JPEC 9(1) 2013


Book Description

This is the ninth volume of papers in the Journal of Practical Ecology & Conservation series. There is a range of topics covered in this issue from monitoring upland vegetation to the ecology of the New Zealand Walking Bat and the case for using wood-fuel as a means of sustainably managing moorlands and heaths. The editorial paper looks at grazing regimes and the impact of cultural severance on managing wooded landscapes.







The Routledge Handbook of Environmental Economics in Asia


Book Description

Problems of climate change, biodiversity and air pollution are clearly growing globally, but more particularly in Asia because of its economic importance and richness in nature. The increasing interest in environmental and resource economics applied in regions of Asia will make this book an outstanding resource to the existing literature, particularly in the fields of environmental and resource economics and the integration of applied content in traditional and agricultural development. At present there is no single handbook or text on the state of current knowledge in environmental economics in Asia or one which offers a comprehensive guide to students and academics on the subjects of environmental economics research. This book will help to fill the gap in the existing literature.




Soil Ecology and Ecosystem Services


Book Description

This multi-contributor, international volume synthesizes contributions from the world's leading soil scientists and ecologists, describing cutting-edge research that provides a basis for the maintenance of soil health and sustainability. The book covers these advances from a unique perspective of examining the ecosystem services produced by soil biota across different scales - from biotic interactions at microscales to communities functioning at regional and global scales. The book leads the user towards an understanding of how the sustainability of soils, biodiversity, and ecosystem services can be maintained and how humans, other animals, and ecosystems are dependent on living soils and ecosystem services. This is a valuable reference book for academic libraries and professional ecologists worldwide as a statement of progress in the broad field of soil ecology. It will also be of interest to both upper level undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in soil ecology, as well as academic researchers and professionals in the field requiring an authoritative, balanced, and up-to-date overview of this fast expanding topic.




A Complicated Heart


Book Description

These inspiring true stories portray the life of a dual career lawyer and midwife. Come along on an unusual journey filled with humor, sadness, social awkwardness, self doubt, ethical dilemmas, and cultural lessons. Visit inmates in prison, argue to a jury, and sentence a heroin addict. Deliver babies at home in rural New Mexico, and poor hospitals in the Caribbean and Africa. Through the intimate style of the author, look directly into the hearts and minds of the criminals, women in labor, their babies, and everyone else her odd life brings her in contact with, including a dead cow. Be surprised at the emotion and beauty you can find in death, a jail cell, the back of a police car, and other unlikely places. These compelling stories will bring you closer to finding your personal answer to “What does it all mean?”




Toward Operational Art in Special Warfare


Book Description

Hybrid irregular and conventional military operations are playing an increasingly prominent role in international conflict. To counter this trend, the United States should adopt a new form of operational art for special warfare.




The Art and Science of Personalising Care with Older People with Diabetes


Book Description

This unique book is intended for all health professionals caring for older people with diabetes such as specialist and general nurses, doctors, primary care practioners and dieteticians. Although there is an increasing body of work about personalised care, no publications were identified that encompass the focus and scope of the proposed book. The global population is ageing and increasing age is a key risk factor for diabetes. Older people with diabetes are often vulnerable, have complex care needs and often have cognitive changes, which makes personalising care challenging for health professionals. Thus, this is an internationally relevant book filling a gap in the current literature. This is a practical and updated book that will use an engaging and easy to read narrative style. It challenges readers to reflect in and on their practice. It encompasses people with diabetes’ and authors’ stories, which are known to have a special interest to readers, make it easier to apply the information to practice, enhance learning, and hence the relevance and value of the book. It is relevant to advocacy organisations as well as managers and service planners. Researchers and scientists may find relevant information on grant and ethics applications, research protocols, plain language statements for potential participants and operationalising research protocols.




Hybrid Technologies for Power Generation


Book Description

Hybrid Technologies for Power Generation addresses the topics related to hybrid technologies by coupling conventional thermal engines with novel technologies, including fuel cells, batteries, thermal storage and electrolysis, and reporting on the most recent advances concerning transport and stationary applications. Potential operating schemes of hybrid power generation systems are covered, highlighting possible combinations of technology and guideline selection according to the energy demands of end-users. Going beyond state-of-the-art technological developments for processes, devices and systems, this book discusses the environmental impact and existing hurdles of moving from a single device to new approaches for efficient energy generation, transfer, conversion, high-density storage and consumption. By describing the practical viability of novel devices coupled to conventional thermal devices, this book has a decisive impact in energy system research, supporting those in the energy research and engineering communities. - Covers detailed thermodynamic requirements for multiple smart technologies included in hybrid systems (i.e., FC, electrolysers, supercapacitors, batteries, thermal storage, etc.) - Features fundamental analysis and modeling to optimize the combination of smart technologies with traditional engines - Details protocols for the analysis, operation and requirements of large-scale production







Microbial Symbionts


Book Description

Microbial Symbionts: Functions and Molecular Interactions on Host focuses on microbial symbionts of plants, animals, insects and molecular methods in the identification of microbial symbionts. The book describes the molecular mechanism and interactions of symbiosis of microbiome in plants, animals and humans. It brings the latest techniques for identification, localization and functional characterization of host-associated microbes and explains the role/importance of microbial symbionts. This comprehensive reference covers a wide range of symbiotic microorganisms used for basic and advanced techniques associated with the isolation, characterization and identification of microbial symbiotic microorganisms and their functions and molecular interactions on the host. The book will also helps users plan and execute experiments with appropriate knowledge rather than experimental trial and error in a wide range of disciplines, including Microbiology, Biotechnology, Botany and Zoology. - Provides basic knowledge and working protocols for a wide range of disciplines like Microbiology, Biotechnology, Botany and Zoology - Presents the most current information in symbiotic microbiome and holobiome - Includes color photos pertaining to techniques