Microwave broadband characterization of aging of SU-8 polymer as CPW substrate

In this paper we present the methodology and the numerical results related to the analysis of aging of the SU- 8 polymer when used as a primary layer for the realization of Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) structures. As test devices, we used a set of transmission lines with different lengths and T-shaped open stubs shunt resonators; by using these geometries, we are able to acquire the data in a broadband range, in principle between 1 GHz and 40 GHz. We conduct the analysis by comparing two different technology run: the first wafer with a deposited layer by a 12-year-old SU-8 and the second wafer, with the same photolithographed metallic geometries, with a brand-new processed SU-8 photoresist

The effects of Sepiolite-SPLF on heavy pigs fed liquid diets

The effects of the addition of Sepiolite for Pig Liquid Feeding (SPLF) at 1% on growing performance and carcass quality of heavy pigs fed practical diets were evaluated by using 330 Duroc x (Landrace x Large White) pigs, half castrated males and half females, from 63.5 to 170 kg body weight

Effects of the rearing season on carcass and meat quality of suckling Apennine light lambs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the rearing season (autumn vs winter) on the carcass and meat quality of light lambs, obtained according to the traditional farming system usual in central Italy. Eighty carcasses from 60 d±3 old unweaned Apennine single birth male lambs, permanently reared indoor, half in autumn (receiving milk from ewes permanently pastured) and half in winter (which dams did never acceded to pasture), were weighed, classified according to the EU classification system for light lambs, and their Longissimus lumborum meat was analysed for pH, colour, drip and cooking losses, proximate composition and fatty acids profile of intramuscular fat. Most of the carcasses fully responded to the 1st quality EU requirements and no effects of the rearing season was evident on carcass characteristics. On the contrary, L. lumborum of lambs born and reared in autumn, receiving milk from ewes permanently pastured, evidenced a lower Lightness L* (P=0.02), a higher Chroma C* (P=0.01), with a higher fat content (P=0.04) than lambs reared in winter, which dams were permanently stall-fed. Moreover the intramuscular fat of the former was characterized by a greater PUFA concentration (P=0.01), a more favourable n-6/n-3 ratio (Pb 0.001), and a higher CLA content (Pb0.001) than the latter, as a result of the difference related to the sheep traditional feeding system

Knowledge and perspectives on the welfare of italian heavy pigs on farms

This review aims to give an overview of the most significant available information on welfare issues of Italian heavy pigs on farms. These animals, whose meat is used to produce typical products, are characterized by much higher body weights and age at slaughter (approximately 160\u2013170 kg, and 9 months of age) than most pigs reared in Europe, resulting in peculiar behavioral and rearing-related needs. To highlight the main findings and the areas in which additional research is needed, the paper was organized by allocating the studies on the basis of the Welfare Quality four principles framework, i.e., good feeding, good housing, good health, and appropriate behavior. The results indicate the possibility of improvement with regard to the management of feeding, watering, and some environmental parameters (light, thermal comfort, enrichments) and a lack of knowledge on the actual space requirements (and a corresponding regulatory gap). Moreover, deficiencies concerning the prevalence of injuries and disease and the relationship between lesions observed post-mortem and rearing conditions needs to be addressed. Lastly, the absence of research concerning the evaluation of the emotional state of animals has been highlighted. It is hoped that these findings will, in the future, serve as a basis for the development of specific policies for these animals in order to increase the ethical value of the entire production chain, in accordance with consumers\u2019 demand and expectation for high animal welfare standards

Tail docking in pigs: a review on its short- and long-term consequences and effectiveness in preventing tail biting

In spite of European legislation attempting to limit this practice, tail docking is nowadays the only preventive measure against tail biting which is widely adopted by farmers. Docking consists in amputating, usually without anaesthesia or analgesia, the distal part of the tail, in order to reduce its attractiveness and to sensitize it, increasing avoidance behaviour in the bitten pig. Tail docking results in both acute and chronic effects on pig welfare, and its effectiveness in preventing tail biting is limited, since it reduces the symptoms of a behavioural disorder, but does not address the underlying causes. The aim of the present paper is to review the available literature on the effects of tail docking on swine welfare. Although from a practical standpoint the welfare risks arising from tail docking may appear to be negligible compared to those arising during and after tail biting outbreaks, it should be considered that, apart from acute physiological and behavioural responses, tail docking may also elicit long-term effects on weight gain, tail stump sensitivity and animal freedom to express their normal behaviour. Such chronic effects have been poorly investigated so far. Besides, studies evaluating the effectiveness of anaesthetics or analgesic treatments are often conflicting. Within this framework, further research is recommended in order to reduce the acute and chronic pain and discomfort experienced by the animals, until preventive measures (e.g., environmental enrichment, stocking densities) are broadly adopted to prevent tail biting

Growth parameters and meat quality of pigs fed diets containing high oleic sunflower oil

The aim of the trial was to evaluate the effects of the dietary addition of a 3% sunflower oil containing high-oleic and low-linoleic acid levels (HOSO), supplemented or not with vitamin E, on heavy pig production parameters (growth, meat quality and fatty acid composition of ham subcutaneous fat). 64 Duroc x Large White pigs were allotted to four group (Control, Control plus vitamin E, 3% HOSO and 3% HOSO plus vitamin E). Regardless of vitamin E supplementation, our results indicate that a 3% addition of HOSO has no effect both on growth parameters and carcass and fresh meat quality. HOSO dietary addition resulted in a higher (P<0.001) level of oleic acid and in lower levels of palmitic and stearic acids in the subcutaneous fat. Furthermore, fat deriving from pigs on HOSO diets showed a higher (P<0.001) iodine value. Nevertheless, linoleic acid level and iodine value did not exceed the maximum allowed for long-curing PDO hams

The effects of pressed sugar beet pulp silage (PBPS) and dairy whey on heavy pig production

The effects of pressed beet pulp silage (PBPS) replacing barley for 10% and 20% (DM basis) were studied on heavy pigs (60 Hypor pigs from 28 kg) fed dairy whey-diluted diets

Triangular Sierpinski Microwave Band-Stop Resonators for K-Band Filtering

Triangular resonators re-shaped with Sierpinski geometry were designed, manufactured, and tested for potential applications in the K-Band. Prototypes of band-stop filters working around 20 GHz and 26 GHz, interesting for RADAR and satellite communications, were studied in a coplanar waveguide (CPW) configuration. Single and coupled structures were analyzed to give evidence for: (i) the tuning of the resonance frequency by increasing the internal complexity of the triangle and (ii) resonance enhancement when coupled structures are considered. The exploited devices were part of the more extended family of metamaterial-inspired structures, and they were studied for their heuristic approach to the prediction of the spectrum using experimental results supported by electromagnetic simulations. As a result, a Sierpinski resonator, not only fed into but also fully embedded into a CPW environment, had a frequency response that was not easily determined by classical theoretical approaches

MEMS-Switched Triangular and U-Shaped Band-Stop Resonators for K-Band Operation

Triangular resonators re-shaped into Sierpinski geometry and U-shaped resonators were designed, linking them with single-pole-double-through (SPDT) RF MEMS switches to provide frequency tuning for potential applications in the K-Band. Prototypes of band-stop narrowband filters working around 20 GHz and 26 GHz, interesting for RADAR and satellite communications, were studied in a coplanar waveguide (CPW) configuration, and the tuning was obtained by switching between two paths of the devices loaded with different resonators. As a result, dual-band operation or fine-tuning could be obtained depending on the choice of the resonator, acting as a building block. The studied filters belong to the more general group of devices inspired by a metamaterial design

JNK1 ablation improves pancreatic β-cell mass and function in db/db diabetic mice without affecting insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue inflammation

The cJun N-terminal Kinases (JNK) emerged as a major link between obesity and insulin resistance, but their role in the loss of pancreatic β-cell mass and function driving the progression from insulin resistance to type-2 diabetes and in the complications of diabetes was not investigated to the same extent. Furthermore, it was shown that pan-JNK inhibition exacerbates kidney damage in the db/db model of obesity-driven diabetes. Here we investigate the role of JNK1 in the db/db model of obesity-driven type-2 diabetes. Mice with systemic ablation of JNK1 (JNK1−/−) were backcrossed for more than 10 generations in db/+ C57BL/KS mice to generate db/db-JNK1−/− mice and db/db control mice. To define the role of JNK1 in the loss of β-cell mass and function occurring during obesity-driven diabetes we performed comprehensive metabolic phenotyping, evaluated steatosis and metabolic inflammation, performed morphometric and cellular composition analysis of pancreatic islets, and evaluated kidney function in db/db-JNK1−/− mice and db/db controls. db/db-JNK1−/− mice and db/db control mice developed insulin resistance, fatty liver, and metabolic inflammation to a similar extent. However, db/db-JNK1−/− mice displayed better glucose tolerance and improved insulin levels during glucose tolerance test, higher pancreatic insulin content, and larger pancreatic islets with more β-cells than db/db mice. Finally, albuminuria, kidney histopathology, kidney inflammation and oxidative stress in db/db-JNK1−/− mice and in db/db mice were similar. Our data indicate that selective JNK1 ablation improves glucose tolerance in db/db mice by reducing the loss of functional β-cells occurring in the db/db mouse model of obesity-driven diabetes, without significantly affecting metabolic inflammation, steatosis, and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we have found that, differently from what previously reported for pan-JNK inhibitors, selective JNK1 ablation does not exacerbate kidney dysfunction in db/db mice. We conclude that selective JNK1 inactivation may have a superior therapeutic index than pan-JNK inhibition in obesity-driven diabetes