Bentham Science Publishers

This e-book series presents readers with information about state-of-the-art developments in clinical and pre-clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The first volume of the series brings contributions from prominent scientists and the topics covered span clinical cardiovascular MRI of ischemic heart disease and heart failure, DENSE-regional cardiac quantification in normal and diabetic hearts, spectroscopy and multinuclear imaging, and flow quantification. On the pre-clinical side, topics such as parallel imaging and fast imaging acquisition techniques are discussed as well as the application of regional cardiac functional MRI in image-based-phenotyping of small animals and fiber tractography.

The concise summary and presentation of both clinical and pre-clinical aspects of cardiac MRI make this a useful reference for researchers interested in nuclear medicine and ,in particular, cardiac MRI. Clinicians can also get a glimpse of pre-clinical procedures that might slowly find their way into everyday clinical practice in the foreseeable future.

Lean Management Solutions for Contemporary Manufacturing Operations: Applications in the automotive industry covers recent techniques aimed at improving manufacturing activities in automotive factories in the time of the fourth industrial revolution. The book informs the reader about some improvements in hard skills (such as technical concepts, new tools, processes, and applied designs), as well as soft skills (strategic planning and the psychology of motivating human resources in manufacturing setups). The book also presents insight for managers who are working with a niche of employees with disabilities with respect to the automotive industry.

Topics in the book include:

Application of Graph Theory in Workplace Design

Applied Design

Disability and the 4th Industrial Revolution

People Development, Motivation & Results

Low Cost Logistics Solutions

Agile Methodologies in Manufacturing Projects

This book is a concise, informative reference which updates the reader on recent strategies to maximize productivity in the auto manufacturing sector.

" Lecture Notes in Numerical Analysis with Mathematica" highlights most of the important algorithms and their solved examples by Mathematica.

The contents of this book include chapters on floating point computer arithmetic, natural and generalized interpolating polynomials, uniform approximation, numerical integration, polynomial splines and many more.

This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students in institutes, colleges, universities and academies who want to specialize in this field. The readers will develop a solid understanding of the concepts of numerical methods and their application. The inclusion of Lagrane and Hermite approximation by polynomials, Trapezian rule, Simpsons rule, Gauss methods and Romberg`s methods with illustrative examples is a valuable resource for the readers. Each chapter ends with examples and test questions.

Lifestyle diseases and related conditions present a major healthcare challenge for children, posing a significant threat to their well-being. The Editors have compiled chapters to present a multicentric approach to the subject.

This book is an insightful reference on lifestyle diseases and its management in adolescents. It includes ten chapters with a focus on systemic disorders that are linked to lifestyle issues. Topics in this volume include gut microbiome and gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, dental diseases, respiratory diseases and allergies associated with pesticides, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and common infectious diseases.

The book highlights the risk factors and determinants of these diseases, and where an immediate intervention is needed. An updated understanding of the diseases with scientific references gives readers crucial information for setting the groundwork for long-term public health policy formulation.

This book serves as a primary resource for scholars and trainees in nursing, medical (pediatrics and endocrinology) and paramedical courses who are required to understand lifestyle diseases with a focus on adolescents. Readers and professionals in public health, life-sciences and related disciplines can also use this as a secondary reference.

This brief monograph provides reports on liquid crystal materials used for specific devices designed for industrial applications. The authors of each chapter present insights on the design and technical aspects of the manufacturing of advanced liquid crystal light modulators reflecting their experience in advanced liquid crystal materials science.

Chapters in the book first introduce readers to the chemistry and basic materials science of liquid crystal light modulators with information important for practical situations such as custom manufacturing and material quality assessment (including the determination of Frank elastic constants). Subsequent chapters cover a selection of interesting projects where liquid crystal light modulators are applied, such as: a highly transparent, laser damage resistant liquid crystal phase modulators for space-borne laser rangefinders; a dynamic optical filter designed for visualization of air pollution; a high contrast, fast operating, outdoor light shutter for the eye protection of welders.

Readers will gain an awareness of the peculiarities of the liquid crystalline matter, along with the complexity of the design and fabrication of active optical elements, as the information provided in this volume presents detailed practical results of the liquid crystal technology projects.

This textbook presents basic principles of local anesthesia and exodontia for undergraduate dental program students and dental surgeons in training. Readers will understand key concepts and points that prepare them for daily oral and maxillofacial surgery practice. The book also provides detailed notes for managing patients who have different medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders and systemic diseases.

Key Features:

- provides an easy to understand short note format of information for readers

- covers the basics of anesthesia and pain biology

- covers simple extractions to complex surgical extractions

- presents guidelines for managing patients with medical complications

Contemporary Endoscopic Spine Surgery brings the reader the most

up-to-date information on the endoscopy of the spine. Key opinion

leaders from around the world have come together to present the

clinical evidence behind their competitive endoscopic spinal surgery

protocols. Chapters in the series cover a range of aspects of spine

surgery including spinal pain generators, preoperative workup with

modern independent predictors of favorable clinical outcomes with

endoscopy, anesthesia in an outpatient setting, management of

complications, and a fresh look at technology advances in a historical

context. The reader will have a first-row seat during the illustrative

discussions of expanded surgical indications from herniated disc to

more complex clinical problems, including stenosis, instability, and

deformity in patients with advanced degenerative disease of the human

spine. Contemporary Endoscopic Spine Surgery is divided into three

volumes: Cervical Spine, Lumbar Spine, and Advanced Technologies to

capture an accurate snapshot in time of this fast-moving field. It is

intended as a comprehensive go-to reference text for surgeons in

graduate residency and postgraduate fellowship training programs and

for practicing spine surgeons interested in looking for the scientific

foundation for their practice expansion into endoscopic surgery.

This volume (Lumbar Spine) covers the following topics in 18 detailed chapters:

Lumbar endoscopy: historical perspectives, present, and future

Endoscopic lumbar discectomy - anatomy, nomenclature, indications and

advanced techniques

Current approaches for the treatment of endstage vacuum degenerative

lumbar disc disease

Advanced endoscopic techniques of lumbar foraminotomy and treatment of

degenerative spondylolisthesis

Endoscopic treatment of lumbar facet cysts

Endoscopic techniques for the treatment of a wide range of chronic low back pain

Endoscopic spine surgery techniques in the elderly

Endoscopic fusion techniques

Endoscopic resection of schwannoma

Technical notes for difficult cases, controversies and complications

of lumbar endoscopy.

This reference presents basic concepts relevant to respiratory function in normal and diseased states.The volume stresses a quantitative approach to physical parameters used as indicators of normal and diseased physiological respiratory function. The contents of this reference allow medical students and physiology researchers to become "clinical detectives" - by presenting information that can be useful for enhancing their understanding of the major abnormalities in terms of ventilation, pulmonary blood perfusion, venous admixture, wasted alveolar ventilation, tissue oxygenation, acid-base balance, respiratory mechanics, control of breathing, etc.

This book is intended for first and second year medical students as well as for residents and fellows, especially in disciplines such as anesthesiology and pulmonary medicine. In addition, the unique mechanistic approach of this book also provides a useful reference for teachers of respiratory physiology who are not involved in respiratory research or those who have not been specifically trained in organ-system physiology. This book thus fills this gap by providing a modern physiology faculty some tools for learning the "nuts-and-bolts" of lung physiology and associated respiratory care.

Today's academic environment presents assessment challenges defined by an increased volume of available information coupled with increased competition among students and time constraints. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) provide examiners with an opportunity to assess academic performance on the basis of instant recollection of correct answers in a minimal amount of time.

MCQs Series for Life Sciences Volume 2 is a collection of MCQs on advanced topics and offers the following benefits for readers:

o Includes over 950 relevant MCQs

o Covers two major topics: cell culture and microbiology.

o Simplified language and presentation of concepts

o Answers to each question are provided

This MCQ book series in life sciences is a handy reference for graduate and postgraduate students undertaking examinations or entrance tests as well as teachers or examiners involved in setting and controlling assessments in specific subjects in life sciences.

This book is a quick review of machine learning methods for engineering applications. It provides an introduction to the principles of machine learning and common algorithms in the first section. Proceeding chapters summarize and analyze the existing scholarly work and discuss some general issues in this field. Next, it offers some guidelines on applying machine learning methods to software engineering tasks. Finally, it gives an outlook into some of the future developments and possibly new research areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence in general.

Techniques highlighted in the book include: Bayesian models, support vector machines, decision tree induction, regression analysis, and recurrent and convolutional neural network. Finally, it also intends to be a reference book.

Key Features:

- Describes real-world problems that can be solved using machine learning

- Explains methods for directly applying machine learning techniques to concrete real-world problems

- Explains concepts used in Industry 4.0 platforms, including the use and integration of AI, ML, Big Data, NLP, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

- It does not require prior knowledge of the machine learning. This book is meant to be an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), machine earning, and its applications in Industry 4.0. It explains the basic mathematical principles but is intended to be understandable for readers who do not have a background in advanced mathematics.

This book describes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods which are used to study translational dynamics of molecules in different complex systems including systems made of synthetic and natural polymers, tissues and the porous heterogeneous systems of different types, such as cement and wood. The results of proton spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation, cross-relaxation, pulse field gradient (PFG) NMR in studying diffusion properties and dynamics of molecules in polymer systems of different complexity are reported. In addition to these methods, reports on the use of the double-quantum-filtered (DQF) NMR technique in a study of slow molecular dynamics and properties of systems with anisotropic properties, such as water in hardening cement pastes, are presented. The book also covers applications of one and two dimensional NMR techniques.

This book is a useful reference for readers learning different NMR techniques and their applications in civil engineering and biochemistry.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a life-threatening neoplasm of the mesothelium, the layer of tissue that covers many organs in the human body. The incidence of this type of neoplasm is gradually increasing among the global human population. Mesothelioma prognosis in patients is usually poor and their life expectancy is significantly reduced. This edited monograph presents holistic information about malignant mesothelioma in one volume. Readers will gain knowledge of the etiology, immunopathology of this disease and will understand the rationale for new treatment methods. The initial section of the book gives the historical context of mesothelioma in medicine. Subsequent sections illustrate mesothelioma epidemiology with respect to the problem of asbestos diffusion in different areas of the world such as Europe, The Americas, East Asia, Australia and Africa. This is followed by chapters detailing current information about asbestos and non-asbestos molecular biology and etiopathogenesis, as well as intriguing insights from human genetics and translational medicine. Other sections in this volume focus on clinical information; mesothelioma diagnosis and staging are thoroughly described with a focus on serum biomarkers and pleural liquid cytology. Additional sections provide information on treatment modalities, with one section dedicated to surgical procedures.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Present Status and Future Directions is a comprehensive informational resource with well organized sections, aided by protocol charts, tables and figures. The book is essential for both medical oncology students and specialists who want to augment or update their knowledge about this neoplasm.

Since the last century, remarkable advances at both the basic and clinical levels have considerably improved our ability to evaluate and treat children with neurological disorders. Many cases seen by general pediatricians are primarily neurological accounting for up to 30% of all consultations to pediatrics with a high ratio of follow-up visits to new patients of about 3:1. This manual is a neurology reference for medical students and pediatric residents and is intended to supplement larger textbooks on pediatric neurology already available. Many of undergraduate medical students refer to deficient and oversimplified references that do not enable them to deal with pediatric neurology patients adequately. The manual presents a simplified, organized, and comprehensive problem based approach to common pediatric neurological disorders directed to the level of medical students, pediatric residents, general practitioners and general pediatricians. This e-book is thus a concise outline with practical tips to facilitate proper diagnosis and management of various neurological disorders.

Marine Biopharmaceuticals: Scope and Prospects is a collaboration of experts in pharmacology, biology and biochemistry with a focus on Marine Bioprospecting. The book provides an in-depth exploration of promising pharmaceutical compounds found in various marine biota and their therapeutic applications. The comprehensive contents cover marine ecosystems, marine biopharmaceutical, and delve into the chemistry and therapeutic applications of compounds from diverse marine organisms such as seaweeds, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, worms, shellfish, tunicates, and fishes.

The chapters also highlight approved and marketed marine biota-derived drugs and marine biota-derived drug candidates currently under clinical trials. Marine biopharmaceutical compounds targeting SARS-CoV-2 are also covered, reflecting the latest developments in the field. The editors conclude the book by advocating for the establishment of professional grade Marine Biopharmacy courses at university level to contribute to this emerging field.

This reference serves as a guide for researchers and instructors in disciplines such as Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marine Biology, Marine Microbiology, Marine Biochemistry, and Marine Biotechnology. Moreover, it is positioned as a standard reference for libraries in colleges and universities, offering critical insights for drug companies engaged in the development of new drugs from marine biopharmaceuticals.

While oceans are vast, they represent a fragile resource that must be protected if we want to protect our livelihoods and our planet. Marine pollution has been a topic of concern for a long time, and it has recently attracted the attention of scientists, environmentalists, economists, politicians and journalists in mainstream media.

Besides providing food, transportation routes and other resources, the oceans serve as a heat absorbing sink which offsets the extreme heating effects of climate change, but only to a limited degree. Pollution in marine environments such as the oceans, poses a threat to coastal communities by affecting the fauna and flora in the environment and the health of the nearby population. This has a disruptive effect on the health and economy of these communities.

Marine Pollution: Current Status, Impacts and Remedies emphasizes the limitations of marine resources that relevant environments provide. Readers will find chapters on methods to assess pollution as well as important information for identifying, measuring, and remediating various pollutants. The book also covers some known pollutants (heavy metals, organic pollutants, microplastics) and ways to manage these substances. Other issues covered in the book include problems caused by invasive species, and the ecological problems caused by pollutants which affect local fauna and flora.

This book will prove to be a useful resource for students, researchers, and policymakers, who are working in environmental science, marine conservation and allied fields.

Markov Chain Process: Theory and Cases is designed for students of natural and formal sciences. It explains the fundamentals related to a stochastic process that satisfies the Markov property. It presents 10 structured chapters that provide a comprehensive insight into the complexity of this subject by presenting many examples and case studies that will help readers to deepen their acquired knowledge and relate learned theory to practice. 

This book is divided into four parts. The first part thoroughly examines the definitions of probability, independent events, mutually (and not mutually) exclusive events, conditional probability, and Bayes' theorem, which are essential elements in Markov's theory. The second part examines the elements of probability vectors, stochastic matrices, regular stochastic matrices, and fixed points. The third part presents multiple cases in various disciplines: Predictive computational science, Urban complex systems, Computational finance, Computational biology, Complex systems theory, and Computational Science in Engineering. The last part introduces learners to Fortran 90 programs and Linux scripts. 

To make the comprehension of Markov Chain concepts easier, all the examples, exercises, and case studies presented in this book are completely solved and given in a separate section. 

This book serves as a textbook (either primary or auxiliary) for students required to understand Markov Chains in their courses, and as a reference book for researchers who want to learn about methods that involve Markov Processes.

Materials Science: A Field of Diverse Industrial Applications provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in new materials and their applications across various fields. With ten chapters from reputed experts in materials chemistry, the book covers a wide range of topics including thin-film nanomaterials (including chalcogenide, zinc oxide and barium fluoride thin films), multiferroic nanoceramics, synthetic nanofibers, and polymer electrolytes. The content is divided into three sections, covering modified materials, functionalized nanomaterials, and the role of nanomaterials and modified materials in waste removal, chemical synthesis, and energy production. This book is an essential resource for researchers, scientists, and professionals in materials science, nanotechnology, and related fields who want to stay updated with recent advancements and their industrial applications. It also serves as a reference for advanced materials science courses.

Recent developments in information science and technology have been possible due to original and timely research contributions containing new results in various fields of applied mathematics. It is also true that advances in information science create opportunities for developing mathematical models further.

This book focuses on cases and studies of interest to mechanical engineers and industrial technicians. The considered applications in this volume are widely used in several industrial fields particularly in the automotive and aviation industries. Readers will understand the theory and techniques which are used in each application covered in each chapter.

Volume 2 includes the following topics:

Numerical investigation of turbulent slot jets with various nanoparticle shapes

Experimental study on a sweeping gas membrane distillation unit

Development of design processes for multi-spindle drilling using a neural network and expert systems

Experimental investigation of a new hybrid solar collector (PV/t) system

Theoretical study of the effects of combustion duration on engine performance

Effects of preheating temperature and fuel-air equivalence ratio on pollution control in hydrocarbon combustion

Numerical study of natural convection between two concentric ellipses with different shapes and imposed temperatures

Theoretical study of the geometrical parameters effect on the behavior of a solar chimney power plant

Numerical investigations of the effect of packed bed porosity on the flow behavior

Comparison between a conventional and a four-stage Savonius wind rotor

The presented case studies and development approaches aim to provide readers with basic and applied information broadly related to mechanical engineering and technology.

Mechanisms of Landscape Rehabilitation and Sustainability is based on the results of landscape rehabilitation with the help of fabricated soil and a new approach on the use of restored soils for building houses and communities.

This book presents discoveries and proposals that have emerged from the authors' research and explains ways to protect Earth's ecosystems against further degradation. These proposals are founded on the philosophy of sustainable development and its application to various aspects essential to the long-term success of human beings; these include community coexistence, education, water purification and recycling, agriculture, the production of fabricated soil for landscape rehabilitation, and the preservation and propagation of wild flora. Strategies for both indoor and outdoor systems are covered in this publication.

The book covers several subjects including molecular biology, botany, microbiology, soil biochemistry and human interaction with the ecosystem. Methods for soil rehabilitation ultimately allow us to obtain optimal crop yield.

Mechanisms of Landscape Rehabilitation and Sustainability is of particular interest to academic and professional biologists, soil scientists, ecologists, agronomists and architects.

Mechatronics Series I: Intelligent Transportation Vehicles brings the latest advances and developments in intelligent vehicles to readers on the basis of their significance and quality. Wider dissemination of research developments will stimulate more exchanges and collaborations among the research community and contribute to further advancement of this rapidly growing field. This Ebook series includes key contributions presented by different researchers. These contributions represent a wide coverage of the state-of-the-art and the emerging research directions in intelligent transportation vehicles.

Medical Imaging Technologies and Methods for Health Care provides timely, evidence-based information that helps readers understand innovations in medical imaging. These innovations are computer / imaging based technologies which are set to have a bigger impact on the detection and management of human diseases.

This volume covers:

-Image processing and analyses

-Computer-aided diagnosis and detection

-Data mining in medical imaging

-Mobile picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)

-Image analytic methods in bone mineral density and detection of Alzheimer's disease

-Biomedical engineering methods applied in biomedical imaging

This volume is intended as a useful resource for undergraduate and post-graduate students in medical imaging technology, radiographers, doctors, biomedical engineers, researchers and practitioners in health care.

Medicinal Chemistry - Fusion of Traditional and Western Medicine is a textbook intended for students taking courses in the various fields of medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, medical and dental programs. Moreover, people working in the pharmaceutical industry and doctors preparing for Medical Board Exams will also find it useful. Since, new drugs are being developed by multi-disciplinary teams; this E-Book describes new paradigms that are emerging in modern biology, biochemistry and medicine. It is therefore a fusion of traditional and western medicine and between systems thinking and reductionist thinking. Readers will learn about how new drugs are investigated, developed and eventually approved by the FDA. The book also includes important information about cGMP, GLP and the FDA regulatory requirements, the importance of environmental toxins, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAA) in autoimmune diseases and health. This book offers exceptional value in its descriptions of RNA, epigenetics, toxicology, new drug development, genetically modified organisms and analytical chemistry that cannot be found in other textbooks.

Medicinal Chemistry - Fusion of Traditional and Western Medicine is a textbook intended for students taking courses in the various fields of medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, medical and dental programs. Moreover, people working in the pharmaceutical industry and doctors preparing for Medical Board Exams will also find it useful. Since, new drugs are being developed by multi-disciplinary teams; this E-Book describes new paradigms that are emerging in modern biology, biochemistry and medicine. It is therefore a fusion of traditional and western medicine and between systems thinking and reductionist thinking.

The 3rd edition attempts to explain the predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory (P4) paradigm of medicinal chemistry. This edition features new chapters focusing on personalized medicinal chemistry and the endocrine system (with a discussion of bioidentical hormone therapy). Other chapters cover the disease mechanism and associated pharmacology of drugs for several diseases including cancer, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases, the immune system and much more. The new edition also includes an overview of emergent medical problems and possible solutions (such as the flu, ebola virus, global climate change, a shortage of medicines, genetic engineering and stem cell therapy). Drugs that have been approved by the FDA since the 1st edition was written are also included. The book concludes with an explanation of systems thinking in medicinal chemistry, an important, yet rarely explored topic in other medicinal chemistry text books.

The primary objective of this 4-volume book series is to educate PharmD students on the subject of medicinal chemistry. The book set serves as a reference guide to pharmacists on aspects of chemical basis of drug action. This first volume of the series is comprised of 8 chapters focusing on basic background information about medicinal chemistry. It takes a succinct and conceptual approach to introducing important fundamental concepts required for a clear understanding of various facets of pharmacotherapeutic agents, drug metabolism and important biosynthetic pathways that are relevant to drug action. Notable topics covered in this first volume include the scope and importance of medicinal chemistry in pharmacy education, a comprehensive discussion of the organic functional groups present in drugs, and information about four major types of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids) and key heterocyclic ring systems. The concepts of acid-base chemistry and salt formation, and their applications to the drug action and design follow thereafter. These include concepts of solubility and lipid-water partition coefficient (LWPC), isosterism, stereochemical properties, mechanisms of drug action, drug receptor interactions critical for pharmacological responses of drugs, and much more. Students and teachers will be able to integrate the knowledge presented in the book and apply medicinal chemistry concepts to understand the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of therapeutic agents in the body.

The primary objective of this 4-volume book series is to educate PharmD students on the subject of medicinal chemistry. The book set serves as a reference guide to pharmacists on aspects of the chemical basis of drug action. Medicinal Chemistry of Drugs Affecting the Nervous System is the second volume of the series and it presents 8 chapters focusing on a comprehensive account of drugs affecting the nervous system. The volume informs readers about the medicinal chemistry of relevant drugs, which includes the mechanism of drug action, detail structure activity relationships and metabolism as well as clinical significance of drugs affecting autonomic and central nervous system. Chapters in this volume cover cholinergic drugs, adrenergic drugs, antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, antiepileptic drugs, anesthetics and antiparkinsonian drugs, respectively. Students and teachers will be able to integrate the knowledge presented in the book and apply medicinal chemistry concepts to understand the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of therapeutic agents in the body. The information offered by the book chapters will give readers a strong neuropharmacology knowledge base required for a practicing pharmacist.

This comprehensive reference explores medicinal plants, phytomedicines, and traditional herbal remedies as potential sources for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. It features 9 chapters authored and edited by renowned experts. The book specifically highlights the promising drug discovery opportunities grounded in bioactive compounds from medicinal plants and herbal medicines, offering insights into combatting SARS-CoV-2 infections and respiratory complications.

Key Highlights:

Drug Discovery Potential: Explores the vast potential of medicinal plants, phytomedicine, and traditional remedies against COVID-19, shedding light on groundbreaking drug discovery avenues.

Cutting-Edge Insights: Provides up-to-date insights into the use of medicinal plants, herbal drugs, and traditional medicines in the fight against COVID-19.

Natural Immune Boosters: Details the use of indigenous herbs, spices, functional foods, and herbal drugs for boosting immunity and preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Drug Repurposing: Highlights innovative drug repurposing strategies using phytomedicine-derived bioactive compounds and phytochemical databases for COVID-19 drug development. Additional features of the book include a reader-friendly introduction to each topic and a list of references for advanced readers. This timely reference is an informative resource for a broad range of readers interested in strategies to control COVID-19, including postgraduate researchers, and pharmaceutical R&D experts. It also serves as a handbook for professionals in clinical and herbal medicine.

This book provides readers a fundamental understanding of the science and applications of medicinal and aromatic plant materials. Chapters of this handbook covers the basics of ethnobotany, (bio)active compounds and their natural sources. Information about the cosmetic, nutritional, medicinal and industrial uses (dyes, tannins and biocides) is also presented. Readers will also learn about concepts central to quality control processes, sustainable management, wild harvesting and the economic valuation of the industrial impact of endemic plants.

The volume also presents a case study of the wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), which is helpful in explaining the above concepts.

This book is intended as a handbook for undergraduate students and teaching professionals in research and higher education institutions involved in agricultural engineering, pharmacy, forestry, natural product chemistry. Non experts interested in aromatic and medicinal plant agriculture, transformation and commercialization will also find the content informative.

Medicinal and Environmental Chemistry: Experimental Advances and Simulations is a collection of topics that highlight the use of pharmaceutical chemistry to assess the environment or make drug design and chemical testing more environment friendly.

The eleven chapters included in the second part of this book set cover diverse topics, blending the fields of environmental chemistry and medicinal chemistry and have been authored by experts, scientists and academicians from renowned institutions. This part is more specialized in nature, focusing primarily on the effects of air pollution and water contamination on human health. Chapters covering pharmaceutical interventions and pollution control measures, respectively follow these initial topics.

Part II also features specialized topics that aim to address some unique challenges of the above mentioned problems including antibiotic pollution, pharmaceutical analysis of pollutants, chemosensors, biosteric modifications and new drug development strategies against SARS-CoV2.

Key Features:

1. 11 topics which blend environmental chemistry and medicinal chemistry

2. Contributions from more than 40 experts

3. Includes topics covering effects of air pollution on human health and disease

4. Includes specialized topics on pharmaceutical analysis in the environment, and modifications of compounds for pharmaceutical purposes

5. Bibliographic references

This reference is an essential source of information for readers and scholars involved in environmental chemistry, pollution management and pharmaceutical chemistry courses at graduate and undergraduate levels. Professionals and students involved in occupational medicine will also benefit from the wide range of topics covered.

Melanin is a biological molecule associated with pigmentation in humans and animals. However, melanin has been observed to have other functions such as neuroprotection and energy production. In Melanin, the Master Molecule, researchers summarize several decades worth of knowledge on melanin and its physicochemical properties. Nine chapters explain the intrinsic biochemistry of melanin, comparisons with conventional energy producing and respiratory biomolecules, the property of melanin to transform light energy into chemical energy through the dissociation of the water molecule, and the theories of melanin based energy production in the nervous system, the cell nucleus, muscles and the eye, and the role the role of melanin in the context of ageing. The authors also delve into the possibility of melanin being the key molecule needed to spark life since its water dissociating property through the absorption of light energy emulates the role of chlorophyll, but unlike the latter, it is not limited to the plant cell environment. Hence, melanin is referred to as the master molecule which can provide a missing link to the biochemical processes behind the origin of life.

Melanin, the Master Molecule is an exciting reference for biochemists and laymen interested in the science of melanin and a new perspective on the origin of life as we know it.

Ukot's Back to Basics MCQs (Volume 3) expands the trusted series with a comprehensive collection of multiple-choice questions that sharpen clinical reasoning and reinforce essential concepts across three vital domains of medical practice: Mental Health, General Pediatrics, and Family Medicine.

Designed for medical students, postgraduate trainees, and practicing clinicians, this volume combines exam-focused preparation with real-world applicability. The carefully structured chapters not only test knowledge but also strengthen diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic decision-making, and holistic patient management skills.

Key Features

Covers critical areas of psychiatry including anxiety, mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance use, psychotherapies, and geriatric psychiatry.

Explores pediatric essentials from neonatal care and congenital conditions to malnutrition, infections, tumors, and cardiac disorders.

Integrates principles of family medicine such as holistic care, ethics, genomics, health promotion, preventive strategies, and clinical audit.

Strengthens exam readiness with detailed answers, explanatory notes, and differential diagnoses.

Contains comprehensive index and bibliography for further study and clinical practice.

This monograph provides a current and in-depth review of scholarly information about mesenchymal stem cells and their application in the craniofacial region of the human body. Chapters in this volume cover biological and conceptual information about mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, craniofacial regeneration, new methods of scaffold fabrication, tooth regeneration and three-dimensional printing in dentistry. The book is suitable for clinicians and cell biologists aiming to gain a better understanding of the promising field of craniofacial regenerative medicine.

The book focuses on a new interdisciplinary understanding of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) for better health maintenance. It provides an updated understanding of the underlying principles, possible targets, implementation approaches and the effectiveness of various avoidance strategies in MetS. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including major advances in general aspects of metabolic syndrome, functional changes, new diagnostic methods, genotype-phenotype associations, the effect of exercise and multitarget pharmacotherapeutic strategies for MetS and perspectives on personalized medicine. It also discusses epigenetic mechanisms underlying MetS-related processes and epigenetic strategies to prevent related diseases. The book also presents summarized information about the associated factors and mechanisms linking cancer and MetS and to identify potential targets for the treatment of these patients. A better understanding of the various linkages will provide greater insight into the management of cancer patients by preventing MetS and related alterations.

Key Features

- Comprehensive information focused on the biological factors and physiological changes associated with metabolic syndrome

- Updates on metabolic syndrome diagnosis and management

- Summarized information on clinical implications for cancer therapy

- Thoroughly referenced chapters with summaries and discussions for quick understanding

The book is an informative resource for interdisciplinary scientists and researchers in life sciences and medicine. Furthermore, it, including the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) pathway, estrogen signaling, visceral adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, aromatase activity, adipokinase production, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, DNA damage and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and their clinical implications in cancer therapy.

The aim of this Ebook is to provide a comprehensive overview of the basic production techniques for manufacturing of metal-based graded materials. A concise description of experimental methods and short analysis of some specific structures obtained are presented. In order to provide an easy-readable text, general mathematical models and specific tools for management of graded structures in metal matrix composites are presented separately in appendices. The movement of solid particles (reinforce phase) in gravity and centrifugal casting are widely discussed. Basic equations, which describe solid particle movement in case of Lorenz force application at graded structure production techniques and comprehensive model of physical phenomena in gasar technology, can also be found in this Ebook. The Ebook is useful for colleagues, who work in the field of graded structures and materials, and who need compact informative view of recent experimental and theoretical approaches in this area.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of metal matrix composite manufacturing, including fabrication methods, characterization techniques, and manufacturing applications. 10 chapters cover fundamental and applied topics on matrix metal composites. The book is a resource for all readers seeking to gain an in-depth understanding of metal matrix composites with its relevance to the modern industry.

Key Features

- Includes fully referenced contributions by experts in materials science

- Provides an introduction to the subject, and a future prospective for a broad range of readers

- Reviews current knowledge on fabrication techniques and structure property relationships of metal matrix composites

- Includes dedicated chapters for reinforced composites (carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, aluminium)

- Includes guidance on material wear and tear and

- Provides an investigation for process optimization for EDM for newly developed composites

It is designed to be an essential resource for students and professionals in the field of materials science and engineering, as well as researchers and engineers working on metal matrix composite in manufacturing industries.

Metallurgy and Technology of Steel Castings is a comprehensive textbook for students and professional engineers in the field of foundry engineering and materials science. The topics covered in this book explain the association between the quality of liquid metal and the properties of the finished cast. Readers will learn about the thermodynamic conditions for addition and recovery of chemical elements (such as Cr, Ni and Mo) in steel, degasifying processes, the influence of alloying additives for manufacturing steel castings that operate in extreme temperatures, anti-corrosive steels and basic cast conditions for making the castings (pouring and heat treatment systems).

Metallurgy and Technology of Steel Castings gives readers essential information about steel and steel cast manufacturing processes and equips them with the knowledge to overcome the challenges faced in the foundry environment.

Methods and Techniques in Nematology discovers the intricate world of nematodes, a comprehensive guide essential for researchers, academics, and enthusiasts alike. This book addresses the methods crucial for studying these unsegmented roundworms, covering everything from sampling techniques to advanced molecular diagnostics and biodiversity analysis.

Key Features:

- Detailed sampling methods for diverse habitats.

- Extraction procedures for soil, root, and entomopathogenic nematodes.

- Microscopic observation techniques including SEM and DIC.

- Molecular diagnostic tools such as PCR and RFLP.

- Introduction to bioinformatics for nematology.

- Comprehensive biodiversity analysis, both conventional and molecular.

- Culturing and greenhouse studies for experimental purposes.

Recent advances in science and technology such as online monitoring techniques, coupling of various processing methods, surface characterization and measurement techniques have greatly promoted the development of ultraprecise machining technology. This precision now falls into the micrometer and nanometer range - hence the name micro & nanomachining technology (MNT).

Machining is a complex phenomenon associated with a variety of different mechanical, physical, and chemical processes.

Common principles defining control mechanisms such as O Jamie de geometry, Newton mechanics, Macroscopic Thermodynamics and Electromagnetics are not applicable to phenomena occurring at the nanometer scale whereas quantum effects, wave characteristics and the microscopic fluctuation become the dominant factors. A remarkable enhancement in computational capability through advanced computer hardware and high performance computation techniques (parallel computation) has enabled researchers to employ large scale parallel numerical simulations to investigate micro & nanomachining technologies and gain insights into related processes.

Micro and Nanomachining Technology - Size, Model and Complex Mechanism introduces readers to the basics of micro & nanomachining (MNT) technology and covers some of the above techniques including molecular dynamics and finite element simulations, as well as complexity property and multiscale MNT methods.

This book meets the growing need of Masters students or Ph.D. students studying nanotechnology, mechanical engineering or materials engineering, allowing them to understand the design and process issues associated with precision machine tools and the fabrication of precision components.

Microalgae could play an important role in the achievement of sustainability goals related to the generation of renewable energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These photosynthetic microorganisms are able to capture CO2 and, therefore, can be used to produce biofuels such as ethanol, methane and green diesel. Other factors, such as their high growth rate, ability to use wastewater as a culture medium and the ability to grow on non-arable land makes them a potentially economical source of biofuel production on a large scale.

This monograph introduces the reader to the basic and applied science of microalgal biofuel production. Chapters in the volume give information about bioethanol and biogas production from microalgal sources, the fermentation process, optimization of culture parameters and industrial applications of biomass projects.

The book is a useful reference for biotechnology and environmental science graduates and professionals interested in biofuel production.

Global plastic production is estimated to be over 300Mt annually. Most conventional plastics are predominantly produced from fossil fuels and are highly resistant to biodegradation, and only a small share of about 20% of spent plastics is believed to be recycled, which is a cause for environmental concern. Biodegradable plastics would solve this concern as they are a sustainable alternative, yet these do not even cover 5% of the global plastic market.

Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a versatile group of polyesters produced by nature as prokaryotic storage materials. PHAs can be produced through sustainable bioprocess engineering and have displayed remarkable flexibility in their physical and chemical properties. PHAs are the subject of several scientific papers and numerous PHA patents have also been filed, generating significant interest in the plastic production industry.

To develop overall sustainable and efficient production processes, all bioprocess steps need to be thoroughly understood and accounted for. These processes start with the selection of suitable inexpensive raw materials (microbes and enzymes), optimizing the process engineering and process regime, and conclude with the enhancement of product recovery in terms of time, energy, and material input.

Microbial Biopolyester Production, Performance and Processing: Bioengineering, Characterization, and Sustainability is a compilation of eight chapters covering bacterial polyesters, green plastics and PHAs from various angles. The contents of this volume focus on sustainable practices focus on the sustainability of processes that involve the synthesis and recycling of these meterials. The volume is a useful resource for bioprocess engineers, microbiologists, biotechnologists and chemical engineers interested in the basics of biodegradable plastic production.

Microbial Insights into Wastewater Treatment and Environmental Sustainability examines the way microorganisms are reshaping the way we tackle environmental challenges, offering practical and science-driven strategies for wastewater remediation, pollution control, and resource recovery. Integrating microbiology, environmental science, and biotechnology, this volume reveals how microbial processes underpin sustainable solutions for ecosystem restoration and global environmental health.

The book begins with foundational concepts, such as the microbial ecology of polluted sites and mechanisms of pollutant sequestration, to specialized topics including arsenic bioremediation, microbe-driven green nanotechnology, and biocontrol innovations. It further investigates plant-microbe partnerships that enhance environmental resilience, and explores cutting-edge molecular and biosensing techniques for real-time environmental monitoring. Case studies highlight the transition from laboratory research to field-scale applications, while forward-looking sections consider microbial nanotechnology for sustainable energy generation and microbial strategies for waste valorization.

Key Features:

Explains microbial roles in pollution mitigation and environmental recovery

Demonstrates sequestration, bioremediation, and nanotechnology-based microbial innovations

Integrates molecular tools and biosensors for environmental health assessment

Applies microbial strategies to wastewater treatment, energy production, and waste management

Highlights real-world case studies linking theory to practice

Incorporates multidisciplinary insights from global research contributors

Advances sustainable development through microbial resource recovery.

Microbiology for ICAR NET: A Comprehensive Exam Preparation Guide is a valuable resource tailored for students preparing for the ICAR NET exam in Microbiology. This guide offers an in-depth overview of key microbiological topics, including microbial physiology, soil microbiology, environmental microbiology, and microbial biotechnology. Organized into eight comprehensive chapters, the book covers foundational concepts such as the scope of microbiology, prokaryotes, and microscopy, while aligning closely with the ICAR NET syllabus.

Ideal for ICAR NET aspirants, this guide also serves as a solid review tool for microbiology students, researchers, and professionals.

Key Features:

- Includes multiple-choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions for active learning.

- Detailed answer key for self-assessment and concept reinforcement.

- Comprehensive coverage of topics essential for ICAR NET Microbiology exam preparation.

- Covers a wide range of microbiology topics.

Micronutrient Deficiency in Soils and Plants highlights the problems caused by micronutrient deficiencies in vegetative production. This eBook emphasizes on the necessary requirements for plant growth micronutrients, the vital deficiency symptoms of micronutrients and their crucial role in plant metabolism.

The scope of this eBook covers a range of topics including micronutrient deficiency, the availability of micronutrient in soils, plant metabolism and micronutrient solubility.

The contents of this eBook include chapters on micronutrient solubility and availability in soils, the role of micronutrients in plant metabolism and growth and diagnostic tools to assess deficiencies of iron, zinc, copper and other micro-nutrients.

Micronutrient Deficiency in Soils and Plants is a valuable resource for MSc and PhD students, academic personnel and researchers seeking updated and critically important information on major nutritional problems in agricultural soils and crops.

Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control sheds light on the causes, effects, and control of microplastic pollution, providing valuable insights into the tools and techniques for analysis, the impact on ecosystems, and the potential risks to human well-being. The editors focus on the urgency of addressing this global environmental challenge through collaborative efforts and sustainable solutions. This reference features 10 edited chapters covering multiple aspects of microplastic pollution. The book introduces the reader to various tools and techniques used to analyze microplastic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It then examines the sources, pathways, and levels of microplastic contamination in the environment and explains how to evaluate the potential health risks for the nearby communities. The impact of microplastic on flora and fauna is presented in one chapter. To emphasize the importance of assessing microplastic contamination, the editors present a case study conducted in Thoothukudi, South India, to explore the implications of microplastic pollution on human health. The book also provides information on solutions to microplastic pollution including the use of bioplastics and removal techniques. Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control equips readers with a complete understanding of the global challenge of microplastics, fostering awareness and encouraging further research and action to protect our ecosystems and human health from their detrimental impact. It is an ideal handbook for environmental science researchers and students who need to understand microplastic pollution and plan environmental impact assessments for academic research and professional projects.

Key Features

- Comprehensive coverage of microplastic pollution with 10 structured chapters

- Informs readers about important parameters to understand and measure the impact of microplastics on local fauna, flora and the surrounding environment

- Covers evaluation and remediation of microplastics in both terrestrial and marine environments

- Includes references for advanced readers

- Includes a case study on the effect of microplastics in Thoothukudi, South India

This volume presents information about protocols for micropropagation of more than 40 species of medicinal plants. The contents combine knowledge about the scientific principles of micropropagation with state of the art updates in tissue culture techniques presented by plant scientists.

The readers will learn about techniques required to grow plants in challenging conditions that aim to reduce the impacts of injudicious harvesting, deforestation, climate change, pollution, urbanization and other factors that limit the ability to meet current demand. General topics such as biotization and pharmaceutical investigation are also included to guide readers about the significance of these plants in research and development for new medicines.

The book provides protocols for micropropagation of important medicinal plants like Rauvolfia serpentina, Catharanthus roseus, Withania somnifera, Tylophora indica, Bacopa monnieri, Aloe vera, Phyllanthus amarus, Allium sativum, Moringa oleifera, Operculina turpethum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Pterocarpus marsupium, Vetiver grass, Ruta graveolens, Tinospora cordifolia, Kaempferia, Hedychium, Decalepis hamiltonii, Saraca asoca, Wrightia tinctoria, Wrightia arborea, Artemisia absinthium, Aegle marmelos, Atropa acuminata, Atropa belladonna, Alpinia species, Hedychium species, and Cissus species.

This book is a handy reference for medicinal chemists, horticulturists and pharmacists who want to learn about the growth and conservation of important medicinal herbs and plants.

Mind Maps in Biochemistry presents a series of concept and knowledge maps about biochemical compounds, systems and techniques. The book illustrates the relationships between commonly used terms in the subject to convey the meaning of ideas and concepts that facilitate a basic understanding about the subject for readers.

Chapters of the book cover both basic topics (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleotides, enzymes, metabolic pathways, nutrition and physiology) as well as applied topics (clinical diagnosis, diseases, genetic engineering and molecular biology).

Key Features

i. Topic-based presentation over 16 chapters

ii. Coverage of basic and applied knowledge

iii. Detailed tables, flow diagrams and illustrations with functional information about metabolic pathways and related concepts

iv. Essay and multiple-choice questions with solutions

v. Exercises for students to construct their own mind maps, designed to improve analytical skills

Mind Maps in Biochemistry is an ideal textbook for quick and easy learning for high school and college level students studying biochemistry as well as teachers instructing courses at these levels.