Bentham Science Publishers

Since the first description by John Scott Russel in 1834, the solitary wave phenomenon has attracted considerable interests from scientists. The most interesting discovery since then has been the ability to integrate most of the nonlinear wave equations which govern solitary waves, from the Korteweg-de Vries equation to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, in the 1960's. From that moment, a huge amount of theoretical works can be found on solitary waves. Due to the fact that many physical phenomena can be described by a soliton model, applications have followed each other, in telecommunications first, where the propagation of solitons in fiber optics helps in increasing transmission capacity, thanks to their inherent stability, which make long-distance transmission possible without the use of repeaters.

The aim of this book is to present a state of the art theoretical study of solitary waves. Prominent actual works on solitary waves are described.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection represents one of the biggest challenges of current years. However, scientists and physicians still do not have an efficient therapy for preventing or eradicating the virus. The selection of drug-resistant strains as well as side-effects, represent common problems encountered in all anti-viral therapies. However, it has been clearly demonstrated that the potency of early immune responses profoundly regulates levels of HIV, and hence also the generation of virus mutants as well as the velocity of disease progression to AIDS.

A prominent feature of this e-book is the focus on interaction between innate immunity and HIV infection. This topic has been investigated by many authors from the late 80's, and many soluble factors responsible for such activity have been discovered, such as suPAR and HMGB1. At present, these two novel factors are the subject of very intense research on HIV infections.

A key advantage of this e-book is the selection of authors, recognized worldwide as leading experts in their field. Because of the comprehensive coverage, as well as the eminence of the authors, this e-book provides a detailed and high quality description about the role of innate immune responses regulating HIV replication. It should prove to be a useful resource for readers interested in immunology and HIV research.

Lately there is an increasing interest in partial difference equations demonstrated by the enormous amount of research papers devoted to them. The initial reason for this increasing interest was the development of computers and the area of numerical analysis, where partial difference equations arise naturally when discretizing a partial differential equation. The aim of this e-book is to provide some recent advances in the field of partial difference equations. Applications of partial difference equations in numerical analysis and systems theory are also presented. This e-book will be of use to high level undergraduate students, graduate students and researchers working in the area of partial difference equations.

Spatial Ecology elucidates processes and mechanisms which structure dynamics of real world systems; these include lakes, ponds, forests and rivers. Readers are introduced to contemporary models in ecological literature based on the author's research experience. The e-book starts by presenting an introduction to basic mechanisms of ecological processes. This is followed by chapters explaining these processes responsible for generating observed spatial patterns in detail. The e-book concludes with a chapter on water quality management and its relevance to the spatial setting in a wetland area. This text in spatial ecology is a welcome resource for readers interested in models, methods and methodologies best suited for the study of advanced ecology courses and topics related to ecosystem structure, function and habitat fragmentation.

Spinal Surgery Biomechanics: Principles for Residents and Students provides a comprehensive overview of the biomechanical principles essential for understanding spinal surgery techniques. This book explores key topics, including pedicle screw anchorage, lumbar total disc replacement, interbody fusion techniques, and spinal surgery in osteoporotic patients. It also covers degenerative spondylolisthesis, interspinous devices, and spinal stability classification systems.

Written for students, residents, and researchers, this volume simplifies complex biomechanical concepts with clear explanations, clinical insights, and up-to-date research findings.

Key Features:

- Covers essential biomechanics relevant to spinal surgery procedures.

- Discusses surgical approaches, implant selection, and stability mechanisms.

- Examines spine surgery in osteoporotic and degenerative conditions.

- Explores motion-preserving and fusion-based spinal implants.

- Reviews classification systems for spinal trauma and instability.

Stability of Geotechnical Structures: Theoretical and Numerical Analysis is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and applications of soil mechanics in structural stability. Chapters explain different mathematical methods to calculate structural stability metrics. Topics covered in the book include upper and lower bound methods, kinematic methods, slip line methods, limit analysis, limit equilibrium, and element methods. Additionally, fundamental principles in plasticity formulation are discussed in sufficient details, and sample computer programs are included to aid the readers in learning the presented theoretical material. The book also features worked examples for easy understanding. Theoretical material in the book is based on actual research conducted by the authors, with additional literature reviews and discussions about important topics in geotechnical engineering.

Stability of Geotechnical Structures: Theoretical and Numerical Analysis is suitable for students undertaking advanced foundation or geotechnical engineering courses at undergraduate or postgraduate levels.

Frontiers in Civil Engineering brings scholarly references on all topics related to civil engineering to the fore. Each volume presents thematic information on theoretical frameworks and practical applications in the field, including (but not limited to) soil and rock mechanics, flood control, road and railway engineering, and the construction of large buildings, bridges and dams. The series aims to compile and present useful information in the form of handbooks and monographs for students involved in technical courses in addition to providing updated references for professional engineers about the latest trends in civil engineering.

Energy is vital to global prosperity, yet dependence on fossil fuels as our primary energy source contributes to global climate change, environmental degradation, and health problems. Hydrogen offers tremendous potential as a clean, renewable energy currency. It has the highest gravimetric energy density of any known fuel and is compatible with electrochemical and combustion processes for energy conversion without the carbon emissions. This e-book summarizes the current state of the art and progress in biohydrogen production. Biohydrogen has significant economical since biological processes are much less energy intensive compared with electrolysis and thermo-chemical processes. Topics covered in this reference include progress in hydrogen production by light-driven processes, dark fermentation, hydrogen production from waste materials, the role of molecular engineering for enhanced hydrogen production, and post-production processing such as hydrogen purification and storage.

Stem Cell Delivery Routes: From Preclinical Models to Clinical Applications covers current knowledge about stem cell delivery for cell-based therapeutics. Starting with an introduction to stem cell technology, the book provides information about the main mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) delivery routes and the cell carrier materials used for delivering the cells. The main delivery routes include the liver, the kidney and the ocular surface. This introductory information is followed up with general information about stem cell based therapeutics, covering relevant topics such as the secretome and optimal delivery strategies in cell-based therapeutics. The book then progresses into the topic of in vivo cell tracking methods in preclinical and clinical studies with specific emphasis on the liver, ocular surface and kidney while also covering factors that affect the residence time, viability, and homing of MSCs with respect to the targeted location. The discussions in these chapters are accompanied by key descriptions of MSC-based therapeutic applications in rodent models and human clinical studies. The advantages and bottlenecks in clinical MSC application, and ways to improve the therapeutic efficacy of transplanted cells are also presented, rounding up the contents of the book.

Key Features:

- A comprehensive summary of stem cell delivery for cell-based therapeutics, suitable for a broad range of readers

- 10 sequential chapters that enhance the reader’s understanding on the subject

- An Introduction to stem cell technology

- Coverage of 3 key stem cell transplantation routes (liver, kidney and eye)

- Coverage of in vivo stem cell tracking

- Inclusion of basic information about MSC delivery and methods of clinical applications

- Discussions about preclinical mouse models

- A perspective on stem cell bottlenecks and recent advances in biomedical engineering that enhance the clinical application of MSCs

The contents are adapted to suit readers learning about advanced stem cells therapies at all academic levels, including undergraduates, lecturers, as well as those who are curious to understand more about the importance of stem cells, and their application in cell-based therapeutics. Professionals involved in allied fields in clinical research, and biomedical engineering will also gain a substantial understanding about regenerative medicine and cell transplantation.

Experts in the field of cellular biology have shown that the reactivation of pluripotency inherent in all cells can allow us to reprogram cells into a specific cell line. This reprogramming paradigm is steadily enhancing our understanding of cell differentiation processes and cellular identity. Consequently, new prospects for cellular therapies of diseases and in vivo regeneration have risen.

Stem Cells Between Regeneration and Tumorigenesis focuses on organ specific molecular pathways that trigger two opposite ways that a stem cell can grow (regeneration and neoplasia). Chapters provide a balanced set of information about tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis in several tissues and biological systems (the nervous, circulatory, oral, skin, digestive and endocrine systems). Additional reviews of the immunological role in regulating the two stem cell growth processes and the role of genomics and proteomics in understanding these processes round up the contents of this monograph.

Readers of this book will gain the following key benefits:

-an insight into the complexity and controversy surrounding the established dual stem cell behavior paradigm (regeneration versus tumorigenesis)

-an understanding of the intricate cellular processes such as stem cells maintenance

-background knowledge of optimizing tailored therapy in personalized and regenerative medicine

Stem Cells Between Regeneration and Tumorigenesis is a useful resource for advanced graduates and researchers undertaking courses in molecular biology and personalized medicine, as well as interns involved in stem cell research programs.

Steroids are an important class of biomolecules with diverse roles and functions. Besides being important as structural and signaling molecules, these molecules hold promise against numerous disorders, including cardiovascular conditions, cancer, inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Many investigations have demonstrated that steroidal frameworks may provide lipid solubility, receptor selectivity or membrane binding properties to non-steroidal pharmacophores. However, the therapeutic use of steroids can be dangerous when they're used incorrectly. Additionally, misconceptions about steroids among athletes or recreational users can lead to steroid abuse and poor health outcomes. Steroids and their Medicinal Potential discusses the classification, distribution, biosynthesis, chemical synthesis and semi-synthesis of different steroids. The medicinal potential of each class is exhaustively discussed in different chapters. The latest advances and developments in steroid-based drug discovery are also discussed thoroughly. The book aims to address general questions and concerns about steroids, providing readers a useful resource on the subject. Key Features

-Provides comprehensive coverage on all aspects of steroids including steroid chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal potential, drug discovery and advances in target-binding interactions of steroid-based drugs

-Includes chapters dedicated to anabolic steroids and their abuse

-Designed as an accessible source of information for understanding steroidal drugs with structured chapters

-Includes references for advanced readers