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Mesozoic Stratigraphy of India: A Multi-Proxy Approach (Society of Earth Scientists Series)
by Santanu Banerjee Subir SarkarThis book envisages a multi-proxy approach using stable isotopes, geochemical proxies, magnetic susceptibility and associated biotic events for paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental interpretations of the Mesozoic sedimentary record of India. Mesozoic rocks of India record abnormal sea level rise, greenhouse climate, intensified volcanism, hypoxia in seawater, extensive black shale deposition, and hydrocarbon occurrence. The Mesozoic has also witnessed mass extinction events, evolution of dinosaurs, and breakdown of the supercontinent Pangea and the formation of Gondwana. Although the Mesozoic geology of India has witnessed significant progress in the last century, literature survey reveals a huge gap in knowledge regarding sequence stratigraphy, chemostratigraphy and key geological events. A synthesis of sedimentological, paleontological and chemical data is included to presenting a comprehensive understanding of the Indian Mesozoic record to students, researchers and professionals.
Message in a Bottle: Ocean Dispatches from a Seabird Biologist
by Holly HoganFrom the heart of the Labrador Current to the furthest reaches of our global oceans, Message in a Bottle conjures an exquisite diversity of marine life and warns of a central threat to its survival: ocean plastic.The dovekie is a stocky seabird the size of a child&’s heart that spends its winters on the coast of Newfoundland, thriving in one of the toughest climates on Earth. The polar bear is an apex predator, designed to persevere in the Arctic's extreme conditions. The North Atlantic right whale outweighs the humpback by more than twenty tons and feeds on enormous quantities of tiny plankton in northeastern waters before migrating south for the winter. In Message in a Bottle, wildlife biologist and writer Holly Hogan brings to extraordinary life the wonder and resilience of these creatures and many other birds, fish and marine mammals she has encountered in sea voyages from the Arctic to the Antarctic oceans. However, in her travels she has noticed a troubling pattern: the constant presence of plastic, in the form of adrift fishing gear ("ghost gear"), garbage and micro-plastics which form an invisible but pervasive smog in our oceans and threaten even the most seemingly resilient forms of sea life.Bringing together nature, science and adventure writing, Hogan shines a light on our plastic-addicted lifestyle and offers a compelling, eyewitness account of its devastating effects on the marine environment—70% of our planet. With lyrical prose and a reverential eye for the majesty and fragility of our natural world, Message in a Bottle is a clarion call to protect global oceans and the life they sustain, including our own.
Messages from Islands: A Global Biodiversity Tour
by Ilkka HanskiFrom a small island in the Baltic Sea to the large tropical islands of Borneo and Madagascar, Messages from Islands is a global tour of these natural, water-bound laboratories. In this career-spanning work, Ilkka Hanski draws upon the many islands on which he performed fieldwork to convey key themes in ecology. By exploring the islands’ biodiversity as an introduction to general issues, Hanski helps us to learn how species and communities interact in fragmented landscapes, how evolution generates biodiversity, and how this biodiversity is maintained over time. Beginning each chapter on a particular island, Hanski dives into reflections on his own field studies before going on to pursue a variety of ecological questions, including: What is the biodiversity crisis? What are extinction thresholds and extinction debts? What can the biodiversity hypothesis tell us about rapidly increasing allergies, asthma, and other chronic inflammatory disorders? The world’s largest island, Greenland, for instance, is the starting point for a journey into the benefits that humankind acquires from biodiversity, including the staggering biodiversity of microbes in the ecosystems that are closest to us—the ecosystems in our guts, in our respiratory tracts, and under our skin. Conceptually oriented but grounded in an adventurous personal narrative, Messages from Islands is a landmark work that lifts the natural mysteries of islands from the sea, bringing to light the thrilling complexities and connections of ecosystems worldwide.
Messages from an Owl
by Max R. TermanFrom the Book Jacket: When zoologist Max Terman came to the rescue of a great horned owlet in the park of a small Kansas town, he embarked on an adventure that would test his scientific ingenuity and lead to unprecedented observations of an owl's hidden life in the wild. In Messages from an Owl, Terman not only relates his experiences nursing the starving owlet, "Stripey," back to health and teaching it survival skills in his barn, but he also describes the anxiety and elation of letting a companion loose into an uncertain world. Once Terman felt that Stripey knew how to dive after prey, he set the owl free. At this point his story could have ended, with no clue as to what the young bird's fate would be--had it not been for Terman's experimentation with radio tags. By strapping the tags to Stripey, the author actually managed to follow the owl into the wild and observe for himself the behavior of a hand-reared individual reunited with its natural environment. Through this unique use of telemetry, Terman tracked Stripey for over six years after the bird left the scientist's barn and took up residence in the surrounding countryside on the Kansas prairie. The radio beacon provided him with information on the owl's regular patterns of playing, hunting, exploring, and protecting. It enabled him to witness the moments when Stripey was bantered and mobbed by crows, when other owls launched fierce attacks, and when a prospective mate caught Stripey's eye. Stripey checked in occasionally with Terman back at the barn, following him around as he performed chores, usually waiting for a handout. Until now, scientists have generally believed that an owl nurtured by humans becomes ill-adapted for meeting the challenges of life in the wild. Terman's research proves otherwise. Stripey surpassed all expectations by becoming a totally independent wild creature. With Terman, however, Stripey remained tame, allowing the author to explore something one rarely sees in owls: a warm interest in humanity. Terman engagingly recreates this dimension of Stripey as he describes with humor and compassion the daily challenges of probing the life of a "phantom winged tiger."
Messaggeri dal cosmo: Introduzione alla fisica dei raggi cosmici nella sua evoluzione storica
by Francesco RiggiQuesto libro fornisce una panoramica completa dello sviluppo della fisica dei raggi cosmici, con considerazioni storiche e didattiche, dalle prime prove dell'esistenza della radiazione extraterrestre fino alle più recenti applicazioni dei muoni cosmici in diversi aspetti della vita quotidiana. Molti dei risultati originali che hanno contribuito allo studio della radiazione cosmica vengono presentati e discussi, accompagnati da oltre 500 riferimenti bibliografici, numerose appendici di approfondimento, circa 200 illustrazioni e un ampio capitolo dedicato all'impatto complessivo dei raggi cosmici. Il libro comprende varie sezioni, tra cui: il dibattito sulla natura corpuscolare o radiativa della radiazione cosmica; lo sviluppo delle prime tecniche di rivelazione della radiazione cosmica; le proprietà e la composizione della radiazione primaria e secondaria; l'influenza dell'ambiente terrestre e del Sole sul flusso dei raggi cosmici; l'interazione dei muoni cosmici nella materia e un lungo elenco delle loro recenti applicazioni, che vanno dalle tecniche di tomografia muonica allo studio della stabilità degli edifici civili. Questo volume intende soddisfare un vasto pubblico. Adatto per corsi introduttivi sulla fisica dei raggi cosmici a livello universitario, sia triennale che magistrale, si rivela altrettanto prezioso per studenti delle scuole superiori e insegnanti coinvolti in progetti didattici su questo argomento. Grazie alla ricchezza dei suoi contenuti storici e didattici, offre vantaggi tangibili a chiunque desideri approfondire la conoscenza dei raggi cosmici.
Messdatenauswertung im Physikalischen Praktikum: Messunsicherheit
by Thomas Bornath Günter WalterIn diesem Lehrbuch wird der Umgang mit Messdaten und ihren Unsicherheiten in knapper und anschaulicher Weise auf der Grundlage aktueller, international standardisierter Methoden (GUM: ISO/IEC 98-3:2008) dargestellt. Zum leichteren Verständnis wird der Leser in einem einleitenden Kapitel in die Grundlagen der Statistik und Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung mit Hilfe von anschaulichen Beispielen eingeführt. Es werden grundlegende Kenntnisse über das Wesen von Messabweichungen, über Messunsicherheit und Wahrscheinlichkeitsverteilung, die Bestimmung der kombinierten und erweiterten Messunsicherheit und über Ausgleichsrechnung vermittelt. Der Hauptteil des Buches ist auf die Auswertung von Messdaten zur unmittelbaren Anwendung im Physikalischen Praktikum gerichtet. Für die wesentlichen Typen von Messaufgaben findet der Leser eine Zusammenstellung aller nötigen Formeln zur Bestimmung des Bestwertes und der kombinierten und erweiterten Messunsicherheit sowie praktische Hinweise für die Ermittlung von Unsicherheiten nach Typ B (nichtstatistische Methode).Zahlreiche durchgerechnete Beispiele geben konkrete Anleitungen und demonstrieren, wie die Ergebnisse ins Praktikumsprotokoll eingehen und wie sie diskutiert werden.Das vorliegende Kompendium ist sowohl für Studierende in einem Bachelor- oder Lehramtsstudiengang Physik als auch für Studierende in natur- und ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Studiengängen mit Nebenfach Physik geeignet.
Messenger RNA Therapeutics (RNA Technologies #13)
by Jan Barciszewski Stefan JurgaThis book focuses on the fundamentals and applications of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapeutics and discusses the strengths and key challenges of this emerging class of drugs. In the past 30 years, extensive research and technological development in many areas have contributed to the emergence of in vitro transcribed mRNA as a therapeutic that has now reached clinical testing. Formulations that protect the mRNA from nucleases and accelerate its cellular uptake, combined with improvements to the mRNA molecules themselves, have been critical advancements for mRNAs to become viable therapeutics. Though once regarded as a serious impediment, the transient nature of mRNA technology is now considered a major advantage in making mRNA therapies safe and, ultimately, a potential game changer in the field of medicine. This new book in the RNA Technologies series provides a state-of-the-art overview on the emerging field of mRNA therapeutics covering essential strategies for formulation, delivery, and application. It also reviews the promising role in cancer immunotherapy, respiratory diseases, and chronic HBV infection and discusses RNA vaccines in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. mRNA-based approaches have great potential to revolutionize molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical research, and medicine. Thus, this handbook is an essential resource for researchers in academia and industry contributing to the development of this new area of therapeutics.
Messengers from the Cosmos: An Introduction to the Physics of Cosmic Rays in Its Historical Evolution (UNITEXT for Physics)
by Francesco RiggiThis book provides a complete overview of the development of cosmic ray physics, with historical and educational considerations, from early evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial radiation up to the most recent applications of cosmic ray muons in different aspects of daily life.Many of the original results that contributed to the study of cosmic radiation are presented and discussed, accompanied by bibliographic references, numerous in-depth appendices, about 200 illustrations and a large chapter dedicated to the overall impact of cosmic rays.The book includes sections on, among other topics: the debate on the corpuscular or radiative nature of cosmic radiation; the development of early techniques for detecting cosmic particles; the properties and composition of primary and secondary radiation; and the interaction of cosmic muons in matter and a long list of their recent applications, ranging from the muon tomography techniques to the investigation of the stability of civil buildings. The book is addressed to a wide audience, and thus, while it is used for introductory cosmic ray physics courses at the bachelor's or master's level, high school students and teachers involved in educational projects around cosmic rays also benefit from its many historical and educational aspects.
Messunsicherheiten – Anwendungen: Für das Physikalische Praktikum (essentials)
by Thomas Bornath Günter WalterIn diesem Buch wird die Auswertung von Messdaten mit ihren Unsicherheiten für die Anwendung im Physikalischen Praktikum dargestellt. Für die wesentlichen Typen von Messaufgaben findet der Leser eine Zusammenstellung aller nötigen Formeln zur Bestimmung des Bestwertes und der kombinierten und erweiterten Messunsicherheit sowie praktische Hinweise für die Ermittlung von Unsicherheiten nach Typ B (nichtstatistische Methode). Zahlreiche durchgerechnete Beispiele geben konkrete Anleitungen und demonstrieren, wie die Ergebnisse ins Praktikumsprotokoll eingehen und wie sie diskutiert werden. Das vorliegende Kompendium ist sowohl für Studierende in einem Bachelor- oder Lehramtsstudiengang Physik als auch für Studierende in natur- und ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Studiengängen mit Nebenfach Physik geeignet.
Messunsicherheiten – Grundlagen: Für das Physikalische Praktikum (essentials)
by Thomas Bornath Günter WalterIn diesem Buch wird der Umgang mit Messdaten und ihren Unsicherheiten in knapper und anschaulicher Weise dargestellt. Im „Leitfaden zur Angabe der Unsicherheit beim Messen“ (ISO/IEC 98-3:2008) sind die Terminologie und die Methoden für die Behandlung von Messunsicherheiten international standardisiert. Auf dieser Grundlage werden dem Leser Kenntnisse über das Wesen von Messabweichungen, über Messunsicherheit und Wahrscheinlichkeitsverteilung, die Bestimmung der kombinierten und erweiterten Messunsicherheit und über Ausgleichsrechnung vermittelt.Das vorliegende Kompendium ist sowohl für Studierende in einem Bachelor- oder Lehramtsstudiengang Physik als auch für Studierende in natur- und ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Studiengängen mit Nebenfach Physik geeignet.
Mestizo Genomics: Race Mixture, Nation, and Science in Latin America
by Carlos López López Beltrán Peter Wade Ricardo Ventura Santos Eduardo RestrepoIn genetics laboratories in Latin America, scientists have been mapping the genomes of local populations, seeking to locate the genetic basis of complex diseases and to trace population histories. As part of their work, geneticists often calculate the European, African, and Amerindian genetic ancestry of populations. Some researchers explicitly connect their findings to questions of national identity and racial and ethnic difference, bringing their research to bear on issues of politics and identity.Drawing on ethnographic research in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, the contributors to Mestizo Genomics explore how the concepts of race, ethnicity, nation, and gender enter into and are affected by genomic research. In Latin America, national identities are often based on ideas about mestizaje (race mixture), rather than racial division. Since mestizaje is said to involve relations between European men and indigenous or African women, gender is a key factor in Latin American genomics and in the analyses in this book. Also important are links between contemporary genomics and recent moves toward official multiculturalism in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. One of the first studies of its kind, Mestizo Genomics sheds new light on the interrelations between "race," identity, and genomics in Latin America.Contributors. Adriana Díaz del Castillo H., Roosbelinda Cárdenas, Vivette García Deister, Verlan Valle Gaspar Neto, Michael Kent, Carlos López Beltrán, María Fernanda Olarte Sierra, Eduardo Restrepo, Mariana Rios Sandoval, Ernesto Schwartz-Marín, Ricardo Ventura Santos, Peter Wade
Meta Math!: The Quest for Omega
by Gregory ChaitinIn Meta Math!, Gregory Chaitin, one of the world’s foremost mathematicians, leads us on a spellbinding journey of scientific discovery and illuminates the process by which he arrived at his groundbreaking theories. All of science is based on mathematics, but mathematicians have become painfully aware that math itself has serious limitations. This notion was first revealed in the work of two giants of twentieth-century mathematics: Kurt Gödel and Alan Turing. Now their successor, Gregory Chaitin, digs even deeper into the foundations of mathematics, demonstrating that mathematics is riddled with randomness, enigmas, and paradoxes. Chaitin’s revolutionary discovery, the Omega number, is an exquisitely complex representation of unknowability in mathematics. His investigations shed light on what, ultimately, we can know about the universe and the very nature of life. But if unknowability is at the core of Chaitin’s theories, the great gift of his book is its completely engaging knowability. In an infectious and enthusiastic narrative, Chaitin introduces us to his passion for mathematics at its deepest and most philosophical level, and delineates the specific intellectual and intuitive steps he took toward the discovery of Omega. In the final analysis, he shows us that mathematics is as much art as logic, as much experimental science as pure reasoning. And by the end, he has helped us to see and appreciate the art––and the sheer beauty––in the science of math. In Meta Math!, Gregory Chaitin takes us to the very frontiers of scientific thinking. It is a thrilling ride. From the Hardcover edition.
Meta-Analysis: Methods for Health and Experimental Studies (Statistics for Biology and Health)
by Shahjahan KhanThis book focuses on performing hands-on meta-analysis using MetaXL, a free add-on to MS Excel. The illustrative examples are taken mainly from medical and health sciences studies, but the generic methods can be used to perform meta-analysis on data from any other discipline. The book adopts a step-by-step approach to perform meta-analyses and interpret the results. Stata codes for meta-analyses are also provided. All popularly used meta-analytic methods and models – such as the fixed effect model, random effects model, inverse variance heterogeneity model, and quality effect model – are used to find the confidence interval for the effect size measure of independent primary studies and the pooled study. In addition to the commonly used meta-analytic methods for various effect size measures, the book includes special topics such as meta-regression, dose-response meta-analysis, and publication bias. The main attraction for readers is the book’s simplicity and straightforwardness in conducting actual meta-analysis using MetaXL. Researchers would easily find everything on meta-analysis of any particular effect size in one specific chapter once they could determine the underlying effect measure. Readers will be able to see the results under different models and also will be able to select the correct model to obtain accurate results.
Meta-Ecosystem Dynamics: Understanding Ecosystems Through the Transformation and Movement of Matter (Lecture Notes on Mathematical Modelling in the Life Sciences)
by Frederic Guichard Justin MarleauThis book presents current meta-ecosystem models and their derivation from classical ecosystem and metapopulation theories. Specifically, it reviews recent modelling efforts that have emphasized the role of nonlinear dynamics on spatial and food web networks, and which have cast their implications within the context of spatial synchrony and ecological stoichiometry. It suggests that these recent advances naturally lead to a generalization of meta-ecosystem theories to spatial fluxes of matter that have both a trophic and non-trophic impact on species. Ecosystem dynamics refers to the cycling of matter and energy across ecological compartments through processes such as consumption and recycling. Spatial dynamics established its ecological roots with metapopulation theories and focuses on scaling up local ecological processes through the limited movement of individuals and matter. Over the last 15 years, theories integrating ecosystem and spatial dynamics have quickly coalesced into meta-ecosystem theories, the focus of this book. The book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers who wish to learn more about the synthesis of ecosystem and spatial dynamics, which form the foundation of the theory of meta-ecosystems.
Meta-Geopolitics of Outer Space
by Nayef R. F. Al-RodhanAl-Rodhan sheds new light on the debate about the geopolitics of outer space, going beyond applying traditional International Relations approaches to space power and security by introducing a multidimensional spatial framework. The meta-geopolitics framework includes space and expands classical power considerations to cover seven state capacities.
Meta-Philosophical Reflection on Feminist Philosophies of Science
by Maria Cristina Amoretti Nicla VassalloThis volume offers a meta-philosophical reflection on feminist philosophies of science. It emphasizes and discusses both the connections and differences between "traditional" philosophies of science and feminist philosophies of science. The collection systematically analyses feminist contributions to the various philosophies of specific sciences. Each chapter is devoted to a specific area of philosophy of science: general philosophy of science, philosophy of biology, philosophy of climate sciences, philosophy of cognitive sciences and neurosciences, philosophy of economics, philosophy of history and archaeology, philosophy of logic and mathematics, philosophy of medicine, philosophy of psychology, philosophy of physics, and philosophy of social sciences. Since some of these areas have so far rarely been addressed by feminist philosophers, this new collection provides new angels and stimulates the debate on pivotal issues that are part and parcel of both "traditional" philosophies of science and feminist philosophies of science. Using a range of different methodologies and styles, the essays all show great clarity in both arguments and contents.
Meta-Research: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #2345)
by Evangelos Evangelou Areti Angeliki VeronikiThis volume presents state-of-the art design, analysis and integration approaches for biomedical data including novel statistical models for a comprehensive and powerful synthesis and assessment of scientific evidence. Chapters detail principles of systematic reviews, semi-automated tools for systematic searches, fixed- and random-effects meta-analytical models, living systematic reviews, meta-analysis of genetic studies, meta-analysis of pragmatic and explanatory trials, network meta-analysis, and other modern approaches for data synthesis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, the Meta- Research: Methods and Protocols book, written by global experts, will introduce the reader in a step-by-step process to the methods of the vital and highly promising field of evidence synthesis.
Meta-analysis and Combining Information in Genetics and Genomics (Chapman & Hall/CRC Computational Biology Series)
by Rudy Guerra Darlene R. GoldsteinNovel Techniques for Analyzing and Combining Data from Modern Biological StudiesBroadens the Traditional Definition of Meta-AnalysisWith the diversity of data and meta-data now available, there is increased interest in analyzing multiple studies beyond statistical approaches of formal meta-analysis. Covering an extensive range of quantitative infor
Meta-analysis in Clinical Research: Principles and Procedures
by Anoop KumarThis book provides conceptual information on the various processes involved in meta-analysis. It examines the importance of meta-analysis for the analyses of clinical data to draw a valid conclusion using suitable software. The initial sections of the book introduce meta-analysis, how to perform a systematic literature review (SLR), quality assessment of studies, extraction, and analysis of data. The subsequent section of the book contains information on advanced topics including, meta-regression, network meta-analysis, issues, mistakes, and future perspectives. In summary, the book provides a statistical method for combining the results of different studies on the same topic and resolving conflicts among studies. This book is written with the intent to allow a wide range of readers including students, researchers, and health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and paramedical, and is also helpful for a beginner who would like to do a meta-analysis.
Meta-theory of Law
by Mathieu CarpentierThis book is devoted to the theory of legal theory, also referred to as the "meta-theory of law".The aim of this emerging discipline is to determine the objectives, aims and methods of legal theory, and to establish the conditions of possibility as well as the validity criteria for theoretical discourse on law. The contributions in this book provide an overview of these aspects through different perspectives and approaches.The very purpose of legal theory has been disputed and the subject area is currently subject to increasing cross-fertilization between different, and sometimes diverging, traditions. Meta-theory of Law assesses these emerging trends by questioning two basic objects of legal theory, the "nature" and the "science" of law.
Meta-topolin: A Growth Regulator for Plant Biotechnology and Agriculture
by Naseem Ahmad Miroslav StrnadPlant tissue culture (PTC) technology has gained unassailable success for its various commercial and research applications in plant sciences. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are an essential part of any plant tissue culture intervention for propagation or modification of plants. A wide range of PGRs are available, including aromatic compounds that show cytokinin activities, promote cell division and micro-propagation, viz. kinetin, N6-benzyladenine and topolins. Topolins are naturally occurring aromatic compounds that have gained popularity as an effective alternative for other frequently used cytokinins in in vitro culture of plants. Among them, meta-topolin [6-(3-hydroxybenzlyamino) purine] is the most popular and its use in plant tissue culture has amplified swiftly. During the last few decades, there have been numerous reports highlighting the effectiveness of meta-topolin in micropropagation and alleviation of various physiological disorders, rooting and acclimatization of tissue culture raised plants.
Metabolic & Therapeutic Aspects of Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition
by Luc A. CynoberThe first edition of this innovative book brought a new perspective to the metabolic and therapeutic aspects of amino acids in clinical nutrition. Since its publication, a number of very important advances have been made in the field and interesting new findings have emerged. Until now, no reference has fully explored the promising new developments
Metabolic Acidosis
by Donald E. WessonThis timely volume provides an overview to the causes, effects on systems and clinical approaches of metabolic acidosis. Beginning with a basic understanding of the physiology, pathophysiology and development of this disease, subsequent chapters cover the characteristics and context of the processes that can cause it and a thorough presentation of management strategies. Recommended treatments include those carried out by the health care provider as well as the individual patient, such as dietary management. Clinicians and healthcare professionals will find the tools needed to recognize, work up and manage patients with metabolic acidosis in this practical and concise resource.
Metabolic Adaptations in Plants During Abiotic Stress
by Sarvajeet Singh Gill Akula RamakrishnaKey features: Serves as a cutting-edge resource for researchers and students who are studying plant abiotic stress tolerance and crop improvement through metabolic adaptations Presents the latest trends and developments in the field of metabolic engineering and abiotic stress tolerance Addresses the adaptation of plants to climatic changes Gives special attention to emerging topics such as the role of secondary metabolites, small RNA mediated regulation and signaling molecule responses to stresses Provides extensive references that serve as entry points for further research Metabolic Adaptations in Plants during Abiotic Stress covers a topic of past, present and future interest for both scientists and policy makers as the global challenge of climate change is addressed. Understanding the mechanisms of plant adaptation to environmental stresses can provide the necessary tools needed to take action to protect them, and hence ourselves. This book brings together recent findings about metabolic adaptations during abiotic stress and in diverse areas of plant adaptation. It covers not only the published results, but also introduces new concepts and findings to offer original views on the perspectives and challenges in this field.
Metabolic Aspects Of Lipid Nutrition In Insects
by T. E. Mittler R. H. DaddOur understanding of the physiological function of insect essential lipids has long been flawed by major uncertainties. It was discovered long ago that dietary sterol is a necessary nutrient for all insects, which radically sets them apart from the vertebrates in terms of qualitative nutrient requirements. Because of the physiological importance of sterol as a molting hormone precursor in insects and the implications of this for the development of new insecticides, a wealth of investigation into insect sterol metabolism followed, covering both the ways in which insects convert diverse food-plant sterols into the major tissue sterols and how these in turn are metabolized into the ecdysone molting hormones. However, for the classes or essential Lipid nutrients required by vertebrates, research dealing with insects has been scant and, more often than not, rather indeterminate. Many, but by no means all, insects studied appear to require essential fatty acids, though virtually nothing has been found out about the metabolism or essential physiological function of these acids. Excepting vitamin A, needed for insect vision, the various vertebrate fat-soluble vitamins appear to have no significance for insect physiology, and results of the occasional attempts to demonstrate functions for them in growth and development have in most cases been tantalizingly equivocal. In recent years some notable advances were made in tne study or essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins in insects, and work on insect sterol nutrition and metabolism continues with ever-increasing sophistication. The contributors to this book summarize, discuss, and speculate on these issues. Their work is based on papers presented at the 1980 World Congress of Entomology at Kyoto, Japan.