LvNotch signaling plays a dual role in regulating the position of the ectoderm-endoderm boundary in the sea urchin embryo

The molecular mechanisms guiding the positioning of the ectoderm-endoderm boundary along the animal-vegetal axis of the sea urchin embryo remain largely unknown. We report here a role for the sea urchin homolog of the Notch receptor, LvNotch, in mediating the position of this boundary. Overexpression of an activated form of LvNotch throughout the embryo shifts the ectoderm-endoderm boundary more animally along the animal-vegetal axis, whereas expression of a dominant negative form shifts the border vegetally. Mosaic experiments that target activated and dominant negative forms of LvNotch into individual blastomeres of the early embryo, combined with lineage analyses, further reveal that LvNotch signaling mediates the position of this boundary by distinct mechanisms within the animal versus vegetal portions of the embryo. In the animal region of the embryo, LvNotch signaling acts cell autonomously to promote endoderm formation more animally, while in the vegetal portion, LvNotch signaling also promotes the ectoderm-endoderm boundary more animally, but through a cell non-autonomous mechanism. We further demonstrate that vegetal LvNotch signaling controls the localization of nuclear β-catenin at the ectoderm-endoderm boundary. Based on these results, we propose that LvNotch signaling promotes the position of the ectoderm-endoderm boundary more animally via two mechanisms: (1) a cell-autonomous function within the animal region of the embryo, and (2) a cell non-autonomous role in the vegetal region that regulates a signal(s) mediating ectoderm-endoderm position, possibly through the control of nuclear β-catenin at the boundary

Sheep and goats:manipulating visual perception through colour relationships

Sheep and Goats hides visual messages in plain sight. It is a print diptych which investigates the idea that artwork can be intentionally created to be experienced differently dependent on one’s visual abilities. Each silk-screened/ink-jet print is 84 cm x 112 cm. It is accompanied by a smart device fitted with augmented reality colour vision deficiency simulation and recolouring software. The collaboration of artist David Lyons with computer scientist David Flatla resulted in prints which communicate unique details exclusively to those colour blindness, while simultaneously containing imagery that those with typical colour vision experience. This was done through the use and understanding of colour theory, artistic principles and computer science applications. All the artwork is revealed to both audiences through the use of tablets whose software allows the translation of the imagery between the two audiences. The tablets with CVD simulation and recolouring software allow those with typical colour sight to view what those with colour blindness see, and those with colour blindness to gain an appreciation of what individuals with typical sight see.To indicate engagement of audiences of varied colour vision abilities, Triple Blind reference the circles of the Ishihara Colour Blind Test. The dualistic words ‘heaven’ and ‘HELL’ are used to suggest conflicting perceptions as are the clear varnish over-printed lyrics from the song “Sheep go to Heaven’ by the rock band Cake. This paper documents the development of the work, its theoretical underpinnings and artistic and social and philosophical implications

On Multiplicative Sidon Sets

Fix integers $b>a\geq1$ with $g:=\gcd(a,b)$. A set $S\subseteq\mathbb{N}$ is \emph{$\{a,b\}$-multiplicative} if $ax\neq by$ for all $x,y\in S$. For all $n$, we determine an $\{a,b\}$-multiplicative set with maximum cardinality in $[n]$, and conclude that the maximum density of an $\{a,b\}$-multiplicative set is $\frac{b}{b+g}$. For $A, B \subseteq \mathbb{N}$, a set $S\subseteq\mathbb{N}$ is \emph{$\{A,B\}$-multiplicative} if $ax=by$ implies $a = b$ and $x = y$ for all $a\in A$ and $b\in B$, and $x,y\in S$. For $1 < a < b < c$ and $a, b, c$ coprime, we give an O(1) time algorithm to approximate the maximum density of an $\{\{a\},\{b,c\}\}$-multiplicative set to arbitrary given precision

Can enlightenment be traced to specific neural correlates, cognition, or behavior? No, and (a qualified) Yes

The field of contemplative science is rapidly growing and integrating into the basic neurosciences, psychology, clinical sciences, and society-at-large. Yet the majority of current research in the contemplative sciences has been divorced from the soteriological context from which these meditative practices originate and has focused instead on clinical applications with goals of stress reduction and psychotherapeutic health. In the existing research on health outcomes of mindfulness-based clinical interventions, for example, there have been almost no attempts to scientifically investigate the goal of enlightenment. This is a serious oversight, given that such profound transformation across ethical, perceptual, emotional, and cognitive domains are taken to be the natural outcome and principle aim of mindfulness practice in the traditional Buddhist contexts from which these practices are derived. If short-term interventions as short as a few sessions are now beginning to produce neuroplastic changes, it may be that even in secular contexts, practitioners are already developing states and traits that are associated with progress toward enlightenment. In order to carefully assess the potential effects of meditative interventions it is of singular importance to ask whether enlightenment can be traced to specific neural correlates, cognition, or behavior

The Impact of a Regulatory Intervention on Resident-Centered Nursing Home Care: Rhode Island's Individualized Care Pilot

Evaluates a pilot project to promote resident-centered care through activities integrated with recertification inspections, including visits from a nonregulatory entity, and its impact on understanding, consideration, and implementation of practices

Estimating Functions of Probability Distributions from a Finite Set of Samples, Part 1: Bayes Estimators and the Shannon Entropy

We present estimators for entropy and other functions of a discrete probability distribution when the data is a finite sample drawn from that probability distribution. In particular, for the case when the probability distribution is a joint distribution, we present finite sample estimators for the mutual information, covariance, and chi-squared functions of that probability distribution.Comment: uuencoded compressed tarfile, submitte

Driven Polymer Translocation Through a Narrow Pore

Motivated by experiments in which a polynucleotide is driven through a proteinaceous pore by an electric field, we study the diffusive motion of a polymer threaded through a narrow channel with which it may have strong interactions. We show that there is a range of polymer lengths in which the system is approximately translationally invariant, and we develop a coarse-grained description of this regime. From this description, general features of the distribution of times for the polymer to pass through the pore may be deduced. We also introduce a more microscopic model. This model provides a physically reasonable scenario in which, as in experiments, the polymer's speed depends sensitively on its chemical composition, and even on its orientation in the channel. Finally, we point out that the experimental distribution of times for the polymer to pass through the pore is much broader than expected from simple estimates, and speculate on why this might be.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, RevTex and harvard citation style, submitted to Biophysical Journa