At present, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes discourage girls and women from pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research. Science and gender equality are, however, essential to ensure sustainable development. Although underrepresented, and often unacknowledged, female researchers have been crucial to scientific advances. In order to change traditional mindsets, gender equality must be promoted, stereotypes defeated, and girls and women should be encouraged to pursue STEM careers.
The United Nations has recently released population projections suggesting that the global population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050 and exceed 11 billion by 2100. The increase in the world population may lead to food shortages, especially that of food protein. A variety of food protein alternatives have been developed and launched to the market to solve the problem of diminishing resources, particularly of land and water. In fact, animal protein has become a target in recent times for its greenhouse gas emissions. However, the UN has projected a steady increase in demand for poultry meat over the upcoming decades. The main demand will be from middle class and low-income families in particular and is due mainly to its high production efficiency for inexpensive, good-quality proteins. Nonetheless, due to limited resources, the poultry meat produced must be of high quality to ensure food security and minimize food waste.
Since the publication of earlier editions, there has been The new edition has a number of new contributors, a considerable increase in research activity ina number who have written on the nervous system, sense organs, of areas, with each succeeding edition including new muscle, endocrines, reproduction, digestion and immu chapters and an expansion of knowledge in older chap nophysiology. Contributors from previous editions ters. have expanded their offerings considerably. The fourth edition contains two new chapters, on The authors are indebted to various investigators, muscle and immunophysiology, the latter an area journals and books for the many illustrations used. Indi where research on Aves has contributed significantly vidual acknowledgement is made in the legends and to our general knowledge of the subject. references. Preface to the 'Third Edition Since the publication of the first and second editions, pathways of birds and mammals. New contributors in there has been a considerable increase of research activ clude M. R. Fedde and T. B. Bolton, who have com ity in avian physiology in a number of areas, including pletely revised and expanded the chapters on respira endocrinology and reproduction, heart and circulation, tion and the nervous system, respectively, and J. G. respiration, temperature regulation, and to a lesser ex Rogers, Jr. , W. J. Mueller, H. Opel, and D. e. Meyer, who have made contributions to Chapters 2,16, 17, tent in some other areas. There appeared in 1972-1974 a four volume treatise and 19, respectively.
The physiology of birds is regulated by the interplay internally between the gastrointestinal functioning, endocrine, nervous and defensive systems (immune and anti-oxidative). Acting on these are external factors such as nutrition and the gastrointestinal microbiome. One focus of this Research Topic is the importance of various nutritional physiological approaches, the parameters to be employed and an assessment of their reliability and feasibility. Aims of this topic include the following: 1) Identify specific interventions to facilitate the elimination of food borne pathogens in poultry 2) Develop nutritional strategies to reduce food borne colonization in poultry and reduce prevalence of food borne pathogens in poultry products Increasing numbers of poultry are raised without antibiotics. There is growing attention to using dietary supplements to replace antibiotics, to alter intestinal microbial populations, to stimulate antioxidative and immune systems and to improve overall intestinal health. This Research Topic will include a focus on determining the viability of nutritional intervention like probiotics and non-antibiotic growth promoters, alone or in combination, as a means to mitigate food borne contamination, particularly in the context of an antibiotic-free setting. Particular attention will be paid in determining the effects of dietary supplements on intestinal integrity, gene expression, antioxidative systems and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Reviews and research papers, among other article types, on all aspects of the interactions between nutrition, physiology and microbiology in birds, particularly poultry.
Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates, Volume 5: Mammals is the fifth of five second-edition volumes representing a comprehensive and integrated overview of hormones and reproduction in fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The book includes coverage of endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, physiology, behavior, and anatomy of reptilian reproduction. It provides a broad treatment of the roles of pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal hormones in all aspects of reproduction, as well as descriptions of major life history events. New to this edition is a concluding assessment of the effect of environmental influences on mammals. Initial chapters in this book broadly examine sex determination, reproductive neuroendocrinology, stress, and hormonal regulation as it relates to male and female reproductive structure and function. Subsequent chapters introduce the evolution of viviparity and examine pregnancy in eutherian mammals, parturition, pheromones, and behavioral neuroendocrinology. Covered taxa include rodents, bats, and primates. The book concludes with an examination of the environmental influences on hormones and reproduction of mammals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals and climate change. Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates, Volume 5: Mammals is designed to provide a readable, coordinated description of reproductive basics in mammals, as well as an introduction to the latest trends in reproductive research and a presentation of our understanding of reproductive events gained over the past decade. It may serve as a stand-alone reference for researchers and practitioners in the field of mammology or as one of five coordinated references aligned to provide topical treatment across vertebrate taxa for researchers, practitioners, and students focused on vertebrate endocrinology. - Covers endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, physiology, behavior, and anatomy of mammalian reproduction - Includes pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal hormones - Focuses on rodents, bats, primates, ungulates, carnivores, and marine mammals - Provides new coverage on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and climate change
Eggs are one of the most popular foods worldwide due to their great taste and versatility, economical value and high nutritional content. The egg plays an important role in the human diet, both for the nutritional value of its many components (e.g., proteins, vitamins, minerals, choline, specific long chain fatty acids) as well for its wide range of functional characteristics, including foaming, gelling and emulsifying properties. The egg sector is a vibrant field with many new developments in terms of production, processing and commercialization as well as research. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the global production of eggs has grown by 69.5%, farm production systems have evolved to improve the welfare of laying hens, many eggshell and egg products have been developed to address the changing demands of consumers and our knowledge of the composition of the egg has been boosted by the latest gene-based technologies. Information on the science and technology of egg and egg processing is essential to governments, academia and industry. The Handbook of Egg Science and Technology aims to be the first book providing a complete source of information about egg science and technology, covering topics such as world egg production, marketing of eggs, chemistry of egg components, functional properties of egg components, egg processing, egg product development, eggshell quality, grading, egg microbiology, egg pasteurization, egg nutrition and bioactive components, egg biotechnology and sustainability of egg production. Features Includes the most current and comprehensive scientific and technical information about egg science and technology Presents an ideal guide for professionals in related food industries, egg business consultants, regulatory agencies and research groups Answers the need for a comprehensive textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in food science, animal science and poultry departments A global panel of experts in the field of egg science was gathered with the aim to provide the most updated information and development on many topics likely to interest readers ranging from academia and food science students to managers working in the food production and egg processing sectors. This handbook is an excellent resource for the food and poultry industry, R&D sectors, as well as experts in the field of food and nutrition.
The Canary: Natural History, Science and Cultural Significance covers the ecology, evolution and conservation of the canary and related species, along with the history and cultural significance of the domestic canary worldwide and various scientific disciplines in which canaries have played a key role as a model species. The book synthesizes the multiple ways in which the canary and its relatives have been, and continue to be, an important scientific model in diverse areas and have influenced human culture. Each chapter is written by international experts in areas such as biogeography, animal behavior, evolutionary ecology, conservation, neurobiology, genetics, or ethnology. In covering this eclectic array of topics, while always focusing on the canary and its close relatives, this book uses the immense appeal of the canary as a vehicle to present notions of ecology, evolution, biodiversity conservation, and so on, to a wide audience. - Details all aspects of Crithagra and Serinus canaries as well as relatives like crossbills - Structured to begin with more accessible topics like natural history, domestication, and conservation - Closes with discussions of more specialized topics like evolution, neurobiology, behavior and genomics
