Jean-François Rupprecht

Bio: Jean-François Rupprecht is an academic researcher from Aix-Marseille University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Physics & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 32 publications receiving 744 citations. Previous affiliations of Jean-François Rupprecht include Centre national de la recherche scientifique & National University of Singapore.

Exit Time Distribution in Spherically Symmetric Two-Dimensional Domains

Abstract: The distribution of exit times is computed for a Brownian particle in spherically symmetric two-dimensional domains (disks, angular sectors, annuli) and in rectangles that contain an exit on their boundary. The governing partial differential equation of Helmholtz type with mixed Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions is solved analytically. We propose both an exact solution relying on a matrix inversion, and an approximate explicit solution. The approximate solution is shown to be exact for an exit of vanishing size and to be accurate even for large exits. For angular sectors, we also derive exact explicit formulas for the moments of the exit time. For annuli and rectangles, the approximate expression of the mean exit time is shown to be very accurate even for large exits. The analysis is also extended to biased diffusion. Since the Helmholtz equation with mixed boundary conditions is encountered in microfluidics, heat propagation, quantum billiards, and acoutics, the developed method can find numerous applications beyond exit processes.

The escape problem for mortal walkers.

Abstract: We introduce and investigate the escape problem for random walkers that may eventually die, decay, bleach, or lose activity during their diffusion towards an escape or reactive region on the boundary of a confining domain. In the case of a first-order kinetics (i.e., exponentially distributed lifetimes), we study the effect of the associated death rate onto the survival probability, the exit probability, and the mean first passage time. We derive the upper and lower bounds and some approximations for these quantities. We reveal three asymptotic regimes of small, intermediate, and large death rates. General estimates and asymptotics are compared to several explicit solutions for simple domains and to numerical simulations. These results allow one to account for stochastic photobleaching of fluorescent tracers in bio-imaging, degradation of mRNA molecules in genetic translation mechanisms, or high mortality rates of spermatozoa in the fertilization process. Our findings provide a mathematical ground for optimizing storage containers and materials to reduce the risk of leakage of dangerous chemicals or nuclear wastes.

Shaping the zebrafish myotome by intertissue friction and active stress

Abstract: Organ formation is an inherently biophysical process, requiring large-scale tissue deformations. Yet, understanding how complex organ shape emerges during development remains a major challenge. During zebrafish embryogenesis, large muscle segments, called myotomes, acquire a characteristic chevron morphology, which is believed to aid swimming. Myotome shape can be altered by perturbing muscle cell differentiation or the interaction between myotomes and surrounding tissues during morphogenesis. To disentangle the mechanisms contributing to shape formation of the myotome, we combine single-cell resolution live imaging with quantitative image analysis and theoretical modeling. We find that, soon after segmentation from the presomitic mesoderm, the future myotome spreads across the underlying tissues. The mechanical coupling between the future myotome and the surrounding tissues appears to spatially vary, effectively resulting in spatially heterogeneous friction. Using a vertex model combined with experimental validation, we show that the interplay of tissue spreading and friction is sufficient to drive the initial phase of chevron shape formation. However, local anisotropic stresses, generated during muscle cell differentiation, are necessary to reach the acute angle of the chevron in wild-type embryos. Finally, tissue plasticity is required for formation and maintenance of the chevron shape, which is mediated by orientated cellular rearrangements. Our work sheds light on how a spatiotemporal sequence of local cellular events can have a nonlocal and irreversible mechanical impact at the tissue scale, leading to robust organ shaping.

Kinetics of Active Surface-Mediated Diffusion in Spherically Symmetric Domains

Abstract: We present an exact calculation of the mean first-passage time to a target on the surface of a 2D or 3D spherical domain, for a molecule alternating phases of surface diffusion on the domain boundary and phases of bulk diffusion. We generalize the results of Benichou et al. in (J. Stat. Phys. 142:657, 2011) and consider a biased diffusion in a general annulus with an arbitrary number of regularly spaced targets on a partially reflecting surface. The presented approach is based on an integral equation which can be solved analytically. Numerically validated approximation schemes, which provide more tractable expressions of the mean first-passage time are also proposed. In the framework of this minimal model of surface-mediated reactions, we show analytically that the mean reaction time can be minimized as a function of the desorption rate from the surface.

The Kinetic Theory of Gases

Abstract: THE difficulty of reconciling line spectra with the kinetic theory of gases, has been referred to by Prof. Fitzgerald (NATURE, January 3, p. 221). The following considerations show that it is possible under certain suppositions to have a number of spectral rays with a very restricted number of degrees of freedom. Most of us, I believe, now accept a definite atomic charge of electricity, and if each charge is imagined to be capable of moving along the surface of an atom, it would represent two degrees of freedom. If a molecule is capable of sending out a homogeneous vibration, it means that there must be a definite position of equilibrium of the “electron.” If there are several such positions, the vibrations may take place in several periods. Any one molecule may perform for a certain time a simple periodic oscillation about one position of equilibrium, and owing to some impact the electron may be knocked over into a new position. The vibrations under these circumstances would not be quite homogeneous, but if the electron oscillates about any one position sufficiently long to perform a few thousand oscillations, we should hardly notice the want of homogeneity. Each electron at a given time would only send out vibrations which in our instruments would appear as homogeneous. Each molecule could thus successively give rise to a number of spectral rays, and at any one time the electron in the different molecules would, by the laws of probability, be distributed over all possible positions of equilibrium, so that we should always see all the vibrations which any one molecule of the gas is capable of sending out. The probability of an electron oscillating about one of its positions of equilibrium need not be the same in all cases. Hence a line may be weak not because the vibration has a smaller amplitude, but because fewer molecules give rise to it. The fact that the vibrations of a gas are not quite homogeneous, is borne out by experiment. If impacts become more frequent by increased pressure, we should expect from the above views that the time during which an electron performs a certain oscillation is shortened; hence the line should widen, which is the case. I have spoken, for the sake of simplicity, as if an electron vibrating about one position of equilibrium could only do so in one period. If the forces called into play, by a displacement, depend on the direction of the displacement, there would be two possible frequencies. If the surface is nearly symmetrical, we should have double lines.

Cancer cell motility: lessons from migration in confined spaces

Abstract: This Opinion article discusses the various migration modes used by cancer cells in confining microenvironments and explains how understanding confined cancer cell motility in vivo through the application of engineered in vitro models could help to develop therapeutic approaches to prevent metastases.

Plos Computational Biology主编关于论文获得发表的10条简单法则的评析

Abstract: 介绍Plos Computational Biology主编Philip E．Bourne关于论文发表的10务简单法则，包括：读很多论文，客观看待自身工作，选择好的编辑，提高英语水平，忍受退稿，提高论文质量等。以期对医学生和研究人员发表文章提供有益帮助。