Dark Universe and distribution of Matter as Quantum Imprinting: the Quantum Origin of Universe

In this paper we analyze the Dark Matter problem and the distribution of matter through two different approaches, which are linked by the possibility that the solution of these astronomical puzzles should be sought in the quantum imprinting of the Universe. The first approach is based on a cosmological model formulated and developed in the last ten years by the first and third authors of this paper; the so-called Archaic Universe. The second approach was formulated by Rosen in 1933 by considering the Friedmann-Einstein equations as a simple one-dimensional dynamical system reducing the cosmological equations in terms of a Schroedinger equation. As an example, the quantum memory in cosmological dynamics could explain the apparently periodic structures of the Universe while Archaic Universe shows how the quantum phase concernts not only an ancient era of the Universe, but quantum facets permeating the entire Universe today.Comment: 18 page

Pollination benefits are maximized at intermediate nutrient levels

none3noYield production in flowering crops depends on both nutrient availability and pollination, but their relative roles and potential interactions are poorly understood. We measured pollination benefits to yield in sunflower, combining a gradient in insect pollination (0, 25, 50, 100%) with a continuous gradient in nitrogen (N) fertilization (from 0 to 150 kg N ha−1) in an experiment under realistic soil field conditions. We found that pollination benefits to yield were maximized at intermediate levels of N availability, bolstering yield by approximately 25% compared with complete pollinator exclusion. Interestingly, we found little decrease in yield when insect visits were reduced by 50%, indicating that the incremental contribution of pollination by insects to yield is greater when the baseline pollination service provision is very low. Our findings provide strong evidence for interactive, nonlinear effects of pollination and resource availability on seed production. Our results support ecological intensification as a promising strategy for sustainable management of agroecosystems. In particular, we found optimal level of pollination to potentially compensate for lower N applications.mixedTamburini, Giovanni; Lami, Francesco; Marini, LorenzoTamburini, Giovanni; Lami, Francesco; Marini, Lorenz

Pollination benefits are maximized at intermediate nutrient levels

Yield production in flowering crops depends on both nutrient availability and pollination, but their relative roles and potential interactions are poorly understood. We measured pollination benefits to yield in sunflower, combining a gradient in insect pollination (0, 25, 50, 100%) with a continuous gradient in nitrogen (N) fertilization (from 0 to 150 kg N ha-1) in an experiment under realistic soil field conditions. We found that pollination benefits to yield were maximized at intermediate levels of N availability, bolstering yield by approximately 25% compared with complete pollinator exclusion. Interestingly, we found little decrease in yield when insect visits were reduced by 50%, indicating that the incremental contribution of pollination by insects to yield is greater when the baseline pollination service provision is very low. Our findings provide strong evidence for interactive, nonlinear effects of pollination and resource availability on seed production. Our results support ecological intensification as a promising strategy for sustainable management of agroecosystems. In particular, we found optimal level of pollination to potentially compensate for lower N applications

Milking procedures, milk flow curves and somatic cell count in dairy cows

Recent availability of electronic mobile milk flow meters allows to study in details milk flow patterns during milking. A normal milk flow profile is characterized by an incline phase, with increasing milk flow, a plateau phase, with steady milk flow, and a decline phase. In these phases milk flow is influenced by many factors: genetic characteristics of the cows, regulation of milking machine and milking routine

Feeding behaviour, digestibility, energy balance and productive performance of lactating goats fed forage-based and forage-free diets

Six lactating Saanen goats have been used in a Latin Square design to evaluate a grass-based diet (G), a hay-based diet(H) and a nonforage diet (NF). On dry matter, grass and hay contributed for 55% of the diets and had 13.7 and 16.1%CP, 55.4 and 49.4% NDF, 38.0 and 31.6% ADF, respectively. Diet NF had beet pulp, cracked carob beans and whole cottonseedas main ingredients, with more than 75% of the particles greater than 2 mm.Independently of the dietary treatment, the goats spent more time eating than ruminating. Diet NF proved to be effectivein stimulating chewing activity, despite a trend for a lower chewing activity for eating (178, 185, 125 min/kg DMIfor diets G, H and NF, respectively), but not for ruminating (84, 80, 80 min/kg DMI for diets G, H and NF, respectively).Feed intake did not differ among diets, while regarding digestibility diet NF had the highest values for DM (74.1%), OM(75.7%) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (92.0%), but the lowest for ADF (44.5%). For treatments G, H and NF milk yieldswere 3011, 3688 and 3212 g/d (P<0.05 between H and G), while milk fat and protein were respectively 3.37, 3.24,2.96% (P<0.05 between G and NF) and 3.11, 3.32, 3.29%. Milk urea N was lower for diet NF (18.8, 18.6, 12.7 mg/100ml, P<0.001). Diet NF increased the concentration of the short chain fatty acids of milk fat and decreased the content ofC18:0, C18:1 and C18:3 in comparison to the other two diets. No difference among treatments was recorded for CLA.Intake energy was digested to a lesser extent for diet G (68.9, 70.0, 72.7%, P<0.05 between G and NF) due to its poorquality forage. Urinary energy losses reflected the corresponding protein contents of the diets, while no difference wasrecorded for methane production. ME resulted higher for diet NF (60.0, 60.7, 65.1% of the intake energy, P<0.01), whileheat production and milk energy yield were similar in the three treatments. Diet NF had a higher ME content (11.13,11.26, 11.93 MJ/kg DM, P<0.05), while no significant difference among the diets was recorded in terms of kl (0.64, 0.70,0.69) and NEl (7.20, 7.93, 8.30 MJ/kg DM).It is concluded from the study that a nonforage diet with an adequate amount of structured fibre could substitute a rationbased on poor quality forage in lactating goats; however, good forage seems to enhance milk performance to a greaterextent

Buprestis splendens (Fabricius, 1774) (Coleoptera Buprestidae) on the Calabrian side of the "Parco Nazionale del Pollino" (Calabria, Italy): distribution and ecological observation

Buprestis splendens (Fabricius, 1774) (Coleoptera Buprestidae) is a rare European chorotype species, threatened throughout its distribution by global climate change, forest fires and the capture of specimens by collectors. To date, in Italy, its presence was only known in a few areas on the Lucanian side of the massif of Pollino. This report records the first, reliable sightings of its presence on the Calabrian side of the Pollino and in the mountains of Orsomarso. It also makes observations on its environment and the factors that put its survival at risk

Environmental impact of the typical heavy pig production in Italy

The Italian pig sector is mainly focused on the production of heavy pigs used for the traditional dry-cured hams. At slaughter a minimum of 160 kg and 9 months age are required to comply with the production specifications of the ham consortia. Advancing livestock age and increasing fat deposition negatively affect feed conversion ratio, which is one of the main determinants of meat production environmental impact. The aim of the study was to provide a first evaluation of the environmental impact potentials of heavy pig production in Italy through a Life Cycle Assessment approach. Additional objectives were to identify the main hot spots and the most important data gaps in the analysis. A cradle to farm gate Life Cycle Assessment was performed in 6 intensive pig farms located in Northern Italy. Key parameters concerning on-farm activities, inputs and outputs were collected through personal interviews with farmers. The functional unit was 1 kg live weight. Direct land use change was considered in the emissions of imported soybean. The average pig slaughter live weight was 168.7 \ub1 33.3 kg. Environmental impacts per kg live weight were generally higher than those generated in the production of pigs slaughtered at lower weight. The global warming potential was on average 4.25 \ub1 1.03 kg CO2 eq/kg live weight. Feed chain (crop production at farm and purchased feed) was the major source of impact for all the categories and the most important hotspot of heavy pig production. Farm size and reproductive efficiency appeared important factors in the environmental burden of heavy pig production: the largest and most efficient farm (as live weight produced per sow) had impact potentials per kg live weight much lower than those generated in the less efficient farm and similar to the ones reported on pigs slaughtered at a lower weight. The wide range of impact values within farms reveals opportunities for environmental improvements in the production of the traditional heavy pig. There is a need for further data and models on methane enteric emissions and nitrogen excretions above 100 kg of live weight

Milk ejection during automatic milking in dairy cows

Tactile stimulation (manual or mechanical) of the mammary gland causes alveolar milk ejection through a neuro-endocrine reflex arc (Dzidic et al., 2004). Oxytocin is the hormone that induces the contraction of the myoepitelial cells surrounding the alveoli

Effect of season and cow cleanliness on teat apex score and milk somatic cell count

Teat end tissue could change after repeated milkings, resulting in the development of a callous ring around the teat orifice. Factors affecting teat hyperkeratosis include: teat end shape, production level, stage of lactation, lactation number, milking management (especially slow milking and over-milking). Also harsh weather conditions or sudden weather changes can affect the level of teat hyperkeratosis. Somatic cells count in milk is an indicator of udder safety and is influenced by stage and number of lactation, milking procedure, hygiene condition of cubicles and udder, seasonal variations. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of season and cow cleanliness on teat end condition and somatic cell count (SCC). A sample of 16 dairy farms (80 cows on average) were visited during winter, summer and intermediate seasons (autumn or spring) at evening milking. Hygiene score (Schreiner and Ruegg, 2003) and teat score (Mein et al., 2001) were assessed for each milking cows. Individual SCC and milk quality were obtained from AIA database. Records were Linear Score (LS) per cell count, average Udder hygiene Score (US) and average Teat Score (TS). Two classes of observations were defined on US basis: 642 or &gt;2 score. All data (2161 observations) were analyzed using analysis of variance (proc GLM, SAS). LS showed very low values but with high variability (2.9\ub11.7 on average); TS was very good (1.8\ub10.62). Season had a significant effect (P &lt; 0.001) on milk quality (fat and protein) with higher values during winter in comparison with other season; unexpected no effect was obtained on LS. Season also affected TS with higher value during intermediate seasons. US was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) during winter in comparison with other seasons. TS were significantly lower (P&lt;0.02) in the first class (based on US) compared to the second one. The study confirmed the great effect of season on milk quality and teat conditions and showed that udder cleanliness had a positive consequence on teat apex condition