Search results for ""taylor francis""

This volume presents a series of studies by Jacqueline Caille, acknowledged as the leading expert on medieval Narbonne, which chart the development and history of the city from its Roman origins to its decline in the late Middle Ages. They focus on the period of Narbonne's heyday, from the mid-11th to the mid-14th centuries, and a central place is held by Ermengarde, viscountess for half the 12th century, and celebrated figure in the 'world of the troubadours'. The book opens with an important new introductory survey, in English, setting the context for the detailed studies which follow, several of which also appear in English for the first time, and all being updated with additional notes. These articles cover the physical growth of the great medieval centre, the relations and conflicts between its secular and ecclesiastical lords, its administrative and religious life, and its political and commercial connections with the areas around. Ce volume regroupe une série d'études de Jacqueline Caille, spécialiste reconnue de l'histoire de Narbonne au Moyen Age. L'antique cité y est présentée depuis ses origines romaines jusqu'à la fin du XVe siècle, en insistant particulièrement sur la période la plus brillante des siècles médiévaux, du milieu du XIe au milieu du XIVe siècle. Le recueil s'ouvre par un "long survol historique" inédit, en anglais, brossant le contexte général où s'insèrent les études spécialisées qui suivent, réactualisées par des notes additionnelles. Les principaux thèmes pouvant être dégagés des ces articles concernent le développement topographique de cette "grande ville médiévale", les relations et les conflits entre les seigneurs qui la dirigent (archevêques et vicomtes), la vie administrative et religieuse de l'agglomération ainsi que ses relations politiques et commerciales avec les régions environnantes. Enfin, une place de choix est faite à l'une des éminentes figures du "monde des troubadours", la victomtesse

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Gathered together here are the fruits of 60 years of research by the late Sir Laurence Kirwan into the history and archaeology of the mid 1st millennium AD in the Middle Nile Valley, papers previously scattered through a wide range of publications. Kirwan's fieldwork in the region, undertaken between 1929 and 1936, kindled a life-long interest in the transition from the pagan Kushite kingdom to the medieval Nubian states of Nobadia, Makuria and Alodia (Alwa) and of their conversion to Christianity in the 6th century AD. The 25 studies, one published here for the first time, were often of seminal importance when they first appeared, the author being exemplary in his use of the written sources to elucidate the archaeological data. As the preface by the editors shows, the views expressed remain fundamental to modern scholarship, offering valuable insights into this still relatively obscure period of transition from the ancient to the medieval world.

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This book deals with the mathematics of the medieval West between ca. 500 and 1100, the period before the translations from Arabic and Greek had their impact. Four of the studies appear for the first time in English. Among the topics treated are: the Roman surveyors (agrimensores); recreational mathematics in the period of Bede and Alcuin; geometrical texts compiled in Corbie and Lorraine from Latin sources from late antiquity; the abacus at the time of Gerbert (pope Sylvester II.); and a board-game invented in the first half of the 11th century (the 'Rithmimachia') to help people to learn mathematics. Included in the volume are critical editions of several texts, e.g. that of Franco of Liège on squaring the circle, Bede and Alcuin on recreational mathematics, and part of Pseudo-Boethius' Geometry I. The book opens with a survey of mathematics in the Middle Ages, and ends with a history of Rithmimachia up to the 17th century, when the game fell into disuse.

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The dual themes of this volume are the characteristics of patronage relationships and their political uses in early modern France. The first essays provide an overview of the scholarly literature and suggest that the obligatory reciprocity of the patron-client exchange was a defining characteristic. The third and fourth essays compare patronage relationships with kinship and friendship, while the following two focus on the patronage role of noblewomen. Professor Kettering then looks at the role of brokerage in state formation in early modern France, comparing this with other early modern societies. In the final section she explores the role of patronage in the religious wars of the late 16th century and in the civil war of the Fronde a half century later, and the ways in which it was affected by the changing lifestyles of the great nobles during the late 17th century.

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These essays are concerned with the nature of early renaissance political thought and the relationship between humanism and medieval rhetoric. One group traces the influence of medieval political thought on the rise of the modern conception of republicanism; others focus on the medieval art of letter writing and its place in the medieval cultural context; while still others analyse the often contradictory thought of the early humanist, Coluccio Salutati (1331-1406), who struggled to reconcile his classical learning with his medieval allegiances. In the collection as a whole humanism emerges as a literary movement drawing as heavily on patristic and medieval culture as on antiquity. Awareness of its various debts permits recognition of what humanism itself contributed to the development of western thought and ethics.

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This volume traces the evolution of the concept of Public Health and reveals the importance of political will and public spending in this field of civil engineering. Design, construction, operation and maintenance of water-supply and main drainage works are discussed. The period covered extends from Roman engineering through to the early 20th century, with examples from Europe, America and Japan.

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This volume, together with its companion Manufacturing and Labour, examines the economic basis of the early Islamic world, looking at the organization of extractive and agricultural operations, manufacturing processes and labour relations. Mining, stock raising, agriculture and irrigation are the themes of this volume. The work is based on both literary sources and archaeology, and is concerned with the extraction of raw materials and production based on natural resources and domesticated animals. Some classic articles are included because they defined the issues and deserve to be available due to their continuing significance. These are balanced by state-of-the art studies, and by others translating and commenting on important texts in areas where analytic studies have yet to be carried out. This body of work provides a sense of the intensity of exploitation of natural resources in early Islamic times, of how labour and energy-intensive mining, agriculture and irrigation were, and of the interrelationship of different sectors of the economy.

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This collection of essays, two of which appear in print for the first time, documents the late Holden Furber’s discovery that private ventures, most manifestly deployed in the ’country trade’ between Asian ports, played a major role in the European expansion in India before the age of empire. Furber vividly describes how individual entrepreneurs used their positions with East India Companies to build personal fortunes, and how these private endeavours, for which the English East India Company gave more latitude, ultimately worked to the benefit of British power in India. One of the continuing strengths of his work remains its use of archival sources, not only British, but also other archival records, in particular those of The Netherlands and Scandinavia. The essays also highlight important connections, between chartered and ’clandestine’ trade, and piracy; of multinational private investments in the increasingly dominant East India Company; and between the trade of the Indian Ocean and Pacific worlds.

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Large-Scale 3D Data Integration: Challenges and Opportunities examines the fundamental aspects of 3D geo-information, focusing on the latest developments in 3D GIS (geographic information) and AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) systems. This book addresses policy makers, designers and engineers, and individuals that need to overcome obstacles in integrating modeling perspectives and data.Organized into four major parts, the book begins by presenting a historical overview of the issues involved in integrating GIS and AEC. Part II then focuses on the data issue from several viewpoints: data collection; database structures and representation; database management; and visualization. Part III covers the areas of semantics, ontology, and standardization from a theoretical perspective and details many of the best examples of this approach in developing real-world applications. The book concludes with contributions that focus on recent advances in virtual geographic environments and alternative modeling schemes for the potential AEC/GIS interface.

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Moving from a standard clinical reference Garner and Klintworth''s Third Edition of Pathobiology of Ocular Disease is now modeled to be both a scientific research tool and a quick reference option for the practicing ophthalmologist, ophthalmic pathologist, optometrist and vision scientist. With the addition of ten new chapters, this edition focuses its attention on the causes and mechanisms of ocular disease, and is on the forefront of the latest discoveries, research methods, and the current on-going research in ocular disease.

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The potential value of artificial neural networks (ANN) as a predictor of malignancy has begun to receive increased recognition. Research and case studies can be found scattered throughout a multitude of journals. Artificial Neural Networks in Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Patient Management brings together the work of top researchers - primarily clinicians - who present the results of their state-of-the-art work with ANNs as applied to nearly all major areas of cancer for diagnosis, prognosis, and management of the disease.The book introduces the theory of neural networks and the method of their application in oncology. It is not an exercise in ANN research, but the presentation of a new technique for diagnosing and determining the treatment of cancers. The authors have included almost all cancers for which there exist ANN applications. When the data available is ill-defined and the development of an algorithmic solution difficult, neural networks provide a non-linear approach which helps sift through the maze of information and arrive at a reasonable solution.Highly interdisciplinary in nature, this book provides comprehensive coverage of the most important materials relating to the applications of ANNs in the cancer field. With contributions from prominent research centers worldwide, it serves as an introduction to how neural networks can be used for accurate prediction or diagnosis and shows why neural networks are more accurate. Artificial Neural Networks in Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Patient Management gives you an understanding of this new tool, its applications, and when it should be used.

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Musculoskeletal Radiology is a single-source guide encompassing all of musculoskeletal imaging, examining classical diseases, as well as modern interpretations of disease. In-depth coverage of MRI and uses a basic "hands on"’ approach to MRI for exploring the knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, ankle, and foot.Other topics include: additional chapters on MRI’s congenital and pediatric disease trauma arthritis metabolic bone disease infection tumors lumbosacral spine musculoskeletal processes involving the spine common musculoskeletal diseases and uncommon conditions Illustrated with over 1000 high-definition images, this volume is a complete stand-alone reference for anyone interested in musculoskeletal disease.

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Written by internationally renowned scientist and author Thomas S.C. Li, Taiwanese Native Medicinal Plants presents information critical to assessing the medicinal potential of Taiwanese herbs. A comprehensive review of chemical constituents, toxicity, and therapeutic values, the book focuses on documentation of the chemical components present and their therapeutic properties. The author begins with a general introduction regarding the geographic advantages for growing varieties of medicinal plants, followed by tables presenting information on the major constituents and therapeutic values of more than 1000 species. He includes an index, three appendices cross-referencing major chemical components and their sources, and the common and scientific names of the medicinal plants cited in the table. Arranged alphabetically by Latin name into tables, the information is easy to find and the book easy to use.

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Complex and ever changing in its forms and functions, the element mercury follows a convoluted course through the environment and up the food chain. The process is complicated further by the fact that the difference between tolerable natural background levels and harmful effects in the environment is exceptionally small and still not completely understood. Written by recognized national and international authority on chemical risk assessment, Ronald Eisler, Mercury Hazards to Living Organisms explores the biological, physical, and chemical properties of mercury and its compounds. Rich in facts and information, the book provides a fundamental look at the issues.A synthesis of current scientific reviews, the book documents the significance of mercury concentrations in abiotic materials, plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, elasmobranch, fishes, and birds, as well as humans and other mammals. The author reviews historical and current uses and sources of mercury along with its physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties. He summarizes mercury transport and speciation processes and analytical techniques for mercury measurement. The book includes coverage of lethality to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans; administration routes and their effects; and sublethal effects such as cancers, birth defects, and chromosomal aberrations.

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Environmental restoration has entered an era of faster, better, cheaper. Uniquely suited to meet all of those requirements, macroengineering has become one of the hottest concepts in the field. Macroengineering: An Environmental Restoration Management Process provides a comprehensive understanding of all the technical, cost, and regulatory issues that an environmental project manager would potentially face on a large scale environmental restoration project. The author makes the case for integrated planning and management of environmental restoration projects and provides money-saving solutions.The text delineates the many issues a project or program manager will typically face on a complex, large-scale environmental restoration project. The author addresses unique technical issues encountered during DOD and DOE environmental cleanup efforts, such as radionuclide contamination, unexploded ordinance, heavy metals, and other common contaminants. Referencing the most recent regulations and practices in environmental cleanup projects, the book also includes useful charts and tables and serves both as a classroom text and a professional reference.Describing how to get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively, the text combines practical technological information with project management information to form one comprehensive volume. The author distills knowledge from many disciplines into a concise and cohesive text, providing a starting point and stressing the interconnection between key elements. Emphasizing the integrative nature of macroengineering projects, the book gives you the tools to ensure that organizational resources you have committed to environmental restoration are used to their best advantage.

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The effect Lean Manufacturing programs have on profit and loss statements during the early months of their implementation often causes them to be viewed as failures. The length of time it will take traditional financial reports to reflect lean manufacturing improvements depends upon how poorly the operation was doing in terms of inventory management prior to the initiation of the lean effort. As yet, no one has put forth a set of methods for dealing with the finances and financial reporting issues dynamically during the implementation of lean practices, until now.Financial Models and Tools for Managing Lean Manufacturing provides an understanding of the impact that traditional accounting practices have on operational improvement programs. The book shows managers of supply chains how to prepare for and present the impact of Lean Manufacturing to top management and stakeholders. To illustrate the impact of lean manufacturing on the income statement, the authors present a multi-month, Excel™ and Pro-Model™ based manufacturing operation environment that incorporates actual sales, sales forecasts, and production results. Their text gives supply chain managers the financial skills they need to successfully manage Lean Manufacturing and its impacts. In short, the book explains how existing accounting practices have a tendency to report the results of operational improvement programs in a negative light. Other books have identified this issue but have not attempted to quantify the impact to a firm’s profit and loss nor have they shown the impact over a series of reporting periods. As a consequence, although Lean Manufacturing practices are being adopted at an ever-increasing rate, they have not been eagerly embraced by manufacturers and supply chain managers. Identifying the effects of past poor manufacturing practices that are being cleaned up by the operational improvements brought by the lean program, the book arms you with the knowledge you need to defend the lean program through the months when income statements indicate a decline in profitability.

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Recent nationwide recalls of spinach due to E. coli contamination and peanut butter due to Salmonella, make the emerging development of "active" and "intelligent" packaging crucial for consumer safety and quality assurance. Now that it is possible to make packaging that can detect and inform consumers of contamination, as well as prevent or reduce the growth of human foodborne pathogens, the food packaging and safety industry needs a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-science and future directions of this widely important field. Drawing on the research of a diverse group of scientists and pioneers in the field, Intelligent and Active Packaging for Fruits and Vegetables explores the new technology and applications used to bring fresh, safe, nutritious produce to the consumer. It explains Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and its use in packaging fruits and vegetables, as well as, fish and meat. It includes variations and advances on MAP such as high vapor-permeable films, and demonstrates modeling techniques to assist in the prediction and selection of packaging type. The book contains a chapter on the trends, opportunities, and challenges of RFID temperature monitoring in food packaging. It also considers the interaction between container and food product, as well as the use of non-toxic insect repellent plastics. There is a chapter on the regulatory implications of the use of nanotechnology in food packaging. Finally, the book discusses consumer perception, the specific needs of developing countries, and current implementation in Europe.Explaining the very latest in packaging technology and opening areas for future research, Intelligent and Active Packaging for Fruits and Vegetables provides an excellent knowledge base from which to revolutionize the delivery of safe and nutritious food.

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In the battle between humans and microbes, knowledge may be not only the best weapon but also the best defense. Pulling contributions from 34 experts into a unified presentation, Disinfection and Decontamination: Principles, Applications, and Related Issues provides coverage that is both sophisticated and practical. The book reviews the fundamentals, explores the interdisciplinary nature of the science, and includes discussions of regulatory and legal issues. While the chapters present in depth coverage of infections in hospitals, they also widen their scope to include laboratories outside the healthcare environment.Based on practical experience, the volume examines recent advances in the research, development, and applications for disinfection and decontamination in many different settings. The chapters address, and supply insight into, the issues found with infectious disease, devices and new materials for implantation, principles, mechanisms, testing methods and strategies, and various applications. They also cover current research and best practice for ways to reduce infection caused by devices. The book’s emphasis on new technologies highlights the need for safer biocides and microbiological concerns in the manufacturing environment. The broad focus combined with the global, interdisciplinary panel of authors gives you a snapshot of disease transmission, perspectives on infectious challenges and solutions in a global perspective, and an understanding of global governance. The book offers in depth information on specific topics and an understanding of the fundamentals, giving you a starting point and precise information for resolving problems.

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In 1993, the genetic mutation responsible for Huntington’s disease (HD) was identified. Considered a milestone in human genomics, this discovery has led to nearly two decades of remarkable progress that has greatly increased our knowledge of HD, and documented an unexpectedly large and diverse range of biochemical and genetic perturbations that seem to result directly from the expression of the mutant huntingtin gene. Neurobiology of Huntington’s Disease: Applications to Drug Discovery presents a thorough review of the issues surrounding drug discovery and development for the treatment of this paradigmatic neurodegenerative disease. Drawing on the expertise of key researchers in the field, the book discusses the basic neurobiology of Huntington’s disease and how its monogenic nature confers enormous practical advantages for translational research, including the creation of robust experimental tools, models, and assays to facilitate discovery and validation of molecular targets and drug candidates for HD. Written to support future basic research as well as drug development efforts, this volume: Covers the latest research approaches in genetics, genomics, and proteomics, including high-throughput and high-content screening Highlights advances in the discovery and development of new drug therapies for neurodegenerative disorders Examines the practical realities of preclinical testing, clinical testing strategies, and, ultimately, clinical usage While the development of effective drug treatments for Huntington's disease continues to be tremendously challenging, a highly interactive and cooperative community of researchers and clinical investigators now brings us to the threshold of potential breakthroughs in the quest for therapeutic agents. The impressive array of drug discovery resources outlined in the text holds much promise for treating this devastating disease, providing hope to long-suffering Huntington’s disease patients and their families.

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Mammalian Neuroendocrinology presents a concise examination of how the nervous and endocrine systems interact to regulate physiological processes. Selected experimental results are presented to illustrate the current understanding of neuroendocrine processes. Neural influences and endocrine feedback mechanisms related to the secretion of adenohypophysial hormones are summarized for each hormone. The book's concise nature and readable style are highly suited for use as a graduate textbook.There are also chapters devoted to each of the following topics: neurohypophysis, pineal gland, adrenal medulla, hormones and behavior, and neuroendocrine immunology. Comparisons are made among species of mammals, including laboratory rodents, domesticated ungulates, and primates. Agricultural and/or clinical aspects relevant to these topics are covered when appropriate. Mammalian Neuroendocrinology is excellent for students and professionals in neuroendocrinology, neuroscience, endocrinology, reproduction studies, and animal sciences.

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An innovative concept, smart structural systems have proven to be extremely effective in absorbing damaging energy and/or counteracting potentially devastating force, thus limiting structural collapse and subsequent injury. As this technology rapidly evolves, there is an ever-increasing need for an authoritative reference that will allow those in the field to stay abreast of the very latest advances.Smart Structures: Innovative Systems for Seismic Response organizes current research and technology to provide researchers and practicing engineers, as well as advanced students, with the means to learn about and apply the very latest smart structure innovations. Key features include— Complete mathematical formulations and numerical procedures for topics presentedNew technologiesDesign guidelines and examples based on current official codesConsideration of smart structures on a variety of foundationsDiscussion of the use of smart structures with passive or semi-active devicesExtensive referencesDesigned for self-teaching, the text emphasizes essential information on structural formulations, mechanism of control systems, and numerical algorithms. It also provides step-by-step numerical examples to illustrate mathematical formulations and interpret physical representations, enabling readers to understand the forumulae vis-à-vis their applications. Each chapter comprehensively explores a specific topic, from smart structure systems currently in use, to case studies utilizing simulated earthquake data.

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As our population continues to grow, more and more patients are becoming dependent on long-term ventilatory support. Therefore, the need for quality options such as home mechanical ventilation is fast becoming a necessity. Ventilatory Support For Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) is the first resource to authoritatively address the needs of the acute or chronic respiratory patient through the transition from the hospital to the home-care setting. This reference covers best practices in the management of CRF patients who are: clinically stable ventilator dependent in an institutional setting transitioning back to the community likely to require home-based care Covering ethical and economic management issues, as well as perspectives from renowned national and international specialists, this guide: guides clinicians through transitional care stages, from weaning in the acute care setting to long-term ventilation in the home discusses topics rarely detailed in acute care texts, such as physical therapy and secretion clearance contains a chapter focused on the special care needs of the CRF patient including nutritional concerns, pressure ulcers, pneumonia, and speech challenges

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Driven by the demand for high-data-rate, millimeter wave technologies with broad bandwidth are being explored in high-speed wireless communications. These technologies include gigabit wireless personal area networks (WPAN), high-speed wireless local area networks (WLAN), and high-speed wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN). As a result of this technological push, standard organizations are actively calling for specifications of millimeter wave applications in the above wireless systems.Providing the guidance needed to help you navigate through these new technologies, Millimeter Wave Technology in Wireless PAN, LAN, and MAN covers the fundamental concepts, recent advances, and potential that these millimeter wave technologies will offer with respect to circuits design, system architecture, protocol development, and standardization activities. The book presents essential challenges and solutions related to topics that include millimeter wave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC), packaging technology of millimeter wave system and circuits, and millimeter wave channel models. With numerous figures, tables and references, this text allows speedy access to the fundamental problems, key challenges, open issues, future directions, and further readings on millimeter wave technologies in relation to WPAN, WLAN, and WMAN.

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The media extols the health benefits of good nutrition and physical activity. Since exercise and sport is becoming a bigger concern to the general public and not just elite athletes, the interest in research in this field is growing. Macroelements, Water and Electrolytes in Sport Nutrition addresses the relationship of macroelement needs and interactions to sports and exercise. Research indicates that work capacity and other measures of physical performance are influenced by the intake of water as well as several of the macroelements, including electrolytes. This book examines the convincing, and the not so convincing, evidence about the connection between exercise and sports activities and the nutrient status of individuals.Written by individuals from various academic disciplines, the book is a comprehensive, indispensable resource for scientists and practitioners with an interest in sports nutrition. It provides a review of topics related to water, macroelements, and exercise as well as identifies gaps in our knowledge, encouraging researchers to build upon the existing knowledge and advance our understanding of sport nutrition.

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In the past 10 years, contemporary geneticists using new molecular tools have been able to resolve complex traits into individual genetic components and describe each such component in detail. Molecular Dissection of Complex Traits summarizes the state of the art in molecular analysis of complex traits (QTL mapping), placing new developments in this field within the context of their historical origins. Leading authorities address central themes in analysis of complex phenotypes, and case histories of important work in this burgeoning field are presented by the principal investigators. The book is divided into three sections:

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This book evolved from a two-day 1993 International Symposium on Radiation and the Gastrointestinal Tract held at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. This area of investigation is particularly important because of growing medical needs and the documented occurrence of accidents involving overexposure of healthy subjects/patients. Some questions have been answered through cellular and animal research-results that lead to hypotheses that have been tested through clinical protocols. In an attempt to answer the unresolved questions, basic scientists and clinicians describe the data obtained to date, present in a critical manner the consensus that has been reached, and discuss what still remains to be investigated.The book is divided into five parts: Overview and Clinical Perspective, Emesis, Motility, Diarrhea, and Behavioral Correlates of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction. Each part consists of separate discussions on the pathophysiology, the methodology, and, when applicable, the clinical relevance of the observations.The book provides helpful information to both basic scientists involved in radiobiological research and to clinicians caring for patients exposed to radiation. It also serves as an introduction to the subject for young clinical investigators interested in the field and for scientists searching for correlates between their observations and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

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The only available reference to comprehensively discuss the common and unusual types of rickettsiosis in over twenty years, this book will offer the reader a full review on the bacteriology, transmission, and pathophysiology of these conditions. Written from experts in the field from Europe, USA, Africa, and Asia, specialists analyze specific pathogens at the epidemiological, microbiological, and molecular levels, and discuss the latest advancements in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of rickettsial diseases.

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Understanding the phenomenon of long-lasting vulnerability to addiction is essential to developing successful treatments. Written by an international team of authorities in their respective fields, Advances in the Neuroscience of Addiction provides an excellent overview of the available and emerging approaches used to investigate the biologic mechanisms of drug addiction. It also delineates the promising research discoveries being made in relapse prevention.The book begins with current animal models of addiction, which mimic the state of humans entering treatment: recently-abstinent animals that receive common triggers for relapse (classical conditioning, stress, and neuroadaptive dysregulation). Coverage then shifts to the use of electrophysiologic approaches, which enable researchers to characterize the discharge patterns of single neurons during drug self-administration. After exploring advances in voltammetry and enzyme-linked biosensors for measuring glutamate, the book discusses the theoretical background and results of neuroimaging studies related to neuronal networks that are activated by drug-specific cues. It then describes modern genetic approaches to manipulate target proteins that influence addictive behavior.The book rounds out its coverage by illustrating how a neuroeconomic approach can inform studies of reward processing in general and addiction in particular. It is a comprehensive introduction to the methodologies of the field for students and beginning researchers and an essential reference source for established investigators.

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The first wave of methamphetamine use began in the late 1980s and its prevalence has continued to rise across the United States and throughout the world. As with any harmful substance, its abuse has far-reaching ramifications that go beyond the destruction it causes to the human body. Written by a multidisciplinary team of experts, Methamphetamine Use: Clinical and Forensic Aspects, Second Edition examines meth use and abuse from clinical, forensic, and criminal justice perspectives. Updated and expanded to reflect changes in recent years, this volume covers virtually every aspect of this dangerous drug.The book begins with a history of drug control in America, then provides global perspectives on methamphetamine use. It explores biochemical aspects and includes a chapter on the methamphetamine analogue "ecstasy." The text examines the effects of meth use on human behavior, with a special focus on empirical evidence of amphetamine use as a contributing factor in aggression. The authors discuss forensic issues related to methamphetamine use in chapters covering expert testimony, criminal responsibility, mitigation in sentencing, and competency to stand trial. The last section examines various treatment modalities.As methamphetamine grows once again in popularity, it is crucial that those who deal with the effects of it be well-informed about the dangers it poses. This volume provides a comprehensive, critical survey of the current knowledge regarding the use and abuse of this dangerous and ubiquitous substance.

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An all-encompassing reference on the diagnosis and treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions, this source examines the latest developments, therapies, and treatments for common and complex pain disorders affecting the spine, joints, neck, and related structures. Exploring a wide variety of treatment regimens and procedures, including the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound to safely guide injections and needle placements, this source explores the latest breakthroughs to lower pain levels, improve patient activity, and enhance patient mobility.

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While simultaneous breakthroughs occurring in molecular biology and nanoscience/technology will ultimately revolutionize all of medicine, it is with our efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer that many of the most dramatic advances will occur. In support of this potential, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer in 2004 and pledged $144.3 million in funding over the next five years. Edited by one of the most dynamic pioneers in the field, Nanotechnology for Cancer Therapy focuses on those nanoscientific and nanotechnological strategies that are evolving as the most promising for the imaging and treatment of cancer. Among the various approaches considered, nanotechnology offers great possibilities for the targeted delivery of drugs and genes to tumor sites and the ultimate replacement of those chemotherapeutic agents so compromised by side effects.Within this volume, the expertise of world-renowned academic and industrial researchers is brought together to provide a comprehensive treatise. Composed of 38 chapters, the book is divided into 7 sections that cover -Fundamentals of targeting strategies, nanotechnology characterization for cancer therapy, and USFDA guidelines on approval of nanotechnology products Polymeric conjugates used for tumor-targeted imaging and delivery, including imaging to evaluate therapeutic efficacy Polymeric nanoparticle systems that emphasize biodegradable, long-circulating nanoparticles for passive and active targeting Polymeric micellar assemblies, where sophisticated chemistry is leading to novel nanosystems that can provide efficient delivery to tumors Dendritic nanostructures used for cancer imaging and therapy Liposome-based delivery systems -- the oldest nanotechnology method employed in cancer therapy Other lipid nanosystems used for targeted delivery, including those tha

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Military service involves exposure to multiple sources of chronic, acute, and potentially traumatic stress, especially during deployment and combat. Notoriously variable, the effects of stress can be subtle to severe, immediate or delayed, impairing individual and group readiness, operational performance, and—ultimately—survival. A comprehensive compilation on the state of the science, Biobehavioral Resilience to Stress identifies key factors and characteristics that are essential to a scientifically useful and behaviorally predictive understanding of resilience to stress.Contributions from Uniquely Qualified Military and Civilian Experts Initiated by the Military Operational Medicine Research Directorate of the US Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC), this seminal volume integrates recent research and experience from military and civilian experts in behavioral and social sciences, human performance, and physiology. Each chapter is grounded in vigorous research with emphasis on relevance to a variety of real-world operations and settings, including extreme environments encountered in modern war. Logical Progression, Cross-Disciplinary Appeal Organized into four sections, the text begins with a discussion of the relevant aspects of stress in the context of military life to offer civilian readers a window into contemporary military priorities. Later chapters consider biological, physiological, and genetic factors, psychosocial aspects of resilience, and “community capacity” variables that influence psychological responses to stressful events. This multidisciplinary effort concludes with an overview of emergent themes and related issues to advance the science of resilience toward predictive research, theory, and application for all those—military and civilian—who serve in the national defense.

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A multibillion dollar industry that has tripled in the last ten years, turfgrass management plays an important role in landscaping, golf courses, and other sports surfaces. Proper management and cultural practices are crucial for the performance of these versatile grasses, creating a demand among scientists, researchers, and industry professionals for better quality, hardier grasses. The mounting collection of research into new species, modern cultivars, and stress tolerant genotypes requires a high-quality, accessible resource. Filling a long-empty niche by compiling the most complete, up-to-date collection of contributions from internationally known specialists, Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology is the only single source reference that covers every aspect of turfgrass maintenance and cultivation. Divided into several sections, this all-inclusive volume begins with an introductory chapter on turf related issues. The second section reveals detailed accounts of turfgrass growth, management, and cultural practices such as carbon metabolism and overseeding. Subsequent sections cover sports turf management and growth regulating factors, as well as breeding, genetics, and biotechnology. The text highlights research in turfgrass pathology and disease including nutritional disorders, rapid blight, and fungal diseases. The book reviews several methods of pest control using herbicides, as well as biological, and microbial control agents. It provides extensive information on the physiological responses of turfgrass to acidic soil, salinized water, temperature, light, depleted oxygen, reactive nitrogen use, and other environmental stressors. The final section looks at future and potential grasses requiring minimal maintenance and management. Offering hundreds of figures and tables, thousands of references, and an extensive index, Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology is the definitive reference to the dynamic and growing world of turfgr

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This comprehensive treatise offers an in-depth discussion of natural toxicants in plants, emphasizing their effects as defenses against herbivory. Coevolution of plants and her-bivores are covered with a detailed treatment of toxicant metabolism and systemic effects in mammalian tissues. Con-sideration of the economic importance of plant toxins, modi-fication by plant breeding, management of toxico-sis, and toxicant problems in various geographic areas are in-cluded. Each volume offers an extensive description of chemistry, biosynthesis, analysis, distribution in plants, metabolism in mam-mals and insects, and practical problems in humans and livestock.

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This book provides an updated overview of eicosanoid metabolism. It also presents a timely discussion of eicosanoid metabolism in the process of tumor cell metastasis, in chemoprotection and radioprotection associated with cancer therapy, and in cell differentiation. The book focuses on the role of eicosanoids in the immunology of malignant disease. This includes how various immune cell populations in cancer are affected by the secretion and action of various eicosanoids and metabolites of eicosanoids and how these processes may be affected by various pharmacological manipulations and interventions to augment anti-tumor immunity. Head and neck cancer is covered in great detail to illustrate a cancer in humans where these considerations are particularly relevant. This important volume demonstrates that the principal factor in cancer patient immunologic deficiency is related to excess secretion by monocytes of prostaglandins.

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The objective of this book is to review and summarize recent developments in our understanding of iron transport and storage in living systems. It includes an overview of the evolutionary aspects of iron metabolism and bacterial iron transport, as well as a detailed discussion of molecules with specific roles in iron metabolism in higher organisms. It also presents relationships between intracellular iron metabolism and cell proliferation. Iron Transport and Storage addresses the comparative aspects of iron transport and storage in different tissues. This essential volume is very useful for hematologists, physical and biological chemists, cell and molecular biologists, physiologists, and clinicians with an interest in the biology and metabolism of iron.

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Due to the extensive use of treated wood products throughout urban and agricultural communities, information concerning the environmental and health risks associated with treated wood is very much in demand. Responding to increasing need for a comprehensive and cohesive source on this topic, Environmental Impacts of Treated Wood compiles the latest information concerning regulations, environmental impact studies, new wood preservative formulations, and state-of-the-art disposal technologies available for minimizing environmental impacts caused by treated wood.Beginning with a background of the production of the most common treated wood products, this book discusses how chemical leaching and transport of certain wood preservatives affect the environment, particularly chromated copper arsenate. A separate section is devoted to case studies that evaluate possible links with cancer and other health risks with repeated exposure to treated wood. Several chapters discuss ways to measure exposure and review various approaches to risk assessment and management. Because treated wood products last a long time, the book also considers the disposal of treated wood in terms of human and environmental impact. It explores novel disposal technologies and practical strategies for complying with regulatory phase-outs of certain treated wood products within the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and many Asian countries. These include recycling, bioremediation, thermal treatment, and landfills.Environmental Impacts of Treated Wood provides a timely compilation of perspectives necessary for making informed, conscientious decisions in the production, use, and disposal of treated woods that will minimize the environmental impact and human exposure risks associated with treated wood products today.

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This volume discusses recent advances in research regarding the evolution of specific and nonspecific defense responses in a taxonomically diverse array of species. Topics regarding invertebrates include the protective mechanisms (cellular and molecular) employed by insects, the protective roles of lectins, and the self-nonself discrimination revealed by tissue incompatibility reactions. With vertebrates, the evolution of the immunoglobulin-related superfamily of recognition molecules (including immunoglobulins and the major histocompatibility complex molecules) is examined over several chapters. Other topics reviewed include the evolution of nonimmunoglobulin mediators of defense (e.g., cytokines and eicosanoids), lymphocyte subpopulations (including effects of ambient temperature on function) and the phylogenetic emergence of natural killer cells. Phylogenesis of Immune Functions provides invaluable information for evolutionary biologists, as well as all immunologists and other researchers interested in discovering how inhabitants in our increasingly threatened biosphere protect themselves against environmental pathogens and toxins.

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The latest data on the pathogenesis of ulcer disease is presented in this text, with the emphasis that an understanding of the pathogenesis and etiology of ulcer diseases represents the most rational approach to pharmacology - the prevention and treatment of ulcer disease. Early and late biochemical and functional changes, morphologic stages of the injury and healing phases, as well as vascular factors in ulceration are highlighted. In addition, new pathogenetic elements on neuroendocrine and other endogenous modulators and circadian rhythms in ulcerogenesis are covered. The section on new pharmacology consists of several chapters presenting new animal models of gastric, small intestinal and colonic ulcers because in vivo models represent the basis to test and accurately detect new antiulcer drugs. A large series of chapters cover new drugs for ulcer prevention and treatment. This book is indispensible to investigators in basic and applied research, academic and industrial pharmacologists and clinicians in gastroenterology.

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This monograph will put the topic of Cryopreservation of Plant Cells and Organs in perspective. Originally published in 1985.

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Since the discovery of endothelin, major advances have been made in understanding the molecular structure and function of the endothelin receptors. At least two subtypes of receptors, designated ETA and ETB, have been identified through biochemical and pharmacological techniques. These subtypes are cloned and expressed and additional subtypes appear to exist. The biochemical events involved in the signal transduction processes that ultimately activate the cellular machinery involved in the end-organ responses are presented, as are the mechanisms by which the receptors recognize specific and different G-proteins. Functions mediated by the receptors at the cellular, tissue and, organ level are reviewed in detail, as well as the roles that they may play a part in the physiologic and pathophysiologic processes in animals and in humans.This book is unique in its breadth of scope. The most recent and important advances, from the intracellular level of the nucleus to the functional effect that endothelin receptors mediate in intact organs, are compiled and reviewed.

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The deployment of software patches can be just as challenging as building entirely new workstations. Training and support issues can haunt even the most successful software launch for months. Preparing for the rigors of software deployment includes not just implementing change, but training employees, predicting and mitigating pitfalls, and managing expectations. Software Deployment, Updating, and Patching provides the skills you need to develop a comprehensive strategy for tracking and managing system configurations, as well as for updating and securing systems with the latest packs and patches. Written by two of Microsoft’s top experts, this clear and concise manual demonstrates how to perform inventories of IT assets, test compatibility, target deployment, and evaluate management technologies. It also shows you how to create and implement your own deployment plans with recovery and remediation options, and how to recognize potential vulnerabilities.

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During the past decade, the continued interest in insulin-related growth factors has been documented by a plethora of research programs and publications focused on these growth factors. Both molecular and cellular biological techniques have improved and enabled investigators to study the properties of the growth factors in depth.This volume covers the molecular (genetic) aspects of the growth factors, their binding proteins and receptors, as well as those factors affecting their gene transcription and translation. In addition, aspects of the cellular action of these growth factors through their receptors and how this impacts normal cellular function are discussed. The book will provide valuable information for researchers in physiology, biology, endocrinology, and metabolism.

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Cell Interactions in Atherosclerosis covers the scientific foundations of the most important disease inflicting the developed world today. It presents a collection of topical aspects on the general theme of cell interactions in atherosclerosis, providing authoritative, up-to-the-minute accounts of how new developments in cell biology have advanced our understanding of these cellular interactions. The book is amply illustrated with electron micrographs and light micrographs incorporating modern cytochemical procedures. Cell Interactions in Atherosclerosis will interest all medical and scientific professionals dealing with atherosclerosis and heart disease.

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The purpose of this volume is to emphasize the fact that biological trace element research is a multidisciplinary science which requires a prudent combination of biological insight and analytical awareness. The text frequently stresses that accurate measurements on biologically and analytically "valid" samples hold the key for success in future investigations. It reminds the analytical scientists and the life sciences researchers that their perceptions should extend beyond conventional limits - namely, the former as generators of data and the latter as interpreters of those findings. This book enables the reader to understand the intricacies of elemental composition studies in biological systems, and also provides a valuable source of information to biologists, biochemists, physicians, nutritionists and related scientific workers who intend to draw meaningful conclusions from the analytical findings.

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Recognized for their superior strength, corrosion/oxidation resistance, and biocompatibility, titanium alloys are particularly intriguing to engineers, scientists, and metallurgists in aerospace, biomedical, and other industrial applications. Titanium Alloys: An Atlas of Structures and Fracture Features uses award-winning micrographs and fractographs to illustrate how alloy microstructures are affected by various thermomechanical treatments present in real world operating conditions.This book is the first of its kind to compile microstructural and fracture features for titanium alloys and titanium aluminides as well as capture its fractographic features together with the conditions that produced failure. The author discusses the physical metallurgy of titanium alloys as a standard for observing microstructures and their failures. Then she combines the skillful use of scanning electron microscopy in fracture analysis and an eye for detail to deliver a visual presentation of fracture surfaces generated under different loading conditions, including ductile, fatigue, intergranular, and cleavage fractures. Especially helpful to those engaged in failure analysis of titanium components, the book includes a case study applying key criteria to the service failure of a defective titanium alloy component. Supported byadditional background data such as types, compositions, phase transformations, microstructures, and typical fractographs, Titanium Alloys: An Atlas of Structures and Fracture Features offers exceptional insight into the structure-property correlations of titanium alloys.

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A large portion of the network capacity of an ad hoc network can be wasted by the medium access mechanisms of omni-directional antennas. To overcome this problem, researchers propose the use of directional or adaptive antennas that largely reduce radio interference, improving the utilization of wireless medium and the resulting network throughput.Enhancing the Performance of Ad Hoc Wireless Networks with Smart Antennas discusses these issues and challenges. Following an introduction to ad hoc networks, it presents an overview of basic Media Access Control (MAC) and routing protocols in ad hoc networks with omni-directional antennas. The book then focuses on the use of smart antennas in ad hoc networks and reviews the strategies used in designing MAC and routing protocols for improved medium utilization and improved routing performance with effective load balancing. Finally, it analyzes the design issues related to priority based quality-of-service (QoS) routing protocols, illustrating the potential of these antennas in comparison to omni directional antennas. The book concludes with an examination of open problems and challenges for ad hoc networks.

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The Amphipathic Helix is a comprehensive volume discussing amphipathic helices in systems as diverse as serum lipoproteins, lung surfactant, cytotoxic peptides, ion channels, mitochondrial targeting, peptide hormones, G proteins, T-cell recognition, DNA binding proteins, and antifreeze proteins. The book also includes general introductory material that defines amphipathic helices, discusses methods to identify amphipathic helical segments from the amino acid sequence of a protein, illustrates how amphipathic helices can be used in the de novo design of peptide and protein structures, and describes how these helices stabilize protein structures. There is also a section on techniques to determine helix orientation in a membrane environment using polarized attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy or solid state NMR spectroscopy. Recent developments on all these topics have been discussed by leading experts in this reference for researchers and students in biochemistry, biophysics, and pharmacology.

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