Mathematical Modeling of Biological Systems ; Vol. I : Cellular Biophysics, Regulatory Networks, Development, Biomedicine, and Data Analysis
This two-volume, interdisciplinary work is a unified presentation of a broad range of state-of-the-art topics in the rapidly growing field of mathematical modeling in the biological sciences. Highlighted throughout both works are mathematical and computational approaches to examine central problems in the life sciences, ranging from the organizational principles of individual cells to the dynamics of large populations.
Mathematical Modeling for the Life Sciences
Proposing a wide range of mathematical models that are currently used in life sciences may be regarded as a challenge, and that is precisely the challenge that this book takes up. Of course this panoramic study does not claim to offer a detailed and exhaustive view of the many interactions between mathematical models and life sciences. This textbook provides a general overview of realistic mathematical models in life sciences, considering both deterministic and stochastic models and covering dynamical systems, game theory, stochastic processes and statistical methods. Each mathematical model is explained and illustrated individually with an appropriate biological example. Finally three appendices on ordinary differential equations, evolution equations, and probability are added to make it possible to read this book independently of other literature.
Materials for medical applications : Principles and practices
Discusses advanced knowledge about the synthesis and application of materials in the medical field for diagnostic and therapeutic conditions. These materials have been extensively used in various biological and medical applications, especially in drug delivery, tumor screening, bioimaging, diagnosis, and therapies. Materials for Medical Applications provides comprehensive but concise information about materials and their medical applications. The readers will get information about the trends in materials and their medical applications, as well as current material-based products that are used in the medical field. The book also discusses how materials are tested in research laboratories, preclinical (animal) trials, and clinical (human) trials, and how material-based products go through various regulatory and safety phases before reaching patients. It also discusses topics such as materials delivery, imaging, and treatments for various diseases. It includes a chapter dedicated to regulatory guidelines and policies in the application of nanomaterials and will include current clinical trial information on the materials. Finally, the book has topics such as health safety, toxicity, dosages, and long-term implications of materials.
Markov Models for Pattern Recognition : From Theory to Applications
Describes the underlying theoretical concepts - covering Hidden Markov models and Markov chain models - and presents the techniques and algorithmic solutions essential to creating real world applications. The actual use of Markov models in their three main application areas - namely speech recognition, handwriting recognition, and biological sequence analysis - is presented with examples of successful systems.
Marine, Freshwater, and Wetlands Biodiversity
Marine, coastal and wetland habitats are threatened, not only through exploitation, but also by the prospect of climate change – as ocean currents change course, sea levels rise, and rainfall patterns change. Even the once-common cod is now under threat from the combined effects of over-fishing and a dramatic change-induced decrease in the plankton that cod larvae feed on. Meanwhile, coral reefs remain especially vulnerable to rapid sea-level changes exacerbated by the effects of tourism and disease. This book gathers together a wide range of papers reporting on key research into the biodiversity conservation of these critical and increasingly threatened habitats. Collectively these papers provide a snap-shot of the types of problems they are experiencing, and offer a wealth of topical examples which render this volume especially valuable to teachers of courses in marine, freshwater and wetlands ecology, biological conservation and ecological restoration.
Marine resource damage assessment : Liability and compensation for environmental damage
MARE-DASM research focused on: (i) the estimation and distribution of marine contaminants in order to assess their long term effects (ecotoxicology); (ii) the integration of these result into a Biological Effects SubModel and a mathematical model assessing the risks associated with accidental spillage of oil at sea and the damage this can cause (modelling); (iii) the assessment of the willingness to pay for ecological damage, based on the Contingent Valuation Method (economics); (iv) the development and evaluation of measures to be taken in order to guarantee a sustainable use of the Belgian part of the North Sea, taking into account the economic and social interests and values (social economics); (v) the potential to develop technical and legal procedures that allow ecological damage to the marine environment to be evaluated and compensated, taking into account constraints in national and international liability legislation (legal).
Marine Geochemistry
Since 1980 a considerable amount of scientific research dealing with geochemical processes in marine sediments has been carried out. This textbook summarizes the state of the art in this field of research. The topics comprise the examination of sedimentological and physical properties of the sedimentary solid phase, of pore water and pore water constituents, organic matter as the driving force of most microbiological processes, biotic and abiotic redox reactions, carbonates and stable isotopes as proxies for paleoclimate reconstruction, metal enrichments in ferromanganese nodules and crusts as well as in hot vents and cold seeps on the seafloor. A new chapter describes properties, occurrence and formation of gas hydrates in marine sediments. The textbook ends with a chapter on model conceptions and computer models to quantify processes of early diagenesis.
Manual for Soil Analysis - Monitoring and Assessing Soil Bioremediation
Reliable methods for monitoring and assessing soil quality are a prerequisite for successful soil bioremediation projects. The fifth volume of Soil Biology presents detailed descriptions of selected methods for evaluating, monitoring and assessing bioremediation treatments of soils contaminated with organic pollutants or heavy metals.
Managing Forest Ecosystems : The Challenge of Climate Change
With climate change now charging up the political agenda, there are three issues commonly making the headlines: carbon budgets, renewable energy, and the anticipated impacts of climate change. Equally important, though currently less well covered, is the issue how these effects might be mitigated. Given the significant role that forests play in the climate system – as sources, sinks, and through carbon trading – this book discusses the current scientific evidence on the relationships between climate, forest resources and forest management practices around the world. Drawing on expertise from forest scientists from several continents, the book presents both in depth analysis of the current knowledge, and a series of case studies which assess the biological and the economic impacts of climate change. It includes sections on forest responses to climate change, monitoring and modeling changes, economic and management implications, and carbon sequestration under specific management systems.
Management of Intentional and Accidental Water Pollution
The goals of the workshop included a discussion of the state of the science in identification of new research and approaches for water pollution events and communication of the management of water pollution and sustainability of water resources. Critical to management of accidental and intentional pollution events is the assessment of the risk, an understanding of the hazards and lessons learned from events which may lead to preventative management and control strategies. Public health protection will ultimately be improved by the ability to develop management frameworks which are flexible and adaptable to the specific region, country or watershed problems and concerns and allow for prioritization in the decision making. The integration of scientific information regarding the types of hazards the environmental fate of the chemical/biological, exposure pathways and human and ecosystem impacts may be implemented from both a qualitative or descriptive approach or using a more classical quantitative risk assessment paradigm. Thus the frameworks for assessing the risk and managing the risk may be seen as preventive, early warning and responsive.
Mammalian Evolutionary Morphology : A Tribute to Frederick S. Szalay
This volume acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of Dr. Frederick S. Szalay to the field of Mammalian Evolutionary Morphology. Professor Szalay has published about 200 articles, four monographs, and six books on this subject. Throughout his career Professor Szalay has been a strong advocate for biologically and evolutionarily meaningful character analysis. In his view, this can be accomplished only through an integrated strategy of functional, adaptational, and historical analysis. Dr. Szalay worked on several different mammalian groups during his career, and the contributions to this volume reflect his broad perspective. Chapters focus on Primates, a group to which Professor Szalay dedicated much of his career. However, other mammalian groups on which he conducted a significant amount of research, such as marsupials and xenarthrans, are also covered in the volume.
Magnesium
Until recently the physiological role of magnesium was essentially ignored. However, with the development of new technologies to measure the intracellular free concentration of magnesium ([Mg2+]i), the biologically important fraction, there has been an explosion of interest in the molecular, biochemical, physiological and pharmacological functions of magnesium. In addition improved methods for assessing magnesium status in the clinic have contributed to the further understanding of magnesium regulation in health and disease...
Low-Dose Radiation Effects on Animals and Ecosystems : Long-Term Study on the Fukushima Nuclear Accident
Brings together the works of radiation biologists and ecologists to provide reliable radioecology data and gives insight into future radioprotection. The book examines the environmental pollution and radiation exposure, and contains valuable data from abandoned livestock in the ex-evacuation zone and from wild animals including invertebrates and vertebrates, aqueous and terrestrial animals, and plants that are subjected to long-term exposure in the area still affected by radiation. It also analyzes dose evaluation, and offers new perspectives gained from the accident, as well as an overview for future studies to promote radioprotection of humans and the ecosystem.
Low-cost methods for molecular characterization of mutant plants : Tissue desiccation, DNA extraction and mutation discovery : Protocols
Offers low-cost and rapid molecular assays for the characterization of mutant plant germplasm. Detailed protocols are provided for the desiccation of plant tissues; the extraction of high-quality DNA for downstream applications; the extraction of single-strand-specific nucleases for single nucleotide polymorphism; and small insertion/deletion discovery using standard agarose gel electrophoresis. The methods described can be applied in any laboratory equipped for basic molecular biology and do away with the need for expensive freezers and toxic organic compounds.
Longer Life and Healthy Aging
Focuses on theoretical issues and empirical findings related to trends and determinants of healthy aging, including factors related to "healthy longevity" of the oldest-old, aged 80 and over. The group is the most rapidly increasing elderly sub-population and is most likely to need assistance in daily living in all countries. Chapters include both longitudinal and cross-sectional data from North America, Europe, and Asia in country-specific studies and cross-national comparisons. Part I focuses on the definition, components, concepts, measurements, and determinants of healthy aging, and discusses the trends and patterns of disability and healthy life expectancy at the macro level. Part II addresses individual healthy aging, including its biological and socio-demographic aspects. Part III focuses on issues concerning the family and healthy aging, and Part IV explores formal and informal care for healthy aging through governmental policy interventions and community service programs.
Lippincott illustrated review immunology
Offers a highly visual presentation of essential immunology material, with all the popular features of the series: over 300 full-color annotated illustrations, an outline format, chapter summaries, review questions, and case studies that link basic science to real-life clinical situations.
Links between geological processes, microbial activities & evolution of life : Microbes and geology
Microbial activities influence water-rock interaction processes and chemical transport between the major geochemical reservoirs and the formation/transformation of minerals and rocks, whereas geological processes and geochemical controls influence the microbial ecology in extreme environments. How biological activity influences geological processes and what role these processes played in the geological evolution of the Earth are fundamental questions.
Lifestyle psychiatry through the lens of behavioral medicine
Lifestyle medicine is a practice which adopts evidence-based lifestyle interventions as a primary modality to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic diseases. The six main pillars of this specialty include physical activity, nutrition, stress resilience, cessation or risk reduction of substance use, quality sleep, and connectivity. Lifestyle psychiatry is a rapidly emerging area within healthcare informed by rigorous research within the social and biological sciences, public health, and medicine. A volume in the Lifestyle Medicine series, this book uses a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to prevent and treat psychiatric disorders and promote mental and physical well-being through evidence-based lifestyle interventions.
Life - As a Matter of Fat : The Emerging Science of Lipidomics
Lipids are as important for life as proteins, sugars, and genes. The present book gives a multi-disciplinary perspective on the physics of life and the particular role played by lipids and the lipid-bilayer component of cell membranes. The book is aimed at undergraduate students and young research workers within physics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition, as well as pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. The emphasis is on the physical properties of lipid membranes seen as soft and molecularly structured interfaces. By combining and synthesizing insights obtained from a variety of recent studies, an attempt is made to clarify what membrane structure is and how it can be quantitatively described. Furthermore, it is shown how biological function mediated by membranes is controlled by lipid membrane structure and organization on length scales ranging from the size of the individual molecule, across molecular assemblies of proteins and lipid domains in the range of nanometers, to the size of whole cells. Applications of lipids in nano-technology and biomedicine are also described.
Les prothèses tricompartimentaires du genou de première intention : Techniques opératoires. Problèmes et solutions = Primary tricompartmental knee replacement : Surgical techniques, problems, and solutions
It seems difficult and presumptuous to want to write a book on total knee replacement. There are many quality works dealing with this subject. The knee prosthesis has, from its origin, particularly in the United States, given rise to considerable studies in all directions: biomechanical, physiological, biological and industrial. Our goal is to offer the youngest a book of simple knowledge without pretension of completeness or prejudice as to long debated subjects (conservation or not of the posterior cruciate ligament, cement or without cement, resurfacing or not of the patella, fixed plate or mobile platform, etc.), and to give practical advice based on our experience. Why limit yourself to first-line tricompartmentals? Because it is the most common solution to the usual degenerative knee problems. In addition, unicompartment and revision prostheses will be the subject of further literature. Everyone knows that to put a knee prosthesis model, and therefore to a system. However, it is important to be able to keep your freedom of analysis in order to maintain your freedom of choice. You have to know how to put on a knee prosthesis without compromise or fanaticism. Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies. Nietzsche



















