Assessing exterior egg quality indicators using machine vision

ABSTRACT

1. The objective of this study was to develop a machine vision method for analysing exterior parameters of chicken eggs to automate the stage of primary sorting.

2. The developed algorithm based on predetermined thresholds calculated egg quality indicators, including geometric dimensions, shape index and the mottling grade. The algorithm was implemented with an experimental setup that combined the image-based and the candling methods. A total of 400 egg samples were analysed.

3. Comparison of results of the algorithm with those obtained using the traditional manual method showed that mean value of radii values difference was 0.095 ± 0.058 mm for the sharp and 0.080 ± 0.047 mm for the blunt end of the egg, with standard deviations of 0.58 mm and 0.49 mm, respectively.

4. The correlation coefficient between the shape index values determined by the two methods was 0.93; the standard deviation of absolute differences between corresponding values was 1.05%.

5. The results of mottling grade estimation were compared using F-measure and confusion matrix.

6. The results allow the possibility to perform the assessment of egg exterior quality factors in an automatic mode, independent of the expertise of a grader.     

Polyphenols in Eucalyptus leaves improved the egg and meat qualities and protected against ethanol‐induced oxidative damage in laying hens

Polyphenols in Eucalyptus leaves (PE) were value resources due to various pharmacological activities, but data on the effect on laying hens are very scare. This study was conducted to determine the effect of PE on the laying performance, egg traits, meat quality, antioxidant status and liver tissues of laying hens. One hundred and twenty 256‐day‐old Yueqinhuang laying hens were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (different levels of PE at 0, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.2 g/kg diet) for 63 days with 15 replicates per group. Addition of 0.8 g/kg PE not only improved the egg trait by increasing the eggshell thickness and decreasing MDA production and cholesterol content in the egg yolk, but also significantly enhanced meat quality of hens, as suggested by the increase pH_45 min (p < .01) and a* value, and decrease drip loss rate (p < .01). Meanwhile, under acute ethanol‐induced oxidative damage condition, supplementation of 0.8 g/kg PE enhanced the serum antioxidant status by increasing enzymatic activities (GSH‐PX, T‐SOD, T‐AOC), inhibited oxidative damage and provided protective effect to liver tissue. In conclusion, addition of 0.8 g/kg PE not only improved the egg traits and meat quality without obvious adverse effects, but also increased the serum antioxidant status of the hens and protected their liver tissue from ethanol‐induced oxidative damage. This study indicated that PE could be utilized as an effective feed additive for laying hens to improve health performance and egg traits.     

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality,immune response,zinc retention,and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.     

Intra‐abdominal cystic lymphangiomatosis in a Thoroughbred foal

Cystic lymphangiomas are rare malformations of the lymphatics that result in the formation of a cystic mass. Where multiple cysts are seen, the condition is termed cystic lymphangiomatosis. This case describes the diagnosis and unique management of cystic lymphangiomatosis in a 10‐day‐old Thoroughbred foal. Ultrasonography, histopathology and laparoscopy were essential for diagnosis and appreciation of the extent of disease. Ultimately, the cystic lymphangiomatosis was so extensive in this foal that complete surgical excision was considered impossible and the presence of adhesions within the abdomen indicated a very poor long‐term prognosis; the owners elected for euthanasia at age 14 weeks. Although rare, lymphangioma and lymphangiomatosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for an intra‐abdominal mass in a young horse.     

Ecological consequences of variation in standard metabolism and dominance among salmon parr

Abstract – Standard metabolic rate (SMR, closely related to basal and resting metabolism) varies by up to threefold among juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., of similar size at common temperature. Here, consequences of this variation are predicted by combining empirically derived relationships between SMR, specific dynamic action, energy budgets, water velocity, food level in the environment and food availability to fish. The range of velocities across which growth is predicted to occur is inversely related to a fish’s SMR. Growth is positively related to SMR at high but negatively related to it at low‐food levels. The relationship between food level and the range of velocities over which lower SMR fish can grow but higher SMR fish cannot is asymmetrically bi‐phasic and peaked. It is predicted that maternal manipulation of offspring SMR would generate fitness benefits through bet‐hedging against unpredictability in food level and increases in the overall range of velocities that the family of offspring can occupy and thrive in.     

华北驼绒藜雨季移栽成活率研究

本文是不同季节移栽华北驼绒藜(Ceratoides arborescens)系列研究之一。干旱区春季生态建植有补水之苦,雨季移栽表明,不需坐水或补水,成活率可高达60%,浸根可提高成活率至90%;说明雨季移栽是可行的。移栽植株数日内叶片含水量和叶绿素含量急剧下降、脯氨酸含量骤然升高,含量恢复过程则较缓慢,说明移栽使植株突然损伤,但终能恢复至正常生理状态。     

粉条加工中添加石蜡的检测技术研究

【目的】探讨粉条加工过程中非法添加石蜡的测定方法,为食品监管提供保障。【方法】先以石蜡成品摸索石蜡测定的气相色谱质谱条件,再以石蜡成分C18H38和C24H50进行回收率和相对标准偏差试验。【结果】不同预处理方法中,超声萃取处理的C18H38和C24H50在粉条中的萃取回收率最高,分别为93.5%和91.0%;20min超声时间萃取粉条中烷烃成分较为适宜;所建立的粉条中石蜡含量测定方法的相对标准偏差为3.6～4.8,样品回收率均大于90.0%,达到定量检测要求。【结论】所建立的石蜡检测方法操作简单,测定结果准确可靠,可用于粉条中石蜡成分的定性及定量测定。     

速生林木材液化及其产物应用研究

[目的]为速生桉树木材液化及其产物的应用提供参考。[方法]以硫酸为催化剂,苯酚为液化剂,对速生人工林桉树木材进行液化,并取液化产物与甲醛进行树脂化反应制备液化木基酚醛树脂LWPF,研究液比对液化反应效率、液化产物重均分子量及LWPF树脂胶合性能的影响。[结果]随着液比的提高,液化产物的残渣率及重均分子量均降低,而LWPF树脂制得的胶合板的木破率提高;当液比提高到一定程度后,液化产物的残渣率和重均分子量及LWPF树脂所制胶合板的木破率变化不明显。[结论]对速生桉树木材的液化工艺及其液化产物的树脂化合成工艺进行了优化。     

提取剂对大蒜鳞茎提取液抑制黄瓜枯萎病的效应

为反映提取剂类型对大蒜鳞茎提取液抑菌能力的影响,用水、乙醇,丙三醇作为大蒜鳞茎杀菌物质的提取剂,采用孢子萌发法对黄瓜镰刀菌枯萎病菌孢子抑杀.研究结果表明,3种提取溶剂制成的大蒜鳞茎提取液对枯萎病菌孢子抑制的EC50值分别为0.2884%、0.2818%和0.2454%,较低的提取液浓度达到了较好的抑菌效果.水、乙醇、丙三醇都可以作为大蒜鳞茎的提取剂,3种提取溶剂的大蒜鳞茎提取液毒力相当,孢子抑制萌发率随着大蒜鳞茎提取液浓度增加而升高.