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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.

  • Microbiological Assay

    An Introduction to quantitative principles and Evaluation
    • 1st Edition
    • William Hewitt
    • English
    Microbiological Assay: An Introduction to Quantitative Principles and Evaluation aims to provide an introduction to the principles of microbiological assay, assay design, and calculation procedures. Organized into nine chapters, this book begins with the philosophy of biological assay, as well as the method’s basic techniques, principles, mechanization, automation, purpose, reference standards, specifications, and reports. It also looks into the preparation of test solutions of standard and sample. Some chapters follow explaining the specific methods, such as agar diffusion assay and tube assay; others explore the statistical evaluation of these assays. Features of assay design, such as replication, number of dose levels, and spacing of dose levels, are also described. This book will serve as an elementary introduction to this field of interest to help encourage a less empirical approach to the subject.

  • Mechanisms of Cytotoxicity by NK Cells

    • 1st Edition
    • Ronald Herberman
    • English
    Mechanisms of Cytotoxicity by NK Cells is the resulting book of a workshop focused on the studies that enhance understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in the function and regulation of NK cells. The book presents the status of knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for the cytotoxic effects of NK cells and the regulation of their activity. The text is further divided into five major sections according to the sequence of the workshop sessions. A separate chapter from the sections has been included at the beginning of the book. The introductory chapter clarifies some points in the subject area of NK cells, particularly its definition. The heterogeneity of NK cells is also discussed in this chapter. Then, the book presents the major topics, including the purification and characterization of NK cells and NK target structures and recognition sites. The mechanisms of postrecognition interactions between NK cells and targets; regulation of NK activity and NK cells; and cultured cells with NK-like activity are also discussed. This book will serve as a helpful guide to students and professionals (scientists, researchers, and professors) in the fields of immunology, biology, microbiology, biochemistry, among others.

  • Liquid Crystals and Biological Structures

    • 1st Edition
    • Glenn Brown
    • English
    Liquid Crystals & Biological Structures covers analogies between biological structures and behavior of living cells to liquid crystalline structures and their behavior. It emphasizes that the physical state of the matter involved in life processes is to a great extent liquid crystalline. The first chapters discuss the physical, chemical, structural, and optical properties of liquid crystals, as well as the structure of the principal molecules associated with life systems. The core chapters cover selected cellular structures exhibiting liquid crystalline behavior to emphasize the nature of various cellular membranes, from the cell membranes to the receptors and effectors. The book also considers differentiated organelles of the cell that are specialized for photoreception, including chloroplasts for photosynthesis, the retinal photoreceptors of the eye, and the rods and cones for visual excitation. This book is suited for students and bioscientists who are interested in the potential of the liquid crystalline state in exploring a variety of biological phenomena.

  • Social Play in Primates

    • 1st Edition
    • Euclid Smith
    • English
    Social Play in Primates provides comprehensive discussions on the social aspect of play in the behavior of primates. It also presents various approaches in understanding the complex behavioral phenomenon of play. Composed of 11 chapters, the book starts by discussing the historical background of play. It also traces the development of the interest in the study of play from the writings of Aristotle, through educational reformers of the 17th and 18th centuries, to the psychologists of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The book then presents important data on the effects of gonadectomy on social play in group-living rhesus monkeys. It also presents a comparative study about the play behavior of three of the four great ape species. Furthermore, it offers a view of the function of play in primate society. Finally, the book examines play in young humans by citing some significant information on the nature of peer- vs. adult-oriented early social experience. The book concludes by presenting both the theoretical and methodological aspects on the study of play.

  • The Cell Nucleus V1

    • 1st Edition
    • Harris Busch
    • English
    The Cell Nucleus, Volume I reports the basic concepts of cell nucleus, including nuclear structure, the interaction between the nucleus and cytoplasm, and the chromatin. This volume first describes the nucleus’ morphological structures and relates these structures to its functions. It then discusses nuclear organization in plant cells; morphology and biochemistry of the slime mold nucleus; and structure, function, and properties of nuclear envelope. In addition, it addresses the molecular movements between nucleus and cytoplasm against a concentration gradient, presents experiments with animal cell heterokaryons, and explains the genome in specialized cells. It also explores the organization of the chromatin fiber; the human chromosome structure before and after banding; and the ultrastructure and function of heterochromatin and euchromatin.

  • Theory and Practice of Biological Control

    • 1st Edition
    • C.B. Huffaker
    • English
    The Theory and Practice of Biological Control covers conventional biological control achievement in the major crop types and in public health problems. Composed of five sections encompassing 28 chapters, this book discusses the basic information concerning developments in other biologically based alternatives to chemical pesticides. The first two sections discuss the philosophy, theory, scope, history, and the biological and ecological bases of biological control. These sections also deal with the impact of predators and the host relationships of parasitoids and pathogens. The following section presents the methodological aspects of biological control. Discussions on the variability of natural enemies as encountered in biological control work; the fitness of individuals and populations; the ways fitness is being or can be influenced by importation procedures; and the ability of imported natural enemies to adapt to the new environment are included. The fourth section outlines the accomplishments of conventional biological control in various types of crops, forests, and public health areas. Lastly, the various components of integrated pest control other than conventional biological control that forms the essential ways used in the integrated control approach are covered in the last section of the book. This book is an ideal source for plant pathologists and researchers, microbiologists, parasitologists, and public health professionals.

  • Cell Biology A Comprehensive Treatise V2

    The Structure and Replication of Genetic Material
    • 1st Edition
    • David M. Prescott
    • English
    Cell Biology, A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume 2: The Structure and Replication of Genetic Material is mainly about the structure and replication of genetic material in both the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles. This volume is part of the first four volumes that establish a firm foundation regarding issues of cell structure and function. These issues include cell reproduction, differentiation, and cell-to-cell interactions. This book is divided into nine chapters. Each chapter deals extensively with chromosomes – its physical, genetic, and chemical structures. In addition, this book explains the replication of chromosomes in terms of the cell cycle, as well as their coding capacity. It also discusses the functional organization (structure and levels) of the chromosomes. The concluding chapters present the DNA replication molecular principles and enzymatic machinery. Furthermore, this book explains DNA repair and its relationship to various biological endpoints. The authors of this book reasonably explain and emphasize already established facts and concepts in terms that are relatively easy to understand. Undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, researchers, scientists, and others interested or in need of information regarding cell biology will find this book of great use.

  • Pest Control Strategies

    • 1st Edition
    • Edward H. Smith
    • English
    Pest Control Strategies is a compilation of papers presented at the symposium held at Cornell University in June 1977. It covers various aspects and issues on pest control. It also discusses the risks and benefits of using pesticides on human health as well as on the economy and environment. Composed of four parts, the book provides an overview of the various alternative pest control techniques and identifies possible solutions on crop pest problems. Part 1 discusses the role of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the integrated pest management programs and policy. The following part discusses the complexity of pest management in terms of socioeconomic and legal aspects. Part 3 presents the different case studies about pest management. These case studies include the potentials for research and implementation of integrated pest management on deciduous tree-fruits and other agricultural crops. The last part of this collection describes the current status, needs, and future developments of integrated pest management. This book will be relevant to extension leaders, educators, government officials, and agriculturists as well as to students, teachers, and researchers who are interested in the integrated pest management program.

  • Molecular Genetic Mechanisms in Development and Aging

    • 1st Edition
    • Morris Rockstein
    • English
    Molecular Genetic Mechanisms in Development and Aging discusses the mechanisms of aging at the level of the genome. This book explores the fundamental knowledge concerning the regulation and expression of gene, which is derived from investigations on microbial organisms. Organized into nine chapters, this book starts with an overview of the molecular genetic basis for the processes of aging. This text then explores the highly complex multicellular members of the class Insecta, which provide the researcher with many distinct and unique advantages for aging studies. Other chapters discuss the mechanisms of genetic control and organization during the development and aging of eukaryotes, which pose some challenging problems in cellular and developmental biology. The final chapter deals with the limitations of previous studies, including the lack of comparability due to differences in techniques, the measuring of free amino acid titers in hemolyph only, and differing diet and environmental variations. Biologists and students interested in developmental and molecular genetics will find this book useful.

  • Molecular Structure of Human Chromosomes

    • 1st Edition
    • Jorge Yunis
    • English
    Molecular Structure of Human Chromosomes is an authoritative guide to genetics, focusing on human genome. This reference compiles contributions covering available knowledge on human genome structure and organization, which the previous researches fail to encompass. This text provides a comprehensive discussion of cytogenetic techniques, emphasizing their application to human genome studies and examinations. The book is divided into nine chapters. It explains the molecular organization and function of the human genome and the DNA sequences in man. It also discusses the localization of human gene by in situ hybridization and the approaches to gene mapping. The book describes the structure of the chromosomes and the trends in chromosome techniques; banding and polymorphism; and repetitive DNA and primate evolution. Various practitioners in genetics and biology will find this book a good reference. Students and novices in these fields will also find this book an excellent guide.

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