Simulation of Recognizer P Systems by Using Manycore GPUs

Software development for cellular computing is growing up yielding new applications. In this paper, we describe a simulator for the class of recognizer P systems with active membranes, which exploits the massively parallel nature of the P systems computations by using a massively parallel computer architecture, such as Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) from Nvidia, to obtain better performance in the simulations. We illustrate it by giving a solution to the N-Queens problem as an example.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TIN2006–13425Junta de Andalucía P08–TIC0420

Other Buds in Membrane Computing

It is well-known the huge Mario’s contribution to the development of Membrane Computing. Many researchers may relate his name to the theory of complexity classes in P systems, the research of frontiers of the tractability or the application of Membrane Computing to model real-life situations as the Quorum Sensing System in Vibrio fischeri or the Bearded Vulture ecosystem. Beyond these research areas, in the last years Mario has presented many new research lines which can be considered as buds in the robust Membrane Computing tree. Many of them were the origin of new research branches, but some others are still waiting to be developed. This paper revisits some of these buds

A Genetic Algorithm Based Approach for Solving the Minimum Dominating Set of Queens Problem

In the field of computing, combinatorics, and related areas, researchers have formulated several techniques for the Minimum Dominating Set of Queens Problem (MDSQP) pertaining to the typical chessboard based puzzles. However, literature shows that limited research has been carried out to solve theMDSQP using bioinspired algorithms. To fill this gap, this paper proposes a simple and effective solution based on genetic algorithms to solve this classical problem. We report results which demonstrate that near optimal solutions have been determined by the GA for different board sizes ranging from 8 × 8 to 11 × 11

Evolutionary Computation

This book presents several recent advances on Evolutionary Computation, specially evolution-based optimization methods and hybrid algorithms for several applications, from optimization and learning to pattern recognition and bioinformatics. This book also presents new algorithms based on several analogies and metafores, where one of them is based on philosophy, specifically on the philosophy of praxis and dialectics. In this book it is also presented interesting applications on bioinformatics, specially the use of particle swarms to discover gene expression patterns in DNA microarrays. Therefore, this book features representative work on the field of evolutionary computation and applied sciences. The intended audience is graduate, undergraduate, researchers, and anyone who wishes to become familiar with the latest research work on this field

The Evolutionary Genetics of Thelytokous Parthenogenesis in Eusocial Hymenoptera

The phenomenon of thelytoky, the asexual production of diploid female offspring, is being increasingly uncovered among the eusocial Hymenoptera. Thelytoky is associated with a number of fascinating and novel reproductive systems. In this thesis I investigate the evolutionary and genetic consequences of thelytokous parthenogenesis, with particular focus on the Cape honey bee Apis mellifera capensis (hereafter Capensis). In Capensis thelytoky is associated with loss of heterozygosity, which can only be curtailed by ongoing selection against homozygous offspring. This selective cost is one factor that drives the distribution of thelytokous reproduction within the Capensis population, as different castes differ in their ability to endure the costs, and capitalise on the benefits of thelytoky. Considering these costs and benefits in a broader context, I show that the distribution of thelytokous parthenogenesis across the eusocial Hymenoptera can be accounted for by the constraints imposed by caste conflict within an insect colony

Automation and Control

Advances in automation and control today cover many areas of technology where human input is minimized. This book discusses numerous types and applications of automation and control. Chapters address topics such as building information modeling (BIM)–based automated code compliance checking (ACCC), control algorithms useful for military operations and video games, rescue competitions using unmanned aerial-ground robots, and stochastic control systems

Activation of lipid kinase VPS34 by Rab GTPases

VPS34 is a lipid kinase that uses phosphatidylinositol (PI) as a substrate to produce the signalling lipid phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI(3)P). In the cell, VPS34 has to team up with other proteins in order to increase its enzymatic activity. It forms primarily two hetero-tetrameric complexes, complexes I and II, which act as key regulators of autophagy and endocytic trafficking, respectively. Complex I consists of VPS34, VPS15, Beclin 1 and ATG14L, whereas complex II contains UVRAG instead of ATG14L. VPS34 complex activity is regulated by membrane properties and by members of the Rab family of small G proteins, which are important for orchestrating intracellular vesicle sorting and transport. However, their detailed activation mechanisms have been poorly understood. Firstly, we found that high curvature, negative charge, lipid unsaturation and specific phosphoinositides activate both VPS34 complexes. While the autophagic complex I relies on an amphipathic helix in ATG14L for membrane association, the endocytic complex II uses mainly three aromatic loops in the Beclin 1 subunit to engage with membranes. I have found that Rab GTPases act as specific regulators for each complex. While Rab5 is a strong activator for endocytic complex II, Rab1 specifically activates the autophagic complex I. To gain insight into the activation mechanism, I obtained a 9.8 Å resolution structure of complex II bound to Rab5 on membranes, using electron cryo-tomography and subtomogram averaging. Complex II is dynamic on membranes with only the UVRAG/Beclin 1 “adaptor arm” permanently contacting the outer leaflet of the lipid bilayer. In contrast, the VPS15/VPS34 “catalytic arm” hovers over the membrane and is able to tilt up and down. Rab5 binds on the “adaptor arm” of the complex to a tripartite motif made of VPS34 C2, VPS15 WD40 and FF domain. These interactions increase membrane recruitment and PI(3)P production of complex II specifically on early endosomes.MRC LMB PhD scholarshi

Monitoring of Honey Bee Colony Losses

In recent decades, independent national and international research programs have revealed possible reasons behind the death of managed honey bee colonies worldwide. Such losses are not due to a single factor, but instead are due to highly complex interactions between various internal and external influences, including pests, pathogens, honey bee stock diversity, and environmental changes. Reduced honey bee vitality and nutrition, exposure to agrochemicals, and the quality of colony management contribute to reduced colony survival in beekeeping operations. Our Special Issue (SI) on ‘’Monitoring of Honey Bee Colony Losses” aims to address the specific challenges that honey bee researchers and beekeepers face. This SI includes four reviews, with one being a meta-analysis that identifies gaps in the current and future directions for research into honey bee colonies’ mortalities. Other review articles include studies regarding the impact of numerous factors on honey bee mortality, including external abiotic factors (e.g., winter conditions and colony management) as well as biotic factors such as attacks by Vespa velutina and Varroa destructor