Scientists’ use of diagrams in developing mechanistic explanations

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C. Burnston ◽  
Benjamin Sheredos ◽  
Adele Abrahamsen ◽  
William Bechtel

We explore the crucial role of diagrams in scientific reasoning, especially reasoning directed at developing mechanistic explanations of biological phenomena. We offer a case study focusing on one research project that resulted in a published paper advancing a new understanding of the mechanism by which the central circadian oscillator in Synechococcus elongatus controls gene expression. By examining how the diagrams prepared for the paper developed over the course of multiple drafts, we show how the process of generating a new explanation vitally involved the development and integration of multiple versions of different types of diagrams, and how reasoning about the mechanism proceeded in tandem with the development of the diagrams used to represent it.

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 2186-2207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Kaun ◽  
Julie Uldam

The increased influx of refugees in 2015 has led to challenges in transition and destination countries such as Germany, Sweden and Denmark. Volunteer-led initiatives providing urgent relief played a crucial role in meeting the needs of arriving refugees. The work of the volunteers in central stations and transition shelters was mainly organised with the help of Facebook, in terms of both inward and outward communications. This article examines the role of social media for civic participation drawing on Swedish volunteer initiatives that emerged in the context of the migration crisis in 2015 as a case study. Theoretically, this article provides an analytical framework, including power relations, technological affordances, practices and discourses, which helps shed light on the interrelation between social media and civic participation.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e109645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soledad Gonzalo ◽  
Veronica Llaneza ◽  
Gerardo Pulido-Reyes ◽  
Francisca Fernández-Piñas ◽  
Jean Claude Bonzongo ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Sheahan ◽  
Viktoria Major ◽  
Kimberly M. Webb ◽  
Elana Bryan ◽  
Philipp Voigt

AbstractThe closely related acetyltransferases CBP and p300 are key regulators of gene expression in metazoans. CBP/p300 acetylate several specific lysine residues within nucleosomes, including histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27), a hallmark of active enhancers and promoters. However, it has remained largely unclear how specificity of CBP/p300 towards H3K27 is achieved. Here we show that the TAZ2 domain of CBP is required for efficient acetylation of H3K27, while curbing activity towards other lysine residues within nucleosomes. We find that TAZ2 is a sequence-independent DNA binding module, promoting interaction between CBP and nucleosomes, thereby enhancing enzymatic activity and regulating substrate specificity of CBP. TAZ2 is further required to stabilize CBP binding to chromatin in mouse embryonic stem cells, facilitating specificity towards H3K27 and modulating gene expression. These findings reveal a crucial role of TAZ2 in regulating H3K27ac, while highlighting the importance of correct site-specific acetylation for proper regulation of gene expression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-225
Author(s):  
Sumit Shekhar ◽  
◽  
Amrita Dwivedi

Sanitation and water are one of those problems which have been given top priority in the sustainable agenda. However, scanty resources, geographical condition, natural environment, tradition, institutional and financial constraints lead to several challenges of feasibility, affordability, availability,and acceptability. This study reveals the inequality in the access to improved toilet facilities based on wealth index and locality of households using National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data. These problems can be addressed by applying different types of social innovations in which novelty in product and process can play a crucial role. This paper critically examines the role of innovation which can play in expanding transition to sustainable development in the sanitation sector which needs some financial, organizational, and institutional agreement. The progress in sanitation sector is dependent on the consumer behavior. However, it still lacks a variety of quality-price ranges and its utility as the basic needs of dignified life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-546
Author(s):  
Harbir Singh ◽  
Ajoy K. Dey ◽  
Arunaditya Sahay

Introduction: Patient engagement is engaging patients in their own medical care to heal them faster and take their valuable inputs to improve the health of population. Nurses contribute significantly in treatment, interact and spend most of their time with inpatients. Therefore, exploring the perspectives of nurses on patient engagement-communication is of vital importance. Objective: This article focuses on exploring the communication themes of patient engagement from the perspective of nurses in a multi-speciality hospital in Delhi. Methodology: The exploratory qualitative case study was carried out with semi-structured interviews of 12 nurses, observation at receptions of ICUs and emergency department and analysis of documents from the hospital’s official website. Grounded theory—three-level coding—was performed to identify the themes of patient engagement-communication. Results: A total of nine themes have been identified: ‘attendant’s role’, ‘communicating with patients of different categories’, ‘doctor’s support to nurses’, ‘nurse action’, ‘nurse behaviour’, ‘nurse challenges’, ‘patient actions’, ‘patient emotions’ and ‘wider role of nurses’. Conclusion: Nurses play a critical role in engaging patients through communication. They should change their approach of communication with different types of patients, understand, respect and give due weightage to patient’s emotions and actions and, play a wider role of teacher and guardian than just being the nurse.


1966 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tyack

Using early Oregon as a case study, the author analyzes the crucial role of the Protestant clergy in the establishment of American common schools.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-443
Author(s):  
Börje Boers

The purpose of this comparative case study is to understand codetermination in two family firms. Thereby, this study aims at exploring the role of employee-representatives in two non-listed family businesses. Empirically, this study draws on an interpretive case study of two family businesses. Its findings extend earlier research, by exploring and introducing the phenomenon of codetermination in the family business literature. Codetermination is explored with the perspective of paternalism as analytical lens. Theoretically, the study draws on the control-collaboration paradox which helps understanding the phenomenon of codetermination. The study reveals different types of codetermination, i.e., the works council and the board of directors. The implications of these types are highlighted and discussed. Findings highlight the need for professional governance structures in order to facilitate cooperation between family owners, the management, and employee representatives. Professional governance allows handling the paternalistic ideological underpinnings which can otherwise prevent continued firm success, leading to unsolved conflicts.


Antiquity ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 66 (253) ◽  
pp. 831-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Moser

Two notable reconstructions of Neanderthal individuals are analysed in this perceptive study of the role of visual reconstructions in archaeological debate. The author concludes that such images are more than popular by-products of academic discussion, and play a crucial role in the construction of archaeological arguments.


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