Digital birds are used in computer graphics to replace live animals both for the safety of the animal and to allow for more control over performance. The current treatment of avian wings in computer graphics is often over-simplified which results in a loss realism due to the incorrect form and motion of the feathers. This research attempts to address this problem by using the structure and motion of real bird anatomy to inform the creation of biologically accurate kinematic motion for wings. The hypothesis of this thesis is that a wing rig which follows biological accuracy will appear realistic in motion and facilitate efficient animation. This thesis describes the creation of a rig generation tool, called WingCreator, usable in 3D animation software to guide the construction of biologically accurate wings while maintaining a range of artistically-driven variability in form. The control system for the kinematic motion rig is designed to provide animators with intuitive control over wing behavior intended to result in efficient re-creation of realistic wing action including flapping and folding. WingCreator was tested by two riggers and one animator to gain feedback on the tools efficacy. The user feedback indicates that the resulting rig provides a control system that facilitates efficient animation while maintaining artistic control over the wing. Users reported that realism, however, could not be judged due to the numerous contributing outside factors, such as animation, lighting and texturing, that affect the perception of realism. WingCreator and its creation methodology is intended to be placed in the public domain for use by anyone and will add to the currently slim body of knowledge for creating realistic avian wings. Once placed in the public domain it is expected that this rig will be appropriated by animators who wish to create more accurate bird wing motion and by riggers who may use the biologically-driven methodology as a model for further exploration into depictions of other animals exhibiting complex form and structural motion behaviors.

Arsenic taken up by plants and fungi from contaminated soils can subsequently be introduced into food chains. Given the toxic properties of some arsenic compounds, this may be a cause for concern. Much remains to be learned about how these compounds are transformed and distributed in terrestrial organisms. Radishes, white button mushrooms, fur, and feather samples were thus investigated to gain a better understanding of arsenic biotransformations in terrestrial organisms. In this study, we utilized two analytical techniques for the detection and identification of arsenic compounds (“arsenic speciation analysis”). High performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) provided a highly sensitive method for detecting low levels (ng•g-1) of methanol:water extractable arsenic compounds. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques provided direct arsenic speciation analysis of tissues, resulting in a more representative arsenic profile of the original organisms, without the need to extract arsenic first. Overall, the results for speciation analysis underline the complementary nature of the HPLC-ICP-MS and XAS techniques. Mushrooms contained organic arsenic compounds which were not identified in the radish. In particular arsenobetaine (AB), which is usually found as a minor constituent of terrestrial organisms, was a predominant arsenic compound found in mushroom extracts. How AB is synthesized in the environment remains unclear; however, results presented here suggest it was a product of fungal biotransformation and we speculate it may play a role in osmoregulation. In radish, fur and feather samples, direct analysis identified arsenic(III)-sulphur compounds not observed using HPLC-ICP-MS. In plants, these compounds are likely to be metal/metalloid binding phytochelatin proteins the formation of which has yet to be confirmed in planta. In radish plant vasculature, XAS imaging revealed segregation of pentavalent and trivalent arsenic compounds, suggesting differences in arsenic transport. In hair and feathers the formation of arsenic(III)-sulphur compounds may be evidence of arsenic binding to keratin proteins which has been hypothesized to occur, and may contribute to the observed reduction of exogenous arsenic contamination. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2007-05-30 11:55:40.157

The ability to detect moisture in broiler feathers for five moisture-sensing devices using varying techniques, an infrared (IR) camera, and one type of moisture-sensitive paper was evaluated in two experiments; using artificial feather beds in laboratory settings and in field conditions using live birds. In the first experiment (lab testing-phase I), seven levels of moisture were applied once per day to the swatches with four different feather densities to account for moisture variation and feather density present in commercial barn conditions. True moisture of the feathers was determined gravimetrically on a daily basis. Using the five devices, 20 readings each were acquired from each of the swatches. The average temperatures of a selected area from images captured using an IR camera along with average device readings were compared with the true moisture content. Moisture-sensitive paper images were analyzed in Photoshop and Matlab prior to statistical analysis. Data from all devices, the IR camera, and moisture-sensitive paper were analyzed using SAS Procedure GLM to define relationships between the true moisture content and the readings. The devices were analyzed based on their accuracy, consistency and sensitivity using adjusted-R2, standard error, and regression slope, respectively. The data from all devices and techniques were significantly correlated with feather swatch moisture content (P<0.05). Results from the first experiment suggested potential to measure feather moisture by several of the tested devices. While feather density presented as a challenge during this experiment, it was not considered as a significant issue when evaluating the devices. The “Hay” and “Construction 1” sensors showed the most promise in detecting feather moisture and iv were selected for further testing using live birds. The two devices had relatively higher accuracy, consistency, and sensitivity compared to other devices and techniques. The second experiment (field testing – phase II) evaluated the two selected devices (Hay and Construction 1 sensors) in various commercial broiler settings. Device readings were acquired from the back, wing, and breast feathers. A sample of back feathers from each bird was collected to determine the true moisture. Statistical analyses of data were the same as in experiment 1. Although the initial study, conducted within a lab setting, denoted a significant relationship between true moisture content and device readings, testing within the field environments showed the devices to perform poorly. Readings from both devices and for all the locations tested demonstrated a lack of sensitivity, accuracy, and consistency for measuring moisture in feathers of live birds.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 255).

Orientador: Obede Borges Faria / Coorientadora: Paula Valéria Coiado Chamma / Banca: João Roberto Gomes de Faria / Banca: Cristiane Inacio de Campos / Resumo: O presente trabalho apresenta uma alternativa para a minimização do descarte atual, crescente e inadequado do resíduo agronômico pena de galinha (Chicken Feather). Assim, foram estabelecidos parâmetros para gerar um novo produto, painéis de compósitos, com adição de resina ureia-formaldeído, visando verificar as propriedades e possibilidades de aplicação deste produto na construção civil. Ao longo do levantamento bibliográfico, notou-se que a pena de galinha é um tema ainda pouco explorado em pesquisas, traduzindo-se em uma lacuna a ser preenchida. Foi escolhida a resina ureia-formaldeído por ser um componente chave muito utilizado na indústria de chapas particuladas de madeira, o que facilitaria na avaliação comparativa de desempenho do novo compósito. Durante a realização da etapa experimental, constatando-se uma grande dificuldade na trituração das penas, optouse por usá-las inteiras. Ao final desta etapa, a qualidade física das chapas foi insuficiente para a produção dos corpos de prova necessários à realização dos ensaios de caracterização física e mecânica, sendo direcionado aos ensaios de desempenho térmico, para aplicação deste compósito como isolante térmico em edificações. Com a realização destes ensaios, constatou-se o potencial de adequação do material para esta aplicação. Comparados com materiais para isolamento térmico existentes no mercado, os painéis com pena de galinha apresentaram desempenho compatível, bloqueando cerca de 20ºC de temperatura entre uma face ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present work presents an alternative for the minimization of current, increasing and inadequate disposal of agronomic chicken feather residue. Thus, parameters were established to generate a new product, composite panels, with addition of ureaformaldehyde resin, in order to verify the properties and possibilities of application of this product in civil construction. Throughout the bibliographical survey, it was noticed that the feather of chicken is a subject still little explored in researches, translating into a lacuna to be filled. The urea-formaldehyde resin was chosen as a key component widely used in the wood particleboard industry, which would facilitate the comparative evaluation of the new composite performance. During the realization of the experimental stage, it was verified a great difficulty in the crushing of the feathers, it was chosen to use them whole. At the end of this stage, the physical quality of the panels was insufficient for the production of the test specimens necessary for the physical and mechanical characterization tests, being directed to the thermal performance tests, for the application of this composite as thermal insulation in buildings. With the accomplishment of these tests, it was verified the potential of suitability of the material for this application. Compared with existing insulation materials on the market, the panels with chicken feather showed compatible performance, blocking about 20ºC of temperature between one face and anoth... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

I use found botanical material such as leaves, seedpods, and branches to explore human connection to the physical world. By combining these organic objects with the rich traditions of needlecraft, I bind nature and the human touch. Both tender and ruthless, this intricate stitch work communicates the idea that our relationship with the natural world is both tenuously fragile and infinitely complex. The way I think about and make art mirrors the way I think about my life and how I walk through the world. What I do is about elevating details. It is about noticing cycles and connections. It is about regarding a familiar object in a new way. It’s about seeing things and considering their connection to you, their potential futures and possible pasts. There is a depth and an importance to what is present, and what is absent. Invisible narratives are woven into and around each piece, each interaction. As I gather materials with which to work, I consider what connections might exist between us, or how each object might be related to another. I am a cartographer, drawing and plotting an imaginary map, from one object to the next, intervening with each. These objects naturally fit into categories, which relate to my own experiences, but also to their origins and how they came into my hands. The vertices of experience and the actual life trajectory of an object are what interest me the most; the points at which the object and I intersect.

A recombinant Bacillus megaterium strain with a chromosomally integrated gene kerA, expressing keratinase, was analyzed regarding action in specific environmental stresses to obtain optimum parameters necessary for bacterial growth and optimal expression of the recombinant gene.The strain was grown on chicken feathers as substrate and the degradation of feather keratin during the growth was investigated with different levels of pH, temperature and feather concentration in the broth. Two strains were analyzed, capable to grow with 575 x and 1025 x amounts of antibiotics, erythromycin, where the strain of 1025 x showed higher potential for expression. Maximum keratinolytic activity was achieved at a pH of value 8.5, at temperature of 45 °C and substrate concentration of 0.2 % (w/v). The growth rate was determined by total plate count, which indicated that there was an increasing number of colony forming units together with increasing concentration of soluble keratin. The diluted fractions did not appear to produce colonies to any significant amount. However the results for which reason the results for optimal growth conditions are guidelines for future analysis for a chromosomally recombinant Bacillus megaterium. / Program: Master of Science with a Major in Resource Recovery – Industrial Biotechnology

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

vii, 136 leaves : ill., graphs, tables, photos ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.1979) from the Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Adelaide

This thesis contains short stories which vary in form and content