Mathematical Modelling in Biomedicine: A Primer for the Curious and the Skeptic

In most disciplines of natural sciences and engineering, mathematical and computational modelling are mainstay methods which are usefulness beyond doubt. These disciplines would not have reached today’s level of sophistication without an intensive use of mathematical and computational models together with quantitative data. This approach has not been followed in much of molecular biology and biomedicine, however, where qualitative descriptions are accepted as a satisfactory replacement for mathematical rigor and the use of computational models is seen by many as a fringe practice rather than as a powerful scientific method. This position disregards mathematical thinking as having contributed key discoveries in biology for more than a century, e.g., in the connection between genes, inheritance, and evolution or in the mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis. Here, we discuss the role of computational modelling in the arsenal of modern scientific methods in biomedicine. We list frequent misconceptions about mathematical modelling found among biomedical experimentalists and suggest some good practices that can help bridge the cognitive gap between modelers and experimental researchers in biomedicine. This manuscript was written with two readers in mind. Firstly, it is intended for mathematical modelers with a background in physics, mathematics, or engineering who want to jump into biomedicine. We provide them with ideas to motivate the use of mathematical modelling when discussing with experimental partners. Secondly, this is a text for biomedical researchers intrigued with utilizing mathematical modelling to investigate the pathophysiology of human diseases to improve their diagnostics and treatment.

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What is the role of computational models in Cognitive Science? A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the history of the TRACE model of speech segmentation

10.31234/osf.io/m79fw ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Manisha Chawla ◽

Richard Shillcock

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Cognitive Science ◽

Computational Models ◽

Computational Modelling ◽

Speech Segmentation ◽

Cognitive Modelling ◽

Trace Model ◽

History Of ◽

Central Paradigm

Implemented computational models are a central paradigm of Cognitive Science. How do cognitive scientists really use such models? We take the example of one of the most successful and influential cognitive models, TRACE (McClelland & Elman, 1986), and we map its impact on the field in terms of published, electronically available documents that cite the original TRACE paper over a period of 25 years since its publication. We draw conclusions about the general status of computational cognitive modelling and make critical suggestions regarding the nature of abstraction in computational modelling.

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ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN THE SPECIALIZED SCIENCE EDUCATION

Problems of Modern Teacher Training ◽

10.31499/2307-4914.2(22).2020.219368 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 6-11

Author(s):

Світлана Бабійчук

Keyword(s):

Science Education ◽

Scientific Method ◽

Main Idea ◽

Educational Process ◽

Scientific Thinking ◽

Research Activity ◽

Scientific Methods ◽

Research Competence ◽

Research Activities

The main idea of the article is considered the role of the scientific method, which is defined in the Law of Ukraine “On Education” the type of specialized education – science education. The general understanding of the scientific method place in research activity, research competence and for development of pupils’ scientific thinking has been described. The main aim of the implementation concept of science education in education is to teach students to adapt to the ever-changing environment of life, work and study. This process should be based on the application of scientific methods and the development of scientific thinking of pupils. Scientific method ‒ is a cognition instrument, and the educational process is aimed on the one hand to acquire new knowledge, and on the other - to teach students how using and improving personal approach for the effective application of the scientific method in personal purpose. It has been described the value of research activity for further human competitiveness. The main tasks of education are not so much scientific research and the educational process as education through research. The result of such education is interpreted as the constant demand for a student as a specialist in the field of knowledge. In this way, the purpose of science education is the formation of student's research competence, which in turn is based on research activities for the effective implementation of which the student must be able to use scientific methods. Therefore, in order to model a student's research competence and basic competencies in science and technology, it is necessary, among other things, to learn how to use the scientific method as a tool of cognition.

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Andrew Lang and Scottish Historiography: Taking on Tradition

The Scottish Historical Review ◽

10.3366/shr.2015.0257 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 207-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Catriona M. M. Macdonald

Keyword(s):

Nineteenth Century ◽

Sir Walter Scott ◽

Scientific Methods ◽

European Context ◽

The Reformation ◽

Cast Doubt ◽

Scottish History ◽

University Setting ◽

Andrew Lang

The career and posthumous reputation of Andrew Lang (1844–1912) call into question Scottish historiographical conventions of the era following the death of Sir Walter Scott which foreground the apparent triumph of scientific methods over Romance and the professionalisation of the discipline within a university setting. Taking issue with the premise of notions relating to the Strange Death of Scottish History in the mid-nineteenth century, it is proposed that perceptions of Scottish historiographical exceptionalism in a European context and presumptions of Scottish inferiorism stand in need of re-assessment. By offering alternative readings of the reformation, by uncoupling unionism from whiggism, by reaffirming the role of Romance in ‘serious’ Scottish history, and by disrupting distinctions between whig and Jacobite, the historical works and the surviving personal papers of Andrew Lang cast doubt on many conventional grand narratives and the paradigms conventionally used to make sense of Scottish historiography.

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Lung Computational Models and the Role of the Small Airways in Asthma

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.2020-023861kkk ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 146 (Supplement 4) ◽

pp. S359.2-S360

Author(s):

Jennilee Eppley ◽

Todd Mahr

Keyword(s):

Computational Models ◽

Small Airways

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Improving the questions we ask, with Psychology and Cognitive Conflict.

10.31234/osf.io/g258f ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Brett Buttliere

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Scientific Method ◽

Meaning Making ◽

Cognitive Conflict ◽

Empirical Literature ◽

Present Evidence ◽

Scientific Papers ◽

Science In Society

Over the last decade, there have been many suggestions to improve how scientists answer their questions, but far fewer attempt to improve the questions scientists are asking in the first place. The goal of the paper is then to examine and summarize synthesize the evidence on how to ask the best questions possible. First is a brief review of the philosophical and empirical literature on how the best science is done, which implicitly but not explicitly mentions the role of psychology and especially cognitive conflict. Then we more closely focus on the psychology of the scientist, finding that they are humans, engaged in a meaning making process, and that cognitive conflict is a necessary input for any learning or change in the system. The scientific method is, of course, a specialized meaning making process. We present evidence for this central role of cognitive conflict in science by examining the most discussed scientific papers between 2013 and 2017, which are, in general, controversial and about big problems (e.g., whether vaccines cause autism, how often doctors kill us with their mistakes). Toward the end we discuss the role of science in society, suggesting science itself is an uncertainty reducing and problem solving enterprise. From this basis we encourage scientists to take riskier stances on bigger topics, for the good of themselves and society generally.

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LANDSLIDE RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE KUIBYSHEV RESERVOIR DUE THE DESIGN OF HIGH-SPEED LINE "MOSCOW-KAZAN"

Proceedings of International Conference "Managinag risks to coastal regions and communities in a changinag world" (EMECS'11 - SeaCoasts XXVI) ◽

10.31519/conferencearticle_5b1b9403c99983.72529271 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Nikolai Petrov ◽

Inna Nikonorova ◽

Vladimir Mashin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Computational Models ◽

Stable State ◽

Landslide Risk ◽

Kuibyshev Reservoir ◽

Stepped Surface ◽

The Stability ◽

Landslide Slope ◽

The Village

High-speed railway "Moscow-Kazan" by the draft crosses the Volga (Kuibyshev reservoir) in Chuvashia region 500 m below the village of New Kushnikovo. The crossing plot is a right-bank landslide slope with a stepped surface. Its height is 80 m; the slope steepness -15-16o. The authors should assess the risk of landslides and recommend anti-landslide measures to ensure the safety of the future bridge. For this landslide factors have been analyzed, slope stability assessment has been performed and recommendations have been suggested. The role of the following factors have been analyzed: 1) hydrologic - erosion and abrasion reservoir and runoff role; 2) lithologyc (the presence of Urzhum and Northern Dvina horizons of plastically deformable rocks, displacement areas); 3) hydrogeological (the role of perched, ground and interstratal water); 4) geomorphological (presence of the elemental composition of sliding systems and their structure in the relief); 5) exogeodynamic (cycles and stages of landslide systems development, mechanisms and relationship between landslide tiers of different generations and blocks contained in tiers). As a result 6-7 computational models at each of the three engineering-geological sections were made. The stability was evaluated by the method “of the leaning slope”. It is proved that the slope is in a very stable state and requires the following measures: 1) unloading (truncation) of active heads blocks of landslide tiers) and the edge of the plateau, 2) regulation of the surface and groundwater flow, 3) concrete dam, if necessary.

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Computational Models Exploring the Role of Flexibility in Binding Tat Peptide to TAR RNA

10.31979/etd.9vhc-z853 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Thanh Quoc Le

Keyword(s):

Computational Models ◽

Tat Peptide ◽

Tar Rna

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The role of standardization as a key Tool of Quality Economics in the development of integration of the Eurasian Economic Union

Economics and Management ◽

10.35854/1998-1627-2019-11-14-19 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 14-19

Author(s):

V. V. Okrepilov ◽

A. G. Gridasov

Keyword(s):

Economic Integration ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Regulatory Framework ◽

International Standards ◽

Member States ◽

Scientific Methods ◽

Goods And Services ◽

Eurasian Economic Union ◽

Economic Union

The presented study examines the experience of forming a regulatory framework for the integration of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states through the example of standardization as one of the key tools of quality economics.Aim. The study analyzes the major solutions of the EAEU authorities and member countries aimed at increasing the role of standardization in the economic integration of the Union over five years of its existence.Tasks. The authors identify efficient methods for developing standardization for the integration of the EAEU states as well as the most problematic aspects in this field that need to be taken into account in the qualitative strengthening of the Union’s economy.Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition to examine the activities of the EAEU authorities and member states aimed at creating a system for the economic integration of the Union during a period of its transition from separate national markets towards a single (common) market.Results. Over five years of operation in the field of stadardization, the Eurasian Economic Union has created the necessary organizational and legal framework to ensure the successful development of integration processes. The national legislation on standardization has been modernized with allowance for the harmonization of these laws. In the next five-six years, the development of international standards for 40 technical regulations is expected to be completed, which would create a regulatory framework for unhindered interaction between all participants of the single (common) EAEU market. Conclusions. The analysis of activities in the field of standardization reveals a sufficiently thought-out and coordinated policy of the EAEU states in creating the necessary conditions for overcoming legal and administrative barriers in the movement of goods and services within the common economic space of the EAEU.

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