Bentham Science Publishers

Industrial Applications of Soil Microbes is a compilation of reviews on the industrial usage of soil microorganisms. Readers will be updated about recent applications of soil bacteria, fungi and viruses in sectors such as agriculture, biotechnology, environmental management.

Volume 4 includes review on mycorrhizal fungi, endophytes and a range of microbial chemicals and processes beneficuall at industrial scale. The 19 chapters start with an overview of mycorrhizae as biofertilizers, their symbiosis with plants, and their applications in improving crop yield, stress management, and soil health. Case studies on Lycopersicon esculentum highlight practical benefits. Soil microbes, endophytes, and microbial proteases are discussed for their role in biocontrol, disease management, and crop improvement. The volume also explores eco-friendly nematicides, viruses in temperate fruit crops, mushrooms' nutritional value, and metagenomics for bioinoculants. Overall, the volume emphasizes sustainable practices and future prospects involving microbes and microbe-assisted processes.

This volume showcases upcoming trends and applications that are set to redefine our technological landscape. Chapters comprise referenced reviews focused on the recent research that introduces new methods and techniques for using AI in Industry 4.0, and the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) to drive new industrial processes. The contributors have discussed challenges in industry 4.0 along with the applications and the way it is shaping different industries.

Key themes:

AI in Communication Media: Uncover the latest research, with insights into the challenges and adoption of AI in remote processes.

New AI Techniques for Industry 4.0: Learn about technologies such as blockchains and applications of machine learning, deep learning, and image processing.

IoT and AI for Smart Systems: Understand IoT with a special focus on enhancing smart systems, in different industries, including agriculture and transaction processing

Explorable AI: Gain a quick understanding of Explainable AI (XAI) and its role in improving the predictability and transparency of IoT applications.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, researcher, or industry professional, this book offers a glimpse into the innovative world of Industry 4.0 and its intersection with AI, IoT, big data, and cloud computing.

Herbal Medicine: Back to the Future compiles expert reviews on the application of herbal medicines (including Ayurveda, Chinese traditional medicines and alternative therapies) to treat different ailments. The book series demonstrates the use of sophisticated methods to understand traditional medicine, while providing readers a glimpse into the future of herbal medicine.

This volume presents reviews of plant based therapies useful for treating different infectious diseases. The list of topics includes some niche reviews in this area including a review of the neem plant, the historical use of herbs in infectious disease therapy in Russia, and natural remedies from garlic, among other topics., The topics included in this volume are:

- Improving anti-microbial activity of allicin and carvacrol through stabilized analogs and nanotechnology

- Plant phenolics as an alternative source of antimicrobial compounds

- Herbal medicine in Russia’s history: the use of herbal medicine for infectious diseases in Russia’s history

- Azadirachta indica (neem) in various infectious diseases

- Contribution of novel delivery systems in the development of phytotherapeutics

This volume is essential reading for all researchers in the field of natural product chemistry and pharmacology. Medical professionals involved in internal medicine who seek to improve their knowledge about herbal medicine and alternative therapies for tropical and other infectious diseases will also benefit from the contents of the volume.

Influenza is one of the most ancient and intriguing diseases that has been accompanying our civilization for millennia. While mankind has successfully defeated many dangerous influenza infections in the last couple of centuries, influenza control remains a serious problem for public health. A number of influenza vaccines and antiviral compounds have been licensed in recent times. However, the influenza virus is still ahead of us, as it continues to persistently infect humans to this day. Influenza: A Century of Research shows how influenza virology has developed historically and the tremendous knowledge that has been uncovered in the study of influenza. In this monograph, the authors present a historical perspective on influenza, chronologically, with an emphasis on its virology. Chapters cover information about the isolation of the first influenza viruses, substrates, and models for studying influenza, structure, and life cycle of the influenza virus, mechanisms of attenuation and virulence. Chapters progress into the multidisciplinary aspects of influenza research such as influenza virus ecology and the evolutionary origin of epidemic and pandemic influenza viruses. A significant part of the book also covers the description of the prevention and treatment of influenza and reasons that have contributed to insufficient control for influenza. The questions of how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses, and if we can eliminate this virus are also addressed.

Influenza: A Century of Research is an informative source of information for a broad range of readers, academic or otherwise, who are interested in knowing more about the disease.

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-contact, non-invasive methodology which allows for detection of thermal energy that is radiated from objects in the infrared band of the electromagnetic spectrum, for conversion of such energy into a visible image (such as a surface temperature map). This feature represents a great potential to be exploited in a vast variety of fields from aerospace to civil engineering, to medicine, to agriculture, etc. However, IRT is still not adequately enclosed in industrial instrumentation and there are still potential users who might benefit from the use of such a technique and who are not aware of their existence.

This e-book conveys information about basic IRT theory, infrared detectors, signal digitalization and applications of infrared thermography in many fields such as medicine, foodstuff conservation, fluid-dynamics, architecture, anthropology, condition monitoring, non destructive testing and evaluation of materials and structures. The volume promotes an exchange of information between the academic world and industry, and shares methodologies which were independently developed and applied in specific disciplines.

Inositol and its phosphates are ubiquitous across most life forms, wherein they play important roles in cellular integrity and functions such as signal transduction, DNA damage repair ion transport and mRNA transport. This reference details the biochemistry and industrial applications of inositol and its phosphate derivatives. Topics covered in this book include the use of inositol and its hexaphosphate (IP6) for numerous health benefits – as antioxidants, as an anti-cancer drug, for the management of atherosclerosis, diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, sickle cell anemia, and even in fighting tooth decay. Readers will also learn about Industrial applications of Inositol including preservation of food and wine, nanotechnology, lithium ion battery, fuel cell technology etc.

Inositol & its Phosphates: Basic Science to Practical Applications is a valuable reference for any researcher or aspiring biomedical professional seeking to know more about this fascinating metabolite.

This discourse on the concept of the ‘new university' encompasses a number of interconnected topics, ranging from the impacts of the market forces on the old academic territory to current perceptions about relationships between teachers and students. The book focuses on the inside features of the new academia. Some examples of issues and questions covered include:

- New media in education, which present opportunities and challenges for both learning students and teachers. But are these new possibilities for all, or just for members of the current ‘internet generation'? Moreover, How can new media be arranged to support a process of generic, collaborative learning?

- A discourse on the ‘new student'. Nowadays, terms such as rationality and ‘Bildung' have emerged coupled with a trend for searching for shortcuts and denying one's interests in deeper understanding of subjects. But does there really exist a new student on a qualitative level?

- Free dialogue has been brought forward by many educationalists as one important way to promote academic knowledge. How does free dialogue really contribute to this objective?

The e-book relates such issues to the specific features of the ‘new university'. For a broad insight into the issues forming the education of the future generation, Inside the New University offers important clues for the understanding of the ‘new university' concept to readers - including educationalists and government policy makers - interested in the qualitative evolution of contemporary educational institutions.

Building information modelling (BIM) is a set of interacting policies, processes and technologies that generates a methodology to manage the essential building design and project data in digital format throughout the building's life cycle. BIM, makes explicit, the interdependency that exists between structure, architectural layout and mechanical, electrical and hydraulic services by technologically coupling project organizations together.

Integrated Building Information Modelling is a handbook on BIM courses, standards and methods used in different regions (Including UK, Africa and Australia). 13 chapters outline essential information about integrated BIM practices such as the BIM in site layout plan, BIM in construction product management, building life cycle assessment, quantity surveying and BIM in hazardous gas monitoring projects while also presenting information about useful BIM tool and case studies. The book is a useful handbook for engineering management professionals and trainees involved in BIM practice.

Researchers involved in product development are expected to create a final product which is market ready. For products developed through a partnership between universities and commercial organizations, the technology transfer process is a fundamental bringing the final product into the market. One aspect of this process is the concept of intellectual property – the right of ownership to innovative ideas that drive product development. Ideas, being intangible, are distinct from products and these can be patented to control their commercial usage.

This manual is a primer on intellectual property regulation and technology transfer between university and industrial organizations. This book is concise reference for students, researchers, professors and anyone who is creating or developing products and learning the basics of the technology transfer process. The book also serves as a resource for technicians who want to learn more about how ideas are commercialized and protected in markets.