It's just over a week until Sam will be Binding with Jared, and the only thing she wants is to spend that time relaxing and preparing for the ceremony. Unfortunately, she seems to be asking too much of fate, because suddenly she's lumbered with a number of distractions that have the potential to postpone, or even cancel, the Binding. There's a guarded fiancé to crack, a complicated assignment to deal with, Jared's ex to alienate, and a bunch of snobbish Master Vampires to win over - or offend, whichever. On the upside, things couldn't possibly be any worse, could they?Actually, yes they could. Due to a cruel twist of fate, something strange is happening to Sam -something that is changing her in ways she doesn't like or understand. With the help of Jared and those closest to her, she has to not only handle the threats to the Binding Ceremony, but find a way to fix what has been done to her - and fast. Warning: This book contains a stubborn and occasionally homicidal female vampire, a powerful and overprotective male vampire who refuses to lose her, and scenes of a sexual, explicit nature.

The coming of Christianity to Northern Europe resulted in profound cultural changes. In the course of a few generations, new answers were given to fundamental existential questions and older notions were invalidated. Jonas Wellendorf's study, the first monograph in English on this subject, explores the medieval Scandinavian reception and re-interpretation of pre-Christian Scandinavian religion. This original work draws on a range of primary sources ranging from Prose Edda and Saxo Grammaticus' History of the Danes to less well known literary works including the Saga of Barlaam and the Hauksbók manuscript (c.1300). By providing an in-depth analysis of often overlooked mythological materials, along with translations of all textual passages, Wellendorf delivers an accessible work that sheds new light on the ways in which the old gods were integrated into the Christian worldview of medieval Scandinavia.

This book provides an unprecedented overview of "Targeted Therapies" for acute myeloid leukemias. It aims at an almost comprehensive coverage of the diverse therapeutic strategies that have been developed during the last decade and are now being evaluated in early clinical trials. Paired and authoritative chapters by leading research scientists and clinicians explain basic concepts and clinical translation of topics that include the underlying genetic and proteomic abnormalities of AML, the development of novel nucleoside analogues, the roles of microRNAs, apoptosis regulators Bcl-2 and p53 and of critical cell signaling proteins such as PIM, FLT3, Raf/MEK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and aurora kinases. Chapters on epigenetic mechanisms, nuclear receptors, cell surface antigens, the hypoxic leukemia microenvironment, stem cells and leukemia metabolism provide insights into leukemia cell vulnerabilities. Cell therapies utilizing T-, NK- and mesenchymal stem cells and progress in hematopoietic transplantation strategies round up this overview of the multi-dimensional therapeutic landscape in which leukemia specialists develop treatment strategies that are expected to make "leukemia history" in the near future.

The design of ancillary ligands used to modify the structural and reactivity properties of metal complexes has evolved into a rapidly expanding sub-discipline in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. Ancillary ligand design has figured directly in the discovery of new bonding motifs and stoichiometric reactivity, as well as in the development of new catalytic protocols that have had widespread positive impact on chemical synthesis on benchtop and industrial scales. Ligand Design in Metal Chemistry presents a collection of cutting-edge contributions from leaders in the field of ligand design, encompassing a broad spectrum of ancillary ligand classes and reactivity applications. Topics covered include: Key concepts in ligand design Redox non-innocent ligands Ligands for selective alkene metathesis Ligands in cross-coupling Ligand design in polymerization Ligand design in modern lanthanide chemistry Cooperative metal-ligand reactivity P,N Ligands for enantioselective hydrogenation Spiro-cyclic ligands in asymmetric catalysis This book will be a valuable reference for academic researchers and industry practitioners working in the field of ligand design, as well as those who work in the many areas in which the impact of ancillary ligand design has proven significant, for example synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, medicinal chemistry, polymer science and materials chemistry.

Arthropod Vector: Controller of Disease Transmission, Volume 2: Vector Saliva-Host Pathogen Interactions is built on topics initially raised at a related Keystone Symposium on Arthropod Vectors. Together with the separate, related Volume 1: Controller of Disease Transmission, this work presents a logical sequence of topic development that leads to regulatory considerations for advancing these and related concepts for developing novel control measures. The three themes of symbionts, vector immune defenses and arthropod saliva modulation of the host environment are central to the concept of determinants of vector competence that involves all aspects of vector-borne pathogen development within the arthropod that culminates in the successful transmission to the vertebrate host. These three areas are characterized at the present time by rapid achievement of significant, incremental insights, which advances our understanding for a wide variety of arthropod vector species, and this work is the first to extensively integrate these themes. Provides overviews of host defenses encountered by the blood feeding arthropod vector at the cutaneous interface Addresses how these defenses are modulated by the vector, specific functions of vector saliva components, host response to vector-borne infectious agents and how vector-borne pathogens themselves modulate host defenses Features expertly curated topics to ensure appropriate scope of coverage and aid integration of concepts and content across chapters

With a history that likely dates back to the dawn of human civilization more than 10,000 years ago, and a record that includes the domestication and selective breeding of plants and animals, the harnessing of fermentation process for bread, cheese, and brewage production, and the development of vaccines against infectious diseases, biotechnology has acquired a molecular focus during the 20th century, particularly following the resolution of DNA double helix in 1953, and the publication of DNA cloning protocol in 1973, and transformed our concepts and practices in disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention, pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturing, animal and plant industry, and food processing. While molecular biotechnology offers unlimited opportunities for improving human health and well-being, animal welfare, agricultural innovation and environmental conservation, a dearth of high quality books that have the clarity of laboratory manuals without distractive procedural details and the thoroughness of well-conversed textbooks appears to dampen the enthusiasm of aspiring students. In attempt to fill this glaring gap, Handbook of Molecular Biotechnology includes four sections, with the first three presenting in-depth coverage on DNA, RNA and protein technologies, and the fourth highlighting their utility in biotechnology. Recognizing the importance of logical reasoning and experimental verification over direct observation and simple description in biotechnological research and development, the Introduction provides pertinent discussions on key strategies (i.e., be first, be better, and be different), effective thinking (lateral, parallel, causal, reverse, and random), and experimental execution, which have proven invaluable in helping advance research projects, evaluate and prepare research reports, and enhance other scientific endeavors. Key features Presents state-of-the-art reviews on DNA, RNA and protein technologies and their biotechnological applications Discusses key strategies, effective thinking, and experimental execution for scientific research and development Fills the gap left by detailed-ridden laboratory manuals and insight-lacking standard textbooks Includes expert contributions from international scientists at the forefront of molecular biotechnology research and development Written by international scientists at the forefront of molecular biotechnology research and development, chapters in this volume cover the histories, principles, and applications of individual techniques/technologies, and constitute stand-alone, yet interlinked lectures that strive to educate as well as to entertain. Besides providing an informative textbook for tertiary students in molecular biotechnology and related fields, this volume serves as an indispensable roadmap for novice scientists in their efforts to acquire innovative skills and establish solid track records in molecular biotechnology, and offers a contemporary reference for scholars, educators, and policymakers wishing to keep in touch with recent developments in molecular biotechnology.