Book Description

Transmembrane signaling is one of the most significant cell biological events in the life and death of cells in general and lymphocytes in particular. Until recently biochemists and biophysicists were not accustomed to thinking of these processes from the side of a high number of complex biochemical events and an equally high number of physical changes at molecular and cellular levels at the same time. Both types of researchers were convinced that their findings are the most decisive, having higher importance than the findings of the other scientist population. Both casts were wrong. Life, even at cellular level, has a number of interacting physical and biochemical mechanisms, which finally build up the creation of an "excited" cell that will respond to particular signals from the outer or inner world. This book handles both aspects of the signalling events, and in some cases tries to unify our concepts and help understand the signals that govern the life and death of our cells. Not only the understanding, but also the interference (e.g. medication) may depend on the full knowledge of both sides. These above statements are supported by the application of highly diverse physical and biochemical technologies demonstrated and explained by experts who are pioneers of their particular scientific field. ... Read more

Book Description

Intracellular Calcium is an important messenger in living cells. Calcium dynamics display complex temporal and spatial structures created by the concentration patterns which are characteristic for a nonlinear system operating far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Written as a set of tutorial reviews on both experimental facts and theoretical modelling, this volume is intended as an introduction and modern reference in the field for graduate students and researchers in biophysics, biochemistry and applied mathematics. ... Read more

Book Description

It is now clear that atmospheric aerosols contribute substantially to global climate change and the importance of these processes must now be assessed. This book provides a comprehensive overview of present-day knowledge concerning atmospheric aerosols, how to characterise accurately the principal types present, their properties and their climatic impact. It also discusses the interaction of stratospheric aerosols produced in volcanic eruptions and the problem of estimating the climatic impact of such eruptions. Of especial interest is a discussion of the ongoing debate concerning the effects of clouds on atmospheric absorption of solar radiation, and the influence of this process on climate change. Whilst concluding that at present it is still not possible to simulate global change reliably, this book provides a stepping stone to understanding the complex processes involved and the uncertainties arising from the effects of aerosols and clouds upon climate. ... Read more

Book Description

The space we see around us is the end product of a long series of processes: physical, physiological, and cognitive. It is a highly structured perceptual entity. In contrast to the fact that most studies of visual perception are concerned with local phenomena in this visual space, the main purpose of this book is to discuss the global structure of visual space. The physical space which surrounds us is of Euclidean structure, but its perceived image is not necessarily structured in that way. Problems such as why the sky appears as a vault and why the horizon is located at eye level are discussed in the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Psychoacoustics – Facts and Models offers a unique, comprehensive summary of information describing the processing of sound by the human hearing system. It includes quantitative relations between sound stimuli and auditory perception in terms of hearing sensations, for which quantitative models are given, as well as an unequalled collection of data on the human hearing system as a receiver of acoustic information. In addition, many examples of the practical application of the results of basic research in fields such as noise control, audiology, or sound quality engineering are detailed. The third edition includes an additional chapter on audio-visual interactions and applications, plus more on applications throughout. Acoustic demonstrations on a CD included with this edition further illustrate and amplify basic and applied psychoacoustic phenomena. Reviews of previous editions have characterized it as "an essential source of psychoacoustic knowledge," "a major landmark ," and a book that "without doubt will have a long-lasting effect on the standing and future evolution of this scientific domain." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Essential for NVH
Even though it may not have been his direct intent, the (mostly) empirical information presented in Zwicker's book is essential for understanding how to integrate a customers perception of sound into the design of a consumer product (such as a washing machine or an automobile, for instance).If you are interested in the engineering field of noise and vibration, or wish to make a career out of designing for noise and vibration, this book is a MUST HAVE as a professional reference.Highly, highly recommended.

Be Ready to Get Hammered With Information
Zwicker is a major name in Psychoacoustics. He references his own publications in the field well over 100 times in this book. This book is probably the most comprehensive collection of psychoacoustical information I have seen to date. As with all works, it starts with a description of sound and the human audiotory system, and then moves into how the two entities interact and how perception is modeled by this. The discussion is very technical, and he has an average of one graph per page. I do not recommend this book to anyone not interested in the details of how psychoacoustics evolve.
It is also nice that he includes a methods section, as one would do in a technical journal. This describes how the data that he is presenting was obtained, and adds a load of credibilty to the work. Also most of the data presented is empirical, from experiments themselves. The amount of research underlying this work is huge.
My one complaint is the pace varies a bit, but not too bad. Some parts seem fast, others seem slow. Overall however, this is a great book for technical readers. I personally found this book tremendously useful.

Ever wanted to understand human hearing?
Eberhard Zwicker was one of the great names in psychoacoustics. This book, written with his student Hugo Fastl, is an excellent introduction to psychoacoustics, and presents a modern account with a great deal ofqualitative and quantitativeinformation. The second edition has beenupdated by Fastl.

I would have liked to see more discussion of therelationships with the psychology of music, but there are now several goodbooks available on this subject, especially a collection of essays editedby Diana Deutsch and another edited by Perry Cook. ... Read more

Book Description

Biological systems are regulated by the thermodynamic parameters of pressure and temperature. With the help of new spectroscopic methods it is now possible to study the structure and function of such systems under extreme pressures and temperatures. This book describes the resulting theory and applications of these pressure and temperature effects. The subjects covered include the use of high pressure in food processing and even the theory of the origin and evolution of life. Readers exploring the world of biology in extreme environments will find this book particularly useful. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume covers 2 major topics: Foundations and Membrane Protein Structures.

Key Features
* Foundations
* Bioenergetic Processes
* Channels and Receptors ... Read more

Book Description

Hardbound. This is the first book covering all aspects of high pressure biochemistry and biophysics of proteins.

Hydrostatic pressure is a powerful tool for study of biological systems. As a thermodynamic parameter, hydrostatic pressure has been known for a century to act on biological materials in a similar, but not identical, way to temperature. However, pressure was disregarded for a long time by biochemists mainly because the basic concepts (and the thermodynamics) focused on the chemical reactions involved and because general ideas on what pressure can add to the understanding of the behaviour of proteins were lacking. In recent decades, technological progress in the field of physics has shown, along with parameters such as temperature and solvent conditions, that pressure can be used for more refined thermodynamic and kinetic descriptions of biological processes and regulation of biological systems. The effects of pressure on proteins, nucleoprot ... Read more

Book Description

The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. More than 285 volumes have been published (all of them still in print) and much of the material is relevant even today-truly an essential publication for researchersin all fields of life sciences.

Key Features
* Prokaryotic ABC Transporters
* Eukaryotic ABC Transporters
* Nonmammalian ABC Transport Systems
* Mammalian P-Glycoproteins
* Multidrug Resistance Associated Protein
* Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
* Sulfonylurea Receptor
* Intracellular ABC Transporters ... Read more

Book Description

One of the most important recent discoveries in science is the green fluorescent protein, isolated from a bioluminescent jellyfish. The gene that codes for this protein is active in any type of cell, from microbes to humans, producing a "day-glo" dye visible as a bright green light in the microscope. The power of the gene is that by using recombinant DNA technology. GFP can be spliced to any protein, essentially painting that protein green. When such a spliced protein is inside a cell. Further, time-lapse microscopy can be used to examine how that protein and the cellular components that it is part of move within the cell during the cell's life cycle.
This Methods in Enzymology volume deals with the utility of green fluorescent protein (GFP). The OVID database (including MEDLINE, Current Contents, and other sources) lists nine references to GFP for the ten-year period 1985-1994. In contrast, in less than four years thereafter, over 500 references are listed, a testament to the rapid growth of interest in this probe.
This volume documents many diverse uses for this interesting molecule in disciplines that broadly span biology. The methods presented include shortcuts and conveniences not included in previously published sources. The techniques are described in a context that allows comparisons to other related methodologies-such comparisons are valuable to readers who must adapt existing procedures to new systems. Also, so far as possible, methodologies have been presented in a manner that stresses their general applicability and potential limitations. The volume provides a substantial and current overview of the extant methodology in the field and a view of its rapid development.
The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.

Key Features
* Monitoring of Physiological Processes
* Localization of Molecules
* Special Uses
* Mutants
* Variants of GFP ... Read more

Reviews (1)

full to the brim with interesting tidbits!
This book is a huge collection of sample GFP applications, and is particularly interesting in that it shows many examples where GFP is used to make physiological measurements, rather than merely image cells. Definately required reading for anyone working with green fluorescent proteins. ... Read more

Book Description

This MIE volume covers methods for a multitude of topics among which are computational methods, laboratory methods, enzyme optimization, binding proteins/antibodies, and screening technologies.

Table of Contents
-Methodology
-Applications-Opzimization and Screening
-Applications-Directed Evolution of Enzymatic Function
-Applications-Evolution of Biosynthetic Pathways
-Devices, Antibodies and Vaccines ... Read more

Book Description

This book demonstrates the usefulness of tools from statistical mechanics for biology. It includes the new tendencies in topics like membranes, vesicles, microtubules, molecular motors, DNA, protein folding, phase transitions in biological systems, evolution, population dynamics, neural systems and biological oscillators, with special emphasis on the importance of statistical mechanics in their development. The book addresses researchers and graduate students. ... Read more

Book Description

Thermodynamics of Biochemical Reactions emphasizes the fundamental equations of thermodynamics and the application of these equations to systems of biochemical reactions. This emphasis leads to new thermodynamic potentials that provide criteria for spontaneous change and equilibrium under the conditions in a living cell. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Biochemical Thermodynamics--- Clear at Last
While some molecular life scientists may regard biochemical thermodynamics as an esoteric field, and while this book may find its way onto more university library shelves than personal bookshelves, an inescapable fact is that the systematic application of thermodynamic principles is a cornerstone of research in the molecular life sciences. Dr. Alberty's new book provides a lucid and valuable account of biochemical thermodynamics, a field that he has personally advanced through the publication of dozens of peer-reviewed scientific papers for over half a century. His major contribution in recent years has been to extend the concept of isomer group thermodynamics and Legendre transforms for calculations of the Gibbs energy as a function of pH, pMg2+,pO2, etc., an approach that facilitates thermodynamic analysis of complex biochemical reactions. This approach treats interacting molecular species (such as ATP4-, HATP3-, MgATP2-, MgHATP1-, KATP3-, KHATP2-, etc,) as pseudoisomers that rapidly interconvert by their respective association/dissociation reactions. The method also uses matrix algebra to avoid otherwise cumbersome and frequently approximate treatments based on the algebra of multiple equilibria. Enlightened by Alberty's beautifully presented theoretical treatment of isomer group thermodynamics and enabled by his step-by-step guidance (provided in latter half of his book), those seeking a rigorous understanding of bioenergetics can conveniently use the commercially available Mathematica software to perform all required calculations. Two qualities strongly commend the purchase of "Thermodynamics of Biochemical Reactions" for the personal library. First, at its price, the book is a real bargain (kudos to the publisher: John Wiley & Sons). Second, one may be reasonably confident that Alberty's rigorous treatment has now reached a state of timelessness, itself a much appreciated condition for both equilibrium thermodynamics and scientific thought. So, even if you are that biochemist who stubbornly choses not to add this book to her/his personal library, you should at least borrow the library copy to school yourself in modern thermodynamic principles by using what will surely become a classic. One caveat here: Be prepared to stand in line at the book recall desk; this is one book that will rarely be found resting on a library shelf at most research universities. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume draws together studies on the diverse group of calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCS) in one comprehensive format. The characteristics of CaCCs identified in a number of different systems are described by experts in the field. Channels discussed include those described in cardiac, neuronal, endothelial and epithelial systems, in addition to sections on the CaCC of Xenopus Oocytes and the newly identified family of CLCA proteins.

Key Features
* Includes description of CaCCs in excitable and non-excitable tissues
* Reviews identification and cloning of the CLCA protein family
* Contains section on CaCCs in Xenopus Oocytes ... Read more

Book Description

Purinergic receptors are proteins that bind ATP as their extracellular ligand.Once thought only as an intracellular molecule that provides energy, ATP is also now considered an essential autocrine/paracrine agonist that acts extracellularly within tissues and tissue microenvironments.Receptors for ATP and its metabolites, so-called "purinergic receptors," are essential membrane receptors that transduce the extracellular signal carried by ATP.Many cell types or tissues express multiple types of these receptors, often on the same cell.This volume will cover the history and overall impact of extracellular ATP signaling, methods to detect ATP release and signaling, the molecular and cell biology of purinergic receptors, the pharmacology of purinergic receptors, the ion channel biophysics and biochemistry of P2X purinergic receptor channels, and the physiology and pathophysiology of purinergic receptors.

Key Features
* Organized and written by world-renowned experts
* Covers state-of-the-art experimental methods
* Has broad appeal to basic and clinical scientists, the biotch industry and pharmaceutical research companies ... Read more

Book Description

Quantum mechanics can describe the detailed structure and behavior of matter, from electrons, atoms, and molecules, to the whole universe. It is one of the fields of knowledge that yield extraordinary precessions, limited only by the computational resources available. Among these methods is density functional theory (DFT), which permits one to solve the equations of quantum mechanics more efficiently than with any related method.
The present volume represents the most comprehensive summary currently available in density functional theory and its applications in chemistry from atomic physics to molecular dynamics. DFT is currently being used by more than fifty percent of computational chemists. ... Read more