Evaluation of peri-partum supplementation of methionine hydroxy analog on cow-calf performance

The objective was to evaluate the effects of peripartum supplementation of methionine hydroxy analog (MFP; Novus International, Inc. St. Charles, MO) to nulliparous beef females on dam and progeny performance. Yearling Angus heifers (n = 60) were blocked by expected parturition date, stratified by body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), and randomized to 1 of 15 pens (4 females/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments; a basal diet supplemented with either 1) 0 g ïÿý animal-1 ïÿý d-1 of MFP (M0); 2) 15 g ïÿý animal-1 ïÿý d-1 of MFP (M15); or 3) 30 g ïÿý animal-1 ïÿý d-1 of MFP (M30). The basal diet consisted of ground hay, silage, and distillers grains and was formulated to maintain similar BW across treatments. Diets were fed from 45 ïÿý 13 d prior to average parturition date through 81 ïÿý 13 d postpartum (DPP) when all cow-calf pairs were commingled and managed as a singular group on pasture until weaning (199 ïÿý 13 DPP). Dam BW, BCS, and blood samples were taken at six predetermined timepoints throughout the study. Progeny data collection occurred at birth, two intermediate timepoints, and at weaning. Milk samples were collected for component analysis at 7 ïÿý 2 DPP and at 55 ïÿý 5 DPP. Serial blood samples were analyzed to establish resumption of postpartum cyclicity, and ultrasonography was performed at 55 ïÿý 5 DPP to evaluate ovarian function. Cows were artificially inseminated at 82 ïÿý 13 DPP and turned out with bulls for a 55-d breeding season. Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS, respectively. Dam BW and BCS were not different (P ≥ 0.24) across treatments throughout the study. Week 1 milk fat increased (P = 0.05) linearly and total solids tended to increase (P = 0.07) as MFP increased in the diet; however, no other milk components differed (P ≥ 0.16) as a result of treatment. No differences (P ≥ 0.16) in dam reproductive parameters or progeny performance were observed. At breeding (the conclusion of dietary treatments) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations linearly decreased (P = 0.03) with increased supplementation of MFP and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations were lower (P = 0.04) in MFP-supplemented dams compared to dams receiving no MFP. Concentrations of BUN and NEFA were not different (P ≥ 0.22) at any other remaining timepoint nor were glucose and methionine (Met) concentrations different (P ≥ 0.15) at any point. These data indicate that supplementation of MFP in late gestation and early lactation may increase milk fat components immediately after calving but does not translate to significant changes in progeny growth or dam reproductive performance

Mission planning for the Lidar in Space Technology Experiment

Developing a mission planning system for a Space Shuttle mission is a complex procedure. Several months of preparation are required to develop a plan that optimizes science return during the short operations time frame. Further complicating the scenario is the necessity to schedule around crew activities and other payloads which share Orbiter resources. SpaceTec, Inc. developed the mission planning system for the Lidar In Space Technology Experiment, or LITE, which flew on Space Shuttle mission STS-64 in September of 1994. SpaceTec used a combination of off-th-shelf and in-house developed software to analyze various mission scenarios both premission and real-time during the flight. From this analysis, SpaceTec developed a comprehensive mission plan that met the mission objectives

Crew Module Overview

The presentation presents an overview of the Crew Module development for the Pad Abort 1 flight test. The presentation describes the integration activity from the initial delivery of the primary structure through the installation of vehicle subsystems, then to flight test. A brief overview of flight test results is given

The Hyper-X Flight Systems Validation Program

For the Hyper-X/X-43A program, the development of a comprehensive validation test plan played an integral part in the success of the mission. The goal was to demonstrate hypersonic propulsion technologies by flight testing an airframe-integrated scramjet engine. Preparation for flight involved both verification and validation testing. By definition, verification is the process of assuring that the product meets design requirements; whereas validation is the process of assuring that the design meets mission requirements for the intended environment. This report presents an overview of the program with emphasis on the validation efforts. It includes topics such as hardware-in-the-loop, failure modes and effects, aircraft-in-the-loop, plugs-out, power characterization, antenna pattern, integration, combined systems, captive carry, and flight testing. Where applicable, test results are also discussed. The report provides a brief description of the flight systems onboard the X-43A research vehicle and an introduction to the ground support equipment required to execute the validation plan. The intent is to provide validation concepts that are applicable to current, follow-on, and next generation vehicles that share the hybrid spacecraft and aircraft characteristics of the Hyper-X vehicle

X-57 Power and Command System Design

This paper describes the power and command system architecture of the X-57 Maxwell flight demonstrator aircraft. The X-57 is an experimental aircraft designed to demonstrate radically improved aircraft efficiency with a 3.5 times aero-propulsive efficiency gain at a "high-speed cruise" flight condition for comparable general aviation aircraft. These gains are enabled by integrating the design of a new, optimized wing and a new electric propulsion system. As a result, the X-57 vehicle takes advantage of the new capabilities afforded by electric motors as primary propulsors. Integrating new technologies into critical systems in experimental aircraft poses unique challenges that require careful design considerations across the entire vehicle system, such as qualification of new propulsors (motors, in the case of the X-57 aircraft), compatibility of existing systems with a new electric power distribution bus, and instrumentation and monitoring of newly qualified propulsion system devices

Flight Avionics Hardware Roadmap

As part of NASA's Avionics Steering Committee's stated goal to advance the avionics discipline ahead of program and project needs, the committee initiated a multi-Center technology roadmapping activity to create a comprehensive avionics roadmap. The roadmap is intended to strategically guide avionics technology development to effectively meet future NASA missions needs. The scope of the roadmap aligns with the twelve avionics elements defined in the ASC charter, but is subdivided into the following five areas: Foundational Technology (including devices and components), Command and Data Handling, Spaceflight Instrumentation, Communication and Tracking, and Human Interfaces

X-57 Maxwell Battery from Cell Level to System Level Design and Testing

The X-57 Maxwell flight demonstrator aircraft is an experimental aircraft designed to demonstrate radically improved aircraft efficiency with a 3.5 times aero-propulsive efficiency gain at a "high-speed cruise" flight condition for comparable general aviation aircraft. These gains are enabled by integrating the design of a new, optimized wing and a new electric propulsion system. There are 14 propulsors in all: 12 high lift motor that are only active during takeoff and climb, and 2 larger motors positioned on the wingtips that operate over the entire mission. The innovative electric propulsion system will have as its primary power a Li-ion battery system. Integrating a battery system into this innovative design poses unique challenges that require careful design considerations across the system. The presentation will cover a breakout of X-57 battery specifications, battery design and lessons learned when designing a high voltage battery system to power electrified aircrafts

Evaluation of peri-partum supplementation of methionine hydroxy analog on cow-calf performance

The objective was to evaluate the effects of peripartum supplementation of methionine hydroxy analog (MFP; Novus International, Inc. St. Charles, MO) to nulliparous beef females on dam and progeny performance. Yearling Angus heifers (n = 60) were blocked by expected parturition date, stratified by body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), and randomized to 1 of 15 pens (4 females/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments; a basal diet supplemented with either 1) 0 g à ¯à ¿à ½ animal-1 à ¯à ¿à ½ d-1 of MFP (M0); 2) 15 g à ¯à ¿à ½ animal-1 à ¯à ¿à ½ d-1 of MFP (M15); or 3) 30 g à ¯à ¿à ½ animal-1 à ¯à ¿à ½ d-1 of MFP (M30). The basal diet consisted of ground hay, silage, and distillers grains and was formulated to maintain similar BW across treatments. Diets were fed from 45 à ¯à ¿à ½ 13 d prior to average parturition date through 81 à ¯à ¿à ½ 13 d postpartum (DPP) when all cow-calf pairs were commingled and managed as a singular group on pasture until weaning (199 à ¯à ¿à ½ 13 DPP). Dam BW, BCS, and blood samples were taken at six predetermined timepoints throughout the study. Progeny data collection occurred at birth, two intermediate timepoints, and at weaning. Milk samples were collected for component analysis at 7 à ¯à ¿à ½ 2 DPP and at 55 à ¯à ¿à ½ 5 DPP. Serial blood samples were analyzed to establish resumption of postpartum cyclicity, and ultrasonography was performed at 55 à ¯à ¿à ½ 5 DPP to evaluate ovarian function. Cows were artificially inseminated at 82 à ¯à ¿à ½ 13 DPP and turned out with bulls for a 55-d breeding season. Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS, respectively. Dam BW and BCS were not different (P ≥ 0.24) across treatments throughout the study. Week 1 milk fat increased (P = 0.05) linearly and total solids tended to increase (P = 0.07) as MFP increased in the diet; however, no other milk components differed (P ≥ 0.16) as a result of treatment. No differences (P ≥ 0.16) in dam reproductive parameters or progeny performance were observed. At breeding (the conclusion of dietary treatments) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations linearly decreased (P = 0.03) with increased supplementation of MFP and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations were lower (P = 0.04) in MFP-supplemented dams compared to dams receiving no MFP. Concentrations of BUN and NEFA were not different (P ≥ 0.22) at any other remaining timepoint nor were glucose and methionine (Met) concentrations different (P ≥ 0.15) at any point. These data indicate that supplementation of MFP in late gestation and early lactation may increase milk fat components immediately after calving but does not translate to significant changes in progeny growth or dam reproductive performance.</p

Expecting Immediate Grades

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of expecting immediate grades on numerical and verbal reasoning performance and the moderating role of achievement goals. Anticipated grade proximity (immediate vs. 1 week later) and goal orientation (approach vs. avoidance) were manipulated with instructions. Experiment 1 showed that expecting immediate grades yielded lower numerical performance than expecting delayed feedback, regardless of participants’ goal orientation. Neither grade proximity nor goal orientation impacted verbal performance. In Experiment 2, we used a stronger goal manipulation and included measures of motivation. Expecting immediate grades increased task anxiety, lowered task involvement, and lowered task effort among participants with avoidance goals, compared with expecting delayed grades. The effects on performance were not replicated in Experiment 2, however. The findings demonstrate that expecting immediate grades may have negative consequences under certain conditions, including demotivation and performance impairment