System for deployment of groups of unmanned micro aerial vehicles in GPS-denied environments using onboard visual relative localization

A complex system for control of swarms of micro aerial vehicles (MAV), in literature also called as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), stabilized via an onboard visual relative localization is described in this paper. The main purpose of this work is to verify the possibility of self-stabilization of multi-MAV groups without an external global positioning system. This approach enables the deployment of MAV swarms outside laboratory conditions, and it may be considered an enabling technique for utilizing fleets of MAVs in real-world scenarios. The proposed visual-based stabilization approach has been designed for numerous different multi-UAV robotic applications (leader-follower UAV formation stabilization, UAV swarm stabilization and deployment in surveillance scenarios, cooperative UAV sensory measurement) in this paper. Deployment of the system in real-world scenarios truthfully verifies its operational constraints, given by limited onboard sensing suites and processing capabilities. The performance of the presented approach (MAV control, motion planning, MAV stabilization, and trajectory planning) in multi-MAV applications has been validated by experimental results in indoor as well as in challenging outdoor environments (e.g., in windy conditions and in a former pit mine)

Semen processing and artificial insemination in health management of small ruminants

Artificial insemination has changed the small ruminant industry and has allowed increased genetic improvement, better control of reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases, dissemination of valuable genetics and preservation of the genetics of endangered breeds. Recent developments in this technology have focused on preserving the vitality/fertilizing capability of fresh and frozen spermatozoa by improving the composition of extenders, and by changing cooling/freezing protocols. The other main issue is the development of minimal invasive techniques for proper deposition of fresh or frozen semen. The paper discusses state of the art in methodology and technology currently used in small ruminant artificial insemination, as well as future perspectives after their wide application in these animal species. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF SMALL RUMINANTS - A REVIEW

Artificial insemination (AI) can undoubtedly be regarded as the oldest and most widely used assisted reproductive technique/technology (ART) applied in livestock production and it is one of the most important ARTs. The three cornerstones of its application are that it is simple, economical and successful. Artificial insemination offers many well-known benefits for producers. Fresh, fresh + diluted + chilled and frozen semen can be used for AI in small ruminants. To ensure its successful use, the AI technique must be selected on the basis of the type of semen planned to be used. This review paper gives a detailed overview of semen processing and its effects on semen quality, as well as of the AI techniques applied in small ruminants and their success rates

Isolation and characterization of new MIKC*-type MADS-box genes from the moss Physcomitrella patens

MADS-box genes encode for a large family of transcription-regulating proteins, which were isolated from all groups of eukaryotic organisms. The plant-specific MIKC-type MADS-box genes have been intensively analyzed for their roles in controlling developmental processes. Well-known are the MADS-box genes acting as homeotic selector genes in the differentiation of whorls of floral organs in seed plants. The MADS-box gene family has also been studied in non-flowering plants, such as lycophytes, pteridophytes, and bryophytes. The analysis of MADS-box genes in the moss Physcomitrella patens led to the identification of a new class of MIKC-type genes, designated as MIKC*-type genes. The MIKC*-type genes possess a number of structural features which clearly distinguish them from the already known MIKC-type genes. Recently, orthologues of the Physcomitrella MIKC*-type genes were found in Arabidopsis thaliana, demonstrating the conservation of these genes in tracheophytes. Here, we report the isolation of two new MIKC*-type MADS-box genes from Physcomitrella. Structural features and expression patterns of these genes were analyzed. The contribution of our findings to a better understanding of the evolution of MIKC*-type genes in land plants is discussed