Search results for ""nova""

Chemiluminescence is a fascinating and mesmerizing phenomenon, which consists on the generation of light as the result of a chemical reaction. This process has been gaining attention in the last decades, being now a standard tool in analytical, bioimaging, biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. This book provides a detailed overview of the basic mechanisms and principles of the most relevant chemiluminescent systems, as well as describing the most recent advances and applications. Written by experts, this is a reference text suitable both for researchers focused on chemiluminescence and for those wanting to start working on this field. In Chapter One, the progress and evolution of the chemiluminescent studies in imidazopyrazinone-based compounds are reviewed, with emphasis on their potential as diagnosis tools. Chapter Two addresses the spectral changes associated with firefly bioluminescence by focusing on the tautomeric equilibria of the light emitter. Chapter Three reviews, for the first time, the liquid-phase chemiluminescence of fullerene and derivatives. Chapter Four is devoted to studies of chemiluminescence with the participation of lanthanide ions. Chapter Five summarizes the mechanism behind the chemiluminescence of acridinium esters, while discussing their current applications. Chapter Six explains the potential of phenothiazine derivatives as enhancers in analytic chemiluminescent assays. Chapter Seven collects the available information of both well-known and lesser-known examples of squid bioluminescence. Chapter Eight discusses the enhancement of chemiluminescent emission by using metal-nanoparticles near a luminescent molecule, which is known as metal-enhanced chemiluminescence. In Chapter Nine it is explained how model molecules can make the study of complex bioluminescence reaction mechanisms accessible, as well as allowing for chemiluminescence on macroscopic molecular crystals. Chapter Ten describes experimental and computational approaches used for enhancing the thermostability of firefly luciferase. Chapter Eleven demonstrates the usefulness of theoretical studies for better understanding chemiluminescent reactions. Chapter Twelve describes the fundamental theoretical aspects of state-of-the-art multiconfigurational methods and shows illustrative examples of their application to the study of chemiluminescence. Finally, Chapter Thirteen discusses chemiluminescent experiments that are simple, inexpensive and can be performed by students.

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The opening chapter of Horizons in Neuroscience Research. Volume 37 suggests a definition and temporal origin of languages that emerge naturally-without linguistic assumptions or preconceptions-from an analytic and predictive theory of mental evolution. A significant number of Alzheimer's disease patients present with low circulating plasma leptin levels. As such, studies expressed in the following chapter have shown that leptin treatment reduces amyloid and phosphorylated tau accumulation in cultured cells and animal models, with beneficial effects. A systematic review of the structure and function of the cerebellum in normal brain and surveys the distribution of the pathology in a major molecular group of neurodegenerative disease is presented, inclduing Alzheimer's disease, argyrophilic grain disease, corticobasal degeneration, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, guam parkinsonian dementia complex, primary age-related tauopathy, and progressive supranuclear palsy. The application of Fourier analysis is illustrated with reference to the spatial distribution of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of six cases of Alzheimer's disease, and it is suggested as a useful statistical method for studying the patterns of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Additionally, the structure and function of the basal ganglia in normal brain are described, and the role that differential pathology in these regions may have in determining the clinical symptoms in neurodegenerative disease is explored. The authors describe the structure and function of the superior colliculus in the normal brain, as well as the pathological changes in the superior colliculus which may explain eye movement problems in two neurodegenerative disorders: progressive supranuclear palsy and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The results obtained in the penultimate chapter corroborate the toxic effects at cellular and molecular levels that the administration of L-DOPA has, even in a healthy system, affirming the need to find a Parkinson disease treatment alternative. The final study investigates the relationship between the number of flow experiences in daily life and brain activation by near-infrared spectroscopy.

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Although the discussion is general, this book focuses on the problem of macroscopic quantum phenomena using systems of spintronics. The spintronics considered are ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spintronics. To represent the macroscopic quantum phenomena in spintronics, transitions from one state to another of the magnetization of ferromagnetic spintronics are considered, and of the Néel vector of antiferromagnetic spintronics. The authors have studied transitions from a metastable state to a more stable one, as well as quantum coherence between two degenerate stable states. Quantum and classical rates of transitions are presented as functions of temperature, magnetic field and the spin-polarized current flowing through the spintronics. With this method, one can immediately observe the effect of the spin-polarized current on the transitions of the magnetization and the Néel vector when comparing the results to those of the earlier ones on magnetic systems that did not have spin-polarized current. Specifically, while dissipations in magnetic system are intrinsic, the book shows how the total dissipation in spintronics can be controlled and eliminated by varying the spin-polarized current appropriately that depends on the temperature. The study of transitions from a metastable state to a more stable one in ferromagnetic spintronics shows that the rate of transitions of the magnetization at low temperatures is low and vanishes at zero temperature, so that the magnetization is relatively more stable than that in ferromagnetic materials without existence of spin-polarized currents. In the case of antiferromagnetic spintronics, the behavior and characteristics of transitions of the Néel vector is in contrast to those of ferromagnetic spintronics, where the low-temperature rate of transitions in antiferromagnetic spintronics varies exponentially small in temperature, and is finite and non-vanishing at zero temperature. In addition to the theoretical aspects, the book also discusses experimental and technological aspects that one may obtain. Measurements of the rate of transitions can be used to provide an independent method to determine certain parameters being involved, such as the anisotropy parameter Kc of tetragonal crystals, which is an important parameter but usually difficult to obtain. Eliminating dissipation in ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spintronics would be desired so as not to have unnecessary loss of energy. Low rate of transitions corresponds to the initial state that is relatively stable. Technologically, the stability of the states of the magnetization and Néel vector in spintronics are important, for example, for memory storage.

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This book comprises a total of 14 chapters contributed by experts from different countries worldwide. It is a comprehensive collection of articles to illustrate an overview of microbial catalysts that include enzymes widely contribute to many fields infood and industrial products. Microorganisms have served and continue to serve as one of the largest and most useful sources of many enzymes used in foods and the food industry. Microbial catalysts are environmentally friendly and consume lower energy. A particular aim of this book is focused on applied and industrial microbiology, agricultural microbiology, and food microbiology. All sections discuss microbial catalysts viz., enzymes with respect to their function and its benefit to human kind especially, and to biotechnology as a subject of which enzymology is an integral part. The book also deals with structure and function of some microbial enzymes. Microbial catalysts are generally preferred than plant and animal as sources of industrial enzymes because their production cost is low. In addition, enzymes are more predictable and controllable, and more so because of the easy availability of raw materials with constant composition for their cultivation.

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Community banks ... generally small and locally focused institutions ... are important sources of credit to small businesses. Since the 2007 ... 2009 financial crisis, regulators have made significant changes to the regulatory environment. Chapter 1 examines the data regulators use to measure small business lending, as well as the extent of any regulatory effects on the amount of community banks' small business lending and their lending processes, changes in bank populations, and financial performance. Chapter 2 examines (1) the regulations community banks and credit unions viewed as most burdensome and why, and (2) efforts by depository institution regulators to reduce any regulatory burden. GAO analyzed regulations and interviewed more than 60 community banks and credit unions (selected based on asset size and financial activities), regulators, and industry associations and consumer groups.

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This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate researchers and practitioners in computational sciences and as a reference book for an advanced computational methods course. We have included new results for iterative procedures in abstract spaces general enough for handling inverse problems in various situations related to real-life problems through mathematical modeling. The book contains a plethora of updated bibliography and provides comparison between various investigations made in recent years in the field of computational mathematics in the wide sense. Iterative processes are the tools used to generate sequences approximating solutions of equations describing the real-life problems stated above and others originating from Biosciences, Engineering, Mathematical Economics, Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Chemistry, Mathematical Physics Medicine, Mathematical Programming, and other disciplines. The book also provides recent advancements on the study of iterative procedures and can be used as a source from which one can obtain the proper method to use in order to solve a problem. The book requires a fundamental background in Mathematical Statistics, Linear Algebra and Numerical Analysis. It may be used as a self-study reference or as a supplementary text for an advanced course in Biosciences, Engineering and Computational Sciences.

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In the opening chapter the method of statistical geometry, based on the construction of a Voronoi polyhedral, is applied to the pattern recognition of atomic environments and to the investigation of the local order in molecular dynamics-simulated materials. Next, the authors discuss the methodology of bimolecular simulations and their advancements, as well as their applications in the field of nanoparticle-biomolecular interactions. The theory of molecular dynamics simulation and some of the recent molecular dynamics methods such as steered molecular dynamics, umbrella sampling, and coarse-grained simulation are also discussed. The use of auxiliary programs in the cases of modified cyclodextrins is discussed. Additionally, results from molecular dynamics studies on cases of inclusion compounds of molecules of different sizes and shapes encapsulated in the same host cyclodextrin have been examined and compared. In closing, the authors discuss the methodology of molecular dynamics simulation with a non-constant force field. In the context of molecular simulations, the term "force field" refers to a set of equations and parameters for the calculation of forces acting on the particles of the system and its potential energy.

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The life of Washington reveals to us the state of society in our land, the manners and customs of the people, their joys and griefs, one hundred years ago. As a statesman, as a general, as a thoroughly good man, he stands pre-eminent. He was so emphatically the Father of his country that it may almost be said that he created the Republic.

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In this 10-Volume Set, the Encyclopedia of Asia describes in detail the political, economic, social and business issues affecting Asia today. Current trends and challenges within each country and their relationship among their neighbors, as well as with the US, are explored. Some of the countries examined in this encyclopedia include but is not limited to: China North Korea India Japan Indonesia Vietnam Bangladesh Malaysia South Korea Bangladesh Thailand Sri Lanka

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Through the research examined in the opening chapter the authors determine that it is necessary for elementary teacher candidates to be strengthened in the pedagogical level related to culturally responsive teaching during the undergraduate education process, and graduate as culturally responsive elementary teachers. Next, a study is presented which investigates the effects of multiple intelligence practices on secondary school students' environmental literacy levels. The results reveal that a learning environment enriched by multiple intelligence activities significantly improved the participants' environmental literacy levels. The final study explores three Andalusia universities (that are part of the 17 autonomous regions making up Spain) and how they regard the knowledge of prospective primary teachers in the area of metric geometry.

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Diverticular disease is one of the most common problems encountered by gastroenterologists, emergency physicians and surgeons, with a higher prevalence in elderly patients and a dramatic rising of incidences in young people, which involve an increase in health care costs, according to ambulatory visits and hospital admissions. Acute diverticulitis, the most important complication of diverticular disease, has a broad spectrum of severity, which involves many treatment options, ranging from outpatient-based antibiotic treatment, or even isolated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to parenteral antibiotic regimen, percutaneous drainage or surgery (lavage and drainage, Hartmann procedure or resection with anastomosis with or without a diverting stoma). The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons recommended in their guidelines a routine follow-up colonoscopy after recovery from an acute episode to rule out malignancy, which is being re-evaluated in recent studies, including the alternative CT-colonography, especially in cases of incomplete colonoscopy or in high-risk patients. After an episode of acute diverticulitis, there is a significant risk of recurrence and a negative impact on quality of life. In order to decrease it, there are many treatments that are being evaluated such as fiber-rich diet, mesalazine, rifaximin, probiotics and elective colon resection, which should be decided individually. The aim of this book is to revise the current evidence about the diverticular disease and acute diverticulitis.

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These books are intended for undergraduate, graduate researchers and practitioners in computational sciences, and as reference books for an advanced computational methods course. We have included new results for iterative procedures in abstract spaces general enough for handling inverse problems in various situations related to real life problems through mathematical modeling. These books contain a plethora of updated bibliography and provide comparison between various investigations made in recent years in the field of computational mathematics in the wide sense. Iterative processes are the tools used to generate sequences approximating solutions of equations describing the real life problems stated above and others originating from biosciences, engineering, mathematical economics, mathematical biology, mathematical chemistry, mathematical physics medicine, mathematical programming, and other disciplines. These books also provide, recent advancements on the study of iterative procedures, and can be used as a source from which one can obtain the proper method to use in order to solve a problem. The books require a fundamental background in mathematical statistics, linear algebra and numerical analysis. It may be used as a self-study reference or as a supplementary text for an advanced course in biosciences, engineering and computational sciences.

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The aim of the opening chapter of Agricultural Research Updates. Volume 27 is to discuss the role of phenolic compounds in the interactions of plants with abiotic stress, with special attention paid to their antioxidant properties. The second chapter attempts to assess the sustainability level of different types of agro-ecosystems in Bulgaria. A holistic hierarchical framework for measuring the integral, economic, social and ecological sustainability of agro-ecosystems in Bulgaria is proposed. Following this, a study is presented with the goal of identifying and evaluating social and economic sustainability indices in corn production. Statistical regression models were derived to estimate summer precipitation in a single location derived using lineal backward regression techniques, and the different efficiency between the derived models was analyzed. Next, an analytical Fourier series solution to the equation for heat transfer by conduction in a spherical shell with an internal stone consisting of insulating material is presented, and an internal heat source linearly reliant on temperature is considered as a model of conduction of heat in stone fruits. The subsequent study analyses the effects of certain parameters on the baking properties of wheat in years with different weather conditions. The results indicate statistically significant correlation coefficients between protein content, wet gluten content, alveograph properties, exstensograph properties and bread loaf volume. Lastly, a summary of recent knowledge is evaluated in order to contribute to a better understanding of how farming practices affect berry composition and consequently, the sensory characteristics of raspberries.

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This book Drylands: Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, edited by Victor R. Squires, Mahesh K. Gaur and Salah Attia Ismail, fills a gap in the literature admirably. It gets away from 'species lists' and designation of species and habitats as 'endangered' or 'at risk'. Instead, it opens up discussion on a range of issues relating to the important matters of biodiversity, land management and efforts at conservation (wise use) of natural resources that support an area's biodiversity. Dryland ecologists, land use change specialists, policy makers from UN agencies or from bilateral and multilateral donors and other natural resource management agencies will find the book very useful. It is also a valuable reference book for university students in ecology, geography, environmental studies and development studies in general. Key points â¶Provides a synoptic overview of the current problems and prospects for biodiversity conservation in a changing world based on a focus on selected ecosystems across Africa, Asia and the Middle East â¶Discusses the path forward to maintain and improve dryland ecosystems, conserve biodiversity and achieve land protection This edited volume is devoted to the examination of the implications of the inevitable changes wrought by global change on the welfare and livelihoods of tens of millions of people who live in dryland-dominated regions on all continents except Antarctica. Global change is more than just climate change. The shift to the market economy and demographic factors (population growth, urbanization and resettlement) receive attention here. The implications of change (including an analysis of the drivers of change) and the role of humans as agents of these changes are canvassed. Chapters by leading experts who live and work in lands focus on examples that are drawn from a number of sources including previously unpublished studies. The key purpose is to provide an up to date and in-depth global overview of drylands and give readers insights into the status of these vulnerable biomes and to alert readers to the consequences of a loss of biodiversity to the tens of millions of people, their livestock and the myriad of plants and animals that make up dryland ecosystems across the globe. Maintenance of biodiversity ensures the continued flow of ecosystems' goods and services on which most of us depend!

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Federal agencies and our nation's critical infrastructures, such as communications and financial services, are dependent on information technology systems and electronic data to carry out operations and to process, maintain, and report essential information. Yet, cyber-based intrusions and attacks on federal and nonfederal systems have become not only more numerous and diverse, but also more damaging and disruptive as discussed in chapter 1. The IRS has a demanding responsibility to collect taxes, process tax returns, and enforce the nation's tax laws. It relies extensively on computerized systems to support its financial and mission-related operations and on information security controls to protect the sensitive financial and taxpayer information that reside on those systems. As part of its audit of IRS's fiscal year 2017 and 2016 financial statements, GAO assessed whether controls over financial and tax processing systems were effective in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of financial and sensitive taxpayer information as reported in chapter 2. Reliance on a global supply chain introduces multiple risks to federal information systems. Chapter 3 highlights information security risks associated with the supply chains used by federal agencies to procure IT systems. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) collects and maintains personal data on millions of individuals, including data related to security clearance investigations. In June 2015, OPM reported that an intrusion into its systems had affected the personnel records of about 4.2 million current and former federal employees. Then, in July 2015, the agency reported that a separate but related incident had compromised its systems and the files related to background investigations for 21.5 million individuals. From February 2015 through August 2017, multiple reviews of OPM's information security were conducted. Four reports based on these reviews were issued. The reports contained 80 recommendations for improving the agency's security posture. Chapter 4 reviews relevant documents and artifacts reflecting OPM's actions and progress toward implementing the 80 recommendations contained in the four reports, and assessed the actions against the intent of the recommendations. CDC is responsible for detecting and responding to emerging health threats and controlling dangerous substances. In carrying out its mission, CDC relies on information technology systems to receive, process, and maintain sensitive data. Accordingly, effective information security controls are essential to ensure that the agency's systems and information are protected from misuse and modification. Chapter 5 reviews the extent to which CDC has taken corrective actions to address the previously identified security program and technical control deficiencies and related recommendations for improvement. Federal agencies are dependent on information systems to carry out operations. The risks to these systems are increasing as security threats evolve and become more sophisticated. To reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack, agencies can deploy intrusion detection and prevention capabilities on their networks and systems. Chapter 6 determined the reported effectiveness of agencies' implementation of the government's approach and strategy; the extent to which DHS and OMB have taken steps to facilitate the use of intrusion detection and prevention capabilities to secure federal systems; and the extent to which agencies reported implementing capabilities to detect and prevent intrusions. Recent large-scale data breaches of public and private entities have put hundreds of millions of people at risk of identity theft or other harm. Chapter 7 reviews issues related to consumers' options to address risks of harm from data breaches and examines information and expert views on the effectiveness of consumer options to address data breach risks. While Chapter 8 considers the answer to this question: what legal obligations do Internet companies have to prevent and respond to data breaches? Then discusses several factors Congress might consider when weighing future legislation.

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At any given moment, a number of innovations in life science research occurs. There has always been an ever-increasing demand for the interdisciplinary research in life science to solve the problems of mankind. It is a challenging task to bring the fruits of laboratory level research to the commercial level for the welfare of humans. This book is an attempt to keep abreast with the recent innovations made in various fields of life science research. The book encompasses topics ranging from prokaryotic microscopic organisms to eukaryotic higher plants, distributed in fifteen chapters for the benefit of graduate and postgraduate students as well as young researchers, scientists and professionals. The book deals with topics pertaining to natural sunscreens, secondary metabolites, genome editing, molecular markers, stress biology, crop improvement, herbal medicines, plant diseases, genetic engineering, biotechnology and aspects related to ecology. This book imparts the latest innovations and knowledge in the specific fields of life sciences. In addition, it also provides details of newer and state-of-the art technology/tools employed in achieving the potential of microbes and higher plants to make products that can be readily available for the welfare of humans. An insight for future perspectives has also been provided that makes this book highly useful and a must-read for students, researchers and professionals working in the field of microbiology, botany, biotechnology, agriculture, molecular biology, photobiology, ecology and other streams of life sciences.

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The opening of Advances in Polyamides Research briefly explains some of the basic concepts in thermoplastic elastomer materials. Next, the authors deal with fundamental concepts in the field of polyamide and fullerene-based nanomaterials. The influence of moieties on the properties of polymers is discussed in the final chapter. The authors focus on finding a global relationship between sugar-based monomer structures and properties of polyamides based on a careful analysis of existing reports.

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In this compilation, the authors review the planning of multithermal titration calorimetry experiments using triosephosphate isomerase as a case study with two of its inhibitors, 2PG and PGH, under physiological conditions and osmotic stress. Following this, the authors revisit classic and disequilibrium calorimetry by presenting and discussing raw data obtained with a thermocouple probe and a beaker filled with water and placed in an ultrasonic cleaning bath. Both calorimetric methods are compared and evaluated. A combination of temperature-dependent UV spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism techniques are explored for the investigation of their thermodynamic contribution to the incorporation of bulges and mismatches in duplex DNA. The authors also attempt to expound how to apply electrochemical Peltier heat to investigate the thermodynamics of electrochemical reactions and determine their thermodynamic parameters. A strict definition of electrochemical Peltier is given, and its generation and characteristics as a reversible heat are discussed. The closing chapter summarizes existing energy expenditure measurement methods, discussing their influencing factors and applicability in different populations. Considering the importance of accurate expenditure in terms of health promoting strategies, this collection provides important insight into the determinants of appropriate energy expenditure estimation.

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This book describes and discusses the various aspects of the changing "landscape" of China's industrial development within the general context of globalisation. In the past four decades, the spectacular economic growth and development of China has surprised the world. China has leapt from one of the poorest countries to the second-largest economy in the world. The development path of China's economy is different from that of any other country, thanks to its unique national system. As a country that adopted the centrally planned economy in the past, the government played a very important role in the national economy. Even until now, government planning still greatly influences many aspects of the country despite the gradual perfection of the market system. Besides the government's role, external factors coming worldwide can also be major driving forces behind the development of a national economy. For developing countries, industrial development is almost always the national priority. This book focuses its attention on the discussing of the evolution and development of China's industrial structure under the general trends of globalisation. It is always preferred that China can constantly strike a balance between its speed of overall economic growth and the soundness of the development of its industrial structure. In this book, we present the reader a true "landscape" of China's industrial development that is changing and being constantly shaped by the various driving forces coming from the current trends of globalisation. If you are one of the interested readers, we believe this book is one of the best choices for you.

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