Large-scale inference and graph theoretical analysis of gene-regulatory networks in B. stubtilis

We present the methods and results of a two-stage modeling process that generates candidate gene-regulatory networks of the bacterium B. subtilis from experimentally obtained, yet mathematically underdetermined microchip array data. By employing a computational, linear correlative procedure to generate these networks, and by analyzing the networks from a graph theoretical perspective, we are able to verify the biological viability of our inferred networks, and we demonstrate that our networks' graph theoretical properties are remarkably similar to those of other biological systems. In addition, by comparing our inferred networks to those of a previous, noisier implementation of the linear inference process [17], we are able to identify trends in graph theoretical behavior that occur both in our networks as well as in their perturbed counterparts. These commonalities in behavior at multiple levels of complexity allow us to ascertain the level of complexity to which our process is robust to noise.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physica A (2006

Poems

These poems are chosen from the group which won the 1936 Butler Literary Contest Poetry Prize

Assessing a Coalition for Outreach and Enrollment in Minnesota’s Health Insurance Exchange

Using a case-study approach, representatives of the Insure Duluth coalition were interviewed in order to evaluate processes, strengths, challenges and outcomes associated with using a coalition approach to community outreach and enrollment in health insurance via the new state marketplace, which is part of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Overall, interview participants cited numerous strengths to the coalition approach as well as technical challenges with enrolling persons in health insurance. They also felt such challenges had the unintended effect of strengthening the relationships between coalition organizations. Community level outcomes were identified as being associated with the coalition’s work. Participants also discussed key contextual factors supporting the coalition. The coalition approach appears to be a promising tactic to increase health insurance access. States can provide funding for and foster policies to assist coalitions expand health insurance access