Bentham Science Publishers

This anthology of articles on causal inference and scientific paradigms in epidemiology covers several important topics including the search for causal explanations, the strengths and limitations of causal criteria, quantitative approaches for assessing causal relationships that are relevant to epidemiology and emerging paradigms in epidemiologic research. In order to provide historical context, an overview of philosophical and historical developments relevant to causal inference in epidemiology and public health is also provided. Several theoretical and applied aspects of causal inference are dealt with. The aim of this Ebook is not only to summarize important developments in causal inference in epidemiology but also to identify possible ways to enhance the search for causal explanations for diseases and injuries. Examples are provided from such fields as chronic disease epidemiology, Veterans health, and environmental epidemiology. A particular goal of the Ebook is to provide ideas for strengthening causal inference in epidemiology in the context of refined research paradigms. These topics are important because the results of epidemiologic studies contribute to generalizable knowledge by clarifying the causes of diseases, by combining epidemiologic data with information from other disciplines (for example, psychology and industrial hygiene), by evaluating the consistency of epidemiologic data with etiological hypotheses about causation, and by providing the basis for evaluating procedures for health promotion and prevention and public health practices.

Over the past several decades the incidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased dramatically. The etiology of ASD remains an unsolved puzzle to scientists, physicians, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and pharmacologists. Our E-book will address what is presently known concerning the pathophysiology of ASD from a cellular and molecular perspective. Our explanation is based on the interaction between repetitive systemic immune stimulation with concomitant chronic brain activation of microglia, which leads to overstimulation of glutamate receptors and inflammatory cytokine receptors. Our E-book will explain, for the first time, the effects of immunoexcitotoxicity on the brain development, neurophysiology, and pathology. Our book will not only attempt to explain the finding in ASD, but will offer treatment proposals that address each of these mechanisms. It will also explain how previous, often successful treatment methods, may indeed operate through the immunoexcitotoxic mechanism.

Cerium is the most abundant metal of rare-earth elements. It can be used to make materials such as phosphors and alloys, that have applications in various applied fields (like electronics, magnetics and heterogeneous catalysis) and devices (like catalytic converters and gas mantles). Cerium-Based Materials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications presents detailed knowledge about cerium materials. Starting with the history of cerium-based materials, it gives an introduction to the synthesis of chemicals like cerium oxides and composites. This is followed by information about characterization of cerium nanoparticles and industrial applications of cerium-based materials, with a focus on catalysis, biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical chemistry. This book is an essential reference for researchers and chemical engineers who want a summary of cerium materials and its applications.

Ever since some stars were found to pulsate in the early 20th century, stellar pulsation has been a major topic in astronomy and astrophysics. The huge amount of data recently available from observational surveys, new discoveries from space missions and studies of pulsating stars in low-metallicity environments have opened new perspectives and challenges. Nevertheless, progress in finding the holy grail of stellar pulsation – the use of pulsation to study stellar interiors (asteroseismology) – has been slow. The realization that a problem exists with the current stellar opacities is a major setback. CURRENT CHALLENGES IN STELLAR PULSATION describes the search for solutions to these problems over the last few years. It summarizes recent research in all fields of stellar pulsation, providing valuable guidelines to both students and researchers in the field.

Age-related degeneration may be reduced or even eliminated, by positively challenging the human being, physically or cognitively, to up-regulate somatic repair functions. Exposure to meaningful information and a challenging environment act as hormetic stressors which, in the context of an increasingly technological setting, may invoke evolutionary mechanisms that lead to a persistent maintenance of homeostasis. Thus, there is a strong link between environmental factors and ongoing health, leading to an individual’s ability to continually adapt to age related challenges.

Challenging Ageing: The Anti-senescence Effects of Hormesis, Environmental Enrichment, and Information Exposure explains the role of hormesis in anti-aging processes followed by information on vitagenes, epigenetics, environmental enrichment and germlines. The monograph also brings newer concepts and theories to the fore, such as ‘environmental enrichment’ and ‘technoculture.’ Medical professionals and general readers, alike, will gain a a new perspective on the processes that counter aging processes in the human being.

This research book compiles concise reviews on business trends that drive innovation and competitive advantages. The book includes 15 referenced chapters covering topics in advertising, agriculture, digital marketing, human resource management, healthcare and sustainability. Chapters focus on the use of disruptive technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things that harness the power of big data and visualizations to provide a framework for insightful analytics. Readers will be able to understand the practical applications and implications of these technologies so that they can apply them to their businesses. Special topics of interest are highlighted, including industry 4.0, women empowerment for industry 5.0, sustainability models for achieving UN SDG 9, over the top media platforms, and more.

This interdisciplinary reference work presents a linked consideration, to the reader, of physical-

cultural (physicocultural) representations of headstones located in urban churchyards in England and Scotland. The geomorphology of landscapes relevant to these locations is explained with the help of detailed case studies from Oxford and Edinburgh. The integrated physicocultural approach addresses the conservation of the archaeological record and presents a cross-temporal perspective of landscape change – of the headstones as landforms in their landscape (as part of deathscapes). The physical record (of headstones) is examined in the context of both cultural representation and change. In this way, an integrated approach is employed that connects the physical (natural) and cultural (social) records kept by historians and archeologists over the years.

Changing Landscapes in Urban British Churchyards is of interest to geomorphologists, historians and scholars interested in understanding landscaping studies and cultural nuance of specific historical urban sites in England and Scotland.

Chemical Fingerprints of Medicinal Plant- HPTLC Profiling gives an overview of the use of high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) for profiling medicinal herbs. Starting with an introduction to HPTLC the book guides the reader through HPTLC instrumentation and laboratory application. Additional notes on the stationary HPTLC phases and hyphenating HTPLC with other analytical techniques are also provided. The book concludes with an exhaustive list of HPTLC fingerprints of many herbs that can be used in medicinal preparations. The book outlines a scientific approach to the identification and selection of herbs for preparing traditional medications. By reading this book, learners will be able to 1) understand the basics of HPTLC, 2) learn how to use the instruments for lab analysis and 3) quickly identify chemical fingerprints of important medicinal herbs.

Key Features

- A concise overview of HPTLC and associated techniques

- A Step-by-step guide to performing HPTLC analysis

- Full color illustrations

- An exhaustive list of HPTLC fingerprints for 108 medicinal plants, with botanical names

- An appendix of TLC solvent systems and reagents for different phytochemical compounds and secondary metabolites

- Simple language for easy understanding

- Detailed bibliography

Chemical Fingerprints of Medicinal Plant- HPTLC Profiling is an essential handbook for scholars in analytical chemistry, plant science and traditional medicine who want to understand the application of HPTLC techniques for research and development in phytomedicine.

Since the Tokyo Sarin Subway Attack, the threat of chemical warfare agents has migrated from the battlefield to become a major concern for homeland security in the 21th century. While current fielded antidotes are able to mitigate acute high mortality arising from exposure to nerve agents, achieving effective neuroprotection in subjects with nerve agent induced prolonged seizures or status epilepticus is currently lacking. To overcome this challenge, establishing an improved understanding on the mechanism linking seizure onset during chemical (including nerve agents) poisoning to the subsequent cascade of biochemical, neurotoxicological, pathophysiological, genomic and behavioral changes post exposure is vital. Due to ethical, safety and chemical surety related issues, looking for surrogate chemicals has also become important for chemical defense research. In this book, internationally well-known clinicians and basic research scientists with expertise on chemical-induced seizures will update readers on the relevant areas. Doctors (civil and military), paramedics and medical students will find this book informative and timely for the current battle against asymmetric terrorist conflicts.

This eBook presents a comprehensive review on the chemical composition of natural products derived from honeybee farming. These products include honey, pollen and propolis. Each chapter details specific products and the contents are complemented with an explanation of distinct analytical techniques for studying these products. Readers will also find a summary of current information about biological properties and applications of honey, pollen and propolis, which contribute to added value to these bee and plant-derived products. The eBook is a handy reference for students, researchers and laymen studying the biochemical aspects of apiculture.