Accuracy of the TurfTrax Racing Data System for determination of equine speed and position

Reasons for performing study: The speed and position data collected by TurfTrax Racing Data Limited during UK Thoroughbred racing have potential to benefit equine science and welfare. The size (the 2006 data set alone consists of 30,932 individual horse starts across 2667 races) and nature (speed and 2D position for each horse at 4 updates per second) of the data make it a unique resource for questions in equine safety, welfare, performance, and animal locomotion. Objective: To determine the accuracy of the TurfTrax tracking system in estimating the speed and position of horses during racing. Methods: Measurements from the TurfTrax wireless tracking system were compared with those of a survey‐grade global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Results: The TurfTrax system was found to give position measurements to within ± 11 and ± 64 cm in the fore‐aft and lateral directions, respectively, averaging ± 38 cm (interquartile range) and speed to within 0.15 m/s. Potential relevance: The data collected by the TurfTrax system are of sufficient accuracy to inform new diagnoses, training regimens and basic locomotor scientific studies. The position data can provide the precise distance, going, inclination, rate of turn and pack positioning through which each horse has raced. The speed profile can be used to examine the level of exertion, effect of training regimens and influence of racecourse features on performance. A first clinical application would be to analyse retrospectively these factors on occurrence of injury to compare with past training regimens, levels of exertion, and/or racecourse conditions.     

无线电追踪技术在地下啮齿动物研究中的应用

营地下生活的啮齿动物被誉为陆地生态系统的工程师,但其长期栖居于地下的生活习性难以被人们直接观察,给动物行为学和生态生物学等研究带来了挑战。随着科学技术的发展,无线电技术的小型化和轻量化为地下啮齿动物研究提供了可行性。国外学者已成功将无线电追踪技术应用于对地下啮齿动物洞道系统、活动节律、巢域面积变化以及社群制度等的研究。但国内将其应用于地下啮齿动物研究的较少。本文根据目前国内外研究现状,对无线追踪技术的研究内容和研究方法进行综述,以期为我国地下啮齿类研究提供参考。     

High variability in spawning migration of sea trout,Salmo trutta,in two northern Swedish rivers

Abstract Telemetry was used to examine spawning migration of sea trout, Salmo trutta L. (n = 126), in two rivers in northern Sweden. The spawning areas defined by radio‐tagged fish differed between the river systems. In the River Vindelälven, sea trout spawned in the main stem and 80% of tagged individuals returned to areas where hatchery‐reared juveniles had been previously stocked. In the River Piteälven, 74% of tagged sea trout ascended tributaries for spawning. Tagged fish were categorised into three groups of migratory pattern. cart (classification and regression tree) analysis indicated that distance from tagging location to spawning site (S_dist) explained the migratory patterns. Large S_dist separated fish with stepwise upstream migration from those with up‐ and downstream migrations and one‐directional direct migration. Fish tagged early in the season migrated the longest distance to spawning areas. Stocking locations and sex explained the large search behaviour up‐ and downstream in the rivers. The findings are important for the sustainable management of sea trout in the Gulf of Bothnia.     

脱水蔬菜粉射频杀菌研究

近年来,低水分活度食品包括果蔬粉等的安全性开始受到人们的广泛关注。虽然微生物在低水分活度食品中无法生长,但是可以存活很长一段时间,且一旦条件适宜将会引发严重的食品安全问题。因此,急需建立适宜的方法对低水分活度食品进行杀菌以提高其安全性。以椰菜粉为原料,用功率为6 kW,频率为27.12 MHz的射频设备进行杀菌,研究其在射频过程中的加热模式和温度分布,发现样品内部和中心的温度明显高于表面温度,这可以通过加热过程中样品的翻转来改善。并研究了射频处理不同阶段椰菜粉的微生物失活及颜色改变情况,结果表明经射频处理5 min后微生物失活显著,且颜色基本不变。射频处理后的冷激（-18℃,48 h）可将微生物从3.0 log CFU/g降低到低于1.0 log CFU/g。射频与冷激相结合是一种很有前景的低水分活度食品杀菌技术,且具有最大限度保持食品原有品质的优点。     

Impact of reader antenna polarisation, distance, inlay design, conveyor speed, tag location and orientation on the coupling of UHF RFID as applied to modified atmosphere packaged meat

Undetected RFID tags make the potential benefits of RFID unattainable. This study aimed to determine the most significant factors that affect RFID and particularly its application to the traceability of meat. Experimental parameters included five RFID tag inlays, two levels of conveyor speeds, five variations of beef sample and an empty container, 12 tags per test sample, three distances and two types of reader antenna polarisations. Tag detection rates were determined in three replicates per combination of test parameters. A GLM ANOVA was carried out on tag detection rate. In decreasing order of significance in terms of the effect on mean tag detection rate were distance, sample, inlay design, conveyor speed and reader antenna polarisation. Interaction of these factors also proved significant, in decreasing order of importance were reader antenna * inlay, sample type * distance, inlay * distance, sample type * inlay, sample type * reader antenna, distance * speed, sample type * speed and finally sample type * distance * speed. Linearly polarised antenna preformed better overall at detecting tags, with 63% mean detection rate compared with circularly polarised antenna with 57% mean detection rate. Varying the tag inlay resulted in mean detection rates of between 62% and 88%. Ideal transponder location on package was reader antenna polarisation dependent, but generally tags facing reader antennas exhibited better detection rate. Results revealed that the under side of the package was the most un-detectable transponder location, considering the placement of reader antennas on top, left and right sides of the sample. Conveyor speed also proved significant with a variation from 0.5 to 1.0 m/s resulting in an average detection rate ranging from 62% to 57%, respectively. Circularly polarised antennas are believed to perform better in cases of random tag orientation on products. It can be concluded that RFID systems implementation in the meat supply chain requires a holistic approach where distances, polarisations, inlay type, meat composition and conveyor speed need to be considered.     

GPRS无线通讯技术在环境在线监测中的应用

介绍了GPRS无线通讯技术及其数据传输的特点,并对其在环境在线监测中的使用原理、工作模式做了详细阐述,通过与其他通讯方式的比较得出了其自身的优缺点,并对其通过其他应用程序实现功能扩展进行了探讨。     

基于PDA的森林资源数据采集系统的设计与实现

为了实现森林资源数据采集的全程无纸化作业,提高数据采集效率,研究开发了基于个人数字处理助理（PDA）的森林资源数据采集系统。从系统开发平台与开发工具的选择、系统架构与功能、实现的关键技术等方面进行了详细的介绍;重点研究了客户端与服务器之间的无线网络模式下数据传输的交互技术;完成了系统服务器端、客户端的软件开发,并在最后调试运行了整个系统。     

Listenership of Farmers' Digest Radio Program on Joy FM (96.5), Otukpo,Benue State,Nigeria

The study investigated listenership of the Farmers' Digest radio program on Joy FM (96.5) in Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to collect data on listenership of Farmers' Digest, preferred segment, listeners' perception, and factors limiting listenership of the program from 150 respondents. Farmers' Digest enjoyed wide listenership (56.3%) and a favorable perception (74.4%). Discussion (M = 1.79) was the most preferred segment and irregular supply of electricity (M = 1.64) was the most limiting listenership factor. Perception was significantly related to program listenership (r = .484). The program design should be sustained, while identified constraining factors should be mitigated for enhanced listenership.     

基于无线和短信环境安全型猪舍监控技术研究

通过无线和短信结合,实现了对环境安全型猪舍的监控。系统由无线智能传感器、无线或短信通信终端、监控中心和执行节点四部分组成,采用集散控制方法。监控中心是整个系统的核心,对数据进行集中管理、分析和处理,其他部分负责数据采集、传输和执行。     

Review of research methodologies for tigers: Telemetry

Over the past half century, wildlife research has relied on technological advances to gain additional insight into the secretive lives of animals. This revolution started in the 1960s with the development of radio telemetry and continues today with the use of Global Positioning System (GPS)-based research techniques. In the present paper we review the history of radio telemetry from its origins with grizzly bears in Yellowstone to its early applications in tiger research and conservation in Asia. We address the different types of data that are available using radio telemetry as opposed to using other research techniques, such as behavioral observations, camera trapping, DNA analysis and scat analysis. In the late 1990s, the rapid development of GPS collar technology revolutionized wildlife research. This new technology has enabled researchers to dramatically improve their ability to gather data on animal movements and ecology. Despite the ecological and conservation benefits of radio telemetry, there have been few telemetry studies of tigers in the wild, and most have been on the Bengal or Amur subspecies. We close with an assessment of the current tiger conservation efforts using GPS technology and discuss how this new information can help to preserve tigers for future generations.