Ultrasonic scanning measurements of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle to predict carcass muscle content in sheep

Nineteen Omani sheep (average 26 kg body weight) were scanned over the 6th rib, 12th rib and the second-last lumbar vertebra, to determine the maximum depth (B), circumference, area of the cross-section and volume of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LD) muscle. The volume of the muscle was estimated by multiplying the average area of its cross-section obtained at the three sites by its length. After slaughter, the LD muscle was dissected out, frozen, and its maximum depth, circumference, length, weight and volume were determined. Correlation and regression analyses were carried out to evaluate relationships between scanning and real measurements and between scanning measurements and carcass total muscle content. Generally there were positive correlations (r = 0.43-0.66) between the LD scanning measurements made at the 12th rib and the corresponding measurements made on the dissected muscle. The volume of the LD muscle estimated from scanning was positively correlated (r = 0.59) with its real volume which was correlated with its weight (r = 0.51) and consequently with the total carcass muscle content (r = 0.69). Ultrasonic scanning can be used to predict the circumference and volume of the LD muscle. These may be used for prediction of total carcass muscle content in sheep in addition to traditional measurements of the muscle (the maximum depth B) and area.     

A Lyapunov function of two-dimensional linear systems

In this note a Lyapunov function for a 2-D time invariant discrete linear system is introduced, using the 2-D system model given by Roesser [1]. The Lyapunov function may be used to investigate the asymptotic stability of the 2-D system. Previous work dealing with asymptotic stability of 2-D systems [3]-[5] is based upon the location of roots of the characteristic polynomial in the closed polydiskoverline{U}^{2}.     

UV-spectrophotometric determination of ampicillin sodium and sulbactam sodium in two-component mixtures

A simple spectrophotometric method is used for the resolution of the binary mixtures of ampicillin sodium and sulbactam sodium. In aqueous solution, zero-order spectra are subject to interference, so first-derivative spectrophotometry was used to enhance the spectral details allowing the determination of ampicillin sodium from the signal at the zero-crossing point for sulbactam sodium at 268 nm. In 0.1 N sodium hydroxide, sulbactam sodium was determined from the absorbance at 260 nm with negligible contribution from ampicillin sodium. Also, sulbactam sodium was determined without interference using first- and second-derivative spectra in 0.1 N sodium hydroxide at 276 nm (peak-height) and 262-284 nm (peak-to-peak), respectively. The method is rapid, simple, does not require a separation step and allows the determination of each drug without interference from the other. The proposed method has been applied successfully to the assay of these drugs in mixtures and in commercial injections.     

The influence of seasonal temperatures on meat quality characteristics of hot-boned, m. psoas major and minor, from goats and sheep

Samples of psoas major and minor muscles were randomly collected weekly from 203 (99 hot and 104 cool seasons) Omani goats, 215 (106 hot and 109 cool seasons) Omani sheep, 212 (104 hot and 108 cool seasons) Somali goats, 242 (127 hot and 115 cool seasons) Somali sheep and 211 (110 hot and 101 cool seasons) Australian Merino sheep slaughtered at the Central Slaughterhouse in Oman to investigate the effect of season on meat quality. The collection period was during November 2004–October 2005 and divided into two seasons according to ambient temperatures and relative humidity. These were termed: cool season (average temperature of 21 °C and 59% relative humidity and hot season (average temperature of 35 °C and 47% relative humidity). Muscles collected during the hot season had significantly (P < 0.05) higher ultimate pH values (5.78) than those collected during the cool season (5.65). Myofibrillar fragmentation index was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for hot season samples (86.88%) than for cool season samples (85.59%). Expressed juice was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for cool season samples (36.84) than for hot season samples (35.74). Goat meat from the hot seasonal group was significantly (P < 0.05) darker than the cold season group based on L* (37.6 vs. 39.6), a* (20.0 vs. 23.3) and b* (3.6 vs. 4.2) colour measurements. These results indicated that high ambient temperatures had caused an increase in muscle ultimate pH leading to significant effects on meat quality.     

Novel Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Sulfuric Acid

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - Salix leaves water extract was studied for the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in H2SO4 at different temperatures. Energy dispersive...