Boxy/Peanut bulges, vertical buckling and galactic bars

Boxy/peanut bulges in disk galaxies have been associated to stellar bars. In this talk, we discuss the different properties of such bulges and their relation with the corresponding bar, using a very large sample of a few hundred numerical N-body simulations. We present and inter-compare various methods of measuring the boxy/peanut bulge properties, namely its strength, shape and possible asymmetry. Some of these methods can be applied to both simulations and observations. Our final goal is to get correlations that will allow us to obtain information on the boxy/peanut bulge for a galaxy viewed face-on as well as information on the bars of galaxies viewed edge-on.Comment: 4 pages. To appear in the proceedings of IAU Symposium 245 "Formation and Evolution of Galaxy Bulges", M. Bureau, E. Athanassoula, and B. Barbuy, ed

Automatic Generation of Cognitive Theories using Genetic Programming

Cognitive neuroscience is the branch of neuroscience that studies the neural mechanisms underpinning cognition and develops theories explaining them. Within cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience focuses on modeling behavior, using theories expressed as computer programs. Up to now, computational theories have been formulated by neuroscientists. In this paper, we present a new approach to theory development in neuroscience: the automatic generation and testing of cognitive theories using genetic programming. Our approach evolves from experimental data cognitive theories that explain “the mental program” that subjects use to solve a specific task. As an example, we have focused on a typical neuroscience experiment, the delayed-match-to-sample (DMTS) task. The main goal of our approach is to develop a tool that neuroscientists can use to develop better cognitive theories

Boxy/peanut bulges : formation, evolution and properties

We discuss the formation and evolution of boxy/peanut bulges (B/Ps) and present new simulations results. Orbital structure studies show that B/Ps are parts of bars seen edge-on, they have their origin in vertical instabilities of the disc material and they are somewhat shorter in extent than bars. When the bar forms it is vertically thin, but after a time of the order of a Gyr it experiences a vertical instability and buckles. At that time the strength of the bar decreases, its inner part becomes thicker, so that, seen edge-on, it acquires a peanut or boxy shape. A second buckling episode is seen in simulations with strong bars, accompanied by a further thickening of the B/P and a weakening of the bar. Quantitatively, this evolution depends considerably on the properties of the halo and particularly on the extent of its core. This influences the amount of angular momentum exchanged within the galaxy, emitted by near-resonant material in the bar region and absorbed by near-resonant material in the halo and in the outer disc. Haloes with small cores generally harbour stronger bars and B/Ps and they often witness double buckling.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, contribution to the conference "Chaos in Astronomy", Athens, sept. 2007, eds. G. Contopoulos & P.A. Patsi

The Presence of GC-C in Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Colorectal Cancer Cells

Background: Guanylyl Cyclase C (GC-C) is a membrane-bound protein found on intestinal epithelial cells involved in the activation of CFTR. This protein has previously been involved in the development of colorectal cancer. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are bilayered vesicles of varying size (30 to 1,000 + nm in diameter) that believed to be secreted by all cells in the human body. In the past decade, EVs have garnered attention due to their impact in the field of oncology, where they have been shown to potentially serve as biomarkers for various cancers. In this study, we looked at the EVs secreted by GC-C+ and GC-C- cell lines. We expected GC-C to be present on the EVs secreted by GC-C+ cell lines and that this finding may intake a role for GC-C at tissues distal to the intestinal epithelial cells. Methods: GC-C+ cells lines (T84 and CT26-hGCC) and GC-C- cell lines (SW480 and CT26-WT) were cultured and their media was harvested, then ultracentrifuged to extract the EVs from the media. These EVs were then checked for the presence and absence of various markers (GC-C, Calnexin, TSG101) via Western Blot. Exosome size was assessed via NTA to further provide evidence for the identity of these EVs. Results: Western blot confirmed the presence of TSG101 in both EV types samples, as well as the presence of GC-C in EVs derived from GC-C+ cell lines, but not from GC-C- cell lines. Calnexin was found to be absent in EV samples, excluding the possibility of lysate contamination. NTA analysis confirmed the correct size for the exosomes in sample. Discussion: This study assessed the contents of EVs secreted by colorectal cancer cell lines. Our findings indicate the presence of GC-C on exosomes and microvesicles. Further studies will need to be conducted in order to assess the function of these GC-C+ EVs in the setting of colorectal cancer