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Saturation flow rate as one of the important characteristics of traffic flow plays a key role to determine the capacity and delay in signalized intersections. So far, various studies have been done to evaluate the saturation flow rate at nearside legs of intersections which is fit to geometrical dimensions, traffic flow characteristics and the behaviour of the drivers. However, despite the deference between the above specifications, no study has been conducted on the saturation flow rate at far-side legs and considering the difference between the saturation flow rate at nearside and far-side legs in case of reducing the number of lanes, lane width and other effective factors, it seems to be necessary to determine the saturation flow rate at far-side legs. In the present study, using field data collection at five signalized intersections in Rasht city, the saturation flow rate is estimated and analyzed by macroscopic and microscopic methods, considering the existing lane width at nearside and far-side legs of the intersections. The results indicate that the values of saturation flow rate at far-side legs using the microscopic method are higher than the similar values in nearside legs. Also there is a primarily linear relationship (R 2 =0.957) between the lane width and saturation flow rate at far-side legs using the macroscopic method. There is an exponential non-linear relationship at far-side legs (R 2 =0.859) and a logarithmic non-linear relationship at nearside legs (R 2 =0.105) between the lane width and saturation flow rate using the microscopic method. In regard to far-side leg's R 2 , it seems that the main criterion in determining the saturation flow rate is the lane width, while at nearside leg more effective parameters need to be used to determine the values of saturation flow rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TSE Roadmap published in 2005 (DO for Health and Consumer Protection, 2005) suggests that short and medium term (2005-2009) amendments to control BSE policy should include "a relaxation of certain measures of the current total feed ban when certain conditions are met". The same document noted "the starting point when revising the current feed ban provisions should be risk-based but at the same time taking into account the control tools in place to evaluate and ensure the proper implementation of this feed ban". The clear implication is that adequate analytical methods to detect constituents of animal origin in feedstuffs are required. The official analytical method for the detection of constituents of animal origin in feedstuffs is the microscopic examination technique as described in Commission Directive 2003/126/EC of 23 December 2003 [OJ L 339, 24.12.2003, 78]. Although the microscopic method is usually able to distinguish fish from land animal material, it is often unable to distinguish between different terrestrial animals. Fulfillments of the requirements of Regulation 1774/2002/EC laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption, clearly implies that it must be possible to identify the origin animal materials, at higher taxonomic levels than in the past. Thus improvements in all methods of detecting constituents of animal origin are required, including the microscopic method. This article will examine the problem of meat and bone meal in animal feeds, and the use of microscopic methods in association with computer image analysis to identify the source species of these feedstuff contaminants. Image processing, integrated with morphometric measurements can provide accurate and reliable results and can be a very useful aid to the analyst in the characterization, analysis and control of feedstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TSE Roadmap published in 2005 (DG for Health and Consumer Protection, 2005) suggests that short and medium term (2005-2009) amendments to control BSE policy should include "a relaxation of certain measures of the current total feed ban when certain conditions are met". The same document noted "the starting point when revising the current feed ban provisions should be risk-based but at the same time taking into account the control tools in place to evaluate and ensure the proper implementation of this feed ban". The clear implication is that adequate analytical methods to detect constituents of animal origin in feedstuffs are required. The official analytical method for the detection of constituents of animal origin in feedstuffs is the microscopic examination technique as described in Commission Directive 2003/126/EC of 23 December 2003 [OJ L 339, 24.12.2003, 78]. Although the microscopic method is usually able to distinguish fish from land animal material, it is often unable to distinguish between different terrestrial animals. Fulfillments of the requirements of Regulation 1774/2002/EC laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption, clearly implies that it must be possible to identify the origin animal materials, at higher taxonomic levels than in the past. Thus improvements in all methods of detecting constituents of animal origin are required, including the microscopic method. This article will examine the problem of meat and bone meal in animal feeds, and the use of microscopic methods in association with computer image analysis to identify the source species of these feedstuff contaminants. Image processing, integrated with morphometric measurements can provide accurate and reliable results and can be a very useful aid to the analyst in the characterization, analysis and control of feedstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study was made to determine the effect of storage temperature and storage time on somatic cell counts (SCCs) in buffalo milk samples from quarters with no signs of clinical mastitis. The critical limit of SCC in raw buffalo milk is around 400,000 cells/mL. SCCs were measured in 32 Murrah buffalo milk samples by direct microscopic method. Milk samples were grouped from high score (> 3.50x105 cells/mL) to low score (< 1.50x105 cells/mL) according to the SCC. Each milk sample was divided into 3 aliquots and stored at 3 different temperatures (4²C, 21²C and 37²C). The SCC was recorded every hour up to 4 h and every 2 h up to 12 h. Storage of buffalo milk with a high SCC for 4 h at 4²C and 2 h at both 21²C and 37²C, respectively, decreased the log10 value of SCC compared to fresh milk. The log 10 value of buffalo milk SCC was lower after 1 h of storage than that determined for fresh milk at any tested temperature in low SCC samples. The results sugges that irrespective of storage temperature, buffalo milk samples should not be stored for more than 2 h before measurement of SCC by direct microscopic method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of image analysis measurements in combination with the official analytical method (Commission directive 2003/126/EC) for the detection of constituents of animal origin in feedstuffs, in distinguishing between land animals (i.e. poultry vs mammals). Results obtained in the present study indicated that even though most of the variables measured were significantly different between mammalian and poultry in terms of mean, only a few can be used in distinguishing avian vs mammalian material. In conclusion, data presented indicate that some of the variables/descriptors provided by image analysis related to lacunae dimensions and features appear promising for a reliable distinction between animal meal at the level of vertebrate classes, while for further characterization, at higher taxonomic level, contribution of morphological variables deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of image analysis measurements in combination with the official analytical method (Commission directive 2003/126/EC) for the detection of constituents of animal origin in feedstuffs, in distinguishing between land animals (i.e. poultry vs mammals). Results obtained in the present study indicated that even though most of the variables measured were significantly different between mammalian and poultry in terms of mean, only a few can be used in distinguishing avian vs mammalian material. In conclusion, data presented indicate that some of the variables/descriptors provided by image analysis related to lacunae dimensions and features appear promising for a reliable distinction between animal meal at the level of vertebrate classes, while for further characterization, at higher taxonomic level, contribution of morphological variables deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]