Beauvericin potentiates the activity of pesticides by neutralizing the ATP-binding cassette transporters in arthropods

Multi-drug resistance is posing major challenges in suppressing the population of pests. Many herbivores develop resistance, causing a prolonged survival after exposure to a previously effective pesticide. Consequently, resistant pests reduce the yield of agricultural production, causing significant economic losses and reducing food security. Therefore, overpowering resistance acquisition of crop pests is a must. The ATP binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters) are considered as the main participants to the pesticide efflux and their neutralization will greatly contribute to potentiate failed treatments. Real-Time PCR analysis of 19 ABC transporter genes belonging to the ABCB, ABCC, ABCG, and ABCH revealed that a broad range of efflux pumps is activated in response to the exposure to pesticides. In this study, we used beauvericin (BEA), a known ABC transporters modulator, to resensitize different strains of Tetranychus urticae after artificial selection for resistance to cyflumetofen, bifenazate, and abamectin. Our results showed that the combinatorial treatment of pesticide (manufacturer’s recommended doses) + BEA (sublethal doses: 0.15 mg/L) significantly suppressed the resistant populations of T. urticae when compared to single-drug treatments. Moreover, after selective pressure for 40 generations, the LC50 values were significantly reduced from 36.5, 44.7, and 94.5 (pesticide) to 8.3, 12.5, and 23.4 (pesticide + BEA) for cyflumetofen, bifenazate, and abamectin, respectively. While the downstream targets for BEA are still elusive, we demonstrated hereby that it synergizes with sub-lethal doses of different pesticides and increases their effect by inhibiting ABC transporters. This is the first report to document such combinatorial activity of BEA against higher invertebrates paving the way for its usage in treating refractory cases of resistance to pesticides. Moreover, we demonstrated, for the first time, using in silico techniques, the higher affinity of BEA to ABC transformers subfamilies when compared to xenobiotics; thus, elucidating the pathway of the mycotoxin.Other Information Published in: Scientific Reports License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89622-5</p

Methodology for TurboGenerator Systems Optimization in Electrified Powertrains

International audienc

Optimization of a Brayton external combustion gas-turbine system for extended range electric vehicles

International audienc

Fuel Consumption Saving Potential of Stirling Machine on Series Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle: Case of the Toyota Prius

International audienc

Methodology for Fuel Saving Optimization of a Serial Hybrid Electric Vehicle using Gas Turbine as Energy Converter

International audienceSignificant research efforts have been invested in the automotive industry on hybrid-electrified powertrains inorder to reduce the passenger cars’ dependence on oil. Powertrains electrification resulted in a wide rangeof hybrid vehicle architectures. Fuel consumption of these powertrains strongly relies on the energyconverter performance, as well as on the energy management strategy deployed on-board. This paperinvestigates the potential of fuel consumption savings of a serial hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV) using a gasturbine (GT) as energy converter instead of the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE). An exergotechnoexplicit analysis is conducted to identify the best GT-system configuration. An intercooledregenerative reheat cycle is prioritized, offering higher efficiency and power density compared to otherinvestigated GT-systems. A SHEV model is developed and powertrain components are sized consideringvehicle performance criteria. Energy consumption simulations are performed on WLTP cycle using dynamicprograming as global optimal energy management strategy. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out in orderto evaluate the effect of the battery size on the fuel consumption. Results show improved fuel consumptionwith GT as auxiliary power unit (APU) compared to ICE. Moreover, GT offers other intrinsic advantages suchas reduced mass, suitable vehicle integration as well as a multi-fuel use capability. Consequently, thestudied GT-APU presents a potential for implementation on SHEVs

Exergo-technological explicit methodology for gas-turbine system optimization for series hybrid electric vehicles

International audienceSignificant research efforts have been invested in the automotive industry on hybrid-electrified powertrains in order to reduce the passenger cars’ dependence on oil. Powertrains electrification resulted in a wide range of hybrid vehicle architectures. Fuel consumption of these powertrains strongly relies on the energy converter performance, as well as on the energy management strategy deployed on-board. This paper investigates the potential of fuel consumption savings of a series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV) using a gas turbine (GT) as energy converter instead of the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE). An exergo-technological explicit analysis is conducted to identify the best GT-system configuration. An intercooled regenerative reheat cycle is prioritized, offering higher efficiency and power density compared to other investigated GT-systems. A SHEV model is developed and powertrain components are sized considering vehicle performance criteria. Energy consumption simulations are performed on the worldwide-harmonized light vehicles test procedure (WLTP) driving cycle using dynamic programing as global optimal energy management strategy. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out in order to evaluate the impact of the battery size on the fuel consumption, for self-sustaining and plug-in hybrid SHEV configurations. Results show 22% to 25% improved fuel consumption with GT as auxiliary power unit (APU) compared to ICE. Consequently,the studied GT-APU presents a potential for implementation on SHEVs

Brayton cycles as waste heat recovery systems on series hybrid electric vehicles

International audienc

Energy consumption and battery sizing for different types of electric bus service

International audienc

Sensitivity analysis of bus line electrification at different operating conditions

International audienceThe electrification of public transport buses is getting more insights, especially in urban areas. The use of Battery electric buses (BEB) results in no tailpipe emissions, which gives BEB an advantage over diesel, hybrid and natural gas buses. However, the high capital costs and fluctuating operating costs of BEB limits their market breakthrough. Minimizing the total costs of BEB is essential to ease their deployment and this can be achieved by optimally designing the battery size and managing the charging strategy of the buses. These costs incur significant fluctuations as they are highly sensitive to electricity tariffs set by local authorities. In addition, these costs are directly driven by the battery costs, battery technology, and onboard energy management. For this sake, it is essential to evaluate the effect of the mentioned parameters on BEB optimal battery sizing and charging strategy and highlight their impact on the electricity grid

Comprehensive energy assessment of battery electric buses and diesel buses

International audienceThe drive to ban diesel vehicles is well underway in several major European cities with the aim of improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and similar plans have been announced by authorities around the world. This poses a major challenge for the public transport sector given its high reliance on diesel bus technology. Zero-emission battery electric buses (BEB) currently stands as one of the most promising solutions for reducing the overall carbon footprint of public transport, especially with the continuous improvements in electric powertrain and battery technologies and costs. This paper presents a detailed comparative energy assessment between BEB and diesel buses (DB) operating at various driving and weather conditions. The different energy loads encountered in bus operation, including those needed for traction, air conditioning and operation of other electric, hydraulic and pneumatic auxiliaries are all considered in this study. Simulation results show that BEB consumes 2-4 times less energy compared to DB depending on the operating conditions where almost 80% of the energy saving is obtained from the reduction in the traction load