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Microbial Activity in the Rhizosphere
The rhizosphere is a very complex environment in which the effects of the plant on soil microorganisms and the effects of the microorganisms on the plant are interacting and are interdependent. Plant root exudates and breakdown products attract microbes and feed them and, in turn, the plants often benefit from the microbes. Interactions among microorganisms and plant roots are essential for nutritional requirements of the plant. Plant growth, development and productivity are largely dependent on the soil environment in the root region rhizosphere. The new techniques of studying the rhizosphere enables us to get a much better understanding of the dynamics of the rhizosphere population, such rhizosphere studies being of interest to agriculturists, soilbiologists, chemists, microbiologists and molecular biologists. The rhizosphere microbes in?uence the root environment in several ways. They may change the oxidation-reduction potential, influence the availability of moisture and nutrients, produce growth inhibiting or growth promoting substances in the form of exudates, provide competition and possibly induce many other effects. My corrhizal associations are beneficial in mineral uptake and in increasing root surface area for effective ion absorption. Antagonism, ompetition and synergism in soil and the rhizoplane (rhizosphere) are the most important microbial interactions to consider in the study of rhizosphere biology. With the growing information on the production of growth regulators, competitiveness of the microbes in the rhizosphere, microsymbionts, and other factors, their effect upon plant growth will become more evident. Experiments on the introduction of microbes or their products in the rhizosphere will help to improve our understandingofthebiologyoftherhizosphere.
Micro-, Meso- and Macro-Dynamics of the Brain
This book brings together leading investigators who represent various aspects of brain dynamics with the goal of presenting state-of-the-art current progress and address future developments. The topics cover the most fascinating facets of neuroscience from elementary computation of neurons, mesoscopic network oscillations, internally generated assembly sequences in the service of cognition, large-scale neuronal interactions within and across systems, the impact of sleep on cognition, memory and mental illness, brain controlled robots, motor-sensory integration, spatial navigation, large-scale computation and consciousness. Overall, this volume offers an integrated view of the challenges and opportunities in deciphering brain circuits in health and disease.
Micro-, Meso- and Macro-Connectomics of the Brain
Highlights cutting-edge methods that can accelerate progress in elucidating static ‘hard-wired’ circuits of the brain as well as dynamic interactions that are vital for brain function. The power of connectomic approaches in characterizing abnormal circuits in the many brain disorders that afflict humankind is considered. Experts in computational neuroscience and network theory provide perspectives needed for synthesizing across different scales in space and time. Altogether, this book provides an integrated view of the challenges and opportunities in deciphering brain circuits in health and disease.
Methods of Celestial Mechanics ; Vol. II : Application to Planetary System, Geodynamics and Satellite Geodesy
G. Beutler's Methods of Celestial Mechanics is a coherent textbook for students as well as an excellent reference for practitioners. Volume II is devoted to the applications and to the presentation of the program system CelestialMechanics. Three major areas of applications are covered: (1) Orbital and rotational motion of extended celestial bodies. The properties of the Earth-Moon system are developed from the simplest case (rigid bodies) to more general cases, including the rotation of an elastic Earth, the rotation of an Earth partly covered by oceans and surrounded by an atmosphere, and the rotation of an Earth composed of a liquid core and a rigid shell (Poincaré model). (2) Artificial Earth Satellites. The oblateness perturbation acting on a satellite and the exploitation of its properties in practice is discussed using simulation methods (CelestialMechanics) and (simplified) first order perturbation methods. The perturbations due to the higher-order terms of the Earth's gravitational potential and resonant perturbations are considered thereafter. Special attention is paid to satellites of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems and to geostationary satellites. The characteristics of and models for the two most important non-gravitational forces, atmospheric drag and radiation pressure, are presented as well as the most relevant forces acting on high- and low-orbiting satellites. (3) Evolution of the Planetary System. The outer planetary system consisting of the planets Jupiter to Pluto is studied over long time intervals using simulation methods and spectral analysis (CelestialMechanics). The properties of the inner systems, in particular of the Earth's orbit, are made visible by integrating the entire system over long time intervals relevant for climate change. The distribution of minor planets and their orbital properties, regular orbits, and chaotic orbits are easily generated and analyzed using CelestialMechanics. The volume concludes with the discussion of important mathematical tools of the program system and of the principles of spectral analysis.
Methods and Tools for Drought Analysis and Management
Implementation of effective drought management policies requires both advanced technologies and appropriate methods. Monitoring and forecasting systems, practical tools for risk assessment, as well as simple and objective criteria to select and implement appropriate drought mitigation measures are key elements for a successful drought management strategy.These key issues have been tackled by universities and public agencies involved in the EU projects Sedemed and Sedemed II (Programme Interreg IIIB MEDOCC), aimed at the definition of an integrated network for real time monitoring of drought, the development of common methodologies for drought analysis and forecasting, as well as the definition of proper mitigation strategies for the Mediterranean countries.The book presents the main outcomes of such projects with a special focus on: drought monitoring and forecasting echniques at different spatial scales; new or modified agrometeorological indices and remote sensing technique for drought identification and characterization; tools to improve surface water resources management under drought conditions; methods and tools for groundwater resources monitoring and management, based on hydrogeological and hydrodynamics characteristics of aquifers; general criteria to select and implement mitigation strategies to prevent or minimize drought impacts.
Methods and Applications of Singular Perturbations : Boundary Layers and Multiple Timescale Dynamics
Perturbation theory, one of the most intriguing and essential topics in mathematics, and its applications to the natural and engineering sciences.In a systematic introductory manner, this unique book deliniates boundary layer theory for ordinary and partial differential equations, multi-timescale phenomena for nonlinear oscillations, diffusion and nonlinear wave equations. The book provides analysis of simple examples in the context of the general theory, as well as a final discussion of the more advanced problems.
Methodology of Uniform Contract Law : The UNIDROIT Principles in International Legal Doctrine and Practice
In this book, the author examines uniform contract law comprehensively in all relevant areas of legal doctrine and practice and considers the barriers which exist toward it in modern nation states, namely in the German and English legal systems. She suggests ways in which these barriers can be overcome and develops an autonomous methodology of interpretation of transnational contract principles. The author wants to encourage the use of existing uniform transnational law rules, such as the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts, which are analysed here as an example.
Metal Catalyzed Cascade Reactions
Transition metal-catalyzed cascade reactions are an elegant approach to complex molecular scaffolds. Besides their esthetics and increase in structural complexity, they have also become mechanistic challenges for the combination of organometallic elementary steps. As a consequence, cascade reactions have revolutionized synthetic strategies and conceptual thinking. The authors highlight cyclization via carbopalladation and acylpalladation and Heck-pericyclic sequences. They discuss p-allyl palladium-based cascade reactions, Michael-type additions as an entry to transition-metal-promoted cyclizative transformations, and sequential or consecutive palladium-catalyzed processes, and show Pauson-Khand cascades, metal-catalyzed cyclizations of acyclic precursors, as well as cascade and sequential ruthenium-catalyzed transformations. Therefore, the reader finds overview of an exciting and highly dynamic field of a new and innovative methodological concept
Meshless Methods in Solid Mechanics
The main objective of this book is to provide a textbook for graduate courses on the computational analysis of continuum and solid mechanics based on meshless (also known as mesh free) methods. It can also be used as a reference book for engineers and scientists who are exploring the physical world through computer simulations. Emphasis of this book is given to the understanding of the physical and mathematical characteristics of the procedures of computational solid mechanics. It naturally brings the essence, advantages and challenging problems of meshless methods into the picture. The subjects in this book cover the fundamentals of continuum mechanics, the integral formulation methods of continuum problems, the basic concepts of finite element methods, and the methodologies, formulations, procedures, and applications of various meshless methods. It also provides general and detailed procedures of meshless analysis on elastostatics, elastodynamics, non-local continuum mechanics and plasticity with a large number of numerical examples. Some basic and important mathematical methods are included in the Appendixes. For the readers who want to gain knowledge through hands-on experience, the meshless programs for elastostatics and elastodynamics are also introduced in the book and included in the disc.
Meshfree Methods for Partial Differential Equations IV
The numerical treatment of partial differential equations with particle methods and meshfree discretization techniques is a very active research field both in the mathematics and engineering community. Due to their independence of a mesh, particle schemes and meshfree methods can deal with large geometric changes of the domain more easily than classical discretization techniques. Furthermore, meshfree methods offer a promising approach for the coupling of particle models to continuous models. This volume of LNCSE is a collection of the proceedings papers of the Fourth International Workshop on Meshfree Methods held in September 2007 in Bonn. The articles address the different meshfree methods (SPH, PUM, GFEM, EFGM, RKPM, etc.) and their application in applied mathematics, physics and engineering. The volume is intended to foster this very active and exciting area of interdisciplinary research and to present recent advances and results in this field.
Meshfree Methods for Partial Differential Equations III
Meshfree methods for the numerical solution of partial differential equations are becoming more and more mainstream in many areas of applications. Their flexiblity and wide applicability are attracting engineers, scientists, and mathematicians to this very dynamic research area. This volume represents the state of the art in meshfree methods. It consists of articles which address the different meshfree techniques, their mathematical properties and their application in applied mathematics, physics and engineering.
Meshfree Methods for Partial Differential Equations II
A Particle Strategy for Solving the Fokker-Planck Equation Modelling the Fiber Orientation Distribution in Steady Recirculating Flows Involving Short Fiber Suspensions.- Extended Meshfree Method for Elastic and Inelastic Media.- Meshfree Petrov-Galerkin Methods for the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations.- The ?-shape Based Natural Element Method in Solid and Fluid Mechanics.- A Particle-Partition of Unity Method Part VI: A p-robust Multilevel Solver.- Enriched Reproducing Kernel Approximation: Reproducing Functions with Discontinuous Derivatives.- Reproducing Kernel Element Interpolation: Globally Conforming I m/C n/P k Hierarchies.- Multi-scale Analysis Using Two Influence Radii in EFGM.- Solution of a Dynamic Main Crack Interaction with a System of Micro-Cracks by the Element Free Galerkin Method.- Finite Cover Method for Physically and Geometrically Nonlinear Problems.- A Numerical Scheme for Solving Incompressible and Low Mach Number Flows by the Finite Pointset Method.- SPH Renormalized Hybrid Methods for Conservation Laws: Applications to Free Surface Flows.- Discontinuous Radial Basis Function Approximations for Meshfree Methods.- Treating Moving Interfaces in Thermal Models with the C-NEM.- Bridging Scale Particle and Finite Element Methods.
Mercury Pollution in Minamata
It overviews the poisoning which occurred in the 1950s and 1960s among the residents in Minamata who ate seafood contaminated with methylmercury discharged from the chemical factory, Chisso Corporation. It describes the history, symptoms pathogenesis and research on the causal agent, and discusses the responses of Chisso and the national and local governments to the outbreak, the victims, the compensation and environmental restructuring as well as the court ruling on claims. Based on lecture notes from a university course, it includes students’ suggestions for avoiding a repeat of the tragedy. The issue has not been settled yet, and this analysis of the incident provides useful insights into solutions to the current global mercury pollution problem.
Mercury
Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun, is different in several respects from the other three terrestrial planets. In appearance, it resembles the heavily cratered surface of the Moon, but its density is high, it has a magnetic field and magnetosphere, but no atmosphere or ionosphere. This book reviews the progress made in Mercury studies since the flybys by Mariner 10 in 1974-75, based on the continued research using the Mariner 10 archive, on observations from Earth, and on increasingly realistic models of its interior evolution.
Memory B-cells : Methods and protocols
Details in methods to assess memory B cell formation and function in mice and humans. Chapters guide readers through tetramer-based methods to assess antigen-specific memory B cell dynamics in humans and mice in different vaccine, next-generation deep-sequencing, single-cell techniques to assess epigenomic, VDJ landscapes, lymph node aspirates from humans, advanced imaging, murine models to determine memory B cells formation, and bioinformatic techniques and in silico modelling of memory b cell formation. 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 key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
MEGAFLOW - Numerical Flow Simulation for Aircraft Design ; Results of the second phase of the German CFD initiative MEGAFLOW, presented during its closing symposium at DLR, Braunschweig, Germany, December 10 and 11, 2002
This volume contains results of the German CFD initiative MEGAFLOW which combines many of the CFD development activities from DLR, universities and aircraft industry. It highlights recent improvements and enhancements of the MEGAFLOW software system.
Mediterranean Island Landscapes : Natural and Cultural Approaches
Mediterranean islands exhibit many similarities in their biotic ecological, physical and environmental characteristics. There are also many differences in terms of their human colonization and current anthropogenic pressures. This book addresses in three sections these characteristics and examines the major environmental changes that the islands experienced during the Quaternary period. The first section provides details on natural and cultural factors which have shaped island landscapes. It describes the environmental and cultural changes of the Holocene and their effects on biota, as well as on the current human pressures that are now threats to the sustainability of the island communities. The second section focuses on the landscapes of the largest islands namely Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Cyprus, Crete, Malta and the Balearics. Each island chapter includes a special topic reflecting a particular characteristic of the island. Part three presents strategies for action towards sustainability in Mediterranean islands and concludes with a comparison between the largest islands.
Medicinal plants of the world ; Vol.3 : Chemical constituents, traditional and modern medicinal uses
The author's exhaustive summary of available scientific data for each plant provides detailed information on how the plant is used in different countries, describing its traditional therapeutic applications and what is known from its use in clinical trials. Additional material presented includes a botanical description with a color photo of each plant for identification, the common names used for the plant throughout the world, and a listing of the plant's known chemical constituents. A comprehensive bibliography cites the literature available from a wide range of disciplines. Medicinal Plants of the World: Chemical Constituents, Traditional and Modern Medicinal Uses, Volume 3, offers a unique collection of vital scientific information for pharmacologists, herbal medicine practitioners, drug developers, phytochemists, medicinal chemists, phytologists, toxicologists, and researchers who want to explore the many uses of plant materials for medicinal and related purposes. Its wealth of significant information will reveal little-known facts about these plants and open new horizons of application for the many novel drugs and drug candidates found in them.
Medicinal Plants for Holistic Health and Well-Being
Medicinal Plants for Holistic Health and Well-Being discusses, in depth, the use of South African plants to treat a variety of ailments, including tuberculosis, cancer, periodontal diseases, acne, postmacular hypomelanosis, and more. Plants were selected on the basis of their traditional use, and the book details the scientific evidence that supports their pharmacological and therapeutic potential to safely and effectively treat each disease. Thus, this book is a valuable resource for all researchers, students and professors involved in advancing global medicinal plant research
Medicinal plants for cosmetics : Health and diseases
Describes diseases and ailments occurring in individuals worldwide including acne, ageing, various cancers, eczema and other conditions. This book explains each disease and ailment, allowing the reader to gain a better perspective on misunderstood and underestimated assumptions accompanying the ailment or condition. Not only does this book present information on different diseases and ailments, it presents a variety of plants and plant-based compounds demonstrating potential health benefits.
