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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Life sciences: general issues
This book discusses the emerging field of industrial neuroscience,
and reports on the authors' cutting-edge findings in the evaluation
of mental states, including mental workload, cognitive control and
training of personnel involved either in the piloting of aircraft
and helicopters, or in managing air traffic. It encompasses
neuroimaging and cognitive psychology techniques and shows how they
have been successfully applied in the evaluation of human
performance and human-machine interactions, and to guarantee a
proper level of safety in such operational contexts. With an
introduction to the most relevant concepts of neuroscience,
neurophysiological techniques, simulators and case studies in
aviation environments, it is a must-have for both students and
scientists in the field of aeronautic and biomedical engineering,
as well as for various professionals in the aviation world. This is
the first book to intensively apply neurosciences to the evaluation
of human factors and mental states in aviation.
Applying Neuroscience to Counseling Children and Adolescents: A
Guide to Brain-Based, Experiential Interventions explores the
neurobiological underpinnings of child and adolescent development
and encourages readers to apply neuroscience-informed interventions
and strategies to counseling practice. The book provides an
overview and foundational perspective on neuroscience-informed
child and adolescent counseling; covers models and modes of
counseling from a neuroscience perspective; and examines common
clinical presentations when working with children and adolescents.
Individual chapters address ethical and cultural considerations,
counseling theory and neuroscience, neuroscience of play, using
neuroscience in working with parents and caregivers, and
neuroscience-informed interventions to treat anxiety, depression,
stress, trauma, substance misuse, and attention and behavioral
issues. Each chapter features two primary cases, one for a young
child and one for an adolescent, conceptualized from real-life
clients. The chapters present practical interventions and a sample
of counselor-client dialogue to help readers understand how an
intervention might unfold during a session. Applying Neuroscience
to Counseling Children and Adolescents bridges the gap between
textbooks that cover neuroscience and counseling children and
adolescents independently. It is an ideal supplemental text for
courses on incorporating neuroscience in counseling.
Blanco's Overview of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: History,
Biology, Pathophysiology, Related Diseases, Diagnosis, and
Treatment is a robust introduction to topics associated with
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD). Included are topics ranging
from the history of the disease, biology, pathophysiology, related
diseases, including the two major manifestations of the disease
(liver disease and lung disease), and diagnosis and treatment. The
book addresses the need for the amalgamation of current and novel
concepts and practices in the field of AATD. AATD is
under-recognized in the medical community and, as a result, it is
underdiagnosed. The book provides increased awareness and
understanding of the condition to improve diagnosis rates and
enhance patient care. This book is an essential tool and reference,
beneficial to clinicians who screen and treat AATD patients, as
well as research scientists working in the AATD field at junior and
senior levels.
Environmental Factors in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Volume One
addresses contemporary advances in neurotoxicology, with thematic
volumes providing authoritative review articles on key issues in
the field. Updates in this new volume include chapters on Air
pollution and neurodegenerative diseases, Mercury and Parkinson's
disease, Pesticides and PD: current evidence, Aluminum and
neurodegeneration, Microglia and neurodegeneration, Dietary
factors, Mitochondria in neurodegeneration, and Manganese and
neurodegeneration. Edited by leading experts, volumes are designed
as in-depth overviews of the latest topic developments that analyze
the effect of varied chemical agents on the nervous system. It is
an essential resource for researchers and graduate students alike.
This book explores the subject of artificial psychology and how the
field must adapt human neuro-psychological testing techniques to
provide adequate cognitive testing of advanced artificial
intelligence systems. It shows how classical testing methods will
reveal nothing about the cognitive nature of the systems and
whether they are learning, reasoning, and evolving correctly; for
these systems, the authors outline how testing techniques similar
to/adapted from human psychological testing must be adopted,
particularly in understanding how the system reacts to failure or
relearning something it has learned incorrectly or inferred
incorrectly. The authors provide insights into future
architectures/capabilities that artificial cognitive systems will
possess and how we can evaluate how well they are functioning. It
discusses at length the notion of human/AI communication and
collaboration and explores such topics as knowledge development,
knowledge modeling and ambiguity management, artificial cognition
and self-evolution of learning, artificial brain components and
cognitive architecture, and artificial psychological modeling.
Explores the concepts of Artificial Psychology and Artificial
Neuroscience as applied to advanced artificially cognitive systems;
Provides insight into the world of cognitive architectures and
biologically-based computing designs which will mimic human brain
functionality in artificial intelligent systems of the future;
Provides description and design of artificial psychological
modeling to provide insight into how advanced artificial
intelligent systems are learning and evolving; Explores artificial
reasoning and inference architectures and the types of modeling and
testing that will be required to "trust" an autonomous artificial
intelligent systems.
This book examines the long-term fate of invasive species by
detailing examples of invaders from different zoological and
botanical taxa from various places around the world. Readers will
discover what happened, after a century or so, to 'classical'
invaders like rabbits in Australia, house sparrows in North
America, minks in Europe and water hyacinths in Africa and Asia.
Chapters presented in the book focus on eighteen species in the
form of in-depth case studies including: earthworms, zebra mussels,
Canadian water weed, Himalayan balsam, house sparrows, rabbits,
crayfish plague, Colorado beetles, water hyacinths, starlings,
Argentine ant, Dutch elm disease, American mink, cane toad,
raccoons, Canadian beavers, African killer bees and warty comb
jelly. Invaded areas described are in Africa, Asia, Australia,
Europe, North America, Pacific islands, and South America. Readers
will get some ideas about the likely future of current invaders
from the fate of old ones. This book is intended for undergraduates
studying environmental sciences, researchers and members of
environmental NGO's.
This book presents the main drivers of benthic structure and
processes in estuaries from the 8,000 km-Brazilian coast, assesses
the influence of natural and human disturbance, and discusses their
ecological importance and management needs. Estuaries are unique
coastal ecosystems often with low biodiversity that sustain and
provide essential ecological services to mankind. These ecosystems
include a variety of habitats with their own sediment and fauna
dynamics, all of them globally altered or threatened by human
activities. Mangroves, saltmarshes, tidal flats and other confined
estuarine systems are under increasing stress by overfishing and
other human activities leading to habitat and species loss.
Combined changes in estuarine hydromorphology and in climate pose
severe threats to estuarine ecosystems at a global scale.
The abiotic stresses like drought, temperature, cold, salinity,
heavy metals etc. affect a great deal on the yield performance of
the agricultural crops. To cope up with these challenges, plant
breeding programs world-wide are focussing on the development of
stress tolerant varieties in all crop species. Significant genomic
advances have been made for abiotic stress tolerance in various
crop species in terms of availability of molecular markers, QTL
mapping, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genomic selection
(GS) strategies, and transcriptome profiling. The broad-range of
articles involving genomics and breeding approaches deepens our
existing knowledge about complex traits. The chapters are written
by authorities in their respective fields. This book provides
comprehensive and consolidated account on the applications of the
most recent findings and the progress made in genomics assisted
breeding for tolerance to abiotic stresses in many important major
crop species with a focus on applications of modern strategies for
sustainable agriculture. The book is especially intended for
students, molecular breeders and scientists working on the
genomics-assisted genetic improvement of crop species for abiotic
stress tolerance.
Viral Proteases and Their Inhibitors provides a thorough
examination of viral proteases from their molecular components, to
therapeutic applications. As information on three dimensional
structures and biological functions of these viral proteases become
known, unexpected protein folds and unique mechanisms of
proteolysis are realized. This book investigates how this
facilitates the design and development of potent antiviral agents
used against life-threatening viruses. Users will find descriptions
of each virus that detail the structure and function of viral
proteases, discuss the design and development of inhibitors, and
analyze the structure-activity relationships of inhibitors. This
book is ideal biochemists, virologists and those working on
antiviral agents.
Neuromodulation: Comprehensive Textbook of Principles,
Technologies, and Therapies, Second Edition, serves as a
comprehensive and in-depth reference textbook covering all aspects
of the rapidly growing field of neuromodulation. Since the
publication of the first edition seven years ago, there has been an
explosion of knowledge in neuromodulation, optogenetics,
bioelectronics medicine and brain computer interfacing. Users will
find unique discussions of the fundamental principles of
neuromodulation and therapies, and how they are applied to the
brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, autonomic nerves and various
organs. The book focuses on comprehensive coverage of spinal cord
stimulation, non-interventional and interventional brain
stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and the emerging fields
of neuromodulation, including optogenetics and bioelectronics
medicine.
The idea of creation and creativity is among the most powerful and
pervasive of metaphors bequeathed to the modern world by the
scriptures of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Twelve specialists
here explore the original sources and contemporary manifestations
of the theme in both high and low culture, from the Book of Genesis
to James Joyce's Ulysses, Children of Gebalawi by the Egyptian
novelist Naguib Mahfouz, and the Polish poetry of Wislawa
Szymborska, and to popular films, such as Bruce Almighty and
Animatrix, and animation films for children. Even current debates
on genetics and ecology and the public exhibition of plastinated
human bodies invoke these same themes, and make this volume a
topical contribution to cultural studies today. Jonneke Bekkenkamp,
Why on Earth? Creation and Creativity in the Vocabularies of
Patricia de Martelaere, Wislawa Szymborska and Julia Cameron
Athalya Brenner, Recreating the Biblical Creation for Western
Children: Provisional Reflections on Some Case Studies Wim Drees,
Vocabularies of Creation and Creativity in Debates on Genetics and
Ecology Jan Willem van Henten, Playing God in the Movies: Bruce
Almighty and the Preposterous History of Genesis 1:26-27 Alistair
Hunter, Creation out of (almost) Nothing or Does God Wear Genes?
Alison Jasper, Mysteries under Your Skin David Jasper, 'Down
through all Christian minstrelsy': Genesis, James Joyce and
Contemporary Vocabularies of Creation Louise Joy Lawrence, Tracing
Tricksters: Creation and Creativity in John's Gospel Richard van
Leeuwen, Creation and Revelation in Naguib Mahfouz's Novel Children
of Gebelawi Lloyd Ridgeon, Is the God of Islam an Evil Creator?
Caroline Vander Stichele and Todd Penner, Terminatrix: Visualizing
the End of Creation in Animatrix
Neuroglia, the third edition, is the long-awaited revision of the
most highly regarded reference volume on glial cells. This
indispensable edition has been completely revised, greatly
enlarged, and enhanced with four-color figures throughout, all in
response to the tremendous amount of new information that has
accumulated since the previous edition seven years ago. Glial cells
are, without doubt, the new stars in the neuroscience and neurology
communities. Neglected in research for years, it is now evident
that the brain only functions in a concerted action of all the
cells, namely glia and neurons. Seventy one chapters
comprehensively discuss virtually every aspect of normal glial cell
anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and function, and consider the
central roles of these cells in neurological diseases including
stroke, Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease,
neuropathy, and psychiatric conditions. More than 20 new chapters
have been added to accommodate the unprecedented growth of
knowledge about the basic biology of glia and the sophisticated
manner in which they partner with neurons in the course of normal
brain function. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously edited, the
third edition remains the most convenient and maximally useful
reference available. This new edition is an essential reference for
both newcomers to the field as well as established investigators.
Neuroglia belongs on every neuroscientist's bookshelf and will be a
great asset for educators and neurological clinicians as well.
This volume focuses on the latest methods used to sequence,
assemble, and analyze insect genomes. The collection of protocols
in this book provides an introduction to the workflows and
bioinformatics tools available for researchers. The chapters cover
a range of useful topics such as determining genome size by flow
cytometry; High Molecular Weight DNA extraction; improvements to a
genome assembly provided by long-range sequencing approaches;
assessments of orthology and single-copy genes at different
phylogenetic levels; detecting regulatory regions with FAIRE,
RAMPAGE, and computational analysis of cis-regulatory modules in
insects; bioinformatics analysis of epigenetic modifications,
high-throughput scanning of insect genomes (TEEseq) for the
presence of endosymbionts, and leveraging genome sequence
information to design RNAi strategies. Written in the highly
successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters
include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the
necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily
reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and
avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Insect
Genomics: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for graduate
students, postdocs, and novice research scientists who are
interested in learning more about this developing field.
An expert palaeoarchaeologist reveals how our understanding of the
evolution of our species has been transformed by momentous
discoveries and technological advancements. Who are we? How do
scientists define Homo sapiens, and how does our species differ
from the extinct hominins that came before us? This illuminating
book explores how the latest scientific advances, especially in
genetics, are revolutionizing our understanding of human evolution.
Paul Pettitt reveals the extraordinary story of how our ancestors
adapted to unforgiving and relentlessly changing climates, leading
to remarkable innovations in art, technology and society that we
are only now beginning to comprehend. Drawing on twenty-five years
of experience in the field, Paul Pettitt immerses readers in the
caves and rockshelters that provide evidence of our African
origins, dispersals to the far reaches of Eurasia, Australasia and
ultimately the Americas. Popular accounts of the evolution of Homo
sapiens emphasize biomolecular research, notably genetics, but this
book also draws from the wealth of information from specific
excavations and artefacts, including the author's own
investigations into the origins of art and how it evolved over its
first 25,000 years. He focuses in particular on behaviour, using
archaeological evidence to bring an intimate perspective on lives
as they were lived in the almost unimaginably distant past.
Models of Seizures and Epilepsy, Second Edition, is a valuable,
practical reference for investigators who are searching for the
most appropriate laboratory models to address key questions in the
field. The book also provides an important background for
physicians, fellows, and students, offering insight into the
potential for advances in epilepsy research as well as R&D drug
development. Contents include the current spectrum of models
available to model different epilepsy syndromes, epilepsy in
transgenic animals, comorbidities in models of epilepsy, and novel
technologies to study seizures and epilepsies in animals.
Neurobiology of Chinese Herb Medicine, Volume 135 is a valuable
book for anyone interested in alternative medicine or the
scientific research surrounding ancient herbal medicine. This
updated volume in the series includes chapters that delve into
timely topics, including the Effects of Lycium Barbarum on the
Visual System, the Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Alzheimer's
Disease, the Effect and Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Medicine on
Parkinson's Disease, the Neurobiology of Chinese Herbal Medicine on
Major Depressive Disorder, the Treatment of Insomnia with
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, and the Metabolic Factors and
Adult Neurogenesis: Impacts of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Brain
Repair in Neurological Diseases. This series is ideal for Chinese
herbal medicine practitioners who are working in a clinical
environment, although the clinical applications of Chinese
medicinal herbs presented provide useful references and guidance
for any clinical practice that specializes in the treatment of
various conditions.
Nature's Machines: An Introduction to Organismal Biomechanics
presents the fundamental principles of biomechanics in a concise,
accessible way while maintaining necessary rigor. It covers the
central principles of whole-organism biomechanics as they apply
across the animal and plant kingdoms, featuring brief,
tightly-focused coverage that does for biologists what H. M.
Frost's 1967 Introduction to Biomechanics did for physicians.
Frequently encountered, basic concepts such as stress and strain,
Young's modulus, force coefficients, viscosity, and Reynolds number
are introduced in early chapters in a self-contained format, making
them quickly available for learning and as a refresher. More
sophisticated, integrative concepts such as viscoelasticity or
properties of hydrostats are covered in the later chapters, where
they draw on information from multiple earlier sections of the
book. Animal and plant biomechanics is now a common research area
widely acknowledged by organismal biologists to have broad
relevance. Most of the day-to-day activities of an animal involve
mechanical processes, and to the extent that organisms are shaped
by adaptive evolution, many of those adaptations are constrained
and channelized by mechanical properties. The similarity in body
shape of a porpoise and a tuna is no coincidence. Many may feel
that they have an intuitive understanding of many of the mechanical
processes that affect animals and plants, but careful biomechanical
analyses often yield counterintuitive results: soft, squishy kelp
may be better at withstanding pounding waves during storms than
hard-shelled mollusks; really small swimmers might benefit from
being spherical rather than streamlined; our bones can operate
without breaking for decades, whereas steel surgical implants
exhibit fatigue failures in a few months if not fully supported by
bone.
Before Mendel, who came closest to the truth about heredity? This book examines the activities of sheep breeders able to transform the appearance and qualities of their stock by combining different traits of body or wool into new patterns. Exploiting what were then untried procedures - individual trait selection, very close inbreeding and progeny testing - they demonstrated inheritance from both sexes and showed how it could be stabilised. Major advances in breeding are associated with the English farmer Robert Bakewell (1725-1795). By the following century, when the same procedures had been established at breeding centres in central Europe, theory as well as practice became the subject of wider attention. In the Brno Sheep Breeders' Society, discussions of patterns of heredity finally gave way to the physiological question, 'What is inherited and how?' The question was posed by Cyrill Napp, abbot of the monastery to which Mendel was admitted six years later.
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