Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Forages Ensiled In Concrete Stave And Oxygen-Limiting Silos, J O'Leary, R W. Hemken, L S. Bull

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study evaluated corn silages stored in concrete stave and oxygen-limiting silos during 1978-1980. Factors considered in­cluded the effect of environmental conditions in each silo on silage stability and feeding value. Milk production was evaluated using Holstein cows, intake studies used Holstein heifers or steers. Weekly measurements of intake, milk production, silage temperature, pH, and yeast and mold content were made for each silage. Aerobic stability was determined monthly. Silo type had no effect on intake or milk production. Silage temperatures from the oxygen-limiting silo were higher, and the silage was less stable than that from concrete stave silos. No …

Round Baling From Field Practices Through Storage And Feeding, W L. Kjelgaard, P M. Anderson, L D. Hoffman, L L. Wilson, H W. Harpster

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A model analysis compared labor and fuel requirements for round and rectangular bale systems. Round baling reduced harvesting, transport, and handling labor by one-half but increased fuel use by a factor of 1.6. When data from field studies of all dry matter (DM) losses were included, round baling required 80 % as much labor and 200 % as much fuel as did rectangular bal­ing. Baling losses for round balers and stackers averaged 10 % compared with 3 % for rectangular balers. ·Dry-matter losses from mowing through feeding of field-cured round bales, including 6 months of outdoor storage, totaled 41 % …

Harvesting And Processing Effects On Alfalfa Protein Utilization By Ruminants, R Britton, D Rock, T Klopfenstein, J Ward, J Merrill

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an efficient and important means of producing supplemental protein for ruminants. This research was undertaken to characterize the value of alfalfa protein for ruminants and to show how the protein is affected by different harvesting or processing regimens. The effects of maturity (prebloom, one-tenth, one half, and full bloom) and processing method (freeze dried [FD], sun cured [SC], and oven heated [HJ), on percentage of nitrogen (N), acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN), in-vitro rumen ammonia release (NH3), and in-situ rumen protein degradation, using dacron bags (BAG), were studied on irrigated alfalfa harvested over 2 years. …

Comparison Of Conservation Methods Under Controlled Practical Conditions, H Honig, K Rohr, E Zimmer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The most common forage conservation methods (direct-cut and low-moisture silage, barn,dried hay, and dehydration) have been compared under practical, but strictly controlled, conditions to determine their relative value for meeting the increasing demands of high-yielding ruminants. A grass mixture was used as forage, at different stages of maturity in different ex­periments. Parameters determined were changes of nutrient content; losses of DM and net energy; and, in three experiments, forage intake by dairy cows. From the results of the experiments, the following conclusions could be drawn: (1) roughage quality is influenced more by cuttng time than by preservation methods; (2) low-moisture …

Wet Fractionation Of Alfalfa: A Direct Forage-Harvesting System, M Collins, R G. Koegel, N A. Jorgensen, H W. Ream

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In this syst􀀇m, termed wet fractionation, fresh forage is macerated and pressed to remove approximately 50 % of the moisture. The result is a forage product containing 32 %-38 % dry matter (DM) that can be ensiled directly. In addition, the protein con­tained in the plant juice can be coagulated and removed. The remaining deproteinized juice contains large quantities of mineral nutrients that can be returned to the soil. This process has several potential advantages: (1) less weather-dependent harvesting, which minimizes harvest losses; (2) reduced harvesting time; (3) reduced fertilizer requirements; and (4) ability to harvest protein from land unsuited …

Hastening Hay Drying, J W. Thomas, T R. Johnson, M A. Wieghart, C M. Hansen, M B. Tesar, Z Helsel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objectives of these studies were to increase the drying rate of cut alfalfa (Medicago sativa) by treating with chemical solu­tions and to examine factors that influence drying. Time to dry and drying rate of cut alfalfa were studied under laboratory and field conditions. Treatment consisted of spraying the cut alfalfa with methyl esters of long-chain fatty acids, an emulsifier alone, or a combination of an emulsifier and a potassium carbonate solution. Alfalfa sprayed with solutions of each chemical under specified conditions increased drying rate and decreased drying time to 60% or 75 % dry matter (DM) or …

Alternative Treatment Systems To Increase The Drying Rates Of Green Forage Crops, W E. Klinner, O D. Hale

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forms of conditioning treatment are being developed that aim to minimize the barrier effect of the crop cuticle without sacrificing too much of the structural strength of the herbage. Effective surface abrasion and favorable windrow structure can be achieved with steel-spoked rotors, which are now beginning to be offered commercially. More recently, plastic brushes have been developed because the higher population density and yielding ability of the crop-engaging elements, plus the absence of metal components, appeared to offer additional advantages. Four different brush conditioner systems have been evaluated in the laboratory and in replicated field experiments. Tufted brushes using trilobar …

Effects Of Microwave Treatment On Drying And Respiration In Cut Alfalfa, S A. Seif, D A. Holt, V L. Lechtenberg, R J. Vetter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

After forage crops are cut mechanically, they usually undergo some degree of natural drying before being stored or further processed. During early stages of drying, plant respiration continues. Treatments or management practices that hasten drying and reduce postharvest respiration are desirable, because they minimize quantity and quality losses. Our objective was to determine the effects of brief microwave treatment on subsequent natural drying rate and respiration of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ). Duplicate samples of field grown Apollo alfalfa were subjected to focused microwave energy (2,450 MHz) generated at 0.25, 0.50, or 1.0 kilowatt of power for 3, 6, …

Effect Of Formic Acid- Formaldehyde Treatments On The Nitrogenous Constituents In Annual Ryegrass Silage, M L. Fishman, F Mchan, D Burdick

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Prevention of proteolysis during ensiling is important in preserving the nutritive value of silage. Hence, the mechanism by which silage protein is protected against degradation was studied in wilted annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium Lam.) silage pretreated with formic acid, formaldehyde, and a formic acid-formaldehyde mixture. Raw-wilted ryegrass, control ryegrass silage, and treated ryegrass silage were extracted and fractionated under conditions previously found to maximize yield of nitrogenous constituents and minimize proteolysis during the extraction of fresh grass. Extractions were by boric acid-borate buffer at pH 8.0 with and without detergent (1 % sodium dodecyl sulfate). Sodium metabisulfite, an antioxidant, was …

Addition Of Lactobacillus Sp. To Aid The Fermentation Of Alfalfa, Corn, Sorghum, And Wheat Forages, N J. Moon, L O. Ely

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As preservation of forage by ensiling has increased, so has the use of additives to enhance acid fermentation. Many of the fermentation aids currently on the market contain microflora to insure a lactic acid fermentation. The objectives of this study were to characterize the basic patterns of fermentation in a variety of crops and to evaluate the effects of adding selected microflora to forages to enhance the fermentation. Four crops were ensiled in each of three seasons. Alfalfa was harvested at 20 %-40 % bloom, second cut; wheat was cut in the early dough stage; corn was cut in the …

Interrelationships Between Pattern Of Fermentation During Ensilage And Initial Crop Composition, J M. Wilkinson, P F. Chapman, R J. Wilkins, R F. Wilson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Relationships between crop composition and silage composition were examined for 231 silages made at the Grassland Research Institute from 1968 to 1978 without additives. A test was made of the model of Weissbach et al. (1974) in which silage characteristics were related to the percentage of dry matter in the crop (OM) and the ratio of sugar (Z) to buffering capacity (PK). Although these factors accounted for significant variance, the percentage accounted for was low at 36 % for lactic acid (percentage of total acids), 26 % for Flieg's score, 22 % for ammonia N (percentage of total N), and …

Effect Of Delayed Sealing During Ensiling On Fermentation And Dry-Matter Loss, N Takano, Y Masaoka, T Manda

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two experiments were carried out from 1976 to 1980 to ascertain the effect of delayed sealing of silo on fermentation, dry· matter (DM) loss, digestibility, and silage intake. The effect of delayed sealing (up to 72 hours) of grass and corn silage was tested in laboratory silos on fermentation quality with storage temperatures at 15°C and 30°C, moisture content from 49% to 85 % , water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content ranging from 11.1 % to 17.5%, and with and without an addition of 0.25% formic acid. In all cases, delayed sealing resulted in poor-quality silage with high pH values and low …

Improving Hay Quality By Ammoniation, K J. Moore, V L. Lechtenberg, K S. Hendrix, J M. Hertel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of hay ammoniation on hay consumption and weight gain by steers when the hay was fed unsupplemented and supplemented with energy and protein. Mature orchardgrass (Dacrylis glomerata L.) hay was baled in early June 1979 and treated with anhydrous ammonia at 30 g/kg of hay. Seven weeks after treatment the hay was uncovered and allowed to aerate for 3 days. It was then fed to weanling steer calves weighing approximately 225 kg each. Similar hay baled from the same field but not ammoniated was fed to separate groups of steers. Both the treated …

Evaluations Of Low-Quality Roughages And Fibrous Cereal Grains Treated With Various Chemicals, G C. Fahey Jr, L L. Berger, M I. Mora, P J. Van Der Aar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Large improvements in the feeding value of low-quality roughages have resulted from treatment of them with various chemicals. Chemical treatment of grains may also be a potentially useful practice. The research reported here was designed (1) to determine how Chelating Metal Caustic Swelling (CMCS), a nontoxic, alkaline, aqueous reagent, compares with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in enhancing in-vitro cellulose digestion (IVCD) of cornstalks (CS) (Zea mays) and soybean residues (SBR) (G!),cine max.), and (2) to evaluate the effects of NaOH and CMCS treatments of fibrous grains using in-situ techniques. CMCS or 7.5% NaOH solutions were added to CS or SBR at …

Effect Of Solvent Treatments On Intake And Digestibility Of Corn Stover, D M. Schaefer, M R. Ladisch, C H. Noller, V L. Lechtenberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Treatment of crop residues with low levels of sodium hydroxide has been shown to improve organic-matter digestibility and animal performance. One objective of these experiments was to evaluate the effects of three treatments -water, sodium hydrox­ide, and chelating metal cellulose-swelling solution-on solubilization of cell-wall components in corn (Zea m£rys) stover. The two latter treatments were balanced for level of sodium hydroxide application, which was .3 .2 % of stover dry matter. The second objective was to determine the effects of these treatments on in-vitro and in-vivo digestibility as well as on consumption of corn stover. Twelve growing ram lambs were …

Factors Causing Greater In-Vitro Than In-Vivo Digestibility Of Sodium Hydroxide - Treated Roughages, L L. Berger, T J. Klopfenstein, R A. Britton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Research on sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment oflow-quality roughages generally indicates that in-vivo digestion is lower than in-vitro digestion. The purpose of this research was to identify factors that may cause less of the potentially digestible fiber to be digested in vivo than in vitro. Corn (Zea mays) cobs were raised to 60% moisture and treated to contain 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5 % , and 10.0% NaOH. Lambs were fed diets containing 80% cobs and 20% supplement, giving a complete mixed diet con· taining 0%, 2.0%, 4.0%, 6.0%, and 8.0% NaOH. Five abomasally cannulated lambs were assigned to a 5 x …

Relationship Between Silage Quality And 15 N-Nitrate Reduction During Ensilage, K Ataku, M Horiguchi, T Matsumoto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nitrate in forage has been proven to occasionally poison ruminants. Our recent studies, however, have shown that a high con­centration of nitrate inhibits butyric acid fermentation to the advantage of the silage quality. This work was undertaken to see the relationship between silage quality and the pattern of nitrate reduction during ensilage.

High Mobility Group Motif Proteins’ Role In Fibrosis, Inflammation, And Vascular Injury In Systemic Sclerosis, Fabian A. Mendoza, Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Sergio A. Jimenez

Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine Papers and Presentations

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an idiopathic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive cutaneous and systemic fibrosis, severe vasculopathy, and multiple humoral and cellular immunological alterations. The pathogenesis of SSc is highly complex and remains incompletely elucidated. The fibrotic process is a crucial component of SSc and is responsible for organ failure and high mortality. Although an increasing understanding of the fibrotic process has enabled the clinical development of antifibrotic therapeutic agents, these agents have limited clinical efficacy. Recently, the potential role of a group of transcription factors containing a High Mobility Group (HMG) motif, in the development and pathological manifestations …

Lesson 1. Makhózula Etáŋhaŋ Wiyútapi Ke: Tomato Journey From Tiny Seed To My Plate, Rachel Pastrana, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this engaging kindergarten food systems lesson, students become “Plant Parents” as they follow the remarkable journey of a tomato from a tiny seed to food on their plate. Through storytelling, observation, movement, and hands-on plant care, students explore how sunlight, water, and soil work together to support plant growth. Using the Lakota concepts of Makhózula (Abundant Land), Wopila (Gratitude), and Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ (We Are All Related), students learn that food is a gift made possible by the cooperation of people, plants, animals, and natural resources. Students observe and care for tomato seedlings, participate in outdoor exploration activities, and create …

Lesson 2. The Soil Doctors: Healthy Vs. Thirsty Soil Detectives, Rachel Pastrana, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, Kindergarten students in Norris, South Dakota, become "Soil Detectives" to investigate the health of Maka (the Earth). By using their hands to touch, squeeze, and compare local schoolyard soil, students learn to identify Maka Wasté (Healthy Soil) and Maka Puza (Thirsty Soil). This lesson utilizes communal storytelling and Lakota terminology to ground scientific inquiry in local Indigenous knowledge and South Dakota land history. Students apply Regenerative Agriculture principles by providing a "cure" protecting the soil with a natural blanket—and conclude with a Wóglaka (Reflection Circle) to share their experiences as young stewards of the land.

Sequencing Of Chenopodium A-Genome Diploids To Identify Potential Mechanisms Of Speciation: A Preliminary Study, Riley Roser

Theses and Dissertations

The genus Chenopodium is of increasing significance, mainly due to allotetraploid quinoa (C. quinoa Willd.,2x = 4x =36, AABB genome) becoming globally recognized for its high nutritional value and tolerance for stress. Diploid A-genome relatives of quinoa in the Western Hemisphere have shown speciation patterns congruent to adaptive radiation, particularly in the North American continent, where a number inhabit ecological niches while others form mixed populations where they are sympatric. Characterization of the genetic mechanism(s) underlying this rapid speciation, could clarify their potential usefulness for improving quinoa . Previous whole-genome assemblies of AA diploids C. watsonii A. Watson and C. …

Immune Suppression And Metabolic Reprogramming In Bactrocera Dorsalis Parasitized By Fopius Arisanus, Rehemah Gwokyalya, Jeremy Herren, Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Sahadatou Mama Sambo, Cassandra Purity Ronnie, Ndlela Shepard, Sunday Ekesi, Samira A. Mohamed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Abstract – Bactrocera dorsalis is a major horticultural pest. Biocontrol using parasitoids, such as Fopius arisanus, is a sustainable tool for managing this pest. However, the mechanisms enabling the successful parasitism of B. dorsalis are poorly understood. Using transcriptomic profiling, cellular bioassays, and targeted metabolite analyses, we investigated how F. arisanus modulates the immunity and metabolic activity of B. dorsalis to achieve a high parasitism rate. Our results revealed a weak and late encapsulation response of B. dorsalis towards F. arisanus. Additionally, parasitism reduced the number of circulating haemocytes by 35%, lowered constitutive granulocyte counts and inhibited phenoloxidase activity in …

Proteomic Evidence Indicates Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Enhances Recovery Of Membrane-Associated Proteins In Hericium Erinaceus, Tanvir Ahmed, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Netsanet Shiferaw Terefe, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Membrane-associated fungal proteins mediate essential functions and contain bioactive proteins with therapeutic potential but are underrepresented in aqueous extracts due to hydrophobicity and lipid associations. Ultrasound-assisted aqueous extraction was applied to Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), and the proteins were fractionated by molecular weight (≥30 kDa, 10–30 kDa, 3–10 kDa). Proteomic profiling using data-dependent (DDA) and data-independent (DIA) mass spectrometry identified 1500 and 1702 proteins, respectively (1% global FDR). Ultrasonication induced surface irregularity and a less compact, heterogeneous microstructure. Topology predictions showed higher proportions of transmembrane and secretory proteins in ultrasonicated fractions. Extraction preserved protein integrity (82% molecular-weight retention, 97% tryptic …

Examining The Relationship Between Civic Agriculture Participation And Civic Engagement In South Texas, Allison Kaika, Dongkyu Kim, William Donner, Alexis Racelis, Owen Temby

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Civic agriculture is often credited with strengthening democratic life by encouraging civic and political engagement, yet this claim has scarcely been tested in socioeconomically marginalized regions. Using original survey data collected through a combination of random and purposive sampling, this study assesses that relationship in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, a majority-Hispanic agricultural region marked by high poverty and low civic participation. Phone and online surveys were administered in English and Spanish to reach both the general population and individuals involved in civic agriculture initiatives, yielding over 400 responses. We examine whether civic agriculture participation predicts greater community …

Neuroanatomical And Histological Insights Into Central Nervous System Abnormalities Of A 3-Year-Old With Progressive Encephalopathy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Micrencephaly, And Infantile Spasms, Haley Nation, Omid B. Rahimi, Rachel Morgan-Armbruster, Andrea R. Gilbert

The Journal of Integrative Physiology

Introduction: This case study presents a comprehensive neuroanatomical and histological analysis of the central nervous system from a 3-year-old donor with a rare complex neurological condition characterized by progressive encephalopathy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, micrencephaly, and infantile spasms. Method: This analysis was conducted using a combination of detailed gross dissection and histological examination to assess structural and neuronal abnormalities across multiple brain and spinal cord regions. External and internal analysis of the central nervous system revealed profound developmental and atrophic changes across various brain structures, including absent central sulci, abnormal gyration patterns, and severe cerebellar and cerebral atrophy. Key Findings: Key findings …

Agrivoltaic Shading Reduces Soil Greenhouse Gas Fluxes In A Semi-Arid Vineyard, Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, Rafael M. Almeida, Carine Cocco, Engil Pereira

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Agrivoltaic systems are expanding in semi-arid regions, raising questions about how panel driven shading alters soil greenhouse gas exchange. We used automated chambers to measure high frequency soil CO2, N2O, and CH4 fluxes in a newly established vineyard agrivoltaic system in Texas across three shading intensities (0%, 35%, 88%) that represent the light environment beneath panels as shaped by panel tilt and solar trajectory. Shading primarily cooled the soil, reducing mean soil temperature from 35.9 °C (0%) to 32.5 °C (35%) and 30.5 °C (88%), while mean soil water content shifted modestly (0.125, 0.106, and 0.130 m3 m−3, respectively). Over …

Decorin Promotes Nascent Proteoglycan Retention In Cartilage Matrix By Strengthening Collagen Ii-Aggrecan Integration, Thomas Li, Gabriela Canziani, Yuchen Liu, Neil Patel, Biao Han, Mingyue Fan, Annie Porter, Bryan Kwok, Chao Wang, Qing Li, David E. Birk, Renato V. Iozzo, Irwin M. Chaiken, X. Lucas Lu, Robert L. Mauck, Lin Han

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), a hydrated collagen II-aggrecan composite, undergoes dynamic turnover during both normal homeostasis and disease-associated remodeling. This study elucidates a crucial role for decorin in promoting the retention and stability of nascent aggrecan within this matrix. By applying bio-orthogonal click-labeling, we demonstrate that loss of decorin accelerates the release of nascent aggrecan under both physiological and inflammatory conditions, without affecting its preferential localization to the pericellular matrix. Conversely, supplementation with exogenous decorin mitigates inflammation-induced loss of nascent aggrecan, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target. At the molecular level, decorin exhibits strong binding affinity for aggrecan, and …

Gene × Sex Interactions On Cognition In The Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, Josephine Mollon, Emma M. Knowles, Samuel R. Mathias, Amanda Rodrigue, Ruben C. Gur, Juan M. Peralta, Daniel J. Weiner, Elise B. Robinson, Armin Raznahan, Raquel E. Gur, John Blangero, Laura Almasy, David C. Glahn

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Small differences between females and males in cognitive abilities have been consistently reported, but the factors underlying these sex differences remain unclear. Social and cultural factors are thought to play a key role, but studies on this topic have been inconclusive. Examination of genetic factors may shed some light on the mechanisms underlying cognitive sex differences.

Methods: Using data from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, a large, general population sample of individuals aged 8 to 21 years old (N = 4,694), we tested for sex differences in the genetic factors (i.e., Gene × Sex interactions) underlying cognitive ability. Participants completed …

Validated Crispr/Cas9 Guide Rnas Targeting Neurodevelopmental Genes In The Tunicate Ciona Robusta, Sydney Popsuj, Tenzin Kalsang, Eduardo D. Gigante

Faculty Articles

The tunicate Ciona robusta provides a powerful and simplified model for dissecting the genetic control of developmental and cell biology. With a larval CNS composed of just over 200 neurons and sensory cells, it has also emerged as a model organism for neurobiology and the development of the nervous system. Although CRISPR/ Cas9-mediated mutagenesis is now routinely used in Ciona as an important technique used to interrogate gene function in diverse biological processes, validated single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) have yet to be validated for several key neural genes. Here, we report the design and experimental validation of 25 novel sgRNAs targeting …

Intramuscular Nad⁺ Therapy And Neuroenergetic Symptom Modulation: An Exploratory Retrospective Human Pilot Study, Zachary J. Dickey Do, Kirtan Patel Bs, Randy Aldret Edd, Cscs, Atc, Navneet Sharma Md, Glenn Goodwin Do

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Abstract

Background: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is a central regulator of neuronal energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and axonal integrity. Following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and repetitive subconcussive exposure, neurons undergo a neurometabolic crisis characterized by impaired oxidative phosphorylation, increased ATP demand, and depletion of intracellular NAD⁺ pools. Pre clinical models demonstrate that NAD⁺ depletion contributes to central energy dysregulation, cognitive dysfunction, and axonal and neuronal degeneration through disruption of NAD⁺-dependent pathways including SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial resilience, PARP1-driven NAD⁺ consumption, and SARM1-associated axonal breakdown. Despite growing preclinical evidence supporting NAD⁺based neuroprotection, human clinical data remains absent.

Methods: A real-world clinical pilot …