Identifying Difference,Engaging Dissent: What is at Stake in Democratizing Knowledge?

Several prominent voices have called for a democratization of science through deliberative processes that include a diverse range of perspectives and values. We bring these scholars into conversation with extant research on democratic deliberation in political theory and the social sciences. In doing so, we identify systematic barriers to the effectiveness of inclusive deliberation in both scientific and political settings. We are particularly interested in what we call misidentified dissent, where deliberations are starkly framed at the outset in terms of dissenting positions without properly distinguishing the kinds of difference and disagreement motivating dissent.     

Ultrastructural correlation of water reabsorption in isolated rat cauda epididymidis

Electron microscopic study was made on the water reabsorption of the epithelial cells of the rat cauda epididymidis. It was shown that when the epididymal duct was reabsorbing water at a maximal rate, widely dilated intercellular spaces were seen. It is suggested that the standing gradient model of water reabsorption first proposed for the gall bladder may also operate in the cauda epididymidis.     

灌浆对地下连续墙及邻近土体变形的影响

在地下连续墙深基坑开挖工程中,开挖前常用灌浆的方法来加固将被挖去的软土,从而减少地下连续墙的变形,增加开挖稳定性,保证工程安全,但是,在灌浆过程中,灌浆的作用机制以及对地下连续墙及邻近土体变形的影响原理还没有得到很好的研究,以新加坡艺术中心地下连续墙深基坑开挖工程为背景。实测了灌浆施工过程中,地下连续墙的变形、超孔隙水压力以及地下水位的变化;再结合有限元的理论分析方法,研究了灌浆施工对地下连续墙及     

钨砷系列杂多蓝的研究Ⅰ——Dawson结构钨砷稀土杂多蓝

利用控制电位电解的方法合成了８种未见文报道的Ｄａｗｓｏｎ结构的钨砷稀土杂多蓝：Ｌｎ２Ｈ２Ａｓ２Ｗ１８Ｏ６２·ｘＨ２Ｏ（２ｅ杂多蓝）和Ｌｎ２Ｈ４Ａｓ２Ｗ１８Ｏ６２·ｘＨ２Ｏ（４ｅ杂多蓝）,其中Ｌｎ＝Ｌａ,Ｃｅ,Ｐｒ,Ｎｄ。通过红外光谱,紫外光谱,极谱,光电子能谱、顺磁共振,热重－差热重对其进行了表征,并进行了结构和性质的研究。结果表明,还原前后杂多酸盐的结构虽有轻微的变化,但热稳定性和在溶液中的稳定     

Bacterial virulence proteins as tools to rewire kinase pathways in yeast and immune cells

Bacterial pathogens have evolved specific effector proteins that, by interfacing with host kinase signalling pathways, provide a mechanism to evade immune responses during infection. Although these effectors contribute to pathogen virulence, we realized that they might also serve as valuable synthetic biology reagents for engineering cellular behaviour. Here we exploit two effector proteins, the Shigella flexneri OspF protein and Yersinia pestis YopH protein, to rewire kinase-mediated responses systematically both in yeast and mammalian immune cells. Bacterial effector proteins can be directed to inhibit specific mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways selectively in yeast by artificially targeting them to pathway-specific complexes. Moreover, we show that unique properties of the effectors generate new pathway behaviours: OspF, which irreversibly inactivates mitogen-activated protein kinases, was used to construct a synthetic feedback circuit that shows novel frequency-dependent input filtering. Finally, we show that effectors can be used in T cells, either as feedback modulators to tune the T-cell response amplitude precisely, or as an inducible pause switch that can temporarily disable T-cell activation. These studies demonstrate how pathogens could provide a rich toolkit of parts to engineer cells for therapeutic or biotechnological applications.     

A sperm GPI-anchored protein elicits sperm-cumulus cross-talk leading to the acrosome reaction

The acrosome reaction has long been thought to be induced by the zona pellucida. Here we report the identification and function of a novel human sperm glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein, NYD-SP8. The release of the protein during sperm-egg interaction and its binding to the cumulus, the first layer of egg investment, elicits cross-talk between the gametes and produces calcium dependant release of progesterone, which lead to the acrosome reaction. An in vivo mouse model of NYD-SP8 immunization is also established showing a reduced fertility rate. Thus, contrary to accepted dogma, our study demonstrates for the first time that, prior to reaching the zona pellucida, sperm may release a surface protein that acts on the cumulus cells leading to the acrosome reaction, which may be important for determining the outcome of fertilization. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Received 11 August 2008; received after revision 18 December 2008; accepted 22 December 2008     

Transgenic and knock-out mice for deciphering the roles of EGFR ligands

Generation of genetically engineered mice with either gain-of-function or loss-of-function mutations is the most popular technique for determining gene functions and the interrelationship between molecules in vivo. These models have provided a wealth of information about the developmental and physiological roles of oncogenes and growth factors. To date, transgenic techniques have been used extensively to study the functions of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family. This review highlights some of the major recent findings pertinent to the EGF receptor (EGFR) and its ligands with special reference to elucidating how EGF and its related growth factors work together to regulate reproduction, growth and development. Finally, future investigations on ligand-ligand communications, EGFR and its ligands in neural stem cell research, and the mechanisms of EGFR signaling and trafficking in cells are also suggested. Received 24 May 2002; received after revision 15 July 2002; accepted 16 July 2002     

HT-7U大型超导托卡马克装置极向场线圈的电动力分析

采用PFFIFFPS软件计算PF线圈的电动力.结果发现:PF中的最大电动力位于NO.5～6号线圈内;三对外部线圈中的最大电动力位于NO.7～8号线圈内.这将为使用有限元分析系统(COSMOS/M2.0)对PF线圈进行进一步分析和计算作好准备.     

Cloning of cDNA for the major DNA-binding protein of the erythroid lineage through expression in mammalian cells

Genes expressed in erythroid cells contain binding sites for a cell-specific factor believed to be an important regulator for this haematopoietic lineage. Using high-level transient expression in mammalian cells, we have identified complementary DNA encoding the murine protein. The factor, a new member of the zinc-finger family of DNA-binding proteins, is restricted to erythroid cells at the level of RNA expression and is closely homologous between mouse and man.