Measurement of the Gravity-Field Curvature by Atom Interferometry

We present the first direct measurement of the gravity-field curvature based on three conjugated atom interferometers. Three atomic clouds launched in the vertical direction are simultaneously interrogated by the same atom interferometry sequence and used to probe the gravity field at three equally spaced positions. The vertical component of the gravity-field curvature generated by nearby source masses is measured from the difference between adjacent gravity gradient values. Curvature measurements are of interest in geodesy studies and for the validation of gravitational models of the surrounding environment. The possibility of using such a scheme for a new determination of the Newtonian constant of gravity is also discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Observer-oriented approach improves species distribution models from citizen science data

Citizen science platforms are increasingly growing, and, storing a huge amount of data on species locations, they provide researchers with essential information to develop sound strategies for species conservation. However, the lack of information on surveyed sites (i.e., where the observers did not record the target species) and sampling effort (e.g., the number of surveys at a given site, by how many observers, and for how much time) strongly limit the use of citizen science data. Thus, we examined the advantage of using an observer-oriented approach (i.e., considering occurrences of species other than the target species collected by the observers of the target species as pseudo-absences and additional predictors relative to the total number of observations, observers, and days in which locations were collected in a given sampling unit, as proxies of sampling effort) to develop species distribution models. Specifically, we considered 15 mammal species occurring in Italy and compared the predictive accuracy of the ensemble predictions of nine species distribution models carried out considering random pseudo-absences versus observer-oriented approach. Through cross-validations, we found that the observer-oriented approach improved species distribution models, providing a higher predictive accuracy than random pseudo-absences. Our results showed that species distribution modeling developed using pseudo-absences derived citizen science data outperform those carried out using random pseudo-absences and thus improve the capacity of species distribution models to accurately predict the geographic range of species when deriving robust surrogate of sampling effort

Effects of reduced space allowance and heat stress on behavior and eye temperature in unweaned lambs: A pilot study

Current European animal transportation law contains only a few and vague indications concerning how to move lambs of less than 26 kg. Moreover, little information is available in the literature about factors affecting these lambs’ welfare. We investigated the effect of space allowance and ambient temperature on the welfare of unweaned Lacaune lambs during a simulation of long-distance transportation (19 h). Three groups of lambs (N = 130) were housed in equally sized pens for 19 h, Control (C; n = 39; 0.27 m2 per head), Low Space Allowance (LSA; n = 52; 0.20 m2 per head), and Heat Stress (HS; n = 39; 0.27 m2 per head) groups. LSA lambs had lower space allowance than C but were tested at the same temperature, within their Thermoneutral zone (range = 12–18◦ C). The HS lambs were, instead, subjected to higher temperatures (range = 19–30◦ C). Scan sampling of behavior was conducted, eye temperature and body weight were also recorded. LSA and HS lambs showed more discomfort behaviors (p < 0.05) and higher eye temperatures (p < 0.001) compared to C lambs, while HS lambs additionally showed a decrease in body weight over the experimental period (p < 0.001). This study indicates that lower space allowances and higher temperatures impact negatively the welfare of lambs transported for slaughter suggesting that the regulation should be implemented taking these factors into account

Development and validation of a test for the classification of horses as broken or unbroken

Regulation EC 1/2005 has stricter rules for transportation of unbroken (untamed) vs. broken (tamed) horses, but does not provide adequate tools for their identification. This study aimed to develop and validate such a tool. A behavioural test (Broken/Unbroken Test (BUT)) based on approaching, haltering, and leading was applied to 100 horses. Physiological and additional behavioural data were also collected, and the horses’ status (broken/unbroken) was assessed by the expert who administered the BUT. Each horse’s behaviour during the BUT was scored by four trained observers blinded to the horse’s history. The BUT score showed excellent inter-observer, intra-observer, and test–retest reliability (all intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) > 0.75). It was also negatively associated with respiratory rate, avoidance distance, and time needed to approach, halter, and lead the horse (p < 0.05 for all). The optimal BUT score cut-off for discrimination between broken and unbroken horses (gold standard: expert judgment) showed 97.8% sensitivity and 97.3% specificity. There was almost perfect agreement between BUT-based and expert classification of horses (ICC = 0.940). These findings confirm the BUT’s construct and criterion validity. The BUT could provide officials with a feasible, reliable, and valid tool to identify a horse’s broken/unbroken status and, consequently, direct stakeholders towards correct transport procedures

Criterion for the performance analysis of synchronous and asynchronous sampling instruments based on nonlinear processing

The authors propose a criterion for the comparison of different sampling strategies (synchronous, asynchronous and random) and filtering algorithms used in digital instruments which provide the estimate of the time average of a signal processed with a nonlinear conversion of multiple inputs (e.g. wattmeters, RMS voltmeters, . . .). This criterion uses the Bayesian approach to incorporate, for every sampling strategy, any prior information on the influences of each incidental quantity which can vary the output of the instrument, transforming this output into a statistic. The asymptotic mean-squared error of the measurements has been assumed as an estimator of the error and its general expression, valid for the most common sampling strategies used in practice, has been deduced. This asymptotic error is a function of the frequency response of the digital filter used and, eventually, of the characteristic function of the probability distribution selected for the random variables generating the sampling instants. The particular formulae for different sampling strategies and filtering algorithms are discussed and compare

Clinicians' attitudes to depression in Europe: a pooled analysis of Depression Attitude Questionnaire findings

Background: Depression in primary care is common but under-recognized and suboptimally managed. Health professionals’ attitudes are likely to play an important part in their recognition and management of depression. Objectives: To pool findings from studies using the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) to provide greater detail of clinicians’ attitudes and the measure’s psychometric properties. Methods: Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for relevant studies. Data from eligible studies were requested and pooled analysis conducted. Results: Twenty studies were eligible and data were obtained from 12 of these involving GPs (n = 1543) and nurses (n = 984). Responses showed strong disagreement that depression is due to ageing or weakness. European GPs were more positive about depression treatments than UK GPs; nurses were more favourable about psychotherapy than GPs. UK GPs especially strongly opposed notions that depression is best managed by psychiatrists. Trends over time indicated increasing acknowledgement of psychological therapies and the nurse’s role in depression management. Factor analysis indicated that many DAQ items fitted weakly within an overall model. The most parsimonious solution involved two factors: a positive view of depression and its treatment response and professional confidence in depression management. Conclusions: Individual DAQ items appear to measure key aspects of clinicians’ attitudes to depression, and item responses indicate important differences between professions and geographical settings as well as changes over time. There are problems with the DAQ as a scale: its internal consistency is weak, and several items appear specific to particular professions or service structures, indicating that this questionnaire should be revised

Recursive random-sampling strategy for a digital wattmeter

A recursive random-sampling strategy is proposed for the implementation of a digital broadband wattmeter. In this strategy each sampling instant is obtained by adding to the preceding one a predetermined constant lag plus a random increment. In order to correlate the measurement uncertainty to the bandwidth, the asymptotic mean-square error arising from the sampling strategy and the filtering algorithm is evaluated and analyzed; it has been shown that the proposed sampling strategy does not limit the bandwidth of the instrument if an appropriate statistical distribution of the random increments is selected. The theoretical results are compared with those obtained by simulating the measurement proces

Models of collaboration between general practice and mental health services in Italy.

Background and objectives: Anxiety and Depressive disorders represent an important public health problem, which involves not only the mental health services, but the General Practice as well. This paper examines models of Collaboration between General Practice and Community Mental Health Services developed in Italy. Methods: Different Consultation -Liaison activities are presented. For every Collaboration model advantages and disadvantage are discussed. Results: The structured Consultation Liaison Service is based on supplying diagnostic consultation and therapeutic interventions in support of General Practitioners (GPs). The service could be based in either a Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) or externally. Diagnostic evaluation can be followed by brief and focal therapeutic interventions, in support of the GP's therapeutic plan. The spontaneous collaboration in small centres are frequent in rural areas where the contained dimensions of the services and the direct acquaintance between psychiatrists and GPs encourage the personalization of the collaboration. The model of Liaison and Group-Training focuses on direct contact between consultant and GPs. In the course of regular meetings, the consultant gives the GPs supervision and education, and they can discuss the therapeutic plans for patients requiring specialist intervention. Conclusion: The empiric classification presented should be considered an attempt to represent a complex reality. Every service, in fact, carries out activities that are necessarily wider than abstract typologies and that overlap with other models' activities

Clinical, electrodiagnostic findings and quality of life of dogs and cats with brachial plexus injury

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) represents a common consequence of road traffic accidents in humans and small animals. In humans, neuropathic pain is a common symptom after BPI. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical signs, the electrodiagnostic findings, the outcome and the quality of life (QoL) of a cohort of dogs and cats with BPI. Clinical records of 40 dogs and 26 cats with BPI were retrospectively reviewed. Specific attention was put on the evaluation of electrodiagnostic findings (35/40 dogs; 14/26 cats) and telephonic interview results (26/40 dogs; 18/26 cats). The most common neurological condition was the inability to bear weight and sensory deficits on the affected limb. Radial and ulnar motor nerve conduction studies (MNCSs) were absent respectively in 47% (radial) and 62% (ulnar) of dogs and 57% (radial) and 57% (ulnar) of cats. The absence of radial (p = 0.003) and ulnar (p = 0.007) MNCSs in dogs and ulnar MNCSs in cats (p = 0.02) was significantly associated to the amputation of the affected limb. The owners described signs of pain/discomfort in 73% of dogs and 56% of cats. This is the first report suggesting that neuropathic pain/discomfort should be adequately considered in order to improve the QoL

feeding ecology of the scops owl otus scops aves strigiformes in the island of pianosa tuscan archipelago central italy outside the breeding period

ABSTRACTAll of the published studies but one about the diet of the Eurasian scops owl Otus scops, a nocturnal raptor of conservation concern, were carried out during the breeding period, just before or immediately after the chicks fledged. The species is a trans-Saharian migrant with few resident populations in Europe. Orthoptera make up the staple of its diet in summer. In this study, we investigated the diet of scops owls on the island of Pianosa after the breeding period through the analysis of pellets. A total of 327 fragments belonging to at least 14 taxa were identified from 56 pellets collected after the breeding period, between late August and March. By frequency, invertebrates constituted 80.00% of the diet, with Coleoptera being the most represented order (62.35% of the total diet) and Orthoptera poorly represented (8.24%). Vertebrates included two bird species, three small mammals and the Moorish gecko. Although the meal-to-pellet interval for scops owls is unknown, we suggest that the bank vol..