Recent Advances in Woody Breast Detection: From Physical Sensing to Biochemical Markers and Imaging AI (2020-2026)

Ziyuan Zhao, Yu Wang, Jill Domel, Ziteng Xu^*

• A review of woody breast (WB) detection from 2020 to early 2026 across three areas: physical and mechanical measurements, biochemical and physiological indicators, and imaging- and AI-based approaches. Physical methods give interpretable measures of tissue properties such as stiffness, electrical behavior, and water mobility. Biochemical markers reveal the mechanisms behind WB and may enable earlier prediction, though routine use remains limited. Imaging and AI methods are the most scalable for automated assessment, but are still constrained by small datasets and imperfect reference standards.本综述梳理了 2020 年至 2026 年初 Woody Breast（WB，木质化胸肌）检测的三大方向：物理与机械测量、生化与生理指标，以及基于成像与人工智能的方法。物理方法能对硬度、电学行为、水分迁移性等组织特性给出可解释的度量。生化标志物揭示 WB 的发生机制，有望支持更早期预测，但常规应用仍有限。成像与人工智能方法最具自动化评估的可扩展性，但仍受限于较小的数据集与不完善的参考标准。

Differentiate Moderate Woody Breast from Normal Chicken Breast Using Monofilament Needles

Ziyuan Zhao, Yu Wang, Charles Villegas, Morgan Farnell, Gregory Archer, Giridhar Athrey, Kiju Lee, Dan Feng^*, Ziteng Xu^*

Cited by 1被引 1 次

• In this study, we bridge mechanical beam buckling theory and poultry meat quality evaluation by introducing a monofilament needle-based approach with high accuracy.本研究将机械梁屈曲理论与家禽肉质评价相结合，提出了一种基于单丝针的高精度 Woody Breast 检测方法。

Intelligent Warehouse Robot for Classifying, Sorting, and Transporting Goods’ Boxes

Ziyuan Zhao, Amna Mazen, Youssef Bazzi^*, Bingyi Wang, Sushuang Li

Cited by 2被引 2 次

• This paper presents an integrated intelligent warehouse robot system that combines computer vision, robotic manipulation, and autonomous navigation to perform box classification, sorting, and transportation. Using YOLOv5 and a Kinect camera, the system classifies boxes by size, while a WidowX robotic arm handles pick-and-place operations and a Pioneer P3-DX mobile robot with LiDAR navigates to designated storage areas. Experimental results in a simulated warehouse demonstrate reliable detection, obstacle avoidance, and precise placement, showing the system’s potential to improve warehouse efficiency and automation.本文提出了一套融合计算机视觉、机械臂操作与自主导航的智能仓储机器人系统，可完成货箱的分类、分拣与搬运。系统采用 YOLOv5 与 Kinect 相机按尺寸对货箱进行分类，由 WidowX 机械臂执行抓取与放置，并由搭载 LiDAR 的 Pioneer P3-DX 移动机器人导航至指定货位。仿真仓库的实验结果验证了系统在目标检测、避障与精确放置方面的可靠性，展示了其在提升仓储效率与自动化水平方面的应用潜力。

Simulation analysis of spatial electromagnetic field of transformer core considering nonlinear B-H curve

Xianwei Guo^†, Zhetao Huang^†, Ziyuan Zhao^†*

Cited by 3被引 3 次

• This paper investigates the spatial electromagnetic field distribution of a transformer core considering the nonlinear B-H curve using a COMSOL-based E-type transformer model. The results show that magnetic saturation causes strong nonlinear field concentration in the central core, leading to excessive losses, current distortion, and rapid output current reduction, which may damage the transformer.本文基于 COMSOL 建立的 E 型变压器模型，在考虑非线性 B-H 曲线的条件下研究了变压器铁芯的空间电磁场分布。结果表明，磁饱和会在铁芯中心引起强烈的非线性场集中，进而导致过大的损耗、电流畸变以及输出电流的快速衰减，可能造成变压器损坏。

Evaluate changes in respiratory rate of lateral lying sows around onset of parturition using depth camera

Yu Wang, Siya Chen, Ziyuan Zhao, Jianfeng Zhou, Timothy Safranski, Jeffrey Wiegert, Ziteng Xu^*

Cited by 1被引 1 次

• Monitoring sow’s respiratory rate (RR) is important for predicting the onset of parturition. This study proposes a non-contact method for RR monitoring in lateral lying (LL) sows using depth camera. The pipeline is composed of several deep-learning modules. A posture recognition model was trained to identify lateral lying sows. RR is evaluated based on the changes in average pixel intensity of the grayscale depth video within a fixed bounding box near the sow’s abdomen region. Two sows were evaluated in this study. Noticeable increases in daily activity level and respiratory rate were observed before the onset of parturition.监测母猪呼吸频率（RR）对于预测分娩起始具有重要意义。本研究提出了一种基于深度相机的非接触式方法，用于侧卧（LL）母猪的呼吸频率监测。整体流程由多个深度学习模块组成：训练一个姿态识别模型以识别侧卧母猪；在母猪腹部区域设置固定边界框，通过分析灰度深度视频在该框内平均像素强度的变化来估计 RR。研究对两头母猪进行了评估，在分娩起始前观察到日活动量和呼吸频率均明显升高。

Investigation of poultry manure removal efficiency and volume estimation on grooved-floor panels

Siya Chen, Yu Wang, Ziyuan Zhao, Dan Feng, Gregory Archer, Giridhar Athrey, Ziteng Xu^*

• A mobile platform equipped with an electric cylindrical brush was developed to evaluate the efficiency of manure removal from grooved f loor panels designed for free-range broiler production. The panels were placed beneath 20-week-old caged layers to collect manure samples. An Intel L515 LiDAR camera was used to measure manure volume before and after compression. Cleaning efficiency was assessed under various load conditions, and the relationship between manure weight and volume was analyzed. The results demonstrated that manure can be effectively removed and manure weight can be accurately estimated, which offers a potential method for determining the number of live birds per cage in caged systems.本研究开发了一套搭载电动圆柱刷的移动平台，用于评估面向放养肉鸡生产设计的开槽地板的粪便清除效率。将开槽地板放置于 20 周龄笼养蛋鸡下方以收集粪便样本，采用 Intel L515 LiDAR 相机测量压实前后的粪便体积。研究在不同负载条件下评估了清扫效率，并分析了粪便重量与体积之间的关系。结果表明，粪便可被有效清除且粪重可被准确估计，为笼养系统中按笼计数活禽提供了一种可行方法。

Research on preparation process of ethanol and C4 olefin based on linear and nonlinear regression fitting algorithm

Ziyuan Zhao^*, Shougan Ye

• This paper studies ethanol-to-C4 olefin preparation by analyzing the effects of catalyst combinations and temperature on conversion and selectivity. Linear and nonlinear regression models solved with MATLAB and SPSS reveal functional relationships, enabling trend prediction and offering insights for catalyst-driven chemical processes.本文研究乙醇制 C4 烯烃的制备过程，分析催化剂组合与温度对转化率和选择性的影响。借助 MATLAB 与 SPSS 求解线性与非线性回归模型，揭示其函数关系，从而实现趋势预测，并为催化驱动的化学过程提供参考。

• PoultryTrack
  • PoultryTrack is a purpose-built cloud research platform that transforms how poultry scientists capture, share, and interpret experimental data — replacing fragmented spreadsheets and paper logs with a unified, real-time system. Designed at Texas A&M University, the platform streamlines the entire research lifecycle: from experiment setup and structured daily inspections to advanced welfare assessment and automated cross-experiment analytics, including mortality trends, welfare scoring, and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) computation. PoultryTrack is built on a modern React and Supabase architecture with row-level security and TAMU-restricted access. It delivers institutional-grade data integrity, seamless multi-device synchronization, and flexible private or public sharing so that researchers can focus on discovery rather than data wrangling.PoultryTrack 是一款专为家禽研究打造的云端科研平台，重塑了科研人员采集、共享与解读实验数据的方式——以统一的实时系统取代分散的电子表格与纸质记录。该平台在 Texas A&M University 设计，覆盖整个研究生命周期：从实验设置、结构化的日常巡检，到深度福利评估与跨实验自动分析，包括死亡率趋势、福利评分以及料肉比（Feed Conversion Ratio, FCR）计算。PoultryTrack 基于现代化的 React 与 Supabase 架构构建，采用行级权限控制与 TAMU 受限访问，提供机构级的数据完整性、跨设备无缝同步以及灵活的私有/公开共享方式，让研究人员能够专注于科学发现而非数据整理。

• An Indoor Office Environment-based Delivery Vehicle面向室内办公环境的配送小车
  • National First Prize of College Students’ Innovation Competition.College Students’ Innovation Competition 国家级一等奖。
  • Aimed to design an intelligent distribution car involving the Internet of Things, intelligent hardware, and logistics transportation technology. And took on the responsibilities of mechanical structure modeling and physical fabrication, as well as implementing wireless charging solutions and multi-sensor fusion.本项目旨在设计一款融合物联网、智能硬件与物流运输技术的智能配送小车。本人负责机械结构建模与实物加工，并实现了无线充电方案与多传感器融合。

• INav-SLAM: Intelligent Navigation and Mapping Robot
  • Utilizes SLAM algorithms (Cartographer, Gmapping) for real-time mapping and localization in unknown environments.使用 SLAM 算法（Cartographer、Gmapping）在未知环境中实现实时建图与定位。
  • Employs global path planners (Dijkstra, A*) with the Dynamic Window Approach (DWA) local planner to generate smooth and feasible navigation paths.结合全局路径规划器（Dijkstra、A*）与 Dynamic Window Approach (DWA) 局部规划器，生成平滑且可行的导航路径。
  • LiDAR-based obstacle detection ensures real-time dynamic avoidance, enabling safe and efficient autonomous navigation in complex indoor spaces.基于 LiDAR 的障碍检测可实现实时动态避障，在复杂室内环境中保证安全、高效的自主导航。

• Robot Path Planning Based on ROS基于 ROS 的机器人路径规划
  • Developed and implemented advanced algorithms for four-wheeled robot obstacle avoidance, automatic reset, and object tracking, which had been implemented using MATLAB.为四轮机器人开发并实现了避障、自动复位与目标跟踪等高级算法，所有算法均使用 MATLAB 实现。
  • Created multiple map models in Gazebo and simulated algorithms written in MATLAB within ROS. Displayed real-time sensor data from the robots through RViz.在 Gazebo 中搭建多种地图模型，并在 ROS 中对 MATLAB 编写的算法进行仿真，通过 RViz 实时可视化机器人传感器数据。

• Industrial Robotic Arm Control工业机械臂控制
  • Developed and implemented control programs for a FANUC robotic arm to accomplish diverse tasks, such as simulating dice-throwing experiments, constructing structures with building blocks, and integrating machine vision for playing chess against human or computer opponents.为 FANUC 机械臂开发并实现了多种控制程序，可完成模拟掷骰子实验、积木搭建，以及结合机器视觉与人或计算机对弈下棋等任务。
  • These projects demonstrated the robot’s capability in precise motion planning, object manipulation, and vision-based decision-making.上述项目展示了机器人在精确运动规划、目标操作以及基于视觉的决策方面的能力。

• ROS-Controlled Robotic Arm and Embedded GripperROS 控制的机械臂与嵌入式抓手
  • This project integrates a robotic arm controlled via ROS with a TM4C microcontroller-based robotic gripper, enabling precise manipulation and task execution.本项目将基于 ROS 控制的机械臂与基于 TM4C 微控制器的抓手相集成，实现精确操作与任务执行。
  • Through coordinated control between the arm and the gripper, the system can perform operations such as object grasping, transport, and placement. The design highlights the synergy between high-level motion planning in ROS and low-level embedded control, providing a versatile platform for research in automation and intelligent manipulation.通过机械臂与抓手的协同控制，系统可完成物体抓取、搬运与放置等操作。设计充分体现了 ROS 上层运动规划与底层嵌入式控制之间的协同，为自动化与智能操作研究提供了通用平台。

• Design of Automatic Fruit Picker for Cherry Tomatoes圣女果自动采摘装置设计
  • First Prize at the University Level of the National Student Competition of Innovative Mechanical Design.National Student Competition of Innovative Mechanical Design 校级一等奖。
  • Optimized the tracked base of the harvester for easy navigation through various complex picking terrains.优化采摘装置的履带底盘，便于在多种复杂地形下灵活通行。
  • Designed the robotic arm module and developed a 4-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, making it convenient to harvest cherry tomatoes in different orientations and under various growth conditions.设计机械臂模块，开发出一台四自由度机械臂，方便在不同方位与生长状态下采摘圣女果。

• Hydraulic Transmission Design of a Multi-legged Spider Robot多足蛛型机器人液压传动设计
  • Defined design requirements, analyzed working conditions, and selected hydraulic components.明确设计需求、分析工作工况，并选型相应的液压元件。
  • Based on the selected hydraulic components, such as relief valves, directional control valves, flow control valves, etc., create a three-dimensional valve plate model using SolidWorks. Additionally, generated detailed two-dimensional valve plate sectional views and assembly drawings through CAD.基于所选液压元件（如溢流阀、换向阀、节流阀等），在 SolidWorks 中建立阀板的三维模型，并通过 CAD 绘制详细的二维阀板剖视图与装配图。