Promotion of Lotus tenuis and calf early weaning as a good management practice for breeding herds in marginal soils of the Flooding Pampa (Argentina)

The promotion of forage legumes in marginal environments for agriculture constitutes a major technological challenge for livestock farming. The legume Lotus tenuis (Waldst. & Kit.) is a good example of beneficial naturalization in the Salado River Basin, that is, in the largest area dedicated to bovine farming in the country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the promotion of L. tenuis in marginal areas as a valuable alternative for early weaning systems in livestock production. Two treatments were tested during three study periods. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed system, average daily weight gain (DWG) and weight gain (WG) of conventional weaning (CW) and early weaning (EW) calves were determined and compared. EW calves grazing on L. tenuis gained more weight than CW calves during Study period 1 (P = 0.028), but no differences were observed between treatments during Study periods 2 and 3 (P ˃ 0.05). Body Condition Score (BCS) for dams in both treatments was evaluated. For all three study periods, BCS improvement was higher in cows from the EW treatment than in Lactating cows (LC) from the CW treatment. Thus, EW improved cow BCS and did not generate weight reductions in calves thanks to the Lotus-based diet. In conclusion, L. tenuis promotion in the summer season resulted higher yields in marginal areas than semi–natural pastures. It also provided an acceptable nutritional value to properly fed a considerable amount of calves on a small surface area, and enabled a better recovery of the dams in terms of body condition. The obtained results support the design of an easy-to-use strategy that facilitates adoption by producers.La promoción de leguminosas forrajeras en ambientes marginales para la agricultura constituye un importante desafío tecnológico para la ganadería. Lotus tenuis (Waldst. & Kit.) es un buen ejemplo de naturalización beneficiosa en la Cuenca del Río Salado, es decir, en una de las más importantes regiones dedicada a la cría de bovinos en el país. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la promoción de L. tenuis como una alternativa valiosa para los sistemas de destete temprano en la producción ganadera. Se probaron dos tratamientos durante tres períodos de estudio. Para evaluar los beneficios del sistema propuesto, se determinó y comparó la ganancia de peso diario promedio y la ganancia del peso de terneros según se utilizaran procesos al pie de la vaca o con un destete temprano. Los terneros provenientes de un destete temprano que pastaban en promociones de L. tenuis ganaron más peso que los terneros provenientes de un destete convencional durante el período de estudio 1 (P = 0.028), pero no se observó diferencia entre los tratamientos durante los períodos de estudio 2 y 3 (P ˃ 0.05). Se evaluó la puntuación de condición corporal para las madres en ambos tratamientos. Para los tres períodos de estudio la mejora de esta condición fue mayor en las vacas del tratamiento de destete temprano que en las vacas lactantes del tratamiento convencional. Por lo tanto, el destete temprano mejoró la condición corporal de la vaca, sin generar reducciones de peso en los terneros gracias a la dieta basada en L. tenuis. En conclusión, la promoción de esta leguminosa en la temporada de verano proporcionó mayores rendimientos en áreas marginales para la agricultura que las pasturas seminaturales. Asimismo, proporcionó una dieta con un valor nutricional aceptable para la alimentación adecuada de una cantidad considerable de terneros en una superficie pequeña, permitiendo al mismo tiempo, una mejor recuperación de las madres en términos de condición corporal. Los resultados obtenidos respaldan el diseño de una estrategia sencilla que facilita la adopción por parte de los productores.EEA Cuenca del SaladoFil: Bailleres, Matias Andres. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado. Agencia De Extensión Rural Chascomus; ArgentinaFil: Campestre, María Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); ArgentinaFil: Antonelli, Cristian Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); ArgentinaFil: Melani, Gustavo Horacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado. Agencia De Extensión Rural Chascomus; ArgentinaFil: Menendez, Ana Bernardina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, Oscar Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales; Argentin

Fast, multi-band photon detectors based on quantum well devices for beam-monitoring in new generation light sources

In order to monitor the photon-beam position for both diagnostics and calibration purposes, we have investigated the possibility to use InGaAs/InAlAs Quantum Well (QW) devices as position-sensitive photon detectors for Free-Electron Laser (FEL) or Synchrotron Radiation (SR). Owing to their direct, low-energy band gap and high electron mobility, such QW devices may be used also at Room Temperature (RT) as fast multi-band sensors for photons ranging from visible light to hard X-rays. Moreover, internal charge-amplification mechanism can be applied for very low signal levels, while the high carrier mobility allows the design of very fast photon detectors with sub-nanosecond response times. Segmented QW sensors have been preliminary tested with 100-fs-wide 400 nm laser pulses and X-ray SR. The reported results indicate that these devices respond with 100 ps rise-times to such ultra-fast laser pulses. Besides, linear scan on the back-pixelated device has shown that these detectors are sensitive to the position of each ultrashort beam bunch

Digital Pixel Test Structures implemented in a 65 nm CMOS process

The ALICE ITS3 (Inner Tracking System 3) upgrade project and the CERN EP R&D on monolithic pixel sensors are investigating the feasibility of the Tower Partners Semiconductor Co. 65 nm process for use in the next generation of vertex detectors. The ITS3 aims to employ wafer-scale Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors thinned down to 20 to 40 um and bent to form truly cylindrical half barrels. Among the first critical steps towards the realisation of this detector is to validate the sensor technology through extensive characterisation both in the laboratory and with in-beam measurements. The Digital Pixel Test Structure (DPTS) is one of the prototypes produced in the first sensor submission in this technology and has undergone a systematic measurement campaign whose details are presented in this article. The results confirm the goals of detection efficiency and non-ionising and ionising radiation hardness up to the expected levels for ALICE ITS3 and also demonstrate operation at +20 C and a detection efficiency of 99% for a DPTS irradiated with a dose of $10^{15}$ 1 MeV n$_{\mathrm{eq}}/$cm$^2$. Furthermore, spatial, timing and energy resolutions were measured at various settings and irradiation levels.Comment: Updated threshold calibration method. Implemented colorblind friendly color palette in all figures. Updated reference

The large area detector onboard the eXTP mission

The Large Area Detector (LAD) is the high-throughput, spectral-timing instrument onboard the eXTP mission, a flagship mission of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China National Space Administration, with a large European participation coordinated by Italy and Spain. The eXTP mission is currently performing its phase B study, with a target launch at the end-2027. The eXTP scientific payload includes four instruments (SFA, PFA, LAD and WFM) offering unprecedented simultaneous wide-band X-ray timing and polarimetry sensitivity. The LAD instrument is based on the design originally proposed for the LOFT mission. It envisages a deployed 3.2 m2 effective area in the 2-30 keV energy range, achieved through the technology of the large-area Silicon Drift Detectors - offering a spectral resolution of up to 200 eV FWHM at 6 keV - and of capillary plate collimators - limiting the field of view to about 1 degree. In this paper we will provide an overview of the LAD instrument design, its current status of development and anticipated performance

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

Photon Beam-Position Monitors based on diamond and quantum wells for third- and fourth-generation light sources

2011/2012L’attività di ricerca qui presentata ha avuto come oggetto lo sviluppo di tecnologie innovative per la produzione di photon beam-position monitor (pBPM) veloci per sincrotroni di terza generazione e laser a elettroni liberi. Tali rivelatori di fotoni sono uno strumento diagnostico utile non solo per le linee che usano la luce di sincrotrone, ma anche per il sistema di controllo dell’acceleratore che la produce. A causa di diverse limitazioni delle tecnologie comunemente usate per la fabbricazione di pBPM, la diagnostica dei fasci di luce non è diffusa né consolidata quanto quella del fascio di particelle, utilizzata per controllare la macchina. Alla luce dei recenti progressi di materiali e strumentazione, si è indirizzata l’attività di ricerca sui rivelatori veloci verso tecnologie allo stato solido quali quelle del diamante monocristallino e dei dispositivi a quantum well, realizzando pBPM innovativi basati su tali tecnologie. In questo documento, dopo un’introduzione al contesto delle sorgenti di luce in cui si è operato, sono riportati e discussi gli aspetti più importanti dello sviluppo di dette tecnologie, corredati dai risultati più significativi delle numerose prove sperimentali cui sono stati sottoposti i rivelatori realizzati.XXV Ciclo198

Guapa bajo el agua: Lotus tenuis

Esta forrajera no sólo resiste condiciones de encharcamiento, sino que con técnicas de manejo, se potenci

Investigation of the behaviour of GaAs/AlGaAs SAM-APDs for synchrotron radiation

11noThis work reports on the fabrication and characterization of a novel high-speed, low-noise X-ray Avalanche Photodiode based on III-V compound semiconductors operating over an extended photon energy range. These materials were suggested as their higher atomic numbers allow for the absorption of higher photon energies; hence, shorter response times can be achieved by growing APDs with thinner active regions. In addition, the use of staircase hetero-junctions enhances electron multiplication and results in lower noise if compared with conventional p-i-n diodes. In this work, molecular beam epitaxy was used to produce GaAs/AlGaAs APDs with separated absorption and multiplication regions. The multiplication region, separated from the absorption region by a δ p-doped layer of carbon, contains a staircase structure composed of nanometric layers of AlGaAs and GaAs, which alternate periodically. The periodic modulation of the band gap enables a well-defined charge multiplication and results in low multiplication noise. Several devices were characterized in terms of dark current, photocurrents generated utilizing visible and hard X-ray sources as well as noise generated under laser light.openopenNichetti, Camilla; Steinhartova, Tereza; Antonelli, Matias; Cautero, Giuseppe; Menk, Ralf Hendrik; Pilotto, Alessandro; Driussi, Francesco; Palestri, Pierpaolo; Selmi, Luca; Arfelli, Fulvia; Biasiol, GiorgioNichetti, Camilla; Steinhartova, Tereza; Antonelli, Matias; Cautero, Giuseppe; Menk, Ralf Hendrik; Pilotto, Alessandro; Driussi, Francesco; Palestri, Pierpaolo; Selmi, Luca; Arfelli, Fulvia; Biasiol, Giorgi

Synchrotron Radiation Study of Gain, Noise, and Collection Efficiency of GaAs SAM-APDs with Staircase Structure

In hard X-ray applications that require high detection efficiency and short response times, such as synchrotron radiation-based Mössbauer absorption spectroscopy and time-resolved fluorescence or photon beam position monitoring, III–V-compound semiconductors, and dedicated alloys offer some advantages over the Si-based technologies traditionally used in solid-state photodetectors. Amongst them, gallium arsenide (GaAs) is one of the most valuable materials thanks to its unique characteristics. At the same time, implementing charge-multiplication mechanisms within the sensor may become of critical importance in cases where the photogenerated signal needs an intrinsic amplification before being acquired by the front-end electronics, such as in the case of a very weak photon flux or when single-photon detection is required. Some GaAs-based avalanche photodiodes (APDs) were grown by a molecular beam epitaxy to fulfill these needs; by means of band gap engineering, we realised devices with separate absorption and multiplication region(s) (SAM), the latter featuring a so-called staircase structure to reduce the multiplication noise. This work reports on the experimental characterisations of gain, noise, and charge collection efficiencies of three series of GaAs APDs featuring different thicknesses of the absorption regions. These devices have been developed to investigate the role of such thicknesses and the presence of traps or defects at the metal–semiconductor interfaces responsible for charge loss, in order to lay the groundwork for the future development of very thick GaAs devices (thicker than 100 [Formula: see text] m) for hard X-rays. Several measurements were carried out on such devices with both lasers and synchrotron light sources, inducing photon absorption with X-ray microbeams at variable and controlled depths. In this way, we verified both the role of the thickness of the absorption region in the collection efficiency and the possibility of using the APDs without reaching the punch-through voltage, thus preventing the noise induced by charge multiplication in the absorption region. These devices, with thicknesses suitable for soft X-ray detection, have also shown good characteristics in terms of internal amplification and reduction of multiplication noise, in line with numerical simulations