Philosophy of Science
This textbook is a comprehensive, engaging, and user-friendly introduction to philosophy of science written by a philosopher and a scientist. By exploring traditional debates within philosophy of science, as well as analysing contemporary scientific controversies for philosophical bias, the reader is invited to reflect upon how philosophical assumptions influence scientific theory, methods, and practice. Key features: Is an accessible introduction to philosophy of science written by a philosopher and a scientist. Includes some of the many important contributions from women philosophers and scientists. Demonstrates the philosophical influences on scientific thinking, practice, and expert disagreement. Applies philosophy of science to analyse some specific real-life cases of scientific controversy. This book is an essential resource for students and teachers in philosophy of science. It is also ideal for anyone interested in the philosophical influences on contemporary science.
Lucid Dying
From internationally renowned expert in resuscitation and New York Times bestselling author Sam Parnia, MD, PhD, comes a groundbreaking look at what happens to us when we die, based on the largest-ever research study run on recalled experiences of death. Today, for the first time in history, the scientific exploration of death and what happens when we die is real, active and ongoing. Contrary to popular perceptions, this subject is no longer the remit of philosophy, religion, or personal opinion. Truly remarkable scientific discoveries that will fundamentally affect everyone's lives now and in the future are taking place, yet very few people are aware of them. Most people--including scientists and doctors--maintain strong beliefs about death and its experience. Those beliefs are rooted in traditional, and often cultural, notions of death. But what if all that we have come to believe about death is fundamentally wrong? What if the paradigm we have been operating within no longer exists? What if death is not the end we thought? Lucid Dying is the first book to share that science. Presenting data derived from multiple groundbreaking studies, Dr. Parnia shows that the entity we refer to as consciousness--our Self--does not seem to become annihilated when we die. In fact, during death, our consciousness vastly expands and leads to a vivid experience that follows a very specific narrative arc. These studies support that there really is a universal experience of death that is meaningful, transcendent, positive, and transformative--not hallucinatory, delusional, or illusory as previously imagined. In his latest book, Dr. Parnia weaves empirical research with gripping stories to show us the truth of how death is not the end we all thought and how anyone can harness the newfound wisdom to lead deeper, more intentional lives.
Dig. Leap. Play.
Are you feeling stuck or unfulfilled?Want to make more of an impact?Dig. Leap. Play. is the book for YOU!In this book you will: Learn to DIG deep into yourself to finally find and use your Gift.Gain the inspiration and motivation to LEAP toward your goals. Understand the importance of PLAY and how to bring more Joy into your life.Create lifelong habits that will 'pawsitively' serve, reward and celebrate You!Our pets model a natural process of living a fulfilling life. Find out how you can learn from your pet to find and honor your own special Gift. Personal development with an animal twist, Dig. Leap. Play. will educate, entertain and motivate you to take the leap to live with more joy, passion and fulfillment, and...have fun doing it!
From Pain to Power
"This clearly written narrative of the author's recovery from debilitating chronic pain documents the value of a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Her personal story is compelling, the psychology is accurate, her voice is distinct from others in the field and any reader suffering non-structural pain or illness can benefit."David D Clarke, MD - President of Psychophysiologic Disorders Association.Narinder Sheena draws from her personal journey of overcoming chronic pain to empower others. She explores the neuroscience behind pain, emphasising the impact of adverse childhood experiences on the mind.Narinder highlights how unconscious trauma can manifest as physical symptoms and how emotions play a significant role in chronic pain, triggering anxiety and keeping our nervous system in a heightened state. Through her experiences, resources, and tools, she invites pain sufferers to reflect on their own journeys and discover steps toward healing.
Particle Colliders
The original title is informative but could be more engaging. Here's a breakdown: - Particle Colliders: These are the machines used to explore the fundamental particles. - Our Tools to Study the Quark-Gluon Plasma: This clarifies the purpose of the colliders - to understand a specific state of matter, the quark-gluon plasma. - Smashing Atoms! Recreating the Universe's First Soup (This title uses an exciting verb ("smashing") and creates intrigue by mentioning the quark-gluon plasma as the "first soup" of the universe.) - Beyond Solid: Unveiling the Ultra-Hot Quark-Gluon Plasma (This title uses a contrasting idea ("beyond solid") to introduce the exotic state of matter and highlights the role of particle colliders ("unveiling").
The Internet and Philosophy of Science
This book analyzes the Internet conceived in a broad sense. It includes three layers that require philosophical attention: (1) the technological infrastructure, (2) the Web, and (3) cloud computing, along with apps and mobile Internet.
Culturally Responsive Science Pedagogy in Asia
This edited volume presents a systemic view of the current initiatives and challenges for the inclusion of Culturally Responsive Science Pedagogy (CRSP) in non-western and multicultural contexts. This book's strategies and solutions serve as an important and comprehensive reference for researchers and science teacher educators.
New Philosophical Perspectives on Scientific Progress
This collection of original essays offers a comprehensive examination of scientific progress, which has been a central topic in recent debates in philosophy of science.
Scientific Understanding and Representation
This volume brings together leading scholars working on understanding and representation in philosophy of science. It features a critical conversation format between contributors that advances debates concerning scientific understanding, scientific representation, and their delicate interplay.
The Foundations of Spacetime Physics
This book provides an up-to-date overview of the foundations of spacetime physics. It features original essays written by world-class experts in the physics and philosophy of spacetime.
Unleashing the Quantum
"Unleashing the Quantum: Feynman's Path Integral Approach" tackles the profound world of quantum mechanics through the ingenious lens of Richard Feynman's path integrals. Forget stuffy equations - this book breaks down complex quantum behavior by showing how particles don't just move in straight lines, but rather explore every possible path imaginable. By understanding the influence of these countless paths, you'll unlock a deeper appreciation of the quantum world and its surprising connection to our classical reality.
The Hunt for Dark Matter
"The Hunt for Dark Matter: Particle Physics and the Quest for a Hidden Reality" plunges you into the heart of a modern scientific odyssey. We know dark matter exists - its invisible grip shapes galaxies and influences the cosmos - yet it remains frustratingly undetected. This book equips you with the tools of particle physics to understand this enigma. Explore the Standard Model, the foundation of our understanding of particles and forces, and delve into the theories that propose new particles, like WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), as potential dark matter candidates. Join the worldwide hunt as scientists build colossal detectors deep underground or in space, searching for the faintest interactions that might reveal dark matter's secrets. "The Hunt for Dark Matter" is a thrilling exploration of the unseen universe, where cutting-edge physics and ingenious experiments push the boundaries of our knowledge and challenge us to imagine a new reality.
About Face
Enter the fascinating world of forensic facial approximation and journey with me through this how to guide for the artist.Forensic facial approximation is the marriage of scientific observation and artistry to reconstruct an approximate likeness of an individual.The art of facial reconstruction is a tool used for identification, historical, or archaeological purposes, including museum displays. Reconstructing a skull will also vastly improve your understanding of the human face and overall artistic skills.Artists and scientists undertake forensic facial approximation using sculpting, drawing, or computer graphic techniques, and these disciplines often work in conjunction with one another. This book is devoted to the hands-on 3D process of reconstructing the face in clay.This book also explores the history of facial reconstruction, how we perceive faces, the sculpting process, anatomical illustrations, resources, material recommendations, tips and observational notes for each reconstruction project highlighted in this book.
Mushroom Mania
Mushrooms are fruit bodies of fungi that support plant and human health, as well as Maine's economy. Consumption of fresh mushrooms has boomed in recent years -- sales of medicinal mushroom supplements have soared. Enthusiasts are also scouring the woods to forage more mushrooms.Watercolors portray some of Maine's wild species, tasty recipes spice up the pages, plus tips are provided on how to grow mushrooms at home.
Molecular Orientation
Organic semiconductors are revolutionizing electronics with their flexibility and potential for sustainable applications. However, a hidden factor plays a crucial role in their performance - molecular orientation. This article explores how the way organic molecules are arranged within a material significantly impacts its light-related properties (photophysics). We'll delve into how: - Orientation influences light absorption: Aligned molecules can absorb light more efficiently, leading to better performance in solar cells and light-emitting devices. - Charge transport is affected: Orientation can impact how efficiently charges move within the material, crucial for functions like light emission and current flow in transistors. By understanding and controlling molecular orientation, scientists are unlocking the full potential of organic semiconductors. We'll explore innovative techniques for achieving optimal alignment and showcase how it paves the way for a brighter future of organic electronics.
The Molecular Frontier
"The Molecular Frontier: Bridging the Gap Between Classical and Microfluidic Systems" dives into the exciting world of manipulating fluids at the miniscule scale. Imagine a bridge connecting the well-established methods of classical fluidics with the revolutionary world of microfluidics. This book explores how scientists are miniaturizing fluid handling techniques. It delves into the unique advantages of microfluidic systems, where fluids flow through channels narrower than a human hair. Discover how these tiny channels enable precise control over molecules, leading to faster analyses, new experiments, and groundbreaking discoveries in various fields from medicine to materials science. "The Molecular Frontier" explains how this innovative technology bridges the gap between traditional, larger-scale methods and the fascinating world of the very small.
Undying Tales
Traverse the world through mythology and illustration and be inspired to think of and act for the endangered creatures that still share this planet with us. While the tales will live on in our cultural memory, the creatures may not. Every culture tells stories to describe the origins of existence, to explain how all the wonders that we live with and see today came to be, and how humans have coped within this world. All peoples looked around themselves, at the earth and sky, at the mountains, rivers, forests, and seas, at the unimaginable variety of living creatures that populate those vast reaches, and they marvel, and then they craft and tell tales. It is painful to think that some of these species that we live with today and that have inspired artists and storytellers for ages, might one day only survive in myth and story if action is not taken. Stephanie Law presents this book in the hopes that it will inspire readers through the enchantment and beauty of art to move through their days with more awareness. Our actions and lifestyle decisions affect our environment, take notice. Let's support our living world.
Science for Humans
This book presents and defends an original and paradigm-shifting conception of formal science, natural science, and the natural universe alike, that's fully pro-science, but at the same time neither theological or God-centered, nor solipsistic or self-centered, nor communitarian or social-institution-centered, nor scientistic or science-valorizing, nor materialist/physicalist or reductive, nor-above all-mechanistic. It does this by presenting and defending what Robert Hanna calls the neo-organicist turn, including manifest realism and the three sub-parts of metaphysical organicism: liberal naturalism, mind-life continuity, and explanatory inversion, whereby mechanical systems are explained by grounding them in organic systems, and not the other way around. Or more briefly and simply put, the purpose of this book is to present and defend science for humans. As such, it will be highly interesting and profoundly relevant to graduate students and specialist researchers in philosophy and the formal-&-natural sciences.
Have We Lost Our Minds?
With advances in neuroscience, many Christians are confused about what the soul is and its role in human flourishing. This confusion is rapidly increasing through the writings of "neurotheologians" such as Curt Thompson and Jim Wilder, who imply our brains are ultimately the cause of our thoughts, beliefs, desires, choices, and very identity. This book identifies and corrects the wrong assumptions of neurotheologians, outlines a biblically and philosophically sound understanding of our soul and its relation to the body, and illustrates how this understanding is the right path toward more fully loving God and loving others.
Beyond the Dipole
The ideal MHD case is simpler and easier to visualize, as we can treat the field lines as being "frozen" to the plasma [26]. By "frozen," we mean that the magnetic field must move with the plasma; as a consequence, the system can be decomposed into tubes of equal magnetic flux. If a flux tube moves radially outward, it moves into a region of lower magnetic field [27], which increases the volume of the flux tube and adiabatically cools it. For a flux tube to move outward, it must exchange places with another flux tube moving inward, whose volume will be reduced in the region of stronger magnetic field and lead to adiabatic heating. This swapping of flux tubes is known as an electrostatic interchange (or flute) instability [28]. Note that by definition there is no change to the magnetic topology and there are no parallel currents. This mode is the plasma equivalent of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in neutral fluids, in which a heavy fluid is supported a against gravity by a lighter fluid. In neutral fluids the instability grows when the pressure gradient is anti-parallel to the gravitational force; in plasmas it grows when the pressure gradient is antiparallel to the radius of curvature of the magnetic field; such plasmas are often referred to as having "bad" curvature.
Unfinished Symphony
"Unfinished Symphony: The Standard Model and the Quest for a Complete Theory" delves into the world of particle physics and the Standard Model. The Standard Model is a remarkably successful theory that explains most fundamental particles and forces, but it's not the entire picture. Imagine a grand symphony representing the universe's fundamental laws. The Standard Model is like a beautiful movement, explaining a vast range of instruments (particles) and their interactions. Yet, there are lingering unanswered questions and hints of other movements in the symphony. This book explores these limitations of the Standard Model. It might delve into mysteries like dark matter and dark energy, which the Standard Model can't account for. The quest for a complete theory becomes the focus, like searching for the missing movements of the symphony. "Unfinished Symphony" explores ongoing research in particle physics, like exploring new particles or forces beyond the Standard Model. It might discuss powerful particle accelerators that probe the universe's deepest secrets and the hope of one day composing a complete symphony that explains everything.
Marangoni Convection in Microgravity
This title effectively captures the essence of the topic with intriguing elements. Here's a breakdown of its components and potential content: - Marangoni Convection: This introduces the phenomenon of interest, a specific type of heat transfer driven by surface tension variations. - Microgravity: This sets the context - the unique environment of space with minimal gravity. - Unveiling the Secrets: This creates a sense of mystery and piques curiosity about the behavior of Marangoni convection in this environment. - Non-Periodic Flow: This highlights a potential difference in flow patterns compared to traditional Marangoni convection. Content Breakdown: 1. Marangoni Convection on Earth: Briefly explain how Marangoni convection works on Earth, driven by surface tension gradients causing controlled flow patterns. 2. Microgravity's Impact: Discuss how microgravity disrupts traditional heat transfer mechanisms like buoyancy-driven convection. 3. Non-Periodic Flow in Microgravity: Explore the potential changes in Marangoni convection behavior in this environment: o Unpredictable Patterns: Explain how the absence of buoyancy might lead to less predictable or more chaotic flow patterns compared to Earth. o New Research: Highlight ongoing research efforts to understand and predict these non-periodic flow patterns. The title "Marangoni Convection in Microgravity" suggests a few potential content directions: - Challenges for Material Processing: Explore how non-periodic flow patterns might pose challenges for material processing applications that rely on controlled Marangoni convection. - Advanced Modeling Techniques: Discuss the development of new modeling techniques to simulate and predict non-periodic flow behavior in microgravity. - Microfluidic Applications: Explore potential applications of Marangoni convection with non-periodic flow patterns in microfluidic devices used in space research or technology.
Animals, Plants and Afterimages
The sixth mass extinction or Anthropocene extinction is one of the most pervasive issues of our time. Animals, Plants and Afterimages brings together leading scholars in the humanities and life sciences to explore how extinct species are represented in art and visual culture, with a special emphasis on museums. Engaging with celebrated cases of vanished species such as the quagga and the thylacine as well as less well-known examples of animals and plants, these essays explore how representations of recent and ancient extinctions help advance scientific understanding and speak to contemporary ecological and environmental concerns.
Mutual Aid
A pioneering treatise on embracing cooperation and reciprocity to usher in a greener and more inclusive world, from the major anarchist thinker A Penguin Classic Welcome to the anarchist history of the world. In this lively, provocative work, Peter Kropotkin argues that "mutual aid" is a natural instinct in all of us, animal and human. Cooperation, reciprocity, support: these, for Kropotkin, are the overlooked foundations of our history. From the earliest days of evolution through to artisanal guilds, indigenous nomads, and even the Royal National Lifeboat Association, it is a pragmatic, mutually beneficial bond to our fellow humans that has allowed us to survive. In this, Kropotkin challenges all the major orthodoxies of his age, from individualism and social Darwinism to Marxist theories of the savior state. Instead, these essays insist that a better life for all of us--and our planet--begins when we reject competition, and embrace the local, the mutual, and the collective.
Artificial Cognitive Systems
A concise introduction to a complex field, bringing together recent work in cognitive science and cognitive robotics to offer a solid grounding on key issues. This book offers a concise and accessible introduction to the emerging field of artificial cognitive systems. Cognition, both natural and artificial, is about anticipating the need for action and developing the capacity to predict the outcome of those actions. Drawing on artificial intelligence, developmental psychology, and cognitive neuroscience, the field of artificial cognitive systems has as its ultimate goal the creation of computer-based systems that can interact with humans and serve society in a variety of ways. This primer brings together recent work in cognitive science and cognitive robotics to offer readers a solid grounding on key issues. The book first develops a working definition of cognitive systems--broad enough to encompass multiple views of the subject and deep enough to help in the formulation of theories and models. It surveys the cognitivist, emergent, and hybrid paradigms of cognitive science and discusses cognitive architectures derived from them. It then turns to the key issues, with chapters devoted to autonomy, embodiment, learning and development, memory and prospection, knowledge and representation, and social cognition. Ideas are introduced in an intuitive, natural order, with an emphasis on the relationships among ideas and building to an overview of the field. The main text is straightforward and succinct; sidenotes drill deeper on specific topics and provide contextual links to further reading.
Plasmonics
"Plasmonics: Shrinking Metals, Expanding Possibilities" uses a catchy contrast to introduce the world of plasmonics. - Shrinking Metals: This refers to the manipulation of metals at the nanoscale, creating tiny metallic nanostructures. - Expanding Possibilities: This emphasizes the vast potential applications unlocked by plasmonics. The title piques curiosity - how can shrinking metals lead to such a vast expansion of possibilities? The piece could delve into the core concept: the interaction of light with these engineered nanostructures. This interaction creates a unique property called "surface plasmon resonance," which allows for manipulating light in remarkable ways. We can then explore some of these exciting applications. Plasmonic nanoparticles are used in biosensing for medical diagnostics, detecting minute biomolecules. They can also enhance solar cell efficiency by trapping light more effectively. The title hints at the ongoing exploration of plasmonics. Scientists are delving into metamaterials with unusual optical properties and photocatalysis, where light drives chemical reactions. By "shrinking metals," plasmonics unlocks a world of expanding possibilities, pushing the boundaries of science and technology across various fields.
The Unforeseen Forces
"The Unforeseen Forces" delves into the fascinating world of solidification, the process by which liquids transform into solids. It goes beyond the textbook basics, exploring the hidden factors that can dramatically impact this seemingly straightforward phenomenon. The book unveils how seemingly minor influences, from trace impurities to subtle temperature fluctuations, can significantly alter the final solidified structure. This deeper understanding is crucial in various fields, from material science and engineering to pharmaceuticals and food production. By understanding these unforeseen forces, researchers and professionals can create stronger, more reliable materials, optimize drug delivery systems, and even enhance food textures. "The Unforeseen Forces" offers a captivating journey into the unseen world that shapes our solid reality.
Bridging Quantum and Classical
"Bridging Quantum and Classical: A Path Integral Journey" delves into the fascinating concept of Feynman Path Integrals. Unlike the strange ideas often associated with quantum mechanics, path integrals offer an intuitive bridge between the familiar world of classical mechanics and the bizarre realm of the quantum. This book explains how particles, unlike billiard balls on a table, explore every possible path between two points, with some paths influencing the outcome more than others. Through this path integral approach, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the quantum world and its connection to our everyday reality.
At the End of Property
Recent decades have witnessed the creation of new types of property systems, ranging from data ownership to national control over genetic resources. This trend has significant implications for wealth distribution and our understanding of who can own what. This book explores the idea of ownership in the realm of plant breeding, revealing how plants have been legally and materially transformed into property. It highlights the controversial aspects of turning seeds, plants and genes into property and how this endangers the viability of the seed industry. Examining ownership not simply as a legal concept, but as a bundle of laws, practices and technologies, this is a valuable contribution that will interest scholars of intellectual property studies, the anthropology of markets, science and technology studies and related fields.
Modeling Continuous-Wave Laser Beam Welding of Titanium Alloy
This licentiate book addresses an aspect of production technology that is metal processing through fusion. A challenge to take up in production technol-ogy is to develop sustainable manufacturing processes to save both material and energy consumption. A metal fusion heat source with high efficiency is laser beam. The industrial demand to increase the productivity and improve the robustness of high-power laser beam welding (LBW) and laser beam addi-tive manufacturing (LBAM) processes is driving huge research efforts towards the repeatability and reliability of the processes. Application of high-power continuous-wave laser beam for metal fusion in areas such as welding and ad-ditive manufacturing (AM) has increased during the last years with rapid pace. Continuous-wave lasers have proven their great performance in terms of their stability and power output during processing. However laser metal fusion is very complicated, and more detailed physical understanding would improve this process. The aim of this licentiate book is to reach better model reliability and deeper understanding of continuous-wave LBW of a Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) in conduction mode through a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach.
Bridging the Gap
Low dimensional, interacting quantum many-body systems host a wealth of interesting phenomena ranging from quantum phase transitions at zero temperature to topological order. The physics of such systems are often described by their ground states that are special and occupy a rather tiny fraction of the Hilbert space. These small set of low energy states have little entanglement compared to the states that live in the middle of the spectrum. In this context, the most sought after are the topologically ordered systems which are characterized by ground states with specific degeneracy on a manifold, long range entanglement and excitations that obey fractional statistics known as anyons [1]. The classic example is the fractional quantum Hall (FQH) effect, which is a phase induced when a 2D gas of interacting electrons is subject to large magnetic fields [2, 3]. Interestingly, there have been multiple proposals to realize fractional quantum Hall physics on lattices which have several advantages over conventional solid state systems. One of the main goals of studying FQH on lattice is also to explore methods to realize anyons and to successfully braid them. In this direction, conformal field theory (CFT) has been a very useful tool to construct analytical states on lattice that describe FQH phases [4, 5] and even anyons [6] on quite large systems. Parent Hamiltonians for these analytical states have been constructed that are few body but non-local [5]. lattice, the finite size issues and effects due to the presence of edges. Hence, braiding anyons efficiently on modest lattices with open boundaries is also lacking.
The Human Test
The day awaits when AI and Big Data will be able to quantify just how predictable humans are. If indeed we are predictable like machines, to what extent are we alive, and under what definition? In The Human Test, quantum physicist Ron Folman unites findings from cognitive science, quantum physics, philosophy, and technology to offer a prescient look into this startling new era of human existence.
Horror on the Brain
A fascinating exploration of the science and psychology behind fear, madness, and the haunting stories that linger in our minds Scientists throughout centuries have mined the depths of humanity looking for--and finding--answers to life's most mysterious questions, but perhaps the most memorable accounts of hidden dimensions have been left to us by science fiction writers like Philip K. Dick and Octavia Butler. When science discovers, science fiction writers ask "what's next?" Horror on the Brain reveals the real science and psychology behind science fiction's most iconic characters, from Mary Shelley's Dr. Frankenstein to the doctors of H.P. Lovecraft and even today's horror blockbusters like Get Out and The Last of Us.In this fascinating exploration of fear and madness, neuroscientist Dr. Austin Lim recounts psychology's most bizarre and haunting real-life cases alongside famous speculative fiction that stretched that science to the edge. In 1924, Hans Berger invented the EEG, a commonly used brain imaging device, as a means to telepathically communicate with his sister, eerily similar to the protagonist in H.P. Lovecraft's Beyond the Wall of Sleep, while Nobel Prize-winning research on marine animals in the 1960s reflects his tentacled creations. Phineas Gage, the 19th century man who experienced a dramatic personality shift following a traumatic brain injury, shares similarities to Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll. Investigate the neurological causes of schizophrenia and how characters in Sheridan Le Fanu's story "In a Glass Darkly" manifest the diagnosis.Neurological conditions from sleepwalking to the Cotard delusion--which leads patients to believe they are dead, even going to such extremes as burying themselves alive--have provided the basis for horror stories since their discovery, and, likewise, the wildly imaginative minds of writers have even prompted scientific research. Horror on the Brain uses illuminating analogies to connect science fact and science fiction, showing how spooky stories contain insights into the dark corners of the human mind and why we can't stop looking into the abyss.
The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi
"Fans of Merlin Sheldrake's Entangled Life and Suzanne Simard's Finding the Mother Tree will enjoy Seifert's latest... A perspective-shifting guide to our microfungal matrix."--Kirkus Even though we can't always see them, fungi exist all around us. From forests and farms to food and medicine--and even our homes and bodies--fungal connections shape how we live. In this illuminating book, readers will "discover how these marvels of nature enrich (and sometimes threaten) our lives."(Peter Wohlleben, New York Times-bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees. Esteemed career mycologist Keith Seifert reveals the important role that microscopic fungi, including yeasts, molds, and slimes, play in our lives, all while remaining invisible to the naked eye. Divided into sections, each one exploring a different environment where fungi thrive, The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi introduces readers to the fascinating world of mycology, with information on: How fungi are at the heart of life-changing medical breakthroughs, including the development of antibiotics such as penicillin and organ transplant drugs.Where fungi live in our homes and how they influence our health, from our gut to our scalps.How fungi add important vitamins to our diet and make our favorite foods and drinks possible, including wine, cheese, chocolate, and beer.The essential role fungi are playing in innovative technologies, such as creating alternative energy sources, reducing plastic pollution, cleaning up toxins from oil spills, and even building architecture for a Mars colony.Despite their many benefits, we hold a precarious relationship with fungi: fungal diseases lead to over 1 million deaths each year, and they have played a destructive role in disasters ranging from the Irish Potato Famine to possibly even the extinction of the dinosaurs. The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi urges us to better understand our relationship with fungi--and to plan our future with them in mind--while revealing their world in all its beautiful complexity.
Have We Lost Our Minds?
With advances in neuroscience, many Christians are confused about what the soul is and its role in human flourishing. This confusion is rapidly increasing through the writings of ""neurotheologians"" such as Curt Thompson and Jim Wilder, who imply our brains are ultimately the cause of our thoughts, beliefs, desires, choices, and very identity. This book identifies and corrects the wrong assumptions of neurotheologians, outlines a biblically and philosophically sound understanding of our soul and its relation to the body, and illustrates how this understanding is the right path toward more fully loving God and loving others.
Twists on the Quantum
In the perplexing world of quantum mechanics, the rules of the game seem to change on a whim. "Twists on the Quantum: Probing the Limits of Quantum Mechanics" delves into the fascinating fringes of this theory, where groundbreaking experiments challenge our understanding of reality. This book explores phenomena that push the boundaries of what we thought possible. Imagine particles existing in multiple states simultaneously, or spooky connections defying the constraints of space and time. "Twists on the Quantum" dives into these concepts, like superposition and entanglement, explaining the mind-bending science behind them. Readers will discover how scientists are using cutting-edge technology to test the limits of quantum mechanics. The book explores the race to build quantum computers that harness the bizarre properties of the quantum world for unparalleled processing power. But "Twists on the Quantum" isn't just about the mind-blowing. It explores the practical implications of these discoveries, showcasing how they could revolutionize fields like cryptography and materials science. This book is a thrilling exploration for anyone curious about the stranger corners of quantum mechanics and its potential to reshape our world.
Unveiling the Fabric of Spacetime
"Unveiling the Fabric of Spacetime" isn't your typical astronomy book. It ventures beyond planets and stars to explore the mind-bending realm of noncommutative quantum mechanics. This book challenges our everyday understanding of space and time, revealing a stranger, more mathematical reality at the subatomic level. Imagine a world where the order in which things happen can actually affect the outcome. In noncommutative quantum mechanics, the very fabric of spacetime isn't a fixed grid but a dynamic tapestry. "Unveiling the Fabric of Spacetime" delves into this mind-blowing concept, explaining how the properties of tiny particles can influence the way space and time behave. The book explores the mathematical underpinnings of noncommutative mechanics, but it doesn't shy away from explaining the weird and wonderful implications. Readers will discover how this theory challenges our understanding of causality, locality, and even the nature of reality itself. "Unveiling the Fabric of Spacetime" isn't afraid to ask big questions. It explores the potential connection between noncommutative mechanics and phenomena like black holes and the origins of the universe. It's a captivating journey for anyone curious about the stranger corners of quantum mechanics and the nature of reality.
Do I Know You?
An award-winning science writer discovers she has prosopagnosia (face blindness) and aphantasia (the inability to visualize) and investigates the neuroscience of sight, memory, and imagination--while solving some long-running mysteries about her own life. Science writer Sadie Dingfelder has always known that she's a little quirky. But while she's made some strange mistakes over the years, it's not until she accosts a stranger in a grocery store (whom she thinks is her husband) that she realizes something is amiss. With a mixture of curiosity and dread, Dingfelder starts contacting neuroscientists and lands herself in scores of studies. In the course of her nerdy midlife crisis, she discovers that she is emphatically not neurotypical. She has prosopagnosia (faceblindness), stereoblindness, aphantasia (an inability to create mental imagery), and a condition called severely deficient autobiographical memory. As Dingfelder begins to see herself more clearly, she discovers a vast well of hidden neurodiversity in the world at large. There are so many different flavors of human consciousness, and most of us just assume that ours is the norm. Can you visualize? Do you have an inner monologue? Are you always 100 percent sure whether you know someone or not? If you can perform any of these mental feats, you may be surprised to learn that many people--including Dingfelder--can't. A lively blend of personal narrative and popular science, Do I Know You? is the story of one unusual mind's attempt to understand itself--and a fascinating exploration of the remarkable breadth of human experience.
Radiocarbon Dates from Samples Funded by English Heritage Between 2003 and 2006
This volume holds a datelist of 1100 radiocarbon determinations carried out between 2003 and 2006 on behalf of the Centre for Archaeology of English Heritage. It contains supporting information about the samples and the sites producing them, a comprehensive bibliography, and two indexes for reference and analysis. An introduction provides discussion of the character and taphonomy of the dated samples and information about the methods used for the analyses reported and their calibration. The datelist has been collated from information provided by the submitters of the samples and the dating laboratories. Many of the sites and projects from which dates have been obtained are now published, although developments in statistical methodologies for the interpretation of radiocarbon dates since these measurements were made may allow revised chronological models to be constructed on the basis of these dates. The purpose of this volume is to provide easy access to the raw scientific and contextual data which may be used in further research.
Gold Nanoparticles for Physics, Chemistry and Biology
Gold Nanoparticles for Physics, Chemistry and Biology offers an overview of recent research into gold nanoparticles, covering their discovery, usage and contemporary practical applications.This Second Edition begins with a history of over 2000 years of the use of gold nanoparticles, with a review of the specific properties which make gold unique. Updated chapters include gold nanoparticle preparation methods, their plasmon resonance and thermo-optical properties, their catalytic properties and their future technological applications. New chapters have been included, and reveal the growing impact of plasmonics in research, with an introduction to quantum plasmonics, plasmon assisted catalysis and electro-photon conversion. The growing field of nanoparticles for health is also addressed with a study of gold nanoparticles as radiosensibiliser for radiotherapy, and of gold nanoparticle functionalisation. This new edition also considers the relevance of bimetallic nanoparticles for specific applications.World-class scientists provide the most up-to-date findings for an introduction to gold nanoparticles within the related areas of chemistry, biology, material science, optics and physics. It is perfectly suited to advanced level students and researchers looking to enhance their knowledge in the study of gold nanoparticles.
The Toxins and Venoms and Their Antibodies
The Toxins and Venoms and Their Antibodies, a classical book, was published more than a century ago and has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.
Impact Along the Edge
Shallenberger State Nature Preserve illustrates the past natural history of Ohio running headlong into the present. Located in south-central Ohio, right outside of Lancaster, the preserve lies on the edge where ice age glaciers ground into the Blackhand Sandstone of Hocking Hills fame.The two sandstone knobs, born from the intense geological struggles of the past, illustrate the modern-day struggle of natural ecosystems against the influence of Anglo-European settlement. The two knobs, named for siblings who once lived near them, take on a character of their own as remnants of the deep past and survivors of modern-era quarrying and logging. The almost two miles of trail transport the visitor up and down and around Allen and Ruble Knobs under the canopy of a maturing forest. Springtime brings on a vivid wildflower show as native plants celebrate each spring for another year of protection within the preserve.Under the management of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, Shallenberger demonstrates the struggle of native plant and animal species against exotic invaders from other places. Concurrently, it demonstrates the care that devoted staff and volunteers bring to the site, working to protect a piece of Ohio's natural history for all to enjoy.
Themes from Weir: A Celebration of the Philosophy of Alan Weir
This book celebrates and explores some philosophical issues raised by the work of Alan Weir, who is Professor Emeritus at the University of Glasgow, having previously held positions at the Universities of Oxford, Edinburgh and Queen's, Belfast. In a number of areas, Weir has elaborated strikingly original views which involve a radical departure from the mainstream. These include formalism in the philosophy of mathematics, and as well as na簿ve set theory, with a universal set, and a na簿ve theory of truth. In contrast to other contemporary defenders of the latter two theories, Weir rejects dialetheism and accepts classical rules for the logical connectives. He avoids contradictions by restricting certain structural inference rules, specifically some generalized versions of transitivity. In addition, Weir has developed radical versions of naturalism and physicalism (partly informed by his work on Quine) and perceptual realism. This collection includes contributions by a distinguished group of philosophers on Weir's philosophy, as well as a memoir and a new essay on the philosophy of mathematics by Weir himself.
The Higgs Boson
For decades, physicists theorized about the Higgs boson, a mysterious particle crucial to explaining how other fundamental particles acquire mass. Then, in 2012, the Large Hadron Collider delivered a groundbreaking discovery: the Higgs boson! "The Higgs Boson: A Window into Beyond-Standard-Model Physics" takes you beyond this momentous event. This book dives deeper, exploring how the Higgs discovery unlocks a new frontier in physics. The Standard Model, our current understanding of fundamental particles and forces, seems incomplete. The Higgs boson hints at a larger reality. Imagine the Higgs boson as a key, opening a door to a hidden realm. This book explores the exciting possibilities that lie beyond - new forces, exotic particles, and a more comprehensive picture of the universe. "The Higgs Boson" isn't just about theory. You'll learn about the cutting-edge experiments currently underway, searching for these theoretical particles and forces. It's a thrilling journey into the unknown, perfect for anyone curious about the mysteries of the universe and the next revolution in physics.
From Discovery to Cure
The story of medical imaging and how physics played a crucial role in its development has fascinating roots. "From Discovery to Cure: The Early Days of Physics in Radiology" unveils a period of groundbreaking discoveries that revolutionized medicine. Imagine a time before X-rays, when internal injuries remained a mystery. In 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen's accidental discovery of X-rays ushered in a new era. Physicists, captivated by this invisible radiation, quickly recognized its potential in medicine. These early pioneers faced challenges: - Understanding the Unknown: The nature of X-rays and their interaction with the body were initially unclear. - Safety Concerns: The long-term effects of radiation exposure were yet to be understood. - Technological Limitations: Early X-ray machines were cumbersome and produced images with limited detail. Despite these hurdles, physicists persevered: - Developing Techniques: They devised methods to control radiation dosage and improve image quality. - Safety Measures: Early radiation protection practices were established to safeguard patients and healthcare workers. - Expanding Applications: Physicists explored using X-rays for diagnosing broken bones, lung illnesses, and even tumors. The early days of physics in radiology laid the groundwork for future advancements. These discoveries paved the way for: - Modern Imaging Techniques: From CT scans to MRIs, physics continues to be a driving force in medical imaging innovation. - Improved Cancer Treatment: X-rays became a cornerstone of radiotherapy, enabling targeted treatment of tumors. - A New Era of Medical Diagnosis: Physicists' contributions transformed medical practice by allowing doctors to see inside the human body without invasive surgery. The story of physics in radiology is one of continuous discovery and innovation. From those early days, the field has grown exponentially, shaping the way we diagnose and treat diseases, ultimately improving human health.
Fire Weather
PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST - A NEW YORK TIMES TOP TEN BOOK OF THE YEAR - FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD IN NONFICTION - FINALIST FOR THE PEN/GALBRAITH AWARD FOR NONFICTION - A stunning account of a colossal wildfire and a panoramic exploration of the rapidly changing relationship between fire and humankind from the award-winning, best-selling author of The Tiger and The Golden Spruce - Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, TIME, NPR, Slate, and Smithsonian "Grips like a philosophical thriller, warns like a beacon, and shocks to the core." --Robert Macfarlane, bestselling author of Underland "Riveting, spellbinding, astounding on every page." --David Wallace-Wells, #1 bestselling author of The Uninhabitable Earth In May 2016, Fort McMurray, the hub of Canada's oil industry and America's biggest foreign supplier, was overrun by wildfire. The multi-billion-dollar disaster melted vehicles, turned entire neighborhoods into firebombs, and drove 88,000 people from their homes in a single afternoon. Through the lens of this apocalyptic conflagration--the wildfire equivalent of Hurricane Katrina--John Vaillant warns that this was not a unique event, but a shocking preview of what we must prepare for in a hotter, more flammable world. Fire has been a partner in our evolution for hundreds of millennia, shaping culture, civilization, and, very likely, our brains. Fire has enabled us to cook our food, defend and heat our homes, and power the machines that drive our titanic economy. Yet this volatile energy source has always threatened to elude our control, and in our new age of intensifying climate change, we are seeing its destructive power unleashed in previously unimaginable ways. With masterly prose and a cinematic eye, Vaillant takes us on a riveting journey through the intertwined histories of North America's oil industry and the birth of climate science, to the unprecedented devastation wrought by modern forest fires, and into lives forever changed by these disasters. John Vaillant's urgent work is a book for--and from--our new century of fire, which has only just begun.
