Non-genetic factors affecting live weight and daily gain weight in Serrana Transmontano kids

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of some non-genetic factors on birth weight, weaning weight and daily gain weight in Serrana Transmontano kids. Data from 8930 records were analysed. Results showed that birth weight (BW), adjusted live weight at 30 days of age (W30), adjusted weaning weight at 60 days of age (WW), average daily gain from birth until 30 days of age (ADG30) and average daily gain from birth until 60 days of age (ADG60) were influenced by sex, age of dam and birth season. BW, W30, WW, ADG30 and ADG60 of males were higher than female. The same variables increased with the dam’s age. Kids born in autumn were heavier than those born in spring, winter and summer. W30 was lower in kids born in winter. TheWWof kids born in spring was higher than of those born in winter, autumn and summer and the ADG30 of kids born in spring and summer were higher than those born in autumn or winter. ADG60 was higher for kids born in spring. Kids born singlewere heavier at BW, W30 and ADG30 whilst kids born triple were lighter. Males showed the greatest weights and average daily gains, in the offspring of 3–5 years old females, as well as in single born and in those which were born in autumn

Predicción de la composición regional de la canal de cabritos de raza Blanca Celtibérica, a partir de medidas subjetivas del grado de engrasamiento y cantidad de grasa pélvico renal

EI peso canal fría, grado de engrasamiento con das escalas de (1-5) y de (1-15) puntas y cantidad de grasa pélvico renal con dos escalas de puntuación (1-3) y (1-9) fueron utilizados como predictores de la composición regional o anatómica de las canales de 31 cabritas de raza Blanca Celtiberica, can una media de peso canal fría de 6,9±2,1 kg

Composites of biopolymers and ZnO NPs for controlled release of zinc in agricultural soils and timed delivery for maize

Zinc deficiency is a widespread micronutrient deficiency problem affecting crops worldwide. Unlike conventional ionic fertilizers (Zn as salt or chelated forms), Zn-based engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have the potential to release Zn in a controlled manner, reducing Zn losses through leaching upon application to soil. In this work, composites made of biopolymers (microcrystalline cellulose, chitosan and alginate) and ZnO nanoparticles (4-65% Zn w/w) were prepared. Their potential for Zn controlled release was tested in four agricultural soils of distinct pH and organic matter content over 30 days. While conventionally used Zn salts leached from the soil resulting in very low CaCl2-extractable Zn concentration, Zn in ZnO NPs was less labile, and ZnO-biopolymers maintained a better constant supply of CaCl2-extractable Zn than all other treatments. ZnO NPs/alginate beads prepared by crosslinking with CaCl2 presented the slowest Zn release kinetics. As assessed with maize plants grown in poor Zn acidic soil (LUFA 2.1, pH=5.2), this constant Zn release from ZnO NPs/alginate beads resulted in a steadier Zn concentration in the soil pore water over time. These results further indicate that ZnO NPs/alginate beads could meet the maize Zn needs while avoiding the early stage Zn toxicity induced by conventional Zn supplies, demonstrating that these ENMs are a sustainable way to supply Zn in a controlled manner in acidic soils. The impact of plant exudates on Zn bioavailability in the soil under maize-root influence (rhizosphere) is also discussed, underlying the need to study the fate of micronutrients in the rhizosphere to better predict its long-term bioavailability in bulk soils.publishe

Learner’s satisfaction within a breast imaging eLearning course for radiographers

Background: An asynchronous eLearning system was developed for radiographers in order to promote a better knowledge about senology and mammography. Objectives: to assess the learners’ satisfaction. Methods: Target population included radiographers and radiogr aphy students, in order to assess eLearning satisfaction according to different experience levels in breast imaging. Satisfaction was measured through a questionnaire developed especially for eLearning systems, using a seven - point Likert scale. Main topics related are content, interface, personalization and learning community. Results: Overall, 85% of learners were satisfied with the course and 87,5% considered that the course is successful. Main areas that were evaluated by most learners in a positive way were interface and content (between six and seven - point); on the other hand, learning community presented a wider distribution of answers . Conclusions: The course provides an overall high degree of learner satisfaction, thus providing more effective knowle dge gain on breast imaging for radiographers

Development and Assessment of an E-Learning Course on Breast Imaging for Radiographers: A Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Mammography is considered the best imaging technique for breast cancer screening, and the radiographer plays an important role in its performance. Therefore, continuing education is critical to improving the performance of these professionals and thus providing better health care services. Objective: Our goal was to develop an e-learning course on breast imaging for radiographers, assessing its efficacy , effectiveness, and user satisfaction. Methods: A stratified randomized controlled trial was performed with radiographers and radiology students who already had mammography training, using pre- and post-knowledge tests, and satisfaction questionnaires. The primary outcome was the improvement in test results (percentage of correct answers), using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Results: A total of 54 participants were assigned to the intervention (20 students plus 34 radiographers) with 53 controls (19+34). The intervention was completed by 40 participants (11+29), with 4 (2+2) discontinued interventions, and 10 (7+3) lost to follow-up. Differences in the primary outcome were found between intervention and control: 21 versus 4 percentage points (pp), P<.001. Stratified analysis showed effect in radiographers (23 pp vs 4 pp; P=.004) but was unclear in students (18 pp vs 5 pp; P=.098). Nonetheless, differences in students’ posttest results were found (88% vs 63%; P=.003), which were absent in pretest (63% vs 63%; P=.106). The per-protocol analysis showed a higher effect (26 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001), both in students (25 pp vs 3 pp; P=.004) and radiographers (27 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001). Overall, 85% were satisfied with the course, and 88% considered it successful. Conclusions: This e-learning course is effective, especially for radiographers, which highlights the need for continuing education

Preparation of carbon molecular sieve membranes from an optimized ionic liquid-regenerated cellulose precursor

Novel carbon molecular sieve membranes with high separation performance and stability in the presence of humidified streams were prepared from an optimized ionic liquid-regenerated cellulose precursor, in a single carbonization step. Membranes prepared at two different carbonization end temperatures (550 degrees C and 600 degrees C) were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, carbon dioxide adsorption and permeation experiments. The prepared membranes exhibited uniform thickness of approximately 20 mu m and a well-developed microporous structure. The permeation performance of these carbon molecular sieve membranes was above the Robeson upper bound curve for polymeric membranes. In particular, the membrane prepared at 550 degrees C end temperature exhibited permeability to oxygen of 5.16 barrer and O-2/N-2 ideal selectivity of 32.3 and permeability to helium of 126 barrer and He/N-2 ideal selectivity of 788; besides, permeation experiments performed in the presence of ca. 80% relative humidity showed that humidity does not originate pore blockage. These results open the door for the preparation of tailor made precursors that originate carbon molecular sieve membranes with extraordinary separation performances, mechanical resistance and stability

Efecto del sexo, tipo de nacimiento y edad de la madre en el crecimiento de corderos de la raza Churra Galega Bragançana

EI objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar eI efecto sexo, tipo de nacimiento y de la edad de la madre sobre peso al nacer y el peso a los 30, 60 y 90 días de edad

Underwater Wireless Communications in Freshwater at 2.4 GHz

Publisher copyright and source must be acknowledged with citationThere are few equations for underwater communications in the related literature. They show that the speed propagation and absorption coefficient in freshwater are independent of the working frequency of the transmitted signals. However, some studies demonstrate that electromagnetic waves present lower losses when they are working at certain frequencies. In this paper, we perform a set of measurements of electromagnetic (EM) waves at 2.4 GHz in the underwater environment. In our study case, we fix the water conditions and we measure the behavior of EM as a function of several network parameters such as the working frequency, data transfer rates and modulations. Our results will show that higher frequencies do not mean worse network performance. We will also compare our conclusion with some statements extracted from other works.This work has been partially supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, through the Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2008 - 2011 in the Subprograma de Proyectos de Investigacion Fundamental, project TEC2011 - 27516, and by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, through the PAID-05-12 multidisciplinary projects, Ref: SP20120420. This work has also been partially supported by the Instituto de Telecomunicacoes, Next Generation Networks and Applications Group (NetGNA), Portugal, and by National Funding from the FCT Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia through the PEst - OE/EEI/LA0008/2013 Project.Sendra Compte, S.; Lloret, J.; Rodrigues, JJPC.; Aguiar, JM. (2013). Underwater Wireless Communications in Freshwater at 2.4 GHz. IEEE Communications Letters. 17(9):1794-1797. https://doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2013.072313.131214S1794179717

Smart Collaborative Mobile System for Taking Care of Disabled and Elderly People

Official statistics data show that in many countries the population is aging. In addition, there are several illnesses and disabilities that also affect a small sector of the population. In recent years, researchers and medical foundations are working in order to develop systems based on new technologies and enhance the quality of life of them. One of the cheapest ways is to take advantage of the features provided by the smartphones. Nowadays, the development of reduced size smartphones, but with high processing capacity, has increased dramatically. We can take profit of the sensors placed in smartphones in order to monitor disabled and elderly people. In this paper, we propose a smart collaborative system based on the sensors embedded in mobile devices, which permit us to monitor the status of a person based on what is happening in the environment, but comparing and taking decisions based on what is happening to its neighbors. The proposed protocol for the mobile ad hoc network and the smart system algorithm are described in detail. We provide some measurements showing the decisions taken for several common cases and we also show the performance of our proposal when there is a medium size group of disabled or elderly people. Our proposal can also be applied to take care of children in several situations.This work has been partially supported by the Instituto de Telecomunicacoes, Next Generation Networks and Applications Group (NetGNA), Portugal, and by National Funding from the FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia through the PEst-OE/EEI/LA0008/2011 Project.Sendra Compte, S.; Granell Romero, E.; Lloret, J.; Rodrigues, JJPC. (2014). Smart Collaborative Mobile System for Taking Care of Disabled and Elderly People. 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Cross-layer Dynamic Admission Control for Cloud-based Multimedia Sensor Networks

Publisher copyright and source must be acknowledged with citation. Must link to publisher version with DOICloud-based communications system is now widely used in many application fields such as medicine, security, environment protection, etc. Its use is being extended to the most demanding services like multimedia delivery. However, there are a lot of constraints when cloud-based sensor networks use the standard IEEE 802.15.3 or IEEE 802.15.4 technologies. This paper proposes a channel characterization scheme combined to a cross-layer admission control in dynamic cloud-based multimedia sensor networks to share the network resources among any two nodes. The analysis shows the behavior of two nodes using different network access technologies and the channel effects for each technology. Moreover, the existence of optimal node arrival rates in order to improve the usage of dynamic admission control when network resources are used is also shown. An extensive simulation study was performed to evaluate and validate the efficiency of the proposed dynamic admission control for cloud-based multimedia sensor networks.This work has been supported in part by Instituto de Telecomunicacoes, Next Generation Networks and Applications Group (NetGNA), Portugal, and in part by National Funding from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia through the Pest-OE/EEI/LA0008/2011.Mendes, LDP.; Rodrigues, JJPC.; Lloret, J.; Sendra Compte, S. (2014). Cross-layer Dynamic Admission Control for Cloud-based Multimedia Sensor Networks. IEEE Systems Journal. 8(1):235-246. doi:10.1109/JSYST.2013.2260653S2352468