Science & Nature - Books

Climate-Resilient Crops

Science & Nature

Climate-Resilient Crops: Challenges and Opportunities offers a clear and concise guide to the development of crops that can withstand the increasing threats of climate change. With rising global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, this book highlights innovative approaches in breeding, biotechnology, and crop management to meet future food demands.Covering a range of important crops—including cereals, oilseeds, fiber, and vegetables—the book integrates current research on stress tolerance, genetic resource utilization, root systems, and the role of plant metabolites. It also explores cutting-edge tools such as omics and genome editing for crop improvement.Designed for students, young researchers, and agricultural professionals, this book delivers practical insights into how science can contribute to climate-smart agriculture. By bridging gaps between disciplines and highlighting new breeding strategies, it serves as a valuable resource for those working to build sustainable food systems in an era of climate uncertainty.

Cyber Physical Energy Systems

Science & Nature

This book is essential for understanding the transformative integration of cyber-physical systems in smart grids, providing valuable insights that will shape the future of sustainable energy production and distribution. A novel modeling methodology that blends cyber and physical components is a significant advancement for future energy systems. A Cyber-Physical System (CPS) is an integrated component of physical microgrids that combines computers, wireless connections, and controls to create a holistic solution. As a result of cyber-physical systems, a new generation of engineering systems incorporating wireless communication has begun to emerge. Despite that there are various major CPS systems in use today, one of the most challenging sectors for implementation is the smart grid which aims to distribute dependable and efficient electric energy while maintaining a high level of global environmental sustainability. Smart grids incorporate advanced monitoring to ensure a secure, efficient energy supply, enhancing generator and distributor performance while offering consumers more choices. These systems aim to boost the capacity and responsiveness of energy production, transmission, distribution, and consumption. As renewable energy sources grow, traditional methods are being challenged, requiring cross-domain integration of energy systems and data. This book explores architectures and methods for integrating cutting-edge technology into the power grid for more sustainable energy production and distribution.

Climate Change and Microbial Diversity

Science & Nature

The ongoing global climate change triggered by greenhouse gas growth has had a significant effect on the microbial dynamics of plants and soils. This volume explores the various microbial responses of plants and soils caused directly or indirectly by climate change resulting from rising greenhouse gases and other factors. The book considers the rapidly changing environment and the important role of microbiomes in restoring soil and plant health and in creating sustainable approaches. It discusses the adaptation and mitigation of plants and soils, specifically addressing such topics as biogeochemical processes, antimicrobial resistance, the dynamics of bacteria and fungus in extreme environments, bacterial siderophores for sustainability, and more. The volume also looks at edaphic and regeneration performance of tree species in the temperate forests.

Energia e civiltà

Science & Nature

L’energia è l’unica moneta universale, necessaria per ottenere qualsiasi cosa. In questa storia monumentale, Vaclav Smil offre un racconto complessivo di come l’energia abbia plasmato la società, dalla preistoria in cui si scopre il fuoco alla società moderna che dipende dalle fonti fossili. Gli uomini sono l’unica specie capace di imbrigliare energia al di fuori del proprio corpo, usando le capacità dell’intelletto e un gran numero di strumenti – dai più semplici attrezzi fino ai motori a combustione interna e ai reattori nucleari. La transizione epocale verso l’uso delle fonti fossili ha riguardato ogni aspetto della vita umana: agricoltura, industria, trasporti, armi, comunicazione, economia, urbanizzazione, qualità della vita, politica e ambiente. Come scrive Alessandro Lanza nell’introduzione, «Energia e civiltà di Vaclav Smil rappresenta la sintesi cronologica del rapporto inscindibile tra uomo ed energia nella storia, ma anche una fondamentale messa a fuoco di come questo rapporto sia destinato a svilupparsi, illuminando i punti critici e le sfide sociali e antropologiche che attendono l’umanità per la salvaguardia delle fonti naturali – dalle quali proprio quell’energia scaturisce – principale fonte di ricchezza e sviluppo della nostra specie».

Marine Renewable Energies

Science & Nature

The ocean is a huge reservoir of renewable energy sources, such as wind, currents, tides, waves, marine biomass, thermal energy, osmotic power, and so on. Like other maritime nations in Europe, France enjoys significant potential to develop these energy sources, especially overseas. In March 2007, Ifremer's chairman launched a prospective foresight study on these energies for the time horizon of 2030. With support from the Futuribles consulting group, twenty French partners representing the main stakeholders in the sector carried out this work. Their objective was to identify the technologies, specify the socio-economic prerequisites for them to emerge and be competitive and assess their respective impacts on power sources and the environment. What was learned from this study can be applied well beyond France, at a time when a European maritime strategy is taking shape.

Ethnomedicinal Plants for Drug Discovery

Science & Nature

This book explains the translational aspects of ethnomedicinal plants of different geographical regions including India by explaining the medicinal properties against several diseases, genomic evolution in changing environments, metabolic profiling for biomarker discovery, the role of non-coding RNA in the synthesis of secondary metabolites, genome-wide transcriptome profiling, application of pluripotent stem cells for drug discovery, the importance of high-throughput omics, and genome-editing techniques. In addition, some of the chapters have been designed to describe the role of artificial intelligence, plant database, and network-based drug discovery to explore the medicinal importance of compounds as well as challenges and opportunities in drug discovery from ethnomedicinal plants. The book serves as a great source of information for the students, researchers/scientists of diverse fields such as pharmacognosy, plant physiologists, biotechnologists, and pharmaceutical scientists etc., working in the areas of phytotherapy from ethnomedicinal plants.

Comment pensent les animaux

Science & Nature

Et l’Homme découvrit l’intelligence animale… Savez-vous que les poissons ont des peines de coeur ? Que les fake news existent chez les gallinacés ? Que le rat sait faire preuve d’intelligence émotionnelle ? Que le poulpe utilise une carte de navigation cognitive pour s’orienter ? Avez-vous déjà entendu parler du podomètre de la fourmi, de l’art de la consolation chez les corbeaux, ou du drongo, un passereau machiavélique qui imite les cris d’alerte d’autres espèces afin de les faire fuir et de leur voler la nourriture ? Les preuves d’une intelligence animale s’accumulent : la mémoire, l’aptitude à résoudre des problèmes, mais aussi la créativité, la sensibilité, et même la culture censée être la dernière barrière infranchissable entre l’être humain et l’animal. En évitant le piège de l’anthropomorphisme, l’auteur raconte, de nombreux exemples à l’appui, cette recherche en plein bouillonnement. Une avancée dans la connaissance qui devrait rendre l’Homme plus conscient de sa place au sein de la nature.

Skryté Súvislosti

Science & Nature

Caprove Skryté súvislosti patria medzi tie diela, ktoré sa na riešenie základných vedeckých problémov dneška pozerajú interdisciplinárne. Je to prenikavá analýza ekologického, sociálneho a ekonomického systému. Fritjof Capra je vedec, pôvodom fyzik, ktorý však už dávno prekročil myšlienkovú ohraničenosť „svojej“ vednej disciplíny. Práve táto jeho schopnosť myslieť a písať z akéhosi nadhľadu, navyše veľmi zrozumiteľným, i keď nie zjednodušujúcim jazykom, spôsobuje, že jeho knihy sú nielen čitateľsky atraktívne, ale má obdivuhodnú schopnosť v pozitívnom zmysle provokovať aj vedeckú komunitu a nastoľovaním problémov núti zamýšľať sa nad problémami súčasného sveta netradične. Každé jeho nové dielo možno charakterizovať ako vedeckú a literárnu udalosť a jeho preklad v slovenskom jazyku určite veľmi obohacuje slovenský vedecký a spoločenský diskurz.

Model-Based Reinforcement Learning

Science & Nature

Model-Based Reinforcement Learning Explore a comprehensive and practical approach to reinforcement learning Reinforcement learning is an essential paradigm of machine learning, wherein an intelligent agent performs actions that ensure optimal behavior from devices. While this paradigm of machine learning has gained tremendous success and popularity in recent years, previous scholarship has focused either on theory—optimal control and dynamic programming – or on algorithms—most of which are simulation-based. Model-Based Reinforcement Learning provides a model-based framework to bridge these two aspects, thereby creating a holistic treatment of the topic of model-based online learning control. In doing so, the authors seek to develop a model-based framework for data-driven control that bridges the topics of systems identification from data, model-based reinforcement learning, and optimal control, as well as the applications of each. This new technique for assessing classical results will allow for a more efficient reinforcement learning system. At its heart, this book is focused on providing an end-to-end framework—from design to application—of a more tractable model-based reinforcement learning technique. Model-Based Reinforcement Learning readers will also find: A useful textbook to use in graduate courses on data-driven and learning-based control that emphasizes modeling and control of dynamical systems from data Detailed comparisons of the impact of different techniques, such as basic linear quadratic controller, learning-based model predictive control, model-free reinforcement learning, and structured online learning Applications and case studies on ground vehicles with nonholonomic dynamics and another on quadrator helicopters An online, Python-based toolbox that accompanies the contents covered in the book, as well as the necessary code and data Model-Based Reinforcement Learning is a useful reference for senior undergraduate students, graduate students, research assistants, professors, process control engineers, and roboticists.

Energy

Science & Nature

With one famous equation, E=mc2, Einstein proved all matter can be described as energy. It is everywhere and it is everything.In this newly updated and engaging introduction, renowned scientist Vaclav Smil explores energy in all its facets – from the inner workings of the human body to what we eat, the car we drive and the race for more efficient and eco-friendly fuels.Energy: A Beginner's Guide highlights the importance of energy in both past and present societies, by shedding light on the science behind global warming and efforts to prevent it, and by revealing how our daily decisions affect energy consumption. Whether you're looking for dinner table conversation or to further your own understanding, this book will amaze and inform, uncovering the truths and exposing the myths behind one of the most important concepts in our universe.

101 Fun Facts About Saber Tooth Tiger

Science & Nature

Have you ever wondered about prehistoric mega-creatures of bygone eras in Earth’s past? In this informative ebook you’ll explore questions and answers to factoids associated with creatures including Hyneria, Armagarasaurus, Gigantopithecus and many more. Did you know that Enteledont was one of the most successful land mammals of terrestrial Earth? Have you ever wondered about the hunting senses of Basilosaurus and what differentiated it from other carnivorous mammals of the open sea? Find out now in this edition of Amazing Fun Facts Ebook Series: 101 Fun Facts About Saber Tooth Tiger & Other Prehistoric MegaCreatures

The Mind

Science & Nature

Who am “I”?How is happiness achieved? What is the key to memory?How do babies become adults?Is personality determined?What function do emotions serve?Are we hardwired to be moral?The mind is a riddle that has vexed philosophers, psychologists, biologists, and artists for thousands of years. In this invaluable volume, John Brockman, editor and publisher of Edge, gathers the world’s most influential scientists and thinkers to present their deepest thoughts and cutting-edge theories in short, accessible essays about the essential aspects of human consciousness and the complex workings of the brain.Contributors and topics includeSteven Pinker on how the human brain works • Martin Seligman on happiness and what it means to live a good life • Philip Zimbardo on the impact of environment on personality • V. S. Ramachandran on the question of self—who “you” are • Simon Baron-Cohen on the innate differences between boys and girls • George Lakoff on the role of the body and brain on different types of reasoning • Alison Gopnik on why human children are the best learning machines in the universe • Jonathan Haidt on the connection between emotions, morality, and religious belief

Of Ants and Men

Science & Nature

Why do things go wrong? Why, despite all the planning and care in the world, do things go from bad to worse? This book argues that it is because we are like the ants. Just as ants create an anthill without being aware of it, unintended side effects of human activity create all manner of social trends and crises. The book traces the way these trends emerge and the role they play in some of the major issues of our time. One of the greatest challenges today is the complexity of our social and economic systems. Every action has side effects that people often ignore or fail to see. The book examines the ways in which limitations in our thinking and behaviour lead to unintended side effects. It looks at the role played by complex networks of interactions. Finally, it looks at the way side effects of new technologies, especially computers and communication, have created an Information Revolution, the full repercussions of which are yet to be seen. In our race to create new technologies and sustain indefinite economic growth, we are at best dimly aware of the ways in which we are transforming society and threatening our environment.

High Performance Control of AC Drives with Matlab / Simulink Models

Science & Nature

A comprehensive guide to understanding AC machines with exhaustive simulation models to practice design and control Nearly seventy percent of the electricity generated worldwide is used by electrical motors. Worldwide, huge research efforts are being made to develop commercially viable three- and multi-phase motor drive systems that are economically and technically feasible.Focusing on the most popular AC machines used in industry – induction machine and permanent magnet synchronous machine – this book illustrates advanced control techniques and topologies in practice and recently deployed. Examples are drawn from important techniques including Vector Control, Direct Torque Control, Nonlinear Control, Predictive Control, multi-phase drives and multilevel inverters.Key features include: systematic coverage of the advanced concepts of AC motor drives with and without output filter; discussion on the modelling, analysis and control of three- and multi-phase AC machine drives, including the recently developed multi-phase-phase drive system and double fed induction machine; description of model predictive control applied to power converters and AC drives, illustrated together with their simulation models; end-of-chapter questions, with answers and PowerPoint slides available on the companion website www.wiley.com/go/aburub_control This book integrates a diverse range of topics into one useful volume, including most the latest developments. It provides an effective guideline for students and professionals on many vital electric drives aspects. It is an advanced textbook for final year undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers in power electronics, electric drives and motor control. It is also a handy tool for specialists and practicing engineers wanting to develop and verify their own algorithms and techniques.

L'animal parent

Science & Nature

Araignées qui allaitent leurs petits, papas poissons-clowns prêts à s'affamer, nourrices cachalots qui gardent les petits quand la mère part chasser, pigeons jetés hors du nid à l'adolescence : le monde animal regorge de modèles de parentalité... et d'inspiration pour les parents Homo sapiens que nous sommes.Sens du sacrifice, capacité d'émerveillement, inquiétude et apprentissage par le jeu, nous partageons de nombreuses problématiques avec les animaux lorsqu'il s'agit de préparer nos petits à la vie qui les attend. Si les modèles d'éducation et les façons de faire famille varient grandement entre les différentes espèces, leur observation nous offre des enseignements précieux et nous fait découvrir tout un monde d'émotions.Après L'Animal médecin, onze spécialistes des intelligences animales nous invitent à découvrir des parentalités et des structures familiales de toutes sortes au cours d'un fascinant voyage.Ont contribué à cet ouvrage : Dalila Bovet, Fabienne Delfour, Cécile Gilbert Kawano, Michel Kreutzer, Didier Lapostre, François Lasserre, Gérard Leboucher, Pierre Robert de Latour, Patrick et Sylvie Louisy, Rémy Marion et François Sarano.L'ouvrage est coécrit et coordonné par YOLAINE DE LA BIGNE, journaliste de presse écrite et radio, autrice de plusieurs livres, dont La Sagesse des animaux et L'Animal parent. Elle se consacre aujourd'hui au sujet des intelligences animales à travers son association, L'Animal et l'homme, et ses deux événements annuels : Les Rencontres des intelligences animales, au château de La Bourbansais, en Bretagne, et la Journée mondiale des intelligences animales, à la Cité des sciences et de l'industrie.

Fundamentals of Recombinant Protein Production, Purification and Characterization

Science & Nature

Fundamentals of Recombinant Protein Production, Purification and Characterization is organized into nine chapters in a logical fashion that cover an introduction to recombinant proteins and expression in different host expression systems, extraction, purification and analysis of proteins. This important reference features protocols, along with the advantages and disadvantage of each expression hosts and characterization technique (presented in tabular format) and offers detailed coverage of all aspects of protein production and processing (upstream and downstream processing) in one place. Finally, the book ends with different characterization techniques. Production of recombinant proteins for biotechnological and therapeutic applications at a large scale is an essential need of mankind. With the huge application potential of therapeutic and industrial proteins, there has been increasing demand for effective and efficient bioprocessing strategies. Recent progress around recombinant DNA technologies and bioprocessing strategies has paved the way for efficient production of recombinant proteins. Important factors such as insolubility and cost of production need to be considered for large scale production of these recombinant proteins. - Includes step-by-step reproducible protocols while also providing updated information on the rationale and latest developments in expression systems - Can also be used as a handbook for protein expression and purification as expression systems and chromatographic methods are explained in detail - Consists of notes on troubleshooting from the eminent researchers in the field - Provides comprehensive information on protein production, purification and characterization in a single volume - Describes different purification methods for comparatively difficult to obtain proteins - Brings the topics of recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization together, thereby making it the first resource on how to solve problems with respect to upstream and downstream processing of heterologous proteins

La rete della vita

Science & Nature

Che cos'è la vita? Partendo da questo interrogativo fondamentale il grande fisico Fritjof Capra delinea in questo libro una prospettiva rivoluzionaria sugli ecosistemi naturali e sugli esseri viventi, portando alla luce l'incredibile rapporto di interdipendenza tra il singolo individuo e il sistema di relazioni in cui è immerso. La somma di queste relazioni, che legano gli universi della psiche, della biologia e della cultura, è una rete: la rete della vita. Per vincere le sfide che l'impegnano, e che discendono dallo sfruttamento selvaggio delle risorse e dalla nevrosi ormai strutturale del nostro vivere, l'umanità deve studiare e comprendere i meccanismi della trama di relazioni che la circonda. E rendersi infine conto che "la nostra sopravvivenza dipenderà dal nostro grado di competenza ecologica, dalla nostra capacità di comprendere i principi dell'ecologia e di vivere in conformità con essi".

Le prince des profondeurs. L'intelligence exceptionnelle des poulpes

Science & Nature

Il possède un énorme cerveau - quasiment autant de neurones qu’un chat - localisé en partie dans ses huit bras. Il « voit » et « goûte » avec la peau, dont la couleur change instantanément pour mieux le camoufler. Dépourvu d’os, il se faufile à travers la moindre fente. Il joue, adore collectionner les objets, apprend de ses erreurs et reconnaît les humains... Ce prince des profondeurs, c’est le poulpe, dont on prend aujourd’hui la mesure de l’intelligence, déjà pressentie par Charles Darwin. Mais il y a plus extraordinaire encore... En explorant Octopolis, une étrange cité sous-marine fondée par des poulpes, Peter Godfrey-Smith découvre des animaux capables d’interactions complexes et dotés de surprenantes personnalités. De quelle conscience témoignent-ils ? Se pourrait-il que nous ne soyons pas la seule branche du vivant à disposer d’un « moi » intérieur ? Que nous apprennent ces céphalopodes sur notre propre intelligence ? Une fascinante rencontre du troisième type.

IoT-WSN-DT Based Medical Systems and Nanotechnology for Smart Cancer Care

Science & Nature

IoT-WSN-DT Based Medical Systems and Nanotechnology for Smart Cancer Care explores the latest advances in nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), digital twin, and wireless sensor networks for real-time cancer care, enabling efficient decision-making and treatment. The book examines how data from medical nanosensors can be integrated with the technology of digital twins for cancer forecasting and monitoring, providing accessible smart insights via remote and mobile devices. By combining the strengths of smart nanotechnology, IoT-based platforms, WSN technologies, and DT, a powerful medical system can be developed for smart cancer care.This system can help in early diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, real-time monitoring, and personalized treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes. - Covers how nanosensors and nanodevices can be used in cancer forecasting, detection, and monitoring - Explores how nanomedicines and nanovaccines can be used in cancer treatment and diagnosis - Explains how digital twin, AI, and nanotechnology can be used for the future of cancer diagnostics and treatment

Advanced Physicochemical Treatment Processes

Science & Nature

Leading pollution control educators and practicing professionals describe how various combinations of different physicochemical treatment processes can be arranged to solve air, noise, and thermal pollution problems. In Advanced Physicochemical Treatment Processes, the authors discuss strategies for abating pollution by converting it into a less noxious form, using the most feasible technologies. Each chapter discusses in detail a variety of process combinations, along with technical and economic evaluations, and presents explanations of the principles behind the designs, as well as numerous variant designs useful to practicing engineers. The emphasis throughout is on developing the necessary engineering solutions from fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The authors also include up-to-date references, cost data, design methods, guidance on the installation and operation of various process equipment and systems, and Best Available Technologies (BAT) for water pollution control, wastewater treatment, and water purification.

Science & Nature Books