This volume illuminates the disciplinary character of photosynthesis, which spans (bio)physics to agronomy. The book will help provide students with the necessary conceptual outlook for integrating information from the bioenergetic and enzymatic angles, obtained at the molecular level, with the physiology of chloroplasts, leaves and eventually crops. It therefore serves the larger interests of both students and researchers in the areas of agriculture, biotechnology, biochemistry, biophysics, plant physiology, and molecular biology, who are engaged in studying not only the basic aspects of photosynthesis, a major process determining biomass production, but also its relationship to plant productivity.

Molecular biology, particularly molecular genetics, is among the newest and most powerful approach in modern photosynthesis research. Development of molecular biology techniques has provided new methods to solve old problems in many biological disciplines. Molecular biology has its greatest potential for contribution when applied in combination with other disciplines, to focus not just on genes and molecules, but on the complex interaction between them and the biochemical pathways in the whole organism. Photosynthesis is surely the best studied research area in plant biology, making this field the foremost candidate for successfully employing molecular genetic techniques. Already, the success of molecular biology in photosynthesis has been nothing short of spectacular. Work performed over the last few years, much of which is sum marized in this volume, stands in evidence. Techniques such as site-specific mutagenesis have helped us in examining the roles of individual protein domains in the function of multiunit complexes such as the enzyme ribulose-l,5-bisphos phate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO) and the oxygen evolving photo system (the photosystem II). The techniques of molecular biology have been very important in advancing the state of knowledge of the reaction center from the photosynthetic bacteria whose structure has been elegantly deduced by H. Michel and 1. Deisenhofer from the X-ray studies of its crystals."

Photosynthesis has been an important field of research for more than a century, but the present concerns about energy, environment and climate have greatly intensified interest in and research on this topic. Research has progressed rapidly in recent years, and this book is an interesting read for an audience who is concerned with various ways of harnessing solar energy.Our understanding of photosynthesis can now be said to have reached encyclopedic dimensions. There have been, in the past, many good books at various levels. Our book is expected to fulfill the needs of advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in branches of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and bioengineering because photosynthesis is the basis of future advances in producing more food, more biomass, more fuel, and new chemicals for our expanding global human population. Further, the basics of photosynthesis are and will be used not only for the above, but in artificial photosynthesis, an important emerging field where chemists, researchers and engineers of solar energy systems will play a major role.

Harnessing the sun s energy via photosynthesis is at the core of sustainable production of food, fuel, and materials by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Photosynthesis depends on photoprotection against intense sunlight, starting with the safe removal of excess excitation energy from the light-harvesting system, which can be quickly and non-destructively assessed via non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ). By placing NPQ into the context of whole-organism function, this book aims to contribute towards identification of plant and algal lines with superior stress resistance and productivity. By addressing agreements and open questions concerning photoprotection s molecular mechanisms, this book contributes towards development of artificial photosynthetic systems. A comprehensive picture from single molecules to organisms in ecosystems, and from leading expert s views to practical information for non-specialists on NPQ measurement and terminology is presented."

Photosynthesis in silico Understanding Complexity from Molecules to Ecosystems is a unique book that aims to show an integrated approach to the understanding of photosynthesis processes. In this volume - using mathematical modeling - processes are described from the biophysics of the interaction of light with pigment systems to the mutual interaction of individual plants and other organisms in canopies and large ecosystems, up to the global ecosystem issues. Chapters are written by 44 international authorities from 15 countries. Mathematics is a powerful tool for quantitative analysis. Properly programmed, contemporary computers are able to mimic complicated processes in living cells, leaves, canopies and ecosystems. These simulations - mathematical models - help us predict the photosynthetic responses of modeled systems under various combinations of environmental conditions, potentially occurring in nature, e.g., the responses of plant canopies to globally increasing temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Tremendous analytical power is needed to understand nature's infinite complexity at every level.

This book explores the convergence of law and public policy. Drawing on case studies from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Australia, it examines how judicial and political institutions are closely linked to the socio-economic concerns of the citizens. The essays argue for the utilization of both legislative and executive, private and public spheres of society as vehicles for transformative social change and to safeguard against violations of socio-economic rights. The volume will be of great interest to both public and private stakeholders, as well as professionals, including NGOs and think tanks, working in the areas of law, government, and public policy. It will also be immensely useful to academics and researchers of constitutionalism, policymaking and policy integration, social justice and minority rights.

This book explores the convergence of law and public policy. Drawing on case studies from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Australia, it examines how judicial and political institutions are closely linked to the socio-economic concerns of the citizens. The essays argue for the utilization of both legislative and executive, private and public spheres of society as vehicles for transformative social change and to safeguard against violations of socio-economic rights. The volume will be of great interest to both public and private stakeholders, as well as professionals, including NGOs and think tanks, working in the areas of law, government, and public policy. It will also be immensely useful to academics and researchers of constitutionalism, policymaking and policy integration, social justice and minority rights.

Plant productivity depends upon the photosynthetic conversion of the light energy into chemical energy stored in the biomass of plants. An intermediate step in this energy conversion process is electron transfer and proton translocation. At present, several research groups are working on projects that are expected to lead to rapid improvement of our understanding of the photosynthetic process. This book is a compilation of the work being done on the applications of molecular biology and bioenergetics of photosynthesis.

All biomass is derived from photosynthesis. This provides us with food fuel, as well as fibre. This process involves conversion of solar energy, via photochemical reactions, into chemical energy. In plants and cyanobacteria, carbon dioxide and water are converted into carbohydrates and oxygen. It is the best studied research area of plant biology. We expect that this area will assume much greater importance in the future in view of the depleting resources ofthe Earth's fuel supply. Furthermore, we believe that the next large increase in plant productivity will come from applications of the newer findings about photosynthetic process, especially through manipulation by genetic engineering. The current book covers an integrated range of subjects within the general field of photosynthesis. It is authored by international scientists from several countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, UK and USA). It begins with a discussion of the genetic potential and the expression of the chloroplast genome that is responsible for several key proteins involved in the electron transport processes leading to O evolution, proton release and the production of 2 NADPH and A TP, needed for CO fixation. The section on photosystems discusses 2 how photosystem I functions to produce NADPH and how photosystem II oxidizes water and releases protons through an "oxygen clock" and how intermediates between the two photosystems are produced involving a "two electron gate".

The present volume "Excitation Energy and Electron Transfer in Pho. tosynthesis" is dedicated to a colleague and dear friend Warren L. But ler. I first met Warren when he visited the University of Illinois at Ur bana during the early sixties; he left an indelible impression on me as a person with warmth and enthusiasm. Initially, he was someone I looked to for guidance, but later we also became friends. Whenever I passed through Los Angeles, I always telephoned Warren and often end ed up taking a plane to San Diego to stay with two wonderful people, Warren and his wife Lila. His invitations could never be refused. Below I reproduce the words of Herbert Stern on Warren L. Butler's life; these words express my sentiments as well as those of many of Warren's friends: ''A lifetime of acedemic creativity criss-crossed by streaks of highbrow and lowbrow fun. There is no summary to this adventure be cause we can neither make nor proclaim an end. Warren has bequeathed us his garden of academic treasures. It is ours to keep and tend. There is lots of joy in our many recollections of Warren's life and sorrow's foil can only brighten the brightness that the joy radiates."

Molecular biology, particularly molecular genetics, is among the newest and most powerful approach in modern photosynthesis research. Development of molecular biology techniques has provided new methods to solve old problems in many biological disciplines. Molecular biology has its greatest potential for contribution when applied in combination with other disciplines, to focus not just on genes and molecules, but on the complex interaction between them and the biochemical pathways in the whole organism. Photosynthesis is surely the best studied research area in plant biology, making this field the foremost candidate for successfully employing molecular genetic techniques. Already, the success of molecular biology in photosynthesis has been nothing short of spectacular. Work performed over the last few years, much of which is sum marized in this volume, stands in evidence. Techniques such as site-specific mutagenesis have helped us in examining the roles of individual protein domains in the function of multiunit complexes such as the enzyme ribulose-l,5-bisphos phate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO) and the oxygen evolving photo system (the photosystem II). The techniques of molecular biology have been very important in advancing the state of knowledge of the reaction center from the photosynthetic bacteria whose structure has been elegantly deduced by H. Michel and 1. Deisenhofer from the X-ray studies of its crystals."

Introduction to Mechanics of Solid Materials is concerned with the deformation, flow, and fracture of solid materials. This textbook offers a unified presentation of the major concepts in Solid Mechanics for junior/senior-level undergraduate students in the many branches of engineering - mechanical, materials, civil, and aeronautical engineering among others. The book begins by covering the basics of kinematics and strain, and stress and equilibrium, followed by a coverage of the small deformation theories for different types of material response: (i) Elasticity; (ii) Plasticity and Creep; (iii) Fracture and Fatigue; and (iv) Viscoelasticity. The book has additional chapters covering the important material classes of: (v) Rubber Elasticity, and (vi) Continuous-fiber laminated composites. The text includes numerous examples to aid the student. A substantial companion volume with example problems is available free of charge on the book's companion website.

Photosynthesis has been an important field of research for more than a century, but the present concerns about energy, environment and climate have greatly intensified interest in and research on this topic. Research has progressed rapidly in recent years, and this book is an interesting read for an audience who is concerned with various ways of harnessing solar energy.Our understanding of photosynthesis can now be said to have reached encyclopedic dimensions. There have been, in the past, many good books at various levels. Our book is expected to fulfill the needs of advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in branches of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and bioengineering because photosynthesis is the basis of future advances in producing more food, more biomass, more fuel, and new chemicals for our expanding global human population. Further, the basics of photosynthesis are and will be used not only for the above, but in artificial photosynthesis, an important emerging field where chemists, researchers and engineers of solar energy systems will play a major role.

Introduction to Mechanics of Solid Materials is concerned with the deformation, flow, and fracture of solid materials. This textbook offers a unified presentation of the major concepts in Solid Mechanics for junior/senior-level undergraduate students in the many branches of engineering - mechanical, materials, civil, and aeronautical engineering among others. The book begins by covering the basics of kinematics and strain, and stress and equilibrium, followed by a coverage of the small deformation theories for different types of material response: (i) Elasticity; (ii) Plasticity and Creep; (iii) Fracture and Fatigue; and (iv) Viscoelasticity. The book has additional chapters covering the important material classes of: (v) Rubber Elasticity, and (vi) Continuous-fiber laminated composites. The text includes numerous examples to aid the student. A substantial companion volume with example problems is available free of charge on the book's companion website.

This book covers the essential elements of engineering mechanics of deformable bodies, including mechanical elements in tension-compression, torsion, and bending. It emphasizes a fundamental bottom up approach to the subject in a concise and uncluttered presentation. Of special interest are chapters dealing with potential energy as well as principle of virtual work methods for both exact and approximate solutions. The book places an emphasis on the underlying assumptions of the theories in order to encourage the reader to think more deeply about the subject matter. The book should be of special interest to undergraduate students looking for a streamlined presentation as well as those returning to the subject for a second time.

Continuum Mechanics of Solids is an introductory text for graduate students in the many branches of engineering, covering the basics of kinematics, equilibrium, and material response. As an introductory book, most of the emphasis is upon the kinematically linear theories of elasticity, plasticity, and viscoelasticity, with two additional chapters devoted to topics in finite elasticity. Further chapters cover topics in fracture and fatigue and coupled field problems, such as thermoelasticity, chemoelasticity, poroelasticity, and piezoelectricity. There is ample material for a two semester course, or by selecting only topics of interest for a one-semester offering. The text includes numerous examples to aid the student. A companion text with over 180 fully worked problems is also available.

Whoever turns to the history of photosynthesis research in the twentieth century is soon confronted with the fact that one of its most exciting periods, the years from 1920 to 1960, was in large part overshadowed by a bitter controversy in which many of the leading scientists in the field were involved. It centered on the question, how efficient the process of photosynthesis was. This book attempts a reconstruction of the course of the controversy, based on previously unknown archival sources, and analyzes the arguments brought forward by the two parties.