Felix Alexandrovich Berezin and his work

This is a survey of Berezin's work focused on three topics: representation theory, general concept of quantization, and supermathematics.Comment: LaTeX, 27 page

Molecular-scale topographic cues induce the orientation and directional movement of fibroblasts on two-dimensional collagen surfaces

Collagen fibres within the extracellular matrix lend tensile strength to tissues and form a functional scaffold for cells. Cells can move directionally along the axis of fibrous structures, in a process important in wound healing and cell migration. The precise nature of the structural cues within the collagen fibrils that can direct cell movement are not known. We have investigated the structural features of collagen that are required for directional motility of mouse dermal fibroblasts, by analysing cell movement on two-dimensional collagen surfaces. The surfaces were prepared with aligned fibrils of collagen type I, oriented in a predefined direction. These collagen-coated surfaces were generated with or without the characteristic 67 nm D-periodic banding. Quantitative analysis of cell morphodynamics showed a strong correlation of cell elongation and motional directionality with the orientation of D-periodic collagen microfibrils. Neither directed motility, nor cell body alignment, was observed on aligned collagen lacking D-periodicity, or on D-periodic collagen in the presence of peptide containing an RGD motif. The directional motility of fibroblast cells on aligned collagen type I fibrils cannot be attributed to contact guidance, but requires additional structural information. This allows us to postulate a physiological function for the 67 nm periodicity

Organic farming as a rational choice: Empirical investigations in environmental decision making

Based on a postal survey of farmers conducted in 2004 in Western Germany (n = 657), a rational choice model of the adoption of organic farming is tested. Using methods of direct utility measurement, rational choice (RC) theory is applied directly in the empirical study. By that, questionable assumptions on the variability of preferences and the type of preferences to use in RC explanations can be avoided. The results indicate that the subjectively expected utility model is well suited to explain the adoption of organic farming. Expectations on the development of operational characteristics of the farm and farmers’ daily work are at the core of the decision. Farmers especially consider aspects like pest and weed control, the development of yields or the use of chemical substances. While solely economic factors like prices and marketing are also important, these are subordinate to operational aspects. In addition, a moderate impact of environmental concern regarding the adoption of organic farming is observed. (author's abstract

Systemic barriers to quitting smoking among institutionalised public mental health service populations: a comparison of two Australian sites

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