Standing as the first unified textbook on the subject, Liquid Crystals and Their Computer Simulations provides a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of liquid crystals and of their Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics computer simulations. Liquid crystals have a complex physical nature, and, therefore, computer simulations are a key element of research in this field. This modern text develops a uniform formalism for addressing various spectroscopic techniques and other experimental methods for studying phase transitions of liquid crystals, and emphasises the links between their molecular organisation and observable static and dynamic properties. Aided by the inclusion of a set of Appendices containing detailed mathematical background and derivations, this book is accessible to a broad and multidisciplinary audience. Primarily intended for graduate students and academic researchers, it is also an invaluable reference for industrial researchers working on the development of liquid crystal display technology.

Single Molecule Science (SMS) has emerged from developing, using and combining technologies such as super-resolution microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and optical and magnetic tweezers, alongside sophisticated computational and modelling techniques. This comprehensive, edited volume brings together authoritative overviews of these methods from a biological perspective, and highlights how they can be used to observe and track individual molecules and monitor molecular interactions in living cells. Pioneers in this fast-moving field cover topics such as single molecule optical maps, nanomachines, and protein folding and dynamics. A particular emphasis is also given to mapping DNA molecules for diagnostic purposes, and the study of gene expression. With numerous illustrations, this book reveals how SMS has presented us with a new way of understanding life processes. A must-have for researchers and graduate students, as well as those working in industry, primarily in the areas of biophysics, biological imaging, genomics and structural biology.

The mechanical properties of cells can be used to distinguish pathological from normal cells and tissues in many diseases. This book will outline the physics behind cell and tissue mechanics, describe the methods which can be used to determine their mechanical properties, and present various diseases in which a mechanical fingerprint could be established. The book is designed to not require a background in either Physics or Life Sciences.

The modern biosciences make many new proteins available. Nevertheless the handling of these proteins is quite difficult due to problems with their stability. This collection gives - in the form of tables - protein stability data for various temperatures and solvents. These data are most useful for the development of protein folding and the improvement of biotechnological stability for applications of proteins.

A Top 25 CHOICE 2016 Title, and recipient of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title (OAT) Award. How much energy is released in ATP hydrolysis? How many mRNAs are in a cell? How genetically similar are two random people? What is faster, transcription or translation? Cell Biology by the Numbers explores these questions-and dozens of others-providing a richly illustrated and handy reference for students and researchers in molecular and cell biology, chemistry, and biophysics. The book features question-driven vignettes and "back of the envelope" calculations that investigate some of the key numbers in cell biology. Readers will learn about the sizes, concentrations, rates, energies, and other numbers that describe and drive the living world.

This book presents concise descriptions and analysis of the classical and modern models used in mathematical biophysics. The authors ask the question "what new information can be provided by the models that cannot be obtained directly from experimental data?" Actively developing fields such as regulatory mechanisms in cells and subcellular systems and electron transport and energy transport in membranes are addressed together with more classical topics such as metabolic processes, nerve conduction and heart activity, chemical kinetics, population dynamics, and photosynthesis. The main approach is to describe biological processes using different mathematical approaches necessary to reveal characteristic features and properties of simulated systems. With the emergence of powerful mathematics software packages such as MAPLE, Mathematica, Mathcad, and MatLab, these methodologies are now accessible to a wide audience. * Provides succinct but authoritative coverage of a broad array of biophysical topics and models * Written by authors at Moscow State University with its strong tradition in mathematics and biophysics * Scope, coverage, and length make the book highly suitable for use in a one-semester course at the senior undergraduate/graduate level

Research on the chemical senses has been growing at a remarkable rate over the last decade. This growth has greatly expanded our understanding of the electrical properties and ultrastructure of chemosensory organs, of the role of chemoreception in the control of behavior, of the organization of higher centers in the chemosensory pathways, and of the chemical constituents of mixtures of biologic significance. But one area where advances have been especially impressive is concerned with the properties of pheromones and substances with similar biologic effects. Pheromones are compounds, produced by certain animals, which have the effect of inducing one or more specific responses within members of the same or closely related species. Some of these substances-the "primer" pheromones-act on the endocrine system, probably through the central nervous system. The pregnancy block induced in mice by the odor of strange males is a striking example. Others, such as "signalling" or "releaser" pheromones, elicit an immediate behavioral response. Sex attractants are prominent examples of this group. While the chemical identity of these compounds is known, in a relatively few cases (and these, mainly in insects) we now have extensive information about their impact on the receiving organism at the receptor, physiologic and behavioral levels.

Recent improvements in the performance of light sources, i.e., reduction in pulse length and increases in wavelength range and power levels, have led toultrafast technology becoming a basic tool in a wide variety of scientific fields. This book presents the very latest developments in the rapidly rxpanding field of ultrashofrt lase pulses and their applications in physics, chemistry, biology, and artificial devices. It provides the most up-to-date record of current research and references in the field of ultrafast phenomena. Contents: Elementary Dynamics: Chemistry, Biology and Physics - Spectrospcopy and Advances in Measurements - Tools: Sources and Amplifiers - High Intensity and Nonlinear Effects - Semiconductors, Confinement and Opto-Electronics - Biology: Primary Dynamics, Electron and Energy Transfer - Chemistry: Electron and Energy Transfer, and Solvation Dynamics.

This volume deals with the significance of the apoblast and the intracellular matrix in cell to cell signaling in plants and animals. Researchers working on human, animal and plant systems discuss their own specific problems. The dynamics of the cell surface as related to both growth and development, as well as to the transduction of environmental signals and the feed-back from genetic information to the cell surface are comprehensively covered. Special emphasis is laid on experimental models, their applicability and discussion of possible directions for future research.

Discover the fundamental principles of biomedical measurement design and performance evaluation with this hands-on guide. Whether you develop measurement instruments or use them in novel ways, this practical text will prepare you to be an effective generator and consumer of biomedical data. Designed for both classroom instruction and self-study, it explains how information is encoded into recorded data and can be extracted and displayed in an accessible manner. Describes and integrates experimental design, performance assessment, classification, and system modelling. Combines mathematical concepts with computational models, providing the tools needed to answer advanced biomedical questions. Includes MATLAB (R) scripts throughout to help readers model all types of biomedical systems, and contains numerous homework problems, with a solutions manual available online. This is an essential text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in bioengineering, electrical and computer engineering, computer science, medical physics, and anyone preparing for a career in biomedical sciences and engineering.

Surveying the last sixty years of research, this book describes the physical properties of DNA in the context of its biological functioning. It is designed to enable both students and researchers of molecular biology, biochemistry and physics to better understand the biophysics of DNA, addressing key questions and facilitating further research. The chapters integrate theoretical and experimental approaches, emphasising throughout the importance of a quantitative knowledge of physical properties in building and analysing models of DNA functioning. For example, the book shows how the relationship between DNA mechanical properties and the sequence specificity of DNA-protein binding can be analyzed quantitatively by using our current knowledge of the physical and structural properties of DNA. Theoretical models and experimental methods in the field are critically considered to enable the reader to engage effectively with the current scientific literature on the physical properties of DNA.

This volume focuses on practical applications of the principles that can be transferred from nature to our design space. It is thereby supported by the regulation and control systems as described by the science of cybernetics.

This book reports on advanced theories and methods in three related fields of research: applied physics, system science and computers. The first part covers applied physics topics, such as lasers and accelerators; fluid dynamics, optics and spectroscopy, among others. It also addresses astrophysics, security, and medical and biological physics. The second part focuses on advances in computers, such as those in the area of social networks, games, internet of things, deep learning models and more. The third part is especially related to systems science, covering swarm intelligence, smart cities, complexity and more. Advances in and application of computer communication, artificial intelligence, data analysis, simulation and modeling are also addressed. The book offers a collection of contributions presented at the 3nd International Conference on Applied Physics, System Science and Computers (APSAC), held in Dubrovnik, Croatia on September 26-28, 2018. Besides presenting new methods, it is also intended to promote collaborations between different communities working on related topics at the interface between physics, computer science and engineering.

Modern cancer research is a high-tech undertaking, overlapping with many fields in the physical sciences. These include nanotechnology, engineering, immunology, and bioinformatics. This book focuses on the science and technology underlying the diagnosis and treatement of cancer. The authors offer insights into technologies including radiotherapy, modelling, and drug encapsulation.

This textbook is a pedagogic introduction to a number of phenomena employing fluid mechanics. Beginning with basic concepts and conservation laws for neutral and charged fluids, the authors apply and develop them to understand aerodynamics, locomotion of micro-organisms, waves in air and water, shock waves, hydrodynamic and hydromagnetic instabilities, stars and black holes, blood flow in humans, and superfluids. The approach is to consider various striking topics on fluid mechanics, without losing necessary mathematical rigor. The book balances the qualitative explanations with formal treatment, in a compact manner. A special focus is given to the important and difficult subject of turbulence and the book ends with a discussion on turbulence in quantum fluids. The textbook is dotted by a number of illustrative examples, mostly from real life, and exercises. The textbook is designed for a one semester course and addresses students at undergraduate and graduate level in physics or engineering, who want to research in the fields as diverse as aeronautics, meteorology, cosmology, biomechanics, and mathematical physics. It is requested knowledge of an undergraduate level course on mathematical methods to better understand the topics presented here.

This book gives an introduction to the highly interdisciplinary field of biomaterials. It concisely summarizes properties, synthesis and modification of materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers or composites. Characterization, in vitro and in vivo testing as well as a selection of various applications are also part of this inevitable guide.

This book provides a comprehensive survey of the pharmacokinetic models used for the quantitative interpretation of contrast-enhanced imaging. It discusses all the available imaging technologies and the problems related to the calibration of the imaging system and accuracy of the estimated physiological parameters. Enhancing imaging modalities using contrast agents has opened up new opportunities for going beyond morphological information and enabling minimally invasive assessment of tissue and organ functionality down to the molecular level. In combination with mathematical modeling of the contrast agent kinetics, contrast- enhanced imaging has the potential to provide clinically valuable additional information by estimating quantitative physiological parameters. The book presents the broad spectrum of diagnostic possibilities provided by quantitative contrast-enhanced imaging, with a particular focus on cardiology and oncology, as well as novel developments in the area of quantitative molecular imaging along with their potential clinical applications. Given the variety of available techniques, the choice of the appropriate imaging modality and the most suitable pharmacokinetic model is often challenging. As such, the book provides a valuable technical guide for researchers, clinical scientists, and experts in the field who wish to better understand and properly apply tracer-kinetic modeling for quantitative contrast-enhanced imaging.

This book offers an introduction to the physics of nonlinear phenomena through two complementary approaches: bifurcation theory and catastrophe theory. Readers will be gradually introduced to the language and formalisms of nonlinear sciences, which constitute the framework to describe complex systems. The difficulty with complex systems is that their evolution cannot be fully predicted because of the interdependence and interactions between their different components. Starting with simple examples and working toward an increasing level of universalization, the work explores diverse scenarios of bifurcations and elementary catastrophes which characterize the qualitative behavior of nonlinear systems. The study of temporal evolution is undertaken using the equations that characterize stationary or oscillatory solutions, while spatial analysis introduces the fascinating problem of morphogenesis. Accessible to undergraduate university students in any discipline concerned with nonlinear phenomena (physics, mathematics, chemistry, geology, economy, etc.), this work provides a wealth of information for teachers and researchers in these various fields. Chaouqi Misbah is a senior researcher at the CNRS (National Centre of Scientific Research in France). His work spans from pattern formation in nonlinear science to complex fluids and biophysics. In 2002 he received a major award from the French Academy of Science for his achievements and in 2003 Grenoble University honoured him with a gold medal. Leader of a group of around 40 scientists, he is a member of the editorial board of the French Academy of Science since 2013 and also holds numerous national and international responsibilities.

This is a monograph on the emerging branch of mathematical biophysics combining asymptotic analysis with numerical and stochastic methods to analyze partial differential equations arising in biological and physical sciences. In more detail, the book presents the analytic methods and tools for approximating solutions of mixed boundary value problems, with particular emphasis on the narrow escape problem. Informed throughout by real-world applications, the book includes topics such as the Fokker-Planck equation, boundary layer analysis, WKB approximation, applications of spectral theory, as well as recent results in narrow escape theory. Numerical and stochastic aspects, including mean first passage time and extreme statistics, are discussed in detail and relevant applications are presented in parallel with the theory. Including background on the classical asymptotic theory of differential equations, this book is written for scientists of various backgrounds interested in deriving solutions to real-world problems from first principles.

This book presents the proceedings of the "International Conference of the Polish Society of Biomechanics - BIOMECHANICS 2018" held in Zielona Gora, Poland from September 5 to 7, 2018, and discusses recent research on innovations in biomechanics. It includes a collection of selected papers in all key areas of biomechanics, including cellular, molecular, neuro and musculoskeletal biomechanics, as well as sport, clinical and rehabilitation biomechanics. These themes are extremely important in the development of engineering concepts and methods to provide new medical solutions, especially in the context of an ageing population. Presenting the latest technical advances and research methods used in clinical biomechanics, this book is of interest to scientists as well as junior researchers and students of interdisciplinary fields of engineering, medical, and sports sciences.

This proceedings volume explores a range of sports-related topics, including sports science, exercise, sports engineering and technology, in contributions prepared by respected experts and presented at the 3rd International Colloquium on Sports Science, Exercise, Engineering and Technology (ICoSSEET2016). The goal of the conference was to bring together researchers and practitioners from academia and industry to address current challenges in various sports-related areas, and to establish vital new collaborations. The topics covered can be primarily divided into (1) Sports Science and Exercise, (2) Sports Engineering and Technology Application, and (3) Sports Industry and Management.

The author illustrates why the rather weak hydrogen bond is so essential for our everyday life in a lively and entertaining way. The chemical and physical fundamentals are explained with examples ranging from the nature of water over the secret of DNA to adhesives and modern detergents. The interdisciplinary science is easy to understand and hence a great introduction for chemists, biologists and physicists.

This book presents the state of the art in nanoscale surface physics. It outlines contemporary trends in the field covering a wide range of topical areas: atomic structure of surfaces and interfaces, molecular films and polymer adsorption, biologically inspired nanophysics, surface design and pattern formation, and computer modeling of interfacial phenomena. Bridging "classical" and "nano" concepts, the present volume brings attention to the physical background of exotic condensed-matter properties. The book is devoted to Iwan Stranski and Rostislaw Kaischew, remarkable scientists, who played a crucial role in setting up the theoretical fundamentals of nucleation and crystal growth phenomena in the last century.