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Plants are sessile organisms and their only alternative to a rapidly changing environment is a fast adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. Among the several known species of flowering plants, Arabidopsis thaliana is the only plant that has been most thoroughly studied. This angiosperm with dicotyledonous seeds belonging to the family Brassicaceae was known to botanists for at least four centuries and has been used since then for experimental studies for about half a century, until it was Friedrich Laibach who had outlined the advantages of using it in genetic experiments and had also suggested that it could be used as a plant model system in 1943. Its unique features favors genetic experiments, which include its small size, a rapid generation time, the ability to grow well under controlled conditions, high fecundity of up to 10,000 seeds per plant. Like the peas that Mendel studied, it reproduces mainly by self-fertilisation. Arabidopsis is considered a model plant for many studies as its genomic sequence was completely identified and its mechanisms in genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic regulation are often similar to other plant species. The aim of this book is to give an up-to-date overview on the recent breakthroughs in the area of responses and adaptations of Arabidopsis, particularly those regarding its cultivation, life cycle and functional genomics. The chapters are focused on the most exciting and innovative researches on this species, involving authors with strong research experience. The present volume would definitely be an ideal source of scientific information to the advanced students, junior researchers, faculty and scientists involved in the ecology, agriculture, environmental microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology and other areas involving Arabidopsis studies and plant sciences in general.

The aim of this book is to assist environmental authorities and technicians in the design of effective environmental monitoring programs. Consensus exists that any good management program must be able to distinguish between natural variability and changes induced by anthropogenic activities. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to implement continuous monitoring programs. Sampling design is critical for the success of these programs due to the high spatio-temporal variability of coastal ecosystems. No potential sources of pollution should be neglected in sampling design, such as submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), which has been recognised as an important link between the continent and the ocean. Additionally, sampling design should avoid Type II decision errors (false negatives), which means a problem is not found when in fact it does exist. Being able to detect undesired effects is indispensable to adopt preventive and corrective measures. It is essential that these programs change their primarily anthropocentric focus to an ecocentric focus. The need to cover large spatial regions periodically makes necessary the development and application of new technologies such as remote sensing data into monitoring programs. The development of environmental "diagnostic" tools to allow early warning detection of pollution exposure, such as biomarker measurements in bioindicator organisms, are also valuable tools for environmental monitoring, which are examined in this book.

Over the last couple of decades, rapid urbanisation, unplanned industrialisation, and a rising population jointly created several issues worldwide, particularly in developing and underdeveloped countries. One such issue that requires urgent attention is the ever-increasing waste problem which has become an exasperation for regional and local governments and an issue of both national and international importance. Waste in any form and character are the byproduct of anthropogenic activities. To move forward towards a cleaner and greener future, we need to deduce sustainable technologies -- to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste. This book includes important information and views on new developments of waste management technologies, especially from developing and underdeveloped countries. In this book, there are contributions of experts from different countries. Each one of them shows interesting research outputs on waste management technologies which are both economical and eco-friendly; and if applied properly, can lead us towards a ''zero-waste'' world.

This book showcases contemporary examples of three-dimensional virtual world use for Internet and web-mediated tertiary education from across the globe that cut across a range of disciplinary contexts and settings. By doing so, it seeks to promote scholarly dialogue as well as to assist the development and dissemination of good practice and best practices in the field. While there have been a number of other volumes published on virtual worlds and learning, many were written prior to the existence of mature applications and thus consist largely of early proof-of-concept reports; a number of practical or "how-to" guides for teachers considering using virtual worlds in their teaching have also been produced that have to do with either the technology or learning design. In general, much of what is available in the area is "show and tell" and does not engage deeply with theory or with key researchable questions and issues. This book is unique in the way it combines analysis and discussion of recent theoretical and empirical research with descriptive accounts and evaluations of exemplary and innovative discipline-based applications, all of which are focused on factors influencing the successful uptake and use of virtual worlds in online learning at universities and colleges. The book is a useful resource for educators with an interest in virtual worlds, irrespective of their level of experience and/or proficiency. The collection of exemplars presented will not only expose newcomers to the potential and possibilities of the technology but will also alert them to the problems and pitfalls of whose existence they need to be mindful of as they make their foray into the educational virtual worlds arena. Potential solutions and mitigating strategies for many of the common problems are suggested as well. For those who are more seasoned virtual world users, they will benefit from the evidence-based perspectives offered and from opportunities to situate their practice within the scholarly knowledge base, comparing their own experiences with those of others and learning from the stories, vignettes, insights, and reflections being shared. Novices and veterans alike will find the book valuable in helping them manufacture a sustainable business case to put forth to their managers and in their quests to champion investment in virtual worlds at their institutions.

An estimated 41% of pregnancies are unintended. Globally, 86 million pregnancies are unintended. These unintended pregnancies resulted in 41 million abortions, 33 million unplanned births and 11 million miscarriages. Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended, which is defined as any pregnancy either mistimed, unplanned or unwanted. Safe and effective contraception is clearly one of the most important areas of reproductive health for women. In this book, the authors review a number of topics in this important subject area. In the section on unmet needs, the authors reviews the unmet needs for contraception in the U.S., UK, Europe, Asia and the developing world as well as unmet needs in special populations such as adolescents, women with medical conditions and women living with HIV. The authors review the current options for contraception with special emphasis on efficacy, side effects and patient selection and identifies gaps in contraception options. Finally, the authors review some of the latest advances and innovations in contraceptive technology.

Cholangiocarcinoma presents a challenge for cancer specialists all over the world. Neoplasia of the biliary tract are rare, accounting for approximately 3% of all gastrointestinal tumours with an incidence of about three per 100,000; but rates have been rising rapidly in recent years. This cancer is one of the major killers: at the time of diagnosis, less than 30% of patients are candidates for complete resection. For unresectable cholangiocarcinomas, median survival is less than one year. Given the rarity of the disease, the literature on cholangiocarcinomas is scant. However, the increasing incidence of this highly lethal malignancy should capture the attention of physicians and stimulate further research. Designed for specialists, this book highlights the main clinicopathologic features of cholangiocarcinoma and is an essential clinical guide for oncologists, surgeons, radiotherapists, radiologists, gastroenterologists and all physicians taking care of patients with biliary tract cancers. The book offers an expert overview of the disease starting from the embryology and anatomy of the biliary tree. Each chapter provides a detailed up-to-date description of etiopathogenetic factors, epidemiology, histopathology, molecular biology and staging, emphasising clinical features and standard approaches to biliary tract cancer, with a summary of recent literature evidence. The book also covers the diagnostic work-up and outlines the current status of imaging techniques with an overview of recent advances in surgery and locoregional and systemic therapy, in addition to the follow-up and palliative care of cholangiocarcinoma patients.

Bentonite are usually found in deep geographical areas. They are produced from rock, fossils, weathering of volcanic ash and disposal of high-level of radioactive waste in many countries. Bentonite mainly consist of clay mineral such as montmorillinite and kaolinite. They mainly exist in cationic form of organic compounds such as aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon and are employed to modify high cations exchange capacity, higher structural integrity, thermal conductivity, high chemical buffering capacity, and stiffness. Bentonite is a layer of natural silicate clay mineral having numerous properties such as large specific surface area, great absorption and interlayer exchangeable cation. Bentonite consists of outstanding physico-chemical properties which make it applicable in the areas such as water treatment, medical, groundwater barrier, farming, and construction. They are well known to be one of the most versatile and inexpensive treatments. The current book describes the bentonite characteristic, uses and implications for the environment in many areas of environmental science in particular, such as remediation, clean energy, water research and waste management. Researchers working in the area will benefit from the fundamental concepts and advanced approaches described in the book. The book is going to also be beneficial to researchers who are working for their graduate and postgraduate degrees in the area of science and technology. The book also provides a platform for all researchers as it covers a wide background in the subject from recent literature, abbreviations, and summaries. Additionally, this book covers a broader research area of chemistry, physics, environmental science, materials science, polymer science and engineering to present an interdisciplinary approach. This book contains the fundamental knowledge as well as recent advancements in the research and development of bentonite. The book also covers recent approaches and prospects about the current research and development of bentonite.

The author''s main goal in this book is to introduce the beginning student or pediatric resident to a systematic method of medical decision making. This book is divided into three basic sections: history-taking; physical examination; and medical reasoning. It is important to note that the purpose of this book is NOT to teach everything there is to know about every possible medical diagnosis, but rather to establish a framework for reasoning out a problem. The author assumes that as the learners read about and experience many more encounters over their training period they will be able to apply the facts to this basic framework. Thus, it is important to note that the history-taking and physical examination, first and second sections specifically do NOT mention any diagnoses. Their main purpose is to present the full array of data that needs to be gathered. Note the insertion of several clinical tricks of the trade to help gain accurate data. The third section, medical reasoning will take the reader through the thought process of arriving at a diagnosis. It addresses sifting and winnowing through large amounts of data: interpretation of history, what questions to ask, what questions may or may not be pertinent to the situation at hand, making initial hypotheses and testing them with information from a physical examination. We discuss what to examine based on the history, interpreting the remaining data, re-evaluating hypotheses, re-thinking them and narrowing them further, ideally (but not always) into a unifying hypothesis. If necessary, the author discusses the use of laboratory and imaging as further means to test hypotheses. The author then discusses making treatment plans with the idea forefront in the mind that the hypothesis still may indeed be wrong and have to be revised. The narrowing-down process is critical and necessary for the rational practice of medicine and the techniques are often referred to as "heuristics" (short-cuts). They are most helpful, but are certainly not infallible. The author therefore discusses pitfalls in clinical diagnosis in order to keep the reader keenly aware of the fact that hypotheses are in need of constant review and revision if necessary. This book presents two illustrative and simple cases as journeys through the medical reasoning process. As the learner progresses, he/she will learn to navigate through more difficult cases, However, the more simple cases provide the tools to use for the more complex ones. It is the author''s hope that early on in medical training the learners will appreciate the importance of good histories and physical examinations and how to interpret them. They will find that much of the information gathered in this manner will serve them well and lead to more judicious and appropriate usage of technology to arrive at diagnoses.

Drugs (medicines) are considered either the primary therapy or an adjunct to another modality. Physicians of all specialties prescribe drugs on a daily basis, and therefore they need to understand the mode and action by which drugs exert their therapeutic effects. Written records of the use of natural products as medicinal agents date back thousands of years. However, it was not until the early 1800''s that the active principles from plants were isolated. Since then thousands of drugs have been introduced to the drug''s market. With advances in drug design, molecular biology and genetics, the rate of developing new potent drugs is accelerated. Due to the vast progress in drug development and discovery, medical and pharmacy students, doctors, nurses and pharmacists in training need to learn the principles of therapeutics in order to follow up with the frequent changes in the therapeutics and adapt to them. With contributions from some of my colleagues, this book provides a clear and concise overview of the most important commonly used drugs with emphasis on the pharmacology aspects necessary for a basic understanding of the subject. It reviews the concepts, clinical applications, dosage forms, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and side effects of a large number of drugs used to alleviate pain, lower cholesterol levels, and treat bacterial infections, diabetes, osteoporosis, bleeding, psoriasis and multiple Sclerosis. This book, with over 750 references, is an excellent pharmacology text for the student who is looking to broaden his/her strengths prior to the exam. The beauty of this text is that it includes essential pharmacology concepts in a compact book that can be quickly referenced and read multiple times during the course of a student''s studies. In addition, this guide assists scientists trained in molecular biology, medicinal chemistry and related fields who need to know the basic theories, principles and practical applications of pharmacology. With the addition of pharmacokinetics coverage, ways to improve the bioavailability of commonly used drugs and sections on therapeutics that will help readers identify with diseases and drug treatments, this book provides better preparation of researchers in the basics of pharmacology.