Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxins (3rd Edition)
Aspergillus flavus and its carcinogenic secondary metabolites, aflatoxins, not only cause serious economic losses but also threaten human and animal health. This Special Issue focuses on recent research progress related to Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins. Of the included papers, three reviews cover the effects of AFB1 on intestinal microbiota and the intestinal health of monogastric animals, the decontamination of Aspergillus spp. and aflatoxin with atmospheric cold plasma, and aflatoxin residues in chicken products. Herein, it is reported that the chitin deacetylase homologous gene cda impacts development and aflatoxin synthesis in A. flavus. Two included papers highlight methods employed for aflatoxin determination. This Special Issue not only includes methods for the control of aflatoxins but also several aflatoxin detoxifying methods. A particular focus is placed on the mechanistic effects of aflatoxins on the host. Fundamental and applied research on A. flavus and aflatoxins is not only of particular interest but also crucial for reducing economic losses.
New Tools for Monitoring Genetic Diversity in Animals
The aim of this Reprint is to showcase how recent advances in molecular biology and, particularly, sequencing technologies have transformed animal research across multiple disciplines. With the decreasing costs of genomic data generation and the growing availability of reference genome resources, high-throughput approaches are now applied broadly to study the genetic diversity of a wide range of species. This Special Issue collates research contributions that illustrate how modern genetic and genomic tools are reshaping our understanding of conservation biology, evolutionary processes, wildlife monitoring, and animal ecology.
Advanced Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Composites
This Reprint compiles original research articles from the Special Issue of Polymers titled "Advanced Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Composites", highlighting the rapid progress in polymer-based materials that actively respond to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, or mechanical stress. These "smart" composites enable novel applications in soft robotics, biomedicine, sensing, and adaptive surfaces.The Special Issue aimed to bridge polymer chemistry, materials science, and engineering, with a focus on understanding stimuli-response mechanisms and translating them into functional materials. Contributions included thermo-chromic polymer mixtures, bio-hydrogels with photonic nano-chains, hybrid dielectric systems, and liquid crystalline elastomer composites. Both experimental and computational approaches were used to investigate how micro- and nanostructures determine macroscopic behavior under dynamic conditions.This collection is intended for researchers in polymer science and responsive materials design. By presenting interdisciplinary insights-from synthesis and processing to in situ characterization and device integration-it offers a concise yet diverse overview of current advances.I thank all contributing authors, anonymous reviewers, and the Polymers editorial team. This Reprint aims to stimulate future research and collaboration in this exciting and fast-moving field.
Human Brain Responses and Functional Brain Networks across the Lifespan
Human brain networks undergo life-long adaptations, thereby responding to age-specific cognitive and behavioral challenges. Environmental stressors, neurodegeneration, and other factors can, however, disrupt healthy brain development and function. Electrophysiology and other non-invasive neuroscientific methods provide insight into these dynamic changes in behavior and cognitive function across the lifespan. This reprint of the Special Issue "Human Brain Responses and Functional Brain Networks across the Lifespan" presents state-of-the-art research from recognized experts, offering comprehensive coverage of brain function across all age groups.
Marine Algae
Marine algae (seaweed) are increasingly recognized for their rich nutritional profiles and health-promoting properties, making them valuable in the realm of nutraceuticals. This Reprint of Marine Drugs examines the diverse roles seaweed plays in human nutrition and health, with a particular focus on the bioactive compounds underpinning their therapeutic effects. The topics addressed include the biochemical makeup of various seaweed species, their antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities, and their integration into functional foods and dietary supplements. Research also explores the sustainability of seaweed harvesting and cultivation, along with advancements in extraction and processing techniques aimed at maximizing health benefits. This collection provides a comprehensive analysis of seaweed as a vital resource for enhancing human well-being and advances ongoing discourse in marine nutraceuticals.
Diversity of Marine Fungi as a Source of Bioactive Natural Products, 2nd Edition
Marine fungi-derived bioactive metabolites represent a significant source for drug discovery, with distinct metabolic mechanisms evolving in fungi from different marine environments. Natural product scientists have explored various environments, such as deep oceans, polar regions, and marine mangrove ecosystems, to discover unique fungi strains that can produce new bioactive structures. This collection aims to highlight the diversity of fungi derived from different marine environments, in addition to their potential as producers of bioactive marine natural products.
Recent Progress in Bioimaging and Targeted Therapy
Bioimaging is used to visualize biomolecules and their biological activity in a specific period of time. It does not influence the life processes during visualization, but can help in understanding biological activities at molecular levels and connecting the observation of subcellular structures with multicellular tissues and organs. Targeted bioimaging contributes to current therapies by providing evidence for disease diagnosis; locating and guiding surgical operation; indicating the time and position to perform treatments; and evaluating therapeutic effects. The topics of this reprint may include the following themes: Developing novel in vivo strategies for targeted MRI, PET, CT, fluorescence, Raman imaging, etc.Developing specific biosensing techniques for disease biomarkers, including small molecules, nucleic acids, macromolecules, circulating cancer cells, cancer cells, tumor organs, etc.Designing and fabricating targeted imaging probes including, but not limited to, organic molecules; inorganic nanomaterials such as rare earth materials, silica nanoparticles, and quantum dots; conducting polymers; and DNA self-assembly materials.Developing strategies to enhance imaging S/N ratio, resolution, specificity, efficiency.
Making New Out of the Old
This Special Issue aims to present recent biological advances made in research on Mesozoic Marine Reptiles, which include the most iconic and largest predators of their time, mirroring terrestrial dinosaurs. Through the study of exceptionally preserved specimens and/or the use of innovative methods, the authors shed light on several biological and ecological aspects that were previously inaccessible by conventional studies. The endocranial morphology of mosasaur is revealed by 3D micro-computed tomography (Par獺mo-Fonseca et al.; Allemand et al.), and their alimentation patterns (permitting to infer niche partitioning and food preferences) are approached using various proxies applied to their teeth, such as 3D morphometric analyses (Bardet et al.), microstructural analyses (Holwerda et al.), and carbon isotopic geochemistry (Polcyn et al.). Locomotion capabilities and swimming performances are addressed by studying fin evolution using anatomical networks in ichthyosaurs (Fern獺ndez et al.) and neck and vertebrae elongation patterns in plesiosaurs (O'Gorman). Soft tissue (skin and colour) of ichthyosaurs is highlighted by a combination of molecular and imaging techniques (Bonnevier Wallstedt et al.). Finally, a complete systematic and anatomical revision of Jurassic ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and thatattosuchians faunas from Russia reveals their astonishing richness and diversity (Zverkov et al.).
Life in Sync
Why we need to reconnect with nature's biological rhythms--and rediscover the benefits of a good night's sleep All of life is profoundly shaped by the daily, monthly, and yearly cycles of our planet, and all creatures have internal timekeeping systems that rely on cues from the surrounding environment. With modern technology, we are changing our environments--and by proxy, the ecosystems around us--to override these innate rhythms of life. But at what cost? Life in Sync reveals how Earth's rotations shape our biology, what human sleep cycles looked like before the advent of artificial light, and why technology can't free us from the constraints of our circadian clocks. Philippa Gander explores the science behind the biological rhythms that animate us and our world, blending captivating storytelling with illuminating examples ranging from migratory birds and hibernating squirrels to jet-lagged pilots and astronauts in space. She shows how genetic circadian clocks are an ancient evolutionary adaptation that we share with all life on the planet, and how our rapidly expanding use of artificial light at night disrupts the time cues for entire ecosystems. Gander explains why cutting back on sleep adversely affects our well-being, safety, and longevity, and how breakthroughs in sleep science offer solutions to bring our lives more in harmony with nature's rhythms. An astonishing journey of scientific discovery, Life in Sync unlocks the mysteries of biological time--and offers new perspectives for anyone who has ever given up a good night's sleep for the sake of their hectic waking hours.
Dietary Strategies for Prevention of Geriatric Diseases and Exploring the Mechanism of Aging
Gene Expressions in Response to Diseases, Abiotic Stresses and Pest Damage of Horticultural Products
Response of Tree Rings to Climate Change and Climate Extremes
Quality of Life and Side Effects Management in Cancer Treatment (Volume II)
Antibiotic Resistance in Acinetobacter and Associated Treatment Strategies
Development of New Optical Techniques and Methods for Basic Biology and Biomedical Applications
Dangerous Miracle
Oxford University biologist Liam Shaw tells the fascinating history of antibiotics--and how we burned through them. The discovery of antibiotics was one of humanity's greatest achievements. Since their advent less than a century ago, antibiotics have saved millions of lives, marking one of the greatest medical advances in our history. But much like oil in the previous century, they were not invented but discovered--the most effective antibiotics were found in nature, made by microbes. Antibiotics have been a cheap everlasting fuel that has powered modern medicine, but at a cost. For antibiotics aren't like other drugs. Every time we used them, we increased the possibility of antibiotic resistance emerging. Every time we used them, we were risking their future effectiveness. Even if it didn't seem like it, there was only ever a finite supply. Antibiotics are the fossil fuels of medicine: they are "fossil drugs." How did we get here? In order to understand the future of antibiotics, we need to understand their past. Dangerous Miracle tells the story of antibiotics: weaving the grand arc of their evolution over millions of years with a history of the past century. Antibiotic resistance shows how easily bacteria have been able to undo human progress. If we want antibiotics to have a future, we need to prepare to adapt accordingly. And fast. Dangerous Miracle is a revelatory account of the miraculous history and uncertain future of antibiotics from a young and gifted Oxford biologist.
On the Origin of Species
"...from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved" Considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology, On the Origin of Species, was published in 1859. This work of scientific literature by Charles Darwin introduced the theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. In this seminal work, considered to be the groundwork of evolutionary biology, Darwin unveils his revolutionary theory, illuminating the intricate mechanisms driving the diversity of life on Earth. It gave evidence that the variety of life resulted from a common descent via a branching model of evolution. Darwin incorporated facts that he had collected on the Beagle mission in the 1830s and his succeeding findings from research, correspondence, and experimentation. In his theory of natural selection, Darwin challenged orthodox thought in stating that no being or species has been specifically created; all are locked into a pitiless struggle for existence, with extinction looming for those who are not fit for the task. Yet, there is also a humane and inspirational vision of ecological interrelatedness. Revealed are the complex mutual interdependencies between animal and plant life, climate and physical environment, and-by implication-within the human world. This timeless masterpiece remains one of the founding documents of the modern ages. It is both engaging and enlightening, combining science with the subtlety of literature and continues to captivate and inspire not only scientific inquiry, but curious minds throughout the world. Darwin consolidated a lifetime of work in On the Origin of Species, compiling his discoveries from the voyage of the Beagle, his experiments, research and correspondence. He argues for the transmutation of species over time by the process of natural selection. His work laid the foundation of evolutionary biology, though when it was published it caused tremendous religious and philosophical debates. Darwin's work is still seen by many people to oppose Christian beliefs.
Reproduction in Flowering Plants
This book aims to explore the essential processes of sexual reproduction in flowering plants, from the structure of flowers and mechanisms of pollination to the complex events of fertilization and seed development. By examining these processes, we gain insight into how plants interact with their environment and adapt to changing conditions. Understanding these reproductive mechanisms is not only vital for botanists but also for anyone invested in agriculture, conservation, and environmental sustainability. As we face pressing global challenges, such as climate change and habitat loss, the knowledge contained within these pages can help us appreciate the importance of preserving plant diversity.
50 Human Brain Ideas You Really Need to Know
Master the ideas central to understanding the human brain. In a series of 50 accessible essays, Mo Costandi introduces and explains all we know about the brain and how it works, outlining both long-standing theories and cutting-edge ideas. From the function of neurons and synaptic transmission, to the nervous system and personality, 50 Human Brain Ideas You Really Need to Know is a complete introduction to the most powerful and mysterious organ in the body.
50 Genetics Ideas You Really Need to Know
Master the ideas that have shaped the study of genetics today. In a series of 50 accessible essays, Mark Henderson and Helen Sims introduce and explain the central ideas of genetics, beginning with the theory of evolution to the very latest, cutting-edge developments in gene therapy and artificial life. From the double helix and how nature and nurture work together, to genetic testing and race, 50 Genetics Ideas You Really Need to Know is a complete introduction to this young and ground-breaking strand of science.
Photodynamic Therapy 2.0
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a widely documented and well-coated treatment for various diseases, including oncological and non-oncological ones. It is based on the cytotoxic action of hyperactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals, generated by the transfer of energy and/or electrons from the photoexcited oxygen sensitizer. The efficacy of PDT is attributed to three main mechanisms: direct death of tumor cells or inflammation, damage to tumor vessels, and an immunological response associated with the stimulation of leukocytes and the release of interleukins and other cytokines, growth factors, complement components, acute-phase proteins, and other immunoregulators. The first successful edition of "Photodynamic Therapy 2.0" covers all aspects of PDT, including the discovery of new natural and synthetic photosensitizers, biomaterials, nanotechnology, in vitro and in vivo studies, and clinical trials. The collaboration of all parties in this volume will strengthen and stimulate further research in the field of photodynamic therapy.
Photodynamic Therapy (3rd Edition)
Oncological and non-oncological diseases, such as macular degeneration, esophageal and lung cancer, basal cell carcinoma, keratoses, bacterial, fungal, viral, immunological, or inflammatory infections, chronic wounds, and photorejuvenation in cosmetology, are all examples of conditions that can be treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT), which has been extensively researched and extensively documented. The deadly impact of hyperactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals, is the foundation of photodynamic therapy (PDT). These highly reactive oxygen species are produced by the transfer of energy and/or electrons from a photoexcited oxygen sensitizer. Direct cell death or inflammation, damage to tumor vessels, and an immunological response associated with leukocyte stimulation and the release of interleukins and other cytokines, growth factors, complement components, acute-phase proteins, and other immunoregulators are the three primary mechanisms that contribute to the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The third volume of this Special Issue will address all elements of photodynamic therapy (PDT), including the discovery of novel natural and synthetic photosensitizers, biomaterials and nanotechnology, clinical trials, and investigations conducted in vitro and in vivo. Through the publication of this Reprint, the field of photodynamic treatment will be strengthened and additional study will be stimulated.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Food Industry
With breakthroughs of artificial intelligence (AI) under the fourth industrial revolution, intelligent applications are providing innovative solutions for the food industry. AI is able to support the positive transformation and upgrading of food technologies alongside the digitization, automatization, and intelligence of the food industry in light of its powerful perceiving, reasoning, and decision-making capabilities. Novel applications based on AI are changing all activities in the food industry, ranging from production to processing and packaging, transporting and storing, and consuming and disposing, benefiting all actors in food industry. Combined with technologies such as the internet of things (IoT) and big data, AI is facilitating the development of new recipes and food, food process simulation and optimization, food quality and safety monitoring, etc. This Special Issue, "Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Food Industry", focuses on advancing novel methods and applications in the food industry at the intersection of food and AI.
Viral Strategies and Cellular Countermeasures that Regulate mRNA Access to the Translation Apparatus
Viruses employ a variety of mechanisms to gain access to the cellular translation apparatus and to restrict translation of cellular mRNAs to suppress innate immune responses to infection, whereas cells have evolved countermeasures to prevent viral translation. This Special Issue consists of a series of research papers and reviews from leading experts that advance understanding of the dynamic interplay between viruses and their hosts that underlie aspects of infection, including viral replication, pathogenesis and host range.
Plant Responses to a Changing Climate
Anthropogenic climate change is already having a profound impact on natural ecosystems, disrupting important ecological processes, altering the ecosystem functionality, and accelerating biodiversity loss. Being directly affected by changing climate, plants play a central role in ecosystem responses to these environmental changes. This reprint provides a multidisciplinary overview of plant responses to climate change, encompassing physiological, phenological, and biogeographical aspects. The collected articles examine trait plasticity, stress tolerance mechanisms, and species distribution dynamics across a range of ecosystems and climate scenarios. Through experimental approaches, ecological modelling, and remote sensing, the presented studies shed light on both the current impacts and future trajectories of climate-induced changes in plant systems. Together, they provide valuable insights into the resilience and vulnerability of species and the broader ecological consequences of climate change. The results presented here provide a critical foundation for guiding future research and updating conservation strategies aimed at mitigating biodiversity loss in the face of ongoing climate change.
Microbial Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in the Environment
Antimicrobial resistance is considered to be one of the major global challenges of the 21st century. Though a large volume of research has already been published, gaps in our knowledge remain, particularly in certain settings, such as our understanding of how selection can influence the One Health paradigm. Describing the nature of microbial communities in different environments, understanding their resistance profiles or resistome, and those factors influencing the emergence and spread of resistance is crucial to enable the development of tools carefully designed to address this challenge.This Special Issue of Microorganisms on "Microbial Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in the Environment" compiles the latest research, and to provide scientific opinion on bacteriological topics related to antimicrobial resistance in different ecological niche settings.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Analytical Technology
This Reprint aims to cover all aspects of pharmaceutical analysis, including the latest developments and advances in the field. It will highlight the crucial role of analytical methods in assessing the quality of pharmaceutical products, ensuring that safe and effective drugs are released to the market. In the same context, the analytical techniques are necessary in determining pharmaceutical drugs. The design of experiments approach (DOE) is a reference point of systematic innovation. This powerful statistical tool goes beyond traditional experimentation, offering a structured approach to optimizing and validating analytical methodologies and stability testing. Additionally, it ensures the meticulous and accurate quantification of drug constituents, enhances product quality, and empowers data-driven decisions.In this Reprint, leading experts in the field share their insights, research findings and visions for the future, with a particular focus on quantitative and qualitative analyses involving sample preparation, analytical instrumentation and the application of multivariate statistical and chemometric tools in the analysis of pharmaceuticals and data processing. This contributes to increasing the interest in and renown of leaders in the field, as well as stimulating interdisciplinary discussions, as has been the tradition for many years. All new challenges and advances in pharmaceutical analysis must meet the highest quality standards.
Crop Authenticity in Organic Horticultural Production
In recent years, demand for organic products has grown, as consumers consider them to be safer and healthier than conventional ones. Research has been conducted over the years to investigate old and new reliable systems for testing the authenticity of products obtained using organic cultivation methods.This Special Issue contains original research articles, communications, and review articles on different agronomic practices and techniques (such as fertilization and pest management) that address crop authenticity in organic agriculture. Research that focuses on the application of approaches to tracking chemical components derived from the primary and/or secondary metabolism of organic and conventional products are included. The SI also includes papers that discuss the isotopic distribution of elements and that highlight the diversity induced by conventional and organic production techniques with the final aim of establishing new tools for organic horticultural crop characterization and authenticity. The use of innovative spectroscopic techniques and metabolomics and the application of sustainable agronomic practices in organic cropping systems are reported. Finally, the SI also reports data analysis through chemometrics tools that enable the validation of multivariate implemented approaches for organic crop authenticity.
Vermicompost in Sustainable Crop Production
Sustainable crop production requires new means of fertilization in light of both the use of renewable resources and improving soil quality. The processing of biological waste by the concerted action of earthworms and microorganisms leads to the production of vermicompost-an organic fertilizer with high microbiological activity and rich in mineral nutrients and humic substances. Vermicompost is an extremely promising type of amendment, as evidenced by many studies at laboratory and field scales, in addition to the results of practical application. In organic farming, vermicompost can be used as a basal soil fertilizer, providing plant-available mineral nutrients and organic matter as a source for additional nutrients and microbiological activity. In conventional farming practices, vermicompost can substitute chemical fertilizers. It is evident that the benefits derived from the application of vermicompost in agriculture are related to direct and indirect effects on crop plants, in addition to the improvement of soil properties, leading to a long-term increase in soil sustainability. However, the lack of understanding of specific mechanisms of beneficial influence hinders the ability to scientifically predict the outcome of vermicompost application in different crop production systems. Additional scientific knowledge is therefore necessary to characterize the functional relationships involved in vermicompost production and after its application in soil in order to ensure the quality of this organic fertilizer for wider use.
Inner Sense
"A fascinating look at the power of the body to influence our mind--and even affect how we see the world."--Janice Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of The Gratitude Diaries and What Your Body Knows About Happiness Discover your elusive "sixth sense"--your brain's ability to perceive and interpret bodily sensations like hunger and thirst--and how to rewire your mind-body connection for optimal health. Are you able to recognize your own heartbeat? What about thirst? In Inner Sense, science communicator Caroline Williams explains that some people are so insensitive to internal cues that they struggle to recognize basic needs like hunger or fatigue. While others only notice their body's signals when they become overwhelming. This disconnect between the brain's predictions and the body's sensations can lead to mental and physical health challenges, from chronic fatigue, to anxiety, to eating disorders. If this sounds like you--don't worry. It's not too late to tap into your interoceptive awareness. In this practical, science-backed book, you will learn ... - How to harness one of the most important functions of your body: its sixth sense, known to scientists as interoception. - How the mind-body connection is a two-way street, with the brain and body in a constant flow of communication. - How to perceive and interpret physical processes like heartbeat and breath. - How to pick up on and respond to physical cues like hunger and thirst. - How to identify emotions that express themselves physically such as panic or rage. - How pain works in your body and in your brain. - How internal sensations influence your thoughts and actions--and how to learn and harness interoceptive awareness. Inner Sense delves into the fascinating field of interoception, speaking with doctors, scientists, and researchers about how our internal sensations influence our thoughts and actions--and how we can harness interoceptive awareness to improve health, relationships, and society as a whole. Williams explores cutting-edge interventions like mindfulness, biofeedback, targeted exercise, and even psychedelic therapy, which hold the potential to help us regulate emotions, reduce stress, and live better lives.
Integrated Pest Management in Agricultural Crops and Forest Ecosystems
The overuse of synthetic pesticides to control noxious arthropods in agroecosystems is of major importance due to health and environmental issues. Apart from concerns related to the negative impact of pesticides on humans, agricultural or domestic animals, and the environment, they can also induce irreversible damage to beneficial organisms (e.g., parasitoids, predators, pollinators), disrupting the overall ecological stability of both forest ecosystems and agroecosystems. This impact is further magnified by the repeated application of insecticides that facilitates the emergence and development of resistance, particularly in agroecosystems. It is thus mandatory to develop alternative, environmentally friendly approaches (e.g., classical biological control, pheromone-based networks, green insecticidal formulations) that can be incorporated into integrated pest management (IPM) in target ecosystems.
Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants
This reprint aims to introduce the readers to the latest research in approaches to and strategies for the improvement of nutrient use efficiency in plants. Fertilizer management, crop system change, and the selection of high nutrient-use-efficient varieties are all useful strategies for the improvement of nutrient use efficiency in plants. Therefore, in this reprint, research groups from around the world have investigated the effects of different fertilizer management strategies on plant growth, yield production, physiological response, and nutrient transfer and utilization, as well as the evaluation of nutrient use efficiency in different plant species and varieties. The knowledge gained is a perfect addition to nutrient use efficiency improvement in plants, and can be applied for practical use in food production, soil improvement, and the breeding of superior varieties in agriculture and forestry.
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in Forest Habitats
In this special issue, ecology and wildlife conservation in forest habitats is considered as multifunctional connections of organisms in the perspective of their conservation. The diversity and specificity of research methods enable us to investigate the ecological connections between animals and plants and other organisms in-depth. These approaches rely on biodiversity and varying relationships to solve global natural problems, while simultaneously providing environmental, social, and economic perspectives and helping to enhance the sustainability of forest ecosystems. However, for the effective protection of wildlife, it is necessary to introduce new approaches and update existing methods in order to eliminate gaps in research. This issue highlights the results of studies presenting new data and methods related to the quantitative assessment of the conservation of entire natural complexes or individual species in natural forest or suburban habitats.
The Nuclear Membrane
This book compiles protocols that encompass a diverse range of classical and contemporary approaches, including biochemical techniques, proteomic analyses, microscopic observations, and biophysical measurements. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, the chapters include brief introductions to the material, lists of necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and a Notes section which highlights tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, The Nuclear Membrane: Methods and Protocols aims to be a valuable resource for scientists seeking to explore the nuclear structure and functions in the postgenomic era.
Living on Earth
One of the Washington Post's 50 Best Nonfiction Books of 2024The bestselling author of Other Minds shows how we and our ancestors have reinvented our planet. If the history of the Earth were compressed down to a year, our species would arise in the last thirty minutes or so of the final hour. But life itself is not such a late arrival: It has existed on Earth for something like 3.7 billion years--most of our planet's history and over a quarter of the age of the universe (as far as we can tell). What have these organisms--bacteria, animals, plants, and the rest--done in all this time? In Living on Earth, the philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith proposes a new way of understanding how the actions of living beings have shaped our planet. Where his acclaimed books Other Minds and Metazoa explored the riddle of how conscious minds came to exist on Earth, Living on Earth turns to what happens when we look at the mind from another side--when we come to see organisms as active causes, not merely as results of the evolutionary process. The planet we inhabit is significantly the work of other living beings, who shaped the environments that we ourselves later transformed. To that end, Godfrey-Smith takes us on a grand tour of the history of life on earth. He visits Rwandan gorillas and Australian bowerbirds, returns to coral reefs and octopus dens, considers the impact of language and writing, and weighs the responsibilities our unique powers bring with them, as they relate to factory farming, habitat preservation, climate change, and the use of animals in experiments. Ranging from the seas to the forests, and from animate matter's first appearance to its future extinction, Godfrey-Smith offers a novel picture of the course of life on Earth and how we might meet the challenges of our time, the Anthropocene.
Ecology and Evolution
Principles of Biology Ecology and Evolution is a lab manual that provides innovative and succinct lab coursework for core topics in intermediate biology, including: Using the Scientific Method Microscopes & Micro-CommunitiesHardy-Weinberg & Natural Selection Oregon Coast Phylogenetics Bacterial DiversityProtistan Diversity Invertebrate Communities Ecosystems & Energy FlowDesigned by faculty for use in their own classroom, this lab manual offers high-quality materials at affordable prices.
Redox Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress in Human Metabolism and Disease
This Reprint focuses on the critical role of redox homeostasis and oxidative stress in human health and disease. Oxidative imbalance and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized as key contributors to the development and progression of various metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory conditions. The articles collected in this volume highlight both fundamental mechanisms and clinical implications of oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, antioxidant defense systems, and redox signaling pathways. Special attention is given to emerging biomarkers of oxidative stress, therapeutic modulation strategies, and the interplay between redox status and disease-specific pathophysiology. This Reprint provides a valuable, up-to-date reference for researchers, clinicians, and professionals interested in molecular medicine, biochemistry, and redox biology.
Visual Mental Imagery System
This Reprint offers a collection of cutting-edge studies by an international network of researchers concerned with the following topic: The Visual Mental Imagery System: How We Image the World. This Reprint helps to inform the growing interest in Consciousness, Cognition and Individual Differences in the mental life and well-being of humans.
Diagnosis and Management of Skin Diseases, Related Disorders and Their Comorbidities
Our Special Issue is aimed at examining the continuous evolution within our discipline and the vastness of it. This Issue is a collection and presentation of data on the latest developments in the field of dermatology and is intended to be a continuation of articles previously published by the Guest Editors. Dermatology is a continuously evolving specialty and touches on every part of the field of medicine. This Special Issue of Diagnostics entitled "Diagnosis and Management of Skin Diseases, Related Disorders and Their Comorbidities" aims to collect and present data about the most recent developments in the field. Medical history and clinical examination, followed by non-invasive imaging or blood tests or the exploration of skin structures and their pathological changes, allow pathologists to better understand, detect, or define diseases of the skin. We clinicians and researchers are constantly viewing cutaneous signs and symptoms as a window into the systemic state of the human body. Many diseases thought to be localized to the skin are now considered part of a systemic involvement. Each of our patients is unique, with their own comorbidities and anatomic or physiologic particularities. There are also individual aspects regarding the appearance, evolution, and prognosis of cutaneous skin diseases, as well as their response to various treatments.
Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain is the gripping tale of Debbie Ethell, a young woman whose fascination with an elephant skull in a bone museum leads her down an unexpected path. What begins as a curiosity about the tragic love story of Morgan Berry, the man who gave us Packy (the first baby elephant born in a U.S. zoo in forty-four years), and Eloise Berchtold, one of the world's greatest animal trainers, soon becomes a chilling mystery. The couple, each killed by separate elephants they raised, left behind a legacy tangled in secrets, cover-ups, and unanswered questions.As former owners of a secluded elephant farm in the rugged Pacific Northwest, Morgan and Eloise's lives and deaths hold the key to a truth long buried beneath layers of deception. Determined to uncover what really happened, Debbie draws on her experience as a conservation research scientist and the steadfast support of her best friend, who is facing a life-threatening illness. While navigating the shadows of her own past, including her ongoing recovery from alcoholism, Debbie finds courage and insight from a herd of wild elephants in Kenya, a group she has studied since childhood. Their stories of survival and loss mirror her own as she delves deeper into a mystery that will test her resolve and redefine her future.
Waste Management Policy for Sustainable (Peri-)Urban Development and the Circular Economy
Waste lies at the heart of a paradox: the detritus of progress and the foundation of sustainability. In the ever-shifting landscapes of (peri-)urban systems, where the ambitions of circular economies collide with entrenched inefficiencies, waste management emerges as both a challenge and a beacon of possibility. This collection of studies draws together voices from across the globe, weaving insights that traverse policy inertia, technological frontiers, and the intricate dance of human behavior. It explores how circularity, far from a utopian ideal, must grapple with the unfinished realities of governance, infrastructure, and social dynamics. Here, waste becomes more than material-it is a lens through which we confront the urban future, unearthing the architectures of resilience and the elusive promise of sustainable equilibrium. Each contribution offers not a solution, but a provocation: a call to reimagine the cities we build, the resources we use, and the legacies we leave behind.
Epiphytic Plants
Epiphytic plants are vital components of tropical and subtropical forests, contributing significantly to biodiversity, ecosystem function, and structural complexity. Despite their importance, they remain understudied and face increasing threats from environmental change. This Special Issue, entitled "Epiphytic Plants: Perspective on Their Diversity, Distribution, Systematics and Conservation in the Changing Environment", is a compilation of nine articles, whose authors deepen our understanding of the divergent roles of epiphytes, i.e., plants that germinate and root non-parasitically on other plants, primarily on trees. These are a conspicuous and integral component of tropical forest ecosystems in relation to local and regional plant diversity, especially in the Neotropics. Roughly 10% of all vascular plants in the world are epiphytes, which are distributed in about 900 genera and 80 families. However, 85% of the more than 27,600 species recorded globally belong to only five taxonomic groups-Araceae, Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae, Peperomia, and Pteridophytes. Vascular epiphytes fulfill diverse ecological functions in tropical ecosystems, such as the accumulation of water and nutrients, in addition to amplifying biodiversity by providing microhabitats and food to different taxa (e.g., invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals). Due to their dependence on host trees and atmospheric water sources, epiphytes are considered one of the most endangered plant groups. Landscape fragmentation and forest degradation resulting from human activity are among the major threats to their survival.
