This book is a compilation of 17 information-packed chapters authored by working scientists in their respective discipline. In addition to the theoretical information, practical and applied aspects to boost the productivity and quality of crops are also given. Note: T&F does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This title is co-published with NIPA.

This edited volume features a collection of extended versions of 13 papers originally published in the proceedings of the 12th Asian Pacific Conference on Shell & Spatial Structures held in Penang, Malaysia in October 2018. All chapters in this book have been written by experts from Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, China and Japan, and compiles recent advances in the analysis, design and construction of shell and spatial structures specifically in the Asia Pacific region. The contents of the book include (i) the application of advancement in analysis technique and computer technology to the realization of complex and iconic spatial structures, (ii) advanced stability analysis of novel structural forms, (iii) lessons learnt from the health condition of existing spatial structures and damaged spatial structures, (iv) promising ideas and new structural concepts, (v) fundamental study on numerical method for analysis, (vi) design of large-scale and space smart structure system and (vii) educational instructions for beginners in structural design. Researchers, practitioners and contractors in structural engineering, architecture and the built environment with a special interest in shell and spatial structures will find this book useful as it contains a wealth of information on their analysis, design and construction. University students will also find this book a valuable reference for their research studies.

Professionals recognize entropy-enthalpy compensation as an important factor in molecular recognition, lead design, water networks, and protein engineering. It can be experimentally studied by proper combinations of diverse spectroscopic approaches with isothermal titration calorimetry and is clearly related to molecular dynamics. So, how should we treat entropy-enthalpy compensation? Is it a stubborn hindrance that solely complicates the predictability of phenomena otherwise laid on the line by Mother Nature? How should we then deal with it? This book dwells on these posers. It combines two chapters written by globally recognized specialists. Chapter 1 deals with general issues and suggests a definite approach to how we may answer the posers. Chapter 2 shows how the approach outlined might be successfully applied in a rational design of enzymes. This might provide other interesting strategic perspectives in the general theoretical physical chemistry field.

Technical and technological development demands the creation of new materials that are stronger, more reliable, and more durable-materials with new properties. This book skillfully blends and integrates polymer science, plastic technology, and rubber technology to highlight new developments and trends in advanced polyblends. The fundamentals of polymerization, polymer characteristics, rheology and morphology, as well as composition, technology, testing and evaluation of various plastics, rubbers, fibers, adhesives, coatings, and composites are comprehensively presented in this informative volume. The book presents the developments of advanced polyblends and the respective tools to characterize and predict the material properties and behavior. It provides important original and theoretical experimental results that use non-routine methodologies often unfamiliar to many readers. Furthermore chapters on novel applications of more familiar experimental techniques and analyses of composite problems are included, which indicate the need for the new experimental approaches that are presented. This new book: * Provides an up-to-date and thorough exposition of the present state of the art of polyblends and composites * Familiarizes the reader with new aspects of the techniques used in the examination of polymers, emphasizing plastic technology and rubber technology * Describes the types of techniques now available to the polymer chemist and technician and discusses their capabilities, limitations, and applications * Provides a balance between materials science and the mechanics aspects, basic and applied research, and high-technology and high-volume (low-cost) composite development Entrepreneurs and professionals engaged in production of as well as research and development in polymers will find the information presented here valuable and informative.

Advances in Kinetics and Mechanism of Chemical Reactions describes the chemical physics and/or chemistry of ten novel material or chemical systems. These ten novel material or chemical systems are examined in the context of various issues, including structure and bonding, reactivity, transport properties, polymer properties, or biological characteristics. This eclectic survey encompasses a special focus on the associated kinetics, reaction mechanism, or other chemical physics properties of these ten chosen material or chemical systems. The most contemporary chemical physics methods and principles are applied to the characterization of the these ten properties. The coverage is broad, ranging from the study of biopolymers to the analysis of antioxidant and medicinal chemical activity, on the one hand, to the determination of the chemical kinetics of not chemical systems and the characterization of elastic properties of novel nanometer scale material systems on the other. The chemical physics methods used to characterize these ten novel systems are state-of-the-art, and the results should be intriguing to those in the chemistry, physics, and nanoscience fields, include scientists engaged in chemical physics research and the polymer chemistry.

This book informs the reader about a fascinating class of materials referred to as skutterudites, the atomic lattice of which has large structural voids that can be filled by a variety of foreign species, spanning from alkali to alkaline to rare earth ions. The fillers, in their unique way, drastically modify the physical properties of the parent structure, giving rise to outstanding thermoelectric properties. This exciting material is of growing importance and is finding applications in a variety of different fields. This book will be of interest to researchers working in materials science, physics, and chemistry in addition to graduate students in these subjects. Features: * Gives a comprehensive account of all fundamental physical properties of skutterudites * Each major topic is accompanied by introductory sections and a further detailed theoretical treatment is provided in Appendices * Supported by many figures and a vast number of relevant references

Includes over 250 solved problems to supplement graduate-level courses in fluid mechanics and turbomachinery. Enables students to practice applying key concepts of fluid mechanics and the governing conservation laws to solve real-world problems. Uses the physics-first approach, allowing for a good understanding of the problem physics and the results obtained. Covers problems on flowpath aerodynamics design. Covers problems on secondary air systems modeling of gas turbines.

The book describes the significant multidisciplinary research findings at the Universita Politecnica delle Marche and the expected future advances. It addresses some of the most dramatic challenges posed by today's fast-growing, global society and the changes it has caused. It also discusses solutions to improve the wellbeing of human beings. The book covers the main research achievements in the various disciplines of the life sciences, and includes chapters that highlight mechanisms relevant to all aspects of human diseases, the molecular, cellular, and functional basis of therapy, and its translation into the management of people's health needs. It also describes research on traditional and innovative foods to enhance quality, safety and functionality, and to develop bioactive/nutraceutical compounds. Further chapters address conservation and management of various environments, from the forests to the oceans, describing the studies on countermeasures against climate changes and terrestrial/aquatic pollutants, and on terrestrial/marine biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes, erosion of genetic biodiversity, innovative aquaculture feed, sustainable crop production and management of forests. Lastly, the book reports the findings of research work on different classes of biomolecules, and on the molecular basis of antibiotic resistances and their diffusion.

Computational Biomechanics for Medicine: Solid and fluid mechanics for the benefit of patients contributions and papers from the MICCAI Computational Biomechanics for Medicine Workshop help in conjunction with Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention conference (MICCAI 2019) in Shenzhen, China. The content is dedicated to research in the field of methods and applications of computational biomechanics to medical image analysis, image-guided surgery, surgical simulation, surgical intervention planning, disease prognosis and diagnostics, analysis of injury mechanisms, implant and prostheses design, as well as artificial organ design and medical robotics. These proceedings appeal to researchers, students and professionals in the field.

Functionalized polymers are macromolecules to which chemically bound functional groups are attached which can be used as catalysts, reagents, protective groups, etc. Functionalized polymers have low cost, ease of processing and attractive features for functional organic molecules. Chemical reactions for the introduction of functional groups in polymers and the conversion of functional groups in polymers depend on different properties. Such properties are of great importance for functionalization reactions for possible applications of reactive polymers. This book deals with the synthesis and design of various functional polymers, the modification of preformed polymer backbones and their various applications.

Many new drugs on the market are chiral compounds, that is, they can exist in two non-superimposable mirror-image forms. Asymmetric catalysis encompasses a large variety of processes for obtaining such compounds. The performance of the catalyst in those processes largely depends on the ligand that makes up the catalyst. This book describes the most relevant ligand libraries for some key processes, including an overview of the state of art and the key mechanistic aspects that favor a high catalytic performance. Key Features: The book presents historical content from the time of discovery for each family of ligands. Provides a description of the synthetic route and the ligand library's application in various catalytic asymmetric reactions Suitable as supplementary reading for courses targeting the design, synthesis and application of chiral catalysts, asymmetric catalysis and sustainable production Edited by a distinguished scientist in the field, the book has a diverse audience including research groups in homogeneous catalysis, particularly asymmetric transformations

Industrial Biotechnology offers a comprehensive overview of biochemical processes, technologies, and practical applications of industrial biotechnology. The work comprises of chapters that discuss medium preparation, inoculum preparation using industrial strain and upstream processing, various fermentation processes, and physico-chemical separation processes for the purification of products and packaging. Analyzes problems within biochemical processes Discusses stoichiometry of bioprocesses Covers upstream and downstream processing Offers a wealth of case studies of different biochemical production processes, including those in development of food products, vaccines and medicines, single cell proteins, amino acids, cheese, biodiesel, biopesticides, and more This book is aimed at advanced students, industrial practitioners, and researchers in biotechnology, food engineering, chemical engineering, and environmental engineering.

This is the first book to discuss the search for new physics in charged leptons, neutrons, and quarks in one coherent volume. The area of indirect searches for new physics is highly topical; though no new physics particles have yet been observed directly at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the methods described in this book will provide researchers with the necessary tools to keep searching for new physics. It describes the lines of research that attempt to identify quantum effects of new physics particles in low-energy experiments, in addition to detailing the mathematical basis and theoretical and phenomenological methods involved in the searches, whilst making a clear distinction between model-dependent and model-independent methods employed to make predictions. This book will be a valuable guide for graduate students and early-career researchers in particle and high energy physics who wish to learn about the techniques used in modern predictions of new physics effects at low energies, whilst also serving as a reference for researchers at other levels. Key features: * Takes an accessible, pedagogical approach suitable for graduate students and those seeking an overview of this new and fast-growing field * Illustrates common theoretical trends seen in different subfields of particle physics * Valuable both for researchers in the phenomenology of elementary particles and for experimentalists

Aluminum is increasingly replacing steel in automotive applications due to its superior strength-to-weight ratio, equal or better stiffness and toughness properties, durability, and manufacturability considerations. Primer on Automotive Lightweighting Technologies introduces basic ideas and principles of designing and engineering automotive components with aluminum. Topics include application of the knowledge to understand how automotive body and structures are designed, as well as other major and smaller automotive components, such as engine blocks and their components, chassis systems, and wheels. Features Discusses material considerations in engineering design Describes mechanical and physical properties of aluminum Covers manufacturing methods and automotive and industrial applications of aluminum products Offers information on design for functional performance and cost optimization Includes coverage of extruded and rolled products and car body structure This practical book is aimed at professionals in the fields of materials and mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, and metals and alloys, as well as advanced students and researchers.

Addressing the persistent environmental threat of organic chemicals with a fresh approach to degradation and transformation processes, Organic Chemicals in the Environment: Mechanisms of Degradation and Transformation, Second Edition examines a wide range of compounds as well as abiotic and microbiological reactions mediated by microorganisms. The book emphasizes the pathways used and the broad classes of enzymes involved. It provides an overview of experimental procedures with detailed coverage of the organic compounds that are considered to be xenobiotics. The book begins by providing a broad perspective on abiotic and biotic reactions, including the significance of a range of environmental determinants. The following chapters briefly introduce experimental procedures and emphasize those procedures for establishing the structure of metabolites using isotopes and physical methods. Next, the authors outline details of biochemical reactions involved in the biodegradation of the major groups of aliphatic, carbocyclic aromatic, and heterocyclic compounds. They end with coverage of bioremediation that has attracted increasing concern because of the hazard presented by the disposal of unwanted chemicals or by-products from their manufacture. Broad and comprehensive, this book provides a cohesive treatment of the subject. It contains an extensive set of literature references and numerous illustrative figures. The authors use a mechanistic approach with emphasis on the pathways, and the principles that emerge provide a guide not only for specific compounds but also for those having a more remote structural resemblance.

A timely and authoritative treatise on the chemistry and diverse applications of chalcogenadiazoles - the five-membered rings containing two carbons, two nitrogens, and one chalcogen (an member of group 16, the oxygen family). The number of different chalcogenadiazoles and their structural diversity make it difficult to gain a clear understanding of the subject by studying an individual system in isolation. Chalcogenadiazoles: Chemistry and Applications emphasizes general features of this class of heterocyclic compounds. It concentrates on properties of each class of chalcogenadiazoles and their cycle-fused derivatives, considering chemical reactions of functional groups only in cases when these reactions permit to characterize the heterocycles as substituents or in respect of its aromaticity.Covering an important and rapidly developing branch of heterocyclic chemistry, this book is an essential resource for students, young professionals and experienced specialists in adjacent fields who are interested in: Trends in the search for compounds with established bioactivity or use in medicine, as agrochemicals, or as reagents for environmental and biochemical analysis Differences in classes of chalcogenadiazoles with respect to their degree of aromaticity and similar general concepts helpful to the nonspecialist The effects of the chalcogen nature and the alternation manner of all atomic constituents on properties of these heterocyclic compounds Combining data from organic, biological, medicinal, materials science, and supramolecular chemistry, Chalcogenadiazoles: Chemistry and Applications is an important source of information not only for chemists in the fields of organic, inorganic, and organometallic chemistry, but also for anyone interested in the research and development of chalcogenadiazoles and related species.

Thermodynamic data form the basis for separation processes used in different fields of science and industry, from specialty chemicals to foods and pharmaceuticals. One obstacle to developing new production processes, products, or optimization is the lack, or inaccessibility, of experimental data related to phase equilibrium. Access More Than 1200 Data Sets, Including 810 Binary Systems, 325 Ternary Systems, and 25 Quaternary (or Higher) Systems The CRC Handbook of Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium Data of Polymer Solutions provides a thorough and up-to-date compilation of experimental liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data and their original sources. Arranged in a consistent format, the handbook provides convenient access to cloud-point and coexistence data as well as upper and lower critical solution temperatures and important demixing data for each system. An Excellent Companion to the Author's Previous Collections of Thermodynamic Data! While the author's previous data compilations center around specific types of polymer systems, Wohlfharth'slatest work distinguishes itself by focusing instead on representing LLE data for all types of polymer systems in a single source.

Intrigued as much by its complex nature as by its outsider status in traditional organic chemistry, the editors of The Organic Chemistry of Sugars compile a groundbreaking resource in carbohydrate chemistry that illustrates the ease at which sugars can be manipulated in a variety of organic reactions. Each chapter contains numerous examples demonstrating the methods and strategies that apply mainstream organic chemistry to the chemical modification of sugars. The book first describes the discovery, development, and impact of carbohydrates, followed by a discussion of protecting group strategies, glycosylation techniques, and oligosaccharide syntheses. Several chapters focus on reactions that convert sugars and carbohydrates to non-carbohydrate molecules including the substitution of sugar hydroxyl groups to new groups of synthetic or biological interest, cyclitols and carbasugars, as well as endocyclic heteroatom substitutions. Subsequent chapters demonstrate the use of sugars in chiral catalysis, their roles as convenient starting materials for complex syntheses involving multiple stereogenic centers, and syntheses for monosaccharides. The final chapters focus on new and emerging technologies, including approaches to combinatorial carbohydrate chemistry, the biological importance and chemical synthesis of glycopeptides, and the medicinally significant concept of glycomimetics. Presenting the organic chemistry of sugars as a solution to many complex synthetic challenges, The Organic Chemistry of Sugars provides a comprehensive treatment of the manipulation of sugars and their importance in mainstream organic chemistry. Daniel E. Levy, editor of the Drug Discovery Series, is the founder of DEL BioPharma, a consulting service for drug discovery programs. He also maintains a blog that explores organic chemistry.

Surface Chemistry of Carbon Capture: Climate Change Aspects provides comprehensive and up-to-date literature on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and delineates the surface chemistry of this process. Mankind is dependent on energy from gas, oil, coal, atomic energy, and various other sources. In all fossil fuel combustion processes, carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced (ca. 25 Gt/year). In the past few decades, we have observed a constant increase in CO2 content in the air (currently ca. 400 ppm [0.04%]). This book discusses the technology related to carbon (i.e., CO2) capture and sequestration (CCS) from fossil fuel energy plants, which is considered an important means of CO2 control. It also covers the adsorption/absorption processes of CO2 on solids and similar procedures to help address growing climate change concerns.

This unique volume presents new understandings of the neurochemical nature of major depression, and how herbs and their constituent flavonoids and terpenes appear to address some of the mechanisms now thought to be involved. It explores how recent studies of the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine inform neuroscientists about deep intracellular mechanisms of antidepressant action that have little to do with simple enhancement of monoaminergic activity. These mechanisms include actions on PI3K, Akt, mTOR, GSK3, BDNF, and other intracellular pathways. New theories of the pathophysiology underlying major depression, such as oxidative damage, inflammation, stress and insulin resistance are then explored. Key Features: Focuses on oxidative damage, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. Explains that a significant percentage of people treated for major depression obtain little if any relief from standard antidepressant medications. These facts lead to discussion of herbs that can be used to treat major depression, as well as consideration of the scientific basis for how these herbs act. The antidepressant properties of 66 herbs are discussed, along with dosing and safety information.

Generally speaking, quantitative-structure activity relationship (QSAR) is a technique which correlates the biological activities of a set of compounds to their structures using a mathematical equation represented in its general form by Biological Activity = f (x1, ..., xn), where f is a mathematical function and x1, ..., xn are n molecular descriptors. Since the introduction of the initial concept of QSAR in the early 1960s, numerous advances have been introduced into the field transforming it into an essential tool in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. Quantitative Structure - Activity Relationship: A Practical Approach provides a detailed overview of computational approaches in QSAR studies. It covers the applications of different algorithms in various steps of a QSAR analysis and shows clear examples. Each chapter introduces the tools and software involved. Moreover, challenges and issues which may be faced in any step of the analysis are thoroughly broken down based on the OECD guidelines, enabling the reader to familiarize themselves with potential end results. The book was kept concise, making it suitable for students (pharmacy, chemistry and biological science) and lecturers, as well as researchers in the field.

Artemisia annua is a well-known medicinal plant that has been utilized for a number of purposes, including malaria, for centuries. This is the first comprehensive book to cover the importance of Artemisia annua in the global health crisis and in the treatment against diseases. A component and extract, artemisinin, is the source of other derivatives which are also suitable for pharmaceutical use. The present demand for artemisinin far outpaces its supply. Researchers are working globally towards improving artemisinin content in the plant by various means. Artemisia annua: Prospects, Applications and Therapeutic Uses highlights the different approaches, including 'omics', that are being used in current research on this immensely important medicinal plant. Providing comprehensive coverage of the agricultural and pharmaceutical uses of this plant, Artemisia annua will be essential reading for botanists, plant scientists, herbalists, pharmacognosists, pharmacologists and natural product chemists.

Recent advances in science have clarified the role of plant specialized metabolites (classically known as plant secondary metabolites), which cannot be considered only bioactive molecules used for human health but also pivotal factors for the global ecosystem. They play major roles in plant life, evolution, and mutualism. To provide the reader a general view of plant specialized metabolites, it is important to consider both the biochemistry and the functional/ecological role of these important compounds. Around 200,000 specialized metabolites are formed by a wide array of plant metabolic pathways from numerous plant taxa and through learning how other species (including human beings) rely on them. Plant Specialized Metabolism: Genomics, Biochemistry, and Biological Functions will provide the reader with special insights into the sophisticated nature of these metabolites and their various and valuable uses based on the most recent findings in science. The field of plant specialized metabolism has witnessed tremendous growth in the past decade. This growth has had a profound impact on multiple disciplines in life science, including biochemistry, metabolism, enzymology, natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical ecology, and evolution. It also has yielded valuable knowledge and technology readily applicable in various industries, such as agriculture, horticulture, energy, renewable chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The book focuses on the molecular background of secondary metabolite biosynthesis, their functional role, and potential applications.

Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient, but global population growth has dramatically reduced the availability of phosphorus fertilizer resources. Despite this scarcity, there remain numerous problems associated with the excessive and inappropriate use of phosphorus leading to non-point source pollution and eutrophication of natural waters. Identifying appropriate systems for managing soil phosphorus and reducing the risks of eutrophication are needed to minimize the environmental risks. This book focuses on the availability and recycling of phosphorus; regulatory and policy issues of sustainable phosphorus use; and water quality management in agroecosystems pertaining to phosphorus. Sections are dedicated to global phosphorus reserves; cycling and pathways of phosphorus; phosphorus in agriculture; human dimensions and policy intervention; and research and development priorities. Phosphorus is a finite but crucial resource and is an essential element to all life. Sub-optimal availability and nutrient imbalance in the root zone can adversely impact plant growth, and the quality of food and feed grown on these soils. However, the proven reserves of phosphorus can hardly be adequate for a few centuries only. Yet, its misuse and mismanagement has caused severe problems of eutrophication of water and pollution of the environment. Thus, judicious management of soil phosphorus is essential. This volume is specifically devoted to availability and recycling of phosphorus, regulatory/policy issues of sustainable use of phosphorus, and management in agroecosystems in the context of maximizing the use efficiency and minimizing the environmental risks of water quality.

Trace Elements in Abiotic and Biotic Environments helps readers understand the fundamental principles and phenomena that control the transfer of trace elements. This book describes the occurrence and behavior of trace elements in rocks, soil, water, air, and plants, and also discusses the anthropogenic impact to the environment. In addition, it covers the presence of trace elements in feeds, as either contaminants or as nutritional or zootechnical additives, and their transfer across the food chain to humans. Also discussed is international legislation on trace elements for both micronutrients and contaminants in soil and plant food. A special focus is placed on the human health effects of both trace element deficiency and excess. All trace elements are covered-from aluminum to zirconium-as well as rare-earth elements (actinides and lanthanides).