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Elsevier

Books in Life sciences

  • Sexual Selection

    Perspectives and Models from the Neotropics
    • 1st Edition
    • Regina H. Macedo + 1 more
    • English
    Sexual Selection: Perspectives and Models from the Neotropics presents new sexual selection research based upon neotropical species. As neotropical regions are destroyed at an alarming rate, with an estimated 140 species of rainforest plants and animals going extinct every day, it is important to bring neotropical research to the fore now. Sexual selection occurs when the male or female of a species is attracted by certain characteristics such as form, color or behavior. When those features lead to a greater probability of successful mating, they become more prominent in the species. Although most theoretical concepts concerning sexual selection and reproductive strategies are based upon North American and European fauna, the Neotropical region encompasses much more biodiversity, with as many as 15,000 plant and animal species in a single acre of rain forest. This book illustrates concepts in sexual selection through themes ranging from female cryptic choice in insects, sexual conflict in fish, interaction between sexual selection and the immune system, nuptial gifts, visual and acoustic sexual signaling, parental investment, to alternative mating strategies, among others. These approaches distinguish Sexual Selection from current publications in sexual selection, mainly because of the latitudinal and taxonomic focus, so that readers will be introduced to systems mostly unknown outside the tropics, several of which bring into question some well-established patterns for temperate regions.

  • The Brain, Cognition, and Education

    • 1st Edition
    • Sarah L. Friedman + 2 more
    • English
    The Brain, Cognition, and Education is a collection of papers that deals with cross-disciplinary communication. This book addresses the use of concepts, methodologies, and research results from other experiments in the conduct of finding new knowledge. One paper addresses the relationships among neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and education to arrive at cross-interdisciplin... communication. Other papers discuss attention, the brain, and the control of cognition; one paper notes that selective attention as a cognitive system with its own measurable features can be associated with underlying neural systems. Other authors deal with acquiring, representing, and using knowledge such as language learning, interplay between mind and experience, as well as the neuropsychology of memory. One paper examines infantile amnesia when early life experiences tend to be forgotten. The book then addresses cognitive and neural development, including neural developments before birth covering neurogenesis, cell migration, dendritic maturation, and synaptic development. One author reviews trends and directions in cognitive development and cites the works of Piaget, Simon, and Chomsky. One author presents several models of memory functions, while another author evaluates the possibilities of building bridges between education and the neurosciences. Many psychologists, neuroscientists, phoneticians, philosophers, and linguists will appreciate this book very highly.

  • Nutrition, Aging, and Artificial Organs

    • 1st Edition
    • William I. Gay
    • English
    Methods of Animal Experimentation, Volume V: Nutrition, Aging, and Artificial Organs is a collection of papers that deals with methods to be used in animal experiments to achieve cost effectiveness in their use. This collection discusses laboratory animals used in different experiments such as in nutritional research, aging studies, and artificial organ research. The papers describe the species of animals appropriate for the kind of experiment to be conducted and the criteria that should be followed in choosing a certain species. These criteria include their growth rate, stage of development, as well as existing performance variations. In determining test animals for aging experiments, the book recommends that complete data be available on the genetics of the species, strain, diet history, environmental factors, breeding, and spontaneous diseases to approximate the best test results. The book addresses that the aged are more susceptible to inputs than the young in terms of morphological and functional age. In selecting test animals for artificial organ research, the book notes the importance of animal selection that will be determined, for example, by 1) the size of the prosthesis; 2) the amount of blood flow needed for the device differs in animals and man; and 3) the surgical techniques that will be employed. This book will prove helpful for laboratory workers, veterinarians, and technicians working with laboratory animals. This collection will also be appreciated by researchers designing medical and scientific tests.

  • Avian Biology

    Volume I
    • 1st Edition
    • Donald S. Farner + 1 more
    • English
    Avian Biology is a collection of papers that deals with biological aspects of birds such as their classification and habitat behavior. One paper reviews how birds are classified through practical systematics, study of fossils, and some of the problems encountered in the arrangement of major groups. Another paper discusses the origin and evolution of birds from their reptilian predecessors to their current evolutionary rates. Evolutionary rates vary depending on access to new habitats; if the environment is static, evolutionary rates can also slow down. One author discusses the inter-relations of sea birds with their marine environment, including coastal areas and the biological properties of the surface water. Another author describes the biology of desert birds relating to nomadism behavior and physical adaptations especially to the arid environment. The author also describes the cooling mechanism of these desert birds. Another paper evaluates the ecological aspect of behavior that includes foraging, habitat selection, mating, and flocking cohesion. Avian biologists, zoologists, and readers who have a general interest in birds will find this book useful.

  • Interleukin 3

    The Panspecific Hemopoietin
    • 1st Edition
    • John W. Schrader
    • English
    Interleukin 3: The Panspecific Hemopoietin contains contributions from immunologists, hematologists, protein chemists, and molecular biologists whose efforts have defined the biology and molecular nature of interleukin 3 (IL-3) in less than a decade. The articles represent personal perspectives rather than exhaustive reviews. They are arranged in alphabetical order rather than thematically because many of the individual articles cover multiple aspects of the molecule. These articles cover topics such as the potential role of IL-3 in the pathology of allergic and inflammatory disease and the role of IL-3 in the genesis of certain myeloid leukemias. A number of articles also highlight an important technical point, namely, that many of the various assays often used for IL-3 are not specific. One article indicates that the ""histamine-producin... cell-stimulating factor"" activity can be mediated not only by IL-3 but also by granulocyte-macropha... colony-stimulating factor. Another deals with the lack of specificity of assays based on the induction of 20α-SDH or factor-dependent cell lines.

  • Plant Biosystematics

    • 1st Edition
    • William F. Grant
    • English
    Plant Biosystematics is a compendium of papers from a symposium titled "Plant Biosystematics: Forty Years Later" held in Montreal in July 1983. This collection reviews the current field of biosystematics, particularly the evolution of natural biota, and how plant biosystematics can contribute to the welfare of humans. One paper reviews biosystematics, compares new approaches, and discusses the latest trend in comparative, molecular evolution of genes. One author discusses the cytology and biosystematics concerning the discontinuities and genetic independence occurring in the evolutionary process. Another author discusses chromosome pairing in species and hybrids that includes models of chromosome pairing in diploids. The text also describes chromosome banding and biosystematics, as well as the problems of chromosome banding that should be addressed to in future research. With estimates of the number of species being threatened with extinction numbering around 20,000 one paper address the issue of conservation and biosystematics. The author suggests that more biological information should be published to avoid duplication of effort, and possibly drive scientists to have their views more widely felt. Agriculturists, botanists, conservationists, environmentalists, and researchers in the field of botany, conservation, and plant genealogy will find this book valuable.

  • Physiology of the Cladocera

    • 1st Edition
    • Nikolai N. Smirnov
    • English
    The Physiology of Cladocera is a much-needed summary of foundational information on these increasingly important model organisms. This unique and valuable summary is based on the world's literature, including Russian research not widely available until now. It offers systematically arranged data on the physiology of Cladocera, assisting with explanation of their life and distribution, as well as discussion on directions of future research. Special expert contributions in genetics, immunology, and cytology round out the physiological chapters and provide comprehensive insight into the state of knowledge of Cladocera and its underlying mechanisms. Cladocera crustaceans make up a significant part of the natural communities and biological productivity of fresh waters. In recent decades, they have become globally studied for many purposes, including systematics, genetic, molecular, ecological and evolutionary biology studies. They are also used as "sentinel" organisms for assessing water quality and the environment. In addition, the genome of Daphnia (a genus within Cladocera) was recently sequenced and published, giving this system a much wider exposure. It has also led to a rapidly growing awareness of the importance of understanding physiological processes as they relate to evolutionary and ecological genomics and ecogenomic toxicology. Despite the increasing use of Cladocera in research and study, physiological background information on these creatures is fragmentary. Hundreds of unconnected publications have been accumulated on their physiology, and a synthesis and general representation of the literature has been much needed for the many researchers working with this organism. The Physiology of Cladocera stands alone as a valuable and comprehensive offering in this area for many researchers and students.

  • The Plant Cell

    A Comprehensive Treatise
    • 1st Edition
    • N. E. Tolbert
    • English
    The Biochemistry of Plants: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume I: The Plant Cell serves as an introduction to the various parts of the cell and to the basic biochemistry carried out in the different subcellular components. The book discusses the parts of a cell and the biochemical processes, such as respiration involving the mitochondria, microbodies or cytosol, or photosynthesis in the chloroplasts. The text also describes the use of plant cell cultures in biochemistry; the primary cell walls of flowering plants; and the morphology, purification, chemical and enzymatic composition, and functions of the plasma membrane and the cytosol. The biochemistry of the developmental and genetic processes involved, the development of function, and the biochemistry and metabolism of the mature organelle are also considered. The book further tackles the biochemistry of the plant mitochondria, peroxisomes, glyoxysomes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi apparatus, plant nucleus, protein bodies, plant vacuoles, and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Biochemists, chemists, biologists, botanists, plant pathologists, and students taking related courses will find the book useful.

  • Blood Vessels and Lymphatics

    • 1st Edition
    • David I. Abramson
    • English
    Blood Vessels and Lymphatics focuses on the embryology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and pathology of blood vessels and lymphatics. The selection first offers information on the embryology and gross, microscopic and submicroscopic anatomy, biophysical principles and physiology, and pharmacology and biochemistry of arterial and arteriolar systems. The text then takes a look at the sympathetic innervation of arterial tree. The publication examines microcirculation and the venous system, including the structural basis of microcirculation, exchange of materials across capillary wall, pathology of microcirculation, biochemistry, and pharmacology. The book then elaborates on coronary, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal circulation, blood vessels of the pituitary and the thyroid, and disorders affecting arterial or venous circulation. The selection is a vital source of information for readers interested in the study of blood vessels and lymphatics.

  • Isotopes in Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • George Wolf
    • English
    Isotope is Biology is a six-chapter supplementary text that covers the properties and application of isotopes as labels or analytical tools in biological research. The first chapters deal with the physico-chemical properties and radioactivity of isotopes. These chapters also explore their synthesis, preparation, radiation decomposition, and decay of radioactivity. The succeeding chapter considers other aspects of isotopes, including their effect of health, disposal, spills, and laboratory use. Another chapter examines the chemical and biochemical behavior, natural abundance, and the chemical stability of isotopic compounds. The final chapters describe several isotopic methods, namely, isotope dilution, paper chromatography, and autoradiography, with emphasis on their application in biological studies. This book will be of value to biologists, and graduate and undergraduate biology students.

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