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Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion : An Engineering Insight
Microbiologically-influenced corrosion (MIC) is one of the greatest mysteries of corrosion science and engineering, due to the complexities resulting from the involvement of living things such as bacteria. Bacteria are not only able to affect our health, but are also capable of impacting upon everyday life through a wide range of industrial sectors and the economy. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: An Engineering Insight introduces a new approach to the basics of MIC and explains how to recognise, understand, mitigate and/or prevent this type of corrosion. Topics explored include stress corrosion cracking and microbial corrosion, the pros and cons of biocides, the involvement of magnetic bacteria in microbial corrosion, and a new interpretation of cathodic protection based on recent research in microbial environments.
Microbial Sulfur Metabolism
In nature, sulfur occurs in many different oxidation states and is one of the most versatile elements in life. It is an integral part of many important cell constituents, such as the amino acids cysteine and methionine, and many sulfur compounds serve as the basis for energy-related processes in prokaryotes. In recent years, new methods have been applied to study the biochemistry and molecular biology of reactions of the global sulfur cycle, the microorganisms involved and their physiology, metabolism and ecology. These activities have uncovered fascinating new insights for the understanding of aerobic and anaerobic sulfur metabolism.
Microbial Siderophores
"Microbial Siderophores" presents an up-to-date overview of the chemistry, biology and biotechnology of these iron chelators. Following an introduction to the structure, functions and regulation of fungal siderophores, several chapters focus on siderophores of pseudomonads. Here, the technique of siderotyping, which has proved to be a rapid, accurate and inexpensive tool for pseudomonad characterization and identification, is described.
Microbial Root Endophytes
Plant roots may not only be colonized by mycorrhizal fungi, but also by a myriad of bacterial and fungal root endophytes that are usually not considered by the investigators of classic symbioses. This is the first book dedicated to the interactions of non-mycorrhizal microbial endophytes with plant roots. The phenotypes of these interactions can be extremely plastic, depending on environmental factors, nutritional status, genetic disposition and developmental stages of the two partners. The book deals with diversity, life history strategies, interactions, applications in agriculture and forestry, methods for isolation, cultivation, and both conventional and molecular methods for identification and detection of these endophytes. The comprehensive reviews demonstrate the high diversity of interactions and will provoke further studies to better understand the mechanisms which determine whether a plant-microbial interaction remains asymptomatic, leads to disease or to a mutualistic interaction.
Microbial protein toxins
Since the initial establishment of Robert Koch’s postulates in the nineteenth century, microbial protein toxins have been recognized as a major factor of bacterial and fungal virulence. An increasing number of proteins produced and secreted by various bacteria, yeasts and plants are extremely toxic and most of them developed remarkably "intelligent" strategies to enter, to penetrate and to finally kill a eukaryotic target cell by modifying or blocking essential cellular components. This book describes the strategies employed by protein toxins to render their pro- and eukaryotic producers a selective growth advantage over competitors. In providing an up-to-date overview on the mode of protein toxin actions, it accommodates biomedically and biologically relevant toxin model systems. As a result, it significantly broadens our perspective on biochemical architecture and molecular ploy behind the lethal principles of pro- and eukaryotic toxins.
Microbial Processing of Metal Sulfides
The application of microbiological methods to the extraction of metals from minerals has definitely gained a prominent role and is supported by the several bioleaching and biooxidation processes operating in different sites over the world. In recent years new techniques and new results about proteomic and bioinformatics are bringing a new perspective on the microbial processes.This book focuses on the basic aspects of the process with special emphasis on recent contributions regarding the chemical and microbial aspects of the bioleaching process and the use of microorganisms in the treatment of complex ores and concentrates.
Microbial Phosphate Solubilization
Last decade has seen a significantly increased knowledge about phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. Sixty specialists from thirteen countries met in Salamanca to discuss the problems of the high P-unavailability as a soil nutrient for crops, and the hazards of an increasing phosphate input to aquatic habitats from industrial and mining activities, sewage disposal, detergents, and other sources. Updated solutions to enhance P-uptake by plants, bioremediation potential in the rehabilitation of ecosystems, taxonomic characterization interactions with mycorrizae, the physiological and molecular basis of PSM, and possibilities of genetic modifications of rhizospheric microorganisms were among the contributions presented. Challenges in commercializing a phosphate solubilizing microorganism were also outlined by a relevant biotech company.
Microbial Linear Plasmids
Microbial Linear Plasmids constitutes the first attempt to comprehensively assemble current knowledge of different types of such elements, highlight recent developments in the field, and challenge the distinction between viruses and linear plasmids.
Microbial Activity in the Rhizosphere
The rhizosphere is a very complex environment in which the effects of the plant on soil microorganisms and the effects of the microorganisms on the plant are interacting and are interdependent. Plant root exudates and breakdown products attract microbes and feed them and, in turn, the plants often benefit from the microbes. Interactions among microorganisms and plant roots are essential for nutritional requirements of the plant. Plant growth, development and productivity are largely dependent on the soil environment in the root region rhizosphere. The new techniques of studying the rhizosphere enables us to get a much better understanding of the dynamics of the rhizosphere population, such rhizosphere studies being of interest to agriculturists, soilbiologists, chemists, microbiologists and molecular biologists. The rhizosphere microbes in?uence the root environment in several ways. They may change the oxidation-reduction potential, influence the availability of moisture and nutrients, produce growth inhibiting or growth promoting substances in the form of exudates, provide competition and possibly induce many other effects. My corrhizal associations are beneficial in mineral uptake and in increasing root surface area for effective ion absorption. Antagonism, ompetition and synergism in soil and the rhizoplane (rhizosphere) are the most important microbial interactions to consider in the study of rhizosphere biology. With the growing information on the production of growth regulators, competitiveness of the microbes in the rhizosphere, microsymbionts, and other factors, their effect upon plant growth will become more evident. Experiments on the introduction of microbes or their products in the rhizosphere will help to improve our understandingofthebiologyoftherhizosphere.
Microbes and oral squamous cell carcinoma : A network spanning infection and inflammation
Helps in understanding the relationship between microorganisms and oral carcinogenesis, and the possible oncogenic mechanisms enhancing the association. The book highlights the association between oral cancer, primarily oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major global health problem with high incidence and low survival rates with infection and inflammation. Establishing the association of the oral microbiome with cancer risk may lead to significant advances in the understanding cancer etiology, potentially opening a new research paradigm for cancer prevention.
Micro-Assembly Technologies and Applications ; IFIP TC5 WG5.5 Fourth International Precision Assembly Seminar (IPAS’2008) Chamonix, France February 10–13, 2008
The IFIP series publishes state-of-the-art results in the sciences and technologies of information and communication. The scope of the series includes: foundations of computer science; software theory and practice; education; computer applications in technology; communication systems; systems modeling and optimization; information systems; computers and society; computer systems technology; security and protection in information processing systems; artificial intelligence; and human-computer interaction. Proceedings and post-proceedings of referred international conferences in computer science and interdisciplinary fields are featured. These results often precede journal publication and represent the most current research.
Microarrays in Inflammation
The book is of interest to academic and industrial researchers but also clinicians who are working on inflammation related topics and would like to extend their knowledge about microarrays and the application thereof. After reading the book a researcher or clinician should be in the position to plan, perform and analyse or to critically review microarray experiments related to inflammation research.
Microarray technology and Its applications
The genomics revolution would not have been possible without the 'parallelisation' offered by microarray technology. This technological - and commercial - success has been since emulated by other applications areas, with a tremendous amplification of innovation. This book describes the fundamentals and latest developments in microarray technology, as well as its future directions. It presents detailed overviews of the different techniques of fabricating microarrays, of the chemistries and preparative steps involved, of the different types of microarrays, and of the instrumentation and optical issues involved.
Microarray technology and cancer gene profiling
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease in most respects, including its cellularity, different genetic alterations and diverse clinical behaviors. In the present book, written by leading experts in each field, the technical features characterizing this powerful laboratory tool are discussed, and the applications so far described in the field of oncology are reviewed.
Micro-, Meso- and Macro-Dynamics of the Brain
This book brings together leading investigators who represent various aspects of brain dynamics with the goal of presenting state-of-the-art current progress and address future developments. The topics cover the most fascinating facets of neuroscience from elementary computation of neurons, mesoscopic network oscillations, internally generated assembly sequences in the service of cognition, large-scale neuronal interactions within and across systems, the impact of sleep on cognition, memory and mental illness, brain controlled robots, motor-sensory integration, spatial navigation, large-scale computation and consciousness. Overall, this volume offers an integrated view of the challenges and opportunities in deciphering brain circuits in health and disease.
Micro-, Meso- and Macro-Connectomics of the Brain
Highlights cutting-edge methods that can accelerate progress in elucidating static ‘hard-wired’ circuits of the brain as well as dynamic interactions that are vital for brain function. The power of connectomic approaches in characterizing abnormal circuits in the many brain disorders that afflict humankind is considered. Experts in computational neuroscience and network theory provide perspectives needed for synthesizing across different scales in space and time. Altogether, this book provides an integrated view of the challenges and opportunities in deciphering brain circuits in health and disease.
Micro- and opto-electronic materials and Structures : Physics, mechanics, design, reliability, packaging ; Vol. I : Materials physics - materials mechanics ; Vol. II : Physical design - reliability and packaging
Micro- and Opto-Electronic Materials and Structures: Physics, Mechanics, Design, Reliability, Packaging is the first comprehensive reference to collect and present the most, up-to-date, in-depth, practical and easy-to-use information on the physics, mechanics, reliability and packaging of micro- and opto-electronic materials, assemblies, structures and systems. The chapters in these two volumes contain summaries of the state-of-the-art and present new information on recently developed important methods or devices. Furthermore, practical recommendations are offered on how to successfully apply current knowledge and recently developed technology to design, manufacture and operate viable, reliable and cost-effective electronic components or photonic devices. The emphasis is on the science and engineering of electronic and photonic packaging, on physical design problems, challenges and solutions.
Micro and Nano Mechanical Testing of Materials and Devices
Nanoscale and nanostructured materials have exhibited different physical properties from the corresponding macroscopic coarse-grained materials due to the size confinement. As a result, there is a need for new techniques to probe the mechanical behavior of advanced materials on the small scales. Micro and Nano Mechanical Testing of Materials and Devices presents the latest advances in the techniques of mechanical testing on the micro- and nanoscales, which are necessary for characterizing the mechanical properties of low-dimensional materials and structures.
Micro- and Macro-Properties of Solids : Thermal, Mechanical and Dielectric Properties
Each of the eight chapters treats an important aspect of solid state physics, comprising a complete review of the particular field. Typically, a chapter starts with basic information about a property of a solid and the related experimental techniques. This is followed by a global overview which brings together all important contributions by different research workers in the field. This overview is comprehensive and covers essential literature over the past 60 years. Each chapter concludes with a detailed discussion of the contributions made by the chapter authors and their associates, in some cases spanning the last 45 years. In addition, Micro- and Macro-Properties of Solids provides data on new materials such as rare-earth metals, semiconductors, ferroelectrics, mixed-valence compounds, superionic conductors, optical and optoelectronic materials and biomaterials.
MICAI 2008 : Advances in Artificial Intelligence ;7th Mexican International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico, October 27-31, 2008 Proceedings
The 96 revised full papers presented together with 2 invited lectures were carefully reviewed and selected from 363 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on logic and reasoning, knowledge-based systems, knowledge representation and acquisition, ontologies, natural language processing, machine learning, pattern recognition, data mining, neural networks, genetic algorithms, hybrid intelligent systems, computer vision and image processing, robotics, planning and scheduling, uncertainty and probabilistic reasoning, fuzzy logic, intelligent tutoring systems, multi-agent systems and distributed ai, intelligent organizations, bioinformatics and medical applications, as well as applications.
