Possible ways to reduce antibiotic use in rabbit production are discussed, based on a literature survey. Several management strategies have been proven to successfully reduce disease pressure in rabbit production. The...Possible ways to reduce antibiotic use in rabbit production are discussed, based on a literature survey. Several management strategies have been proven to successfully reduce disease pressure in rabbit production. The primary way of reducing risk of disease is ＂all-in all-out＂ management, as it allows thorough cleaning and disinfection. A second tool is choosing reproduction stock with a minimal disease level. Animals with a near Specific-Pathogen-Free （SPF） status, or even entirely disease-free animals, lead to high-health-status farms where antibiotics are rarely used. To reduce the risk of enteritis, quantitative aspects in the early fattening stage are important, apart from some ,qualitative feed characteristics （especially the carbohydrate complex）. Finally, despite discussions about their effectiveness, pro/prebiotics and some other additives have shown some potential in reducing enteric problems. Alternatives to antibiotics are only useful, however, if the whole chain （reproduction stock producers, breeders, feed companies, slaughterhouses and even veterinarians） is convinced and forced into a globally consistent strategy. In the absence of such a consistent approach, both preventive and curative use of antibiotics remains the easiest and most inexpensive way to control disease in rabbit production.展开更多
Investments in bio-energies require deep and accurate analysis to evaluate their economical feasibility both by the investors＇ and the policy makers＇ perspectives. The chance to attain locally organized supply chain...Investments in bio-energies require deep and accurate analysis to evaluate their economical feasibility both by the investors＇ and the policy makers＇ perspectives. The chance to attain locally organized supply chains is presumably higher where there is a higher concentration of human, natural and financial capitals. After a literature review about social capital and energy supply chain （prg. 1）, we investigate the instruments for public direct financial incentive （prg. 2） and the development of the public intervention plans in the agro-energy sector within the Local Development Plans （LDP） by Local Action Groups （LAG）. Then, we present the case study of the Apulia Region （prg. 3） based upon a unique dataset, specifically built that collects LDP data relative to social capital. We finally propose a new methodological approach that makes use of social network analysis investigating the net of relationships underneath the territorial organization of the LAGs and the local supply chains. Results seem to show that site specificities affect the sustainability of biofuels supply chains, and that effect seems to be reciprocally bounded, thus calling for the inclusion of such measures when planning new policies, and for analytical approaches encompassing historical perspectives. Finally, we draw the conclusions.展开更多
Shape-memory effect(SME) is the ability of a material to change its dimension in a predefined way in response to an external stimulus. Polymers that exhibit SME are an important class of materials in medicine, especia...Shape-memory effect(SME) is the ability of a material to change its dimension in a predefined way in response to an external stimulus. Polymers that exhibit SME are an important class of materials in medicine, especially for minimally invasive deployment of devices. However, the rate of translation of the concept to approved products is extremely low, with mostly nitinolbased devices being approved. In this review, the general aspects of the different types of stimuli that can be used to activate SME are reviewed and sterilization issues of shape-memory polymer(SMP)-based medical devices are addressed. In addition, the general usefulness as well as the limitations of the shape-memory effect for biomedical applications are described.展开更多
文摘Possible ways to reduce antibiotic use in rabbit production are discussed, based on a literature survey. Several management strategies have been proven to successfully reduce disease pressure in rabbit production. The primary way of reducing risk of disease is ＂all-in all-out＂ management, as it allows thorough cleaning and disinfection. A second tool is choosing reproduction stock with a minimal disease level. Animals with a near Specific-Pathogen-Free （SPF） status, or even entirely disease-free animals, lead to high-health-status farms where antibiotics are rarely used. To reduce the risk of enteritis, quantitative aspects in the early fattening stage are important, apart from some ,qualitative feed characteristics （especially the carbohydrate complex）. Finally, despite discussions about their effectiveness, pro/prebiotics and some other additives have shown some potential in reducing enteric problems. Alternatives to antibiotics are only useful, however, if the whole chain （reproduction stock producers, breeders, feed companies, slaughterhouses and even veterinarians） is convinced and forced into a globally consistent strategy. In the absence of such a consistent approach, both preventive and curative use of antibiotics remains the easiest and most inexpensive way to control disease in rabbit production.
文摘Investments in bio-energies require deep and accurate analysis to evaluate their economical feasibility both by the investors＇ and the policy makers＇ perspectives. The chance to attain locally organized supply chains is presumably higher where there is a higher concentration of human, natural and financial capitals. After a literature review about social capital and energy supply chain （prg. 1）, we investigate the instruments for public direct financial incentive （prg. 2） and the development of the public intervention plans in the agro-energy sector within the Local Development Plans （LDP） by Local Action Groups （LAG）. Then, we present the case study of the Apulia Region （prg. 3） based upon a unique dataset, specifically built that collects LDP data relative to social capital. We finally propose a new methodological approach that makes use of social network analysis investigating the net of relationships underneath the territorial organization of the LAGs and the local supply chains. Results seem to show that site specificities affect the sustainability of biofuels supply chains, and that effect seems to be reciprocally bounded, thus calling for the inclusion of such measures when planning new policies, and for analytical approaches encompassing historical perspectives. Finally, we draw the conclusions.
文摘Shape-memory effect(SME) is the ability of a material to change its dimension in a predefined way in response to an external stimulus. Polymers that exhibit SME are an important class of materials in medicine, especially for minimally invasive deployment of devices. However, the rate of translation of the concept to approved products is extremely low, with mostly nitinolbased devices being approved. In this review, the general aspects of the different types of stimuli that can be used to activate SME are reviewed and sterilization issues of shape-memory polymer(SMP)-based medical devices are addressed. In addition, the general usefulness as well as the limitations of the shape-memory effect for biomedical applications are described.
