bird density stress markers and growth performance in the italian chicken breed milanino

Summary The Milanino is an Italian chicken breed included in a conservation project run by the University of Milan. It is characterized by good fertility, heavy body weights, high adaptation ability to adverse climate conditions, and disease resistance. Because of these characteristics, the Milanino could represent an important genetic resource for alternative production systems. This research was aimed at studying the effect of bird density on growth and slaughter performance, as well as stress response in Milanino chickens kept in outdoor pens. One hundred and sixty Milanino chickens were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups kept at different densities (2 m2/bird and 8 m2/bird) and were slaughtered at 185 days of age. Growth and slaughter performance and stress condition were recorded. The interaction bird density * sex * age significantly affected body weight and an opposite trend was found between females and males: heavier females were found in the high-density group, while heavier males were found in the low-density group. Bird density did not affect carcass weight data. The stress marker (H/L ratio) was significantly higher in birds kept at the higher density (2 m2/bird). In conclusion, the Milanino provided satisfactory growth performance with different rearing density but the lower density, 8 m2/bird, should be preferred to minimize welfare problems for male birds

Quantum walks: a comprehensive review

Quantum walks, the quantum mechanical counterpart of classical random walks, is an advanced tool for building quantum algorithms that has been recently shown to constitute a universal model of quantum computation. Quantum walks is now a solid field of research of quantum computation full of exciting open problems for physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers. In this paper we review theoretical advances on the foundations of both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks, together with the role that randomness plays in quantum walks, the connections between the mathematical models of coined discrete quantum walks and continuous quantum walks, the quantumness of quantum walks, a summary of papers published on discrete quantum walks and entanglement as well as a succinct review of experimental proposals and realizations of discrete-time quantum walks. Furthermore, we have reviewed several algorithms based on both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks as well as a most important result: the computational universality of both continuous- and discrete- time quantum walks.Comment: Paper accepted for publication in Quantum Information Processing Journa

A First Search for coincident Gravitational Waves and High Energy Neutrinos using LIGO, Virgo and ANTARES data from 2007

We present the results of the first search for gravitational wave bursts associated with high energy neutrinos. Together, these messengers could reveal new, hidden sources that are not observed by conventional photon astronomy, particularly at high energy. Our search uses neutrinos detected by the underwater neutrino telescope ANTARES in its 5 line configuration during the period January - September 2007, which coincided with the fifth and first science runs of LIGO and Virgo, respectively. The LIGO-Virgo data were analysed for candidate gravitational-wave signals coincident in time and direction with the neutrino events. No significant coincident events were observed. We place limits on the density of joint high energy neutrino - gravitational wave emission events in the local universe, and compare them with densities of merger and core-collapse events.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, science summary page at http://www.ligo.org/science/Publication-S5LV_ANTARES/index.php. Public access area to figures, tables at https://dcc.ligo.org/cgi-bin/DocDB/ShowDocument?docid=p120000

Postharvest Quality Of 'fuyu' Persimmon Using Different Concentrations Of Edible Coatings [qualidade Pós-colheita De Caqui 'fuyu' Com Utilização De Diferentes Concentrações De Cobertura Comestível]

One of the main objectives of applying edible coatings on fruits surface is to create a protective film to reduce weight loss due to evaporation and transpiration and also to decrease the risk of fruit rot caused by environmental contamination, in order to improve the visual aspect. Therefore, it is possible to increase shelf life, and decrease post harvest losses. Persimmon is a much appreciated fruit, with high potential for export, but sensitive to handling and storage. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of applying the edible coating Megh Wax ECF-124 (18% of active composts, consisting of emulsion of carnauba wax, anionic surfactant, preservative and water) produced by Megh Industry and Commerce Ltda in three different concentrations (25, 50 and 100%) on post harvest quality of 'Fuyu' persimmon stored for 14 days. The attributes evaluated for quality were: firmness, pH, acidity, soluble solids, weight loss and color. The results showed that application of carnauba wax in different concentrations was effective on decreasing weight loss of persimmon cv. Fuyu and maintenance of color aspects. Treatment at lower concentration, 25%, showed lower rate of discharge, but high concentrations showed lower values of mass loss. Carnauba wax application showed a high potential for use on postharvest conservation, and can be applied together with other technologies, helping to maintain quality for export.351144151Blum, J., Hoffmann, F.B., Ayub, R.A., Jung, D.L., Malgarim, M.B., Uso de cera na conservação pós-colheita do caqui cv. Giombo (2008) Revista Brasileira De Fruticultura, 30 (3). , http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-29452008000300046&lng=en&nrm=iso, Jaboticabal, Acesso em: 15 jan. 2009Carvalho Filho, C.D., Honório, S.L., Gil, J.M., Qualidade Pós-colheita De Cerejas Cv. Ambrunés Utilizando Coberturas Comestíveis. Revista Brasileira De Fruticultura (2006), 28 (2), pp. 180-184. , Jaboticabal, agoCarvalho Filho, C.D., Honório, S.L., Gil, J.M., Propriedades mecânicas de cerejas (Prunus Avium L.), cv (2005) Boletim CEPPA, 23 (1). , http://ojs.c3sl.ufpr.br/ojs2/index.php/alimentos/, Ambrunés, cobertas com emulsão de cera de carnaúba e zeína., Curitiba, jan./jun, Acesso em: 13 set. 2008Chiumarelli, M., Ferreira, M.D., Qualidade póscolheita de tomates 'Débora' com utilização de diferentes coberturas comestíveis e temperaturas de armazenamento (2006) Horticultura Brasileira, 24 (3). , http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-05362006000300023&lng=pt&nrm=iso, Brasília, Acesso em: 8 jul. 2008Corsato, C.E., Scarpare Filho, J.A., Verdial, M.F., Fenologia do caquizeiro "Rama Forte'' em clima tropical (2005) Bragantia, 64 (3). , http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0006-87052005000300002&lng=pt&nrm=iso, Campinas, Acesso em: 1 jun. 2008Jacomino, A.P., Ojeda, R.M., Kluge, R.A., Scarpare Filho, J.A., Conservação de goiabas tratadas com emulsões de cera de carnaúba (2003) RevistaBrasileira De Fruticultura, 25 (3). , http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-29452003000300010&lng=&nrm=iso, Jaboticabal, Acesso em: 13 set.2008Lemos, O.L., José, A.R.S., Vila, M.T.R., Silva, K.S., Silva, D.S., Barreto, A.P.P., Bomfim, M.P., Conservação do pimentão 'magali r' em duas condições de armazenamento associada à atmosfera modificada (2008) Magistra, 20 (1), pp. 6-15. , http://www.magistra.ufrb.edu.br/publica/magistra20_01/02%20Conserva%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20do%20piment%C3%A3o%20Magali%20R.pdf, Cruz das Almas, jan./mar, Acesso em: 5 jul. 2008Park, K.J., Tuboni, C.T., Oliveira, R.A., Estudo da secagem de caqui giombo com encolhimento e sem encolhimento (2004) Revista Brasileira De Produtos Agroindustriais, 6 (1), pp. 71-86. , http://www.deag.ufcg.edu.br/rbpa/rev61/art619.pdf, Campina Grande, Acesso em: 27 ago. 2010Ribeiro, V.G., Assis, J.S., Silva, F.F., Siqueira, P.P.X., Vilaronga, C.P.P., Armazenamento de goiabas 'Paluma' sob refrigeração e em condição ambiente, com e sem tratamento com cera de carnaúba (2005) Revista Brasileira De Fruticultura, 27 (2). , http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-29452005000200005&lng=pt&nrm=iso, Jaboticabal, Acesso em: 8 jul. 2008Rocha, P., Benato, E.A., Sistema produtivo e póscolheita do caqui Rama forte e Fuyu (2006) Informações Econômicas, 36 (4). , http://ftp.sp.gov.br/ftpiea/publicacoes/tec5-0406.pdf, São Paulo, Acesso em: 3 jan. 2009Silva, P.R., Baptistela, C.S.L., Francisco, V.L.F.S., (2005) A Cultura Do Caqui E São Paulo, , http://www.iea.sp.gov.br/out/verTexto.php?codTexto=2508, São Paulo: IEA, Acesso em: 21 ago. 200

Evolution of thyroid function in preterm infants detected by screening for congenital hypothyroidism

Objective: To determine the evolution of congenital hypothyroidism in preterms and the clinical features of permanent forms. Study design: We retrospectively evaluated 24 preterm children detected by newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism: first screening with blood-thyroid stimulating hormone cutoff 10 mU/L and second screening with blood-thyroid stimulating hormone cutoff 5 mU/L. After the age of 2 years, patients with eutopic thyroid had diagnostic reevaluations, including thyroid function testing and thyroid ultrasonography after L-thyroxine therapy withdrawal. Results: The first screening identified 21.7% of patients with thyroid stimulating hormone elevation, and the second screening identified 73.9% of patients. One patient (4.4%) was identified with a third screening test; 21 patients had an eutopic thyroid and 3 patients a thyroid dysgenesis. At reevaluation, 5 patients (23.8%) showed permanent hypothyroidism (serum-thyroid stimulating hormone [s-TSH] >10 mU/L) resulting in the need to reintroduce therapy, 5 patients (23.8%) showed persistent hyperthyrotropinemia (s-TSH 5-10 mU/L), and 11 infants (52.4%) transient hypothyroidism (s-TSH <5 mU/L). The main clinical features of patients affected by permanent hypothyroidism were 1 case of assisted reproduction, 2 twins, 2 small for gestational age, 1 maternal thyroiditis, and 2 patients with malformations/syndromes. Conclusions: Premature birth is a significant risk for congenital hypothyroidism with eutopic thyroid. In preterm infants, the evolution of congenital hypothyroidism remains difficult to predict. Our data emphasizes the high incidence of transient hypothyroidism in preterm infants, and the importance of diagnostic reevaluation to determine the definitive diagnosis. \ua9 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Frequency of butyrylcholinesterase gene mutations in individuals with abnormal inhibition numbers: an Italian population study

Objectives: More than 30 genetic variants of serum cholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) have been described. Some of them (the atypical and the fluoride-resistant variants) are well known because carriers are prone to develop prolonged apnea following the administration of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. Genotype characterization is therefore important in order to prevent such episodes. Genetic studies have so far focused on selected individuals or families rather than on the random population. Methods: From a large group of healthy blood donors (n = 2609), we selected all the 58 individuals with low serum cholinesterase activity: among them 28 subjects had abnormal dibucaine and fluoride inhibition numbers. Twenty-five mutations in the coding region of the human cholinesterase gene were analyzed. Results: All individuals with abnormal inhibition numbers were homozygotes or double heterozygotes in several mutafions. Asp70Gly (Atypical variant) and Ala539Thr (K variant) were the most frequently observed amino acid substitutions. The majority of subjects with low BChE activity but normal dibucaine and fluoride number presented only the K form. We analyzed 106 randomly chosen subjects for K and atypical variants. Carriers of these alleles were at risk of Iow BChE activity (OR = 9.55, 95%Cl, 5.61-16.26 and OR = 30.33, 95%CI, 7.05-130.52 respectively). Conclusions: Data obtained from this study help to better define the etiology of low BChE activity and the role of the rather common K allele. It is the first time that such a large population has been screened for so many mutations. BChE is also implicated in detoxifying cocaine; therefore genetic analysis could be useful in cases of cocaine toxicity in Italian subjects