Science & Nature - Books

The Fourth Dimension: Toward a Geometry of Higher Reality

Science & Nature

This is the definitive popular exploration of what the fourth dimension means, both physically and spiritually. Mathematician and science-fiction novelist Rudy Rucker takes readers on a guided tour of a higher reality that explores what the fourth dimension is and what it has meant to generations of thinkers. The exciting and challenging journey is enhanced by more than 200 illustrations and a host of puzzles and problems (with answers)."This is an invigorating book, a short but spirited slalom for the mind." — Timothy Ferris, The New York Times Book Review "Highly readable. One is reminded of the breadth and depth of Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach." — Science"Anyone with even a minimal interest in mathematics and fantasy will find The Fourth Dimension informative and mind-dazzling... [Rucker] plunges into spaces above three with a zest and energy that is breathtaking." — Martin Gardner "Those who think the fourth dimension is nothing but time should be encouraged to read The Fourth Dimension, along with anyone else who feels like opening the hinges of his mind and letting in a bit of fresh air." — John Sladek, Washington Post Book World"A mine of mathematical insights and a thoroughly satisfying read." — Paul Davies, Nature Magazine

A ilha do conhecimento

Science & Nature

DO MESMO AUTOR DE A DANÇA DO UNIVERSO E O FIM DA TERRA E DO CÉU, VENCEDORES DO PRÊMIO JABUTIQuanto podemos conhecer do mundo? Será que podemos conhecer tudo? Ou será que existem limites fundamentais para o que a ciência pode explicar? Se estes limites existem, até que ponto podemos compreender a natureza da realidade? Estas perguntas, e suas consequências surpreendentes, são o foco deste livro, um ensaio sobre como compreendemos o Universo e a nós mesmos.· É autor, entre outros livros, dos best-sellers A dança do universo, O fim da Terra e do Céu e Criação imperfeita, este último tendo vendido mais de 35 mil exemplares no Brasil.· Marcelo Gleiser é professor titular de Filosofia Natural e de Física e Astronomia no Dartmouth College, um cientista de renome mundial e colunista da Folha de S.Paulo, participando frequentemente de documentários para a TV no Brasil e no exterior.

Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

Science & Nature

This volume presents a selection of important information and discussion on the new scientific trend of chemical mesoscopics and also sheds new knowledge on the science of nanomaterials, processes of nanochemistry, and nanoengineering. The volume explores nanomaterial development as well as investigations of processes and modeling. It provides new perspectives on processes, while also discussing new methods of treatment polymeric materials and different material modification, including by super small quantities of metal/carbon nanocomposites. This volume will be a valuable resource on new trends on chemical mesoscopics, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering for researchers, scientists, professors, postgraduate students, and others.

Relativity

Science & Nature

The theory of relativity, or simply relativity in physics, usually encompasses two theories by Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. [1] (The word relativity can also be used in the context of an older theory, that of Galilean invariance.)

Micro and Nanotechnologies in Engineering Stem Cells and Tissues

Science & Nature

A cutting-edge look at the application of micro and nanotechnologies in regenerative medicineThe area at the interface of micro/nanotechnology and stem cells/tissue engineering has seen an explosion of activity in recent years. This book provides a much-needed overview of these exciting developments, covering all aspects of micro and nanotechnologies, from the fundamental principles to the latest research to applications in regenerative medicine.Written and edited by the top researchers in the field, Micro and Nanotechnologies in Engineering Stem Cells and Tissues describes advances in material systems along with current techniques available for cell, tissue, and organ studies. Readers will gain tremendous insight into the state of the art of stem cells and tissue engineering, and learn how to use the technology in their own research or clinical trials. Coverage includes: Technologies for controlling or regulating stem cell and tissue growth Various engineering approaches for stem cell, vascular tissue, and bone regeneration The design and processing of biocompatible polymers and other biomaterials Characterization of the interactions between cells and biomaterials Unrivaled among books of this kind, Micro and Nanotechnologies in Engineering Stem Cells and Tissues is the ultimate forward-looking reference for researchers in numerous disciplines, from engineering and materials science to biomedicine, and for anyone wishing to understand the trends in this transformative field.

Le roman de la radio

Science & Nature

« (...) Dans ce livre, c’est toute la radio — avant, pendant, après la guerre — qu’il raconte. Cette radio qui lui a toujours été nécessaire, autant que l’air qu’il respire. Roland Dhordain n’a pas seulement fait de la radio toute sa vie, il est la radio. Je l’ai toujours connu débordant d’enthousiasme, épanoui dès qu’il entrait dans un studio, dans une régie, dès qu’il se penchait vers un micro ou invitait quelqu’un à y parler. « Dans cette histoire, qu’il conte avec tant d’allégresse — à chaque instant, le témoin et l’expert viennent donner à l’historien un inestimable coup de main — c’est comme une épopée qu’il ressuscite (...) » Alain Decaux, de l’Académie française.

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering (Enhanced Edition)

Science & Nature

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Membrane Technology for Sustainable Water and Energy Management covers a variety of advanced technologies for membrane processes, including water/wastewater treatment and reuse, membrane materials, operation and maintenance, fouling control, life cycle assessment, removal of micro/emerging pollutants, and operational cost of membrane processes. Supported by prominent editors and global contributors, this reference contains chapters on membrane treatment strategies for the current pollution of complex organic matters, nutrients, toxic substances, microplastics, membrane fouling control in different water resources, and reusing water resources through promising separation technologies, including reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, and membrane distillation. Delivers advances on membrane processes, including water and wastewater treatment and reuse by membranes Provides state-of-the-art information on design and operation of novel membrane systems, energy consumption, fouling control, etc. Describes hybrid membrane processes

Μαύρες τρύπες, σύμπαντα-βρέφη

Science & Nature

Ο Hawking με αυτό το βιβλίο του για το ευρύ κοινό προσπαθεί να ρίξει νέο φως στις πιο σκοτεινές περιοχές του χρόνου και του χώρου. Τα κείμενά του αποκαλύπτουν την πολύπλευρη προσωπικότητά του: του επιστήμονα, του προβληματισμένου πολίτη του κόσμου, του ανθρώπου και, πάντοτε, του πειθαρχημένου και δημιουργικού στοχαστή. Με τη χαρακτηριστική εκφραστική του δεξιοτεχνία, το σαφή λόγο του και την περιφρόνηση του στόμφου, μας καλεί να μοιραστούμε το πάθος του για το ταξίδι της νόησης και της φαντασίας που άνοιξε νέους δρόμους για την κατανόηση του Σύμπαντος. • «Αυτό το βιβλίο παντρεύει την απορία ενός παιδιού με τη διάνοια ενός ιδιοφυούς. Ταξιδεύουμε στο σύμπαν του Hawking θαυμάζοντας το πνεύμα του.» —Times • «Η προσφορά του πρέπει να θεωρείται ισάξια με αυτήν των σπουδαιότερων φυσικών του παρελθόντος.» —Astronomy • «Εξηγεί τις πολύπλοκες έννοιες της κοσμολογίας συνδυάζοντας με ελκυστικό τρόπο την απλότητα με το πνευματώδες ύφος. Ένα μυαλό με εξαιρετική δύναμη.» —Observer

Embracing Mind

Science & Nature

What is Mind? For this ancient question we are still seeking answers. B. Alan Wallace and Brian Hodel propose a science of the mind based on the contemplative wisdom of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam.The authors begin by exploring the history of science, showing how science tends to ignore the mind, even while it is understood to be the very instrument through which we comprehend the world of nature. They then propose a contemplative science of mind based on the sophisticated techniques of meditation that have been practiced for thousands of years in the great spiritual traditions. The final section presents meditations that are of universal relevance—to scientists and people of all faiths—for revealing new dimensions of consciousness and human flourishing. Embracing Mind moves us beyond the dogmatic debates between theists and atheists over Intelligent Design and Neo-Darwinism, and it returns us to the vital core of science and spirituality: deepening our experience of reality as a whole.

Climat - une planète et des hommes

Science & Nature

Alors que le changement climatique nous concerne tous, la virulence des débats nous étonne. Pourquoi le doute, voire la méfiance, se sont-ils installés face à la réalité du réchauffement climatique et de l'influence des activités humaines sur ce phénomène ? Comment les " climato-septiques " sont-ils allés jusqu'à remettre en cause des faits établis et faire passer les chercheurs du Giec pour des imposteurs ? Chacun d'entre nous a besoin d'informations objectives pour se forger sa propre opinion.À l'initiative du Club des Argonautes, 26 chercheurs français de renom international ont décidé, avec cet ouvrage, de répondre à cette attente légitime.Ce livre, présenté par Erik Orsenna et Michel Petit, apporte des réponses précises sur les mécanismes complexes qui régissent la Terre et son climat, en s'appuyant sur l'état actuel des connaissances scientifiques. Il dresse un véritable bilan de l'impact des activités humaines sur le changement climatique et de tout ce qu'il est possible de faire pour, qu'aujourd'hui et demain, les hommes puissent continuer à vivre sereinement sur leur planète. Un ouvrage collectif sous la direction de Michel Petit et Aline Chabreuil, avec Pierre Bacher, Édouard Bard, François Barlier, Pierre Bauer, Yves Coppens, Yves Dandonneau, Jean-Pierre Dupuy, Yves Fouquart, Jean-Claude Gall, Alain Gioda, Stéphane Hallegatte, Sylvie Joussaume, Robert Kandel, Jean Labrousse, Michel Lefebvre, Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, Hervé Le Treut, Valérie Masson-Delmotte, Sandrine Mathy, Jacques Merle, Serge Planton, Bernard Pouyaud, Gilles Ramstein, Bernard Seguin, Bruno Voituriez. Avec la participation d'Alain Juppé et Michel Rocard.

The Science Behind the Secret

Science & Nature

We create our own reality and science says it's true! The Laws of Attraction do exist and are explained in Layman's Terms by a NASA Scientist.At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

The Island of Knowledge

Science & Nature

Do all questions have answers? How much can we know about the world? Is there such a thing as an ultimate truth? To be human is to want to know, but what we are able to observe is only a tiny portion of what's "out there." In The Island of Knowledge, physicist Marcelo Gleiser traces our search for answers to the most fundamental questions of existence. In so doing, he reaches a provocative conclusion: science, the main tool we use to find answers, is fundamentally limited. These limits to our knowledge arise both from our tools of exploration and from the nature of physical reality: the speed of light, the uncertainty principle, the impossibility of seeing beyond the cosmic horizon, the incompleteness theorem, and our own limitations as an intelligent species. Recognizing limits in this way, Gleiser argues, is not a deterrent to progress or a surrendering to religion. Rather, it frees us to question the meaning and nature of the universe while affirming the central role of life and ourselves in it. Science can and must go on, but recognizing its limits reveals its true mission: to know the universe is to know ourselves. Telling the dramatic story of our quest for understanding, The Island of Knowledge offers a highly original exploration of the ideas of some of the greatest thinkers in history, from Plato to Einstein, and how they affect us today. An authoritative, broad-ranging intellectual history of our search for knowledge and meaning, The Island of Knowledge is a unique view of what it means to be human in a universe filled with mystery.

Jak zabránit klimatické katastrofě

Science & Nature

>> „Gates předkládá vůbec nejsrozumitelnější vysvětlení toho, co je příčinou oteplování naší planety, jak měřit vliv myriády lidských činností na tento ohromující a zdánlivě nevypočitatelný problém, a konečně jak se s tím efektivně vypořádat. Je to nejužitečnější návod na řešení klimatické krize, který jsem kdy viděl.“ — Fortune << ## O knize Nemusíte být klimatologové, abyste měli povědomí o oteplování planety a souvisejících jevech: o obdobích extrémních veder, bouří, stoupání hladiny moří, povodních, následných hladomorech a migračních vlnách. Bill Gates nás však vyzývá, že není na místě propadat strachu a bezmoci, ale naopak nahlížet na současný stav jako na příležitost postavit se pragmaticky výzvě a projít jako lidstvo další energetickou a technologickou revolucí. V knize vás seznámí s plánem snížit do roku 2050 emise skleníkových plynů ze současných 51 miliard tun ročně na nulu. Jde o velkolepý plán, ale nereálný. Gates jasně vysvětluje všechny zásadní aspekty problematiky – jednotlivé zdroje emisí, možné alternativy, technologie, které již existují, i slibné inovace, jež jsou teprve na obzoru. Nečekejte přitom výčitky ani zmar. I díky dlouholeté spolupráci s předními vědci, odborníky a politiky neztrácí Gates naději a přesvědčení, že společným úsilím klimatické katastrofě zabráníme. ## Mimo jiné se dozvíte: - Jaký je podíl jednotlivých odvětví lidské činnosti na emisích skleníkových plynů a že dopravě překvapivě náleží až čtvrtá příčka. - Proč musíme při vyčíslení skutečné efektivity zdrojů energie počítat s tzv. zelenými příplatky. - O vývoji báječných nových technologií včetně přímého zachytávání uhlíku ze vzduchu (DAC) nebo bezemisní výrobě cementu a plastů. - Jaké průlomy potřebujeme pro výrobu, transport a skladování elektřiny. - O krizových scénářích pro případ náhlého uvolnění metanu ze dna moří. - Jakou roli hrají v proměně klimatu krávy a mangrovové porosty. - Co přesně může pro svět udělat každý z nás a co naši volení zastupitelé a vlády. >> „Pokud se nevzdáme velkého cíle – dostat se na nulu – dokážeme katastrofu odvrátit. Můžeme zachovat únosné klima pro každého, pomoci stovkám milionů lidí žít hodnotný život a zachránit planetu pro příští generace.“ — Bill Gates << ## Napsali o knize >> „Z přehledného vysvětlení vědeckých aspektů změny klimatu je patrná Gatesova odbornost. Řešení, která nastiňuje, jsou pragmatická a spočívají na prozíravém ekonomickém uvažování. Přestože se nevybývá tvrdým pravdám, kterým musíme při změnách klimatu čelit, zůstává Gates optimistou a věří, že máme možnost vyhnout se úplné klimatické katastrofě.“ — Science << >> „Bill Gates má plán, jak zachránit svět. Přestože uznává, že jde o náročný úkol a že bude třeba zásadně změnit způsob výroby, pěstování, dopravy, klimatizace i vytápění, tvrdí, že je možné provést rozsáhlou transformaci a zároveň zachovat životní styl v zemích s vysokými příjmy a pokračovat v odstraňování chudoby miliard lidí.“ — Wired << >> „Spojení chladného realismu s čísly podloženým optimismem je v knize o nejvážnějším problému lidstva tak osvěžující! Bill Gates důrazně připomíná, že pokud se skutečně chceme pustit do řešení krize, musíme maximálně využít jediný přírodní zdroj, jenž máme k dispozici v neomezeném množství – génia lidského ducha.“ — The Economist << ## O autorovi Bill Gates (* 1955) je technolog, byznysový lídr a filantrop. V roce 1975 se svým kamarádem z dětství Paulem Allenem založil společnost Microsoft. Zároveň je spoluzakladatelem a předsedou Nadace Billa a Melindy Gatesových. Jeho projekt Breaktrough Energy se věnuje zavádění čisté energie a používání technologií, které neovlivňují změnu klimatu. Je otcem tří dětí. # Více o knize http://www.melvil.cz/kniha-jak-zabranit-klimaticke-katastrofe

Nanorobotics and Nanodiagnostics in Integrative Biology and Biomedicine

Science & Nature

Nanorobotics and Nanodiagnostics in Integrative Biology and Biomedicine "Nanorobotics and nanodiagnostics” can be defined as a new generation of biohybrid and nanorobotics that translate fundamental biological principles into engineering design rules, or integrative living components into synthetic structures to create biorobots and nanodiagnotics that perform like natural systems. Nanorobots or nanobots are structured of a nanoscale made of individual assemblies. They can be termed as intelligent systems manufactured with self-assembly strategies by chemical, physical and biological approaches. The nanorobot can determine the structure and enhance the adaptability to the environment in interdisciplinary tasks."Nanorobotics and nanodiagnostics" is a new generation of biohybrid that translates fundamental biological principles into engineering design rules to create biorobots that perform like natural systems. These biorobotics and diagnostics can now perform various missions to be accomplished certain tasks in the research areas such as integrative biology and biomedicine. "Nanorobotics and Nanodiagnostics in Integrative Biology and Biomedicine" sheds light on a comprehensive overview of the multidisciplinary areas that explore nanotherapeutics and nanorobotic manipulation in biology and medicine. It provides up-to-date knowledge of the promising fields of integrative biology and biomedicine for nano-assisted biorobotics and diagnostics to detect and treat diseases that will enable new scientific discoveries.

Integrated Biomaterials for Biomedical Technology

Science & Nature

This cutting edge book provides all the important aspects dealing with the basic science involved in materials in biomedical technology, especially structure and properties, techniques and technological innovations in material processing and characterizations, as well as the applications.The volume consists of 12 chapters written by acknowledged experts of the biomaterials field and covers a wide range of topics and applications including: The different types of nanobiomaterials How to generate porous biomaterials for tissue engineering Calcium phosphate-based biomaterials intended for mineralized tissue regenerative applications Nanocrystalline form of calcium phosphates Design and fabrication of SiO2 nanoparticles New kinds of titanium alloy implants Injectable growth factor system based on bone morphogenetic proteins Impedance sensing of biological processes in mammalian cells Hydrogels-based implantable glucose sensors Molecular design of multifunctional polymers for gene transfection Hydrogels and their potential biomedical applications Hybrid biomaterials with high mechanical and biological properties

Size

Science & Nature

From the New York Times bestselling author of How the World Really Works, a wide-ranging look at the most fundamental governing principle of our world: size, whose laws, limits, and peculiarities offer the key to understanding health, wealth, and even happiness“No one writes about the great issues of our time with more rigor or erudition than Vaclav Smil.” — Elizabeth KolbertTo answer the most important questions of our age, we must understand size. Neither bacteria nor empires are immune to its laws. Measuring it is challenging, especially where complex systems like economies are concerned, yet mastering it offers rich rewards: the rise of the West, for example, was a direct result of ever more accurate and standardized measurements.Using the interdisciplinary approach that has won him a wide readership, Smil draws upon history, earth science, psychology, art, and more to offer fresh insight into some of our biggest challenges, including income inequality, the spread of infectious disease, and the uneven impacts of climate change. Size explains the regularities—and peculiarities—of the key processes shaping life (from microbes to whales), the Earth (from asteroids to volcanic eruptions), technical advances (from architecture to transportation), and societies and economies (from cities to wages). This book about the big and the small, and the relationship between them, answers the big and small questions of human existence:What makes a human society too big? What about a human being?Which alternative energy sources have the best chance of scaling and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels?Why do tall people make more money?What makes a face beautiful? How about a cathedral?How can changing the size of your plates help you lose weight?The latest masterwork of “an ambitious and astonishing polymath who swings for fences” (Wired) Size is a mind-bending journey that turns the modern world on its head.

Integrated Biomaterials in Tissue Engineering

Science & Nature

This book acts as a self-contained resource for understanding the current technological advancement of biomaterials towards tissue engineering applications. It covers impact of biomaterials at different length scales such as macro/micro/nano/ level and offers extensive discussion on cell-biomaterial interactions with illustrative examples. This resource offer a multi-disciplinary approach for the adaptability of integrated biomaterials in tissue repair and reconstruction.

Biofuels and Bioenergy

Science & Nature

Biofuels and Bioenergy: Opportunities and Challenges is the first of two volumes that address the technological developments and challenges in the production of a broad range of biofuels and bioenergy products from renewable feedstock. The book emphasizes the opportunities and challenges involved in various processes including fermentation, transesterification, microbial fuels cells, liquefaction, gasification, and pyrolysis. These are also considered from a biorefinery perspective and discuss all common biomass feedstocks. In addition, the book presents new research on microalgae from waste water treatment, large scale production of microalgae, microbial biooil production, biogas production, computational tools for manipulation of metabolic pathway for enhanced biogas production, production of biofuel from genetically modified microalgal biomass, techno-economic analysis, environmental impact and life cycle analysis.Biofuels and Bioenergy is an ideal reference on the latest research for researchers and students working in the area of biofuels and renewable energy. Addresses biological and chemical methods of biofuel and bioenergy production Provides industry case studies alongside in-depth techno-economic analysis, environmental impact, and life cycle assessment of biofuels production Focuses on the commercial viability of production processes

Power Electronics for Green Energy Conversion

Science & Nature

POWER ELECTRONICS for GREEN ENERGY CONVERSION Written and edited by a team of renowned experts, this exciting new volume explores the concepts and practical applications of power electronics for green energy conversion, going into great detail with ample examples, for the engineer, scientist, or student. Power electronics has emerged as one of the most important technologies in the world and will play a big role in the conversion of the present power grid systems into smart grids. Applications like HVDC systems, FACTs devices, uninterruptible power systems, and renewable energy systems totally rely on advances in power electronic devices and control systems. Further, the need for renewable energy continues to grow, and the complete departure of fossil fuels and nuclear energy is not unrealistic thanks to power electronics. Therefore, the increasingly more important role of power electronics in the power sector industry remains paramount. This groundbreaking new volume aims to cover these topics and trends of power electronic converters, bridging the research gap on green energy conversion system architectures, controls, and protection challenges to enable their wide-scale implementation. Covering not only the concepts of all of these topics, the editors and contributors describe real-world implementation of these ideas and how they can be used for practical applications. Whether for the engineer, scientist, researcher, or student, this outstanding contribution to the science is a must-have for any library.

Hints towards the formation of a more comprehensive theory of life

Science & Nature

English Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge lays out his theories of life in this essay published after his death. It is part of the Religious Writings Collection within Samuel Taylor Coleridge Anthology. In sermons, treatises and works of moral instruction, Coleridge’s faith deeply informed his theories and thought. This collection is ideal for individuals interested in the Lake Poets, literary criticism, 19th-century poetry and the Romantic Movement.

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