Functions of the Proteoglycans

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.

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.

This book presents advances in the field of neuronal mitochondria – functions, relation to therapeutics, and pharmacology. For scientists and researchers in both industry and academia, this book provides detailed discussion, examples, and approaches, to illustrate the potential of mitochondria as therapeutic targets for neuronal diseases. • Helps readers understand the regulation of mitochondrial cellular processes, such as substrate metabolism, energy production, and programmed versus sporadic cell death • Offers insights on the development of strategies for targeted therapeutic approaches and potential personalized treatments • Includes examples of mitochondrial drugs, development, and mitochondria-targeted approaches for more efficient treatment methods and further developments in the field • Covers the model systems and approaches needed for the development of new drugs for the central nervous system to provide potential modern therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders

The growing flood of new experimental data generated by genome sequencing has provided an impetus for the development of automated methods for predicting the functions of proteins that have been deduced by sequence analysis and lack experimental characterization. Prediction of Protein Structures, Functions and Interactions presents a comprehensive overview of methods for prediction of protein structure or function, with the emphasis on their availability and possibilities for their combined use. Methods of modeling of individual proteins, prediction of their interactions, and docking of complexes are put in the context of predicting gene ontology (biological process, molecular function, and cellular component) and discussed in the light of their contribution to the emerging field of systems biology. Topics covered include: first steps of protein sequence analysis and structure prediction automated prediction of protein function from sequence template-based prediction of three-dimensional protein structures: fold-recognition and comparative modelling template-free prediction of three-dimensional protein structures quality assessment of protein models prediction of molecular interactions: from small ligands to large protein complexes macromolecular docking integrating prediction of structure, function, and interactions Prediction of Protein Structures, Functions and Interactions focuses on the methods that have performed well in CASPs, and which are constantly developed and maintained, and are freely available to academic researchers either as web servers or programs for local installation. It is an essential guide to the newest, best methods for prediction of protein structure and functions, for researchers and advanced students working in structural bioinformatics, protein chemistry, structural biology and drug discovery.

Over the last several years, immunologists have re-discovered the importance of regulatory lymphocytes, formerly termed 'suppressor cells'. Many recent reports have documented their existence, effector functions and potential therapeutic benefits in autoimmunity and transplantation. However, even though modern techniques have allowed us to get a much more detailed picture of these cells, they are still highly controversial. Several unresolved issues responsible for this dilemma are discussed in this book: it is difficult to grow and clone such cells, their phenotypes and effector functions are diverse and can sometimes easily be lost, and it is not well understood how they interact with antigen-presenting cells. This book contains contributions from leading investigators from around the world, including lively discussion of the current state of the art in studies of regulatory lymphocytes. Topics featured are the physiological control of autoimmunity, the role of antigen-specific cells in various diseases and disease models and effector mechanisms. Therapeutic applications are considered, particularly for type 1 diabetes, tissue transplantation and the control of viral infection. This important and groundbreaking book should be of interest to all immunologists. Related Novartis Foundation symposia: 254 Immunoinformatics: bioinformatic strategies for better understanding of immune function Chair: Hans-Georg Rammensee 256 Cancer and inflammation Chair: Siamon Gordon

This introductory book to the six volume series includes an introduction defining the critical zone for mankind that extends from tree canopy and the lower atmosphere to water table and unweathered rock. Soils play a crucial role through the functions and the services that they provide to mankind. The spatial and temporal variability of soils is represented by information systems whose importance, recent evolutions and increasingly performing applications in France and in the world must be underlined. The soil functions, discussed in this book, focus on the regulation of the water cycle, biophysicochemical cycles and the habitat role of biodiversity. The main services presented are those related to the provision of agricultural, fodder and forest products, energy, as well as materials and the role of soil as infrastructure support. They also include the different cultural dimensions of soils, their representations being often linked to myths and rites, as well as their values of environmental and archaeological records. Finally, the issue is raised of an off-ground world.

This book gives an introduction to the classical, well-known special functions which play a role in mathematical physics, especially in boundary value problems. Calculus and complex function theory form the basis of the book and numerous formulas are given. Particular attention is given to asymptomatic and numerical aspects of special functions, with numerous references to recent literature provided.

A value management framework designed specifically for banking and insurance The Value Management Handbook is a comprehensive, practical reference written specifically for bank and insurance valuation and value management. Spelling out how the finance and risk functions add value in their respective spheres, this book presents a framework for measuring – and more importantly, influencing – the value of the firm from the position of the CFO and CRO. Case studies illustrating value-enhancing initiatives are designed to help Heads of Strategy offer CEOs concrete ideas toward creating more value, and discussion of «hard» and «soft» skills put CFOs and CROs in a position to better influence strategy and operations. The challenge of financial services valuation is addressed in terms of the roles of risk and capital, and business-specific «value trees» demonstrate the source of successful value enhancement initiatives. While most value management resources fail to adequately address the unique role of risk and capital in banks, insurance, and asset management, this book fills the gap by providing concrete, business-specific information that connects management actions and value creation, helping readers to: Measure value accurately for more productive value-based management initiatives and evaluation of growth opportunities Apply a quantitative, risk-adjusted value management framework reconciled with the way financial services shares are valued by the market Develop a value set specific to the industry to inspire initiatives that increase the firm's value Study the quantitative and qualitative management frameworks that move CFOs and CROs from measurement to management The roles of CFO and CRO in financial firms have changed dramatically over the past decade, requiring business savvy and the ability to challenge the CEO. The Value Management Handbook provides the expert guidance that leads CFOs and CROs toward better information, better insight, and better decisions.

This brand new Annual Plant Reviews volume is the second edition of the highly successful and well-received Functions of Plant Secondary Metabolites and their Exploitation in Biotechnology (Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 3). This exciting new volume provides an up-to-date survey of the functions of plant secondary metabolites, their modes of action and their use in pharmacology as molecular probes, in medicine as therapeutic agents, and in agriculture as biorational pesticides. The possibilities to produce valuable natural products in plant cell and tissue culture and even in recombinant microorganisms are also reviewed. This carefully compiled new edition brings together chapters from some of the world’s leading experts in plant secondary metabolites. Completely revised and brought right up to date with much new information, this volume is an essential purchase for advanced students, researchers and professionals in biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, plant sciences, agriculture, medicine, pharmacology and pharmacy, working in the academic and industrial sectors, including those working in the pesticide and pharmaceutical industries. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where these subjects are studied and taught will need copies of this excellent volume on their shelves. A companion volume Annual Plant Reviews Volume 40, Biochemistryof Plant Secondary Metabolism, Second Edition, Edited by M. Wink, is also available.

Linear Circuit Transfer Functions: An introduction to Fast Analytical Techniques teaches readers how to determine transfer functions of linear passive and active circuits by applying Fast Analytical Circuits Techniques. Building on their existing knowledge of classical loop/nodal analysis, the book improves and expands their skills to unveil transfer functions in a swift and efficient manner. Starting with simple examples, the author explains step-by-step how expressing circuits time constants in different configurations leads to writing transfer functions in a compact and insightful way. By learning how to organize numerators and denominators in the fastest possible way, readers will speed-up analysis and predict the frequency response of simple to complex circuits. In some cases, they will be able to derive the final expression by inspection, without writing a line of algebra. Key features: Emphasizes analysis through employing time constant-based methods discussed in other text books but not widely used or explained. Develops current techniques on transfer functions, to fast analytical techniques leading to low-entropy transfer functions immediately exploitable for analysis purposes. Covers calculation techniques pertinent to different fields, electrical, electronics, signal processing etc. Describes how a technique is applied and demonstrates this through real design examples. All Mathcad® files used in examples and problems are freely available for download. An ideal reference for electronics or electrical engineering professionals as well as BSEE and MSEE students, this book will help teach them how to: become skilled in the art of determining transfer function by using less algebra and obtaining results in a more effectual way; gain insight into a circuit’s operation by understanding how time constants rule dynamic responses; apply Fast Analytical Techniques to simple and complicated circuits, passive or active and be more efficient at solving problems.