Stimulus-induced transitions between spike-wave discharges and spindles with the modulation of thalamic reticular nucleus.

It is believed that thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) controls spindles and spike-wave discharges (SWD) in seizure or sleeping processes. The dynamical mechanisms of spatiotemporal evolutions between these two types of activity, however, are not well understood. In light of this, we first use a single-compartment thalamocortical neural field model to investigate the effects of TRN on occurrence of SWD and its transition.

Subtle interplay of stochasticity and deterministic dynamics pervades an evolutionary plausible genetic circuit for Bacillus subtilis competence.

Here we study the interplay of stochastic and deterministic dynamics in an evolutionary plausible candidate core genetic circuit for Bacillus subtilis competence. We find that high noise would not necessarily be detrimental to the circuit's ability to deliver the phenotype, due to an unexpected built-in robustness that we further investigate. Also, we find that seemingly subtle deterministic dynamical features of the regulation, unstable and stable limit cycles, while in the presence of biochemical noise, would result in a distinctive new observable in the phenotype.

Point-cycle bistability and stochasticity in a regulatory circuit for Bacillus subtilis competence.

Bacillus subtilis is a very well-studied organism in biology. Recent results show that an evolutionary plausible alternative competence regulation circuit for this bacterium, despite presenting equivalent functionality, exhibits physiologically important differences. Thus, it is not a priori clear why Nature only selects a specific gene regulation circuit other than a plethora of equivalent others.