Domain–Specific High–Level Modeling and Synthesis for ATM Switch Prototyping

ATM switch, the core technology of an ATM networking system, is one of the major products in Fujitsu telecommunication business. However, current gate–level design methodology can no longer satisfy its stringent time–to–market requirement. It becomes necessary to exploit high–level methodology to specify and synthesize the design at an abstraction level higher than logic gates. This paper presents our prototyping experience on domain–specific high–level modeling and synthesis for Fujitsu ATM switch design. We propose a high–level design methodology using VHDL, where ATM switch architectural features are considered during behavior modeling, and a high–level synthesis compiler, MEBS, is prototyped to synthesize the behavior model down to a gate–level implementation. Since the specific ATM switch architecture is incorporated into both modeling and synthesis phases, a high–quality design is efficiently derived. The synthesis results shows that given the design constraints, the proposed high–level design methodology can produce a gate–level implementation by MEBS with about 15 percent area reduction in shorter design cycle when compared with manual design.     

Welfare issues of donkey (Equus asinus): a checklist based on the five freedoms

Studies on the welfare of donkey (Equus asinus) have developed slowly, because considered very rustic animals, reared prevalently under extensive production systems and widespread mainly in marginal areas. The diffusion of extensive breeding of this species has led to the belief that donkey did not need any welfare assessment. More recently, the scenario has changed, due to a gradual diffusion of intensive and semi-intensive production systems, especially in highly productive dairy breeds, to the growing concern of consumers about the life conditions of farmed animals, and to the issuing of a number of national and European rules / laws on the safety of animal products and well-being of farmed livestock. Relating with the importance of this species on food farming industry, the Author underlines the missing of specific recommendations concerning the welfare of farmed donkey. In absence of common criteria and guidelines, it is possible to make reference to the well-known “five freedoms”. This paper will review the main welfare issues of donkeys and the following aspects will be considered: nutrition, housing and management, clinical problems, behaviour problems.