Books in Biological and medical physics

41-50 of 59 results in All results

Magnetobiology

• 1st Edition
• March 8, 2002
• Vladimir N. Binhi
• English
• Hardback 978-0-12-100071-4

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• eBook 978-0-08-053573-9

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People are immersed in electromagnetic fields from such sources as power lines, domestic appliances, mobile phones, and even electrical storms. All living beings sense electric fields, but the physical origins of the phenomenon are still unclear. Magnetobiology considers the effects of electromagnetic fields on living organisms. It provides a comprehensive review of relevant experimental data and theoretical concepts, and discusses all major modern hypotheses on the physical nature of magnetobiological effects. It also highlights some problems that have yet to be solved and points out new avenues for research. Why do some people feel unwell during a lightning storm? Why is there a correlation between the level of electromagnetic background and the incidence of cancer? Why do so many medical centers use electromagnetic exposures to treat a wide variety of disorders in humans? The international scientific community is extremely interested in a theory of magnetobiology and the answers to these and other questions, as evidenced by the growing number of research associations in the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has named electromagnetic contamination in occupational and residential areas as a stress factor for human beings. This book stands out among recent texts on magnetobiology because it draws on a strong foundation of empirical and theoretical evidence to explain the various effects of magnetic fields on the human body. It contains the first comprehensive collection of experimental data bearing physical information, frequency and amplitude/power spectra, and original research data on how electromagnetic fields interfere with ions and molecules inside the proteins of living organisms.

Neuro-informatics and Neural Modelling

• 1st Edition
• Volume 4
• June 26, 2001
• F. Moss + 1 more
• English
• eBook 978-0-08-053742-9

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How do sensory neurons transmit information about environmental stimuli to the central nervous system? How do networks of neurons in the CNS decode that information, thus leading to perception and consciousness? These questions are among the oldest in neuroscience. Quite recently, new approaches to exploration of these questions have arisen, often from interdisciplinary approaches combining traditional computational neuroscience with dynamical systems theory, including nonlinear dynamics and stochastic processes. In this volume in two sections a selection of contributions about these topics from a collection of well-known authors is presented. One section focuses on computational aspects from single neurons to networks with a major emphasis on the latter. The second section highlights some insights that have recently developed out of the nonlinear systems approach.

Molecular Mechanisms in Visual Transduction

• 1st Edition
• Volume 3
• November 30, 2000
• D.G. Stavenga + 2 more
• English
• Hardback 978-0-444-50102-8

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• eBook 978-0-08-053677-4

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Molecular mechanisms in visual transduction is presently one of the most intensely studied areas in the field of signal transduction research in biological cells. Because the sense of vision plays a primary role in animal biology, and thus has been subject to long evolutionary development, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying vision have a high degree of sensitivity and versatility. The aims of visual transduction research are firstto determine which molecules participate, and then to understand how they act in concert to produce the exquisite electrical responses of the photoreceptor cells.Since the 1940s [1] we have known that rod vision begins with the capture of a quantum of energy, a photon, by a visual pigment molecule, rhodopsin. As the function of photon absorption is to convert the visual pigment molecule into a G-protein activating state, the structural details of the visual pigments must beexplained from the perspective of their role in activating their specific G-proteins. Thus, Chapters 1-3 of this Handbook extensively cover the physico-chemical molecular characteristics of the vertebrate rhodopsins. Following photoconversion and G-protein activation, the phototransduction cascade leads to modifications of the population of closed and open ion channels in the photoreceptor plasma membrane, and thereby to the electrical response. The nature of the channels of vertebrate photoreceptors is examined in Chapter 4, and Chapter 5 integrates the present body of knowledge of the activation steps in the cascade into a quantitative framework. Once the phototransduction cascade is activated, it must be subsequently silenced. The various molecular mechanisms participating in inactivation aretreated in Chapters 1-4 and especially Chapter 5. Molecular biology is now an indispensable tool in signal transduction studies. Numerous vertebrate (Chapter 6) and invertebrate (Chapter 7) visual pigments have been characterized and cloned. The genetics and evolutionary aspects of this great subfamily of G-protein activating receptors are intriguing as they present a natural probe for the intimate relationship between structure and function of the visual pigments. Understanding the spectral characteristics from the molecular composition can be expected to

Biology in Physics

• 1st Edition
• Volume 2
• October 13, 1999
• Konstantin Yu. Bogdanov
• English
• eBook 978-0-08-050013-3

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Biology in Physics is a radical new book which bridges the gap between biology and physics. The aim is to promote an interdisciplinary exchange of scientific information and ideas, in order to stimulate cooperation in research. The scope of this volume explores both the concepts and techniques of biophysics and illustrates the latest advances in our understanding of many of the specific mechanisms that are used by living organisms. This volume represents a special effort to bring together the information that would allow a nonbiologically oriented physicist to appreciate the important role that physics plays in life sciences.

From Cell to Brain

• 1st Edition
• Volume 65
• December 16, 1998
• G. Zaccai + 2 more
• English
• Hardback 978-0-444-50086-1

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The first section of this volume corresponds to courses on the cytoskeleton, its various structures and its dynamics, especially during the cell cycle. The reductionist approach is favoured in this field and considerable effort is spent on finding out how these structures are built up from their component molecules, how they grow or decrease in size, how they interact with each other and with other cell components. The second section describes the endo membrane system of a eukaryotic cell and the regulated protein traffic that flows through it. Part III deals with the onset of higher levels of organization. Topics covered include the development of the central nervous system, the role of time in biology and theoretical models to describe biochemical and cellular oscillations. The volume concludes with a reflection on physics and biology and the author shares some of his thoughts on the different ways in which physicists and biologists tackle problems in their respective fields.

Quantitative Functional Brain Imaging with Positron Emission Tomography

• 1st Edition
• August 28, 1998
• Richard E. Carson + 2 more
• English
• Hardback 978-0-12-161340-2

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• eBook 978-0-08-054011-5

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This book presents the latest scientific developments in the field of positron emission tomography (PET) dealing with data acquisition, image processing, applications, statistical analysis, tracer development, parameter estimation, and kinetic modeling. It covers improved methodology and the application of existing techniques to new areas. The text also describes new approaches in scanner design and image processing, and the latest techniques for modeling and statistical analyses. This volume will be a useful reference for the active brain PET scientist, as well as a valuable introduction for students and researchers who wish to take advantage of the capabilities of PET to study the normal and diseased brain.

Proteins at Liquid Interfaces

• 1st Edition
• Volume 7
• April 24, 1998
• D. Möbius + 1 more
• English
• Hardback 978-0-444-82944-3

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• eBook 978-0-08-054000-9

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The interfacial behaviour of surfactants and proteins, and their mixtures, is of importance in a wide range of areas such as food technology, detergency, cosmetics, coating processes, biomedicine, pharmacy and biotechnology. Methods such as surface and interfacial tension measurements and interfacial dilation and shear rheology characterise the relationships between these interfacial properties and the complex behaviour of foams and emulsions is established. Recently-developed experimental techniques, such as FRAP which enable the measurement of molecular mobility in adsorption layers, are covered in this volume. The development of theories to describe the thermodynamic surface state or the exchange of matter for proteins and protein/surfactant mixtures is also described.Features of this book:• Reflects the state-of-the-art research and application of protein interfacial layers rather than a snapshot of only some recent developments.• Emphasis is placed on experimental details as well as recent theoretical developments.• New experimental techniques applied to protein interfacial layers are described, such as FRAP or ADSA, or rheological methods to determine the mechanical behaviour of protein-modified interfaces.• A large number of practical applications, ranging from emulsions relevant in food technology for medical problems such as lung surfactants, to the characterisation of foams intrinsic to beer and champagne production.The book will be of interest to research and university institutes dedicated to interfacial studies in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine and food engineering. Industrial departments for research and technology in food industry, pharmacy, medicine and brewery research will also find this volume of value.

Electronic Structure of Clusters

• 1st Edition
• Volume 29
• February 6, 1998
• Michael C. Zerner + 6 more
• English
• eBook 978-0-08-058254-2

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Advances in Quantum Chemistry publishes surveys of current developments in the rapidly developing field of quantum chemistry--a field that falls between the historically established areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. With invited reviews written by leading international researchers, each presenting new results, this quality serial provides a single vehicle for following progress in this interdisciplinary area.

Radiation Biophysics

• 2nd Edition
• October 10, 1997
• Edward L. Alpen
• English
• Hardback 978-0-12-053085-4

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• eBook 978-0-08-054020-7

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This newly revised and updated edition of Radiation Biophysics provides an in-depth description of the physics and chemistry of radiation and its effects on biological systems. Coverage begins with fundamental concepts of the physics of radiation and radioactivity, then progresses through the chemistry and biology of the interaction of radiation with living systems. The Second Edition of this highly praised text includes major revisions which reflect the rapid advances in the field. New material covers recent developments in the fields of carcinogenesis, DNA repair, molecular genetics, and the molecular biology of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The book also includes extensive discussion of the practical impact of radiation on everyday life.

Lipid Polymorphism and Membrane Properties

• 1st Edition
• Volume 44
• October 2, 1997
• Douglas M. Fambrough + 2 more
• English
• eBook 978-0-08-058515-4

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The major lipid components of biological membranes can undergo many diverse and fascinating morphological rearrangements. Studies of these diverse phases and the manner in which they are formed tends to alter the properties of ordinary bilayer membranes. This book examines the structural and biological roles of lipids forming non-lamellar structures.