Life sciences print books and ebooks | Elsevier

Pine Barrens

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Richard Forman
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 4 0 8 7

Pine Barrens: Ecosystem and Landscape focuses on the relationship between the ecological and landscape aspects of Pine Barrens of New Jersey. The idea in this book is based from the discussions of Rutgers University botanists and ecologists at the 1975 American Institute of Biological Science meetings, and from the interest generated by the 1976 annual New Jersey Academy of Science meeting, which focuses on the Pine Barrens. This seven-part book starts with a short discussion on location and boundaries of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Part I covers human activities, from Indian activities and initial European perceptions of the land, including settlement, lumbering, fuel wood and charcoal, iron and glassworks, farming and livestock, and real estate development. The next part of the book describes sandy deposits, geographic distribution of geologic formations, and soil types with their ecologically important characteristics. Topics on hydrology, aquatic ecosystems, and climatic and microclimatic conditions are presented in the third part of this reference. Part IV traces the history of vegetation starting before the Ice Age and analyzes vegetation using different approaches, such as community types, community classification according to a European method, and gradient analysis. Plants of the Pine Barrens are briefly described and listed in Part V. The final part illustrates community relationships of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, and soil microcommunities. The book is ideal for ecologists, botanists, geologists, soil scientists, zoologists, hydrologists, limnologists, engineers, and scientists, as well as planners, decision-makers, and managers who may largely determine the future of a region.

Physical Forces and the Mammalian Cell

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Bozzano G Luisa
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 0 1 9 5

This book examines the physical forces - fluid shear, stretch, and gravity that play a role in the physiology of tissues and cellular functions. It gives special attention to the influences of the flow of blood and exercise on the growth of blood vessels and the flow of interstitial fluid on bone formation. Pathological conditions are also presented, such as the lack of mechanical loading on bone and osteoporosis. For biotechnologists, the problem of cell susceptibility to agitation-induced hydrodynamic forces in the scale-up of mammalian cell bioreactors is examined.

Conformation in Fibrous Proteins and Related Synthetic Polypeptides

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
R Fraser
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 3 9 9 8

Conformation in Fibrous Proteins: And Related Synthetic Polypeptides provides a comprehensive and critical account of conformation in fibrous proteins and synthetic polypeptides in the solid state. Physical methods of determining conformation are discussed, and relevant results from studies of synthetic polypeptides and fibrous proteins are presented. Comprised of 18 chapters divided into three sections, this book opens with a discussion on the theory and technique of X-ray diffraction applicable to the study of conformation in fibrous materials, along with electron diffraction, electron microscopy, optical diffraction, and infrared spectrophotometry. The procedures used for conformation analysis and prediction are also outlined. The following chapters consider optimization techniques and other methods for elucidating conformation in fibrous proteins and synthetic polypeptides; the use of synthetic polypeptides as models of fibrous proteins; and conformation in fibrous proteins such as silks, collagens, myofibrillar proteins, and keratins. This monograph will be a valuable source of information for molecular biologists.

Carnitine Biosynthesis Metabolism, And Functions

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Rene Frenkel
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 3 4 0 9

Carnitine Biosynthesis, Metabolism, and Functions contains the proceedings of the Virginia Lazenby O'Hara Biochemistry Symposium held in Dallas, Texas, from March 31 to April 1, 1979. The papers explore all aspects of carnitine metabolism, including its biosynthesis, regulation, transport, and functions. Comprised of 24 chapters divided into four sections, this book opens with a brief review of the situation which led to the discovery of carnitine as a vitamin and its role in acetylation. The discussion then turns to the chemistry and biosynthesis of carnitine in Neurospora crassa, rat kidney, and humans. The purification of enzymes involved in the conversion of trimethyllysine to trimethylaminobutyra... is also considered. The following chapters examine carnitine transport across the plasma membrane; formation and utilization of isobutyrylcarnitine; regulation of blood carnitine and carnitine acyltransferases in the perinatal period; and inhibitors of carnitine transport and metabolism. The final section is devoted to medical and clinical aspects of carnitine, touching on topics such as the possible causes and effects of carnitine deficiency in humans; carnitine deficiency in cirrhosis; protective effects of L-carnitine on ischemic heart; and changes in carnitine-linked metabolism during ischemia, thermal injury, and shock. This monograph will be a useful resource for biochemists and those interested in the physiological roles of carnitine.

Mass Action in the Nervous System

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Bozzano G Luisa
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 0 2 0 1

Mass Action in the Nervous System: Examination of the Neurophysiological Basis of Adaptive Behavior through the EEG focuses on the neural mechanisms and the behavioral significance of the electroencephalogram... with emphasis on observations made on the mammalian olfactory system. Organized into seven chapters, this book begins with a brief nonmathematical review of the concept of the neuron and the interrelations among neurons that lead to the formation of interactive masses. Some chapters follow on the linear properties of neurons and their parts; the ionic hypothesis; the nonlinear input-output relations of neurons in masses expressed in terms of amplitude-dependent coefficients in linear differential equations; and the relations between the states of activity of neurons. Subsequent chapters describe the properties resulting from feedback within neural masses; the effects of the nonlinearities in the input-output relations of neurons on the behavior of masses; and some inferences concerning the mechanisms of neural signal processing at the level of neural masses. The book is a model for an advanced text in neurophysiology, and some understanding is assumed of the elements of the fields of linear analysis, probability, statistics, theory of potential, neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, and experimental psychology.

Chemical Endocrinology

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Edward Frieden
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 9 0 6 7

Chemical Endocrinology deals with the chemical nature of naturally occurring hormones, their chemical structures, and their biological activities. Hormones discussed in this text include thyroid and parathyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, gonadal hormones, pancreatic hormones, pituitary hormones, hypothalamic-releasi... hormones, and gastrointestinal hormones. Comprised of 15 chapters, this book opens with a brief description of the biological functions of the products of the endocrine glands, followed by a discussion on the use of bioassays to measure hormone concentration. Various types of bioassays for adrenocorticotropin are considered, along with hormone assay by specific ligand binding. The biochemistry of relaxin, calcitonin, hormones of the adrenal medulla, steroid hormones, hormones of the anterior pituitary, melanocyte-stimulati... hormones, and other hormones is then described. The final chapter is devoted to erythropoietin, its occurrence, isolation and chemical properties. This monograph will be of interest to biochemists, endocrinologists, biologists, and physiologists, as well as to students and investigators in other fields.

Biochemistry of Thermophily

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
S. Marvin Friedman
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 1 4 1 2

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.

Interferons A Primer

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Robert Friedman
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 6 0 8 5 8

Interferons: A Primer covers general information on interferon, including analysis, purification, production, properties, mechanism of action, and clinical uses. Organized into 10 chapters, the book starts with a short history of interferon’s discovery by Isaacs and Lindenmann, followed by topics on assays for interferon, such as factors affecting interferon assays and rapid biological assay. Chapters 3 to 6 discuss the purification, properties, production, antiviral action, and other functions of interferon. Chapters 7 and 8 examine the recovery from viral infection and clinical uses of interferon, with emphasis on treatment of human cancer. The concluding chapters focus on the application of interferon studies on two revolutionizing fields of biology, namely, the cloning of animal genes in microorganisms and the production of monoclonal antibodies. This book is intended for students, scientists, physicians, or educated laypersons who wish to know something about interferons, but do not plan carrying out research in this area.

Laboratory Safety Theory and Practice

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Anthony Fuscaldo
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 3 6 5 2

Laboratory Safety: Theory and Practice focuses on theoretical aspects of the hazards the students, technicians, and scientists encounter in the laboratory. It presents methods of risk assessment that can be applied to technologies as they are translated from the scientist’s mind to the laboratory bench. It is organized into three sections designated as General Laboratory Safety, Biological Laboratory Safety, and Medical and Psychological Factors. The first section, encompassing three chapters, discusses hazards found in almost all laboratories; pertinent safety theories and practices; ubiquitous compounds that are either toxic or carcinogenic and guidelines for their use; and radiation hazards. Chapters 4 to 7 focus on the safety in the biological laboratory. Discussions on relatively complex group of viruses, approach to recombinant DNA research, and awareness on the possible hazards associated with the field are included in this book. Chapters 6 and 7 present design and function of biohazard laboratories and the hazards relating to laboratory animals. The final section discusses medical surveillance of persons at risk and the psychological factors involved in accident control. It presents a comprehensive list of chemical agents, their sources, subsequent physical effects, and the accepted mode of medical surveillance. Various genetic screening tests and their potential use for the evaluation of presumptive and actual mutagens are also covered. This book is ideal for safety and design engineers, students, technicians, and scientists.

Electrical Interactions in Molecular Biophysics

1st Edition
December 2, 2012
Raymond Gabler
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 4 0 4 8

Electrical Interactions in Molecular Biophysics: An Introduction deals with electrical interactions between biomolecules and therefore encompasses two disciplines, molecular biology and physics. The emphasis is on the electrical nature of biochemical or molecular biological reactions. The principles of electrostatics are used to explain some of the basic units of structure on a molecular level. Comprised of nine chapters, this book opens with an overview of the concepts and structures of biochemistry, with particular reference to different structural biochemical groups and how they are used as building blocks in forming molecules. The following chapters discuss the basics of elementary electrostatics; dielectric constants and dipoles; the dipole moments of biomolecules; van der Waals forces; and Debye-Huckel theory. Water and water structure are also considered from a physical standpoint. The final chapter is devoted to experimental techniques that rely upon the electrical properties of biomolecules and explains what types of information can be obtained from each experimental form. This monograph will be of interest to students and practitioners in biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, or microbiology.

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

Books in Life sciences