Self-repair ability of evolved self-assembling systems in cellular automata

Self-repairing systems are those that are able to reconfigure themselves following disruptions to bring them back into a defined normal state. In this paper we explore the self-repair ability of some cellular automata-like systems, which differ from classical cellular automata by the introduction of a local diffusion process inspired by chemical signalling processes in biological development. The update rules in these systems are evolved using genetic programming to self-assemble towards a target pattern. In particular, we demonstrate that once the update rules have been evolved for self-assembly, many of those update rules also provide a self-repair ability without any additional evolutionary process aimed specifically at self-repair

A Simple Computational Model for Acceptance/Rejection of Binary Sequence Generators

A simple binary model to compute the degree of balancedness in the output sequence of LFSR-combinational generators has been developed. The computational method is based exclusively on the handling of binary strings by means of logic operations. The proposed model can serve as a deterministic alternative to existing probabilistic methods for checking balancedness in binary sequence generators. The procedure here described can be devised as a first selective criterium for acceptance/rejection of this type of generators.Comment: 16 pages, 0 figure

A Case of Celiacomesenteric Trunk in a Tanzanian Man.

Variation in the branching patterns of the three major arteries that supply the digestive system may occur due to different embryological mechanisms. The present case report describes the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery originating from the abdominal aorta through a common trunk. The celiac artery in turn gave rise to the splenic artery and a common trunk for common hepatic and left gastric artery. The superior and inferior mesenteric arteries had normal branching patterns. Awareness of these variations on the part of the surgical team before surgery can help avoid iatrogenic arterial injury

3D-QSAR CoMFA/CoMSIA studije derivata 5-aril-2,2-dialkil-4-fenil-3(2H)-furanona, kao selektivnih COX-2 inhi

Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA) were performed on a series of 5-aryl-2,2-dialkyl-4-phenyl-3(2H)-furanone derivatives, as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Ligand molecular superimposition on the template structure was performed by the atom/shape based root mean square fit and database alignment methods. Removal of three outliers from the initial training set of 49 molecules improved the predictivity of the model. The statistically significant model was established of 36 molecules, which were validated by a test set of ten compounds. The atom and shape based root mean square alignment (IV) yielded the best predictive CoMFA model R2cv = 0.664, R2 (non-cross-validated square of correlation coefficient) = 0.916, F value = 47.341, R2bs = 0.947 with six components, standard error of prediction36 = 0.360 and standard error of estimate36 = 0.180 while the CoMSIA model yielded R2cv = 0.777, R2 (non-cross-validated square of correlation coefficient) = 0.905, F value = 66.322, R2bs = 0.933 with four components, standard error of prediction36 = 0.282 and standard error of estimate36 = 0.185. The contour maps obtained from 3D-QSAR studies were appraised for activity trends for the molecules analyzed. Results indicate that steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic (lipophilic) and hydrogen bond donor substituents play a significant role in COX-2 inhibitory activity and selectivity of the compounds. The data generated from the present study will further help design novel, potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors.Komparativna molekularna analiza polja (CoMFA) i komparativna analiza sličnosti molekularnih indeksa (CoMSIA) provedena je na seriji derivata 5-aril-2,2-dialkil-4-fenil-3(2H)-furanona kao selektivnih inhibitora ciklooksigenaze-2 (COX-2). Superimpozicija molekularnih liganada na uzorak strukture provedena je prilagodbom korijena usrednjenih kvadratnih udaljenosti temeljenih na udaljenostima atoma i na obliku molecule i metodom poravnavanja unutar skupa podataka. Uklanjanjem tri spoja koji jako odstupaju iz početnog skupa od 49 molekula povećala se točnost predviđanja modela. Postavljen je statistički značajan model od 36 molekula, koji je provjeren na dodatnom skupu od deset spojeva. Prilagodba korijena usrednjenih kvadratnih udaljenosti temeljenih na udaljenostima atoma i na obliku molekule dala je najbolji CoMFA model sa 6 komponenata koji ima R2cv = 0,664 (križno provjereni kvadrat koeficijenata korelacije), R2 = 0,916, F vrijednost = 47, 341, kod kojega je standardna pogreška predviđanja 0,360 i standardna pogreška procjene 0,180. Za CoMSIA model sa 4 komponente dobiveni su parametri R2cv = 0,777, R2 = 0,905, F vrijednost 66,322, standardna pogreška predviđanja 0,282 i standardna pogreška procjene 0,185. Iz mapa obrisa dobivenih 3D-QSAR studijom procijenjeni su trendovi aktivnosti za analizirane molekule. Rezultati ukazuju da sterički, elektrostatski, hidrofobni (lipofilni) supstituenti i oni koji mogu tvoriti vodikovu vezu imaju značajnu ulogu u inhibitornom djelovanju na COX-2 i selektivnost spojeva. Podaci dobiveni ovom studijom pomoći će u dizajniranju novih, snažnih i selektivnih COX-2 inhibitora

Determinación de maderas carbonizadas procedentes de contextos arqueológicos de la Tradición Guaraní

En este trabajo se presentan la metodología y los resultados de un estudio exploratorio de identificación taxonómica de maderas carbonizadas recuperadas en contextos arqueológicos. Las muestras analizadas proceden de dos sitios arqueológicos localizados en la margen izquierda del alto río Uruguay (municipio de Porto Mauá, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil). Los sitios Barra do Santo Cristo 1 y Três Bocas 2, con dataciones radiocarbónicas de ca. 410 y 500 años AP, corresponden a asentamientos residenciales asignados a la ocupación guaraní meridional. Si bien estos contextos presentan baja preservación de restos orgánicos, es común encontrar carbones dispersos en la capa de ocupación y concentrados en estructuras interpretadas como fogones. Para la realización de este estudio se llevaron a cabo observaciones macroscópicas en las muestras seleccionadas de cada sitio y posteriormente se las complementó con análisis de microscopía electrónica de barrido. En base a las características morfológicas de las tres secciones diagnósticas, a la comparación con maderas actuales y a la consulta bibliográfica específica fue posible determinar taxonómicamente los macrorrestos vegetales. Un porcentaje mayoritario de ellos fue asignado a la familia Lauraceae. Por último, y de acuerdo a la información aportada por este análisis, se plantean interpretaciones acerca de la vegetación disponible en el ambiente y la selección de maderas como combustible.This paper presents the methodology and results of an exploratory study of taxonomic identification of charcoals sampled in archaeological contexts. The analyzed samples come from two archaeological sites located on the left bank of the upper Uruguay River (municipality of Porto Mauá, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). The sites Barra do Santo Cristo 1 and Três Bocas 2, with radiocarbon dates between ca. 410 and 500 years BP, were residential settlements attributed to the southern Guaraní occupation. While these contexts present low preservation of organic remains, it is common to find scattered charcoals in occupation layer and concentrated in structures interpreted as hearths. For this study, macroscopic observations were conducted on selected charcoal samples from each site and then supplemented with scanning electron microscopy analysis. Based on the anatomical characteristics of the three diagnostic sections, comparison with present types of wood and specific literature, it was possible to determine the taxonomic class of plant macroremains. So far, most of them were assigned to Lauraceae. Finally and according to information provided by this analysis, we propose interpretations about wood availability in the environment, environmental characteristics at the time of the occupations and the selection of wood for fuel.Fil: Costa Angrizani, Rodrigo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Departamento Cientifico de Arqueologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mange, Emiliano. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Departamento Cientifico de Arqueologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Romero Alves, M.. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; Argentin

Pattern and Factors Associated with Congenital Anomalies among Young Infants Admitted at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Congenital anomalies or birth defects are among the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity around the world. The impact of congenital anomalies is particularly severe in middle- and low-income countries where health care resources are limited. The prevalence of congenital anomalies varies in different parts of the world, which could reflect different aetiological factors in different geographical regions. Between October 2012 and January 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving young infants below 2 months of age, admitted at a university teaching hospital in Tanzania. Face-to-face interviews with parents/caretakers of young infants were carried out to collect socio-demographic and clinical information. Physical examinations were performed on all young infants. Echocardiography, X-ray, cranial as well as abdominal ultrasonographies were performed when indicated. Analysis of the data showed that among 445 young infants enrolled in the study, the prevalence of congenital anomalies was 29%, with the Central Nervous System (CNS) as the most commonly affected organ system. Maternal factors that were significantly associated with congenital anomalies included the lack of peri-conceptional use of folic acid (OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.4-6.7; p = 0.005), a maternal age of above 35 years (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1-4.3; p = 0.024) and an inadequate attendance to antenatal clinic (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.4-3.3; p < 0.001). Infant factors that were significantly associated with congenital anomalies were female sex, a birth weight of 2.5 kg or more, singleton pregnancy and a birth order above 4. Due to the high prevalence of congenital anomalies observed in this particular context, the hospital should mobilize additional resources for an optimal and timely management of the patients with congenital anomalies. In this study, the proportion of women taking folic acid supplements during early pregnancy was very low. Efforts should be made to ensure that more women use folic acid during the peri-conceptional period, as the use of folic acid supplement has been linked by several authors to a reduced occurrence of some congenital anomalies

Diurnal regulation of RNA polymerase III transcription is under the control of both the feeding-fasting response and the circadian clock.

RNA polymerase III (Pol III) synthesizes short noncoding RNAs, many of which are essential for translation. Accordingly, Pol III activity is tightly regulated with cell growth and proliferation by factors such as MYC, RB1, TRP53, and MAF1. MAF1 is a repressor of Pol III transcription whose activity is controlled by phosphorylation; in particular, it is inactivated through phosphorylation by the TORC1 kinase complex, a sensor of nutrient availability. Pol III regulation is thus sensitive to environmental cues, yet a diurnal profile of Pol III transcription activity is so far lacking. Here, we first use gene expression arrays to measure mRNA accumulation during the diurnal cycle in the livers of (1) wild-type mice, (2) arrhythmic javax.xml.bind.JAXBElement@59c2c50e knockout mice, (3) mice fed at regular intervals during both night and day, and (4) mice lacking the javax.xml.bind.JAXBElement@160cb27a gene, and so provide a comprehensive view of the changes in cyclic mRNA accumulation occurring in these different systems. We then show that Pol III occupancy of its target genes rises before the onset of the night, stays high during the night, when mice normally ingest food and when translation is known to be increased, and decreases in daytime. Whereas higher Pol III occupancy during the night reflects a MAF1-dependent response to feeding, the rise of Pol III occupancy before the onset of the night reflects a circadian clock-dependent response. Thus, Pol III transcription during the diurnal cycle is regulated both in response to nutrients and by the circadian clock, which allows anticipatory Pol III transcription

NiO Nanofibers as a Candidate for a Nanophotocathode

p-type NiO nanofibers have been synthesized from a simple electrospinning and sintering procedure. For the first time, p-type nanofibers have been electrospun onto a conductive fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) surface. The properties of the NiO nanofibers have been directly compared to that of bulk NiO nanopowder. We have observed a p-type photocurrent for a NiO photocathode fabricated on an FTO substrate

CuInS2/ZnS nanocrystals as sensitisers for NiO photocathodes

Nickel oxide (NiO) is the most universally studied photocathode to date, however, its poor fill factor (FF) makes its efficiency much lower than its counterpart, n-type photoanodes. Its significance in photovoltaics is based on the potential to fabricate tandem photoelectrodes in order to enhance the overall efficiency of the existing devices. Furthermore, limited work on the sensitisation of NiO with semiconducting nanocrystals (NCs) exists. For the first time, we have fabricated NiO photocathodes sensitised with aqueous CuInS2/ZnS NCs. The NCs were chemically bound to the NiO films with the aid of carboxyl and thiol groups. This was achieved without modifying the bulk surface properties of NiO. Binding of the NCs was investigated using TEM, SEM, XPS, XANES, EXAFS modelling and ToF-SIMS. NiO films were assembled into CuInS2/ZnS NC sensitised photocathodes and their photovoltaic properties were compared to those of unsensitised and dye-sensitised NiO solar cells. We demonstrate that nontoxic NCs can be used to sensitise NiO photocathodes to achieve an (almost) all-inorganic system

Configurable Random Instruction Generator for RISC Processors

Processors have evolved and grown more complex to serve enormous computational needs. Even though modern-day processors share same dna with processors half century ago, verifying them today is the huge wall to scale. Verification dominates production cycle even with advances both in software (programming as well as CAD tools) and manufacturing (fabrication) as there are too many test scenarios to cover. Testing complex devices like processors with manual-testing alone in certainty missing the dead lines. Automatic verification is a great way to overcome hurdles of manual testing viz. speed, manpower, and ultimately cost. The work described in this paper targets verification of processors which have in-order instruction execution. Verification is done using SystemVerilog testbench which compares output of device under test to the output of SystemC model, when random instructions are applied