NeuroPycon: An open-source python toolbox for fast multi-modal and reproducible brain connectivity pipelines

Recent years have witnessed a massive push towards reproducible research in neuroscience. Unfortunately, this endeavor is often challenged by the large diversity of tools used, project-specific custom code and the difficulty to track all user-defined parameters. NeuroPycon is an open-source multi-modal brain data analysis toolkit which provides Python-based template pipelines for advanced multi-processing of MEG, EEG, functional and anatomical MRI data, with a focus on connectivity and graph theoretical analyses.

Nonlocal PageRank

In this work we introduce and study a nonlocal version of the PageRank. In our approach, the random walker explores the graph using longer excursions than just moving between neighboring nodes. As a result, the corresponding ranking of the nodes, which takes into account a long-range interaction between them, does not exhibit concentration phenomena typical of spectral rankings which take into account just local interactions. We show that the predictive value of the rankings obtained using our proposals is considerably improved on different real world problems.

CHOP and c-JUN up-regulate the mutant Z ? 1-antitrypsin, exacerbating its aggregation and liver proteotoxicity

?1-Antitrypsin (AAT) encoded by the SERPINA1 gene is an acute-phase protein synthesized in the liver and secreted into the circulation. Its primary role is to protect lung tissue by inhibiting neutrophil elastase. The Z allele of SERPINA1 encodes a mutant AAT, named ATZ, that changes the protein structure and leads to its misfolding and polymerization, which cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and liver disease through a gain-of-function toxic mechanism.

Identification of time-varying inaccessible thermal conductance from data at the boundary

A composite specimen, made of two slabs and an interface A is heated through one of its sides S, in order to evaluate the thermal conductance H of A. The direct model consists of a system of Initial Boundary Value Problems completed by suitable transmission conditions. Thanks to the properties of multilayer diffusion, we reduce the problem to the slab between A and S only. In this case evaluating the thermal resistance of A means to identify a coefficient in a Robin boundary condition. We evaluate H numerically by means of Thin Plate Approximation.

Quantum Trajectories for the Dynamics in the Exact Factorization Framework: A Proof-of-Principle Test

In the framework of the exact factorization of the time-dependent electron-nuclear wave function, we investigate the possibility of solving the nuclear time-dependent Schrödinger equation based on trajectories. The nuclear equation is separated in a Hamilton-Jacobi equation for the phase of the wave function, and a continuity equation for its (squared) modulus. For illustrative adiabatic and nonadiabatic one-dimensional models, we implement a procedure to follow the evolution of the nuclear density along the characteristics of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation.

Numerical simulations of self-diffusiophoretic colloids at fluid interfaces

The dynamics of active colloids is very sensitive to the presence of boundaries and interfaces which therefore can be used to control their motion. Here we analyze the dynamics of active colloids adsorbed at a fluid-fluid interface. By using a mesoscopic numerical approach which relies on an approximated numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equation, we show that when adsorbed at a fluid interface, an active colloid experiences a net torque even in the absence of a viscosity contrast between the two adjacent fluids.

On a class of forward -backward parabolic equations: Formation of singularities

We study the formation of singularities for the problem {u(t) = [phi(u)](xx) + epsilon[psi(u)](txx) in Omega x (0, T) phi(u) + epsilon[psi(u)](t) = 0 in partial derivative Omega x(0, T) u = u(0) >= 0 in Omega x {0}, where epsilon and Tare positive constants, Omega a bounded interval, u(0) a nonnegative Radon measure on Omega, phi a nonmonotone and nonnegative function with phi(0) = phi(infinity) = 0, and psi an increasing bounded function. We show that if u(0) is a bounded or continuous function, singularities may appear spontaneously.

AMG preconditioners for Linear Solvers towards Extreme Scale

Linear solvers for large and sparse systems are a key element of scientific applications, and their efficient implementation is necessary to harness the computational power of current computers. Algebraic Multigrid (AMG) Preconditioners are a popular ingredient of such linear solvers; this is the motivation for the present work where we examine some recent developments in a package of AMG preconditioners to improve efficiency, scalability, and robustness on extreme-scale problems.

Unravelling the role of phoretic and hydrodynamic interactions in active colloidal suspensions

Active fluids comprise a variety of systems composed of elements immersed in a fluid environment which can convert some form of energy into directed motion; as such they are intrinsically out-of-equilibrium in the absence of any external force. A fundamental problem in the physics of active matter concerns the understanding of how the characteristics of autonomous propulsion and agent-agent interactions determine the collective dynamics of the system.

ZBTB2 protein is a new partner of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex

ZBTB2 is a protein belonging to the BTB/POZ zinc-finger family whose members typically contain a BTB/POZ domain at the N-terminus and several zinc-finger domains at the C-terminus. Studies have been carried out to disclose the role of ZBTB2 in cell proliferation, in human cancers and in regulating DNA methylation. Moreover, ZBTB2 has been also described as an ARF, p53 and p21 gene repressor as well as an activator of genes modulating pluripotency. In this scenario, ZBTB2 seems to play many functions likely associated with other proteins.