In this paper analyses of mode distribution, confinement and experimental losses of the photonic crystal fibers with different core sizes infiltrated with liquid crystal are presented. Four types of fibers are compared: with single-, seven-, nineteen- and thirty seven solid rods forming the core in the same hexagonal lattice of seven “rings” of unit cells (rods or capillaries). The experimental results confirming the influence of the core diameter on light propagation are also included. The diameter of cores determines not only the number of modes in the photonic liquid crystal fiber but also is correlated with experimentally observed attenuation. For fibers with larger cores confinement losses are expected to be higher, but the measured attenuation is smaller because the impact of liquid crystal material losses and scattering is smaller.

Spring triticale 'Migo', and spring barley 'Maresi' grown in pure stand and in their mixtures were used in field experiment. Disease occurrence, number of culms and heads as well as yield were assessed. Powdery mildew and scald of barley and Septaria leaf blotch of triticale occurred in lower degree in mixtures than in pure stands, but only in the years with weather conditions favourable for the diseases development. Fusarium stem rot and eyespot of both plant species as well as net blotch of barley occurred in similar degree in all treatments or even in some mixtures in higher degree than in pure stands.

Mario Puccini between Italy and Argentina – The Italian writer Mario Puccini travelled to Argentina in 1936 to attend the Pen Club Congress. In the essay, the results of Puccini’s stay in Argentina are studied for the first time in Italy: books, stories, articles, translations, correspondences, unrealized projects. Puccini is confirmed as an important cultural mediator in relations between Italy and the Spanish-speaking nations.