in the real world, risk and uncertainty are two natural properties in the implementation of mega projects. most projects fail to achieve the pre-determined objectives due to uncertainty. a linear integer programming optimization model was used in this work to solve a problem in order to choose the most appropriate risk responses for the project risks. a mathematical model, in which work structu...

The distinction between qualitative and quantitative interactions is stressed as it helps to elucidate differences between two current definitions of the term synergism and how multifactorial experiments should be designed, analysed statistically, and their results interpreted. Factorial design and analyses are strongly advocated so that interactions can be detected. It is suggested that intera...

Vancomycin monotherapy of deep-seated staphylococcal infection may be associated with poor bacteriological response. We evaluated 24 unique patient isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for vancomycin-gentamicin synergism by determining time-kill curves for vancomycin at 10 micrograms/ml and gentamicin at 1 microgram/ml. Nine MRSA strains showed high-level gentamicin re...

Three umami substances (glutamate, 5'-inosinate, and 5'-guanylate) were found by Japanese scientists, but umami has not been recognized in Europe and America for a long time. In the late 1900s, umami was internationally recognized as the fifth basic taste based on psychophysical, electrophysiological, and biochemical studies. Three umami receptors (T1R1 + T1R3, mGluR4, and mGluR1) were identifi...

Glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones exert their effects in many body tissues by binding to their respective receptors. The search for possible cross-talking mechanisms in overlapping target cells led to the discovery of synergism between a thyroid hormone receptor-binding site and a cryptic glucocorticoid-responsive element. Glucocorticoid responsiveness could only be detected in the presence o...

Platelets from 6 out of 10 patients with myeloproliferative disorders showed only a single reversible wave of aggregation when challenged with platelet activating factor (PAF). Preexposure to subthreshold concentrations of adrenaline resulted in a full irreversible response to PAF. Aspirin, however, removed this synergism. In the remaining 4 patients, PAF induced a full response but aspirin abo...

The DREAM challenge is a community effort to assess current capabilities in systems biology. Two recent challenges focus on cancer cell drug sensitivity and drug synergism, and highlight strengths and weaknesses of current approaches.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the vasoactive perivascular neuropeptide substance P (SP) on the growth and function of vascular endothelial cells in serum-free culture conditions with cells quiescent in the GO-G, phase of the cell cycle and to characterize the response. In addition, interactions between SP and other growth factors and neuropeptides including insulin, ...

Simultaneous treatment of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) leads to strikingly synergistic stimulation of mitogenesis. The purpose of this study was to explore potential sites for signal integration mediating synergism, focusing on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and transcription factors involved in prolifera...

Joint application of gibberellic acid and indole-3-acetic acid to excised stem sections, terminal cuttings, and decapitated plants of a green dwarf pea results in a markedly synergistic growth response to these hormones. Synergism in green tall pea stem sections is comparatively small, although growth is kinetically indistinguishable from similarly treated dwarf sections.Gibberellin-induced gro...