Inherent indeterminacy of neurobiological systems has been revealed by research on coordination of multiarticular actions. We consider three important issues that these investigations raise for biomechanical measurement and performance modeling. These issues highlight the role of dynamic systems theory as a platform for integration of motor control and biomechanics in exercise and sports science.

The adhesion nexus is the site at which integrin receptors bridge intracellular cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix networks. The connection between integrins and the cytoskeleton is mediated by a dynamic integrin adhesion complex (IAC), the components of which transduce chemical and mechanical signals to control a multitude of cellular functions. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and ...

This article introduces the special issue on New Perspectives on the Trust-Control Nexus in Organizational Relations. Trust and control are interlinked processes commonly seen as key to reach effectiveness in interand intra-organizational relations. The relation between trust and control is, however, a complex one, and research into this relation has given rise to various and contradictory inte...

Laser-materials interaction is the fascinating nexus where laser physics, optical physics, and materials science intersect. Applications include microdeposition via laser-induced forward transfer of thin films, clean materials processing with femtosecond beams, creating color filters with nanoparticles, generating very high density storage sites on subpicosecond time scales, structuring solar c...

Most cortical neurons fire regularly when excited by a constant stimulus. In contrast, irregular-spiking (IS) interneurons are remarkable for the intrinsic variability of their spike timing, which can synchronize amongst IS cells via specific gap junctions. Here, we have studied the biophysical mechanisms of this irregular spiking in mice, and how IS cells fire in the context of synchronous net...

The ubiquitously expressed Orai Ca2+ channels are gated through a unique process of intermembrane coupling with the Ca2+-sensing STIM proteins. Despite the significance of Orai1-mediated Ca2+ signals, how gating of Orai1 is triggered by STIM1 remains unknown. A widely held gating model invokes STIM1 binding directly to Orai1 pore-forming helix. Here we report that an Orai1 C-terminal STIM1-bind...

Mutually inhibitory pacemaker neurons with duty cycle close to 50% operate as a half-center oscillator (anti-phase coordination, i.e., 180 degrees out of phase), even in the presence of weak to modest gap junctional coupling. For electrical coupling strength above a critical value synchronization occurs. But, as shown here with modeling studies, the effects of electrical coupling depend critica...

The ability of estradiol benzoate (E2 B) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) to affect the formation and internalization of gap junctions was examined in several uterine cell types from hypophysectomized rats. Both myometrial and serosal cells respond to daily administration of E2 B or DES by increasing gap junction membrane in a dose-dependent fashion. The myometrial cell response arises from a zero ...

The ultrastructure of myometrial tissues from nonpregnant, pregnant and postpartum sheep was quantitatively examined for the presence of gap junctions between smooth musde cells. Serum concentrations of estrone, estradiol and progesterone were determined in some of the sheep prior to and at the time of sacrifice. Gap junctions were not present in any tissue from nonpregnant animals or in tissue...

Odorant/receptor binding and initial olfactory information processing occurs in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) within the olfactory epithelium. Subsequent information coding involves high-frequency spike synchronization of paired mitral/tufted cell dendrites within olfactory bulb (OB) glomeruli via positive feedback between glutamate receptors and closely-associated gap junctions. With mRNA ...