Study on the Improvement of Droplet Penetration Effect by Nozzle Tilt Angle under the Influence of Orthogonal Side Wind

This study investigates the impact of varying side wind velocities and nozzle inclination angles on droplet penetration during plant protection spraying operations, focusing on citrus trees. Experiments were conducted across four wind speed levels (0, 1, 2, 3 m/s) perpendicular to the nozzle direction and seven nozzle inclination levels (0°, 8°, 15°, 23°, 30°, 38°, 45°) to evaluate droplet distribution under different spraying parameters. A baseline condition with 0 m/s wind speed and a 0° nozzle angle served as the control. Utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and regression analysis techniques in conjunction with field trials, the droplet penetration was analyzed. Results indicate that at constant wind speeds, adjusting the nozzle inclination angle against the direction of the side wind can significantly enhance droplet deposition in the canopy, with a 23° inclination providing the optimal increase in deposition volume, averaging a change of +16.705 μL/cm2. Multivariate nonlinear regression analysis revealed that both wind speed and nozzle inclination angle significantly affect the droplet penetration ratio, demonstrating a correlation between these factors, with wind speed exerting a greater impact than nozzle angle. Increasing the nozzle inclination angle at higher wind speeds improves the penetration ratio, with the optimal parameters being a 23° angle and 3 m/s wind speed, showing a 12.6% improvement over the control. The model fitted for the impact of nozzle angle and wind speed on droplet penetration was validated through field experiments, identifying optimal angles for enhancing penetration at wind speeds of 1, 2, and 3 m/s as 8°, 17°, and 25°, respectively. This research provides insights for improving droplet penetration techniques in plant protection operations.

Transcolonoscopic spraying formalin solution for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis: a retrospective analysis

Background

Radiation proctitis is a common complication that occurs as a result of radiation therapy used to treat pelvic malignancies. The most common and bothersome symptom resulting from radiation proctitis is rectal bleeding, which can be persistent or recurrent. This study aimed to review our experience and evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcolonoscopic spraying of formalin solution in patients with hemorrhagic radiation proctitis.

Methods

A total of 37 patients with hemorrhagic radiation proctitis, aged between 48 and 79 years (mean age 62.56 ± 8.48 years), were divided into three cohorts based on the severity of radiation injury. Under direct endoscopic vision, a 4% formalin solution was applied directly to the rectal hemorrhagic mucosa. The patients were followed for a period of over 6 months after receiving treatment, during which the therapeutic effectiveness and occurrence of complications were observed.

Results

The study resulted in an overall response rate of 89.2% among all patients. The response rates for patients with grades 1-3 were 100, 100, and 66.7%, respectively. Notably, the rate of response among patients with grade 3 radiation injury was significantly lower compared to those with grades 1-2 (p = 0.009). Mild adverse reactions, such as anal pain and tenesmus, were reported in a small number of patients but could be alleviated without any intervention.

Conclusion

The endoscopic application of formalin solution for the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis has shown a significant effect, particularly in patients with grades 1-2 radiation injury. The observed effect is superior to that observed in patients with grade 3 radiation injury.

Improved Insulating Properties of Polymer Dielectric by Constructing Interfacial Composite Coatings

Polymeric dielectrics exhibit remarkable dielectric characteristics and wide applicability, rendering them extensively employed within the domain of electrical insulation. Nevertheless, the electrical strength has always been a bottleneck, preventing its further utilization. Nanocomposite materials can effectively improve insulation strength, but uniform doping of nanofillers in engineering applications is a challenge. Consequently, a nanocomposite interfacial coating was meticulously designed to interpose between the electrode and the polymer, which can significantly improve DC breakdown performance. Subsequently, the effects of filler concentration and coating duration on DC breakdown performance, high field conductivity, and trap distribution characteristics were analyzed. The results indicate that the composite coating introduces deep traps between the electrode-polymer interface, which enhances the carrier confinement, resulting in reduced conductivity and enhanced DC breakdown strength. The incorporation of a composite coating at the interface between the electrode and polymer presents novel avenues for enhancing the dielectric insulation of polymers.

A Natural Virucidal and Microbicidal Spray Based on Polyphenol-Iron Sols

Numerous disinfection methods have been developed to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases that threaten human health. However, it still remains elusively challenging to develop eco-friendly and cost-effective methods that deactivate a wide range of pathogens, from viruses to bacteria and fungi, without doing any harm to humans or the environment. Herein we report a natural spraying protocol, based on a water-dispersible supramolecular sol of nature-derived tannic acid (TA) and Fe3+, which is easy-to-use and low-cost. Our formulation effectively deactivates viruses (influenza A viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and human rhinovirus) as well as suppressing the growth and spread of pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii) and fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Trichophyton rubrum). Its versatile applicability in a real-life setting is also demonstrated against microorganisms present on the surfaces of common household items (e.g., air filter membranes, disposable face masks, kitchen sinks, mobile phones, refrigerators, and toilet seats).

Application of Inorganic Nanomaterials in Cultural Heritage Conservation, Risk of Toxicity, and Preventive Measures

Nanotechnology has allowed for significant progress in architectural, artistic, archaeological, or museum heritage conservation for repairing and preventing damages produced by deterioration agents (weathering, contaminants, or biological actions). This review analyzes the current treatments using nanomaterials, including consolidants, biocides, hydrophobic protectives, mechanical resistance improvers, flame-retardants, and multifunctional nanocomposites. Unfortunately, nanomaterials can affect human and animal health, altering the environment. Right now, it is a priority to stop to analyze its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the aims are to raise awareness about the nanotoxicity risks during handling and the subsequent environmental exposure to all those directly or indirectly involved in conservation processes. It reports the human-body interaction mechanisms and provides guidelines for preventing or controlling its toxicity, mentioning the current toxicity research of main compounds and emphasizing the need to provide more information about morphological, structural, and specific features that ultimately contribute to understanding their toxicity. It provides information about the current documents of international organizations (European Commission, NIOSH, OECD, Countries Normative) about worker protection, isolation, laboratory ventilation control, and debris management. Furthermore, it reports the qualitative risk assessment methods, management strategies, dose control, and focus/receptor relationship, besides the latest trends of using nanomaterials in masks and gas emissions control devices, discussing their risk of toxicity.

A Comparative Study in the Design of TiO2 Assisted Photocatalytic Coatings Monitored by Controlling Hydrophilic Behavior and Rhodamine B Degradation

This work presents a comparative study related to the photocatalytic efficiency associated with wettability measurements and organic dye degradation, as well as other relevant properties (i.e., corrosion resistance, roughness, wettability, and adhesion to a substrate). The photocatalytic precursors are titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) which are dispersed onto a polymeric electrospun fiber matrix by using three different deposition techniques such as electrospraying, spraying, and dip-coating, respectively. In this work, the host electrospun matrix is composed of poly(acrylic acid) fibers crosslinked with cyclodextrin (β-CD), which shows a good chemical affinity and stability with the other deposition techniques which are responsible for incorporating the TiO₂ NPs. In order to evaluate the efficacy of each coating, the resultant photocatalytic activity has been monitored by two different tests. Firstly, the reduction in the water contact angle is appreciated, and secondly, the degradation of an organic dye (Rhodamine B) is observed under UV irradiation. In addition, the final roughness, adherence, and pitting corrosion potential have also been controlled in order to determine which solution provides the best combination of properties. Finally, the experimental results clearly indicate that the presence of TiO₂ NPs deposited by the three techniques is enough to induce a super hydrophilic behavior after UV irradiation. However, there are notable differences in photocatalytic efficiency on the Rhodamine B as a function of the selected deposition technique.

Organic Thermoelectric Nanocomposites Assembled via Spraying Layer-by-Layer Method

Thermoelectric (TE) materials have been considered as a promising energy harvesting technology for sustainably providing power to electronic devices. In particular, organic-based TE materials that consist of conducting polymers and carbon nanofillers make a large variety of applications. In this work, we develop organic TE nanocomposites via successive spraying of intrinsically conductive polymers such as polyaniline (PANi) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy- thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and carbon nanofillers, and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). It is found that the growth rate of the layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films, which comprise a PANi/SWNT-PEDOT:PSS repeating sequence, made by the spraying method is greater than that of the same ones assembled by traditional dip coating. The surface structure of multilayer thin films constructed by the spraying approach show excellent coverage of highly networked individual and bundled SWNT, which is similarly to what is observed when carbon nanotubes-based LbL assemblies are formed by classic dipping. The multilayer thin films via the spray-assisted LbL process exhibit significantly improved TE performances. A 20-bilayer PANi/SWNT-PEDOT:PSS thin film (~90 nm thick) yields an electrical conductivity of 14.3 S/cm and Seebeck coefficient of 76 μV/K. These two values translate to a power factor of 8.2 μW/m·K², which is 9 times as large as the same films fabricated by a classic immersion process. We believe that this LbL spraying method will open up many opportunities in developing multifunctional thin films for large-scaled industrial use due to rapid processing and the ease with which it is applied.

A Simple and Convenient Method for Preparing Fluorine-Free Durable Superhydrophobic Coatings Suitable for Multiple Substrates

Superhydrophobic coatings have attracted a lot of attention due to their excellent self-cleaning and anti-fouling capabilities. However, the preparation processes for several superhydrophobic coatings are intricate and expensive, which restricts their usefulness. In this work, we present a straightforward technique for creating durable superhydrophobic coatings that can be applied to a variety of substrates. The addition of C9 petroleum resin to a styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) solution lengthens the SBS backbone and undergoes a cross-linking reaction to form a dense spatial cross-linked structure, improving the storage stability, viscosity, and aging resistance of the SBS. The combined solution functions as a more stable and effective adhesive. Using a two-step spraying technique, the hydrophobic silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles solution was applied to the surface to create durable nano-superhydrophobic coatings. Additionally, the coatings have excellent mechanical, chemical, and self-cleaning stability. Furthermore, the coatings have wide application prospects in the fields of water-oil separation and corrosion prevention.

Effectiveness of a Phage Cocktail as a Potential Biocontrol Agent against Saprophytic Bacteria in Ready-To-Eat Plant-Based Food

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the phage cocktail to improve the microbiological quality of five different mixed-leaf salads: rucola, mixed-leaf salad with carrot, mixed-leaf salad with beetroot, washed and unwashed spinach, during storage in refrigerated conditions. Enterobacterales rods constituted a significant group of bacteria in the tested products. Selected bacteria were tested for antibiotic resistance profiles and then used to search for specific bacteriophages. Forty-three phages targeting bacteria dominant in mixed-leaf salads were isolated from sewage. Their titer was determined, and lytic activity was assessed using the Bioscreen C Pro automated growth analyzer. Two methods of phage cocktail application including spraying, and an absorption pad were effective for rucola, mixed leaf salad with carrot, and mixed leaf salad with beetroot. The maximum reduction level after 48 h of incubation reached 99.9% compared to the control sample. In washed and unwashed spinach, attempts to reduce the number of microorganisms did not bring the desired effect. The decrease in bacteria count in the lettuce mixes depended on the composition of the autochthonous saprophytic bacteria species. Both phage cocktail application methods effectively improved the microbiological quality of minimally processed products. Whole-spectral phage cocktail application may constitute an alternative food microbiological quality improvement method without affecting food properties.

Chitosan Aerogel Particles as Nasal Drug Delivery Systems

The nasal drug delivery route has distinct advantages, such as high bioavailability, a rapid therapeutic effect, non-invasiveness, and ease of administration. This article presents the results of a study of the processes for obtaining chitosan aerogel particles that are promising as nasal or inhalation drug delivery systems. Obtaining chitosan aerogel particles includes the following steps: the preparation of a chitosan solution, gelation, solvent replacement, and supercritical drying. Particles of chitosan gels were obtained by spraying and homogenization. The produced chitosan aerogel particles had specific surface areas of up to 254 m²/g, pore volumes of up to 1.53 cm³/g, and porosities of up to 99%. The aerodynamic diameters of the obtained chitosan aerogel particles were calculated, the values of which ranged from 13 to 59 µm. According to the calculation results, a CS1 sample was used as a matrix for obtaining the pharmaceutical composition "chitosan aerogel-clomipramine". X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the pharmaceutical composition determined the presence of clomipramine, predominantly in an amorphous form. Analysis of the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) data showed that the mass loading of clomipramine was 35%. Experiments in vivo demonstrated the effectiveness of the pharmaceutical composition "chitosan aerogel-clomipramine" as carrier matrices for the targeted delivery of clomipramine by the "Nose-to-brain" mechanism of nasal administration. The maximum concentration of clomipramine in the frontal cortex and hippocampus was reached 30 min after administration.

Self-Cleaning and Shape-Adaptive Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Contained TiO2 Nanoparticle Coating

With the rapid development of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for flexible wearable devices and electronic skins, challenges have gradually emerged related to the electrification surface, such as pollutant contamination and sophisticated surface adaptability. Hence, we report a simple spraying method to produce a shape-adaptive photocatalytic (SAP) triboelectric material with both self-cleaning and shape-adaptive functions. By spraying the polyvinyl alcohol solution with TiO2 photocatalysts and pre-drying cyclic, the SAP film can be adapted to a varied and intricate substrate. The highest transferred charge density of the SAP film reaches 197.5 μC/m2, when it contacts with the PTFE film. At the same time, it can degrade 74.4% of simulated pollutants under sunlight illumination, and 97% of the transferred charge density can be maintained after the degradation process, indicating good self-cleaning function and stable electrical output. Moreover, the spraying method of this allows it to have shape-adaptive functions. Accordingly, the SAP film can be deposited on the rectangular pyramid and hemispherical surface for fabricating TENGs with special shapes. This low-cost and simple spraying method further promotes the commercialized application of TENGs in the field of wearable devices and skin sensors.

A New Model Algorithm for Estimating the Inhalation Exposure Resulting from the Spraying of (Semi)-Volatile Binary Liquid Mixtures (SprayEva)

The spraying of liquid multicomponent mixtures is common in many professional and industrial settings. Typical examples are cleaning agents, additives, coatings, and biocidal products. In all of these examples, hazardous substances can be released in the form of aerosols or vapours. For occupational and consumer risk assessment in regulatory contexts, it is therefore important to know the exposure which results from the amount of chemicals in the surrounding air. In this research, a mechanistic mass balance model has been developed that covers the spraying of (semi)-volatile substances, taking into account combined exposure to spray mist, evaporation from droplets, and evaporation from surfaces as well as the nonideal behaviour of components in liquids and backpressure effects. For wall-spraying scenarios, an impaction module has been developed that quantifies the amount of overspray and the amount of material that lands on the wall. Mechanistically, the model is based on the assumption that continuous spraying can be approximated by a number of sequentially released spray pulses, each characterized by a certain droplet size, where the total aerosol exposure is obtained by summation over all release pulses. The corresponding system of differential equations is solved numerically using an extended Euler algorithm that is based on a discretisation of time and space. Since workers typically apply the product continuously, the treated area and the corresponding evaporating surface area grows over time. Time-dependent concentration gradients within the sprayed liquid films that may result from different volatilities of the components are therefore addressed by the proposed model. A worked example is presented to illustrate the calculated exposure for a scenario where aqueous solutions of H2O2 are sprayed onto surfaces as a biocidal product. The results reveal that exposure to H2O2 aerosol reaches relevant concentrations only during the spraying phase. Evaporation from sprayed surfaces takes place over much longer time periods, where backpressure effects caused by large emission sources can influence the shape of the concentration time curves significantly. The influence of the activity coefficients is not so pronounced. To test the plausibility of the developed model algorithm, a comparison of model estimates of SprayExpo, SprayEva, and ConsExpo with measured data is performed. Although the comparison is based on a limited number (N = 19) of measurement data, the results are nevertheless regarded as supportive and acceptable for the plausibility and predictive power of SprayEva.

Preliminary Studies on Endotherapy Based Application of Ozonated Water to Bobal Grapevines: Effect on Wine Quality

The application of ozonated water in the vineyard is an increasingly popular tool for disease management, but the quality of grapes and resulting wines is likely to be affected. Endotherapy, or trunk injection, is a particularly useful method to apply phytosanitary products since many fungal pathogens colonize the grapevine woody tissues. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect on wine quality of the ozonated water applied to Bobal grapevines, one of the most cultivated red varieties in Spain, through endotherapy (E) or its combination with spraying (E + S). Endotherapy was carried out four times before harvest for both E and E + S treatments, and spraying was performed 2 days before and after each endotherapy application. Grapes were harvested, vinified, and the quality of the finished wines was evaluated through several enological parameters and the phenolic and volatile composition. Both treatments resulted in less alcoholic and more acidic wines. The E treatment, although it reduced the content of phenolic acids, stilbenes and flavanols, significantly increased anthocyanins, whereas E + S decreased the overall amount of phenolics, which had different implications for wine colour. In terms of aroma, both treatments, but E to a greater extent, reduced the content of glycosylated precursors and differentially affected free volatiles, both varietal and fermentative. Thus, the dose of ozonated water, frequency and/or method of application are determining factors in the effect of these treatments on wine quality and must be carefully considered by winegrowers to establish the optimum treatment conditions so as not to impair the quality of wines.

A Skin-Inspired Design Integrating Mechano-Chemical-Thermal Robustness into Superhydrophobic Coatings

Designing scalable coatings with a wide spectrum of functions such as liquid repellency, anticorrosion, and antiflaming and a high level of mechano-chemical-thermal robustness is crucial in real-life applications. However, these individual functionalities and robustness are coupled together or even have conflicting requirements on the interfacial or bulky properties of materials, and thus, simultaneously integrating all these individual features into one coating has proved challenging. Herein, an integral skin-inspired triple-layered coating (STC) that resolves conflicting demands imposed by individual features on the structural, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of materials is proposed. Specifically, the rational design of multiple gradients in roughness, wetting, strength, and flame retardancy and the formation of continuous interfaces along its triple layers endow a sustained liquid repellency, anticorrosion, and flame retardancy even under harsh environments, as well as strong antiabrasion on surfaces and adhesion with the substrate. Such an all-in-one design enhances the durability and lifetime of coatings and reduces the maintenance and repair, thereby contributing to cost and energy saving. Together with a facile spraying fabrication process, this STC provides a feasible and sustainable strategy for constructing energy and resource-saving materials.

Non-transgenic Gene Modulation via Spray Delivery of Nucleic Acid/Peptide Complexes into Plant Nuclei and Chloroplasts

Genetic engineering of economically important traits in plants is an effective way to improve global welfare. However, introducing foreign DNA molecules into plant genomes to create genetically engineered plants not only requires a lengthy testing period and high developmental costs but also is not well-accepted by the public due to safety concerns about its effects on human and animal health and the environment. Here, we present a high-throughput nucleic acids delivery platform for plants using peptide nanocarriers applied to the leaf surface by spraying. The translocation of sub-micrometer-scale nucleic acid/peptide complexes upon spraying varied depending on the physicochemical characteristics of the peptides and was controlled by a stomata-dependent-uptake mechanism in plant cells. We observed efficient delivery of DNA molecules into plants using cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-based foliar spraying. Moreover, using foliar spraying, we successfully performed gene silencing by introducing small interfering RNA molecules in plant nuclei via siRNA-CPP complexes and, more importantly, in chloroplasts via our CPP/chloroplast-targeting peptide-mediated delivery system. This technology enables effective nontransgenic engineering of economically important plant traits in agricultural systems.

Modelling Exposure by Spraying Activities-Status and Future Needs

Spray applications enable a uniform distribution of substances on surfaces in a highly efficient manner, and thus can be found at workplaces as well as in consumer environments. A systematic literature review on modelling exposure by spraying activities has been conducted and status and further needs have been discussed with experts at a symposium. This review summarizes the current knowledge about models and their level of conservatism and accuracy. We found that extraction of relevant information on model performance for spraying from published studies and interpretation of model accuracy proved to be challenging, as the studies often accounted for only a small part of potential spray applications. To achieve a better quality of exposure estimates in the future, more systematic evaluation of models is beneficial, taking into account a representative variety of spray equipment and application patterns. Model predictions could be improved by more accurate consideration of variation in spray equipment. Inter-model harmonization with regard to spray input parameters and appropriate grouping of spray exposure situations is recommended. From a user perspective, a platform or database with information on different spraying equipment and techniques and agreed standard parameters for specific spraying scenarios from different regulations may be useful.

Highly Thermal Conductive Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composites with Oriented Hybrid Networks: Silver Nanowire Bridged Boron Nitride Nanoplatelets

With the increasing demand for thermal management materials in the highly integrated electronics area, building efficient heat-transfer networks to obtain advanced thermally conductive composites is of great significance. In the present work, highly thermally conductive poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/boron nitride nanoplatelets@silver nanowires (BNNS@AgNW) composites were fabricated via the combination of the electrospinning and the spraying technique, followed by a hot-pressing method. BNNS are oriented along the in-plane direction, while AgNWs with a high aspect ratio can help to construct a thermal conductive network effectively by bridging BNNS in the composites. The PVA/BNNS@AgNW composites showed high in-plane thermal conductivity (TC) of 10.9 W/(m·K) at 33 wt % total fillers addition. Meanwhile, the composite shows excellent thermal dispassion capability when it is taken as a thermal interface material of a working light-emitting diode (LED) chip, which is certified by capturing the surface temperature of the LED chip. In addition, the out-of-plane electrical conductivity of the composites is below 10^-12 S/cm. The composites with outstanding thermal conductive and electrical insulating properties hold promise for application in electrical packaging and thermal management.

Rapid Gas Hydrate Formation-Evaluation of Three Reactor Concepts and Feasibility Study

Gas hydrates show great potential with regard to various technical applications, such as gas conditioning, separation and storage. Hence, there has been an increased interest in applied gas hydrate research worldwide in recent years. This paper describes the development of an energetically promising, highly attractive rapid gas hydrate production process that enables the instantaneous conditioning and storage of gases in the form of solid hydrates, as an alternative to costly established processes, such as, for example, cryogenic demethanization. In the first step of the investigations, three different reactor concepts for rapid hydrate formation were evaluated. It could be shown that coupled spraying with stirring provided the fastest hydrate formation and highest gas uptakes in the hydrate phase. In the second step, extensive experimental series were executed, using various different gas compositions on the example of synthetic natural gas mixtures containing methane, ethane and propane. Methane is eliminated from the gas phase and stored in gas hydrates. The experiments were conducted under moderate conditions (8 bar(g), 9–14 °C), using tetrahydrofuran as a thermodynamic promoter in a stoichiometric concentration of 5.56 mole%. High storage capacities, formation rates and separation efficiencies were achieved at moderate operation conditions supported by rough economic considerations, successfully showing the feasibility of this innovative concept. An adapted McCabe-Thiele diagram was created to approximately determine the necessary theoretical separation stage numbers for high purity gas separation requirements.

Chemosensitive Thin Films Active to Ammonia Vapours

The paper presents various dispersive systems developed for sensing toxic substance-ammonia. Polycarbonate dissolved in methylene chloride was used as a polymer matrix, which was enriched with: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNs), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conductive polymer (polyaniline-PANi). Dispersive systems were applied to the prefabricated substrates with comb electrodes by two methods: spraying and drop-casting, forming an active chemosensitive to ammonia vapours films. The spraying method involved applying the dispersion to the substrate by an aerograph for a specific time, whereas drop-casting involves depositing of the produced dispersive systems using a precision automatic pipette. The electrical responses of the obtained films were examined for nominal concentrations of ammonia vapours. Different types of dispersions with various composition were tested, the relationships between individual compounds and ammonia were analysed and the most promising dispersions were selected. Sensor containing rGO deposited by drop-casting revealed the highest change in the resistance (14.21%).

3D Microfluidic Devices in a Single Piece of Paper for the Simultaneous Determination of Nitrite and Thiocyanate

The concentrations of nitrite and thiocyanate in saliva can be used as the biomarkers of the progression of periodontitis disease and environmental tobacco smoke exposure, respectively. Therefore, it is particularly necessary to detect these two indicators in saliva. Herein, the three-dimensional single-layered paper-based microfluidic analytical devices (3D sl-μPADs) were, for the first time, fabricated by the spraying technique for the colorimetric detection of nitrite and thiocyanate at the same time. The conditions for 3D sl-μPADs fabrication were optimized in order to well control the penetration depth of the lacquer in a paper substrate. Then, the developed 3D sl-μPADs were utilized to simultaneously detect nitrite and thiocyanate and the limits of detection are 0.0096 and 0.074 mM, respectively. What is more, the μPADs exhibited good specificity, good repeatability, and acceptable recoveries in artificial saliva. Therefore, the developed 3D sl-μPADs show a great potential to determine nitrite and thiocyanate for the assessment of the human health.

Synthesis, physicochemical characterisation and biological activity of anandamide/ɛ-polycaprolactone nanoparticles obtained by electrospraying

Drug encapsulation in nanocarriers such as polymeric nanoparticles (Nps) may help to overcome the limitations associated with cannabinoids. In this study, the authors' work aimed to highlight the use of electrospraying techniques for the development of carrier Nps of anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid with attractive pharmacological effects but underestimated due to its unfavourable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties added to its undesirable effects at the level of the central nervous system. The authors characterised physicochemically and evaluated in vitro biological activity of anandamide/ɛ-polycaprolactone nanoparticles (Nps-AEA/PCL) obtained by electrospraying in epithelial cells of the human proximal tubule (HK2), to prove the utility of this method and to validate the biological effect of Nps-AEA/PCL. They obtained particles from 100 to 900 nm of diameter with a predominance of 200-400 nm. Their zeta potential was -20 ± 1.86 mV. They demonstrated the stable encapsulation of AEA in Nps-AEA/PCL, as well as its dose-dependent capacity to induce the expression of iNOS and NO levels and to decrease the Na+/K+ ATPase activity in HK2 cells. Obtaining Nps-AEA/PCL by electrospraying would represent a promising methodology for a novel AEA pharmaceutical formulation development with optimal physicochemical properties, physical stability and biological activity on HK2 cells.

Spraying Ozonated Water on Bobal Grapevines: Effect on Wine Quality

Ozonated water is being introduced as an alternative phytosanitary treatment to control grapevine diseases in a context in which the reduction of chemical pesticides has become an urgent necessity. In this study, we evaluated the effect of spraying grapevines with ozonated water on the enological, phenolic, and aromatic qualities of Bobal wines during two consecutive growing seasons. In the first season, ozonated water was applied once during the ripening period on grapevines trained on the traditional gobelet system (S₁). In the second season, three applications were performed between fruit set and harvest on grapevines grown on a vertical trellis system (S₂). The S₁ treatment led to a wine with an increased alcoholic degree and a remarkably higher phenolic content, which resulted in preferable chromatic characteristics. The S₂ treatment maintained the total phenolic content but significantly enhanced stilbenes and flavanols and also reduced anthocyanins, which negatively affected the wine colour. Regarding aroma, both treatments reduced the content of glycosylated precursors and had different effects on free volatiles, both varietal and fermentative. Thus, the metabolic response of grapevines to the ozonated water stress, and therefore the quality of wines, depended on the ozone dose received by the plants.

Effects of spraying nano-materials on the absorption of metal(loid)s in cucumber

This report investigates the spraying of nano-silica and fullerene on cucumber leaves to expose their ability to reduce the toxicity and uptake of metal(loid)s. Cucumber seedlings were randomly divided into six treatment groups: 10 mg/L nano-SiO2, 20 mg/L nano-SiO2, 10 mg/L Fullerene, 20 mg/L Fullerene, 5 mg/L Fullerene + 5 mg/L nano-SiO2, and 10 mg/L Fullerene + 10 mg/L nano-SiO2. Nano-silica-treated plants exhibited evidence of the potential mitigation of metal(loid)s poisoning. Specifically, results showed that 20 mg/L of nano-silica promoted Cd uptake by plants; comparatively, 10 mg/L of nano-silica did not significantly increase the silicon content in plants. Both low-concentration combined treatment and low-concentration fullerene groups inhibited metal(loid)s uptake by plants. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was then used to observe the surface morphology of cucumber leaves. Significant differences were observed on disease resistance in plants across the different nano-material conditions. Collectively, these findings suggest that both nano-silica materials and fullerene have the potential to control metal(loid)s toxicity in plants.

Production of a new platform based on fumed and mesoporous silica nanoparticles for enhanced solubility and oral bioavailability of raloxifene HCl

The purpose of the present study was to compare mesoporous and fumed silica nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance the aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability of raloxifene hydrochloride (RH). Mesoporous silica NPs (MSNs) and fumed silica NPs were used by freeze-drying or spray-drying methods. MSNs were obtained with different ratios of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Saturation solubility of the NPs was compared with the pure drug. The optimised formulation was characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry. The pharmacokinetic studies were done by oral administration of a single dose of 15 mg/kg of pure drug or fumed silica NPs of RH in Wistar rats. MSNs enhanced the solubility of RH from 19.88 ± 0.12 to 76.5 μg/ml. Freeze-dried fumed silica increased the solubility of the drug more than MSNs (140.17 ± 0.45 μg/ml). However, the spray-dried fumed silica caused about 26-fold enhancement in its solubility (525.7 ± 93.5 μg/ml). Increasing the ratio of silica NPs enhanced the drug solubility. The results of XRD and SEM analyses displayed RH were in the amorphous state in the NPs. Oral bioavailability of NPs showed 3.5-fold increase compared to the pure drug. The RH loaded fumed silica NPs prepared by spray-drying technique could more enhance the solubility and oral bioavailability of RH.

A Facile and Efficient Protocol for Preparing Residual-Free Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films for Stable Sensing Applications

In this article, we report on an efficient post-treatment protocol for the manufacturing of pristine single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films. To produce an ink for the deposition, the SWCNTs are dispersed in an aqueous solution with the aid of a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) derivative as the dispersing agent. On the basis of this SWCNT-ink, ultra-thin and uniform films are then fabricated by spray-deposition using a commercial and fully automated robot. By means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we show that the CMC matrix covering the CNTs can be fully removed by an immersion treatment in HNO₃ followed by thermal annealing at a moderate temperature of 100 °C, in the ambient air. We propose that the presented protocols for the ink preparation and the post-deposition treatments can in future serve as a facile and efficient platform for the fabrication of high-quality and residual-free SWCNT films. The purity of SWCNT films is of particular importance for sensing applications, where residual-induced doping and dedoping processes distort the contributions from the sensing specimen. To study the usability of the presented films for practical applications, gas sensors are fabricated and characterized with the CNT-films as the sensing material, screen printed silver-based films for the interdigitated electrode (IDE) structure, and polyimide as a flexible and robust substrate. The sensors show a high and stable response of 11% to an ammonia (NH₃) test gas, at a concentration of 10 ppm.

Spraying Fabrication of Durable and Transparent Coatings for Anti-Icing Application: Dynamic Water Repellency, Icing Delay, and Ice Adhesion

Anti-icing/icephobic coatings, typically applied in the form of surface functional materials, are considered to be an ideal selection to solve the icing issues faced by daily life and industrial production. However, the applications of anti-icing coatings are greatly limited by the two main challenges: bonding strength with substrates and stability of the high anti-icing performance. Here, we designed and fabricated a kind of high-performance superhydrophobic fluorinated silica (F-SiO₂)@polydimethylsiloxane coatings and further emphasized the improvement of the bonding strength with substrates and the maintenance of high anti-icing performance. The resultant coatings exhibited excellent water repellency with a contact angle up to 155.3° and a very short contact time (∼10.2 ms) of impact droplets. At low temperatures, the coming droplets still rapidly rebounded off the coating surface, and the superhydrophobic coatings displayed a more than 50-fold increase of freezing time comparing with bare aluminum. The ice adhesion strength on the coatings was only 26.3 kPa, which was far less than that (821.9 kPa) of bare aluminum. Furthermore, the nanoporous structures constructed by anodic oxidation could tremendously enhance the bonding strength of the coatings with the substrate, which was evaluated through a standard method (ASTM D3359). The anti-icing properties still retained high stability under the conditions of 30 icing/deicing cycles, soaking, and scouring of acid solution (pH = 5.6). This work can effectively push the anti-icing coatings toward a real-world application.

A Few-Minute Synthesis of CsPbBr3 Nanolasers with a High Quality Factor by Spraying at Ambient Conditions

Inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite nanowires, generating laser emission in the broad spectral range at room temperature and low threshold, have become powerful tools for the cutting-edge applications in the optoelectronics and nanophotonics. However, to achieve high-quality nanowires with the outstanding optical properties, it was necessary to employ long-lasting and costly methods of their synthesis, as well as postsynthetic separation and transfer procedures that are not convenient for large-scale production. Here we report a novel approach to fabricate high-quality CsPbBr₃ nanolasers obtained by rapid precipitation from dimethyl sulfoxide solution sprayed onto hydrophobic substrates at ambient conditions. The synthesis technique allows producing the well-separated nanowires with a broad size distribution of 2-50 μm in 5-7 min, being the fastest method to the best of our knowledge. The formation of nanowires occurs via ligand-assisted reprecipitation triggered by intermolecular proton transfer from (CH₃)₂CHOH to H₂O in the presence of a minor amount of water. The XRD patterns confirm an orthorhombic crystal structure of the as-grown CsPbBr₃ single nanowires. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal their regular shape and truncated pyramidal end facets, while high-resolution transmission electron microscopy ones demonstrate their single-crystal structure. The lifetime of excitonic emission of the nanowires is found to be 7 ns, when the samples are excited with energy below the lasing threshold, manifesting the low concentration of defect states. The measured nanolasers of different lengths exhibit pronounced stimulated emission above 13 μJ cm^-2 excitation threshold with quality factor Q = 1017-6166. Their high performance is assumed to be related to their monocrystalline structure, low concentration of defect states, and improved end facet reflectivity.

A precisely targeted application strategy of dipping young cucumber fruit in fungicide to control cucumber gray mold

BACKGROUND

Gray mold is a ubiquitous destructive plant disease found worldwide. To avoid the shortcomings of conventional spraying systems for controlling this disease, such as high selection pressure on Botrytis cinerea for resistance and fungicide waste resulting from spray drift, a precisely targeted application strategy of dipping young cucumber fruit in a mixture of fungicide and forchlorfenuron (plant growth regulator, PGR) during the bloom period to control cucumber gray mold was developed in the current study.

RESULTS

Without leaving above-limit residues in cucumber fruits, dipping in fludioxonil at 30 mg L^-1 provided a greater efficacy (85.4%) against cucumber gray mold than did spraying at 100 mg L^-1 (76.4%). Importantly, fludioxonil mixed with forchlorfenuron from 25 to 35 mg L^-1 increased the yield of cucumbers by 26.2-36.7% compared to dipping fruit only in forchlorfenuron. The increased yield may be a benefit of controlling gray mold.

CONCLUSION

Dipping fruit in fungicides and PGRs seems to be a potential precisely targeted application strategy to not only control cucumber gray mold effectively but also, through the action of PGRs, to increase the cucumber yield. This novel application method is believed to have a bright prospect in cucumber production in Chinese solar glasshouses. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Lighting-Up Tumor for Assisting Resection via Spraying NIR Fluorescent Probe of γ-Glutamyltranspeptidas

For the precision resection, development of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe based on specificity identification tumor-associated enzyme for lighting-up the tumor area, is urgent in the field of diagnosis and treatment. Overexpression of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, one of the cell-membrane enzymes, known as a biomarker is concerned with the growth and progression of ovarian, liver, colon and breast cancer compared to normal tissue. In this work, a remarkable enzyme-activated NIR fluorescent probe NIR-SN-GGT was proposed and synthesized including two moieties: a NIR dicyanoisophorone core as signal reporter unit; γ-glutamyl group as the specificity identification site. In the presence of γ-GGT, probe NIR-SN-GGT was transformed into NIR-SN-NH₂, the recovery of Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT), liberating the NIR fluorescence signal, which was firstly employed to distinguish tumor tissue and normal tissues via simple “spraying” manner, greatly promoting the possibility of precise excision. Furthermore, combined with magnetic resonance imaging by T2 weight mode, tumor transplanted BABL/c mice could be also lit up for first time by NIR fluorescence probe having a large stokes, which demonstrated that probe NIR-SN-GGT would be a useful tool for assisting surgeon to diagnose and remove tumor in clinical practice.

A closer look at the health of cats showing urinary house-soiling (periuria): a case-control study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to perform a case-control medical evaluation of cats from multi-cat households presenting with inappropriate latrining and spraying behavior.

METHODS

Owners of 18 'spraying' and 23 'latrining' cats with normal control subjects available from the same households were recruited for a case-control study. Otherwise overtly healthy dyads (each dyad consisting of a case cat and a control cat) were brought together to the veterinary hospital of the University of São Paulo for a medical work-up (ie, physical examination, complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis and urine culture, abdominal ultrasound of the urinary system and in females, where possible, cystoscopy).

RESULTS

Medical problems were identified with similar frequency in the 'sprayers' (38.9%), 'latriners' (39.1%) and controls of the latrining group (26.1%), but not the controls of the spraying group (5.5%). The difference between 'cases' and 'controls' from spraying households was significant. Common potential health-related changes include renal insufficiency, cystitis and bladder lithiasis. Renal calculi, higher creatinine levels (within normal reference interval) and 'glomerulations' (detected during cystoscopy) were also found in the remaining sprayers and latriners that were considered clinically healthy. Post-cystoscopy, a new form of periuria occurred in two cats (one sprayer and one latriner).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These results indicate that spraying or latrining behavior in the home, as well as living with a cat that is not using the litter box as a latrine, are all associated with a higher level of urinary tract abnormalities; living with a cat that is spraying, however, does not have this association. The findings also suggest that both forms of periuria might be associated with interstitial cystitis. We therefore conclude that all cats with periuria need to be carefully evaluated medically and that treatment of latrine-related problems should consider all cats in the house, whereas spraying may be more focused on the individual displaying the problem.

High-Efficiency Control of Gray Mold by the Novel SDHI Fungicide Benzovindiflupyr Combined with a Reasonable Application Approach of Dipping Flower

In this study, a novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide benzovindiflupyr was found to have strong inhibitory activity against gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea. The sensitivity of B. cinerea to benzovindiflupyr was determined by testing 103 pathogen isolates with mean values of 2.15 ± 0.19 mg L^-1 and 0.89 ± 0.14 mg L^-1 for mycelial growth and spore germination inhibition, respectively. Furthermore, benzovindiflupyr had excellent long-lasting protective activity. Unfortunately, there were positive correlations between benzovindiflupyr and boscalid ( r = 0.3, P = 0.04) and between benzovindiflupyr and isopyrazam ( r = 0.31, P = 0.04). In the field, cucumber flowers are susceptible to infection by B. cinerea. Benzovindiflupyr applied at 20 mg L^-1 by dipping flowers could successfully control cucumber gray mold, with the benzovindiflupyr dose of dipping flower application less than 1% of that of spraying application. Benzovindiflupyr combined with dipping flower application showed significant control of gray mold.

Common Risk Factors for Urinary House Soiling (Periuria) in Cats and Its Differentiation: The Sensitivity and Specificity of Common Diagnostic Signs

Urinary house soiling (periuria) in the home is a common but serious behaviour problem in cats. Although many specific risk factors and triggers have been postulated, their importance is largely unknown. This study assessed: (1) the significance of purported risk factors for periuria as well as specifically marking and latrine behaviour in the home; (2) the specificity and sensitivity of signs commonly used to differentiate latrine and marking behaviour. Owner responses to an internet survey (n = 245) were classified into three groups: control, marking and latrine behaviour, along with 41 potential risk factors and 15 predictors used to diagnose marking and latrine problems. Univariate statistical analyses and non-parametric tests of association were used to determine simple associations. In addition the sensitivity and specificity of four cardinal signs (posture to urinate, attempt to cover soiled area, surface chosen and volume of urine deposited) were calculated. Significant potential risk factors were: age (marking cats were older than the other two groups); multi-cat household (increased risk of marking and latrine behaviours); free outside access and cat flaps in the house (higher frequency of marking); outside access in general (lower prevalence of latrine behaviour); defecation outside the litter box (higher frequency of latrine behaviour); a heavy dependence by the cat on its owner (lower frequency of latrine behaviour) and a relaxed personality (lower risk of marking behaviour). Litterbox attributes and disease related factors were not significant. Individual cardinal signs were generally not good predictors of diagnosis. This study challenges the poor quality of evidence that has underpinned some of the hypotheses concerning the causes of periuria in cats. The results, in particular, highlight the general importance of the social environment, with the presence of other cats in the household, the cat-owner bond and personality related factors, alongside factors like the use of a cat flap which might also alter the social environment, all implicated as significant risk factors. While the physical environment may be important in specific cases, it seems this is less important as a general risk factor. The findings quantify the risk of misdiagnosis if a single sign is considered sufficient for diagnosis.

A Scalable Approach to Dendrite-Free Lithium Anodes via Spontaneous Reduction of Spray-Coated Graphene Oxide Layers

Li-metal batteries (LiMBs) are experiencing a renaissance; however, achieving scalable production of dendrite-free Li anodes for practical application is still a formidable challenge. Herein, a facile and universal method is developed to directly reduce graphene oxide (GO) using alkali metals (e.g., Li, Na, and K) in moderate conditions. Based on this innovation, a spontaneously reduced graphene coating can be designed and modulated on a Li surface (SR-G-Li). The symmetrical SR-G-Li|SR-G-Li cell can run up to 1000 cycles at a high practical current density of 5 mA cm-2 without a short circuit, demonstrating one of the longest lifespans reported with LiPF6 -based carbonate electrolytes. More significantly, a practically scalable paradigm is established to fabricate dendrite-free Li anodes by spraying a GO layer on the Li anode surface for large-scale production of LiFePO4 /Li pouch cells, reflected by the continuous manufacturing of the SR-G-Li anodes based on the roll-to-roll technology. The strategy provides new commercial opportunities to both LiMBs and graphene.

Pesticide dispersion by spraying under tropical conditions

Pesticide air pollution by spraying was evaluated under different temperature, humidity and wind climatic conditions in Brazil. Field experiments were performed with application towards the soil and in guava orchards, where spray dispersion was monitored by adding p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a fluorescent substance, as a tracer to the water contained in the spray tanks. Samples were collected with filter membranes (Whatman 180025), and the PABA was extracted from the filters by shaking with water in a Petri dish and measured in a spectrofluorometer. A spray aimed towards the soil with filters positioned on the ground and hung at different heights did not show different upward dispersion as observed when lateral pulverization was conducted. In this case, a tractor with a sprayer moved through a 3 m high and 6 m wide frame with filter membranes mounted at 60 cm intervals. Spray dispersion patterns were modified by guava leaf resistance. No influence of temperature and humidity was observed in this short-lived spraying process. Nevertheless, wind drift can occur during airborne dispersion and is an important pesticide pollution source which requires control. Droplets with PABA powered by assisted spraying upwards returned to the ground by gravity and, therefore, did not constitute a vertical source of atmospheric pollution.

Induction of Silencing in Plants by High-Pressure Spraying of In vitro-Synthesized Small RNAs

In this report, we describe a method for the delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into plant cells. In vitro synthesized siRNAs that were designed to target the coding region of a GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (GFP) transgene were applied by various methods onto GFP-expressing transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants to trigger RNA silencing. In contrast to mere siRNA applications, including spraying, syringe injection, and infiltration of siRNAs that all failed to induce RNA silencing, high pressure spraying of siRNAs resulted in efficient local and systemic silencing of the GFP transgene, with comparable efficiency as was achieved with biolistic siRNA introduction. High-pressure spraying of siRNAs with sizes of 21, 22, and 24 nucleotides (nt) led to local GFP silencing. Small RNA deep sequencing revealed that no shearing of siRNAs was detectable by high-pressure spraying. Systemic silencing was basically detected upon spraying of 22 nt siRNAs. Local and systemic silencing developed faster and more extensively upon targeting the apical meristem than spraying of mature leaves.

Measurement of cholinesterase enzyme activity before and after exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmers of a suburb region of Mazandaran, a northern province of Iran

INTRODUCTION

Accidental toxicity by organophosphate (OP) agents may occur among farmers during spraying season due to improper use and handling. Plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity measurement is recommended to monitor the extent of exposure to the OP agent. The aim of the current study was to measure plasma ChE activity before and after exposure with OP pesticides.

METHODS

This was a prospective study conducted on 36 farmers working in the farm field. The plasma ChE level was measured before spraying and 2 days and 8 weeks after spraying season and exposure to OP agent. Farmers were observed for clinical signs and symptoms of toxicity after exposure.

RESULTS

Vertimac was the most common agent used by farmers followed by diazinon and chlorpyrifos. The plasma ChE level significantly decreased after exposure by over 50%. The level returned to preexposure level after 8 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to OP pesticide is a major concern in the developing countries. More than 50% reduction in the plasma ChE activity after spraying is an alarming message for health-care system and policy makers. Furthermore, workplace evaluation, serial ChE monitoring, and appropriate training and education to exposed individuals would be initial important steps to avoid the toxicity or reduce the severity of poisoning.

Microsclerotia of Metarhizium brunneum F52 Applied in Hydromulch for Control of Asian Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) strain F52 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) is able to produce environmentally persistent microsclerotia (hyphal aggregates). Microsclerotia of strain F52 produced as granules and incorporated into hydromulch (hydro-seeding straw, water, and a natural glue) provides a novel mycoinsecticide that could be sprayed onto urban, forest, or orchard trees. We tested this formulation against adult Asian longhorned beetles (Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)) using three substrates (moistened bark, dry bark, absorbent bench liner) sprayed with a low rate (9 microsclerotia granules/cm2) of hydromulch. Median survival times of beetles continuously exposed to sprayed moist bark or absorbent liner were 17.5 and 19.5 d, respectively. Beetles exposed to sprayed dry bark, which had a lower measured water activity, lived significantly longer. When moist bark pieces were sprayed with increased rates of microsclerotia granules in hydromulch, 50% died by 12.5 d at the highest application rate, significantly sooner than beetles exposed to lower application rates (16.5-17.5 d). To measure fecundity effects, hydromulch with or without microsclerotia was sprayed onto small logs and pairs of beetles were exposed for a 2-wk oviposition period in containers with 98 or 66% relative humidity. At 98% humidity, oviposition in the logs was highest for controls (18.3±1.4 viable offspring per female) versus 3.9±0.8 for beetles exposed to microsclerotia. At 66% humidity, fecundities of controls and beetles exposed to microsclerotia were not significantly different. This article presents the first evaluation of M. brunneum microsclerotia in hydromulch applied for control of an arboreal insect pest.

Single- and multicompartment hollow polyelectrolyte complex microcapsules by one-step spraying

Polyelectrolyte complex microcapsules are prepared using a novel template- and surfactant-free method. The microcapsules are produced spontaneously by ultrasonically spraying a solution of complex into a hot water reservoir, which enhances diffusion and relaxation of the polymer. The size and wall thickness of the microcapsules are precisely controlled. Encapsulation of polymers and nanoparticles by mixing them with polyelectrolyte solutions is demonstrated.

Insecticide residues in soil, water, and eggplant fruits and farmers' health effects due to exposure to pesticides

OBJECTIVES

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable crop that is widely cultivated in the tropical and subtropical areas in Asia. Globally, the top three eggplant producers are China, India, and Egypt. The Philippines has been one of the top 10 eggplant-producing countries based on area planted and crop productivity. This study aims to describe the insecticide residues found in soil, water, and eggplant fruits in eggplant farms in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan.

METHODS

The study design is a cross sectional of randomly selected eggplant farms in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan. Soil, water, and eggplant fruits were collected and subjected to gas chromatography (Shimadzu) analysis for multi-pesticide residues.

RESULTS

Farmers from Sta. Maria, Pangasinan were found to be applying a broad spectrum of insecticides on their eggplant crop. Soil samples from 11 (about 42%) out of the 26 farms tested positive for insecticide residues, six of which from four farms exceeded the acceptable maximum residue limit. These residues were profenofos, triazophos, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and malathion. No insecticide residues were detected from water samples taken from the 26 farms. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos were the insecticide residues detected in eggplant fruit samples. A maximum of 20% of the eggplant samples tested positive for insecticide residues. In the eggplant fruit study, all farmers have been using Prevathon(®) for 24 years at a rate of 10 ml/application, and Malathion(®) for 25 years at about 16.5 ml/application, respectively equivalent to 0.24 liter-years and 0.413 liter-years of exposure. Similarly, to the findings in the soil and water study, although Brodan(®) and Magnum(®) were not prevalently applied, the farmers' liter-years of exposure to these insecticides, and their active ingredients, were highest at about 18.92 and 10.0, respectively. The farmers and farm workers in the soil and water study reported experiencing itchiness of the skin (63.8%), redness of the eyes (29.3%), muscle pains (27.6%), and headaches (27.6%), as being related to their pesticide exposure.

CONCLUSION

In summary, a maximum of 20% of the eggplant samples tested positive for insecticide residues at any one stage of sampling done. The farmers and farm workers also reported of pesticide-related illnesses but none of them sought any medical attention. Intervention to reduce the farmers' pesticide exposure can focus on the risk factors identified, primarily the toxicity of pesticides used, the unsafe application practices, and the adverse health effects of pesticide exposure.

Novel patterning of nano-bioceramics: template-assisted electrohydrodynamic atomization spraying

The ability to create patterns of bioactive nanomaterials particularly on metallic and other types of implant surfaces is a crucial feature in influencing cell response, adhesion and growth. In this report, we uncover and elucidate a novel method that allows the easy deposition of a wide variety of predetermined topographical geometries of nanoparticles of a bioactive material on both metallic and non-metallic surfaces. Using different mesh sizes and geometries of a gold template, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles suspended in ethanol have been electrohydrodynamically sprayed on titanium and glass substrates under carefully designed electric field conditions. Thus, different topographies, e.g. hexagonal, line and square, from hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were created on these substrates. The thickness of the topography can be controlled by varying the spraying time.

Trisodium Phosphate and Cetylpyridinium Chloride Spraying on Chicken Skin to Reduce Attached Salmonella typhimurium

Spraying treatments with trisodium phosphate (TSP) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) were evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing Salmonella typhimurium attached to chicken skins. Chicken skins with an area of 38.5 cm² were cut from the breast areas of pre-chill chicken carcasses, mounted in a plastic holder, and inoculated with S. typhimurium . The inoculated skins were sprayed with tap water, 10% (wt/vol) TSP, or 0.1 % CPC solutions at 10, 35, or 60°C and 206.8, 413.7, 620.5, 827.4, or 1034.2 kPa for 30 s. After spraying, each skin was rinsed with tap water, transferred to a plastic bag containing 50 ml buffered peptone water, and stomached for 1 min. The stomaching water was collected, diluted serially, plated on xylose lysine tergitol 4 (XLT4) agar and Petrifilm aerobic count plates, and incubated for 18 to 24 h at 37°C. The results showed that tap water spraying reduced S. typhimurium by 0.7 to 1.6 log, while the reduction ranges for TSP and CPC spraying treatments were 1.6 to 2.3 and 1.5 to 2.5 log, respectively. Greater reductions in the numbers of S. typhimurium were obtained in TSP spraying treatments in the high pressure range (620.5 to 1034.2 kPa) and in CPC spraying treatments at 10°C.