The HGNC approach to naming genes and assigning "symbols" (gene name abbreviations)is:
The full description of HGNC's nomenclature guidelines can be found on their web site . HGNC advocates the appendices "_v1, _v2.." to distinguish between different splice variants and "_pr1, _pr2.." for promoter variants of a single gene.
HGNC also states that "gene nomenclature should "evolve with new technology" rather than be restrictive as sometimes occurs when historical and single gene nomenclature systems are applied".
The HGNC contacts authors who have published on the human gene in question by e-mail. They are asked their opinion on the proposed nomenclature. HGNC also works with other database curators, and experts for specific gene families or sets of genes.
Changing a standardised gene name after it has got established may cause confusion. The merit of such changes are therefore controversial. For this reason the HGNC changes a gene name only if agreement for that change can be got from most researchers working on that gene.
Weir
A weir is a barrier built across a river which changes the flow of the river. Depending on the design, some pose problems for fish, as the fish cannot get across the weir.
Promoter (genetics)
In genetics, a promoter is a section of DNA which starts the transcription of a gene.
Promoters are near the genes they transcribe. They are on the same strand of DNA and are 'upstream'.
Promoters can be about 100–1000 base pairs long.
For the transcription to take place, the enzyme that makes RNA, known as RNA polymerase, must attach to the DNA near a gene.
Promoters contain specific DNA sequences which give the RNA polymerase a place to bind. Other proteins also help this to happen. Some can also stop it from happening. The whole thing is called "the regulation of gene expression".
Promoters are important parts of the DNA. They work with other regulatory regions. Together, they adjust the level of transcription of a gene. So, genes get switched on when they are needed, and switched off when they are not. When they are on, they get adjusted up or down as needed.
Lizzy Caplan
Elizabeth Anne "Lizzy" Caplan (born 30 June 1982) is an American television and movie actress. She has played many roles. She played Janis Ian in "Mean Girls", Marlena Diamond in "Cloverfield" and Gena in "Bachelorette". She also played Amy Burley in the show "True Blood". Since 2013 she has played Virginia E. Johnson in "Masters of Sex".
She was born in Los Angeles to a Jewish family.
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the evasion of taxes by trusts, by persons or business. The term "tax evasion" usually refers to when taxpayers deliberately misrepresent the actual state of their affairs to tax authorities to reduce their tax liability.This includes dishonest tax reporting, such as declaring less income or profit than the amounts which were actually earned. Tax evasion is an activity connected with the informal economy.
Paintball
Paintball is a sport in which players try to eliminate opponents by shooting each other with balls of coloured dye. The players can compete either in teams or individually. The balls of dye (called "paintballs") are shot through a device called a paintball marker (or paintball gun). When the paintballs hit, they release the dye. When they hit a player, the dye marks that player as eliminated. The game is often played as an organised competitive sport, involving leagues, tournaments, and professional teams.
Paintball can be played indoors or outdoors, on fields specifically made for the game. The field is scattered with natural or artificial obstacles and terrain, which players use to hide behind. The objective can vary according to the type of game being played. Players may have to capture a flag held by the opposing team, defend or capture a particular point on the field, or simply eliminate all other players on the field until they are the only player or team remaining. Depending on the variant played, games can last from seconds to hours.
In many countries, paintball is regulated by specific laws. Players are usually required to wear protective gear (such as masks), and game rules are strictly enforced. Paintball is also used by military forces and law enforcement for training recruits.
The playing field is scattered with several obstacles. These are used to block the view of opponents and prevent them from firing accurately. They may be a shelter, fallen tree, barrels, or a cylindrical tube. In most modern speedball tournaments, inflatable vinyl objects of different shapes and sizes are used.
Sham marriage
A sham marriage is when people get married just for the sake of convenience or to deceive the public or society. Entering such marriages is a violation of the law in some countries. Usual reasons for sham marriages are to gain immigration rights for one of the spouses or to create defense against the suspicion of homosexuality.
Lavender marriage
The term lavender marriage relates to man-woman marriage which is for purposes of hiding homosexuality. This is called a "beard" in slang terminology. The term "lavender marriage" was started in the 1920s. Such marriages are called marriages of convenience. They are done to protect public reputations and preserve careers of some people.
Mail-order bride
Mail-order brides are women who list themselves in catalogs and are picked by males for marriage. The term "mail-order bride" dates back to the 19th century. These brides often come from one country and immigrate to another for marriage reasons.
Paula Prentiss
Paula Prentiss (born March 4, 1938) is an American movie and television series actress. She first became famous in the 1960s. She played Bobbie Markowe in the 1975 movie version of "The Stepford Wives". She played a maternity nurse in the 1996 movie "Mrs. Winterbourne".
Prentiss was born in San Antonio, Texas.
Alice Faye
Alice Faye (born 5 May 1915 – died 9 May 1998) was an American singer and actress. She was first in movies made by the 20th Century Fox, and then in other movies. She sang the Academy Award winning "You'll Never Know", a 1943 song. She also acted in the movie "Poor Little Rich Girl" in 1936 with Shirley Temple.
Faye was born in New York City. She died from stomach cancer at age eighty-three.
Cassette player
A cassette player (or cassette deck) is a machine can play audio cassettes.
Some cassette players also can record music or other sounds to cassette tapes. If a microphone is built in, there is no need for a separate microphone but in that case the quality of sound may not be so good. Most cassette decks were made in the late 20th century.
Lucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia (18 April 1480 – 24 June 1519) was the daughter of Pope Alexander VI, and his long-term mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. Her brothers included Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia, and Gioffre Borgia.
Lucrezia's family was typical of the ruthless Machiavellian politics and sexual corruption of the times. It was alleged to be characteristic of the Renaissance Papacy. Lucrezia was cast as a "femme fatale", a role seen in many artworks, novels, and films.
Very little is known for sure about Lucrezia. Whether she was involved in the political activities of her father and brothers is unclear. They certainly arranged several marriages for her to important and powerful men. Presumably, this helped their own political ambitions. Lucrezia was married to Giovanni Sforza (Lord of Pesaro), Alfonso of Aragon (Duke of Bisceglie), and Alfonso I d'Este (Duke of Ferrara). Tradition has it that Alfonso of Aragon was an illegitimate son of the King of Naples and that her brother Cesare may have had him murdered when his political value faded.