This thesis describes the development of biophysically detailed computer models of the human atria and torso to study the underlying mechanisms of cardiac diseases, some of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality. This is a cross-disciplinary project, involving fundamentals of cardiac electrophysiology, physics of excitable media, applied mathematics and high performance scientific computing and visualisation. The author uses computer models to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the genesis of atrial fibrillation and develops novel techniques for the monitoring of atrial tachycardia.

Yes, there really is a brain that destroys itself. And it's a brain just like the one in your head. But not every one of the brains like yours will ultimately destroy itself. However, if the destroying begins, then the signs of this are described in what neurologists take to be the symptoms of "neurodegenerative diseases. Those most often encountered are Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, but there are many others-surprisingly many, as explained here. This is the first ever evolutionary explanation of these diseases, which sheds new light on their origin, basic nature, previously un-imagined enormous range, and why they so often have fatal consequences. Because of the disabling nature of many of these diseases, they often require the selfless devotion of a caregiver-the caregiver to whom the book is dedicated. The book is directed at the non-specialist, but will also be useful to the specialist.

Philosophical understandings of Nature and Human Nature. Classical Greek and modern West, Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, by 14 authors, including Robert Neville, Stanley Rosen, David Eckel, Livia Kohn, Tienyu Cao, Abner Shimoney, Alfred Tauber, Krzysztof Michalski, Lawrence Cahoone, Stephen Scully, Alan Olson and Alfred Ferrarin. Dedicated to the phenomenological ecology of Erazim Koh k, with 10 of his essays and a full bibliography. Overall theme: on the question of the moral sense of nature.

A cutting-edge survey of formal methods directed specifically at dealing with the deep mathematical problems engendered by the study of developing systems, in particular dealing with developing phase spaces, changing components, structures and functionalities, and the problem of emergence. Several papers deal with the modelling of particular experimental situations in population biology, economics and plant and muscle developments in addition to purely theoretical approaches. Novel approaches include differential inclusions and viability theory, growth tensors, archetypal dynamics, ensembles with variable structures, and complex system models. The papers represent the work of theoreticians and experimental biologists, psychologists and economists. The areas covered embrace complex systems, the development of artificial life, mathematics, computer science, biology and psychology.

Holism and reductionism are traditionally seen as incompatible views or approaches to nature. Here Looijen argues that they should rather be seen as mutually dependent and hence co-operating research programmes. He sheds some interesting new light on the emergence thesis, its relation to the reduction thesis, and on the role and status of functional explanations in biology. He discusses several examples of reduction in both biology and ecology, showing the mutual dependence of holistic and reductionist research programmes. Ecologists are offered separate chapters, clarifying some major, yet highly and controversial ecological concepts, such as `community', `habitat', and `niche'. The book is the first in-depth study of the philosophy of ecology. Readership: Specialists in the philosophy of science, especially the philosophy of biology, biologists and ecologists interested in the philosophy of their discipline. Also of interest to other scientists concerned with the holism-reductionism issue.

This book provides unique step-by-step guidance to producing a high quality, effective poster for display at a scientific meeting. It aims to give young or inexperienced scientists the extra confidence and encouragement to start contributing poster presentations to scientific meetings, and enthuse experienced poster presenters to continue to improve upon their presentations, and benefit more from the overall experience. Chapters 1-4 are concerned with the purpose of posters: the pros and cons of poster presentations and how to take advantage of the opportunities they present. Chapters 5-9 cover aspects of what to include: how best to present text and data, and the use of colour in the overall format and design of the poster. Chapters 10-11 deal with actual construction: how to produce posters in a variety of styles and formats, as well as general advice on paper characteristics, drawing aids, adhesives, and cutting equipment. Chapters 12-13 are a guide to transporting the poster to the meeting, and presenting it at the poster session, and should take some of the mystique out of creating the right' image to the people that matter. Chapter 14 gives guidance on hosting poster sessions and avoiding the various pitfalls. Chapter 15 provides an opportunity to critically review some examples of posters presented at international scientific meetings. This book provides concise, practical guidance on all aspects of production and presentation of scientific posters. It alerts the poster presenter to the various pitfalls and how best to avoid them, and to the many opportunities that may be capitalised upon.

This book presents methodological and application research in detecting cellular and molecular biophysical properties based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanorobotics. Series methods for in situ label-free visualizing and quantifying the multiple physical properties of single cells and single molecules were developed, including immobilization strategies for observing fine structures of living cells, measurements of single-cell mechanics, force recognition of molecular interactions, and mapping protein organizations on cell surface. The biomedical applications of these methods in clinical lymphoma treatments were explored in detail, including primary sample preparation, cancer cell recognition, AFM detection and data analysis. Future directions about the biomedical applications of AFM are also given.

This text is devoted to the rapidly evolving microsystem technology that promises to unravel a wide range of academic and industrial analytical problems, such as trace proofing and single molecule detection, substance selection, miniturized sequencing of biopolymers, handling of single molecules or cells in micro devices and the optimization of molecular functions. All these applications will have a bearing on the future work in the diagnosis of disease, high-throughput screening approaches and combinatorial chemistry. These should be of importance in all life science fields where high efficiency, budgetary restrictions, high sensitivity, the presence of small amounts of highly toxic waste products and storage space constraints are relevant parameters. Taken as a whole this text seeks to reveal how microsystems technology is how changing the face of biology, forensics, gene therapy, molecular medicine, screening, and more.

Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage of progress in the major areas of chemical research. Written by experts in their specialist fields the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, supplying regular critical in-depth accounts of progress in particular areas of chemistry. For over 80 years the Royal Society of Chemistry and its predecessor, the Chemical Society, have been publishing reports charting developments in chemistry, which originally took the form of Annual Reports. However, by 1967 the whole spectrum of chemistry could no longer be contained within one volume and the series Specialist Periodical Reports was born. The Annual Reports themselves still existed but were divided into two, and subsequently three, volumes covering Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. For more general coverage of the highlights in chemistry they remain a 'must'. Since that time the SPR series has altered according to the fluctuating degree of activity in various fields of chemistry. Some titles have remained unchanged, while others have altered their emphasis along with their titles; some have been combined under a new name whereas others have had to be discontinued. The current list of Specialist Periodical Reports can be seen on the inside flap of this volume.

With over 22,000 entries, Henderson's Dictionary of Biology is the most comprehensive on the market. It continues to be an essential reference for students, teachers and researchers within any of the biological sciences.

Wearable Sensing and Intelligent Data Analysis for Respiratory Management highlights the use of wearable sensing and intelligent data analysis algorithms for respiratory function management, offering several potential and substantial clinical benefits. The book allows for the early detection of respiratory exacerbations in patients with chronic respiratory diseases, allowing earlier and, therefore, more effective treatment. As such, the problem of continuous, non-invasive, remote and real-time monitoring of such patients needs increasing attention from the scientific community as these systems have the potential for substantial clinical benefits, promoting P4 medicine (personalized, participative, predictive and preventive). Wearable and portable systems with sensing technology and automated analysis of respiratory sounds and pulmonary images are some of the problems that are the subject of current research efforts, hence this book is an ideal resource on the topics discussed.