A matter of taste: the adverse effect of pollen compounds on the pre-ingestive gustatory experience of sugar solutions for honeybees

This is the final version. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-019-01347-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.In addition to sugars, nectar contains multiple nutrient compounds in varying concentrations yet little is known of their effect on the reward properties of nectar and the resulting implications for insect behaviour. We examined the pre-ingestive responses of honeybees to sucrose solutions containing a mix of pollen compounds, the amino acids proline or phenylalanine, or known distasteful substances, quinine and salt. We predicted that in taste and learning assays, bees would respond positively to the presence of nutrient compounds in a sucrose solution. However, bees’ proboscis extension responses decreased when their antennae were stimulated with pollen- or amino-acid supplemented sucrose solutions. Compared to pure sucrose, bees exhibited worse acquisition when conditioned to an odour with pollen-supplemented sucrose as the unconditioned stimulus. Such learning impairment was also observed with quinine-containing sucrose solutions. Our results suggest that bees can use their antennae to detect pollen compounds in floral nectars. Depending on the type and concentrations of compounds present, this may result in nectar being perceived as distasteful by bees, making it less effective in reinforcing the learning of floral cues. Such reward devaluation might be adaptive in cases where plants benefit from regulating the frequency of bee visitation.UKIERI (British Council)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (SWBiosciences DTP

Morphological Characters of the Thickbody Skate Amblyraja frerichsi (Krefft 1968) (Rajiformes: Rajidae), with Notes on Its Biology

Detailed descriptions of morphological features, morphometrics, neurocranium anatomy, clasper structure and egg case descriptions are provided for the thickbody skate Amblyraja frerichsi; a rare, deep-water species from Chile, Argentina and Falkland Islands. The species diagnosis is complemented from new observations and aspects such as colour, size and distribution are described. Geographic and bathymetric distributional ranges are discussed as relevant features of this taxońs biology. Additionally, the conservation status is assessed including bycatch records from Chilean fisheries

Longitudinal Evaluation of an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea-Created Murine Model with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurodegenerative disorder that usually occurs late in adult life. Clinically, the cardinal features include gait disturbances, urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline.Herein we report the characterization of a novel mouse model of NPH (designated p23-ST1), created by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutagenesis. The ventricular size in the brain was measured by 3-dimensional micro-magnetic resonance imaging (3D-MRI) and was found to be enlarged. Intracranial pressure was measured and was found to fall within a normal range. A histological assessment and tracer flow study revealed that the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pathway of p23-ST1 mice was normal without obstruction. Motor functions were assessed using a rotarod apparatus and a CatWalk gait automatic analyzer. Mutant mice showed poor rotarod performance and gait disturbances. Cognitive function was evaluated using auditory fear-conditioned responses with the mutant displaying both short- and long-term memory deficits. With an increase in urination frequency and volume, the mutant showed features of incontinence. Nissl substance staining and cell-type-specific markers were used to examine the brain pathology. These studies revealed concurrent glial activation and neuronal loss in the periventricular regions of mutant animals. In particular, chronically activated microglia were found in septal areas at a relatively young age, implying that microglial activation might contribute to the pathogenesis of NPH. These defects were transmitted in an autosomal dominant mode with reduced penetrance. Using a whole-genome scan employing 287 single-nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers and further refinement using six additional SNP markers and four microsatellite markers, the causative mutation was mapped to a 5.3-cM region on chromosome 4.Our results collectively demonstrate that the p23-ST1 mouse is a novel mouse model of human NPH. Clinical observations suggest that dysfunctions and alterations in the brains of patients with NPH might occur much earlier than the appearance of clinical signs. p23-ST1 mice provide a unique opportunity to characterize molecular changes and the pathogenic mechanism of NPH

Moc elektryczna siłowni współczesnych kontenerowców w wstępnym etapie projektowania

Permanent growth of sea trade demand has contributed to strong expansion of container carriers [5, 6]. The number of the biggest capacity container carriers is growing along with the number of container vessels at sea. The increasing demand for small feeders and feeders with higher trade capacity, meaning more TEU on board and higher en route speed resulting from higher number of large capacity container carriers that will call at a few main seaports, is predictable. Such a developing way of contemporary container vessels have led to the need of research-developing activities with references to design and ship building proces s, and new view at the electric matters. Approximations in use to determine the container vessels electric power are not accurate any more for the contemporary container carriers. Revision of the electric power relations and searching for the new mathematical models let determine with an essential approximation the electric power demand for contemporary vessels. The electric power calculations for the contemporary container carriers where the diesel and shaft generators have been used within whole range of container capacities, have been shown in the article. The electric power using multiple regression model has been calculated based on values collected in the container vessels data base. Different electric power relations have been determined for the container vessels with diesel and shaft generators and different for the ships with diesel generators only. Moreover, the diesel generators number and power have been discussed.Znaczący rozwój transportu morskiego doprowadził do silnego rozwoju statków przewożących kontenery [5, 6]. Wraz z progresywnie rosnącą liczbą nowych statków kontenerowych rośnie ich pojemność kontenerowa. Dla rozwoju dużych jednostek kontenerowych przewiduje się wzrost zapotrzebowania na tzw. szybkie dowozowe jednostki kontenerowe o większych niż dotychczas możliwościach przewozowych tj. większej liczbie kontenerów i większych prędkościach eksploatacyjnych. Taki kierunek rozwoju współczesnych kontenerowców doprowadził do potrzeby prowadzenia działań badawczo-rozwojowych w zakresie projektowania i budowy statków kontenerowych oraz konieczność innego spojrzenia na sprawy energetyczne tych jednostek. Stosowane do niedawna przybliżone zależności na określenie mocy elektrycznej kontenerowców coraz bardziej odbiegają od rzeczywistej mocy j instalowanej na współczesnych statkach kontenerowych. Weryfikacja zależności na dobór mocy elektrycznej oraz poszukiwanie nowych modeli matematycznych, pozwoli już we wstępnym etapie projektowania określić z dużym przybliżeniem zapotrzebowanie na moc elektryczną tych statków. W referacie przedstawiono ocenę mocy elektrycznej współczesnych statków kontenerowych dla całego zakresu stosowanych pojemności kontenerowych, w których do wytworzenia energii elektrycznej wykorzystuje się spalinowe zespoły prądotwórcze oraz prądnicę wałową. Moc ta została wyznaczona w oparciu o model regresji wielokrotnej na podstawie analizy parametrów zgromadzonych w formie bazy informacji o kontenerowcach. Przy wyznaczaniu zależności na moc elektryczną dokonano podziału na statki, w których do wytworzenia energii elektrycznej wykorzystywane były prądnice wałowe i spalinowe zespoły prądotwórcze oraz jednostki, w których moc elektryczna wytwarzana była tylko przez spalinowe zespoły prądotwórcze. Jako uzupełnienie rozpatrywanego zagadnienia przedstawiono kwestie, na które należy zwrócić uwagę dobierając liczbę i moc spalinowych zespołów prądotwórczych

Electric power assessment of the container ship in a preliminary design stage

W artykule przedstawiono ocenę mocy elektrycznej współczesnych statków kontenerowych dla całego zakresu stosowanych pojemności kontenerowych. Moc ta została określona w oparciu o model regresji wielokrotnej na podstawie analizy parametrów zgromadzonych w formie bazy informacji o kontenerowcach. Przy wyznaczaniu zależności na moc elektryczną dokonano podziału na statki, w których do wytworzenia energii elektrycznej wykorzystywane są prądnice wałowe i zespoły prądotwórcze oraz jednostki, w których moc elektryczna wytwarzana jest tylko przez spalinowe zespoły prądotwórcze.Electric power estimation of contemporary container vessels for whole container capacity range is presented in the paper. The multiple regression model has been used to determine electric power, based on the container ships database created for that reason. During electric power calculations the division into ships with electric power created by shaft and diesel generators and vessels with diesel generators only was done