R. Moss – författare

This text on animal pollution dynamics should be of interest to those studying ecology, population dynamics and pest control.

This work addresses the molecular mechanisms by which contraction of heart and skeletal muscles is regulated, as well as the modulation of these mechanisms by important (patho)physiological variables such as ionic composition of the myoplasm and phosphorylations of contractile and regulatory proteins. For the novice, this volume includes chapters that summarize understanding of excitation-contraction coupling in striated muscles, as well as the compositions and structures myofibrillar thick and thin filaments. For the expert, this volume presents detailed pictures of understanding of the mechanisms underlying the CA2+ regulation of contraction in heart and skeletal muscles and discusses important directions for future investigation.

Molecular Control Mechanisms in Striated Muscle Contraction addresses the molecular mechanisms by which contraction of heart and skeletal muscles is regulated, as well as the modulation of these mechanisms by important (patho)physiological variables such as ionic composition of the myoplasm and phosphorylations of contractile and regulatory proteins.For the novice, this volume includes chapters that summarize current understanding of excitation-contraction coupling in striated muscles, as well as the compositions and structures myofibrillar thick and thin filaments. For the expert, this volume presents detailed pictures of current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the CA2+ regulation of contraction in heart and skeletal muscles and discusses important directions for future investigation.

This book is primarily intended for graduate chemists and chemical physicists. Indeed, it is based on a graduate course that I give in the Chemistry Depart­ ment of Southampton University. Nowadays undergraduate chemistry courses usually include an introduction to quantum mechanics with particular reference to molecular properties and there are a number of excellent textbooks aimed specifically at undergraduate chemists. In valence theory and molecular spectroscopy physical concepts are often encountered that are normally taken on trust. For example, electron spin and the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron are usually accepted as postulates, although they are well understood by physicists. In addition, the advent of new techniques has led to experimental situations that can only be accounted for adequately by relatively sophisticated physical theory. Relativis­ tic corrections to molecular orbital energies are needed to explain X-ray photo­ electron spectra, while the use oflasers can give rise to multiphoton transitions, which are not easy to understand using the classical theory of radiation. Of course, the relevant equations may be extracted from the literature, but, if the underlying physics is not understood, this is a practice that is at best dissatisfy­ ing and at worst dangerous. One instance where great care must be taken is in the use of spectroscopically determined parameters to test the accuracy of elec­ tronic wave functions.

This book is primarily intended for graduate chemists and chemical physicists. Indeed, it is based on a graduate course that I give in the Chemistry Depart­ ment of Southampton University. Nowadays undergraduate chemistry courses usually include an introduction to quantum mechanics with particular reference to molecular properties and there are a number of excellent textbooks aimed specifically at undergraduate chemists. In valence theory and molecular spectroscopy physical concepts are often encountered that are normally taken on trust. For example, electron spin and the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron are usually accepted as postulates, although they are well understood by physicists. In addition, the advent of new techniques has led to experimental situations that can only be accounted for adequately by relatively sophisticated physical theory. Relativis­ tic corrections to molecular orbital energies are needed to explain X-ray photo­ electron spectra, while the use oflasers can give rise to multiphoton transitions, which are not easy to understand using the classical theory of radiation. Of course, the relevant equations may be extracted from the literature, but, if the underlying physics is not understood, this is a practice that is at best dissatisfy­ ing and at worst dangerous. One instance where great care must be taken is in the use of spectroscopically determined parameters to test the accuracy of elec­ tronic wave functions.

The transport of farm livestock was the subject of the seminar held from 7 - 8 July 1981 at the Commission of the European Communities (CECl, Directorate General for Agriculture, Brussels as part of the work of the Division Coordinating Agricultural Research. The aims of the seminar were to examine the knowledge available on how the physiology and behaviour of animals may change during transport; to consider the significance of these changes in relation to welfare and economics and to assess those actions which as experimental projects or observational studies might be proposed to fill the most important gaps in our knowledge of the welfare of farm animals during transport. A number of conclusions can be drawn from the proceedings: 1. Much knowledge is available from both scientific observations and practical experience which could be used to improve the transport of livestock. Methods of loading, the construction of vehicles, ships, crates and aircraft could benefit from the application of existing knowledge. It is less clear whether it is best to concentrate on disseminating existing knowledge by education and advice or to contemplate more regulations. 2. Losses by down-grading at slaughter can largely be attributed to the ways in which animals are transported and handled.

The transport of farm livestock was the subject of the seminar held from 7 - 8 July 1981 at the Commission of the European Communities (CECl, Directorate General for Agriculture, Brussels as part of the work of the Division Coordinating Agricultural Research. The aims of the seminar were to examine the knowledge available on how the physiology and behaviour of animals may change during transport; to consider the significance of these changes in relation to welfare and economics and to assess those actions which as experimental projects or observational studies might be proposed to fill the most important gaps in our knowledge of the welfare of farm animals during transport. A number of conclusions can be drawn from the proceedings: 1. Much knowledge is available from both scientific observations and practical experience which could be used to improve the transport of livestock. Methods of loading, the construction of vehicles, ships, crates and aircraft could benefit from the application of existing knowledge. It is less clear whether it is best to concentrate on disseminating existing knowledge by education and advice or to contemplate more regulations. 2. Losses by down-grading at slaughter can largely be attributed to the ways in which animals are transported and handled.

The welfare of domestic poultry. particularly those kept under intensive housing conditions is a subject ~n which many. often divergent and conflicting views. are held. This divergence, may be the result either of insufficient knowledge of the facts of particular poultry husbandry systems or a differing interpretation of those facts. With regard to poultry and the laying hen in particular. there is a need to gather together a basic knowledge of avian behaviour in all the circumstances and systems of husbandry under which birds are presently being kept. That knowledge should lead to the development of interpretative and hopefully predictive theories which in turn will allow us to meet the recommendations of Article 3 of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes: ''that animals shall be housed, provided with food. water and care in a manner which - having regard to their species and to their degree of development. adaptation and domestication - is appropriate to their physiological and ethological needs in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge''. In furtherance of those objectives a small group of specialists in poultry physiology and ethology. both from within and outside the European Community met by invitation of the Commission in Luxembourg between 11 and 13 March 1980. Their objective was to discuss what is already known. and can be agreed on. of the normal physiology and ethological range of the laying hen.

The welfare of domestic poultry. particularly those kept under intensive housing conditions is a subject ~n which many. often divergent and conflicting views. are held. This divergence, may be the result either of insufficient knowledge of the facts of particular poultry husbandry systems or a differing interpretation of those facts. With regard to poultry and the laying hen in particular. there is a need to gather together a basic knowledge of avian behaviour in all the circumstances and systems of husbandry under which birds are presently being kept. That knowledge should lead to the development of interpretative and hopefully predictive theories which in turn will allow us to meet the recommendations of Article 3 of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes: 'that animals shall be housed, provided with food. water and care in a manner which - having regard to their species and to their degree of development. adaptation and domestication - is appropriate to their physiological and ethological needs in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge'. In furtherance of those objectives a small group of specialists in poultry physiology and ethology. both from within and outside the European Community met by invitation of the Commission in Luxembourg between 11 and 13 March 1980. Their objective was to discuss what is already known. and can be agreed on. of the normal physiology and ethological range of the laying hen.