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Books in Life sciences

    • Practical Protein Crystallography

      • 1st Edition
      • Duncan E. McRee
      • English
      Designed for easy use by both new and experienced protein crystallographers, this much-needed book is for anyone interested in solving protein structures by the method of crystallography. It contains many examples ofactual experiments and data, including electron density maps. Computer methods and computer code samples are presented. Practical Protein Crystallography is loaded with new information on area detectors, synchrotron radiation techniques, and the latest computer methods, and features the XtalView software system. Graduate students and teachers in physical biochemistry and pharmaceutical researchers will find this text a timely and convenient aid.
    • Biology of the Tapeworm Hymenolepis Diminuta

      • 1st Edition
      • Hisao Arai
      • English
      Biology of the Tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta covers the physiological and biochemical aspects of the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta. This book relates past and present knowledge in the field of parasitology. This reference is organized into 12 chapters, starting with a brief discussion on life history and taxonomy of the species. This is followed by the developmental biology of the fertilized ovum to the formation of the cysticercoids in an insect host. Discussions on the embryological, biochemical, and physiological aspects of H. diminuta, the intestinal helminth infections, and procedures for in vitro cultivation of various tapeworm species are provided. Chapter 7 presents a review of molecular DNA and RNA of H. diminuta and the results of isolation and characterization of these macromolecules. This is followed by a discussion on energy metabolism of adult H. diminuta in chapter 8. The latter four chapters focus on biochemical aspects of H. diminuta, including its membrane biology, immunity, and migratory and chemotherapeutic activities. This book encourages diversity among future studies in helminth ecology, physiology, immunology, and biochemistry. It will serve its purpose and ensure that parasitology field continues.
    • Concepts of Membrane Structure

      • 1st Edition
      • Ronald Aloia
      • English
      Membrane Fluidity in Biology, Volume 1: Concepts of Membrane Structure covers membrane properties influenced by alterations in membrane lipid compositions and/or other organizational parameters that are encompassed by the term fluidity. This book is composed of eight chapters that discuss significance of fluidity changes in both normal and pathological cellular functions. This book starts by describing membrane structural organization and composition and arrangement of the molecular components of cell membranes. This is followed by discussions on structural properties of lipids and role of nonbilayer lipid structures in membrane fusion. The methodological approaches in study of cellular membrane structural diversity and fluid mosaic model for accurate representation of membrane fluidity are also discussed. This volume then describes the phenomenon of reversed or ""negative"" membrane images, as viewed with transmission electron microscope. Chapters 6 and 7 explain the interaction of cytochrome P-450 with phospholipids and proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and steps in the derivation of membrane structure and packing principles. Finally, the concluding chapter focuses on the membrane of the human red blood cell and presents relatively simple arguments concerning its physical properties. The book will serve as a primary source for research scientists and teachers interested in cellular membrane fluidity phenomena.
    • The Geographical Distribution of Animal Viral Diseases

      • 1st Edition
      • Stewart Hal
      • English
      The Geographical Distribution of Animal Viral Diseases attempts to shed some light on the global distribution of 110 different viral diseases, mainly of livestock and companion animals. The world literature was screened for 110 different viruses, and maps were prepared. These maps delineate the global distribution of pathogenic viruses based on authenticated reports from a variety of reliable sources. Four viruses were categorized as affecting more than one species to a significant degree (astrovirus, rabies, rotaviruses, and Rift Valley fever). The largest number of maps involved viruses that affect humans. Of the 28 viruses a large number were from the California encephalitis group. Ten of the 28 viruses were reported only in the Eastern Hemisphere, 14 only in the Western Hemisphere, and four were worldwide. Birds were the next most frequently affected group with the 15 viruses, followed by pigs with 14 viruses. Overall the vector-borne viruses appear to have much sharper and clear-cut geographical boundaries than the others.
    • Fire and Ecosystems

      • 1st Edition
      • T.T. Kozlowski
      • English
      Fire and Ecosystems focuses on a number of aspects of fire ecology. This book deals separately with both harmful and beneficial effects of fire on soils, soil organisms, animals, and plants. This reference material elucidates the effects of fire on grasslands and considers the role of fire in temperate forests and related ecosystems. Four chapters are presented on a regional basis to highlight variations in responses, especially plant succession, to fire. The use of fire in land management is also explored. This book will serve as an invaluable reference material to researchers, teachers, and land managers.
    • Herbivorous Insects

      Host-seeking Behavior and mechanisms
      • 1st Edition
      • Sami Ahmad
      • English
      Herbivorous Insects: Host-Seeking Behavior and Mechanisms addresses mechanisms of searching behavior leading ultimately to host location of herbivorous insects. It is divided into four sections, wherein the first two sections deal with neurophysiology and the diversity of behavioral induction cues. The third section covers the searching mechanisms as affected by insects' breadth of diet. The last part examines the evolutionary analysis of the behavioral and physiological adaptations in insect/host plant relations. This book starts with an introduction to the chemical sensory system as it relates to host selection in general. This is followed by considerable discussions on host-seeking behavior and allied patterns in behavior. This text also includes the study of oviposition behavior in butterflies belonging to Papilionidae. The third section presents host selection and colonization by three insects within the saprophage-predator continuum, namely, Hylurgopinus rufipes, Scolytus multistriatus, and Pissodes strobi. The behaviors by which certain oligophagous insects locate and select food plants are also considered. The concluding part addresses the unifying theme and the diversity of responses of phytophagous insects to plants. The book provides direction toward developing a unifying theme and improving the ability to unravel the complexities of insect/plant interactions. Behaviorists, ecologists, entomologists, evolutionary biologists, and physiologists will find this book invaluable.
    • Chromosomal Proteins And Their Role In The Regulation Of Gene Expression

      • 1st Edition
      • Gary Stein
      • English
      Chromosomal Proteins and Their Role in the Regulation of Gene Expression examines how chromosomal proteins take part in the regulation of gene expression. This book also looks at the variety of approaches that are used in studying the structural and functional properties of chromosomal proteins, particularly as they relate to the control of transcription. This text is organized into 15 chapters and begins by analyzing the regulation of histone gene expression during the cell cycle and the role of non-histone chromosomal proteins in such regulation. The following chapters focus on the in vitro transcription of the globin gene in mouse fetal liver chromatin; the involvement of non-histone proteins in both positive and negative controls of gene activity; and the role of phosphorylated proteins as regulators of gene activity. The discussion then shifts to the phosphorylation state of non-histone proteins and its correlation with gene transcription; changes in nuclear proteins during embryonic development and cellular differentiation; and the manner by which histones are deposited onto replicating chromosomes. This book also explains the histone methylation, specific phosphorylation sites in lysine rich (H1) histone, and the separation and characterization of nuclear non-histone proteins by means of DNA columns. This book is of interest to advanced undergraduate students, as well as to graduate students and researchers in genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and microbiology.
    • Enzyme nomenclature 1978

      • 1st Edition
      • Commission on Biochemical Commission on Biochemical Nome
      • English
      Enzyme Nomenclature (1978) is an attempt to address the problems and difficulties that arise in the naming of enzymes and coenzymes. In this regard, the International Union of Biochemistry established the International Commission on Enzymes with the task of creating a standard or code for the future naming of enzymes and to correct and organize the existing names and groups. The text is divided to five chapters where the last two are references and index to the enzyme list. Chapter 1 establishes the premise of the text and explains the historical development of the commissions. Chapter 2 meanwhile gives more details regarding the general principles of enzymes and their system of classification. The rules for classification and nomenclature, as well as the key to the numbering and classification, of enzymes are also discussed. Finally, Chapter 3 lists all of the enzymes under several groups such as hydrolases and ligases. The book will be a valuable source of reference not just for students but also for scientists and researchers in the field of biochemistry, applied science, and nutrition.
    • Alternative Methods of Agriculture V10

      • 1st Edition
      • R Boeringa
      • English
      Alternative Methods of Agriculture is an English translation of a number of parts of "The Dutch Report on Alternative Agriculture.” This book explores not only the relationship between agriculture and the environment, but also the relationship between human beings and society. The book focuses on the role of nature and man in agriculture and environment; the justification of the terms natural and biological; comparisons between alternative agriculture and conventional agriculture; soil fertility; quality of products of alternative agriculture; coping mechanism of alternative agriculture to pests, weeds, diseases and energy problems; economics of alternative systems; and the effect of alternative agriculture on the integration of nature, agriculture and man. The book presents the ideologies that serve as the basis for alternative agriculture, such as A.N.O.G agriculture, biodynamic agriculture, Howard-Balfour agriculture, Lemaire-Boucher agriculture, macrobiotic agriculture, mazdaznan agriculture, organic-biological agriculture, and veganic agriculture. It also explores cultivation methods, including tillage, soil disinfection, fertilizing, composting, soil cover, crop rotation, and multiple cropping.
    • Physiological Adaptations

      Desert and Mountain
      • 1st Edition
      • Mohamed Yousef
      • English
      Physiological Adaptations: Desert and Mountain discusses the bodily modifications of different animals accordingly to desert and mountain environments. Covered in this book are the basic concepts of physiological adaptations; biophysical principles of acclimization to heat; partitional calorimetry in the desert; the mechanism of sweat in relation to heat; the effects of heat on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems; and the nutritional and metabolic aspects in relation to heat. The book also covers the effects of altitude on work performance; the physiology of respiration at altitude; and the body fluids, body composition, and metabolic aspects of high-altitude adaptation. The text is recommended for biologists and natural historians who would like to know more about how animals that have deserts and mountains as habitats adapt and survive.