Books published by Apple Academic Press Inc.

Natural Polymers, Biopolymers, Biomaterials, and Their Composites, Blends, and IPNs focuses on the recent advances in natural polymers, biopolymers, biomaterials, and their composites, blends, and IPNs. Biobased polymer blends and composites occupy a unique position in the dynamic world of new biomaterials. The growing need for lubricious coatings and surfaces in medical devices-an outcome of the move from invasive to noninvasive medicines/procedures-is playing a major role in the advancement of biomaterials technology. Natural polymers have attained their cutting-edge technology through various platforms, yet there is a lot of novel information about them that is discussed in the book. This important work covers topics such as chitosan composites for biomedical applications and wastewater treatment, coal biotechnology, biomedical and related applications of second generation polyamidoamines, silk fibers, PEG hydrogels, bamboo fiber reinforced PE composites, jute/polyester composites, magnetic biofoams, and many other interesting aspects of importance to polymer research today.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.Organic practices are quickly redefining how agriculture is done around the world, as we come to realize how detrimental conventional agriculture is to local and global environments and economies. This book serves as an overview of some of the important topics in organic agriculture. The volume is broken into several sections which explore the effects of organic practices on crop productivity, the use of biofertilizers, plant cultivars, and compare the environmental impact with conventional agriculture. Also covered are the following topics: -Organic agriculture as a strategy to combat many of the negative effects of conventional agriculture, such as pollution and loss of soil fertility -How practices, such as the use of biofertilizers, can enhance plant growth over the use of chemical fertilizers-Vermicompost and the high potential to benefit land in agricultural use -Organic practices' associations with increased soil fertility, increased biodiversity, and greenhouse gas sequestration -The negative effects of organic agriculture practices, such as an increase in nitrogen pollution or pestsThis easily accessible reference volume offers a comprehensive guide to this rapidly expanding field. Edited by an experienced writer with experience in both food systems and agricultural sociology, Organic Agricultural Practices: Alternatives to Conventional Agricultural Systems is an authoritative and easy-to-use reference, ideal for both researchers in the field and students who wish to gain an overview to this important field of study.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.This collection presents a broad selection of recent research on analytical chemistry, including methods of determination and analysis as applied to plants, pharmaceuticals, foods, proteins, and more. Analytical chemistry is the study of what chemicals are present and in what amount in natural and artificial materials. Because these understandings are fundamental in just about every chemical inquiry, analytical chemistry is used to obtain information, ensure safety, and solve problems in many different chemical areas, and is essential in both theoretical and applied chemistry. Analytical chemistry is driven by new and improved instrumentation.

This book compiles many different treatment options and best practices for the treatment and recycling of municipal solid waste from all over the globe, factoring in cost-effectiveness, sanitation, and environmental degradation. Important to professors, researchers, students, policymakers, and municipal offices, this informed book looks into inn

Chemoinformatics: Advanced Control and Computational Techniques provides an important understanding of the main computational techniques used for processing chemical and biological structural data. The theoretical background to a number of techniques is introduced. General data analysis techniques and examination of the application techniques in the industy are presented, along with current practices and current research. The book also provides practical experience of commercially available systems and includes small-scale chemoinformatics-related projects.The book offers scope for academics, researchers, and engineering professionals. Chapters range from new methods to novel applications of existing methods and help provide an understanding of the material and/or structural behavior of new and advanced systems. It includes innovative chapters on the growth of educational, scientific, and industrial research activities among chemical engineers. It provides the latest coverage of chemical databases and the development of new computational methods and efficient algorithms for chemical software and chemical engineering.

This volume provides the textile science community with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in the discipline of textile engineering. Reporting on recent advances with significant applications in textile engineering, the chapters are written by internationally recognized researchers. This book covers a multitude of import

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.Changing land-use practices and the role of soil biological diversity has been a major focus of soil science research over the past couple of decades-a trend that is likely to continue. The information presented in this book points to a holistic approach to soil management. The first part looks at the land use effects on soil carbon storage, and considers a range of factors including carbon sequestration in soils. The second part of the book presents research investigating the interactions between soil properties, plant species, and the soil biota.

Examining energy, environment, and sustainability from the chemical engineering point of view, this book highlights critical issues faced by chemical engineers and biochemical engineers worldwide. The book covers recent trends in chemical engineering and bioprocess engineering, such as CFD simulation, statistical optimization, process contr

Control and automation of water systems in one of the branches of fluid mechanics and hydraulics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the millions of calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary conditions. Advances in Control and Automation of Water Systems presents topical research in the study of control and automation of water systems.The editors use the simulation of a water hammer (or fluid hammer) as the basis for demonstrating computational techniques used for the processing and automation of water systems. The simulation shows and explains a variety of data analysis techniques and complex calculations that involve many elements of water systems, such as flowminimum and maximum pressureautomationheat and mass transferpredicting failureand more. This book provides a broad understanding of the main computational techniques used for processing control and automation of water systems. The theoretical background to a number of techniques is introduced, and general data analysis techniques and examining the application of techniques in an industrial setting, including current practices and current research, are considered. The book also provides practical experience of commercially available systems and includes a small-scale water systems related projects.This book provides innovative chapters on the growth of educational, scientific, and industrial research activities among mechanical engineers and international academia in the water industry. New methods and novel applications of existing methods are discussed that further the understanding of the structural behavior of new and advanced systems. This book presents significant research reporting new methodologies and important applications in the fields of automation and control as well as the latest coverage of chemical databases and the development of new computational methods and efficient algorithms for hydraulic software and mechanical engineering.The research and development presented in the book will have significant potential applications in several disciplines of hydraulic and mechanical engineering.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.The focus of this book is on unique exposures that occur indoors, typically, but not exclusively in residences, where recent advances have been made on identification of the pollutants in indoor environments, the health effects associated with indoor or personal exposures, or interventions that can be implemented by typical occupants to mitigate exposures. The book covers a wide selection of indoor exposures to chemical and biological pollutants, including lead, phthalates, flame retardants, mold, infectious diseases, traffic-related particulate, pesticides, PCBs, VOCs, and asthma triggers (ETS, mold, cat allergen). This book is unique in that very recent research is discussed in this rapidly expanding field.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.Agriculture is one of the prime users of water, particularly in arid places with already-limited water resources, and its effects are diverse and far reaching. Providing a nuanced study of agricultural resource management, this informative book takes a four-pronged approach, covering research on: - The impact of agriculture on water - The impact of agriculture on soil quality and its ecological health- Energy and greenhouse gases- The impact of a growing population on agricultural resourcesTopics include the connection between chemical fertilizer use in agriculture and stream water quality; beef and dairy production on livestock, dairy, and crops; livestock and greenhouse gases; energy consumption rates in agriculture; efficient farming techniques, such as precision agriculture, irrigation management, and sustainable water technologies; and more.This informative and accessible volume offers a comprehensive guide to this vital and necessary field of study.

This important book explores key areas of educational technology research and development within an education system infused by technology. The book explores the opportunities and challenges associated with planning and implementing educational technology within higher education. It is unique in that it is a multi-perspective view of key contemporary work on education and technology and draws on the common struggles and best practices from experts. Readers will gain a balanced understanding of educational technology and how it is used across a broad educational spectrum as well as ways to stimulate an ongoing dialog and sharing among those dedicated to optimizing the use of technology in educational settings. The book covers topics includingThe development and application of e-learning technology standardsDistance learning approaches to online instructionMultimedia classroom practicesPerspectives on online learning designWeb-based training strategiesResearch on students and student experiences with technology within and beyond the classroom learning experience

Informs readers about fundamental and practical skills and approaches for carrying out research in the field of modern problems in the mechanics of deformed solids, which involves the theories of elasticity, plasticity, and viscoelasticity. This book deals with the foundations of the theory of elasticity.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.Environmental chemistry is an interdisciplinary field of study that involves the science of ecology as well as chemistry. Environmental chemistry covers the basic chemistry and biochemistry that occur naturally in the world around us. It focuses on the air, water, and land. En

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.The field of plant physiology includes the study of all chemical and physical processes of plants, from the molecular-level interactions of photosynthesis and the diffusion of water, minerals, and nutrients within the plant, to the larger-scale processes of plant growth, dormancy and reproduction. This new book covers a broad array of topics within the field. Plant Physiology focuses on the study of the internal activities of plants, including research into the molecular interactions of photosynthesis and the internal diffusion of water, minerals, and nutrients. Also included are investigations into the processes of plant development, seasonality, dormancy, and reproductive control. The chapters focus on various aspects of plant physiology, including phytochemistry; interactions within a plant between cells, issues, and organs; ways in which plants regulate their internal functions; and how plants respond to conditions and variations within the environment. Given the environmental crises brought about by pollution and climate change, this is a particularly vital area of study, since stress from water loss, changes in air chemistry, or crowding by other plants can lead to changes in the way a plant function. Readers of this book will gain the information they need to stay current with the latest research being done in this essential field of study.

This book deals with the polymers, different methods of synthesis, and synthesis of composites, as well as the different techniques used for polymer characterization. Most of the world's industries extract the anomalous properties of polymers to make excellent cost-effective materials. Because of this, the types of polymers, their processing, and the analysis of their various properties are very significant. Readers will gain a thorough knowledge about the processing of different types of polymers and composites made from them, as well as their various applications. Suitable for classroom use but especially important for researchers, this book addresses: Adhesion of amorphous polymers with vitrified bulk and surface glass transition Functionalized biopolymers and their applications A new synthesis of p-Cresol-Adipamide-Formaldehyde copolymer resin and its applications as an ion-changer Correlating performance of commercial viscosity modifiers for formulating shear stable industrial lubricants Synthesis of phthalonitrile polymers in ionic liquid and microwave media Studies on nanocomposite polymer electrolytes doped with Ca3(PO4)2 for lithium batteries

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.Pharmaceutical technology deals with the discovery, production, processing, and safe and effective delivery of medications to patients. Technologies involved include computer modeling for research, bioengineering for research instrumentation, processes and methods for increasing production, and computing technology and biosystematics for the management and analysis of data. This new book covers a wide range of important topics on today's pharmaceutical technology, such as in vitro drug release and controlled drug delivery, the use of nanotechnology in pharmaceuticals, quantum dot imaging, assessment and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, and much more.

This new volume, Green Consumerism: The Behavior of New Age Consumer, provides a holistic understanding the importance of promoting green products and discusses consumers' buying intentions and decisions. The chapters consider consumer behavior theory in the context of green or ecologically friendly products from both the academic and business perspectives. The chapters present the latest empirical and analytical research in the field of green marketing and provide an abundance of information about profitable and sustainable ways and strategies to deal with environmental problems.The volume considers how consumers are taking responsibility and becoming more aware, driving change in the marketplace. In response, companies are integrating appropriate green strategies into their operational activities, product development processes, and marketing activities to achieve a competitive advantage in saturated markets. This helps companies gain market share and minimize their production costs. Topics discussed in the volume include green pricing, green consumer behavior, various dimensions of consumer purchase intention, sustainable marketing, innovation techniques used to go green, eco-awareness, and other ongoing developments in this rapidly expanding area. Key features: - Discusses research on the latest trends in the field of green marketing, green practices, green products, eco-literacy, environment awareness, protection, management etc.- Provides insight about current consumer behavior, consumers' eco-literacy levels, and their desires to go green- Covers a multitude of topics, including green pricing, green consumer behavior, sustainable marketing, innovation techniques used to go green, eco-awareness, and more

This volume presents a snapshot of some of the most important ongoing research in cancer. With cancer as the second leading cause of death worldwide, extensive research is going on globally to decipher the molecular mechanism underlying cancer that will help in finding better targets for drug therapy. The book brings together new research on molecular mechanism and cancer therapeutics in one place. With chapters from experts in their respective fields, chapters cover molecular mechanisms, etiology, prognosis, detection, and treatment of cancer. Emphasis has been given to the intricate mechanism behind the deregulation of cell division, disruption of cell cycle check points, mutation in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, apoptosis, and erratic cell signaling. The book discusses in detail topics such as angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment, which are increasingly receiving attention, especially in the field of neoplastic vascularization and metastasis. The book also includes chapters detailing the current understanding and the future perspective of cancer stem cells.

This new book discusses the importance of fodder production of the minor fodder crops for animals. It focuses on fodder production for the 25 minor forage crops, including non-leguminous perennial forages, leguminous forages, and non-leguminous and non-graminaceous forages.

Polymer-based smart materials have become attractive in recent years due to the fact that polymers are flexible and provide many advantages compared to inorganic smart materials: they are low cost, they are easy to process, and they exhibit good performance at nano- and microscale levels.This volume focuses on a different class of polymers that are used as smart materials in the areas of biotechnology, medicine, and engineering. The volume aims to answer these questions: How do we distinguish 'smart materials'? and How do they work? The chapters lay the groundwork for assimilation and exploitation of this technological advancement. Four of the key aspects of the approach that the authors have developed throughout this book are highlighted, namely the multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge, exploration of the relationships between multiple scales and their different behaviors, understanding that material properties are dictated at the smallest scale, and, therefore, the recognition that macroscale behavior can be controlled by nanoscale design.

Wireless networking covers a variety of topics involving many challenges. The main concern of clustering approaches for mobile wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is to prolong the battery life of the individual sensors and the network lifetime. For a successful clustering approach, the need of a powerful mechanism to safely elect a cluster head remains a challenging task in many research works that take into account the mobility of the network. In Mobile, Wireless and Sensor Networks: A Clustering Algorithm for Energy Efficiency and Safety, the authors use an approach based on computing of the weight of each node in the network as the proposed technique to deal with this problem. They present a virtual laboratory platform (VLP) of baptized mercury, allowing students and researchers to make practical work (PW) on different aspects of mobile wireless sensor networks. The authors' choice of WSNs is motivated mainly by the use of real experiments needed in most college courses on WSNs. These usual experiments, however, require an expensive investment and many nodes in the classroom. The platform presented here aims at showing the feasibility, the flexibility, and the reduced cost using the authors' approach. The authors demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithms that contribute to the familiarization of the learners in the field of WSNs.The book will be a valuable resource for students in networking studies as well as for faculty and researchers in this area.

Ecological and genetic control of plant resistance to unfavorable environmental influences is being carried out all over the world, and new varieties and hybrids of plants are being created, resulting in rich, new information and innovative new methods of cultivation. This new volume, Temperate Horticulture for Sustainable Development and Environment: Ecological Aspects, explores the vast biotic diversity in horticulture, with a focus on sustainable development in today's deteriorating environment. The book offers new technologies for a wide range of horticultural crops, including vegetables, fruit, berries, and flowers. The information presented here is the result of original experiments and study of leading specialists in horticulture, plant breeding, and related areas. Part 1, Innovation in the Field of Vegetable Growing, looks at several completely new methods for increasing the yield of potatoes and cucumbers. The second part. The Arctic Berries: Ecology and Biochemistry presents an abundance of data on the phytocenotic properties of wild-growing and cultivated berry plants and of arctic raspberry and blueberry in natural populations of taiga zones. The authors studied berry crops, cranberry, Arctic bramble, blueberry, Arctic raspberry, cowberry, growing on the boggy soil and peatlands in taiga zones.Part 3, Decorative Plants: Breeding and Biochemistry, provides an overview of winter garden plants and their successful cultivation, looks at the range of resistance to salinization and other stresses of ornamental plants growing, and presents a biochemical analysis of biological active compounds and antioxidants among various species of the genus Aloe.Part 4, on Fruit Growing and Breeding, reviews various technologies for the cultivation of various fruits and presents an overview of data on breeding rare fruit crop.This volume will be useful for the scientific community, ecologists, geneticists, breeders, and industry professionals interested in using science to implement practical applications in production of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.