Sodium Calcium Exchange:

Sodium Calcium Exchange:

This book reports the text of the lectures of the 6th International Conference on Sodium Calcium Exchange held in Lacco Ameno in the Island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples, Italy, from October 1 to October 5, 2011. The present book uncovers the most striking new findings on NCX that emerged since the previous Conference on Sodium Calcium Exchange, such as the structural dissection of the molecular determinants of Ca2+ sensitivity of the exchanger, the epigenetic regulation of ncx1 gene, the molecular identification of the mitochondrial Sodium Calcium Exchanger, and the discovery of NCX in unexpected anatomical locations such as the female reproductive tract.The book is organized into 11 parts covering NCX structural aspects, genetic and epigenetic regulation, regulatory mechanisms, subcellular localization in mitochondria, involvement in neurodegenerative diseases and in immune regulation, and the role of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, as well as diabetes in physiology and pathophysiology. Selected chapters of the book are also devoted to the interaction of NCKX and other ion channels and transporters with NCX, like ASICs, TRPM, and NHE.

Sodium Calcium Exchange:

Gone Again

Gone Again

‘It’s just to say that no-one has come to pick Nathan up from school, and we were wondering if there was a problem of some kind?’ As Mark Douglas photographs a pod of whales stranded in the waters off Edinburgh’s Portobello Beach, he is called by his son’s school: his wife, Lauren, hasn’t turned up to collect their son. Calm at first, Mark collects Nathan and takes him home but as the hours slowly crawl by he increasingly starts to worry. With brilliantly controlled reveals, we learn some of the painful secrets of the couple’s shared past, not least that it isn’t the first time Lauren has disappeared. And as Mark struggles to care for his son and shield him from the truth of what’s going on, the police seem dangerously short of leads. That is, until a shocking discovery…

Gone Again

The Logic of Scientific Discovery

The Logic of Scientific Discovery

Described by the philosopher A.J. Ayer as a work of ‘great originality and power’, this book revolutionized contemporary thinking on science and knowledge. Ideas such as the now legendary doctrine of ‘falsificationism’ electrified the scientific community, influencing even working scientists, as well as post-war philosophy. This astonishing work ranks alongside The Open Society and Its Enemies as one of Popper’s most enduring books and contains insights and arguments that demand to be read to this day.

The Logic of Scientific Discovery

Clusters in Nuclei, Volume 1

Clusters in Nuclei, Volume 1

Following the pioneering discovery of alpha clustering and of molecular resonances, the field of nuclear clustering is presently one of the domains of heavy-ion nuclear physics facing both the greatest challenges and opportunities. After many summer schools and workshops, in particular over the last decade, the community of nuclear molecular physics decided to team up in producing a comprehensive collection of lectures and tutorial reviews covering the field. This first volume, gathering seven extensive lectures, covers the follow topics: * Cluster Radioactivity * Cluster States and Mean Field Theories * Alpha Clustering and Alpha Condensates * Clustering in Neutron-rich Nuclei * Di-neutron Clustering * Collective Clusterization in Nuclei * Giant Nuclear Molecules By promoting new ideas and developments while retaining a pedagogical nature of presentation throughout, these lectures will both serve as a reference and as advanced teaching material for future courses and schools in the fields of nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics.

Clusters in Nuclei, Volume 1

Cardiac CT and MR for Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Cardiac CT and MR for Adult Congenital Heart Disease

This is the first major textbook to address both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) cardiac imaging of adults for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD). Since the introduction of faster CT scanners, there has been tremendous advancement in the diagnosis of CHD in adults. This is mostly due to the higher spatial resolution of CT compared to MR, which enables radiologists to create more detailed visualizations of cardiac anatomic structures, leading to the discovery of anomalous pathologies often missed by conventional MR imaging. This book is unique in highlighting the advantages of both CT and MR for the diagnosis of CHD in adults, focusing on the complementary collaboration between the two modalities that is possible. Chapters include discussions of case examples, clinical data, MR and CT image findings, and correlative cadaveric pictures. The chapters focus not only on the diagnosis of the primary problem, but also give readers information on visual clues to look for that often reveal associated pathologies. This book appeals primarily to diagnostic and interventional radiologists, as well as cardiologists and interventional cardiologists.

Cardiac CT and MR for Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Clusters in Nuclei, Volume 3

Clusters in Nuclei, Volume 3

Following the pioneering discovery of alpha clustering and of molecular resonances, the field of nuclear clustering is today one of those domains of heavy-ion nuclear physics that faces the greatest challenges, yet also contains the greatest opportunities. After many summer schools and workshops, in particular over the last decade, the community of nuclear molecular physicists has decided to collaborate in producing a comprehensive collection of lectures and tutorial reviews covering the field. This third volume follows the successful Lect. Notes Phys. 818 (Vol. 1) and 848 (Vol. 2), and comprises six extensive lectures covering the following topics:

Clusters in Nuclei, Volume 3

Thirty Years of Astronomical Discovery with UKIRT

Thirty Years of Astronomical Discovery with UKIRT

These are the proceedings of an international meeting hosted by the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the dedication of the UKIRT, the United Kingdom InfraRed Telescope.

Thirty Years of Astronomical Discovery with UKIRT

Essential Stem Cell Methods

Essential Stem Cell Methods

As part of the Reliable Lab Solutions series, this volume offers an abridged and comprehensive update of selected chapters that first appeared in the three-volume stem cell series published in Methods in Enzymology. Currently, stem cells are of great interest to scientists and clinicians due to their unique ability to differentiate into various tissues of the body, making them a promising source of cells for regenerative medicine and drug discovery as well as an excellent model of vertebrate development. ‘Essential Stem Cell Methods’features a detailed set ofprotocolswritten by experts in the field and hand-selected by the editors to helpresearchers drive advances in this fast-moving field. The result is a clear set of step-by-stepmethods which steer the reader through the challenges of stem cell isolation and differentiation and provide a handy guide for researchers in the field.

Essential Stem Cell Methods

Mortalin Biology

Mortalin Biology

The phrase Life, stress and death connects three terms, but is there a biological basis for that? Are there molecules that are essential to/or mediate these phenomena? This contributory volume Mortalin Biology: Life, Stress and Death is a remarkable compilation of the research outcomes on the stress protein mortalin, a member of heat shock 70 family of proteins. The book is unique as it describes mortalin playing essential role in life, stress response and death either from cancer, when it becomes hyperactive or from neuro-degeneration, when it becomes hypoactive. The book provides up-to-date knowledge on mortalin with respect to its discovery, structure, evolutionary conservation, function and signal transduction in different organisms in a simple, but most comprehensive way, that besides offering an enjoyable and in-depth reading, prompts the reader to ask further questions to explore this protein with new ideas, approaches and experiments. Twenty-one chapters by the world leaders on the specific areas of mortalin research throw light on its multi-functionality, potentials for biotechnology, diagnostics and therapeutic values. Avenues of mortalin biology, yet unexplored, hold immense promises for future, and reading this volume provides an easy, enthusiastic and energetic head-on start.

Mortalin Biology

As a Man Thinketh

As a Man Thinketh

This little volume (the result of meditation and experience) is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the much-written-upon subject of the power of thought. It is suggestive rather than explanatory, its object being to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that- ”They themselves are makers of themselves” by virtue of the thoughts which they choose and encourage; that mind is the master-weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circimistance, and that, as they may have hitherto woven in ignorance and pain they may now weave in enlighteimient and happiness. James Allen.

As a Man Thinketh

The Development of Arabic Mathematics

The Development of Arabic Mathematics

An understanding of developments in Arabic mathematics between the IXth and XVth century is vital to a full appreciation of the history of classical mathematics. This book draws together more than ten studies to highlight one of the major developments in Arabic mathematical thinking, provoked by the double fecondation between arithmetic and the algebra of al-Khwarizmi, which led to the foundation of diverse chapters of mathematics: polynomial algebra, combinatorial analysis, algebraic geometry, algebraic theory of numbers, diophantine analysis and numerical calculus. Thanks to epistemological analysis, and the discovery of hitherto unknown material, the author has brought these chapters into the light, proposes another periodization for classical mathematics, and questions current ideology in writing its history.

The Development of Arabic Mathematics

Coxiella Burnetii

Coxiella Burnetii

Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, a zoonotic disease found worldwide. The bacterium is a fascinating example of intracellular parasitism that has uniquely evolved to thrive in the most inhospitable of cellular compartments-the phagolysosome. Understanding how C. burnetii resists the degradative functions of this vacuole, and the host cell functions coopted for successful parasitism, are central to understanding Q fever pathogenesis. Recent achievements in glycomics and proteomics are guiding development of enhanced detection schemes for the bacterium in addition to shedding light on the host immune response to the pathogen. Several chapters survey immune functions that control or potentially exacerbate Coxiella infection and delve into correlates of protective immunity elicited by vaccination. Comparative genomics is also the foundation of chapters discussing diagnostic antigen discovery and molecular typing of the bacterium, with significance for development of new clinical, epidemiologic, and forensic tools.

Coxiella Burnetii

State of Rebellion

State of Rebellion

Everything has changed. After a devastating ambush that left the militia group Freedom Fighters struggling to survive, Cassidy Hart has been lucky to escape with her life. Along with her Commander and former Navy SEAL Chris Young, she’s made a shocking discovery concerning the whereabouts of her father. The militias have moved further into the mountains. And the secret that is kept there will come with a price. But when the National Guard arrives, Cassidy is faced with a choice that will force her to decide between her friends and her family. Omega is getting stronger. The fight for freedom looms on the horizon. It’s all or nothing. And Cassidy has no intention of giving up.

State of Rebellion

Biocatalysis - From Discovery to Application

Biocatalysis - From Discovery to Application

Catalytic procedures are clearly the most economical means to effect selective processes in organic synthesis. For the preparation of enantiomerically pure compounds, the utilization of enzymes is particularly attractive because of high selectivities and mild, environmentally benign reaction conditions. Taking advantage of advances in molecular biology, unique new enzymes are now readily accessible in quantity with properties that are amenable to modification on demand. This volume brings together leading contributors from the forefront of this exciting technology. In their authoritative and timely rewies they cover the state-of-the-art of biocatalysis from the discovery of novel enzymes – by modern screening, evolutionary or immunological approaches – through immobilization techniques for technical processes, to their use in the asymmetric synthesis of important target compounds. Thus, several chapters illustrate the synthetic potential of recently emerging biocatalysts in the phospholipid, epoxide, cyanohydrin, and oligosaccharide fields.

Biocatalysis - From Discovery to Application

Integrated Strategies for Drug Discovery Using Mass Spectrometry

Integrated Strategies for Drug Discovery Using Mass Spectrometry

New strategies and techniques for today’s fast-paced discovery process

Integrated Strategies for Drug Discovery Using Mass Spectrometry

The Call of the Crown

The Call of the Crown

The Call of the Crown tells the tale of three mismatched teenagers – a mysterious wise man – his ‘giant’ friend, and two old soldiers. Together, the six begin a journey across their homeland to attend a once a decade celebration in the country’s capital. Not long into their journey, a chance encounter with a group of northerners leads to a frightening discovery.

The Call of the Crown

Rethinking Logic

Rethinking Logic

This volume examines the limitations of mathematical logic and proposes a new approach to logic intended to overcome them. To this end, the book compares mathematical logic with earlier views of logic, both in the ancient and in the modern age, including those of Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Descartes, Leibniz, and Kant. From the comparison it is apparent that a basic limitation of mathematical logic is that it narrows down the scope of logic confining it to the study of deduction, without providing tools for discovering anything new. As a result, mathematical logic has had little impact on scientific practice. Therefore, this volume proposes a view of logic according to which logic is intended, first of all, to provide rules of discovery, that is, non-deductive rules for finding hypotheses to solve problems. This is essential if logic is to play any relevant role in mathematics, science and even philosophy. To comply with this view of logic, this volume formulates several rules of discovery, such as induction, analogy, generalization, specialization, metaphor, metonymy, definition, and diagrams. A logic based on such rules is basically a logic of discovery, and involves a new view of the relation of logic to evolution, language, reason, method and knowledge, particularly mathematical knowledge. It also involves a new view of the relation of philosophy to knowledge. This book puts forward such new views, trying to open again many doors that the founding fathers of mathematical logic had closed historically.

Rethinking Logic

Functional Grammar in the ESL Classroom

Functional Grammar in the ESL Classroom

The book introduces six general procedures for teaching grammar to learners of English as a second language. The procedures are designed to encourage learners to notice, explore and practice grammar in context. Each description and discussion of a procedure is followed by two sample lesson plans together with sample texts and worksheets. Teachers can either use these ‘as is’ or adapt them for their own students. The lessons are suitable for a wide range of students from beginning learners to advanced learners. A final chapter provides examples of lessons in which several procedures are combined. In addition, before each sample lesson plan, the grammar focus of the lesson is briefly explained for the teacher. These procedures all illustrate how grammar can be taught through texts, and they are based on an understanding of the latest research on pedagogical grammar and the role of language awareness and discovery in second language learning and provide teachers with principles they can apply in developing their own teaching materials and activities. The grammar explanations preceding each teaching plan provide a fresh look at English grammar drawing on work in systemic functional linguistics.

Functional Grammar in the ESL Classroom

Transactions on Large-Scale Data- and Knowledge- Centered Systems IX

Transactions on Large-Scale Data- and Knowledge- Centered Systems IX

The L.N.C.S. journal Transactions on Large-Scale Data- and Knowledge-Centered Systems focuses on data management, knowledge discovery, and knowledge processing, which are core and hot topics in computer science. Since the 1990s, the Internet has become the main driving force behind application development in all domains. An increase in the demand for resource sharing across different sites connected through networks has led to an evolution of data- and knowledge-management systems from centralized systems to decentralized systems enabling large-scale distributed applications providing high scalability. Current decentralized systems still focus on data and knowledge as their main resource. Feasibility of these systems relies basically on P2P (peer-to-peer) techniques and the support of agent systems with scaling and decentralized control. Synergy between Grids, P2P systems, and agent technologies is the key to data- and knowledge-centered systems in large-scale environments. This, the fifth issue of Transactions on Large-Scale Data- and Knowledge-Centered Systems, contains nine selected full-length papers, focusing on the topics of query processing, information extraction, management of dataspaces and contents, and mobile applications.

Transactions on Large-Scale Data- and Knowledge- Centered Systems IX

Senegal

Senegal

Provides a comprehensive overview of Senegal’s people, geography, history, government, economy, and culture. Abundant full colour illustrations guide the reader on a voyage of discovery. Maps reflect current political boundaries.

Senegal