Remodeling Forensic Skeletal Age: Modern Applications and New Research Directions presents a comprehensive understanding of the analytical frameworks and conceptual approaches surrounding forensic age estimation and the current state of the field. The book also includes a series of recommendations of best practice through chapter-examples that offer theory and guidance for data acquisition, technique and/or model development, and the assessment of impact of the adopted approaches. Written by leading, international experts, the book's contributors provide an introduction, conceptual understanding and taxonomy of statistical frameworks and computational approaches, including the Bayesian paradigm and machine learning techniques for age estimation.

This volume of Progress in Brain Research provides a synthetic source of information about state-of-the-art research that has important implications for the evolution of the brain and cognition in primates, including humans. This topic requires input from a variety of fields that are developing at an unprecedented pace: genetics, developmental neurobiology, comparative and functional neuroanatomy (at gross and microanatomical levels), quantitative neurobiology related to scaling factors that constrain brain organization and evolution, primate palaeontology (including paleoneurology), paleo-anthropology, comparative psychology, and behavioural evolutionary biology.

Written by internationally-renowned scientists, this timely volume will be of wide interest to students, scholars, science journalists, and a variety of experts who are interested in keeping track of the discoveries that are rapidly emerging about the evolution of the brain and cognition.

Written by internationally renowned scientists, this timely volume will be of wide interest to students, scholars, science journalists, and a variety of experts who are interested in keeping track of the discoveries that are rapidly emerging about the evolution of the brain and cognition.

The Himalayan Region is a mega hot spot for biological diversity. It supports over 1,748 plants species of known medicinal value. This title focuses on origin and distribution of Himalayan herbs, their medicinal potential, industrial significance, and research advancements pertaining to molecular breeding and omics-based approaches.

A current survey and synthesis of the most important findings in our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction is detailed in our Neurobiology of Addiction series, each volume addressing a specific area of addiction. Alcohol, Volume 3 in the series, explores the molecular, cellular, and neurocircuitry systems in the brain responsible for alcohol addiction using the heuristic three-stage cycle framework of binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation.

This second edition of the conifer book Pines is an amended and updated version of the first edition, which sold out in 2002. The scope and structure of the book have been maintained. It includes several taxonomic changes and presents a new chapter on phylogeny. Conservation aspects have been added. The book contains a total of 92 drawings and 103 distribution maps.

How scientific advances in genetic modification will fundamentally change the natural world The process of manipulating the genetic material of one animal to include the DNA of another creates a new transgenic organism. Several animals, notably goats, mice, sheep, and cattle are now genetically modified in this way. In Our Transgenic Future, Lisa Jean Moore wonders what such scientific advances portend. Will the natural world become so modified that it ceases to exist? After turning species into hybrids, can we ever get back to the original, or are they forever lost? Does genetic manipulation make better lives possible, and if so, for whom? Moore centers the story on goats that have been engineered by the US military and civilian scientists using the DNA of spiders. The goat's milk contains a spider-silk protein fiber; it can be spun into ultra-strong fabric that can be used to manufacture lightweight military body armor. Researchers also hope the transgenically produced spider silk will revolutionize medicine with biocompatible medical inserts such as prosthetics and bandages. Based on in-depth research with spiders in Florida and transgenic goats in Utah, Our Transgenic Future focuses on how these spidergoats came into existence, the researchers who maintain them, the funders who have made their lives possible, and how they fit into the larger science of transgenics and synthetics. This book is a fascinating story about the possibilities of science and the likely futures that may come.

Epidemiology of Brain and Spinal Tumors provides a single volume resource on imaging methods and neuroepidemiology of both brain and spinal tumors. The book covers a variety of imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), MRI, positron emission tomography (PET), and other laboratory tests used in diagnosis and treatment. Detailed epidemiology, various imaging methods, and clinical considerations of tumors of the CNS make this an ideal reference for users who will also find diverse information about structures and functions, cytology, epidemiology (including molecular epidemiology), diagnosis and treatment. This book is appropriate for neuroscience researchers, medical professionals and anyone interested in a complete guide to visualizing and understanding CNS tumors.

Tumor Microenvironment Regulation of Tumor Expansion is a practical guide to understand and perform research on tumor microenvironments, and to support related clinical decisions. Tumor progression is linked to an imbalance between positive and negative regulators, and mainly depends on the release of specific growth factors by inflammatory or neoplastic cells. Inflammatory infiltrate contributes to tumor progression and the metastatic process, and there are many reports of associations between tumor inflammatory infiltrate, progression, and prognosis. Understanding different contexts of organs is a key factor in improving treatment outcome, especially in new therapeutic treatments targeting components of the tumor microenvironment. This book is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, clinicians, graduate students, and scientists in many biomedical fields who are interested in the complex relationship between the tumor microenvironment and its context in specific organs.

This volume covers a wide range of conceptual, epistemological and methodological issues in the philosophy of science raised by reflection upon medical science and practice. Several chapters examine such general meta-scientific concepts as discovery, reduction, theories and models, causal inference and scientific realism as they apply to medicine or medical science in particular. Some discuss important concepts specific to medicine (diagnosis, health, disease, brain death). A topic such as evidence, for instance, is examined at a variety of levels, from social mechanisms for guiding evidence-based reasoning such as evidence-based medicine, consensus conferences, and clinical trials, to the more abstract analysis of experimentation, inference and uncertainty. Some chapters reflect on particular domains of medicine, including psychiatry, public health, and nursing.

The contributions span a broad range of detailed cases from the science and practice of medicine, as well as a broad range of intellectual approaches, from conceptual analysis to detailed examinations of particular scientific papers or historical episodes.
Chapters view philosophy of medicine from quite different angles Considers substantive cases from both medical science and practiceChapters from a distinguished array of contributors

The unique and diverse hair and eye colours often found in northern and eastern Europe are relatively new and have emerged over a short span of evolutionary time-less than ten thousand years. Why? How? This work explores the latest science to answer these puzzling questions.

Myxomycetes: Biology, Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology, Second Edition provides a complete collection of general and technical information on myxomycetes microorganisms. Its broad scope takes an integrated approach, considering a number of important aspects surrounding their genetics and molecular phylogeny. The book treats myxomycetes as a distinct group from fungi and includes molecular information that discusses systematics and evolutionary pathways. Written and developed by an international team of specialists, this second edition contains updated information on all aspects of myxomycetes. It incorporates relevant and new material on current barcoding developments, plasmodial network experimentation, and non-STEM disciplinary assimilation of myxomycete information. This book is a unique and authoritative resource for researchers in organismal biology and ecology disciplines, as well as students and academics in biology, ecology, microbiology, and similar subject areas. Cover image used with permission from Steve Young Photography

Retinal Computation summarizes current progress in defining the computations performed by the retina, also including the synaptic and circuit mechanisms by which they are implemented. Each chapter focuses on a single retinal computation that includes the definition of the computation and its neuroethological purpose, along with the available information on its known and unknown neuronal mechanisms. All chapters contain end-of-chapter questions associated with a landmark paper, as well as programming exercises. This book is written for advanced graduate students, researchers and ophthalmologists interested in vision science or computational neuroscience of sensory systems. While the typical textbook's description of the retina is akin to a biological video camera, the real retina is actually the world's most complex image processing machine. As part of the central nervous system, the retina converts patterns of light at the input into a rich palette of representations at the output. The parallel streams of information in the optic nerve encode features like color, contrast, orientation of edges, and direction of motion. Image processing in the retina is undeniably complex, but as one of the most accessible parts of the central nervous system, the tools to study retinal circuits with unprecedented precision are up to the task. This book provides a practical guide and resource about the current state of the field of retinal computation. Editorial Reviews: "...this book is also a unique overview of our current understanding of the why and the how of retinal computation and there is something here for anyone with a grounding in vision science who recognises that there is more to what the retina does than... meets the eye." -- Prof Steven Dakin, New Zealand Optics, May 28, 2022. "I want to commend Dr. Schwartz for assembling this incredible resource and strongly recommend Retinal Computation to everyone who is a student of vision. The vast majority of modern topics in retina are covered yet in a fashion that is clear, and concise. The book covers the cellular and circuit basis of computations ranging from those covered by most textbooks, such as center-surround receptive field or direction selectivity , to those you probably do not associated with the retina such as "motion anticipation" and "threat detection". Each chapter is self-contained, meaning you can easily "pick and choose" the topics. A quick perusal of the chapter titles are almost certainly going to pique your interest. For example, you may know that the retina has single photon sensitivity but do you know "How many photons does it take to create a percept"? (Chapter 1). How does the retina encode texture (i.e. spatial fluctuations within the receptive field)? (Chapter 7). Is object motion sensitivity related to Direction selectivity? (Chapter 12). The list goes on. This book will also serve as a great resource for those teaching advanced undergraduate or graduate level vision courses for students with backgrounds in experimental or computational vision science. Each chapter contains what Dr. Schwartz's considers a "landmark paper" in the field, with a set of questions that can be used as a guide for reading these papers. And finally he includes programming exercises that can be easily implemented in Matlab to address basic concepts introduced in the chapter. The instructions are detailed so that even those new to Matlab will be able to implement these exercises these straightforward. It is this combination - textbook chapter + primary literature + quantitative exercises that will solidify these concepts. There are many vision science topics not covered in the book. For example, there is little on retinal disease or development. But these limitations are far outweighed by where the book succeeds. The vast majority of the book is written by Dr. Schwartz, giving it a uniformity that is welcome. Despite tackling quite modern questions where there is ongoing progress, Dr.Schwartz has extracted what are key findings that are likely to stand the test of time. And finally, it is really interesting! For those who think that the retina is "solved", think again. Retinal computations is a fantastic way for all circuit neuroscientist to learn how much computations can be achieved with very few synapses." -- Marla B. Feller, Ph. D., Paul Licht Distinguished Professor in Biological Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology & Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute University of California, Berkeley "This fantastic new textbook from a rising star in the field clearly and thoroughly updates our picture of what the retina computes. It is detailed enough for senior researchers but also pedagogical, providing a go-to reference for students. The illustrations within the text and for the chapter headings are both beautiful and informative." -- Stephanie E. Palmer, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, Department of Physics, University of Chicago "This book summarizes the impressive recent progress in understanding how visual computations are performed by retinal circuits. The book is an important resource not only for retinal experts, but more generally for anyone seeking to explain how the brain works at the level of neural circuits. Greg Schwartz and his co-authors have made a major contribution to the field." -- Sebastian Seung, Anthony B. Evnin '62 Professor, Neuroscience Institute and Computer Science Dept., Princeton University "This is a wonderful book from a true expert in the retina field. It is a fantastic resource for researchers, lecturers, and students alike. The book nicely covers the many facets of how the retina processes the visual input that enters the eye. Despite the richness in material, the presentation manages to stay accessible and always connects back to fundamental questions of visual processing. Each chapter by itself is a great entry point into a particular area of how the neural network of the retina deals with a specific set of visual challenges. I have thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful overview of retinal computation, served on a silver platter, and I will use the book both as background material for research and as a resource for teaching. I particularly like the sets of exercises that conclude each chapter." -- Dr. Tim Gollisch, Professor for Sensory Processing in the Retina, Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Goettingen

Brian Skyrms presents eighteen essays which apply adaptive dynamics (of cultural evolution and individual learning) to social theory. Altruism, spite, fairness, trust, division of labor, and signaling are treated from this perspective. Correlation is seen to be of fundamental importance. Interactions with neighbors in space, on static networks, and on co-evolving dynamics networks are investigated. Spontaneous emergence of social structure and of signaling systems are examined in the context of learning dynamics.

Multifunctional Theranostic Nanomedicines in Cancer focuses on new trends, applications, and the significance of novel multifunctional nanotheranostics in cancer imaging for diagnosis and treatment. Cancer nanotechnology offers new opportunities for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Multifunctional nanoparticles harboring various functions-including targeting, imaging, and therapy-have been intensively studied with the goal of overcoming the limitations of conventional cancer diagnosis and therapy. Thus theranostic nanomedicines have emerged in recent years to provide an efficient and safer alternative in cancer management. This book covers polymer-based therapies, lipid-based therapies, inorganic particle-based therapies, photo-related therapies, radiotherapies, chemotherapies, and surgeries. Multifunctional Theranostic Nanomedicines in Cancer offers an indispensable guide for researchers in academia, industry, and clinical settings; it is also ideal for postgraduate students; and formulation scientists working on cancer.

The series Advances in Stem Cell Biology is a timely and expansive collection of comprehensive information and new discoveries in the field of stem cell biology. iPSCs for Studying Infectious Diseases, Volume 8 addresses how important induced pluripotent stems cells are and how can they can help treat certain infectious diseases. Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells by the expression of specific transcription factors. These cells have been transforming biomedical research over the last 15 years. This volume will address the advances in research of how induced pluripotent stem cells are being used for treatment of different infectious diseases, such as corona virus, coxsackievirus, salmonella infection, influenza virus and much more. The volume is written for researchers and scientists in stem cell therapy, cell biology, regenerative medicine and organ transplantation; and is contributed by world-renowned authors in the field.

The series Advances in Stem Cell Biology is a timely and expansive collection of comprehensive information and new discoveries in the field of stem cell biology. Current Progress in iPSC-derived Cell Types, Volume 10 addresses how induced pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into different cell types. Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells by the expression of specific transcription factors. These cells have been transforming biomedical research over the last 15 years. This volume will address the advances in research of how research of induced pluripotent stem cells can be reprogrammed to develop new treatment technologies in regenerative medicine. The volume is written for researchers and scientists in stem cell therapy, cell biology, regenerative medicine and organ transplantation; and is contributed by world-renowned authors in the field.

Provides an understanding of (mostly) enzymatic reactions that are responsible for the function and maintenance of living things This innovative text for non-biochemistry majors includes introductory material at the beginning of each chapter that contextualizes chapter themes in real-life scenarios Online supporting materials with further opportunities for research and investigation Synthesis questions at the end of each chapter that encourage students to make connections between concepts and ideas, as well as develop critical-thinking skills

Cerebral Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas serves as an authoritative, comprehensive resource for these vascular lesions, describing their anatomy, diagnosis, natural history, and thorough treatment options. Rooted in well-illustrated anatomy and depictions of dAVFs, readers can better understand their pathophysiology, historical discovery, and avenues for treatment, including embolization, surgery, and radiosurgery. Imaging modalities are also discussed extensively as well as the management of these lesions. This reference is appropriate for neurosurgeons, neurologists, interventional radiologists and intensivists that manage these patients, providing clarity, and at the same time, comprehensiveness.

Gut Microbiota in Neurologic and Visceral Diseases presents readers with comprehensive information on the involvement of microbiota in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Chapters cover the effect of microbiota on the development of visceral (obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease) and neurological disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, depression, anxiety, and autism). Sections focus on the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction processes associated with the links among microbiota-related visceral and neurological disorders. It is hoped that this discussion will not only integrate and consolidate knowledge in this field but will also jumpstart more studies on the involvement of microbiota in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders.