In August 2005, a small but important conference took place at Chuo University in Tokyo, Japan. The Chuo Meeting on Economics of Time and Space 2005 (Chuo METS 05) aimed to enrich the respective disciplines of the economics of time (dynamic economics) and the economics of space (spatial economics) and to expand their applicability in the real world. The chapters contained herein are based on the papers presented at that conference.

The intent of this publication is to bring together reviews and discussions from several disciplines, all treating the basidium and basidiocarp of the Basidiomy cotina (= basidiomycetes), a subdivision of the true or higher fungi. Because the workers who study the species of this group employ such a variety of techniques and publish in such diverse journals, we believe that bringing together these efforts in one publication will facilitate a synopsis of recent studies of several divergent disciplines. Correlation of such information may not only aid in the reevaluation of broad taxonomic and biological concepts but also provide a key to the specialists in the rethinking of the data available within the confines of the more restricted disciplines. We have attempted to cover the major areas of studies of species of the Basidiomycotina within the past decade or so with the exception of genetics and compatibility, which have recently been reviewed in several other works. A problem we have not been able to solve satisfactorily is the one of vocabulary. Each discipline tends to develop its own language as it becomes increasingly specialized, with time becoming unintelligible to the majority. We have tried to alleviate this problem of terms but can not claim to have been completely successful. We are indebted to a great many people, but especially to the contributors. They have been most patient and cooperative throughout."

This series presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and materials science. It is addressed to all scientists at universities and in industry who wish to keep abreast of advances in the topics covered.

Impact Factor Ranking: Always number one in Polymer Science. More information as well as the electronic version of the whole content available at: www.springerlink.com

In August 2005, a small but important conference took place at Chuo University in Tokyo, Japan. The Chuo Meeting on Economics of Time and Space 2005 (Chuo METS 05) aimed to enrich the respective disciplines of the economics of time (dynamic economics) and the economics of space (spatial economics) and to expand their applicability in the real world. The chapters contained herein are based on the papers presented at that conference.

This series presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and materials science. It is addressed to all scientists at universities and in industry who wish to keep abreast of advances in the topics covered.

Impact Factor Ranking: Always number one in Polymer Science. More information as well as the electronic version of the whole content available at: www.springerlink.com

Guanidines, amidines and phosphazenes have been attracting attention in organic synthesis due to their potential functionality resulting from their extremely strong basicity. They are also promising catalysts because of their potential for easy molecular modification, possible recyclability, and reduced or zero toxicity. Importantly, these molecules can be derived as natural products - valuable as scientists move towards "sustainable chemistry," where reagents and catalysts are derived from biomaterial sources.

"Superbases for Organic Synthesis" is an essential guide to these important molecules for preparative organic synthesis. Topics covered include the following aspects: an introduction to organosuperbasesphysicochemical properties of organic superbasesamidines and guanidines in organic synthesisphosphazene: preparation, reaction and catalytic rolepolymer-supported organosuperbasesapplication of organosuperbases to total synthesisrelated organocatalysts: proton sponges and urea derivativesamidines and guanidines in natural products and medicines

"Superbases for Organic Synthesis" is a comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date guide to these important reagents for organic chemists, drug discovery researchers and those interested in the chemistry of natural products.

Sets the foundation for safer, more effective drug therapies

With this book as their guide, readers will discover how to apply our current understanding of the pharmacogenomics of drug transporters to advance their own drug discovery and development efforts. In particular, the book explains how new findings in the field now enable researchers to more accurately predict drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. Moreover, it sets the foundation for the development of drug therapies that are tailored to an individual patient's genetics.

"Pharmacogenomics of Human Drug Transporters" serves as a comprehensive guide to how transporters regulate the absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs in the body as well as how an individual's genome affects those processes. The book's eighteen chapters have been authored by a team of leading pioneers in the field. Based on their own laboratory and clinical experience as well as a thorough review of the literature, these authors explore all facets of drug transporter pharmacogenomics, including: Individual drug transporters and transporter families and their clinical significancePrinciples of altered drug transport in drug-drug interactions, pharmacotherapy, and personalized medicineEmerging new technologies for rapid detection of genetic polymorphismsClinical aspects of genetic polymorphisms in major drug transporter genesFuture research directions of drug transporter pharmacogenomics and the prospect of individualized medicine

"Pharmacogenomics of Human Drug Transporters" opens the door to new drug discovery and development breakthroughs leading to safer and more effective customized drug therapies.The book is recommended for pharmaceutical scientists, biochemists, pharmacologists, clinicians, and genetics and genomics researchers.