Ethical Dimensions of Commercial and DIY Neurotechnologies Volume Three, the latest release in the Developments in Neuroethics and Bioethics series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on timely topics surrounding neuroethics and bioethics. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors.

The Human Hypothalamus: Neuroendocrine Disorders, Volume 181 in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, provides comprehensive summaries of recent research on the brain and nervous system as they relate to clinical neurology. This volume summarizes the role of the hypothalamus in neuroendocrine disorders, identifying the mechanism of action, disorder etiology, and best practices for assessment and treatment. Disorders covered include pituitary hypothalamic disorders of development and growth, hypothalamic tumor related disorders, hypothalamic autoimmune disorders and infection, disorders of vasopressin, water and sodium homeostasis, eating disorders, and gonadotropic hormone regulation disorders.

Behavioral and Neural Genetics of Zebrafish assembles the state-of-the-art methodologies and current concepts pertinent to their neurobehavioral genetics. Discussing their natural behavior, motor function, learning and memory, this book focuses on the fry and adult zebrafish, featuring a comprehensive account of modern genetic and neural methods adapted to, or specifically developed for, Danio rerio. Numerous examples of how these behavioral methods may be utilized for disease models using the zebrafish are presented, as is a section on bioinformatics and "big-data" related questions.

Sustainable agriculture is a key concept for scientists, researchers, and agricultural engineers alike.
This book focuses on the FAM- project (FAM Munich Research Network on Agroecosystems) of the 1990s as a means to assessing, forecasting, and evaluating changes in the agroecosystems that are necessary for agricultural sustainability. The management of two separate management systems: an organic and an integrated farming system are described to provide an interdisciplinary approach Changes of matter fluxes in soils, changes of trace gas fluxes from soils, precision farming in a small scale heterogen landscape, influence of management changes on flora and fauna, as well as the development of agroecosystem models, the assessment of soil variability and the changes in nutrient status are important aspects of this book.
* Contains detailed results and insight of a long-time project on agricultural sustainability
* Provides an interdisciplinary approach for comprehensive understanding by scientists and researchers of soil, plants, agriculture, and environment
* Includes an international perspective

Drug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies, Volume Eight, summarizes the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in colorectal cancer, along with the most up-to-date therapeutic strategies available. The book discusses reasons why colorectal tumors become refractory during the progression of the disease, but also explains how drug resistance occurs during chemotherapy. In addition, users will find the current therapeutic strategies used by clinicians in their practice in treating colorectal cancer. The combination of conventional anticancer drugs with chemotherapy-sensitizing agents plays a pivotal role in improving the outcome of colorectal cancer patients, in particular those with drug-resistant cancer cells. From a clinical point-of-view, the content of this book provides clinicians with updated therapeutic strategies for a better choice of drugs for drug-resistant colorectal cancer patients. It will be a valuable source for cancer researchers, oncologists and several members of biomedical field who are dedicated to better treat patients with colorectal cancer.

There are new and important advancements in todays complexity theories in ICT and requires an extraordinary perspective on the interaction between living systems and information technologies. With human evolution and its continuous link with the development of new tools and environmental changes, technological advancements are paving the way for new evolutionary steps. Complexity Science, Living Systems, and Reflexing Interfaces: New Models and Perspectives is a collection of research provided by academics and scholars aiming to introduce important advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, evolutionary computation, neural networks, and much more. This scholarly piece will provide contributions that will define the line of development in complexity science.

This volume is in honour of DaniA]le Guinot (MusA(c)um National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France), and was born out of our admiration for DaniA]lea (TM)s immense contributions to her discipline. A total of 35 of her colleagues have contributed to this volume, submitting papers on those aspects of the Brachyura to which DaniA]le, herself, has significantly contributed a " taxonomy, evolution, morphology, palaeontology and general biology of crabs.

Advances in Marine Biology was first published in 1963. Now edited by David W. Sims (Marine Biological Association, UK), the serial publishes in-depth and up-to-date reviews on a wide range of topics which will appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology, oceanography. Eclectic volumes in the series are supplemented by thematic volumes on such topics as "The Biology of Calanoid Copepods" and "Restocking and Stock Enhancement of Marine Invertebrate Fisheries."
* New information on the offspring size in marine invertebrates
* Discusses important information on the social structure and strategies of delphinids
* More than 250 pages of the latest discoveries in marine science

In the field of forensics, there is a critical need for genetic tests that can function in a predictive or inferential sense, before suspects have been identified, and/or for crimes for which DNA evidence exists but eye-witnesses do not. "Molecular Photofitting" fills this need by describing the process of generating a physical description of an individual from the analysis of his or her DNA. The molecular photofitting process has been used to assist with the identification of remains and to guide criminal investigations toward certain individuals within the sphere of prior suspects.
"Molecular Photofitting" provides an accessible roadmap for both the forensic scientist hoping to make use of the new tests becoming available, and for the human genetic researcher working to discover the panels of markers that comprise these tests. By implementing population structure as a practical forensics and clinical genomics tool, "Molecular Photofitting" serves to redefine the way science and history look at ancestry and genetics, and shows how these tools can be used to maximize the efficacy of our criminal justice system.
* Explains how physical descriptions of individuals can be generated using only their DNA
* Contains case studies that show how this new forensic technology is used in practical application
* Includes over 100 diagrams, tables, and photos to illustrate and outline complex concepts

RNA processing plays a critical role in realizing the full potential of a given genome. One means of achieving protein diversity is through RNA editing. A diverse array of editing events has been characterized, affecting gene expression in organisms from viruses and single cell parasites to humans and plants. The variety of editing mechanisms has required the development of many different experimental approaches, many of which are likely to be broadly applicable, particularly given the interplay between editing and other cellular processes, including transcription, splicing, and RNA silencing. This volume not only covers most of the principal methods employed in the field, but also offers innovative solutions to the significant challenges posed by these experimental systems.
* Presents newly developed methods
* Covers topics ranging from biochemistry to bioinformatics
* Includes innovative solutions to potential problems

Mythic Imagination Today is an illustrated guide to the interpenetration of mythology and science throughout the ages. This monograph brings alive our collective need for story to guide the rules, roles, and relationships of everyday life. Whereas mythology is born primarily of perception and imagination, science emerges from systematic observation and experimentation. Both disciplines arise from endless curiosity about the workings of the Universe combined with creative urges to transform inner and outer worlds. Both disciplines are located within open neural wiring that gives rise to uniquely human capacities for learning, memory, and metaphor. Terry Marks-Tarlow explores the origins of story within the social brain; mythmakers and myths from multiple cultures; and how contemporary sciences of chaos and complexity theories and fractal geometry dovetail with ancient wisdom. The ancient Greek myth of Psyche and Eros is unpacked in detail-origins of the very concepts of 'psyche' and 'psychology'.

Gastroesophageal reflux is one of the most common maladies of mankind. Approximately 40% of the adult population of the USA suffers from significant heartburn and the numerous antacids advertised incessantly on national television represents a $8 billion per year drug market. The ability to control acid secretion with the increasingly effective acid-suppressive agents such as the H2 blockers (pepcid, zantac) and proton pump inhibitors (nexium, prevacid) has given physicians an excellent method of treating the symptoms of acid reflux.
Unfortunately, this has not eradicated reflux disease. It has just changed its nature. While heartburn, ulceration and strictures have become rare, reflux-induced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is becoming increasingly common. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia is now the most rapidly increasing cancer type in the Western world.
At present, there is no histologic test that has any practical value in the diagnosis of reflux disease. The only histologic diagnostic criteria are related to changes in the squamous epithelium which are too insensitive and nonspecific for effective patient management. It is widely recognized that columnar metaplasia of the esophagus (manifest histologically as cardiac, oxyntocardiac and intestinal epithelia) is caused by reflux. However, except for intestinal metaplasia, which is diagnostic for Barrett esophagus, these columnar epithelia are not used to diagnose reflux disease in biopsies. The reason for this is that these epithelial types are indistinguishable from "normal" "gastric" cardiac mucosa. In standard histology texts, this "normal gastric cardia" is 2-3 cm long.
In the mid-1990s, Dr. Chandrasoma and his team at USC produced autopsy data suggesting that cardiac and oxyntocardiac mucosa is normally absent from this region and that their presence in biopsies was histologic evidence of reflux disease. From this data, they determined that the presence of cardiac mucosa was a pathologic entity caused by reflux and could therefore be used as a highly specific and sensitive diagnostic criterion for the histologic diagnosis of reflux disease. They call this entity "reflux carditis." In addition, the length of these metaplastic columnar epithelia in the esophagus was an accurate measure of the severity of reflux disease in a given patient.
At present, there is some controversy over whether cardiac mucosa is totally absent or present normally to the extent of 0-4 mm. While this should not be a deterrent to changing criteria which are dependent on there normally being 20-30 cm of cardiac mucosa, there has been little mainstream attempt to change existing endoscopic and pathologic diagnostic criteria in the mainstream of either gastroenterology or pathology.
The ATLAS will be the source of easily digestible practical information for pathologists faced with biopsies from this region. It will also guide gastroenterologists as they biopsy these patients.
* The American Gastroenterological Association claims there are 14,500 members worldwide who are practicing physicians and scientists who research, diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver
* According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, there are 12,000 board certified pathologists in the U.S.
* Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia is now the most rapidly increasing cancer type in the Western world
* Approximately 40% of the adult population of the U.S. suffers from significant heartburn and the numerous antacids advertised on national television represents an $8 billion per year drug market

A unique chronology with entries describing the key events in the 3,000-year conflict between religion and science over the explanation and definition of life on Earth. Exhaustively researched and authoritative, Chronology of the Evolution-Creationism Controversy does what no other work does: it examines the conflict between the religious and scientific views of life on Earth in its full 3,000-year historical context, showing readers how this roiling debate has played out over the centuries. With hundreds of entries, Chronology of the Evolution-Creationism Controversy describes specific cultural, religious, and scientific events relevant to the evolution-creationism controversy from the first notions of creationism in ancient Egypt to the present. Within this historical approach, it identifies a number of recurring themes that have shaped the debate through the ages, including famous court cases, the recurrence of the "intelligent design" argument, disagreements over the age of the Earth, and the impact of technological advances on both the scientific and faith-based viewpoints. While approaching the subject globally throughout, the book's second half focuses on tensions between science and religious thought in the United States since the early 1900s. Comprises over 1,400 chronologically arranged entries on important political, legal, and social events in the ongoing controversy between science- and faith-based views of the Earth and life Offers a thorough bibliography spanning historical aspects of the controversy, creationist literature, and resources from evolutionary biology Includes a one-of-a-kind glossary for easy access to definitions of relevant terms used by both anti-evolutionists and scientists Provides an extensive index serving as a reference tool and as a way to explore recurring themes Presents detailed appendices on estimating Earth's age, the geologic timescale, major species of known Hominines, and key legal decisions involving the teaching of evolution and creationism

Mutualisms, interactions between two species that benefit both of them, have long captured the public imagination. Their influence transcends levels of biological organization from cells to populations, communities, and ecosystems. Mutualistic symbioses were crucial to the origin of eukaryotic cells, and perhaps to the invasion of land. Mutualisms occur in every terrestrial and aquatic habitat; indeed, ecologists now believe that almost every species on Earth is involved directly or indirectly in one or more of these interactions. Mutualisms are essential to the reproduction and survival of virtually all organisms, as well as to nutrient cycles in ecosystems. Furthermore, the key ecosystem services that mutualists provide mean that they are increasingly being considered as conservation priorities, ironically at the same time as the acute risks to their ecological and evolutionary persistence are increasingly being identified. This volume, the first general work on mutualism to appear in almost thirty years, provides a detailed and conceptually-oriented overview of the subject. Focusing on a range of ecological and evolutionary aspects over different scales (from individual to ecosystem), the chapters in this book provide expert coverage of our current understanding of mutualism whilst highlighting the most important questions that remain to be answered. In bringing together a diverse team of expert contributors, this novel text captures the excitement of a dynamic field that will help to define its future research agenda.

Biomedical Ethics for Engineers provides biomedical engineers with a new set of tools and an understanding that the application of ethical measures will seldom reach consensus even among fellow engineers and scientists. The solutions are never completely technical, so the engineer must continue to improve the means of incorporating a wide array of societal perspectives, without sacrificing sound science and good design principles.
Dan Vallero understands that engineering is a profession that profoundly affects the quality of life from the subcellular and nano to the planetary scale. Protecting and enhancing life is the essence of ethics; thus every engineer and design professional needs a foundation in bioethics. In high-profile emerging fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and green engineering, public concerns and attitudes become especially crucial factors given the inherent uncertainties and high stakes involved. Ethics thus means more than a commitment to abide by professional norms of conduct. This book discusses the full suite of emerging biomedical and environmental issues that must be addressed by engineers and scientists within a global and societal context. In addition it gives technical professionals tools to recognize and address bioethical questions and illustrates that an understanding of the application of these measures will seldom reach consensus even among fellow engineers and scientists.
- Working tool for biomedical engineers in the new age of technology
- Numerous case studies to illustrate the direct application of ethical techniques and standards
- Ancillary materials available online for easy integration into any academic program

The sequencing of several fungi genomes has spurred major advances in the field. Fungal genomics has been having a pivotal impact on applied research in agriculture, food sciences, natural resource management, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, as well as to basic studies in the life sciences. This volume covers exciting new developments in this growth field, from genomic analysis to human fungal pathogen genomics, comparative genomics of fungi, and the genomics of fungal development.
* Includes information on aspergillus genomes
* Discusses sex and its role in virulence of human fungal pathogens
* Covers the genomic analysis of neurospora