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Our most recent publications feature discoveries and novel uses of computer vision to monitor and track animal behaviour in livestock farming.

Publications can also be visited at Google Scholar.

2022         

47.  [Pre-print]  A Teacher-to-Student  Information Recovery Method Toward Energy-Efficient Animal Activity Recognition at Low Sampling Rates

Mao, A., Zhu, M., Huang, E. & Liu, K*.

46.  [Journal]  A Semi-Supervised Generative Adversarial Network for Amodal Instance Segmentation of Piglets in Farrowing Pens 

Huang, E., He, Zheng., Mao, A., Xu, W., Ceballos, M. C., Parsons T. D., & Liu, K*.

45.  [Pre-print]  Are Children and Dogs Best Friends? A Scoping Review to Explore the Positive and Negative Effects of Child-Dog Interactions.

Giraudet, CSE*., Liu, K., McElligott, A. G*., Cobb, M., 

44.  [Conference]  Uniting farms: federated learning for sensory-based animal activity recognition

Mao, A., Huang, E., Gan, H., & Liu, K*., Uniting farms: federated learning for sensor-based animal activity recognition. 2022 European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, Vetmeduni, Vienna, 29 August - 1 September 2022.

43.  [Conference]  Occlusion resistant spatiotemporal analysis of pig distribution pattern in farrowing pens using centrer clustering network.

Huang, E., Mao, A., Gan, H., & Liu, K*., Occlusion resistant spatiotemporal analysis of pig distribution pattern in farrowing pens using center clustering network. 2022 European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, Vetmeduni, Vienna, 29 August - 1 September 2022.

42.  [Journal]   FedAAR: A Novel Federated Learning Framework for Animal Activity Recognition with wearable sensors

Mao, A., Huang, E., Gan, H., & Liu, K*., Aug 2022, In: Animals. 12(16):2142. 

41.  [Journal]   Automated detection and analysis of piglet suckling behaviour using high-accuracy amodal instance segmentation

Gan, H.*, Ou, M., Li, C., Wang, X., Guo, J., Mao, A., Ceballos, M. C., Parson., T. D., Liu, K.*, & Xue, Y.*, Aug 2022, In: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 199, 107162

40.  [Journal]   Recent Advances in LoRa: A Comprehensive Survey

Sun, Z., Yang, H., Liu, K., Yin, Z., Li, Z., & Xu., W.*, 16 Jun 2022, (Online published) In: ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks

39.  [Journal]  Automated identification of chicken distress vocalisations using deep learning models

Mao, A., Giraudet, C. S. E.,  Liu, K.*, De Almeida Nolasco, I., Xie, Z., Xie, Z., Gao, Y., Theobald, J., Bheatta, D., Stewart, R., & McElligot, A. G.*, Jun 2022. In: Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 19, 191, 20210921. 

38.  [Journal] Short-wavelength light induces broiler's behavioural and physiological syndrome through a misaligned eating rhythm

Yang, Y., Liu, Q., Wang, S., Zeng, L., Pan, C., Jado, A., E;hadidi, Y., Liu, K.*, & Pan, J*., May 2022, In: International Journal of gricultural and Biological Engineering. 15, 3. p. 47-54 

37.  [Journal] Spatiotemporal graph of convulutional netwrok for automated detection and analysis of social behaviours among pre-weaning piglets

Gan, H., Xu, C., Hou, W., Guo, J., Liu, K.*, & Xue, Y.*, May 2022, In: Biosystems and Engineering. 217, p. 102-114

2021

36. [Conference] A Key Frame Selection Method for Creating Deep Learning Training Set in Animal Research Involving Time-Series Video Data

Huang, E., Mao, A., Gan, H., & Liu, K.*, Oct 2021, Animal Environment and Welfare - Proceeedings of International Symposium. Ni, J., Wang-Li, L. & Wang, C (eds.). International research Center for Animal Environment and Welfare,  p 287-294.

35.  [Journal] Cross-Modality Interaction Network for Equine Activity Recognition Using Imbalanced Multi-Modal Data

Mao, A., Huang, E., Gan, H., Parkes, R.S.V., Xu, W., Liu, K.*, Oct 2021, In: Sensors, 21(17), 5818

34.  [Journal] Center clustering network improves piglet counting under occlusion

Huang, E., Mao, A., Gan, H., Ceballos, M. C., Parsons, T. D., Xue, Y. & Liu, K.*, Oct 2021, In: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 189, 106417.

33.  [Journal] Fast and accurate detection of lactating sow nursing behavior with CNN-based optical flow and features

Gan, H., Li, S., Ou, M., Yang, X., Huang, B., Liu, K.*, Xue, Y*, Oct 2021, In: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 189, 106384

32. [Journal] Automated detection and analysis of social behaviors among preweaning piglets using key point-based spatial and temporal features

Gan, H., Ou, M., Huang, E., Xu, C., Li, S., Li, J., Liu, K.* & Xue, Y.*, , Sep 2021, In: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 188, 106357.

31.  [Conference] Cross-modality Interaction Network for Equine Activity Recognition Using Time-Series Motion Data

Mao, A., Huang, E., Xu, E., Liu, K*., (2021). Cross-modality interaction network for equine activity recognition using time-series motion data. 2021 International Symposium on Animal Environment and Welfare, Chongqing, China, 20-23 October 2021.

30.  [Conference] A Key Frame Selection Method for Creating Deep Learning Training Set in Animal Research Involving Time-Series Video Data

Huang, E., Mao, A., Gan, H., Liu, K*. (2021). A key frame selection method for creating deep learning training set in animal research involving time-series video data. 2021 International Symposium on Animal Environment and Welfare, Chongqing, China, 20-23 October 2021

29.  [Conference] Capacity Limit of Deep Learning Methods on Scenarios of Pigs in Farrowing Pen under Occlusion

Huang, E., Mao, A., Ceballos, M. C., Parsons, T. D. & Liu, K.*, (2021). Capacity limit of deep learning methods on scenarios of pigs in farrowing pen under occlusion. ASABE Paper No. 202100757, St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//doi.org/10.13031/aim.202100757

2020

28.  [Journal]  Static and Dynamic Space Usage of Late-Gestation Sows

Leonard, S. M., Xin, H.*, Ramirez, B. C., Stinn, J. P., Dutta, S., Liu, K. & Brown-Brandl, T. M., 2021, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 64, 1, p. 151-159

27.  [Conference]  Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing

Huang, E., Mao, A., Liu, K.*, & Xue, Y. (2020). Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing. In Proc. of the Second Asian Precision Livestock Farming (2nd PLF-Asia) Conference. Beijing, China.

2018

24.  [Journal]  Perch-shape preference and perching behaviors of young laying hens

Liu, K., Xin, H.*, Shepherd, T. & Zhao, Y., Jun 2018, In: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 203, p. 34-41

23.  [Journal]  Effect of fluorescent vs. poultry-specific light-emitting diode lights on production performance and egg quality of W-36 laying hens

Liu, K., Xin, H.*, Sekhon, J. & Wang, T., Mar 2018, In: Poultry Science. 97, 3, p. 834-844

22.  [Journal]  Effects of light-emitting diode light v. fluorescent light on growing performance, activity levels and well-being of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets

Liu, K., Xin, H.*, & Settar, P., Jan 2018, In: Animal. 12, 1, p. 106-115

21.  [Journal]  Mitigating Ammonia and PM Generation of Cage-Free Henhouse Litter with Solid Additive and Liquid Spray

Chai, L., Xin, H.*, Zhao, Y., Wang, T., Soupir, M. & Liu, K., 2018, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 61, 1, p. 287-294

20.  [Conference]  Behavioral and Production Responses of W-36 Chicks to Supplementary UVA Light

Liu, K., Wang, K., Fei, T., Xin, H.*, & Chai. L., (2018). Behavioral and production responses of W-36 chicks to supplementary UVA light. ASABE Paper No. ILEX18-011, St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//doi.org/10.13031/iles.18-011

19.  [Conference]  A RFID-based monitoring system for characterization of perching behaviors of individual poultry

Wang, K., Liu, K., Xin, H.*, Chai, L., Wang, Y., Fei, T., Oliveira, J., Pan, J., & Ying, Y., (2018). A RFID-based monitoring system for characterization of perching behaviors of individual poultry. ASABE Paper No. ILEX18-024. St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//doi.org/10.13031/iles.18-024

18.  [Conference]  Computer Vision-Based Animal Preference Assessment -Do Laying Hen Chicks Prefer Light with UVA Radiation?

Liu, K., Wang, K., Fei, T., Xin, H.,* & Chai, L. (2018). Computer vision-based animal preference assessment - do laying hen chicks prefer light supplemented with UVA radiation? ASABE Paper No. 1800193, St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//doi.org/10.13031/aim.201800193

17.  [Conference]  Behavior and production responses of W-36 chicks to supplementary UVA light (abstract)

Liu, K., Wang, K., Fei, T., Xin, H.*, & Chai, L. (2018). Behavior and production responses of W-36 chicks to supplementary UVA light (abstract). In Proc. of the Poultry Science Association 2018 Annual Meeting. San Antonio, Texas, USA, July 23-26, 2018.

2017

16.  [Journal]  Choice between LED and Fluorescent Lights by Pullets and Laying Hens

Liu, K., Xin, H.* & Chai, L., 2017, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 60, 6, p. 2185-2195

15.  [Journal]  Effects of horizontal distance between perches on perching behaviors of Lohmann hens

Liu, K. & Xin, H.*, Sep 2017, In: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 194, p. 54-61

14.  [Journal]  Precision livestock farming in egg production

Xin, H.* & Liu, K., Jan 2017, In: Animal Frontiers. 7, 1, p. 24-31

13.  [Journal]  A UHF RFID System for Studying Individual Feeding and Nesting Behaviors of Group-Housed Laying Hens

Li, L., Zhao, Y., Oliveira, J., Verhoijsen, W., Liu, K. & Xin, H.*, 2017, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 60, 4, p. 1337-1347

12.  [Journal]  Reduction of Particulate Matter and Ammonia by Spraying Acidic Electrolyzed Water onto Litter of Aviary Hen Houses: A Lab-Scale Study

Chai, L., Zhao, Y., Xin, H.*, Wang, T., Atilgan, A., Soupir, M. & Liu, K., In; Transactions of the ASABE. 60. 2, p. 497-506 

11.   [Conference]  A laboratory study on mitigation of particulate matter, ammonia and airborne bacteria from litter of cage-free layer housing

Chai, L., Zhao, Y., Xin, H.*, Wang, T., Soupir, M. & Liu, K., (2017). A laboratory study on mitigation of particulate matter, ammonia and airborne bacteria from litter of cage-free layer housing. In Proc. of the 2017 International Symposium on Animal Environment and Welfare. Chongqing, China, 23-26 October 2017.

10.  [Conference]  Choice between LED and fluorescent lights by pullets and laying hens

Liu, K., Xin, H.* & Chai, L., (2017). Choice between LED and fluorescent lights by pullets and laying hens. ASABE Paper No. 1700029. St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//dx.doi.org/10.13031/aim.201700029

9.  [Conference]  Mitigating Ammonia Emissions from Liquid-Sprayed Litter of Cage-Free Hen House with a Solid Litter Additive

Chai, L., Xin, H.*, Zhao, Y., Wang, T., Soupir, M., & Liu, K. (2017). Mitigating ammonia emissions from liquid-sprayed litter of cage-free hen house with a solid litter additive. ASABE Paper No. 1700279. St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//dx.doi.org/10.13031/aim.201700279

2016

8.  [Journal]  Light-Emitting Diode Spectral Sensitivity Relationship with Growth, Feed Intake, Meat, and Manure Characteristics in Broilers. 

Yang, Y., Jiang, J., Wang, Y., Liu, K., Teng. G., & Xin. H., 2016, In; Transactions of the ASABE, 59, 5, p. 1361-1370

7.  [Journal]  Automatic Recognition of Lactating Sow Behaviors Through Depth Image Processing

Lao, F., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Stinn, J. P., Liu, K., Teng, G., & Xin H, 2016, In: Computer and Electronics in Agriculture, 1259, p. 56-62

6.  [Journal]  Environmental Assessment of Three Egg Production Systems - Part III: Airborne Bacteria Concentrations and Emissions

Zhao, Y., Zhao, D., Ma, H., Liu, K., Atilgan, A., & Xin, H, 2016, In: Poultry Science. 97, 7, p. 1473-1481

5.  [Conference] Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing

Lao, F., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Stinn, J. P., Teng, G., Liu, K., Leonard, S. M., & Xin, H.* (2016). Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing. In Proc. of the First Asian Precision Livestock Farming (1st PLF-Asia) Conference. Beijing, China, 9-11 September 2016, eds. G. Zhang, C. Wang, W. Zheng and D. Berckmans, pp177-179.

4.  [Conference] Preference of W-36 pullets between a commercial LED light and a typical CFL light 

Liu, K., Chai, L., & Xin, H.* (2016). Preference of W-36 pullets between a commercial LED light and a typical CFL light. In Proc. of the First Asian Precision Livestock Farming (1st PLF-Asia) Conference. Beijing, China, 9-11 September 2016, eds. G. Zhang, C. Wang, W. Zheng and D. Berckmans, pp121-123.

3.  [Conference]  Reduction of particulate matter and ammonia by spraying acidic electrolyzed water onto litter of aviary hen houses - a lab-scale study

Chai, L., Zhao, Y., Xin, H.*, Wang, T., Atilgan, A., Soupir, M., & Liu, K. (2016) Reduction of particulate matter and ammonia by spraying acidic electrolyzed water onto litter of aviary hen houses – a lab-scale study. ASABE Paper No. 162455276. St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//dx.doi.org/10.13031/aim.20162455276

2.  [Conference] Nesting behaviors and egg production pattern of laying hens in enriched colony housing

Oliveira, J., Xin, H.*, Zhao, Y., Li, L., Liu, K., & Glaess, K. (2016). Nesting behaviors and egg production pattern of laying hens in enriched colony housing. ASABE Paper No. 162456546. St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//dx.doi.org/10.13031/aim.20162456546

1.  [Conference] Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing

Lao, F., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Stinn, J. P., Teng, G., Liu, K., & Xin, H*. (2016). Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing.. ASABE Paper No. 162461921. St Joseph, MI: ASABE. DOI: https//dx.doi.org/10.13031/aim.20162461921

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