Geometrical Characterization of Various Shaped 3D-Aggregates of Primary Spherical Particules by Radial Distribution Functions

Lagarrigue, Marthe; Debayle, Johan; Jacquier, Sandra; Gruy, Frédéric; Pinoli, Jean‐Charles

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-13775-4_43

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…This function is typically defined as a normalized density of particles in an infinitesimal ring from radius r to r ϩ dr; however, this definition is very sensitive to noise if the number of particles is small, as is the case with aggregates in a developing swarm. To characterize a two-dimensional distribution of aggregates on a swarm, we used a cumulative radial distribution function (CRDF), g c (r), as the measurement (11). Starting at the center of each aggregate, we identified the circle of radius r and computed the number of aggregates in the circle, N(r).…”

Section: Liquidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying Aggregation Dynamics during Myxococcus xanthus Development

et al. 2011

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Under starvation conditions, a swarm of Myxococcus xanthus cells will undergo development, a multicellular process culminating in the formation of many aggregates called fruiting bodies, each of which contains up to 100,000 spores. The mechanics of symmetry breaking and the self-organization of cells into fruiting bodies is an active area of research. Here we use microcinematography and automated image processing to quantify several transient features of developmental dynamics. An analysis of experimental data indicates that aggregation reaches its steady state in a highly nonmonotonic fashion. The number of aggregates rapidly peaks at a value 2-to 3-fold higher than the final value and then decreases before reaching a steady state. The time dependence of aggregate size is also nonmonotonic, but to a lesser extent: average aggregate size increases from the onset of aggregation to between 10 and 15 h and then gradually decreases thereafter. During this process, the distribution of aggregates transitions from a nearly random state early in development to a more ordered state later in development. A comparison of experimental results to a mathematical model based on the traffic jam hypothesis indicates that the model fails to reproduce these dynamic features of aggregation, even though it accurately describes its final outcome. The dynamic features of M. xanthus aggregation uncovered in this study impose severe constraints on its underlying mechanisms.

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Section: Liquidmentioning

confidence: 99%