737 research outputs found
3-D body mapping with computer vision
No full textThe potential and accuracy aspects of a completely automated stereo photogrammetric vision system for performing precise 3-D body mapping of whole human bodies have been investigated. A prototype vision system by integrating structured lighting, computer vision, and stereophotogrammetric techniques was developed and implemented to map an entire human body in a highly automatic manner. The system consisted of nine CCD cameras arranged in three stereo triples, a 486-based personal computer equipped with two frame grabbers, and three slide projectors for projecting dot patterns on the body. A movable control field was developed for CCD camera calibration on site. A method was developed for the automatic and simultaneous calibration of the interior and exterior orientations of all cameras. Algorithms were developed for the automatic measurement of image coordinates, for finding corresponding matching points in a stereo triple, for integrating multiple stereo models, and for computation of volumes, surface areas, and circumferences. The stability of the prototype system during the system warm-up period was studied and the potential accuracy and limitations of the 3-D body mapping with computer vision were evaluated by analyzing the results of mapping four human subjects.Made available in DSpace on 2011-05-07T14:10:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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Comparison of the biotypes of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from pigs, cattle and sheep at slaughter and from humans with yersiniosis in Great Britain during 1999-2000
No full textAims: To investigate the relationship between livestock carriage of Yersinia enterocolitica and human disease. The biotypes/serotypes of strains recovered from the faeces of pigs, cattle and sheep at slaughter during a national survey in Great Britain in 1999-2000, were compared with those of strains isolated from human cases of yersiniosis during the same period. Methods and Results: The faecal carriage of Y. enterocolitica by cattle, sheep and pigs at slaughter was 6.3, 10.7 and 26.1%, respectively. Yersinia enterocolitica biotype (BT) 1a was the most frequently isolated biotype from livestock (58%) and was the predominant biotype (53%) isolated from human cases over the same period. The main recognized pathogenic Y. enterocolitica biotype isolated from livestock was BT3 (O:5,27) (35% of sheep, 22% of pigs and 4% of cattle) but this biotype was not detected in any of the human isolates investigated. The major pathogenic biotypes of strains isolated from humans were BT3 (O:9) (24%) and BT4 (O:3) (19%) whereas of the veterinary isolates investigated, only pigs (11%) carried BT3 (O:9) strains. Conclusions: Because of significant overlaps in phenotypes of the veterinary and human strains it is not possible to comment on the correlation between host and pathogenicity, especially of biotype 1a. Significance and Impact of the Study: The data suggest that further investigations using methods with greater discriminatory power are required. However the data also suggests that pigs may be the primary reservoir for human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica infection
Slachtlijn voor vee
No full textAn imaging device (14) on the conveyor line (2) is used to determine slaughter-relevant anatomical parameters of the animal (4). A control device (17) connected to the imaging device is used to control the processing stations (5-12) on the slaughter line, depending on the measured parameters. A slaughter line for domesticated animals such as cattle, pigs, goats or the like comprises a conveyor for transporting the animals on hooks past at least one processing station, e.g. a device for opening the stomach (5), a device for removing the innards (8) and/or an inspection area (11). An imaging device is placed on the conveyor line in order to determine slaughter-relevant anatomical parameters of the animal. A control device connected to the imaging device and processing stations is used to control the latter depending on the measured parameters.Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineerin
STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN U.S. CHEESE MANUFACTURING: A TRANSLOG COST ANALYSIS OF A PANEL OF CHEESE PLANTS
No full textOver the last 20 years the cheese manufacturing sector has become the most important market for U.S. farm milk. Using a plant-level dataset encompassing the 1972-1997 period we examine the production characteristics of this industry. Using the results obtained from our cost function we estimate a series of measures of input substitutability and scale economies.Agribusiness,
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No full textAbstract: Objective of the research was to establish the growth of body mass and slaughter characteristics of the autochthonous chicken breed- naked neck of different varieties (white, black, gray) in our country, reared in extensive system. Fattening lasted 98 days (14 weeks). In the paper, the growth of body mass of chickens at the age of 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks of fattening are presented, also slaughter yields, conformation measures, shares of major carcass parts and roasting loss. Average body mass varied from 1108.93g (W), 1080.26 g (B) and 1005.00g (G). Slaughter yield “traditionally dressed carcass ” varied from 75.09 % (B) to 76.58 % (G), yield “ready to cook ” from 67.88 (W) to 68.76 (G) and yield “ready to grill ” from 58.38 % (W) to 58.89 (G). Obtained mean values of conformation measures indicated poor carcass built of chickens of both sexes and were result of strong effect of body mass of chickens. Considerable effect of variety and sex on differences between mean values for major carcass parts (breast, thighs, drumsticks, wings) was not established. Further research shall be necessary in order to confirm the hypothesis that nake
Research and Publishing: Relevance and Irreverence
No full textThe value, relevance, and efficacy of conducting and publishing research has been widely debated throughout the agricultural economics profession. On the one hand, some argue that the research process creates little value and directly competes with teaching/outreach output. On the other hand, others argue that research provides answers to important questions, improves human capital, and complements teaching/outreach activities. I argue that the research and publishing process develops human capital, improves the quality of teaching/outreach, reduces bias, generates new ideas, improves societal welfare, creates innovation, and is essential for public policy debate.publishing, research, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,
Understanding the relationship between histone acetylation and bromodomain targeting
No full textDNA exists in a compact structure, known as chromatin. Chromatin enables a cell to compact its DNA into an individual cell, however, it limits the ability for regulatory proteins to access the underlying DNA. The cell has devised mechanisms to overcome this, including the covalent modification of histone tails and the use of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers. The bromodomain-acetyl (BD-Ac) interaction is one of the most widespread interactions that links covalent modifications to a biological response. The work in this dissertation focuses on gaining a better understanding of how multiple BDs engage acetylation, how loss of the BD module can alter chromatin structure, and lastly, how the BD-Ac interaction can be targeted for cancer therapeutics. We focused on a subunit of the PBAF chromatin remodeling subunit, PBRM1, that is frequently mutated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. This enabled us to simultaneously assess how a BD interacts with chromatin and the effect of mutating BDs on chromatin interactions, while gaining insight into how PBRM1 loss may be driving tumorigenesis. We show that PBRM1 BD2 and BD4 are the primary BDs responsible for mediating interactions with transcriptionally active regions of the genome through binding to H3K14ac and H3K4me3. The neighboring BDs enhance (BD1, BD5) or inhibit (BD3) binding of these primary BDs, while mutations within these BDs attenuate PBRM1 chromatin interactions. Loss of PBRM1 alters chromatin organization and enhancer maintenance, resulting in altered gene expression. Because the BD-Ac interaction is frequently disrupted in cancers, inhibitors of this interaction were developed. In the last part of this work we examine the genome-wide effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) on H4 acetylation (H4ac) and targeting of the BD-containing protein, BRD4. HDACi preferentially target regions of the genome with preexisting acetylation, most notably gene bodies. Highly transcribed genes were most affected by HDACi, with increased H4ac and BRD4 binding in the gene bodies. Together these findings will help future studies better understand how multiple reader domains engage chromatin and how disruption of this interaction can both promote cancer and be used as a therapeutic target.Doctor of Philosoph
Market implications of FMD epidemics in the Finnish pig sector: Does market structure matter?
No full textThis paper examines the role of market coordination and market distortions caused by a hypothetical FMD outbreak in the Finnish pig sector. By using stochastic dynamic programming, it simulates the consequences of two outbreak scenarios (large vs. small) under two distinct market regimes (competitive market vs. monopoly in the domestic supply). Simulated losses depend on the magnitude of outbreak and expected duration of possible turndown of meat exports, whereas market regime has a limited impact.Foreign trade, livestock epidemics, dynamic programming, Livestock Production/Industries,
Prevalence and characteristics of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in beef cattle slaughtered on Prince Edward Island
No full textFecal swabs obtained from a random sample of 1,000 beef slaughter steers and heifers from 123 Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) farms were examined for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) using a Vero cell assay (VCA). Multiple isolates from each positive sample were tested similarly. VCA-positive isolates were confirmed as E. coli biochemically, tested for drug resistance, serotyped, and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Animals were classified as positive when an isolate was positive on VCA and the presence of the gene responsible for toxin production was confirmed by PCR. The prevalence of STEC in beef slaughter steers and heifers on P.E.I. was 4% (40 of 1,000). The total number of isolates was 43, and these comprised 26 serotypes, including 13 isolates belonging to 6 serotypes known to be associated with human illness. The most frequently isolated STEC serotype was E. coli O157 (5 isolates out of 43). Of the five E. coli O157 isolates, four were E. coli O157:H7, a serious human pathogen. The majority of STEC isolates, including all O157:H7, isolates, were susceptible to 16 commonly used antimicrobial drugs. According to PCR, 65% of the STEC isolates had the gene for Stx1. Four of these isolates, including two O157:H7, had genes for Shiga toxin (Stx)1 and Stx2
Academic Capitalism at Virginia Tech
No full text This article explains the functions and structures involved in academic capitalism at Virginia Tech, focusing especially on the faculty joint venture system and the tax issues involved. The author then reviews some of the results to date, examines future directions and implications and draws conclusions from the case study of Virginia Tech for wider applicability. </jats:p
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