Sire Differences for Growth and Carcass Traits of Purebred Brahman Steers.

Purebred Brahman steers (n = 169) sired by 23 Gray and 8 Red Brahman bulls were evaluated for postweaning growth and carcass traits. Spring-born paternal half-sib male calves were purchased from private producers at weaning, backgrounded, and grazed on ryegrass for an average of 161 d. Following grazing, the steers were shipped to a commercial feedlot in south Texas for feeding. Steers were slaughtered in groups of about 45 head when they reached an approximate average endpoint weight of 530 kg and 1 cm backfat. All carcasses were subjected to high voltage electrical stimulation during slaughter. After a 24 hr chill, carcasses were ribbed, data collected, and a longissimus muscle sample taken for calpastatin assay. Traits of interest were feedlot average daily gain, slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, backfat measured at the 12th rib, loin-eye area, loin-eye area per 45.4 kg of carcass weight, marbling score, quality grade, yield grade, calpastatin, shear force at 7 and 14 days of aging, and hump height. Two 2.54 cm thick steaks were removed from the large end of the strip loin, vacuum packaged, and randomly selected for 7 or 14 d. Steaks were then cooked to an internal temperature of 70°C and core samples measuring 1.27 cm were taken for shear force determination. A mixed model containing cow age and steer slaughter age as fixed covariates and sire as a random variable was used to analyze the data. BLUP estimates of sire expected progeny differences were obtained for all traits. Sire was a significant source of variation for all traits except for marbling and quality grade. Gray Brahman steers had heavier slaughter weights, heavier hot carcass weights, greater backfat, more marbling, less calpastatin, and were more tender at 14 d of aging when compared to Red Brahman steers (P \u3c .05). Red Brahman steers had more desirable yield grades with larger loin-eye area per 45.4 kg of carcass weight (P \u3c .05). These results indicate significant variation within the Brahman breed and useful genetic differences among Brahman sires for several growth and carcass traits

Incidence of an Astronaut Not Sealing the Pressure Garment Visor on Reentry

Audiovisual records of a Project Mercury pilot’s activities during an orbital flight indicate that his visor was left open during reentry and descent to the sea surface, phases of flight during which cabin pressure loss was to be mitigated by suit pressurization; however, the suit could not have been pressurized with the visor open. Thus, for a presently unknown reason, a critical safety step—sealing the visor and making a pressure suit integrity test before reentry—was overlooked in this flight. Later, Space Shuttle flights were carried out with visors unsealed for much of the launch and landing phases, with the false assumption that they could be closed if the crew cabin were to lose cabin pressure rapidly. The lessons are clear: first, spaceflight crews should be trained to seal visors for the entire launch and landing phases; and second, procedure checklists will always be important to crewed flight, in both public and private spaceflight

Organic/Inorganic Polymeric Composites for Heat-Transfer Reduction

Organic/inorganic polymeric composite materials have been invented with significant reduction in heat-transfer properties. Measured decreases of 20-50 percent in thermal conductivity versus that of the unmodified polymer matrix have been attained. These novel composite materials also maintain mechanical properties of the unmodified polymer matrix. The present embodiments are applicable, but not limited to: racing applications, aerospace applications, textile industry, electronic applications, military hardware improvements, and even food service industries. One specific application of the polymeric composition is for use in tanks, pipes, valves, structural supports, and components for hot or cold fluid process systems where heat flow through materials is problematic and not desired. With respect to thermal conductivity and physical properties, these materials are superior alternatives to prior composite materials. These materials may prove useful as substitutes for metals in some cryogenic applications. A material of this type can be made from a blend of thermoplastics, elastomers, and appropriate additives and processed on normal polymer processing equipment. The resulting processed organic/inorganic composite can be made into fibers, molded, or otherwise processed into useable articles

The $845,000 Porsche 918 Hybrid Spyder: Redefining the Supercar

As a result of the role of the automobile in contributing to carbon emissions and in symbolizing the overconsumption of scarce no n-renewable fuel reso urces coupled with the increased media focus on climat e change governments all over the world are intervening in the automobile market with regulation. Rising world oil prices and consumer preferences for enviro nmentally friendly goods has driven automobile manufacture rs to research, develop an d market alternative drive systems. Such advancements are now commo n in the family car market with hybrid electric as well as fully electric cars now ava ilable. However, Porsche are blazing a new trail with their introduction of the new 918 hybrid Sp yder. They plan to trigger acceptance for low emission hybrid drive systems in a market that has had few viable or perhaps even acceptable alternatives to the gasoline combustion engi ne – the supercar segment

Researching Seeds: Films, Sanitation Methods, Microbiological Growth, Viability, and Selection for New Crops

A major factor in long-term human exploration of the solar system is crop growth in microgravity. Space crops can provide fresh, nutritious food to supplement diets for astronauts. Important factors impacting space plant growth and consumption are water delivery to root zone in microgravity, sanitation methods for microbiological safety, plant responses to light quality/spectrum, and identifying optimal edible plants suitable for growth on the International Space Station (ISS). Astronauts growing their own food on the ISS provides necessary data for crop production for long duration deep space missions. The seed film project can be used in Advanced Plant Habitat and Veggies that are currently being utilized on the ISS

Approach for achieving flame retardancy while retaining physical properties in a compatible polymer matrix

The invention provides polymer blends containing polyhydroxyamide and one or more flammable polymers. The polymer blends are flame retardant and have improved durability and heat stability compared to the flammable polymer portion of the blends. Articles containing the polymer blends are also provided

Approach for achieving flame retardancy while retaining physical properties in a compatible polymer matrix

The invention provides polymer blends containing polyhydroxyamide and one or more flammable polymers. The polymer blends are flame retardant and have improved durability and heat stability compared to the flammable polymer portion of the blends. Articles containing the polymer blends are also provided

Fire-Retardant Polymeric Additives

Polyhydroxyamide (PHA) and polymethoxyamide (PMeOA) are fire-retardant (FR) thermoplastic polymers and have been found to be useful as an additive for imparting fire retardant properties to other compatible, thermoplastic polymers (including some elastomers). Examples of compatible flammable polymers include nylons, polyesters, and acrylics. Unlike most prior additives, PHA and PMeOA do not appreciably degrade the mechanical properties of the matrix polymer; indeed, in some cases, mechanical properties are enhanced. Also, unlike some prior additives, PHA and PMeOA do not decompose into large amounts of corrosive or toxic compounds during combustion and can be processed at elevated temperatures. PMeOA derivative formulations were synthesized and used as an FR additive in the fabrication of polyamide (PA) and polystyrene (PS) composites with notable reduction (>30 percent for PS) in peak heat release rates compared to the neat polymer as measured by a Cone Calorimeter (ASTM E1354). Synergistic effects were noted with nanosilica composites. These nanosilica composites had more than 50-percent reduction in peak heat release rates. In a typical application, a flammable thermoplastic, thermoplastic blend, or elastomer that one seeks to render flame-retardant is first dry-mixed with PHA or PMeOA or derivative thereof. The proportion of PHA or PMeOA or derivative in the mixture is typically chosen to lie between 1 and 20 weight percent. The dry blend can then be melt-extruded. The extruded polymer blend can further be extruded and/or molded into fibers, pipes, or any other of a variety of objects that may be required to be fire-retardant. The physical and chemical mechanisms which impart flame retardancy of the additive include inhibiting free-radical oxidation in the vapor phase, preventing vaporization of fuel (the polymer), and cooling through the formation of chemical bonds in either the vapor or the condensed phase. Under thermal stress, the cyclic hydroxyl/ methoxy component forms polybenzoxazole (PBO) in a reaction that absorbs heat from its surroundings. PBO under thermal stress cross-links, forming a protective char layer, which thermally insulates the polymer. Thus, the formation of the char layer further assists to extinguish the fire by preventing vaporization of the polymeric fuel

Injury Rates in Fly-Fishing: An Analysis of Contributing Factors

OBJECTIVE The sport of fly-fishing has experienced significant growth since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is very little literature available to quantify injuries associated with the sport of fly-fishing. Previous injury surveillance studies demonstrated certain casting styles and equipment may lead to upper extremity pain or injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors that can contribute to injuries that occur while participating in the sport of fly-fishing