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Elsevier Science

Advances in Space Biology and Medicine
1st Edition
Volume 5
S.L. Bonting
English
The fifth volume in this series, Space Biology and Medicine, is another special volume, this time dedicated entirely to the results of the second European study of the effects of long-term confinement and isolation, called EXEMSI. This projects was also sponsored by the European Space Agency's Long-Term Programme Office, Directorate of Space Station and Microgravity, in preparation for its long-term manned space missions, in particular its planned participation in the International Space Station through the Columbus program.The aim was to come closer to a space station situation that in the ISEMSI mission. This was achieved by five measures: (1) crew selection was performed by the European Astronauts Centre (EAC), (2) duration was extended to 60 days, (3) mixed crew of three males and one female was employed, (4) isolation facility resembled a space station in size and in having separate habitat, laboratory and storage modules, and (5) communication between crew and outside world was like that between a space station and a ground control center.The primary purpose of EXEMSI was to achieve a better understanding of the physiological, psychological, and sociological effects of long-term isolation and confinement of a small crew group under conditions similar to those that may be expected to exist for a space station crew. The secondary purpose was to acquire experience in the operational aspects of a future space station mission. Included were also items like verification of the test criteria for European astronaut selection, and study of the nutritional requirements of space station crews.The workload of the crew consisted of an extensive battery of psychological and physiological experiments, of housekeeping duties, and of additional space-related experiments. The nature and the results of these activities are described in this volume. The list of contents indicates the wide range of topics studied: physiological aspects as body weight and body composition, hormonal and water balance, nutritional status, immune function, cardiovascular and respiratory function, brain electrical activity; psychological aspects as group dynamics and crew interaction, communication, spatial behaviour, work capability, mental performance and attention, and cognitive fatigue. Additional experiments cover important topics like telemedical diagnosis and treatment, telescience, and operation of an algal bioregeneration system. The volume is concluded by two chapters in which the lessons learned are critically considered.This material should offer the reader a rather comprehensive view of the psychophysiological aspects of the confinement and isolation inherent in long-term space mission, missions which may be expected to become commonplace in the next decades. The results of this study and further studies of this nature should not only benefit future astronauts and assist those who are organizing long-term manned space missions, but should also be useful to investigators who are planning crew-operated experiments to be carried out during such missions.
Cell Chemistry and Physiology: Part II
1st Edition
Volume 4B
Edward Bittar
English
This volume illustrates the extent to which the traditional distinction between biochemical and physiological processes is being obliterated by molecular biology. It can hardly be doubted that the revolution in cell and molecular biology is leading to core knowledge that provides an outline of the integrative and reductionist approach. We view this as the beginning of a new era, that of the integration of learning.As in the preceding volumes, the choice of topics has been deliberate not only because of the need to keep the volume within reasonable bounds but also because of the need to avoid information over-load. Several relevant topics are dealt with in other modules; for example, the role of G proteins in transmembrane signalling is covered in the Membranes and Cell Signalling module (i.e., Volume 7). Omissions are of course inevitable but they are minor. A case in point is the subject of phosphatases, the treatment of which does not take into account calcineurin. One of the key functions of this Ca2+ -activated protein phosphatase that is also regulated by calmodulin is to desphosphorylate voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. The mere recognition of such omissions before or after consulting textbooks and journals should be a spur to a more complete discussion by the student of the subject in a small group teaching setting.
Modern Approaches to Data Assimilation in Ocean Modeling
1st Edition
Volume 61
P. Malanotte-Rizzoli
English
The field of oceanographic data assimilation is now well established. The main area of concern of oceanographic data assimilation is the necessity for systematic model improvement and ocean state estimation. In this respect, the book presents the newest, innovative applications combining the most sophisticated assimilation methods with the most complex ocean circulation models.Ocean prediction has also now emerged as an important area in itself. The book contains reviews of scientific oceanographic issues covering different time and space scales. The application of data assimilation methods can provide significant advances in the understanding of this subject. Also included are the first, recent developments in the forecasting of oceanic flows.Only original articles that have undergone full peer review are presented, to ensure the highest scientific quality. This work provides an excellent coverage of state-of-the-art oceanographic data assimilation.
Spectrochemical Trace Analysis for Metals and Metalloids
1st Edition
Volume 30
R. Lobinski + 1 more
English
Analytical methods, that combine a chemical sample treatment step with a spectrometric technique, applied to the determination of metals and metalloids at trace and ultratrace levels are discussed in this book. A thorough critical survey of the literature for the period 1985-1994 gives references to source articles always readily available in peer reviewed journals.The book comprises three parts. Part I discusses general aspects of successive steps of an analytical procedure from sampling and sample decomposition, through separation and preconcentration to spectrometric determination. Flow injection analysis, hyphenated techniques and speciation are included. Accuracy in trace analysis, sources of errors and the role of CRMs are also covered. Part II is devoted to practical aspects of sample handling and multielement trace analyses of environmental, geological, clinical, and industrial materials. Each chapter contains several tables summarizing procedures for multielement analysis of real samples and certified reference materials available for method validation. Part III contains 54 alphabetically arranged monographic reviews on spectrochemical trace analysis for individual elements. Each chapter gives basic information on analytico-chemical properties of the element which is followed by an overview of methods for its separation, preconcentration, and instrumental detection. Particular attention is given to practical issues, difficulties and quality assurance during the analysis of real samples. Each chapter contains tables summarizing the key steps of the procedures developed for the trace element determination and the detection characteristics reported.
Organic Chemistry in Action
The Design of Organic Synthesis
2nd Edition
Volume 51
F. Serratosa + 1 more
English
The first edition of this book was welcomed with great enthusiasm by teachers and students. It therefore seemed opportune to publish a second, revised, updated and extended edition. Unfortunately, Professor Fèlix Serratosa died before he could complete this task. Some new material has been added, the more significant changes being:. The book has been restructured into two well-differentiated sections: Part A, dealing with conventional organic synthesis, and Part B, devoted exclusively to computer-assisted organic synthesis and based on the former Chapter 11 and Appendices 2, 3 and 4 of the first edition. As decided in advance, Part B was to be the sole responsibility of Dr. Josep Xicart, who prepared the first versions of the CHAOS (Computerisation and Heuristics Applied to Organic Synthesis) program under the direction of Professor Serratosa.
Studies in Natural Products Chemistry
Stereoselective Synthesis (Part K)
1st Edition
Volume 18
Atta-ur Rahman
English
In Volume 18 of this well-established series, Professor Atta-ur-Rahman again brings together the work of several of the world's leading authorities in organic chemistry. Their contributions demonstrate the rapid, ongoing development of this field by illustrating many of the latest advances in synthetic methods, total synthesis, structure determination, biosynthetic pathways, and biological activity.The opening chapter presents an overview of strategies for the synthesis of several classes of natural products with an emphasis on complex polycyclic systems. Subsequent chapters discuss the synthesis of specific classes of compounds, including morphine, polyketides, acetogenins, nonactic acid derivatives, complex spirocyclic ethers, ä-lactam and pyridone derivatives, inositol phosphates, sphingolipids, brassinosteroids, Hernandia lignans, and dimeric steroidal pyrazine alkaloids. Finally, the ever stronger links between chemistry and biology are reinforced by chapters on the origin and function of secondary metabolites, bioactive conformations of gastrin hormones, and immunochemistry.
Progress in Medicinal Chemistry
1st Edition
Volume 33
English
The Roots of Organic Development
1st Edition
Volume 8
J.-R. Desmurs + 1 more
English
The development of organic intermediates requires high performance and original technologies. This book reviews recent work on some fifteen basic technologies in intermediates development including; hydrogenation, fluorination, chlorination, nitration, enzymatic catalysis, hydroxylation, alkylation, carboxylation and the Friedel Crafts reaction. Problems and industrial constraints involved in industrial development are highlighted from a research viewpoint and new technologies with potential for use in industry, particularly catalyst-based technologies clean chemical processes, are described. A chapter dealing with reviews on sodium amidure and polymerisation inhibitors is included.
Genetics of Sex Determination
1st Edition
Volume 4
R.S. Verma
English
The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection by R.A. Fisher (1930) dictated that sexual dimorphisms may depend upon a single medelian factor. This could be true for some species but his suggestion could not take off the ground as gender in Drosophila is determined by the number of X chromosomes. Technical advances in molecular biology have revived the initial thinking of Fisher and dictate that TDF or SRY genes in humans or Tdy in mice are sex determining genes. The fortuitous findings of XX males and XY female, which are generally termed sex reversal phenomenon, are quite bewildering traits that have caused much amazement concerning the pairing mechanism(s) of the pseudoautosomal regions of human X and Y chromosomes at meiosis. These findings have opened new avenues to explore further the genetic basis of sex determination at the single gene level.The aim of the fourth volume, titled Genetics of Sex Determination is to reflect on the latest advances and future investigative directions, encompassing 10 chapters. Commissioned several distinguished scientists, all pre-eminent authorities in each field to shed their thoughts concisely but epitomise their chapters with an extended bibliography. Obviously, during the past 60 years, the metoric advances are voluminous and to cover every account of genes, chromosomes, and sex in a single volume format would be a herculean task. Therefore, a few specific topics are chosen, which may be of great interest to scientists and clinicians. The seasoned scientists who love to inquire about the role of genes in sex determination should find the original work of these notable contributors very enlightening. This volume is intended for advanced students who want to keep abreast as well as for those who indulge in the search for genes of sex determination.
Advances in Antiviral Drug Design
1st Edition
Volume 2
E. De Clercq
English
The purpose of the series on Advances in Antiviral Drug Design is to regularly review the "state of the art" on emerging new developments in the antiviral drug research field, thereby spanning the conceptual design and chemical synthesis of new antiviral compounds, their structure-activity relationship, mechanism and target(s) of action, pharmacological behavior, antiviral activity spectrum, and therapeutic potential for clinical use. Volume 2 begins with a description of the antiviral potential of antisense oligonucleotides by J. Temsamani and S. Agrawal. According to the aims of the anitsense technology, these oligonucleotides should be targeted at specific viral antisense technology, these oligonucleotides should be targeted at specific viral mRNA sequences so that translation to the virus-specified proteins is blocked; this has been achieved for a number of oligomers, some of which are now in clinical trials for the treatment of HIV, HCMV, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. Then C.-S. Yuan, S. Liu, S.F. Wnuk, M.J. Robins and R.T. Borchardt assess the role of S-adenosylhornocyste... (AdoHcy) hydrolase as target for the design of antiviral agents with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. This is followed by an in-depth account on the design and synthesis of a number of first-, second- and third-generation AdoHcy hydrolase inhibitors and their mode of action at the enzyme level.V.E. Marquez provides a comprehensive description of the various carbocyclic (carba) nucleosides that have been synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity. Although the number and diversity of the carba-nucleosides that have been found to be antivirally active (or inactive) is astonishingly high, there is no limit to further expansion of this fascinating class of molecules. For the various nucleoside analogues that have to be intracellularly phosphorylated to the 5'-triphosphate stage, to interact with their target enzyme (i.e., herpesviral DNA polymerase or retroviral revers transcriptase) the first phosphorylation step is often the rate-limiting step, and thus various strategies are envisaged by C. Perigoud, J.-L. Girardet, G. Gosselin and J.-L. Bach on how to bypass this initial phosphorylation and to deliver the nucleoside 5'-monophophate directly inside the cells.The HIV protease has been considered as a paradigm for rational drug design. The enzyme is among the best understood in terms of both structure and action, and because of its crucial role in the maturation of HIV, it has been vigorously pursued as a target for anti-HIV chemotherapy. In their comprehensive review of the multidisciplinary approach towards the development of HIV protease inhibitors A.G. Tomasselli, S. Thaisrivongs and R.L. Heinrikson highlight those protease inhibitors which have been brought forward to clinical trials.

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