Italian Ryegrass and Whole Crop Cereal Mixture: Effect of Sowing Rate and Maturity on Variety on Yield and Botanical Composition in Northern Latitudes

The profitability of a dairy farm using whole crop cereals (WCC) is better in Finland than that of a farm producing combine harvested cereals and grass silage (Turunen, 2000). The main reason for that is the decrease in the machinery costs. However, quality of the WCC yield can vary considerably depending on the ear- straw ration. This may lead to problems in feeding. In this experiment we studied the effect of sowing rate and growing time of the cereal cultivar on the botanical composition, quality and yield of the WCC harvest. The objective was to study if it would be possible to increase the grass component in the WCC harvest by cultivation management to such a level that the WCC yield would be feasible to be used in feeding with pure grass silage. In this paper we present results of the botanical composition of the WCC harvest

Italian Ryegrass and Barley Mixture for Forage Production: Effect of Harvesting Time on Yield and Quality in Northern Latitudes

In northern latitudes forage cereal and Italian ryegrass (IRG) mixtures provide a good source of forage in situations where perennial swards have suffered winter damages (Nissinen, 1994). In this experiment harvesting time of the first cut of an IRG-barley mixture was studied to optimise the yield and quality in the growing season. The objective of the study was to assess if harvesting an IRG-barley mixture later than two weeks after heading, as currently recommended, offers benefits

Performance and flow dynamics studies of polymeric optofluidic sers sensors

We present a polymer-based optofluidic surface enhanced Raman scattering chip for biomolecule detection, serving as a disposable sensorchoice with cost-effective production. The SERS substrate is fabricated by using industrial roll-to-roll UV-nanoimprinting equipment andintegrated with adhesive-based polymeric microfluidics. The functioning of the SERS detection on-chip is confirmed and the effect of thepolymer lid on the obtainable Raman spectra is analysed. Rhodamine 6G is used as a model analyte to demonstrate continuous flowmeasurements on a planar SERS substrate in a microchannel. The relation between the temporal response of the sensors and sample flowdynamics is studied with varied flow velocities, using SERS and fluorescence detection. The response time of the surface-dependent SERSsignal is longer than the response time of the fluorescence signal of the bulk flow. This observation revealed the effect of convection on thetemporal SERS responses at 25 μl/min to 1000 μl/min flow velocities. The diffusion of analyte molecules from the bulk concentration intothe sensing surface induces about a 40-second lag time in the SERS detection. This lag time, and its rising trend with slower flow velocities, has to be taken into account in future trials of the optofluidic SERS sensor, with active analyte binding on the sensing surface

Nanocellulose: Recent Fundamental Advances and Emerging Biological and Biomimicking Applications

In the e'ort toward sustainable advanced functional materials, nanocellu- loses have attracted extensive recent attention. Nanocelluloses range from rod-like highly crystalline cellulose nanocrystals to longer and more entan- gled cellulose nanofibers, earlier denoted also as microfibrillated celluloses and bacterial cellulose. In recent years, they have spurred research toward a wide range of applications, ranging from nanocomposites, viscosity modi- fiers, films, barrier layers, fibers, structural color, gels, aerogels and foams, and energy applications, until filtering membranes, to name a few. Still, nanocelluloses continue to show surprisingly high challenges to master their interactions and tailorability to allow well-controlled assemblies for functional materials. Rather than trying to review the already extensive nanocellulose literature at large, here selected aspects of the recent progress are the focus. Water interactions, which are central for processing for the functional proper- ties, are discussed first. Then advanced hybrid gels toward (multi)stimuli responses, shape-memory materials, self-healing, adhesion and gluing, bio- logical sca'olding, and forensic applications are discussed. Finally, composite fibers are discussed, as well as nanocellulose as a strategy for improvement of photosynthesis-based chemicals production. In summary, selected per- spectives toward new directions for sustainable high-tech functional mate- rials science based on nanocelluloses are described. </div

Parylene C Coated Microelectrodes For Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Herein, we present a simple microelectrode preparation methodology consisting in coating a platinum wire or a carbon fiber with a thin insulating Parylene C film (e.g. 1–10 μm), to produce SECM probes with a small and constant probe RG (i.e. ratio between the radius of the insulating sheath and the radius of the active electrode area). After exposition of a fresh active electrode area by blade cutting, a disc shaped electrode is obtained thanks to a protective hot mounting wax layer that avoids Parylene C coating deformation and is easily removed with acetone. Stiffness and straightness of the probe can be tuned by modifying the Parylene C coating thickness and the length of the carbon fiber or platinum wire. This simple electrode preparation method is highly reproducible (c.a. > 90%). The prepared Parylene C coated microelectrodes were characterized by optical microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) approach curves and finally applied to SECM imaging of Pt band structures in contact-less and contact mode

Bacterial species associated with interdigital phlegmon outbreaks in Finnish dairy herds

Background: Severe outbreaks of bovine interdigital phlegmon (IP) have occurred recently in several free stall dairy herds in Finland. We studied the aetiology of IP in such herds, and the association of bacterial species with the various stages of IP and herds of various morbidity of IP. Nineteen free stall dairy herds with IP outbreaks and three control herds were visited and bacteriological samples collected from cows suffering from IP (n = 106), other hoof diseases (n = 58), and control cows (n = 64). The herds were divided into high morbidity (morbidity ≥50%) and moderate morbidity groups (9–33%) based on morbidity during the first two months of the outbreak. Results: F. necrophorum subspecies necrophorum was clearly associated with IP in general, and T. pyogenes was associated with the healing stage of IP. Six other major hoof pathogens were detected; Dichelobacter nodosus, Porphyromonas levii, Prevotella melaninogenica, Treponema spp. and Trueperella pyogenes. Most of the samples of acute IP (66.7%) harboured both F. necrophorum and D. nodosus. We found differences between moderate morbidity and high morbidity herds. D. nodosus was more common in IP lesion in high than in moderate morbidity herds. Conclusions: Our result confirms that F. necrophorum subspecies necrophorum is the main pathogen in IP, but also T. pyogenes is associated with the healing stage of IP. Our results suggest that D. nodosus may play a role in the severity of the outbreak of IP, but further research is needed to establish other bacteriological factors behind these severe outbreaks

Dissolution Control of Mg by Cellulose Acetate–Polyelectrolyte Membranes

Cellulose acetate (CA)-based membranes are used for Mg dissolution control: the permeability of the membrane is adjusted by additions of the polyelectrolyte, poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA). Spin-coated films were characterized with FT-IR, and once exposed to an aqueous solution the film distends and starts acting as a membrane which controls the flow of ions and H2 gas. Electrochemical measurements (linear sweep voltammograms, open-circuit potential, and polarization) show that by altering the CA:PDMAEMA ratio the dissolution rate of Mg can be controlled. Such a control over Mg dissolution is crucial if Mg is to be considered as a viable, temporary biomedical implant material. Furthermore, the accumulation of corrosion products between the membrane and the sample diminishes the undesirable effects of high local pH and H2 formation which takes place during the corrosion process.Peer reviewe

Electrochemically synthesized polymers in molecular imprinting for chemical sensing

This critical review describes a class of polymers prepared by electrochemical polymerization that employs the concept of molecular imprinting for chemical sensing. The principal focus is on both conducting and nonconducting polymers prepared by electropolymerization of electroactive functional monomers, such as pristine and derivatized pyrrole, aminophenylboronic acid, thiophene, porphyrin, aniline, phenylenediamine, phenol, and thiophenol. A critical evaluation of the literature on electrosynthesized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) applied as recognition elements of chemical sensors is presented. The aim of this review is to highlight recent achievements in analytical applications of these MIPs, including present strategies of determination of different analytes as well as identification and solutions for problems encountered