Biotic stresses cause yield loss of 31-42% in crops in addition to 6-20% during post-harvest stage. Understanding interaction of crop plants to the biotic stresses caused by insects, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and oomycetes, etc. is important to develop resistant crop varieties. Knowledge on the advanced genetic and genomic crop improvement strategies including molecular breeding, transgenics, genomic-assisted breeding and the recently emerging genome editing for developing resistant varieties in pulse crops is imperative for addressing FPNEE (food, health, nutrition. energy and environment) security. Whole genome sequencing of these crops followed by genotyping-by-sequencing have facilitated precise information about the genes conferring resistance useful for gene discovery, allele mining and shuttle breeding which in turn opened up the scope for 'designing' crop genomes with resistance to biotic stresses. The nine chapters each dedicated to a pulse crop in this volume elucidate on different types of biotic stress agents and their effects on and interaction with the crop plants; enumerate on the available genetic diversity with regard to biotic stress resistance among available cultivars; illuminate on the potential gene pools for utilization in interspecific gene transfer; present brief on the classical genetics of stress resistance and traditional breeding for transferring them to their cultivated counterparts; depict the success stories of genetic engineering for developing biotic stress resistant varieties; discuss on molecular mapping of genes and QTLs underlying biotic stress resistance and their marker-assisted introgression into elite varieties; enunciate on different emerging genomics-aided techniques including genomic selection, allele mining, gene discovery and gene pyramiding for developing resistant crop varieties with higher quantity and quality of yields; and also elaborate some case studies on genome editing focusing on specific genes for generating disease and insect resistant crops.

This comprehensive book focuses on the basic physical features and purpose of nanofluids and miniature heat sinks. The contents demonstrate the design modification, fabrication, experimental investigation, and various applications of miniature heat sinks. The book provides context for thermal performance of miniature heat sinks as well as summaries of experimental results correlations that reflect the current technical innovations are included. This book is a useful reference for both academia and industry alike.

Assurance of Sterility for Sensitive Combination Products and Materials: New Paradigms for the Next Generation of Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals discusses the medical device industry and existing challenges regarding the exciting new world of sensitive combination products (SCPs) and their terminal sterilization. This book reassesses the current assumptions to assure the patient's best interests are met in the development of increasingly rigorous sterilization methods used to counteract MRSA and other 'super-bugs'. In addition, the book discusses the special challenges faced with implantable medical devices, sterilization requirements and further methods needed for material selection and the design process. This book is unique in taking a holistic, end-to-end approach to sterilization, with a particular focus on materials selection and product design.

Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, Second Edition presents a comprehensive look at the implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops for both improved food security and environmental sustainability. Edited and authored by leading experts in PF and controlled environment agriculture (CEA), the book is divided into five sections, including an Overview and the Concept of Closed Plant Production Systems (CPPS), the Basics of Physics and Physiology - Environments and Their Effects, System Design, Construction, Cultivation and Management and Plant Factories in Operation. In addition to new coverage on the rapid advancement of LED technology and its application in indoor vertical farming, other revisions to the new edition include updated information on the status of business R&D and selected commercial PFALs (plant factory with artificial lighting). Additional updates include those focused on micro and mini-PFALs for improving the quality of life in urban areas, the physics and physiology of light, the impact of PFAL on the medicinal components of plants, and the system design, construction, cultivation and management issues related to transplant production within closed systems, photoautotrophic micro-propagation and education, training and intensive business forums on PFs.

This book reviews all important aspects of dietary research associated with cancer with the aim of shedding new light on these conditions through combined understanding of traditional and new paradigms. The book is divided into 17 chapters, the first portion reinterprets healthy diets for cancer based on up-to-date evidence from a network science perspective, examining the dietary patterns, outcome of diet related clinical trials, emerging framework of molecular mechanisms and interactions of dietary interventions and their applications in personalized diet, ground realities of benefits and regulatory frame work for functional foods, nutraceuticals and supplements in cancer prevention and upcoming future prospectus in diet-cancer research.. The later part of the book discusses recent advances in understanding of the elaborative discourse on cancer and fasting, covering, for example, calorie restriction and fasting mimicking diet. Finally, different Dietary research and approaches are considered in the context of novel intervention for cancer research. Dietary Research in Cancer will be of interest for all researchers, nutritionists, students and clinicians in the field.

Mineralized Collagen Bone Graft Substitutes presents a comprehensive study of biomimetic mineralized collagen, synthesized in vitro, a next generation biomaterial for bone regeneration. By focusing both on fundamental research and the clinical use of this novel material, the book provides a complete examination, from bench to bedside. Chapters discuss natural bone and familiar biomaterials for bone repair, the preparation and safety of mineralized collagen, products made of mineralized collagen, and present clinical case studies. This book is an invaluable and unique resource for researchers, clinicians, students and industrialists in the area of orthopedics and dentistry.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the development and application of microfluidics and biosensors in cancer research, in particular, their applications in cancer modeling and theranostics. Over the last decades, considerable effort has been made to develop new technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Microfluidics has proven to be a powerful tool for manipulating biological fluids with high precision and efficiency and has already been adopted by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With recent technological advances, particularly biosensors, microfluidic devices have increased their usefulness and importance in oncology and cancer research. The aim of this book is to bring together in a single volume all the knowledge and expertise required for the development and application of microfluidic systems and biosensors in cancer modeling and theranostics. It begins with a detailed introduction to the fundamental aspects of tumor biology, cancer biomarkers, biosensors and microfluidics. With this knowledge in mind, the following sections highlight important advances in developing and applying biosensors and microfluidic devices in cancer research at universities and in the industry. Strategies for identifying and evaluating potent disease biomarkers and developing biosensors and microfluidic devices for their detection are discussed in detail. Finally, the transfer of these technologies into the clinical environment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients will be highlighted. By combining the recent advances made in the development and application of microfluidics and biosensors in cancer research in academia and clinics, this book will be useful literature for readers from a variety of backgrounds. It offers new visions of how this technology can influence daily life in hospitals and companies, improving research methodologies and the prognosis of cancer patients.

Biomass, Biofuels and Biochemical: Biohydrogen, Second Edition, provides general information, basic data and knowledge on one of the most promising renewable energy sources, including its production and applications. The book describes a green technology for abating environmental crisis and enabling the transformation into a sustainable future. Researchers, students and science enthusiasts alike will appreciate this holistic view of biohydrogen production, which details the functional mechanisms employed, operational configurations, influencing factors and integration strategies. With 50% more content, this new edition outlines the scaling of processes and features material from experienced international researchers working at the interface of biotechnology and engineering. Hydrogen is an energy carrier and is available in chemically combined forms in water, fossil fuels and biomass. About 95 % of current hydrogen requirements are produced through fossil fuel sources. Being a clean energy source, its future widespread use as a fuel is likely to be in the transportation and distributed power generation sectors.

Numerical PDE Analysis of Retinal Neovascularization Mathematical Model Computer Implementation in R provides a methodology for the analysis of neovascularization (formation of blood capillaries) in the retina. It describes the starting point-a system of three partial differential equations (PDEs)-that define the evolution of (1) capillary tip density, (2) blood capillary density and (3) concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina as a function of space (distance along the retina), x, and time, t, the three PDE dependent variables for (1), (2) and (3), and designated as u1(x, t), u2(x, t), u3(x, t), amongst other topics.

Metallosurfactants Provides up-to-date coverage of the synthesis, properties, and applications of metallosurfactants Metallosurfactants: From Fundamentals to Catalytic and Biomedical Applications is a thorough introduction to amphiphilic compounds that allow to incorporate metal ions in the surfactant system. This comprehensive reference and guide describes the fundamentals of metal surfactant complexes, highlights recent advances in the field, and explores current and future applications and research areas. Gradually progressing from basic to advanced topics, the authors first explain the classification and characterization of metallosurfactants before delving into more complex concepts and various catalytic, sensing, and biomedical applications. The book begins with coverage of the synthesis of metallosurfactants and their surface, interfacial, and aggregation behavior. Subsequent chapters discuss applications of metallosurfactants in areas such as drug delivery, molecular machines, transfection, nanoparticle synthesis, and carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs). Other topics include the use of metallosurfactants as catalysts in organic reactions, and as anticancer and antimicrobial agents in drug delivery and formulation. This unique reference Provides an overview of the structure-function relationship, synthesis methods, and characterization of metallosurfactants Reviews current trends in metallosurfactant development and research Examines the use of metallosurfactants in a wide range of reactions, including esterolytic reactions and hydrogen generation Discusses advanced applications of metallosurfactants, e.g. as nanoreactors for nanoparticle synthesis, non-viral transfection vectors, and sensors Metallosurfactants: From Fundamentals to Catalytic and Biomedical Applications is an excellent introduction to the growing field of metallosurfactant chemistry as well as a concise, highly useful reference for researchers and scientists in both academia and industry.

This thesis builds on recent innovations in multi-phase emulsion droplet design to demonstrate that emulsion morphologies enable a useful variety of dynamic optical phenomena. Despite the highly dynamic nature of fluid morphologies and their utility for stimuli-responsive, dynamic optical materials and devices, fluid matter is underrepresented in optical technology. Using bi-phase emulsion droplets as refractive micro-optical components, this thesis realizes micro-scale fluid compound lenses with optical properties that vary in response to changes in chemical concentrations, structured illumination, and thermal gradients. Theoretical considerations of emulsions as optical components are used to explain a previously unrecognized total internal reflection-enabled light interference phenomenon in emulsion droplets that results in rich structural coloration. While this work is focused on the fundamental optics of emulsion droplets, it also facilitates the use of light-emitting emulsion morphologies as chemo-optical transducers for early-stage food-borne pathogen detection. This thesis beautifully demonstrates the virtue of fundamental interdisciplinary exploration of unconventional material systems at the interface of optics, chemistry, and materials science, and the benefits arising from translation of the acquired knowledge into specific application scenarios.

"RFK Jr. exposes the decades of lies."--Luc Montagnier, Nobel laureate From the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Publishers Weekly bestselling author of The Real Anthony Fauci comes an explosive exposé of the cover-up behind the true origins of COVID-19. "Gain-of-function" experiments are often conducted to deliberately develop highly virulent, easily transmissible pathogens for the stated purpose of developing preemptive vaccines for animal viruses before they jump to humans. More insidious is the "dual use" nature of this research, specifically directed toward bioweapons development. The Wuhan Cover-Up pulls back the curtain on how the US government's increase in biosecurity spending after the 2001 terror attacks--facilitated by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)--set in motion a plan to transform the NIAID into a de facto Defense Department agency. While Dr. Fauci zealously funded and pursued gain-of-function research, concern grew among some scientists and government officials about the potential for accidental or deliberate release of weaponized viruses from labs that might trigger worldwide pandemics. A moratorium was placed on this research, but true to form, Dr. Fauci found ways to continue unperturbed--outsourcing some of the most controversial experiments offshore to China and providing federal funding to Wuhan Institute of Virology's (WIV's) leading researchers for gain-of-function studies in partnership with the Chinese military and the Chinese Communist Party. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose meticulously researched and rigorously sourced analysis, leads readers on a staggering journey to learn about: the key enablers and henchmen pushing for gain-of-function research the economic motives behind gain-of-function research successfully engineered "chimeric viruses" that can infect and kill humans the coordinated effort to silence speculation of COVID-19's laboratory genesis the complicity of scientific journals to hide the origins of COVID-19 the role of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China's biowarfare/biodefense program the relationships between US health, military, and intelligence bureaucracies and scientists and their Chinese counterparts the roles of Bill Gates and Sir Jeremy Farrar in helping to orchestrate China's global cover-up The Wuhan Cover-Up unveils a global conspiracy of epic proportion and lethal consequence.

3D Printing Technology in Nanomedicine provides an integrated and introductory look into the rapidly evolving field of nanobiotechnology. It demystifies the processes of commercialization and discusses legal and regulatory considerations. With a focus on nanoscale processes and biomedical applications, users will find this to be a comprehensive resource on how 3D printing can be utilized in a range of areas, including the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of human diseases.

This well-established textbook on biocatalysis provides a basis for undergraduate and graduate courses in modern organic chemistry, as well as a condensed introduction into this field. After a basic introduction into the use of biocatalysts-principles of stereoselective transformations, enzyme properties and kinetics-the different types of reactions are explained according to the 'reaction principle', such as hydrolysis, reduction, oxidation, C-C bond formation, etc. Special techniques, such as the use of enzymes in organic solvents, immobilization techniques, artificial enzymes and the design of cascade-reactions are treated in a separate section. A final chapter deals with the basic rules for the safe and practical handling of biocatalysts. The use of biocatalysts, employed either as isolated enzymes or whole microbial cells, offers a remarkable arsenal of highly selective transformations for state-of-the-art synthetic organic chemistry. Over the last two decades, this methodology has become an indispensable tool for asymmetric synthesis, not only at the academic level, but also on an industrial scale. In this 7th edition new topics have been introduced which include alcohol and amine oxidases, amine dehydrogenases, imine reductases, haloalkane dehalogenases, ATP-independent phosphorylation, Michael-additions and cascade reactions. This new edition also emphasizes the use of enzymes in industrial biotransformations with practical examples.

Since the introduction of recombinant human growth hormone and insulin a quarter century ago, protein therapeutics has greatly broadened the ho- zon of health care. Many patients suffering with life-threatening diseases or chronic dysfunctions, which were medically untreatable not long ago, can attest to the wonder these drugs have achieved. Although the ?rst generation of p- tein therapeutics was produced in recombinant Escherichia coli, most recent products use mammalian cells as production hosts. Not long after the ?rst p- duction of recombinant proteins in E. coli, it was realized that the complex tasks of most post-translational modi?cations on proteins could only be ef?ciently carried out in mammalian cells. In the 1990s, we witnessed a rapid expansion of mammalian-cell-derived protein therapeutics, chie?y antibodies. In fact, it has been nearly a decade since the market value of mammalian-cell-derived protein therapeutics surpassed that of those produced from E. coli. A common characteristic of recent antibody products is the relatively large dose required for effective therapy, demanding larger quantities for the treatment of a given disease. This, coupled with the broadening repertoire of protein drugs, has rapidly expanded the quantity needed for clinical applications. The increasing demand for protein therapeutics has not been met exclusively by construction of new manufacturing plants and increasing total volume capacity. More - portantly the productivity of cell culture processes has been driven upward by an order of magnitude in the past decade.

This book gives a comprehensive overview on the various aspects of Trichoderma, a filamentous fungus ubiquitously present in soil. Topics addressed are the biology, diversity, taxonomy, ecology, biotechnology and cultivation of Trichoderma, to just name a few. Basic as well as applied aspects are covered and a special focus is given on use of Trichoderma in agriculture and beyond. Trichoderma species are widely distributed throughout the world in soil, rotting plant material, and wood. Although they are often considered as a contaminants, Trichoderma species are also known for their ability to act as biocontrol agents against various plant pathogens and plant diseases, and also as biostimulants promoting plant growth. The contents of this book will be of particular interest to, agricultural scientists, biotechnologists, plant pathologists, mycologists, and microbiologists, students, extension workers, policy makers and other stakeholders.

Sweet Potato: Chemistry, Processing, and Nutrition presents foundational information, including identification, analysis, and use of chemical components from sweet potato in a variety of food and nonfood uses. Sweet potatoes can be easily propagated, are rich source of carbohydrates and functional components, and are highly productive, which makes them most suitable for production of staple and functional foods. With the increasing population and the challenges of providing healthy food to the world, there is an increasing consumer demand for new and better sweet potato products, particularly for those in developing countries. Providing a brief description of the specific sweet potato components, their role during processing and strategies for quality optimization, this book also explores novel methods of sweet potato starch, protein, and pectin modification providing students, researchers, and technologists working in the area of food science and others with the most recent information and state-of-the-art technology for developing new and beneficial uses of sweet potato.

This book presents a comprehensive overview on origin, structure, properties, modification strategies and applications of the biopolymer lignin. It is organized into four themed parts. The first part focuses on the analysis and characterization of the second most abundant biopolymer. The following part is devoted to the biological aspects of lignin such as biosynthesis and degradation. In the third part, chemical modification strategies and the preparation of composites as well as nano- and microparticles are discussed.The final part addresses the industrial application of lignin and its derivatives, as well as lignin materials. The usage for synthesis of biofuels, fine chemicals and in agriculture and food industry is covered. This book is a comprehensive source for researchers, scientists and engineers working in the field of biopolymers as well as renewable materials and sources.

'Mechanotransduction' is the term for the ability, first described by 19th-century anatomist Julius Wolff, of living tissues to sense mechanical stress and respond by tissue remodeling. More recently, the scope of mechanotransduction has been expanded to include the sensation of stress, its translation into a biochemical signal, and the sequence of biological responses it produces. This book looks at mechanotransduction in a more restricted sense, focusing on the process of stress sensing and transducing a mechanical force into a cascade of biochemical signals. This stress has become increasingly recognized as one of the primary and essential factors controlling biological functions, ultimately affecting the function of the cells, tissues, and organs. A primary goal of this broad book is also to help define the new field of mechanomics, which attempts to describe the complete mechanical state of a biological system.

Written by world-leading experts, this book focusses on the role of biomaterials in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Emphasising basic principles and methodology, it covers stem cell interactions, fabrication technologies, design principles, physical characterisation and biological evaluation, across a broad variety of systems and biomaterials. Topics include: stem cell biology, including embryonic stem cells, IPS, HSC and progenitor cells; modern scaffold structures, including biopolymer, bioceramic, micro- and nanofiber, ECM and biohydrogel; advanced fabrication technologies, including computer-aided tissue engineering and organ printing; cutting-edge drug delivery systems and gene therapy techniques; and medical applications spanning hard and soft tissues, the cardiovascular system and organ regeneration. With a contribution by Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, this is a must-have reference for anyone in the field of biomaterials, stem cell biology and engineering, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

A comprehensive and accessible survey of the best current accomplishments of GMO research in all their complexity and ramifications. The authors introduce the fundamentals of biotechnology as a scientific discipline, show how GMO research is conducted today, discuss the problems that have arisen from genetic technology and the tools needed to resolve them, and describes how GMO-derived technology may impact our lives in the future. On the technical side, the authors examine a wide range of current technologies employed for constructing GMOs, and describe approaches to novel research, appropriate protocols, and the process of constructing and screening a GMO. The discussion of plant and animal cells covers new strategies employed and the large-scale expression and purification of recombinant products in cultured cells. Social political, and legal issues are also discussed.

Advances in Applied Microbiology, Volume 106, continues the comprehensive reach of this widely read and authoritative review source in microbiology. Users will find invaluable references and information on a variety of areas, with this updated volume including chapters covering The role and regulation of the stress activated sigma factor SigB in the saprophytic and host-associated life stages of the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, Bacterial synthesis of Se nanoparticles, Siderophores in environmental research, Methods to reduce spoilage and microbial contamination of plant produce, Nitrogen cycling during wastewater treatment, Oxalic acid, a molecule at crossroads of bacterial-fungal interactions, and Bacterial spores, from ecology to biotechnology.

Novel Nanomaterials for Biomedical, Environmental, and Energy Applications is a comprehensive study on the cutting-edge progress in the synthesis and characterization of novel nanomaterials and their subsequent advances and uses in biomedical, environmental and energy applications. Covering novel concepts and key points of interest, this book explores the frontier applications of nanomaterials. Chapters discuss the overall progress of novel nanomaterial applications in the biomedical, environmental and energy fields, introduce the synthesis, characterization, properties and applications of novel nanomaterials, discuss biomedical applications, and cover the electrocatalytical and photothermal effects of novel nanomaterials for efficient energy applications. The book will be invaluable to academic researchers and biomedical clinicians working with nanomaterials.

EEG Brain Signal Classification for Epileptic Seizure Disorder Detection provides the knowledge necessary to classify EEG brain signals to detect epileptic seizures using machine learning techniques. Chapters present an overview of machine learning techniques and the tools available, discuss previous studies, present empirical studies on the performance of the NN and SVM classifiers, discuss RBF neural networks trained with an improved PSO algorithm for epilepsy identification, and cover ABC algorithm optimized RBFNN for classification of EEG signal. Final chapter present future developments in the field. This book is a valuable source for bioinformaticians, medical doctors and other members of the biomedical field who need the most recent and promising automated techniques for EEG classification.