In this study,mean shift algorithm and region merging were combined to automatically segment a digital feather image and remove the noise in digital images more effectively for segmentation of a feather quill and a feather leaf. First, the mean shift algorithm employed to calculate the convergence value of each pixel can obtain a filtered smoothened image; then, setting region merging criteria ...

abstract   background: phenol and its compounds are common environmental contaminants, which because of their potential harm to human health, are considered as priority pollutants. in this study, the potential of ostrich feather for phenol removing from aqueous solution was studied. methods: removing the phenol from the aqueous solution was studied via considering the effect of absorbent (0.1, ...

A daunting mine disaster took place in 13 May 2014 at Soma and 301 men lost their lives. Brief information about the Eynez coal mine and some of the inherent characteristics of the field in terms of their effects on mining are presented. This paper basically concentrates on the factors that played an important role in the occurrence of this disaster. Progress of mine fire, firefighting, and res...

We present the first explicit theory of the growth of feather shape, defined as the outline of a pennaceous feather vane. Based on a reanalysis of data from the literature, we propose that the absolute growth rate of the barbs and rachis ridges, not the vertical growth rate, is uniform throughout the follicle. The growth of feathers is simulated with a mathematical model based on six growth par...

Biodiversity losses are increasing as a consequence of negative anthropogenic effects on ecosystem dynamics. However, the magnitude and complexity of these effects may still be greatly underestimated. Most Old World vultures have experienced rapid population declines in recent years. In Europe, their immediate conservation depends on changes in health regulations affecting the availability of f...

protein-rich hydrolysate from feather waste was obtained using a mixed culture of selected thermophilic actinomycete strains, and was tested for possible application as soil amendment and biological control agent. for this purpose, a 4 months laboratory experiment was carried out using two types of urban soils (sofia, bulgaria): native park soil and anthropogenic soil. the effect of the obtain...

Rural abandonment and subsequent vegetation regeneration (‘passive rewilding') are expected to increase worldwide, producing cascades of dynamic socioeconomic, landscape biological changes. Although characteristics strongly influence the structure functioning scavengers, little is known about ecological consequences passive rewilding due woody encroachment (i.e.‘landscape closure') on scavengin...

Summary Vultures are among the most threatened bird guilds on planet and have a unique functional role within ecosystems. They therefore subject to increasing research interest, calling for standardised study approaches monitoring methods. The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) is rapidly gaining popularity in ecological due technological advances, affordability, accessibility. This review...

Nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide gases together with dust are known as the major pollutants arising during the blasting operations using the ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) explosive at the Sungun surface mine, located in the northwest of Iran. The pollutants were monitored during some blasting operations at the mine. It was concluded that the gases and dust clouds initially went up to the ...

Feather keratin is highly resistant to degradation, but some keratinase producing microorganisms can easily degrade these insoluble keratins. These keratinase producing species have an important application in removal of poultry waste and recycled into valuable byproduct. A feather-degrading bacterium with high keratinase activity was isolated and identified as Bacillus megaterium (A1). The sel...