A revision of the striatella species group of the genus Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

A taxonomic revision of species of the striatella group, including descriptions ofthree new species from Mexico, Nicaragua and Costa Rica is presented. To date we recognize 6 species in this group: Rhagoletis striatella, R. jamaicensis, R. macquartii, R. triangularis n. sp., R. nicaraguensis n. sp., and R. solanophaga n. sp. Information and records about their distribution, known host plants, and morphological relationships among the species are discussed. A key to the species within the group is presented.Se presenta una revision taxonomic a de las especies del grupo striatella, la cual incluye descripciones de tres nuevas especies provenientes de Mexico, Nicaragua y Costa Rica. Ala fecha reconocemos 6 especies en este grupo: Rhagoletis striatella, R. jamaicensis, R. macquartii, R. triangularis n. sp., R. nicaraguensis n. sp., and R. solanophaga n. sp .. Se discute informacion sobre su distribucion, plantas hospederas conocidas, y las relaciones morfologicas entre sus especies. Ademas se presenta una clave para separar todas las especies del grupo

Chiral phases of two-dimensional hard-core bosons with frustrated ring-exchange

We study the zero temperature phase diagram of two-dimensional hard-core bosons on a square lattice with nearest neighbour and plaquette (ring-exchange) hoppings, at arbitrary densities, by means of a hierarchical mean-field theory. In the frustrated regime, where quantum Monte Carlo suffers from a sign problem, we find a rich phase diagram where exotic states with nonzero chirality emerge. Among them, novel insulating phases, characterized by nonzero bond-chirality and plaquette order, are found over a large region of the parameter space. In the unfrustrated regime, the hierarchical mean-field approach improves over the standard mean-field treatment as it is able to capture the transition from a superfluid to a valence bond state upon increasing the strength of the ring-exchange term, in qualitative agreement with quantum Monte Carlo results

Staircase of crystal phases of hard-core bosons on the Kagome lattice

We study the quantum phase diagram of a system of hard-core bosons on the Kagome lattice with nearest-neighbor repulsive interactions, for arbitrary densities, by means of the hierarchical mean field theory and exact diagonalization techniques. This system is isomorphic to the spin S=1/2 XXZ model in presence of an external magnetic field, a paradigmatic example of frustrated quantum magnetism. In the non-frustrated regime, we find two crystal phases at densities 1/3 and 2/3 that melt into a superfluid phase when increasing the hopping amplitude, in semi-quantitative agreement with quantum Monte Carlo computations. In the frustrated regime and away from half-filling, we find a series of plateaux with densities commensurate with powers of 1/3. The broader density plateaux (at densities 1/3 and 2/3) are remnants of the classical degeneracy in the Ising limit. For densities near half-filling, this staircase of crystal phases melts into a superfluid, which displays finite chiral currents when computed with clusters having an odd number of sites. Both the staircase of crystal phases and the superfluid phase prevail in the non-interacting limit, suggesting that the lowest dispersionless single-particle band may be at the root of this phenomenon

The relationship between obesity and depression

Thesis (M.A.)It is well known obesity rates have climbed steadily since the 1960s. The result is an increasing burden on healthcare in the world and especially, the United States. Those costs are not simply financial, but obesity, defined as a chronic disease of excess fat, has many comorbid diseases associated with it, along with decreased productivity and happiness. Trends in depression of the past few decades mirror those of obesity, as depression is more prevalent than ever. Likewise, depression places a heavy burden on the healthcare infrastructure. Many different researchers have sought a link between these two chronic diseases, and it is the goal of this paper to review this evidence. Investigators have framed the potential relationship in many different ways, including a sociological argument, with either obesity or depression predisposing the other, being elements in a shared inflammatory pathway, CNS pathway, HPA axis, and serotonin pathway. More studies are needed to conclude there is a definitive link between obesity and depression, but because of the massive toll both conditions take on the individual and society, it is well worth the investment. Perhaps, the success of obesity treatments that address depression, diminished self-worth and self-esteem provide some promise, and they also provide a new avenue to study this relationship. In identifying the comprehensive approaches to obesity that are most effective, researchers may be able to work backwards, identifying all the elements being touch upon by the treatment.2031-01-0

Library Resources on the Internet: BLC Gateway and Infosource in a Nutchell

The Boston Library Consortium (BLC) recently developed a gateway. This makes all consortium catalogs accessible through one internet address, or one dial-up. The Gateway also provides access to the BLC Infosource

Hormone and Metabolite Changes associated with Extended Breeding Fasts in Male Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga Angustirostris)

We measured metabolic hormones and several key metabolites in breeding adult male northern elephant seals to examine the regulation of fuel metabolism during extended natural fasts of over 3 months associated with high levels of energy expenditure. Males were sampled twice, early and late in the fast, losing an average of 23% of body mass and 47% of adipose stores between measurements. Males exhibited metabolic homeostasis over the breeding fast with no changes in glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, or blood urea nitrogen. Ketoacids increased over the fast but were very low when compared to other fasting species. Changes within individuals in total triiodothyronine (tT3) were positively related to daily energy expenditure (DEE) and protein catabolism. Differences in levels of thyroid hormones relative to that observed in weaned pups and females suggest a greater deiodination of T4 to support the high DEE of breeding males. Relative levels of leptin and ghrelin were consistent with the suppression of appetite but a significant reduction in growth hormone across the fast was contrary to expectation in fasting mammals. The lack of the increase in cortisol during fasting found in conspecific weaned pups and lactating females may contribute to the ability of breeding males to spare protein despite high levels of energy expenditure. Together these findings reveal significant differences with conspecifics under varying nutrient demands, suggesting metabolic adaptation to extended high energy fasts