196 research outputs found
Effect of dietary soluble fibre level and protein source on growth, digestion, caecal activity and health of fattening rabbits
No full text[EN] From weaning (34 d of age) until slaughter (76 d), 216 hybrid rabbits were divided into six experimental groups and fed ad libitum six iso-protein (CP: 15.9% as-fed), iso-starch (9.1%) and iso-ADF (21.4%) diets formulated in a bi-factorial arrangement, with three soluble fibre levels (LS: 5.8% vs. MS: 7.4% vs. HS: 8.5%) and two protein sources (Soy: soybean meal vs. Sun: sunflower meal). The increase in dietary soluble fibre level linearly increased (PL<0.001) in vivo digestibility of dry matter (from 55.4 to 61.3%), gross energy and fibre fractions (from 14.8 to 25.7% for acid detergent fibre; from 40.3 to 49.2% for insoluble hemicelluloses; from 85.0 to 93.9% for soluble fibre). Replacing soybean with sunflower meal tended to decrease crude protein digestibility (73.1 vs. 72.6%, P=0.058) and reduced acid detergent fibre digestibility (22.0 vs. 18.4%, P<0.001), while improving ether extract digestibility (69.3 vs. 70.8, P<0.001). The nutritive values of the experimental diets increased with soluble fibre level (digestible energy from 9.0 to 9.9 MJ/kg) regardless of the protein source. Intestinal mucosa traits at 56 d of age were not affected, while caecal pH linearly decreased (from 6.19 to 5.97; PL=0.017) with increasing dietary soluble fibre. During the trial, health problems were moderate (mortality 3.4% and morbidity 15.6%) and not affected by feeding treatments. With increasing soluble fibre level, rabbit daily weight gain and final live weight linearly increased (PL=0.045) and feed conversion improved (from 3.55 to 3.30, PL<0.001). Protein source did not affect intestinal traits or growth performance. Slaughter results and meat quality were unaffected by feeding treatments.The present study was funded by MIUR (PRIN 2005 – Prot. 2005070702). The authors wish to thank Dr. Andrea Zuffellato (Veronesi Verona S.p.A.) for his technical assistance during the trial.Trocino, A.; Fragkiadakis, M.; Radaelli, G.; Xiccato, G. (2010). Effect of dietary soluble fibre level and protein source on growth, digestion, caecal activity and health of fattening rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 18(4):199-210. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2010.77919921018
Digestible fibre to ADF ratio and protein concentration in diets for early-weaned rabbits
No full textTo evaluate the effects of three ratios of digestible fibre (DF = hemicelluloses and pectins) to ADF (1.1, 1.3 and 1.5) and two levels of crude protein (CP, 16% and 17%) on digestive efficiency, growth performance, health status, and meat quality, from early-weaning (26 d of age) to slaughter (74 d) 246 rabbits were given ad libitum access to six diets according to a 3x2 factorial arrangement. Increasing DF/ADF linearly increased DM, fibre fraction and energy (59.9 vs. 62.3 vs. 65.9%, P<0.01) digestibility and daily weight gain (42.4 vs. 43.2 vs. 45.2 g/d; P=0.02) and improved feed conversion (P<0.01), without affecting slaughter results, carcass and meat quality. Total caecal VFA concentration increased (51.3 vs. 66.9 and 66.0 mmol/l; P<0.01) as DF/ADF raised from 1.1 to 1.3 and 1.5. Increasing dietary protein improved DM and nutrient digestibility and feed conversion (P<0.01), as well as slaughter dressing percentage (61.2 vs 61.8%, P=0.03). Dietary protein concentration did not modify caecal content characteristics or carcass and meat quality. A higher mortality (P=0.05) was measured in rabbits fed diets at 1.1 DF/ADF (27.1%) in comparison with rabbits fed diets at 1.3 (14.3%) and 1.5 (17.1%). However, feeding the highest DF/ADF diets, mortality raised up to 23.9% with the 16% CP diet, while was only 11.4% with the 17% CP diet
Como la densidad y el tipo de suelo influyen en los rendimientos productivos y el bienestar de conejos de engorde en jaulas colectivas
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing stocking density (14, 16, 18 and 20 rabbits/m2) and type of floor (wire net vs slatted floor) on productive performance, animal reactivity, carcass and meat quality of 380 rabbits weaned at 28 d of age (live weight: 640 ± 48 g) and put in collective cages by 9 or 10. Increasing stocking density at 18 and, specially, 20 animals/m2 significantly reduceddaily weight gain, feed intake and final live weight. The effect of stocking density on slaughter traits mainly depended on the differences in final live weight among groups, while carcass and meat quality was not affected. During the tonic immobility test, rabbits reared at the highest density required more attempts to induce tonic immobility and remained immobile for a longer time (P<0.01). During the
open-field test, the same animals moved less (P=0.02) and run more (P<0.01). Keeping the rabbits on a slat floor increased daily weight gain (P=0.07), final live weight (P=0.07) and feed intake (P<0.01) in comparison with wire net floor, while did not modify slaughter trait and carcass and meat quality. The attempts to induce immobility were less (P<0.01) and biting during the test the open-field higher in rabbits kept on slat floor. In conclusion, increasing stocking density above 18 rabbits/m2 impaired
productive performance, especially in the last two weeks of growing as a consequence of a reduced feed intake, and modified animal reactivity towards man or a new environment. The type of floor showed a weak effect on productive performance and reactivity, whereas a slatted floor was likely
more comfortable for the heavier animals in the last weeks of fattening period
Effect of the increase of dietary starch and soluble fibre on digestive efficiency and growth performance of meat rabbits
No full textEffect of increasing dietary starch and soluble fibre on performance and digestive efficiency was studied in 246 cross-bred rabbits from weaning (34 d of age) to slaughtering (75 d). A 3×2 factorial arrangement (i.e. three levels of starch: 60, 103, and 147 g/kg diet; two levels of soluble fibre: 100 and 138 g/kg diet) was used. The rabbits were assigned to six groups and fed the six diets ad libitum. When dietary starch was increased, the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter (on average, 0.547–0.629) and all nutrients linearly increased (P<0.001), but the CTTAD of soluble fibre did not vary. Weight gain, digestible energy intake, and feed conversion ratio linearly (P<0.01) improved (6.4%, 5.7% and 11.1%, respectively), and feed intake decreased (5.6%). In the caecum, ammonia-N production linearly decreased (7.21–4.93 mmol/L; P=0.01), acetate proportion tended to increase (84.2–85.8 mmol/100mmol volatile fatty acids, VFA; P=0.06), and propionate value decreased (4.00–3.33 mmol/100mmol VFA; P<0.01). As the starch level increased, the CTTAD of NDF and hemicelluloses improved slightly in the diets with 100 g/kg soluble fibre, while at a higher rate in the diets with 138 g/kg soluble fibre (significant interaction, P<0.01). The increase of dietary starch linearly increased slaughter weight (SW) and carcass weight; the proportion of the gastrointestinal tract linearly decreased (196–182 g/kg SW; P<0.001) and the dressing percentage increased (59.3–60.8% SW, P<0.001), as well as dissectible fat (P=0.03). The increase of dietary soluble fibre improved (P<0.001) the CTTAD of dry matter (0.540–0.639) and all nutrients, but the CTTAD of crude protein was not affected; it stimulated daily growth (5.3%; P=0.05) and reduced (P<0.001) feed intake (12.4%) and feed conversion ratio (15.0%). In the caecum, pH decreased (5.88–5.70; P=0.02), total VFA concentration tended to increase (73.8–82.8 mmol/L; P=0.10), and valerate concentration decreased (0.43–0.35 mmol/100mmol VFA; P=0.01). Slaughter weight and reference carcass weight increased (0.03<P<0.07); the gastro-intestinal tract proportion tended to increase (185–190 g/kg SW; P=0.06) without affecting dressing percentage or carcass composition. In conclusion, the use of soluble fibre is recommended in association with (rather than in replacement of) starch to increase the energy value of diets and improve overall farm-feed efficiency and carcass quality
A research and development investment strategy to achieve the Paris climate agreement
No full textClimate stabilization requires the deployment of several low-carbon options, some of which are still not available at large scale or are too costly. Governments will have to make important decisions on how to incentivize Research and Development (R&D). Yet, current assessments of climate neutrality typically do not include research-driven innovation. Here, we link two integrated assessment models to study R&D investment pathways consistent with climate stabilization and suggest a consistent financing scheme. We focus on five low-carbon technologies and on energy efficiency measures. We find that timely R&D investment in these technologies lowers mitigation costs and induces positive employment effects. Achieving 2 °C (1.5 °C) requires a global 18% (64%) increase in cumulative low-carbon R&D investment relative to the reference scenario by mid-century. We show that carbon revenues are sufficient to both finance the additional R&D investment requirements and generate economic benefits by reducing distortionary taxation, such as payroll taxes, thus enhancing job creation
Histochemical and biochemical characteristics of weaning rabbit intestine
No full text[EN] The aim of this research was to study rabbit digestive system at two ages during weaning by
evaluating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) intestinal distribution and morphological, biochemical and haematological
variables. Two groups of six New Zealand White x California rabbits, of 21 and 35 d of age respectively, were
used. Significant differences between the two ages on live body weight (P<0.001), small intestine length
(P<0.01) and pancreas weight (P<0.01) were noticed, being higher in 35 d rabbits. No differences were
observed in the a-amylase activity of the jejunum. Nevertheless, a-amylase activity of blood serum was almost
twice in 35-d rabbits compared to younger rabbits (P<0.05). Blood glucose concentration was lower in 35 d
rabbits (P<0.05). The values of haematological profile were significantly higher in older rabbits for haematocrit
(P<0.001), red blood cell count (P<0.05), haemoglobin concentration (P<0.001) and mean corpuscular volume
(P<0.01). No differences due to age were observed for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and
mean corpuscular haemoglobin. A strong ALP reaction was observed along the brush border of the villous
epithelial cells of the small intestine at both ages, being this reaction more intense at 35 d. There was no ALP
positive or a faint /discontinuous reaction along the brush border of the caecum at 21 d while a positive
reaction was observed at 35 d. The proximal colon presented an ALP positive reaction at 21 d but stronger at
35 d of life while the colon distal was ALP negative a t both ages.The study was presented within the framework of COST ACTION 848.Sabatakou, A.; Xylouri, M.; Sotirakoglou, A.; Fragkiadakis, G.; Noikokyris, N. (2007). Histochemical and biochemical characteristics of weaning rabbit intestine. World Rabbit Science. 15(4). https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2007.59115
Automated railway object mapping using imagery and point clouds
No full textEverything around us is rapidly changing. Whole new blocks of buildings are built, huge infrastructural projects are constructed and so on. Hence, there is a need of a reliable and up-to-date inventory of the area and the objects of interest for mapping and monitoring assets and their changes. An answer of this upcoming need is an automated inventory of infrastructure using Remote Sensing and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. Rail sector shares the same need for fast and reliable inspection on its infrastructure. Monitoring frequently the condition of the railway infrastructure can improve the maintenance efficiency and the avoidance of hazards. The traditional monitoring techniques are costly, time consuming and in some cases dangerous, due to their reliance on the physical presence of the inspector. Hence, new state-of-the-art techniques that are able to frequently and without putting in risk human lives, inspect the condition of the railway and its infrastructure. This master thesis aims at developing an efficient workflow for combining 2D imagery and 3D light detection and ranging (LiDAR) point clouds for the automated detection and localization of the railroad infrastructural objects into 3D world coordinate system, for monitoring the railway infrastructure. Using deep learning (DL) methods in imagery we detected and mapped, approximately the 60% of the railroad equipment of our interest (i.e. light signals and equipment boxes). These detected equipment were analyzed with stereoscopic techniques to retrieve their position in 3D world coordinate system. That led to the automated creation of a geographical information system (GIS) map having the positional and class information of railway equipment. Once the detected objects were mapped, then the point cloud data were automatically cropped into voxels including the same objects. Hence, using various sophisticated machine learning (ML) techniques, the points referring to the objects were classified. Furthermore, combining the positional information provided via 2D analysis with 3D point clouds, the vertical position was refined and the height of the mapped objects was estimated. Lastly, the positional information estimated from the 2D analysis enhanced the unsupervised ML classification in point clouds. The product of this classification, has the potential to be used as training data to train supervised point cloud classifiers.Geoscience and Remote Sensin
The Role of Cultural Values on the Relationship between High-Performance Human Resource Practices and Work Effort
No full textThis study investigates the moderating role that cultural values have on the relationship between High-Performance Human Resource Practices and work effort. Even though the effect of these practices on employee work effort has been researched, little attention has been paid to the effect that individual cultural values held by employees have on the success or failure of the implementation of these HR practices in terms of individual performance. Using data collected from 25 European countries, this study focuses on three broad categories of values, namely openness to change, self-enhancement, and conservation, each inclusionary of a number of values. The results from the regression analyses indicate that only the value of conservation has a positive effect on the relationship between these HR practices and work effort. The effect that HR practices focusing on skills-enhancement have on work effort is moderated to a greater extent by values related to conservation in comparison to HR practices related to autonomy. The value of openness to change is found to have a negative effect on the relationship between these practices that are related to autonomy, while the value of self-enhancement affects negatively the relationship between practices related to skills-enhancement and work effort
Digital tools for sign language research: towards recognition and comparison of lexical signs
No full textContrary to common belief, sign languages are distinct across different communities and cultures, evolving organically through interactions among deaf people, rather than being based on spoken languages. Each sign language has its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural nuances, with variations even within a single country, showcasing the diverse communication methods within the deaf community. Deaf individuals often face encouragement to use spoken language techniques like lipreading or text communication, highlighting a bias towards spoken languages. This is compounded by the lack of sign languages in linguistic technologies, emphasizing the need for more inclusive research and development. This dissertation aims to address this gap using machine and deep learning to improve sign language processing and recognition. It covers six chapters, introducing methods for video-based sign annotation, webcam-based sign language dictionary search, and ranking systems for sign suggestions. It also explores tools for visualizing and comparing sign language variation, contributing valuable resources to linguistic research.Language Use in Past and Presen
Assessing an automated tool to quantify variation in movement and location: a case study of American Sign Language and Ghanaian Sign Language
No full textSigns in sign languages have been mainly analyzed as composed of three formational elements: hand configuration, location, and move- ment. Researchers compare and contrast lexical differences and simi- larities among different signs and languages based on these formal elements. Such measurement requires extensive manual annotation of each feature based on a predefined process and can be time con- suming because it is based on abstract representations that usually do not take into account the individual traits of different signers. This study showcases a newly developed tool named DistSign, used here to measure and visualize variation based on the wrist trajectory in the lexica of two sign languages, namely American Sign Language (ASL) and Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL), which are assumed to be historically related (Edward 2014). The tool utilizes the pretrained pose estimation framework OpenPose to track the body joints of different signers. Subsequently, the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) algorithm, which measures the similarity between two temporal sequences, is used to quantify variation in the paths of the dominant hand’s wrist across signs. This enables one to efficiently identify cognates across languages, as well as false cognates. The results show that the DistSign tool can recognize cognates with a 60 percent accuracy, using a semiautomated method that utilizes the Levenshtein distance metric as a baseline.Descriptive and Comparative Linguistic
- …
