AI and Cloud Computing, Volume 120 in the Advances in Computers series, highlights new advances in the field, with this updated volume presenting interesting chapters on topics including A Deep-forest based Approach for Detecting Fraudulent Online Transaction, Design of Cyber-Physical-Social Systems with Forensic-awareness Based on Deep Learning, Review on Privacy-preserving Data Comparison Protocols in Cloud Computing, Fingerprint Liveness Detection Using an Improved CNN with the Spatial Pyramid Pooling Structure, Protecting Personal Sensitive Data Security in the Cloud with Blockchain, and more.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agricultural production has increased massively over the last century due to increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these gains have come at a price. The chemicals are not only expensive; they also reduce microbial activity in agricultural soils and accumulate in the food chain, with potentially harmful effects for humans. Accordingly, it is high time to explore alternatives and to find solutions to overcome our increasing dependence on these chemicals. Biofertilizers, which consist of plant remains, organic matter and microorganisms, might offer an alternative. They are natural, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly and cost-effective. Further, the microbes present in the biofertilizers are important, because they produce nutrients required for plant growth (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), as well as substances essential for plant growth and development (e.g., auxins and cytokinins). Biofertilizers also improve the physical properties, fertility and productivity of soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers while maintaining high crop yield. This makes biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture and a sustainable environment. The book covers the latest research on biofertilizers, ranging from beneficial fungal, bacterial and algal inoculants; to microbes for bioremediation, wastewater treatment; and recycling of biodegradable municipal, agricultural and industrial waste; as well as biocontrol agents and bio-pesticides. As such, it offers a valuable resource for researchers, academics and students in the broad fields of microbiology and agriculture.

Cancerremainstobeoneofthemostdevastatingdiseasesworldwidesincelong ago. Thepoorprognosisofcancerislargelyduetometastasis. Metastasisisoften depictedasamultistageprocessinwhichmalignantcellsspreadfromtheprimary locustodistantorgansviacirculation. Whereasgeneticalterationsweresuggested tobeessentialfortransformationofprimarytumorcellsintometastaticphenotype, epigeneticeventsareequallyimportant,whichmaybetriggeredbymetastaticf- torswhereverintheprimarytumorlocus,bloodcirculationandthesecondaryloci. Signaltransductionsinitiatedbythemetastaticfactorsareresponsibleformediating themolecularandcellularprocessesleadingtometastasis. Blockadeoftherelevant molecularpathwaysisoneofthemosteffectivestrategiesforpreventionoftumor metastasis. Clinicaltrialsareunderwaywithpromisingoutcome. Inthisbook, wetakecomprehensive review inregard withthisexciting eld ofcancerresearch. Chapter1takesabriefoverviewofrecentlyidenti edsignal mechanismsforeachstepoftumormetastasisincludingtheinitiationstage,intra- sation,anti-anoikisinbloodcirculation,homing,extravasationand nalsurvivalin themetastaticsite. Chapter2makesacompletedreviewforthemolecularandcel- lareventsinvolvedininitiationofmetastasis. Especially,thesignalingmechanisms formediatingtumorprogressioninducedbysomeimportantmetastaticfactorsare described. InChapters3and4,thecentralrolesofMAPKanditsdownstreameff- torsMAPKAPKplayineachstepoftumormetastasisarewelldelineated. Chapter5 furtherdescribesdetailedlyabouthowGrb2andotheradaptorproteins,upstreamof MAPK cascade, contribute tometastasis. InChapter 6, therole ofreactive o- genspecies(ROS)intumorprogressionarehighlighted. Moreover,thepotential contribution of ROS to cross talk between major signaling cascades that lead to sustainedMAPKactivationareproposedinChapter7. Chapter8takesaninsight intothesignalingmechanismsfordynamictraf ckingandturnoveroffocalad- sionproteinsinregulationoftractionandretractionforces,whichareneededfor celllocomotionandinvasion. Chapter9describestheinvolvementofNotchsign- ingpathwaywhichisnotonlyessentialforembryonicdevelopmentbutalsoplays importantroleintumorprogression. Chapter10reviewedtherecentlyidenti ed cancer- and metastasis-initiating cells involved in tumor progression. Especially, signal pathways that are frequently deregulated in cancer stem/progenitor cells v vi Preface duringcancerprogressionarehighlighted. Chapter11describestheroleoflipid rafts, a special component within membrane lipid domain, in signal transd- tion triggered by growth factor receptors leading to tumor metastasis. Finally, Chapters12,Chapters13,andChapters14presentthesignalingpathwaysresp- sibleformetastaticprogressionofspeci ctumorsincludingovariancancer,uveal melanomaandhepatoma,respectively. WethankallthecontributorsofeveryChapterinthebookincludingJia-RuWu, Chi-TanHu,LaureVoisin,StephanieDuhamel,SylvainMeloche,AlexeyShiryaev, MarijkeVanGhelue,UgoMoens,AlessioGiubellino,PraveenR. Arany,Moulay A. Alaoui-Jamali, Krikor Bijian, Panagiota Toliopoulos, Pingyu Zhang, Patrick A. Zweidler-McKay,MurielleMimeault,SurinderK. Batra,SamirKumarPatra, LydiaW. T. Cheung,CarmanK. M. Ip,AliceS. T. Wong,CecileLaurent,Jerome Couturier,XavierSastre-Garau,LaurenceDesjardins,EmmanuelBarillot,Sophie Piperno-Neumann,SimonSauleandRajagopalN. Aravalli. Wehopethisbookmightstimulatemorecancerbiologiststoemphasizethis eld whichbene tsdevisingmoreeffectivemoleculartargetingstrategiesforprevention ofcancermetastasis. Hualien,Taiwan Wen-ShengWu Chi-TanHu Contents 1 Overview of Signal Transduction in Tumor Metastasis...1 Wen-ShengWuandJia-RuWu 2 Microenvironment Triggers EMT, Migration and Invasion of Primary Tumor via Multiple Signal Pathways ...9 Wen-ShengWuandChi-TanHu 3 The ERK1/2 MAP Kinase Signaling Pathway in Tumor Progression and Metastasis ...25 LaureVoisin,StephanieDuhamel,andSylvainMeloche 4 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein Kinases and Metastasis...41 AlexeyShiryaev,MarijkeVanGhelue,andUgoMoens 5 Grb2 and Other Adaptor Proteins in Tumor Metastasis ...77 AlessioGiubellinoandPraveenR. Arany 6 The Role of ROS Signaling in Tumor Progression...103 Wen-ShengWuandJia-RuWu 7 Signal Cross Talks for Sustained MAPK Activation and Cell Migration Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species: The Involvement in Tumor Progression...

This edited volume covers all aspects of the latest research in the field of soil formation and its functioning, soil diversity, soil proteomics, the impact of anthropogenic activities on the pedosphere, plant-microbe interactions in the pedosphere, and factors influencing the formation and functioning of the soils. In the pedosphere, all forms of soils possess a particular type of structure and different organic and mineral components. Thus, the pedosphere as a whole plays a significant role in providing unique habitats for a vast diversity of life forms, developing a link between geological and biological substances circulation in the terrestrial ecosystems. In the processes making available vital mineral elements to plants and supporting human health as various trace elements in the lithosphere are accessed by people through the formation of soils and such soils are utilized for food production. With the depth of information on different aspects of soil, this extensive volume is a valuable resource for the researchers in the area of soil science, agronomy, agriculture, scientists in academia, crop consultants, policymakers, government from diverse disciplines, and graduate and post-graduate students in the area of soil and environmental science.

This book provides a collection of critical pieces that support the idea that good teaching and learning of geography in fieldwork and using technology should consider the dimensions of curriculum design, instructional design and resource provision, as well as assessment for such learning activities. Further, it clearly describes the thinking, experiences and critical comments concerning two broad areas of learning outside the traditional classroom - in the field and with technology.

Semimartingale Theory and Stochastic Calculus presents a systematic and detailed account of the general theory of stochastic processes, the semimartingale theory, and related stochastic calculus. The book emphasizes stochastic integration for semimartingales, characteristics of semimartingales, predictable representation properties and weak convergence of semimartingales. It also includes a concise treatment of absolute continuity and singularity, contiguity, and entire separation of measures by semimartingale approach. Two basic types of processes frequently encountered in applied probability and statistics are highlighted: processes with independent increments and marked point processes encountered frequently in applied probability and statistics.

Semimartingale Theory and Stochastic Calculus is a self-contained and comprehensive book that will be valuable for research mathematicians, statisticians, engineers, and students.

Cancerremainstobeoneofthemostdevastatingdiseasesworldwidesincelong ago. Thepoorprognosisofcancerislargelyduetometastasis. Metastasisisoften depictedasamultistageprocessinwhichmalignantcellsspreadfromtheprimary locustodistantorgansviacirculation. Whereasgeneticalterationsweresuggested tobeessentialfortransformationofprimarytumorcellsintometastaticphenotype, epigeneticeventsareequallyimportant,whichmaybetriggeredbymetastaticf- torswhereverintheprimarytumorlocus,bloodcirculationandthesecondaryloci. Signaltransductionsinitiatedbythemetastaticfactorsareresponsibleformediating themolecularandcellularprocessesleadingtometastasis. Blockadeoftherelevant molecularpathwaysisoneofthemosteffectivestrategiesforpreventionoftumor metastasis. Clinicaltrialsareunderwaywithpromisingoutcome. Inthisbook, wetakecomprehensive review inregard withthisexciting eld ofcancerresearch. Chapter1takesabriefoverviewofrecentlyidenti edsignal mechanismsforeachstepoftumormetastasisincludingtheinitiationstage,intra- sation,anti-anoikisinbloodcirculation,homing,extravasationand nalsurvivalin themetastaticsite. Chapter2makesacompletedreviewforthemolecularandcel- lareventsinvolvedininitiationofmetastasis. Especially,thesignalingmechanisms formediatingtumorprogressioninducedbysomeimportantmetastaticfactorsare described. InChapters3and4,thecentralrolesofMAPKanditsdownstreameff- torsMAPKAPKplayineachstepoftumormetastasisarewelldelineated. Chapter5 furtherdescribesdetailedlyabouthowGrb2andotheradaptorproteins,upstreamof MAPK cascade, contribute tometastasis. InChapter 6, therole ofreactive o- genspecies(ROS)intumorprogressionarehighlighted. Moreover,thepotential contribution of ROS to cross talk between major signaling cascades that lead to sustainedMAPKactivationareproposedinChapter7. Chapter8takesaninsight intothesignalingmechanismsfordynamictraf ckingandturnoveroffocalad- sionproteinsinregulationoftractionandretractionforces,whichareneededfor celllocomotionandinvasion. Chapter9describestheinvolvementofNotchsign- ingpathwaywhichisnotonlyessentialforembryonicdevelopmentbutalsoplays importantroleintumorprogression. Chapter10reviewedtherecentlyidenti ed cancer- and metastasis-initiating cells involved in tumor progression. Especially, signal pathways that are frequently deregulated in cancer stem/progenitor cells v vi Preface duringcancerprogressionarehighlighted. Chapter11describestheroleoflipid rafts, a special component within membrane lipid domain, in signal transd- tion triggered by growth factor receptors leading to tumor metastasis. Finally, Chapters12,Chapters13,andChapters14presentthesignalingpathwaysresp- sibleformetastaticprogressionofspeci ctumorsincludingovariancancer,uveal melanomaandhepatoma,respectively. WethankallthecontributorsofeveryChapterinthebookincludingJia-RuWu, Chi-TanHu,LaureVoisin,StephanieDuhamel,SylvainMeloche,AlexeyShiryaev, MarijkeVanGhelue,UgoMoens,AlessioGiubellino,PraveenR. Arany,Moulay A. Alaoui-Jamali, Krikor Bijian, Panagiota Toliopoulos, Pingyu Zhang, Patrick A. Zweidler-McKay,MurielleMimeault,SurinderK. Batra,SamirKumarPatra, LydiaW. T. Cheung,CarmanK. M. Ip,AliceS. T. Wong,CecileLaurent,Jerome Couturier,XavierSastre-Garau,LaurenceDesjardins,EmmanuelBarillot,Sophie Piperno-Neumann,SimonSauleandRajagopalN. Aravalli. Wehopethisbookmightstimulatemorecancerbiologiststoemphasizethis eld whichbene tsdevisingmoreeffectivemoleculartargetingstrategiesforprevention ofcancermetastasis. Hualien,Taiwan Wen-ShengWu Chi-TanHu Contents 1 Overview of Signal Transduction in Tumor Metastasis...1 Wen-ShengWuandJia-RuWu 2 Microenvironment Triggers EMT, Migration and Invasion of Primary Tumor via Multiple Signal Pathways ...9 Wen-ShengWuandChi-TanHu 3 The ERK1/2 MAP Kinase Signaling Pathway in Tumor Progression and Metastasis ...25 LaureVoisin,StephanieDuhamel,andSylvainMeloche 4 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein Kinases and Metastasis...41 AlexeyShiryaev,MarijkeVanGhelue,andUgoMoens 5 Grb2 and Other Adaptor Proteins in Tumor Metastasis ...77 AlessioGiubellinoandPraveenR. Arany 6 The Role of ROS Signaling in Tumor Progression...103 Wen-ShengWuandJia-RuWu 7 Signal Cross Talks for Sustained MAPK Activation and Cell Migration Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species: The Involvement in Tumor Progression...

Plant growth regulators consist of organic molecules produced synthetically and used to modulate plant growth. There are several classes of plant growth regulators, including auxin, gibberellin, abscisic acid, cytokinins, salicylic, jasmonic acid and ethylene, as well as more recently investigated brassinosteroids, strigolactones, polyamine, etc. These plant growth regulators have either promoting or inhibitory effects on plant growth and development by means of modification in plant secondary metabolism and gene regulation. Some of plant growth regulators may have safe issues in fields. More attention should be paid in the application of plant growth regulators. Researchers also try to find other regulators to do more field experiments, in order to reduce the amount of organic chemicals (e.g., traditional plant growth regulators) used. This book discusses the function, types, uses and safety of plant growth regulators. The effects of plant growth regulators on horticultural plants are specially introduced in this book. Fly ash and soil mycorrhizal fungi-released glomalin also get a lot of attention in this book.

This edited volume covers all aspects of the latest research in the field of soil formation and its functioning, soil diversity, soil proteomics, the impact of anthropogenic activities on the pedosphere, plant-microbe interactions in the pedosphere, and factors influencing the formation and functioning of the soils. In the pedosphere, all forms of soils possess a particular type of structure and different organic and mineral components. Thus, the pedosphere as a whole plays a significant role in providing unique habitats for a vast diversity of life forms, developing a link between geological and biological substances circulation in the terrestrial ecosystems.  In the processes making available vital mineral elements to plants and supporting human health as various trace elements in the lithosphere are accessed by people through the formation of soils and such soils are utilized for food production. With the depth of information on different aspects of soil, this extensive volume is a valuable resource for the researchers in the area of soil science, agronomy, agriculture, scientists in academia, crop consultants, policymakers, government from diverse disciplines, and graduate and post-graduate students in the area of soil and environmental science.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agricultural production has increased massively over the last century due to increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these gains have come at a price. The chemicals are not only expensive; they also reduce microbial activity in agricultural soils and accumulate in the food chain, with potentially harmful effects for humans. Accordingly, it is high time to explore alternatives and to find solutions to overcome our increasing dependence on these chemicals. Biofertilizers, which consist of plant remains, organic matter and microorganisms, might offer an alternative. They are natural, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly and cost-effective. Further, the microbes present in the biofertilizers are important, because they produce nutrients required for plant growth (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), as well as substances essential for plant growth and development (e.g., auxins and cytokinins). Biofertilizers also improve the physical properties, fertility and productivity of soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers while maintaining high crop yield. This makes biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture and a sustainable environment. The book covers the latest research on biofertilizers, ranging from beneficial fungal, bacterial and algal inoculants; to microbes for bioremediation, wastewater treatment; and recycling of biodegradable municipal, agricultural and industrial waste; as well as biocontrol agents and bio-pesticides. As such, it offers a valuable resource for researchers, academics and students in the broad fields of microbiology and agriculture.

This book reviews the potential mechanisms in arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs), in the hope that this can help arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to be more used efficiently as a biostimulant to enhance stress tolerance in the host plants. AMF, as well as plants, are often exposed to all or many of the abiotic and biotic stresses, including extreme temperatures, pH, drought, water-logging, toxic metals and soil pathogens. Studies have indicated a quick response to these stresses involving several mechanisms, such as root morphological modification, reactive oxygen species change, osmotic adjustment, direct absorption of water by extraradical hyphae, up-regulated expression of relevant stressed genes, glomalin-related soil protein release, etc. The underlying complex, multi-dimensional strategy is involved in morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes. The AMF responses are often associated with homeostatic regulation of the internal and external environment, and are therefore critical for plant health, survival and restoration in native ecosystems and good soil structure.

This book provides a collection of critical pieces that support the idea that good teaching and learning of geography in fieldwork and using technology should consider the dimensions of curriculum design, instructional design and resource provision, as well as assessment for such learning activities. Further, it clearly describes the thinking, experiences and critical comments concerning two broad areas of learning outside the traditional classroom - in the field and with technology.