Use of novel sensors combining local positioning and acceleration to measure feeding behavior differences associated with lameness in dairy cattle

Time constraints for dairy farmers are an important factor contributing to the under-detection of lameness, resulting in delayed or missed treatment of lame cows within many commercial dairy herds. Hence, a need exists for flexible and affordable cow-based sensor systems capable of monitoring behaviors such as time spent feeding, which may be affected by the onset of lameness. In this study a novel neck-mounted mobile sensor system that combines local positioning and activity (acceleration) was tested and validated on a commercial UK dairy farm. Position and activity data were collected over 5 consecutive days for 19 high-yield dairy cows (10 lame, 9 nonlame) that formed a subset of a larger (120 cow) management group housed in a freestall barn. A decision tree algorithm that included sensor-recorded position and accelerometer data was developed to classify a cow as doing 1 of 3 categories of behavior: (1) feeding, (2) not feeding, and (3) out of pen for milking. For each classified behavior the mean number of bouts, the mean bout duration, and the mean total duration across all bouts was determined on a daily basis, and also separately for the time periods in between milking (morning = 0630–1300 h; afternoon = 1430–2100 h; night = 2230–0500 h). A comparative analysis of the classified cow behaviors was undertaken using a Welch t-test with Benjamini-Hochberg post-hoc correction under the null hypothesis of no differences in the number or duration of behavioral bouts between the 2 test groups of lame and nonlame cows. Analysis showed that mean total daily feeding duration was significantly lower for lame cows compared with non-lame cows. Behavior was also affected by time of day with significantly lower mean total duration of feeding and higher total duration of nonfeeding in the afternoons for lame cows compared with nonlame cows. The results demonstrate how sensors that measure both position and acceleration are capable of detecting differences in feeding behavior that may be associated with lameness. Such behavioral differences could be used in the development of predictive algorithms for the prompt detection of lameness as part of a commercially viable automated behavioral monitoring system.     

基于非线性退化模型的加速度计寿命评估

针对传统性能退化模型难以对退化轨迹为非线性的设备进行有效寿命评估的问题,首先,建立了一种基于扩散过程的非线性模型,并将推导其失效阈值首达时间分布的问题转化为推导标准布朗运动失效阈值首达时间分布的问题,得到了首达时间意义下的近似寿命分布;然后,提出了该模型未知参数的极大似然函数估计方法;最后,使用此模型评估分析了一组加速度计的寿命,并与传统退化模型进行比对分析。实验结果证明了模型的评估结果更为准确有效。     

MEMS高量程压阻加速度计侵彻双层钢靶性能测试

设计一种MEMS高量程压阻加速度计,利用其组成的弹体测试系统进行双层钢靶实弹侵彻试验,并获得完整的侵彻数据。利用Matlab数据处理软件对其进行处理,获得有效的侵彻数据。试验结果表明,弹体在整个发射、侵彻钢靶过程中,测试系统所测数据误差均小于10%,说明设计的MEMS高量程压阻加速度计性能稳定,可完全满足工程化应用要求,为研究双层介质侵彻特性及控制弹体在特定介质层的爆破技术提供参考依据。     

Estrous detection intensity and accuracy and optimal timing of insemination with automated activity monitors for dairy cows

The objectives of this observational study were to assess the ability of automated activity monitoring (AAM) to detect estrus for first insemination, the accuracy of detection, and the optimum interval from the estrus alert from the AAM system to insemination. Four commercial farms using 1 of 2 commercial AAM systems were studied over 1 yr. Cows were inseminated between 55 and 80 d in milk (DIM) based on AAM only, then by a combination of AAM and timed artificial insemination (AI). Blood progesterone was measured in 1,014 cows at wk 5, 7, and 9 postpartum; purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) was assessed at wk 5; and lameness and BCS at wk 7. Overall, AAM detected 83% of cows in estrus by 80 DIM. Cows that had 3 serum progesterone <1 ng/mL, had PVD, or were both lame and had BCS ≤2.5 has lesser odds of being detected in estrus by 80 DIM (62, 68, and 53%, respectively). Blood samples were collected on the day of 445 AI based on AAM and 323 timed AI. The proportion of cows not in estrus (progesterone >1 ng/mL) on the day of AI was similar between AAM (4 ± 1.8%) and timed AI (3 ± 1.2%). Managers elected, based on subjective criteria, not to inseminate 17% of cows for which an AAM estrus alert was issued, of which 43% were not in estrus. Activity data were extracted from AAM software for 1,399 AI. Onset of estrus was calculated using the same or similar data processing criteria as the AAM system. Producers recorded the time of AI. The interval from onset of estrus to AI was categorized as 0 to 8, 8 to 16, or 16 to 24 h. We found no effect of AAM system on the probability of pregnancy per AI, but noted an interaction of interval with parity. For multiparous cows, the probability of pregnancy per AI was 31%, which did not differ with the interval to AI. For primiparous cows, the odds of pregnancy were greater if AI occurred 0 to 8 h (49%) than 8 to 16 (36%) or 16 to 24 h (31%) after the estrus alert from the AAM. Automated activity monitoring can detect estrus for first AI in just over the length of 1 estrous cycle for over 80% of cows, but the remainder would likely require intervention for timely insemination. For multiparous cows, performing AI based on AAM once per day would not affect pregnancy per AI, but for primiparous cows AI within 8 h of the onset of estrus may be advantageous.     

GRY-1型超高温干热岩地层钻孔测斜仪研制及应用

干热岩地层钻孔测斜技术是干热岩勘探和开发不可缺少的关键技术,然而现阶段地勘钻孔测斜技术已不能满足干热岩地层的钻孔测斜要求。其中孔底的高温高压是核心问题。为此,设计承压探管加无磁保温瓶的双层外管结构,采用先进的硬磁校准方法、选用耐高温元件、采用低功耗电路设计,研制了GRY-1型干热岩地层钻孔测斜仪,以满足高达280℃高温、孔深3000 m的超高温干热岩地层钻孔轨迹测量的要求。通过试验应用,证明其在干热岩地层中具有良好的适用性,可助力干热岩资源的勘探和开发。     

Anti-vibration analysis of vortex probe based on three-axis acceleration measurement

According to the diversity of the pipeline vibration and unicity of vortex signal in direction, a new idea is proposed to distinguish the vortex signal from the vibration interference by the directional character. This idea is applied to improve the anti-vibration performance of vortex flow-meter by a new probe structure based on three-axis accelerometer. Then model analysis is used to optimize the material, and the harmonic response analysis is applied to optimize the shape of probe tip. Finally, experiment is carried out to compare the anti-vibration performance of the traditional piezoelectric vortex probe and the new design. Experimental results show that new probe can accurately distinguish vortex signal from the vibration interference according to the directional character of signal. And its anti-vibration performance is superior to the traditional piezoelectric vortex probe.     

Locomotion characteristics of dairy cows walking on pasture and the effect of artificial flooring systems on locomotion comfort

The locomotion comfort of dairy cows depends on the floor of the walking alleys. Optimal locomotion comfort is given when cows walk on pasture, allowing freedom from discomfort and pain and the expression of normal behavior. This study examined the characteristics of locomotion behavior on pasture (gold standard with optimal locomotion comfort) and compared it with behaviors of cows walking on mastic asphalt or solid rubber mats before and after a routine claw trimming session. Our hypotheses were (1) that gait variables were different on pasture versus mastic asphalt and on mastic asphalt versus rubber, and (2) that claw trimming had an effect on gait variables of cows walking on mastic asphalt. Twenty-four dairy cows kept in a tiestall facility were enrolled in this experimental trial. The pedogram was measured using 2 standalone 3-dimensional accelerometers (400 Hz), attached to the metatarsus of both hind limbs. The extracted pedogram variables included temporal events (kinematic outcome = gait cycle and stance-phase and swing-phase durations) and peaks (kinetic outcome = foot load, toe-off). The cows were further video-recorded to calculate walking speed and stride length. Locomotion score was performed on mastic asphalt to enroll only nonlame cows (locomotion score <3). For comparison between different floor types, repeated-measures ANOVA was performed with the cow as a subject variable, session time of measurement as within-subject variable, and flooring type as a fixed effect. Three separate analyses were performed: pasture versus mastic asphalt (analysis I), solid rubber versus mastic asphalt (analysis II), and the effect of claw trimming on the kinematic and kinetic variables on mastic asphalt (analysis III). All tested gait variables were significantly different between pasture and mastic asphalt floor. The optimal characteristics of locomotion comfort on pasture included shorter duration of gait cycle, longer stance-phase duration, shorter swing-phase duration, higher walking speed, longer stride length, and higher peaks of foot load and toe-off. However, gait variables of cows walking on rubber mats did not show any significant difference compared with the mastic asphalt floor; only stride length tended to be longer on rubber mats. In addition, the stance- and swing-phase durations significantly improved shortly after trimming. The left–right differences of the stance- and swing-phase durations tended to decrease after claw trimming when cows walked on asphalt floor. The results of this study show that solid rubber flooring does not result in significant improvement of the evaluated variables of locomotion comfort compared with mastic asphalt.     

Experimental investigation into the effects of exciter motions on the primary calibration of single-ended accelerometer

It is widely known that in the primary calibration of accelerometers by using a laser interferometer, a device under test (DUT) and the laser interferometer should measure vibration at the same reference position. However, this is not applicable to single-ended accelerometers because of the limitation of their design. One way of overcoming this limitation is to measure the vibration at several positions on the exciter table surface which connects DUT to a vibration exciter. However this can present the effects of rocking motions of the exciter. Although the motions of vibration exciters are presented in several studied, the different model of exciters might have different characteristics. This paper aims to study the motions of an air-bearing exciter (model 2911) used at National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) in order to expose their characteristics, their effects on the calibration results and the measurement errors due to these effects. The motions of the exciter are shown in terms of magnitude and phase shift distributions of sensitivities. These can be obtained by measuring the magnitudes and phase shifts at several positions on the exciter surface. The effects of exciter motions are measured in terms of how much the magnitudes and phase shifts at each measured positions deviate from the average values. To illustrate these effects, parametric studies were conducted. The influences of four parameters, i.e. the angular positions of the laser points, the distance of the laser positions from the centre of the exciter surface, the number of measured positions to be averaged and the mass loading effect, were examined experimentally. The frequency of interest is between 10 Hz and 15 kHz.     

Technical note: Evaluation of a triaxial accelerometer for monitoring selected behaviors in dairy calves

The objectives of this study were (1) to develop an algorithm for the acceleration sensor of the Smartbow Eartag (Smartbow GmbH, Weibern, Austria) to distinguish between postures (lying and standing or locomotion) and to detect 6 kinds of activities (milk intake, water intake, solid feed intake, ruminating, licking or sucking without milk intake, and other activities) in dairy calves and (2) to evaluate this sensor for identifying these behaviors in dairy calves compared with observations from video. Accelerometers were applied to the left ears of 15 preweaned Holstein dairy calves. Calves were kept in a group pen and received milk replacer from an automatic calf feeder. Based on 38 h of acceleration data and video observation, an algorithm was established to detect the predefined behaviors. Using cross-validation, video recordings were used to analyze whether a behavior was detected correctly by the developed algorithm. For posture, sensitivity (94.4%), specificity (94.3%), precision (95.8%), and accuracy (94.3%) were high. Cohen's kappa was calculated as 0.88. For the 6 defined activities, overall (i.e., aggregated for all activities) accuracy was 70.8% and kappa was calculated as 0.58. Some activities (e.g., ruminating, feed intake, other activities) were identified better than others. In conclusion, the developed algorithm based on the acceleration data of the Smartbow Eartag was successful in detecting lying behavior, rumination, feed intake, and other activities in calves, but further development of the underlying algorithm will be necessary to produce reliable results for milk and water intake.     

Evaluation of aspects affecting measurement of three-axis accelerometers

In order to set integrated procedures involving geotechnical and structural aspects finalized to buildings diagnostics, uncertainty aspects are discussed concerning three-axis accelerometers and inclinometers for a distributed sensor network. This network allows to operate in a selective manner, preferring the most critical situations. To this aim, the main aspects affecting the measurement uncertainty of sensors to be used for building diagnostic should be known. As the firstly step of the uncertainty evaluation procedure, we focused on the calibration of sensors used for the task. The requirement of low cost and complexity of sensors and test benches was considered. Experimental results show that satisfactory calibration accuracy could be achieved, also for the low frequency range, 0–10 Hz. Systematic errors are minimized and main parameters affecting uncertainty are identified, such as: the motion positioning of the accelerometer with respect to the vertical axis, the imposed motion law, the parameter used as the reference and, finally, the real radial positioning of the sensor. Requirements to be satisfied by the sensor are also analysed.