Ratio control in a cascade model of cell differentiation

We propose a kind of reaction-diffusion equations for cell differentiation, which exhibits the Turing instability. If the diffusivity of some variables is set to be infinity, we get coupled competitive reaction-diffusion equations with a global feedback term. The size ratio of each cell type is controlled by a system parameter in the model. Finally, we extend the model to a cascade model of cell differentiation. A hierarchical spatial structure appears as a result of the cell differentiation. The size ratio of each cell type is also controlled by the system parameter.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

Effect of Edge Roughness on Electronic Transport in Graphene Nanoribbon Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

Results of quantum mechanical simulations of the influence of edge disorder on transport in graphene nanoribbon metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are reported. The addition of edge disorder significantly reduces ON-state currents and increases OFF-state currents, and introduces wide variability across devices. These effects decrease as ribbon widths increase and as edges become smoother. However the bandgap decreases with increasing width, thereby increasing the band-to-band tunneling mediated subthreshold leakage current even with perfect nanoribbons. These results suggest that without atomically precise edge control during fabrication, MOSFET performance gains through use of graphene will be difficult to achieve.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

An Unusual New Cheilanthoid Fern From California

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141956/1/ajb208258.pd

Hermite and Gegenbauer polynomials in superspace using Clifford analysis

The Clifford-Hermite and the Clifford-Gegenbauer polynomials of standard Clifford analysis are generalized to the new framework of Clifford analysis in superspace in a merely symbolic way. This means that one does not a priori need an integration theory in superspace. Furthermore a lot of basic properties, such as orthogonality relations, differential equations and recursion formulae are proven. Finally, an interesting physical application of the super Clifford-Hermite polynomials is discussed, thus giving an interpretation to the super-dimension.Comment: 18 pages, accepted for publication in J. Phys.

A model checking approach to the parameter estimation of biochemical pathways

Model checking has historically been an important tool to verify models of a wide variety of systems. Typically a model has to exhibit certain properties to be classed ‘acceptable’. In this work we use model checking in a new setting; parameter estimation. We characterise the desired behaviour of a model in a temporal logic property and alter the model to make it conform to the property (determined through model checking). We have implemented a computational system called MC2(GA) which pairs a model checker with a genetic algorithm. To drive parameter estimation, the fitness of set of parameters in a model is the inverse of the distance between its actual behaviour and the desired behaviour. The model checker used is the simulation-based Monte Carlo Model Checker for Probabilistic Linear-time Temporal Logic with numerical constraints, MC2(PLTLc). Numerical constraints as well as the overall probability of the behaviour expressed in temporal logic are used to minimise the behavioural distance. We define the theory underlying our parameter estimation approach in both the stochastic and continuous worlds. We apply our approach to biochemical systems and present an illustrative example where we estimate the kinetic rate constants in a continuous model of a signalling pathway

Spherical harmonics and integration in superspace

In this paper the classical theory of spherical harmonics in R^m is extended to superspace using techniques from Clifford analysis. After defining a super-Laplace operator and studying some basic properties of polynomial null-solutions of this operator, a new type of integration over the supersphere is introduced by exploiting the formal equivalence with an old result of Pizzetti. This integral is then used to prove orthogonality of spherical harmonics of different degree, Green-like theorems and also an extension of the important Funk-Hecke theorem to superspace. Finally, this integration over the supersphere is used to define an integral over the whole superspace and it is proven that this is equivalent with the Berezin integral, thus providing a more sound definition of the Berezin integral.Comment: 22 pages, accepted for publication in J. Phys.

Integrated cost-benefit analysis of tsetse control and herd productivity to inform control programs for animal African trypanosomiasis

Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) and its tsetse vector are responsible for annual losses estimated in billions of US dollars ($). Recent years have seen the implementation of a series of multinational interventions. However, actors of AAT control face complex resource allocation decisions due to the geographical range of AAT, diversity of ecological and livestock systems, and range of control methods available. The study presented here integrates an existing tsetse abundance model with a bio-economic herd model that captures local production characteristics as well as heterogeneities in AAT incidence and breed. These models were used to predict the impact of tsetse elimination on the net value of cattle production in the districts of Mambwe, in Zambia, and Faro et Déo in Cameroon. The net value of cattle production under the current situation was used as a baseline, and compared with alternative publicly funded control programmes. In Zambia, the current baseline is AAT control implemented privately by cattle owners (Scenario Z0). In Cameroon, the baseline (Scenario C0) is a small-scale publicly funded tsetse control programme and privately funded control at farm level. The model was run for 10 years, using a discount rate of 5%

Fundamental solutions for the super Laplace and Dirac operators and all their natural powers

The fundamental solutions of the super Dirac and Laplace operators and their natural powers are determined within the framework of Clifford analysis.Comment: 12 pages, accepted for publication in J. Math. Anal. App

Acetazolamide-based fungal chitinase inhibitors

Chitin is an essential structural component of the fungal cell wall. Chitinases are thought to be important for fungal cell wall remodelling, and inhibition of these enzymes has been proposed as a potential strategy for development of novel anti-fungals. The fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus possesses two distinct multi-gene chitinase families. Here we explore acetazolamide as a chemical scaffold for the inhibition of an A. fumigatus ‘plant-type’ chitinase. A co-crystal structure of AfChiA1 with acetazolamide was used to guide synthesis and screening of acetazolamide analogues that yielded SAR in agreement with these structural data. Although acetazolamide and its analogues are weak inhibitors of the enzyme, they have a high ligand efficiency and as such are interesting leads for future inhibitor development