In this unique and unprecedented study of birding in Africa, historian Nancy Jacobs reconstructs the collaborations between well-known ornithologists and the largely forgotten guides, hunters and taxidermists who worked with them. Drawing on ethnography, scientific publications, private archives and interviews, Jacobs asks: How did white ornithologists both depend on and operate distinctively from African birders? What investment did African birders have in collaborating with ornithologists? By distilling the interactions between European science and African vernacular knowledge, this work offers a fascinating examination of the colonial and postcolonial politics of expertise about nature. It is also a riveting history of the discovery of certain bird species.

Medicinal Chemistry of Anticancer Drugs, Third Edition provides an updated resource for students and researchers from the point-of-view of medicinal chemistry and drug design, focusing on the mechanism of action of antitumor drugs from the molecular level, and on the relationship between chemical structure and chemical and biochemical reactivity of antitumor agents. The new edition includes updated sections on the hot topic of cancer immunotherapy, cancer polypharmacology, multitargeted cancer therapy, medicinal chemistry of cancer diagnosis, theragnostic anticancer agents, and pre-mRNA processing in cancer. Although many books are available that deal with clinical aspects of cancer chemotherapy, this book provides a unique and valuable perspective from the point-of-view of medicinal chemistry and drug design. It will be useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, biological chemistry, pharmacy and other health sciences. Researchers and practitioners will find a comprehensive treatment of the topic and a large number of references, reviews and primary literature.

Biochemical Pathways and Environmental Responses in Plants: Part C, Volume 683 in the Methods in Enzymology series, highlights advances in the field. with this new volume presenting chapters on topics including Preparation of hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA thioesters using recombinant 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) for characterization of BAHD acyltransferases, Near-real time determination of BAHD acyl-coA transferase reaction rates, Bioinformatic tools for protein structure prediction and for molecular docking applied to enzyme active site analysis, Computational and biochemical methods to measure the activity of carboxysomes and protein organelles in vivo, Dirigent Proteins Family Function and Structure, Three-in-One Method for High-throughput plant multi-omics, amongst other timely topics. Additional sections cover Analysis of isoprenyl-phosphates by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, Lignin/Lignan Biosynthesis Structure/Function, Comparison of TLC, HPLC, and direct infusion mass spectrometry methods for identification and quantification of diacylglycerol molecular species, Plant sphingolipid analysis, RNA-seq analysis of alternative pre-mRNA splicing mediated by photoreceptors in Physcomitrium patens, and much more.

Control of Cell Cycle & Cell Proliferation, Volume 135 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, highlights new advances, with this new volume presenting chapters on a variety of timely topics, including Exploiting pivotal mechanisms behind the senescence-like cell cycle arrest, Viral infection on through Cell Cycle Regulation, Analyzing drug resistant mutation in CDK4 gene and identification of potential inhibitors through structure based virtual screening approach, Controlling cell proliferation by targeting CDK6 using drug repurposing approach, Cdk Regulators: Growth Arrest or Apoptosis? Scenarios in normal and cancerous cells, Targeting cell cycle signaling pathways for cancer therapy, and much more. Other sections focus on The role of the nucleolus in regulating cell cycle, Chromatin regulators in DNA replication and genome stability maintenance during S-phase, Role of macrophage in cancer cell progression and targeted immunotherapies, Anti-cancer drug molecules targeting cancer cell cycle and proliferation, Cellular signals integrate cell cycle and metabolic control in cancer, Therapeutic targeting and proliferation of HSCs by small molecules and biologicals, Mechanism of cell cycle regulation and cell proliferation during human viral infection, and Cyclin-dependent kinases: Role, regulation, and therapeutic targets in cancer.

African Flora to Fight Bacterial Resistance, Part Two: The Best Source of Herbal Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Volume 107 offers detailed information on the best African medicinal plants that could be useful for the development of efficient herbal drugs, as well as the best phytochemicals that could be explored as potential pharmaceuticals to efficiently tackle bacterial drug resistance. The book provides knowledge on ethnomedicinal uses of the identified plants, their pharmacological potency, and their phytochemistry. Chapters cover Phytochemistry and antibacterial potential of the genus Allanblackiam Phytochemistry and antibacterial potential of the genus Beilschmedia, Phytochemistry and antibacterial potential of the genus Fagara, and more. Other sections explore Harungana madagascariensis as a source of antibacterial agents, Hypericum roeperianum as a source of antibacterial agents, Myristica fragrans as a potential source of antibacterial agents, Phytochemistry and antibacterial potential of the genus Nauclea, Picrilima nitida as a potential source of antibacterial agents, Uapaca togoensis as a potential source of antibacterial agents, and much more.

Advances in Virus Research, Volume 115, the latest release in this comprehensive serial that highlights new advances in the field, includes updates on a variety of timely topics, including Plant viral nanotools, Mycoviruses, Rift Valley Fever virus entry and infection, and more.

If you're intrigued by the question "What makes us human?", strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of anthropology From the first steps of our prehistoric ancestors, to the development of complex languages, to the intricacies of religions and cultures across the world, diverse factors have shaped the human species as we know it. Anthropology strives to untangle this fascinating web of history to work out who we were in the past, what that means for human beings today and who we might be tomorrow. This pocket-sized introduction includes accessible primers on: Influential anthropologists such as Franz Boas, Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict The key branches of anthropology, from physical and linguistic anthropology to archaeology How anthropologists study topics such as communication, identity, sex and gender, religion and culture How we can approach one of life's most enduring questions: what is it that truly makes us human? This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand the development of human beings, and how our history has informed the way we live today. A perfect gift for anyone taking their first steps into the world of anthropology, as well as for those who want to brush up their knowledge.

Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease, Volume 153 in the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapter on topics such as The cell biology of Wnt gradient formation, Approaches to visualize and trace Wnt signaling in vitro and in vivo, WNT signaling and the regulation of pluripotency, Wnt/Frizzled signaling in stem cells in development and cancer, Wnt signaling in hydra development and regeneration, Wnt signaling in whole body regeneration, Role of planar cell polarity and Wnt signaling in left-right asymmetry, Wnt signaling in axial progenitors, and more. Other chapters cover Wnt signaling in Xenopus neural development, Wnt signaling in hematopoietic stem cell development, Wnt signaling and the maintenance and regeneration of the gut epithelium, Wnt signaling in the skeleton as a basis for Wnt-based regenerative medicine, and Non-canonical Wnt5a-Ror signaling: Insights from human congenital disorders and cancer.

Genetic Steroid Disorders, Second Edition targets adult and pediatric endocrinologists, clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, reproductive endocrinologists, neonatologists, urologists, and psychoendocrinologists. It is designed to assist these specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of steroid disorders. This revision includes a new chapter on "Gonadotropins, Obesity and Bone" and new research on non-invasive prenatal diagnosis with cell-free DNA. Chapters are thoroughly updated covering steroid disorders, the genetic bases for the disorder and case presentations, This definitive reference belongs in every medical library!

Pulping and Papermaking of Non-wood Plant Fibres presents the latest technologies associated with the papermaking process. With chapters specific to each non-wood species, the book provides step-by-step guidance on processes such as pulping, bleaching, blending and beating. Non-wood fibers are practical for pulp and paper production due to their chemical content of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin percentages. Beginning with a general overview of non-wood fibers in the papermaking process, chapters then take a deep dive into different raw materials and their processes, including bamboo, corn stalk, pineapple leaves and sugarcane. This book is an essential resource for researchers, scientists and industry specialists.

Integrated Methods in Protein Biochemistry: Part C, Volume 679 in the Methods in Enzymology series, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of topics, including NanoBiT-based methods to monitor the activation and modulation of RTKs, The interplay of G-protein ss? subunit and PLC-ss enzyme in PIP2 hydrolysis and downstream signaling, Biochemical Analysis of Protein-Protein Interfaces underlying the regulation of Bacterial Secretion Systems, Probing the structure and function of N-acetylmannosamine-6-phosphate 2-epimerase, Spectroscopic analysis of cysteine dioxygenase: a mammalian thiol-dioxygenase, DeGlyPHER: MS-based analysis of viral spike N-glycoforms, and more. Other sections cover Covalent protein painting: MS-based protein footprinting, Characterization of GPCR signaling complexes using negative-staining electron microscopy, Probing protein misfolding and dissociation with free electron laser, Optimized protocol for the characterization of Cas12a activities, Proximity proteomics for the identification and characterization of extracellular vesicles, Functional characterization of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), Characterization of RRE domain in RiPP biosynthesis, The Preparation of Recombinant Arginyltransferase 1 (ATE1) for Structural and Biophyiscal Characterizations, Testing anti-cancer drugs with Holographic Incoherent-light-source Quantitative Phase Imaging, and more.

Developing Sustainable and Health Promoting Cereals and Pseudocereals: Conventional and Molecular Breeding reviews the most recent developments in the fields of cereal and pseudocereal breeding, with particular emphasis on the latest biotechnological techniques likely to lead to breakthrough changes in plant breeding. The book provides comprehensive information on the use of genetic resources or pre-breeding activities to improve health-related properties of cereals and pseudocereals. The text also explores targeted field-management practices and the latest in biotechnological methodologies, and offers a cohesive overview necessary for understanding the potential impacts and benefits of improved production of cereals and pseudocereals with high-nutritional value.

Development and Commercialization of Biopesticides: Costs and Benefits provides a uniquely comprehensive view of the commercial production of biopesticides, from research to application, featuring case studies in various developed and developing countries of the world. The book offers guidance for future strategies to researchers, along with considerations for the industry's economic concerns, i.e., costs and benefits compared to conventional pesticides, future perspectives for application strategies, bioavailability and environmental safety, and impacts on intellectual property issues during commercialization. Finally, the book covers why the development of this industry must be strategic, comprehensive and forward-looking in order to be an accepted, safe and sustainable. There is no doubt that biopesticides are now in large-scale use, and a variety of novel techniques have been used to improve or modify existing biopesticides, which will further accelerate their development.

Receptor Endocytosis and Signalling in Health and Disease, Part B, Volume 196 highlights the different aspects of receptor endocytosis and signaling, covering several receptors which are associated with different organs and that play a key role in normal functioning in the body, including somatostatin, Mas receptor, AMPA, Dopamine, 5-HT1-2, GABA, GPCR, nuclear receptor, Integrin, BCR, CRHR1, etc. Chapters in this new release include Internalization of somatostatin receptors in brain and periphery, Mas receptor, signaling and trafficking in health and disease, Endocytosis of AMPA receptors: Role in neurological conditions, Endocytosis of dopamine receptor: Signaling in brain, and more. Additional chapters cover Endocytosis of LXRs: Signalling in liver, Endocytosis of LDL receptor: Importance in cardiovascular diseases, Advances in the molecular level understanding of G-protein-coupled receptor, Nuclear receptor: Structure and function, Integrin receptor trafficking in health and disease, B Cell Receptor (BCR) endocytosis,CRHR1 endocytosis: Spatiotemporal regulation of receptor signaling, and much more.

Mitochondria and Bacterial Pathogens, Volume 374, Part A. Mitochondria control various processes that are integral to cellular and organismal homeostasis, including Ca2+ fluxes, bioenergetic metabolism, and cell death. Perhaps not surprisingly, multiple pathogenic bacteria have evolved strategies to subvert mitochondrial functions in support of their survival and dissemination. In the IRCMB volume 375, the authors discus different pathogenic mechanisms that converge on the ability of bacteria to control the mitochondrial compartment of host cells.

Regulation of Downstream Targets, Volume 134 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, presents interesting chapters on topics such as Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and signaling networks in Viral Infections, Identification of potential key genes associated with pathogenesis and prognosis of endometrial cancer based on Integrated Bioinformatics Approaches, Differential regulation of genes in stage IB pancreatic cancer associated with increased risk of metastasis, AMPK-related LKB1-downstream targets, A compilation of bioinformatic approaches to identify novel downstream targets for the detection and prophylaxis of cancer, Protein phosphatases and their targets: Critical determinants of signaling pathway in plants, and more. Other sections cover Calcium decoders and their targets: The holy alliance that regulate cellular responses, Importin alpha family NAAT/IBB domain: functions of a multi-faceted long chameleon sequence, Aurora Kinase A and related downstream molecules: A Potential Network for Cancer Therapy, Emerging Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Cardiovascular Diseases, Function, Structure, Evolution, Regulation and Drug Target Relevance of Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, and Analysis of signaling cascades from myeloma cells treated with pristimerin.

Advances in Clinical Chemistry, Volume 113, the latest installment in this internationally acclaimed series, contains chapters authored by world-renowned clinical laboratory scientists, physicians and research scientists. The serial discusses the latest and most up-to-date technologies related to the field of clinical chemistry with sections in this release focusing on Biosensors for saliva biomarkers, Biochemistry and pathophysiology of the Transient Potential Receptor Vanilloid 6 (TRPV6) calcium channel, Protein Glycation in Diabetes Mellitus, Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Complications, Cortisol: Analytical and Clinical Determinants, and Hemophilia A: Emicizumab monitoring and impact on coagulation testing.

Myxomycetes: Biology, Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology, Second Edition provides a complete collection of general and technical information on myxomycetes microorganisms. Its broad scope takes an integrated approach, considering a number of important aspects surrounding their genetics and molecular phylogeny. The book treats myxomycetes as a distinct group from fungi and includes molecular information that discusses systematics and evolutionary pathways. Written and developed by an international team of specialists, this second edition contains updated information on all aspects of myxomycetes. It incorporates relevant and new material on current barcoding developments, plasmodial network experimentation, and non-STEM disciplinary assimilation of myxomycete information. This book is a unique and authoritative resource for researchers in organismal biology and ecology disciplines, as well as students and academics in biology, ecology, microbiology, and similar subject areas. Cover image used with permission from Steve Young Photography

Targeted Protein Degradation, Volume 680 in the Methods in Enzymology series, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of timely topics, with each. Each written by an international board of authors.

Tony Hutson illuminates the nocturnal world of bats and examines how they have adapted to habitats in every corner of the world. Beginning with the fossil record and what it reveals about their relationship to other mammals, Hutson discusses their unique aerodynamics and their extraordinary feats of echolocation. He discusses their life cycle, diet and foraging strategy, breeding, roosting, and migration patterns as well as their predators, parasites, and man-made threats to their ecosystem. Bats are long-lived mammals which can form enormous colonies containing tens of millions of creatures, a concentration of mammals paralleled only by human cities. Topically, the book looks at the viruses harboured and tolerated by bats and their impact on humans. The book also contains an appendix of bat families and subfamilies and gives details of the number of genera or species, distribution, size, roost habitat and diet.

William LaFleur (1936-2010), an eminent scholar of Japanese studies, left behind a substantial number of influential publications, as well as several unpublished works. The most significant of these examines debates concerning the practice of organ transplantation in Japan and the United States, and is published here for the first time. This provocative book challenges the North American medical and bioethical consensus that considers the transplantation of organs from brain dead donors as an unalloyed good. It joins a growing chorus of voices that question the assumption that brain death can be equated facilely with death. It provides a deep investigation of debates in Japan, introducing numerous Japanese bioethicists whose work has never been treated in English. It also provides a history of similar debates in the United States, problematizing the commonly held view that the American public was quick and eager to accept the redefinition of death. A work of intellectual and social history, this book also directly engages with questions that grow ever more relevant as the technologies we develop to extend life continue to advance. While the benefits of these technologies are obvious, their costs are often more difficult to articulate. Calling attention to the risks associated with our current biotech trajectory, LaFleur stakes out a highly original position that does not fall neatly onto either side of contemporary US ideological divides.

Species evolve over time to become perfectly adapted to their environments, right?Well, sometimes. Consider that an elephant will not grow a seventh set of teeth, even though wearing down the sixth will condemn it to starvation; that hosts of the European cuckoo seem unable to tell that the overgrown monster in their nest is not their own chick; and that whales are fully aquatic mammals who, millions of years after first abandoning the land, still cannot breathe underwater. This book is about evolution, but not its greatest hits. Instead, it explores everything in the animal kingdom that is self-defeating, ill-made, uneconomical, or downright weird – and explains how natural selection has favoured it. In the grand struggle for survival, some surprising patterns emerge: animals are always slightly out-of-date; inefficiency tends to increase over time; predators usually lose, and parasites usually win. With equal parts humour and scientific insight, Andy Dobson is here to explain the how and why of evolution’s limits and liabilities.