Dogs (Canis familiaris) learn their owners via observation in a manipulation task.

Eighty-seven pet dogs (Canis familiaris) were involved in an experiment in which they had to solve a task to obtain a ball. After witnessing a full demonstration by their owner (10 times pushing the handle of the box, which released a ball), most dogs preferred to touch the handle sooner and more frequently in comparison with other parts of the box, and they used the handle to get the ball. In contrast dogs in 3 control groups developed their own respective methods. The lack of emergence of the ball and playing after the demonstration did not affect the learning performance strongly. This suggests that in dogs the outcome of a demonstration plays only a restricted role in the manifestation of social learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Morphology and thermomechanical properties of recycled PET–organoclay nanocomposites

Recycled PET/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation process with several amounts (1, 3, and 5 wt %) of clay modified with quaternary ammonium salt (DELLITE 67G) dispersed in a recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) matrix. The resultant mechanical properties (modulus and yield strength) of the nanocomposites were found to be different from those of rPET. Wide angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) measurements have shown that although complete exfoliation was not achieved, delaminated clay platelets could be observed. Thermal analysis did not show significant changes in the thermal properties from those of recycled PET. Mechanical testing showed that nanocomposite properties were superior to the recycled PET in terms of strength and elasticity modulus. This improvement was attributed to nanoscale effects and strong interaction between the rPET matrix and the clay interface, as revealed by WAXS and TEM. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1839–1844, 2007     

基于宠物游戏的智能教学系统

通过利用游戏宠物扮演各种教育角色,扩展智能教学系统(intelligent tutoring system,ITS)中的学生模型,从而完成宠物游戏与ITS的有机结合.设计了一个基于宠物游戏的游戏化智能教学系统架构,架构中的宠物模块能记录学习者的学习活动、分析学习者的学习进程.基于该软件架构,实现了一款游戏化智能教学系统--宠物星际旅行,将宠物游戏的游戏化特性引入到了小学分数知识的学习过程中.测试结果表明,学生对该游戏越专注,就能越快地理解和运用所学知识.     

Transmission of Bacterial Zoonotic Pathogens between Pets and Humans: The Role of Pet Food

Recent Salmonella outbreaks associated with dry pet food and treats raised the level of concern for these products as vehicle of pathogen exposure for both pets and their owners. The need to characterize the microbiological and risk profiles of this class of products is currently not supported by sufficient specific data. This systematic review summarizes existing data on the main variables needed to support an ingredients-to-consumer quantitative risk model to (1) describe the microbial ecology of bacterial pathogens in the dry pet food production chain, (2) estimate pet exposure to pathogens through dry food consumption, and (3) assess human exposure and illness incidence due to contact with pet food and pets in the household. Risk models populated with the data here summarized will provide a tool to quantitatively address the emerging public health concerns associated with pet food and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Results of such models can provide a basis for improvements in production processes, risk communication to consumers, and regulatory action.     

基于SPCE061A单片机的声控家居防盗机器人的设计

介绍了一种可以扮演警卫角色（对陌生人）和宠物角色（对主人）的声控家居智能机器人。运用语音识别技术将特定人的特定声音作为模式切换和布撤防的密码节省了传统布撤防的繁琐程序。声音密码不仅种类繁多而且毫无规律可循，几乎不可能被破解。以凌阳公司生产SPCE061A单片机作控制芯片，集合了热释电传感器、烟雾和瓦斯探测器、MC35手机模块等硬件实现了警卫模式下的偷盗和火灾的远程拨号报警和远程监听等功能。作为宠物机器人实现了简单的人机对话并且还可以通过语音拨号实现免提电话的功能。通过语音识别技术和智能建筑技术的结合构造以机器人为核心的声控家居环境。     

Internally-balanced magnet unit

In order to construct a robot capable of walking around and working on walls and ceilings of buildings and large structures, it is essential, as a prior condition, to produce a highly reliable sticking device which will enable the robot to hold securely on vertical and under-surfaces. This paper discusses a magnetic sticking unit for a robot moving on steel sheets often used in large structures such as ships and atomic power generators, etc. Firstly, existing magnetic sticking units are sudied for comparison and a newly conceived concept of "Internally-Balanced Magnet" is proposed. The Internally-Balanced (abbreviated IB) Magnet comprises of a permanent magnet which generates a strong sticking force, together with a spring unit which cancels the internal force so that the robot hands/feet are provided with easy sticking and releasing actions. The paper further presents the design process for the magnetic sticking unit necessary for assembling the IB magnet and the nonlinear spring unit to counter-balance the magnet unit. Finally, the validity of this system as a sticking unit for a mobile robot is demonstrated by experimental walks of a man wearing the IB magnet system on his hands and feet on steel walls and ceilings.     

Effects of extrusion processing on nutrients in dry pet food

Extrusion cooking is commonly used to produce dry pet foods. As a process involving heat treatment, extrusion cooking can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the nutritional quality of the product. Desirable effects of extrusion comprise increase in palatability, destruction of undesirable nutritionally active factors and improvement in digestibility and utilisation of proteins and starch. Undesirable effects of extrusion include reduction of protein quality due to e.g. the Maillard reaction, decrease in palatability and loss of heat‐labile vitamins. Effects of extrusion processing on the nutritional values of feeds for livestock have been well documented. Literature results concerning effects of extrusion on dry pet foods, however, are scarce. The present review discusses the results of studies investigating the impact of extrusion cooking on the nutritional quality of dry pet foods. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

半干鸡肉宠物食品的护色研究

利用异VC钠、柠檬酸、焦亚硫酸钠的单一与复配使用对半干鸡肉宠物食品进行护色研究。单一护色实验结果表明,护色效果焦亚硫酸钠>柠檬酸>异VC钠,复配护色实验表明柠檬酸能够增强异VC钠和焦亚硫酸钠的护色效果,柠檬酸:焦亚硫酸钠(质量比)=2:1时,对维持鸡肉宠物食品颜色金黄色,抑制的颜色加深变黑效果显著。     

基于魅力工学的传统器物设计评价应用研究

目的 在传统器物的创新设计中,最重要的环节是了解消费者对所使用产品的不同感受与意向并转换为具体的设计要素.研究消费者心理的感性因素与传统器物设计元素之间的联系,确定设计要素,从而对产品进行创新设计,为提升传统器物附加值作出贡献.方法 以中国传统器物茶宠为例,首先对8位相关的茶宠专家进行访谈,通过魅力工学中的评价构造法整理并提取魅力因子,设计出问卷调查表;然后以访谈内容为依据,使用问卷调查法得到大众对茶宠的魅力评价,共回收84份有效问卷;最后应用数量化一类分析茶宠魅力因子影响权重.结果 得到了数量化一类统计表,选取了其中影响因素较大的魅力因子作为茶宠设计前的风格定调考量.结论 通过茶宠的研究案例证明了该理论的可行性,为未来传统器物的设计提供了更多元且新颖的设计依据.     

网师园中的“鱼”及其象征意义

从网师园众多园林元素中提取出了具有特殊关联的要素——“鱼”,将它们构建成统一的体系展开研究。通过实际观察对观赏鱼活体和装饰鱼图案这两种具有相同象征意义的不同园林要素在网师园中的作用进行了深层次讨论。试图从新的角度来研究中国古典园林中园林要素的象征意义及运用手法,从而能够更好地汲取中国古典园林的精华并在当代园林的创作中加以参考和借鉴。