scholarly journals Biology is more theoretical than physics

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 1827-1829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Gunawardena
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Mathematical Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Good Deal ◽  
Darwinian Theory ◽  
Speculative Hypothesis

The word “theory” is used in at least two senses—to denote a body of widely accepted laws or principles, as in “Darwinian theory” or “quantum theory,” and to suggest a speculative hypothesis, often relying on mathematical analysis, that has not been experimentally confirmed. It is often said that there is no place for the second kind of theory in biology and that biology is not theoretical but based on interpretation of data. Here, ideas from a previous essay are expanded upon to suggest, to the contrary, that the second kind of theory has always played a critical role and that biology, therefore, is a good deal more theoretical than physics.

scholarly journals Toward a quantum theory of tachyon fields

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (09) ◽  
pp. 1650041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Mass Shell ◽  
Group Representation ◽  
Lorentz Invariance ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Wave Functions ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Dirac Equations ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
Klein Gordon

We construct momentum space expansions for the wave functions that solve the Klein–Gordon and Dirac equations for tachyons, recognizing that the mass shell for such fields is very different from what we are used to for ordinary (slower than light) particles. We find that we can postulate commutation or anticommutation rules for the operators that lead to physically sensible results: causality, for tachyon fields, means that there is no connection between space–time points separated by a timelike interval. Calculating the conserved charge and four-momentum for these fields allows us to interpret the number operators for particles and antiparticles in a consistent manner; and we see that helicity plays a critical role for the spinor field. Some questions about Lorentz invariance are addressed and some remain unresolved; and we show how to handle the group representation for tachyon spinors.

Density waves in disk galaxies

1967 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 313-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Lin ◽  
F. H. Shu
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Analysis ◽  
Spiral Structure ◽  
Stellar System ◽  
Collective Modes ◽  
Disk Galaxies ◽  
Spiral Pattern ◽  
Density Waves ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Detailed Mathematical Analysis

Density waves in the nature of those proposed by B. Lindblad are described by detailed mathematical analysis of collective modes in a disk-like stellar system. The treatment is centered around a hypothesis of quasi-stationary spiral structure. We examine (a) the mechanism for the maintenance of this spiral pattern, and (b) its consequences on the observable features of the galaxy.

Dexamethasone Effect on Embryonic Chick Respiratory Epithelium

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 248-249
Author(s):  
M.R. Richter ◽  
R.V. Blystone
Keyword(s):  
Lung Development ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Respiratory Epithelium ◽  
Chick Embryos ◽  
Embryonic Chick ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Lung Maturation ◽  
Synthetic Analogs ◽  
Lung Physiology ◽  
Avian Lung

Dexamethasone and other synthetic analogs of corticosteroids have been employed clinically as enhancers of lung development. The mechanism(s) by which this steroid induction of later lung maturation operates is not clear. This study reports the effect on lung epithelia of dexamethasone administered at different intervals during development. White Leghorn chick embryos were used so as to remove possible maternal and placental influences on the exogenously applied steroid. Avian lung architecture does vary from mammals; however, respiratory surfactant produced by the lung epithelia serves an equally critical role in avian lung physiology.

Triple Fixation For Electron Microscopy

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 90-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Hayat
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Electron Beam ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Good Deal ◽  
Granular Structure ◽  
Oxidizing Agent ◽  
Fixation Technique ◽  
Large Clusters

Potassium permanganate has been successfully employed to study membranous structures such as endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, plastids, plasma membrane and myelin sheath. Since KMnO4 is a strong oxidizing agent, deposition of manganese or its oxides account for some of the observed contrast in the lipoprotein membranes, but a good deal of it is due to the removal of background proteins either by dehydration agents or by volatalization under the electron beam. Tissues fixed with KMnO4 exhibit somewhat granular structure because of the deposition of large clusters of stain molecules. The gross arrangement of membranes can also be modified. Since the aim of a good fixation technique is to preserve satisfactorily the cell as a whole and not the best preservation of only a small part of it, a combination of a mixture of glutaraldehyde and acrolein to obtain general preservation and KMnO4 to enhance contrast was employed to fix plant embryos, green algae and fungi.

An atomic resolution study of a carbide phase in platinum

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-21
Author(s):  
M.J. Witcomb ◽  
M.A. O'Keefe ◽  
CJ. Echer ◽  
C. Nelson ◽  
J.H. Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Solution ◽  
Carbon Atom ◽  
Carbide Phase ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Alloy System ◽  
Atomic Resolution ◽  
Excess Carbon ◽  
Interstitial Carbon ◽  
Resolution Study

Under normal circumstances, Pt dissolves only a very small amount of interstitial carbon in solid solution. Even so, an appropriate quench/age treatment leads to the formation of stable Pt2C {100} plate precipitates. Excess (quenched-in) vacancies play a critical role in the process by accommodating the volume and structural changes that accompany the transformation. This alloy system exhibits other interesting properties. Due to a large vacancy/carbon atom binding energy, Pt can absorb excess carbon at high temperatures in a carburizing atmosphere. In regions rich in carbon and vacancies, another carbide phase, Pt7C which undergoes an order-disorder reaction was formed. The present study of Pt carburized at 1160°C and aged at 515°C shows that other carbides in the PtxC series can be produced.

Computing cell tractions from particle displacements on silicone rubber substrata

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 162-163
Author(s):  
Tim Oliver ◽  
Akira Ishihara ◽  
Ken Jacobsen ◽  
Micah Dembo
Keyword(s):  
Plane Stress ◽  
Linear Elasticity ◽  
Silicone Rubber ◽  
Mathematical Analysis ◽  
Elastic Recovery ◽  
Video Images ◽  
Cell Traction Forces ◽  
Latex Beads ◽  
Cell Traction ◽  
Better Than

In order to better understand the distribution of cell traction forces generated by rapidly locomoting cells, we have applied a mathematical analysis to our modified silicone rubber traction assay, based on the plane stress Green’s function of linear elasticity. To achieve this, we made crosslinked silicone rubber films into which we incorporated many more latex beads than previously possible (Figs. 1 and 6), using a modified airbrush. These films could be deformed by fish keratocytes, were virtually drift-free, and showed better than a 90% elastic recovery to micromanipulation (data not shown). Video images of cells locomoting on these films were recorded. From a pair of images representing the undisturbed and stressed states of the film, we recorded the cell’s outline and the associated displacements of bead centroids using Image-1 (Fig. 1). Next, using our own software, a mesh of quadrilaterals was plotted (Fig. 2) to represent the cell outline and to superimpose on the outline a traction density distribution. The net displacement of each bead in the film was calculated from centroid data and displayed with the mesh outline (Fig. 3).

Quantitative Model-Based Image Analysis of NuMa Distribution Links Nuclear Organization with Cell Phenotype

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (S2) ◽  
pp. 578-579
Author(s):  
David W. Knowles ◽  
Sophie A. Lelièvre ◽  
Carlos Ortiz de Solόrzano ◽  
Stephen J. Lockett ◽  
Mina J. Bissell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Nuclear Organization ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Model Based

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in directing cell behaviour and morphogenesis by regulating gene expression and nuclear organization. Using non-malignant (S1) human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), it was previously shown that ECM-induced morphogenesis is accompanied by the redistribution of nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein from a diffuse pattern in proliferating cells, to a multi-focal pattern as HMECs growth arrested and completed morphogenesis . A process taking 10 to 14 days.To further investigate the link between NuMA distribution and the growth stage of HMECs, we have investigated the distribution of NuMA in non-malignant S1 cells and their malignant, T4, counter-part using a novel model-based image analysis technique. This technique, based on a multi-scale Gaussian blur analysis (Figure 1), quantifies the size of punctate features in an image. Cells were cultured in the presence and absence of a reconstituted basement membrane (rBM) and imaged in 3D using confocal microscopy, for fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies to NuMA (fαNuMA) and fluorescently labeled total DNA.

Crystal structures of Magnaporthe oryzae trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (MoTps1) suggest a model for catalytic process of Tps1

2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (21) ◽  
pp. 3227-3240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
Yanxiang Zhao ◽  
Long Yi ◽  
Minghe Shen ◽  
Chao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Magnaporthe Oryzae ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Catalytic Process ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Salt Bridges ◽  
Terminal Domain

Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) synthase (Tps1) catalyzes the formation of T6P from UDP-glucose (UDPG) (or GDPG, etc.) and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), and structural basis of this process has not been well studied. MoTps1 (Magnaporthe oryzae Tps1) plays a critical role in carbon and nitrogen metabolism, but its structural information is unknown. Here we present the crystal structures of MoTps1 apo, binary (with UDPG) and ternary (with UDPG/G6P or UDP/T6P) complexes. MoTps1 consists of two modified Rossmann-fold domains and a catalytic center in-between. Unlike Escherichia coli OtsA (EcOtsA, the Tps1 of E. coli), MoTps1 exists as a mixture of monomer, dimer, and oligomer in solution. Inter-chain salt bridges, which are not fully conserved in EcOtsA, play primary roles in MoTps1 oligomerization. Binding of UDPG by MoTps1 C-terminal domain modifies the substrate pocket of MoTps1. In the MoTps1 ternary complex structure, UDP and T6P, the products of UDPG and G6P, are detected, and substantial conformational rearrangements of N-terminal domain, including structural reshuffling (β3–β4 loop to α0 helix) and movement of a ‘shift region' towards the catalytic centre, are observed. These conformational changes render MoTps1 to a ‘closed' state compared with its ‘open' state in apo or UDPG complex structures. By solving the EcOtsA apo structure, we confirmed that similar ligand binding induced conformational changes also exist in EcOtsA, although no structural reshuffling involved. Based on our research and previous studies, we present a model for the catalytic process of Tps1. Our research provides novel information on MoTps1, Tps1 family, and structure-based antifungal drug design.

Elevated level of circulatory sTLT1 induces inflammation through SYK/MEK/ERK signalling in coronary artery disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (22) ◽  
pp. 2283-2299
Author(s):  
Apabrita Ayan Das ◽  
Devasmita Chakravarty ◽  
Debmalya Bhunia ◽  
Surajit Ghosh ◽  
Prakash C. Mandal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Chronic Inflammation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Artery Disease

Abstract The role of inflammation in all phases of atherosclerotic process is well established and soluble TREM-like transcript 1 (sTLT1) is reported to be associated with chronic inflammation. Yet, no information is available about the involvement of sTLT1 in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Present study was undertaken to determine the pathophysiological significance of sTLT1 in atherosclerosis by employing an observational study on human subjects (n=117) followed by experiments in human macrophages and atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E (apoE)−/− mice. Plasma level of sTLT1 was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in clinical (2342 ± 184 pg/ml) and subclinical cases (1773 ± 118 pg/ml) than healthy controls (461 ± 57 pg/ml). Moreover, statistical analyses further indicated that sTLT1 was not only associated with common risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in both clinical and subclinical groups but also strongly correlated with disease severity. Ex vivo studies on macrophages showed that sTLT1 interacts with Fcɣ receptor I (FcɣRI) to activate spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK)-mediated downstream MAP kinase signalling cascade to activate nuclear factor-κ B (NF-kB). Activation of NF-kB induces secretion of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from macrophage cells that plays pivotal role in governing the persistence of chronic inflammation. Atherosclerotic apoE−/− mice also showed high levels of sTLT1 and TNF-α in nearly occluded aortic stage indicating the contribution of sTLT1 in inflammation. Our results clearly demonstrate that sTLT1 is clinically related to the risk factors of CAD. We also showed that binding of sTLT1 with macrophage membrane receptor, FcɣR1 initiates inflammatory signals in macrophages suggesting its critical role in thrombus development and atherosclerosis.

Coaching Care Partners Who Support Loved Ones With MCI

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Mills ◽  
Jennifer Brush
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Provide Quality Care ◽  
Solution Focused

Speech-language pathologists can play a critical role in providing education and intervention to prevent social withdrawal, prevent premature disability, and maximize cognitive functioning in persons with MCI. The purpose of this article is to describe positive, solution-focused educational program that speech-language pathologists can implement with family care partners to improve relationships and provide quality care for someone living with MCI.

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