Permeability Barrier
1. Use of Ussing Chambers to Measure Paracellular Permeability to Macromolecules in Mouse Intestine Doriane Aguanno, Barbara Graziela Postal, V矇ronique Carri癡re, and Sophie Thenet 2. Rapid Evaluation of Intestinal Paracellular Permeability Using the Human Enterocytic-Like Caco-2/TC7 Cell Line Barbara Graziela Postal, Doriane Aguanno, Sophie Thenet, and V矇ronique Carri癡re 3. Evaluation of Barrier Functions in Human iPSC-Derived Intestinal Epithelium Shigeru Yamada and Yasunari Kanda 4. Selective Regional Isolation of Brain Microvessels Fernanda Medina-Flores, Gabriela Hurtado-Alvarado, and Beatriz G籀mez-Gonz獺lez 5. Estimating Brain Permeability Using In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Models Saeideh Nozohouri, Behnam Noorani, Abraham Al-Ahmad, and Thomas J. Abbruscato 6. In Vitro Human Blood-Brain Barrier Model for Drug Permeability Testing Ece Bayir and Aylin Sendemir 7. Evaluation of Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity Using Vascular Permeability Markers: Evans Blue, Sodium Fluorescein, Albumin-Alexa Fluor Conjugates, and Horseradish Peroxidase Bulent Ahishali and Mehmet Kaya 8. Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Permeability and Transport Measurement In Vitro and In Vivo Bingmei M. Fu, Zhen Zhao, and Donghui Zhu 9. Assessment of Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Using Miniaturized Fluorescence Microscopy in Freely-Moving Rats Jeffrey L. Barr, G. Cristina Brailoiu, Ellen M. Unterwald, and Eugen Brailoiu 10. Measurement of Lung Vessel and Epithelial Permeability In Vivo with Evans Blue Prestina Smith, Lauren A. Jeffers, and Michael Koval 11. Measurement of Airway Epithelial Permeability: Methods and Protocols Hasan Y羹ksel and Merve ?calan 12. Vascular Permeability Assays In Vivo Mir S. Adil and Payaningal R. Somanath 13. Endothelial Permeability Assays In Vitro Mir S. Adil and Payaningal R. Somanath 14. Mapping Receptor Antibody Endocytosis and Trafficking in Brain Endothelial Cells Mikkel R. Holst, Simone S.E. Nielsen, and Morten S. Nielsen 15. An In Vitro Assay to Monitor Sertoli Cell Blood-Testis Barrier (BTB) Integrity Siwen Wu, Lingling Wang, Elizabeth I. Tang, Junlu Wang, and C. Yan Cheng 16. Ussing Chamber Methods to Study the Esophageal Epithelial Barrier Solange M. Abdulnour-Nakhoul and Nazih L. Nakhoul 17. A Simple Method to Test Mechanical Strain on Epithelial Cell Monolayers Us
The Five-Million-Year Odyssey
The epic story of human evolution, from our primate beginnings more than five million years ago to the agricultural era Over the course of five million years, our primate ancestors evolved from a modest population of sub-Saharan apes into the globally dominant species Homo sapiens. Along the way, humans became incredibly diverse in appearance, language, and culture. How did all of this happen? In The Five-Million-Year Odyssey, Peter Bellwood synthesizes research from archaeology, biology, anthropology, and linguistics to immerse us in the saga of human evolution, from the earliest traces of our hominin forebears in Africa, through waves of human expansion across the continents, and to the rise of agriculture and explosive demographic growth around the world. Bellwood presents our modern diversity as a product of both evolution, which led to the emergence of the genus Homo approximately 2.5 million years ago, and migration, which carried humans into new environments. He introduces us to the ancient hominins--including the australopithecines, Homo erectus, the Neanderthals, and others--before turning to the appearance of Homo sapiens circa 300,000 years ago and subsequent human movement into Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas. Bellwood then explores the invention of agriculture, which enabled farmers to disperse to new territories over the last 10,000 years, facilitating the spread of language families and cultural practices. The outcome is now apparent in our vast array of contemporary ethnicities, linguistic systems, and customs. The fascinating origin story of our varied human existence, The Five-Million-Year Odyssey underscores the importance of recognizing our shared genetic heritage to appreciate what makes us so diverse.
Bio-Electrochemical Systems
This book addresses electro-fermentation for biofuel production and to generate high-value chemicals and biofuels using organic wastes. It covers the use of microbial biofilm and algae-based bio-electrochemical systems for bioremediation and co-generation of valuable chemicals, including their practical applications.
From Observations to Optimal Phylogenetic Trees
This book is an up-to-date revision of methods and principles of phylogenetic analysis of morphological data. The book covers the main aspects of phylogenetic analysis, and general methods to compare classifications derived from molecules and morphology.
Biology Workbook for Dummies
Get a feel for biology with hands-on activities Biology Workbook For Dummies is a practical resource that provides you with activities to help you better understand concepts in biology. Covering all the topics required in high school and college biology classes, this workbook gives you the confidence you need to ace the test and get the grade you need. Physiology, ecology, evolution, genetics, and cell biology are all covered, and you can work your way through each one or pick and choose the topics where you could use a little extra help. This updated edition is full of new workbook problems, updated study questions and exercises, and fresh real-world examples that bring even the tough concepts to life. Get extra practice in biology with activities, questions, and exercises Study evolution, genetics, cell biology, and other topics in required biology classes Pass your tests and improve your score in high school or college biology class Demystify confusing concepts and get clear explanations of every ideaGreat as a companion to Biology For Dummies or all on its own, Biology Workbook For Dummies is your practice supplement of choice.
Celebrating Applied Sciences Reaches 20,000 Articles Milestone
To celebrate the publication of 20,000 articles in Applied Sciences, we launched this Special Issue "Celebrating Applied Sciences Reaching Its 20,000 Article Milestone: Feature Papers of the Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering Section". We have invited well-known experts in different areas of interest covered in "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering" to submit their original research papers and review articles of the highest quality in celebrating together with our readers on this special occasion.This Special Issue has collected more than 10 papers featuring important and recent developments or achievements in biosciences and bioengineering, with a special emphasis on recently discovered techniques or applications.
Characterization of Antibody Responses to Virus Infections in Humans
This book focuses on fundamental and applied research on humoral immune responses to viral infections in humans. The comprehensive study of antibody response is critical for the development of diagnostic tools, vaccines, and immunotherapeutics against life-threatening viral infections. Special attention is given to serological surveillance and characterization of virus-neutralizing antibodies.
The Origin and Early Evolution of Life
What is life? How, where, and when did life arise? These questions have remained most fascinating over the last hundred years. Systems chemistry is the way to go to better understand this problem and to try and answer the unsolved question regarding the origin of Life. Self-organization, thanks to the role of lipid boundaries, made possible the rise of protocells. The role of these boundaries is to separate and co-locate micro-environments, and make them spatially distinct; to protect and keep them at defined concentrations; and to enable a multitude of often competing and interfering biochemical reactions to occur simultaneously.The aim of this Special Issue is to summarize the latest discoveries in the field of the prebiotic chemistry of biomolecules, self-organization, protocells and the origin of life. In recent years, thousands of excellent reviews and articles have appeared in the literature and some breakthroughs have already been achieved. However, a great deal of work remains to be carried out. Beyond the borders of the traditional domains of scientific activity, the multidisciplinary character of the present Special Issue leaves space for anyone to creatively contribute to any aspect of these and related relevant topics. We hope that the presented works will be stimulating for a new generation of scientists that are taking their first steps in this fascinating field.
Darwin's Second Revolution
Evolution/ Science/ Darwin/ Biography Are we politically, economically, morally, spiritually, and environmentally going up, down, sideways, or crazy? As progressive vision is swept aside by the politics of lunacy, what's to be done about global warming, nuclear overkill, terrorism, galloping corruption, rule by corporation? How are we to go forward rather then be driven backward in evolution? Darwin's Second Revolution is the first book of a trilogy written to provide a new grounding in historical, political, economic, moral, spiritual, and environmental reality for the theory and story of evolution and an integrated new scientific vision for our troubled time. Part I, The Triumph of the Neos, uncovers the story of what set us off in both better and worse evolutionary directions for the 20th and 21st centuries. Part II, A New Language for Evolution and Revolution, cuts through the baffling overload of scientific concepts and languages to a new path for moving ahead. Part III, The Rise and Fall of the Super Neos- including a hard-hitting critique of Richard Dawkins and fellow sociobiologists and evolutionary psychologists, in contrast to the vision of Stuart Kauffman, Ervin Laszlo, and scores of Darwinian second revolutionaries-completes an amazing story of global psychotherapy for the 20th century with a vision of liberation for the 21st century. "... An amazing accomplishment!...scholarship of deep humanity and needful wisdom... advances a new vision." Robert J. Richards, national award-winning science historian and Darwin scholar. "David Loye's is one of the few voices desperately needed in the Darwin debates... Read him, it's one of the most important topics alive today." Ken Wilber, pioneering integral philosopher and psychologist, author A Brief Theory of Everything. "To shift from despair to hope as we face the renewed challenge of evolution: that and nothing less, is the challenge and the task taken up by David Loye in his profound, thorough, and deeply inspiring books on Darwin and evolution. Ervin Laszlo, pioneering systems philosopher, scientist, and global activist. "... stupendous output ...clearly and entertainingly ...points the way to new paradigms for science crucial to our sustainable future." Ralph Abraham, pioneering mathematician and chaos theorist. "... must-read for all of us working for global transformation to a cleaner, greener, more equitable future for the human family." Hazel Henderson, author, Creating Alternative Futures, Building a Win-Win World. The author, David Loye, is a psychologist, former member Princeton and UCLA School of Medicine faculties; founder of the multinational Darwin Project with a council of over fifty leading American, European, and Asian scientists and educators; and author of the national award-winning The Healing of a Nation. This is the first book for the trilogy Darwin and the Battle for Human Survival. See opening pages for nine pages of endorsements by concerned scientists and authors. Cover by John Mason Production: Cassandra Gallup Bridge Back cover photo: Don Eddy
Rediscovering Darwin
Hailed as a breakthrough in 12 pages of pre-publication reviews by leading evolutionary thinkers, a new book is being rushed into print for impact in the wake of both the honoring and the dishonoring of Darwin's 209th birthday on February 12. Rediscovering Darwin: The Rest of Darwin's Theory and Why We Need it Today weaves three gripping stories into a compelling single account. First a new perspective on the startling discovery of the long-buried rest of Darwin's theory of evolution. Then the mystery of how and why it was lost for over 100 years. And now--in the sharp contrast between the recovered rest of Darwin and the worst of Trump and friends--the urgent need for an update in theory and social action. Haunting in similarity to the threat of nuclear annihilation we face today, Rediscovering Darwin opens during the tension of the Cold War. With the mindset of "survival of the fittest" driving the U.S. and Russia toward nuclear oblivion, a handful of scientists from both sides meet secretly in Budapest. Psychologist and evolutionary systems scientist David Loye--there from the U.S. side, and author of this book--takes us into the still little known story of how, in a world desperate for order out of chaos, they decided to see if they could use chaos theory to replace "survival of the fittest" with a better theory of evolution. In haunting contrast to what became the Darwin of "survival of the fittest,""selfish genes," and now the manic rampage of "winners versus losers," an internationally expanding advance research group found five factors to "speed the evolution of our species" in the"lost" rest of Darwin's theory. The five were and are: Darwin's long-ignored higher-order understanding of sex. His scientifically pioneering exploration of the fundamental drive of love. Same for the global bond of community. How in tune with Jesus in religion and Immanuel Kant in philosophy-- calling selfishness a "base principle" accounting for "the low morality of savages"-- he capped his theory with the drive of the moral sense as primary in evolution. Here too was and is the shock of Darwin's long-ignored case for spirituality and the place and function of the positive teachings of religion in evolution. Even the surprise of how, in what he wrote of "the morality of women," Darwin became a cautious forerunner of male support for the women's movement. Stage by stage, Rediscovering Darwin shows how, beginning in the 19th century then spanning the 20th into the 21st century, the rest of Darwin was wiped off the slate of history-- but is now being reclaimed by a rising alliance of scientists and social activists. In vivid portraits in this book one can meet-- and get to know and join --Darwin's new heirs and heiresses opening the way to a better future for our battered species and planet.
Reptiles and Amphibians of Red River Gorge & Greater Red River Basin
Reptiles and Amphibians of Red River Gorge and the Greater Red River Basin chronicles the herpetofauna of the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, a national geological area and a fast-growing tourist region. This book was created for the general public to inform and educate about the reptiles and amphibians of the area and to highlight their importance in ecosystems.
Essentials of Biology and Biophysics with Medical Applications of Radiotherapy
As the 19th century can be considered the age of cellular biology, the 20th and 21st centuries were characterized primarily by developments in molecular biology. In the 1970s the development of recombinant DNA technology opened the way to genetic engineering, which enabled researchers to recombine nucleic acids and thereby modify organisms' genetic codes, giving the organisms new abilities or eliminating undesirable traits. Those developments were followed by advances in cloning technologies, which led to the generation in 1996 of Dolly the sheep, the first clone of an adult mammal. Together, recombinant DNA technology and reproductive cloning (the method used to produce a living animal clone) facilitated great progress in the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Such organisms became crucial components of biomedical research, where genetically modified (GM) mice and other animals were developed to model certain human diseases, thereby facilitating the investigation of new therapies and the factors that cause disease. Recombinant DNA technology played a crucial role in the generation of GM crops, including pest-resistant forms of cotton and herbicide-resistant forms of maize (corn) and soybeans.
Shaping Nursing Healthcare Policy
The next generation of nursing leadership needs in-depth exposure to the real world of health policy, its culture and history, including understanding what historical barriers and professional opposition exists to nursing functioning of its training and expertise. Shaping Nursing Healthcare Policy: A View from the Inside directly addresses the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine landmark reports on the Future of Nursing. This important work brings to life the practical realties of advanced practice nursing's maturation and related social change, rather than relying on excessively abstract and theoretical opinions.
Decline of Mediterranean Fruit Crops and Forests Associated with Fungal Trunk Pathogens
This book was established after closing the Special Issue "Decline of Mediterranean Fruit Crops and Forests Associated with Fungal Trunk Pathogens" edited by Dr. Carlos Agust穩-Brisach as Guest Editor and Mr. Everett Zhu as Manager Editor. This book represents a collection of papers related to the etiology, epidemiology, and control of fungal trunk diseases in several Mediterranean woody crops such as almond, citrus, grapevine or pistachio, among others. This volume was intended to generate knowledge on the etiology and epidemiology of tree decline syndromes to build a strong foundation for developing effective management approaches to reduce the yield losses caused by these diseases. In addition, a broad collection of techniques to conduct studies on etiology and epidemiology as well as to determine the effect of biotic and abiotic factors enhancing the progression of trunk diseases in woody crops are shown in this book.
Cell Biology of Galectins
Galectins are a family of soluble beta-galactoside-binding proteins with diverse glycan-dependent and glycan-independent functions outside and inside the cell. There are sixteen recognized mammalian galectin genes, and their expression profiles are very different between cell types, tissues, and species. This Special Issue covers recent progress in the field of the cell biology of galectins, relevant concepts of galectin regulatory mechanisms, and biomedical aspects of these unique multifunctional proteins.
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Agricultural Research When Considering Criteria of Multifunctionality and Sustainability
Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), as open-field crops, play an important role in multifunctional and sustainable agriculture as a result of their low energy requirements for cultivation and their many avenues of use, from the production of nutraceuticals, phytonutrients, and phytotherapy to land valorization. This Special Issue of Agriculture, "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Agricultural Research when Considering Multifunctionality and Sustainability Criteria", aims to illustrate the role of MAPs in agriculture in low-impact farming practices, and the benefits they can generate in terms of functional products. This Special Issue covers all research aspects related to MAPs, including a number of scientific macro-areas, such as agronomy, chemistry and pharmacy, ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology, food and nutrition, and ecology. Key topics in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following: Sustainable agricultural practices of MAPs; Breeding and germplasm preservation of MAPs; The biodiversity of MAPs; The conservation of cultivated and wild MAPs; Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology; Phytotherapy, phytochemistry, and phytopharmacology; Essential oils and secondary metabolites; Functional foods and MAPs; MAPs and degraded and marginal land recovery; The global marketing of MAPs; The legislation of MAPs.
Nutrition and Women Bone Health
Nutrition is a key element that has the potential to reduce bone loss and fracture risk. While nutrition has become one of many variables that can impact bone health, there is a need to formulate and maintain nutritional approaches and techniques for the prevention and treatment of bone health-associated disorders that may affect women's health. This book, compiling articles published during 2021-2022, belongs to the Topical Collection " Nutrition and Women Bone Health". The application of the knowledge presented here may subsequently provide further support for preventive approaches based on population-based interventions.Key major topics related to the relationship between different nutrients and women's bone health are discussed using high-quality research methodologies, including randomized clinical trials and observational studies, all of which are led by notable nutritional and clinical researchers.The Guest Editor intends for this book to contribute to expanding the body of knowledge on bone health and nutrition in women as well as highlight the pivotal role that this interaction plays in human health throughout populations. The findings represent a beginning point for future research, which should progressively be focused on experimental investigations with diverse populations and demographic groups in order to further understand the link between nutrition and bone health in women.
Multiple Roles for Landscape Ecology in Future Farming Systems
This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Multiple Roles for Landscape Ecology in Future Farming Systems" that was published in Land. This book aims to inspire landscape ecologists to explore theories and practical tools that can assist in the planning, design, modification, and development of new farming landscapes with the best environmental, economic, and social outcomes in mind. It is also hoped that it will contribute toward developing land systems and land management practices for specific landscapes that meet the goals of increased nutritious food production in the face of market and climatic variability whilst reducing environmental impacts and enhancing natural capital and assisting to drive and support the transformative changes in the socioeconomic and environmental systems of rural areas required for future food production.
Modern Developments in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is being increasingly used in neuroscience and clinics. Modern advances include but are not limited to the combination of TMS with precise neuronavigation as well as the integration of TMS into a multimodal environment, e.g., by guiding the TMS application using complementary techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), or magnetoencephalography (MEG). Furthermore, the impact of stimulation can be identified and characterized by such multimodal approaches, helping to shed light on the basic neurophysiology and TMS effects in the human brain. Against this background, the aim of this Special Issue was to explore advancements in the field of TMS considering both investigations in healthy subjects as well as patients.
Integrated Circuits and Systems for Smart Sensory Applications
Connected intelligent sensing reshapes our society by empowering people with increasing new ways of mutual interactions. As integration technologies keep their scaling roadmap, the horizon of sensory applications is rapidly widening, thanks to myriad light-weight low-power or, in same cases even self-powered, smart devices with high-connectivity capabilities. CMOS integrated circuits technology is the best candidate to supply the required smartness and to pioneer these emerging sensory systems. As a result, new challenges are arising around the design of these integrated circuits and systems for sensory applications in terms of low-power edge computing, power management strategies, low-range wireless communications, integration with sensing devices. In this Special Issue recent advances in application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and systems for smart sensory applications in the following five emerging topics: (I) dedicated short-range communications transceivers; (II) digital smart sensors, (III) implantable neural interfaces, (IV) Power Management Strategies in wireless sensor nodes and (V) neuromorphic hardware.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Targets for Novel Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches in Non-Communicable Diseases II
Non-communicable diseases are chronic non-infectious pathologies that represent the leading cause of death and disability for the general population. Oxidative stress and inflammation induce and modulate several signaling pathways that play a crucial role in the pathophysiology and progression of these diseases. Therefore, they represent a good target for the development of different therapeutic strategies and open new strategies for assessment and intervention.This book focuses on different approaches to investigate the underlying pathogenesis and treatment mechanisms of conditions related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Particular attention is given to biomarkers specific to these features that can detail the pathogenesis and evolution of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, breast cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, the potential medicinal and beneficial effects of plant compounds such as oleuropein, columbianadin, and rebaudioside A are addressed.
Better Animal Feeding for Improving the Quality of Ruminant Meat and Dairy
Consumers are looking for healthier foods. Animal nutrition is one of the most important environmental factors in product quality, and significantly influences meat and milk and its dairy products. So emphasis is often placed on improving quality though animal feeding. A main target in improving meat and dairy nutritional characteristics is the enhancement of lipid quality, which can be achieved by increasing the content and composition of beneficial fatty acids. Factors such as forage: concentrate ratio, dietary fat supplements, etc. have an essential effect on animal dairy and meat quality. A few studies have shown that meat and dairy from ruminants in pasture is enriched in bioactive substances of natural origin. These animals are also able to utilize increasing amounts of by-products or "unconventional" animal feedstuffs, which can improve the healthful properties of products. Epidemiological studies that find inverse associations between eating red meat and health do not distinguish between meat from livestock fed high-grain diets and livestock foraging on phytochemically rich mixtures of plants. Despite their alleged benefits, research has not elucidated linkages among plant diversity or alternative feedstuffs with potential functional properties in ruminant diets and human health. In addition, dietary manipulations favoring polyunsaturated FA incorporation in dairy and meat lipids increase the risk of lipoperoxidation, which can be efficiently prevented by use of dietary antioxidants. This book collected articles addressing optimal dietary composition for ruminant production to improve the quality of meat and dairy.
Boreal Bird Ecology, Management and Conservation
Northern forested landscapes are important habitats for many boreal birds. This Special Issue portrays the current state of knowledge on boreal bird diversity, ecology, management, and conservation. Humans have diverse impacts on boreal habitats worldwide, and knowledge of the avian community associated with these northern forests is key to conservation measures.
Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation of Grain-Based Food
Consumers are increasingly demanding more sources of plant-based nutrition, and the food industry is responding by developing novel foods with grain-based ingredients. These products include dairy, egg and meat alternatives. Notably, in order for the production of these foods to be viable, the sustainability of the supply chain must improve and the product price must be lowered. Therefore, upcycling of grains by-products has been considered. However, the functionality and acceptability of functional foods made with upcycled ingredients from legumes and grains must be tested to ensure consumer compliance. This Special Issue of Foods aims to present the latest research on the physicochemical and sensory evaluation of plant-based alternatives to dairy, eggs and meat made with grains. Product categories include beverages, fermented beverages, dressings, bakery items and plant-based meats. Ingredients considered include, but are not limited to, protein concentrates and isolates, fibres, starches and enzymes. Particular emphasis will be given to potential applications of upcycled ingredients such as legume water (Aquafaba, Liluva), by-products of the starch industry (protein, fibre) and protein isolation (starches). Physicochemical evaluation encompasses determination of the functionality of ingredients (foaming, emulsifying and thickening), texture analysis, rheology (viscosity, pasting properties), thermal properties (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry), water mobility (nuclear magnetic resonance) and image analysis. Sensory evaluation includes both trained panels and consumer preference.
Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences
Covering a range of metaphors from a diverse field of sciences, from cell and molecular biology to evolution, ecology, and biomedicine, Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences explores the positive and negative implications of the widespread use of metaphors in the biological and life sciences. From genetic codes, programs, and blueprints, to cell factories, survival of the fittest, the tree of life, selfish genes, and ecological niches, to genome editing with CRISPR's molecular scissors, metaphors are ubiquitous and vital components of the modern life sciences. But how exactly do metaphors help scientists to understand the objects they study? How can they mislead both scientists and laypeople alike? And what should we all understand about the implications of science's reliance on metaphorical speech and thought for objective knowledge and adequate public policy informed by science? This book will literally help you to better understand the metaphorical dimensions of science.
Viral
"Chan and Ridley write with an urgency...that inspires gripping depictions of what viruses are, how infectious-disease laboratories work and wonderfully lucid descriptions of bats. . . . They powerfully recount how dangerous pathogens can both leak from a lab and emerge in nature." (New York Times Book Review) Understanding how Covid-19 started is crucial for the future of humankind. Viral is the most incisive and authoritative book about the search for the source of the virus.A new virus descended on the human species in 2019 wreaking unprecedented havoc. Finding out where it came from and how it first jumped into people is an urgent priority, but early expectations that this would prove an easy question to answer have been dashed. Nearly two years into the pandemic, the crucial mystery of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is not only unresolved but has deepened. In this uniquely insightful book, a scientist and a writer join forces to try to get to the bottom of how a virus whose closest relations live in bats in subtropical southern China somehow managed to begin spreading among people more than 1,500 kilometres away in the city of Wuhan. They grapple with the baffling fact that the virus left none of the expected traces that such outbreaks usually create: no infected market animals or wildlife, no chains of early cases in travellers to the city, no smouldering epidemic in a rural area, no rapid adaptation of the virus to its new host--human beings. To try to solve this pressing mystery, Viral delves deep into the events of 2019 leading up to 2021, the details of what went on in animal markets and virology laboratories, the records and data hidden from sight within archived Chinese theses and websites, and the clues that can be coaxed from the very text of the virus's own genetic code. The result is a gripping detective story that takes the reader deeper and deeper into a metaphorical cave of mystery. One by one the authors explore promising tunnels only to show that they are blind alleys, until, miles beneath the surface, they find themselves tantalisingly close to a shaft that leads to the light.
Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences
Covering a range of metaphors from a diverse field of sciences, from cell and molecular biology to evolution, ecology, and biomedicine, Understanding Metaphors in the Life Sciences explores the positive and negative implications of the widespread use of metaphors in the biological and life sciences. From genetic codes, programs, and blueprints, to cell factories, survival of the fittest, the tree of life, selfish genes, and ecological niches, to genome editing with CRISPR's molecular scissors, metaphors are ubiquitous and vital components of the modern life sciences. But how exactly do metaphors help scientists to understand the objects they study? How can they mislead both scientists and laypeople alike? And what should we all understand about the implications of science's reliance on metaphorical speech and thought for objective knowledge and adequate public policy informed by science? This book will literally help you to better understand the metaphorical dimensions of science.
The Never-Ending Story of Life
For humankind, the most irreducible idea is the concept of life itself. In order to understand that life is essentially an infinite process, transmitted from generation to generation, this book takes the reader on a fascinating journey that unravels one of our greatest mysteries. It begins with the premise that life is a fact-that it is everywhere; that it takes infinite forms; and, most importantly, that it is intrinsically self-perpetuating. Rather than exploring how the first living forms emerged in our universe, the book begins with our first primordial ancestor cell and tells the story of life-how it began, when that first cell diversified into many other cell types and organisms, and how it has continued until the present day. On this journey, the author covers the fundaments of biology such as cell division, diversity, regeneration, repair and death. The rather fictional epilogue even goes one step further and discusses ways how to literally escape the problem of limited recourse and distribution on our planet by looking at life outside the solar system. This book is designed to explain complex ideas in biology simply, but not simplistically, with a special emphasis on plain and accessible language as well as a wealth of hand-drawn illustrations. Thus, it is suitable not only for students seeking for an introduction into biological concepts and terminology, but for everyone with an interest in the fundamentals of life at the crossroad of evolutionary and cell biology.
Milestones in the Evolving Theory of Evolution
The book illustrates how Darwin's theory has evolved, about the development of the biological world before Darwin, and great changes that took place with the incorporation of statistics, and after Darwin's death of genetics and mathematics.
Can Microbial Communities Regenerate?
By investigating a simple question, a philosopher of science and a molecular biologist offer an accessible understanding of microbial communities and a motivating theory for future research in community ecology. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, are important determinants of health at the individual, ecosystem, and global levels. And yet many aspects of modern life, from the overuse of antibiotics to chemical spills and climate change, can have devastating, lasting impacts on the communities formed by microorganisms. Drawing on the latest scientific research and real-life examples such as attempts to reengineer these communities through microbial transplantation, the construction of synthetic communities of microorganisms, and the use of probiotics, this book explores how and why communities of microorganisms respond to disturbance, and what might lead to failure. It also unpacks related and interwoven philosophical questions: What is an organism? Can a community evolve by natural selection? How can we make sense of function and purpose in the natural world? How should we think about regeneration as a phenomenon that occurs at multiple biological scales? Provocative and nuanced, this primer offers an accessible conceptual and theoretical understanding of regeneration and evolution at the community level that will be essential across disciplines including philosophy of biology, conservation biology, microbiomics, medicine, evolutionary biology, and ecology.
Inorganic Polyphosphates
This volume focuses on the biomedical aspects of inorganic polyphosphates, a family of unique bio-inorganic polymers.In recent years, great advances have been made in understanding the development, metabolism, and physiological role of inorganic polyphosphates. These energy-rich polymers, which consist of long chains of phosphate units, are evolutionary old molecules. The acidocalcisomes, conserved organelles from bacteria to humans, as well as the mitochondria play a central role in polyphosphate production and storage. Polyphosphates have been assigned multiple functions, some of which are closely related to medically important processes, such as blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, energy metabolism, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, chaperon function, microvascularization, stress response, neurodegeneration and aging. The development of bioinspired polyphosphate particles, in combination with suitable hydrogel-forming polymers enabled the development of new strategies in regenerative medicine, in particular for hard and soft tissue repair, but also in drug delivery and antimicrobial defense. This book not only highlights the basic research in this area, but also discusses possible applications. Therefore, it appeals to scientists working in cell biology, biochemistry, and biomedicine and practicioners alike.
Can Microbial Communities Regenerate?
By investigating a simple question, a philosopher of science and a molecular biologist offer an accessible understanding of microbial communities and a motivating theory for future research in community ecology. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, are important determinants of health at the individual, ecosystem, and global levels. And yet many aspects of modern life, from the overuse of antibiotics to chemical spills and climate change, can have devastating, lasting impacts on the communities formed by microorganisms. Drawing on the latest scientific research and real-life examples such as attempts to reengineer these communities through microbial transplantation, the construction of synthetic communities of microorganisms, and the use of probiotics, this book explores how and why communities of microorganisms respond to disturbance, and what might lead to failure. It also unpacks related and interwoven philosophical questions: What is an organism? Can a community evolve by natural selection? How can we make sense of function and purpose in the natural world? How should we think about regeneration as a phenomenon that occurs at multiple biological scales? Provocative and nuanced, this primer offers an accessible conceptual and theoretical understanding of regeneration and evolution at the community level that will be essential across disciplines including philosophy of biology, conservation biology, microbiomics, medicine, evolutionary biology, and ecology.
Species Problems and Beyond
This book presents opposing views on the current philosophical and conceptual issues of the Species Problem in biology. Topics include ontology of species, definitions of species category and units, species rank, speciation issues, nomenclature, ecology, and species conservation.
The Cause of Pyloric Stenosis of Infancy
The Cause of Pyloric Stenosis of Infancy chronicles the debate surrounding the cause of pyloric stenosis from its earliest discovery 300 years ago to the present. The Primary Hyperacidity Theory offers a credible explanation for all the classical signs and symptoms of pyloric stenosis as well a its associated features. In addition, this book comprehensively explores the medical and surgical treatment options as well as the general features used for diagnosis. An understanding of the true cause of pyloric stenosis will thus allow for treatment that is more individualized and sensitive to patients' needs.
Industrial Hemp
Industrial Hemp: Food and Nutraceutical Applications is a comprehensive overview of different value chains for the industrial hemp industry. This excellent reference supports multi-disciplines and presents industrial hemp as a multi-purpose crop, with special attention paid to its food and nutraceutical applications. By combining and presenting multidisciplinary knowledge, readers will be introduced to recent progress in hemp production, processing, utilization and marketing. The book provides a systematic overview of alternative hemp applications, but also serves as a guide to the challenges needed for hemp revitalization to reach its fullness.
The Rise and Reign of the Mammals
By the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, a "brilliant" and "beautifully told" new natural history of mammals, illuminating the lost story of the extraordinary family tree that led to us [New Scientist; The Times UK]National Bestseller - Top 10 Nonfiction of the Year: Kirkus - Best Science Book of the Year: The Times UKWe humans are the inheritors of a dynasty that has reigned over the planet for nearly 66 million years, through fiery cataclysm and ice ages: the mammals. Our lineage includes saber-toothed tigers, woolly mammoths, armadillos the size of a car, cave bears three times the weight of a grizzly, clever scurriers that outlasted Tyrannosaurus rex, and even other types of humans, like Neanderthals. Indeed humankind and many of the beloved fellow mammals we share the planet with today--lions, whales, dogs--represent only the few survivors of a sprawling and astonishing family tree that has been pruned by time and mass extinctions. How did we get here?In his acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs--hailed as "the ultimate dinosaur biography" by Scientific American--American paleontologist Steve Brusatte enchanted readers with his definitive history of the dinosaurs. Now, in a masterwork of scientific storytelling, he picks up the narrative in the ashes of the extinction event that doomed T-rex and its kind, Brusatte explores the remarkable story of the family of animals that inherited the Earth--mammals-- and brilliantly reveals that their story is every bit as fascinating and complex as that of the dinosaurs.Beginning with the earliest days of our lineage some 325 million years ago, Brusatte charts the evolution of mammals, showing how they survived the asteroid that claimed the dinosaurs and made the world their own, becoming the astonishingly diverse range of animals that dominate today's Earth. Brusatte also brings alive the lost worlds mammals inhabited through time, from ice ages to volcanic catastrophes. Entwined in this story is the detective work he and other scientists have done to piece together our understanding of this rich fossil history using fossil clues and cutting-edge technology.A sterling example of scientific storytelling by one of our finest young researchers, The Rise and Reign of the Mammals illustrates how this incredible history laid the foundation for today's world, for us, and our future.This landmark work of science writing explores: The Age of Mammals: How our ancestors survived the asteroid impact that doomed the dinosaurs and seized their chance to inherit the Earth.Prehistoric Beasts: A stunning cast of extinct relatives, from saber-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths to car-sized armadillos and Neanderthals.Human Origins: The epic 325-million-year story of the sprawling family tree that ultimately led to us.Scientific Detective Work: A look at the cutting-edge technology and fossil clues paleontologist Steve Brusatte and his colleagues use to uncover the secrets of our past.
Heredity Before Mendel
The author shares an untold narrative of heredity, an active topic of inquiry long before Gregor Mendel planted his peas. This story involves the sheep breeder, Imre Festetics. He sought to improve wool and proposed important rules of heredity. Heredity Before Mendel resurrects Festetics, the grandfather of heredity.
Introduction to the Fast Multipole Method
This book introduces the reader to the theory and methodology of quantum-mechanical modeling of chemical and biological systems. Given the immense complexity of such systems, there is a constant search for new methods.
Practical Handbook of Marine Science
The heavily-revised Practical Handbook of Marine Science, Fourth Edition continues its tradition as a state-of-the-art reference that updates the field of marine science to meet the interdisciplinary research needs of physical oceanographers, marine biologists, marine chemists, and marine geologists. This edition adds an entirely new section devoted to Climate Change and Climate Change Effects. It also adds new sections on Estuaries, Beaches, Barrier Islands, Shellfish, Macroalgae, Food Chains, Food Webs, Trophic Dynamics, System Productivity, Physical-Chemical-Biological Alteration, and Coastal Resource Management.The Handbook assembles an extensive international collection of marine science data throughout, with approximately 1,000 tables and illustrations. It provides comprehensive coverage of anthropogenic impacts in estuarine and marine ecosystems from local, regional, and global perspectives.Maintaining its user-friendly, multi-sectional format, this comprehensive resource will also be of value to undergraduate and graduate students, research scientists, administrators, and other professionals who deal with the management of marine resources. Now published in full color, the new edition offers extensive illustrative and tabular reference material covering all the major disciplines related to the sea.
Isotopic Tracer Techniques in Preclinical Research
1. Introduction 2. Tracer technique in basic research 3. Tracer technique in applied research 4. Literature cited
Design and Applications of Hydroxyapatite-Based Catalysts
Essential reference for researchers and experts in industry highlighting the rapidly growing field of hydroxyapatite-based catalysts and their application in various chemical processes. Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) is the main mineral component of human and animal bones. It is largely applied in the field of biomaterials due to its biocompatibility. Recently, hydroxyapatite-based materials have especially gained a lot of attention by researchers in catalysis, as they are versatile and have shown precious properties of a good catalyst and catalyst support such as excellent ion-exchange capacity, high porosity, very low water solubility, controlled basicity/acidity, and good thermal stability at high temperatures. Design and Applications of Hydroxyapatite-Based Catalysts gives a detailed overview of the synthesis, characterization, and use of hydroxyapatite-based materials in catalysis. It covers synthetic hydroxyapatites (from pure chemicals or waste), natural apatites and materials from eggshells and animal bones. The application of hydroxyapatite-based catalysts in selective oxidation, deoxygenation, selective hydrogenation, dehydrogenation reactions, organic synthesis, as well as reforming processes and production of energy carriers is reviewed. Moreover, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis using hydroxyapatite-based materials are discussed. Kinetic and mechanism studies of various chemical pro-cesses over hydroxyapatite-based catalysts are also presented. This is the first book solely dedicated to hydroxyapatite-based materials and their use in catalysis. Covers synthesis and characterization, surface and structure studies, kinetic and mechanism aspects, and various applications in heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis. Aimed at further stimulating research in the field Design and Applications of Hydroxyapatite-Based Catalysts is an indispensable source-of-information for researchers in academia and industry working in catalysis.
Protein Microarrays for Disease Analysis
This volume focuses on protein analysis, and covers a wide array of uses of protein microarray for disease analysis. The chapters in this book discuss different stages of protein microarrays from their construction to their use, including different types of protein microarrays such as recombinant proteins, antibody, phage, and NAPPA protein microarrays, in planar format or in solution via beads arrays. 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.Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Protein Microarrays for Disease Analysis: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for graduate and post-doctoral fellows interested in protein microarrays, as well as senior researchers interested in gaining more insight into this developing field.
Oxidative Eustress in Exercise Physiology
This book unravels key physiological responses and adaptations to different redox regulated exercise paradigms at the cell, tissue, and whole-body level in model systems and humans in health and disease.
Microbial Production of High-Value Products
This edited volume emphasizes how microorganisms have become a reliable pillar of biotechnology. The authors discuss advances in synthetic biology and genetic engineering that have made it possible to reprogram the microbial cellular capabilities. This enables an economically viable production of high-value products at an industrial level.The first part of the book provides an overview of synthetic biology and genome editing tools for engineering microbial cell factories in modern fermentation. Readers also learn how high-throughput bioprocessing methods are used to recover and purify microbial products.The remaining parts of this book explore the implementation and challenges of these upstream and downstream processing techniques for manufacturing high-value products. Cost-effectiveness and quality-control are key factors, when discussing the production of low-molecular-weight products, biopharmaceuticals, biopolymers and protein-based nanoparticles.This book is a valuable resource for biotechnologists both in the industry and in academia.
Macromolecular Protein Complexes IV
This book covers the latest findings of a wide variety of viral, prokaryotic and eukaryotic macromolecular protein complexes and builds upon the solid macromolecular foundations established by previous volumes of the Subcellular Biochemistry series. Thus, an almost encyclopaedic coverage of the broad field of protein complex structure and function has been established. The 17 interesting chapters included in this book have been organised into four sections: Soluble Protein Complexes, Membrane Protein Complexes, Fibrous Protein Complexes and Viral Protein Complexes. Significant topics present here are: Fatty Acid Synthase, the Fork Protection Complex, Ribonucleotide Reductase, the Kinetochore, G proteins, the FtsEX Complex, the Kainate Receptor, the Photosystem I-antenna, the Mycobacterial Arabinofuranosyltransferases, the the Bacterial Flagellum, the Actomyosin Complex, Motile Cilia, SLS Collagen Polymorphic Structures, and the Reovirus Capsid and Polymerase. Up-dates/expansion of chapter topics present in earlier volumes are now included in chapters here, e.g., those on Ferritin-like proteins and the Multi-tRNA Synthetase. The book is richly illustrated throughout, the result of an impressive integration of structural data from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. The functional aspects of protein-protein interactions are also given a high priority.
PPARs as Key Mediators of Metabolic and Inflammatory Regulation
Mounting evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between metabolism and inflammation. Molecular crosstalk between these processes occurs at different levels with the participation of nuclear receptors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). There are three PPAR isotypes, α, β/δ, and γ, which modulate metabolic and inflammatory pathways, making them key for the control of cellular, organ, and systemic processes. PPAR activity is governed by fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, and by drugs used in clinics (glitazones and fibrates). The study of PPAR action, also modulated by post-translational modifications, has enabled extraordinary advances in the understanding of the multifaceted roles of these receptors in metabolism, energy homeostasis, and inflammation both in health and disease. This Special Issue of IJMS includes a broad range of basic and translational article, both original research and reviews, focused on the latest developments in the regulation of metabolic and/or inflammatory processes by PPARs in all organs and the microbiomes of different vertebrate species.
MEMS Packaging Technologies and 3D Integration
This Special Issue introduces recent research results on MEMS packaging and 3D integration whose subjects can be divided as follow; three papers on biocompatible implantable packaging, three papers on interconnect, three papers on bonding technologies, one paper on vacuum packaging, and three papers on modeling and simulation.
A Complete Guide to Gene Cloning: From Basic to Advanced
1. The recombinant DNA technology era 1.1 Important timelines 1.2 Scientist and their contribution to recombinant DNA technology 1.3 Recent advances2. Vectors: Guide to gene delivery vehicles 2.1 Plasmid, Cosmid, Phasmid, Bacteriophage 2.2 YAC and BAC 2.3 Shuttle vector 2.4 Expression vector3. Gene isolation methods: Beginners guide 3.1 Isolation of genomic and PCR amplification 3.2 Gene synthesis 3.3 cDNA library 3.4 Genomic library4. Gene cloning strategies: overview 4.1 Restriction and ligation-based cloning 4.2 Ligation-independent cloning 4.3 PCR-based cloning4.4 Recombination-based cloning 4.5 Mating-Assisted Genetically Integrated Cloning5. DNA cutters and connecters in recombinant DNA technology 5.1 RM system 5.2 Restriction enzymes 5.3 Sequence specific, G+C content, Methylation 5.4 Elimination of RM in host6 Fundamental techniques of recombinant DNA transfer 6.1 Chemical transformation in Bacteria, Fungi and animal cell 6.2 Physical transformation in Bacteria, Fungi and animal cell 7. Screening of recombinants 7.1 Colony hybridisation 7.2 Antibiotic based screening 7.3 Colony PCR 7.4 Plasmid Miniprep 7.5 Southern blotting 7.6 DNA Sequencing 7.7 Protein expression SDS PAGE, western blotting8. Recent Trends and Advances 8.1 Basics of gene editing 8.2 Zinc finger nucleases 8.3 Transcription activators like effectors 8.4 RNA interference 8.4 CRISPR Cas system 8.5 Cre-lox mechanism9. Application of Recombinant DNA Technology 9.1 Health, Medical and Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Industry 9.2 Health: Gene therapy, Diagnostics, 9.3 Pharmaceuticals: Vaccines, Insulin, Antibiotics, antibodies 9.4 Environment: Bioremediation, Bio indicators 9.5 Industry: Enzyme 9.6 Agriculture: Yield improvement, tolerant plants, transgenic for secondary metabolites 10. Ethical and safety concerns of recombinant DNA technology 10.1 Questionable knowledge dissemination 10.2 Uncertainties about misuse of technology 10.3 Potential risk of engineered organisms
