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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.

BooksJournals

    • Water Activity and Food

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • John Troller
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 3 3 5 8 7 5
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 9 0 1 2
      Water Activity and Food explores the role of water activity in the water relations of microorganisms and in food processing, packaging, and storage. It reviews the literature and provides numerous examples demonstrating the use of water activity to predict the reactions of microorganisms or the stability of food components. It also highlights cases where water activity is not a reliable predictor of events and considers some interesting interactions with other environmental parameters. Comprised of 11 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of water in foods and solutions, water activity values for foods, and water relations of enzyme activity. It then discusses lipid oxidation, enzyme reactions and non-enzymatic browning, and several other food-related factors. The reader is also introduced to water relations of microbial growth; the effects of water on microbial survival; the spoilage and preservation of foods at various levels of water activity; the water relations of food-borne pathogens such as Salmonella and toxigenic molds; the importance of water activity in non-microbiological aspects of food processing and storage; and the influence of atmospheric relative humidity on sanitation and the protection of food products. This book is an important source of information for researchers in food microbiology and microbial water relations.

    • Trap Responses of Flying Insects

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • R. C. Muirhead-Thompson
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 8 4 2 3 0
      Insect trapping is a basic field research tool for many biologists, whether they are studying insect pests, disease vectors or insect ecology for its own sake. Any field entomologist contemplating a new insect trapping program or looking to improve or develop an existing scheme will benefit from this broad review of flying insect traps, in which the author draws on a wide variety of methods used by different research projects from all over the world. Over the years a great many traps have been developed and endlessly modified to suit particular species, habitats, and research requirements. In virtually every case the design of the trap interacts with the specific behavior of the insects involved to bias trap efficiency. In addition, the limited dialogue between workers in different subject disciplines and habitats has caused a shortage of new information available to field entomologists as a whole.

    • Subjective Equilibrium Theory of the Farm Household

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 3
      • December 2, 2012
      • C. Nakajima
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 6 5 9 6 9
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 9 9 3 7 7
      It is obvious that most of the agricultural production in the world is under the control of farm households (or family farms). This book aims to translate the characteristics of the farm household as an economic entity, into an economic theory. The book was originally written in Japanese, but various modifications have been made and new information added to the English version. The author defines the farm household as an economic entity which is a complex of the farm firm, the labourer's household and the consumer's household, and whose behavioural principle is utility maximization. The main purpose of the book is to construct a theoretical model of the decision-making behaviour of the farm household. For this purpose the method of subjective equilibrium analysis, which was used by J.R. Hicks for the consumer's household and the firm in Value and Capital, has been applied to the farm household. The major motif of the book may therefore be called ``Hicksian motif''. In analyzing the subjective equilibrium of the farm household, this book extends the Marshallian concepts of consumer's surplus and producer's surplus, by developing the three new concepts of labourer's surplus, self-employed producer's surplus and consumer's surplus. The analyses using the five concepts of economic surplus are the minor motif of the present book, which the author calls ``Marshallian motif''.Another important characteristic of this book lies in the presentation of newly developed theories of land rent. The author has tried to integrate the theory of leasehold tenancy (i.e. fixed rent tenancy) and that of share tenancy with subjective equilibrium theory of the farm household. In his foreword, John W. Longworth of the International Association of Agricultural Economists says ``From time-to-time an academic treatise appears which is truly different. This is one such book. It presents a self-contained normative theory of the farm household which is much more than just an elegant development of Hicksian and Marshallian ideas. Professor Nakajima introduces new concepts and develops a simple model of the farm household. He then extends this model in various ways to examine the subjective equilibrium of farm households under a wide range of economic circumstances. The exposition is clear and logic with each step in the argument explained in detail using both rigorous mathematical notation and easy to follow diagrams... With this book Nakajima is making his Life's Work available to non-Japanese Agricultural Economists. The international profession of Agricultural Economics will be richer for it.''

    • Biochemistry

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • David Metzler
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 1 7 4 1
      Biochemistry: The Chemical Reactions of Living Cells is a 16-chapter reference source on chemical structures and reactions of living cells. The first three chapters of this book contain introductory material on cell structure, molecular architecture, and energetic. The subsequent chapters examine the allosteric effect of the binding structures of oligomeric enzymes, microtubules, viruses, and muscle. These chapters also describe the structures and chemical properties of membranes and of the surrounding cell coats. The discussions then shift to the general properties of enzymes, the kinetics of chemical reactions, and the various mechanisms employed in enzymatic catalysis. Considerable chapters are devoted to the reaction sequences found in metabolism. These chapters particularly examine the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; photosynthesis; and biosynthesis and catabolism of an enormous number of nitrogenous compounds. The final chapters highlight the genetic and hormonal control of metabolism, development, and brain function. Biochemistry teachers and students will find this book of great value.

    • Handbook of Flexible Manufacturing Systems

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Nand K. Jha
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 9 6 0 7 8 8
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 3 9 3 5 9
      This handbook is a compilation of the current practical knowledge of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). FMS allow manufacturing plants of all sizes to reduce their inventory while increasing their ability to meet consumer demands. By controlling automatic guided vehicles, robots, and machine tools with one central computer, products can now be produced in a variety of styles and models all at the same time. FMS are designed to adapt quickly and economically to changes in requirements and to unpredictable events. This guide explains how to effectively employ these useful new systems.

    • Introduction to Floriculture

      • 2nd Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Roy A. Larson
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 0 7 7 9 1 1
      Every major floriculture crop is discussed in detail in Introduction to Floriculture, Second Edition. The information presented can be used as guidelines for the production of these crops. Divided into two sections on miscellaneous cut flowers and other flowering potted plants, this newly revised edition updates and expands on the existing information from the first edition and contains two completely new chapters on specialty cut flowers and geraniums. This book will be an invaluable source of information for the student as well as the commercial grower.

    • Environmental Control of Plant Growth

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • L.T. Evans
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 6 0 2 0
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 9 2 1 1
      Environmental Control of Plant Growth consists of the proceedings of a symposium held at Canberra, Australia, in August 1962. The symposium aims to consider the natural microenvironments of plants and the associations between natural and controlled environments. It also considers the physiological and genetic bases of responses by plants to environmental conditions. The book contains 24 chapters and discusses the physics of plant environment, as well as the physical quantities within plant-air layers. It also elucidates the energy and water balance, light relations, gas exchange, and energy relations in plant communities. The book also looks into the respiration of various organs and of whole plants. Lastly, the effects of the environment, including “climatic factors,” on the metabolism of plant cells are addressed.

    • Trickle Irrigation for Crop Production

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 9
      • December 2, 2012
      • F.S. Nakayama + 1 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 6 7 1 7 8
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 6 0 0 9 6 7
      An entirely new agricultural technology, trickle or drip irrigation, began its development in the early 1960's. Initial progress was sporadic even though the advantages in water management with trickle systems were recognized. Operators were reluctant to use the system because of its high initial cost and questions regarding its reliability. Once the main problems were isolated and solutions developed to make the system reliable, rapid acceptance by the growers resulted. Today, trickle irrigation is being used on crops that were earlier considered to be uneconomical. This multi-purpose handbook brings together current knowledge from various engineering and scientific disciplines (crop, hydraulic, irrigation and soil sciences) needed for understanding the trickle irrigation system for crop production. The two dozen contributors are experts on the various subjects, which range from the basic to the more practical aspects of trickle irrigation. Major topics include design, operation and management - with individual chapters covering historical development, emitter construction and clogging, system design, water and salt distribution, automation, water treatment, irrigation scheduling, maintenance, fertilization and salinity.The book greatly expands the scope of research papers, reviews, extension bulletins, and updates earlier text with new information on trickle systems. A multi-disciplinary approach has been taken on a multi-faceted subject. The material contained in the book is the most comprehensive yet developed on the topic. Illustrative sample problems and solutions provide field operators and extension personnel with information needed to install and maintain trickle systems. As it is up-to-date, it is useful as a teaching and reference source for students, manufacturers and irrigation system operators as well as irrigation and crop specialists, and consultants.

    • Plant Production and Management under Drought Conditions

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 12
      • December 2, 2012
      • J.F. Stone + 1 more
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 6 0 0 0 4 2
      For some years, workers have been investigating the possibilities of integrating knowledge from soil and atmospheric sciences, crop physiology, and genetics in order to model crop response to water stress and breed plants for drought resistance.This book turns the theory into practice. Information, gathered from recent symposia and research journals, have been built upon by the authors. Up-to-date practices are cited, new practices devised, and approaches for scientific applications specified. The authors have devised numerous examples and applications for their approaches. Attention has been given to making these approaches credible in the light of economic and energy limitations. Because application of such practice over a wide area requires wide-areal sensing and measurement, recent advances in remote sensing for these purposes are outlined with methodology for practical application.The book will be of interest to a wide readership including crop managers and producers, soil scientists, agricultural micrometeorologists, plant breeders, water managers and stress physiologists.

    • Vitamins in Animal Nutrition

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Lee Russell McDowell
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 3 9 0 4 5
      Vitamins in Animal Nutrition presents concise, up-to-date information on vitamin nutrition for livestock and poultry; comparisons with vitamin use in human nutrition are also presented. This book describes the basic chemical, metabolic, and functional role of vitamins and vitamin supplementation. A wealth of photographs illustrate the nutritional aspects of vitamin deficiencies and excesses in livestock, along with their concomitant conditions. This authoritative reference is of interest to professionals in animal nutrition and the livestock industry and is suitable as a graduate-level text on vitamin nutrition in animals.

Related subjects

Agricultural science

Animal science

Aquatic science

Entomology

Food science and technology

Forest science

Mathematical biosciences

Plant science

Soil science

Veterinary science