1,382 research outputs found
Концепції мовної гри як теоретичні засади організації навчально-ігрової діяльності
У статті розглянуто лінгвофілософські й лінгвістичні концепції мовної гри як підґрунтя організації навчально-ігрової діяльності в системі українськомовної освіти. На основі наукового осмислення окреслено зміст понять "гра", "навчально-ігрова діяльність", "мовна гра". Шляхом аналізу наукової літератури й синтезу теоретичних ідей визначено принципи побудови й реалізації навчально-методичної системи, спрямованої на формування мовної особистості школяра в навчально-ігровій діяльності
Structure, Dynamics and Implied Gating Mechanism of a Human Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel
Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channels are nonselective cation channels, essential for visual and olfactory sensory transduction. Although the channels include voltage-sensor domains (VSDs), their conductance is thought to be independent of the membrane potential, and their gating regulated by cytosolic cyclic nucleotide–binding domains. Mutations in these channels result in severe, degenerative retinal diseases, which remain untreatable. The lack of structural information on CNG channels has prevented mechanistic understanding of disease-causing mutations, precluded structure-based drug design, and hampered in silico investigation of the gating mechanism. To address this, we built a 3D model of the cone tetrameric CNG channel, based on homology to two distinct templates with known structures: the transmembrane (TM) domain of a bacterial channel, and the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain of the mouse HCN2 channel. Since the TM-domain template had low sequence-similarity to the TM domains of the CNG channels, and to reconcile conflicts between the two templates, we developed a novel, hybrid approach, combining homology modeling with evolutionary coupling constraints. Next, we used elastic network analysis of the model structure to investigate global motions of the channel and to elucidate its gating mechanism. We found the following: (i) In the main mode of motion, the TM and cytosolic domains counter-rotated around the membrane normal. We related this motion to gating, a proposition that is supported by previous experimental data, and by comparison to the known gating mechanism of the bacterial KirBac channel. (ii) The VSDs could facilitate gating (supplementing the pore gate), explaining their presence in such ‘voltage-insensitive’ channels. (iii) Our elastic network model analysis of the CNGA3 channel supports a modular model of allosteric gating, according to which protein domains are quasi-independent: they can move independently, but are coupled to each other allosterically
Elastic properties of proteins: insight on the folding process and evolutionary selection of native structures
We carry out a theoretical study of the vibrational and relaxation properties
of naturally-occurring proteins with the purpose of characterizing both the
folding and equilibrium thermodynamics. By means of a suitable model we provide
a full characterization of the spectrum and eigenmodes of vibration at various
temperatures by merely exploiting the knowledge of the protein native
structure. It is shown that the rate at which perturbations decay at the
folding transition correlates well with experimental folding rates. This
validation is carried out on a list of about 30 two-state folders. Furthermore,
the qualitative analysis of residues mean square displacements (shown to
accurately reproduce crystallographic data) provides a reliable and
statistically accurate method to identify crucial folding sites/contacts. This
novel strategy is validated against clinical data for HIV-1 Protease. Finally,
we compare the spectra and eigenmodes of vibration of natural proteins against
randomly-generated compact structures and regular random graphs. The comparison
reveals a distinctive enhanced flexibility of natural structures accompanied by
slow relaxation times at the folding temperature. The fact that these
properties are intimately connected to the presence and assembly of secondary
motifs hints at the special criteria adopted by evolution in the selection of
viable folds.Comment: Revtex 17 pages, 13 eps figure
Systematic coarse-graining of the dynamics of entangled polymer melts: the road from chemistry to rheology
For optimal processing and design of entangled polymeric materials it is
important to establish a rigorous link between the detailed molecular
composition of the polymer and the viscoelastic properties of the macroscopic
melt. We review current and past computer simulation techniques and critically
assess their ability to provide such a link between chemistry and rheology. We
distinguish between two classes of coarse-graining levels, which we term
coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) and coarse-grained stochastic dynamics
(CGSD). In CGMD the coarse-grained beads are still relatively hard, thus
automatically preventing bond crossing. This also implies an upper limit on the
number of atoms that can be lumped together and therefore on the longest chain
lengths that can be studied. To reach a higher degree of coarse-graining, in
CGSD many more atoms are lumped together, leading to relatively soft beads. In
that case friction and stochastic forces dominate the interactions, and actions
must be undertaken to prevent bond crossing. We also review alternative methods
that make use of the tube model of polymer dynamics, by obtaining the
entanglement characteristics through a primitive path analysis and by
simulation of a primitive chain network. We finally review super-coarse-grained
methods in which an entire polymer is represented by a single particle, and
comment on ways to include memory effects and transient forces.Comment: Topical review, 31 pages, 10 figure
From Network Structure to Dynamics and Back Again: Relating dynamical stability and connection topology in biological complex systems
The recent discovery of universal principles underlying many complex networks
occurring across a wide range of length scales in the biological world has
spurred physicists in trying to understand such features using techniques from
statistical physics and non-linear dynamics. In this paper, we look at a few
examples of biological networks to see how similar questions can come up in
very different contexts. We review some of our recent work that looks at how
network structure (e.g., its connection topology) can dictate the nature of its
dynamics, and conversely, how dynamical considerations constrain the network
structure. We also see how networks occurring in nature can evolve to modular
configurations as a result of simultaneously trying to satisfy multiple
structural and dynamical constraints. The resulting optimal networks possess
hubs and have heterogeneous degree distribution similar to those seen in
biological systems.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Proceedings of "Dynamics On and Of
Complex Networks", ECSS'07 Satellite Workshop, Dresden, Oct 1-5, 200
Statistical Properties of Contact Maps
A contact map is a simple representation of the structure of proteins and
other chain-like macromolecules. This representation is quite amenable to
numerical studies of folding. We show that the number of contact maps
corresponding to the possible configurations of a polypeptide chain of N amino
acids, represented by (N-1)-step self avoiding walks on a lattice, grows
exponentially with N for all dimensions D>1. We carry out exact enumerations in
D=2 on the square and triangular lattices for walks of up to 20 steps and
investigate various statistical properties of contact maps corresponding to
such walks. We also study the exact statistics of contact maps generated by
walks on a ladder.Comment: Latex file, 15 pages, 12 eps figures. To appear on Phys. Rev.
Nonlinearity of Mechanochemical Motions in Motor Proteins
The assumption of linear response of protein molecules to thermal noise or
structural perturbations, such as ligand binding or detachment, is broadly used
in the studies of protein dynamics. Conformational motions in proteins are
traditionally analyzed in terms of normal modes and experimental data on
thermal fluctuations in such macromolecules is also usually interpreted in
terms of the excitation of normal modes. We have chosen two important protein
motors - myosin V and kinesin KIF1A - and performed numerical investigations of
their conformational relaxation properties within the coarse-grained elastic
network approximation. We have found that the linearity assumption is deficient
for ligand-induced conformational motions and can even be violated for
characteristic thermal fluctuations. The deficiency is particularly pronounced
in KIF1A where the normal mode description fails completely in describing
functional mechanochemical motions. These results indicate that important
assumptions of the theory of protein dynamics may need to be reconsidered.
Neither a single normal mode, nor a superposition of such modes yield an
approximation of strongly nonlinear dynamics.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure
Information Loss in Coarse Graining of Polymer Configurations via Contact Matrices
Contact matrices provide a coarse grained description of the configuration
omega of a linear chain (polymer or random walk) on Z^n: C_{ij}(omega)=1 when
the distance between the position of the i-th and j-th step are less than or
equal to some distance "a" and C_{ij}(omega)=0 otherwise. We consider models in
which polymers of length N have weights corresponding to simple and
self-avoiding random walks, SRW and SAW, with "a" the minimal permissible
distance. We prove that to leading order in N, the number of matrices equals
the number of walks for SRW, but not for SAW. The coarse grained Shannon
entropies for SRW agree with the fine grained ones for n <= 2, but differs for
n >= 3.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, latex2e Main change: the introduction is
rewritten in a less formal way with the main results explained in simple
term
On the origin of the Boson peak in globular proteins
We study the Boson Peak phenomenology experimentally observed in globular
proteins by means of elastic network models. These models are suitable for an
analytic treatment in the framework of Euclidean Random Matrix theory, whose
predictions can be numerically tested on real proteins structures. We find that
the emergence of the Boson Peak is strictly related to an intrinsic mechanical
instability of the protein, in close similarity to what is thought to happen in
glasses. The biological implications of this conclusion are also discussed by
focusing on a representative case study.Comment: Proceedings of the X International Workshop on Disordered Systems,
Molveno (2006
Working Document: Towards a vision for research, technology and innovation cooperation between Russia and the EU, its Member States and Associated States
This Working Document outlines development perspectives for cooperation in research, technology and innovation (RTI) between the EU, its Member States (MS), countries associated to the EU’s FP7 (AC), and Russia. The Working Document has been prepared in the framework of the ERA.Net RUS project and is based on a comprehensive foresight exercise implemented over the years 2010-2013 and on analysis of ongoing RTI cooperation. In-depth discussions among the ERA.Net RUS and ERA.Net RUS Plus consortiums and Funding Parties, and in the frame of expert workshops with policy makers and analysts provided essential input. Furthermore, results of other related projects (such as BILAT-RUS, BILAT-RUS Advanced, ACCESSRU, etc.) have been studied. The paper proposes a vision on enhancing the cooperation between EU MS/AC and Russia overall, as well as a specific follow-up vision for the ERA.Net RUS and ERA.Net RUS Plus projects.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt
- …
