Going back at least to the writings of John Stuart Mill and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, people have argued for and against maintaining a state of nature. Is there an inherent virtue in leaving alone a naturally occurring condition, or does the human species thrive when we find ways to improve our circumstances? This volume probes whether "nature" and "the natural" are capable of guiding moral deliberations in policy making.

Drawing on philosophy, religion, and political science, this book examines three questions central to debates over the idea of "nature" in human action. Conceptually, it asks what the term means, how it should be considered, and if it is, even in part, a social construct. From a moral perspective, the contributors question if being "natural" is itself of value or if its worth is only as a means to advance other morally acceptable ends. Politically, essays discuss whether appeals to nature can and should affect public policy and, if so, whether they are moral trump cards or should instead be fitted alongside or weighed against other concerns.

Achieving consensus on these questions has proven elusive and seems unattainable. This should not, however, be an obstacle to moving the debate forward. By bringing together disparate approaches to addressing these concepts, "The Ideal of Nature" suggests the possibility of intermediate positions that move beyond the usual full-throated defense and blanket dismissal found in much of the debate. Scholars of bioethics, environmental philosophy, religious studies, sociology, public policy, and political theory will find much merit in this book's lively discussion.

Autonomous Positioning of Piezoactuated Mechanism for Biological Cell Puncture gives a systematic and almost selfcontained description of the many facets of advanced design, optimization, modeling, system identification and advanced control techniques for positioning of cell puncture mechanism with piezoelectric actuator in micro/nanorobotics systems. To achieve biomedical applications, reliability design, modeling, and precision control are vitally important for developing engineering systems. With the advances in mechanical design, dynamic modeling, system identification, and control techniques, exploiting them for the benefit of reliability design, precision control, and quick actuation of micro/nanomanipulation systems to expand the robot's applications at the micro and nanoscales, especially for biomedical applications. This book unifies existing and emerging techniques concerning advanced design, modeling and advanced control methodologies in micropuncture of biological cells using piezoelectric actuator with their practical biomedical applications. The book is an essential resource for researchers within robotics, mechatronics, biomedical engineering, and automatic control society, including both academic and industrial parts. KEY FEATURES * Provides a series of latest results in, including but not limited to, design, modeling, and control of micro/nanomanipulation systems utilizing piezoelectric actuator * Gives recent advances of theory, technological aspects, and applications of advanced modeling, control, and actuation methodologies in cell engineering applications * Presents simulation and experimental results to reflect the micro/nano manipulation practice, and also validate the performances of the developed design, analysis, and synthesis approaches

This book presents innovative solutions utilising informatics to deal with various issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The book offers a collection of contemporary research and development on the management of Covid-19 using health data analytics, information exchange, knowledge sharing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the Internet of Everything (IoE)-based solutions. The book also analyses the implementation, assessment, adoption, and management of these healthcare informatics solutions to manage the pandemic and future epidemics. The book is relevant to researchers, professors, students, and professionals in informatics and related topics.

Biomaterials for Organ and Tissue Regeneration: New Technologies and Future Prospects examines the use of biomaterials in applications related to artificial tissues and organs. With a strong focus on fundamental and traditional tissue engineering strategies, the book also examines how emerging and enabling technologies are being developed and applied. Sections provide essential information on biomaterial, cell properties and cell types used in organ generation. A section on state-of-the-art in organ regeneration for clinical purposes is followed by a discussion on enabling technologies, such as bioprinting, on chip organ systems and in silico simulations.

Biomechanics of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque: From Model to Patient, First Edition, is the first comprehensive text to focus on important biomechanical studies conducted in the last decade that have increased our understanding of coronary atherosclerotic plaque initiation, growth, and rupture, as well as improving the design of medical devices and clinical interventions, including surgical procedures. The book provides students, researchers, engineers, clinicians, and interventional cardiologists with an overview of the main topics related to the biomechanics of atherosclerosis, in a single volume written by several experts in the field. This volume is part of the Biomechanics of Living Organs book series. The biomechanics of human soft tissues and organs has been an emerging research field since the publication of Y.C. Fung's original book series in the 1990s. The publication of such books entirely dedicated to a specific biomechanical subject is necessary to advance scientific research in the field of biomechanics and to transfer important knowledge to future generations. Therefore, this series of volumes on the biomechanics of living organs has been created. This series began in July 2017 with the publication of a first volume on the fundamentals of Hyperelastic Constitutive Laws for Finite Element Modeling of Living Organs. The current volume on the Biomechanics of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque, is the latest in this new series.

This book addresses the problem of EEG signal analysis and the need to classify it for practical use in many sample implementations of brain-computer interfaces. In addition, it offers a wealth of information, ranging from the description of data acquisition methods in the field of human brain work, to the use of Moore-Penrose pseudo inversion to reconstruct the EEG signal and the LORETA method to locate sources of EEG signal generation for the needs of BCI technology. In turn, the book explores the use of neural networks for the classification of changes in the EEG signal based on facial expressions. Further topics touch on machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks. The book also includes dedicated implementation chapters on the use of brain-computer technology in the field of mobile robot control based on Python and the LabVIEW environment. In closing, it discusses the problem of the correlation between brain-computer technology and virtual reality technology.

This book introduces key fundamentals of microarray bioprinting, including the required chip platforms and associated instruments/devices, experimental protocols for cell printing and biochemical- and cell-based assays, and several example applications. Various bioprinting approaches that allow for the rapid testing of hundreds of different cell culture conditions in combinations on a single chip are discussed in detail. Also covered is high-content, 3D cell-based imaging assays of tissue functions on miniaturized tissue constructs for high-throughput, predictive screening of drug efficacy and toxicity. This is an ideal book for graduate and postgraduate students in the field of biomedical engineering as well as scientists in the pharmaceutical industry. This book also: Broadens readers' understanding of the principles of microarray bioprinting, chip platforms and associated instruments/devices, and surface chemistry for micropatterning of cells on the chip platform Covers the latest developments in printing cells in hydrogels and methods of gelation as well as printing other biological samples in aqueous solutions Illustrates the complete process for cell staining and high-content imaging of 3D cells on the chip and predicting human metabolism and toxicology on the chip

Nanomedicines for Breast Cancer Theranostics addresses the translational aspects and clinical perspectives of breast cancer nanomedicine from a multidisciplinary perspective. The book summarizes research efforts at the preclinical and clinical stage of nanostructures and nanomedicine for dealing with the important challenge of nanomedicine translation in breast cancer theranostics. This book is an important resource for those working in both academia and industry, focusing on hot topics in biomaterials, biomedical engineering, drug delivery and oncology.

Presents sensor specification, theory of operation, sensor design, and application criteria Provides background plus specific information for practicing engineers who want to understand sensors Includes a complete chapter on industrial sensor communication protocols Explains temperature sensitivity, how to determine, and how to avoid Discusses how to understand and utilize sensor specifications

The thesis focuses on the control of blood glucose devices and design of implantable devices, and offers valuable insights on diabetes mellitus and related physiology and treatments. Diabetes mellitus is a widespread chronic disease in the modern world that affects millions of people around the globe. In Singapore, one in ten of the population has diabetes, and the severity of the problem has prompted the country's prime minister to talk about the disease at the National Day Rally in 2017. Designing an artificial pancreas that can provide effective blood glucose control for individuals with diabetes is one of the most challenging engineering problems. The author reports on research into the development of an implantable artificial pancreas that can regulate blood glucose levels by delivering appropriate dosages of insulin when necessary. By sensing blood glucose and injecting insulin directly into the vein, the implantable device aims to remove delays that occur with subcutaneous blood glucose sensing and insulin delivery. Preliminary in-vitro and in-vivo experimental results suggest that the implantable device for blood glucose control could be a clinically viable alternative to pancreas transplant.

Biomaterials for Cancer Therapeutics: Evolution and Innovation, Second Edition, discusses the role and potential of biomaterials in treating this prevalent disease. The first part of the book discusses the fundamentals of biomaterials for cancer therapeutics. Part Two discusses synthetic vaccines, proteins and polymers for cancer therapeutics. Part Three focuses on theranosis and drug delivery systems, while the final set of chapters look at biomaterial therapies and cancer cell interaction. Cancer affects people of all ages, and approximately one in three people are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Extensive research is being undertaken by many different institutions to explore potential new therapeutics, and biomaterials technology is being developed to target, treat and prevent cancer. Hence, this book is a welcomed resource to the discussion.

Bioactive Materials for Bone Regeneration summarizes research advances on the topic, including sections on the characteristics of biomaterial-induced microenvironments, interactions of bioactive materials with stem cells and tissues, and the immunomodulatory microenvironment induced by biomaterials and its effects on osteogenesis. As the regeneration of large-size bone tissue defects represents a significant clinical challenge, this book demonstrates how new biomaterials with specific chemical and physical characteristics may interact with the host and create a unique micro-environment that actively facilitates stem cell differentiation along a specific lineage, thus stimulating tissue regeneration.

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Biomedical Applications is a comprehensive, authoritative reference that offers a substantial and complete treatment of published results that have yet to be critically reviewed. It offers a summary of current research and provides in-depth understanding of the role of metal-organic frameworks in biomedical engineering. The title consists of twenty-two chapters presented by leading international researchers in the field. Chapters are arranged by target-application in biomedical engineering, allowing medical and pharmaceutic specialists to translate current materials and engineering science on metal-organic frameworks into their work.

Natural Gums: Extraction, Properties, and Applications provides thorough, methodical coverage of a range of natural gums. These naturally forming polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates offer advantageous properties and a range of possible applications. The book begins by introducing fundamental knowledge regarding natural gums, including structures and properties, functionalization, gelatin behavior, and characterization techniques. Subsequent sections of the book provide in-depth chapters, each guiding the reader through the extraction, properties and applications of a specific gum type, covering plant-based, animal-based, microbial-based, and marine-based natural gums. Finally, the future potential of natural gums, and their implications in a circular economy approach, are considered. This is an informative resource for researchers and advanced students in bio-based materials, polymer science, chemistry, bioengineering, materials science, and food science, as well as industrial scientists and R&D professionals with an interest in natural gums and bio-based materials for advanced applications.

Nanotechnology in Herbal Medicine: Applications and Innovations details how nanomaterials can be utilized to improve the therapeutic mechanisms and key properties of herbal drugs. This book guides the reader through the preparation, properties, applications, benefits and challenges of herbal nanoformulations, helping them solve fundamental and applied problems in the area of novel herbal medicines and drug delivery systems. Herbal drugs play a large role in traditional medicines, which are actively used by many cultures across the globe for the treatment of various illnesses and injuries. Despite their widespread use, herbal medicines may lead to possible health risks due to the lack of information on the chemical composition and permitted dosage.

This book describes the current state of knowledge in the field of multi-scale ECM mechanics and mechanobiology with a focus on experimental and modelling studies in biomechanical characterization, advanced optical microscopy and imaging, as well as computational modeling. This book also discusses the scale dependency of ECM mechanics, translation of mechanical forces from tissue to cellular level, and advances and challenges in improving our understanding of cellular mechanotransduction in the context of living tissues and organisms.

Handbook of Research on Blockchain Technology presents the latest information on the adaptation and implementation of Blockchain technologies in real world business, scientific, healthcare and biomedical applications. The book's editors present the rapid advancements in existing business models by applying Blockchain techniques. Novel architectural solutions in the deployment of Blockchain comprise the core aspects of this book. Several use cases with IoT, biomedical engineering, and smart cities are also incorporated. As Blockchain is a relatively new technology that exploits decentralized networks and is used in many sectors for reliable, cost-effective and rapid business transactions, this book is a welcomed addition on existing knowledge. Financial services, retail, insurance, logistics, supply chain, public sectors and biomedical industries are now investing in Blockchain research and technologies for their business growth. Blockchain prevents double spending in financial transactions without the need of a trusted authority or central server. It is a decentralized ledger platform that facilitates verifiable transactions between parties in a secure and smart way.

This book describes the future of microscopically small medical devices and how to locate a lab to start conducting your own do-it-yourself microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) research in one of the many national, international, government, and other regional open use facilities, where you can quickly begin designing and fabricating devices for your applications. You will learn specific, tangible information on what MEMS are and how a device is fabricated, including what the main types of equipment are in these facilities. The book provides advice on working in a cleanroom, soft materials, collaboration, intellectual property and privacy issues, regulatory compliance, and how to navigate other issues that may arise. This book is primarily aimed at researchers and students who work at universities without MEMS facilities, and small companies who need access to MEMS resources.

This book offers a comprehensive and inclusive insight into the history of prostate cancer and its sufferers. Until recently, little practical help could be offered for men afflicted with the devastating diseases of the genitourinary organs. This is despite complaints of painful urination from aging men being found in ancient medical manuscripts, despite the anatomical discoveries of the European Renaissance and despite the experimental surgical researches of the eighteen and nineteenth centuries. As diseases of the prostate, including prostate cancer, came to be better understood in the early twentieth century, therapeutic nihilism continued as curative radical surgeries and radiotherapy failed. The therapeutic 'turn' came with hormonal therapies, itself a product of the explosive growth of U.S. biomedicine from the 1940s onwards. By the 1990s, prostate cancer screening had become a somewhat ubiquitous but controversial feature of the medical encounter for American men as they aged, which greatly influenced the treatment pathways and identity of the male patient: as victim, as hero, and ultimately, as consumer.

Biopolymer-Based Formulations: Biomedical and Food Applications presents the latest advances in the synthesis and characterization of advanced biopolymeric formulations and their state-of-the-art applications across biomedicine and food science. Sections cover the fundamentals, applications, future trends, environmental, ethical and medical considerations, and biopolymeric architectures that are organized in nano, micro and macro scales. The final section of the book focuses on novel applications and recent developments. This book is an essential resource for researchers, scientists and advanced students in biopolymer science, polymer science, polymer chemistry, polymer composites, plastics engineering, biomaterials, materials science, biomedical engineering, and more. It will also be of interest to R&D professionals, scientists and engineers across the plastics, food, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.

Neural Networks Modelling and Control: Applications for Unknown Nonlinear Delayed Systems in Discrete Time focuses on modeling and control of discrete-time unknown nonlinear delayed systems under uncertainties based on Artificial Neural Networks. First, a Recurrent High Order Neural Network (RHONN) is used to identify discrete-time unknown nonlinear delayed systems under uncertainties, then a RHONN is used to design neural observers for the same class of systems. Therefore, both neural models are used to synthesize controllers for trajectory tracking based on two methodologies: sliding mode control and Inverse Optimal Neural Control. As well as considering the different neural control models and complications that are associated with them, this book also analyzes potential applications, prototypes and future trends.

Dendrimers are repeatedly branched and roughly spherical large molecules. They can be used in various medical applications, such as anticancer polymeric nanomedicines and nanocarriers, gene carriers and vectors in gene delivery, contrast agents for molecular imaging and vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer. The highly branched, multivalent nature and molecular architecture of dendrimers make them ideal tools for a variety of tissue engineering applications. This book describes different categories of dendrimers, their biomedical and physico-chemical applications as well as convergent and divergent syntheses, click chemistry and ligation strategies. It is a rich source of information for researchers in biochemistry and pharmacology working on drug development as well as for organic chemists who are engaged in synthesis of dendrimers.

These proceedings present the latest information on regulations and standards for medical and non-medical devices, including wearable robots for gait training and support, design of exoskeletons for the elderly, innovations in assistive robotics, and analysis of human-machine interactions taking into account ergonomic considerations. The rapid development of key mechatronics technologies in recent years has shown that human living standards have significantly improved, and the International Conference on Wearable Sensor and Robot was held in Hangzhou, China from October 16 to 18, 2015, to present research mainly focused on personal-care robots and medical devices. The aim of the conference was to bring together academics, researchers, engineers and students from across the world to discuss state-of-the-art technologies related to various aspects of wearable sensors and robots.