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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.

  • Chemical Defenses of Arthropods

    • 1st Edition
    • Murry Blum
    • English
    Chemical Defenses of Arthropods charts the significant progress in the study of chemical defenses in arthropods, a rapidly expanding area of chemical ecology. The book groups the defensive compounds secreted by arthropods based on their main functionalities and sequentially lists them according to their carbon numbers. Organized into 19 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the defensive exudates of arthropods and how arthropods have exploited these compounds to deter the ubiquitous and omnipresent predators around them. The next chapters introduce the reader to the defensive compounds produced in the exocrine glands of arthropods, ranging from alcohols and ketones to hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, esters, 1,4-quinones and hydroquinones, lactones, phenols, steroids, and proteinaceous venoms. The book also discusses the taxonomic value of arthropod defensive compounds, with emphasis on factors affecting the composition of defensive secretions and taxonomic correlations that utilize them. Later chapters focus on arthropod biosynthesis of exocrine compounds, how insects tolerate the presence of plant toxins in their diets, and identified defensive compounds in arthropods. The book concludes with an analysis of the properties and characteristic distributions of arthropod natural products, along with their adaptiveness as defensive agents. This book is a valuable resource for biologists and chemists.

  • The Biology of the Monotremes

    • 1st Edition
    • Mervyn Griffiths
    • English
    The Biology of the Monotremes is an attempt to make available all gathered information about monotremes to the greater public. This book specifically targets the students, newly graduates, teachers, and researchers interested in the study of life processes and evolution. This book comprises of 10 chapters. Each chapter except Chapter 10 discusses three genera - Ornithorhynchus, Tachyglossus, and Zaglossus. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the subject matter. It covers the discovery and general anatomy of the monotremes. In accordance, Chapter 2 discusses the different kinds of monotremes and its other aspects. Aside from the mentioned genera, it also includes Obdurodon insignis. In Chapter 3, the food and feeding habits of the monotremes is given focus. Meanwhile, the varied physiology of monotremes is the subject of Chapter 4, and temperature regulation in Chapter 5. A more detailed and thorough discussion regarding the anatomy of the monotremes is provided in Chapters 6 through 9. The discussion covers topics including the glands in the endocrine and immune systems, as well as special senses, organs, and behavior of monotremes. Its reproduction and embryology is also discussed. This book explains as well the mammal’s lactation, composition of the milk, sucking, and growth of the young. Lastly, Chapter 10 provides the readers with four differing views regarding the relationship of the monotremes with the rest of the mammals.

  • Agricultural Ecology and Environment

    • 1st Edition
    • B.R. Stinner + 2 more
    • English
    The increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in crop production has adversely affected both the environment and the agricultural economy. Not only has it led to environmental pollution, but also the increasing costs of chemical inputs and the low prices received for agricultural products have contributed to economic unprofitability and instability.The International Symposium on Agricultural Ecology and Environment was organised in order to discuss ways of achieving the goals of economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture. It is apparent that a truly multidisciplinary effort is required and for this reason the meeting was attended by authors from many different disciplines and geographical locations. Although their papers reflect a wide diversity of agroecosystem types and examples, several common themes emerge: the increased importance of biotic control of ecosystem processes in lower input systems; the key role of soil organic matter in stabilizing nutrient cycling; the importance of agricultural landscape diversity and complexity; the importance of studying ecological processes in natural and agricultural ecosystems; the critical need to integrate socio-economic and ecological approaches.

  • New Technologies in Animal Breeding

    • 1st Edition
    • B G Brackett
    • English
    New Technologies in Animal Breeding looks at new reproductive technologies in breeding domestic animals, such as sex selection, frozen storage of oocytes and embryos, in vitro fertilization and embryo culture, amphibian nuclear transplantation, parthenogenesis, identical twins and cloning in mammals, and gene transfer in mammalian cells. It summarizes the state-of-the art and offers perspectives on future directions for several animal industries of great importance in food production, including artificial insemination, embryo transfer, poultry breeding, and aquaculture. Organized into five sections encompassing 14 chapters, this book begins with an overview of animals in society and perspectives on animal breeding. It then discusses the animal industries that are heavily dependent on reproductive technology, including those engaged in cloning, selfing, aquaculture, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer. It also explains the developing technologies as well as their potential applications and impacts on animal production, along with special economic considerations, such as the benefits of reproductive management, synchronization of estrus, and artificial insemination of beef cattle and sheep. The final chapter considers biomedical and agricultural research, implementation of new technologies in animal breeding, and research in animal reproduction. This book is an essential reference for scientists and researchers interested in animal science and animal reproduction.

  • Fish As Food V2

    Nutrition, Sanitation, and Utilization
    • 1st Edition
    • Georg Borgstrom
    • English
    Fish as Food, Volume II: Nutrition, Sanitation, and Utilization summarizes the public health aspects of fish, including fish handling and processing. This volume also discusses the global aspects of fish utilization, illustrating the key role of fisheries in many countries and major regions. Comprised of three parts encompassing 19 chapters, the book initially discusses the protein, amino acid, vitamins, and mineral content of fish and fish oil. This volume also explains the effects of fish processing and handling on these nutritional components. The subsequent chapters present studies on the role of fish in human nutrition, focusing on the Japanese diet. The book also covers the utilization of converted fish-processing wastes to fish meal and condensed fish soluble in feeding poultry, livestock, and mink. The second part of the book focuses on food poisoning caused by fish and fishery products. This part deals with the bacterial activity in fish and related products due to water pollution and contamination. Other chapters examine Salmonella problems in the sea and the allergies and other disorders related to fish poisoning. The effect of radioactivity on marine organisms and the uptake and bioaccumulation of radionuclides in marine organisms are also discussed. Lastly, this volume presents the trends and patterns in fish and shellfish utilization. This volume will be of considerable value primarily to fish and food scientists in general and also to public health workers, marine and fresh-water biologists, nutritionists, and sanitary engineers.

  • The molecular aspects of autoimmunity

    • 1st Edition
    • Nadir Farid
    • English
    The Molecular Aspects of Autoimmunity contains a selection of the papers presented at the first of a series of biannual meetings on molecular aspects of autoimmunity held in L'Esterel, Quebec, Canada, October 30-November 2, 1988. The book contains 20 chapters and begins with a study of the expression of the Ly-1 gene and V gene families in autoantibodies. This is followed by separate chapters on the structural characteristics of human IgM autoantibodies; human IgV gene segments for autoantibodies; and the genetic basis of anti-DNA immune responses. Subsequent chapters cover topics such as the epibodies from the immune response to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR); the specificities and idiotypes of anti-histone H1 autoantibodies; T cell tolerance; and T cell antigen receptor (TCR) gene biology and the genomic composition and expressed repertoire of these genes in several autoimmune and normal mouse strains. Also discussed are MHC Class II associations with autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease.

  • Plant, Chemicals and Growth

    • 1st Edition
    • F.C. Steward
    • English
    Plants, Chemicals and Growth investigates natural and synthetic chemicals that control plant growth and development. It examines how plant growth regulators, such as 2,4-D, 2,4-dichlorophenoxya... acid, 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-trichloropheno... acid, ammonium sulfamate, indole-3-butyric acid, disodium 3,6-endoxohexahydrop... gibberellic acid, and 2-chloroethyltrimeth... chloride, induce biological responses in plants. These responses range from tropism and chemotropism to growth of organs by cell division and enlargement, rhythmic phenomena in growth and development, initiation of lateral organs and problems of phyllotaxy, and the regulatory effects of light and temperature on growth and form. Comprised of 10 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of chemical regulators and the ways in which they elicit biological responses in plants; how chemical regulation of plants is related to the growth and development of flowering plants; cell growth and cell division; cell cycle; and cellular ontogeny. It then looks at the history and modern concepts of growth-regulating compounds, such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. The book introduces readers to how chemicals induce growth in quiescent cells; natural sources of growth stimulatory substances; synergisms and interactions of growth regulatory systems; growth-regulating effects in free cell systems; examples of biologically active compounds; the mechanisms of action of plant growth regulators; concepts and interpretations of plant growth regulation; and prospects and problems associated with chemical regulation of plant growth and behavior. Teachers, biology students, agriculturalists, and researchers will find this book extremely useful.

  • Plant Nonprotein Amino and Imino Acids

    Biological, Biochemical, and Toxicological Properties
    • 1st Edition
    • Gerald Rosenthal
    • English
    Plant Nonprotein Amino and Imino Acids: Biological, Biochemical, and Toxicological Properties provides a comprehensive discussion of plant nonprotein amino acids. Much of this monograph is written with the neophyte in mind, thus necessitating the presentation of certain basic concepts that are well-known to the advanced worker. Rather than providing an exhaustive coverage of the subject matter, the book attempts to represent effectively the state of the art; to provide a helpful means of identifying and locating the pertinent literature; and to present the basic information necessary to encourage other workers to enter into the study of the nonprotein amino acids. The book begins with a review of nomenclature and physicochemical properties. This is followed by a discussion of analytical methods such as partition paper chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, ninhydrin color reaction, ion-exchange chromatography, and gas chromatography. Subsequent chapters deal with the toxicity of some nonprotein amino acids and their ability to exert debilitating effects in a host of organisms; and the intermediary metabolism of nonprotein amino acids.

  • Agricultural and Industrial Applications Environmental Interactions

    An Advanced Treatise
    • 1st Edition
    • Dewayne Torgeson
    • English
    Fungicides, Volume I: Agricultural and Industrial Applications, Environmental Interactions discusses the application, use, and environmental interactions of fungicides. This book is organized into 15 chapters that cover the commercial development of fungicide and the organism's interaction with the environment. After discussing the history of fungicides, the book presents data on world fungicide usage and how this usage is influenced by epidemiology. It then describes procedures and approaches for commercial fungicide development; practical tests and laboratory techniques for agricultural fungicide toxicity; and significance of fungicide formulation that is determined by a variety of factors, including cost and biological efficiency. The following chapters discuss technological evolution, both in chemical fungicides and in the machinery for their application for soil and seed treatment. The application of foliar and postharvest fungicides and the use of other fungicides as industrial and wood preservatives is also tackled. The last four chapters are concerned with the various interactions between fungicides and the environment which may cause them to be more or less effective. The book will be useful to researchers, advanced students, and professional workers in the fungicide field of study who are concerned with the synthesis and development of better fungicides or their mode of action.

  • Plant Improvement and Somatic Cell Genetics

    • 1st Edition
    • Indra Asil
    • English
    Plant Improvement and Somatic Cell Genetics includes all but one of the papers presented at two symposia held during the XIII International Botanical Congress in Sydney, Australia, on August 21-28, 1981. ""Frontiers in Plant Breeding"" and ""Cell Culture and Somatic Cell Genetics in Plant Biology"" highlight the ways in which plant breeding techniques can improve crops. The book explores the potentials as well as the limitations of plant breeding, and cellular and molecular techniques in plant improvement. Comprised of 14 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the potential applications of exotic germplasm for tomato and cereal crop improvement. It continues with a discussion of multiline breeding, breeding of crop plants that can tolerate soil stresses, combining genomes by means of conventional methods, use of embryo culture in interspecific hybridization, use of haploids in plant improvement, and somaclonal variation and somatic hybridization as new techniques for plant improvement. The reader is also introduced to plant cell culture, as well as somatic cell genetics of cereals and grasses, somatic cell fusion for inducing cytoplasmic exchange, uses of cell culture mutants, genetic transformation of plant cells by experimental procedures in the context of plant genetic engineering, and use of molecular biology techniques for recognition and modification of crop plant genotypes. This book will be a useful resource for scientists and plant breeders interested in applying somatic cell genetics for crop improvement.

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