Page 3
Page 3
img

Biological Invasions in New Zealand

Man’s recent colonization of New Zealand has dramatically altered the resident biota and resulted in the introduction of numerous alien organisms to these once remote islands. In reverse, there is increasing evidence of a lesser known export of species to other regions of the world. This volume presents an in-depth review of the level and rate of such invasions, and investigates what controls the success of invaders and the consequences for ecosystems both on land and offshore. It provides invasion biologists everywhere with tests of current theories about those factors leading to the success of invaders as well as evaluating principles for understanding the nature of their impacts that form a solid basis for the effective management of biological invasions worldwide.

img

Biological Invasions Belowground : Earthworms as Invasive Species

he most conspicuous biological invasions in terrestrial ecosystems have been by exotic plants, insects and vertebrates. Less conspicuous but possibly of equal importance are invasions by soil invertebrates, which are occurring literally beneath our feet. Familiar examples include the South American fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) which has invaded North America and Australia, and the New Zealand flatworm (Arthurdendyus triangulatus) which has become wide-spread in the United Kingdom; both have caused considerable ecological and economic damage. There is now evidence that exotic earthworm invasions are increasing world-wide and may be having significant impacts on soil processes and plant communities in some regions. Much remains to be learned about these ‘cryptic’ biological invasions. The papers in this book are based on efforts by an international group of soil ecologists to assess the biological and ecological mechanisms of earthworm invasions, their geographic extent and impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, and possible means by which earthworm invasions might be mitigated.

img

Biological Invasions

This new volume on Biological Invasions deals with both plants and animals. It differs from previous books on the subject by extending from the level of individual species to an ecosystem and global level. Topics of highest societal relevance, such as the impact of genetically modified organisms, are interlinked with more conventional ecological aspects, including biodiversity. The combination of these approaches is new and makes compelling reading for researchers and environmentalists. The book’s 22 chapters cover a huge range of subjects relevant to the field. These include pathways of biological invasions (e.g. ballast water, waterways), traits of successful invaders (e.g. chemical weapons, empty niches), and patterns of invasion and invasibility, such as man-induced predisposition by fire, land use and eutrophication, and the role of climate change.

img

Biological invaders in inland waters : Profiles, distribution, and threats

The book examines the identity, distribution, and impact of freshwater non-indigenous species and the dynamics of their invasion. Rather than providing a broad and comprehensive review of the issue, Biological invaders in inland waters focuses on old and new invaders and also raises questions and opens perspectives that provide a starting point for further research. The ultimate purpose of this book is to help define a more general framework for our knowledge of invasions in fresh waters. Such a framework will be indispensable to the planning of a science-based management program.

img

Biological Calcification : Normal and Pathological Processes in the Early Stages

This book follows a precursor volume devoted to biological calci?cation, - sued by the CRC Press, Boca Raton (Florida) in 1992. Several basic aspects of the calci?cation process were analyzed in it by outstanding authors who had unquestioned competence in their respective research areas. Its main aim was that of giving readers access to a series of papers which, even though they discussed divergent aspects of biological calci?cations drawn from the study of systems as different as vertebrate skeletons and mollusks, in vitro cultures and unicellular organisms, ectopic calci?cation and urinary stones, provided elements permitting a coherent approach to a comprehensive view of the calci?cation process in biological tissues.

img

Biological Basis of Geriatric Oncology

Biological Basis of Geriatric Oncology highlights research issues that are specific to geriatric oncology in the field of carcinogenesis and cancer prevention and treatment, based on the biologic interactions of cancer and age. It illustrates the benefit of the principles of geriatrics in the management of cancer in the older individual.

img

Biological adhesives

Many plants, animals, and microbes use adhesive polymers and structures to attach to inert substrates, to each other, or to other organisms. This is the first major review that brings together research on many of the well-known biological adhesives. Emphasizing the diversity of biological adhesives and associated adhesion processes, it deals with bacteria, fungi, algae, and marine and terrestrial animals. It bridges a variety of disciplines including biochemistry, molecular biology, biomechanics, bioengineering, microbiology, organism structure and function, and ultrastructure. As we learn more about the molecular and mechanical properties of these adhesives, we begin to understand why they adhere so well and how they develop cohesive strength. With this understanding comes the prospect of developing synthetic or semi-synthetic adhesives with broad applications in areas such as medicine, dentistry, and biotechnology. The book is suitable for both industrial and academic researchers.

img

Bioinspired engineering of thermal materials

A comprehensive overview and summary of recent achievements and the latest trends in bioinspired thermal materials. Following an introduction to different thermal materials and their effective heat transfer to other materials, the text discusses heat detection materials that are inspired by biological systems, such as fire beetles and butterflies. There then follow descriptions of materials with thermal management functionality, including those for evaporation and condensation, heat transfer and thermal insulation materials, as modeled on snake skins, polar bears and fire-resistant trees.

img

Bioinformatics drug discovery

Quantitative tools are becoming increasingly important in order to understand complex cascade of signal transduction events, pathways or biochemical reactions. The book showcases how computational techniques and algorithms are applied to biological data analysis, interpretation, and modelling. It covers applications in drug design and discovery, immune systems, phylogenetic analysis and protein structures.

img

Bioinformatics and the cell : Modern computational approaches in genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics

"Xuhua Xia’s Bioinformatics and the Cell is a welcome addition to the bourgeoning field of bioinformatics text books. Xia stakes out a too-often neglected middle ground in bioinformatics by presenting a work that emphasizes methods’ biological utility without eschewing algorithmic formalism. Readers will find a well-rounded presentation of bioinformatics techniques employed in genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics – unified throughout by the common theme of molecular evolution."

img

Bioimage Data Analysis Workflows

This book provides students and researchers in the life sciences with essential practical information on how to quantitatively analyze data images. It refrains from focusing on theory, and instead uses practical examples and step-by step protocols to familiarize readers with the most commonly used image processing and analysis platforms such as ImageJ, MatLab and Python.

img

Biogeography, Time, and Place : Distributions, Barriers, and Islands

Biogeography considers the distribution of biological units over a wide range of scales. The units range from genotypes, populations and species to families and higher taxa. Processes can be local, such as the isolation on islands due to sea-level fluctuations, or large-scale tectonic processes that separates continents and creates oceans. In all processes time is an important factor and by combining data on recent patterns with paleontological data the understanding of the distribution of extant taxa can be improved. This volume focuses on speciation due to isolation in island-like settings, and the evolution of large-scale diversity as the result of origination, maintenance and extinction.

img

Bioenergetics : Energy conservation and conversion

The present book addresses fundamental questions of biological energy transformation and conservation, with a focus on those processes which can now be understood on a structural basis.Current knowledge of selected examples of the biological energy conservation machinery such as cellular oxygen respiration, light-driven energy converters, and fermentation is reviewed. The machinery is highly variable, particularly that within microorganisms, but all of these devices universally rely on one unique underlying physico-chemical principle. The book is a rich source for specialists interested in recent developments in bioenergetics research and novices in the field alike.

img

Bioelectromagnetics current concepts : The mechanisms of the biological effect of extremely high power pulses

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on The Mechanisms of the Biological Effect on Extra High Power Pulses (EHPP), Yerevan, Armenia 3 - 5 March 2005

img

Biodiversity of angola : Science & conservation : A modern synthesis

The book identifies Angola as one of the most biologically diverse countries in Africa, but notes that its fauna, flora, habitats and the processes that drive the dynamics of its ecosystems.

img

Biodiversity and Ecophysiology of Yeasts

In the last few decades more and more yeast habitats that were not investigated earlier, spanning cold climates to tropical regions and dry deserts to rainforests, have been explored. As a result, a large body of ecological data has been accumulated and the number of known yeast species has increased rapidly. This book provides an overview of the biodiversity of yeasts in different habitats. The recent advances achieved by the application of molecular biological methods in the field of yeast taxonomy and ecology are also incorporated in the book. Wherever possible, the interaction between yeasts and the surrounding environment is discussed.

img

Bio-Applications of Nanoparticles

In this edited book, we highlight the central players in the Bionanotechnology field, which are the nanostructures and biomolecules. The book starts by describing how nanostructures are synthesized and by describing the wide variety of nanostructures available for biological research and applications. Also shown are the techniques used to synthesize a wide variety of biological molecules. Next, there is a focus on the assembly of nanostructures with biological molecules, which could lead to the design of multi-functional nanosystems. In the following chapters, examples of the unique properties of nanostructures are provided along with the current applications of these nanostructures in biology and medicine. Some applications include the use of gold nanoparticles in diagnostic applications, quantum dots and silica nanoparticles for imaging, and liposomes for drug delivery. In the final chapters of the book, the toxicity of nanostructures are described. This book provides broad examples of current developments in Bionanotechnology research and would be an excellent introduction to the field.

img

Bioanalytics : Analytical methods and concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology

Analytical methods are the essential enabling tools of the modern biosciences. This book presents a comprehensive introduction into these analytical methods, including their physical and chemical backgrounds, as well as a discussion of the strengths and weakness of each method. It covers all major techniques for the determination and experimental analysis of biological macromolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.

img

Bioanalytical aspects in biological therapeutics

The book discusses the challenges and considerations for bioanalytical support, covering a wide range of central topics in the field, including overview and basic immunology for testing of biological therapeutics, pharmacokinetic aspects, clinical immunogenicity prediction and testing, biomarker testing, biotransformation assessment for biologics, statistical aspects of bioanalytical testing, regulatory expectations, and more

img

Bee products and their applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries ; 1st ed.

Focuses on the health benefits of selected bee products by looking more closely at their pharmacological potentials and therapeutic applications in coping with various diseases. The book explores some of these products, such as royal jelly, propolis and bee venom, which is highly attractive to the food supplement sector due to the biological actions that are proved by scientific studies. Bee products also attract the cosmetics industry by utilizing those products in various applications such as hair products, toothpaste, sunscreen creams, lip balsams, or facial moisturizing creams. Each chapter focuses on a particular health benefit, providing more compact and detailed information about each activity for a specific interest. The mainframe of the book is based on the medicinal and pharmacological functions of bee products, with the therapeutic applications for each bee product supporting the mechanism of action of their biological functions.

Results Per Page