Life sciences: general issues Books

Book SynopsisA BOOK OF THE YEARGUARDIAN, THE ECONOMIST, NEW STATESMAN, FINANCIAL TIMES, BLOOMBERGAnil Seth's radical new theory of consciousness challenges our understanding of perception and reality, doing for brain science what Dawkins did for evolutionary biology.'A brilliant beast of a book.' DAVID BYRNE'Hugely important.' JIM AL-KHALILI'Masterly . . . An exhilarating book: a vast-ranging, phenomenal achievement that will undoubtedly become a seminal text.'GAIA VINCE, GUARDIANBeing You is not as simple as it sounds. Somehow, within each of our brains, billions of neurons work to create our conscious experience. How does this happen? Why do we experience life in the first person? After over twenty years researching the brain, world-renowned neuroscientist Anil Seth puts forward a radical new theory of consciousness and

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Book Synopsisteeming with fascinating and enlightening insights ObserverA narrative investigation into the new science of plant intelligence and sentience, from National Association of Science Writers Award winner and Livingston Award finalist Zoe Schlanger.Look at the green organism across the room or through the window: the potted plant, or the grass or a tree. Think how a life spent constantly growing yet rooted in a single spot comes with tremendous challenges. To meet them, plants have come up with some of the most creative methods for surviving of any living thing us included. Many are so ingenious that they seem nearly impossible.Did you know plants can communicate when they are being eaten, allowing nearby plants to bolster their defences? They move and that movement stops when they are anaesthetised. They also use electricity for internal communication. They can hear the sounds of caterpillars eating. Plants can remember the last time they have been visited by a bee and how many times they have been visited so they have a concept of time and can count. Plants can not only communicate with each other, they can also communicate with other species of plants and animals, allowing them to manipulate animals to defend or fertilise them.So look again at the potted plant, or the grass or the tree and wonder: are plants intelligent?Or perhaps ask an even more fundamental question: are they conscious?The Light Eaters will completely redefine how you think about plants. Packed with the most amazing stories of the life of plants it will open your eyes to the extraordinary green life forms we share the planet with.

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Book Synopsis''teeming with fascinating and enlightening insights'' OBSERVERPlant lovers will find much of interest in Schlanger's inspiring tale of where her curious mind has led her' NATURECaptivating' THE GUARDIANIt's rare that you read a book that makes you want to grab people to tell them what it's about, but this is one of them' DAILY MAILLook at the green organism across the room or through the window: the potted plant, or the grass or a tree. Think how a life spent constantly growing yet rooted in a single spot comes with tremendous challenges. To meet them, plants have come up with some of the most creative methods for surviving of any living thing us included. Many are so ingenious that they seem nearly impossible.Did you know plants can communicate when they are being eaten, allowing nearby plants to bolster their defences? They move and that movement stops when they are anaesthetised. They also use electricity for internal communication. They can hear the sounds of caterpillars eating. Plants can remember the last time they have been visited by a bee and how many times they have been visited so they have a concept of time and can count. Plants can not only communicate with each other, they can also communicate with other species of plants and animals, allowing them to manipulate animals to defend or fertilise them.So look again at the potted plant, or the grass or the tree and wonder: are plants intelligent?Or perhaps ask an even more fundamental question: are they conscious?The Light Eaters will completely redefine how you think about plants. Packed with the most amazing stories of the life of plants it will open your eyes to the extraordinary green life forms we share the planet with.

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Book SynopsisVeterinary Embryology, 2nd Edition, has been updated to reflect the many changes that have developed in the field; the text has been fully revised and expanded and is now in full colour and many pedagogical features and a companion website have been developed.Trade Review"Overall, this is a great resource for anyone new to the field of embryology/developmental biology or related fields. The book is written in a way that is easy to follow and understand. The extensive use of illustrations throughout the book makes it a great learning tool, especially for concepts that are difficult to visualize...One of the major improvements in this edition is the incorporation of color in the illustrations, which greatly enhances the interpretation of the images." (Doody Enterprises 07/04/2017)"The second edition of Veterinary Embryology is the best available source of current information on the topic. The content is comprehensive, authoritative, logically organized, and amply complemented with color illustrations that are generous in size and generally effective in highlighting stages of embryo development. Those illustrations are also available from a companion website"...."Tables in the book contain a wealth of information regarding embryo features and gestational timing for various domestic animals. Additionally, the book highlights molecular details of gene expression, stem cell lineage related to twinning, and a comprehensive description of hematopoietic development. This book is a good value for the price. I highly recommend it as the best available resource for information related to veterinary embryology. As a textbook, students will appreciate the key points and color illustrations" (Reviewed by Thomas F. Fletcher, DVM, PhD, University of Minnesota 15th June 2017 AVMA)Table of ContentsAbout the authors, vii Preface, ix Acknowledgements, xi About the companion website, xii 1 Historical aspects of embryology, 1 2 Division, growth and differentiation of cells, 13 3 Gametogenesis, 20 4 Fertilisation, 26 5 Cleavage, 33 6 Gastrulation, 39 7 Cell signalling and gene functioning during development, 45 8 Stem cells, 59 9 Establishment of the basic body plan, 67 10 Coelomic cavities, 73 11 Foetal membranes, 81 12 Forms of implantation and placentation, 92 13 Embryo mortality in domestic species, 112 14 Cardiovascular system, 119 15 Embryological and postnatal features of haematopoiesis, 148 16 Nervous system, 167 17 Muscular and skeletal systems, 195 18 Digestive system, 214 19 Respiratory system, 232 20 Urinary system, 240 21 Male and female reproductive systems, 251 22 Structures in the head and neck, 274 23 Endocrine system, 289 24 Eye and ear, 298 25 Integumentary system, 314 26 Age determination of the embryo and foetus, 331 27 Assisted reproductive technologies used in domestic species, 338 28 Genetic, chromosomal and environmental factors which adversely affect prenatal development, 351 Glossary, 371 Useful websites, 377 Index, 379

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Book SynopsisThis book reveals glimpses of how the quantum physics of atoms and molecules influences, and even controls, the way our cells function and how we and our fellow animals interact with our environment. Simply put, how birds fly and why grass grows.Certainly, biochemistry and molecular biology are the foundations for the biology of living cells, but there is more—quantum coherence and entanglement influencing the functioning of proteins and enzymes, and strictly speaking, without the quantum phenomena we wouldn’t even be here.In the end, however, this book is based on the solid ground of science, presenting the many fascinating phenomena of how quantum physics makes life possible without any unwarranted mystification.Table of Contents1. Life and Quantum Physics 2. Our World Is Just a Small Part of the Whole 3. The Gecko and Life Upside Down 4. The Quantized World 5. Evolution: About the Origin of Life 6. From the Big Bang to Black Holes 7. As Time Goes By: The Arrow of Time 8. The Art of Finding Your Way Back Home 9. The Vision in New Light 10. Photosynthesis and the Golf Putt 11. The Respiratory Chain Sustains Our Lives 12. A Sense of Smell 13. DNA Repair: A Matter of Survival and Development 14. Quantum Physics in Diagnostics and Therapy 15. Not More Mysterious Than Necessary 16. Consciousness: The Greatest Mystery 17. A Glance at the Future of Quantum and Life

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Book SynopsisFritjof Capra, scientist, educator, activist, and accomplished author, presents the evolution of his thought over five decades in Patterns of Connection. Organised thematically and chronologically, these essays document the revolutionary and far-reaching intellectual journey of one of the major public thinkers of the last half-century.Trade ReviewFritjof Capra is one of the foremost thinkers at the interface between modern physics and an encompassing worldview looking toward a sustainable future. In these essays, he has provided us with the intellectual tools to probe these critical and emerging ideas." - Jonathan Ashmore, contributor to The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference, Second Edition"This synthesis of the work of Fritjof Capra spanning five decades provides an essential systems-thinking framework to understand and tackle the complex socioecological challenges confronting the planet." - Miguel A. Altieri, author of Agroecology: The Science of Sustainable Agriculture

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Book SynopsisThis pathbreaking book explores how life can begin, taking us from cosmic clouds of stardust, to volcanoes on Earth, to the modern chemistry laboratory. Seeking to understand life's connection to the stars, David Deamer introduces astrobiology, a new scientific discipline that studies the origin and evolution of life on Earth and relates it to the birth and death of stars, planet formation, interfaces between minerals, water, and atmosphere, and the physics and chemistry of carbon compounds. Deamer argues that life began as systems of molecules that assembled into membrane-bound packages. These in turn provided an essential compartment in which more complex molecules assumed new functions required for the origin of life and the beginning of evolution. Deamer takes us from the vivid and unpromising chaos of the Earth four billion years ago up to the present and his own laboratory, where he contemplates the prospects for generating synthetic life. Engaging and accessible, First Life describes the scientific story of astrobiology while presenting a fascinating hypothesis to explain the origin of life.Trade Review"An authoritative voice weighs in on a sprawling debate that's been raging in the scientific community for many decades, and lays out a succinct and persuasive hypothesis for the origin of life on Earth." The Scientist "Engaging... [Deamer] gives us an enriched sense of how the universe works." -- Elof Axel Carlson The Quarterly Review Of Bio "Insightfully written" Times Higher Education "Eloquent... A preeminent leader in the field tells his personal story of discovery in a unique and absorbing way." -- Chandra Wickramasinghe, University of Buckingham Bioscience "Thought-provoking... A journey of discovery into the nature of life itself." -- George M. Eberhart C&Rl NewsTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. A Fireball Over Australia 2. Where Did Life Begin? 3. When Did Life Begin? 4. Carbon and the Building Blocks of Life 5. The Handedness of Life 6. Energy and Life's Origins 7. Self-Assembly and Emergence 8. How To Build a Cell 9. Achieving Complexity 10. Multiple Strands of Life 11. Catalysts: Life in the Fast Lane 12. Copying Life's Blueprints 13. How Evolution Begins 14. A Grand Simulation of Prebiotic Earth 15. Prospects for Synthetic Life Epilogue Sources and Notes Index

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Book SynopsisBefore you step into the jungle, there are a few things you need to know...Join scientist Dr Rosa Vasquez Espinoza as she uncovers one of the most unexplored regions on the planet. Growing up amid the landscape of Peru and the rainforest of the Amazon, Rosa''s childhood was marked by the teachings of her grandmother. There, she was introduced to the world of traditional medicine and the rich biodiversity of the ''natural pharmacy'' right outside her window. After training as a scientist, Rosa returned to the Amazon rainforest to explore its rich landscapes, and the waters teeming with life. As a leading biologist in her field, Rosa continues to explore the region through a unique blend of scientific inquiry and ancient insight from indigenous communities.In this debut, Rosa uncovers hidden insights of the Amazon through fascinating stories from her expeditions in the jungle. Each chapter opens with a natural remedy from her pharmacopeia - situating the reader in a specific region of the Amazon. Through her personal and engaging narrative, Rosa recounts stories from her and her team''s journeys, and the many lessons they have learnt along the way. From the boiling river to the stingless bee, Rosa also shares fascinating discoveries of the unknown wonders of the Amazon - some of which will stretch beyond the realm of science to uncover the spirits of the rainforest.In this book, Rosa celebrates the richness of Amazonian culture, the wonders of biodiversity, and the enduring spiritual connections between humanity and the natural world.

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Book SynopsisHow does a single-cell creature, such as an amoeba, lead such a sophisticated life? How does it hunt living prey, respond to lights, sounds, and smells, and display complex sequences of movements without the benefit of a nervous system? This book offers a startling and original answer.Trade Review"'Whilst Bray doesn't shy away from using unfamiliar terms they are always explained in context. For a book delving into systems biology and comparing specific examples of biological processes to computational systems that's quite a welcome surprise... The style is elegant and very readable.' Celia Gitterman, Chemistry World 'Biology and information lie at the heart of a new scientific revolution. In this timely and illuminating volume, Dennis Bray passionately weaves a compelling case for a computational view of life.' Martyn Amos, author of Genesis Machines: The New Science of Biocomputing"

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Book SynopsisStart Small, Think Big is a primary-science picture book series that takes young readers from the small and familiar to new areas of knowledge where they need to think big! Flying, Fluffy Seed is about the life cycle of a dandelion plant told clearly and carefully to build knowledge about plants. With a big fold-out map.

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Book SynopsisCholinesterase is a family of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid, a reaction necessary to allow a cholinergic neuron to return to its resting state after activation. Cholinesterases are the target enzyme of numerous pesticides and chemical warfare agents and have been used for over two decades in the detection of these compounds. In this book, the authors present current research in the production, uses and health effects of cholinesterase. Topics discussed include cholinergic therapy for autistic spectrum disorders; acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer''s disease; use of fish brain and muscle acetylcholinesterase as a biomarker to monitor water pollution and the evolutionary aspects of molecular forms and biological functions of acetylcholinesterase.

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Book SynopsisA re-issue of Gregory Bateson's classic work. It summarizes Bateson's thinking on the subject of the patterns that connect living beings to each other and to their environment.

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Book SynopsisPlasmonic resonators, composed of metallic micro- and nanostructures, belong to the category of excited-state physics on resonances from gigahertz to petahertz. Dynamical physics is in contrast to ground-state physics, which includes thermal states, and is connected to diverse applications to enhance existing photo-induced effects and phenomena such as plasmon-enhanced photoluminescence and Raman scattering. This book has three main aims: to provide fundamental knowledge on plasmonic resonators, to explain diverse plasmonic resonators, and to stimulate further development in plasmonic resonators. Plasmon-related studies, which are sometimes called plasmonics and include a substantial portion of metamaterials, have shown significant development since the 1980s. The piled-up results are too numerous to study from the beginning, but this book summarizes those results, including the history (past), all the possible types of plasmonic resonators (present), and their wide range of applications (future). It provides the basics of plasmons and resonant physics for undergraduate students, the systematic knowledge on plasmonic resonators for graduate students, and cutting-edge and in-depth information on plasmon-enhancement studies for researchers who are not experts in plasmonics and metamaterials, thereby benefitting a wide range of readers who are interested in the nanotechnology involving metallic nanostructures.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Plasma frequency. Optical constants in metals. Metal–Insulator Interface where SPPs emerge. Brief overview of the history. Numerical methods. Nanofabrication methods. Chapter summary. Response Function Theory. Classical model for response function. Quantum mechanical description for response function. Spectral theory. Generalized theory for response function. Chapter summary. Plasmonic Resonators. Plasmonic waveguides. Nanoparticle plasmonic resonators. Nanoparticle-assembled plasmonic resonators. Single-layer lattices. Collective oscillation associated with longitudinal component in plasmonic resonators. Plasmonic resonators of simply stacked structures. Plasmonic resonators with chirality. Plasmonic resonators of stacked complementary (SC) structures. Perfect absorbers. Chapter summary. Nonlocality on Plasmonic Resonances. Nonlocal responses in far-field spectra. Nonlocal responses in near-field scattering. Optical nonlocality in plasmonic resonators. Chapter summary. Plasmonic Enhancement. Principles of Plas*. Purcell effect. PlasPL. Surface-plasmon-amplified stimulated emission resonators (SPASER). Strong coupling of plasmons with excitons and other resonances. PlasRaman. PlasCat. PlasNLO. Other Plas*. IR emitters. Chapter summary. Future Prospects. Status after two decades since the era of nanotechnology. Directions being opened. Challenges in near future. Concluding remarks.

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Book Synopsis'A rich feast of his essays, reviews, forewords, squibs and conversations, in which talent and passion are married to deep knowledge.' Matt Ridley'Enjoy the unfailing clarity of his thought and prose, as well as the grandeur of his vision of life on Earth.' - Mark Cocker, Spectator'Richard Dawkins is a thunderously gifted science writer.' Sunday TimesIncluding conversations with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Steven Pinker, Matt Ridley and more, this is an essential guide to the most exciting ideas of our time and their proponents from our most brilliant science communicator.Books Do Furnish a Life is divided by theme, including celebrating nature, exploring humanity, and interrogating faith. For the first time, it brings together Richard Dawkins' forewords, afterwords and introductions to the work of some of the leading thinkers of our age - Carl Sagan, Lawrence Krauss, Jacob Bronowski, Lewis Wolpert - with a selection of his reviews to provide an electrifying celebration of science writing, both fiction and non-fiction. It is also a sparkling addition to Dawkins' own remarkable canon of work.Plenty of other scientists write well, but no one writes like Dawkins... here is Dawkins the teacher, the scholar, the polemicist, the joker, the aesthete, the poet, the satirist, the man of compassion as well as indignation, the slayer of superstition and, above all, the scientist. - Areo MagazineTrade ReviewMuch more than just a collection of journalism, this has an overarching unity and presents a panoramic survey of his intellectual career. There are occasional moments of delicious savagery as Dawkins dismantles an opponent. Much more often he celebrates the work of fellow scientists and throughout the entire 460 pages, one can enjoy the unfailing clarity of his thought and prose, as well as the grandeur of his vision of life on Earth. -- Mark Cocker * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling author of Darwin’s Doubt, Stephen Meyer, presents groundbreaking scientific evidence of the existence of God, based on breakthroughs in physics, cosmology, and biology.Beginning in the late 19th century, many intellectuals began to insist that scientific knowledge conflicts with traditional theistic belief—that science and belief in God are “at war.” Philosopher of science Stephen Meyer challenges this view by examining three scientific discoveries with decidedly theistic implications. Building on the case for the intelligent design of life that he developed in Signature in the Cell and Darwin’s Doubt, Meyer demonstrates how discoveries in cosmology and physics coupled with those in biology help to establish the identity of the designing intelligence behind life and the universe. Meyer argues that theism—with its affirmati

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Book SynopsisTrade Review2016--Winner of the Leipzig Book Fair Prize (Non-fiction) 2015--Winner of the Gleim Literature Prize "A rich and exciting book. . . . It imagines Forster as a thinker and therefore the relationship of the two main parts of his biography--circumnavigation and revolution--unite for the first time."--Gustav Seibt "S ddeutsche Zeitung " "The two key concepts of the era, 'nature' and 'revolution, ' which were in Forster's thinking and actions, Goldstein reconstructs in an impressive way: in a thrilling, lucid style drawing on Forster's diaries, letters, and works."--Oliver Pfohlmann "Neue Z rcher Zeitung " "The revolution is not a figment, but a natural phenomenon, a 'self-ignition of the reason' for Forster. To have developed this relationship, a 'natural revolution, ' from Forster's natural and human science is Goldstein's no small merit."--Alexander Kosenina "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung " "Goldstein explores Forster's experience of life and the ambivalent relationship between nature and philosophy. He shows Forster as more than a shipwrecked hero, but rather as an insightful thinker who was as bold as he was stoic."--Benedikt Erenz "ZEIT " "Using extensive quotes, Goldstein thrillingly depicts Forster's great journey, the impressions and ordeals of which are said to have remained with him for life."--Janika Gelinek "Neue Z rcher Zeitung " "An extraordinary life story that is thrilling to read."--Lina Kokaly "Radio Bremen "

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Book SynopsisEverything You Need to Know about Mathematics for Science and EngineeringUpdated and expanded with new topics, The Mathematics Companion: Mathematical Methods for Physicists and Engineers, 2nd Edition presents the essential core of mathematical principles needed by scientists and engineers. Starting from the basic concepts of trigonometry, the book covers calculus, differential equations, and vector calculus. A new chapter on applications discusses how we see objects mathematically with the eye, how quantum mechanics works, and more.A Convenient, Student-Friendly Format Rich with Diagrams and Clear ExplanationsThe book presents essential mathematics ideas from basic to advanced level in a way that is useful to both students and practicing professionals. It offers a unique and educational approach that is the signature style of the author's companion books. The author explains mathematical concepts clearly, concisely, and visually, ilTrade Review"The book summarizes basic notions of mathematical methods for physicists and engineers in a schematic way. It is aimed both at science students and physicists who need a quick handy reference when they have to solve a specific mathematical problem."—Applications of Mathematics, 60, 2015Praise for the First Edition:"This is an interesting and useful little book … .it is very well done, and everything that might be expected to be there is there … . The book might also be invaluable for those undergraduate students in Mathematics, Science, or Engineering, who need to undertake first- and second-year courses in Mathematics, and it will serve those who wish to have quick access to all those formulae that seem to be so readily forgotten."—Australian Physics, March/April 2006Table of ContentsPart 1 Essential Mathematics: Basic mathematics. Differentiation. Integration. Exponentials and logarithms. Hyperbolic functions. Infinite series. Part 2 Advance Mathematics: Ordinary differential equations. Laplace transforms. Vector analysis. Partial derivatives. Multiple integrals. Fourier series. Special functions. Partial differential equations.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"DeSilva's volume provides a welcome opportunity to reflect on the history of evolutionary theory as a legacy complicated by Darwin's prescience as well as prejudice."---Erika Lorraine Milam, Science"Together with ten colleagues, DeSilva courageously takes up this perennially red-hot founding text of his discipline."---Jessica Riskin, New York Review of Books"A fascinating, comprehensive, and accessible collection of essays. . . . A Most Interesting Problem gives credit to Darwin where credit is due, but is unabashed in its systematic rejection of outdated science."---Lydia Pyne, JSTOR Daily"In this ‘tribute to how science operates,’ 10 contributors revisit Descent on the 150th anniversary of its publication in a ‘quest for understanding the origin, biological variation, behavior, and evolution of humans.’ . . . Each of the contributors adds something valuable to the conversation." * Kirkus Reviews *"This important new collection of commentaries on what is perhaps the most challenging of Darwin's books in our own time, takes up the evidence for human evolution, our place in the family tree, the origins of civilization, of human races, and of sex differences in ways that are both meaningful as well as accessible to those both inside and outside of the scholarly world who are interested in reading and wrestling with this important and core work of Charles Darwin for themselves."---Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-Read Naturalist"[A] unique presentation of the many scientific ideas and hypotheses of Darwin’s “Descent of Man”. [A Most Interesting Problem] is a very interesting book about how sometimes scientific beliefs that have existed for decades can easily be debunked using modern technology."---Molly Gabler-Smith, Integrative and Comparative Biology"This is an especially important and timely project because Darwin’s volume is chock-full of creative, thought-provoking arguments and speculations about human evolution that span an extremely wide range of subjects, and after 150 years, many of these are overdue for a fresh reconsideration."---Jason Winning, Quarterly Review of Biology"This summary of Darwin's contributions to understanding human evolution should interest not only biologists and anthropologists but all concerned about the fate of the human species."---J. S. Schwartz, CHOICE"A Most Interesting Problem is a fantastic run-down of today’s understanding of human evolution and a great showcase of the scientific process."---Tibi Puiu, ZME Science"Fascinating reading about the development of science, and the cultural blindspots than can misdirect even the most brilliant scientists."---Ian Angus, Climate & Capitalism

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Book SynopsisThis open access book comprehensively covers the fundamentals of clinical data science, focusing on data collection, modelling and clinical applications. Topics covered in the first section on data collection include: data sources, data at scale (big data), data stewardship (FAIR data) and related privacy concerns. Aspects of predictive modelling using techniques such as classification, regression or clustering, and prediction model validation will be covered in the second section. The third section covers aspects of (mobile) clinical decision support systems, operational excellence and value-based healthcare. Fundamentals of Clinical Data Science is an essential resource for healthcare professionals and IT consultants intending to develop and refine their skills in personalized medicine, using solutions based on large datasets from electronic health records or telemonitoring programmes. The book’s promise is “no math, no code”and will explain the topics in a style that is optimized for a healthcare audience.Table of ContentsData sources.- Data at scale.- Standards in healthcare data.- Using FAIR data / data stewardship.- Privacy / deidentification.- Preparing your data.- Creating a predictive model.- Diving deeper into models.- Validation and Evaluation of reported models.- Clinical decision support systems.- Mobile app development.- Operational excellence.- Value Based Healthcare (Regulatory concerns).

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Book SynopsisThis book presents core concepts in computational biology in an accessible, jargon-free manner and offers a complete foundation course in the Python language, with entry points for novices and experienced programmers alike. Material covers traditional bioinformatics and many topics beyond, with practical examples for Python versions 2 and 3.Trade Review'As a long-time advocate of Python as the language of choice for both the bulk of biological data analysis and for teaching computer programming to molecular life scientists, I am delighted to see this book. [It] provides a well-focused introduction to Python programming but then goes on to use the clarity of the Python language to demystify a wide range of commonly applied data processing and analysis techniques that arise in modern cell and molecular biology. The integration of straightforward introductions to sequence analysis, image processing and statistical analysis (amongst others) into a book on Python is inspired. The clarity of the Python language helps to show that often 'yes it really is that simple', in a way that staring at a mathematical expression often fails to, and the programming element allows the reader to become actively involved.' Jeremy Craven, University of Sheffield'Python Programming for Biology is an excellent introduction to the challenges that biologists and biophysicists face. The choice of Python is appropriate; we use it in most research in our laboratories at the interface between biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics. The book takes us through programming principles for a beginner with a biological background, introducing the basics. It has useful tips for improving code and some specific examples, for example in sequence analysis, macromolecular structures, image processing and databases. I was pleased to see that there is a substantive section on machine learning which in the era of 'big data' is becoming central to much of the software developed for biomedical and agri-biotech research.' Tom Blundell, University of Cambridge'Stevens and Boucher tear down barriers to programming and bioinformatics, for biologists and medics alike … this is the book that I wish I could have read years ago. Serving as both a straightforward tutorial and plain-English reference, the key programming, biology and bioinformatics concepts necessary to build programs for practical, real-world applications are explained in a logical and easy-to-follow order, helping the reader to get from zero to results faster. Unlike many programming books and resources, information is presented in the right amount of detail and jargon is demystified, giving a gentle but thorough and practical introduction to programming with Python, while providing useful tips and encouraging good practices. This introduction is built on with 'from the ground up' explanations of basic, intermediate and advanced computational biology methodologies through Python implementations, resulting in a well-rounded text for programming to solve biological challenges.' Harry Jubb, University of Cambridge'As an increasingly valuable and important skill, programming can be daunting for those new to it. Python Programming for Biology provides the perfect introduction into the world of coding. Stevens and Boucher gently guide the reader through the basics and into practical examples that will aid the reader into incorporating Python into their research activities. I would not hesitate to recommend it as a valuable teaching aide or to people keen to expand their horizons into bioinformatics.' David Ascher, University of Cambridge'Python has become a programming and scripting language of utmost importance in scientific computing, in particular in biology. Major, widely used software packages make use of Python, and libraries offering powerful functionalities are available. Many if not most research projects in biology benefit from computational techniques. Although it is incredibly simple to write small scripts in Python, for a novice in programming, the first steps may seem daunting. In contrast to many other books on Python, this book is specifically aimed at an audience that has little or no experience with programming. After a step-by-step introduction to programming in Python, it describes concrete examples from different areas in biology, with code examples from data analysis to modelling. [It] is a highly valuable addition to the literature on Python, and recommended to any biologist who is interested in using computers in his research.' Michael Nilges, Institut Pasteur, France'[Stevens and Boucher's] understanding of the needs of the target audience for this book (primarily bench scientists with minimal programming experience) is complete. They have accurately customized the book, to meet those specific requirements which are so distinct from those of students aspiring to be specialist programmers. They have achieved this difficult objective without 'dumbing down' the content or omitting any relevant aspect of Python. The book provides an easy and comprehensive introduction for the complete novice as well as offering plenty to engage the more experienced reader. This work is exactly what is required for us to build new training events upon.' David Judge, University of CambridgeTable of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; 1. Prologue; 2. Beginners' guide; 3. Python basics; 4. Program control and logic; 5. Functions; 6. Files; 7. Object orientation; 8. Object data modelling; 9. Mathematics; 10. Coding tips; 11. Biological sequences; 12. Pairwise sequence alignments; 13. Multiple sequence alignments; 14. Sequence variation and evolution; 15. Macromolecular structures; 16. Array data; 17. High-throughput sequence analyses; 18. Images; 19. Signal processing; 20. Databases; 21. Probability; 22. Statistics; 23. Clustering and discrimination; 24. Machine learning; 25. Hard problems; 26. Graphical interfaces; 27. Improving speed; Appendix 1: simplified language reference; Appendix 2: selected standard type methods and operations; Appendix 3: standard module highlights; Appendix 4: string formatting; Appendix 5: regular expressions; Appendix 6: further statistics; Glossary; Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An unexpectedly delightful and rewarding jaunt into once-cherished, now-decaying living history. Each chapter gives a quick sketch of a species or genus that was formally described from a museum specimen, often decades after it was collected. Most of the creatures--which include lightning cockroaches, squeaker frogs, pygmy bandicoots from New Guinea, ruby seadragons, and 'atomic' tarantulas caught at a nuclear test site in Nevada--have been identified in the past fifteen years or so."--Ira Flatow "Wall Street Journal" "As part of the rising concern for global biodiversity, Christopher Kemp makes clear the value of preserved specimens in basic research. He successfully presents their study as part science, part history, and part adventure."--Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor, emeritus, Harvard University "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "The natural history museums of the world are full of surprises--undescribed species, from flying foxes to king crabs--sitting on their shelves waiting for someone to notice. Kemp vividly brings to life the stories of these specimens, and the people who collect and describe them. The Lost Species will delight any reader who cares about discovery, adventure, and the little-known planet that sustains us."--Richard Conniff, author of The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "Natural history museums and their collections come alive with Kemp's inside stories of new species formerly hidden away in museum drawers and jars. Anyone who appreciates discovery and has an interest in museums, history, and biodiversity will find plenty to enjoy in The Lost Species, an intriguing, engaging, and conversational read."--Marty Crump, author of Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog, Adder's Fork and Lizard's Leg: The Lore and Mythology of Amphibians and Reptiles "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "Natural history collections are vast, backlogged, error-riddled, or incompletely described. Think of all those expeditions in the 1800s and 1900s. Imagine drawers with thousands of beetles and flies, countless jars of marine invertebrates. What other treasures could those collections still be holding? Well, biologist Kemp wondered about that, too. And he went on a quest to uncover the forgotten collections and chronicled his findings in a book, The Last Species--new species that were only found with the help of natural history museums. . . . Amazing story."--Ira Flatow "Science Friday" "At a time when funding for natural history collections is under siege, Kemp's The Lost Species, which champions the irreplaceable value of these collections in the identification of new species, is a refreshing endorsement of both biodiversity and curatorial taxonomic expertise. . . . Kemp ably demonstrates the vital role that natural history collections and curators with taxonomic expertise play in the documentation of new species and ultimately in the preservation of biodiversity. These collections require maintenance to ensure the preservation of specimens and documentation for the next generation of taxonomists, who will discover more new species. It is my hope that The Lost Species will engender broader public interest and support for these efforts."--Bonnie Styles "Science" "As Kemp showcases these inspiring discoveries, you'll find yourself wondering what undiscovered treasures can be found in your local natural history museum. Clearly there is plenty of unknown biodiversity: currently, only 2 million species have been named out of the estimated 10 million that are thought to be out there (some credible estimates go as high as 30 million unnamed species), but I was amazed to learn that as many as half of all museum specimens are misidentified. Yeow! Clearly, there's a lot of taxonomic and systematic work to be done. This engaging book is a compelling argument for the overall value of natural history museums, and for the importance of studying these collections."--GrrlScientist "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "Major natural history museums of the world today collectively hold an enormous, irreplaceable collection of scientific objects numbering in the billions. Among this library of life and culture that has been assembled over several centuries, each piece has its own tale to tell. Christopher Kemp vividly brings several of these stories to life in The Lost Species. He chooses pieces ranging from a lowly nematode worm to the mighty dinosaur Apatosaurus (formerly known as Brontosaurus) to engage us. He presents these specimens to us not only as voucher specimens of Earth's biodiversity, but also as examples of human endeavor surrounding their discovery and eventual study. A great read for anyone interested in natural history museum collections, how they came to be, and what we can learn from them." --Lance Grande, author of Curators "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017"Table of ContentsIntroduction The Vertebrates 1. Pushed up a Mountain and into the Clouds: The Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina) 2. Beneath a Color 83 Sky: The Ucucha Mouse (Thomasomys ucucha) 3. Going on a Tapir Hunt: The Little Black Tapir (Tapirus kabomani) 4. A Taxonomic Confusion: The Saki Monkeys (Pithecia genus) 5. Scattered to the Corners of the World: The Arfak Pygmy Bandicoot (Microperoryctes aplini) 6. The One That Got Away for 160 Years: Wallace’s Pike Cichlid (Crenicichla monicae) 7. Here Be Dragons: The Ruby Seadragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea) 8. A Century in a Jar: The Thorius Salamanders 9. From a Green Bowl: The Overlooked Squeaker Frog (Arthroleptis kutogundua) 10. A Body and a Disembodied Tail: Smith’s Hidden Gecko (Cyrtodactylus celatus) The Invertebrates 11. Treasure in the By-Catch: The Gall Wasps (Cynipoidea species) 12. The Biomimic: The Lightning Cockroach (Lucihormetica luckae) 13. Sunk beneath the Surface in a Sea of Beetles: Darwin’s Rove Beetle (Darwinilus sedarisi) 14. The Spoils of a Distant War: The Congo Duskhawker Dragonfly (Gynacantha congolica) 15. A Specimen in Two Halves: Muir’s Wedge-Shaped Beetle (Rhipidocyrtus muiri) 16. Mary Kingsley’s Longhorn Beetle (Pseudictator kingsleyae) 17. The Giant Flies (Gauromydas papavero and Gauromydas mateus) 18. It Came from Area 51: The Atomic Tarantula Spider (Aphonopelma atomicum) 19. The Host with the Most: The Nematode Worm (Ohbayashinema aspeira) 20. From a Time Machine on Cromwell Road: Ablett’s Land Snail (Pseudopomatias abletti) 21. In Sight of Land: Payden’s Isopod (Exosphaeroma paydenae) 22. A Ball of Spines: Makarov’s King Crab (Paralomis makarovi) Botanical 23. In an Ikea Bag: The Custard Apple Family (Monanthotaxis Genus) The Others 24. Waiting with Their Jackets On: The Fossils (Paleontology Specimens Collected by Elmer Riggs) 25. The First Art: The Earliest Hominin Engraving (a 500,000-Year-Old Shell) Epilogue Illustration Captions and Credits Notes Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This manual is destined to be a must for the present generation of beginning and intermediate students in the anatomy of vertebrates. It blends a familiar language with the formalism and cadence of Victorian descriptions, all the while maintaining clear directions on dissection procedures, and amazing, realistic, art, rendering its reading a vivid experience. It is strongly based in the conceptual framework of phylogeny but without losing the practical spirit of manuals. The incorporation of new sections on examples often not (or ever) included in other works is a bonus that broadens its scope, flexibility, and utility." --Dr Sergio F Vizcaino, Departmento Cientifico Paleontologia Vertebrados, Museo de la Plata, Argentina "This new lab manual by De Iuliis and Pulerà will quickly become the standard for veterinary and vertebrate zoology courses alike. The artwork is simply the best available, and appears more true-to-life than any others. The choice of including skeletal material beyond the standard fare (including T. rex!) makes this manual truly innovative. The text clearly explains the anatomy, and goes into more detail than any similar manual, allowing the instructor to more easily tailor the manual to his or her course. Prepare to see this work mimicked by others!" --Randall Lauff, Biology Department, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada "This book is the go-to manual for comparative anatomy and vertebrate morphology courses. The excellent artwork and clear text make it understandable and practical for students. Having taught anatomy for 36 years and used every possible lab manual, I chose this manual among all others. The inclusion of a variety of vertebrate skulls makes it a valuable tool for biology students. The 3rd edition adds valuable information on the protochordates and the sheep heart and shark reproductive system. The clear instructions and illustrations of this manual make the job of the lab instructor much easier and enjoyable. This is the best comparative anatomy lab manual!" --Dr. Philip J. Motta, Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa "De Iuliis and Pulerà have produced a must-read primer for helping our students understand the anatomy of vertebrates. It is a delightful guide full of important and relevant anatomical information on a variety of vertebrates. It is written in a straightforward, concise, easy to follow style and is accompanied by amazing artwork. We look forward to the Chinese version coming out! Read this book - and learn from one of the best." --Dr. Zhikun Gai Associate Professor of Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing "I have been using this outstanding lab manual for my Vertebrate Biology course for more than ten years. It is simply the best available for vertebrate comparative anatomy courses. I have always appreciated the broad coverage and excellent diagrams, and especially the combination of artwork and photographs. The third edition builds upon the strengths of the previous two by adding sections on the amphioxus, sea squirt, and sheep heart. These new sections have excellent diagrams and photos; for example, the photos of the preserved sheep heart with the superficial adipose tissue and cut vessels show the students what the heart in the dissecting tray in front of them actually looks like, as opposed to a stylized artistic view of the heart seen in most lab texts. No other lab manual I am aware of offers this realistic approach. Like the previous editions, the new photos and art are clear and easy to read and study. I am looking forward to bringing this updated lab text to a whole new generation of students." --Dr. Mark S. Mills, Assistant Professor of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St Joseph "De Iuliis and Pulerà’s The Dissection of Vertebrates is a special work that combines current science and anatomical description with exceptional illustration. Importantly, the authors introduce vertebrate anatomy on a solid phylogenetic footing before proceeding to the sections that separately focus on dissections of exemplar vertebrates. I have used De Iuliis and Pulerà’s The Dissection of Vertebrates since its inaugural publication – no other manual comes close to this work in terms of its clarity of prose and highly polished scientific illustration. In my course, we focus on the dissection of the cat, and the content of the manual is excellently suited for an in-depth coverage of mammalian anatomical systems over the course of a semester. The writing is clear and accessible, and its organization is well suited for training students to rely on working between the guide and specimen, with dissection tools in hand. The sections on mammal and reptile skulls are exciting features usually not seen elsewhere, and introduce students to the intricacies and varieties of form that have evolved in those lineages. This aspect, along with the breathtaking illustrations, transforms the manual into an important reference for students and morphologists alike. In addition, De Iuliis brings the content up to date, such as including new terms such as procoracoid, which reflects the current work on recent reconsiderations of anatomical homologies. The illustrations deserve extra comment: Pulerà’s renderings show an extraordinary commitment to accuracy and aesthetic excellence; in addition to their value for navigating anatomy, virtually any of his illustrations could be framed and displayed as high culture natural history art. In this regard, the manual could, arguably, serve as a source for a course in scientific illustration. For all of these reasons I could not recommend a work on vertebrate anatomy more highly. All told, it is a work that would make the science’s founder, Georges Cuvier, proud." -- Dr. Thomas D. Carr, Associate Professor of Biology, Carthage College, KenoshaTable of Contents1. Vertebrates and Their Kin 2. The Lamprey 3. The Shark 4. The Perch 5. The Mudpuppy 6. The Frog 7. The Cat 8. Reptile Skulls and Mandibles 9. The Pigeon

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. Planning Studies: From Design to Publication 2. Planning Analysis: Addressing Your Scientific Objective 3. Probability and Relative Frequency 4. Distributions 5. Descriptive Statistics 6. Finding Probabilities 7. Hypothesis Testing: Concept and Practice 8. Confidence Intervals 9. Tests on Categorical Data 10. Risks, Odds, and ROC Curves 11. Tests of Location with Continuous Outcomes 12. Equivalence Testing 13. Tests on Variability and Distributions 14. Measuring Association and Agreement 15. Linear Regression and Correlation 16. Multiple Linear and Curvilinear Regression 17. Logistic Regression for Binary Outcomes 18. Regression Models for Count Outcomes 19. Analysis of Censored Time-To-Event Data 20. Analysis of Repeated Continuous Measures of Time 21. Sample Size Estimation 22. Clinical Trials and Group Sequential Analyses 23. Epidemiology and Alternative Sampling Designs 24. Meta Analyses 25. Bayesian Statistics 26. Questionnaires and Surveys 27. Techniques to Aid Analysis 28. Methods You Might Meet, But Not Every Day

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. CT assessment of diffuse lung disease 2. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia 3. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis 4 Airspace-predominant diseases 5. Pulmonary amyloidosis 6: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis 7. Eosinophilic lung disease 8. Lung disease related to connective tissue diseases 9. Diffuse cystic lung diseases 10. Lung tumors mimicking diffuse non-neoplastic lung diseases 11. Drug-induced pulmonary disease

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for the previous edition: "The assembled authors are all leading experts hand-picked worldwide by the editors. The authors provided basic biological knowledge, patient-oriented pathophysiology, and clinical therapeutics for common and important renal diseases in each chapter. Overall the textbook will help any readers – from residents to faculty staff – understand the most updated information - just like meeting with clinical experts." --Yoshihiko Kanno, MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Nephrology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan "...comprehensive in its coverage, and is packed full of useful information. A particular strength is the accessible description of the basic science that underpins the clinical aspects of renal medicine." --British Journal of HospitalTable of ContentsI INTRODUCTION 1. Introduction II CLASSIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT 2. From Bright’s Disease to Chronic Kidney Disease 3. Classification of Chronic Kidney Disease - Historic Perspective: From Insufficiency and Failure to Chronic Kidney Disease 4. Assessing Kidney Function 5. Clinical Assessment and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Across Its Stages III EPIDEMIOLOGY 6. Epidemiology of Chronic Kidney Disease - Scope of the Problem 7. Gender Issues in Chronic Kidney Disease 8. Ethnicity and Chronic Kidney Disease - United States 9. Ethnicity and Chronic Kidney Disease in Disadvantaged Populations - An International Perspective 10. Ethnicity and Chronic Kidney Disease in Japan 11. Ethnicity and Chronic Kidney Disease in Africa 12. Ethnicity and Chronic Kidney Disease in China 13. Poverty and Chronic Kidney Disease IV PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 14. The Uremic Syndrome 15. Pathophysiology of Proteinuria: Albuminuria as a Target for Treatment 16. Protein Energy Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease 17. Aging and the Kidney: Clinical and Pathophysiologic Issues 18. Pathophysiology of Chronic Kidney Disease Progression: Organ and Cellular Considerations 19. Pathophysiology of Diabetic Nephropathy 20. Prenatal Antecedents of Chronic Kidney Disease 21. Pathophysiology of Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease 22. Chronic Kidney Disease and the Vascular Endothelium 23. Cardiovascular Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease 24. Inflammation in Chronic Kidney Disease 25. Genetics and Chronic Kidney Disease 26. Acute Kidney Injury and Chronic Kidney Disease V COMPLICATIONS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE 27. Psychosocial Issues in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients 28. Ophthalmic Issues in Chronic Kidney Disease 29. Neurologic Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease 30. Hematologic Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease - Anemia and Platelet Disorders 31. Hematologic and Infectious Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease 32. Immune Function in Chronic Kidney Disease 33. Chronic Kidney Disease and Gastrointestinal Disorders 34. Endocrine Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease 35. Chronic Kidney Disease - Mineral and Bone Disorders 36. Sleep Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease 37. Sexual Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease VI FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE DISORDERS IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE 38. Water Homeostasis in Chronic Kidney Disease 39. Sodium Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease 40. Potassium Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease 41. Calcium, Phosphate, and Magnesium Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease 42. Acid/Base Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease 43. Uric Acid Metabolism and the Kidney 44. Trace Elements in Chronic Kidney Disease VII CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND SYSTEMIC ILLNESSES - CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS 45. Approach to the Patient with Chronic Glomerular Disease 46. Approach to the Patient with Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis 47. Approach to the Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease and Renovascular Disease 48. Polycystic Kidney Disease 49. Lupus Nephritis 50. Sickle Cell Disease 51. Approach to Chronic Kidney Disease in the Diabetic Patient 52. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Chronic Kidney Disease 53. Liver Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease 54. Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure - A Nephrologic Approach 55. Cancer and Chronic Kidney Disease VIII THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATIONS 56. The Interdisciplinary Clinic for Chronic Kidney Disease 57. Slowing Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease 58. Approach to the Patient with Non-nephrotic Proteinuria 59. Nutritional Management of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease 60. Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease 61. Management of Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease 62. Management of Mineral and Bone Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease 63. Drug Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease 64. Use of Diuretics in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients 65. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Opioids in Chronic Kidney 66. Dyslipidemia and Chronic Kidney Disease 67. Nephrolithiasis, Nephrocalcinosis, and Hypercalciuria 68. Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients 69. Preparing for Transplantation 70. Preparing for Hemodialysis 71. Preparing for Peritoneal Dialysis IX SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS 72. Emerging Therapies 73. The Renal Biopsy in Chronic Kidney 74. Pregnancy and Kidney Disease 75. Chronic Kidney Disease in Children 76. Reflux Nephropathy 77. Chronic Kidney Disease in the Elderly - Who Has It? Who Does One Treat? and How are They to be Treated? 78. Pain and Chronic Kidney Disease 79. The Perioperative Management of the Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease 80. Ethical Issues in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients 81. Imaging the Chronic Kidney Disease Patient

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. Immunoassay design and mechanism of biotin interference2. Biotin: Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Assessment of Biotin Status3. Biotin: From Supplement to Therapy4. Effect of Biotin on Clinical Laboratory Test Results: How to Avoid such Interferences?5. Issues of Interferences in Clinical Chemistry Tests including Heterophilic Antibody Interferences6. Issues of Interferences in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring7. Issues of Interference in Drugs of Abuse Testing and Toxicology

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisWhat are you? Obviously, you are a person with human ancestors that can be plotted on a family tree, but you have other identities as well. According to evolutionary biologists, for example, you are a member of the species Homo sapiens. To a microbiologist, though, you are a collection of cells, each of which has its own cellular ancestry. A geneticist might point out that besides these identities, you can be understood as a gene-replication machine, which can be plotted on a genetic tree. Finally a physicist will give a rather different answer to the identity question: you can be understood as a collection of atoms, each of which has a very long history. Some have been around since the Big Bang, and others are the result of nuclear fusion that took place within a star. Not only that, but most of your atoms belonged to other living things before joining you. From your atoms'' point of view, then, you are just a way station on a multibillion-year-long journey. You: A Natural History offers a multi-disciplinary investigation of your hyper-extended family tree, going all the way back to the Big Bang. And while your family tree may contain surprises, your hyper-extended history contains some truly amazing stories. As the result of learning more about who and what you are, and about how you came to be here, you will likely see the world around you with fresh eyes. You will also become aware of all the one-off events that had to take place for your existence to be possible: stars had to explode, the earth had to be hit 4.5 billion years ago by a planetesimal and 65 million years ago by an asteroid, microbes had to engulf microbes, the African savanna had to undergo climate change, and of course, any number of your direct ancestors had to meet and mate. It is difficult, on becoming aware of just how contingent your own existence is, not to feel very lucky to be part of our universe.Trade ReviewWilliam B Irvine's You: A Natural History is a book by a philosopher about science, written with non-scientists in mind-"for readers not only to understand how, according to science, they and their world came to exist, but to take this science personally". * Miriam van der Valk, Philosophical Practice *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Your Multiple IdentitiesPart 1. Your Deep AncestryChapter 1. Your PeopleChapter 2. You and I Are RelatedChapter 3. You Have a Great Throwing ArmChapter 4. Your Place on the Tree of LifeChapter 5. Your Sex Problem(s)Chapter 6. The Neanderthal in Your Family TreeChapter 7. The Code(s) by which You LiveChapter 8. Your (Alien?) RootsPart 2. The Cellular YouChapter 9. You Are ComplexChapter 10. Your Ancestors Were BoringChapter 11. Your "Cellmates"Chapter 12. Your "Boarders"Part 3. The Atomic YouChapter 13. You Are What You Eat, AteChapter 14. Your Windblown PastChapter 15. Your Cosmic ConnectionChapter 16. Pulling Yourself TogetherPart 4. Your Place in the UniverseChapter 17. You Are a Gene MachineChapter 18. You Are (Merely) Part of LifeChapter 19. Your Many AfterlivesChapter 20. Why Are You Here?NotesWorks CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisWhat is life? Fifty years after physicist Erwin Schrodinger posed this question in his celebrated and inspiring book, the answer remains elusive. In The Way of the Cell, one of the world''s most respected microbiologists draws on his wide knowledge of contemporary science to provide fresh insight into this intriguing and all-important question. What is the relationship of living things to the inanimate realm of chemistry and physics? How do lifeless but special chemicals come together to form those intricate dynamic ensembles that we recognize as life? To shed light on these questions, Franklin Harold focuses here on microorganisms - in particular, the supremely well-researched bacterium E. coli - because the cell is the simplest level of organization that manifests all the features of the phenomenon of life. Harold shows that as simple as they appear when compared to ourselves, every cell displays a dynamic pattern in space and time, orders of magnitude richer than its elements. It integrates the writhings and couplings of billions of molecules into a coherent whole, draws matter and energy into itself, constructs and reproduces its own order, and persists in this manner for numberless generations while continuously adapting to a changing world. A cell constitutes a unitary whole, a unit of life, and in this volume one of the leading authorities on the cell gives us a vivid picture of what goes on within this minute precinct. The result is a richly detailed, meticulously crafted account of what modern science can tell us about life as well as one scientist''s personal attempt to wring understanding from the tide of knowledge.Trade Review"The work is like a breath of fresh air in a scientific world otherwise obsessed with excessive reductionism."--BioEssays"Witty and erudite, this scientific book hails as a literary achievement. Comprehensive and up to date, Franklin Harold traces the roots--historical, thermodynamic, and biochemical--of today's biological revolution."--Lynn Margulis, co-author (with Dorion Sagan) of both What is Life? and What is Sex?"This book helps us understand why the search for answers to the riddle 'What is life?' is a noble quest."--Howard C. Berg, author of Random Walks in Biology

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Book SynopsisThe Earth''s biodiversity-the rich variety of life on our planet-is disappearing at an alarming rate. And while many books have focused on the expected ecological consequences, or on the aesthetic, ethical, sociological, or economic dimensions of this loss, Sustaining Life is the first book to examine the full range of potential threats that diminishing biodiversity poses to human health.Edited and written by Harvard Medical School physicians Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein, along with more than 100 leading scientists who contributed to writing and reviewing the book, Sustaining Life presents a comprehensive--and sobering--view of how human medicines, biomedical research, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and the production of food, both on land and in the oceans, depend on biodiversity. The book''s ten chapters cover everything from what biodiversity is and how human activity threatens it to how we as individuals can help conserve the world''s richly varied biota. SeveTrade ReviewSustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity is a landmark book that lays out the case for the conservation of biodiversity and the multiple benefits it provides. The book is well organized, with beautiful supporting imagery. It is a much needed resource and a call to appreciate and take action to conserve our biological diversity at this critical time. * Integrative and Comparative Biology *...fabulous book...lavishly illustrated...both fascinating and frightening * Peter Elson Liverpool Daily Post *This book...reminds us of just how much we have to lose. * Geographical *This book represents a landmark addition to our understanding of our ecological heritage, and the importance of preserving it. * Publishers Weekly *A Powerhouse of information on a topic that concerns us all. Highly recommended. * Irwin weintraub, Library Journal *It is a new and comprehensive review of the latest tally of planetary profit and loss... * EducationGuardian.co.uk *Sustaining Life is the most complete and powerful argument I have seen for the importance of preserving biodiversity. * Al Gore, former Vice President, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate *It was an exhilarating moment when scientists broke the genome code and showed us the basic building blocks of the human being. Now scientists are showing us how biodiversity works and why it is crucial to saving our planet for our children's children and beyond. This important and compelling book is a blueprint for acting wisely and urgently. * Bill Moyers, former White House Press Secretary, *"There is probably no better way to convince anyone still uncertain about the urgent need to preserve biodiversity, which is rapidly diminishing as a result of human activities, than to document its importance to human health and medicine. The authors have done this with great thoroughness and from every possible angle, producing a volume that pairs authority with anecdote and scholarship with passion."--Harold Varmus, President, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1989 Nobel Prize Laureate, former Director of the National Institutes of Health"As a public health physician, I have been deeply involved for decades in helping political leaders, policy-makers, and the general public understand the relationship between human beings and the environment. Sustaining Life is the best and most comprehensive resource available demonstrating how human health depends on the health of the natural world."--Gro Brundtland, former Director-General of the World Health Organization, former Prime Minister of Norway"One of the main reasons the world faces a global environmental crisis is the belief that we human beings are somehow separate from the natural world in which we live, and that we can therefore alter its physical, chemical, and biological systems without these alterations having any effect on humanity. Sustaining Life challenges this widely held misconception by demonstrating definitively, with the best and most current scientific information available, that human health depends, to a larger extent than we might imagine, on the health of other species and on the healthy functioning of natural ecosystems."--Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, 2001 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, from the PrologueThis most readable and beautifully illustrated book, with contributions from more than 100 leading scientists from around the world, underlines that the health implications of the loss of biodiversity are every bit as great as those caused by global warming ... The book makes compelling reading for anyone interested in the natural world. * British Wildlife *"A powerhouse of information on a topic that concerns of us all. Highly recommended."--Irwin Weintraub, Library Journal ReviewsTable of ContentsForeword E. O. Wilson ; Prologue Kofi Annan ; Chapter 1What is Biodiversity? By Stuart Pimm, Maria Alice dos Santos Alves, Eric Chivian, and Aaron Bernstein ; Chapter 2How is Biodiversity Threatened by Human Activity? By Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein ; Chapter 3Ecosystem Services By Jerry Melillo and Osvaldo Sala ; Chapter 4Medicines from Nature By David J. Newman, John Kilama, Aaron Bernstein, and Eric Chivian ; Chapter 5Biodiversity and Biomedical Research By Eric Chivian, Aaron Bernstein, and Joshua P. Rosenthal ; Chapter 6Threatened Groups of Organisms Valuable to Medicine By Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein ; Chapter 7Ecosystem Disturbance, Biodiversity Loss, and Human Infectious Disease By David H. Molyneux, Richard S. Ostfeld, Aaron Bernstein, and Eric Chivian ; Chapter 8Biodiversity and Food Production By Daniel Hillel and Cynthia Rosenzweig ; Chapter 9Genetically Modified Foods and Organic Farming By Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein ; Chapter 10 What Individuals Can Do to Help Conserve Biodiversity By Jeffrey A. McNeely, Eleanor Sterling, and Kalemani Jo Mulongoy ; Appendix Agencies, Organizations, Treaties, Conventions, and NGOs Working to Conserve Biodiversity ; Part A: Co-sponsors ; Part B: Treaties, Conventions, and Intergovernmental Organizations ; Part C: Non-Governmental Organizations

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Book SynopsisField naturalists have observed the activities of weasels for centuries. Their descriptions were often accurate but sometimes misinterpreted the animals'' behaviors and underlying explanations for those behaviors. Organized natural history became one of the roots of the science of ecology in the 1920s and by the 1960s scientists had begun to study the biology of weasels with all the critical, objective advantages of modern theory and equipment. Until the first edition of this book appeared in 1989 no one had attempted to explain these results to non-specialist naturalists. Now thoroughly revised, this book will continue to be the main one-stop reference for professionals. But both kinds of knowledge are brought together here-- observations for the traditional naturalist and rigorous measurements and interpretations for modern scientists, integrated into a single, readable account. This new edition provides a comprehensive summary of the extensive advances over the last 15 years in ouTrade Review...provides a wide range of information on evolution, ecology, morphology, behaviour and physiology on weasels and stoats...It includes many different recent studies, from Europe (mainly Britain), New Zealand and North America. This is one of the major books on mustelids. It is also nicely illustrated. * Ge'raldine Veron Mammalia *The emphasis of this new edition has moved from a British to a N. American flavour with much to say about the booming populations of mustelids in New Zealand; still an excellent natural history book for the British ecologist. British Ecological Society 2008This is some of the best current natural history writing. * Highland News *Table of Contents1. Weaselly distinguished, stoatally different ; 2. Hair trigger mouse traps with teeth ; 3. Molt and winter whitening ; 4. Body size ; 5. Food ; 6. Hunting behavior ; 7. The impact of predation by weasels on populations of natural prey ; 8. Adjustable living spaces ; 9. Reproduction ; 10. Populations: density and breeding success ; 11. Populations: survival and mortality ; 12. Human attitudes to weasels in their native environments ; 13. Stoats as introduced pests in New Zealand ; 14. Puzzles: sexual dimorphism, delayed implantation and co-existence among weasel species ; Conclusion

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Book SynopsisEcology of a Changed World outlines the importance of species conservation relative to human existence. Paired wiwth a useful companion website with engaging practical applications, the book breaks down ecological principles and explains six threats to biodiversity in terms anyone studying ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science, or environmental justice will understand.Trade ReviewThis book offers a treatise on ecology, focusing particularly on biodiversity...Recommended. All readers. * Choice *Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Changed World Chapter 2: Population Growth Chapter 3: Population Regulation Chapter 4: Interactions between Species: Competition Chapter 5: Predation and Food Webs Chapter 6: Parasites and Pathogens Chapter 7: Evolution and Disease Chapter 8: The Human Food Supply: Competition, Predation, and Parasitism Chapter 9: Food Security Chapter 10: Prediction Chapter 11: Human Population Growth Chapter 12: Growth of Wealth and Urbanization Chapter 13: Habitat Conversion Chapter 14: Economics of Habitat Conversion Chapter 15: Climate Crisis: History Chapter 16: Predictions of Future Climate and Its Effects Chapter 17: Pollution Chapter 18: Invasive Species Chapter 19: Introduced Disease Chapter 20: Harvesting on Land Chapter 21: Harvesting in the Ocean Chapter 22: Harvesting: Prospects Chapter 23: Species Chapter 24: Population Declines Chapter 25: Extinction Chapter 26: Species across Space Chapter 27: Island Biogeography and Reserve Design Chapter 28: Value of Species Appendix A: Estimation and Uncertainty Appendix B: Derivations References Index

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Book SynopsisWater dominates the surface of Earth and is vital to life on our planet. It is a remarkable liquid which shows anomalous behaviour. In this Very Short Introduction John Finney introduces the science of water, and explores how the structure of water molecules gives rise to its physical and chemical properties. Considering water in all three of its states as ice and steam as well as liquid, Finney explains the great importance of an understanding of its structure and behaviour to a range of fields including chemistry, astrophysics, and earth and environmental sciences. Finney describes the role of water in biology, and ends with a discussion of the outstanding controversies concerning water, and some of the ''magical'' properties which have been claimed for it.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewa wake-up call to those who only think about it when their holiday's are washed out or their water bills arrive. * Northern Echo, Stephen Craggs *Table of Contents1. Water, water everywhere... ; 2. The water molecule and its interactions ; 3. Water as ice(s) ; 4. Water as a liquid - and as glas(ses) ; 5. The anomalies explained. ; 6. Water as a biomolecule ; 7. Some past and current controversies ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisScholars and policymakers alike agree that innovation in the biosciences is key to future growth. The field continues to shift and expand, and it is certainly changing the way people live their lives in a variety of ways. With a large share of federal research dollars devoted to the biosciences, the field is just beginning to live up to its billing as a source of innovation, economic productivity and growth. Vast untapped potential to imagine and innovate exists in the biosciences given new tools now widely available. In The Biologist''s Imagination, William Hoffman and Leo Furcht examine the history of innovation in the biosciences, tracing technological innovation from the late eighteenth century to the present and placing special emphasis on how and where technology evolves. Place is often key to innovation, from the early industrial age to the rise of the biotechnology industry in the second half of the twentieth century. The book uses the distinct history of bioinnovation to discuss current trends as they relate to medicine, agriculture, energy, industry, ecosystems, and climate. Fast-moving research fields like genomics, synthetic biology, stem cell research, neuroscience, bioautomation and bioprinting are accelerating these trends. Hoffman and Furcht argue that our system of bioscience innovation is itself in need of innovation. It needs to adapt to the massive changes brought about by converging technologies and the globalization of higher education, workforce skills, and entrepreneurship. The Biologist''s Imagination is both a review of past models for bioscience innovation and a forward-looking, original argument for what future models should take into account.Trade ReviewThis exceptionally well researched and engagingly presented account of the growth of biotechnology in medicine, agriculture, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries is a veritable tour de force. * Ben Mepham, The Biologist *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; Chapter 1: Ideas, progress, wealth, and the biological revolution ; Chapter 2: Drugs, biomolecules, brains, and the shifting currents of innovation ; Chapter 3: Regional bioinnovation: Reaping the harvest of the local ; and the global ; Chapter 4: Mendel's journey from peas to petabytes ; Chapter 5: Toning up universities for regional growth ; Chapter 6: Splicing and dicing: Property, information, and the DNA of innovation ; Chapter 7: Looking ahead as an industry evolves ; Conclusion ; Chapter endnotes ; Selected bibliography ; Acknowledgements ; Index

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Book SynopsisAn Introduction to Quantum Field Theory is a textbook intended for the graduate physics course covering relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum electrodynamics, and Feynman diagrams. The authors make these subjects accessible through carefully worked examples illustrating the technical aspects of the subject, and intuitive explanations of what is going on behind the mathematics. After presenting the basics of quantum electrodynamics, the authors discuss the theory of renormalization and its relation to statistical mechanics, and introduce the renormalization group. This discussion sets the stage for a discussion of the physical principles that underlie the fundamental interactions of elementary particle physics and their description by gauge field theories.Trade Review"This is such a serious competitor to Bjorken and Drell that I fear for our royalties."—Prof. J.D. Bjorken, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center"I have used the text of Peskin and Schroeder in teaching several graduate courses. It provides students with nearly all the tools required of the modern field theorist. It is the only field theory text with a thoroughly modern, Wilsonian treatment of renormalization and the renormalization group. Students are left well equipped to tackle research problems in QCD and the electroweak theory."—Prof. Michael Dine, University of California, Santa Cruz"Peskin and Schroeder have written an introductory field theory textbook with the right choice of material at the right level and all presented from a completely modern point of view. It provides a pedagogical introduction to the tools and concepts of field theory that will be of use to students of condensed matter, cosmology, and particle physics alike."—Prof. Jeffrey Harvey, University of ChicagoTable of ContentsPart I: Feyman Diagrams and Quantum ElctrodynamicsInvitation: Pair Production in e * r e ~ AnnihilationThe Klein Gordon FieldThe Dirac FieldInteracting Fields and Feynman DiagramsElementary Processes of Quantum Electrodynamics Radiative Corrections: IntroductionRadiative Corrections: Some Formal DevelopmentsPart II: RenormalizationInvitation: Ultraviolet Cutoffs and Critical FlucutationsFunctional MethodsSystematics of RenormalizationRenormalization and SymmetryThe Renormalization GroupCritical Exponents and Scalar Field TheoryPart III: Non-Abelian Gauge TheoriesInvitation: The Parton Model of Hadron StructureNon-Abelian Gauge InvarianceQuantization of Non-Abelian Gauge TheoriesQuantum ChromodynamicsOperator Products and Effective VerticesPertubation Theory AnomaliesGauge Theories with Spontaneous Symmetry BreakingQuantization of Spontaneously Broken Gauge TheoriesQuantum Field Theory at the Frontier

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Catastrophic Thinking presents the best introductory account of how the idea of species-wide loss was conceived and established in scientific circles. . . . [Sepkoski] convincingly suggests that ideas about extinction in each historical period reflect broader social and cultural concerns in the modern world, from the intimate connections between extinction and imperialism to current concerns about the global biodiversity crisis. . . . Extinction is no longer a specialized concern. In this climate, David Sepkoski’s accessible guide is most welcome." * Times Literary Supplement *"Convincingly demonstrates that an ecological perspective has profoundly shaped our views of biological and social communities. . . . Sepkoski's magisterial work will hopefully serve as an inspiration for more comprehensive histories of the concept of diversity. . . . Catastrophic Thinking is essential reading for those seeking to understand the origin of one of the most powerful concepts under consideration today." * Science *"A brilliant examination of an urgent subject, with lessons not just for addressing mass extinction but also for reckoning with the intellectual background against which we have failed to do so. Sepkoski is a scientific Maurice Sendak, conjuring a strange world in which the wild things are not the lost animals and plants of the earth’s past so much as the scientists clamouring to study—if not save—them. . . . This book uncovers a pattern of stasis and rupture; ideas, like species, thrive for a time, only to see the context in which they thrived wiped out. Arriving at this particular moment, in a world stalked by extremists and stoked by a profit-driven public square, Sepkoski’s account of where the wild things went makes perfect sense. In an age of rupture, what other way could it have been written? To paraphrase one of Sepkoski’s own sources: Catastrophic Thinking is the extinction story our era deserves." * Social History of Medicine *"Excellent. . . . Catastrophic Thinking is a closely argued, gracefully written book. In fact, it might even be regarded as several books in one: as a history of extinction science, an essay on the origin of a social value, and more subtlety, a piece of cultural criticism. These elements blend together almost seamlessly. Sepkoski achieves just the right mix of historical detachment, scientific sophistication and cultural perceptiveness to carry off his ambitious project. There are plenty of surprises for the reader along the way, and not a little wisdom. In our present age of catastrophes and catastrophizing, it deserves a wide and enthusiastic readership." * Metascience *"Far from a dry recitation of the scientific literature, Sepkoski's meta-analysis of extinction and biological diversity foregrounds ideas and rhetorical choices. . . . Lucidly written and keenly personal, Catastrophic Thinking is engaging from beginning to end. . . . Sepkoski delineates new territory in the discourse of extinction by reviewing and revisiting the most important scientific figures and literature (popular and academic) of each era since catastrophic thinking took hold of the Western imaginary. Readers interested in the scientific history of extinction as a modern concept, particularly as it was formed by human institutions, will find much of interest in Sepkoski's book." * Isis: A Journal of the History of Science Society *"This book is impeccably researched, and—rather than a popular science book—does not repackage and distil others' work but provides a novel, academic argument. This fresh take on how we collectively see extinction—and its flipside, loss of diversity—will help readers understand and contextualise the current crisis and the Anthropocene. Sepkoski will give many pause to reflect not just on how our research is influenced by our broader culture, but also how important it is to influence and impact society and politics: to move the needle on the climate and biodiversity crises. . . . Buy a copy of Catastrophic Thinking to better understand—and even be inspired to change—these terrifying times we are living in." * Holocene *"Timely and fascinating. . . . This is a fabulous book, expertly weaving cultural and intellectual history into a rich tapestry of ideas about loss, precarity, and diversity, whose relevance and significance can hardly be overstated. Sepkoski takes readers on an eye-opening journey into a history that remains surprisingly little known despite its obvious importance given the catastrophic biodiversity crisis we currently face. It's an absolute pleasure to read." * Lukas Rieppel, New Books in Science, Technology, and Society *"How do humans perceive the nature of extinction, and how has that shaped how humans perceive each other and aspects of society? This thought-provoking book examines those questions and reveals how knowing that we can lose something forever—and the realization that extinction comes with cultural and ecological costs—motivates us to protect everything else." * Revelator *"Sepkoski has written a book that is as dynamic and paradoxical as extinction and diversity themselves. This is a book about extinction and death, but also about diversity and life. Although extinction is a potentially bleak and distressing territory, Sepkoski guides the reader faithfully through it. . . . He transforms the trenches of extinction into navigable terrain for the reader who is willing to consider their own role in the history of extinction." * Environment and History *"Catastrophic Thinking stands out for the depth of its scholarship. . . . [The book] is positively bristling with fascinating insights. Obviously, this is a must-read for science historians, but palaeontologists and evolutionary biologists interested in the history of their discipline can also safely pick this up. Furthermore, thanks to the compelling arguments and accessible writing, this book should appeal strongly outside of these disciplines to anyone with an interest in palaeontology, evolution, or mass extinctions." * Inquisitive Biologist *"A solid introduction to one of the most critical issues of today. . . . Recommended." * Choice *"In his wise and meticulously argued new book, Sepkoski explains why every era gets the dinosaur story it deserves, how the threat to biodiversity helped fashion cultural diversity into an ideal, and why extinction has become personal to each and every one of us. An urgent and brilliant exemplar of history of science at its very best, Catastrophic Thinking beautifully shows that the ways we construct the past are always reflections of our hopes and fears for the future." -- Oren Harman, author of Evolutions: Fifteen Myths That Explain Our World"An authoritative, compelling, and insightful account of how biological and cultural diversity has come to be so highly prized in contemporary Western society. This is a definitive history of the cultural and scientific developments, especially in paleontology, that have helped forge our sense of the modern biodiversity crisis. Lucid, historically sweeping, and accessible, Sepkoski's book ably reconstructs key aspects of the larger culture in which ideas about extinction, catastrophe, and diversity emerged." -- Mark V. Barrow, Jr., Virginia Tech"Sepkoski concludes the book with an insightful discussion of neoliberalism and the concept of the Anthropocene that inspires a critical reconsideration of the evidently catastrophic attitude of humans. Indeed, Homo sapiens is ‘the dinosaur and the asteroid’ of our era. Finally, although the book was written before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Catastrophic Thinking seems to provide a very appropriate framework in which to address current questions relating to the major challenges facing human beings on a global scale." * History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences *

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Book SynopsisIn Landscapes and Labscapes Robert E. Kohler explores the people, places and practices of field biology in the United States from the 1890s to the 1950s. Using historical frontiers as models, Kohler shows how biologists created vigorous new border sciences of ecology and evolutionary biology.

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Book SynopsisIn "Landscapes and Labscapes" Robert E. Kohler explores the people, places and practices of field biology in the United States from the 1890s to the 1950s. Using historical frontiers as models, Kohler shows how biologists created vigorous new border sciences of ecology and evolutionary biology.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Catastrophic Thinking presents the best introductory account of how the idea of species-wide loss was conceived and established in scientific circles. . . . [Sepkoski] convincingly suggests that ideas about extinction in each historical period reflect broader social and cultural concerns in the modern world, from the intimate connections between extinction and imperialism to current concerns about the global biodiversity crisis. . . . Extinction is no longer a specialized concern. In this climate, David Sepkoski’s accessible guide is most welcome." * Times Literary Supplement *"Convincingly demonstrates that an ecological perspective has profoundly shaped our views of biological and social communities. . . . Sepkoski's magisterial work will hopefully serve as an inspiration for more comprehensive histories of the concept of diversity. . . . Catastrophic Thinking is essential reading for those seeking to understand the origin of one of the most powerful concepts under consideration today." * Science *"A brilliant examination of an urgent subject, with lessons not just for addressing mass extinction but also for reckoning with the intellectual background against which we have failed to do so. Sepkoski is a scientific Maurice Sendak, conjuring a strange world in which the wild things are not the lost animals and plants of the earth’s past so much as the scientists clamouring to study—if not save—them. . . . This book uncovers a pattern of stasis and rupture; ideas, like species, thrive for a time, only to see the context in which they thrived wiped out. Arriving at this particular moment, in a world stalked by extremists and stoked by a profit-driven public square, Sepkoski’s account of where the wild things went makes perfect sense. In an age of rupture, what other way could it have been written? To paraphrase one of Sepkoski’s own sources: Catastrophic Thinking is the extinction story our era deserves." * Social History of Medicine *"Excellent. . . . Catastrophic Thinking is a closely argued, gracefully written book. In fact, it might even be regarded as several books in one: as a history of extinction science, an essay on the origin of a social value, and more subtlety, a piece of cultural criticism. These elements blend together almost seamlessly. Sepkoski achieves just the right mix of historical detachment, scientific sophistication and cultural perceptiveness to carry off his ambitious project. There are plenty of surprises for the reader along the way, and not a little wisdom. In our present age of catastrophes and catastrophizing, it deserves a wide and enthusiastic readership." * Metascience *"Far from a dry recitation of the scientific literature, Sepkoski's meta-analysis of extinction and biological diversity foregrounds ideas and rhetorical choices. . . . Lucidly written and keenly personal, Catastrophic Thinking is engaging from beginning to end. . . . Sepkoski delineates new territory in the discourse of extinction by reviewing and revisiting the most important scientific figures and literature (popular and academic) of each era since catastrophic thinking took hold of the Western imaginary. Readers interested in the scientific history of extinction as a modern concept, particularly as it was formed by human institutions, will find much of interest in Sepkoski's book." * Isis: A Journal of the History of Science Society *"This book is impeccably researched, and—rather than a popular science book—does not repackage and distil others' work but provides a novel, academic argument. This fresh take on how we collectively see extinction—and its flipside, loss of diversity—will help readers understand and contextualise the current crisis and the Anthropocene. Sepkoski will give many pause to reflect not just on how our research is influenced by our broader culture, but also how important it is to influence and impact society and politics: to move the needle on the climate and biodiversity crises. . . . Buy a copy of Catastrophic Thinking to better understand—and even be inspired to change—these terrifying times we are living in." * Holocene *"Timely and fascinating. . . . This is a fabulous book, expertly weaving cultural and intellectual history into a rich tapestry of ideas about loss, precarity, and diversity, whose relevance and significance can hardly be overstated. Sepkoski takes readers on an eye-opening journey into a history that remains surprisingly little known despite its obvious importance given the catastrophic biodiversity crisis we currently face. It's an absolute pleasure to read." * Lukas Rieppel, New Books in Science, Technology, and Society *"Sepkoski has written a book that is as dynamic and paradoxical as extinction and diversity themselves. This is a book about extinction and death, but also about diversity and life. Although extinction is a potentially bleak and distressing territory, Sepkoski guides the reader faithfully through it. . . . He transforms the trenches of extinction into navigable terrain for the reader who is willing to consider their own role in the history of extinction." * Environment and History *"How do humans perceive the nature of extinction, and how has that shaped how humans perceive each other and aspects of society? This thought-provoking book examines those questions and reveals how knowing that we can lose something forever—and the realization that extinction comes with cultural and ecological costs—motivates us to protect everything else." * Revelator *"Catastrophic Thinking stands out for the depth of its scholarship. . . . [The book] is positively bristling with fascinating insights. Obviously, this is a must-read for science historians, but palaeontologists and evolutionary biologists interested in the history of their discipline can also safely pick this up. Furthermore, thanks to the compelling arguments and accessible writing, this book should appeal strongly outside of these disciplines to anyone with an interest in palaeontology, evolution, or mass extinctions." * Inquisitive Biologist *"A solid introduction to one of the most critical issues of today. . . . Recommended." * Choice *"In his wise and meticulously argued new book, Sepkoski explains why every era gets the dinosaur story it deserves, how the threat to biodiversity helped fashion cultural diversity into an ideal, and why extinction has become personal to each and every one of us. An urgent and brilliant exemplar of history of science at its very best, Catastrophic Thinking beautifully shows that the ways we construct the past are always reflections of our hopes and fears for the future." -- Oren Harman, author of Evolutions: Fifteen Myths That Explain Our World"An authoritative, compelling, and insightful account of how biological and cultural diversity has come to be so highly prized in contemporary Western society. This is a definitive history of the cultural and scientific developments, especially in paleontology, that have helped forge our sense of the modern biodiversity crisis. Lucid, historically sweeping, and accessible, Sepkoski's book ably reconstructs key aspects of the larger culture in which ideas about extinction, catastrophe, and diversity emerged." -- Mark V. Barrow, Jr., Virginia Tech"Sepkoski concludes the book with an insightful discussion of neoliberalism and the concept of the Anthropocene that inspires a critical reconsideration of the evidently catastrophic attitude of humans. Indeed, Homo sapiens is ‘the dinosaur and the asteroid’ of our era. Finally, although the book was written before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Catastrophic Thinking seems to provide a very appropriate framework in which to address current questions relating to the major challenges facing human beings on a global scale." * History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences *

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Book SynopsisFor far too long humans have been ignoring nature. As the most dominant, overproducing, overconsuming, big-footed, arrogant, and invasive species ever known, we are wrecking the planet at an unprecedented rate. In this title, the author argues that we need a new mind-set about nature, one that centers on empathy, compassion, and being proactive.Trade Review"An important new, bold, eclectic, and forward-looking anthology that scans the planet for flash points where animal protection and conservation biology are in direct correlation, conflict, ethically ambiguous point-counterpoint, or simply off the radar charts of most local, regional, and international discussion. This thoughtful book is a must-read for students of behavioral ecology, environmental ethics, conservation biology, and conservation psychology." (Michael Charles Tobias, coauthor of God's Country: The New Zealand Factor)"

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Book SynopsisFor far too long humans have been ignoring nature. This title features a host of renowned contributors who argue that we need a new mind-set about nature, one that centers on empathy, compassion, and being proactive.Trade Review"An important new, bold, eclectic, and forward-looking anthology that scans the planet for flash points where animal protection and conservation biology are in direct correlation, conflict, ethically ambiguous point-counterpoint, or simply off the radar charts of most local, regional, and international discussion. This thoughtful book is a must-read for students of behavioral ecology, environmental ethics, conservation biology, and conservation psychology." (Michael Charles Tobias, coauthor of God's Country: The New Zealand Factor)"

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Book SynopsisThis book puts spirit back at the heart of spirituality. By exploring the everyday impacts of alternative spiritual beliefs and practices, the book examines contemporary spirituality and how critical social science can map and understand it.Trade Review'This book is exciting, timely and raises key challenges for social science theory and methodology. It will contribute to debates not just about spirituality, but also about how we theorize the nature of the contemporary social world.' - Jennifer Mason, Professor of Sociology and Co-Director of the Morgan Centre for the Study of Relationships and Personal Life, University of Manchester, UK 'Mackian illuminates the "geography" inhabited by her spiritual practitioners, connecting self with social with material with spirit worlds. Everyday Spirituality is brilliantly written, with a firm and fascinating grip on the literature, studded with gems of discourse and ethnographic detail. We needed this holistic, experientially-based account to help make sense of today's lived spirituality and "enchanted modernity".' - Charles F. Emmons, Professor of Sociology, Gettysburg College, USA, and co-author with Penelope Emmons of Science and Spirit and Guided by Spirit 'This is a critical volume. As rapidly becomes apparent, Sara MacKian is by no means adverse to criticizing familiar perspectives on more alternative spiritualities, the present reviewer's efforts included. This is all to the good. Yet more to the good, the constructive criticism paves the way for MacKian's extension of perspectives to the everyday. The focus lies with the relational, oft-experientially charged or magical 'therapeutic landscapes of living', firmly within 'socio-spiritual worlds': not with the more traditional focus of specialized, frequently income-generating holistic activities per se. Overall, a most welcoming move to normal life, taken to be in the 'spirit' of spirit.' - Paul Heelas, Senior Reseach Professor in the Sociology of Contemporary Spirituality, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The NetherlandsTable of ContentsList of Figures Acknowledgements Introducing an Everyday Spirituality 'Spirituality Lite' Spirit and Re-enchantment The Everyday Self and Security Spirits in the Social World Spirits in the Material World Therapeutic Spiritualities Concluding the Journey: Where Have we Been and Where are we Going? Appendix: Data Collection Endnotes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThis collection charts the terrain of contemporary Japanese animation, one of the most explosive forms of visual culture to emerge at the crossroads of transnational cultural production in the last twenty-five years.Trade Review"Both cinema and animation have served simultaneously as transnational cultural forms as well as national forums, formed by specific discourses on nationalism and modernization. In fact, in the 1910s-20s Japan, animation was not defined as distinct from cinema in terms of social regulations or production concerns. Animation, together with cinema, came under the scrutiny of public educators, censors and national ideologues. The point of intersection for these diverse concerns was the construction of national cinema for international dissemination. The attempt of Cinema Anime to dismantle the distinction between cinema and animation, national cinema and transnational visual culture, is genuinely challenging, but definitely necessary in the tension-ridden period of media globalization." -Daisuke Miyao, University of Oregon, USA 'Cinema Anime is an important and thought-provoking collection of essays by a number of the leading figures in the field. It includes some of the first scholarly work on several challenging and noteworthy anime that have not received enough academic attention up to now. With chapters that range from cross-cultural overviews to ambitious critical interventions, this volume will be of interest to a wide audience, from students to experienced scholars. Indeed, Cinema Anime should be required reading for anyone committed to anime criticism.' -Christopher Bolton, Senior Editorial Board, Mechademia "The brain is the screen," as quoted in the introduction, is an apt expression of Cinema Anime's aim to keep thinking in new ways about anime even as it gains its mindshare, to take new positions towards it even as it finds its place. Its academics know where to look within LAIN, the one show that best learned the liberating message of EVANGELION; Satoshi Kon, the most important anime director to emerge in the past decade and without, showing how film technology itself informs the narrative of anime and how contemporary installation artists draw it forth from flatland to examine our real space. Cinema Anime rephrases the question: where anime is, rather than what it is to be defined. -Carl Gustav Horn, author of Strange Colors: The Power of Japanese Animation 'This is a worthy addition to any Anime fans' library or for those who want to study the media in more depth.' - Phil Jones, SF CrowsnestTable of ContentsScreening Anime - S.T. Brown Part I: Towards a Cultural Politics of Anime "Excuse Me, Who Are You?": Performance, the Gaze, and the Female in the Works of Kon Satoshi - S.Napier The Americanization of Anime and Manga: Negotiating Popular Culture - A.Levi The Advent of Meguro Empress: Decoding the Avant-Pop Anime TAMALA 2010 - T.Takayuki Part II: Post-Human Bodies in the Animated Imaginary Frankenstein and the Cyborg Metropolis - S.Orbaugh Animated Bodies and Cybernetic Selves: The Animatrix and the Question of Post-Humanity - C.Silvio The Robots from Takkun's Head: Cyborg Adolescence in FLCL - B.Ruh Part III: Anime and the Limits of Cinema The First Time as Farce: Digital Animation and the Repetition of Cinema - T.Lamarre "Such is the Contrivance of the Cinematograph" Dur(anim)ation, Modernity, and Edo Culture in Tabaimo's Animated Installations - L.Monnet

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Book SynopsisDrawing on Gregg Hartvigsen’s extensive experience teaching biostatistics and modeling biological systems, this text is an engaging, practical, and lab-oriented introduction to R for students in the life sciences.Trade ReviewAn excellent, easy-to-read introduction to biostatistics and the software program R. Simple but rigorous, with top-notch coverage of R. I would recommend this book to both colleagues and students. -- Andy Conway, Princeton University A recommendation for any college-level course strong in biostatistics and modeling...a fine guide for science and R programming students alike. Midwest Book Review Hartvigsen has succeeded in accomplishing his stated objectives. Buy the book and share the knowledge with students... the book is relevant, timely, and just what is needed with current trends in science education. Ecology A well-written overview of both biostatistics and R programming... this volume will fill an important niche for undergraduate biology. Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Introducing Our Software Team 1.1. Solving Problems with Excel and R 1.2. Install R and RStudio 1.3. Getting Help with R 1.4. R as a Graphing Calculator 1.5. Using Script Files 1.6. Extensibility 1.7. Problems 2. Getting Data Into R 2.1. Using C( ) for Small Datasets 2.2. Reading Data from an Excel Spreadsheet 2.3. Reading Data from a Website 2.4. Problems 3. Working with Your Data 3.1. Accuracy and Precision of Our Data 3.2. Collecting Data Into Dataframes 3.3. Stacking Data 3.4. Subsetting Data 3.5. Sampling Data 3.6. Sorting an Array of Data 3.7. Ordering Data 3.8. Sorting a Dataframe 3.9. Saving a Dataframe to a File 3.10. Problems 4. Tell Me About My Data 4.1. What Are Data? 4.2. Where's the Middle? 4.3. Dispersion About the Middle 4.4. Testing for Normality 4.5. Outliers 4.6. Dealing with Non-normal Data 4.7. Problems 5. Visualizing Your Data 5.1. Overview 5.2. Histograms 5.3. Boxplots 5.4. Barplots 5.5. Scatterplots 5.6. Bump Charts (Before and After Line Plots) 5.7. Pie Charts 5.8. Multiple Graphs (Using Par and Pairs) 5.9. Problems 6. The Interpretation of Hypothesis Tests 6.1. What Do We Mean by "Statistics"? 6.2. How to Ask and Answer Scientific Questions 6.3. The Difference Between "Hypothesis" and "Theory" 6.4. A Few Experimental Design Principles 6.5. How to Set Up a Simple Random Sample for an Experiment 6.6. Interpreting Results: What is the "P-value"? 6.7. Type I and Type II Errors 6.8. Problems 7. Hypothesis Tests: One- and Two-Sample Comparisons 7.1. Tests with One Value and One Sample 7.2. Tests with Paired Samples (Not Independent) 7.3. Tests with Two Independent Samples 7.4. Problems 8. Testing Differences Among Multiple Samples 8.1. Samples Are Normally Distributed 8.2. One-way Test for Non-parametric Data 8.3. Two-way Analysis of Variance 8.4. Problems 9. Hypothesis Tests: Linear Relationships 9.1. Correlation 9.2. Linear Regression 9.3. Problems 10. Hypothesis Tests: Observed and Expected Values 10.1. The X2 Test 10.2. The Fisher Exact Test 10.3. Problems 11. A Few More Advanced Procedures 11.1. Writing Your Own Function 11.2. Adding 95% Confidence Intervals to Barplots 11.3. Adding Letters to Barplots 11.4. Adding 95% Confidence Interval Lines for Linear Regression 11.5. Non-linear Regression 11.6. An Introduction to Mathematical Modeling 11.7. Problems 12. An Introduction to Computer Programming 12.1. What Is a "Computer Program"? 12.2. Introducing Algorithms 12.3. Combining Programming and Computer Output 12.4. Problems 13. Final Thoughts 13.1. Where Do I Go from Here? Acknowledgments Solutions to Odd-Numbered Problems Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE ORGANIZED MIND ''Everyone we know needs this remarkable book ... Essential for the rest of your life'' Daniel H. Pink, author of When and Drive'' ''The secrets of ageing well ... a serious, evidence-based guide to what really works and why'' Sunday Times ____________________________________________ We have long been encouraged to think of old age as synonymous with a decline in skills. Yet recent studies show that our decision making improves as we age, and our happiness levels peak in our eighties. What really happens to our brains as we get older? In The Changing Mind (published in America as Successful Aging), neuroscientist and internationally bestselling author Daniel Levitin invites us to dramatically shift our understanding of aging, demonstrating the many benefits of growing older. He draws on cTrade ReviewThe secrets of ageing well ... Daniel Levitin is a distinguished American neuroscientist and this is a serious, evidence-based guide to what really works and why * Sunday Times *A fact-filled and optimistic guide to ageing well ... Levitin is an invaluable kind of scientist ... The Changing Mind is replete with curious facts ... Optimism is a life-preserver. His book bubbles with it. Levitin makes a strong case for the consolations if not the joys of age -- John Sutherland * The Times *Optimistic in tone ... Levitin loves to tell stories ... he's a good companion * Evening Standard *Comprehensive and fascinating insight into the evolving human brain. This book could change your life * Professor Stephen Westaby, author of 'Fragile Lives' *None of us can afford to ignore Daniel Levitin's The Changing Mind ... The good news is that it's not all downhill: according to Levitin our decision-making skills and happiness levels actually increase in later life * New Statesman *The idea that your mind has to decline with age is false - and there is plenty we can do to keep it sharp * Telegraph *Neuroscientist Levitin delves into the multiple-trace theory of memory, the ageing microbiome, fats and the brain, the impacts of neural implants, and the joys of non-retirement. A clear-eyed, insightful overview of the neurophysiological healthspan * Nature *Delivers welcome news about the ageing brain: it is happier, quicker and often much healthier than you may imagine * New Scientist *Daniel Levitin's refreshing perspective on ageing will change your opinion on this unique phase of life and challenge the 'slowing down' stereotype. Using a scientific and thoroughly engaging approach, Levitin convinces us that with medical advances alongside positive lifestyle changes described in this book, we can all look forward to older age as a fulfilling and exciting chapter in our lives * Dr Rupy Aujla, author of The Doctor’s Kitchen *This is a book that can make things feel a whole lot brighter * Big Issue *If you're planning to age, read this book. Wise, sensitive, and insightful, Levitin shares the tools that allow you to optimize the process * David Eagleman, author of 'The Brain' *A wise, insightful, and beautifully-written book on how we can navigate the waters of time. Helpful for readers at any age. * Daniel Gilbert, author of 'Stumbling on Happiness' *Predictions are perilous, but here's one I can make with certainty: Tomorrow you and I will be older than we are today. That's why you, I, and everyone we know needs this remarkable book. With a scientist's rigour and a storyteller's flair, Daniel Levitin offers a fresh approach to growing older. He debunks the idea that ageing inevitably brings infirmity and unhappiness and instead offers a trove of practical, evidence-based guidance for living longer and better. The Changing Mind is an essential book for the rest of your life. * Daniel H. Pink, author of 'When' and 'Drive' *A compelling primer on our amazingly dynamic brains and the steps we can all take to harness that potential * Dr Rahul Jandial, author of 'Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon' *An uplifting exploration of the brain, and how it does not age as we often fear * Camilla Cavendish, author of 'Extra Time' *

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Book SynopsisThis volume explores the strengths and opportunities of old age as these are manifested by the accomplishments of aging artists, late artistic works, and elderly arts audiences.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "In a brave attempt, Martin Lindauer explores the relationship between aging and creativity among artists … . Readers will be impressed by the varied and rich sources of information that Lindauer used in writing this book. … his book may be one example of a unique artistic output in terms of quality and style. … Martin Lindauer has made this book a beautiful work of art." (Sing Lau, American Journal of Psychology, Spring, 2007)Table of ContentsI: The Case is Made: Late-Life Creativity and Old Age Art. References. 1. Late-life creativity. 2. Old age and old artists. II: Competing Views of Late-Life Creativity. 3. The youthful rise, early fall, and short span of creativity: the decline model. 4. Does creativity decline with age? 5. Late-life creativity. III: Late-Life Creativity: Historical and Contemporary Artists. 6. A reconsideration of Lehman's findings. 7. The course of creativity among historical artists of renown: the peak and productive years. 8. Creative productivity, gender, and individual differences for longlived artists of renown. 9. Contemporary old artists and their late-life creativity: the quality and quantity of late-life art. 10. New ideas and approaches by aging artists what has been learned about late-life creativity? IV: The Old-Age Style. 11. The old-age style introduced: the issues. 12. Identifying artists with an old-age style: contributions from experts, laypersons, and artists. 13. Describing paintings in the old-age style. 14. Beyond the old-age style, old art, and the aging artists. V: Art and the Elderly. 15. Reactions to paintings by older and younger viewers. 16. Age differences and the arts. 17. Looking ahead. Index.

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. Introduction to Skeletal Trauma 2. Scapular Girdle 3. Shoulder and proximal humerus 4. Elbow and forearm 5. Wrist 6. Hand 7. Pelvic Ring 8. Acetabulum 9. Hip and Proximal Femur 10. Knee 11. Ankle and Tibia 12. Foot 13. Craniocervical junction 14. Cervical Spine 15. Thoracolumbar Spine

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. Introduction 2. Characteristics and Immunobiology of COVID19 3. Molecular Mechanism and translation approaches 4. Inflammatory multisystem syndrome in COVID19: Insights on off-target organ system in susceptible and recovering population 5. Cytokine storm and stem cell activation in unveiling potential targets for diagnosis and therapy 6. Mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells: Novel avenues in combating COVID19 7. Immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells – potential therapeutic target for COVID-19 8. COVID19 and acute myocardial injury: Stem cell driven tissue remodeling in COVID19 infection 9. Stem cell born signals and tissue regeneration in COVID19 infection 10. Stem cell transplantation COVID19 management: Translational possibilities and future 11. Therapeutic scale stem cell-derived exosomes for COVID - 19: Models – Validation, Management & Strategies 12. Therapy: present & future clinical perspective

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