The present edited book is an attempt to update the state of art of the knowledge on metabolism of ROS and antioxidants and their relationship in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses involving physiological, biochemical and molecular processes. The chapters are much focused on the current climate issues and how ROS metabolism can manipulate with antioxidant system to accelerate detoxification mechanism. It will enhance the mechanistic understanding on ROS and antioxidants system and will pave the path for agricultural scientists in developing tolerant crops to achieve sustainability under the changing environmental conditions. The increase in abiotic stress factors has become a major threat to sustainability of crop production. This situation has led to think ways which can help to come out with potential measures; for which it is necessary to understand the influence of abiotic stress factors on crops performance and the mechanisms by which these factors impact plants. It has now become evident that abiotic stress impacts negatively on plant growth and development at every stage of plant's life. Plants adapt to the changing environment with the adjustment at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. The possible mechanisms involved in the negative effects of abiotic stress factors are excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). They alter physiological and molecular mechanisms leading to poor performance of plants. Plants however, are able to cope with these adverse effects by inducing antioxidant systems as the priority. Nevertheless, the dual role of ROS has now been ascertained which provides an evidence for regulation of plant metabolism positively on a concentration-dependent manner. Under conditions of high ROS production, the antioxidant system plays a major role in diminishing the effects of ROS. Thus, ROS production and antioxidant system are interwoven with abiotic stress conditions. The antioxidants have the capacity to hold the stability in metabolism in order to avoid disruption due to environmental disturbances.

Nanopores are nanometer scale holes formed naturally by proteins or cells, and can be used for a variety of applications, including sequencing DNA and detecting anthrax. They can be integrated into artificially constructed encapsulated cells of silicon wafers while allowing small molecules like oxygen, glucose and insulin to pass, while keeping out large system molecules. "Nanopores: Sensing and Fundamental Biological Interactions" examines the emerging research directions surrounding nanopores such as genome sequencing and early disease detection using biomarker identification. Covering the applications of nanopores in genetics, proteomics, drug discovery, early disease detection and detection of emerging environmental threats, it is a must-have book for biomedicalengineersand research scientists."

Plants often encounter abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, flooding, high/low temperatures, and metal toxicity, among others. The majority of these stresses occur simultaneously and thus limit crop production. Therefore, the need of the hour is to improve the abiotic stresses tolerance of crop plants by integrating physiology, omics, and modern breeding approaches. This book covers various aspects including (1) abiotic stress responses in plants and progress made so far in the allied areas for trait improvements, (2) integrates knowledge gained from basic physiology to advanced omics tools to assist new breeding technologies, and (3) discusses key genes, proteins, and metabolites or pathways for developing new crop varieties with improved tolerance traits.

Plants often encounter abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, flooding, high/low temperatures, and metal toxicity, among others. The majority of these stresses occur simultaneously and thus limit crop production. Therefore, the need of the hour is to improve the abiotic stresses tolerance of crop plants by integrating physiology, omics, and modern breeding approaches. This book covers various aspects including (1) abiotic stress responses in plants and progress made so far in the allied areas for trait improvements, (2) integrates knowledge gained from basic physiology to advanced omics tools to assist new breeding technologies, and (3) discusses key genes, proteins, and metabolites or pathways for developing new crop varieties with improved tolerance traits.

This book provides state-of-the art analysis of banking and financial systems in the Arab world. The early chapters of the text present an overview of Arab economies linking banking and financial sector trends in the Arab world over the last twenty years. The rest of the text examines in detail the financial systems of the major Arab countries, focusing on banking sector and capital market developments. This text will be the first to provide a rigorous analytical evaluation of banking sector developments in the Arab world.

Development of superior crops that have consistent performance in quality and in quantity has not received the same emphasis in the field of genetics and breeding as merited. Specialty trait requires special focus to propagate. Yet basic germplasm and breeding methodologies optimized to improve crops are often applied in the development of improved specialty types. However, because of the standards required for specialty traits, methods of development and improvement are usually more complex than those for common commodity crops. The same standards of performance are desired, but the genetics of the specialty traits often impose breeding criteria distinct from those of non-specialty possessing crops. Specifically, quality improvement programs have unique characteristics that require careful handling and monitoring during their development for specific needs. Adding value either via alternative products from the large volumes of grain produced or development of specialty types is of interest to producers and processors. This work assimilates the most topical results about quality improvement with contemporary plant breeding approaches.The objective of this book is to provide a summary of the germplasm, methods of development, and specific problems involved for quality breeding. In total, fourteen chapters, written by leading scientists involved in crop improvement research, provide comprehensive coverage of the major factors impacting specialty crop improvement.

This text explains how Islamic banking works and what it offers as an alternative model of financial intermediation. Important questions addressed include: Why Islamic banking started and where it is going; who the main players are at present and whom it will attract in future; what its strengths and weaknesses are; whether Islamic banks will survive in highly competitive and globalized financial markets; what their prospects and potentials are; and how the relative performance and efficiency of Islamic banks compares to conventional banks?

The text is the first of its kind on financial engineering and risk management in Islamic finance. It sets out detailed guidelines for financial engineering from an Islamic perspective. The text also presents some practical issues concerning futures contracts and how these can be handled from an Islamic perspective. It brings out the different points of view in this respect and reflects the current state of knowledge as well as the challenges that lie ahead for financial engineers. The text explores the prospects of some Islamic contracts having similarity with commodity futures; forward contracts, especially in agriculture; and Islamic permissible contractual arrangements for resource mobilization by the public sector. It also makes an analytical comparison between debt and equity contracts with regard to incentive compatibility and efficiency.

Over the last thirty years, Islamic banking has emerged as a viable and efficient model of financial intermediation. In conventional economic systems, the interest rate mechanism is at the heart of that process, however the Islamic financial system cannot rely on that mechanism. With this fact considered, this volume explores the role of Islamic finance in promoting growth and development. It highlights the benefits that Islamic banking can bring to society as an alternative model of financial intermediation and presents interesting case studies that examine certain features of Islamic finance and their relationship with growth, economic and financial stability, allocative efficiency and social justice.

Abiotic stresses such as drought, flooding, high or low temperatures, metal toxicity and salinity can hamper plant growth and development. Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants explains the physiological and molecular mechanisms plants naturally exhibit to withstand abiotic stresses and outlines the potential approaches to enhance plant abiotic stress tolerance to extreme conditions. Synthesising developments in plant stress biology, the book offers strategies that can be used in breeding, genomic, molecular, physiological and biotechnological approaches that hold the potential to develop resilient plants and improve crop productivity worldwide. Features * Comprehensively explains molecular and physiological mechanism of multiple abiotic stress tolerance in plants * Discusses recent advancements in crop abiotic stress tolerance mechanism and highlights strategies to develop abiotic stress tolerant genotypes for sustainability * Stimulates synthesis of information for plant stress biology for biotechnological applications * Presents essential information for large scale breeding and agricultural biotechnological programs for crop improvement Written by a team of expert scientists, this book benefits researchers in the field of plant stress biology and is essential reading for graduate students and researchers generating stress tolerant crops through genetic engineering and plant breeding. It appeals to individuals developing sustainable agriculture through physiological and biotechnological applications.

Provides insights into the various aspects of microbial genomics and biotechnology for environmental cleanup In recent years, the application of genomics to biodegradation and bioremediation research has led to a better understanding of the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms, their interactions with hazardous and toxic chemical compounds, and their adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Genomics to Bioremediation: Principles, Applications, and Perspectives provides comprehensive and up-to-date information on cutting-edge technologies and approaches in bioremediation and biodegradation of environmental pollutants. Edited by prominent researchers in the field, this authoritative reference examines advanced genomics technologies, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools while offering valuable insights into the unique functional attributes of different microbial communities and their impact on the removal of chemical contaminants. Each chapter includes numerous high-quality illustrations, detailed tables, extensive references, and step-by-step descriptions of various microbial metabolic pathways of degradation and biotransformation of environments containing various inorganic, metallic, organometallic, and organic hydrocarbon contaminants. Describes methodologies and underlying theory for the remediation, detoxification, and degradation of contaminated environments Covers new genomics technologies that address nutrient removal, resource recovery, and other major trends in environmental cleanup Highlights recent advances in microbial biotechnological approaches including the latest description of the relationship between microbes and the environment focusing on their impact on ecosystem services. Offers perspectives on energy saving, production, sustainability, and community involvement Discusses current challenges and future directions in the field of bioremediation Genomics to Bioremediation: Principles, Applications, and Perspectives is an essential resource for biochemical and environmental engineers, environmental microbiologists, academic researchers, process and treatment plant managers, policymakers, and industry professionals working in the areas of microbial degradation, bioremediation, and phytoremediation.

The goal of an activity-directed isolation process is to isolate bioactive compounds which may provide structural leads of therapeutic importance. Whereas the traditional process of drug development is long and expensive, simple and rapid bioassays can serve as the starting point for drug discovery. This book presents a range of "bench top" bioassay techniques useful for natural product and pharmaceutical chemists involved in drug discovery and pharmacognosy. The contents detail a number of enzyme-based assays, cell-based functional bioassays and receptor radioligand binding assays along with detailed descriptions of each type. The majority of these bioassays are presented in a step-by-step format, so they could even be implemented by technical personnel with little background in microbiology, biochemistry or pharmacology.

The spectacular advances of medicinal chemistry in the last few decades have been triggered by a greater understanding of cellular processes at the molecular level. The understanding of biochemical processes and diseases at molecular level has revolutionized the field. This volume summarizes recent developments in the area of biological inhibitors such as squalene epoxidase inhibitors, dual inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cycloxgenase, inhibition of cholestrol biosynthesis, HIV proteinase inhibitors, nonpeptide antagonists at peptide receptors, and binding interaction of thyroid hormones.

The present edited book is an attempt to update the state of art of the knowledge on metabolism of ROS and antioxidants and their relationship in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses involving physiological, biochemical and molecular processes. The chapters are much focused on the current climate issues and how ROS metabolism can manipulate with antioxidant system to accelerate detoxification mechanism. It will enhance the mechanistic understanding on ROS and antioxidants system and will pave the path for agricultural scientists in developing tolerant crops to achieve sustainability under the changing environmental conditions. The increase in abiotic stress factors has become a major threat to sustainability of crop production. This situation has led to think ways which can help to come out with potential measures; for which it is necessary to understand the influence of abiotic stress factors on crops performance and the mechanisms by which these factors impact plants. It has now become evident that abiotic stress impacts negatively on plant growth and development at every stage of plant's life. Plants adapt to the changing environment with the adjustment at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. The possible mechanisms involved in the negative effects of abiotic stress factors are excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). They alter physiological and molecular mechanisms leading to poor performance of plants. Plants however, are able to cope with these adverse effects by inducing antioxidant systems as the priority. Nevertheless, the dual role of ROS has now been ascertained which provides an evidence for regulation of plant metabolism positively on a concentration-dependent manner. Under conditions of high ROS production, the antioxidant system plays a major role in diminishing the effects of ROS. Thus, ROS production and antioxidant system are interwoven with abiotic stress conditions. The antioxidants have the capacity to hold the stability in metabolism in order to avoid disruption due to environmental disturbances.

Nanopores are nanometer scale holes formed naturally by proteins or cells, and can be used for a variety of applications, including sequencing DNA and detecting anthrax. They can be integrated into artificially constructed encapsulated cells of silicon wafers while allowing small molecules like oxygen, glucose and insulin to pass, while keeping out large system molecules. "Nanopores: Sensing and Fundamental Biological Interactions" examines the emerging research directions surrounding nanopores such as genome sequencing and early disease detection using biomarker identification. Covering the applications of nanopores in genetics, proteomics, drug discovery, early disease detection and detection of emerging environmental threats, it is a must-have book for biomedicalengineers and research scientists.

Abiotic stresses such as drought, flooding, high or low temperatures, metal toxicity and salinity can hamper plant growth and development. Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants explains the physiological and molecular mechanisms plants naturally exhibit to withstand abiotic stresses and outlines the potential approaches to enhance plant abiotic stress tolerance to extreme conditions. Synthesising developments in plant stress biology, the book offers strategies that can be used in breeding, genomic, molecular, physiological and biotechnological approaches that hold the potential to develop resilient plants and improve crop productivity worldwide. Features * Comprehensively explains molecular and physiological mechanism of multiple abiotic stress tolerance in plants * Discusses recent advancements in crop abiotic stress tolerance mechanism and highlights strategies to develop abiotic stress tolerant genotypes for sustainability * Stimulates synthesis of information for plant stress biology for biotechnological applications * Presents essential information for large scale breeding and agricultural biotechnological programs for crop improvement Written by a team of expert scientists, this book benefits researchers in the field of plant stress biology and is essential reading for graduate students and researchers generating stress tolerant crops through genetic engineering and plant breeding. It appeals to individuals developing sustainable agriculture through physiological and biotechnological applications.

This text explains how Islamic banking works and what it offers as an alternative model of financial intermediation. Important questions addressed include: Why Islamic banking started and where it is going? Who are the main players at present and whom it will attract in future? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Will Islamic banks survive in highly competitive and globalized financial markets? What are their prospects and potentials? How does the relative performance and efficiency of Islamic banks compare to conventional banks?

This book provides state-of-the art analysis of banking and financial systems in the Arab world. The early chapters of the text present an overview of Arab economies linking banking and financial sector trends in the Arab world over the last twenty years. The rest of the text examines in detail the financial systems of the major Arab countries, focusing on banking sector and capital market developments. This text will be the first to provide a rigorous analytical evaluation of banking sector developments in the Arab world.

Reservoir Engineering focuses on the fundamental concepts related to the development of conventional and unconventional reservoirs and how these concepts are applied in the oil and gas industry to meet both economic and technical challenges. Written in easy to understand language, the book provides valuable information regarding present-day tools, techniques, and technologies and explains best practices on reservoir management and recovery approaches. Various reservoir workflow diagrams presented in the book provide a clear direction to meet the challenges of the profession. As most reservoir engineering decisions are based on reservoir simulation, a chapter is devoted to introduce the topic in lucid fashion. The addition of practical field case studies make Reservoir Engineering a valuable resource for reservoir engineers and other professionals in helping them implement a comprehensive plan to produce oil and gas based on reservoir modeling and economic analysis, execute a development plan, conduct reservoir surveillance on a continuous basis, evaluate reservoir performance, and apply corrective actions as necessary.

Nitric Oxide in Developing Plant Stress Resilience presents a strong focus on genetics and molecular mechanisms, examining crosstalk with other signaling molecules and the role this plays in the alleviation of oxidative damage. Abiotic stress negatively impacts plants productivity and alters the metabolism at the cellular or whole plant level, disturbing the mineral nutrients status, enzyme activities and osmotic homeostasis. Beginning with the biosynthesis of NO and its mode of action, chapters review various molecular interactions, including phytohormonal crosstalk, ROS metabolism, post-translational modification, and nutrients homeostasis. In addition, the book also highlights genome editing and proteomic approaches that can be used to manipulate NO responses. This is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in plant physiology, biochemistry and genetics.