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Biological Management and Conservation: Ecological Theory, Application and Planning

by Michael B. Usher

Whilst I have been writing this book two developments have been occur­ ring which have influenced ecological thinking, and which undoubtedly will have a great impact on ecologists in the future. One of these developments concerns the relation between the ecologist and the public. On the public's side there has been an increasing aware­ ness of ecological processes, and more emphasis on subjects such as the environment and pollution in newspapers and magazines. Maybe it was European Conservation Year 1970 (ECY 1970) that succeeded in stimu­ lating this interest. On the ecologist's side there has been a search for the relevance of his research in the world of today. The concern for relevance has been clearly reflected in the 'Comments' that have been written for the first few parts of the British Ecological Society's members' bulletin. The word 'conservation' has been widely used in the context of this relation between the public and the ecologist; indeed it might well be said that the word has been over-used, being applied to any form of protectionist operation. The second of the developments concerns the quantification of eco­ logical processes. Statistical analysis of experimental data has been applied for several decades, but the recent general availability of com­ puters has meant that mathematical analysis and computer modelling are tools that the ecologist can now use.

Biological Management of Diseases of Crops: Volume 1: Characteristics of Biological Control Agents (Progress in Biological Control #15)

by P. Narayanasamy

Biological disease management tactics have emerged as potential alternative to chemical application for containing crop diseases. Biotic and abiotic biological control agents (BCAs) have been demonstrated to be effective against diseases caused by microbial plant pathogens. Combination of biotic and abiotic agents leads to synergism and consequent improvement in the effectiveness of disease control. It is essential to assay the biocontrol potential of all isolates/species of fungal, bacterial and viral biocontrol agents by different techniques in vitro and under greenhouse and field conditions and to precisely identify and differentiate the most effective isolates from less effective ones by employing biological, immunological and nucleic acid-based assays.

Biological Management of Diseases of Crops: Volume 2: Integration of Biological Control Strategies with Crop Disease Management Systems (Progress in Biological Control #16)

by P. Narayanasamy

Biological management of diseases of crops is influenced by the nature of interactions between the pathogens and other organisms and the plants. Due to development of resistance in pathogens to fungicides and bactericides, determination of compatibility of biotic biocontrol agents with chemicals is essential for selecting strains of biocontrol agents (BCAs) showing resistance to chemicals to effectively restrict use of the chemicals. Microbial plant pathogens and the antagonists present in the soil and on the plant surfaces are influenced by various cultural practices. It is possible to reduce disease incidence and intensity by crop sanitation and using appropriate rotational crops. Application of physical techniques involving the use of heat, solarization and irradiation has potential to reduce the pathogen population or weaken the potential of pathogens present in the seed, planting materials and soil.

Biological Materials of Marine Origin: Vertebrates (Biologically-Inspired Systems #4)

by Hermann Ehrlich

This is the second monograph by the author on biological materials of marine origin. The initial book is dedicated to the biological materials of marine invertebrates. This work is a source of modern knowledge on biomineralization, biomimetics and materials science with respect to marine vertebrates. For the first time in scientific literature the author gives the most coherent analysis of the nature, origin and evolution of biocomposites and biopolymers isolated from and observed in the broad variety of marine vertebrate organisms (fish, reptilian, birds and mammals) and within their unique hierarchically organized structural formations. There is a wealth of new and newly synthesized information, including dozens of previously unpublished images of unique marine creatures including extinct, extant and living taxa and their biocomposite-based structures from nano- to micro – and macroscale. This monograph reviews the most relevant advances in the marine biological materials research field, pointing out several approaches being introduced and explored by distinct modern laboratories.

Biological Materials of Marine Origin: Invertebrates (Biologically-Inspired Systems #1)

by Hermann Ehrlich

Biological substances appeared in marine environments at the dawn of evolution. At that moment, the ?rst organisms acquired the ability to synthesize polymer chains which were the basis, in their turn, for the formation of the building blocks that fueled the so-called self-assembling process. They, in their turn, produced more complicated structures. The phenomenon of three main organic structural and sc- folding polymers (chitin, cellulose, and collagen) probably determined the further development and evolution of bioorganic structures and, of course, the organisms themselves. Allthethreebiopolymers,notwithstandingtheirdifferencesinchemical composition, have the common principles in their organization: nano?brils with the diameter 1. 5–2 nm, the ability to self-assemble, production of ?brillar and ?ber-like structures with hierarchical organization from nano—up to macrolevels, the ability to perform both the role of scaffolds and the templates for biomineralization and formation of the rigid skeletal structures. Chitin and collagen in particular played the determining role in the formation of skeletal structure in marine invertebrate organisms. These two biopolymers possess all the qualities needed to refer to them simul- neously as biological materials and biomaterials, the latter thanks to their successful application in biomedicine. The fact that modern science ?nds chitin and collagen both in unicellular and in multicellular invertebrates in fossil and modern species con?rms beyond a doubt the success of these biological materials in the evolution of biological species during millions of years. I realize that this success should be consolidated at genetic level and the detection of corresponding conserved genes must be the main priority.

Biological Mechanisms of Attachment: The Comparative Morphology and Bioengineering of Organs for Linkage, Suction, and Adhesion

by W. Nachtigall

Bioengineering is the branch of biology which applies the methods of engineering and physics to the study of biological phenomena, and the vocabulary of technology to describe them. Particularly with respect to the mechanics of movement and other physiological processes, the advantages of this approach are obvious. But other fields of study also reveal new insights when biotechnical research methods are applied, and one of these is the comparative morphology of biological structures. At the very least, description in technical terms permits complete, concise organization of a field of research, provides a means of describing biological forms in terms consistent with their function, and aids in working out interpretations based on structural design and functional anatomy. It is from this point of view that the present book describes and discusses, on a comparative basis, biological mechanisms of at­ tachment. Although these are among the simplest biological mechanisms, they are fascinating in their diversity. This presentation is, in a way, an outgrowth of that encyclopedic drive which is within every scientist. Over the years, whole libraries of books have been scanned as a result of this general curiosity; the library of the Munich Zoological Institute has proved a particularly valuable source of information. This little book is a much ab­ breviated distillation of the several thousand file cards which resulted from this urge to collect.

Biological Mechanisms of Minimal Residual Disease and Systemic Cancer

by Julio A. Aguirre-Ghiso

This book focuses on the biological mechanisms of minimal residual disease (MRD) and recurrence. It integrates this biology in solid cancers and in hematological malignancies. It reports also on technological advancements for monitoring MRD, derived from mechanistic insights. Chapters in solid and hematological malignancies address stem cell biology, genetics, epigenetics and micro-environmental regulation of dormant MRD. Novel insight into technologies for molecular phenotyping of MRD and monitoring of CTCs, DTCs and cell free RNA and DNA are also addressed extensively. Five chapters explore the above concepts in solid cancers such as prostate, breast, melanoma, head and neck and esophageal. Two chapters also explore the basic mechanisms of vascular biology targeting and epigenetic mechanisms regulating pluripotency programs during dormancy. Similar biology is explored in hematological malignancies such as T-ALL, CML, AML and multiple myeloma in additional four chapters. This book is edited and prefaced by Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, an expert in dormancy and recurrence. The chapters are written by world-recognized experts Drs. Ravi Bahtia, Samir Parekh, Russel Taichman, Monica Guzman, David Hoon, Denis Schewe, Irmela Jeremias, Cyrus Ghajar, Maria Soledad Sosa and Nicholas Stoecklein. The topic of this book is of particular interest to both basic cancer cell biologists and physician scientists that are working to provide a more integrated view of the biology of MRD and to those interested in working on or learning about this paradigm. The integrated and cross-disciplinary focus of the book from biology to medicine seeks to help bridge gaps to improve cancer care and prevent recurrences.

Biological Membrane Ion Channels: Dynamics, Structure, and Applications (Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering)

by Shin-Ho Chung Olaf S. Anderson Vikram V. Krishnamurthy

This book deals with recent breakthroughs in ion-channel research that have been brought about by the combined effort of experimental biophysicists and computational physicists, who together are beginning to unravel the story of these exquisitely designed biomolecules. With chapters by leading experts, the book is aimed at researchers in nanodevices and biosensors, as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate students in biology and the physical sciences.

Biological Membranes: Their Structure and Function (Tertiary Level Biology)

by Roger Harrison

to the Second Edition RESEARCH INTO MEMBRANE-ASSOCIATED PHENOMENA HAS EXPANDED VERY greatly in the five years that have elapsed since the first edition of Biological Membranes was published. It is to take account of rapid advances in the field that we have written the present edition. There is now general acceptance of the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure and of the chemiosmotic interpretation of energetic processes, and our attention has shifted from justifying these ideas to explaining membrane functions in their terms. Much more information has become available concerning the role of the plasma membrane in the cell's recognition of and response to external signals, and this is reflected in the increased coverage of these topics in the book. The general form of the book remains the same. As before, a list of suggested reading, sub-divided by chapter, is provided and this has been expanded to include a greater proportion of original papers. The book is still primarily designed as an advanced undergraduate text and also to serve as an introduction for post-graduate workers entering the field of membrane research. We have taken cognizance of the comments of many reviewers, colleagues and students on the first edition and thank them for their contributions. In particular we wish to acknowledge our colleagues R. Eisenthal, G. D. Holman, D. W. Hough, and A. H. Rose. Dr. C. R.

Biological Membranes: A Molecular Perspective from Computation and Experiment

by Kenneth M. Merz Benoit Roux

The interface between a living cell and the surrounding world plays a critical role in numerous complex biological processes. Sperm/egg fusion, virus/cell fusion, exocytosis, endocytosis, and ion permeation are a few examples of processes involving membranes. In recent years, powerful tools such as X-ray crystal­ lography, electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and infra-red and Raman spectroscopy have been developed to characterize the structure and dy­ namics of biomembranes. Despite this progress, many of the factors responsible for the function of biomembranes are still not well understood. The membrane is a very complicated supramolecular liquid-crystalline structure that is largely composed of lipids, forming a bilayer, to which proteins and other biomolecules are anchored. Often, the lipid bilayer environment is pictured as a hydropho­ bic structureless slab providing a thermodynamic driving force to partition the amino acids of a membrane protein according to their solubility. However, much of the molecular complexity of the phospholipid bilayer environment is ignored in such a simplified view. It is likely that the atomic details of the polar head­ group region and the transition from the bulk water to the hydrophobic core of the membrane are important. An understanding of the factors responsible for the function of biomembranes thus requires a better characterization at the molec­ ular level of how proteins interact with lipid molecules, of how lipids affect protein structure and of how lipid molecules might regulate protein function.

Biological Membranes: Structure, Biogenesis and Dynamics (Nato ASI Subseries H: #82)

by Jos A. F. Op Den Kamp

The Advanced Study Institute on "Structure, Biogenesis and Dynamics of Biological Membranes, held in Cargese from June 14-26, 1993, has been dealing with four major topics in membrane biochemistry today: lipid dynamics and lipid-protein interactions, protein translocation and insertion, intracellular traffic aud protein structure and folding. The lecturers discussed these topics starting from several disciplines, including biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and biophysics. This wayan interdisciplinary and very inte~sting view on biological membrane systems was obtained. At first an extensive overview of -mainly biophysical -techniques which can be used to study dynamic processes in membranes was presented. Sophisticated approaches such as ESR and NMR have been applied succesfully to unravel details of specific lipid-protein interactions. x­ ray analysis provides detailed structural information of several proteins and the possible implications for protein functions. Information obtained this way is complemented by studies on mechanisms and kinetics of protein folding. The latter information is indispensable when discussing protein translocation and insertion: proces:;es in which folding and unfolding play essential roles. Extensive insight was offered in the complicated machinery of phospholipid biosynthesis. In particular, the application of sophisticated genetic techniques has allowed a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating the synthetic machinery and detailed studies on a variety of mutants, lacking one or more of the essential enzymes, have resulted in the beginning of a bL!:

Biological Micro- and Nanotribology: Nature’s Solutions (NanoScience and Technology)

by Matthias Scherge Stanislav S. Gorb

By employing a combination of approaches from several disciplines the authors elucidate the principles of a variety of biomechanical systems that rely on frictional surfaces or adhesive secretions to attach parts of the body to one another or to attach organisms to a substrate. This account provides an excellent starting point for engineers and physicists working with biological systems and for biologists studying friction and adhesion. It will also serve as a valuable introduction for graduate students entering this interdisciplinary field of research.

Biological Microarrays: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #671)

by Ali Khademhosseini, Kahp-Yang Suh and Mohammed Zourob

Recent developments in microarray technology have changed the landscape of biology and biomedical research, and they have revolutionized RNA and DNA research. In Biological Microarrays: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers explore exciting new developments in the field, providing a comprehensive approach to biological microarrays that conveys not only the state-of-the-art fundamentals, but also includes applications of the most innovative methods. Chapters address both the application of biological microarrays, including DNA/RNA, apatmer, proteins, tissues, oligonucleotides, carbohydrates, biomaterials, cells, bacteria, and virus microarrays, and also explore the different techniques used for generating microarray platforms. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Wide-ranging and revolutionary, Biological Microarrays: Methods and Protocols serves as a primary source for academics, practitioners, and professionals in related fields, including biologists, biotechnologists, biochemists, analytical chemists, and biomedical, physical, and microsystems engineers, to name a few, appealing to all of those interested in the present and future state of biological microarray research.

Biological Microtechnique

by Jeremy Sanderson

A completely new practical guide to both new and classical methods of slide-making which is easy-to-read and easy-to-understand. Biological Microtechnique contains a wealth of practical detail which will provide a firm grounding in preparative methods for light microscopy.

Biological Microtechnique

by Jeremy Sanderson

A completely new practical guide to both new and classical methods of slide-making which is easy-to-read and easy-to-understand. Biological Microtechnique contains a wealth of practical detail which will provide a firm grounding in preparative methods for light microscopy.

The Biological Mind: How Brain, Body, and Environment Collaborate to Make Us Who We Are

by Alan Jasanoff

A pioneering neuroscientist argues that we are more than our brains To many, the brain is the seat of personal identity and autonomy. But the way we talk about the brain is often rooted more in mystical conceptions of the soul than in scientific fact. This blinds us to the physical realities of mental function. We ignore bodily influences on our psychology, from chemicals in the blood to bacteria in the gut, and overlook the ways that the environment affects our behavior, via factors varying from subconscious sights and sounds to the weather. As a result, we alternately overestimate our capacity for free will or equate brains to inorganic machines like computers. But a brain is neither a soul nor an electrical network: it is a bodily organ, and it cannot be separated from its surroundings. Our selves aren't just inside our heads -- they're spread throughout our bodies and beyond. Only once we come to terms with this can we grasp the true nature of our humanity.

Biological Mineralization and Demineralization: Report of the Dahlem Workshop on Biological Mineralization and Demineralization Berlin 1981, October 18–23 (Dahlem Workshop Report #23)

by I. L. Matthews I. I. Reynolds W. G. Robertson K. Simkiss

normal and pathological mineralization in vertebrates but also with the interesting problems involved in the formation of in­ tracellular deposits of calcium oxalate in plants. Here cal­ cium carbonate and silica may also be involved in the mineral­ ization processes. Calcium carbonate is an important component in the formation of mollusc and avian shells. The observation that both calcite and aragonite may be formed in biogenic cal­ cium carbonate raises important questions as to what factors control the formation of the final mineral phase. There is little doubt that thermodynamically less stable phases may be kinetically stabilized for long periods of time by other mole­ cules present in vivo. In normal mineralization, calcium salts may initially be deposited both within the cells and extracel­ lularly. In the latter case, the role of matrix vesicles and the ways in which the matrix components might control mineral­ ization were especially emphasized. There is clearly a need for more structural and functional information involving cells, matrix components, and their associated crystals. The develop­ ment of further techniques involving mutants, chromofluors, and fixatives for preservation of tissue and the ions present in vivo was recommended. In dealing with abnormal and pathological mineralization, the Workshop concentrated on urolithiasis, gout and pseudo-gout, and the formation of dental caries. Discussions based on the influence of media of low pH on mineral surfaces highlighted some of the factors of importance in controlling crystal dis­ solution.

Biological Monitoring: Prospects in Occupational and Environmental Medicine

by Jurgen Angerer

At the invitation of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), a round-table discussion was held on 9 and 10 March 2000, dealing with future possibilities for biomonitoring in occupational and environmental medicine. Biomonitoring has reached a high standard in Germany over the past 30 years, not least due to the fact that the results of the Senate commission on materials hazardous to health at the workplace have been directly implemented as part of the jurisdiction relating to occupational safety. This book combines the expertise gathered from various areas within toxicology, occupational medicine, immunology and human genetics, right up to analysis and epidemiology. Throughout, the focus is on comprehensively determining the diagnostic validity of cytogenetic parameters as well as biochemical and biological effect markers for the prevention of illnesses resulting from harmful substances. Thus, the discussion allowed an initial exchange of ideas, pointing to future research, so as to maintain Germany's leading role in this important and rapidly expanding field. "...provides an excellent tutorial on the use of biological monitoring in occupational and environmental medicine...should be read by everyone involved with exposure analysis." - Chemical Chemistry

Biological Monitoring: Heutige und Kunftige Moglichkeiten in der Arbeits- und Umweltmedizin (Rundgesprache und Kolloquien (DFG))

by Jürgen Angerer

Auf Einladung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) fand am 9. und 10. März 2000 ein Rundgespräch über heutige und künftige Möglichkeiten des Biomonitoring in Arbeits- und Umweltmedizin statt. Das Biomonitoring hat nicht zuletzt durch die unmittelbare Umsetzung der Arbeitsergebnisse der Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe in geltendes Recht durch die deutsche Arbeitsschutzgesetzgebung in den letzten dreißig Jahren in Deutschland ein hohes Niveau erreicht. Das vorliegende Buch führt die Expertise verschiedener Fachdisziplinen von der Toxikologie, Arbeitsmedizin, Immunologie und Humangenetik bis hin zur Analytik und Epidemiologie zusammen. Hierbei wird die diagnostische Aussagekraft von zytogenetischen Parametern sowie von biochemischen und biologischen Effektmarkern für die Prävention von schadstoffbedingter Erkrankungen ausführlich erörtert. Das geführte Rundgespräch hat somit einen ersten Gedankenaustausch ermöglicht, aus dem sich künftige Forschung entwickeln soll, um die führende Rolle Deutschlands auf diesem wichtigen und sich dynamisch entwickelnden Forschungsgebiet zu halten.

Biological Monitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution: Land and Air (Pollution Monitoring Series)

by M. H. Martin

In the past two decades there has been an increasing public awareness of the hazards that exist from the contamination of the environment by toxic substances. 'Heavy metals' and the terrestrial environment are but one facet of the impact of toxic substances on the natural environment, and the use of biological materials for indicating the occurrence of, and continually monitoring the presence of, these materials is a specific topic which is of considerable interest to a diverse range of individuals, organisations and disciplines. It was our intention when we first en­ visaged this book that it should contain a description of a range of circumstances in which biological monitoring techniques have been employed in the terrestrial environment and that it should be seen as a practical text which dealt with the merits, shortcomings and suitability of biological monitoring materials. Monitoring is, however, a manifold process. It serves not only to provide information on past and present concentrations of toxic materials in various components of the environ­ ment, but also to provide information on the processes of environmental release, transport, accumulation and toxicity. Indeed, this may be one of the greatest virtues of biological monitoring over other forms of monitor­ ing. According to the skill of the staff employed in the monitoring procedure, the information that is accrued can have a vastly different value.

Biological Monitoring of Rivers: Applications and Perspectives (Water Quality Measurements #19)

by Giuliano Ziglio Giovanna Flaim Maurizio Siligardi

Biological monitoring of running waters is a scientifically and economically valid approach for surveys and monitoring programmes to assess the water quality. Biological Monitoring of Rivers is a timely, up-to-date book that includes a good number of practical how-to-do chapters. Up-to-date assessment of biological water monitoring Practical how-to-do chapters help the practitioner Provides a broad survey of methods uses inside and outside the EU Gives perspectives for future applications

Biological Monitoring of Toxic Metals (Rochester Series on Environmental Toxicity)

by Thomas W. Clarkson Lars Friberg Gunnar F. Nordberg Polly R. Sager

This document is the result of a conference on "Biological Monitoring of Metals" held in Rochester, June 2-6, 1986, organized jointly by the Environmental Health Sciences Center of the School of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Rochester, NY, and the Scientific Committee on the Toxicology of Metals within the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) at the Karolinska Institute and the National (Swedish) Institute of Environmental Medicine and the University of Umea, Sweden. The aim of the Conference was to define and evaluate the scientific basis for the biological monitoring of metals. The conference was co-sponsored by the World Health Organization through its International Program on Chemical Safety and received substantial encouragement and support from the Swedish Work Environmental Fund and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This was the second conference organized jointly by the Scientific Committee on the Toxicology of Metals and The Toxicology Division of the University of Rochester. The previous joint conference was held in 1982 on the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Metals. In addition, conferences have been organized by each group (see Appendices A and B). Several of these conferences are specially relevant to the topic of the current conference. These include the joint conference mentioned above and the conferences on dose-effect and dose-response relationship held in Tokyo in 1974 and on accumulation of metals held in Buenos Aires in 1972.

Biological Motion: A History of Life

by Janina Wellmann

A captivating exploration of the changing definitions of life in biologyBiological Motion studies the foundational relationship between motion and life. To answer the question, &“What is Life?,&” prize-winning historian of science Janina Wellmann engages in a transdisciplinary investigation of motion as the most profound definition of living existence.For decades, information and structure have dominated the historiography of the life sciences with its prevailing focus on DNA structure and function. Now more than ever, motion is a crucial theme of basic biological research. Tracing motion from Aristotle&’s animal soul to molecular motors, and from medical soft robotics to mathematical analysis, Wellmann locates biological motion at the intersection of knowledge domains and scientific and cultural practices. She offers signposts to mark the sites where researchers, technologies, ideas, and practices opened up new paths in the constitution of the phenomenon of motion. An ambitious rethinking of the life sciences, Biological Motion uncovers the secret life of movement and offers a new account of what it means to be alive.

Biological Motion: A History of Life

by Janina Wellmann

A captivating exploration of the changing definitions of life in biologyBiological Motion studies the foundational relationship between motion and life. To answer the question, &“What is Life?,&” prize-winning historian of science Janina Wellmann engages in a transdisciplinary investigation of motion as the most profound definition of living existence.For decades, information and structure have dominated the historiography of the life sciences with its prevailing focus on DNA structure and function. Now more than ever, motion is a crucial theme of basic biological research. Tracing motion from Aristotle&’s animal soul to molecular motors, and from medical soft robotics to mathematical analysis, Wellmann locates biological motion at the intersection of knowledge domains and scientific and cultural practices. She offers signposts to mark the sites where researchers, technologies, ideas, and practices opened up new paths in the constitution of the phenomenon of motion. An ambitious rethinking of the life sciences, Biological Motion uncovers the secret life of movement and offers a new account of what it means to be alive.

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