Blackwell Publishing
Managing and designing landscapes for conservation; moving from perspectives to principles.
Lindenmayer (resource and environmental studies, Australian National U., Canberra) and Hobbs (environmental science, Murdoch U., Perth) present an edited collection derived from a workshop on landscape ecology and conservation biology held at Craigieburn Resort, Bowral, in southeastern Australia, in March 2006. Forty-six essays written by 40-plus invited authors from around the world, are organized into ten thematic sections: classification of landscapes and terminology; habitat, habitat loss and patch sizes; structure, degradation and condition; edge effects; total vegetation cover, pattern, patch content; connectivity, corridors, stepping stones; individual species management — threatened taxa and invasive species; ecosystems and ecosystem processes; disturbance, resilience and recovery; aquatic ecosystems and integrity; and an overarching summarization of the issues. Each section includes essays by the invited authors and a short synthesis by Lindenmayer and Hobbs to conclude the theme. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Managing quality, 5th ed.
Coming from a European perspective but fully updated from the most recent research and practice to make it useful worldwide, this text includes basic theory on quality management as well as specifics on ISO 9000 compliance. In a series of 27 essays contributors give an overview of the concepts of total quality management (TQM), explain the role of management in TQM and the thoughts of its leading proponents, describe introducing TQM and sustaining it, and provide a business context, including policy deployment, quality costing, managing people, managing service quality, and developing suppliers. They give quality management systems, tools and techniques including integrated management systems and experiment design, and give complete coverage of failure mode and effects analysis, statistic process control, six sigma, benchmarking, business process re-engineering, teams, self-assessment and improvement approaches. The collection closes with commentary on new challenges and issues. This also works as a professional reference. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Medical genetics at a glance, 2d ed.
This reference by Pritchard and Korf (both genetics, International Medical U. Kuala Lampur and U. of Alabama at Birmingham respectively) for medical students and junior doctors comprises illustrations and summary explanations of the core principles of medical genetics and its applications, to supplement more complete texts. Updates to this edition include new chapters on biochemical genetics, the embryonic definition of body pattern, and ethical and social issues, along with 10 case studies. Chapter topics include the cell, protein synthesis, gametogenesis, the place of genetics in medicine, autosomal recessive inheritance, chromosome structural abnormalities, twin studies, immunogenetics, gene mapping, dysmorphology, southern blotting, DNA profiling, an avoidance and prevention of disease. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Medication management in care of older people.
Written for professionals, this describes the biology and neurobiology of aging patients and techniques to use in managing both them and their medications. Editor Banning (clinical practice, Brunel U.) and her contributors endorse methods of communication and patient education as they explain current approaches in the UK, including health objectives and initiatives from the National Service Framework on the administration of drugs, the physiology of human aging, applied pharmacology, medication management with older patients, medication errors (on the part of the patient and the health care provider), issues of patient concordance on medication, the neurophysiology and neuropathology of aging, the management of an older person with a long-term condition, and the community pharmacist's role in the management of older patients and their medicines. Their advice is primarily practical and includes methods of training caregivers in medication administration and monitoring. This includes a comprehensive list of professional-level references. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The microbiological safety of food in healthcare settings.
Food safety issues became major health concerns when outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy occurred just a few years ago. Because individuals in healthcare settings are frequently more vulnerable to infection than the general population, standards for the microbiological safety of foods need to be more stringent in those settings, according to editors Lund, a scientist, and Hunter, an educator in health protection. The goal of this collection of essays is to help anyone who is responsible for safe food supplies for people in healthcare setting and for dietary advice given to vulnerable individuals. That would include physicians and those responsible for catering management, as well as policy makers and administrators. It also offers solutions for ascertaining risks of disease transmitted in food and its incidence in healthcare settings, and advice on the safe food needs of people in vulnerable groups who live in the community outside healthcare settings. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Myocardial imaging; tissue Doppler and speckle tracking. (CD-ROM included)
In this reference for cardiologists, sonographers, and other health care professionals, Marwick (medicine, U. of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia) and colleagues from Hong Kong and the U.S. introduce theoretical and clinical aspects of the newer advanced myocardial imaging techniques for diagnosing and monitoring such problems as ischemia, cardiomyopathies, and the impact of systemic diseases like diabetes on the heart. In 26 chapters, international specialists distill from the latest research technical principles, applications, and future directions in methods employing tissue Doppler, speckle tracking (which adds another dimension to Doppler-based images), and other imaging techniques. The volume includes color images showing normal and abnormal cardiac parameters. The companion CD-ROM contains videoclips illustrating concepts and a database of figures in the text. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Nondestructive testing of food quality.
Edited by Irudayaraj (agricultural and biological engineering, Purdue U.) and Reh (research scientist, Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne,, Switzerland), this collaborative work by 24 food-industry researchers and engineers offers a practical approach to the development and use of food quality sensor technology, and to the planning and management required for its use. Twelve contributions address methods and devices that currently dominate nondestructive food quality testing, or have potential for the future, including ultrasound, mid- and near-infrared spectroscopy, particle characterization, Raman spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, electronic nose applications, z-nose, capacitance sensors, biosensors, and techniques based on the measurement of electrical permittivity. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Nursing care of children and young people with chronic illness.
Nursing instructors at Cardiff University explain the genetic basis of children's chronic conditions and certain disabilities, examine the economic and social policies shaping service delivery to those children, and consider the impact of the diagnosis on the family unit. The ten chapters also explore the psychological needs of a child with eczema, the continuing care needs of children with neurodegenerative disorders, and adolescent development in relation to planning effective transition from child to adult services. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Obstetric ultrasound; artistry in practice.
Hobbins (U. of Colorado Health Sciences Center) presents this text for obstetric clinicians, focusing on specific topics and special conditions in obstetric ultrasound. The first chapters focus on examination of a single part of the fetus' body and are supplemented by examples. Special topics covered in the remaining chapters include preeclempsia, diabetes, advanced maternal age, multiple gestations, preterm birth, and the safety of ultrasound. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Pathology of laboratory rodents and rabbits, 3d ed.
Using genetically engineered mice does not guarantee your test subjects are immune from infectious diseases. This edition, which has been thoroughly updated to cover such recently-discovered eventualities, includes extensive materials on viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic diseases, nutritional and metabolic disorders, aging and degenerative disorders, environment-related diseases and neoplasms. Percy (pathobiology emeritus, Ontario Veterinary College) and Barthold (comparative medicine, U. of California, Davis) write for veterinary pathologists, laboratory animal veterinarians and students as they describe the particulars for mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and rabbits. They describe the anatomy of each species and pay particular attention to conditions specific to each, such as DNA and RNA viral infections in mice, lesions of unknown etiology in rats, and hereditary disorders. The photographs and imagery are very helpful, as is the comprehensive index. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Plant desiccation tolerance.
The ten contributions in this collection summarize current knowledge about the cellular and organismal mechanisms that allow some plants to survive without water by drying to air equilibrium and resuming normal metabolic function on rehydration. The international cast of academics describes angiosperm resurrection plants, lichens, gene expression, dry seeds and pollen, DNA structure, and desiccation damage in plant reproductive organs. The last chapter analyzes a desiccation tolerance associated gene (XvSap1) with potential for crop improvement. The book is intended for plant biology researchers and also could serve as a graduate textbook. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Plant tropisms.
The first two of the nine contributions in this collection synthesize recent findings leading to new models explaining how plants sense gravity and organize gravity signal transduction in roots, hypocotyls, shoots, and cereal pulvini. The last two chapters survey microgravity experiments conducted during spaceflight and envision the potential of plants to sustain a human presence in space. The papers in between discuss the relationship of other tropisms to gravitropism, auxin transport, single-cell systems as model organisms, light perception, moisture gradients, and touch sensing mechanisms. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Practical handbook of advanced interventional cardiology; tips and tricks, 3d ed.
This update of the 2003 and 2001 editions incorporates advances in interventional cardiology from micro-technology and nano- engineering. However, Nguyen (St. Mary's Medical Center, Hobart, Indiana) and cardiologists from around the globe stress that performing high-tech procedures in a cost- and time-effective way while doing no harm is still an art. The editors discuss their approach and options for procedures in militaristic terms: e.g. being a commander choosing either conventional or guerilla strategies. The 30 illustrated chapters of this portable resource for trainees in the field cover topics ranging from vascular access to delivery of biologics for angiogenesis, and provide technical and troubleshooting tips in "strategic mapping," "tactical moves," and "caveat" boxes. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Prescribing in pregnancy, 4th ed.
Editors Ramsay (fetomaternal medicine, Nottingham U. Hospitals) and Rubin (therapeutics, Nottingham U. Hospitals) have compiled the fourth edition of their guide for physicians prescribing for pregnant women. The chapters cover both prescribing drugs for common conditions in pregnant women and the effects of different drugs on pregnancy. Additional topics include travel medicine, breast feeding, and management of alcohol and drug abuse. The editors and their 22 co-contributors are recognized specialists in their fields. The text is supported with photographs and tables. Each chapter concludes with a list of references. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Protein evolution, 2d ed.
Along with the enormous growth in knowledge about gene and protein sequences comes ever-increasing needs for reliable prediction of the function of a novel gene/protein. In general this need is met by complex computational analyses that use the principles of the evolution of protein structure and function. Patthy (extracellular proteolysis, Institute of Enzymology, Budapest) writes for advanced undergraduates and graduates students taking courses in protein structure and evolution as well as students of molecular evolution and professionals in function genomics as he covers protein-coding genes, protein structure, mutations, the evolution of protein-coding genes and orthologous proteins, the formation of novel protein-coding genes, the evolution of paralogous proteins, protein evolution by assembling from molecules, genomic evolution and protein evolution. This edition includes expanded material on genome evolution, including material on new genomes of model organisms, a new glossary and updated references. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Residential landscape sustainability; a checklist tool.
Written by members of the department of landscape at the UK's U. of Sheffield, this text develops a checklist for assessing residential landscape sustainability, specifically developed to be pertinent to the development of new residential landscapes in different national settings. Chapters discus landscape sustainability and its framing within planning and government guidance; the incorporation of sustainability concerns into landscape planning, design, and maintenance; the assessment tools that have been developed internationally for assessing the sustainability of residential developments; and case studies of the application of the Residential Landscape Sustainability Checklist in London and Liverpool. The volume concludes with the full version of the Checklist. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Revaluing construction.
Anyone who has ever remodeled a home knows that it always costs more than anticipated, that materials don't arrive when expected, and that the plumber, electrician, painter etc. rarely are able to coordinate their schedules. Barrett (Research and Graduate Studies, University of Salford, UK) tackles these problems on the grand scale, mainly in Britain. In the first half of the book, he presents seven areas that he feels must be addressed in every construction project, from a holistic design, to cost effectiveness. In the second part, a number of architects, civil engineers, economists, academics and one psychologist present ways in which this can be done. Effects on all participants in the construction process are taken into account, from designers, to workers to the consumer. An appendix gives results of an international survey on practices and how open builders are to change in their methods. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Sedimentary processes, environments, and basins; a tribute to Peter Friend.
Drawn from a September 2004 IAS meeting held in Portugal, this collection reflects the themes of Peter Friend's career in tectonics and sedimentation, landscape evolution and provenance, depositional systems, and fluvial sedimentation. A detailed analysis of major cliff sections along the Gulf of Corinth uses photographic panoramas and field maps to establish stratigraphic architecture and correlate key surfaces between cliffs. Other topics of the 23 papers include the effects of transverse structural lineaments on the Neogen- Quaternary basin, Ar/Ar dating of detrital white mica in China, the anatomy of a fluvial lowstand wedge in Argentina, and river morphologies of western Africa during humid climatic conditions. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Skin cancer; recognition and management, 2d ed.
Schwartz (dermatology, New Jersey Medical School) offers a clinical reference on the range of premalignant and malignant cutaneous disorders, including melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma and other sarcomas, cutaneous lymphoma, cutaneous metastatic disease, and cutaneous markers of internal malignancy, with emphasis on the most recent advances in diagnosis and management. Revised and expanded, this second edition new includes color photos and illustrations throughout to aid recognition and diagnosis, and covers the latest developments and treatment modalities. New topics covered include merkel cell carcinoma, and dermoscopy. The book is for dermatologists, oncologists, residents, and other medical practitioners. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Structures & construction in historic building conservation.
In this companion volume to Understanding Historic Building Conservation and Materials & Skills for Historic Building Conservation, Forsyth (architecture and civil engineering, U. of Bath) introduces UK perspectives on the conservation of historic buildings and structures such as bridges. Following an introductory chapter defining conservation engineering, contributors address topics including conservation philosophy, traditional materials and methods, and the issue of conflict between building codes and conservation legislation. Contributors also offer solutions, e.g., to safety concerns. The 14 chapters include diagrams but fewer-than- expected photos, and further reading. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Stress responses in biology and medicine; stress of life in molecules, cells, organisms, and psychosocial communities; proceedings.
This volume contains the proceeding of the multidisciplinary Second World Conference on Stress, held in Budapest, Hungary in August of 2007. It consists of 29 research papers on molecular stress, stress and cellular functions, plant stress, stress at the level of the organism, stress in medicine, and psychosocial stress. A sample of topics addressed includes extracellular heat shock proteins in cell signaling and immunity, membrane regulation of the stress response from prokaryotic models to mammalian cells, endoplasmic reticulum stress, molecular mechanisms of light stress of photosynthesis, heat shock proteins and protection of the nervous systems, molecular mechanisms of duodenal ulceration, stress effects on cognition and aggression, and socioeconomic determination of chronic stress. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
