Efficiency and ambiguity in an adaptive neural code

We examine the dynamics of a neural code in the context of stimuli whose statistical properties are themselves evolving dynamically. Adaptation to these statistics occurs over a wide range of timescales-from tens of milliseconds to minutes. Rapid components of adaptation serve to optimize the information that action potentials carry about rapid stimulus variations within the local statistical ensemble, while changes in the rate and statistics of action-potential firing encode information about the ensemble itself, thus resolving potential ambiguities. The speed with which information is optimized and ambiguities are resolved approaches the physical limit imposed by statistical sampling and noise.     

Integration of cytogenetic landmarks into the draft sequence of the human genome

We have placed 7,600 cytogenetically defined landmarks on the draft sequence of the human genome to help with the characterization of genes altered by gross chromosomal aberrations that cause human disease. The landmarks are large-insert clones mapped to chromosome bands by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Each clone contains a sequence tag that is positioned on the genomic sequence. This genome-wide set of sequence-anchored clones allows structural and functional analyses of the genome. This resource represents the first comprehensive integration of cytogenetic, radiation hybrid, linkage and sequence maps of the human genome; provides an independent validation of the sequence map and framework for contig order and orientation; surveys the genome for large-scale duplications, which are likely to require special attention during sequence assembly; and allows a stringent assessment of sequence differences between the dark and light bands of chromosomes. It also provides insight into large-scale chromatin structure and the evolution of chromosomes and gene families and will accelerate our understanding of the molecular bases of human disease and cancer.     

基于动态反馈补偿的随动系统特性分析

对一类具有动态反馈补偿的随动系统的特性进行了分析 理论分析和仿真结果均表明动态补偿方法是一种强有力的校正方法 适当地设计这种补偿器不仅可以在无法运用前馈补偿的场合实现等效Ⅱ型系统而且可以获得确当的频域特性指标     

用于预测水力裂缝缝高的新拟三维流场模型

针对原有拟三维流场模型在控层较差时预测缝高过大的问题 ,根据水力压裂裂缝延伸机理 ,基于原拟三维数值模型生成的初始裂缝几何形态 ,采用从假定虚源发出的呈放射状径向流动的近似二维流场 ,对原拟三维模型的一维流场进行了修正 ,建立了新的拟三维流场模型。实例计算表明 ,由于考虑了压裂液在缝高方向上的流动 ,在控层较差的情况下 ,新模型对缝高的预测精度可达到全三维的计算精度 ,这对水力压裂施工和设计有实用意义。     

ZnWo_4:C_r~(3+)的吸收光谱研究

本文通过对ZnWo_4:Cr~(3+)晶体的光学吸收谱的观测资料的分析,假定C_r~(3+)杂质的有效晶场为八面体结构变形后的D_4~※晶场.采用O_h点群表象准对角型简化强场方案,导出了d~3-D_4~※强场能量矩阵.首次计算了ZnWo_4:C_r~(3+)的自旋允许谱精细结构.理论计算结果与实验吻合较好.     

Identification of SLC7A7, encoding y+LAT-1, as the lysinuric protein intolerance gene

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI; OMIM 222700) is a rare, recessive disorder with a worldwide distribution, but with a high prevalence in the Finnish population; symptoms include failure to thrive, growth retardation, muscle hypotonia and hepatosplenomegaly. A defect in the plasma membrane transport of dibasic amino acids has been demonstrated at the baso-lateral membrane of epithelial cells in small intestine and in renal tubules and in plasma membrane of cultured skin fibroblasts from LPI patients. The gene causing LPI has been assigned by linkage analysis to 14q11-13. Here we report mutations in SLC7A7 cDNA (encoding y+L amino acid transporter-1, y+LAT-1), which expresses dibasic amino-acid transport activity and is located in the LPI region, in 31 Finnish LPI patients and 1 Spanish patient. The Finnish patients are homozygous for a founder missense mutation leading to a premature stop codon. The Spanish patient is a compound heterozygote with a missense mutation in one allele and a frameshift mutation in the other. The frameshift mutation generates a premature stop codon, eliminating the last one-third of the protein. The missense mutation abolishes y+LAT-1 amino-acid transport activity when co-expressed with the heavy chain of the cell-surface antigen 4F2 (4F2hc, also known as CD98) in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Our data establish that mutations in SLC7A7 cause LPI.     

Conversion of p35 to p25 deregulates Cdk5 activity and promotes neurodegeneration

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is required for proper development of the mammalian central nervous system. To be activated, Cdk5 has to associate with its regulatory subunit, p35. We have found that p25, a truncated form of p35, accumulates in neurons in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. This accumulation correlates with an increase in Cdk5 kinase activity. Unlike p35, p25 is not readily degraded, and binding of p25 to Cdk5 constitutively activates Cdk5, changes its cellular location and alters its substrate specificity. In vivo the p25/Cdk5 complex hyperphosphorylates tau, which reduces tau's ability to associate with microtubules. Moreover, expression of the p25/Cdk5 complex in cultured primary neurons induces cytoskeletal disruption, morphological degeneration and apoptosis. These findings indicate that cleavage of p35, followed by accumulation of p25, may be involved in the pathogenesis of cytoskeletal abnormalities and neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases.     

Zonaroic acid from the brown seaweedDictyopteris undulata (=zonarioides)

Summary A sesquiterpene-substituted 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, zonaroic acid (5), is described from the brown seaweedDictyopteris undulata (=zonarioides). The absolute stereochemistry in the zonarol (1)-chromazonarol (2) and zonaroic acid (5) series has also been defined. The occurrence of5 along with zonarol (1), the corresponding sesquiterpene-substituted hydroquinone, suggests that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid is the ring precursor as in ubiquinone biogenesis.