With rapid progress being made in both theory and practical applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of life and leading the world towards a sustainable future. AI technology is fundamentally and radically affecting agriculture with a move towards smart systems. The outcome of this transition is improved efficiency, reduced environmental pollution, and enhanced productivity of crops. Nondestructive Evaluation of Agro-products by Intelligent Sensing Techniques is a reference which provides readers timely updates in the progress of intelligent sensing techniques used for nondestructive evaluation of agro-products. Chapters, each contributed by experts in food safety and technology, describe existing and innovative techniques that could be or have been applied to agro-products quality and safety evaluation, processing, harvest, traceability, and so on. The book includes 11 individual chapters, with each chapter focusing on a specific aspect of intelligent sensing techniques applied in agriculture. Specifically, the first chapter introduces the reader to representative techniques and methods for nondestructive evaluation. Subsequent chapters present detailed information about the processing and quality evaluation of agro-products (e.g., fruits, and vegetables), food grading, food tracing, and the use of robots for harvesting specialty crops. Key Features: - 11 chapters, contributed by experts that cover basic and applied research in agriculture - introduces readers to nondestructive evaluation techniques - covers food quality evaluation processes - covers food grading and traceability systems - covers frontier topics that represent future trends (robots and UAVs used in agriculture) - familiarizes the readers with several intelligent sensing technologies used in the agricultural sector (including machine vision, near-infrared spectroscopy, hyperspectral/multispectral imaging, bio-sensing, multi-technology fusion detection) - provides bibliographic references for further reading - gives applied examples on both common and specialty crops This reference is intended as a source of updated information for consultants, students and academicians involved in agriculture, crops science and food biotechnology. Professionals involved in food safety and security planning and policymaking will also benefit from the information presented by the authors.

Genetic disorders have been the focus of scientists for a long time. The emergence of next-generation sequencing techniques has ushered a new era in genetics and several developments have occurred in human genetics. The scientific perspective has also been widened with omics technologies that allow researchers to analyze genetic sequences and their expression products. An integrated approach is being used not only for diagnosis but also for disease management and therapeutic purposes. This book highlights emerging areas of omics technology and its application in the diagnosis and management of human genetic disorders. The book covers three areas of research and implementation: - Diagnosis (covering conventional strategies to next-generation platforms). This section focuses on the role of in silico analysis, databases and multi-omics of single-cell which will help in designing better management strategies. - Disease Management and therapeutic interventions. This section starts with genetic counselling and progresses to more specific techniques such as pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine, gene editing techniques and their applications in gene therapies and regenerative medicine. - Case studies. This section discusses the applications and success of all the above-mentioned strategies on selected human disorders. This book serves as a handy reference for students and academics studying advanced omics techniques in biochemistry and molecular genetics as part of courses in life sciences, pharmacology and medicine.

Oxygen is historically entwined from its discovery with radical applications as a panacea by charlatans and by daring men constructing bridges using underwater caissons. Oxygen has made possible the exploration of the depths of the oceans beginning with hard-hat diving suits and extending to scuba gear, underwater habitats and submarines as well as space exploration. Molecular oxygen is critically involved in health and disease in more ways than any other element. It is essential for metabolism of food to nourish our bodies. Understanding its biological and chemical nature helps us to understand the effects of exercise, vitamins and supplements, and drugs used for cancer therapies. Oxygen, the Breath of Life is a comprehensive reference on the historical, biological, chemical and medical aspects of oxygen. Readers, both laymen and experts, will gain knowledge of the basics of oxygen chemistry, how it functions in the human body, the role of oxidants in the development of various diseases. Chapters contain historical notes which highlight the discoveries of pioneering researchers.

This book presents information about the high enzymatic reactivity of reactive oxygen species. Chapters in the book cover several aspects of the topic such as the sources, formation mechanisms, reaction centers, oxidation-reduction reactions, cellular respiration chemistry, enzymatic kinetics, mitochondrial and plastid electron transport chains, oxidation-reduction potential, reaction constants, reaction velocity and reaction mechanisms involved, cellular cytotoxicity, antioxidant defense mechanisms in plants and animals, response of plants to conditions of environmental stress, xenobiotics, and the thermodynamics inherent to oxygen metabolism. The book also features a chapter on flavonoids which highlights a paradoxical facet of the affinity of reactive oxygen species for enzymes. Flavonoids are mainly antioxidant molecules as they act as trappers of reactive oxygen species. The chapter informs readers about the metabolic pathways mediated by enzymes through wich flavonoids become promoters of these same reactive oxygen species. All chapters present the subject in a simple, analytical format, while highlighting the scientific evidence gathered by researchers so far. The volume is an interesting reference for scholars learning about the biochemistry and enzymology of oxygen and its free radical derivatives.

Phytochemical compounds are secondary metabolites that plants usually synthesize for their own protection from pests and diseases. Phytochemical biosynthesis is also triggered under specific environmental conditions. They cannot be classified as essential nutrients since they are not required at specific amounts for life sustenance. Phytochemicals in Vegetables: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds presents information about the phytochemical (common and scarce) content of several cultivated vegetables, as well as their health and therapeutic effects based on in vitro, in vivo, animal and clinical studies. Chapters also cover recent research findings about their mode of action, bioavailabity, interactions with other biological matrices and pharmacokinetics. Moreover, the book gives special attention to the factors that may alter and modulate bioactive compound content, including both cultivation practices and post-harvest treatments that aim towards the production of high quality and healthy foods. Researchers, public health workers, consumers and members of the food industry will find this book to be a useful reference on the variety of phytochemicals present in vegetables.

<i>Protocols used in Molecular Biology</i> is a compilation of several examples of molecular biology protocols. Each example is presented with a concise introduction, materials and chemicals required, a step-by-step procedure and troubleshooting tips. Information about the application of the protocol is also provided. The techniques included in this book are essential to research in the fields of proteomics, genomics, cell culture, epigenetic modification and structural biology. The protocols can also be used by clinical researchers (neuroscientists and oncologists, for example) for medical applications (diagnostics, therapeutics and multidisciplinary projects).

<p> This reference provides information about recent trends in bryology in parts of India, tropical rainforests and arctic regions. Bryophytes are the earliest land plants and quite fascinating in their overall diversity. All through its history, bryological study has contributed considerably to the field of plant sciences, for instance, the discovery of sex chromosomes in plants. The study of bryophytes is fundamental to our understanding of land plant evolution, and the latest progress in molecular phylogenetics and genomics have given researchers a clear depiction of land colonization of plants and subsequent terrestrial progression. Ecologically, the importance of bryophytes for the participation in biogeochemical cycles, in particular carbon cycle is now appreciated. Further, there has been an escalating interest in the conservation biology of bryophytes. The contributors have put forward holistic information regarding current research scenario of bryology in a range of environments to readers learning about research in applied bryology. The compilation of reviews presents reported findings related to various aspects of the subject, such as, conservation, diversity, tissue culture, bio-monitoring, computational bryology, molecular bryology, and species. Botanists and bryologists will receive updated information that will be valuable for their research work. The reader-friendly text is also suitable for beginners in applied plant science. </p><p> Recent Advances in Botanical Science provides updated research and reviews on topics related to plant biology, genetics, taxonomy and ecology. The series is a useful resource for readers interested in applied plant science. </p>

This monograph focuses on the actions exerted by sex hormones, 17β-estradiol and testosterone, in skeletal muscle tissue. An important consideration of this volume is the fact that both estrogen receptors (ERs) and androgen receptors (ARs) are ubiquitously expressed and, as a result, steroid hormones affect growth and different cell functions in several organs. Moreover, ERs and ARs may have a non-classical pattern of intracellular localizations, raising complexity to the functional roles of estradiol and testosterone. </p><p> Readers will find key information about the role of sex hormones in mitochondrial physiology and their relation with ageing, apoptosis, and sarcopenia. Chapters integrate important points with the latest information on the subject, including work of leading researchers studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the age-linked changes in muscle tissue while highlighting the role of satellite cells. </p><p> Furthermore, the book presents a chapter about phytoestrogens (compounds which are structurally very similar to estrogen 17β-estradiol) and their selective action on sex steroid receptors (specifically, they have a higher affinity for ERβ receptors than ERα receptors). </p><p> The book is recommended reading for scientists and clinicians involved in the field of medical and health sciences as well as for scholarly readers (students of biochemistry and medicine) who are interested in the molecular mechanism of cellular apoptosis regulated by steroid hormones.

This eBook presents a summary of central aspects of sialobiology (i.e., the study of sialic acid and its relevance to biology). The importance of substitution by the sugar sialic acid and the role played by sialylated structures (eg. glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycoconjugates) in immune recognition, neural cell growth, embryogenesis and disease development including microbial pathogenesis and cancer progression, has become well-established. Since 1995, the field of sialobiology has expanded greatly as many of the key enzymes involved in sialic acid biosynthesis, as well as the vast majority of sialic acid binding lectins involved in immune recognition, have only been cloned, characterised and structural eluciated after the publication of earlier works on the subject. This e-book also covers these recent developments. Chapters in this e-book have been contributed by eminent sialobiologists. Therefore, a book of this nature is timely and will prove to be a definitive volume with a high impact in this field for glycobiologists and cell biologists.