A. Buonocore | Searcharxiv

arXiv2021

Input-output behaviour of a model neuron with alternating drift

The input-output behaviour of the Wiener neuronal model subject to alternating input is studied under the assumption that the effect of such an input is to make the drift itself of an alternating type. Firing densities and related statistics are obtained via simulations of the sample-paths of the process in the following three cases: the drift changes occur during random periods characterized by (i) exponential distribution, (ii) Erlang distribution with a preassigned shape parameter, and (iii) deterministic distribution. The obtained results are compared with those holding for the Wiener neuronal model subject to sinusoidal input

q-bio.NC↗

arXiv2005

On Myosin II dynamics in the presence of external loads

We address the controversial hot question concerning the validity of the loose coupling versus the lever-arm theories in the actomyosin dynamics by re-interpreting and extending the phenomenological washboard potential model proposed by some of us in a previous paper. In this new model a Brownian motion harnessing thermal energy is assumed to co-exist with the deterministic swing of the lever-arm, to yield an excellent fit of the set of data obtained by some of us on the sliding of Myosin II heads on immobilized actin filaments under various load conditions. Our theoretical arguments are complemented by accurate numerical simulations, and the robustness of the model is tested via different choices of parameters and potential profiles.

q-bio.SC↗

arXiv2004

A Phenomenological model of Myosin II dynamics in the presence of external loads

We address the controversial hot question concerning the validity of the loose coupling versus the lever-arm theories in the actomyosin dynamics by re-interpreting and extending the phenomenological washboard potential model proposed by some of us in a previous paper. In this new model a Brownian motion harnessing thermal energy is assumed to co-exist with the deterministic swing of the lever-arm, to yield an excellent fit of the set of data obtained by some of us on the sliding of Myosin II heads on immobilized actin filaments under various load conditions. Our theoretical arguments are complemented by accurate numerical simulations, and the robustness of the model is tested via different choices of parameters and potential profiles.

q-bio.BM↗

arXiv2004

Lever-arm and Washboard-potential theories jointly account for Myosin II dynamics

We address the controversial hot question concerning the validity of the loose-coupling versus the lever-arm models in the actomyosin dynamics by re-interpreting and extending the washboard potential model proposed by some of us in a previous paper. In the new theory, a loose-coupling mechanism co-exists with the deterministic lever-arm model. The synergetic action of a random component, originating from the harnessed thermal energy, and of the power-stroke generated by the lever-arm classical mechanism is seen to yield an excellent fit of the set of data obtained in T. Yanagida's laboratory on the sliding of Myosin II heads on actin filaments under various load conditions. Our theoretical arguments are complemented by accurate numerical simulations, and the robustness of theory is tested via different combination of parameters and potential profiles.

q-bio.BM↗

arXiv2003

Towards Dead Time Inclusion in Neuronal Modeling

A mathematical description of the refractoriness period in neuronal diffusion modeling is given and its moments are explicitly obtained in a form that is suitable for quantitative evaluations. Then, for the Wiener, Ornstein-Uhlenbeck and Feller neuronal models, an analysis of the features exhibited by the mean and variance of the first passage time and of refractoriness period is performed.

math.PR↗

arXiv2003

A stochastic model for the stepwise motion in actomyosin dynamics

A jump-diffusion process is proposed to describe the displacements performed by single myosin heads along actin filaments during the rising phases. The process consists of the superposition of a Wiener and a jump process, with jumps originated by sequences of Poisson-distributed energy-supplying pulses. In a previous paper, the amplitude of the jumps was described by a mixture of two Gaussian distributions. To embody the effects of ATP hydrolysis, we now refine such a model by assuming that the jumps' amplitude is described by a mixture of three Gaussian distributions. This model has been inspired by the experimental data of T. Yanagida and his co-workers concerning observations at single molecule processes level.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2003

A chemically driven fluctuating ratchet model for actomyosin interaction

With reference to the experimental observations by T. Yanagida and his co-workers on actomyosin interaction, a Brownian motor of fluctuating ratchet kind is designed with the aim to describe the interaction between a Myosin II head and a neighboring actin filament. Our motor combines the dynamics of the myosin head with a chemical external system related to the ATP cycle, whose role is to provide the energy supply necessary to bias the motion. Analytical expressions for the duration of the ATP cycle, for the Gibbs free energy and for the net displacement of the myosin head are obtained. Finally, by exploiting a method due to Sekimoto (1997, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn., 66, 1234), a formula is worked out for the amount of energy consumed during the ATP cycle.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗