bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feather loss in laying hens
Authors: Hristov Slavca , Mitrovic Sreten , Todorovic Mirjana , Djermanovic Vladan , Cvetkovic Ivica
Published: October 2011

The paper examined the incidence of different forms of feather loss and cannibalism in laying hens aged 74 weeks following moulting and in laying hens following exploitation for a period of one year. The forms of feather loss were considered in detail through a repeated examination of video recordings and they were sorted according to localization - to feather loss on the ventral part of the neck, on the dorsal part of the neck, and on the back between the wings. Feather loss on the ventral part of the neck was established in 47.9% hens, and in the dorsal part in 16.77% hens of the 167 laying hens aged 74 weeks following moulting. The group of 129 laying hens that were observed following one-year exploitation exhibited considerably more frequent feather loss, in 96.90% hens it was localized on the ventral part of the neck, in 60.47% hens on the dorsal part of the neck, and in 20.16% hens it was localized on the back between the wings. A comparison of the results of the incidence of co localized forms of feather loss in the one and the other group of laying hens using the t-test showed statistically very significant differences. A detailed consideration of the video recordings using the method of sequence analysis did not reveal any cannibalism in either group of laying hens.
Canine brucellosis: Epizootiological characteristics, therapy and control of the disease
Authors: Radojicic Sonja
Published: October 2011

The paper describes different aspects of canine brucellosis caused by Brucella canis. The disease is present in a large number of countries all over the world, where it inflicts severe economic damages, in particular in the commercial breeding and major dog breeding facilities. The disease was discovered in 1966 in the United States of America, but there were no data about its presence or distribution in our country until 1999. It was established, following the initial investigations, that the prevalence of the disease is extremely high, and that it amounted to 4.27% among pet dogs in the territory of Belgrade. Investigations of stray dogs in the territory of Podgorica showed that the seroprevalence (an equal titer or higher than 1/200) was 9.37%, while the prevalence among stray dogs in the territory of Belgrade was 10.87%. Data for other parts of Serbia are mostly lacking, and the seroprevalence for stray dogs in the Municipality of Pozarevac amounted to over 15%, while not a single serologically positive case was found among pet dogs. In addition to the epizootiological specificities of the disease established in our country, isolates of B. canis from the territory of Serbia also indicate digressions in the test of resistance to colors with respect to the referent strain RM6/66. All isolates (SR1-SR-7) are resistant to base fuchsine, and it is probable that this characteristic could also be an important epizootiological marker. Even though the isolation of the cause is the most reliable diagnostic method, it is not possible to achieve this in most cases. That is why one of the most important tasks is to define the most ideal tests for the serological diagnostics of the disease, and the obligation of reporting the disease makes it imperative that wider-scale investigations are conducted and that measures are taken toward reducing the number of positive cases in our country. .
Investigations of hemadsorption characteristics of glycoprotein HN and F antigen of parainfluenza 3 virus outer membrane in vitro
Authors: Nisavic Jakov , Milic Nenad
Published: October 2011

The objective of our investigations was to examine the hemadsorption characteristics of glycoprotein HN and F antigens of the outer membrane of the parainfluenza 3 virus. Six hours following inoculation of the cell line with the Vero virus PI3, previously activated with 0.025 g/dl trypsinversen, the appearance of less intense hemadsorption was established in antigen dilutions of 1:2 and 1:4. Hemadsorption was established in the mentioned cell lines also 12 h after inoculation in virus dilutions of 1:8 and 1:16, while 24 h following inoculation, hemadsorption was present also in a virus dilution of 1:64. Inhibition of hemadsorption in inoculated cells with immune serum dilutions of 1:16 was established 24 h after inoculation of the cell line with Vero samples of the virus PI3, activated with trypsinversen and with the addition of specific immune serum. .
Body mass, spleen mass and level of thyroid hormones in juvenile hypothyroid rats
Authors: Roksandic Dragutin , Simic Marija , Radovanovic Anita , Gledic Dusan
Published: October 2011

In this paper, the effect of hypothyroidism on body mass and spleen mass of rats was examined during the prenatal and early juvenile periods. Hypothyroidism was induced by the application of propylthiouracil (PTU) in drinking water to the mothers from the first day of gravidity and during lactation, and the offspring were sacrificed on the 14th and 21st days after birth. The body mass of the juvenile rats was measured just before they were sacrificed. The concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in blood serum were determined in control and treated juvenile rats. The results indicate that PTU leads to a reduction in T3 and T4 serum concentrations in treated juvenile rats. Treated juvenile rats had a bigger body mass and spleen mass in comparison with control animals. These data indicate that hypothyroidism induced in the prenatal and early juvenile period leads to an increase in the body mass and spleen mass and disrupts the normal development of the spleen in the course of the examined period. .
Topical concept of coccidiosis control in chickens
Authors: Petricevic Sasa , Ilic Tamara , Dimitrijevic Sanda
Published: October 2011

Coccidiosis is the most significant parasitic disease in poultry in contemporary systems of breeding and utilization of their production potentials. It usually inflicts substantial economic damage, regardless of whether it is exhibited in the clinical or subclinical form. In parallel with the industrialization in poultry breeding, measures for the control of coccidiosis have developed in parallel, so that the prevention of this disease today is founded on four basic principles: zoohygiene, genetics, the implementation of anticoccidial drugs, and vaccination. Hemoprophylaxis is the most represented in the prevention of coccidiosis, as a very efficient measure. In Serbia, ionoform antibiotics, amprolium, halofuginone and sulfonamides, are most often used. However, the application of medicines in coccidiosis control has as a consequence also certain undesired effects, of which the most important are toxicity, incompatibility with other drugs or chemical substances, coccidia resistence, and the presence of residue in poultry tissue. The significance of the immunization of poultry with the objective of their protection from the harmful consequences caused by this protozoozis has been known for several decades now. The implementation of a vaccine against coccidiosis has established its practical importance in the world only in the past decade, when the European Union Commission adopted a five-year plan for studies of coccidiosis and its control through vaccination. In our country, two vaccines have been registered for use in veterinary medicine, and their practical implementation has still not quite become regular practice. Each of the listed control measures also implies certain faults, however. More efficient protection can be provided by possible combinations of the coccidiosis control methods.
Investigations of influence of colostral antibodies on development of pathomorphological changes following experimental infection of piglets with classical swine plague virus
Authors: Prodanov Jasna , Dosen Radoslav , Valcic Miroslav , Polacek Vladimir , Petrovic Tamas , Lazic Sava
Published: October 2011

The pathomorphological changes established following infection with the virus of classical swine plague in non-immune individuals are well known. However, piglets present a problem from the clinical-pathological aspect, in which this virus can be multiplied in spite of established colostral antibodies, but without the exhibiting of the clinical symptoms characteristic for the disease. The question of the characteristics of the pathomorphological finding is raised in the event of the breakdown of the colostral immunity of the piglets. With the objective of determining the influence of colostral antibodies on the development of pathomorphological changes in classical swine plague, piglets aged 28, 35, 44, and 54 days, originating from sows that had received a vaccine of the K-strain of the classical swine plague virus, were experimentally infected with a virulent variety of this virus (Becker strain). The control group comprised non-vaccinated animals originating from non-vaccinated sows. Following the death and/or sacrificing of the piglets in the experiment, a pathomorphological examination was performed of all organic systems and the presence of classical swine plague virus antigens was established in organs and tissues of piglets using the immunoenzyme (ELISA) test. Even though clinical signs characteristic for this disease were not found in all animals following artificial infection, the pathomorphological findings following death and/or sacrificing indicated a successful experimental infection and was typical for the acute course of classical swine plague. Bleeding was established in most organs and serous membranes (haemorrhagic diathesis). However, certain variations were also established regarding the expression and distribution of the pathomorphological changes in certain animals.
Investigations of spread of canine Brucellosis caused by Brucella canis in territory of Municipality of Pozarevac
Authors: Zivojinovic Slobodan , Radojicic Sonja , Zivojinovic Milena , Kircanski Jasmina
Published: October 2011

The paper examines the presence and distribution of infections caused by Brucella canis in different categories of dogs in the territory of the Municipality of Pozarevac. A total of 151 dogs were examined, and 74 blood serums originated from dogs of known owners and 77 from stray dogs. The investigations were carried out also on 40 samples of full blood of stray dogs, as well as fetal organs and reproductive organs of a serologically positive female following hysterectomy. Investigations included a clinical examination of the dogs, rapid serum agglutination, slow serum agglutination, and isolation of the cause. In all the examined dogs, the rapid agglutination test gave a positive result in 16.55% of the examined samples, the slow agglutination test 11.25%, which is an extremely high percentage in comparison with other regions of our country. Therapy using antibiotics, zoohygienic measures, castration or hysterectomy (as attempts to avoid residue and break the chain of the transfer of the infection) are conditions for out rooting the disease. Control of stray dogs is necessary, as they present the basic source of the infection. The results obtained in the course of these investigations indicate the absolute justification of including this contagious disease in the group of diseases whose reporting is compulsory.
First report of bovine rotavirus and bovine coronavirus seroprevalance in goats in Turkey
Authors: Gumusova Okur , Yazici Z. , Albayrak H. , Çakiroglu D.
Published: October 2011

In this study, bovine coronavirus (BCV) and bovine rotavirus (BRV) seroprevalances were detected by ELISA in 107 goat blood serum samples obtained from five different provinces of Northern Turkey. The results of the study reflected 41.12% and 82.24% seropositivity against BCV and BRV, respectively, in the goat sera. BCV seroprevalance in mature goats is determined for the first time with this study. Furthermore, this is the first statement of BRV and BCV seroprevalances in the mature goat population in Turkey.
Fasciola hepatica findings in cattle of Jablanica region
Authors: Milanovic Valentina , Nitovski Aleksandar , Kulisic Zoran , Mirilovic Milorad , Popovic Boban , Djordjevic Dragana
Published: October 2011

In the period from January 2001 to December 2005, a total of 6,904 slaughtered cattle originating from the territory of the region of Jablanica were examined at the Mesokombinat AD abattoir. The Trematoda Fasciola hepatica was found in 429 cattle (6.21%). A total of 2,150 kg livers were condemned due to the presence of the liver fluke. A comparison of cattle with bovine fasciolosis according to the years yielded a very significant difference (p<0.01) between the year 2003 (10.02) and the year 2002 (9.97), on the one side, in comparison with the years 2001 (5.14), 2004 (3.37), and 2005 (5.08), on the other side. A significant difference (p<0.05) was also established in the year 2004 (3.37) in comparison with the years 2001 (5.14) and 2005 (5.08). After analyzing the significance of the differences between the infected cattle according to the seasons, a very significant difference (p<0.01) was established between the summer (7.23) and the winter (4.74) periods. A significant difference (p<0.05) was also established between the autumn (6.49) and the winter periods. The amount of precipitation was directly proportionate to the percentage of cattle infected with fasciolosis.
Contemporary models and prospects of control of parasitic diseases
Authors: Petricevic Sasa , Ilic Tamara , Dimitrijevic Sanda
Published: October 2011

Economic, social and expert-scientific factors determine activities in connection with the development of the control of parasitic infections in the upcoming period of the 21st century. The primary research activities are directed at studies of the physiological functions of parasites and the ecological relations between the parasite and the host, and all that is undertaken with the objective of securing adequate pharmacotherapy/pharmacoprophylaxis and immunoprophilaxis. As there is a huge expansion in the synthesis of chemical compounds, there is a great number of potential substances for use in the form of a medicine. Along these lines, activities concerning the development of new antiparasitics and/or modification of existing ones are primarily based on securing a quality target spot for its action. Another possibility in the area of research is connected to the problem of resistance of parasites and intensive studies of the biochemical-physiological characteristics of parasites, as well as the development of an active epidemiological-episootiological network for monitoring resistance. In parallel with the development of medicines, the results of investigations of physiological functions of parasites and their mutual relations with their host, are intensely used for the development of immunological control, and the development of vaccines (for example, the development of vaccines for the control of coccidiosis, babesiosis, echinococcosis). The second important approach is related to studies of parasitic zoonoses, the effect of global warming on the epidemiological-episootiological characteristics of parasitic diseases and the selection of resistant animal breeds/hybrids. Animal welfare is also of importance, the perfecting of reliable, rapid and less-costly methods for diagnosing parasitic diseases and the development of in vitro methods for the examination of resistance to antiparasitics.
Esubacute acidosis in rumen of high-yield dairy cows: Prevalence and prevention
Authors: Petrujkic Branko , Samanc Horea , Adamovic Milan , Kirovski Danijela , Vujanac Ivan , Miljas Niko
Published: October 2011

The objective of the investigations presented in this paper was to establish the frequency of the incidence of subacute acidosis in the rumen of cows (SARA) in the first three months of lactation and the possibilities for its prevention using a mineral mix based on bentonite, zeolite, magnesium oxide, and sodium bicarbonate (Mix plus). The values obtained for the rumen pH content show that subacute rumen acidosis occurs in in 20 percent of the examined cows in the early stage of lactation. For these investigations, cows in early stages of lactation were chosen and divided into 2 groups. Cows of the experimental group were administered a fodder mix which contained the mineral mix for a buffer effect (Mix plus). The average values of the rumen pH content in the control and the experimental group of cows at the beginning and on the 30th day of the experiment were approximately the same and did not differ significantly (p>0.05). On the 60th day of the experiment, the values for the electrochemical reaction of the rumen content for the control group amounted to an average of 6.219?0.18, and for the experimental group of cows it was 6.772?0.23. The obtained difference was statistically very significant (p<0.001). At the end of the experiment, on the 90th day, the average pH value of the rumen content of cows of the control group was 6.308?0.16, while this value in the experimental group of cows was significantly higher and amounted to 6.676?0.29 (p<0.01).
Influence of parenteral application of beta-carotene on fertility in cows
Authors: Velickovic Miljan , Vukovic Dragan
Published: October 2011

Thirty Holstein breed cows from the breeding stock of high yielding dairy cattle were selected for testing. The cows were selected during their high gravidity and fell into two groups. The i.m beta-carotene, Carofertin, of 20 ml (200 mg of beta-carotene) was applied to the experimental group (n=15) two weeks before the expected parturition date. Another injection of the beta-carotene preparation was applied to the experimental group two weeks after parturition. Simultaneously, a physiological solution of 20 ml was injected i.m to the experimental group (n=15). The blood samples for testing of the beta-carotene and vitamin A concentration were taken during high gravidity and in the early puerperium two days after the beta-carotene application and on the day of parturition. Two-of parenteral application of beta-carotene before parturition does not have an impact significantly on the frequency of the occurrence of retained placenta in experimental cows comparing to the cows of the control group (x=33.3 % and x=20.0 %) and length of the service period (x =97.20?31.64 and x=98.8?35.8 days). Based on the results obtained during this research, it can be concluded that the parenteral application of the beta-carotene (Carofertin) as 200 mg per cow, which is meant for protection of the reproductive disorders of cows, does not affect the level of carotinemia when its concentration in the blood serum is within the physiological limits. Therefore, no significant discrepancy in values of the reproduction figures between the cows of the experimental and control group was found. All in all, its usage is advisable only during scarce feeding.
Case report: Chronic arthritis of fetlock joint in the horse
Authors: Toholj Bojan , Stevancevic Milenko
Published: October 2011

Diseases of extremities in horses are the most significant part of the pathology in this species. This paper shows neurectomy as the ultimo ratio in the treatment of chronic arthritis of the fetlock joint in the horse. This disease is characterized by the appearance of exostoses in the area of the fetlock joint which reduces the mobility of the joint and causes pain during movement. The disease was diagnosed in a clinical examination, with a probe of the flexion of the suspected joint, and using diagnostic anesthesia. After data were collected in this way, we opted for neurectomy of the n.palmaris medialis. The operation was performed in general anesthesia. Local anesthesia was also applied as proximal palmar anesthesia. The postoperative course was smooth. Following the withdrawal of the edema and the healing of the wound, the lameness ceased and the usability value of the stallion was restored.
Effect of zeolite on health condition of canines
Authors: Vucicevic Ivana , Trailovic Dragisa , Samanc Horea , Adamovic Milan
Published: October 2011

The paper shows the results of investigations of elementary hematological and biochemical blood parameters of German Shepherd dogs administered zeolite through feed daily for a period of 50 days. No undesired effects were established during the period of observation, and in fact there was a full normalization of the condition of the dogs that previously exhibited transitory symptoms of gastrointestinal tract disorders. No significant digressions were observed in the examined biochemical parameters of blood, either, that could indicate any harmful effects of zeolite, with the exception of the tendency toward a reduction in the concentrations of phosphorus and calcium, which was not manifest clinically as well during this period.
Importance of Brucella melitensis for food safety
Authors: Sekulovski Pavle
Published: October 2011

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by members of the Brucella spp. Various species of Brucella spp. infect different animals including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, sea mammals and a variety of other animals. Infection of humans occurs directly via contact with infected animals or through animal products, in particular unpasteurised milk, cream, cheese and other dairy products. The incidence of brucellosis in humans in the Balkan and Mediterranean countries has not shown any declining tendency in previous decades. Preventive measures for keeping the food chain safe are recommended.
Measurements of physical-chemical characteristics of dairy plant waste waters
Authors: Stefanovic Dragoslav , Vojnovic-Miloradov Mirjana , Lemic Jovan , Kurajica Milorad , Kovacevic Dragana
Published: October 2011

Characteristics of waste waters of the dairy industry are specific and differ essentially from waste waters of other branches of the food industry. The complexity of production in dairy plants with several units for different products render the problem of waste waters of this industry particularly complex. Waste waters of the AD Imlek dairy plant were sampled and their chemical characteristics were determined at different seasons of the year and at different times of the day in the years 2001 and 2007. The obtained concentrations were compared with the maximum permitted concentrations listed under the Regulations on technical and sanitary conditions for releasing waste waters into the City Sewers of the City of Belgrade.
De Sitter spacetime as a momentum measuring apparatus
Authors: Nicolaevici Nistor
Published: October 2011

We discuss the evolution of a quantum wave packet in the expanding de Sitter spacetime using the plane wave solutions of the Dirac equation. We concentrate on the case of large negative times when the packet approaches the event horizon and confirm that the evolution accords with that expected from the classical trajectories. We point out that in certain conditions the packet can split into two components that become localized at different parts of the horizon and that this effect can be seen, in an idealized sense, as a measuring process for the momentum of the particle, in direct analogy with the measurement of spin in a Stern-Gerlach experiment.
Terrestrial Remotely Sensed Imagery in Support of Public Health: New Avenues of Research Using Object-Based Image Analysis
Authors: Kelly Maggi , Blanchard Samuel D. , Kersten Ellen , Koy Kevin
Published: October 2011

The benefits of terrestrial remote sensing in the environmental sciences are clear across a range of applications, and increasingly remote sensing analyses are being integrated into public health research. This integration has largely been in two areas: first, through the inclusion of continuous remote sensing products such as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) or moisture indices to answer large-area questions associated with the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases or other health exposures; and second, through image classification to map discrete landscape patches that provide habitat to disease-vectors or that promote poor health. In this second arena, new improvements in object-based image analysis (or “OBIA”) can provide advantages for public health research. Rather than classifying each pixel based on its spectral content alone, the OBIA approach first segments an image into objects, or segments, based on spatially connected pixels with similar spectral properties, and then these objects are classified based on their spectral, spatial and contextual attributes as well as by their interrelations across scales. The approach can lead to increases in classification accuracy, and it can also develop multi-scale topologies between objects that can be utilized to help understand human-disease-health systems. This paper provides a brief review of what has been done in the public health literature with continuous and discrete mapping, and then highlights the key concepts in OBIA that could be more of use to public health researchers interested in integrating remote sensing into their work.
ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMIC DYNAMISM IN THE REGIONS OF LITHUANIA / LIETUVOS REGIONŲ EKONOMINIO DINAMIŠKUMO VERTINIMAS
Authors: Gedminaitė-Raudonė Živilė
Published: October 2011

Competiveness of regions is one of the most important policies formulating regional policy. The new focus on the specific fea­tures of the region and its competiveness encourages using the regional policy measures reflective of broader conception of the rural countryside. The new rural policy targeting and monitoring needs for typologies taking into account the diversity of rural regions. While creating region typologies for policy goals, it was essential to find new criteria and indicators for the measurement of the rural region’s economic potential. The economic dyna­mism becomes an important indicator of the region’s economic potential proposed by OECD organisation. This paper examines methodology to build a typology of economic dynamism for rural regions of Lithuania relevant for rural policy purposes. The re­search results shows that suggested typology based on economic dynamism, which is measured by the number of employed in all population aged 15–64, at this period is not suitable methodologi­cal tool for classification of rural regions in Lithuania.

Santrauka

Pastaruoju metu regioninėje politikoje ypač daug dėmesio skiriama regionų konkurencingumui. Priimant Lietuvos kaimo politikos sprendimus, regionų grupavimas pagal ekonominio konkurencingumo rodiklius taip pat labai aktualus. Kuriant regionų tipologijas, valdymo tikslams ieškoma naujų kriterijų ir rodiklių, padedančių atskleisti regionų ekonominio potencialo skirtumus. Straipsnyje pristatomi tyrimo, skirto įvertinti Lietuvos kaimiškųjų regionų tipologijų (pagal ekonominį dinamišku­mą) atitiktį kaimo politikos tikslams, rezultatai. Tyrimas parodė, kad EBPO propaguojamas regionų ekonominio dinamiškumo kriterijus, matuojamas užimtųjų dalies (15–64 m. amžiaus gyventojų skaičiaus) augimu regione, dabartiniame Lietuvos kaimo raidos etape neatspindi realių kaimiškųjų regionų ekonominių problemų. Priimant su Lietuvos regionų ekonomikos aktyvinimu susijusius kaimo politikos sprendimus, turėtų būti atliekami išsamesni tyrimai, padedantys atskleisti priežastis, formuojančias ekonominio konkurencingumo skirtumus regionuose.
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE ALL RISK YIELD: CASE STUDY OF VILNIUS, LITHUANIAN CAPITAL / VEIKSNIŲ, DARANČIŲ ĮTAKĄ KAPITALIZACIJOS NORMAI, ANALIZĖ: VILNIAUS – LIETUVOS SOSTINĖS ATVEJIS
Authors: Varnelis Tomas
Published: October 2011

Overall capitalization rate is one of the key evaluation elements in operating income approach. Deriving capitalization rates from comparable sales is the preferred method when sufficient data on sales of similar, competitive properties are available. The capitali­zation rates provide evidence of the importance of local market conditions and individual property characteristics. This paper is an empirical study of the capitalization rates for 66 commercial premises sales in down town Vilnius from 2008 III q – 2009 I q. Seeking to derive factors affecting the capitalization rate, regressive-correlative analysis of capitalization rate of various commercial premises located on various streets of downtown Vilnius was carried out. Capitalization rate depends on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of real estate, i. e. purpose, total area of premises, storey they are on and quality of decoration. At the end of study results were summarized.

Santrauka

Kapitalizacijos norma – vienas iš svarbiausių elementų naudojimo pajamų vertei nustatyti. Kapitalizacijos normos nustatymas pagal lyginamąjį pardavimą taikomas tada, kai turima pakankamai duomenų apie panašų, konkurencingą turtą. Kapitalizacijos norma įrodo vietinės rinkos sąlygų ir individualių turto savybių svarbą. Šis darbas – tai empirinė 66 komercinių patalpų pardavimo Vilniaus centre nuo 2008 m. III ketv. iki 2009 m. I ketv. kapitalizacijos normų analizė. Siekiant nustatyti veiksnius, turinčius įtakos kapitalizacijos normos dydžiui, buvo atlikta įvairių komercinių patalpų, esančių Vilniaus miesto centrinės dalies įvairiose gatvėse, kapitalizacijos normos regresinė ir koreliacinė analizė. Kapitalizacijos norma priklauso nuo kokybinių ir kiekybinių nekilnojamojo turto savybių, t. y. patalpų paskirties, bendrojo patalpų ploto, aukšto, kuriame yra patal­pos, ir apdailos kokybės. Tyrimo pabaigoje aptarta gauta priklausomybė.
Smoothing Text Representation Models Based on Rough Set
Authors: Wei Zhihua , Miao Duoqian , Wang Ruizhi , Zhang Zhifei
Published: October 2011

Text representation is the prerequisite of various document processing tasks, such as information retrieval, text classification, text clustering, etc. It has been studied intensively for the past few years, and many excellent models have been designed as well. However, the performance of these models is affected by the problem of data sparseness. Existing smoothing techniques usually make use of statistic theory or linguistic information to assign a uniform distribution to absent words. They do not concern the real word distribution or distinguish between words. In this chapter, a method based on a kind of soft computing theory, Tolerance Rough Set theory, which makes use of upper approximation and lower approximation theory in Rough Set to assign different values for absent words in different approximation regions, is proposed. Theoretically, our algorithms can estimate smoothing value for absent words according to their relation with respect to existing words. Text classification experiments by using Vector Space Model (VSM) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model on public corpora have shown that our algorithms greatly improve the performance of text representation model, especially for the performance of unbalanced corpus.
Stereo-Vision-Based Fire Detection and Suppression Robot for Buildings
Authors: Ho Chao-Ching
Published: October 2011

A stereo-vision-based fire detection and suppression robot with an intelligent processing algorithm for use in large spaces is proposed in this chapter. The successive processing steps of our real-time algorithm use the motion segmentation algorithm to register the possible position of a fire flame in a video; the real-time algorithm then analyzes the spectral, spatial, and motion orientation characteristics of the fire flame regions from the image sequences of the video. The characterization of a fire flame was carried out by using a heuristic method to determine the potential fire flame candidate region. The fire-fighting robot uses stereo vision generated by means of two calibrated cameras to acquire images of the fire flame and applies the continuously adaptive mean shift (CAMSHIFT) vision-tracking algorithm to provide feedback on the real-time position of the fire flame with a high frame rate. Experimental results showed that the stereo-vision-based mobile robot was able to successfully complete a fire-extinguishing task.
Recovering 3-D Human Body Postures from Depth Maps and Its Application in Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Thang Nguyen Duc , Uddin Md. Zia , Lee Young-Koo , Lee Sungyoung , Kim Tae-Seong
Published: October 2011

We present an approach of how to recover 3-D human body postures from depth maps captured by a stereo camera and an application of this approach to recognize human activities with the joint angles derived from the recovered body postures. With a pair of images captured with a stereo camera, first a depth map is computed to get the 3-D information (i.e., 3-D data) of a human subject. Separately the human body is modeled in 3-D with a set of connected ellipsoids and their joints: the joint is parameterized with the kinematic angles. Then the 3-D body model and 3-D data are co-registered with our devised algorithm that works in two steps: the first step assigns the labels of body parts to each point of the 3-D data; the second step computes the kinematic angles to fit the 3-D human model to the labeled 3-D data. The co-registration algorithm is iterated until it converges to a stable 3-D body model that matches the 3-D human posture reflected in the 3-D data. We present our demonstrative results of recovering body postures in full 3-D from continuous video frames of various activities with an error of about 60-140 in the estimated kinematic angles. Our technique requires neither markers attached to the human subject nor multiple cameras: it only requires a single stereo camera. As an application of our body posture recovery technique in 3-D, we present how various human activities can be recognized with the body joint angles derived from the recovered body postures. The features of body joints angles are utilized over the conventional binary body silhouettes and Hidden Markov Models are utilized to model and recognize various human activities. Our experimental results show the presented techniques outperform the conventional human activity recognition techniques.
Phosphate Solubilizing Rhizospherebacterial T21 Isolated from Dongxiang Wild Rice Species Promotes Cultivated Rice Growth
Authors: Zeng Qing Gui , Luo Fei , Zhang Zhi Bin , Yan Ri Ming , Zhu Du
Published: October 2011

The capability of bacterial strain T21 isolated from Dongxiang wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) rhizosphere to behave as plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) was investigated. Rhizosphere bacteria T21 showed P-solubilizing capability when cultured in the PVK medium amended with tricalcium phosphate. The strain T21 also showed nitrogen-fixing activity in N-free medium, and produced indole-3-acetic (IAA) and siderophore. The strain T21 was identified as Pantoea agglomerans by morphology, physiological and biochemical properties, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The strain T21 was formulated as an inoculant in order to evaluate its growth promotion effect in the field when applied on the cultivated rice at the sowing time. It showed a significant plant growth-promoting effect on seedling length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of the cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). These findings fetched us to conclude that wild rice rhizospheric microorganism Pantoea agglomerans T21 could stimulate the growth of cultivated rice in vivo in poor soil.
Survey on the Quality Management System of Power Distribution Projects Based on the Theory of TQM
Authors: Song Xiao Hua , Niu Dong Xiao , Ye Cai Qin , Lu Dong Liang
Published: October 2011

Power distribution engineering plays an important role in power system, whose construction quality directly impacts the investment income, social and environmental benefits. This paper firstly analyzed the necessity of quality management in power distribution engineering, and then introduced the application of total quality management to the quality management in power distribution engineering. Finally, by combining the basic points of TQM, applying the PDCA cycle and controlling the factors affecting quality management, this article built a basic system model for quality management in power distribution engineering.
Studies on the Functional Components and Bioactivity and the Relativity of Bamboo Shoots and Shells
Authors: Jin Yong Chun , Yuan Ke
Published: October 2011

Two species of bamboo, Phyllostachys edulis and Phyllostachys aureosuleata (including 4 cultivars for each of the species) are known to have significant amounts of phenols and flavonoids, and exhibit a strong antioxidant activity. Experiments were conducted to examine the variation in the contents of total phenols and flavonoids, and antioxidant activities in the shoots and shells. The result showed that the hightest contents of total phenols and total flavonoids were P. aureisykeata cv. Spectabilis and P. edulis cv. Heterocycla, respectively. The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH(scavenging assays of DPPH radicals). Among all of the shoots samples analyzed, the P. aureisykeata cv.Spectabilis showed the best performance in scavenging assays of DPPH radicals. Among the shells, the P. edulis cv. Heterocycla showed the best performance. In addition, significant correlations were found between the contents of total phenols and flavonoids and DPPH radical scavenging activity. This work indicated that ethanol extracts of shoots and shells from eight cultivars bamboo exhibited stronger antioxidant activities compared with those of the commercial compound (Trolox). It might be considered as a potential rich sources of natural antioxidants.
Composition and Antioxidant Activity of the Volatile Oil of Bamboo Leaves from Different Provenances
Authors: Liao Hai Bing , Hu Chong Jiu , Yuan Ke
Published: October 2011

The volatile oil of the four different bamboo leaves fromPhyllostachys violascenscv.notata,Sinobambusa tootsik(sieb.) Makino,Sasa subglabraMcClure andPleioblastus kongosanensisf.aureostriaus was obtained by steam distillation; their chemical components were separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The relative percentage content of the components from the volatile oil was determined by area normalization method. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50) of the volatile oil was tested by the use of Trolox as a control. The experimental results show that there are 15 kinds of compounds which all simultaneity contained in the volatile oil of four different provenances of bamboo leaves. In four different provenances of volatile oil of bamboo leaves, the relative content of eugenol was obviously higher than other components, were 38.47%, 48.73%, 35.85% and 18.40% respectively. The relative content of the total phenolic were 51.96%, 51.78%, 40.06%, 22.81% respectively. The four different bamboo leaves volatile oil all have the ability of scavenging DPPH free radical and the IC50are 1.16 mg/ml, 1.44 mg/ml, 1.57 mg/ml, 1.71 mg/ml, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil has a positive correlation with the essential oil's concentration. The result of the experiments can provide reference for further research on the chemical components of different bamboo leaves volatile oil as well as for the exploration and utilization of it.
Nanocomposites Based on Hyperbranched Polymers and Montmorillonite
Authors: He Shao Jian , Lin Jun
Published: October 2011

Nanocomposites based on hyperbranched polymers and sodium montmorillonite were prepared over the full range of compositions. The XRD analysis showed the full exfoliation of silicate layers at lower silicate content (up to 9.1 wt%). With the further increase of silicate loading, an intercalated structure was developed with a constant d-spacing due to the unique structure of hyperbranched polymers. The heat capacity jump at the glass transition of the nanocomposites was found to deviate from the two-phase model prediction, indicating the formation of a rigid amorphous fraction. The glass transition temperature and heat capacity jump behaviors suggested that the molecular mobility of hyperbranched polymers were restricted by the introduction of silicate layers. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were also investigated.
Study on Stress Intensity Factor of PMMA with Double Cracks Using Coherent Gradient Sensing (CGS) Technique
Authors: Mao Ling Tao , Liu Cai Ping , Chen Ke , An Li Qian , Zhu Xin Xin
Published: October 2011

In this paper, the principle of coherent gradient sensing (CGS) technology is briefly introduced. Fracture behaviour of the PMMA specimens with single or double cracks under three-point-bending are studied using the CGS optical method. A series of CGS fringe patterns under different loading are abtained. With these fringes, stress intensity factors are caculated. The influences of the different spacing on stress intensity factors are discussed. These results will be useful for researching on strength of PMMA materials.
Decomposition of Two Phase WC and W2C in Casting Tungsten Carbide Particles in Steel/Iron Substrate Composites
Authors: Shan Quan , Li Zu Lai , Jiang Ye Hua , Zhou Rong , Sui Yu Dong
Published: October 2011

The interface between matrix and casting tungsten carbide particle is produced by the the particles’ decomposition. Casting tungsten carbide particle is a kind of eutectic product，which is composed of two phases: WC and W2C. The two phases have differing chemical and physical properties, and thus follow different paths to achieve their decomposition process. By observing the decomposition of the particle, a hypothesis was put forward about how the casting tungsten carbide particle decomposes in steel/iron composites. An experiment was then designed to prove this hypothesis. The experimental result shows that heat gain plays a significant role in the decomposition process of casting tungsten carbide particles.
Flow Filed Simulation Analysis of Nearly Balanced Drilling Mechanism
Authors: Yi Xin Hua , Cheng Xiao Min , Fan Hong Chao
Published: October 2011

In order to eliminate the negative effect of pressure effect-continuation effect and not to affect drilling liquid washing the bottom of hole in nearly balanced drilling. This paper mainly presents the structure design method based on the nearly balanced drilling device theory, makes use of numerical simulation technology to analyze accurately the flow filed of drilling liquid in the certain working condition and uses k-ε model to simulation this problem. Simulation results show the pressure field and velocity field is consistent with the design requirements.
Numerical Simulation Analysis for Enclosure Piles Cracking of a Deep Pit Foundation
Authors: Zhang Ji Chao , Yang Yong Kang , Xu Yong
Published: October 2011

Based on the appearance of crack of enclosure piles on a foundation pit, Midas GTS is adopted to establish the finite element model. Through the numerical simulation, the influence of the direction of wind load, wind scale and prestress of anchor are analyzed, the worst wind load direction, unfavorable construction condition, maximum moment of enclosure piles are ensured, crack width in different disadvantageous factors are calculated, which provides a guide for continuous construction.
Design of Fractional Order Fuzzy Controller Based on Sliding Mode Control for Robotic Flexible Joint Manipulators
Authors: Fayazi Ali , Hadjahmadi Amir Hossein
Published: October 2011

In this paper, a new design approach that combines the advantages in terms of robustness of the fractional control, the fuzzy scheme and the Sliding Mode Control (SMC) is proposed for robotic manipulators. A fractional order fuzzy sliding-mode controller (FOFSMC) can drive system tracking error to converge to zero in finite time. The FOFSMC is applied to a level control in robotic manipulators. Performance of the proposed controller evaluated to compare the performance with respect the conventional sliding mode controller. The simulation results demonstrate that the FOFSMC can provide a reasonable tracking performance.
Rescue Robot Design and Research
Authors: Mao Yu Peng , Fan Hong Chao , Li Cong , Lin Hai Fei
Published: October 2011

The development of electronic technology drive mechanical and electrical products to intelligent human nature is the direction of development. This paper introduces the disaster and rescue robot relay control to complete the task of provisions design. This design is with tanks type tracked vehicles for car body. The traditional model of mechanical arm is six degree freedoms. The robot’s grab institutions is with four bar linkage base of support for the plane so as to realize the multiple perspectives, multi-function, precise and stable complete relief purposes.
Design of Vibration Isolation System for Laser Strapdown IMU
Authors: Huang De Dong , Wu Bin
Published: October 2011

The circular probable error is a little larger in the ground dynamic navigation test of the laser gyroscope Strap down inertial navigation system, so a better vibration damping system needs to be designed for SINS with laser gyro. Through analysis for the model of the vibration and the old vibration damping system, a new system of the double free degree be bring forwarded to reduce the response of random vibration on inertial navigation system. During the design, considering the installing plate is part of the vibration damping system and reckoning the inner space of the tactical missile carefully , using the finite element dynamic optimization method, a satisfactory installing plate and a damper with better dynamic characteristics is designed, then through ground vibration experiment and the designed of repetition parameter optimization, now the new vibration damping system can work effectively and the effect of vibration absorbing has achieved the requirement, it can be applied to the aircraft.
Discussion of Security and Health Monitoring on Quayside Container Crane
Authors: Zhang Ji Chao , Ji Lei , Qi Kai
Published: October 2011

Quayside container crane is a main lifting machinery in the seaports, which plays an important role in the trade contacts and transportation. This paper aims at the present security condition of quayside container crane, discusses the health monitoring problem of quayside container crane and introduces the health monitoring technology based on fiber bragg grating sensor, providing theoretical foundation for improving security condition of crane.
On the Living Satisfaction of University Students Based on the Restriction Factors of Recreational Activities - A Case Study of Zhejiang
Authors: Chen Fei Fei , Bie Shu Hui
Published: October 2011

Recreational activities can advance the satisfaction of life and increase the comfort and it has been a strong force of the social and cultural development. In this research it applies the students from four universities in Zhejiang as research objects and analyzes the restriction factors in recreational activities. The result shows that the largest restriction in recreational activities is structure dimension（M=2.96），the largest satisfaction in recreational activities is physical endurance（M=3.96）. From the regression model of restriction and satisfaction in students recreational activities, interpersonal and internal restriction is the most notable factor and among it interpersional characteristic is the highest
Simulation for Operation of Tidal Power Plant
Authors: Ouyang Xiang Bo , Lu Wei
Published: October 2011

Simulation is the basis of planning design and optimal operation of tidal power plan. In this paper, a method of simulation modeling is proposed. At first a real plant is abstracted as an ideal model. Then, the ideal model is divided into different unit model by the method of modularization and hierarchy. After every unit model has been verified, we get an accurate model of a tidal power plant. The simulation of jiangxia tidal test power station was presented to prove the efficiency of the proposed method.