304 research outputs found
Sistema integrato per la gestione delle micotossine nella filiera dei mangimi : approcci innovativi
No full textL’esposizione alle micotossine è una preoccupazione mondiale in
quanto la loro presenza è inevitabile e varia tra le regioni geografiche.
Le micotossine possono influenzare le prestazioni e la qualità delle
produzioni di bestiame e agiscono come vettori mettendo a rischio
la salute umana. Il mangime può essere contaminato da varie specie
fungine e la co-presenza di micotossine, micotossine modificate
ed emergenti sono al centro della ricerca moderna. Prevenire
la contaminazione da muffe e micotossine è quasi impossibile;
è necessario che i produttori attuino un programma di gestione
sistemico per moderare il rischio di micotossine lungo la filiera dei
mangimi tramite l’applicazione di un sistema HACCP. L’obiettivo di
questo lavoro è di suggerire un sistema integrato innovativo per la
gestione delle micotossine nella catena alimentare, con particolare
attenzione alle nuove strategie per il loro controllo. Specifiche
tecnologie, come le bio e nanotecnologie e i protocolli di gestione
possono diventare promettenti opzioni sostenibili per implementare il
controllo, la prevenzione e la gestione del rischio micotossine. Future
ricerche si concentrano sui metodi per determinare campioni multi-contaminati e micotossine emergenti e/o modificate
GENERAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES OF OPEN SKILLS AND CLOSED SPORT ATHLETES. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
No full textIntroduction:
Sport improves low-level general and specific perceptual-cognitive processes (1,2). However, the possibility of improving the high-order percept-cognitive skills such as decision-making is under debate.
Our study aims to fill this gap testing the decision-making processes featuring open-skills sport athletes and closed-skills sport athletes in developmental age.
Given the nature of the task involved, fluid intelligence(3) was monitored as a confounding factor.
Methods:
Participants:
Thirty-five athletes (13 track and field athletes and 22 football players) high-level athletes, aged 11.03 土 1.33 y.o., were recruited.
Tasks:
A perceptual decision task with three levels of uncertainty (i.e., low, medium, and high) where participants had to score as many points as possible was used(4).
Performance (LR) and decision confidence were evaluated. Specifically, the performance was evaluated through an index called Learning Rate, while implicit decision confidence was evaluated through the bet on their decision. Raven-CPM(3) assessed fluid intelligence.
LR: No-difference in Learning Rate between the two groups in each level of uncertainty was found. Moreover, the factor intelligence was not significant.
Confidence: Analysis revealed differences between the groups in the three levels of uncertainties. In particular, football players had higher confidence in their decision than athletic athletes in the three levels. Moreover, the athletic athletes did not show differences across the three conditions as the football players did. No effect of the confounding factor intelligence was found.
Conclusion
Both groups performed the task equally. However, some differences arise from the analysis of implicit confidence in which football players seemed to be able to better evaluate the environment compared to athletic athletes.
In order to better understand this phenomenon, the number of the two groups should be increased and young non-athletes should be recruited.
Bibliography:
1) Voss, M. W., Kramer, A. F., Basak, C., Prakash, R. S., & Roberts, B. (2010). Are expert athletes “expert” in the cognitive laboratory? A meta-analytic review of cognition and sport expertise. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 24(6), 812–826.
2) Chaddock, L., Neider, M. B., Voss, M. W., Gaspar, J. G., & Kramer, A. F. (2011). Do athletes excel at everyday tasks?. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 43(10), 1920.
3) Raven, J. C. Coloured Progressive Matrices, Sets A, Ab, B. Dumfries: Grieve and Sons, 1947.
4) Larsen, T. & Coricelli, G. (2017). Transfer of confidence in a novel observational learning task. Society for NeuroEconomics Conference. 6- 8 Octobe
INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY IN FEED FORMULATION AND PRODUCTION
No full textThe general aim of this thesis was to investigate new technology in feed formulation and production. For this purpose several aspects in the field of feed production were investigated. Specifically, during the course of this PhD program, three main sub aims have been addressed: i) evaluation of new ingredients, i.e., insect materials, in feed formulation and the impact of feed technology on their nutritional value; ii) improvements in the official methods for detecting Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs), and iii) investigation of the innovation, research, and development needs in in the feed industry in two selected areas.
With respect to the first sub aim, fresh insect (Hermetia illucens) material was evaluated as an alternative protein source in experimental feed. Differents experimental formulae containing insect material were tested under differing extrusion conditions. Extruded feed was also evaluated for digestibility. The results indicate that fresh Hermetia illucens material can be efficiently included in experimental extruded feed containing 25% insect material and 75% wheat. Technological treatment, i.e., extrusion, increased in vitro organic matter digestibility, and did not affect protein digestibility.
With regard to the second sub-aim the basic assumption was that insect material, if authorized, should be considered as animal material. Accordingly, the second sub aim of the thesis focused on implementing existing methods for processing animal protein and investigating their potential in tracing and characterizing insect material. In this scenario, experiments were aimed toward improving the official microscopy techniques for detecting processed animal proteins (PAP) by combining those with image analysis (IA) technology. The studies conducted aim to i) characterize fish meal material in compound feed (i.e., aquafeed), ii) identify specific selected markers able to efficiently distinguish between fish and terrestrial materials, iii) distinguish between mammalian materials, and iv) verify the applicability of the method for identifying insect material in feed. The results obtained in this context indicated that even though microscopy seems to be a promising approach for identifying both animal proteins and insect material, using microscopy alone has some limitations; therefore, a combined approach with other methods (i.e., PCR) is recommended.
With regard to the third sub aim, research and development needs and innovation in the feed industry, the results of a targeted survey conducted in two countries (Italy and Serbia) showed that innovation in raw materials is a key factor for large multinational industries. In contrast, the survey results obtained from small and medium feed companies are quite different; for these companies, cost reduction, decreased energy consumption, improved quality, improved market image, development of new markets and satisfying market demand are much more important.
By combining the results obtained from the various studies described in this paper, it can be concluded that: i) Insects show great potential as a protein source in animal feeds. Specific selected feed technologies, such as extrusion, can be useful in making such feeds convenient and safe to use. ii) Assuming that insect material will be authorized for use in animal feeds, existing methods for processing animal proteins may represent an advantageous starting point. Further investigation and implementation of methods of analysis is still required. iii) Even though insect materials as animal nutrition can be considered as a “hot topic” from a scientific point of view, not everyone in the feed sector seems to be aware of the issue. Addressing “new ingredients”, co- and by- products remain the main categories in the feed sector mind consciousness
A monitoring system based on a multi-agent platform [DC motor drive example]
No full textThe monitoring and diagnostics of distributed systems puts significant challenges on the management and computation of data. An approach based on multiprocessing structures, implementing an agency-agent framework, has been introduced in the literature. In this work, we propose the introduction of a "simulation agent" as the active part of the monitoring system. The simulation agent runs remotely in parallel to the real system, receiving the same input as the real system
Quantitative determination of Der p I allergen levels in allergenic extracts and house-dust samples
No full textHouse-dust mites are responsible for serious respiratory diseases in humans. An ELISA assay to detect Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) mites has been set up. This assay, based on quantitative determination of the major Dp allergen, called Der p I, has been applied for the analysis of growing mite cultures and house-dust samples. Der p I allergen levels in mite cultures are well correlated with the number of mites present as well as with the biological activity of the corresponding extracts. Different methods for detecting Dp mites in house-dust samples were compared. The ELISA method shows good sensitivity and specificity, and is particularly suitable for routine analyses
Nine early eighteenth century Italian cantatas on librettos by Antonio Ottoboni
No full textThe aim of this thesis was to produce a performing edition of nine cantatas which form part of a collection by librettist Antonio Ottoboni. The cantatas have been transcribed into modern notation and consequently two of them have been ornamented. The collection is dated as 'gathered in Rome, 1709', and so the author has investigated what daily life in Rome during this period would have been like. There is also a section on the history of the cantata. Following this there is a detailed discussion on the librettist, Antonio Ottoboni and the collection of manuscripts kept at the British Library in London (Add. Ms. 34056). Using a comprehensive investigation into vocal treatises of the Baroque, the author has then ornamented two cantatas accordingly. Both have sections of recitative and both have at least one da capo aria. Editorial policy is clearly spelt out. Details regarding analysis of all nine cantatas in terms of form, subject matter, tonality, meter, tempo and poetic structure used are to be found in Appendix I. Appendix II has the texts of all nine cantatas and translations for the two ornamented ones. Appendix III has details of the particular ornamentation and the reasons for so doing. Appendix IV lists all the manuscripts investigated before the author settled on Add. Ms. 34056
Cereal Industry : e-Nose for Real Time and Online Quality and Safety Control and Management
No full textIn the cereal industry, the on-site safety and quality of products and by-products need to be continuously monitored. At the industrial level, the main question is the choice of the best analytical method for a practical purpose enabling “decision-making” regarding the acceptance or rejection of a lot and the insurance of quality standards. Regular, economical, straightforward cereal tests with regard to a rapid and accurate diagnosis of food quality and safety are needed. The objective of this idea is to set up an electronic nose (e-nose) for the safety and quality evaluation of cereal products and by-products, focusing on mycotoxin contamination. The final goal is to evaluate the potential application of the e-nose technology as an on-line continuous monitoring and controlling tool in cereal processing, in particular wheat milling. E-nose could be integrated with other on-line analysis devices in a technological platform for monitoring and controlling food quality. Multi-sensor-devices and multisensor-data-fusion technology have a great potential value to the food industry to ensure that cereal products and by-products meet specifications according to their specific use
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