Insects are the most ecologically important multicellular heterotrophs in terrestrial systems. They play critical roles in ecological food webs, remain devastating agricultural and medical pests, and represent the most diverse group of eukaryotes in terms of species numbers. Their dominant role among terrestrial heterotrophs arises from a number of key physiological traits, and in particular by the developmental and evolutionary plasticity of these traits. Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Insects presents a current and comprehensive overview of how the key physiological traits of insects respond to environmental variation. It forges conceptual links from molecular biology through organismal function to population and community ecology. As with other books in the Series, the emphasis is on the unique physiological characteristics of the insects, but with applications to questions of broad relevance in physiological ecology. As an aid to new researchers on insects, it also includes introductory chapters on the basics and techniques of insect physiology ecology.

Amphibians are the extant descendants of the first vertebrate class to successfully colonize terrestrial environments; hence they occupy a unique position between fish and reptiles. Amphibian skin provides essentially no resistance to evaporative water loss, and consequently daily water turnover rates are an order of magnitude greater than in other terrestrial vertebrate groups. This has led to a suite of physiological, morphological and behavioural adaptations that have allowed a successful terrestrial existence in spite of this apparently spendthrift water retention strategy.
Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Amphibians provides a synthesis of current research on the comparative physiology of amphibians with a particular emphasis on water balance. It adopts a strong environmental perspective and includes a wealth of information on ecology, phylogeny and development. As with other books in the Ecological and Environmental Physiology Series, the emphasis in this book is on the unique physiological characteristics of the amphibians, although the latest experimental techniques and future research directions are also considered. This accessible text is suitable for both graduate students and researchers in the fields of amphibian comparative physiology and physiological ecology, including specialist courses in amphibian ecology. It will also be of value and use to the many professional herpetologists requiring a concise overview of the topic.

Desert Regions are Familiar faces in many of History of the world. The Earliest civilizations and two of the world's major Religions were born here. This publication "Environment, People and Development: Experiences from Desert Ecosystems" Highlights some of the Basic and technologically refined information from many parts of the Desert Ecosystems of the world.

A central concern that has remained relevant in recent years has been the management of waste and pollution. Improper disposal methods such as open-air burning and unsafe recycling have led to significant public and environmental health issues including respiratory disorders, resource depletion, and infant mortality. Adopting new waste management techniques is a necessity in order to preserve the health of the global community and ecosystem. Waste Management Techniques for Improved Environmental and Public Health provides innovative insights into the advancing methods and technologies of reducing pollution and promoting sustainable development. The content within this publication examines ecological technologies, risk assessment, and green operation. It is designed for ecologists, biologists, researchers, enterprises, academicians, policymakers, scientists, environmental engineers, and students seeking current research on developing theories and techniques within waste moderation and environmental protection.

Risk Factors for Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke address the relationship of a wide variety of vascular risk factors in the spectrum of cerebrovascular diseases. An international group of professionals the forefront of research and education, provide their expertise about environmental and genetic determinants for cerebrovascular disease and stroke. The authors aim to provide information on developments of genetic, environmental and lifestyle-related risk factors of various subtypes of stroke, and MRI-markers of cerebrovascular disease. One in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women after the age of 40, will develop a stroke in their lifetime. The burden of cerebrovascular disease extends far beyond that of acute clinical events such as stroke, with "covert " vascular injury on brain MRI being highly prevalent in older community-dwelling persons. Therefore, improving our understanding of the risk factors for stroke and cerebrovascular disease is of paramount importance for improving prevention strategies. Secular trends in stroke epidemiology, risk factors, and intermediate markers (including carotid ultrasound, brain MRI and circulating biomarkers) are presented. Cutting edge information on genetic, environmental and lifestyle-related risk factors of various subtypes of stroke and MRI-markers of cerebrovascular diseases are displayed. This important book is an essential reference to physicians interested in more effective primary prevention of stroke.

This volume takes a multidisciplinary approach to study and evaluate the global human vulnerability to the exposure of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the natural environment. It provides a comprehensive resource on structurally diverse groups of chemical compounds that have adverse effects on the aquatic environment. It explores the global strength, environmental status, chemical risk assessment and management strategies of CECs with relevant modern techniques. The principle focus is on concurrent emerging water quality issues. It defines the impacts of the environmental exposure of trace concentrations of CECs and/or their metabolites and discusses possible technological advances to combat the emerging pollutants. It will be useful to researchers, multi-stakeholder expert groups, policymakers, and graduate students.

Scientific output in low- and middle-income countries is greatly challenged by numerous factors. This is particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan African countries, despite the continent being the world's second largest and second most-populous continent, currently undergoing rapid economic growth. Financial constraints and unclear areas of focus when funding is available, are among the limiting factors, with the consequence being the development of inadequate policies, especially those relating to environmental protection and conservation. This 13-chapter book is a unique piece in the field of microbiology, designed to stimulate some research areas in Africa by illustrating interesting and informative examples of the current applied research agenda in environmental microbiology in selected countries within the continent. With authors from the North, South, East and West of Africa, the book touches diverse applied methods and approaches to meet the pragmatic needs faced by environmental microbiologists in Africa. Also included are topics on viruses, bacteria (including cyanobacteria), and protozoa, and their importance in disease. Sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, and eco-friendly oil and hydrocarbon bioremediation and degradation approaches are highlighted. Microbial involvement in different common indoor (e.g., household kitchens, latrines, and hospitals) and outdoor settings including air, soil, and water habitats, and their resistance to commonly used antibiotics, are described. Hopefully, the work presented here will stimulate the need for increasing modern training and funding initiatives to prepare African microbiologists to meet the challenges they face in African universities and research laboratories.

With our highly connected and interdependent world, the growing threat of infectious diseases and public health crisis has shed light on the requirement for global efforts to manage and combat highly pathogenic infectious diseases and other public health crisis on an unprecedented level. Such disease threats transcend borders. Reducing global threats posed by infectious disease outbreaks - whether naturally caused or resulting from a deliberate or accidental release - requires efforts that cross the disaster management pillars: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. This book addresses the issues of global health security along 4 themes: Emerging Threats; Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery; Exploring the Technology Landscape for Solutions; Leadership and Partnership. The authors of this volume highlight many of the challenges that confront our global security environment today. These range from politically induced disasters, to food insecurity, to zoonosis and terrorism. More optimistically, the authors also present some advances in technology that can help us combat these threats. Understanding the challenges that confront us and the tools we have to overcome them will allow us to face our future with confidence.

From the national bestselling author of The Food Explorer comes the untold story of Alice Hamilton, a trailblazing doctor and public health activist who took on the booming auto industry—and the deadly invention of leaded gasoline, which would poison millions of people across America.

At noon on October 27, 1924, a factory worker was admitted to a hospital in New York City, suffering from hallucinations and convulsions. Before breakfast the next day, he was dead. Alice Hamilton was determined to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

By the time of the accident, Hamilton had pioneered the field of industrial medicine in the United States. She specialized in workplace safety years before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created. She was the first female professor at Harvard. She spent decades inspecting factories and mines. But this time, she was up against a formidable new foe: America’s relentless push for progress, regardless of the cost.

The 1920s were an exciting decade. Industry was booming. Labor was flourishing. Automobiles were changing roads, cities, and nearly all parts of American life. And one day, an ambitious scientist named Thomas Midgley Jr. triumphantly found just the right chemical to ensure that this boom would continue. His discovery—tetraethyl leaded gasoline—set him up for great wealth and the sort of fame that would land his name in history books.

Soon, Hamilton would be on a collision course with Midgley, fighting full force against his invention, which poisoned the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the basic structure of our brains.

American Poison is the gripping story of Hamilton’s unsung battle for a healthy planet—and the ramifications that continue to echo today.

This timely publication concentrates on the exposure to pesticides by agricultural workers and residential users of pesticides through inhalation and physical contact.

The book discusses more recently discovered risks such as pesticides on indoor carpets and includes new trends in data interpretation.

"Occupational & Residential Exposure Assessment for Pesticides" complements the other title on pesticide exposure in the series - "Pesticide Residues in Drinking Water," by Hamilton/Crossley and is a must for all professionals in the Pesticide Industry as well as academics.

This book presents a picture of the advances in the research of theoretical and practical frameworks of wastewater problems and solutions. The book deals with a basic concept and principles of modern biological, chemical and technical approaches to remediate various hazardous pollutants from wastewater. The latest empirical research findings in wastewater treatment are comprehensively discussed. Examples of low-cost technologies are also included.The book is written for professionals, researchers, academics and students wanting to improve their understanding of the strategic role of environmental protection and advanced applied technologies.

This book comprises two parts. The first part deals with some aspects of wastewater treatment, encompassing various types of technologies for treating wastewater and evaluation. The technologies, biochemical as well as chemical, including evaluation of technologies are also discussed. Part 2 is on solid waste management. It includes both municipal and industrial waste management. The book is of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field of water resources, hydrology, environmental resources, agricultural engineering, watershed management, earth sciences, as well as those engaged in natural resources planning and management. Graduate students and those wishing to conduct further research in water and environment and their development and management find the book to be of value.

This book intends to provide information about detection and health effects due to bacteria, fungi and viruses in indoor environments. The book will cover also information about preventive and protective measures to avoid health-hazardous. Case studies will be also addressed to enrich the book with the expertise of each invited author. The book also intends to fill a gap regarding information about all biologic agents, since most of the books available are dedicated to only one type of microorganisms. For various different biologic agents and metabolites this book will compile information about indoors presence, detection methods, exposure assessment and health effects. Several problems regarding the exposure of biologic agents will be presented through case studies, and also the implementation of preventive and protective measures to avoid/minimize exposure. Besides, all the book will focus on occupational health and/or public health point of view.

Environmental health is an area with significant developments and noteworthy challenges that expand into various disciplines: medicine and public health, sociology and communications, technology, policymaking, and legislation. Due to the massive amount of health-related issues, additional literature involving environmental health is required to improve the wellbeing of citizens worldwide. Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges provides interdisciplinary insights into concepts and theories related to environmental exposures and human health impacts via the air, water, soil, heavy metal exposure, and other chemical toxins. The book also addresses inequalities and environmental injustices in relation to environmental exposures and health impacts. Covering topics such as health policies, pollution effects, and heavy metal exposure, this publication is designed for public health professionals, preventive medicine specialists, clinicians, data scientists, environmentalists, academicians, practitioners, researchers, and students.