Conversion of biomass into chemicals and biofuels is an active research and development area as trends move to replace traditional fossil fuels with renewable resources. By integrating processing methods with microwave and ultrasound irradiation into biorefineries, the time-scale of many operations can be greatly reduced while the efficiency of the reactions can be remarkably increased so that process intensification can be achieved. "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Microwave" and "Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Ultrasound" are two independent volumes in the Biofuels and Biorefineries series that take different, but complementary approaches for the pretreatment and chemical transformation of biomass into chemicals and biofuels. The volume "Microwave" provides current research advances and prospects in theoretical and practical aspects of microwave irradiation including properties, effects and temperature monitoring, design of chemical reactors, synergistic effects on combining microwave, ultrasound, hydrodynamic cavitation and high-shear mixing into processes, chemical and catalytic conversion of lignin into chemicals, pyrolysis and gasification, syngas production from wastes, platform chemicals, algal biodiesel, cellulose-based nanocomposites, lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment, green chemistry metrics and energy consumption and techno-economic analysis for a catalytic pyrolysis facility that processes pellets into aromatics. Each of the 12 chapters has been peer-reviewed and edited to improve both the quality of the text and the scope and coverage of the topics. Both volumes "Microwave" and "Ultrasound" are references designed for students, researchers, academicians and industrialists in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering and include introductory chapters to highlight present concepts of the fundamental technologies and their application. Dr. Zhen Fang is Professor in Bioenergy, Leader and founder of biomass group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and is also adjunct Professor of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Richard L Smith, Jr. is Professor of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Japan. Dr. Xinhua Qi is Professor of Environmental Science, Nankai University, China.

This edited book is a comprehensive compilation of principles, conventional and molecular approaches used to develop improved varieties and hybrids of major crops in light of their origin, evolution, taxonomy, production and productivity and need by human civilization. The book covers breeding prospects of all important food and commercial crops. It highlights the importance of breeding tools and techniques in ensuring food security. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, agriculture scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists and policymakers will find this book useful.

Anaerobic digestion is a major field for the treatment of waste and wastewater. Lately the focus has been on the quality of the effluent setting new demands for pathogen removal and for successful removal of unwanted chemicals during the anaerobic process. The two volumes on Biomethanation are devoted to presenting the state of art within the science and application of anaerobic digestion. They describe the basic microbiolgical knowledge of importance for understanding the processes of anaerobic bioreactors along with the newest molecular techniques for examining these systems. In addition, the applications for treatment of waste and wastewaters are presented along with the latest knowledge on process control and regulation of anaerobic bioprocesses. Together these two volumes give an overview of a growing area, which previously has never been presented in such a comprehensive way.

This book details the frontier technologies in the area of bovine reproduction. It describes the importance and significance of different technologies for improving reproduction efficiency in bovines. The book delineates the advancements in the technologies that are currently in use for faster multiplication of elite germ plasm including multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, ovum-pick-up, in vitro fertilization and embryo production, and semen sexing. Other emerging technologies, having potential for improving reproductive efficiency in bovines, including stem cells are also discussed with special reference to spermatogonial stem cells. Simple but effective tools having a great scope for day-to-day application in bovine farms for effective reproductive management like ultrasonography and thermal imaging are also covered in this book. The chapters on sperm transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics provide current developments in these areas and use of integrated approach for identification of fertility biomarkers. The chapters also describe technological advancements for early pregnancy diagnosis and offspring sex pre-selection in bovines. Additionally, this book discusses different sperm selection procedures including application of nanotechnology to obtain superior spermatozoa for assisted reproduction. Futuristic technologies including genomic selection and transgenesis are also discussed in detail. Finally, the book also elucidates a comprehensive description of challenges perceived with bovine reproduction and how effectively these technologies can help in improving fertility in bovines.

This book provides fundamentals, highlights recent developments and offers new perspectives relating to the use of electrolyzed water (EW) as an emerging user- and environmental-friendly broad-spectrum sanitizer, with particular focus on the food industry. It addresses the generation, inactivation, pesticide degradation and safety of food by EW, illustrates the mechanism of the germicidal action of EW and its antimicrobial efficacy against a variety of microorganisms in suspensions. In addition, the sanitizing effects of combining EW with various chemical and physical sanitizing technologies have been evaluated, and recent developments and applications of EW in various areas including fruits and vegetables, meat, aquatic products, environment sterilization, livestock and agriculture has been described. The book can be a go-to reference book of EW for: (1) Researchers who need to understand the role of various parameters in its generation, the bactericidal mechanism of EW and its wide applications for further research and development; (2) Equipment producers who need comprehensive understanding of various factors (e.g. type of electrolyte, flow rates of water and electrolyte) which govern the efficacy of EW and developing its generators; (3) Food processors who need good understanding of EW in order to implement it in the operations and supervisors who need to balance the advantages and limitations of EW and ensuring its safe use.

This third edition provides new and updated chapters detailing preparation of liposomes, physicochemical characterization of liposomes, lipid analysis, drug encapsulation, surface modification, stimuli response as well as cellular interaction, and biodistribution. Also included is an updated chapter on the history and evolution of the field of liposomology. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Liposomes: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition aims to serve as a reference for graduate students, post-doctoral researchers as well as established investigators utilizing lipid-based systems.

Omics in Horticulture Crops presents a comprehensive view of germplasm diversity, genetic evolution, genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics of fruit crops (temperate, tropical and subtropical fruits, fruit nuts, berries), vegetables, tuberous crops, ornamental and floricultural crops and medicinal aromatic plants. Information covering phenomics, genetic diversity, phylogenetic studies, genome sequencing, and genome barcoding through the utilization of molecular markers plays an imperative role in the characterization and effective utilization of diverse germplasm are included in the book. This is a valuable reference for researchers and academics seeking to improve cultivar productivity through enhanced genetic diversity while also retaining optimal traits and protecting the growing environment.

This volume addresses the particular problems associated with several classes of biotechnology products, and at the same time demonstrates that the principles are the same as in the development of small new chemical entities. The first chapter addresses FDA regulatory expectations for biotech products. The next several chapters discuss general issues common to each class of biotech drug such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. The balance of the chapters deal with specific biotech drugs that have successfully made it into clinical trials. The reviews are written by renowned experts in their fields.

This updated and expanded second edition reviews numerous aspects of the marine microbiome and its possible industrial applications. The marine microbiome is the total of microorganisms and viruses in the ocean and seas and in any connected environment, including the seafloor and marine animals and plants. In the first part of the book, diversity, origin and evolution of the marine microorganisms and viruses are discussed. The microbes presented originate from all three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. The second part sheds some light on the different communities: it describes marine habitats and how their inhabitants control biogeochemical cycles. The third part finally examines the microbial ocean as a global system and evaluates methods of utilizing marine microbial resources. Adopting a translational approach, the book connects academic research with industrial applications, making it a fascinating read and valuable resource for microbiologists from both domains.

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.

"COVID-19 and Omics Technologies" is a comprehensive, integrative assessment of recent information and knowledge collected on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 during the pandemic based on omics technologies. It demonstrates how omics technologies could better investigate the infectious disease and propose solutions to the current concerns. The value of multi-omics technologies in understanding disease etiology and host response, discovering infection biomarkers and illness prediction, identifying vaccine candidates, discovering therapeutic targets, and tracing pathogen evolution is discussed in this book. These factors combine to make it a valuable resource to enhance understanding of both "Omics technology" and "COVID-19" as a disease. The book covers the most recent understanding of COVID-19 and the applications of cutting-edge studies, making it accessible to a large multidisciplinary readership. The book explains how high-throughput technologies and systems biology might assist to solve the pandemic's challenges and deconstruct and appreciate the substantial contributions that omics technologies have made in predicting the path of this unforeseeable pandemic. Features: In-depth summary of clinical presentation, epidemiological impact, and long-term sequelae of COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic overview of omics-based approaches to the study of COVID-19 biology. Recent research results and some pointers to future advancements in methodologies used. Detailed examples from recent studies on COVID-19 encompassing different omics methodologies. A detailed description of methodologies and notes on the applications of state-of-the-art technologies. This book is intended for scientists who need to understand the biology of COVID-19 from the perspective of omics investigations, as well as researchers who want to employ omics-based technologies in disease biology.

This book highlights the best practices regarding nanoscience and nanotechnology for agriculture and environmental sectors to shape sustainable development thought to improve the quality and quantity of the agriculture products and to decrease the collateral effect of nanotechnology in the ecosystems. Besides, leading nanotechnologies are showed and discussed to guarantee their proper management in lands and ecosystems. Therefore, nanotechnologies such as agronanobiotechnology, nanofertilization, pest control, magnetofection for plant breeding, plant molecular farming, OMICs technologies, phytonanotechnology, nanoremediation, etc. are described in five sections and 21 chapters. Undoubtedly it is an ideal and updated book for undergraduate or postgraduate students, and scientists or researchers involved in nanoscience, nanotechnology, crop production, and remediation technologies as well as for those researchers that solving technical problems regarding the crop management and the human and environmental health without hampering the pursuit of sustainable development goals.

This book discusses the various aspects of sustainable packaging edibles in food industry. It is divided into five main parts. The first section of the book addresses details of edible films, various sources, origin, scope and functions. Second section covers different sustainable alternatives such as seed gums, fruits and vegetable peels, sea weeds, fruits wastes, dairy by products & anti-oxidant edible packaging. This book also discusses about methods of improvements of mechanical properties of packaging edibles & their food applications, testing methods, innovations, limitations, challenges and nano edibles. It provides insights about the large quantity of wastes and by-products generated by food processing industries. Disposal of these wastes is a big problem due to their high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) & chemical oxygen demand (COD) which causes severe problem of pollution to the environment. These wastes contain large amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, various bioactive compounds and have eco-friendly packaging potential. The book emphasizes on the fact that recycling these wastes as packaging edibles are sustainable and economical. As a world foreseeing food technology revolution, this book explores the unique topics in food packaging which possesses mammoth commercial applications and environmental potential. Due to its immense scope, this book is highly useful for researchers, food scientists, students and food packaging industry experts.

With Biomechanics: Motion, Flow, Stress, and Growth, the premier bioengineering scientist Y.C. Fung concludes a discussion first introduced in his seminal work, Biomechanics: Mechanical Properties of Living Tissues, and further articulated in Biomechanics: Circulation. This third volume not only stands alone as a comprehensive survey of the broad field of biomechanics, but also complements the explorations of the first two volumes, maintaining its emphasis on methods of classical engineering as applied to biological and physiological phenomena. While consistently recognizing the importance of historical precedence and perspective, Fung presents the most contemporary literature and the latest thinking in biomechanics in thei increasingly complex interdisciplinary subject. Considered here are 1.) the mechanics of body movement; 2.) the flow external to an animal in motion, and the internal flow of blood, gas, water, and other body fluids; 3.) the stress and strain, and the strength, trauma, and tolerance limits of tissues and organs; and 4.) the growth and change in living organisms in response to biomechanical principles. A generous number of problems to be solved and a carefully selected list of references are especially useful and should help to stimulate thought and discussion among advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and others with an interest in bioengineering and medicine.

This volume provides a practical guide providing step-by-step protocol to explore vaccines for farm and companion animals, as well as for fish and insects. Divided into three volumes, Volume 2: Vaccines for Veterinary Diseases guides readers through veterinary vaccines, vaccines for poultry, vaccines for farm animals, and vaccines for veterinary parasites. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and practical, Vaccine Design: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition, Volume 2: Vaccines for Veterinary Diseases aims to be a useful practical guide to researchers to help further their study in this field.

This book provides a collection of microphysiological systems employed for chemical/drug screening and strategies to mimic various physiological conditions. Chapters guide readers through Organ-on-a-Chip( OoC) platforms such as liver, intestine, blood-brain barrier, kidney, vessels, cardiac and skeletal muscles, articular joint, human fat. Additional chapters detail microfabrication technologies used to fabricate OoC devices such as, standard photo- and soft-lithography, techniques to fabricate membranes, and industrial-oriented fabrication methods.Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Organ-On-a Chip: Methods and Protocols aims to be a useful practical guide to researches to help further their study in this field.

Immunoassay procedures (isotopic and non-isotopic) have become one of the single most important techniques in present-day diagnostic medicine. This book is designed as an introductory test for the staff of clinical research laboratories who conduct or intend to conduct such techniques, and will be of great value to the clinicians who make use of such services. The volume takes a three-pronged approach in it's in-depth presentation: explanation of the basic principles and applications of radioimmunoassays and non-isotopic immunoassays; practical illustrations of the various steps involved in immunoassays; discussion of the problems and pitfalls in immunoassays and how to avoid them. This fifth revised edition is a worthy successor to it's predecessors in this famous "Laboratory Techniques" series.

In recent decades there has been an explosion in work in the social and physical sciences describing the similarities between human and nonhuman as well as human and non-animal thinking. This work has explicitly decentered the brain as the sole, self-contained space of thought, and it has found thinking to be an activity that operates not only across bodies but also across bodily or cellular membranes, as well as multifaceted organic and inorganic environments. For example, researchers have looked at the replication and spread of slime molds (playfully asking what would happen if they colonized the earth) to suggest that they exhibit 'smart behavior' in the way they move as a potential way of considering the spread of disease across the globe. Other scholars have applied this model of non-human thought to the reach of data mining and global surveillance. In The Biopolitics of Alphabets and Embryos, Ruth Miller argues that these types of phenomena are also useful models for thinking about the growth, reproduction, and spread of political thought and democratic processes. Giving slime, data and unbounded entities their political dues, Miller stresses their thinking power and political significance and thus challenges the anthropocentrism of mainstream democratic theories. Miller emphasizes the non-human as highly organized, systemic and productive of democratic growth and replication. She examines developments such as global surveillance, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning, which have been characterized as threats to the privacy, dignity, and integrity of the rational, maximizing and freedom-loving democratic citizen. By shifting her level of analysis from the politics of self-determining subjects to the realm of material environments and information systems, Miller asks what might happen if these alternative, nonhuman thought processes become the normative thought processes of democratic engagement.

This book is the ultimate assembly of recent research activities on molecular architectonics and nanoarchitectonics by authors who are worldwide experts. The book proposes new ways of creating functional materials at the nano level using the concepts of molecular architectonics and nanoarchitectonics, which are expected to be the next-generation approaches beyond conventional nanotechnology. All the contents are categorized by types of materials, organic materials, biomaterials, and nanomaterials. For that reason, non-specialists including graduate and undergraduate students can start reading the book from any points they would like. Cutting-edge trends in nanotechnology and material sciences are easily visible in the contents of the book, which is highly useful for both students and experimental materials scientists.

Presents an interdisciplinary approach, integrating biochemistry, biology, genetics, and engineering for the effective production of protein pharmaceuticals. This title offers a biological perspective of large-scale animal cell culture. It examines diverse processing strategies and process management.

The development of new CNS drugs is notoriously difficult. Drugs must reach CNS target sites for action and these sites are protected by a number of barriers, the most important being the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Many factors are therefore critical to consider for CNS drug delivery, e.g. active/passive transport across the BBB, intra-brain distribution, and central/systemic pharmacokinetics, to name a few. Neurological disease and trauma conditions add further complexity because CNS barriers, drug distribution and pharmacokinetics are dynamic and often changed by disease/trauma. Knowledge of all these factors and their interplay in different conditions is of utmost importance for proper CNS drug development and disease treatment. In recent years much information has become available for a better understanding of the many factors important for CNS drug delivery and how they interact to affect drug action. This book describes small and large drug delivery to the brain with an emphasis on the physiology of the BBB and the principles and concepts for drug delivery across the BBB and distribution within the brain. It contains methods descriptions for studying drug delivery, routes and approaches of administering drugs into the brain, the influence of disease, drug industry perspectives, and a primer on neuroanatomy and physiological considerations written specifically for drug delivery scientists. Therewith, it contributes to an in-depth understanding of the interplay between brain (patho)-physiology and drug characteristics. Furthermore, the content is designed to be both cutting-edge and educational, so that the book can be used in high-level training of academic and industry scientists with full references to original publications.

Advances in Plant Tissue Culture: Current Developments and Future Trends provides a complete and up-to-date text on all basic and applied aspects of plant tissue cultures and their latest application implications. It will be beneficial for students and early-career researchers of plant sciences and plant/agricultural biotechnology. Plant tissue culture has emerged as a sustainable way to meet the requirements of fresh produces, horticultural crops, medicinal or ornamental plants. Nowadays, plant tissue culture is an emerging filed applied in various aspects, including sustainable agriculture, plant breeding, horticulture and forestry. This book covers the latest technology, broadly applied for crop improvement, clonal propagation, Somatic hybridization Embryo rescue, Germplasm conservation, genetic conservation, or for the preservation of endangered species. However, these technologies also play a vital role in breaking seed dormancy over conventional methods of conservation.

Recent technological advances have led to a rapid acceleration in our ability to gather genetic data. The complete genetic sequences are now known to several organisms and accelerated programmes are in place for sequencing many other genomes, including human. The speed with which complete sequencing can be accomplished will continue to increase as new technologies come online. In principle, the scope for developing new diagnostic techniques and drugs is now greater than at any time in human history, but the pathway from genetic information to usable drug is a long and complex one.

This exciting book brings together a high-calibre group of experts to discuss the practical application of genomic information to the development of drugs. The subjects covered include the current state of the art in sequencing technology, the applications of these new technologies to sequencing the genomes of various organisms, and the challenge of proteomics. Additional contributions deal with legal and ethical implications of the new uses of genetic data, and functional genomes from the point of view of the pharmaceutical industry.