High Performance Algorithms for Counting Collisions and Pairwise Interactions

The problem of counting collisions or interactions is common in areas as computer graphics and scientific simulations. Since it is a major bottleneck in applications of these areas, a lot of research has been carried out on such subject, mainly focused on techniques that allow calculations to be performed within pruned sets of objects. This paper focuses on how interaction calculation (such as collisions) within these sets can be done more efficiently than existing approaches. Two algorithms are proposed: a sequential algorithm that has linear complexity at the cost of high memory usage; and a parallel algorithm, mathematically proved to be correct, that manages to use GPU resources more efficiently than existing approaches. The proposed and existing algorithms were implemented, and experiments show a speedup of 21.7 for the sequential algorithm (on small problem size), and 1.12 for the parallel proposal (large problem size). By improving interaction calculation, this work contributes to research areas that promote interconnection in the modern world, such as computer graphics and robotics.Comment: Accepted in ICCS 2019 and published in Springer's LNCS series. Supplementary content at https://mjsaldanha.com/articles/1-hpc-ssp

Recognition of Blurred Pieces of Discrete Planes

International audienceWe introduce a new discrete primitive, the blurred piece of a discrete plane, which relies on the arithmetic definition of discrete planes. It generalizes such planes, admitting that some points are missing and then permits to adapt to noisy discrete data. Two recognition algorithms of such primitives are proposed: the first one is a geometrical algorithm and minimizes the Euclidean distance and the second one relies on linear programming and minimizes the vertical distance

BMP2 commitment to the osteogenic lineage involves activation of Runx2 by DLX3 and a homeodomain transcriptional network

Several homeodomain (HD) proteins are critical for skeletal patterning and respond directly to BMP2 as an early step in bone formation. RUNX2, the earliest transcription factor proven essential for commitment to osteoblastogenesis, is also expressed in response to BMP2. However, there is a gap in our knowledge of the regulatory cascade from BMP2 signaling to the onset of osteogenesis. Here we show that BMP2 induces DLX3, a homeodomain protein that activates Runx2 gene transcription. Small interfering RNA knockdown studies in osteoblasts validate that DLX3 is a potent regulator of Runx2. Furthermore in Runx2 null cells, DLX3 forced expression suffices to induce transcription of Runx2, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase genes, thus defining DLX3 as an osteogenic regulator independent of RUNX2. Our studies further show regulation of the Runx2 gene by several homeodomain proteins: MSX2 and CDP/cut repress whereas DLX3 and DLX5 activate endogenous Runx2 expression and promoter activity in non-osseous cells and osteoblasts. These HD proteins exhibit distinct temporal expression profiles during osteoblast differentiation as well as selective association with Runx2 chromatin that is related to Runx2 transcriptional activity and recruitment of RNA polymerase II. Runx2 promoter mutagenesis shows that multiple HD elements control expression of Runx2 in relation to the stages of osteoblast maturation. Our studies establish mechanisms for commitment to the osteogenic lineage directly through BMP2 induction of HD proteins DLX3 and DLX5 that activate Runx2, thus delineating a transcriptional regulatory pathway mediating osteoblast differentiation. We propose that the three homeodomain proteins MSX2, DLX3, and DLX5 provide a key series of molecular switches that regulate expression of Runx2 throughout bone formation. <br/

The chondro-osseous continuum: is it possible to unlock the potential assigned within?

Endochondral ossification (EO), by which long bones of the axial skeleton form, is a tightly regulated process involving chondrocyte maturation with successive stages of proliferation, maturation, and hypertrophy, accompanied by cartilage matrix synthesis, calcification, and angiogenesis, followed by osteoblast-mediated ossification. This developmental sequence reappears during fracture repair and in osteoarthritic etiopathology. These similarities suggest that EO, and the cells involved, are of great clinical importance for bone regeneration as it could provide novel targeted approaches to increase specific signaling to promote fracture healing, and if regulated appropriately in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The long-held accepted dogma states that hypertrophic chondrocytes are terminally differentiated and will eventually undergo apoptosis. In this mini review, we will explore recent evidence from experiments that revisit the idea that hypertrophic chondrocytes have pluripotent capacity and may instead transdifferentiate into a specific sub-population of osteoblast cells. There are multiple lines of evidence, including our own, showing that local, selective alterations in cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling also indelibly alter bone quality. This would be consistent with the hypothesis that osteoblast behavior in long bones is regulated by a combination of their lineage origins and the epigenetic effects of chondrocyte-derived ECM which they encounter during their recruitment. Further exploration of these processes could help to unlock potential novel targets for bone repair and regeneration and in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Exposure to excess Phenobarbital negatively influences the osteogenesis of chick embryos

Phenobarbital is an antiepileptic drug that is widely used to treat epilepsy in a clinical setting. However, a long term of phenobarbital administration in pregnant women may produce side effects on embryonic skeletogenesis. In this study, we aim to investigate the mechanism by which phenobarbital treatment induces developmental defects in long bones. We first determined that phenobarbital treatment decreased chondrogenesis and inhibited the proliferation of chondrocytes in chick embryos. Phenobarbital treatment also suppressed mineralization in both in vivo and in vitro long bone models. Next, we established that phenobarbital treatment delayed blood vessel invasion in a cartilage template, and this finding was supported by the down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in the hypertrophic zone following phenobarbital treatment. Phenobarbital treatment inhibited tube formation and the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, it impaired angiogenesis in chick yolk sac membrane model and chorioallantoic membrane model. In summary, phenobarbital exposure led to shortened lengths of long bones during embryogenesis, which might result from inhibiting mesenchyme differentiation, chondrocyte proliferation, and delaying mineralization by impairing vascular invasion

Hydrostannation of Alkynes

International audienceIn this review, we present an overview of hydrostannation of alkynes until the end of 2018. Mechanism of the tin hydride addition on a triple bond is discussed at the beginning of this review in the presence of metal catalysts as Pd, Ru-based complexes, Lewis acids and under radical conditions. Then, stereoselectivity as well as regioselectivity aspects of tin hydride addition on the carbon triple bond is discussed using metal-catalysis, radical conditions or Lewis acids. In each of these items, the reactions will be studied for terminal alkynes and then, for internal alkynes. Applications of hydrostannation of alkynes using metal-catalysis is presented in a variety of total syntheses with Pd, Mo, Rh and Ru-complexes to provide highly functionalized vinyl stannanes derivatives as key-intermediates. Comparison with other methods providing vinyl stannanes using metallostannation followed by protonation is presented before the last section dealing with a summary of classical experimental conditions used to achieve the hydrostannation of alkynes

Concevoir un dispositif de formation ouvert et à distance sur le modèle des Moocs : pertinence et efficacité

Les Moocs, cours en ligne ouverts et massifs, remportent actuellement un grand succès médiatique. Ils ont inspiré la création d'un module de formation à petit effectif. Mais ce dispositif est-il pertinent ? Peut-on inférer son efficacité à partir d'une évaluation a priori ? Après avoir présenté différents Moocs et détaillé le dispositif de formation créé, nous présentons une analyse théorique qui s'appuie sur des études concernant l'efficacité des dispositifs de formation à distance. Les résultats sont à considérer avec prudence car l'impact de la taille du groupe ne sera évaluable que lors de la mise en ligne. Cette réserve posée, les hypothèses semblent être validées, ce que devra confirmer la mise en ligne du module. Entre effet de mode ou évolution profonde, l'impact des Moocs sur l'offre de formation en ligne est encore incertain

Reconnaissance de morceaux de plans discrets bruités

mémoire de DEA, 37 pagesLa reconnaissance d'objets discrets est un sujet important en géométrie discrète et de nombreux travaux concernant les droites et les plans ont été réalisés. Nous nous intéressons à la notion d'objets discrets flous, correspondant à des objets discrets bruités, et à leur détection. Ces objets sont définis analytiquement et les algorithmes développés à partir de ceux-ci s'adaptent aux données bruitées par les méthodes d'acquisition, par exemple les données médicales issues de scanners, d'échographie, d'IRM... Dans ce mémoire nous nous intéresserons plus particulièrement aux plans discrets bruités. En introduisant la définition d'un morceau de plan discret flou, nous montrerons que le problème de le reconnaissance d'un tel objet est équivalent à celui du calcul de l'épaisseur d'un ensemble de points en dimension 3. Après une étude des méthodes existantes résolvant le calcul de l'épaisseur, un algorithme connu sera alors adapté pour résoudre le problème de la reconnaissance incrémentale des morceaux de plans discrets flous

Synthesis of Substituted Benzils from Diarylalkyne Oxidation

International audienceIn this review, oxidation of diarylalkynes leading to functionalized benzils (di(het)aryl-1,2-diketones) is summarized. Some synthetic "one pot" transformations of internal arylalkynes leading to the construction of heterocycles are presented