Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040 (Naturalis®), a valuable tool for the control of the cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi)

Naturalis® is a bioinsecticide based on living conidiospores of the naturally occuring Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040. The entomopathogenic fungus acts primarily by contact: once attached to the insect’s cuticle, the conidiospores germinate producing penetration hyphae, which enter and proliferate inside the insect’s body. The fungus invades and feeds on its host, causing its death due to dehydration and/or depletion of nutrients. Several years of laboratory, semi-field and field studies showed that also Tephritid flies (Ceratitis capitata, Rhagoletis cerasi, Bactrocera oleae) are susceptible to infection by B. bassiana strain ATCC 74040. The results of efficacy trials conducted in 2004-05 are reported. Naturalis was tested both alone and in an integrated pest management strategy. The product showed high efficacy in controlling R. cerasi, comparable to or higher than that of the chemical reference treatment. The B. bassiana-based product Naturalis can thus be considered an efficient tool for the control of the cherry fruit fly

Melting and metallization of silica in the cores of gas giants, ice giants and super Earths

The physical state and properties of silicates at conditions encountered in the cores of gas giants, ice giants and of Earth like exoplanets now discovered with masses up to several times the mass of the Earth remains mostly unknown. Here, we report on theoretical predictions of the properties of silica, SiO$_2$, up to 4 TPa and about 20,000K using first principle molecular dynamics simulations based on density functional theory. For conditions found in the Super-Earths and in ice giants, we show that silica remains a poor electrical conductor up to 10 Mbar due to an increase in the Si-O coordination with pressure. For Jupiter and Saturn cores, we find that MgSiO$_3$ silicate has not only dissociated into MgO and SiO$_2$, as shown in previous studies, but that these two phases have likely differentiated to lead to a core made of liquid SiO$_2$ and solid (Mg,Fe)O.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Gains and losses in intertemporal preferences: a behavioural study

According to recent evidence (Frederick, Loewenstein, & O’Donoghue, 2002), the traditional Discounted Utility model (Samuelson, 1937) has a limited ability to describe realistic models of behaviour and indeed there are several documented empirical regularities that seem to contradict this statement both in certainty and uncertainty conditions. This study focused on one of the best documented anomalies: sign effect or gain-loss asymmetry (Frederick et al., 2002; Loewenstein & Prelec, 1992; Read, 2004). Specifically, the study investigated the intertemporal preference for symmetric monetary rewards and punishments in certain conditions, and the no wealth effects hypothesis (Dimitri, 2007) by asking subjects to choose between two positive or two negative euro amounts available at different points in time. The experimental design applied here followed the same behavioural pattern of the neuroeconomics’ study on monetary rewards realized by McClure et al. (2004). The results confirmed a gain-loss asymmetry at least for medium and large euro amount and suggested new directions of research.intertemporal preferences; gains; losses; certainty; sign effect .

Il cerilo di Alcmane tra Aristofane, Antigono, Eufronio e Didimo

A detailed analysis of the scholiastic material relating to Ar. Av. 299-300 shows not only that the entire scholium is ascribable to the grammarian Didymus, but also that the ancient interpretation of the Aristophanic line implied several reception dynamics: firstly, the influence played on Euphronius’ dialectological exegesis by the allusion to Alcman’s poem on the bird named kērylos in ll. 250-252 of the Birds; secondly, the reuse of zoological writings and, possibly, of Callimachus’ Aitia in Didymus’ explanation of the pun on the ornithonym kērylos

Gains and losses in intertemporal preferences: a behavioural study

The aim of this study was to investigate individual behavior in choosing symmetric monetary gains and losses under certainty. As in previous research, results showed that gains and losses are not equal and seem to be drawn by different internal principles of choice. Subjects preferred to lose sooner in time against average or high losses. Furthermore, considering the proportional difference between short and long-term alternatives of choice, the percentage of responses for early outcomes was increasing for losses and decreasing for gains

Delayed nipple-sparing modified subcutaneous mastectomy: Rationale and technique

The problem of nipple-areola complex (NAC) preservation during mastectomy is a very intriguing and stimulating issue. In fact, in order to perform an oncologically safe operation, no mammary tissue (enclosed in the main galactophoric ducts) should remain; on the other hand, without the blood supply coming from the breast gland, NAC viability is greatly impaired because the surrounding vascular dermal network is not developed enough to support its metabolic requirements. We suggest therefore a two-step surgical procedure. The first step, on an outpatient basis with local tumescent anesthesia, is a mini-invasive cutting and coagulating procedure. It addresses the autonomization of the vascular supply to the NAC by detaching the galactophore stalk from the nipple and coagulating the deep vascular plexus. The second step, under general anesthesia and again with tumescent technique, removes the breast within its capsule, with careful checks of any remnant and adequate approach to the axilla. A subpectoralis prosthesis completes the procedure. In our view, this technique is electively suitable for prophylactic mastectomy, but also for stage I breast cancer, 2.5 cm from the NAC and 1.5 cm from the skin and pectoralis fascia, and it is very safe, simple, and effective

Recent advances in laser-plasma experiments using foams

The paper discusses recent advances in the use of foams in laser–plasma experiments, concerning in particular: (1) the use of foam in order to get an efficient smoothing of laser energy deposition, (2) the problem of hydrodynamics of layered foam-payload targets, (3) the use of foam for shock pressure amplification in equation-of-state experiments, (4) the study of the equation of state of foams in the Megabar regime, and (5) the use of foams for astrophysics relevant experiments, here in particular shock acceleration experiments