Linear time series modelling for groundwater level forecasting: the case study of the fractured aquifer system of Monsummano terme (central Italy)

Groundwater level, forecasting, Tuscany, Auto Regressive models (AR)

Effect of two rearing systems on quality of Cinta Senese sausages

Submitted 2020-07-02 | Accepted 2020-09-04 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.124-131Meat and fat of 24 Cinta Senese pigs were used to produce frankfurter-type sausages. The animals were raised in two rearing systems: i) fenced area with concentrate as exclusive feed (C, n=12) and ii) wood/pasture fenced area and grazing on natural available resources (acorn and herbaceous pasture) (P, n=12). Physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of the frankfurter-type sausages were assessed. Both sausages from C and P groups showed high fat content (> 23%) likely due to the high level of intramuscular fat of Cinta Senese meat. Frankfurter-type sausages obtained from P group had higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids and lower percentage of saturated fatty acids than the C group, probably due to the availability of grazing resources during the fattening period. However, in both types of sausages, the polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio was higher than the recommended lower limit of 0.40. Regarding the physical traits, differences between groups were found for the colour traits: P frankfurter-type sausages had lower lightness and higher redness and yellowness than C frankfurter-type sausages, likely due to the physical exercise associated to grazing activity of P animals. Texture parameters did not differ between groups for hardness and cohesiveness, whereas chewiness and springiness were higher in C than P samples. Feeding systems changed the perception of some sensorial properties, in particular taste and odour. Overall, Cinta Senese frankfurter-type sausages could represent an innovative product for local farms, allowing, in addition, the use of second-choice meat portions, once acquitted some improvements in the recipes.Keywords: frankfurter-type sausage, extensive farming, pasture, meat quality, pigReferencesAlirezalu, K. et al. (2019). Combined effect of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds during refrigerated storage of nitrite-free frankfurter-type sausage. Food Research International, 120, 839–850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.11.048Andrés, A. I. et al. (2001). Oxid stability and fatty acid composition of pig muscles as affected by rearing system, crossbreeding and metabolic type of muscle fibre. Meat Science, 59, 39–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0309-1740(01)00050-xAOAC. (2019). Official methods of analysis. 21th ed., Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC, USA.Ayo, J. et al. (2007). 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Free range rearing of pigs with access to pasture grazing – effect on fatty acid composition and lipid oxidation products. Meat Science, 58, 267–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0309-1740(00)00164-9Okuyama, H. and Ikemoto, A. (1999). Needs to modify the fatty acids composition of meat for human health. In: the Proccedings of the 45th ICoMST, Yokohama, Japan. Vol. II, 638–640.Parrini, S. et al. (2020). Effect of replacement of synthetic vs. Natural curing agents on quality characteristics of Cinta Senese frankfurter-type sausage. Animals, 10, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010014Pugliese, C. et al. (2005). Performance of Cinta Senese pigs reared outdoors and indoors. 1. Meat and subcutaneous fat characteristics. Meat Science, 69, 459–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2004.09.001Pugliese, C. et al. (2009). Effect of pasture in oak and chestnut groves on chemical and sensorial traits of cured lard of Cinta Senese pigs. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 8(2), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2009.131Pugliese, C. and Sirtori, F. (2012). Quality of meat and meat products produced from southern European pig breeds. Meat Science, 90(3), 511–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2011.09.019Pugliese, C. et al. (2013). Quality of fresh and seasoned fat of Cinta Senese pigs as affected by fattening with chestnut. Meat Science, 93(1), 92–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2012.08.006Ranucci, D. et al. (2018). Frankfurters made with pork meat, emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum Schübler) and almonds nut (Prunus dulcis Mill.): evaluation during storage of a novel food from an ancient recipe. Meat Science, 145, 440–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.07.028SAS. (2007). SAS/STAT® 9.3 User’s Guide. SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC.Sirtori, F. et al. (2011). Effect of sire breed and rearing system on growth, carcass composition and meat traits of Cinta Senese crossbred pigs. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 10(47), 188-194. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2011.e47Sirtori, F. et al. (2014). Effect of dietary protein level on carcass traits and meat properties of Cinta Senese pigs. Animal, 8(12), 1987–1995. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114002006Sousa, S. C. et al. (2017). Quality parameters of frankfurter-type sausages with partial replacement of fat by hydrolyzed collagen. LWT -Food Science and Technology, 76, 320-325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2016.06.034Stanley, R. E. et al. (2017). Influence of sodium chloride reduction and replacement with potassium chloride based salts on the sensory and physico-chemical characteristics of pork sausage patties. Meat Science, 133, 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.05.021Wood, J. D. et al. (2004). Effects of fatty acids on meat quality: A review. Meat Science, 66, 21–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(03)00022-

Application of Virtual Fencing for the management of Limousin cows at pasture

A potential use of pasture-based systems requires an efficient grazing management strategy. Thanks to the Virtual Fencing (VF) physical fences are replaced by virtual ones and, when the animals approach the boundaries, they receive a paired stimulus: an audio cue followed by a low electrical pulse if animals cross over the fences. This study aims to i) to evaluate the animal’s ability to learn, and then respond positively, to VF ii) VFs’ efficiency to manage the herd within grazing areas virtually delimitated; iii) to assess the chronic stress related to the VF, evaluating the hair cortisol concentration (HCC), during the experiment. Twenty Limousine cows were fitted with a commercial VF-GPS collars (Nofence AS, Batnfjordsør, Norway). The experiment was divided into four trials: Trial zero (T0) with inactive collars to let the animals get acquainted with them; Trial one (T1) where three of the four virtual boundaries coincided with the physical ones, while the virtual one was set across the pasture to restrict the grazing area; Trial two (T2) in which the grazing area was further extended moving forwards the virtual board; Trial three (T3) in which the virtual line was set longways to the pasture. Results show a significant decrease of stimuli delivered (i.e., sounds and electrical pulses) (p < 0.001), among trials. Moreover, a reduction (p < 0.0250) in the ratio between sounds and electrical pulses was observed between T1 and T3, with T2 being like both. Regarding the cows’ learning capacity, the events in which the sounds were followed by electrical pulses were significantly less in T3 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in T3 the duration of the audio tones was lower than T1 and T2 (p < 0.0005). Animals were increasingly kept inside the inclusion zones during the trials, with the lowest number of escape events from the inclusion zone registered in T3 (p < 0.001). No differences were observed in the HCC before and after the VF treatment. The progressive reduction of the studied parameters between following sessions, indicates an increase in associative learning through time. VF virtual fencing has proven to be an effective tool in managing Limousin cows at pasture. However, future research is needed to evaluate the animals’ performances in terms of grazing activities and on the assessment of chronic stress conditions as well

Cardoon meal as alternative protein source to soybean meal for limousine bulls fattening period: Effects on growth performances and meat quality traits

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Beef cattle feeding strategies are commonly based on soybean meal utilization as a fundamental protein source. This feed, though, might have negative environmental impacts on the major areas of production and is becoming very expensive. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a resilient crop which represents a good opportunity in reclaiming and remediating unutilized lands. Cardoon seeds are rich in oil, which is extracted for industrial purposes, and the related by-products (press cake and meal) are characterized by high protein content and essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardoon meal as a protein source during the Limousine bulls’ fattening period, in order to study a suitable alternative to develop and create low-input and low-emission feeding strategies. The results obtained in terms of growth performances showed no statistical difference between bulls fed the by control diet (containing soybean meal as main protein source) and animals fed by the experimental diet, where soybean meal was partially replaced by one containing cardoon meal. Meat quality traits were measured, and no differences between the groups were found. Hence, these by-products could be considered as a valuable solution in Limousine bulls’ fattening periods and could be used to represent a key factor to improve cattle-feeding sustainability. ABSTRACT: Soybean meal is the most important protein source in beef cattle feeding. The research of alternative protein sources to replace soy use, avoiding negative effects on in vivo performance and on the product’s quality, is an important issue. In this context, cardoon represents a non-OGM resilient crop that can be cultivated in marginal lands for extracting its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) and whose and the residual meal from its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) could be a suitable by-product for animal feeding, due to its fairly high protein content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using cardoon meal as an innovative protein source during the Limousine bulls’ fattening period. Thirty-two bulls were divided into two groups and fed with a diet containing soybean meal (SG) or partially replacing soybean meal with cardoon meal as a protein source (CG), respectively. The feeding trial lasted about 11 months. Growth performances and meat physical–chemical traits were evaluated. No statistical differences in feed efficiency, average daily gain, or in the main meat quality indicators, as well as in fatty acid profiles were found among the groups. Therefore, cardoon meal could be considered as an alternative to soybean meal in fattening Limousine bulls in order to enhance the sustainability of the farming system

Cardoon meal (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) as alternative protein source during finishing period in poultry feeding

The Food and Agriculture Organization’s previsions show that by 2050 the world’s population will reach 9.6 billion people, and the request for a high value protein source will increase as well. Poultry can guarantee high value protein for humans, even in the poorest regions of the world. Hence, ecient poultry production is needed, matching with sustainable development. The residual meal from cardoon seed oil (used for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) is suitable for animal feeding due to its protein content. The aim of this preliminary study was to test for a possible use of cardoon meal as a protein source in a poultry diet during the finishing period. Forty-five Kabir chickens were divided into three groups and fed three diets in which soybean meal (control) was partially (16%) or completely replaced with cardoon meal as a protein source (treated groups). In vivo performances, animal welfare, dressing out and meat color were evaluated. No statistical dierences in feed eciency, dressing out, nor in meat quality were found among groups. Moreover, birds that were fed cardoon meal showed lower perivisceral fat. Therefore, cardoon meal could be considered as an alternative for soybean meal in the finishing period in poultry feeding

Location, number and factors associated with cerebral microbleeds in an Italian-British cohort of CADASIL patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The frequency, clinical correlates, and risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) are still poorly known. We aimed at determining the location and number of CMB and their relationship with clinical manifestations, vascular risk factors, drugs, and other neuroimaging features in CADASIL patients. METHODS: We collected clinical data by means of a structured proforma and centrally evaluated CMB on magnetic resonance gradient echo sequences applying the Microbleed Anatomical Rating Scale in CADASIL patients seen in 2 referral centers in Italy and United Kingdom. RESULTS: We evaluated 125 patients. CMB were present in 34% of patients and their presence was strongly influenced by the age. Twenty-nine percent of the patients had CMB in deep subcortical location, 22% in a lobar location, and 18% in infratentorial regions. After adjustment for age, factors significantly associated with a higher total number of CMB were hemorrhagic stroke, dementia, urge incontinence, and statins use (this latter not confirmed by multivariate analysis). Infratentorial and deep CMB were associated with dementia and urge incontinence, lobar CMB with hemorrhagic stroke, dementia, and statins use. Unexpectedly, patients with migraine, with or without aura, had a lower total, deep, and lobar number of CMB than patients without migraine. DISCUSSION: CMB formation in CADASIL seems to increase with age. History of hemorrhagic stroke, dementia, urge incontinence, and statins use are associated with a higher number of CMB. However, these findings need to be confirmed by longitudinal studies

Philadelphie

1. Preamble In 2018, we succeeded in identifying two significant quarters in the urban area of Philadelphia: a quarter of potters (sector 37) and a quarter of storehouses (sector 15, sector 40). Their remains are limited at relatively early Ptolemaic strata (mid. 3rd–2nd century BC). Two other quarters, though with less distinctive and coherent traits, also emerged: a quarter of water reservoirs (S12, S13, S39) still uncertainly dated, as well as a quarter (S38) which may or may not be relate..