Prévalence et caractéristiques des effets indésirables des antihypertenseurs chez les patients suivis en ambulatoire au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo

PubMed Central

Millogo, Georges Rosario Christian; Zongo, Ragomzingba Frank Edgard; Benao, Anita; Youl, Estelle Noëla Hoho; Bassoleth, Blaise Alexandre Bazona; Ouédraogo, Moussa; Zabsonré, Patrice; Guissou, Innocent Pierre

2018-01-01

La prise en charge médicamenteuse de l'hypertension artérielle (HTA) entraine des effets indésirables qui peuvent être gênants et ainsi influencer l'observance du patient. Nous avons étudié ces effets indésirables dans le service de cardiologie du Centre hospitalier universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo afin de déterminer leurs fréquences et leurs caractéristiques. Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale de juillet à septembre 2015 chez les patients suivis en ambulatoire pour HTA. Les données ont été obtenues à partir de l'interrogatoire, des carnets de suivi des patients et des fiches de consultations. Au total 278 patients ont été inclus. La population d'étude incluait 69,1% de femmes. L'âge moyen était de 52,2 ans avec des extrêmes de 23 et 86 ans. Quatre vingt et sept virgule huit pourcent (87,8%) vivaient en milieu urbain. Le tabagisme, la dyslipidémie et les antécédents familiaux d'HTA représentaient respectivement 9%, 35,6% et 57,2%. Au plan thérapeutique, 43,2% étaient sous monothérapie, 35,6% sous bithérapie à l'initiation du traitement. Les inhibiteurs calciques (59,7%) étaient la classe thérapeutique la plus utilisée. La prévalence globale des effets indésirables était de 60,1%. Les inhibiteurs calciques étaient impliqués dans 53,6% suivis des diurétiques (48,6%) dans la survenue de l'effet indésirable. La prévalence spécifique par molécule était 28,1% pour l'amlodipine et 24,5% pour l'hydrochlorothiazide. La diurèse excessive (13,7%), la toux (12,9%) et les vertiges (11,5%) étaient les effets indésirables les plus fréquemment évoqués par les patients. Le système nerveux central et périphérique et le système ostéo-musculaire étaient les systèmes les plus atteints. Les effets indésirables sont un déterminant majeur de l'adhésion aux traitements antihypertenseur, car leur impact sur la vie quotidienne des patients peut s'avérer significatif. PMID:29875965

Observation de l'interaction entre atome et surface en cellule de vapeur submicrométrique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutier, G.; Saltiel, S.; Bloch, D.; Ducloy, M.; Papoyan, A.; Sarkisyan, D.

2002-06-01

Sur une cellule de vapeur d'épaisseur submicrométrique ( 300 nm), les spectres d'absorption linéaire se révèlent très peu sensibles à l'effet Doppler (les effets transitoires favorisent fortement les atomes lents), et font apparaître les effets de l'interaction van der Waals à longue portée entre atome-surface. L'étude, entreprise d'abord sur la raie de résonance D1 de Cs, est poursuivie sur une transition à deux photons vers le niveau Cs 6(D{3/2}) résonnant avec la surface de YAG de la fenêtre. Elle ouvre diverses perspectives, notamment la détection d'états liés par un puits de potentiel induit par la surface.

Human Benchmarking of Expert Systems. Literature Review

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

effetiveness of the development procedures used in order to predict whether the aplication of similar approaches will likely have effective and...they used in their learning and problem solving. We will describe these approaches later. Reasoning. Reasoning usually includes inference. Because to ... in the software engineering process. For example, existing approaches to software evaluation in the military are based on a model of conventional

Mesure Objective De L'attenuation et De L'effet D'occlusion Des Protecteurs Auditifs a Partir Des Potentiels Evoques Stationnaires et Multiples =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valentin, Olivier

Selon l'Organisation mondiale de la sante, le nombre de travailleurs exposes quotidiennement a des niveaux de bruit prejudiciables a leur audition est passe de 120 millions en 1995 a 250 millions en 2004. Meme si la reduction du bruit a la source devrait etre toujours privilegiee, la solution largement utilisee pour lutter contre le bruit au travail reste la protection auditive individuelle. Malheureusement, le port des protecteurs auditifs n'est pas toujours respecte par les travailleurs car il est difficile de fournir un protecteur auditif dont le niveau d'attenuation effective est approprie a l'environnement de travail d'un individu. D'autre part, l'occlusion du canal auditif induit une modification de la perception de la parole, ce qui cree un inconfort incitant les travailleurs a retirer leurs protecteurs. Ces deux problemes existent parce que les methodes actuelles de mesure de l'effet d'occlusion et de l'attenuation sont limitees. Les mesures objectives basees sur des mesures microphoniques intra-auriculaires ne tiennent pas compte de la transmission directe du son a la cochlee par conduction osseuse. Les mesures subjectives au seuil de l'audition sont biaisees a cause de l'effet de masquage aux basses frequences induit par le bruit physiologique. L'objectif principal de ce travail de these de doctorat est d'ameliorer la mesure de l'attenuation et de l'effet d'occlusion des protecteurs auditifs intra-auriculaires. L'approche generale consiste a : (i) verifier s'il est possible de mesurer l'attenuation des protecteurs auditifs grâce au recueil des potentiels evoques stationnaires et multiples (PEASM) avec et sans protecteur auditif (protocole 1), (ii) adapter cette methodologie pour mesurer l'effet d'occlusion induit par le port de protecteur auditifs intra-auriculaires (protocole 2), et (iii) valider chaque protocole par l'intermediaire de mesures realisees sur sujets humains. Les resultats du protocole 1 demontrent que les PEASM peuvent etre utilises pour mesurer objectivement l'attenuation des protecteurs auditifs : les resultats obtenus a 500 Hz et 1 kHz demontrent que l'attenuation mesuree a partir des PEASM est relativement equivalente a l'attenuation calculee par la methode REAT, ce qui est en accord avec ce qui etait attendu puisque l'effet de masquage induit par le bruit physiologique aux basses frequences est relativement negligeable a ces frequences. Les resultats du protocole 2 demontrent que les PEASM peuvent etre egalement utilises pour mesurer objectivement l'effet d'occlusion induit par le port de protecteurs auditifs : l'effet d'occlusion mesure a partir des PEASM a 500 Hz est plus eleve que celui calcule par l'intermediaire de la methode subjective au seuil de l'audition, ce qui est en accord avec ce qui etait attendu puisqu'en dessous d'1 kHz, l'effet de masquage induit par le bruit physiologique aux basses frequences est source de biais pour les resultats obtenus par la methode subjective car il y a surestimation des seuils de l'audition en basse frequence lors du port de protecteurs auditifs. Toutefois, les resultats obtenus a 250 Hz sont en contradiction avec les resultats attendus. D'un point de vue scientifique, ce travail de these a permis de realiser deux nouvelles methodes innovantes pour mesurer objectivement l'attenuation et l'effet d'occlusion des protecteurs auditifs intra-auriculaires par electroencephalographie. D'un point de vue sante et securite au travail, les avancees presentees dans cette these pourraient aider a concevoir des protecteurs auditifs plus performants. En effet, si ces deux nouvelles methodes objectives etaient normalisees pour caracteriser les protecteurs auditifs intra-auriculaires, elles pourraient permettre : (i) de mieux apprehender l'efficacite reelle de la protection auditive et (ii) de fournir une mesure de l'inconfort induit par l'occlusion du canal auditif lors du port de protecteurs. Fournir un protecteur auditif dont l'efficacite reelle est adaptee a l'environnement de travail et dont le confort est optimise permettrait, sur le long terme, d'ameliorer les conditions des travailleurs en minimisant le risque lie a la degradation de leur appareil auditif. Les perspectives de travail proposees a la fin de cette these consistent principalement a : (i) exploiter ces deux methodes avec une gamme frequentielle plus etendue, (ii) explorer la variabilite intra-individuelle de chacune des methodes, (iii) comparer les resultats des deux methodes avec ceux obtenus par l'intermediaire de la methode "Microphone in Real Ear" (MIRE) et (iv) verifier la compatibilite de chacune des methodes avec tous les types de protecteurs auditifs. De plus, pour la methode de mesure de l'effet d'occlusion utilisant les PEASM, une etude complementaire est necessaire pour lever la contradiction observee a 250 Hz.

Biological Effects of Ionising Radiation and Countermeasures (Les effets biologiques des rayonnements ionisants et leurs contre-mesures)

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-01-01

promote cooperative research and information exchange, and secondly an in-house delivery business model where S&T activities are conducted in a NATO...Panel These Panels and Group are the power-house of the collaborative model and are made up of national representatives as well as recognised world...of Radiation Injury and Recovery 1-31 1.3.3.2 Mini-Pig Model of Acute Radiation Syndrome ( ARS ) 1-31 1.3.3.3 Medical Countermeasures (MedCM) 1-32

Boundary Layer Simulation and Control in Wind Tunnels

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

de l’art dans le domaine de la simulation de la couche limite, ou le nombre de Reynolds n’est pas ou ne peut pas etre simule, examine les effets ...pour la definition de certains essais en soufflerie oil les effets visqueux sont d’une importance particuliere. CONTENTS Page PREFACE iii 1...transition associated with cylindrical bodies at high incidence in subsonic flow. Other relevant references are given therein. Figures 11 a-b, from Ref

Effets Seebeck et Nernst dans les cuprates: Etude de la reconstruction de la surface de Fermi sous champ magnetique intense

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laliberte, Francis

2010-06-01

Ce memoire presente des mesures de transport thermoelectrique, les effets Seebeck et Nernst, dans une serie d'echantillons de supraconducteurs a haute temperature critique. Des resultats obtenus recemment au Laboratoire National des Champs Magnetiques Intenses a Grenoble sur La1.7Eu0.2Sr0.1 CuO4, La1.675Eu0.2Sr0.125CuO 4, La1.64Eu0.2Sr0.16CuO4, La1.74Eu0.1Sr0.16CuO4 et La 1.4Nd0.4Sr0.2CuO4 sont analyses. Une attention particuliere est accordee aux equations de la theorie semi-classique du transport et leur validite est verifiee. La procedure experimentale et les materiaux utilises pour concevoir les montages de mesures sont expliques en detail. Enfin, un chapitre est dedie a l'explication et l'interpretation des resultats de transport thermoelectrique sur YBa2Cu3O6+delta publies au cours de l'hiver 2010 dans les revues Nature et Physical Review Letters. Les donnees d'effet Seebeck dans les echantillons de La 1.8-x,Eu0.2SrxCuO 4, ou un changement de signe est observe, permettent de conclure a la presence d'une poche d'electrons dans la surface de Fermi qui domine le transport a basse temperature dans la region sous-dopee du diagramme de phase. Cette conclusion est similaire a celle obtenue par des mesures d'effet Hall dans YBa 2Cu3O6+delta et elle cadre bien dans un scenario de reconstruction de la surface de Fermi. Les donnees d'effet Nernst recueillies indiquent que la contribution des fluctuations supraconductrices est limitee a un modeste intervalle de temperature au-dessus de la temperature critique.

L'effet Hall Quantique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samson, Thomas

Nous proposons une methode permettant d'obtenir une expression pour la conductivite de Hall de structures electroniques bidimensionnelles et nous examinons celle -ci a la limite d'une temperature nulle dans le but de verifier l'effet Hall quantique. Nous allons nous interesser essentiellement a l'effet Hall quantique entier et aux effets fractionnaires inferieurs a un. Le systeme considere est forme d'un gaz d'electrons en interaction faible avec les impuretes de l'echantillon. Le modele du gaz d'electrons consiste en un gaz bidimensionnel d'electrons sans spin expose perpendiculairement a un champ magnetique uniforme. Ce dernier est decrit par le potentiel vecteur vec{rm A} defini dans la jauge de Dingle ou jauge symetrique. Conformement au formalisme de la seconde quantification, l'hamiltonien de ce gaz est represente dans la base des etats a un-corps de Dingle |n,m> et exprime ainsi en terme des operateurs de creation et d'annihilation correspondants a_sp{ rm n m}{dag} et a _{rm n m}. Nous supposons de plus que les electrons du niveau fondamental de Dingle interagissent entre eux via le potentiel coulombien. La methode utilisee fait appel a une equation mai tresse a N-corps, de nature quantique et statistique, et verifiant le second principe de la thermodynamique. A partir de celle-ci, nous obtenons un systeme d'equations differentielles appele hierarchie d'equations quantique dont la resolution nous permet de determiner une equation a un-corps, dite de Boltzmann quantique, et dictant l'evolution de la moyenne statistique de l'operateur non-diagonal a _sp{rm n m}{dag } a_{rm n}, _{rm m}, sous l'action du champ electrique applique vec{rm E}(t). C'est sa solution Tr(p(t) a _sp{rm n m}{dag} a_{rm n},_ {rm m}), qui definit la relation de convolution entre la densite courant de Hall vec{rm J}_{rm H }(t) et le champ electrique vec {rm E}(t) dont la transformee de Laplace-Fourier du noyau nous fournit l'expression de la conductivite de Hall desiree. Pour une valeur de facteur d'occupation (nombre d'electrons/degenerescence des etats de Dingle) superieure a un, c'est-a-dire en absence d'interaction electron-electron, il nous sera facile d'evaluer cette conductivite a la limite d'une temperature nulle et de demontrer qu'elle tend vers l'une des valeurs quantiques qe^2/h conformement a l'effet Hall quantique entier. Cependant, pour une valeur du facteur d'occupation inferieure a un, c'est-a-dire en presence d'interaction electron-electron, nous ne pourrons evaluer cette limite et obtenir les resultats escomptes a cause de l'impossibilite de determiner l'un des termes impliques. Neanmoins, ce dernier etant de nature statistique, il pourra etre aisement mis en fonction du propagateur du gaz d'electrons dont on doit maintenant determiner une expression en regime effet Hall quantique fractionnaire. Apres avoir demontre l'impuissance de la theorie des perturbations, basee sur le theoreme de Wick et la technique des diagrammes de Feynman, a accomplir cette tache correctement, nous proposons une seconde methode. Celle -ci fait appel au formalisme de l'integrale fonctionnelle et a l'utilisation d'une transformation de Hubbard-Stratonovich generalisee permettant de substituer a l'interaction a deux-corps une interaction effective a un-corps. L'expression finale obtenue bien que non completement resolue, devrait pouvoir etre estimee par une bonne approximation analytique ou au pire numeriquement.

Gravitational lensing in observational cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nottale, L.

This paper reviews some previous theoretical and observational results concerning the various effects of gravitational lensing, and also presents still unpublished results in this field. The theoretical section deals with the Optical Scalar Equation (OSE) approach. We recall the form of these equations, which relate the deformations of the cross sectional area of a light beam to the material and energetic distribution it encounters, via the two basic contributions to lensing, the matter or Ricci term and the shear term. The introduction of a new distance, the optical distance, allows to write the OSE in a simplified way from which new solutions are easily derived. We demonstrate here that a general form may be obtained for the amplification formula in the exact relativistic treatment, provided the Universe is assumed to be Friedmannian in the mean. New results are also presented concerning the probability distribution of amplifications, the relation from matter term to shear terms (the first ones give the mean of the second ones) and the problem of energy conservation. We recall how our method let to an analytical formula yielding the amplification by any number of lenses placed anywhere along the line of sight and present new general solutions for lensing by large scale density inhomogeneities. The gravitational redshift effects are also considered, either due to the crossing by photons of inhomogeneities, or intrinsic to them ; generalized solutions to the last problem are given. Some observational evidence concerning various lensing effects, either statistical or applying to individual sources, are considered. We first recall how the dependence of the amplification formula on the various physical parameters points towards the optimisation of lensing by very rich clusters of galaxies lying at redshifts around 0.7, which may give rise to very large amplifications for reasonable values of the density parameter. Recent results concerning a statistical effect of amplification of Brightest Cluster Galaxies by foreground clusters are analysed, including the discussion of a selection effect precisely due to gravitational luminosity amplification. It results in an artificial increase of the deceleration parameter of the Universe measured from the Hubble diagram of these objects. We recall our proposal that the sample of distant 3C radiogalaxies of redshift > 1 is strongly perturbed by lensing effects, mostly by foreground clusters of galaxies (i.e. only the luminosity is changed without image multiplication), but also for some objects by galaxies, producing gravitational mirages. The case of 3C324, for which definite evidence for multiple imaging has been recently obtained, is described, including detailed modelling of the lensing configuration. We present a highly significant statistical effect of lensing on absorption line QSOs due to matter lying at the absorption redshifts. Microlensing is also considered, and we recall our recent proposal that the variability of some among the OVV QSOs turning to BL Lac at maximum brightness, like the eruptive object 0846 +51W1, is a consequence of microlensing by stars or compact objects constituting foreground galaxy halos. Finally, discrepant redshift associations are considered. We recall how the case of anomalous quintets of galaxies have been explained by the gravitational lensing effects of quartets halos on background galaxies. Then we present evidence that the Arp QSO-galaxy associations may be the result of the combined lensing effects of several superposed galaxies, groups and clusters. Cet article présente une revue de certains résultats théoriques et observationnels concernant les divers effets de lentille gravitationnelle, complétée par des résultats nouveaux non encore publiés. Dans la partie théorique, nous considérons essentiellement l'approche relativiste employant les équations scalaires optiques. La forme de ces équations est rappelée : elles relient les diverses déformations subies par la section d'un faisceau lumineux au cours de sa propagation, à la distribution matérielle et énergétique qu'il rencontre sur son trajet entre la source et l'observateur. Les deux contributions aux effets d'optique apparaissant dans ces équations (et leurs solutions) sont les termes de matière et les termes de cisaillement. Nous montrons comment une nouvelle distance peut être introduite, la distance optique, en fonction de laquelle les équations se simplifient et de nouvelles solutions analytiques peuvent être établies. En particulier, nous démontrons que la formule d'amplification gravitationnelle peut s'écrire sous une forme très générale sous la simple hypothèse que l'Univers est en moyenne de type Friedmann-Robertson-Walker. De nouveaux résultats sont aussi présentés concernant la distribution de probabilité des amplifications, les rapports entre termes de matière et termes de cisaillement (les premiers donnant la moyenne des seconds), et le problème de la conservation de l'énergie. Nous rappelons comment une formule analytique peut être obtenue pour des amplifications multiples et présentons des solutions nouvelles au problème de l'amplification par des hétérogénéités à très grande échelle. Enfin, les effets de décalages spectraux gravitationnels sont aussi considérés, qu'ils soient dus à des effets de traversée d'excès de densité, ou intrinsèques à ceux-ci ; dans ce dernier cas, une généralisation de solutions déjà connues est proposée. On considère ensuite le problème de la mise en évidence observationnelle des divers effets d'optique gravitationnelle, qu'ils soient de nature statistique ou qu'ils concernent des objets individuels. A la suite d'une analyse décrivant la dépendance de la formule d'amplification en fonction des différents paramètres y intervenant, nous insistons tout particulièrement sur le rôle cosmologique que jouent probablement les amas de galaxies très riches de décalages spectraux autour de 0,7 qui peuvent donner lieu à des amplifications quasi-infinies. La mise en évidence récente d'un effet statistique d'amplification par des amas d'avant-plan sur les galaxies les plus brillantes des amas est rappelée, ainsi que celle d'un important effet de sélection observationnel, précisément dû aux amplifications, qui augmente artificiellement la valeur de q0 mesurée à partir du diagramme de Hubble. L'extrapolation de cet effet à des objets plus lointains nous a conduit à proposer que les radiogalaxies lointaines du catalogue 3C de z < 1 étaient fortement affectées par les effets de lentille gravitationnelle, essentiellement par les amas (qui les amplifient la plupart du temps sans multiplication d'image), mais aussi dans certains cas par des galaxies qui peuvent alors provoquer des effets de mirage. Le cas de 3C324, pour lequel des preuves observationelles de multiplication d'image ont été récemment obtenues, est analysé en particulier ; un modèle détaillé en est présenté. Un autre effet statistique récemment démontré concerne les quasars à raies d'absorption, dont la luminosité est fortement corrélée à l'amplification prédite par de la matière située aux décalages spectraux d'absorption. On considère également les effets de microlentille : nous rappelons notre proposition récente que la variabilité de certains OVVs tels que le BL Lac éruptif 0846 + 51W1 est une conséquence du passage d'étoiles ou d'objets compacts du halo de galaxies intervenantes devant les régions centrales d'un quasar. Le lien entre effets d'optique gravitationnelle et associations de décalages spectraux discordants est évoqué. Le cas des quintets de galaxies discordant a été récemment expliqué par les effets (amplification, agrandissement, changement de densité superficielle d'objets lointains) des halos de groupes compacts de galaxies. Nous démontrons pour finir que les associations QSOsgalaxies de Arp peuvent s'expliquer par les effets de lentille gravitationnelle combinés de plusieurs galaxies, groupes et amas vus en superposition.

A Survey of Serious Aircraft Accidents Involving Fatigue Fracture. Volume 2. Rotary-Wing Aircraft (Etude sur des Accidents Importants d’Avions du aux Effets des Fractures de Fatigue. Volume 2. Effets sur des Helicopteres).

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-04-01

Convention on International Civil Aviation, Second Edition , March 1966. 5. WORLD AIRLINE ACCIDENT SUMMARY. Civil Aviation Authority, (Great Britain...people who either provided information, or who suggested other sources of information for the current edition of this survey. E.M.R. Alexander Civil...Waverley, New Zealand. F-28C Tail rotor drive shaft. Fatigue strength reduc- ed by softened condition & surface decarbur- isation. AISA 4130 steel. Ref: NZ

Inhomogeneous magnesium hydride synthesized by low temperature ion implantation: weak localization effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nédellec, P.; Dumoulin, L.; Burger, J. P.; Bernas, H.; Köstler, H.; Traverse, A.

1993-11-01

Metastable MgHx hydride was prepared by H ion implantation into Mg films at 5 K. The resistivity and magnetoresistance temperature dependence reveal weak localization effects due to atomic disorder. At low hydrogen concentrations, x le 0.3, the conductivity varies as σ sim log(T), typical of two-dimensional weak localization behaviour. The resistivity is also very sensitive to the sample inhomogeneity, due to H diffusion, which can be modelled by introducing a temperature-dependent geometrical percolating factor G. At higher H concentrations, 0.7 le x le 3, after annealing at 20 K, 50 K and 110 K, the samples also exhibit weak localization but with three-dimensional behaviour i.e. a σ sim sqrt{T}. Our analysis is consistent with the existence of an inhomogeneous system formed by a mixture of two phases with contrasted conduction properties, one of which is a well-behaved metal, while the other displays the localization properties. The results lead us to identify the former phase to a non percolating superconducting phase at low temperature. Des films d'hydrure MgHx sont préparés, hors de l'équilibre thermodynamique, par implantation d'ions H dans des films de Mg maintenus à 5 K. La mesure de la résistance et de la magnétorésistance en fonction de la température met en évidence des effets importants de localisation électronique due au désordre atomique. Pour les faibles concentrations d'hydrogène, x le 0,3, la conductivité varie comme σ sim log(T), variation caractéristique d'un comportement dominé par les effets de localisation électronique faible à 2 dimensions. La résistivité est très sensible aux effets d'inhomogénéité, liés à la diffusion de H. Nous avons modélisé ces effets en introduisant un coefficient géométrique variant avec la température. Pour les concentrations plus élevées (0, 7 le x le 3), après un recuit à 20 K, 50 K et 110 K, les films montrent également des effets de localisation mais la conductivité varie maintenant comme σ sim sqrt{T}, caractéristique d'un comportement tridimensionnel. L'analyse des résultats est compatible avec l'hypothèse d'un système inhomogène formé du mélange de deux phases avec des propriétés électriques contrastées : un “mauvais métal" et un “bon métal" qui, à basse température, pourrait présenter un état supraconducteur non percolant.

Motion Cues in Flight Simulation and Simulator Induced Sickness

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-06-01

asseusod in a driving simulator by means of a response surface methodology central-composite design . The most salient finding of the study was that visual...across treatment conditions. For an orthogonal response surface methodology (IBM) design with only tro independent variables. it can be readily shown that...J.E.Fowikes 8 SESSION III - ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS IN SIMULATOR-INDUCED AFTER EFFETS THE USE OF VE& IIBULAR MODELS FOR DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF FLIGHT

Quel effet de l’euro sur le commerce europeen des produits forestiers? Académie d’Agriculture de France, Notes Académiques

Treesearch

Joseph Buongiorno

2015-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the monetary union on the trade of forest products between euro-using countries. A differential gravity model of bilateral trade flows was developed and estimated with data for the bilateral trade between 12 euro countries from 1988 to 2013, for commodity groups HS44 (wood and articles of wood), HS47 (pulp of...

Assessment of the effect of No Stay, Bent Stay or Straight Stay when the Clothe the Soldier Rucksack is Worn with the Fragmentation Vest

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-02-01

effets de différents renforts de sac à dos (renforts droits, renforts courbés et aucun renfort) sur la...supérieures au seuil de tolérance de la peau et des muscles sous-jacents, et elles pourraient causer des lésions sur la peau et des ecchymoses. Assessment...présente évaluation portait sur cette pratique et visait à déterminer les effets de différents renforts de sac à dos (renforts droits, renforts courbés

A Survey of Serious Aircraft Accidents Involving Fatigue Fracture. Volume 1. Fixed-Wing Aircraft (Etude sur des Accidents Importants d’Avions du aux Effets des Fractures de Fatigue. Volume 1. Effets sur des Avions).

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-04-01

Bureau of Standards. NTS3 National Transportation Safety Board (USA). NTSB AAR NTSB Aircraft Accident Report. NZ AAR New Zealand Aircraft Accident Report...NZ AI New Zealand Accident Investigation Bureau. 0 -5- RAN Royal Australian Navy RAAI Royal Australian Air Force RAF Royal Air Force, UK S Substantial...Ice land Iraq Ireland Jamaica (1966 -1981) Japan (1973 - Feb. 81) Kenya Lethoso Malaysia Ma law i Mal ta Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway

Evaluation d'impact sur la santé et évaluation d'impact sur l'équité en santé : éventail de pratiques et questions de recherche.

PubMed

Villeval, Mélanie; Bidault, Elsa; Lang, Thierry

2016-09-01

L'Evaluation d'Impact sur la Santé (EIS) se développe au niveau international et est encore au stade émergent en France. Elle vise à évaluer les effets positifs et négatifs potentiels d'un projet, d'un programme ou d'une politique sur la santé. L'objectif est de produire des recommandations en direction des décideurs, afin d'en maximiser les effets positifs et d'en diminuer les effets négatifs. L'EIS est un moyen particulièrement intéressant d'action sur les déterminants de la santé au-delà des comportements individuels et du système de santé. Les politiques de logement, de transport, de solidarité, économiques, etc. ont, en effet, des impacts souvent non prévus sur la santé. Au-delà des effets sur la santé, l'EIS doit aussi permettre d'apprécier la distribution de ces effets dans la population.Si la préoccupation pour l'équité en santé est centrale dans l'EIS, elle reste cependant difficilement traduite en pratique. Face à cette difficulté, des démarches d'évaluation d'impact ont été développées pour renforcer la prise en compte de l'équité à chaque étape de l'EIS ou « Equity Focused Health Impact Assessment », ou prendre en compte les impacts sur les inégalités de santé de façon spécifique. Ainsi, l'Evaluation de l'Impact sur l'Equité en Santé (EIES) semble, par exemple, particulièrement intéressante pour évaluer l'impact sur les inégalités de projets dans le champ sanitaire.L'EIS et l'EIES posent de nombreuses questions de recherche, notamment autour de la réunion, dans une même démarche, du politique, du citoyen et de l'expert. La participation des populations vulnérables potentiellement affectées par la politique évaluée est une valeur centrale de l'EIS, mais pose des questions d'acceptabilité sociale. La collaboration avec les décideurs politiques est également un enjeu majeur. Les difficultés méthodologiques, notamment de quantification des impacts, peuvent constituer des freins à la promotion de la démarche auprès des décideurs. © The Author(s) 2015.

Nouvelles approches en theorie du champ moyen dynamique: le cas du pouvoir thermoelectrique et celui de l'effet orbital d'un champ magnetique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arsenault, Louis-Francois

Les applications reliees a la generation d'energie motivent la recherche de materiaux ayant un fort pouvoir thermoelectrique (S). De plus, S nous renseigne sur certaines proprietes fondamentales des materiaux, comme, par exemple, la transition entre l'etat coherent et incoherent des quasi-particules lorsque la temperature augmente. Empiriquement, la presence de fortes interactions electron-electron peut mener a un pouvoir thermoelectrique geant. Nous avons donc etudie le modele le plus simple qui tient compte de ces fortes interactions, le modele de Hubbard. La theorie du champ moyen dynamique (DMFT) est tout indiquee dans ce cas. Nous nous sommes concentres sur un systeme tridimensionnel (3d) cubique a face centree (fcc), et ce, pour plusieurs raisons. A) Ce type de cristal est tres commun dans la nature. B) La DMFT donne de tres bons resultats en 3d et donc ce choix sert aussi de preuve de principe de la methode. C) Finalement, a cause de la frustration electronique intrinseque au fcc, celui-ci ne presente pas de symetrie particule-trou, ce qui est tres favorable a l'apparition d'une grande valeur de S. Ce travail demontre que lorsque le materiau est un isolant a demi-remplissage a cause des fortes interactions (isolant de Mott), il est possible d'obtenir de grands pouvoirs thermoelectriques en le dopant legerement. C'est un resultat pratique important. Du point de vue methodologique, nous avons montre comment la limite de frequence infinie de S et l'approche dite de Kelvin, qui considere la limite de frequence nulle avant la limite thermodynamique pour S, donnent des estimations fiables de la vraie limite continue (DC) dans les domaines de temperature appropriee. Ces deux approches facilitent grandement les calculs en court-circuit ant la necessite de recourir a de problematiques prolongements analytiques. Nous avons trouve que la methode de calcul a frequence infinie fonctionne bien lorsque les echelles d'energie sont relativement faibles. En d'autres termes, cette approche donne une bonne representation de S lorsque le systeme devient coherent. Les calculs montrent aussi que la formule Kelvin est precise lorsque la fonction spectrale des electrons devient incoherente, soit a plus haute temperature. Dans la limite Kelvin, S est essentiellement l'entropie par particule, tel que propose il y a longtemps. Nos resultats demontrent ainsi que la vision purement entropique de S est la bonne dans le regime incoherent, alors que dans le regime coherent, l'approche a frequence infinie est meilleure. Nous avons utilise une methode a la fine pointe, soit le Monte-Carlo quantique en temps continu pour resoudre la DMFT. Pour permettre une exploration rapide du diagramme de phase, nous avons du developper une nouvelle version de la methode des perturbations iterees pour qu'elle soit applicable aussi a forte interaction au-dela de la valeur critique de la transition de Mott. Un autre sujet a aussi ete aborde. L'effet orbital du champ magnetique dans les systemes electroniques fortement correles est une question tres importante et peu developpee. Cela est d'autant plus essentiel depuis la decouverte des oscillations quantiques dans les supraconducteurs a haute temperature (haut- Tc). Par desir de developper une methode la moins biaisee possible, nous avons derive la DMFT lorsqu'un champ se couplant a l'operateur energie cinetique par la substitution de Peierls est present. Ce type d'approche est necessaire pour comprendre entre autres l'effet de la physique de Mott sur des phenomenes tels que les oscillations quantiques. Nous avons obtenu un resultat tres important en demontrant rigoureusement que la relation d'auto-coherence de la DMFT et le systeme intermediaire d'impurete quantique restent les memes. L'effet du champ peut etre contenu dans la fonction de Green locale, ce qui constitue la grande difference avec le cas habituel. Ceci permet de continuer a utiliser les solutionneurs d'impuretes standards, qui sont de plus en plus puissants. Nous avons aussi developpe la methode pour le cas d'un empilement de plans bidimensionnels selon z, ce qui permet d'etudier l'effet orbital du champ dans des nanostructures et meme dans les materiaux massifs, si le nombre de plans est suffisant pour obtenir la limite tridimensionnelle. Mots cles : Pouvoir thermoelectrique, Theorie du Champ Moyen Dynamique, Modele de Hubbard, Effet orbital du champ magnetique, Electrons fortement correles, Materiaux quantiques, Theorie des perturbations iterees

Les effets bénéfiques de l'accompagnement du patient cancéreux: particularités du Maroc

PubMed Central

Lkhoyaali, Sihame; Aitelhaj, Meryem; Errihani, Hassan

2014-01-01

Au Maroc la majorité des patients âgés cancéreux sont pris en charge par leurs proches l'accompagnement des patients est à l'origine de conséquences émotionnelles psychiques et financières négatives mais en contrepartie il est à l'origine de plusieurs effets bénéfiques à savoir un resserrement des liens familiaux, une surestime du soi et il est la source d'un bien-être affectif et spirituel qui permet de faire face à la maladie. PMID:25722766

Development of a Dynamic Biomechanical Model for Load Carriage: Phase 4, Parts A and B: Development of a Dynamic Biomechanical Model Version 2 of Human Load Carriage

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-08-01

de charge et de comprendre les effets des caractéristiques de conception de systèmes de transport de charge sur la santé et la mobilité humaines...supérieur et le torse inférieur et la force totale de contact. Les travaux sont en cours en vue de l’intégration d’une couche de peau , ce qui...permettrait d’examiner en détail l’interaction au niveau de l’interface équipement- peau . Le but consiste à évaluer les risques de

Le niobate de lithium a haute temperature pour les applications ultrasons =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Castilla, Hector

L'objectif de ce travail de maitrise en sciences appliquees est de trouver puis etudier un materiau piezoelectrique qui est potentiellement utilisable dans les transducteurs ultrasons a haute temperature. En effet, ces derniers sont actuellement limites a des temperatures de fonctionnement en dessous de 300°C a cause de l'element piezoelectrique qui les compose. Palier a cette limitation permettrait des controles non destructifs par ultrasons a haute temperature. Avec de bonnes proprietes electromecaniques et une temperature de Curie elevee (1200°C), le niobate de lithium (LiNbO 3) est un bon candidat. Mais certaines etudes affirment que des processus chimiques tels que l'apparition de conductivite ionique ou l'emergence d'une nouvelle phase ne permettent pas son utilisation dans les transducteurs ultrasons au-dessus de 600°C. Cependant, d'autres etudes plus recentes ont montre qu'il pouvait generer des ultrasons jusqu'a 1000°C et qu'aucune conductivite n'etait visible. Une hypothese a donc emerge : une conductivite ionique est presente dans le niobate de lithium a haute temperature (>500°C) mais elle n'affecte que faiblement ses proprietes a hautes frequences (>100 kHz). Une caracterisation du niobate de lithium a haute temperature est donc necessaire afin de verifier cette hypothese. Pour cela, la methode par resonance a ete employee. Elle permet une caracterisation de la plupart des coefficients electromecaniques avec une simple spectroscopie d'impedance electrochimique et un modele reliant de facon explicite les proprietes au spectre d'impedance. Il s'agit de trouver les coefficients du modele permettant de superposer au mieux le modele avec les mesures experimentales. Un banc experimental a ete realise permettant de controler la temperature des echantillons et de mesurer leur impedance electrochimique. Malheureusement, les modeles actuellement utilises pour la methode par resonance sont imprecis en presence de couplages entre les modes de vibration. Cela implique de posseder plusieurs echantillons de differentes formes afin d'isoler chaque mode principal de vibration. De plus, ces modeles ne prennent pas bien en compte les harmoniques et modes en cisaillement. C'est pourquoi un nouveau modele analytique couvrant tout le spectre frequentiel a ete developpe afin de predire les resonances en cisaillement, les harmoniques et les couplages entre les modes. Neanmoins, certains modes de resonances et certains couplages ne sont toujours pas modelises. La caracterisation d'echantillons carres a pu etre menee jusqu'a 750°C. Les resultats confirment le caractere prometteur du niobate de lithium. Les coefficients piezoelectriques sont stables en fonction de la temperature et l'elasticite et la permittivite ont le comportement attendu. Un effet thermoelectrique ayant un effet similaire a de la conductivite ionique a ete observe ce qui ne permet pas de quantifier l'impact de ce dernier. Bien que des etudes complementaires soient necessaires, l'intensite des resonances a 750°C semble indiquer que le niobate de lithium peut etre utilise pour des applications ultrasons a hautes frequences (>100 kHz).

Comparaison des effets des irradiations γ, X et UV dans les fibres optiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girard, S.; Ouerdane, Y.; Baggio, J.; Boukenter, A.; Meunier, J.-P.; Leray, J.-L.

2005-06-01

Les fibres optiques présentent de nombreux avantages incitant à les intégrer dans des applications devant résister aux environnements radiatifs associés aux domaines civil, spatial ou militaire. Cependant, leur exposition à un rayonnement entraîne la création de défauts ponctuels dans la silice amorphe pure ou dopée qui constitue les différentes parties de la fibre optique. Ces défauts causent, en particulier, une augmentation transitoire de l'atténuation linéique des fibres optiques responsable de la dégradation voire de la perte du signal propagé dans celles-ci. Dans cet article, nous comparons les effets de deux types d'irradiation: une impulsion X et une dose γ cumulée. Les effets de ces irradiations sont ensuite comparés avec ceux induits par une insolation ultraviolette (244 nm) sur les propriétés d'absorption des fibres optiques. Nous montrons qu'il existe des similitudes entre ces différentes excitations et qu'il est possible, sous certaines conditions, d'utiliser celles-ci afin d'évaluer la capacité de certaines fibres optiques à fonctionner dans un environnement nucléaire donné.

Antisuperconductors: Properties of Layered Compounds with Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carton, J.-P.; Lammert, P. E.; Prost, J.

1995-11-01

In this note, we consider properties of a hypothetical superconductor composed of Josephson-coupled microscopic layers with tunneling energy minimized at a phase difference of π. The non-zero phase offset in the ground state engenders an intriguing interplay between the superconductive ordering and structural lattice defects. Unusual magnetic properties are expected in the case of highly disordered crystals, which are consistent with observations of a “paramagnetic Meissner” or “Wohlleben” effect in high-T_c cuprate superconductors. Dans cette note, nous considérons les propriétés d'un supraconducteur hypothétique composé de couches microscopiques, couplées par effet Josephson, mais dont l'énergie de couplage est minimisée pour une différence de phase de π. L'état de base a des propriétés fascinantes dues à l'effet combiné de l'ordre supraconducteur et des défauts structuraux du cristal. Dans le cas de cristaux très désordonnés, on attend des propriétés magnétiques exceptionnelles, qui sont compatibles avec les observations dans quelques supraconducteurs cuprate haute-T_c d'un effet “Meissner paramagnétique” ou “Wohlleben”.

Etude par resistivite electrique du comportement d'un alliage amorphe Fe 40Ni 38Mo 4B 18 deforme par traction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoang, Long Phan; Sacovy, Paulette; Delaplace, Jean

1983-02-01

Des rubans d'alliages amorphes Metglas du type Fe 40Ni 38Mo 4B 18 à l'état brut de trempe ont été déformés par traction à la température ambiante et l'on a suivi les variations de la résistance électrique des échantillons au cours de la déformation. Il ressort de ces essais que la déformation plastique qui est de l'ordre de 0.5% avant rupture ne se produit pas de faĉon homogène dans l'échantillon. Les mesures électriques effectuées au cours de la déformation mettent en évidence dans le domaine élastique un effet d'élastorésistance, relativement important ( K ≠ 1); elles montrent que dans le domaine plastique la déformation permanente des échantillons s'accompagne d'une diminution de la résistivité électrique du matériau. Deux hypothèses sont discutées pour expliquer cet effet inattendu, l'un qui fait appel à l'existence de volumes libres, l'autre qui suppose une cristallisation localisée du matériau sous l'effet de la contrainte.

Developpement d'outils quantitatifs pour le suivi par imagerie TEP/TDM de la reponse a la chimiotherapie et de sa toxicite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croteau, Etienne

L'objectif de ce projet de doctorat est de developper des outils quantitatifs pour le suivi des traitements de chimiotherapie pour le cancer du sein et de leurs effets cardiotoxiques a l'aide de l'imagerie TEP dynamique. L'analyse cinetique en TEP dynamique permet l'evaluation de parametres biologiques in vivo. Cette analyse peut etre utilise pour caracteriser la reponse tumorale a la chimiotherapie et les effets secondaires nefastes qui peuvent en resulter. Le premier article de cette these decrit la mise au point des techniques d'analyse cinetique qui utilisent la fonction d'entree d'un radiotraceur derive de l'image dynamique. Des corrections de contamination radioactive externe (epanchement) et de l'effet de volume partiel ont ete necessaires pour standardiser l'analyse cinetique et la rendre quantitative. Le deuxieme article porte sur l'evaluation d'un nouveau radiotraceur myocardique. Le 11C-acetoacetate, un nouveau radiotraceur base sur un corps cetonique, a ete compare au 11C-acetate, couramment utilise en imagerie cardiaque TEP. L'utilisation de 3H-acetate et 14C-acetoacetate ont permis d'elucider la cinetique de ces traceurs depuis la fonction d'entree et la captation par les mitochondries cardiaques qui reflete la consommation en oxygene, jusqu'a la liberation de leurs principaux metabolites reciproques (3H20 et 14CO2). Le troisieme et dernier article de cette these presente l'integration d'un modele qui evalue la reserve cardiaque de perfusion et de consommation en oxygene. Un modele de cardiomyopathie a ete etabli a l'aide d'un agent chimiotherapeutique contre le cancer du sein, la doxorubicine, reconnu comme etant cardiotoxique. Un protocole de repos/effort a permis d'evaluer la capacite d'augmentation de perfusion et de consommation en oxygene par le coeur. La demonstration d'une reserve cardiaque reduite caracterise la cardiotoxicite. La derniere contribution de cette these porte sur la mise au point de methodes peu invasives pour mesurer la fonction d'entree en modele animal avec l'utilisation de l'artere caudale et un compteur microvolumetrique, la bi-modalite TEP/IRM dynamique avec le Gd-DTPA et l'etablissement d'un modele d'evaluation simultane de cardiotoxicite et reponse tumorale chez la souris. Le developpement d'outils d'analyse TEP dans l'evaluation de la cardiotoxicite lors de traitements du canter du sein permet de mieux comprendre la relation entre les dommages mitochondriaux et la diminution de la fraction d'ejection. Mots cles : Tomographie d'emission par positrons (TEP), analyses cinetiques, IIC-acetate, 11Cacetoacetate, cardiotoxicite.

Research on Modelling the Effects of Personal Hearing Protection and Communications Devices on Speech Intelligibility in Noise

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

performance ont été observées entre les différents groupes de sujets en ce qui a trait à l’effet du mode d’utilisation passif comparativement à l’écoute sans...work is staged over three fiscal/reporting periods as follows: Stage I (ending March 31st 2009): Design a Study Stage II (ending March 31st...under PWGSC Contract No. W7711-088145/001/TOR. It presents the study design and methods devised in Stage I, subjective and objective data collected

Nanoparticules d'or: De l'imagerie par resonance magnetique a la radiosensibilisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hebert, Etienne M.

Cette thèse approfondit l'étude de nanoparticules d'or de 5 nm de diamètre recouvertes de diamideéthanethioldiethylènetriaminepentacétate de gadolinium (DTDTPA:Gd), un agent de contraste pour l'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM). En guise de ciblage passif, la taille des nanoparticules a été contrôlée afin d'utiliser le réseau de néovaisseaux poreux et perméable des tumeurs. De plus les tumeurs ont un drainage lymphatique déficient qui permet aux nanoparticules de demeurer plus longtemps dans le milieu interstitiel de la tumeur. Les expériences ont été effectuées sur des souris Balb/c femelles portant des tumeurs MC7-L1. La concentration de nanoparticules a pu être mesurée à l'IRM in vivo. La concentration maximale se retrouvait à la fin de l'infusion de 10 min. La concentration s'élevait à 0.3 mM dans la tumeur et de 0.12 mM dans le muscle environnant. Les nanoparticules étaient éliminées avec une demi-vie de 22 min pour les tumeurs et de 20 min pour le muscle environnant. Les nanoparticules ont été fonctionnalisées avec le peptide Tat afin de leur conférer des propriétés de ciblage actif La rétention de ces nanoparticules a ainsi été augmentée de 1600 %, passant d'une demi-vie d'élimination de 22 min à 350 min. La survie des souris a été mesurée à l'aide de courbes Kaplan-Meier et d'un modèle mathématique évalue l'efficacité de traitements. Le modèle nous permet, à l'aide de la vitesse de croissance des tumeurs et de l'efficacité des traitements, de calculer la courbe de survie des spécimens. Un effet antagoniste a été observé au lieu de l'effet synergétique attendu entre une infusion de Au@DTDTPA:Gd et l'irradiation aux rayons X. L'absence d'effet synergétique a été attribuée à l'épaisseur du recouvrement de DTDTPA:Gd qui fait écran aux électrons produits par l'or. De plus, le moyen d'ancrage du recouvrement utilise des thiols qui peuvent s'avérer être des capteurs de radicaux. De plus, contrairement a ce qui était escompté, un effet chimiothérapeutique de ces nanoparticules a été observé in vitro et in vivo. Par contre, le mécanisme précis de cet effet est encore à être expliquer, mais on sait déjà que les nanoparticules d'or affectent les fonctions des macrophages ainsi que l'angiogenèse. MOTS-CLÉS : Radiosensibilisateur, Nanoparticules d'or, Agent de contraste pour l'IRM, Électrons de basses énergies, Kaplan-Meier, Effet chimiothérapeutique.

Dérive à la surface de l'océan sous l'effet des vagues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ardhuin, Fabrice; Martin-Lauzer, François-Régis; Chapron, Bertrand; Craneguy, Philippe; Girard-Ardhuin, Fanny; Elfouhaily, Tanos

2004-09-01

We model the drift velocity near the ocean surface separating the motion induced by the local current, itself influenced by winds and waves, and the motion induced by the waves, which are generated by local and remote winds. Application to the drift of 'tar balls', following the sinking of the oil tanker Prestige-Nassau in November 2002, shows that waves contribute at least one third of the drift for pollutants floating 1 m below the surface, with a mean direction about 30° to the right of the wind-sea direction. Although not new, this result was previously obtained with specific models, whereas the formalism used here combines classical wave and circulation forecasting models. To cite this article: F. Ardhuin et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).

Atmospheric Propagation Effects through Natural and Man-Made Obscurants for Visible to MM-Wave Radiation (Les Effets des Conditions Defavorables de Propagation sur les Systemes Optiques, IR et a Ondes Millimetiques)

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-11-01

In this section, we recall definitions of dual linear incoherent KH,’ radar measurables, rainfall rate and the specific attenuation (7) due to...reflectivity data. Two different path lengths (d1,) 10 and 20 from a C-band dual linear polarization radar measurements, Km., have been considered...model for simulation of dual linear polarization radar 7. REFERENCES measurement fields", to be published on lEE 1. Leitao, M. J. and P. A. Watson

Apport maternel chez la balane tropicale : Plasticite de l'allocation de la ressource trophique pour la production larvaire en conditions de limitation nutritionnelle et de stress environnemental

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freuchet, Florian

Dans le milieu marin, l'abondance du recrutement depend des processus qui vont affecter les adultes et le stock de larves. Sous l'influence de signaux fiables de la qualite de l'habitat, la mere peut augmenter (effet maternel anticipatoire, 'anticipatory mother effects', AME) ou reduire (effet maternel egoiste, 'selfish maternai effects', SME) la condition physiologique de la progeniture. Dans les zones tropicales, generalement plus oligotrophes, la ressource nutritive et la temperature sont deux composantes importantes pouvant limiter le recrutement. Les effets de l'apport nutritionnel et du stress thermique sur la production de larves et sur la stategie maternelle adoptee ont ete testes dans cette etude. Nous avons cible la balane Chthamalus bisinuatus (Pilsbry) comme modele biologique car el1e domine les zones intertidales superieures le long des cotes rocheuses du Sud-Est du Bresil (region tropicale). Les hypotheses de depart stipulaient que l'apport nutritionnel permet aux adultes de produire des larves de qualite elevee et que le stress thermique genere une ponte precoce, produisant des larves de faible qualite. Afin de tester ces hypotheses, des populations de C. bisinuatus ont ete elevees selon quatre groupes experimentaux differents, en combinant des niveaux d'apport nutritionnel (eleve et faible) et de stress thermique (stresse et non stresse). Des mesures de survie et de conditions physiologiques des adultes et des larves ont permis d'identifier les reponses parentales pouvant etre avantageuses dans un environnement tropical hostile. L'analyse des profils en acides gras a ete la methode utilisee pour evaluer la qualite physiologique des adultes et de larves. Les resultats du traitement alimentaire (fort ou faible apport nutritif), ne montrent aucune difference dans l'accumulation de lipides neutres, la taille des nauplii, l'effort de reproduction ou le temps de survie des nauplii en condition de jeune. Il semble que la faible ressource nutritive est compensee par les meres qui adoptent un modele AME qui se traduit par l'anticipation du milieu par les meres afin de produire des larves au phenotype approprie. A l'ajout d'un stress thermique, on observe des diminutions de 47% de la production de larves et celles-ci etaient 18 microm plus petites. Les meres semblent utiliser un modele SME caracterise par une diminution de la performance des larves. Suite a ces resultats, nous emettons l'hypothese qu'en zone subtropicale, comme sur les cotes de l'etat de Sao Paulo, l'elevation de la temperature subie par les balanes n'est, a priori, pas dommageable pour leur organisme si eIle est combinee a un apport nutritif suffisant.

L’effet du yoga chez les patients atteints de cancer

PubMed Central

Côté, Andréanne; Daneault, Serge

2012-01-01

Résumé Objectif Déterminer si le yoga thérapeutique améliore la qualité de vie de patients atteints de cancer. Sources des données Recherche effectuée avec la base de données MEDLINE (1950–2010) en utilisant les mots-clés yoga, cancer et quality of life. Sélection des études Priorité accordée aux études cliniques randomisées contrôlées évaluant l’effet du yoga sur différents symptômes susceptibles de se présenter chez des patients atteints de cancer en Amérique du Nord. Synthèse Quatre études cliniques randomisées contrôlées ont d’abord été analysées, puis 2 études sans groupe-contrôle. Trois études réalisées en Inde et au Proche-Orient ont également apporté des éléments intéressants au plan méthodologique. Les interventions proposées comprenaient des séances de yoga d’une durée et d’une fréquence variables. Les paramètres mesurés variaient également d’une étude à l’autre. Plusieurs symptômes ont connu des améliorations significatives avec le yoga (meilleure qualité du sommeil, diminution des symptômes anxieux ou dépressifs, amélioration du bien-être spirituel, etc.). Il a aussi semblé que la qualité de vie, dans sa globalité ou dans certaines de ses composantes spécifiques, s’améliorait. Conclusion La variété des effets bénéfiques produits, l’absence d’effet secondaire et le rapport coût-bénéfice avantageux du yoga thérapeutique en fait une intervention intéressante à suggérer par les médecins de famille aux patients atteints de cancer. Certaines lacunes méthodologiques ont pu diminuer la puissance statistique des études présentées, à commencer par la taille restreinte des échantillons et par l’assiduité variable des patients soumis à l’intervention. Il est également possible que les échelles de mesure utilisées ne convenaient pas à ce type de situation et de clientèle pour qu’en soit dégagé un effet significatif. Toutefois, les commentaires favorables des participants recueillis au cours des études et leur degré d’appréciation et de bien-être donnent à penser qu’il faille poursuivre les recherches pour mieux en comprendre les mécanismes.

Le rôle médiateur du fonctionnement familial dans la relation entre l’adversité familiale et l’adaptation sociale des enfants d’âge préscolaire1

PubMed Central

Felli, M. C.; Parent, S.; Zelazo, P. D.; Tremblay, R. E.; Séguin, J. R.

2017-01-01

Résumé À la petite enfance, l’adaptation sociale de l’enfant dépend en partie des risques auxquels il est exposé dans son environnement. Toutefois, les mécanismes par lesquels les facteurs de risque opèrent leurs influences sur l’adaptation sociale de l’enfant sont peu documentés. Ainsi, cette étude examine dans un premier temps l’effet principal de l’adversité familiale, un cumul de facteurs de risque, sur les problèmes de comportement intériorisés et extériorisés, ainsi que sur la sécurité d’attachement des enfants d’âge préscolaire. Dans un deuxième temps, elle évalue le rôle médiateur du fonctionnement familial dans le lien entre l’adversité familiale et les problèmes de comportement de même qu’entre l’adversité familiale et la sécurité d’attachement des enfants d’âge préscolaire. Les 572 participants à l’étude (n=572) sont âgés entre cinq et 42 mois lors des mesures de l’adversité familiale et de 42 mois lors de la mesure des problèmes de comportement et du fonctionnement familial. Quatre-vingt d’entre eux (n=80) ont fait l’objet d’une mesure de sécurité d’attachement à 48 mois. Les résultats indiquent, d’abord, un effet principal de l’adversité familiale sur les problèmes de comportement intériorisés et extériorisés. Un effet médiateur significatif du fonctionnement familial est ensuite rapporté dans le lien entre l’adversité familiale et les problèmes de comportement intériorisés et extériorisés. Aucun effet significatif n’est observé pour la sécurité d’attachement des enfants de 48 mois. PMID:28567062

Target and Clutter Scattering and their Effects on Military Radar Performance: Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Panel Specialists Meeting Held in Ottawa, Canada on 6-9 May 1991 (Diffraction par les Cibles et le Fouillis et ses Effets sur les Performances des Radars Militaires)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

In subsequent discussions, we shall classify a clutter process to be 2-7 predominantly Rayleigh if the value of f is less than 0.8, and the Pfa ...classified as "others’, the Pfa vs threshold curve , is closer to the Ricean model than to the Rayleigh model, and the value of the parameter 0 was usually...better, and for precipitation clutter the lattice was 4 to approximation of "...equally likely". PD and PFA are 6 dB bettor, here specified a 0.5 and 0.01

Linear and Non-Linear Piezoresistance Coefficients in Cubic Semiconductors. I. Theoretical Formulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durand, S.; Tellier, C. R.

1996-02-01

This paper constitutes the first part of a work devoted to applications of piezoresistance effects in germanium and silicon semiconductors. In this part, emphasis is placed on a formal explanation of non-linear effects. We propose a brief phenomenological description based on the multi-valleys model of semiconductors before to adopt a macroscopic tensorial model from which general analytical expressions for primed non-linear piezoresistance coefficients are derived. Graphical representations of linear and non-linear piezoresistance coefficients allows us to characterize the influence of the two angles of cut and of directions of alignment. The second part will primarily deal with specific applications for piezoresistive sensors. Cette publication constitue la première partie d'un travail consacré aux applications des effets piézorésistifs dans les semiconducteurs germanium et silicium. Cette partie traite essentiellement de la modélisation des effets non-linéaires. Après une description phénoménologique à partir du modèle de bande des semiconducteurs nous développons un modèle tensoriel macroscopique et nous proposons des équations générales analytiques exprimant les coefficients piézorésistifs non-linéaires dans des repères tournés. Des représentations graphiques des variations des coefficients piézorésistifs linéaires et non-linéaires permettent une pré-caractérisation de l'influence des angles de coupes et des directions d'alignement avant l'étude d'applications spécifiques qui feront l'objet de la deuxième partie.

Internal stresses, dislocation mobility and ductility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saada, G.

1991-06-01

The description of plastic deformation must take into account individual mechanisms and heterogeneity of plastic strain. Influence of dislocation interaction with forest dislocations and of cross slip are connected with the organization of dipole walls. The latter are described and their development is explained as a consequence of edge effects. Applications are discussed. La description de la déformation plastique doit prendre en compte les interactions individuelles des dislocations et l'hétérogénéité à grande échelle de la déformation plastique. Les interactions des dislocations mobiles avec la forêt de dislocations, le glissement dévié, ont pour effet la création de parois dipolaires. Celles-ci sont décrites et leur développement est appliqué à partir des effets de bord.

Fluctuations Magnetiques des Gaz D'electrons Bidimensionnels: Application AU Compose Supraconducteur LANTHANE(2-X) Strontium(x) Cuivre OXYGENE(4)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benard, Pierre

Nous presentons une etude des fluctuations magnetiques de la phase normale de l'oxyde de cuivre supraconducteur La_{2-x}Sr _{x}CuO_4 . Le compose est modelise par le Hamiltonien de Hubbard bidimensionnel avec un terme de saut vers les deuxiemes voisins (modele tt'U). Le modele est etudie en utilisant l'approximation de la GRPA (Generalized Random Phase Approximation) et en incluant les effets de la renormalisation de l'interaction de Hubbard par les diagrammes de Brueckner-Kanamori. Dans l'approche presentee dans ce travail, les maximums du facteur de structure magnetique observes par les experiences de diffusion de neutrons sont associes aux anomalies 2k _{F} de reseau du facteur de structure des gaz d'electrons bidimensionnels sans interaction. Ces anomalies proviennent de la diffusion entre particules situees a des points de la surface de Fermi ou les vitesses de Fermi sont tangentes, et conduisent a des divergences dont la nature depend de la geometrie de la surface de Fermi au voisinage de ces points. Ces resultats sont ensuite appliques au modele tt'U, dont le modele de Hubbard usuel tU est un cas particulier. Dans la majorite des cas, les interactions ne determinent pas la position des maximums du facteur de structure. Le role de l'interaction est d'augmenter l'intensite des structures du facteur de structure magnetique associees a l'instabilite magnetique du systeme. Ces structures sont souvent deja presentes dans la partie imaginaire de la susceptibilite sans interaction. Le rapport d'intensite entre les maximums absolus et les autres structures du facteur de structure magnetique permet de determiner le rapport U_ {rn}/U_{c} qui mesure la proximite d'une instabilite magnetique. Le diagramme de phase est ensuite etudie afin de delimiter la plage de validite de l'approximation. Apres avoir discute des modes collectifs et de l'effet d'une partie imaginaire non-nulle de la self-energie, l'origine de l'echelle d'energie des fluctuations magnetiques est examinee. Il est ensuite demontre que le modele a trois bandes predit les memes resultats pour la position des structures du facteur de structure magnetique que le modele a une bande, dans la limite ou l'hybridation des orbitales des atomes d'oxygene des plans Cu-O_2 et l'amplitude de sauts vers les seconds voisins sont nulles. Il est de plus constate que l'effet de l'hybridation des orbitales des atomes d'oxygene est bien modelise par le terme de saut vers les seconds voisins. Meme si ils decrivent correctement le comportement qualitatif des maximums du facteur de structure magnetique, les modeles a trois bandes et a une bande ne permettent pas d'obtenir une position de ces structures conforme avec les mesures experimentales, si on suppose que la bande est rigide, c'est-a-dire que les parametres du Hamiltonien sont independants de la concentration de strontium. Ceci peut etre cause par la dependance des parametres du Hamiltonien sur la concentration de strontium. Finalement, les resultats sont compares avec les experiences de diffusion de neutrons et les autres theories, en particulier celles de Littlewood et al. (1993) et de Q. Si et al. (1993). La comparaison avec les resultats experimentaux pour le compose de lanthane suggere que le liquide de Fermi possede une surface de Fermi disjointe, et qu'il est situe pres d'une instabilite magnetique incommensurable.

Des recommandations probantes pour surveiller l’innocuité des antipsychotiques de deuxième génération chez les enfants et les adolescents

PubMed Central

Pringsheim, Tamara; Panagiotopoulos, Constadina; Davidson, Jana; Ho, Josephine

2012-01-01

HISTORIQUE : Au Canada, l’utilisation d’antipsychotiques, notamment les antipsychotiques de deuxième génération (ADG), a augmenté de façon considérable depuis cinq ans chez les enfants ayant des troubles de santé mentale. Ces médicaments ont le potentiel de causer de graves complications métaboliques et neurologiques lorsqu’on les utilise de manière chronique. OBJECTIF : Synthétiser les données probantes relatives aux effets secondaires métaboliques et neurologiques précis associés à l’usage d’ADG chez les enfants et fournir des recommandations probantes sur la surveillance de ces effets secondaires. MÉTHODOLOGIE : Les auteurs ont procédé à une analyse systématique des essais cliniques contrôlés des ADG auprès d’enfants. Ils ont fait des recommandations à l’égard de la surveillance de l’innocuité des ADG d’après un modèle de classification fondé sur le système GRADE (système de notation de l’évaluation et de l’élaboration des recommandations). Lorsque les données probantes n’étaient pas suffisantes, ils fondaient leurs recommandations sur le consensus et l’avis d’experts. Un groupe consensuel multidisciplinaire a analysé toutes les données probantes pertinentes et est parvenu à un consensus à l’égard des recommandations. RÉSULTATS : Les recommandations probantes portant sur la surveillance de l’innocuité des ADG figurent dans les présentes lignes directrices. Les auteurs indiquent la qualité des recommandations relatives à des examens physiques et tests de laboratoire précis à l’égard de chaque ADG à des moments déterminés. CONCLUSION : De multiples essais aléatoires et contrôlés ont permis d’évaluer l’efficacité de bon nombre des ADG utilisés pour traiter les troubles de santé mentale en pédiatrie. Toutefois, leurs avantages ne sont pas sans risques : on observe à la fois des effets secondaires métaboliques et neurologiques chez les enfants traités au moyen d’ADG. Le risque de prise de poids, d’augmentation de l’indice de masse corporelle et de taux lipidiques anormaux est plus élevé à l’utilisation d’olanzapine, suivie de la clozapine et de la quétiapine. Quant au risque d’effets secondaires neurologiques des traitements, il est plus élevé à l’utilisation de rispéridone, d’olanzapine et d’aripiprazole. Des interventions de surveillance pertinentes des effets secondaires amélioreront la qualité des soins des enfants traités à l’aide de ces médicaments. PMID:24082813

Etude des melanges co-continus d'acide polylactique et d'amidon thermoplastique (PLA/TPS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chavez Garcia, Maria Graciela

Les melanges co-continus sont des melanges polymeriques ou chaque composant se trouve dans une phase continue. Pour cette raison, les caracteristiques de chacun des composants se combinent et il en resulte un materiau avec une morphologie et des proprietes particulieres. L'acide polylactique (PLA) et l'amidon thermoplastique (TPS) sont des biopolymeres qui proviennent de ressources renouvelables et qui sont biodegradables. Dans ce projet, differents melanges de PLA et TPS a une haute concentration de TPS ont ete prepares dans une extrudeuse bi-vis afin de generer des structures co-continues. Grace a la technique de lixiviation selective, le TPS est enleve pour creer une structure poreuse de PLA qui a pu etre analysee au moyen de la microtomographie R-X et de la microscopie electronique a balayage MEB. L'analyse des images 2D et 3D confirme la presence de la structure co-continue dans les melanges dont la concentration en TPS. se situe entre 66% et 80%. L'effet de deux plastifiants, le glycerol seul et le melange de glycerol et de sorbitol, dans la formulation de TPS est etudie dans ce travail. De plus, nous avons evalue l'effet du PLA greffe a l'anhydride maleique (PLAg) en tant que compatibilisant. On a trouve que la phase de TPS obtenue avec le glycerol est plus grande. L'effet de recuit sur la taille de phases est aussi analyse. Grace aux memes techniques d'analyse, on a etudie l'effet du procede de moulage par injection sur la morphologie. On a constate que les pieces injectees presentent une microstructure heterogene et differente entre la surface et le centre de la piece. Pres de la surface, une peau plus riche en PLA est presente et les phases de TPS y sont allongees sous forme de lamelles. Plus au centre de la piece, une morphologie plus cellulaire est observee pour chaque phase continue. L'effet des formulations sur les proprietes mecaniques a aussi ete etudie. Les pieces injectees dont la concentration de TPS est plus grande presentent une moindre resistance a la traction. La presence du compatibilisant dans la region co-continue affecte negativement cette resistance. En considerant que l'amidon est un biomateriau abondant, moins cher et plus rapidement biodegradable, son ajout dans le PLA presente l'avantage de reduire le cout tout en augmentant la vitesse de degradation du PLA. De plus, une structure continue poreuse de PLA produit par la technique de lixiviation selective a des applications potentielles soit comme materiau a degradation rapide ou encore, une fois la phase TPS retiree, comme substrat a porosite ouverte pour la fabrication de membranes, de supports cellulaires ou de filtres. Mots-cles : melanges immiscibles, acide polylactique, amidon thermoplastique, morphologie cocontinue, lixiviation selective, microtomographie R-X, materiau rigide poreux biodegradable.

The Effect of Mass, Wind Angle, and Erection Technique on the Aeroelastic Behaviour of a Cable-Stayed Bridge Model (Effet de la Masse, de L’Angle du Vent et de la Technique D’Erection sur le Comportement Aeroelastique d’une Marquette de Pont a Haubans).

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

response. An estimate of the buffeting response for the two cases is presented in Figure 4, using the theory of Irwin (Reference 7). Data acquisition was...values were obtained using the log decrement method by exciting the bridge in one mode and observing the decay of the response. Classical theory would...added mass or structural damping level. The addition of inertia to the deck would tend to lower the response according to classical vibration theory

Modelization des consequences possibles de la future demande bioenergetique mondiale pour le bois et les forest en France

Treesearch

Joseph Buongiorno; Ronald Raunikar; Shushuai Zhu

2011-01-01

L’article présente une exploration, menée au moyen d’un modèle mondial de la filière-bois, de l’effet sur la filière-bois française des modifications actuelles et prévisibles de la demande mondiale en énergie issue de la biomasse. Deux scénarios contrastés sont testés. Les résultats sont mis en perspective et soulignent le conflit potentiel entre usages du bois : bois...

Effets non lineaires transversaux dans les guides d'ondes plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumais, Patrick

Les effets non lineaires transversaux dus a l'effet Kerr optique non resonant sont etudies dans deux types de guides a geometrie plane. D'abord (au chapitre 2), l'emission de solitons spatiaux d'un guide de type canal est etudie historiquement, analytiquement et numeriquement dans le but d'en faire la conception et la fabrication, en AlGaAs, dans la region spectrale en deca de la moitie de la bande interdite de ce materiau, soit autour de 1,5 microns. Le composant, tel que concu, comporte une structure de multipuits quantiques. Le desordonnement local de cette structure permet une variation locale du coefficient Kerr dans le guide, ce qui mene a l'emission d'un soliton spatial au-dela d'une puissance optique de seuil. L'observation experimentale d'un changement en fonction de l'intensite du profil de champ a la sortie du guide realise est presentee. Deuxiemement (au chapitre 3) une technique de mesure du coefficient Kerr dans un guide plan est presentee. Cette technique consiste a mesurer le changement de transmission au travers d'un cache place a la sortie du guide en fonction de l'intensite crete a l'entree du guide plan. Une methode pour determiner les conditions optimales pour la sensibilite de la mesure est presentee, illustree de plusieurs exemples. Finalement, la realisation d'un oscillateur parametrique optique basee sur un cristal de niobate de lithium a domaines periodiquement inverses est presentee. La theorie des oscillateurs parametriques optiques est exposee avec une emphase sur la generation d'impulsions intenses a des longueurs d'onde autour de 1,5 microns a partir d'un laser Ti:saphir, dans le but d'obtenir une source pour faire les experiences sur l'emission solitonique.

Evaluation d'une approche pedagogique respectant les facons d'apprendre des filles en sciences et en TIC en 9e annee au Nouveau-Brunswick

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lirette-Pitre, Nicole T.

2009-07-01

La reussite scolaire des filles les amene de plus en plus a poursuivre une formation postsecondaire et a exercer des professions qui demandent un haut niveau de connaissances et d'expertise scientifique. Toutefois, les filles demeurent toujours tres peu nombreuses a envisager une carriere en sciences (chimie et physique), en ingenierie ou en TIC (technologie d'information et de la communication), soit une carriere reliee a la nouvelle economie. Pour plusieurs filles, les sciences et les TIC ne sont pas des matieres scolaires qu'elles trouvent interessantes meme si elles y reussissent tres bien. Ces filles admettent que leurs experiences d'apprentissage en sciences et en TIC ne leur ont pas permis de developper un interet ni de se sentir confiante en leurs habiletes a reussir dans ces matieres. Par consequent, peu de filles choisissent de poursuivre leurs etudes postsecondaires dans ces disciplines. La theorie sociocognitive du choix carriere a ete choisie comme modele theorique pour mieux comprendre quelles variables entrent en jeu lorsque les filles choisissent leur carriere. Notre etude a pour objet la conception et l'evaluation de l'efficacite d'un materiel pedagogique concu specifiquement pour ameliorer les experiences d'apprentissage en sciences et en TIC des filles de 9e annee au Nouveau-Brunswick. L'approche pedagogique privilegiee dans notre materiel a mis en oeuvre des strategies pedagogiques issues des meilleures pratiques que nous avons identifiees et qui visaient particulierement l'augmentation du sentiment d'auto-efficacite et de l'interet des filles pour ces disciplines. Ce materiel disponible par Internet a l'adresse http://www.umoncton.ca/lirettn/scientic est directement en lien avec le programme d'etudes en sciences de la nature de 9e annee du Nouveau-Brunswick. L'evaluation de l'efficacite de notre materiel pedagogique a ete faite selon deux grandes etapes methodologiques: 1) l'evaluation de l'utilisabilite et de la convivialite du materiel et 2) l'evaluation de l'effet du materiel en fonction de diverses variables reliees a l'interet et au sentiment d'auto-efficacite des filles en sciences et en TIC. Cette recherche s'est inscrite dans un paradigme pragmatique de recherche. Le pragmatisme a guide nos choix en ce qui a trait au modele de recherche et des techniques utilisees. Cette recherche a associe a la fois des techniques qualitatives et quantitatives, particulierement en ce qui concerne la collecte et l'analyse de donnees. Les donnees recueillies dans la premiere etape de l'evaluation de l'utilisabilite et de la convivialite du materiel par les enseignantes et les enseignants de sciences et les filles ont revele que le materiel concu est tres utilisable et convivial. Toutefois quelques petites ameliorations seront apportees a une version subsequente afin de faciliter davantage la navigation. Quant a l'evaluation des effets du materiel concu sur les variables reliees au sentiment d'auto-efficacite et aux interets lors de l'etape quasi experimentale, nos donnees qualitatives ont indique que ce materiel a eu des effets positifs sur le sentiment d'auto-efficacite et sur les interets des filles qui l'ont utilise. Toutefois, nos donnees quantitatives n'ont pas permis d'inferer un lien causal direct entre l'utilisation du materiel et l'augmentation du sentiment d'auto-efficacite et des interets des filles en sciences et en TIC. A la lumiere des resultats obtenus, nous avons conclu que le materiel a eu les effets escomptes. Donc, nous recommandons la creation et l'utilisation de materiel de ce genre dans toutes les classes de sciences de la 6e annee a la 12e annee au Nouveau-Brunswick.

Etude numerique et experimentale de la reponse vibro-acoustique des structures raidies a des excitations aeriennes et solidiennes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mejdi, Abderrazak

Les fuselages des avions sont generalement en aluminium ou en composite renforces par des raidisseurs longitudinaux (lisses) et transversaux (cadres). Les raidisseurs peuvent etre metalliques ou en composite. Durant leurs differentes phases de vol, les structures d'avions sont soumises a des excitations aeriennes (couche limite turbulente : TBL, champs diffus : DAF) sur la peau exterieure dont l'energie acoustique produite se transmet a l'interieur de la cabine. Les moteurs, montes sur la structure, produisent une excitation solidienne significative. Ce projet a pour objectifs de developper et de mettre en place des strategies de modelisations des fuselages d'avions soumises a des excitations aeriennes et solidiennes. Tous d'abord, une mise a jour des modeles existants de la TBL apparait dans le deuxieme chapitre afin de mieux les classer. Les proprietes de la reponse vibro-acoustique des structures planes finies et infinies sont analysees. Dans le troisieme chapitre, les hypotheses sur lesquelles sont bases les modeles existants concernant les structures metalliques orthogonalement raidies soumises a des excitations mecaniques, DAF et TBL sont reexamines en premier lieu. Ensuite, une modelisation fine et fiable de ces structures est developpee. Le modele est valide numeriquement a l'aide des methodes des elements finis (FEM) et de frontiere (BEM). Des tests de validations experimentales sont realises sur des panneaux d'avions fournis par des societes aeronautiques. Au quatrieme chapitre, une extension vers les structures composites renforcees par des raidisseurs aussi en composites et de formes complexes est etablie. Un modele analytique simple est egalement implemente et valide numeriquement. Au cinquieme chapitre, la modelisation des structures raidies periodiques en composites est beaucoup plus raffinee par la prise en compte des effets de couplage des deplacements planes et transversaux. L'effet de taille des structures finies periodiques est egalement pris en compte. Les modeles developpes ont permis de conduire plusieurs etudes parametriques sur les proprietes vibro-acoustiques des structures d'avions facilitant ainsi la tache des concepteurs. Dans le cadre de cette these, un article a ete publie dans le Journal of Sound and Vibration et trois autres soumis, respectivement aux Journal of Acoustical Society of America, International Journal of Solid Mechanics et au Journal of Sound and Vibration Mots cles : structures raidies, composites, vibro-acoustique, perte par transmission.

Les fluctuations supraconductrices dans le compose praseodyme-cerium-oxyde de cuivre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renaud, Jacques

Ce travail etudie les fluctuations supraconductrices dans le compose supraconducteur a haute temperature critique dope aux electrons Pr2-xCe xCuO4+delta. La technique utilisee pour sonder ces fluctuations est le transport electrique DC dans le plan ab. Il s'agit, a notre connaissance, de la premiere etude de ce type dans la classe generale des supraconducteurs a haute temperature critique dopes aux electrons et, plus particulierement, dans Pr2-xCe xCuO4+delta. De plus, l'etude est effectuee pour trois regimes de dopage, soit sous-dope x = 0.135, dopage optimal x = 0.15 et surdope x = 0.17. Les echantillons etudies sont des couches minces d'epaisseur plus grande que 100 nm crues par ablation laser. Les mesures electriques DC effectuees dans ce travail sont la resistance en reponse lineaire et les courbes IV en reponse non lineaire en fonction de la temperature. La mise en oeuvre experimentale de ces mesures a necessite une grande attention au filtrage et aux effets de chauffage a haut courant. Nous montrons que, sans cette attention, les donnees experimentales sont toujours erronees dans le regime pertinent pour nos echantillons. Les resultats pour le dopage optimal x = 0.15 sont expliques de facon tres convaincante dans le cadre de fluctuations purement 2D. D'abord, le regime des fluctuations gaussiennes est tres bien decrit par le modele d'Aslamazov-Larkin en deux dimensions. Ensuite, le regime de fluctuations critiques, se trouvant a plus basse temperature que le regime gaussien, est tres bien decrit par la physique 2D de Kosterlitz-Thouless. Dans cette analyse, les deux regimes ont des temperatures critiques coherentes entre elles, ce qui semble confirmer ce scenario 2D. Une analyse des donnees dans le cadre de fluctuations 3D est exploree mais donne des conclusions incoherentes. Les resultats pour les autres dopages sont qualitativement equivalents avec le dopage optimal et permettent donc une explication purement 2D. Par contre, contrairement au dopage optimal, les effets du desordre semblent etre tres importants. Une analyse detaillee de tous ces resultats semble indiquer que les signatures 2D in identifiees proviennent vraisemblablement de plans paralleles decouples formes d'environ 4 plans CuO2 couples. On discute de cette mise en ordre partielle comme une possible consequence d'une separation de phase isolante antiferromagnetique/supraconducteur. La largeur de la transition en fonction du dopage est aussi analysee dans le but de mettre en lumiere un possible effet du pseudogap. On montre que nos mesures ne supportent pas une telle interpretation.

Effetive methods in educating extension agents and farmers on conservation farming technology

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Adoption of new technologies requires transfer of information from developers to end users. Efficiency of the transfer process influences the rate of adoption and ultimate impact of the technology. Various channels are used to transfer technology from researchers to farmers. Two commonly used ones ...

Future of Software Engineering Standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poon, Peter T.

1997-01-01

In the new millennium, software engineering standards are expected to continue to influence the process of producing software-intensive systems which are cost-effetive and of high quality. These sytems may range from ground and flight systems used for planetary exploration to educational support systems used in schools as well as consumer-oriented systems.

Effet Bauschinger lors de la plasticité cyclique de l'aluminium pur monocristallin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alhamany, A.; Chicois, J.; Fougères, R.; Hamel, A.

1992-08-01

This paper is concerned with the study of microscopic mechanisms which control the cyclic deformation of pure aluminium and especially with the analysis of the Bauschinger effect which appears in aluminium single crystals deformed by cyclic straining. Fatigue tests are performed on Al single crystals with the crystal axis parallel to [ overline{1}23] at room temperature, at plastic shear strain amplitudes in the range from 10^{-4} to 3× 10^{-3}. Mechanical saturation is not obtained at any strain level. Instead, a hardening-softening-secondary hardening sequence is found. The magnitude of the Bauschinger effect as the difference between yield stresses in traction and in compression, changes all along the fatigue loop and during the fatigue test. The Bauschinger effect disappears at two points of the fatigue loop, one in the traction part, the other in the compression one. At these points, the Bauschinger effect is inverted. Dislocation arrangement evolutions with fatigue conditions can explain the cyclic behaviour of Al single crystals. An heterogeneous dislocation distribution can be observed in the cyclically strained metal : dislocation tangles, long dislocation walls and dislocation cell walls, separated by dislocation poor channels appear in the material as a function of the cycle number. The long range internal stress necessary to ensure the compatibility of deformation between the hard and soft regions controls the observed Bauschinger effect. Ce travail s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'étude des mécanismes microsocopiques intervenant lors de la déformation cyclique de l'aluminium pur et concerne en particulier l'analyse de l'effet Bauschinger apparaissant au cours de la solliciation cyclique des monocristaux. L'étude a été menée à température ambiante sur des monocristaux d'aluminium pur orientés pour un glissement simple (axe [ overline{1}23] ), à des amplitudes de déformation plastique comprise entre 10^{-4} et quelques 10^{-3}. Nous n'avons pas obtenu de véritable saturation mécanique. Nous sommes en présence d'une séquence durcissement-adoucissement-durcissement secondaire. L'amplitude de l'effet Bauschinger considéré comme la différence entre les limites élastiques en traction et en compression mesurées selon une procédure appropriée, évolue le long d'une boucle de fatigue, s'annule pour deux points particuliers l'un en traction l'autre en compression. De part et d'autre de ces points, le signe de l'effet Bauschinger est inversé. Les microstructures des états fatigués sont caractérisés par une répartition hétérogène des dislocations constituée d'amas, de murs ou des parois, suivant le degré de déformation cyclique, séparés par des zones à faible densité de dislocations. Les contraintes internes liées aux incompatibilités de déformation résultant de cette répartition hétérogène des dislocations sont à l'origine de l'effet Bauschinger observé dans les monocristaux. Ces contraintes et l'évolution de la quantité de cellules de dislocations avec la fatigue expliquent le durcissement secondaire.

Analyse de l'effet des courants induits sur l'impédance d'un système électromagnétique alimenté en tension BF ou HF. Utilisation de la méthode des circuits couplés

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maouche, B.; Feliachi, M.

1997-10-01

In this paper, a study of the interaction between the inductor and the load of an axisymmetrical induction device is proposed. This interaction concerns the effect of the eddy current on both the excitation current and on the system impedance. A half analytical model, based on a numerical discretization of the electromagnetic solution domain, is used. In each cell of the numerical discretization, an analytical calculation using the Moment Method (MM) is considered. In the case of strong skin effect (High Frequency: HF), the formulation makes use of the Impedance Boundary Condition (IBC); in the contrary case (Low Frequency: LF), the interior domain is discretized. Dans cet article nous proposons l'étude de l'influence d'une charge (induit) conductrice sur la répartition du courant inducteur ainsi que sur l'impédance du système. L'inducteur est à géométrie axisymétrique de forme solénoïdale ou pancake destiné au chauffage par induction. Une méthode semi-analytique, basée sur une discrétisation du domaine en mailles élémentaires auxquelles s'applique une formulation intégrale (Méthode des Circuits Couplés : MCC) des grandeurs électromagnétiques, est utilisée. Dans le cas où l'effet de peau est important (Haute Fréquence:HF), la formulation associe la Condition d'Impédance de Surface; dans le cas contraire (Basse Fréquence : BF), un maillage du domaine interne est pratiqué.

Asynchronous adaptive time step in quantitative cellular automata modeling

PubMed Central

Zhu, Hao; Pang, Peter YH; Sun, Yan; Dhar, Pawan

2004-01-01

Background The behaviors of cells in metazoans are context dependent, thus large-scale multi-cellular modeling is often necessary, for which cellular automata are natural candidates. Two related issues are involved in cellular automata based multi-cellular modeling: how to introduce differential equation based quantitative computing to precisely describe cellular activity, and upon it, how to solve the heavy time consumption issue in simulation. Results Based on a modified, language based cellular automata system we extended that allows ordinary differential equations in models, we introduce a method implementing asynchronous adaptive time step in simulation that can considerably improve efficiency yet without a significant sacrifice of accuracy. An average speedup rate of 4–5 is achieved in the given example. Conclusions Strategies for reducing time consumption in simulation are indispensable for large-scale, quantitative multi-cellular models, because even a small 100 × 100 × 100 tissue slab contains one million cells. Distributed and adaptive time step is a practical solution in cellular automata environment. PMID:15222901

Deuterium Isotope Effects During HMX Combustion: Chemical Kinetic Burn Rate Control Mechanism Verified

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

experience de gen dieses Experiments. Der 10 KDIE-Wert legt nahe. dab die combustion statique. La valeur de l’effet isotopique primaire laisse...anomaler combustion globale. Des 6tudes publifes par ailleurs confirment cette KDIE-Wert bei 10,4 MPa wirL angegeben. Diese KDIE-Experimente hypoth~se

Fiabilité des structures mécaniques adaptatives: effet de la panne des actionneurs ou des capteurs sur la stabilité

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fall, H.; Charon, W.; Kouta, R.

2002-12-01

Ces dernières décennies, des activités significatives dans le monde étaient dirigées autour du contrôle actif. Le but de ces recherches était essentiellement d'améliorer les performances, la fiabilité et la sécurité des systèmes. Notamment dans le cas des structures soumises à des vibrations aléatoires. D'importants travaux ont été consacré à l'utilisation des “matériaux intelligents” comme capteurs et actionneurs. Cette article propose l'analyse de la fiabilité des systèmes mécaniques en étudiant les pannes des actionneurs ou des capteurs. L'effet de ces pannes sur la stabilité et la performance du système y est démontré. Les méthodologies de conception y sont rappelées. Des exemples numériques sont fournis à travers le contrôle d'un panneau sous chargement dynamique pour illustrer la méthode proposée.

Effets de la pollution de l’air sur la santé

PubMed Central

Abelsohn, Alan; Stieb, Dave M.

2011-01-01

Résumé Objectif Faire connaître aux médecins de famille les effets de la pollution atmosphérique sur la santé et indiquer quels conseils donner aux patients vulnérables pour qu’ils soient moins exposés. Sources de l’information On a consulté MEDLINE à l’aide des termes relatifs à la pollution atmosphérique et à ses effets indésirables. On a révisé les articles en anglais publiés entre janvier 2008 et décembre 2009. La plupart des études contenaient des preuves de niveau II. Principal message Au Canada, la pollution de l’air extérieur cause une morbidité et une mortalité importantes. Elle peut affecter le système respiratoire (exacerbation de l’asthme et de la maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique) et le système cardiovasculaire (déclencher l’arythmie, l’insuffisance cardiaque et les AVC). La cote air santé (CAS) est un nouvel outil de communication mis au point par Santé Canada et Environnement Canada qui indique sur une échelle de 1 à 10, le risque pour la santé causé par la pollution atmosphérique. La CAS est largement diffusée dans les médias et cet outil pourrait être utile au médecin de famille pour inciter les patients à haut risque (comme ceux qui souffrent d’asthme, de maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique ou d’insuffisance cardiaque) à réduire leur exposition à la pollution atmosphérique. Conclusion Le médecin de famille peut se servir de la CAS et de ses messages sur la santé pour enseigner aux asthmatiques et aux autres patients à risque élevé la façon de réduire les risques pour la santé causés par la pollution atmosphérique.

Le rôle du soutien parental dans la relation entre la victimisation homophobe, l’homophobie intériorisée et la détresse psychologique chez les jeunes de minorités sexuelles (JMS) : une approche de médiation modérée

PubMed Central

Bergeron, Félix-Antoine; Blais, Martin; Hébert, Martine

2016-01-01

Résumé Cet article explore le rôle modérateur du soutien parental dans les relations entre la victimisation homophobe, l’homophobie intériorisée et la détresse psychologique chez des jeunes de minorités sexuelles (JMS), que l’on dit aussi lesbiennes, gais, bisexuels ou en questionnement. Il vise à 1) documenter la prévalence des différentes formes de victimisation homophobe vécue par les JMS, et ce, selon le genre et l’âge et 2) à explorer l’effet modérateur du soutien parental dans la relation entre la victimisation homophobe, l’homophobie intériorisée et la détresse psychologique. Un échantillon de 228 JMS âgés de 14 à 22 ans, non exclusivement hétérosexuels, recrutés en milieu communautaire dans le cadre de l’enquête sur le Parcours Amoureux des Jeunes (PAJ) du Québec a été analysé. L’impact de la victimisation homophobe, du soutien parental, de l’homophobie intériorisée sur la détresse psychologique est exploré par un modèle de régression linéaire avec effets de médiation modérée. Le rôle modérateur du soutien parental est confirmé dans la relation entre la victimisation homophobe et la détresse psychologique. Ces variables peuvent constituer des leviers pour prévenir les effets négatifs des préjudices homophobes sur la santé mentale des JMS. PMID:26966851

Proprietes ionochromes et photochromes de derives du polythiophene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levesque, Isabelle

La synthese et la caracterisation de derives regioreguliers du polythiophene ont ete effectuees en solution et sur des films minces. La spectroscopie UV-visible de ces derives a permis de constater qu'ils peuvent posseder des proprietes chromiques particulieres selon le stimulus auquel ils sont soumis. Par exemple, une augmentation de la temperature permet en effet aux polymeres de passer d'une couleur violette a jaune, et ce, a l'etat solide aussi bien qu'en solution. Ces proprietes chromiques semblent regies par une transition conformationnelle (plane a non-plane) de la chaine principale. Ce travail avait pour but de mieux comprendre l'influence de l'organisation des chaines laterales sur les transitions chromiques. Deux derives synthetises possedant des chaines laterales sensibles aux cations alcalins se sont averes etre ionochromes en plus d'etre thermochromes. Il s'agit d'un polymere comportant des chaines laterales de type oligo(oxyethylene) et d'un autre comportant un groupement ether couronne specifique aux ions lithium. Les effets chromiques observes sont expliques par des interactions non-covalentes des cations avec les atomes d'oxygene des chaines laterales dans le cas du premier polymere, et par l'insertion de l'ion Li + dans la cavite de l'ether couronne dans le cas du second polymere. Ces interactions semblent provoquer une diminution de l'organisation induisant ainsi une torsion de la chaine principale. Les deux polymeres semblent specifiques a certains cations et pourraient donc servir comme detecteurs optiques. La specificite aux ions Li+ du second polymere pourrait aussi permettre la conduction ionique, en plus de la conductivite electronique caracteristique des polythiophenes, ce qui pourrait s'averer utile dans le cas de batteries legeres entierement faites de polymeres et de sels de lithium. D'autres derives comportant des chaines laterales de type azobenzene se sont averes etre photochromes en plus d'etre thermochromes. Le groupement lateral a la possibilite de changer de configuration de la forme trans a la forme cis lorsqu'il est soumis a une irradiation dans le domaine de l'ultraviolet ce qui provoque, selon toute evidence, un effet marque sur l'organisation des chaines laterales. Cela induit alors une torsion de la chaine principale thiophene entrainant une diminution de conjugaison marquee. Ces effets peuvent etre exploites entre autres dans l'ecriture optique. Il s'est avere que le polymere irradie peu conjugue peut etre force a retourner a son etat initial conjugue tres rapidement par un traitement electrochimique simple. En conclusion, on a pu prouver qu'une modification dans l'organisation des chaines laterales par un stimulus exterieur affecte considerablement la conformation de la chaine principale. Cela porte a croire que les chaines laterales stabilisent une conformation particuliere des polythiophenes.

Modelisation de la Propagation des Ondes Sonores dans un Environnement Naturel Complexe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

L'Esperance, Andre

Ce travail est consacre a la propagation sonore a l'exterieur dans un environnement naturel complexe, i.e. en presence de conditions reelles de vent, de gradient de temperature et de turbulence atmospherique. Plus specifiquement ce travail comporte deux objectifs. D'une part, il vise a developper un modele heuristique de propagation sonore (MHP) permettant de prendre en consideration l'ensemble des phenomenes meteorologiques et acoustiques influencant la propagation du son a l'exterieur. D'autre part, il vise a identifier dans quelles circonstances et avec quelle importance les conditions meteorologiques interviennent sur la propagation sonore. Ce travail est divise en cinq parties. Apres une breve introduction identifiant les motivations de cette etude (chapitre 1), le chapitre 2 fait un rappel des travaux deja realises dans le domaine de la propagation du son a l'exterieur. Ce chapitre presente egalement les bases de l'acoustique geometrique a partir desquelles ont ete developpees la partie acoustique du modele heuristique de propagation. En outre, on y decrit comment les phenomenes de refraction et de turbulence atmospherique peuvent etre consideres dans la theorie des rayons. Le chapitre 3 presente le modele heuristique de propagation (MHP) developpe au cours de cet ouvrage. La premiere section de ce chapitre decrit le modele acoustique de propagation, modele qui fait l'hypothese d'un gradient de celerite lineaire et qui est base sur une solution hybride d'acoustique geometrique et de theorie des residus. La deuxieme section du chapitre 3 traite plus specifiquement de la modelisation des aspects meteorologiques et de la determination des profils de celerite et des index de fluctuation associes aux conditions meteorologiques. La section 3 de ce chapitre decrit comment les profils de celerite resultants sont linearises pour les calculs dans le modele acoustique, et finalement la section 4 donne les tendances generales obtenues par le modele. Le chapitre 4 decrit les compagnes de mesures qui ont ete realisees a Rock-Spring (Pennsylvanie, Etats -Unis) au cours de l'ete 90 et a Bouin (Vendee, France) au cours de l'automne 91. La campagne de mesure de Rock -Spring a porte plus specifiquement sur les effets de la refraction alors que la campagne de Bouin a prote plus specifiquement sur les effets de la turbulence. La section 4.1 decrit les equipements et le traitement des donnees meteorologiques realisees dans chaque cas et la section 4.2 fait de meme pour les resultats acoustiques. Finalement, le chapitre 5 compare les resultats experimentaux obtenus avec ceux donnes par le MHP, tant pour les resultats meteorologiques que pour les resultats acoustiques. Des comparaisons avec un autre modele (le Fast Field Program) sont egalement presentees.

Taking Up Space: Museum Exploration in the Twenty-First Century

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutton, Tiffany

2007-01-01

Museums have become a crucible for questions of the role that traditional art and art history should play in contemporary art. Friedrich Nietzsche argued in the nineteenth century that museums can be no more than mausoleums for effete (fine) art. Over the course of the twentieth century, however, curators dispelled such blanket pessimism by…

Optics of a Double Focussing Magnetic Sector by Fringe Effect; OPTIQUE D'UN SECTEUR MAGNETIQUE A DOUBLE FOCALISATION PAR EFFET DE FRANCES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krafft, J.

1960-01-01

A general study is made of the optical elements of a double-fccusing magnetic sector by the fringe effect, with a view to its application to the monochromation of the proton, deuteron, or triton beam of the 1.4 Mev accelerator. (auth)

Investigations into the Power MOSFET SEGR Phenomenon and its Physical Mechanism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swift, G. M.; Edmonds, L. E.; Miyahira, T.; Nichols, D. K.; Johnston, A. H.

1997-01-01

The state of understanding of the destructive SEGR event in power MOSFETs is relatively mature with large published efforts, both experimental and theoretical. However, gasps remain in the uderstanding of the phenomenon, including unexplained anomalies, emperical-only dependencies on some important device and incident ion physical parameters, and limited insight into latent effets.

A Compact Synchronous Cellular Model of Nonlinear Calcium Dynamics: Simulation and FPGA Synthesis Results.

PubMed

Soleimani, Hamid; Drakakis, Emmanuel M

2017-06-01

Recent studies have demonstrated that calcium is a widespread intracellular ion that controls a wide range of temporal dynamics in the mammalian body. The simulation and validation of such studies using experimental data would benefit from a fast large scale simulation and modelling tool. This paper presents a compact and fully reconfigurable cellular calcium model capable of mimicking Hopf bifurcation phenomenon and various nonlinear responses of the biological calcium dynamics. The proposed cellular model is synthesized on a digital platform for a single unit and a network model. Hardware synthesis, physical implementation on FPGA, and theoretical analysis confirm that the proposed cellular model can mimic the biological calcium behaviors with considerably low hardware overhead. The approach has the potential to speed up large-scale simulations of slow intracellular dynamics by sharing more cellular units in real-time. To this end, various networks constructed by pipelining 10 k to 40 k cellular calcium units are compared with an equivalent simulation run on a standard PC workstation. Results show that the cellular hardware model is, on average, 83 times faster than the CPU version.

Computational Model of Secondary Palate Fusion and Disruption

EPA Science Inventory

Morphogenetic events are driven by cell-generated physical forces and complex cellular dynamics. To improve our capacity to predict developmental effects from cellular alterations, we built a multi-cellular agent-based model in CompuCell3D that recapitulates the cellular networks...

Analyse des interactions energetiques entre un arena et son systeme de refrigeration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seghouani, Lotfi

La presente these s'inscrit dans le cadre d'un projet strategique sur les arenas finance par le CRSNG (Conseil de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles et en Genie du Canada) qui a pour but principal le developpement d'un outil numerique capable d'estimer et d'optimiser la consommation d'energie dans les arenas et curlings. Notre travail s'inscrit comme une suite a un travail deja realise par DAOUD et coll. (2006, 2007) qui a developpe un modele 3D (AIM) en regime transitoire de l'arena Camilien Houde a Montreal et qui calcule les flux de chaleur a travers l'enveloppe du batiment ainsi que les distributions de temperatures et d'humidite durant une annee meteorologique typique. En particulier, il calcule les flux de chaleur a travers la couche de glace dus a la convection, la radiation et la condensation. Dans un premier temps nous avons developpe un modele de la structure sous la glace (BIM) qui tient compte de sa geometrie 3D, des differentes couches, de l'effet transitoire, des gains de chaleur du sol en dessous et autour de l'arena etudie ainsi que de la temperature d'entree de la saumure dans la dalle de beton. Par la suite le BIM a ete couple le AIM. Dans la deuxieme etape, nous avons developpe un modele du systeme de refrigeration (REFSYS) en regime quasi-permanent pour l'arena etudie sur la base d'une combinaison de relations thermodynamiques, de correlations de transfert de chaleur et de relations elaborees a partir de donnees disponibles dans le catalogue du manufacturier. Enfin le couplage final entre l'AIM +BIM et le REFSYS a ete effectue sous l'interface du logiciel TRNSYS. Plusieurs etudes parametriques on ete entreprises pour evaluer les effets du climat, de la temperature de la saumure, de l'epaisseur de la glace, etc. sur la consommation energetique de l'arena. Aussi, quelques strategies pour diminuer cette consommation ont ete etudiees. Le considerable potentiel de recuperation de chaleur au niveau des condenseurs qui peut reduire l'energie requise par le systeme de ventilation de l'arena a ete mis en evidence. Mots cles. Arena, Systeme de refrigeration, Consommation d'energie, Efficacite energetique, Conduction au sol, Performance annuelle.

Genetic Algorithm Calibration of Probabilistic Cellular Automata for Modeling Mining Permit Activity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Louis, S.J.; Raines, G.L.

2003-01-01

We use a genetic algorithm to calibrate a spatially and temporally resolved cellular automata to model mining activity on public land in Idaho and western Montana. The genetic algorithm searches through a space of transition rule parameters of a two dimensional cellular automata model to find rule parameters that fit observed mining activity data. Previous work by one of the authors in calibrating the cellular automaton took weeks - the genetic algorithm takes a day and produces rules leading to about the same (or better) fit to observed data. These preliminary results indicate that genetic algorithms are a viable tool in calibrating cellular automata for this application. Experience gained during the calibration of this cellular automata suggests that mineral resource information is a critical factor in the quality of the results. With automated calibration, further refinements of how the mineral-resource information is provided to the cellular automaton will probably improve our model.

The Cultivation of Ivy. A Saga of the College in America.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thelin, John R

The popular image of the Ivy League is one of a slightly awesome bastion of the well-born, well-bred, and soon-to-be-powerful or, less charitably, a haven for "the effete, unAmerican, and hopelessly bookish." This pervasive idea of collegiate personality is analyzed, tracing the evolution of the Ivy League from an incongruous array of…

Symetrie en energie des spectres de l'onde de densite de charge dans le 2-hydrogene seleniure de niobium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behmand, Behnaz

Les mecanismes qui menent a la supraconductivite dans les supraconducteurs a haute temperature critique sont encore aujourd'hui mal compris contrairement a ceux dans les supraconducteurs conventionnels. Dans les hauts-Tc, certaines modulations de la densite d'etats electroniques coexistant avec la phase supraconductrice ont ete observees, ce qui engendre des questionnements sur leur role dans la supraconductivite. En fait, plusieurs types de modulation de la densite d'etats electroniques existent, comme par exemple l'onde de densite de charge et l'onde de densite de paires. Ces deux modulations, d'origines differentes et mesurables avec la technique de spectroscopie par effet tunnel, peuvent etre differenciees avec une etude de leur symetrie. Ce memoire consistera donc a presenter l'etude de la symetrie de l'onde de densite de charge dans le 2H-NbSe2 qui est presente dans la phase supraconductrice a 300 mK. Par contre, certaines difficultes liees au principe de mesure, soit l'effet de normalisation, nuisent a l'identification de cette symetrie. La methode, pour contourner ce probleme sera alors l'element clef de ce travail.

Accident D’Electrisation et Hemorragie Cerebro-Meningee : A Propos D’une Observation

PubMed Central

Chaibdraa, A.; Medjellakh, M.S.; Saouli, A.; Bentakouk, M.C.

2008-01-01

Summary L'électrisation est un évènement accidentel qui diffère des autres pathologies occasionnant des brûlures graves, à cause de ses spécificités qui traduisent d'une part la destruction du revêtement cutané, mais également les effets directs ou indirects du courant électrique sur tout tissu de l'organisme rencontré lors de son passage, en particulier le tissu nerveux. Les manifestations neurologiques centrales sont nombreuses, en relation avec les effets de l'électricité sur le parenchyme cérébral ou une lésion associée à l'électrisation. Nous rapportons l'observation d'une hémorragie cérébro-meningée survenant au 3ème jour d'une électrisation grave. Cette complication est bien documentée dans la littérature traitant des accidents d'électrisation post-foudroiement. N'ayant pas rencontré de cas similaire publié lors des accidents dus au courant industriel, nous présentons cette observation, qui soulève le problème du mécanisme physiopathologique de survenue, difficile à trancher. PMID:21991125

Hydrodynamic Coating of a Fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quéré, D.; de Ryck, A.

We discuss how a solid (especially a fiber) is coated when drawn out of a bath of liquid. 1. For slow withdrawals out of pure viscous liquids, the data are found to be fitted by the famous Landau law: then, the coating results from a balance between viscosity and capillarity. For quicker withdrawals, the thickness of the entrained film suddenly diverges, at a velocity on order 1 m/s. Inertia is shown to be responsible for this effect. At still higher velocities, the thickness decreases with the velocity because the solid can only entrain the viscous boundary layer. 2. For complex fluids, surface effects are found in the low velocity regime: out of a surfactant solution, films are thicker than predicted by Landau, by a factor of order 2. The thickening factor is shown to be fixed by the Marangoni flow due to the presence of surfactants; out of an emulsion, the film can be enriched with oil , which can be understood by a simple model of capture; out of a polymer solution, a strong swelling of the film is observed if normal stresses are present. Hence, the problem has two families of solution: (i) at low velocity, the thickness of the layer is fixed by a balance between viscous and surface forces and thus is sensitive to the presence of surfactants, or other heterogeneities; (ii) at high velocity, inertia must be considered and the film thickness is fixed by the bulk properties of the liquid (density and viscosity). In these regimes, it is not affected by the presence of surfactants in the bath. Nous décrivons le dépôt de liquide sur un solide (le plus souvent une fibre) qui advient quand on tire ce solide d'un bain. 1. Si le retrait se fait lentement hors d'un liquide pur et visqueux, les données expérimentales suivent la loi de Landau : le dépôt résulte d'un compromis entre forces visqueuses et forces capillaires. Pour des retraits plus rapides, on observe que l'épaisseur du dépôt diverge, pour une vitesse de l'ordre du mètre par seconde. Nous montrons comment l'inertie du fluide engendre un tel effet. Plus vite encore, l'épaisseur décroît lentement avec la vitesse, le solide ne parvenant à entraîner avec lui que la couche limite visqueuse qu'il a mis en mouvement. 2. Pour des liquides complexes, des effets de surface sont observés dans le régime basse vitesse : hors d'une solution de tensioactifs, les films sont plus épais que ce que prévoit la loi de Landau, d'un facteur 2 environ. Nous montrons que l'épaississement est déterminé par l'écoulement Marangoni dû à la présence des tensioactifs ; hors d'une émulsion, le film peut être enrichi en huile, ce que l'on peut interpréter à l'aide d'un modèle de capture ; hors d'une solution de polymère, on observe un fort gonflement du film dès que la solution est semi-diluée, à cause de l'effet des contraintes normales (effet Weissenberg). Le problème étudié a donc deux familles de solution : (i) à basse vitesse, le dépôt résulte d'un compromis entre viscosité et capillarité, si bien qu'il est sensible à la présence dans le bain d'hétérogénéités (tensioactifs, gouttes d'huile) ; (ii) à plus grande vitesse, l'inertie doit être prise en compte et l'épaisseur du film est alors liée aux propriétés de volume du liquide (densité et viscosité).

Fibrillation auriculaire et activité physique

PubMed Central

Bosomworth, N. John

2015-01-01

Résumé Objectif Examiner les données probantes portant sur les effets de divers niveaux d’activité physique sur l’incidence de fibrillation auriculaire (FA) dans la population générale et chez les athlètes d’endurance. Sources des données Une recherche a initialement été menée sur PubMed à l’aide des titres MeSH ou des mots-de-texte anglais (avec descripteur de zone de recherche TIAB [title and abstract]) atrial fibrillation et exercise ou physical activity ou athlet* ou sport*, sans filtre additionnel. Le système GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation) a été utilisé pour tirer les conclusions au sujet de la qualité et du niveau de preuve. Sélection des études Aucune étude d’intervention n’est ressortie de la recherche. Les études d’observation ont alors été jugées acceptables et, bien que des études prospectives de cohortes à long terme de plus grande envergure auraient été préférables, des essais cas-témoins ou transversaux ont aussi été inclus dans cette révision. Synthèse Les données disponibles laissent croire à un lien proportionnel à la dose entre l’exercice plus intense et l’incidence réduite de FA chez les femmes. Il en va de même pour les hommes dont le niveau d’activité physique est de faible à modéré. Chez les hommes seulement, l’activité intense est associée à un risque accru de FA et ce, dans la plupart des études, mais pas la totalité d’entre elles. Ce risque est modéré, le rapport de risque instantané étant de 1,29 dans l’une des études de meilleure qualité. Le risque de FA chez la plupart des personnes régulièrement actives est plus faible que le risque observé dans la population sédentaire appariée. Conclusion La fibrillation auriculaire est probablement moins fréquente à mesure que le niveau d’activité physique augmente, la relation dose-réponse étant démontrable. À toutes les intensités, l’exercice doit être encouragé pour ses effets sur le bien-être physique et la réduction de la mortalité. Chez les hommes qui pratiquent des activités vigoureuses, les effets bénéfiques sur la FA pourraient disparaître et le risque pourrait surpasser celui observé dans la population sédentaire; cependant les données probantes à cet effet ne sont ni robustes ni constantes. Ces hommes devraient être mis au courant de cette hausse modeste du risque s’ils choisissent de poursuivre leurs activités physiques vigoureuses.

Cellular Responses to Mechanical Stress Selected Contribution: A Three-Dimensional Model for Assessment of in Vitro Toxicity in Balaena Mysticetus Renal Tissue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodwin, T. J.; Coate-Li, L.; Linnehan, R. M.; Hammond, T. G.

2000-01-01

This study established two- and three-dimensional renal proximal tubular cell cultures of the endangered species bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), developed SV40-transfected cultures, and cloned the 61-amino acid open reading frame for the metallothionein protein, the primary binding site for heavy metal contamination in mammals. Microgravity research, modulations in mechanical culture conditions (modeled microgravity), and shear stress have spawned innovative approaches to understanding the dynamics of cellular interactions, gene expression, and differentiation in several cellular systems. These investigations have led to the creation of ex vivo tissue models capable of serving as physiological research analogs for three-dimensional cellular interactions. These models are enabling studies in immune function, tissue modeling for basic research, and neoplasia. Three-dimensional cellular models emulate aspects of in vivo cellular architecture and physiology and may facilitate environmental toxicological studies aimed at elucidating biological functions and responses at the cellular level. Marine mammals occupy a significant ecological niche (72% of the Earth's surface is water) in terms of the potential for information on bioaccumulation and transport of terrestrial and marine environmental toxins in high-order vertebrates. Few ex vivo models of marine mammal physiology exist in vitro to accomplish the aforementioned studies. Techniques developed in this investigation, based on previous tissue modeling successes, may serve to facilitate similar research in other marine mammals.

Evaluation de L’Effet du Vieillissement des Equipages sur les Consequences du Decalage Horaire (Evaluation of Crew Members Aging on Jet-Lag Consequences)

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-08-01

Ergonomia , 1987, 30, 13 79- physique que psychologique. Cela tend A damontrer que 1393. dans des conditions militaires op~rationnelles, les 2...melatonin. Ergonomia , 1987, 30, 1379- 1393. 2 - BLOIS R, FEINBERG I., GAILLARD J.M., KUPFER D.J. and WEBB W.B. Sleep in normal and pathological aging

Electromagnetic Noise Interference and Compatibility

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-11-01

RADIO INTERFERENCE by C.Fengler 7 LES CHARGES ELECTROSTATIQUES ET LES PERTURBATIONS QU’ELLES ENTRAINENT DANS LES LIAISONS RADIOELECTRIQUES par...PAR LA TRANSMISSION DANS UN SYSTFJE INTEGRE AEROPORTE par r,.David et M.Vanneizel 31 Not available at time of priating Reference DIGITAL DATA...TRANSMISSION IN AIRCRAFT: EMC-PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS by R.Rode 32 GENERATIONS El EFFETS DES TENSIONS PARASITES DE CONDUCTION ET DE RAVONNEMENT ENTRE

Impuretés et systèmes corrélés. Des chaînes aux cuprates supraconducteurs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobroff, J.

2005-01-01

Impurities and correlated systems Discovery of high TC superconductors has opened the new field of strongly correlated fermions physics. In these compounds, mostly transition metal oxides, strong correlations between electrons affect sharply their electronic properties. In order to determine accurately these correlations and their possible link with superconductivity, we study the effect of local defects such as non magnetic impurities. In fact, in the more simple case of insulating spin chains and ladders, these impurities induce a staggered magnetism in their neighborhood which reveals the underlying electronic correlations. Similar effects are observed in high TC superconductors, using local probes such as nuclear magnetic resonance. These observations allow to get a better understanding of both normal and superconducting state of these oxides, both full of surprises. La découverte des supraconducteurs à haute température critique a ouvert la voie à une nouvelle physique, celle des fermions fortement corrélés. Dans ces systèmes, le plus souvent des oxydes de métaux de transition, les fortes corrélations entre électrons affectent profondément leurs propriétés électroniques et induisent de nouveaux états originaux : liquides de spins, supraconductivité, etc. Pour mesurer ces corrélations et ainsi déterminer leur lien éventuel avec la supraconductivité, nous proposons d'étudier l'effet de défauts ponctuels tels que des impuretés non magnétiques. En effet, dans le cas plus simple de chaînes ou d'échelles de spin isolantes, ces impuretés induisent dans leur voisinage immédiat un magnétisme alterné révélateur des corrélations électroniques. Des effets semblables sont observés dans les supraconducteurs à haute température critique, grâce à des sondes locales comme la résonance magnétique nucléaire. Ces observations permettent de mieux comprendre à la fois l'état normal et supraconducteur de ces oxydes, tous deux riches en surprises.

Les hémodialysés HVC sont-ils vraiment des patients difficiles à traiter?

PubMed Central

Krati, Khadija; Cherquaoui, Hind; Oubaha, Sofia; Samlani, Zouhour

2015-01-01

L'hépatite C demeure la principale infection virale chez l'hémodialysé, dont la prise en charge thérapeutique ainsi que la gestion de ses effets secondaires restent difficiles. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective portant sur tous les patients atteints d'hépatite C chronique ayant une insuffisance rénale chronique sous hémodialyse, suivis au service de gastroentérologie au CHU Mohamed VI de Marrakech sur une période de Janvier 2004 à Décembre 2014. Sur un total de 355 cas d'hépatite virale C, 13 patients étaient hémodialysés (3,66%). Dix patients ont été traités, soit 76,94% des cas. Le traitement n’était pas indiqué chez 2 patients ayant une fibrose minime sans cytolyse. Il était contre-indiqué chez une patiente multitarée. Deux malades ont eu une réponse virologique rapide et 5 une réponse virologique précoce. Le taux de réponse virologique soutenue était de 40%, 30% des patients étaient non répondeurs. Le traitement fut arrêté chez 2 patientes pour effets secondaires sévères. Un seul patient a été candidat à une transplantation rénale. En analyse multivariée, la réponse virologique soutenue a été significativement associée à certains facteurs prédictifs de bonne réponse thérapeutique: Age jeune ≤40 ans (P=0,0057), fibrose minime F1-F2 (P=0,03), génotype non 1 (P=0,0064), charge virale préthérapeutique <800000 UI/ml (P=0,013), et l'absence d'arrêt thérapeutique (P=0,028). La gestion efficace des effets secondaires du traitement de HVC permet d'obtenir chez l'hémodialysé un taux de réponse virologique soutenue avoisinant celui de la population générale. PMID:27022433

Durcissement superficiel de la fonte grise Ft25 induit par un traitement de surface dans le moule

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouitna, Mohamed; Boutarek-Zaourar, Naïma; Mansour, Samir; Chentouf, Samir Mourad; Mossang, Eric

2018-02-01

L'objectif de cette étude est la consolidation en surface de la fonte grise lamellaire Ft25 par un dépôt riche en manganèse en développant une méthode combinant en une seule opération l'élaboration et le traitement de surface dans le moule. Les effets de la granulométrie du ferro-manganèse (80 % Mn + 20 % Fe), ainsi que l'épaisseur des pièces en fontes sur les couches formées ont été étudiés. On a retenu trois granulométries du ferro-manganèse de 0,18 mm, 0,25 mm et 0,5 mm pour le traitement des pièces en fontes présentant des épaisseurs de 25 mm, 100 mm et 200 mm. Parmi les résultats obtenus, on distingue une consolidation des propriétés en surface induite par la formation d'une couche riche en manganèse continue et homogène. L'effet de la granulométrie du ferro-manganèse sur l'épaisseur de la couche traitée a été mis en évidence. La variation de l'épaisseur des couches formées diminue avec l'augmentation de la granulométrie du ferro-manganèse. Pour une pièce de 100 mm d'épaisseur, la couche formée est estimée à 350 μm pour une granulométrie de 0,18 alors qu'elle n'est que de 180 μm pour une granulométrie de 0,5. L'effet de l'épaisseur de la pièce n'est en revanche pas assez prononcé sur la taille des couches formées. Une amélioration nette de la résistance, à l'usure de la fonte traitée en relation avec les transformations en surface, a été mise en évidence.

Les neuropathies liées au VIH/SIDA: une étude clinique chez les patients infectés par le VIH au Centre d'Excellence VIH/SIDA de l'Université de Lubumbashi

PubMed Central

Kabongo, Joe Katabwa; Kaputu-Kalala-Malu, Célestin; Luboya, Oscar; Mutombo, Valerien; Ntambwe, Abel; Mapatano, Mala Ali; Mukendi, Kavulu Mayamba

2015-01-01

Introduction En vue d'améliorer la prise en charge des patients souffrant de neuropathie (NP) associées à l'infection HIV, nous avons essayé de déterminer le profil clinique des personnes souffrant de NP au cours du suivi thérapeutique de leur infection HIV. Méthodes Il s'agit d'une étude transversale (n= 101) menée au centre d'excellence depuis 1 an. Notre analyse est essentiellement clinique. Par un examen clinique minutieux, nous avons recherché tous les symptômes et signes cliniques des NP. Subjectivement, les douleurs dominent le tableau. Pour affiner leur diagnostic, nous avons utilisé l’échelle DN4 (Diagnostic des douleurs neuropathiques) et l’échelle EVA (Evaluation de la gravité des douleurs). Nous avons ensuite analysé nos données en fonction de certains autres facteurs épidémiologiques tels que le taux des CD4, le traitement anti-HIV etc. Résultats Les 101 patients représentent 3,12% de la cohorte générale; 53,3% des patients présentent une abolition des réflexes ostéotendineux des membres inférieurs; 77,89% présentent une hypoesthésie thermo algique en chaussette et en gants; 25% ont présenté une amyotrophie des membres inférieurs; 76,5% ont été soumis à un traitement antirétroviral contenant la stavudine; 11,7% ont pris la didanosine (DDI) et Abacavir (ABC). 84% ont une moyenne de CD4 de 292 cel/mm3. Conclusion La NP altère la qualité de vie de nos patients et diminue l'adhérence au traitement antirétroviral. Plusieurs facteurs sont incriminés dans la survenue de la NP, l'effet direct des antirétroviraux, l'effet inflammatoire dysimmunitaire, l'effet infectieux lié aux infections opportunistes. D'autres facteurs seront recherchés et analysés ultérieurement. PMID:26185582

Cellular-based modeling of oscillatory dynamics in brain networks.

PubMed

Skinner, Frances K

2012-08-01

Oscillatory, population activities have long been known to occur in our brains during different behavioral states. We know that many different cell types exist and that they contribute in distinct ways to the generation of these activities. I review recent papers that involve cellular-based models of brain networks, most of which include theta, gamma and sharp wave-ripple activities. To help organize the modeling work, I present it from a perspective of three different types of cellular-based modeling: 'Generic', 'Biophysical' and 'Linking'. Cellular-based modeling is taken to encompass the four features of experiment, model development, theory/analyses, and model usage/computation. The three modeling types are shown to include these features and interactions in different ways. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integration des sciences et de la langue: Creation et experimentation d'un modele pedagogique pour ameliorer l'apprentissage des sciences en milieu francophone minoritaire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cormier, Marianne

Les faibles resultats en sciences des eleves du milieu francophone minoritaire, lors d'epreuves au plan national et international, ont interpelle la recherche de solutions. Cette these avait pour but de creer et d'experimenter un modele pedagogique pour l'enseignement des sciences en milieu linguistique minoritaire. En raison de la presence de divers degres de francite chez la clientele scolaire de ce milieu, plusieurs elements langagiers (l'ecriture, la discussion et la lecture) ont ete integres a l'apprentissage scientifique. Nous avions recommande de commencer le processus d'apprentissage avec des elements langagiers plutot informels (redaction dans un journal, discussions en dyades...) pour progresser vers des activites langagieres plus formelles (redaction de rapports ou d'explications scientifiques). En ce qui a trait a l'apprentissage scientifique, le modele preconisait une demarche d'evolution conceptuelle d'inspiration socio-constructiviste tout en s'appuyant fortement sur l'apprentissage experientiel. Lors de l'experimentation du modele, nous voulions savoir si celui-ci provoquait une evolution conceptuelle chez les eleves, et si, simultanement, le vocabulaire scientifique de ces derniers s'enrichissait. Par ailleurs, nous cherchions a comprendre comment les eleves vivaient leurs apprentissages dans le cadre de ce modele pedagogique. Une classe de cinquieme annee de l'ecole de Grande-Digue, dans le Sud-est du Nouveau-Brunswick, a participe a la mise a l'essai du modele en etudiant les marais sales locaux. Lors d'entrevues initiales, nous avons remarque que les connaissances des eleves au sujet des marais sales etaient limitees. En effet, s'ils etaient conscients que les marais etaient des lieux naturels, ils ne pouvaient pas necessairement les decrire avec precision. Nous avons egalement constate que les eleves utilisaient surtout des mots communs (plantes, oiseaux, insectes) pour decrire le marais. Les resultats obtenus indiquent que les eleves ont progresse dans leurs conceptions au sujet des marais. A la suite de l'intervention pedagogique, ils peuvent decrire le marais de facon comparable a des scientifiques en mettant a profit des mots scientifiques (spartine alterniflore, detritus, chevalier a pattes jaunes). Selon nous, les apprentissages des eleves s'expliquent surtout par la juxtaposition, dans le modele pedagogique, des elements langagiers avec une demarche de changement conceptuel a caractere experientiel. En effet, lors de cette demarche, les eleves se sont beaucoup questionnes, ont ecrit leurs reflexions, discute de leurs preoccupations et consulte des documents. Ces activites langagieres se sont deroulees directement dans le marais ainsi qu'a la suite de visites dans celui-ci. Ainsi, la possibilite de decouverte a ete reelle pour eux. Ces differents elements se sont combines pour creer une forte motivation. Le tout s'est arrime pour permettre une evolution conceptuelle et langagiere. Le modele pedagogique experimente pourrait ainsi s'averer tres fecond aupres des eleves du milieu linguistique minoritaire.

A Model of How Different Biology Experts Explain Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trujillo, Caleb M.; Anderson, Trevor R.; Pelaez, Nancy J.

2015-01-01

Constructing explanations is an essential skill for all science learners. The goal of this project was to model the key components of expert explanation of molecular and cellular mechanisms. As such, we asked: What is an appropriate model of the components of explanation used by biology experts to explain molecular and cellular mechanisms? Do…

An Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Laboratory Exercise on Cellular Respiration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scholer, Anne-Marie; Hatton, Mary

2008-01-01

This study is an analysis of the effectiveness of a faculty-designed laboratory experience about a difficult topic, cellular respiration. The activity involves a hands-on model of the cellular-respiration process, making use of wooden ball-and-stick chemistry models and small toy trucks on a table top model of the mitochondrion. Students…

Cellular senescence in the Penna model of aging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Periwal, Avikar

2013-11-01

Cellular senescence is thought to play a major role in age-related diseases, which cause nearly 67% of all human deaths worldwide. Recent research in mice showed that exercising mice had higher levels of telomerase, an enzyme that helps maintain telomere length, than nonexercising mice. A commonly used model for biological aging was proposed by Penna. I propose a modification of the Penna model that incorporates cellular senescence and find an analytical steady-state solution following Coe, Mao, and Cates [Phys. Rev. Lett.PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.89.288103 89, 288103 (2002)]. I find that models corresponding to delayed cellular senescence have younger populations that live longer. I fit the model to the United Kingdom's death distribution, which the original Penna model cannot do.

Generic framework for mining cellular automata models on protein-folding simulations.

PubMed

Diaz, N; Tischer, I

2016-05-13

Cellular automata model identification is an important way of building simplified simulation models. In this study, we describe a generic architectural framework to ease the development process of new metaheuristic-based algorithms for cellular automata model identification in protein-folding trajectories. Our framework was developed by a methodology based on design patterns that allow an improved experience for new algorithms development. The usefulness of the proposed framework is demonstrated by the implementation of four algorithms, able to obtain extremely precise cellular automata models of the protein-folding process with a protein contact map representation. Dynamic rules obtained by the proposed approach are discussed, and future use for the new tool is outlined.

Geometric Modeling of Cellular Materials for Additive Manufacturing in Biomedical Field: A Review

PubMed Central

Rosso, Stefano; Meneghello, Roberto; Concheri, Gianmaria

2018-01-01

Advances in additive manufacturing technologies facilitate the fabrication of cellular materials that have tailored functional characteristics. The application of solid freeform fabrication techniques is especially exploited in designing scaffolds for tissue engineering. In this review, firstly, a classification of cellular materials from a geometric point of view is proposed; then, the main approaches on geometric modeling of cellular materials are discussed. Finally, an investigation on porous scaffolds fabricated by additive manufacturing technologies is pointed out. Perspectives in geometric modeling of scaffolds for tissue engineering are also proposed. PMID:29487626

Geometric Modeling of Cellular Materials for Additive Manufacturing in Biomedical Field: A Review.

PubMed

Savio, Gianpaolo; Rosso, Stefano; Meneghello, Roberto; Concheri, Gianmaria

2018-01-01

Advances in additive manufacturing technologies facilitate the fabrication of cellular materials that have tailored functional characteristics. The application of solid freeform fabrication techniques is especially exploited in designing scaffolds for tissue engineering. In this review, firstly, a classification of cellular materials from a geometric point of view is proposed; then, the main approaches on geometric modeling of cellular materials are discussed. Finally, an investigation on porous scaffolds fabricated by additive manufacturing technologies is pointed out. Perspectives in geometric modeling of scaffolds for tissue engineering are also proposed.

NATO Human Resources (Manpower) Management (Gestion des ressources humaines (effectifs) de l’OTAN)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-01

performances , la gestion des récompenses et du salaire, et la motivation du personnel. En conséquence, il faut que la gestion des ressources humaines...importance au fil du temps. Les ressources humaines, chargées à l’origine de l’embauche, du licenciement, de la paie et de la gestion des ...les effets des systèmes d’évaluation des performances ;

Afterrise: Deep Body Temperature Following Exercise

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-03-01

Egalement, les effets de la posture et des v~tements durant la recuperation et la temperature de la salle de recuperation furent examines. Cinq hommes se...chemise a manches courtes). Les temperatures rectales et de la peau furent mesurees A chaque minute durant les exercices et la r~cup~ration affectaient...overgarment. RESUME Cette etude fut entreprise pour documenter l’augmentation continue de la temperature rectale apres exercice dans la chaleur

Impact of Technologies on Learning in the Workplace. Final Report = L'effet des technologies d'apprentissage sur l'apprentissage a vie en milieu de travail.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dugas, Tim; Green, Lyndsay; Leckie, Norm

The use of learning technologies in the workplace and their impact on lifelong learning were examined. Data were collected from three sources: the literature on learning technologies and labor market trends affecting the adoption, implementation, and success of learning technologies in the workplace; case studies of 8 Canadian firms with 100 or…

Prevention des Toxicomanies Aupres des Filles avec des Problemes de Comportement: Effets a Court Terme (Prevention of Drug Addiction in Girls with Behavior Problems: Short-Term Effects).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vitaro, Frank; And Others

1992-01-01

This article, written in French, describes and evaluates the first phase of a program to prevent drug addiction among 110 fifth-grade girls with behavior problems in Montreal (Quebec, Canada). Evaluation of the instructional program showed positive results for student knowledge level, attitudes, and behaviors and supported program continuation…

Possibilité d'une nouvelle technologie de traitement des minerais de fer de l'Ouenza par radiométrie

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Idres, A.; Bounouala, M.

2005-05-01

En l'absence d'une technologie fiable de traitement des haldes de minerais de fer, les caractéristiques minéralogiques et chimiques complexes et les effets néfastes des résidus miniers posent réellement un problème environnemental. A cet effet, une étude minéralogique et chimique du minerai de fer a été menée en utilisant des techniques multiples (microscopie optique, DRX, FX, MEB). En tenant compte de la nature des résidus, des échantillons représentatifs ont été testés par séparation radiométrique. Plusieurs paramètres ont été caractérisés tels que la vitesse de la bande transporteuse, le temps d'émission des rayons gamma et la granulométrie d'alimentation du procédé. Les résultats ainsi obtenus par cette méthode de séparation sont très significatifs en récupération et en teneur fer. Cependant, cette nouvelle technologie permet d'une part une meilleure valorisation des minerais de fer et d'autre part une réduction du tonnage stocké sur le carreau de la mine.

Effets tardifs d'une irradiation corporelle totale sur le métabolisme intraneuronal de la dopamine et de la sérotonine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joubert, C.; Jacquet, N.; Lambert, F.; Martin, S.; Martin, C.

1998-04-01

Whole-body irradiation leads to delayed cognitive dysfunction which could result from perturbations of neurotransmission, specially the dopaminergic and the serotoninergic one. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites in three cerebral areas of rats, one month after (neutron-gamma) irradiation at 3.38Gy. An increase of DA, 5-HT, and their catabolites was observed. These effects are weak but observed in older rats. Au cours des mois suivant une irradiation corporell totale peuvent se manifester des troubles comportementaux qui pourraient être la conséquence d'altérations de la neuraotransmission, plus particulièrement de la transmission dopaminergique ou sérotoninergique. Nous avons recherché les variations des taux de dopamine (DA), de sérotonine (5-HT) et de leurs métabolites dans 3structures cérébrales 1 mois après une irradiation (neutron-gamma) à la dose de 3,38Gy. Les résultats préliminaires mettent en évidence une augmentation des taux de DA, de 5-HT et de leurs catabolites ; ces effets sont plus discrets mais similaires à ceux observés chez des animaux plus âgés.

Effet d'un champ magnétique uniforme sur les instabilités de Rayleigh-Bénard avec effet Soret

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ben Sassi, Mokhtar; Kaddeche, Slim; Abdennadher, Ali; Henry, Daniel; Hadid, Hamda Ben; Mojtabi, Abdelkader

2016-01-01

The effect of both magnitude and orientation of a uniform magnetic field on the critical transition occurring within an electrically conducting binary fluid layer, stratified in temperature and concentration, taking into account the Soret effect, is investigated numerically. For such a configuration, the results show that the critical thresholds corresponding to an arbitrary orientated magnetic field can be derived from those obtained for a vertical magnetic field and that the axes of the marginal cells are aligned with the horizontal component of the magnetic field. Moreover, an analytical study is conducted to investigate the impact of the magnetic field on long-wavelength instabilities. The effect of the magnetic field on such instabilities reveals a new phenomenon consisting in major changes of the unstable modes that lose their unicellular nature to regain their multi-roll characteristic, as it is the case without magnetic field for ψ <ψℓ0 = 131 Le / (34 - 131 Le). For a binary fluid characterized by a Lewis number Le and a separation factor ψ >ψℓ0, the value of the Hartmann number Haℓ (ψ , Le) corresponding to that transition responsible for a significant change in mass and heat transfer can be determined from the analytical relations derived in this work.

Emergence of tissue mechanics from cellular processes: shaping a fly wing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merkel, Matthias; Etournay, Raphael; Popovic, Marko; Nandi, Amitabha; Brandl, Holger; Salbreux, Guillaume; Eaton, Suzanne; Jülicher, Frank

Nowadays, biologistsare able to image biological tissueswith up to 10,000 cells in vivowhere the behavior of each individual cell can be followed in detail.However, how precisely large-scale tissue deformation and stresses emerge from cellular behavior remains elusive. Here, we study this question in the developing wing of the fruit fly. To this end, we first establish a geometrical framework that exactly decomposes tissue deformation into contributions by different kinds of cellular processes. These processes comprise cell shape changes, cell neighbor exchanges, cell divisions, and cell extrusions. As the key idea, we introduce a tiling of the cellular network into triangles. This approach also reveals that tissue deformation can also be created by correlated cellular motion. Based on quantifications using these concepts, we developed a novel continuum mechanical model for the fly wing. In particular, our model includes active anisotropic stresses and a delay in the response of cell rearrangements to material stresses. A different approach to study the emergence of tissue mechanics from cellular behavior are cell-based models. We characterize the properties of a cell-based model for 3D tissues that is a hybrid between single particle models and the so-called vertex models.

ChainMail based neural dynamics modeling of soft tissue deformation for surgical simulation.

PubMed

Zhang, Jinao; Zhong, Yongmin; Smith, Julian; Gu, Chengfan

2017-07-20

Realistic and real-time modeling and simulation of soft tissue deformation is a fundamental research issue in the field of surgical simulation. In this paper, a novel cellular neural network approach is presented for modeling and simulation of soft tissue deformation by combining neural dynamics of cellular neural network with ChainMail mechanism. The proposed method formulates the problem of elastic deformation into cellular neural network activities to avoid the complex computation of elasticity. The local position adjustments of ChainMail are incorporated into the cellular neural network as the local connectivity of cells, through which the dynamic behaviors of soft tissue deformation are transformed into the neural dynamics of cellular neural network. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed neural network approach is capable of modeling the soft tissues' nonlinear deformation and typical mechanical behaviors. The proposed method not only improves ChainMail's linear deformation with the nonlinear characteristics of neural dynamics but also enables the cellular neural network to follow the principle of continuum mechanics to simulate soft tissue deformation.

Analysis of electrical property changes of skin by oil-in-water emulsion components

PubMed Central

Jeong, CB; Han, JY; Cho, JC; Suh, KD; Nam, GW

2013-01-01

Synopsis ObjectivesAs the ‘Dry Skin Cycle’ produces continuous deterioration, cosmetic xerosis (flaky, dry skin) is one of the major concerns to most consumers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moisturizing effect of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion components. There are numerous types of oils, waxes, polyols and surfactants used as ingredients in skincare products. However, the moisturizing effect of each ingredient and understanding each use to make an effective moisturizing products are still not well understood. Methods To provide answers to these questions, we investigated the moisturizing effect of widely used 41 components (four different classes) in a simple O/W emulsion using capacitance methods. 106 different single oils, and combinations of oil with oil, wax, humectants, and surfactant were formulated and tested. Results In this study, we found that most of the O/W emulsion components had hydration effects on the skin. (i) The average relative water content increase (RWCI) rate of a single oil-based emulsion was 11.8 ± 5.2% (SE) and 7.9 ± 6.0% (SE) at 3 and 6 h, respectively. (ii) An oil combination emulsion showed an average RWCI rate similar to that of a single oil-based emulsion, 12.6 ± 6.0% (SE) and 12.1 ± 6.4% (SE) at 3 and 6 h, respectively (iii) A combination of waxes with oil showed an average RWCI rate of 16 ± 5.6% (SE) and 12.4 ± 4.5% (SE) at 3 and 6 h, respectively. (iv) Humectant combinations showed the highest average RWCI rate 28 ± 7.3% (SE) and 22.2 ± 7.5% (SE) at 3 and 6 h, respectively (v) Surfactant combinations had an average RWCI of 10.8 ± 4.5% (SE) and 6.0 ± 4.0% (SE) at 3 and 6 h, respectively. Conclusion Interestingly, it was difficult to find moisturizing power differences among samples in the same group. Only the humectants group showed significant differences among samples. Glycerine and urea showed significant skin hydration effects compared with other humectants. We also found a significant moisturizing effect by analysing the chemical functional groups; amide class had a higher hydration effect than betaines and disaccharides in humectants combination. Résumé Objectif Puisque le «cycle de la peau sèche” produit une détérioration continue, la xérose cosmétique (squameuse, peau sèche) est l’une des préoccupations majeures pour la plupart des consommateurs. Le but de cette étude était d’étudier l’effet hydratant des composants d’émulsions H / E. Il existe de nombreux types d’huiles, des cires, de polyols, et des tensioactifs utilisés comme ingrédients dans les produits de soins de la peau. Cependant, l’effet hydratant de chaque ingrédient et de leur utilisation dans des produits hydratants efficaces ne sont pas encore bien compris. MethodesPour apporter des réponses à ces questions, nous avons étudié l’effet hydratant des 41 éléments (4 classes différentes) largement utilisés dans une émulsion simple O/W en utilisant des méthodes de capacitance. 106 huiles individuelles différentes et des combinaisons d’huile avec de l’huile, de la cire, des humectants, et de tensioactifs ont été formulées et testées. ResultatsDans cette étude, nous avons constaté que la plupart des composants des émulsions huile-dans-eau (H/E) possédaient des effets d’hydratation de la peau. (i) Le taux moyen d’augmentation d’eau (RWCI = relative water content increase) d’une émulsion à base d’une seule huile était de 11,8 ± 5,2% (SE) et de 7,9 ± 6,0% (SE) à 3 et 6 h, respectivement. (ii) Une émulsion de combinaison d’huile montrait une RWCI similaire à celle d’une émulsion à base d’huile unique, 12,6 ± 6,0% (SE) et 12,1 ± 6,4% (SE) à 3 et 6 h, respectivement. (iii) Une combinaison des cires avec de l’huile présentait une RWCI de 16 ± 5,6% (SE) et 12,4 ± 4,5% (SE) à 3 et 6 h, respectivement. (iv) Les combinaisons d’humectant ont montré la plus forte augmentation avec +28 ± 7,3% (SE) et 22,2 ± 7,5% (SE) à 3 et 6 h, respectivement. (v) Les combinaisons de tensioactifs ont une RWCI moyenne de 10,8 ± 4,5% (SE) et de 6,0 ± 4,0% (SE) à 3 et 6 h, respectivement. ConclusionFait intéressant, il était difficile de trouver des différences de pouvoir d’hydratation entre les échantillons dans le même groupe. Seul le groupe des humectants a montré des différences significatives entre les échantillons. La glycérine et l’urée ont montré des effets significatifs sur l’hydratation de la peau par rapport aux autres humectants. Nous avons également constaté un effet hydratant important en analysant les groupes fonctionnels chimiques; la classe “amide” a eu un effet d’hydratation plus élevé que les bétaînes et disaccharides dans les combinaisons des humectants. PMID:23621673

Toward Multiscale Models of Cyanobacterial Growth: A Modular Approach

PubMed Central

Westermark, Stefanie; Steuer, Ralf

2016-01-01

Oxygenic photosynthesis dominates global primary productivity ever since its evolution more than three billion years ago. While many aspects of phototrophic growth are well understood, it remains a considerable challenge to elucidate the manifold dependencies and interconnections between the diverse cellular processes that together facilitate the synthesis of new cells. Phototrophic growth involves the coordinated action of several layers of cellular functioning, ranging from the photosynthetic light reactions and the electron transport chain, to carbon-concentrating mechanisms and the assimilation of inorganic carbon. It requires the synthesis of new building blocks by cellular metabolism, protection against excessive light, as well as diurnal regulation by a circadian clock and the orchestration of gene expression and cell division. Computational modeling allows us to quantitatively describe these cellular functions and processes relevant for phototrophic growth. As yet, however, computational models are mostly confined to the inner workings of individual cellular processes, rather than describing the manifold interactions between them in the context of a living cell. Using cyanobacteria as model organisms, this contribution seeks to summarize existing computational models that are relevant to describe phototrophic growth and seeks to outline their interactions and dependencies. Our ultimate aim is to understand cellular functioning and growth as the outcome of a coordinated operation of diverse yet interconnected cellular processes. PMID:28083530

Point process models for localization and interdependence of punctate cellular structures.

PubMed

Li, Ying; Majarian, Timothy D; Naik, Armaghan W; Johnson, Gregory R; Murphy, Robert F

2016-07-01

Accurate representations of cellular organization for multiple eukaryotic cell types are required for creating predictive models of dynamic cellular function. To this end, we have previously developed the CellOrganizer platform, an open source system for generative modeling of cellular components from microscopy images. CellOrganizer models capture the inherent heterogeneity in the spatial distribution, size, and quantity of different components among a cell population. Furthermore, CellOrganizer can generate quantitatively realistic synthetic images that reflect the underlying cell population. A current focus of the project is to model the complex, interdependent nature of organelle localization. We built upon previous work on developing multiple non-parametric models of organelles or structures that show punctate patterns. The previous models described the relationships between the subcellular localization of puncta and the positions of cell and nuclear membranes and microtubules. We extend these models to consider the relationship to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and to consider the relationship between the positions of different puncta of the same type. Our results do not suggest that the punctate patterns we examined are dependent on ER position or inter- and intra-class proximity. With these results, we built classifiers to update previous assignments of proteins to one of 11 patterns in three distinct cell lines. Our generative models demonstrate the ability to construct statistically accurate representations of puncta localization from simple cellular markers in distinct cell types, capturing the complex phenomena of cellular structure interaction with little human input. This protocol represents a novel approach to vesicular protein annotation, a field that is often neglected in high-throughput microscopy. These results suggest that spatial point process models provide useful insight with respect to the spatial dependence between cellular structures. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Etude du champ magnetique dans les nuages moleculaires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houde, Martin

2001-12-01

Ce travail est une étude du champ magnétique duns l'environnement circumstellaire des étoiles jeunes. Il a pour origine la certitude qu'avait l'auteur qu'il se devait d'être possible de détecter la présence d'un champ magnétique, et de possiblement le caractériser, par le biais d'observations de profils spectraux d'espèces moléculaires ioniques. Il en découle donc qu'un des buts principaux était de prouver que cela est effectivement possible. La thèse comporte alors des éléments théoriques et expérimentaux qui sont à la fois complémentaires et intimement liés. L'aspect théorique est basé sur l'interaction mutuelle que des particules neutres et chargées peuvent avoir l'une sur l'autre daps un plasma faiblement ionisé comme ceux existants daps les nuages moléculaires sites de formation stellaire. Il appert que la présence d'un champ magnétique a un effet direct sur le comportement des ions (via la force de Lorentz) et indirect sur les molécules neutres (via les nombreuses collisions entre les deux types de particules). Une telle interaction est, comme il est maintenant bien connu, présente dans les premières étapes de la formation dune étoile. Il s'agit bien sûr de la diffusion ambipolaire. Nous montrerons qu'il existe cependant un autre type de diffusion, jusqu'ici inconnue, qui se manifeste plus tard au tours de l'évolution des nuages moléculaires. Celle-ci peut avoir un effet dramatique sur l'apparence des profils spectraux (de rotation moléculaire) des espèces ioniques lorsque comparés à ceux qu'exhibent des espèces neutres coexistantes. Mais pour ce faire, il doit y avoir existence de mouvements organisés (des flots ou jets) de matière ou encore la présence de turbulence dans les régions considérées. Une distribution de vélocité du type maxwellienne ne révèlera pas la présence du champ magnétique. Les observations, qui ont pour but de confirmer la théorie, se situent dans le domaine des longueurs d'ondes millimétriques et sous- millimétriques. Plusieurs espèces moléculaires furent détectées dans un échantillon significatif de nuages moléculaires. L'effet prédit fut confirmé et ce peu importe si les raies observées sont opaques ou transparentes. Dans le dernier chapitre, nous considérerons une application intéressante où nous utiliserons la manifestation de cet effet (ou son manque) pour vérifier l'alignement préférentiel des flots bipolaires, qui accompagnent souvent la présence de proto- étoiles, avec le champ magnétique local.

Selected contribution: a three-dimensional model for assessment of in vitro toxicity in balaena mysticetus renal tissue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodwin, T. J.; Coate-Li, L.; Linnehan, R. M.; Hammond, T. G.

2000-01-01

This study established two- and three-dimensional renal proximal tubular cell cultures of the endangered species bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), developed SV40-transfected cultures, and cloned the 61-amino acid open reading frame for the metallothionein protein, the primary binding site for heavy metal contamination in mammals. Microgravity research, modulations in mechanical culture conditions (modeled microgravity), and shear stress have spawned innovative approaches to understanding the dynamics of cellular interactions, gene expression, and differentiation in several cellular systems. These investigations have led to the creation of ex vivo tissue models capable of serving as physiological research analogs for three-dimensional cellular interactions. These models are enabling studies in immune function, tissue modeling for basic research, and neoplasia. Three-dimensional cellular models emulate aspects of in vivo cellular architecture and physiology and may facilitate environmental toxicological studies aimed at elucidating biological functions and responses at the cellular level. Marine mammals occupy a significant ecological niche (72% of the Earth's surface is water) in terms of the potential for information on bioaccumulation and transport of terrestrial and marine environmental toxins in high-order vertebrates. Few ex vivo models of marine mammal physiology exist in vitro to accomplish the aforementioned studies. Techniques developed in this investigation, based on previous tissue modeling successes, may serve to facilitate similar research in other marine mammals.

Geometric confinement influences cellular mechanical properties I -- adhesion area dependence.

PubMed

Su, Judith; Jiang, Xingyu; Welsch, Roy; Whitesides, George M; So, Peter T C

2007-06-01

Interactions between the cell and the extracellular matrix regulate a variety of cellular properties and functions, including cellular rheology. In the present study of cellular adhesion, area was controlled by confining NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells to circular micropatterned islands of defined size. The shear moduli of cells adhering to islands of well defined geometry, as measured by magnetic microrheometry, was found to have a significantly lower variance than those of cells allowed to spread on unpatterned surfaces. We observe that the area of cellular adhesion influences shear modulus. Rheological measurements further indicate that cellular shear modulus is a biphasic function of cellular adhesion area with stiffness decreasing to a minimum value for intermediate areas of adhesion, and then increasing for cells on larger patterns. We propose a simple hypothesis: that the area of adhesion affects cellular rheological properties by regulating the structure of the actin cytoskeleton. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the volume fraction of polymerized actin in the cytosol by staining with fluorescent phalloidin and imaging using quantitative 3D microscopy. The polymerized actin volume fraction exhibited a similar biphasic dependence on adhesion area. Within the limits of our simplifying hypothesis, our experimental results permit an evaluation of the ability of established, micromechanical models to predict the cellular shear modulus based on polymerized actin volume fraction. We investigated the "tensegrity", "cellular-solids", and "biopolymer physics" models that have, respectively, a linear, quadratic, and 5/2 dependence on polymerized actin volume fraction. All three models predict that a biphasic trend in polymerized actin volume fraction as a function of adhesion area will result in a biphasic behavior in shear modulus. Our data favors a higher-order dependence on polymerized actin volume fraction. Increasingly better experimental agreement is observed for the tensegrity, the cellular solids, and the biopolymer models respectively. Alternatively if we postulate the existence of a critical actin volume fraction below which the shear modulus vanishes, the experimental data can be equivalently described by a model with an almost linear dependence on polymerized actin volume fraction; this observation supports a tensegrity model with a critical actin volume fraction.

GeoGebra Assist Discovery Learning Model for Problem Solving Ability and Attitude toward Mathematics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murni, V.; Sariyasa, S.; Ardana, I. M.

2017-09-01

This study aims to describe the effet of GeoGebra utilization in the discovery learning model on mathematical problem solving ability and students’ attitude toward mathematics. This research was quasi experimental and post-test only control group design was used in this study. The population in this study was 181 of students. The sampling technique used was cluster random sampling, so the sample in this study was 120 students divided into 4 classes, 2 classes for the experimental class and 2 classes for the control class. Data were analyzed by using one way MANOVA. The results of data analysis showed that the utilization of GeoGebra in discovery learning can lead to solving problems and attitudes towards mathematics are better. This is because the presentation of problems using geogebra can assist students in identifying and solving problems and attracting students’ interest because geogebra provides an immediate response process to students. The results of the research are the utilization of geogebra in the discovery learning can be applied in learning and teaching wider subject matter, beside subject matter in this study.

Engineering Aerodynamics

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-12-01

effective Reynolds Number5 to include the effet Of turbulence, which was supported in a convincing manner by the same ratio of 2.4 betwveen the Reynolds...iLIFT DEVICIS 143 methods incorl)orating various forms of flas) are shown on Figure 59. The other two methods, Boundary Layer Control and the Magnus ...Class Airship Hlull with Varying Lengths of Cylindric Midships," N.A.CA. Technical Report No. 138 (1922). 276 ENGINEERING AERODYNAMICS [Ch. 9 -- - - 2.0

Environmental Exposure and Design Criteria for Offshore Oil and Gas Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-01

reliability ar_alysis. Because there are no clear lines of demarcation between them, these methods are often used in varying combinations. Sound ...cludes that OCSEA-P not now effe.tively contribute...to the accrual of sound scientific information adequate for OCS management." One reason for such a...procedures for resolving differences need to be developed. Sound and timely assessments of environmental exposure risks will require: 1) adequate levels of

A Snowball's Chance? Communities and Families Working To Prevent Youth Crime = Effet de boule de neige? Les communautes et les familles collaborent a la prevention de la criminalite chez les jeunes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Theilheimer, Ish, Ed.; Eisner, Kathy, Ed.

1996-01-01

This issue of the Canadian quarterly "Transitions," in French and English language versions, examines the prevention of youth crime, with a specific focus on activities, trends, and research dealing with Canadian families. Major articles in this issue are: (1) "A Snowball's Chance? Communities and Families Working to Prevent Youth…

Superomniphobic Surfaces for Military Applications: Nano- and Micro-Fabrication Methods. Chapter 1: Lithographic Fabrication of Surfaces with Different Microgeometries and Investigation of Their Wetting Behaviour

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

plus important, comparativement à une échelle plus large. Les résultats indiquent qu’un effet de cette nature est attribuable à des facteurs...par un angle de contact à l’avancement plus petit et un angle de contact au retrait plus important, comparativement à une échelle plus large. Les...Methods ............................................................................................................ 10 3.1 Experimental Design

Recherche universitaire et priorites nationales: l'effet du financement public sur la recherche energie solaire au Canada (University Research and National Priorities: The Effect of Public Financing on Solar Energy Research in Canada).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dalpe, Robert; Gingras, Yves

1990-01-01

The role of two main sources of university research financing in solar energy is examined to assess whether they oriented research in the direction of government programs. The strongest relationship appears to be in journal publication patterns. This scientific community has acquired the capacity to tap varying sources. (Author/MSE)

Sub-cellular force microscopy in single normal and cancer cells.

PubMed

Babahosseini, H; Carmichael, B; Strobl, J S; Mahmoodi, S N; Agah, M

2015-08-07

This work investigates the biomechanical properties of sub-cellular structures of breast cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cells are modeled as a triple-layered structure where the Generalized Maxwell model is applied to experimental data from AFM stress-relaxation tests to extract the elastic modulus, the apparent viscosity, and the relaxation time of sub-cellular structures. The triple-layered modeling results allow for determination and comparison of the biomechanical properties of the three major sub-cellular structures between normal and cancerous cells: the up plasma membrane/actin cortex, the mid cytoplasm/nucleus, and the low nuclear/integrin sub-domains. The results reveal that the sub-domains become stiffer and significantly more viscous with depth, regardless of cell type. In addition, there is a decreasing trend in the average elastic modulus and apparent viscosity of the all corresponding sub-cellular structures from normal to cancerous cells, which becomes most remarkable in the deeper sub-domain. The presented modeling in this work constitutes a unique AFM-based experimental framework to study the biomechanics of sub-cellular structures. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mathematical Modeling of Cellular Metabolism.

PubMed

Berndt, Nikolaus; Holzhütter, Hermann-Georg

Cellular metabolism basically consists of the conversion of chemical compounds taken up from the extracellular environment into energy (conserved in energy-rich bonds of organic phosphates) and a wide array of organic molecules serving as catalysts (enzymes), information carriers (nucleic acids), and building blocks for cellular structures such as membranes or ribosomes. Metabolic modeling aims at the construction of mathematical representations of the cellular metabolism that can be used to calculate the concentration of cellular molecules and the rates of their mutual chemical interconversion in response to varying external conditions as, for example, hormonal stimuli or supply of essential nutrients. Based on such calculations, it is possible to quantify complex cellular functions as cellular growth, detoxification of drugs and xenobiotic compounds or synthesis of exported molecules. Depending on the specific questions to metabolism addressed, the methodological expertise of the researcher, and available experimental information, different conceptual frameworks have been established, allowing the usage of computational methods to condense experimental information from various layers of organization into (self-) consistent models. Here, we briefly outline the main conceptual frameworks that are currently exploited in metabolism research.

Modeling integrated cellular machinery using hybrid Petri-Boolean networks.

PubMed

Berestovsky, Natalie; Zhou, Wanding; Nagrath, Deepak; Nakhleh, Luay

2013-01-01

The behavior and phenotypic changes of cells are governed by a cellular circuitry that represents a set of biochemical reactions. Based on biological functions, this circuitry is divided into three types of networks, each encoding for a major biological process: signal transduction, transcription regulation, and metabolism. This division has generally enabled taming computational complexity dealing with the entire system, allowed for using modeling techniques that are specific to each of the components, and achieved separation of the different time scales at which reactions in each of the three networks occur. Nonetheless, with this division comes loss of information and power needed to elucidate certain cellular phenomena. Within the cell, these three types of networks work in tandem, and each produces signals and/or substances that are used by the others to process information and operate normally. Therefore, computational techniques for modeling integrated cellular machinery are needed. In this work, we propose an integrated hybrid model (IHM) that combines Petri nets and Boolean networks to model integrated cellular networks. Coupled with a stochastic simulation mechanism, the model simulates the dynamics of the integrated network, and can be perturbed to generate testable hypotheses. Our model is qualitative and is mostly built upon knowledge from the literature and requires fine-tuning of very few parameters. We validated our model on two systems: the transcriptional regulation of glucose metabolism in human cells, and cellular osmoregulation in S. cerevisiae. The model produced results that are in very good agreement with experimental data, and produces valid hypotheses. The abstract nature of our model and the ease of its construction makes it a very good candidate for modeling integrated networks from qualitative data. The results it produces can guide the practitioner to zoom into components and interconnections and investigate them using such more detailed mathematical models.

Modeling Integrated Cellular Machinery Using Hybrid Petri-Boolean Networks

PubMed Central

Berestovsky, Natalie; Zhou, Wanding; Nagrath, Deepak; Nakhleh, Luay

2013-01-01

The behavior and phenotypic changes of cells are governed by a cellular circuitry that represents a set of biochemical reactions. Based on biological functions, this circuitry is divided into three types of networks, each encoding for a major biological process: signal transduction, transcription regulation, and metabolism. This division has generally enabled taming computational complexity dealing with the entire system, allowed for using modeling techniques that are specific to each of the components, and achieved separation of the different time scales at which reactions in each of the three networks occur. Nonetheless, with this division comes loss of information and power needed to elucidate certain cellular phenomena. Within the cell, these three types of networks work in tandem, and each produces signals and/or substances that are used by the others to process information and operate normally. Therefore, computational techniques for modeling integrated cellular machinery are needed. In this work, we propose an integrated hybrid model (IHM) that combines Petri nets and Boolean networks to model integrated cellular networks. Coupled with a stochastic simulation mechanism, the model simulates the dynamics of the integrated network, and can be perturbed to generate testable hypotheses. Our model is qualitative and is mostly built upon knowledge from the literature and requires fine-tuning of very few parameters. We validated our model on two systems: the transcriptional regulation of glucose metabolism in human cells, and cellular osmoregulation in S. cerevisiae. The model produced results that are in very good agreement with experimental data, and produces valid hypotheses. The abstract nature of our model and the ease of its construction makes it a very good candidate for modeling integrated networks from qualitative data. The results it produces can guide the practitioner to zoom into components and interconnections and investigate them using such more detailed mathematical models. PMID:24244124

Challenges in structural approaches to cell modeling

PubMed Central

Im, Wonpil; Liang, Jie; Olson, Arthur; Zhou, Huan-Xiang; Vajda, Sandor; Vakser, Ilya A.

2016-01-01

Computational modeling is essential for structural characterization of biomolecular mechanisms across the broad spectrum of scales. Adequate understanding of biomolecular mechanisms inherently involves our ability to model them. Structural modeling of individual biomolecules and their interactions has been rapidly progressing. However, in terms of the broader picture, the focus is shifting toward larger systems, up to the level of a cell. Such modeling involves a more dynamic and realistic representation of the interactomes in vivo, in a crowded cellular environment, as well as membranes and membrane proteins, and other cellular components. Structural modeling of a cell complements computational approaches to cellular mechanisms based on differential equations, graph models, and other techniques to model biological networks, imaging data, etc. Structural modeling along with other computational and experimental approaches will provide a fundamental understanding of life at the molecular level and lead to important applications to biology and medicine. A cross section of diverse approaches presented in this review illustrates the developing shift from the structural modeling of individual molecules to that of cell biology. Studies in several related areas are covered: biological networks; automated construction of three-dimensional cell models using experimental data; modeling of protein complexes; prediction of non-specific and transient protein interactions; thermodynamic and kinetic effects of crowding; cellular membrane modeling; and modeling of chromosomes. The review presents an expert opinion on the current state-of-the-art in these various aspects of structural modeling in cellular biology, and the prospects of future developments in this emerging field. PMID:27255863

Etude experimentale des excitations topologiques de l'effet Hall quantique a nu = 1 dans les heterostructures semiconductrices a double puits quantique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charlebois, Serge

De nombreux travaux theoriques et experimentaux ont ete publies sur les excitations topologiques de gaz electroniques bidimensionnels (GE2D), appellees skyrmions, dans le regime de l'effet Hall quantique a remplissage unitaire. On attend des excitations semblables appellees bimerons dans les systemes formes de deux GE2D couples. Contrairement au cas des GE2D simples, aucune experience n'a, a notre connaissance, presente la mesure d'une propriete specifique aux bimerons. Nous presentons dans cette these des travaux experimentaux ayant pour objectif l'etude d'excitations topologiques dans les heterostructures a double puits quantique. Une manifestation attendue (les bimerons est la presence d'une anisotropie dans la conductivite a travers une constriction. Nous avons concu un dispositif original a point de contact a trois grilles non-coplanaires. Ce dispositif a trois grilles a la particularite de permettre la creation d'une constriction etroite dans le double GE2D tout en permettant l'equilibrage de la densite electronique entre les deux puits dans l'etroit canal de conduction. Nous avons fabrique ce dispositif de taille submicronique par electrolithographie sur des heterostructures a double puits. Les dispositifs ainsi fabriques ont ete etudies a basse temperature (0.3K) et ont montre un fonctionnement conforme aux attentes. Les travaux n'ont pas permis de mettre en evidence une anisotropie de transport revelatrice de l'existence de bimerons. Cette these est a notre connaissance la premiere etude experimentale visant la realisation de l'experience d'anisotropie de transport et est ainsi une contribution significative a l'avancement des connaissances dans ce domaine. Les travaux theoriques que nous presentons ont permis de montrer l'effet des excitations topologiques sur la capacite grille-GE2D du systeme. Ces travaux ouvrent la voie de la detection des bimerons par l'intermediaire de la mesure de la capacite grille-GE2D ou encore de la susceptibilite electrique du GE2D. Poursuivant cet objectif, nous avons concu, realise et teste un dispositif de mesure in situ de la capacite grille-GE2D d'une heterostructure. Nous avons egalement suggere d'autres methodes experimentales pour la mise en evidence des bimerons par le couplage de la texture de pseudospin a la capacite du GE2D.

The 3-dimensional cellular automata for HIV infection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mo, Youbin; Ren, Bin; Yang, Wencao; Shuai, Jianwei

2014-04-01

The HIV infection dynamics is discussed in detail with a 3-dimensional cellular automata model in this paper. The model can reproduce the three-phase development, i.e., the acute period, the asymptotic period and the AIDS period, observed in the HIV-infected patients in a clinic. We show that the 3D HIV model performs a better robustness on the model parameters than the 2D cellular automata. Furthermore, we reveal that the occurrence of a perpetual source to successively generate infectious waves to spread to the whole system drives the model from the asymptotic state to the AIDS state.

Cellular Automata Simulation for Wealth Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo, Shih-Ching

2009-08-01

Wealth distribution of a country is a complicate system. A model, which is based on the Epstein & Axtell's "Sugars cape" model, is presented in Netlogo. The model considers the income, age, working opportunity and salary as control variables. There are still other variables should be considered while an artificial society is established. In this study, a more complicate cellular automata model for wealth distribution model is proposed. The effects of social welfare, tax, economical investment and inheritance are considered and simulated. According to the cellular automata simulation for wealth distribution, we will have a deep insight of financial policy of the government.

Report of the Working Group on Aerodynamics of Aircraft Afterbody.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-06-01

14 I 21 2.1.71 Addy A.L. Experimeftal-Theoretical Correlation of Supersonic Jet-on Base Pressure for Cylindrical Afterbodies. J. Aircraft, Vol. 7, No...An Improved Experimental-Theoretical Base Pressure Cor- Addy A.L. relation for Conical and Cylindrical Afterbodies with Agrell J. Centered Propulsive...2.1.92 Carri~re P. Effet d’une Injection de Fluide dans l’Eau-Morte sur les Conditions de Recollement d’un Ecoulement Plan Supersonique. Comptes

Wind Tunnel Wall Corrections (la Correction des effets de paroi en soufflerie)

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-10-01

round holes drilled either normal to the wall surface or at a fixed angle to the normal. Variable porosity features have been implemented in several...walls (holes drilled at 60 deg from the normal), including variable porosity configurations and the effects of screens and splitter plates for edge-tone...Figure 5.68 Schematic of slender wing and the indicated gauge func- tions in anticipation of matching. As detailed in Malmuth and Cole [122], the problems

Africa Civic Action Planning and Implementation Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-17

transfert du titre de propriet4 ou. que les d~fectuosit~s provenant de la conception sont... transfert du * .~.titre prendra effet normalement. au point de chargement chez le * fabricant; et pour ].es articles de de’fense fournis sur les stocks...dition avant l~e transfert . du Ititre de proprie’t4. Si l~e "lieu de livraison" d~sign4 est autre que le point initial d’expe’d’tion, l~e

Pharmacogénétique: qu'en est-il au Maroc?

PubMed Central

Idrissi, Meryem Janati; Ouldim, Karim; Amarti, Afaf; El Hassouni, Mohamed; Khabbal, Youssef

2013-01-01

La pharmacogénétique est l’étude de l'influence des variations génétiques interindividuelles sur la réponse aux médicaments, avec le but d'améliorer la prise en charge des patients en visant une médecine personnalisée. Au fait le génome de deux personnes ne diffère que par 0.1% des 3.2 milliards de paires de bases, ce qui implique les effets indésirables des médicaments, qui ont un très important impact sur le plan clinique que sur le plan économique. Or cette dernière décennie ces effets indésirables ont pu être évités grâce aux tests pharmacogénétiques. Au Maroc, la recherche en pharmacogénétique commence à susciter l'intérêt des chercheurs avec quelques études. Une toute première étude en 1986, sur l'acétylation de l'isoniazide chez la population marocaine, suivie par deux autres en 2011 se focalisant sur le métabolisme du tacrolimus et des anti-vitamines K. Ainsi l'espoir maintenant est d'identifier les majoritaires polymorphismes génétiques affectant les patients marocains, afin de leur fournir une prise en charge adaptée. PMID:23785548

Kerr effect in the isotropic phase of a side-chain polymeric liquid crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reys, V.; Dormoy, Y.; Collin, D.; Keller, P.; Martinoty, P.

1992-02-01

The birefringence induced by a pulsed electrical field was used to study the pretransitional effects associated with the isotropic phase of a side-chain polysiloxane. The results obtained show that these effects are characterised by a conventional value of the static exponent and an abnormal value of the dynamic exponent, which shows that the dynamic theory of low molecular weight liquid crystals does not apply. The results also reveal competition between the dipolar moments induced by the electrical field and the permanent moments of the mesogenic molecules. La biréfringence induite par un champ électrique impulsionnel a été utilisée pour étudier les effets prétransitionnels associés à la phase isotrope d'un polysiloxane à chaînes latérales. Les résultats obtenus montrent que ces effets sont caractérisés par une valeur classique de l'exposant statique et une valeur anormale de l'exposant dynamique. Ce dernier résultat montre que la théorie dynamique des cristaux liquides de bas poids moléculaire n'est pas applicable au cas présent. Les expériences mettent également en évidence une compétition entre les moments dipolaires induits par le champ électrique et les moments permanents des molécules mésogènes.

Excitations Élémentaires au Voisinage de la Surface de Séparation d'un Métal Normal et d'un Métal Supraconducteur

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saint-James, Par D.

On étudie le spectre d'excitation pour une couche de métal normal déposée sur un supraconducteur. On montre que si l'interaction attractive électron-électron est négligeable dans le métal normal, il n'y a pas de gap d'énergie dans le spectre d'excitation, même si l'épaisseur de la couche normale est petite. Une étude analogue, conduisant à une conclusion similaire, est menée pour deux supraconducteurs accolés et pour des sphères de métal normal baignant dans un supraconducteur. L'effet prévu pourrait expliquer quelques résultats particuliers observés dans des mesures d'effet tunnel dans des supraconducteurs durs. The excitation spectrum of a layer of normal metal (N) deposited on a superconducting substrate (S) is discussed. It is shown that if the electron-electron attractive interaction is negligibly small in (N) there is no energy gap in the excitation spectrum even if the thickness of the layer (N) is small. A similar study, with equivalent conclusions, has been carried out for two superconductors and for normal metal spheres embedded in a superconductor. The effect may possibly explain some peculiar results of tunnelling experiments on hard superconductors.

Predictive model to describe water migration in cellular solid foods during storage.

PubMed

Voogt, Juliën A; Hirte, Anita; Meinders, Marcel B J

2011-11-01

Water migration in cellular solid foods during storage causes loss of crispness. To improve crispness retention, physical understanding of this process is needed. Mathematical models are suitable tools to gain this physical knowledge. Water migration in cellular solid foods involves migration through both the air cells and the solid matrix. For systems in which the water migration distance is large compared with the cell wall thickness of the solid matrix, the overall water flux through the system is dominated by the flux through the air. For these systems, water migration can be approximated well by a Fickian diffusion model. The effective diffusion coefficient can be expressed in terms of the material properties of the solid matrix (i.e. the density, sorption isotherm and diffusion coefficient of water in the solid matrix) and the morphological properties of the cellular structure (i.e. water vapour permeability and volume fraction of the solid matrix). The water vapour permeability is estimated from finite element method modelling using a simplified model for the cellular structure. It is shown that experimentally observed dynamical water profiles of bread rolls that differ in crust permeability are predicted well by the Fickian diffusion model. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

A SIMPLE CELLULAR AUTOMATON MODEL FOR HIGH-LEVEL VEGETATION DYNAMICS

EPA Science Inventory

We have produced a simple two-dimensional (ground-plan) cellular automata model of vegetation dynamics specifically to investigate high-level community processes. The model is probabilistic, with individual plant behavior determined by physiologically-based rules derived from a w...

Developpement d'un modele analytique pour l'analyse en elasticite lineaire de champs de deformation et contrainte au sein d'un polycristal. comparaison avec la methode des elements finis =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bretin, Remy

L'endommagement par fatigue des materiaux est un probleme courant dans de nombreux domaines, dont celui de l'aeronautique. Afin de prevenir la rupture par fatigue des materiaux il est necessaire de determiner leur duree de vie en fatigue. Malheureusement, dues aux nombreuses heterogeneites presentes, la duree de vie en fatigue peut fortement varier entre deux pieces identiques faites dans le meme materiau ayant subi les memes traitements. Il est donc necessaire de considerer ces heterogeneites dans nos modeles afin d'avoir une meilleure estimation de la duree de vie des materiaux. Comme premiere etape vers une meilleure consideration des heterogeneites dans nos modeles, une etude en elasticite lineaire de l'influence des orientations cristallographiques sur les champs de deformations et de contraintes dans un polycristal a ete realisee a l'aide de la methode des elements finis. Des correlations ont pu etre etablies a partir des resultats obtenus, et un modele analytique en elasticite lineaire prenant en compte les distributions d'orientations cristallographiques et les effets de voisinage a pu etre developpe. Ce modele repose sur les bases des modeles d'homogeneisation classique, comme le schema auto-coherent, et reprend aussi les principes de voisinage des automates cellulaires. En prenant pour reference les resultats des analyses elements finis, le modele analytique ici developpe a montre avoir une precision deux fois plus grande que le modele auto-coherent, quel que soit le materiau etudie.

Traffic dynamics of an on-ramp system with a cellular automaton model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xin-Gang; Gao, Zi-You; Jia, Bin; Jiang, Rui

2010-06-01

This paper uses the cellular automaton model to study the dynamics of traffic flow around an on-ramp with an acceleration lane. It adopts a parameter, which can reflect different lane-changing behaviour, to represent the diversity of driving behaviour. The refined cellular automaton model is used to describe the lower acceleration rate of a vehicle. The phase diagram and the capacity of the on-ramp system are investigated. The simulation results show that in the single cell model, the capacity of the on-ramp system will stay at the highest flow of a one lane system when the driver is moderate and careful; it will be reduced when the driver is aggressive. In the refined cellular automaton model, the capacity is always reduced even when the driver is careful. It proposes that the capacity drop of the on-ramp system is caused by aggressive lane-changing behaviour and lower acceleration rate.

On the derivation of approximations to cellular automata models and the assumption of independence.

PubMed

Davies, K J; Green, J E F; Bean, N G; Binder, B J; Ross, J V

2014-07-01

Cellular automata are discrete agent-based models, generally used in cell-based applications. There is much interest in obtaining continuum models that describe the mean behaviour of the agents in these models. Previously, continuum models have been derived for agents undergoing motility and proliferation processes, however, these models only hold under restricted conditions. In order to narrow down the reason for these restrictions, we explore three possible sources of error in deriving the model. These sources are the choice of limiting arguments, the use of a discrete-time model as opposed to a continuous-time model and the assumption of independence between the state of sites. We present a rigorous analysis in order to gain a greater understanding of the significance of these three issues. By finding a limiting regime that accurately approximates the conservation equation for the cellular automata, we are able to conclude that the inaccuracy between our approximation and the cellular automata is completely based on the assumption of independence. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stochastic cellular automata model of cell migration, proliferation and differentiation: validation with in vitro cultures of muscle satellite cells.

PubMed

Garijo, N; Manzano, R; Osta, R; Perez, M A

2012-12-07

Cell migration and proliferation has been modelled in the literature as a process similar to diffusion. However, using diffusion models to simulate the proliferation and migration of cells tends to create a homogeneous distribution in the cell density that does not correlate to empirical observations. In fact, the mechanism of cell dispersal is not diffusion. Cells disperse by crawling or proliferation, or are transported in a moving fluid. The use of cellular automata, particle models or cell-based models can overcome this limitation. This paper presents a stochastic cellular automata model to simulate the proliferation, migration and differentiation of cells. These processes are considered as completely stochastic as well as discrete. The model developed was applied to predict the behaviour of in vitro cell cultures performed with adult muscle satellite cells. Moreover, non homogeneous distribution of cells has been observed inside the culture well and, using the above mentioned stochastic cellular automata model, we have been able to predict this heterogeneous cell distribution and compute accurate quantitative results. Differentiation was also incorporated into the computational simulation. The results predicted the myotube formation that typically occurs with adult muscle satellite cells. In conclusion, we have shown how a stochastic cellular automata model can be implemented and is capable of reproducing the in vitro behaviour of adult muscle satellite cells. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Challenges in structural approaches to cell modeling.

PubMed

Im, Wonpil; Liang, Jie; Olson, Arthur; Zhou, Huan-Xiang; Vajda, Sandor; Vakser, Ilya A

2016-07-31

Computational modeling is essential for structural characterization of biomolecular mechanisms across the broad spectrum of scales. Adequate understanding of biomolecular mechanisms inherently involves our ability to model them. Structural modeling of individual biomolecules and their interactions has been rapidly progressing. However, in terms of the broader picture, the focus is shifting toward larger systems, up to the level of a cell. Such modeling involves a more dynamic and realistic representation of the interactomes in vivo, in a crowded cellular environment, as well as membranes and membrane proteins, and other cellular components. Structural modeling of a cell complements computational approaches to cellular mechanisms based on differential equations, graph models, and other techniques to model biological networks, imaging data, etc. Structural modeling along with other computational and experimental approaches will provide a fundamental understanding of life at the molecular level and lead to important applications to biology and medicine. A cross section of diverse approaches presented in this review illustrates the developing shift from the structural modeling of individual molecules to that of cell biology. Studies in several related areas are covered: biological networks; automated construction of three-dimensional cell models using experimental data; modeling of protein complexes; prediction of non-specific and transient protein interactions; thermodynamic and kinetic effects of crowding; cellular membrane modeling; and modeling of chromosomes. The review presents an expert opinion on the current state-of-the-art in these various aspects of structural modeling in cellular biology, and the prospects of future developments in this emerging field. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modality effect in false recognition: evidence from Chinese characters.

PubMed

Mao, Wei Bin; Yang, Zhi Liang; Wang, Lin Song

2010-02-01

Using the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) false memory method, Smith and Hunt ( 1998 ) first reported the modality effect on false memory and showed that false recall from DRM lists was lower following visual study than following auditory study, which led to numerous studies on the mechanism of modality effect on false memory and provided many competing explanations. In the present experiment, the authors tested the modality effect in false recognition by using a blocked presentation condition and a random presentation condition. The present experiment found a modality effect different from the results of the previous research; namely, false recognition was shown to be greater following visual study than following auditory study, especially in the blocked presentation condition rather than in the random presentation condition. The authors argued that this reversed modality effect may be due to different encoding and processing characteristics between Chinese characters and English words. Compared with English words, visual graphemes of critical lures in Chinese lists are likely to be activated and encoded in participants' minds, thus it is more difficult for participants to discriminate later inner graphemes from those items presented in visual modality. Hence visual presentation could lead to more false recognition than auditory presentation in Chinese lists. The results in the present experiment demonstrated that semantic activation occurring during the encoding and retrieve phases played an important role in modality effect in false recognition, and our findings might be explained by the activation-monitoring account. Utilisant la méthode de fausse mémoire de Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM), Smith et Hunt ( 1998 ) ont d'abord rendu compte de l'effet de modalité sur la fausse mémoire et ils ont montré que le faux rappel à partir des listes de DRM était plus faible suivant une étude visuelle plutôt qu'une étude auditive. Ceci a mené à plusieurs études sur le mécanisme de l'effet de modalité sur la fausse mémoire, lesquelles ont fourni plusieurs explications concurrentes. Dans la présente expérience, les auteurs ont testé l'effet de modalité dans la fausse reconnaissance en utilisant une condition de présentation fixe et une condition de présentation aléatoire. Cette expérience a révélé un effet de modalité différent des résultats obtenus dans les recherches antérieures. En effet, la fausse reconnaissance était plus élevée suivant une étude visuelle plutôt qu'une étude auditive, spécialement dans la condition de présentation fixe. Les auteurs suggèrent que cet effet de modalité inverse peut être dû à des caractéristiques d'encodage et de processus différentes entre les caractères chinois et les mots anglais. Comparativement aux mots anglais, les graphèmes visuels des leurres critiques dans les listes chinoises sont susceptibles d'être activés et encodés dans l'esprit des participants, rendant plus difficile de discriminer les graphèmes intériorisés plus tard de ces items présentés dans la modalité visuelle. Ainsi, la présentation visuelle pourrait mener à davantage de fausse reconnaissance que la présentation auditive dans les listes chinoises. Les résultats de la présente expérience ont démontré que l'activation sémantique se produisait durant l'encodage et que la phase de retrait jouait un rôle important dans l'effet de modalité dans la fausse reconnaissance. Nos résultats peuvent être expliqués par la théorie activation-contrôle. Utilizando el método de Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) de falsa mamoria, Smith y Hunt ( 1998 ) fueron los primeros en encontrar el efecto de modalidad en la falsa memoria y demostraron que los falsos recuerdos del listado DRM fueron más bajos después de un estudio visual que después de un estudio auditivo lo cual llevó a varios estudios sobre el mecanismo del efecto de la modalidad sobre falsos recuerdos y proporcionó varias explicaciones que compiten entre sí. En el presente trabajo, los autores estudiaron el efecto de la modalidad en el falso reconocimiento utilizando una condición de presentación en bloques y otra condición de presentación de forma aleatoria. El presente experimento encontró un efecto de la modalidad diferente de los resultados de los estudios anteriores. En concreto, el reconocimiento falso ha resultado ser mayor después del estudio visual que después del estudio auditivo, especialmente en caso de la presentación en bloques en comparación con la condición de presentación aleatoria. Los autores argumentan que este efecto inverso de la modalidad puede ser causado por diferentes características de codificación y procesamiento entre caracteres chinos y palabras inglesas. En comparación con las palabras inglesas, los grafemas visuales de las palabras críticas en chino tienen probabilidad de ser activadas y codificadas en las mentes de los participantes, por tanto, es más difícil discriminar posteriores grafemas internos de los que fueron presentados en la modalidad visual. Por tanto, la presentación visual podría conducir a más falsos reconocimientos que la presentación auditiva en los listados de palabras chinas. Los resultados del presente experimento demostraron que la activación semántica durante las fases de codificación y recuperación jugó un rol importante en el efecto de falso reconocimiento según modalidad y que nuestros resultados se pueden explicar teniendo en cuenta la activación y la vigilancia.

Derivation of large-scale cellular regulatory networks from biological time series data.

PubMed

de Bivort, Benjamin L

2010-01-01

Pharmacological agents and other perturbants of cellular homeostasis appear to nearly universally affect the activity of many genes, proteins, and signaling pathways. While this is due in part to nonspecificity of action of the drug or cellular stress, the large-scale self-regulatory behavior of the cell may also be responsible, as this typically means that when a cell switches states, dozens or hundreds of genes will respond in concert. If many genes act collectively in the cell during state transitions, rather than every gene acting independently, models of the cell can be created that are comprehensive of the action of all genes, using existing data, provided that the functional units in the model are collections of genes. Techniques to develop these large-scale cellular-level models are provided in detail, along with methods of analyzing them, and a brief summary of major conclusions about large-scale cellular networks to date.

Pharmacothérapie de la dépression chez les aînés

PubMed Central

Frank, Christopher

2014-01-01

Résumé Objectif Discuter du traitement pharmacologique de la dépression chez les personnes âgées, y compris le choix des antidépresseurs, le titrage de la dose, la surveillance de la réponse et des effets secondaires et le traitement des cas réfractaires. Sources des données Les lignes directrices de 2006 de la Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health sur l’évaluation et le traitement de la dépression ont servi comme source principale. Pour recenser les articles publiés après les lignes directrices, on a procédé à une recherche documentaire dans MEDLINE de 2007 à 2012 à l’aide des expressions en anglais depression, treatment, drug therapy et elderly. Message principal Le but du traitement devrait être la rémission des symptômes. L’amélioration des symptômes peut être surveillée en fonction des objectifs du patient qu’on a identifiés ou en se servant d’outils cliniques comme le Patient Health Questionnaire–9. On devrait envisager le traitement en 3 étapes: l’étape du traitement aigu pour obtenir la rémission des symptômes, une étape de continuation pour prévenir la récurrence d’un même épisode de la maladie (rechute) et une étape de maintien (prophylaxie) pour prévenir de futurs épisodes (récurrence). Le dosage initial devrait être la moitié de la dose de départ habituelle chez l’adulte et il devrait être titré régulièrement jusqu’à ce que le patient réponde, jusqu’à ce que la dose maximale soit atteinte ou encore que les effets secondaires en limitent l’augmentation. Parmi les effets secondaires fréquents, on peut mentionner les chutes, la nausée, les étourdissements, les céphalées et, moins communément, l’hyponatrémie et des changements dans l’intervalle QT. Des stratégies pour changer ou augmenter les antidépresseurs sont présentées. Les patients plus âgés devraient être traités pendant au moins un an à compter de l’observation d’une amélioration clinique et ceux qui ont une dépression récurrente ou des symptômes sévères devraient continuer le traitement indéfiniment. La prise en charge de situations particulières comme une dépression profonde ou une dépression avec psychose est discutée, y compris le recours à une thérapie électroconvulsive. Les critères pour demander une consultation en psychiatrie gériatrique sont indiqués; par ailleurs, de nombreux médecins de famille n’ont pas aisément accès à une telle ressource ou à d’autres stratégies cliniques non pharmacologiques. Conclusion L’efficacité de la pharmacothérapie de la dépression n’est pas considérablement influencée par l’âge. L’identification de la dépression, le choix du traitement approprié, le tritrage des médicaments, la surveillance des effets secondaires et la durée suffisante du traitement amélioreront les résultats pour les patients plus âgés.

Developpement et validation d'un outil base sur l'acoustique geometrique pour le diagnostic du bruit de nacelle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minard, Benoit

De nos jours, la problématique du bruit généré par les avions est devenue un point de développement important dans le domaine de l'aéronautique. C'est ainsi que de nombreuses études sont faites dans le domaine et une première approche consiste à modéliser de façon numérique ce bruit de manière à réduire de façon conséquente les coûts lors de la conception. C'est dans ce contexte qu'un motoriste a demandé à l'université de Sherbrooke, et plus particulièrement au groupe d'acoustique de l'Université de Sherbrooke (GAUS), de développer un outil de calcul de la propagation des ondes acoustiques dans les nacelles mais aussi pour l'étude des effets d'installation. Cet outil de prédiction leur permet de réaliser des études afin d'optimiser les traitements acoustiques (« liners »), la géométrie de ces nacelles pour des études portant sur l'intérieur de la nacelle et des études de positionnement des moteurs et de design pour les effets d'installation. L'objectif de ce projet de maîtrise était donc de poursuivre le travail réalisé par [gousset, 2011] sur l'utilisation d'une méthode de lancer de rayons pour l'étude des effets d'installation des moteurs d'avion. L'amélioration du code, sa rapidité, sa fiabilité et sa généralité étaient les objectifs principaux. Le code peut être utilisé avec des traitements acoustiques de surfaces («liners») et peut prendre en compte le phénomène de la diffraction par les arêtes et enfin peut être utilisé pour réaliser des études dans des environnements complexes tels que les nacelles d'avion. Le code développé fonctionne en 3D et procéde en 3 étapes : (1) Calcul des faisceaux initiaux (division d'une sphère, demi-sphère, maillage des surfaces de la géométrie) (2) Propagation des faisceaux dans l'environnement d'étude : calcul de toutes les caractéristiques des rayons convergents (amplitude, phase, nombre de réflexions, ...) (3) Reconstruction du champ de pression en un ou plusieurs points de l'espace à partir de rayons convergents (sommation des contributions de chaque rayon) : sommation cohérente. Le code (GA3DP) permet de prendre en compte les traitements de surface des parois, la directivité de la source, l'atténuation atmosphérique et la diffraction d'ordre 1. Le code a été validé en utilisant différentes méthodes telles que la méthode des sources-images, la méthode d'analyse modale ou encore la méthode des éléments finis de frontière. Un module Matlab a été créé spécialement pour l'étude des effets d'installation et intégré au code existant chez Pratt & Whitney Canada. Mots-clés : Acoustique géométrique - Ray-Tracing - Lancer de faisceaux - Diffraction - Sommation Cohérente - Niveau de Pression.

Facilitating arrhythmia simulation: the method of quantitative cellular automata modeling and parallel running

PubMed Central

Zhu, Hao; Sun, Yan; Rajagopal, Gunaretnam; Mondry, Adrian; Dhar, Pawan

2004-01-01

Background Many arrhythmias are triggered by abnormal electrical activity at the ionic channel and cell level, and then evolve spatio-temporally within the heart. To understand arrhythmias better and to diagnose them more precisely by their ECG waveforms, a whole-heart model is required to explore the association between the massively parallel activities at the channel/cell level and the integrative electrophysiological phenomena at organ level. Methods We have developed a method to build large-scale electrophysiological models by using extended cellular automata, and to run such models on a cluster of shared memory machines. We describe here the method, including the extension of a language-based cellular automaton to implement quantitative computing, the building of a whole-heart model with Visible Human Project data, the parallelization of the model on a cluster of shared memory computers with OpenMP and MPI hybrid programming, and a simulation algorithm that links cellular activity with the ECG. Results We demonstrate that electrical activities at channel, cell, and organ levels can be traced and captured conveniently in our extended cellular automaton system. Examples of some ECG waveforms simulated with a 2-D slice are given to support the ECG simulation algorithm. A performance evaluation of the 3-D model on a four-node cluster is also given. Conclusions Quantitative multicellular modeling with extended cellular automata is a highly efficient and widely applicable method to weave experimental data at different levels into computational models. This process can be used to investigate complex and collective biological activities that can be described neither by their governing differentiation equations nor by discrete parallel computation. Transparent cluster computing is a convenient and effective method to make time-consuming simulation feasible. Arrhythmias, as a typical case, can be effectively simulated with the methods described. PMID:15339335

A 2D flood inundation model based on cellular automata approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dottori, Francesco; Todini, Ezio

2010-05-01

In the past years, the cellular automata approach has been successfully applied in two-dimensional modelling of flood events. When used in experimental applications, models based on such approach have provided good results, comparable to those obtained with more complex 2D models; moreover, CA models have proven significantly faster and easier to apply than most of existing models, and these features make them a valuable tool for flood analysis especially when dealing with large areas. However, to date the real degree of accuracy of such models has not been demonstrated, since they have been mainly used in experimental applications, while very few comparisons with theoretical solutions have been made. Also, the use of an explicit scheme of solution, which is inherent in cellular automata models, forces them to work only with small time steps, thus reducing model computation speed. The present work describes a cellular automata model based on the continuity and diffusive wave equations. Several model versions based on different solution schemes have been realized and tested in a number of numerical cases, both 1D and 2D, comparing the results with theoretical and numerical solutions. In all cases, the model performed well compared to the reference solutions, and proved to be both stable and accurate. Finally, the version providing the best results in terms of stability was tested in a real flood event and compared with different hydraulic models. Again, the cellular automata model provided very good results, both in term of computational speed and reproduction of the simulated event.

Sub-cellular force microscopy in single normal and cancer cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Babahosseini, H.; Carmichael, B.; Strobl, J.S.

2015-08-07

This work investigates the biomechanical properties of sub-cellular structures of breast cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cells are modeled as a triple-layered structure where the Generalized Maxwell model is applied to experimental data from AFM stress-relaxation tests to extract the elastic modulus, the apparent viscosity, and the relaxation time of sub-cellular structures. The triple-layered modeling results allow for determination and comparison of the biomechanical properties of the three major sub-cellular structures between normal and cancerous cells: the up plasma membrane/actin cortex, the mid cytoplasm/nucleus, and the low nuclear/integrin sub-domains. The results reveal that the sub-domains become stiffer andmore » significantly more viscous with depth, regardless of cell type. In addition, there is a decreasing trend in the average elastic modulus and apparent viscosity of the all corresponding sub-cellular structures from normal to cancerous cells, which becomes most remarkable in the deeper sub-domain. The presented modeling in this work constitutes a unique AFM-based experimental framework to study the biomechanics of sub-cellular structures. - Highlights: • The cells are modeled as a triple-layered structure using Generalized Maxwell model. • The sub-domains include membrane/cortex, cytoplasm/nucleus, and nuclear/integrin. • Biomechanics of corresponding sub-domains are compared among normal and cancer cells. • Viscoelasticity of sub-domains show a decreasing trend from normal to cancer cells. • The decreasing trend becomes most significant in the deeper sub-domain.« less

Developpement de mesures non destructives, par ondes ultrasonores, d'epaisseurs de fronts de solidification dans les reacteurs metallurgiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Floquet, Jimmy

Dans les cuves d'electrolyse d'aluminium, le milieu de reaction tres corrosif attaque les parois de la cuve, ce qui diminue leur duree de vie et augmente les couts de production. Le talus, qui se forme sous l'effet des pertes de chaleur qui maintiennent un equilibre thermique dans la cuve, sert de protection naturelle a la cuve. Son epaisseur doit etre controlee pour maximiser cet effet. Advenant la resorption non voulue de ce talus, les degats generes peuvent s'evaluer a plusieurs centaines de milliers de dollars par cuve. Aussi, l'objectif est de developper une mesure ultrasonore de l'epaisseur du talus, car elle serait non intrusive et non destructive. La precision attendue est de l'ordre du centimetre pour des mesures d'epaisseurs comprenant 2 materiaux, allant de 5 a 20 cm. Cette precision est le facteur cle permettant aux industriels de controler l'epaisseur du talus de maniere efficace (maximiser la protection des parois tout en maximisant l'efficacite energetique du procede), par l'ajout d'un flux thermique. Cependant, l'efficacite d'une mesure ultrasonore dans cet environnement hostile reste a demontrer. Les travaux preliminaires ont permis de selectionner un transducteur ultrasonore a contact ayant la capacite a resister aux conditions de mesure (hautes temperatures, materiaux non caracterises...). Differentes mesures a froid (traite par analyse temps-frequence) ont permis d'evaluer la vitesse de propagation des ondes dans le materiau de la cuve en graphite et de la cryolite, demontrant la possibilite d'extraire l'information pertinente d'epaisseur du talus in fine. Fort de cette phase de caracterisation des materiaux sur la reponse acoustique des materiaux, les travaux a venir ont ete realises sur un modele reduit de la cuve. Le montage experimental, un four evoluant a 1050 °C, instrumente d'une multitude de capteurs thermique, permettra une comparaison de la mesure intrusive LVDT a celle du transducteur, dans des conditions proches de la mesure industrielle. Mots-cles : Ultrasons, CND, Haute temperature, Aluminium, Cuve d'electrolyse.

Strategies facilitant les tests en pre-certification pour la robustesse a l'egard des radiations =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souari, Anis

Les effets des radiations cosmiques sur l'electronique embarquee preoccupent depuis. quelques decennies les chercheurs interesses par la robustesse des circuits integres. Plusieurs. recherches ont ete menees dans cette direction, principalement pour les applications spatiales. ou l’environnement de leur deploiement est hostile. En effet, ces environnements sont denses. en termes de particules qui, lorsqu’elles interagissent avec les circuits integres, peuvent. mener a leur dysfonctionnement, voir meme a leur destruction. De plus, les effets des. radiations s’accentuent pour les nouvelles generations des circuits integres ou la diminution. de la taille des transistors et l’augmentation de la complexite de ces circuits augmentent la. probabilite d’apparition des anomalies et par consequence la croissance des besoins de test. L’expansion de l’electronique grand public (commercial off-the-shelf, COTS) et l’adoption. de ces composants pour des applications critiques comme les applications avioniques et. spatiales incitent egalement les chercheurs a doubler les efforts de verification de la fiabilite. de ces circuits. Les COTS, malgre leurs meilleures caracteristiques en comparaison avec les. circuits durcis tolerants aux radiations qui sont couteux et en retard en termes de technologie. utilisee, sont vulnerables aux radiations. Afin d’ameliorer la fiabilite de ces circuits, une evaluation de leur vulnerabilite dans les. differents niveaux d’abstraction du flot de conception est recommandee. Ceci aide les. concepteurs a prendre les mesures de mitigation necessaires sur le design au niveau. d’abstraction en question. Enfin, afin de satisfaire les exigences de tolerance aux pannes, des. tests tres couteux de certification, obtenus a l’aide de bombardement de particules (protons, neutrons, etc.), sont necessaires. Dans cette these, nous nous interessons principalement a definir une strategie de precertification. permettant d’evaluer d’une facon realiste la sensibilite des circuits integres face. aux effets des radiations afin d’eviter d’envoyer des circuits non robustes a la phase tres. couteuse de la certification. Les circuits cibles par nos travaux sont les circuits integres. programmables par l’usager (FPGA) a base de memoire SRAM et le type de pannes ciblees, causees par les radiations, est les SEU (single event upset) consistant a un basculement de. l’etat logique d’un element de memoire a son complementaire. En effet, les FPGA a base de. memoire SRAM sont de plus en plus demandes par la communaute de l’aerospatial grace a. leurs caracteristiques de prototypage rapide et de reconfiguration sur site mais ils sont. vulnerables face aux radiations ou les SEU sont les pannes les plus frequentes dans les. elements de memoire de type SRAM. Nous proposons une nouvelle approche d’injection de. pannes par emulation permettant de mimer les effets des radiations sur la memoire de. configuration des FPGA et de generer des resultats les plus fideles possibles des resultats des. tests de certification. Cette approche est basee sur la consideration de la difference de. sensibilite des elements de memoire de configuration lorsqu’ils sont a l’etat '1' et a l’etat '0', observee sous des tests acceleres sous faisceaux de protons au renomme laboratoire. TRIUMF, dans la procedure de generation des sequences de test dans le but de mimer la. distribution des pannes dans la memoire de configuration. Les resultats des experimentations. de validation montrent que la strategie proposee est efficace et genere des resultats realistes. Ces resultats revelent que ne pas considerer la difference de sensibilite peut mener a une. sous-estimation de la sensibilite des circuits face aux radiations. Dans la meme optique d’optimisation de la procedure d’injection des pannes par emulation, a. savoir le test de pre-certification, nous proposons une methodologie permettant de maximiser. la detection des bits critiques (bits provoquant une defaillance fonctionnelle s’ils changent. d’etat) pour un nombre bien determine de SEU (qui est le modele de pannes adopte) ou de. maximiser la precision de l’estimation de nombre des bits critiques. Pour ce faire, une. classification des bits de configuration en differents ensembles est tout d’abord mise en. oeuvre, selon leur contenu, les ressources qu’ils configurent et leur criticite. Ensuite, une. evaluation de la sensibilite de chaque ensemble est accomplie. Enfin, la priorisation. d’injection des pannes dans les ensembles les plus sensibles est recommandee. Plusieurs. scenarios d’optimisation d’injection des pannes sont proposes et les resultats sont compares. avec ceux donnes par la methode conventionnelle d’injection aleatoire des pannes. La. methodologie d’optimisation proposee assure une amelioration de plus de deux ordres de. grandeur. Une derniere approche facilitant l’evaluation de la sensibilite des bits configurant les LUT. (look up table) de FPGA, les plus petites entites configurables du FPGA permettant. d’implementer des fonctions combinatoires, utilises par un design est presentee. Elle permet. l’identification facile et sans cout en termes d’utilisation du materiel ou d’outils externes des. bits des LUT. L’approche proposee est simple et efficace, offrant une couverture de pannes. de 100 % et applicable aux nouvelles generations des FPGA de Xilinx. Les approches proposees contribuent a repondre aux exigences du cahier des charges de cette. these et a achever les objectifs definis. Le realisme et la maximisation de l’estimation de la. vulnerabilite des circuits sous test offerts par les nouvelles approches assurent le. developpement d’une strategie de test en pre-certification efficace. En effet, la premiere. approche d’injection de pannes considerant la difference de sensibilite relative des elements. de memoire selon leur contenu genere des resultats donnant une erreur relative atteignant. 3.1 % quand compares aux resultats obtenus a TRIUMF alors que l’erreur relative donnee. par la comparaison des resultats d’une injection conventionnelle aleatoire de pannes avec. ceux de TRIUMF peut atteindre la valeur de 75 %. De plus, l’application de cette approche a. des circuits plus conventionnels montre que 2.3 fois plus d’erreurs sont detectees en. comparaison avec l’injection aleatoire des pannes. Ceci suggere que ne pas considerer la. difference de sensibilite relative dans la procedure d’emulation peut mener a une sousestimation. de la sensibilite du design face aux radiations. Les resultats de la deuxieme. approche proposee ont ete aussi compares aux resultats d’une injection aleatoire de pannes. L’approche proposee, maximisant le nombre des bits critiques inverses, permet d’atteindre. un facteur d’acceleration de 108 de la procedure d’injection des pannes en comparaison a. l’approche aleatoire. Elle permet aussi de minimiser l’erreur d’estimation du nombre des bits. critiques pour atteindre une valeur de ±1.1 % calculee pour un intervalle de confiance de. 95 % tandis que la valeur d’erreur d’estimation des bits critiques generee par l’approche. aleatoire d’injection des pannes pour le meme intervalle de confiance peut atteindre ±8.6 %. Enfin, la derniere approche proposee d’injection de pannes dans les LUT se distingue des. autres approches disponibles dans la litterature par sa simplicite tout en assurant une. couverture maximale de pannes de 100 %. En effet, l’approche proposee est independante. des outils externes permettant d’identifier les bits configurant les LUT qui sont obsoletes ou. ne supportent pas les nouvelles generations des FPGA. Elle agit directement sur les fichiers. generes par l’outil de synthese adopte.

Technical Evaluation Report on the Fluid Dynamics Panel Specialists’ Meeting on Effects of Adverse Weather on Aerodynamics (Les Effets des Conditions Meteorologiques Adverses sur l’Aerodynamique)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-11-01

AD-A245 117 III~i~IIiiIiIIi~ifhII _________________________AGARD-R306 0 AGARD ADVISORY GROUP FOR AEROSPACE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 4 7 RUE ANCELLE...REPRODUCE LEGIBLY. AGARD-AR-306 ADVISORY GROUP FOR AEROSPACE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 7 RUE ANCELLE 92200 NEUILLY SUR SEINE FRANCE AGARD ADVISORY RIEPORT...Conditions NMeleorolovioiue,, Adverscs sur rAerodynarminiuc) - J.J. Reinrnann National ,\\cronautico and Space .\\drmintration L eip Research (Center

L'effet de la mise en page d'un livre sur le pairage du texte et de l'illustration par le jeune lecteur (The Effect of Book Layout on the Linking of Text and Illustrations by the Young Reader).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reinwein, Joachim

A study investigated the degree to which the page layout of a book affects the young reader's association of text with appropriate illustrations. Four hundred native French-speaking third-graders in eight Montreal (Canada) schools participated. In a third-grade text about animals, the names of the animals illustrated in pictures and other words…

CFD Simulations of a Ferry in Head Seas

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

la durée de vie en fatigue globale du navire. Il est important, pour la conception, l’exploitation et la gestion du cycle de ...vibration de frottement qui exerce une contrainte sur la structure de coque primaire et qui a un effet défavorable sur la durée de vie en fatigue globale du ...laquelle ne peut simuler directement la physique du tossage. Le présent rapport contient les résultats d’une étude faisant

Real-Time Adaptive Control of Mixing in a Plane Shear Layer

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-02-02

l’icoulement d’un fuide visqueux incompressible autour d’un cylinder fixe ou en rotation. Effet Magnus . J. Mdc. 14, 109-134. TANEDA, S. 1977 Visual study...Mokhtarian & Yokomizo 1990), and in lift enhancement schemes employing the Magnus effect (Swanson 1961). Rotation of all or part of a body may also have...coordinate system. In this work, the body-fitted grid is simply one of cylindrical polar coordinates and is time-independent, except for a = 3.25 where

RTO Meeting Proceedings 16, Aircraft Weapon System Compatibility and Integration held in Chester, United Kingdom, 28-30 September, 1998

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-04-01

project, there was a requirement to place a camera behind a each photogrammetric target in the image and for each cylindrically curved window...testing. T by the wind tunnel’s captive trajectory sting, U.S. wing open effets on the o erthnd, h e Navyengneer h e obervd sgnifcan difereces wing...Flying Qualities, Symposium on Aeroballistics, May 1981. Aerodynamics, and Structures disciplines benefit directly 6. Magnus , A. E., and Epton, M. A

Development of the Wake Behind a Circular Cylinder Impulsively Started into Rotatory and Rectilinear Motion: Intermediate Rotation Rates

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

cylindre fixe ou en rotation. Effet Magnus . J. Mec. 14, 109-134. Taneda, S. 1977 Visual study of unsteady separated flows around bodies. Prog. Aero...enhancement schemes employing the Magnus effect (Swanson 1961). Rotating all or part of a body may also have applications in active or feedback control of...and yt into the governing equations in the generalized coordinate system. In this study, the body-fitted grid is simply one of cylindrical polar

AFTERRISE: Deep Body Temperature Following Exercise

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-04-01

Egalement, les effets de la posture et des v~tements durant la r~cup~ration et la temperature de la salle de r~cup~ration furent examines. Cinq hommes...une chemise a manches courtes). Les tempdratures rectales et de la peau furent mesurdes & chaque minute durant les exercices et la r6cupdration...Ndcnillll~ l OLen 1+ 1DNfnce na~on~e :x DTIC Ss ELECTE FEB 5 1993DI C AFTERRISE: DEEP BODY TEMPERATURE FOLLOWING EXERCISE (U) by S. Tuck and A.A

Why Cold-Wet Makes One Feel Chilled: A Literature Review

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-06-01

froid et mouill6. On examine aussi l’effet de la radiation solaire , l’interaction entre la peau at l’humidit6, entre la peau et la temp~rature de mgme...directions, including back out into space. Aerosols of water in clouds reflect incident solar energy . The upper surface of a stratus cloud cover can reflect...earth than under clear conditions. Albedo, the fraction of the incident energy which is reflected by a surface, varies considerably with the terrain

Hygrothermal Effects in Continuous Fibre Reinforced Composites. Part 4. Mechanical Properties 2 - Fatigue and Time-Dependent Properties (Effets Hygrothermiques dans les Composites a Renfort de Fibre Continu. Partie 4. Proprietes Mecaniques 2 - Fatigue et Proprietes Dependant du Temps)

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

reduction of stress intensity at a crack tip due to Lreep was responsible for increasing the fatigue life during the "slow- fast " L .sts. As creep is clearly...Aeronautical Establishment Structures and Materials Laboratory SPONSORING AGENCY/AGENCE DE SUBVENTION 8 DATE FILE/DOSSIER LAB. ORDER PAGES FIGS/ DIAGRAMMES

Relativité générale et gravitation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elbaz, E.

Contents: 1. Description de l'univers observable. 2. Lemicro-univers des particules élémentaires. 3. Analyse tensorielle.4. Relativité restreinte. 5. Effet de la gravitation en relativité générale. 6. Équations d'Einstein. 7. Ondes gravitationnelles. 8. Champ de gravitation statique et isotrope. 9. Structures stellaires. 10. Champ de gravitation non statique isotrope. 11. Introduction à la dynamique cosmologique et au modèle standard de l'univers très primitif. 12. Perspectives actuelles.

High performance cellular level agent-based simulation with FLAME for the GPU.

PubMed

Richmond, Paul; Walker, Dawn; Coakley, Simon; Romano, Daniela

2010-05-01

Driven by the availability of experimental data and ability to simulate a biological scale which is of immediate interest, the cellular scale is fast emerging as an ideal candidate for middle-out modelling. As with 'bottom-up' simulation approaches, cellular level simulations demand a high degree of computational power, which in large-scale simulations can only be achieved through parallel computing. The flexible large-scale agent modelling environment (FLAME) is a template driven framework for agent-based modelling (ABM) on parallel architectures ideally suited to the simulation of cellular systems. It is available for both high performance computing clusters (www.flame.ac.uk) and GPU hardware (www.flamegpu.com) and uses a formal specification technique that acts as a universal modelling format. This not only creates an abstraction from the underlying hardware architectures, but avoids the steep learning curve associated with programming them. In benchmarking tests and simulations of advanced cellular systems, FLAME GPU has reported massive improvement in performance over more traditional ABM frameworks. This allows the time spent in the development and testing stages of modelling to be drastically reduced and creates the possibility of real-time visualisation for simple visual face-validation.

Coarse-grained Brownian ratchet model of membrane protrusion on cellular scale.

PubMed

Inoue, Yasuhiro; Adachi, Taiji

2011-07-01

Membrane protrusion is a mechanochemical process of active membrane deformation driven by actin polymerization. Previously, Brownian ratchet (BR) was modeled on the basis of the underlying molecular mechanism. However, because the BR requires a priori load that cannot be determined without information of the cell shape, it cannot be effective in studies in which resultant shapes are to be solved. Other cellular-scale models describing the protrusion have also been suggested for modeling a whole cell; however, these models were not developed on the basis of coarse-grained physics representing the underlying molecular mechanism. Therefore, to express the membrane protrusion on the cellular scale, we propose a novel mathematical model, the coarse-grained BR (CBR), which is derived on the basis of nonequilibrium thermodynamics theory. The CBR can reproduce the BR within the limit of the quasistatic process of membrane protrusion and can estimate the protrusion velocity consistently with an effective elastic constant that represents the state of the energy of the membrane. Finally, to demonstrate the applicability of the CBR, we attempt to perform a cellular-scale simulation of migrating keratocyte in which the proposed CBR is used for the membrane protrusion model on the cellular scale. The results show that the experimentally observed shapes of the leading edge are well reproduced by the simulation. In addition, The trend of dependences of the protrusion velocity on the curvature of the leading edge, the temperature, and the substrate stiffness also agreed with the other experimental results. Thus, the CBR can be considered an appropriate cellular-scale model to express the membrane protrusion on the basis of its underlying molecular mechanism.

Simulation of the 1992 Tessina landslide by a cellular automata model and future hazard scenarios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avolio, MV; Di Gregorio, Salvatore; Mantovani, Franco; Pasuto, Alessandro; Rongo, Rocco; Silvano, Sandro; Spataro, William

Cellular Automata are a powerful tool for modelling natural and artificial systems, which can be described in terms of local interactions of their constituent parts. Some types of landslides, such as debris/mud flows, match these requirements. The 1992 Tessina landslide has characteristics (slow mud flows) which make it appropriate for modelling by means of Cellular Automata, except for the initial phase of detachment, which is caused by a rotational movement that has no effect on the mud flow path. This paper presents the Cellular Automata approach for modelling slow mud/debris flows, the results of simulation of the 1992 Tessina landslide and future hazard scenarios based on the volumes of masses that could be mobilised in the future. They were obtained by adapting the Cellular Automata Model called SCIDDICA, which has been validated for very fast landslides. SCIDDICA was applied by modifying the general model to the peculiarities of the Tessina landslide. The simulations obtained by this initial model were satisfactory for forecasting the surface covered by mud. Calibration of the model, which was obtained from simulation of the 1992 event, was used for forecasting flow expansion during possible future reactivation. For this purpose two simulations concerning the collapse of about 1 million m 3 of material were tested. In one of these, the presence of a containment wall built in 1992 for the protection of the Tarcogna hamlet was inserted. The results obtained identified the conditions of high risk affecting the villages of Funes and Lamosano and show that this Cellular Automata approach can have a wide range of applications for different types of mud/debris flows.

A Semi-quantum Version of the Game of Life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flitney, Adrian P.; Abbott, Derek

The following sections are included: * Background and Motivation * Classical cellular automata * Conway's game of life * Quantum cellular automata * Semi-quantum Life * The idea * A first model * A semi-quantum model * Discussion * Summary * References

A Cellular Automata-based Model for Simulating Restitution Property in a Single Heart Cell.

PubMed

Sabzpoushan, Seyed Hojjat; Pourhasanzade, Fateme

2011-01-01

Ventricular fibrillation is the cause of the most sudden mortalities. Restitution is one of the specific properties of ventricular cell. The recent findings have clearly proved the correlation between the slope of restitution curve with ventricular fibrillation. This; therefore, mandates the modeling of cellular restitution to gain high importance. A cellular automaton is a powerful tool for simulating complex phenomena in a simple language. A cellular automaton is a lattice of cells where the behavior of each cell is determined by the behavior of its neighboring cells as well as the automata rule. In this paper, a simple model is depicted for the simulation of the property of restitution in a single cardiac cell using cellular automata. At first, two state variables; action potential and recovery are introduced in the automata model. In second, automata rule is determined and then recovery variable is defined in such a way so that the restitution is developed. In order to evaluate the proposed model, the generated restitution curve in our study is compared with the restitution curves from the experimental findings of valid sources. Our findings indicate that the presented model is not only capable of simulating restitution in cardiac cell, but also possesses the capability of regulating the restitution curve.

Cellular automata and integrodifferential equation models for cell renewal in mosaic tissues

PubMed Central

Bloomfield, J. M.; Sherratt, J. A.; Painter, K. J.; Landini, G.

2010-01-01

Mosaic tissues are composed of two or more genetically distinct cell types. They occur naturally, and are also a useful experimental method for exploring tissue growth and maintenance. By marking the different cell types, one can study the patterns formed by proliferation, renewal and migration. Here, we present mathematical modelling suggesting that small changes in the type of interaction that cells have with their local cellular environment can lead to very different outcomes for the composition of mosaics. In cell renewal, proliferation of each cell type may depend linearly or nonlinearly on the local proportion of cells of that type, and these two possibilities produce very different patterns. We study two variations of a cellular automaton model based on simple rules for renewal. We then propose an integrodifferential equation model, and again consider two different forms of cellular interaction. The results of the continuous and cellular automata models are qualitatively the same, and we observe that changes in local environment interaction affect the dynamics for both. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the models reproduce some of the patterns seen in actual mosaic tissues. In particular, our results suggest that the differing patterns seen in organ parenchymas may be driven purely by the process of cell replacement under different interaction scenarios. PMID:20375040

Mathematical Modeling and Experimental Validation of Nanoemulsion-Based Drug Transport across Cellular Barriers.

PubMed

Kadakia, Ekta; Shah, Lipa; Amiji, Mansoor M

2017-07-01

Nanoemulsions have shown potential in delivering drug across epithelial and endothelial cell barriers, which express efflux transporters. However, their transport mechanisms are not entirely understood. Our goal was to investigate the cellular permeability of nanoemulsion-encapsulated drugs and apply mathematical modeling to elucidate transport mechanisms and sensitive nanoemulsion attributes. Transport studies were performed in Caco-2 cells, using fish oil nanoemulsions and a model substrate, rhodamine-123. Permeability data was modeled using a semi-mechanistic approach, capturing the following cellular processes: endocytotic uptake of the nanoemulsion, release of rhodamine-123 from the nanoemulsion, efflux and passive permeability of rhodamine-123 in aqueous solution. Nanoemulsions not only improved the permeability of rhodamine-123, but were also less sensitive to efflux transporters. The model captured bidirectional permeability results and identified sensitive processes, such as the release of the nanoemulsion-encapsulated drug and cellular uptake of the nanoemulsion. Mathematical description of cellular processes, improved our understanding of transport mechanisms, such as nanoemulsions don't inhibit efflux to improve drug permeability. Instead, their endocytotic uptake, results in higher intracellular drug concentrations, thereby increasing the concentration gradient and transcellular permeability across biological barriers. Modeling results indicated optimizing nanoemulsion attributes like the droplet size and intracellular drug release rate, may further improve drug permeability.

A Continuum Damage Mechanics Model for the Static and Cyclic Fatigue of Cellular Composites

PubMed Central

Huber, Otto

2017-01-01

The fatigue behavior of a cellular composite with an epoxy matrix and glass foam granules is analyzed and modeled by means of continuum damage mechanics. The investigated cellular composite is a particular type of composite foam, and is very similar to syntactic foams. In contrast to conventional syntactic foams constituted by hollow spherical particles (balloons), cellular glass, mineral, or metal place holders are combined with the matrix material (metal or polymer) in the case of cellular composites. A microstructural investigation of the damage behavior is performed using scanning electron microscopy. For the modeling of the fatigue behavior, the damage is separated into pure static and pure cyclic damage and described in terms of the stiffness loss of the material using damage models for cyclic and creep damage. Both models incorporate nonlinear accumulation and interaction of damage. A cycle jumping procedure is developed, which allows for a fast and accurate calculation of the damage evolution for constant load frequencies. The damage model is applied to examine the mean stress effect for cyclic fatigue and to investigate the frequency effect and the influence of the signal form in the case of static and cyclic damage interaction. The calculated lifetimes are in very good agreement with experimental results. PMID:28809806

Pericentrin in cellular function and disease

PubMed Central

Delaval, Benedicte

2010-01-01

Pericentrin is an integral component of the centrosome that serves as a multifunctional scaffold for anchoring numerous proteins and protein complexes. Through these interactions, pericentrin contributes to a diversity of fundamental cellular processes. Recent studies link pericentrin to a growing list of human disorders. Studies on pericentrin at the cellular, molecular, and, more recently, organismal level, provide a platform for generating models to elucidate the etiology of these disorders. Although the complexity of phenotypes associated with pericentrin-mediated disorders is somewhat daunting, insights into the cellular basis of disease are beginning to come into focus. In this review, we focus on human conditions associated with loss or elevation of pericentrin and propose cellular and molecular models that might explain them. PMID:19951897

Molecular and cellular alterations in Down syndrome: toward the identification of targets for therapeutics.

PubMed

Créau, Nicole

2012-01-01

Down syndrome is a complex disease that has challenged molecular and cellular research for more than 50 years. Understanding the molecular bases of morphological, cellular, and functional alterations resulting from the presence of an additional complete chromosome 21 would aid in targeting specific genes and pathways for rescuing some phenotypes. Recently, progress has been made by characterization of brain alterations in mouse models of Down syndrome. This review will highlight the main molecular and cellular findings recently described for these models, particularly with respect to their relationship to Down syndrome phenotypes.

Electromagnetic modelling of conductive or superconductive microstrip lines using spice as electromagnetic solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dinh, Thanh Vu; Cabon, Béatrice; Daoud, Nahla; Chilo, Jean

1992-11-01

This paper presents a simple and efficient method for calculating the propagating line parameters (actually, a microstrip one) and its magnetic fields, by simulating an original equivalent circuit with an electrical nodal simulator (SPICE). The losses in the normal conducting line (due to DC losses and to skin effect losses) and also in the superconducting one can be investigated. This allows us to integrate the electromagnetic solutions to the CAD softwares. Dans ce papier, une méthode simple et efficace pour calculer les paramètres de propagation d'une ligne microruban et les champs magnétiques qu'elle engendre est présentée; pour cela, nous simulons un circuit original équivalent à l'aide du simulateur nodal SPICE. Les pertes dans une ligne conductrice (pertes continues et par effet de peau) ainsi que dans une ligne supraconductrice peuvent être considérées. Les solutions électromagnétiques peuvent être intégrées dans les simulateurs de CAO.

Cellular Automata with Anticipation: Examples and Presumable Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krushinsky, Dmitry; Makarenko, Alexander

2010-11-01

One of the most prospective new methodologies for modelling is the so-called cellular automata (CA) approach. According to this paradigm, the models are built from simple elements connected into regular structures with local interaction between neighbours. The patterns of connections usually have a simple geometry (lattices). As one of the classical examples of CA we mention the game `Life' by J. Conway. This paper presents two examples of CA with anticipation property. These examples include a modification of the game `Life' and a cellular model of crowd movement.

A cellular automaton model of wildfire propagation and extinction

Treesearch

Keith C. Clarke; James A. Brass; Phillip J. Riggan

1994-01-01

We propose a new model to predict the spatial and temporal behavior of wildfires. Fire spread and intensity were simulated using a cellular automaton model. Monte Carlo techniques were used to provide fire risk probabilities for areas where fuel loadings and topography are known. The model assumes predetermined or measurable environmental variables such as wind...

Transparent metal model study of the use of a cellular growth front to form aligned monotectic composite materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaukler, William F.

1988-01-01

The purpose of this work was to resolve a scientific controversy in the understanding of how second phase particles become aligned during unidirectional growth of a monotectic alloy. A second aspect was to make the first systematic observations of the solidification behavior of a monotectic alloy during cellular growth in-situ. This research provides the first systematic transparent model study of cellular solidification. An interface stability diagram was developed for the planar to cellular transition of the succinonitrile glycerol (SNG) system. A method was developed utilizing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy which allows quantitative compositional analysis of directionally solidified SNG along the growth axis. To determine the influence of cellular growth front on alignment for directionally solidified monotectic alloys, the planar and cellular growth morphology was observed in-situ for SNG between 8 and 17 percent glycerol and for a range of over two orders of magnitude G/R.

Modeling the mechanics of cancer: effect of changes in cellular and extra-cellular mechanical properties.

PubMed

Katira, Parag; Bonnecaze, Roger T; Zaman, Muhammad H

2013-01-01

Malignant transformation, though primarily driven by genetic mutations in cells, is also accompanied by specific changes in cellular and extra-cellular mechanical properties such as stiffness and adhesivity. As the transformed cells grow into tumors, they interact with their surroundings via physical contacts and the application of forces. These forces can lead to changes in the mechanical regulation of cell fate based on the mechanical properties of the cells and their surrounding environment. A comprehensive understanding of cancer progression requires the study of how specific changes in mechanical properties influences collective cell behavior during tumor growth and metastasis. Here we review some key results from computational models describing the effect of changes in cellular and extra-cellular mechanical properties and identify mechanistic pathways for cancer progression that can be targeted for the prediction, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

Role of cellular adhesions in tissue dynamics spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merrill, Daniel A.; An, Ran; Turek, John; Nolte, David

2014-02-01

Cellular adhesions play a critical role in cell behavior, and modified expression of cellular adhesion compounds has been linked to various cancers. We tested the role of cellular adhesions in drug response by studying three cellular culture models: three-dimensional tumor spheroids with well-developed cellular adhesions and extracellular matrix (ECM), dense three-dimensional cell pellets with moderate numbers of adhesions, and dilute three-dimensional cell suspensions in agarose having few adhesions. Our technique for measuring the drug response for the spheroids and cell pellets was biodynamic imaging (BDI), and for the suspensions was quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS). We tested several cytoskeletal chemotherapeutic drugs (nocodazole, cytochalasin-D, paclitaxel, and colchicine) on three cancer cell lines chosen from human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), human pancreatic carcinoma (MIA PaCa-2), and rat osteosarcoma (UMR-106) to exhibit differences in adhesion strength. Comparing tumor spheroid behavior to that of cell suspensions showed shifts in the spectral motion of the cancer tissues that match predictions based on different degrees of cell-cell contacts. The HT-29 cell line, which has the strongest adhesions in the spheroid model, exhibits anomalous behavior in some cases. These results highlight the importance of using three-dimensional tissue models in drug screening with cellular adhesions being a contributory factor in phenotypic differences between the drug responses of tissue and cells.

Potential field cellular automata model for pedestrian flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Peng; Jian, Xiao-Xia; Wong, S. C.; Choi, Keechoo

2012-02-01

This paper proposes a cellular automata model of pedestrian flow that defines a cost potential field, which takes into account the costs of travel time and discomfort, for a pedestrian to move to an empty neighboring cell. The formulation is based on a reconstruction of the density distribution and the underlying physics, including the rule for resolving conflicts, which is comparable to that in the floor field cellular automaton model. However, we assume that each pedestrian is familiar with the surroundings, thereby minimizing his or her instantaneous cost. This, in turn, helps reduce the randomness in selecting a target cell, which improves the existing cellular automata modelings, together with the computational efficiency. In the presence of two pedestrian groups, which are distinguished by their destinations, the cost distribution for each group is magnified due to the strong interaction between the two groups. As a typical phenomenon, the formation of lanes in the counter flow is reproduced.

Etude vibroacoustique d'un systeme coque-plancher-cavite avec application a un fuselage simplifie

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Missaoui, Jemai

L'objectif de ce travail est de developper des modeles semi-analytiques pour etudier le comportement structural, acoustique et vibro-acoustique d'un systeme coque-plancher-cavite. La connection entre la coque et le plancher est assuree en utilisant le concept de rigidite artificielle. Ce concept de modelisation flexible facilite le choix des fonctions de decomposition du mouvement de chaque sous-structure. Les resultats issus de cette etude vont permettre la comprehension des phenomenes physiques de base rencontres dans une structure d'avion. Une approche integro-modale est developpee pour calculer les caracteristiques modales acoustiques. Elle utilise une discretisation de la cavite irreguliere en sous-cavites acoustiques dont les bases de developpement sont connues a priori. Cette approche, a caractere physique, presente l'avantage d'etre efficace et precise. La validite de celle-ci a ete demontree en utilisant des resultats disponibles dans la litterature. Un modele vibro-acoustique est developpe dans un but d'analyser et de comprendre les effets structuraux et acoustiques du plancher dans la configuration. La validite des resultats, en termes de resonance et de fonction de transfert, est verifiee a l'aide des mesures experimentales realisees au laboratoire.

"Metamagnetoelectric" effect in multiferroics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fouokeng, G. C.; Fodouop, F. Kuate; Tchoffo, M.; Fai, L. C.; Randrianantoandro, N.

2018-05-01

We present a theoretical calculation of magnetoelectric properties in a quasi-two dimensional spin chain externally controlled by a static electric field in y-direction and magnetic field in z-direction. Given the diversity of properties in functional materials and their applications in physics, the multiferroic model is investigated. By using the Fermi-Dirac statistics of quantum gases and the Landau theory, we assess the effects of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and the electric polarization on the magnetoelectric coupling that induces at low temperature the "metamagnetoelectric" effet, and likewise affects the ferroelectricity induced through symmetry mechanisms and magnetic properties of the multiferroic system. In fact, the variation of the induced polarisation due to spin arrangement through the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction gives rise to a multistep interdependent metamagnetic and metaelectric transitions which are settled up by the corresponding Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya parameter and the system then exhibits a spin gap that results from an electric and a magnetic demagnetization field range. This metamagnetoelectric effect observed in these multiferroic materials model is seem to be highly tunable via the external electric and magnetic fields and thus can be crucial in the design of new mechanisms for the processing and storage of data and other spintronic applications.

Modeling of time dependent localized flow shear stress and its impact on cellular growth within additive manufactured titanium implants

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ziyu; Yuan, Lang; Lee, Peter D; Jones, Eric; Jones, Julian R

2014-01-01

Bone augmentation implants are porous to allow cellular growth, bone formation and fixation. However, the design of the pores is currently based on simple empirical rules, such as minimum pore and interconnects sizes. We present a three-dimensional (3D) transient model of cellular growth based on the Navier–Stokes equations that simulates the body fluid flow and stimulation of bone precursor cellular growth, attachment, and proliferation as a function of local flow shear stress. The model's effectiveness is demonstrated for two additive manufactured (AM) titanium scaffold architectures. The results demonstrate that there is a complex interaction of flow rate and strut architecture, resulting in partially randomized structures having a preferential impact on stimulating cell migration in 3D porous structures for higher flow rates. This novel result demonstrates the potential new insights that can be gained via the modeling tool developed, and how the model can be used to perform what-if simulations to design AM structures to specific functional requirements. PMID:24664988

Around the macrolide - Impact of 3D structure of macrocycles on lipophilicity and cellular accumulation.

PubMed

Koštrun, Sanja; Munic Kos, Vesna; Matanović Škugor, Maja; Palej Jakopović, Ivana; Malnar, Ivica; Dragojević, Snježana; Ralić, Jovica; Alihodžić, Sulejman

2017-06-16

The aim of this study was to investigate lipophilicity and cellular accumulation of rationally designed azithromycin and clarithromycin derivatives at the molecular level. The effect of substitution site and substituent properties on a global physico-chemical profile and cellular accumulation of investigated compounds was studied using calculated structural parameters as well as experimentally determined lipophilicity. In silico models based on the 3D structure of molecules were generated to investigate conformational effect on studied properties and to enable prediction of lipophilicity and cellular accumulation for this class of molecules based on non-empirical parameters. The applicability of developed models was explored on a validation and test sets and compared with previously developed empirical models. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

A System for Modelling Cell–Cell Interactions during Plant Morphogenesis

PubMed Central

Dupuy, Lionel; Mackenzie, Jonathan; Rudge, Tim; Haseloff, Jim

2008-01-01

Background and aims During the development of multicellular organisms, cells are capable of interacting with each other through a range of biological and physical mechanisms. A description of these networks of cell–cell interactions is essential for an understanding of how cellular activity is co-ordinated in regionalized functional entities such as tissues or organs. The difficulty of experimenting on living tissues has been a major limitation to describing such systems, and computer modelling appears particularly helpful to characterize the behaviour of multicellular systems. The experimental difficulties inherent to the multitude of parallel interactions that underlie cellular morphogenesis have led to the need for computer models. Methods A new generic model of plant cellular morphogenesis is described that expresses interactions amongst cellular entities explicitly: the plant is described as a multi-scale structure, and interactions between distinct entities is established through a topological neighbourhood. Tissues are represented as 2D biphasic systems where the cell wall responds to turgor pressure through a viscous yielding of the cell wall. Key Results This principle was used in the development of the CellModeller software, a generic tool dedicated to the analysis and modelling of plant morphogenesis. The system was applied to three contrasting study cases illustrating genetic, hormonal and mechanical factors involved in plant morphogenesis. Conclusions Plant morphogenesis is fundamentally a cellular process and the CellModeller software, through its underlying generic model, provides an advanced research tool to analyse coupled physical and biological morphogenetic mechanisms. PMID:17921524

Treatment Analysis in a Cancer Stem Cell Context Using a Tumor Growth Model Based on Cellular Automata.

PubMed

Monteagudo, Ángel; Santos, José

2015-01-01

Cancer can be viewed as an emergent behavior in terms of complex system theory and artificial life, Cellular Automata (CA) being the tool most used for studying and characterizing the emergent behavior. Different approaches with CA models were used to model cancer growth. The use of the abstract model of acquired cancer hallmarks permits the direct modeling at cellular level, where a cellular automaton defines the mitotic and apoptotic behavior of cells, and allows for an analysis of different dynamics of the cellular system depending on the presence of the different hallmarks. A CA model based on the presence of hallmarks in the cells, which includes a simulation of the behavior of Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) and their implications for the resultant growth behavior of the multicellular system, was employed. This modeling of cancer growth, in the avascular phase, was employed to analyze the effect of cancer treatments in a cancer stem cell context. The model clearly explains why, after treatment against non-stem cancer cells, the regrowth capability of CSCs generates a faster regrowth of tumor behavior, and also shows that a continuous low-intensity treatment does not favor CSC proliferation and differentiation, thereby allowing an unproblematic control of future tumor regrowth. The analysis performed indicates that, contrary to the current attempts at CSC control, trying to make CSC proliferation more difficult is an important point to consider, especially in the immediate period after a standard treatment for controlling non-stem cancer cell proliferation.

Exact results of 1D traffic cellular automata: The low-density behavior of the Fukui-Ishibashi model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salcido, Alejandro; Hernández-Zapata, Ernesto; Carreón-Sierra, Susana

2018-03-01

The maximum entropy states of the cellular automata models for traffic flow in a single-lane with no anticipation are presented and discussed. The exact analytical solutions for the low-density behavior of the stochastic Fukui-Ishibashi traffic model were obtained and compared with computer simulations of the model. An excellent agreement was found.

Importance des communications intercellulaires en radiopathologie expérimentale : le syndrôme inflammatoire radioinduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agay, D.; Clarencon, D.; Multon, E.; Mestries, J.-C.; van der Meeren, A.; Mouthon, M.-A.; Gourmelon, P.

1998-04-01

The monolithic image of radiation pathology, the physiopathological mechanisms of which are limited to the conventional concept of specific “target cell" with mitotic and apoptotic cell death, is changing owing to our increasing knowledge about intercellular communications. The cellular radiationbiology is currently enriched by the “humoral" radiationbiology with its concept of “target network" including cells and intercellular messengers. The radiation-induced disorders observed in these networks take shape in the inflammatory reaction, which is largely involved, in the physiopathological development of the acute radiation syndrome. These concepts of a perpetual cascade of cytokines, leading to radiation-induced late effects with no biological latent period, are especially illustrated by the radiation-induced pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis. L'image monolithique de la radiopathologie dont les mécanismes physiopathologiques sont réduits aux concepts classiques de “cellule cible" spécifique avec mort cellulaire mitotique et apoptotique, se modifie grâce à l'accroissement de nos connaissances sur les communications intercellulaires. La radiobiologie cellulaire s'enrichit aujourd'hui de la radiobiologie “humorale" avec son concept de “réseau cible" tant au niveau des cellules que des messagers intercellulaires. Les désordres radio-induits observés au niveau de ces réseaux se concrétisent dans la réaction inflammatoire qui est fortement impliquée dans l'évolution physiopathologique du syndrome aigu d'irradiation. Ces concepts d'une cascade perpétuelle de cytokines, sans période de latence biologique et qui amènent aux effets tardifs radio-induits, sont particulièrement illustrés dans la pneumonie et la fibrose pulmonaire radio-induites.

Computational modeling of single-cell mechanics and cytoskeletal mechanobiology.

PubMed

Rajagopal, Vijay; Holmes, William R; Lee, Peter Vee Sin

2018-03-01

Cellular cytoskeletal mechanics plays a major role in many aspects of human health from organ development to wound healing, tissue homeostasis and cancer metastasis. We summarize the state-of-the-art techniques for mathematically modeling cellular stiffness and mechanics and the cytoskeletal components and factors that regulate them. We highlight key experiments that have assisted model parameterization and compare the advantages of different models that have been used to recapitulate these experiments. An overview of feed-forward mechanisms from signaling to cytoskeleton remodeling is provided, followed by a discussion of the rapidly growing niche of encapsulating feedback mechanisms from cytoskeletal and cell mechanics to signaling. We discuss broad areas of advancement that could accelerate research and understanding of cellular mechanobiology. A precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms that affect cell and tissue mechanics and function will underpin innovations in medical device technologies of the future. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2018, 10:e1407. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1407 This article is categorized under: Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models. © 2017 The Authors. WIREs Systems Biology and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Computational modeling of single‐cell mechanics and cytoskeletal mechanobiology

PubMed Central

Holmes, William R.; Lee, Peter Vee Sin

2017-01-01

Cellular cytoskeletal mechanics plays a major role in many aspects of human health from organ development to wound healing, tissue homeostasis and cancer metastasis. We summarize the state‐of‐the‐art techniques for mathematically modeling cellular stiffness and mechanics and the cytoskeletal components and factors that regulate them. We highlight key experiments that have assisted model parameterization and compare the advantages of different models that have been used to recapitulate these experiments. An overview of feed‐forward mechanisms from signaling to cytoskeleton remodeling is provided, followed by a discussion of the rapidly growing niche of encapsulating feedback mechanisms from cytoskeletal and cell mechanics to signaling. We discuss broad areas of advancement that could accelerate research and understanding of cellular mechanobiology. A precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms that affect cell and tissue mechanics and function will underpin innovations in medical device technologies of the future. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2018, 10:e1407. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1407 This article is categorized under: 1Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models2Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease3Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models PMID:29195023

Malformations congénitales à Lubumbashi (République Démocratique du Congo): à propos de 72 cas observés et plaidoyer en faveur du développement d'un Registre National des Malformations Congénitales et d'un Centre National de Référence de Génétique Humaine

PubMed Central

Lubala, Toni Kasole; Shongo, Mick Yapongombo; Munkana, Arthur Ndundula; Mutombo, Augustin Mulangu; Mbuyi, Sébastien Musanzayi; wa Momat, Félix Kitenge

2012-01-01

En République Démocratique du Congo, les malformations congénitales constituent un véritable problème de santé publique. En effet, elles relancent le débat sur les effets de l'intensification de l'activité minière sur la santé de la reproduction. De 2009 à 2010, nous avons calculé une prévalence de 5.84 pour 1000 naissances. Les malformations du système nerveux central étaient les plus fréquentes (2.029 pour 1000) suivies des malformations des membres (1.055 pour 1000), et des fentes oro-faciales (0.811 pour 1000). Ces données sont certainement largement sous-estimées et les causes y relatives en République Démocratique du Congo ne sont ni surveillées, ni prévenues dans le cadre d'une politique gouvernementale. La mise en place d'un registre national et d'un centre national de génétique humaine de référence pourrait constituer un cadre rigoureux, organisé et structuré de surveillance et de prévention des malformations congénitales. PMID:23396951

Cold pearl surfactant-based blends.

PubMed

Crombie, R L

1997-10-01

Pearlizing agents have been used for many years in cosmetic formulations to add a pearlescent effect. Cold pearl surfactant-based blends are mixtures of glycol stearates and surfactants which can be blended in the cold into a wide range of personal-care formulations to create a pearlescent lustre effect. Under controlled manufacturing conditions constant viscosities and crystalline characteristics can be obtained. The development of these blends has been driven by efforts to improve the economics of adding solid pearlizing agents directly into a hot mix formulation. This paper summarizes the history of pearlizers, describes their advantages and physical chemistry of the manufacturing process. Finally some suggestions for applications are given. Les agents nacrants sont utilises depuis de nombreuses annees dans les formulations cosmetiques pour ajouter un effet nacre. Les melanges a froid a base de tensioactif nacre sont des melanges de stearates de glycol et de tensioactifs qui peuvent etre melanges a froid dans une large gamme de formulations d'hygiene personnelle pour creer un effet de lustre nacre. On peut obtenir des viscosites et des proprietes cristallines constantes avec des conditions de fabrication maitrisees. Le developpement de ces melanges a ete porte par les efforts pour ameliorer les couts de l'ajout d'agents nacrants solides directement dans une formulation melangee de l'ajout d'agents nacrants solides directement dans une formulation melangee a chaud. Cet article resume l'histoire des agents nacrants, decrit leurs avantages et al physico-chimie du procede de fabrication. On emet a la fin cetaines suggestions d'applications.

Influence des traitements thermiques et de la microstructure sur les phénomènes de découplage dans les composés au bismuth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolas, M.; Guyen van Huong, C. N.; Burger, J. P.; Dubon, A.; Fitoussi, J. P.; Laval, J. Y.

1991-11-01

a.c. susceptibility measurements and 3D electronic microscopy observation were carried out on three Bi-compounds (2212 and 2223). Depending on the annealing conditions, one observes lamellar-type materials organized either in a more or less dense structure of fine particles or in very large slabs. The a.c. susceptibility signals allow to separate the intergranular from the intragranular effects. The combined results obtained by both techniques lead us to conclude that the intergranular and the intragranular decoupling, induced by magnetic fields are of same nature, i.e. occur at the (BiO)2 slab. Nous avons couplé des mesures de susceptibilité altemative et d'observation au microscope électronique en 3D sur trois échantillons supraconducteurs au bismuth (2212 et 2223). Selon les conditions de recuit, on observe des matériaux de type lamellaire, organisés soit en une structure plus ou moins dense de fines particules, soit en larges plaquettes. L'étude des signaux de susceptibilité alternative χ' et χ'' permet de séparer les effets intergranulaires des effets intragranulaires. les résultats combinés des deux techniques nous ont conduit à conclure que les deux types de découplage (inter et intragranulaires), induits par les champs magnétiques sont de même nature, c'est-à-dire se produisent au niveau des bicouches (BiO)2.

Magnétochiralité et résonances stochastiques dans les lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnet, C.; Bretenaker, F.; Brunel, M.; Chauvat, D.; Emile, O.; Lai, N. D.; Le Floch, A.; Ropars, G.; Ruchon, T.; Singh, K.; Thépot, J.-Y.; Vallet, M.

2002-06-01

Les états propres d'un laser constituent un outil de choix pour étudier les différents rôles joués par le bruit dans un système. D'une part, si on veut isoler un effet petit difficilement accessible par les méthodes classiques, ces états propres permettent de réaliser des mesures différentielles de haute précision, à condition de pouvoir éliminer les bruits mécaniques, optiques, électroniques. A titre d'exemple, nous avons utilisé les états propageant et contrapropageant d'un laser ionique en anneau pour mesurer une interaction fondamentale faible: la biréfringence magnétochirale. Cette "biréfringence" se manifeste en effet par une petite variation d'indice selon le sens de parcours de l'anneau, de l'ordre de Δ n.10^{-11}, indépendante de la polarisation. A l'opposé, les deux états propres d'un laser du type Fabry-Perot constituent un système idéal pour explorer les résonances stochastiques à deux dimensions. Les résonances stochastiques par inhibition et par rotation sont isolées en présence de bruits blancs gaussiens tant pour les bruits optiques que magnétiques. L'utilisation possible de l'émission spontanée comme bruit actif est démontrée.

HSP90 Inhibition and Cellular Stress Elicits Phenotypic Plasticity in Hematopoietic Differentiation

PubMed Central

Lawag, Abdalla A.; Napper, Jennifer M.; Hunter, Caroline A.; Bacon, Nickolas A.; Deskins, Seth; El-hamdani, Manaf; Govender, Sarah-Leigh; Koc, Emine C.

2017-01-01

Abstract Cancer cells exist in a state of Darwinian selection using mechanisms that produce changes in gene expression through genetic and epigenetic alteration to facilitate their survival. Cellular plasticity, or the ability to alter cellular phenotype, can assist in survival of premalignant cells as they progress to full malignancy by providing another mechanism of adaptation. The connection between cellular stress and the progression of cancer has been established, although the details of the mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. The molecular chaperone HSP90 is often upregulated in cancers as they progress, presumably to allow cancer cells to deal with misfolded proteins and cellular stress associated with transformation. The objective of this work is to test the hypothesis that inhibition of HSP90 results in increased cell plasticity in mammalian systems that can confer a greater adaptability to selective pressures. The approach used is a murine in vitro model system of hematopoietic differentiation that utilizes a murine hematopoietic stem cell line, erythroid myeloid lymphoid (EML) clone 1, during their maturation from stem cells to granulocytic progenitors. During the differentiation protocol, 80%–90% of the cells die when placed in medium where the major growth factor is granulocyte–macrophage-colony stimulating factor. Using this selection point model, EML cells exhibit increases in cellular plasticity when they are better able to adapt to this medium and survive. Increases in cellular plasticity were found to occur upon exposure to geldanamycin to inhibit HSP90, when subjected to various forms of cellular stress, or inhibition of histone acetylation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the cellular plasticity associated with inhibition of HSP90 in this model involves epigenetic mechanisms and is dependent upon high levels of stem cell factor signaling. This work provides evidence for a role of HSP90 and cellular stress in inducing phenotypic plasticity in mammalian systems that has new implications for cellular stress in progression and evolution of cancer. PMID:28910138

HSP90 Inhibition and Cellular Stress Elicits Phenotypic Plasticity in Hematopoietic Differentiation.

PubMed

Lawag, Abdalla A; Napper, Jennifer M; Hunter, Caroline A; Bacon, Nickolas A; Deskins, Seth; El-Hamdani, Manaf; Govender, Sarah-Leigh; Koc, Emine C; Sollars, Vincent E

2017-10-01

Cancer cells exist in a state of Darwinian selection using mechanisms that produce changes in gene expression through genetic and epigenetic alteration to facilitate their survival. Cellular plasticity, or the ability to alter cellular phenotype, can assist in survival of premalignant cells as they progress to full malignancy by providing another mechanism of adaptation. The connection between cellular stress and the progression of cancer has been established, although the details of the mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. The molecular chaperone HSP90 is often upregulated in cancers as they progress, presumably to allow cancer cells to deal with misfolded proteins and cellular stress associated with transformation. The objective of this work is to test the hypothesis that inhibition of HSP90 results in increased cell plasticity in mammalian systems that can confer a greater adaptability to selective pressures. The approach used is a murine in vitro model system of hematopoietic differentiation that utilizes a murine hematopoietic stem cell line, erythroid myeloid lymphoid (EML) clone 1, during their maturation from stem cells to granulocytic progenitors. During the differentiation protocol, 80%-90% of the cells die when placed in medium where the major growth factor is granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor. Using this selection point model, EML cells exhibit increases in cellular plasticity when they are better able to adapt to this medium and survive. Increases in cellular plasticity were found to occur upon exposure to geldanamycin to inhibit HSP90, when subjected to various forms of cellular stress, or inhibition of histone acetylation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the cellular plasticity associated with inhibition of HSP90 in this model involves epigenetic mechanisms and is dependent upon high levels of stem cell factor signaling. This work provides evidence for a role of HSP90 and cellular stress in inducing phenotypic plasticity in mammalian systems that has new implications for cellular stress in progression and evolution of cancer.

Kinetic theory approach to modeling of cellular repair mechanisms under genome stress.

PubMed

Qi, Jinpeng; Ding, Yongsheng; Zhu, Ying; Wu, Yizhi

2011-01-01

Under acute perturbations from outer environment, a normal cell can trigger cellular self-defense mechanism in response to genome stress. To investigate the kinetics of cellular self-repair process at single cell level further, a model of DNA damage generating and repair is proposed under acute Ion Radiation (IR) by using mathematical framework of kinetic theory of active particles (KTAP). Firstly, we focus on illustrating the profile of Cellular Repair System (CRS) instituted by two sub-populations, each of which is made up of the active particles with different discrete states. Then, we implement the mathematical framework of cellular self-repair mechanism, and illustrate the dynamic processes of Double Strand Breaks (DSBs) and Repair Protein (RP) generating, DSB-protein complexes (DSBCs) synthesizing, and toxins accumulating. Finally, we roughly analyze the capability of cellular self-repair mechanism, cellular activity of transferring DNA damage, and genome stability, especially the different fates of a certain cell before and after the time thresholds of IR perturbations that a cell can tolerate maximally under different IR perturbation circumstances.

Suivi après le traitement du cancer du sein

PubMed Central

Sisler, Jeffrey; Chaput, Geneviève; Sussman, Jonathan; Ozokwelu, Emmanuel

2016-01-01

Résumé Objectif Offrir aux médecins de famille un résumé des recommandations fondées sur les données probantes pour guider les soins aux survivantes traitées pour le cancer du sein. Qualité des données Une recherche documentaire a été effectuée dans MEDLINE entre 2000 et 2016 à l’aide des mots-clés anglais suivants : breast cancer, survivorship, follow-up care, aftercare, guidelines et survivorship care plans, en se concentrant sur la revue des lignes directrices publiées récemment par les organismes nationaux de cancérologie. Les données étaient de niveaux I à III. Message principal Les soins aux survivantes comportent 4 facettes : surveillance et dépistage, prise en charge des effets à long terme, promotion de la santé et coordination des soins. La surveillance des récidives ne se traduit que par une mammographie annuelle, et le dépistage d’autres cancers doit suivre les lignes directrices basées sur la population. La prise en charge des effets à long terme du cancer et de son traitement aborde des problèmes courants tels la douleur, la fatigue, le lymphœdème, la détresse et les effets indésirables des médicaments, de même que les préoccupations à long terme comme la santé du cœur et des os. La promotion de la santé met en relief les bienfaits de l’activité chez les survivantes du cancer, avec l’accent mis sur l’activité physique. Les soins aux survivantes sont de meilleure qualité lorsque divers services et professionnels de la santé participent aux soins, et le médecin de famille joue un rôle important dans la coordination des soins. Conclusion Les médecins de famille sont de plus en plus souvent les principaux fournisseurs de soins de suivi après le traitement du cancer du sein. Le cancer du sein doit être considéré comme une affection médicale chronique, même chez les femmes en rémission, et les patientes profitent de la même approche que celle utilisée pour les autres affections chroniques en soins de première ligne. PMID:27737992

Design, analysis, and applications of cellular contact-aided compliant mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehta, Vipul

A new class of compliant mechanisms utilizing the benefits of cellular geometry and contact are addressed in this work. The design, analysis, fabrication and testing of such structures for high-strain and high-strength applications is the focus of the present research. Cellular structures have relatively good strength-to-weight ratios. They also have a higher strain capability than solid structures. Contact during deformation reduces failure-causing bending stresses through stress relief, thereby enabling such cellular structures to be stretched more than the corresponding structures without contact. Both analytical and numerical models are developed to represent one specific mechanism. Several candidate materials are investigated for such mechanisms. Although the allowable strain of all these materials is small, the overall strain of the contact-aided cellular mechanisms is at least an order of magnitude greater than that of the constitutive material. Application of contact to different materials yields an improvement in the global strain capacity by more than 100% relative to cellular structures without contact. Experiments are conducted to validate the models, and good agreement is found. Size optimization is carried out to maximize the stress relief and the overall strain. Two main applications are considered in the present work. One application consists of a morphing aircraft skin for adaptive structures. Different material models such as linearly elastic and multi-linear elastic are examined. For linearly elastic materials, contact-induced stress-relief is advantageous and for nonlinear elastic materials, reduction of transverse deflection due to contact is useful. The proposed contact-aided skin structure is compared with a cellular skin without contact. The contact mechanism helps to increase the morphing capacity while decreasing the structural mass. Using contact-aided cellular mechanisms, the global strain capability is increased by as much as 37%. For a fixed global strain, the optimum contact-aided structure is 15% lighter than an optimum non-contact structure. Another application involves investigation of meso-scaled cellular structures. Two different materials are considered---nanoparticulate zirconia and particulate stainless steel. The lost mold rapid infiltration forming process is utilized to fabricate free standing cellular mechanisms. The analytical model is employed to address the tradeoffs between the manufacturing constraints and to design suitable contact-aided cellular mechanisms. A custom rig is developed to test these meso-scaled parts. Force displacement characteristics are experimentally obtained and compared against those found using the analytical model. Topology optimization tools are applied to the design of compliant cellular mechanisms with and without a contact mechanism. A two-step procedure is developed. For cellular structures without contact, an inverse homogenization method is employed. The compliant mechanism is optimized to yield prescribed elasticity coefficients and achieve a large effective elastic strain. To implement a contact mechanism in the second step, the continuum model of a non-contact structure is converted into a frame model. Only the non-overlapping designs are investigated exhaustively for stress relief. A differential evolution optimizer is used to maximize the stress relief. Four cell topologies are found for different effective properties corresponding to different structural requirements. For each such topology, a contact mechanism is devised that demonstrates stress relief. One such topology resulted a stress relief as high as 36%.

A multi-physics model for ultrasonically activated soft tissue.

PubMed

Suvranu De, Rahul

2017-02-01

A multi-physics model has been developed to investigate the effects of cellular level mechanisms on the thermomechanical response of ultrasonically activated soft tissue. Cellular level cavitation effects have been incorporated in the tissue level continuum model to accurately determine the thermodynamic states such as temperature and pressure. A viscoelastic material model is assumed for the macromechanical response of the tissue. The cavitation model based equation-of-state provides the additional pressure arising from evaporation of intracellular and cellular water by absorbing heat due to structural and viscoelastic heating in the tissue, and temperature to the continuum level thermomechanical model. The thermomechanical response of soft tissue is studied for the operational range of frequencies of oscillations and applied loads for typical ultrasonically activated surgical instruments. The model is shown to capture characteristics of ultrasonically activated soft tissue deformation and temperature evolution. At the cellular level, evaporation of water below the boiling temperature under ambient conditions is indicative of protein denaturation around the temperature threshold for coagulation of tissues. Further, with increasing operating frequency (or loading), the temperature rises faster leading to rapid evaporation of tissue cavity water, which may lead to accelerated protein denaturation and coagulation.

Photobiomodulation on senescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Timon Cheng-Yi; Cheng, Lei; Rong, Dong-Liang; Xu, Xiao-Yang; Cui, Li-Ping; Lu, Jian; Deng, Xiao-Yuan; Liu, Song-Hao

2006-09-01

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an effect oflow intensity monochromatic light or laser irradiation (LIL) on biological systems. which stimulates or inhibits biological functions but does not result in irreducible damage. It has been observed that PBM can suppress cellular senescence, reverse skin photoageing and improve fibromyalgia. In this paper, the biological information model of photobiomodulation (BIMP) is used to discuss its mechanism. Cellular senescence can result from short, dysfunctional telomeres, oxidative stress, or oncogene expression, and may contribute to aging so that it can be seen as a decline of cellular function in which cAMP plays an important role, which provide a foundation for PBM on senescence since cellular senescence is a reasonable model of senescence and PBM is a cellular rehabilitation in which cAMP also plays an important role according to BIMP. The PBM in reversing skin photoageing and improving fibromyalgia are then discussed in detail.

Combining cellular automata and Lattice Boltzmann method to model multiscale avascular tumor growth coupled with nutrient diffusion and immune competition.

PubMed

Alemani, Davide; Pappalardo, Francesco; Pennisi, Marzio; Motta, Santo; Brusic, Vladimir

2012-02-28

In the last decades the Lattice Boltzmann method (LB) has been successfully used to simulate a variety of processes. The LB model describes the microscopic processes occurring at the cellular level and the macroscopic processes occurring at the continuum level with a unique function, the probability distribution function. Recently, it has been tried to couple deterministic approaches with probabilistic cellular automata (probabilistic CA) methods with the aim to model temporal evolution of tumor growths and three dimensional spatial evolution, obtaining hybrid methodologies. Despite the good results attained by CA-PDE methods, there is one important issue which has not been completely solved: the intrinsic stochastic nature of the interactions at the interface between cellular (microscopic) and continuum (macroscopic) level. CA methods are able to cope with the stochastic phenomena because of their probabilistic nature, while PDE methods are fully deterministic. Even if the coupling is mathematically correct, there could be important statistical effects that could be missed by the PDE approach. For such a reason, to be able to develop and manage a model that takes into account all these three level of complexity (cellular, molecular and continuum), we believe that PDE should be replaced with a statistic and stochastic model based on the numerical discretization of the Boltzmann equation: The Lattice Boltzmann (LB) method. In this work we introduce a new hybrid method to simulate tumor growth and immune system, by applying Cellular Automata Lattice Boltzmann (CA-LB) approach. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tissue Engineering and Cellular Regeneration at NASA Report to Regenetech SAB

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodwin, Thomas J.

2004-01-01

A project overview describing three dimensional tissue models is shown. The topics include: 1) cellular regeneration; 2) haemopoietic replacement; 3) novel vaccine development; 4) pharmacology and toxicology interventions; 5) development of synthetic viruses; and 6) molecular genetics and proteomics of recapitulated models.

Reprogramming cellular identity for regenerative medicine

PubMed Central

Cherry, Anne B.C.; Daley, George Q.

2012-01-01

The choreographed development of over 200 distinct differentiated cell types from a single zygote is a complex and poorly understood process. Whereas development leads unidirectionally towards more restricted cell fates, recent work in cellular reprogramming has proven that striking conversions of one cellular identity into another can be engineered, promising countless applications in biomedical research and paving the way for modeling disease with patient-derived stem cells. To date, there has been little discussion of which disease models are likely to be most informative. We here review evidence demonstrating that because environmental influences and epigenetic signatures are largely erased during reprogramming, patient-specific models of diseases with strong genetic bases and high penetrance are likely to prove most informative in the near term. However, manipulating in vitro culture conditions may ultimately enable cell-based models to recapitulate gene-environment interactions. Here, we discuss the implications of the new reprogramming paradigm in biomedicine and outline how reprogramming of cell identities is enhancing our understanding of cell differentiation and prospects for cellular therapies and in vivo regeneration. PMID:22424223

Modeling of time dependent localized flow shear stress and its impact on cellular growth within additive manufactured titanium implants.

PubMed

Zhang, Ziyu; Yuan, Lang; Lee, Peter D; Jones, Eric; Jones, Julian R

2014-11-01

Bone augmentation implants are porous to allow cellular growth, bone formation and fixation. However, the design of the pores is currently based on simple empirical rules, such as minimum pore and interconnects sizes. We present a three-dimensional (3D) transient model of cellular growth based on the Navier-Stokes equations that simulates the body fluid flow and stimulation of bone precursor cellular growth, attachment, and proliferation as a function of local flow shear stress. The model's effectiveness is demonstrated for two additive manufactured (AM) titanium scaffold architectures. The results demonstrate that there is a complex interaction of flow rate and strut architecture, resulting in partially randomized structures having a preferential impact on stimulating cell migration in 3D porous structures for higher flow rates. This novel result demonstrates the potential new insights that can be gained via the modeling tool developed, and how the model can be used to perform what-if simulations to design AM structures to specific functional requirements. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of alternate energy substrates on mammalian brain metabolism during ischemic events.

PubMed

Koppaka, S S; Puchowicz; LaManna, J C; Gatica, J E

2008-01-01

Regulation of brain metabolism and cerebral blood flow involves complex control systems with several interacting variables at both cellular and organ levels. Quantitative understanding of the spatially and temporally heterogeneous brain control mechanisms during internal and external stimuli requires the development and validation of a computational (mathematical) model of metabolic processes in brain. This paper describes a computational model of cellular metabolism in blood-perfused brain tissue, which considers the astrocyte-neuron lactate-shuttle (ANLS) hypothesis. The model structure consists of neurons, astrocytes, extra-cellular space, and a surrounding capillary network. Each cell is further compartmentalized into cytosol and mitochondria. Inter-compartment interaction is accounted in the form of passive and carrier-mediated transport. Our model was validated against experimental data reported by Crumrine and LaManna, who studied the effect of ischemia and its recovery on various intra-cellular tissue substrates under standard diet conditions. The effect of ketone bodies on brain metabolism was also examined under ischemic conditions following cardiac resuscitation through our model simulations. The influence of ketone bodies on lactate dynamics on mammalian brain following ischemia is studied incorporating experimental data.

Foreign Exchange Value-at-Risk with Multiple Currency Exposure: A Multivariate and Copula Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-01

du taux de change, et les responsables de la gestion interne se voient donc pressés de trouver des ... mesurer les effets négatifs que peuvent avoir les fluctuations mo- nétaires sur le budget et la planification du MDN, il faut connaître le poids des ...qualités comparables et qu’ils permettent d’effectuer une meilleure évaluation du risque qu’avec la méthode courante. On obtient désormais des estimations de

Swell Across the Continental Shelf

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-09-01

Arlington, VA The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense ...le terme de source, tandis que les effets de la réfraction et du levage causés par les variations de profondeur aux échelles sous-maille sont...précisement pris en compte grâce aux rayons pré- calculés. Ainsi ce modèle peut être appliqué à de vastes zones côtières avec des maillages

C3I for Crisis, Emergency and Consequence Management (C3I pour la gestion des crises, des urgences et de leurs consequences)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

Quelque soit le contexte, l’aide à la décision passe par une analyse en profondeur de trois (3) aspects importants interdépendants, à savoir le...information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense , Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information...type de menace, nécessite en effet d’adopter une approche collective de la sécurité étendue à une coopération avec de multiples organisations civiles

Hygrothermal Effects in Continuous Fibre Reinforced Composites. Part I. Thermal and Moisture Diffusion in Composite Materials (Effets Hygrothermiques dans les Composites a Renfort de Fibre Continu. Partie I. Diffusion de L’Humidite et de la Chaleur dans les Materiaux Composites)

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

considered important, complete, and a lasting contribution to existing knowledge. -’ Mechanical Engineering Reports (MS): Scientific and technical information...pertaining to investigations outside aeronautics considered important, complete, and a lasting contribution to existing knowledge. * AERONAUTICAL...NOTES (AN): Information les~s broad in scope but nevertheless of importance as a * contribution to existing knowledge. LABORATORY TECHNICAL REPORTS (LTR

Theoretical Model for Cellular Shapes Driven by Protrusive and Adhesive Forces

PubMed Central

Kabaso, Doron; Shlomovitz, Roie; Schloen, Kathrin; Stradal, Theresia; Gov, Nir S.

2011-01-01

The forces that arise from the actin cytoskeleton play a crucial role in determining the cell shape. These include protrusive forces due to actin polymerization and adhesion to the external matrix. We present here a theoretical model for the cellular shapes resulting from the feedback between the membrane shape and the forces acting on the membrane, mediated by curvature-sensitive membrane complexes of a convex shape. In previous theoretical studies we have investigated the regimes of linear instability where spontaneous formation of cellular protrusions is initiated. Here we calculate the evolution of a two dimensional cell contour beyond the linear regime and determine the final steady-state shapes arising within the model. We find that shapes driven by adhesion or by actin polymerization (lamellipodia) have very different morphologies, as observed in cells. Furthermore, we find that as the strength of the protrusive forces diminish, the system approaches a stabilization of a periodic pattern of protrusions. This result can provide an explanation for a number of puzzling experimental observations regarding cellular shape dependence on the properties of the extra-cellular matrix. PMID:21573201

Cellular pressure and volume regulation and implications for cell mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Hongyuan; Sun, Sean

2013-03-01

In eukaryotic cells, small changes in cell volume can serve as important signals for cell proliferation, death and migration. Volume and shape regulation also directly impacts the mechanics of the cell and multi-cellular tissues. Recent experiments found that during mitosis, eukaryotic cells establish a preferred steady volume and pressure, and the steady volume and pressure can robustly adapt to large osmotic shocks. Here we develop a mathematical model of cellular pressure and volume regulation, incorporating essential elements such as water permeation, mechano-sensitive channels, active ion pumps and active stresses in the actomyosin cortex. The model can fully explain the available experimental data, and predicts the cellular volume and pressure for several models of cell cortical mechanics. Furthermore, we show that when cells are subjected to an externally applied load, such as in an AFM indentation experiment, active regulation of volume and pressure leads to complex cellular response. We found the cell stiffness highly depends on the loading rate, which indicates the transport of water and ions might contribute to the observed viscoelasticity of cells.

From cells to tissue: A continuum model of epithelial mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishihara, Shuji; Marcq, Philippe; Sugimura, Kaoru

2017-08-01

A two-dimensional continuum model of epithelial tissue mechanics was formulated using cellular-level mechanical ingredients and cell morphogenetic processes, including cellular shape changes and cellular rearrangements. This model incorporates stress and deformation tensors, which can be compared with experimental data. Focusing on the interplay between cell shape changes and cell rearrangements, we elucidated dynamical behavior underlying passive relaxation, active contraction-elongation, and tissue shear flow, including a mechanism for contraction-elongation, whereby tissue flows perpendicularly to the axis of cell elongation. This study provides an integrated scheme for the understanding of the orchestration of morphogenetic processes in individual cells to achieve epithelial tissue morphogenesis.

Fire and Heat Spreading Model Based on Cellular Automata Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samartsev, A. A.; Rezchikov, A. F.; Kushnikov, V. A.; Ivashchenko, V. A.; Bogomolov, A. S.; Filimonyuk, L. Yu; Dolinina, O. N.; Kushnikov, O. V.; Shulga, T. E.; Tverdokhlebov, V. A.; Fominykh, D. S.

2018-05-01

The distinctive feature of the proposed fire and heat spreading model in premises is the reduction of the computational complexity due to the use of the theory of cellular automata with probability rules of behavior. The possibilities and prospects of using this model in practice are noted. The proposed model has a simple mechanism of integration with agent-based evacuation models. The joint use of these models could improve floor plans and reduce the time of evacuation from premises during fires.

Podocytes populate cellular crescents in a murine model of inflammatory glomerulonephritis.

PubMed

Moeller, Marcus J; Soofi, Abdulsalaam; Hartmann, Inge; Le Hir, Michel; Wiggins, Roger; Kriz, Wilhelm; Holzman, Lawrence B

2004-01-01

Cellular crescents are a defining histologic finding in many forms of inflammatory glomerulonephritis. Despite numerous studies, the origin of glomerular crescents remains unresolved. A genetic cell lineage-mapping study with a novel transgenic mouse model was performed to investigate whether visceral glomerular epithelial cells, termed podocytes, are precursors of cells that populate cellular crescents. The podocyte-specific 2.5P-Cre mouse line was crossed with the ROSA26 reporter line, resulting in irreversible constitutive expression of beta-galactosidase in doubly transgenic 2.5P-Cre/ROSA26 mice. In these mice, crescentic glomerulonephritis was induced with a previously described rabbit anti-glomerular basement membrane antiserum nephritis approach. Interestingly, beta-galactosidase-positive cells derived from podocytes adhered to the parietal basement membrane and populated glomerular crescents during the early phases of cellular crescent formation, accounting for at least one-fourth of the total cell mass. In cellular crescents, the proliferation marker Ki-67 was expressed in beta-galactosidase-positive and beta-galactosidase-negative cells, indicating that both cell types contributed to the formation of cellular crescents through proliferation in situ. Podocyte-specific antigens, including WT-1, synaptopodin, nephrin, and podocin, were not expressed by any cells in glomerular crescents, suggesting that podocytes underwent profound phenotypic changes in this nephritis model.

Drosophila cellular immunity: a story of migration and adhesion.

PubMed

Fauvarque, Marie-Odile; Williams, Michael J

2011-05-01

Research during the past 15 years has led to significant breakthroughs, providing evidence of a high degree of similarity between insect and mammalian innate immune responses, both humoural and cellular, and highlighting Drosophila melanogaster as a model system for studying the evolution of innate immunity. In a manner similar to cells of the mammalian monocyte and macrophage lineage, Drosophila immunosurveillance cells (haemocytes) have a number of roles. For example, they respond to wound signals, are involved in wound healing and contribute to the coagulation response. Moreover, they participate in the phagocytosis and encapsulation of invading pathogens, are involved in the removal of apoptotic bodies and produce components of the extracellular matrix. There are several reasons for using the Drosophila cellular immune response as a model to understand cell signalling during adhesion and migration in vivo: many genes involved in the regulation of Drosophila haematopoiesis and cellular immunity have been maintained across taxonomic groups ranging from flies to humans, many aspects of Drosophila and mammalian innate immunity seem to be conserved, and Drosophila is a simplified and well-studied genetic model system. In the present Commentary, we will discuss what is known about cellular adhesion and migration in the Drosophila cellular immune response, during both embryonic and larval development, and where possible compare it with related mechanisms in vertebrates.

Cellular automata with object-oriented features for parallel molecular network modeling.

PubMed

Zhu, Hao; Wu, Yinghui; Huang, Sui; Sun, Yan; Dhar, Pawan

2005-06-01

Cellular automata are an important modeling paradigm for studying the dynamics of large, parallel systems composed of multiple, interacting components. However, to model biological systems, cellular automata need to be extended beyond the large-scale parallelism and intensive communication in order to capture two fundamental properties characteristic of complex biological systems: hierarchy and heterogeneity. This paper proposes extensions to a cellular automata language, Cellang, to meet this purpose. The extended language, with object-oriented features, can be used to describe the structure and activity of parallel molecular networks within cells. Capabilities of this new programming language include object structure to define molecular programs within a cell, floating-point data type and mathematical functions to perform quantitative computation, message passing capability to describe molecular interactions, as well as new operators, statements, and built-in functions. We discuss relevant programming issues of these features, including the object-oriented description of molecular interactions with molecule encapsulation, message passing, and the description of heterogeneity and anisotropy at the cell and molecule levels. By enabling the integration of modeling at the molecular level with system behavior at cell, tissue, organ, or even organism levels, the program will help improve our understanding of how complex and dynamic biological activities are generated and controlled by parallel functioning of molecular networks. Index Terms-Cellular automata, modeling, molecular network, object-oriented.

Dynamic behavior of cellular materials and cellular structures: Experiments and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Ziyang

Cellular solids, including cellular materials and cellular structures (CMS), have attracted people's great interests because of their low densities and novel physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical and acoustic properties. They offer potential for lightweight structures, energy absorption, thermal management, etc. Therefore, the studies of cellular solids have become one of the hottest research fields nowadays. From energy absorption point of view, any plastically deformed structures can be divided into two types (called type I and type II), and the basic cells of the CMS may take the configurations of these two types of structures. Accordingly, separated discussions are presented in this thesis. First, a modified 1-D model is proposed and numerically solved for a typical type II structure. Good agreement is achieved with the previous experimental data, hence is used to simulate the dynamic behavior of a type II chain. Resulted from different load speeds, interesting collapse modes are observed, and the parameters which govern the cell's post-collapse behavior are identified through a comprehensive non-dimensional analysis on general cellular chains. Secondly, the MHS specimens are chosen as an example of type I foam materials because of their good uniformity of the cell geometry. An extensive experimental study was carried out, where more attention was paid to their responses to dynamic loadings. Great enhancement of the stress-strain curve was observed in dynamic cases, and the energy absorption capacity is found to be several times higher than that of the commercial metal foams. Based on the experimental study, finite elemental simulations and theoretical modeling are also conducted, achieving good agreements and demonstrating the validities of those models. It is believed that the experimental, numerical and analytical results obtained in the present study will certainly deepen the understanding of the unsolved fundamental issues on the mechanical behavior of cellular solids and make substantial contributions to the theoretical advance of impact dynamics.

Body composition analysis: Cellular level modeling of body component ratios.

PubMed

Wang, Z; Heymsfield, S B; Pi-Sunyer, F X; Gallagher, D; Pierson, R N

2008-01-01

During the past two decades, a major outgrowth of efforts by our research group at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital is the development of body composition models that include cellular level models, models based on body component ratios, total body potassium models, multi-component models, and resting energy expenditure-body composition models. This review summarizes these models with emphasis on component ratios that we believe are fundamental to understanding human body composition during growth and development and in response to disease and treatments. In-vivo measurements reveal that in healthy adults some component ratios show minimal variability and are relatively 'stable', for example total body water/fat-free mass and fat-free mass density. These ratios can be effectively applied for developing body composition methods. In contrast, other ratios, such as total body potassium/fat-free mass, are highly variable in vivo and therefore are less useful for developing body composition models. In order to understand the mechanisms governing the variability of these component ratios, we have developed eight cellular level ratio models and from them we derived simplified models that share as a major determining factor the ratio of extracellular to intracellular water ratio (E/I). The E/I value varies widely among adults. Model analysis reveals that the magnitude and variability of each body component ratio can be predicted by correlating the cellular level model with the E/I value. Our approach thus provides new insights into and improved understanding of body composition ratios in adults.

Agent-Based Modeling of Mitochondria Links Sub-Cellular Dynamics to Cellular Homeostasis and Heterogeneity.

PubMed

Dalmasso, Giovanni; Marin Zapata, Paula Andrea; Brady, Nathan Ryan; Hamacher-Brady, Anne

2017-01-01

Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles that supply energy for cellular biochemistry through oxidative phosphorylation. Within a cell, hundreds of mobile mitochondria undergo fusion and fission events to form a dynamic network. These morphological and mobility dynamics are essential for maintaining mitochondrial functional homeostasis, and alterations both impact and reflect cellular stress states. Mitochondrial homeostasis is further dependent on production (biogenesis) and the removal of damaged mitochondria by selective autophagy (mitophagy). While mitochondrial function, dynamics, biogenesis and mitophagy are highly-integrated processes, it is not fully understood how systemic control in the cell is established to maintain homeostasis, or respond to bioenergetic demands. Here we used agent-based modeling (ABM) to integrate molecular and imaging knowledge sets, and simulate population dynamics of mitochondria and their response to environmental energy demand. Using high-dimensional parameter searches we integrated experimentally-measured rates of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, and using sensitivity analysis we identified parameter influences on population homeostasis. By studying the dynamics of cellular subpopulations with distinct mitochondrial masses, our approach uncovered system properties of mitochondrial populations: (1) mitochondrial fusion and fission activities rapidly establish mitochondrial sub-population homeostasis, and total cellular levels of mitochondria alter fusion and fission activities and subpopulation distributions; (2) restricting the directionality of mitochondrial mobility does not alter morphology subpopulation distributions, but increases network transmission dynamics; and (3) maintaining mitochondrial mass homeostasis and responding to bioenergetic stress requires the integration of mitochondrial dynamics with the cellular bioenergetic state. Finally, (4) our model suggests sources of, and stress conditions amplifying, cell-to-cell variability of mitochondrial morphology and energetic stress states. Overall, our modeling approach integrates biochemical and imaging knowledge, and presents a novel open-modeling approach to investigate how spatial and temporal mitochondrial dynamics contribute to functional homeostasis, and how subcellular organelle heterogeneity contributes to the emergence of cell heterogeneity.

Agent-Based Modeling of Mitochondria Links Sub-Cellular Dynamics to Cellular Homeostasis and Heterogeneity

PubMed Central

Dalmasso, Giovanni; Marin Zapata, Paula Andrea; Brady, Nathan Ryan; Hamacher-Brady, Anne

2017-01-01

Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles that supply energy for cellular biochemistry through oxidative phosphorylation. Within a cell, hundreds of mobile mitochondria undergo fusion and fission events to form a dynamic network. These morphological and mobility dynamics are essential for maintaining mitochondrial functional homeostasis, and alterations both impact and reflect cellular stress states. Mitochondrial homeostasis is further dependent on production (biogenesis) and the removal of damaged mitochondria by selective autophagy (mitophagy). While mitochondrial function, dynamics, biogenesis and mitophagy are highly-integrated processes, it is not fully understood how systemic control in the cell is established to maintain homeostasis, or respond to bioenergetic demands. Here we used agent-based modeling (ABM) to integrate molecular and imaging knowledge sets, and simulate population dynamics of mitochondria and their response to environmental energy demand. Using high-dimensional parameter searches we integrated experimentally-measured rates of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, and using sensitivity analysis we identified parameter influences on population homeostasis. By studying the dynamics of cellular subpopulations with distinct mitochondrial masses, our approach uncovered system properties of mitochondrial populations: (1) mitochondrial fusion and fission activities rapidly establish mitochondrial sub-population homeostasis, and total cellular levels of mitochondria alter fusion and fission activities and subpopulation distributions; (2) restricting the directionality of mitochondrial mobility does not alter morphology subpopulation distributions, but increases network transmission dynamics; and (3) maintaining mitochondrial mass homeostasis and responding to bioenergetic stress requires the integration of mitochondrial dynamics with the cellular bioenergetic state. Finally, (4) our model suggests sources of, and stress conditions amplifying, cell-to-cell variability of mitochondrial morphology and energetic stress states. Overall, our modeling approach integrates biochemical and imaging knowledge, and presents a novel open-modeling approach to investigate how spatial and temporal mitochondrial dynamics contribute to functional homeostasis, and how subcellular organelle heterogeneity contributes to the emergence of cell heterogeneity. PMID:28060865

Cellular Particle Dynamics simulation of biomechanical relaxation processes of multi-cellular systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCune, Matthew; Kosztin, Ioan

2013-03-01

Cellular Particle Dynamics (CPD) is a theoretical-computational-experimental framework for describing and predicting the time evolution of biomechanical relaxation processes of multi-cellular systems, such as fusion, sorting and compression. In CPD, cells are modeled as an ensemble of cellular particles (CPs) that interact via short range contact interactions, characterized by an attractive (adhesive interaction) and a repulsive (excluded volume interaction) component. The time evolution of the spatial conformation of the multicellular system is determined by following the trajectories of all CPs through numerical integration of their equations of motion. Here we present CPD simulation results for the fusion of both spherical and cylindrical multi-cellular aggregates. First, we calibrate the relevant CPD model parameters for a given cell type by comparing the CPD simulation results for the fusion of two spherical aggregates to the corresponding experimental results. Next, CPD simulations are used to predict the time evolution of the fusion of cylindrical aggregates. The latter is relevant for the formation of tubular multi-cellular structures (i.e., primitive blood vessels) created by the novel bioprinting technology. Work supported by NSF [PHY-0957914]. Computer time provided by the University of Missouri Bioinformatics Consortium.

Computational Systems Toxicology: recapitulating the logistical dynamics of cellular response networks in virtual tissue models (Eurotox_2017)

EPA Science Inventory

Translating in vitro data and biological information into a predictive model for human toxicity poses a significant challenge. This is especially true for complex adaptive systems such as the embryo where cellular dynamics are precisely orchestrated in space and time. Computer ce...

Animation Model to Conceptualize ATP Generation: A Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jena, Ananta Kumar

2015-01-01

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the molecular unit of intracellular energy and it is the product of oxidative phosphorylation of cellular respiration uses in cellular processes. The study explores the growth of the misconception levels amongst the learners and evaluates the effectiveness of animation model over traditional methods. The data…

Guidelines on experimental methods to assess mitochondrial dysfunction in cellular models of neurodegenerative diseases.

PubMed

Connolly, Niamh M C; Theurey, Pierre; Adam-Vizi, Vera; Bazan, Nicolas G; Bernardi, Paolo; Bolaños, Juan P; Culmsee, Carsten; Dawson, Valina L; Deshmukh, Mohanish; Duchen, Michael R; Düssmann, Heiko; Fiskum, Gary; Galindo, Maria F; Hardingham, Giles E; Hardwick, J Marie; Jekabsons, Mika B; Jonas, Elizabeth A; Jordán, Joaquin; Lipton, Stuart A; Manfredi, Giovanni; Mattson, Mark P; McLaughlin, BethAnn; Methner, Axel; Murphy, Anne N; Murphy, Michael P; Nicholls, David G; Polster, Brian M; Pozzan, Tullio; Rizzuto, Rosario; Satrústegui, Jorgina; Slack, Ruth S; Swanson, Raymond A; Swerdlow, Russell H; Will, Yvonne; Ying, Zheng; Joselin, Alvin; Gioran, Anna; Moreira Pinho, Catarina; Watters, Orla; Salvucci, Manuela; Llorente-Folch, Irene; Park, David S; Bano, Daniele; Ankarcrona, Maria; Pizzo, Paola; Prehn, Jochen H M

2018-03-01

Neurodegenerative diseases are a spectrum of chronic, debilitating disorders characterised by the progressive degeneration and death of neurons. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in most neurodegenerative diseases, but in many instances it is unclear whether such dysfunction is a cause or an effect of the underlying pathology, and whether it represents a viable therapeutic target. It is therefore imperative to utilise and optimise cellular models and experimental techniques appropriate to determine the contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction to neurodegenerative disease phenotypes. In this consensus article, we collate details on and discuss pitfalls of existing experimental approaches to assess mitochondrial function in in vitro cellular models of neurodegenerative diseases, including specific protocols for the measurement of oxygen consumption rate in primary neuron cultures, and single-neuron, time-lapse fluorescence imaging of the mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial NAD(P)H. As part of the Cellular Bioenergetics of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CeBioND) consortium ( www.cebiond.org ), we are performing cross-disease analyses to identify common and distinct molecular mechanisms involved in mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction in cellular models of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Here we provide detailed guidelines and protocols as standardised across the five collaborating laboratories of the CeBioND consortium, with additional contributions from other experts in the field.

Platinum nanozymes recover cellular ROS homeostasis in an oxidative stress-mediated disease model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moglianetti, Mauro; de Luca, Elisa; Pedone, Deborah; Marotta, Roberto; Catelani, Tiziano; Sartori, Barbara; Amenitsch, Heinz; Retta, Saverio Francesco; Pompa, Pier Paolo

2016-02-01

In recent years, the use of nanomaterials as biomimetic enzymes has attracted great interest. In this work, we show the potential of biocompatible platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) as antioxidant nanozymes, which combine abundant cellular internalization and efficient scavenging activity of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus simultaneously integrating the functions of nanocarriers and antioxidant drugs. Careful toxicity assessment and intracellular tracking of Pt NPs proved their cytocompatibility and high cellular uptake, with compartmentalization within the endo/lysosomal vesicles. We have demonstrated that Pt NPs possess strong and broad antioxidant properties, acting as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes, with similar or even superior performance than natural enzymes, along with higher adaptability to the changes in environmental conditions. We then exploited their potent activity as radical scavenging materials in a cellular model of an oxidative stress-related disorder, namely human Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) disease, which is associated with a significant increase in intracellular ROS levels. Noteworthily, we found that Pt nanozymes can efficiently reduce ROS levels, completely restoring the cellular physiological homeostasis.In recent years, the use of nanomaterials as biomimetic enzymes has attracted great interest. In this work, we show the potential of biocompatible platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) as antioxidant nanozymes, which combine abundant cellular internalization and efficient scavenging activity of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus simultaneously integrating the functions of nanocarriers and antioxidant drugs. Careful toxicity assessment and intracellular tracking of Pt NPs proved their cytocompatibility and high cellular uptake, with compartmentalization within the endo/lysosomal vesicles. We have demonstrated that Pt NPs possess strong and broad antioxidant properties, acting as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes, with similar or even superior performance than natural enzymes, along with higher adaptability to the changes in environmental conditions. We then exploited their potent activity as radical scavenging materials in a cellular model of an oxidative stress-related disorder, namely human Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) disease, which is associated with a significant increase in intracellular ROS levels. Noteworthily, we found that Pt nanozymes can efficiently reduce ROS levels, completely restoring the cellular physiological homeostasis. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08358c

Cellular signaling identifiability analysis: a case study.

PubMed

Roper, Ryan T; Pia Saccomani, Maria; Vicini, Paolo

2010-05-21

Two primary purposes for mathematical modeling in cell biology are (1) simulation for making predictions of experimental outcomes and (2) parameter estimation for drawing inferences from experimental data about unobserved aspects of biological systems. While the former purpose has become common in the biological sciences, the latter is less common, particularly when studying cellular and subcellular phenomena such as signaling-the focus of the current study. Data are difficult to obtain at this level. Therefore, even models of only modest complexity can contain parameters for which the available data are insufficient for estimation. In the present study, we use a set of published cellular signaling models to address issues related to global parameter identifiability. That is, we address the following question: assuming known time courses for some model variables, which parameters is it theoretically impossible to estimate, even with continuous, noise-free data? Following an introduction to this problem and its relevance, we perform a full identifiability analysis on a set of cellular signaling models using DAISY (Differential Algebra for the Identifiability of SYstems). We use our analysis to bring to light important issues related to parameter identifiability in ordinary differential equation (ODE) models. We contend that this is, as of yet, an under-appreciated issue in biological modeling and, more particularly, cell biology. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi-Scale Modeling in Morphogenesis: A Critical Analysis of the Cellular Potts Model

PubMed Central

Voss-Böhme, Anja

2012-01-01

Cellular Potts models (CPMs) are used as a modeling framework to elucidate mechanisms of biological development. They allow a spatial resolution below the cellular scale and are applied particularly when problems are studied where multiple spatial and temporal scales are involved. Despite the increasing usage of CPMs in theoretical biology, this model class has received little attention from mathematical theory. To narrow this gap, the CPMs are subjected to a theoretical study here. It is asked to which extent the updating rules establish an appropriate dynamical model of intercellular interactions and what the principal behavior at different time scales characterizes. It is shown that the longtime behavior of a CPM is degenerate in the sense that the cells consecutively die out, independent of the specific interdependence structure that characterizes the model. While CPMs are naturally defined on finite, spatially bounded lattices, possible extensions to spatially unbounded systems are explored to assess to which extent spatio-temporal limit procedures can be applied to describe the emergent behavior at the tissue scale. To elucidate the mechanistic structure of CPMs, the model class is integrated into a general multiscale framework. It is shown that the central role of the surface fluctuations, which subsume several cellular and intercellular factors, entails substantial limitations for a CPM's exploitation both as a mechanistic and as a phenomenological model. PMID:22984409

Agent-based modeling of autophagy reveals emergent regulatory behavior of spatio-temporal autophagy dynamics.

PubMed

Börlin, Christoph S; Lang, Verena; Hamacher-Brady, Anne; Brady, Nathan R

2014-09-10

Autophagy is a vesicle-mediated pathway for lysosomal degradation, essential under basal and stressed conditions. Various cellular components, including specific proteins, protein aggregates, organelles and intracellular pathogens, are targets for autophagic degradation. Thereby, autophagy controls numerous vital physiological and pathophysiological functions, including cell signaling, differentiation, turnover of cellular components and pathogen defense. Moreover, autophagy enables the cell to recycle cellular components to metabolic substrates, thereby permitting prolonged survival under low nutrient conditions. Due to the multi-faceted roles for autophagy in maintaining cellular and organismal homeostasis and responding to diverse stresses, malfunction of autophagy contributes to both chronic and acute pathologies. We applied a systems biology approach to improve the understanding of this complex cellular process of autophagy. All autophagy pathway vesicle activities, i.e. creation, movement, fusion and degradation, are highly dynamic, temporally and spatially, and under various forms of regulation. We therefore developed an agent-based model (ABM) to represent individual components of the autophagy pathway, subcellular vesicle dynamics and metabolic feedback with the cellular environment, thereby providing a framework to investigate spatio-temporal aspects of autophagy regulation and dynamic behavior. The rules defining our ABM were derived from literature and from high-resolution images of autophagy markers under basal and activated conditions. Key model parameters were fit with an iterative method using a genetic algorithm and a predefined fitness function. From this approach, we found that accurate prediction of spatio-temporal behavior required increasing model complexity by implementing functional integration of autophagy with the cellular nutrient state. The resulting model is able to reproduce short-term autophagic flux measurements (up to 3 hours) under basal and activated autophagy conditions, and to measure the degree of cell-to-cell variability. Moreover, we experimentally confirmed two model predictions, namely (i) peri-nuclear concentration of autophagosomes and (ii) inhibitory lysosomal feedback on mTOR signaling. Agent-based modeling represents a novel approach to investigate autophagy dynamics, function and dysfunction with high biological realism. Our model accurately recapitulates short-term behavior and cell-to-cell variability under basal and activated conditions of autophagy. Further, this approach also allows investigation of long-term behaviors emerging from biologically-relevant alterations to vesicle trafficking and metabolic state.

Fracture mechanics of cellular glass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zwissler, J. G.; Adams, M. A.

1981-01-01

The fracture mechanics of cellular glasses (for the structural substrate of mirrored glass for solr concentrator reflecting panels) are discussed. Commercial and developmental cellular glasses were tested and analyzed using standard testing techniques and models developed from linear fracture mechanics. Two models describing the fracture behavior of these materials were developed. Slow crack growth behavior in cellular glass was found to be more complex than that encountered in dense glasses or ceramics. The crack velocity was found to be strongly dependent upon water vapor transport to the tip of the moving crack. The existence of a static fatigue limit was not conclusively established, however, it is speculated that slow crack growth behavior in Region 1 may be slower, by orders of magnitude, than that found in dense glasses.

Shape selection criterion for cellular array during constrained growth of binary alloys - Need for low gravity experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tewari, Surendra N.; Trivedi, Rohit

1991-01-01

Development of steady-state periodic cellular array is one of the critical problems in the study of nonlinear pattern formation during directional solidification of binary alloys. The criterion which establishes the values of cell tip radius and spacing under given growth condition is not known. Theoretical models, such as marginal stability and microscopic solvability, have been developed for purely diffusive regime. However, the experimental conditions where cellular structures are stable are precisely the ones where the convection effects are predominant. Thus, the critical data for meaningful evaluation of cellular array growth models can only be obtained by partial directional solidification and quenching experiments carried out in the low gravity environment of space.

Systems and Photosystems: Cellular Limits of Autotrophic Productivity in Cyanobacteria

PubMed Central

Burnap, Robert L.

2014-01-01

Recent advances in the modeling of microbial growth and metabolism have shown that growth rate critically depends upon the optimal allocation of finite proteomic resources among different cellular functions and that modeling growth rates becomes more realistic with the explicit accounting for the costs of macromolecular synthesis, most importantly, protein expression. The “proteomic constraint” is considered together with its application to understanding photosynthetic microbial growth. The central hypothesis is that physical limits of cellular space (and corresponding solvation capacity) in conjunction with cell surface-to-volume ratios represent the underlying constraints on the maximal rate of autotrophic microbial growth. The limitation of cellular space thus constrains the size the total complement of macromolecules, dissolved ions, and metabolites. To a first approximation, the upper limit in the cellular amount of the total proteome is bounded this space limit. This predicts that adaptation to osmotic stress will result in lower maximal growth rates due to decreased cellular concentrations of core metabolic proteins necessary for cell growth owing the accumulation of compatible osmolytes, as surmised previously. The finite capacity of membrane and cytoplasmic space also leads to the hypothesis that the species-specific differences in maximal growth rates likely reflect differences in the allocation of space to niche-specific proteins with the corresponding diminution of space devoted to other functions including proteins of core autotrophic metabolism, which drive cell reproduction. An optimization model for autotrophic microbial growth, the autotrophic replicator model, was developed based upon previous work investigating heterotrophic growth. The present model describes autotrophic growth in terms of the allocation protein resources among core functional groups including the photosynthetic electron transport chain, light-harvesting antennae, and the ribosome groups. PMID:25654078

Dynamics of Cellular Responses to Radiation

PubMed Central

Wodarz, Dominik; Sorace, Ron; Komarova, Natalia L.

2014-01-01

Understanding the consequences of exposure to low dose ionizing radiation is an important public health concern. While the risk of low dose radiation has been estimated by extrapolation from data at higher doses according to the linear non-threshold model, it has become clear that cellular responses can be very different at low compared to high radiation doses. Important phenomena in this respect include radioadaptive responses as well as low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) and increased radioresistance (IRR). With radioadaptive responses, low dose exposure can protect against subsequent challenges, and two mechanisms have been suggested: an intracellular mechanism, inducing cellular changes as a result of the priming radiation, and induction of a protected state by inter-cellular communication. We use mathematical models to examine the effect of these mechanisms on cellular responses to low dose radiation. We find that the intracellular mechanism can account for the occurrence of radioadaptive responses. Interestingly, the same mechanism can also explain the existence of the HRS and IRR phenomena, and successfully describe experimentally observed dose-response relationships for a variety of cell types. This indicates that different, seemingly unrelated, low dose phenomena might be connected and driven by common core processes. With respect to the inter-cellular communication mechanism, we find that it can also account for the occurrence of radioadaptive responses, indicating redundancy in this respect. The model, however, also suggests that the communication mechanism can be vital for the long term survival of cell populations that are continuously exposed to relatively low levels of radiation, which cannot be achieved with the intracellular mechanism in our model. Experimental tests to address our model predictions are proposed. PMID:24722167

Sur la modélisation des supraconducteurs : le ``modèle de l'état critique'' de Bean, en trois dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bossavit, A.

1993-03-01

Macroscopic modelling of superconductors demands a substitution of some nonlinear behavior law for Ohm's law. For this, a version of Bean's “critical state” model, derived from the setting of a convex functional of the current density field, valid in dimension 3 without any previous assumption about the direction of currents, is proposed. It is shown how two standard three-dimensional finite element methods (“h-formulation” and “e-formulation”), once fitted with this model, can deal with situations were superconductors are present. La modélisation macroscopique des supraconducteurs suppose le remplacement de la loi d'Ohm par une loi de comportement non linéaire adéquate. On présente à cet effet une version du “modèle de Bean”, ou modèle de l'état critique, basée sur la construction d'une certaine fonctionnelle convexe du champ des densités de courant, qui est valable en dimension 3 sans hypothèses préalables sur la direction des courants. On montre comment adapter deux méthodes standards de calcul de courants de Foucault par élérnents finis en trois dimensions (“en h” et “en e”) à la présence de supraconducteurs, en incorporant ce modèle.

A cellular automata model of Ebola virus dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burkhead, Emily; Hawkins, Jane

2015-11-01

We construct a stochastic cellular automaton (SCA) model for the spread of the Ebola virus (EBOV). We make substantial modifications to an existing SCA model used for HIV, introduced by others and studied by the authors. We give a rigorous analysis of the similarities between models due to the spread of virus and the typical immune response to it, and the differences which reflect the drastically different timing of the course of EBOV. We demonstrate output from the model and compare it with clinical data.

Analysis of high-throughput screening reveals the effect of surface topographies on cellular morphology.

PubMed

Hulsman, Marc; Hulshof, Frits; Unadkat, Hemant; Papenburg, Bernke J; Stamatialis, Dimitrios F; Truckenmüller, Roman; van Blitterswijk, Clemens; de Boer, Jan; Reinders, Marcel J T

2015-03-01

Surface topographies of materials considerably impact cellular behavior as they have been shown to affect cell growth, provide cell guidance, and even induce cell differentiation. Consequently, for successful application in tissue engineering, the contact interface of biomaterials needs to be optimized to induce the required cell behavior. However, a rational design of biomaterial surfaces is severely hampered because knowledge is lacking on the underlying biological mechanisms. Therefore, we previously developed a high-throughput screening device (TopoChip) that measures cell responses to large libraries of parameterized topographical material surfaces. Here, we introduce a computational analysis of high-throughput materiome data to capture the relationship between the surface topographies of materials and cellular morphology. We apply robust statistical techniques to find surface topographies that best promote a certain specified cellular response. By augmenting surface screening with data-driven modeling, we determine which properties of the surface topographies influence the morphological properties of the cells. With this information, we build models that predict the cellular response to surface topographies that have not yet been measured. We analyze cellular morphology on 2176 surfaces, and find that the surface topography significantly affects various cellular properties, including the roundness and size of the nucleus, as well as the perimeter and orientation of the cells. Our learned models capture and accurately predict these relationships and reveal a spectrum of topographies that induce various levels of cellular morphologies. Taken together, this novel approach of high-throughput screening of materials and subsequent analysis opens up possibilities for a rational design of biomaterial surfaces. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discrete dynamic modeling of cellular signaling networks.

PubMed

Albert, Réka; Wang, Rui-Sheng

2009-01-01

Understanding signal transduction in cellular systems is a central issue in systems biology. Numerous experiments from different laboratories generate an abundance of individual components and causal interactions mediating environmental and developmental signals. However, for many signal transduction systems there is insufficient information on the overall structure and the molecular mechanisms involved in the signaling network. Moreover, lack of kinetic and temporal information makes it difficult to construct quantitative models of signal transduction pathways. Discrete dynamic modeling, combined with network analysis, provides an effective way to integrate fragmentary knowledge of regulatory interactions into a predictive mathematical model which is able to describe the time evolution of the system without the requirement for kinetic parameters. This chapter introduces the fundamental concepts of discrete dynamic modeling, particularly focusing on Boolean dynamic models. We describe this method step-by-step in the context of cellular signaling networks. Several variants of Boolean dynamic models including threshold Boolean networks and piecewise linear systems are also covered, followed by two examples of successful application of discrete dynamic modeling in cell biology.

A tool for multi-scale modelling of the renal nephron

PubMed Central

Nickerson, David P.; Terkildsen, Jonna R.; Hamilton, Kirk L.; Hunter, Peter J.

2011-01-01

We present the development of a tool, which provides users with the ability to visualize and interact with a comprehensive description of a multi-scale model of the renal nephron. A one-dimensional anatomical model of the nephron has been created and is used for visualization and modelling of tubule transport in various nephron anatomical segments. Mathematical models of nephron segments are embedded in the one-dimensional model. At the cellular level, these segment models use models encoded in CellML to describe cellular and subcellular transport kinetics. A web-based presentation environment has been developed that allows the user to visualize and navigate through the multi-scale nephron model, including simulation results, at the different spatial scales encompassed by the model description. The Zinc extension to Firefox is used to provide an interactive three-dimensional view of the tubule model and the native Firefox rendering of scalable vector graphics is used to present schematic diagrams for cellular and subcellular scale models. The model viewer is embedded in a web page that dynamically presents content based on user input. For example, when viewing the whole nephron model, the user might be presented with information on the various embedded segment models as they select them in the three-dimensional model view. Alternatively, the user chooses to focus the model viewer on a cellular model located in a particular nephron segment in order to view the various membrane transport proteins. Selecting a specific protein may then present the user with a description of the mathematical model governing the behaviour of that protein—including the mathematical model itself and various simulation experiments used to validate the model against the literature. PMID:22670210

Dynamic Finite Element Predictions for Mars Sample Return Cellular Impact Test #4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fasanella, Edwin L.; Billings, Marcus D.

2001-01-01

The nonlinear, transient dynamic finite element code, MSC.Dytran, was used to simulate an impact test of an energy absorbing Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that will impact without a parachute. EEVOs are designed to return materials from asteroids, comets, or planets for laboratory analysis on Earth. The EEV concept uses an energy absorbing cellular structure designed to contain and limit the acceleration of space exploration samples during Earth impact. The spherical shaped cellular structure is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid graphite-epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Space samples fit inside a smaller sphere at the center of the EEVOs cellular structure. Pre-test analytical predictions were compared with the test results from a bungee accelerator. The model used to represent the foam and the proper failure criteria for the cell walls were critical in predicting the impact loads of the cellular structure. It was determined that a FOAM1 model for the foam and a 20% failure strain criteria for the cell walls gave an accurate prediction of the acceleration pulse for cellular impact.

The effects of perception of risk and importance of answering and initiating a cellular phone call while driving.

PubMed

Nelson, Erik; Atchley, Paul; Little, Todd D

2009-05-01

Recent data suggest that laws banning cellular phone use while driving may not change use patterns, especially among young drivers with high rates of mobile phone adoption. We examined reasons younger drivers choose or do not choose to talk on a phone while driving among a sample of young drivers (n=276) with very high ownership of cellular phones (over 99%) and a very high use of cellular phones while driving (100% for those that were primary operators of an automobile). Respondents were surveyed for patterns of use, types of call, perceived risk, and motivations for use. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the relationships between perceived risk of the behavior, emotionality of the call, perceived importance of the call, and how often calls were initiated versus answered. The model suggests that even though people believe that talking on a cellular phone while driving is dangerous, they will tend to initiate a cellular conversation if they believe that the call is important.

L'effet des deformations plastiques severes sur les proprietes d'hydruration du magnesium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Julien

Le travail de recherche effectue durant mon projet de maitrise en physique a l'Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres dans les laboratoires de l'Institut de Recherche sur l'Hydrogene etait de comparer l'effet du laminage a froid de la poudre de MgH2 avec celui du broyage mecanique. Nous avons etudie cette nouvelle technique en utilisant un laminoir vertical concu specialement pour laminer de la poudre. Nous avons lamine la poudre de MgH2 5, 25, 50 et 100 fois. La comparaison de la morphologie de la poudre de MgH 2 telle que recu du manufacturier et broye mecaniquement pendant 30 minutes avec celle de la poudre laminee ete faite a l'aide d'un microscope electronique a balayage. Nous avons par la suite mesure les proprietes de sorption d'hydrogene grace un appareil PCT de type Sievert. Nous avons aussi determine la structure cristalline par diffraction de rayons X. A partir de ces resultats, nous avons constate que le nombre optimal de laminages est de cinq et a les caracteristiques d'absorption/desorption d'hydrogene similaires a un broyage mecanique de 30 minutes. Nous avons aussi utilise les courbes de cinetiques d'absorption et de desorption d'hydrogene pour calculer l'etape limitative dans les reactions de sorption des echantillons lamines. Comme cinq laminages se font en environ 10 secondes, on voit que le laminage a froid est une technique plus interessante industriellement que le broyage mecanique a cause de l'important gain en temps et en energie.

Apport de la simulation numérique à la compréhension des mécanismes d'interaction de cavités dans le cadre de la modélisation de l'endommagement ductile sous sollicitation dynamique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, G.; Buy, F.; Llorca, F.

2002-12-01

L'étude présentée s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une démarche menant à la construction d'un modèle analytique ou semi analytique de comportement élasto-visco-plastique endommageable, applicable aux chargements rencontrés en configuration d'impact violent et générant de l'écaillage ductile. La prise en compte des effets de compressibilité et de micro inertie est essentielle pour modéliser la phase de croissance. Des simulations numériques globales de la structure et locales à l'échelle des hétérogénéités permettent d'évaluer les niveaux de sollicitations dans les zones susceptibles de s'endommager, dévaluer des critères analytiques de germination de l'endommagement et de comprendre les mécanismes d'interaction entre les défauts. Les effets micro inertiels et de compressibilité sont ainsi mis en évidence dans les phases de germination et de coalescence des micro défauts. II s'agit ici d'une illustration non exhaustive de travaux engagés au CEA Valduc sur le tantale, dans le cadre d'une thèse [10]. Un programme matériaux en partenariat CEA-CNRS sur la modélisation multi échelles du comportement de structures a également été initié dans ce contexte.

Cellular and molecular modifier pathways in tauopathies: the big picture from screening invertebrate models.

PubMed

Hannan, Shabab B; Dräger, Nina M; Rasse, Tobias M; Voigt, Aaron; Jahn, Thomas R

2016-04-01

Abnormal tau accumulations were observed and documented in post-mortem brains of patients affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) long before the identification of mutations in the Microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene, encoding the tau protein, in a different neurodegenerative disease called Frontotemporal dementia and Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). The discovery of mutations in the MAPT gene associated with FTDP-17 highlighted that dysfunctions in tau alone are sufficient to cause neurodegeneration. Invertebrate models have been diligently utilized in investigating tauopathies, contributing to the understanding of cellular and molecular pathways involved in disease etiology. An important discovery came with the demonstration that over-expression of human tau in Drosophila leads to premature mortality and neuronal dysfunction including neurodegeneration, recapitulating some key neuropathological features of the human disease. The simplicity of handling invertebrate models combined with the availability of a diverse range of experimental resources make these models, in particular Drosophila a powerful invertebrate screening tool. Consequently, several large-scale screens have been performed using Drosophila, to identify modifiers of tau toxicity. The screens have revealed not only common cellular and molecular pathways, but in some instances the same modifier has been independently identified in two or more screens suggesting a possible role for these modifiers in regulating tau toxicity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the genetic modifier screens on tauopathies performed in Drosophila and C. elegans models, and to highlight the common cellular and molecular pathways that have emerged from these studies. Here, we summarize results of tau toxicity screens providing mechanistic insights into pathological alterations in tauopathies. Key pathways or modifiers that have been identified are associated with a broad range of processes including, but not limited to, phosphorylation, cytoskeleton organization, axonal transport, regulation of cellular proteostasis, transcription, RNA metabolism, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. We discuss the utility and application of invertebrate models in elucidating the cellular and molecular functions of novel and uncharacterized disease modifiers identified in large-scale screens as well as for investigating the function of genes identified as risk factors in genome-wide association studies from human patients in the post-genomic era. In this review, we combined and summarized several large-scale modifier screens performed in invertebrate models to identify modifiers of tau toxicity. A summary of the screens show that diverse cellular processes are implicated in the modification of tau toxicity. Kinases and phosphatases are the most predominant class of modifiers followed by components required for cellular proteostasis and axonal transport and cytoskeleton elements. © 2016 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Impact of Sand and Gravel Mining on Groundwater Resources in La Bassée Alluvial Plain, France.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jost, A.; Wang, S.; Labarthe, B.; Flipo, N.

2016-12-01

The alluvial plain of La Bassée, in the middle reach of the Seine River (France), is both of environmental importance as a major wetland and at the centre of strategic issues regarding inland waterways transport, flood prevention, water and granular resources. The sand and gravel mining industry has been productive for more than five decades over the area and contributes to 40% of the regional production of natural aggregates. Former and active gravel pits cover about 10% of the areal extent of the plain. Gravel pit lakes interact with groundwater from the surrounding alluvial aquifer and the underlying chalk aquifer. By exposing groundwater to the atmosphere, they can act as a sink/source for the groundwater system through atmospheric exchange. We develop a model-based approach using the EauDyssée platform for determining the impact of such lakes on groundwater resources in terms of quantity and how they affect groundwater level and flow paths. Over the alluvial plain area of La Bassée a local model is built, which takes its hydrodynamic parameters from an inverse calibration procedure and its boundary conditions from a coarser regional model run on the whole Seine basin. To efficiently simulate lake-groundwater exchange, the modelling platform was extended by a lake module. The effet of gravel excavation is investigated by quantifying the gravel pit lakes water budget and by simulating groundwater transient response over almost two decades.

A stochastic cellular automata model of tautomer equilibria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowers, Gregory A.; Seybold, Paul G.

2018-03-01

Many chemical substances, including drugs and biomolecules, exist in solution not as a single species, but as a collection of tautomers and related species. Importantly, each of these species is an independent compoundwith its own specific biochemical and physicochemical properties. The species interconvert in a dynamic and often complicated manner, making modelling the overall species composition difficult. Agent-based cellular automata models are uniquely suited to meet this challenge, allowing the equilibria to be simulated using simple rulesand at the same time capturing the inherent stochasticity of the natural phenomenon. In the present example a stochastic cellular automata model is employed to simulate the tautomer equilibria of 9-anthrone and 9-anthrol in the presence of their common anion. The observed KE of the 9-anthrone ⇌ 9-anthrol tautomerisation along with the measured tautomer pKa values were used to model the equilibria at pH values 4, 7 and 10. At pH 4 and 7, the anthrone comprises >99% of the total species population, while at pH 10the anthrone and the anion each represent just under half of the total population. The advantages of the cellular automata approach over the customary coupled differential equation approach are discussed.

A Mathematical Model to study the Dynamics of Epithelial Cellular Networks

PubMed Central

Abate, Alessandro; Vincent, Stéphane; Dobbe, Roel; Silletti, Alberto; Master, Neal; Axelrod, Jeffrey D.; Tomlin, Claire J.

2013-01-01

Epithelia are sheets of connected cells that are essential across the animal kingdom. Experimental observations suggest that the dynamical behavior of many single-layered epithelial tissues has strong analogies with that of specific mechanical systems, namely large networks consisting of point masses connected through spring-damper elements and undergoing the influence of active and dissipating forces. Based on this analogy, this work develops a modeling framework to enable the study of the mechanical properties and of the dynamic behavior of large epithelial cellular networks. The model is built first by creating a network topology that is extracted from the actual cellular geometry as obtained from experiments, then by associating a mechanical structure and dynamics to the network via spring-damper elements. This scalable approach enables running simulations of large network dynamics: the derived modeling framework in particular is predisposed to be tailored to study general dynamics (for example, morphogenesis) of various classes of single-layered epithelial cellular networks. In this contribution we test the model on a case study of the dorsal epithelium of the Drosophila melanogaster embryo during early dorsal closure (and, less conspicuously, germband retraction). PMID:23221083

Targeting Homology-Directed Recombinational Repair (HDR) of Chromosomal Breaks to Sensitize Prostate Cancer Cells to Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibition

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-01

Investigator 15 UAB X1219: Molecular determinants of cellular susceptibility to PARP inhibition in an ex- vivo model of human cholangiocarcinoma Role...cellular susceptibility to PARP inhibition in an ex-vivo model of human cholangiocarcinoma Role: Co-Prinicipal Investigator Career Development

Fuzzy cellular automata models in immunology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahmed, E.

1996-10-01

The self-nonself character of antigens is considered to be fuzzy. The Chowdhury et al. cellular automata model is generalized accordingly. New steady states are found. The first corresponds to a below-normal help and suppression and is proposed to be related to autoimmune diseases. The second corresponds to a below-normal B-cell level.

A cellular automata model of land cover change to integrate urban growth with open space conservation

EPA Science Inventory

The preservation of riparian zones and other environmentally sensitive areas has long been recognized as one of the most cost-effective methods of managing stormwater and providing a broad range of ecosystem services. In this research, a cellular automata (CA)—Markov chain model ...

An outline of cellular automaton universe via cosmological KdV equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christianto, V.; Smarandache, F.; Umniyati, Y.

2018-03-01

It has been known for long time that the cosmic sound wave was there since the early epoch of the Universe. Signatures of its existence are abound. However, such a sound wave model of cosmology is rarely developed fully into a complete framework. This paper can be considered as our second attempt towards such a complete description of the Universe based on soliton wave solution of cosmological KdV equation. Then we advance further this KdV equation by virtue of Cellular Automaton method to solve the PDEs. We submit wholeheartedly Robert Kuruczs hypothesis that Big Bang should be replaced with a finite cellular automaton universe with no expansion [4][5]. Nonetheless, we are fully aware that our model is far from being complete, but it appears the proposed cellular automaton model of the Universe is very close in spirit to what Konrad Zuse envisaged long time ago. It is our hope that the new proposed method can be verified with observation data. But we admit that our model is still in its infancy, more researches are needed to fill all the missing details.

Simulations of Living Cell Origins Using a Cellular Automata Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishida, Takeshi

2014-04-01

Understanding the generalized mechanisms of cell self-assembly is fundamental for applications in various fields, such as mass producing molecular machines in nanotechnology. Thus, the details of real cellular reaction networks and the necessary conditions for self-organized cells must be elucidated. We constructed a 2-dimensional cellular automata model to investigate the emergence of biological cell formation, which incorporated a looped membrane and a membrane-bound information system (akin to a genetic code and gene expression system). In particular, with an artificial reaction system coupled with a thermal system, the simultaneous formation of a looped membrane and an inner reaction process resulted in a more stable structure. These double structures inspired the primitive biological cell formation process from chemical evolution stage. With a model to simulate cellular self-organization in a 2-dimensional cellular automata model, 3 phenomena could be realized: (1) an inner reaction system developed as an information carrier precursor (akin to DNA); (2) a cell border emerged (akin to a cell membrane); and (3) these cell structures could divide into 2. This double-structured cell was considered to be a primary biological cell. The outer loop evolved toward a lipid bilayer membrane, and inner polymeric particles evolved toward precursor information carriers (evolved toward DNA). This model did not completely clarify all the necessary and sufficient conditions for biological cell self-organization. Further, our virtual cells remained unstable and fragile. However, the "garbage bag model" of Dyson proposed that the first living cells were deficient; thus, it would be reasonable that the earliest cells were more unstable and fragile than the simplest current unicellular organisms.

Simulations of living cell origins using a cellular automata model.

PubMed

Ishida, Takeshi

2014-04-01

Understanding the generalized mechanisms of cell self-assembly is fundamental for applications in various fields, such as mass producing molecular machines in nanotechnology. Thus, the details of real cellular reaction networks and the necessary conditions for self-organized cells must be elucidated. We constructed a 2-dimensional cellular automata model to investigate the emergence of biological cell formation, which incorporated a looped membrane and a membrane-bound information system (akin to a genetic code and gene expression system). In particular, with an artificial reaction system coupled with a thermal system, the simultaneous formation of a looped membrane and an inner reaction process resulted in a more stable structure. These double structures inspired the primitive biological cell formation process from chemical evolution stage. With a model to simulate cellular self-organization in a 2-dimensional cellular automata model, 3 phenomena could be realized: (1) an inner reaction system developed as an information carrier precursor (akin to DNA); (2) a cell border emerged (akin to a cell membrane); and (3) these cell structures could divide into 2. This double-structured cell was considered to be a primary biological cell. The outer loop evolved toward a lipid bilayer membrane, and inner polymeric particles evolved toward precursor information carriers (evolved toward DNA). This model did not completely clarify all the necessary and sufficient conditions for biological cell self-organization. Further, our virtual cells remained unstable and fragile. However, the "garbage bag model" of Dyson proposed that the first living cells were deficient; thus, it would be reasonable that the earliest cells were more unstable and fragile than the simplest current unicellular organisms.

Interface Pattern Selection in Directional Solidification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trivedi, Rohit; Tewari, Surendra N.

2001-01-01

The central focus of this research is to establish key scientific concepts that govern the selection of cellular and dendritic patterns during the directional solidification of alloys. Ground-based studies have established that the conditions under which cellular and dendritic microstructures form are precisely where convection effects are dominant in bulk samples. Thus, experimental data can not be obtained terrestrially under pure diffusive regime. Furthermore, reliable theoretical models are not yet possible which can quantitatively incorporate fluid flow in the pattern selection criterion. Consequently, microgravity experiments on cellular and dendritic growth are designed to obtain benchmark data under diffusive growth conditions that can be quantitatively analyzed and compared with the rigorous theoretical model to establish the fundamental principles that govern the selection of specific microstructure and its length scales. In the cellular structure, different cells in an array are strongly coupled so that the cellular pattern evolution is controlled by complex interactions between thermal diffusion, solute diffusion and interface effects. These interactions give infinity of solutions, and the system selects only a narrow band of solutions. The aim of this investigation is to obtain benchmark data and develop a rigorous theoretical model that will allow us to quantitatively establish the physics of this selection process.

Modeling of coupled differential equations for cellular chemical signaling pathways: Implications for assay protocols utilized in cellular engineering.

PubMed

O'Clock, George D

2016-08-01

Cellular engineering involves modification and control of cell properties, and requires an understanding of fundamentals and mechanisms of action for cellular derived product development. One of the keys to success in cellular engineering involves the quality and validity of results obtained from cell chemical signaling pathway assays. The accuracy of the assay data cannot be verified or assured if the effect of positive feedback, nonlinearities, and interrelationships between cell chemical signaling pathway elements are not understood, modeled, and simulated. Nonlinearities and positive feedback in the cell chemical signaling pathway can produce significant aberrations in assay data collection. Simulating the pathway can reveal potential instability problems that will affect assay results. A simulation, using an electrical analog for the coupled differential equations representing each segment of the pathway, provides an excellent tool for assay validation purposes. With this approach, voltages represent pathway enzyme concentrations and operational amplifier feedback resistance and input resistance values determine pathway gain and rate constants. The understanding provided by pathway modeling and simulation is strategically important in order to establish experimental controls for assay protocol structure, time frames specified between assays, and assay concentration variation limits; to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results.

Exploration of cellular reaction systems.

PubMed

Kirkilionis, Markus

2010-01-01

We discuss and review different ways to map cellular components and their temporal interaction with other such components to different non-spatially explicit mathematical models. The essential choices made in the literature are between discrete and continuous state spaces, between rule and event-based state updates and between deterministic and stochastic series of such updates. The temporal modelling of cellular regulatory networks (dynamic network theory) is compared with static network approaches in two first introductory sections on general network modelling. We concentrate next on deterministic rate-based dynamic regulatory networks and their derivation. In the derivation, we include methods from multiscale analysis and also look at structured large particles, here called macromolecular machines. It is clear that mass-action systems and their derivatives, i.e. networks based on enzyme kinetics, play the most dominant role in the literature. The tools to analyse cellular reaction networks are without doubt most complete for mass-action systems. We devote a long section at the end of the review to make a comprehensive review of related tools and mathematical methods. The emphasis is to show how cellular reaction networks can be analysed with the help of different associated graphs and the dissection into modules, i.e. sub-networks.

The use of macroalgae (Gracilaria changii) as bio-adsorbent for Copper (II) removal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavania-Baloo; Idayu, Nordin; Umar Salihi, Ibrahim; Zainoddin, Jamari

2017-05-01

Biosorption of heavy metals using marine macroalgae biomass can be an effective process and alternative to conventional methods. Activated carbon was developed from macroalgae (Gracilaria changii) and used as adsorbents for the removal of copper (II) from wastewater. Gracilaria changii based activated carbon (GCBAC) was prepared using muffle furnace at a constant temperature of 300 °C for 1 hour. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effets of important parameters such as pH, contact time, initial metal concentration and adsorbent dosage on the removal of Cu (II) from synthetic aqueous solution. Batch adsorption study shows that removal of Cu (II) using GCBAC relied upon pH, contact time, initial metal concentration and GCBAC dosage. The optimum conditions parameters were found to be pH 6.0, time of 60 minutes and GCBAC dosage of 0.3 g, respectively. Adsorption data was described better by Freundlich isotherm model with R2 value of 0.7936. The maximum Cu (II) adsorption capacity of GCBAC was found to be 0.07 mg/g. The experimental adsorption data obtained fitted well into Pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with R2 value near unity. Thus, GCBAC can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of Cu (II) from aqueous solution.

Impedance de surface dans les supraconducteurs quasi-bidimensionnels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Achkir, Driss Brice

Ce travail a caractere experimental et theorique vise l'etude de l'etat supraconducteur de trois familles de composes: les supraconducteurs conventionnels, les organiques et les cuprates YBCO. Pour ce faire, nous avons utilise une technique hyperfrequence, a savoir la mesure d'impedance de surface en fonction de la temperature et du champ magnetique. Dans les supraconducteurs conventionnels, nous avons mesure pour la premiere fois le pic de "coherence" dans la partie reelle de la conductivite. Bien que predit par la theorie BCS, ce pic n'avait pas ete clairement observe en raison de difficultes techniques liees a ce type d'experience. D'autre part, la theorie d'Eliashberg appliquee a la partie reelle de la conductivite du niobium nous a revele l'importance des mesures hyperfrequences pour mieux extraire la partie basse frequence de la densite spectrale alphasp2F(omega). Cette possibilite est attrayante puisque c'est precisement la region de frequences de alphasp2F(omega) ou les donnees d'effet tunnel sont imprecises. Les resultats obtenus sur la longueur de penetration dans les organiques et les cuprates ont permis de montrer que le gap presente des lignes de zeros au niveau de Fermi ou qu'il est, a tout le moins, fortement anisotrope. En effet, la dependance en temperature de la longueur de penetration dans les cristaux purs est lineaire a basse temperature et elle devient quadratique dans les cristaux dopes. Pour le cas des supraconducteurs organiques quasi-bidimensionnels (Et)sb2X, nous avons aussi observe un maximum sur la partie reelle de la conductivite qui n'a rien a voir avec un pic de coherence. Pour ces composes, nous avons effectue une des toutes premieres etudes des fluctuations supraconductrices en temperature et en champ magnetique. Nous montrons que la paraconductivite sigmasp' due aux fluctuations presente un comportement de type Aslamazov-Larkin de nature tridimensionnelle. Ces mesures sont appuyees par les resultats theoriques d'un modele Ginzburg-Landau dynamique que nous avons developpe. De plus, a partir de l'analyse des fluctuations, nous avons pu identifier le champ critique pour la transition resistive en champ et ainsi en deduire la transition de fonte du reseau de vortex dans le (Et)sb2Cu(SCN)sb2.

A cardiac electrical activity model based on a cellular automata system in comparison with neural network model.

PubMed

Khan, Muhammad Sadiq Ali; Yousuf, Sidrah

2016-03-01

Cardiac Electrical Activity is commonly distributed into three dimensions of Cardiac Tissue (Myocardium) and evolves with duration of time. The indicator of heart diseases can occur randomly at any time of a day. Heart rate, conduction and each electrical activity during cardiac cycle should be monitor non-invasively for the assessment of "Action Potential" (regular) and "Arrhythmia" (irregular) rhythms. Many heart diseases can easily be examined through Automata model like Cellular Automata concepts. This paper deals with the different states of cardiac rhythms using cellular automata with the comparison of neural network also provides fast and highly effective stimulation for the contraction of cardiac muscles on the Atria in the result of genesis of electrical spark or wave. The specific formulated model named as "States of automaton Proposed Model for CEA (Cardiac Electrical Activity)" by using Cellular Automata Methodology is commonly shows the three states of cardiac tissues conduction phenomena (i) Resting (Relax and Excitable state), (ii) ARP (Excited but Absolutely refractory Phase i.e. Excited but not able to excite neighboring cells) (iii) RRP (Excited but Relatively Refractory Phase i.e. Excited and able to excite neighboring cells). The result indicates most efficient modeling with few burden of computation and it is Action Potential during the pumping of blood in cardiac cycle.

Coupling biomechanics to a cellular level model: an approach to patient-specific image driven multi-scale and multi-physics tumor simulation.

PubMed

May, Christian P; Kolokotroni, Eleni; Stamatakos, Georgios S; Büchler, Philippe

2011-10-01

Modeling of tumor growth has been performed according to various approaches addressing different biocomplexity levels and spatiotemporal scales. Mathematical treatments range from partial differential equation based diffusion models to rule-based cellular level simulators, aiming at both improving our quantitative understanding of the underlying biological processes and, in the mid- and long term, constructing reliable multi-scale predictive platforms to support patient-individualized treatment planning and optimization. The aim of this paper is to establish a multi-scale and multi-physics approach to tumor modeling taking into account both the cellular and the macroscopic mechanical level. Therefore, an already developed biomodel of clinical tumor growth and response to treatment is self-consistently coupled with a biomechanical model. Results are presented for the free growth case of the imageable component of an initially point-like glioblastoma multiforme tumor. The composite model leads to significant tumor shape corrections that are achieved through the utilization of environmental pressure information and the application of biomechanical principles. Using the ratio of smallest to largest moment of inertia of the tumor material to quantify the effect of our coupled approach, we have found a tumor shape correction of 20% by coupling biomechanics to the cellular simulator as compared to a cellular simulation without preferred growth directions. We conclude that the integration of the two models provides additional morphological insight into realistic tumor growth behavior. Therefore, it might be used for the development of an advanced oncosimulator focusing on tumor types for which morphology plays an important role in surgical and/or radio-therapeutic treatment planning. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Excellent approach to modeling urban expansion by fuzzy cellular automata: agent base model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khajavigodellou, Yousef; Alesheikh, Ali A.; Mohammed, Abdulrazak A. S.; Chapi, Kamran

2014-09-01

Recently, the interaction between humans and their environment is the one of important challenges in the world. Landuse/ cover change (LUCC) is a complex process that includes actors and factors at different social and spatial levels. The complexity and dynamics of urban systems make the applicable practice of urban modeling very difficult. With the increased computational power and the greater availability of spatial data, micro-simulation such as the agent based and cellular automata simulation methods, has been developed by geographers, planners, and scholars, and it has shown great potential for representing and simulating the complexity of the dynamic processes involved in urban growth and land use change. This paper presents Fuzzy Cellular Automata in Geospatial Information System and remote Sensing to simulated and predicted urban expansion pattern. These FCA-based dynamic spatial urban models provide an improved ability to forecast and assess future urban growth and to create planning scenarios, allowing us to explore the potential impacts of simulations that correspond to urban planning and management policies. A fuzzy inference guided cellular automata approach. Semantic or linguistic knowledge on Land use change is expressed as fuzzy rules, based on which fuzzy inference is applied to determine the urban development potential for each pixel. The model integrates an ABM (agent-based model) and FCA (Fuzzy Cellular Automata) to investigate a complex decision-making process and future urban dynamic processes. Based on this model rapid development and green land protection under the influences of the behaviors and decision modes of regional authority agents, real estate developer agents, resident agents and non- resident agents and their interactions have been applied to predict the future development patterns of the Erbil metropolitan region.

Three-dimensional cellular automata as a model of a seismic fault

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gálvez, G.; Muñoz, A.

2017-01-01

The Earth's crust is broken into a series of plates, whose borders are the seismic fault lines and it is where most of the earthquakes occur. This plating system can in principle be described by a set of nonlinear coupled equations describing the motion of the plates, its stresses, strains and other characteristics. Such a system of equations is very difficult to solve, and nonlinear parts leads to a chaotic behavior, which is not predictable. In 1989, Bak and Tang presented an earthquake model based on the sand pile cellular automata. The model though simple, provides similar results to those observed in actual earthquakes. In this work the cellular automata in three dimensions is proposed as a best model to approximate a seismic fault. It is noted that the three-dimensional model reproduces similar properties to those observed in real seismicity, especially, the Gutenberg-Richter law.

Surface tension and modeling of cellular intercalation during zebrafish gastrulation.

PubMed

Calmelet, Colette; Sepich, Diane

2010-04-01

In this paper we discuss a model of zebrafish embryo notochord development based on the effect of surface tension of cells at the boundaries. We study the process of interaction of mesodermal cells at the boundaries due to adhesion and cortical tension, resulting in cellular intercalation. From in vivo experiments, we obtain cell outlines of time-lapse images of cell movements during zebrafish embryo development. Using Cellular Potts Model, we calculate the total surface energy of the system of cells at different time intervals at cell contacts. We analyze the variations of total energy depending on nature of cell contacts. We demonstrate that our model can be viable by calculating the total surface energy value for experimentally observed configurations of cells and showing that in our model these configurations correspond to a decrease in total energy values in both two and three dimensions.

In silico method for modelling metabolism and gene product expression at genome scale

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lerman, Joshua A.; Hyduke, Daniel R.; Latif, Haythem

2012-07-03

Transcription and translation use raw materials and energy generated metabolically to create the macromolecular machinery responsible for all cellular functions, including metabolism. A biochemically accurate model of molecular biology and metabolism will facilitate comprehensive and quantitative computations of an organism's molecular constitution as a function of genetic and environmental parameters. Here we formulate a model of metabolism and macromolecular expression. Prototyping it using the simple microorganism Thermotoga maritima, we show our model accurately simulates variations in cellular composition and gene expression. Moreover, through in silico comparative transcriptomics, the model allows the discovery of new regulons and improving the genome andmore » transcription unit annotations. Our method presents a framework for investigating molecular biology and cellular physiology in silico and may allow quantitative interpretation of multi-omics data sets in the context of an integrated biochemical description of an organism.« less

Particle acceleration in a complex solar active region modelled by a Cellular automata model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dauphin, C.; Vilmer, N.; Anastasiadis, A.

2004-12-01

The models of cellular automat allowed to reproduce successfully several statistical properties of the solar flares. We use a cellular automat model based on the concept of self-organised critical system to model the evolution of the magnetic energy released in an eruptive active area. Each burst of magnetic energy released is assimilated to a process of magnetic reconnection. We will thus generate several current layers (RCS) where the particles are accelerated by a direct electric field. We calculate the energy gain of the particles (ions and electrons) for various types of magnetic configuration. We calculate the distribution function of the kinetic energy of the particles after their interactions with a given number of RCS for each type of configurations. We show that the relative efficiency of the acceleration of the electrons and the ions depends on the selected configuration.

Compactification de la Supergravite 10-D Sur les Varietes de Calabi-Yau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gagnon, Michel

Les varietes de Calabi-Yau permettent une description relativement simple et assez juste de la realite. Recemment, de nombreuses equipes de recherche s'y sont interessees, en particulier P. Candelas, A. M. Dale, C. A. Lutken et R. Schimmrigk (13) qui ont propose une liste de 7868 configurations distinctes. Toutefois, nous croyons que certaines des techniques qui sont exploitees pour construire cette liste ne sont pas suffisamment justifiees et ont pour effet de soustraire a nos investigations bon nombre de configurations potentiellement interessantes. Ainsi, nous produisons, sans utiliser ces techniques simplificatrices, une liste de 97360 configurations. Ensuite, dans le cadre des modeles a 4 generations, nous appliquons un ensemble de criteres, fondes sur les symetries discretes, pour delimiter le domaine des configurations phenomenologiquement viables. Finalement, apres avoir fixe notre choix sur une configuration particuliere, nous essayons de montrer tout l'interet physique des varietes de Calabi-Yau en exposant certains aspects de la phenomenologie a basse energie, notamment les nombres quantiques, les spectres fermioniques, la brisure intermediaire du groupe de jauge et la duree de vie du proton.

Development of pediatric emergency medicine at Addis Ababa University/Tikuranbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

PubMed

Tefera, Muluwork; Bacha, Tigist; Butteris, Sabrina; Teshome, Getachew; Ross, Joshua; Hagen, Scott; Svenson, Jim; Busse, Heidi; Tefera, Girma

2014-07-01

In the world emergencies occur everywhere, and each day they consume ressources regardless of whether there are systems capable of achieving good outcomes. Low-income countries suffer the most highest rates of every category of injury--from traffic and the highest rates of acute complications of communicable diseases including tuberculosis, malaria and HIV. To describe the development of pediatrics emergency medicine at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital A twinning partnership model was used in developing a pediatric emergency medicine training program helps in development of pediatrics emergency system. Strengthening the capacity of Addis Ababa University (AAU), Tikur Anbessa Hospital (TASH) to provide pediatric emergency medical services through improved organization of the pediatrics emergency department and strengthening of continuing education opportunities for faculty and staff capacity building by this improving quality of care in pediatrics patients in the country. The Addis Ababa University, University of Wiscosin and People to People partners intend to continue working together to strengthening and developing effetive systems to deliver quality pediatrics emergency medicine care troughout all regions of Ethiopia.

Etude de l'affaiblissement du comportement mecanique du pergelisol du au rechauffement climatique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buteau, Sylvie

Le rechauffement climatique predit pour les prochaines decennies, aura des impacts majeurs sur le pergelisol qui sont tres peu documentes pour l'instant. La presente etude a pour but d'evaluer ces impacts sur les proprietes mecaniques du pergelisol et sa stabilite a long terme. Une nouvelle technique d'essai de penetration au cone a taux de deformation controle, a ete developpee pour caracteriser en place le pergelisol. Ces essais geotechniques et la mesure de differentes proprietes physiques ont ete effectues sur une butte de pergelisol au cours du printemps 2000. Le developpement et l'utilisation d'un modele geothermique 1D tenant compte de la thermodependance du comportement mecanique ont permis d'evaluer que les etendues de pergelisol chaud deviendraient instables a la suite d'un rechauffement de l'ordre de 5°C sur cent ans. En effet, la resistance mecanique du pergelisol diminuera alors rapidement jusqu'a 11,6 MPa, ce qui correspond a une perte relative de 98% de la resistance par rapport a un scenario sans rechauffement.

Methodes de caracterisation des proprietes thermomecaniques d'un acier martensitique =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ausseil, Lucas

Le but de l'etude est de developper des methodes permettant de mesurer les proprietes thermomecaniques d'un acier martensitique lors de chauffe rapide. Ces donnees permettent d'alimenter les modeles d'elements finis existant avec des donnees experimentales. Pour cela, l'acier 4340 est utilise. Cet acier est notamment utilise dans les roues d'engrenage, il a des proprietes mecaniques tres interessantes. Il est possible de modifier ses proprietes grâce a des traitements thermiques. Le simulateur thermomecanique Gleeble 3800 est utilise. Il permet de tester theoriquement toutes les conditions presentes dans les procedes de fabrication. Avec les tests de dilatation realises dans ce projet, les temperatures exactes de changement de phases austenitiques et martensitiques sont obtenues. Des tests de traction ont aussi permis de deduire la limite d'elasticite du materiau dans le domaine austenitique allant de 850 °C a 1100 °C. L'effet des deformations sur la temperature de debut de transformation est montre qualitativement. Une simulation numerique est aussi realisee pour comprendre les phenomenes intervenant pendant les essais.

Identification of Modules in Protein-Protein Interaction Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erten, Sinan; Koyutürk, Mehmet

In biological systems, most processes are carried out through orchestration of multiple interacting molecules. These interactions are often abstracted using network models. A key feature of cellular networks is their modularity, which contributes significantly to the robustness, as well as adaptability of biological systems. Therefore, modularization of cellular networks is likely to be useful in obtaining insights into the working principles of cellular systems, as well as building tractable models of cellular organization and dynamics. A common, high-throughput source of data on molecular interactions is in the form of physical interactions between proteins, which are organized into protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. This chapter provides an overview on identification and analysis of functional modules in PPI networks, which has been an active area of research in the last decade.

The statistical mechanics of complex signaling networks: nerve growth factor signaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, K. S.; Hill, C. C.; Calero, G. A.; Myers, C. R.; Lee, K. H.; Sethna, J. P.; Cerione, R. A.

2004-10-01

The inherent complexity of cellular signaling networks and their importance to a wide range of cellular functions necessitates the development of modeling methods that can be applied toward making predictions and highlighting the appropriate experiments to test our understanding of how these systems are designed and function. We use methods of statistical mechanics to extract useful predictions for complex cellular signaling networks. A key difficulty with signaling models is that, while significant effort is being made to experimentally measure the rate constants for individual steps in these networks, many of the parameters required to describe their behavior remain unknown or at best represent estimates. To establish the usefulness of our approach, we have applied our methods toward modeling the nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced differentiation of neuronal cells. In particular, we study the actions of NGF and mitogenic epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Through a network of intermediate signaling proteins, each of these growth factors stimulates extracellular regulated kinase (Erk) phosphorylation with distinct dynamical profiles. Using our modeling approach, we are able to predict the influence of specific signaling modules in determining the integrated cellular response to the two growth factors. Our methods also raise some interesting insights into the design and possible evolution of cellular systems, highlighting an inherent property of these systems that we call 'sloppiness.'

Cellular automata and its applications in protein bioinformatics.

PubMed

Xiao, Xuan; Wang, Pu; Chou, Kuo-Chen

2011-09-01

With the explosion of protein sequences generated in the postgenomic era, it is highly desirable to develop high-throughput tools for rapidly and reliably identifying various attributes of uncharacterized proteins based on their sequence information alone. The knowledge thus obtained can help us timely utilize these newly found protein sequences for both basic research and drug discovery. Many bioinformatics tools have been developed by means of machine learning methods. This review is focused on the applications of a new kind of science (cellular automata) in protein bioinformatics. A cellular automaton (CA) is an open, flexible and discrete dynamic model that holds enormous potentials in modeling complex systems, in spite of the simplicity of the model itself. Researchers, scientists and practitioners from different fields have utilized cellular automata for visualizing protein sequences, investigating their evolution processes, and predicting their various attributes. Owing to its impressive power, intuitiveness and relative simplicity, the CA approach has great potential for use as a tool for bioinformatics.

Microcanonical model for interface formation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rucklidge, A.; Zaleski, S.

1988-04-01

We describe a new cellular automaton model which allows us to simulate separation of phases. The model is an extension of existing cellular automata for the Ising model, such as Q2R. It conserves particle number and presents the qualitative features of spinodal decomposition. The dynamics is deterministic and does not require random number generators. The spins exchange energy with small local reservoirs or demons. The rate of relaxation to equilibrium is investigated, and the results are compared to the Lifshitz-Slyozov theory.

a Predator-Prey Model Based on the Fully Parallel Cellular Automata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Mingfeng; Ruan, Hongbo; Yu, Changliang

We presented a predator-prey lattice model containing moveable wolves and sheep, which are characterized by Penna double bit strings. Sexual reproduction and child-care strategies are considered. To implement this model in an efficient way, we build a fully parallel Cellular Automata based on a new definition of the neighborhood. We show the roles played by the initial densities of the populations, the mutation rate and the linear size of the lattice in the evolution of this model.

Simulating large-scale pedestrian movement using CA and event driven model: Methodology and case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jun; Fu, Siyao; He, Haibo; Jia, Hongfei; Li, Yanzhong; Guo, Yi

2015-11-01

Large-scale regional evacuation is an important part of national security emergency response plan. Large commercial shopping area, as the typical service system, its emergency evacuation is one of the hot research topics. A systematic methodology based on Cellular Automata with the Dynamic Floor Field and event driven model has been proposed, and the methodology has been examined within context of a case study involving the evacuation within a commercial shopping mall. Pedestrians walking is based on Cellular Automata and event driven model. In this paper, the event driven model is adopted to simulate the pedestrian movement patterns, the simulation process is divided into normal situation and emergency evacuation. The model is composed of four layers: environment layer, customer layer, clerk layer and trajectory layer. For the simulation of movement route of pedestrians, the model takes into account purchase intention of customers and density of pedestrians. Based on evacuation model of Cellular Automata with Dynamic Floor Field and event driven model, we can reflect behavior characteristics of customers and clerks at the situations of normal and emergency evacuation. The distribution of individual evacuation time as a function of initial positions and the dynamics of the evacuation process is studied. Our results indicate that the evacuation model using the combination of Cellular Automata with Dynamic Floor Field and event driven scheduling can be used to simulate the evacuation of pedestrian flows in indoor areas with complicated surroundings and to investigate the layout of shopping mall.

Multiscale Modelling of Cancer Progression and Treatment Control: The Role of Intracellular Heterogeneities in Chemotherapy Treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaplain, Mark A. J.; Powathil, Gibin G.

Cancer is a complex, multiscale process involving interactions at intracellular, intercellular and tissue scales that are in turn susceptible to microenvironmental changes. Each individual cancer cell within a cancer cell mass is unique, with its own internal cellular pathways and biochemical interactions. These interactions contribute to the functional changes at the cellular and tissue scale, creating a heterogenous cancer cell population. Anticancer drugs are effective in controlling cancer growth by inflicting damage to various target molecules and thereby triggering multiple cellular and intracellular pathways, leading to cell death or cell-cycle arrest. One of the major impediments in the chemotherapy treatment of cancer is drug resistance driven by multiple mechanisms, including multi-drug and cell-cycle mediated resistance to chemotherapy drugs. In this article, we discuss two hybrid multiscale modelling approaches, incorporating multiple interactions involved in the sub-cellular, cellular and microenvironmental levels to study the effects of cell-cycle, phase-specific chemotherapy on the growth and progression of cancer cells.

Multiscale Modelling of Cancer Progression and Treatment Control: The Role of Intracellular Heterogeneities in Chemotherapy Treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaplain, Mark A. J.; Powathil, Gibin G.

2015-04-01

Cancer is a complex, multiscale process involving interactions at intracellular, intercellular and tissue scales that are in turn susceptible to microenvironmental changes. Each individual cancer cell within a cancer cell mass is unique, with its own internal cellular pathways and biochemical interactions. These interactions contribute to the functional changes at the cellular and tissue scale, creating a heterogenous cancer cell population. Anticancer drugs are effective in controlling cancer growth by inflicting damage to various target molecules and thereby triggering multiple cellular and intracellular pathways, leading to cell death or cell-cycle arrest. One of the major impediments in the chemotherapy treatment of cancer is drug resistance driven by multiple mechanisms, including multi-drug and cell-cycle mediated resistance to chemotherapy drugs. In this article, we discuss two hybrid multiscale modelling approaches, incorporating multiple interactions involved in the sub-cellular, cellular and microenvironmental levels to study the effects of cell-cycle, phase-specific chemotherapy on the growth and progression of cancer cells.

An efficient Cellular Potts Model algorithm that forbids cell fragmentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durand, Marc; Guesnet, Etienne

2016-11-01

The Cellular Potts Model (CPM) is a lattice based modeling technique which is widely used for simulating cellular patterns such as foams or biological tissues. Despite its realism and generality, the standard Monte Carlo algorithm used in the scientific literature to evolve this model preserves connectivity of cells on a limited range of simulation temperature only. We present a new algorithm in which cell fragmentation is forbidden for all simulation temperatures. This allows to significantly enhance realism of the simulated patterns. It also increases the computational efficiency compared with the standard CPM algorithm even at same simulation temperature, thanks to the time spared in not doing unrealistic moves. Moreover, our algorithm restores the detailed balance equation, ensuring that the long-term stage is independent of the chosen acceptance rate and chosen path in the temperature space.

Optimizing Cellular Networks Enabled with Renewal Energy via Strategic Learning.

PubMed

Sohn, Insoo; Liu, Huaping; Ansari, Nirwan

2015-01-01

An important issue in the cellular industry is the rising energy cost and carbon footprint due to the rapid expansion of the cellular infrastructure. Greening cellular networks has thus attracted attention. Among the promising green cellular network techniques, the renewable energy-powered cellular network has drawn increasing attention as a critical element towards reducing carbon emissions due to massive energy consumption in the base stations deployed in cellular networks. Game theory is a branch of mathematics that is used to evaluate and optimize systems with multiple players with conflicting objectives and has been successfully used to solve various problems in cellular networks. In this paper, we model the green energy utilization and power consumption optimization problem of a green cellular network as a pilot power selection strategic game and propose a novel distributed algorithm based on a strategic learning method. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm achieves correlated equilibrium of the pilot power selection game, resulting in optimum green energy utilization and power consumption reduction.

Review of National Work Programme on the Long Term Effects of Sustained High G on the Cervical Spine (Analyse du programme de travail national : les effets long terme sur la colonne cervicale d’un nombre de G lev et prolong )

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

Prof. Karin Harms-Ringdahl, PhD, RPT Karolinska Institutet Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society Division of Physiotherapy 23100...Äng Karolinska Institutet Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society Division of Physiotherapy Alfred Nobels Allé 23100 SE-14183...report is in preparation. The RAF has an ongoing project (from August 2006 to September 2007) determining the need for physiotherapy for aircrew on the

Specialists Meeting on Wing-with-Stores Flutter

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-04-01

I, 150 -z20L0 250 00 350o PYLON COMPONENT MODE (PITCH4-) GENER~ALISED INERTIA A C, 2-20 FIG. 13. AIRCRAFT BENDING MODE FREQUENCI ES , FOR SfORES ON...ldgbre ddportance tandis Gus J ’effet inverse eut o’uorv6 pour ] es sections au- .elth du rdscteur. Calcul et exp~rionce oont v,-. lw. accord at...nontrent que i’interaction du r’~acteur sur i.aile eat trbs locale ot d’intensitC6 s;.ffismaaent faible pour pouvoir 6trc n~glii4e dana lea calculs do

Energy Security in Yemen

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

le présent rapport, nous analysons la sécurité du secteur énergétique et de son infrastructure au Yémen et nous examinons les répercussions...conflits. Toutefois, le problème fondamental du secteur de l‘énergie au Yémen est l‘épuisement des réserves pétrolières, menant à une réduction rapide des...niveaux de production de pétrole. Le déclin du secteur de l‘énergie dans ce pays aura un effet très négligeable sur les réserves énergétiques

Conference Proceedings on Effects of Adverse Weather on Aerodynamics Held in Toulouse, France on 29 April-1 May 1991 (Les Effets des Conditions Meteorologiques Adverses sur l’Aerodynamique)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-01

and a refrigeration system and of a large, free jet wind tunnel. A schematic of the facil- heat exchanger that cools the air to temperatures as low ity...rotor testing turers, but correlations for heat and mass transfer over would involve the use of simulated ice applied to the wet airfoil surfaces are not...and also has incidence. A transient heat conduction the ability to introduce a correction for analysis applied around the rotor azimuth viscous effects

The Effect of Prolonged Military Activities in Man. Physiological and Biochemical Changes. Possible Means of Rapid Recuperation (les Effets d’activites mi1itaires prolongees sur l’homme. Changements physiologiques et biochimiques. Moyens possibles de recuperation rapide.)

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-03-01

possibilities to treat many groups in a repeated analysis the parametric methods were preferred. Student’s t-test has been used to identify significant...activation of the adrenal cortical glands and could therefore use the central POMC- serotonin pathway. This effect is observed in moderately trained...their unusual hours of arrival and departure deserves more study. It would be useful to know what selections they have and what they are making

Validation of an Acoustic Head Simulator for the Evaluation of Personal Hearing Protection Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-11-01

et recouvert de peau artificielle. Les cavités de chaque côté permettent l’insertion de modules d’oreilles qui reproduisent les mécanismes des ...aux spécifications publiées. Ces différences n’ont pas influé sur la perte d’insertion. Après correction pour tenir compte des effets de la...un simulateur de tête époxy chargé d’aluminium et recouvert de peau artificielle. La tête est soutenue par un module de cou souple rattaché à un

Intellectual Property Rights: Lecture Series Held in London, (United Kingdom) on 21-22 October 1991, in Brussels (Belgium) on 24-25 October 1991 and in Arlington, Virginia on 6-7 November 1991

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

des rdalitfs diverses ct niouvantes sous I’cffet croisd des 6volutions techniques et &conomIques. I en rdsulte tine...r6le est croissant. Si un tel mouvement s’observe dans nombre de pays, cla ne signifie pas qu’il leur soit commun. En effet, la confrontation des ...conceptions nationales, voire rgionales, est dIdj engagdc en raison de l’internationalisation des activitds de transfert de technologies et de

Predictive Modeling and Computational Toxicology

EPA Science Inventory

Embryonic development is orchestrated via a complex series of cellular interactions controlling behaviors such as mitosis, migration, differentiation, adhesion, contractility, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Any chemical exposure that perturbs these cellular proce...

Isotope effect in the organic superconductor β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 where BEDT-TTF is bis (ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auban-Senzier, P.; Bourbonnais, C.; Jérome, D.; Lenoir, C.; Batail, P.; Canadell, E.; Buisson, J. P.; Lefrant, S.

1993-03-01

We have performed the simultaneous investigation of the isotope effect on the superconducting transition and on the Raman spectra in the organic superconductor β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 (T_c = 8 K). For this purpose, we substitute ^{13}C for ^{12}C on the carbon sites of the central double bond of BEDT-TTF molecule. The isotope shifts measured by Raman experiments can be fairly well explained by standard molecular dynamics. However, the critical temperature is lowered by 0.2 K in the ^{13}C enriched material. We analyse the possible sources of this remarkable downward shift which leads to an isotope coefficient higher than the BCS value. The extended-Hückel calculations of the density of states for the two HOMO bands of β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 do show that, within the framework of a weak coupling theory, its sizeable variation on the scale of ω_D cannot account for the observed isotope effect. On the other hand, we discuss how inelastic electronic scattering observed in resistivity measurements just above T_c can lead through a pair breaking mechanism to a sizeable increase of the isotope coefficient. Nous présentons une étude simultanée d'effet isotopique sur la transition supraconductrice et les spectres Raman dans le supraconducteur organique β_H-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 (T_c = 8 K). Pour cela, nous avons synthétisé le composé dans lequel les atomes de carbone de la double liaison centrale de la molécule BEDT-TTF sont substitués par l'isotope ^{13}C. Les déplacements isotopiques mesurés par spectroscopie Raman sont bien expliqués par la dynamique moléculaire standard. Cependant, la température critique est abaissée de 0.2 K dans le matériau enrichi en ^{13}C. Nous étudions les origines possibles de cet effet qui permet d'obtenir un coefficient isotopique supérieur à la valeur BCS. Des calculs de la densité d'états effectués par la méthode de Hückel étendue pour les deux bandes HOMO du composé montrent que, dans le cadre d'une théorie de couplage faible, son importante variation à l'échelle de ω_D ne peut expliquer l'effet observé. D'autre part, nous expliquons comment la diffusion électronique inélastique observée en résistivité juste au-dessus de T_c peut conduire via un mécanisme de brisure de paires, à une augmentation significative du coefficient isotopique.

Les recommandations thérapeutiques relatives aux effets secondaires extrapyramidaux associés à l’utilisation d’antipsychotiques de deuxième génération chez les enfants et les adolescents

PubMed Central

Pringsheim, Tamara; Doja, Asif; Belanger, Stacey; Patten, Scott

2012-01-01

HISTORIQUE ET OBJECTIF : L’utilisation d’antipsychotiques augmente chez les enfants. Le présent article visait à orienter les cliniciens quant à la prise en charge clinique des effets secondaires extrapyramidaux des antipsychotiques de deuxième génération. MÉTHODOLOGIE : Les publications, les entrevues avec des informateurs clés et des échanges avec les membres d’un groupe de discussion et les partenaires ont permis de déterminer les principaux secteurs cliniques d’orientation et les préférences quant à la structure des présentes recommandations. Les membres responsables des lignes directrices ont reçu le projet de recommandations, ont évalué l’information recueillie grâce à une analyse bibliographique systématique et ont utilisé un processus de groupe nominal pour parvenir à un consensus quant aux recommandations thérapeutiques. Les lignes directrices contiennent une description des anomalies neurologiques souvent observées avec l’utilisation d’antipsychotiques ainsi que les recommandations sur le moyen d’examiner et de quantifier ces anomalies. Une démarche séquentielle sur la prise en charge des anomalies neurologiques est présentée. RÉSULTATS : On peut observer plusieurs types de symptômes extrapyramidaux attribuables à l’utilisation d’antipsychotiques chez les enfants, y compris la dystonie aiguë, l’akathisie, le parkinsonisme et la dyskinésie tardive, toutes induites par les neuroleptiques, de même que la dystonie tardive, l’akathisie tardive et les dyskinésies de sevrage. La forte majorité des données probantes sur le traitement des troubles du mouvement induits par les antipsychotiques proviennent de patients adultes atteints de schizophrénie. Étant donné le peu de données pédiatriques, les recommandations découlent de publications portant tant sur des adultes que sur des enfants. Compte tenu des limites de généralisation des données provenant de sujets adultes pour des enfants, il faudrait évaluer ces recommandations d’après les avis d’experts plutôt que d’après les données probantes. CONCLUSION : Les cliniciens doivent savoir que les antipsychotiques de deuxième génération ont le potentiel d’induire des effets secondaires neurologiques et devraient faire preuve d’une extrême vigilance lorsqu’ils en prescrivent. PMID:24082814

On the spatial dynamics and oscillatory behavior of a predator-prey model based on cellular automata and local particle swarm optimization.

PubMed

Molina, Mario Martínez; Moreno-Armendáriz, Marco A; Carlos Seck Tuoh Mora, Juan

2013-11-07

A two-dimensional lattice model based on Cellular Automata theory and swarm intelligence is used to study the spatial and population dynamics of a theoretical ecosystem. It is found that the social interactions among predators provoke the formation of clusters, and that by increasing the mobility of predators the model enters into an oscillatory behavior. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

From single cells to tissue architecture-a bottom-up approach to modelling the spatio-temporal organisation of complex multi-cellular systems.

PubMed

Galle, J; Hoffmann, M; Aust, G

2009-01-01

Collective phenomena in multi-cellular assemblies can be approached on different levels of complexity. Here, we discuss a number of mathematical models which consider the dynamics of each individual cell, so-called agent-based or individual-based models (IBMs). As a special feature, these models allow to account for intracellular decision processes which are triggered by biomechanical cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions. We discuss their impact on the growth and homeostasis of multi-cellular systems as simulated by lattice-free models. Our results demonstrate that cell polarisation subsequent to cell-cell contact formation can be a source of stability in epithelial monolayers. Stroma contact-dependent regulation of tumour cell proliferation and migration is shown to result in invasion dynamics in accordance with the migrating cancer stem cell hypothesis. However, we demonstrate that different regulation mechanisms can equally well comply with present experimental results. Thus, we suggest a panel of experimental studies for the in-depth validation of the model assumptions.

Origami-based cellular metamaterial with auxetic, bistable, and self-locking properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamrava, Soroush; Mousanezhad, Davood; Ebrahimi, Hamid; Ghosh, Ranajay; Vaziri, Ashkan

2017-04-01

We present a novel cellular metamaterial constructed from Origami building blocks based on Miura-ori fold. The proposed cellular metamaterial exhibits unusual properties some of which stemming from the inherent properties of its Origami building blocks, and others manifesting due to its unique geometrical construction and architecture. These properties include foldability with two fully-folded configurations, auxeticity (i.e., negative Poisson’s ratio), bistability, and self-locking of Origami building blocks to construct load-bearing cellular metamaterials. The kinematics and force response of the cellular metamaterial during folding were studied to investigate the underlying mechanisms resulting in its unique properties using analytical modeling and experiments.

Origami-based cellular metamaterial with auxetic, bistable, and self-locking properties

PubMed Central

Kamrava, Soroush; Mousanezhad, Davood; Ebrahimi, Hamid; Ghosh, Ranajay; Vaziri, Ashkan

2017-01-01

We present a novel cellular metamaterial constructed from Origami building blocks based on Miura-ori fold. The proposed cellular metamaterial exhibits unusual properties some of which stemming from the inherent properties of its Origami building blocks, and others manifesting due to its unique geometrical construction and architecture. These properties include foldability with two fully-folded configurations, auxeticity (i.e., negative Poisson’s ratio), bistability, and self-locking of Origami building blocks to construct load-bearing cellular metamaterials. The kinematics and force response of the cellular metamaterial during folding were studied to investigate the underlying mechanisms resulting in its unique properties using analytical modeling and experiments. PMID:28387345

Phase separation and the formation of cellular bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Bin; Broedersz, Chase P.; Meir, Yigal; Wingreen, Ned S.

Cellular bodies in eukaryotic cells spontaneously assemble to form cellular compartments. Among other functions, these bodies carry out essential biochemical reactions. Cellular bodies form micron-sized structures, which, unlike canonical cell organelles, are not surrounded by membranes. A recent in vitro experiment has shown that phase separation of polymers in solution can explain the formation of cellular bodies. We constructed a lattice-polymer model to capture the essential mechanism leading to this phase separation. We used both analytical and numerical tools to predict the phase diagram of a system of two interacting polymers, including the concentration of each polymer type in the condensed and dilute phase.

Cellular structure of lean hydrogen flames in microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patnaik, G.; Kailasanath, K.

1990-01-01

Detailed, time-dependent, two-dimensional numerical simulations of premixed laminar flames have been used to study the initiation and subsequent development of cellular structures in lean hydrogen-air flames. The model includes detailed hydrogen-oxygen combustion with 24 elementary reactions of eight reactive species and a nitrogen diluent, molecular diffusion of all species, thermal conduction, viscosity, and convection. This model has been used to study the nonlinear evolution of cellular flame structure and shows that cell splitting, as observed in experiments, can be predicted numerically for sufficiently reactive mixtures. The structures that evolved also resembled the cellular structures observed in experiments. The present study shows that the 'cell-split limit' postulated from experimental observations is an intrinsic property of the mixture and that external factors such as heat losses are not necessary to cause this limit.

Cellular volume regulation and substrate stiffness modulate the detachment dynamics of adherent cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yuehua; Jiang, Hongyuan

2018-03-01

Quantitative characterizations of cell detachment are vital for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of cell adhesion. Experiments have found that cell detachment shows strong rate dependence, which is mostly attributed to the binding-unbinding kinetics of receptor-ligand bond. However, our recent study showed that the cellular volume regulation can significantly regulate the dynamics of adherent cell and cell detachment. How this cellular volume regulation contributes to the rate dependence of cell detachment remains elusive. Here, we systematically study the role of cellular volume regulation in the rate dependence of cell detachment by investigating the cell detachments of nonspecific adhesion and specific adhesion. We find that the cellular volume regulation and the bond kinetics dominate the rate dependence of cell detachment at different time scales. We further test the validity of the traditional Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) contact model and the detachment model developed by Wyart and Gennes et al (W-G model). When the cell volume is changeable, the JKR model is not appropriate for both the detachments of convex cells and concave cells. The W-G model is valid for the detachment of convex cells but is no longer applicable for the detachment of concave cells. Finally, we show that the rupture force of adherent cells is also highly sensitive to substrate stiffness, since an increase in substrate stiffness will lead to more associated bonds. These findings can provide insight into the critical role of cell volume in cell detachment and might have profound implications for other adhesion-related physiological processes.

Efficient Analysis of Systems Biology Markup Language Models of Cellular Populations Using Arrays.

PubMed

Watanabe, Leandro; Myers, Chris J

2016-08-19

The Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) has been widely used for modeling biological systems. Although SBML has been successful in representing a wide variety of biochemical models, the core standard lacks the structure for representing large complex regular systems in a standard way, such as whole-cell and cellular population models. These models require a large number of variables to represent certain aspects of these types of models, such as the chromosome in the whole-cell model and the many identical cell models in a cellular population. While SBML core is not designed to handle these types of models efficiently, the proposed SBML arrays package can represent such regular structures more easily. However, in order to take full advantage of the package, analysis needs to be aware of the arrays structure. When expanding the array constructs within a model, some of the advantages of using arrays are lost. This paper describes a more efficient way to simulate arrayed models. To illustrate the proposed method, this paper uses a population of repressilator and genetic toggle switch circuits as examples. Results show that there are memory benefits using this approach with a modest cost in runtime.

Toward an improvement over Kerner-Klenov-Wolf three-phase cellular automaton model.

PubMed

Jiang, Rui; Wu, Qing-Song

2005-12-01

The Kerner-Klenov-Wolf (KKW) three-phase cellular automaton model has a nonrealistic velocity of the upstream front in widening synchronized flow pattern which separates synchronized flow downstream and free flow upstream. This paper presents an improved model, which is a combination of the initial KKW model and a modified Nagel-Schreckenberg (MNS) model. In the improved KKW model, a parameter is introduced to determine the vehicle moves according to the MNS model or the initial KKW model. The improved KKW model can not only simulate the empirical observations as the initial KKW model, but also overcome the nonrealistic velocity problem. The mechanism of the improvement is discussed.

Genomic signal processing: from matrix algebra to genetic networks.

PubMed

Alter, Orly

2007-01-01

DNA microarrays make it possible, for the first time, to record the complete genomic signals that guide the progression of cellular processes. Future discovery in biology and medicine will come from the mathematical modeling of these data, which hold the key to fundamental understanding of life on the molecular level, as well as answers to questions regarding diagnosis, treatment, and drug development. This chapter reviews the first data-driven models that were created from these genome-scale data, through adaptations and generalizations of mathematical frameworks from matrix algebra that have proven successful in describing the physical world, in such diverse areas as mechanics and perception: the singular value decomposition model, the generalized singular value decomposition model comparative model, and the pseudoinverse projection integrative model. These models provide mathematical descriptions of the genetic networks that generate and sense the measured data, where the mathematical variables and operations represent biological reality. The variables, patterns uncovered in the data, correlate with activities of cellular elements such as regulators or transcription factors that drive the measured signals and cellular states where these elements are active. The operations, such as data reconstruction, rotation, and classification in subspaces of selected patterns, simulate experimental observation of only the cellular programs that these patterns represent. These models are illustrated in the analyses of RNA expression data from yeast and human during their cell cycle programs and DNA-binding data from yeast cell cycle transcription factors and replication initiation proteins. Two alternative pictures of RNA expression oscillations during the cell cycle that emerge from these analyses, which parallel well-known designs of physical oscillators, convey the capacity of the models to elucidate the design principles of cellular systems, as well as guide the design of synthetic ones. In these analyses, the power of the models to predict previously unknown biological principles is demonstrated with a prediction of a novel mechanism of regulation that correlates DNA replication initiation with cell cycle-regulated RNA transcription in yeast. These models may become the foundation of a future in which biological systems are modeled as physical systems are today.

Multiplicity of Mathematical Modeling Strategies to Search for Molecular and Cellular Insights into Bacteria Lung Infection

PubMed Central

Cantone, Martina; Santos, Guido; Wentker, Pia; Lai, Xin; Vera, Julio

2017-01-01

Even today two bacterial lung infections, namely pneumonia and tuberculosis, are among the 10 most frequent causes of death worldwide. These infections still lack effective treatments in many developing countries and in immunocompromised populations like infants, elderly people and transplanted patients. The interaction between bacteria and the host is a complex system of interlinked intercellular and the intracellular processes, enriched in regulatory structures like positive and negative feedback loops. Severe pathological condition can emerge when the immune system of the host fails to neutralize the infection. This failure can result in systemic spreading of pathogens or overwhelming immune response followed by a systemic inflammatory response. Mathematical modeling is a promising tool to dissect the complexity underlying pathogenesis of bacterial lung infection at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, and also at the interfaces among levels. In this article, we introduce mathematical and computational modeling frameworks that can be used for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial lung infection. Then, we compile and discuss published results on the modeling of regulatory pathways and cell populations relevant for lung infection and inflammation. Finally, we discuss how to make use of this multiplicity of modeling approaches to open new avenues in the search of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial infection in the lung. PMID:28912729

Multiplicity of Mathematical Modeling Strategies to Search for Molecular and Cellular Insights into Bacteria Lung Infection.

PubMed

Cantone, Martina; Santos, Guido; Wentker, Pia; Lai, Xin; Vera, Julio

2017-01-01

Even today two bacterial lung infections, namely pneumonia and tuberculosis, are among the 10 most frequent causes of death worldwide. These infections still lack effective treatments in many developing countries and in immunocompromised populations like infants, elderly people and transplanted patients. The interaction between bacteria and the host is a complex system of interlinked intercellular and the intracellular processes, enriched in regulatory structures like positive and negative feedback loops. Severe pathological condition can emerge when the immune system of the host fails to neutralize the infection. This failure can result in systemic spreading of pathogens or overwhelming immune response followed by a systemic inflammatory response. Mathematical modeling is a promising tool to dissect the complexity underlying pathogenesis of bacterial lung infection at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, and also at the interfaces among levels. In this article, we introduce mathematical and computational modeling frameworks that can be used for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial lung infection. Then, we compile and discuss published results on the modeling of regulatory pathways and cell populations relevant for lung infection and inflammation. Finally, we discuss how to make use of this multiplicity of modeling approaches to open new avenues in the search of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial infection in the lung.

Ilexsaponin A attenuates ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury through anti-apoptotic pathway.

PubMed

Zhang, Shuang-Wei; Liu, Yu; Wang, Fang; Qiang, Jiao; Liu, Pan; Zhang, Jun; Xu, Jin-Wen

2017-01-01

The protective effects of ilexsaponin A on ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury were investigated. Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model was established in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Myocardial injury was evaluated by TTC staining and myocardial marker enzyme leakage. The in vitro protective potential of Ilexsaponin A was assessed on hypoxia/reoxygenation cellular model in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Cellular viability and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT and TUNEL assay. Caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, bax, bcl-2, p-Akt and Akt protein expression levels were detected by western-blot. Ilexsaponin A treatment was able to attenuate the myocardial injury in ischemia/reperfusion model by reducing myocardial infarct size and lower the serum levels of LDH, AST and CK-MB. The in vitro study also showed that ilexsaponin A treatment could increase cellular viability and inhibit apoptosis in hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocytes. Proapoptotic proteins including caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 and bax were significantly reduced and anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 was significantly increased by ilexsaponin A treatment in hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocytes. Moreover, Ilexsaponin A treatment was able to increase the expression levels of p-Akt in hypoxia/reoxygenation cellular model and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion animal model. Coupled results from both in vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that Ilexsaponin A attenuates ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury through anti-apoptotic pathway.

The High Costs of Low-Grade Inflammation: Persistent Fatigue as a Consequence of Reduced Cellular-Energy Availability and Non-adaptive Energy Expenditure.

PubMed

Lacourt, Tamara E; Vichaya, Elisabeth G; Chiu, Gabriel S; Dantzer, Robert; Heijnen, Cobi J

2018-01-01

Chronic or persistent fatigue is a common, debilitating symptom of several diseases. Persistent fatigue has been associated with low-grade inflammation in several models of fatigue, including cancer-related fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it is unclear how low-grade inflammation leads to the experience of fatigue. We here propose a model of an imbalance in energy availability and energy expenditure as a consequence of low-grade inflammation. In this narrative review, we discuss how chronic low-grade inflammation can lead to reduced cellular-energy availability. Low-grade inflammation induces a metabolic switch from energy-efficient oxidative phosphorylation to fast-acting, but less efficient, aerobic glycolytic energy production; increases reactive oxygen species; and reduces insulin sensitivity. These effects result in reduced glucose availability and, thereby, reduced cellular energy. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with increased willingness to exert effort under specific circumstances. Circadian-rhythm changes and sleep disturbances might mediate the effects of inflammation on cellular-energy availability and non-adaptive energy expenditure. In the second part of the review, we present evidence for these metabolic pathways in models of persistent fatigue, focusing on chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer-related fatigue. Most evidence for reduced cellular-energy availability in relation to fatigue comes from studies on chronic fatigue syndrome. While the mechanistic evidence from the cancer-related fatigue literature is still limited, the sparse results point to reduced cellular-energy availability as well. There is also mounting evidence that behavioral-energy expenditure exceeds the reduced cellular-energy availability in patients with persistent fatigue. This suggests that an inability to adjust energy expenditure to available resources might be one mechanism underlying persistent fatigue.

The emergence of extracellular matrix mechanics and cell traction forces as important regulators of cellular self-organization.

PubMed

Checa, Sara; Rausch, Manuel K; Petersen, Ansgar; Kuhl, Ellen; Duda, Georg N

2015-01-01

Physical cues play a fundamental role in a wide range of biological processes, such as embryogenesis, wound healing, tumour invasion and connective tissue morphogenesis. Although it is well known that during these processes, cells continuously interact with the local extracellular matrix (ECM) through cell traction forces, the role of these mechanical interactions on large scale cellular and matrix organization remains largely unknown. In this study, we use a simple theoretical model to investigate cellular and matrix organization as a result of mechanical feedback signals between cells and the surrounding ECM. The model includes bi-directional coupling through cellular traction forces to deform the ECM and through matrix deformation to trigger cellular migration. In addition, we incorporate the mechanical contribution of matrix fibres and their reorganization by the cells. We show that a group of contractile cells will self-polarize at a large scale, even in homogeneous environments. In addition, our simulations mimic the experimentally observed alignment of cells in the direction of maximum stiffness and the building up of tension as a consequence of cell and fibre reorganization. Moreover, we demonstrate that cellular organization is tightly linked to the mechanical feedback loop between cells and matrix. Cells with a preference for stiff environments have a tendency to form chains, while cells with a tendency for soft environments tend to form clusters. The model presented here illustrates the potential of simple physical cues and their impact on cellular self-organization. It can be used in applications where cell-matrix interactions play a key role, such as in the design of tissue engineering scaffolds and to gain a basic understanding of pattern formation in organogenesis or tissue regeneration.

The High Costs of Low-Grade Inflammation: Persistent Fatigue as a Consequence of Reduced Cellular-Energy Availability and Non-adaptive Energy Expenditure

PubMed Central

Lacourt, Tamara E.; Vichaya, Elisabeth G.; Chiu, Gabriel S.; Dantzer, Robert; Heijnen, Cobi J.

2018-01-01

Chronic or persistent fatigue is a common, debilitating symptom of several diseases. Persistent fatigue has been associated with low-grade inflammation in several models of fatigue, including cancer-related fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it is unclear how low-grade inflammation leads to the experience of fatigue. We here propose a model of an imbalance in energy availability and energy expenditure as a consequence of low-grade inflammation. In this narrative review, we discuss how chronic low-grade inflammation can lead to reduced cellular-energy availability. Low-grade inflammation induces a metabolic switch from energy-efficient oxidative phosphorylation to fast-acting, but less efficient, aerobic glycolytic energy production; increases reactive oxygen species; and reduces insulin sensitivity. These effects result in reduced glucose availability and, thereby, reduced cellular energy. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with increased willingness to exert effort under specific circumstances. Circadian-rhythm changes and sleep disturbances might mediate the effects of inflammation on cellular-energy availability and non-adaptive energy expenditure. In the second part of the review, we present evidence for these metabolic pathways in models of persistent fatigue, focusing on chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer-related fatigue. Most evidence for reduced cellular-energy availability in relation to fatigue comes from studies on chronic fatigue syndrome. While the mechanistic evidence from the cancer-related fatigue literature is still limited, the sparse results point to reduced cellular-energy availability as well. There is also mounting evidence that behavioral-energy expenditure exceeds the reduced cellular-energy availability in patients with persistent fatigue. This suggests that an inability to adjust energy expenditure to available resources might be one mechanism underlying persistent fatigue. PMID:29755330

Evolution of Antibody-Drug Conjugate Tumor Disposition Model to Predict Preclinical Tumor Pharmacokinetics of Trastuzumab-Emtansine (T-DM1).

PubMed

Singh, Aman P; Maass, Katie F; Betts, Alison M; Wittrup, K Dane; Kulkarni, Chethana; King, Lindsay E; Khot, Antari; Shah, Dhaval K

2016-07-01

A mathematical model capable of accurately characterizing intracellular disposition of ADCs is essential for a priori predicting unconjugated drug concentrations inside the tumor. Towards this goal, the objectives of this manuscript were to: (1) evolve previously published cellular disposition model of ADC with more intracellular details to characterize the disposition of T-DM1 in different HER2 expressing cell lines, (2) integrate the improved cellular model with the ADC tumor disposition model to a priori predict DM1 concentrations in a preclinical tumor model, and (3) identify prominent pathways and sensitive parameters associated with intracellular activation of ADCs. The cellular disposition model was augmented by incorporating intracellular ADC degradation and passive diffusion of unconjugated drug across tumor cells. Different biomeasures and chemomeasures for T-DM1, quantified in the companion manuscript, were incorporated into the modified model of ADC to characterize in vitro pharmacokinetics of T-DM1 in three HER2+ cell lines. When the cellular model was integrated with the tumor disposition model, the model was able to a priori predict tumor DM1 concentrations in xenograft mice. Pathway analysis suggested different contribution of antigen-mediated and passive diffusion pathways for intracellular unconjugated drug exposure between in vitro and in vivo systems. Global and local sensitivity analyses revealed that non-specific deconjugation and passive diffusion of the drug across tumor cell membrane are key parameters for drug exposure inside a cell. Finally, a systems pharmacokinetic model for intracellular processing of ADCs has been proposed to highlight our current understanding about the determinants of ADC activation inside a cell.

Modeling the Land Use/Cover Change in an Arid Region Oasis City Constrained by Water Resource and Environmental Policy Change using Cellular Automata Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, X.; Li, X.; Lu, L.

2017-12-01

Land use/cover change (LUCC) is an important subject in the research of global environmental change and sustainable development, while spatial simulation on land use/cover change is one of the key content of LUCC and is also difficult due to the complexity of the system. The cellular automata (CA) model had an irreplaceable role in simulating of land use/cover change process due to the powerful spatial computing power. However, the majority of current CA land use/cover models were binary-state model that could not provide more general information about the overall spatial pattern of land use/cover change. Here, a multi-state logistic-regression-based Markov cellular automata (MLRMCA) model and a multi-state artificial-neural-network-based Markov cellular automata (MANNMCA) model were developed and were used to simulate complex land use/cover evolutionary process in an arid region oasis city constrained by water resource and environmental policy change, the Zhangye city during the period of 1990-2010. The results indicated that the MANNMCA model was superior to MLRMCA model in simulated accuracy. These indicated that by combining the artificial neural network with CA could more effectively capture the complex relationships between the land use/cover change and a set of spatial variables. Although the MLRMCA model were also some advantages, the MANNMCA model was more appropriate for simulating complex land use/cover dynamics. The two proposed models were effective and reliable, and could reflect the spatial evolution of regional land use/cover changes. These have also potential implications for the impact assessment of water resources, ecological restoration, and the sustainable urban development in arid areas.

A comprehensive model of the spatio-temporal stem cell and tissue organisation in the intestinal crypt.

PubMed

Buske, Peter; Galle, Jörg; Barker, Nick; Aust, Gabriela; Clevers, Hans; Loeffler, Markus

2011-01-06

We introduce a novel dynamic model of stem cell and tissue organisation in murine intestinal crypts. Integrating the molecular, cellular and tissue level of description, this model links a broad spectrum of experimental observations encompassing spatially confined cell proliferation, directed cell migration, multiple cell lineage decisions and clonal competition.Using computational simulations we demonstrate that the model is capable of quantitatively describing and predicting the dynamic behaviour of the intestinal tissue during steady state as well as after cell damage and following selective gain or loss of gene function manipulations affecting Wnt- and Notch-signalling. Our simulation results suggest that reversibility and flexibility of cellular decisions are key elements of robust tissue organisation of the intestine. We predict that the tissue should be able to fully recover after complete elimination of cellular subpopulations including subpopulations deemed to be functional stem cells. This challenges current views of tissue stem cell organisation.

Hysteresis in the Cell Response to Time-Dependent Substrate Stiffness

PubMed Central

Besser, Achim; Schwarz, Ulrich S.

2010-01-01

Abstract Mechanical cues like the rigidity of the substrate are main determinants for the decision-making of adherent cells. Here we use a mechano-chemical model to predict the cellular response to varying substrate stiffnesses. The model equations combine the mechanics of contractile actin filament bundles with a model for the Rho-signaling pathway triggered by forces at cell-matrix contacts. A bifurcation analysis of cellular contractility as a function of substrate stiffness reveals a bistable response, thus defining a lower threshold of stiffness, below which cells are not able to build up contractile forces, and an upper threshold of stiffness, above which cells are always in a strongly contracted state. Using the full dynamical model, we predict that rate-dependent hysteresis will occur in the cellular traction forces when cells are exposed to substrates of time-dependent stiffness. PMID:20655823

A High-Performance Cellular Automaton Model of Tumor Growth with Dynamically Growing Domains

PubMed Central

Poleszczuk, Jan; Enderling, Heiko

2014-01-01

Tumor growth from a single transformed cancer cell up to a clinically apparent mass spans many spatial and temporal orders of magnitude. Implementation of cellular automata simulations of such tumor growth can be straightforward but computing performance often counterbalances simplicity. Computationally convenient simulation times can be achieved by choosing appropriate data structures, memory and cell handling as well as domain setup. We propose a cellular automaton model of tumor growth with a domain that expands dynamically as the tumor population increases. We discuss memory access, data structures and implementation techniques that yield high-performance multi-scale Monte Carlo simulations of tumor growth. We discuss tumor properties that favor the proposed high-performance design and present simulation results of the tumor growth model. We estimate to which parameters the model is the most sensitive, and show that tumor volume depends on a number of parameters in a non-monotonic manner. PMID:25346862

Quantitative Analysis of Intra Urban Growth Modeling using socio economic agents by combining cellular automata model with agent based model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, V. K.; Jha, A. K.; Gupta, K.; Srivastav, S. K.

2017-12-01

Recent studies indicate that there is a significant improvement in the urban land use dynamics through modeling at finer spatial resolutions. Geo-computational models such as cellular automata and agent based model have given evident proof regarding the quantification of the urban growth pattern with urban boundary. In recent studies, socio- economic factors such as demography, education rate, household density, parcel price of the current year, distance to road, school, hospital, commercial centers and police station are considered to the major factors influencing the Land Use Land Cover (LULC) pattern of the city. These factors have unidirectional approach to land use pattern which makes it difficult to analyze the spatial aspects of model results both quantitatively and qualitatively. In this study, cellular automata model is combined with generic model known as Agent Based Model to evaluate the impact of socio economic factors on land use pattern. For this purpose, Dehradun an Indian city is selected as a case study. Socio economic factors were collected from field survey, Census of India, Directorate of economic census, Uttarakhand, India. A 3X3 simulating window is used to consider the impact on LULC. Cellular automata model results are examined for the identification of hot spot areas within the urban area and agent based model will be using logistic based regression approach where it will identify the correlation between each factor on LULC and classify the available area into low density, medium density, high density residential or commercial area. In the modeling phase, transition rule, neighborhood effect, cell change factors are used to improve the representation of built-up classes. Significant improvement is observed in the built-up classes from 84 % to 89 %. However after incorporating agent based model with cellular automata model the accuracy improved from 89 % to 94 % in 3 classes of urban i.e. low density, medium density and commercial classes. Sensitivity study of the model indicated that southern and south-west part of the city have shown improvement and small patches of growth are also observed in the north western part of the city.The study highlights the growing importance of socio economic factors and geo-computational modeling approach on changing LULC of newly growing cities of modern India.

Cellular interface morphologies in directional solidification. III - The effects of heat transfer and solid diffusivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ungar, Lyle H.; Bennett, Mark J.; Brown, Robert A.

1985-01-01

The shape and stability of two-dimensional finite-amplitude cellular interfaces arising during directional solidification are compared for several solidification models that account differently for latent heat released at the interface, unequal thermal conductivities of melt and solid, and solute diffusivity in the solid. Finite-element analysis and computer-implemented perturbation methods are used to analyze the families of steadily growing cellular forms that evolve from the planar state. In all models a secondary bifurcation between different families of finite-amplitude cells exists that halves the spatial wavelength of the stable interface. The quantitative location of this transition is very dependent on the details of the model. Large amounts of solute diffusion in the solid retard the growth of large-amplitude cells.

Multiaxial behavior of foams - Experiments and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maheo, Laurent; Guérard, Sandra; Rio, Gérard; Donnard, Adrien; Viot, Philippe

2015-09-01

Cellular materials are strongly related to pressure level inside the material. It is therefore important to use experiments which can highlight (i) the pressure-volume behavior, (ii) the shear-shape behavior for different pressure level. Authors propose to use hydrostatic compressive, shear and combined pressure-shear tests to determine cellular materials behavior. Finite Element Modeling must take into account these behavior specificities. Authors chose to use a behavior law with a Hyperelastic, a Viscous and a Hysteretic contributions. Specific developments has been performed on the Hyperelastic one by separating the spherical and the deviatoric part to take into account volume change and shape change characteristics of cellular materials.

Cellular interface morphologies in directional solidification. II - The effect of grain boundaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ungar, Lyle H.; Brown, Robert A.

1984-01-01

A singular perturbation analysis valid for small grain-boundary slopes is used with the one-sided model for solidification to show that grain boundaries introduce imperfections into the symmetry of the developing cellular interfaces which rupture the junction between the family of planar shapes and the bifurcating cellular families. Undulating interfaces are shown to develop first near grain boundaries, and to evolve with decreasing temperature gradient either by a smooth transition from the almost planar family or by a sudden jump to moderate-amplitude cellular forms, depending on the growth rate.

Cellular solidification in a monotectic system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaukler, W. F.; Curreri, P. A.

1987-01-01

Succinonitrile-glycerol, SN-G, transparent organic monotectic alloy is studied with particular attention to cellular growth. The phase diagram is determined, near the monotectic composition, with greater accuracy than previous studies. A solidification interface stability diagram is determined for planar growth. The planar-to-cellular transition is compared to predictions from the Burton, Primm, Schlichter theory. A new technique to determine the solute segregation by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is developed. Proposed models that involve the cellular interface for alignment of monotectic second-phase spheres or rods are compared with observations.

Alternative Ways to Think about Cellular Internal Ribosome Entry*

PubMed Central

Gilbert, Wendy V.

2010-01-01

Internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) are specialized mRNA elements that allow recruitment of eukaryotic ribosomes to naturally uncapped mRNAs or to capped mRNAs under conditions in which cap-dependent translation is inhibited. Putative cellular IRESs have been proposed to play crucial roles in stress responses, development, apoptosis, cell cycle control, and neuronal function. However, most of the evidence for cellular IRES activity rests on bicistronic reporter assays, the reliability of which has been questioned. Here, the mechanisms underlying cap-independent translation of cellular mRNAs and the contributions of such translation to cellular protein synthesis are discussed. I suggest that the division of cellular mRNAs into mutually exclusive categories of “cap-dependent” and “IRES-dependent” should be reconsidered and that the implications of cellular IRES activity need to be incorporated into our models of cap-dependent initiation. PMID:20576611

Stair evacuation simulation based on cellular automata considering evacuees’ walk preferences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Ning; Zhang, Hui; Chen, Tao; Peter, B. Luh

2015-06-01

As a physical model, the cellular automata (CA) model is widely used in many areas, such as stair evacuation. However, existing CA models do not consider evacuees’ walk preferences nor psychological status, and the structure of the basic model is unapplicable for the stair structure. This paper is to improve the stair evacuation simulation by addressing these issues, and a new cellular automata model is established. Several evacuees’ walk preference and how evacuee’s psychology influences their behaviors are introduced into this model. Evacuees’ speeds will be influenced by these features. To validate this simulation, two fire drills held in two high-rise buildings are video-recorded. It is found that the simulation results are similar to the fire drill results. The structure of this model is simple, and it is easy to further develop and utilize in different buildings with various kinds of occupants. Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2012CB719705) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 91224008, 91024032, and 71373139).

Immunological tools for the assessment of both humoral and cellular immune responses in Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) using ovalbumin and cholera toxin B as an antigenic model.

PubMed

Rolland-Turner, Magali; Farre, Guillaume; Muller, Delphine; Rouet, Nelly; Boue, Franck

2004-10-22

The immune response in the fox (Vulpes vulpes), despite the success of the oral rabies vaccine is not well characterized, and specific immunological tools are needed. To investigate both the humoral and cellular immune response, we used ovalbumin (OVA) and cholera toxin B (CTB) as an antigenic model to set-up ELISA and ELISPOT antibodies secreting cells (ASC) assays in the fox model. Identification of antibodies that cross-react with fox immunoglobulin was performed by Western blot, and their use was adapted for both the ELISA and ELISPOT ASC assay. The humoral and cellular specific immune responses were assessed after intra-muscular or intra-nasal immunization. Intra-muscular immunization resulted in the development of both cellular and humoral anti-OVA and anti-CTB responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Immunization via the intra-nasal route resulted in the development of a cellular and humoral response against CTB in PBMCs. This immune response was confirmed using splenocytes from immunized animals by ELISPOT assay at euthanasia. Females immunized via the intra-nasal route developed specific anti-CTB IgM, IgA and IgG in vaginal fluids after the initial boost (day 26) showing that mucosal immunization produces a vaginal immune response in foxes. These immunological tools developed here are now available to be adapted to other antigenic models to facilitate further immune studies in foxes.

Modeling cell adhesion and proliferation: a cellular-automata based approach.

PubMed

Vivas, J; Garzón-Alvarado, D; Cerrolaza, M

Cell adhesion is a process that involves the interaction between the cell membrane and another surface, either a cell or a substrate. Unlike experimental tests, computer models can simulate processes and study the result of experiments in a shorter time and lower costs. One of the tools used to simulate biological processes is the cellular automata, which is a dynamic system that is discrete both in space and time. This work describes a computer model based on cellular automata for the adhesion process and cell proliferation to predict the behavior of a cell population in suspension and adhered to a substrate. The values of the simulated system were obtained through experimental tests on fibroblast monolayer cultures. The results allow us to estimate the cells settling time in culture as well as the adhesion and proliferation time. The change in the cells morphology as the adhesion over the contact surface progress was also observed. The formation of the initial link between cell and the substrate of the adhesion was observed after 100 min where the cell on the substrate retains its spherical morphology during the simulation. The cellular automata model developed is, however, a simplified representation of the steps in the adhesion process and the subsequent proliferation. A combined framework of experimental and computational simulation based on cellular automata was proposed to represent the fibroblast adhesion on substrates and changes in a macro-scale observed in the cell during the adhesion process. The approach showed to be simple and efficient.

Measurement of the Carbon Isotopic Composition of Methane Using Helicoidal Laser Eigenstates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacob, D.; Le Floch, A.; Bretenaker, F.; Guenot, P.

1996-06-01

The spatially generalized Jones matrix formalism is used to design a laser cavity to make intracavity measurements of the carbon isotopic composition of methane. the method is based on a double optical lever effect for helicoidally polarized eigenstates, permitting to measure successively the ^{12}CH_4 and ^{13}CH_4 concentrations. To choose the probed isotope, one simply tunes the frequency of the laser by Zeeman effect. The experiment exhibits a good agreement with the predictions and permits to measure the ^{13}CH4/^{12}CH_4 composition ratio of methane with an uncertainty of the order of ± 0.07% for a sample containing only 6× 10^{-9} mole of methane. On utilise le formalisme des matrices de Jones généralisées spatialement pour concevoir une cavité laser permettant la mesure intra-cavité de la composition isotopique du carbone présent dans le méthane. La méthode est fondée sur une double application de l'effet de levier optique pour les états propres hélicoïdaux, permettant de mesurer successivement les concentrations de ^{12}CH_4 et de ^{13}CH_4. Pour passer d'un isotope à l'autre, on ajuste simplement la fréquence du laser par effet Zeeman. L'expérience est en bon accord avec les prédictions et permet d'effectuer la mesure du rapport isotopique ^{13}CH4/^{12}CH_4 avec une fourchette d'incertitude de ± 0,07% pour des échantillons de gaz ne contenant que 6× 10^{-9} mole de méthane.

Propriétés électriques d'hétérostructures a-GaAs/c-GaAs(n) et de structures de type MIS a-GaAsN/c-GaAs(n)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguir, K.; Fennouh, A.; Carchano, H.; Lollman, D.

1995-10-01

Heterojunctions were fabricated by deposit of amorphous GaAs and GaAsN on c-GaAs. I(V) and C(V) measurements were performed to determine electrical properties of these structures. The a-GaAs/c-GaAs(n) heterojunctions present a p-n junction like behaviour. The characteristics of the a-GaAsN/c-GaAs(n) heterojunctions present a MIS like structure behaviour with some imperfections. A fixed positive charge was detected and a density of interface states of about 10^{11} eV^{-1}cm^{-2} was evaluated. L'étude porte sur des couches minces de GaAs et de GaAsN amorphes déposées par pulvérisation cathodique RF réactive sur des substrats de GaAs cristallin. Les caractéristiques électriques I(V) et C(V) ont été mesurées. Les hétérojonctions a-GaAs/c-GaAs(n) présentent un effet redresseur. Cet effet laisse place à une caractéristique symétrique avec une forte atténuation de l'intensité du courant pour les structures a-GaAsN/cGaAs(n). Les structures réalisées ont alors un comportement semblable à celui d'une structure MIS imparfaite. L'existence d'une charge positive fixe dans le a-GaAsN a été mise en évidence. La densité des états d'interface au milieu de la bande interdite est évaluée à quelques 10^{11} cm^{-2}eV^{-1}.

PubMed

Black, Amanda; Guilbert, Edith; Costescu, Dustin; Dunn, Sheila; Fisher, William; Kives, Sari; Mirosh, Melissa; Norman, Wendy V; Pymar, Helen; Reid, Robert; Roy, Geneviève; Varto, Hannah; Waddington, Ashley; Wagner, Marie-Soleil; Whelan, Anne Marie

2017-04-01

Mettre à la disposition des fournisseurs de soins des lignes directrices concernant le recours à des méthodes contraceptives pour prévenir la grossesse et la promotion d'une sexualité saine. Efficacité globale des méthodes contraceptives citées : évaluation de l'innocuité, des effets indésirables et de la baisse du taux de grossesse; effet des méthodes contraceptives citées sur la santé sexuelle et le bien-être général; disponibilité des méthodes contraceptives citées au Canada. RéSULTATS: Des recherches ont été effectuées dans MEDLINE et la base de données Cochrane afin d'en tirer les articles en anglais publiés entre janvier 1994 et décembre 2015 traitant de sujets liés à la contraception, à la sexualité et à la santé sexuelle, dans le but de mettre à jour le consensus canadien sur la contraception paru de février à avril 2004. Nous avons également passé en revue les publications pertinentes du gouvernement canadien, ainsi que les déclarations de principes issues d'organisations compétentes vouées à la santé et à la planification familiale. La qualité des résultats a été évaluée au moyen des critères décrits par le Groupe d'étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs. Les recommandations quant à la pratique sont classées en fonction de la méthode décrite dans le rapport du Groupe. DéCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES: RECOMMANDATIONS. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Mosquito population dynamics from cellular automata-based simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syafarina, Inna; Sadikin, Rifki; Nuraini, Nuning

2016-02-01

In this paper we present an innovative model for simulating mosquito-vector population dynamics. The simulation consist of two stages: demography and dispersal dynamics. For demography simulation, we follow the existing model for modeling a mosquito life cycles. Moreover, we use cellular automata-based model for simulating dispersal of the vector. In simulation, each individual vector is able to move to other grid based on a random walk. Our model is also capable to represent immunity factor for each grid. We simulate the model to evaluate its correctness. Based on the simulations, we can conclude that our model is correct. However, our model need to be improved to find a realistic parameters to match real data.

Myokit: A simple interface to cardiac cellular electrophysiology.

PubMed

Clerx, Michael; Collins, Pieter; de Lange, Enno; Volders, Paul G A

2016-01-01

Myokit is a new powerful and versatile software tool for modeling and simulation of cardiac cellular electrophysiology. Myokit consists of an easy-to-read modeling language, a graphical user interface, single and multi-cell simulation engines and a library of advanced analysis tools accessible through a Python interface. Models can be loaded from Myokit's native file format or imported from CellML. Model export is provided to C, MATLAB, CellML, CUDA and OpenCL. Patch-clamp data can be imported and used to estimate model parameters. In this paper, we review existing tools to simulate the cardiac cellular action potential to find that current tools do not cater specifically to model development and that there is a gap between easy-to-use but limited software and powerful tools that require strong programming skills from their users. We then describe Myokit's capabilities, focusing on its model description language, simulation engines and import/export facilities in detail. Using three examples, we show how Myokit can be used for clinically relevant investigations, multi-model testing and parameter estimation in Markov models, all with minimal programming effort from the user. This way, Myokit bridges a gap between performance, versatility and user-friendliness. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mutual information and the fidelity of response of gene regulatory models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabbaa, Omar P.; Jayaprakash, C.

2014-08-01

We investigate cellular response to extracellular signals by using information theory techniques motivated by recent experiments. We present results for the steady state of the following gene regulatory models found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: a linear transcription-translation model and a positive or negative auto-regulatory model. We calculate both the information capacity and the mutual information exactly for simple models and approximately for the full model. We find that (1) small changes in mutual information can lead to potentially important changes in cellular response and (2) there are diminishing returns in the fidelity of response as the mutual information increases. We calculate the information capacity using Gillespie simulations of a model for the TNF-α-NF-κ B network and find good agreement with the measured value for an experimental realization of this network. Our results provide a quantitative understanding of the differences in cellular response when comparing experimentally measured mutual information values of different gene regulatory models. Our calculations demonstrate that Gillespie simulations can be used to compute the mutual information of more complex gene regulatory models, providing a potentially useful tool in synthetic biology.

Transport of fluid and solutes in the body I. Formulation of a mathematical model.

PubMed

Gyenge, C C; Bowen, B D; Reed, R K; Bert, J L

1999-09-01

A compartmental model of short-term whole body fluid, protein, and ion distribution and transport is formulated. The model comprises four compartments: a vascular and an interstitial compartment, each with an embedded cellular compartment. The present paper discusses the assumptions on which the model is based and describes the equations that make up the model. Fluid and protein transport parameters from a previously validated model as well as ionic exchange parameters from the literature or from statistical estimation [see companion paper: C. C. Gyenge, B. D. Bowen, R. K. Reed, and J. L. Bert. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 46): H1228-H1240, 1999] are used in formulating the model. The dynamic model has the ability to simulate 1) transport across the capillary membrane of fluid, proteins, and small ions and their distribution between the vascular and interstitial compartments; 2) the changes in extracellular osmolarity; 3) the distribution and transport of water and ions associated with each of the cellular compartments; 4) the cellular transmembrane potential; and 5) the changes of volume in the four fluid compartments. The validation and testing of the proposed model against available experimental data are presented in the companion paper.

Driving mechanisms of passive and active transport across cellular membranes as the mechanisms of cell metabolism and development as well as the mechanisms of cellular distance reactions on hormonal expression and the immune response.

PubMed

Ponisovskiy, M R

2011-01-01

The article presents mechanisms of cell metabolism, cell development, cell activity, and maintenance of cellular stability. The literature is reviewed from the point of view of these concepts. The balance between anabolic and catabolic processes induces chemical potentials in the extracellular and intracellular media. The chemical potentials of these media are defined as the driving forces of both passive and active transport of substances across cellular membranes. The driving forces of substance transport across cellular membranes as in cellular metabolism and in immune responses and hormonal expressions are considered in the biochemical and biophysical models, reflecting the mechanisms for maintenance of stability of the internal medium and internal energy of an organism. The interactions of passive transport and active transport of substances across cellular walls promote cell proliferation, as well as the mechanism of cellular capacitors, promoting remote reactions across distance for hormonal expression and immune responses. The offered concept of cellular capacitors has given the possibility to explain the mechanism of remote responses of cells to new situations, resulting in the appearance of additional agents. The biophysical model develops an explanation of some cellular functions: cellular membrane action have been identified with capacitor action, based on the similarity of the structures and as well as on similarity of biophysical properties of electric data that confirm the action of the compound-specific interactions of cells within an organism, promoting hormonal expressions and immune responses to stabilize the thermodynamic system of an organism. Comparison of a cellular membrane action to a capacitor has given the possibility for the explanations of exocytosis and endocytosis mechanisms, internalization of the receptor-ligand complex, selection as a receptor reaction to a ligand by immune responses or hormonal effects, reflecting cellular distance reactions on the hormonal expressions, immune responses, and specificity of the mechanisms of immune reactions. Reviewing current research of cell activity, explanations are presented of mechanisms of apoptosis, autophagy, hormonal expression, and immune responses from the point of view of described cellular mechanisms. Thermodynamic laws are used to confirm the importance of the actions of these mechanisms for maintenance of stability of the internal medium and internal energy of an organism.

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PHYSICS AND RELATED AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Noise effect in metabolic networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zheng-Yan; Xie, Zheng-Wei; Chen, Tong; Ouyang, Qi

2009-12-01

Constraint-based models such as flux balance analysis (FBA) are a powerful tool to study biological metabolic networks. Under the hypothesis that cells operate at an optimal growth rate as the result of evolution and natural selection, this model successfully predicts most cellular behaviours in growth rate. However, the model ignores the fact that cells can change their cellular metabolic states during evolution, leaving optimal metabolic states unstable. Here, we consider all the cellular processes that change metabolic states into a single term 'noise', and assume that cells change metabolic states by randomly walking in feasible solution space. By simulating a state of a cell randomly walking in the constrained solution space of metabolic networks, we found that in a noisy environment cells in optimal states tend to travel away from these points. On considering the competition between the noise effect and the growth effect in cell evolution, we found that there exists a trade-off between these two effects. As a result, the population of the cells contains different cellular metabolic states, and the population growth rate is at suboptimal states.

Multiscale modelling of Flow-Induced Blood Cell Damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yaling; Sohrabi, Salman

2017-11-01

We study red blood cell (RBC) damage and hemolysis at cellular level. Under high shear rates, pores form on RBC membranes through which hemoglobin (Hb) leaks out and increases free Hb content of plasma leading to hemolysis. By coupling lattice Boltzmann and spring connected network models through immersed boundary method, we estimate hemolysis of a single RBC under various shear rates. The developed cellular damage model can be used as a predictive tool for hydrodynamic and hematologic design optimization of blood-wetting medical devices.

Simulation Based Optimization of Complex Monolithic Composite Structures Using Cellular Core Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hickmott, Curtis W.

Cellular core tooling is a new technology which has the capability to manufacture complex integrated monolithic composite structures. This novel tooling method utilizes thermoplastic cellular cores as inner tooling. The semi-rigid nature of the cellular cores makes them convenient for lay-up, and under autoclave temperature and pressure they soften and expand providing uniform compaction on all surfaces including internal features such as ribs and spar tubes. This process has the capability of developing fully optimized aerospace structures by reducing or eliminating assembly using fasteners or bonded joints. The technology is studied in the context of evaluating its capabilities, advantages, and limitations in developing high quality structures. The complex nature of these parts has led to development of a model using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software Abaqus and the plug-in COMPRO Common Component Architecture (CCA) provided by Convergent Manufacturing Technologies. This model utilizes a "virtual autoclave" technique to simulate temperature profiles, resin flow paths, and ultimately deformation from residual stress. A model has been developed simulating the temperature profile during curing of composite parts made with the cellular core technology. While modeling of composites has been performed in the past, this project will look to take this existing knowledge and apply it to this new manufacturing method capable of building more complex parts and develop a model designed specifically for building large, complex components with a high degree of accuracy. The model development has been carried out in conjunction with experimental validation. A double box beam structure was chosen for analysis to determine the effects of the technology on internal ribs and joints. Double box beams were manufactured and sectioned into T-joints for characterization. Mechanical behavior of T-joints was performed using the T-joint pull-off test and compared to traditional tooling methods. Components made with the cellular core tooling method showed an improved strength at the joints. It is expected that this knowledge will help optimize the processing of complex, integrated structures and benefit applications in aerospace where lighter, structurally efficient components would be advantageous.

Traffic prediction using wireless cellular networks : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-03-01

The major objective of this project is to obtain traffic information from existing wireless : infrastructure. : In this project freeway traffic is identified and modeled using data obtained from existing : wireless cellular networks. Most of the prev...

Model-based design of experiments for cellular processes.

PubMed

Chakrabarty, Ankush; Buzzard, Gregery T; Rundell, Ann E

2013-01-01

Model-based design of experiments (MBDOE) assists in the planning of highly effective and efficient experiments. Although the foundations of this field are well-established, the application of these techniques to understand cellular processes is a fertile and rapidly advancing area as the community seeks to understand ever more complex cellular processes and systems. This review discusses the MBDOE paradigm along with applications and challenges within the context of cellular processes and systems. It also provides a brief tutorial on Fisher information matrix (FIM)-based and Bayesian experiment design methods along with an overview of existing software packages and computational advances that support MBDOE application and adoption within the Systems Biology community. As cell-based products and biologics progress into the commercial sector, it is anticipated that MBDOE will become an essential practice for design, quality control, and production. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tetraspanin CD37 contributes to the initiation of cellular immunity by promoting dendritic cell migration.

PubMed

Gartlan, Kate H; Wee, Janet L; Demaria, Maria C; Nastovska, Roza; Chang, Tsz Man; Jones, Eleanor L; Apostolopoulos, Vasso; Pietersz, Geoffrey A; Hickey, Michael J; van Spriel, Annemiek B; Wright, Mark D

2013-05-01

Previous studies on the role of the tetraspanin CD37 in cellular immunity appear contradictory. In vitro approaches indicate a negative regulatory role, whereas in vivo studies suggest that CD37 is necessary for optimal cellular responses. To resolve this discrepancy, we studied the adaptive cellular immune responses of CD37(-/-) mice to intradermal challenge with either tumors or model antigens and found that CD37 is essential for optimal cell-mediated immunity. We provide evidence that an increased susceptibility to tumors observed in CD37(-/-) mice coincides with a striking failure to induce antigen-specific IFN-γ-secreting T cells. We also show that CD37 ablation impairs several aspects of DC function including: in vivo migration from skin to draining lymph nodes; chemo-tactic migration; integrin-mediated adhesion under flow; the ability to spread and form actin protrusions and in vivo priming of adoptively transferred naïve T cells. In addition, multiphoton microscopy-based assessment of dermal DC migration demonstrated a reduced rate of migration and increased randomness of DC migration in CD37(-/-) mice. Together, these studies are consistent with a model in which the cellular defect that underlies poor cellular immune induction in CD37(-/-) mice is impaired DC migration. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Determination of cellular strains by combined atomic force microscopy and finite element modeling.

PubMed Central

Charras, Guillaume T; Horton, Mike A

2002-01-01

Many organs adapt to their mechanical environment as a result of physiological change or disease. Cells are both the detectors and effectors of this process. Though many studies have been performed in vitro to investigate the mechanisms of detection and adaptation to mechanical strains, the cellular strains remain unknown and results from different stimulation techniques cannot be compared. By combining experimental determination of cell profiles and elasticities by atomic force microscopy with finite element modeling and computational fluid dynamics, we report the cellular strain distributions exerted by common whole-cell straining techniques and from micromanipulation techniques, hence enabling their comparison. Using data from our own analyses and experiments performed by others, we examine the threshold of activation for different signal transduction processes and the strain components that they may detect. We show that modulating cell elasticity, by increasing the F-actin content of the cytoskeleton, or cellular Poisson ratio are good strategies to resist fluid shear or hydrostatic pressure. We report that stray fluid flow in some substrate-stretch systems elicits significant cellular strains. In conclusion, this technique shows promise in furthering our understanding of the interplay among mechanical forces, strain detection, gene expression, and cellular adaptation in physiology and disease. PMID:12124270

Dynamic Finite Element Predictions for Mars Sample Return Cellular Impact Test #4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fasanella, Edwin L.; Billings, Marcus D.

2001-01-01

The nonlinear finite element program MSC.Dytran was used to predict the impact pulse for (he drop test of an energy absorbing cellular structure. This pre-test simulation was performed to aid in the design of an energy absorbing concept for a highly reliable passive Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that will directly impact the Earth without a parachute. In addition, a goal of the simulation was to bound the acceleration pulse produced and delivered to the simulated space cargo container. EEV's are designed to return materials from asteroids, comets, or planets for laboratory analysis on Earth. The EEV concept uses an energy absorbing cellular structure designed to contain and limit the acceleration of space exploration samples during Earth impact. The spherical shaped cellular structure is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid graphite-epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Space samples fit inside a smaller sphere at the enter of the EEV's cellular structure. The material models and failure criteria were varied to determine their effect on the resulting acceleration pulse. Pre-test analytical predictions using MSC.Dytran were compared with the test results obtained from impact test #4 using bungee accelerator located at the NASA Langley Research Center Impact Dynamics Research Facility. The material model used to represent the foam and the proper failure criteria for the cell walls were critical in predicting the impact loads of the cellular structure. It was determined that a FOAMI model for the foam and a 20% failure strain criteria for the cell walls gave an accurate prediction of the acceleration pulse for drop test #4.

Multi-scale continuum modeling of biological processes: from molecular electro-diffusion to sub-cellular signaling transduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Y.; Kekenes-Huskey, P.; Hake, J. E.; Holst, M. J.; McCammon, J. A.; Michailova, A. P.

2012-01-01

This paper presents a brief review of multi-scale modeling at the molecular to cellular scale, with new results for heart muscle cells. A finite element-based simulation package (SMOL) was used to investigate the signaling transduction at molecular and sub-cellular scales (http://mccammon.ucsd.edu/smol/, http://FETK.org) by numerical solution of the time-dependent Smoluchowski equations and a reaction-diffusion system. At the molecular scale, SMOL has yielded experimentally validated estimates of the diffusion-limited association rates for the binding of acetylcholine to mouse acetylcholinesterase using crystallographic structural data. The predicted rate constants exhibit increasingly delayed steady-state times, with increasing ionic strength, and demonstrate the role of an enzyme's electrostatic potential in influencing ligand binding. At the sub-cellular scale, an extension of SMOL solves a nonlinear, reaction-diffusion system describing Ca2+ ligand buffering and diffusion in experimentally derived rodent ventricular myocyte geometries. Results reveal the important role of mobile and stationary Ca2+ buffers, including Ca2+ indicator dye. We found that alterations in Ca2+-binding and dissociation rates of troponin C (TnC) and total TnC concentration modulate sub-cellular Ca2+ signals. The model predicts that reduced off-rate in the whole troponin complex (TnC, TnI, TnT) versus reconstructed thin filaments (Tn, Tm, actin) alters cytosolic Ca2+ dynamics under control conditions or in disease-linked TnC mutations. The ultimate goal of these studies is to develop scalable methods and theories for the integration of molecular-scale information into simulations of cellular-scale systems.

A methodological approach for using high-level Petri Nets to model the immune system response.

PubMed

Pennisi, Marzio; Cavalieri, Salvatore; Motta, Santo; Pappalardo, Francesco

2016-12-22

Mathematical and computational models showed to be a very important support tool for the comprehension of the immune system response against pathogens. Models and simulations allowed to study the immune system behavior, to test biological hypotheses about diseases and infection dynamics, and to improve and optimize novel and existing drugs and vaccines. Continuous models, mainly based on differential equations, usually allow to qualitatively study the system but lack in description; conversely discrete models, such as agent based models and cellular automata, permit to describe in detail entities properties at the cost of losing most qualitative analyses. Petri Nets (PN) are a graphical modeling tool developed to model concurrency and synchronization in distributed systems. Their use has become increasingly marked also thanks to the introduction in the years of many features and extensions which lead to the born of "high level" PN. We propose a novel methodological approach that is based on high level PN, and in particular on Colored Petri Nets (CPN), that can be used to model the immune system response at the cellular scale. To demonstrate the potentiality of the approach we provide a simple model of the humoral immune system response that is able of reproducing some of the most complex well-known features of the adaptive response like memory and specificity features. The methodology we present has advantages of both the two classical approaches based on continuous and discrete models, since it allows to gain good level of granularity in the description of cells behavior without losing the possibility of having a qualitative analysis. Furthermore, the presented methodology based on CPN allows the adoption of the same graphical modeling technique well known to life scientists that use PN for the modeling of signaling pathways. Finally, such an approach may open the floodgates to the realization of multi scale models that integrate both signaling pathways (intra cellular) models and cellular (population) models built upon the same technique and software.

An epidemiological modeling and data integration framework.

PubMed

Pfeifer, B; Wurz, M; Hanser, F; Seger, M; Netzer, M; Osl, M; Modre-Osprian, R; Schreier, G; Baumgartner, C

2010-01-01

In this work, a cellular automaton software package for simulating different infectious diseases, storing the simulation results in a data warehouse system and analyzing the obtained results to generate prediction models as well as contingency plans, is proposed. The Brisbane H3N2 flu virus, which has been spreading during the winter season 2009, was used for simulation in the federal state of Tyrol, Austria. The simulation-modeling framework consists of an underlying cellular automaton. The cellular automaton model is parameterized by known disease parameters and geographical as well as demographical conditions are included for simulating the spreading. The data generated by simulation are stored in the back room of the data warehouse using the Talend Open Studio software package, and subsequent statistical and data mining tasks are performed using the tool, termed Knowledge Discovery in Database Designer (KD3). The obtained simulation results were used for generating prediction models for all nine federal states of Austria. The proposed framework provides a powerful and easy to handle interface for parameterizing and simulating different infectious diseases in order to generate prediction models and improve contingency plans for future events.

Optimizing eukaryotic cell hosts for protein production through systems biotechnology and genome-scale modeling.

PubMed

Gutierrez, Jahir M; Lewis, Nathan E

2015-07-01

Eukaryotic cell lines, including Chinese hamster ovary cells, yeast, and insect cells, are invaluable hosts for the production of many recombinant proteins. With the advent of genomic resources, one can now leverage genome-scale computational modeling of cellular pathways to rationally engineer eukaryotic host cells. Genome-scale models of metabolism include all known biochemical reactions occurring in a specific cell. By describing these mathematically and using tools such as flux balance analysis, the models can simulate cell physiology and provide targets for cell engineering that could lead to enhanced cell viability, titer, and productivity. Here we review examples in which metabolic models in eukaryotic cell cultures have been used to rationally select targets for genetic modification, improve cellular metabolic capabilities, design media supplementation, and interpret high-throughput omics data. As more comprehensive models of metabolism and other cellular processes are developed for eukaryotic cell culture, these will enable further exciting developments in cell line engineering, thus accelerating recombinant protein production and biotechnology in the years to come. Copyright © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Current State-of-the-Art 3D Tissue Models and Their Compatibility with Live Cell Imaging.

PubMed

Bardsley, Katie; Deegan, Anthony J; El Haj, Alicia; Yang, Ying

2017-01-01

Mammalian cells grow within a complex three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment where multiple cells are organized and surrounded by extracellular matrix (ECM). The quantity and types of ECM components, alongside cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions dictate cellular differentiation, proliferation and function in vivo. To mimic natural cellular activities, various 3D tissue culture models have been established to replace conventional two dimensional (2D) culture environments. Allowing for both characterization and visualization of cellular activities within possibly bulky 3D tissue models presents considerable challenges due to the increased thickness and subsequent light scattering features of such 3D models. In this chapter, state-of-the-art methodologies used to establish 3D tissue models are discussed, first with a focus on both scaffold-free and scaffold-based 3D tissue model formation. Following on, multiple 3D live cell imaging systems, mainly optical imaging modalities, are introduced. Their advantages and disadvantages are discussed, with the aim of stimulating more research in this highly demanding research area.

A model for the kinetics of homotypic cellular aggregation under static conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neelamegham, S.; Munn, L. L.; Zygourakis, K.; McIntire, L. V. (Principal Investigator)

1997-01-01

We present the formulation and testing of a mathematical model for the kinetics of homotypic cellular aggregation. The model considers cellular aggregation under no-flow conditions as a two-step process. Individual cells and cell aggregates 1) move on the tissue culture surface and 2) collide with other cells (or aggregates). These collisions lead to the formation of intercellular bonds. The aggregation kinetics are described by a system of coupled, nonlinear ordinary differential equations, and the collision frequency kernel is derived by extending Smoluchowski's colloidal flocculation theory to cell migration and aggregation on a two-dimensional surface. Our results indicate that aggregation rates strongly depend upon the motility of cells and cell aggregates, the frequency of cell-cell collisions, and the strength of intercellular bonds. Model predictions agree well with data from homotypic lymphocyte aggregation experiments using Jurkat cells activated by 33B6, an antibody to the beta 1 integrin. Since cell migration speeds and all the other model parameters can be independently measured, the aggregation model provides a quantitative methodology by which we can accurately evaluate the adhesivity and aggregation behavior of cells.

A MODELING AND SIMULATION LANGUAGE FOR BIOLOGICAL CELLS WITH COUPLED MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES

PubMed Central

Somogyi, Endre; Glazier, James A.

2017-01-01

Biological cells are the prototypical example of active matter. Cells sense and respond to mechanical, chemical and electrical environmental stimuli with a range of behaviors, including dynamic changes in morphology and mechanical properties, chemical uptake and secretion, cell differentiation, proliferation, death, and migration. Modeling and simulation of such dynamic phenomena poses a number of computational challenges. A modeling language describing cellular dynamics must naturally represent complex intra and extra-cellular spatial structures and coupled mechanical, chemical and electrical processes. Domain experts will find a modeling language most useful when it is based on concepts, terms and principles native to the problem domain. A compiler must then be able to generate an executable model from this physically motivated description. Finally, an executable model must efficiently calculate the time evolution of such dynamic and inhomogeneous phenomena. We present a spatial hybrid systems modeling language, compiler and mesh-free Lagrangian based simulation engine which will enable domain experts to define models using natural, biologically motivated constructs and to simulate time evolution of coupled cellular, mechanical and chemical processes acting on a time varying number of cells and their environment. PMID:29303160

A MODELING AND SIMULATION LANGUAGE FOR BIOLOGICAL CELLS WITH COUPLED MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES.

PubMed

Somogyi, Endre; Glazier, James A

2017-04-01

Biological cells are the prototypical example of active matter. Cells sense and respond to mechanical, chemical and electrical environmental stimuli with a range of behaviors, including dynamic changes in morphology and mechanical properties, chemical uptake and secretion, cell differentiation, proliferation, death, and migration. Modeling and simulation of such dynamic phenomena poses a number of computational challenges. A modeling language describing cellular dynamics must naturally represent complex intra and extra-cellular spatial structures and coupled mechanical, chemical and electrical processes. Domain experts will find a modeling language most useful when it is based on concepts, terms and principles native to the problem domain. A compiler must then be able to generate an executable model from this physically motivated description. Finally, an executable model must efficiently calculate the time evolution of such dynamic and inhomogeneous phenomena. We present a spatial hybrid systems modeling language, compiler and mesh-free Lagrangian based simulation engine which will enable domain experts to define models using natural, biologically motivated constructs and to simulate time evolution of coupled cellular, mechanical and chemical processes acting on a time varying number of cells and their environment.

A Model of How Different Biology Experts Explain Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms

PubMed Central

Trujillo, Caleb M.; Anderson, Trevor R.; Pelaez, Nancy J.

2015-01-01

Constructing explanations is an essential skill for all science learners. The goal of this project was to model the key components of expert explanation of molecular and cellular mechanisms. As such, we asked: What is an appropriate model of the components of explanation used by biology experts to explain molecular and cellular mechanisms? Do explanations made by experts from different biology subdisciplines at a university support the validity of this model? Guided by the modeling framework of R. S. Justi and J. K. Gilbert, the validity of an initial model was tested by asking seven biologists to explain a molecular mechanism of their choice. Data were collected from interviews, artifacts, and drawings, and then subjected to thematic analysis. We found that biologists explained the specific activities and organization of entities of the mechanism. In addition, they contextualized explanations according to their biological and social significance; integrated explanations with methods, instruments, and measurements; and used analogies and narrated stories. The derived methods, analogies, context, and how themes informed the development of our final MACH model of mechanistic explanations. Future research will test the potential of the MACH model as a guiding framework for instruction to enhance the quality of student explanations. PMID:25999313

Landslides, forest fires, and earthquakes: examples of self-organized critical behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turcotte, Donald L.; Malamud, Bruce D.

2004-09-01

Per Bak conceived self-organized criticality as an explanation for the behavior of the sandpile model. Subsequently, many cellular automata models were found to exhibit similar behavior. Two examples are the forest-fire and slider-block models. Each of these models can be associated with a serious natural hazard: the sandpile model with landslides, the forest-fire model with actual forest fires, and the slider-block model with earthquakes. We examine the noncumulative frequency-area statistics for each natural hazard, and show that each has a robust power-law (fractal) distribution. We propose an inverse-cascade model as a general explanation for the power-law frequency-area statistics of the three cellular-automata models and their ‘associated’ natural hazards.

Three dimensional Origami-based metamaterial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamrava, Soroush; Mousanezhad, Davood; Ebrahimi, Hamid; Ghosh, Ranajay; Vaziri, Ashkan; High Performance Materials; Structures Labratory Team

We present a novel cellular metamaterial constructed from Origami building blocks based on Miura-ori fold. The proposed cellular metamaterial exhibits unusual properties some of which stemming from the inherent properties of its Origami building blocks, and others manifesting due to its unique geometrical construction and architecture. These properties include foldability with two fully-folded configurations, auxeticity (i.e., negative Poisson's ratio), bistability, and self-locking of Origami building blocks to construct load-bearing cellular metamaterials. The kinematics and force response of the cellular metamaterial during folding were studied to investigate the underlying mechanisms resulting in its unique properties using analytical modeling and experiments.

Phenomenology based multiscale models as tools to understand cell membrane and organelle morphologies

PubMed Central

Ramakrishnan, N.; Radhakrishnan, Ravi

2016-01-01

An intriguing question in cell biology is “how do cells regulate their shape?” It is commonly believed that the observed cellular morphologies are a result of the complex interaction among the lipid molecules (constituting the cell membrane), and with a number of other macromolecules, such as proteins. It is also believed that the common biophysical processes essential for the functioning of a cell also play an important role in cellular morphogenesis. At the cellular scale—where typical dimensions are in the order of micrometers—the effects arising from the molecular scale can either be modeled as equilibrium or non-equilibrium processes. In this chapter, we discuss the dynamically triangulated Monte Carlo technique to model and simulate membrane morphologies at the cellular scale, which in turn can be used to investigate several questions related to shape regulation in cells. In particular, we focus on two specific problems within the framework of isotropic and anisotropic elasticity theories: namely, (i) the origin of complex, physiologically relevant, membrane shapes due to the interaction of the membrane with curvature remodeling proteins, and (ii) the genesis of steady state cellular shapes due to the action of non-equilibrium forces that are generated by the fission and fusion of transport vesicles and by the binding and unbinding of proteins from the parent membrane. PMID:27087801

Projected Uses of Cellular Models and Fluorescence Microscopy for Identification of Antivesicants

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-05-13

AD-P008 761 PROJECTED USES OF CELLULAR MODELS AND FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ANTIVESICANTS Millard M. Mershon, Stacey M...epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK), fluorescent dye marker probes and spectrofluorometry led to a preliminary feasibility study’ This showed that the...acetoxymethyl ester that is taken into cells and cleaved by intracellular esterases’. It remains as a fluorescent marker until it leaks out through damaged

Protein-protein interaction networks identify targets which rescue the MPP+ cellular model of Parkinson’s disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keane, Harriet; Ryan, Brent J.; Jackson, Brendan; Whitmore, Alan; Wade-Martins, Richard

2015-11-01

Neurodegenerative diseases are complex multifactorial disorders characterised by the interplay of many dysregulated physiological processes. As an exemplar, Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves multiple perturbed cellular functions, including mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagic dysregulation in preferentially-sensitive dopamine neurons, a selective pathophysiology recapitulated in vitro using the neurotoxin MPP+. Here we explore a network science approach for the selection of therapeutic protein targets in the cellular MPP+ model. We hypothesised that analysis of protein-protein interaction networks modelling MPP+ toxicity could identify proteins critical for mediating MPP+ toxicity. Analysis of protein-protein interaction networks constructed to model the interplay of mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagic dysregulation (key aspects of MPP+ toxicity) enabled us to identify four proteins predicted to be key for MPP+ toxicity (P62, GABARAP, GBRL1 and GBRL2). Combined, but not individual, knockdown of these proteins increased cellular susceptibility to MPP+ toxicity. Conversely, combined, but not individual, over-expression of the network targets provided rescue of MPP+ toxicity associated with the formation of autophagosome-like structures. We also found that modulation of two distinct proteins in the protein-protein interaction network was necessary and sufficient to mitigate neurotoxicity. Together, these findings validate our network science approach to multi-target identification in complex neurological diseases.

GENERAL: A modified weighted probabilistic cellular automaton traffic flow model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Qian; Jia, Bin; Li, Xin-Gang

2009-08-01

This paper modifies the weighted probabilistic cellular automaton model (Li X L, Kuang H, Song T, et al 2008 Chin. Phys. B 17 2366) which considered a diversity of traffic behaviors under real traffic situations induced by various driving characters and habits. In the new model, the effects of the velocity at the last time step and drivers' desire for acceleration are taken into account. The fundamental diagram, spatial-temporal diagram, and the time series of one-minute data are analyzed. The results show that this model reproduces synchronized flow. Finally, it simulates the on-ramp system with the proposed model. Some characteristics including the phase diagram are studied.

Simulating pedestrian flow by an improved two-process cellular automaton model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Cheng-Jie; Wang, Wei; Jiang, Rui; Dong, Li-Yun

In this paper, we study the pedestrian flow with an Improved Two-Process (ITP) cellular automaton model, which is originally proposed by Blue and Adler. Simulations of pedestrian counterflow have been conducted, under both periodic and open boundary conditions. The lane formation phenomenon has been reproduced without using the place exchange rule. We also present and discuss the flow-density and velocity-density relationships of both uni-directional flow and counterflow. By the comparison with the Blue-Adler model, we find the ITP model has higher values of maximum flow, critical density and completely jammed density under different conditions.

A phase code for memory could arise from circuit mechanisms in entorhinal cortex

PubMed Central

Hasselmo, Michael E.; Brandon, Mark P.; Yoshida, Motoharu; Giocomo, Lisa M.; Heys, James G.; Fransen, Erik; Newman, Ehren L.; Zilli, Eric A.

2009-01-01

Neurophysiological data reveals intrinsic cellular properties that suggest how entorhinal cortical neurons could code memory by the phase of their firing. Potential cellular mechanisms for this phase coding in models of entorhinal function are reviewed. This mechanism for phase coding provides a substrate for modeling the responses of entorhinal grid cells, as well as the replay of neural spiking activity during waking and sleep. Efforts to implement these abstract models in more detailed biophysical compartmental simulations raise specific issues that could be addressed in larger scale population models incorporating mechanisms of inhibition. PMID:19656654

Test Methodology for Protection of Vehicle Occupants against Anti-Vehicular Landmine Effects (Methodologie d’essais pour la protection des occupants de vehicules contre les effets des mines terrestres anti-vehicules)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-01

1 Chapter 1 – Introduction 1 - 1 1.1 Background and Problem Definition 1 - 1 1.1.1...Background 1 - 1 1.1.2 Problem Definition 1 -2 1.2 The Objective and Approach of the HFM-090/TG-25 1 -2 1.2.1 Objective 1 -2 1.2.2 Approach 1 -2 1.3...Organization of this Report 1 -3 1.4 References 1 -3 Chapter 2 – The Mine Detonation Process and Occupant Loading 2- 1 2.1 Introduction to Mines 2- 1 2.2

Unsteady Aerodynamics - Fundamentals and Applications of Aircraft Dynamics. Conference Proceedings of the Joint Symposium of the Fluid Dynamics and Flight Mechanics Panels Held in Goettingen, Federal Republic of Germany on 6-9 May 1985.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-11-01

tourbillons daxe perpendicu-V laire A l’fcoulement principal) issu d’un profil occillant en Tamis dan;, do,, condition,, dn dorochagp dynamique. 5_10...a~rodyna- - mique sur R. A partir de cette analyse experimentale, une tentative de modelisation th~sorique des effets non *lin~ laires observes aux...cisaillement A la paroi d’un profil d’aile anim6 d’un mouvament harmonique parall~le ou parpandicu- laire A 1𔄀coulement non perturb~s", EUROMECH

Use or Reduction of Propagation and Noise Effects in Distributed Military Systems: Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Panel Symposium Held in Rethymno, Crete, Greece on 15-18 October 1990 (Utilisation ou Reduction des Effets de la Propagation et du Bruit dans les Systemes Militaires Distribues)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-01

resolution are essential. The resulting frequency Paul A K., Anharmonic Frequency Analysis, pattern would be nonuniform and would change Mati. Comp...veloppement laire donnte par Ia relation empiri- de la trainte ainsi que Ie mouvemnent des par que 1231 ticules neutres dans Ia haute atmosph~re. log D...1515, 1973b. Bahar, E., Depolarization in nonuniform multi- layered structures--Full wave solutions, J. Math. Phys,, 15(2), 202-208, 1974, Ba , and M

Stability and Control of Tactical Missile Systems Held in Ankara (Turkey) on 9-12 May 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-03-01

basic body for the systematic tests consisted of a cylindrical body with an ogive nose 3.0 calibers long for a total body length of 12.5 calibers A...Portance et stabilittd d’un Aiulege (ogies / iei 4 cylindre ) A N - 2.8. Compareison celcul "Euler" eec 1 d~~w~~hR~~t -- x~ine CALCUL -EULERV OPUP...toujours repr~sentatifs de Ia r~alit6. Compte tenu des pr~cisions recher- ch~es, lea effets du montage, d’un jet propulsif, du nombre de Reynolds, ou de

Methode des Rayons avec Calcul d’Intensite Appliquee a la Propagation Anormale (Method of Ray Intensity Calculation as Applied to Anomalous Propagation),

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-06-01

D’INTENSITE 0 APPLIQUEE A LA PROPAGATION "ANORNALE" par D. Dion DEFENCE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT CENTRE DE RECHERCHES POUR LA DEFENSE VALCARTI ER 6- Tel: (418...faqon ils sont reli~s aux conditions atmosph~riques. Les ph~no- manes les plus importants A signaler sont les conduits et les "trous radio". En effet...6tant tr~s fr~quents en mer, 11 est d’int&rt pour la marine de rechercher des m~thodes simples permettant de les caract~riser. Des 6quations d’int

[Adverse effects of oxcarbazepine].

PubMed

Fang, Shu; Gong, Zhi-Cheng

2015-04-01

Oxcarbazepine is a new antiepileptic drug. The results of clinical trials suggest that oxcarbazepine is well tolerated and has less drug interactions. It is being used more and more widely in clinical practice, but its adverse effects should not be ignored. The most common adverse effects of oxcarbazepine are usually related to the central nervous system and digestive system, including fatigue, drowsiness, diplopia, dizziness, nausea and vomit. The common skin adverse reaction is rash. Long-term use of oxcarbazepine may also cause hyponatremia. This article reviews the literature from China and overseas about the adverse effets of oxcarbazepine over the last 10 years in order to find information about rational clinical use of oxcarbazepine.

Effet des Plastifiants sur la Temperature de Transition Vitreuse, Tg, du Butadiene a Terminaison Hydroxy et du Polyazoture de Glycidyle - Simulations et Experiences (Effect of the Plasticizers on the Vitreous Transition Temperature, Tg, of the Butadiene to Termination Hydroxy and the Polyazoture of Glycidyle - Simulations and Experiences)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

diverses temperatures 26 a) HTPB pur b) HTPB-DOA (polymere et plastifiant) c) GAP pur d) Gpl pur e)Gap-Gpl Liste des tableaux Tableau 1...Composition des mailles amorphes construites 11 Tableau 2. Proprietes des polymeres et plastifiants utilises 11 Tableau 3. Comparaisons entre les Tt...obtenues experimentalement, les T% publiees dans les ecrits scientifiques et celles predites a partir des 7"gdes composes purs 19 Tableau 4. Comparaison

[Lines of research in the field of cellular technologies and its application in military medicine].

PubMed

Chepur, S V; Iudin, A B; Shperling, I A; Iurkevich, Iu V; Vengerovich, N G; Shchipanov, S G; Shulepov, A V

2015-02-01

The paper presents an overview of cellular therapy products and medical tissue engineering of the leading countries of the world (including the US) and identifies lines of research in the field of cellular technology application in the interests of national military medicine. The authors gave information concerning practical implementation of the achievements of biomedical research in the field of regenerative cellular products and technologies in Russia as different products, which may be used at the stages of medical evacuation. The authors presented results of research, which was, performed on the model of mine blast injury in accordance with principle possibility of the usage of cellular technologies products (multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells) in medical practice.

CELLULAR, BIOCHEMICAL, AND MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

EPA Science Inventory

Cellular, molecular and biochemical approaches vastly expand the possibilities for revealing the underlying mechanisms of developmental toxicity. The increasing interest in embryonic development as a model system for the study of gene expression has resulted in a cornucopia of i...

The two populations’ cellular automata model with predation based on the Penna model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Mingfeng; Lin, Jing; Jiang, Heng; Liu, Xin

2002-09-01

In Penna's single-species asexual bit-string model of biological ageing, the Verhulst factor has too strong a restraining effect on the development of the population. Danuta Makowiec gave an improved model based on the lattice, where the restraining factor of the four neighbours take the place of the Verhulst factor. Here, we discuss the two populations’ Penna model with predation on the planar lattice of two dimensions. A cellular automata model containing movable wolves and sheep has been built. The results show that both the quantity of the wolves and the sheep fluctuate in accordance with the law that one quantity increases while the other one decreases.

Are Japanese groups more competitive than Japanese individuals? A cross-cultural validation of the interindividual-intergroup discontinuity effect.

PubMed

Takemura, Kosuke; Yuki, Masaki

2007-02-01

The interindividual-intergroup discontinuity effect is the tendency for relationships between groups to be more competitive than the relationships between individuals. It has been observed robustly in studies conducted in the United States, which is a society characterized as "individualistic." In this study, it was explored whether the effect was replicable in a "collectivistic" society such as Japan. From the traditional view in cross-cultural psychology, which emphasizes the collectivistic nature of East Asian peoples, it was expected that the discontinuity effect would be greater in Japan than in the United States. On the other hand, based on recent empirical findings suggesting that North Americans are no less group-oriented than East Asians, it was expected that the discontinuity effect would be no greater in Japan than in the United States. One hundred and sixty Japanese university students played a 10-trial repeated prisoner's dilemma game: 26 sessions of interindividual and 18 sessions of intergroup. Following exactly the procedure of prior experiments in the US, individuals and groups were allowed face-to-face communication with their opponents before making their decisions, and participants in the intergroup condition were further allowed to converse freely with their in-group members. Results replicated previous findings in the United States; groups made more competitive choices than did individuals. In addition, neither the magnitude of the discontinuity effect, nor the frequency of competitive choices made by the groups, were larger in Japan than they were in the majority of prior studies conducted in the United States. These findings suggest cross-cultural robustness of the interindividual-intergroup discontinuity effect. Also, interestingly, they contradict the simple distinction between individualism and collectivism. Implications for studies of culture and group processes are discussed. This research was supported by grants from the Center for the Study of Cultural and Ecological Foundations of the Mind, a 21(st) Century Center of Excellence Program at Hokkaido University. The authors would like to thank Dr. Laura Hernández-Guzmán, three anonymous reviewers, and Robin Cooper, Mark H. B. Radford, and Paul A. Wehr for their helpful comments on earlier versions of this article. They would also like to thank Dr. Chester A. Insko for his kind and valuable advice during the planning of this experiment as well as the interpretation of its results, Kaori Akaishi for her help with data collection, and, finally, colleagues at Hokkaido University who helped to recruit potential participants from their classes. L'effet de discontinuité entre les individus et entre les groupes est la tendance des relations entre les groupes à être plus compétitives que les relations entre les individus. Cet effet fut fermement démontré dans des études menées aux États-Unis, une société caractérisée d' «individualiste». Dans la présente étude, nous avons exploré dans quelle mesure l'effet était applicable à une société «collectiviste» comme le Japon. À partir du point de vue traditionnel de la psychologie interculturelle, laquelle met l'emphase sur la nature collectiviste des peuples de l'Asie de l'Est, il était attendu que l'effet de discontinuité allait être plus grand au Japon qu'aux États-Unis. D'un autre côté, se basant sur les données empiriques récentes qui suggèrent que les Nord-américains ne sont pas moins orientés vers le groupe que les Asiatiques de l'Est, il était attendu que l'effet de discontinuité ne serait pas plus important au Japon qu'aux États-Unis. Cent soixante étudiants universitaires japonais ont pris part à un jeu de dilemme de prisonnier de 10 essais répétés: 26 sessions entre individus et 18 sessions entre groupes. Suivant exactement la procédure des expériences menées précédemment aux États-Unis, les individus et les groupes avaient la permission de communiquer face-à-face avec leur opposant avant de prendre leur décision. De plus, les participants de la condition entre groupes avaient également la possibilité de converser librement avec les membres de leur propre groupe. Les résultats se sont révélés semblables à ceux des études antérieures réalisées aux États-Unis; les groupes ont fait des choix plus compétitifs que les individus. En outre, ni la magnitude de l'effet de discontinuité, ni la fréquence des choix compétitifs faits par les groupes n'étaient plus grands chez les Japonais comparativement à la majorité des études antérieures menées aux États-Unis. Ces résultats soutiennent la robustesse interculturelle de l'effet de discontinuité entre les individus et entre les groupes. Aussi, fait intéressant, ils contredisent la simple distinction entre l'individualisme et le collectivisme. Les implications pour des études sur les cultures et les processus de groupe sont discutées. El efecto de discontinuidad entre individuos y entre grupos es la tendencia a que las relaciones entre grupos sean más competitivas que las relaciones entre individuos. Se ha observado con insistencia en estudios conducidos en Estados Unidos, una sociedad caracterizada como "individualista". En el presente estudio, se exploró si el efecto se repetía en una sociedad "colectivista" como la japonesa. Desde la perspectiva tradicional de la psicología trans cultural, que subraya la naturaleza colectivista de los pueblos asiáticos, se esperaba que el efecto de discontinuidad fuese mayor en Japón que en Estados Unidos. Por otra parte, con base en los hallazgos empíricos recientes que sugieren que los estadounidenses no están menos orientados al grupo que los de este asiático, se esperaba que el efecto de discontinuidad no fuera mayor en Japón que en los Estados Unidos. Ciento sesenta estudiantes universitarios japoneses participaron en un juego del dilema de un prisionero de diez ensayos repetidos: veintiséis sesiones entre individuos y diez y ocho entre grupos. Siguiendo exactamente el procedimiento de los experimentos previos en los Estados Unidos, se permitió tanto a los individuos como a los grupos una comunicación cara a cara con sus oponentes antes de tomar sus decisiones, y se permitió a los participantes en la condición entre grupos que conversaran libremente con los miembros de su propio grupo. Los resultados repitieron los hallazgos previos en los Estados Unidos; los grupos hicieron elecciones más competitivas que los individuos. Además, ni la magnitud del efecto de discontinuidad ni la frecuencia de las elecciones competitivas de los grupos, fueron mayores en Japón que en la mayoría de los estudios previos en Estados Unidos. Estos hallazgos sugieren la robustez trans cultural del efecto de discontinuidad entre individuos y entre grupos. También, de manera interesante, contradicen la simple distinción entre individualismo y colectivismo. Se discutieron las implicaciones para los estudios sobre cultura y procesos grupales.

Learning cellular sorting pathways using protein interactions and sequence motifs.

PubMed

Lin, Tien-Ho; Bar-Joseph, Ziv; Murphy, Robert F

2011-11-01

Proper subcellular localization is critical for proteins to perform their roles in cellular functions. Proteins are transported by different cellular sorting pathways, some of which take a protein through several intermediate locations until reaching its final destination. The pathway a protein is transported through is determined by carrier proteins that bind to specific sequence motifs. In this article, we present a new method that integrates protein interaction and sequence motif data to model how proteins are sorted through these sorting pathways. We use a hidden Markov model (HMM) to represent protein sorting pathways. The model is able to determine intermediate sorting states and to assign carrier proteins and motifs to the sorting pathways. In simulation studies, we show that the method can accurately recover an underlying sorting model. Using data for yeast, we show that our model leads to accurate prediction of subcellular localization. We also show that the pathways learned by our model recover many known sorting pathways and correctly assign proteins to the path they utilize. The learned model identified new pathways and their putative carriers and motifs and these may represent novel protein sorting mechanisms. Supplementary results and software implementation are available from http://murphylab.web.cmu.edu/software/2010_RECOMB_pathways/.

Cellular modelling of secondary radial growth in conifer trees: application to Pinus radiata (D. Don).

PubMed

Forest, Loïc; Demongeot, Jacques; Demongeota, Jacques

2006-05-01

The radial growth of conifer trees proceeds from the dynamics of a merismatic tissue called vascular cambium or cambium. Cambium is a thin layer of active proliferating cells. The purpose of this paper was to model the main characteristics of cambial activity and its consecutive radial growth. Cell growth is under the control of the auxin hormone indole-3-acetic. The model is composed of a discrete part, which accounts for cellular proliferation, and a continuous part involving the transport of auxin. Cambium is modeled in a two-dimensional cross-section by a cellular automaton that describes the set of all its constitutive cells. Proliferation is defined as growth and division of cambial cells under neighbouring constraints, which can eliminate some cells from the cambium. The cell-growth rate is determined from auxin concentration, calculated with the continuous model. We studied the integration of each elementary cambial cell activity into the global coherent movement of macroscopic morphogenesis. Cases of normal and abnormal growth of Pinus radiata (D. Don) are modelled. Abnormal growth includes deformed trees where gravity influences auxin transport, producing heterogeneous radial growth. Cross-sectional microscopic views are also provided to validate the model's hypothesis and results.

Tissue and Animal Models of Sudden Cardiac Death

PubMed Central

Sallam, Karim; Li, Yingxin; Sager, Philip T.; Houser, Steven R.; Wu, Joseph C.

2015-01-01

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is a common cause of death in patients with structural heart disease, genetic mutations or acquired disorders affecting cardiac ion channels. A wide range of platforms exist to model and study disorders associated with SCD. Human clinical studies are cumbersome and are thwarted by the extent of investigation that can be performed on human subjects. Animal models are limited by their degree of homology to human cardiac electrophysiology including ion channel expression. Most commonly used cellular models are cellular transfection models, which are able to mimic the expression of a single ion channel offering incomplete insight into changes of the action potential profile. Induced pluripotent stem cell derived Cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) resemble, but are not identical, to adult human cardiomyocytes, and provide a new platform for studying arrhythmic disorders leading to SCD. A variety of platforms exist to phenotype cellular models including conventional and automated patch clamp, multi-electrode array, and computational modeling. iPSC-CMs have been used to study Long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other hereditary cardiac disorders. Although iPSC-CMs are distinct from adult cardiomyocytes, they provide a robust platform to advance the science and clinical care of SCD. PMID:26044252

A Game Theoretic Optimization Method for Energy Efficient Global Connectivity in Hybrid Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Lee, JongHyup; Pak, Dohyun

2016-01-01

For practical deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSN), WSNs construct clusters, where a sensor node communicates with other nodes in its cluster, and a cluster head support connectivity between the sensor nodes and a sink node. In hybrid WSNs, cluster heads have cellular network interfaces for global connectivity. However, when WSNs are active and the load of cellular networks is high, the optimal assignment of cluster heads to base stations becomes critical. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a game theoretic model to find the optimal assignment of base stations for hybrid WSNs. Since the communication and energy cost is different according to cellular systems, we devise two game models for TDMA/FDMA and CDMA systems employing power prices to adapt to the varying efficiency of recent wireless technologies. The proposed model is defined on the assumptions of the ideal sensing field, but our evaluation shows that the proposed model is more adaptive and energy efficient than local selections. PMID:27589743

The brain as a system of nested but partially overlapping networks. Heuristic relevance of the model for brain physiology and pathology.

PubMed

Agnati, L F; Guidolin, D; Fuxe, K

2007-01-01

A new model of the brain organization is proposed. The model is based on the assumption that a global molecular network enmeshes the entire central nervous system. Thus, brain extra-cellular and intra-cellular molecular networks are proposed to communicate at the level of special plasma membrane regions (e.g., the lipid rafts) where horizontal molecular networks can represent input/output regions allowing the cell to have informational exchanges with the extracellular environment. Furthermore, some "pervasive signals" such as field potentials, pressure waves and thermal gradients that affect large parts of the brain cellular and molecular networks are discussed. Finally, at least two learning paradigms are analyzed taking into account the possible role of Volume Transmission: the so-called model of "temporal difference learning" and the "Turing B-unorganised machine". The relevance of this new view of brain organization for a deeper understanding of some neurophysiological and neuropathological aspects of its function is briefly discussed.

Towards mechanism-based simulation of impact damage using exascale computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shterenlikht, Anton; Margetts, Lee; McDonald, Samuel; Bourne, Neil K.

2017-01-01

Over the past 60 years, the finite element method has been very successful in modelling deformation in engineering structures. However the method requires the definition of constitutive models that represent the response of the material to applied loads. There are two issues. Firstly, the models are often difficult to define. Secondly, there is often no physical connection between the models and the mechanisms that accommodate deformation. In this paper, we present a potentially disruptive two-level strategy which couples the finite element method at the macroscale with cellular automata at the mesoscale. The cellular automata are used to simulate mechanisms, such as crack propagation. The stress-strain relationship emerges as a continuum mechanics scale interpretation of changes at the micro- and meso-scales. Iterative two-way updating between the cellular automata and finite elements drives the simulation forward as the material undergoes progressive damage at high strain rates. The strategy is particularly attractive on large-scale computing platforms as both methods scale well on tens of thousands of CPUs.

Simulation of a supersonic flow around a body with a frontal gas-permeable insert by using a skeleton model of a highly porous cellular material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poplavskaya, T. V.; Kirilovskiy, S. V.; Mironov, S. G.

2017-10-01

Numerical simulation of supersonic flow past a cylinder with a frontal gas-permeable insert is performed using the skeleton model of a highly porous cellular material. Numerical simulation was carried out within the framework of two-dimensional RANS equations written in an axisymmetric form. The skeleton model is a system of coaxial rings of different diameters, arranged in staggered order. The calculations were carried out in a wide range of determining parameters: Mach numbers M∞ = 3, 4.85 and 7, unit Reynolds numbers Re1∞ = 13.8×105 ÷ 13.8×106 m-1, the cylinder diameter 6÷40mm, the length of the porous insert 3÷45mm, the cell diameter of 1 and 3 mm. The results of the calculations are consistent with the available experimental data. The applicability of the skeleton model for the description of supersonic flow around axisymmetric bodies with front inserts from cellular-porous materials is shown.

Different toxic effects of YTX in tumor K-562 and lymphoblastoid cell lines

PubMed Central

Fernández-Araujo, Andrea; Sánchez, Jon A.; Alfonso, Amparo; Vieytes, Mercedes R.; Botana, Luis M.

2015-01-01

Yessotoxin (YTX) modulates cellular phosphodiesterases (PDEs). In this regard, opposite effects had been described in the tumor model K-562 cell line and fresh human lymphocytes in terms of cell viability, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production and protein expression after YTX treatment. Studies in depth of the pathways activated by YTX in K-562 cell line, have demonstrated the activation of two different cell death types, apoptosis, and autophagy after 24 and 48 h of treatment, respectively. Furthermore, the key role of type 4A PDE (PDE4A) in both pathways activated by YTX was demonstrated. Therefore, taking into account the differences between cellular lines and fresh cells, a study of cell death pathways activated by YTX in a non-tumor cell line with mitotic activity, was performed. The cellular model used was the lymphoblastoid cell line that represents a non-tumor model with normal apoptotic and mitotic machinery. In this context, cell viability and cell proliferation, expression of proteins involved in cell death activated by YTX and mitochondrial mass, were studied after the incubation with the toxin. Opposite to the tumor model, no cell death activation was observed in lymphoblastoid cell line in the presence of YTX. In this sense, variations in apoptosis hallmarks were not detected in the lymphoblastoid cell line after YTX incubation, whereas this type I of programmed cell death was observed in K-562 cells. On the other hand, autophagy cell death was triggered in this cellular line, while other autophagic process is suggested in lymphoblastoid cells. These YTX effects are related to PDE4A in both cellular lines. In addition, while cell death is triggered in K-562 cells after YTX treatment, in lymphoblastoid cells the toxin stops cellular proliferation. These results point to YTX as a specific toxic compound of tumor cells, since in the non-tumor lymphoblastoid cell line, no cell death hallmarks are observed. PMID:26136685

Integrated cellular network of transcription regulations and protein-protein interactions

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background With the accumulation of increasing omics data, a key goal of systems biology is to construct networks at different cellular levels to investigate cellular machinery of the cell. However, there is currently no satisfactory method to construct an integrated cellular network that combines the gene regulatory network and the signaling regulatory pathway. Results In this study, we integrated different kinds of omics data and developed a systematic method to construct the integrated cellular network based on coupling dynamic models and statistical assessments. The proposed method was applied to S. cerevisiae stress responses, elucidating the stress response mechanism of the yeast. From the resulting integrated cellular network under hyperosmotic stress, the highly connected hubs which are functionally relevant to the stress response were identified. Beyond hyperosmotic stress, the integrated network under heat shock and oxidative stress were also constructed and the crosstalks of these networks were analyzed, specifying the significance of some transcription factors to serve as the decision-making devices at the center of the bow-tie structure and the crucial role for rapid adaptation scheme to respond to stress. In addition, the predictive power of the proposed method was also demonstrated. Conclusions We successfully construct the integrated cellular network which is validated by literature evidences. The integration of transcription regulations and protein-protein interactions gives more insight into the actual biological network and is more predictive than those without integration. The method is shown to be powerful and flexible and can be used under different conditions and for different species. The coupling dynamic models of the whole integrated cellular network are very useful for theoretical analyses and for further experiments in the fields of network biology and synthetic biology. PMID:20211003

Integrated cellular network of transcription regulations and protein-protein interactions.

PubMed

Wang, Yu-Chao; Chen, Bor-Sen

2010-03-08

With the accumulation of increasing omics data, a key goal of systems biology is to construct networks at different cellular levels to investigate cellular machinery of the cell. However, there is currently no satisfactory method to construct an integrated cellular network that combines the gene regulatory network and the signaling regulatory pathway. In this study, we integrated different kinds of omics data and developed a systematic method to construct the integrated cellular network based on coupling dynamic models and statistical assessments. The proposed method was applied to S. cerevisiae stress responses, elucidating the stress response mechanism of the yeast. From the resulting integrated cellular network under hyperosmotic stress, the highly connected hubs which are functionally relevant to the stress response were identified. Beyond hyperosmotic stress, the integrated network under heat shock and oxidative stress were also constructed and the crosstalks of these networks were analyzed, specifying the significance of some transcription factors to serve as the decision-making devices at the center of the bow-tie structure and the crucial role for rapid adaptation scheme to respond to stress. In addition, the predictive power of the proposed method was also demonstrated. We successfully construct the integrated cellular network which is validated by literature evidences. The integration of transcription regulations and protein-protein interactions gives more insight into the actual biological network and is more predictive than those without integration. The method is shown to be powerful and flexible and can be used under different conditions and for different species. The coupling dynamic models of the whole integrated cellular network are very useful for theoretical analyses and for further experiments in the fields of network biology and synthetic biology.

Genetics of human hydrocephalus

PubMed Central

Williams, Michael A.; Rigamonti, Daniele

2006-01-01

Human hydrocephalus is a common medical condition that is characterized by abnormalities in the flow or resorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), resulting in ventricular dilatation. Human hydrocephalus can be classified into two clinical forms, congenital and acquired. Hydrocephalus is one of the complex and multifactorial neurological disorders. A growing body of evidence indicates that genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. An understanding of the genetic components and mechanism of this complex disorder may offer us significant insights into the molecular etiology of impaired brain development and an accumulation of the cerebrospinal fluid in cerebral compartments during the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. Genetic studies in animal models have started to open the way for understanding the underlying pathology of hydrocephalus. At least 43 mutants/loci linked to hereditary hydrocephalus have been identified in animal models and humans. Up to date, 9 genes associated with hydrocephalus have been identified in animal models. In contrast, only one such gene has been identified in humans. Most of known hydrocephalus gene products are the important cytokines, growth factors or related molecules in the cellular signal pathways during early brain development. The current molecular genetic evidence from animal models indicate that in the early development stage, impaired and abnormal brain development caused by abnormal cellular signaling and functioning, all these cellular and developmental events would eventually lead to the congenital hydrocephalus. Owing to our very primitive knowledge of the genetics and molecular pathogenesis of human hydrocephalus, it is difficult to evaluate whether data gained from animal models can be extrapolated to humans. Initiation of a large population genetics study in humans will certainly provide invaluable information about the molecular and cellular etiology and the developmental mechanisms of human hydrocephalus. This review summarizes the recent findings on this issue among human and animal models, especially with reference to the molecular genetics, pathological, physiological and cellular studies, and identifies future research directions. PMID:16773266

An improved cellular automata model for train operation simulation with dynamic acceleration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wen-Jun; Nie, Lei

2018-03-01

Urban rail transit plays an important role in the urban public traffic because of its advantages of fast speed, large transport capacity, high safety, reliability and low pollution. This study proposes an improved cellular automaton (CA) model by considering the dynamic characteristic of the train acceleration to analyze the energy consumption and train running time. Constructing an effective model for calculating energy consumption to aid train operation improvement is the basis for studying and analyzing energy-saving measures for urban rail transit system operation.

A nonstandard finite difference scheme for a basic model of cellular immune response to viral infection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korpusik, Adam

2017-02-01

We present a nonstandard finite difference scheme for a basic model of cellular immune response to viral infection. The main advantage of this approach is that it preserves the essential qualitative features of the original continuous model (non-negativity and boundedness of the solution, equilibria and their stability conditions), while being easy to implement. All of the qualitative features are preserved independently of the chosen step-size. Numerical simulations of our approach and comparison with other conventional simulation methods are presented.

Cellular automata and epidemiological models with spatial dependence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuentes, M. A.; Kuperman, M. N.

We present a cellular automata model developed to study the evolution of an infectivity nucleus in several conditions and for two kinds of epidemiologically different diseases. We analyse the role of the model parameters, concerning the epidemiological and demographic aspects of the problem, and of the evolution rules in relation to the spread of such infectious diseases, the arising of periodic temporal modulations related to the infectivity and recovery fronts, and the evolution of travelling waves. Among the obtained results we find analogies to endemic situations and pandemics.

In silico biology of bone modelling and remodelling: adaptation.

PubMed

Gerhard, Friederike A; Webster, Duncan J; van Lenthe, G Harry; Müller, Ralph

2009-05-28

Modelling and remodelling are the processes by which bone adapts its shape and internal structure to external influences. However, the cellular mechanisms triggering osteoclastic resorption and osteoblastic formation are still unknown. In order to investigate current biological theories, in silico models can be applied. In the past, most of these models were based on the continuum assumption, but some questions related to bone adaptation can be addressed better by models incorporating the trabecular microstructure. In this paper, existing simulation models are reviewed and one of the microstructural models is extended to test the hypothesis that bone adaptation can be simulated without particular knowledge of the local strain distribution in the bone. Validation using an experimental murine loading model showed that this is possible. Furthermore, the experimental model revealed that bone formation cannot be attributed only to an increase in trabecular thickness but also to structural reorganization including the growth of new trabeculae. How these new trabeculae arise is still an unresolved issue and might be better addressed by incorporating other levels of hierarchy, especially the cellular level. The cellular level sheds light on the activity and interplay between the different cell types, leading to the effective change in the whole bone. For this reason, hierarchical multi-scale simulations might help in the future to better understand the biomathematical laws behind bone adaptation.

Towards a virtual lung: multi-scale, multi-physics modelling of the pulmonary system.

PubMed

Burrowes, K S; Swan, A J; Warren, N J; Tawhai, M H

2008-09-28

The essential function of the lung, gas exchange, is dependent on adequate matching of ventilation and perfusion, where air and blood are delivered through complex branching systems exposed to regionally varying transpulmonary and transmural pressures. Structure and function in the lung are intimately related, yet computational models in pulmonary physiology usually simplify or neglect structure. The geometries of the airway and vascular systems and their interaction with parenchymal tissue have an important bearing on regional distributions of air and blood, and therefore on whole lung gas exchange, but this has not yet been addressed by modelling studies. Models for gas exchange have typically incorporated considerable detail at the level of chemical reactions, with little thought for the influence of structure. To date, relatively little attention has been paid to modelling at the cellular or subcellular level in the lung, or to linking information from the protein structure/interaction and cellular levels to the operation of the whole lung. We review previous work in developing anatomically based models of the lung, airways, parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature, and some functional studies in which these models have been used. Models for gas exchange at several spatial scales are briefly reviewed, and the challenges and benefits from modelling cellular function in the lung are discussed.

A Multi-Paradigm Modeling Framework to Simulate Dynamic Reciprocity in a Bioreactor

PubMed Central

Kaul, Himanshu; Cui, Zhanfeng; Ventikos, Yiannis

2013-01-01

Despite numerous technology advances, bioreactors are still mostly utilized as functional black-boxes where trial and error eventually leads to the desirable cellular outcome. Investigators have applied various computational approaches to understand the impact the internal dynamics of such devices has on overall cell growth, but such models cannot provide a comprehensive perspective regarding the system dynamics, due to limitations inherent to the underlying approaches. In this study, a novel multi-paradigm modeling platform capable of simulating the dynamic bidirectional relationship between cells and their microenvironment is presented. Designing the modeling platform entailed combining and coupling fully an agent-based modeling platform with a transport phenomena computational modeling framework. To demonstrate capability, the platform was used to study the impact of bioreactor parameters on the overall cell population behavior and vice versa. In order to achieve this, virtual bioreactors were constructed and seeded. The virtual cells, guided by a set of rules involving the simulated mass transport inside the bioreactor, as well as cell-related probabilistic parameters, were capable of displaying an array of behaviors such as proliferation, migration, chemotaxis and apoptosis. In this way the platform was shown to capture not only the impact of bioreactor transport processes on cellular behavior but also the influence that cellular activity wields on that very same local mass transport, thereby influencing overall cell growth. The platform was validated by simulating cellular chemotaxis in a virtual direct visualization chamber and comparing the simulation with its experimental analogue. The results presented in this paper are in agreement with published models of similar flavor. The modeling platform can be used as a concept selection tool to optimize bioreactor design specifications. PMID:23555740

Traffic jam dynamics in stochastic cellular automata

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nagel, K.; Schreckenberg, M.

1995-09-01

Simple models for particles hopping on a grid (cellular automata) are used to simulate (single lane) traffic flow. Despite their simplicity, these models are astonishingly realistic in reproducing start-stop-waves and realistic fundamental diagrams. One can use these models to investigate traffic phenomena near maximum flow. A so-called phase transition at average maximum flow is visible in the life-times of jams. The resulting dynamic picture is consistent with recent fluid-dynamical results by Kuehne/Kerner/Konhaeuser, and with Treiterer`s hysteresis description. This places CA models between car-following models and fluid-dynamical models for traffic flow. CA models are tested in projects in Los Alamos (USA)more » and in NRW (Germany) for large scale microsimulations of network traffic.« less

Modeling formalisms in Systems Biology

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Systems Biology has taken advantage of computational tools and high-throughput experimental data to model several biological processes. These include signaling, gene regulatory, and metabolic networks. However, most of these models are specific to each kind of network. Their interconnection demands a whole-cell modeling framework for a complete understanding of cellular systems. We describe the features required by an integrated framework for modeling, analyzing and simulating biological processes, and review several modeling formalisms that have been used in Systems Biology including Boolean networks, Bayesian networks, Petri nets, process algebras, constraint-based models, differential equations, rule-based models, interacting state machines, cellular automata, and agent-based models. We compare the features provided by different formalisms, and discuss recent approaches in the integration of these formalisms, as well as possible directions for the future. PMID:22141422

An improved Burgers cellular automaton model for bicycle flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Shuqi; Jia, Bin; Jiang, Rui; Li, Xingang; Shan, Jingjing

2017-12-01

As an energy-efficient and healthy transport mode, bicycling has recently attracted the attention of governments, transport planners, and researchers. The dynamic characteristics of the bicycle flow must be investigated to improve the facility design and traffic operation of bicycling. We model the bicycle flow by using an improved Burgers cellular automaton model. Through a following move mechanism, the modified model enables bicycles to move smoothly and increase the critical density to a more rational level than the original model. The model is calibrated and validated by using experimental data and field data. The results show that the improved model can effectively simulate the bicycle flow. The performance of the model under different parameters is investigated and discussed. Strengths and limitations of the improved model are suggested for future work.

Field validation of a free-agent cellular automata model of fire spread with fire–atmosphere coupling

Treesearch

Gary Achtemeier

2012-01-01

A cellular automata fire model represents ‘elements’ of fire by autonomous agents. A few simple algebraic expressions substituted for complex physical and meteorological processes and solved iteratively yield simulations for ‘super-diffusive’ fire spread and coupled surface-layer (2-m) fire–atmosphere processes. Pressure anomalies, which are integrals of the thermal...

Cellular automaton formulation of passive scalar dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Hudong; Matthaeus, William H.

1987-01-01

Cellular automata modeling of the advection of a passive scalar in a two-dimensional flow is examined in the context of discrete lattice kinetic theory. It is shown that if the passive scalar is represented by tagging or 'coloring' automation particles a passive advection-diffusion equation emerges without use of perturbation expansions. For the specific case of the hydrodynamic lattice gas model of Frisch et al. (1986), the diffusion coefficient is calculated by perturbation.

Method for determining gene knockouts

DOEpatents

Maranas, Costas D [Port Matilda, PA; Burgard, Anthony R [State College, PA; Pharkya, Priti [State College, PA

2011-09-27

A method for determining candidates for gene deletions and additions using a model of a metabolic network associated with an organism, the model includes a plurality of metabolic reactions defining metabolite relationships, the method includes selecting a bioengineering objective for the organism, selecting at least one cellular objective, forming an optimization problem that couples the at least one cellular objective with the bioengineering objective, and solving the optimization problem to yield at least one candidate.

Method for determining gene knockouts

DOEpatents

Maranas, Costa D; Burgard, Anthony R; Pharkya, Priti

2013-06-04

A method for determining candidates for gene deletions and additions using a model of a metabolic network associated with an organism, the model includes a plurality of metabolic reactions defining metabolite relationships, the method includes selecting a bioengineering objective for the organism, selecting at least one cellular objective, forming an optimization problem that couples the at least one cellular objective with the bioengineering objective, and solving the optimization problem to yield at least one candidate.

Integrating Cellular Metabolism into a Multiscale Whole-Body Model

PubMed Central

Krauss, Markus; Schaller, Stephan; Borchers, Steffen; Findeisen, Rolf; Lippert, Jörg; Kuepfer, Lars

2012-01-01

Cellular metabolism continuously processes an enormous range of external compounds into endogenous metabolites and is as such a key element in human physiology. The multifaceted physiological role of the metabolic network fulfilling the catalytic conversions can only be fully understood from a whole-body perspective where the causal interplay of the metabolic states of individual cells, the surrounding tissue and the whole organism are simultaneously considered. We here present an approach relying on dynamic flux balance analysis that allows the integration of metabolic networks at the cellular scale into standardized physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models at the whole-body level. To evaluate our approach we integrated a genome-scale network reconstruction of a human hepatocyte into the liver tissue of a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model of a human adult. The resulting multiscale model was used to investigate hyperuricemia therapy, ammonia detoxification and paracetamol-induced toxication at a systems level. The specific models simultaneously integrate multiple layers of biological organization and offer mechanistic insights into pathology and medication. The approach presented may in future support a mechanistic understanding in diagnostics and drug development. PMID:23133351

Dynamics of cell shape and forces on micropatterned substrates predicted by a cellular Potts model.

PubMed

Albert, Philipp J; Schwarz, Ulrich S

2014-06-03

Micropatterned substrates are often used to standardize cell experiments and to quantitatively study the relation between cell shape and function. Moreover, they are increasingly used in combination with traction force microscopy on soft elastic substrates. To predict the dynamics and steady states of cell shape and forces without any a priori knowledge of how the cell will spread on a given micropattern, here we extend earlier formulations of the two-dimensional cellular Potts model. The third dimension is treated as an area reservoir for spreading. To account for local contour reinforcement by peripheral bundles, we augment the cellular Potts model by elements of the tension-elasticity model. We first parameterize our model and show that it accounts for momentum conservation. We then demonstrate that it is in good agreement with experimental data for shape, spreading dynamics, and traction force patterns of cells on micropatterned substrates. We finally predict shapes and forces for micropatterns that have not yet been experimentally studied. Copyright © 2014 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Simulation of Arrhythmogenic Effect of Rogue RyRs in Failing Heart by Using a Coupled Model

PubMed Central

Lu, Luyao; Xia, Ling; Zhu, Xiuwei

2012-01-01

Cardiac cells with heart failure are usually characterized by impairment of Ca2+ handling with smaller SR Ca2+ store and high risk of triggered activities. In this study, we developed a coupled model by integrating the spatiotemporal Ca2+ reaction-diffusion system into the cellular electrophysiological model. With the coupled model, the subcellular Ca2+ dynamics and global cellular electrophysiology could be simultaneously traced. The proposed coupled model was then applied to study the effects of rogue RyRs on Ca2+ cycling and membrane potential in failing heart. The simulation results suggested that, in the presence of rogue RyRs, Ca2+ dynamics is unstable and Ca2+ waves are prone to be initiated spontaneously. These release events would elevate the membrane potential substantially which might induce delayed afterdepolarizations or triggered action potentials. Moreover, the variation of membrane potential depolarization is indicated to be dependent on the distribution density of rogue RyR channels. This study provides a new possible arrhythmogenic mechanism for heart failure from subcellular to cellular level. PMID:23056145

Dengue fever spreading based on probabilistic cellular automata with two lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, F. M. M.; Schimit, P. H. T.

2018-06-01

Modeling and simulation of mosquito-borne diseases have gained attention due to a growing incidence in tropical countries in the past few years. Here, we study the dengue spreading in a population modeled by cellular automata, where there are two lattices to model the human-mosquitointeraction: one lattice for human individuals, and one lattice for mosquitoes in order to enable different dynamics in populations. The disease considered is the dengue fever with one, two or three different serotypes coexisting in population. Although many regions exhibit the incidence of only one serotype, here we set a complete framework to also study the occurrence of two and three serotypes at the same time in a population. Furthermore, the flexibility of the model allows its use to other mosquito-borne diseases, like chikungunya, yellow fever and malaria. An approximation of the cellular automata is proposed in terms of ordinary differential equations; the spreading of mosquitoes is studied and the influence of some model parameters are analyzed with numerical simulations. Finally, a method to combat dengue spreading is simulated based on a reduction of mosquito birth and mosquito bites in population.

An Asynchronous Recurrent Network of Cellular Automaton-Based Neurons and Its Reproduction of Spiking Neural Network Activities.

PubMed

Matsubara, Takashi; Torikai, Hiroyuki

2016-04-01

Modeling and implementation approaches for the reproduction of input-output relationships in biological nervous tissues contribute to the development of engineering and clinical applications. However, because of high nonlinearity, the traditional modeling and implementation approaches encounter difficulties in terms of generalization ability (i.e., performance when reproducing an unknown data set) and computational resources (i.e., computation time and circuit elements). To overcome these difficulties, asynchronous cellular automaton-based neuron (ACAN) models, which are described as special kinds of cellular automata that can be implemented as small asynchronous sequential logic circuits have been proposed. This paper presents a novel type of such ACAN and a theoretical analysis of its excitability. This paper also presents a novel network of such neurons, which can mimic input-output relationships of biological and nonlinear ordinary differential equation model neural networks. Numerical analyses confirm that the presented network has a higher generalization ability than other major modeling and implementation approaches. In addition, Field-Programmable Gate Array-implementations confirm that the presented network requires lower computational resources.

A new cellular automata model of traffic flow with negative exponential weighted look-ahead potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Xiao; Zheng, Wei-Fan; Jiang, Bao-Shan; Zhang, Ji-Ye

2016-10-01

With the development of traffic systems, some issues such as traffic jams become more and more serious. Efficient traffic flow theory is needed to guide the overall controlling, organizing and management of traffic systems. On the basis of the cellular automata model and the traffic flow model with look-ahead potential, a new cellular automata traffic flow model with negative exponential weighted look-ahead potential is presented in this paper. By introducing the negative exponential weighting coefficient into the look-ahead potential and endowing the potential of vehicles closer to the driver with a greater coefficient, the modeling process is more suitable for the driver’s random decision-making process which is based on the traffic environment that the driver is facing. The fundamental diagrams for different weighting parameters are obtained by using numerical simulations which show that the negative exponential weighting coefficient has an obvious effect on high density traffic flux. The complex high density non-linear traffic behavior is also reproduced by numerical simulations. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11572264, 11172247, 11402214, and 61373009).

Biomolecular interactions modulate macromolecular structure and dynamics in atomistic model of a bacterial cytoplasm.

PubMed

Yu, Isseki; Mori, Takaharu; Ando, Tadashi; Harada, Ryuhei; Jung, Jaewoon; Sugita, Yuji; Feig, Michael

2016-11-01

Biological macromolecules function in highly crowded cellular environments. The structure and dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids are well characterized in vitro, but in vivo crowding effects remain unclear. Using molecular dynamics simulations of a comprehensive atomistic model cytoplasm we found that protein-protein interactions may destabilize native protein structures, whereas metabolite interactions may induce more compact states due to electrostatic screening. Protein-protein interactions also resulted in significant variations in reduced macromolecular diffusion under crowded conditions, while metabolites exhibited significant two-dimensional surface diffusion and altered protein-ligand binding that may reduce the effective concentration of metabolites and ligands in vivo. Metabolic enzymes showed weak non-specific association in cellular environments attributed to solvation and entropic effects. These effects are expected to have broad implications for the in vivo functioning of biomolecules. This work is a first step towards physically realistic in silico whole-cell models that connect molecular with cellular biology.

A computational and cellular solids approach to the stiffness-based design of bone scaffolds.

PubMed

Norato, J A; Wagoner Johnson, A J

2011-09-01

We derive a cellular solids approach to the design of bone scaffolds for stiffness and pore size. Specifically, we focus on scaffolds made of stacked, alternating, orthogonal layers of hydroxyapatite rods, such as those obtained via micro-robotic deposition, and aim to determine the rod diameter, spacing and overlap required to obtain specified elastic moduli and pore size. To validate and calibrate the cellular solids model, we employ a finite element model and determine the effective scaffold moduli via numerical homogenization. In order to perform an efficient, automated execution of the numerical studies, we employ a geometry projection method so that analyses corresponding to different scaffold dimensions can be performed on a fixed, non-conforming mesh. Based on the developed model, we provide design charts to aid in the selection of rod diameter, spacing and overlap to be used in the robotic deposition to attain desired elastic moduli and pore size.

Ciona intestinalis notochord as a new model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tubulogenesis.

PubMed

Denker, Elsa; Jiang, Di

2012-05-01

Biological tubes are a prevalent structural design across living organisms. They provide essential functions during the development and adult life of an organism. Increasing progress has been made recently in delineating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tubulogenesis. This review aims to introduce ascidian notochord morphogenesis as an interesting model system to study the cell biology of tube formation, to a wider cell and developmental biology community. We present fundamental morphological and cellular events involved in notochord morphogenesis, compare and contrast them with other more established tubulogenesis model systems, and point out some unique features, including bipolarity of the notochord cells, and using cell shape changes and cell rearrangement to connect lumens. We highlight some initial findings in the molecular mechanisms of notochord morphogenesis. Based on these findings, we present intriguing problems and put forth hypotheses that can be addressed in future studies. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Drug Target Optimization in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Using Innovative Computational Platform

PubMed Central

Chuang, Ryan; Hall, Benjamin A.; Benque, David; Cook, Byron; Ishtiaq, Samin; Piterman, Nir; Taylor, Alex; Vardi, Moshe; Koschmieder, Steffen; Gottgens, Berthold; Fisher, Jasmin

2015-01-01

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) represents a paradigm for the wider cancer field. Despite the fact that tyrosine kinase inhibitors have established targeted molecular therapy in CML, patients often face the risk of developing drug resistance, caused by mutations and/or activation of alternative cellular pathways. To optimize drug development, one needs to systematically test all possible combinations of drug targets within the genetic network that regulates the disease. The BioModelAnalyzer (BMA) is a user-friendly computational tool that allows us to do exactly that. We used BMA to build a CML network-model composed of 54 nodes linked by 104 interactions that encapsulates experimental data collected from 160 publications. While previous studies were limited by their focus on a single pathway or cellular process, our executable model allowed us to probe dynamic interactions between multiple pathways and cellular outcomes, suggest new combinatorial therapeutic targets, and highlight previously unexplored sensitivities to Interleukin-3. PMID:25644994

Drug Target Optimization in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Using Innovative Computational Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Ryan; Hall, Benjamin A.; Benque, David; Cook, Byron; Ishtiaq, Samin; Piterman, Nir; Taylor, Alex; Vardi, Moshe; Koschmieder, Steffen; Gottgens, Berthold; Fisher, Jasmin

2015-02-01

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) represents a paradigm for the wider cancer field. Despite the fact that tyrosine kinase inhibitors have established targeted molecular therapy in CML, patients often face the risk of developing drug resistance, caused by mutations and/or activation of alternative cellular pathways. To optimize drug development, one needs to systematically test all possible combinations of drug targets within the genetic network that regulates the disease. The BioModelAnalyzer (BMA) is a user-friendly computational tool that allows us to do exactly that. We used BMA to build a CML network-model composed of 54 nodes linked by 104 interactions that encapsulates experimental data collected from 160 publications. While previous studies were limited by their focus on a single pathway or cellular process, our executable model allowed us to probe dynamic interactions between multiple pathways and cellular outcomes, suggest new combinatorial therapeutic targets, and highlight previously unexplored sensitivities to Interleukin-3.

Modeling mechanical interactions in growing populations of rod-shaped bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winkle, James J.; Igoshin, Oleg A.; Bennett, Matthew R.; Josić, Krešimir; Ott, William

2017-10-01

Advances in synthetic biology allow us to engineer bacterial collectives with pre-specified characteristics. However, the behavior of these collectives is difficult to understand, as cellular growth and division as well as extra-cellular fluid flow lead to complex, changing arrangements of cells within the population. To rationally engineer and control the behavior of cell collectives we need theoretical and computational tools to understand their emergent spatiotemporal dynamics. Here, we present an agent-based model that allows growing cells to detect and respond to mechanical interactions. Crucially, our model couples the dynamics of cell growth to the cell’s environment: Mechanical constraints can affect cellular growth rate and a cell may alter its behavior in response to these constraints. This coupling links the mechanical forces that influence cell growth and emergent behaviors in cell assemblies. We illustrate our approach by showing how mechanical interactions can impact the dynamics of bacterial collectives growing in microfluidic traps.

Cellular burdens and biological effects on tissue level caused by inhaled radon progenies.

PubMed

Madas, B G; Balásházy, I; Farkas, Á; Szoke, I

2011-02-01

In the case of radon exposure, the spatial distribution of deposited radioactive particles is highly inhomogeneous in the central airways. The object of this research is to investigate the consequences of this heterogeneity regarding cellular burdens in the bronchial epithelium and to study the possible biological effects at tissue level. Applying computational fluid and particle dynamics techniques, the deposition distribution of inhaled radon daughters has been determined in a bronchial airway model for 23 min of work in the New Mexico uranium mine corresponding to 0.0129 WLM exposure. A numerical epithelium model based on experimental data has been utilised in order to quantify cellular hits and doses. Finally, a carcinogenesis model considering cell death-induced cell-cycle shortening has been applied to assess the biological responses. Present computations reveal that cellular dose may reach 1.5 Gy, which is several orders of magnitude higher than tissue dose. The results are in agreement with the histological finding that the uneven deposition distribution of radon progenies may lead to inhomogeneous spatial distribution of tumours in the bronchial airways. In addition, at the macroscopic level, the relationship between cancer risk and radiation burden seems to be non-linear.

Cellular neural network-based hybrid approach toward automatic image registration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arun, Pattathal VijayaKumar; Katiyar, Sunil Kumar

2013-01-01

Image registration is a key component of various image processing operations that involve the analysis of different image data sets. Automatic image registration domains have witnessed the application of many intelligent methodologies over the past decade; however, inability to properly model object shape as well as contextual information has limited the attainable accuracy. A framework for accurate feature shape modeling and adaptive resampling using advanced techniques such as vector machines, cellular neural network (CNN), scale invariant feature transform (SIFT), coreset, and cellular automata is proposed. CNN has been found to be effective in improving feature matching as well as resampling stages of registration and complexity of the approach has been considerably reduced using coreset optimization. The salient features of this work are cellular neural network approach-based SIFT feature point optimization, adaptive resampling, and intelligent object modelling. Developed methodology has been compared with contemporary methods using different statistical measures. Investigations over various satellite images revealed that considerable success was achieved with the approach. This system has dynamically used spectral and spatial information for representing contextual knowledge using CNN-prolog approach. This methodology is also illustrated to be effective in providing intelligent interpretation and adaptive resampling.

Analysis of the compressive behaviour of the three-dimensional printed porous titanium for dental implants using a modified cellular solid model.

PubMed

Gagg, Graham; Ghassemieh, Elaheh; Wiria, Florencia E

2013-09-01

A set of cylindrical porous titanium test samples were produced using the three-dimensional printing and sintering method with samples sintered at 900 °C, 1000 °C, 1100 °C, 1200 °C or 1300 °C. Following compression testing, it was apparent that the stress-strain curves were similar in shape to the curves that represent cellular solids. This is despite a relative density twice as high as what is considered the threshold for defining a cellular solid. As final sintering temperature increased, the compressive behaviour developed from being elastic-brittle to elastic-plastic and while Young's modulus remained fairly constant in the region of 1.5 GPa, there was a corresponding increase in 0.2% proof stress of approximately 40-80 MPa. The cellular solid model consists of two equations that predict Young's modulus and yield or proof stress. By fitting to experimental data and consideration of porous morphology, appropriate changes to the geometry constants allow modification of the current models to predict with better accuracy the behaviour of porous materials with higher relative densities (lower porosity).

Embryo as an active granular fluid: stress-coordinated cellular constriction chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Guo-Jie Jason; Holcomb, Michael C.; Thomas, Jeffrey H.; Blawzdziewicz, Jerzy

2016-10-01

Mechanical stress plays an intricate role in gene expression in individual cells and sculpting of developing tissues. However, systematic methods of studying how mechanical stress and feedback help to harmonize cellular activities within a tissue have yet to be developed. Motivated by our observation of the cellular constriction chains (CCCs) during the initial phase of ventral furrow formation in the Drosophila melanogaster embryo, we propose an active granular fluid (AGF) model that provides valuable insights into cellular coordination in the apical constriction process. In our model, cells are treated as circular particles connected by a predefined force network, and they undergo a random constriction process in which the particle constriction probability P is a function of the stress exerted on the particle by its neighbors. We find that when P favors tensile stress, constricted particles tend to form chain-like structures. In contrast, constricted particles tend to form compact clusters when P favors compression. A remarkable similarity of constricted-particle chains and CCCs observed in vivo provides indirect evidence that tensile-stress feedback coordinates the apical constriction activity. Our particle-based AGF model will be useful in analyzing mechanical feedback effects in a wide variety of morphogenesis and organogenesis phenomena.

Drosophila as a genetic and cellular model for studies on axonal growth

PubMed Central

Sánchez-Soriano, Natalia; Tear, Guy; Whitington, Paul; Prokop, Andreas

2007-01-01

One of the most fascinating processes during nervous system development is the establishment of stereotypic neuronal networks. An essential step in this process is the outgrowth and precise navigation (pathfinding) of axons and dendrites towards their synaptic partner cells. This phenomenon was first described more than a century ago and, over the past decades, increasing insights have been gained into the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating neuronal growth and navigation. Progress in this area has been greatly assisted by the use of simple and genetically tractable invertebrate model systems, such as the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This review is dedicated to Drosophila as a genetic and cellular model to study axonal growth and demonstrates how it can and has been used for this research. We describe the various cellular systems of Drosophila used for such studies, insights into axonal growth cones and their cytoskeletal dynamics, and summarise identified molecular signalling pathways required for growth cone navigation, with particular focus on pathfinding decisions in the ventral nerve cord of Drosophila embryos. These Drosophila-specific aspects are viewed in the general context of our current knowledge about neuronal growth. PMID:17475018

Systems microscopy: an emerging strategy for the life sciences.

PubMed

Lock, John G; Strömblad, Staffan

2010-05-01

Dynamic cellular processes occurring in time and space are fundamental to all physiology and disease. To understand complex and dynamic cellular processes therefore demands the capacity to record and integrate quantitative multiparametric data from the four spatiotemporal dimensions within which living cells self-organize, and to subsequently use these data for the mathematical modeling of cellular systems. To this end, a raft of complementary developments in automated fluorescence microscopy, cell microarray platforms, quantitative image analysis and data mining, combined with multivariate statistics and computational modeling, now coalesce to produce a new research strategy, "systems microscopy", which facilitates systems biology analyses of living cells. Systems microscopy provides the crucial capacities to simultaneously extract and interrogate multiparametric quantitative data at resolution levels ranging from the molecular to the cellular, thereby elucidating a more comprehensive and richly integrated understanding of complex and dynamic cellular systems. The unique capacities of systems microscopy suggest that it will become a vital cornerstone of systems biology, and here we describe the current status and future prospects of this emerging field, as well as outlining some of the key challenges that remain to be overcome. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

IRESPred: Web Server for Prediction of Cellular and Viral Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES)

PubMed Central

Kolekar, Pandurang; Pataskar, Abhijeet; Kulkarni-Kale, Urmila; Pal, Jayanta; Kulkarni, Abhijeet

2016-01-01

Cellular mRNAs are predominantly translated in a cap-dependent manner. However, some viral and a subset of cellular mRNAs initiate their translation in a cap-independent manner. This requires presence of a structured RNA element, known as, Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) in their 5′ untranslated regions (UTRs). Experimental demonstration of IRES in UTR remains a challenging task. Computational prediction of IRES merely based on sequence and structure conservation is also difficult, particularly for cellular IRES. A web server, IRESPred is developed for prediction of both viral and cellular IRES using Support Vector Machine (SVM). The predictive model was built using 35 features that are based on sequence and structural properties of UTRs and the probabilities of interactions between UTR and small subunit ribosomal proteins (SSRPs). The model was found to have 75.51% accuracy, 75.75% sensitivity, 75.25% specificity, 75.75% precision and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.51 in blind testing. IRESPred was found to perform better than the only available viral IRES prediction server, VIPS. The IRESPred server is freely available at http://bioinfo.net.in/IRESPred/. PMID:27264539

Microglial pathology.

PubMed

Streit, Wolfgang J; Xue, Qing-Shan; Tischer, Jasmin; Bechmann, Ingo

2014-09-26

This paper summarizes pathological changes that affect microglial cells in the human brain during aging and in aging-related neurodegenerative diseases, primarily Alzheimer's disease (AD). It also provides examples of microglial changes that have been observed in laboratory animals during aging and in some experimentally induced lesions and disease models. Dissimilarities and similarities between humans and rodents are discussed in an attempt to generate a current understanding of microglial pathology and its significance during aging and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer dementia (AD). The identification of dystrophic (senescent) microglia has created an ostensible conflict with prior work claiming a role for activated microglia and neuroinflammation during normal aging and in AD, and this has raised a basic question: does the brain's immune system become hyperactive (inflamed) or does it become weakened (senescent) in elderly and demented people, and what is the impact on neuronal function and cognition? Here we strive to reconcile these seemingly contradictory notions by arguing that both low-grade neuroinflammation and microglial senescence are the result of aging-associated free radical injury. Both processes are damaging for microglia as they synergistically exhaust this essential cell population to the point where the brain's immune system is effete and unable to support neuronal function.

Soliton cellular automaton associated with Dn(1)-crystal B2,s

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Misra, Kailash C.; Wilson, Evan A.

2013-04-01

A solvable vertex model in ferromagnetic regime gives rise to a soliton cellular automaton which is a discrete dynamical system in which site variables take on values in a finite set. We study the scattering of a class of soliton cellular automata associated with the U_q(D_n^{(1)})-perfect crystal B2, s. We calculate the combinatorial R matrix for all elements of B2, s ⊗ B2, 1. In particular, we show that the scattering rule for our soliton cellular automaton can be identified with the combinatorial R matrix for U_q(A_1^{(1)}) oplus U_q(D_{n-2}^{(1)})-crystals.

Origami interleaved tube cellular materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheung, Kenneth C.; Tachi, Tomohiro; Calisch, Sam; Miura, Koryo

2014-09-01

A novel origami cellular material based on a deployable cellular origami structure is described. The structure is bi-directionally flat-foldable in two orthogonal (x and y) directions and is relatively stiff in the third orthogonal (z) direction. While such mechanical orthotropicity is well known in cellular materials with extruded two dimensional geometry, the interleaved tube geometry presented here consists of two orthogonal axes of interleaved tubes with high interfacial surface area and relative volume that changes with fold-state. In addition, the foldability still allows for fabrication by a flat lamination process, similar to methods used for conventional expanded two dimensional cellular materials. This article presents the geometric characteristics of the structure together with corresponding kinematic and mechanical modeling, explaining the orthotropic elastic behavior of the structure with classical dimensional scaling analysis.

Modeling and Analysis of Hybrid Cellular/WLAN Systems with Integrated Service-Based Vertical Handoff Schemes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Weiwei; Shen, Lianfeng

We propose two vertical handoff schemes for cellular network and wireless local area network (WLAN) integration: integrated service-based handoff (ISH) and integrated service-based handoff with queue capabilities (ISHQ). Compared with existing handoff schemes in integrated cellular/WLAN networks, the proposed schemes consider a more comprehensive set of system characteristics such as different features of voice and data services, dynamic information about the admitted calls, user mobility and vertical handoffs in two directions. The code division multiple access (CDMA) cellular network and IEEE 802.11e WLAN are taken into account in the proposed schemes. We model the integrated networks by using multi-dimensional Markov chains and the major performance measures are derived for voice and data services. The important system parameters such as thresholds to prioritize handoff voice calls and queue sizes are optimized. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed ISHQ scheme can maximize the utilization of overall bandwidth resources with the best quality of service (QoS) provisioning for voice and data services.

Cellular reprogramming dynamics follow a simple 1D reaction coordinate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teja Pusuluri, Sai; Lang, Alex H.; Mehta, Pankaj; Castillo, Horacio E.

2018-01-01

Cellular reprogramming, the conversion of one cell type to another, induces global changes in gene expression involving thousands of genes, and understanding how cells globally alter their gene expression profile during reprogramming is an ongoing problem. Here we reanalyze time-course data on cellular reprogramming from differentiated cell types to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and show that gene expression dynamics during reprogramming follow a simple 1D reaction coordinate. This reaction coordinate is independent of both the time it takes to reach the iPSC state as well as the details of the experimental protocol used. Using Monte-Carlo simulations, we show that such a reaction coordinate emerges from epigenetic landscape models where cellular reprogramming is viewed as a ‘barrier-crossing’ process between cell fates. Overall, our analysis and model suggest that gene expression dynamics during reprogramming follow a canonical trajectory consistent with the idea of an ‘optimal path’ in gene expression space for reprogramming.

Algorithm for cellular reprogramming.

PubMed

Ronquist, Scott; Patterson, Geoff; Muir, Lindsey A; Lindsly, Stephen; Chen, Haiming; Brown, Markus; Wicha, Max S; Bloch, Anthony; Brockett, Roger; Rajapakse, Indika

2017-11-07

The day we understand the time evolution of subcellular events at a level of detail comparable to physical systems governed by Newton's laws of motion seems far away. Even so, quantitative approaches to cellular dynamics add to our understanding of cell biology. With data-guided frameworks we can develop better predictions about, and methods for, control over specific biological processes and system-wide cell behavior. Here we describe an approach for optimizing the use of transcription factors (TFs) in cellular reprogramming, based on a device commonly used in optimal control. We construct an approximate model for the natural evolution of a cell-cycle-synchronized population of human fibroblasts, based on data obtained by sampling the expression of 22,083 genes at several time points during the cell cycle. To arrive at a model of moderate complexity, we cluster gene expression based on division of the genome into topologically associating domains (TADs) and then model the dynamics of TAD expression levels. Based on this dynamical model and additional data, such as known TF binding sites and activity, we develop a methodology for identifying the top TF candidates for a specific cellular reprogramming task. Our data-guided methodology identifies a number of TFs previously validated for reprogramming and/or natural differentiation and predicts some potentially useful combinations of TFs. Our findings highlight the immense potential of dynamical models, mathematics, and data-guided methodologies for improving strategies for control over biological processes. Copyright © 2017 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.

A Real Space Cellular Automaton Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozier, O.; Narteau, C.

2013-12-01

Investigations in geomorphology may benefit from computer modelling approaches that rely entirely on self-organization principles. In the vast majority of numerical models, instead, points in space are characterised by a variety of physical variables (e.g. sediment transport rate, velocity, temperature) recalculated over time according to some predetermined set of laws. However, there is not always a satisfactory theoretical framework from which we can quantify the overall dynamics of the system. For these reasons, we prefer to concentrate on interaction patterns using a basic cellular automaton modelling framework, the Real Space Cellular Automaton Laboratory (ReSCAL), a powerful and versatile generator of 3D stochastic models. The objective of this software suite released under a GNU license is to develop interdisciplinary research collaboration to investigate the dynamics of complex systems. The models in ReSCAL are essentially constructed from a small number of discrete states distributed on a cellular grid. An elementary cell is a real-space representation of the physical environment and pairs of nearest neighbour cells are called doublets. Each individual physical process is associated with a set of doublet transitions and characteristic transition rates. Using a modular approach, we can simulate and combine a wide range of physical, chemical and/or anthropological processes. Here, we present different ingredients of ReSCAL leading to applications in geomorphology: dune morphodynamics and landscape evolution. We also discuss how ReSCAL can be applied and developed across many disciplines in natural and human sciences.

In Vitro Experimental Model for the Long-Term Analysis of Cellular Dynamics During Bronchial Tree Development from Lung Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Maruta, Naomichi; Marumoto, Moegi

2017-01-01

Lung branching morphogenesis has been studied for decades, but the underlying developmental mechanisms are still not fully understood. Cellular movements dynamically change during the branching process, but it is difficult to observe long-term cellular dynamics by in vivo or tissue culture experiments. Therefore, developing an in vitro experimental model of bronchial tree would provide an essential tool for developmental biology, pathology, and systems biology. In this study, we succeeded in reconstructing a bronchial tree in vitro by using primary human bronchial epithelial cells. A high concentration gradient of bronchial epithelial cells was required for branching initiation, whereas homogeneously distributed endothelial cells induced the formation of successive branches. Subsequently, the branches grew in size to the order of millimeter. The developed model contains only two types of cells and it facilitates the analysis of lung branching morphogenesis. By taking advantage of our experimental model, we carried out long-term time-lapse observations, which revealed self-assembly, collective migration with leader cells, rotational motion, and spiral motion of epithelial cells in each developmental event. Mathematical simulation was also carried out to analyze the self-assembly process and it revealed simple rules that govern cellular dynamics. Our experimental model has provided many new insights into lung development and it has the potential to accelerate the study of developmental mechanisms, pattern formation, left–right asymmetry, and disease pathogenesis of the human lung. PMID:28471293

Multilane Traffic Flow Modeling Using Cellular Automata Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chechina, Antonina; Churbanova, Natalia; Trapeznikova, Marina

2018-02-01

The paper deals with the mathematical modeling of traffic flows on urban road networks using microscopic approach. The model is based on the cellular automata theory and presents a generalization of the Nagel-Schreckenberg model to a multilane case. The created program package allows to simulate traffic on various types of road fragments (T or X type intersection, strait road elements, etc.) and on road networks that consist of these elements. Besides that, it allows to predict the consequences of various decisions regarding road infrastructure changes, such as: number of lanes increasing/decreasing, putting new traffic lights into operation, building new roads, entrances/exits, road junctions.

ML-Space: Hybrid Spatial Gillespie and Particle Simulation of Multi-Level Rule-Based Models in Cell Biology.

PubMed

Bittig, Arne T; Uhrmacher, Adelinde M

2017-01-01

Spatio-temporal dynamics of cellular processes can be simulated at different levels of detail, from (deterministic) partial differential equations via the spatial Stochastic Simulation algorithm to tracking Brownian trajectories of individual particles. We present a spatial simulation approach for multi-level rule-based models, which includes dynamically hierarchically nested cellular compartments and entities. Our approach ML-Space combines discrete compartmental dynamics, stochastic spatial approaches in discrete space, and particles moving in continuous space. The rule-based specification language of ML-Space supports concise and compact descriptions of models and to adapt the spatial resolution of models easily.

Metabolic Adaptation to Muscle Ischemia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cabrera, Marco E.; Coon, Jennifer E.; Kalhan, Satish C.; Radhakrishnan, Krishnan; Saidel, Gerald M.; Stanley, William C.

2000-01-01

Although all tissues in the body can adapt to varying physiological/pathological conditions, muscle is the most adaptable. To understand the significance of cellular events and their role in controlling metabolic adaptations in complex physiological systems, it is necessary to link cellular and system levels by means of mechanistic computational models. The main objective of this work is to improve understanding of the regulation of energy metabolism during skeletal/cardiac muscle ischemia by combining in vivo experiments and quantitative models of metabolism. Our main focus is to investigate factors affecting lactate metabolism (e.g., NADH/NAD) and the inter-regulation between carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism during a reduction in regional blood flow. A mechanistic mathematical model of energy metabolism has been developed to link cellular metabolic processes and their control mechanisms to tissue (skeletal muscle) and organ (heart) physiological responses. We applied this model to simulate the relationship between tissue oxygenation, redox state, and lactate metabolism in skeletal muscle. The model was validated using human data from published occlusion studies. Currently, we are investigating the difference in the responses to sudden vs. gradual onset ischemia in swine by combining in vivo experimental studies with computational models of myocardial energy metabolism during normal and ischemic conditions.

Use of a Generalized Additive Model to Investigate Key Abiotic Factors Affecting Microcystin Cellular Quotas in Heavy Bloom Areas of Lake Taihu

PubMed Central

Tao, Min; Xie, Ping; Chen, Jun; Qin, Boqiang; Zhang, Dawen; Niu, Yuan; Zhang, Meng; Wang, Qing; Wu, Laiyan

2012-01-01

Lake Taihu is the third largest freshwater lake in China and is suffering from serious cyanobacterial blooms with the associated drinking water contamination by microcystin (MC) for millions of citizens. So far, most studies on MCs have been limited to two small bays, while systematic research on the whole lake is lacking. To explain the variations in MC concentrations during cyanobacterial bloom, a large-scale survey at 30 sites across the lake was conducted monthly in 2008. The health risks of MC exposure were high, especially in the northern area. Both Microcystis abundance and MC cellular quotas presented positive correlations with MC concentration in the bloom seasons, suggesting that the toxic risks during Microcystis proliferations were affected by variations in both Microcystis density and MC production per Microcystis cell. Use of a powerful predictive modeling tool named generalized additive model (GAM) helped visualize significant effects of abiotic factors related to carbon fixation and proliferation of Microcystis (conductivity, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), water temperature and pH) on MC cellular quotas from recruitment period of Microcystis to the bloom seasons, suggesting the possible use of these factors, in addition to Microcystis abundance, as warning signs to predict toxic events in the future. The interesting relationship between macrophytes and MC cellular quotas of Microcystis (i.e., high MC cellular quotas in the presence of macrophytes) needs further investigation. PMID:22384128

Genetic podocyte lineage reveals progressive podocytopenia with parietal cell hyperplasia in a murine model of cellular/collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

PubMed

Suzuki, Taisei; Matsusaka, Taiji; Nakayama, Makiko; Asano, Takako; Watanabe, Teruo; Ichikawa, Iekuni; Nagata, Michio

2009-05-01

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a progressive renal disease, and the glomerular visceral cell hyperplasia typically observed in cellular/collapsing FSGS is an important pathological factor in disease progression. However, the cellular features that promote FSGS currently remain obscure. To determine both the origin and phenotypic alterations in hyperplastic cells in cellular/collapsing FSGS, the present study used a previously described FSGS model in p21-deficient mice with visceral cell hyperplasia and identified the podocyte lineage by genetic tagging. The p21-deficient mice with nephropathy showed significantly higher urinary protein levels, extracapillary hyperplastic indices on day 5, and glomerular sclerosis indices on day 14 than wild-type controls. X-gal staining and immunohistochemistry for podocyte and parietal epithelial cell (PEC) markers revealed progressive podocytopenia with capillary collapse accompanied by PEC hyperplasia leading to FSGS. In our investigation, non-tagged cells expressed neither WT1 nor nestin. Ki-67, a proliferation marker, was rarely associated with podocytes but was expressed at high levels in PECs. Both terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining and electron microscopy failed to show evidence of significant podocyte apoptosis on days 5 and 14. These findings suggest that extensive podocyte loss and simultaneous PEC hyperplasia is an actual pathology that may contribute to the progression of cellular/collapsing FSGS in this mouse model. Additionally, this is the first study to demonstrate the regulatory role of p21 in the PEC cell cycle.

Cellular self-assembly and biomaterials-based organoid models of development and diseases.

PubMed

Shah, Shivem B; Singh, Ankur

2017-04-15

Organogenesis and morphogenesis have informed our understanding of physiology, pathophysiology, and avenues to create new curative and regenerative therapies. Thus far, this understanding has been hindered by the lack of a physiologically relevant yet accessible model that affords biological control. Recently, three-dimensional ex vivo cellular cultures created through cellular self-assembly under natural extracellular matrix cues or through biomaterial-based directed assembly have been shown to physically resemble and recapture some functionality of target organs. These "organoids" have garnered momentum for their applications in modeling human development and disease, drug screening, and future therapy design or even organ replacement. This review first discusses the self-organizing organoids as materials with emergent properties and their advantages and limitations. We subsequently describe biomaterials-based strategies used to afford more control of the organoid's microenvironment and ensuing cellular composition and organization. In this review, we also offer our perspective on how multifunctional biomaterials with precise spatial and temporal control could ultimately bridge the gap between in vitro organoid platforms and their in vivo counterparts. Several notable reviews have highlighted PSC-derived organoids and 3D aggregates, including embryoid bodies, from a development and cellular assembly perspective. The focus of this review is to highlight the materials-based approaches that cells, including PSCs and others, adopt for self-assembly and the controlled development of complex tissues, such as that of the brain, gut, and immune system. Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel type of cellular senescence that can be enhanced in mouse models and human tumor xenografts to suppress prostate tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

Alimonti, Andrea; Nardella, Caterina; Chen, Zhenbang; Clohessy, John G.; Carracedo, Arkaitz; Trotman, Lloyd C.; Cheng, Ke; Varmeh, Shohreh; Kozma, Sara C.; Thomas, George; Rosivatz, Erika; Woscholski, Rudiger; Cognetti, Francesco; Scher, Howard I.; Pandolfi, Pier Paolo

2010-01-01

Irreversible cell growth arrest, a process termed cellular senescence, is emerging as an intrinsic tumor suppressive mechanism. Oncogene-induced senescence is thought to be invariably preceded by hyperproliferation, aberrant replication, and activation of a DNA damage checkpoint response (DDR), rendering therapeutic enhancement of this process unsuitable for cancer treatment. We previously demonstrated in a mouse model of prostate cancer that inactivation of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten) elicits a senescence response that opposes tumorigenesis. Here, we show that Pten-loss–induced cellular senescence (PICS) represents a senescence response that is distinct from oncogene-induced senescence and can be targeted for cancer therapy. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we determined that PICS occurs rapidly after Pten inactivation, in the absence of cellular proliferation and DDR. Further, we found that PICS is associated with enhanced p53 translation. Consistent with these data, we showed that in mice p53-stabilizing drugs potentiated PICS and its tumor suppressive potential. Importantly, we demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of PTEN drives senescence and inhibits tumorigenesis in vivo in a human xenograft model of prostate cancer. Taken together, our data identify a type of cellular senescence that can be triggered in nonproliferating cells in the absence of DNA damage, which we believe will be useful for developing a “pro-senescence” approach for cancer prevention and therapy. PMID:20197621

Cellular cation transport studied by 6/7Li and 23Na NMR in a porous Mo132 Keplerate type nano-capsule as model system.

PubMed

Rehder, Dieter; Haupt, Erhard T K; Müller, Achim

2008-01-01

Li+ ions can interplay with other cations intrinsically present in the intra- and extra-cellular space (i.e. Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) have therapeutic effects (e.g. in the treatment of bipolar disorder) or toxic effects (at higher doses), likely because Li+ interferes with the intra-/extra-cellular concentration gradients of the mentioned physiologically relevant cations. The cellular transmembrane transport can be modelled by molybdenum-oxide-based Keplerates, i.e. nano-sized porous capsules containing 132 Mo centres, monitored through 6/7Li as well as 23Na NMR spectroscopy. The effects on the transport of Li+ cations through the 'ion channels' of these model cells, caused by variations in water amount, temperature, and by the addition of organic cationic 'plugs' and the shift reagent [Dy(PPP)2](7-) are reported. In the investigated solvent systems, water acts as a transport mediator for Li+. Likewise, the counter-transport (Li+/Na+, Li+/K+, Li+/Cs+ and Li+/Ca2+) has been investigated by 7Li NMR and, in the case of Li+/Na+ exchange, by 23Na NMR, and it has been shown that most (in the case of Na+ and K+, all (Ca2+) or almost none (Cs+) of the Li cations is extruded from the internal sites of the artificial cell to the extra-cellular medium, while Na+, K+ and Ca2+ are partially incorporated.

Optical scatter imaging of cellular and mitochondrial swelling in brain tissue models of stroke

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Lee James

2001-08-01

The severity of brain edema resulting from a stroke can determine a patient's survival and the extent of their recovery. Cellular swelling is the microscopic source of a significant part of brain edema. Mitochondrial swelling also appears to be a determining event in the death or survival of the cells that are injured during a stroke. Therapies for reducing brain edema are not effective in many cases and current treatments of stroke do not address mitochondrial swelling at all. This dissertation is motivated by the lack of a complete understanding of cellular swelling resulting from stroke and the lack of a good method to begin to study mitochondrial swelling resulting from stroke in living brain tissue. In this dissertation, a novel method of detecting mitochondrial and cellular swelling in living hippocampal slices is developed and validated. The system is used to obtain spatial and temporal information about cellular and mitochondrial swelling resulting from various models of stroke. The effect of changes in water content on light scatter and absorption are examined in two models of brain edema. The results of this study demonstrate that optical techniques can be used to detect changes in water content. Mie scatter theory, the theoretical basis of the dual- angle scatter ratio imaging system, is presented. Computer simulations based on Mie scatter theory are used to determine the optimal angles for imaging. A detailed account of the early systems is presented to explain the motivations for the system design, especially polarization, wavelength and light path. Mitochondrial sized latex particles are used to determine the system response to changes in scattering particle size and concentration. The dual-angle scatter ratio imaging system is used to distinguish between osmotic and excitotoxic models of stroke injury. Such distinction cannot be achieved using the current techniques to study cellular swelling in hippocampal slices. The change in the scatter ratio is then shown to correlate to mitochondrial swelling, as observed with electron microscopy. The system is finally used to study mitochondrial and cellular swelling. Evidence of the susceptibility of certain hippocampal regions, CA1 and the dentate gyrus, to exhibit mitochondrial swelling as the result of oxygen and glucose deprivation is presented. In addition, for the first time, the time course of mitochondrial swelling is seen. Finally, experiments with scatter imaging and measurement of nitric oxide with carbon fiber electrodes demonstrate a clear link between nitric oxide and cellular swelling. A potential mechanism of the action of nitric oxide is evaluated. Nitric oxide appears to act to cause cellular swelling without the release of glutamate. The use of targeted nitric oxide inhibitors may be useful for the reduction of edema.

Systems cell biology

PubMed Central

Mast, Fred D.; Ratushny, Alexander V.

2014-01-01

Systems cell biology melds high-throughput experimentation with quantitative analysis and modeling to understand many critical processes that contribute to cellular organization and dynamics. Recently, there have been several advances in technology and in the application of modeling approaches that enable the exploration of the dynamic properties of cells. Merging technology and computation offers an opportunity to objectively address unsolved cellular mechanisms, and has revealed emergent properties and helped to gain a more comprehensive and fundamental understanding of cell biology. PMID:25225336

Dynamical analysis of cellular ageing by modeling of gene regulatory network based attractor landscape.

PubMed

Chong, Ket Hing; Zhang, Xiaomeng; Zheng, Jie

2018-01-01

Ageing is a natural phenomenon that is inherently complex and remains a mystery. Conceptual model of cellular ageing landscape was proposed for computational studies of ageing. However, there is a lack of quantitative model of cellular ageing landscape. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of cellular ageing in a theoretical model using the framework of Waddington's epigenetic landscape. We construct an ageing gene regulatory network (GRN) consisting of the core cell cycle regulatory genes (including p53). A model parameter (activation rate) is used as a measure of the accumulation of DNA damage. Using the bifurcation diagrams to estimate the parameter values that lead to multi-stability, we obtained a conceptual model for capturing three distinct stable steady states (or attractors) corresponding to homeostasis, cell cycle arrest, and senescence or apoptosis. In addition, we applied a Monte Carlo computational method to quantify the potential landscape, which displays: I) one homeostasis attractor for low accumulation of DNA damage; II) two attractors for cell cycle arrest and senescence (or apoptosis) in response to high accumulation of DNA damage. Using the Waddington's epigenetic landscape framework, the process of ageing can be characterized by state transitions from landscape I to II. By in silico perturbations, we identified the potential landscape of a perturbed network (inactivation of p53), and thereby demonstrated the emergence of a cancer attractor. The simulated dynamics of the perturbed network displays a landscape with four basins of attraction: homeostasis, cell cycle arrest, senescence (or apoptosis) and cancer. Our analysis also showed that for the same perturbed network with low DNA damage, the landscape displays only the homeostasis attractor. The mechanistic model offers theoretical insights that can facilitate discovery of potential strategies for network medicine of ageing-related diseases such as cancer.

Cellular Automata and the Humanities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gallo, Ernest

1994-01-01

The use of cellular automata to analyze several pre-Socratic hypotheses about the evolution of the physical world is discussed. These hypotheses combine characteristics of both rigorous and metaphoric language. Since the computer demands explicit instructions for each step in the evolution of the automaton, such models can reveal conceptual…

QUANTITATIVE IN VITRO MEASUREMENT OF CELLULAR PROCESSES CRITICAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL CONNECTIVITY USING HCA.

EPA Science Inventory

New methods are needed to screen thousands of environmental chemicals for toxicity, including developmental neurotoxicity. In vitro, cell-based assays that model key cellular events have been proposed for high throughput screening of chemicals for developmental neurotoxicity. Whi...

Use of the cellular model of body composition to describe changes in body water compartments after total fasting, very low calorie diet and low calorie diet in obese men.

PubMed

Siervo, M; Faber, P; Gibney, E R; Lobley, G E; Elia, M; Stubbs, R J; Johnstone, A M

2010-05-01

The cellular model of body composition divides the body in body cell mass (BCM), extracellular solids and extracellular fluids. This model has been infrequently applied for the evaluation of weight loss (WL) programmes. (1) To assess changes in body compartments in obese men undergoing fasting, very low calorie diet (VLCD) and low calorie diet (LCD); (2) to evaluate two cellular models for the determination of changes in BCM, fat mass (FM) and body fluids. Three groups of six, obese men participated in a total fast (F) for 6 days, a VLCD (2.5 MJ per day) for 3 weeks or an LCD (5.2 MJ per day) for 6 weeks. Body composition was measured at baseline and after small ( approximately 5%) and moderate ( approximately 10%) WL. FM was measured using a four-compartment model. Total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) were, respectively, measured by deuterium and sodium bromide dilution and intracellular water (ICW) calculated by difference. Two cellular models were used to measure BCM, FM and body fluids distribution. After about 5%WL changes in TBW were F=-3.2+/-1.2 kg (P<0.01), VLCD=-1.2+/-0.6 kg (P<0.01), LCD=-0.3+/-0.9 kg(n.s.). The contribution of TBW to total body mass loss was indirectly associated with FM loss. ECW increased during fasting (+1.5+/-3.1 kg, n.s.), decreased during the VLCD (-2.0+/-1.5 kg, P<0.05) and remained unchanged at the end of the LCD (-0.3+/-1.6 kg, n.s.). ICW significantly decreased during fasting (-4.7+/-3.9 kg, P<0.05) but did not change in the LCD and VLCD groups. The loss of BCM was more significant in the fasting group and it was directly associated with changes in ICW. After a 6-day period of fasting we observed more ICW losses and less fat mobilization compared with VLCD and LCD. The cellular model of body composition is suitable for the characterization of changes in body fluids distribution during WL.

Cellular telephone interference with medical equipment.

PubMed

Tri, Jeffrey L; Severson, Rodney P; Firl, Allen R; Hayes, David L; Abenstein, John P

2005-10-01

To assess the potential electromagnetic interference (EMI) effects that new or current-generation cellular telephones have on medical devices. For this study, performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between March 9, 2004, and April 24, 2004, we tested 16 different medical devices with 6 cellular telephones to assess the potential for EMI. Two of the medical devices were tested with both new and old interface modules. The 6 cellular telephones chosen represent the different cellular technology protocols in use: Code Division Multiple Access (2 models), Global System for Mobile communications, Integrated Digital Enhanced Network, Time Division Multiple Access, and analog. The cellular telephones were tested when operating at or near their maximum power output. The medical devices, connected to clinical simulators during testing, were monitored by observing the device displays and alarms. Of 510 tests performed, the incidence of clinically important interference was 1.2%; EMI was Induced in 108 tests (21.2%). Interference occurred in 7 (44%) of the 16 devices tested. Cellular telephones can interfere with medical equipment. Technology changes in both cellular telephones and medical equipment may continue to mitigate or may worsen clinically relevant interference. Compared with cellular telephones tested in previous studies, those currently in use must be closer to medical devices before any interference is noticed. However, periodic testing of cellular telephones to determine their effects on medical equipment will be required.

Capacity on wireless quantum cellular communication system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xiang-Zhen; Yu, Xu-Tao; Zhang, Zai-Chen

2018-03-01

Quantum technology is making excellent prospects in future communication networks. Entanglement generation and purification are two major components in quantum networks. Combining these two techniques with classical cellular mobile communication, we proposed a novel wireless quantum cellular(WQC) communication system which is possible to realize commercial mobile quantum communication. In this paper, the architecture and network topology of WQC communication system are discussed, the mathematical model of WQC system is extracted and the serving capacity, indicating the ability to serve customers, is defined and calculated under certain circumstances.

The Use of a Sensory Model to Facilitate the Study of the Biochemistry of Adhesion in Marine-Fouling Diatoms

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-07-30

transported to the cell membrane in the area of the raphe canal and, following vesicular fusion with the cellular membrane, their contents are released into...the external raphe canal and become free to interact with the substratum. This leads to cellular adhesion. Continued synthesis and secretion of polymer... cellular adhesion is measured as a function of an extracellular chemical signal. Results (a) Sensory Biology. The overall question in our research

A new approach to the study of therapeutic work in the transference.

PubMed

Pessier, J; Stuart, J

2000-02-01

This article proposes a new method for evaluating the effects of therapist and patient work in the transference. Work in the transference is often difficult for the patient, and may show a characteristic pattern of lag between a transference interpretation and its therapeutic effect. To account for this lag, we assessed patient responses to interpretations over the course of entire sessions. The narratives patients told about others, or Relationship Episodes (REs), were used as units of study. In a sample of three consecutive sessions taken from each of three psychodynamic cases, we identified several instances when transference work appeared to have an initial inhibitory effect, but facilitated progress over the course of the entire session. We recommend that to examine the effects of interpretations future studies use longer, more clinically meaningful segments of patient speech than have been used in the past. Dieser Beitrag propagiert eine neue Methode zur Evaluierung der Effekte von Übertragungsarbeit durch Therapeut und Patient. Arbeit in der Übertragung ist für den Patienten oftmals schwierig und zeigt häufig eine charakteristisches Muster von zeitlichen Verzögerungen bzgl. Übertragungsdeutungen und deren therapeutischen Effekten. Um diese zeitliche Verzögerung zu erklären, untersuchten wir die Reaktionen von Patienten auf derartige Deutungen im Verlauf ganzer Sitzungen. Narrative, in denen die Patienten über andere berichteten, also Beziehungsepisoden, dienten in dieser Studie als Einheit. In einter Stichprobe dreier aufeinanderfolgender Sitzugnen, die sich auf drei Fälle bezogen, identifizierten wir verschiedene Umstände, unter denen Übertragungsarbeit anfänglich einen hemmenden Affekt zu haben schien, letztlich aber den Gesamtverlauf der Sitzung günstig beeinflussten. Wir empfehlen, in Zukunft die Effekte von Übertragungsdeutungen auf der Basis längerer, klinische sinnvoller Segmente von Patientenäußerungen zu untersuchen als dies in der Vergangenheit der Fall war. Cet article propose une nouvelle méthode pour évaluer les effets du travail sur le transfert entre thérapeute et patient. Ce travail est souvent difficile pour le patient, et il peut y avoir un pattern caractéristique de délai entre une înterprétation de transfert et son effet thérapeutique. Pour expliquer ce délai, nous avons évalué les réponses des patients à des interprétatios au cours de séances entières. C'est les narrations des patients sur d'autres, ou Episodes Relationnels (ERs), qui ont constitué les unités de base de cette étude. Dans un échantillon de 3 séances consécutives venant de 3 cas psychodynamiques, nous avons identifié plusieurs moments où le traail sur le transfert semblait avoir un effet inhibitoire initial, mais favorisait le progrès en regardant la séance entière. Nous recommandons pour de futures études sur l'effet des interprétations de prendre des segments plus longs et cliniquement significatifs du récit du patient que ceux utilisés dans le passé. Este artículo propone un nuevo método para evaluar los efectos del trabajo de terapeuta y paciente en la transferencia. El trabajo en la transferencia es, con frecuencia, dificil para el paciente y puede mostrar un lapso característico entre una interpretación transferencial y sus efectos terapéuticos. Para explicar este lapso, hemos evaluado las respuestas del paciente a las interpretaciones a lo largo de sesiones enteras. Como unidad de estudio se usaron las narrativas de los pacientes acerca de otros, o sea, los episodios relacionales (REs). En una muestra de tres sesiones consecutivas tomadas de tres casos psicodinámicos, identificamos varioss casos en los que la trasferencia parecía tener un efecto inicial inhibitorio, aunque se vio que a lo largo de la sesión facilitaba el progreso. Recomendamos que, para examinar los efectos de las interpretaciones, los futuros estudios usen segmentos más largos y clínicamente más significativos del habia del paciente que los que se usaron en el pasado.

Simulation of the Burridge-Knopoff model of earthquakes with variable range stress transfer.

PubMed

Xia, Junchao; Gould, Harvey; Klein, W; Rundle, J B

2005-12-09

Simple models of earthquake faults are important for understanding the mechanisms for their observed behavior, such as Gutenberg-Richter scaling and the relation between large and small events, which is the basis for various forecasting methods. Although cellular automaton models have been studied extensively in the long-range stress transfer limit, this limit has not been studied for the Burridge-Knopoff model, which includes more realistic friction forces and inertia. We find that the latter model with long-range stress transfer exhibits qualitatively different behavior than both the long-range cellular automaton models and the usual Burridge-Knopoff model with nearest-neighbor springs, depending on the nature of the velocity-weakening friction force. These results have important implications for our understanding of earthquakes and other driven dissipative systems.

Advances in molecular labeling, high throughput imaging and machine intelligence portend powerful functional cellular biochemistry tools.

PubMed

Price, Jeffrey H; Goodacre, Angela; Hahn, Klaus; Hodgson, Louis; Hunter, Edward A; Krajewski, Stanislaw; Murphy, Robert F; Rabinovich, Andrew; Reed, John C; Heynen, Susanne

2002-01-01

Cellular behavior is complex. Successfully understanding systems at ever-increasing complexity is fundamental to advances in modern science and unraveling the functional details of cellular behavior is no exception. We present a collection of prospectives to provide a glimpse of the techniques that will aid in collecting, managing and utilizing information on complex cellular processes via molecular imaging tools. These include: 1) visualizing intracellular protein activity with fluorescent markers, 2) high throughput (and automated) imaging of multilabeled cells in statistically significant numbers, and 3) machine intelligence to analyze subcellular image localization and pattern. Although not addressed here, the importance of combining cell-image-based information with detailed molecular structure and ligand-receptor binding models cannot be overlooked. Advanced molecular imaging techniques have the potential to impact cellular diagnostics for cancer screening, clinical correlations of tissue molecular patterns for cancer biology, and cellular molecular interactions for accelerating drug discovery. The goal of finally understanding all cellular components and behaviors will be achieved by advances in both instrumentation engineering (software and hardware) and molecular biochemistry. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PHYSICS AND RELATED AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: A Realistic Cellular Automaton Model for Synchronized Traffic Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Bo-Han; Hu, Mao-Bin; Jiang, Rui; Wu, Qing-Song

2009-11-01

A cellular automaton model is proposed to consider the anticipation effect in drivers' behavior. It is shown that the anticipation effect can be one of the origins of synchronized traffic flow. With anticipation effect, the congested traffic flow simulated by the model exhibits the features of synchronized flow. The spatiotemporal patterns induced by an on-ramp are also consistent with the three-phase traffic theory. Since the origin of synchronized flow is still controversial, our work can shed some light on the mechanism of synchronized flow.

Comprehensive finite element modeling of Ti-6Al-4V cellular solids fabricated by electron beam melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arrieta, Edel

Additive manufacturing permits the fabrication of cellular metals which are materials that can be highly customizable and possess multiple and extraordinary properties such as damage tolerance, metamorphic and auxetic behaviors, and high specific stiffness. This makes them the subject of interest for innovative applications. With interest in these materials for energy absorption applications, this work presents the development of nonlinear finite element models in commercial software platforms (MSC Patran/Nastran) that permit the analysis of the deformation mechanisms of these materials under compressive loads. In the development of these models, a detailed multiscale study on the different factors affecting the response of cellular metals was conducted with the objective to understanding the physics with the objective of selecting the most appropriate experiments. In that manner, a series of experiments were conducted on Ti-6Al-4V specimens fabricated by electron beam melting at different manufacturing orientations. Digital image correlation was presented as a vital tool for the measurement of strains in specimens with complex shapes; the experiments contemplated compression and tension tests of Ti-6Al-4V solid components, as well as compression tests on cellular lattices of the same alloy. FEMs were developed from the same CAD file utilized for the fabrication of the lattices; in addition, different meshing approaches and mesh convergence analysis were discussed. The mesh density showed convergence in models with over 70,000 elements, permitting the evaluation of the stress/strain-distribution mechanisms in the lattices. However, because of the considerable variability of the experimental material properties, some numerical results showed significant errors in predicting the compressive force applied to the lattices during the experiments; thus suggesting the need to improve the quality control in the manufacturing process and develop better technologies in computational mechanics for the modeling of cellular metals.

Learning Cellular Sorting Pathways Using Protein Interactions and Sequence Motifs

PubMed Central

Lin, Tien-Ho; Bar-Joseph, Ziv

2011-01-01

Abstract Proper subcellular localization is critical for proteins to perform their roles in cellular functions. Proteins are transported by different cellular sorting pathways, some of which take a protein through several intermediate locations until reaching its final destination. The pathway a protein is transported through is determined by carrier proteins that bind to specific sequence motifs. In this article, we present a new method that integrates protein interaction and sequence motif data to model how proteins are sorted through these sorting pathways. We use a hidden Markov model (HMM) to represent protein sorting pathways. The model is able to determine intermediate sorting states and to assign carrier proteins and motifs to the sorting pathways. In simulation studies, we show that the method can accurately recover an underlying sorting model. Using data for yeast, we show that our model leads to accurate prediction of subcellular localization. We also show that the pathways learned by our model recover many known sorting pathways and correctly assign proteins to the path they utilize. The learned model identified new pathways and their putative carriers and motifs and these may represent novel protein sorting mechanisms. Supplementary results and software implementation are available from http://murphylab.web.cmu.edu/software/2010_RECOMB_pathways/. PMID:21999284

Simulation of Healing Threshold in Strain-Induced Inflammation Through a Discrete Informatics Model.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Israr Bin M; Sarma O V, Sanjay; Pidaparti, Ramana M

2018-05-01

Respiratory diseases such as asthma and acute respiratory distress syndrome as well as acute lung injury involve inflammation at the cellular level. The inflammation process is very complex and is characterized by the emergence of cytokines along with other changes in cellular processes. Due to the complexity of the various constituents that makes up the inflammation dynamics, it is necessary to develop models that can complement experiments to fully understand inflammatory diseases. In this study, we developed a discrete informatics model based on cellular automata (CA) approach to investigate the influence of elastic field (stretch/strain) on the dynamics of inflammation and account for probabilistic adaptation based on statistical interpretation of existing experimental data. Our simulation model investigated the effects of low, medium, and high strain conditions on inflammation dynamics. Results suggest that the model is able to indicate the threshold of innate healing of tissue as a response to strain experienced by the tissue. When strain is under the threshold, the tissue is still capable of adapting its structure to heal the damaged part. However, there exists a strain threshold where healing capability breaks down. The results obtained demonstrate that the developed discrete informatics based CA model is capable of modeling and giving insights into inflammation dynamics parameters under various mechanical strain/stretch environments.

Mammalian synthetic biology for studying the cell

PubMed Central

Mathur, Melina; Xiang, Joy S.

2017-01-01

Synthetic biology is advancing the design of genetic devices that enable the study of cellular and molecular biology in mammalian cells. These genetic devices use diverse regulatory mechanisms to both examine cellular processes and achieve precise and dynamic control of cellular phenotype. Synthetic biology tools provide novel functionality to complement the examination of natural cell systems, including engineered molecules with specific activities and model systems that mimic complex regulatory processes. Continued development of quantitative standards and computational tools will expand capacities to probe cellular mechanisms with genetic devices to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the cell. In this study, we review synthetic biology tools that are being applied to effectively investigate diverse cellular processes, regulatory networks, and multicellular interactions. We also discuss current challenges and future developments in the field that may transform the types of investigation possible in cell biology. PMID:27932576

Red blood cell dynamics: from cell deformation to ATP release.

PubMed

Wan, Jiandi; Forsyth, Alison M; Stone, Howard A

2011-10-01

The mechanisms of red blood cell (RBC) deformation under both static and dynamic, i.e., flow, conditions have been studied extensively since the mid 1960s. Deformation-induced biochemical reactions and possible signaling in RBCs, however, were proposed only fifteen years ago. Therefore, the fundamental relationship between RBC deformation and cellular signaling dynamics i.e., mechanotransduction, remains incompletely understood. Quantitative understanding of the mechanotransductive pathways in RBCs requires integrative studies of physical models of RBC deformation and cellular biochemical reactions. In this article we review the physical models of RBC deformation, spanning from continuum membrane mechanics to cellular skeleton dynamics under both static and flow conditions, and elaborate the mechanistic links involved in deformation-induced ATP release. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Effect of porous material heating on the drag force of a cylinder with gas-permeable porous inserts in a supersonic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mironov, S. G.; Poplavskaya, T. V.; Kirilovskiy, S. V.

2017-10-01

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of supersonic flow around a solid cylinder with a gas-permeable porous insert on its front end and of supersonic flow around a hollow cylinder with internal porous inserts in the presence of heating of the porous material. The experiments were performed in a supersonic wind tunnel with Mach number 4.85 and 7 with porous inserts of cellular-porous nickel. The results of measurements on the filtration stand of the air filtration rate through the cellular-porous nickel when it is heated are also shown. For a number of experiments, numerical modeling based on the skeletal model of a cellular-porous material was carried out.

Dynamic Simulation of 1D Cellular Automata in the Active aTAM.

PubMed

Jonoska, Nataša; Karpenko, Daria; Seki, Shinnosuke

2015-07-01

The Active aTAM is a tile based model for self-assembly where tiles are able to transfer signals and change identities according to the signals received. We extend Active aTAM to include deactivation signals and thereby allow detachment of tiles. We show that the model allows a dynamic simulation of cellular automata with assemblies that do not record the entire computational history but only the current updates of the states, and thus provide a way for (a) algorithmic dynamical structural changes in the assembly and (b) reusable space in self-assembly. The simulation is such that at a given location the sequence of tiles that attach and detach corresponds precisely to the sequence of states the synchronous cellular automaton generates at that location.

Failover in Cellular Automata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Shailesh; Rao, Shrisha

This paper studies a phenomenon called failover, and shows that this phenomenon (in particular, stateless failover) can be modeled by Game of Life cellular automata. This is the first time that this sophisticated real-life system behavior has been modeled in abstract terms. A cellular automata (CA) configuration is constructed that exhibits emergent failover. The configuration is based on standard Game of Life rules. Gliders and glider-guns form the core messaging structure in the configuration. The blinker is represented as the basic computational unit, and it is shown how it can be recreated in case of a failure. Stateless failover using the primary-backup mechanism is demonstrated. The details of the CA components used in the configuration and its working are described, and a simulation of the complete configuration is also presented.

Substrate stress relaxation regulates cell spreading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaudhuri, Ovijit; Gu, Luo; Darnell, Max; Klumpers, Darinka; Bencherif, Sidi A.; Weaver, James C.; Huebsch, Nathaniel; Mooney, David J.

2015-02-01

Studies of cellular mechanotransduction have converged upon the idea that cells sense extracellular matrix (ECM) elasticity by gauging resistance to the traction forces they exert on the ECM. However, these studies typically utilize purely elastic materials as substrates, whereas physiological ECMs are viscoelastic, and exhibit stress relaxation, so that cellular traction forces exerted by cells remodel the ECM. Here we investigate the influence of ECM stress relaxation on cell behaviour through computational modelling and cellular experiments. Surprisingly, both our computational model and experiments find that spreading for cells cultured on soft substrates that exhibit stress relaxation is greater than cells spreading on elastic substrates of the same modulus, but similar to that of cells spreading on stiffer elastic substrates. These findings challenge the current view of how cells sense and respond to the ECM.

The Neurona at Home project: Simulating a large-scale cellular automata brain in a distributed computing environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acedo, L.; Villanueva-Oller, J.; Moraño, J. A.; Villanueva, R.-J.

2013-01-01

The Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC) has become the standard open source solution for grid computing in the Internet. Volunteers use their computers to complete an small part of the task assigned by a dedicated server. We have developed a BOINC project called Neurona@Home whose objective is to simulate a cellular automata random network with, at least, one million neurons. We consider a cellular automata version of the integrate-and-fire model in which excitatory and inhibitory nodes can activate or deactivate neighbor nodes according to a set of probabilistic rules. Our aim is to determine the phase diagram of the model and its behaviour and to compare it with the electroencephalographic signals measured in real brains.

Dynamic Simulation of 1D Cellular Automata in the Active aTAM

PubMed Central

Jonoska, Nataša; Karpenko, Daria; Seki, Shinnosuke

2016-01-01

The Active aTAM is a tile based model for self-assembly where tiles are able to transfer signals and change identities according to the signals received. We extend Active aTAM to include deactivation signals and thereby allow detachment of tiles. We show that the model allows a dynamic simulation of cellular automata with assemblies that do not record the entire computational history but only the current updates of the states, and thus provide a way for (a) algorithmic dynamical structural changes in the assembly and (b) reusable space in self-assembly. The simulation is such that at a given location the sequence of tiles that attach and detach corresponds precisely to the sequence of states the synchronous cellular automaton generates at that location. PMID:27789918

Cellular Homeostasis and Aging.

PubMed

Hartl, F Ulrich

2016-06-02

Aging and longevity are controlled by a multiplicity of molecular and cellular signaling events that interface with environmental factors to maintain cellular homeostasis. Modulation of these pathways to extend life span, including insulin-like signaling and the response to dietary restriction, identified the cellular machineries and networks of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) and stress resistance pathways as critical players in the aging process. A decline of proteostasis capacity during aging leads to dysfunction of specific cell types and tissues, rendering the organism susceptible to a range of chronic diseases. This volume of the Annual Review of Biochemistry contains a set of two reviews addressing our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying aging in model organisms and humans.

Nanomatériaux : Une revue des définitions, des applications et des effets sur la santé. Comment implémenter un développement sûr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaffet, Eric

2011-09-01

Nanomaterials are an active area of research but also an economic sector in full expansion which addresses many application domains. For instance, French production for the most common nanomaterials (such as silica, titanium dioxide, carbon black) is in the hundreds of thousands of tons. As for any innovation, one must consider the risks and, if necessary, establish rules to protect consumer health and that of the worker. This article addresses in particular difficulties in defining these materials, the state of knowledge on human or environmental toxicity and requirements and agencies in charge of safety.

Effets thermique et hydrothermal de la coulée de basalte triasico-liasique sur les argiles du bassin d'Argana (Maroc)Thermal and hydrothermal effects of Triassic Liassic basalt flow deposition on clays (Agana Basin, Morocco)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daoudi, Lahcen; Pot de Vin, Jean-Luc

Thermal and hydrothermal effects of Triassic-Liassic basalt flow deposition on sedimentary series of the Argana Basin are responsible for major modifications in detrital clays, until 20 m in depth. It expressed by transformation of detrital smectite to corrensite and moreover to chlorite, and by increasing illite crystallinity. On the 2 m of sediments located immediately under the flow, magnesium-rich hydrothermal fluids have caused precipitation of new mineral phases. To cite this article: L. Daoudi, J.-L. Pot de Vin, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 463-468.

Studying Hostile, Deceptive, and Dangerous Surroundings: Report of a Workshop on Social Research Methods for Non-Permissive Environments (Etudier des Milieux Hostiles, Trompeurs et Dangereux - Rapport Concernant un Atelier sur les Methodes de Recherche Sociale an Milieu non Permissif)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-01

des groupes de consultation pour déterminer l’effet des opérations communes sur la population locale. Ils ont établi des « mesures de rendement...fondées sur les relations avec les habitants et les résultats des groupes de consultation ainsi que des « mesures de production » basées sur la ...l’ethnographie de combat, et la recherche d’initié étranger peuvent aider à tracer les microcosmes sociaux dans un

Effects of Integrated Hearing Protection Headsets on the Quality of Radio Communications (Effets des Casques D’ecoute Munis d’un Dispositif Integre de Protection de L’Ouie sur la Qualite des Communications Radio)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-01

National Defence, 2009 © Sa Majesté la Reine (en droit du Canada), telle que représentée par le ministre de la Défense nationale, 2009 DRDC Toronto TR...Parallèlement, on a évalué le degré d’acceptation de l’utilisateur à l’aide d’un questionnaire. Méthode: Cinq hommes ayant un seuil d’audition...hearing protection and usability. Résumé …..... L’intelligibilité de la parole en provenance d’un poste radio personnel (PRR) muni de casques

A Random Matrix Theory Approach to National Procurement Spending: Applications to the CC130 Hercules Fleet Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-01

indicateurs de rendement de haut niveau, ce qui donne à penser que la flotte a une réaction inélastique aux chocs de dépenses. Ces résultats révèlent...corrélations entre les données. DRDC CORA TM 2010-168 i Dr aft Co py This page intentionally left blank. ii DRDC CORA TM 2010-168 Dr aft Co py Executive ...celles qui sont observées dans les données ont peu d’effet sur le rendement. Nous pouvons conclure que l’entretien est très robuste ; les chocs de

Systems cell biology.

PubMed

Mast, Fred D; Ratushny, Alexander V; Aitchison, John D

2014-09-15

Systems cell biology melds high-throughput experimentation with quantitative analysis and modeling to understand many critical processes that contribute to cellular organization and dynamics. Recently, there have been several advances in technology and in the application of modeling approaches that enable the exploration of the dynamic properties of cells. Merging technology and computation offers an opportunity to objectively address unsolved cellular mechanisms, and has revealed emergent properties and helped to gain a more comprehensive and fundamental understanding of cell biology. © 2014 Mast et al.

Exploring Autophagy in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Juhász, Gábor

2017-01-01

Autophagy is a catabolic process in eukaryotic cells promoting bulk or selective degradation of cellular components within lysosomes. In recent decades, several model systems were utilized to dissect the molecular machinery of autophagy and to identify the impact of this cellular “self-eating” process on various physiological and pathological processes. Here we briefly discuss the advantages and limitations of using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a popular model in cell and developmental biology, to apprehend the main pathway of autophagy in a complete animal. PMID:28704946

Evaluation of cellular glasses for solar mirror panel applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giovan, M.; Adams, M.

1979-01-01

An analytic technique was developed to compare the structural and environmental performance of various materials considered for backing of second surface glass solar mirrors. Cellular glass was determined to be a prime candidate due to its low cost, high stiffness-to-weight ratio, thermal expansion match to mirror glass, evident minimal environmental impact and chemical and dimensional stability under conditions of use. The current state of the art and anticipated developments in cellular glass technology are discussed; material properties are correlated to design requirements. A mathematical model is presented which suggests a design approach which allows minimization of life cost; and, a mechanical and environmental testing program is outlined, designed to provide a material property basis for development of cellular glass hardware, together with methodology for collecting lifetime predictive data. Preliminary material property data from measurements are given. Microstructure of several cellular materials is shown, and sensitivity of cellular glass to freeze-thaw degradation and to slow crack growth is discussed. The effect of surface coating is addressed.

Simulation of root forms using cellular automata model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winarno, Nanang; Prima, Eka Cahya; Afifah, Ratih Mega Ayu

2016-02-01

This research aims to produce a simulation program for root forms using cellular automata model. Stephen Wolfram in his book entitled "A New Kind of Science" discusses the formation rules based on the statistical analysis. In accordance with Stephen Wolfram's investigation, the research will develop a basic idea of computer program using Delphi 7 programming language. To best of our knowledge, there is no previous research developing a simulation describing root forms using the cellular automata model compared to the natural root form with the presence of stone addition as the disturbance. The result shows that (1) the simulation used four rules comparing results of the program towards the natural photographs and each rule had shown different root forms; (2) the stone disturbances prevent the root growth and the multiplication of root forms had been successfully modeled. Therefore, this research had added some stones, which have size of 120 cells placed randomly in the soil. Like in nature, stones cannot be penetrated by plant roots. The result showed that it is very likely to further develop the program of simulating root forms by 50 variations.

Bioengineered humanized livers as better three-dimensional drug testing model system.

PubMed

Vishwakarma, Sandeep Kumar; Bardia, Avinash; Lakkireddy, Chandrakala; Nagarapu, Raju; Habeeb, Md Aejaz; Khan, Aleem Ahmed

2018-01-27

To develop appropriate humanized three-dimensional ex-vivo model system for drug testing. Bioengineered humanized livers were developed in this study using human hepatic stem cells repopulation within the acellularized liver scaffolds which mimics with the natural organ anatomy and physiology. Six cytochrome P-450 probes were used to enable efficient identification of drug metabolism in bioengineered humanized livers. The drug metabolism study in bioengineered livers was evaluated to identify the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity responses. The bioengineered humanized livers showed cellular and molecular characteristics of human livers. The bioengineered liver showed three-dimensional natural architecture with intact vasculature and extra-cellular matrix. Human hepatic cells were engrafted similar to the human liver. Drug metabolism studies provided a suitable platform alternative to available ex-vivo and in vivo models for identifying cellular and molecular dynamics of pharmacological drugs. The present study paves a way towards the development of suitable humanized preclinical model systems for pharmacological testing. This approach may reduce the cost and time duration of preclinical drug testing and further overcomes on the anatomical and physiological variations in xenogeneic systems.

A hybrid parallel framework for the cellular Potts model simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jiang, Yi; He, Kejing; Dong, Shoubin

2009-01-01

The Cellular Potts Model (CPM) has been widely used for biological simulations. However, most current implementations are either sequential or approximated, which can't be used for large scale complex 3D simulation. In this paper we present a hybrid parallel framework for CPM simulations. The time-consuming POE solving, cell division, and cell reaction operation are distributed to clusters using the Message Passing Interface (MPI). The Monte Carlo lattice update is parallelized on shared-memory SMP system using OpenMP. Because the Monte Carlo lattice update is much faster than the POE solving and SMP systems are more and more common, this hybrid approachmore » achieves good performance and high accuracy at the same time. Based on the parallel Cellular Potts Model, we studied the avascular tumor growth using a multiscale model. The application and performance analysis show that the hybrid parallel framework is quite efficient. The hybrid parallel CPM can be used for the large scale simulation ({approx}10{sup 8} sites) of complex collective behavior of numerous cells ({approx}10{sup 6}).« less

Hydrodynamic Contributions to Amoeboid Cell Motility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Owen; Guy, Robert

2011-11-01

Understanding the methods by which cells move is a fundamental problem in modern biology. Recent evidence has shown that the fluid dynamics of cytoplasm can play a vital role in cellular motility. The slime mold Physarum polycephalum provides an excellent model organism for the study of amoeboid motion. In this research, we use both analytic and computational models to investigate intracellular fluid flow in a simple model of Physarum. In both models, of we are specifically interested in stresses generated by cytoplasmic flow which act in the direction of cellular motility. In our numerical model, the Immersed Boundary Method is used to account for such stresses. We investigate the relationship between contraction waves, low waves and locomotive forces, and attempt characterize conditions necessary to generate directed motion.

Early spatiotemporal-specific changes in intermediate signals are predictive of cytotoxic sensitivity to TNFα and co-treatments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loo, Lit-Hsin; Bougen-Zhukov, Nicola Michelle; Tan, Wei-Ling Cecilia

2017-03-01

Signaling pathways can generate different cellular responses to the same cytotoxic agents. Current quantitative models for predicting these differential responses are usually based on large numbers of intracellular gene products or signals at different levels of signaling cascades. Here, we report a study to predict cellular sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) using high-throughput cellular imaging and machine-learning methods. We measured and compared 1170 protein phosphorylation events in a panel of human lung cancer cell lines based on different signals, subcellular regions, and time points within one hour of TNFα treatment. We found that two spatiotemporal-specific changes in an intermediate signaling protein, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), are sufficient to predict the TNFα sensitivity of these cell lines. Our models could also predict the combined effects of TNFα and other kinase inhibitors, many of which are not known to target RSK directly. Therefore, early spatiotemporal-specific changes in intermediate signals are sufficient to represent the complex cellular responses to these perturbations. Our study provides a general framework for the development of rapid, signaling-based cytotoxicity screens that may be used to predict cellular sensitivity to a cytotoxic agent, or identify co-treatments that may sensitize or desensitize cells to the agent.

Early spatiotemporal-specific changes in intermediate signals are predictive of cytotoxic sensitivity to TNFα and co-treatments

PubMed Central

Loo, Lit-Hsin; Bougen-Zhukov, Nicola Michelle; Tan, Wei-Ling Cecilia

2017-01-01

Signaling pathways can generate different cellular responses to the same cytotoxic agents. Current quantitative models for predicting these differential responses are usually based on large numbers of intracellular gene products or signals at different levels of signaling cascades. Here, we report a study to predict cellular sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) using high-throughput cellular imaging and machine-learning methods. We measured and compared 1170 protein phosphorylation events in a panel of human lung cancer cell lines based on different signals, subcellular regions, and time points within one hour of TNFα treatment. We found that two spatiotemporal-specific changes in an intermediate signaling protein, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), are sufficient to predict the TNFα sensitivity of these cell lines. Our models could also predict the combined effects of TNFα and other kinase inhibitors, many of which are not known to target RSK directly. Therefore, early spatiotemporal-specific changes in intermediate signals are sufficient to represent the complex cellular responses to these perturbations. Our study provides a general framework for the development of rapid, signaling-based cytotoxicity screens that may be used to predict cellular sensitivity to a cytotoxic agent, or identify co-treatments that may sensitize or desensitize cells to the agent. PMID:28272488

Carbon Ion-Irradiated Hepatoma Cells Exhibit Coupling Interplay between Apoptotic Signaling and Morphological and Mechanical Remodeling

PubMed Central

Zhang, Baoping; Li, Long; Li, Zhiqiang; Liu, Yang; Zhang, Hong; Wang, Jizeng

2016-01-01

A apoptotic model was established based on the results of five hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) lines irradiated with carbon ions to investigate the coupling interplay between apoptotic signaling and morphological and mechanical cellular remodeling. The expression levels of key apoptotic proteins and the changes in morphological characteristics and mechanical properties were systematically examined in the irradiated HCC lines. We observed that caspase-3 was activated and that the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was significantly increased over time. Cellular morphology and mechanics analyses indicated monotonic decreases in spatial sizes, an increase in surface roughness, a considerable reduction in stiffness, and disassembly of the cytoskeletal architecture. A theoretical model of apoptosis revealed that mechanical changes in cells induce the characteristic cellular budding of apoptotic bodies. Statistical analysis indicated that the projected area, stiffness, and cytoskeletal density of the irradiated cells were positively correlated, whereas stiffness and caspase-3 expression were negatively correlated, suggesting a tight coupling interplay between the cellular structures, mechanical properties, and apoptotic protein levels. These results help to clarify a novel arbitration mechanism of cellular demise induced by carbon ions. This biomechanics strategy for evaluating apoptosis contributes to our understanding of cancer-killing mechanisms in the context of carbon ion radiotherapy. PMID:27731354

Computer Modeling of the Earliest Cellular Structures and Functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pohorille, Andrew; Chipot, Christophe; Schweighofer, Karl

2000-01-01

In the absence of extinct or extant record of protocells (the earliest ancestors of contemporary cells). the most direct way to test our understanding of the origin of cellular life is to construct laboratory models of protocells. Such efforts are currently underway in the NASA Astrobiology Program. They are accompanied by computational studies aimed at explaining self-organization of simple molecules into ordered structures and developing designs for molecules that perform proto-cellular functions. Many of these functions, such as import of nutrients, capture and storage of energy. and response to changes in the environment are carried out by proteins bound to membrane< We will discuss a series of large-scale, molecular-level computer simulations which demonstrate (a) how small proteins (peptides) organize themselves into ordered structures at water-membrane interfaces and insert into membranes, (b) how these peptides aggregate to form membrane-spanning structures (eg. channels), and (c) by what mechanisms such aggregates perform essential proto-cellular functions, such as proton transport of protons across cell walls, a key step in cellular bioenergetics. The simulations were performed using the molecular dynamics method, in which Newton's equations of motion for each item in the system are solved iteratively. The problems of interest required simulations on multi-nanosecond time scales, which corresponded to 10(exp 6)-10(exp 8) time steps.

Unraveling the non-senescence phenomenon in Hydra.

PubMed

Dańko, Maciej J; Kozłowski, Jan; Schaible, Ralf

2015-10-07

Unlike other metazoans, Hydra does not experience the distinctive rise in mortality with age known as senescence, which results from an increasing imbalance between cell damage and cell repair. We propose that the Hydra controls damage accumulation mainly through damage-dependent cell selection and cell sloughing. We examine our hypothesis with a model that combines cellular damage with stem cell renewal, differentiation, and elimination. The Hydra individual can be seen as a large single pool of three types of stem cells with some features of differentiated cells. This large stem cell community prevents "cellular damage drift," which is inevitable in complex conglomerate (differentiated) metazoans with numerous and generally isolated pools of stem cells. The process of cellular damage drift is based on changes in the distribution of damage among cells due to random events, and is thus similar to Muller's ratchet in asexual populations. Events in the model that are sources of randomness include budding, cellular death, and cellular damage and repair. Our results suggest that non-senescence is possible only in simple Hydra-like organisms which have a high proportion and number of stem cells, continuous cell divisions, an effective cell selection mechanism, and stem cells with the ability to undertake some roles of differentiated cells. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Computational modeling of radiobiological effects in bone metastases for different radionuclides.

PubMed

Liberal, Francisco D C Guerra; Tavares, Adriana Alexandre S; Tavares, João Manuel R S

2017-06-01

Computational simulation is a simple and practical way to study and to compare a variety of radioisotopes for different medical applications, including the palliative treatment of bone metastases. This study aimed to evaluate and compare cellular effects modelled for different radioisotopes currently in use or under research for treatment of bone metastases using computational methods. Computational models were used to estimate the radiation-induced cellular effects (Virtual Cell Radiobiology algorithm) post-irradiation with selected particles emitted by Strontium-89 ( 89 Sr), Samarium-153 ( 153 Sm), Lutetium-177 ( 177 Lu), and Radium-223 ( 223 Ra). Cellular kinetics post-irradiation using 89 Sr β - particles, 153 Sm β -  particles, 177 Lu β -  particles and 223 Ra α particles showed that the cell response was dose- and radionuclide-dependent. 177 Lu beta minus particles and, in particular, 223 Ra alpha particles, yielded the lowest survival fraction of all investigated particles. 223 Ra alpha particles induced the highest cell death of all investigated particles on metastatic prostate cells in comparison to irradiation with β -  radionuclides, two of the most frequently used radionuclides in the palliative treatment of bone metastases in clinical routine practice. Moreover, the data obtained suggest that the used computational methods might provide some perception about cellular effects following irradiation with different radionuclides.

Investigation of the subcellular architecture of L7 neurons of Aplysia californica using magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) at 7.8 microns.

PubMed

Lee, Choong H; Flint, Jeremy J; Hansen, Brian; Blackband, Stephen J

2015-06-10

Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool which is well-suited to directly resolve cellular structures in ex vivo and in vitro tissues without use of exogenous contrast agents. Recent advances in its capability to visualize mammalian cellular structure in intact tissues have reinvigorated analytical interest in aquatic cell models whose previous findings warrant up-to-date validation of subcellular components. Even if the sensitivity of MRM is less than other microscopic technologies, its strength lies in that it relies on the same image contrast mechanisms as clinical MRI which make it a unique tool for improving our ability to interpret human diagnostic imaging through high resolution studies of well-controlled biological model systems. Here, we investigate the subcellular MR signal characteristics of isolated cells of Aplysia californica at an in-plane resolution of 7.8 μm. In addition, direct correlation and positive identification of subcellular architecture in the cells is achieved through well-established histology. We hope this methodology will serve as the groundwork for studying pathophysiological changes through perturbation studies and allow for development of disease-specific cellular modeling tools. Such an approach promises to reveal the MR contrast changes underlying cellular mechanisms in various human diseases, for example in ischemic stroke.

Epigenetic regulation of cell fate reprogramming in aging and disease: A predictive computational model.

PubMed

Folguera-Blasco, Núria; Cuyàs, Elisabet; Menéndez, Javier A; Alarcón, Tomás

2018-03-01

Understanding the control of epigenetic regulation is key to explain and modify the aging process. Because histone-modifying enzymes are sensitive to shifts in availability of cofactors (e.g. metabolites), cellular epigenetic states may be tied to changing conditions associated with cofactor variability. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationships between cofactor fluctuations, epigenetic landscapes, and cell state transitions. Using Approximate Bayesian Computation, we generate an ensemble of epigenetic regulation (ER) systems whose heterogeneity reflects variability in cofactor pools used by histone modifiers. The heterogeneity of epigenetic metabolites, which operates as regulator of the kinetic parameters promoting/preventing histone modifications, stochastically drives phenotypic variability. The ensemble of ER configurations reveals the occurrence of distinct epi-states within the ensemble. Whereas resilient states maintain large epigenetic barriers refractory to reprogramming cellular identity, plastic states lower these barriers, and increase the sensitivity to reprogramming. Moreover, fine-tuning of cofactor levels redirects plastic epigenetic states to re-enter epigenetic resilience, and vice versa. Our ensemble model agrees with a model of metabolism-responsive loss of epigenetic resilience as a cellular aging mechanism. Our findings support the notion that cellular aging, and its reversal, might result from stochastic translation of metabolic inputs into resilient/plastic cell states via ER systems.

The transition between immune and disease states in a cellular automaton model of clonal immune response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bezzi, Michele; Celada, Franco; Ruffo, Stefano; Seiden, Philip E.

1997-02-01

In this paper we extend the Celada-Seiden (CS) model of the humoral immune response to include infections virus and killer T cells (cellular response). The model represents molecules and cells with bitstrings. The response of the system to virus involves a competition between the ability of the virus to kill the host cells and the host's ability to eliminate the virus. We find two basins of attraction in the dynamics of this system, one is identified with disease and the other with the immune state. There is also an oscillating state that exists on the border of these two stable states. Fluctuations in the population of virus or antibody can end the oscillation and drive the system into one of the stable states. The introduction of mechanisms of cross-regulation between the two responses can bias the system towards one of them. We also study a mean field model, based on coupled maps, to investigate virus-like infections. This simple model reproduces the attractors for average populations observed in the cellular automaton. All the dynamical behavior connected to spatial extension is lost, as is the oscillating feature. Thus the mean field approximation introduced with coupled maps destroys oscillations.

Model of polar auxin transport coupled to mechanical forces retrieves robust morphogenesis along the Arabidopsis root

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romero-Arias, J. Roberto; Hernández-Hernández, Valeria; Benítez, Mariana; Alvarez-Buylla, Elena R.; Barrio, Rafael A.

2017-03-01

Stem cells are identical in many scales, they share the same molecular composition, DNA, genes, and genetic networks, yet they should acquire different properties to form a functional tissue. Therefore, they must interact and get some external information from their environment, either spatial (dynamical fields) or temporal (lineage). In this paper we test to what extent coupled chemical and physical fields can underlie the cell's positional information during development. We choose the root apical meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana to model the emergence of cellular patterns. We built a model to study the dynamics and interactions between the cell divisions, the local auxin concentration, and physical elastic fields. Our model recovers important aspects of the self-organized and resilient behavior of the observed cellular patterns in the Arabidopsis root, in particular, the reverse fountain pattern observed in the auxin transport, the PIN-FORMED (protein family of auxin transporters) polarization pattern and the accumulation of auxin near the region of maximum curvature in a bent root. Our model may be extended to predict altered cellular patterns that are expected under various applied auxin treatments or modified physical growth conditions.

Does Aspartic Acid Racemization Constrain the Depth Limit of the Subsurface Biosphere?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onstott, T C.; Magnabosco, C.; Aubrey, A. D.; Burton, A. S.; Dworkin, J. P.; Elsila, J. E.; Grunsfeld, S.; Cao, B. H.; Hein, J. E.; Glavin, D. P.;

Does aspartic acid racemization constrain the depth limit of the subsurface biosphere?

PubMed

Onstott, T C; Magnabosco, C; Aubrey, A D; Burton, A S; Dworkin, J P; Elsila, J E; Grunsfeld, S; Cao, B H; Hein, J E; Glavin, D P; Kieft, T L; Silver, B J; Phelps, T J; van Heerden, E; Opperman, D J; Bada, J L

2014-01-01

Previous studies of the subsurface biosphere have deduced average cellular doubling times of hundreds to thousands of years based upon geochemical models. We have directly constrained the in situ average cellular protein turnover or doubling times for metabolically active micro-organisms based on cellular amino acid abundances, D/L values of cellular aspartic acid, and the in vivo aspartic acid racemization rate. Application of this method to planktonic microbial communities collected from deep fractures in South Africa yielded maximum cellular amino acid turnover times of ~89 years for 1 km depth and 27 °C and 1-2 years for 3 km depth and 54 °C. The latter turnover times are much shorter than previously estimated cellular turnover times based upon geochemical arguments. The aspartic acid racemization rate at higher temperatures yields cellular protein doubling times that are consistent with the survival times of hyperthermophilic strains and predicts that at temperatures of 85 °C, cells must replace proteins every couple of days to maintain enzymatic activity. Such a high maintenance requirement may be the principal limit on the abundance of living micro-organisms in the deep, hot subsurface biosphere, as well as a potential limit on their activity. The measurement of the D/L of aspartic acid in biological samples is a potentially powerful tool for deep, fractured continental and oceanic crustal settings where geochemical models of carbon turnover times are poorly constrained. Experimental observations on the racemization rates of aspartic acid in living thermophiles and hyperthermophiles could test this hypothesis. The development of corrections for cell wall peptides and spores will be required, however, to improve the accuracy of these estimates for environmental samples. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Modelling of Microstructure Changes in Hot Deformed Materials Using Cellular Automata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuc, Dariusz; Gawąd, Jerzy

2011-01-01

The paper is focused on application of multi-scale 2D method. Model approach consists of Cellular Automata (CA) model of microstructure development and the finite element code to solve thermo-mechanical problem. Dynamic recrystallization phenomenon is taken into account in 2D CA model which takes advantage of explicit representation of microstructure, including individual grains and grain boundaries. Flow stress is the main material parameter in mechanical part of FE and is calculated on the basis of average dislocation density obtained from CA model. The results attained from the model were validated with the experimental data. In the present study, austenitic steel X3CrNi18-10 was investigated. The examination of microstructure for the initial and final microstructures was carried out, using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Prediction of lung cells oncogenic transformation for induced radon progeny alpha particles using sugarscape cellular automata.

PubMed

Baradaran, Samaneh; Maleknasr, Niaz; Setayeshi, Saeed; Akbari, Mohammad Esmaeil

2014-01-01

Alpha particle irradiation from radon progeny is one of the major natural sources of effective dose in the public population. Oncogenic transformation is a biological effectiveness of radon progeny alpha particle hits. The biological effects which has caused by exposure to radon, were the main result of a complex series of physical, chemical, biological and physiological interactions. The cellular and molecular mechanisms for radon-induced carcinogenesis have not been clear yet. Various biological models, including cultured cells and animals, have been found useful for studying the carcinogenesis effects of radon progeny alpha particles. In this paper, sugars cape cellular automata have been presented for computational study of complex biological effect of radon progeny alpha particles in lung bronchial airways. The model has included mechanism of DNA damage, which has been induced alpha particles hits, and then formation of transformation in the lung cells. Biomarkers were an objective measure or evaluation of normal or abnormal biological processes. In the model, the metabolism rate of infected cell has been induced alpha particles traversals, as a biomarker, has been followed to reach oncogenic transformation. The model results have successfully validated in comparison with "in vitro oncogenic transformation data" for C3H 10T1/2 cells. This model has provided an opportunity to study the cellular and molecular changes, at the various stages in radiation carcinogenesis, involving human cells. It has become well known that simulation could be used to investigate complex biomedical systems, in situations where traditional methodologies were difficult or too costly to employ.

Cellular automata model for human articular chondrocytes migration, proliferation and cell death: An in vitro validation.

PubMed

Vaca-González, J J; Gutiérrez, M L; Guevara, J M; Garzón-Alvarado, D A

2017-01-01

Articular cartilage is characterized by low cell density of only one cell type, chondrocytes, and has limited self-healing properties. When articular cartilage is affected by traumatic injuries, a therapeutic strategy such as autologous chondrocyte implantation is usually proposed for its treatment. This approach requires in vitro chondrocyte expansion to yield high cell number for cell transplantation. To improve the efficiency of this procedure, it is necessary to assess cell dynamics such as migration, proliferation and cell death during culture. Computational models such as cellular automata can be used to simulate cell dynamics in order to enhance the result of cell culture procedures. This methodology has been implemented for several cell types; however, an experimental validation is required for each one. For this reason, in this research a cellular automata model, based on random-walk theory, was devised in order to predict articular chondrocyte behavior in monolayer culture during cell expansion. Results demonstrated that the cellular automata model corresponded to cell dynamics and computed-accurate quantitative results. Moreover, it was possible to observe that cell dynamics depend on weighted probabilities derived from experimental data and cell behavior varies according to the cell culture period. Thus, depending on whether cells were just seeded or proliferated exponentially, culture time probabilities differed in percentages in the CA model. Furthermore, in the experimental assessment a decreased chondrocyte proliferation was observed along with increased passage number. This approach is expected to having other uses as in enhancing articular cartilage therapies based on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Growth of Coccolithophores Controlled by Internal Nutrient Stores in Light- and Nutrient-Limited Batch Reactors: Relevance for the BIOSOPE Deep Ecological Niche of Coccolithophores.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laura, P.; Probert, I.; Langer, G.; Aloisi, G.

2016-02-01

Coccolithophores are unicellular, calcifying marine algae that play a fundamental role in the oceanic carbon cycle. Recent research has focused on investigating the effect of ocean acidification on cellular calcification. However, the success of this important phytoplankton group in the future ocean will depend on how cellular growth reacts to changes in a combination of environmental variables. We carried out batch culture experiments in conditions of light- and nutrient- (nitrate and phosphate) limitation that reproduce the in situ conditions of a deep ecological niche of coccolithophores in the South Pacific Gyre (BIOSOPE cruise, 2004). We modelled nutrient acquisition and cellular growth in our batch experiments using a Droop internal-stores model. We show that nutrient acquisition and growth are decoupled in coccolithophores; this ability may be key in making life possible in oligotrophic conditions such as the deep BIOSOPE biological niche. Combining the results of our culture experiments with those of Langer et al. (2013), we used the model to obtain estimates of fundamental physiological parameters such as the Monod constant for nutrient uptake, the maximum growth rate and the minimum cellular nutrient quota. These parameters are characteristic of different phytoplankton groups and are needed to simulate phytoplankton growth in biogeochemical models. Our results suggest that growth of coccolithophores in the BIOSOPE deep ecological niche is light-limited rather than nutrient-limited. Our work also shows that simple batch experiments and straightforward numerical modelling are capable of providing estimates of physiological parameters usually obtained in more costly and complicated chemostat experiments.

Computational membrane biophysics: From ion channel interactions with drugs to cellular function.

PubMed

Miranda, Williams E; Ngo, Van A; Perissinotti, Laura L; Noskov, Sergei Yu

2017-11-01

The rapid development of experimental and computational techniques has changed fundamentally our understanding of cellular-membrane transport. The advent of powerful computers and refined force-fields for proteins, ions, and lipids has expanded the applicability of Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. A myriad of cellular responses is modulated through the binding of endogenous and exogenous ligands (e.g. neurotransmitters and drugs, respectively) to ion channels. Deciphering the thermodynamics and kinetics of the ligand binding processes to these membrane proteins is at the heart of modern drug development. The ever-increasing computational power has already provided insightful data on the thermodynamics and kinetics of drug-target interactions, free energies of solvation, and partitioning into lipid bilayers for drugs. This review aims to provide a brief summary about modeling approaches to map out crucial binding pathways with intermediate conformations and free-energy surfaces for drug-ion channel binding mechanisms that are responsible for multiple effects on cellular functions. We will discuss post-processing analysis of simulation-generated data, which are then transformed to kinetic models to better understand the molecular underpinning of the experimental observables under the influence of drugs or mutations in ion channels. This review highlights crucial mathematical frameworks and perspectives on bridging different well-established computational techniques to connect the dynamics and timescales from all-atom MD and free energy simulations of ion channels to the physiology of action potentials in cellular models. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biophysics in Canada, edited by Lewis Kay, John Baenziger, Albert Berghuis and Peter Tieleman. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Increased sensitivity of thyroid hormone-mediated signaling despite prolonged fasting.

PubMed

Martinez, Bridget; Scheibner, Michael; Soñanez-Organis, José G; Jaques, John T; Crocker, Daniel E; Ortiz, Rudy M

2017-10-01

Thyroid hormones (TH) can increase cellular metabolism. Food deprivation in mammals is typically associated with reduced thyroid gland responsiveness, in an effort to suppress cellular metabolism and abate starvation. However, in prolonged-fasted, elephant seal pups, cellular TH-mediated proteins are up-regulated and TH levels are maintained with fasting duration. The function and contribution of the thyroid gland to this apparent paradox is unknown and physiologically perplexing. Here we show that the thyroid gland remains responsive during prolonged food deprivation, and that its function and production of TH increase with fasting duration in elephant seals. We discovered that our modeled plasma TH data in response to exogenous thyroid stimulating hormone predicted cellular signaling, which was corroborated independently by the enzyme expression data. The data suggest that the regulation and function of the thyroid gland in the northern elephant seal is atypical for a fasted animal, and can be better described as, "adaptive fasting". Furthermore, the modeling data help substantiate the in vivo responses measured, providing unique insight on hormone clearance, production rates, and thyroid gland responsiveness. Because these unique endocrine responses occur simultaneously with a nearly strict reliance on the oxidation of lipid, these findings provide an intriguing model to better understand the TH-mediated reliance on lipid metabolism that is not otherwise present in morbidly obese humans. When coupled with cellular, tissue-specific responses, these data provide a more integrated assessment of thyroidal status that can be extrapolated for many fasting/food deprived mammals. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biomolecular interactions modulate macromolecular structure and dynamics in atomistic model of a bacterial cytoplasm

PubMed Central

Yu, Isseki; Mori, Takaharu; Ando, Tadashi; Harada, Ryuhei; Jung, Jaewoon; Sugita, Yuji; Feig, Michael

2016-01-01

Biological macromolecules function in highly crowded cellular environments. The structure and dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids are well characterized in vitro, but in vivo crowding effects remain unclear. Using molecular dynamics simulations of a comprehensive atomistic model cytoplasm we found that protein-protein interactions may destabilize native protein structures, whereas metabolite interactions may induce more compact states due to electrostatic screening. Protein-protein interactions also resulted in significant variations in reduced macromolecular diffusion under crowded conditions, while metabolites exhibited significant two-dimensional surface diffusion and altered protein-ligand binding that may reduce the effective concentration of metabolites and ligands in vivo. Metabolic enzymes showed weak non-specific association in cellular environments attributed to solvation and entropic effects. These effects are expected to have broad implications for the in vivo functioning of biomolecules. This work is a first step towards physically realistic in silico whole-cell models that connect molecular with cellular biology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19274.001 PMID:27801646

Computation of Steady-State Probability Distributions in Stochastic Models of Cellular Networks

PubMed Central

Hallen, Mark; Li, Bochong; Tanouchi, Yu; Tan, Cheemeng; West, Mike; You, Lingchong

2011-01-01

Cellular processes are “noisy”. In each cell, concentrations of molecules are subject to random fluctuations due to the small numbers of these molecules and to environmental perturbations. While noise varies with time, it is often measured at steady state, for example by flow cytometry. When interrogating aspects of a cellular network by such steady-state measurements of network components, a key need is to develop efficient methods to simulate and compute these distributions. We describe innovations in stochastic modeling coupled with approaches to this computational challenge: first, an approach to modeling intrinsic noise via solution of the chemical master equation, and second, a convolution technique to account for contributions of extrinsic noise. We show how these techniques can be combined in a streamlined procedure for evaluation of different sources of variability in a biochemical network. Evaluation and illustrations are given in analysis of two well-characterized synthetic gene circuits, as well as a signaling network underlying the mammalian cell cycle entry. PMID:22022252

Tissue expander stimulated lengthening of arteries (TESLA) induces early endothelial cell proliferation in a novel rodent model.

PubMed

Potanos, Kristina; Fullington, Nora; Cauley, Ryan; Purcell, Patricia; Zurakowski, David; Fishman, Steven; Vakili, Khashayar; Kim, Heung Bae

2016-04-01

We examine the mechanism of aortic lengthening in a novel rodent model of tissue expander stimulated lengthening of arteries (TESLA). A rat model of TESLA was examined with a single stretch stimulus applied at the time of tissue expander insertion with evaluation of the aorta at 2, 4 and 7day time points. Measurements as well as histology and proliferation assays were performed and compared to sham controls. The aortic length was increased at all time points without histologic signs of tissue injury. Nuclear density remained unchanged despite the increase in length suggesting cellular hyperplasia. Cellular proliferation was confirmed in endothelial cell layer by Ki-67 stain. Aortic lengthening may be achieved using TESLA. The increase in aortic length can be achieved without tissue injury and results at least partially from cellular hyperplasia. Further studies are required to define the mechanisms involved in the growth of arteries under increased longitudinal stress. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

VISIBIOweb: visualization and layout services for BioPAX pathway models

PubMed Central

Dilek, Alptug; Belviranli, Mehmet E.; Dogrusoz, Ugur

2010-01-01

With recent advancements in techniques for cellular data acquisition, information on cellular processes has been increasing at a dramatic rate. Visualization is critical to analyzing and interpreting complex information; representing cellular processes or pathways is no exception. VISIBIOweb is a free, open-source, web-based pathway visualization and layout service for pathway models in BioPAX format. With VISIBIOweb, one can obtain well-laid-out views of pathway models using the standard notation of the Systems Biology Graphical Notation (SBGN), and can embed such views within one's web pages as desired. Pathway views may be navigated using zoom and scroll tools; pathway object properties, including any external database references available in the data, may be inspected interactively. The automatic layout component of VISIBIOweb may also be accessed programmatically from other tools using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The web site is free and open to all users and there is no login requirement. It is available at: http://visibioweb.patika.org. PMID:20460470

Astrobiological complexity with probabilistic cellular automata.

PubMed

Vukotić, Branislav; Ćirković, Milan M

2012-08-01

The search for extraterrestrial life and intelligence constitutes one of the major endeavors in science, but has yet been quantitatively modeled only rarely and in a cursory and superficial fashion. We argue that probabilistic cellular automata (PCA) represent the best quantitative framework for modeling the astrobiological history of the Milky Way and its Galactic Habitable Zone. The relevant astrobiological parameters are to be modeled as the elements of the input probability matrix for the PCA kernel. With the underlying simplicity of the cellular automata constructs, this approach enables a quick analysis of large and ambiguous space of the input parameters. We perform a simple clustering analysis of typical astrobiological histories with "Copernican" choice of input parameters and discuss the relevant boundary conditions of practical importance for planning and guiding empirical astrobiological and SETI projects. In addition to showing how the present framework is adaptable to more complex situations and updated observational databases from current and near-future space missions, we demonstrate how numerical results could offer a cautious rationale for continuation of practical SETI searches.

WE-AB-204-12: Dosimetry at the Sub-Cellular Scale of Auger-Electron Emitter 99m-Tc in a Mouse Single Thyroid Follicle Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taborda, A; Benabdallah, N; Desbree, A

2015-06-15

Purpose: To perform a dosimetry study at the sub-cellular scale of Auger-electron emitter 99m-Tc using a mouse single thyroid cellular model to investigate the contribution of the 99m-Tc Auger-electrons to the absorbed dose and possible link to the thyroid stunning in in vivo experiments in mice, recently reported in literature. Methods: The simulation of S-values for Auger-electron emitting radionuclides was performed using both the recent MCNP6 software and the Geant4-DNA extension of the Geant4 toolkit. The dosimetric calculations were validated through comparison with results from literature, using a simple model of a single cell consisting of two concentric spheres ofmore » unit density water and for six Auger-electron emitting radionuclides. Furthermore, the S-values were calculated using a single thyroid follicle model for uniformly distributed 123-I and 125-I radionuclides and compared with published S-values. After validation, the simulation of the S-values was performed for the 99m-Tc radionuclide within the several mouse thyroid follicle cellular compartments, considering the radiative and non-radiative transitions of the 99m-Tc radiation spectrum. Results: The calculated S-values using MCNP6 are in good agreement with the results from literature, validating its use for the 99m-Tc S-values calculations. The most significant absorbed dose corresponds to the case where the radionuclide is uniformly distributed in the follicular cell’s nucleus, with a S-value of 7.8 mGy/disintegration, due mainly to the absorbed Auger-electrons. The results show that, at a sub-cellular scale, the emitted X-rays and gamma particles do not contribute significantly to the absorbed dose. Conclusion: In this work, MCNP6 was validated for dosimetric studies at the sub-cellular scale. It was shown that the contribution of the Auger-electrons to the absorbed dose is important at this scale compared to the emitted photons’ contribution and can’t be neglected. The obtained S-values of Auger-electron emitting 99m-Tc radionuclide will be presented and discussed.« less

Fasciola hepatica: Histology of the Reproductive Organs and Differential Effects of Triclabendazole on Drug-Sensitive and Drug-Resistant Fluke Isolates and on Flukes from Selected Field Cases.

PubMed

Hanna, Robert

2015-06-26

This review summarises the findings of a series of studies in which the histological changes, induced in the reproductive system of Fasciola hepatica following treatment of the ovine host with the anthelmintic triclabendazole (TCBZ), were examined. A detailed description of the normal macroscopic arrangement and histological features of the testes, ovary, vitelline tissue, Mehlis' gland and uterus is provided to aid recognition of the drug-induced lesions, and to provide a basic model to inform similar toxicological studies on F. hepatica in the future. The production of spermatozoa and egg components represents the main energy consuming activity of the adult fluke. Thus the reproductive organs, with their high turnover of cells and secretory products, are uniquely sensitive to metabolic inhibition and sub-cellular disorganisation induced by extraneous toxic compounds. The flukes chosen for study were derived from TCBZ-sensitive (TCBZ-S) and TCBZ-resistant (TCBZ-R) isolates, the status of which had previously been proven in controlled clinical trials. For comparison, flukes collected from flocks where TCBZ resistance had been diagnosed by coprological methods, and from a dairy farm with no history of TCBZ use, were also examined. The macroscopic arrangement of the reproductive system in flukes was studied using catechol/carmine stained whole mounts, and the histology of the main organs was examined using conventional haematoxylin-eosin stained sections. Validation of apoptosis in the fluke sections was carried out using an in situ hybridisation method designed to label endonuclease-induced DNA strand breaks. In TCBZ-S flukes exposed to TCBZ metabolites for 24-96 h in vivo, but not in TCBZ-R flukes, those tissues where active meiosis and/or mitosis occurred (testis, ovary, and vitelline follicles), were found to display progressive loss of cell content. This was due to apparent failure of cell division to keep pace with expulsion of the mature or effete products. Further, actively dividing cell types tended to become individualised, rounded and condensed, characteristic of apoptotic cell death. In the treated TCBZ-S flukes, strong positive labelling indicating apoptosis was associated with the morphologically abnormal cells undergoing mitosis or meiosis in the testis, ovary and vitelline follicles. In treated flukes from field outbreaks of suspected TCBZ-R fasciolosis, no significant histological changes were observed, nor was there any positive labelling for apotosis. On the other hand, sections of TCBZ treated flukes derived from a field case of fasciolosis where TCBZ resistance was not suspected displayed severe histological lesions, and heavy positive labelling for apoptosis. The triggering of apoptosis is considered to be related to failure of spindle formation at cell division, supporting the contention that TCBZ inhibits microtubule formation. In treated TCBZ-S flukes, protein synthesis and transport was apparently inhibited in the Mehlis' secretory cells, perhaps due to energy uncoupling or to microtubule defects. In the uterus, successful formation of shelled eggs represents the culmination of a complex sequence of cytokinetic, cytological and synthetic activity involving the vitelline follicles, the ovary and the Mehlis' gland. Histological evidence indicating failure of ovigenesis in TCBZ-S flukes was evident from as early as 24 h post-treatment onwards. Light labelling for apoptosis was associated with the testis of untreated Cullompton (TCBZ-S) and Sligo type 2 (TCBZ-R) flukes, which exhibit abnormal spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, respectively. This was attributed to apoptosis and to heterophagy of effete germ line cells by the sustentacular tissue. The studies summarised in this review illustrate the potential utility of histological techniques for conveniently screening representative samples of flukes in field trials designed to validate instances of drug resistance. Histology can also be used to test the efficacy of new products against known drug-resistant and drug-susceptible fluke isolates. The account also provides reference criteria for drug-induced histopathological changes in fluke reproductive structures, examination of which may supplement and augment conventional coprological testing, and aid interpretation of TEM findings.

Disordered cellular automaton traffic flow model: phase separated state, density waves and self organized criticality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fourrate, K.; Loulidi, M.

2006-01-01

We suggest a disordered traffic flow model that captures many features of traffic flow. It is an extension of the Nagel-Schreckenberg (NaSch) stochastic cellular automata for single line vehicular traffic model. It incorporates random acceleration and deceleration terms that may be greater than one unit. Our model leads under its intrinsic dynamics, for high values of braking probability pr, to a constant flow at intermediate densities without introducing any spatial inhomogeneities. For a system of fast drivers pr→0, the model exhibits a density wave behavior that was observed in car following models with optimal velocity. The gap of the disordered model we present exhibits, for high values of pr and random deceleration, at a critical density, a power law distribution which is a hall mark of a self organized criticality phenomena.

Assessment of radiofrequency exposure from cellular telephone daily use in an epidemiological study: German Validation study of the international case-control study of cancers of the brain--INTERPHONE-Study.

PubMed

Berg, Gabriele; Schüz, Joachim; Samkange-Zeeb, Florence; Blettner, Maria

2005-05-01

The objective of the study is to validate self-reported cellular phone use information by comparing it with the cumulative emitted power and duration of calls measured by software-modified cellular phones (SMP). The information was obtained using a questionnaire developed for the international case-control study on the risk of the use of mobile phones in tumours of the brain or salivary gland (INTERPHONE-study). The study was conducted in Bielefeld, Germany. Volunteers were asked to use SMPs instead of their own cellular phones for a period of 1 month. The SMP recorded the power emitted by the mobile phone handset during each base station contact. Information on cellular phone use for the same time period from traffic records of the network providers and from face-to-face interviews with the participants 3 months after the SMP use was assessed. Pearson's correlation coefficients and linear regression models were used to analyse the association between information from the interview and from the SMP. In total, 1757 personal mobile phone calls were recorded for 45 persons by SMP and traffic records. The correlation between the self-reported information about the number and the duration of calls with the cumulative power of calls was 0.50 (P<0.01) and 0.48 (P<0.01), respectively. Almost 23% of the variance of the cumulative power was explained by either the number or the cumulative duration of calls. After inclusion of possible confounding factors in the regression model, the variance increased to 26%. Minor confounding factors were "network provider", "contract form", and "cellular phone model". The number of calls alone is a sufficient parameter to estimate the cumulative power emitted by the handset of a cellular telephone. The cumulative power emitted by these phones is only associated with number of calls but not with possible confounding factors. Using the mobile phone while driving, mainly in cities, or mainly in rural areas is not associated with the recorded cumulative power in the SMP.

Balancing Uplink and Downlink under Asymmetric Traffic Environments Using Distributed Receive Antennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohn, Illsoo; Lee, Byong Ok; Lee, Kwang Bok

Recently, multimedia services are increasing with the widespread use of various wireless applications such as web browsers, real-time video, and interactive games, which results in traffic asymmetry between the uplink and downlink. Hence, time division duplex (TDD) systems which provide advantages in efficient bandwidth utilization under asymmetric traffic environments have become one of the most important issues in future mobile cellular systems. It is known that two types of intercell interference, referred to as crossed-slot interference, additionally arise in TDD systems; the performances of the uplink and downlink transmissions are degraded by BS-to-BS crossed-slot interference and MS-to-MS crossed-slot interference, respectively. The resulting performance unbalance between the uplink and downlink makes network deployment severely inefficient. Previous works have proposed intelligent time slot allocation algorithms to mitigate the crossed-slot interference problem. However, they require centralized control, which causes large signaling overhead in the network. In this paper, we propose to change the shape of the cellular structure itself. The conventional cellular structure is easily transformed into the proposed cellular structure with distributed receive antennas (DRAs). We set up statistical Markov chain traffic model and analyze the bit error performances of the conventional cellular structure and proposed cellular structure under asymmetric traffic environments. Numerical results show that the uplink and downlink performances of the proposed cellular structure become balanced with the proper number of DRAs and thus the proposed cellular structure is notably cost-effective in network deployment compared to the conventional cellular structure. As a result, extending the conventional cellular structure into the proposed cellular structure with DRAs is a remarkably cost-effective solution to support asymmetric traffic environments in future mobile cellular systems.

Cellular Automata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutowitz, Howard

1991-08-01

Cellular automata, dynamic systems in which space and time are discrete, are yielding interesting applications in both the physical and natural sciences. The thirty four contributions in this book cover many aspects of contemporary studies on cellular automata and include reviews, research reports, and guides to recent literature and available software. Chapters cover mathematical analysis, the structure of the space of cellular automata, learning rules with specified properties: cellular automata in biology, physics, chemistry, and computation theory; and generalizations of cellular automata in neural nets, Boolean nets, and coupled map lattices. Current work on cellular automata may be viewed as revolving around two central and closely related problems: the forward problem and the inverse problem. The forward problem concerns the description of properties of given cellular automata. Properties considered include reversibility, invariants, criticality, fractal dimension, and computational power. The role of cellular automata in computation theory is seen as a particularly exciting venue for exploring parallel computers as theoretical and practical tools in mathematical physics. The inverse problem, an area of study gaining prominence particularly in the natural sciences, involves designing rules that possess specified properties or perform specified task. A long-term goal is to develop a set of techniques that can find a rule or set of rules that can reproduce quantitative observations of a physical system. Studies of the inverse problem take up the organization and structure of the set of automata, in particular the parameterization of the space of cellular automata. Optimization and learning techniques, like the genetic algorithm and adaptive stochastic cellular automata are applied to find cellular automaton rules that model such physical phenomena as crystal growth or perform such adaptive-learning tasks as balancing an inverted pole. Howard Gutowitz is Collaborateur in the Service de Physique du Solide et Résonance Magnetique, Commissariat a I'Energie Atomique, Saclay, France.

Finding the rhythm of sudden cardiac death: new opportunities using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Sallam, Karim; Li, Yingxin; Sager, Philip T; Houser, Steven R; Wu, Joseph C

2015-06-05

Sudden cardiac death is a common cause of death in patients with structural heart disease, genetic mutations, or acquired disorders affecting cardiac ion channels. A wide range of platforms exist to model and study disorders associated with sudden cardiac death. Human clinical studies are cumbersome and are thwarted by the extent of investigation that can be performed on human subjects. Animal models are limited by their degree of homology to human cardiac electrophysiology, including ion channel expression. Most commonly used cellular models are cellular transfection models, which are able to mimic the expression of a single-ion channel offering incomplete insight into changes of the action potential profile. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes resemble, but are not identical, adult human cardiomyocytes and provide a new platform for studying arrhythmic disorders leading to sudden cardiac death. A variety of platforms exist to phenotype cellular models, including conventional and automated patch clamp, multielectrode array, and computational modeling. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes have been used to study long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and other hereditary cardiac disorders. Although induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes are distinct from adult cardiomyocytes, they provide a robust platform to advance the science and clinical care of sudden cardiac death. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Protein Structure in Context: The Molecular Landscape of Angiogenesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Span, Elise A.; Goodsell, David S.; Ramchandran, Ramani; Franzen, Margaret A.; Herman, Tim; Sem, Daniel S.

2013-01-01

A team of students, educators, and researchers has developed new materials to teach cell signaling within its cellular context. Two nontraditional modalities are employed: physical models, to explore the atomic details of several of the proteins in the angiogenesis signaling cascade, and illustrations of the proteins in their cellular environment,…

Comparison of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons and Rat Primary CorticalNeurons as In Vitro Models of Neurite Outgrowth

EPA Science Inventory

High-throughput assays that can quantify chemical-induced changes at the cellular and molecular level have been recommended for use in chemical safety assessment. High-throughput, high content imaging assays for the key cellular events of neurodevelopment have been proposed to ra...

Potential Role of Lateral Gene Transfer in the Evolution of Biofilm Communities at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field and in the Earliest Stages of Cellular Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brazelton, W. J.; Mehta, M. P.; Baross, J. A.

2010-04-01

DNA sequencing and metabolic activity measurements show that lateral gene transfer promotes phenotypic diversity in single-species archaeal biofilms attached to hydrothermal chimneys. This system may be a useful model for early cellular evolution.

Quantifying time-varying cellular secretions with local linear models.

PubMed

Byers, Jeff M; Christodoulides, Joseph A; Delehanty, James B; Raghu, Deepa; Raphael, Marc P

2017-07-01

Extracellular protein concentrations and gradients initiate a wide range of cellular responses, such as cell motility, growth, proliferation and death. Understanding inter-cellular communication requires spatio-temporal knowledge of these secreted factors and their causal relationship with cell phenotype. Techniques which can detect cellular secretions in real time are becoming more common but generalizable data analysis methodologies which can quantify concentration from these measurements are still lacking. Here we introduce a probabilistic approach in which local-linear models and the law of mass action are applied to obtain time-varying secreted concentrations from affinity-based biosensor data. We first highlight the general features of this approach using simulated data which contains both static and time-varying concentration profiles. Next we apply the technique to determine concentration of secreted antibodies from 9E10 hybridoma cells as detected using nanoplasmonic biosensors. A broad range of time-dependent concentrations was observed: from steady-state secretions of 230 pM near the cell surface to large transients which reached as high as 56 nM over several minutes and then dissipated.

Insulin resistance in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss is associated with lymphocyte population aberration.

PubMed

Yan, Yan; Bao, Shihua; Sheng, Shile; Wang, Liuliu; Tu, Weiyan

2017-12-01

This study was designed to investigate the relationship of insulin resistance (IR) and cellular immune abnormalities associated with women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Women with RPL were divided into two groups according to their homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) scores. The IR group received metformin approximately 3 months before pregnancy. The percentage of lymphocyte subsets and other blood biochemical indices were tested. The HOMA-IR and fasting serum insulin levels were related to the percentage of lymphocyte subsets. The women with RPL had higher CD3 + and CD3 + CD4 + cell levels while CD56 + CD16 + cell levels were lower. A higher likelihood of cellular immune abnormalities was observed. Women with normal lymphocyte subsets had normal pregnancy outcomes. Metformin significantly downregulated CD3 + and CD3 + CD4 + cells and improved pregnancy outcomes. IR was associated with cellular immune abnormalities in RPL. The data suggests that metformin affected the immune/inflammatory response, which may regulate the cellular immune balance and improve pregnancy outcomes. Abbreviations RPL: recurrent pregnancy loss; IR insulin resistance; HOMA-IR: homeostasis model assessment for IR.

Autophagy - An Emerging Anti-Aging Mechanism

PubMed Central

Gelino, Sara; Hansen, Malene

2013-01-01

Autophagy is a cytoplasmic catabolic process that protects the cell against stressful conditions. Damaged cellular components are funneled by autophagy into the lysosomes, where they are degraded and can be re-used as alternative building blocks for protein synthesis and cellular repair. In contrast, aging is the gradual failure over time of cellular repair mechanisms that leads to the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage and loss of function. The cell’s capacity for autophagic degradation also declines with age, and this in itself may contribute to the aging process. Studies in model organisms ranging from yeast to mice have shown that single-gene mutations can extend lifespan in an evolutionarily conserved fashion, and provide evidence that the aging process can be modulated. Interestingly, autophagy is induced in a seemingly beneficial manner by many of the same perturbations that extend lifespan, including mutations in key signaling pathways such as the insulin/IGF-1 and TOR pathways. Here, we review recent progress, primarily derived from genetic studies with model organisms, in understanding the role of autophagy in aging and age-related diseases. PMID:23750326

Probabilistic Cellular Automata

PubMed Central

Agapie, Alexandru; Giuclea, Marius

2014-01-01

Abstract Cellular automata are binary lattices used for modeling complex dynamical systems. The automaton evolves iteratively from one configuration to another, using some local transition rule based on the number of ones in the neighborhood of each cell. With respect to the number of cells allowed to change per iteration, we speak of either synchronous or asynchronous automata. If randomness is involved to some degree in the transition rule, we speak of probabilistic automata, otherwise they are called deterministic. With either type of cellular automaton we are dealing with, the main theoretical challenge stays the same: starting from an arbitrary initial configuration, predict (with highest accuracy) the end configuration. If the automaton is deterministic, the outcome simplifies to one of two configurations, all zeros or all ones. If the automaton is probabilistic, the whole process is modeled by a finite homogeneous Markov chain, and the outcome is the corresponding stationary distribution. Based on our previous results for the asynchronous case—connecting the probability of a configuration in the stationary distribution to its number of zero-one borders—the article offers both numerical and theoretical insight into the long-term behavior of synchronous cellular automata. PMID:24999557

Probabilistic cellular automata.

PubMed

Agapie, Alexandru; Andreica, Anca; Giuclea, Marius

2014-09-01

Cellular automata are binary lattices used for modeling complex dynamical systems. The automaton evolves iteratively from one configuration to another, using some local transition rule based on the number of ones in the neighborhood of each cell. With respect to the number of cells allowed to change per iteration, we speak of either synchronous or asynchronous automata. If randomness is involved to some degree in the transition rule, we speak of probabilistic automata, otherwise they are called deterministic. With either type of cellular automaton we are dealing with, the main theoretical challenge stays the same: starting from an arbitrary initial configuration, predict (with highest accuracy) the end configuration. If the automaton is deterministic, the outcome simplifies to one of two configurations, all zeros or all ones. If the automaton is probabilistic, the whole process is modeled by a finite homogeneous Markov chain, and the outcome is the corresponding stationary distribution. Based on our previous results for the asynchronous case-connecting the probability of a configuration in the stationary distribution to its number of zero-one borders-the article offers both numerical and theoretical insight into the long-term behavior of synchronous cellular automata.

[Computer simulation of thyroid regulatory mechanisms in health and malignancy].

PubMed

Abduvaliev, A A; Gil'dieva, M S; Khidirov, B N; Saĭdalieva, M; Saatov, T S

2010-07-01

The paper describes a computer model for regulation of the number of thyroid follicular cells in health and malignancy. The authors'computer program for mathematical simulation of the regulatory mechanisms of a thyroid follicular cellular community cannot be now referred to as good commercial products. For commercialization of this product, it is necessary to draw up a direct relation of the introduced corrected values from the actually existing normal values, such as the peripheral blood concentrations of thyroid hormones or the mean values of endocrine tissue mitotic activity. However, the described computer program has been also used in researches by our scientific group in the study of thyroid cancer. The available biological experimental data and theoretical provisions on thyroid structural and functional organization at the cellular level allow one to construct mathematical models for quantitative analysis of the regulation of the size of a cellular community of a thyroid follicle in health and abnormalities, by using the method for simulation of the regulatory mechanisms of living systems and the equations of cellular community regulatory communities.

Measuring optical properties of a blood vessel model using optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levitz, David; Hinds, Monica T.; Tran, Noi; Vartanian, Keri; Hanson, Stephen R.; Jacques, Steven L.

2006-02-01

In this paper we develop the concept of a tissue-engineered optical phantom that uses engineered tissue as a phantom for calibration and optimization of biomedical optics instrumentation. With this method, the effects of biological processes on measured signals can be studied in a well controlled manner. To demonstrate this concept, we attempted to investigate how the cellular remodeling of a collagen matrix affected the optical properties extracted from optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the samples. Tissue-engineered optical phantoms of the vascular system were created by seeding smooth muscle cells in a collagen matrix. Four different optical properties were evaluated by fitting the OCT signal to 2 different models: the sample reflectivity ρ and attenuation parameter μ were extracted from the single scattering model, and the scattering coefficient μ s and root-mean-square scattering angle θ rms were extracted from the extended Huygens-Fresnel model. We found that while contraction of the smooth muscle cells was clearly evident macroscopically, on the microscopic scale very few cells were actually embedded in the collagen. Consequently, no significant difference between the cellular and acellular samples in either set of measured optical properties was observed. We believe that further optimization of our tissue-engineering methods is needed in order to make the histology and biochemistry of the cellular samples sufficiently different from the acellular samples on the microscopic level. Once these methods are optimized, we can better verify whether the optical properties of the cellular and acellular collagen samples differ.

Epidermal Homeostasis and Radiation Responses in a Multiscale Tissue Modeling Framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, Shaowen; Cucinotta, Francis A.

2013-01-01

The surface of skin is lined with several thin layers of epithelial cells that are maintained throughout life time by a small population of stem cells. High dose radiation exposures could injure and deplete the underlying proliferative cells and induce cutaneous radiation syndrome. In this work we propose a multiscale computational model for skin epidermal dynamics that links phenomena occurring at the subcellular, cellular, and tissue levels of organization, to simulate the experimental data of the radiation response of swine epidermis, which is closely similar to human epidermis. Incorporating experimentally measured histological and cell kinetic parameters, we obtain results of population kinetics and proliferation indexes comparable to observations in unirradiated and acutely irradiated swine experiments. At the sub-cellular level, several recently published Wnt signaling controlled cell-cycle models are applied and the roles of key components and parameters are analyzed. Based on our simulation results, we demonstrate that a moderate increase of proliferation rate for the survival proliferative cells is sufficient to fully repopulate the area denuded by high dose radiation, as long as the integrity of underlying basement membrane is maintained. Our work highlights the importance of considering proliferation kinetics as well as the spatial organization of tissues when conducting in vivo investigations of radiation responses. This integrated model allow us to test the validity of several basic biological rules at the cellular level and sub-cellular mechanisms by qualitatively comparing simulation results with published research, and enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological effects of ionizing radiation on skin.

Mathematical Modeling of Tuberculosis Bacillary Counts and Cellular Populations in the Organs of Infected Mice

PubMed Central

Bru, Antonio; Cardona, Pere-Joan

2010-01-01

Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a particularly aggressive microorganism and the host's defense is based on the induction of cellular immunity, in which the creation of a granulomatous structure has an important role. Methodology We present here a new 2D cellular automata model based on the concept of a multifunctional process that includes key factors such as the chemokine attraction of the cells; the role of innate immunity triggered by natural killers; the presence of neutrophils; apoptosis and necrosis of infected macrophages; the removal of dead cells by macrophages, which induces the production of foamy macrophages (FMs); the life cycle of the bacilli as a determinant for the evolution of infected macrophages; and the immune response. Results The results obtained after the inclusion of two degrees of tolerance to the inflammatory response triggered by the infection shows that the model can cover a wide spectrum, ranging from highly-tolerant (i.e. mice) to poorly-tolerant hosts (i.e. mini-pigs or humans). Conclusions This model suggest that stopping bacillary growth at the onset of the infection might be difficult and the important role played by FMs in bacillary drainage in poorly-tolerant hosts together with apoptosis and innate lymphocytes. It also shows the poor ability of the cellular immunity to control the infection, provides a clear protective character to the granuloma, due its ability to attract a sufficient number of cells, and explains why an already infected host can be constantly reinfected. PMID:20886087

qpure: A Tool to Estimate Tumor Cellularity from Genome-Wide Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Profiles

PubMed Central

Song, Sarah; Nones, Katia; Miller, David; Harliwong, Ivon; Kassahn, Karin S.; Pinese, Mark; Pajic, Marina; Gill, Anthony J.; Johns, Amber L.; Anderson, Matthew; Holmes, Oliver; Leonard, Conrad; Taylor, Darrin; Wood, Scott; Xu, Qinying; Newell, Felicity; Cowley, Mark J.; Wu, Jianmin; Wilson, Peter; Fink, Lynn; Biankin, Andrew V.; Waddell, Nic; Grimmond, Sean M.; Pearson, John V.

2012-01-01

Tumour cellularity, the relative proportion of tumour and normal cells in a sample, affects the sensitivity of mutation detection, copy number analysis, cancer gene expression and methylation profiling. Tumour cellularity is traditionally estimated by pathological review of sectioned specimens; however this method is both subjective and prone to error due to heterogeneity within lesions and cellularity differences between the sample viewed during pathological review and tissue used for research purposes. In this paper we describe a statistical model to estimate tumour cellularity from SNP array profiles of paired tumour and normal samples using shifts in SNP allele frequency at regions of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the tumour. We also provide qpure, a software implementation of the method. Our experiments showed that there is a medium correlation 0.42 (-value = 0.0001) between tumor cellularity estimated by qpure and pathology review. Interestingly there is a high correlation 0.87 (-value 2.2e-16) between cellularity estimates by qpure and deep Ion Torrent sequencing of known somatic KRAS mutations; and a weaker correlation 0.32 (-value = 0.004) between IonTorrent sequencing and pathology review. This suggests that qpure may be a more accurate predictor of tumour cellularity than pathology review. qpure can be downloaded from https://sourceforge.net/projects/qpure/. PMID:23049875