LDR structural experiment definition

A study was performed to develop the definition of a structural flight experiment for a large precision segmented reflector that would utilize the Space Station. The objective of the study was to use the Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) baseline configuration for focusing on experiment definition activity which would identify the Space Station accommodation requirements and interface constraints. Results of the study defined three Space Station based experiments to demonstrate the technologies needed for an LDR type structure. The basic experiment configurations are the same as the JPL baseline except that the primary mirror truss is 10 meters in diameter instead of 20. The primary objectives of the first experiment are to construct the primary mirror support truss and to determine its structural and thermal characteristics. Addition of the optical bench, thermal shield and primary mirror segments and alignment of the optical components occur on the second experiment. The structure will then be moved to the payload pointing system for pointing, optical control and scientific optical measurement for the third experiment

Space structure (dynamics and control) theme development

A study was made to define the long-range technical objectives and goals for the Space Structure (Dynamics and Control) theme area. The approach was to evaluate ongoing and proposed technology activities such that the technology gaps and voids could be identified. After the technology needs were identified, a set of recommended experimental activities was defined including the technical objectives of each and their relationship

Comparative Analysis of Measurement Techniques of Feeding Behavior of Individual Poultry

Algorithms for determining individual bird feeding statistics and stereotyped pecking behavior from time-series recordings of feed weight were developed and compared to video observations. Data taken from two separate experiments involving broiler and laying chickents were used to evaluate the algorithms. The effects of algorithm parameters including thresholds for changes in weight and sequential number of stationary readings, arithmetic moving average for meal tare values, and the sampling frequency of feed recordings were evaluated and presented. Results suggest that a minimum sampling frequency of 0.5 to 1 Hz is recommended for discerning behavioral changes that include timing of feed events and their duration; but lower sampling frequencies can be acceptable for determining hourly (or greater) feed consumption

State Space Methods in Stata

We illustrate how to estimate parameters of linear state-space models using the Stata program sspace. We provide examples of how to use sspace to estimate the parameters of unobserved-component models, vector autoregressive moving-average models, and dynamic-factor models. We also show how to compute one-step, filtered, and smoothed estimates of the series and the states; dynamic forecasts and their confidence intervals; and residuals.

Trends in marketing channels for candy

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Feeding Behaviors of Laying Hens with or without Beak Trimming

This study quantifies feeding behavior of the W-36 White Leghorn laying hen (77-80 weeks old) as influenced by the management practice of beak trimming. The feeding behavior is characterized by a newly developed measurement system and computational algorithm. Non-trimmed (NT) and beak trimmed (BT) birds showed similar meal size. BT birds spent longer time at the feeder, which is compatible to their slower ingestion rate of 0.9 g/min vs. 1.3 g/min of the NT type. Compared with NT bird, the BT bird had smaller time intervals between meals, 200 vs. 450 s. By scientifically characterizing the feeding behavior of laying hens, baseline information will result that may help better quantify the welfare of birds

Building Emissions Uncertainty Estimates

Analysis of the propagation of measurement error into a computed quantity such as building aerial emissions provides insight into which measurements are most critical and which would have the most impact on the computed quantity if improved. An analysis of different instrument measurements, sampling periods, and sites together comprise an objective means of determining optimal sampling strategies for measurements used to compute aerial emissions from livestock facilities. This article describes the uncertainty analysis for a measurement system used in emissions research, and how it can lead to improvements in measurement system design and implementation to obtain estimates of uncertainty in emissions. The system analyzed was used in a broiler house emission monitoring project that was part of the U.S. EPA Air Consent Agreement. The project required U.S. EPA category I Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) Data Quality Objectives (DQO), which were developed from this uncertainty analysis. Results of the uncertainty analysis suggest that the combined standard uncertainty in ammonia emission from broiler houses in the study was typically less than 6%; it increased with uncertainty in ventilation rate, but decreased as ventilation rate and number of fans running increased. The combined standard uncertainty was quantified for normal measurement conditions (Case 1) and for conditions in which the instrumentation was at the calibration threshold (Case 2). A key conclusion was that, for the measurement system employed in this project, uncertainty in the measurements associated with ventilation rate are the major contributors to emissions rate uncertainty (ranging from 78% to 98.9% of combined standard emission uncertainty)

Classifying Ingestive Behavior of Dairy Cows via Automatic Sound Recognition

Determining ingestive behaviors of dairy cows is critical to evaluate their productivity and health status. The objectives of this research were to (1) develop the relationship between forage species/heights and sound characteristics of three different ingestive behaviors (bites, chews, and chew-bites); (2) comparatively evaluate three deep learning models and optimization strategies for classifying the three behaviors; and (3) examine the ability of deep learning modeling for classifying the three ingestive behaviors under various forage characteristics. The results show that the amplitude and duration of the bite, chew, and chew-bite sounds were mostly larger for tall forages (tall fescue and alfalfa) compared to their counterparts. The long short-term memory network using a filtered dataset with balanced duration and imbalanced audio files offered better performance than its counterparts. The best classification performance was over 0.93, and the best and poorest performance difference was 0.4–0.5 under different forage species and heights. In conclusion, the deep learning technique could classify the dairy cow ingestive behaviors but was unable to differentiate between them under some forage characteristics using acoustic signals. Thus, while the developed tool is useful to support precision dairy cow management, it requires further improvement

An Instrumentation System for Studying Feeding and Drinking Behavior of Individual Poultry

This article describes an instrumentation system that was developed to study the dynamic feeding and drinking behavior of individual birds. The system, consisting of 24 feeding and drinking stations interfaced via an RS 485 communication network to a central PC, provides continuous recording of feeding and drinking events. Each feeding/drinking station includes a precision electronic balance (1210–g capacity and 0.1–g resolution) for the feeder and a temperature–controlled drinking water reservoir (1500–mL capacity and 1000– to 1500–mL operating range) whose height and thus volume was sensed with a differential pressure transducer (0 – 2.5 VDC output). The system was tested using growing broiler chickens subjected to constant or cyclic thermal conditions. Sample data are presented to demonstrate how researchers can use the system to examine and understand the effects of environmental modification on feeding and drinking behavior of individual birds. A series of subsequent studies have been planned that will use the system to investigate the interactive effects of environmental and dietary nutrition manipulations on ingestion behavior and poultry performance.total P

A Literature Review of Swine Heat Production

Current ASAE standards of heat and moisture production (HP, MP) for swine are primarily based on data collected nearly four decades ago. Feedstuffs, management practices, growth rate, and lean percentage of swine have changed HP and MP considerably in that time period. Literature data shows that lean percent increased 1.55% in the last 10 years, resulting in an increase in HP by approximately 15%. Data were compiled into two categories: prior to 1988, and 1988 to present. Analysis of this data revealed that HP increased 12.4% to 35.3% between the two categories, with the largest differences occurring at higher temperatures. The results also revealed lack of HP and MP data for greater than 90 kg pigs. The HP and MP standards for design of swine housing systems should be updated