Forest Structure, Function and Dynamics in Western Amazonia

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

Plant anatomy and physiology and a broad understanding of basic plant processes are of primary importance to a basic understanding of plant science. These areas serve as the first important building blocks in a variety of fields of study, including botany, plant biology, and horticulture. Structure and Function of Plants will serve as a text aimed at undergraduates in the plant sciences that will provide an accurate overview of complex plant processes as well as details essential to a basic understanding of plant anatomy and physiology. Presented in an engaging style with full-color illustrations, Structure and Function of Plants will appeal to undergraduates, faculty, extension faculty, and members of Master Gardener programs.

Human Oral Mucosa: Development, Structure and Function is a new text that reflects the considerable increase in knowledge of oral mucosa that has occurred in recent years. Our understanding of the structure of oral mucosa is now established at a molecular rather than a tissue or cellular level. This in turn has revealed a level of function that was previously not suspected, including a sophisticated barrier to the penetration of exogenous materials, and the synthesis of specific antimicrobial compounds, representing components of the innate immune system. There is also a growing realization of commonality in structure and function between regions of oral mucosa and the mucosae of the esophagus and vagina. The aim of the present volume is to provide a more sophisticated text on human oral mucosa than presently exists in textbooks and to bring together information that is otherwise to be found in separate, specialist volumes into a comprehensive text. It relates structure at the molecular, cellular and tissue level to function and to clinical behavior. The volume is directed to advanced students and researchers in oral biology, as well as those in allied areas of investigation, such as dermatology, gynecology, internal medicine and pathology.

Presents an integrated view of the expression of bacterial genetic information, genome architecture and function, and bacterial physiology and pathogenesis This book blends information from the very latest research on bacterial chromosome and nucleoid architecture, whole-genome analysis, cell signaling, and gene expression control with well-known gene regulation paradigms from model organisms (including pathogens) to give readers a picture of how information flows from the environment to the gene, modulating its expression and influencing the competitive fitness of the microbe. Structure and Function of the Bacterial Genome explores the governance of the expression of the genes that make a bacterium what it is, and updates the basics of gene expression control with information about transcription promoter structure and function, the role of DNA as a regulatory factor (in addition to its role as a carrier of genetic information), small RNAs, RNAs that sense chemical signals, ribosomes and translation, posttranslational modification of proteins, and protein secretion. It looks at the forces driving the conservation and the evolution of the dynamic genome and offers chapters that cover DNA replication, DNA repair, plasmid biology, recombination, transposition, the roles of repetitive DNA sequences, horizontal gene transfer, the defense of the genome by CRISPR-Cas, restriction enzymes, Argonaute proteins and BREX systems. The book finishes with a chapter that gives an integrated overview of genome structure and function.  Blends knowledge of gene regulatory mechanisms with a consideration of nucleoid structure and dynamics Offers a 'DNA-centric' approach to considering transcription control Views horizontal gene transfer from a gene regulation perspective Assesses the opportunities and limitations of designing synthetic microbes or rewiring existing ones Structure and Function of the Bacterial Genome is an ideal book for graduate and undergraduate students studying microbial cell biology, bacterial pathogenesis, gene regulation, and molecular microbiology. It will also appeal to principal investigators conducting research on these and related topics and researchers in synthetic biology and other arms of biotechnology.

A complete guide to the role of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in new and emerging therapies With high-density lipoproteins (HDL) playing an increasing role in cardiovascular disease prevention, there is a growing need for an in-depth look at HDL and its clinical value. This book summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field, providing for the first time a comprehensive, systematic, stylistically coherent, and up-to-date review of the composition, structure, heterogeneity, metabolism, epidemiology, genetics, and function of HDL. Divided into three main parts, High-Density Lipoproteins first examines normal HDL particles, then describes defective HDL, and finally addresses the therapeutic normalization of subnormal levels and defective biological activities of this lipoprotein class. The book highlights the functional properties of HDL, which are relevant to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, and discusses the compositional and metabolic heterogeneity of HDL particles. Readers will come away with a clear understanding of the role of HDL in biological processes, the potential value of functional HDL as a therapeutic target, and how current and emerging therapies are poised to influence the treatment of heart disease in the future.

Covers the most advanced computational and experimental methods for studying carbon-centered radical intermediates With its focus on the chemistry of carbon-centered radicals and radical cations, this book helps readers fully exploit the synthetic utility of these intermediates in order to prepare fine chemicals and pharmaceutical products. Moreover, it helps readers better understand their role in complex atmospheric reactions and biological systems. Thoroughly up to date, the book highlights the most advanced computational and experimental methods available for studying and using these critically important intermediates. Carbon-Centered Free Radicals and Radical Cations begins with a short history of the field of free radical chemistry, and then covers: A discussion of the relevant theory Mechanistic chemistry, with an emphasis on synthetic utility Molecular structure and mechanism, focusing on computational methods Spectroscopic investigations of radical structure and kinetics, including demonstrations of spin chemistry techniques such as CIDNP and magnetic field effects Free radical chemistry in macromolecules Each chapter, written by one or more leading experts, explains difficult concepts clearly and concisely, with references to facilitate further investigation of individual topics. The authors were selected in order to provide insight into a broad range of topics, including small molecule synthesis, polymer degradation, computational chemistry as well as highly detailed experimental work in the solid, liquid, and gaseous states. This volume is essential for students or researchers interested in building their understanding of the role of carbon-centered radical intermediates in complex systems and how they may be used to develop a broad range of useful products.

The transposable genetic elements, or transposons, as they are now known, have had a tumultuous history. Discovered in the mid-20th century by Barbara McClintock, they were initially received with puzzlement. When their genomic abundance began to be apparent, they were categorized as «junk DNA» and acquired the label of parasites. Expanding understanding of gene and genome organization has revealed the profound extent of their impact on both. Plant Transposons and Genome Dynamics in Evolution captures and distills the voluminous research literature on plant transposable elements and seeks to assemble the big picture of how transposons shape gene structure and regulation, as well as how they sculpt genomes in evolution. Individual chapters provide concise overviews of the many flavors of plant transposons and of their roles in gene creation, gene regulation, development, genome evolution, and organismal speciation, as well as of their epigenetic regulation. This volume is essential reading for anyone working in plant genetics, epigenetics, or evolutionary biology.

This timely book presents new research results on high-energy particle physics related to solar flares, covering the theory and applications of the reconnection process in a clear and comprehensible way. It investigates particle kinetics and dynamics in flaring atmospheres and their diagnostics from spectral observations, while providing an analysis of the observation data and techniques and comparing various models. Written by an internationally acclaimed expert, this is vital reading for all solar, astro-, and plasma physicists working in the field.

Diet and exercise have long been recognized as important components of a healthy lifestyle, as they have a great impact on improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular functions, lowering the risk of metabolic disorders, and contributing to healthy aging. As a greater proportion of the world’s population is living longer, there has been increased interest in understanding the role of nutrition and exercise in long-term neurological health and cognitive function. Diet and Exercise in Cognitive Function and Neurological Diseases discusses the role and impact that nutrition and activity have on cognitive function and neurological health. The book is divided into two sections. The first section focuses on diet and its impact on neurobiological processes. Chapters focus on the impacts of specific diets, such as the Mediterranean, ketogenic and vegan diets, as well as the role of specific nutrients, fats, fatty acids, and calorie restriction on neurological health and cognitive function. The second section of the book focuses on exercise, and its role in maintaining cognitive function, reducing neuroinflammatory responses, regulating adult neurogenesis, and healthy brain aging. Other chapters look at the impact of exercise in the management of specific neurological disorders such Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. Diet and Exercise in Cognitive Function and Neurological Diseases is a timely reference on the neurobiological interplay between diet and exercise on long-term brain health and cognitive function.

This book discusses voltage-gated ion channels and their importance in drug discovery and development. The book includes reviews of the channel genome, the physiological bases of targeting ion channels in disease, the unique technologies developed for ion channel drug discovery, and the increasingly important role of ion channel screening in cardiac risk assessment. It provides an important reference for research scientists and drug discovery companies.