In the present work, we discuss two subjects related to the nonequilibrium dynamics of polymers or biological filaments adsorbed to two-dimensional substrates. <br><br> The first part is dedicated to thermally activated dynamics of polymers on structured substrates in the presence or absence of a driving force. The structured substrate is represented by double-well or periodic potentials. We consider both homogeneous and point driving forces. Point-like driving forces can be realized in single molecule manipulation by atomic force microscopy tips. Uniform driving forces can be generated by hydrodynamic flow or by electric fields for charged polymers. <br><br> In the second part, we consider collective filament motion in motility assays for motor proteins, where filaments glide over a motor-coated substrate. The model for the simulation of the filament dynamics contains interactive deformable filaments that move under the influence of forces from molecular motors and thermal noise. Motor tails are attached to the substrate and modeled as flexible polymers (entropic springs), motor heads perform a directed walk with a given force-velocity relation. We study the collective filament dynamics and pattern formation as a function of the motor and filament density, the force-velocity characteristics, the detachment rate of motor proteins and the filament interaction. In particular, the formation and statistics of filament patterns such as nematic ordering due to motor activity or clusters due to blocking effects are investigated. Our results are experimentally accessible and possible experimental realizations are discussed. / In der vorliegenden Arbeit behandeln wir zwei Probleme aus dem Gebiet der Nichtgleichgewichtsdynamik von Polymeren oder biologischen Filamenten, die an zweidimensionale Substrate adsorbieren. <br><br> Der erste Teil befasst sich mit der thermisch aktivierten Dynamik von Polymeren auf strukturierten Substraten in An- oder Abwesenheit einer treibenden Kraft. Das strukturierte Substrat wird durch Doppelmulden- oder periodische Potentiale dargestellt. Wir betrachten sowohl homogene treibende Kräfte als auch Punktkräfte. Punktkräfte können bei der Manipulation einzelner Moleküle mit die Spitze eines Rasterkraftmikroskops realisiert werden. Homogene Kräfte können durch einen hydrodynamischen Fluss oder ein elektrisches Feld im Falle geladener Polymere erzeugt werden. <br><br> Im zweiten Teil betrachten wir die kollektive Bewegung von Filamenten in Motility-Assays, in denen Filamente über ein mit molekularen Motoren überzogenes Substrat gleiten. Das Modell zur Simulation der Filamentdynamik beinhaltet wechselwirkende, deformierbare Filamente, die sich unter dem Einfluss von Kräften, die durch molekulare Motoren erzeugt werden, sowie thermischem Rauschen bewegen. Die Schaftdomänen der Motoren sind am Substrat angeheftet und werden als flexible Polymere (entropische Federn) modelliert. Die Kopfregionen der Motoren vollführen eine gerichtete Schrittbewegung mit einer gegebenen Kraft-Geschwindigkeitsbeziehung. Wir untersuchen die kollektive Filamentdynamik und die Ausbildung von Mustern als Funktion der Motor- und der Filamentdichte, der Kraft-Geschwindigkeitscharakteristik, der Ablöserate der Motorproteine und der Filamentwechselwirkung. Insbesondere wird die Bildung und die Statistik der Filamentmuster, wie etwa die nematische Anordnung aufgrund der Motoraktivität oder die Clusterbildung aufgrund von Blockadeeffekten, untersucht. Unsere Ergebnisse sind experimentell zugänglich und mögliche experimentelle Realisierungen werden diskutiert.

Ce travail concerne l'élaboration in situ, par CVD catalytique, de couches de nanotubes et filaments de carbone pour leur intégration en tant que couches émissives d'électrons dans les écrans plats à émission de champ. <br />Les paramètres clés, avantages et limitations de plusieurs techniques de préparation et d'intégration de nano particules catalytiques ont d'abord été analysés : le démouillage d'un film continu, la gravure humide post-démouillage, le dépôt de nano agrégats et la lithographie électronique. Trois techniques de croissance de couches carbonées ont ensuite été étudiées dans le même réacteur : la CVD thermique simple, la CVD en présence d'un champ électrique et la CVD avec assistance plasma à partir d'une source de carbone solide. Enfin, les propriétés émissives des diverses couches carbonées élaborées ont été mesurées, en mode diode pour les couches synthétisées sur échantillon plan et en mode triode pour les couches intégrées sur structure cathodique d'écran.<br />L'analyse de ces résultats a permis de clarifier les liens entre paramètres technologiques d'élaboration, morphologie et performances émissives des films de nanotubes et filaments de carbone.

Les filaments d'actine sont des polymères biologiques très abondants dans le cytosquelette des eucaryotes. Leur auto-assemblage et leur auto-organisation sont très dynamiques et ils jouent un rôle majeur dans la motilité cellulaire et dans les déformations de la membrane. Nous présentons dans cette thèse trois approches de modélisation, à différentes échelles, afin de mieux comprendre les mécanismes de régulation de l'assemblage, de l'organisation et de la production de forces par des filaments biologiques tels que les filaments d'actine. Nous avons tout d'abord développé un outil de simulation multi-agent stochastique pour l'étude de la dynamique de filaments biologiques prenant en compte les interactions à l'échelle du nanomètre. Ce nouvel outil nous a permis de mettre en évidence l'accélération du turnover des monomères d'actine par fragmentation des filaments par l'ADF/Cofiline ainsi que les ruptures de symétries induites par cette protéine, résultats concordant avec les expériences de l'équipe de L. Blanchoin (CEA Grenoble). Nous avons également mené l'étude d'un modèle continu pour le flambage de filaments qui a permis d'estimer les forces exercées in vivo et in vitro en fonction des conditions d'attachement des extrémités et de donner des conditions limites de certains paramètres permettant le flambage. Troisièmement, nous avons développé un cadre pour l'organisation des données de cinétique biochimique de réseaux de régulation que nous avons utilisé pour la régulation de la polymérisation de l'actine. Ces trois approches de modélisation ont permis d'améliorer la connaissance sur la dynamique de l'actine et sont complémentaires aux approches expérimentales de la biologie.

Orientador: Antonio Condino Neto / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T22:05:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Talero_LuisAlbertoPedroza_D.pdf: 1538530 bytes, checksum: 6dc94ec71cdd6f03d096be015a2b1757 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A Poliendocrinopatia autoimune associada a candidíase e distrofia ectodérmica (APECED) é um síndrome caracterizado pela presença de pelo menos dois sintomas clínicos, endocrinopatia autoimune, sendo que as mais comuns são hipoparatiroidismo, doença de Addison, além de candidíase mucocutânea crônica. É também comum nos pacientes o desenvolvimento de distrofia ectodérmica, como distrofia nas unhas ou alopécia. O APECED é produzido por mutações no gene AIRE, que codifica uma proteína com propriedades reguladoras na transcrição de proteínas ectópicas no timo, o que estaria envolvido na seleção negativa de células T auto-reativas, e conseqüentemente no desenvolvimento da doença autoimune. No entanto a associação da deficiência da proteína AIRE com a suscetibilidade a candidíase ou a distrofia ectodérmica permanecem obscuras. No presente trabalho, investigamos a possibilidade que esta associação esteja envolvida com a expressão e função da proteína AIRE no ambiente extra-tímico. Usando células de sangue periférico de pacientes com mutações no AIRE, e a técnica de SiRNA para silenciar este gene em células de linhagem mielomonocítica THP-1, demonstramos que a proteína AIRE é importante para a resposta via KF-kB dos TLRs e Dectina-1, sendo que AIRE está presente num complexo com Dectina-1, Syk e Card-9, formado após o estímulo com Curdlan. Além disso demonstramos que a formação deste complexo pode acontecer no citoplasma ou membrana citoplasmática, uma vez que após este estímulo, a proteína AIRE é exportada do núcleo permanecendo temporariamente na membrana. Finalmente usando a técnica de espectroscopia de massa e microscopia confocal, mostramos que AIRE interage com a proteína Queratina 17, tanto em células THP-1 como em células HaCaT (linhagem de queratinócitos), quando as células entram num estágio de espraiamento e migração. Assim, a presença da proteína AIRE na via de sinalização da Dectina-1, pode estar relacionada com a susceptibilidade a infecções crônicas por C. albicans observada nestes pacientes. A resposta imune via Dectina-1 é importante na resposta a este fungo e defeitos na molécula CARD9 e Dectina-1 podem estar associados a Candidíase mucocutânea crônica. Por outro lado, a descrição da associação de AIRE com K17 pode ser relevante, já que pacientes com mutações no gene que codifica para a proteína K17 desenvolvem uma doença chamada paquioníquia congênita, caracterizada por distrofia das unhas e alopécia, características clínicas observadas também nos pacientes com APECED. Deste modo, neste trabalho apresentamos evidências que apontam para um novo papel funcional da proteína AIRE no ambiente extratímico, que poderia explicar em parte algumas características clínicas dos pacientes com APECED, como a elevada suscetibilidade a infecções por C. albicans, e a distrofia ectodérmica / Abstract: The autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is characterized by the presence of two from three major clinical symptoms: Addison's disease, and/or hypoparathyroidism, and/or chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. These patients develop also ectodermal dystrophies like nail dystrophy and alopecia. APECED is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE). This gene encodes a protein with DNA binding capacity that can transcriptionally modulate ectopic peripheral tissue antigen (PTA) expression in the thymus, facilitating T cell negative selection. Defects in AIRE may be related with the development of multipleendocrine failure of autoimmune origin in patients with APECED. In spite of this, the role of AIRE deficiency in the C. albicans susceptibility or ectodermal dystrophy, common features in APECED patients, remains to be elucidated. In the present work we explored the hypothesis that candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophy are associated with the extra-thymic role of AIRE. For this we used peripheral blood mononuclear cells from APECED patients, and also THP-1 cells treated with SiRNA for AIRE gene to obtain AIRE deficient cells. We demonstrated that AIRE is required for Dectin-1- and TLR-ligand-induced inflammatory response and complexes with Dectin-1, Syk, and CARD9 after Curdlan stimulation. In addition, we showed that this complex formation takes place outside the nucleus, once that after Curdlan stimulation AIRE seems to be exported to the cytoplasm and transiently locate at the cytoplasmic membrane. Finally using mass spectra and confocal microscopy, we showed an interaction between AIRE and the intermediate filament protein Keratin-17, in both THP-1 cells and the keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Therefore, the presence of AIRE protein in Dectin-1 pathway seems to be important on the C. albicans response, and the absence of this protein could be a risk factor important for developing candidiasis, commonly observed in APECED patients. This observation is supported by the fact that Dectin-1 is important for C albicans response, and also the recently description of mutations in Dectin-1 and CARD9 and its association with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. On the other hand, the description of AIRE and K17 association is important, since patients with defects on K17 gene develop congenital pachyonychia, a disease characterized by nail dystrophy and alopecia, also observed in APECED patients. Thus we provided evidence for a new role of AIRE protein in the extrathymic environment, which in may explain, at least in part, some of the common clinical features other than autoimmunity, observed in APECED patients / Doutorado / Saude da Criança e do Adolescente / Doutor em Saude da Criança e do Adolescente

Um tipo de composto têxtil, comumente chamado de membrana têxtil, tem sido empregado, nas últimas décadas, como parte de um sistema arquitetônico usado para a cobertura, fechamento e/ou proteção de espaços públicos e privados em vários países do mundo. O termo membrana está relacionado com o fato de o material permanecer tensionado e separar dois ambientes que se interagem. Essa solução arquitetônica é comumente conhecida como arquitetura têxtil, especialmente quando se trata de estruturas tensionadas; o termo é usado por muitos profissionais em todo mundo, apesar de não existir uma unanimidade de opiniões sobre os conceitos envolvidos na definição do termo e o que ele abrange. Na maior parte dos casos, as obras geradas são muito atraentes, práticas e funcionais, com características, formas e tamanhos diversos, dependendo da necessidade a ser atendida. Quando bem projetadas, integram-se perfeitamente ao ambiente por terem formas orgânicas e passarem uma imagem de leveza, fluidez e modernidade. São dois os tipos de membranas têxteis mais usados: 1) um grupo de membranas cujo tecido estruturante é um tecido de poliéster recoberto em ambos os lados por uma camada de cloreto de polivinila (PVC), e 2) um grupo de membranas feitas com tecidos de vidro recobertos com politetraflúoretileno (PTFE). O foco principal deste trabalho são as membranas de poliéster/PVC usadas para estruturas tensionadas. Os tecidos usados nessa gama estão enquadrados na categoria denominada tecidos técnicos, e são formados por fios compostos por filamentos de poliéster de alta tenacidade de diferentes tipos, gerando vários artigos com características técnicas distintas e, consequentemente, membranas com diversas especificações e comportamentos diferentes na aplicação final.Este estudo traz uma visão geral sobre o assunto no mundo e um panorama mais detalhado para o Brasil, abordando definições, termos usados, materiais, fornecedores, especificações, tipos de produtos e acabamentos, normas, reciclagem e meio ambiente. A beleza e modernidade são apontadas como as principais qualidades desse tipo de cobertura. As expectativas são de crescimento dessa aplicação para os próximos anos. Porém a falta de conhecimento e a complexidade técnica desse tipo de solução é um problema a ser solucionado para que melhores resultados sejam atingidos e ela possa realmente ser considerada uma solução viável e adequada para o país. / The type of textile compound, commonly called textile membrane, has been employed in recent decades, as part of an architectural system used for covering, closing and/or protection of publics and private spaces in many countries around the world. The term membrane is related to the fact that the material remains tensioned and separating two interacting environments. This architectural solution is commonly known as \' textile architecture \', especially when tensile structures are involved; this term is used by many professionals worldwide, although it do not exist a unanimity of opinions regarding the concepts involved in the definition of the term and what it encompasses. In most cases, the structures generated are very attractive, practical and functional, with different characteristics, different shapes and sizes, depending on the requirements to be met. When well designed, they will be seamlessly integrated with the environment by having organic forms, giving a feeling of lightness, fluidity and modernity. The two types of textile membranes commonly used are: 1) a group whose structuring material of the membrane is a polyester fabric coated, on both sides, with a layer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and 2) a group of membranes made with glass filament fabrics coated with polytetrafluoretilene (PTFE). The focus of this work is the polyester/PVC membranes used for tensile structures. The fabric used in this range is framed within the category named \'technical fabrics\', and are composed by different kinds of high tenacity yarns of polyester filaments, generating several articles with different technical characteristics and consequently, membranes with different specifications and different behaviors in the final application. The study provides an overview of the subject in the world and a panorama slightly more detailed for Brazil, covering definitions, terms, used materials, suppliers, specifications, product types and finishes, recycling and environment issues. The \' beauty \' and \' modernity \' are cited as the main qualities of this type of covering. There are expectations of growing of this application for coming years. But the lack of knowledge and the technical complexity of this kind of solution is a problem to be solved, so that best results can are achieved and it can really be considered a viable and appropriate solution for the country.

In recent decades, scientific data has become available in increasing sizes and precision. Therefore techniques to analyze and summarize the ever increasing datasets are of vital importance. A common form of scientific data, resulting from simulations as well as observational sciences, is in the form of scalar-valued function on domains of interest. The Morse-Smale complex is a topological data-structure used to analyze and summarize the gradient behavior of such scalar functions. This thesis deals with efficient parallel algorithms to compute the Morse-Smale complex as well as its application to datasets arising from cosmological sciences as well as structural biology. The first part of the thesis discusses the contributions towards efficient computation of the Morse-Smale complex of scalar functions de ned on two and three dimensional datasets. In two dimensions, parallel computation is made possible via a paralleizable discrete gradient computation algorithm. This algorithm is extended to work e ciently in three dimensions also. We also describe e cient algorithms that synergistically leverage modern GPUs and multi-core CPUs to traverse the gradient field needed for determining the structure and geometry of the Morse-Smale complex. We conclude this part with theoretical contributions pertaining to Morse-Smale complex simplification. The second part of the thesis explores two applications of the Morse-Smale complex. The first is an application of the 3-dimensional hierarchical Morse-Smale complex to interactively explore the filamentary structure of the cosmic web. The second is an application of the Morse-Smale complex for analysis of shapes of molecular surfaces. Here, we employ the Morse-Smale complex to determine alignments between the surfaces of molecules having similar surface architecture.

Schaut man durch ein Mikroskop auf eine biologische Zelle mit angefärbten Zytoskelett, so erblickt man lange, mehr oder minder gerade Objekte. Mit ziemlicher Sicherheit gehören diese zu einer von drei Arten von Zytoskelettfilamenten -- Aktin- oder Mikrofilamente, Intermediärfilamente und Mikrotubuli. Schon seit mehreren Jahrzehnten versucht man die mechanischen Eigenschaften lebender Zellen nicht nur zu beschreiben, sondern ihr Verhalten von zwei tieferen Ebenen ausgehend zu verstehen: Inwiefern beschreiben die Eigenschaften von Filamentnetzwerken und -gelen die Zellmechanik und, noch tiefgreifender, wie bestimmen eigentlich die einzelnen Filamente die Netzwerkmechanik. Das Verständnis der Mechanik homogener und isotroper, verhedderter als auch quervernetzter Gele ist dabei erstaunlich detailreich, ohne jedoch vollständig dem jüngeren Verständnis von Zellen als glassartige Systeme zu entsprechen. In den letzten Jahren sind daher anisotrope Strukturen mehr und mehr in den Fokus gerückt, die die Bandbreite möglichen mechanischen Verhaltens enorm bereichern. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit solch einem hochgradig anisotropen System -- nämlich Aktinbündeln -- unter drei Gesichtspunkten. Mit Hilfe von aktiven Biegedeformationen wird ein funktionales Modul, das eine differentielle Antwort auf verschiedenen Zeitskalen liefert, identifiziert. Es handelt sich um Aktinfilamente, die durch transiente Quervernetzer gebündelt werden. Während sich das System nach kurz anhaltenden Deformation völlig elastisch verhält, sorgt eine Restrukturierung der Quervernetzer während langanhaltender Deformationen für eine plastische Verformung des Bündels. In einem weiteren Aspekt widmet sich die Arbeit der frequenz- und längenabhängigen Biegesteifigkeit. Die Methode des Bündel-Wigglings, das Induzieren von \"Seilwellen\", wird dabei genutzt, um aus der Wellenform die Biegesteifigkeit zu berechnen. Bündel von Aktinbündeln zeigen dabei ein Verhalten, das vom klassischen Worm-like-chain-Modell abweicht und stattdessen durch das Worm-like-bundle-Modell beschrieben werden kann. Der letzte Aspekt dieser Arbeit untersucht den Musterbildungsprozess bei der Entstehung von Aktinbündeln. Gänzlich unerwartet entstehen quasi-isotrope Strukturen mit langreichweitiger Ordnung, wenn der Bündelungsprozess erst nach der Polymerisation von Filamenten frei von zusätzlichen mechanischen Einwirkungen einsetzt. Da dieser Zustand nicht von der klassischen Flüssigkristalltheorie vorhergesagt wird, soll eine Simulation eine Hypothese zum Entstehungsmechanismus testen. Die Annahme einer lateralen Kondensation von Filamenten zu Bündeln reicht demnach aus, um die beobachteten Strukturen zu erzeugen. Diese Arbeit leistet somit einen Beitrag zum Verständnis hochgradig anisotroper Strukturen und deren Überstrukturen, wie sie auch in lebendigen Zellen reichlich vorhanden sind.:1 Actin filament bundles and patterns 1.1 Actin and other cytoskeletal filaments 1.2 Filament and bundle mechanics 1.2.1 Polymer models 1.2.2 Worm-like bundle theory 1.3 Filament bundling 1.4 Active crosslinkers – contraction and pattern formation 2 Materials and Methods, Instruments and Software 2.1 Actin purification and labeling 2.2 Optical tweezers 2.3 Software libraries for instrument integration 3 Bundle mechanics in the time domain 3.1 Bundle formation and sample preparation 3.2 Bundle bending experiment 3.2.1 LabView VI for bundle bending 3.2.2 Bundle bending 3.2.3 Image analysis and data survey 3.3 Bundle workout – Results of the bending experiments 3.3.1 Multiple bends and elastic response 3.3.2 Endurance test – Plastic response after longer holds 3.3.3 Purely elastic depletion-force induced bundles 3.4 Elastic and plastic deformations of F-actin bundles – Discussion 3.4.1 Bundle formation process and bundle thickness 3.4.2 Elastic response 3.4.3 Elastic versus plastic response 3.5 Differential mechanical response – Summary 4 Bundle mechanics in the frequency domain 4.1 Bundle wiggling – the method 4.2 Bundle formation and sample preparation 4.3 Bundle wiggling experiment 4.3.1 LabView VI for bundle wiggling 4.3.2 Wiggling images to wiggle data 4.4 Bundle wiggling – Results 4.4.1 Bead at end 4.4.2 Wiggling bundled bundles 4.4.3 Thick bundles connected to networks 4.5 Frequency-dependent elastic response of bundles – Discussion 5 Actin bundle networks 5.1 Actin condensation in confined environments – The experiment 5.2 Simulating filament condensation 5.2.1 Implementation details 5.3 Simulation of filament condensation to bundle networks 5.4 Condensation drives pattern formation – Discussion 6 Conclusion A Calculations A.1 Subcircular bending arc and radius of curvature A.2 Correction factor for relaxations times of bundles with bead B Protocols B.1 G-actin from rabbit skeletal muscle B.1.1 Acetone powder prep B.1.2 Actin prep B.1.3 Actin gel-filtration B.2 Buffers B.3 NEM-myosin beads B.3.1 NEM-inactivated myosin B.3.2 NEM-myosin coated beads B.4 Bundle preps B.4.1 Depletion force induced and ff-actinin crosslinked bundles B.4.2 Depletion force induced bundles for wiggling experiments Bibliography / Being the most basic unit of living organisms, the cell is a complex entity comprising thousands of different proteins. Yet only very few of which are considered to play a leading part in the cell’s mechanical integrity. The biopolymers actin, intermediate filaments and microtubules constitute the so-called cytoskeleton – a highly dynamic, constantly restructuring scaffold endowing the cell not only with integrity to sustain mechanical perturbations but also with the ability to rapidly reorganize or even drive directed motion. Actin has been regarded to be the protagonist and tremendous efforts have been made to understand passive actin networks using concepts from polymer rheology and statistical mechanics. In bottom-up approaches isotropic, homogeneous actin-gels are well-characterized with rheological methods that measure elastic and viscous properties on different time scales. Cells, however, are not exclusively isotropic networks of any of the mentioned filaments. Rather, actin alone can already be organized into heterogeneous and highly anisotropic structures like bundles. These heterogeneous structures have only come into focus recently with theoretical work addressing bundle networks. and, in the case of the worm-like bundle theory, individual bundles. This work aims at characterizing bundles and bundle-crosslinker systems mechanically in two complementary approaches – in the time as well as in the frequency domain. In addition, it illuminates a bundle formation mechanism that leads to bundle networks displaying higher ordering.:1 Actin filament bundles and patterns 1.1 Actin and other cytoskeletal filaments 1.2 Filament and bundle mechanics 1.2.1 Polymer models 1.2.2 Worm-like bundle theory 1.3 Filament bundling 1.4 Active crosslinkers – contraction and pattern formation 2 Materials and Methods, Instruments and Software 2.1 Actin purification and labeling 2.2 Optical tweezers 2.3 Software libraries for instrument integration 3 Bundle mechanics in the time domain 3.1 Bundle formation and sample preparation 3.2 Bundle bending experiment 3.2.1 LabView VI for bundle bending 3.2.2 Bundle bending 3.2.3 Image analysis and data survey 3.3 Bundle workout – Results of the bending experiments 3.3.1 Multiple bends and elastic response 3.3.2 Endurance test – Plastic response after longer holds 3.3.3 Purely elastic depletion-force induced bundles 3.4 Elastic and plastic deformations of F-actin bundles – Discussion 3.4.1 Bundle formation process and bundle thickness 3.4.2 Elastic response 3.4.3 Elastic versus plastic response 3.5 Differential mechanical response – Summary 4 Bundle mechanics in the frequency domain 4.1 Bundle wiggling – the method 4.2 Bundle formation and sample preparation 4.3 Bundle wiggling experiment 4.3.1 LabView VI for bundle wiggling 4.3.2 Wiggling images to wiggle data 4.4 Bundle wiggling – Results 4.4.1 Bead at end 4.4.2 Wiggling bundled bundles 4.4.3 Thick bundles connected to networks 4.5 Frequency-dependent elastic response of bundles – Discussion 5 Actin bundle networks 5.1 Actin condensation in confined environments – The experiment 5.2 Simulating filament condensation 5.2.1 Implementation details 5.3 Simulation of filament condensation to bundle networks 5.4 Condensation drives pattern formation – Discussion 6 Conclusion A Calculations A.1 Subcircular bending arc and radius of curvature A.2 Correction factor for relaxations times of bundles with bead B Protocols B.1 G-actin from rabbit skeletal muscle B.1.1 Acetone powder prep B.1.2 Actin prep B.1.3 Actin gel-filtration B.2 Buffers B.3 NEM-myosin beads B.3.1 NEM-inactivated myosin B.3.2 NEM-myosin coated beads B.4 Bundle preps B.4.1 Depletion force induced and ff-actinin crosslinked bundles B.4.2 Depletion force induced bundles for wiggling experiments Bibliography

Pharmacological treatment of neuropathic pain is still insufficient. Methylphenidate, a psychostimulant that increases the dopamine and noradrenaline levels, is commonly used for treating ADHD. There have been reports of changes in patients pain thresholds by ADHD patients treated with methylphenidate. The aim of the study is to examine if methylphenidate can affect peripheral neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain has been modelled on laboratory rats by chronic constriction of the ischiatic nerve. The effect of methylphenidate on the evoked pain component was evaluated on control animals and on animals with neuropathic pain using reflex (plantar test, vonFrey test) and operanting test (thermal place preference). The effect of methylphenidate on the spontaneous components of pain was evaluated using the methods of conditioned place preference. This study has proven that methylphenidate in an applicable dose of 1 mg/kg has an antialodynic effect but does not act antinociceptively. This study further confirms that methylphenidate in low doses does not act as attractant and has no effect on spontaneous pain. The last part of the study compares the different methods for pain measurement and comes to the conclusion that the plantar test is not an adequate method for evaluating the effect of analgesics...

Синтезированы мемристорные сэндвич-структуры Zr/ZrO2-nt/Au диаметром 140 мкм на основе нанотубулярного слоя диоксида циркония толщиной 1.7 мкм и внутренним диаметром нанотрубок 55 нм. Проведена аттестация образцов методами сканирующей электронной и конфокальной микроскопии. Исследованы вольт-амперные характеристики полученных устройств в статическом и импульсном режимах резистивного переключения. Определены параметры резистивного переключения. Установлены механизмы проводимости, доминирующие в различных состояниях структуры. Продемонстрирована возможность формирования квантовых филаментов, состоящих из кислородных вакансий, в оксидном слое. Показана перспективность применения данных структур в качестве мемристорных элементов памяти. / Memristor Zr/ZrO2-nt/Au structure based on the zirconium oxide nanotubular layer with the thickness of 1.7 μm and the nanotubes inner diameter of 55 nm was synthesized. Attestation of the samples was performed with the methods of scanning electron and confocal microscopy. Current-voltage curves of the fabricated devices in static and pulsed modes of resistance switching were studied. Conduction mechanisms that dominate in different structure states were established. The formation of quantum filaments which consist of oxygen vacancies was shown to be possible in the oxide layer. The perspective of using these structures as memristor memory elements was shown.

<p dir="ltr">My research projects focuses on the dual targeting of small molecules to abrogate aberrant α-syn, tau (2N4R), and p-tau (1N4R) aggregation and to reduce the spread of AD and related dementias. Not very many drug discovery programs focus on the specific isoforms of the tau protein. We established two series of compounds: aminoindole compounds connected by a carboxamide and triazine compounds connected by a triazine linker. Using biophysical methods we evaluated the effectiveness of both series of compounds in decreasing the amount of misfolded α-syn and tau protein in order to explore their anti-aggregation potential.</p><p><br></p>