Improvement of dry-cured Iberian ham sensory characteristics through the use of a concentrate high in oleic acid for pig feeding

peer-reviewedThe aim of this study was to investigate the sensory characteristics of dry-cured hams from confined Iberian pigs fed on a high oleic (HO) concentrate (HO-Pienso hams), and to study how different the characteristics of these hams are from those of Iberian hams from the best grade (Montanera hams, from extensively reared pigs). Nearly half of the fatty acids studied were similar in HO-Pienso and Montanera hams. No differences were found for 18:1, but some major fatty acids of subcutaneous fat of Iberian hams were different between the HO-Pienso and the Montanera hams (C16:0, C18:0, C18:2). The descriptive test revealed that 15 of the 23 sensory characteristics were not significantly different between both groups of hams. No sensory differences appeared for fat appearance or lean texture characteristics, but lean appearance, oiliness, saltiness and the most intensively perceived characteristics of odour and flavour were significantly different. These differences in the sensory traits between Montanera and Pienso hams were not as marked as found in previous studies. Therefore, the use of a concentrate high in oleic acid enables simulation, at least in part, of the sensory characteristics, especially texture.Ángela Jurado thanks the Junta de Extremadura for its support

Joint environmental policy making and sustainable practices for the cardboard production: case study: Smurfit Kappa

Purpose – This paper presents an analysis of the influence of “Joint Environmental Policy-making” (JEP) in the operation of the company Smurfit Kappa (SK) in The Netherlands, Austria and Denmark (NL&AD). The paper aims to answer the question: to what extend has different levels of jointness and voluntariness of cardboard packaging-chain agreements between federal, governmental and business actors led to different recycling performances within the same company? Design/methodology/approach – JEP's analysis was framed under the model described by Mol, Volkmar and Liefferink by using information from mixed-methods throughout a semi-structured questionnaire for interviews and revision of relevant secondary data. This is a case of cross-national comparison for which origin and implementation level of JEPs were described per country, in accordance with those stages of the cardboard production chain. Findings – Jointness and voluntariness amongst other actors from governmental areas and business ranked high for the Dutch packaging-chain agreements with a visible impact in SK's recycling rates. SK in Austria and in Denmark, in this order, had a lower implementation level of JEPs which could be reflected in a lower recycling performance than in the Dutch SK subsidiaries. The context matters, including both political and social conditions. In particular, the role of householders as a last link in the recycling chain. Based on this, the selected countries share some societal characteristics associated with the environmental public awareness and active social participation. Originality/value – This paper fulfills an analysis of how environmental policy making is affected by the country context within the same company

Correlated response in body condition and energy mobilisation in rabbits selected for litter size variability

[EN] A divergent selection experiment on litter size variability (high and low lines) was performed in rabbits over seven generations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlated responses to selection in body condition and fat reserves mobilisation. Litter size variability was estimated as phenotypic variance of litter size within female after correcting for the year-season and the parity-lactation status effects. A total of 226 females were used in this study, of which 158 females were used to measure body condition and energy mobilisation. Body condition was measured as BW and perirenal fat thickness. Females were stimulated with the adrenergic isoproterenol. Mobilisation capacity of fat reserves was measured by the lipolytic potential, defined as the increment in non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels from basal concentration until adrenergic stimulation at mating, delivery and 10 days after delivery of the second reproductive cycle. Females were classified as survivor or non-survivor when they were culled for sanitary reasons or died before the third kindling. Data were analysed using Bayesian methodology. Survivor females presented higher BW than the non-survivor females at delivery (238 g, P=1.00) and 10 days after delivery (276 g, P=1.00). They also showed higher perirenal fat thickness at 10 days after delivery (0.62 mm, P=1.00). At delivery, basal NEFA levels was lower in survivor than non-survivor females (-0.18 mmol/l, P=1.00), but their lipolytic potential ( increment NEFA) was higher (0.08 mmol/l, P=0.94). Body weight was similar between lines in survivor females. Perirenal fat thickness was lower in the high line than in the low line at delivery (-0.23 mm, P=0.90) and 10 days after delivery (-0.28 mm, P=0.92). The high line exhibited higher NEFA (0.10 mmol/l, P=0.93) and lower increment NEFA (-0.08 mmol/l, P=0.92) than the low line at delivery. The low line showed a favourable correlated response to selection on body condition and fat reserves mobilisation. In conclusion, the low line selected for litter size variability seems to adapt better to adverse conditions, as it has a greater capacity to mobilise energy reserves at delivery than the high line. Females that adequately manage their body reserves and perform energy mobilisation correctly have a lower risk of dying or being culled.This study is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), projects AGL2014-55921-C2, P1 and P2.Garcia, M.; Blasco Mateu, A.; Garcia, M.; Argente, M. (2019). Correlated response in body condition and energy mobilisation in rabbits selected for litter size variability. Animal. 13(4):784-789. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731118002203S784789134Webster Marketon, J. I., & Glaser, R. (2008). Stress hormones and immune function. Cellular Immunology, 252(1-2), 16-26. doi:10.1016/j.cellimm.2007.09.006Theilgaard, P., Sánchez, J. P., Pascual, J. J., Friggens, N. C., & Baselga, M. (2006). Effect of body fatness and selection for prolificacy on survival of rabbit does assessed using a cryopreserved control population. Livestock Science, 103(1-2), 65-73. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2006.01.007Theilgaard, P., Baselga, M., Blas, E., Friggens, N. C., Cervera, C., & Pascual, J. J. (2009). Differences in productive robustness in rabbits selected for reproductive longevity or litter size. animal, 3(5), 637-646. doi:10.1017/s1751731109003838Roche, J. R., Friggens, N. C., Kay, J. K., Fisher, M. W., Stafford, K. J., & Berry, D. P. (2009). Invited review: Body condition score and its association with dairy cow productivity, health, and welfare. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(12), 5769-5801. doi:10.3168/jds.2009-2431PILORZ, V., JACKEL, M., KNUDSEN, K., & TRILLMICH, F. (2005). The cost of a specific immune response in young guinea pigs. Physiology & Behavior, 85(2), 205-211. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.04.008Pascual, J. J., Castella, F., Cervera, C., Blas, E., & Fernández-Carmona, J. (2000). The use of ultrasound measurement of perirenal fat thickness to estimate changes in body condition of young female rabbits. Animal Science, 70(3), 435-442. doi:10.1017/s135772980005178xMartínez-Paredes, E., Ródenas, L., Martínez-Vallespín, B., Cervera, C., Blas, E., Brecchia, G., … Pascual, J. J. (2012). Effects of feeding programme on the performance and energy balance of nulliparous rabbit does. animal, 6(7), 1086-1095. doi:10.1017/s1751731111002643Gellrich, K., Sigl, T., Meyer, H. H. D., & Wiedemann, S. (2015). Cortisol levels in skimmed milk during the first 22 weeks of lactation and response to short-term metabolic stress and lameness in dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 6(1). doi:10.1186/s40104-015-0035-yFortun-Lamothe, L. (2006). Energy balance and reproductive performance in rabbit does. Animal Reproduction Science, 93(1-2), 1-15. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.06.009Feugier, A., & Fortun-Lamothe, L. (2006). Extensive reproductive rhythm and early weaning improve body condition and fertility of rabbit does. Animal Research, 55(5), 459-470. doi:10.1051/animres:2006025Blasco, A., Martínez-Álvaro, M., García, M.-L., Ibáñez-Escriche, N., & Argente, M.-J. (2017). Selection for environmental variance of litter size in rabbits. Genetics Selection Evolution, 49(1). doi:10.1186/s12711-017-0323-4Friggens, N. C. (2003). Body lipid reserves and the reproductive cycle: towards a better understanding. Livestock Production Science, 83(2-3), 219-236. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(03)00111-8Johnson, R. . (1998). Immune and endocrine regulation of food intake in sick animals. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 15(5), 309-319. doi:10.1016/s0739-7240(98)00031-9Bareille, N., Beaudeau, F., Billon, S., Robert, A., & Faverdin, P. (2003). Effects of health disorders on feed intake and milk production in dairy cows. Livestock Production Science, 83(1), 53-62. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(03)00040-xBlasco A , Martínez-Álvaro M , Garcia ML , Capcarova M , Zbynovska K , Petruska P , Ibáñez-Escriche N and Argente MJ 2018. Selection for genetic environmental sensitivity of litter size changes resilience in rabbits. In 11th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, 11–16 February 2018, Auckland, New Zealand.Fortun, L., Prunier, A., Étienne, M., & Lebas, F. (1994). Influence of the nutritional deficit of foetal survival and growth and plasma metabolites in rabbit does. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 34(3), 201-211. doi:10.1051/rnd:19940303Rosell, J. M., & de la Fuente, L. F. (2016). Causes of mortality in breeding rabbits. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 127, 56-63. doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.03.014Savietto, D., Cervera, C., Blas, E., Baselga, M., Larsen, T., Friggens, N. C., & Pascual, J. J. (2013). Environmental sensitivity differs between rabbit lines selected for reproductive intensity and longevity. animal, 7(12), 1969-1977. doi:10.1017/s175173111300178xGarcía ML , Argente MJ , Muelas R , Birlanga V and Blasco A 2012. Effect of divergent selection for residual variance of litter size on health status and welfare. In Proceedings of the 10th World Rabbit Congress, 3–6 September 2012, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, pp. 103–106.Chilliard, Y. (1993). Dietary Fat and Adipose Tissue Metabolism in Ruminants, Pigs, and Rodents: A Review. Journal of Dairy Science, 76(12), 3897-3931. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(93)77730-9Blasco, A. (2017). Bayesian Data Analysis for Animal Scientists. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-54274-4Sorensen, D., & Gianola, D. (2002). Likelihood, Bayesian, and MCMC Methods in Quantitative Genetics. Statistics for Biology and Health. doi:10.1007/b98952Rosell, J. M., & de la Fuente, L. F. (2009). Culling and mortality in breeding rabbits. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 88(2), 120-127. doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2008.08.003Blache, D., Terlouw, C., & Maloney, S. K. (s. f.). Physiology. Animal welfare, 155-182. doi:10.1079/9781845936594.0155Amat, J. A., Aguilera, E., & Visser, G. H. (2006). Energetic and developmental costs of mounting an immune response in greenfinches (Carduelis chloris). Ecological Research, 22(2), 282-287. doi:10.1007/s11284-006-0022-

Embryologic changes in rabbit lines selected for litter size variability

[EN] A divergent selection experiment on litter size variability was carried out. Correlated response in early embryo survival, embryonic development, size of embryos, and size of embryonic coats after four generations of selection was estimated. A total of 429 embryos from 51 high-line females and 648 embryos from 80 low-line females were used in the experiment. The traits studied were percentage of normal embryos, embryo diameter, zona pellucida thickness, and mucin coat thickness. Traits were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours postcoitum (hpc); mucin coat thickness was only measured at 48 and 72 hpc. The embryos were classified as zygotes or two-cell embryos at 24 hpc; 16-cell embryos or early morulae at 48 hpc; and early morulae, compacted morulae, or blastocyst at 72 hpc. At 24 hpc, the percentage of normal embryos in the high line was lower than in the low line (-2.5%), and embryos in the high line showed 10% higher zona pellucida thickness than those of the low line. No differences in percentage of zygotes or two-cell embryos were found. At 48 hpc, the high-line embryos were less developed, with a higher percentage of 16-cell embryos (23.4%) and a lower percentage of early morulae (-23.4%). At 72 hpc, high-line embryos continued to be less developed, showing higher percentages of early morulae and compact morulae and lower percentages of blastocyst (-1.8%). No differences in embryo diameter or mucin coat thickness were found at any time. In conclusion, selection for litter size variability has consequences on early embryonic survival and development, with embryos presenting a lower state of development and a lower percentage of normal embryos in the line selected for higher variability. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This experiment was supported by projects of National Research Plan AGL2011-29831-C03-02 and GVPRE/2008/145.Garcia, M.; Blasco Mateu, A.; Argente, M. (2016). Embryologic changes in rabbit lines selected for litter size variability. Theriogenology. 86(5):1247-1250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.065S1247125086

Assemblage par soudage diffusion de deux superalliages. Aspects diffusionnels et microstructuraux au niveau du joint

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A Bag of Features Based Approach for Classification of Motile Sperm Cells

The analysis of sperm morphology remains an essential process for diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. In this paper, a novel framework based on image processing is proposed to classify sperm cell images affected by noise due to their movement. This represents a challenge, articularly because the cells are not fixed or stained. The proposed framework is based on Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) combined with Bag of Features (BoF) models to quantise features computed by SURF. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are used to classify the simplified feature vectors, extracted from sperm cell images, into normal, abnormal and noncell categories. The performance of this framework is compared to a similar model where the Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) is used to extract features and SVMs is applied for their classification. The proposed framework allows to achieve classification results with an average accuracy of 90% with the SURF approach compared to 78% with the HOG approach

Validation of a Virtual Assistant for Improving Medication Adherence in Patients with Comorbid Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Depressive Disorder

Virtual assistants are programs that interact with users through text or voice messages simulating a human-based conversation. The development of healthcare virtual assistants that use messaging platforms is rapidly increasing. Still, there is a lack of validation of these assistants. In particular, this work aimed to validate the effectiveness of a healthcare virtual assistant, integrated within messaging platforms, with the aim of improving medication adherence in patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus and depressive disorder. For this purpose, a nine-month pilot study was designed and subsequently conducted. The virtual assistant reminds patients about their medication and provides healthcare professionals with the ability to monitor their patients. We analyzed the medication possession ratio (MPR), measured the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and obtained the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) score in the patients before and after the study. We also conducted interviews with all participants. A total of thirteen patients and five nurses used and evaluated the proposed virtual assistant using the messaging platform Signal. Results showed that on average, the medication adherence improved. In the final interview, 69% of the patients agreed with the idea of continuing to use the virtual assistant after the study

Distributional and Ecological Notes on the Halfbeaks of Eastern Gulf of Mexico, with a Provisional Key for Their Identification

Several fishes of the halfbeak genus Hyporhamphus occurring in the Mexican Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea have been misidentified or confused in the literature. Most of it has centered around the taxonomic status of H. unifasciatus (including its synonym H. roberti), which is shown to comprise a complex of three species, H. unifasciatus, the recently described H. meeki, from the western Atlantic region, and an undescribed species from the eastern Pacific Ocean. Another eastern Mexico halfbeak is the freshwater form H. mexicanus. Using Banford and Collette (1993), we examined specimens from collections at UANL, UNAM, IPN, and ECOCH and have clarified the Mexican distribution of these species. We here report additional Mexican records of H. meeki, previously known only from United States waters and from the coast of Yucatán, clarify the distribution of H. unifasciatus, and provide the first marine record of the freshwater species H. mexicanus. A distribution map and keys for identification of the eastern Mexican species are provided

Litter Survival Differences between Divergently Selected Lines for Environmental Sensitivity in Rabbits

[EN] Simple Summary Two rabbit lines are divergently selected for increasing or decreasing the variability of litter size at birth. Decreasing the litter size variability produces more resilient females with less sensitivity to diseases, being an indirect selection way to improve environmental sensitivity. The kits' survival rate at weaning was higher in the homogeneous line. Moreover, this line led to a greater uniformity of the kits' weight at weaning, although the weight variability at birth was higher, which could be due to a higher lactation capacity of the homogeneous line. A divergent selection experiment on environmental sensitivity was performed in rabbits. The aim was to estimate the correlated response in kit weight and survival, litter weight, and weight distance from birth to weaning. The weight distance was calculated as the absolute value of the differences between the individual value and the mean value of its litter. The relationship between the probability of survival at 4 d of age, and the weight at birth, was studied. Environmental sensitivity was measured as litter size variability. A total of 2484 kits from 127 does from the low line, and 1916 kits of 114 does from the high line of the 12th generation were weighed. Both of the lines showed similar individual and litter weights at birth and weaning, and a similar survival rate at birth, and at 4 d of age. The survival rate at weaning was higher in the low line (0.67 and 0.62; P = 0.93). The weight distance was higher at birth, but lower at weaning in the low line (47.8 g and 54.1 g; P = 0.98). When the weight at birth was high, the kits had a higher survival rate. In conclusion, selection for environmental sensitivity showed a correlated response in the kits' survival, and in the homogeneity of litter weight at weaning.This study is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) with the Projects AGL2017-86083, C2-1-P and C2-2-P.Agea, I.; Garcia, M.; Blasco Mateu, A.; Argente, M. (2019). Litter Survival Differences between Divergently Selected Lines for Environmental Sensitivity in Rabbits. Animals. 9(9):1-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9090603S1999Garcı́a, M. L., & Baselga, M. (2002). Estimation of genetic response to selection in litter size of rabbits using a cryopreserved control population. Livestock Production Science, 74(1), 45-53. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(01)00280-9Sánchez, J. P., Theilgaard, P., Mínguez, C., & Baselga, M. (2008). Constitution and evaluation of a long-lived productive rabbit line1. Journal of Animal Science, 86(3), 515-525. doi:10.2527/jas.2007-0217Larzul, C., Ducrocq, V., Tudela, F., Juin, H., & Garreau, H. (2014). The length of productive life can be modified through selection: An experimental demonstration in the rabbit1. Journal of Animal Science, 92(6), 2395-2401. doi:10.2527/jas.2013-7216Rauw, W. ., Kanis, E., Noordhuizen-Stassen, E. ., & Grommers, F. . (1998). Undesirable side effects of selection for high production efficiency in farm animals: a review. Livestock Production Science, 56(1), 15-33. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(98)00147-xBlasco, A., Martínez-Álvaro, M., García, M.-L., Ibáñez-Escriche, N., & Argente, M.-J. (2017). Selection for environmental variance of litter size in rabbits. Genetics Selection Evolution, 49(1). doi:10.1186/s12711-017-0323-4Argente, M. J., García, M. L., Zbyňovská, K., Petruška, P., Capcarová, M., & Blasco, A. (2019). Correlated response to selection for litter size environmental variability in rabbits’ resilience. animal, 13(10), 2348-2355. doi:10.1017/s1751731119000302Bolet, G., Esparbié, J., & Falières, J. (1996). Relations entre le nombre de fœtus par corne utérine, la taille de portée à la naissance et la croissance pondérale des lapereaux. Annales de Zootechnie, 45(2), 185-200. doi:10.1051/animres:19960207Poigner J., Szendrõ Zs., Lévai A., Radnai I., & Biró-Németh E. (2010). EFFECT OF BIRTH WEIGHT AND LITTER SIZE ON GROWTH AND MORTALITY IN RABBITS. World Rabbit Science, 8(1). doi:10.4995/wrs.2000.413TM Threshold Modelhttp://snp.toulouse.inra.fr/~alegarra/manualtm.pdfPeiró, R., Badawy, A. Y., Blasco, A., & Santacreu, M. A. (2019). Correlated responses on growth traits after two-stage selection for ovulation rate and litter size in rabbits. animal, 13(11), 2457-2462. doi:10.1017/s1751731119001423Pascual, J. J., Savietto, D., Cervera, C., & Baselga, M. (2013). Resources allocation in reproductive rabbit does: a review of feeding and genetic strategies for suitable performance. World Rabbit Science, 21(3). doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1236Bolet, G., Garreau, H., Joly, T., Theau-Clement, M., Falieres, J., Hurtaud, J., & Bodin, L. (2007). Genetic homogenisation of birth weight in rabbits: Indirect selection response for uterine horn characteristics. Livestock Science, 111(1-2), 28-32. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2006.11.012Garreau, H., Bolet, G., Larzul, C., Robert-Granié, C., Saleil, G., SanCristobal, M., & Bodin, L. (2008). Results of four generations of a canalising selection for rabbit birth weight. Livestock Science, 119(1-3), 55-62. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2008.02.009Hamilton, H. H., Lukefahr, S. D., & McNitt, J. I. (1997). Maternal nest quality and its influence on litter survival and weaning performance in commercial rabbits. Journal of Animal Science, 75(4), 926. doi:10.2527/1997.754926xVicente, J., García-Ximénez, F., & Viudes-de-Castro, M. (1995). Neonatal performances in 3 lines of rabbit (litter sizes, litter and individual weights). Annales de Zootechnie, 44(3), 255-261. doi:10.1051/animres:19950305Hull, D., & Segall, M. M. (1965). The contribution of brown adipose tissue to heat production in the new-born rabbit. The Journal of Physiology, 181(3), 449-457. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.1965.sp007773Spencer, S. A., & Hull, D. (1984). The effect of over-feeding newborn rabbits on somatic and visceral growth, body composition and long-term growth potential. British Journal of Nutrition, 51(3), 389-402. doi:10.1079/bjn19840045Venge, O. (1963). The influence of nursing behaviour and milk production on early growth in rabbits. Animal Behaviour, 11(4), 500-506. doi:10.1016/0003-3472(63)90269-0Coureaud, G., Schaal, B., Coudert, P., Rideaud, P., Fortun-Lamothe, L., Hudson, R., & Orgeur, P. (2000). Immediate postnatal sucking in the rabbit: Its influence on pup survival and growth. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 40(1), 19-32. doi:10.1051/rnd:2000117Argente, M. J., Santacreu, M. A., Climent, A., & Blasco, A. (1999). Phenotypic and genetic parameters of birth weight and weaning weight of rabbits born from unilaterally ovariectomized and intact does. Livestock Production Science, 57(2), 159-167. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(98)00166-3Xiccato, G., Trocino, A., Sartori, A., & Queaque, P. I. (2004). Effect of parity order and litter weaning age on the performance and body energy balance of rabbit does. Livestock Production Science, 85(2-3), 239-251. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(03)00125-8Rebollar, P. G., Pérez-Cabal, M. A., Pereda, N., Lorenzo, P. L., Arias-Álvarez, M., & García-Rebollar, P. (2009). Effects of parity order and reproductive management on the efficiency of rabbit productive systems. Livestock Science, 121(2-3), 227-233. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2008.06.01