ABSTRACT
Colloid-based computing devices offer remarkable fault tolerance and adaptability to varying environmental conditions due to their amorphous structure. An intriguing observation is that a colloidal suspension of ZnO nanoparticles in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) exhibits reconfiguration when exposed to electrical stimulation and produces spikes of electrical potential in response. This study presents a novel laboratory prototype of a ZnO colloidal computer, showcasing its capability to implement various Boolean functions featuring two, four and eight inputs. During our experiments, we input binary strings into the colloid mixture, where a logical 'True' state is represented by an impulse of an electrical potential. In contrast, the absence of the electrical impulse denotes a logical 'False' state. The electrical responses of the colloid mixture are recorded, allowing us to extract truth tables from the recordings. Through this methodological approach, we demonstrate the successful implementation of a wide range of logical functions using colloidal mixtures. We provide detailed distributions of the logical functions discovered and offer speculation on the potential impacts of our findings on future and emerging unconventional computing technologies. This research highlights the exciting possibilities of colloid-based computing and paves the way for further advancements.
ABSTRACT
Protein function alteration and protein mislocalization are cancer hallmarks that drive oncogenesis. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) deposition mediated by METTL3, METTL16, and METTL5 together with the contribution of additional subunits of the m6A system, has shown a dramatic impact on cancer development. However, the cellular localization of m6A proteins inside tumor cells has been little studied so far. Interestingly, recent evidence indicates that m6A methyltransferases are not always confined to the nucleus, suggesting that epitranscriptomic factors may also have multiple oncogenic roles beyond m6A that still represent an unexplored field. To date novel epigenetic drugs targeting m6A modifiers, such as METTL3 inhibitors, are entering into clinical trials, therefore, the study of the potential onco-properties of m6A effectors beyond m6A is required. Here we will provide an overview of methylation-independent functions of the m6A players in cancer, describing the molecular mechanisms involved and the future implications for therapeutics.
ABSTRACT
Immersive technology, such as extended reality, holds promise as a tool for educating ophthalmologists about the effects of low vision and for enhancing visual rehabilitation protocols. However, immersive simulators have not been evaluated for their ability to induce changes in the oculomotor system, which is crucial for understanding the visual experiences of visually impaired individuals. This study aimed to assess the REALTER (Wearable Egocentric Altered Reality Simulator) system's capacity to induce specific alterations in healthy individuals' oculomotor systems under simulated low-vision conditions. We examined task performance, eye movements, and head movements in healthy participants across various simulated scenarios. Our findings suggest that REALTER can effectively elicit behaviors in healthy individuals resembling those observed in individuals with low vision. Participants with simulated binocular maculopathy demonstrated unstable fixations and a high frequency of wide saccades. Individuals with simulated homonymous hemianopsia showed a tendency to maintain a fixed head position while executing wide saccades to survey their surroundings. Simulation of tubular vision resulted in a significant reduction in saccade amplitudes. REALTER holds promise as both a training tool for ophthalmologists and a research instrument for studying low vision conditions. The simulator has the potential to enhance ophthalmologists' comprehension of the limitations imposed by visual disabilities, thereby facilitating the development of new rehabilitation protocols.