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Elsevier

Books in Agricultural and biological sciences

The Agricultural and Biological Sciences collection advances science-based knowledge for the improvement of animal and plant life and for secure food systems that produce nutritious, novel, sustainable foods with minimal environmental impact. Food Science titles include not only those products from agriculture but all other aspects from food production to nutrition, health and safety, chemistry to security, policy, law and regulation. Biological Sciences address animal behaviour and biodiversity, organismal and evolutionary biology, entomology, marine biology and aquaculture, plant science and forestry.

  • Evolutionary and Genetic Biology of Primates V2

    • 1st Edition
    • John Buettner-Janusch
    • English
    Evolutionary and Genetic Biology of Primates, Volume II presents research on the evolution and genetic biology of the Primates. This book is organized into six chapters that discuss the serum proteins and hemoglobins; virology; and functional and behavior studies of reproductive systems, manipulative abilities, and displays of the Primates. The opening chapter presents the susceptibility of Primates to host range spans of viruses with both broad and narrow spectra, in relation to their taxonomic classification. The following chapter examines the Primates as a model group for the evaluation of the phylogenetic and evolutionary significance of immunochemical information. This book discusses the relationship of protein structure to evolution and of immunochemistry to protein structure, as well as the application of immunochemical methods in the antigenic correspondence among the Primates. This volume also covers the evolution of hemoglobin from one taxonomic level of the Primates to another. A chapter focuses on the reproductive physiology and behavior of the Lemuroidea, including their external genitalia, testis, sperm ducts, and associated glands. The concluding chapters discuss the role and phylogenetic relations of prehensive patterns and grips in the biology of Primates. A discussion on the origin and evolution of the different groups of components of primate displays is included. This book is an invaluable source for physical anthropologists and researchers, histologists, anatomists, neurologists, geneticists, cytologists, and other specialists.

  • Viral Insecticides for Biological Control

    • 1st Edition
    • Karl Maramorosch
    • English
    Viral Insecticides for Biological Control focuses on the basic as well as applied aspects of viral insecticides, which have the potential to significantly reduce the current reliance on chemical pesticide technology. This book serves as a guide for the development of means to identify hazardous problems and prevent them. Organized into six parts with a total of 23 chapters, this book describes the taxonomy, nomenclature, identification, physical, biological, as well as chemical characteristics, replication, and pathology of insect viruses. This reference material also explores the dispersal, stability, and utilization of insect viruses as biological control agents. The factors and considerations that must be taken into account when a viral insecticide is sought as a large-scale commercial alternative to other more traditional methods of pest control are also addressed. Because this reference material collates information in this field of interest, it will benefit a wide audience of readers, including researchers, students, and those working directly in crop protection.

  • Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs V4

    Geology 2
    • 1st Edition
    • O.A. Jones
    • English
    Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs, Volume IV: Geology 2 covers the major advances made in the geological aspects of coral reef problems. This book is composed of 10 chapters that summarize the types, economics, radiometric dating, and geological features of coral reefs. The introductory chapters present the types and distribution of coral reefs, such as fringing, barrier, and Atoll reefs. A chapter discusses the findings of the 1973 Royal Society and Queensland Universities Expedition to the northern part of the Great Barrier Reefs on the specialized Low Wooded Islands. Another chapter deals with the interrelation of ecology and sedimentation in coral reef complexes and the Coral Sea Plateau. The next part of the book discusses the techniques and results of radiometric dating of coral reefs and the coral reefs of the Solomon Islands. The remaining chapters deal with the Great Barrier Reef Province and discuss the geology of the basement upon which the reefs rest is included. The reefs are described from geological, geophysical, and hydrological viewpoints, providing a complete bibliography on the reefs. This volume will acquaint readers with some of the exciting developments in coral reef geology and will provide information that will enable them to assess the status of research in different fields.

  • Primate Locomotion

    • 1st Edition
    • Farish A. Jr. Jenkins
    • English
    Primate Locomotion discusses researches on the concept of primate locomotion. It is organized into 11 chapters that cover biomechanical principles, which are the foundation of understanding of locomotor adaptations. This book first gives an introduction to parallels and analogs between mammalian and mechanical structures. It then describes the mechanisms of arboreal mammal locomotion, as well as the behavioral observations and locomotor patterns of tree shrew. The jumping locomotion of Galago alleni and the role of wrist specialization in the locomotor evolution of the Hominoidea are also explained. The subsequent chapter discusses the relationship between the mechanical features of the scapula and shoulder region and the characteristics of locomotor behavior. A chapter also discusses the adaptive nature of postural behavior in quadrupedal primates, represented by the New and Old World monkeys. Moreover, this book examines the morphological differences between living Insectivora, Carnivora, Primates, and the relevant known fossils of Cretaceous and Early Tertiary Eutheria. This is to evaluate the origins, evolution, and function of the Tarsus. Another chapter presents a functional analysis of most of the foot skeleton, primarily, the Lemuriformes. The concluding chapters deal with electromyographical studies on gorillas; the mechanics of knuckle-walking; the theories on hominoid phylogeny; and the locomotor adaptations in prosimians. This text is intended not only for researchers dealing with primate locomotion, but equally for students and others who share an interest in mammals and locomotor adaptations.

  • Biology of the Tapeworm Hymenolepis Diminuta

    • 1st Edition
    • Hisao Arai
    • English
    Biology of the Tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta covers the physiological and biochemical aspects of the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta. This book relates past and present knowledge in the field of parasitology. This reference is organized into 12 chapters, starting with a brief discussion on life history and taxonomy of the species. This is followed by the developmental biology of the fertilized ovum to the formation of the cysticercoids in an insect host. Discussions on the embryological, biochemical, and physiological aspects of H. diminuta, the intestinal helminth infections, and procedures for in vitro cultivation of various tapeworm species are provided. Chapter 7 presents a review of molecular DNA and RNA of H. diminuta and the results of isolation and characterization of these macromolecules. This is followed by a discussion on energy metabolism of adult H. diminuta in chapter 8. The latter four chapters focus on biochemical aspects of H. diminuta, including its membrane biology, immunity, and migratory and chemotherapeutic activities. This book encourages diversity among future studies in helminth ecology, physiology, immunology, and biochemistry. It will serve its purpose and ensure that parasitology field continues.

  • Advances in Food-Producing Systems For Arid and Semiarid Lands Part B

    • 1st Edition
    • Jamal Manassah
    • English
    Advances in Food-Producing Systems for Arid and Semiarid Lands: Part B contains the proceedings of a symposium on ""Advances in Food-Producing Systems for Arid and Semiarid Lands"" of the International Symposium Series held in Kuwait in April 1980. As a continuation of the proceedings, this compilation contains the last three parts of the symposium and the editor's closing remarks. It specifically talks about the innovative food systems and aquacultural systems in the arid and semi-arid lands. It also addresses the general problems of post-harvest losses in food of plant origin and the possibilities to reduce these losses. The presented papers bring renewed vitality to the hope that appropriate and directed exploitation of various technologies can evolve developable industries for arid and semiarid lands.

  • Physiology of Woody Plants

    • 1st Edition
    • Paul Kramer
    • English
    Physiology of Woody Plants explains how physiological processes are involved in growth of woody plants and how they are affected by the environment, including the mechanisms of the processes themselves. Organized into 17 chapters, this book discusses the role of plant physiology, as well as the form and structure of woody plant. It also explores the nature and periodicity of shoot, cambial, root, and reproductive growth of trees of the temperate and tropical zones. Other topics elucidated are the process of photosynthesis and respiration, the various substances found in woody plants, plant nutrition, and factors affecting plant growth. This book will be valuable as a text to students and teachers and as a reference to investigators and others who desire a better understanding of how woody plants grow.

  • Frontiers in Physicochemical Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • Bernard Pullman
    • English
    Frontiers in Physicochemical Biology documents the proceedings of an international symposium held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, (Fondation Edmond de Rothschild) in Paris, May 23-27, 1977. The symposium was organized to cover the main topics of modern day molecular biology and biophysics, which are also the major disciplines researched at the Institute. The contributions made by researchers at the symposium are organized into four parts. Part I contains papers on the physical chemistry of fundamental biomolecules. Part II presents studies on physicochemical aspects of the mechanisms of genetic expression. Part III examines the biochemistry of oxygen and hemoglobin. Part IV deals with the study of organized systems.

  • Ultrastructure of Rat Adenohypophysis

    Correlation with Function
    • 1st Edition
    • Allen Costoff
    • English
    Ultrastructure of Rat Adenohypophysis: Correlation with Function discusses the ultrastructure of the anterior pituitary in the normal intact rat, as well as in animal after various treatments and changes in its physiology. Wherever possible, the book attempts to coordinate and associate changes in pituitary ultrastructure with physiological aspects. The book also presents a method for the isolation of various populations of pituitary secretory granules that can be used in experimental endocrinological research. It also discusses the various cell types, including the chromophobe; the pars tuberalis and pars intermedia of the adenohypophysis; and the chemical and physical properties of the secretory granules and their formation and release. This reference will serve as a guide for pituitary ultrastructural studies in other species. It is valuable to students and experienced investigators in the field of endocrinology, anatomy, pathology, physiology, biochemistry, and related disciplines.

  • Molecular Biology of RNA Tumor Viruses

    • 1st Edition
    • John Stephenson
    • English
    Molecular Biology of RNA Tumor Viruses deals with the molecular biology and biologic significance of RNA tumor viruses. Methods and procedures with broad application to diverse areas of molecular biology, including cell culture procedures, competition radioimmunoassays, molecular hybridization, oligonucleotide mapping, heteroduplex mapping, and restriction endonuclease techniques, are considered. This book is organized into 12 chapters and begins with a historical overview of tumor virology beginning with the early studies of Peyton Rous and leading up to the significant surge of activity during the later decade. The biology of endogenous retroviruses, their transmission both within and between species, and cellular regulatory factors influencing their expression are subsequently discussed. This book then addresses the nature and origin of transforming RNA viruses and gives a detailed review of knowledge concerning the genomic structure of type C viruses. Translational products encoded by the type C viral genome are examined in ensuing chapters, emphasizing the viral reverse transcriptase. Other mammalian retroviruses, including the mouse mammary tumor virus and type D isolates of primates, are also described. The book concludes by evaluating the possibility of direct etiologic involvement of either endogenous or exogenous RNA tumor viruses in human cancers. This book will be of value both to graduate students and to established investigators with specific interest in other aspects of molecular biology.

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