This book brings together aspects of statistics and machine learning to provide a comprehensive guide to evaluating, interpreting and understanding biometric data. It naturally leads to topics including data mining and prediction to be examined in detail. The book places an emphasis on the various performance measures available for biometric systems, what they mean, and when they should and should not be applied. The evaluation techniques are presented rigorously, however they are always accompanied by intuitive explanations. This is important for the increased acceptance of biometrics among non-technical decision makers, and ultimately the general public.

Over the past three decades, the philosophy of biology has emerged from the shadow of the philosophy of physics to become a respectable and thriving philosophical subdiscipline. The authors take a fresh look at the life sciences and the philosophy of biology from a strictly realist and emergentist-naturalist perspective. They outline a unified and science-oriented philosophical framework that enables the clarification of many foundational and philosophical issues in biology. This book will be of interest both to life scientists and philosophers.

Global Climate Change and Plant Stress Management Understand the impact of climate change on plant growth with this timely introduction Climate change has had unprecedented consequences for plant metabolism and plant growth. In botany, adverse effects of this kind are called plant stress conditions; in recent years, the plant stress conditions generated by climate change have been the subject of considerable study. Plants have exhibited increased photosynthesis, increased water requirements, and more. There is an urgent need to understand and address these changes as we adapt to drastic changes in the global climate. Global Climate Change and Plant Stress Management presents a comprehensive guide to the effects of global climate change on plants and plant metabolism. It introduces and describes each climate change-related condition and its components, offering a detailed analysis of the resulting stress conditions, the environmental factors which ameliorate or exacerbate them, and possible solutions. The result is a thorough, rigorous introduction to this critical subject for the future of our biome. Readers will also find: Analysis of global climate change impact on various agricultural practices Socio-economic consequences of climate change and plant stress conditions, and possible solutions Strategies for sustainable agriculture Global Climate Change and Plant Stress Management is essential for researchers, scientists, and industry professionals working in the life sciences, as well as for advanced graduate students.

Be prepared for exam day with Barron’s. Trusted content from AP experts! Barron’s AP Biology Flashcards includes 450+ up-to-date content review cards and practice questions.  Written by Experienced Educators  Learn from Barron’s--all content is written and reviewed by AP experts Build your understanding with review and practice tailored to the most recent exam  Be Confident on Exam Day Strengthen your knowledge with in-depth review covering all units on the AP Biology exam Sharpen your test-taking skills with content review questions Customize your review using the  enclosed sorting ring to arrange cards in an order that best suits your study needs Check out Barron’s AP Biology Premium for even more review, full-length practice tests, and access to Barron’s Online Learning Hub for a timed test option and automated scoring.

Explore the latest research in anthropological genetics and understand the genome's role in cultural and social development A Companion to Anthropological Genetics illustrates the role of genetic analysis in advancing the modern study of human origins, populations, evolution, and diversity. Broad in scope, this essential reference work establishes and explores the relationship between genetic research and the major questions of anthropological study. Through contributions by leading researchers, this collection explores molecular genetics and evolutionary mechanisms in the context of macro- and microevolution, paleontology, phylogeny, diet, and disease, with detailed explanations of quantitative methods, including coalescent and approximate Bayesian computation. With an emphasis on contextualizing new and developing genetic research within anthropological frameworks, this text offers critical perspective on the conditions of molecular evolution that accompany cultural and social transformation, while also addressing critical disciplinary questions, such as the ethical issues surrounding ancestry testing and community-based genetic research. Acts as an essential reference on the contributions of genetic science to the field of anthropology Features new work by leading researchers of the field Explores the evolution of immunity, including the genetics and epigenetics of pathogens, chronic illness, and disease resistance Provides in-depth examination of mutation and dietary adaptation, including AMY1, lactase persistence, and sensory polymorphisms Explains essential quantitative and phylogenetic methods for aligning genomic analysis with evolution and migration time scales Offering thorough coverage on leading questions and developing research, A Companion to Anthropological Genetics is a comprehensive resource for students and scholars.

Contents:
Part 1. Introduction. M.R. Leary, R.M. Kowalski, An Introduction to Social-clinical Psychology. M.R. Leary, J.E. Maddux, Progress Toward a Viable Interface between Social and Clinical-counseling Psychology. Part 2.
Social Psychological Processes in the Development and Maintenance of Emotional and Behavioral Problems. C.A. Anderson, R.S. Miller, A.L. Riger, J.C. Dill, C. Sedikides, Behavioral and Characterological Attributional Styles as Predictors of Depression and Loneliness: Review, Refinement and Test. C. Peterson, R.S. Vaidya, Explanatory Style, Expectations, and Depressive Symptoms. R.F. Baumeister, T.F. Heatherton, Self-regulation Failure: An Overview. C. Peterson, M.E.P. Seligman, K.H. Yurko, L.R. Martin, H.S. Friedman, Catastrophizing and Untimely Death. B.M. Braginsky, D.D. Braginsky, Schizophrenic Patients in the Psychiatric Interview: An Experimental Study of Their Effectiveness at Manipulation. S. Berglas, E.E. Jones, Drug Choice as a Self-handicapping Strategy in Response to Noncontingent Success. C.S. Crandall, Social Cognition of Binge Eating. M.R. Leary, L.S. Schreindorfer, A.L. Haupt, The Role of Self-esteem in Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Why is Low Self-esteem Dysfunctional? F.D. Fincham, T.N. Bradbury, Marital Satisfaction, Depression, and Attributions: A Longitudinal Analysis. J.E. Hokanson, M.P. Rubert, R.A. Welker, G.R. Hollander, C. Hedeen, Interpersonal Concomitants and Antecedents of Depression among College Students. S. Strack, J.C. Coyne, Social Confirmation of Dysphoria: Shared and Private Reactions to Depression. G. Downey, S.I. Feldman, Implications of Rejection Sensitivity for Intimate Relationships. Part 3. Social Psychological Processes in the Perception and Diagnosis of Psychological Problems. D.L. Rosenhan, On Being Sane in Insane Places. E.J. Langer, R.P. Abelson, A Patient by Any Other Name... Clinical Group Difference in Labeling Bias. J. Copeland, M. Snyder, When Counselors Confirm: A Functional Analysis. J.E. Maddux, The Mythology of Psychopathology: A Social Cognitive View of Deviance, Difference, and Disorder. P.W. Corrigan, D.L. Penn, Lessons from Social Psychology on Discrediting Psychiatric Stigma. Part 4. Social Psychological Processes in Clinical Treatment and Psychological Change. J. Frank, American Psychotherapy in Perspective (Excerpt from Persuasion and Healing). D.R. Forsyth, S.R. Strong, The Scientific Study of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Unificationist View. J.W. Pennebaker, J.K. Kiecolt-Glaser, R. Glaser, Disclosure of Traumas and Immune Function: Health Implications for Psychotherapy. D. Axsom, J. Cooper, Cognitive Dissonance and Psychotherapy: The Role of Effort Justification in Inducing Weight Loss. B.W. McNeill, C.D. Stoltenberg, Reconceptualizing Social Influence in Counseling: The Elaboration Likelihood Model. E.J. Langer, J. Rodin, The Effects of Choice and Enhanced Personal Responsibility for the Aged: A Field Experiment in an Institutional Setting. W.B. Swann, Jr, The Trouble with Change: Self-verification and Allegiance to the Self. Appendix. C.H. Jordan, M.P. Zanna, How to Read a Journal Article in Social Psychology.

Maximizing the potential of RNA interference in functional genomics - as well as in the development of therapeutics - continues to be at the forefront of biomedical research. Unlike journal articles, Gene Silencing by RNA Interference: Technology and Application combines essential background to the RNAi field with practical techniques designed by renowned researchers to provide the most diverse and in-depth examination of the subject yet. This book describes methods and protocols for gene silencing and RNA interference. Each chapter provides necessary background to the subject and then gives detailed methods in easy-to-follow steps, along with troubleshooting hints and tips. Following a general and historical introduction, chapters two through eight focus on technical details of the various methods of siRNA design, chemical and enzymatic production, plasmid- and virus-mediated intracellular expression, and other RNAi tools. Chapter nine discusses the exogenous delivery of siRNAs into cells, and the final chapters of the book detail the application of RNAi to dissect gene function in a number of biological systems, including cell-free systems, cultured cells, and whole organisms. From the design and production of RNAi tools to their applications, Gene Silencing by RNA Interference: Technology and Application is the first to present the entire spectrum of activity, design, production, and delivery of RNAi reagents, providing a welcome guide for both academic and commercial use.

Contents:
Part 1. Fundamental Aspects 1. Principles of Cryobiology Peter Mazur 2. The Water to Ice Transition. Implications for Living Cells Ken Muldrew, Jason Acker, Gloria Elliott, Locksley Mcgann Part 2. Life and Death at Low Temperatures 3. Life in the Polar Terrestrial Environment with a Focus on Algae and Cyanobacteria Josef Elster, Erica Benson 4. Microbial Life in Permafrost. Extended Times in Extreme Conditions Monica Ponder, Tatiana Vishnivetskaya, John Mcgrath and James Tiedje 5. Adaptation of Higher Plants to Freezing Roger Pearce 6. Oxidative Stress in the Frozen Plant. A Free Radical Point of View Erica Benson, David Bremner 7. Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Vertebrate Freeze Tolerance. The Wood Frog Kenneth B. Storey, Janet M. Storey Part 3. Freezing and Banking of Living Resources 8. Preservation of Fungi and Yeasts C. Shuhui Tan, Cor Van Ingen 9. Cryo-Conserving Algal and Plant Diversity. Historical Perspectives and Future Challenges Erica E. Benson 10. Plant Cryopreservation Akira Sakai 11. The Early History of Gamete Cryobiology Stanley P. Leibo 12. Cryobiology of Gametes and the Breeding of Domestic Animals Alban Massip, Stanley P. Leibo, Elizabeth Blesbois 13. Cryopreservation as a Supporting Measure in Species Conservation; "Not The Frozen Zoo!" Amanda R. Pickard, William V. Holt 14. Cryopreservation of Gametes and Embryos of Aquatic Species Tiantian Zhang 15. Fundamental Issues for Cell-Line Banks in Biotechnology and Regulatory Affairs Glyn Stacey Part 4. Medical Applications 16. Mechanisms of Injury Caused by In Vivo Freezing Nathan E Hoffman, John C. Bischof 17. Cryopreservation in Transfusion Medicine and Haematology Andreas Sputtek, Rebekka Sputtek 18. Cryopreservation of Human Gametes and Embryos Barry Fuller, Sharon Paynter, Paul Watson 19. The Scientific Basis for Tissue Banking Monica Wusteman Charles J. Hunt 20. Engineering Desiccation Tolerance in Mammalian Cells. Tools and Techniques Jason P. Acker, Tani Chen, Alex Fowler, Mehmet Toner 21. Stabilization of Cells During Freeze-Drying. The Trehalose Myth John H. Crowe, Lois M. Crowe, Fern Tablin, Willem Wolkers, Ann E. Oliver, Nelly M. Tsvetkova 22. Vitrification in Tissue Preservation. New Developments Mike J. Taylor, Yin C. Song and Kelvin G.M. Brockbank Part 5. The Future of Cryobiology 23. The Future of Cryobiology Nick Lane

This volume contains invited and refereed papers based upon presentations given in the IMA workshop on Computational Modeling in Biological Fluid Dynamics during January of 1999, which was part of the year-long program "Mathematics in Biology." This workshop brought together biologists, zoologists, engineers, and mathematicians working on a variety of issues in biological fluid dynamics. A unifying theme in biological fluid dynamics is the interaction of elastic boundaries with a surrounding fluid. These moving boundary problems, coupled with the equations of incompressible, viscuous fluid dynamics, pose formidable challenges to the computational scientist. In this volume, a variety of computational methods are presented, both in general terms and within the context of applications including ciliary beating, blood flow, and insect flight. Our hope is that this collection will allow others to become aware of and interested in the exciting accomplishments and challenges uncovered during this workshop.

Modern computer-intensive statistical methods play a key role in solving many problems across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Like its bestselling predecessors, the fourth edition of Randomization, Bootstrap and Monte Carlo Methods in Biology illustrates a large number of statistical methods with an emphasis on biological applications. The focus is now on the use of randomization, bootstrapping, and Monte Carlo methods in constructing confidence intervals and doing tests of significance. The text provides comprehensive coverage of computer-intensive applications, with data sets available online. Features Presents an overview of computer-intensive statistical methods and applications in biology Covers a wide range of methods including bootstrap, Monte Carlo, ANOVA, regression, and Bayesian methods Makes it easy for biologists, researchers, and students to understand the methods used Provides information about computer programs and packages to implement calculations, particularly using R code Includes a large number of real examples from a range of biological disciplines Written in an accessible style, with minimal coverage of theoretical details, this book provides an excellent introduction to computer-intensive statistical methods for biological researchers. It can be used as a course text for graduate students, as well as a reference for researchers from a range of disciplines. The detailed, worked examples of real applications will enable practitioners to apply the methods to their own biological data.

This book offers a thorough and up-to-date treatment of the use of morphometric procedures in a wide variety of contexts. As one of the most dynamic and popular fields on the contemporary biological scene, morphometrics is gaining notice among researchers and students as a necessary complement to molecular studies in the understanding and maintenance of biodiversity. This is the first reference to meet that growing need.

A wide range of research methods for the study of vascular development, from basic laboratory protocols to advanced technologies used in clinical practice, are covered in this work. A range of methodologies such as molecular imaging platforms and signalling analysis, along with tumour models are collated here. Four sections explore in vitro techniques, in vivo and ex vivo manipulations, imaging and histological analysis and other novel techniques in vascular biology. Readers will discover basic methodologies used for analysis of endothelial cell growth in vitro, including co-culture models of vessel formation. Authors also explore isolation and purification of cells and methods for analysis of data and visualization of localized vasculature with modern imaging platforms. Both animal models and human disease are covered in this work. Each chapter contains helpful sections on trouble shooting, additional notes and links, supporting the reader to carry out protocols. This book will appeal to students, researchers and medical professionals working in all vascular-linked fields such as cardio- and cerebrovascular, cancer and dementia.

SAS Programming: The One-Day Course provides a concise introduction to the SAS programming language that gives readers not only a quick start in SAS programming, but also in the basic data manipulations and statistical summaries that are available through SAS. Unlike other introductory texts on the market, this is a pocket-sized reference that does not clutter the presentation of programming techniques by trying to teach statistical methods at the same time. Strong on explanations of how to carry out data manipulations that real-life data often call for, it also contains a short "workbook" appendix, complete with solutions. Datasets and the programming code are available to download from the Web.

Foreword by:
Joy Hendry

This book shows how human activity on local, regional and global scales has perturbed natural biogeochemical cycles, "colliding" with Nature. The authors demonstrate how the scale and intensity of human-induced destruction of Nature and resultant feedback mechanisms have continuously expanded. They consider the likelihood of increasing numbers of natural disasters as a result of such activities, and propose that sustainable development become a principal research topic for the 21st Century.

The purpose of this volume is to present and discuss the many rich properties of the dynamical systems that appear in life science and medicine. It provides a fascinating survey of the theory of dynamical systems in biology and medicine. Each chapter will serve to introduce students and scholars to the state-of-the-art in an exciting area, to present new results, and to inspire future contributions to mathematical modeling in life science and medicine.