This is the first volume to provide a detailed introduction to some of the main areas of research and practice in the interdisciplinary field of art and neuroscience. With contributions from neuroscientists, theatre scholars and artists from seven countries, it offers a rich and rigorous array of perspectives as a springboard to further exploration. Divided into four parts, each prefaced by an expert editorial introduction, it examines: * Theatre as a space of relationships: a neurocognitive perspective * The spectator's performative experience and 'embodied theatrology' * The complexity of theatre and human cognition * Interdisciplinary perspectives on applied performance Each part includes contributions from international pioneers of interdisciplinarity in theatre scholarship, and from neuroscientists of world-renown researching the physiology of action, the mirror neuron mechanism, action perception, space perception, empathy and intersubjectivity. While illustrating the remarkable growth of interest in the performing arts for cognitive neuroscience, this volume also reveals the extraordinary richness of exchange and debate born out of different approaches to the topics.

Regular physical exercise is associated with substantial health benefits. Recent evidence not only holds for cardiovascular effects promoting "physical health," but also for the central nervous system believed to promote "brain health." Moderate physical exercise has been found to improve learning, memory, and attentional processing, with recent research indicating that neuroprotective mechanisms and associated plasticity in brain structure and function also benefit. Physical exercise is also known to induce a range of acute or sustained psychophysiological effects, among these mood elevation, stress reduction, anxiolysis, and hypoalgesia. Today, modern functional neuroimaging techniques afford direct measurement of the acute and chronic relation of physical exercise on the human brain, as well as the correlation of the derived physiological in vivo signals with behavioral outcomes recorded during and after exercise. A wide range of imaging techniques have been applied to human exercise research, ranging from electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to positron emission tomography (PET). All of these imaging methods provide distinct information, and they differ considerably in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, availability, cost, and associated risks. However, from a "multimodal imaging" perspective, neuroimaging provides an unprecedented potential to unravel the neurobiology of human exercise, covering a wide spectrum ranging from structural plasticity in gray and white matter, network dynamics, global and regional perfusion, evoked neuronal responses to the quantification of neurotransmitter release. The aim of this book is to provide the current state of the human neuroimaging literature in the emerging field of the neurobiological exercise sciences and to outline future applications and directions of research.

Why a text on neuroscience and Christian formation? Simply put, we need one that represents the range of possible intersections for today and into the future. In recent years, neuroscience's various fields of study have influenced our understanding of theperson, memory, learning, development, communal interaction, and the practice of education. The book serves as an introductory textbook for Christian education/formation professors to use in Christian education or Christian formation courses at the College or Seminary level. The book is designed to provide an overview of how current research in neuroscience is impacting how we view Christian education and formation with particular attention given to faith formation, teaching, development, and worship The first four chapters discuss how neuroscience broadly influences Christian education and formation. Chapters five through eight explore how neuroscience informs specific formational practices, from personal meditation, to intercultural encounter, to congregational formation and worship. The last four chapters explore various aspects of neuroscience along developmental lines, The book also moves from conceptual overviews to more empirical studies late in the text. Each chapter of this book canalso be read and discussed individually. Each author has provided both discussion topics, suggestions for future reading within neuroscience, and discussion questions at the end of the chapter.

Volume 37 will provide details on the major chemical constituents of medicinal plants and their mechanism of action as the anticancer compounds. This special issue, in addition to the previous volume (volume 36 of The Enzyme series was on Natural Products and Cancer Signaling Targets: Isoprenoids, Polyphenols and Flavonoids), will highlight the significant advance made in the field in elucidating mechanisms of anticancer effect of the major phytochemicals.

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 Modeling Central Nervous System Disorders, Volume 6 addresses how induced pluripotent stem cells can be used to model various CNS disorders. Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into Induced pluripotent stem cells by the expression of specific transcription factors. These cells are transforming biomedical research in the last 15 years. The volume teaches readers about current advances in the field. This book describes the use of induced pluripotent stem cells to model several CNS diseases in vitro, enabling us to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in different CNS pathologies. Further insights into these mechanisms will have important implications for our understanding of CNS disease appearance, development, and progression. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the obtention of induced pluripotent stem cells and their differentiation into several cell types, tissues and organs using state-of-art techniques. These advantages facilitated identification of key targets and definition of the molecular basis of several CNS disorders. This volume will cover what we know so far about the use of iPSCs to model different CNS disorders, such as: Alzheimer's disease, Autism, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Schizophrenia, Fragile X Syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Rett Syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Parkinson`s Disease, Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, Anorexia Nervosa, and more. The volume is written for researchers and scientists interested in stem cell therapy, cell biology, regenerative medicine, and neuroscience; and is contributed by world-renowned authors in the field.

Information molecules, such as Cortico-Releasing Factor (CRF), are ancient and widely distributed across diverse organs, playing various regulatory roles. CRF has been associated with a range of human conditions, including fear and anxiety, social contact, and most recently, addiction - in particular the euphoric feelings associated with alcohol consumption. Since its original discovery, research has unearthed that the role of this molecule is much broader than first thought. The scientific community now knows that CRF is a dynamic and diversely widespread peptide hormone that plays many roles and has many functions, in addition to its role as a releasing factor in the brain. This book explores the role of CRF, examining the relationship between location and function. It considers recurrent features that are linked to CRF - movement and change. CRF expression in regions of the brain is tied to paying attention to novel events and invoking movement in response to those events. Indeed, CRF provokes simple organized rhythmic behavior and can be mobilized under diverse conditions, including adversity. Examining the evolutionary origins of CRH, its neural functions, and its role in a variety of human characteristics and social behaviors, this book provides unique insights into CRF, and will be of interest to students and researchers in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Biology.

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.

Non-coding RNAs potentially play an active role in modulating gene transcription and epigenetic states. Several genes in differentiated cells may be under some form of RNA based transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory control. This form of regulation may be controlled by selective pressures and influence the adaptability of the cell. The concept that RNA can control epigenetic states impacts on our understanding of the basic fabric of the cell and may have therapeutic potential. Many studies have been carried out on the modulation of gene transcription by non-coding RNAs. This book, written by a group of distinguished scientists under the expert guidance of the editor Kevin V. Morris, represents an important overview and summary of the field to date. The thirteen chapters are organized into three sections: Non-coding RNAs: Form, Function and Diversity; Non-coding RNAs: Gene Regulation and Epigenetics; and Non-coding RNAs: Disease and Therapeutics. This up-to-date volume is an essenti

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

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

The internet has become a principal venue for social interaction. Young people are growing up in a world surrounded by technology that could have only been imagined a generation ago. Social media have crafted a landscape that has made connection with others easy. Yet this rise has become a concern. So, what is happening here? Why is it so compelling to use social media? Why is it difficult to quit social media? What impact can social media have on teenagers, their education, and their well-being? Should we be worried? What can be done to help? Psychologist's Guide to Adolescents and Social Media aims to deliver a deeper understanding regarding the psychology of social media, both positive and negative. This guide is divided into four parts. The reader will be guided through the purposes and merits of social media, the unintended consequences of using social media, author conducted research exploring the experiences of adolescent-aged school children, and what can be done to help those struggling with the overuse of social media, including assessment resources.

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.