Modeling the emergence of multi-protein dynamic structures by principles of self-organization through the use of 3DSpi, a multi-agent-based software

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing need for computer-generated models that can be used for explaining the emergence and predicting the behavior of multi-protein dynamic structures in cells. Multi-agent systems (MAS) have been proposed as good candidates to achieve this goal. RESULTS: We have created 3DSpi, a multi-agent based software that we used to explore the generation of multi-protein dynamic structures. Being based on a very restricted set of parameters, it is perfectly suited for exploring the minimal set of rules needed to generate large multi-protein structures. It can therefore be used to test the hypothesis that such structures are formed and maintained by principles of self-organization. We observed that multi-protein structures emerge and that the system behavior is very robust, in terms of the number and size of the structures generated. Furthermore, the generated structures very closely mimic spatial organization of real life multi-protein structures. CONCLUSION: The behavior of 3DSpi confirms the considerable potential of MAS for modeling subcellular structures. It demonstrates that robust multi-protein structures can emerge using a restricted set of parameters and allows the exploration of the dynamics of such structures. A number of easy-to-implement modifications should make 3DSpi the virtual simulator of choice for scientists wishing to explore how topology interacts with time, to regulate the function of interacting proteins in living cells

Normalität neu denken

Der Begriff "invalid" soll durch einen nicht diskriminierenden Begriff ersetzt werden. Dies wird vom Bundesrat in zwei Motionen verlangt, die 2010 und 2016 eingereicht worden sind

Repenser la normalité

En 2010 et en 2016, deux motions ont demandé de remplacer le terme « invalide » par une tournure non-discriminatoire. Objectif : lutter contre les discriminations vécues par les personnes dites handicapées. Éclairage

Repenser la normalité

En 2010 et en 2016, deux motions ont demandé de remplacer le terme « invalide » par une tournure non discriminatoire. Objectif : lutter contre les discriminations vécues par les personnesdites handicapées. Eclairage

A Comparative Psychophysical and EEG Study of Different Feedback Modalities for HRI

This paper presents a comparison between six different ways to convey navigational information provided by a robot to a human. Visual, auditory, and tactile feedback modalities were selected and designed to suggest a direction of travel to a human user, who can then decide if he agrees or not with the robot's proposition. This work builds upon a previous research on a novel semi-autonomous navigation system in which the human supervises an autonomous system, providing corrective monitoring signals whenever necessary.We recorded both qualitative (user impressions based on selected criteria and ranking of their feelings) and quantitative (response time and accuracy) information regarding different types of feedback. In addition, a preliminary analysis of the influence of the different types of feedback on brain activity is also shown. The result of this study may provide guidelines for the design of such a human-robot interaction system, depending on both the task and the human user

The brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814) in the Saint-Pierre and Miquelon archipelago: a review

L’archipel français de saint-Pierre et Miquelon (sPM) est situé à l’est de l’amérique du nord. L’omble de fontaine Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814) est la principale espèce pêchée à la ligne dans les eaux douces de sPM. nous présentons ici une synthèse des études locales et des essais d’élevage réalisés sur ce poisson. nous avons retrouvé des dizaines de documents datant du début des années 1980 qui visaient à élucider sa biologie et son écologie. À cette époque, les premiers essais d’élevage ont été réalisés à Miquelon puis à saint-Pierre, généralement par des bénévoles, et principalement à des fins de repeuplement ou pour développer la pêche spor-tive. ainsi, grâce au travail de nombreux passionnés encadrés occasionnellement par des chercheurs extérieurs, des connaissances ont été acquises sur la biologie, l’écologie et l’élevage de l’omble de fontaine sur l’archipel. Enfin, quelques suggestions pour des travaux ultérieurs (par exemple, la diversité génétique, la connectivité et l’expression génétique) sont présentées. // The French archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (SPM) is located in eastern North America. Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814) is the key angling species in SPM’s freshwater. Here we provide a synthesis of local studies and rearing trials performed on this fish. Dozens of documents were found dating back from the beginning of the 1980s that aimed to elucidate its biology and ecology. At that time, the first farming trials were conducted in Miquelon and then in Saint-Pierre, generally by volunteers, and mainly for restocking purposes or to develop sport fishing. As a result, thanks to the work of many enthusiasts occasionally supervised by outside researchers, knowledge was acquired on the biology, ecology and farming of brook trout on the archipelago. Finally, some suggestions for further works (e.g. genetic diversity, connectivity and gene expression) are presented. -- Keywords : Angling ; Aquaculture ; Brook trout ; Ecotourism

Le Mas de Vignoles X (Nîmes, Gard) : un établissement de plein air du Néolithique ancien

National audienceSeveral emergency excavations recently brought to light an open air site, near Nîmes (South of France), which can be dated from the Early Neolithic. Called 'Mas de Vignole', this site consists on a well preserved soil, scattered with several categories of artefacts, and with stones and pebbles. The spatial analysis of all these objects makes it possible to propose the hypothetical restitution of at least about ten 'houses'. All artefacts, as well as radiocarbon datings, allot this village to the Early Epicardial, towards 5200-5000 BC cal.Plusieurs opérations d'archéologie préventive ont récemment permis la fouille d'un site de plein air du Néolithique ancien épicardial, sur la commune de Nîmes (Gard, France). Ce gisement du Mas de Vignole se caractérise par un sol d'habitat relativement bien conservé, parsemé de mobilier archéologique, de pierres et de galets. L'analyse spatiale de la dispersion de ces objets permet de proposer la restitution hypothétique d'un village d'au moins une dizaine de constructions. Tous les vestiges mobiliers ainsi que les datations radiocarbone attribuent cette occupation à l'Epicardial ancien, soit vers 5200-5000 avant notre ère

Investigation of crack propagation resistance of 304L, 316L and 316L(N) austenitic steels in liquid sodium

In order to assess the susceptibility of candidate structural materials to Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME), the fracture behavior of three grades of austenitic steels was investigated in oxygenated (200 wppm) liquid sodium in the temperature range [473–673 K] on notched axisymmetric tensile specimens. The tests were carried out in an inert glove box at very low concentrations of dioxygen and humidity (<1 ppm) to prevent further contamination after pre-exposure in oxygenated liquid sodium. A decrease in crack propagation resistance of the three austenitic steels (304 L, 316 L(N), 316 L) is observed in oxygenated liquid sodium (200 wppm) from 573, 623 and 673 K respectively after pre-wetting in oxygenated sodium. This reduction is correlated with a ductile to brittle change of the fracture surface. This effect observed with the three austenitic steels is attributed to the onset of LME after significant plastic deformation

Complex nature of apparently balanced chromosomal rearrangements in patients with autism spectrum disorder

Background: Apparently balanced chromosomal rearrangements can be associated with an abnormal phenotype, including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Genome-wide microarrays reveal cryptic genomic imbalances, related or not to the breakpoints, in 25% to 50% of patients with an abnormal phenotype carrying a microscopically balanced chromosomal rearrangement. Here we performed microarray analysis of 18 patients with ASD carrying balanced chromosomal abnormalities to identify submicroscopic imbalances implicated in abnormal neurodevelopment. Methods: Eighteen patients with ASD carrying apparently balanced chromosomal abnormalities were screened using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. Nine rearrangements were de novo, seven inherited, and two of unknown inheritance. Genomic imbalances were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative PCR. Results: We detected clinically significant de novo copy number variants in four patients (22%), including three with de novo rearrangements and one with an inherited abnormality. The sizes ranged from 3.3 to 4.9 Mb; three were related to the breakpoint regions and one occurred elsewhere. We report a patient with a duplication of the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome critical region, contributing to the delineation of this rare genomic disorder. The patient has a chromosome 4p inverted duplication deletion, with a 0.5 Mb deletion of terminal 4p and a 4.2 Mb duplication of 4p16.2p16.3. The other cases included an apparently balanced de novo translocation t(5;18)(q12;p11.2) with a 4.2 Mb deletion at the 18p breakpoint, a subject with de novo pericentric inversion inv(11)(p14q23.2) in whom the array revealed a de novo 4.9 Mb deletion in 7q21.3q22.1, and a patient with a maternal inv(2)(q14.2q37.3) with a de novo 3.3 Mb terminal 2q deletion and a 4.2 Mb duplication at the proximal breakpoint. In addition, we identified a rare de novo deletion of unknown significance on a chromosome unrelated to the initial rearrangement, disrupting a single gene, RFX3. Conclusions: These findings underscore the utility of SNP arrays for investigating apparently balanced chromosomal abnormalities in subjects with ASD or related neurodevelopmental disorders in both clinical and research settings

HSAF-induced antifungal effects in Candida albicans through ROS-mediated apoptosis

Heat-stable antifungal factor (HSAF) belongs to polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PTMs), which inhibits many fungal pathogens and is effective in inhibiting Candida albicans (C. albicans). In this study, we found that HSAF induced the apoptosis of C. albicans SC5314 through inducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, we validated the efficacy of HSAF against candidiasis caused by C. albicans in a murine model in vivo,and HSAF significantly improved survival and reduced fungal burden compared to vehicles. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was also investigated, revealing the theoretical binding mode of HSAF to the β-tubulin of C. albicans. This study first found PTMs-induced fungal apoptosis through ROS accumulation in C. albicans and its potential as a novel agent for fungicides