Books published by Nova Science Publishers Inc

The knowledge on human biology is blooming. Progresses in genomics, epigenetics, neurobiology, human evolution, population genetics, and prehistory is extremely fast presently. However, few bridges have been launched between these fields on one hand, and human sciences (ethics, politics, psychoanalysis, philosophy) on the other hand. Now knowledge on human nature and on what makes us specifically humans do need tight collaborations between biological and human sciences. One of the specific goals of the book is to sort out, in our knowledge on human nature, what is: (i) strongly supported; (ii) still speculative; (iii) still extremely tentative; (iv) obviously (sometimes purposely) misleading; (v) definitely to be rejected. Such a sorting out is sorely needed, since this theme is politically loaded and full of propaganda, storytelling and "fake news". This kind of endeavour is urgent because there is now a strong tendency in the general public to lose confidence in science and to believe in alternate sources of knowledge with uncertain backgrounds (social networks, internet). This books uniquely offers a thorough discussion, based on biology as well as on human sciences, on major societal debates of the time, such as origin of humankind, human genetic diversity, biology of cognition, science in front of intolerant ideologies, science and religion, and science and creationism/intelligent design. Its specific feature is sorted by the present states of knowledge, what is robust, then still speculative, unintentionally or intentionally ("scientific fake news") misleading, and obviously wrong. Thorough updating is based on more than 300 references from the specialized literature as well as from the general media. The book, which is written in an accessible language and is completed with a glossary of specialized terms, will be therefore profitable to specialists of the concerned fields, university professors, teachers, students, as well as the general public.

This four volume set covers a wide range of topics, including: seabird conservation; malaria parasites; flamingos; poultry farms; game birds; aflatoxin.

Metals are important environmental pollutants and their toxicity is a problem of increasing significance for ecological, nutritional, and environmental reasons. These pollutants, ultimately derived from a growing number of diverse anthropogenic sources (industrial effluents and wastes, urban runoff, sewage treatment plants, boating activities, agricultural fungicide runoff, domestic garbage dumps, and mining operations), have progressively affected more and more different ecosystems. Even agricultural lands are progressively becoming enriched of metals due to long-term use of phosphatic fertilizers, sewage sludge application, dust from smelters, industrial waste and bad watering practices in agricultural lands. Among these metals, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn are pivotal micronutrients, while Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Sb and V and are non-essential for plants and have no known function as nutrients and seem to be more or less toxic to all plants and microorganisms. Sodium excess deserves particular attention. Several agricultural lands are indeed becoming familiar with the problem of salinization, due to the use of fresh water which contains a high level of NaCl or due to intensive fertilization, especially in arid and semi-arid environments characterized by poor rainfalls. Overall, the presence of both essential and non-essential metals in the atmosphere, soil and water, in excessive amounts, can cause serious problems to all organisms. Knowledge of plant-metal interactions is important for the safety of the environment, but also for reducing the risks associated with the introduction of trace metals into the food chain. Although intense research has been conducted during the last 30 years, many aspects remain to be clarified concerning the effect of metals in higher plants. Our goal for this book is to critically review existing literature related to the specific effects of different metals in plants, as well as to provide new evidence about plant-metal interactions in order to clarify mechanisms of metal uptake, translocation, and partitioning and the effect of metal toxicity. Consequences related to accumulation of metals in food products have been described. Physiological and biochemical mechanisms adopted by plants to cope with metal excess and possible implications for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils are also discussed. Therefore, we believe that this book will provide a comprehensive overview regarding some aspects of metal toxicity in plants and it will be useful for scientist working in this field of research, but it will also be of practical interest to environmentalists, policy-makers, and resource managers working on the topic. We wish to thank all the authors who joined this book project by contributing their valuable work. Lastly, we extend our sincere thanks to Nova Science Publishers for their efficient support.

We are pleased to offer you with the following book titled "Contemporary Issues on Development Economics and Well-being: Exploring Distinctive Cases in Indonesia" written by prominent authors who are specialized in the area from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia, and other top-ranked universities in Indonesia. The book covers some most recent studies and updated issues in the following areas: 1. Population Economics in Indonesia: The articles in this chapter discuss issues on the changing population structure, including: the impact of Millennials'' behavior and characteristics that are different from the previous generation on various life spectrum, such as fertility preference; the impact of fast development in transportation and economy on migration; and decent wages in a global production network. 2. Islamic Economics and Microfinance: This chapters containts articles that analyze how zakat, shodaqoh, and infaq can be used as economic empowerment tools by improving the well-being in the community; and the intention of zakat payers through the lense of Theory of Planned Behavior. 3. Monetary and Fiscal Challenges in a Changing Global Economy: Some issues discussed by the articles in this chapter are the use of monetary and fiscal policy to speed up economic growth; some empirical findings on taxation, trade liberalization and its impact on food security; technology and its impact on money demand; and analysis of the stock market''s trend. These timely issues are relevant in increasing the interdependence and openness of the country. This book is strongly recommended to be used as a reference for researchers, students, and also business practitioners not only in Indonesia, but also wider audiences that require deeper insights and thoughts in a dynamic, changing and global emerging market (i.e. in Indonesia).

Tricuspid valve disease has long been ignored as a surrogate for the left atrioventricular valve (the mitral valve) and mainly a benign, indolent disease. This concept is currently outdated, as we know that the pathology of the tricuspid valve, primitive or secondary, sometimes isolated, brings with it a poor prognosis if not treated. To date, the complexity is recognized not only of the valve itself, but also of its pathophysiology and the environment of the right heart and its interaction with the left heart. In order to better define the therapeutic path of a patient suffering from tricuspid valve disease, we have tried to offer a comprehensive overview to the reader, starting from historical considerations (Chapter 1) about the vision of the circulatory system and from the evidence accumulated over the centuries until the recognition of the continuum between signs and symptoms related to the valve. As the basis of a modern approach to the understanding of the valve itself, we have traced the embryological and morphogenetic stages towards the anatomo-clinical correlates (Chapter 2). Subsequently, the epidemiology and clinical approach to tricuspid valve disease (Chapter 3) were illustrated, followed by the diagnostic procedure, state-of-the-art imaging techniques (Chapter 4) and more advanced techniques (Chapter 5). In particular, I thought it was necessary to dedicate a chapter to the pathology of the tricuspid valve secondary (functional) to left heart disease (Chapter 6), probably the most frequent form encountered by the clinicians. We have not neglected to discuss about tricuspid valve infections (Chapter 7), with particular reference to the microbiology, diagnosis and treatment. We considered it necessary that the role of the valve in congenital adult disease should also be addressed (Chapter 8), whether in natural history, modified by surgery or as an acquired disease. Neoplastic pathology may also involve the valve and the pathologist provides (Chapter 9) the knowledge and systematization of the most frequent primary and secondary tumors. Coming to the therapeutic act, after dealing with special pathology of the valve, (Chapter 10) we present the pharmacological approach, a necessary act, sometimes as a sole therapeutic option and sometimes propedeutic to surgery. Tricuspid valve plays an absolutely primary role in two aspects of the advanced treatment of refractory heart failure, namely its clinical and prognostic impact on ventricular care systems (LVAD) and cardiac transplantation (Chapter 11) has been discussed. The last two chapters are dedicated to non-medical treatment, with a particular focus on indications, risk selection and stratification as well as adequate surgical techniques (Chapter 12) and new perspectives of intervention through transcatheter techniques (Chapter 13). Overall, there is a need for an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to a complex nosological entity that is itself interdependent on pathophysiological systems, which the clinician, cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, internist and researcher cannot ignore.

This book specifically addresses the challenges we have faced during more than ten years of research into different topics regarding teaching practices, from subjects such as the relationship between the planning of practices and their application in specific classroom contexts to others linked to task management in the direct teaching of content. Next, this compilation is interested in providing some insight for teachers to be able to use classroom artefacts and to convert them into real tools useful in students'' learning. A study that aims to raise educators'' awareness and inform them about the scope and implementation of instruction management is presented. It focuses on primary education, which is a critical step for learners to be equipped with the necessary skills to join knowledge-based economies. The purpose of the penultimate chapter is to analyse the relevance of knowledge in the search for improvement in teaching practices, taking as starting point the lack of a single path of teacher improvement. A qualitative study presented in the final chapter explores challenges facing the implementation of teaching in an open, distance and e-learning institution, and identifies ways in which these challenges can be mediated. The challenges are related to school placement, supervision, mentoring, administration, resources, assessment and communication.

Athens and Rome stand side by side as the parents of Western civilisation. The resemblances between Rome and Greece even from the first are very clearly marked. In many respects they are visibly of the same family, and, though we no longer speak as confidently of "Aryan" and "Indo-European" as did the ethnologists and philologists of the nineteenth century, yet there remains an obvious kinship of language, customs, and even dress.

This is a homage to women, as well as provides clinical pearls written by psychiatrists for clinicians and non-clinicians alike. Mental health as it relates to women is described throughout the chapters of this book. This book represents up-to-date information that can be used as a reference or as a study guide to understand clinical treatment for perinatal mental health. The book demonstrates the history and current understanding of women''s mental health. A thorough description of mental health, wellness, diagnosis and treatment recommendations are seen throughout the chapters. Summarised highlights are depicted in each chapter in a form of a table. This book is an excellent learning tool for understanding women''s health. It can be used as a self-health book to understand mental health as it relates to women. This book is a review for mental health workers, physicians, residents and students.

This book underlines the importance of a preventive perspective for healthy and sustainable organisations. The book presents a cross-cultural approach regarding problems and possible resources for strengthening healthy organisations. Primary prevention can be considered as a universal value and for this reason primary preventive interventions have to be taken into account for improving strengths, also if articulated globally on the basis of different contexts and cultures. This volume gives a contribution to the challenge to overcome a dark side towards a positive side in organisations, focusing on healthy people as flourishing and resilient workers. The book includes contributions from different Western and Eastern countries, highlighting the relevance in a cross-cultural perspective of a positive work environment in promoting employee health, well-being, and performance. The book includes two parts. The first part presents contributions that look to go beyond the dark side in organisations in a cross-cultural perspective, individuating new awareness, resources and perspectives. The second part aims to expand the horizons, particularly focusing on a primary prevention perspective with the aim of giving a contribution in concretely building healthy organisations. Thanks to the chapters of the different authors, this book is a relevant and substantive contribution in the framework of a cross-cultural approach to promote a positive preventive psychology for healthy organisations. The volume also stressed the value and the challenge of a primary prevention in a cross-cultural perspective for building healthy work environments. As a whole, this book advances a positive cross-cultural primary preventive perspective to promote healthier and more sustainable workers and organisations in the third millennium, identifying it as a value to share in terms of a valuable point of reference for practice and research.

Wind tunnels are facilities in which the wind is produced by fans or by compressed air to study and measure the action of the air flow around a solid. There are two basic types of wind tunnels: the closed-circuit and the open-circuit. Open-circuits draw air from the ambient environment and exhaust it back to the ambient after exiting the fan, while in closed-circuit, the air repeatedly circulates through the tunnel. The closed-circuit design delivers improved efficiency and generates less noise, but it is more expensive and more difficult to manufacture. Wind tunnels are typically used in aerodynamic research to analyse the behaviour of flows under varying conditions, both within channels and over solid surfaces. The present book focus on uses and developments of wind tunnels. It consists on nine chapters presenting different studies on the design, uses and developments of the wind tunnel in different applications like wind turbines, building and aircraft models. The presented case studies and development approaches aim to provide the readers, such as engineers and PhD students, with basic and applied studies broadly related to the wind tunnels and its applications.

Healthcare costs continue to rise in the United States and many Americans are struggling to budget and pay for their healthcare expenses. As healthcare costs continue to rise, many Americans still have no idea how much something will cost them before they receive care. Chapter 1 examines some of the causes of increased healthcare costs, and increasing healthcare costs. One of the biggest challenges for small businesses wishing to help their employees with health care is the cost. Small businesses helping their employees purchase health insurance is discussed in chapter 2. From fiscal years 2009 through 2016, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) obligated more than $9 billion for the provision of inmate health care and several factors affected these costs. Chapter 3 addresses BOP''s costs to provide health care services and factors that affect costs; the extent to which BOP has data to help control health care costs; and the extent to which BOP has planned and implemented cost control efforts.

The federal government spends more than $80 billion each year on information technology (IT) investments; in FY2017 that investment is expected to increase to more than $89 billion. Historically, the projects supported by these investments have often incurred "multi-million dollar cost overruns and years-long schedule delays." In addition, they may contribute little to mission-related outcomes and, in some cases, may fail altogether. These undesirable results "can be traced to a lack of disciplined and effective management and inadequate executive-level oversight." The Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) was enacted on December 19, 2014, to address these issues and codify existing initiatives managed by the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO).

When the Affordable Care Act was just beginning to be implemented in 2013, the HHS secretary released a report stating the goal of Affordable Healthcare Act is to increase competition and transparency in the markets for individuals and small group insurance leading to higher quality, more affordable products. Fast forward 4 years later, what we are seeing is a decrease in competition and an increase in premium costs. This trend is concerning for all Americans and is discussed in this book.