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Contingency and Convergence: Toward a Cosmic Biology of Body and Mind (Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology #25)
by Russell PowellCan we can use the patterns and processes of convergent evolution to make inferences about universal laws of life, on Earth and elsewhere?In this book, Russell Powell investigates whether we can use the patterns and processes of convergent evolution to make inferences about universal laws of life, on Earth and elsewhere. Weaving together disparate philosophical and empirical threads, Powell offers the first detailed analysis of the interplay between contingency and convergence in macroevolution, as it relates to both complex life in general and cognitively complex life in particular. If the evolution of mind is not a historical accident, the product of convergence rather than contingency, then, Powell asks, is mind likely to be an evolutionarily important feature of any living world? Stephen Jay Gould argued for the primacy of contingency in evolution. Gould's “radical contingency thesis” (RCT) has been challenged, but critics have largely failed to engage with its core claims and theoretical commitments. Powell fills this gap. He first examines convergent regularities at both temporal and phylogenetic depths, finding evidence that both vindicates and rebuffs Gould's argument for contingency. Powell follows this partial defense of the RCT with a substantive critique. Among the evolutionary outcomes that might defy the RCT, he argues, cognition is particularly important—not only for human-specific issues of the evolution of intelligence and consciousness but also for the large-scale ecological organization of macroscopic living worlds. Turning his attention to complex cognitive life, Powell considers what patterns of cognitive convergence tell us about the nature of mind, its evolution, and its place in the universe. If complex bodies are common in the universe, might complex minds be common as well?
Contingency and Natural Order in Early Modern Science (Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science #332)
by Pietro Daniel Omodeo Rodolfo GarauThis volume considers contingency as a historical category resulting from the combination of various intellectual elements – epistemological, philosophical, material, as well as theological and, broadly speaking, intellectual. With contributions ranging from fields as diverse as the histories of physics, astronomy, astrology, medicine, mechanics, physiology, and natural philosophy, it explores the transformation of the notion of contingency across the late-medieval, Renaissance, and the early modern period. Underpinned by a necessitated vision of nature, seventeenth century mechanism widely identified apparent natural irregularities with the epistemological limits of a certain explanatory framework. However, this picture was preceded by, and in fact emerged from, a widespread characterization of contingency as an ontological trait of nature, typical of late-Scholastic and Renaissance science. On these bases, this volume shows how epistemological categories, which are preconditions of knowledge as “historically-situated a priori” and, seemingly, self-evident, are ultimately rooted in time. Contingency is intrinsic to scientific practice. Whether observing the behaviour of a photon, diagnosing a patient, or calculating the orbit of a distant planet, scientists face the unavoidable challenge of dealing with data that differ from their models and expectations. However, epistemological categories are not fixed in time. Indeed, there is something fundamentally different in the way an Aristotelian natural philosopher defined a wonder or a “monstrous” birth as “contingent”, a modern scientist defines the unexpected result of an experiment, and a quantum physicist the behavior of a photon. Although to each inquirer these instances appeared self-evidently contingent, each also employs the concept differently.
Contingent Valuation of Yangtze Finless Porpoises in Poyang Lake, China
by Yanyan DongThis book presents the findings of the study, and offers analysis of both its methodological and policy-related implications. On the methodology side, it assesses and validates the valuation workshop approach; appraises the effect of distance on willingness to pay and the influence of the respondents' ability to pay. From a policy perspective, the book examines the attitudes and preference of respondents on trade-offs between economic growth and ecological use.
Continuing Assistance to the National Institutes of Health on Preparation of Additional Risk Assessments for the Boston University NEIDL, Phase 1
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesIn 2003, the Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) was awarded a $128 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to build one of two high- and maximum- containment laboratory facilities for research on biological pathogens. The National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratories (NEIDL) are meant to support the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and biodefense research agenda, conducting research to develop new approaches to treating, preventing, and diagnosing a variety of viral diseases. Diseases and agents to be studied include viruses and bacteria that occur naturally and cause infections or that could be used in deliberate attacks. Continuing Assistance to the National Institutes of Health on Preparation of Additional Risk Assessments for the Boston University NEIDL, Phase 1 reviews the proposed risk assessment plans associated with operating the NEIDL and provides input on key milestones in the development of supplementary risk assessment.
Continuing Assistance to the National Institutes of Health on Preparation of Additional Risk Assessments for the Boston University NEIDL, Phase 3
by Committee on Continuing Assistance to the National Institutes of Health on Preparation of Additional Risk Assessments for the Boston University NEIDLIn 2003, the Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) was awarded a $128 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to build one of two national maximum-containment laboratory facilities for pathogen research. The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) are meant to support the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' biodefense research agenda, conducting research to develop new approaches to treating, preventing, and diagnosing a variety of bacterial and viral diseases. The facility includes a biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) containment laboratory housed in a 192,000 square foot building. Although the NEIDL BSL-4 laboratory accounts for only 13 percent of the building's total space, it has been the source of virtually all of the community concern surrounding this project. The location of the facility on Albany Street in Boston's South End, which is an environmental justice community, has been controversial, and there have been numerous public meetings over the plans for the facility as well as three legal actions challenging the project. Continuing Assistance to the National Institutes of Health on Preparation of Additional Risk Assessments for the Boston University NEIDL, Phase 3, the fifth in a series of reports about the proposed facility, provides further technical input on the scope and design of any additional studies that may be needed to assess the risks associated with the siting and operation of the NEIDL. This report presents comments and questions on a "90 percent", or penultimate, draft of the revised risk assessment. According to the report, the "90 percent" draft of the risk assessment is a substantial improvement over past documents reviewed. Additionally, the report makes recommendations to improve the version that is ultimately prepared for public comment.
Continuing Evaluation Of The Use Of Fluorides
by Erling JohansenThis work addresses a variety of topics that are of interest in their own right and because they bear on the evaluation of the safety of fluoridation. The latter is important because the demonstration of "no effect" from the use of fluorides is very difficult and the available data need to be periodically reexamined to reduce the theoretical amount
Continuing Kepler's Quest
by National Research Council Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board Committee for the Assessment of the U.S. Air Force's Astrodynamic StandardsIn February 2009, the commercial communications satellite Iridium 33 collided with the Russian military communications satellite Cosmos 2251. The collision, which was not the first recorded between two satellites in orbit--but the most recent and alarming--produced thousands of pieces of debris, only a small percentage of which could be tracked by sensors located around the world. In early 2007, China tested a kinetic anti-satellite weapon against one of its own satellites, which also generated substantial amounts of space debris. These collisions highlighted the importance of maintaining accurate knowledge, and the associated uncertainty, of the orbit of each object in space. These data are needed to predict close approaches of space objects and to compute the probability of collision so that owners/operators can decide whether or not to make a collision avoidance maneuver by a spacecraft with such capability. The space object catalog currently contains more than 20,000 objects, and when the planned space fence radar becomes operational this number is expected to exceed 100,000. A key task is to determine if objects might come closer to each other, an event known as "conjunction," and the probability that they might collide. The U.S. Air Force is the primary U.S. government organization tasked with maintaining the space object catalog and data on all space objects. This is a complicated task, involving collecting data from a multitude of different sensors-many of which were not specifically designed to track orbiting objects-and fusing the tracking data along with other data, such as data from atmospheric models, to provide predictions of where objects will be in the future. The Committee for the Assessment of the U.S. Air Force's Astrodynamic Standards collected data and heard from numerous people involved in developing and maintaining the current astrodynamics standards for the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), as well as representatives of the user community, such as NASA and commercial satellite owners and operators. Preventing collisions of space objects, regardless of their ownership, is in the national security interested of the United States. Continuing Kepler's Quest makes recommendations to the AFSPC in order for it to create and expand research programs, design and develop hardware and software, as well as determine which organizations to work with to achieve its goals.
Continuing the War Against Domestic Violence
by Lee E. RossProviding a comprehensive overview of domestic violence across all racial/ethnic groups, this book explores topics rarely discussed in other domestic violence texts and identifies barriers that discourage victims from reporting abuse. It presents varied perspectives from both academics and professionals, outlines prosecution and defense strategies, and supplies a balanced critique of mandatory arrest policies. This new edition has been fully revised and includes new topics that explore religion and domestic violence and problems that are encountered when a victim seeks police help.
Continuity and Change in Cultural Adaptation to Mountain Environments: From Prehistory to Contemporary Threats (Studies in Human Ecology and Adaptation #7)
by Ludomir R. LoznyUp until now, mountain ecosystems have not been closely studies by social scientists as they do not offer a readily defined set of problems for human exploitation as, do for instance, tropical forests or arctic habitats. But the archaeological evidence had shown that humans have been living in this type of habitat for thousands of year. From this evidence we can also see that mountainous regions are often frontier zones of competing polities and form refuge areas for dissident communities as they often are inherently difficult to control by centralized authorities. As a consequence they fuel or contribute disproportionately to political violence. But we are now witnessing changes and increasing vulnerability of mountain ecosystems caused by human activities. Human adaptability to mountain ecosystems This volume presents an international and interdisciplinary account of the exploitation of--and human adaptation to--mountainous regions over time. The contributions discuss human cultural responses to key physical and cultural stressors associated with mountain ecosystems, such as aridity, quality of soils, steep slopes, low productivity, as well as transient phenomena such as changing weather patterns, deforestation and erosion, and the possible effects of climate change. This volume will be of interest to anthropologists, ecologists and geologists as mountainous landscapes change fast and cultures disappear and they need to be recorded, and mountain regions are of interest for studies on environmental change and cultural responses of mountain populations provide clues for us all. Critical to understanding mountain adaptations is our comprehension of human decision-making and how people view short- and long-term outcomes.
Continuity and Change, [Grade 3], Inquiry Journal
by William Deverell Kevin P. Colleary James BanksNIMAC-sourced textbook
Continuity and Discontinuity in the Peopling of Europe: One Hundred Fifty Years of Neanderthal Study (Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology)
by Gerd-Christian Weniger Silvana CondemiSince the Western world first became aware of the existence of Neanderthals, this Pleistocene human has been a regular focus of interest among specialists and also among the general public. In fact, we know far more about Neanderthals than we do about any other extinct human population. Furthermore, over the past 150 years no other palaeospecies has been such a constant source of discussion and fierce debate among palaeoanthropologists and archaeologists. This book presents the status of our knowledge as well as the methods and techniques used to study this extinct population and it suggests perspectives for future research.
Continuity of NASA Earth Observations from Space: A Value Framework
by Committee on a Framework for Analyzing the Needs for Continuity of NASA-Sustained Remote Sensing Observations of the Earth from SpaceNASA's Earth Science Division (ESD) conducts a wide range of satellite and suborbital missions to observe Earth's land surface and interior, biosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere, and oceans as part of a program to improve understanding of Earth as an integrated system. Earth observations provide the foundation for critical scientific advances and environmental data products derived from these observations are used in resource management and for an extraordinary range of societal applications including weather forecasts, climate projections, sea level change, water management, disease early warning, agricultural production, and the response to natural disasters. As the complexity of societal infrastructure and its vulnerability to environmental disruption increases, the demands for deeper scientific insights and more actionable information continue to rise. To serve these demands, NASA's ESD is challenged with optimizing the partitioning of its finite resources among measurements intended for exploring new science frontiers, carefully characterizing long-term changes in the Earth system, and supporting ongoing societal applications. This challenge is most acute in the decisions the Division makes between supporting measurement continuity of data streams that are critical components of Earth science research programs and the development of new measurement capabilities. This report seeks to establish a more quantitative understanding of the need for measurement continuity and the consequences of measurement gaps. Continuity of NASA's Earth's Observations presents a framework to assist NASA's ESD in their determinations of when a measurement or dataset should be collected for durations longer than the typical lifetimes of single satellite missions.
Continuous Average Control of Piecewise Deterministic Markov Processes (SpringerBriefs in Mathematics)
by Francois Dufour Oswaldo Luiz CostaThe intent of this book is to present recent results in the control theory for the long run average continuous control problem of piecewise deterministic Markov processes (PDMPs). The book focuses mainly on the long run average cost criteria and extends to the PDMPs some well-known techniques related to discrete-time and continuous-time Markov decision processes, including the so-called ``average inequality approach'', ``vanishing discount technique'' and ``policy iteration algorithm''. We believe that what is unique about our approach is that, by using the special features of the PDMPs, we trace a parallel with the general theory for discrete-time Markov Decision Processes rather than the continuous-time case. The two main reasons for doing that is to use the powerful tools developed in the discrete-time framework and to avoid working with the infinitesimal generator associated to a PDMP, which in most cases has its domain of definition difficult to be characterized. Although the book is mainly intended to be a theoretically oriented text, it also contains some motivational examples. The book is targeted primarily for advanced students and practitioners of control theory. The book will be a valuable source for experts in the field of Markov decision processes. Moreover, the book should be suitable for certain advanced courses or seminars. As background, one needs an acquaintance with the theory of Markov decision processes and some knowledge of stochastic processes and modern analysis.
Continuous Biomanufacturing: Innovative Technologies and Methods
by Ganapathy SubramanianThis is the most comprehensive treatise of this topic available, providing invaluable information on the technological and economic benefits to be gained from implementing continuous processes in the biopharmaceutical industry. Top experts from industry and academia cover the latest technical developments in the field, describing the use of single-use technologies alongside perfusion production platforms and downstream operations. Special emphasis is given to process control and monitoring, including such topics as 'quality by design' and automation. The book is supplemented by case studies that highlight the enormous potential of continuous manufacturing for biopharmaceutical production facilities.
Continuous Biopharmaceutical Processes: Chromatography, Bioconjugation, and Protein Stability (Cambridge Series in Chemical Engineering)
by David Pfister Lucrèce Nicoud Massimo MorbidelliThis innovative reference provides a coherent and critical view on the potential benefits of a transition from batch to continuous processes in the biopharmaceutical industry, with the main focus on chromatography. It also covers the key topics of protein stability and protein conjugation, addressing the chemical reaction and purification aspects together with their integration. This book offers a fine balance between theoretical modelling and illustrative case studies, between fundamental concepts and applied examples from the academic and industrial literature. Scientists interested in the design of biopharmaceutical processes will find useful practical methodologies, in particular for single-column and multi-column chromatographic processes.
Continuous Casting of Steel
by W.R. IrvingThis monograph on the continuous casting of steel has been produced at the request of the Institute of Materials with the aim of providing university professionals and students, those already working in the steel industry and steel plant suppliers in related activities, with a concise account of the engineering, process and product technology of the continuous casting of steel and how this has been developed over recent years. is one of the series of monographs published by the Institute and particularly compliments a similar publication on the casting of aluminium. It covers the historical development of the process and the supply of liquid steel to the machine and describes in detail the various components of the main types of machines for the casting of billets, blooms and slabs respectively.
Continuous Cover Forestry in Boreal Nordic Countries (Managing Forest Ecosystems #45)
by Pasi Rautio Johanna Routa Saija Huuskonen Emma Holmström Jonas Cedergren Christian KuehneThis open access book compiles the latest research on continuous cover forestry in boreal forests, highlighting both the need for additional information and the exciting possibilities that this method presents. Experts in the field explore topics such as forest regeneration, genetic effects, wood production and yield, wood harvesting, forest damage agents, biodiversity, water effects, carbon cycles of forests, economics, forest planning methods, multiple uses of forests, and forest owners' attitudes. As the world faces increasing pressure to balance the multiple goals of forest management, including raw material production, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation, it is becoming clear that different forest management methods are required. Even-aged forest management is well-researched, but continuous forest management is a newer and rapidly evolving approach that is gaining popularity in boreal forests. While an overall synthesis of the subject is not yet possible, this book provides an essential foundation for understanding the current state of continuous cover forestry in boreal forests. With the new research data being accumulated all the time, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers, policymakers, and forest managers who want to stay up-to-date on this important topic.
Continuous Cover Forestry: Theories, Concepts, and Implementation
by Arne PommereningCONTINUOUS COVER FORESTRY Gain expertise in the development of healthier, more sustainable forests with this indispensable guide Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is an approach to forest management with over a century of history, one which applies ecological principles to the project of developing biologically diverse, structurally complex forests. Long used as the standard forest management method in Central Europe, CCF is generating renewed interest globally for its potential to develop and sustain forests that can withstand climate change impacts, maintain forest biodiversity in the face of major ecological challenges and offer better recreation experience. There is an increasingly urgent need for forest scientists and policymakers to be familiar with the toolkit provided by CCF. Continuous Cover Forestry: Theories, Concepts, and Implementation provides a thorough, up-to-date introduction to the theory and practice of CCF. Beginning with an overview of the method’s history and its foundational principles, the book provides detailed guidance for applying CCF methods to a range of ecological scenarios and forest types. The result is a clear, comprehensive portrait of this increasingly effective set of forestry tools. Continuous Cover Forestry readers will also find: Case studies throughout showing CCF at work in real-world forests Detailed discussion of topics such as forest structure, transformation, silvicultural systems, training, carbon forestry, conservation and more R code ready to take and apply Simple, adaptable models for deriving quantitative guidelines for CCF woodlands Continuous Cover Forestry is ideal for students, scholars and practitioners of forest science, forest ecology, conservation, and environmental management, as well as policymakers dealing with forestry or climate policy.
Continuous Creation: A Biological Concept of the Nature of Matter (Routledge Library Editions: History & Philosophy of Science)
by Wilfred BranfieldOriginally published in 1950, this book challenged the basis of our beliefs about the relation of life to matter. Already aware that chalk, limestone and coal seams are the residues of ancient life, the author suggests that this knowledge may also be applied to the rest of matter. In that case, he argues, the origin of the world was not cosmic upheaval which broke down at last into life, but organic life itself.
Continuous Cultures Of Cells (Routledge Revivals #1)
by Pete H. CalcottFirst Published in 1981, this book offers a full insight into the development of cell cultures. Carefully compiled and filled with a vast repertoire of notes, diagrams, and references this book serves as a useful reference for students of microbiology and other practitioners in their respective fields.
Continuous Cultures Of Cells: Volume I (Crc Press Revivals Ser.)
by Pete H. CalcottThis book aims to present as broad a perspective as possible to the subject matter. In the construction of the chapters, much has been left to the individual contributors. Some chapters have been written essentially up to the minute reviews of an application or use of continuous culture whilst other have used data obtained in the author‘s own laboratory to illustrate the use of continuous culture as a problem-solving tool. Yet others have concentrated on specific topics and cited a few key ways in which continuous culture can be useful. The approach was left solely up to the contributor.
Continuous Cultures of Cells: Volume II (CRC Press Revivals)
by Peter H. CalcottThis two-volume set will be useful to the established continuous culture operator, as well as the researcher, teacher, and student who is interested in learning how the technique of continuous culture could be useful in answering both basic and applied questions in microbiology and cell biology.
Continuous Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals
by Johannes Khinast Jukka Rantanen Peter KleinebuddeA comprehensive look at existing technologies and processes for continuous manufacturing of pharmaceuticals As rising costs outpace new drug development, the pharmaceutical industry has come under intense pressure to improve the efficiency of its manufacturing processes. Continuous process manufacturing provides a proven solution. Among its many benefits are: minimized waste, energy consumption, and raw material use; the accelerated introduction of new drugs; the use of smaller production facilities with lower building and capital costs; the ability to monitor drug quality on a continuous basis; and enhanced process reliability and flexibility. Continuous Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals prepares professionals to take advantage of that exciting new approach to improving drug manufacturing efficiency. This book covers key aspects of the continuous manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. The first part provides an overview of key chemical engineering principles and the current regulatory environment. The second covers existing technologies for manufacturing both small-molecule-based products and protein/peptide products. The following section is devoted to process analytical tools for continuously operating manufacturing environments. The final two sections treat the integration of several individual parts of processing into fully operating continuous process systems and summarize state-of-art approaches for innovative new manufacturing principles. Brings together the essential know-how for anyone working in drug manufacturing, as well as chemical, food, and pharmaceutical scientists working on continuous processing Covers chemical engineering principles, regulatory aspects, primary and secondary manufacturing, process analytical technology and quality-by-design Contains contributions from researchers in leading pharmaceutical companies, the FDA, and academic institutions Offers an extremely well-informed look at the most promising future approaches to continuous manufacturing of innovative pharmaceutical products Timely, comprehensive, and authoritative, Continuous Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals is an important professional resource for researchers in industry and academe working in the fields of pharmaceuticals development and manufacturing.
Continuous Media with Microstructure 2
by Bettina Albers Mieczysław KuczmaThis book presents research advancesin the field of Continuous Media with Microstructure and considers the threecomplementary pillars of mechanical sciences: theory, research andcomputational simulation. It focuses on the followingproblems: thermodynamic and mathematical modeling of materials withextensions of classical constitutive laws, single and multicomponent mediaincluding modern multifunctional materials, wave propagation, multiscale andmultiphysics processes, phase transformations, and porous, granular andcomposite materials. The book presents the proceedings ofthe 2nd Conference on Continuous Media with Microstructure, which was held in2015 in Å agów, Poland, in memory of Prof. Krzysztof WilmaÅ,,ski.