|
|
Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences > General
I have written this book because there is, as in almost all
supraspecific ciliate taxa, an ur- gent need for an up-to-date
revision of the oxytrichids, which are common in terrestrial,
limnetic, and marine biotopes. The last comprehensive, illustrated
guides to this group of hypotrichs were provided by KAHL (1932) and
SmLER (1974b); however, as regards syn- onymy and faunistics, these
works are outdated and not as detailed as EHRENBERG'S out- standing
book from 1838. In KAHL's revision, the oxytrichids sensu stricto
are described on about 30 pages, whereas in the present book the
systematic section comprises about 830 pages. This extraordinary
increase in page number is mainly due to the following points: (i)
Species number increased from about SO in KAHL to about 170 in the
present book. (ii) KAHL usually provided only a single illustration
of each species, whereas almost all published illustrations on
oxytrichid ciliates are included in my book. (iii) Modern,
phylogenetic systematics of oxytrichids without morphogenetic data
is impossible; conse- quentlY,*almost all detailed descriptions,
usually dealing with the type species, have been included. (iv)
Synonymy is discussed, and not only mentioned, as is unfortunately
usual.
Strategies of Bacterial Interaction with Eukaryotic Cells *Tobias
A. Oelschlaeger and Jorg Hacker 1. BENEFICIAL BACTERIAL-HOST
INTERACTIONS Already during birth and soon thereafter mammals are
colonized by bacte- ria belonging to the resident microbial flora.
Cutaneous and mucosal sur- faces and the gastrointestinal tract are
the areas which become colonized. These indigenous or autochthonous
bacteria have a variety of beneficial effects on their hosts. They
play a protective role by bacterial antagonism in fighting
infections (Hoszowski and Truszczynski, 1997; Hentges, 1979). Pro-
duction of vitamin K is another essential contribution of the
resident microbial flora to the health of the host (Hill, 1997).
Even more important, studies with germ-free animals demonstrated
the involvement of the microbial flora on the development of the
immune system. Such animals have underdeveloped and relatively
undifferentiated lymphoid tissues and low concentrations of serum
immune globulins ( Cebra et at., 1998). They TOBIAS A. OELSCHLAEGER
and JORG HACKER Institut filr Molekulare lnfektionsbiologie,
Universitiit Wiirzburg, 97070 Wiirzburg, Germany. *Corresponding
author; Phone: (0)931-312150; FAX: (0)931-312578; E-mail:
[email protected] xxix Tobias A. Oelschlaeger
and Jorg Hacker also show defects in specific immune responsiveness
and in nonspecific resistance induced by endotoxin, which may
account for their lowered resis- tance. A more typical example of
symbiotic interaction of bacteria with a host are bacteria like
Ruminococcus in the gut of ruminants, essential for degradation of
cellulose (Hobson, 1988). The closest benefical bacterial-host
interactions are those of intracellular symbiotic bacteria and
their host cells.
Wonderfully illustrated book, originally from 1749.
This introductory text lays particular emphasis on the relationship between development and behaviour. Indeed, the second part of the book is devoted to examining the role of factors present during development which influence the growth of the nervous system and subsequent behaviour. Throughout the subject matter is extensively illustrated in clear, colour diagrams, and each chapter ends with learning objectives and questions.
Although virology and immunology are now considered separate
disciplines, history shows that these areas ofinvestigation always
overlapped and one cannot really exist without the other. This
trend has become particularly significant and fruitful in the past
few years in the area of herpesvirus research. The genomes of the
most important herpesviruses have been sequenced, a significant
portion of their genes have been identified, and many secrets of
regulation of gene expr- sion have been unraveled. Now this
progress sets the stage for a true revolution in herpesvirus
research: analysis of interactions between the host and the virus.
Because herpesviruses can induce, suppress, and fool the immune
system, the most productive herpesvirologists are also expert
immunologists, and the current results ofthis interdisciplinary
effort are truly remarkable. Because herpesviruses cause many
important human diseases, the devel- ment of vaccines against these
agents is a very significant goal. This effort is also very
challenging because of the complexity of herpesviruses and the lack
of sufficient information about immune responses. The remarkable
ability of herpesviruses to escape immune responses is - other
feature that brings immunology and virology together. Herpesviruses
- code many proteins that interact with and down-regulate some key
elements of the immune system. Thisproperty of herpesviruses
represents amajor challenge in developing strategies against these
viruses. On the positive side, these viral proteins also provide
novel tools for analyzing specific immune reactions and molecular
mechanisms.
Highlighting the latest research on Actualistic Taphonomy (AT),
this book presents the outcomes of a meeting that took place in
Montevideo, Uruguay, in October 2017. Its respective chapters offer
valuable insights into South American archaeology, invertebrate and
vertebrate fauna, and flora. In recent years, there has been a
surge of new research on AT, as evidenced by numerous papers,
talks, theses, etc. However, there are still very few AT books or
even dedicated journal articles. Reflecting the discipline's
newfound maturity, this book, written by South American authors,
offers a unique resource for academics and students of
Paleontology, Geology, and Biology around the world.
This work takes a critical look at the current concept of isotopic
landscapes ("isoscapes") in bioarchaeology and its application in
future research. It specifically addresses the research potential
of cremated finds, a somewhat neglected bioarchaeological
substrate, resulting primarily from the inherent osteological
challenges and complex mineralogy associated with it. In addition,
for the first time data mining methods are applied. The chapters
are the outcome of an international workshop sponsored by the
German Science Foundation and the Centre of Advanced Studies at the
Ludwig-Maximilian-University in Munich. Isotopic landscapes are
indispensable tracers for the monitoring of the flow of matter
through geo/ecological systems since they comprise existing
temporally and spatially defined stable isotopic patterns found in
geological and ecological samples. Analyses of stable isotopes of
the elements nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, strontium, and lead are
routinely utilized in bioarchaeology to reconstruct biodiversity,
palaeodiet, palaeoecology, palaeoclimate, migration and trade. The
interpretive power of stable isotopic ratios depends not only on
firm, testable hypotheses, but most importantly on the cooperative
networking of scientists from both natural and social sciences.
Application of multi-isotopic tracers generates isotopic patterns
with multiple dimensions, which accurately characterize a find, but
can only be interpreted by use of modern data mining methods.
Paul Shepard has been one of the most brilliant and original
thinkers in the field of human evolution and ecology for more than
forty years. His thought-provoking ideas on the role of animals in
human thought, dreams, personal identity, and other psychological
and religious contexts have been presented in a series of seminal
writings, including "Thinking Animals," "The Tender Carnivore and
the Sacred Game," and now "The Others," his most eloquent book to
date."The Others" is a fascinating and wide-ranging examination of
how diverse cultures have thought about, reacted to, and interacted
with animals. Shepard argues that humans evolved watching other
animal species, participating in their world, suffering them as
parasites, wearing their feathers and skins, and making tools of
their bones and antlers. For millennia, we have communicated their
significance by dancing, sculpting, performing, imaging, narrating,
and thinking them. The human species cannot be fully itself without
these others.Shepard considers animals as others in a world where
otherness of all kinds is in danger, and in which otherness is
essential to the discovery of the true self. We must understand
what to make of our encounters with animals, because as we prosper
they vanish, and ultimately our prosperity may amount to nothing
without them.
The field of DNA repair is vast and advancing rapidly. Recent
investigations have begun to focus on the involvement of chromatin
in the repair of broken DNA. Although I have no doubt that many
breakthroughs in our understanding of chromatin, chromatin
regulation, and DNA repair lie in our future, presently this is a
new line in inquiry. As such there are many, many unanswered
questions. Indeed, most of the correct questions have probably not
even been asked yet. Here I have attempted to present a review of
some of the current body of knowledge that may prove relevant to
understanding the role of chromatin in DNA repair. Because the
volume of research, and the relevant findings, come from a
staggering array of labs, systems, and ideas I have focused
primarily on findings developed from the study of the budding yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unfortunately, this means that I have
left out a great deal of information. It is my hope, however, that
the information I do detail, particularly in Chapter 1, will give a
flavor for the scope of the problem and perhaps highlight some of
the interesting directions this field is taking, or may one day
take. I would also point out that the primary research that is
presented herein is not in any way meant to represent the
comprehensive scope of research being performed. To understand DNA
repair will require investigation from innumerable labs, performed
by innumerable researchers, moving in unexpected directions.
In this book, leading scientists in the fields of sensory
biology, neuroscience, physics and engineering explore the basic
operational principles and behavioral uses of flow sensing in
animals and how they might be applied to engineering applications
such as autonomous control of underwater or aerial vehicles.
Although humans possess no flow-sensing abilities, countless
aquatic (e.g. fish, cephalopods and seals), terrestrial (e.g.
crickets and spiders) and aerial (e.g. bats) animals have flow
sensing abilities that underlie remarkable behavioral feats.These
include the ability to follow silent hydrodynamic trails long after
the trailblazer has left the scene, to form hydrodynamic images of
their environment in total darkness, and to swim or fly efficiently
and effortlessly in the face of destabilizing currents and
winds.
"
Dynamic Biological Organization is a fascinating account of the
living organisms as dynamic systems, based on the concept that the
spatio-temporal coherence of events within a living system result
from the intrinsic dynamics of the processes taking place within
that sysem. The authors of this important work, Miguel Aon and
Sonia Cortassa have travelled widely to work in some of the leading
research laboratories to accumulate a large information base on
which to assemble this book. Taking a transdisciplinary approach,
the authors draw on work at the interface of biochemistry,
genetics, physiology, thermodynamics, kinetics and biomathematics,
using mathematical models throughout to corroborate and analyze the
biological complexity presented. Emphasizing biological processes
occuring at the cellular level. Dynamic Biological Organization
gives exciting insights into the experimental and theoretical
applications of modern scientific paradigms to fundamental
biological processes.
The Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) has
supported and continues to support development of computational
approaches in biology and medicine. OHER's Radiological and
Chemical Physics Program initiated development of computational
approaches to determine the effects produced by radiation of
different quality (such as high energy electrons, protons, helium
and other heavy ions, etc. ) in a variety of materials of
biological interest-such as water, polymers and DNA; these include
molecular excitations and sub-excitations and the production of
ionization and their spatial and temporal distribution. In the past
several years, significant advances have been made in computational
methods for this purpose. In particular, codes based on Monte Carlo
techniques have .been developed that provide a realistic
description of track-structure produced by charged particles. In
addition, the codes have become sufficiently sophisticated so that
it is now possible to calculate the spatial and temporal
distribution of energy deposition patterns in small volumes of
subnanometer and nanometer dimensions. These dimensions or
resolution levels are relevant for our understanding of mechanisms
at the molecular level by which radiations affect biological
systems. Since the Monte Carlo track structure codes for use in
radiation chemistry and radiation biology are still in the
developmental stage, a number of investigators have been exploring
different strategies for improving these codes."
Despite hundreds of millions of visitors each year, zoos have
remained outside of the realm of philosophical analysis. This lack
of theoretical examination is interesting considering the
paradoxical position within which a zoo is situated, being a space
of animal confinement as well as a site that provides valuable
tools for species conservation, public education, and
entertainment. Why Do We Go to the Zoo? argues that the zoo is a
legitimate space of academic inquiry. The modes of communication
taking place at the zoo that keep drawing us back time and time
again beg for a careful investigation. In this book, the meaning of
the zoo as communicative space is explored. This book relies on the
phenomenological method from Edmund Husserl and a rhetorical
approach to examine the interaction between people and animals in
the zoo space. Phenomenology, the philosophy of examining the
engaged everyday lived experience, is a natural method to use in
the project. Despite its rich history and tradition it is
interesting that there are very few books explaining "how to do"
phenomenology. Why Do We Go to the Zoo? provides a detailed account
of how to actually conduct a phenomenological analysis. The author
spent thousands of hours in zoos watching people and animals
interact as well as talking with people both formally and
informally. This book asks readers to bracket their preconceptions
of what goes on in the zoo and, instead, to explore the meaning of
powerful zoo experiences while reminding us of the troubled history
of zoos.
|
You may like...
Shine
Sherree Dee
Hardcover
R547
Discovery Miles 5 470
|