springer.com/NEWSonline Springer News 9/2010 Life Sciences 137 K. Andeweg, H. van Latesteijn, TransForum, P. R. Bergethon, Boston University, MA, USA; D. E. Bignell, University of London, UK; Y. Roisin, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands (Eds.) K. Hallock, Boston University, MA, USA Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium; N. Lo, University of Syndey, NSW, Australia (Eds.) The TransForum Model: The Physical Basis of Transforming Agro Innovation Biochemistry Biology of Termites: a Modern Toward Sustainable Solutions Manual to the Second Edition Synthesis Development The Physical Basis of Biochemistry: Solutions Biology of Termites, a Modern Synthesis brings Manual to the Second Edition offers solutions to together the major advances in termite biology, The TransForum Model: Transforming Agro- the problem sets from the second edition of The phylogenetics, social evolution and biogeography. innovation Toward Sustainable Development Physical Basis of Biochemistry. The Physical Basis In this new volume, David Bignell, Yves Roisin and presents new insights on how to use innovation for of Biochemistry, Second Edition, emphasizes the Nathan Lo have brought together leading experts the complex challenge of sustainable development. interdisciplinary nature of biophysical chem- on termite taxonomy, behaviour, genetics, caste Innovation has been at the heart of the positive istry by incorporating the quantitative perspec- differentiation, physiology, microbiology, mound agricultural developments in both production and tive of the physical sciences without sacrificing architecture, biogeography and control. Very productivity growth during the last decades. Due the complexity and diversity of the biological strong evolutionary and developmental themes to the negative impact of these developments on systems, applies physical and chemical principles run through the individual chapters, fed by new the physical and social environment, a transforma- to the understanding of the biology of cells and data streams from molecular sequencing, and for tional change of the agricultural sector is needed explores the explosive developments in the area of the first time it is possible to compare the social to shift toward a more sustainable development. genomics, and in turn, proteomics, bioinformatics, organisation of termites with that of the social Changing the agro innovation system is necessary and computational and visualization technologies Hymenoptera, focusing on caste determination, to bring this about. that have occurred in the past seven years. population genetics, cooperative behaviour, nest hygiene and symbioses with microorganisms. Features Features 7 Charting new territory for innovation and 7 Grounds students in the basic principles of From the contents sustainable development 7 Practical guide- biochemistry and molecular biophysics 1. An introduction to termites: biology, taxonomy lines from a wealth of action experiments 7 7 Emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of and functional morphology.- 2. Termite phyloge- Combining insights from various scientific disci- biophysical chemistry 7 Contains solutions to netics and co-cladogenesis with symbionts.- plines to support innovation numerous problem sets and examples from The 3. Evolution and function of endogenous termite Physical Basis of Biochemistry, Second Edition, cellulases.- 4. Altricial development in wood- Contents with clear illustrations feeding cockroaches: the key antecedent of termite Preface.- 1. The need for a new agro innovation eusociality.- 5. Eusocial evolution in termites and system.- 2. Inventions for future sustainable devel- From the contents Hymenoptera.- 6. Social organization and the opment in agriculture.- 3. Organizing innovations Principles of Biophysical Inquiry.Philosophy status of workers in termites.- 7. Ecology, behavior and transitions.- 4. For or Against Innovation? and Practice of Biophysical Study.Overview of and evolution of disease resistance in termites.- The influence of images.- 5. Mobilizing consumer the Biological System Under Study – Descriptive 8. Comparative biology of fungus cultivation in demand for sustainable development6. From Models.Physical Thoughts, Biological Systems termites and ants.- 9. Molecular basis underlying motivating assumptions to a practical innova- - The application of modeling principles to caste differentiation in termites.- 10. Sexual and tion model.- 7. Transforming agriculture: a new understanding biological systems.Probability and asexual reproduction in termites.- 11. Pheromones approach to stimulate sustainable development.- Statistics.- Foundations.Physical Principles: Energy and chemical ecology of dispersal and foraging in Appendix I. TransForum: stimulating innovation - The Prime Observable.Biophysical Forces in termites.- 12. Genetic structure of termite colonies for sustainable development by learning by doing.- Molecular Systems.An Introduction to Quantum and populations.- 13. Termite mound architecture, Action experiments.- Scientific research.- Learning Mechanics.Chemical Principles.Measuring the from function to construction.- 14. Morphology, projects.- Appendix II. Action experiments expli- Energy of a System: Energetics and the First Law physiology, biochemistry and functional design of cated.- Appendix III. Overview experiments & of Thermodynamics.Entropy and the Second Law the termite gut: an evolutionary Wonderland.- projects.- Action experiments.- Scientific research of Thermodynamics.Which Way Did That System 15. Diversity, structure and evolution of the projects.- Learning projects.- Appendix IV. Go? The Gibbs Free Energy. termite gut microbial community. Fields of interest Fields of interest Fields of interest Agriculture; Sustainable Development Biochemistry, general; Biophysics and Biological Invertebrates; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/ Physics; Physical Chemistry Biogeography; Animal Ecology Target groups Graduate Target groups Target groups Research Research Type of publication Contributed volume Type of publication Type of publication Graduate/Advanced undergraduate textbook Contributed volume Due October 2010 Due November 2010 Due October 2010 2010. X, 240 p. Hardcover 2011. 150 p. 36 illus., 18 in color. Softcover 2nd ed. 2010. 450 p. Hardcover 7 € 139,95 | £126.00 7 € 29,95 | £26.99 7 approx. € 149,95 | £135.00 7 * € (D) 149,75 | € (A) 153,94 | sFr 201,00 7 * € (D) 32,05 | € (A) 32,95 | sFr 43,00 7 approx. * € (D) 160,45 | € (A) 164,94 | sFr 215,00 9<HTUAPI=bjhiae>ISBN 978-90-481-9780-4 9<HTMEPB=jhdgde>ISBN 978-1-4419-7363-4 9<HTUAPI=bdjhgh>ISBN 978-90-481-3976-7 138 Life Sciences Springer News 9/2010 springer.com/NEWSonline J. A. Birchler, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, A. Blum, Tel Aviv, Israel M. Bredemeier, University of Göttingen, Germany; USA (Ed.) S. Cohen, Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Plant Breeding for Sciences, Bet Dagan, Israel; D. L. Godbold, University Plant Chromosome of Wales, Bangor, UK; E. Lode, Tallinn University, Water-Limited Environments Estonia; V. Pichler, Technical University Zvolen, Engineering Slovakia; P. Schleppi, Swiss Federal Institute for Methods and Protocols This volume will be the only existing single- Forest, Birmensdorf, Switzerland (Eds.) authored book offering a science-based breeder’s With an increasing human population and manual directed at breeding for water-limited Forest Management and the a decreasing amount of arable land, creative environments. Plant breeding is characterized by improvements in agriculture will be a necessity the need to integrate information from diverse Water Cycle in the coming decades to maintain or improve disciplines towards the development and delivery An Ecosystem-Based Approach the standard of living. In Plant Chromosome of a product defines as a new cultivar. Conven- Engineering: Methods and Protocols, expert tional breeding draws information from disciplines The protective function of forests for water quality researchers present techniques for the modifica- such as genetics, plant physiology, plant pathology, and water-related hazards, as well as adequate water tion of crops and other plant species in order to entomology, food technology and statistics. Plant supplies for forest ecosystems in Europe, are poten- achieve the goal of developing the much needed breeding for water-limited environments and the tially at risk due to changing climate and changing novel approaches to the production of food, feed, development of drought resistant crop cultivars land-management practices. Water budgets of fuel, fiber, and pharmaceuticals. is considered as one of the more difficult areas forest ecosystems are heavily dependent on climate in plant breeding while at the same time it is and forest structure. The latter is determined by Features becoming a very pressing issue. the management measures applied in the forestry 7 Focuses on vital techniques which can lead to sector. Various developments of forest management the production of improved food, feed, fuel, fiber, Features strategies, imposed on a background of changing and pharmaceuticals 7 Contains protocols tested 7 A science-based breeder’s manual for water climate, are considered in assessing the overall and proven by expert researchers in the field limited environments specifically directed at future of forest–water interactions in Europe. 7 Features the product of the contributors experi- clearing up the confusion and focusing on what ence in the form of key tips for the successful can practically be achieved and how to proceed Features implementation