The configuration category of a covering space

We investigate the relationship between the configuration category of a manifold and the configuration category of a covering space of that manifold.Comment: 18 page

Presentations of configuration categories

The configuration category of a manifold is a topological category which we view as a Segal space, via the nerve construction. Our main result is that the unordered configuration category, suitably truncated, admits a finite presentation as a complete Segal space if the manifold in question is the interior of a compact manifold.Comment: 15 page

Below ground interactions for sustainable cropping systems.

Key aspects of cropping systems are described in terms of their impacts on soil, water and air resources. The importance of microbial symbiotic relations with crop plants are briefly considered in the context of nutrient resource use efficiency and the resilience of plants to biotic and abiotic stress. It is argued that cropping systems need to include crops with fibrous root systems and legumes in the rotation to ensure sustainable use of resources. Three series of experiments are discussed that considered how the efficacy of rhizobia and indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could be enhanced in sustainable cropping systems. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that there are potential benefits to crop production from improved management of soil resources through the adoption of reduced tillage practices coupled with suitable crop rotation and weed control

Association of genetic polymorphisms related to Johne’s disease with estimated breeding values of Holstein sires for milk ELISA test scores

peer-reviewedBackground Johne’s disease (JD) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in ruminants. Since there are currently no effective vaccine or treatment options available to control JD, genetic selection may be an alternative strategy to enhance JD resistance. Numerous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to be associated with MAP infection status based on published genome-wide association and candidate gene studies. The main objective of this study was to validate these SNPs that were previously identified to be associated with JD by testing their effect on Holstein bulls’ estimated breeding values (EBVs) for milk ELISA test scores, an indirect indicator of MAP infection status in cattle. Results Three SNPs, rs41810662, rs41617133 and rs110225854, located on Bos taurus autosomes (BTA) 16, 23 and 26, respectively, were confirmed as significantly associated with Holstein bulls’ EBVs for milk ELISA test score (FDR < 0.01) based on General Quasi Likelihood Scoring analysis (GQLS) analysis. Single-SNP regression analysis identified four SNPs that were associated with sire EBVs (FDR < 0.05). This includes two SNPs that were common with GQLS (rs41810662 and rs41617133), with the other two SNPs being rs110494981 and rs136182707, located on BTA9 and BTA16, respectively. Conclusions The findings of this study validate the association of SNPs with JD MAP infection status and highlight the need to further investigate the genomic regions harboring these SNPs

Climate Velocity Can Inform Conservation in a Warming World

Climate change is shifting the ranges of species. Simple predictive metrics of range shifts such as climate velocity, that do not require extensive knowledge or data on individual species, could help to guide conservation. We review research on climate velocity, describing the theory underpinning the concept and its assumptions. We highlight how climate velocity has already been applied in conservation-related research, including climate residence time, climate refugia, endemism, historic and projected range shifts, exposure to climate change, and climate connectivity. Finally, we discuss ways to enhance the use of climate velocity in conservation through tailoring it to be more biologically meaningful, informing design of protected areas, conserving ocean biodiversity in 3D, and informing conservation actions

Methodology to Estimate Natural- and Vaccine-induced antibodies to Sars-Cov-2 in a Large Geographic Region

Accurate estimates of natural and/or vaccine-induced antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are difficult to obtain. Although model-based estimates of seroprevalence have been proposed, they require inputting unknown parameters including viral reproduction number, longevity of immune response, and other dynamic factors. In contrast to a model-based approach, the current study presents a data-driven detailed statistical procedure for estimating total seroprevalence (defined as antibodies from natural infection or from full vaccination) in a region using prospectively collected serological data and state-level vaccination data. Specifically, we conducted a longitudinal statewide serological survey with 88,605 participants 5 years or older with 3 prospective blood draws beginning September 30, 2020. Along with state vaccination data, as of October 31, 2021, the estimated percentage of those 5 years or older with naturally occurring antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Texas is 35.0% (95% CI = (33.1%, 36.9%)). This is 3× higher than, state-confirmed COVID-19 cases (11.83%) for all ages. The percentage with naturally occurring or vaccine-induced antibodies (total seroprevalence) is 77.42%. This methodology is integral to pandemic preparedness as accurate estimates of seroprevalence can inform policy-making decisions relevant to SARS-CoV-2

Quantum mass correction for the twisted kink

We present an analytic result for the 1-loop quantum mass correction in semiclassical quantization for the twisted \phi^4 kink on S^1 without explicit knowledge of the fluctuation spectrum. For this purpose we use the contour integral representation of the spectral zeta function. By solving the Bethe ansatz equations for the n=2 Lame equation we obtain an analytic expression for the corresponding spectral discriminant. We discuss the renormalization issues of this model. An energetically preferred size for the compact space is finally obtained.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures;v2:references and discussion added, typos correcte