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Elsevier

Books in Life sciences

  • Psychobiological Aspects of Cognitive Growth

    • 1st Edition
    • Reuven Kohen-Raz
    • English
    Psychobiological Aspects of Cognitive Growth elucidates the psychobiological aspects of cognitive development. The goals of this book are limited to a description of what may be defined as ""borderline"" phenomena of cognitive development. These are phenomena that can be observed and measured behaviorally, and also can be conveniently investigated by neurophysiological, genetic, and biological methods. The book begins with a review of ""basic approaches"" to the problems of psychobiological interaction in cognitive processes. It then presents major theoretical contributions of prominent authors to this subject, namely, Werner's sensoritonic theory, Rothschild's model of the biosemiotic structure of the nervous system, and Piaget's psychobiological interpretations of intellectual growth. This is followed by a general discussion of psychobiological aspects of cognitive development in infancy, and a report on physical correlates of school readiness, including some investigations on relations between static balance ability and reading skill. After a presentation of findings and theoretical considerations related to effects of birth season on physical and mental growth, the final chapter summarizes three studies on the impact of physiological pubertal maturation on mental achievements at adolescence.

  • Drainage Geochemistry

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 6
    • M. Hale + 1 more
    • English
    The considerable exploration success achieved by geochemistry over the last several decades - and still continuing - has provided both the basis and rationale for the Handbook of Exploration Geochemistry series, including Volume 6, Drainage Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration. With contributions from 25 experts of truly global professional experience in drainage geochemistry, this book is a thorough appraisal of the state of the art in the use of surface and sub-surface waters, stream and lake sediments, heavy minerals for mineral exploration in tropical rain forests, temperate glaciated terrains, mountain chains, arid deserts and regions of agricultural and industrial pollution. Additional attention is given to gold and uranium exploration, and to the growing role of drainage geochemistry as a multi-purpose environmental mapping technique with applications in human health studies, ore deposit modelling and pollution monitoring. It comprises 16 chapters, more than 250 figures and a bibliography of some 1600 references.This book is the most extensive and detailed single work on the principles and applications of drainage geochemistry in mineral exploration blending both theoretical considerations and practical implementations.

  • Biological Markers in Psychiatry and Neurology

    Proceedings of a Conference Held at the Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, on May 8-10, 1981
    • 1st Edition
    • Earl Usdin + 1 more
    • English
    Biological Markers in Psychiatry and Neurology is a collection of papers that details the advancement in the understanding of the biological markers that stems from psychiatric and neurological pathologies. The text first covers topics about various biological markers, such as neurochemical, enzymatic, membrane, receptors, endocrine, and physiological. Next, the selection examines the relationship between alcohol abuse and biological papers. The next part covers the genetic aspects of biological markers. The text also deals with use of tomography and modeling theory. The book will be of great use to students, researchers, and practitioners of neurology and psychiatry. Psychologists will also benefit from the text.

  • Biotechnology and Food Quality

    Proceedings of the First International Symposium
    • 1st Edition
    • Shain-dow Kung + 2 more
    • English
    Biotechnology and Food Quality focuses on the potential of biotechnology in quantitatively and qualitatively modifying agriculture. The selection first offers information on the benefits of agricultural biotechnology on developed and developing countries, food quality education, and food quality, biotechnology, and the food company. Discussions focus on consumer concerns, demographic and social changes, scope and future role of food quality, and improvement of agricultural raw materials and processed foods. The manuscript then underscores how to make technology transfer work and the regulatory considerations of biotechnology. The text examines the characterization and modification of maize storage proteins; genetic modification of traits of interest to consumers and processors; and omega-3 fatty acid improvements in plants. Topics include genetic engineering of fatty acid biosynthesis, cellular genetics, molecular biology, application of technology to food products, and genetic engineering of lysine-containing alpha zeins. Cell wall dynamics, prospects for the use of genetic engineering in the manipulation of ethylene biosynthesis and action in higher plants, and molecular interactions of contractile proteins are also elaborated. The selection is a highly recommended source of data for biotechnologists, agriculturists, and food experts.

  • Visual and Oculomotor Functions

    Advances in Eye Movement Research
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • G. d'Ydewalle + 1 more
    • English
    A collection of contemporary work in various areas of eye-movement research with an emphasis on physiological aspects is presented in this book. The contributions are divided into six sections: I. saccadic eye movements; II. smooth pursuit and motion perception; III. eye movements in pathology and clinical settings; IV. neurophysiology of eye movements; V. optokinetic nystagmus; and VI. methods. This volume provides updated information on the most recent research on eye movements carried out mainly in Europe.

  • Neurobiology of Motor Programme Selection

    New Approaches to the Study of Behavioural Choice
    • 1st Edition
    • J. Kien + 2 more
    • English
    The traditional view of motor systems as a linear chain of elements switched on and off by command neurons has become increasingly difficult to maintain in the face of accumulating evidence against the existence of command elements. So far, however, the general formulation of an alternative approach has been lacking. This book, by summarising the evidence against the linear approach to motor systems, argues forcefully against it. Analyses are presented of motor systems ranging from the lobster stomatogastric system through molluscan systems, leech movement, insect singing and locomotion, fish and amphibian behaviour, to goal-directed a movements in primates and volitional movements in humans. Comparison of these motor systems reveal the existence of some general principles underlying motor control and behavioural choice such that motor systems appear generally to be parallel, distributed processing networks. By discussing the treatment of motor systems in terms of parallel distributed processing systems, this book presents in concentrated form an alternative to the earlier view of motor systems. As such, the book is a must for all neuroscientists interested in the organisation of motor systems and the neuronal substrates of behavioural choice.

  • Principles of Sugar Technology

    • 1st Edition
    • Pieter Honig
    • English
    Principles of Sugar Technology focuses on the principles, methodologies, and processes involved in sugar technology, including properties of sugar and agents involved in its manufacture. The selection first offers information on the chemical and physical properties of sucrose, as well as decomposition, structure of the sucrose molecule, sucrose derivatives, crystallized and amorphous sucrose, and solvents. The book then takes a look at the physical and chemical properties of reducing sugars and non-nitrogenous organic acids of sugarcane. The publication ponders on nitrogen-containing nonsugars (amino acids and proteins), complex organic nonsugars of high molecular weight, and lipids of sugarcane. Discussions focus on the distribution of nitrogen in sugarcane, amino acids in cane juice and leaves, lignin, pectin, proteins, and significance of waxy and fatty lipids in sugar manufacture. The text also examines color and colored nonsugars, inorganic nonsugars, and agents used in sugar manufacture. The selection is a dependable reference for readers interested in sugar technology.

  • Mechanisms of Animal Discrimination Learning

    • 1st Edition
    • N. S. Sutherland + 1 more
    • English
    Mechanisms of Animal Discrimination Learning provides a review of the field of animal discrimination learning, with discussions into other areas such as generalization, partial reinforcement, and some aspects of comparative psychology. This book elaborates the origins of continuity-noncontin... controversy, analysis of attentional learning, Lashley and Wade's account of generalization, and evidence for a two-process analysis of the ORE. The reversal and nonreversal shifts, response unit hypothesis, inconsistent reinforcement and extinction of choice behavior, and aims and problems of comparative psychology are likewise described This text likewise covers the Zeaman and House model, Lovejoy's Model III, determinants of generalization gradients, cognitive dissonance hypothesis, and theoretical relevance of comparative psychology. This publication is a good source for biologists and researchers concerned with animal discrimination learning.

  • Studies in Neurolinguistics

    • 1st Edition
    • Haiganoosh Whitaker + 1 more
    • English
    Studies in Neurolinguistics, Volume 3 presents detailed case histories, multi-subject experimental studies, literature reviews, and research papers that employ a variety of experimental and observational techniques. This volume contains seven chapters that focus on a wide range of research in the field of neurolinguistics. Chapter 1 discusses the various approaches to the problem of auditory comprehension in aphasia. A survey of the world's literature on bilingualism and aphasia is provided in chapter 2. The third chapter examines the different models and explanations for conduction aphasia. Chapter 4 provides a synthesis of the anatomic, physiologic, and behavioral research on the role of the limbic system in human communication. Chapter 5 presents a model of individual differences in hemispheric functioning, in which a number of theories about the left and right hemispheres are analyzed and compared. Chapter 6 shows how different levels of language are revealed. The last chapter addresses "The Question of Electrophysiological Asymmetries Preceding Speech" in a study of the readiness potentials over the motor and premotor regions in eight subjects. Linguists, psychologists, and neurologists will find the book highly informative.

  • Herbal Simples

    Approved for Modern Uses of Cure
    • 2nd Edition
    • W. T. Fernie
    • English
    Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure, Second Edition considers the medical nature of herbal simples based on accurate and precise chemical analysis. This book examines the positive remedial actions of numerous herbal plants in terms of their chemical constituents and their curing capacity. Leading herbal simples are reviewed alphabetically, and to ensure accuracy, the genus and species of each plant are particularized. This text reconsiders those safe and sound herbal curative remedies and medicine that were formerly most in vogue as homely simples, whether to be taken or to be outwardly applied. The issue of whether the herbal simples be employed as auxiliaries by the physician in attendance or are welcomed for prompt service in a household emergency is discussed. This book will be of great value to biologists, herbalists, and research workers in the fields related to herbal medicines.

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