Estimage: A webserver hub for the computation of methylation age

Methylage is an epigenetic marker of biological age that exploits the correlation between the methylation state of specific CG dinucleotides (CpGs) and chronological age (in years), gestational age (in weeks), cellular age (in cell cycles or as telomere length, in kilobases). Using DNA methylation data, methylage is measurable via the so called epigenetic clocks.

A one-dimensional vertical ecosystem model for lake dynamics

We present a modified version of an existing lake ecosystem model, describing a trophic chain generated by nutrients, phytoplankton and zooplankton (NPZ model). The NPZ model takes into account the vertical dynamics of the biomasses of the main species. We tailor the model to specific ecosystems by including seasonality in the dynamics of the various compartments. Moreover, different species exhibit a different behaviour with respect to diffusion and to the rate of vertical movement.

Attention Based Subgraph Classification for Link Prediction by Network Re-weighting

Supervised link prediction aims at finding missing links in a network by learning directly from the data suitable criteria for classifying link types into existent or non-existent. Recently, along this line, subgraph-based methods learning a function that maps subgraph patterns to link existence have witnessed great successes. However, these approaches still have drawbacks. First, the construction of the subgraph relies on an arbitrary nodes selection, often ineffective.

Microscale modelling of dielectrophoresis assembly processes

This work presents a microscale approach for simulating the dielectrophoresis assembly of polarizable particles under an external electric field. The model is shown to capture interesting dynamical and topological features, such as the formation of chains of particles and their incipient aggregation into hierarchical structures. A quantitative characterization in terms of the number and size of these structures is also discussed.

Synthetic Lethality Screening Identifies FDA-Approved Drugs That Overcome ATP7B-Mediated Tolerance of Tumor Cells to Cisplatin

Tumor resistance to chemotherapy represents an important challenge in modern oncology. Although platinum (Pt)-based drugs have demonstrated excellent therapeutic potential, their effectiveness in a wide range of tumors is limited by the development of resistance mechanisms. One of these mechanisms includes increased cisplatin sequestration/efflux by the copper-transporting ATPase, ATP7B. However, targeting ATP7B to reduce Pt tolerance in tumors could represent a serious risk because suppression of ATP7B might compromise copper homeostasis, as happens in Wilson disease.

Identification and validation of viral antigens sharing sequence and structural homology with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs)

Background The host's immune system develops in equilibrium with both cellular self-antigens and non-self-antigens derived from microorganisms which enter the body during lifetime. In addition, during the years, a tumor may arise presenting to the immune system an additional pool of non-self-antigens, namely tumor antigens (tumor-associated antigens, TAAs; tumor-specific antigens, TSAs). Methods In the present study, we looked for homology between published TAAs and non-self-viral-derived epitopes. Bioinformatics analyses and ex vivo immunological validations have been performed.

A game-theoretic multi-stakeholder model for cost allocation in urban consolidation centres

Recently, many European local authorities have set up Urban Consolidation Centres (UCC) for dealing with challenges arising from the environmental and social impacts of logistical activities in urban contexts through shipment synchronisation and carrier coordination policies. However, the number of successful UCC projects led by local authorities in Europe is low, with most of the UCCs failing to achieve financial sustainability after the initial experimental phase, which is often heavily supported by public funds.

A nonlinear parabolic model arising in marble sulphation: qualitative analysis

We present a simple model describing the chemical aggression undergone by calcium carbonate rocks in presence of acid atmosphere. A large literature is available on the deterioration processes of building stones, in particular in connection with problems concerning historical buildings in the field of Cultural Heritage. It is well known that the greatest aggression is caused by SO2 andNO3. In this paper we consider the corrosion caused by sulphur dioxide, which, reacting with calcium carbonate, produces gypsum.