Evaluating the Relationship between Ultrasound-derived Carcass Characteristics and Production Traits in Angus Cattle

Profitability in the beef industry is a crucial aspect of management schemes. The overall aim of this study was to determine if carcass ultrasonography in replacement heifers could explain variation in traits such as reproduction, a major factor in beef cattle efficiency and profitability. During a 10-year period, data were obtained from 906 yearling heifers through the use of carcass ultrasonography. The measurements collected included adjusted values for ribeye area (REA), percent intramuscular fat (%IMF), rib fat (RF), and rump fat. A retrospective analysis was performed on data collected and variables were separated into the extreme high and low 25% and the median 50%. Analysis examined whether a relationship existed between reproductive traits (percentage calving at two years of age, age at first calving, first calving interval, lifetime calving interval) and carcass measurements determined by ultrasonography. Age at first calving increased as ribeye area increased (Low REA 731.7±3.1 d; High REA 743.5±3.3 d; P=0.002). Rib fat was also related to age at first calving as heifers in the high grouping were approximately 9 days older at calving (Low RF, 734.5±3.1 d; High RF, 743.7±3.2 d; P=0.008). Expected progeny differences (EPD) for carcass traits such as REA also indicated differences between all three groups for age at first calving (Low REA EPD, 727.4±3.1 d; Med, 736.3±3.2 d; High, 746.2±3.2 d; P\u3c0.0001). Observation of marbling EPD’s resulted in a difference of 10 days for age at first calving between the high and low groups (Low MARB EPD, 734.4±3.1 d; High, 744.0±3.2 d; P=0.002). Interval from first to second calving (Low RF, 374.3±3.2 d; High RF, 361.7±3.5 d; P=0.014) and average lifetime calving interval (Low RF, 369.9±1.8 d; High RF, 362.8±2.1d; P=0.048) were both correlated with adjusted rib fat. Evaluation of longevity (birth date to date of last calving) established that heifers with a higher carcass EPD for REA remained in the herd for an additional 7.2 months (Low REA EPD, 39.8±4.2 mo.; High REA EPD, 47.0±4.2 mo.; P=0.023). Ultrasonography-derived carcass measurements and calculated carcass EPDs may be used as potential tools to predict reproductive soundness of a replacement heifer before being retained in the herd

Major Factors That Influence the Employment Decisions of Generation X Consulting Engineers

The purpose of this research was to study Generation X consulting engineers (those born between the years 1964 and 1980) in Lynchburg, Virginia, to determine the major factors that influence their employment decisions. Engineering consulting firms throughout the United States, particularly those in Lynchburg, have struggled to recruit young engineers in recent years. The recruiting of young engineers has been regarded by managers and executives as the single greatest challenge to the consulting profession. Despite the consensus within the profession that the problem existed, recommended solutions have been mostly speculative in nature and unsubstantiated by supportive data. This study focused on the perspective from Generation X engineers on recruiting and employment, and examined the key factors that led them to become consulting engineers in Lynchburg. This study\u27s contributions include development of a specific mixed method research approach to study recruiting of Generation X engineers, creation of knowledge that can be used as a foundation for future research, and the identification of factors that influence employment decisions of Generation X engineers that has practical use for improving recruiting techniques used by the consulting engineering profession

Development of a Novel Amphibious Locomotion System for use in Intra-Luminal Surgical Procedures

Colonoscopy is widely considered the gold standard for inspection of the colon. The procedure is however not without issue, current colonoscopes have seen little change or innovation throughout their 40 years of use with patient discomfort still limiting success. The aim of this PhD study was to develop a locomotion system for use on a robotic device that can traverse a liquid filled colon for atraumatic inspection and biopsy tasks. The PhD was undertaken as part of a larger two-centre EU project, which aimed to bring about a change in the way colonoscopy is done by moving to “robotic hydro-colonoscopy”. In this thesis the initial development and testing of an amphibious locomotion concept for use in a procedure known as hydro-colonoscopy is described. The locomotion system is comprised of four Archimedes’ screws arranged in two counter-rotating pairs. These aim to provide propulsion through a fluid-filled colon as well as provide locomotive traction against colonic tissue in partially fluid-filled or collapsed sections of the colon, such as the splenic flexure. Experimental studies were carried out on a single screw system in fluid and dual counter-rotating screws in contact conditions. These show the system’s ability to generate thrust in the two discrete modes of locomotion of the amphibious system. A 2:1 scale prototype of the proposed device was produced and features compliant screw threads to provide atraumatic locomotion. The scale prototype device was tested in ex-vivo porcine colon. The developed system was able to traverse through lumen to limited success, which demonstrated that this concept has the potential for use on an intra-luminal robotic device The key contributions of this research are: variable geometry locomotion system; amphibious locomotion using Archimedes’ screws; experimental assessment of the locomotion in fluid, contact and amphibious states; and analysis of the contact dynamics against tissue

Effectiveness of Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Education in the USA: A Study of Satisfaction Measures

Occupational and Adult Educatio

AVION: A detailed report on the preliminary design of a 79-passenger, high-efficiency, commercial transport aircraft

The Avion is the result of an investigation into the preliminary design for a high-efficiency commercial transport aircraft. The Avion is designed to carry 79 passengers and a crew of five through a range of 1,500 nm at 455 kts (M=0.78 at 32,000 ft). It has a gross take-off weight of 77,000 lb and an empty weight of 42,400 lb. Currently there are no American-built aircraft designed to fit the 60 to 90 passenger, short/medium range marketplace. The Avion gathers the premier engineering achievements of flight technology and integrates them into an aircraft which will challenge the current standards of flight efficiency, reliability, and performance. The Avion will increase flight efficiency through reduction of structural weight and the improvement of aerodynamic characteristics and propulsion systems. Its design departs from conventional aircraft design tradition with the incorporation of a three-lifting-surface (or tri-wing) configuration. Further aerodynamic improvements are obtained through modest main wing forward sweeping, variable incidence canards, aerodynamic coupling between the canard and main wing, leading edge extensions, winglets, an aerodynamic tailcone, and a T-tail empennage. The Avion is propelled by propfans, which are one of the most promising developments for raising propulsive efficiencies at high subsonic Mach numbers. Special attention is placed on overall configuration, fuselage layout, performance estimations, component weight estimations, and planform design. Leading U.S. technology promises highly efficient flight for the 21st century; the Avion will fulfill this promise to passenger transport aviation

Access to the countryside:the tragedy of the House of Commons

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (the CRoW Act) serves as an example of the way in which ideology can frequently become a casualty of realpolitik. Wider access to the countryside was a pillar of Labour Party general election manifestos from the 1950s until the introduction of the CRoW Act. This article examines the antecedents and emergence of this statute to determine whether the eventual form of the rights of access under the CRoW Act represent a missed opportunity to grant public rights over private land

Evolutionary relationships in Panicoid grasses based on plastome phylogenomics (Panicoideae; Poaceae)

Background: Panicoideae are the second largest subfamily in Poaceae (grass family), with 212 genera and approximately 3316 species. Previous studies have begun to reveal relationships within the subfamily, but largely lack resolution and/or robust support for certain tribal and subtribal groups. This study aims to resolve these relationships, as well as characterize a putative mitochondrial insert in one linage. Results: 35 newly sequenced Panicoideae plastomes were combined in a phylogenomic study with 37 other species: 15 Panicoideae and 22 from outgroups. A robust Panicoideae topology largely congruent with previous studies was obtained, but with some incongruences with previously reported subtribal relationships. A mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to plastid DNA (ptDNA) transfer was discovered in the Paspalum lineage. Conclusions: The phylogenomic analysis returned a topology that largely supports previous studies. Five previously recognized subtribes appear on the topology to be non-monophyletic. Additionally, evidence for mtDNA to ptDNA transfer was identified in both Paspalum fimbriatum and P. dilatatum, and suggests a single rare event that took place in a common progenitor. Finally, the framework from this study can guide larger whole plastome sampling to discern the relationships in Cyperochloeae, Steyermarkochloeae, Gynerieae, and other incertae sedis taxa that are weakly supported or unresolved.Fil: Burke, Sean V.. Northern Illinois University; Estados UnidosFil: Wysocki, William P.. Northern Illinois University; Estados UnidosFil: Zuloaga, Fernando Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Craine, Joseph M.. Jonah Ventures; Estados UnidosFil: Pires, J. Chris. University of Missouri; Estados UnidosFil: Edger, Patrick P.. Michigan State University; Estados UnidosFil: Mayfield Jones, Dustin. Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; Estados UnidosFil: Clark, Lynn G.. Iowa State University; Estados UnidosFil: Kelchner, Scot A.. University of Idaho; Estados UnidosFil: Duvall, Melvin R.. Northern Illinois University; Estados Unido

Modifications of the metabolic pathways of lipid and triacylglycerol production in microalgae

Microalgae have presented themselves as a strong candidate to replace diminishing oil reserves as a source of lipids for biofuels. Here we describe successful modifications of terrestrial plant lipid content which increase overall lipid production or shift the balance of lipid production towards lipid varieties more useful for biofuel production. Our discussion ranges from the biosynthetic pathways and rate limiting steps of triacylglycerol formation to enzymes required for the formation of triacylglycerol containing exotic lipids. Secondarily, we discuss techniques for genetic engineering and modification of various microalgae which can be combined with insights gained from research in higher plants to aid in the creation of production strains of microalgae

Campaign speech of W.D. Mayfield [for re-election as State Superintendent of Education]

This speech was given by Mr. Mayfield while running for re-election to the office of State Superintendent of Education. He gives evidence and reasons that he should be re-elected. He also talks about his future plans for if he does get re-elected