The possibility of maize gluten application for weed control in maize and soybean

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of maize gluten on the weeds number and dry biomass in the maize and soybean experiment. Pre-emergence maize gluten application resulted with an effective weed control in maize, whereas the soybean had the significant loss of plants, due to the gluten fitotoxicity. Post-emergence application was found to be less successful compared with pre-emergence application particularly for soybean. Panicum cruss-galli L. was the most frequent weed in the both experiment. Maize gluten rate of 300 g m2 could be recommended in control of the broad leaf weeds in maize cropping as an alternative herbicide thus a substitute for mineral nitrogen. Our research can contribute to the improvement of the weed control in sustainable cropping systems

Fungal diversity as influenced by soil characteristics

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of soil properties on the biodiversity of soil fungi. An analysis of the fungal diversity of eight different soil types with different soil texture, organic matter, carbonate content, pH, cation exchange capacity and different land uses identified a total of 38 different species grouped in 24 genera. Among all soil fungi identified, the most common were organic matter decomposers. The species most frequently identified were Aspergillus spp., Alternaria sp., Fusarium spp., Mortierella sp. and Penicillium spp. The greatest similarities between fungal communities were seen in arable land with a low or moderate cation exchange capacity and organic matter content, while the least similarities were found between forest Cambisol (CM) and garden soils. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index indicated the highest diversity in Chernozem (CH), Fluvisol (FL) and Arenosol (AR) all used as arable land or garden soil, while the lowest diversity was recorded in a Gleysol (GL) under a meadow, caused by poor aeration and a poor water regime. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) showed the relationship of soil fungi with all soil environmental factors analysed and indicated that certain soil fungi were positively related to organic matter, sand and clay content

Influence of starting powder milling on magnetic properties of Mn-Zn ferrite

In this paper, the influence of additional sieving and milling of starting industrial Mn-Zn powders on magnetic properties was investigated. The starting powder was milled for 60 minutes, followed by sieving through 325 and 400 meshes. The starting and milled powders were used to fabricate toroid shaped samples sintered at 1200°C for 2 hours. Structural parameters of the fabricated samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Complex permeability, core loss density, and hysteresis were measured using the modified watt-meter method. The complex permeability and hysteresis loop were modelled with a new model proposed in the paper. The core loss density was modelled with the Steinmetz empirical equation. The experimental results and calculations show the significance of the additional milling and sieving process on magnetic properties of Mn-Zn ferrite in the frequency range 0.1-10MHz. These processes increase the relative permeability about 3 times and decrease the core loss 4 times by milling of the starting powder

Tailoring the microstructure of Mn-Zn ferrite to electronic properties

Commercial Mn-Zn ferrite powder was milled in a planetary ball mill for 30-240 minutes. Particle size distribution in the milled powders was analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer and correlated with XRD and SEM analysis of the milled powders. Green disc and torroid samples were sintered in air in the temperature interval 800 -1300oC for 2 hours. SEM/EDS, AFM/MFM analysis of the sintered samples and measurements of their electrical properties such as DC resistance up to 500 MHz enabled establishment of a correlation between the microstructure and properties in the high-frequency range

Procena dobrobiti autohtone rase ovce vlašićka pramenka u ekstenzivnim uslovima gajenja na osnovu direktnih pokazatelja

In the Balkan region, the state of sheep welfare is little known. In this context, the assessment of sheep welfare is important for the identification of health and behavioral problems that affect these animals, along with the deficiencies present in the environment. The study was conducted during the winter season on a farm of 220 autochthonous breed Vlašićka Zackel sheep reared in extensive systems on the mountain regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 65 ewes, aged 2-4 years, were observed. The welfare assessment was performed according to the AWIN protocol for sheep. The authors found the following issues: Dry ewes were significantly fat (p<0.001) in regard to pregnant and lactation ewes; 42.11% of pregnant ewes were thin while 31.25% of dry ewes were fat; most of the assessed animals (78.46%) had dry or damp, slightly soiled fleece; 32.31% of animals had lesions on face/muzzle while ocular discharge, respiratory problems, mild mastitis and minor lameness were present in 16.92%, 4.62%, 15.38% and 7.69% sheep, respectively. All animals showed a negative relationship with humans. Using this methodology, the welfare problems in animals may be detected, and thus certain segments in the production cycle may be improved. The on-farm welfare assessment is highly recommended for emphasizing the key points in improving sheep welfare in Balkan countries.U regiji Balkana, stanje dobrobiti ovaca je slabo poznato. Na osnovu toga, procena dobrobiti ovaca je veoma bitna za indetifikaciju njihovih zdravstvenih problema kao i poremećaja ponašanja, zajedno sa nedostacima prisutnim u smeštajnom prostoru. Studija je sprovedena u toku zimskog perioda na farmi od 220 ovaca autohtone rase Vlašićka pramenka koja se uzgaja ekstenzivno u planinskom predelu Bosne i Hercegoven. Ispitano je 65 ženskih grla starih od 2 do 4 godine. Ocena dobrobiti urađena je po metodologiji AWIN protokola za ocenu dobrobiti ovaca. Autori su pronašli sledeće probleme: ovce u zasušenju su bile značajno gojaznije (p<0,001) u odnosu na gravidne i ovce u laktaciji; 42,11% gravidnih ovaca je bilo mršavo dok je 31,25% ovaca u zasušenju bilo gojazno; većina ispitanih životinja (63,08%) posedovala je suvu, ili vlažnu i malo zaprljanu vunu; kod 32,31% životinja su utvrđene lezije na njušci dok su iscedak iz oka, respiratorni problem, blagi mastitis i blaga hromost ustanovljeni kod 16,92 %, 4,62%, 15,38% i 7,69%. Kod svih životinja je test prilaženja čoveku bio negativan. Primenom ove metodologije mogu se otkriti postojeće probleme koji se odnose na stanje dobrobiti ovaca i na taj način se mogu unaprediti određeni segmenti u proizvodnom ciklusu. Ocena dobrobiti na farmama se preporučuje za naglašavanje ključnih tačaka u poboljšanju dobrobiti ovaca u zemljama Balkana

Tailoring the microstructure of Mn-Zn ferrite to electronic properties

Commercial Mn-Zn ferrite powder was milled in a planetary ball mill for 30-240 minutes. Particle size distribution in the milled powders was analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer and correlated with XRD and SEM analysis of the milled powders. Green disc and torroid samples were sintered in air in the temperature interval 800 -1300oC for 2 hours. SEM/EDS, AFM/MFM analysis of the sintered samples and measurements of their electrical properties such as DC resistance up to 500 MHz enabled establishment of a correlation between the microstructure and properties in the high-frequency range

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A FLEXIBLE POLYIMIDE BASED DEVICE FOR DISPLACEMENT SENSING

The goal of this paper is to investigate the performance of a wireless passive displacement sensor. Displacement sensor based on the heterogeneous integration process combines traditional fabrication technologies PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Technology) with a flexible polyimide foil. The proposed sensor uses the coil as an essential part, multiple spacers and a polyimide foil as a flexible membrane with a piece of ferrite attached to it. With the displacement of the polyimide foil, the ferrite gets closer to the coil causing an increase in its inductance and a decrease of the resonant frequency of the system (coil, ferrite and antenna). Simulation results showed that sensors with equal outer dimensions but different internal structures exhibit different performances. Two prototypes of the sensor with different ferrite dimensions are designed, fabricated and characterized. Finally, their performances are compared

Tailoring the microstructure of Mn-Zn ferrite to electronic properties

Commercial Mn-Zn ferrite powder was milled in a planetary ball mill for 30-240 minutes. Particle size distribution in the milled powders was analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer and correlated with XRD and SEM analysis of the milled powders. Green disc and torroid samples were sintered in air in the temperature interval 800 -1300oC for 2 hours. SEM/EDS, AFM/MFM analysis of the sintered samples and measurements of their electrical properties such as DC resistance up to 500 MHz enabled establishment of a correlation between the microstructure and properties in the high-frequency range