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Elsevier Science

  • A Dictionary of Pharmacology and Allied Topics

    • 2nd Edition
    • D.R. Laurence + 1 more
    • English
    This dictionary spans the practice of pharmacology, and of allied sciences insofar as they are related to it, with particular emphasis on the development, regulation and use of human medicine. It is offered to students as well as to professionals in pharmacology and allied sciences for reference and for browsing, and as a bedside book and travelling companion. Its size (approximately 2000 entries) is appropriate for these uses.Features of this dictionary:• Provides definitions of terms in pharmacology, both basic and clinical• Gives information on new medicine development and official regulations• Covers allied topics, including statistics, ethics, scientific miscounduct, authorship, publication and law.
  • Preparation of Catalysts VII

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 118
    • R. Maggi + 5 more
    • English
    The proceedings of the VIIth International Symposium on the Scientific Bases for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts, are in line with the general scope of this series of events. Emphasis in all Symposia has been on the scientific aspects of the preparation of new and industrial catalysts, or on new methods of preparation, rather than on the catalytic reactions in which such solids are ultimately used. In the present context, the catalytic event itself has only been considered as another, though often decisive, method of catalyst characterization.
  • Human Factors in Organizational Design and Management - VI

    • 1st Edition
    • P. Vink + 2 more
    • English
    This book contains a series of papers that were presented during the Sixth IEA International Symposium on Human Factors in Organizational Design and Management (ODAM '98). The Symposium was sponsored jointly by the International Ergonomics Society, the Dutch Ergonomics Society, NIA TNO and The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. These experiences include new ideas, research results, tools, and applications of human-organization interface technology to improving work systems.New technology, changing work force demographics, changing attitudes and values about work and what constitutes real quality of work life, have heightened the need for a true systems approach to optimizing the interfaces between humans, technology and organizational structures and processes. Growing world competition, and the related need to make organizations more productive and efficient, have further intensified this need to improve work systems. This need is reflected in the rapid development of macroergonomics methods and applications since the first of these ODAM Symposia in 1984. What then was recognized by only a few researchers and practitioners has now become a widely accepted part of the human factors/ergonomics discipline. As demonstrated by the papers contained herein, application of macroergonomics is having a very real positive impact on sociotechnical systems internationally.Incl... in this volume are a broad selection of papers on theory, methodology, tools, research findings, and case studies from leading professionals throughout the world. This volume thus provides the reader with some of the latest developments in human-organization interface technology. Collectively, these papers should provide the reader with a good conceptual understanding of the ergonomic approach to work system design, and of its tremendous potential for improving work systems and the human condition in all cultures.
  • Intracellular Protein Degradation

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 27
    • A.J. Rivett
    • English
    This volume brings together a set of reviews that provide a summary of our current knowledge of the proteolytic machinery and of the pathways of protein breakdown of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Intracellular protein degradation is much more than just a mechanism for the removal of incorrectly folded or damaged proteins. Since many short-lived proteins have important regulatory functions, proteolysis makes a significant contribution to many cellular processes including cell cycle regulation and transciptional control. In addition, limited proteolytic cleavage can provide a rapid and efficient mechanism of enzyme activation or inactivation in eukaryotic cells.In the first chapter, Maurizi provides an introduction to intracellular protein degradation, describes the structure and functions of bacterial ATP-dependent proteases, and explores the relationship between chaperone functions and protein degradation. Many of the principles also apply to eukaryotic cells, although the proteases involved are often not the same. Interestingly, homologues of one of the bacterial proteases, Ion protease, have been found in mitochondria in yeast and mammals, and homologues of proteasomes, which are found in all eukaryotic cells (see below), have been discovered in some eubacteria. Studies of proteolysis in yeast have contributed greatly to the elucidation of both lysosomal (vacuolar) and nonlysosomal proteolytic pathways in eukaryotic cells. Thumm and Wolf (chapter 2) describe studies that have elucidated the functions of proteasomes in nonlysosomal proteolysis and the contributions of lysosomal proteases to intracellular protein breakdown. Proteins can be selected for degradation by a variety of differen mechanisms. The ubiquitin system is one complex and highly regulated mechanism by which eukaryotic proteins are targetted for degradation by proteosomes. In chapter 3, Wilkinson reviews the components and functions of the ubiquitin system and considers some of the known substrates for this pathway which include cell cycle and transcriptional regulators. The structure and functions of proteosomes and their regulatory components are described in the two subsequent chapters by Tanaka and Tanahashi and by Dubiel and Rechsteiner. Proteasomes were the first known example of threonine proteases. They are multisubunit complexes that, in addition to being responsible for the turnover of most short-lived nuclear and cytoplasmic protein, are also involved in antigen processing for presentation by the MHC class I pathway. Recent studies reviewed by McCracken and colleagues (chapter 6) lead to the exciting conclusion that some ER-associated proteins are degraded by cytosolic proteasomes. Lysosomes are responsible for the degradation of long-lived proteins and for the enhanced protein degradation observed under starvation conditions. In chapter 7 Knecht and colleagues review the lysosomal proteases and describe studies of the roles of lysosomes and the mechanisms for protein uptake into lysosomes. Methods of measuring the relative contribution of different proteolytic systems (e.g., ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, calcium-dependent proteases, lysosomes) to muscle protein degradation, and the conclusions from such studies, are reviewed by Attai and Taillinder in the following chapter. Finally, proteases play an important role in signaling apoptosis by catalyzing the limited cleavage of enzymes. Mason and Beyette review the role of the major players, caspases, which are both activated by and catalyze limite proteolysis, and also consider the involvement of other protoelytic enzymes in this pathway leading cell death.
  • Solid State NMR of Polymers

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 84
    • T. Asakura + 1 more
    • English
    In polymer science and technology, the advanced development of various new polymer materials with excellent properties and functions is desirable. For this purpose it is necesary to determine the exact relationship between physical properties and molecular structure-dynamics with powerful techniques. One such technique is solid state NMR. Recently, high resolution NMR studies of solids have been realized by using advanced pulse and mechanical techniques, which has resulted in a variety of structural and dynamical information on polymer systems. Solid state NMR has provided characteristic information which cannot be obtained by other spectroscopic methods.This book is divided into two parts. The first part covers the principles of NMR, important NMR parameters such as chemical shifts, relaxation times, dipolar interactions, quadrupolar interactions, pulse techniques and new NMR methods. In the second part, applications of NMR to a variety of polymer systems in the solid state are described.Features of this book:• Contains an up-to-date and comprehensive account of solid state NMR of polymers by leading researchers in the field• Provides a compilation of solid state NMR of polymers, which makes it an ideal reference book for both NMR researchers and general polymer scientists.This book will be of interest to the NMR community, and will be invaluable for both the beginner and the expert.
  • Chaos and Fractals

    A Computer Graphical Journey
    • 1st Edition
    • C.A. Pickover
    • English
    These days computer-generated fractal patterns are everywhere, from squiggly designs on computer art posters to illustrations in the most serious of physics journals. Interest continues to grow among scientists and, rather surprisingly, artists and designers. This book provides visual demonstrations of complicated and beautiful structures that can arise in systems, based on simple rules. It also presents papers on seemingly paradoxical combinations of randomness and structure in systems of mathematical, physical, biological, electrical, chemical, and artistic interest. Topics include: iteration, cellular automata, bifurcation maps, fractals, dynamical systems, patterns of nature created through simple rules, and aesthetic graphics drawn from the universe of mathematics and art.Chaos and Fractals is divided into six parts: Geometry and Nature; Attractors; Cellular Automata, Gaskets, and Koch Curves; Mandelbrot, Julia and Other Complex Maps; Iterated Function Systems; and Computer Art.Additionally, information on the latest practical applications of fractals and on the use of fractals in commercial products such as the antennas and reaction vessels is presented. In short, fractals are increasingly finding application in practical products where computer graphics and simulations are integral to the design process. Each of the six sections has an introduction by the editor including the latest research, references, and updates in the field. This book is enhanced with numerous color illustrations, a comprehensive index, and the many computer program examples encourage reader involvement.
  • Advances in Structural Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • S.K. Malhotra + 1 more
    • English
    Volume 5 in the series Advances in Structural Biology is based upon a selection of articles presented at the Workshop on Molecular Bio-physics of the Cytoskeleton: Microtubule Formation, Structure, Function, and Interactions (August 18-22 1997 at the Banff Conference Centre in Banff, Alberta, Canada). Its main objective was to review the state-of-the-art of the field and stimulate a multidisciplinary investigation into the molecular biology of the cytoskeleton, which is amply manifested in the articles selected and published in this volume.
  • More Landmarks in Biochemistry

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 4
    • L.A. Stocken + 1 more
    • English
    This fourth volume in the series on biochemistry looks at foundations in modern biochemistry. Topics covered include: the genetic solution; the genetic basis of development; DNA repair; evolution in an RNA world; nitrogen fixation; solute channels; viruses; biochemistry in retrospect and propspect.
  • Order Statistics: Applications

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 17
    • English
    This text presents the 17th and concluding volume of the "Statistics Handbook". It covers order statistics, dealing primarily with applications. The book is divided into six parts as follows: results for specific distributions; linear estimation; inferential methods; prediction; goodness-of-fit tests; and applications. Theoretical advances have been made in this area of research, and order statistics has also found important applications in many diverse areas, these include life-testing and reliability, robustness studies, statistical quality control, filtering theory, signal processing, image processing, and radar target detection. A variety of theoretical researchers, statisticians and engineers have been brought together to produce this handbook, and the subject of order statistics has been split across volumes 16 and 17. Volume 17 focuses on applications and an extensive author and subject index aims to offer easy access to all the material included in both volumes.
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 12
    • Edward Bittar
    • English
    We have now reached the mid-point of our editorial task of putting together the compendium, Principles of Medical Biology, which is supposed to be composed of twenty-five modules. The present single-volume module on reproductive endocrinology and biology is in more than one respect a continuation of Module 10 (in two volumes) dealing with molecular and cellular endocrinology. In addition, it intersects, as it should, with various parts of obstetrics and gynaecology, both of which are abetted by technology. One has only to recall that the practical benefits of ultrasound in perinatal medicine and in vitro fertilisation are the outcome of the technological revolution in biomedicine. Whether we are approaching a new era in reproductive biology following the invention of animal cloning is still hard to tell. For some people, it remains an article of faith that cloning of the human being is highly probable. For others, asexual reproduction is anathema. It should surely be obvious to us all that somatic cell nuclear transfer technology (SCNTT) is going to be at its strongest in dealing with husbandry. Whether this and several social forces will alter our modern outlook, there can be little doubt.As in diverse clinical and basic research, so in obstetrics, animals are used as a model. The data thus obtained is extrapolated, if valid, to the mother and foetus. The success of this approach is exemplified in studies carried out on sheep as a model. On the whole, it is also quite apparent that progress in the field of reproductive biology is to a large extent ascribable to the discovery in other disciplines of new hormones, as well as the introduction of new tools and recent improvements in laboratory methods including measurement of hormones.