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The measurements of spray deposit on filter paper samples attached to strawberry leaves and spray drift to the ground up to the distance of 7.5 m from the sprayed strawberry plants were performed. A multitunnel type tunnel sprayer (Klip Klap, Denmark) and an AGROLA mounted field crop sprayer with a 10 m boom were used. Four types of nozzles were used representing single- or double-jet flat-fan nozzles. The tracer (BSF) deposit on the upper leaves surfaces was generally higher for the field crop sprayer (14,775.0–23,205.5) than for the tunnel sprayer (6,189.4–12,417.7 ng·cm−2). The deposit on the lower surfaces of leaves was 1.9 to 18.0 times lower than on the upper surfaces and ranged from 540.6–1599.4 ng·cm−2for the tunnel sprayer to 893.9–3007.1 ng·cm−2for field crop sprayer. There was no significant effect of double-jet nozzles on the deposition on the lower surfaces and on the uniformity of application (CV% and U/L). The spray drift differed significantly between the tested sprayers. For the field crop sprayer, the drift up to the distance of 7.5 m beyond the sprayed area ranged 0.89–6.31% of the applied spray dose, while for the tunnel sprayer it was not more than 0.07%.

It is well-known that the chemical composition of the host material significantly affects the spectroscopic performance of transition metal ions. However, it is worth noting that also the structure and symmetry of crystallographic sites play significant roles in transition metal ion luminescence. In this study, we demonstrate three perovskite structures of strontium titanate forming so-called Ruddlesden–Popper phases doped with Mn4+ions. The observed reduction in the average Ti4+–O2–distance in the series SrTiO3–Sr2TiO4–Sr3Ti2O7allowed for a record-breaking shift in the spectral position of Mn4+emission band with a maximum of around 734 nm and led to an improvement of the already impressive thermometric performance of SrTiO3:Mn4+in ratiometric and lifetime-based approaches. This research encourages a further search for structures that, with the help of the developed correlations between structural and optical properties, could lead to the discovery of phosphors beyond the limits established so far.

IntroductionOral pirfenidone reduces lung function decline and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Systemic exposure can have significant side effects, including nausea, rash, photosensitivity, weight loss and fatigue. Reduced doses may be suboptimal in slowing disease progression.MethodsThis phase 1b, randomised, open-label, dose–response trial at 25 sites in six countries (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) registration number ACTRN12618001838202) assessed safety, tolerability and efficacy of inhaled pirfenidone (AP01) in IPF. Patients diagnosed within 5 years, with forced vital capacity (FVC) 40%–90% predicted, and intolerant, unwilling or ineligible for oral pirfenidone or nintedanib were randomly assigned 1:1 to nebulised AP01 50 mg once per day or 100 mg two times per day for up to 72 weeks.ResultsWe present results for week 24, the primary endpoint and week 48 for comparability with published trials of antifibrotics. Week 72 data will be reported as a separate analysis pooled with the ongoing open-label extension study. Ninety-one patients (50 mg once per day: n=46, 100 mg two times per day: n=45) were enrolled from May 2019 to April 2020. The most common treatment-related adverse events (frequency, % of patients) were all mild or moderate and included cough (14, 15.4%), rash (11, 12.1%), nausea (8, 8.8%), throat irritation (5, 5.5%), fatigue (4, 4.4%) and taste disorder, dizziness and dyspnoea (three each, 3.3%). Changes in FVC % predicted over 24 and 48 weeks, respectively, were −2.5 (95% CI −5.3 to 0.4, −88 mL) and −4.9 (−7.5 to −2.3,–188 mL) in the 50 mg once per day and 0.6 (−2.2 to 3.4, 10 mL) and −0.4 (−3.2 to 2.3, −34 mL) in the 100 mg two times per day group.DiscussionSide effects commonly associated with oral pirfenidone in other clinical trials were less frequent with AP01. Mean FVC % predicted remained stable in the 100 mg two times per day group. Further study of AP01 is warranted.Trial registration numberACTRN12618001838202 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.

A new thermographic nanocrystalline Sr4Al14O25:Mn4+,Tb3+phosphor was developed, and the concentrations of both dopants and the synthesis conditions were optimized. The combination of the thermally quenched luminescence from the Mn4+ions to the almost temperature-independent emission from Tb3+provides a sensitive luminescent thermometer (SR= 2.8%/°C at 150 °C) with strong emission color variability. In addition, a figure of merit for this luminescence thermochromism was proposed, as the relative sensitivities of the xand yCIE coordinates, which for this phosphor reaches at 150 °C SR(x) = 0.6%/°C and SR(y) = 0.4%/°C, respectively. Noncontact thermal imaging was demonstrated with this phosphor using a single consumer digital camera and exploiting the ratio of red (R) and green (G) channels of the RGB images, thereby confirming the high application potential of Sr4Al14O25:Mn4+,Tb3+nanocrystals for thermal sensing and mapping.

A hallmark of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the excess accumulation of extracellular matrix in the lungs. Degradation of extracellular matrix generates free-circulating protein fragments called neoepitopes. The aim of the INMARK trial was to investigate changes in neoepitopes as predictors of disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the effect of nintedanib on these biomarkers.

The blackcurrant gall mite (Cecidophyopsis ribis) is the most important pest of blackcurrant crops. Over recent years withdrawal from plant protection programmes of chemical products (endosulfan and amitraz) used for the control of this pest in Poland, has led to an observed increase in population numbers. In 2013, fenpiroxymate (Ortus 05 SC) became registered for control of this pest. It is deemed best that chemical protection should be used during the migration period; when big gall mites emerge from buds in search of new buds. The studies were carried out in a plantation of blackcurrants during 2011-2013. The assessment of migration of the blackcurrant gall mite was carried out on the cultivars ‘Ben Hope’, ‘Ben Alde’r, ‘Ojeby’n and ‘Ruben’. Every year, from selected cultivars buds were collected. They were then placed on blackcurrant leaves within Petri dishes. After one, three and five days of placing buds on the leaves, the estimated number of eriophyid mites on the leaves was calculated. The data has shown a very useful method for monitoring blackcurrant gall mite, which can be used in calculating the treatment dates for this pest. Also, the data has shown that differences in the periods of migration of the mite are dependent on the cultivar and time of flowering. Among the cultivars observed the least susceptible to colonization by the blackcurrant gall mite was a Polish cultivar ‘Ruben’, while the most susceptible cultivar was ‘Ben Hope’.

Occupational asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with the airway inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to compare the sputum and serum markers of inflammation in patients with occupational asthma and COPD. The study group included 20 patients with stable COPD, 24 patients with asthma, and 22 healthy subjects. Interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 levels in serum and induced sputum as well as fibrinogen and CRP in serum were determined in all the subjects. Higher concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and MMP‐9 in induced sputum and an increased concentration of acute‐phase proteins in serum were observed in COPD patients compared with healthy subjects. Higher concentrations of IL‐1β and MMP‐9 in induced sputum and a higher concentration of C‐reactive protein (CRP) were detected in COPD patients than in asthmatic subjects. Never smokers with COPD had significantly higher levels of IL‐1β and MMP‐9 in induced sputum than never smoker controls. There was no significant difference between the serum and sputum levels of cytokines and MMP‐9 of never smokers and smokers with COPD. Higher concentrations of IL‐1β and MMP‐9 in induced sputum and a higher concentration of CRP in serum allow distinguishing between biomarker profiles of COPD patients and asthmatic patients. Occupational exposure induces a systemic proinflammatory state with increased levels of acute‐phase proteins in stable COPD patients. MMP‐9 and IL‐1β concentrations are increased in induced sputum of never smokers with COPD, which is associated with occupational exposure.

Background: Pirfenidone and nintedanib are considered as the standard of care in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but there is no consensus as to which of these two agents should be regarded as first-line treatment.Objective: To provide real-world data on therapeutic decisions of pulmonary specialists, particularly the choice of the antifibrotic drug in patients with IPF.Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective survey collecting clinical data of patients with IPF considered as candidates for antifibrotic treatment between September 2019 and December 2020. Clinical characteristics and information on the therapeutic approach were retrieved. Statistical evaluation included multiple logistic regression analysis with stepwise model selection.Results: Data on 188 patients [74.5% male, median age 73 (interquartile range, 68–78) years] considered for antifibrotic therapy were collected. Treatment was initiated in 138 patients, while 50 patients did not receive an antifibrotic, mainly due to the lack of consent for treatment and IPF severity. Seventy-two patients received pirfenidone and 66 received nintedanib. Dosing protocol (p< 0.01) and patient preference (p= 0.049) were more frequently associated with the choice of nintedanib, while comorbidity profile (p= 0.0003) and concomitant medication use (p= 0.03) were more frequently associated with the choice of pirfenidone. Age (p= 0.002), lung transfer factor for carbon monoxide (TLCO) (p= 0.001), and gastrointestinal bleeding (p= 0.03) were significantly associated with the qualification for the antifibrotic treatment.Conclusion: This real-world prospective study showed that dose protocol and patient preference were more frequently associated with the choice of nintedanib, while the comorbidity profile and concomitant medication use were more frequently associated with the choice of pirfenidone. Age, TLCO, and history of gastrointestinal bleeding were significant factors influencing the decision to initiate antifibrotic therapy.

The spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) (SWD) monitoring was carried out between 2012-2014 in eight locations. In order to determine the presence of Drosophila suzukii,several types of traps and baits were used. In 2014, Polish (prototype of Drosinal) and Spanish (Cera Trap) traps and baits were used in our study. In each year, traps were placed on the plantations of blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and at a wholesale market at the beginning of July, and monitored once or twice a week until mid-December. During 2012 and 2013 there were no flies of the spotted wing drosophila in traps. First flies of this species were captured in 2014 in two locations: Września (3rdweek of October) and Brzezna (1stweek of December) – western and southern Poland respectively, in both types of the traps. However, Polish traps were more effective in trapping D. suzukii. In addition, the Polish product has small holes and therefore captures less no target and beneficial insects than Spanish traps. Despite detection of SWD in Poland, damaged fruits were not found.

A study was conducted in an organic nursery, in 2010 and 2011, on the growth of scab-resistant maiden apple trees of the cultivars Topaz and Ariwa grafted on M.26 rootstock. The young trees were grown at a spacing of 25 cm × 1.0 m on a podzolic soil. On the basis of the differences in the thickness and height of the maidens, and the number of lateral shoots and their length, as well as the number of branched trees, the effects of various fertilizers were studied depending on the number of treatments applied to the plants, which were treated either once or twice with such products as granulated manure, Micosat, Humus UP, Humus Active + Aktywit PM, BF Amin, BF Quality, Tytanit and Vinassa. The control plants were not fertilized at all, or fertilized with NPK. The fertilizers were applied the first time to the soil and plants in the nursery in mid-May and the second time in early June. The results showed that using them in a double treatment did not result in improved plant growth in every case. Two applications of humic preparations, the so-called vermiculites (Humus UP, Humus Active + Aktywit PM with the addition of beneficial bacteria), BF Quality, and to some extent also BF Amin gave better results in terms of the quality of maiden trees than a single application of these products, whereas in the case of preparations such as Tytanit and Vinassa, treating plants with them for the second time did not result in a significant increase in the intensity of plant growth in relation to the plants treated only once during the early period of growth

Two independent trials were established during the years of 2009 and 2010 with M.26 apple rootstocks and Prunus mahaleb L. seedlings in three different locations to evaluate the effect of seven organic fertilizers and amendments on the growth of rootstocks in an organic nursery in the first year of an operation. The products tested were a microbial consortium, two kinds of vermicomposts extracts, two kind of seaweeds extracts, a stillage from yeast production and a solution of titanium. Plants receiving these products were compared to untreated and minerally or organically (manure) fertilized during vegetative season. Plant growth was evaluated by measuring the increase of the root neck diameter and the height of the tallest upward growing shoot. The application of the different organic fertilizers and amendments induced significantly higher growth of both kinds of rootstocks in all locations and for each year in comparison to control and, in the majority of the cases, to the chemical and manure fertilization. However, some products (BF Quality, Micosat, Humus UP, Tytanit and Vinassa) showed a more consistent effect on the growth of tested rootstocks under different soil and climatic conditions. It can be concluded that fertilization of apple and sour cherry rootstock with organic fertilizers and amendments of different origin and composition is effective in producing of high quality plants.

The paper concerns an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) guidance system. In particular path planning and yaw control levels are considered. A path planning algorithm based on an evolution algorithm is introduced and developed. For the vehicle yaw control a fuzzy gain scheduler based on Sugeno’s mode of inference is applied. Numerical results both for the controller performance and for evolutionary computations in navigational constraints are included. Finally paper concludes with remarks and comments.