Undeclared animal species in dry and wet novel and hydrolyzed protein diets for dogs and cats detected by microarray analysis

Abstract Background Although the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) stated that labels must be accurate and provide detailed information on the ingredients, mislabeling of pet food has been documented by several authors. This phenomenon is of particular concern when related to products used as elimination diets for the diagnosis of adverse food reaction (AFR) in dogs and cats because the presence of undeclared ingredients may negatively interfere with the trial and prevent the veterinarian from making an appropriate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to shed light upon the problem of contamination and mislabeling in both dry and wet novel protein diets (NPDs) and hydrolyzed protein diets (HPDs) using a microarray-based commercial kit which tests for the presence of 19 animal species. Results Of the 40 analyzed products (9 dry NPDs, 22 wet NPDs, 6 dry HPDs and 3 wet HPDs), ten presented a content that correctly matched the label, while five did not contain the declared animal species, twenty-three revealed the presence of undeclared animal species, and two had a vague label that did not allow the evaluation of its accuracy. The most frequently contaminants identified in both dry and wet pet foods were pork, chicken and turkey. The presence of undeclared animal species was higher in dry than wet pet foods; furthermore, a lower number of contaminating animal species was identified in HPDs than NPDs (4 vs 10), and a lower number of contaminated HPDs (6 out of 9, 67%) than contaminated NPDs was detected (24 out of 31, 77%). Thirteen out of 14 brands tested presented at least one mislabeled product. Conclusions Mislabeling seems to be a widespread issue in pet foods used as elimination diets. Contamination can occur in all types of products used for the purpose, although dry NPDs are the main issue. Due to the high risk of contamination, particular attention should be given to both the selection of raw material suppliers and the production process

Robotic double-loop reconstruction method following total gastrectomy

Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer is a challenge. The reconstructive time is a particular issue and researchers have adopted a large variety of solutions and produced heterogeneous data. The reconstructive phase can be divided into two major categories based on the approach adopted: the execution of extracorporeal versus intracorporeal anastomosis. In turn, the surgical team can perform the latter with laparoscopic or robotic assistance. However, the question is, how should a robotic esophagojejunal anastomosis be performed after total gastrectomy? Most articles in the literature have reported the execution of mechanical anastomoses [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], especially with circular staplers via the creation of a manual purse-string around the anvil. Other solutions have described the use of the Orvil or the overlap technique. Only three authors have reported intracorporeal sutures with a completely robotic-sewn anastomosis [7] [8] [9]. A new robotic technique (the Parisi technique) was developed and adopted at St. Mary’s Hospital, Terni, Italy. A double-loop reconstruction method with an intracorporeal robot-sewn anastomosis is performe

an innovative wind solar hybrid street light development and early testing of a prototype

An innovative renewable hybrid microgeneration unit has been designed to be fully embedded into a dedicated LED street lighting system. The key feature of this new concept is the arrangement of a multiple Savonius vertical axis wind turbine into the structure itself of the post. A photovoltaic panel is integrated to contribute to power generation. The energy is collected by a power conversion equipment along with a storage device which ensures the lighting also during windless nights. The main application of this project is the standalone street lighting, but also a grid connected option is feasible, making the system compatible with microgrid concepts. Different Savonius rotors have been designed and characterized by wind tunnel tests. The adopted cylindrical geometry has shown a maximum power factor of 0.21. A dedicated safety equipment has been designed to prevent turbine over-speed by automatic stop in extreme wind condition. A full-scale prototype of the generator/lighting system has been installed. The experimental data acquisition is currently in progress to analyse on site performance and to allow energy simulations

Raman identification of cuneiform tablet pigments. Emphasis and colour technology in ancient Mesopotamian mid-third millennium

In the modern age, there is a large number of ways to manage a written text, from bolding or underlining some words with the preferred PC editing software down to animated gifs or emoticons for short edited text of mobile messaging and social posting. The task is to catch the eye and rapidly convey the important message. Besides the almost endless opportunities of high-tech displays, to put emphasis on a text written on a hard support mainly relies on changing the editing style, by applying bold, italic or underline style to selected words or phrases and exploiting the characteristic of human eye to be sensible to the change of brightness into a written text

Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Ballota nigra L. ssp foetida.

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Ballota nigra L. ssp foetida obtained from the flowering aerial parts was analyzed by GC/MS. From the 37 identified constituents of the oil, β-caryophyllene (20.0%), germacrene D (18.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (15.0%) were the major components. The oil was active against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against three Candida species

Numerical study of a confined slot impinging jet with nanofluids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heat transfer enhancement technology concerns with the aim of developing more efficient systems to satisfy the increasing demands of many applications in the fields of automotive, aerospace, electronic and process industry. A solution for obtaining efficient cooling systems is represented by the use of confined or unconfined impinging jets. Moreover, the possibility of increasing the thermal performances of the working fluids can be taken into account, and the introduction of nanoparticles in a base fluid can be considered.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this article, a numerical investigation on confined impinging slot jet working with a mixture of water and Al₂O₃nanoparticles is described. The flow is turbulent and a constant temperature is applied on the impinging. A single-phase model approach has been adopted. Different geometric ratios, particle volume concentrations and Reynolds number have been considered to study the behavior of the system in terms of average and local Nusselt number, convective heat transfer coefficient and required pumping power profiles, temperature fields and stream function contours.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The dimensionless stream function contours show that the intensity and size of the vortex structures depend on the confining effects, given by <it>H/</it>W ratio, Reynolds number and particle concentrations. Furthermore, for increasing concentrations, nanofluids realize increasing fluid bulk temperature, as a result of the elevated thermal conductivity of mixtures. The local Nusselt number profiles show the highest values at the stagnation point, and the lowest at the end of the heated plate. The average Nusselt number increases for increasing particle concentrations and Reynolds numbers; moreover, the highest values are observed for <it>H/W </it>= 10, and a maximum increase of 18% is detected at a concentration equal to 6%. The required pumping power as well as Reynolds number increases and particle concentrations grow, which is almost 4.8 times greater than the values calculated in the case of base fluid.</p> <p> <b>List of symbols</b> </p

Structure Solution of NaYO2 Compound Prepared by Soft Chemistry from X-Ray Diffraction Powder Data

In this work we reveal the structure of a NaYO2 compound solved from the X-ray diffraction powder pattern using the “ab-initio” structure solution approach. The compound turned out to be of trigonal structure, S. G. R-3m isomorphous with α-NaFeO2 layered compound. The lattice parameters are a = 3.404 and c = 16.602 Å, respectively, the atoms being located in Wickoff sites (cba) for O, Na and Y, respectively, leading to a calculated density of 4.31 g/cm3. The ordering of sodium and yttrium atoms into alternate (111) planes of the cubic close-packed oxygen lattice of NaYO2 is very regular. The octahedra are slightly distorted, the positive deviation of the Oz parameter from 0.25 elongates the NaO6 octahedra while compressing the YO6 octahedra. Actually the Na-O and Y-O bond distances are 2.58 (1) and 2.25 (1) Å, respectively, as it is expected from their ionic radii values reported (1.16 vs 1.04 radii for both ion-species octahedral coordination). Finally, the Na-Y, Y-Y, and Na-Na next neighbor distances are close to 3.40 Å.JRC.F.2-Energy Conversion and Storage Technologie

Metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and nervous system injury: Epidemiological correlates

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common and complex disorder combining hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. MetS represents a risk factor for changes in cognitive functions in older age, and several studies have suggested that MetS may be linked to dementia. This article reviews the main evidences about the relationship between MetS and neurodegenerative disease. Starting from an epidemiological point of view, the article analyzes medico-social aspects related to MetS, considering the reduction of work capacity and the condition of disability that it involves. Some authors affirm that on the basis of current Italian legislation, it is possible to consider the syndrome as a disability. This is because all the diseases that make up MetS are high-risk clinical pathological conditions. For these reasons, a joint action is required to contain the incidence of MetS, the high social costs, and the loss of productivity related to the syndrome. In conclusion, healthcare initiatives could be adopted in order to increase the understanding of the pathogenic contributions of each element on MetS and how they can be modified. These actions will be useful to reduce healthcare costs and can lead to more effective prevention of metabolic disease, thus promoting good health. Abbreviations: MetS: Metabolic syndrome; WHO: World Health Organization; CVD: cerebrovascular diseases; AD: Alzheimer's Disease; VaD: Vascular Dementia; IDF: International Diabetes Federation; T2DM: type 2 diabetes mellitus; CAD: coronary artery disease; MCI: mild cognitive impairment; NCDs: Non Communicable Diseases; BMI: Body Mass Index; ICIDH: International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps

A Numerical Analysis on Nanofluid Mixed Convection in Triangular Cross-Sectioned Ducts Heated by a Uniform Heat Flux:

In this paper, results obtained by the numerical investigation on laminar mixed convection in triangular ducts, filled with nanofluids, are presented in order to evaluate the fluid dynamic and thermal features of the considered geometry by considering Al 2 O 3 /water based nanofluids. The system is heated by a constant and uniform heat flux also along the perimeter of the triangular duct section in H2 mode as thermal boundary condition and the single-phase model has been assigned for a Reynolds number value equal to 100. Results are given for different nanoparticle volume concentrations and Richardson number values ranging from 0% to 5% and from 0 to 5, respectively. Results, presented for the fully developed regime flow, show the enhancement of average convective heat transfer coefficients values for increasing values of Richardson number and particle fractions. However, wall shear stress and required pumping power profiles increase as expected. The PEC analysis showed that the use of nanofluids in mixed convection seems slightly convenient. It should be underlined that, at the moment, experimental data are not available to compare the numerical proposed model for mixed convection in horizontal triangular ducts with nanofluids