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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.

  • Retroviruses and Disease

    • 1st Edition
    • Hidesaburo Hanafusa
    • English
    Retroviruses and Disease presents a relevant summary of the state of knowledge in both human nonhuman retroviruses. It highlights significant concepts regarding their commonalities and differences in terms of retroviral systems. A section of this book covers the pathogenic human retroviruses and focuses on two. These are HLTV-1 (the first human retrovirus that was isolated) and HIV (the cause of a potent immunological disorder). The life cycle of replication-competen... retroviruses, including the murine leukemia viruses and its functions, is discussed in Chapters 1 and 2. The focus of the third chapter is the transformation of Rous sarcoma virus. Meanwhile, Chapter 4 discusses the multiple stages in avian leukosis virus-induced B cell lymphoma. Oncogenes, the molecular basis of human cancer, are also covered in this book. Another virus also discussed in this book is the human T cell leukemia virus. The book is a good reference for students, teachers, specialists, scientists, and researchers in microbiology.
  • Ecology of Soil Seed Banks

    • 1st Edition
    • Mary Allessio Leck
    • English
    Ecology of Soil Seed Banks examines the factors that influence seed bank dynamics and the variety of patterns found among different species. This book presents seed banks in a community context to explore the ecological implications of different patterns, and thus begin the development of a synthesis by comparing various communities. Organized into five parts, this book first examines the general processes that influence inputs or losses from the seed bank, including predation, dormancy/germination mechanisms, and their evolutionary importance. Then, this text examines seed banks in a community context. Only eight vegetation types are included, but the range in diversity of life form, length of growing season, and dominant environmental conditions allow comparisons of seed bank patterns. This book also explores the role of seed banks in vegetation management. This reference material will be a valuable reference material to population and community ecologists and managers. Evolutionary consequences of seed banks should be of interest to population and theoretical biologists.
  • Sensory Evaluation Practices

    • 1st Edition
    • Herbert Stone
    • English
    Sensory Evaluation Practices examines the principles and practices of sensory evaluation. It describes methods and procedures for the analysis of results from sensory tests; explains the reasons for selecting a particular procedure or test method; and discusses the organization and operation of a testing program, the design of a test facility, and the interpretation of results. Comprised of three parts encompassing nine chapters, this volume begins with an overview of sensory evaluation: what it does; how, where, and for whom; and its origin in physiology and psychology. It then discusses measurement, psychological errors in testing, statistics, test strategy, and experimental design. The reader is also introduced to the discrimination, descriptive, and affective methods of testing, along with the criteria used to select a specific method, procedures for data analysis, and the communication of actionable results. The book concludes by looking at problems where sensory evaluation is applicable, including correlation of instrumental and sensory data, measurement of perceived efficacy, storage testing, and product optimization. This book is a valuable resource for sensory professionals, product development and production specialists, research directors, technical managers, and professionals involved in marketing, marketing research, and advertising.
  • Gene Activity in Early Development

    • 2nd Edition
    • Eric H. Davidson
    • English
    Gene Activity in Early Development, Second Edition is devoted to gene activity in early development, considering the estimates of RNA and protein synthesis rates, complexities, and amounts. A quantitative treatment of some of the key classes of macromolecules in early embryos and oocytes is also offered. This edition is organized into eight chapters and begins with an overview of the variable gene activity theory of cell differentiation, emphasizing the transcription level regulation as the fundamental process underlying differentiation and development. The following chapters explore the genome regulation of embryogenesis, differential embryo cell function, and transcription and protein synthesis in early embryos. The reader is also introduced to direct measurements regarding the DNA sequences transcribed during early development and localization of morphogenetic determinants in egg cytoplasm. The book concludes with a discussion of the structure of lampbrush chromosomes and the synthesis of heterogeneous nuclear and messenger RNAs during oogenesis. This book will prove useful to students as well as established researchers interested in developmental genetics.
  • Methods in Mycoplasmology V1

    Mycoplasma Characterization
    • 1st Edition
    • Samuel Razin
    • English
    Methods in Mycoplasmology, Volume I: Mycoplasma Characterization is the first of a two-volume series that resulted from cumulative efforts to meet the need for standardized techniques in mycoplasmology. The book is organized into five sections. Section A provides an introduction to the mycoplasmas by discussing their characteristics and classification, mycoplasma-animal host interrelationships, and mycoplasma-plant-ins... interrelationships. The chapters in Section B examine the morphological and ultrastructural features of mycoplasmas, using techniques such as phase-contrast microscopy, dark-field microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Section C discusses the cultivation and nutrition of mycoplasmas. Section D focuses on analytical methods for the characterization of mycoplasmas, including harvest and washing procedures, cell lysis and membrane isolation, and crossed immunoelectrophoresi... Section E describes tests designed to detect specific enzymatic activities or nutritional requirements of mycoplasmas. These include sugar fermentation and arginine hydrolysis tests as well as tests to establish the sterol requirement of mycoplasmas. Section F deals with serological tests. These tests either have specific application to detection of mycoplasma antigens or antibody in plant and animal tissues; are useful in identification of specific groups of mycoplasmas (spiroplasmas); or provide higher sensitivity in measurements of antibodies against mycoplasmas.
  • Macrophage Regulation of Immunity

    • 1st Edition
    • Emil Unanue
    • English
    Macrophage Regulation of Immunity contains the proceedings of a conference held in Augusta, Michigan, on March 12-14, 1979. The papers examine the role of macrophages in the regulation of cellular immune reactions. They highlight the interaction between macrophages and T cells, along with immune response gene control and macrophage secretion of a number of lymphostimulatory molecules. Organized into six sections encompassing 35 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of antigen handling and presentation, immune response gene control, antigen-presenting cells, and factors affecting lymphocyte-macrophag... interactions. It then discusses genetic control of T cell-macrophage interaction in helper cell induction in vitro; mechanisms underlying the interaction of guinea pig T lymphocytes with antigen-pulsed macrophages; and secretion of arachidonic acid oxygenation products by mononuclear phagocytes and their possible role as modulators of lymphocyte function. The book also covers regulation of intracellular killing by extracellular stimulation of the monocyte membrane, and adjuvant activation of macrophage functions. Students and scientists will find this book extremely helpful.
  • Biochemistry of Thermophily

    • 1st Edition
    • S. Marvin Friedman
    • English
    Biochemistry of Thermophily covers the proceedings of a seminar held under the auspices of the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Science Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 22-24, 1977. This seminar focuses on biochemistry of thermophilic microorganisms. It presents an achievement in the complex field of thermophiles and their unique properties. This book discusses the fatty acid composition in several strains of moderately and extremely thermophilic bacteria, the membrane and lipid components, the biosynthesis and function of ω-cyclohexyl fatty acids, and the influence of growth temperature and lipid state on lipid and protein distribution. It then presents the ecologic and genetic aspects of thermophilic bacteria, including their morphology, surface structure, and transfection. It also examines the function and thermostability of ribosomal proteins, polypeptides, and polyamines in thermophilic bacteria. Finally, the book discusses the thermostability of proteins, the effect of amino acid substitution on conformational stability of thermophile, the thermophilic enzymes, and the physiology of thermophilic bacteria. This book will be helpful to molecular and research biologists, teachers, and students who wish to expand their understanding on mechanisms of thermophilicity, thermostability, and thermophilic microorganisms.
  • The Soil- Plant System

    In Relation To Inorganic Nutrition
    • 1st Edition
    • Maurice Fried
    • English
    The Soil-Plant System in Relation to Inorganic Nutrition focuses on the soil-plant system in relation to the inorganic nutrition of plants. More specifically, the book investigates the dynamics of ion uptake in relation to those physical and chemical processes that must be considered both in understanding any observation made on the soil-plant system and in predicting the results of any stress placed on the system. This volume is organized into two parts encompassing seven chapters and begins with an overview of the inorganic nutrition of plants grown in the soil-plant system. This book then discusses the uptake of nutrient ions from the soil into the plant system. The emphasis is on fundamental aspects of ion movement from the soil into and through the soil solution, then into the plant root, and finally into the shoot. The next chapters consider the more practical aspects of the supply of nutrients to plants grown in the soil-plant system and how it can best be supplemented. This book examines the use of isotopes with respect to solid-phase-soil-sol... relationships; movement of ions to the roots, into the roots (active or passive), and translocation to the shoot; the mobility of nutrients; laboratory, greenhouse, and field evaluation of soil nutrient supply; and when, where, and what kind of fertilizer to apply. This book will be of interest to botanists, biologists, students, and research workers engaged in the physical and biological sciences.
  • Taxonomy, Kinetoplastids, and Flagellates of Fish

    • 1st Edition
    • Julius Kreir
    • English
    Parasitic Protozoa, Volume I: Taxonomy, Kinetoplastids, and Flagellates of Fish contains 10 chapters that first discuss the classification of the protozoans, and then explain the system of parasitic protozoans. This reference material focuses on the significant aspects specifically related to Leishmania and trypanosomes, including the trypanosomes causing disease in man and livestock in Africa, as well as the nonpathogenic trypanosomes of mammals. Lastly, the flagellate parasites of fish are described. This book will be invaluable to physicians and veterinarians interested in studying the parasite's disease-causing property in man and livestock.
  • 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.