Molecular Computing: from conformational pattern recognition to complex processing networks

Natural biomolecular systems process information in a radically different manner than programmable machines. Conformational interactions, the basis of specificity and self-assembly, are of key importance. A gedanken device is presented that illustrates how the fusion of information through conformational self-organization can serve to enhance pattern processing at the cellular level. The device is used to highlight general features of biomolecular information processing. We briefly outline a simulation system designed to address the manner in which conformational processing interacts with kinetic and higher level structural dynamics in complex biochemical networks. Virtual models that capture features of biomolecular information processing can in some instances have artificial intelligence value in their own right and should serve as design tools for future computers built from real molecules

Feeling good: the ecstatic return of Japanese Breakfast

Interview with author and artist Michelle Zauner

Integrated optical readout for miniaturization of cantilever-based sensor system

We present the fabrication and characterisation of an integrated optical read-out scheme based on single-mode waveguides for cantilever-based sensors. The cantilever bending is read out by monitoring changes in the optical intensity of light transmitted through the cantilever that also acts as a waveguide. The complete system is fabricated in the photo-sensitive polymer SU-8. We show theoretical calculations on the expected sensitivity both when operated in air and liquid and compare these with experimental characterisation of the system in air where the cantilever is deflected mechanically. The experimental results compare well with the results obtained from the theoretical calculations.Peer reviewe

Silicon-nitride waveguides for on-chip Raman spectroscopy

The evanescent tail of the guided modes can efficiently excite Raman active molecules located in the cladding of a waveguide. Similarly, a significant fraction of the total emitted Stokes power is evanescently coupled to the same mode. Further, the enhancement effects inherent to the waveguide, alongside with the long interaction length, lead to an increased light-matter interaction, resulting in a higher sensitivity as required by spectroscopic applications, especially in the context of Raman spectroscopy. We calculate the spontaneous Raman scattering efficiency as a function of siliconnitride strip waveguide dimensions and show that under typical conditions, the overall efficiency is approximately two orders of magnitude higher than in confocal configuration in the free space. We also report the experimental demonstration of the use of silicon-nitride based photonic waveguides in a lab-on-a-chip context for Raman spectroscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of Raman spectroscopy using photonic waveguides

TLR9 agonists induced cell death in Burkitt's lymphoma cells is variable and influenced by TLR9 polymorphism

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) triggering is a promising novel strategy to combat cancer as it induces innate and adaptive immunity responses. B-cell lymphoma is unique in this context as tumor cells express TLR9 and may harbor latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a gamma-herpesvirus with remarkable oncogenic potential when latent. Latent EBV may be promoted by TLR9 triggering via suppression of lytic EBV. Here, we elaborated an initial assessment of the impact of TLR9 triggering on EBV-positive and EBV-negative B-cell lymphoma using Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines as an in vitro model. We show that, independent of the presence of EBV, the TLR9 ligand oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) CpG-2006 may or may not induce caspase-dependent cell death in BL cells. Moreover, ODN CpG-2006-induced cell death responses of BL cells were associated with TLR9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs5743836 or rs352140, which we detected in primary BL tumors and in peripheral blood from healthy individuals at similar frequencies. Thus, our findings suggest that the effect of TLR9 agonists on BL cells should be tested in vitro before installment of therapy and TLR9 SNPs in BL patients should be determined as potential biological markers for the therapeutic response to treatment targeting innate immunity

On computing in fine-grained compartmentalised Belousov-Zhabotinsky medium

We introduce results of computer experiments on information processing in a hexagonal array of vesicles filled with Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) solution in a sub-excitable mode. We represent values of Boolean variables by excitation wave-fragments and implement basic logical gates by colliding the wave-fragments. We show that a vesicle filled with BZ mixture can implement a range of basic logical functions. We cascade BZ-vesicle logical gates into arithmetic circuits implementing addition of two one-bit binary numbers. We envisage that our theoretical results will be applied in chemical laboratory designs of massive-parallel computers based on fine-grained compartmentalisation of excitable chemical systems

Advanced concepts for intelligent vision systems, 19th international conference, ACIVS 2018, proceedings

International audienceThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Advanced Concepts for Intelligent Vision Systems, ACIVS 2018, held in Poitiers, France, in September 2018. The 52 full papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 91 submissions. They were organized in topical sections named: video analysis; segmentation and classification; remote sending; biometrics; deep learning; coding and compression; and image restauration and reconstruction

A háromkirályok kultuszának hatása a középkori és kora újkori névadásra

The effects of the cult of the Three Magi on naming practices in medieval and early modern times The author examines the occurrences of the names Gáspár (Caspar), Menyhért (Melchior) and Boldizsár (Balthasar) in the naming practices of the nobility in medieval and early modern times. Comparing the period of the first appearances and first portrayals of the Three Magi as patron saints with the era of the occurrences of the names in pairs or in trios within noble families, the author concludes that the cult of these saints in Hungary was at its height in the 15th century and naming practices followed the trend in cult with some slight delay. Striking conformity is observed when locations of the appearances and portrayals as patron saints are compared to the locations of the manors of the name bearers. These three names are considered to be rare; thus, their appearances mainly in regions of Northern Hungary and Transylvania inhabited by German miners as well as in western counties affected by the flourishing cult of the saints in the nearby Holy Roman Empire clearly reflect the influence of the popularity of the saints on naming practices