Science & Nature - Books

Ecuatia lui Dumnezeu

Science & Nature

„Dacă există cineva care să poată descâlci matematica și fizica ezoterice ale teoriei corzilor, acela este Kaku. Și exact asta și face în această cărticică minunată: explică în termeni simpli și clari progresele conceptuale, fundăturile și întrebările rămase fără răspuns în căutarea unei mari teorii unificate a tuturor lucrurilor." – Wallstreet Journal

Liquid Crystals

Science & Nature

While it is responsible for today’s abundance of flat screens—on televisions, computers, and mobile devices—most of us have only heard of it in the ubiquitous acronym, LCD, with little thought as to exactly what it is: liquid crystal. In this book, Esther Leslie enlightens us, offering an accessible and fascinating look at—not a substance, not a technology—but a wholly different phase of matter. As she explains, liquid crystal is a curious material phase that organizes a substance’s molecules in a crystalline form yet allows them to move fluidly like water. Observed since the nineteenth century, this phase has been a deep curiosity to science and, in more recent times, the key to a new era of media technology. In between that time, as Leslie shows, it has figured in cultural forms from Romantic landscape painting to snow globes, from mountaineering to eco-disasters, and from touchscreen devices to DNA. Expertly written but accessible, Liquid Crystals recounts the unheralded but hugely significant emergence of this unique form of matter.

Biotic Stress Management in Tomato

Science & Nature

This valuable volume highlights biotechnological tools and their utilization for biotic stress management in the tomato plant, one of the world’s most important vegetable crops consumed by us in our daily diet and which is vulnerable to over 200 diseases as well as the impact of global climate change.The chapters cover the major diseases of tomato along with practical biotic stress management strategies through biotechnological and molecular approaches. The focus is on molecular tools that can be used to prevent or mitigate damage from such diseases as bacterial wilt, bacterial canker, damping off seedlings, late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, septorial leaf spot, cercospora leaf spot, verticilium wilt, tomato leaf curl virus, tobacco mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, root knot nematode, fruit borer, and sucking pests. Gene stacking/pyramiding and postharvest management strategies are also systematically discussed.This book provides an up-to-date and comprehensive review that will be a greatly useful resource, containing basic facts and information on the new and recent discoveries for biotic stresses management of tomatoes.

3D Bioprinting from Lab to Industry

Science & Nature

A complete overview of bioprinting, from fundamentals and essential topics to recent advances and future applications Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is one of the most transformative technological processes to emerge in recent decades. Its layer-by-layer construction method can create objects to remarkably precise specifications with minimal waste or energy consumption. Bioprinting, a related process that employs cells and biomaterials instead of man-made substances or industrial materials, has a range of biomedical and chemical uses that make it an exciting and fast-growing area of research. 3D Bioprinting from Lab to Industry offers a cutting-edge overview of this topic, its recent advances, and its future applications. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to a flourishing research field, this book exceeds all existing treatments of the subject in its scope and comprehensiveness. Moving from fundamental principles of the technology to its immense future potential, this is a must-own volume for scientists looking to incorporate this process into their research or product development. 3D Bioprinting from Lab to Industry readers will also find: Treatment of printing parameters, surface topography requirements, and much more Detailed discussion of topics including 5D printing in the medical field, dynamic tuning, the multi-material extrusion approach, and many others A complete account of the bioprinting process, from lab requirements to commercialization 3D Bioprinting from Lab to Industry is ideal for researchers—graduate and post-doctoral scholars—in the areas of materials science, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, and biochemistry.

Biology and Engineering of Stem Cell Niches

Science & Nature

Biology and Engineering of Stem Cell Niches covers a wide spectrum of research and current knowledge on embryonic and adult stem cell niches, focusing on the understanding of stem cell niche molecules and signaling mechanisms, including cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions.The book comprehensively reviews factors regulating stem cell behavior and the corresponding approaches for understanding the subsequent effect of providing the proper matrix molecules, mechanical cues, and/or chemical cues. It encompasses a variety of tools and techniques for developing biomaterials-based methods to model synthetic stem cell niches in vivo, or to enhance and direct stem cell fate in vitro. A final section of the book discusses stem cell niche bioengineering strategies and current advances in each tissue type. Includes the importance of Cell-Cell and Cell Matrix Interactions in each specific tissue and system Authored and edited by authorities in this emerging and multidisciplinary field Includes valuable links to 5-10 minute YouTube© author videos that describe main points

Control of Standalone Microgrid

Science & Nature

Control of Standalone Microgrid looks at a practical and systematic elaboration of the architecture, design and control of standalone microgrids. It is oriented towards more advanced readers who want to enhance their knowledge in the fields of power engineering, sustainable energy, microgrids and their control.With an enriched collection of topics pertaining to the architecture and control of standalone microgrids, this book presents recent research that will bring advancements in the current power system scenario, discussing operational and technical issues due to high penetration of distributed generation units.Including executable plans for standalone microgrid systems this book enables researchers and energy executives to understand the future of energy delivery systems as well as global case studies and models to apply control techniques for standalone microgrids and protection schemes which provide a deeper level of understanding. Includes significant case studies and global case studies of control techniques and protection schemes Provides a working guideline in the design, analysis and development of Standalone microgrid and its applications Features detailed description of the types and components of standalone microgrids, modeling and simulation and performance analysis

Advanced Polymeric Materials for Sustainability and Innovations

Science & Nature

This informative volume discusses recent advancements in the research and development in synthesis, characterization, processing, morphology, structure, and properties of advanced polymeric materials. With contributions from leading international researchers and professors in academic, government and industrial institutions, Advanced Polymeric Materials for Sustainability and Innovations has a special focus on eco-friendly polymers, polymer composites, nanocomposites, and blends and materials for traditional and renewable energy. In this book the relationship between processing-morphology-property applications of polymeric materials is well established. Recent advances in the synthesis of new functional monomers has shown strong potential in generating better property polymers from renewable resources. Fundamental advances in the field of nanocomposite blends and nanostructured polymeric materials in automotive, civil, biomedical and packaging/coating applications are the highlights of this book.

Nanotoxicology and Nanoecotoxicology Vol. 1

Science & Nature

This book discusses the basics of nanotoxicity and gives a detailed account of methods used for toxicity evaluation of nanomaterials. It also gives indepth coverage of the effect of different types of nanomaterials, including organic and inorganic, on various aquatic animals, microorganisms and plants, and outlines recent challenges, regulatory frameworks and advances in nanotoxicity testing.

Hogyan kerüljük el a klímakatasztrófát?

Science & Nature

Bill Gates egy évtizedet töltött azzal, hogy a fizika, a kémia, a biológia, a mérnöki tudományok, a politikatudomány, valamint a közgazdaságtan területén tevékenykedő kutatók és szakértők bevonásával feltárja a klímaváltozás okait és vázolja a lehetséges következményeket. Az ügy ugyanis mostanra halaszthatatlanná vált. Így Gates nemcsak a zéró emisszió fontosságára hívja fel a figyelmet, hanem azt is részletezi, hogy mit kell tennünk e fontos cél elérése érdekében. A könyv tárgyilagosan és közérthetően szembesíti az olvasót a velünk szemben álló társadalmi, környezeti és tudományos kihívásokkal. Kiderül, milyen forradalmi innovációk szükségesek ahhoz, hogy megújítsuk azokat az ágazatokat, amelyek leginkább felelősek a jelenlegi helyzetért. Gates az egyén szintjén érvényes cselekvést és a karbonsemlegességet érintő, kormányokon átívelő javaslatokat egyaránt fontos szempontnak tekinti, ebben a szellemiségben elemzi a jelenleg tomboló világjárvány, valamint a 2020-as amerikai elnökválasztás lehetséges hatásait is. A karbonsemlegesség elérése nem lesz egyszerű, gyökeres változások szükségesek. Bolygónk jövője a tét, de ha követjük a könyvben ismertetett tervet, a cél teljesíthető.

Star Trek: I'm Working on That

Science & Nature

"Beam me up, Scotty."® During the 1960s, in an age when the height of technology was a crackly AM transistor radio, Star Trek™ envisioned a time when communication devices worked without wires. "Working" Computers of the decade took up entire climate-controlled rooms and belonged only to the government and a few very large corporations. Yet Captain Kirk had one small enough to sit on the top of his desk -- and it talked back to him. "Ahead, Warp Factor 2" While man still hadn't walked on the moon, the crew of the Starship Enterprise® traveled between star systems faster than the speed of light. Its crew was able to walk on other worlds. Over the past three decades, Star Trek has become a global phenomenon. Its celebration of mankind's technical achievements and positive view of the future have earned it an enduring place in the world's psyche. It has inspired countless viewers to become scientists, inventors, and astronauts. And they, in turn, have wondered if they could make even a little piece of Star Trek real in their own lifetime. As one noted scientist said when he saw a plywood, plaster and plastic set that represented the ship's warp engines, "I'm working on that." As in his missions aboard the fictional Starship Enterprise, William Shatner, the actor who is Captain James T. Kirk, and his co-author, Chip Walter, take us on an adventure to discover the people who are working on the future we will all share. From traveling through space at warp speeds to beaming across the continent, noted scientists from Caltech to MIT explore the realms of what was once considered improbable and show how it just might be possible.

Towards Intelligent Systems Modeling and Simulation

Science & Nature

This book creates the emergence of disruptive technologies that have led to a significant change in the role of mathematics and statistics for problem solving, with the use of sophisticated software and hardware in solving complex systems and process. In the era of digital technology, mathematics and statistics need to be highly relevant to be able to cater for the needs of IR4.0 such as big data analytics, simulation, autonomous system, and cloud computing. Motivated by this development, a total of 26 chapters are contributed by respectable experts for this book. The main scope of the book is to conduct a new system of modeling and simulations on solving differential equations, nonlinear equations, energy, epidemiology, and risk assessment. This book is of interest for postgraduate students, researchers as well as other scientists who are working in numerical modeling and simulations based on efficient mathematical and statistical techniques.

Upconversion Nanoparticles (UCNPs) for Functional Applications

Science & Nature

This book explores upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) at both, the fundamental as well as applied levels, for functional applications. It provides a broad perspective about the synthesis approaches of UCNPs with the preferred size, improved and tunable upconversion luminescence, along with the combined multifunctionality for various applications. It highlights the fundamentals and systematic developments in the tuning of UC emission and surface engineering of UCNPs that make UCNPs convenient for use in a large range of applications. Moreover, it gives an understanding of the imposed limitations and challenges associated with these methods to achieve the desired performance in targeted applications. It also includes the latest multifunctional lanthanide-based UCNPs, which efficiently convert low-energy photons into high-energy photons, and their applications in fluorescent microscopy, deep-tissue bioimaging, nanomedicine, optogenetics, solid-state lighting, solar cells, security labeling, and volumetric display.

Chwiejnym krokiem. Jak przypadki wpływają na nasz los

Science & Nature

Pasjonująca książka, która uświadamia nam, że w naszym życiu jest wiele zdarzeń równie przewidywalnych, jak kroki potykającego się człowieka, który wyszedł nad ranem z baru Leonard Mlodinow, urodzony gawędziarz,w pasjonujący sposób pokazuje, w jaki sposób nasze życie jest głęboko ukształtowane przez przypadek i losowość oraz że wszystko, od oceny wina w branżowym czasopiśmie, przez sukces korporacyjny, na ocenach w szkole i sondażach politycznych kończąc jest mniej wiarygodne, niż nam się wydaje.Pokazując prawdziwą naturę przypadku i ujawniając psychologiczne złudzenia, które powodują, że źle oceniamy otaczający nas świat, Mlodinow daje nam narzędzia potrzebne do podejmowania bardziej świadomych decyzji. Od szkolnej klasy po salę sądową i od rynków finansowych po supermarkety, intrygujące i pouczające spojrzenie Mlodinowa na to, jak przypadkowość, przypadek i prawdopodobieństwo wpływają na nasze codzienne życie, fascynuje, intryguje i nieodmiennie inspiruje. „Wspaniale klarowny przewodnik po tym, jak matematyczne prawa losowości wpływają na nasze codzienne życie”.Stephen Hawking, autor Krótkiej historii czasu

Long-range Interactions, Stochasticity and Fractional Dynamics

Science & Nature

Dedicated to the late Dr. George Zaslavsky, one of the three originators of the theory of Hamiltonian chaos, this volume surveys recent developments in long-range interaction, fractional dynamics, brain dynamics and stochastic turbulence theory.

La Fascination de l'islam

Science & Nature

Publié pour la première fois en 1980 (dans la " Petite collection Maspero "), La Fascination de l'islam réunit deux études : l'une sur les étapes du regard occidental sur le monde musulman, du Moyen Âge au XXe siècle, et l'autre, sur les études arabes et islamiques en Europe, particulièrement précieuse pour en comprendre les évolutions récentes. Cette édition comporte une préface complétée par une étude consacrée à une pièce peu connue d'Alexandre Dumas (père), Charles VII chez ses grands vassaux, écrite en 1831 : elle narre les rapports mouvementés de Charles de Savoisy, seigneur bourguignon du début du XVe siècle, et de Yaqoub, un esclave sarrasin qu'il avait ramené d'une croisade. Par un remarquable travail d'érudition, Maxime Rodinson a reconstitué les faits authentiques dont Dumas s'était librement inspiré. Cette recherche lui permet d'établir un surprenant parallèle entre les perceptions du monde islamique au Moyen Âge –; où le Sarrasin était " l'ennemi de service ", mais respecté –;, et à l'époque romantique, montrant ainsi comment une fascination présente trouve à se nourrir des fascinations du passé : une leçon d'histoire aux implications très actuelles...

Biomaterials and Additive Manufacturing

Science & Nature

This book addresses the challenges of using metallic biomaterials in implants. It delves into the selection process for these materials, considering factors like mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and resistance to wear and tear. However, the primary focus is on understanding and combating corrosion. Different types of corrosions are explored, highlighting their mechanisms and potential consequences. Existing research on surface modification techniques is reviewed, offering methods to improve the longevity and safety of implants. The book then introduces the exciting world of additive manufacturing (AM), a revolutionary technique for creating implants. It explores various AM technologies and their suitability for creating biomaterials (metallic’s, ceramics and polymers). Subsequently, the diverse applications of AM in biomaterials and biomedical devices are explored. The book explores various post-processing methods used to refine parts created with AM. These methods not only improve the surface finish but can also enhance the overall properties of the implant. By analyzing existing research and exploring innovative techniques, this book aims to equip researchers and professionals with the knowledge to develop better metallic biomaterials. Ultimately, the goal is to create implants that last longer, function flawlessly, and offer a safer and more durable solution for patients.

Microbiota Profiling for Precision Medicine

Science & Nature

This book provides an in-depth exploration of microbiota profiling and precision medicine, including the underlying mechanisms, delivery methods, treatment strategies, and the impact of biomarker-targeted drug delivery. It incorporates the latest research findings, such as biomarker-targeted drug delivery, clinical assessment and diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in biomarker-targeted drug delivery strategies. It addresses the challenges faced by healthcare professionals, offering actionable strategies for effective multidisciplinary care, along with patient and family perspectives, coping mechanisms, and ways to improve quality of life. By combining scientific knowledge, clinical expertise, and patient insights, the book enhances understanding, diagnosis, and treatment options for these complex conditions. These qualities distinguish it from existing publications and make it a valuable resource for readers seeking a thorough and engaging overview of this subject.The chapters cover a broad range of topics, including recent advances in microbiota profiling techniques, microbiota's role in drug metabolism and toxicity, and its immunomodulatory effects. Special focus is given to the involvement of microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of microbiome-targeted strategies. The authors provide expert analysis on integrating microbiota-derived data with innovative tools like nanotechnology and machine learning to improve drug delivery systems. Readers will also gain practical insights from case studies on microbiota-informed therapies for cancer, autoimmune conditions, and gastrointestinal disorders. This book is essential for researchers, clinicians, academicians, and students working in microbiome science, pharmacology, biotechnology, and precision medicine. It addresses key questions such as biomarker validation, data integration, and the ethical considerations necessary for the clinical use of microbiome-based therapies.

Sapiens face à Sapiens. La splendide et tragique histoire de l'humanité

Science & Nature

Notre espèce Homo sapiens saura-t-elle s’adapter aux conséquences fulgurantes de son succès depuis 40 000 ans et à son amplification sans précédent depuis un demi-siècle ? Il n’y a pas si longtemps, plusieurs espèces humaines se partageaient la Terre et échangeaient des techniques et des gènes. Puis des populations sapiennes plus récentes (notre espèce), sorties d’Afrique, sont parties à pied et en bateau à la conquête du monde jusqu’en Australie et aux Amériques, avant d’écarter les Néandertaliens d’Europe ou les Dénisoviens d’Asie, parmi d’autres. Telle est la splendide aventure que raconte cet essai. Mais cette étonnante capacité d’acclimatation des hommes depuis plus d’un million d’années pourra-t-elle servir notre adaptation dans un monde urbanisé, connecté, pollué, menacé par des pandémies, comme la Covid-19, et aux écosystèmes dévastés ? Car l’évolution continue. Avec ses talents de vulgarisateur hors pair, Pascal Picq interroge les notions de progrès et d’évolution en explorant comment le succès inégalé de Sapiens le rend désormais seul responsable de son devenir : Sapiens est face à Sapiens.

L'évolution

Science & Nature

Cet ouvrage est une réédition numérique d’un livre paru au XXe siècle, désormais indisponible dans son format d’origine.

Az élő agy

Science & Nature

Miben hasonlítanak a drogelvonás tünetei egy összetört szívre? Hogyan tanulhat meg egy vak ember a nyelvével, vagy egy siket a bőrével látni? Miért látták az emberek az 1980-as években enyhén pirosas árnyalatúnak a könyvoldalakat? Lehetséges-e, hogy egyszer majd úgy vezérelünk egy robotot, ahogyan az ujjainkat mozgatjuk? Miért álmodunk éjjelente, és mi köze van ennek a Föld forgásához? Ezekre a kérdésekre a válasz a szemünk mögött rejtőzik. A bolygónkon valaha létrejött legnagyszerűbb technológia az a másfél kilós szerv, amely a koponya üregében helyezkedik el. Ez a könyv nem egyszerűen arról szól, hogy mi az agy, hanem arról, hogyan működik. Az agy varázslata nem azokban a részekben található meg, amelyekből felépül, hanem annak módjában, ahogyan ezek a részek elektromos, élő szövetként szüntelenül újrarendezik kapcsolataikat. Az élő agy bemutatja az Eagleman saját laboratóriumában évtizedek óta folyó kutatások eredményeképpen született felfedezéseket a szinesztéziától az álmodáson keresztül a testünkön viselhető neurotechnológiai eszközökig, amelyek forradalmasítják mindazt, amit az érzékelésről eddig gondoltunk.

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