Co- and post-translational translocation through the protein-conducting channel:analogous mechanisms at work?

Many proteins are translocated across, or integrated into, membranes. Both functions are fulfilled by the 'translocon/translocase', which contains a membrane-embedded proteinconducting channel (PCC) and associated soluble factors that drive translocation and insertion reactions using nucleotide triphosphates as fuel. This perspective focuses on reinterpreting existing experimental data in light of a recently proposed PCC model comprising a front-to-front dimer of SecY or Sec61 heterotrimeric complexes. In this new framework, we propose (i) a revised model for SRP-SR-mediated docking of the ribosome-nascent polypeptide to the PCC; (ii) that the dynamic interplay between protein substrate, soluble factors and PCC controls the opening and closing of a transmembrane channel across, and/or a lateral gate into, the membrane; and (iii) that co-and post-translational translocation, involving the ribosome and SecA, respectively, not only converge at the PCC but also use analogous mechanisms for coordinating protein translocation

Computational modeling with spiking neural networks

This chapter reviews recent developments in the area of spiking neural networks (SNN) and summarizes the main contributions to this research field. We give background information about the functioning of biological neurons, discuss the most important mathematical neural models along with neural encoding techniques, learning algorithms, and applications of spiking neurons. As a specific application, the functioning of the evolving spiking neural network (eSNN) classification method is presented in detail and the principles of numerous eSNN based applications are highlighted and discussed

The Established and the Newcomers. A Weberian-Bourdieusian View of Congregations in the Swiss Religious Field

Using the Weberian/Bourdieusian field theory and a representative National Congregation Study (NCS), we measure and compare the activities and resources of established and newcomer congregations across all major religious traditions in Switzerland. As expected, establishment status is linked to strong privileges for the established groups. Other than expected, established groups do not seem to compete with newcomer groups by using exclusion strategies, but explicitly seek ecumenical and interreligious contacts and are very tolerant concerning individual social and religious diversity. We suggest that this does not contradict the Weberian/Bourdieusian field theory, but can itself be seen as a strategy by established groups to preserve their threatened establishment status