Numerous technological applications use MEMS capacitive sensing technique as a major component, because of their ease of fabrication process, inexpensive and high sensitivity. The paper aims at modeling interdigitated capacitive (IDC) sensing. Virtually observe the contribution of variations in geometrical parameters to sensor efficiency and optimization factor. The sensor design is verified through ANSYS simulations. Results indicate “an efficient but poorly optimized sensor is better than a well-optimized sensor”. It is difficult to detect capacitance in the range of few pF generated using capacitive sensing. How it can be maximized with dimension optimization is focused in this paper.

The presented studies revealed the usefulness of spruce oil, basil oil, juniper oil and clove oil in monitoring of the occurrence of pea leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard). While using above mentioned oils on yellow sticky traps, it was found that the number of trapped insects increased significantly. In relation to the control (traps without any addition of aromatic substance), the increase amounted to: 561.33%, 287.95%, 159.74% and 130.77%, respectively.

The fungi that cause sooty blotch grow only on the apple skin, so they use appropriate nutrients which are present on the fruit surface. It has been shown that when the first symptoms of sooty blotch occur a noticeable increase of glucose and fructose content both on the apple skin and in juice is observed. Such increase occurs at pH 4.4. An effect of surface glucose and fructose on the growth of patho- gens responsible for the disease was also confirmed by evaluating the germination of conidia of Phialophora sessilis de Hoog and Peltaster fructicola Jonhson in solution of above mentioned sugars, distilled water and standard d-glucose solutions.

The aim of the paper was to study the epizootic situation of babesiosis in the cattle population in eastern Poland and possibly to determine what species of protozoa infects Polish cattle. Blood samples for molecular analysis (real time PCR) were collected from 192 dairy cows from various farms located in eastern Poland. The infection was detected in 10.4% of the samples. All animals were infected with Babesia occultans which sequence of the 18S RNA gene fragment showed a 93.1%, homology with the sequence of B. occultans EU 376017. This is the first report about the detection of B. occultans DNA in asymptomatic cattle in eastern Poland.