基于多源信息感知的奶牛反刍行为可穿戴式监测装置的研究

为了实现对奶牛反刍行为的精准识别,减少单一参数监测过程中的不确定性,以单片式微型处理器、MPU6050三轴加速度传感器和声音传感器为主要部件,通过监测奶牛反刍声音和姿态变化来获取奶牛的反刍信息,并利用无线模块完成与计算机的通信,设计了一种轻便的可穿戴式奶牛反刍多源信息监测装置,最大限度地降低了环境噪声,提高了有效反刍数据的采集效率。结果表明:奶牛反刍声音的中心频率集中在1.2～1.6 kHz,反刍姿态三轴加速度传感器监测参数范围X轴为0.65～0.93 g,Y轴为0.23～1.04 g,Z轴为-0.13～0.15 g;将自动监测的连续信号中16个时间点与人工观察结果进行对比,验证了反刍监测装置的可靠性,装置监测的准确率可以达到81.3%,与人工观察结果具有较高的一致性。说明通过对奶牛进行多源信息的感知可以准确地识别奶牛的反刍行为。     

基于二叉决策树分类模型的草原牛行为识别

为了解决人工监测草原放牧牛运动行为工作量大、监测精度低的问题,试验提出一种基于二叉决策树分类模型的草原牛行为识别方法,即选取草原牛颈部三轴加速度计采集数据的X轴、Y轴、Z轴方差、均方根、平均值及三轴总体的矢量幅度(signal vector magnitude, SVM)和幅度(singal magnitude area, SMA)共11种统计特征量来构建查准率-查全率曲线(P-R曲线),通过P-R曲线获取各统计特征量所对应的最优行为类别分组方式及最优阈值,利用信息增益作为选择标准来构建二叉决策树分类模型,运用此模型对草原牛的躺卧、反刍、采食及慢走四种运动行为进行分类识别,并与K-均值(K-means)聚类算法比对。结果表明：K-means聚类算法只能识别躺卧行为,难以区分反刍、采食及慢走三种运动行为,但二叉决策树分类模型能够有效地将躺卧和慢走行为从躺卧、反刍、采食及慢走四种行为中识别出来,查准率和查全率均达到0.760以上。说明二叉决策树分类模型较常用的K-means聚类算法可更有效地完成草原牛行为分类,并且准确率更高。     

基于半监督模糊聚类算法的奶牛行为判别系统

以实时判别奶牛行为,提升精细养殖技术水平为目标,本试验以系统功耗低、检测灵敏度高、运行稳定性强为原则设计无线传感节点,研发了一种基于半监督模糊聚类算法的奶牛行为实时判别系统。为获取最佳通信距离及最优节点固定高度,对无线传感节点分别进行固定高度—通讯距离与丢包率关系测试、固定高度—数据波动关系测试,通信距离分别取10、20、30m,固定高度分别取10、20、30cm;并将半监督模糊聚类判别算法、K-means算法及BP神经网络算法在奶牛行为识别方面的准确度、精度及敏感度进行比较。结果显示,集成三轴加速度传感器ADXL345、处理器MSP430-F149、无线收发器CC1101等芯片设计的无线传感节点可精确采集奶牛运动加速度数据,满足长期可靠传输数据等工作要求。固定高度—通讯距离与丢包率、固定高度—数据波动关系测试结果显示,最优传输距离为10m,最佳节点固定高度为30cm。半监督模糊聚类算法性能最高,平均准确度达到95.4%,平均精度为53.0%,平均敏感度为60.6%。K-means算法的平均准确度达到90.3%,平均精度仅有39.9%,平均敏感度为45.6%。BP神经网络算法平均准确度达到93.7%,平均精度为45.5%,平均敏感度为47.0%。半监督模糊聚类算法具有准确性高、学习复杂度低、运行速度快的特点,具有良好的寻优能力,效率较高。     

基于半监督模糊聚类算法的奶牛行为判别系统

以实时判别奶牛行为，提升精细养殖技术水平为目标，本试验以系统功耗低、检测灵敏度高、运行稳定性强为原则设计无线传感节点，研发了一种基于半监督模糊聚类算法的奶牛行为实时判别系统。为获取最佳通信距离及最优节点固定高度，对无线传感节点分别进行固定高度-通讯距离与丢包率关系测试、固定高度-数据波动关系测试，通信距离分别取10、20、30 m，固定高度分别取10、20、30 cm；并将半监督模糊聚类判别算法、K-means算法及BP神经网络算法在奶牛行为识别方面的准确度、精度及敏感度进行比较。结果显示，集成三轴加速度传感器ADXL345、处理器MSP430-F149、无线收发器CC1101等芯片设计的无线传感节点可精确采集奶牛运动加速度数据，满足长期可靠传输数据等工作要求。固定高度-通讯距离与丢包率、固定高度-数据波动关系测试结果显示，最优传输距离为10 m，最佳节点固定高度为30 cm。半监督模糊聚类算法性能最高，平均准确度达到95.4%，平均精度为53.0%，平均敏感度为60.6%。K-means算法的平均准确度达到90.3%，平均精度仅有39.9%，平均敏感度为45.6%。BP神经网络算法平均准确度达到93.7%，平均精度为45.5%，平均敏感度为47.0%。半监督模糊聚类算法具有准确性高、学习复杂度低、运行速度快的特点，具有良好的寻优能力，效率较高。     

基于惯性测量单元的人体运动测量系统设计

本文对运动测量系统所涉及的坐标定义、姿态算法等进行研究,提出了一种新型人体运动测量方法 ,本人体运动测量系统主要应用微惯性测量单元(Micro Inertial Measurement Unit,MIMU),按照姿态检测的要求,选取了微机电系统(Micro Electro Mechanical Systems,MEMS)传感器来采集数据,其中包括一个三轴陀螺仪、一个三轴加速度计和一个三轴磁阻传感器;并利用STM32单片机作为主控制单元来实现数据处理,通过串口通信实现上位机数据传输;用C语言编写上位机系统软件,检测识别人体动作。     

特征提取和特征降维在猪只行为分类识别中的应用

为了有效改善猪只行为分类识别效果,试验采用三轴加速度传感器获取试验猪(猪A、猪B、猪C)在X轴、Y轴和Z轴三个方向上的加速度数据,建立试验猪只行为数据集,分别提取X轴、Y轴和Z轴的平均值、中位数、最大值、最小值、第一四分位数和第三四分位数,共同构成一个包含21个特征在内的数据集,分别采用ReliefF算法和随机森林算法就各特征对试验猪行为分类识别结果影响的大小进行分析与排序,删除与分类识别性能相关性小的特征,将21维数据集降维至9维。结果表明：将经ReliefF算法降维的数据集用于猪只行为识别与分类,猪A、猪B猪C的总体平均准确率分别为80.9%、81.7%和82.0%;将经随机森林算法降维后的数据集用于猪只行为识别与分类得到的总体平均准确率分别为86.4%、85.3%和87.2%。说明采用随机森林算法进行特征降维的效果更好,更适用于处理猪只行为数据。     

基于无线传感器网络的产前母猪行为监测系统

目前大规模集约化母猪养殖业主要是依靠饲养员对产前母猪行为的连续观察,通过直觉和经验从而判断母猪的分娩时间。但是该技术不仅要求大量人力,效率低下,而且往往会出现人为疏忽造成刚分娩的仔猪死亡现象。针对这一问题,设计了一种基于无线传感器网络的产前母猪行为特征监测系统。该系统通过给母猪佩戴加速度传感器采集节点,实时监测母猪的行为,并通过支持向量机分析加速度数据并建立模型,分类识别母猪的站立、躺卧、进食、筑巢等典型行为特征。试验结果表明,系统能够实时连续的记录母猪产前行为特征参数,可准确识别出母猪的四种典型行为,准确率为93.3%。     

基于微惯性传感器的生猪运动监测系统

生猪养殖过程中,猪的运动行为可以作为其健康状况评价的重要指标之一。目前,生猪健康状况的评价主要依靠养殖人员对生猪运动行为的大量观察来实现,费时费力,并且容易造成疏漏。本文设计了一种生猪运动数字化监测系统,利用微惯性传感器MPU6050采集生猪运动的加速度数据,蓝牙模块无线发送、接收数据,通过以太网将数据远距离传输至上位机实时显示、存储。采用K均值聚类算法对生猪合加速度数据进行分析,得到生猪的运动量。试验结果表明,本系统可以稳定准确的获得模拟生猪运动加速度信息,由K均值聚类分析出生猪的少量运动、正常运动和过量运动,为判断生猪是否异常提供依据。     

四轴飞行器姿态解算算法设计与仿真

为设计具备稳定姿态控制的四轴飞行器,对四轴飞行器飞行姿态表示、数学模型、姿态解算算法进行了研究。硬件上采用STM32作为主控芯片,以加速度计、陀螺仪为主体的惯性测量模块作为姿态测量传感器,测量出当前飞机的三轴加速度与三轴角速度并传送给主控芯片进行四元数姿态解算,求解出当前姿态角;软件上对传感器数据进行融合,运用MATLAB工具获取实时姿态,实现对姿态的辨识和控制。实验表明,四元数姿态解算算法对飞行器具有良好的控制效果,能快速精准响应飞行状态,满足飞行器执行特殊任务需要。     

气味鉴别行为建模与评估系统的建立

正将六轴传感器、陀螺仪等新技术应用到警犬气味鉴别行为测量评价中,研发了警犬气味鉴别行为采集专用的体态变化传感采集器,专用于采集提取存贮犬体态发生变化时的行为数据;利用波形拟合算法、神经网络算法等机器算法,对采集器所获取的行为数据进行数据分析与数学模型建立、驯化、优化应用。结果表明:研制的警犬行为数据采集器能够有效采集存贮犬的鉴别行为数据,建立的警犬气味鉴别行为识别评价系统能够应用于辅助评价     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein