Metarhizium brunneum Blastospore Pathogenesis in Aedes aegypti Larvae: Attack on Several Fronts Accelerates Mortality

Aedes aegypti is the vector of a wide range of diseases (e.g. yellow fever, dengue, Chikungunya and Zika) which impact on over half the world's population. Entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana have been found to be highly efficacious in killing mosquito larvae but only now are the underlying mechanisms for pathogenesis being elucidated. Recently it was shown that conidia of M. anisopliae caused stress induced mortality in Ae. aegypti larvae, a different mode of pathogenicity to that normally seen in terrestrial hosts. Blastospores constitute a different form of inoculum produced by this fungus when cultured in liquid media and although blastospores are generally considered to be more virulent than conidia no evidence has been presented to explain why. In our study, using a range of biochemical, molecular and microscopy methods, the infection process of Metarhizium brunneum (formerly M. anisopliae) ARSEF 4556 blastospores was investigated. It appears that the blastospores, unlike conidia, readily adhere to and penetrate mosquito larval cuticle. The blastospores are readily ingested by the larvae but unlike the conidia are able infect the insect through the gut and rapidly invade the haemocoel. The fact that pathogenicity related genes were upregulated in blastospores exposed to larvae prior to invasion, suggests the fungus was detecting host derived cues. Similarly, immune and defence genes were upregulated in the host prior to infection suggesting mosquitoes were also able to detect pathogen-derived cues. The hydrophilic blastospores produce copious mucilage, which probably facilitates adhesion to the host but do not appear to depend on production of Pr1, a cuticle degrading subtilisin protease, for penetration since protease inhibitors did not significantly alter blastospore virulence. The fact the blastospores have multiple routes of entry (cuticle and gut) may explain why this form of the inoculum killed Ae. aegypti larvae in a relatively short time (12-24hrs), significantly quicker than when larvae were exposed to conidia. This study shows that selecting the appropriate form of inoculum is important for efficacious control of disease vectors such as Ae. aegypti

Changing environments during the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in the eastern Cantabrian Region (Spain): direct evidence from stable isotope studies on ungulate bones

Environmental change has been proposed as a factor that contributed to the extinction of the Neanderthals in Europe during MIS3. Currently, the different local environmental conditions experienced at the time when Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH) met Neanderthals are not well known. In the Western Pyrenees, particularly, in the eastern end of the Cantabrian coast of the Iberian Peninsula, extensive evidence of Neanderthal and subsequent AMH activity exists, making it an ideal area in which to explore the palaeoenvironments experienced and resources exploited by both human species during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition. Red deer and horse were analysed using bone collagen stable isotope analysis to reconstruct environmental conditions across the transition. A shift in the ecological niche of horses after the Mousterian demonstrates a change in environment, towards more open vegetation, linked to wider climatic change. In the Mousterian, Aurignacian and Gravettian, high inter-individual nitrogen ranges were observed in both herbivores. This could indicate that these individuals were procured from areas isotopically different in nitrogen. Differences in sulphur values between sites suggest some variability in the hunting locations exploited, reflecting the human use of different parts of the landscape. An alternative and complementary explanation proposed is that there were climatic fluctuations within the time of formation of these archaeological levels, as observed in pollen, marine and ice cores.This research was funded by the European Commission through a Marie Curie Career Integration Grant (FP7- PEOPLE-2012-CIG-322112), by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (HAR2012-33956 and Ramon y Cajal-2011-00695), the University of Cantabria and Campus International to ABMA. Radiocarbon dating at ORAU was funded by MINECO-HAR2012-33956 project. J.J was supported initially by the FP7- PEOPLE-2012-CIG-322112 and later by a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014-656122). Laboratory work, associated research expenses and isotopic analysis were kindly funded by the Max Planck Society to M.R

Invasion success of a widespread invasive predator may be explained by a high predatory efficacy but may be influenced by pathogen infection

Invasive alien species (IAS) can drive community change through ecological interactions. Parasites and pathogens can play an important role in community function including mitigating or enhancing IAS impacts. Despite this, the degree to which pathogen pressure influences IAS impacts remains poorly understood. We quantified the predatory behaviour of the highly invasive alien harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and two UK native species, the 7-spot (Coccinella septempunctata) and 2-spot (Adalia bipunctata) ladybirds, using comparative functional response experiments. We investigated the impacts of pathogen infection on the predatory ability of the ladybirds by exposing individuals to Beauveria bassiana, a widespread entomopathogen. Invasive H. axyridis was a more efficient predator than both the native A. bipunctata and C. septempunctata, often having higher attack and/or lower prey handling time coefficients, whereas native A. bipunctata were the least efficient predators. These differences were found in both adult and larval life-stages. Beauveria bassiana infection significantly altered the predatory efficiency of adult and larval ladybird predators. The effects of pathogenic infection differed between species and life-stage but in many cases infection resulted in a reduced predatory ability. We suggest that the interactions between IAS and pathogens are integral to determining invasion success and impact

Invasion success of a widespread invasive predator may be explained by a high predatory efficacy but may be influenced by pathogen infection

Invasive alien species (IAS) can drive community change through ecological interactions. Parasites and pathogens can play an important role in community function including mitigating or enhancing IAS impacts. Despite this, the degree to which pathogen pressure influences IAS impacts remains poorly understood. We quantified the predatory behaviour of the highly invasive alien harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and two UK native species, the 7-spot (Coccinella septempunctata) and 2-spot (Adalia bipunctata) ladybirds, using comparative functional response experiments. We investigated the impacts of pathogen infection on the predatory ability of the ladybirds by exposing individuals to Beauveria bassiana, a widespread entomopathogen. Invasive H. axyridis was a more efficient predator than both the native A. bipunctata and C. septempunctata, often having higher attack and/or lower prey handling time coefficients, whereas native A. bipunctata were the least efficient predators. These differences were found in both adult and larval life-stages. Beauveria bassiana infection significantly altered the predatory efficiency of adult and larval ladybird predators. The effects of pathogenic infection differed between species and life-stage but in many cases infection resulted in a reduced predatory ability. We suggest that the interactions between IAS and pathogens are integral to determining invasion success and impact

Biodegradable greases applied for bearings of mobile machinery

Artykuł przedstawia możliwość zastosowania smarów biodegradowalnych do smarowania węzłów łożyskowych mechanizmów wykonawczych maszyn roboczych pracujących na terenach leśnych, ujęciach wodnych, kopalniach odkrywkowych, terenach rolnych i innych, w których istnieje duże ryzyko zanieczyszczenia środowiska produktami ropopochodnymi. Przedstawiono przegląd dostępnych na rynku biodegradowalnych smarów, w tym smarów zawierających estry roślinne, możliwych do wykorzystania w smarowaniu połączeń w elementach wykonawczych maszyn roboczych. Artykuł zawiera również przegląd metod określania biodegradowalności środków smarnych.Paper presents environmental aspects of greasing applied for machines, which work in pollution sensitive areas. Lubrication methods of pin-bushing joints is presented, as well as requirements of used greases. Paper contains also a review of mostly used methods to determine biodegradability. Examples of the market available, biodegradable greases are presented, including greases based on vegetable oils, which may be used for lubrication of machinery

Reconstruction and adaptation of squirrel cage in 4-pole, 800 kW, 6 kV induction motor for heavy-duty operation

In the paper the case of the squirrel cage failure in high voltage induction motor is described. This motor is operating in the drive characterised by long starting time and by very high and frequent overloads. The analysis of drive operation and reasons of failure curried out. The changes in rotor construction has been proposed to increase the motor service life

Condition monitoring of railway shock absorbers

Przedstawiono prace nad systemem monitorowania stanu technicznego amortyzatorów kolejowych. Niektóre z amortyzatorów są szczególnie odpowiedzialne za stabilność wózka podczas jazdy z dużymi prędkościami. Zastosowanie monitorowania stanu może zwiększyć bezpieczeństwo jazdy pociągu oraz zredukować czas i koszty napraw. W systemie podejmowania decyzji została zastosowana sieć neuronowa (backpropagation).The paper presents the study on condition monitoring system of railway shock absorbers. The anti-yaw dampers have been chosen to apply the condition monitoring system. The application of condition monitoring system can increase safety of the train as well as reduce maintenance, service time and idle costs of the trains. The backpropagation neural network has been chosen for the decision-making system

Non-conventional sources of energy in construction and mining machinery

W referacie przedstawiono zagadnienia wykorzystania niekonwencjonalnych źródeł energii w budowie maszyn dla górnictwa skalnego i budownictwa, z uwzględnieniem w szczególności metod akumulacji energii mechanicznej oraz jej powtórnego wykorzystania podczas procesów urabiania, przetwarzania surowców skalnych oraz prac z wykorzystaniem maszyn budowlanych.Paper presents methods of utilization of non-conventional energy during building and mining processes. Authors focused on waste energy storing, mainly as heat, but also as energy of compressed gases, potential energy of gravity, springs and hydraulics. Some methods of waste energy storing and retrieval are described, for example utilisation of waste heat generated by internal combustion engines of machinery used for heating temporary office and social building on construction sites. Also some methods of storing and utilisation of mechanical energy are described

Monitorowanie stanu amortyzatorów kolejowych

The paper presents the study on condition monitoring system of railway shock absorbers. The anti-yaw dampers have been chosen to apply the condition monitoring system. The application of condition monitoring system can increase safety of the train as well as reduce maintenance, service time and idle costs of the trains. The backpropagation neural network has been chosen for the decision making system.Przedstawiono prace nad systemem monitoro-wania amortyzatorów kolejowych. Jedne z amorty-zatorów są szczególnie odpowiedzialne za stabilność wózka podczas jazdy z dużymi prędkościami. Zastosowanie monitorowania stanu może zwiększyć bezpieczeństwo pociągu oraz zredukować czas i koszty serwisu. W systemie podejmowania decyzji została zastosowana sieć neuronowa (backpropagation)

Innovative design of double squirrel cage induction motor for high start frequency operation

In the paper the case of the squirrel cage failure in high voltage induction motor is described. This motor is operating in the drive characterised by high start frequency. The analysis of drive operation and reasons of failure curried out. The changes in rotor construction has been proposed to increase the motor service life.W artykule przedstawiono przypadek uszkodzenia klatki wirnika silnika indukcyjnego wysokiego napięcia. Silnik pracuje w napędzie o dużej częstotliwości wykonywanych rozruchów. Przeprowadzono analizę pracy i przyczyn uszkodzenia klatki, jak również zaprezentowano nowy rozwiązanie konstrukcyjne wirnika pozwalające wydłużyć bezawaryjny czas pracy maszyny