Artificial intelligence applied to medical imaging and computational biology
Medical imaging and computational biology continuously pose new fundamental medical and biological questions that often give rise to novel challenges in Artificial Intelligence. These research fields present an increasing need for the application of cutting-edge computational approaches that generally involve machine learning or computational intelligence techniques, which can effectively perform bioimage and biosignal processing in different clinical areas.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning in health care and medical sciences : Best practices and pitfalls
Provides a detailed review of the latest methods and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in medicine. With chapters focusing on enabling the reader to develop a thorough understanding of the key concepts in these subject areas along with a range of methods and resulting models that can be utilized to solve healthcare problems, the use of causal and predictive models are comprehensively discussed. Care is taken to systematically describe the concepts to facilitate the reader in developing a thorough conceptual understanding of how different methods and resulting models function and how these relate to their applicability to various issues in health care and medical sciences. Guidance is also given on how to avoid pitfalls that can be encountered on a day-to-day basis and stratify potential clinical risks.
Arterial Grafting for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
The second edition of this book provides updated knowledge about the biological characteristics and clinical use of arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass surgery. The reader will find first-hand information on arterial grafts as well as vein grafts with regard to biological characteristics, clinical use including off-pump coronary bypass grafting surgery, results, and future developments. Written by world-renowned cardiac surgeons and cardiovascular research scientists working in this area.
Arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy / dysplasia : Recent advances
This book covers all aspects (biological, pathological, genetic, clinical and therapeutical) of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia, a recent cardiomyopathy which represents a very high risk of sudden death in the young and in athletes. The monograph presents the results of 5-year research program on ARVC/D supported by grants of both the European Commission and the NIH, which enabled the discovery of seven disease-causing genes, thus opening new avenues for the early identification of affected patients and for sudden death prevention.
Aromatase Inhibitors
Many breast tumours are dependent upon oestrogen for their development and continued growth. Over the last 25 years hormone therapy has progressed from the irreversible destruction of endocrine glands to the use of drugs that reversibly suppress oestrogen synthesis or action. The inhibition of oestrogen synthesis is most readily achieved by inhibiting the final step in the pathway of oestrogen biosynthesis, the reaction which transforms androgens into oestrogens by creating an aromatic ring in the steroid molecule (hence the enzyme's trivial name, aromatase). Whereas the first aromatase inhibitors to be used therapeutically could be shown to produce drug-induced inhibition of the enzyme and therapeutic benefits in patients with breast cancer, they were not particularly potent and lacked specificity. However, second-generation drugs were developed and most recently third-generation inhibitors have evolved which possess remarkable specificity and potency. Initial results from clinical trials suggest that these agents will become the cornerstones of future endocrine therapy.
Aromatase Inhibitors
Many breast tumours are dependent upon oestrogen for their development and continued growth. Over the last 25 years hormone therapy has progressed from the irreversible destruction of endocrine glands to the use of drugs that reversibly suppress oestrogen synthesis or action. The inhibition of oestrogen synthesis is most readily achieved by inhibiting the final step in the pathway of oestrogen biosynthesis, the reaction which transforms androgens into oestrogens by creating an aromatic ring in the steroid molecule (hence the enzyme's trivial name, aromatase). Whereas the first aromatase inhibitors to be used therapeutically could be shown to produce drug-induced inhibition of the enzyme and therapeutic benefits in patients with breast cancer, they were not particularly potent and lacked specificity. However, second-generation drugs were developed and most recently third-generation inhibitors have evolved which possess remarkable specificity and potency. Initial results from clinical trials suggest that these agents will become the cornerstones of future endocrine therapy.
Arithmetic of finite fields ; 2nd International Workshop, WAIFI 2008 Siena, Italy, July 6-9, 2008 Proceedings
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second International Workshop on the Arithmetic of Finite Fields, WAIFI 2008, held in Siena, Italy, in July 2008.
Arid Dune Ecosystems: The Nizzana Sands in the Negev Desert
Sand dune dynamics plays a key role in many arid deserts. This volume provides a synthesis of a specific sand dune ecosystem, the Nizzana site in the Negev Desert. Describing its climate and geophysical/geochemical properties of soils, geological history, flora and fauna, and past/present land-use patterns, it elucidates ecological and geomorphological processes and their interrelations, based on long-term monitoring, in situ experiments and satellite imagery. Particular attention is drawn to the impact of the topsoil biological crust in controlling water availability at local/regional scales. The interdisciplinary approach adopted in this case study offers a good example of a highly complex and dynamic system, which could easily be applied to other sandy ecosystems.
Arctic-Subarctic Ocean Fluxes : Defining the Role of the Northern Seas in Climate
The two-way oceanic exchanges that connect the Arctic and Atlantic oceans through subarctic seas are of fundamental importance to climate. Change may certainly be imposed on the Arctic Ocean from subarctic seas, including a changing poleward ocean heat flux that is central to determining the present state and future fate of the perennial sea-ice. And the signal of Arctic change is expected to have its major climatic impact by reaching south through subarctic seas, either side of Greenland, to modulate the Atlantic thermohaline ‘conveyor’. Developing the predictive skills of climate models is seen to be the most direct way of extending the ability of society to mitigate for or adapt to 'global change' and is the main justification for continuing an intense observational effort in these waters. As records have lengthened, they have shown that important aspects of oceanic exchange through subarctic seas are currently at a long-term extreme state, providing further motivation for their study.
Arctic Alpine ecosystems and people in a changing environment
This book addresses the significant environmental changes experienced by high latitude and high altitude ecosystems at the beginning of the 21st c- tury. Increased temperatures and precipitation, reduction in sea ice and glacier ice, the increased levels of UV-radiation and the long-range tra- ported contaminants in arctic and alpine regions are stress factors that challenge terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The large natural variation in the physical parameters of these extreme environments is a key factor in structuring the biodiversity and biotic productivity, and the effect of the new stress factors can be critical for the population structures and the - teraction between species. These changes may also have socio-economic effects if the changes affect the bio-production, which form the basis for the marine and terrestrial food chains. The book is uniquely multidisciplinary and provides examples of va- ous aspects of contemporary environmental change in arctic and alpine - gions. The 21 chapters of the book are organised under the fields of •Climate change and ecosystem response, •Long range transport of poll- ants and ecological impacts, and •UV radiation and biological effects, each also including aspects of the •Socio-economic effects of environmental change. The introductory chapter presents and explains the internal c- nection and integration of all chapters.
Architecture and agriculture : A rural design guide
Presents architectural guidelines for buildings designed and constructed in rural landscapes by emphasizing their connections with function, culture, climate, and place. Following on from the author’s first book Rural Design, the book discusses in detail the buildings that humans construct in support of agriculture. By examining case studies from around the world including Australia, China, Japan, Norway, Poland, Japan, Portugal, North America, Africa and the Southeast Asia it informs readers about the potentials, opportunities, and values of rural architecture, and how they have been developed to create sustainable landscapes and sustainable buildings for rapidly changing rural futures.
Architectural Drafting for Interior Design
Incorporates material and examples that are meaningful to today's interior designers. Beginning interior designers will learn how to communicate their ideas graphically with a resource that is designed specifically for them. This book addresses their needs by focusing on topics independent of CAD, such as how to draw a floor plan, how to use it to create an interior elevation, and how to understand the relationship between 2D and 3D drawings. Written with NCIDQ, CIDA and NKBA requirements in mind, this book will provide readers with a strong, standards-based foundation in interior design.
Arabian Deserts : Nature, origin and evolution
This is the first comprehensive survey of all the deserts of Arabia, based largely on the author's 50 years of experience there. The text deals with every kind of desert in the region, from vast sand seas to clay pans and stony plains to volcanic flows.
Aquaponics Food Production Systems : Combined Aquaculture and Hydroponic Production Technologies for the Future
This book, written by world experts in aquaponics and related technologies, provides the authoritative and comprehensive overview of the key aquaculture and hydroponic and other integrated systems, socio-economic and environmental aspects. Aquaponic systems, which combine aquaculture and vegetable food production offer alternative technology solutions for a world that is increasingly under stress through population growth, urbanisation, water shortages, land and soil degradation, environmental pollution, world hunger and climate change.
Appropriate Dose Selection - How to Optimize Clinical Drug Development
Optimal dose individualization has become more important in improving clinical efficacy and safety, given the variability in drug response, e.g., due to concurrent illnesses or co-medications. Therefore, the role of optimal dose finding in early clinical drug development so as to maximize successful clinical use is emphasized. The continued use of biomarkers – based on the (known) pharmacology of the drug and/or biology of the underlying disease – along with exposure–response evaluation throughout all phases of drug development can quantitatively integrate clinical pharmacology knowledge, provide early proof of concept, and help in rational dose selection and rational drug product labeling for clinical use.
Applying reflective equilibrium : Towards the justification of a precautionary principle
This book provides the first explicit case study for an application of the method of reflective equilibrium (RE), using it to develop and defend a precautionary principle. It thereby makes an important and original contribution to questions of philosophical method and methodology. The book shows step-by-step how RE is applied, and develops a methodological framework which will be useful for everyone who wishes to use reflective equilibrium. With respect to precautionary principles, the book demonstrates how a rights-based precautionary principle can be constructed and defended.
Applied therapeutics : The clinical use of drugs
"Continually revised and updated for 50 years, Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs is the gold standard for patient centered drug therapeutics. With its acclaimed case-based approach, it promotes mastery and application of the fundamentals of drug therapeutics. Featuring contributions from more than 200 experienced clinicians, every chapter reflects our ever-changing knowledge of drugs and the application of this knowledge to the individualized therapy of patients. As students progress from the General Principles section to chapters on specific diseases, they will benefit from practical problem-solving techniques that help devise effective evidence-based drug treatment plans"
Applied Research in Environmental Economics
Sustainable development, climate policy, and biodiversity conservation are examples of issues on the current political agenda in many countries. These themes are also subject to economic research, and economic insights are increasingly finding their way into the design of environmental policy. Still, the reception of academic findings by policy makers as well as the timely identification of policy-relevant questions by economic researchers often seem to be problematic. This volume attempts to vitalise the exchange between policy makers and academics. It offers a snapshot of environmental economic research on a range of policy-relevant problems.
Applied pharmacology for the dental hygienist ; 9th ed.
Provides an in-depth understanding of the pharmacologic principles needed for safe and effective dental treatment and oral health care. It discusses drug properties and mechanisms of action, dosages, intended effects, interactions, and adverse reactions — both for the medications a patient may already be taking and for the drugs prescribed by the dentist.
Applied Occlusion : QuintEssentials of Dental Practice ; Vol. 29
Includes many new illustrations, highlighted practical tips, and updates to the text with the most recent advances in the literature. The narrated 3D animations on the accompanying DVD clarify the effects of jaw movement, and comprehensive clinical videos demonstrate the process of investigating and managing real-life occlusal problems. The authors of this practical guide bring occlusal concepts and techniques to life and demystify them for dentists and students alike.



















