On Vector Bundles of Finite Order

We study growth of holomorphic vector bundles E over smooth affine manifolds. We define Finsler metrics of finite order on E by estimates on the holomorphic bisectional curvature. These estimates are very similar to the ones used by Griffiths and Cornalba to define Hermitian metrics of finite order. We then generalize the Vanishing Theorem of Griffiths and Cornalba to the Finsler context. We develop a value distribution theory for holomorphic maps from the projectivization of E to projective space. We show that the projectivization of E can be immersed into a projective space of sufficiently large dimension via a map of finite order.Comment: version 2 has some typos corrected; to appear in Manuscripta Mathematic

Amplified fragment length polymorphism used for inter- and intraspecific differentiation of screwworms (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Morphologically, early immature stages of the economically important pest called screwworms, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and non-pest secondary screwworms, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), are nearly indistinguishable. Correct identification is crucial to the ongoing eradication and exclusion program protecting the United States, Mexico and Central America from reinvasion of screwworms persistent in South America and the Caribbean. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) polymerase chain reaction was used to differentiate populations of C. hominivorax and to discriminate them from C. macellaria. Ten primer pairs screened for interspecific discrimination of C. hominivorax from C. macellaria showed 52 discrete bands, allowing the two species to be readily distinguished; divergent branches on resulting dendrograms showed 100% bootstrap support. C. macellaria populations grouped at the 92% level; C. hominivorax populations grouped at the 68% level. Of the 52 bands, seven were monomorphic for both species, 22 were specific to C. macellaria, ten were present only in C. hominivorax and the remaining 13 bands differentiated C. hominivorax populations. Separate studies using ten strains of C. hominivorax showed a higher level of genetic similarity within than between populations. Analyses using 72 bands (19 monomorphic bands, 53 bands grouped all ten strains at the 58% similarity level) resolved seven mutant strains from Mexico (85% similarity level); all ten strains were resolved at the 72% similarity level. Diagnostic bands were identified for species and strain identification. We conclude that AFLP can be a valuable tool for studies of interspecific and intraspecific genetic variation in screwworm populations

Mono- and double carbonylation of aryl iodides with amine nucleophiles in the presence of recyclable palladium catalysts immobilised on a supported dicationic ionic liquid phase

Silica modified with organic dicationic moieties proved to be an excellent support for palladium catalysts used in the aminocarbonylation of aryl iodides. By an appropriate choice of the reaction conditions, the same catalyst could be used for selective mono- or double carbonylations leading to amide and [small alpha]-ketoamide products, respectively. The best catalyst could be recycled for at least 10 consecutive runs with a loss of palladium below the detection limit. By the application of the new support, efficient catalyst recycling could be achieved under mild reaction conditions (under low pressure and in a short reaction time). Palladium-leaching data support a mechanism with dissolution-re-precipitation of the active palladium species

Genetic Variability of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, Suggests Gene Flow Between Populations in the Midwestern United States

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a widely distributed and serious economic pest to corn production in the U.S. Genetic variability of O. nubilalis was studied in 18 sub-populations in the upper Midwestern United States using amplified fragment length polymorphism. The relatively low GST values indicate that more variation exists within populations than between populations. High gene flow (Nm) values were indicated across the entire O. nubilalis population; the lowest degree of gene flow was in the northern samples (Nm = 1.96) and the highest degree of gene flow was in the southern samples (Nm = 2.77). The differences observed in the respective regions (north vs. south) may be explained by the voltinism patterns (univoltine vs. multivoltine, respectively) of O. nubilalis: southern multivoltine populations have opportunities for multiple matings for the duration of the year, further mix alleles. AMOVA results also indicated that most of the genetic variation was within sub-populations (≈ 81% of total variation); less variation (≈ 13%) was detected among populations within each of the three regions as designated for this study. However, the most striking and unexpected result was the low percentage of variation between all groups (≈ 6%), further supporting implications of a high degree of gene flow. These results provide support for current requirements of refugia corn planting in Bt-corn management. These results also indicate that if resistance to Bt were to evolve in O. nubilalis, quick action would be necessary to deter the rapid spread of the gene for resistance

Observations of H-alpha, iron, and oxygen lines in B, Be, and shell stars

We have carried out a spectroscopic survey of several B, Be, and shell stars in optical and near-infrared regions. Line profiles of the H-alpha line and of selected Fe II and O I lines are presented.Comment: 23 pages, 45 figures; accepted in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Switching the Interpenetration of Confined Asymmetric Polymer Brushes

The interpenetration of two polymer brushes on approaching flat surfaces has been investigated. When compacting polymer brushes with an asymmetric charge on each surface, one neutral and the other weakly charged, we find that the brush interpenetration becomes a parameter that can be controlled by the pH of the hydrating solution. The switching between high and low degrees of brush interpenetration was investigated with numerical self-consistent field theory (nSCF) and experimentally using a sample environment which combines neutron reflectometry with a surface force type apparatus. Initially, a pair of uncharged poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, brushes are examined, where one of the brushes is deuterated to distinguish it from a hydrogenous counterpart. We find in both nSCF and these experiments that there is no significant overlap between the brushes as both compact into polymer blocks with little hydration. However, when a weak polyelectrolyte poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), PDMAEMA, brush is confined against a deuterated neutral PEO brush and the pH of the hydrating solution is below the polycation’s pKa of 7.5, then the presence of charged groups on the PDMAEMA allows significant interpenetration to occur between the two polymer brushes on contact. This interpenetration remains once the polymer brushes dehydrate due to the confining pressure that is applied. Raising the pH to a value above the pKa, removes the charges from the polyelectrolyte brush resulting in little to no interpenetration between the two brushes. Therefore, by simply adjusting the pH of the hydrating solution the interpenetration state between polymer brush pairs can be switched when one brush is a weak polyelectrolyte. Since polymer brushes are widely investigated and used to reduce friction between solid surfaces, this effect may have significant implications in the design and operation of polymer brushes with controllable friction properties

Analysis of radiation-induced cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and rat liver maintained in microfluidic devices

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate how head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissue biopsies maintained in a pseudo in vivo environment within a bespoke microfluidic device respond to radiation treatment. Study Design Feasibility study. Setting Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods Thirty-five patients with HNSCC were recruited, and liver tissue from 5 Wistar rats was obtained. A microfluidic device was used to maintain the tissue biopsy samples in a viable state. Rat liver was used to optimize the methodology. HNSCC was obtained from patients with T1-T3 laryngeal or oropharyngeal SCC; N1-N2 metastatic cervical lymph nodes were also obtained. Irradiation consisted of single doses of between 2 Gy and 40 Gy and a fractionated course of 5×2 Gy. Cell death was assessed in the tissue effluent using the soluble markers lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytochrome c and in the tissue by immunohistochemical detection of cleaved cytokeratin18 (M30 antibody). Results A significant surge in LDH release was demonstrated in the rat liver after a single dose of 20 Gy; in HNSCC, it was seen after 40 Gy compared with the control. There was no significant difference in cytochrome c release after 5 Gy or 10 Gy. M30 demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in apoptotic index for a given increase in single-dose radiotherapy. There was a significant increase in apoptotic index between 1×2 Gy and 5×2 Gy. Conclusion M30 is a superior method compared with soluble markers in detecting low-dose radiation-induced cell death. This microfluidic technique can be used to assess radiation-induced cell death in HNSCC and therefore has the potential to be used to predict radiation response

A remark on the dimension of the Bergman space of some Hartogs domains

Let D be a Hartogs domain of the form D={(z,w) \in CxC^N : |w| < e^{-u(z)}} where u is a subharmonic function on C. We prove that the Bergman space of holomorphic and square integrable functions on D is either trivial or infinite dimensional.Comment: 12 page

Spectroscopic analysis of the B/Be visual binary HR 1847

We studied both components of a slightly overlooked visual binary HR 1847 spectroscopically to determine its basic physical and orbital parameters. Basic stellar parameters were determined by comparing synthetic spectra to the observed echelle spectra, which cover both the optical and near-IR regions. New observations of this system used the Ond\v{r}ejov and Rozhen 2-m telescopes and their coud\'e spectrographs. Radial velocities from individual spectra were measured and then analysed with the code {\FOTEL} to determine orbital parameters. The spectroscopic orbit of HR 1847A is presented for the first time. It is a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a B-type primary, a period of 719.79 days, and a highly eccentric orbit with e=0.7. We confirmed that HR 1847B is a Be star. Its H\alpha emission significantly decreased from 2003 to 2008. Both components have a spectral type B7-8 and luminosity class IV-V.Comment: Astronomy and Astrophysics, accepte

The creation of a multiallele knockout genotype in rabbit using crispr/cas9 and its application in translational medicine

Nonrodent animal models have recently become more valuable in preclinical studies. The limitation of nonrodent animal models is that they must demonstrate relatively reliable and predictable responses in addition to representing complex etiologies of a genetically diverse patient population. In our study, we applied CRISPR/Cas9 technology to produce transgenic rabbits. This approach can be useful for creating genetically divergent and homogeneous populations for studies in translational medicine. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is a promising therapeutic target, as it is linked to several pathologies including stroke, atherosclerosis, and lung and kidney fibrosis. NOX4 knockout (KO) rabbit lines were created in order to study the in vivo effects resulting from a lack of NOX4 protein and loss of gene function. One of the knockout founders was a germline multiallelic knockout male. Its offspring segregated into three distinct NOX4 knockout and a wild-type lines. Mosaicism is a relatively frequent phenomenon in rabbit transgenesis. Our results point to the possible application of mosaicism in preclinical studies. However, careful planning and evaluation of results are necessary. The predicted off-target sites were studied as well, and no signs of off-target events were detected. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland