Wnt-beta-catenin signaling initiates taste papilla development

Fungiform taste papillae form a regular array on the dorsal tongue. Taste buds arise from papilla epithelium and, unusually for epithelial derivatives, synapse with neurons, release neurotransmitters and generate receptor and action potentials. Despite the importance of taste as one of our five senses, genetic analyses of taste papilla and bud development are lacking. We demonstrate that Wnt-beta-catenin signaling is activated in developing fungiform placodes and taste bud cells. A dominant stabilizing mutation of epithelial beta-catenin causes massive overproduction of enlarged fungiform papillae and taste buds. Likewise, genetic deletion of epithelial beta-catenin or inhibition of Wnt-beta-catenin signaling by ectopic dickkopf1 (Dkk1) blocks initiation of fungiform papilla morphogenesis. Ectopic papillae are innervated in the stabilizing beta-catenin mutant, whereas ectopic Dkk1 causes absence of lingual epithelial innervation. Thus, Wnt-beta-catenin signaling is critical for fungiform papilla and taste bud development. Altered regulation of this pathway may underlie evolutionary changes in taste papilla patterning.     

Information processing along the course of a visual interneuron.

Locust ocellar retinal cells are innervated by giant second order cells, 2 mm long, which show discrete zones of integration along their course, including a major zone in the axonal length of the neuron. The complex synaptic arrangements which exist between higher-order afferent and efferent cells and these second order cells along their course suggests that transmission takes place by the electrotonic spread of slow potentials. The size and accessibility of these visual interneurons offers a unique preparation for examining mechanisms of graded synaptic transmission.     

Effect of ethanol on toxicity and metabolism of amphetamine in the mouse.

Ethanol, 3 g/kg i.p., did not significantly alter the acute toxicity of amphetamine in the mouse. However, the urinary metabolite pattern was changed, suggesting that ethanol suppressed metabolism of the stimulant during the initial 6 h period. After 24 h, the mouse metabolized the same fraction of a given dose of amphetamine, whether it was given as amphetamine alone or amphetamine mixed with 2,3 or 4 g/kg ethanol.     

一类非线性二层规划的Frank-Wolfe方法

利用下层问题的K-T最优性条件将下层为线性规划的一类非线性二层规划转化为相应的单层规划,同时取互补条件为罚项,得到该类问题的单层罚问题;然后利用Frank-Wolfe方法对单层罚问题进行求解.数值实验表明该方法是可行的.     

基于Pathfinder和虚拟现实的民用机库应急疏散仿真

为了预防机库火灾严重威胁人们的生命安全,且为火灾疏散研究提供更好的实验平台,本文基于Pathfinder建立大型民用机库的疏散仿真模型,根据真实人体参数设置人员性别、身高、肩宽、移动速度等属性,通过计算机模拟得出人员疏散路径和疏散时间,并参照Pathfinder模拟结果选用Unity3D引擎进行虚拟现实环境搭建、交互设计和Agent模型的构建,开发机库虚拟现实应急疏散仿真系统。在群体疏散模拟子模块中模拟8种不同起火位置的疏散情况,并在单人疏散演练子模块中,邀请10位测试者,在机库虚拟环境中选取6个不同的初始位置,进行了5轮疏散测试,结果表明：虚拟现实环境中的模拟结果与Pathfinder模拟结果接近,验证了虚拟现实疏散仿真系统模拟的有效性;单人疏散演练中测试者经过两到三轮练习,疏散时间明显缩短并趋于稳定,验证虚拟现实疏散演练系统可帮助用户提升应急疏散能力。     

In Search of Resonance

In this paper I explore the possibility of a complementary relationship between action research and the management and systems sciences. A range of purposes that action researchers and management and systems scientists pursue is initially set out. The paper then explores whether this diversity of purposes and the ways they recommend people to proceed may come together in a new whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. A potentially useful realization of this for practice is a reflexive process of critique, choice, and action, which is elaborated on. The paper then investigates what view of holism arises from the preceeding discussions.     

Editorial

Systemic Practice and Action Research -     

Editorial

Systemic Practice and Action Research -