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A study was conducted to analyze bond lengths in wurtzite and zinc-blende In(sub x)Ga(sub 1-x)N and Al(sub x)Ga(sub 1-x)N random alloys using valence force field simulations supporting large supercells. Experimental results showed that the cation-cation bond lengths supported distinct values in the alloy. In addition, the cation-related splitting of the bonds and broadening of the alloy were larger in InGaN alloys than in AlGaN alloys.

This paper describes a reliability assessment and failure analysis of a poly-Si/non-stoichiometric silicon nitride thin film composite structure. A set of poly-Si/SiNx thin film structures were exposed to a mixed flowing gas (MFG) environment, which simulates outdoor environments, for 90 days, and an elevated temperature and humidity (85°C/95% R.H.) test for 140 days. The mechanical integrity of the thin films was observed to degrade during exposure to the chemically reactive atmospheres. The degree of degradation was analyzed with nanoindentation tests. Statistical analysis of the forces required to initiate a fracture in the thin films indicated degradation due to the exposure to the MFG environment in the SiNx part of the films. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a porous-like reaction layer on top of SiNx. The morphology of the reaction layer resembled that of galvanically corroded poly-Si. Transmission electron microscopy further clarified the microstructure of the reaction layer which had a complex multi-phase structure extending to depths of ~100 nm. Furthermore, the layer was oxidized two times deeper in a 90 days MFG-tested sample compared to an untested reference. The formation of the layer is proposed to be caused by galvanic corrosion of elemental silicon in non-stoichiometric silicon nitride during hydrofluoric acid etching. The degradation is proposed to be due uncontrolled oxidation of the films during the stress tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign workers have become an important part of the workforce on horticulture and livestock farms in Finland. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of foreign workers regarding their working and living conditions. We conducted semistructured theme interviews during two time periods: in 2008-2009 (n = 40 workers on eight farms) and again in 2018-2019 (n = 9 workers on four farms). We found variations in expectations and goals among workers when they take a job abroad. Compelling factors in the origin country included unemployment, low wages, and low standards of living, and enticing factors in the destination country included social relationships and expectations of better income. Personal networks had a strong role in the recruiting processes. Work on farms is physically demanding, and being a foreign worker affects social life in many ways, such as being separated from family and facing pressures from the home community to arrange jobs for others. New communication technologies have improved possibilities to stay in contact. Employers could contribute to better working and living conditions for foreign workers by improving work organization, ergonomics at work, orientation of new workers, and continued training of supervisors. Worker orientation and training should be carefully planned, taking into consideration the limited language skills, work competence requirements, and possibilities for career advancement of the workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on earlier studies, farmers have poorer work ability compared to workers in most other occupations. The aim of this study was to explore if organic production has a positive effect on producers' work ability while controlling for demographic and production characteristics. This study used telephone interview data collected by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in 2014-2015. The material consisted of 2,164 farmers: 231 in organic production and 1,933 in conventional production. Work ability was measured with a single question regarding the farmers' current work ability compared with their lifetime best on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 meaning unable to work. The data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Organic production had a negative effect on work ability, while larger farm size, experiencing economic uncertainty rarely/never/occasionally (vs. often), age under 55 years, having occupational health coverage, and experiencing low amounts of physical strain or mental strain had positive effects in a multivariable model. While this study could not consider potential biases from the farmers' existing health status at the time of switching to organic production and other sources, it is clear that greater attention needs to be paid to improving worker health, safety, and wellness in organic farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a substantial role in the economy and job creation, but they are a remarkable source of environmental impacts. SMEs often lack skills and resources to compile environmental impact assessments; Streamlined Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) can provide efficient tools for this. An application of streamlined LCA relying heavily on database data, LCA clinic, was developed and tested on 23 SMEs in Finland. The climate change impacts were mainly caused by the production of raw materials, electricity and heating, whereas packaging and transportation were not influential. A significant amount of emissions were indirect, i.e. caused by production of raw materials. Thus, decreasing emissions from raw material production or selecting raw materials with a smaller environmental load could be a more efficient way to decrease emissions than reducing direct emissions such as those from electricity use. Lack of data in the LCA-databases was considered a challenge. An access to regionally customised datasets is important for the implementation of LCA clinics. Company feedback indicated that LCA clinics were useful in climate-friendly product design and increased environmental awareness, but did not lead to immediate actions to reduce emissions because of inadequate investment capabilities. Company managers had limited possibilities to use the results in marketing as comparative assessments would require a full LCA. Many company managers were willing to pay a fee sufficient to cover the costs of an LCA clinic, but some considered that the costs should be covered by external funding sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fusarium is one of the important phytopathogenic genera of microfungi causing serious losses on cucurbit plants in Kermanshah province, the largest area of cucurbits plantation in Iran. Therefore, the objectives in this study were to isolate and identify disease-causing Fusarium spp. from infected cucurbit plants, to ascertain their pathogenicity, and to determine their phylogenetic relationships. A total of 100 Fusarium isolates were obtained from diseased cucurbit plants collected from fields in different geographic regions in Kermanshah province, Iran. According to morphological characters, all isolates were identified as Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium semitectum and Fusarium solani. All isolates of the five Fusarium spp. were evaluated for their pathogenicity on healthy cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and honeydew melon (Cucumis melo) seedlings in the glasshouse. F. oxysporum caused damping-off in 20–35days on both cucurbit seedlings tested. Typical stem rot symptoms were observed within 15days after inoculation with F. solani on both seedlings. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, the five Fusarium species were divided into two major groups. In particular, isolates belonging to the F. solani species complex (FSSC) were separated into two RFLP types. Grouping among Fusarium strains derived from restriction analysis was in agreement with criteria used in morphological classification. Therefore, the PCR-ITS-RFLP method provides a simple and rapid procedure for the differentiation of Fusarium strains at species level. This is the first report on identification and pathogenicity of major plant pathogenic Fusarium spp. causing root and stem rot on cucurbits in Iran. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study which determines the factors affecting the adoption of safety improvements on farms in Finland. Barriers in implementing safety improvements are highlighted which include limited resources, personal characteristics of the farmer and slow evolution of the physical farm environment. A conceptual model developed in the study for implementing safety and health interventions is described.

The capabilities of seven Finnish Fusarium species to produce mycotoxins under controlled laboratory (in vitro) conditions as well as on barley and wheat in the field (in vivo) were studied using mass spectrometric methods. In addition, the contaminating Fusarium species of the in vivo samples were identified and quantified with morphological and real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques. All investigated isolates (representing the species F. avenaceum, F. arthrosporioides, F. tricinctum, F. poae, F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F. sporotrichioides) produced mycotoxins on rice cultures and their production capabilities were generally in accordance with the available literature. The main mycotoxins produced were deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and zearalenone by F. culmorum and F. graminearum, beauvericin, diacetoxyscirpenol and HT-2/T-2 - toxins by F. sporotrichioides, beauvericin, enniatins, fusarenon-X, diacetoxyscirpenol and nivalenol by F. poae and enniatins and moniliformin by F. avenaceum/F. arthrosporioides and F. tricinctum. Most mycotoxins that were produced in vitro were also produced in vivo when concerning F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F. avenaceum. Statistical significance was recorded between the production of mycotoxins in vitro and in vivo for HT-2 and T-2 toxins in barley and for deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR assays were developed for the accurate detection and quantification of DNA from Fusarium poae and F. graminearum species, which are able to produce trichothecenes. These and other PCR assays were used for the quantification of trichothecene-producing Fusarium fungi in cereal grains. A correlation was found between the levels of F. poae DNA and nivalenol and enniatins in barley and between the levels of F. graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol in oats. The correlations between F. poae DNA and nivalenol and F. graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol levels were higher than those between these mycotoxins and morphologically determined F. poae and F. graminearum/F. culmorum contamination levels. The use of F. poae specific primers and probe together with F. sporotrichioides/F. langsethiae specific primers and probe in a multiplex qPCR assay yielded results in accordance with those obtained using these primers and probes separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPD-PCR and UP-PCR analysis allowed us to differentiate Verticillium lecanii strains isolated from insect (Homoptera) and from rust fungi. UPGMA, NJ and NJ consensus trees revealed groups of isolates according to their geographical origin. Successful amplification of the ITS region occurred in a few V. lecanii strains. These ITS sequences were almost identical to known ITS sequences. Thirteen strains had similar IGS sequence of about 2.2 Kb, while strain V5 had a different and shorter (1.1 Kb) IGS-sequence. Among the isolates the correlation between conidia size and virulence towards whitefly was low. Verticillium lecanii strains were able to prevent the pustule development of Puccinia recondita. V61 showed 98% effectiveness. Strains active against wheat rust causal agent were highly virulent against whitefly and show some antibacterial activity. These strains are promising for the biocontrol of plant diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study that evaluates the slip, trip and fall (STF) injuries as well as floor-related safety problems in the agricultural industry in Finland. It reveals that 42 percent of the injuries occurred in dairy, beef and swine production while STF are common in milking and moving feed. It indicates that most of the injuries happened when carrying, pushing or lifting a load, however, it is difficult to determine the risk between male and female. It suggests to improve the safety performance of floor and related structures such as contamination control and storage spaces.

Abstract: Failure mechanisms of lead-free solder interconnections in power cycling and thermal shock tests have been investigated in this work. Even though there are some characteristic differences between the two tests, the failures in both cases were induced by recrystallization-assisted crack nucleation and propagation. The three major differences between the tests were: (i) minimum temperature during power cycling was considerably higher in comparison to thermal shock, (ii) the current flow in the power cycling test resulted in electromigration, and (iii) in the power cycling test heat originates locally from components themselves. These differences were also reflected in the test results in the following way: firstly, in the power cycling test the recrystallization occurred earlier than in the thermal shock test, mainly owing to the higher average temperature and secondly, the enhanced growth of intermetallic compound layer at the anode side due to the electromigration was observed during power cycling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]