Systems of Interacting Argumentation Networks

in Journal of Logics and their Applications (2014)

Systems-level characterization of a host-microbe metabolic symbiosis in the mammalian gut.

in Gut microbes (2013), 4(1), 28-40

The human gut microbiota consists of ten times more microorganisms than there are cells in our body, processes otherwise indigestible nutrients, and produces important energy precursors, essential amino ... [more ▼]

The human gut microbiota consists of ten times more microorganisms than there are cells in our body, processes otherwise indigestible nutrients, and produces important energy precursors, essential amino acids, and vitamins. In this study, we assembled and validated a genome-scale metabolic reconstruction of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (iAH991), a prominent representative of the human gut microbiota, consisting of 1488 reactions, 1152 metabolites, and 991 genes. To create a comprehensive metabolic model of host-microbe interactions, we integrated iAH991 with a previously published mouse metabolic reconstruction, which was extended for intestinal transport and absorption reactions. The two metabolic models were linked through a joint compartment, the lumen, allowing metabolite exchange and providing a route for simulating different dietary regimes. The resulting model consists of 7239 reactions, 5164 metabolites, and 2769 genes. We simultaneously modeled growth of mouse and B. thetaiotaomicron on five different diets varying in fat, carbohydrate, and protein content. The integrated model captured mutually beneficial cross-feeding as well as competitive interactions. Furthermore, we identified metabolites that were exchanged between the two organisms, which were compared with published metabolomics data. This analysis resulted for the first time in a comprehensive description of the co-metabolism between a host and its commensal microbe. We also demonstrate in silico that the presence of B. thetaiotaomicron could rescue the growth phenotype of the host with an otherwise lethal enzymopathy and vice versa. This systems approach represents a powerful tool for modeling metabolic interactions between a gut microbe and its host in health and disease. [less ▲]

Systemwände

Speeches/Talks (2013)

SzLB – Skala zur Lebensbewertung (SLB).

in Zeitschrift für Differentielle und Diagnostische Psychologie (1996), 17(3)

T cell immunosenescence after early life adversity: association with cytomegalovirus infection.

in Frontiers in Immunology (2017), 8

Early life adversity (ELA) increases the risk for multiple age-related diseases, such as diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease. As prevalence is high, ELA poses a major and global public health ... [more ▼]

Early life adversity (ELA) increases the risk for multiple age-related diseases, such as diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease. As prevalence is high, ELA poses a major and global public health problem. Immunosenescence, or aging of the immune system, has been proposed to underlie the association between ELA and long-term health consequences. However, it is unclear what drives ELA-associated immunosenescence and which cells are primarily affected. We investigated different biomarkers of immunosenescence in a healthy subset of the EpiPath cohort. Participants were either parent-reared (Ctrl, n = 59) or had experienced separation from their parents in early childhood and were subsequently adopted (ELA, n = 18). No difference was observed in telomere length or in methylation levels of age-related CpGs in whole blood, containing a heterogeneous mixture of immune cells. However, when specifically investigating T cells, we found a higher expression of senescence markers (CD57) in ELA. In addition, senescent T cells (CD57+) in ELA had an increased cytolytic potential compared to senescent cells in controls. With a mediation analysis we demonstrated that cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which is an important driving force of immunosenescence, largely accounted for elevated CD57 expression observed in ELA. Leukocyte telomere length may obscure cell-specific immunosenescence; here, we demonstrated that the use of cell surface markers of senescence can be more informative. Our data suggest that ELA may increase the risk of CMV infection in early childhood, thereby mediating the effect of ELA on T cell-specific immunosenescence. Thus, future studies should include CMV as a confounder or selectively investigate CMV seronegative cohorts. [less ▲]

T(H)INK : Development of an intelligence test for primary school children.

Scientific Conference (2010)

T-S Fuzzy Contact State Recognition for Compliant Motion Robotic Tasks Using Gravitational Search-Based Clustering Algorithm

in 2013 IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (FUZZ-IEEE 2013) (2013, July)

In this paper, we address the problem of contact state recognition for compliant motion robotic systems. The wrench (Cartesian forces and torques) and pose (position and orientation) of the manipulated ... [more ▼]

In this paper, we address the problem of contact state recognition for compliant motion robotic systems. The wrench (Cartesian forces and torques) and pose (position and orientation) of the manipulated object in different Contact Formations (CFs) are firstly captured during a certain task execution. Then for each CF, we develop an efficient Takagi- Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy inference system that can model that specific CF using the available input (wrench and pose) - output (the desired model output for each CF) data. The antecedent part parameters are computed using the Gravitational Search- based Fuzzy Clustering Algorithm (GS- FCA) and the consequent parts parameters are tuned by the Least Mean Square (LMS). Excellent mapping and hence recognition capabilities can be expected from the suggested scheme. In order to validate the approach; experimental test stand is built which is composed of a KUKA Light Weight Robot (LWR) manipulating a cube rigid object that interacts with an environment composed of three orthogonal planes. The manipulated object is rigidly attached to the robot arm. The robot is programmed, by a human operator, to move in different CFs and for each CF, the wrench and pose readings are captured via the Fast Research Interface (FRI) available at the KUKA LWR. Using the suggested approach, excellent modeling is obtained for different CFs during the robot task execution. A comparison with the available CF recognition approaches is also performed and the superiority of the suggested scheme is shown. [less ▲]

Tabakkonsum von Schülern in Luxemburg / Consommation de tabac par les élèves au Luxembourg

E-print/Working paper (2018)

In der HBSC-Studie 2014 wurden Fragen zum Tabakkonsum gestellt. Von den 11-12-Jährigen sind 2 % laut eigenen Angaben Raucher, in der Altersgruppe 17-18 steigt dieser Anteil auf knapp über ein Drittel. Bis ... [more ▼]

In der HBSC-Studie 2014 wurden Fragen zum Tabakkonsum gestellt. Von den 11-12-Jährigen sind 2 % laut eigenen Angaben Raucher, in der Altersgruppe 17-18 steigt dieser Anteil auf knapp über ein Drittel. Bis zum Alter von 14 Jahren ist der Anteil der regelmäßigen Raucher (d.h. sie rauchen mindestens einmal pro Woche) bei Jungen und Mädchen etwa gleich hoch. In der Altersgruppe 17-18 rauchen 32 % der männlichen Jugendlichen regelmäßig, aber nur 23 % der weiblichen Jugendlichen. Im Enseignement secondaire technique ist der Anteil der regelmäßigen Raucher in allen Altersgruppen ungefähr doppelt so hoch wie im Enseignement secondaire. Die Hälfte der Raucher hat mit 14 Jahren oder noch früher mit dem Rauchen angefangen, daher sollte frühzeitig über die Gefahren des Rauchens aufgeklärt werden. [less ▲]

Table ronde : Comment assurer l’évaluation diagnostique des compétences scolaires ?

in L'évaluation des compétences en milieu scolaire et en milieu professionnel (2012)

Table ronde conclusive | Conclusive Round Table

Speeches/Talks (2017)