An Adaptive Algorithm for Multipath Mitigation in GNSS Positioning with Android Smartphones

We present a solution for improving the robustness of GNSS positioning with Android devices. The proposed method combines an acquisition phase performed in a dedicated Android app (thus working on the edge) and a processing phase, based on a modified version of the open source library RTKLIB, performed on a dedicated server. The processing phase applies an improved version of the RTK library based on an adaptive algorithm for mitigating the multipath effect on satellite radio signals received by smartphone’s antennas. The algorithm is built on top of an extended version of the sigma-epsilon model in which weights associated to observables potentially affected by multipath errors are computed using logged data. In the paper, we will focus our attention on the architecture of the proposed solution and discuss preliminary experimental results obtained with the resulting system

Melatonin treatment in rams and their replacement with novel treated rams advance first lambing and increase fertility in sarda ewe lambs

This study aims to find reliable strategies for advancing first mating and shortening the period from weaning to first lambing in ewe lambs. Sarda ewe lambs (n = 400) were selected from two farms and allocated into four separated groups of 100, all of which were exposed to fertile, adult rams over the course of a 50‐day breeding period. The first treatment group (RMR) was exposed to four melatonin‐treated rams which were replaced every ten days, whilst the second treatment group (RM) was exposed to four melatonin‐treated rams which were not replaced. Alternatively, the first control group (RCR) was exposed to four untreated rams which were replaced every ten days, whilst the second control group (RC) was exposed to four untreated rams which were not replaced. In each group, lambing dates, fertility rate, litter size, and distance in days from ram introduction to lambing (DRIL) were recorded. The highest fertility rate was recorded in the RMR group (p ≤ 0.05). Shorter DRIL (p ≤ 0.01) and higher lambing concentrations were recorded in the RM and RMR groups as compared to the controls. The findings indicate that melatonin treatment of rams and their replacement at 10‐day intervals results in earlier onset of first mating, increased fertility rate in ewe lambs, and a higher number of ewes that lambs in a shorter time frame

MTNR1A gene polymorphisms and reproductive recovery after seasonal anoestrus in different Mediterranean sheep breeds

The aims of this study were 1) to investigate the effect of MTNR1A gene polymorphisms on reproductive performance in ewes of one Italian and two Slovenian dairy sheep breeds (Sarda, Istrian Premenka and Boska, respectively) which were located at different latitudes, and 2) to highlight if the different season of the male placement with females that was utilized in the different breeding systems in Sardinia (Italy) and Slovenia resulted in different effects of these polymorphisms on reproductive functions. Reproductively mature ewes (n = 100) from each breed were utilized to conduct the study. To evaluate the reproductive efficiency, lambing dates and number of lambs born were recorded per ewe; additionally, the duration in days from ram placement with ewes to lambing (DRPEL), litter size and the fertility rate were determined based on lambing dates. In each breed, there were eight nucleotide variations within the MTNR1A gene exon II, two of which (g.17355358 and g.17355171), respectively, resulted in a valine to isoleucine, and alanine to aspartic acid substitution, in amino acid sequence. The SNPs at position g.17355452 and g.17355458 were determined to have effects on reproductive performance. Genotypes C/C and C/T at g.17355452 in Bovska and Sarda and genotype A/A at g.17355458 in Istrian Pramenka were associated with a greater fertility and a lesser duration in days from ram placement with ewes to lambing. These findings confirmed that the nucleotide sequences of the MTNR1A gene could affect reproductive functions of Mediterranean sheep

Detection of polymorphisms in the mtnr1a gene and their association with reproductive performance in awassi ewes

The economy in Mediterranean areas is tightly linked to the evolution of the sheep-farming system; therefore, improvement in ewe’s reproductive performance is essential in the developing countries of this area. MTNR1A is the gene coding for Melatonin receptor 1 (MT1), and it is considered to be involved in the reproductive activity in sheep. The aims of this study were: (1) identifying the polymorphisms from the entire MTNR1A coding region and promoter in Lebanese Awassi sheep flocks, and (2) investigating the association between the found polymorphisms and the reproductive performance, assessed as lambing rate, litter size, and days to lambing (DTL). The study was conducted in two districts of Lebanon, where 165 lactating ewes, aged 5.2 ± 1.5 years, with body condition score (BCS) 3.3 ± 0.4, were chosen and exposed to adult and fertile rams. From 150 to 220 days after ram introduction, lambing dates and litter sizes were registered. This study provided the entire coding region of the MTNR1A receptor gene in the Awassi sheep breed. Thirty-one single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, five of which were missense mutations. The H2, H3, and H4 haplotypes were associated with lower DTL (p < 0.05), as well as the SNPs rs430181568 and rs40738822721, named from now on SNP20 and SNP21, respectively. These SNPs were totally linked and can be considered as a single marker. The ewes carrying the C allele at both these polymorphic sites advanced their reproductive recovery (p < 0.05). These results are essential for improving reproductive management and obtaining advanced lambing in Awassi ewes

New polymorphisms at MTNR1A gene and their association with reproductive resumption in sarda breed sheep

The aim of this study was to characterize the MTNR1A locus in Sarda sheep breed, in order to identify potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with reproductive resumption. The reproductive performance of 200 lactating ewes, aged 3–5 years, with body condition score (BCS) 2.5–4.0, at least at their third lambing were monitored for two consecutive years. In both year the enrolled ewes were exposed for 100 days to 10 adult, fertile rams. Mating, pregnancy and lambing for each ewe were recorded in order to evaluate differences in reproductive performance according to the analysed genotypes. From individual blood samples, DNA was extracted to amplify and to sequence promotor, the coding region, a part of intron and of 3′ Untranslated region (3′ UTR) of the MTNR1A gene. A total number of 29 SNPs were found (named SNP1 to SNP29), five of which caused also amino acid changes. The polymorphic sites found at positions g.17355452C > T (SNP16, rs430181568) and g.17355358C > T (SNP17, rs407388227) were linked (D’ = 1 and r2 = 1) and showed a significant association to DRIL trait (distance in days from ram introduction to lambing). In both years, the ewes carrying C/C genotype in both these polymorphic sites showed the lowest DRIL compared to the other genotypes (P < 0.05). The ewes carrying C/C and T/C genotype exhibited the lambing peak at 170 days, and approximately 60% of the total lambing at 180 days from the ram introduction. Instead, ewes carrying T/T genotype showed the lambing peak around 200 days after ram introduction. Six haplotypes have been identified and the most frequent haplotype was also associated with lower DRIL (P < 0.05). Litter size displayed no statistical significance either among genotypes or among haplotypes. This study provided the major part of the MTNR1A gene in Sarda sheep breed and evidenced that SNP17 is associated with a shorter DRIL. The obtained results underlined the role of this polymorphism in improving reproductive efficiency in Sarda sheep and provides a suitable information for improving genetic selection

Discrepancies between Genetic and Visual Coat Color Assignment in Sarcidano Horse

This study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies between genetic and visual coat color assignment in the Sarcidano Horse and to elucidate potential reasons. Individual DNA from 90 Sarcidano Horses was used for genetic assignment of coat color to explore the correspondence with individual forms containing phenotypical traits. The MC1R exon 1 and ASIP exon 3 have been genotyped and sequenced to obtain a picture of the coat color distribution in this breed. Surprisingly, once we compared the genetic results with the individual forms reporting the phenotypic data for each subject, a certain degree of non-correspondence between the phenotypic and genetic data in relation to coat color emerged. From the genetic analysis, Chestnuts (n = 58) resulted the most common Sarcidano Horse (n = 58), followed by a quite large number of Blacks (n = 28) and a very small number of Bays (n = 4), whereas phenotypic distribution resulted in 38 Chestnuts, 40 Bays, only 2 Blacks, and 10 Grays (without the possibility of recognizing the true color they carried). Chestnut resulted a very representative coat color, while many horses that visually identified as Bays were genetically Blacks. This discrepancy, that could be due to a variety of individual and external factors, including age, time of year, living situation and dietary condition, suggesting the importance of accurate coat color identification to ensure adequate features registration and reliable prediction of offspring’s coat color

Reproductive performance in three Slovenian sheep breeds with different alleles for the MTNR1A gene

The aim of the research was to describe the polymorphisms of the MTNR1A gene in three Slovenian sheep breeds, and determine whether these polymorphisms affect reproductive performance. A total of 100 Bovška, 110 Istrian Pramenka, and 108 Jezersko-Solčavska ewes, were used. The rams were placed with the ewes on 10 October (Bovška), and 20 September (Istrian Pramenka). At each farm, the lambing date and number of newborn lambs were recorded to evaluate the fertility rate, number of days from ram placement with ewes to lambing (DRIL), and litter size. The Jezersko-Solčavska rams were maintained with the ewes of the flock throughout the year and data related to lambing during the entire year were recorded. The DNA sequences indicated there were eight nucleotide variations and that in the position g.17355358 was always associated with that in the position g.17355452. For the Bovška breed, there was an association between the G/G genotype in the position g.17355452, and relatively greater fertility (P < 0.05) and a shorter DIRL (P < 0.05). For the Istrian Pramenka breed, the T/T genotype in the position g.17355458 was positively associated with a greater fertility (P < 0.05) and shorter DRIL (P < 0.05). For the Jezersko-Solčavska breed, ewes with the G/G genotype in the position g.17355452 lambed more when there was a decreasing photoperiod whereas the ewes with the A/A genotype lambed more (P < 0.05) during the period when there were increasing photoperiods. The different polymorphisms studied were associated with reproductive performance in the three Slovenian breeds

The effects of vegetarian diets on bone health: a literature review

In these recent years many people are adopting a vegetarian type diet due to the numerous positive health effects of this regimen such as the reduction of the incidence of many chronic disorders like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cancer. However this diet is quite restrictive and so it could be possible to have a deficiency in some specific nutrients, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Although there are conflicting results on the effects of the vegetarian diet on bone health and fracture incidence, it is always recommendable in vegetarian people to have an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, through an increased intake of supplements, natural and fortified foods, an adequate intake of protein, fruit, vegetables, as well as vitamin B12. The aim of this literature review is to revise the actual knowledge of the effect of some nutrients and vegetarian diets on bone health. Copyright © 2022 Falchetti, Cavati, Valenti, Mingiano, Cosso, Gennari, Chiodini and Merlotti

Effect of body condition score, treatment period and month of the previous lambing on the reproductive resumption of melatonin-treated sarda breed sheep during spring

Stakeholders place great emphasis upon rationalizing the management and rearing techniques which are utilized within sheep farms. The present study aimed to investigate factors which may improve the reproductive performance of melatonin-treated Sardinian sheep via a series of three trials. The first trial (n = 100) investigated the effect of melatonin treatment alongside body condition score (BCS), the second trial (n = 150) investigated the effect of treatment alongside the date of treatment (treatment period) and the third trial (n = 150) investigated the effect of treatment alongside the previous lambing of the ewes. The findings indicated that melatonin is an effective tool for anticipating and improving the reproductive activity of in Sarda breed sheep during the springtime. Furthermore, to obtain optional results, melatonin implantation should be conducted in April, in ewes that have a BCS of >2.5 and that have passed their third month of lactation. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Prescription of benzodiazepines in a public general hospital in theprovince of Mendoza: problematic consumption?

Aún administradas regularmente a niveles terapéuticos, las BZD poseen un potencial de dependencia mayor que otros fármacos de acción ansiolítica y se ha reportado tolerancia farmacológica cuando la prescripción es por un tiempo mayor a cuatro semanas, así como la aparición del síndrome de abstinencia en el 30% de los pacientes después de un tratamiento de ocho semanas de duración