Effects of Large Saddle Panels on the Biomechanics of the Equine Back During Rising Trot: Preliminary Results

The saddle panels, directly in contact with the horse's back, are likely an important element to optimize the fitting of the saddle, the comfort of the horse, and subsequently, the pain management in dorsalgic horses. The aim of this study was to better understand the effect of the saddle panels on the horse's back, by evaluating a prototype saddle (comfort panels: CP) compared to a standard saddle (STD). The horse's back movements were measured using inertial measurement units (IMUs) fixed at the levels of thoracic vertebrae T6, T12, T16 (under the saddle) and lumbar vertebrae L2 and L5. The centers of mass (COMs) of the horse and the rider and limb's protraction-retraction angles, pressure between saddle and horse's back, and force on the stirrups were measured using respectively 2D motion capture, pressure mat and force sensors in the stirrup leather. Three horses were trotted at the rising trot (sitting: left diagonal-rider seated; standing: right diagonal-rider standing) by the same rider. To compare saddles, linear mixed-effects regression models were used. The estimated means (SE) were calculated. During sitting phase, pressure in the cranial and middle areas of the saddle significantly increased for CP compared to STD (+0.9 (0.2) kPa and +1.0 (0.1) kPa, respectively) whereas caudal pressure decreased (−1.8 (0.4) kPa). Concurrently, the range of motion of angles T12-T16 and T16-L2 under the saddle significantly increased (+1.8 (0.2)° and +2.3 (0.3)°, respectively). The results showed that modifications of the panels' shape not only affect the pressure distribution but also the kinematics of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the equine back.     

Can trail spatial attributes predict trail use level in urban forest park? An examination integrating GPS data and space syntax theory

Understanding users’ spatial distribution in forest park is crucial for providing visitors with quality recreation experiences and for park planning and management. Utilizing users’ spatial distribution data, this study aims at investigating associations between trail use level and trail spatial attributes, through examining two large urban forest parks (Gongqing forest park and Paotaiwan forest park) in Shanghai, China. Users’ spatial distribution was measured utilizing GPS trackers with the interval of 10 seconds. This study conceptualizes trail spatial attributes as trail metric attributes and trail configurational attributes. Trail metric attributes include trail mean distance to gates, length, width and level of enclosure, which are calculated based on park map and on-site observation. We computed trail configurational attributes utilizing space syntax theory, which comprise measures of global integration, control, and connectivity. Trail connection with features/facilities, visual connection with water and shading are included as covariate variables. In total, we obtained 134 valid samples in Gongqing forest park and 210 valid samples in Paotaiwan forest park for analysis. Multivariate regression analyses indicate that when involving covariate variables, consistently in both parks, a greater trail usage is significantly related to trail shorter mean distance to park gate, trail width wider than 3 meters, higher global integration and higher control values. Collectively, these four trail spatial attributes explained 31.7 % (p < 0.001) and 27.3 % (p < 0.001) of the variances in trail use level in Gongqing forest park and Paotaiwan forest park. These findings provide direct implications to park designers and managers for providing visitors with different desirable social conditions, and ultimately improve users’ experiences and satisfactions.     

基于模糊建模的混炼胶粘度测量

提出了一种在线测量混炼胶粘度的新方法．该方法以模糊建模技术为基础，综合考虑混炼过程各因素对胶料粘度的影响，建立起胶料粘度的在线测量模型．在模糊建模中，采用T-S模型描述胶料粘度变化的非线性过程，提出了一种基于相似性判别的模糊聚类算法以自动确定合适的聚类组数目，并用实数编码的遗传算法优化全局参数，从而获得了规则简化的、具有较高精度的模糊模型．根据此方法，设计了测量装置，并进行了现场试验．试验结果表明模糊模型输出与实验室测量值基本一致，平均误差较低且最大误差未超过1门尼．该方法较大地提高了橡胶混炼的生产效率，为粘度最优控制奠定了基础．     

步进电机扭矩测量试验台系统的设计

专用电机扭矩测量仪器精度高，但价格昂贵，操作复杂，长时间使用会出现误差。步进电机扭矩测量试验台系统采用单相交流电机作负载，使用标准扭矩仪对该系统进行标定来对待测调速电机进行扭矩测量。为此，介绍了一种电机扭矩测量系统的构成与工作原理。该系统以单片机为核心，组成扭矩测量与显示系统，可以较好地实现电机扭矩在线测量，具有较好的经济效益。     

微波电路电测及其计算方法

从实际工程的角度出发，对电路电测方法进行了论述。在微通信工程中，需要获得障碍物的位置和高度，最合理的天线高度组合和障碍物绕射损耗等参数，为此论述了微波电路电测方法及技术要求。在大庆－秦皇岛输油管道通信工程中采用了Ａ，Ｂ测试法进行测试，得到高度－损耗曲线。这种曲线给出相对自由空间接收电平与收，发天线高度之间的关系。在测试所得的高度－损耗曲线与断面图相结合的基础上，由绕射损耗计算公式推出了几种常见障碍     

散养成乳牛舍环境测定

以一栋散养成乳牛舍为对象，系统地测定了舍内外的气温、气湿、风速、辐射强度、黑体温度及屋顶热流量。结果表明：从６月１日—９月１０日，舍内旬均气温都在２３．４３℃以上，舍内１４：００气温旬均值都在２８℃以上，舍内旬均ＴＨＩ都超过７１．７１；屋顶热流量曲线的斜率很大、峰值出现于１４：００，并且与舍外黑体温度呈高度的正相关；舍内与舍外的黑体温度、辐射强度分别呈中等以上的正相关；冬季舍内寒冷，同时受舍外气流影响大。笔者认为，通过增加牛舍高度、先用高热阻屋面材料和冬季防风可望改进此类牛舍的环境。     

Effect of Integration of Fertilizer and Green Manure Nitrogen on Yield Attributes, Nitrogen Uptake and Yield of Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, India, during the wet seasons of 1992 and 1993 to study the effect of full and partial substitution of fertiliser N with green manure N (Sesbania rostrata) on nitrogen uptake, yield attributes and yield of rice. The experiment consisted of eight treatments with two levels of N (100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) and three sources of N application viz., fertilizer, integrated (1:1 fertilizer and green manure N) and green manure N compared to the recommended practice (150 kg fertilizer plus 6.25 t ha⁻¹ (72 kg N) green manure) and a no N control. Nitrogen application markedly increased the N uptake. Combined use of the two N sources at 200 and 222 kg N ha⁻¹ and of single fertilizer N at 200 kg N ha⁻¹ recorded the maximum N uptake, increased the yield attributes such as number of panicles per unit area, weight per panicle, number of total and filled grains per panicle and test weight. At 200 kg N ha⁻¹ full substitution of N by green manure reduced the grain yield but only partial substitution of N by green manure resulted in almost similar yield as single fertilizer N. Thus 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied in equal proportions of fertilizer and green manure N can be recommended for medium duration rice cultivars.     

家兔选育性状典型相关分析

选择日本大耳白和新西兰两个品种家兔的生长、繁殖、以及体尺3组共17个性状，应用多元统计方法进行了典型相关分析，结果表明；日本大耳白兔的初生重、初生窝重、21日龄重、泌乳力、胸围等5个性状，新西兰兔的产活仔数、初生重、21日龄重、泌乳力、断奶窝重、母兔体重等6个性状为主要性状。     

Change in spatial characteristics of forest openings in the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California,USA

Change in the spatial characteristics of forest openings was investigated in three forested watersheds in north-western Siskiyou County, California totalling approximately 24,600 hectares. Watersheds with minimal human disturbance were chosen for study. However, fire suppression has been pervasive throughout. Characteristics of forest openings (area, perimeter, distance between neighboring openings) were measured on aerial photographs taken 41 years apart. An index of regional form was determined for the landscape. Shape complexity for each opening was calculated using two indices based upon fractals. Significant differences were found using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov two-sample test between the perimeters, areas, distance from sample point to nearest opening, and distance between neighboring openings. The perimeters and areas became smaller, and the distances from the sample point to the nearest opening and between neighboring openings became greater over the 41 years between aerial photo sets. The estimated area occupied by openings decreased from 25.8 % to 15.6 % of the study area. No significant difference was found in the shape of the openings except as the shape indices were influenced by changes in size of the openings.This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and it is therefore in the public domain and not subject to copyright.     

青脚鸡杂交组合肉用性能的研究

以江苏省家禽科学研究所家禽育种中心崇仁麻鸡♂×(崇仁麻鸡♂×隐性白羽鸡新品系♀)♀(配套1)和固始鸡♂×(崇仁麻鸡♂×隐性白羽鸡新品系♀)♀(配套2)为素材,进行肉用性能试验,结果表明①两配套组合体重差异极显著(P＜0.01),配套2比配套1重109.6克且饲料报酬高0.171;②两配套组合龙骨长、冠长、冠高、胸宽差异不显著(P＞0.05),体斜长、胫长、胫围、胸角差异极显著(P＜0.01),配套2均高于配套1.③两配套组合屠体率、半净膛率、全净膛率、胸肌率、腹脂率差异不显著(P＞0.05),配套1腿肌率显著高于配套2(P＜0.05).④两配套组合胸肌失水率、PH值、肉色、剪切力差异不显著(P＞0.05).总体而言,配套2的肉用性能优于配套1,隐性白羽鸡新品系在优质鸡配套系中应用是可行的.