Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding micromolar calcium activated neutral protease (mu-calpain) effect meat tenderness in bovine. These SNPs correspond to position 18 of exon 9 of Seq. ID No. 3, position 17 of exon 14 of Seq. ID No. 4, and position 185 on intron 19 of Seq. ID No. 4, of the CAPN1 gene encoding mu-calpain. Alleles wherein the SNP at position 18 of exon 9 encodes alanine at amino acid 316 of bovine mu-calpain, the SNP at position 17 on exon 14 encodes valine at amino acid 530 of bovine mu-calpain, and the SNP at position 185 on intron 19 is an cytosine, are all indicative of increased meat tenderness. Any one or all of these SNPs may be used as markers for selecting bovines having superior meat tenderness, and selecting animals for breeding purposes.

Abstract: A self-powered towed underwater sensor is provided. The sensor has a shied casing which encloses an electric generator. The generator is connected to an impeller that is located at the midpoint of the casing. The impeller is covered by a shroud which minimizes the disturbance of the water by the impeller. The casing contains a shield which absorbs electromagnetic radiation produced by the generator. The shield is placed around the generator. A towed cable is connected to the forward end of the casing. The towed cable is made of a material having a high tensile strength to facilitate towing. A fiber optic cable is located within the towed cable and runs the length of the cable, specifically for transmission of received data from the attached sensor to the towing craft. The use of fiber optics prevents interference by electromagnetic radiation in the environment through which the cable passes, and there is no power lead that could conduct interference into the array.