Universal KZB equations I: the elliptic case

We define a universal version of the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov-Bernard (KZB) connection in genus 1. This is a flat connection over a principal bundle on the moduli space of elliptic curves with marked points. It restricts to a flat connection on configuration spaces of points on elliptic curves, which can be used for proving the formality of the pure braid groups on genus 1 surfaces. We study the monodromy of this connection and show that it gives rise to a relation between the KZ associator and a generating series for iterated integrals of Eisenstein forms. We show that the universal KZB connection realizes as the usual KZB connection for simple Lie algebras, and that in the sl_n case this realization factors through the Cherednik algebras. This leads us to define a functor from the category of equivariant D-modules on sl_n to that of modules over the Cherednik algebra, and to compute the character of irreducible equivariant D-modules over sl_n which are supported on the nilpotent cone.Comment: Correction of reference of Thm. 9.12 stating an equivalence of categories between modules over the rational Cherednik algebra and its spherical subalgebr

LATINO MENTAL HEALTH: EXPLORING BARRIERS TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AMONG THE LATINO COMMUNITY WITHIN SAN BERNARDINO

The research presented on this paper examined the impact that the number of barriers have towards the delay in getting treatment among the Latino population. Participants (N=31) at Family Solution Collaborative, answered questions presented to them via a self-administered questionnaire that contained questions that examined types of barriers and how they impact mental health services. An independent sample t-test was conducted assessing generation status and the sum of perceived barriers. A Pearson correlation, design was used, for the purpose of searching for a relationship between the number of years in the U.S. and age with the sum of perceived barriers. Results for all test conducted showed no significance between all variables. In conclusion, although findings for this study did not support past research it is important to address the limitations to continue to develop culturally appropriate programs to help reduce the disparity of Latinos within mental health services

Integration of ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs Signaling Maintains Genome Integrity During Neurogenesis

The DNA damage response (DDR) orchestrates a network of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and apoptosis when complex DNA lesions arise to maintain genomic integrity. ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs (encoded by PRKDC) are related phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase like serine/threonine kinases (PIKK) that collectively regulate the DDR network. Studies have demonstrated these kinases can phosphorylate many of the same substrates, suggesting a significant potential for functional redundancy. However, deficiencies in these kinases have been linked to distinct neural degenerative and developmental disorders, underscoring their unique functions for maintain genomic integrity during nervous system development. Here we utilized mouse genetic analyses to identify the functional interplay between these kinases during neurogenesis. DNA-PKcs function is directly involved in and most associated with the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. The function of DNA-PKcs during neurogenesis remains unclear despite evidence linking mutations in related NHEJ factor genes to neurological diseases. For example, deficiency in Ku70, Ku80, XRCC4, or DNA ligase IV (Lig4), but not DNA-PKcs results in defective embryonic neurogenesis in mice. This discrepancy may arise from the fact that ATM and ATR can compensate for the loss of DNAPKcs. For instance, if ATM and DNA-PKcs were capable of functioning redundantly in neural tissue, then DNA-PKcs-null mice would not necessarily have a noticeable phenotype. Determining functional redundancy is difficult since Atr germ line and [Atm;Prkdc] double-null mice are embryonic lethal. To overcome these challenges, we used mice with germ line Prkdc inactivated in combination with conditional alleles for Atm and Atr to assess if these kinases function cooperatively in the DDR during neural development, consequently defining the role(s) of DNA-PKcs during neurogenesis. We found DNA-PKcs loss sensitized DNA damage induced p53-dependent apoptosis, and exacerbated checkpoint activation after ionizing radiation (IR) in a developmental stage and neural cell type-specific manner, independent of ATM and ATR. Our data suggests, during neurogenesis DNA-PKcs functions as a component of the DNA-PK holoenzyme to maintain genomic integrity in proliferating and non-proliferating neurons. We propose DNA-PK specifically enhances NHEJ DNA double-strand break repair kinetics during murine neurogenesis by acting as a scaffold protein, which is critical to maintain normal nervous development when high levels of genotoxic stress occur. In contrast, we found that ATM and ATR coordinated the DDR during neurogenesis to direct DNA damage induced apoptosis in proliferating and non-proliferating cortical neural progenitors. Furthermore, we found ATR controlled the IR-induced G2/M checkpoint, independent of ATM and DNA-PKcs. In summary, this work established a basic understanding of DNA-PKcs function during nervous system development with respect to ATM and ATR. Importantly, our data implicates DNA damage induced p53-dependent apoptosis can be activated in the absence of all three PIKK DNA damage-signaling kinases during murine neurogenesis. The human neurodegenerative disease ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is thought to arise from mutations in ATM preventing the elimination of DNA damaged neurons during neurogenesis, which then fail to function appropriately, resulting in neural degeneration. It is thought murine models fail to recapitulate the neurodegenerative disease observed in humans because mice are more resistant to DNA damage. The observation of a PIKK-independent DNA damage induced apoptotic process occurring during murine neurogenesis suggests murine embryonic neurons posses a pathway to eliminate DNA damaged cells even in the absence of ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs. Therefore, murine models may fail to recapitulate A-T, not because mice are more resistant to DNA damage, but because they have an alternative mechanism to eliminate DNA damaged neurons during neural development. The emphasis on mouse genetics to dissect the important processes of these kinases during neurogenesis was an important step to ensure the data collected illustrated the DDR within a biological context. Overall, our work illustrates the divergent functions of these kinases, despite substrate overlap, to show how they play unique and essential cooperative roles during the DDR, underscoring the distinct neuropathology that develops when each is defective

On dynamical adjoint functor

We give an explicit formula relating the dynamical adjoint functor and dynamical twist over nonalbelian base to the invariant pairing on parabolic Verma modules. As an illustration, we give explicit $U(sl(n))$- and $U_\hbar(sl(n))$-invariant star product on projective spaces

Fast ignition driven by quasi-monoenergetic ions: Optimal ion type and reduction of ignition energies with an ion beam array

Fast ignition of inertial fusion targets driven by quasi-monoenergetic ion beams is investigated by means of numerical simulations. Light and intermediate ions such as lithium, carbon, aluminium and vanadium have been considered. Simulations show that the minimum ignition energies of an ideal configuration of compressed Deuterium-Tritium are almost independent on the ion atomic number. However, they are obtained for increasing ion energies, which scale, approximately, as Z^2, where Z is the ion atomic number. Assuming that the ion beam can be focused into 10 {\mu}m spots, a new irradiation scheme is proposed to reduce the ignition energies. The combination of intermediate Z ions, such as 5.5 GeV vanadium, and the new irradiation scheme allows a reduction of the number of ions required for ignition by, roughly, three orders of magnitude when compared with the standard proton fast ignition scheme

Random walks in random Dirichlet environment are transient in dimension d≥3d\ge 3

We consider random walks in random Dirichlet environment (RWDE) which is a special type of random walks in random environment where the exit probabilities at each site are i.i.d. Dirichlet random variables. On $\Z^d$, RWDE are parameterized by a $2d$-uplet of positive reals. We prove that for all values of the parameters, RWDE are transient in dimension $d\ge 3$. We also prove that the Green function has some finite moments and we characterize the finite moments. Our result is more general and applies for example to finitely generated symmetric transient Cayley graphs. In terms of reinforced random walks it implies that directed edge reinforced random walks are transient for $d\ge 3$.Comment: New version published at PTRF with an analytic proof of lemma

Relationship between Semi-Arid Rangelands Quality Parameters and Vegetation Indexes

A large portion of the sheep production systems in the semi-arid zone of Central Chile base their feeding on the rangelands, adjusting both the production cycle and the use of supplementary feed to the natural supply of fodder. In this way, knowledge of the rangeland quantity and quality at the farm level emerges as an essential input for the decision-making of feed management. The objective of the study was to relate the herbage quality parameters of the semi-arid zone rangeland with Vegetation Indices (VI) and to determine which vegetation index report the best results. Vegetative indexes were obtained from aerial images multispectral captured by a drone. During the 2018 growing season (Oct to Dec), in three farms of the semi-arid zone of Central Chile, three plots of exclusion (per farm) of 100 m2 each were installed and monitored. Samples were taken once a month to determine the contents of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of rangeland herbage. Regressions were developed between the rangeland herbage quality parameters and the calculated VI. Most of the regressions obtained were significant (p \u3c 0.05). In DM, the index that presented the best R2 (0.84) was Plant Senescence Reflectance Index (PSRI). In CP, the highest value of R2 was only 0.38 for PSRI. For NDF, a maximum value of R2 of 0.56 was obtained using Red Edge Chlorophyll Index (CI red edge). Finally, for ADF, the highest value of R2 was 0.72 obtained in Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and Green Chlorophyll Index (CI green)

Gastrointestinal tract size, total-tract digestibility, and rumen microflora in different dairy cow genotypes

peer-reviewedThe superior milk production efficiency of Jersey (JE) and Jersey × Holstein-Friesian (JE × HF) cows compared with Holstein-Friesian (HF) has been widely published. The biological differences among dairy cow genotypes, which could contribute to the milk production efficiency differences, have not been as widely studied however. A series of component studies were conducted using cows sourced from a longer-term genotype comparison study (JE, JE × HF, and HF). The objectives were to (1) determine if differences exist among genotypes regarding gastrointestinal tract (GIT) weight, (2) assess and quantify whether the genotypes tested differ in their ability to digest perennial ryegrass, and (3) examine the relative abundance of specific rumen microbial populations potentially relating to feed digestibility. Over 3 yr, the GIT weight was obtained from 33 HF, 35 JE, and 27 JE × HF nonlactating cows postslaughter. During the dry period the cows were offered a perennial ryegrass silage diet at maintenance level. The unadjusted GIT weight was heavier for the HF than for JE and JE × HF. When expressed as a proportion of body weight (BW), JE and JE × HF had a heavier GIT weight than HF. In vivo digestibility was evaluated on 16 each of JE, JE × HF, and HF lactating dairy cows. Cows were individually stalled, allowing for the total collection of feces and were offered freshly cut grass twice daily. During this time, daily milk yield, BW, and dry matter intake (DMI) were greater for HF and JE × HF than for JE; milk fat and protein concentration ranked oppositely. Daily milk solids yield did not differ among the 3 genotypes. Intake capacity, expressed as DMI per BW, tended to be different among treatments, with JE having the greatest DMI per BW, HF the lowest, and JE × HF being intermediate. Production efficiency, expressed as milk solids per DMI, was higher for JE than HF and JE × HF. Digestive efficiency, expressed as digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, N, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, was higher for JE than HF. In grazing cows (n = 15 per genotype) samples of rumen fluid, collected using a transesophageal sampling device, were analyzed to determine the relative abundance of rumen microbial populations of cellulolytic bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. These are critically important for fermentation of feed into short-chain fatty acids. A decrease was observed in the relative abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens in the JE rumen compared with HF and JE × HF. We can deduce from this study that the JE genotype has greater digestibility and a different rumen microbial population than HF. Jersey and JE × HF cows had a proportionally greater GIT weight than HF. These differences are likely to contribute to the production efficiency differences among genotypes previously reported