Evgeni B. Starikov - Böcker

Modern thermodynamics is a unique but still not a logically self-consistent field of knowledge. It has a proven universal applicability and significance but its actual potential is still latent. The development of the foundations of thermodynamics was in effect non-stop but absolutely no one has any idea about this. This book is the first of its kind that will motivate researchers to build up a logically consistent field of thermodynamics. It greatly appreciates the actual depth and potential of thermodynamics which might also be of interest to readers in history and philosophy of scientific research.The book presents the life stories of the protagonists in detail and allows readers to cast a look at the whole scene of the field by showcasing a significant number of their colleagues whose works have fittingly complemented their achievements. It also tries to trigger a detailed analysis of the reasons why the actual work in this extremely important field has in effect gone astray. It comprises five chapters and introduces three scientists in the first two chapters, which are specifically devoted to the Scandinavian achievements in macroscopic thermodynamics. These introductions are novel and call for a detailed reconsideration of the field. The third chapter acquaints the readers with their fourth colleague in Germany who was working on the proper link between the macroscopic thermodynamics, kinetics, and the atomistic representation of matter. The fourth chapter brings in their fifth colleague in the United States who could formally infer the famous formula S = k * ln(W), ingeniously guessed by Ludwig Boltzmann, and thus clarify the physical sense of the entropy notion. The last chapter summarizes the above-mentioned discourses.

Agricultural biocatalysis is of immense scientific interest nowadays owing to its increasing importance in the efforts for more sustainable agriculture while optimizing environmental impacts. Plant compatibility is essential for developing eco-friendly and sustainable microbial products. Therefore, our search for novel technologies ought to be in the foreground, for which a thorough understanding of biochemical processes, applications of agricultural enzymes, traits, and viruses should get the highest priority. Volumes 8 to 10 in this series compile the recent research on agricultural biocatalysis by interdisciplinary teams from international institutes for chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, and materials and chemical engineering, who have been investigating agricultural-biocatalytic topics related to biochemical conversions or bioremediation, and modern biological and chemical applications exemplified by the use of selected and highly innovative agricultural enzymes, traits, and viruses. The editors are prominent researchers in agrochemistry and theoretical biophysical chemistry, and these three volumes are useful references for the students and researchers in the fields of agrochemistry, biochemistry, biology, biophysical chemistry, natural product chemistry, materials, and drug design. Volume 8 covers the research on biosynthesis, biocatalysis, and photosynthesis aspects for use in agrochemistry, including nano-biocatalytic processing, atrazine toxicity, and theoretical studies in biocatalysis and biological processes.