Key features: Supported by the latest research and based on the state-of-the-art computational methods in high-accuracy computational spectroscopy of molecules Authored by an authority in the field Accessible to both experts and non-experts working in the area of computational and experimental spectroscopy, in addition to graduate students

Computational biology is an interdisciplinary field that applies mathematical, statistical, and computer science methods to answer biological questions, and its importance has only increased with the introduction of high-throughput techniques such as automatic DNA sequencing, comprehensive expression analysis with microarrays, and proteome analysis with modern mass spectrometry. In Computational Biology, expert practitioners present a broad survey of computational biology methods by focusing on their applications, including primary sequence analysis, protein structure elucidation, transcriptomics and proteomics data analysis, and exploration of protein interaction networks. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, this work provides the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Authoritative and easy to use, Computational Biology is an ideal guide for all scientists interested in quantitative biology.

* A new approach that breaks new ground using psychophysics and mathematics in order to investigate human interaction * Identifies the critical direction of change, and the means to achieve it, in order to maintain a stable social environment that is going to require testable and provable theories that apply to our social space and the various cultures and groups that exist within it * An important text for graduate and advanced undergraduate students or classes, along with private and government analysts all operating within the areas of political theory, detection theory, social psychology, organizational behavior, psychophysics, and applied mathematics in the social and information sciences

Life in Space explores the many aspects and outcomes of NASA's research in life sciences, a little-understood endeavor that has often been overlooked in histories of the space agency. Maura Mackowski details NASA's work in this field from spectacular promises made during the Reagan era to the major new directions set by George W. Bush's Vision for Space Exploration in the early twenty-first century. At the first flight of NASA's space shuttle in 1981, hopes ran high for the shuttle program to achieve its potential of regularly transporting humans, cargo, and scientific experiments between Earth and the International Space Station. Mackowski describes different programs, projects, and policies initiated across NASA centers and headquarters in the following decades to advance research into human safety and habitation, plant and animal biology, and commercial biomaterials. Mackowski illuminates these ventures in fascinating detail by drawing on rare archival sources, oral histories, interviews, and site visits. While highlighting significant achievements and innovations such as space radiation research and the Neurolab Spacelab Mission, Mackowski reveals frustrations-lost opportunities, stagnation, and dead ends-stemming from frequent changes in presidential administrations and policies. For today's dreams of lunar outposts or long-term spaceflight to become reality, Mackowski argues, a robust program in space life sciences is essential, and the history in this book offers lessons to help prevent leaving more expectations unfulfilled.

Since 9/11 and the U.S. anthrax attacks, public, and policy concerns about the security threats posed by biological weapons has increased significantly. As a result, there are now active international deliberations about what restrictions should be placed on the openness of scientific research. "Biotechnology, Security and the Search for Limits" examines these security implications for life science research as well as the methodological issues associated with conducting social research. In doing so the book considers the place of biological and social research in creating and responding to societal problems through drawing on diverse academic traditions such as discourse analysis, social problems studies, philosophy, action research, science and technology studies, politics, and public policy.

The human hand and its dexterity in grasping and manipulating objects are some of the hallmarks of the human species. For years, anatomic and biomechanical studies have deepened the understanding of the human hand's functioning and, in parallel, the robotics community has been working on the design of robotic hands capable of manipulating objects with a performance similar to that of the human hand. However, although many researchers have partially studied various aspects, to date there has been no comprehensive characterization of the human hand's function for grasping and manipulation of everyday life objects. This monograph explores the hypothesis that the confluence of both scientific fields, the biomechanical study of the human hand and the analysis of robotic manipulation of objects, would greatly benefit and advance both disciplines through simulation. Therefore, in this book, the current knowledge of robotics and biomechanics guides the design and implementation of a simulation framework focused on manipulation interactions that allows the study of the grasp through simulation. As a result, a valuable framework for the study of the grasp, with relevant applications in several fields such as robotics, biomechanics, ergonomics, rehabilitation and medicine, has been made available to these communities.

This BASS book Series publishes selected high-quality papers reflecting recent advances in the design and biostatistical analysis of biopharmaceutical experiments - particularly biopharmaceutical clinical trials. The papers were selected from invited presentations at the Biopharmaceutical Applied Statistics Symposium (BASS), which was founded by the first Editor in 1994 and has since become the premier international conference in biopharmaceutical statistics. The primary aims of the BASS are: 1) to raise funding to support graduate students in biostatistics programs, and 2) to provide an opportunity for professionals engaged in pharmaceutical drug research and development to share insights into solving the problems they encounter. The BASS book series is initially divided into three volumes addressing: 1) Design of Clinical Trials; 2) Biostatistical Analysis of Clinical Trials; and 3) Pharmaceutical Applications. This book is the third of the 3-volume book series. The topics covered include: Targeted Learning of Optimal Individualized Treatment Rules under Cost Constraints, Uses of Mixture Normal Distribution in Genomics and Otherwise, Personalized Medicine - Design Considerations, Adaptive Biomarker Subpopulation and Tumor Type Selection in Phase III Oncology Trials, High Dimensional Data in Genomics; Synergy or Additivity - The Importance of Defining the Primary Endpoint, Full Bayesian Adaptive Dose Finding Using Toxicity Probability Interval (TPI), Alpha-recycling for the Analyses of Primary and Secondary Endpoints of Clinical Trials, Expanded Interpretations of Results of Carcinogenicity Studies of Pharmaceuticals, Randomized Clinical Trials for Orphan Drug Development, Mediation Modeling in Randomized Trials with Non-normal Outcome Variables, Statistical Considerations in Using Images in Clinical Trials, Interesting Applications over 30 Years of Consulting, Uncovering Fraud, Misconduct and Other Data Quality Issues in Clinical Trials, Development and Evaluation of High Dimensional Prognostic Models, and Design and Analysis of Biosimilar Studies.

This book is the first work that systematically describes the procedure of data mining and knowledge discovery on Bioinformatics databases by using the state-of-the-art hierarchical feature selection algorithms. The novelties of this book are three-fold. To begin with, this book discusses the hierarchical feature selection in depth, which is generally a novel research area in Data Mining/Machine Learning. Seven different state-of-the-art hierarchical feature selection algorithms are discussed and evaluated by working with four types of interpretable classification algorithms (i.e. three types of Bayesian network classification algorithms and the k-nearest neighbours classification algorithm). Moreover, this book discusses the application of those hierarchical feature selection algorithms on the well-known Gene Ontology database, where the entries (terms) are hierarchically structured. Gene Ontology database that unifies the representations of gene and gene products annotation provides the resource for mining valuable knowledge about certain biological research topics, such as the Biology of Ageing. Furthermore, this book discusses the mined biological patterns by the hierarchical feature selection algorithms relevant to the ageing-associated genes. Those patterns reveal the potential ageing-associated factors that inspire future research directions for the Biology of Ageing research.

Features * Provides a self-contained introduction to General Relativity and to its standar applications. * Presents readers with all the tools necessary for further learning and research in the field. * Accessible to readers with just foundational knowledge of linear algebra and Lagrangian mechanics.

Project managers in drug development are the driving force behind the coordination of efforts. This book provides a practical reference for project managers in the pharmaceutical and biotech drug development industry, with the goal of assisting in creating an efficient and effective team structure and environment. The text details the role of project managers at each stage of drug development, the key interfaces that the PM will need to work closely with, and essential tools of the trade including frequently used techniques and methodologies. This book is useful for both entry-level and advanced-level PMs, as well as non-project managers from other functions. Features Includes authors' recent experience with improved tactics and technologies/software at various stages of drug development. Provides the most up-to-date and best practices, techniques, and methodologies in project management. Details the role of the PM at each stage of drug development, including working with the key interfaces throughout the process. Diverse audience including nonproject managers in clinical development, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, clinical pharmacology, and biostatistics. Provides templates and timelines for critical paths from development to commercialization and has potential as a textbook on relevant courses.

"Food Plant Safety: UV Applications for Food and Non-Food Surfaces" discusses the fundamental principles of ultraviolet (UV) light technology, and gives practical recommendations on UV processes and systems design for specific processing operations, as well as how microbial efficacy of UV light can improve the quality of existing product lines.

Innovative research of ultraviolet light for food applications has been growing worldwide. With increased consumer demand for fresher, minimally processed but safe foods, comes the need for novel technologies to meet that demand. Ultraviolet technology has been taking its niche in food production as a non-chemical treatment to control and enhance safety of processing plants and storage facilities.

This concise resource covers the fundamentals of this promising technology and its applications; it will benefit a broad audience of professionals in food engineering, processing, and product development, as well as graduate level students.

Focuses on plant processing operations in the food industry

Presents the benefits of UV light technology applications for air quality, and safety of non-food and food contact surfaces

Covers the cost benefits and energy and environmental advantages of using UV technologies

Debulking in Cardiovascular Interventions and Revascularization Strategies: Between a Rock and the Heart aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of resistant lesions as well as tailored debulking processes in revascularization strategies. Cardiovascular interventionalists and surgeons alike frequently encounter technical challenges and increased risk when attempting to diagnose and treat resistant cardiovascular lesions, bio-tissues and vessels. Calcified plaques, fibrotic or thrombotic lesions, total occlusions, degenerative plaques, complex lesions and vessels impose morphologic obstacles to the safe and effective delivery and deployment of balloons and stents. In such instances, a debulking strategy involving the actual drilling and extraction of the targeted plaque/bio-tissue constitutes a unique option that ensures safe and efficacious subsequent balloon dilatations and stenting. A range of topics is included in the book, from the characteristics and constituents of various resistant targets and bio-tissues, to the corresponding options of debulking methods, and finally the technologic and pharmacologic means available for application. The book also provides an up-to-date description of related management solutions and tools, exploring the medical issues pertaining to the patients with these targets; procedural results and clinical outcomes as related to debulking strategies and associated diagnostic and therapeutic technology and revascularization options.

Over the past years, the chem(o)informatics field has further evolved and new application areas have opened up, for example, in the broadly defined area of chemical biology. In Chemoinformatics and Computational Chemical Biology, leading investigators bring together a detailed series of reviews and methods including, among others, system-directed approaches using small molecules, the design of target-focused compound libraries, the study of molecular selectivity, and the systematic analysis of target-ligand interactions. Furthermore, the book delves into similarity methods, machine learning, probabilistic approaches, fragment-based methods, as well as topics that go beyond the current chemoinformatics spectrum, such as knowledge-based modeling of G protein-coupled receptor structures and computational design of siRNA libraries. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, this collection provides detailed descriptions and implementation advice that are exceedingly relevant for basic researchers and practitioners in this highly interdisciplinary research and development area. Cutting-edge and unambiguous, Chemoinformatics and Computational Chemical Biology serves as an ideal guide for experts and newcomers alike to this vital and dynamic field of study.

This unique book provides an overview of continuous time modeling in the behavioral and related sciences. It argues that the use of discrete time models for processes that are in fact evolving in continuous time produces problems that make their application in practice highly questionable. One main issue is the dependence of discrete time parameter estimates on the chosen time interval, which leads to incomparability of results across different observation intervals. Continuous time modeling by means of differential equations offers a powerful approach for studying dynamic phenomena, yet the use of this approach in the behavioral and related sciences such as psychology, sociology, economics and medicine, is still rare. This is unfortunate, because in these fields often only a few discrete time (sampled) observations are available for analysis (e.g., daily, weekly, yearly, etc.). However, as emphasized by Rex Bergstrom, the pioneer of continuous-time modeling in econometrics, neither human beings nor the economy cease to exist in between observations. In 16 chapters, the book addresses a vast range of topics in continuous time modeling, from approaches that closely mimic traditional linear discrete time models to highly nonlinear state space modeling techniques. Each chapter describes the type of research questions and data that the approach is most suitable for, provides detailed statistical explanations of the models, and includes one or more applied examples. To allow readers to implement the various techniques directly, accompanying computer code is made available online. The book is intended as a reference work for students and scientists working with longitudinal data who have a Master's- or early PhD-level knowledge of statistics.

Die Behandlung der Leguminosen in der Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen wird mit Band XIb-1 fortgesetzt. In ihm werden die von den Caesalpinioideae und Mimosoideae bekannt gewordenen Naturstoffe im Rahmen der natA1/4rlichen Klassifikation der Familie besprochen. Der Teilband enthAlt A1/4ber 2000 Literaturhinweise sowie ein eigenes Pflanzennamen- und Stichwortregister. Hegnauer's Chemotaxonomie is an indispensable handbook for all those scientific disciplines concerned with not only systematic botany, but all aspects of the plant world. Both text and bibliography reflect our present knowledge of the particularities of plant metabolism. The last volume of Chemotaxonomy of Plants treats Leguminosae in three parts. XIa.: General aspects. XIB-1: Phytochemistry and chemotaxonomy of Caesalpinioideae and Mimosoideae. XIb-2: Phytochemistry and chemotaxonomy of Papilionoideae (in preparation). These three volumes form a valuable tool for everyone with an interest in the Leguminosae. They are not only relevant to plant taxonomists, plant physiologists, and natural product chemists but also to ecologists, agriculturists, nutritional scientists, pharmacists, pharmacologists and ethnobotanists. The cosmopolitan Leguminosae cover approximately 600 genera and 13000 species including many economically and ethnobotanically important plants. Each of the three volumes devoted to Leguminosae contains a taxonomic index, a subject index and over 2000 references.

Tissue Engineering: Current Status and Challenges bridges the gap between biomedical scientists and clinical practitioners. The work reviews the history of tissue engineering, covers the basics required for the beginner, and inspires those in the field toward future research and application emerging in this fast-moving field. Written by global experts in the field for those studying and researching tissue engineering, the book reviews regenerative technologies, stem cell research and regeneration of organs. It then moves to soft tissue engineering (heart, vascular, muscle and 3D scaffolding and printing), hard tissue engineering (bone, dental myocardial and musculoskeletal) and translational avenues in the field.

Python is one of the most popular programming languages, widely used for data analysis and modelling, and is fast becoming the leading choice for scientists and engineers. Unlike other textbooks introducing Python, typically organised by language syntax, this book uses many examples from across Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth science, and Engineering to teach and motivate students in science and engineering. The text is organised by the tasks and workflows students undertake day-to-day, helping them see the connections between programming tools and their disciplines. The pace of study is carefully developed for complete beginners, and a spiral pedagogy is used so concepts are introduced across multiple chapters, allowing readers to engage with topics more than once. "Try This!" exercises and online Jupyter notebooks encourage students to test their new knowledge, and further develop their programming skills. Online solutions are available for instructors, alongside discipline-specific homework problems across the sciences and engineering.

This book is about inductive databases and constraint-based data mining, emerging research topics lying at the intersection of data mining and database research. The aim of the book as to provide an overview of the state-of- the art in this novel and - citing research area. Of special interest are the recent methods for constraint-based mining of global models for prediction and clustering, the uni?cation of pattern mining approaches through constraint programming, the clari?cation of the re- tionship between mining local patterns and global models, and the proposed in- grative frameworks and approaches for inducive databases. On the application side, applications to practically relevant problems from bioinformatics are presented. Inductive databases (IDBs) represent a database view on data mining and kno- edge discovery. IDBs contain not only data, but also generalizations (patterns and models) valid in the data. In an IDB, ordinary queries can be used to access and - nipulate data, while inductive queries can be used to generate (mine), manipulate, and apply patterns and models. In the IDB framework, patterns and models become "?rst-class citizens" and KDD becomes an extended querying process in which both the data and the patterns/models that hold in the data are queried.

- Focuses on a very physical and specific understanding of how humans measure and interpret the measurements of the quantity of time, unlike existing books which explore qualitative, speculative theories currently entertained in physics and philosophy.

Not another textbook, but a valuable tool for doctors and microbiologists wanting to know how to set up a PCR diagnostic microbiology laboratory according to current regulatory standards and perform assays supplied with patient clinical diagnostic criteria and easy to follow protocols. Whether laboratories are using commercial kits or in-house methods developed in their own laboratories or adopted from published methods, all clinical microbiology laboratories need to be able to understand, critically evaluate, perform and interpret these tests according to rigorous and clinically appropriate standards and international guidelines. The cost and effort of development and evaluation of in-house tests is considerable and many laboratories do not have the resources to do so. This compendium is a vehicle to improve and maintain the clinical relevance and high quality of diagnostic PCR. It is a unique collection of; guidelines for PCR laboratory set up and quality control, test selection criteria, methods and detailed step by step protocols for a diagnostic assays in the field of molecular microbiology. The structure of the book provides the PCR fundamentals and describes the clinical aspects and diagnosis of infectious disease. This is followed by protocols divided into; bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites, and susceptibility screens. The inclusion of medical criteria and interpretation adds value to the compendium and benefits clinicians, scientists, researchers and students of clinical diagnostic microbiology

This book covers the statistical models and methods that are used to understand human genetics, following the historical and recent developments of human genetics. Starting with Mendel's first experiments to genome-wide association studies, the book describes how genetic information can be incorporated into statistical models to discover disease genes. All commonly used approaches in statistical genetics (e.g. aggregation analysis, segregation, linkage analysis, etc), are used, but the focus of the book is modern approaches to association analysis. Numerous examples illustrate key points throughout the text, both of Mendelian and complex genetic disorders. The intended audience is statisticians, biostatisticians, epidemiologists and quantitatively- oriented geneticists and health scientists wanting to learn about statistical methods for genetic analysis, whether to better analyze genetic data, or to pursue research in methodology. A background in intermediate level statistical methods is required. The authors include few mathematical derivations, and the exercises provide problems for students with a broad range of skill levels. No background in genetics is assumed.

Quantum Mechanics II: Advanced Topics offers a comprehensive exploration of the state-of-the-art in various advanced topics of current research interest. A follow-up to the authors' introductory book Quantum Mechanics I: The Fundamentals, this book expounds basic principles, theoretical treatment, case studies, worked-out examples and applications of advanced topics including quantum technologies. A thoroughly revised and updated this unique volume presents an in-depth and up-to-date progress on the growing topics including latest achievements on quantum technology. In the second edition six new chapters are included and the other ten chapters are extensively revised. Features Covers classical and quantum field theories, path integral formalism and supersymmetric quantum mechanics. Highlights coherent and squeezed states, Berry's phase, Aharonov-Bohm effect and Wigner function. Explores salient features of quantum entanglement and quantum cryptography. Presents basic concepts of quantum computers and the features of no-cloning theorem and quantum cloning machines. Describes the theory and techniques of quantum tomography, quantum simulation and quantum error correction. Introduces other novel topics including quantum versions of theory of gravity, cosmology, Zeno effect, teleportation, games, chaos and steering. Outlines the quantum technologies of ghost imaging, detection of weak amplitudes and displacements, lithography, metrology, teleportation of optical images, sensors, batteries and internet. Contains several worked-out problems and exercises in each chapter. Quantum Mechanics II: Advanced Topics addresses various currently emerging exciting topics of quantum mechanics. It emphasizes the fundamentals behind the latest cutting-edge developments to help explain the motivation for deeper exploration. The book is a valuable resource for graduate students in physics and engineering wishing to pursue research in quantum mechanics.

Provide knowledge on multiple related fields in application of nanomaterials. Provide most updated literature. Prove readers to understand applications in closely related fields. Consists of examples and illustrations so that readers can absorb the content very fast.

This is the first book devoted to chimera states - peculiar partial synchronization patterns in networks. Providing an overview of the state of the art in research on this topic, it explores how these hybrid states, which are composed of spatially separated domains of synchronized and desynchronized behavior, arise surprisingly in networks of identical units and symmetric coupling topologies. The book not only describes various types of chimeras, but also discusses the role of time delay, stochasticity, and network topology for these synchronization-desynchronization patterns. Moreover, it addresses the question of robustness and control of chimera states, which have various applications in physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering. This book is intended for researchers with a background in physics, applied mathematics, or engineering. Of great interest to specialists working on related problems, it is also a valuable resource for newcomers to the field and other scientists working on the control of spatio-temporal patterns.