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Books in Life sciences

  • Molecular Biophysics

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • M Volkenstein
    • English
    Molecular Biophysics presents the fundamental principles of biophysics and their application to the study of the physical properties of biological macromolecules. The merger of biology and physics involves the development of sophisticated instrumentation and the molecular approach to the study of life phenomena. This book is composed of nine chapters and begins with an overview of the thermodynamical aspects and chemical foundations of biophysics. These topics are followed by the physical aspects of macromolecules, with a particular emphasis on the biological functions, conformation, and hydrophobic interactions of proteins. The subsequent chapter describes the structural and electro-optical properties of biopolymers based on X-ray, optical, and spectroscopic analysis. The discussion then shifts to enzymes, their chemical kinetics, catalytic potential, and conformational and cooperative properties. The remaining chapters explore the physical aspects of nucleic acids and the biosynthesis of proteins. This book will prove useful to molecular biophysicists, biologists, physicists, and researchers in the fields of life sciences.
  • Shedding of Plants Parts

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • T.T. Kozlowski
    • English
    Shedding of Plant Parts focuses on the anatomical, physiological, and ecological features of shedding of vegetative and reproductive parts of plants. This book encompasses both natural and induced shedding. Organized into 12 chapters, this book first outlines the extent of shedding of plant cells, tissues, and organs and summarizes the biological and economic implications of such shedding. Separate chapters follow that discuss anatomical and histochemical changes in leaf abscission; the physiological ecology and internal regulation of abscission; and the shedding of shoots, branches, bark, roots, pollen, seeds, and reproductive structures of forest trees. This book also explains the anatomical changes in abscission of reproductive structures, chemical thinning of flowers and fruits, and chemical control of fruit abscission. This book will be valuable to plant anatomists, pathologists, and physiologists, and to agronomists, arborists, biochemists, ecologists, entomologists, foresters, horticulturists, landscape architects, meteorologists, and soil scientists.
  • Cytokines and B Lymphocytes

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • Robin E. Callard
    • English
    Over the past five years the major importance of cytokines in the regulation of the immune system has become established. This book is the first to review the role of these factors in the control of growth of differentiation of B lymphocytes and thus represents an up-to-date and timely overview of the B-cell response.For the immunologist, there are detailed accounts of the physio-chemical properties of the relevant cytokines and their effect on B lymphocytes from the level of receptor signalling, through ontogeny, activation and proliferation to the expression of specific immunoglobulin isotypes. For the clinician, the involvement of cytokines in disease and normal immune response is discussed.
  • Inactivity: Physiological Effects

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • Harold Sandler
    • English
    Inactivity: Physiological Effects describes the physiological deconditioning inherent in inactivity and immobilization. This book is organized into eight chapters that review the body of information from studies on healthy volunteers conducted in direct support of the space program. Considerable chapters are devoted to the changes occurring in the cardiovascular system, bone and muscle, metabolism and endocrine responses, psychosocial responses, and exercise tolerance. Other chapters discuss the clinical effects and clinical management of deterioration while indicating the changes that have been found in health, normal bed rested subjects. The remaining chapters explore the data on crews that have flown in since their physiological responses are qualitatively similar to those observed in bed rested subjects or immobilized patients on earth. Clinicians, nursing staff, physiologists, researchers, and students in the field will find this book invaluable.
  • Cell Biology of the Eye

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • David Mcdevitt
    • English
    Cell Biology of the Eye discusses the eye tissues and its role in the investigations on active transport, growth factors, receptors, and differentiation. The book is comprised of articles which discuss corneal proteoglycans; transport of ions and metabolites across the corneal endothelium; the ontogeny and localization of the crystallins in eye lens development and regeneration; the biological-physical basis of lens transparency; the chromatic organization of the retina; and the dopamine neurons in the retina. This treatise will serve as a valuable reference text for graduate and professional students, teachers, researchers, clinicians, and to all in the vision field.
  • Origin of Cultivated Rice

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • H.-I. Oka
    • English
    This book aims to up-date our present understanding of the origin of cultivated rice and in doing so involves different disciplines of biology and the archaeological-histo... sciences. Various recent discoveries are reviewed and questions posed for further consideration by the reader.The book covers a wide range of studies on problems relative to the origin of cultivated rice, placing emphasis on ecological and genetical aspects. Comparisons are made between two cultivated rice species, independently evolved in Asia and Africa from respective wild progenitors. Phenomena are observed during mixed planting and hybrids discussed. Detailed information is presented about Asian common wild rice, thought to be the ancestor of common rice. The dynamics of domestication are considered with regard to hybridization, selection, formation of weedy types and the accumulation of genetic diversity. Also included are recent archaeological findings in relation to the beginnings of rice culture, leading to the hypothesis of diffused origins. Cultivars of common rice fall into one of two types called Indica and Japonica. The dynamics of differentiation are discussed, giving evidence and different hypotheses. Information on the genetic bases and functions of various reproductive barriers found between the cultivated and wild taxa is presented and discussed. The practical aspects of crop-evolutionary studies concerned with the breeding phylosophy and germplasm conservation are briefly commented on and arguments for rediversification of crop germplasm and conservation of the environment given.Senior scientists and post-graduate students interested in rice genetics, crop evolution, and related sciences will find this book invaluable.
  • Psychopharmacological Agents V3

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • Maxwell Gordon
    • English
    Psychopharmacologica... Agents, Volume III focuses on psychopharmacologica... agents used for the treatment of mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. The drugs considered include antipsychotic agents, butyrophenones, dephenylbutylpiperid... 1,4-benzodiazepines, and antidepressants. Comprised of seven chapters, this volume opens with an overview of the progress that has been made in the therapy of the mentally ill by means of psychopharmacologica... agents, with emphasis on indole derivatives and miscellaneous compounds such as mepiprazol, metoclopramide, benzothiazinone, and benzothienopyridine. The next chapter focuses on biological factors in the affective disorders and schizophrenia, followed by a discussion on tricyclic antipsychotic agents, butyrophenones and dephenylbutylpiperid... and antianxiety agents of the benzodiazepine class. Potential central nervous system drugs are also considered briefly, together with electroencephalogram applications in psychopharmacology. The final chapter is devoted to the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical activity of antidepressant drugs. This book will be of interest to chemists, pharmacologists, psychiatrists, physicians, and other medical professionals.
  • The Kidney Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • Charles Rouiller
    • English
    The Kidney: Morphology, Biochemistry, and Physiology, Volume IV covers the developments in the study of renal structure and function, particularly on the subcellular and molecular level. This book is composed of six chapters that consider the correlation of kidney's structure with function, as well as the participation of the kidney in metabolic systems and its relation to other organs. This text discusses topics such as experimental and renal transplantation, the structure and function of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, and the macula densa. Other chapters deal with the gaseous and substrate metabolism of the kidney and the role of this organ in the osmotic concentration and dilution of the urine. The remaining chapters explore hydrogen secretion, potassium and sodium excretion, and the correlation of the kidney with vitamins and parathyroid gland. This book is of value to morphologists, biochemists, physiologists, pathologists, pharmacologists, and clinicians.
  • Physico-Chemical Models

    Second revised edition
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5B
    • December 2, 2012
    • G.H. Bolt
    • English
  • New Technologies in Animal Breeding

    • 1st Edition
    • December 2, 2012
    • B G Brackett
    • English
    New Technologies in Animal Breeding looks at new reproductive technologies in breeding domestic animals, such as sex selection, frozen storage of oocytes and embryos, in vitro fertilization and embryo culture, amphibian nuclear transplantation, parthenogenesis, identical twins and cloning in mammals, and gene transfer in mammalian cells. It summarizes the state-of-the art and offers perspectives on future directions for several animal industries of great importance in food production, including artificial insemination, embryo transfer, poultry breeding, and aquaculture. Organized into five sections encompassing 14 chapters, this book begins with an overview of animals in society and perspectives on animal breeding. It then discusses the animal industries that are heavily dependent on reproductive technology, including those engaged in cloning, selfing, aquaculture, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer. It also explains the developing technologies as well as their potential applications and impacts on animal production, along with special economic considerations, such as the benefits of reproductive management, synchronization of estrus, and artificial insemination of beef cattle and sheep. The final chapter considers biomedical and agricultural research, implementation of new technologies in animal breeding, and research in animal reproduction. This book is an essential reference for scientists and researchers interested in animal science and animal reproduction.