Where Did They Come From? The Origins of South American Fauna offers a fascinating journey into the origins of South American flora and fauna. Exploring life on the continent before and after the breakup of Gondwana, it delves into how creatures arrived in South America, be it through drifting across oceans or traversing land bridges. From birds and reptiles to mammals and fish, this book provides a comprehensive compendium of biological diversity, discussing their origins and evolutionary paths. Readers will gain insights into the mechanisms of animal dispersal, evolution, and the impact of the Great Biotic Interchange. The book also lists references for further exploration of the subject. The book is structured into five parts: Building South America: Covers tectonic movements, climate changes, and breaching isolation. Shaping South America: Explores the landforms and diverse biomes across the continent. Vertebrates within South America: Discusses unique amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and birds that evolved on the continent. Vertebrates immigrating to South America: Examines exotic reptiles, birds, and mammals that found their way to the continent. The author also lists the families of almost all genera of South American animals, while giving knowledge of their origins. Recent Arrivals - the Great Biotic Interchange: Explores the significant interchange of various species that occurred later. Ideal for students, biologists, and anyone curious about the natural world, this book is a captivating read that uncovers the incredible history of South American fauna and its evolutionary tapestry.

Fish and other seafood have always been considered as an important part of human diet and have also long been recognized as a health-promoting food for human nutrition. However, managing aquatic food resources remains a challenge as the human population is expanding and overfishing poses a threat to fishing reserves in several areas. Aquaculture is the alternative solution for food production from the sea. According to the FAO, aquaculture is probably the fastest growing food-producing sector and can be a sustainable solution for fish production. In order to maximize marine food production and achieving sustainable management of the aquatic environment, knowledge about aspects of fisheries and aquatic animal health is very important. Trends in Fisheries and Aquatic Animal Health covers some basic and applied topics in fishery management and fish health with a focus on European regions. The textbook is a combination of reviews and research articles. Topics covered in the book include challenges in fishery management, environmental impacts on fisheries, fish health (pharmacology, histopathology, stress response), telemetry techniques in fisheries research, and specific case studies of regional marine species in localized fisheries. This textbook is a useful resource for graduates and professionals involved in advanced training courses for aquaculture and fishery management.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known as a persistent bacterial pathogen. Antibiotics are currently the most common bacterial treatment for related infections but cases of microbial resistance are on the rise. Toxin-Antitoxin Systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa describes one of the most important antimicrobial targets in the bacterium species. The contributors have compiled comprehensive information on the subject. The reference initially acquaints the reader with key topics about P. aeruginosa infection including virulence factors, pathogenicity, epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis and antibiotic resistance. This is followed by detailed chapters on toxin-antitoxin systems which explain their role in the bacterial pathogenesis with reference to P. aeruginosa. The comprehensive information on the subject makes this an ideal reference for newcomers to the field of bacteriology and target discovery. Students of medical microbiology and medical professionals who are interested in the finer details of P. aeruginosa pathogenicity will also be equipped with sufficient information to join the discussion on this topic with fellow researchers.

Advances in Biobanking Practice Through Public and Private Collaborations presents an analysis of methods and current models of partnership between public and private organizations designed to improve biobanking practices in European countries. Chapters describe the state-of-the-art of public-private collaborations in biobanking on a global scale, innovative approaches to public-private partnership the role of a quality management system in biobanking collaborations, quality standard criteria specifically shaped for tumor biobanks, theoretical and practical access conditions to biobanks, the general legal framework governing biobanks at national, European and international levels and a concrete public-private partnership model for managing sample requests. The contributions in this book include examples of established biobanking institutions (such as Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, National Institute of Health, Italy, and 3C-R, France among others) which serve to give readers a concrete perspective on current biobanking practices and relevant legal and ethical issues that shape the field. This book is an ideal handbook for all medical researchers, healthcare professionals and biobanking stakeholders seeking information about international biobanking practices and business models.

This authoritative reference provides update information on the fundamental aspects and applications of biomaterials and biomedical sciences. It includes nickel-titanium alloys with superelasticity and shape memory effect, bioactive bone cement for orthopedic applications, and new research trends in polymer nanocomposites. This Ebook also describes the response of cells to ionizing radiation such as DNA damage responses in zebrafish. With chapters contributed by eminent scientists in the field of biophysics, biomaterials and biomedical engineering, this is a useful reference for graduate students, researchers and professionals in biomedical sciences and technologies.

For centuries, legumes have been used as pulses or grains serving as the most critical sources of major protein/oil-producing crops for both human and animal consumption, and for providing raw materials for industrial processing. They are highly valued as soil-building crops, improving soil quality through their beneficial involvement in biological nitrogen fixation, a symbiotic partnership with rhizobia. Advances in Legume Research: Physiological Responses and Genetic Improvement for Stress Resistance serves as a unique source of information on the distinct aspects of basic and applied legume research for general readers, students, academics, and researchers. The book gives several insights on the morphological, physiological, and genetic responses to stresses via 8 concise chapters covering all aspects of legume growth, utilization, and improvement. The included chapters present research findings and succinct reviews concerning the strides continuously made in the improvement of legumes against biotic and abiotic stress factors. This comprehensive new legume reference book disseminates key information pertaining to genetic diversity, conservation, cultivation, manipulation through mutagenic techniques, plant transformation, and other breeding technologies. The book, therefore, continues to build on the need to acquire new knowledge about legume crops and ways to improve their existing agricultural yield for a sustainable and secure food market.

This reference provides comprehensive insights on the harm inflicted by pests and diseases on leguminous crops. Internationally acclaimed authors provide succinct reviews on breeding and impact of biotic stress factors such as insect pests, microbial pathogens, spiders, and vertebrate pests in legumes like soybean, cowpea, and common bean. The book also contains detailed technical analysis of methods such as the PCR-based detection, next generation sequencing / marker-assisted selections, low cost lethal-non-lethal vertebrate pest control and mechanisms of climate/nutrient induced resistance. The unique feature of this book is its focus on the optimization and development of environmentally friendly methods for pest and disease control in leguminous crops. Other features include structured sections for easy reading and a list of references for advanced readers. Key themes: Biotic Stress and Plant Resistance Biotic Stress in Legumes (Cowpea and Soybean) Diagnostic and Control Methods for Microbial Plant Pathogens Viral Diseases of Legumes and Management: Vertebrate Pests in Legumes and Economic Implications Spiders in Legume Agroecosystems Climate-Driven Factors and Insect Pests of Legumes Sustainable Crop Nutrition for Biotic Stress Alleviation in Legumes Physiological Responses in Legumes to Combined Stress Factors

There is considerable diversity in polymers extracted from natural sources and much work has been done to classify them according to their physical and chemical properties. In the second part of this book set, readers will find general information about the physicochemical properties of several naturally occurring polysaccharides followed by a section dedicated to their application in different fields of research and medicine. Key topics in this part include: • chitosan (properties modifications and applications) • microbial biopolymers • biopolymers present in Brazilian seeds • protein-plastic foams • biopolymer microencapsulation in the food industry • biomedical gels • collagen biomaterials • biopolymer electrospinning This reference is intended for students of applied chemistry and biochemistry who require information about the properties and applications of polysaccharides (such as chitosan) and other protein-based biopolymers.

The last two decades have seen a number of significant advances in the methodology for evaluating the molecular weight distributions of polydispersed macromolecular systems in solution at the molecular level. This reference presents reviews on the progress in different analytical and characterization methods of biopolymers. Readers will find useful information about combinations of complex biopolymer analysis such as chromatographic or membrane based fractionation procedures combined with multiple detectors on line (multi-angle laser light scattering or MALLS). Key topics include: • refractive index, UV-Vis absorbance and intrinsic viscosity detection systems, • advances in SEC-MALLS (size exclusion chromatography coupled to multi-angle laser light scattering) and FFF-MALLS (field flow fractionation coupled on line to MALLS), • HPSEC-A4F-MALLS, matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) • electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry • nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy This reference is intended for students of applied chemistry and biochemistry who require information about biopolymer analysis and characterization.

The reference presents detailed research on the olive (Olea europaea) and the stone fruit. Readers will learn about the biotechnology, plant nutrition, plant breeding, pomology, postharvest physiology, plant pathology of these two plant species. In a practical sense, the book also presents applicable agricultural knowledge about these plants for crop improvement, production, nutrients, pest management, disease, genetic, genomic and the food industry. The contributions by the authors of this book include descriptions about the manipulation of variables and genetic resources of inheritance of quantitative genes, crop rotation, soil water, and the effect of temperature on crop production. Aspects such as protecting crops against pests and diseases whilst ensuring the protection of human health are also taken into account. This is a valuable reference for students, scientists, horticulturists and, in general, for anyone wishing to obtain knowledge and experience with olives and drupes to increase productivity.