Occurrence,prevention and remediation of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in silage: a review

Ruminants are considered to be less sensitive towards mycotoxins than monogastric animals because rumen microbiota have mycotoxin‐detoxifying capacities. Therefore the effect of mycotoxins towards ruminants has been studied to a lesser extent compared with monogastric animals. Worldwide, a high proportion of the ruminant diet consists of silages made of forage crops (i.e. all parts of the crop above the stubble are harvested). In practice, silages are often contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. Exposure to a cocktail of mycotoxins can hamper animal production and have severe health consequences. In this article the different aspects associated with mycotoxin contamination of silage are reviewed ‘from seed to feed’. An overview is given on the occurrence of toxigenic fungal species and their concomitant mycotoxins in forage crops before and after ensiling. The mycotoxin load of visually non‐mouldy samples and mouldy hot spots within the same silo is also compared. Subsequently, this review delves into different problem‐solving strategies. A logical first step is prevention of mould growth and mycotoxin production in the field, during harvest and during ensiling. If prevention should fail, several remediation strategies are available. These are listed, mainly focusing on the possibilities of microbial degradation of mycotoxins in vivo in silage. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

电机——被忽略的资产

电机是绝大多数设备的驱动设备。电机的可靠性和有效性会影响到工厂整个生产业务,能严重影响企业生产能力,但却是经常被忽视的资产,在许多计划维修项目中被排除在外。现在,由于种种原因,这种状况愈演愈烈,包括工厂维护工人对电机知识的缺乏。在笔者拜访生产车间和电机维修厂时,经常听到抱怨说缺乏专业工人。最近看了一个简单的电机绕组绝缘测试,很惊讶地发现技术人员不知道需要进行温度校准,     

台湾交通大学第三招待所

本案基地位于台湾交通大学光复校区北大门旁,原为缓缓升高之林坡地,四周的校园内道路与建筑都已建成,坡地与道路间高程差约为2-3m。紧邻本案基地的原有矩阵树林因植栽格调颇能体现交大学术风格,其特殊意象已深植交大人心中。这片树林是交大人的共同记忆,以点坐标种植树木,形成类似矩阵或符码的数学概念,凸显交大作为台湾学术理工重镇之象征。     

Genetic diversity and mycotoxin production of Fusarium lactis species complex isolates from sweet pepper

An internal fruit rot disease of sweet peppers was first detected in Belgium in 2003. Research conducted mostly in Canada indicates that this disease is primarily caused by Fusarium lactis Pirotta. Ninety-eight Fusarium isolates obtained from diseased sweet peppers from Belgium, as well as from other countries (Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) were identified by sequencing the translation elongation factor 1α (EF). Of these 98 isolates, 13 were identified as F. oxysporum Schltdl., nine as F. proliferatum (Matsush.) Nirenberg and two belonged to clade 3 of the F. solani species complex. Of the 74 remaining isolates, the EF sequence showed 97% to 98% similarity to F. lactis. Of these isolates, the β-tubulin (TUB), calmodulin (CAM) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) genes were also sequenced. Analysis of the combined sequences revealed that the 74 isolates share nine combined sequences that correspond to nine multilocus sequence types (STs), while the F. lactis neotype strain and one other strain, both isolated from figs, form a separate ST. Together, these 10 STs represent a monophyletic F. lactis species complex (FLASC). An unusually high level of genetic diversity was observed between (groups of) these STs. Two of them (ST5 and ST6) fulfilled the criteria for species recognition based on genealogical exclusivity and together represent a new monophyletic species lineage (FLASC-1). The seven other STs, together with the F. lactis neotype ST, form a paraphyletic species lineage in the African clade of the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex (GFSC). From each of the 10 STs, the mycotoxin production was assessed using a multi-mycotoxin liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method. Out of the 27 analyzed mycotoxins, beauvericin and fumonisins were detected in sweet pepper tissue and in maize kernels. The 10 STs clearly differed in the amount of mycotoxin produced, but there was only limited congruence between the production profile and the phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, the morphological characterization (based on mycelial growth rate and the length of macroconidia) showed distinct differences between the 10 STs, but again there was limited congruence with the phylogenetic results. In conclusion, the data presented in this study demonstrate that 75% of the isolates obtained from sweet pepper with internal fruit rot belong to a F. lactis species complex (FLASC), including a new FLASC-1 monophyletic species, and that the members of this complex display great genetic and phenotypic diversity.     

Complementary integrated circuits on plastic foil using inkjet printed n- and p-type organic semiconductors: Fabrication,characterization, and circuit analysis

Complementary thin-film transistor circuits composed of 6,13-bis(triisopropyl-silylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS–PEN) and a rylene carboxylic diimide derivative for p- and n-channel thin-film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated on flexible foils. The so-called staggered TFT configuration is used, meaning that the semiconductors layers are deposited last. The work-function of the injecting gold electrodes were modified using several self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). For optimized contacts the mobility of the n- and p-channel TFTs was 0.5 cm²/Vs and 0.2 cm²/Vs, respectively. Strongly degraded performance is obtained when the n-channel material was printed on contacts optimized for the p-channel TFT, and vice versa. This illustrates that for CMOS circuits we need careful work-function engineering to allow proper injection for both electrons and holes. We show for the first time that by using a bimolecular mixture for the SAM we can systematically vary the work function, and demonstrate how this affects the performance of discrete n-type and p-type transistors, as well as CMOS inverters and ring oscillators. Under optimal processing conditions we realized complementary 19-stage ring oscillators with 10 μs stage delay operating at 20 V.     

Engineer’s Study Notes for Understanding the Arbitration Process

Using arbitration to resolve commercial disputes has many advantages over court-based litigation. These include the use of “judges” who understand the relevant technical issues and industry practices and thus reduce the probability of unpredictable results can significantly reduce the cost and delay associated with document exchange and depositions and can reduce the amount of time spent on evidence presentation in hearings. Engineers can play an important role when determining whether their organizations and their clients arbitrate or litigate. The use of arbitration requires contractual agreement. Without the inclusion of predispute arbitration procedures in the project’s contracts, it is likely that disputes will be resolved through litigation and not arbitration. Engineers can influence the inclusion of arbitration because they often suggest the forms of project contracts as representatives of engineering, contracting, or owner organizations. Engineers may also find themselves in management roles where they will be involved in a dispute that will be resolved via arbitration. As a party to the arbitration, it is important for the engineer to understand what influence he or she has in making decisions regarding the arbitration process. This paper provides guidance to engineers who are in a position to influence the inclusion of arbitration in the project contracts. This paper also provides suggestions about how the engineer can work with the attorneys to influence the best and most cost- and time-efficient result in the event an arbitration has been commenced. This paper is not a theoretical research paper but rather is a practical guideline based on the experience of the writers, who are engineers and who have been in the arbitration field, both domestically and internationally for over 30?years, seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Together, they share their insights on why the arbitration process can be the better choice for dispute resolution.