On Statistical Properties of Palindromes in DNA

The main aim of this article is to determine the distribution of the number of palindromes of a fixed length in a DNA sequence. Palindrome in DNA is a part of the DNA sequence which is equal to its complementary sequence read backwards (C ～ G, A ～ T). We examine the general case where the distribution of the nucleobases is arbitrary. Further, we determine conditions in which Normal approximation can be used. Special attention is given to coding and non-coding regions in DNA and to the distribution of bases in those parts of DNA.     

The Enhanced Double Digest Problem for DNA Physical Mapping

The double digest problem is a common NP-hard approach to constructing physical maps of DNA sequences. This paper presents a new approach called the enhanced double digest problem. Although this new problem is also NP-hard, it can be solved in linear time in certain theoretically interesting cases.     

An efficient Bayesian approach for Gaussian Bayesian network structure learning

This article proposes a Bayesian computing algorithm to infer Gaussian directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). It has the ability of escaping local modes and maintaining adequate computing speed compared to existing methods. Simulations demonstrated that the proposed algorithm has low false positives and false negatives in comparison to an algorithm applied to DAGs. We applied the algorithm to an epigenetic dataset to infer DAG's for smokers and nonsmokers.     

一种DNA计算系统的有限自动机模型

通过一个实例给出了粘贴系统模型的基本定义，讨论了粘贴系统模型的正则文法特性，并从自动机的角度给出了相当于正则文法表达能力的有限自动机模型。     

DNA数据库:实践、困惑与进路

DNA鉴定技术在诉讼中发挥着显著的证明作用。我国自建立法庭科学DNA数据库以来, 各地数据库之规模、应用逐步扩大, 取得一定实践成效。然而, 数据库的运作也存在法律困惑:如何完善立法规范, 如何平衡强制采样与正当程序的冲突, 如何兼顾DNA信息保存与隐私权保护的目标, 如何权衡数据库推广与司法资源有限的矛盾。DNA数据库的制度完善须理性选择立法模式, 整合各地既有规范。应在《刑事诉讼法》第130条“人身检查”规定的基础上, 细化DNA采样程序;综合考虑案件性质、犯罪危害程度和有利于犯罪分子改造等因素明确入库范围;健全信息保密和救济机制, 对DNA数据库的用途、信息保存和销毁期限、违法使用DNA信息的制裁措施加以规范;此外, 还应强化质量控制与监督机制。     

‘They are harsher to me than to my friend who is blonde’. Police critique among ethnic minority youth in Sweden

ABSTRACT

Young people belonging to categories and living in areas that are targeted by the police find more arguments for detailed police critique than others. When they narrate their assessments there is a series of experiential references being made, which can be used to sort out their police critique. This article draws on 20 interviews with ethnic minority youth in so-called vulnerable neighborhoods in Sweden. It shows how young people portray the police as sometimes profiling and racist, sometimes just and legitimate, and how they do so by comparisons and identifications. Comparisons within Sweden and identifications with police targets tend to result in more negative assessments whereas comparisons with countries of origin and identifications with non-targeted categories may result in more positive or mixed assessments. These young people also evaluate the police with reference to the stigmatization of their neighborhoods. To be stopped because you are associated with a residential area is described as deeply unfair, even if the police are polite, and observations of how the police change behavior in different areas promote critique. Our findings point to the importance of extending a criteria-based model of how today’s young people assess the police with a more social and ethnographic understanding.     

Limiting distribution of the number of clumps of palindromes in DNA

An important aspect in the analysis of long DNA sequences is to identify whether palindromes are over- or under-represented. The essential step in that direction is the analysis of the limiting distribution of the number of clumps of palindromes where clump is defined as the overlapping occurrence of palindromes. Using the Chen–Stein method, it is shown in this paper that the limiting distribution, under suitable conditions and a type of heterogeneous sequence, is the Poisson distribution. Moreover, error bounds and the rate of convergence are derived in terms of total variation distance between two probability distributions.     

DNA疫苗技术

随着生物技术的发展,DNA疫苗的研究也进展迅速.DNA疫苗就是将重组的带有外源的抗原基因的质粒或病毒DNA直接注射到动物体内,从而使外源基因在活体内表达,产生的相应的抗原激活机体的免疫系统,引起免疫反应.DNA疫苗多价疫苗相对于一二代疫苗具有更加安全、稳定、可同时诱导广泛的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答及不受母源抗体的影响等一系列优点.随着对DNA疫苗研究的不断进步,DNA疫苗在21世纪第三代疫苗免疫预防方面将会发挥越来越重要的作用.本文着重介绍DNA疫苗的进展与动态.     

Teaching about science

Science is one of the most exciting frontiers of human endeavor and yet is often poorly understood. In this article I argue that improved education of both our children and our adults is key for the future. It is incumbent on all scientists to help educate our citizenry. In addition to the traditional methods we should make better use of television for this purpose. I strongly advocate permeating regular news programs with science news and education.