Distinguishing "or" from "and" and the case for historical identification

The adequacy of a probabilistic interpretation must be judged according to the nature of the event, or thing, being inferred. For example, conditional (frequency) probability is not admissible in the inference of phylogeny, because basic statements of common ancestry do not fulfill the requirements of the relations specified by the probability calculus. The probabilities of the situation peculiar to the time and place of origin of species are unique. Moreover, according to evolutionary theory, an event of species diversification is necessarily unique, because species are parts of a replicator continuum—species arise from ancestral species. Also, these probabilities cannot be ascertained, because the relevant situation cannot be repeated—it is unique. Finally, the applicability of conditional (frequency) probability is denied, because events of common ancestry have already occurred—there is nothing to predict. However, hypotheses of species relationships can be identified objectively according to the degree to which they have survived simultaneous testing with critical evidence, not with generally confirming evidence. The most parsimonious hypothesis of species relationships represents the least disconfirmed, best supported, proposition among the alternatives being compared. That hypothesis does not, however, deserve any special epistemological status beyond serving as the focus of the next round of testing.     

An explantion for the determination of "self" versus "non-self" proteins

Deamidation of proteins, which has been linked to turnover, results in the production of a different protein—different in sequence and shape. It is proposed that this is the protein which is normally encountered by the immune system and is therefore viewed as “self”. If the protein in the form in which it exists in situ is released through disease, or introduced by artificial means, it would then be recognized as “non-self.” This is offered as a hypothesis to explain autoimmune response to the basic protein of myelin.     

Searching for "the top" in top-down control

Although numerous theoretical models implicate the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a source of top-down control signals, empirical support is limited. In this review, we highlight direct evidence for this view of PFC function and discuss several lines of other supportive findings. Most evidence to-date is only suggestive due to methodological challenges in tracking the spatiotemporal dynamics of cortical networks. However, we discuss several promising approaches that could further our understanding of the role of the PFC in goal-directed behavior.     

A repair "kit" for the infarcted heart

Transplanted, c-kit expressing marrow-derived progenitors can enhance the function of an infarcted heart, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Loffredo et?al. (2011) provide evidence that hematopoietic precursors do not differentiate into new cardiomyocytes but, rather, stimulate production of new cardiomyocytes from endogenous progenitors.     

新兴海岛型城市建设引发的生态变化的遥感分析——以福建平潭综合实验区为例

福建省平潭岛于2010年被正式确立为“福建省平潭综合实验区”,由此引发了新兴海岛型城市的建设高潮.本研究利用遥感生态指数(RSEI),基于2007年Landsat-5影像和2013年Landsat-8影像,分析了平潭综合实验区建设初期的生态状况及其时空变化趋势和变化原因.结果表明： 研究期间,作为生态脆弱的海岛,平潭岛的生态状况整体处于中等水平,在综合实验区建设初期(2007-2013年)有进一步下降的态势,RSEI值从2007年的0.511下降至2013年的0.450,降幅达14%;占全岛面积约36.5%区域的生态状况趋于退化,且主要发生在中部和西南部地区.究其原因主要是由于综合实验区建设带来的大面积成片开发,使得岛内原本不多的植被遭到进一步破坏.平潭岛在综合试验区建设中应及时制定并落实科学有效的生态保护措施,以遏制其生态质量下滑的趋势.     

A molecular signature for the "master" heart cell

The vertebrate heart comprises a variety of cell types, the majority of which are cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Their origin is still an intriguing research topic and the question is whether these cells derive from a common or from multiple distinct progenitor cell(s). Three recent publications not only suggest the existence of a single progenitor cell that can give rise to cardiovascular lineages but additionally uncovered, at least in part, the molecular identity of such a multipotent precursor cell. These findings constitute major progress in the quest for stem-cell therapies for cardiac diseases.     

周尧昆虫分类学奖励基金第八届评选结果揭晓

周尧昆虫分类学奖励基金2004年度评审和颁奖工作已经圆满结束。     

周尧昆虫分类学奖励基金第十二届评选结果揭晓

周尧昆虫分类学奖励基金2008年度评审和颁奖工作已经圆满结束。经过申请者单位或有关专家推荐,评委会组织专家认真评议,并经基金委员会终审,本年度共评选出获奖人员7名,其中一等奖1名、二等奖1名、     

第十五届周尧昆虫分类学奖励基金评选结果揭晓

周尧昆虫分类学奖励基金2011～2012年度评审已经圆满结束。经过申请者单位或有关专家推荐,评委会组织专家认真评议,并经基金委员会终审,本届共评选出获奖人员8名,其中一等奖1名、二等奖3名、三等奖4名。