Over the last several years it has become apparent to most researchers that interdisciplinary research is the key to success in the sciences' future. The present book exemplifies such interdisciplinary work. Thus, some new derivatives have been prepared by chemists and consecutively analyzed by physicists in order to better understand their physical-chemical properties for future tests to be performed by pharmacists. The book consists of an introductory section and other eight chapters. First, the fundamentals of infrared, Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and those of the theoretical methods employed for the vibrational prediction modes are highlighted. The SERS investigations illustrated in the following chapters are focused on different kinds of drugs: tranquilizers and sedatives, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, drugs with anti-bacterial properties, etc. Since there is an increased interest in designing highly effective and controllable SERS-active substrates, a few newly developed substrates that could contribute to a deeper understanding and knowledge of the adsorption behavior of various types of molecules of pharmaceutical and medical interest are also presented.

Beginning with the basics of lactic acid bacteria and stress response, then working into specific fields of research and current developments, "Stress Responses of Lactic Acid Bacteria" will serve as an essential guidebook to researchers in the field, industry professionals, and advanced students in the area.

The exploration of stress responses in lactic acid bacteria began in the early 90s and revealed the differences that exist between LAB and the classical model microorganisms. A considerable amount of work has been performed on the main genera / species of LAB regarding the genes implicated and their actual role and regulation, and the mechanisms of stress resistance have also been elucidated. Recent genome and transcriptome analyses complement the proteome and genetic information available today and shed a new light on the perception of and the responses to stress by lactic acid bacteria.

The book summarizes important aspects of cheminformatics that are relevant for natural product research. It highlights cheminformatics tools that help to match natural products with their respective biological targets or off-targets, and discusses the potential and limitations of this approach.

This book gathers 12 outstanding contributions that reflect state-of-the-art industrial applications of fluorescence, ranging from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries to explosives detection, aeronautics, instrumentation development, lighting, photovoltaics, water treatment and much more. In the field of fluorescence, the translation of research into important applications has expanded significantly over the past few decades. The 18th volume in the Springer Series on Fluorescence fills an important gap by focusing on selected industrial applications of fluorescence, described in contributions by both industry-based researchers and academics engaged in collaborations with industrial partners.

This book focuses on starch polymers including starch genetics, biotechnological and chemical modification, nanostructures, processing, characterization, properties and applications. This books topic is in a cutting edge and emerging technology area of biomaterials, nanomaterials and renewable materials, and will involve international experts in diverse fields from genetic engineering to applications.
Focuses on cutting edge applications of starch polymers, including starch genetics and RheologyContains working examples and provides real problems and solutions in the area of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and renewable materialsProvides systematic and in-depth coverage and critical assessment of all starch properties and applications from top scientists in the industry

"About 25 years ago, Mosmann & Coffman introduced the TH1 / TH2 paradigm of T helper cell differentiation which helped explain many aspects of adaptive immunity from eliminating intracellular versus extracellular pathogens to induction of different types of tissue inflammation. However, TH1 / TH2 paradigm could not adequately explain development of certain inflammatory responses which provided impetus for the discovery of a new subset of T cells called TH17 cells. After the discovery of differentiation and transcription factors for TH17 cells, it was clear that TH17 cells represent an independent subset of T cells with specific functions in eliminating certain extracellular pathogens, presumably not adequately handled by TH1 or TH2 cells. The major role of TH17 cells has been described in inducing auto-immune tissue inflammation. The discovery of TH17 cells has expanded the TH1 / TH2 paradigm, and the integration of TH17 cells with TH1 and TH2 effector T cells is beginning to explain the underlying mechanisms of tissue inflammation in a number of infections and auto-immune disease settings." - From Chapter One by Vijay K. Kuchroo, Harvard University, USA "The recently identified Interleukin 17 (IL-17) cytokine family contributes to immunity to infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases. Further studies on the regulation and function of this important cytokine family may provide better understanding on the roles of the IL-17 family in immune-mediated diseases; such knowledge may lead to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies for treatment of several inflammatory diseases." - From Chapter Two by Chen Dong, University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

In recent years the use of liquid—liquid extraction equipment has attracted widespread interest from all major chemical engineering, petroleum and pharmaceutical companies as well as university-based scientists and engineers. Liquid—Liquid Extraction Equipment presents :

• a critical analysis of all available information, including practical recommendations
• new ideas on performance enhancement and equipment selection
• an up-to-date review of research results on equipment performance
• illustrations of present understanding using well-known equipment
• a concise survey of past, present and forthcoming procedures

This book discusses the impact of different range of velocities (low, high, ballistic and hyper-velocity impact) on composites. Presented through experimental and numerical analysis, the book goes beyond impact event analysis and also covers the after-impact phenomena, including flexural and compression and damage analysis through destructive and non-destructive evaluations. The analyses presented from either experimental or numerical simulations are composed of micro and macrographs images, illustrations, tables and figures with inclusive discussions and supportive evidences from recent studies on composites. This book also highlights the potential applications of composites through the lens of their impact properties, in different industries such as automotive and defence applications. Generally, this book benefits wider range of readers including the industrial practitioners, researchers, lecturer and students, who are working in the fields related to impact and damage analysis, including the structural health monitoring of composites, either experimentally or numerically.

The series Topics in Organometallic Chemistry presents critical overviews of research results in organometallic chemistry. As our understanding of organometallic structure, properties and mechanisms increases, new ways are opened for the design of organometallic compounds and reactions tailored to the needs of such diverse areas as organic synthesis, medical research, biology and materials science. Thus the scope of coverage includes a broad range of topics in pure and applied organometallic chemistry, where new breakthroughs are being achieved that are of significance to a larger scientific audience. The individual volumes of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry are thematic. Review articles are generally invited by the volume editors.

Meat and meat products constitute one of the most important foods in western societies. However, the area of meat biotechnology is not as comprehensively covered as other areas of food biotechnology. Missing from this area are the recent developments for better sensory and nutritional quality as well as improved safety.

The main goal of this book is to provide the reader with the recent developments in biotechnology and their applications in the meat processing chain. To achieve this goal, the book is divided into four parts. The first part deals with the use of modern biotechnology applied to farm animals. The second part focuses on the recent biotechnological developments in starter cultures for better meat fermentation. The third part discusses current approaches to improve the quality and nutritional properties of meats. The final part presents the latest advances in protection against foodborne pathogens, and other recent trends in the field. Written by distinguished international contributors, this book brings together the advances in such varied and different biotechnological topics.

This book reviews the recent advances in hydrothermal conversion of biomass into chemicals and fuels, and consists of 15 chapters. It introduces the properties of high-temperature water, the merits of hydrothermal conversion of biomass, and some novel hydrothermal conversion processes, mainly including hydrothermal production of value-added products, hydrothermal gasification, hydrothermal liquefaction and hydrothermal carbonization. This book introduces a new concept for counteracting the imbalance in the carbon cycle, which is caused by the rapid consumption of fossil fuels in anthropogenic activities in combination with the slow formation of fossil fuels. Accordingly, the book is useful in conveying a fundamental understanding of hydrothermal conversion of biomass in the carbon cycle so that a contribution can be made to achieving sustainable energy and environment. It is also interesting to a wide readership in various fields including chemical, geologic and environmental science and engineering. Fangming Jin is a Distinguished Professor at the School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Enzymes: Novel Biotechnological Approaches for the Food Industry provides an in-depth background of the most up-to-date scientific research and information related to food biotechnology and offers a wide spectrum of biological applications. This book addresses novel biotechnological approaches for the use of enzymes in the food industry to help readers understand the potential uses of biological applications to advance research. This is an essential resource to researchers and both undergraduate and graduate students in the biotechnological industries.

Today, in a world with abundant food, more than 700 million people are chro- cally undernourished. Over the next 20 years, the world's population will probably double. The global food supply would need to double or to triple for the larger population to be fed adequately. Agriculture is closely linked to environmental quality in a variety of ways, and the challenge of our generation is how to feed a growing planet while maintaining the integrity of our ecological life-support system. The responsibility of governments for ensuring food security will grow proportionately with the growth of populations, and governments bear a special responsibility for promoting agricultural inputs. Agriculture in the 21st century, will certainly focus increasingly on adapting modern technologies to local farming systems, needs and environments. Worldwide climatic changes have been raising concerns about potential changes to crop yields and production systems. Such concerns include the ability to acc- modate these uncertain effects in order to ensure an adequate food supply for an increasing population. What can be done concretely to use agriculture to address some of the fundamental issues of today's world? We must recognize that agric- ture is part of the solution and not just a problem. Agricultural development is a key to social stability and equity in many parts of the world. It can help to al- viate the subtle and unspoken fears of modernization and the space of change if innovation is handled transparently.

The Advances in Food and Nutrition Research series highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

The book provides an overview on various microorganisms and their industrialization in energy conversion, such as ethanol fermentation, butanol fermentation, biogas fermentation and fossil energy conversion. It also covers microbial oil production, hydrogen production and electricity generation. The content is up to date and suits well for both researchers and industrial audiences.

This book highlights current approaches and future trends in the use of mass spectrometry to characterize protein therapies. As one of the most frequently utilized analytical techniques in pharmaceutical research and development, mass spectrometry has been widely used in the characterization of protein therapeutics due to its analytical sensitivity, selectivity, and specificity. This book begins with an overview of mass spectrometry techniques as related to the analysis of protein therapeutics, structural identification strategies, quantitative approaches, followed by studies involving characterization of process related protein drug impurities/degradants, metabolites, higher order structures of protein therapeutics. Both general practitioners in pharmaceutical research and specialists in analytical sciences will benefit from this book that details step-by-step approaches and new strategies to solve challenging problems related to protein therapeutics research and development.

This volume of Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry reviews the latest developments in electrochemical science and technology related to biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. In particular, this book discusses electrochemical applications to medical devices, implants, antimicrobially active materials, and drug delivery systems.

The series Advances in Polymer Science presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science. It covers all areas of research in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, material science.The thematic volumes are addressed to scientists, whether at universities or in industry, who wish to keep abreast of the important advances in the covered topics.Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist.Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Single contributions can be specially commissioned.Readership: Polymer scientists, or scientists in related fields interested in polymer and biopolymer science, at universities or in industry, graduate students.

Over the last few years the technologies employed in the production of dry pasta and semolina have changed dramatically. This highly practical book examines these changes and gives commercially relevant information to the reader in the areas of durum wheat, semolina production, pasta mixing and extrusion, shape design and quality assurance.

Written principally for food technologists working with pasta as an end product or as an ingredient, this book is also an essential reference source for academic, research and teaching institutions.

This authoritative volume explores the fundamental concepts and numerous applications of targeted delivery of drugs to the body. This compilation has been divided into eight sections comprised of the basic principles of drug targeting, disease and organ/organelle-based targeting, passive and active targeting strategies, and various advanced drug delivery tools such as functionalized lipidic, polymeric and inorganic nanocarriers. Together, the twenty-three chapters cover a wide range of topics in the field, including tumor and hepatic targeting, polymer-drug conjugates, nanoemulsion, physical and biophysical characteristics of nanoparticles, and in vivo imaging techniques, among others. The book also examines advanced characterization techniques, regulatory hurdles and toxicity-related issues that are key features for successful commercialization of targeted drug delivery system products. Targeted Drug Delivery is a comprehensive reference guide for drug delivery researchers, both beginners and those already working in the field.

The purpose of this book will be to demonstrate 1) the newly developed method of using reactive functionalized materials in agriculture to solve the economic and public health problems associated with using conventional agrochemicals; and 2) new technology aimed at achieving the greening of chemistry to meet appropriate environmental standards in both agriculture and industrial foodstuffs production. More specifically, the book will accomplish this goal by addressing 3 key issues in the field: 1) the production of reactive functionalized materials with enhanced properties that offer a major opportunity to overcome the disadvantages of using traditional materials; 2) the applications of functionalized materials in agriculture for the purpose of solving the economic and the environmental pollution problems associated with the uses of conventional agrochemicals; and 3) the contribution of polymers in solving problems associated with conventional procedures of food growth and processing, including those used in the dairy industry, sugar and fruit juices, beer and wine production, nutritive and nonnutritive food additives, and in food protection.

Traditional food and bioprocessing technologies are facing challenges due to high expectation from the consumers and producers for better quality and safety, higher process efficiency, and products with novel properties or functionalities. For this reason, in the last few years new forms of physical energies have been explored to propose alternatives to traditional processing technologies. Acoustic energy has the potential to replace or partially substitute conventional processes, and at the same time offer unique opportunities in the characterization of foods and biomaterials. This book is a resource for experts and newcomers in the field of power ultrasound, gives insights into the physical principles of this technology, details the latest advancements, and links them to current and potential applications in the food and bioprocessing related industries.

This comprehensive handbook covers the diverse aspects of chemical vapor transport reactions from basic research to important practical applications. The book begins with an overview of models for chemical vapor transport reactions and then proceeds to treat the specific chemical transport reactions for the elements, halides, oxides, sulfides, selenides, tellurides, pnictides, among others. Aspects of transport from intermetallic phases, the stability of gas particles, thermodynamic data, modeling software and laboratory techniques are also covered. Selected experiments using chemical vapor transport reactions round out the work, making this book a useful reference for researchers and instructors in solid state and inorganic chemistry.

The Role of Metals and Ligands in Organic Hydroformylation, by Luca Gonsalvi, Antonella Guerriero, Eric Monflier, Frederic Hapiot, Maurizio Peruzzini.

Hydroformylation in Aqueous Biphasic Media Assisted by Molecular Receptors, by Frederic Hapiot, Herve Bricout, Sebastien Tilloy, Eric Monflier.

Asymmetric Hydroformylation, by Bernabe F. Perandones, Cyril Godard, Carmen Claver.

Domino Reactions Triggered by Hydroformylation, by Elena Petricci, Elena Cini.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Hydroformylation in Fused Azapolycycles Synthesis, by Roberta Settambolo.

Hydroformylation in Natural Product Synthesis, by Roderick W. Bates, Sivarajan Kasinathan."