This volume presents a broad panorama of the current status of research of invertebrate animals considered belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, such as hydra, jellyfish, sea anemone, and coral. In this book the Cnidarians are traced from the Earth’s primordial oceans, to their response to the warming and acidifying oceans. Due to the role of corals in the carbon and calcium cycles, various aspects of cnidarian calcification are discussed. The relation of the Cnidaria with Mankind is approached, in accordance with the Editors’ philosophy of bridging the artificial schism between science, arts and Humanities. Cnidarians' encounters with humans result in a broad spectrum of medical emergencies that are reviewed. The final section of the volume is devoted to the role of Hydra and Medusa in mythology and art.

Halen knows the sparks igniting under her fingertips are dangerous. She has spent her entire life trying to quell the tingly feelings that make her destroy things, but now that she is back in Rockaway Beach, where she watched her father drown, the flames have become impossible to tame. Halen is trying to hold on, but when she is thrust into a mysterious new world, the underwater realm of Elosia, she unravels the secrets of her past and can't help but ignite. As she explores Elosia, she realizes her life has been a lie. And when those who have deceived her come to her for help, Halen must choose-walk away or unleash the magick that could destroy them all.

This book provides the latest updates on the major challenges of bridging large bone defects, where options range from autografts, “tissue engineered bone”, biomaterials (hydroxyapatite, polycaprolactone and third generation biomaterials) to prostheses. Emphasis has been made on bone tissue engineering, the current state-of-the-art in this field, problems encountered with cell culture technology, scaffolds and bone growth factors (including genomics) and the use of gene therapy for the application of bone growth factors. Attention has also been given to the use of bone autografts. It also covers the use of biomaterials and prostheses as other options for reconstruction. Clinical applications, in addition to the basic science, are also included throughout the discussions.

The concept of real-world studies (RWS) has emerged in recent years and differs from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in design and implementation. The importance of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) in the context of medical and health decision-making is rising. This is relevant for the many and diverse medical traditions globally. RWS can bring new ideas and methodologies for clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of different specific preparations used in a Traditional Medicine (TM) and allow a high-quality assessment of the evidence for specific uses of such preparations. TM, including Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Traditional European Medicine (TEM) or Traditional Indian Medicines (TIM) as well as interventions using herbal medicines or natural products such as dietary fibre are all examples of practices which can benefit from RWS. For example, TCM is a unique form of medical practice based on a complex philosophy as well as on real-world clinical experience and evidence. RWE is essential for understanding the evidence one can derive from the outcomes of medical practice. It is of particular interest for understanding TCM diagnosis and treatment. In addition, there is potential for real-world traditional medical therapies based on other cultural and philosophical principles (natural products or herbal medicines). Currently, RWS is mostly utilized for evaluation the clinical efficacy of Traditional medicine (TM) treatments, including post-marketing re-evaluation of new medications or traditional classical prescriptions, as well as TM-related mechanistic research.

A succinct introduction to the field of biomaterials engineering, packed with practical insights.

Discusses the world's oceans as habitats endangered by human pollution and examines efforts to counter the damage and conserve them.

Bone substitute biomaterials are fundamental to the biomedical sector, and have recently benefitted from extensive research and technological advances aimed at minimizing failure rates and reducing the need for further surgery. This book reviews these developments, with a particular focus on the desirable properties for bone substitute materials and their potential to encourage bone repair and regeneration. Part I covers the principles of bone substitute biomaterials for medical applications. One chapter reviews the quantification of bone mechanics at the whole-bone, micro-scale, and non-scale levels, while others discuss biomineralization, osteoductivization, materials to fill bone defects, and bioresorbable materials. Part II focuses on biomaterials as scaffolds and implants, including multi-functional scaffolds, bioceramics, and titanium-based foams. Finally, Part III reviews further materials with the potential to encourage bone repair and regeneration, including cartilage grafts, chitosan, inorganic polymer composites, and marine organisms. - Provides a detailed and accurate overview of the bone substitute biomaterials, a fundamental part of the biomaterials and biomedical sector - Provides readers with the principles of bone substitute biomaterials - Reviews biomaterials for bone regeneration

The work is a source of modern knowledge on biomineralization, biomimetics and bioinspired materials science with respect to marine invertebrates. The author gives the most coherent analysis of the nature, origin and evolution of biocomposites and biopolymers isolated from and observed in the broad diversity of marine invertebrate organisms and within their unusual structural formations. The basic format is that of a major review article, with liberal use of references to original literature. There is a wealth of new and newly synthesized information, including dozens of previously unpublished images of unique marine creatures and structures from nano- to microscale including high-resolution scanning and transmission electron micrographs. The material is organized effectively along both biological (phyla) and functional lines. The classification of biological materials of marine origin is proposed and discussed. Much of the pertinent data is organized into tables, and extensive use is made of electron micrographs and line drawings. Several modern topics e.g. “biomineralization- demineralization-remineralization phenomena”, or “phenomenon of multiphase biomineralization”, are discussed in details. Traditionally, such current concepts as hierarchical organization of biocomposites and skeletal structures, structural bioscaffolds, biosculpturing, biomimetism and bioinspiration as tools for the design of innovative materials are critically analyzed from both biological and materials science point of view using numerous unique examples of marine origin. This monograph reviews the most relevant advances in the marine biomaterials research field, pointing out several approaches being introduced and explored by distinct laboratories.

This is an essential purchase for all painting conservators and conservation scientists dealing with paintings and painted objects. It provides the first definitive manual dedicated to optical microscopy of historical pigments. Illustrated throughout with full colour images reproduced to the highest possible quality, this book is based on years of painstaking research into the visual and optical properties of pigments. Now combined with the Pigment Dictionary, the most thorough reference to pigment names and synonyms avaiable, the Pigment Compendium is a major addition to the study and understanding of historic pigments.

A Complex and Growing Field The study of vascularization in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) and its applications is an emerging field that could revolutionize medical approaches for organ and tissue replacement, reconstruction, and regeneration. Designed specifically for researchers in TERM fields, Vascularization: Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering provides a broad overview of vascularization in TERM applications. This text summarizes research in several areas, and includes contributions from leading experts in the field. It defines the difficulties associated with multicellular processes in vascularization and cell-source issues. It presents advanced biomaterial design strategies for control of vascular network formation and in silico models designed to provide insight not possible in experimental systems. It also examines imaging methods that are critical to understanding vascularization in engineered tissues, and addresses vascularization issues within the context of specific tissue applications. This text is divided into three parts; the first section focuses on the basics of vascularization. The second section provides general approaches for promoting vascularization. The final section presents tissue and organ-specific aspects of vascularization in regenerative medicine. Presents Areas of Substantial Clinical and Societal Impact The material contains research and science on the process of vessel assembly with an emphasis on methods for controlling the process for therapeutic applications. It describes the tissue and organ-specific aspects of vascularization in regenerative medicine, and refers to areas such as bone tissue engineering, vascularization of encapsulated cells, adipose tissue, bone and muscle engineering. It also provides a mechanistic understanding of the process and presentation of experimental and computational approaches that facilitate the study of vascular assembly, and includes enabling technologies such as nanotechnology, drug delivery, stem cells, microfluidics, and biomaterial design that are optimized for supporting the formation of extensive vascular networks in regenerative medicine. A guide for researchers developing new methods for modulating vessel assembly, this text can also be used by senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses focused on TERM.