Biophysics is the science of physical principles underlying all processes of life, including the dynamics and kinetics of biological systems.

This fully revised 2nd English edition is an introductory text that spans all steps of biological organization, from the molecular, to the organism level, as well as influences of environmental factors. In response to the enormous progress recently made, especially in theoretical and molecular biophysics, the author has updated the text, integrating new results and developments concerning protein folding and dynamics, molecular aspects of membrane assembly and transport, noise-enhanced processes, and photo-biophysics. The advances made in theoretical biology in the last decade call for a fully new conception of the corresponding sections. Thus, the book provides the background needed for fundamental training in biophysics and, in addition, offers a great deal of advanced biophysical knowledge.

"Concise Human Physiology" is written for medical students and presents the main facts in a concise, straightforward style. The first edition received an encouraging reception from students, especially those for whom English is a foreign language. The presentation of major subjects in manageable chapter lengths makes the book most attractive to students who find some books rather lengthy due to detail and the inclusion of information not required by the medical curriculum.

This second edition is more focused and has made use of valuable feedback from students and teachers who have been using the book over the last few years. All the chapters have been thoroughly revised and new illustrations and summary diagrams have been added.

Fundamentals of Pediatric Imaging, Third Edition presents the foremost techniques of pediatric medical image analysis and processing. It includes advanced imaging techniques, neuro applications, and highlights basic anatomy needed to understand this complex specialty. The book introduces the theory and concepts of pediatric digital image analysis and newly revised information on quality and safety topics, imaging modalities, imaging applications, and new discoveries in diseases and treatments. The newly revised edition provides updates in areas of expertise including neurologic, musculoskeletal, cardiac, chest, and GU imaging. Edited by Lane F. Donnelly, MD, recipient of the Society of Pediatric Radiology's 2009 Singleton-Taybi Award, this book is sure to be a prime reference in pediatric medical imagining.

Presented as a series of lectures, this important volume achieves four major goals:
1) It integrates the results of the author's research as applied to pattern perception -- reviewing current brain research and showing how several lines of inquiry have been converging to produce a paradigm shift in our understanding of the neural basis of figural perception.
2) It updates the holographic hypothesis of brain function in perception.
3) It emphasizes the fact that both distributed (holistic) and localized (structural) processes characterize brain function.
4) It portrays a neural systems analysis of brain organization in figural perception by computational models -- describing processing in terms of formalisms found useful in ordering data in 20th-century physical and engineering sciences.
The lectures are divided into three parts: a Prolegomenon outlining a theoretical framework for the presentation; Part I dealing with the configural aspects of perception; and Part II presenting its cognitive aspects. The appendices were developed in a collaborative effort by the author, Kunio Yasue, and Mari Jibu (both of Notre Dame Seishin University of Okayama, Japan).

Presenting the work of researchers who are at the forefront of the study of memory mechanisms, this volume addresses a wide range of topics including: physiological and biophysical studies of synaptic plasticity, neural models of information storage and recall, functional and structural considerations of amnesia in brain-damaged patients, and behavioral studies of animal cognition and memory. The book's coverage of diverse approaches to memory mechanisms is intended to help dissolve the borders between behavioral psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, and neurophysiology.

This new volume gives a concise overview covering the most basic and exciting chapters of comparative medicine with regards to physiology and function in healthy individuals. The book includes core concepts in anatomy and physiology in human and model animals which one needs to understand to make independent contributions inthe research area of comparative medicine. During the writing process of the book the authors were in constant interdisciplinary dialogue. Theyaim to contribute to the improvement of quality of life for human and animal patients.

Bone research in recent years has generated much new knowledge, in large measure because of the broad public health implications of osteoporosis and related bone disorders. Bone Formation, the first in a series entitled Topics in Bone Biology, evaluates this new information and formulates novel insights and hypotheses within the broad framework of current knowledge. An easy-to handle and to read work, with concise reviews that are extensively referenced, the chapters in this book are written by internationally known authorities. Particular emphasis is on osteoporosis and related disorders of diminished bone formation. Among the general topics treated is a chapter on biomechanical aspects of bone formation, not often considered in relation to diseases of bone formation. The book constitutes essential reading for those entering the field of bone biology and those who wish to become familiar with up-to-date information in a particular area of bone research.

This volume is a record of the proceedings of a festspiel held to honor Jozef F. Zwislocki for his outstanding contributions to science and to Syracuse University. His contributions to the knowledge of the hydromechanical, neurophysiological, and perceptual mechanisms of the auditory system are truly monumental. In addition, his contributions to the comprehension of the mammalian auditory system include not only landmark ideas, but also many of the experimental findings in psychoacoustics and peripheral auditory physiology that constitute the database which has provided a springboard for research in laboratories throughout the world. His efforts to link physics, biology, and psychophysics to create a basis for our understanding of the nervous system have had an influence that extends far beyond the science of acoustics. Although the purpose of this conference was to recognize the many achievements of Professor Zwislocki, the spirit of the participants was to honor him in a manner that best characterized his lifetime dedication to research, that is, to report the results of their own work. Consequently, this volume is first and foremost a compilation of scientific papers in the area of sensory research. Some are reports of recent experiments and some present an overview of research efforts extending from the past up to ongoing work. His influence can be recognized in all of the contributions and some explicitly describe the ties between their own work and the germinal ideas planted by him. This volume, in reflecting the rapid progress being made in sensory science and written by those who are making it, is a fitting tribute to Zwislocki, who always stood at the forefront of his science.

The area of polyamines is presented in this useful, two-volume publication. Basic information describing the role of polyamines in the processes of growth and differentiation is given. Also included are data on the regulation of polyamine biosynthesis and metabolism and their interactions with nucleic acids. Several chapters are devoted to the role of polyamines in various aspects of plant biology, with a special emphasis on their participation in the response of plants to extreme environments. Special attention is given to the use of inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis as potential antitumor and antiproliferative agents. Additionally, progress in the molecular biology and genetic engineering of genes coding for polyamine biosynthetic enzymes is described. Cancer researchers, biologists, geneticists, biochemists, physiologists, and clinicians will find this volume indispensable.

Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Endocannabinoids offers a comprehensive reference on natural and synthetic cannabinoids, providing coverage on both adverse and non-adverse effects, including reactivity to pain, changes in behavior and neuroactivity. This volume updates on research on the effects of these compounds in brain function and neurological dysfunction, offering readers a comprehensive reference on medical usage and the symptom relief provided by these compounds. With coverage of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and a wide range of other afflictions, including depression, anxiety, nausea and cancer, this broad coverage expounds on the physiological, psychological and pharmacological effects of these compounds. Unique case reports are also provided, creating a platform for research on the use of these compounds in improving patient care, brain function and neurological dysfunction. As the endocannabinoid system has been implicated in various neurological conditions, this book is a welcomed resource on the topics presented.

This book is the product of a unique collaboration by experts from leading international, regional and national agencies and professional organizations discussing on the current 'hot' issue on the judicious use and safety of radiation in radiology. There have been several cases involving radiation overexposure that have received international attention. Strategies and solutions to guide readers how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks when using radiation in medicine are covered.

Circadian rhythms influence most of our life activities, notably getting up and going to sleep every day. This new edition of Circadian Physiology delves into the mechanisms surrounding how these rhythms work, the physiology and biology behind them, and the latest research on this cutting-edge field. The book also discusses a wide variety of practical topics including the prevention of jet lag, management of shift work, sleep disorders, depression, and the optimal times for physical and intellectual activities. To facilitate its use as a textbook, the book contains summaries, suggestions for further reading, links to pertinent websites, and exercises at the end of each chapter. It also includes software for data analysis, tutorials, and simulation programs discussed throughout the text. In addition, more than a thousand references have been added, resulting in a total of more than 6000 references. The text has been thoroughly updated as a result of major advances in recent years. This edition adds discussion on the anatomical and physiological characterization of photoresponsive ganglionic cells in the mammalian retina, molecular circadian clocks in cells of multiple organs other than the hypothalamus and the pineal gland, and advances in the understanding of post-translational mechanisms in the operation of the molecular clock.

First published in 1986. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The result of the first Appalachian Conference on neurodynamics, this volume focuses on processing in biological neural networks. How do brain processes become organized during decision making? That is, what are the neural antecedents that determine which course of action is to be pursued? Half of the contributions deal with modelling synapto-dendritic and neural ultrastructural processes; the remainder, with laboratory research findings, often cast in terms of the models. The interchanges at the conference and the ensuing publication also provide a foundation for further meetings. These will address how processes in different brain systems, coactive with the neural residues of experience and with sensory input, determine decisions.

Volume II features a variety of animal and human prion diseases, including the newly-identified atypical forms of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie in animals, and variably protease-sensitive prionopathy in humans, prions in the environment, Tau pathology in human prion disease, transmission of the disease by blood transfusion, mammalian and non-mammalian models, conventional and advanced diagnoses, prion-specific antibodies, as well as decontamination of prions and development of therapeutics of prion diseases, such as the application of immunomodulation. This volume provides up-to-date knowledge about the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, histopathological, and clinical aspects of the highly publicized animal and human prion diseases.

This book not only discusses clinical applications, but also links HRV to systems biology and theories of complexity. This publication should be interesting for several groups of clinicians and scientists, including cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensivists and physiologists. Heart Rate Variability is in principle easy and cheap, making it interesting for all kind of hospitals and private practice. The book will be an example of using translational medicine (bench to bedside) where newest theoretical results are linked to newest clinical research.

The thymus is an evolutionarily ancient primary lymphoid organ common to all vertebrates in which T cell development takes place. Failing thymus function is associated with immunodeficiency and/or autoimmunity. In this volume, leading experts provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in thymopoiesis research. The chapters cover the development of the thymic epithelial microenvironment, address the formation of a diverse and self-tolerant repertoire of T cell receptors as the basis for cellular immunity, discuss the mechanisms by which progenitor cells colonize the thymus and detail the molecular basis for T lineage decisions. The reviews illustrate the important role of the multifaceted process of thymopoiesis for adaptive immunity.

Named after Selene, Greek goddess of the moon, selenium (Se) has moved has moved from being thought of as a toxicant to being considered an essential nutrient with the potential to reduce cancer risk in the span of seven decades. Diversity of Selenium Functions in Health and Disease focuses on current knowledge of aspects of Se research relevant to its medical use, and particularly to chemoprevention of cancer. It covers how Se is integrated into selenoproteins, selenium compounds with individual functions and dual functions, and unexpected links to Se such as with diabetes. The text ends with a discussion of polymorphisms and mutations in genes of selenoproteins. The chapters elucidate why studies undertaken to prevent diseases with selenium ended with disappointing outcomes and often with the opposite result, i.e. disease promotion. They show that benefit, failure, or side effects depend on: The chemical form and dose of selenium The selenium status of the individual ingesting selenium The capacity of selenium form to serve as a source for selenoprotein biosynthesis The function of selenoproteins reacting to a change in the selenium status The stage of the disease (mainly cancer) at the time point of intervention The genetic background of individuals to be treated Bringing together the accumulated evidence regarding selenium biochemistry, the book covers aspects not found in available general monographs. The narrow focus on medical uses of Se helps resolve the present confusion about potential benefits and hazards of selenium in human health. The book gives you a solid scientific basis for optimum use of selenium in preventing or treating human diseases and answering the questions: Why is selenium essential? How much is required? What are the health consequences of low selenium and can selenium reduce cancer risk?

From women's medicine and the writings of Christine de Pizan to the lives of market and tradeswomen and the idealization of virginity, gender and social status dictated all aspects of women's lives during the middle ages. A cross-disciplinary resource, Women andGender in Medieval Europe examines the daily reality of medieval women from all walks of life in Europe between 450 CE and 1500 CE, i.e., from the fall of the Roman Empire to the discovery of the Americas. Moving beyond biographies of famous noble women of the middles ages, the scope of this important reference work is vast and provides a comprehensive understanding of medieval women's lives and experiences. Masculinity in the middle ages is also addressed to provide important context for understanding women's roles. Entries that range from 250 words to 4,500 words in length thoroughly explore topics in the following areas: * Art and Architecture * Countries, Realms, and Regions * Daily Life * Documentary Sources * Economics * Education and Learning * Gender and Sexuality * Historiography * Law * Literature * Medicine and Science * Music and Dance * Persons * Philosophy * Politics * Political Figures * Religion and Theology * Religious Figures * Social Organization and Status Written by renowned international scholars, Women and Gender in MedievalEurope is the latest in the Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages. Easily accessible in an A-to-Z format, students, researchers, and scholars will find this outstanding reference work to be an invaluable resource on women in Medieval Europe.

First published in 1982. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Modern brain imaging is revolutionizing the study of brain function in health and disease. Few realize that its origins began with a pioneering study in the nineteenth century by an Italian scientist, Angelo Mosso, of several subjects brought to him with head injuries that exposed their brains to direct observation. He took advantage of this opportunity to observe for the first time changes in cerebral blood flow in relation to different behaviors, the same changes that are the basis for the measurements underlying modern methods. Although Mosso was widely recognized for this highly original study by his contemporaries, through a German translation in 1881, there has never been a translation through which his magnificent achievement could be recognized in English. His rightful role as the pioneer in brain imaging has thus not been recognized. This unique volume corrects that deficiency. Through it, the modern reader, whether an expert in the field or an interested scientist or member of the public, can gain a new perspective on the remarkable insights Mosso gained into how behaviors as subtle as thinking about a subject or feeling an emotion can produce the changes in pulsations of the brain that he observed. The special features of this volume begin with a brief summary of Mosso's life. Two pioneers of modern brain imaging, Marcus Raichle and Gordon M. Shepherd, then provide an extensive commentary that succinctly summarizes Mosso's work and explains its relevance to modern methods. The authors not only emphasize Mosso's role as a pioneer in brain imaging, but also through this study as a pioneer in the eventual rise of cognitive neuroscience. The English translation then follows, together with all of the plates and illustrations of the original volume. The result is a classic of neuroscience now available for wide appreciation by neuroscientists, neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, historians of science and medicine, and the general public.

Humans engage in a seemingly endless variety of different behaviors, of which some are found across species, while others are conceived of as typically human. Most generally, behavior comes about through the interplay of various constraints - informational, mechanical, neural, metabolic, and so on - operating at multiple scales in space and time. Over the years, consensus has grown in the research community that, rather than investigating behavior only from bottom up, it may be also well understood in terms of concepts and laws on the phenomenological level. Such top down approach is rooted in theories of synergetics and self-organization using tools from nonlinear dynamics. The present compendium brings together scientists from all over the world that have contributed to the development of their respective fields departing from this background. It provides an introduction to deterministic as well as stochastic dynamical systems and contains applications to motor control and coordination, visual perception and illusion, as well as auditory perception in the context of speech and music.

Nonlinear dynamics has become an important field of research in recent years in many areas of the natural sciences. In particular, it has potential applications in biology and medicine; nonlinear data analysis has helped to detect the progress of cardiac disease, physiological disorders, for example episodes of epilepsy, and others. This book focuses on the current trends of research concerning the prediction of sudden cardiac death and the onset of epileptic seizures, using the nonlinear analysis based on ECG and EEG data. Topics covered include the analysis of cardiac models and neural models. The book is a collection of recent research papers by leading physicists, mathematicians, cardiologists and neurobiologists who are actively involved in using the concepts of nonlinear dynamics to explore the functional behaviours of heart and brain under normal and pathological conditions. This collection is intended for students in physics, mathematics and medical sciences, and researchers in interdisciplinary areas of physics and biology.