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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.

    • Allozyme Electrophoresis

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • B. J. Richardson + 2 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 1 9 6 9 7
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 3 9 6 4 9
      Inherited enzyme variations, studied using electrophoresis, can be used as markers for the identification of individuals, population structure analysis, the delineation of species boundaries and phytogenetic reconstruction. The purpose of this book is to describe, in a single convenient handbook, all the theoretical and practical matters relevant to those intending to use electrophoresis as a tool for answering such questions.
    • Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs V2

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • O.A. Jones
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 4 7 5 0
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 7 9 3 4
      Biology and Geology of Coral Reefs, Volume II: Biology 1 discusses the major advances made in the biological aspects of coral reef problems. This book is organized into 12 chapters that cover the microbial aspects of coral reefs, the nutrition in corals, and diversity in coral reefs. The opening chapters describe the distribution and role of coral reef microorganisms, as well as the significance of bacterioplankton as a food source for the marine fauna of coral reefs. The following chapter discusses the occurrence of algae in coral reef, their competition with corals for space, and their role in reef construction. Other chapters deal with food and feeding mechanisms of corals, the role of marine antibiotics in coral reef ecology, and some chemical compounds isolated from coral reef organisms, providing evidence for marine pharmacologic activity in coral reef areas. The book also discusses some basic problems relating to the distribution and abundance of hermatypic corals on reefs. It then examines species diversity on coral reefs, variety of reef structure, and the important role of toxic materials produced by holothurians on the general ecology and physiology of coral reefs. The last chapters describe the development, feeding, and behavior of the larval stages of several coral reef asteroids. Particular emphasis is given to the larval and post-larval stages of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. The starfish population explosions, the devastating effects on the hard coral cover of coral reefs, and causes and control of population explosions are also covered. This volume will acquaint readers with some of the exciting developments in coral reef biology and will provide information that will enable them to assess the status of research in different fields.
    • Tropical Food: Chemistry and Nutrition V2

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • George Inglett
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 2 3 9 5 3
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 3 1 0 3
      Tropical Foods: Chemistry and Nutrition, Volume 2 contains the proceedings of an International Conference on Tropical Foods: Chemistry and Nutrition, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 28-30, 1979. The papers explore the chemical and nutritional aspects of tropical foods from around the world, including vegetables, coconut foods, wheat, and soybean foods. This volume is comprised of 19 chapters and begins with an overview of the nutritional aspects of some tropical plant foods by focusing on nutrition, the nutritional composition of some plant foods, and the applications and limitations of food composition tables, along with assessment of nutritional status and some obstacles to nutritional health. The next chapter surveys tropical foods in the Far East, with emphasis on the processing and nutritional evaluation of fermented foods as well as fermentation and other methods of food preservation. Vegetable production in tropical Asian countries such as the Philippines is also considered. Subsequent chapters look at tropical home gardens as a nutrition intervention, tropical foods in Central America, and some aspects of traditional African foods. This book should be a valuable resource for biochemists, nutritionists, and nutritional scientists.
    • Mycoplasma Diseases of Trees and Shrubs

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Karl Maramorosch
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 3 1 5 5 4 9
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 3 5 6 0
      Mycoplasma Diseases of Trees and Shrubs contains the edited papers presented at the Third Working Party meeting organized by Professor Karl Maramorosch at Rutgers University, New Jersey, in August 1979. This book also includes additional chapters by the invited contributors in the meeting. Organized into 15 chapters, this book begins with the isolation, characterization and identification of spiroplasmas and mycoplasma-like organisms. It then describes the various diseases of trees and shrubs, specifically yellows disease, stubborn disease, Paulownia witches' broom disease, mulberry dwarf, blueberry stunt, and sandal spike disease. It also elaborates the control of tree diseases by chemotherapy. This treatise will provide a standard reference work for all interested in plant mycoplasma diseases in forest pathology, entomology, and disease control.
    • Genetic Factors In Nutrition

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Hector Bourges
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 6 4 1 9
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 9 6 0 0
      Genetic Factors in Nutrition presents the proceedings of the International Workshop on Genetic Factors in Nutrition, held in Teotihuacan, Mexico, on August 4-8, 1982. The papers explore the link between genetics and nutrition in the context of biological evolution. They provide examples of successful interaction between the two disciplines and consider some aspects of nutrient requirements, as well as utilization and consideration of methodological approaches to evaluate nutritional status, with an emphasis on malnutrition. Divided into six parts encompassing 29 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of genetics and nutrition from an evolutionary perspective, citing findings among Amerindians. It proceeds with a discussion of the potential application of genetic epidemiology in nutritional research, nutrient requirements and metabolism, the association between obesity and energy balance, and assessment of nutritional status. It also presents case studies of the correlation between genetics and nutrition before introducing the reader to genetic inheritance and growth in human groups suffering from chronic under-nutrition. Some data derived from nutrition longitudinal studies are analyzed to interpret the nutrition-genetics interaction. This book will be a valuable source of information for scientists and students in genetics and nutrition.
    • Circannual Clocks

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Eric Pengelley
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 3 5 9 3
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 5 5 0 1 5 0 7
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 6 7 6 0
      Circannual Clocks: Annual Biological Rhythms documents the Proceedings of a Satellite Symposium of the 140th Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science held in San Francisco, California, February 25, 1974. The purpose of the symposium was to summarize the present state of knowledge on endogenous annual rhythms (circannual clocks), and to point out their biological significance and importance. The presentations included studies on the following: the circannual rhythms of an arthropod, the cave crayfish, Orconectes pellucidus inermis, and a cnidarian, Campanularia flexuosa; the occurrence, manifestation, and importance of circannual rhythms in birds with different migratory habits; and the importance of circannual rhythms in hibernating mammals. Also covered are the relationships between circannual rhythms and endogenous lunar and tidal rhythms; circannual rhythm of reproduction in male European starlings; the adaptational value of internal annual clocks in birds; the expression and suppression of the circannual antler growth cycle in deer; and circannual rhythms in man.
    • Pathophysiology of Parasitic Infection

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • E Soulsby
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 3 3 5 0 2 8
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 8 1 4 5
      Pathophysiology of Parasitic Infection covers the proceedings of the Seventh International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology, held in Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 14-16, 1975. The book summarizes the developments in pathophysiology of parasitism. It includes experiments on parasitic infections and the widespread occurrences of diseases in domestic animals caused by helminths, protozoa, and arthropods. Divided into 21 chapters, the book initially examines the mechanisms of pathogenicity from the structural and physiological processes that may be expressed as the pathophysiology of parasitic infections. The subsequent chapters discuss the plasma protein kinetics; the hematological indices associated with parasitic infections; the mechanisms of the swine trichuriasis disease; and the response of sheep and rabbit to infection with Fasciola hepatica. The book also presents evidence on establishing a predictable population of parasites based from the ratio of mature to immature worms and the ratio of mucosal to lumen dwelling stages. A chapter focuses on the effects of nematode infection on the lymphatic system and on blood vessels. Considerable chapters are devoted to body defense against parasitic infection, including immunoglobulin E-like antibodies, vasoactive amines and peptides, and immunoglobulin M. The book further deals with the hematological aspects and treatment of trypanosomiasis. It also tackles the effects of fever as a pathophysiological factor in the course and pathogenesis of East Coast fever caused by Theileria parva. The concluding chapters deal with immune response to parasitic infection, including the effects of anticomplementary substances, macrophage, and lymphocytes. Veterinary parasitologists, parasitic infection researchers, immunologists, teachers, and students with courses related to parasitic infection will find this book invaluable.
    • Cell Biology of Physarum and Didymium V2

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Henery Aldrich
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 3 1 4 4 2 9
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 2 4 4 0
      Cell Biology of Physarum and Didymium, Volume II: Differentiation, Metabolism, and Methodology summarizes important experimental research using Physarum and Didymium for developmental and cellular studies. This book is organized into three parts, encompassing 28 chapters that cover the differentiation, metabolism, and experimental techniques for cellular studies. After presenting an introduction to some aspects of developmental biology, this volume describes the ultrastructure and physiology of sporulation, spore germination, encystment, excystment, spherulation, and spherule germination. This is followed by a discussion on regulatory events leading to morphogenesis and on biochemical, physiological, and structural data on the amoeboid stage. The second part focuses on metabolic aspects. This includes metabolic characteristics of myxomycetes; the formation of nucleotides in Physarum by de novo synthesis and from nucleic acid degradation products; and radiation and radiomimetic agents on myxomycete species. Considerable chapters in the concluding part are devoted to procedures and protocol for isolation of cell components from Physarum and Didymium species. This volume also evaluates some techniques, including electron microscopy, time-lapse microcinematography, phase-contrast microscopy, Feulgen staining, and culture methods. The concluding chapters examine the preparation, isolation, and characterization of ribonucleic acid, histone, plasmodial polysaccharides, myosin, actins, and fragmin. The book will serve as a frequent, single reference source to brief cell biologists on the primary research on Physarum and Didymium. It will also be a good source for graduate students in cell biology and perhaps in other graduate courses.
    • The Hormones V5

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Mohhamad Reza Kiani
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 1 9 1 8
      The Hormones: Physiology, Chemistry and Applications, Volume V covers the advances in understanding the nature and function of hormones. This seven-chapter volume is a continuation of Volume IV on the endocrinology of plant and non-mammalian animal hormones. The introductory chapters examine the structure, metabolite actions, and some other chemical aspects of pituitary hormones. The following chapter explores the physiological, biochemical, and phylogenetic aspects of thyroid hormones, as well as brief description of thyroid cytology and process kinetics related to the thyroid. This chapter also presents mathematical models describing the processes of accumulation and binding of iodide in the thyroid, along with the release and metabolism of thyroid hormone. These topics are followed by discussions on the methods and concepts used for in vivo studies with labeled steroids in man. A chapter focuses on the role of hormones on tumorigenesis and tumor growth. Another chapter considers the concepts of mode of action of other hormones, such as insulin, epinephrine, and estradiol. The concluding chapter treats some examples of endocrine disease from the standpoint of the biological problems. Endocrinologists, physiologists, biochemists, phylogeneticists, and researchers who are interested in expanding knowledge on hormones will find this book invaluable.
    • Mutagenic Effects of Environmental Contaminants

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • H.E. Sutton
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 3 3 6 9 0 2
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 6 7 7 9 5 0 9
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 6 0 1 0 0
      Mutagenic Effects of Environmental Contaminants investigates the mutagenic consequences of environmental contaminants, such as pesticides, industrials, food additives, drugs, and biologicals, as well as the possible relationships between mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. It describes the monitoring of chemical mutagens in the environment and the ways that genetic mutations cause disease in humans. Organized into 14 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the current burden of human genetic disease and the biochemical mechanisms of mutation. It then discusses practical and feasible methods that use a variety of organisms to screen potential mutagenic agents, increased mutation rates in human populations, mutagens that are currently used commercially, and the interrelationships between mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity. The reader is also introduced to genetic toxicology, detection of chemically induced mutations in experimental animals, and chromosome and somatic mutations in humans. This book is a valuable resource for scientists, policymakers, and administrators of environmental programs.