Bentham Science Publishers

Photographs Across Time: Studies in Urban Landscapes presents a record of urban environments in Britain, including Oxford, York, Scarborough, Dunbar, Edinburgh, and Inverness. It is a unique demonstration of how digital photography bridges urban landscape studies with archaeology and heritage studies. The book revisits several landscape and weathering studies in churchyards throughout England and Scotland in the UK. The book explains cross temporal and archival applications of digital photography and explores the archaeological use of photographs. Readers can also learn about issues related to creating and maintaining digital records as well as issues relevant to heritage sustainability. Researchers, landscape experts and professional photographers as well archivists will find Photographs Across Time as a handy reference for quantitative geomorphological studies on English heritage sites and the qualitative realm of historical archaeology.

In this book, scientists present the latest trends and research in the broad field of photonics and photonic materials applications. The 14 chapters are categorized into tracks that give a snapshot of the field including basic sciences (photonics, plasmonics, advanced optics, nanophotonics) and applications (renewable energy, fiber-optics, lasers and smart materials). The book starts with a summary of recent developments in photonic crystal (PC) applications. This introduction is followed by chapters that present design concepts and investigations of PC devices such as: - All-optical XOR gates using 2D photonic crystals - One-dimensional PCs containing germanium (Ge). - Graphene surface plasmonics - Nanophotonics and fiber-optic lasers - Chalcogenides - Bragg Fibers and more The broad range of topics make this an informative source on current and exciting photonics research, and the variety of photonic materials. It serves as a reference for graduate scholars (in physics and materials science) and allied researchers who have a keen interest in photonics.

Physical inactivity is not only an individual's personal problem but is identified as a serious public health issue. Prolonged inactivity that occurs among many elderly persons tends to lead into a gradual decrease in all components of physical fitness, thus compromising their quality of life.

Scientific research has shown that physical exercise can slow down both the psychological and physical aging clock. Engagement in health promoting behavior in the domains of physical activity, healthy dietary practice and stress management are considered useful strategies to enhance functional capacity among elderly people. These practices delay the onset of chronic diseases, minimize negative psychological effects and improve social networks and the quality of life, particularly for the elderly.

This Ebook goes a long way in promoting healthy values by providing people with information and tools to help meet the challenges of promoting physical activity for older adults in this dynamic 21st century we live in.

Physics Education for Students: An Interdisciplinary Approach is a compilation of reviews that highlight new approaches and trends in teaching and learning specific topics on physics to high school and university students. The reviews cover different areas of physics education (laboratory activities, mathematics, philosophy and history) and the ways that learning outcomes can be improved. These distinguished areas can generate complexities and difficulties for students in learning some concepts since the same topics are often presented while following approaches that do not highlight the existing correlations among the involved disciplines. The reviewers discuss an integrated framework for readers with the objective to promote the inclusion of specific laboratory activities and mathematics contents for physics courses addressed to university students, with evidence of the importance of combining a historical and philosophical approach as well. Specific topics in this book include the benefits of active learning in physics education, dialogic best practices in science education, research-based proposals on optical spectroscopy in secondary schools, didactic principles and e-learning in physics and expansive framing in physics laboratories.

Physics Education for Students: An Interdisciplinary Approach, with its selection of expert reviews is an interesting read for academics and researchers involved in STEM education, at the school or college level.

The book is dedicated to the history and current status of physiologic autoimmunity concept and relation between autoimmunity and autoallergy in the context of disease prevention and prediction. The immune system is a natural component, regulator and direct participant in the physiological activities in a healthy body. The main forms of physiological activity of the immune system are based on the intrinsic abilities of self-identification, self-maintenance, self-regulation, and self-reparation — that is recognizing components of the “self", i.e. natural autoimmunity. The most ancient and homeostatically important functions of natural autoimmunity are autoclearance as well as construction and support of multicellularity. A considerable number of immune functions, including those related to antimicrobial defense, derive from these basic ones. Various pathological processes in any organ are usually accompanied by different patterns of cell death and, thus, by increased exposure and presentation of self antigens. These events induce the secondary rise in production of autoantibodies with appropriate specificity (opsonines), which provides augmentation of clearance by facilitating the efficacy of macrophage-dependent consumption of debris in the aff ected organ. This phenomenon is sanogenic in nature and adaptive in essence. Therefore, secondary changes in production and serum content of autoantibodies can be considered the universal and earliest detectable marker of any chronic disease. In relation to experimental production and clinical reveal of antibodies towards nuclear antigens, penetrating into living cell nuclei and altering nuclear acid synthesis, cell proliferation and function, autoantibodies can be regarded as hormone-like bioregulators of gene expression. Apparently, immune system is able to reproduce complementary regulators for various cell receptors, including nuclear ones.

Book is unique, it is a single monograph comprehensively including history and current status of natural autoimmunity problem. It describes a fundamental concept essencial for every branch of Medicine and Pathology. The concept described has broad practical application for Health Care, because it establishes effective method of early prediction for many different diseases, creates a basis for prophylaxis. Reader has a chance to get rid of old dogmas and acquire new instrument for fruitful theoretical reasoning, research planning and predictive/preventive practical medical work.

This book explores the complex interactions between plants and parasitic nematodes, with a particular focus on the natural chemical defenses plants deploy against these agricultural pests. As nematode infestations continue to cause major crop losses globally, this book addresses the urgent need for sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides.

The book comprises eight in-depth chapters, examining the biochemical and physiological roles of phytochemicals in plant defense, their biosynthesis, modes of action, and the influence of environmental conditions on their efficacy. It also assesses current challenges related to the application of these natural compounds in practical nematode control strategies. Drawing from advances in plant biology, molecular science, and agronomy, the book offers a consolidated view of recent developments in the field.

Key features:

Analyzes plant-nematode interaction dynamics

Details classes and mechanisms of defense-related phytochemicals

Explores biosynthetic pathways and environmental influences

Examines potential for biopesticide development and integrated management

Highlights research gaps and future directions.

Phytogenic and Phytochemical as Alternative Feed Additives for Animal Production explores the use of plant-derived compounds as innovative feed additives to enhance animal health and productivity. With growing concerns over antibiotic resistance and the ban on antibiotics as growth promoters, this book highlights phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) such as essential oils, flavonoids, and saponins as sustainable and effective alternatives.

The book covers various PFAs, including thyme, turmeric, milk thistle, rosemary, bee pollen, and propolis, and their roles in improving growth rates, gut health, immunity, and product quality while mitigating environmental and health risks. The book also provides practical insights for the livestock industry and food sectors to enhance animal well-being and food safety.

Key Features:

- Reviews the latest research on natural PFAs.

- Highlights their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and growth-promoting properties.

- Provides practical applications for sustainable livestock production.

Phytotherapy in the Management of Diabetes and Hypertension is a good addition to existing volumes detailing knowledge of hyperglycemia therapy. This e-book emphasizes the basic biochemistry behind diabetes mellitus and hypertension, along with the control or remediation of these conditions through a cost effective, safe, easy-going, easy-adaptable method validated by scientific research. This e-book contains 7 chapters dealing with various aspects of these diseases and their Phytotherapy treatment and life style management. Phytotherapy can give patients long term benefits with less or no side effects. Hence, this e-book is an authentic alternative or complementary therapeutic compendium to physicians and patients. This book will also be useful to students, teachers, researchers, clinicians and general readers interested in learning about applied phytotherapy.

Plant Physiology: From Historical Roots to Future Frontiers provides an in-depth exploration of the principles and advancements in plant physiology. Spanning eleven comprehensive chapters, the book traces the field`s historical evolution and covers modern applications such as stress physiology, growth regulators, genomics-proteomics, and bioinformatics. It highlights the integration of cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR-Cas and artificial intelligence, offering insights into their transformative potential in plant science.

Written for a scholarly audience, this book bridges traditional plant physiology with future-oriented innovations, providing a molecular and cellular perspective on growth, metabolism, and physiological processes. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding current challenges and emerging solutions in plant physiology.

Key Features:

- Coverage from historical foundations to advanced research topics.

- Focus on molecular mechanisms and quantitative approaches.

- Discussion of transformative technologies, including CRISPR-Cas and AI.

- Insights into secondary metabolites, stress metabolism, and bioinformatics.