Nanosensors are innovative devices that exploit the unique properties exhibited by matter at the nanoscale. A growing and exciting field, nanosensors have recently spurred considerable research endeavors across the globe, driving a need for the development of new device concepts and engineering nanostructured materials with controlled properties. Nanosensors: Physical, Chemical, and Biological, Second Edition offers a panoramic view of the field and related nanotechnologies with extraordinary clarity and depth. Presenting an interdisciplinary approach, blending physics, chemistry and biology, this new edition is broad in scope and organised into six parts; beginning with the fundamentals before moving onto nanomaterials and nanofabrication technologies in the second part. The third and fourth parts provide a critical appraisal of physical nanosensors, and explore the chemical and biological categories of nanosensors. The fifth part sheds light on the emerging applications of nanosensors in the sectors of society, industry, and defense and details the cutting-edge applications of state-of-the-art nanosensors in environmental science, food technology, medical diagnostics, and biotechnology. The final part addresses self-powering and networking issues of nanosensors, and provides glimpses of future trends. This is an ideal reference for researchers and industry professionals engaged in the frontier areas of material science and semiconductor fabrication as well as graduate students in physics and engineering pursuing electrical engineering and electronics courses with a focus on nanoscience and nanotechnology. Key features: Provides an updated, all-encompassing exploration of contemporary nanosensors and highlights the exclusive nanoscale properties on which nanosensors are designed. Presents an accessible approach with a question-and-answer format to allow an easy grasp of the intricacies involved in the complex working mechanisms of devices. Contains clear, illustrative diagrams enabling the visualization of nanosensor operations, along with worked examples, end of chapter questions, and exhaustive up-to-date bibliographies appended to each chapter.

Biomedical Applications of Magnetic Particles discusses fundamental magnetic nanoparticle physics and chemistry and explores important biomedical applications and future challenges. The first section presents the fundamentals of the field by explaining the theory of magnetism, describing techniques to synthesize magnetic particles, detailing methods to characterize magnetic particles, and quantitatively describing the applied magnetic forces, torques, and the resultant particle motions. The second section describes the wide range of biomedical applications, including chemical sensors, cellular actuators, drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement, and toxicity. Additional key features include: Covers both introduction to physics and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles and the state of the art in biomedical applications Authoritative reference for scientists and engineers for all new or old to the field Describes how the size of magnetic nanoparticles affects their magnetic properties, colloidal properties, and biological properties. Written by a team of internationally respected experts, this book provides an up-to-date authoritative reference for scientists and engineers.

This fully updated edition explores the different pathways that converge into the regulation of mitochondrial function. The book integrates mitochondria with other cellular components, discussing the dynamic properties of mitochondria with an emphasis on how these processes respond to signaling events and how they affect cellular metabolism. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Mitochondrial Regulation: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is an ideal guide for advanced undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, and beginning researchers in the areas of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and bioenergetics.

The monograph discusses models of synthetic protocells, which are cell-like structures obtained from non-living matter endowed with some rudimentary kind of metabolism and genetics, but much simpler than biological cells. They should grow and proliferate, generating offsprings that resemble in some way the parent protocells with some variation, so that selection may take place. Sustainable protocell populations have not yet been obtained experimentally and mathematical models are therefore extremely important to address key questions concerning their synthesis and behavior. Different protocell "architectures" have been proposed and high-level abstract models like those that are presented in this book are particularly relevant to gain a better understanding of the different properites. These models are able to treat all the major dynamical phenomena in a unified framework, so they can be seen as "virtual laboratories" for protocell research. Particular attention is paid to the problem of synchronization of the fission rate of the whole protocell and the duplication rate of its "protogenetic" material, which is shown to be an emergent property that spontaneously develops in successive generations. The book is of interest for a broad range of scientists working in soft matter physics, chemistry and biology, interested in the role protocells may play on the development of new technologies with medical, environmental and industrial applications as well as scientists interested in the origin of life.

The book is dedicated to the method and application potential of micro segmented flow. The recent state of development of this powerful technique is presented in 12 chapters by leading researchers from different countries. In the first section, the principles of generation and manipulation of micro-fluidic segments are explained. In the second section, the micro continuous-flow synthesis of different types of nanomaterials is shown as a typical example for the use of advantages of the technique in chemistry. In the third part, the particular importance of the technique in biotechnical applications is presented demonstrating the progress for miniaturized cell-free processes, for molecular biology and DNA-based diagnostics and sequencing as well as for the development of antibiotics and the evaluation of toxic effects in medicine and environment.

Introduction to the Fast Multipole Method introduces the reader to the theory and computer implementation of the Fast Multipole Method. It covers the topics of Laplace's equation, spherical harmonics, angular momentum, the Wigner matrix, the addition theorem for solid harmonics, and lattice sums for periodic boundary conditions, along with providing a complete, self-contained explanation of the math of the method, so that anyone having an undergraduate grasp of calculus should be able to follow the material presented. The authors derive the Fast Multipole Method from first principles and systematically construct the theory connecting all the parts. Key Features Introduces each topic from first principles Derives every equation presented, and explains each step in its derivation Builds the necessary theory in order to understand, develop, and use the method Describes the conversion from theory to computer implementation Guides through code optimization and parallelization

Spin-label electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a versatile molecular probe method that finds wide application in molecular biophysics and structural biology. This book provides the first comprehensive summary of basic principles, spectroscopic properties, and use for studying biological membranes, protein folding, supramolecular structure, lipid-protein interactions, and dynamics. The contents begin with discussion of fundamental theory and practice, including static spectral parameters and conventional continuous-wave (CW) spectroscopy. The development then progresses, via nonlinear CW-EPR for slower motions, to the more demanding time-resolved pulse EPR, and includes an in-depth treatment of spin relaxation and spectral line shapes. Once the spectroscopic fundamentals are established, the final chapters acquire a more applied character. Extensive appendices at the end of the book provide detailed summaries of key concepts in magnetic resonance and chemical physics for the student reader and experienced practitioner alike. Key Features: Indispensable reference source for the understanding and interpretation of spin-label spectroscopic data in its different aspects. Tables of fundamental spectral parameters are included throughout. Forms the basis for an EPR graduate course, extending up to a thorough coverage of advanced topics in Specialist Appendices. Includes all necessary theoretical background. The primary audience is research workers in the fields of molecular biophysics, structural biology, biophysical chemistry, physical biochemistry and molecular biomedicine. Also, physical chemists, polymer physicists, and liquid-crystal researchers will benefit from this book, although illustrative examples used are often taken from the biomolecular field. Readers will be postgraduate researchers and above, but include those from other disciplines who seek to understand the primary spin-label EPR literature.

The work described here investigates the advantages and limitations of using laser light for the deep in-vivo illumination and micromanipulation of the neuronal system in zebrafish. To do so, it combines and develops novel optical methods such as optogenetics, light sheet microscopy and optical micromanipulation. It also demonstrates, for the first time, that directional and focused laser beams can successfully be used to target large objects at considerable depth in a living organism to exert purely optical force - in this case on otoliths (ear stones) - and create fictive vestibular stimuli in a stationary animal. The behavioural study and simultaneous imaging of the whole brain reveal the location of the brain cells specific to each ear stone. Elucidating these fundamental neural processes holds substantial value for basic neuroscience researchers, who still have only a vague grasp of how brain circuits mediate perception. As such, it represents highly innovative research that has already led to high-impact publications and is now being intensively pursued.

This book explores the potential of multi-functional carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications. It combines contributions from chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and medicine. The complete overview of the state-of-the-art addresses different synthesis and biofunctionalisation routes and shows the structural and magnetic properties of nanotubes relevant to biomedical applications. Particular emphasis is put on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with biological environments, i.e. toxicity, biocompatibility, cellular uptake, intracellular distribution, interaction with the immune system and environmental impact. The insertion of NMR-active substances allows diagnostic usage as markers and sensors, e.g. for imaging and contactless local temperature sensing. The potential of nanotubes for therapeutic applications is highlighted by studies on chemotherapeutic drug filling and release, targeting and magnetic hyperthermia studies for anti-cancer treatment at the cellular level.

This book brings together current advances in high-technology visualisation and the age-old but science-adapted practice of drawing for improved observation in medical education and surgical planning and practice. We begin this book with a chapter reviewing the history of confusion around visualisation, observation and theory, outlining the implications for medical imaging. The authors consider the shifting influence of various schools of philosophy, and the changing agency of technology over time. We then follow with chapters on the practical application of visualisation and observation, including emerging imaging techniques in anatomy for teaching, research and clinical practice - innovation in the mapping of orthopaedic fractures for optimal orthopaedic surgical guidance - placental morphology and morphometry as a prerequisite for future pathological investigations - visualising the dural venous sinuses using volume tracing. Two chapters explore the use and benefit of drawing in medical education and surgical planning. It is worth noting that experienced surgeons and artists employ a common set of techniques as part of their work which involves both close observation and the development of fine motor skills and sensitive tool use. An in-depth look at police identikit construction from memory by eyewitnesses to crimes, outlines how an individual's memory of a suspect's facial features are rendered visible as a composite image. This book offers anatomy educators and clinicians an overview of the history and philosophy of medical observation and imaging, as well as an overview of contemporary imaging technologies for anatomy education and clinical practice. In addition, we offer anatomy educators and clinicians a detailed overview of drawing practices for the improvement of anatomical observation and surgical planning. Forensic psychologists and law enforcement personnel will not only benefit from a chapter dedicated to the construction of facial composites, but also from chapters on drawing and observation.

This book examines the most novel and state-of-the-art applications of biomaterials, with chapters that exemplify approaches with targeted drug delivery, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and cranioplasty implants. Expert contributors analyze biomaterials such as calcium phosphate, sol-gel and quenched glasses, metallic and polymer implants, bioactive glass, and polymer composites while also covering important areas such as the soft tissue replacement, apatites, bone regeneration and cell encapsulation. This book is appropriate for biomedical engineers, materials scientists, and clinicians who are seeking to implement the most advanced approaches and technologies with their patients.

Advanced Chromatic Monitoring provides a major source of information about the novel approach of chromaticity with examples of how chromaticity may be deployed for various monitoring applications. It shows with examples what can be achieved with chromatic methods in producing relevant information with a variety of test techniques and in facilitating the interpretation of complex data about complicated situations. It will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers in a wide breadth of physical disciplines (engineering, medicine, environmental sciences) and those involved with data acquisition and analysis. Key Features: Applicable to a wide range of disciplines (engineering, medical, environmental, etc) and those interested in science, technology, data acquisition and analysis Provides an extrapolation of new knowledge well beyond that covered in existing literature with regard to dealing with complicated forms and sets of data Addresses inspiring and innovative areas of research including environmental, power delivery and medical monitoring About the Editors: Emeritus Professor Gordon R. Jones - founder and former Director of the Centre for Intelligent Monitoring Systems (CIMS), former Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, and former Director of Electric Arcs Research Group at the University of Liverpool. He was awarded the IEEE Education, Science and Technology Achievement Medal (1999). Professor Joe W. Spencer - the present Director of CIMS at the University of Liverpool, having been Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at Liverpool. He is involved in operating a multi-million pound technology transfer unit (Sensor City, Liverpool) with whose establishment he played a major role and with which CIMS has major interactions.

Subjects in the monograph "Biophysics of the Failing Heart" include state of the art chapters considering major biophysical mechanisms for why hearts responding to acquired or inherited stressors enter into maladaptive processes eventually leading to an inability of the heart to respond efficiently to hemodynamic loads especially during exercise. The chapters describe biophysical techniques that have been applied to determine the triggers for the heart failure process as well as the mechanisms for sustaining the disorders. These techniques include measurements of active and passive mechanical properties and hemodynamics at levels of organization ranging from molecules to hearts beating in situ. Biophysical concepts and approaches are also applied to determination of signaling and signal transduction, energetics, ionic currents, transport processes, electro-chemical and chemo-mechanical coupling. By its emphasis on biophysical aspects of a prevalent clinical condition, the monograph is unique in its perspective and focus. The breadth of information in the chapters all in one place will be of value to clinicians and researchers at all levels. Modern research approaches and clinical understanding of heart failure demands integration of multiple aspects of the disorders. In most cases, combinations of clinician scientists and researchers author the chapters. A main benefit of the book is couched in its didactic approach together with its emphasis on how biophysical concepts and techniques aid in diagnosis and development of new therapies.

This thesis presents a highly innovative study of the ultrafast structural and vibrational dynamics of hydrated phospholipids, the basic constituents of cell membranes. As a novel approach to the water-phospholipid interface, the author studies phosphate vibrations using the most advanced methods of nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy, including femtosecond two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. He shows for the first time that the structure of interfacial water undergoes very limited fluctuations on a 300 fs time scale and that the lifetimes of hydrogen bonds with the phospholipid are typically longer than 10 ps. Such properties originate from the steric hindrance of water fluctuations at the interface and the orienting action of strong electric fields from the phospholipid head group dipoles. In an extensive series of additional experiments, the vibrational lifetimes of the different vibrations and the processes of energy dissipation are elucidated in detail.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. This book covers a wide scope of biological approaches to such biological phenomena as cell division, motility, collective cell behavior, multicellular structures, morphogenesis, and tumor development. Over the past two decades, biologists have generated large sets of experimental data and discovered a lot of facts that need explanation. This biological boom attracts physicists who believe they can help to develop a theoretical framework in biology and explain complete biological phenomena using basic principles. This is the first book to present recent advances in biophysical studies of the different aspects of cell life. This book presents recent advances in biophysical studies of living cells and gives the impression that a combination of quantitative live cell observations, detailed biochemical and biophysical data, and mathematical modeling are capable to answer many important biological questions and to achieve a more complete understanding of such complex phenomena.

- It provides a rigorous mathematical and physical basis to techniques that are often introduced on empirical basis - While the book covers a broad range of techniques, it starts at a basic theoretical level. This gives the book a strong foundation and makes it accessible to students from various backgrounds. - Has a computational focus unlike many competing titles

Image processing algorithms based on the mammalian visual cortex are powerful tools for extraction information and manipulating images. This book reviews the neural theory and translates them into digital models. Applications are given in areas of image recognition, foveation, image fusion and information extraction. The third edition reflects renewed international interest in pulse image processing with updated sections presenting several newly developed applications. This edition also introduces a suite of Python scripts that assist readers in replicating results presented in the text and to further develop their own applications.

This book brings together current information on the families that make up the kinesin superfamily of molecular motors in one comprehensive text; an ideal reference for researchers looking to make comparisons between different families, for specific information on an individual family, or simply for an overview of the kinesin superfamily. Information is clearly structured and grouped according to individual families and organised in a standardised way, allowing the reader to easily search and retrieve information on this large superfamily of molecular motors and understand how its individual members carry out a diverse variety of cellular functions. Features: The first book dedicated to the entire kinesin superfamily Enables a fuller understanding of this family of proteins, which is becoming an increasing focus of research due to its involvement in diseases such as cancer, neuropathies and ciliopathies Written in a manner accessible to a range of researchers in the life and medical sciences, including biophysicists, biochemists and medical researchers. Chapter 4 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.here. Chapter 11 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.here.

Based on the analytical methods and the computer programs presented in this book, all that may be needed to perform MRI tissue diagnosis is the availability of relaxometric data and simple computer program proficiency. These programs are easy to use, highly interactive and the data processing is fast and unambiguous. Laboratories (with or without sophisticated facilities) can perform computational magnetic resonance diagnosis with only T1 and T2 relaxation data. The results have motivated the use of data to produce data-driven predictions required for machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Consequently, this book is intended to be very useful for students, scientists, engineers, the medical personnel and researchers who are interested in developing new concepts for deeper appreciation of computational magnetic resonance imaging for medical diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and management of tissue diseases.

The current interest in developing novel materials has motivated an increasing need for biological and medical studies in a variety of dinical applications. Indeed, it is dear that to achieve the requisite mechanical, chemical and biomedical properties, especially for new bioactive materials, it is necessary to develop novel synthesis routes. The tremendous success of materials science in developing new biomaterials and fostering technological innovation arises from its focus on interdisciplinary research and collaboration between materials and medical sciences. Materials scientists seek to relate one natural phenomenon to the basic structures of the materials and to recognize the causes and effects of the phenomena. In this way, they have developed explanations for the changing of the properties, the reactions of the materials to the environment, the interface behaviors between the artificial materials and human tissue, the time effects on the materials, and many other natural occurrences. By the same means, medical scientists have also studied the biological and medical effects of these materials, and generated the knowledge needed to produce useful medical devices. The concept of biomaterials is one of the most important ideas ever generated by the application of materials science to the medical field. In traditional materials research, interest focuses primarilyon the synthesis , structure, and mechanical properties of materials commonly used for structural purposes in industry, for instance in mechanical parts of machinery.

Chronic disease states of aging should be viewed through the prism of metabolism and biophysical processes at all levels of physiological organization present in the human body. This book describes the building blocks of understanding from a reasonable but not high-level technical language viewpoint, employing the perspective of a clinical physician. It brings together concepts from five specific branches of physics relevant to biology and medicine, namely, biophysics, classical electromagnetism, thermodynamics, systems biology and quantum mechanics. Key Features: Broad and up-to-date overview of the field of metabolism, especially connecting the spectrum of topics that range from modern physical underpinnings with cell biology to clinical practice. Provides a deeper basic science and interdisciplinary understanding of biological systems that broaden the perspectives and therapeutic problem solving. Introduces the concept of the Physiological Fitness Landscape, which is inspired by the physics of phase transitions This first volume in a two-volume set, primarily targets an audience of clinical and science students, biomedical researchers and physicians who would benefit from understanding each other's language.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of modern computer-based techniques for analyzing the structure, properties and dynamics of biomolecules and biomolecular processes. It is organized in four main parts; the first one deals with methodology of molecular simulations; the second one with applications of molecular simulations; the third one introduces bioinformatics methods and the use of experimental information in molecular simulations; the last part reports on selected applications of molecular quantum mechanics. This second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to include the latest progresses made in the respective field of research.

This book is the first to be entirely devoted to the challenging art of handling membrane proteins out of their natural environment, a key process in biological and pharmaceutical research, but one plagued with difficulties and pitfalls. Written by one of the foremost experts in the field, Membrane Proteins in Aqueous Solutions is accessible to any member of a membrane biology laboratory. After presenting the structure, functions, dynamics, synthesis, natural environment and lipid interactions of membrane proteins, the author discusses the principles of extracting them with detergents, the mechanisms of detergent-induced destabilization, countermeasures, and recent progress in developing detergents with weaker denaturing properties. Non-conventional alternatives to detergents, including bicelles, nanodiscs, amphipathic peptides, fluorinated surfactants and amphipols, are described, and their relative advantages and drawbacks are compared. The synthesis and solution properties of the various types of amphipols are presented, as well as the formation and properties of membrane protein/amphipol complexes and the transfer of amphipol-trapped proteins to detergents, nanodiscs, lipidic mesophases, or living cells. The final chapters of the book deal with applications: membrane protein in vitro folding and cell-free expression, solution studies, NMR, crystallography, electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, amphipol-mediated immobilization of membrane proteins, and biomedical applications. Important features of the book include introductory sections describing foundations as well as the state-of-the-art for each of the biophysical techniques discussed, and topical tables which organize a widely dispersed literature. Boxes and annexes throughout the book explain technical aspects, and twelve detailed experimental protocols, ranging from in vitro folding of membrane proteins to single-particle electron cryomicroscopy, have been contributed by and commented on by experienced users. Membrane Proteins in Aqueous Solutions offers a concise, accessible introduction to membrane protein biochemistry and biophysics, as well as comprehensive coverage of the properties and uses of conventional and non-conventional surfactants. It will be useful both in basic and applied research laboratories and as a teaching aid for students, instructors, researchers, and professionals within the field.

X-ray imaging is a corner stone of breast cancer diagnosis. By exploiting the phase shift of X-rays rather than their attenuation, phase-contrast tomography has the potential to dramatically increase the visibility of small and low contrast features, thus leading to better diagnosis. This thesis presents research on the first synchrotron-based project developing a clinical phase-contrast breast computed tomography (CT) setup at Elettra, the Italian Syncrotron Radiation Facility. This book includes a comprehensive theoretical background on propagation-based phase-contrast imaging, exploring and extending the most recent image formation models. Along with theory, many practical implementation and optimization issues, ranging from detector-specific processing to setup geometry, are tackled on the basis of a large number of experimental evidences. Most of the modelling results and data analysis have general validity, being a valuable framework for optimization of phase-contrast setups. Results obtained at synchrotron are also compared with "real world" laboratory sources: both a first-of-its-kind comparison with one of the few hospital breast CT systems and a state-of-the-art implementation of monochromatic phase-contrast micro-tomography with a conventional rotating anode source are presented. On a more general level, this work sheds a light on the importance of synchrotron-based clinical programs, which are key to trigger the long-anticipated transition of phase-contrast imaging from synchrotrons to hospitals.