Science & Nature - Books

Anarchaeology : Volume I

Science & Nature

Amateur archaeologist, explorer, and historian David Campbell describes his adventures in "forbidden archaeology" from the rock walls of Texas to the "Phoenecian Fortress" of Oklahoma.

Biomedical Signal and Image Examination with Entropy-Based Techniques

Science & Nature

The aim of this book is to outline the concept of entropy, various types of entropies and their implementation to evaluate a variety of biomedical signals/images. The book emphasizes various entropy-based image pre-processing methods which are essential for the development of suitable computerized examination systems. The recent research works on biomedical signal evaluation confirms that signal analysis provides vital information regarding the physiological condition of the patient, and the efficient evaluation of these signals can help to diagnose the nature and the severity of the disease. This book emphasizes various entropy-based image pre-processing methods which are essential for the development of suitable computerized examination systems for the analysis of biomedical images recorded with a variety of modalities. The work discusses the image pro-processing methods with the Entropies, such as Kapur, Tsallis, Shannon and Fuzzy on a class of RGB-scaled and gray-scaled medical pictures. The performance of the proposed technique is justified with the help of suitable case studies, which involves x-ray image analysis, MRI analysis and CT analysis. This book is intended for medical signal/image analysts, undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, and medical scientists interested in biomedical data evaluation.

The Cambridge Companion to the 'Origin of Species'

Science & Nature

The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin is universally recognised as one of the most important science books ever written. The Origin of Species is also a work of great cultural and religious significance, in that Darwin maintained that all organisms, including humans, are part of a natural process of growth from simple forms. This Companion commemorates the 150th anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species and examines its main arguments. Drawing on the expertise of leading authorities in the field, it also provides the contexts – religious, social, political, literary, and philosophical – in which the Origin was composed. Written in a clear and friendly yet authoritative manner, this volume will be essential reading for both scholars and students More broadly, it will appeal to general readers who want to learn more about one of the most important and controversial books of modern times.

Lactic Acid Bacteria as Cell Factories

Science & Nature

Lactic Acid Bacteria as Cell Factories: Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering describes the most recent developments on the metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) for production of biologically active biomolecules (enzymes, organic acids, bacteriocins, bioactive peptides, etc.), recombinant proteins, and their role in bioremediation. The book focuses on synthetic biology and metabolic engineering for the production of biologically active molecules such as bioactive peptides, polysaccharides, vitamins (Riboflavin), enzymes, organic acids (lactic and gamma-aminobutyric acid), flavor and aroma compounds, bacteriocins, recombinant proteins, etc. Individual chapters are devoted to the production of biosurfactants and their applications and the bioremediation of heavy metals by LAB from aquatic environments. Two critical chapters address Genome editing of LAB: opportunities for food, feed and pharmaceuticals and A synthetic biology approach for plasmid DNA and Recombinant protein production. This book will be a valuable resource for those working in biology, biotechnology, biological engineering, chemical engineering, microbiology, food science and technology, genetics and synthetic biology. - Explores the synthetic biology and metabolic engineering of lactic acid bacteria - Highlights LAB enzymes such as phytase and amylase applications in food processing and the removal of anti-nutrients from foods and lignocellulose bioconversion - Presents insights into biosurfactant production and possible applications - Includes information on bioremediation by LAB, biofilm production mechanism, and plasmid and recombinant protein production using synthetic biology

Terítéken a világegyetem

Science & Nature

Az elmúlt években nem telt el úgy hét, hogy ne hallottunk volna a vezető hírek között valamilyen új kozmikus felfedezésről. Úgy tűnik, a nagyközönség őszintén érdeklődik a csillagászat iránt. Ezt bizonyítja például a tudományos tévéműsorok emelkedő nézettsége, de az is, hogy a producerek és rendezők, valamint a neves színészek közreműködésével készült tudományos-fantasztikus filmek is egyre nagyobb népszerűségnek örvendenek. Bár napjainkban sok tudományterület felszálló ágban van, a legmagasabbra mégis az asztrofizika csillaga emelkedett. Hogy miért? Tyson szerint a válasz egyszerű: mindenki nézett már fel a csillagos égre azon töprengve, hogy hogyan működik a mindenség és hogy hol is van a helyünk a világegyetemben. A világ kedvenc asztrofizikusa ezúttal érthető és tömör bevezetést kínál az asztrofizika rejtelmeibe azoknak, akik túlságosan elfoglaltak, hogy előadásokon, tankönyvekből vagy sokszor unalmas dokumentumfilmekből tájékozódjanak. Ez a kis könyv megalapozza az olvasó asztrofizikai műveltségét, és nem titkolt célja, hogy meghozza a kedvet ahhoz, hogy elmélyüljünk a világegyetem megismerésében.

Coalitions in the Climate Change Negotiations

Science & Nature

This edited volume provides both a broad overview of cooperation patterns in the UNFCCC climate change negotiations and an in-depth analysis of specific coalitions and their relations. Over the course of three parts, this book maps out and takes stock of patterns of cooperation in the climate change negotiations since their inception in 1995. In Part I, the authors focus on the evolution of coalitions over time, examining why these emerged and how they function. Part II drills deeper into a set of coalitions, particularly "new" political groups that have emerged in the last rounds of negotiations around the Copenhagen Accord and the Paris Agreement. Finally, Part III explores common themes and open questions in coalition research, and provides a comprehensive overview of coalitions in the climate change negotiations. By taking a broad approach to the study of coalitions in the climate change negotiations, this volume is an essential reference source for researchers, students, and negotiators with an interest in the dynamics of climate negotiations.

Multiplicity of Time Scales in Complex Systems

Science & Nature

This highly interdisciplinary volume brings together a carefully curated set of case studies examining complex systems with multiple time scales (MTS) across a variety of fields: materials science, epidemiology, cell physiology, mathematics, climatology, energy transition planning, ecology, economics, sociology, history, and cultural studies. The book addresses the vast diversity of interacting processes underlying the behaviour of different complex systems, highlighting the multiplicity of characteristic time scales that are a common feature of many and showcases a rich variety of methodologies across disciplinary boundaries.Self-organizing, out-of-equilibrium, ever-evolving systems are ubiquitous in the natural and social world. Examples include the climate, ecosystems, living cells, epidemics, the human brain, and many socio-economic systems across history. Their dynamical behaviour poses great challenges in the pressing context of the climate crisis, since they may involve nonlinearities, feedback loops, and the emergence of spatial-temporal patterns, portrayed by resilience or instability, plasticity or rigidity; bifurcations, thresholds and tipping points; burst-in excitation or slow relaxation, and worlds of other asymptotic behaviour, hysteresis, and resistance to change. Chapters can be read individually by the reader with special interest in such behaviours of particular complex systems or in specific disciplinary perspectives. Read together, however, the case studies, opinion pieces, and meta-studies on MTS systems presented and analysed here combine to give the reader insights that are more than the sum of the book’s individual chapters, as surprising similarities become apparent in seemingly disparate and unconnected systems. MTS systems call into question naïve perceptions of time and complexity, moving beyond conventional ways of description, analysis, understanding, modelling, numerical prediction, and prescription of the world around us. This edited collection presents new ways of forecasting, introduces new means of control, and – perhaps as the most demanding task – it singles out a sustainable description of an MTS system under observation, offering a more nuanced interpretation of the floods of quantitative data and images made available by high- and low-frequency measurement tools in our unprecedented era of information flows.

Astronomy Basics

Science & Nature

"Astronomy Basics" offers a comprehensive journey through the fundamentals of understanding our universe, systematically exploring the cosmic realm from subatomic particles to vast galactic structures. The book uniquely integrates three core areas: celestial mechanics, stellar evolution, and cosmic architecture, presenting complex astronomical concepts in an accessible format that builds progressively from basic principles to advanced theories.Beginning with essential physics and mathematics, the text guides readers through the practical aspects of astronomical observation and measurement, including the use of telescopes and spectroscopic analysis. The narrative then expands into fascinating explorations of stellar life cycles, explaining how stars form, evolve, and ultimately transform into white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes.The book's approach balances technical accuracy with practical applications, incorporating real observational data and imagery from major space missions and ground-based telescopes. The final portion tackles broader cosmic mysteries, including dark matter, galaxy formation, and universal expansion, while maintaining connections to observable phenomena.Throughout, readers encounter hands-on exercises and observational projects that reinforce theoretical concepts, making it an invaluable resource for undergraduate students and amateur astronomers alike. The text's methodical progression and clear explanations make complex astronomical principles accessible while providing the necessary depth for a thorough understanding of our cosmic environment.

The Story of More

Science & Nature

The essential pocket primer on climate change that will leave an indelible impact on everyone who reads it. • “Jahren asks the central question of our time: how can we learn to live on a finite planet?" —Elizabeth Kolbert, New York Times bestselling author of The Sixth Extinction"The voice that science has been waiting for.” —Nature Hope Jahren is an award-winning scientist, a brilliant writer, a passionate teacher, and one of the seven billion people with whom we share this earth. In The Story of More, she illuminates the link between human habits and our imperiled planet. In concise, highly readable chapters, she takes us through the science behind the key inventions—from electric power to large-scale farming to automobiles—that, even as they help us, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere like never before. She explains the current and projected consequences of global warming—from superstorms to rising sea levels—and the actions that we all can take to fight back. At once an explainer on the mechanisms of global change and a lively, personal narrative given to us in Jahren’s inimitable voice, The Story of More is “a superb account of the deadly struggle between humanity and what may prove the only life-bearing planet within ten light years" (E. O. Wilson).

Internationalisation of European ICT Activities

Science & Nature

The internationalisation of information and communication technologies has accelerated since the 1990s in Europe and worldwide. Taking a close look at the empirical analysis of competitive trade positions, trends in foreign direct investment and the internationalisation of research and development in ICT brings many new insights about the expansion, innovation and adjustment in the EU’s most dynamic sector. Moreover, the analysis discusses case studies on key players in ICT and suggests major policy conclusions for a field considered fundamental in the context of the EU’s Lisbon Agenda. The theoretical and empirical analysis gives a new and differentiated picture of European ICT where the links between telecommunications dynamics, software innovation and digital services are crucial. Outsourcing, insourcing and offshoring are natural elements of a new digital international division of labour which require reforms in both the EU member countries and at the supranational level.

The Unity of Science and Economics

Science & Nature

This book presents a new economic theory developed from physical and biological principles. It explains how technology, social systems and economic values are intimately related to resources. Many people have recognized that mainstream (neoclassical) economic theories are not consistent with physical laws and often not consistent with empirical patterns, but most feel that economic activities are too complex to be described by a simple and coherent mathematical theory. While social systems are indeed complex, all life systems, including social systems, satisfy two principles. First, all systems need to extract resources from the external environment to compensate for their consumption. Second, for a system to be viable, the amount of resource extraction has to be no less than the level of consumption. From these two principles, we derive a quantitative theory of major factors in economic activities, such as fixed cost, variable cost, discount rate, uncertainty and duration. The mathematical theory enables us to systematically measure the effectiveness of different policies and institutional structures at varying levels of resource abundance and cost.The theory presented in this book shows that there do not exist universally optimal policies or institutional structures. Instead, the impacts of different policies or social structures have to be measured within the context of existing levels of resource abundance. As the physical costs of extracting resources rise steadily, many policy assumptions adopted in mainstream economic theories, and workable in times of cheap and abundant energy supplies and other resources, need to be reconsidered. In this rapidly changing world, the theory presented here provides a solid foundation for examining the long-term impacts of today's policy decisions.

IC Design Insights - from Selected Presentations at CICC 2017

Science & Nature

This book contains a selection of tutorial and invited presentations that were given at the IEEE CICC 2017 in Austin, Texas. The selection of the talks was made to provide a comprehensive coverage of key topics, including Circuits Techniques for mm-wave front-ends, RF and mm-wave receivers and frequency synthesis, data and DC-DC converters, and techniques for IoT security.The book is organized into five parts, namely:I: Millimeter-wave Transmitter CircuitsII: Millimeter-wave and RF Receiver Circuits III: Data ConvertersIV: DC-DC Converters and Voltage RegulatorsV: IoT Security Circuits and Techniques The book is part of an educational initiative of the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society to offer its members state of the art educational material.

Essentials of 3D Biofabrication and Translation

Science & Nature

Essentials of 3D Biofabrication and Translation discusses the techniques that are making bioprinting a viable alternative in regenerative medicine. The book runs the gamut of topics related to the subject, including hydrogels and polymers, nanotechnology, toxicity testing, and drug screening platforms, also introducing current applications in the cardiac, skeletal, and nervous systems, and organ construction. Leaders in clinical medicine and translational science provide a global perspective of the transformative nature of this field, including the use of cells, biomaterials, and macromolecules to create basic building blocks of tissues and organs, all of which are driving the field of biofabrication to transform regenerative medicine. - Provides a new and versatile method to fabricating living tissue - Discusses future applications for 3D bioprinting technologies, including use in the cardiac, skeletal, and nervous systems, and organ construction - Describes current approaches and future challenges for translational science - Runs the gamut of topics related to the subject, from hydrogels and polymers to nanotechnology, toxicity testing, and drug screening platforms

Copenhagen Consensus

Science & Nature

Hvis vi havde 50 milliarder dollar ekstra til at bruge pa en bedre verden, hvor skulle vi sa sAette ind forst? Det var det store sporgsmal til otte topokonomer - hvoraf flere nobelpristagere - pa konferencen Copenhagen Consensus i Kobenhavn den 24.-28. maj 2004. Bogen prAesenterer konferencens resultater - i et fAengende og forstaeligt sprog. I ti koncentrerede artikler tages verdens store problemer under behandling: Handelsbarrierer UnderernAering og sult. Global opvarmning og klimaAendringer. Borgerkrige. Finansiel ustabilitet Migration. Smitsomme sygdomme. UdDanishnelse. Kloakering og vand. Darlig regeringsfolelse og korruption Hver artikel giver et bud pa den bedste losning af problemet. Bogen rummer desuden drommeholdets samlede konklusion pa, hvor det bedst kan betale sig at sAette ind, samt en udforlig begrebsforklaring. Indledningen er skrevet af Bjorn Lomborg.

Biochar and the Circular Economy

Science & Nature

This book provides a comprehensive overview of biochar as a sustainable solution within the context of agriculture, waste management, environmental remediation, and the circular economy. The initial chapters introduce the concept of biochar and its alignment with circular economic principles and presents the mechanisms of action and multifunctional benefits across different sectors. The chapters explore innovative biochar production techniques using agricultural residues, food waste, and municipal sludge, highlighting efficiency, scalability, and environmental impact. The book also details the application of biochar in soil enhancement, wastewater treatment, and bioenergy systems including biogas and biohydrogen production. The final chapters emphasize the pivotal role of biochar in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, solidifying its relevance to global sustainability goals.Key Features:Explains the concept of biochar within the framework of the circular economy and sustainable development Details innovative production techniques using various biomass feedstocks including agricultural waste, food scraps, and sewage sludge Explores agricultural applications, such as improving soil structure, fertility, and crop yield Presents industrial uses of biochar in removing contaminants like heavy metals and dyes from wastewater Highlights its role in anaerobic digestion and renewable energy, especially in biogas and hydrogen generation This book is useful for researchers and professionals of biotechnology and environmental sciences.

The 15-Minute Scientist

Science & Nature

Following on from the popular 15-Minute Philosopher, Psychologist, Mathematician and Economist, 15-Minute Scientist takes a look at some fascinating and topical questions in science. Ranging across biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry and geology, 15-Minute Scientist asks questions that are serious and questions that are quirky, some that will have an impact on how you live now and some that will change how you view the world and the future.

Biotechnology for Environmental Sustainability

Science & Nature

This book covers the broader application of environmental biotechnology for protecting the environment through different bioremediation and biodegradation techniques framed toward removing environmental contaminants, including emerging contaminants. The extensive range of environmental pollutants, which may be organic or inorganic, including toxic heavy metals, radionuclides, synthetic organic dyes, organic compounds, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, etc., continue to pose a threat to human health and ecosystem functioning. The book covers a comprehensive overview of environmental pollutants, including their fate, behavior, and environmental and health risks associated with them. It describes the utilization of bioremediation and phytoremediation processes to provide a superior alternative removal and detoxification of such toxic environmental pollutants directed toward managing ecosystems. It includes an overview of gene modification and omics technology for environment management for the aesthetic approaches to environmental clean-up. Moreover, the book discusses resource recovery from waste using such technologies, which increases the feasibility of the process. Additionally, the book is designed to provide awareness among its readers about major environmental issues like pollution and its management and control through biotechnological means to promote the sustainable development of our society with minimal environmental impact. It also provides technical content regarding the mechanism of bioremediation, biodegradation, and phytoremediation and their field applicability, along with an overview of emerging pollutants and gene modification techniques for remediation applications.

Nanostructured and Advanced Materials for Fuel Cells

Science & Nature

Boasting chapters written by leading international experts, Nanostructured and Advanced Materials for Fuel Cells provides an overview of the progress that has been made so far in the material and catalyst development for fuel cells. The book covers the most recent developments detailing all aspects of synthesis, characterization, and performance.It offers an overview on the principles, classifications, and types of fuels used in fuel cells, and discusses the critical properties, design, and advances made in various sealing materials. It provides an extensive review on the design, configuration, fabrication, modeling, materials, and stack performance of ?-SOFC technology, and addresses the advancement and challenges in the synthesis, characterization, and fundamental understanding of the catalytic activity of nitrogen-carbon, carbon, and noncarbon-based electro catalysts for PEM fuel cells. The authors explore the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, summarize the advancements in the fundamental understanding of the most successful Nafion membranes, and focus on the development of alternative and composite membranes for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). They also review current challenges and consider future development in the industry.Includes 17 chapters, 262 figures, and close to 2000 references Provides an extensive review of the carbon, nitrogen-carbon, and noncarbon-based electro catalysts for fuel cells Presents an update on the latest materials development in conventional fuel cells and emerging fuel cells This text is a single-source reference on the latest advances in the nano-structured materials and electro catalysts for fuel cells, the most efficient and emerging energy conversion technologies for the twenty-first century. It serves as a valuable resource for students, materials engineers, and researchers interested in fuel cell technology.

The Dinosaur Artist

Science & Nature

In this 2018 New York Times Notable Book,Paige Williams "does for fossils what Susan Orlean did for orchids" (Book Riot) in her account of one Florida man's attempt to sell a dinosaur skeleton from Mongolia--a story "steeped in natural history, human nature, commerce, crime, science, and politics" (Rebecca Skloot). In 2012, a New York auction catalogue boasted an unusual offering: "a superb Tyrannosaurus skeleton." In fact, Lot 49135 consisted of a nearly complete T. bataar, a close cousin to the most famous animal that ever lived. The fossils now on display in a Manhattan event space had been unearthed in Mongolia, more than 6,000 miles away. At eight-feet high and 24 feet long, the specimen was spectacular, and when the gavel sounded the winning bid was over $1 million. Eric Prokopi, a thirty-eight-year-old Floridian, was the man who had brought this extraordinary skeleton to market. A onetime swimmer who spent his teenage years diving for shark teeth, Prokopi's singular obsession with fossils fueled a thriving business hunting, preparing, and selling specimens, to clients ranging from natural history museums to avid private collectors like actor Leonardo DiCaprio. But there was a problem. This time, facing financial strain, had Prokopi gone too far? As the T. bataar went to auction, a network of paleontologists alerted the government of Mongolia to the eye-catching lot. As an international custody battle ensued, Prokopi watched as his own world unraveled. In the tradition of The Orchid Thief, The Dinosaur Artist is a stunning work of narrative journalism about humans' relationship with natural history and a seemingly intractable conflict between science and commerce. A story that stretches from Florida's Land O' Lakes to the Gobi Desert, The Dinosaur Artist illuminates the history of fossil collecting--a murky, sometimes risky business, populated by eccentrics and obsessives, where the lines between poacher and hunter, collector and smuggler, enthusiast and opportunist, can easily blur. In her first book, Paige Williams has given readers an irresistible story that spans continents, cultures, and millennia as she examines the question of who, ultimately, owns the past.

Éduquer son chien Pour les Nuls

Science & Nature

Avec Eduquer son chien pour les Nuls, dresser votre compagnon à quatre pattes n'est pas une corvée. Que vous vouliez entreprendre l'éducation d'un chiot ou compléter celle d'un chien adulte, lui faire perdre ses mauvaises habitudes, ce livre vous propose des méthodes simples et claires pour rendre votre chien heureux et obéissant. Des ordres de bases à l'entraînement, découvrez toutes les astuces de dresseur et des conseils d'experts, adaptés à la psychologie de votre chien.

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