Banana farming is the basis for commercial fruit trading. Every banana plant generates waste biomass nearly ten times the quantity of its fruits. Disposal of waste biomass is a burden for the farmers. Economical use of the waste biomass can bring financial benefit to banana farmers. Use of organic potash in lieu of inorganic potash affords higher yield and also helps to preserve the ecosphere of soil for subsequent crops. Agricultural Benefits of Postharvest Banana Plants details the use of postharvest banana plants for agriculture and trade. Eleven chapters explain both traditional and modern uses of banana plants. The reader is informed how bio-waste from postharvest banana plants (including their stems) can be used as organic potash to replace inorganic potash (muriate of potash) in fertilizer. Experimental uses of banana plant pseudo-stem juice for growing different crops along with chemical analysis of the pseudo-stems are explained in separate chapters. Isolations of potassium chloride and potassium carbonate have also been discussed in the latter part of the book. This book is an ideal handbook for professionals and trainees interested in utilizing postharvest banana plants for sustainable agriculture and trade. The information is also useful for students and teachers involved in agricultural biotechnology and traditional agriculture courses.

While oceans are vast, they represent a fragile resource that must be protected if we want to protect our livelihoods and our planet. Marine pollution has been a topic of concern for a long time, and it has recently attracted the attention of scientists, environmentalists, economists, politicians and journalists in mainstream media. <p></p> Besides providing food, transportation routes and other resources, the oceans serve as a heat absorbing sink which offsets the extreme heating effects of climate change, but only to a limited degree. Pollution in marine environments such as the oceans, poses a threat to coastal communities by affecting the fauna and flora in the environment and the health of the nearby population. This has a disruptive effect on the health and economy of these communities. <p></p> Marine Pollution: Current Status, Impacts and Remedies emphasizes the limitations of marine resources that relevant environments provide. Readers will find chapters on methods to assess pollution as well as important information for identifying, measuring, and remediating various pollutants. The book also covers some known pollutants (heavy metals, organic pollutants, microplastics) and ways to manage these substances. Other issues covered in the book include problems caused by invasive species, and the ecological problems caused by pollutants which affect local fauna and flora. <p></p> This book will prove to be a useful resource for students, researchers, and policymakers, who are working in environmental science, marine conservation and allied fields. <p></p> <p></p> [Series Intro] <p></p> Marine Ecology: Current and Future Developments brings forth contemporary issues in the study of marine environments. The scope of the series includes ecological, toxicological and biological aspects of the topic. Each volume of the series focuses on a broad theme, with reviews contributed by several experts in the field. The series is essential reading for environmental scientists, ecologists, conservationists and marine biologists.

Marine ecosystems offer several benefits to human communities. To make sustainable use of these benefits, it is necessary to elucidate and conserve marine ecology, and strive to maintain a sustainable natural resource management program. For this reason, understanding the diversity and behavior of both macro-ecosystems and micro-ecosystems are crucial. Monitoring Artificial Materials and Microbes in Marine Ecosystems explores microbial roles and their interaction with artificial materials in marine environments. After starting with simple topics for beginners, chapters explore methods to detect microorganisms in marine ecosystems and interactions of marine organisms with artificial materials. The sequential progression into advanced topics makes it easier to understand how to solve the reduction in marine-ecosystem viability caused by adverse events. Readers are provided with useful information for rehabilitating marine environments to make them sustainable for communities. Topics are covered in 3 parts: Part 1 is an introductory guide to marine ecosystems and environmental monitoring assessment. Readers are introduced to coral reef ecosystems, algal blooms and the role of environmental monitoring services in maintaining and restoring the quality of marine environments. This is followed by examples of sustainable marine environment assessment. Part 2 provides information about methods to detect microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) and evaluate marine environments. This includes sample enrichment methods, electrochemical analysis, and single-cell imaging techniques. The highly sensitive and specific techniques presented in the book, are applicable in a wide variety of situations. Part 3 is dedicated to interactions between artificial metallic materials and microorganisms in marine environments. Chapters in this section share results from several experiments conducted to separate microorganisms and biofilms from such environments. This book is intended primarily for marine ecologists, microbiologists, environmental engineers, and engineers associated with industrial projects. This book is also useful as a text for undergraduate and graduate-level courses in marine biology, ecology, and microbiology.

This reference highlights the significance of marine ecosystems, encompassing seaweed beds, seagrasses, coral reefs, mangroves, estuaries, and protected areas, as a remarkable gateway to overcoming healthcare challenges and unlocking a rich trove of bioactive compounds for drug discovery. One of the key highlights of this book is its exploration of the development of marine bio-drugs, a field that demands collaboration among scientists from both academic and industrial fronts. The editors also include a prospective review on marine environments, emphasizing the necessity for big data, collective knowledge sharing, financial support, and streamlined administrative processes, all of which contribute to enhancing innovation in the drug discovery process. Another feature includes reference lists that allow researchers to explore topics of interest in depth. With twelve comprehensive chapters, this book extensively covers marine ecosystem biodiversity, productivity, protected areas, and the intricate interplay of biotic and abiotic factors that shape these ecosystems. Readers will learn about important bioactive compounds within marine organisms and how to use this knowledge to outline a strategy for bio-drug discovery. The book caters to a diverse audience of researchers, students, ecologists, microbiologists, pharmacologists, and biotechnologists who are engaged in studying the dynamic components of marine environments. By providing the latest insights and strategies in the realm of bio-drug discovery from marine resources, this book serves as an invaluable resource for scholars and professionals seeking to tap into the potential of these unique ecosystems.

β-Glucan is generally considered to be a very safe immunomodulator. It is a well-known biological response modifier (BRM) that has been used as an adjuvant therapy for cancer since 1980, mostly in Japan. β-Glucan enhances the innate host defense against certain bacteria, yeast, and viral pathogens. I addition, glucans are also considered to be important in prophylaxis against irradiation. Various types of glucans are now routinely added both to human and animal food. At least 26 clinical trials are currently under way in several countries. The authors of this ebook have selected and brought together information on both theoretical and practical aspects of β-glucan use. The book is suitable for readers seeking timely and precise information on β-glucan history and various biological effects including possible use in the treatment of various diseases, without having any preliminary knowledge of natural immunomodulators. The book should not only provide an inspiration for carbohydrate and clinical chemists for further investigations in biomedicine, but it also presents a number of practical applicable results in immunology

β-Glucan is generally considered to be a very safe immunomodulator. It is a well-known biological response modifier (BRM) that has been used as an adjuvant therapy for cancer since 1980, mostly in Japan. β-Glucan enhances the innate host defense against certain bacteria, yeast, and viral pathogens. I addition, glucans are also considered to be important in prophylaxis against irradiation. Various types of glucans are now routinely added both to human and animal food. At least 26 clinical trials are currently under way in several countries. The authors of this ebook have selected and brought together information on both theoretical and practical aspects of β-glucan use. The book is suitable for readers seeking timely and precise information on β-glucan history and various biological effects including possible use in the treatment of various diseases, without having any preliminary knowledge of natural immunomodulators. The book should not only provide an inspiration for carbohydrate and clinical chemists for further investigations in biomedicine, but it also presents a number of practical applicable results in immunology

Bioinformatics, and by extension omic sciences – the collective disciplines that are dependent on the use of extensive datasets of biological information – present a challenge of data management for researchers all over the world. Big data collected as part of research projects and experiments can be complex, with several kinds of variables involved. Coupled with continuously changing bioinformatics and information technology tools, there is a need to bring a multidisciplinary approach into these fields. Advances in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Omic Sciences attempts to realize an integrated approach between all omic sciences, exploring innovative bioinformatics and biostatistical methodologies which enable researchers to unveil hidden sides of biological phenomena. This volume presents reviews on the following topics which give a glimpse of recent advances in the field: - New Integrated Mitochondrial DNA Bioinformatics Pipeline to Improve Quality Assessment of Putative Pathogenic Variants from NGS Experiments - Variant Calling on RNA Sequencing Data: State of Art and Future Perspectives - An innovative Gene Prioritization Pipeline for WES analyses - New Integrated Differential Expression Approach for RNA-Seq Data Analysis - Innovations in Data Visualization for Straightforward Interpretation of Nucleic Acid Omics Outcomes This volume serves as a guide for graduate students in bioinformatics as well as researchers planning new projects as a part of their professional and academic activities.

This volume is the 1st in a series of Ebooks that bridges the gap between advances in science and clinical practice in odontology. Recent advances in biology, materials science and tissue engineering are increasingly viewed as being of enormous clinical potential. Stem cell research has opened up the possibility of reconstructing teeth from the association of epithelial and mesanchymal embryonic or adult cells, as an exciting alternative to metal implants. This Ebook will examine the multifunctional nature of a group of proteins known as the amelogenins. Latest studies indicate that this protein regulates the initiation and growth of hydroxyapatite crystals during the mineralization of enamel. In addition, amelogenins organize enamel rods during tooth development, and also aid in the development of cementum by directing cells that form the cementum to the root surface of the teeth. The aim of this book is to serve as a bridge between basic biology and biomaterial sciences, and to inform clinicians about the implications of recent advances within these fields for clinical practice.

This atlas covers basic as well as novel information on the retinae of various representative vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The book consists of over 200 illustrations with brief descriptions pointing out special features of each retina displayed. The detailed information on the complexity and variety of visual cells in different animals will give interested readers an insight on the retinae of vertebrates. The book is divided into the following sections 1) the general architecture of retinae in different groups of animals 2) the types of visual cells in different vertebrates 3) the other retinal cells and synapses 4) the degenerating retina 5) general format of vertebrate retinal development. This atlas provides a sufficient framework in comparative retinal studies to inspire new research in the field of functional ophthalmology and biodiversity of visual cells. The book should be a useful reference for biologists, veterinarians, ophthalmologists, and eye researchers.

An Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terminologies is intended as a simple and concise handbook for students undertaking undergraduate or graduate courses in botany or biological sciences as well as general readers interested in understanding terms used in plant science. Readers will find many key words in this book that are often present in many botanical texts although without clear explanation or meaning. This glossary presents an easy approach to learning several plant-related terms. Key features include: -Over 1500 entries -Over 200 illustrations -Simple, easy-to-understand definitions -Brief explanations and annotated figures where possible