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J E Turner

Publications and source records attributed to J E Turner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of nitrogen and neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen from common crabgrass forages sampled on seven dates in northern Arkansas.

Southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris [Retz.] Koel.) is often an undesirable species in field and forage crops, but visual observations suggest that livestock prefer it to many other summer forages. The objectives of this study were to assess the nutritive value of crabgrass sampled weekly between July 11 and August 22, 2001 and then to determine ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of N and neutral detergent insoluble N (NDIN) for these forages. A secondary objective was to compare these kinetic estimates for crabgrass with those of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.), and or-chardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) as control hays. All kinetic evaluations were conducted with 5 ruminally cannulated Gelbvieh x Angus x Brangus steers (383 +/- 22.7 kg). Concentrations of N for crabgrass decreased linearly (P < or = 0.002) across sampling dates for leaf, stem, and whole-plant tissues. Conversely, percentages of the total N pool within NDIN and ADIN fractions generally increased over sampling dates in mostly linear patterns. For crabgrass, the immediately soluble portion of the total N pool (fraction A; overall mean = 54.6% of N) was greater (P < 0.001) than for all control hays. Crabgrass exhibited a more rapid N disappearance rate (overall mean = 0.093/h; expressed as a proportion disappearing/h) than that of bermudagrass (0.046/h; P < 0.001), but the disappearance rate for alfalfa N (0.223/h) was considerably faster (P < 0.001) than for crabgrass. The effective ruminal disappearance of N was greater (P < 0.001) for crabgrass (overall mean = 85.4%) than for the alfalfa (83.3%), bermudagrass (72.3%), or orchardgrass (76.0%) control hays. For alfalfa, the ruminal disappearance rate of NDIN (0.150/h) was more rapid (P < 0.001) than for crabgrass (overall mean = 0.110/h); however, the disappearance rate for crabgrass was faster than that for bermudagrass (0.072/h; P < 0.001) or for orchardgrass (0.098/h; P = 0.010). Effective ruminal disappearance of NDIN was greater (P < 0.001) for crabgrass (overall mean = 72.0%) than for the bermudagrass (69.0%) or alfalfa hays (50.5%), but there was no difference (P = 0.865) between crabgrass and orchardgrass (72.1%). Although crabgrass forages exhibited concentrations of total N that were comparable with those of alfalfa and rates of ruminal N disappearance that were < 50% of those for the alfalfa hay control, improvements in N use efficiency relative to alfalfa are questionable because of the excessively large Fraction A for crabgrass.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of rotation frequency and weaning date on forage measurements and growth performance by cows and calves grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures overseeded with crabgrass and legumes.

A grazing study was initiated in April 2000 and continued through three calving and weaning cycles (ending July 2003) to investigate the effects of rotational grazing management (twice monthly [2M] vs. twice weekly [2W]) and weaning date (mid-April [EARLY] vs. early June [LATE]) on production of fall-calving cow-calf pairs (495 +/- 9.6 kg initial BW) grazing Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) overseeded with legumes and crabgrass. Secondary objectives of the experiment were to monitor differences in quantity and quality of available forage and to evaluate changes in forage species composition. Pastures were dominated by tall fescue throughout the study, and the proportion of basal cover was greater (P < 0.05) in 2M than in 2W pastures. The percentage of legumes was very low across all treatment combinations, but the percentage of crabgrass continued to increase (P < 0.05) linearly and quadratically across years for both summer and fall sampling periods, regardless of rotation or weaning program. In vitro DM disappearance and mineral concentrations varied minimally because of rotation frequency or weaning date. Rotation frequency did not substantially affect (P = 0.11 to 0.97) cow BW, hay offered, milk production, calving interval, calf birth weight, or actual or adjusted weaning weights; however, 2M cows had 0.3 units higher (P < 0.05) BCS at the time of breeding than 2W cows. Calves weaned late had greater (P < 0.05) actual weaning weight and weighed more (P < 0.05) on the LATE weaning date than on the EARLY weaning date, but 205-d adjusted weaning weights did not differ (P = 0.74) across weaning dates. Therefore, rotation frequency and/or weaning date had little effect on forage species composition or forage quality. In addition, the rapid rotation program offered little advantage with respect to animal performance, and weaning fall-born calves grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures at approximately 189 d of age seemed to be detrimental to calf performance compared with delaying weaning until 243 d of age.

Acremonium↗

Ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of dry matter and fiber in growing steers for common crabgrass forages sampled on seven dates in northern Arkansas.

Southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris [Retz.] Koel.) is often viewed as an undesirable weed, largely because it encroaches upon field and forage crops, gardens, and lawns. However, visual observations of livestock grazing mixed-species pastures suggest that cattle seem to prefer crabgrass to many other summer forages. The objectives of this study were to assess the nutritive value of crabgrass sampled weekly between July 11, and August 22, 2001, and then to determine ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of DM and NDF for these crabgrass forages. A secondary objective was to compare these kinetic estimates with those of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.), and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) control hays. All forages were evaluated in situ using five (383 +/- 22.7 kg) ruminally cannulated crossbred (Gelbvieh x Angus x Brangus) steers. Whole-plant crabgrass exhibited more rapid (P < or = 0.002) ruminal disappearance rates of DM (overall range = 0.069 to 0.084 h(-1)) than did bermudagrass (0.054 h(-1)) and orchardgrass (0.060 h(-1)) hays, but disappearance rates were slower (P < 0.001) for crabgrass than for alfalfa hay (0.143 h(-1)). Effective ruminal disappearance of DM was greater (P < 0.001) for crabgrass (overall range = 69.3 to 75.4%) than for all the control hays. Similarly, disappearance rates of NDF for crabgrass (overall range = 0.069 to 0.086 h(-1)) were more rapid (P < 0.001) than observed for bermudagrass and orchardgrass hays; however, NDF in alfalfa disappeared at a faster (P < 0.001) rate (0.107 h(-1)) than crabgrass. These results indicate that crabgrass offers greater effective ruminal degradability of DM and NDF than orchardgrass or alfalfa of moderate quality. More importantly, it potentially offers faster and more extensive ruminal disappearance than perennial warm-season grasses typically found throughout the southeastern United States, and it should likely support improved performance by ruminant livestock in this region.

Animals↗

Aerobic stability of wheat and orchardgrass round-bale silages during winter.

Using recently developed technology, balage is often stored in large (1.2 x 1.2 m) round bales that are wrapped in plastic film with an in-line wrapper. The aerobic stability of this fermented forage is important, particularly during winter months when it is fed to livestock or sold as a cash crop. Two types of forage, orchardgrass [Dactylis glomerata L.; 54.4% dry matter (DM)] and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; 62.4% DM), were packaged in large round bales and wrapped with an in-line wrapper during May 2002. Twenty-one bales of each balage type were unwrapped and exposed to air on Dec. 10, 2002 for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, or 32 d (ambient temperature range = 0.6 to 19.4 degrees C) to evaluate aerobic stability. For both orchardgrass and wheat balage, final bale weight, concentration of DM, and pH were not affected by exposure time. Across both balage types, DM recoveries were > or = 97% for all bales, indicating that both balage types were very stable when exposed to air. For orchardgrass balage, exposure time had no effect on concentrations of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, or lignin, thereby indicating that little deterioration occurred. Similarly, no contrast relating any fiber component with exposure time was significant for wheat balage. Concentrations of crude protein (CP) were not affected by exposure time for wheat balage, but there was a tendency for exposed orchardgrass bales to have greater concentrations of CP than bales sampled on d 0. Exposure time had no effect on 48-h in situ digestibility of DM for wheat balage, but there was a tendency for a linear increase with exposure time for orchardgrass balage. However, the overall range (78.2 to 80.5%) over the 32-d exposure period was very narrow, and this response is probably of limited biological significance. Generally, concentrations of fermentation acids were low, primarily because of the high concentration of DM within these balages, and only minimal changes in these acids were observed over the exposure interval. These results suggest that the balage evaluated in this trial during winter conditions was very stable after exposure to air for up to 32 d. This should allow for considerable flexibility with respect to feeding, transport, and marketing of balage during winter months without significant aerobic deterioration.

Ammonia↗

Acetate non-utilizing mutants of Arabidopsis: evidence that organic acids influence carbohydrate perception in germinating seedlings.

A phenotypic screen was employed to isolate Arabidopsis plants that are deficient in their ability to utilize or sense acetate. The screening strategy, based on resistance to the toxic acetate analogue monofluoroacetic acid, was adapted from one that has been used successfully to identify important metabolic and regulatory genes involved in acetate metabolism in fungi. Following conventions established from the fungal work, the mutants were called acn mutants for acetate non-utilization. Three highly resistant plant lines were the focus of genetic and physiological studies. Mutant acn1 appears to be a true acetate non-utilizing mutant, as it displays increased sensitivity to exogenous acetate. The progeny of the original acn2 mutant did not germinate, even in the presence of sucrose as an exogenous carbon source. The germination of seeds from the F3 generation depended on the sucrose concentration in the medium. Only a small proportion of seeds germinated in the absence of exogenous sucrose and in the presence of 100 mM sucrose, but up to 70% of seeds germinated on 20 mM sucrose. Mutant acn3 exhibited sensitivity to exogenous sucrose, showing significant chlorosis on medium containing 20 mM sucrose, but no chlorosis when grown in the absence of exogenous sucrose. This phenotype was alleviated if acetate was provided. The acn mutants demonstrate that disrupting organic acid utilization can have profound affects on carbohydrate metabolism.

Acetates↗

NOREC, a Monte Carlo code for simulating electron tracks in liquid water.

The work reported here was originally motivated by a discussion of Monte Carlo computer codes for electron transport in water given in Report No. 130 by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP). It was pointed out (correctly) that a published depth-dose distribution calculated by the Oak Ridge electron transport code, OREC, for 800 keV electrons normally incident on a water slab was apparently in error, possibly due to inadequate treatment of elastic scattering. In this paper we describe the replacement of the original OREC elastic cross sections by current ones from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This investigation led also to the critical examination and revision of some other parts of the program, as described here. The revised code, which we have renamed NOREC, represents the first substantial review and modification of the Oak Ridge code in a number of years. We also present some comparisons of results calculated with the old and new versions and discuss their implications with respect to earlier studies. We have also written a version of NOREC in C++ language, which is available to other investigators. This paper provides a record of a response to the NCRP published statement and documentation for the revised code, NOREC.

Algorithms↗

Development of the response AC/A ratio over the first year of life.

This study investigated the development of the link from accommodation to vergence in infants by occluding one eye thus removing binocular cues. Occluded adults continue to converge partially demonstrating that the accommodative drive to vergence (the AC/A link) and proximal cues are sufficient to drive vergence. For infants of all ages, AC/A ratios were found to be in the normal adult range. We conclude that infants can use monocular cues to drive vergence and that this occurs before the age when there is a substantial increase in the accuracy of oculomotor processes. There is flexibility in the developing visual system which is able to produce early vergence responses by relying upon alternative cues.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Effectiveness of a two-dose regimen of prostaglandin administration in inducing luteolysis without adverse side effects in mares.

Our objectives were to determine whether repeated administration of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) to simulate the endogenous mode of secretion would be more effective than a single injection in inducing luteolysis and enable use of smaller doses less likely to cause adverse side effects. The main study comprised 43 dioestrous mares, who were given im. either a single 10 mg dose of natural PGF2alpha (n = 22) or 2 doses of 0.5 mg PGF2, 24 h apart (n = 21). The intensity of side effects was assessed in 8 dioestrous mares given 5, 1.5, 0.5 or 0 mg PGF2alpha in consecutive cycles. Two doses of 0.5 mg PGF2alpha 24 h apart caused lysis of the corpus luteum in all mares, whether this was determined from a fall in plasma progesterone concentrations or reproductive tract/behavioural changes; and when 10 mg PGF2, was given, the corpus luteum was lysed in 17 of 22 mares i.e. a lower proportion (P = 0.0485). A single dose of 0.5 mg PGF2a was no more effective than saline in inducing luteolysis.The intensity of side effects of PGF2alpha increased with dose. Although the 0.5 mg dose was no more likely than saline to cause sweating or muscle spasms, it raised plasma cortisol concentrations and prevented the decline in heart rate seen after saline. We conclude that a 2 dose regimen of administration increases the luteolytic efficacy of PGF2alpha and thereby provides a way to minimise adverse side effects.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

Comparisons of in situ dry matter disappearance kinetics of wheat forages harvested by various techniques and evaluated in confined and grazing steers.

Ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of forages are commonly evaluated in confined animals, but there have been relatively few attempts to evaluate disappearance kinetics of forage dry matter (DM) in grazing animals. Our objectives were 1) to evaluate the effects of harvest technique and sampling date on the in situ DM disappearance kinetics and nutritive value of wheat (Triticum aestiuum L.) forage, and 2) to compare the in situ disappearance kinetics of DM for these forages when the experimental steers were housed in confinement with those obtained from steers grazing wheat pasture. Wheat forage was harvested on three dates (March 6, March 27, and April 11, 2000). Sampling techniques evaluated on each date included three clipping techniques (whole plant, random pluck, and top half) and two evaluations of masticates (oven dried at 50 degrees C or lyophilized). There was an interaction of harvest technique and sampling date main effects for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and whole-plant ash. Disappearance kinetics of DM for these 15 forages were then evaluated by the in situ technique using five 393 +/- 54-kg crossbred steers consuming an alfalfa-based (Medicago sativa L.) diet in confinement, and subsequently, in five 448 +/- 49-kg crossbred steers grazing wheat pasture during March 2001. For fractions A, B, and C, potential extent, rate of disappearance (Kd), and effective ruminal degradability, linear regressions of values obtained for steers grazing wheat pasture on those obtained from confined cattle had significant slopes and exhibited high r2 statistics (>0.821). For fractions A and B, and Kd, the slope of these regression lines did not differ from unity, and the intercept did not differ from zero. For fraction C, potential extent of disappearance, and effective ruminal degradability, slopes were all equal to 1.19 and differed from unity. For effective degradability, deviation of the slope from unity can be explained, in part, on the basis of the passage rates used to calculate these values (0.035 and 0.062/h for confined and grazing steers, respectively). From a practical standpoint, the in situ disappearance kinetics of DM for these wheat forages did not appear to be altered substantially by evaluating them in grazing steers.

Animal Feed↗

Variations in accommodation and convergence responses in a minimally controlled photorefractive setting.

PURPOSE: A remote haploscopic photorefractor, designed for assessment of accommodation and convergence in infants and clinical groups, was used to determine heterophoria accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratios in normal naïve adults. These were compared with conventional clinical measures. METHODS: Twenty-one naïve subjects were used to compare occluded and unoccluded prism cover test responses with the remote haploscopic photorefractor using a text and picture target. RESULTS: Although luminance was generally low for both targets, binocular vergences were appropriate for target demand in both studies. Binocular accommodation showed greater lag for the highest target accommodative demand and the less demanding target. Occlusion not only reduced vergence response, but also frequently caused a marked reduction in accommodation, especially to the picture target. Normal mean AC/A values were found, but with wide variations between individual subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Although mean accommodation, vergence, and AC/A values were comparable with published data, we suggest that in these conditions using naïve subjects, accommodation is frequently inaccurate, especially on occlusion, without concomitant loss of vergence, at least at low light levels. Accommodative convergence may play a less important part in, and other cues contribute more to, the near reflex than has been previously suggested.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Impact of heating-degree-day accumulation during bermudagrass hay storage on nutrient utilization by lambs.

Spontaneous heating in stored alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has reduced forage quality and DM and N digestibility through microbial respiration and Maillard polymer formation. The impact of heating-degree-day (HDD) accumulation in stored bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) was evaluated for its effect on nutrient utilization by lambs. Twenty Rambouillet wether lambs (53.1 +/- 0.74 kg) were used in a completely randomized total collection experiment. The hays selected for this study had previously undergone spontaneous heating, producing either 5, 119, 201, 273, or 401 HDD (> 35 degrees C) during a 60-d storage period. Lambs were offered diets of these hays at 1.5% of BW. Dry matter intake did not differ (P = 0.59) among hays. Linear relationships were detected between HDD and apparent digestibilities of DM (y = 59.1 - 0.016x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.37), OM (y = 59.3 - 0.017x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.43), NDF (y = 66.4 - 0.012x; P = 0.01; R2 = 0.30), and hemicellulose (y = 74.0 - 0.012x; P = 0.02; R2 = 0.27). Similarly, significant regressions were observed for fecal N excretion (g/d; y = 4.70 + 0.004x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.68), apparent N absorbed (g/d; y = 7.4 - 0.005x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.50), apparent N absorption (%; y = 61.2 - 0.038x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.71), apparent neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen digestibility (%; y = 85.8 - 0.026x; P = 0.01; R2 = 0.73), and apparent acid detergent insoluble nitrogen digestibility (%; y = 1.5 + 0.101x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.62). Therefore, spontaneous heating during the storage of bermudagrass hay has a negative effect on dry matter and fiber digestion and nitrogen absorption by lambs.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of calendar date and summer management on the in situ dry matter and fiber degradation of stockpiled forage from bermudagrass pastures.

Limited information is available that describes the disappearance kinetics of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) during fall and early winter. Five ruminally cannulated, crossbred steers (387 +/- 18.3 kg) were used to determine the effects of calendar date and previous summer management on the in situ degradation kinetics of DM and NDF for forage clipped from stockpiled 'Greenfield' bermudagrass pastures. Forage was stockpiled at two sites following summer hay or pasture management, and samples were taken outside (GRAZED) and under caged exclosures (UNGRAZED) at 4-wk intervals beginning October 17, 1997, and ending January 9, 1998. No effort was made to remove or avoid contaminate species. Concentrations of NDF increased (P < 0.001) to a maximum for UNGRAZED forages at the hay site between October 17 and December 12, but sampling date had no effect (P = 0.627) on concentrations of NDF at the pasture site. Concentrations of ADF and lignin increased (P < or = 0.023) during at least one sampling interval in UNGRAZED forages at both sites. At the hay site, degradation rates of DM decreased (P < 0.001) by 0.013/h for UNGRAZED forage between October 17 and January 9, whereas the effective ruminal degradability of DM decreased (P < 0.001) by 33.5% during the same time period. Fractional degradation rates of NDF for UNGRAZED forages at the hay site decreased (P < 0.001) by 0.014/h between October 17 and November 14 but did not change (P > or = 0.077) throughout the remainder of the study. The effective ruminal degradability of NDF decreased (P < 0.001) by 33.8% between the first and last sampling date. At the pasture site, sampling date did not affect (P = 0.458) rates of DM degradation, but the effective degradability of DM for UNGRAZED forages decreased (P = 0.001) by 19.0% from October 17 to December 12. Rates of NDF degradation for UNGRAZED forages did not differ (P > or = 0.113) on the first three sampling dates, but the rate on January 9 was slower than that observed on October 17 (P = 0.025) and November 14 (P = 0.044). The effective degradability of NDF decreased (P < 0.001) by 19.2% between October 17 and December 12. These data indicate that stockpiled bermudagrass should be used during a limited window during the late fall; after this time, the nutritive value becomes very poor.

Animal Feed↗

Small business needs assessment: a comparison of dental educators' responses with SBDC survey results.

A primary focus of dental education is to teach students the knowledge, skills, and values essential for practicing dentistry. However, the preparation of dentists to manage a business is frequently cited as inadequate. A survey was prepared to assess teachers' opinions of business instructional topics: challenges; desired training; employee benefits; learning resources; importance of business topics; and appropriateness of time allocations. The purpose of this project is to compare opinions of teachers of dental practice management with key management aspects reported for service businesses by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Practice management teachers from forty-eight (89 percent) schools responded to the survey. They indicated that several challenges confronting dentists are similar to other service businesses. Dentists, however, rank customer relations appreciably higher. In order of importance of teaching topics, the practice management teachers rank ethics and personnel management as a high priority and planning as a low priority. Awareness of the similarities and differences in the perceptions of practice management teachers and businesspeople may result in instructional improvements.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Carcinoid tumor development in an intramedullary spinal cord mature teratoma.

The case of a 43-year-old woman with a several month history of severe back pain is reported. CT and MR imaging revealed an intramedullary cystic tumor, which was considered a dermoid cyst or teratoma. During surgery, the tumor was found within the base of the filum terminale and completely resected. Microscopic studies revealed a mature teratoma with an intramural carcinoid nodule. Thirteen-month follow-up after surgical resection showed no evidence of tumor recurrence or neoplasms elsewhere.

Adult↗

Isolation of a retinal pigment epithelial cell-derived fraction which promotes Müller cell proliferation.

Retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) secrete a factor(s) in vitro which promotes Müller cell proliferation. To begin the isolation of the active factor, medium conditioned by cultured RPE (RPE-CM) was fractionated by fast protein liquid chromatography. The fractions were tested in an assay for Müller cell proliferation and it was found that one fraction contained biological activity comparable to that of complete RPE-CM. Gel electrophoresis demonstrated that this fraction consisted of proteins with approximate molecular masses of 35-88 kDa. An affinity assay revealed that only an 88-kDa protein in the RPE-CM binds to Müller cells. This protein was also present in the active fraction; therefore, it is the most likely source of the mitogenic activity of RPE-CM.

Animals↗

Survival and differentiation of cultured retinal progenitors transplanted in the subretinal space of the rat.

We have shown that embryonic retina contains progenitors which display stem cell properties in vitro. These cells are proliferative and in addition to expressing the neuroectodermal marker, nestin, are multipotential. These properties and the fact that the putative stem cells can differentiate as photoreceptors when exposed to conducive environment identify them as a viable transplantation reagents to address degenerative retinal diseases. Here we report the survival and differentiation of cultured retinal progenitors upon subretinal transplantation. The retinal progenitor grafts, either as neural spheres or in the form of dissociated cells, survived without disrupting the morphology and laminar organization of the host retina. They did not form rosettes, the morphological barrier to the reconstruction of the normal anatomy of the retina. In addition, transplanted progenitors expressed photoreceptor-specific markers, suggesting that progenitors have the potential to differentiate as photoreceptors. Our observations suggest that cultured retinal progenitors can be a viable reagents for therapeutic transplantation.

Animals↗

Modality effects and the development of the word length effect in children.

Two experiments investigated the development of the word length effect in children aged 4 to 10 years, comparing auditory and visual stimuli. The question addressed was whether word length effects emerged earlier with auditory presentation or visual presentation, or whether they emerged at the same age regardless of presentation modality. Results provided evidence that word length effects emerge earlier with visual than auditory presentation. The implication of our results is that with visual presentation, 4-year-olds engage in some form of verbalization strategy that involves obtaining phonological representations of picture names and mapping them on to articulatory output plans. This strategy is clearly verbal in nature, but is not necessarily characterised as cumulative verbal rehearsal.

Acoustic Stimulation↗