Compensatory growth following long term multi-phase cyclic feeding in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Compensatory growth (CG) during recovery from feed deprivation is a well-known phenomenon in fish, making the practice of cyclic feed restriction-refeeding a possible tool for aquaculturists to optimize growth performance. While earlier studies in this direction focused on relatively short single feed restriction-refeeding protocols, the present trial was designed to evaluate the impact of different repeated cyclic feeding schemes on the zootechnical response of rainbow trout (O. mykiss) over a complete growing phase up to the commercial size. Three hundred trout (body weight 72\ub16 g) were randomly distributed among 12 tanks, each of 0.5 m3 capacity and supplied with 8 L min-1 of well water at a temperature of 12.7\ub10.8\ub0C. Triplicated groups of fish were subjected over 27 weeks to one of the following treatments: C, control, continuous feeding to visual satiety 6 days a week; T1, cyclic feeding regularly alternating 1 week starvation (S) and 3 weeks refeeding (F) (1S+3F); T2, cyclic feeding consisting in 3 consecutive phases: 1S+3F, 2S+6F, and 3S+12F; T3, where a feed restriction (70% of the satiety level observed in the previous week) was applied instead of starvation with the same schedule as T2. The same trout feed (45% crude protein, 28% crude lipid) was used throughout the trial. At the end of the trial the different cyclic feeding protocols resulted in the same zootechnical outcome (P>0.05). A nearly complete convergence of body mass was evident as no significant differences were found among treatments in individual weight (543\ub128g), specific growth rate (1.06\ub10.03%), feed conversion ratio (0.84\ub10.03) and protein efficiency ratio (2.64\ub10.12) despite a lower feed consumption in treatments T1, T2 and T3 relative to controls (357 vs. 390 g fish-1, P<0.05). All protocols imposing fasting or feed restriction resulted in CG at the end of each re-feeding phase. Hyperphagia was a major cause of CG. Both phenomena were emphasized with treatment T3 after recovering from the last 3-week fasting period, when they were associated to a marked improvement of feed conversion ratio relative to controls (0.75 vs. 0.85, P<0.05). The results obtained so far suggest repeated cyclic feeding as a reliable practice in trout farming, provided fasting or feed restriction periods are followed by refeeding phases of suitable length to allow recovery of body mass. This could result in improved profitability and environmental sustainability

Two-dimensional analysis of the double-resonant 2D Raman mode in bilayer graphene

By computing the double-resonant Raman scattering cross-section completely from first principles and including electron-electron interaction at the $GW$ level, we unravel the dominant contributions for the double-resonant 2D-mode in bilayer graphene. We show that, in contrast to previous works, the so-called inner processes are dominant and that the 2D-mode lineshape is described by three dominant resonances around the $K$ point. We show that the splitting of the TO phonon branch in $\Gamma-K$ direction, as large as 12 cm$^{-1}$ in $GW$ approximation, is of great importance for a thorough description of the 2D-mode lineshape. Finally, we present a method to extract the TO phonon splitting and the splitting of the electronic bands from experimental data.Comment: 5 pages Main + 6 pages Supplementary Material. Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Vanishing Perturbative Vacuum Energy in Non-Supersymmetric Orientifolds

We present a novel source for supersymmetry breaking in orientifold models, and show that it gives a vanishing contribution to the vacuum energy at genus zero and three-half. We also argue that all the corresponding perturbative contributions to the vacuum energy from higher-genus Riemann surfaces vanish identically.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure. Final discussion and Refs adde

Relazione di costruzioni idrauliche - Curve di possibilità pluviometrica

Relazione pluviometrica, corso di costruzioni idrauliche 2016-2017, Università degli Studi di Trento. Si ricavano le curve di possibilità pluviometrica per la stazione meteorologica di Trento-Laste (TN

Esame costruzioni idrauliche - Relazione fognature e acquedotti

Presentazione rete di fognature e acquedotti - studenti: Gava-Moresco-Pegorett

Measuring uncertainty applied to design of experiment analysis: a micro injection moulding case study

none5The potential of micro systems and the number of micro products being developed increases constantly. Micro engineering is one of the current main technology trends and processes for the replication on a large scale are required. The injection moulding of microstructures (micro injection moulding process) represents a key technology for the economic production of medium and large series of micro structured mouldings and the assembly of micro-systems. To enable its mass-fabrication capability, the micro injection moulding process needs to be analysed, the role of the different process parameters understood and finally an optimization has to be carried out. In this paper, a full factorial 4-factors 2-levels design of experiments (DOE) has been carried out on miniaturized plastic parts produced by injection moulding. Process parameters analysis have been analysed in order to optimize the process. A new method has been developed to be able to investigate the filling of such small parts. For an effective process optimization, reliability of the results from the DOE and therefore of the measurements are indispensable requisites to be fulfilled. Therefore, the measuring uncertainty of the dimensional measurements carried out has been implemented into the DOE analysis in order to validate the results.- ISSN:noneTOSELLO G; GAVA A; HANSEN H.N; LUCCHETTA G.; GUARISE MTosello, G; Gava, A; HANSEN H., N; Lucchetta, Giovanni; Guarise, M

Filling analysis in micro injection moulding using weld lines as flow markers

Micro injection moulding is one of the most used processes for the mass replication of polymer-based micro components. To enable its mass fabrication capability, an optimization of the process and a full understanding of the filling of the micro cavity by the molten polymer are fundamental requirements to be fulfilled. In this paper, a novel approach based on the use of weld lines as flow markers able to trace the development of the flow front during the filling is proposed. The effects on the filling stage of important process parameters such as temperature of the melt, temperature of the mould, injection speed, and packing pressure have been investigated. An optical coordinate measuring machine has been employed for the scope. The micro cavity, which presented micro features ranging from 600 µm down to 150 µm, has been manufactured by micro electrode discharge machining. A commercially available polystyrene grade polymer has been injection moulded using a high-speed injection moulding machine. Results show that the temperature of the mould and the injection speed are the most influencing process parameters during the injection moulding of a micro component

Prevalence and Psychopathological Determinants of Sexual Dysfunction and Related Distress in Women With and Without Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction:Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common but still underdiagnosed in women with multiple sclerosis(MS); in fact, the lack of a consistent use of validated diagnostic tools makes the prevalence of SD and relateddistress difficult to define precisely.Aim:To assess the prevalence of SD in Italian women with MS compared with age-matched healthy controlsubjects (HC) and the association with demographic, psychological, and MS-related characteristics.Methods:The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale were administered to153 women with MS and 153 HC. Demographic, gynecologic, and neurologic data were obtained. Disabilitywas assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Psychological symptoms were evaluated in MS patientswith Profile of Mood State and the Beck Depression Inventory II.Main Outcomes Measures:Prevalence of SD and sexual distress in women with MS compared with HC.Results:Among women sexually active in the last month, we found an increased prevalence of SD in MS patientscompared with HC subjects (42.0% vs 16.0%,P\ubc.0001). The prevalence of dysfunctional FSFI global scores(&lt;26.55) was higher in women with MS compared with HC (49.6% vs 33.6%,P\ubc.014). In the MS group, theprevalence of SD was similar between pre- and post-menopausal women. Both premenopausal and postmenopausalMS women presented a greater prevalence of SD if compared with the premenopausal and postmenopausal HCgroups (30/79 [37.9%] vs. 5/74 [6.8%],P\ubc.0001 and 20/40 [50.0%] vs 16/57 [28.1%],P\ubc.03, respectively). Anegative correlation was observed between the FSFI global score and age and Expanded Disability Status Scale.Depressive symptoms were more common in women with MS and SD than in those without.Clinical Implications:This study suggests that sexual function investigation should always be a standard part ofthe consultation with healthcare professionals for MS.Strength &amp; Limitations:The strength of this study was the comparison with an age-matched healthy controlgroup and the use of validated questionnaires to assess both sexual function and sexual distress. Larger andmulticenter studies may further support ourfindings.Conclusion:In our cohort, the prevalence of SD and sexual distress was higher in women with MS compared tothe HC group. Age, disability, and depressive symptoms were associated with increased SD