Skip to main content

Elsevier Science

  • Advances in Developmental Biochemistry

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 3b
    • Paul Wassarman
    • English
    Volume 3 of Advances in Developmental Biology and Biochemistry consists of five chapters that review specific aspects of mammalian and fly development. In Chapter 1, D. Chapman and D. Wolgemuth discuss the role of protein kinases, especially tyrosine-and serine/threonine kinases, in regulating cell cycle events during mammalian gametogenesis. IN Chapter 2, M. Lundell and J. Hirsh discuss the regulation of the DOPA decarboxylase gene during Drosophila development. DO PA decarboxylase is a key enzyme in biogenic amine biosynthesis and its expression is subject to both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. In Chapter 3, S. Potter discusses the role of homeobox genes as master switches determining the developmental destinies of groups of cells during murine development. In Chapter 4, G. Cooper discusses the expression and function of the c-mos proto-oncogene in mammalian germ cells where it plays a central role in regulating the meiotic cell cycle. In Chapter 5, F. Beermann, R. Ganß, and G. Schütz discuss the regulation of pigmentation during mammalian development, with emphasis on the production of melanin in mouse melanocytes.
  • Enzymology IN VIVO

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 11
    • K.M. Brindle
    • English
    This volume describes some of the approaches that have been used to study enzymes in vivo. Metabolic control analysis provides a relatively simple framework with which to relate flux in a metabolic pathway to the kinetic properties of the component enzymes. More importantly it shows us how the importance of an enzyme in controlling flux in a pathway can be quantitated experimentally from measurements on the intact tissue. Fluorescence microscopy and NMR are two spectroscopic techniques which can be used to monitor, non-invasively, metabolite levels, metabolic fluxes and enzyme localization and mobility in intact biological systems. The potential of NMR for investigating the properties of enzymes in vivo has been greatly enhanced by using the technique in conjunction with molecular genetic method for changing the levels and properties of specific enzymes in the intact cell.Control of metabolism is regarded by some as a dead subject, with little new to learn. While it is true that the chemistry of the major metabolic pathways have been fully elucidated, our understanding of how they are controlled in the cell is still rather limited. Of particular interest is the emerging evidence for a high degree of spatial organization of the supposedly 'soluble' enzymes in the cytosol and the mitochondrial matrix. Much is still to be learnt on how this organization is effected and what influence it has on control of metabolic flux. If this volume excites some interest in this area of research and, furthermore, demonstrates that these problems are eminently addressable using the new techniques which are being developed, then it will have served a useful purpose.
  • Subsidence due to Fluid Withdrawal

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 41
    • E.C. Donaldson + 2 more
    • English
    Subsidence of geologic surface structures due to withdrawal of fluids from aquifers and petroleum reservoirs is a phenomenon experienced throughout the world as the demand for water and hydrocarbons increases with increasing population growth. This book addresses the definition and theories of subsidence, and the influences of unique conditions on subsidence; it includes discussions of specific field cases and a basic mathematical model of reservoir compaction and accompanying loss of porosity and permeability. The book is designed as a reference for readers giving immediate access to the geological events that establish conditions for compaction, the mathematical theories of compaction and subsidence, and practical considerations of field case histories in various regions of the world.
  • Preparation of Catalysts VI

    Scientific Bases for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 91
    • G. Poncelet + 4 more
    • English
    The organizers of this Sixth Symposium maintained their initial objectives, namely to gather experts from both industries and universities to discuss the scientific problems involved in the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts, and to encourage as much as possible the presentation of research work on catalysts of real industrial significance. Another highlight of these symposia is to reserve a substantial part of the program to new developments in catalyst preparation, new preparation methods and new catalytic systems. The fact that chemical reactions which were hardly conceivable some years ago have become possible today through the development of appropriate catalytic systems proves that catalysis is in constant progress.The papers in this volume deal with preparation of new catalysts and supports, catalyst preparation via sol-gel methods, supported catalysts and synthesis of nanometer size catalysts.
  • Algorithms and Parallel VLSI Architectures III

    • 1st Edition
    • M. Moonen + 1 more
    • English
    A comprehensive overview of the current evolution of research in algorithms, architectures and compilation for parallel systems is provided by this publication.The contributions focus specifically on domains where embedded systems are required, either oriented to application-specific or to programmable realisations. These are crucial in domains such as audio, telecom, instrumentation, speech, robotics, medical and automotive processing, image and video processing, TV, multimedia, radar and sonar.The book will be of particular interest to the academic community because of the detailed descriptions of research results presented. In addition, many contributions feature the "real-life" applications that are responsible for driving research and the impact of their specific characteristics on the methodologies is assessed.The publication will also be of considerable value to senior design engineers and CAD managers in the industrial arena, who wish either to anticipate the evolution of commercially available design tools or to utilize the presented concepts in their own R&D programmes.
  • Handbook of Inorganic Electrochromic Materials

    • 1st Edition
    • C.G. Granqvist
    • English
    Electrochromic materials are able to change their optical properties in a persistent and reversible way under the action of a voltage pulse. This book explores electrochromism among the metal oxides, with detailed discussions of materials preparation (primarily by thin film technology), materials characterization by (electro)chemical and physical techniques, optical properties, electrochromic device design, and device performance. The vast quantity of information presented is structured in a systematic manner and the optical data is interpreted within a novel conceptual framework.The publication will serve as a comprehensive foundation and reference work for future studies within the rapidly expanding field of electrochromic materials and devices. These devices are of particular interest for information displays, variable-transmittan... (smart) windows, variable-reflectance mirrors and variable-emittance surfaces.
  • SVD and Signal Processing, III

    Algorithms, Architectures and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • M. Moonen + 1 more
    • English
    Matrix Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and its application to problems in signal processing is explored in this book. The papers discuss algorithms and implementation architectures for computing the SVD, as well as a variety of applications such as systems and signal modeling and detection.The publication presents a number of keynote papers, highlighting recent developments in the field, namely large scale SVD applications, isospectral matrix flows, Riemannian SVD and consistent signal reconstruction. It also features a translation of a historical paper by Eugenio Beltrami, containing one of the earliest published discussions of the SVD.With contributions sourced from internationally recognised scientists, the book will be of specific interest to all researchers and students involved in the SVD and signal processing field.
  • Methods in Gene Technology, Volume 2

    • 1st Edition
    • J.W. Dale + 1 more
    • English
    Gene probes, whether RNA or DNA, have played a central role in the rapid development of molecular biology. The wide variety of applications is matched by a considerable diversity in the methods used for generating probes, a complete account of which would be very difficult to make. Instead, this second volume in the series combines a selection of newer gene probe procedures with a review of the most important established methods, together with some examples of the ways in which gene probes can be applied. In doing so, the book aims to act not only as an introductory manual for newcomers to the field, but also as a means of broadening the horizons of existing researchers.
  • Advances in Space Biology and Medicine

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 4
    • S.L. Bonting
    • English
    This fourth volume in the series, dedicated entirely to the results of the first European study of the effects of long-term confinement and isolation. The volume continues to attempt to fulfill the aim of this series, to bring the findings and accomplishments in the field of space biology and medicine to a wider group of scientists than merely the relatively small group of biologists and physiologists currently involved in space experimentation.The contributions are not only nicely spread geographically with three chapters from the United States, two each from Russia, Europe, and Japan, they also offer a wide range of topics in the field, covering humans, animals , plants, cells, and even potential extraterrestrial beings.As before, not only problems investigated and results obtained are reviewed, but also some of the technical aspects peculiar to this field are treated. An example in this volume is the chapter on virtual environments by Ellis, which is meant to help investigators understand the opportunities that these techniques might offer for future investigations.In view of the limitations on flight opportunities and the constraints still inherent in orbital experimentation, it is also important to consider the information that can be obtained from studies on the ground. In addition to simulation studies like bed rest for human subjects (see the chapter by Edgerton et al. on neuromuscular adaptation), tail suspension of rats, and plants on a clinostat (see the chapter by Masuda et al.), there is the interesting possibility of using gravitropic mutants for studying the effects of weightlessness on plant growth as described by Takahashi and Suge.Two chapters are devoted to a review of the results on rats flown on nine Cosmos biosatellite flights between 1973 and 1989: the chapter by Krasnow deals with the neuromorphological effects of micro- and hypergravity; that by Popova and Grigoriev with the metabolic effects of spaceflight. The effects of weightlessness on heart and lung function in humans are reviewed in detail by Bonde-Petersen and Linnarson.While the study of humans, animals, and plants in spaceflight have taught us much about the effects of the space environment on living organisms, we still have a very limited understanding of the mechanisms operating in these effects. The chapter by Rijken et al. on the effects of gravity on the cellular response to epidermal growth factor demonstrates how, by a judicious use of experiments on the ground and in sounding rockets, the mechanism of a microgravity effect on cell growth could be unravelled.The question whether there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe has intrigued mankind for a long time. In the chapter by Coulter et al. on NASA's High Resolution Microwave Survey the project to search for the existence of such life is described. The postscript to this chapter tells how through an unfortunate decision of the U.S. Congress this project after a successful start is threatened with an untimely ending.
  • Molecular Processes of Photosynthesis

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 10
    • J. Barber
    • English
    Research into the basic mechanisms of photosynthesis has a long and distinguished history and has consistently been at the forefront of science. The success of this research, particularly in recent years, suggests that photosynthesis may turn out to be the first complex biological system to have its structure, function, and regulation described in rigorous chemical terms at the atomic level. It is likely that such knowledge will help us to tackle perhaps the most vital problem facing mankind, namely our need for a continuous and nonpolluting source of energy. The benefit may come by providing a "blueprint"for new technologies able to carry out efficient conversion of solar energy based on the principles of biological systems, and/or creating highly efficient "energy crops" sufficiently hardy to grow in a wide range of environments. The former is likely to involve new developments in material sciences while the latter will call on the rapidly advancing techniques of genetic engineering. The contents of this volume review some of the most important developments which are a part of the drive towards the overall goal of obtaining the complete description of the photosynthetic processes at the molecular level. The topics covered have been carefully selected and represent the wide spectrum of the subject.