Potato silver scurf, caused by Helminthosporium solani, is an important postharvest disease of economic significance. Control of H. solani has been accomplished primarily by postharvest applications of thiabendazole. However, many strains of H. solani have become resistant to thiabendazole, resulting in failure of disease control. Consequently, alternative control strategies are needed. This study showed that several salts significantly reduced silver scurf development on potato tuber at a concentration of 0.2 M and that the timing of application also influenced salt efficacy. Among the 23 tested salts, aluminum chloride was the only one reducing silver scurf severity when applied either 2, 4, or 7 days after H. solani inoculation. Aluminum lactate, potassium sorbate, sodium carbonate, sodium metabisulfite, and trisodium phosphate also markedly reduced silver scurf severity but only when applied 2 or 4 days after inoculation. Ammonium acetate, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, and sodium formate reduced disease severity by at least 50% when applied 2 days after H. solani inoculation. With the exception of calcium chloride and sodium formate, these salts also were shown to strongly inhibit H. solani mycelial growth or spore germination in vitro. Results of this study further demonstrate the possibility of using selected salts for the control of potato silver scurf.

IntroductionConsidering that physical activity plays a key role in the health of workers, a growing number of researchers are studying its relationship with various workplace outcomes, such as presenteeism. Numerous scientists recognise the relevance of further studying this relationship in order to improve our understanding of it. However, studies about the association between physical activity and presenteeism show some discrepancy in the results obtained. Disparity in the way of measuring presenteeism makes it even more challenging to compare results. In addition, it remains difficult to determine the optimal frequency, intensity, duration and type of physical activity to increase the productivity benefits of physical activity. In light of these issues, clarification through a scoping review of the literature on the subject is warranted.Method and analysisA search strategy will be conducted in six scientific databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ABI Inform Global, Web of Science and Business Source Premier. A screening process by two independent reviewers will lead to study selection. Quantitative and qualitative studies written in English about the relation between physical activity and presenteeism will be considered for inclusion. Data on the definition and measurement of presenteeism as well as the measurement of physical activity will be extracted. Additional data will be extracted to provide a descriptive overview of studies that have examined the relationship between presenteeism and physical activity.Ethics and disseminationAs this study will be based only on published studies, ethics approval is not required. Through the manner in which the included studies will be presented (categorised by their approach to presenteeism), this scoping review has the potential to improve our understanding of some of the inconsistencies observed in the literature. This review can also identify gaps in the existing evidence base and lead to new avenues of research.

Organizational studies suggest that certain psychosocial working conditions are liable to foster positive health outcomes, such as engaging in leisure-time physical activities. However, the psychosocial factors contributing to this improvement remain unexplored, particularly in the workplace and in the context of the decline observed in the physical activity level of the population worldwide. The objective of the study was to examine whether exposure to different combinations of psychosocial working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic predicts the probability of becoming physically active among Quebec workers. Job demands, job control, and physical activity were assessed three times during the first year of the pandemic via an online questionnaire among physically inactive workers (n = 440). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between various combinations of psychosocial risks and physical activity. A total of 117 participants became physically active during the study. After controlling for covariates, active jobs increased the odds of becoming physically active, compared to high-strain jobs (OR = 2.57 (95% CI 1.13 to 5.87)). Having a highly demanding job may not negatively impact physical activity if workers have enough job control to achieve the required tasks.

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