Centrality evolution of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density over a broad pseudorapidity range in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

Peer reviewe

Does Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) have a preferential instar to parasitize Tephritidae (Diptera)?

ABSTRACT Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) is a koinobiont parasitoid of Tephritidae larvae, the third instar larvae of which is considered preferential, but it is able to parasitize other larval stages and compete with native parasitoids. This study investigated the preference and parasitism capacity of D. longicaudata in larvae of different instar of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (AF) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (CC). The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions, one instar being offered at a time in parasitism units, with the following choices among the hosts: 25 AF larvae and 25 CC larvae (first, second and third instar were evaluated). The other test was a multiple-choice in relation to the instar, for larvae of the same host species, with three parasitism units being offered, with 15 larvae of each instar. The mean number of formed pupae, emerged parasitoids, parasitized pupae, unviable pupae and sex ratio were evaluated. In the first bioassay, the mean number of emerged parasitoids and parasitized pupae in the AF host were significantly higher in treatments with first and second instar larvae. For CC there was no difference between the instars tested. In the second bioassay, the mean value of emerged parasitoids and parasitized pupae, was higher in second and third instar larvae for CC, and for AF was in second instar larvae. The sex ratio was biased for males in all treatments in both bioassays. The results show that D. longicaudata can parasitize and be successful in all available larval instars, being able to compete with parasitoids of any instar

Where Brain, Body and World Collide

The production cross section of electrons from semileptonic decays of beauty hadrons was measured at mid-rapidity (|y| < 0.8) in the transverse momentum range 1 < pt < 8 Gev/c with the ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC in pp collisions at a center of mass energy sqrt{s} = 7 TeV using an integrated luminosity of 2.2 nb^{-1}. Electrons from beauty hadron decays were selected based on the displacement of the decay vertex from the collision vertex. A perturbative QCD calculation agrees with the measurement within uncertainties. The data were extrapolated to the full phase space to determine the total cross section for the production of beauty quark-antiquark pairs

The adult galactosemic phenotype

Abstract Background Classic galactosemia is an autosomal recessive disorder due to galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) deficiency. Newborn screening and early treatment do not completely prevent tremor, speech deficits, and diminished IQ in both sexes and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in women. Data on how individuals with galactosemia fare as adults will improve our ability to predict disease progression. Methods Thirty-three adults (mean age=32.6±11.7 years; range=18-59) with classic galactosemia, confirmed by genotype and undetectable GALT enzyme activity, were evaluated. Analyses assessed associations among age, genotype, clinical features and laboratory measures. Results The sample included 17 men and 16 women. Subjects exhibited cataracts (21%), low bone density (24%), tremor (46%), ataxia (15%), dysarthria (24%), and apraxia of speech (9%). Subjects reported depression (39%) and anxiety (67%). Mean full scale IQ was 88±20, (range=55-122). All subjects followed a dairy-free diet and 75-80% reported low intake of calcium and vitamin D. Mean height, weight and body mass were within established norms. All female subjects had bee