Sheppard Outduels Tegg At Canandaigua Motorsports Park

Defending track champion Matt Sheppard thwarted a late-race charge from early season surprise Gil Tegg Jr. to score his first Big-Block Modified victory of the season at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Saturday, setting his sights clearly on a third points title in four years at the Ontario County Fairgrounds.        Mirroring their winning efforts from a week ago, Dan Wiesner (Safety Awareness Solutions Sportsman Modified), Russ Marsden (Parts Plus Street Stock) and Vance Vanderwall (Pure Stock) each returned to pose in victory lane while Josh Livingston closed out the five-star program by capturing the New Legends Sportsman opener.

Sheppard's 23rd career win was well in hand after overtaking Tegg for the lead early in the headline 35-lapper, yet Tegg regained the point with less than 10 to go forcing 'Super Matt' to regroup just in time to make the final pass as the white flag waved.

“(Gil) was really fast tonight,” noted Sheppard, who moved to the top of the Original Pizza Logs Big-Block point standings after two events, placing fourth in last weekend's Super DIRTcar Series showdown. “Actually thought he had a little better car than we did.”

“I've known Gilly for a long time, would've liked to see him get a win. I felt bad, but not that bad, we wanted to win one too,” smiled Sheppard, after edging out Tegg by a half-dozen car-lengths to cap off a thrilling run to the checkers.

A pre-race draw instituted during the month of April lined up Sheppard fourth on the 24-car starting to begin the Original Pizza Logs Modified main, putting the second-generation driver from Waterloo in prime position to grab the first-place trophy. As expected, the 29 year-old standout ducked under early pace-setter Tegg on lap seven and with 15 flashing on the scoreboard had increased the margin to nearly a full straightaway around the fast half-miler.

Pole-sitter Eldon Payne Jr. slid off the track high exiting the first turn to force out a yellow flag on lap 24 and tighten the pack that included rising star Rob Bellinger, Tegg, Vince Vitale and Chuck Bower. Tegg regained the runner-up slot before a left-front flat tire on Peter Britten's mount incurred another slowdown three laps later.

A stubborn Tegg surprized Sheppard on the ensuing lap 27 restart, rim-riding high out of turn four to swap spots with the reigning Super DIRTcar Series points king and create a buzz from the hearty fans on hand despite the rainy forecast.

Defending track champion Matt Sheppard thwarted a late-race charge from early season surprise Gil Tegg Jr. to score his first Big-Block Modified victory of the season at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Saturday, setting his sights clearly on a third points title in four years at the Ontario County Fairgrounds.        Mirroring their winning efforts from a week ago, Dan Wiesner (Safety Awareness Solutions Sportsman Modified), Russ Marsden (Parts Plus Street Stock) and Vance Vanderwall (Pure Stock) each returned to pose in victory lane while Josh Livingston closed out the five-star program by capturing the New Legends Sportsman opener.

Sheppard's 23rd career win was well in hand after overtaking Tegg for the lead early in the headline 35-lapper, yet Tegg regained the point with less than 10 to go forcing 'Super Matt' to regroup just in time to make the final pass as the white flag waved.

“(Gil) was really fast tonight,” noted Sheppard, who moved to the top of the Original Pizza Logs Big-Block point standings after two events, placing fourth in last weekend's Super DIRTcar Series showdown. “Actually thought he had a little better car than we did.”

“I've known Gilly for a long time, would've liked to see him get a win. I felt bad, but not that bad, we wanted to win one too,” smiled Sheppard, after edging out Tegg by a half-dozen car-lengths to cap off a thrilling run to the checkers.

A pre-race draw instituted during the month of April lined up Sheppard fourth on the 24-car starting to begin the Original Pizza Logs Modified main, putting the second-generation driver from Waterloo in prime position to grab the first-place trophy. As expected, the 29 year-old standout ducked under early pace-setter Tegg on lap seven and with 15 flashing on the scoreboard had increased the margin to nearly a full straightaway around the fast half-miler.

Pole-sitter Eldon Payne Jr. slid off the track high exiting the first turn to force out a yellow flag on lap 24 and tighten the pack that included rising star Rob Bellinger, Tegg, Vince Vitale and Chuck Bower. Tegg regained the runner-up slot before a left-front flat tire on Peter Britten's mount incurred another slowdown three laps later.

A stubborn Tegg surprized Sheppard on the ensuing lap 27 restart, rim-riding high out of turn four to swap spots with the reigning Super DIRTcar Series points king and create a buzz from the hearty fans on hand despite the rainy forecast.

Starting 21st on the grid after qualifying through the consolation round, last week's Jan Corcoran Memorial winner Danny Johnson once again played a pivotal part in the final outcome. After rallying into third, Johnson suffered a flat tire with two laps left to bring out a caution that gave Sheppard new life and put Tegg's second career Canandaigua win on hold.

Sheppard took advantage when Tegg drifted high on the last restart and crossed the line first to complete lap 34. It was no contest the final time around as the potent JB Motorsports no. 9s F.X. Caprara Car Co.-Xteme Lubricants/Bicknell entry pulled away from Tegg with Bellinger, Alan Johnson and Vitale chasing in the Top-5

“We've run so many races, some you start up front and others in the rear so I don't think it matters as much with so many good cars out there nowadays,” remarked Sheppard, who needed his back-up car to get the job done on this occasion. “I got in too low (turn 4) a couple times and almost gave it away on a restart but fortunately got it back on that last one.”

“Don't really know what happened to the (primary) car, ran it in warm-ups and everything seemed fine driving it through the pits. Then it started making a heck of a racket. Don't know what the noise was, transmission maybe motor, so we unloaded this car and the guys worked real hard tonight and it paid off.”

Team work proved just as significant for Wiesner as the Geneva pilot alluded to following a command performance in the 25-lap Safety Awareness Solutions Sportsman nightcap.

“We had a death in the family this week, so this win goes out to my wife's grandfather who passed away,” acknowledged Wiesner, after moving into fifth-place all-time at Canandaigua with his 19th career Sportsman triumph. “These (crew) guys busted their butts all week. I wasn't around, maybe put in two hours at the shop, so I'm truly grateful for all the support.”

Open-wheel veteran Todd Henderson out-dragged front row partner James Henry at the start before Kevin Ridley moved to the point on lap three. Tenth-place starter Wiesner improved to eighth after a handful of laps and moved his no. 66 Monroe Wheelchair-Wayne's Spa Service/Bicknell machine into the front-five by lap 10.

A rare red flag flew over the field on lap 11 when Greg Cool looped his mount in turns three and four and was rammed by Rob Bussey within seconds. Bussey went airborne and rolled over before his car came to rest on its side, forcing a 15-minute delay as the track safety crew took care of the fuel spill that resulted in the crash.

Back under green, Karl Comfort blasted by Ridley to lead lap 12 with Wiesner taking  over second on lap 14. The caution-fest continued when Steve Gray stopped in turn two on lap 19 and a multi-car tangle slowed the action once again on the next lap just as Wiesner edged past Comfort to forge the final lead change.

“Things kind of panned out for us tonight,” added Wiesner, after out-distancing Comfort by 10 car-lengths followed by first-year CMP regular Dave Marcuccilli, past CMP champ Ridley and Niagara Frontier invader Greg Martin. “We finished outside the draw but the heads-up start after that put us 10th instead of maybe 18th like we'd be after normal handicapping. We still had to pass a lot of cars so we're happy with that.”

Starting eighth out of 10 cars that filed in for the 15-lap Parts Plus Street Stock finale, heat winner Marsden from Mexico, NY continued his dominance in the full-fender ranks by registering his second straight win in convincing fashion.

“I can only keep giving thanks to Pat (Flack) and Marty (Patchen) for letting me drive this car and Jeremie (Corcorn, CMP promoter) for giving us such a great track,” said Marsden, who closed out the 2011 Canandaigua campaign winning the last two races. He reached sixth on the final points chart despite missing a half-dozen shows. “This is a great place to be every week, already looking forward to coming back.”

Jason Whipple diced side-by-side early with Jack Terrell and Michael Cooper before  Nate Daggett took over the top spot on lap six. In a three-wide maneuver with 2011 points champion Mike Welch, Marsden grabbed second on lap nine and inched past Daggett the following circuit before putting the white no. 28 Flack’s Hi-Rise Concrete Restoration-Coatings Plus/Chevrolet Impala ahead by six car-lenths at the stripe.

Welch and Daggett finished in order for the second straight week with Cooper and Terrell tallying their first Top-5s of the season.

Coming from dead-last in the 15-lap Pure Stock main was a feat in itself for Saturday's winner Vanderwall, yet coming away with his second victory of the new season in a totally different car was even more satisfying for the Palmyra pilot.

“We broke a valve spring I don't know when last week, but just figured it out yesterday and it was too late to fix,” divulged Vanderwall, after climbing out of the gray no. 23 Pulcini Contracting-District II Beef Farms Oldsmobile Cutlass. Last Saturday his orange no. 742 Pulcini Contracting-Carriarge Stop Restoration Chevrolet Monte Carlo carried him to the winner's circle.

“This was a car I built for my stepfather and he ran it a couple seasons and I bought it from him over the winter so it was just our spare. Since we couldn't run the new car, we pulled this one out of the weeds and went to town on it last night. Hopefully, we'll have the (742) back out next week,” said Vanderwall, following his sixth career division win at the fairgrounds.

An opening lap tangle involving track rookie Cliff Brucker and Canandaigua regular Dave Bush slowed the race early, and when leader Eric Chapman was charged with firing too early and sent to the rear on the initial restart Jeremy Pifer advanced to the point. Vanderwall completed his charge to the front on lap three and when the final yellow flag dropped with only one to go just three of the 10 starters remained.

Attempting to match his runner-up tally from the weekend prior, Marc Minutolo went off the track low in turn two on the final circuit to relinquish the spot to Chris Gingerich while Chapman and Brad Steinruck were credited with Top-5 finishes.

It was the 2012 season debut for Canandaigua's New Legends Sportsman division and when the final checkered flag fell, Livingston had become the newest entry in the 'Land of Legends' record book. A graduate of quarter-midget and go-cart racing, the Odessa driver survived contact with hometown racer Jason Scales to steal away the lead on lap seven and cruise on for a half straightaway victory in the 10-lap entry level affair.

Daryl Nutting nosed ahead of heat winner Scales to complete the opening circuit yet  Scales would not be held back the second time around the ultra-smooth clay oval. Aboard Modified driver Marcus Dinkus' yellow no. 17 Swarthout Recycling/TEO team car, Livingston would not be denied either as the top two rubbed rails in the second corner before Livingston emerged as the third leader in his first-ever Sportsman attempt.

Canandaigua Motorsports Park is back in action on Saturday, April 21 with a full card of Original Pizza Logs Big-Block Modified, Safety Awarness Solutions Sportsman, Parts Plus Street Stock, Pure Stock and New Legends Sportsman racing. Pit gates are unlocked at 4pm, grandstands open at 5pm and the first qualifying heat goes green at 7pm.

A complete schedule is posted on CanandaiguaMotorsportsPark.com along with updated point standings, driver rosters and the latest breaking news. Send a note to to join the e-mail list, or register with twitter.com/Canandaigua_MSP to keep up-to-date on-line and through text messages on cell phones via Twitter.

GMC Canyon: A Functional Vehicle

The GMC Canyon has been in the automobile world since the year 2004. It arrived at the auto scene with its relative the Chevrolet Colorado. The GMC is a truck and actually are produced and manufactured in Thailand.

When the GMC Canyon first arrived on the scene in 2004, it was a pretty impressive truck. It held plenty of power along with a very spacious interior that had the consumers and aficionados flocking to see what the truck was all about. It also was functional for it could transport not only people but cargo as well.

There are two engine choices for this vehicle. There is the standard 2.8 liter Vortec engine with four inline cylinders. This engine could produce some 175 units of power as well as 185 pound feet of torque. As per the optional engine, it is the 3.5 liter Vortec engine with five inline cylinders. This is the first engine with five cylinders to be used in consumer pickups. It has the capacity to produce 220 horsepower as well as 225 pound feet of torque. Both of these engines are very much capable of powering the GMC Canyon. Also, both come with electronic throttle control, variable valve timing, as well as coil on plug ignition. For a smooth and even ride, the GMC Canyon has an all-new five speed manual transmission.

This truck actually comes available in two wheel drive or in four wheel drive. It has been manufactured and made available in three body styles that comprise of the crew cab, the extended cab, and the regular cab. All of these body styles hold the four wheel anti lock brake system, or ABS, with tandem power brake boosters, dual-piston disc front brakes with audible wear sensors. Standard for this vehicle are fifteen inch aluminum wheels and tires.

If a person goes inside the cabin of the GMC Canyon and gets a feel of the interior, one would feel supreme comfort. The 60/40 bench seats are in cloth or vinyl and there are also reclining bucket seats if you opt for those. Behind the driver’s seat, one would find a driver information center with system readouts. The GMC Canyon also has an electrochromic rearview mirror with compass and outside temperature gauge. There are optional heated leather bucket seats. An AM/FM stereo with an optional in-dash six CD changer could be added, as well as an optional OnStar system and XM Satellite radio.

As per safety, the GMC Canyon also has safety features in stock. The list includes driver and front passenger dual stage front air bags, head curtain side air bags, passenger side air bag, reinforced safety cage and side guard door beams for added safety, high-intensity halogen headlamps, fog lamps, an all steel body, three point lap shoulder belts in all three seating positions, as well as the LATCH system for kids’ safety.

Nitrous Kits: NOS Parts Increase Horsepower Offer Best Bang for Buck?

Are you looking for ways to increase horsepower without breaking the bank? There are many options out there but I want to show you how Nitrous Kits or NOS parts stack up against other common methods that allow you to boost your horsepower.

NOS parts are thought to be an expensive, hardly practical alternative but in reality it is quite the opposite. One common modification is changing the stock heads and cams. Many stock engines have one intake valve and one exhaust valve. Buying a new head that has four valves per cylinder will improve airflow in and out of the engine and this can improve power. New Aluminum heads on a small block may offer an easy 50 extra horsepower when compared to stock iron heads, but this comes at a price. New heads alone are going to cost you at least $1,000 which could buy a top notch nitrous kit that can add 600 or more horsepower on demand

Another common way to increase your horsepower is to stuff more fuel into each cylinder. Turbo chargers/super chargers pressurize the incoming air to effectively cram more air/fuel into each cylinder. But. while burning more fuel is great for more power, it is not so great for the day to day grind. If you install a Nitrous kit, with the flick of a switch you can easily add horse power anytime you want, while maintaining the ability to drive your stock engine to work without stopping to fill up your gas tank every other block.

Contrary to common belief NOS Parts are not bad for your engine if used properly. It is a fact that all engines wear with time, but most people do not realize other popular methods, like the ones mentioned above, increase horsepower in ways that are a lot harder on your engine than Nitrous. These methods rely on increasing your RPMS which can affect the life of your engine.

Celtics Live Blog: Jarrett Jack Lights Up C’s, Who Fall to 0-3 on Season With 97-78 Loss to Hornets – Boston Celtics – NESN.com

Final, Hornets 97-78: The Celtics are winless in their first three games, and an upcoming stretch of six home games in their next seven contests never looked so good.

Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry torched Boston, which apart from a couple solid performances by Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, had nothing to offer in its third game in four days.

Jack had 21 points in 38:20, shooting 8-for-17 almost entirely off floaters. He added nine assists and one turnover while chipping in four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Landry posted his usual all-around stat line with 20 points, 11 rebounds and one block in 29:16.

Rondo scored 13 points and had six assists in 34:22, but he struggled with his ball control in the second half and turned the ball over four times. Allen scored 15 points but took only 10 shots in the 29:38 he spent on the floor.

Teams with multiple big men with a range of styles are going to give the Celtics fits. Chris Kaman, Emeka Okafor, Landry and even Jason Smith challenged Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal and Brandon Bass, who did not have the mobility to bang with the Hornets down low or get out on players like Okafor, Kaman and Smith who can knock down short jumpers.

Garnett and O'Neal combined for 10 points, 13 rebounds and six fouls, although in fairness to O'Neal, all of his fouls were debatable.

The home opener is Friday. If you're not at the TD Garden to cheer on the green, check back here for updates and unmatched witty commentary.

Fourth quarter, 2:15, Hornets 95-74: There will be no comeback on this night.

O'Neal picks up foul No. 4 and Okafor hits both free throws for an 88-71 New Orleans lead. Things only get worse from there for the Celtics after checking in JaJuan Johnson, Moore, Stiemsma and Avery Bradley to share the court with Daniels. An Ariza 3 puts the Hornets up 21 and the Celtics are 135 seconds from being 0-3.

Fourth quarter, 6:23, Hornets 85-67: This is what happens when you talk as much trash as Garnett and your man drills a jumper in your face.

Landry launched into a monologue after drilling and 18-footer against Garnett, and as the Celtics retreated to their bench with an 18-point disadvantage, he kept letting Garnett know about it.

The starters could do nothing to slow the Hornets after returning to the floor, giving up baskets on back-to-back possessions.

Fourth quarter, 8:00, Hornets 81-67: Stiemsma is a nice 12-minute option in the post, but entering his 17th minute of game action, the holes in his game are getting exposed.

Stiemsma failed to block out Kaman, leading to an easy putback for the veteran big man. In a reflection of this being the third game in four nights, Rivers went with a lineup of Rondo, E'Twaun Moore, Dooling, Bass and Stiemsma.

With the crazy schedule this season, expect to see plenty of lineups like this in the next 63 games.

End third, Hornets 72-63: No matter how much of a run the Celtics put together, they can't seem to get any closer than three possessions.

A bench-heavy unit of Bass, Stiemsma, Dooling, Allen and Rondo were able to get some energetic offensive boards and draw a few fouls, but nothing to put up a sustained threat. Jack hasn't let up and has 19 points heading into the final quarter. Rondo leads the Celtics in scoring with 13 points. 

Third quarter, 2:04, Hornets 69-61: The Celtics went to a zone defense, but it didn't work anywhere close to as well as it did in Miami. The Hornets are a better 3-point shooting team as a group, and when they didn't let it fly from deep then pump-faked and dribbled into the lane. Belinelli took one 3 from about 27 feet away that he buried to give New Orleans a 15-point advantage.

Doc Rivers made an interesting decision when O'Neal picked up his third personal with 8:02 left in the quarter; he didn't sub O'Neal out. Given an extra few minutes, O'Neal seemed to get more in the flow defensively, although he didn't score or grab a rebound. He challenged a couple shots and was able to bother Kaman enough for Garnett to come over and block Kaman's shot from behind.

Rondo's dribble drives shredded the Hornets and pulled the Celtics within eight, leading to a timeout by New Orleans. Rondo's penetration enabled him to dish to Stiemsma for a tough layup. Rondo finished the next one on his own to cut the Hornets' lead to 69-61.

Third quarter, 9:17, Hornets 56-44: Jack is the latest guard to challenge the Celtics' bigs. He got into the lane three times in the early moments of the second half, twice finishing himself and once finding Okafor for a short-range shot.

Jump shots by Allen and Pavlovic helped stem the bleeding a little, but for the third straight game it appears to Celtics will have to work their way back after digging a huge second-half hole.

Halftime, Hornets 48-39: Greg Stiemsma played inspired basketball and, if he's not careful, is going to play his way into a lot more minutes for the Celtics.

Stiemsma played nine minutes in the first half, but it was the final minute or so when he really made his presence felt. He stayed low, then leapt to block a Jason Smith jumper on the baseline and used his left hand to block what appeared to be an easy dunk for Kaman.

This is not a joke, and Stiemsma is not just a nice one-trick pony like old friend Brian Scalabrine. He's looking like a legitimate second-string big man.

Now the good, the bad and the so-so.

The Good: Rajon Rondo is on his way to a third excellent performance. He has eight points and three assists in 17:02, but most importantly he has no turnovers. He made a layup in traffic at the halftime buzzer to pull the Celtics within single digits. … Sasha Pavlovic is playing his best game of the young season. With four points on 2-for-3 shooting, three rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots, Pavlovic is playing far better than his minus-5 rating. (How many times do I have to tell you not to pay attention to that misplaced hockey stat?) In a departure from the norm, he has just one personal foul. … The Hornets free throw shooters. As a team, New Orleans in 13-of-15 from the charity stripe.

The Bad: Jermaine O'Neal's foul trouble will keep limiting his contributions in all other areas. He has two fouls in 12:59, which is a slight improvement from the Miami game, but he has nonetheless had to play hesitantly on defense and on the boards. … The failure by the Celtics to get to the line isn't something they can accept and try to deal with. They need to improve it, and they are not getting to basket aggressively again. They are 6-of-7 on foul shots. Only Keyon Dooling, who is 5-for-5 from the line for all his scoring, has been capable of getting to the line.

The So-so: Jarrett Jack is example number a billion why Rondo's critics in Boston need to watch more hoops. Every time a Toney Douglas, Jerryd Bayless, Mario Chalmers or Jarrett Jack does something un-point-guard-like, Rondo's unconventional game seems that much more impressive. Jack has eight points on 2-of-8 shooting with five assists and two steals, although his zero in the turnovers column puts him in the "so-so" category.

Second quarter, 4:04, Hornets 38-30: With nearly eight minutes gone in the second quarter, the Celtics got their first free throw attempt when Rondo drew a shooting foul going to the hoop on Okafor.

Rondo only puts down one of two, however, possibly out of sheer surprise that someone in green was at the line.

Second quarter, 5:03, Hornets 36-29: Daniels and O'Neal are working hard in the post, gobbling up four offensive rebounds combined, but finishing is more of a problem. Daniels' difficult is obvious, being 6-foot-6. O'Neal just doesn't seem to have the lift to get over Landry or even Ariza and Okafor.

Vasquez continues to fend off the Celtics, floating home his second basket of the game to return the Hornets' lead to seven points.

Second quarter, 7:45, Hornets 30-24: A floater by Greivus Vasquez gave the Hornets their largest lead at 30-20, but Marquis Daniels went into attack mode. A putback of his own miss, followed by a layup off a post entry feed from  KG, halts what had been a 17-4 Hornets run.

Second quarter, 10:36, Hornets 28-20: That was interesting. The 24-second clock sounded, but while one referee had a shot clock violation, another had a foul (presumably on O'Neal).

The refs put their heads together, looked at the monitor and ruled that O'Neal hacked Landry before the buzzer. Landry went to the line and hit both free throws.

End first quarter, Hornets 24-18: Brandon Bass came off the bench and right away did some good things offensively, as he has a tendency to do.

A strong first step from the foul line allowed him to beat Chris Kaman for a two-handed stuff, and an in-rhythm jumper barely flicked the net on its way through. The culprit in his two misses, though, was hesitation, as he thought twice before taking both shots and missed both as a result.

Boston's smaler lineup, with Garnett at center and Bass at power forward, had difficulty on the defensive glass. Kaman and Landry were each able to score on putbacks, allowing New Orleans to take control.

A disturbing stat for the Celtics: They had zero free throw attempts in the first quarter. Foul shot disparity was an issue against the Heat and Knicks. The Hornets were 5-of-7 in the quarter.

First quarter, 5:58, Hornets 10-9: There's good news and bad news. The bad news is that O'Neal, who spent the first two games in foul trouble, was the victim of a questionable call while muscling down low with Okafor.

The good news is that it gave us the opportunity for a Greg Stiemsma sighting, and Stiemsma made an immediate impact by blocking a dunk attempt by Okafor.

Allen hasn't been as sharp as Stiemsma. (One million dollars to anyone who predicted that sentence would ever be written.) After knocking down his first 3-pointer, Allen has missed three straight shots and threw a poor cross-court pass that Jack picked off for a fastbreak layup to give the Hornets their first lead.

First quarter, 8:23, Celtics 9-2: Two of the Celtics most maligned starters got off to good starts.

Jermaine O'Neal rolled with authority to the hoop after setting a ball screen for Rondo, who found O'Neal for a two-handed dunk.

Then Pavlovic, who has been heavily criticized (including in this space) caused a deflection on Landry and leaked out for an open jump shot on the secondary break. He then beat the Hornets down the floor for a fastbreak layup.

First quarter, 10:45, Celtics 3-0: Pavlovic chipped in something positive, getting a hand on a short jumper by Jack and helping the Celtics force a shot-clock violation.

Ray Allen, who apparently didn't cool off after Tuesday, swished a 3-pointer to open up the scoring.

8 p.m.: Jarrett Jack makes his return to the lineup for the Hornets after missing a game due to a suspension as a result of a DUI last season. Jack held the second-longest streak of consecutive games played at 371 straight games before the suspension.

Not having Gordon is a big blow for the Hornets, but Jack's suspension may have allowed them to employ a stronger lineup against the Celtics than they otherwise would have. Belinelli started a point guard alongside Gordon in the season opener, and Belinelli, a natural two-guard, had trouble getting the Hornets into their sets.

In game No. 2, with Jack back but Gordon out, Hornets coach Monty Williams will most likely opt to have Jack do the majority of the ball-handling and let Belinelli play off the ball. Jack isn't a pure point guard either, though (despite being a product of Georgia Tech, a.k.a. Point Guard U., which produced Stephon Marbury, Kenny Anderson, Travis Best and Mark Price.)

7:30 p.m.: The Celtics take their first look at the Hornets of the post-Chris Paul era on Wednesday night in New Orleans.

That look will not include the Hornets' most exciting new player, guard Eric Gordon. The versatile guard out of Indiana will reportedly miss the game with a bruised right knee.

The most likely candidate to replace Gordon in the starting lineup is Marco Belinelli.

Celtics captain Paul Pierce is out again, as expected, with Sasha Pavlovic listed as the probable starter at the small forward spot for the third time this season. Reserve forward Chris Wilcox is out with a bruised shoulder suffered Tuesday in Miami.

Here are the probable starting lineups for the game at the New Orleans Arena:

CelticsJermaine O'NealKevin GarnettSasha PavlovicRay AllenRajon Rondo

HornetsEmeka OkaforCarl LandryTrevor ArizaMarco BelinelliJarrett Jack 

8 a.m. ET: Through two games, the Celtics have mounted comebacks from a 10-point and a 15-point halftime deficit only to fall short at the end. They are 0-2 for their trouble, and take on a rejuvenated Hornets team Wednesday night in New Orleans.

The Celtics will need another strong showing from Rajon Rondo, as Paul Pierce is expected to miss his third game with a sore right heel. Newly signed Mickael Pietrus is not likely to play either as he may need as many as 10 days to work into playing shape after offseason knee surgery.

No other NBA franchise faces as many challenges as the Hornets do on and off the court. The Chris Paul trade, and the three voided deals that preceded it, made the team a running joke, and as long as the league retains ownership of the team it will be difficult to mount a legitimate rebuilding process.

The Hornets do have some impact players, though, led by guard Eric Gordon. The 23-year-old played a big role in the Hornets' one-point win over Phoenix in their opener, and he could keep up the Celtics' habit of being torched by explosive guards and wing players.

Join us for updates during the game, which is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET start.

Cantwell says state must groom homegrown aerospace talent

YAKIMA, Wash. — With about 21,000 new aerospace jobs expected to be created in the state over the next 10 years, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell came to Yakima on Thursday to tout the need to educate Washingtonians who could fill those positions.

“We need people to fill the gap,” Cantwell, D-Wash., said following a tour of the GE Aviation plant near the Yakima Air Terminal, one of many facilities in the state that offers high-tech jobs designing and building parts for aerospace systems but has trouble finding local workers with the proper training to fill them.

Cantwell, chairwoman of the Democratic-controlled Senate aviation subcommittee, said Congress should find ways to support aerospace job-training programs despite the slow economy. In October the U.S. Department of Labor awarded a $20 million grant to 14 community and technical colleges and organizations around the state for the purpose of training future workers in aerospace technology.

Cantwell said visits to plants such as Yakima’s GE Aviation give her an idea of what’s happening in the sector and what’s needed to improve it. With the congressional purse strings remaining tight for the foreseeable future, Cantwell says such visits are all the more important.

“We need to understand what’s working on the ground and how we can grow that,” she said.

There are about half a dozen aerospace-related companies in Yakima that employ about 500 workers, according to a release from Cantwell’s office, with GE Aviation having hired 40 new workers in the last year. There are already about 84,000 jobs related to the aerospace industry in the state, according to the release.

The GE Aviation plant has hosted both of the state’s U.S. senators in the last five months. Sen. Patty Murray took a similar tour of the GE Aviation plant in August to promote the federal Workforce Investment Act and also call attention to the lack of homegrown workers necessary to take jobs in advanced technologies industries.

“We have to do a better job as a nation to bridge that skills gap,” Murray said in August.

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 13 January 2012

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All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. After wakeup, FE-1 Shkaplerov performed the routine inspection of the SM (Service Module) PSS Caution & Warning panel as part of regular Daily Morning Inspection. FE-4 Kononenko checked out proper MKSD Control & Data Acquisition Module communications between the BSPN Payload Server and the RSS1 laptop, then copied science & service data, accumulated from the GFI-17 Molniya-GAMMA (“Lightning-GAMMA”) experiment mounted externally since the Russian EVA-28, over to external media (16 GB flash card). [GFI-17 "Molniya" FOTON-GAMMA investigates atmospheric gamma-ray bursts and optical radiation in conditions of thunderstorm activity], With the video camcorder set up to view activities, CDR Burbank retrieved the Amine Swingbed hardware from PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module) and connected the previously assembled hardware outside of ER8 (EXPRESS Rack 8). Other steps for Dan included connecting the VES/VRS (Vacuum Exhaust System / Vacuum Resource System) jumper, opening the manual vacuum valve in support of POIC to perform the evacuation, checking visually for loose beads, and other activities after the vacuum check. [The hardware consists of the Amine Swingbed, Controller with Vacuum Line, Amine Swingbed Mounting Plate, Amine Swingbed Mounting Hardware, Strain Relief Mounting Hardware, Electrostatic Symbol Decal and other items needed for assembly. Background: The Amine Swingbed is a prototype of the CO2 and moisture control technology to be used in the Orion MPCV (Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle). It consists of two multilayer sorbent beds in one unit, with a single valve to alternate ("swing") them between adsorbing from cabin air and desorbing to space vacuum. The system pulls air from the ISS atmosphere, dries it (and heats it) with a desiccant wheel, cools it back down, scrubs most of the CO2 and remaining water vapor out, then reheats the scrubbed air, rehumidifies it (and recools it) with the desiccant wheel, then returns the air to the cabin. Periodically (every 6 - 30 min) the sorbent beds are swapped to expose the freshly vacuum-desorbed bed to the process stream and start regenerating the CO2-laden bed. During bed swap transitions, additional air is saved by equalizing the bed about to be vented with a compressor-evacuated volume. This will be the first test of the Amine Swingbed payload. Its purpose is to determine if a vacuum-regenerated amine system can effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the ISS atmosphere using a smaller more efficient vacuum regeneration system. A similar technology (amine-based pressure swing adsorption) was used on the Shuttle Extended Duration Orbiter, in the form of the RCRS (Regenerative Carbon Dioxide Removal System). The Amine Swingbed payload uses an amine with a significantly greater capacity for CO2 than the RCRS. Amines are organic compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with two "lone pair" electrons. They are derivatives of ammonia (NH3) wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms (H) have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Important amines include amino acids, biogenic amines, trimethylamine, and aniline. Inorganic derivatives of ammonia are also called ammonia, such as chloramine (NClH2).] Anton Shkaplerov had ~1 h set aside for conducting a search for a missing Soyuz 28S StA (Docking Systems) accessories hardware bag. Anatoly Ivanishin meanwhile reconfigured the RSK1 (T61p) laptop with Vers. 1.9 TORU & Redocking Application software from interacting with the Pilot experiment hardware to interacting with the BSST (Simulator Signal Matching Unit). Afterwards, FE-2 configured the pumping equipment with the electric compressor (#41) and the usual A-R water transfer hose to empty the remaining water from the Progress 45P Rodnik BV1 tank into an 3 EDV containers in the DC-1, then replaced the hose with a T2PrU air line and started the standard bladder compression & leak check of the BV1 water tank of 45P to get it ready for urine transfer. [Each of the spherical Rodnik tanks BV1 & BV2 consists of a hard shell with a soft membrane (bladder) composed of elastic fluoroplastic. The bladder is used to expel water from the tank by compressed air pumped into the tank volume surrounding the membrane and is leak-tested before urine transfers, i.e., with empty tanks, the bladders are expanded against the tank walls and checked for hermeticity.] Anton Shkaplerov continued the current round of periodic preventive maintenance of RS (Russian Segment) ventilation systems, today cleaning the numerous Group C ventilator fans & grilles in the SM, after photographing all fan screens for ground inspection. Oleg Kononenko performed troubleshooting and recovery of communications between the RSS2 laptop and the BSR-TM Regul payload telemetry channel, checking for bad contact or failure of the adapter cable, the crossover cable or the RS-232 adapter itself. More troubleshooting was done by Oleg on the SEP (Electric Power System) Channel B Power Controller in the SM, continuing the investigation of uncommanded triggering of the SEPV telemetry parameter (which deactivates the SEP Power Controller on channel B). FE-6 Pettit disassembled and temp stowed the VO2max PPFS (Portable Pulmonary Function System) hardware used by him yesterday, leaving it partially configured in a deployed position for the next user. FE-5 Kuipers downloaded the data from yesterday’s PanOptic eye test which was performed by the three crewmembers on each other as operator with an ophthalmoscope and stowed the hardware. Kuipers also initiated charging of 2 camcorder batteries for the ERB2 (European Recording Binocular 2) for later use, then stowed them in COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory). In preparation for the upcoming R14 software transition, Pettit imaged (cloned) 7 hard drives with vers. R14 on an unconnected PCS (Portable Computer System) laptop, then temp stowed them in the library for future deployment. CDR Burbank took the (approx.) monthly O-OHA (On-Orbit Hearing Assessment) test, his 2nd, a 30-min NASA environmental health systems examination to assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures, using a special software application on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop. [The O-OHA audiography test involves minimum audibility measurements for each ear over a wide range of frequencies (0.25-10 kHz) and sound pressure levels, with the crewmembers using individual-specific Prophonics earphones, new Bose ANC headsets (delivered on 30P) and the SLM (sound level meter). To conduct the testing, the experimenter is supported by special EarQ software on the MEC, featuring an up/down-arrow-operated slider for each test frequency that the crewmember moves to the lowest sound pressure level at which the tone can still be heard. The baseline test is required not later than about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition and is then generally performed once per month. Note: There has been temporary hearing deficits documented on some U.S. and Russian crewmembers, all of which recovered to pre-mission levels.] After clearing the front of the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) rack in COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) of stowage bags to make room for using the SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device), Don Pettit set up the SLAMMD equipment and used it for determining his body mass, followed in suit by Andre Kuipers. Afterwards, Don powered off, disassembled, and temporary stowed SLAMMD hardware including the SLAMMD Accessories Kit. The CDR & FE-5 filled out their weekly FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer), the 7th time for Dan, the 3rd for Andre. [On the FFQs, USOS astronauts keep a personalized log of their nutritional intake over time on special MEC software. Recorded are the amounts consumed during the past week of such food items as beverages, cereals, grains, eggs, breads, snacks, sweets, fruit, beans, soup, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, chicken, sauces & spreads, and vitamins. The FFQ is performed once a week to estimate nutrient intake from the previous week and to give recommendations to ground specialists that help maintain optimal crew health. Weekly estimation has been verified to be reliable enough that nutrients do not need to be tracked daily.] Afterwards, Burbank performed routine maintenance on the WRS (Water Recovery System) using the LFTP (Low Flow Transfer Pump) to transfer one CWC-I (-Iodine) to the WPA (Water Processor Assembly) and offloading it, using a particulate filter. Later, Dan worked on the WRS-2 (Water Recovery System 2) in Node-3, removing the ARFTA #2 (Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly 2), draining it into with the Russian Kompressor-M into an EDV-U container, performing a leak check, cleaning it and replacing it in WRS-2. [The recycle tank was then to be filled via the refill method using the UPA (Urine Processor Assembly) depress hose which was later removed again, along with the tank's vent adapter.] Anton had another ~2 hrs reserved for continuing stowage loading of trash and excessed equipment on Progress 45P for disposal. Anatoly performed the (roughly) annual functional testing of the two Russian SUDN pilot sighting instruments VP-2 & “Puma” which he installed at SM window #8 for the checkup. [The Puma Portable Zoom Viewfinder is used to view remote objects and determine their angular position in the SM coordinate system in order to provide geographical reference of observed terrestrial objects, and to determine the target vector in a specified coordinate system. The 240K Pilot Sight (VP-2) is a collimator-type device for determining the direction to observed reference points relative to the station coordinate for geographical reference of observed terrestrial objects and to determine the direction vector to controlled & uncontrolled objects and measure their angular sizes.] Ivanishin also conducted the periodic maintenance test of the VShTV Wide-Angle Vertical Sighting Device on the television screen showing Earth terrain. [Screen shots using the NIKON D2X digital camera with f17-55 mm lens were then downlinked to the ground via OCA, showing the terminator area and Earth sunset region (before Sun moved under horizon) to obtain image of Sun to evaluate light transmission of the device. Purpose of the annual routine VShTV maintenance tests is to verify proper operation and optical quality of the device after being exposed to spaceflight conditions over a long period.] Burbank closed the protective shutters of the Lab, Node-3/Cupola and JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) against thruster effluent contamination from the DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) conducted at 11:10am EST by the SM main engines. On TsUP Go, Kononenko was to refresh ISS cabin atmosphere with another O2 represses from Progress 45P SRPK tankage. Later, FE-5 had ~2h 35m for the periodic microbial surface sample collection/incubation, using the Microbiology SSK (Surface Sampling Kit) to collect samples at selected sites in the Lab, Node-1, Node-2, Node-3, FGB, COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) and JPM (JEM Pressurized Module). Andre also used the MAS (Microbial Air Sampler) kit to take the periodic microbiology (bacterial & fungal) air samples from two specific sampling locations in the SM, Node-1, Lab and Node-3 as well as mid-module in JPM. [After a 5-day incubation period, the air & surface samples will be subjected on 1/18 to visual analysis & data recording with the surface slides and Petri dishes of the MAS & SSK.] FE-1 took care of the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance, updating/editing its standard “delta file” including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur). FE-4 performed the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM. [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers, replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers and filling EDV-SV, KOV (for Elektron), EDV-ZV & EDV on RP flow regulator.] Oleg also conducted another photography session for the DZZ-13 “Seiner” ocean observation program, obtaining HDV (Z1) camcorder footage of color bloom patterns in the waters of the South-Eastern Pacific, then copying the images to the RSK-1 laptop. Afterwards, Kononenko used the standard ECOSFERA equipment to conduct Stage 2 of the microbial air sampling runs for the MedOps SZM-MO-21 experiment, with the POTOK Air Purification System temporarily powered down, taking Kit 2 samples from cabin surfaces along with samples from crewmembers for sanitation and disease studies. The Petri dishes with the samples were then stowed in the KRIOGEM-03 thermostatic container and subsequently packed in a Kit for return in Soyuz 28S, along with Kit of Stage 1 of the MO-21 protocol, done yesterday, including overnight recharge of the Ecosphere battery. [The equipment, consisting of an air sampler set, a charger and power supply unit, provides samples to help determine microbial contamination of the ISS atmosphere, specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora counts and microflora composition according to morphologic criteria of microorganism colonies. Because the Ecosphere battery can only support 10 air samples on one charge, the sample collection was performed in two stages.] Before sleeptime, Kuipers served as ocular research CMO (Crew Medical Officer) for conducting the PanOptic eye test on Don Pettit (deferred from yesterday) which requires application of eye drops (Tropicamide [Mydriacyl]) causing eye dilation for subsequent ophthalmic examination, performed by the three crewmembers on each other as operator with an ophthalmoscope. First time for Don. [The procedure, guided by special software on the T61p RoBOT laptop (#1026), captures still & video images of the eye, including the posterior poles, macula & optic disc with the optic nerve, for downlink and expert analysis. Prior to the test, Dan set up the equipment including video camera, and afterwards Pettit downloaded the data, then disassembled & stowed the gear.] Andre also completed his (now) weekly task of filling out his SHD (Space Headache) questionnaire which he started after Soyuz launch and continues on ISS (on an SSC/Station Support Computer) for every week after his first week in space. Don Pettit checked out the failed ARED advanced resistive exercise device, taking a measurement for ground engineers and performing an audit of the disassembled parts. At ~2:30pm EST, Don & Dan were scheduled for a discussion of ARED with ground specialists in a telecon. Pettit & Burbank also had another time slot reserved for making entries in their electronic Journals on personal SSC (Station Support Computer). [Required are three journaling sessions per week.] At ~3:05am EST, Burbank, Ivanishin, Shkaplerov, Kuipers, Kononenko & Pettit held the regular (nominally weekly) tagup with the Russian Flight Control Team (GOGU/Glavnaya operativnaya gruppa upravleniya), including Shift Flight Director (SRP), at TsUP-Moscow via S-band/audio, phone-patched from Houston and Moscow. At ~3:30am, Anton, Oleg & Anatoly linked up with TsUP-Moscow stowage specialists via S-band to conduct the weekly IMS tagup, discussing inventory & stowage issues, equipment locations and cargo transfers. At ~7:05am, Andre conducted the weekly ESA crew conference via phone with COL-CC at Oberpfaffenhofen/Germany. At ~7:35am, Andre powered up the SM’s amateur radio equipment (Kenwood VHF transceiver with manual frequency selection, headset, & power supply) and at 7:40am conducted a ham radio session with students at the Atheneum Borgloon, Borgloon, Belgium. At ~9:05am, Andre conducted the regular IMS stowage conference with Houston stowage specialists. At ~2:10pm, the crew was scheduled for their regular weekly tagup with the Lead Flight Director at JSC/MCC-H. At ~2:50pm, the crew will have their standard bi-weekly teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office/CB (Peggy Whitson), via S-band S/G-2 audio & phone patch. Pettit & Kuipers each performed their first session of the Treadmill Kinematics program on the T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill, setting up the HD camcorder in Node-1, placing tape markers on his body, recording a calibration card in the FOV (Field of View) and then conducting the workout run within a specified speed range. [Purpose of the Kinematics T2 experiment is to collect quantitative data by motion capture from which to assess current exercise prescriptions for participating ISS crewmembers. Detailed biomechanical analyses of locomotion will be used to determine if biomechanics differ between normal and microgravity environments and to determine how combinations of external loads and exercise speed influence joint loading during in-flight treadmill exercise. Such biomechanical analyses will aid in understanding potential differences in gait motion and allow for model-based determination of joint & muscle forces during exercise. The data will be used to characterize differences in specific bone and muscle loading during locomotion in the two gravitational conditions. By understanding these mechanisms, appropriate exercise prescriptions can be developed that address deficiencies.] The crew worked out with their regular 2-hr physical exercise protocol on the CEVIS cycle ergometer with vibration isolation (CDR), TVIS treadmill with vibration isolation & stabilization (FE-1, FE-2, FE-4), T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill (CDR, FE-5, FE-6), and VELO ergometer bike with load trainer (FE-1, FE-2, FE-4). Note: The ARED advanced resistive exercise device has been declared No Go due to a load jump issue (perhaps due to the load crank handle, the ball screw or the ball nut) and has been replaced with other exercise equipment for today while an exercise strategy is developed. There are Athletic Exercise Bands on orbit that can be used at the crew’s discretion during their ARED exercise time. For the longer term, the ASCRs/Exercise Specialists will be evaluating a more structured approach for using these exercise bands, depending on how long it takes to get ARED operational again. WRM Update: A new WRM (Water Recovery Management) “cue card” was uplinked to the crew for their reference, updated with their latest CWC (Contingency Water Container) water audit. [The new card (29-0008F) lists 40 CWCs (560.1 L total) for the five types of water identified on board: 1. Silver technical water (4 CWCs with 132.1 L, for Elektron electrolysis, all containing Wautersia bacteria, plus 1 empty bag; 2. Condensate water (3 CWCs with 15.8 L), 8 empty bags; 3. Iodinated water (13 CWCs with 224.7 L; also 9 expired bags with 160.9 L); 4. Waste water (1 bag with 6.4 L EMU waste water); and 5. Special fluid (1 CWC with 20.2 L, hose/pump flush). Other CWCs are stowed behind racks and are currently not being tracked due to unchanging contents. Wautersia bacteria are typical water-borne microorganisms that have been seen previously in ISS water sources. These isolates pose no threat to human health.] Conjunction Update: After tracking updates on the conjunction with Object 34984 (Iridium 33 Debris) indicated a Pc (Probability of Collision) with a risk remaining above the Red threshold, the station performed a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) with the SM main engine at 11:10am EST of 0.85 m/s delta-V. Phasing impacts of this maneuver have been evaluated, and it was confirmed that the prime and backup launch phasing constraints are being met for Progress 46P launch/docking on 1/25 & 1/27, resp. As a result, this DAM replaces the ISS reboost that had been planned for 1/18. The Russian discretionary “time permitting” task list for FE-1, FE-2 & FE-4 for today suggested more preparation & downlinking of reportages (written text, photos, videos) for the Roskosmos website to promote Russia’s manned space program (max. file size 500 Mb). CEO (Crew Earth Observation) targets uplinked for today Mississippi Delta Region (ISS had a mid afternoon, nadir pass for this target. CEO observers are interested in context views of the delta region. Of particular interest at this time are the areas west of the River where flooding last spring had the greatest impact. Also noting sediment output from the delta. Looking nadir for a mapping pass of this area using the #99 filter), and West Cuba (ongoing research at Florida International University is seeking imagery to document and analyze land cover change in western Cuba. Today, ISS had a nadir, fair-weather pass in mid-afternoon light over this target area. As the station approached the western tip of Cuba from the NW, the crew was to look either side of track and attempt a mapping strip of overlapping imagery just inland along the southern coast from the Guanahacabibes Peninsula to a point due south of Havana. Coincident visible imagery was also requested, if possible). . Time in orbit (station) — 4802 days . Time in orbit (crews, cum.) — 4088 days Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time and subject to change): ————–Six-crew operations—————- 01/24/12 — Progress M-13M/45P undock 01/25/12 — Progress M-14M/46P launch 01/27/12 — Progress M-14M/46P docking (DC-1) 02/07/12 — SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon launch — (target date) 02/10/12 — SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon berthing — (target date) 02/14/12 — Russian EVA 02/23/12 — SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon unberth — (target date) 03/09/12 — ATV3 launch — (target date) 03/16/12– Soyuz TMA-22/28S undock/landing (End of Increment 30) ————–Three-crew operations————- 03/30/12 — Soyuz TMA-04M/30S launch – G.Padalka (CDR-32)/J.Acaba/K.Volkov — (Target Date) 04/01/12 — Soyuz TMA-04M/30S docking (MRM2) — (Target Date) ————–Six-crew operations—————- TBD — 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) w/ERA – launch on Proton (under review) 04/24/12 — Progress M-14M/46P undock 04/25/12 — Progress M-15M/47P launch 04/27/12 — Progress M-15M/47P docking TBD — 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) – docking (under review) 05/16/12 — Soyuz TMA-03M/29S undock/landing (End of Increment 31) ————–Three-crew operations————- 05/30/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/31S launch – S.Williams (CDR-33)/Y.Malenchenko/A.Hoshide 06/01/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/31S docking ————–Six-crew operations—————- 06/26/12 — HTV-3 launch (target date) 09/12/12 — Soyuz TMA-04M/30S undock/landing (End of Increment 32) ————–Three-crew operations————- 09/26/12 — Soyuz TMA-06M/32S launch – K.Ford (CDR-34)/O.Novitskiy/E.Tarelkin 09/28/12 – Soyuz TMA-06M/32S docking ————–Six-crew operations————- 11/12/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/31S undock/landing (End of Increment 33) ————–Three-crew operations————- 11/26/12 — Soyuz TMA-07M/33S launch – C.Hadfield (CDR-35)/T.Mashburn/R.Romanenko 11/28/12 – Soyuz TMA-07M/33S docking ————–Six-crew operations————- 03/19/13 — Soyuz TMA-06M/32S undock/landing (End of Increment 34) ————–Three-crew operations————- 04/02/13 – Soyuz TMA-08M/34S launch – P.Vinogradov (CDR-36)/C.Cassidy/A.Misurkin 04/04/13 – Soyuz TMA-08M/34S docking ————–Six-crew operations————- 05/16/13 – Soyuz TMA-07M/33S undock/landing (End of Increment 35) ————–Three-crew operations————- 05/29/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/35S launch – M.Suraev (CDR-37)/K.Nyberg/L.Parmitano 05/31/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/35S docking ————–Six-crew operations————- 09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-08M/34S undock/landing (End of Increment 36) ————–Three-crew operations————- 09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/36S launch – M.Hopkins/TBD (CDR-38)/TBD 09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/36S docking ————–Six-crew operations————- 11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/35S undock/landing (End of Increment 37) ————–Three-crew operations————- 11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-11M/37S launch – K.Wakata (CDR-39)/R.Mastracchio/TBD 11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-11M/37S docking ————–Six-crew operations————- 03/xx/14 – Soyuz TMA-10M/36S undock/landing (End of Increment 38) ————–Three-crew operations————-

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Breathlessness could mean heart problems, says study

People who experience problems such as cough, breathlessness and choking at high altitudes should not ignore these symptoms as they may lead to life-threatening conditions.

A research conducted by scientists from VP Chest Institute and Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences in the city, has revealed that these problems may be indicative of a hidden heart ailment. The symptoms may also be experienced by patients suffering from a heart problem while in the plains.

The research was carried out on rabbits that were exposed to high altitude conditions of 15,000 feet for 12 hours. Scientists found that nerve endings in their lungs called receptors were activated.

These receptors send signal to the brain which in turn causes cough and rapid breathing to make up for reduced lung function. The study is relevant to humans since similar nerve endings or receptors are also present in humans, Prof K. Ravi, one of the researchers, said.

“Don’t ignore these symptoms at high altitudes. It is best to climb slowly and take rest in between,” Ravi said.

These symptoms may lead to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). It occurs in soldiers who are posted at high altitude or healthy individuals who are not acclimatised and who ascend rapidly. Along with nausea, vomiting and headache, these people exhibit rapid breathing and decreased exercise performance.

At high altitudes the atmospheric pressure is low because of which less oxygen travels to the lungs. As the pressure inside blood vessels builds up, plasma, which is the liquid part of blood, comes out of the blood vessels and fills the areas around air sacs of the lungs. If this conditions persist, fluid enters the air sacs and restricting the flow of oxygen.

“These symptoms also are warning signals which lead people to take remedial measures,” Ravi added. The paper is published in the journal Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology.

Buy Racing Parts – Competition Components Blog

The latest Pro Action™ Cylinder Heads from RHS® are affordable LS-style heads that save you the time and expense of having your new heads CNC or hand-ported. These LS cathedral port heads combine race-proven head design and Clean Cast Technology™ to create “as cast” ports that flow like they’ve already been ported.

RHS® Pro Action™ Cathedral Port Aluminum Cylinder Heads for LS Applications are engineered with highly efficient combustion chambers that increase power and torque by improving airflow and flame propagation (the spreading of flames in a combustible environment) while multi-angle intake and radiused exhaust seats even further improve airflow. Their durable 355T6 aerospace-grade aluminum alloy construction is lightweight and increases cylinder head life and strength while high capacity water jackets generate greater thermal conductivity for cooler, more efficient engine operation.

The new Pro Action™ Cathedral Port Aluminum Cylinder Heads for LS Applications are available in three versions: as cast P-Port with no valve job; as cast 62cc combustion chamber with 2.02″/1.600″ valves, 205cc runners; and as cast 62cc combustion chamber with 2.050″/1.600″valves, 225cc runners. Stock valve angles and centers, drilled and tapped accessory holes, and stock port locations make these heads compatible with stock applications. However, added material at the top of each head allows for upgraded valve train components, making these cathedral port heads perfect for use in everything from mild street to all-out race applications.

Part # Description Runner Chamber Valve Size In. Ex.

54301 LS Cathedral Port 205cc 62cc 2.020″ 1.600″

54302 LS Cathedral Port 225cc 62cc 2.050″ 1.600″

Features & Benefits:

Clean Cast Technology™ creates as cast ports that flow as well as ported heads

Affordable bolt-on LS performance upgrade ready for use right out of the box in mild street to all-out race applications

Combustion chambers improve airflow and flame propagation to increase power & torque

Multi-angle intake and radiused exhaust seats improve airflow

355T6 aluminum alloy is lightweight and increases life and strength

High capacity water jackets generate greater thermal conductivity for cooler, more effective operation

Stock valve angles work with both stock and upgraded valve train components

Also available assembled with premium components

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Tags: CNC ported heads, LS1 Heads, RHS Heads

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 3:54 pm and is filed under Chevy, new products. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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The Difference Between Rebuilding and Overhauling an Automobile Engine

There is a vast difference in rebuilding an engine and overhauling it.

When rebuilding an engine it is removed from the vehicle, disassembled, and the motor block is checked for the following:

  • cracks or broken components
  • excessive cylinder wear
  • crankshaft wear
  • condition of connecting rods
  • condition of camshaft, and
  • pistons checked for size and condition of piston ring grooves.

The cylinder head or heads should be taken to an automotive machine shop to have the valves and valve seats properly refaced and any other problems addressed. If the motor has extremely high mileage or has had over-heating problems, then most likely the motor will have to be bored out, the crankshaft re-ground, the connecting rods possibly re-sized and the cam bearings replaced. If the motor needs to be bored, the old pistons will have to be pressed off the connecting rods and the new pistons pressed on. The motor block needs to be cleaned thoroughly and it must be kept clean during the assembly process. Keeping everything as clean as possible during rebuilding will have a positive effect on the life of the motor after it is assembled. Once the block preparation has been done, then the master parts kit, with the proper piston and ring sizes, and rod and main bearing sizes, can be ordered for assembly of the motor. It is always best to replace the old camshaft and lifters with a new camshaft and a set of new lifters.

An overhauled engine is one that has all the accessories removed from the engine including the cylinder head, or heads, and the oil pan. The engine block is not normally removed from the vehicle. New piston rings and rod bearings are installed, with the proper sizes to correspond to the size of the piston and rod journal sizes. It is always a good idea to install a new oil pump also. New gaskets should be used when re-assembling the engine. The assembling of the accessories, when done right, includes cylinder head preparation by a good automotive machine shop. Quality machine work on the cylinder heads assures quality performance from those heads. Most engine re-builders from the automotive machine shops will tell you that re-building of cylinder heads is one of the most critical, if not the most critical operation that can be performed in the re-building of automotive engines. If these guidelines are followed, the overall performance of your completed engine rebuilds will be far superior.