Algal Toxins : Nature, Occurrence, Effect and Detection
This volume contains the lectures and seminars given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on “Sensor Systems for Biological Threads: The Algal Toxins Case”, held in Pisa, Italy in October, 2007. Algae can form heavy growths in ponds, lakes, reservoirs and sl- moving rivers throughout the world; algae can house toxins which are - ually released into water when the cells rupture or die. Hundreds of toxins have been identified so far. Detection methods, including rapid screening, have been developed to help us learning more about them, especially to find out which toxins are a real threat for people and what conditions encourage their production and accumulation. Early detection of algal toxins is an - portant aspect for public safety and natural environment, and significant efforts are underway to develop effective and reliable tools that can be used for this purpose.
AI in disease detection : Advancements and applications
Discusses the integration of artificial intelligence to revolutionize disease detection approaches, with case studies of AI in disease detection as well as insight into the opportunities and challenges of AI in healthcare as a whole. The book explores a wide range of individual AI components such as computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning as well as the development and implementation of AI systems for efficient practices in data collection, model training, and clinical validation.
Agroforestry in Europe : Current Status and Future Prospects
Brings together some of the most important current research in European agroforestry, and evaluates the current scope and future potential of agroforestry across the EU.While the majority of Europe’s agroforestry practices are currently focused in the Mediterranean, this volume draws together examples from a wide range of countries – including Greece, Spain, the UK, Hungary, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Slovenia. The book also covers a range of agroforestry types, including silvopastoralism – Europe’s predominant form of agroforestry – as well as alley cropping, forest farming, silvoarable systems and the use of trees for shelter. Through these examples the book also discusses the potential roles for these traditional land management systems in addressing both environmental issues such as water quality, biodiversity conservation, desertification, ecosystem services and socioeconomic issues such as rural population stabilization.
Agroecological transitions : From theory to practice in local participatory design
There is wide agreement on the need to change the prevalent agricultural models, given their negative impacts and their incompatibility with current societal issues. Agroecological transition has been promoted as a potential solution to the ecological, social and economic problems generated by these models. It however involves a systemic, multi-scale and transdisciplinary process. Due to this complexity, the overall picture of what farms and food systems “actually are” and “might be” may not be apparent at the individual level. Yet individuals’ knowledge and values provide complementary insights on how to proceed in deepening ecological modernisation. Expertise can also provide landmarks to be considered in that process. Because local stakeholders’ experience and skills are key resources in the adaptation and adoption of agroecological transition, new conceptual and methodological frameworks and tools have to be developed to support them in the design process of such a complex transition. This book presents feedback from the ‘Territorial Agroecological Transition in Action’- TATA-BOX research project, which was devoted to these specific issues.
Agricultural Research Management
Agricultural research is one of the most widespread forms of organized research in the world, in both developed and developing countries. Management of agricultural research involves many decisions that have scientific, social and political consequences. Every country has established agricultural research priorities based on many complex factors that must be considered when decisions are made on the choice of research problems to be investigated. Resources must be divided among projects that often compete for the limited funding available that supports the total research enterprise.
Agitator Design for Gas-Liquid Fermenters and Bioreactors
Agitator Design for Gas-Liquid Fermenters and Bioreactors delivers a concise treatment and explanation of how to design mechanically sound agitation systems that will perform the agitation process function efficiently and economically. The book covers agitator fundamentals, impeller systems, optimum power and air flow at peak mass transfer calculations, optimizing operation for minimum energy per batch, heat transfer surfaces and calculations, shaft seal considerations, mounting methods, mechanical design, and vendor evaluation.
African Biodiversity : molecules, organisms, ecosystems
BIOTA is an interdisciplinary research project focusing on sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in Africa (http://www.biote-africa.de). Session titles were Biogeography and Speciation Processes, Phylogenetic Patterns and Systematics, Diversity Declines and Conservation, and Applied Biodiversity Informatics
Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Research in sub-Saharan Africa : Challenges and Opportunities
Food insecurity is a central concern and a fundamental challenge for human welfare and economic growth in Africa. Low agricultural production, results in low incomes, poor nutrition, vulnerability to risks and lack of empowerment. Land degradation and soil fertility depletion are considered the major threats to food security and natural resource conservation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Investments in technology, policy and institutional reforms are needed to increase agricultural productivity to ensure food security and sustained national economies. Past research has generated numerous soil fertility management technologies which if adopted could propel the African continent out of the poverty trap. However, these technologies have had little, if any, impact due to low adoption by the smallholder farmers.
Advances in Electromagnetic Fields in Living Systems ; Vol.4
Advances in Electromagnetic Fields in Living Systems , Volume 4 begins with fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG), a noninvasive method of detecting components of the magnetic field produced by the electrical activity of the fetal heart. FMCG is experiencing steady growth, and is expected to gain influence in diagnosing certain congenital fetal heart defects while at the same time providing optimal care for patients. FMCG provides a distinct signal, free of maternal cardiac interference, which can be detected throughout the last half of pregnancy.
Advances in cognitive neurodynamics ICCN 2007; Proceedings of the International conference on cognitive neurodynamics - 2007
Contains the Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Cognitive Neurodynamics held in Shanghai, November 17-21, 2007. The participants were treated to an exciting and stimulating conference that left everyone with an enthusiastic vision for the future of the field. The latest important progress was covered by 13 mini-symposia including: Models of Mental Disorders; Cognitive Machines; Dynamics in learning and memory; Central nervous system synchronization; Neuroinformatics; Cognitive Computational Modeling of Human Language Processing; Cognitive Neurodynamics of Attention; Bottom-Up and Top-Down; Brain Networks; From Anatomy to Dynamics; Translational Cognitive Neuroimaging; K-sets; Theory and Applications; Advanced Signal Processing Techniques for Brain Data Analysis; Visual cortex: information processing and dynamics; Dynamics of Firing Patterns and Synchronization in Neuronal Systems.
Advances in Algal Biology : A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe
Advances in Algal Biology: A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe was written by students and colleagues of Rex Lowe to acknowledge his esteemed career that included exceptional contributions to research and teaching. Papers in the book cover a variety of topics in algal ecology, focusing on benthic algal ecology in freshwater ecosystems. The studies provide an unusual combination of small-scale experiments and large-scale regional surveys that bridge both basic and applied ecology. Ecologists, limnologists, phycologists, and environmental scientists will find valuable contributions to the development and application of algal research.
Advanced Techniques in Soil Microbiology
"Advanced Techniques in Soil Microbiology" presents a wide range of biotechnological methods for application in soil microbiology analysis. These include all essential methods involving molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, and structural biology, such as transcriptome analysis, RNAi technology, molecular matchmaking, RAPD, T-RFLP and FT/MS. The techniques and procedures have been selected with the aim of offering practical guides for immediate use in the laboratory. The systems investigated range from individual molecules and cells to entire eukaryotic organisms, with a focus on bacteria, fungi, mycorrhiza, and higher plants. This volume of state-of-the-art, practice oriented methods will be of great use both to the first-timer and to the experienced scientist.
Advanced soft electronics in biomedical engineering : materials, manufactures, and applications
Presents the latest advances in soft electronics in biomedical engineering and its potential applications in various biomedical fields. Provide comprehensive coverage of how soft electronics are used in diagnostics and monitoring, medical therapy, neural engineering, and wearable and implantable systems. In particular, some emerging research areas such as advanced soft robotics, fiber sensing technologies, and power optimization strategies are explored. In addition, the book highlights international standardization activities in wearable technologies and implantable bioelectronics.
Advanced chemical biology : chemical dissection and reprogramming of biological systems
Organized around the central dogma of life, progressing from genes to proteins and higher-order cellular structures, including core application areas such as imaging, chemical genetics, activity-based protein profiling, and natural product discovery and biosynthesis. Advanced topics and applications in, e. g., microbiology, developmental biology, and neurobiology, are covered in separate sections.
Adipose-derived stem cells : Methods and protocols
Discusses of the latest technology and advancements in the field of human-derived ASC and SVF. The chapters in this book are organized into four parts. Part One focuses on human ASC’s isolation, characterization, and differentiation. Part Two describes the isolation and characterization of ASC and SVF from canine, feline, and murine tissues. Part Three looks at hydrogels, scaffolds, and microphysiological systems, and Part Four talks about the new assays and applications using ASC. 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.
Adaptive dynamic programming for chemotherapy drug delivery
Focuses on the practical application of Adaptive Dynamic Programming (ADP) in chemotherapy drug delivery, taking into account clinical variables and real-time data. ADP's ability to adapt to changing conditions and make optimal decisions in complex and uncertain situations makes it a valuable tool in addressing pressing challenges in healthcare and other fields. As optimization technology evolves, we can expect to see even more sophisticated and powerful solutions emerge.
About Life : Concepts in Modern Biology
This book uses modern biological knowledge to tackle the question: "What distinguishes living organisms from the non-living world?" In the first few chapters, the authors draw on recent advances in cell and molecular biology to develop an account of the "living state" that applies to all organisms, but only to organisms. Subsequent chapters use this account to explore questions about evolution, the origin of life and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Towards the end of the book the authors consider human evolution, intelligence and the extent to which our species can be regarded as biologically unique. About Life is written as far as possible in non-technical language; all scientific terms are explained straightforwardly when they are introduced. It is aimed at the general, non-specialist reader, but the novel approach that it takes to general issues in biology will also interest students of the life sciences.
A Reappraisal of the Ascending Systems in Man, with Emphasis on the Medial Lemniscus
Based on material assembled by Dr Jaap HR Schoen who was one of the few neuroanatomists to apply the Nauta method to human material. Gaining insight in the consequences of longitudinal damage to the human spinal cord is necessary before reimplantation of the avulsed rootlets or an autologous transplant can be performed in man.
A Legacy for Living Systems : Gregory Bateson as Precursor to Biosemiotics
This book represents a major attempt to revise this deficiency. Scholars from ecology, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, cognitive science, anthropology and philosophy discuss how Bateson's thinking might lead to a fruitful reframing of central problems in modern science. Most important perhaps, Bateson's bioanthropology is shown to play a key role in developing the set of ideas explored in the new field of biosemiotics. The idea that organismic life is indeed basically semiotic or communicative lies at the heart of the biosemiotic approach to the study of life.The only book of its kind, this volume provides a key resource for the quickly-growing substratum of scholars in the biosciences, philosophy and medicine who are seeking an elegant new approach to exploring highly complex systems.
A History of Atmospheric CO2 and Its Effects on Plants, Animals, and Ecosystems
The authors address the future role of atmospheric CO2 and its likely effects on ecosystems. This book incorporates the advances of various earth science, environmental, and ecological fields into an overall account of global change and the changing dynamics of life on Earth.



















