Bentham Science Publishers

Environmental Risk Assessment familiarizes readers with risk assessment for the main environmental systems that are surveyed: soil, water, and air. The text aims to enable learners to develop knowledge and awareness about environmental risk management and take action to transform society into a sustainable one.

The eight edited chapters start with an introduction to the subject and an outline of good practices in risk assessment. The latter half presents a risk-based approach to the environment and provides a deep dive into risk management implementation for contaminated sites, monitoring air quality, evaluating drinking water for safety, and risk analysis in waste management. Concepts are explained in a simple manner with references included for further reading.

This book is an essential guideline for students who require knowledge in the environmental engineering programs or related course modules.

Environmental Zeolites and Aqueous Media: Examples of practical solutions brings to light the characteristic features of ion exchange and adsorption onto natural zeolite for environmental cleanup processes, particularly for water purification, zeolite`s present, past and future. This eBook emphasizes on the recent development in the synthesis and manufacturing of the advanced cost-effective organic and inorganic zeolite-based adsorbents.

Enzyme inhibitors play a pivotal role in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The primary understanding of the action of inhibitors helps pharmacologists during the design process for developing new therapeutic drugs. Most drugs treat various chronic and life threatening diseases owing to their specificity and the potency of enzymes which they can inhibit. Enzyme inhibitors are used to screen various levels of diseases which propel the growth of inhibitors. The potential for enzyme inhibitors in the therapeutics market is very high as the biochemical properties and classes of enzyme inhibiting products are readily available.

The other broad aspect of enzyme inhibition is their application in analytical sensors. These sensors assist in monitoring various environmental factors. Understanding the mechanism of inhibition and regeneration of enzymes is a general problem of great importance for many biochemists and biotechnologists especially when using immobilized enzymes.

This reference compiles applied information about enzyme inhibitors used in medicine and environmental monitoring applications. Chapters presented in this volume cover special topics including biosensors, crop improvements in agriculture, biofuel production, pesticide and heavy metal detection, and drug therapy for human diseases such as breast cancer, neurological diseases and viral infections.

The collection of topics in this volume makes it an informative resource for readers at all academic levels on the applications of enzyme inhibitors in medicine and environmental sciences.

This e-book on diabetes epidemiology starts with the evolution in the diagnostic criteria for diabetes, particularly the changes in the last 15 years and their impact on the prevalence of the disease. The increasing trend in prevalence of diabetes worldwide, and its impact on people’s health and economic development are described by regions and countries. The rationale for a diabetes screening program, recent development in screening strategies and screening tools are thoroughly reviewed and presented. Because obesity is one of the major risk factors for diabetes and has been included in several risk assessment questionnaires, the obesity-diabetes association is particularly addressed in this e-book. The diagnostic cut-off value for surrogate measurement of body fat mass such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference is also discussed. The measurement errors and the strength of the association of diabetes with BMI and waist circumference are formally compared. Other diabetes related metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia are also discussed with regard to their association with different degree of glucose intolerance including pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes. The risk of dyslipidemia with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in people with different glucose levels is estimated within different ethnic groups and the ethnic differences are compared. Recent interest on diabetes-cancer association is on the rise. Academic literature on this issue presented in this volume. The relationship of diabetes with cardiovascular disease is also recognised. In this book the focus is set on the impact of various levels of fasting and 2-hout post-load glucose on the occurrence of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

Recent advances in the fields of genomics and bioinformatics have made it increasingly clear that genetic sequence alone cannot explain how the genome regulates the development and function of complex multicellular organisms both in health and disease. This inference has led to the expansion of epigenetics as a discipline. Epigenetics refers to the way in which the environment in the wide sense participates in the regulation of gene expression. Several studies show that the well-known beneficial role of a healthy lifestyle over a number of pathologies or as a pre-emptive therapy is at least in part exerted through epigenetic mechanisms, thus giving rise to a new paradigm of preventive medicine based on the concept of genetic plasticity. In Epigenetics of Lifestyle, several contributors provide a comprehensive view of how various facets of lifestyle, including nutrition, exercise, stress, addiction or social interactions, affect chromatin (the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the contents of a cell nucleus) - resulting in profound and long-lasting changes in gene function. In summary, Epigenetics of Lifestyle is a fresh approach towards epigenetics and presents the reader with significant research findings in epigenetics and lifestyle studies. This volume is a simplified source of information for both undergraduate and working professionals interested in lifestyle medicine and life sciences in general.

The development of new erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs) has significantly increased in recent years. Researchers are focused on different and interesting concepts, namely, methods to increase half-life of erythropoietin (EPO), finding different routes of administration and new ESA or modified EPO molecules. Scientific literature presents evidence that EPO has other effects beyond erythropoietic stimulation. These pleiotropic effects of EPO appear to result from the existence of two different EPO receptors (EPOR) with different affinities for EPO. The discovery of new EPO actions beyond the hematopoietic system has opened a new field of investigation with these agents. Several molecules have been developed to present the protective action, without the activation of the hematopoietic system. These agents can be potentially used in several diseases of the brain/central and peripheral nervous system, eye, heart and kidney.

This volume of Frontiers in Drug Discovery includes a revision of articles on erythropoiesis and EPO gene regulation, microRNAs and their potential contribution to the development of new therapeutic strategies, animal models for studying kidney disease-associated anemia as well as benefits/risks of ESA therapy. The biological effects of new ESA molecules, heparin-binding erythropoietin and of pHBSP, and the potential applications of ESA, are also elicited in this volume.

This volume is, therefore, a useful reference for medicinal chemists and hematologists interested in drug development and medicine related to ESAs.

This handbook covers some primary instruments-based techniques used in modern biological science and medical research programs. Key features of the book include introductory notes for each topic, a systematic presentation of relevant methods, and troubleshooting guides for practical settings.

Topics covered in part 2 include:

· Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy

· High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

· Raman spectroscopy

· Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy

· Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

· Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

· SEM-EDX and its applications in plant science

This book is a simple, useful handbook for students and teachers involved in graduate courses in life sciences and medicine. Readers will learn about the basics of featured techniques, the relevant applications and the established protocols.

This volume bridges scientific research with applied horticultural practices by examining the taxonomy, cultivation, ecological significance and conservation of ornamental and medicinal plants such as Fritillaria, Gladiolus, and Saffron.

This book explores environmental requirements and sustainable cultivation methods by covering topics from plant morphology and classification to seed and vegetative propagation techniques-including tissue culture. Chapters also highlight the ethnobotanical value of these species and the challenges posed by habitat loss and overharvesting, offering practical conservation strategies to mitigate human impact.

Key features:

Details morphological and taxonomic insights

Presents propagation techniques including advanced tissue culture

Discusses soil, climate, and ecological needs for optimal cultivation

Highlights traditional medicinal and ornamental applications

Emphasizes conservation strategies for protecting wild populations

This handbook presents information on different cell culture assays which can be used to perform experimental analysis. Readers are introduced to the basics of in vitro cell cultures followed by a comparative analysis of different experimental protocols designed to detect cellular processes (such as apoptosis, protein-protein interactions, cytotoxicity, gene transfer). Chapters present information on the basics of specific experimental techniques as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the presented methods. Students and scholars who require an understanding of the basic fundamentals of cellular assays.

Stephen Hawking, present occupant of the Lucasian Chair at Cambridge University, is today one of the best known theoretical cosmologists in the world. His important contributions, in collaboration with Roger Penrose, to the physics of black holes are well known, but this does not make comparable to those of Albert Einstein, as some times is affirmed in the mainstream media. In this book, Hawking´s work as presented at the Vatican Study Week on Astrophysical Cosmology (1981), his bestseller "A Brief History of Time" (1988), his lecture on "Gödel and the end of physics" (2002), and "The Grand Design"(2010) are briefly examined. In them many philosophical questions are raised but no rigorous answers are provided. In the second half of the book, chapters on the origin of science in the Christian West, the post-Renaissance scientific revolution, the true pioneers of modern physics put contemporary cosmology in a proper perspective. The authors conclude that contemporary observational data are compatible with a finite, open and contingent universe, rather than with "everything coming out of nothing". This book puts in a proper historical perspective, contrary to Hawking’s, that the universe is intelligible as attested by the monumental fact of modern science, and, therefore, that it is contingent, and therefore created. Very often, contemporary theoretical cosmologists ignore the crucial contributions made in Medieval Europe to the birth of modern physics. This book intends to bridge the gap in accessible language for the non specialist.

This book details all the intricacies and essential knowledge involved in the research and development of the Coronil Kit - a combination of 3 ayurvedic medications for the common cold. It informs the reader about the huge potential of herbal drugs in fighting against any type of disease through evidence-based data from clinical trials and experiments. The book elaborates how current scientific techniques can be applied to understand the healing capacities of plants at their molecular level and thus utilize their different combinations to treat diseases by targeting harmful micro-organisms and simultaneously boosting the immune system. It covers methods of virtual screening and computational validation of identified phytochemicals as potential antiviral agents against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 70 colored figures.

Key Features:

1. Covers the molecular etiology of COVID-19 virus,

2. Covers guidance on drug formulation, hazard assessment, and clinical trials based on approved methods by regulatory organizations

3. Covers pharmacological, toxicological, and technically verified chemical composition of medicinal plants

4. Includes information about in vivo experiments and analysis of Humanoid Zebrafish trials

5. Includes methods of identifying antiviral agents against the SARS-CoV-2 virus

6. Includes chemical, analytical and technical studies of Coronil

7. Includes 70 images 7 chapters 8.

Includes a bibliography and appendix

The book is primarily intended as a primary resource for medical research scholars and researchers in pharmaceutical companies and as a secondary resource for B.A.M.S. students, medical postgraduate students, and Ayurveda enthusiasts.

Developing an effective program requires a sound administrative system and a supportive educational culture including the support of program handbooks, a Master’s project (Capstone), practicum, and skill development seminars. Experiential Teaching for Public Health Practice describes the underlying PBL and community framework for a teaching program along with a description of the competencies needed to meet workplace demands and educational accreditation requirements. It has been developed by members of University of Washington’s Community-Oriented Public Health Practice program (COPHP) curriculum. This curriculum mirrors core programmatic areas of population health, community development, quantitative research methods, environmental health, health behavior and health promotion, evaluation, policy, and management and leadership.

Key features include:

- Structured template outlining the basics of PBL programs

- Case examples given in each curricular area

- Detailed appendices with sample cases and links to original source documents

- A focus on principles of racial equality

This book is designed to give the reader hands-on help in designing and improving educational programs. It is suitable for all higher education administrators and faculty looking to improve the teaching and learning effectiveness of any academic program.

This book offers in-depth reviews of different techniques and novel approaches of using blockchain and artificial intelligence in smart healthcare services. The volume brings 14 reviews and research articles written by academicians, researchers and industry professionals to give readers a current perspective of smart healthcare solutions for medical and public health services.

The book starts with examples of how blockchain can be applied in healthcare services such as the care of osteoporosis patients and security. Several chapters review AI models for disease detection including breast cancer, colon cancer and anemia. The authors have included model design and parameters for the benefit of professionals who want to implement specific algorithms. Furthermore, the book also includes chapters on IoT frameworks for smart healthcare systems, giving readers a primer on how to utilize the technology in this sector. Additional use cases for machine learning for gesture learning. COVID-19 management, and sentiment analysis.

Exterior calculus is a branch of mathematics which involves differential geometry. In Exterior calculus the concept of differentiations is generalized to antisymmetric exterior derivatives and the notions of ordinary integration to differentiable manifolds of arbitrary dimensions. It therefore generalizes the fundamental theorem of calculus to Stokes' theorem.

This textbook covers the fundamental requirements of exterior calculus in curricula for college students in mathematics and engineering programs. Chapters start from Heaviside-Gibbs algebra, and progress to different concepts in Grassman algebra. The final section of the book covers applications of exterior calculus with solutions.

Readers will find a concise and clear study of vector calculus and differential geometry, along with several examples and exercises. The solutions to the exercises are also included at the end of the book.

This is an ideal book for students with a basic background in mathematics who wish to learn about exterior calculus as part of their college curriculum and equip themselves with the knowledge to apply relevant theoretical concepts in practical situations.

A smart city uses technology to provide services and solve problems to improve urban policy efficiency, reduce waste, improve quality of life, and maximize social inclusion. By 2050, 66% of the world's population is expected to be urban, which is a key driver of a global trend toward the creation of smart cities. This trend creates many opportunities for urban planning committees to learn how to design, modernize, and operate smart cities intelligently and effectively.

Facets of a Smart City: Computational and Experimental Techniques for Sustainable Urban Development is a collection of topics that are relevant to the design of a smart city. This book aims to complement technical journal articles that require advanced knowledge of the subject of smart cities and applications for readers. It aims to bridge knowledge gaps in sustainable urban design by providing background information via case studies to facilitate students, recent graduates and new practitioners in urban design and planning.

Key Features:

- This book features 9 chapters that cover 6 major domains, which include (i) information modelling, (ii) internet of things, (iii) intelligent transportation systems, (iv) water supply, (v) waste management and (vi) sustainable environment

- Computational techniques are included in the book. These include artificial neural networks, stochastic models, particle swarm optimization, machine learning, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy Inference systems.

- Goals of case studies presented in this book use computational techniques to offer readers examples of supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning strategies in the context of smart city applications

- References are provided for further reading

Fatigue Analysis on Moving Bodies explores dynamic structural analysis of mechanical systems under transient conditions. It bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, offering a comprehensive guide for engineers and students alike. Beginning with fundamental concepts in Chapters 1-3, the book progresses to advanced topics such as finite element methods and fatigue failure analysis (Chapters 4-7). It culminates in Chapter 8 with detailed analyses applicable to real-world scenarios like gear trains and vehicle suspensions.

Key Features:

- Comprehensive coverage of mechanical systems under transient loads

- Mathematical derivations using Lagrange's equations and energy formulations

- Application of finite element methods in dynamic analysis

- In-depth exploration of fatigue failure mechanisms and analysis techniques

Federated Learning Based Intelligent Systems to Handle Issues and Challenges in IoVs (Part 1) examines how federated learning can address key challenges within the Internet of Vehicles, from data security to routing efficiency. This volume explores how federated learning, a decentralized approach to machine learning, enables secure and adaptive IoV systems that enhance road safety, optimize traffic flow, and support reliable data sharing.

Chapters cover essential topics, including technologies to address IoV routing issues, secure data exchange using blockchain, privacy-preserving methods, and NLP applications for vehicle safety. By combining theoretical insights with practical solutions, the book highlights how federated learning fosters scalable, resilient IoV systems that respond dynamically to the demands of connected vehicles.

Key Features:

- Addresses data privacy, secure communication, and adaptive solutions in IoV

- Explores federated learning applications in real-time IoV systems

- Combines practical examples with theoretical foundations in IoV technology

- Includes emerging research areas in IoV federated learning frameworks

Female Arousal and Orgasm: Anatomy, Physiology, Behaviour and Evolution is the first comprehensive and accessible work on all aspects of human female sexual desire, arousal and orgasm. The book attempts to answer basic questions about the female orgasm and questions contradictory information on the topic. The book starts with a summary of important early research on human sex before providing detailed descriptions of female sexual anatomy, histology and neuromuscular biology. It concludes with a discussion of the high heritability of female orgasmicity and evidence for and against female orgasm providing an evolutionary advantage.

The author has attempted to gather as much information on the subject as possible, including medical images, anonymized survey data and previously unreported trends. The groundbreaking book gives a scientific perspective on sexual arousal in women, and helps to uncover information gaps about this fascinating yet complex phenomenon.

This e-book presents an overview of field propulsion systems for the use of space travel and interstellar travel. Such systems include warp drive, space drive and gravity-control schemes, and are propelled receiving the propulsive force derived from an interaction of the spacecraft with external fields. Spacecraft is propelled against space-time structure. This cannot be achieved by the conventional methods like chemical propulsion and electric propulsion. The e-book should be a valuable source of information for researchers interested in spaceflight and propulsion physics.

This book presents a review of the transformative impact of fintech and blockchain technologies on the financial industry. The book aims to bridge the gap between technical jargon and practical understanding, making it accessible to a wide audience. It begins by introducing fundamental concepts and tracing the evolution of these technologies. Subsequent chapters explore specific applications such as digital payments, lending, and investment management. The final sections address regulatory challenges, security concerns, and the future outlook for fintech and blockchain.

Key features of the book include a I) clear and concise explanation of complex technical concepts, making them understandable for both industry professionals and general readers, ii) real-world case studies and examples to illustrate the practical applications of fintech and blockchain, iii) insights into the regulatory environment and potential risks associated with these technologies and iv) a forward-looking perspective on the future of finance,

Readers will understand the intricacies of blockchain, including its underlying technology, smart contracts, and potential use cases in the financial sector. It also helps readers to anticipate industry trends.

This is the second volume of the book series featuring empirical research conducted on business decision making policies of oligopolistic organizations. This volume brings together 11 chapters that cover economic and mathematical models to illustrate strategic decision making among different organizations. Topics covered in this volume include, the theory of firm behavior, the Bertrand model of an incumbent and a potential industrial entrant, strategic interactions in vertically related industries, financial losses of enterprises caused by breaks of information security systems and the association of certain funding choices with efficiency in small medium enterprises. Thus the volume encompasses a fresh collection of works on firm behavior and industrial economics.

Experimental research using spermatozoa, a highly specialized cell with organelles involved in gene transfer, energy supply and cellular motility, has always occupied the forefront of studies in cell and reproductive biology. Several spermatological experiments have focused on the attraction of a spermatozoon toward the egg – sperm chemotaxis or sperm guidance. This process ubiquitously occurs in the reproductive system of many organisms. After its discovery in the late 19th century in plants, sperm chemotaxis is known to play a crucial role in fertilization success in both plants and animals. Spermatology has expanded in focus in recent years, as the structure of molecules relevant to sperm chemotaxis has been recently determined in several species of invertebrates and vertebrates, which promises remarkable progress for understanding events relevant to sexual reproduction. Reflecting upon these trends in the long history of sperm chemotaxis, Flagellar Mechanics and Sperm Guidance gathers leaders in the field of spermatology, who have presented their experimental research on the chemical cues behind flagellate behavior in a variety of organisms including bikonts and spermatozoa of marine invertebrates and vertebrates (fish, amphibians and mammals). Reviews presented in this monograph provide both basic and detailed information on the initiation and activation of sperm motility at spawning, sperm thermotaxis, and other mechanics such as mathematical models of a spermatozoon swimming. A comparison between features of sperm chemotaxis among different organisms is also given.

Flagellar Mechanics and Sperm Guidance will stir interest in spermatology research among a broad variety of readers including researchers, Ph.D. students studying reproductive biology and teachers involved in advanced biology courses.

Floods are devastating natural disasters with a significant impact on human life and the surrounding environent. Flood Risk Assessment and Management should serve as an Ideal textbook on analytical flood risk assessment and management, and is intended for lecturers, undergraduates and postgraduates in civil engineering, geography, environmental science, earth sciences, and related disciplines. This book is based on the lecture notes taught at the University of Bristol to students undertaking a Masters course in civil engineering. All chapters are supplemented with challenging questions, answers and solutions.

INTRODUCTION

This reference is a detailed guide to the world of food additives commonly used in the food processing and manufacturing industry. Edited by experts in the field, invited scholars enrich the book with relevant chapter contributions. Chapters provide readers with knowledge on a broad range of food additives (anti-browning agents, essential oils, flavour enhancers, preservatives, stabilizers, sweeteners, among others), their safe use and a summary of their effects on human health.

Key Features:

- Covers a wide range of natural and synthetic food additives

- Covers health related topics relevant to food additives

- Chapters are organized into specific, easy-to-read topics

- Provides bibliographic references for further reading

This book serves a valuable instrument for a broad spectrum of readers: researchers, health professionals, students, food science enthusiasts, and working professionals in industry and government regulatory agencies interested in the science of food additives.

This concise yet comprehensive book provides conceptual knowledge about forensic odontology in medical, dental, allied and litigation purposes.

Written by authors that are highly knowledgeable, experienced and well-established in the field, this handbook lucidly explains basic and advanced components of dental forensics, beginning with anatomical attributes of the tooth, age assessment, dental anomalies and moving ahead to DNA fingerprinting from dental pulp, disaster victim identification from dentures, bite marks and oral autobiography which is a pragmatic approach in identification.

Key features:

- Gives an insight into basic and advanced aspects necessary to become an expert practitioner in forensic dentistry with a focus on how to provide apt evidence and explanations

- Brings out remedial measures for challenges in disaster victim identification which can prove to be very helpful in crisis management

- Provides references for further reading

This book is intended as a handbook for readers who require a basic exposure to forensic dentistry. It will benefit learners and working professionals in forensic medicine, clinical settings, legal review, litigation, disaster management and allied roles involved in the criminal justice system.