Science & Nature - Books

Dios - La ciencia - Las pruebas

Science & Nature

En este libro se revelan, tras tres años de trabajo en colaboración con una veintena de científicos y especialistas de alto nivel, las pruebas modernas de la existencia de Dios. Durante cerca de cuatro siglos, de Copérnico a Freud, pasando por Galileo y Darwin, los descubrimientos científicos se fueron acumulando de manera espectacular, dando a entender que era posible explicar el Universo sin la necesidad de recurrir a un Dios creador. Fue así como a principios del siglo xx se asistió al triunfo intelectual del materialismo. De manera tan imprevista como sorprendente, el péndulo de la ciencia se puso en movimiento en sentido inverso, con una fuerza insólita. Los descubrimientos de la relatividad, de la mecánica cuántica, de la expansión del Universo y de la complejidad de la vida fueron llegando uno tras otro. Estos nuevos conocimientos lograron dinamitar las certezas ancladas en el imaginario colectivo del siglo xx, hasta tal punto que hoy puede decirse que el materialismo, que nunca fue más que una creencia como otra cualquiera, está en vías de convertirse en una creencia irracional. Con un lenguaje accesible a todos, los autores de este libro relatan, de manera apasionante, la historia de estos avances científicos y ofrecen un panorama riguroso de las nuevas pruebas de la existencia de Dios. A principios del siglo xx, creer en un Dios creador parecía oponerse a la ciencia. ¿No será hoy todo lo contrario?

What Is Your Dangerous Idea?

Science & Nature

The world's leading scientific thinkers explore bold, remarkable, perilous ideas that could change our lives—for better . . . or for worse . . .From Copernicus to Darwin, to current-day thinkers, scientists have always promoted theories and unveiled discoveries that challenge everything society holds dear; ideas with both positive and dire consequences. Many thoughts that resonate today are dangerous not because they are assumed to be false, but because they might turn out to be true.What do the world's leading scientists and thinkers consider to be their most dangerous idea? Through the leading online forum Edge (www.edge.org), the call went out, and this compelling and easily digestible volume collects the answers. From using medication to permanently alter our personalities to contemplating a universe in which we are utterly alone, to the idea that the universe might be fundamentally inexplicable, What Is Your Dangerous Idea? takes an unflinching look at the daring, breathtaking, sometimes terrifying thoughts that could forever alter our world and the way we live in it.Contributors includeDaniel C. Dennett • Jared Diamond • Brian Greene • Matt Ridley • Howard Gardner and Freeman Dyson, among others

Shortest Path Solvers. From Software to Wetware

Science & Nature

This book offers advanced parallel and distributed algorithms and experimental laboratory prototypes of unconventional shortest path solvers. In addition, it presents novel and unique algorithms of solving shortest problems in massively parallel cellular automaton machines. The shortest path problem is a fundamental and classical problem in graph theory and computer science and is frequently applied in the contexts of transport and logistics, telecommunication networks, virtual reality and gaming, geometry, and social networks analysis. Software implementations include distance-vector algorithms for distributed path computation in dynamics networks, parallel solutions of the constrained shortest path problem, and application of the shortest path solutions in gathering robotic swarms. Massively parallel algorithms utilise cellular automata, where a shortest path is computed either via matrix multiplication in automaton arrays, or via the representation of data graphs in automaton lattices and using the propagation of wave-like patterns. Unconventional shortest path solvers are presented in computer models of foraging behaviour and protoplasmic network optimisation by the slime mould Physarum polycephalum and fluidic devices, while experimental laboratory prototypes of path solvers using chemical media, flows and droplets, and electrical current are also highlighted. The book will be a pleasure to explore for readers from all walks of life, from undergraduate students to university professors, from mathematicians, computers scientists and engineers to chemists and biologists.

Sustainable Biological Systems for Agriculture

Science & Nature

Sustainable Biological Systems for Agriculture: Emerging Issues in Nanotechnology, Biofertilizers, Wastewater, and Farm Machines explores and introduces the use of nanotechnology, biofertilizers, and design of farm machines in agriculture. The contributions are from India, Africa and the USA; the chapters emphasize sustainable solutions for the enhancement of agriculture processes. The volume provides a wealth of information on new and emerging issues in this interdisciplinary field. The book is divided into several sections:Potential Applications of Nanotechnology in Biological Systems Emerging Issues, Challenges and Specific Examples of Nanotechnology for Sustainable Biological Systems Potential of Nano- and Bio- fertilizers in Sustainable Agriculture Emerging Focus Areas in Biological Systems Performance of Farm Machines for Sustainable Agriculture The information provided here will be valuable to government agricultural professionals, scientists, researchers, farmers, and faculty and students all over the world.

Carnot et la machine à vapeur

Science & Nature

Il est rare qu’un ingénieur contribue de façon décisive à l’élaboration d’une théorie physique. Il est encore plus rare qu’il le fasse sous la forme d’un livre, et d’un livre destiné à tout le monde. C’est pourtant le cas des Réflexions sur la puissance motrice du feu, publiées en 1824 par Sadi Carnot. Étudiant pour la première fois la rentabilité des machines « sous un point de vue assez général », il parvient, en une trentaine de pages, à définir réversibilité et cycle, et à énoncer le « Second principe » de la thermodynamique, vingt ans avant que Joule établisse le « Premier » ! De la rencontre entre les machines de la révolution industrielle anglaise et le milieu scientifique issu de notre Révolution, une science nouvelle est née : c’est à cette naissance que nous assistons ici.

Computers, Pattern, Chaos and Beauty

Science & Nature

Combining fractal theory with computer art, this book introduces a creative use of computers. It describes graphic methods for detecting patterns in complicated data and illustrates simple techniques for visualizing chaotic behavior. "Beautiful." — Martin Gardner, Scientific American. Over 275 illustrations, 29 in color.

Complex Networks & Their Applications X

Science & Nature

This book highlights cutting-edge research in the field of network science, offering scientists, researchers, students, and practitioners a unique update on the latest advances in theory and a multitude of applications. It presents the peer-reviewed proceedings of the X International Conference on Complex Networks and their Applications (COMPLEX NETWORKS 2021). The carefully selected papers cover a wide range of theoretical topics such as network models and measures; community structure, network dynamics; diffusion, epidemics and spreading processes; resilience and control as well as all the main network applications, including social and political networks; networks in finance and economics; biological and neuroscience networks, and technological networks.

Sustainable Human Resource Management

Science & Nature

Sustainable Human Resource Management: Policies and Practices covers issues related to sustainable human resource management in a context where organizations are continually facing significant challenges related to the continuous change in the market, as well as in the environment. Organized in different chapters, the book includes contributions from renowned international researchers in the field of sustainability and organizations, and human resource management.Providing recent research advances on Sustainable Human Resource Management, it can be used in an undergraduate management and engineering course (for example, management, human resource management, industrial, manufacturing, economics, etc.), or as a subject on human resource management and industrial engineering at the postgraduate level. Also, this book can serve as a useful reference for academics, researchers, managers and manufacture and industrial engineers, as well as all professionals who work in fields related to management and human resource management, sustainability and industrial engineering.

Learning Through Teaching Mathematics

Science & Nature

This volume explores how and when teachers' knowledge develops through teaching. The book presents international views on teachers' learning from their practice; the chapters are written by mathematicians or mathematics educators from Brazil, Canada, Israel, Mexico, UK, and USA. They address diverse content – numerical literacy, geometry, algebra, and real analysis – and a variety of levels – elementary school, secondary school, undergraduate mathematics, and teacher education courses. The authors employ different methodological tools and different theoretical perspectives as they consider teaching in different learning environments: lecturing, small group work on problems and tasks, mathematical explorations with the support of technological software, or e-learning. Despite these differences, the authors exemplify and analyze teachers’ learning that occurred and address the question: "What kinds of knowledge are developed as a result of teaching mathematics and what are the factors that support or impede such development?" Further, the chapters explore interactions and interrelationships between the enhancement of mathematical and pedagogical knowledge. The important and original contribution of this book is that it ties together the notions of teachers’ knowledge and complexity of teacher’s work, while presenting them from a relatively unexplored perspective – learning through teaching mathematics.

Sustainability in Energy and Buildings

Science & Nature

This volume represents the proceedings of the Second International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SEB’10, held in the City of Brighton and Hove in the United Kingdom, and organised by KES International.Organised by the KES International organisation, SEB'10 formed a welcome opportunity for researchers in subjects related to sustainability, renewable energy technology, and applications in the built environment to mix with other scientists, industrialists and stakeholders in the field. SEB'10 attracted papers on a range of renewable energy and sustainability related topics and in addition the conference explored two innovative themes:- · The application of intelligent sensing, control, optimisation and modelling techniques to sustainabilityand · The technology of sustainable buildings. These techniques could ultimately be applied to the intelligent buildingSEB’10 attracted about 100 submissions from around the world. These were subjected to a two-stage blind peer-review process. With the objective of producing a high quality conference, the best 30% of these were selected for presentation at the conference and publication in this volume of proceedings. The papers in this volume are grouped into the five themes under which they were presented: Building Sustainability, Sustainable Power Generation, Sustainable Energy Policy and Strategy, Energy Monitoring and Management and Solar Energy Technology. These proceedings form an interesting and informative collection of papers, useful as a resource for further research, and a valuable source of information for those interested in the subject.

The Systems Thinker - Dynamic Systems

Science & Nature

Learn to be comfortable with change. Increase your tolerance for uncertainty. Chaos and unpredictability dominate our world- affecting even the smallest of events. We often cannot predict how seemingly insignificant actions will alter our lives. This may lead us into rash decisions driven by the urge to regain control and quickly fix problems. But poorly considered decisions often create more problems for us than they solve. If you can't fight something, get to know it and use it to your advantage.This book is a primer on nonlinear system dynamics and chaos; how these forces shape our world and how to overcome their adverse effects. Reading this book will teach you to prepare for unpredictable events, and give you the tools to navigate the challenges of a chaotic world. The Systems Thinker – Dynamic Systems sheds light on why sometimes life sometimes unfolds counterintuitively to expectations, how small changes can lead to tremendously big ones over time.- Learn the difference between linear and nonlinear systems and their effect on your life.- Deepen your knowledge about the additivity and homogeneity principle.- How to use synergy and interference in real life?- What are feedback loops and how can they generate equilibrium? Explore and fix the "problems that never seem to go away".- Detailed introduction to chaos theory and the butterfly effect.- Learn the importance of exponentials, power laws, long-tail distribution,phase transitions, bifurcation, and strange attractors.- Discover the world of fractals.Get introduced to the world of chaos. Learn about the Raleigh-Benard instability, Metcalf's Law, Edward Lorenz's discovery of the Butterfly Effect, Benoit Mandelbrot's concept of fractals, the Koch snowflake and others. Incorporate the concept of chaos and unpredictability into your life to –counterintuitively – find more peace and predictability.

La scienza e il piano akashico

Science & Nature

Mistici e saggi d’ogni epoca hanno a lungo sostenuto che esiste un campo di interconnessione cosmica alle radici della realtà, noto come Akasha, il quale conserva e trasmette ogni evento accaduto in ogni tempo. Le recenti scoperte nell’ambito della fisica quantistica, della biologia, della cosmologia e degli studi sulla coscienza trovano un equivalente scientifico nel piano akashico o del punto A, che sta alla base dello spazio stesso. Questo campo è costituito da un mare sottile di onde di energia da cui nascono tutte le cose: atomi e galassie, stelle e pianeti, esseri viventi, e persino la coscienza. Esso è la memoria costante e duratura dell’universo; registra tutto ciò che è avvenuto e avviene sulla Terra e nel cosmo ed è connesso a tutto ciò che ancora deve avvenire. In questo libro, il filosofo Ervin Laszlo, spiega l’essenza del campo akashico in un linguaggio accessibile e chiaro, confermando da una prospettiva scientifica le nostre intuizioni più profonde sull’unicità della creazione ed elaborando una Teoria Integrale del Tutto.

Eureka

Science & Nature

When it comes to science, too often people say "I just don't have the brains for it" -- and leave it at that. Why is science so intimidating, and why do people let themselves feel this way? What makes one person a scientist and another disinclined even to learn how to read graphs? The idea that scientists are people who wear lab coats and are somehow smarter than the rest of us is a common, yet dangerous, misconception that puts science on an intimidating pedestal. How did science become so divorced from everyday experience? In Eureka, science popularizer Chad Orzel argues that even the people who are most forthright about hating science are doing science, often without even knowing it. Orzel shows that science is central to the human experience: every human can think like a scientist, and regularly does so in the course of everyday activities. The common misconception is that science is a body of (boring, abstract, often mathematical) facts. In truth, science is a process: Looking at the world, Thinking about what makes it work, Testing your mental model by comparing it to reality, and Telling others about your results -- all things that people do daily. By revealing the connection between the everyday activities that people do -- solving crossword puzzles, playing sports, or even watching mystery shows on television -- and the processes used to make great scientific discoveries, Eureka shows that this process is one everybody uses regularly, and something that anyone can do.

Complex Systems: Innovation and Sustainability in the Digital Age

Science & Nature

This book provides a coherent framework for understanding the essence of complex systems and the nature of digital transformations, analyzes challenges of and patterns in innovative development, and shares a wealth of insights and best practices, resulting in the most extensive coverage of the topic available.In particular, the book’s cutting-edge contributions, prepared by scientists, engineers, and field experts,focus on the design, implementation, and evaluation of practical interventions that promote the innovative and sustainable development of complex systems. In addition to sharing a rich collection of cases from around the world, they provide a broad interdisciplinary analysis of collaboration mechanisms, theories and approaches to support and accelerate the development of complex systems.

The Meaning of It All

Science & Nature

Many appreciate Richard P. Feynman's contributions to twentieth-century physics, but few realize how engaged he was with the world around him -- how deeply and thoughtfully he considered the religious, political, and social issues of his day. Now, a wonderful book -- based on a previously unpublished, three-part public lecture he gave at the University of Washington in 1963 -- shows us this other side of Feynman, as he expounds on the inherent conflict between science and religion, people's distrust of politicians, and our universal fascination with flying saucers, faith healing, and mental telepathy. Here we see Feynman in top form: nearly bursting into a Navajo war chant, then pressing for an overhaul of the English language (if you want to know why Johnny can't read, just look at the spelling of "friend"); and, finally, ruminating on the death of his first wife from tuberculosis. This is quintessential Feynman -- reflective, amusing, and ever enlightening.

Structural Reliability in Civil Engineering

Science & Nature

Structural Reliability in Civil Engineering gives essential insights into the complexities of uncertainty in engineered structures, along with practical examples and advanced methods, making it an invaluable resource for both theory and real-world application in your civil engineering projects. Uncertainties are associated with the design, evaluation, and dynamic analysis of engineered structures. Structural Reliability in Civil Engineering introduces a developmental overview and basic concepts of reliability theory, uncertainty analysis methods, reliability calculation methods, numerical simulation methods of reliability, system reliability analysis methods, time-varying structural reliability, load and load combination methods, the application of reliability in specifications, and the application of reliability theory in practical engineering. This book not only discusses reliability theory in civil structural engineering but also presents valuable examples to illustrate the application of reliability theory to practical questions and comprehensively elaborates on some theories related to reliability from a brand-new perspective.

Emerging Nanomaterials for Advanced Technologies

Science & Nature

Over the past decade the world has seen the rise of the fascinating and diverse field currently recognized as nanotechnology. This book covers a broad spectrum of topics within nanotechnology, including synthesis techniques, various innovative characterization techniques, growth mechanisms of nanomaterials, the physics and chemistry of nanomaterials, diverse functionalization methods, and the various applications of nanomaterials in biology, therapeutics, energy, food science, and environmental science. It also discusses applications of nanostructured materials, integrative applications such as nano- and micro-electronic sensor devices, as well as agricultural and environmental remediation applications. The book also includes a discussion of advances in functionalized nanomaterials (0D, 1D, 2D and 3D) and covers the early stages of the development of functionalized nanostructures, considering the future for 2D nanomaterials and 3D objects. Additionally, it includes a chapter on nanomaterial research development that highlights work on the life-cycle analysis of nanostructured materials and toxicity aspects.This book proves useful for researchers and professionals working in the field of nanomaterials and green technology, as well as in the field of nanotechnology. It should be useful to students and specialized researchers in a number of disciplines ranging from biology, chemistry, and materials science to engineering and manufacturing in both academia and industry.

Psychologia. Kluczowe koncepcje. Tom 4

Science & Nature

Psychologia osobowości to prezentacja kolejnych trzech ważnych obszarów psychologii: teorii osobowości, zaburzeń psychicznych i ich terapii. Autorzy, przedstawiając kilka teoretycznych ujęć osobowości, pokazują, że niektóre teorie kładą większy nacisk na naturę, inne na wychowanie lub są lepiej dostosowane do rozwiązywania określonych problemów. Zgłębiając osobowość, zaczęli od przeglądu czynników, które wszystkich nas ukształtowały. Autorzy przeanalizowali również sposób definiowania zaburzeń psychicznych i przedstawili sposoby ich diagnozy. Pokazali także, w jaki sposób oddziaływania terapeutyczne podlegają wpływom historii i kultury. Ponadto przyjrzeli się medycznym formom leczenia zaburzeń psychicznych, w tym farmakoterapii, hospitalizacji, psychochirurgii oraz „terapii wstrząsowej”. Pomagają Czytelnikowi spojrzeć krytycznie na nierozstrzygnięty dylemat w obszarze terapii: „leki czy psychoterapia?” oraz stwarzający podziały problem ograniczania terapii do technik o potwierdzonej skuteczności. Psychologia. Kluczowe koncepcje to nowoczesny przewodnik, który pozwala wszystkim zainteresowanym funkcjonowaniem ludzkiej psychiki zorientować się w głównych teoriach, pojęciach oraz metodach stosowanych w różnych gałęziach psychologii. Autorzy, pod wodzą słynnego Philipa Zimbardo, wyjaśniają zagadnienia psychologiczne w swobodnym, przyjaznym stylu. W pięciu tomach opisują eksperymenty, odwołują się do przykładów, prowadzą z Czytelnikiem prawdziwy dialog, a nawet rodzaj zabawy, odnosząc się do jego bezpośredniego doświadczenia. Struktura tekstu wraz z układem graficznym ułatwiają zapamiętywanie i wyszukiwanie informacji.

Warum nur ein Green New Deal unseren Planeten retten kann

Science & Nature

Deepwater Horizon, das Abschmelzen des Polareis oder Fracking – nur ein paar Beispiele aus jüngster Vergangenheit, die belegen, welchen Raubbau der Mensch an seiner Lebensgrundlage der Erde betreibt. Hinzu kommen jedes Jahre verheerendere Waldbrände, längere Dürreperioden und heftigere Regenfälle, die Häuser, Ernten und den Lebensraum von Tieren vernichten. Die bekannte Umweltaktivistin Naomi Klein hat mit Green New Deal ihr bislang wichtigstes Buch geschrieben: Angesichts der unverminderten Zerstörung unserer Umwelt und laxen Gesetzen zeigt sie, warum die Vision einer grüne Zukunft nicht nur nötig, sondern absolut unumgänglich ist. Der Kollaps unseres Klimas ist nicht länger eine Drohung am Horizont, die es zu umschiffen gilt – wir leben bereits mitten in ihm. Individuelle Kaufentscheidungen werden nichts mehr ändern, nur ein breites politisches und gesellschaftliches Bündnis kann die Bedrohung noch abwenden. Naomi Klein zeigt, wie das klappen kann und welche tiefgreifenden Maßnahmen nötig sein werden.

Populismus, Hegemonie, Globalisierung

Science & Nature

Stuart Hall liefert hier Analysen nationaler und globaler Umwälzungen sowie der sie begleitenden Politik- und Kulturveränderungen. So war der Thatcherismus eins der ersten nationalen Projekte der Rechten, um den Fordismus zu überwinden und zugleich den Kapitalismus zu erneuern. Globalisierung, Neoliberalismus und transnationale Produktion sind Stichworte der dann folgenden Umwälzungen, die in abnehmender Gewerkschaftsmacht, Flexibilisierung und Prekarisierung der Arbeitswelt sowie im Wiedererstarken des internationalen Kapitals kulminierten. Was in Phasen derartiger Veränderungsnot zu tun ist, damit emanzipatorische Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten als aktive politische Kraft wirken können, lässt sich als roter Faden dieses Bandes lesen. Ein wesentlicher Begriff, mit dem Hall hier arbeitet, ist der des Populismus. Hall sondiert ihn als Phänomen in der Massendemokratie und unterscheidet zwischen popular-demokratischem und autoritärem Populismus, um die unterschiedlichen Standpunkte in den Kräfteverhältnissen nicht zu verdecken, sondern offenzulegen: als emanzipatorische (politisch-ethische) oder gruppen-egoistische (korporatistische) Interessen. Wieder steht der Standpunkt der Subalternen und ihre mögliche Entwicklung zu historisch eingreifenden Subjekten im Zentrum seiner Perspektive. Zur Verständigung über gesellschaftliche Krisenprozesse hat Stuart Hall begriffliches Instrumentarium des Marxismus auf den Prüfstand gestellt, erneuert und erweitert. Mit konkreten Analysen zu aktuellen Entwicklungen lotet er die Möglichkeiten linker Politik und Kultur aus, knüpft an Antonio Gramsci und Nicos Poulantzas an und sucht nach "günstigen Bedingungen für einen Fortschritt zum Sozialismus" in aktuellen Kräfteverhältnissen.

Science & Nature Books