VIOLA - A multi-purpose and web-based visualization tool for neuronal-network simulation output

Neuronal network models and corresponding computer simulations are invaluable tools to aid the interpretation of the relationship between neuron properties, connectivity and measured activity in cortical tissue. Spatiotemporal patterns of activity propagating across the cortical surface as observed experimentally can for example be described by neuronal network models with layered geometry and distance-dependent connectivity. The interpretation of the resulting stream of multi-modal and multi-dimensional simulation data calls for integrating interactive visualization steps into existing simulation-analysis workflows. Here, we present a set of interactive visualization concepts called views for the visual analysis of activity data in topological network models, and a corresponding reference implementation VIOLA (VIsualization Of Layer Activity). The software is a lightweight, open-source, web-based and platform-independent application combining and adapting modern interactive visualization paradigms, such as coordinated multiple views, for massively parallel neurophysiological data. For a use-case demonstration we consider spiking activity data of a two-population, layered point-neuron network model subject to a spatially confined excitation originating from an external population. With the multiple coordinated views, an explorative and qualitative assessment of the spatiotemporal features of neuronal activity can be performed upfront of a detailed quantitative data analysis of specific aspects of the data. Furthermore, ongoing efforts including the European Human Brain Project aim at providing online user portals for integrated model development, simulation, analysis and provenance tracking, wherein interactive visual analysis tools are one component. Browser-compatible, web-technology based solutions are therefore required. Within this scope, with VIOLA we provide a first prototype.Comment: 38 pages, 10 figures, 3 table

Localization and synthesis of prenylquinones in isolated outer and inner envelope membranes from spinach chloroplasts

The prenylquinone content and biosynthetic capabilities of membrane fractions enriched in outer and inner envelope membranes from spinach chloroplasts were analyzed. Both envelope membranes contain prenylquinones, and in almost similar amounts (on a protein basis). However, the outer envelope membrane contains more -tocopherol than the inner one although this prenylquinone is the major one in both fractions. On the contrary, plastoquinone-9 is present in higher amounts in the inner envelope membrane than in the outer one. In addition, it has been demonstrated that all the enzymes involved in the last steps of -tocopherol and plastoquinone-9 biosynthesis i.e., homogentisate decarboxylase polyprenyltransferase, S-adenosyl-methionine: methyl-6-phytylquinol methyltransferase, S-adenosyl-methionine: -tocopherol methyltransferase, homogentisate decarboxylase solanesyltransferase, S-adenosyl-methionine:methyl-6-solanesylquinol methyltransferase, and possibly 2,3-dimethylphytylquinol cyclase, are localized on the inner envelope membrane. These results demonstrate that the inner membrane of the chloroplast envelope plays a key role in chloroplast biogenesis, and especially for the synthesis of the two major plastid prenylquinones

Localization of a 64-kDa phosphoprotein in the lumen between the outer and inner envelopes of pea chloroplasts

The identification and localization of a marker protein for the intermembrane space between the outer and inner chloroplast envelopes is described. This 64-kDa protein is very rapidly labeled by [γ-32P]ATP at very low (30 nM) ATP concentrations and the phosphoryl group exhibits a high turnover rate. It was possible to establish the presence of the 64-kDa protein in this plastid compartment by using different chloroplast envelope separation and isolation techniques. In addition comparison of labeling kinetics by intact and hypotonically lysed pea chloroplasts support the localization of the 64-kDa protein in the intermembrane space. The 64-kDa protein was present and could be labeled in mixed envelope membranes isolated from hypotonically lysed plastids. Mixed envelope membranes incorporated high amounts of 32P from [γ-32P]ATP into the 64-kDa protein, whereas separated outer and inner envelope membranes did not show significant phosphorylation of this protein. Water/Triton X-114 phase partitioning demonstrated that the 64-kDa protein is a hydrophilic polypeptide. These findings suggest that the 64-kDa protein is a soluble protein trapped in the space between the inner and outer envelope membranes. After sonication of mixed envelope membranes, the 64-kDa protein was no longer present in the membrane fraction, but could be found in the supernatant after a 110000 × g centrifugation

Adenylate effects on protein phosphorylation in the interenvelope lumen of pea chloroplasts

A 64-kilodalton (kDa) protein, situated in the lumen between the inner and outer envelopes of pea (Pisum sativum L.) chloroplasts (Soll and Bennett 1988, Eur. J. Biochem., 175, 301–307) is shown to undergo reversible phosphorylation in isolated mixed envelope vesicles. It is the most conspicuously labelled protein after incubation of envelopes with 33 nmol·1-1 [-32P]ATP whereas incubation with 50 mol·1-1 [-32P]ATP labels most prominently two outer envelope proteins (86 and 23 kDa). Half-maximum velocity for phosphorylation of the 64-kDa protein occurs with 200 nmol·1-1 ATP, and around 40 mol·1-1 ATP for phosphorylation of the 86- and 23-kDa proteins, indicating the operation of two distinct kinases. GGuanosine-, uridine-, cytidine 5-triphosphate and AMP are poor inhibitors of the labelling of the 64-kDa protein with [-32P]ATP. On the other hand, ADP has a potent influence on the extent of labelling (half-maximal inhibition at 1–5 mol·1-1). The ADP-dependent appearance of 32P in ATP indicates that ADP acts by reversal of kinase activity and not as a competitive inhibitor. However, the most rapid loss of 32P from pre-labelled 64-kDa protein occurs when envelope vesicles are incubated with ATP t1/2=15 s at 20 molsd1-1 ATP). This induced turnover of phosphate appears to be responsible for the rapid phosphoryl turnover seen in situ

Secretariat functions of the joint chiefs of staff

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

Les discriminations selon l’origine dans l’accès aux soins. Étude en France métropolitaine et en Guyane française

La discrimination selon l’origine est d’abord appréhendée à travers quatre approches : juridique : la discrimination est définie comme un traitement différentiel, défavorable et illégitime politique : la façon de nommer l’origine en République française détermine les possibilités d’objectivation des discriminations selon l’origine sociologique : la discrimination selon l’origine est le pendant agi d’une perception, celle d’une différence d’origine de santé publique : quand elle est réalisée l..

Quand les inégalités sociales rendent les patients « difficiles »

While social inequalities in health care are usually examined by objective indicators such as the frequency of care received, they can also be measured by more subjective indicators, such as the assessment that beneficiaries make of their care. This article follows the thread of physicians’ subjectivity rather than that of their patients. More specifically, it explores the feeling of difficulty that doctors may experience when they follow patients who are victims of social inequalities. It is based on the qualitative analysis of general practitioners’ speech practicing in Montreal. These doctors attribute three main sources to their difficulties in following socially disadvantaged patients: 1) the excessive time devoted to these patients, 2) the ineffectiveness of their com- munication means and 3) their helplessness in the face of lacks in resources (income, knowledge and social ties) that they perceive in these patients. Addressing inequalities in healthcare therefore requires a more equal distribution of these resources.Si les inégalités sociales dans les soins sont habituellement appréhendées par des indicateurs objectifs tels que la fréquence des soins reçus, elles peuvent aussi l’être par des indicateurs subjectifs, comme l’appréciation que les bénéficiaires font de leurs soins. Cet article suit le fil de la subjectivité, mais en s’intéressant au vécu des médecins plutôt qu’à celui de leurs patients. Plus précisément, il explore le sentiment de difficulté que des médecins peuvent éprouver lorsqu’ils suivent des patients victimes d’inégalités sociales. Il repose sur l’analyse qualitative du discours de médecins géné- ralistes exerçant à Montréal. Ces derniers attribuent trois sources principales à leurs difficultés à suivre des patients socialement défavorisés : 1) le temps excessif consacré à ces patients, 2) l’inefficacité de leurs moyens de communication et 3) leur impuissance par rapport aux déficits en ressources (revenus, savoir et liens sociaux) qu’ils perçoivent chez ces patients. La lutte contre les inégalités face aux soins requiert donc une distri- bution plus égalitaire de ces ressources

Les discriminations selon l’origine dans l’accès aux soins. Étude en France métropolitaine et en Guyane française

La discrimination selon l’origine est d’abord appréhendée à travers quatre approches : juridique : la discrimination est définie comme un traitement différentiel, défavorable et illégitime politique : la façon de nommer l’origine en République française détermine les possibilités d’objectivation des discriminations selon l’origine sociologique : la discrimination selon l’origine est le pendant agi d’une perception, celle d’une différence d’origine de santé publique : quand elle est réalisée l..

Micro- and nano-structural evolutions in white Portland cement/pulverized fuel ash cement pastes due to deionized-water leaching

Thin slices of white Portland cement-low calcium pulverized fuel ash (pfa) blended cement pastes containing 30 or 50% pfa were leached progressively in de-ionized water. The paste with 50% pfa was aged 13 years prior to leaching and those with 30% pfa were aged 1 and 13 years. Pastes were leached for up to 75 days and were characterized using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, analytical scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Leaching affected the pastes in the following sequence: (i) crystals of Ca(OH)2 large enough to be resolved by backscattered electron imaging were removed completely prior to any effect on C-A-S-H; (ii) the Ca/Si ratio of C-A-S-H reduced from ≈1.4 to ≈1.0 whilst the aluminosilicate structure was unaffected; (iii) further reduction in the Ca/Si ratio of C-A-S-H was accompanied by lengthening of the aluminosilicate chains; (iv) the Ca/Si ratio of C-A-S-H reduced ultimately to ≈0.6

Cluster Algebras and Classical Invariant Rings.

Let V be a k-dimensional complex vector space. The Plucker ring of polynomial SL(V) invariants of a collection of n vectors in V can be alternatively described as the homogeneous coordinate ring of the Grassmannian Gr(k,n). In 2003, using combinatorial tools developed by A. Postnikov, J. Scott showed that the Plucker ring carries a cluster algebra structure. Over the ensuing decade, this has become one of the central examples of cluster algebra theory. In the 1930s, H. Weyl described the structure of the "mixed" Plucker ring, the ring of polynomial SL(V) invariants of a collection of n vectors in V and m covectors in V*. In this thesis, we generalize Scott's construction and Postnikov's combinatorics to this more general setting. In particular, we show that each mixed Plucker ring carries a natural cluster algebra structure, which was previously established by S. Fomin and P. Pylyavskyy only in the case k=3. We also introduce mixed weak separation as a combinatorial condition for compatibility of cluster variables in this cluster structure and prove that maximal collections of weakly separated mixed subsets satisfy a purity result, a property proved in the Grassmannian case by Oh, Postnikov, and Speyer.PhDMathematicsUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108931/1/kcarde_1.pd