Macromolecular drugs hold the promise of becoming new therapeutics for several major disorders, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. This incredible potential is explored in Macromolecular Drug Delivery, a volume which gives a wide-ranging overview of contemporary methods used in the field, and which addresses the limitations presented by a lack of safe and efficient drug delivery strategies. Chapters offer information on both in vitro and in vivo methods of macromolecular delivery, thus appealing to a broad scientific audience. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Macromolecular Drug Delivery offers a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, which should provide opportunities for new discoveries at the interface between disciplines. Ultimately, this cooperation will lead to the use of macromolecular drugs as novel diagnostic tools and, even more importantly, as a means to revolutionize the way we view and treat diseases.

This book evaluates and discusses the main sustainability challenges encountered in the production of biofuel and bio-products from oil palm biomass. It starts off with the emphasis on oil palm production, oil palm products recovery and oil palm wastes utilization. The simultaneous production of these bio-products for sustainable development is discussed. This is followed by the key factors defining the sustainability of biofuel and bio-product production from oil palm biomass. The environmental issues including ecological, life cycle assessment and environmental impact assessment of oil palm plantation, milling and refining for the production of biofuels and bio-products are presented. Socio-economic and thermodynamic analysis of the production processes are also evaluated using various sustainability assessment tools such as exergy. Lastly, methods of improving biofuel production systems for sustainable development are highlighted.

Industrial Enzymes for Biofuels Production: Recent Updates and Future Trends focuses on resolving existing bottlenecks in enzymes mediated biomass to biofuels production processes through updating recent scientific knowledge and technology developments. The book provides low cost sustainable approaches to lower the cost of enzymes production following different approaches. It is specifically focused on industrial aspects of enzymes used in biofuels production processes by presenting in-depth study of existing issues related to practical viability and long-term sustainability. The book covers detailed discussions on market scenario of industrial enzymes used in biofuels production processes and compares them on both lab and industrial scale. Users will find this to be a great resource that also helps them develop low cost green technologies for enzyme development in biofuels production.

Waste Biorefinery: Integrating Biorefineries for Waste Valorisation provides the various options available for several renewable waste streams. The book includes scientific and technical information pertaining to the most advanced and innovative processing technologies used for the conversion of biogenic waste to biofuels, energy products and biochemicals. In addition, the book reports on recent developments and new achievements in the field of biochemical and thermo-chemical methods and the necessities and potential generated by different kinds of biomass in presumably more decentralized biorefineries. The book presents an assortment of case-studies from developing and developed countries pertaining to the use of sustainable technologies for energy recovery from different waste matrices. Advantages and limitations of different technologies are also discussed by considering the local energy demands, government policies, environmental impacts, and education in bioenergy.

This volume surveys recent research on autonomous sensor networks from the perspective of enabling technologies that support medical, environmental and military applications. State of the art, as well as emerging concepts in wireless sensor networks, body area networks and ambient assisted living introduce the reader to the field, while subsequent chapters deal in depth with established and related technologies, which render their implementation possible. These range from smart textiles and printed electronic devices to implanted devices and specialized packaging, including the most relevant technological features. The last four chapters are devoted to customization, implementation difficulties and outlook for these technologies in specific applications.

Tingyue Gu's second edition provides a comprehensive set of nonlinear multicomponent liquid chromatography (LC) models for various forms of LC, such as adsorption, size exclusion, ion-exchange, reversed-phase, affinity, isocratic/gradient elution and axial/radial flow LC. Much has advanced since the first edition of this book and the author's software, described here, is now used for teaching and research in 32 different countries. This book comes together with a complete software package with graphical user interface for personal computers, offered free for academic applications. Additionally, this book provides detailed methods for parameter estimation of mass transfer coefficients, bed voidage, particle porosity and isotherms. The author gives examples of how to use the software for predicitons and scale-up. In contrast to the first edition, authors do not need to deal with complicated math. Instead, they focus on how to obtain a few parameters for simulation and how to compare simulation results with experimental data. After reading the detailed descriptions in the book, a reader is able to use the simulation software to investigate chromatographic behavior without doing actual experiments. This book is aimed at readers who are interested in learning about LC behaviors and at those who want to scale up LC for preparative- and large-scale applications. Both academic personnel and industrial practitioners can benefit from the use of the book. This new edition includes: - New models and software for pellicular (cored) beads in liquid chromatography - Introduction of user-friendly software (with graphical user interface) - Detailed descriptions on how to use the software - Step-by-step instructions on parameter estimation for the models - New mass-transfer correlations for parameter estimation - Experimental methods for parameter estimation - Several actual examples using the model for product development and scale-up - Updated literature review

Freezing time and freezing heat load are the two most important factors determining the economics of food freezers. This Brief will review and describe the principal methods available for their calculation. The methods can be classified into analytical methods, which rely on making physical simplifications to be able to derive exact solutions; empirical methods, which use regression techniques to derive simplified equations from experimental data or numerical calculations and numerical methods, which use computational techniques such as finite elements analysis to solve the complete set of equations describing the physical process. The Brief will evaluate the methods against experimental data and develop guidelines on the choice of method. Whatever technique is used, the accuracy of the results depends crucially on the input parameters such as the heat transfer coefficient and the product's thermal properties. In addition, the estimation methods and data for these parameters will be reviewed and their impacts on the calculations will be evaluated. Freezing is often accompanied by mass transfer (moisture loss, solute absorption), super cooling and nucleation and may take place under high pressure conditions; therefore methods to take these phenomena into account will also be reviewed.

This book explores the potential of multi-functional carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications. It combines contributions from chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and medicine. The complete overview of the state-of-the-art addresses different synthesis and biofunctionalisation routes and shows the structural and magnetic properties of nanotubes relevant to biomedical applications. Particular emphasis is put on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with biological environments, i.e. toxicity, biocompatibility, cellular uptake, intracellular distribution, interaction with the immune system and environmental impact. The insertion of NMR-active substances allows diagnostic usage as markers and sensors, e.g. for imaging and contactless local temperature sensing. The potential of nanotubes for therapeutic applications is highlighted by studies on chemotherapeutic drug filling and release, targeting and magnetic hyperthermia studies for anti-cancer treatment at the cellular level.

Andreas Potschka discusses a direct multiple shooting method for dynamic optimization problems constrained by nonlinear, possibly time-periodic, parabolic partial differential equations. In contrast to indirect methods, this approach automatically computes adjoint derivatives without requiring the user to formulate adjoint equations, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. The author describes and analyzes in detail a globalized inexact Sequential Quadratic Programming method that exploits the mathematical structures of this approach and problem class for fast numerical performance. The book features applications, including results for a real-world chemical engineering separation problem.

Fossil fuels are widely used for electricity generation and heating, creating greenhouse gas emissions and other toxic pollutants, which should be minimised according to the most recent environmental legislation. The utilisation of solid fuels with biogenic origin could contribute to the minimisation of these emissions. Solid Biofuels for Energy presents the current status of the engineering disciplines in this specific area, providing an improved background on the energy exploitation options of solid biomass. Within this framework, all thematic priorities related to the solid bioenergy potential and standardisation, commercialised and emerging energy technologies, and quality of solid residues are presented. Special attention has been given to biomass co-firing with coal, since it has the highest potential for commercial application, while combustion and gasification are more promising for units of medium to small scale. This strong practical focus is evident throughout the book, particularly in discussions of: * international standards for solid biofuel specifications; * supply, cost and sustainability of solid biofuels; * technical issues and non-technical barriers in biomass/coal co-firing; and * biomass combustion and gasification characteristics. Solid Biofuels for Energy is an informative reference, written for researchers and postgraduate students working in the field of biomass. It can also be a useful guide for chemical and mechanical engineers, involved in the environment and energy production sectors.

This volume is arecord of the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study institute on "Biochemical and Bio- logical Markers of Neoplastic Transformation" held September 28 - October 8, 1981, at Corfu, Greece. As early as 1860, Rudolf Virchow provided the first genetic concept of cancer by postulating "Omnia ceZZuZa e ceZZuZa ejusdem generis", a modification of the then exisiting cell theory "Omnis ceZZuZa e ceZZuZa". Thus, the idea that all cells originate from the parent cell was extended to the idea that all cancer cells come from the "paren t" cancer cello But how the first cancer cell arose, or in other words, how anormal cell changed to a cancer cell, is, even after 120 years, a mystery. Experimental studies of the past have convinced us that a number of factors contribute to the neoplastic transformation of anormal cell, but our knowledge on the mechanisms involved in this process is still in an embryonic state. In the last few years, however, this field has witnessed a most remarkable advancement cata- lyzed by the development of modern technology in the al lied fields of immunology, the production of mono- clonal antibodies, molecular biology, and sequencing v PREFACE and cloning of ONC genes. Presently, it is becoming more and more evident to the wishful mind of those engaged in this research that we are approaching a turning point. Thus, an assessment of the present situa- tion will be most desirable at this time.

A number of food engineering operations, in which heat is not used as a preserving factor, have been employed and are applied for preparation (cleaning, sorting, etc.), conversion (milling, agglomeration, etc.) or preservation (irradiation, high pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, etc.) purposes in the food industry. This book presents a comprehensive treatise of all normally used food engineering operations that are carried out at room (or ambient) conditions, whether they are aimed at producing microbiologically safe foods with minimum alteration to sensory and nutritive properties, or they constitute routine preparative or transformation operations. The book is written for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for educators and practicing food process engineers. It reviews theoretical concepts, analyzes their use in operating variables of equipment, and discusses in detail different applications in diverse food processes.

This is the only single authored text on biological polymers available for bioengineering and biomedical engineering students. The book describes the structure of polymers and how these molecules are put together to make the tissues of the body and also their role in surgical implants and in structural diseases. It provides essential reading for biomedical engineers, biologists, physicians, health care professionals and other biomedical researchers who are interested in understanding how physical forces affect the biology, physiology and pathophysiology of humans. The author is an expert on the effect of mechanical forces on extracellular matrix.

Originally published in 2004, Distillation Theory and Its Application to Optimal Design of Separation Units presents a clear, multidimensional geometric representation of distillation theory that is valid for all distillation column types, splits, and mixtures. This representation answers such fundamental questions as: what are the feasible separation products for a given mixture? What minimum power is required to separate a given mixture? What minimum number of trays is necessary to separate a given mixture at a fixed power input? This book is intended for students and specialists in the design and operation of separation units in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, wood, petrochemical, oil-refining, and natural gas industries and for software designers.

The bile acids as principal end products of cholesterol metabolism occupy a focal position in our understanding of the role of steroids in bio logical systems. The biogenesis of bile acids from cholesterol in higher ani mals, and their functions in regulating sterol metabolism and in gastrointestinal physiology have been elucidated by the development of elegant methodo logical approaches during the last two decades. The molecular pleomorphism exhibited by the bile acids and bile alcohols in the animal kingdom is a classic example of their role in biochemical evolution. The total story of the bile acids, their chemistry, their role in normal and abnormal physiological processes, and their significance in biochemical evolution has never been available in the form of a comprehensive treatise written in the words of those who have contributed to the development of our knowledge in this area. The Bile Acids, in two volumes, will serve to fill this void, and will also bring together information which will prove in valuable to both the biochemist and the medical scientist. We wish to thank Mrs. Sally Wiseman and Mrs. Lillian Haas for their invaluable assistance with the editing of the manuscripts. This work was supported in part by grants AM-02131, General Research Support SS0-1- FR-05479 (P.P.N.), HE-03299, HE-05209, and a National Heart Institute Research Career Award (D.K. ), K6-HE-734, from the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service. P.P.N. Baltimore, Maryland D.K."

This thesis details the significant progress made in improving the performance of organic transistors and the network conductivity of carbon nanotubes. The first section investigates organic semiconductor nucleation and growth on the most common dielectric surface used to fabricate organic thin film transistors. The nucleation and growth of the semiconductor was determined to be a critical factor affecting the device performance. Excellent dielectric modification layers, which promote desirable semiconductor growth leading to high conductivity were identified, and a technologically relevant deposition technique was developed to fabricate high quality dielectric modification layers over large areas. This may represent an important step towards the realization of large area organic circuity. In the final section, lessons learned from studying organic semiconductor nucleation and growth were utilized to improve the conductivity of carbon nanotube networks. Selective nucleation of materials at the junctions between nanotubes in the network significantly decreased the network's sheet resistance. The resulting networks may be promising candidates for transparent electrodes with a variety of optoelectronic applications.

Traditional food and bioprocessing technologies are facing challenges due to high expectation from the consumers and producers for better quality and safety, higher process efficiency, and products with novel properties or functionalities. For this reason, in the last few years new forms of physical energies have been explored to propose alternatives to traditional processing technologies. Acoustic energy has the potential to replace or partially substitute conventional processes, and at the same time offer unique opportunities in the characterization of foods and biomaterials. This book is a resource for experts and newcomers in the field of power ultrasound, gives insights into the physical principles of this technology, details the latest advancements, and links them to current and potential applications in the food and bioprocessing related industries.

Gene Delivery into Mammalian Cells: An Overview on Existing Approaches Employed In Vitro and In Vivo, by Peter Hahn and Elizabeth Scanlan * Strategies for the Preparation of Synthetic Transfection Vectors, by Asier Unciti-Broceta, Matthew N. Bacon, and Mark Bradley * Cationic Lipids: Molecular Structure/Transfection Activity Relationships and Interactions with Biomembranes, by Rumiana Koynova and Boris Tenchov * Hyperbranched Polyamines for Transfection, by Wiebke Fischer, Marcelo Calderon, and Rainer Haag * Carbohydrate Polymers for Nonviral Nucleic Acid Delivery, by Antons Sizovs, Patrick M. McLendon, Sathya Srinivasachari, and Theresa M. Reineke * Cationic Liposome-Nucleic Acid Complexes for Gene Delivery and Silencing: Pathways and Mechanisms for Plasmid DNA and siRNA, by Kai K. Ewert, Alexandra Zidovska, Ayesha Ahmad, Nathan F. Bouxsein, Heather M. Evans, Christopher S. McAllister, Charles E. Samuel, and Cyrus R. Safinya * Chemically Programmed Polymers for Targeted DNA and siRNA Transfection, by Eveline Edith Salcher and Ernst Wagner * Photochemical Internalization: A New Tool for Gene and Oligonucleotide Delivery, by Kristian Berg, Maria Berstad, Lina Prasmickaite, Anette Weyergang, Pal K. Selbo, Ida Hedfors, and Anders Hogset * Visualizing Uptake and Intracellular Trafficking of Gene Carriers by Single-Particle Tracking, by N. Ruthardt and C. Brauchle