A Saga of Evolution and Legends of Environmental Disasters in the History of Mankind
We are an integrated part of cosmos. Astronomy broadly studies universe, solar system, planets, galaxies, meteoroids, asteroids and astronomical bodies, often thought to be of celestial origin. Out of the occurrence of a fluke manifestation, one after the other resulting in the creation of life, species and humans. In modern times, Hubble Telescope revolutionised planetary studies and outlived its lifespan and enriched the human knowledge on Cosmos for about three decades. Hubble will be replaced by James Webb in near future.A tiny dot became universe followed by the birth of the sun, moon, the earth, other planets, nebula, galaxy, milky ways, and living kingdom. Life evolved, flora and fauna developed. Five catastrophic extinctions occurred eliminating several species. This journey is laid on twelve hours on a clock. In due course, Homo sapiens developed who brought along intricacies like Environmental Degradation, Global Warming and Climate Change. What length of the queue will be created if we trace the lineage of our generation back to the first human that appeared to roam about on the earth? Narrative wavers from line, tracks the life and achievements of ancient civilisations like Indus valley civilisation, the master traders; the Sumerians, the pioneers in many fields; the mysterious Maya; and incredibly industrious Rapa Nui, got eliminated due to damage to the fine balance of environmental sustainability. As scientists continue to turn up even more signs of collapsed civilisations, they are finding plenty of evidence that climate shifts are to blame to a considerable extent. Why and how? The narrative attempts to answer. The chronicle is before you which might engender a child-like fascination as you delve deeper and farther in it.
Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SL and HL)
Written by experienced teachers and school leaders with an in-depth understanding of teaching and assessments for the IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science SL and HL courses.This new TestPrep book in the Revise IB series helps students to familiarise themselves with the SEHS exams set by the International Baccalaureate. It provides information about the format of the papers and the types of exam questions included. Students can practise answering the questions by writing directly into the book, just like they do in the exam. And, as they work through, there are strategies, hints and support for answering the questions PLUS fully worked solutions at the end.From some excellent and unique multiple choice questions for Paper 1 to invaluable advice from the experts on how to tackle Papers 2 and 3, this book provides essential exam practice support for students revising for their Sports, Exercise and Health Science exams.Students will...Understand what to expect from the SEHS exam papers such as question types, how questions are assessed and how marks are assigned, plus information about the assessment objectivesSee example answers to Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3-style questions - with brand new, unseen sample answers to exam-style questions and answer analysis from the point of view of an examiner.Test themselves - with three complete sets of exam-style SEHS practice papers (the first set includes loads of additional tips, examiner commentary and support to guide students to achieve high marks; the second set has fewer helpful prompts; the last set has no additional help and is designed so students can have a go at it themselves!).Check answers - with fully-worked solutions in the back of the book.Practice exam papers are one of the best ways to make sure students feel confident, reassured and prepared for their exams. With full sets of exam-style papers to work through, Sports, Exercise and Health Science: Revise IB TestPrep Workbook is the perfect resource for students to use as part of their exam revision - whether this is before the mock exams or before the real thing.
Evolution of Island Mammals
EVOLUTION OF ISLAND MAMMALS Evolution on islands differs in a number of important ways from evolution on mainland areas. Over millions of years of isolation, exceptional and sometimes bizarre mammals evolved on islands, such as pig-sized elephants and hippos, giant rats and gorilla-sized lemurs that would have been formidable to their mainland ancestors.Evolution of Island Mammals, Second Edition, provides an updated and expanded overview of the current knowledge on fossil island mammals worldwide, ranging from the Oligocene to the onset of the Holocene. The book addresses evolutionary processes and key aspects of insular mammal biology, exemplified by a variety of fossil species.Readers familiar with the first edition will find here a host of updated and enhanced material, including: An entirely new chapter on the island ruleUpdated and expanded theoretical chaptersUpdated and improved taxonomic informationExtensive coverage of new discoveriesBody masses or body size indices for most extinct island mammalsNew figures visualizing the richness of the fossil recordThis accessible and richly illustrated textbook is written for graduate level students and professional researchers in evolutionary biology, palaeontology, biogeography, zoology, and ecology.
Flavonoids and Their Disease Prevention and Treatment Potential
Flavonoids are ubiquitously present in plant-based foods and natural health products. The molecule of flavonoids is characterized by a 15-carbon skeleton of C6-C3-C6, with the different structural configuration of subclasses. The major subclasses of flavonoids with health-promotional properties are the flavanols or catechins (e.g., epigallocatechin 3-gallate from green tea), the flavones (e.g., apigenin from celery), the flavonols (e.g., quercetin glycosides from apples, berries, and onion), the flavanones (e.g., naringenin from citrus), the anthocyanins (e.g., cyanidin-3-O-glucoside from berries), and the isoflavones (e.g., genistein from soya beans). Scientific evidence has strongly shown that regular intake of dietary flavonoids in efficacious amounts reduces the risk of oxidative stress- and chronic inflammation-mediated pathogenesis of human diseases such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and neurological disorders. The physiological benefits of dietary flavonoids have been demonstrated to be due to multiple mechanisms of action, including regulating redox homeostasis, epigenetic regulations, activation of survival genes and signaling pathways, regulation of mitochondrial function and bioenergetics, and modulation of inflammation response. The role of flavonoids on gut microbiota and the impact of microbial metabolites of flavonoids on optimal health has begun to unravel. The complex physiological modulations of flavonoid molecules are due to their structural diversity. However, some flavonoids are not absorbed well, and their bioavailability could be enhanced through structural modifications and applications of nanotechnology, such as encapsulation. This Special Issue consists of four review articles on flavonoids and 15 original research articles, which cover the latest findings on the role of dietary flavonoids and their derivatives in disease prevention and treatment.
Grafting as a Sustainable Means for Securing Yield Stability and Quality in Vegetable Crops
Vegetable growers around the world only collect, on average, half of the yield they would obtain under optimal conditions, known as yield potential. It is estimated that 60-70% of the yield gap is attributable to abiotic factors such as salinity, drought, suboptimal temperatures, nutritional deficiencies, flooding, waterlogging, heavy metals contamination, adverse soil pH and organic pollutants, while the remaining 30-40% is due to biotic factors, especially soilborne pathogens, foliar pathogens, arthropods and weeds. Under climate change forecasts, the pressure of biotic/abiotic stressors on yield is expected to rise and challenge further global food security. To meet global demand, several solutions have been proposed, focusing on the breeding of varieties with greater yield potential, but this one-size-fits-all solution leads to limited benefits. In order to overcome the current situation, grafting of elite scion varieties onto vigorous rootstock varieties has been suggested as one of the most promising drives towards further yield stability. Specifically, the implementation of suitable rootstock ? scion ? environment combinations in Solanaceous (tomato, eggplant, pepper) and Cucurbitaceous (melon, watermelon, melon) high-value crops represents an untapped opportunity to secure yield stability and reliability under biotic/abiotic stresses. This Special Issue invites Original Research, Technology Reports, Methods, Opinions, Perspectives, Invited Reviews and Mini Reviews dissecting grafting as a sustainable agro technology for enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses and reducing disease damage. In addition, the following are of interest: potential contributions dealing with genetic resources for rootstock breeding, practices and technologies of rootstock breeding, and rootstock-scion signaling, as well as the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying graft compatibility. In addition, the effect of grafting on vegetable quality, practical applications and nursery management of grafted seedlings and specialty crops (e.g. artichoke and bean) will be considered within the general scope of the Special Issue. We highly believe that this compilation of high standard scientific papers on the principles and practices of vegetable grafting will foster discussions within this important field.
Nanobody
Nanobodies have become outstanding tools for biomedical research, diagnostics and therapy. Recent advances in the identification and functionalization of target-specific nanobodies now make nanobody-based approaches broadly available to many researches in the field. This book provides a compilation of original research articles and comprehensive reviews covering important and up to date aspects of research on nanobodies and their applications for immunoassays, proteomics, protein crystallization and in vitro and in vivo imaging.
Emerging Role of Lipids in Metabolism and Disease
Even though initially considered as a passive means for storing energy, lipids are now regarded as multifaceted molecules with crucial structural and functional activities. For instance, some of them play essential roles as key components of cell membranes whereas others act as signaling molecules in the regulation of cell homeostasis. In recent years, lipid research has attracted increasing interest because of the involvement of this class of compounds in human health. Indeed, a plethora of pathological conditions are characterized by alterations in lipid metabolism, such as cardiovascular diseases and brain disorders. This Special Issue is a collection of papers from different experts in lipid research, with the aim of providing new insights into the physiopathological involvement of lipids and their impact on human health. This collection also demonstrates the usefulness of interdisciplinary approaches in the development of novel methods to study and manipulate lipid metabolism, which may represent an attractive target for designing effective therapeutic strategies to counteract numerous pathologies.
Dna- And Rna-Based Computing Systems
Discover the science of biocomputing with this comprehensive and forward-looking new resource DNA- and RNA-Based Computing Systems delivers an authoritative overview of DNA- and RNA-based biocomputing systems that touches on cutting-edge advancements in computer science, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and materials science. Accomplished researcher, academic, and author Evgeny Katz offers readers an examination of the intersection of computational, chemical, materials, and engineering aspects of biomolecular information processing. A perfect companion to the recently published Enzyme-Based Computing by the same editor, the book is an authoritative reference for those who hope to better understand DNA- and RNA-based logic gates, multi-component logic networks, combinatorial calculators, and related computational systems that have recently been developed for use in biocomputing devices. DNA- and RNA-Based Computing Systems summarizes the latest research efforts in this rapidly evolving field and points to possible future research foci. Along with an examination of potential applications in biosensing and bioactuation, particularly in the field of biomedicine, the book also includes topics like: A thorough introduction to the fields of DNA and RNA computing, including DNA/enzyme circuits A description of DNA logic gates, switches and circuits, and how to program them An introduction to photonic logic using DNA and RNA The development and applications of DNA computing for use in databases and robotics Perfect for biochemists, biotechnologists, materials scientists, and bioengineers, DNA- and RNA-Based Computing Systems also belongs on the bookshelves of computer technologists and electrical engineers who seek to improve their understanding of biomolecular information processing. Senior undergraduate students and graduate students in biochemistry, materials science, and computer science will also benefit from this book.
Novel Natural-based Biomolecules Discovery for Tackling Chronic Diseases
Natural-based biomolecules continuously play an important role in novel drug discovery for the treatment of chronic diseases. The development of natural peptide/protein-based, toxin-based, and antibody-based drugs can significantly improve the biomedical efficiency of disease-specific therapy. The focus of this Special Issue of Biomolecules will be on the most recent advances related to novel peptides/proteins, antibodies, and toxins as forms of medicinal therapy. Recent advances in the discovery and development of these natural biomolecules for use in targeted therapy and immunotherapy against chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis) will be addressed. The discussion on using novel disease-specific proteins/peptides/toxins/antibodies along with currently available FDA-approved drugs as combinatorial treatments will also be encouraged in this context. Finally, an overview of some of the selected promising natural biomolecules that are potentially able to address the forthcoming challenges in this field will be included. Both research (in particular) and review articles proposing novelties or overviews, respectively, are welcome.
The Gene's-Eye View of Evolution
'Arvid ?gren has undertaken the most meticulously thorough reading of the relevant literature that I have ever encountered, deploying an intelligent understanding to pull it into a coherent story. As if that wasn't enough, he gets it right.' (Richard Dawkins) To many evolutionary biologists, the central challenge of their discipline is to explain adaptation, the appearance of design in the living world. With the theory of evolution by natural selection, Charles Darwin elegantly showed how a purely mechanistic process can achieve this striking feature of nature. Since then, the way many biologists have thought about evolution and natural selection is as a theory about individual organisms. Over a century later, a subtle but radical shift in perspective emerged with the gene's-eye view of evolution in which natural selection was conceptualized as a struggle between genes for replication and transmission to the next generation. This viewpoint culminated with the publication of The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins (Oxford University Press, 1976) and is now commonly referred to as selfish gene thinking. The gene's-eye view has subsequently played a central role in evolutionary biology, although it continues to attract controversy. The central aim of this accessible book is to show how the gene's-eye view differs from the traditional organismal account of evolution, trace its historical origins, clarify typical misunderstandings and, by using examples from contemporary experimental work, show why so many evolutionary biologists still consider it an indispensable heuristic. The book concludes by discussing how selfish gene thinking fits into ongoing debates in evolutionary biology, and what they tell us about the future of the gene's-eye view of evolution. The Gene's-Eye View of Evolution is suitable for graduate-level students taking courses in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, and evolutionary genetics, as well as professional researchers in these fields. It will also appeal to a broader, interdisciplinary audience from the social sciences and humanities including philosophers and historians of science.
Evolutionary Change
Originally published in 1997 Evolutionary Change explores the biological mechanisms of change in their entirety - as they fit into the general dynamics of biological systems - and demonstrates the pitfalls of tackling change from a narrow perspective.
Monsters & Marine Mysteries
"Made me think twice about my next snorkeling trip!"-HorrorFan "If you have been waiting for the proverbial once-in-a-lifetime, under one cover collection of sea monster narratives, look no further than this recent entry."-Charles J. Kader, VINE VOICE Have you ever considered that sea monsters and other creatures may be part of your reality? Find out now in Monsters & Marine Mysteries. Written by bestselling author Max Hawthorne, this thrilling book has never-before-seen evidence based on scientific investigations, as well as interviews with eyewitnesses who had harrowing encounters with REAL sea monsters - and survived! Is the Kraken real, and how big is it? Did a monster squid really cripple a US destroyer back in 1978? (SPOILER: YES!) What is taking giant bites out of whales? Are you ready to bust the legends and get the facts? You are in luck - this guide gives you that opportunity. Inside Monsters & Marine mysteries you will find: - research on mysterious land cryptids like Sasquatch as well as deep-sea life- more about sharks - is Megalodon alive or is something even nastier out there?- compelling images backed by scientific evidence- interviews with eyewitnesses and much more Whether you are curious if Bigfoot is a myth or looking to know more about vampires - this book will take you on an exciting journey. There is something for everyone and so much to explore. From this book, you will discover the secrets of deep-sea life and many other beings living next to us - it is fascinating. Follow Kronos Rising series author and investigator Max Hawthorne as he explores the most mysterious places on earth, and decide for yourself - what is real and what is fiction? You will have all the facts. Just keep an open mind and proceed with caution - this book is no joke. The truth is always near, and you need to know where to look - before your next snorkeling trip. Let this guide be your compass. If you're fans of dinosaur books for adults like Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park and Lost World, must read adventure books like Greig Beck's To the Center of the Earth series, amazing action stories a la Steve Alten's Meg franchise, or legendary cryptid investigators like Lyle Blackburn and Linda S. Godfrey, you're going to fall in love with Max Hawthorne's Monsters & Marine Mysteries. Grab your copy, before it grabs you!"
Principles of Downstream Techniques in Biological and Chemical Processes
Downstream processing is an essential practice in the production and purification of biosynthethic materials, which is especially important in the production of pharmaceutical products. This book covers the fundamentals and the design concepts of various downstream recovery and purification steps (unit operations) involved in biochemical and chemical processes. The book describes cell breakage and recovery of intracellular material, isolation of solids, product recovery, product enrichment, and product polishing and finishing. It also covers basic chemical engineering purification techniques such as distillation, absorption, adsorption, etc. Described in the book are several case studies that discuss the various unit operation in each of the processes. An important point to consider is the economics of the downstream operation, and this book provides practical information on capital costs and operating expenses in addition to other operating cost factors with respect to downstream processing. Green chemistry and safety issues are also addressed.Practicing chemical engineers in biotechnology and pharmaceutical chemistry and other areas will find this book valuable as a reference on downstream techniques used in biological processes. Students in chemical engineering would benefit from this book as well.
Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering
Examining energy, environment, and sustainability from the chemical engineering point of view, this book highlights critical issues faced by chemical engineers and biochemical engineers worldwide. The book covers recent trends in chemical engineering and bioprocess engineering, such as CFD simulation, statistical optimization, process control, waste water treatment, micro reactors, fluid bed drying, hydrodynamic studies of gas liquid mixture in pipe, and more. Other chapters cover important ultrasound-assisted extraction, process intensification, polymers and coatings, as well as modelling of bioreactor and enzyme systems and biological nitrification.
Nutrition and Epigenetics
An essential resource for scientists and researchers of nutrition, aging, and metabolic diseases, this book highlights the interactions among nutrients, epigenetics, and health. It presents new information on the action of diet and nutritional determinants in regulating the epigenetic control of gene expression in health and disease. Each chapte
Biofoams
Written for students, professors, and professionals, this book covers biofoams and porous systems. Topics include bio-based polymers for the development of biodegradable and sustainable polymeric foams, foams in food, foams in biomedical applications, biohybrids and bio-inspired cellular and porous systems for lightweight, smart, and multifuncti
Thermodynamics in Bioenergetics
This book aims to supply students with the knowledge and understanding of the critical concepts and theories that are needed in the biochemistry and bioenergetics fields. Biochemical reactions highlighting thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, enzymes, the notions of Gibbs energy, entropy, and exergonic and endergonic reaction
A Probabilistic Model of the Genotype/Phenotype Relationship
This book provides a new hypothesis on the relationship between genotype and phenotype. The main idea is that this relationship is probabilistic, in other words, the genotype does not fully explain the phenotype. This book discusses the current knowledge on complex genetic diseases, phenotypic plasticity, canalization and others.
Diversity of Bacterial Respiratory Systems
It is the aim of this book to present reviews on a wide range of aspects of bacterial respiratory systems.
Biology and Ecology of Crayfish
Written by world experts in astacology, this book covers a range of aspects of the biology and ecology of freshwater crayfish. With a strong focus on wild crayfish, the book studies the taxonomy and genetics of this interesting group of animals. Under examination also are crayfish growth and reproduction, with detailed illustrations; behavior an
Biomedical Signal Processing
First published in 1986: The presentation of the material in the book follows the flow of events of the general signal processing system. After the signal has been acquired, some manipulations are applied in order to enhance the relevant information present in the signal.
Epigenetic Processes and Evolution of Life
This book covers the possible story of emergence of life and its subsequent evolution, emphasizing the necessary evolutionary step - negotiation of a common "language set" which kept all inhabitants in biosphere together, ensuring a basic level of understanding among them.
Modern Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
The industrial microbiology field involves thorough knowledge of the microbial physiology behind the processes. Various industrial microbiology applications are covered broadly, emphasizing the physiological and genomic principles behind them. New elements such as bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, site-directed mutation a
Computational Chemistry Methodology in Structural Biology and Materials Sciences
Omics in Clinical Practice
This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.This book serves as an introduction to genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics, putting these fields in relation to human disease and ailments. The various chapters consider the role of translation and personalized medicine, as well as pathogen detection, evolution, and infection, in relation to genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics. The topic of companion diagnostics is also covered. The book is broken into five sections. Part I examines the connection between omics and human disease. Part II looks at the applications for the fields of translational and personalized medicine. Part III focuses on molecular and genetic markers. Part IV describes the use of omics while studying pathogens, and Part V examines the applications for companion diagnostics. The book: - Introduces genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics in relation to human disease and ailments - Considers the role of translation and personalized medicine in relation to genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics - Covers molecular and genetic markers - Considers the role of genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics in relation to pathogen detection, evolution, and infection - Covers companion diagnostics in relation to genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics clinical applications and research
Nanobiotechnology for Sensing Applications
This book explores the potential of nanosystems as a multidisciplinary science with the aim of the design and development of smart sensing technologies using micro/nano electrodes and novel nanosensing material. It discusses their integration with MEMS, miniaturized transduction systems, novel sensing strategies, and wearable sensors performing at POC for diagnostics and personalized health care monitoring. It presents basic concepts pertaining to nanobiosensor fabrication, developments in the field of smart nanomaterials, nano-enabling technologies, micro-nano hybrind platforms, and their applications in healthcare.
Physical Chemistry Research for Engineering and Applied Sciences, Volume Three
This volume presents the various categories of high performance materials and their composites and provides up-to-date synthesis details, properties, characterization, and applications for such systems to give readers and users better information to select the required material.The volume provides the following features: - Includes a wide range of high performance and engineering materials- Details the synthesis and properties of each of new materials- Presents practical industrial applications- Contains material written by some of the world's most well-known and respected experts in the field
Marine Biology For The Non-Biologist
The title says it all! Anyone from the age of 12 upwards will gain an understanding of the amazing life that exists beneath the oceanic waves. Taking away the often hard to understand scientific terminology, this book was the first to be written in a straightforward way making it easy for anyone to read, understand and enjoy. So why should you consider this book? The average self published book has a lifetime sales expectancy of 100 - 250 copies, at the time of writing Marine Biology for the Non-Biologist has sold over 13,000 copies! A testament to the information it contains and the easy to read, unique and humorous style of writing, With over 470 reviews at 4.5 out of 5, from very happy customers and the on-going word of mouth recommendations it keeps on receiving is a true testimony of its quality. The authors email is included to allow people of all ages, to contact him. Andrew openly states he loves to receive questions from young people or their parents asking advise on how to proceed from school to degree level in marine sciences. To date he has advised 'scientists of the future' from all over Europe, USA, Australia and the Far East. If you are still not convinced then type the name of the book into a search engine and see what comes up. This publication has been in print since 2015 and after 10 years remains one of the most talked about and popular books in this field. The book describes the major groups of animals present in the sea, the soft-bodied animals; the cnidarians (jellyfish anemones, corals etc.), the crustaceans, (shrimps, crabs, lobsters, etc.) the molluscs, (the shellfish and squid etc.), the echinoderms (starfish, urchin etc). Detailing their life histories, reproductive strategies, adaptations, predator avoidance and how they grab a meal, plus much more. which collectively makes them successful as a species today. Then we examine coral reef architecture, (fringing, barrier, atolls and patch reefs) hydrothermal vent biology, life in the polar sea and marine invertebrate toxins (what's going to kill you in the sea). The book is crammed with amazing facts that make this subject such a wonderful topic to understand. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to know more about the life under the waves, amateur naturalists, conservationists, divers and snorkelers, and is often used as a steppingstone for those about embark in the next chapter of their life, as a student of marine biology. THE MARINE LIFE SERIES MORE BOOKS FROM ANDREW CAINE MARINE BIOLOGY JOURNAL A journal for the marine biology student - with a difference. The perfect gift for the student to keep a diary of their experience in college education. Each page has a fact about the subject that they need to know to attain that all important degree. Not just a pretty empty book for them to fill out. INCREDIBLE OCEANS Amazing facts and explanations from the wonderful worlds of: Marine Biology, Marine Ecology and Oceanography, chapters include. THE OCEAN: THE PLANKTON: LOCOMOTION AND MIGRATIONS: FEEDING: REPRODUCTION AND LIFE SPANS: HOUSING: RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPECIES: WHATS GOING TO KILL YOU?POLLUTION AND DESTRUCTION: MARINE ECOLOGY FOR THE NON-ECOLOGIST ECOLOGY - THE BASIC FACTS: THE PHYSICAL ASPECTS THAT SHAPE THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT: THE ROCKY SHORE: THE MUD AND THE SAND: WHERE RIVERS MEET THE SEA: THE SALTMARSH AND MANGROVES: CORAL REEFS:
The Better Half
A Guardian Book of the WeekLonglisted for the PEN / E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award An award-winning physician and scientist makes the game-changing case that genetic females are stronger than males at every stage of life Here are some facts: Women live longer than men. They have stronger immune systems. They're better at fighting cancer and surviving famine, and even see the world in a wider variety of colors. They are simply stronger than men at every stage of life. Why is this? And why are we taught the opposite? To find out, Dr. Sharon Moalem drew on his own medical experiences - treating premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit; recruiting the elderly for neurogenetic studies; tending to HIV-positive orphans in Thailand - and tried to understand why in every instance men were consistently less likely to thrive. The answer, he discovered, lies in our genetics: two X chromosomes offer a powerful survival advantage. With clear, captivating prose that weaves together eye-opening research, case studies, diverse examples ranging from the behavior of honeybees to American pioneers, as well as experiences from his personal life and his own patients, Moalem explains why genetic females triumph over males when it comes to resiliency, intellect, stamina, immunity and much more. He also calls for a reconsideration of our male-centric, one-size-fits-all view of medical studies and even how we prescribe medications - a view that still sees women through the lens of men. Revolutionary and yet utterly convincing, The Better Half will make you see humanity and the survival of our species anew.
Antibacterial activity of four plant species used in traditional medicine practice of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Master's Thesis from the year 2019 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, grade: 4, Arba Minch University, course: Medical Microbiology, language: English, abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial activity of crude extracts of four medicinal plants (A. pirottae, G. schweinfurthii, K. begoniifolia, and U. leptocladon), against ATCC and MDR clinical isolates of bacteria. Based on ethnobotanical data, four plants were collected from different areas of South Omo through several field trips followed by taxonomic identification. Leaves (A. pirottae, K. begoniifolia, and U. leptocladon) and root (G. schweinfurthii) parts of plants specimens were subjected to extraction process using six different organic solvents through maceration and subsequent filtration. The resultant crude extracts were screened for primary in vitro antibacterial activity against ATCC bacterial strains, using agar well diffusion assay. The plants that showed the highest activity indices were further screened against MDR bacterial isolates. MIC was performed on the most active plant extract. Results of antibacterial activities were analyzed using statistical software, SPSS for Windows version 20. The antibacterial activity significantly varied among the plant species, type of solvents used for the extraction and strains of bacteria tested. Ethyl acetate and ethanol was highly effective for extracting antibacterial principles, irrespective of plant species. The results of primary screening revealed that two plants (K. begoniifolia, and U. leptocladon) were highly active against ATCC strains. The results of the extended screening showed that, among the two plants, ethyl acetate extract of U. leptocladon efficiently inhibited the growth of MDR bacterial isolates. The MIC values of U. leptocladon were varied in inhibiting MDR bacteria tested. The overall findings of this study demonstrated that all the four plants have antibacterial activities in varying degre
Symmetry Breaking in Cells and Tissues
"Symmetry Breaking in Cells and Tissues" presents a collection of seventeen reviews, opinions and original research papers contributed by theoreticians, physicists and mathematicians, as well as experimental biologists, united by a common interest in biological pattern formation and morphogenesis. The contributors discuss diverse manifestations of symmetry breaking in biology and showcase recent developments in experimental and theoretical approaches to biological morphogenesis and pattern formation on multiple scales.
Analyzing the synergistic effects of plant extracts with bacteriophages against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Master's Thesis from the year 2020 in the subject Biology - Virology, University of the Punjab, language: English, abstract: By the passage of time the microorganisms that cause diseases become more resistant to antibiotics that are commonly used for treatment of diseases. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes nosocomial infections and is resistant to antibiotics due to presence of antibiotic resistance genes in chromosome. For the treatment of diseases caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, there is dire need of different alternative therapies to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance and bacteriophage therapy is one among them. There are certain hurdles the bacteriophage therapy is facing for its acceptance as routine therapy which includes, narrow host range and emergence of phage resistance in bacteria. There are assumptions that bacteriophage therapy might work more effectively by using phages in combination with antibiotics and plant extracts. Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses quorum sensing (management of genetic expression) in reaction to changes in cell concentration. The quorum sensing inhibitors should have the characteristics like stability, nontoxicity, present in small amount and non-degradable. The plant extract that we used was in the crude form and can be used for prevention of bacterial infection. In combination with bacteriophages, plant extract can alter structure of bacterial enzymes and proteins, can increase the flexibility of the membrane and, can also degrade it. Some plant extracts can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) which leads to death of bacteria. In this study, synergistic effect of both plant extract and bacteriophages was studied to find out how both plant extract and phages reduce the growth of bacteria. Bacterial inhibition was checked in liquid medium as well as on agar plates. Inhibitory effect was shown by all phages, and plant extracts at different levels with mixture of phage RL and RS. With methanol extract of clove indicated hi
Introduction to Epigenetics
This open access textbook leads the reader from basic concepts of chromatin structure and function and RNA mechanisms to the understanding of epigenetics, imprinting, regeneration and reprogramming. The textbook treats epigenetic phenomena in animals, as well as plants. Written by four internationally known experts and senior lecturers in this field, it provides a valuable tool for Master- and PhD- students who need to comprehend the principles of epigenetics, or wish to gain a deeper knowledge in this field. After reading this book, the student will: Have an understanding of the basic toolbox of epigenetic regulationKnow how genetic and epigenetic information layers are interconnectedBe able to explain complex epigenetic phenomena by understanding the structures and principles of the underlying molecular mechanismsUnderstand how misregulated epigenetic mechanisms can lead to disease
The Semantic Theory of Evolution
Originally published in 1985, The Semantic Theory of Evolution addresses the notion that life is not shaped by the single law of natural selection, but instead by a plurality of laws that resemble grammatical rules in language. This remarkable work presents a semantic theory centering on the concept of the ribotype. Supported by both sound facts and logical arguments, this analysis reaches beyond the established cadre of biological thought to unravel many of life's mysteries and paradoxes, including the origin of the cell and the nucleus and the evolution of ribosomes.
The Science of Animal Welfare
What is animal welfare? Why has it proved so difficult to find a definition that everyone can agree on? This concise and accessible guide is for anyone who is interested in animals and who has wondered how we can assess their welfare scientifically. It defines animal welfare as 'health and animals having what they want', a definition that can be easily understood by scientists and non-scientists alike, expresses in simple words what underlies many existing definitions, and shows what evidence we need to collect to improve animal welfare in practice. Above all, it puts the animal's own point of view at the heart of an assessment of its welfare. But, can we really understand what animals want? A consistent theme running through the book is that not only is it possible to establish what animals want, but that this information is vital in helping us to make sense of the long and often confusing list of welfare measures that are now in use such as 'stress' and 'feel good hormones', expressive sounds and gestures, natural behaviour, cognitive bias, and stereotypies. Defining welfare as 'health and what animals want' allows us to distinguish between measures that are simply what an animal does when it is alert, aroused, or active and those measures that genuinely allow us to distinguish between situations the animals themselves see as positive or negative. Sentience (conscious feelings of pleasure, pain, and suffering) is for many people the essence of what is meant by welfare, but studying consciousness is notoriously difficult, particularly in non-human species. These difficulties are discussed in the context of our current - and as yet incomplete - knowledge of human and animal consciousness. Finally, the book highlights some key ideas in the relationship between animal welfare science and animal ethics and shows how closely the well-being of humans is linked to that of other animals. The Science of Animal Welfare is an ideal companion for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in animal behaviour and welfare, as well as for professional researchers, practitioners and animal welfare consultants. At the same time, it is easily understandable to non-scientists and anyone without prior knowledge but with an interest in animals and the rapidly evolving science of animal welfare.
The Science of Animal Welfare
What is animal welfare? Why has it proved so difficult to find a definition that everyone can agree on? This concise and accessible guide is for anyone who is interested in animals and who has wondered how we can assess their welfare scientifically. It defines animal welfare as 'health and animals having what they want', a definition that can be easily understood by scientists and non-scientists alike, expresses in simple words what underlies many existing definitions, and shows what evidence we need to collect to improve animal welfare in practice. Above all, it puts the animal's own point of view at the heart of an assessment of its welfare. But, can we really understand what animals want? A consistent theme running through the book is that not only is it possible to establish what animals want, but that this information is vital in helping us to make sense of the long and often confusing list of welfare measures that are now in use such as 'stress' and 'feel good hormones', expressive sounds and gestures, natural behaviour, cognitive bias, and stereotypies. Defining welfare as 'health and what animals want' allows us to distinguish between measures that are simply what an animal does when it is alert, aroused, or active and those measures that genuinely allow us to distinguish between situations the animals themselves see as positive or negative. Sentience (conscious feelings of pleasure, pain, and suffering) is for many people the essence of what is meant by welfare, but studying consciousness is notoriously difficult, particularly in non-human species. These difficulties are discussed in the context of our current - and as yet incomplete - knowledge of human and animal consciousness. Finally, the book highlights some key ideas in the relationship between animal welfare science and animal ethics and shows how closely the well-being of humans is linked to that of other animals. The Science of Animal Welfare is an ideal companion for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in animal behaviour and welfare, as well as for professional researchers, practitioners and animal welfare consultants. At the same time, it is easily understandable to non-scientists and anyone without prior knowledge but with an interest in animals and the rapidly evolving science of animal welfare.
3D Bioprinting
This volume explores the latest developments and contributions to the field of 3D bioprinting, and discusses its use for quality R&D and translation. The chapters in this book are divided into two parts: Part one covers generic themes in bioprinting to introduce novice readers to the field, while also providing experts with new and helpful information. Part two discusses protocols used to prepare, characterize, and print a variety of biomaterials, cells, and tissues. These chapters also emphasize methods used for printing defined and humanized constructs suitable for human tissue modelling in research and applicable to clinical product development. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, 3D Bioprinting: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers and bioprinting laboratories/facilities interested in learning more about this rapidly evolving technology.
Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture
Greenhouse horticulture is one of the most intensive agricultural systems, focusing on the production of high-value products. This book presents current research findings that cover a wide range of new technologies and novel agricultural practices, which are preconditions for successful production in a very competitive global environment.
Postharvest Disease Development
Postharvest losses of fresh produce have always been an obstacle in agriculture. About one third of global fresh fruits and vegetables are lost because their quality has dropped below an acceptance limit. The postharvest quality and shelf life of fresh produce are also determined before harvest. However, postharvest quality is also affected by many practices during and after harvest such as temperature management, controlled and modified atmosphere, coatings, physical treatments, biocontrol, and more. This Special Issue on "Postharvest Disease Development: Pre and/or Postharvest Practices" gathers papers that deal with preharvest and postharvest factors that affect and maintain fresh produce quality after harvest.
Esr Spectroscopy for Life Science Applications: An Introduction
This installment in the Techniques in Life Science and Biomedicine for the Non-Expert series aims to describe ESR spectroscopy as a tool for different applications, such as Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Science, Paleontology & Geochronology and Food Science. In keeping with the series theme, this text is presented in such a manner that the amateur researcher or graduate student can absorb it, while highlighting recent advances and applications of the field. Chapters include solved examples and questions to reinforce themes and encourage readers to apply what they've learnt. ​
Current Advances in Anaerobic Digestion Technology
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the oldest biotechnological processes and originally referred to biomass degradation under anoxic conditions in both natural and engineered systems. It has been used for decades to treat various waste streams and to produce methane-rich biogas as an important energy carrier, and it has become a major player in electrical power production. AD is a popular, mature technology, and our knowledge about the influencing process parameters as well as about the diverse microbial communities involved in the process has increased dramatically over the last few decades. To avoid competition with food and feed production, the AD feedstock spectrum has constantly been extended to waste products either rich in recalcitrant lignocellulose or containing inhibitory substances such as ammonia, which requires application of various pre-treatments or specific management of the microbial resources. Extending the definition of AD, it can also convert gases rich in hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane that can substitute natural gas, which opens new opportunities by a direct link to traditional petrochemistry. Furthermore, AD can be coupled with emerging biotechnological applications, such as microbial electrochemical technologies or the production of medium-chain fatty acids by anaerobic fermentation. Ultimately, because of the wide range of applications, AD is still a very vital field in science. This Special Issue highlights some key topics of this research field.
Transition Metals in Catalysis
Iron-sulfur (FeS) centers are essential protein cofactors in all forms of life. They are involved in many key biological processes. In particular, Fe-S centers not only serve as enzyme cofactors in catalysis and electron transfer, they are also indispensable for the biosynthesis of complex metal-containing cofactors. Among these cofactors are the molybdenum (Moco) and tungsten (Wco) cofactors. Both Moco/Wco biosynthesis and Fe-S cluster assembly are highly conserved among all kingdoms of life. After formation, Fe-S clusters are transferred to carrier proteins, which insert them into recipient apo-proteins. Moco/Wco cofactors are composed of a tricyclic pterin compound, with the metal coordinated to its unique dithiolene group. Moco/Wco biosynthesis starts with an Fe-S cluster-dependent step involving radical/S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) chemistry. The current lack of knowledge of the connection of the assembly/biosynthesis of complex metal-containing cofactors is due to the sheer complexity of their synthesis with regard to both the (genetic) regulation and (chemical) metal center assembly. Studies on these metal-cofactors/cofactor-containing enzymes are important for understanding fundamental cellular processes. They will also provide a comprehensive view of the complex biosynthesis and the catalytic mechanism of metalloenzymes that underlie metal-related human diseases.
Genes, Organisms, Populations
This anthology collects some of the most important papers on what is believed to be the major force in evolution, natural selection. An issue of great consequence in the philosophy of biology concerns the levels at which, and the units upon which selection acts. In recent years, biologists and philosophers have published a large number of papers bearing on this subject. The papers selected for inclusion in this book are divided into three main sections covering the history of the subject, explaining its conceptual foundations, and focusing on kin and group selection and higher levels of selection.One of the book's interesting features is that it draws together material from the biological and philosophical literatures. The philosophical literature, having thoroughly absorbed the biological material, now offers conceptual tools suitable for the reworking of the biological arguments. Although a full symbiosis has yet to develop, this anthology offers a unique resource for students in both biology and philosophy.A Bradford Book.
Readings in Molecular Biology
The 63 articles collected in this book appeared in the news and reviews section of Nature between January 1969 and August 1970. These short essays, written by the journal's specialist correspondents, summarize the most important and interesting pieces of research in molecular and cell biology, virology, and biochemistry. They represent a completely new genre, which has grown out of Nature's unique amalgam of learned journal and weekend magazine for scientists. The book is therefore neither a catalogue of facts nor a review of research, but rather a unique journalistic approach to an exciting part of professional science.
Artificial Life VII
The term "artificial life" describes research into synthetic systems that possess some of the essential properties of life. This interdisciplinary field includes biologists, computer scientists, physicists, chemists, geneticists, and others. Artificial life may be viewed as an attempt to understand high-level behavior from low-level rules--for example, how the simple interactions between ants and their environment lead to complex trail-following behavior. An understanding of such relationships in particular systems can suggest novel solutions to complex real-world problems such as disease prevention, stock-market prediction, and data mining on the Internet.Since their inception in 1987, the Artificial Life meetings have grown from small workshops to truly international conferences, reflecting the field's increasing appeal to researchers in all areas of science.
Focus On Middle School Biology Student Textbook, 3rd Edition (softcover)
The Focus On Middle School Biology Student Textbook, 3rd Edition introduces young students to the scientific discipline of biology. Students will learn about philosophical maps, taxonomy, tools used in biology labs, microscopes, the chemistry of living things, the different types of cells, viruses, bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, plant structures and reproduction, photosynthesis, animal cells and structures, non-chordates, mammals and other chordates, human anatomy, and more.The Focus On Middle School Biology Student Textbook, 3rd Edition has 16 full-color chapters and a glossary-index with pronunciation guides. 214 pages. Grades 5-8.
Biomechanics Energetics of Natural Assisted Human Comparative Movement Locomotion
Movement and locomotion have always been key activities for all animals, being related to the most crucial life functions: retrieving food, facing environmental issues and mating. Humans developed complex upper arms movements and bipedal gaits in order to move and locomote. To enhance their performance, they started inventing smart passive mechanical tools. This need arose from intrinsic limitations of their muscle-joint-bone systems and metabolic power availability. Newly invented devices were mainly introduced in order to cope with such constraints. The aim of this Special Issue is to advance knowledge regarding symmetry, biomechanics and energetics of passively assisted human movement and locomotion.
