Developments in precision crop protection systems

Crop protection aims at avoiding or mitigating the effects of biotic stressors that hinder the establishment and development of crop plants, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the global production of abundant, healthy, and affordable food. However, increasing societal concerns regarding the envi...

Developments in variable-rate application systems in precision agriculture

Agriculture has always faced global challenges to meet the growing food needs, leading to the shrinking of arable lands. Efficient solutions to these real-world problems are hidden in developing high-yielding crop varieties and innovative precision agriculture technologies. Variable rate technolo...

Developments in site-specific (ss) nutrient management systems for precision agriculture

In agriculture, SS nutrient management systems have emerged as pivotal tools for enhancing productivity and sustainability. These systems, grounded in the principles of precision agriculture, aim to tailor nutrient application to the unique characteristics of individual field zones, ensuring opti...

Developments in unmanned aerial systems for precision agriculture

Rapid global population growth intensifies pressure on agriculture to meet food demand sustainably, necessitating the adoption of data-driven precision agriculture (PA) methods. An unmanned aerial system (UAS) is increasingly favoured in PA due to their adaptability, cost-effectiveness and high-r...

Trends in herbicide resistance in latin america

Weeds significantly impact crop growth and productivity, posing a major challenge in Latin America, where agricultural productivity surged after the 1960s due to market regulation, economic openness, and land reform. Farmers heavily rely on herbicides as affordable weed control tools; however, re...

One-welfare approach to assessing egg quality

Once basic requirements are met, consumers’ perception of product quality is directed to animal welfare. Both in and beyond Europe, animal farming systems for egg production and laying hens are transitioning from indoor cage to cage-free systems (often still based on high stocking densities and s...

Biofortification of eggs with micronutrients

This chapter underscores the potential of fortifying eggs with essential micronutrients to address widespread dietary deficiencies. It emphasizes the need to enhance nutrient intake in populations globally, summarizing recent research on enriching eggs with vitamins and trace minerals crucial for...

Improving sustainability of egg production by extending the laying period for hens

This chapter explores the multifaceted impact of extending laying cycles in commercially kept laying hens, revealing its significance in achieving sustainability across biological, societal, environmental, and economic dimensions. Genetic selection for prolonged laying cycles has not only realize...

Advances in understanding eggshell formation and its composition in table eggs

The shell is the only part of the egg that is not consumed, yet its quality is critical to the marketing of eggs. This is especially true as recent developments in egg production systems towards free-range hens and longer production cycles have affected shell quality, particularly its mechanical ...

The use of edible coatings to improve the safety and extend the shelf life of eggs

Eggs are consumed worldwide due to their nutritional profile and because they are the most affordable animal protein. Eggs are perishable and begin to lose quality immediately after the moment of laying. Storage conditions are particularly important, and the time and temperature of the storage lo...

Strategies and solutions to reduce emissions from layer production systems in europe

This chapter focuses on the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), ammonia, particulate matter (PM), odours and volatile organic compounds from layer production systems. It discusses the types of emissions and the factors affecting them. The chapter then provides an overview of the options to miti...

Pasteurization treatments of whole and liquid egg products: optimizing safety and quality parameters

Eggs are consumed all over the world as table egg or egg products. The safety of eggs is thus a major concern for both egg industry and consumers, as they may be quite easily contaminated by both pathogenic and/or spoilage bacteria. Despite the natural arsenal of antimicrobial defenses of eggs, t...

Advances in non-destructive testing of egg quality

A wide range of non-destructive techniques have been proven to be useful tools for shell egg quality and freshness evaluation. They might be a strategic solution to replace – or highly reduce – traditional destructive and laboratory level methods for shell egg quality and freshness assessment. In...

Assessing and reducing the environmental impact of egg production systems

Once basic requirements are met, consumers’ perception of product quality is directed to animal welfare. Both in and beyond Europe, animal farming systems for egg production and laying hens are transitioning from indoor cage to cage-free systems (often still based on high stocking densities and s...

Instant insights: cultural and physical weed control methods

This book provides a detailed overview of the main cultural and physical methods used to control weeds in agriculture, ranging from the use of crop rotations and cover crops, to flame weeding and thermal weed control techniques.

Developing and implementing shell egg quality standards

This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of shell egg quality standards, emphasizing the importance of egg quality in poultry science due to its impact on food safety, nutrition, and commercial viability. It delineates the multifaceted nature of egg quality, examining both external (eggshel...

Advances in innovative postharvest egg pasteurization and disinfection technologies to optimize egg safety and quality

Eggs and egg products are staple foods worldwide. The main pathogens associated with egg and egg products are Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Escherichia spp., and Staphylococcus spp. Composition of the egg products influence the inactivation or survival of microorgan...

Instant insights: environmental impact of poultry production

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental impact of poultry production systems and considers best practices for mitigating key emissions.

Regulation of calcium metabolism in laying hens

In laying hens, calcium (Ca) is of great importance in the eggshell, which requires for synthesis the deposition of about 2.2 g of Ca in the form of Ca carbonate (CaCO3). As egg production will be repeated daily over a long period (50 to 80 weeks), the hen finally exports huge amounts of body Ca ...

Advances in understanding and exploiting the genetics of egg quality

Today’s egg layer industry has been shaped by implementation of some of the genetic advancements and market feedback, which has guided egg quality trait definitions aligned to specific customer demands. In this chapter we will discuss the definition of egg quality traits from their genetic perspe...

Advances in understanding and optimizing egg natural defenses against pathogens

The chicken egg is a valuable source of macronutrients and micronutrients of high interest for the human diet. Besides these nutrients, it also contains numerous bioactive molecules and a sophisticated antimicrobial defense system, that are initially required for the development and protection of...

Advances in understanding pathogen contamination of eggs

Eggs are considered healthy because they are a source of proteins, vitamins, and unsaturated fatty acids. However, they may also be subject to microbial contamination. Eggs possess numerous antimicrobial self-defence mechanisms, which include mechanical defences such as the cuticle, shell and she...

Advances in integrated wheat disease management

This book provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in understanding and monitoring major diseases affecting wheat, the challenge of fungicide resistance, as well the range of integrated management techniques used to prevent and/or control disease outbreaks.

Instant insights: soil carbon sequestration

This book reviews the global importance of soil carbon sequestration and the range of systems used to monitor, report and verify soil organic carbon, as well as the benefits of particular regenerative practices in enhancing carbon sequestration.

Advances in precision pig farming technologies

Farmers around the world are increasingly under pressure to produce enough food to feed a rapidly growing population. As demand for certain food products continues to rise, such as pork, farmers are tasked with the need to increase the size of their herds, whilst also ensuring that the health and...

Improving the processing quality of wheat

This book reviews the wealth of research on how key components of wheat grains can affect the subsequent processing and sensory quality of the harvested product. The book also discusses recent advances in measuring wheat quality characteristics and how grain quality can be optimised for a range o...

Guide for design, installation, and assessment of post-installed reinforcements

Guide for Design, Installation, and Assessment of Post-installed Reinforcements sets out the installation, design, and assessment guidelines for post-installed reinforcements and fills a much-needed gap in the literature. The technology of post-installed reinforcement is growing increasingly impo...

Advances in improving animal feed safety

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the main microbiological and chemical risks affecting animal feed, from bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli, to environmental contaminants such as heavy metals and flame retardants. The book also reviews the risks from natural toxins a...

Advances in improving animal feed safety

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the main microbiological and chemical risks affecting animal feed, from bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli, to environmental contaminants such as heavy metals and flame retardants. The book also reviews the risks from natural toxins a...

Metals and mines

With contributions from leading international scholars, the papers highlight the diversity of ancient smelting processes and the growing role of experimental replication in advancing our understanding of early metallurgical practices.

Metallurgy and civilisation

A comprehensive overview of current archaeometallurgical research focused on Asia and its broader connections. Covering topics such as early Chinese bronze metallurgy, lost-wax casting, early steel production, and steppe influences on Eastern Zhou metalworking, the papers highlight the significan...

Types of silvoarable system: multifunctional windbreaks and riparian buffers

In this chapter, the authors summarize historic and current research on multifunctional biomass production, and provide insights in current research trends and future possibilities. The chapter is oriented around a case study in which widespread deployment of riparian buffers and windbreaks is mo...

Rebranding and reconstructing masculinity in agriculture: an overview

This chapter provides an overview of the importance of masculinity (re)construction to the work of agricultural equity and discusses how contemporary capitalist agriculture has engaged a hegemonic agricultural masculinity in order to normalise a certain type of land use and land decision-maker to...

Women smallholders and technology: facilitating access to improve farm productivity and profitability

There are numerous studies on the interlinkage between gender and agricultural productivity and gender and agricultural technology adoption. However, most of these studies use the sex of the household head as a gender indicator, which ends up dismissing the contributions of males in female-headed...

Women smallholder farmers and the achievement of the un sustainable development goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are internationally agreed aspirations to guide political action and development efforts until 2030. The guiding questions for this chapter were two-directional: What is the relevance of the SDGs for smallholder women? And, what do smallholder wome...

The adoption of climate change mitigation strategies by women smallholder farmers

This chapter brings an Australian perspective to the discussion of women smallholder farmers. It highlights that increasing climate induced disasters are having significant impacts on farmers across Australia with major consequences particularly on smaller farms. Assessing the impacts on women on...

Women smallholder farmers growing beverage crops

Coffee and tea are two of the most ubiquitous beverage crops that are grown globally, and together they represent a significant share of the beverage industry overall. Even with the rise of packaged sodas, tea remains the second most popular beverage in the world, just below water. Coffee, though...

Advancing a feminist intersectional lens in gender transformative work with women smallholder farmers

Gender Transformative Approaches (GTAs) are increasingly used in development research and practice as a way to transform constraining gender norms that limit smallholder women’s engagement in agrifood systems. The literature on GTAs underscores the need to consider diverse identities and experien...

Supporting women smallholder farmers: the role of the public and private sectors

This chapter examines the barriers facing women who re smallholder farmers or who produce a niche product on a larger farm. The most critical barrier for women wanting a career in agriculture is a lack of land ownership and the difficulties associated with proving their capacity. Their lack of ac...

Negotiating the intersection of gender and race in agriculture

Agri-food scholars have long documented the deep-rooted social, cultural, and political issues that plague global agricultural systems. Still, there is a noticeable lack of empirical research examining the intersections of gender and race and their profound impact on individuals' lived experience...

The impact of migration on women smallholders in ghana

This paper explores the effects of migration on women farmers in migration origins and destinations of Ghana, using 42 in-depth interviews and five focus groups. This exercise is timely and important as, first, many smallholder farmers are women, yet, they remain unrecognised and underpaid. Secon...

Women smallholder farmers and water resource management

Women smallholder farmers globally are confronting social, economic and environmental challenges related to water resource management with impacts on access to energy, drinking water and food. Furthermore, it is common for women in rural regions to be subjected to physical, economic and slow viol...

Supporting women smallholders involved in small-scale chicken production

By the end of the 1990s research had clearly established that women had a good control over the benefit resulting from small-scale chicken use and sale. This paper analyses the differences between gender-blind and gender-aware approaches in dealing with small-scale chicken production. Three case ...

Women smallholder farmers growing horticultural crops

Gender-sensitive analysis is critical to understanding women's roles in agrifood systems. However, studies typically portray agrifood systems as mechanistic entities controlled by macro level structuring forces. In this chapter, we apply a new materialist perspective to examine how farmers from t...

Women smallholder farmers in south america, central america and the caribbean

Women smallholder farmers in this region have generally had to seek land in the interstices of large male-owned land holdings. Such smallholdings have been ignored in official statistics and the gender of their ownership rarely considered. European colonialism has strongly influenced farming and ...

Women in smallholder pig farming: negotiating inequalities in uganda’s pig value chains

Women play a central role in agricultural value chains by doing work and investing resources across value chains from production to consumption of the products. However, as agricultural value chains commercialize or upgrade, women risk being marginalized and eliminated from commercial activities ...

Sexuality and small-scale farmers

In this chapter, the authors invite gender in agriculture scholars and practitioners to consider the smallholder farmers who are gender minorities but do not fit into the category of “woman.” By deconstructing gender and sex, researchers and practicians are positioned to attend to a more holistic...

Agriculture, power and gender-based violence in the dedza and salima districts of malawi

Despite their significant contribution to agricultural production, women smallholder farmers suffer different types of gender-based violence including physical, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse perpetrated by their partners. This chapter considers the role of women smallholder farmers...

Financial support for women smallholders: experience in bangladesh

Operational decision-making

The highest art of operational leadership is that of making timely and sound decisions. The act of exercising command consists of making decisions and ordering their execution.

Types of silvopastoral system: adding trees to pasture/rangelands

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) have been identified as efficient land management strategies to increase the performance of animal and tree production. The combinations of trees and/or shrubs with pastures and animals are present in diverse ways, generating different SPS. SPS design can be two or thr...

Creating resilient silvopastoral systems: mediterranean silvopastoralism as a model for agroforestry

By fostering a balanced and symbiotic relationship between livestock and their environment, silvopastoral systems also offer pragmatic solutions to contemporary environmental challenges, including climate change and wildfire management. This chapter investigates the complex interactions occurring...

Developing urban agroforestry in the current crisis

Urban agroforestry sub types are reviewed and the nature of current literature is described. Definitions for key concepts are clarified and steps in the design process are explained with a focus on dimensions of resilience and measures of effectiveness in the context of climate change resilience ...

Developments in forest farming

The agroforestry practice of forest farming is gaining traction as a useful land practice. Demand for forest farmed raw material and products is high as evidenced by consumer interest in sustainable, domestic, and local products, and priority for conservation of wild populations. The goals are to...

Integrating tree crops and livestock in silvopastoral systems

This chapter discusses the integration of livestock (or forage) production with tree crops, particularly fruit trees and vines. After reviewing the current extent of fruit tree-based agroforestry systems, the chapter highlights the opportunities this integration offers in increasing overall land ...

Types of silvopastoral system: an overview

In temperate regions, as the main agricultural land uses are livestock grazing or tillage, the most applicable agroforestry practices are silvopastoral systems (where trees are grown in grazed or mown pasture in a regular or varied pattern) and silvoarable systems (where trees or shrubs are grown...

Understanding virtual universities

Anticipating a future in which distance learning and virtual reality tutoring systems play a key role in university teaching, Rada provides guidelines for making the best use of technological opportunities. This book combines managerial, social and technical issues to provide a comprehensive appr...

Optimising breeding of dairy cows

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in dairy cow breeding, focussing on recent advances in the use of genomics, phenomics and other ‘omics’ technologies to improve the precision and applicability of dairy cow breeding.

Understanding and utilising soil microbiomes for a more sustainable agriculture

This collection summarises the wealth of recent research in understanding the fundamental importance of soil microbiomes in optimising soil and crop health. The book reviews advances in analytical techniques, the composition and dynamics of soil microbial communities and how they can be enhanced ...

Zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials

This book covers the latest advances in zero-dimensional nanomaterials, with a focus on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Providing a comprehensive reference for researchers, postgraduates and industry practitioners working on zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, this...

Graphene-based sensors

This book serves as a comprehensive exploration into the realm of graphene-based sensors, delving into the intricate fusion of nanomaterials and sensing mechanisms that underpin their remarkable capabilities.

Electrochemical sensors based on carbon composite materials

This book represents a summary of “Emerging Trends in Electrochemical Sensors based on Carbon composite materials & its Applications”, and assessment of most significant biological and hazardous molecules.

Inverse imaging with poisson data

Inverse Imaging with Poisson Data is an invaluable resource for graduate students, postdocs and researchers interested in the application of inverse problems to the domains of applied sciences, such as microscopy, medical imaging and astronomy.

Biochar

This reference text covers the latest developments in biochar materials research. It is the first book to cover emerging applications of biochar as an innovative, versatile, carbon-based renewable material. It is a valuable reference for all researchers in the fields of biochar and carbon materia...

Soft biological shells in bioengineering

Soft Biological Shells in Bioengineering integrates existing experimental data to construct multiscale models of various organs of the human body: the stomach, gravid uterus, urinary bladder, the small intestine and the large intestine. These models are used as in silico platforms to study intric...

Quantum transport in semiconductor devices

This reference text presents a thorough discussion of the interface between quantum mechanics and real-world device simulation with an emphasis on the use of particles in the simulation.

Nanotechnology for dentistry applications

This volume covers Nanotechnology applications in general dentistry & dental specialties, as well as discussing the current research trends and their potential applications.

Topology in optics (second edition)

Topology in Optics: Tying Light in Knots, Second Edition provides the background needed to understand a broad range of unexpected phenomenon and developments arising from topological effects in optics. This will be an invaluable reference for undergraduate and graduate students as well as researc...

Commercialising fusion energy

This edited book provides an overview of the commercialisation of fusion energy technology, giving emphasis to the emerging role of private sector entities. The editors believe there is a need for a good overview of a complex phenomenon that has the potential to transform fusion energy research a...

Electronic engineering for neuromedicine

The book discusses the application of electronic engineering in neuromedical practice and shows by illustrative examples how electronic engineering and neuroscience have merged to form the hybrid discipline of neural engineering.

The physics of organic electronics

This reference text provides a comprehensive and concise overview of the field of organic electronics, covering both the theoretical and practical of the materials and devices involved in the technology. It is an invaluable reference for graduate or senior undergraduate students, researchers, and...

Supercapacitors

Advanced supercapacitors are complex system of pseudocapacitve and hybrid materials to achieve high energy density. The book connects the fundamentals of electrochemistry to advance phenomena for developing smart supercapacitors, which are self-powered and compatible with the on-chip devices.

Photo acoustic and optical coherence tomography imaging, volume 1

The book focuses on major trends and challenges in the area of using OCT imaging for the diagnosis of retinal diseases; and presents work aimed to identify new techniques and their use in biomedical analysis.

Nuclear power (second edition)

This research and reference text assesses the viability of nuclear power within the context of renewable energy and the challenges of climate change. This thoroughly updated second edition contains extensive new content on the prospects of nuclear power and progress made in the 2020s. It is an in...

Advanced signal processing for industry 4.0, volume 2

This book looks at issues relating to sensor mechanism for evaluating operations, supply chain, management of machines, analysing the generated data, low-cost solutions for Industry 4.0, vision processing for various applications, and reviews present and future opportunities for the role of signa...

Introduction to pharmaceutical biotechnology, volume 1

Animal biotechnology is a broad field including polarities of fundamental and applied research, as well as DNA science, covering key topics of DNA studies and its recent applications. In Introduction to Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, DNA isolation procedures, molecular markers and screening method...

Fundamentals of electromechanical drives

Electromechanical drive systems combine electrical and mechanical processes, considering factors like performance, braking, speed control, and ambient conditions. Based on years of teaching experience, this textbook covers key topics in three parts: mechanical characteristics, electrical motor re...

Practical terahertz electronics: devices and applications, volume 1

This research and reference text provides a comprehensive and authoritative survey of the state-of-the-art in terahertz electronics research. Volume one focuses on solid-state devices and vacuum tubes. Intended for researchers and professionals in the field, the text is an essential reference for...

Biomechanical modeling of the cardiovascular system

Biomechanical Modeling of the Cardiovascular System brings together the challenges and experiences of academic scientists, leading engineers, industry researchers and students to enable them to analyse results of all aspects of biomechanics and biomedical engineering. It also provides a springboa...

High-performance computing and artificial intelligence in process engineering

High-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) boost production efficiency, lower costs, and enhance system stability in process engineering, fostering industrial intelligence and smart manufacturing.

Principles of biophotonics, volume 3

This volume describes light propagation in free space, including diffraction, geometrical optics, Gaussian beams and propagation of field correlations. It is a textbook for experimentalists who are active at the interface between biology, medicine, and optics.

Super optical biosensors

Commencing by defining a set of standards for benchmarking this book then proceeds to provide a review of the physics and workings of several optical and super optical biosensors, and introduces two more super optical biosensors. Mathcad is used to analyse these virtual biosensors and these codes...

Challenges in risk analysis for science and engineering

This book collates case studies outlining solutions to shared challenges in risk assessment to enable cross-disciplinary collaboration and ultimately contribute to improvement of risk assessment methodology. Detailed practical examples of risk assessment from across science and engineering are ex...

Machine learning for tomographic imaging

Written by leading researchers in the field, Machine Learning for Tomographic Imaging presents a unified overview of deep-learning-based tomographic imaging. Key concepts, including classic reconstruction ideas and human vision inspired insights, are introduced as a foundation for a thorough exam...

Electromechanical machinery theory and performance (second edition)

This textbook provides an introduction to power transformers, rotating ac machines, and photovoltaic power systems. An introduction to power electronic converters is covered, with applications to variable speed drives for AC motors and generators.

Diamane

Diamane is a newly discovered carbon nanoallotrope that displays exceptional mechanical, optical, electrical, thermal, and vibrational properties, which can be an asset for new technologies. This book comprehensively covers the physics, synthesis, functionalization, characterization and advanced ...

Engineering electrodynamics (second edition)

This book discusses mathematical tools and key concepts of electrodynamics through principles, theorems and practical engineering examples.

Physics of shock and impact: volume 1

Physics of Shock and Impact is a two volume set of work that looks at the shock physics of solids and covers physical, material, mechanical and thermodynamic fundamentals. Volume 1, Fundamentals and dynamic failure, provides an introduction to the fundamentals of shockwave physics and progresses ...

Optical vortices

This book focus on the latest advances in optical vortices field, from fundamentals to applications. The goal of this book is to present the optical vortices to a broad audience.

The structure of amorphous materials using molecular dynamics

This reference text demonstrates how molecular dynamics can be used in practice to achieve a precise understanding of structural properties for systems devoid of any order beyond the first interatomic distances. The ideas, concepts and methodologies covered are easily applicable to any system.

Electromagnetic optics

This book will be an in-depth textbook introducing and covering all topics related to the fact that light is a transverse electromagnetic wave.

Additive manufacturing of ceramics

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing offered a new way to fabricate ceramics and ceramic materials, with advantages that could not be achieved by using the traditional manufacturing technologies.

Functional ceramics through mechanochemical activation

With chapters covering ferroelectric materials, ferrite ceramics with magneto-dielectric properties, mullite ceramics with controllable microstructure and anisotropic grain growth behaviours, this is a valuable reference book for advanced students, researchers and engineers in materials science a...

Vascular and intravaslcular imaging trends, analysis, and challenges - volume 2

As one of the most prominent diseases in our society, cardiovascular disease (CVD) requires dedicated analysis and investigation to reduce the increasing mortality rate worldwide. Scholars, biomedical engineers and medical practitioners will greatly benefit from the detailed information in this b...

Electrochemical capacitors

This research and reference text provides comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of electrochemical capacitors, including metal properties, the mechanisms of different types of capacitors, and their function at low temperatures and under flexible conditions.

Piezoelectricity in classical and modern systems

A compact derivation of the fundamental physics of piezoelectricity and its applications in classical ultrasonic sensor and actuator systems as well as modern systems where atomistic effects and piezoelectricity together play important roles.