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Mechanisms in Molecular Biology (Elements in the Philosophy of Biology)
by Tudor BaetuThe new mechanistic philosophy is divided into two largely disconnected projects. One deals with a metaphysical inquiry into how mechanisms relate to issues such as causation, capacities and levels of organization, while the other deals with epistemic issues related to the discovery of mechanisms and the intelligibility of mechanistic representations. Tudor Baetu explores and explains these projects, and shows how the gap between them can be bridged. His proposed account is compatible both with the assumptions and practices of experimental design in biological research, and with scientifically accepted interpretations of experimental results.
Mechanisms in Science: Method or Metaphysics?
by Stathis Psillos Stavros IoannidisIn recent years what has come to be called the 'New Mechanism' has emerged as a framework for thinking about the philosophical assumptions underlying many areas of science, especially in sciences such as biology, neuroscience, and psychology. This book offers a fresh look at the role of mechanisms, by situating novel analyses of central philosophical issues related to mechanisms within a rich historical perspective of the concept of mechanism as well as detailed case studies of biological mechanisms (such as apoptosis). It develops a new position, Methodological Mechanism, according to which mechanisms are to be viewed as causal pathways that are theoretically described and are underpinned by networks of difference-making relations. In contrast to metaphysically inflated accounts, this study characterises mechanism as a concept-in-use in science that is deflationary and metaphysically neutral, but still methodologically useful and central to scientific practice.
Mechanisms of Arsenic Toxicity and Tolerance in Plants
by Masayuki Fujita Mirza Hasanuzzaman Kamrun NaharArsenic is likely the most talked-about metalloid in the modern world because of its toxic effects on both animal and plants. Further, arsenic pollution is now producing negative impacts on food security, especially in many south Asian countries. Since plants are a major food source, their adaptation to As-rich environments is essential, as is being informed about recent findings on multifarious aspects of the mechanisms of arsenic toxicity and tolerance in plants. Although numerous research works and review articles have been published in journals, annual reviews and as book chapters, to date there has been no comprehensive book on this topic.This book contains 19 informative chapters on arsenic chemistry, plant uptake, toxicity and tolerance mechanisms, as well as approaches to mitigation. Readers will be introduced to the latest findings on plant responses to arsenic toxicity, various tolerance mechanisms, and remediation techniques. As such, the book offers a timely and valuable resource for a broad audience, including plant scientists, soil scientists, environmental scientists, agronomists, botanists and molecular biologists.
Mechanisms of Circadian Systems in Animals and Their Clinical Relevance
by Raúl Aguilar-Roblero Mauricio Díaz-Muñoz María Luisa Fanjul-MolesWell known experts in the field of Chronobiology from around the world, provide an integrative view of the state of the art of circadian biology. At present, genetic and epigenetic interaction of regulatory pathways among circadian oscillators, metabolic networks, cellular differentiation and neuronal communication are subject of intense scrutiny. The book is organized in three sections: The first includes selected examples of the circadian systems of crustaceans, insects, fish, birds and mammals. The second is a detailed view of the physiological mechanisms underlying the circadian clocks in mammals. Finally, in the third section some examples of the relevance of circadian biology and circadian misalignment to health and disease are provided including nutrition and metabolism, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, Huntington and affective diseases. This section concludes with a brief review on gene therapy and its potential use as a therapeutic tool to correct "clock genes" pathologies. This book is aimed at all those interested in contemporary aspects of physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology applied to the study and characterization of timing systems. . It could be used as an initial approach to this field, but it also provides updated information for those already familiar with the fascinating field of Chronobiology.
Mechanisms of Diffusional Phase Transformations in Metals and Alloys
by Hubert I. Aaronson Masato Enomoto Jong K. LeeDeveloped by the late metallurgy professor and master experimentalist Hubert I. Aaronson, this collection of lecture notes details the fundamental principles of phase transformations in metals and alloys upon which steel and other metals industries are based. Mechanisms of Diffusional Phase Transformations in Metals and Alloys is devoted to solid-s
Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Cancer Therapy (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology #249)
by Mario Mandalà Emanuela RomanoA major objective of this book is to reveal unprecedented opportunities to understand and overcome drug resistance through the clinical assessment of rational therapeutic drug combinations and the use of predictive and prognostic biomarkers to enable patient stratification and tailor treatments. It offers to the readers an updated overview on the possible reasons of failure of new and promising therapeutic opportunities.
Mechanisms of Environmental Stress Resistance in Plants
by Amarjit S. Basra Ranjit K. BasraPlant growth and productivity are limited in many areas of the world by a wide variety of environmental stresses. This book discusses progress made toward the major goal of uncovering the plant resistance mechanisms to biotic and abiotic stresses; the purpose being to utilise this knowledge in genetic modification of plants for achieving improved stress resistance. This volume achieves a new synthesis in considering the mechanisms of resistance at various levels of organisation -- from individual cells and tissues, through whole plants, to communities. Chapters are written by internationally acknowledged experts, who have a wealth of research and teaching experience. With comprehensive and up-to-date coverage, this book analyses many outstanding problems and poses important questions for future research.
Mechanisms of Everyday Cognition
by Hayne W. Reese James M. PuckettBased on the proceedings of the twelfth biennial conference on life-span developmental psychology, most of the contributions in this volume deal with the mechanisms of everyday cognition. However, a broad spectrum of additional concerns is addressed within the domain of everyday cognition: its metatheoretical underpinnings, theory and theoretical issues, methods of investigation, empirical considerations, and social issues and applications. Addressing everyday cognition in infancy, childhood, adolescence, young and middle adulthood, and old age, this book is consistent with the chronological life-span theme of this series. The contributors collectively discuss some of the traditional concerns of life-span psychology: the dialectical nature of everyday cognition, individual differences, and contextual influences. Leading and concluding chapters provide overview, integration, and summary. In bringing together a wide array of age periods and points of view within the domain of everyday cognition, the editors hope that students and researchers in developmental psychology and cognitive science will find a useful cross-fertilization of ideas. A huge variety of theoretical perspectives is presented ranging from the position that everyday cognition and academic (laboratory) cognition are different manifestations of the same underlying processes to the position that the underlying processes are completely separate. Also of importance, a large assortment of research methods is illustrated including interviews, laboratory simulations, real-life observations and psychometric methods.
Mechanisms of Forest Ecosystems Sustainability in a Changing Climate: Complete Triad of Ecological Monitoring
by Erland G. KolomytsThe author's working concept of geo-ecological monitoring is presented. For the first time, the full triad of monitoring in its classical definition is considered: "observation (state assessment) – control (prediction) – management (adaptation, feedback, regulation)". The strategic goal of described monitoring research is to reveal the environmental otential of sustainablility of forest ecosystems in the context of modern global warming. The monograph expounds the main statements of author’s topo-ecological predictive concept: “Global Changes on the Local Level”, as a basis of ground bio-ecological and geosystem monitoring of natural ecosystems under global anthropogenic climatic changes. This concept makes it possible to carry out local empirical simulation of the regional bioclimatic trend and thereby reveal the mechanisms of transmission of global and regional climate signals to the local level. On the example of the Volga River basin, predictive empirical-statistical models of the carbon balance of forest ecosytems are presented under conditions of a changing climate. The carbon content in various pools of boreal and nemoral forests were calculated. The global climate models give prognostic estimates of the components of them carbon balance. A quantitative assessment of the ecological resources of forest formations that provide the environment sustainability through mechanisms of regulation of the carbon cycle is given. The adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change is described through the calculated parameters of their functional sustainability.
Mechanisms of Gene Regulation
by Carsten Carlberg Ferdinand MolnárThis textbook aims to describe the fascinating area of eukaryotic gene regulation for graduate students in all areas of the biomedical sciences. Gene expression is essential in shaping the various phenotypes of cells and tissues and as such, regulation of gene expression is a fundamental aspect of nearly all processes in physiology, both in healthy and in diseased states. This pivotal role for the regulation of gene expression makes this textbook essential reading for students of all the biomedical sciences, in order to be better prepared for their specialized disciplines. A complete understanding of transcription factors and the processes that alter their activity is a major goal of modern life science research. The availability of the whole human genome sequence (and that of other eukaryotic genomes) and the consequent development of next-generation sequencing technologies have significantly changed nearly all areas of the biological sciences. For example, the genome-wide location of histone modifications and transcription factor binding sites, such as provided by the ENCODE consortium, has greatly improved our understanding of gene regulation. Therefore, the focus of this book is the description of the post-genome understanding of gene regulation. The purpose of this book is to provide, in a condensed form, an overview on the present understanding of the mechanisms of gene regulation. The authors are not aiming to compete with comprehensive treatises, but rather focus on the essentials. Therefore, the authors have favored a high figure-to-text ratio following the rule stating that "a picture tells more than thousand words". The content of the book is based on the lecture course, which is given by Prof. Carlberg since 2001 at the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio. The book is subdivided into 4 sections and 13 chapters. Following the Introduction there are three sections, which take a view on gene regulation from the perspective of transcription factors, chromatin and non-coding RNA, respectively. Besides its value as a textbook, Mechanisms of Gene Regulation will be a useful reference for individuals working in biomedical laboratories.
Mechanisms of Gene Regulation: How Science Works
by Carsten Carlberg Ferdinand MolnárThis textbook aims to describe the fascinating area of eukaryotic gene regulation for graduate students in all areas of the biomedical sciences. Gene expression is essential in shaping the various phenotypes of cells and tissues and as such, regulation of gene expression is a fundamental aspect of nearly all processes in physiology, both in healthy and in diseased states. Th is pivotal role for the regulation of gene expression makes this textbook essential reading for students of all the biomedical sciences, in order to be better prepared for their specialized disciplines. A complete understanding of transcription factors and the processes that alter their activity is a major goal of modern life science research. The availability of the whole human genome sequence (and that of other eukaryotic genomes) and the consequent development of next-generation sequencing technologies have significantly changed nearly all areas of the biological sciences. For example, the genome-wide location of histone modifications and transcription factor binding sites, such as provided by the ENCODE consortium, has greatly improved our understanding of gene regulation. Therefore, the focus of this book is the description of the post-genome understanding of gene regulation.
Mechanisms of Genome Protection and Repair (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology #1241)
by Dmitry O. ZharkovDNA is under constant challenge from environmental and endogenous metabolic assaults. Several layers of defence and repair systems allow cells to maintain stable genomes; in humans, dysfunction of these systems leads to cancer, neurodegeneration, and other pathologies. At the same time, recently it had emerged that targeted and regulated DNA damage and repair is a mechanism underlying several important cellular processes such as epigenetic demethylation and immunoglobulin gene diversification. The present collection of papers is aimed to cover new developments in the area of protective and regulatory mechanisms associated with DNA damage. The mechanisms ruling the recognition of damaged nucleotides against the vast background of normal ones are reviewed. The role of extended non-catalytic domains that are often found in eukaryotic DNA repair proteins in contrast to their downsized, catalytic-only bacterial counterparts is discussed. Among the proposed subjects are the regulatory functions of bulky covalent modifications such as poly(ADP)ribosylation and ubiquitylation in DNA damage response, especially in the context of chromatin remodelling. As opposed to DNA repair, damage tolerance allows cells to replicate with lesions in the genome; the enzymes responsible are also covered. Finally, we present examples of modern multilevel understanding of the cell function and malfunction in the wake of genotoxic assaults such as oxidative stress, abiotic environmental stress, and DNA-damaging plant toxins.
Mechanisms of Mineralization of Vertebrate Skeletal and Dental Tissues
by Irving M. Shapiro William J. LandisThe book presents a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding mechanisms regulating the formation of mineral in vertebrate skeletal and dental tissues. The focus of the book is directed toward the mineralization process, an evolutionarily conserved system in which cells synthesize a complex and unique extracellular matrix into which mineral is deposited. Regulatory control is viewed though lenses that emphasize the genetic, physical-chemical, biochemical, structural, cellular and extracellular aspects of the mineralization process as they relate to crystal nucleation, growth and maturation. Throughout the book, defects in regulation at the genetic and transcriptional levels are linked to the numerous clinical problems associated with the mineralization of bone, cartilage, tendon, tooth, and soft tissues. The book serves as a comprehensive text for basic scientists and scholars working in the many areas that comprise hard tissue research, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and those contemplating working in the field of biomineralization or who need a review of a specific mineralization topic. The information contained in the book is relevant for clinicians and clinical scientists in the fields of orthopaedic surgery, veterinary medicine, dentistry, endocrinology, aging and genetics.
Mechanisms of Molecular Carcinogenesis – Volume 1
by Johannes HaybaeckDivided into two volumes the work offers a so far unmatched broad and at the same time deep knowledge on molecular and cellular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and offers comprehensive insight into clinical, therapeutic and technological aspects. This 1st Volume presents tumor entities of the ocular system, the thyroid organ, the oesophagus, gliomas, non-glial brain tumors, head and neck as well as lung cancer. In addition it also discusses in-depth potential novel molecular players and the role of stem cells as well as the endocannabinoid system in carcinogenesis, it furthermore explains tumor metabolism components and signaling pathways. Each of the chapters discusses potential therapeutic strategies and novel drug targets. The book addresses basic scientists and medical researchers interested in translational cancer research.
Mechanisms of Molecular Carcinogenesis – Volume 2
by Johannes HaybaeckTogether with Volume 1, this book provides an inclusive overview of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and offers comprehensive insights into related clinical and therapeutic aspects. This second volume complements the first by presenting and concisely explaining the carcinogenesis of various tumor entities such as non-melanoma skin cancers, bone and soft tissue tumors, pancreatic cancers, hepatocellular cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. As in volume one, each chapter illuminates the similarities and dissimilarities of changed signaling pathways in the different organ systems and depicts potential therapeutic strategies. The focus of volume two lies on the presentation of modern molecular biological techniques for diagnosis, as well as strategies for biomarker identification and validation. Furthermore, it discusses potential therapeutic targets and individualized treatment strategies, offering a valuable resource for all basic scientists and medical researchers interested in translational cancer research.
Mechanisms of Pain
by Alaa Abd-Elsayed Krishnan V. ChakravarthyPain is a serious health problem. This book presents an intensive review of the anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology of the systems that mediate nociceptive processing. The authors cover areas that include anatomy, central and peripheral nerve processing, tissue and nerve injury states, as well as preclinical and clinical models of pain. Mechanisms of Pain also covers important clinical concepts, with specific emphasis on mechanisms of action. Written by world renowned global faculty, this book covers important areas of science required to understand pain medicine. Important topics covered include post–tissue and nerve injury pain states of primary afferents and the spinal cord. The authors also cover mechanisms of action of clinically relevant analgesics (opiates and non-opiates), psychological aspects of pain, pathophysiology of migraines, as well as the genetics of pain. This comprehensive book is to guide undergraduate, graduate, and clinicians in the field of pain medicine on important concepts related to the science and practice of pain.
Mechanisms of Plant Growth and Improved Productivity Modern Approaches
by Amarjit S. BasraDiscusses the mechanisms of plant productivity and the factors limiting net photosynthesis, describing techniques to isolate, characterize and manipulate specific plant genes in order to enhance productivity. The uptake of carbon and the practical aspects of plant nutrition are discussed.
Mechanisms of Taste Transduction
by Sidney A. Simon Stephen D. RoperMechanisms of Taste Transduction introduces a number of topics essential to a complete understanding of taste. These topics range from the control of food intake to the biophysical mechanisms of transduction and the design of food flavors in the food industry. The responses and organization of special sensory pathways are described in regard to the
Mechanistic Explanations in Physics and Beyond (European Studies in Philosophy of Science #11)
by Brigitte Falkenburg Gregor SchiemannThis volume offers a broad, philosophical discussion on mechanical explanations. Coverage ranges from historical approaches and general questions to physics and higher-level sciences . The contributors also consider the topics of complexity, emergence, and reduction. Mechanistic explanations detail how certain properties of a whole stem from the causal activities of its parts. This kind of explanation is in particular employed in explanatory models of the behavior of complex systems. Often used in biology and neuroscience, mechanistic explanation models have been often overlooked in the philosophy of physics. The authors correct this surprising neglect. They trace these models back to their origins in physics. The papers present a comprehensive historical, methodological, and problem-oriented investigation. The contributors also investigate the conditions for using models of mechanistic explanations in physics. The last papers make the bridge from physics to economics, the theory of complex systems and computer science . This book will appeal to graduate students and researchers with an interest in the philosophy of science, scientific explanation, complex systems, models of explanation in physics higher level sciences, and causal mechanisms in science.
Mechanizing Hypothesis Formation: Principles and Case Studies
by Jan Rauch Milan Šimůnek David Chudán Petr MášaMechanizing hypothesis formation is an approach to exploratory data analysis. Its development started in the 1960s inspired by the question “can computers formulate and verify scientific hypotheses?”. The development resulted in a general theory of logic of discovery. It comprises theoretical calculi dealing with theoretical statements as well as observational calculi dealing with observational statements concerning finite results of observation. Both calculi are related through statistical hypotheses tests. A GUHA method is a tool of the logic of discovery. It uses a one-to-one relation between theoretical and observational statements to get all interesting theoretical statements. A GUHA procedure generates all interesting observational statements and verifies them in a given observational data. Output of the procedure consists of all observational statements true in the given data. Several GUHA procedures dealing with association rules, couples of association rules, action rules, histograms, couples of histograms, and patterns based on general contingency tables are involved in the LISp-Miner system developed at the Prague University of Economics and Business. Various results about observational calculi were achieved and applied together with the LISp-Miner system. The book covers a brief overview of logic of discovery. Many examples of applications of the GUHA procedures to solve real problems relevant to data mining and business intelligence are presented. An overview of recent research results relevant to dealing with domain knowledge in data mining and its automation is provided. Firsthand experiences with implementation of the GUHA method in the Python language are presented.
Mechano-Electric Correlations in the Human Physiological System (Biomedical and Robotics Healthcare)
by K. Kamalanand A. Bakiya R. L. De BrittoThe aim of Mechano-Electric Correlations in the Human Physiological System is to present the mechanical and electrical properties of human soft tissues and the mathematical models related to the evaluation of these properties in time, as well as their biomedical applications. This book also provides an overview of the bioelectric signals of soft tissues from various parts of the human body. In addition, this book presents the basic dielectric and viscoelastic characteristics of soft tissues, an introduction to the measurement and characteristics of bioelectric signals and their relationship with the mechanical activity, electromyography and the correlation of electromyograms with the muscle activity in normal and certain clinical conditions. The authors also present a case study on the effect of lymphatic filariasis on the mechanical and electrical activity of the muscle. Features: Explains the basics of electrical and mechanical properties of soft tissues in time and frequency domain along with the mathematical models of soft tissue mechanics Explores the correlation of electrical properties with the mechanical properties of biological soft tissues using computational techniques Provides a detailed introduction to electrophysiological signals along with the types, applications, properties, problems and associated mathematical models Explains the electromechanics of muscles using electromyography recordings from various muscles of the human physiological system Presents a case study on the effect of lymphatic filariasis on the mechanical and electrical activity of the muscle Mechano-Electric Correlations in the Human Physiological System is intended for biomedical engineers, researchers and medical scientists as well graduate and undergraduate students working on the mechanical properties of soft tissues.
Mechanobiology Handbook
by Jiro NagatomiMechanobiology-the study of the effects of mechanical environments on the biological processes of cells-has evolved from traditional biomechanics via the incorporation of strong elements of molecular and cell biology. Currently, a broad range of organ systems are being studied by surgeons, physicians, basic scientists, and engineers. These mechanob
Mechanobiology of Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions
by A. Wagoner Johnson Brendan HarleyMechanobiology of Cell-Matrix Interactions focuses on characterization and modeling of interactions between cells and their local extracellular environment, exploring how these interactions may mediate cell behavior. Studies of cell-matrix interactions rely on integrating engineering, (molecular and cellular) biology, and imaging disciplines. Recent advances in the field have begun to unravel our understanding of how cells gather information from their surrounding environment, and how they interrogate such information during the cell fate decision making process. Topics include adhesive and integrin-ligand interactions; extracellular influences on cell biology and behavior; cooperative mechanisms of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions; the mechanobiology of pathological processes; (multi-scale) modeling approaches to describe the complexity or cell-matrix interactions; and quantitative methods required for such experimental and modeling studies.
Mechanobiology of Fracture Healing: From Basic Science to Clinical Application (SpringerBriefs in Bioengineering)
by Lutz E. ClaesThis book offers a summary of research on the biomechanics of fracture fixation and mechanobiology of fracture healing. The author, a known expert, provides an overview of the state of art, his own research together with that of his co-workers and collaborators; he describes the ideas and findings from the beginning of this research field in the 1960s up to the clinical consequences and applications of today. The book discusses the mechanobiology of fracture healing, illustrates the numerical methods that simulate fracture healing processes, and depicts specific research methods of experimental studies. Finally, it provides conclusions for the improvement of fracture treatment that will be of use in clinical applications nowadays. This book will be a valuable resource of knowledge for students and scientists in the field of bioengineering, experimental biology, and biomechanics, helping them to identify the correct conditions and analysis for their respective research and receive an understanding of the research field from its beginning until today. For experimental and clinical surgeons active in the field of fracture healing, this book will provide a useful historical overview over this translational research field.
Mechanobiology: Exploitation for Medical Benefit
by Simon C. RawlinsonAn emerging field at the interface of biology and engineering, mechanobiology explores the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to mechanical signals—and holds great promise in one day unravelling the mysteries of cellular and extracellular matrix mechanics to cure a broad range of diseases. Mechanobiology: Exploitation for Medical Benefit presents a comprehensive overview of principles of mechanobiology, highlighting the extent to which biological tissues are exposed to the mechanical environment, demonstrating the importance of the mechanical environment in living systems, and critically reviewing the latest experimental procedures in this emerging field. Featuring contributions from several top experts in the field, chapters begin with an introduction to fundamental mechanobiological principles; and then proceed to explore the relationship of this extensive force in nature to tissues of musculoskeletal systems, heart and lung vasculature, the kidney glomerulus, and cutaneous tissues. Examples of some current experimental models are presented conveying relevant aspects of mechanobiology, highlighting emerging trends and promising avenues of research in the development of innovative therapies. Timely and important, Mechanobiology: Exploitation for Medical Benefit offers illuminating insights into an emerging field that has the potential to revolutionise our comprehension of appropriate cell biology and the future of biomedical research.