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The topics discussed at the NATO ARW included the new nanodevice applications, novel materials, mesoscopic superconductivity and biosensors. There have been many significant advances in the past two years and some entirely new directions of research are just opening up. Recent advances in nanoscience have demonstrated that fundamentally new physical phenomena are found when systems are reduced in size with dimensions, comparable to the fundamental microscopic length scales of the investigated material. Recent developments in nanotechnology and measurement techniques now allow experimental investigation of transport properties of nanodevices. Great interest in this research connected with development of spintronics, molecular electronics and quantum information processing. ... Read more

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This book is based on some of the lectures during the Pacific Institute of Theoretical Physics (PITP) summer school on “Quantum Magnetism”, held during June 2006 in Les Houches, in the French Alps. The school was funded jointly by NATO, the CNRS, and PITP, and entirely organized by PITP.

Magnetism is a somewhat peculiar research field. It clearly has a quantum-mechanical basis – the microsopic exchange interactions arise entirely from the exclusion principle, in conjunction with respulsive interactions between electrons. And yet until recently the vast majority of magnetism researchers and users of magnetic phenomena around the world paid no attention to these quantum-mechanical roots. Thus, eg., the huge ($400 billion per annum) industry which manufactures hard discs, and other components in the information technology sector, depends entirely on room-temperature properties of magnets - yet at the macroscopic or mesoscopic scales of interest to this industry, room-temperature magnets behave entirely classically.

This situation has now begun to change, and the quantum collective properties of magnetic systems, for so long of interest only to a few, have begun to move to centre stage. There are several reasons for this. One is the increasing use of low temperatures in industrial and applied research labs, and the recognition that the low-T properties of many new magnetic materials are of great potential use in future devices. Another is the emergence of nanoscience, and its offshoot nanotechnology, as an important new discipline – the majority of high-tech applications of nanotechnology so far envisaged will also be low-temperature ones. All this has meant that collective quantum phenomena, occurring at low T in quantum dots, magnetic molecules, and nanoscopic conductors, have suddenly become interesting to more than just pure physics researchers. The design of new magnetic quantum materials, of spin-based quantum devices in low-dimensional geometries, and quantum nanomagnetic systems, using either physical or chemical techniques, has now become the concern of many applied physicists and chemists.

An interesting by-product of this broader interest in collective quantum spin phenomena has been the increasing focus, by applied physicists and even start-up companies, on some of the more exotic theoretical ideas current in quantum magnetism. These draw upon various branches of quantum field theory (including topological field theory, the theory of decoherence, and string theory), quantum computation, and upon older fields like spin glass theory and the theory of quantum phase transitions - all of which are fairly esoteric. Some of these ideas have found more application in cosmology or string theory than in condensed matter physics – so that their use in designing circuit arrays for quantum information processors, or spintronic devices, may seem disconcerting to some. Yet from another point of view it simply confirms the broadly unified nature of the principles and techniques used in theoretical physics.

For the PITP/Les Houches school a number of topics of prime interest were selected, and these reflect the interests of a broad community. They were as follows: (1) Magnetism at the Microscopic Scale. (2) Exotic Order in Quantum Magnets. (3) Disordered Magnets. (4) Quantum Nanomagnetism. (5) Large-Scale Quantum Phenomena in Magnets.

All of these fields are evolving rapidly – as this volume was going to press, new discoveries were being made on graphene and on the behaviour of dipolar quantum spin glasses, and physicists were digesting the discovery of room-temperature Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons in YIG films. However it is clear that the questions, issues, and techniques in these areas will be of central interest for many years to come.

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This volume is based on the lectures and selected posters on different aspects of biological effects of EMF, presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop "The mechanisms of biological effect of Extremely High Power Pulses (EHPP)" and the UNESCO/WHO/IUPAB Seminar "Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Biological Effects of EMF" that took place in March 2005 in Yerevan, Armenia. The authors’ list represents the research centres from 21 countries from Europe, North and South America, Asia. The experimental data and theoretical models of EMF effect on various levels, starting from cell aqua bathing medium to the whole organism, including the human, applying multidisciplinary approaches. Both the beneficial use of EMF for diagnostics and therapy and the potential hazard of EMF in selected occupational and living conditions were discussed. The WHO project of harmonization of standards reflects in several papers.

The emphasis is on the search for cellular and molecular mechanisms of the biological effect of EMF with different frequencies and field strengths. A novel approach to studying the non-thermal mechanisms of interactions of EMF and Extreme High Power Pulses, could serve as a valuable source of information for modern concepts in non-thermal effect of EMF.

The Workshop presentations and papers included in this book covered a variety of topics such as theory of biological effect of extreme high power pulses; microwave induced pathologies (cancer, nervous and cardiovascular disorders); diagnostics and therapy with EMF; experimental evidence for biological effect of EHPP and would be helpful for designing research and policy standards, for search of mechanisms of interaction of EMF with living systems, for new advances in diagnostics and therapy.

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This volume is a collection of articles from the proceedings of the International School of Structural Biology and Magnetic Resonance 8th Course: Biophysics and the Challenges of Emerging Threats. This NATO Advance Study Institute (ASI) was held in Erice at the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture on 19 through 30 June 2007. The ASI brought together a diverse group of experts who bridged the fields of virology and biology, biophysics, chemistry and physics.

Prominent lecturers and students from around the world representant a total of 24 countries participated in the NATO ASI organized by Professors Joseph Puglisi (Stanford University, USA) and Alexander Arseniev (Moscow, RU). The central hypothesis underlying this ASI was that interdisciplinary research, merging principles of physics, chemistry and biology, can drive new discovery in detecting and fighting bioterrorism agents, lead to cleaner environments, and help propel development in NATO partner countries. The ASI merged the related disciplines of biophysics, biochemistry and molecular structure to treat, detect, and understand emerging infectious diseases. It addressed the treatment and detection of bioterrorism agents, and focused on critical partner country priorities in biotechnology, materials, drug discovery and the environment. It provided crossroads discussing new technologies in biophysics and structural biology, their implications pathogen detection and treatment and their role in partner country development. The ASI allowed deep and wide-ranging discussion between lecturers and students, providing overviews of key areas and links between them.

The range of topics represent the diversity of critical problems between structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics, in which lies the fertile ground of drug development, biotechnology and new materials.

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Dr Spencer's account gives, in largely non-mathematical terms, a concise but rigorous explanation of the principles underlying the various forms of light microscopy. It starts with the properties of lenses, elementary diffraction theory and theoretical limits to resolution; it goes on to explain the workings of phase contrast, dark-field, fluorescence, polarizing and interference microscopes. There are chapters on aberrations and photomicrography, and detailed instructions for the alignment and general care of microscopes. Questions and answers are given at the end of each chapter, and suggestions made for class experiments. Although written primarily for undergraduates, the treatment is equally suitable for those preparing for professional examinations in microscopy, and for research workers seeking a better understanding of the microscopes they use. ... Read more

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Reaction Centers of Photosynthetic Bacteria is an updated record on the most recent insight into the struc- ture/function relationship of reaction centers from photosynthetic bacteria. It addresses in particular, interactions and dynamics which determine the ultra-high quantum yield of photoinduced charge separation in these energy-transforming molecular machines. Of particular interest is the still controversial issue of the primary charge separation mechanism as well as the effects of well-defined modifications, introduced either by mutagenic replacements in the protein matrix or by chemical exchange of reaction center pigments. Also described are the methods used for the characterization of interactions and dynamics important for electron transfer processes in the reaction center. ... Read more

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This is a book of contributions on the treatment of long-ranged electrostatic interactions in molecular simulations of thermodynamically large systems, and of specific computational applications involving physical chemistry of solutions, dielectric models and hydration, and biomolecules and membranes. The contributors were encouraged to "write what you want graduate students to read when they encounter these problems first" so that this volume will be used for students of physics, chemistry, and biophysics taking up these research problems. Some topics covered are: Molecular theory of solutions; electrostatic interactions; simulation of biological macromolecules and membranes; dielectric models of hydration; molecular dynamics. ... Read more

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The topic of "Patterns in Protein Sequence and Structure" isof interest to a wide range of scientists, from biochemiststo computer scientists, andthis diversity is, to someextent, reflected by the contributions to this volume. Theproblems of interpreting biological sequence data are toanincreasing extent forcing molecular biologists to learn thelanguage of computers, including at times, even the abstruselanguage of the computerscientists themselves. While, ontheir side, the computer scientists have discovered averitable honey-pot of real data on which to testtheiralgorithms. This enforced meeting of two otherwise alienfields has resulted in some difficulties in communicationand it is an aim of this volume to help resolve these. Thechapters follow, roughly ordered from puresequence analysisto structure analysis, including, towards the end, even someexperimental approaches. This progression is echoed by thegradual distortion of Marilyn Monroes's face into a proteinmotif which formed theposter advertising the originalmeeting, from which the contents of thisvolume looselyderive. The poster was, of course, brightly coloured andthose readers who have not exhausted their Day-Glo penshi-lighting sequence motifs might like to reproduce theoriginal effect by copying thecolouring scheme of AndyWarhol's Ten Marilyns. ... Read more

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The cross-disciplinary pursuits between modern technology,their computations and applications to the human body have explodedbecause of rapid developments in computer technology and mathematicalcomputational techniques. This four-volume set, Computational Methods in Biomaterials,Biotechnology and Biomedical Systems, represents the firstmulti-volume treatment of this significant subject on theinternational scene. The work is an indispensable reference source byleading researchers, and is essential reference work for academics,practitioners, students and researchers working with:+Computers in Medicine,+Science and Mathematics inBiomaterials, Biomechanics and Bioengineering,+ComputationalBiophysics.Volume Synopsis: Volume 1: Algorithm Techniques The first volume begins logically with algorithmic techniques andtheir application in medical imaging procedures Electrocardiography(ECG) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG): modeling techniques used indata rich biomechanics and biomedical environments; and specificcoverage of artificial neural networks for rehabilitation and DNAsequence analysis. Volume 2: Computational Methods Volume 2 presents computational methods across a broad array ofsubjects, from bone implants and wound healing to temperature drivenphysiological reactions of arms and legs; from spatial patternanalysis and binocular fixation systems to telerobotic surgery; andcomputer design and manufacturing systems in biomedicine. Volume 3: Mathematical Analysis Methods This volume focuses on methods of mathematical analysis, starting withmedical imaging. Then to biological modeling for applications to bloodflow, neuranatomy and motion analysis of tumors and metastases;mathematical methods related to Doppler examination of the heart,blood pressure drugs and knee implants; and closing with biosignalinterchange formats and boundary element methods for biologicalsystems. Volume 4: Diagnostic Methods This volume presents a rich variety of diagnostic methods andtechniques derived from results of the earlier volumes. Fromanalytical to heuristic to modern methods of artificial intelligence,a significant summary is provided on the essential role computationalmethods play in medical systems. ... Read more

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In this volume the contributions of the 2nd International EBSA (European Biophysical Societies Association) Symposium devoted to the biophysical and biochemical aspects of the structure and interaction of cytoskeletal and extracellular proteins are presented. Topics such as supramolecular structure and organization, thermodynamics and kinetics of assembly, as well as the basic mechanisms of protein-protein interactions are discussed, and special emphasis is given to applied biophysical techniques. ... Read more

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Proceedings of a workshop on the physics and biophysics of hearing that brought together experimenters and modelers working on all aspects of audition. Topics covered include: cochlear mechanical measurements, cochlear models, mechanicals and biophysics of hair cells, efferent control, and ultrastructure. ... Read more

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Life on earth depends on the photosynthetic use of solar energy by plants, and efforts to develop alternative sources of energy include a major thrust toward the use of photosynthesis to yield fuels. The study of photosynthesis is an especially convincing way of bringing together the disciplines of physics, chemistry, and biology and can be a valuable element in the teaching of biophysics and biochemistry. This book provides the only detailed modern treatment of the subject in a concise form. Part I outlines the historical development of the subject, emphasizing the chemical nature of photosynthesis and the roles of chlorophylls and other pigments. Part II reviews our present knowledge of the structure and components of photosynthetic tissues in relation to their function. Part III deals with the photo-chemistry of photosynthesis and with the patterns of chemical events, principally electron and proton transfer, that follow the photo-chemistry. Part IV treats the relationships of electron and proton transport to ATP formation, and the metabolic patterns of carbon assimilation. An epilogue exposes major areas of confusion and ignorance and indicates potentially fruitful directions of research, including the development of photosynthetic systems for solar energy conversion. Throughout the book, there are frequent digressions into those aspects of optics and molecular physics relevant to the subject matter. Suitable for upper undergraduate and graduate course use, this book is also sufficiently detailed to give professional scientists a perspective of the subject at the level of contemporary research. ... Read more

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This comprehensive guide to the biophysics of toetalloproteinsand the mechanisms of charge transfer through systems involving them,aims to outline a summary of scientific results obtained by theworld-wide research in recent years. The volume appears at a time ofsignificant progress within the field, when technologies derived fromit are granted central recognition for their role in the developmentof biotechnology, electronics and material sciences. ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more