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.     

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.     

MEMS压阻式三轴加速度传感器的双路循环电桥检测法

A cycle bridge detection method, which uses a piezoresistive triaxial accelerometer, has been described innovatively. This method just uses eight resistors to form a cycle detection bridge, which can detect the signal of the three directions for real time. It breaks the law of the ordinary independent Wheatstone bridge detection method, which uses at least 12 resistors and each four resistors connected as a Wheatstone bridge to detect the output signal from a specific direction. In order to verify the feasibility of this method, the modeling and simulating of the sensor structure have been conducted by ANSYS, then the dual cycle bridge detection method and independent Wheatstone bridge detection method are compared, the result shows that the former method can improve the sensitivity of the sensor effectively. The sensitivity of the x, y-axis used in the former method is two times that of the sensor used in the latter method, and the sensitivity of the z-axis is four times. At the same time, it can also reduce the cross-axis coupling degree of the sensor used in the dual cycle bridge detection method. In addition, a signal amplifier circuit and adder circuit have been provided, Finally, the test result of the ＂eight-beams/mass＂ triaxial accelerometer, which is based on the dual cycle bridge detection method and the related circuits, have been provided. The results of the test and the theoretical analysis are consistent, on the whole.     

单片集成的高性能压阻式三轴高g加速度计的设计、制造和测试

设计、制造并测试了一种单片集成的压阻式高性能三轴高g加速度计,量程可达105g.x和y轴单元均采用一种带微梁的三梁-质量块结构,z轴单元采用三梁-双岛结构.与传统的单悬臂梁结构或者悬臂梁-质量块结构相比,这两种结构均同时具有高灵敏度和高谐振频率的优点.采用ANSYS软件进行了结构分析和优化设计.中间结构层主要制作工艺包括压阻集成工艺和双面Deep ICP刻蚀,并与玻璃衬底阳极键合和上层盖板BCB键合形成可以塑封的三层结构,从而提高加速度计的可靠性.封装以后的加速度计采用落杆方法进行测试,三轴灵敏度分别为2.28,2.36和2.52 μV/g,谐振频率分别为309,302和156 kHz.利用东菱冲击试验台,采用比较校准法测得y轴和z轴加速度计的非线性度分别为1.4%和1.8%.     

三轴加速度计ADXL330的特点及其应用

ADXL330是美国模拟器件公司推出的完整的三轴加速度计,可以静态或者动态测量物体的加速度,测量范围是±2g.介绍了ADXL330的主要特点及其在组合导航系统中的应用.     

SMD石英晶体抗高过载性能的研究

为了研究SMD石英晶体的抗高过载能力,采用自由式霍普金森压杆对7050、6035、5032、3225、3225(一级加固)、3225(二级加固)六种型号SMD石英晶体进行高过载环境下的动态加载测试。结果表明,在高过载条件下,SMD石英晶体的抗高过载性能随尺寸减小而不断提高,并且产品经历高过载环境后电气参数的不良率逐步降低。未经过加固处理的各型号SMD石英晶体(7050、6035、5032、3225)经过高过载试验(50 000~80 000 g)后,电气参数均出现超差,不能满足武器系统的要求。经过加固处理的SMD石英晶体样品(3225一级加固、3225二级加固)经过高过载试验可以正常工作。     

一种硅梁谐振加速度计结构设计与模拟分析

为了提高谐振加速度计的灵敏度以及稳定性,提出一种基于微杠杆力学放大机构的硅梁谐振式加速度计结构,并对其进行了有限元模拟分析。该加速度计由两个静电激励电容检测的硅谐振梁组成差分输出,采用硅深刻蚀以及硅玻璃阳极键合等体硅工艺制作。模拟结果表明新结构提高了加速度计灵敏度,有效改善了交叉灵敏度、线性度、温度稳定性等。     

三轴加速度计在水下结构振动测试中的应用

采用基于MEMS技术的ADXL330三轴加速度计芯片,设计了适合水下结构振动测试的加速度传感器,并应用于某输水管线闸门振动监测系统中。分析了ADXL330结构、原理和标定方法。根据水下结构振动测试特点和要求,设计了应用电路、防水结构以及振动测试系统。现场应用表明,采用该芯片设计的三轴加速度传感器能够满足水下结构振动监测的需要,具有低成本、高精度、易安装和安全可靠等特点。     

硅基双轴谐振式微机械加速度计的设计与仿真

分析了谐振式微机械加速度计的工作机理,提出了一种新颖的硅基双轴谐振式微机械加速度计的结构形式。该结构采用一个质量块敏感两个正交方向的加速度,设计的弹性支撑结构巧妙地实现了正交方向的解耦,且结构稳定性好。用MATLAB软件分析了结构参数对性能指标的影响,用ISIGHT软件优化出结构参数,用ANSYS仿真软件对结构进行了静态分析和模态分析,验证了提出结构的设计思想和优化参数的可行性,设计了可实现的工艺流程。     

电容式力平衡加速度计的设计

电容式微机械加速度计是一种将加速度转换成差分电容、通过检测差分电容的变化来检测加速度大小的一类高精度的惯性传感器.利用开关电容电路实现C-V变换,利用反馈静电力实现力平衡闭环控制,设计了一种电容式微机械加速度计.通过构建电容式加速度传感器及外围电路的数学模型,推导了闭环工作的系统函数.并对实际系统进行研制,最后给出了整个系统的测试结果.