text:
\section{Introduction}

The Period-Luminosity (PL) relation for Classical Cepheids is a
2-dimensional projection of the higher-order Period-Luminosity-Color
(PLC) relation. The PLC relation, in turn, is a finite portion of a
plane, a so-called strip, embedded in the 3-dimensional space of
period, luminosity and color. This strip is defined and delimited by
physical limits (on temperature and luminosity) within which the atmospheres
of these stars are found to be pulsationally unstable.  A graphical
representation of how these various projections arise and are
inter-related was first given in Figure 3 of Madore \& Freedman
(1991). From this perspective it is clear that the width and
orientation of the PLC strip in 3-dimensional space will have direct
and profound influence on the measured properties of the 2D relations,
projected and multiply transformed to observable
(wavelength-dependent) quantities (magnitudes and colors).

It has long been known that the intrinsic width of the Cepheid
Period-Luminosity (PL) relation (as commonly parameterized by its
formal dispersion) {\it decreases} as a function of increasing
wavelength (see, for example, Madore \& Freedman 1991 for the optical,
McGonegal et al. 1982 for the near-infrared; and more recently Madore
et al. 2009 for applications in the mid-infared). What is less
commonly noted, although just as obvious, is the fact that the slope
of the Cepheid PL relation does the opposite, and {\it increases}
systematically with increased wavelength. This anti-correlation of
slope and dispersion is shown in Figure 1, which is an updated and
expanded version of a plot first presented as Figure 6 in Madore \&
Freedman (1991). Scatter is the quantity of most interest when any
such relation is being used for distance determinations. The slope, on
the other hand, is of little or no consequence in most practical
applications.  In the following, however, we show that the behavior of
these two quantities, slope and scatter, share a common physical
explanation, and that they can be readily understood (i.e., predicted)
from first principles. Moreover, there may indeed be some practical
implications arising from this realization.

\section{An Analytic Approach}

The total luminosity of a radiating object is the product of its total
(radiating) area times the mean surface brightness of that area.
Generalizing the Stefan-Boltzmann Law to a monochromatic (rather than
bolometric) observation can be done by parameterizing the surface
brightness by some power, $a_{\lambda}$,  of the effective temperature, $T_e$. Thus,
the entire (i.e., infinite) planar extent of the color-magnitude
diagram is mapped by

$$M_{\lambda} = -2.5~logR^2 - 2.5 \times a_{\lambda}~log T_e + b_{\lambda}~~ . . .   ~~(1) $$

\par\noindent where R is the radius of the star and $\lambda$ is the
wavelength of the observational bandpass. By imposing the following
linear ``constraints'' on the above equation one can then define the
(red/cool and blue/hot) boundaries of the instability strip: $log~R =
c~log~P + d$ and $log~T_e = -e~log~P + f$, where $P$ is the period,
and where it is to be noted that $a_{\lambda}, c$ and $e$ are all
numerically positive quantities.  Applying these external constraints
to the master equation (1) above (where $f_{red}$ and $f_{blue}$ are
respectively the red and blue intercepts of the blue and red
boundaries of the instability strip) gives

$$M_{\lambda}^{red}  = [-5~c + 2.5~e~a_{\lambda}]~log P - 2.5 \times [a_{\lambda} \times f_{red}]  + b_{\lambda} - 5~d~~  . . .  ~~(2a)$$
$$M_{\lambda}^{blue} = [-5~c + 2.5~e~a_{\lambda}]~log P - 2.5 \times [a_{\lambda} \times f_{blue}] + b_{\lambda} - 5~d~~ . . .  ~~(2b)$$

The full (wavelength-dependent) magnitude widths of the respective PL
relations, $|M_{\lambda}|$ (which are directly related and proportional
to their intrinsic dispersions) are then found to be

$$|M_{\lambda}| = 2.5 \times a_{\lambda}~|f_{blue} - f_{red}|~~ . . . ~~(3)$$

\par\noindent
Moreover, the (central) ridge-line equation of the mean PL relation becomes $(M_{\lambda}^{red} + M_{\lambda}^{blue})/2$
or

$$M_{\lambda}^{mean} = [-5~c +2.5~e~a_{\lambda}]~log P - 2.5~[a_{\lambda} \times f_{mean}] + b_{\lambda} - 5~d ]~~ . . . ~~(4)$$

\par\noindent
where $F_{mean} = (f_{red} + f_{blue})/2$.

\par\noindent
The slopes of the corresponding (wavelength-dependent)  PL relations are then

$$\Delta M_{\lambda}/\Delta log~P = A_{\lambda} = -5~c + 2.5~e~a_{\lambda}~~ . . . ~~(5)$$

\par\noindent The explicit dependence\footnote{For mathematical
  simplicity the above derivation implicitly assumes that the red and
  blue boundaries of the instability strip are parallel. The referee
  has pointed out that this may in fact not be the case, citing both
  theoretical (Bono et al. 2000) and observational evidence (Tammann
  et al. 2003) to the contrary. However the main point of this
  exercise is to show that $a_{\lambda}$ is common to both Equations 3
  and 5. Whether the multiplicative factor ``e'' in Equation 5 is the
  average of two different numbers (non-parallel boundaries) or
  identical numbers (parallel boundaries) does not change the main
  conclusion.} of both the slope (through Equation 5) and the
width/scatter (through Equation 3) on the same wavelength-dependent
term, $a_{\lambda}$, now becomes clear.

\par\noindent At fixed period, the total width of the PL relation at
any given wavelength is simply the difference of Equations 2a and 2b,
with the formal dispersion being a fixed multiplicative fraction of
that width.  A quick check shows that for a temperature width of the
Cepheid instability strip of 700K (or $\Delta~log~T_e = 0.05$) this
corresponds to a color width of $\Delta(B-V) = $ ~0.5~mag and a
corresponding magnitude width of $\Delta M_V = 0.8$~mag. If the stars
are uniformly distributed within and across the strip this would
correspond to a formal dispersion of $\sigma_V = 0.8/\sqrt{12} =
\pm0.23$~mag, which compares well with the observed dispersion of
$\pm0.27$~mag for the LMC V-band PL relation as given in Madore \&
Freedman (1991).

\vfill\eject
\subsection{A Graphical Approach}

Figure 2 graphically captures the substance of the above cascade of
equations, and visually illustrates just how the slopes of the PL
relations and their widths/dispersions are coupled. Three PL relations
are shown.  The lower relation (labeled 3.6 at its terminal point to
the right of the diagram) represents a long-wavelength PL relation
having the characteristic low scatter and a steep slope.  The thick
parallel lines (flanking each of the mean PL relations) represent the
upper and lower boundaries of the instability strip as projected into
the period-luminosity plane. The light, dotted lines trace the mean
relations. The thick dashed lines running diagonally across each of
the PL relations represent lines of constant color/temperature.

It is important to note that the mapping of the PL relation at one
wavelength into a PL relation as observed at another wavelength is
solely dependent on the differential response of surface brightness to
temperature across the respective wavelengths (as parameterized bf
$a_{\lambda}$ in Equation 1). Hereafter color is taken to be synonymous
with temperature. Given that the influence of temperature on surface
brightness is known to be an increasingly sensitive function of
decreasing wavelength, and given that temperature is itself a
generally decreasing function of increasing period (longer-period
Cepheids are generally cooler than their short-period counterparts),
the mapping of the 3.6$\mu$m PL relation into the B band is shown by
the two thick arrows of decreasing amplitude in going from hot
temperatures (the arrow above the circled A) to cooler temperatures
(the shorter arrow above the circled letter B). This systematic
decrease in the vector's magnitude with period (i.e., with mean
temperature) is readily seen to be responsible for the systematic
decrease in the slope of the PL relation in going from longer to
shorter wavelengths (as explicitly given in Equation 5).

The vectors originating from points in the long-wavelength PL relation
having the same temperature (as tracked by the dashed lines) have (by
definition) exactly the same magnitude/length. Those vectors are shown
terminating in the B-band PL relation just below the circled letters C
and D. In other words, the slope of the lines of constant temperature,
$\Delta mag/\Delta$ logP, are independent of the wavelength of the PL
relation.

There is a fixed temperature difference in crossing the instability
strip at a given period. This manifests itself as an increasingly
larger magnitude width of the PL relation when observed at
progressively shorter and shorter wavelengths (as can be seen in
Equation 3).

There is also, as noted above, a general decrease in temperature
(increase in color) along the PL relation as one increases the
period. This results in the decreased magnitude of the correction for
temperature as a function of period, which in turn manifests itself as
a reduction of the overall slope of the PL relation as one goes to
shorter and shorter wavelengths.

The significant point here is that both of the above effects are
controlled by a single physical parameter, the temperature.
Accordingly, an increased slope of the Cepheid PL relation must be
accompanied by a causally connected decrease in the intrinsic
dispersion of the PL relation. The longer-wavelength PL relations will
be steeper and their intrinsic scatter must be smaller than their
shorter-wavelength counterparts.

\section{A Calibration and Tests}

Looking at Equation 4 more closely it is clear that the slope of the
PL relation is made up of two linearly additive, but physically
independent parts: (1) a constant term ``5c'', which is essentially
the slope of the Period-Radius (PR) relation converted into a
Period-Area (PA) relation, and then cast into a magnitude (i.e., by
multiplying log R by 2 $\times$ -2.5), and (2) the slope of the
Period-Color relation (i.e., $-2.5 \times e \times (a_{\lambda_1}
-a_{\lambda_2})$). It is this last term that contains the
wavelength-dependent index, $a_{\lambda}$, characterizing the
sensitivity of surface brightness to temperature variations for any
given bandpass. If the (wavelength-independent) slope of the
Period-Area relation is simply subtracted from the
(wavelength-dependent) PL slopes one would be left with the purely
wavelength-dependent, Period-Surface-Brightness relation (PSB) slope
(for instance, transforming Equation 1 gives $M_{\lambda} +2.5~logR^2
= - 2.5 \times a_{\lambda}~log T_e + b_{\lambda} $). Given that the
constant of proportionality between slopes of the PSB relations and
their respective dispersions must be the same number, independent of
bandpass, we have then a means of determining the slope of the PA
relation by demanding that the ratio of the PSB slope to PL dispersion
must be constant and independent of wavelength.

Published values of the slope of the PR relation have been recently
tabulated by Molinaro et al. (2010). Their own work suggests values of
$c$ ranging from 0.71 to 0.75, with historical values, drawn both from
theory and observations, ranging more widely from 0.67 to 0.77.  We
now explore the run of the aforementioned proportionality constant
with bandpass, parameterized by the input slope of the PR relation.
The abcissa in Figure 3 which is the ratio of slope of the PL relation
(Equation 5) to the dispersion in the PL relation (effectively
Equation 3), will become independent of wavelength when the correct
value of the scaled slope of the period-radius relation (i.e., -5c) is
subtracted from the numerator, as given in Column 3 of Table 1.  The
intent is to find a slope of the PR relation that minimizes any
residual trend of the proportionality constant with
bandpass/wavelength. The circled dots in Figure 3 show that solution:
no trend with bandpass (a formal slope of 0.000 $\pm$ 0.015) for an
input value of c = 0.721, and a resulting scatter ($\pm$ 0.009) that
is exceedingly small. In changing the slope of the PR relation to
correspond to the Molinaro et al. limits, as given above, the two
flanking solutions are realized. In both cases the dispersion is much
enhanced, and there is a strong (and unphysical) trend seen with
wavelength. This already small range in the PR slope (of only $\pm$3\%
peak-to-peak) is now much more narrowly defined by the present study.
Our final solution for the slope of the Cepheid Period-Radius relation
and its error is c = 0.724 $\pm$ 0.006.

The results of the above fitting, now adopting a PR slope of 0.724,
are given in Table 1.  The first column gives the bandpass, ranging
from the blue to the mid-infrared, at which each fit was made.  In the
second column we list, in order of increasing wavelength, the
published slopes, $A_{\lambda}$ (equal to $-5c + 2.5 e a_{\lambda};$ see
equations (4) and (5)) of PL relations taken from a merger of Madore
\& Freedman (1991) for the optical, Persson et al. (2009) for the
near-infrared, and Madore et al. (2009) for the mid-infrared. Column 3
gives the slope of the PSB relation obtained by subtracting the
constant and wavelength-independent slope of the Period-Area relation
(i.e., -5 $\times$ 0.724 = -3.62) from the respective PL slopes (as
given in Column 2) leaving $A_{\lambda} + 3.62 = 2.5 e a_{\lambda}$. As
already derived above, the multi-wavelength slopes of the PSB
relations and the dispersion/widths of the PL relations must each be
proportional to the same factor, $a_{\lambda}$. As can be seen in
Figure 3 the incorrect choice of the slope of the PR relation very
quickly leads to a divergence with wavelength in the prediction of the
scale factor (that must be independent of wavelength) required to
convert the slope to a scatter. This diagnostic diagram can therefore
be used to find the wavelength-independent slope of the PR relation
that best predicts the wavelength-dependent scatter in the observed PL
relations from the optical BVRI to the near-infrared JHK bands.

As can be seen in Figure 3 for a value of c = 0.72 the
Dispersion-to-Slope Ratio is independent of wavelength and has a value
of 0.316.  Using this proportionality factor  we convert each of
the wavelength-dependent PSB slopes to their corresponding
wavelength-dependent PL-relation dispersions. These predicted
dispersions are given in Column 4 of Table 1 (e.g., for a B-band
Surface-Brightness slope of 1.19 the predicted dispersion in the
B-band PL relation is 1.19 $\times$ 0.316 = 0.376~mag). Column 5 of
Table 1 contains the observed PL relation dispersions,
self-consistently taken from the same references cited above for the
slopes of the PL relations. The correspondence of the predicted and
observed dispersions is impressive. A slight divergence occurs in the
mid-infrared where the observed dispersions are upper limits, due to
the fact that these magnitudes were derived from only two random-phase
observations and that they contain additional scatter imposed by the
back-to-front depth and tilt of the LMC, whose Cepheids were used for
these demonstrations.

An independent test using Cepheids in the Small Magellanic Cloud is
compromised by the extremely large geometric, extrinsically correlated
scatter due to the extension of the SMC along our line of sight;
however, the somewhat more distant galaxy IC~1613 can be used for this
purpose. In the paper by Antonello et al. (2006) there are 48 Cepheids
with complete BVRI photometry having periods ranging from 3 to 42
days. We have used these observations to derive the slopes and
dispersions (the latter not having been published by these authors)
for the four PL relations. The results are shown graphically in the
lower left portion of Figure 2. The IC~1613 data are shown as filled
dots enclosed by squares, each of which has an error bar derived from
our calculated uncertainty on the slope at each wavelength. The points
are plotted for an input value of the PR relation taken from the LMC
solution. To within the uncertainties there is no obvious trend of the
dispersion-to-slope ratio for the IC~1613 Cepheids using the LMC PR
relation. There is, however, a systematic offset in the ratio which
can be directly attributed to a narrower sampling of the Cepheid
instability strip by the IC~1613 Cepheids. The conclusion remains that
the slope of the PR relation is identical for these two galaxies.
Extending the test to other systems with a wider range of
metallicities will be of interest. However, until GAIA produces
pallalaxes for a sufficiently large sample of Milky Way Cepheids
calibrating this relation in the galaxy will have to be postponed
until secure reddenings and accurate distances are availbe for more
than a handful of galactic Cepheids.

\subsection{The Effects of Differential Reddening}

Differential reddening with the sample of (LMC) Cepheids used in this
study will contribute to the observed scatter in the respective PL
relations.  This extrinsic contribution will also decrease in its
magnitude as a function of increasing wavelength, in parallel with the
decreased intrinsic width with wavelength driven temperature
sensitivity. Here we explore the systematics of differential reddening
on this study.

Independent estimates of the total line-of-sight dispersion in the
reddening to the LMC (e.g., Grieve \& Madore 1986) suggests that
$\sigma_{A_V}$ is on the order of $\pm$0.10~mag.  We have
progressively removed (in quadrature) increasing amounts of possible
differential reddening bracketting this value, and iteratively
re-solved for the input slope of the PR relation using the minimum
variance condition on the derived value the scaling factor ``c''. This
was followed by visually confirming with the wavelength plots
(individually corresponding to Figure 3) that there was no residual
correlation with wavelength.  For a one-sigma dispersion in the
putative differential reddening of $\sigma_{A_V} = 0.10$~mag the
minimum dispersion on ``c'' was found to be $\pm 0.0040$ for c =
0.754.  Recall that the minimum dispersion for the solution with no
differential reddening correction was marginally smaller (at a value
of 0.0036 for c = 0.724). The $\sigma_{A_V}$ correction of 0.10~mag
results in a 4\% change in the derived value of the slope of the PR
relation. Increasing the differential reddening correction to
$\sigma_{A_V} = 0.20$~mag more than doubles the error on the fit
taking it to 0.0074 for a minimization value of c = 0.792, which is
now a 10\% systematic shift in the derived value of the slope of the
PR relation.

We conclude that correcting for a reasonable amount of differential
reddening (i.e., $\sigma_{A_V} = 0.10$ mag.) acts to systematically
increase the slope of the derived PR relation (but by only
4\% in this instance) at the expense of decreased precision in the
final fit. However, there is an alternative approach to dealing with
differential reddening.

The Wesenheit function, $W = V - R \times (B-V)$ (Madore 1976) is
designed to eliminate the effects of dust (total and differential) by
a judicious choice of scaled colors and magnitudes, adjusted to have
reddening (in the color) exactly cancel extinction (in the magnitude),
where $R = A_V/E(B-V)$. But, that same formalsm of combining colors
and magnitudes can alternatively be used to target and scale out the
temperature variation across the PL relation (at fixed period), such
that $W' = V - \beta \times (B-V)$ where $\beta$ is the slope of lines
of constant period crossing the Cepheid instability strip within the
color-magnitude diagram. In the absence of differential reddening $W'$
would have minimum dispersion when its slope is equal to the slope of
the PA relation, namely ``5c''.

For the LMC Cepheids with B and V photometry we have examined the run
of dispersion in $W'$ as a function of $\beta$. It reaches a minimum
dispersion of $\sigma_{W'} = \pm 0.13$~mag for $\beta = 2.15$, where
the slope of the $W'$-Period relation is determined to be -3.48 $\pm$
0.04. This would then correspond to a PR relation slope of $c = 0.70
\pm 0.01$. Noting that the minimized scatter in $W'$ is still larger
than the scatter expected for the PA relation alone, and larger than
the scatter seen at longer wavelengths ($\pm$ 0.08~mag), it is
probable that photometric errors, combined with residual reddening
effects, are limiting this determination. Nevertheless, the value of
the slope of the PR relation inferred from this one application is
also gratifyingly close to recent direct determinations.

\section{Discussion and Conclusions}

While it could have been predicted, it is only now that we know that
the decreased width and the increased slope of the Cepheid PL
relation, as a function of increased observing wavelength, is
inevitable. Both effects are driven by the wavelength-dependent
temperature sensitivity of stellar surface brightness.  At the longest
wavelengths the PL relation asymptotically parallels the
(wavelength-independent) PR relation; at shorter
wavelengths the PL relation is increasingly dominated by the (highly
wavelength dependent) surface-brightness sensitivity to temperature.

It is of interest to use aspects of this formalism to put constraints
on the slope of the PR relation. Since the dispersion must be
non-negative the slope of the PA relation cannot be be shallower than
the steepest (longest-wavelength) slope of the PL relation. The
steepest slope in Table 1 is -3.49 seen at 8.0$\mu$m. This would
require that the slope of the PR relation be steeper than c = -0.70,
since there must still be at least one power of $T_e$ flattening the slope
of the PL relation, even at the longest-wavelength limit. Examination
of the minimum dispersion solution of the generalized Wesenheit
function gives a value of $c = -0.70.$ And, more comprehensively, by
requiring that the run of dispersion-to-slope be independent of
wavelength gives for LMC Cepheids $c = -0.724 \pm 0.006$, a value that
also fits the Cepheids in IC~1613.

The implications of this discussion are not confined to Classical
Cepheids. For example, the somewhat surprising (at the time) discovery
by Longmore, Fernley \& Jameson (1986) that RR Lyrae stars obey a
fairly steep and tightly-defined PL relation in the near infrared, as
compared to the same stars whose optical magnitudes show almost no
dependence on period, is directly explained by the same argument given
here in the main text. Inspection of the plots given by Longmore,
Fernley \& Jameson (1986) would suggest that the scatter in the derived
absolute magnitudes for RR Lyrae stars decreases by at least a factor
of two in going from V to K as the slope of the PL relation rises from
being essentially flat at V to having a value of about -2.5 at K. This
observed trend is re-enforced and confirmed by multi-wavelength
modelling of RR Lyrae stars by Catelan, Pritzl \& Smith (2004) whose
Figure 2 dramatically tracks the systematic change of increasing slope
and decreasing scatter occurring progressively from the ultraviolet to
the near infrared.

One note of caution is necessary. As the referee of this paper has
suggested additional (magnitude) scatter may compromise these
correlations in the case of RR Lyrae stars ``caused by off-ZAHB
evolution (which depends in turn on HB type) rather than intrinsic
effects.''  The same caveat may apply to the Cepheids themselves given
that stars of a given mass may make several crossings of the
instability strip giving rise to first-, second- and third-crossing
scatter in period at a given luminosity and temperature.

Finally, we note that changes in the mapping of temperature to surface
brightness might be modulated by additional physics, such as line
blanketing changes in response to atmospheric metallicity variations,
or surface gravity, effects especially in the near ultraviolet, etc. As
such, both the intrinsic width and the slope of the Cepheid PL
relation will each be physically (and mathematically) forced to
respond in a well determined fashion.  If the slope is thought to be
increased, say, at a given wavelength because of a metallicity
difference, then the prediction is that the intrinsic dispersion will
be decreased, and vice versa. However, uncertainties in differential
reddening within any given Cepheid sample will always make these
higher-order tests challenging.

\medskip
\medskip
\centerline{\it Acknowledgements} We thank Eric Persson, Vicky
Scowcroft and Mark Seibert for providing much valued
comments on early drafts of this paper.

\vfill\eject
\centerline{\bf References \rm}
\vskip 0.1cm
\vskip 0.1cm

\par\noindent
Antonello, E., Fossati, L., Fugazza, D, Mantegazza, L., \& Gieren, W. 2006, \aa, 445, 901

\par\noindent
Bono, G., Castellani, V., \& Marconi, M. 2000, \apj, 529, 293

\par\noindent
Catelan, M., Pritzl, B.J., \& Smith, H.A. 2004, \apjs, 154, 633

\par\noindent
Grieve, G.R., \& Madore, B.F. 1986, \apjs, 62, 427

\par\noindent
Longmore, A.J., Fernley, J.A. \& Jameson, R.F. 1986, \mnras, 220, 279

\par\noindent
Madore, B.F. 1976, Royal Greenwich Observatory Bulletins, 182, 153

\par\noindent
Madore, B.F. 2009, \apj, 298, 304

\par\noindent
Madore, B.F., \& Freedman, W.L. 1991, \pasp, 103, 933

\par\noindent
Madore, B.F., Freedman, W.L., Rigby, J., Persson, S.E., Sturch, L., \&
Mager, V. 2009, \apj, 695, 988

\par\noindent
McGonegal, R., McAlary, C.W., Madore, B.F. \& McLaren, R.A. 1982,
\apjl, 257, L33

\par\noindent
Molinaro, R., Ripepi, V., Marconi, M., Bono, G., Lub, J., Pedicelli,
S., \& Pel, J. W. 2010, astro-ph:1012.4376

\par\noindent
Persson, S.E., et al. 2009, \aj, 128, 2239

\par\noindent
Tammann, G.A., Sandage, A.R., \& Reindl, B. 2003, \aa, 404, 423

\vfill\eject

\begin{figure}
\begin{center}
\includegraphics [width=12cm, angle=270] {fig1.ps}
\caption{Correlated trends in the observed slopes and widths of
multi-wavelength Period-Luminosity relations as a function of
wavelength. The upper portion of the panel shows the monotonic {\it
increase} in the slope of the Cepheid PL relation with
increasing wavelength of the bandpass. The lower portion of the figure
shows the systematic {\it decrease} of the dispersion in the PL
relation as a function of increasing wavelength.}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}
\includegraphics [width=13cm, angle=270] {fig2.ps}
\caption{\footnotesize Multi-Wavelength Period-Luminosity Relations. The three sets
of upward-sloping solid parallel lines represent the boundaries of the
Cepheid instability strip as projected into the period-luminosity
plane at three different wavelengths (B, R and 3.6 $\mu$m).  A line of
constant period is vertical; a line of constant luminosity is
horizontal.  Not so obvious is the fact that a line of constant
color/temperature is an upward sloping diagonal line, shown by dashed
broken lines in each of the three PL relations illustrated here..
The heavy vertical line above the circled letter `A', to the left
(i.e. toward shorter periods) in the diagram, represents the large
effect (at higher temperatures) of transforming the temperature
sensitivity of the surface brightness from the mid-infrared
(3.6 $\mu$m) to the B band. The shorter, heavy vertical line above the
circled letter `B', shows the decreased effect of transforming the
surface brightness at lower temperatures from the mid-IR to the B
band. This differential effect causes the B-band PL relation to have
a systematically shallower slope than that of the mid-IR PL
relation.
The heightened sensitivity of the B band to fixed temperature
differences across the instability strip at any given period results
in the significantly increased width of the B-band PL relation in
comparison to the much smaller temperature-induced magnitude width at
mid-IR wavelengths.
The width increase and the slope decrease are both controlled by the
same physics (the temperature sensitivity of the monochromatic surface
brightness); they are deterministically coupled in the sign and
magnitude of their variations.}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}
\includegraphics [width=12cm, angle=270] {fig3.ps}
\caption{The ratio of the dispersion in the Period-Luminosity relation
to the corresponding slope of the Period Surface-Brightness relation,
parameterized by the slope of the Period-Radius relation, ``c'', and
plotted as a function of bandpass (running from B through K as
indicated across the top of the plot). For the LMC data (top) a value
of c = 0.724 gives the wavelength-independent (flat) correlation shown
by the circled dots. The two flanking solutions (open circles)
illustrate solutions resulting from adopting the recently published
extreme values of the slope of the PR relation ($c = $ 0.71 and 0.75)
as given by Molinaro et al. (2010).  In the bottom left corner of the
plot are shown BVRI data (dot-filled squares) for Cepheids in
IC~1613. They too have a flat correlation with wavelength for the same
input value of the LMC PR relation slope; however, the offset
indicates that the width of the IC~1613 instability strip appears to
be about 30\% narrower than the LMC. }
\end{figure}

\begin{deluxetable}{ccccc}

\tablecaption{Predicted and Observed Wavelength-Dependent PL Dispersions}

\tablehead{\colhead{Band} & \colhead{PL Slope} & \colhead{SB Slope} & \colhead{$\sigma_{predicted}$} & \colhead{$\sigma_{obs.}$}\\
\colhead{} & \colhead{$A_{\lambda}$(obs)} & \colhead{$A_{\lambda}$(obs) + 3.62} & \colhead{(mag)} & \colhead{(mag)}\\
\colhead{(1)} & \colhead{(2)} & \colhead{(3)} & \colhead{(4)} & \colhead{(5)}}

\startdata
 \\
B & -2.43 & 1.19 & 0.376 & 0.36\\
V & -2.76 & 0.86 & 0.272 & 0.27\\
R & -2.94 & 0.68 & 0.215 & 0.22\\
I & -3.06 & 0.56 & 0.177 & 0.18\\
J & -3.15 & 0.47 & 0.149 & 0.14\\
H & -3.23 & 0.39 & 0.123 & 0.12\\
K & -3.26 & 0.35 & 0.111 & 0.11\\
$[3.6]$ & -3.40 & 0.22 & 0.070 & $<$0.08\\
$[4.5]$ & -3.35 & 0.27 & 0.085 & $<$0.08\\
$[5.8]$ & -3.44 & 0.18 & 0.057 & $<$0.08\\
$[8.0]$ & -3.49 & 0.13 & 0.041 & $<$0.08\\
\enddata

\end{deluxetable}

\vfill\eject
\end{document}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


Come hang with us as we watch the Big Game, wishing that the Texans would someday make it... Even though we are tired of seeing New England every year, we will have a blast watching the game, laughing at the commercials, and playing "Big Game Squares" for a chance to win awesome prizes!
Meet us in the Student Ministry Building at 5PM on February 3rd and expect to be done around 10PM (or whenever the game ends). The cost for the event is only $10 through registration or $15 at the door. Please pay through registration, later on your account, or bring cash to the event. If you need scholarship assistance with SNL events, please reach out to Tyler Neely. Feel free to bring pillows, blankets, bean bags, or any comfy seating you want!
This event is for High School students only.
Registration closes on 2/3 at 2PM.


Antoni Gaudí. Check out all of our favorites below!
Hotel 1898– The rooftop at this hotel has incredible views of the city, and great drinks!
Paradiso– This place has the coolest most Instagrammable cocktails!
Boqueria Market– OBSESSED with this place. They have everything from sweets and juices to savory meats and seafood. MUST GO in Barcelona!
Sagrada Família – we saved the best for last. I truly have no words to describe how beautiful and impressive the Sagrada Família is- a true masterpiece.
Check out our trip to Madrid here!


text:
Institutional Policies
Home/Institutional Policies/Policy ACAF-IT-019
Current Policies
USM Policy on Policies
IHL Policies and Procedures
Policy ACAF-IT-019
Responsible University Administrator: Vice President for Finance and Administration
Responsible Officer: Chief Information Officer
Origination Date: N/A
Current Revision Date: 02/19/13
Next Review Date: 02/19/17
End of Policy Date: N/A
Policy Number: ACAF-IT-019
Status: Effective
The Office of the Chief Information Officer's (CIO) role in the procurement of technology for Southern Miss includes:
Provide technical guidance and assistance in complying with legal requirements of state purchasing laws as they apply to information technology
Maximize competition between technology manufacturers and service providers
Leverage the university's combined purchasing power to provide the best possible discounts
Provide standard technology throughout the university to ensure a reduction in the overall cost of ownership as well as regulatory compliance
Reason for Policy/Purpose
This policy is required for the effective communication of university policies regarding procurement of technology equipment, software and services.
Who Needs to Know This Policy
All university employees who purchase technology equipment, software and services.
Website Address for this Policy
usm.edu/institutional-policies/policy-ACAF-IT-019
Telecommunications equipment, systems, and related services the equipment and means to provide telecommunications transmission facilities; telephone systems, including voice processing systems; facsimile systems; radio paging services; satellite radio, telephone, and dispatch services; mobile telephone services, including cellular mobile telephone services; intercom and paging systems; video teleconferencing systems; personal communications networks and services; and any and all systems based on emerging and future telecommunications technologies related to any of these devices or services.
Policy/Procedures
The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) was established to improve long-range planning coordination and establish a central point of responsibility for the fiscal management of data processing functions in the state. The primary purpose is to maximize the use and benefit of IT by promoting coordination, cohesive planning and maximum compatibility among institutions of higher learning as well as other state agencies.
ITS has appointed the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the state universities as the designated ITS liaison and approver of technology procurement up to certain thresholds.
Please note that, unlike public purchasing law, the statute that defines ITS and the Office of the CIO purview over technology acquisitions includes services. All technology services, whether for direct, hands-on skills such as application development and network support, or for such technology consulting services as technology training (both classroom and on-the-job), technology studies, project management, technology advisory roles, quality assurance support, and facilities management, are within the Office of the CIO's purview.
The following items that need be coordinated through the Office of the CIO prior to purchase include but are not limited to:
1. Information Technology Equipment, Software, and Services
Section 25-53-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 defines ITS and the Office of the CIO authority over the acquisition of any information technology, computer or telecommunications equipment, electronic word processing and office systems, or services utilized in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, all phases of computer software and consulting services and insurance on all state-owned computer equipment. Acquisition of computer or telecommunications equipment or services means the purchase, lease, rental, or acquisition in any other manner of any such computer or telecommunications equipment or services.
2. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Navigation devices
The Global positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based radio-navigation system that
provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to civilian users. For anyone with a GPS receiver, the system provides location and time.
ITS and the Office of the CIO want to emphasize the fact that it does have purchasing purview over GPS and navigation devices under the following conditions:
When the GPS and navigation capability is integrated into a PocketPC or WinCE product
When the GPS and navigation capability is integrated into a Palm OS device
When the GPS and navigation capability is integrated into a Linux PDA device
When the GPS and navigation capability is integrated into a Blackberry
When the GPS and navigation capability is integrated into a smart mobile device running on the Symbian OS
3. Internet and Application Service Providers
Internet Services Providers and Applications Services Providers are subject to ITS and the Office of the CIO oversight. These services include but, as technology evolves, are not limited to the following examples:
Internet access and related services packaging
applications and database hosting/processing
website development, content management and hosting
email hosting; equipment co-location services
data back-up and recovery services
business continuation services
network operations center services
electronic payment processing
systems and security administration
line of business outsourcing such as electronic reservations management, help desk and/or license sales
related outsourced IT services
4. Printers/Copiers
ITS and the Office of the CIO has jurisdiction over the procurement of stand-alone and networked printers, while the Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Purchasing and Travel (DFA/OPT) is responsible for the purchase of copiers. As multifunction devices have become available, the line between equipment under ITS and the Office of the CIO purview and equipment under OPT purview has become less distinct. ITS and DFA/OPT monitor this technology convergence and its impact on the ITS and DFA customers and procurement approach.
Customers may purchase devices whose primary function is copying from DFA state contracts. If the device purchased from the DFA contract will be networked and the total purchase price is over $250,000 (or if the total cost for the term of a lease is over $250,000), the customer must submit an Exemption Request for ITS and the Office of the CIO approval. This process ensures that ITS and the Office of the CIO are aware of purchases of large networked print devices that will potentially need to interface with the State and/or university Data Center.
Devices that are purchased to function primarily as network or stand-alone printers may be
procured through the ITS Express Products List (EPL) or through a procurement request to the Office of the CIO.
5. Document Imaging and Management
Document imaging and management systems scan, store, index, and retrieve documents and other business data electronically. Documents are converted to digitized images, typically via a document scanner. Standard components of document management systems include document capture, document storage and archiving, document indexing and retrieval, document exporting capability, and security to protect documents from unauthorized access.
Document imaging and document management, including hardware, software, imaging services, and/or any other related consulting services, are within the purview of ITS and the Office of the CIO.
Equipment and services for analog methods of data imaging and retrieval, such as microfilm, are not.
6. Management Consulting Contracts
Procurements of consulting services for a study that is the initial phase of an application development project, for functional or conceptual systems design, data modeling, network design, network security, and technology infrastructure recommendations are examples of consulting contracts that require ITS and the Office of the CIO approval.
Other consulting studies, such as business process reengineering, process analysis, and general management studies, may fall under the purview of ITS and the Office of the CIO or of the Personal Services Contract Review Board (PSCRB), depending on the specific project
deliverables.
If the study's primary focus is technology, the services should be procured through ITS and the Office of the CIO.
If the primary deliverable from a management consulting contract is a report in which recommendations of technology are included but are not the primary component, the services may be procured through the Office of the CIO or the PSCRB, at the customer's discretion.
If the customer is uncertain whether ITS and the Office of the CIO approval are required for a specific project, the customer may contact the iTech Help Desk at (601) 266-HELP (266-4357) and/or may submit an Exemption Request to the Office of the CIO for written documentation that the specific project does not require approval.
7. Donations and Gifts of Information Technology
Recipients of donations and gifts of older information technology near or at the end of their life-cycle should assess the cost of the items received in terms of usefulness relative to newer technology. Many older technology items are more costly to uninstall, relocate, reinstall, operate, and maintain than new equipment of the same type.
A donation or gift requires ITS and the Office of the CIO approval if the costs of installing, operating, and supporting the equipment exceed amounts delegated to the recipient under the Delegation of Approval Procedure. ITS and the Office of the CIO will be glad to assist in assessing the value of donations and gifts of information technology on request.
8. Other Examples of Procurements Under the Office of the CIO Purview
Equipment or services for a specialized application whose primary function or purpose is other than information technology and for which any computer chip or telecommunications component is secondary or incidental to the equipment's primary function are outside the purview of ITS and the Office of the CIO.
See 001-030 Exceptions to ITS Purview (available at http://dsitspe01.its.ms.gov/its/procman.nsf/TOC4?OpenView) for a list of some specific items that do not require ITS and the Office of the CIO approval and for instructions on obtaining confirmation regarding ITS and the Office of the CIO purview for a specific procurement.
State statute establishing ITS and outlining the duties and responsibilities of the agency is found in Mississippi Code Section 25-53-1, et seq. Lexis Publishing is the official publisher of the Mississippi Code, which can be accessed through the Secretary of State's website:
http://www.sos.state.ms.us/pubs/MSCode/. A summary of ITS statute is found in the Procurement Handbook under 001-050 Summary of ITS Statute.
The acquisition of information technology for all institutions of higher learning (IHLs) is within the scope of the ITS law and the policies and procedures established in accordance with this statute. ITS law and policy cover the procurement of all information technology hardware, software, and services by state agencies and IHLs. State agencies and institutions of higher learning are required by law to follow ITS procedures in information technology procurements.
For many acquisitions, IHLs must obtain ITS and/or the Office of the CIO approval prior to initiating a purchase. For other acquisitions, ITS has delegated responsibility for technology purchases to institutions according to specific guidelines. Please review the 015-020 Procurement Limits Policies: IHLs for further information.
The following forms are available for ITS and the Office of the CIO procurement process:
Bid Procurement
Emergency Purchase
Exemption to Bid
The Chief Information Officer is responsible for the review of this policy every four years (or whenever circumstances require immediate review).
Forms/Instructions
Amendments: Month, Day, Year – summary of changes
02/20/12: Formatted for Institutional Policies website.
02/19/13: Formatted for template. Minor editing of punctuation and usage throughout.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This durable nylon tote bag accommodates snowshoes from 20″ to 27″ in length. Includes adjustable shoulder strap. The bag utilizes a draw string to seal and keep items from slipping out.
Sport your Redfeathers with this solid nylon, durable logo tote bag. Handles snowshoes from 20″ to 27″ long, along with trekking poles, and whatever else you need to take along on your adventure.


What country is the most "green"? One of the more interesting was just published by National Geographic. The way the study was structured might make it an indicator of the world of tomorrow.
"Unlike other measures that rank countries according to the environmental performance of their governments, companies and other factors, the Greendex is the first to rank the performance of individual consumers, rather than countries as a whole.
Consumption as measured by the Greendex is determined both by the choices consumers actively make—such as repairing rather than replacing items, using cold water to wash laundry, choosing green products rather than environmentally unfriendly ones—and choices that are controlled more by their circumstances, such as the climate they live in or the availability of green products or public transport. The initiative considered both these factors, with 60 percent of the 65-variable index based on choice or discretionary behavior."


text:
Anatomy surgical demonstration as a supplementary course in the teaching of human anatomy
As part of the educational reformation in the Peking Union Medical College,an Anatomy Surgical Demonstration (ASD) course was initiated to supplement the regular anatomy teaching.The clinical cases were carefully selected,and students were divided into small groups. The ASD course includes the following steps:students preparation for the course together with faculties from clinical and basic medical departments,clinical lectures,demonstration of surgical operation or video,students practicing,after-class summary,etc.The students not only reinforced their knowledge in anatomy,but also further understood the clinical application of the knowledge.During the meantime,their motivation and teamwork collaboration behavior were adopted.
The relationship between MyD88 and Paclitaxel-resistance of A2780/Taxol cell line
Objective The study aimed to make clear the relationship between MyD88 and the resistance of ovarian cancer cell to paclitaxel. Methods After knocking-down and over-expressing MyD88 in A2780/Taxol cell line, qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to test the expression change of MyD88 on mRNA and protein level compared with control group, respectively. CCK-8 assay was executed to detect the change of resistance to paclitaxel in A2780/Taxol cells. Flow cytometry was performed to test the affection to Cell cycle and apoptosis of A2780/Taxol cell line. Results By means of inhibiting MyD88, we observed that resistance of A2780/Taxol to paclitaxel declined obviously, and anti-apoptotic significantly weakened. Inversely, over-expression of MyD88 increased cells resistance to paclitaxel. Conclusion Down-regulation of MyD88 increased sensitivity of ovarian cancer cell to paclitaxel, which provide new ideas and targets of gene therapy for the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer resistant patients.
Correlation of SIL-6R/GP130 and oncological transformation of MSCs in C6 glioma microenviroment
Asbtract ( 1001 ) PDF (1125KB) ( 562 )
Objictive To determine the role of the over-expression of SIL-6R and GP130 on oncological differention of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(MSCs)by indirectly co-culturing MSCs and C6 glioma cells. Methods The combination of transwell insert culture dish and 6-well plates was used to build indirectly co-cultured system to simulate the microenvIronment of MSCs growth. GP130 in each group was measured by RT-QPCR and immunofluorescence, STAT-3, CyclinD1 and BCL-xl in each group was measured by RT-QPCR and Western blot, SIL-6R in each group was measured by ELISA, the cell morphological changes were observed by the phase contrast microscope. Results Experimental group cells showed tumor cell-like morphology. Compared with negative control group and blank group, GP130, STAT-3, CyclinD1 and BCL-xl mRNA and protein in experimental group were significantly increased (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences between experimental group and positive control group. The expression rate of GP130 reached 93%±5% in experimental group, while in both negative control and blank group was 0%(P
Bone morphogenetic protein 9 regulates the cross-talk between breast cancer cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro
Objective To investigate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 9(BMP9) on osteogenic differentiation of HS-5 cells and the expressions of metastasis-related factors of MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods The co-culture system with Transwell chamber was exposed to the conditioned media containing BMP9. Then the changes in the activity and expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium deposition in HS-5 cells were observed by chemiluminescence assay、cytochemical staining and Alizarin Red S staining respectively. RT-PCR and Western blot were carried out to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of osteocalcin(OCN) in HS-5 cells、parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Results The ALP activity was increased in a time-dependent manner and reached the peak on the ninth day in HS-5 cells,and the cytochemical staining further confirmed that. Compared with the control group,BMP9 increased calcium deposition and the mRNA and protein expressions of OCN in HS-5 cells(P<0.05),but decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of PTH-rP and IL-6 in MDA-MB-231 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion BMP9 could regulate the cross-talk between breast cancer cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
Effect of mifepristone on the survival, proliferation and differentiation of rat embryonic neural stem cell in vitro
Objective To observe the effect of mifepristone on the survival, proliferation and differentiation of rat embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro and then to investigate its effect on neural development. Methods Different concentrations of mifepristone were used to treat the cultured rat embryonic NSCs. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), growth curve, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry staining were used to investigate the viability, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of NSCs. Results NSCs viability and proliferation significantly reduced after treatment of 10-5 mol/L mifepristone (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed after the treatment with mifepristone at 10-6 and 10-8 mol/L. Mifepristone at 10-7 mol/L enhances the proliferation of NSCs, but did not affect its mitochondrial membrane potential and the multiple differentiation. There is no significant difference in the ratio of differentiated β-tubulin Ⅲ+ neurons and GFAP+ glia. Conclusion Effect of mifepristone on NSCs is dosage dependent. Mifepristone at high concentration (10-5 mol/L) attenuates the survival and proliferation of NSCs. However, 10-7 mol/L mifepristone does not affect NSCs apoptosis and differentiation but enhances their proliferation.
Reversion of Oxaliplatin resistance in colon carcinoma cells by REV3L gene intefering
Objective To assess the effects of down-regulating a human translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) gene REV3L on sensitizing drug-resistant tumor cells for chemotherapy. Methods The study experimentally suppressed the REV3L expression in human Oxaliplatin resistant colon cancer cells (THC8307/L-OHP) by the interference RNA technology (RNAi).Real-time qPCR and Immunocytochemistry can be used for judging the transfection efficiency by RNAi. The level of drug sensitivity was measured by MTT(Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide ). The resistance index (RI) and relative reversion of drug resistance are calculated by statistical methods. The cell apoptosis of was determined by flow cytometry and cytomorphology. Results THC8370/L-OHP cells transfected with mU6pro-siREV3 significantly reduced the cellular REV3L mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05), as judged by qRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry respectively. The IC50 (Inhibitory Concentration 50) by Oxaliplatin and the RI were markedly decreased (P<0.05). Depletion of cellular REV3L also enhanced apoptosis (P<0.05). Conclusions Depletion of REV3L from Oxaliplatin-resistant human colon cancer cells enhances the drug-sensitivity and induces apoptosis. Hence, REV3L is a potential target for tumor gene therapy.
Pulse Pressure And Influencing Factors in Healthy Adults In Yunnan Province
Objective To know about the status and influencing factors of pulse pressure among healthy adults in Yunnan Province. Methods The 8 300 samples were selected by cluster, stratified and random sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire survey. Using EpiData3.0 to establish database, and inputting valid data 2 times. Pulse pressure over 50 mmHg was categorized as increased pulse pressure. The SPSS 17.0 software is used to process and analyze data. Results The pulse pressure increased rate of healthy adults was 36.2% in Yunnan Province.Univariate analysis showed that these factors to pulse pressure have influence as follows: gender, age, smoking, drinking, regular physical examination, physical exercise, sleep quality, nap habits and BMI (P<0.05~0.01); Non-conditional Logistic Regression Analysis showed that smoking (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 0.39~2.17), over 65 years old (OR=1.01, 95%CI: 0.31~1.86 ) were the risk factors for increased pulse pressure of adults. Conclusion The pulse pressure increased rate of healthy adults was relatively high. The main influencing factors was the daily life habit.
Nesfatin-1 suppresses gastric acid serection in rat
Objective To observe the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of nesfatin-1 on gastric acid secretion in rats, meanwhile its possible mechanism is also been investigated. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected, and after ICV cannula implanted, the rats were randomly divided into control group and nesfatin-1 group, and the nesfatin-1 group was injected intracerebroventricularly with different concentrations(1、5 and 50pmol/rat) of nesfatin-1, control group was treated with the same amount of distilled water (5μl/rat). Optimum concentration of nesfatin-1 is used for the next subjects, then rats were sacrificed at different time points (20min,1,2,4 and 6h). The acid content of gastric juice were detected as before. The expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA and protein was examined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The changes in histamine in the gastric mucosa was detected by ELISA. Results ICV administration of nesfatin-1 significantly inhibited gastric acid output, the maximum inhibitory effect on gastric acid output was detected at the dose of 50 pmol/rat, and the optimum time for the gastric acid inhibition occured at 2 hours after ICV administration of nesfatin-1. Furthermore, nesfatin-1 decreased histidine decarboxylase (HDC) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels in gastric mucosal tissue compaired to the control group .. Conclusions Our results suggest that nesfatin-1 dose and time dependently inhibited gastric acid secretion by ICV injection in rat, the histamine signaling may involve in this process.
Sp1 inhibits the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells
Objective To study the expression profile of transcription factor Sp1 during erythroid differentiation and meanwhile to explore the function of Sp1 on the globin gene expression and erythroid differentaiton. Methods Q-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Sp1 during erythroid differentiation. Sp1 was knocked down through RNAi in K562 cells which were further checked by Benzidine staining. Q-PCR was performed to measure the hemoglobin expression. FACS was also used to identify the CD71 and CD235a positive cells. Results Both the mRNA and protein level of Sp1 are down-regulated during hemin-induced K562 cell and EPO-induced HPCs (hematopoietic progenitor cells) erythroid differentiation suggesting its negative roles in erythropoiesis. Knock down of Sp1 in K562 cells can improve the expression of ε-, γ-globin, CD71, CD235a and also the hemoglobin-containing cell percentage. Meanwhile, CD71 or CD235a positive cells are also increased in Sp1 down-regulating K562 cells. Conclusions Sp1 is a negative regulator of erythroid differentiation. Knock down of Sp1 in K562 cells can improve the expression of hemoglobin meanwhile accelerate the erythroid differentiation process.
MicroRNA-29 suppresses glucose uptake stimulated by insulin in L6 myotube cells
Objective To evaluate the expression profile of miR-29 family in the skeletal muscle of GK rats and to further probe the function of miR-29 family in glucose uptake in L6 cells induced by insulin. Methods The expression of miR-29 family was detected by using real-time PCR. miR-29 levels in L6 cells treated by glucose and insulin were measured by using real-time PCR and Northern Blot. Gain of- or loss of- function of miR-29 was achieved by a recombinant adenovirus system and the effect of miR-29 on insulin resistance was measured by insulin-induced glucose uptake assay. Results miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c expression was upregulated in the skeletal muscle of GK rats and miR-29b and miR-29c expression levels were elevated in L6 cells treated by glucose and insulin. Moreover, enforced expression of miR-29 significantly suppressed insulin-induced glucose uptake in L6 cells and loss-of-function of miR-29 by using Ad-sp-miR-29 led to an increase of glucose uptake. Conclusion miR-29 family is involved in the glucose tolerance and insulin resistance of GK rats and targeting miR-29 maybe provide a novel strategy for Type II diabetes therapy.
The effect of sevoflurane in myocardial ischemia and intraoperative hemodynamics for elderly patients with coronary heart disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery
Objective To evaluate the myocardial protective effects of sevoflurane in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Methods It was a multicenter prospective randomized evaluator-blinded controlled clinical study, including 165 ASAⅡ~Ⅲ elderly patients with CHD undergoing elective major noncardiac surgery in 4 medical centers in China. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane-air-O2 ( Group S, n=83) or propofol (Group P, n=82). Blood pressure, HR, and 12-lead ECG were recorded at baseline, during the surgery, immediately after the surgery, and on post-operative day 1 and day 2. ECG ST-T segment abnormalities was analyzed. Patients were followed up 30 days after surgery to record cardiac adverse events (including unstable angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and cardiac death). Results The incidence of new occurring myocardial ischemia observed by 12-lead ECG for group S was significantly lower on postoperative day 1 (16.9% VS 30.5%, P<0.05) and postoperative day 2 (12.0% VS 31.7%, P<0.05) compared with group P. Conclusions Sevoflurane could reduce the occurrence of postoperative myocardial ischemia for elderly patients with CHD undergoing non-cardiac surgery. However, it did not change the cardiac outcomes in terms of perioperative cardiac adverse events and mortality.
Construction of hGHp-regulating TNFα-expression vector and its therapeutic effect on in vitro pituitary growth hormone adenoma
Objective To construct a gene therapy system regulated by human growth hormone promoter and evaluate its inhibitory effect on pituitary growth hormone adenoma in vitro. Methods To obtain pSNAV2.0-hGHp-TNFα via enzyme digestion and linker reaction on the basis of pSNAV2.0-hGHp-EGFP and pSNAV2.0-TNFα,then authenticate the targeting ability of hGHp through transfection with Lipofectamine, detect TNFα gene expression with ELISA kit and explore the inhibitory effect of TNFα expression on in vitro pituitary GH adenoma with MTT kit. Results The sequence of pSNAV2.0-hGHp-TNFα is proved correct. Green fluorescence is only detected in GH3 cells but not in control cells after transfection of pSNAV2.0-hGHp-EGFP. The proliferation of GH3 cells transfected with pSNAV2.0-hGHp-TNFα is obviously suppressed compared with control group(P value<0.05). Conclusions We successfully construct pSNAV2.0-hGHp-TNFα for the first time and this hGHp regulating gene therapy system can specifically and effectively suppress the proliferation of in vitro pituitary GH adenoma.
Down-regulation of Notch-1 signaling contributes to cell growth inhibition in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells
Objective To investigate whether Notch1 gene leads to change of proliferation in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Methods Notch1 gene activation of SH-SY5Y cells was blocked using γ-secretase inhibiter DAPT or knockdown with recombination lentivirus which express Notch1-shRNA. RT-PCR and Western Blot were applied to monitor the validity of down-regulation of notch1 and Hes1 expression. MTT assay was performed for examining cell proliferation in vitro. The influence of Notch1 RNAi on the implanted tumor growth was observed. Results DAPT and the lentiviral vectors expressing Notch1-shRNA were confirmed to be efficient in down-regulating notch1(NICD) and Hes1 expression. The down-regulation Notch1 gene inhibited cell proliferation significantly (P<0.01). The implanted tumor weight in Notch1-knockdown group was markedly lower than that in control group (0.20±0.13g vs. 0.89±0.58g, P<0.01). Conclusion Notch1 gene activation, which can lead to the change of proliferation in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, is likely to be potential molecular target for neuroblastoma in gene therapy.
Zinc deficiency down-regulates Bcl-2 expression in kidney of mice at age of 3 weeks
Objective To observe the expression of Bcl-2 in growing mouse kidney under the condition of zinc deficiency and investigate the effect of zinc on the apoptosis of kidney. Methods To evaluate activity, diet intakes, weight and plasma zinc concentration of mice in order to determine whether the model succeeded or not. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were applied to observe and measure the expression of Bcl-2 in kidney of growing mice of zinc deficiency. Results Zinc deficient mouse displayed typical symptoms of zinc depletion, body weight, and food intake had obviously reduced. Plasma zinc concentration of Zinc deficient mouse had obviously reduced. Immunofluorescence staining showed that Bcl-2 was expressed in the intracytoplasm of epithelial cell of renal tubules and collecting ducts. Western blot showed that, compared with control groups, the expression of Bcl-2 was obviously decreased in zinc deficient mouse. Conclusion Zinc deficiency down-regulates expression of Bcl-2 protein and promotes apoptosis of renal cells.
The expression of miR-184 on the alkali burning induced rat cornea neovascularization and the target genes analysis
Cheng-Gang LIU
Asbtract ( 1039 ) PDF (880KB) ( 569 )
Objective To investigate the function and mechanism of miR-184 on cornea neovascularization induced by alkali burning. Methods cornea neovascularization(CRNV) was induced by alkali burning. HUVEC was cultured on Three-dimensional Matrigel. qRT-PCR was performed to analyze microRNA-184 expression in vivo and in vitro. Predicted and analyzed the target genes of microRNA-184 by bioinformatics method. Results Delvelop a model for angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. The expression of miR-184 on CRNV (0.145±0.013) was sigificantly less than transparent cornea (1.015±0.189) (P <0.01), and was just absolutely miniscule on HUVEC(0.007±0.004 ) (P <0.05). The targets of miR-184 predicted was associated with VEGF singaling pathways. Conclusion The marked decrease of miR-184 expression during angiogenesis and target prediction suggest a potential role and mechanism of miR-184 played by VEGF singaling pathways on CRNV.
RT-PCR and In Situ Hybridization Have Consistent Result in Detecting HPV16/18 DNA Infection in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer Tissues
Objective To compare the effectiveness of two different methods, real time PCR (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization, in detecting human papillomavirus 16/18(HPV16/18) infection in head and neck squamous cell cancer tissues. Methods The level of HPV16/18DNA was measured by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization in the tissues from head and neck squamous cell cancer (n=78).Results The incidence rates of HPV infection were 62.8% by RT-PCR and 47.4% by in situ hybridization (ISH). By the way of RT-PCR, the incidence rates of HPV16/18 DNA positive in lip, oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx were 33.3%, 66.7%, 70% and 57.1%, respectively. By the way of ISH, the incidence rates of HPV16/18 DNA in corresponding location were 33.3%, 43.8%, 60.0% and 57.1%, respectively. In general, these two methods had a high consistency in detecting HPV infection (kappa=0.595, P<0.001). Conclusions RT-PCR and in situ hybridization have a high consistency in detecting HPV16/18 DNA infection in head and neck squamous cell cancer tissues. Either of them can be chosen for evaluating HPV16/18 infection status in head and neck squamous cell cancer tissues.
Surgical Treatment of Primary Tracheal Tumors
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of primary tracheal tumors. Methods The clinical data of 30 cases with primary tracheal tumors admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 1991 to February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. 28/30 of cases were malignant, 18/30 of cases were adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) , 5/30 were squamous cell carcinoma and 7/30 were other tumors. The survival rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier. The possible prognostic risk factors were tested by Log-Rank test. Results The 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 56.0% and 18.7%. The R0 resection rate of ACC group was significantly lower than the non-ACC group(Χ2=7.667,p<0.011). Positive margin showed no significant relationship with survival rate. Post-operation radiation therapy showed no significant relationship with survival rate. Conclusion Primary tracheal tumors are difficult to diagnose at the onset of the disease and the incidence of the disease is low. Surgical treatment is the first choice.
Gender differences of cardiovascular involvement in a Han population family with Marfan Syndrome caused by FBN-1 mutation
Objective To recognize the gender differences in cardiovascular presentation of Marfan syndrome by investigating a Han family of fibrillin-1(FNB1) mutation. Methods Cardiovascular involvement of all family members were collected and analyzed. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and his family members with informed consent. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. The full 65 coding exons and their relevant exon-intron boundaries of the FBN1 gene were amplified using primers designed according to the published sequence of FBN1. After purification, the PCR products were subjected to automatic DNA sequencing. Results 13 patients were identified. All affected individuals carried mutation of c.5431G>A (p.Glu1811Lys)in FBN1, however, normal members had no mutation. Four male patients suffered from sudden death, one has dilated cardiomyopathy and the other 4 males have ascending aorta (AA) dilation. One female patient died of heart failure and the other three females have severe mitral valve regurgitation without AA dilation. Conclusions Significant gender differences on cardiovascular presentation may exist even in one family of Marfan syndrome with the same FBN1 mutation.
Comparison the performance of laryngeal mask airway ProSeal, Supreme and i-gel in clinical anesthesia
Objective To illustrate the selection preference and corresponding influence factors of different laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in clinical anesthesia. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the change of clinical consumption of LMA ProSeal, Supreme and i-gel, and analyzed the difference of surgical subspecialties, patients' gender and age among three LMAs using Chi square test or t test. Results Altogether 13,494 patients who received LMA-assisted general anesthesia were enrolled, with most of them using LMA Supreme. The number of patients who received LMA-assisted general anesthesia kept increasing from 2010 to 2012. As compared with the number of LMA ProSeal used, those of LMA Supreme and i-gel increased more rapidly, and major of them were used for female patients (P<0.001). LMA i-gel was preferred in mastectomy (P<0.001), while LMA Supreme in gynecological procedures (P<0.001). No statistical difference existed for patients' age between group LMA Supreme and i-gel, but female patients were younger than male (P<0.001). Conclusion The surgical subspecialty and surgical sites were major influence factors of the selection preference of different LMAs
Inhibitory effect of gitoxin on non-small cell lung cancer with gefitinib resistance
Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of gitoxin on non small cell lung cancer with drug-resistance in vitro and in vivo and explore the underlying molecular mechanism Methods Survival and apoptosis rates of H1975 were measured by MTS assay and flow cytometry respectively after gitoxin and gefitinib treatments. Tumor volumes of gitoxin treated xenograft nude mice were calculated by measuring the lengths and widths of these tumors. The phosphorylation of Erk1/2 was analyzed by Western blot. Results Gitoxin can inhibit the growth of H1975 and induce its apoptosis more effectively than gefitinib. It can also inhibit growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice. In addition, gitoxin can inhibit the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 in a dosage and time-point dependent way. Conclusion Gitoxin may offer a potential treatment for drug resistant NSCLC.
Clinical analysis of 16 cases of connective tissue disease with portal venous system thrombosis
Objective To improve the understanding of the clinical characteristics of connective tissue disease with portal venous system thrombosis. Methods The clinical features of 16 patients of connective tissue disease with portal venous system thrombosis were reviewed. Results Among 16 patients, 6 cases were SLE, followed by 2 case of APS, 2 case of RA, 2 cases of pSS; 1 case of MCTD, 1 case of CREST syndrome and 2 cases of unspecific CTD. Two cases were male and 14 cases were female with the median age of 48 years. Eleven cases had portal hypertension, 4 patients had deep venous thrombosis. The most common thrombosis site was portal vein (9 cases). Acute PVST could be manifested with acute abdominal pain or distention, chronic PVST could have chronic incomplete intestinal obstruction, or hematemesis/melena related to portal hypertension. Conclusion Portal venous system thrombosis can be the initial or the complicated sign in the connective tissue disease, physicians should be alert to this disease.
Clinical characteristics of thirty-nine cases of lupus nephritis with chronic histopathologic lesion of antiphospholipid antibody associated nephropathy
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics that distinguish chronic histopathologic lesion of antiphospholipid antibody associated nephropathy (APLN) from lupus nephritis. Methods Data of 196 cases of lupus nephritis admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital was investigated by retrospective analysis. 39 cases of lupus nephritis with chronic APLN were enrolled into the study group. The control group was composed of 119 cases of lupus nephritis without antiphospholipid antibody (APL) and APLN. Other 38 cases had negative APL and chronic lesion of APLN-like renal lesions. Results The blood pressure and the serum creatinine levels at biopsy and two years later in the study group and the control group were 138±29/85±19vs96±17mmHg, 99±39vs91±42μmol/L and 93±26vs80±18μmol/L, respectively. Estimated GFR (eGFR) at biopsy was 72.7±30.0vs87.8±24.0ml/min?1.73m2. The blood pressure including systolic, mean arterial pressure and the eGFR at biopsy was significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed the serum creatinine levels two years later in the study group decreased obviously less than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Lupus nephritis patients with chronic histopathologic lesion of APLN had higher blood pressure, lower eGFR and relatively poor renal prognosis.
Effects of Rhynchophylline on angiotensinⅡ, intermedin in plasma and content of intermedin in myocardium in renovascular hypertensive rat
Combination with methotrexate(MTX) injection in cesarean scar and hysteroscopic electrosurgery as treatment of Cesarean scar pregnancy
Progress in functions of axon guidance molecule Slit3
The axon guidance molecule Slit3 is a secreted extracellular matrix protein that was found in recent years. Genetic function studies revealed that Slit3 is dispensable for neural development but required for non-neuron-related developmental. Recent study suggests that Slit3 is a new angiogenic factor implicated in regulating a variety of life activities, such as cell migration, angiogenesis, organogenesis, reproductive regulation, tumourigenesis and mental disease.
Effect of autophagy on diabetic chronic complications
LIANG Xiao-chun
Autophagy is an important physiological process and a major defense mechanism of the body under stress such as nutrient and energy. It is able to delay the development of diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic macroangiopathy and other diabetic chronic complications.
The expression and significance of stathmin1 in digestive system tumors
Microtubule unstable protein, due to its unique microtubule depolymerization activity, it plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and tumorigenesis. In recent years, it has attracted much attention on abnormal expression of microtubule unstable protein in digestive system tumors. Studies found that its over-expression was positively correlated with the degree of differentiation, depth of invasion, the presence of lymph node metastasis or advanced TNM stage in digestive system tumors.
How to guide medical students to learn antibiotics
Pharmacology is an important basic course for clinical medicine students, which involves in a wide variety of drugs and the lecture contents given by teacher are usually complex. A number of main points need to be mastered and the students are afraid of difficulties seriously. In the process of teaching antibiotics within the scope of pharmacology, a variety of teaching techniques and methods can be used flexibly according to the characteristics of medical students and the teaching contents to arouse the students'interests and improve teaching quality. Illustrations are summarized in the text.


text:
Primary care doctors reluctant to provide genetics assessment in routine care
by University of Michigan Health System
Primary care providers report many challenges to integrating genetics services into routine primary care, according to research published today in Genetics in Medicine.
Medical genetics medicine has traditionally been used to identify and diagnose rare diseases, but in the last decade it has been increasingly helpful in determining patients at risk for genetically-based conditions who can benefit from preventive health care, says the study's senior author, Beth Tarini, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.P., assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.
"Genetics is not just about rare diseases and specialists. PCPs rely on genetics frequently during preventive care visits – especially when taking family histories and assessing a patient's risk of more common, but chronic, diseases. So the fact that PCPs report many barriers to embracing and performing these tasks is concerning, " says Tarini, who is also an investigator at U-M's Child Health Evaluation & Research (CHEAR) Unit and co-medical director of the Genetics in Primary Care Institute (GPCI), a project of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Tarini and her co-investigators conducted a systematic literature review to assess reported barriers from primary care physicians across multiple practice settings, including pediatrics, family medicine, and obstetrics-gynecology.
Primary care physicians most frequently reported that their knowledge and competence related to genetic medicine is insufficient, according to the study.
Other barriers mentioned most often included a lack of knowledge about genetic risk assessment, concern for patient anxiety, a lack of access to genetics, and a lack of time.
"Shedding light on remaining challenges and misperceptions that physicians continue to experience related to genetic medicine in the primary care setting can provide opportunities for intervention in order to improve the delivery of care," says the study's lead author Natalie A. Mikat-Stevens, M.P.H., project manager for the Genetics in Primary Care Institute at the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Tarini says it is not surprising that primary care physicians cite lack of knowledge most frequently.
"Advances in genetic technology and the discovery of new genetic mechanisms seem to occur almost daily. A PCP's genetics training may be decades old and rusty from lack of use," says Tarini, who is also a member of U-M's Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. "Genetics has historically been viewed as a discipline focused on rare conditions, but recent genomic advances have highlighted that genetics has a role in common conditions encountered in primary care medicine."
Tarini and her co-authors urge that efforts are focused on helping primary care physicians address and overcome these barriers.
Tarini says physicians can be helped by the promotion of practical guidelines, point-of-care risk assessment tools, tailored educational tools, and other systems-level strategies.
Many pediatricians uncomfortable providing care to kids with genetic conditions
More information: DOI: 10.1038/gim.2014.101
Journal information: Genetics in Medicine
Provided by University of Michigan Health System
Citation: Primary care doctors reluctant to provide genetics assessment in routine care (2014, September 11) retrieved 17 January 2021 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-09-primary-doctors-reluctant-genetics-routine.html
Rural primary care physicians offer insight into rural women's health care
Four pillars established for promoting primary care reform
Oncologists, PCPs differ in cancer follow-up concerns
Early surgical follow-up with primary care physicians can cut hospital readmissions
Family history reveals predisposition to multiple diseases
Tiny molecules with a big impact
Study finds neglected mutations may play important role in autism spectrum disorder
Inferring human genomes at a fraction of the cost promises to boost biomedical research
Immune system killer cells controlled by circadian rhythms
Using DNA sequencing data with electronic health records to find rare variants behind inherited diseases


Hospital da Misericórdia de Vila Verde, Vila Verde, Portugal - part of Santa Casa da Misericórdia, an organization that provides a full range of services in addition to the hospital.
Surgical care unit serving an essentially rural population facing serious economic depression with 24,321 urgent care visits, 49,967 doctor visits and 3,060 surgeries in 2014.
Since 1947, Misericórdia de Vila Verde Hospital has provided medical services to those most in need. It is part of Santa Casa da Misericórdia, an organization that provides a full range of services in addition to the hospital, including a continuous care facility, a retirement home, a residence for the disabled, a nursery center, a daycare, a cafeteria and home health services.


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T20 World Cup final decided to toss ahead of schedule – Bol News
The decision to toss the T20 World Cup final before the scheduled time
The T20 World Cup final between Pakistan and England has been decided to be tossed before the scheduled time.
Pakistan and England teams will compete in the T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, while the final toss has been decided ahead of schedule.
According to the report, the toss of the T20 World Cup final will be 8 minutes before the scheduled time, while a musical program will be held after the toss.
Local singers will perform in the musical program while fireworks will also be displayed at the end of the match.
It should be noted that the Meteorological Department has predicted rain for the final match on Sunday, due to which the final is likely to be affected.
However, the ICC has changed the rules to deal with these situations and to make the final more productive by increasing the duration of extra time on Reserve Day from 2 hours to 4 hours in case of rain affected matches.
FIFA World Cup 2022: Tunisia held Denmark to a draw, Poland and Mexico also tied the match.
In the first upset of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2-1; Great excitement among the fans
3rd T20I tie between rain-affected India and New Zealand, series 1-0 to India
4 young boys arrested for celebrating Pakistan's victory in India – Bol News
Host Qatar has announced the squad for the World Cup 2022


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Saudi Aramco outlines financial plan to become 'a global industrial conglomerate'
Published April 28th, 2016 - 06:00 GMT
Saudi Aramco plans to sell less than 5 percent of the company via an initial public offering. (File photo)
Saudi Aramco, the biggest energy company, outlined financing plans on Wednesday that will support its expansion into new areas under a sweeping economic reform plan released by Riyadh this week.
The reforms envisage Aramco transforming itself from an oil and gas firm into a "global industrial conglomerate" involved in many sectors and services, using its vast financial resources to create jobs and help diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil.
"We will continue to build on our accelerated transformation and serve as a pillar, role model and champion of transformation in the Kingdom," Aramco's official magazine, Arabian Sun, quoted chief executive Amin Nasser as saying.
Aramco's board, which met in Tokyo last week, decided to provide interim financing for a planned shipyard at the town of Ras Al-Khair on Saudi Arabia's east coast, the magazine said without giving details.
In January, Aramco signed an MoU to establish the shipbuilding and repair complex with National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), a subsidiary of Lamprell Plc, a UAE-based engineering firm, and South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Aramco's board also decided to set up joint ventures for onshore and offshore drilling rig services, the magazine said without giving details of those ventures.
Aramco wants to control more of those businesses to create jobs for Saudis, stimulate local demand and control costs. The board approved an additional equity contribution for its Sadara petrochemical joint venture with US firm Dow Chemical, Arabian Sun said.
Aramco also approved the creation of a program to issue Islamic bonds (sukuk), the magazine added.
Aramco officials welcomed the IPO plan as a way to participate in the reform program. Also announced on Wednesday were several appointments to senior posts in Aramco, including four people to the level of vice president.
Nabeel Al-Mansour was appointed general counsel, the first Saudi to hold that post. One goal of the reform program is to move local citizens into jobs, both senior and junior.
Tags:TokyoRiyadhRas Al-KhairLamprell plcHyundai Heavy IndustriesArabian SunNational Shipping Co.Saudi AramcoDow ChemicalAramcoNasser AminNabeel Al-Mansour
Copyright: Arab News © 2019 All rights reserved.


All USU Aviation Students are required to purchase and wear uniforms for all flight and ground training received at the airport campus.
We have the Polo and Oxford shirts, as well as the hats, on hand and available for purchase anytime throughout the semester. See Joran Ivie to purchase the uniforms you desire – we accept cash, check or credit card.
A group order will be placed each semester for those who wish to order a Flight Jacket. Please submit the form below BY THE THIRD WEEK OF THE SEMESTER to be included in the group order. If you miss the group order, you may contact Image Matters directly at (435) 787-0557.
If you have any questions, please contact Joran Ivie at 435-897-7893.
Uniforms will be worn for all flight and ground training received at the Airport campus. The appropriate student uniform will also be worn during all solo operations and checkrides. You will NOT be checked-in for your training activity nor dispatched an aircraft without the appropriate uniform. If you are denied an operational check-in due to inappropriate uniform standards, you will be assessed a "NO-SHOW" fee.


Creative professional and project manager, with a decade-plus track record of leadership and excellence in the arts, corporate marketing, e-commerce, and technical consulting. I've led globally-distributed teams of 25+ project managers and managed projects valuing $1M+ for enterprise clients. I'm now looking to apply my skills in an individual contributor/freelance capacity, and I'd love to hear more about your project to determine whether I'm the right fit for your needs.


Yes, this is a halal restaurant that everyone can enjoy and indulge in!
It is in the area with lots of popular Johor Bahru food. It is pretty much on the same row as the famous Hiap Joo (famous for the banana bread), almost right next to The Replacement Lodge (another popular hipster cafe famous among food bloggers) and near the fish head curry which is almost legendary among Singaporeans (Kam Long Curry Fish Head).
Note: A kind of cheat code about eating at Flowers in the Window would be to come in around 6.30/7pm. They'll have some leftover cakes from the day, and they sometimes give the remainder for free. Can come here at this time to try out their cakes!
Definitely depends on what you're getting, but I'll just be talking about most of their lunch choices. Lunch here will come in at around RM20-30. I would say it is definitely on the pricier side of things, but they definitely compensate with regards to the quality of ingredients in your dishes.
That being said, I used the Entertainer App when I ate here. Entertainer basically works like this: pay around RM100 for a year's worth. You can then get 3 buy 1 free 1 deals at numerous restaurants all around Malaysia! So you can definitely save if you go to enough of the eligible restaurants with friends. I'm not paid to advertise this app, but I've definitely saved a whole lot of money using this app.
If you'd like to try it, click this link! It will offer a small saving, and give you some points to use in the app!
The pan fried salmon with couscous and salad was RM26 (I'm 80% sure, but it might have been RM24, but ultimately it is one or another), and I would say that it is a bit on the more expensive side, but they do provide a lot on that plate! The chicken schnitzel, I believe comes in at RM24.
A few notable dishes that I've heard other people recommend include their sausage and mushroom dish (which is packed with mushrooms - one of the dishes in the picture including 3 dishes), the Japanese fusion main, anything including avocado on their menu and the Americano (high praise from a few people I've eaten with! - I'm not too big on coffee).
As someone with more traditionally Malaysian taste buds, the pan fried salmon dish is probably not really my favourite dish. Whilst I can't deny the taste and quality of the dish, this dish is REALLY big on the vegetables (80% probably is pure vegetables) and a really small bit is the salmon and the couscous. The couscous is meh, but the salmon is pretty darn delicious (pretty much only complaining slightly about the size of the fish).
I personally would recommend the chicken schnitzel! The chicken is really yum, and the sauce works really well with pretty much everything in the dish. The coleslaw is one of my favourite coleslaws, and the whole dish basically just works really well together.
Coming for a quick early lunch! An excellent brunch place with fantastic breakfast, brunch and lunch choices. Not the cheapest place in the world to come to, but this place has some QUALITY food!
8/10. It provides a very different experience from a similar type of restaurant in Bloom by Mok Mok, but whilst I give Bloom higher points in terms of ambience, I would give the remainder to Flowers in the Window for their food, because I think it is just that little bit better than Bloom. A really nice place to come for a nice meal (and Gram!).