Oblique Length Research Articles

Key Region Extraction and Body Dimension Measurement of Beef Cattle Using 3D Point Clouds

Body dimensions are key indicators for the beef cattle fattening and breeding process. On-animal measurement is relatively inefficient, and can induce severe stress responses among beef cattle and pose a risk for operators, thereby impacting the cattle’s growth rate and wellbeing. To address the above issues, a highly efficient and automatic method was developed to measure beef cattle’s body dimensions, including the oblique length, height, width, abdominal girth, and chest girth, based on the reconstructed three-dimensional point cloud data. The horizontal continuous slice sequence of the complete point clouds was first extracted, and the central point of the beef cattle leg region was determined from the span distribution of the point cloud clusters in the targeted slices. Subsequently, the boundary of the beef cattle leg region was identified by the “five-point clustering gradient boundary recognition algorithm” and was then calibrated, followed by the accurate segmentation of the corresponding region. The key regions for body dimension data calculation were further determined by the proposed algorithm, which forms the basis of the scientific calculation of key body dimensions. The influence of different postures of beef cattle on the measurement results was also preliminarily discussed. The results showed that the errors of calculated body dimensions, i.e., the oblique length, height, width, abdominal girth, and chest girth, were 2.3%, 2.8%, 1.6%, 2.8%, and 2.6%, respectively. In the present work, the beef cattle body dimensions could be effectively measured based on the 3D regional features of the point cloud data. The proposed algorithm shows a degree of generalization and robustness that is not affected by different postures of beef cattle. This automatic method can be effectively used to collect reliable phenotype data during the fattening of beef cattle and can be directly integrated into the breeding process.

A Sri Lankan child with hypersplenism secondary to pre-hepatic portal hypertension, successfully managed with partial splenic artery embolization: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundHypersplenism, one of the major complications of portal hypertension, is traditionally treated by splenectomy. However, partial splenic artery embolization is an evolving minimally invasive intervention to treat these patients effectively.Case presentationA 13-year-old girl was referred for further evaluation of isolated splenomegaly with pancytopenia. She did not have bleeding manifestations or features of anemia. She never had hematemesis or melena. On examination, she was pale. Abdominal examination revealed massive splenomegaly of 10 cm below the costal margin without hepatomegaly. Rest of the examination was unremarkable. Her investigations revealed a white cell count of 1700/mm3 (neutrophils 9.8% and lymphocytes 88.7%), hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL and platelet count 42,000/mm3. Blood picture showed pancytopenia without abnormal cells. Her reticulocyte count was 1.9%. Complete liver profile was normal. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed massive splenomegaly with the oblique length of 17 cm and normal echogenic liver with normal size. Cavernous transformation of portal vein with portal hypertension was evident. Mesenteric angiogram showed portal vein thrombosis and markedly tortuous splenic artery. Anti-nuclear antibodies and double-stranded DNA were negative. Ham test and urine for hemosiderin were negative. Clauss fibrinogen assay was normal. Hemoglobin high performance liquid chromatography for hemoglobin subtypes was normal. Anti-phospholipid antibodies were negative. JAK2 V617F mutation was not identified. Diagnosis of pre hepatic portal hypertension was made. Her upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was normal. Partial splenic artery coil embolization was done by interventional radiology team. Vaccines against capsulated organisms were given. Post-procedure contrast abdominal computed tomography revealed infarction of approximately 70% of the spleen and blood counts were improved. Index case is in the follow up for 3 years. She is on penicillin prophylaxis with regular blood count and annual upper gastrointestinal endoscopy monitoring.ConclusionsMinimally invasive interventions such as partial splenic artery embolization should be considered in managing the patients with hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension.

Екстер’єрно-конституційні особливості корів-первісток молочних порід

Goal. To study the exterior features of cows of different genotypes obtained by purebred breeding and crossbreeding. Methods. Analysis of experimental research on the application of effective breeding methods, theoretical analysis, formulation of hypotheses, genealogical, biometric and statistical methods, and assessment of productive qualities of animals. Results. It was established that the breeders of Holstein, Montbeliard, and Norwegian red breeds were sufficiently consolidated in terms of exterior features and influenced the formation of the desired characteristics in their offspring. High rates of single milk yield of experimental cows indicated good development of the parenchyma and capacitive system of the udder. The bath-shaped form of the udder had mostly (73.7–76.7%) first-born cows obtained from Holstein breeders. This udder was quite close to the abdomen of the animals, forming only a small corner of the line of the abdomen and the front of the udder. Among the local firstborns of the genus 1/2UCheR1/2M, 63.4% of cows had a bath-shaped udder, and 33.4% — were cup-shaped. The conditional udder volume of first-born cows was almost the same and averaged from 2561.3±93.66 to 2985.4±94.48 cm3, respectively. This made it possible to obtain average daily milk yields of 26.6±1.54-31.0±1.94 kg from first-borns during 2 times milking. With the average degree of reliability (P>0.99) milk yield of cows correlated with measurements of the girth of the chest behind the shoulders (r=+0.210+0.254), oblique length of the torso (r=+0.212+0.241), and width in the macula (r=+0.137+0.185). A high degree of correlation was found between the amount of milk and udder measurements: width (r=+0.514+0.587; P>0.999), girth (r=+0.506+0.587; P>0.999), and volume (r=+0.504+0.650); P>0.999). Conclusions. The use of genetic material from the Norwegian Red and Holstein breeds contributed to the formation of an array of animals with a well-defined milk type. The possibility of first-borns with a rough, massive skeleton and polymastia in the herd should be taken into account when selecting breeders of Montbeliard breeds. There is a close relationship between milk productivity and udder measurements, which indicates the possibility of indirect selection of cows for milking at the beginning (1–2 months) of the first lactation.

Intact PCL is a potential predictor of ACL graft size in the skeletally immature knee and other anatomic considerations for ACL reconstruction

PurposeTo develop a method for using an intact posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) as a predictor of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft size and examine possible differences in tunnel length based on all-epiphyseal drilling method.MethodsOne hundred one patients 5–18 years of age with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee at an outpatient pediatric orthopaedic clinic from 2008 to 2020 were included. ACL and PCL coronal, sagittal, and length measurements were made in all patients. Tunnel length measurements were made in patients with open physes. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate potential associations in patient bony or ligamentous measurements.ResultsPCL sagittal width and PCL coronal width were statistically significant predictors of ACL sagittal width and ACL coronal width, respectively (p = 0.002, R = 0.304; p = 0.008, R = 0.264). The following equations were developed to calculate ACL coronal and sagittal width measurements from the corresponding measurement on an intact PCL; ACL Coronal Width (mm) = 6.23 + (0.16 x PCL Coronal Width); ACL Sagittal Width (mm) = 5.85 + (0.53 x PCL Sagittal Width). Mean tibial maximum oblique length (27.8 mm) was longer than mean tibial physeal sparing length (24.9 mm). Mean femoral maximum oblique length (36.9 mm) was comparable to mean femoral physeal sparing length (36.1 mm). Both were longer than mean femoral straight lateral length (32.7 mm).ConclusionAn intact PCL is a predictor of native ACL size. Tunnel length differs based on chosen drilling method in all-epiphyseal technique.Level of evidenceDiagnostic Level III.

Evaluation of the meat quality of chickens of the egg-meat direction of productivity, for promising use in organic production

Purpose: studying the features of the formation of signs of meat productivity in chickens of the egg-meat direction in the juvenile period in ontogenesis and fixing the most informative age for early assessment of meat qualities.Materials and methods. Young grew in group cells of a 3-tier cellular battery. The dynamics of growth and the development of exterior and interior indicators, characterizing meat productivity in ontogenesis in the young of the Pushkin breed of chickens, which refers to an egg-meat type on productivity through periodic (every 2 weeks) weighing and taking protections of the physique in 100 heads of young people. On 21 heads, an anatomical cutting was carried out at which the mass of the heart, liver, two parts of the stomach (muscular, iron), the sum of the muscles (femur, crus, metatisium) took into account. The development of meat forms of the physique to determine the age and individual characteristics was determined using exterior articles of industrial (the length of the body, the length of the keel, the gripping of the chest, the length of the leg, hips, plus). Prombs were taken from the entire experienced livestock, together with weighing, every 2 weeks. In order to find the most informative age for an early estimate of meat quality, which would characterize meat productivity at an older age, the correlation was calculated between the industrial over the age periods and the mass of muscles at 16 weeks.Results. The dynamics of the average daily growth of the living mass and the mass of the carved carcass in the roosters was uneven. Until 8-week age, the average daily increase increased, then began to decline until 14 weeks of age, during 16-week aged an average increase increased dramatically. The dynamics of average daily growths in the roosters of individual muscles was similar, namely, from 4 to 8-week age, high rates of average daily growth were noted, and from 8 to 14 months of age there is a decrease, and then again activation of growth. Studies have shown that the growth of the skeleton is slowed down by 14 weeks. The dynamics of the average daily growth of internal organs in the roosters in the juvenile period occurs asynchronously. The greatest intensity of the growth of the heart, liver and stomach was observed on a 8-week age. Studies have shown that the stomach is most intensively developing up to 8 weeks, then development is braked sharply.Conclusion. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that for the preliminary selection of chickens of the egg-meat direction of cultivation with the best genetic potential for meat productivity, it is possible at 8 weeks old, but the final rating should be carried out no earlier than 14-week age. The estimation of meat qualities in a 14-week age should be carried out on the basis of live masses and industrial, namely, the oblique length of the body, the girth plus, the length of the leg, the preliminary estimate can be done in such a precursor, as the slanting the length of the body, the length of the leg and girth plus.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЛИНЕЙНОГО РОСТА МОЛОДНЯКА ОВЕЦ РОМАНОВСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ ПОЛОВОГО ДИМОРФИЗМА

The article presents the results of studying the linear growth of rams, boulders and yarrows of the Romanov breed of sheep. The influence of gender and age on exterior indicators has been studied. It was found that measurements of body articles characterizing the development of the chest, such as chest depth, chest width, chest girth behind the shoulder blades differed in the greatest intensity of growth, height measurements, as well as the oblique length of the trunk and the circumference of the pastern increased less intensively with age. The advantage in the intensity of growth of all measurements of the articles of the body was in the rams.

Patterns of Growth and Development of Young Herd Horses of Eurasia

The aim of the research in a comparative aspect is to study the patterns of postembryonic growth and development of the herd horse population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Teva of the Russian Federation. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, the experimental part of the work was carried out in the farms "Urker" of Moyinkum and "Kaldybay" of Zhualy districts of Zhambyl region, respectively engaged in breeding Kazakh horses of the zhabe type of the southern population and the Kazakh breed of the southern population. In the Republic of Tuva, Tuvan horses from the State Unitary Enterprise "Choduraa" of the Tes-Khem district (southern steppe zone), ACF "Seserlig" of the Piy-Khem district (central mountain zone) of the Republic of Tyvaserved as the material for research. It was established that the young horses of the Kazakh breed in all periods of the experiment had superiority over the Kazakh horse of the zhabe type in almost all the studied measurements. Thus, at the age of 2.5 years, Kazakh horses surpassed the peers of the Kazakh horse of the zhabe type by 8.2 cm in height at the withers; the oblique length of the trunk by 7.10 cm; the chest girth behind the shoulders - 10.60 cm and the pastern girth - 0.70 cm, which characterizes the energy potential of growth and the possession of a massive physique. The colts of the Tuvan horse from the southern steppe zone are inferior to their peers from the central mountain zone in height at the withers, oblique length of the trunk, chest girth, but exceed the pastern girth by 0.2 cm. The same pattern is observed at 18 and 30 months of age. It was found that the live weight of colts of experimental groups increases unevenly from the age of three days to the age of 1 month. So foals received from the Kazakh breed at the age of 3 days weighed an average of 39.8, 1 month – 80.1 kg and foals from mares of the zhabe type in the same periods weighed 39.3 and 78.5 kg, young Kazakh horses at the age of 3 months on average had a live weight of 130.2 kg, 6 months - 179.6 kg, 12 months - 255.8 kg, 18 months - 307.3 kg and 30 months - 410.7 kg, which is more than their peers received from mares of the zhabe type at the studied ages respectively by 4.30; 8,9; 35.40; 26.80 and 58.20 kg (P<0.05).

Comparative characteristics of the exterior of dogs of northern sled breeds

Purpose: Comparative characteristics of the exterior of dogs of northern sled breeds.Materials and methods. The object of the study was the dogs of the Chukchi sled dog breed and the Siberian husky used in the LLC "Scythians-tour" of the Republic of Karelia. The method of taking body measurements from dogs and calculating body composition indices was used. Body measurements were carried out in 14 males and 8 females of the Chukchi sled dog and 17 males and 7 females of the Siberian husky. From the measurements, the height at the withers, the oblique length of the trunk, the chest circumference, the length of the forelimb, the circumference of the pastern, the length of the muzzle, the length of the head were taken into account. To take measurements, a measuring stick, a compass and a measuring tape were used. Based on the measurements, the physique indices are calculated. The degree of differences was assessed based on the results of biometric processing of indicators using the Excel program.Results. It was established that the males of the Chukotka Sled Dog and Siberian Husky breed were significantly superior to bitches in almost all body measurements, i.e. they were significantly larger than them. The males of the Chukchi sled dog exceeded the Siberian huskies by 6 cm in the oblique length of the trunk, by 2.4 cm in the length of the head. The differences between the bitches of the Chukchi sled and the Siberian Husky appeared only in the chest circumference and the length of the muzzle. The bitches of the Chukchi sled were more downed and massive than the males. In dogs of the Siberian Husky breed, there were no significant differences between males and bitches in all body indices. The males of the Siberian Husky breed were more downed and massive than the males of the Chukchi sled dog. Bitches of both breeds were developed in the same way.Conclusion. Sexual dimorphism in the exterior was manifested in dogs of the Chukchi Sled dog breed. Breed and sex differences of dogs in size, appearance and physique should be taken into account when forming sleds.

Seven years of preoperative BTA abdominal wall preparation and the Macquarie system for surgical management of complex ventral hernia.

To assess 7-year outcomes after complex ventral hernia (CVH) repair using pre-operative Botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection and the Macquarie System of management. Clinical examination and functional non-contrast abdominal CT scans were used to assess complications and recurrences encountered in a prospective series of 88 consecutive CVH repairs using pre-operative BTA injection (200 or 300 units) between November 2012 and December 2019. Pre-operative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) and/or component separation (CS) were also used in some cases. All hernia defects (mean transverse width 12.9 ± 5.2cm) were successfully closed using either laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted open techniques facilitated by pre-operative BTA injection. The mean pre-operative post-BTA lateral oblique length gain was 4.7 ± 2.2cm/side (p < 0.001). In 43 patients with defects < 12cm wide, closure was achieved using BTA-only in 33 (76.7%), BTA + PPP in 2 (4.7%), BTA + CS in 5 (11.6%) and BTA + PPP + CS in 3 (7.0%). In the remaining 45 patients with defects [Formula: see text] 12cm wide, closure was achieved using BTA-only in 9 (20.0%), BTA + PPP in 11 (24.4%), BTA + CS in 5 (11.1%) and BTA + PPP + CS in 20 (44.4%). There was a significant correlation between increasing defect size and the need for 2 or more CVH closure procedures (χ2 = 25.28, p < 0.0005). There were no BTA complications. Two patients developed midline hernia recurrences. Pre-operative BTA injection of the abdominal wall is a safe procedure that facilitates hernia defect closure and reduces the need for CS, especially when defect size is less than 12cm. BTA may also decrease the rate of hernia recurrence.

PECULIARITIES OF EXTERIOR OF PRIMARY COWS OBTAINED FROM BULLS MONBELIARD, NORWEGIAN RED AND HOLSTEIN BREEDS

PECULIARITIES OF EXTERIOR OF PRIMARY COWS OBTAINED FROM BULLS MONBELIARD, NORWEGIAN RED AND HOLSTEIN BREEDS

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEIFERS OF THE CREATED SIMМENTAL MEAT BREED

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEIFERS OF THE CREATED SIMМENTAL MEAT BREED

Characteristics of economically important traits of cows depending on their body built

A comparative evaluation of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy cows of friable and dense, delicate and rough body built have been carried out. The dynamics of their live weight during the growing period, exterior, milk productivity and reproductive ability were investigated. Heifers with dense body built compared to the animals with friable body built were characterized by higher live weight at the age of 3; 6; 9; 12; 15 and 18 months and at the first insemination by 5,4-47,9 kg. Heifers with delicate body bult compared to the cows of the same age with rough body built were dominated by a live weight during growing period by 2,0-24,4 kg. The average daily gain of heifers with dense body built was 665 g (+93 g compared to friable body bullt, P &lt;0,01), average daily gain of heifers with delicate body bult was 624 g (+24 g compared to rough body built). The primiparous cows with friable body built had larger sizes than cows of the same age with dense body built. At the withers they were higher by 1,2 cm, they had an advantage in chest girth – 8,9 cm (P &lt; 0,001), chest width and chest depth behind the shoulder – 3,2 cm (P &lt; 0,001) and 2,0 cm (P &lt; 0,05), respectively, chest width and chest depth behind the last rib – 3,1 cm (P &lt; 0,01) and 2,6 cm (P &lt; 0,001), chest length – 2,1 cm (P &lt; 0,05 ). The primiparous cows with delicate and rough body built were characterized by less marked differences in body measurements. Cows with delicate body bult compared to the cows with rough body built were taller by 4,9 cm (P &lt; 0,001), with deeper chest behind the shoulder –1,7 cm (P &lt; 0,05) and with longer body (oblique body length was more on 1,3 cm). Cows with rough body built had significantly larger chest width behind the last rib – by 2,1 cm (P &lt; 0,05) and metacarpus girth – by 0,7 cm (P &lt; 0,01). Higher milk productivity has been observed in cows with dense and delicate body built. The primiparous cows with dense body built had higher 305-d milk yield on 117 kg, milk fat yield –on 6,2 kg, milk protein yield – on 4,2 kg, fat content and protein content in milk – on 0,02% and 0,01%, respectively. Between cows with delicate and rough body built difference in milk yield was 340 kg, milk fat yield and milk protein – 12,1 kg and 10,5 kg, respectively,fat content and protein content in milk had no differences. Better reproductive ability has been observed in cows with friable body built (open days – 157, calf crop percent – 85,5%) and rough body built (145 days and 85,9%, respectively), it meant in cows with body built, that had lower milk productivity. Taking into account the characteristics of cows with different body built makes it possible to optimize the selection process in a particular herd and directing the selection in the desired direction. Key words: cows, Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy breed, body built, live weight, body measurements, milk productivity, reproduction ability.

Comparative evaluation of selections groups for milking of full-age cows of various breeds

An assessment of the cow population based on exterior and productive characteristics in the formation of production groups identified by the level of milk yield was carried out. It is established that the selection parameters for the yield of milk in the breeding group of Mature cows of Simmental breed in Novosibirsk region for black-motley breed on 15% exceeds the requirements of the standard, red steppe -17.9, Simmental Khakassia - 23.5 %. The analysis of interbreeding differences by breeding groups shows that animals of the black-and-white breed significantly outperform their peers of other breeds in terms of chest width behind the shoulder blades, chest girth, milk yield and milk production index. Animals of the red steppe breed have superiority in live weight, width in makloks, oblique length of the trunk, oblique length of the back, fat content of milk, milk fat. Simmental cows bred in the Novosibirsk region surpass their peers in height at the withers, and simmentals of Khakassia are the leaders in height at the rump, chest depth, waist circumference, and exterior assessment. The assessment of the division of animals of the evaluated breeds into breeding groups by milk yield allows us to note that the leadership of the black-and-white breed is not so obvious among plentiful individuals. Cows of breeding groups of red steppe and Simmental breeds have the same productivity with black-and-white milk yield and milk yield index, and red steppe cows surpass their peers in milkfat content and milk fat. The selection of groups by milk yield showed the consolidation of the black-and-white breed by productive and exterior characteristics. The red steppe and Simmental breeds have a high potential for improvement. their breeding groups closely approach the analogues of the black-and-white breed in terms of milk production.

Predicting the Digestive Tract Development and Growth Performance of Goat Kids Using Sigmoidal Models.

Simple SummaryGrowth is a biological phenomenon that usually happens with increased mass or volume over time. The transition from birth to postweaning has a fundamental impact on characteristics specific to the development and growth of the digestive tract. Consequently, the growth performance in goat kids is due to the combined effects of age, rumen development, and feeding system, which controls the growth patterns of each stage. Generally, the development of rumen is in stages. Therefore, modeling informative growth curves is of great importance for a better understanding of effective development patterns for optimizing feeding management systems for improved production efficiency. For the above reasons, this study was conducted to compare the sigmoid and polynomial models which were used to determine the age-related changes in body weight, body size indices, and digestive tract development; and to identify the most appropriate model. These empirical mathematical models of growth patterns are continuous functions of time and have biologically meaningful parameters that can be used to predict growth efficiently. In light of these models which lack sufficient information in literature, further research about different species of goats in different environments is still needed, thereby enabling us to distinguish more accurate results. The transition from monogastric to rumination stage is crucial in ruminants’ growth to avoid stressors—weaning and neonatal mortalities. Poor growth of the digestive tract could adversely affect the performance of the animal. Modeling informative growth curves is of great importance for a better understanding of the effective development pattern, in order to optimize feeding management system, and to achieve more production efficiency. However, little is known about the digestive tract growth curves. For this reason, one big goat farm of Laiwu black breed was chosen as a basis of this study. Forty-eight kids belonging to eight-time points (1, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 d; 6 kids for each) were selected and slaughtered. The body weight, body size indices, rumen pH, and stomach parts were determined and fitted to the polynomial and sigmoidal models. In terms of goodness of fit criteria, the Gompertz model was the best model for body weight, body oblique length, tube, and rumen weight. Moreover, the Logistic model was the best model for carcass weight, body height, and chest circumference. In addition, the Quadratic model showed the best fit for dressing percentage, omasum weight, abomasum weight, and rumen volume. Moreover, the cubic model best fitted the ruminal pH and reticulum percentage. The Weibull model was the best model for the reticulum weight and omasum percentage, while the MMF model was the best model describing the growth of chest depth, rumen percentage, and abomasum percentage. The model parameters, R squared, inflection points, area under curve varied among the different dependent variables. The Pearson correlation showed that the digestive tract development was more correlated with age than body weight, but the other variables were more correlated with body weight than age. The study demonstrated the use of empirical sigmoidal and polynomial models to predict growth rates of the digestive tract at relevant age efficiently.

ВЫРАЩИВАНИЕ ТЕЛЯТ В УСЛОВИЯХ АКМОЛИНСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

This article presents the results of research on the growth and development of calves obtained from cows during early insemination. The object of the study was calves from birth to 6 months of age of a black-and-white breed of a dairy farm «Kamyshenka» LLP in the Astrakhan district of the Akmola region. Two experimental groups of calves were formed in a dairy farm. Group I included calves from cows inseminated at 14-15 months of age, and group II included calves from cows inseminated at 16-17 months of age. The following indicators were studied: live weight of calves at birth and at the age of 6 months, average daily, absolute and relative increases in live weight were calculated. At the same time, the exterior profile was studied by measurements from birth to 6 months of age, followed by the calculation of body indices. The live weight of calves at birth in the first experimental group averaged 30.9±0,32 kg, while in the second it was at the level of 29.8±0,44 kg, and at the age of 6 months it was 149.2±2,3 kg and 147.3±2,4± kg, respectively. According to the exterior profile data, there are also better indicators in the first experimental group than in the second, since the oblique length of the trunk was 104.43±0,7 and 102.33±0,9 cm, respectively. The difference in body type indices ranged from 0.58-1.41%, respectively.

Body weight estimation of yak based on cloud edge computing

In stock farming, the body size parameters and weight of yaks can reasonably reflect the growth and development characteristics, production performance and genetic characteristics of yaks. However, it is difficult for herders to measure the body size and weight of yaks by traditional manual methods. Fortunately, with the development of edge computing, herders can use mobile devices to estimate the yak’s body size and weight. The purpose of this paper is to provide a machine vision-based yak weight estimation method for the edge equipment and establish a yak estimation comprehensive display system based on the user’s use of the edge equipment in order to maximize the convenience of herdsmen’s work. In our method, a set of yak image foreground extraction and measurement point recognition algorithm suitable for edge equipment were developed to obtain yak’s measurement point recognition image, and the ratio between body sizes was transmitted to the cloud server. Then, the body size and weight of yaks were estimated using the data mining method, and the body size estimation data were constantly displayed in the yak estimation comprehensive display system. Twenty-five yaks in different age groups were randomly selected from the herd to perform experiments. The experimental results show that the foreground extraction method can obtain segmentation image with good boundary, and the yak measurement point recognition algorithm has good accuracy and stability. The average error between the estimated values and the actual measured values of body height, oblique length, chest depth, cross height and body weight is 1.95%, 3.11%, 4.91%, 3.35% and 7.79%, respectively. Compared with the traditional manual measurement method, the use of mobile end to estimate the body size and weight of yaks can improve the measurement efficiency, facilitate the herdsmen to breed yaks, reduce the stimulation of manual measurement on yaks and lay a solid foundation for the fine breeding of yaks in Sanjiangyuan region.

Growth rate and conformation characteristics of calves after administration of different doses of tissue biostimulator to cows

It is known that one of the most important reasons for the birth of weak calves is the impact of adverse factors on the physiological status of the cow, which in turn affects the intrauterine and postnatal development of the fetus and newborn. The results of studying the introduction of different doses of tissue biostimulator to cows during the dry period and its effect on the development of the conformation of calves received from them have been presented in the article. The experiment was carried out in 2019 on cows of Priobsky type of Black-and-White breed and calves obtained from them. In order to conduct the experiment four groups of dry cows-analogs have been formed with 10 heads in each for 55–60 days before the expected calving at the age of III lactation and older. When selecting animals the live weight and milk productivity of cows for the previous lactation have been taken into account. The highest growth rate has been observed in calves from cows the 2nd experimental group, which exceeded the control by 24,4 % (P ≤ 0,001). The best indicators of conformation development have been also observed in calves obtained from cows of the 2nd experimental group, which were injected subcutaneously with 22,5 ml of tissue preparation. So, oblique body length have been greater by 12,6 % (P ≤ 0,001), chest girth by 17,3 % (P ≤ 0,001), width of hook bones by 21,0 % (P ≤ 0,01), the width of the pin bones by 15,0 % (P ≤ 0,05). The lengthiness index was by 11,5 % higher (P ≤ 0,001), the blockiness index was by 4,1 % higher (P ≤ 0,05), and the boniness index was by 10,6 % lower (P ≤ 0,05) than in the control group herdmates.

Predicting the body weight of Hereford cows using machine learning

Various machine learning algorithms have been used to model and predict the body weight of Hereford cows. The traditional linear regression model and various machine learning algorithms have been used to develop models for the prediction of the body weight of Hereford cows. The dependent variables include body weight and independent variables include withers height, hip height, chest dept, chest width, width in maclocks, sciatic hill width, oblique length of the body, oblique rear length, chest girth, metacarpus girth, backside half-girth, and age measurements of 1500 cows aged 2–6 years of age. The performance of the models is assessed based on evaluation criteria of the coefficient of determination, the root mean squared error, the mean absolute error, the mean absolute percentage error. We used a concept of splitting data into training, testing and validation datasets to provide a robust method for modelling and predicting. The RandomForestRegressor algorithm was found to provide the best results for training and testing datasets. It was concluded that machine learning algorithms may provide better results than the traditional models and may help researchers choose the best predictors for body weight of animals.

Sexual dimorphic parameters of femur: a clinical guide in orthopedics and forensic studies.

Sexual dimorphic studies of various parameters of the femur play an important role in forensic studies. Various femur morphometric parameters help estimate an individual’s age, sex, and stature from unknown skeletal remains. This research was done to analyze maximum length, trochanteric oblique length, and diameter of the femur head for sexual dimorphism. The study was done on 200 (128 male & 72 female) Indian adult human femora, which were fully ossified, dry, and free from deformity. The maximum length of the femur (L), trochanteric oblique length (TOL), and vertical diameter of the head (VDH) were measured using an osteometric board and digital Vernier calipers. The mean length of the femur was 436.88 mm in males and 402.38 mm in females, respectively. The mean trochanteric oblique length of the femur was 423.78 mm in males and 387.18 mm in females, respectively. The mean vertical diameter of the femur head was 43 mm in males and 38.19 mm in females, respectively. Depending upon the results of this study, it was concluded that the mean values of maximum length, trochanteric oblique length, and vertical diameter of the femur head are significantly higher in males than females. These parameters are useful and reliable for sexual dimorphism in anthropometric and forensic studies, especially in identifying skeletal remains. These differences can also be considered in selecting or designing the exact ranges of the gender-specific prosthesis for Orthopedic surgeries.

Assessment of selection groups of mature cows of various breeds, differentiated by milk fat

The assessment of black-and-white, red steppe, and Simmental cattle, differentiated by milk fat was carried out. Three groups were formed: selection, production and marriage. The selection parameters are calculated using the standard deviation. The calculated parameters of selection of animals of the breeding group for milk fat in adult black-and-white cows are at least 179 kg, red steppe - 186, Simmental breed from the Novosibirsk region - 143, the Republic of Khakassia - 176 kg. Cows of the red steppe breeding group are leading in productivity. Their milk fat index is 216.8 kg (P ≥ 0.95). In animals of the black-and-white breed, the milk fat productivity is 193.2 kg. In the Simmental Republic of Khakassia it is 193.8, in the Novosibirsk region - 163.5 kg. Analysis of interbreed differences in cows of breeding groups shows that animals of the black-and-white breed surpass their peers in chest width behind the shoulder blades, milk yield and milk production index. Animals of the red steppe breed are the best in milk fat, live weight, width in shanks, oblique body length, oblique rear length, chest girth, milk fat content. Simmental cows bred in the Novosibirsk region lead over their peers in height at the withers, and Simmental cows in Khakassia - in height at the sacrum, chest depth, cannon girth, assessment of the exterior. Evaluation of the production groups of animals for milk fat allows to note that the selection group of the black-and-white breed, despite the superiority in milk yield, is inferior to the peers of the red steppe and Simmental in terms of the evaluated character. However, the cows of the black-and-white breed of the production group surpass their peers in milk fat and most other signs. The formation of breeding groups for milk fat enables to note the consolidation of the black-and-white breed in terms of productive and exterior characteristics. The Red Steppe and Simmental breeds have a high potential for improvement. These breeding groups are worthy of competing with the contemporaries of the black-andwhite breed in milk fat productivity.