Computer aided synthesis: a game theoretic approach

In this invited contribution, we propose a comprehensive introduction to game theory applied in computer aided synthesis. In this context, we give some classical results on two-player zero-sum games and then on multi-player non zero-sum games. The simple case of one-player games is strongly related to automata theory on infinite words. All along the article, we focus on general approaches to solve the studied problems, and we provide several illustrative examples as well as intuitions on the proofs.Comment: Invitation contribution for conference "Developments in Language Theory" (DLT 2017

Effect of cadmium on cytosine hydroxymethylation in gastropod hepatopancreas

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is an important, yet poorly understood epigenetic DNA modification, especially in invertebrates. Aberrant genome-wide 5hmC levels have been associated with cadmium (Cd) exposure in humans, but such information is lacking for invertebrate bioindicators. Here, we aimed to determine whether this epigenetic mark is present in DNA of the hepatopancreas of the land snail Cantareus aspersus and is responsive to Cd exposure. Adult snails were reared under laboratory conditions and exposed to graded amounts of dietary cadmium for 14 days. Weight gain was used as a sublethal endpoint, whereas survival as a lethal endpoint. Our results are the first to provide evidence for the presence of 5hmC in DNA of terrestrial mollusks; 5hmC levels are generally low with the measured values falling below 0.03%. This is also the first study to investigate the interplay of Cd with DNA hydroxymethylation levels in a non-human animal study system. Cadmium retention in the hepatopancreas of C. aspersus increased from a dietary Cd dose of 1 milligram per kilogram dry weight (mg/kg d. wt). For the same treatment, we identified the only significant elevation in percentage of samples with detectable 5hmC levels despite the lack of significant mortalities and changes in weight gain among treatment groups. These findings indicate that 5hmC is an epigenetic mark that may be responsive to Cd exposure, thereby opening a new aspect to invertebrate environmental epigenetics

A Probabilistic Kleene Theorem

International audienceWe provide a Kleene Theorem for (Rabin) probabilistic automata over finite words. Probabilistic automata generalize deterministic finite automata and assign to a word an acceptance probability. We provide probabilistic expressions with probabilistic choice, guarded choice, concatenation, and a star operator. We prove that probabilistic expressions and probabilistic automata are expressively equivalent. Our result actually extends to two-way probabilistic automata with pebbles and corresponding expressions

Biology and biotechnology of Trichoderma

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are soilborne, green-spored ascomycetes that can be found all over the world. They have been studied with respect to various characteristics and applications and are known as successful colonizers of their habitats, efficiently fighting their competitors. Once established, they launch their potent degradative machinery for decomposition of the often heterogeneous substrate at hand. Therefore, distribution and phylogeny, defense mechanisms, beneficial as well as deleterious interaction with hosts, enzyme production and secretion, sexual development, and response to environmental conditions such as nutrients and light have been studied in great detail with many species of this genus, thus rendering Trichoderma one of the best studied fungi with the genome of three species currently available. Efficient biocontrol strains of the genus are being developed as promising biological fungicides, and their weaponry for this function also includes secondary metabolites with potential applications as novel antibiotics. The cellulases produced by Trichoderma reesei, the biotechnological workhorse of the genus, are important industrial products, especially with respect to production of second generation biofuels from cellulosic waste. Genetic engineering not only led to significant improvements in industrial processes but also to intriguing insights into the biology of these fungi and is now complemented by the availability of a sexual cycle in T. reesei/Hypocrea jecorina, which significantly facilitates both industrial and basic research. This review aims to give a broad overview on the qualities and versatility of the best studied Trichoderma species and to highlight intriguing findings as well as promising applications

Gender differences in the use of cardiovascular interventions in HIV-positive persons; the D:A:D Study

Peer reviewe

Gas phase reaction of neutral carbon disulfide with its hydride adduct anions: Tandem mass spectrometry and theoretical studies

In a chemical ionization source with CH4/N2O, carbon disulfide (CS2) yields its radical anion by electron capture and CHS2- by hydride attachment, By combining tandem mass spectrometric experiments and theoretical ab initio calculations, we demonstrate that hydride attachment can yield either thioformate anion or thiohydroxythiocarbonyl carbanion without interconversion. The thioformate anion reacts with neutral at CS2 carbon, whereas the syn thiohydroxythiocarbonyl carbanion attacks at the sulfur site to ultimately form HSCS2- and CS species

Gas-phase specific reactivity of isomeric 1,3-benzodithiole anions: Tandem mass spectrometry and DFT theoretical studies

1,3-Benzodithiole dideuterated at the dithioacetal carbon atom has been ionized in the chemical ionization source of a tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer under NICI condition. Two isomeric anions are formed by abstraction of an o-phenylic proton or through abstraction of a deuteron. The fragmentation patterns occurring under dissociative collisions differ and confirm the coexistence of two nonconverting carbanions. DFT calculations show that the dithioacetal anion is more stable than the phenylic. The nucleophilic reactivity toward CS2 has been studied by collision-induced reactions in the collision cell of the tandem instrument. Both isomeric anion forms display characteristic fragmentations of the resulting [(M-H(D)) + CS2] adduct anions, demonstrating a difference in reactivity: the dithioacetal anion reacts regioselectively at C and the o-phenylic at S, DFT calculations, performed with the aim of rationalizing this observed difference and understanding the formation of the diagnostic fragments, have been successful

Intermolecular versus intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction in gas phase: Limitation and feasibility

International audienc