Territorial Transformation: Comparative Urban and Rural Studies explores key drivers of spatial change including globalization, technological innovation, demographic shifts, and environmental pressures reshaping territories. Through comparative analysis of urban and rural transformation processes, the text examines how economic restructuring, policy interventions, and social movements reconfigure spatial organization and territorial identities. The material demonstrates diverse transformat...

Urban-Rural Dynamics: Transition Challenges and Opportunities examines interconnections between urban and rural areas through migration, economic linkages, and spatial transformation processes. The text blends theoretical perspectives with case studies tracing how education, employment, infrastructure, and social networks shape rural-urban transitions. Through systematic analysis, the material demonstrates how urbanization processes create both challenges and opportunities for rural and ur...

Genome editing offers a powerful tool to significantly accelerate crop-breeding programs in order to develop new and improved varieties. It allows precise modification of an organism's DNA sequence, often by creating targeted double-strand breaks at specific locations. The CRISPR-Cas system has emerged as the preferred method of gene editing and offers a powerful technology for crop improvement. The use of CRISPR in plant research has led to significant improvements in crop performance in ...

This book provides a state-of-the-art overview of current achievements and future possibilities for the application of epigenetic and epigenomic techniques to the improvement of crops. Creating crops more resilient to the stresses caused by climate change will be an important part of a climate-smart and sustainable agriculture strategy for the future. All critical environmental stressors are explored: temperature, salt, drought, pollutants, pests, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. The exciting...

In recent years, the convergence of biotechnology and manufacturing has ushered in a new era of sustainable innovation and efficiency. Incorporating bio-based materials into smart manufacturing processes has become a crucial strategy to minimize environmental impact, promote circularity, and propel technological advancements across various industries. This handbook, divided into four key sections, is a comprehensive overview and a holistic approach to the principles, applications, challeng...