cake might be an alternative and sustainable protein source for hens

Variazioni stagionali di indicatori di benessere in allevamenti lombardi di bovine da latte in aree di pianura, collinari e pedemontane

One of the main priorities of the agricultural EU policies is to set up valid, reliable and feasible indicators for on-farm welfare assessment. The EU Welfare Quality\uae project has developed a set of valid and feasible indicators, that have also been tested for inter-observer repeatability. For those indicators, repeatability between different times of survey has already been tested, but always within limited time spans; therefore, we have no information about their long-term repeatability, e.g. in extremely different seasonal conditions. We can hypothesize that more or less marked seasonal variations can occur, depending on farms\u2019 geographical location. In order to verify this hypothesis, we collected some welfare indicators, derived from the Welfare Quality\uae protocol, in 22 dairy farms located in plain, hilly and piedmont areas in Lumbardy, both in summer and in winter. No differences between seasons were found for presence of hairless patch areas, lameness, avoidance distance at the feeding rack (used to evaluate human-animal relationship) and for the other behavioural indicators. The percentage of cow that are too lean was higher in winter, especially in piedmont farms, where the climate is more severe. In fact, a long cold period, with rain, snow and wind, may cause an increase of energy consumption that, in turn, can make cows loose weight. The percentage of cows with diarrhoea was higher in winter, probably due to a reduction of digestion efficiency, induced by low environmental temperatures, that increased the sensibility of cows to enteric pathologies. We may conclude that the geographic location of the farms affected the repeatability of some welfare indicators in different seasons. The present study was carried out in the frame of the EULAT project, supported by Lumbardy Region, and that aims at the valorization of an excellent production chain \u2013 in terms of environmental sustainability, animal welfare and nutritional quality for the production of milk and dairy products

Multi-dimensional assessment and scoring system for dairy farms

The aim of the study is to develop a scoring system for dairy farms in order to give specific information about the product and production process of milk. The scoring system, based on a multi-dimensional approach, was developed on the basis of data collected in 29 Italian dairy farms and included different aspects. For the evaluation of animal welfare, a selection of indicators set up in the European ProjectVR assessment protocol for cattle 2009 was used. Environmental sustainability of milk production was assessed by a cradle-to-farm-gate Life Cycle Assessment. Laboratory analyses were carried out on bulk tank milk to evaluate microbiological, nutritional and nutraceutical quality. Nineteen variables were selected and retained to define six quality aspects: animal welfare, environmental and economic sustainability of farms, microbiological, nutritional and nutraceutical quality of milk. Each farm was visited twice; each visit received, for each variable, a score between 1 and 3 based on the frequency distribution of that variable in the farm sample. The relation among farm characteristics and quality aspects showed the importance to maximise dairy efficiency to improve environmental and economic sustainability of the farms and the inclusion of hay in dairy cows\u2019 ration to enhance the nutraceutical and nutritional quality of milk. The proposed multi-dimensional scoring system is a practical tool: for the farmer, to support decisions for improving the quality of the product and the productive process; for the dairy company, as a value-added opportunity; for the consumer, who receives detailed information about nutritional characteristics and production system of dairy products

Analysis of new control applications

This document reports the results of the activities performed during the first year of the CRUTIAL project, within the Work Package 1 "Identification and description of Control System Scenarios". It represents the outcome of the analysis of new control applications in the Power System and the identification of critical control system scenarios to be explored by the CRUTIAL project

Integration of a Smartphone HF-Dedicated App in the Remote Monitoring of Heart Failure Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Patient Access, Acceptance, and Adherence to Use

(200 w) Introduction. Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) diagnostics helps to identify patients potentially at risk of worsening heart failure (HF). Additionally, knowledge of patient HF-related symptoms is crucial for decision making. Patient smartphone applications may represent an ideal option to remotely collect this information. Purpose. To assess real-world HF patient access, acceptance, and adherence to use of an HF-dedicated smartphone application (HF app). Methods. In this study, 10 Italian hospitals administered a survey on smartphone/app use to HF patients with CIED. The subgroup who accepted it downloaded the HF app. Mean 1-year adherence of the HF app use was evaluated. Results. A total of 495 patients (67 ± 13 years, 79% males, 26% NYHA III–IV) completed the survey, of which 84% had access to smartphones and 85% were willing to use the HF app. In total, 311/495 (63%) downloaded the HF app. Patients who downloaded the HF app were younger and had higher school qualification. Patients who were ≥60 years old had higher mean 1-year adherence (54.1%) than their younger counterparts (42.7%; p < 0.001). Hospitals with RM-dedicated staff had higher mean 1-year patient adherence (64.0% vs. 33.5%; p < 0.001). Adherence to HF app decreased from 63.3% (weeks_1–13) to 42.2% (weeks_40–52, p < 0.001). Conclusions. High access and acceptance of smartphones/apps by HF patients with CIED allow HF app use for RM of patient signs/symptoms. Younger patients with higher school qualifications are more likely to accept HF app; however, older patients have higher long-term adherence

El capital psíquico a través del ciclo vital adulto

The present work studied, in a sample of 614 participants of both sexes of the City of Santa Fe (Argentina), the mental capital, defi ned as the set and interrelation of personal character strengths (i.e., mental, emotional and psycho-social resources), that allow a better adaptation through preventive behaviors. For this research two primary aims were proposed: a) analyze the properties of the CAPPSI scale, and b) verify signifi cant differences by age groups, sex and educative level. In order to fulfi ll the fi rst objective, an analysis of main components was realized, which threw the presence of a single factor good differentiated that explains a 66.93% of the total variance of the test. Also, the instrument showed a high reliability (alpha of Cronbach = 0.9103). In response to the second objective, signifi cant differences by age groups and educative level were verifi ed. Although the investigation did not throw signifi cant differences in the mental capital of men and women, it did verify interactions between genre and educative level, and between genre and ageEl presente trabajo estudió, en una muestra de 614 sujetos de ambos sexos de la Ciudad de Santa Fe (Argentina), el capital psíquico, definido como el conjunto e interrelación de fortalezas de carácter personal (es decir, recursos cognitivos, emocionales y psicosociales), que le permiten al sujeto una mejor adaptación a través de conductas preventivas. Para esta investigación fueron propuestos dos objetivos principales: a) analizar psicométricamente la escala CAPPSI, y b) verificar diferencias significativas por grupos de edad, sexo y nivel educativo. Para cumplir con el primer punto, se realizó un análisis de componentes principales, el cual arrojó la presencia de un solo factor bien diferenciado que explica un 66,93% de la varianza total de la prueba. Asimismo, el instrumento mostró una alta confiabilidad (alpha de Cronbach = 0,9103). En respuesta al segundo objetivo, se verificaron diferencias significativas por grupos de edad y nivel educativo. Si bien la investigación no arrojó diferencias significativas en el capital psíquico de varones y mujeres, sí verificó interacciones entre género y nivel educativo alcanzado, y entre género y edad

Proteolytic Activity and Production of γ-Aminobutyric Acid by Streptococcus thermophilus Cultivated in Microfiltered Pasteurized Milk

A set of 191 strains of Streptococcus thermophilus were preliminarily screened for the presence of the genes codifying for cell envelope-associated proteinase (prtS) and for glutamate decarboxylase (gadB) responsible for \u3b3-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. The growth and proteolytic activity of the gadB-positive strains (9 presenting the prtS gene and 11 lacking it) were studied in microfiltered pasteurized milk. Degradation of both caseins (capillary electrophoresis) and soluble nitrogen fractions (HPLC) and changes in the profile of free amino acids (FAAs; ion-exchange chromatography) were evaluated at inoculation and after 6 and 24 h of incubation at 41 \ub0C. None of the strains was capable of hydrolyzing caseins and \u3b2-lactoglobulin, and only two hydrolyzed part of \u3b1-lactalbumin, these proteins being present in their native states in pasteurized milk. Contrarily, most strains were able to hydrolyze peptones and peptides. For initial growth, most strains relied on the FAAs present in milk, whereas, after 6 h, prtS+ strains released variable amounts of FAA. One prtS+ strain expressed a PrtS- phenotype, and two prtS- strains showed a rather intense proteolytic activity. Only five strains (all prtS+) produced GABA, in variable quantities (up to 100 mg/L) and at different rates, depending on the acidification strength. Addition of glutamate did not induce production of GABA in nonproducing strains that, however, unexpectedly were shown to adopt the degradation of arginine into citrulline and ornithine as an alternative acid resistance system and likely as a source of ATP