Gut Microbiome and Behavior, the latest volume in the International Review of Neurobiology series, provides a comprehensive overview of the gut microbiome on the brain and behavior, fully encapsulating the latest research in the field and defining the scope of this influence to outline potential mechanisms and possible implications.

Microbiota Brain Axis: A Neuroscience Primer provides neuroscience researchers with a comprehensive guide on how to conduct effective microbiota-brain research, understand the appropriate methodologies, and collect and analyze microbiota data. The book begins with an introduction to the importance of the microbiota-brain communication in development and how microbiota impact neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health and neurodegeneration. In addition, the book discusses advances in microbiota analysis tools and techniques for neuroscience related research.

Drawing on qualitative and quantitative research, this book provides a path-breaking account of civil society in the Philippines. It challenges the widespread belief in political science and development studies literature that civil society in developing countries is an institutional arena in which the poor can challenge and reverse their social, economic and political marginalization. The book goes on to argue that Philippine civil society is a captive of organised elite interests and anti-developmental in its impacts, helping elites to oppose the initiatives of reform-minded governments and to protect their interests.

In contrast to literature suggesting that the character of civil society is a function of regime type and hence evolves in a path-dependent manner, the book explores the history of Philippine civil society between 1571 and 2010, and suggests that civil society is primarily a function of the evolving political economy of a country and the resulting social structure. It argues that civil society in nascent democracies such as the Philippines develops in a distinctly non-linear manner, largely independently of regime type or regime development. As a result, it argues, democratization in low income countries does not lead inevitably to broader participation and empowerment through civil society expansion, as many academics, activists and donor representatives suggest.

The book is of interest to students and scholars of Southeast Asian history and politics, as well as those interested in the study of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and social movements, and in the statistical capture of civil society.

Series Information:
Politics in Asia

Drawing on qualitative and quantitative research, this book provides a path-breaking account of civil society in the Philippines. It challenges the widespread belief in political science and development studies literature that civil society in developing countries is an institutional arena in which the poor can challenge and reverse their social, economic and political marginalization. The book goes on to argue that Philippine civil society is a captive of organised elite interests and anti-developmental in its impacts, helping elites to oppose the initiatives of reform-minded governments and to protect their interests. In contrast to literature suggesting that the character of civil society is a function of regime type and hence evolves in a path-dependent manner, the book explores the history of Philippine civil society between 1571 and 2010, and suggests that civil society is primarily a function of the evolving political economy of a country and the resulting social structure. It argues that civil society in nascent democracies such as the Philippines develops in a distinctly non-linear manner, largely independently of regime type or regime development. As a result, it argues, democratization in low income countries does not lead inevitably to broader participation and empowerment through civil society expansion, as many academics, activists and donor representatives suggest. The book is of interest to students and scholars of Southeast Asian history and politics, as well as those interested in the study of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and social movements, and in the statistical capture of civil society.

The idyllic English village of Crickley Meadow had been basking in the heat of the long, hot summer, enjoyed not least by the thirty residents of the outhouse at Fernbrook Cottage. They could not have envisaged their perfect world being turned so abruptly upside-down as it was when the dastardly Cuthbert Fanshaw had thirteen of their number kidnapped. Fanshaw Cosmetics had been struggling to develop new products following a successful campaign to stop animal testing in its laboratory and now Fanshaw planned to conduct his experiments in secret.

Who would rescue the beleaguered creatures? Only the animals left behind knew where they had been taken. So it was that twelve guinea pigs embarked on hazardous mission to find their friends and bring them home. They face many perils on the journey over land and through the town of Whitebridge, yet at Fanshaw Cosmetics, still more trouble lies in wait. Confronted by an enemy of their own size, the guinea pigs will need to outwit and defeat this new foe if they are to rescue their friends and not end up as captives themselves.

Even if they can succeed, they will then have to tackle the not inconsiderable task of escaping the confines of Fanshaw Cosmetics and making it home again in one piece