الصفحة 1
الصفحة 1
Immunogenetics of Autoimmune Disease
Utoimmunity is the downstream outcome of a rather extensive and coordinated series of events that include loss of self-tolerance, peripheral lymphocyte Aactivation, disruption of the blood-systems barriers, cellular infiltration into the target organs and local inflammation. Cytokines, adhesion molecules, growth factors, antibodies, and other molecules induce and regulate critical cell functions that perpetuate inflammation, leading to tissue injury and clinical phenotype. The nature and intensity of this response as well as the physiological ability to restore homeostasis are to a large extent conditioned by the unique amino acid sequences that define allelic variants on each of the numerous participating mol ecules. Therefore, the coding genes in their germline configuration play a primary role in determining who is at risk for developing such disorders, how the disease progresses, and how someone responds to therapy. Although genetic components in these diseases are clearly present, the lack of obvious and homogeneous modes of transmission has slowed progress by prevent ing the full exploitation of classical genetic epidemiologic techniques. Furthermore, autoimmune diseases are characterized by modest disease risk heritability and m- tifaceted interactions with environmental influences. Yet, several recent discoveries have dramatically changed our ability to examine genetic variation as it relates to human disease. In addition to the development of large-scale laboratory methods and tools to efficiently recognize and catalog DNA diversity, over the past few years there has been real progress in the application of new analytical and data-manage ment approaches
Groundwater Recharge from Run-off, Infiltration and Percolation
This book first discusses the recharge fluxes relating both to the quantity and quality of groundwater. In order to face the threats to the water supply and to be able to maintain a sustainable water management policy, detailed knowledge is needed in between others on the surface to subsurface transformation link in the water cycle. Secondly, the presentation and comparison of both the traditional and modern approach to determine groundwater recharge is discussed. The traditional approach to determine groundwater recharge, is based on water balance estimates and hydraulic considerations, which yield instantaneous values at best but do not integrate the totality of recharge pathways in time and space. In contrast, environmental tracers do integrate these factors. Finally, the fate of groundwater recharge in the subsurface by hydraulic and geologic means is discussed in detail, in order to stimulate adapted groundwater management strategies and to better assess consequences of climate changes on groundwater resources as a whole.
Functional approach to nonlinear models of water flow in soils
The mathematical modelling required by these processes revealed from the beg- ning interesting and dificult mathematical problems, so that the attention was redirected to the theoretical mathematical aspects involved. Then, the qualitative results found were used for the explanation of certain behaviours of the physical processes which had made the object of the initial study and for giving answers to the real problems that arise in the soil science practice. In this way the work evidences a perfect topic for an applied mathematical research.
Evidence-Based Caries Prevention
Aims to define the etiological factors in dental caries and to guide the clinician towards methods of caries prevention that are evidence based. The coverage includes discussion of the active role of the biofilm and the oral environment and emphasizes the multifactorial etiology of dental caries.
Dangerous Pollutants (Xenobiotics) in Urban Water Cycle
The book focused on evaluation of impact of xenobiotics in the whole Urban Water Cycle are an interdisciplinary task which has a rising concern these days. Xenobiotics includes both inorganic elements like heavy metals, metalloids and man-made organic compounds such as pesticides, surfactants, solvents, fragrances, flavours, and pharmaceuticals as well as endocrine dis- pters.
Cold Region Atmospheric and Hydrologic Studies. The Mackenzie GEWEX Experience: Vol.2: Hydrologic Processes
This book presents decade-long advances in atmospheric research in the Mackenzie River Basin in northern Canada, which encompasses environments representative of most cold areas on Earth. Collaborative efforts by a team of about 100 scientists and engineers have yielded knowledge entirely transferable to other high latitude regions in America, Europe and Asia. Emphases are placed on the investigation of processes (including storm genesis, precipitation, moisture and energy fluxes and frost), and the improvement and application of a suite of models and remote sensing to enhance the assessment of climate variability and water resources.
La lombalgie en 2007 : Aspects pratiques = Low back pain in 2007 : Practical aspects
Low back pain is one of the main reasons for consultation, whether in general or specialized medicine. It poses a real public health problem. This "back pain", which can despair patients and doctors by its sometimes rebellious character, explains the multiplicity of examinations sometimes practiced and the treatments implemented. This work is a collection of the most recent developments in terms of physiopathological knowledge of disc involvement, clinical examination and the place of surgery and in particular disc prostheses. An update concerns the indications and contributions of additional examinations; some formidable diagnostic traps are mentioned. Medical treatments such as infiltrations, manipulations, the benefit of restraints and the provision of acupuncture are being developed. Also discussed are the latest scientific data on isokinetic evaluation and retraining, as well as the role of sports activity as a factor in the prevention or aggravation of low back pain. Finally, the medico-legal aspect is dealt with in the context of work accidents, and the assessment after trauma. This book is the result of the collaboration and experience of undisputed specialists in this field.
Comparison of digital anesthesia using articaine vs. lidocaine for mandibular infiltration in pediatric patients : Aged 4-5 vs. 6-8 years
Articaine and lidocaine exhibit equivalent efficacy for mandibular infiltration via computerized systems in children aged 4–8 years. While articaine may marginally improve injection comfort, both agents provide reliable anesthesia with minimal complications. Computerized delivery enhances patient experience, supporting its adoption to reduce dental anxiety.This investigation aims to : determine whether articaine's theoretical advantages translate to clinically significant improvements in young children, identify optimal anesthetic protocols for different pediatric age groups, validate the effectiveness of digital delivery systems in pediatric mandibular anesthesia and provide robust data to replace current adult-derived guidelines with pediatric-specific evidence.
Climatic Changes and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa
The subject is described and discussed in three main chapters and different case studies.All topics in this book are complimentary and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between global climate change, world water cycle and water resources. A valuable and meaningful interdisciplinary mixture of topics is combined in this book.
Austenitic TRIP/TWIP steels and steel-zirconia composites : Design of tough, transformation-strengthened composites and structures
This book presents a collection of the most up-to-date research results in the field of steel development with a focus on pioneering alloy concepts that result in previously unattainable materials properties.
Applied Hydrogeophysics
This book focuses on how hydrogeophysical methods can be applied to solve problems facing environmental engineers, geophysicists, agronomists, hydrologists, soil scientists and hydrogeologists. We present applications of hydrogeophysical methods to the understanding of hydrological processes and environmental problems dealing with the flow of water and the transport of solutes and contaminants. The majority of the book is organized as a series of process-driven chapters, each authored by leading experts. Areas covered include: infiltration and solute transport processes, biogeochemical functioning of soil-water systems, coastal groundwater interactions, cold region hydrology, engineered barriers and landfill processes. In addition, the book offers insight into the development of new data fusion methodologies, of value to many hydrogeophysical investigations, and provides an account how the rapidly developing self-potential technique can give valuable information about water fluxes and hydrochemical states within the subsurface.
