1,742 research outputs found
Introducing spatial information into predictive NF-kappa B modelling - an agent-based approach
Nature is governed by local interactions among lower-level sub-units, whether at the cell, organ, organism, or colony level. Adaptive system behaviour emerges via these interactions, which integrate the activity of the sub-units. To understand the system level it is necessary to understand the underlying local interactions. Successful models of local interactions at different levels of biological organisation, including epithelial tissue and ant colonies, have demonstrated the benefits of such 'agent-based' modelling [1-4]. Here we present an agent-based approach to modelling a crucial biological system the intracellular NF-kappa B signalling pathway. The pathway is vital to immune response regulation, and is fundamental to basic survival in a range of species [5-7]. Alterations in pathway regulation underlie a variety of diseases, including atherosclerosis and arthritis. Our modelling of individual molecules, receptors and genes provides a more comprehensive outline of regulatory network mechanisms than previously possible with equation-based approaches [8]. The method also permits consideration of structural parameters in pathway regulation; here we predict that inhibition of NF-kappa B is directly affected by actin filaments of the cytoskeleton sequestering excess inhibitors, therefore regulating steady-state and feedback behaviour
Trapping of Cold Excitons with Laser Light
Optical trapping and manipulation of neutral particles has led to a variety
of experiments from stretching DNA-molecules to trapping and cooling of neutral
atoms. An exciting recent outgrowth of the technique is an experimental
implementation of atom Bose-Einstein condensation. In this paper, we propose
and demonstrate laser induced trapping for a new system--a gas of excitons in
quantum well structures. We report on the trapping of a highly degenerate Bose
gas of excitons in laser induced traps.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure
The Sendai Virus C Protein Binds the L Polymerase Protein to Inhibit Viral RNA Synthesis
AbstractThe Sendai virus nested set of C proteins which are expressed in an alternative open reading frame from the P mRNA has been shown to downregulate viral RNA synthesis. Utilizing a glutathioneS-transferase (gst) C fusion protein (gstC), we have shown that C protein forms a complex with the L, but not the P, subunit of the viral RNA polymerase. When P, L, and gstC are coexpressed, an oligomer of P, through its interaction with L, is also bound to beads. Since binding of C to L in the P-L complex does not disrupt P binding, the C and P binding sites appear to be different. GstC binding to L occurs only when the proteins are coexpressed in the same cell. The gstC, but not gst, protein inhibits viral transcriptionin vitro,showing that the fusion protein retains biological function. Pulse–chase experiments of the various complexes show that L protein synthesized alone has a half-life of 1.2 hr, which is increased 12.5-fold by binding P, but is not significantly increased by binding gstC. Analyses of complex formation with truncations of L protein show that the C-terminal 1333 amino acids of L are not required for binding C. The dose–response curves show that replication of the genomic DI-H RNA is more sensitive to inhibition by C protein than is the synthesis of DI leader RNA, suggesting that the downregulation of RNA synthesis may be more complex than just the inhibition of the initiation of RNA synthesis
Dissociation of Subjectively Reported and Behaviorally Indexed Mind Wandering by EEG Rhythmic Activity
Inattention to current activity is ubiquitous in everyday situations. Mind wandering is an example of such a state, and its related brain areas have been examined in the literature. However, there is no clear evidence regarding neural rhythmic activities linked to mind wandering. Using a vigilance task with thought sampling and electroencephalography recording, the current study simultaneously examined neural oscillatory activities related to subjectively reported and behaviorally indexed mind wandering. By implementing time-frequency analysis, we found that subjectively reported mind wandering, relative to behaviorally indexed, showed increased gamma band activity at bilateral frontal-central areas. By means of beamformer source imaging, we found subjectively reported mind wandering within the gamma band to be characterized by increased activation in bilateral frontal cortices, supplemental motor area, paracentral cortex and right inferior temporal cortex in comparison to behaviorally indexed mind wandering. These findings dissociate subjectively reported and behaviorally indexed mind wandering and suggest that a higher degree of executive control processes are engaged in subjectively reported mind wandering
Bound on Lorentz- and CPT-Violating Boost Effects for the Neutron
A search for an annual variation of a daily sidereal modulation of the
frequency difference between co-located Xe and He Zeeman
masers sets a stringent limit on boost-dependent Lorentz and CPT violation
involving the neutron, consistent with no effect at the level of 150 nHz. In
the framework of the general Standard-Model Extension, the present result
provides the first clean test for the fermion sector of the symmetry of
spacetime under boost transformations at a level of GeV.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Mechanical stimulation in Brachypodium distachyon:Implications for fitness, productivity, and cell wall properties
Hidden Silicon-Vacancy Centers in Diamond
We characterize a high-density sample of negatively charged silicon-vacancy
(SiV) centers in diamond using collinear optical multidimensional coherent
spectroscopy. By comparing the results of complementary signal detection
schemes, we identify a hidden population of \ce{SiV^-} centers that is not
typically observed in photoluminescence, and which exhibits significant
spectral inhomogeneity and extended electronic times. The phenomenon is
likely caused by strain, indicating a potential mechanism for controlling
electric coherence in color-center-based quantum devices
Stress Propagation through Frictionless Granular Material
We examine the network of forces to be expected in a static assembly of hard,
frictionless spherical beads of random sizes, such as a colloidal glass. Such
an assembly is minimally connected: the ratio of constraint equations to
contact forces approaches unity for a large assembly. However, the bead
positions in a finite subregion of the assembly are underdetermined. Thus to
maintain equilibrium, half of the exterior contact forces are determined by the
other half. We argue that the transmission of force may be regarded as
unidirectional, in contrast to the transmission of force in an elastic
material. Specializing to sequentially deposited beads, we show that forces on
a given buried bead can be uniquely specified in terms of forces involving more
recently added beads. We derive equations for the transmission of stress
averaged over scales much larger than a single bead. This derivation requires
the Ansatz that statistical fluctuations of the forces are independent of
fluctuations of the contact geometry. Under this Ansatz, the
-component stress field can be expressed in terms of a d-component
vector field. The procedure may be generalized to non-sequential packings. In
two dimensions, the stress propagates according to a wave equation, as
postulated in recent work elsewhere. We demonstrate similar wave-like
propagation in higher dimensions, assuming that the packing geometry has
uniaxial symmetry. In macroscopic granular materials we argue that our approach
may be useful even though grains have friction and are not packed
sequentially.=17Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, revised vertion for Phys. Rev.
Non-linear instability of Kerr-type Cauchy horizons
Using the general solution to the Einstein equations on intersecting null
surfaces developed by Hayward, we investigate the non-linear instability of the
Cauchy horizon inside a realistic black hole. Making a minimal assumption about
the free gravitational data allows us to solve the field equations along a null
surface crossing the Cauchy Horizon. As in the spherical case, the results
indicate that a diverging influx of gravitational energy, in concert with an
outflux across the CH, is responsible for the singularity. The spacetime is
asymptotically Petrov type N, the same algebraic type as a gravitational shock
wave. Implications for the continuation of spacetime through the singularity
are briefly discussed.Comment: 11 pages RevTeX, two postscript figures included using epsf.st
The lights are on but no one’s home: Meta-awareness and the decoupling of attention when the mind wanders
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