Doctors by Nature
The astonishing story of how animals use medicine and what it can teach us about healing ourselves Ages before the dawn of modern medicine, wild animals were harnessing the power of nature's pharmacy to heal themselves. Doctors by Nature reveals what researchers are now learning about the medical wonders of the animal world. In this visionary book, Jaap de Roode argues that we have underestimated the healing potential of nature for too long and shows how the study of self-medicating animals could impact the practice of human medicine. Drawing on illuminating interviews with leading scientists from around the globe as well as his own pioneering research on monarch butterflies, de Roode demonstrates how animals of all kinds--from ants to apes, from bees to bears, and from cats to caterpillars--use various forms of medicine to treat their own ailments and those of their relatives. We meet apes that swallow leaves to dislodge worms, sparrows that use cigarette butts to repel parasites, and bees that incorporate sticky resin into their hives to combat pathogens. De Roode asks whether these astonishing behaviors are learned or innate and explains why, now more than ever, we need to apply the lessons from medicating animals--it can pave the way for healthier livestock, more sustainable habitats for wild pollinators, and a host of other benefits. Doctors by Nature takes readers into a realm often thought to be the exclusive domain of humans, exploring how scientists are turning to the medical knowledge of the animal kingdom to improve agriculture, create better lives for our pets, and develop new pharmaceutical drugs.
The Social Dimensions of Scientific Knowledge
This Element is about the social dimensions of scientific knowledge. The first section asks in what ways scientific knowledge is social. The second section develops a conception of scientific knowledge that accommodates the insights of the first section, and is consonant with mainstream thinking about knowledge in analytic epistemology. The third section asks under what conditions we can tell, in the real world, that a consensus in a scientific community amounts to shared scientific knowledge, as characterized in the second section, and how to deal with scientific dissent. The fourth section reviews the ways epistemic and social elements mutually interact to coproduce scientific knowledge. This Element engages with literature from philosophy of science and social epistemology, especially social epistemology of science, as well as Science, Technology, and Society (STS), and analytic epistemology. The Element focuses on themes and debates that date from the start of the second millennium.
Washington Evergreen Wall Calendar 2026
A year of Washington State's natural majesty, from autumnal mountainscapes bursting in color to silvery waters at dusk, captured by the world-class photographers of Photo Cascadia.EVERGREEN ENCHANTMENT: Explore Washington's diverse natural wonders with twelve months of beautifully rugged landscapes, including Mount Spokane, Palouse's rolling hills, Perfection Lake, and more. GORGEOUS PHOTOGRAPHY: Breathtaking high-quality photos by Photo Cascadia, a collective focused on exploring the natural beauty of the region, encouraging stewardship and conservation, and following the Nature First principles of responsible photography. GREAT GIFT: Perfect for nature lovers, proud Washingtonians, or anyone who wishes they could spend all year in the state's beautiful wilderness. NOW PLASTIC-FREE!: Workman wall calendars are completely plastic-free! Now printed with an extended paper flap closed with a fully recyclable seal--no more shrink-wrap!
How the World Really Works
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "A new masterpiece from one of my favorite authors... [How The World Really Works] is a compelling and highly readable book that leaves readers with the fundamental grounding needed to help solve the world's toughest challenges."--Bill Gates "Provocative but perceptive . . . You can agree or disagree with Smil--accept or doubt his 'just the facts' posture--but you probably shouldn't ignore him."--The Washington Post An essential analysis of the modern science and technology that makes our twenty-first century lives possible--a scientist's investigation into what science really does, and does not, accomplish. We have never had so much information at our fingertips and yet most of us don't know how the world really works. This book explains seven of the most fundamental realities governing our survival and prosperity. From energy and food production, through our material world and its globalization, to risks, our environment and its future, How the World Really Works offers a much-needed reality check--because before we can tackle problems effectively, we must understand the facts. In this ambitious and thought-provoking book we see, for example, that globalization isn't inevitable--the foolishness of allowing 70 per cent of the world's rubber gloves to be made in just one factory became glaringly obvious in 2020--and that our societies have been steadily increasing their dependence on fossil fuels, such that any promises of decarbonization by 2050 are a fairy tale. For example, each greenhouse-grown supermarket-bought tomato has the equivalent of five tablespoons of diesel embedded in its production, and we have no way of producing steel, cement or plastics at required scales without huge carbon emissions. Ultimately, Smil answers the most profound question of our age: are we irrevocably doomed or is a brighter utopia ahead? Compelling, data-rich and revisionist, this wonderfully broad, interdisciplinary guide finds faults with both extremes. Looking at the world through this quantitative lens reveals hidden truths that change the way we see our past, present and uncertain future.
Women in Science Now
Silver Medal in the Social Change and Social Justice Category, 2024 Nautilus Book Awards Winner, 2024 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Women working in the sciences face obstacles at virtually every step along their career paths. From subtle slights to blatant biases, deep systemic problems block women from advancing or push them out of science and technology entirely. Women in Science Now examines solutions to this persistent gender gap, offering new perspectives on how to make science more equitable and inclusive for all. This book shares stories and insights of women from a range of backgrounds working in various disciplines, illustrating the journeys that brought them to the sciences, the challenges they faced along the way, and the important contributions they have made to their fields. Lisa M. P. Munoz combines these narratives with a wealth of data to illuminate the size and scope of the challenges women scientists face, while highlighting research-based solutions to help overcome these obstacles. She presents groundbreaking studies in social psychology and organizational behavior that are informing novel approaches for combating historic and ongoing inequities. Through a combined focus on personal experiences and social-science research, this timely book provides both a path toward greater gender equity and an inspiring vision of science and scientists.
Ends of the Earth
The bestselling author of Your Inner Fish takes readers on an epic adventure to the North and South Poles to reveal the secrets locked in the ice about life, the cosmos, and our planet's future. Renowned scientist Neil Shubin has made extraordinary discoveries by leading scientific expeditions to the sweeping ice landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctic. He's survived polar storms, traveled in temperatures that can freeze flesh in seconds, and worked hundreds of miles from the nearest humans, all to deepen our understanding of our world. Written with infectious enthusiasm and irresistible curiosity, Ends of the Earth blends travel writing, science, and history in a book brimming with surprising and wonderful discoveries. Shubin retraces his steps on a "dinosaur dance floor," showing us where these beasts had populated the once tropical lands at the poles. He takes readers meteor hunting, as meteorites preserved in the ice can be older than our planet and can tell us about our galaxy's formation. Readers also encounter insects and fish that develop their own anti-freeze, and aquatic life in ancient lakes hidden miles under the ice that haven't seen the surface in centuries. It turns out that explorers and scientists have found these extreme environments as prime ground for making scientific breakthroughs across a vast range of knowledge. Shubin shares unforgettable moments from centuries of expeditions to reveal just how far scientists will go to understand polar regions. In the end, what happens at the poles does not stay in the poles--the ends of the earth offer profound stories that will forever change our view of life and the entire planet.
Memory Lane
An illuminating look at the adaptive nature of our memories--and how their flexibility and fallibility help us survive and thrive We tend to think of our memories as impressions of the past that remain fully intact, preserved somewhere inside our brains. In fact, we construct and reconstruct our memories every time we attempt to recall them. Memory Lane introduces readers to the cutting-edge science of human memory, revealing how our recollections of the past are constantly adapting and changing, and why a faulty memory isn't always a bad thing. Shedding light on what memory is and what it evolved to do, Ciara Greene and Gillian Murphy discuss the many benefits of our flexible yet fallible memory system, including helping us to maintain a coherent identity, sustain social bonds, and vividly imagine possible futures. But these flexible and easily distorted memories can also result in significant harm, leading us to provide erroneous eyewitness testimony or fall victim to fake news. Greene and Murphy explain why our flawed memories are not a failure of evolution but rather a byproduct of the perfectly imperfect way our minds have evolved to solve problems. They also grapple with important ethical questions surrounding the study and manipulation of memory. Blending engaging storytelling with the latest science, the authors demonstrate how our continuous reconstruction of the past makes us who we are, helps us to interpret our experiences, and explains why no two trips down memory lane are ever quite the same.
How to Feed the World
"Vaclav Smil is my favorite author."--Bill Gates An indispensable analysis of how the world really produces and consumes its food--and a scientist's exploration of how we can successfully feed a growing population without killing the planet We have never had to feed as many people as we do today. And yet, we misunderstand the essentials of where our food really comes from, how our dietary requirements shape us, and why this impacts our planet in drastic ways. As a result, in our economic, political, and everyday choices, we take for granted and fail to prioritize the thing that makes all our lives possible: food. In this ambitious, myth-busting book, Smil investigates many of the burning questions facing the world today: why are some of the world's biggest food producers also the countries with the most undernourished populations? Why do we waste so much food and how can we solve that? Could the whole planet go vegan and be healthy? Should it? He explores the global history of food production to understand why we farm some animals and not others, why most of the world's calories come from just a few foodstuffs, and how this might change in the future. How to Feed the World is the data-based, rigorously researched guide that offers solutions to our broken global food system.
Saving the Chesapeake
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and the site of some of the most significant moments in the nation's history. This book provides for the first time a comprehensive story of the effort to save and protect its waters and living resources for future generations. Andrew Ramey describes the enormous task-engaging the states in the Bay's watershed and the federal government since 1983-to realize one of the largest, most complex, and most expensive ecosystem restoration projects ever undertaken. He also unfolds a dramatic political narrative, tracing the momentous changes in American environmental politics from the "green" heyday of the 1960s and 1970s to the environmental movement's collision with the Reagan administration in the 1980s and the movement's ultimate triumph over the anti-environmental backlash of the 1990s and early 2000s. Along the way, he clarifies assumptions about the environmental movement, the major parties' roles in it, and our society's efforts to forge sustainable relationships with the natural world. Saving the Chesapeake Bay reveals how a campaign to rescue this crucial resource altered the course of American environmentalism.
Bacteria to AI
A new theory of mind that includes nonhuman and artificial intelligences. The much-lauded superiority of human intelligence has not prevented us from driving the planet into ecological disaster. For N. Katherine Hayles, the climate crisis demands that we rethink basic assumptions about human and nonhuman intelligences. In Bacteria to AI, Hayles develops a new theory of mind--what she calls an integrated cognitive framework (ICF)--that includes the meaning-making practices of lifeforms from bacteria to plants, animals, humans, and some forms of artificial intelligence. Through a sweeping survey of evolutionary biology, computer science, and contemporary literature, Hayles insists that another way of life, with ICF at its core, is not only possible but necessary to safeguard our planet's future
Why We Remember
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER - Memory is far more than a record of the past. In this groundbreaking tour of the mind and brain, one of the world's top memory researchers reveals the powerful role memory plays in nearly every aspect of our lives, from recalling faces and names, to learning, decision-making, trauma and healing. "Why We Remember offers a radically new and engaging explanation of how and why we remember." --Dr. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep "Prominent neuroscientist and Guggenheim Fellow Charan Ranganath guides us through the science of our memories with incredible insight and clear science. He combines fascinating tales of the peculiarities of memory with practical, actionable steps. Not only will every reader remember better afterward, they'll also never forget this life-changing book." --Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of Maladies and Gene A new understanding of memory is emerging from the latest scientific research. In Why We Remember, pioneering neuroscientist and psychologist Charan Ranganath radically reframes the way we think about the everyday act of remembering. Combining accessible language with cutting-edge research, he reveals the surprising ways our brains record the past and how we use that information to understand who we are in the present, and to imagine and plan for the future. Memory, Dr. Ranganath shows, is a highly transformative force that shapes how we experience the world in often invisible and sometimes destructive ways. Knowing this can help us with daily remembering tasks, like finding our keys, and with the challenge of memory loss as we age. What's more, when we work with the brain's ability to learn and reinterpret past events, we can heal trauma, shed our biases, learn faster, and grow in self-awareness. Including fascinating studies and examples from pop culture, and drawing on Ranganath's life as a scientist, father, and child of immigrants, Why We Remember is a captivating read that unveils the hidden role memory plays throughout our lives. When we understand its power-- and its quirks--we can cut through the clutter and remember the things we want to remember. We can make freer choices and plan a happier future.
Field Notes from the Northern Forest
With the same humor and personable ease that characterizes the popular weekly nature program that he coproduces on North Country Public Radio, Curt Stager draws on scientific literature and on his own observations to share his curiosity about the natural world alongside illustrations by Lake Placid naturalist Anne E. Lacy. These twenty natural science essays take us down to ground level to explore the lives of animals, plants, and fungi commonly encountered in the conifer, hardwood, and mixed wood forests of northeastern North America.
Soil Biology & Ecology
Soil Biology & Ecology: The Basics offers an accessible introduction to the diverse and dynamic world beneath our feet. This book explores soil as a thriving habitat, detailing the rich biodiversity of microorganisms and macroorganisms that sustain essential ecological cycles. It covers the key biochemical cycles in soil, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, explaining how these processes contribute to soil fertility and ecosystem health. With a focus on ecological relationships like symbiosis and competition, this guide illuminates the vital role of soil in supporting life and agricultural productivity. Ideal for students, researchers, and nature enthusiasts, the book is a foundational resource for understanding soil's impact on the biosphere and human food production. Key Features: - Comprehensive overview of soil as a living ecosystem- Detailed coverage of soil microbiota, macrobiota, and biochemical cycles- Insights into ecological relationships and their practical applications
Definitions and Mathematical Knowledge
This Element discusses the philosophical roles of definitions in the attainment of mathematical knowledge. It first focuses on the role of definitions in foundational programs, and then examines their major varieties, both as regards their origins, their potential epistemic roles, and their formal constraints. It examines explicit definitions, implicit definitions, and implicit definitions of primitive terms, these latter being further divided into axiomatic and abstractive. After discussing elucidations and explications, various ways in which definitions can yield mathematical knowledge are surveyed.
Definitions and Mathematical Knowledge
This Element discusses the philosophical roles of definitions in the attainment of mathematical knowledge. It first focuses on the role of definitions in foundational programs, and then examines their major varieties, both as regards their origins, their potential epistemic roles, and their formal constraints. It examines explicit definitions, implicit definitions, and implicit definitions of primitive terms, these latter being further divided into axiomatic and abstractive. After discussing elucidations and explications, various ways in which definitions can yield mathematical knowledge are surveyed.
Vigor
An examination of the link between the vigor with which we move and the value that the brain assigns to the goal of the movement. Why do we reflexively run toward people we love, but only walk toward others? In Vigor, Reza Shadmehr and Alaa Ahmed examine the link between how the brain assigns value to things and how it controls our movements. They find that brain regions thought to be principally involved in decision making also affect movement vigor--and that brain regions thought to be principally responsible for movement also bias patterns of decision making. Shadmehr and Ahmed first consider the relationship of value and vigor from a behavioral and mathematical perspective, considering a series of fascinating observations--including, for example, data showing that people in certain cities tend to walk faster than those living elsewhere--through the lens of optimal foraging theory. They then go on to explore the neural basis of vigor and valuation, synthesizing results from experiments that have measured activity in various brain structures and neuromodulators, including dopamine and serotonin. They speculate that in the future, technologies may be able to predict our personal preferences by measuring our movements; through the vigor with which we move, we unwittingly reveal one of our well-guarded secrets: how much we value the object of our attention.
Out of Your Mind
From the creator of WE HAVE NO IDEA, an introductory journey into your own mind--if your inner voice had a Ph.D. in brain science, cracked jokes, and drew cartoons. Why do you love? Why do you lie? What makes you happy? Every single thought you have comes from one place: your brain. But what makes it tick? How much of it have we decoded, and how much of it remains an impenetrable mystery? Join best-selling author and online cartoonist Jorge Cham and neuroscientist Dwayne Godwin on a deep dive into the fascinating world of the human brain, in which they will explore questions such as: What is consciousness? Where is you in the brain? And do we have free will? All while illuminating everything we know (and DON'T know) about one of the most complex objects in the known universe. Think of it as conversation-ammunition for your next cocktail party, or a quick fascinating read while you're in the bathroom (don't worry, the chapters aren't that long). Centered around questions we all ask ourselves at some point but don't usually have answers to, Out of Your Mind is an illustrated book about the brain that isn't too brainy. Playful, accessible, and deeply insightful, it's the one brain book that's truly accessible and suitable for all brains.
Bacteria to AI
A new theory of mind that includes nonhuman and artificial intelligences. The much-lauded superiority of human intelligence has not prevented us from driving the planet into ecological disaster. For N. Katherine Hayles, the climate crisis demands that we rethink basic assumptions about human and nonhuman intelligences. In Bacteria to AI, Hayles develops a new theory of mind--what she calls an integrated cognitive framework (ICF)--that includes the meaning-making practices of lifeforms from bacteria to plants, animals, humans, and some forms of artificial intelligence. Through a sweeping survey of evolutionary biology, computer science, and contemporary literature, Hayles insists that another way of life, with ICF at its core, is not only possible but necessary to safeguard our planet's future
Structure and Functions of the Body;A Hand-Book of Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses and Others Desiring a Practical Knowledge of the Subject
Structure and Functions of the Body;A Hand-Book of Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses and Others Desiring a Practical Knowledge of the Subject, stands as a beacon in the world of books, bridging the gap between past and present. Once considered among the old books, this classic work-like so many forgotten and ancient books-has shaped our understanding of culture and history. It's a remarkable example of history books that have influenced generations, and now, through the dedication of Alpha Editions-your trusted book publisher-it's reborn in a fresh, elegant format. We've carefully retyped, redesigned, and improved this book so it's much more than just another title to read. Now you can enjoy clear, easy-to-read pages without any blurry scans or faded text. By choosing this edition, you're investing in more than a book-you're safeguarding a legacy. Your support keeps a remarkable piece of human heritage alive, ensuring its lessons and inspirations continue to resonate well into the future.
Visual Illusions
Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications"", constitue un phare dans le monde du livre, comblant le foss矇 entre le pass矇 et le pr矇sent. Autrefois consid矇r矇 parmi les livres anciens, cet ouvrage classique, comme tant de livres anciens et oubli矇s, a fa癟onn矇 notre compr矇hension de la culture et de l'histoire. exemple remarquable de livres d'histoire qui ont influenc矇 des g矇n矇rations, et maintenant, gr璽ce au d矇vouement d'Alpha Editions, votre 矇diteur de livres de confiance, il rena簾t dans un format frais et 矇l矇gant. Nous avons soigneusement retap矇, remani矇 et am矇lior矇 ce livre pour qu'il soit bien plus qu'un simple titre ? lire. Vous pouvez d矇sormais profiter de pages claires et faciles ? lire, sans num矇risation floue ni texte d矇color矇. En choisissant cette 矇dition, vous investissez dans plus qu'un livre: vous sauvegardez un h矇ritage. Votre soutien maintient en vie un morceau remarquable du patrimoine humain, garantissant que ses le癟ons et ses inspirations continuent de r矇sonner dans le futur.
The Vitamine Manual
The Vitamine Manual"", constitue un phare dans le monde du livre, comblant le foss矇 entre le pass矇 et le pr矇sent. Autrefois consid矇r矇 parmi les livres anciens, cet ouvrage classique, comme tant de livres anciens et oubli矇s, a fa癟onn矇 notre compr矇hension de la culture et de l'histoire. exemple remarquable de livres d'histoire qui ont influenc矇 des g矇n矇rations, et maintenant, gr璽ce au d矇vouement d'Alpha Editions, votre 矇diteur de livres de confiance, il rena簾t dans un format frais et 矇l矇gant. Nous avons soigneusement retap矇, remani矇 et am矇lior矇 ce livre pour qu'il soit bien plus qu'un simple titre ? lire. Vous pouvez d矇sormais profiter de pages claires et faciles ? lire, sans num矇risation floue ni texte d矇color矇. En choisissant cette 矇dition, vous investissez dans plus qu'un livre: vous sauvegardez un h矇ritage. Votre soutien maintient en vie un morceau remarquable du patrimoine humain, garantissant que ses le癟ons et ses inspirations continuent de r矇sonner dans le futur.
Green Consumption in China
Based on theories discussion, policy analysis, and case studies, this title examines green consumption in China from both the macro level of policy evolution and the micro level of community participation and implementation.Drawing on the theories of sustainable development, ecological philosophy, environmental economics, consumer psychology and behavior, and community participation, this book approaches the issues of green consumption in China from the legislative and administrative aspects and economic and information means. In looking into the cases of Shenzhen and Beijing, the book unravels the implementation and development of green consumption at the community level in terms of community participation and people's awareness of the issue. Combining global experiences and local empirical studies, it discusses the concepts, evolution, and influencing factors of green consumption. It focuses on China's policy and practice, as well as the institutional hindrance and policy suggestions for further progress.This book will appeal to researchers, professionals, and policymakers interested in sustainable development, green economy, environmental economics, and sustainable consumption policy in China.
The Non-Fundamentality of Spacetime
This book argues that our current best theories of fundamental physics are best interpreted as positing spacetime as non-fundamental. It is written in accessible language and largely avoids mathematical technicalities by instead focusing on the key metaphysical and foundational lessons for the fundamentality of spacetime.According to orthodoxy, spacetime and spatiotemporal properties are regarded as fundamental structures of our world. Spacetime fundamentalism, however, faces challenges from speculative theories of quantum gravity - roughly speaking, the project of applying the lessons of quantum mechanics to gravitation and spacetime. This book demonstrates that the non-fundamentality of spacetime does not rely on speculative physics alone. Rather, one can give an interpretation of general relativity that supports some form of spacetime non-fundamentalism. The author makes the case for spacetime non-fundamentalism in three steps. First, he confronts the standard geometrical interpretation of general relativity with Brown and Pooley's dynamical approach to relativity theory. Second, he considers an alternative derivation of the Einstein field equations, namely the classical spin-2 approach, and argues that it paves the way for a refined dynamical approach to general relativity. Finally, he argues that particle physics can serve as a continuity condition for the metaphysics of spacetime.The Non-Fundamentality of Spacetime will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working in philosophy of physics, philosophy of science, and metaphysics.
Quaternary Alloys Based on IV-VI and IV-VI2 Semiconductors
IV-VI and IV-VI2 semiconductors have attracted considerable attention due to their applications in the fabrication of electronic and optoelectronic devices as light-emitting diodes and solar cells. The electrical properties of these semiconductors can also be tuned by adding impurity atoms. Because of their wide application in various devices, the search for new semiconductor materials and the improvement of existing materials is an important field of study. Doping with impurities is a common method of modifying and diversifying the properties of physical and chemical semiconductors. This book covers all known information about phase relations in quaternary systems based on IV-VI and IV-VI2 semiconductors, providing the first systematic account of phase equilibria in quaternary systems based on IV-VI and IV-VI2 semiconductors and making research originally published in Ukrainian and Russian accessible to the wider scientific community. This book will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students studying materials science, solid-state chemistry, and engineering. It will also be relevant for researchers at industrial and national laboratories, in addition to phase diagram researchers, inorganic chemists, and solid-state physicists.Key Features: Provides up-to-date experimental and theoretical information A source of information for synthesizing semiconducting materials with predetermined properties Delivers a critical evaluation of many industrially important systems presented in the form of two-dimensional sections for the condensed phases
The Netocrats
The digital revolution entails that all important aspects of our existence fundamentally change: How we see the world and how we see ourselves, how we think, how we work, how we relate to and communicate with each other, and what is even possible to imagine. Everything is set in motion, which means that Philosophy must also set itself in motion. It must philosophize about its own movement, and even about movement as such. The history of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going must be rewritten. This is what Alexander Bard and Jan S繹derqvist perform in The Futurica Trilogy, originally published between 2000-2009. The Netocrats show how a new elite with new qualities under new conditions grows strong and replaces the bourgeois capitalists of the old paradigm. The Global Empire discusses - among other things - how the global communication networks create a need for political decision-making on a global level. And The Body Machines delves into the philosophical consequences of the dissolution of the concept of The Individual, which follows from the new all-powerful network structures.
A Practical Manual for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
This practical guide to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers step-by-step instruction for the most commonly used TMS protocols in humans. TMS equipment is increasingly available in University and Hospital settings and even small clinics. TMS protocols are often taken from disparate publications, and there has not been a single comprehensive and practical reference for the most common procedures. The current book contains structured steps for the various TMS protocols in addition to relevant fundamental information, including a practical summary of principles of TMS and a glossary of terms. This book is designed to be a quick reference on the office or clinic desk, or in the laboratory, and would be as useful for guiding research and clinical laboratory activities as it would for deciphering TMS study methodologies in the literature.
Habitats of Africa
A richly illustrated field guide to all of Africa's major habitats--packed with invaluable information to help you understand these habitats and their wildlife With breathtaking wildlife and stunningly beautiful locales, Africa is a premier destination for birders, conservationists, ecotourists, and ecologists. This compact, easy-to-use guide provides an unparalleled treatment of the continent's wonderfully diverse habitats. Incisive and up-to-date descriptions cover the unique features of each habitat, from geology and climate to soil and hydrology, and require no scientific background. Knowing the surrounding environment is essential to getting the most out of your travel experiences. Habitats of Africa offers quick and reliable information for anyone who wants a deeper understanding and appreciation of the habitats around them.Covers 73 major African habitats, including oceanic habitatsFeatures hundreds of color photos of habitats and their wildlife, a wealth of helpful diagrams and illustrations, and a detailed distribution map for each land habitatConcise text provides all the information you need to identify and understand habitats anywhere in Africa quickly and accuratelyDiscusses iconic and indicator species of birds, mammals, and plantsIncludes an in-depth section on habitat classification--invaluable for ecologistsRepresentative habitat accounts include a feature describing what you can expect to see and experience thereFormatted like a field guide for easy reference
Habitats of North America
A richly illustrated field guide to all of North America's major habitats--packed with invaluable information to help you get the most out of your outdoor adventures Whether you're a birder, naturalist, outdoor enthusiast, or ecologist, knowing the surrounding habitat is essential to getting the most out of your experiences in the field. This compact, easy-to-use guide provides an unparalleled treatment of the wonderfully diverse habitats of North America. Incisive and up-to-date descriptions cover the unique features of each habitat, from geology and climate to soil and hydrology. Requiring no scientific background, Habitats of North America offers quick and reliable information for anyone who wants a deeper understanding and appreciation of the habitats around them.Covers 81 major North American habitats, including wetlands and oceanic habitatsFeatures hundreds of color photos of habitats and their wildlife, a wealth of helpful diagrams and illustrations, and a detailed distribution map for each land habitatConcise text provides all the information you need to identify and understand habitats anywhere in North America quickly and accuratelyDiscusses iconic and indicator species of birds, mammals, and plantsIncludes an in-depth section on habitat classification--invaluable for ecologistsRepresentative habitat accounts describe what you can expect to see and experience thereFormatted like a field guide for easy reference
Race and Sociocultural Inclusion in Science Communication
Chapter 12 is available Open Access under CC-BY-NC-ND licence. Conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion in science communication are in danger of generating much concern without effecting change and systematic transformations. This radical volume addresses these circular discourses and reveals the gaps in the field. Putting the spotlight on the marginalised voices of so-called 'racialised minorities', and those from Global South regions, it interrogates the global footprint of the science communication enterprise. Moving beyond tokenistic and extractive approaches, this book creates a space for academics and practitioners to challenge issues around race and sociocultural inclusion, providing mutual learning, paradigm-shifting perspectives, and innovative ways forward for the science communication advancement agenda. This work has received Special Recognition from the CIMUSET Award Committee.
Pattern Theory
Pattern Theory is a groundbreaking exploration of the concept of pattern across a range of disciplines, including science, neuroscience, psychology, and social sciences.This book examines the meaning and implications of pattern, presenting a comprehensive body of theory that unifies concepts of form, order, and regularity and connects them to memory and perception. By challenging existing orthodoxies and linking evidence from brain and mind function, it outlines a robust theoretical framework around pattern searching and matching, pattern activation, and the continuity of pattern nexuses. This in-depth study of pattern theory and pattern thinking delves into the cognitive basis of patterns, their impact on reasoning and learning, and the social and collaborative nature of pattern recognition, expression, and representation. It also addresses philosophical issues and implications surrounding shared pattern thinking and introduces a broad conceptual basis for "pattern inquiry", providing a range of questions and methodologies for applying pattern theory. The book culminates in a manifesto for pattern theory and its application in pattern inquiry, offering 50 key principles that can be applied across various settings. Researchers, scholars, and practitioners are encouraged to explore and critique this unified theory as a lens for examining social and cognitive phenomena.Ideal for academics and professionals seeking to challenge their understanding of the connections between mind and society, as well as for those looking to deepen their understanding of pattern as a cognitive phenomenon, as a theoretical lens, and as a meta-methodology for inquiry, this text provides a substantive foundation for ongoing development and application of pattern science across multiple fields.
The Constitution of Science
How can science be protected, by whom and at what level? If science is valued positively as the incubator of the most successful solutions to representational problems of reality as well as the basis of the most effective interventions in the natural and social world, then its constitutional foundations must be protected. This book develops a specific normative outlook on science by introducing the idea of a 'Constitution of Science'. Scientific activities are special kinds of epistemic problem-solving activities unfolding in an institutional context. The scientific enterprise is a social process unfolding within an intricate institutional framework that structures the daily activities of scientists and shapes their outcomes. Those institutions of science which are of the highest generality make up the 'Constitution of Science' and are of fundamental importance for channelling the scientific process effectively.
Error Control, Adaptive Discretizations, and Applications, Part 2
Error Control, Adaptive Discretizations, and Applications, Volume 59, Part Two highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. Chapters in this release cover hp adaptive Discontinuous Galerkin strategies driven by a posteriori error estimation with application to aeronautical flow problems, An anisotropic mesh adaptation method based on gradient recovery and optimal shape elements, and Model reduction techniques for parametrized nonlinear partial differential equations.
Synaptic Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Disorders
This book explores the pivotal role of synaptic plasticity in the pathogenesis, progression, and potential treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. The initial chapter provides an in-depth understanding of the complexity and impact of neurodegenerative conditions. It discusses the association of mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic influences, and neuroinflammation with synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative diseases. The following chapters review the dynamic changes that occur at the cellular and synaptic levels in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, the book presents various computational tools and methodologies essential for enhancing our understanding of synaptic plasticity. It examines the transformative role of artificial intelligence tools in addressing synaptic impairment across various neurodegenerative diseases. Discusses the role of synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative diseases, shedding light on how dynamic changes occur at the cellular and synaptic levels Explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence tools in addressing synaptic impairment across various neurodegenerative diseases Provides a comprehensive overview of neurodegenerative disorders, including pathogenesis, etiology, and treatment strategies Presents tools and techniques used to simulate the complex system biology of synaptic plasticity Examines the role of computational neuroscience in understanding and potentially treating conditions such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Toward the end, the book explores the role of synaptic impairment and computational neuroscience in understanding and potentially treating conditions such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. With its multifaceted approach, this book serves as a useful resource for researchers, clinicians, and students in the fields of neuroscience, computational biology, and neurology.
Trees of Life
Saving Tropical Forests and their Biological Wealth. A WRI Guide to the Environment.
Free Agents
An evolutionary case for the existence of free will Scientists are learning more and more about how brain activity controls behavior and how neural circuits weigh alternatives and initiate actions. As we probe ever deeper into the mechanics of decision making, many conclude that agency--or free will--is an illusion. In Free Agents, leading neuroscientist Kevin Mitchell presents a wealth of evidence to the contrary, arguing that we are not mere machines responding to physical forces but agents acting with purpose. Traversing billions of years of evolution, Mitchell tells the remarkable story of how living beings capable of choice arose from lifeless matter. He explains how the emergence of nervous systems provided a means to learn about the world, granting sentient animals the capacity to model, predict, and simulate. Mitchell reveals how these faculties reached their peak in humans with our abilities to imagine and to be introspective, to reason in the moment, and to shape our possible futures through the exercise of our individual agency. Mitchell's argument has important implications--for how we understand decision making, for how our individual agency can be enhanced or infringed, for how we think about collective agency in the face of global crises, and for how we consider the limitations and future of artificial intelligence. An astonishing journey of discovery, Free Agents offers a new framework for understanding how, across a billion years of Earth history, life evolved the power to choose, and why it matters.
Writing the Heavens
In the Middle Ages and early modernity, celestial observation was frequently a subject for verbal rather than numerical and geometrical recording. These records can now be difficult to decode, since what they address is frequently obscured by formal conventions of genre, imagery, rhetoric, prosody, to name but a few. The volume collects essays exploring such configurations between literature and observation from Europe to China. How, contributors ask, were verbal representations of celestial phenomena encoded and self-consciously placed vis-?-vis other systems of representation and knowledge? What kinds of data are represented, and what are the modes in which they are communicated? What interpretational problems arise when present-day disciplines like climatology, meteorology, geophysics, and astronomy, but also literary studies, try to access them? How were discourses on religion, law, anthropology, aesthetics, colonialism etc. linked, in and through their verbal presentation, with astronomical observation and knowledge? How did individual scholars, texts, and concepts travel between European and non-European cultures, both in space and in time, and which constructions of self and other arose in the process?
The Neck
A 300-million-year tour of the prominent role of the neck in animal evolution and human culture. Humans give a lot of attention to the neck. We decorate it with jewelry and ties, kiss it passionately, and use it to express ourselves in word and song. Yet, at the neck, people have also shackled their prisoners, executed their opponents, and slain their victims. Beyond the drama of human culture, animals have evolved their necks into a staggering variety of shapes and uses vital to their lifestyles. The Neck delves into evolutionary time to solve a living paradox--why is our neck so central to our survival and culture, but so vulnerable to injury and disease? Biologist Kent Dunlap shows how the neck's vulnerability is not simply an unfortunate quirk of evolution. Its weaknesses are intimately connected to the vessels, pipes, and glands that make it so vital to existence. Fun and far-reaching, The Neck explores the diversity of forms and functions of the neck in humans and other animals and shows how this small anatomical transition zone has been a locus of incredible evolutionary and cultural creativity.
Dynamic Relationality Theory of Creative Transformation
Dynamic Relationality Theory of Creative Transformation: Grounding Machinic Ecosystems in Life Experiences introduces a visionary approach to understanding the evolving relationship between technology and human experiences. It delves into the transformative potential of Machinic Generalized Intelligence (MGI), where AI and human intelligence converge harmoniously, creating a new paradigm of interactive, machinic life experiences. This book challenges the traditional tech-centric view, advocating for a life and experience-first perspective. It presents the Dynamic Relationality Theory (DRT), a novel conceptual framework that redefines our interaction with technology, emphasizing cocreative, emergent experiences over mere digital platformization. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining philosophical insights and social theories with practical applications, this book navigates the complexities of digitalized life ecosystems, employing concepts and tools from assemblage theory, category theory, sheaf theory, differential topology, and gauge theory. For readers grappling with the complexities of AI and its societal implications, this book offers clarity and direction. It provides a robust theoretical framework to understand the changing landscape of human-technology interaction. Furthermore, it integrates philosophical insights and ethical considerations into the discussion of AI and technology, providing a well-rounded perspective that aids in ethical decision-making and responsible innovation. It also delves into practical applications and future implications of AI, aiding readers in applying these concepts in real-world scenarios. By moving beyond a purely technological focus, this book equips readers with the insights needed to navigate the ethical, philosophical, and practical challenges posed by the integration of AI into daily life. A crucial resource for academics, professionals, and policymakers, this book serves as a guide to making informed decisions and fostering responsible innovation in the age of AI.
Simply Science
Understanding science has never been easier. Combining bold graphics with easy-to-understand text, Simply Science is the perfect introduction for those who are short on time but hungry for knowledge. The book covers not only the core sciences--physics, biology, and chemistry--but also Earth science and astronomy. Assuming no previous scientific knowledge, it covers more than 100 cornerstone ideas, ranging from photosynthesis to chemical reactions, the laws of motion, and the general theory of relativity. Pared-back entries each focus on a single concept and use a combination of clear text and simple graphics to explain it as directly and concisely as possible. Whether you are studying science in school or college, or simply want a jargon-free overview of the subject, this essential guide is packed with everything you need to understand the basics of science quickly and easily.
Milieus of Minutiae
The long history of tiny matter(s) in the sciences, thought, and culture From catastrophic weather and steady warming caused by the accumulation of carbon particles in the Earth's atmosphere to societies brought to a standstill by microscopic viruses, the new millennium has reminded us of how the minutest of phenomena can have outsized effects. This notion is one that has preoccupied the European and Anglo-American cultural imaginary since at least early modernity. Milieus of Minutiae brings together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to investigate various forms and appearances of minutiae prior to and beyond the advent of magnification. The collection illuminates connections between the empirical practices and technologies with which minutiae have come to be associated and the broader, more diffuse discourses--from the philosophical to the artistic--that have attended theories of smallness before and after Hooke's Micrographia. Placing essays on Renaissance poetry, Romantic fiction, and matters of punctuation alongside essays on early modern germ theory and the optics of microscopic technology, this rigorously framed volume extends from sixteenth-century pathology to twentieth-century architectural theory, natural science to literature and art.
Stretchable Electronics
Stretchable electronics is a dynamic field of research with the potential to revolutionize human health, robotics, cameras, energy storage, and even building construction. Electronics with rubber-like form factors can integrate with irregularly shaped moving substances in a seamless manner; electronic skins for prosthesis is a good example. The field of stretchable electronics has evolved and matured over the past 20 years, training generations of researchers in the development of novel materials and structures to enable robust integration of miniaturized electronic components. This book presents the work and perspective of this next generation of innovators and disruptors who are driving an exciting phase of diversification and growth in the field.
Bergson's Scientific Metaphysics
This volume brings Bergson's key ideas from Matter and Memory into dialogue with contemporary themes on memory and time in science, across analytic and continental philosophy. Focusing specifically on the application of Bergson's ideas to cognitive science, the circuit between perception and memory receives full explication in 15 different essays. By re-reading Bergson through a cognitive lens, the essays provide a series of alternative analytic interpretations to the standard continental approach to Bergson's oeuvre, without fully discounting either approach. The relevance of philosophies of mind and memory sit alongside the role of a metaphysics of time in exploring connections to psychology, biology, and physics. This eclecticism includes an exciting focus on numerous topics that are not given sufficient attention in extant studies of Bergson, including the precise nature of his ideas on dualism, memory, and ecological theories of perception, especially in relation to his contemporaries. Led by leading Bergson scholars from France and Japan, this book maps the rich terrain of Bergson's contemporary relevance alongside the historical context of his ideas.
Texas Wildlife Encyclopedia
Included are over 700 color photographs, depicting the different species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish, while offering over 600 range maps to show their territory, along with basic information for the biology of each animal, Texas's wildlife has always played an important role in the history of human beings inhabiting the state. Although the state's wildlife is still an important resource for human consumption, wildlife is also increasingly important in today's culture for its intrinsic, aesthetic value. For many Texans, the age-old traditions of hunting and fishing have been replaced by a desire to simply observe wildlife and experience nature. But most Texans are largely unaware of the diversity of species inhabiting their state. This volume is intended to provide an introduction to the state's freshwater fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. In Texas Wildlife Encyclopedia, nationally known naturalist Scott Shupe has collected information on all the native wildlife that reside in the Lone Star State. The seventh in a series of state wildlife encyclopedias, this book will be a handy, usable, layman's guide to Texas's native wildlife. Shupe includes the size, habitat, and abundance of each species located in the state. Whether you're a lover of the outdoors, photography, or are looking to learn more about your state, this comprehensive guide will teach you about the wonderful wildlife that covers the water, earth, and skies of Texas.
Quantitative Social Science Research in Practice
Quantitative Social Science Research in Practice: Generating Novel and Parsimonious Explanatory Models for Social Sciences examines quantitative Behavioral Science Research (BSR) by focusing on four key areas: Developing Novel, Parsimonious, and Actionable Causal Models: Researchers often face challenges in creating new, parsimonious causal models supported by empirical evaluation. A promising approach involves using meta-analytic reviews and more recent studies to identify relevant constructs and hypotheses that would constitutethe new causal model.Exploring the Scope of Context for a Novel Causal Model: The relevance of causal models may vary based on context, such as national or organizational culture, economic and political situations, and feasibility constraints. Behavioural science researchers have struggled to balance rigor and relevance, as theories effective in one context may not be valid in another. This book presents an approach to determine the contextual scope for new causal models.Guidance to Practice from a Novel Causal Model: Quantitative BSR studies should offer practical guidance, but often this guidance is vague or superficial. This book proposes an approach to highlight actionable insights derived from data analysis of new causal models, ensuring that the research offers concrete guidance for practitioners.Implementing Guidance from Causal Models: A significant limitation of BSR studies is the lack of clarity on how results can be made actionable for decision-makers, considering the costs and benefits of actions. This book presents a method to make research results actionable, especially for models with high explanatory and predictive power.The book is designed to be useful for various audiences: Business Managers and Practitioners: Those conducting or utilizing quantitative BSR for decision-making can find practical approaches for developing and applying causal models. Master's and PhD Students: Students across disciplines interested in quantitative BSR can gain insight into novel methods for creating strong causal models. Active Scholars: Researchers aiming to apply new approaches in their work can benefit from the strategies outlined. Professors and Instructors: Those teaching research methodology or supervising theses can find the book a valuable resource for guiding students in their research projects. The book aims to advance the field of quantitative BSR by providing robust methodologies for developing, contextualizing, and implementing causal models, ensuring both academic rigor and practical relevance.
Honey Bee Social Evolution
What the honey bee can teach us about evolution--and ourselves.How did the honey bee evolve into the complex colonial species that exists today--and what does its evolution have to teach us about our own species? In Honey Bee Social Evolution, entomologist Keith Delaplane uses the humble but charismatic honey bee as a model of social evolution to highlight the many parallels a social insect colony shares with humans and other organisms. Delaplane shows how social processes drive evolution--for honey bee colonies, humans, and other animals.Each chapter spotlights a honey bee colony-level function such as group-level reproduction, task differentiation among cells, group decision-making, social immunity, defense behavior, senescence, anarchy, cancer, and more--all with stunning parallels to those of other organisms. These vivid comparisons, grounded in a practical context, emphasize how natural selection uses a common tool kit to solve similar problems across lineages.By revealing the complex hive of similarities between the honey bee's society and our own, Delaplane hopes to instill an ethos of solidarity with all organic life. The honey bee colony shows how evolution is more than selfish "survival of the fittest," but equally a story of the success of cooperation and altruism.
