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From Body to Community: Venereal Disease and Society in Baroque Spain
by Cristian BercoKnown in early modern Europe by many names - the French Disease, the Bubas, and, eventually, syphilis - the Great Pox was a chronic disease that carried the stigma of sexuality and produced a slow and painful death. The main institution which treated it, the pox hospital, has come down to us as a stench-filled and overcrowded place that sought to treat the body and reform the soul.Using the sole surviving admissions book for Toledo, Spain's Hospital de Santiago, Cristian Berco reconstructs the lives of men and women afflicted with the pox by tracing their experiences before, during, and after their hospitalization. Through an innovative combination of medical, institutional, and notarial sources, he explores the physical and social lives of the patients. What were the social repercussions of living with a shameful disease? What did living with this chronic illness mean for careers and networks, love and families, and everyday relationships? From Body to Community is a textured analysis at once touched by the illness but not solely defined by it.
From Boolean Matrix Theory to Logical Dynamical Systems
by Xinrong Yang Haitao Li Wenrong LiThis book offers a systematic platform for the theory of Boolean matrix and its application in logical dynamical systems. As a special kind of non-negative matrix, Boolean matrix has wide applications in graph theory, discrete-event system, game theory, clustering analysis, and so on. Due to the special operations between Boolean matrices, there exist some special mathematical properties for Boolean polynomial and Boolean vector space, which necessitate a general theory of Boolean matrix. Furthermore, logical dynamical systems have received recent attention from systems biology, information security, artificial intelligence, etc. The development of logical dynamical systems needs the mathematical foundation of Boolean matrix and logical matrix. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the relation between Boolean matrix theory and logical dynamical systems. To our best knowledge, there are no published books available on both Boolean matrix theory and logical dynamical systems. This book aims to provide some recent insightful results to meet this gap. It can serve as a textbook for scholars and students of mathematics, cybernetics, biology and artificial intelligence. Especially, the book is an important reference for readers who are interested in Boolean matrix theory and logical dynamical systems.
From Casual Stargazer to Amateur Astronomer
by Dave EagleThe beginning astronomical observer passes through a series of stages. The initial stage is hugely exciting and gives the beginner a real buzz as he discovers some of the faint fuzzy objects, markings on the planets, rings around Saturn and the craters on the Moon. But as the novice observer progresses, he or she wants to know what more there is than looking at faint fuzzy blobs or indistinct planet markings. Many jump to the conclusion - wrongly - that they need to spend lots of money on expensive equipment to progress. "From Casual Stargazer to Amateur Astronomer" has been written specifically to address this group of budding stargazers. Astronomy is much more than a quick sightseeing tour. Patient observers who can develop their skills will start to appreciate what they are seeing, and will know exactly what to look out for on any particular night. And equally important, they will learn what not to expect to see. "From Casual Stargazer to Amateur Astronomer" is for those who want to develop observing skills beyond mere sightseeing, and learn some of the techniques used to carry out enjoyable - and scientifically useful - observations. It will also direct readers to make informed choices about what can be seen and when. This book is for anyone keen to develop their skills as an amateur astronomer.
From Caterpillar to Butterfly (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)
by Deborah HeiligmanRead and find out about how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.After a caterpillar comes to school in a jar, the children are captivated as it eats, grows, and eventually becomes a beautiful Painted Lady butterfly.This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Plus it includes web research prompts and an activity encouraging kids to identify the different types of butterflies all around them.This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:hands-on and visualacclaimed and trustedgreat for classroomsTop 10 reasons to love LRFOs:Entertain and educate at the same timeHave appealing, child-centered topicsDevelopmentally appropriate for emerging readersFocused; answering questions instead of using survey approachEmploy engaging picture book quality illustrationsUse simple charts and graphics to improve visual literacy skillsFeature hands-on activities to engage young scientistsMeet national science education standardsWritten/illustrated by award-winning authors/illustrators & vetted by an expert in the fieldOver 130 titles in print, meeting a wide range of kids' scientific interestsBooks in this series support the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards. Let's-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.
From Cave Art to Hubble: A History of Astronomical Record Keeping (Astronomers' Universe)
by Jonathan PowellSince ancient times, humans have been engaged in a continual quest to find meaning in and make sense of sights and events in the night sky. Cultures spread around the world recorded their earliest efforts in artwork made directly on the natural landscapes around them, and from there they developed more and more sophisticated techniques for observing and documenting astronomy.This book brings readers on an astronomical journey through the ages, offering a history of how our species has recorded and interpreted the night sky over time. From cave art to parchment scribe to modern X-ray mapping of the sky, it chronicles the ever-quickening development of tools that informed and at times entirely toppled our understanding of the natural world.Our documentation and recording techniques formed the bedrock for increasingly complex forays into astronomy and celestial mechanics, which are addressed within these chapters. Additionally, the book explores how nature itself has recorded the skies in its own way, which can be unraveled through ongoing geological and archaeological studies. This tale of human discovery and ingenuity over the ages will appeal to anybody interested in the field of astronomy and its rich cultural history.
From Cave Man to Cave Martian: Living in Caves on the Earth, Moon and Mars (Springer Praxis Books)
by Manfred "Dutch" von EhrenfriedThis book explores the practicality of using the existing subsurface geology on the Moon and Mars for protection against radiation, thermal extremes, micrometeorites and dust storms rather than building surface habitats at great expense at least for those first few missions. It encourages NASA to plan a precursor mission using this concept and employ a “Short Stay” Opposition Class mission to Mars as the first mission rather than the “Long Stay” concept requiring a mission that is too long, too dangerous and too costly for man’s first missions to Mars.Included in these pages is a short history on the uses of caves by early humans over great periods of time. It then describes the ongoing efforts to research caves, pits, tunnels, lava tubes, skylights and the associated technologies that pertain to potential lunar and Mars exploration and habitation. It describes evidence for existing caves and lava tubes on both the Moon and Mars. The work of noted scientists, technologists and roboticists are referenced and described. This ongoing work is moreextensive than one would think and is directly applicable to longer term habitation and exploration of the Moon and Mars. Emphasis is also given to the operational aspects of working and living in lunar and Martian caves and lava tubes.
From Cells to Organisms: Re-envisioning Cell Theory
by Sherrie L LyonsMore than a history, From Cells to Organisms delves into the nature of scientific practice, showing that results are interpreted not only through the lens of a microscope, but also through the lens of particular ideas and prior philosophical convictions. Before the twentieth century, heredity and development were considered complementary aspects of the fundamental problem of generation, but later they became distinct disciplines with the rise of genetics. Focusing on how cell theory shaped investigations of development, this book explores evolution, vitalism, the role of the nucleus, and the concept of biological individuality. Building upon the work of Thomas Huxley, an important early critic of cell theory, and more recent research from biologists such as Daniel Mazia, From Cells to Organisms covers ongoing debates around cell theory and uses case studies to examine the nature of scientific practice, the role of prestige, and the dynamics of theory change.
From Chance to Choice: Genetics and Justice
by Allen Buchanan Norman Daniels Daniel Wikler Dan BrockWritten by four internationally renowned bioethicists, From Chance to Choice is the first systematic treatment of the fundamental ethical issues underlying the application of genetic technologies to human beings. Probing the implications of the remarkable advances in genetics, the authors ask how should these affect our understanding of distributive justice, equality of opportunity, the rights and obligations as parents, the meaning of disability, and the role of the concept of human nature in ethical theory and practice. The book offers a historical context to contemporary debate over the use of these technologies by examining the eugenics movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition, appendices explain the nature of genetic causation, gene-environment interaction, and expose widespread misconceptions of genetic determinism, as well as outlining the nature of the ethical analysis used in the book. The questions raised in this book will be of interest to any reflective reader concerned about science and society and the rapid development of biotechnology, as well as to professionals in such areas as philosophy, bioethics, medical ethics, health management, law, and political science.
From Chemistry to Consciousness
by Ulrich Müller-Herold Harald AtmanspacherThis book reflects on the significant and highly original scientific contributions of Hans Primas. A professor of chemistry at ETH Zurich from 1962 to 1995, Primas continued his research activities until his death in 2014. Over these 50 years and more, he worked on the foundations of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, contributed to a number of significant issues in theoretical chemistry, helped to clarify central topics in quantum theory and the philosophy of physics, suggested innovative ways of addressing interlevel relations in the philosophy of science, and introduced cutting-edge approaches in the flourishing young field of scientific studies of consciousness. His work in these areas of research and its continuing impact is described by noted experts, colleagues, and collaborators of Primas. All authors contextualize their contributions to facilitate the mutual dialog between these fields.
From Chromosomes to Mobile Genetic Elements: The Life and Work of Nobel Laureate Barbara McClintock
by Lee B. KassThis biography of Nobel Laureate Barbara McClintock (1902-1992) places her life and work in its social, scientific and personal context. The author examines the development of Barbara McClintock’s scientific work and her influence upon individuals and upon the fields of cytogenetics and evolutionary biology in the period from 1902 to the present. The history documents years of McClintock’s notable and lauded scientific work long before she discovered and named transposable elements in the mid-1940s for which she ultimately received the Nobel Prize. The biography employs documented evidence to expose, demystify, and provide clarity for legends and misinterpretations of McClintock’s life and work.Key Features Exposes and demystifies myths and legends told about McClintock’s time in Missouri Clarifies the changing language of genes and genetics Places in perspective the history of McClintock’s research Documents McClintock’s family and early life before college Provides documented details of McClintock’s time in Nazi Germany
From Classical to Quantum Plasmonics in Three and Two Dimensions
by Thomas ChristensenThis thesis provides a comprehensive introduction to two active research directions within the field of plasmonics: (i) nonclassical, or quantum, aspects of the plasmonic response; and (ii) two-dimensional plasmonics, a recent innovation in the field stimulated by the advent of two-dimensional materials. It discusses the fundamentals of this field in detail, and explores several current research directions. Nonclassical plasmonics has been spurred on in recent years by the tremendous technological progress in nanofabrication and optical characterization; today, it is possible to investigate the plasmonic features of nanostructures with characteristic features in the few nanometer range. The book describes and analyzes the breakdown of the classical theory under these conditions and explores several alternatives and extensions. The unique electronic and dimensional features of novel two-dimensional materials, such as graphene, lie at the core of plasmonics' most rapidly developing subfield; two-dimensional plasmonics. This thesis provides a clear and comprehensive exposition of the central features for interested researchers looking for an entry point to this riveting area.
From Clockwork to Crapshoot: A History of Physics
by Roger G. NewtonScience is about 6000 years old while physics emerged as a distinct branch some 2500 years ago. As scientists discovered virtually countless facts about the world during this great span of time, the manner in which they explained the underlying structure of that world underwent a philosophical evolution. From Clockwork to Crapshoot provides the perspective needed to understand contemporary developments in physics in relation to philosophical traditions as far back as ancient Greece. Roger Newton, whose previous works have been widely praised for erudition and accessibility, presents a history of physics from the early beginning to our day--with the associated mathematics, astronomy, and chemistry. Along the way, he gives brief explanations of the scientific concepts at issue, biographical thumbnail sketches of the protagonists, and descriptions of the changing instruments that enabled scientists to make their discoveries. He traces a profound change from a deterministic explanation of the world--accepted at least since the time of the ancient Greek and Taoist Chinese civilizations--to the notion of probability, enshrined as the very basis of science with the quantum revolution at the beginning of the twentieth century. With this change, Newton finds another fundamental shift in the focus of physicists--from the cause of dynamics or motion to the basic structure of the world. His work identifies what may well be the defining characteristic of physics in the twenty-first century.
From Clone to Bone
by Robert J. Asher Johannes MüllerSince the 1980s, a renewed understanding of molecular development has afforded an unprecedented level of knowledge of the mechanisms by which phenotype in animals and plants has evolved. In this volume, top scientists in these fields provide perspectives on how molecular data in biology help to elucidate key questions in estimating paleontological divergence and in understanding the mechanisms behind phenotypic evolution. Paleobiological questions such as genome size, digit homologies, genetic control cascades behind phenotype, estimates of vertebrate divergence dates, and rates of morphological evolution are addressed, with a special emphasis on how molecular biology can inform paleontology, directly and indirectly, to better understand life's past. Highlighting a significant shift towards interdisciplinary collaboration, this is a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the integration of organismal and molecular biology.
From Clouds to the Brain: The Movement of Electricity in Medical Science
by Celine ChericiBased on research on the links between deep brain stimulation and its applications in the field of psychiatry, the history of techniques is of great importance in this book in order to understand the scope of the fields of application of electricity in brain sciences. The concepts of brain electricity, stimulation, measurement and therapy are further developed to identify lines of convergence, ruptures and conceptual perspectives for a materialistic understanding of human nature that emerged during the 18th century. In an epistemological posture, at the crossroads of the concepts of epistemes, as stated by Foucault, and phenomenotechnics, as conceived by Bachelard, the analyses focus on the technical content of the theories while inscribing them in the language and specificities of each era.
From Coal to Hydrogen: A Long Journey of Energy Transition (Synthesis Lectures on Chemical Engineering and Biochemical Engineering)
by Qianlin ZhuangThe book tells the story of the coal gasification technology from its early days 230 years ago to the present. Before the end of WWII, gasification had been extensively used to produce both fuel gas and gaseous feedstock from coal. But things have changed when natural gas became readily available, and coal gasification received little attention, especially in recent years when the trend is to move away from fossil energy. Compared to conventional coal combustion, gasification-based processes for power production typically result in much lower emissions of pollutants. So, coal gasification technology became relevant again during the transition of energy production to cleaner sources, in an effort to fight climate change. Taking another look at gasification technology to better understand its potential benefits including carbon capture and management and use the process, seems to make sense during the challenging time of the transition of energy production. Professionalsand policy makers in the energy field will benefit from this writing.
From Cogito to Covid: Rethinking Lacan’s “Science and Truth” (The Palgrave Lacan Series)
by Concetta V. Principe Molly A. WallaceThis edited collection examines the contemporary relevance of Lacan’s 1965 essay “Science and Truth” to debates on science, psychoanalysis, ethics and truth. In doing so, it re-considers the established understanding of its argument that psychoanalysis is the only science for the human subject. Over fifty years after Lacan attempted to formalize the relationship between science and psychoanalysis in “Science and Truth,” this volume returns to the categorically systematic yet deeply puzzling ideas of this lecture-turned-essay. The volume begins with a rigorous analysis of the formal logic animating the cogito, which serves as a foundation for the remainder of the book to force a confrontation between the themes laid out in “Science and Truth” and the cultural, intellectual, political, economic, and, of course, scientific movements that we face today. The following five chapters examine various contemporary phenomena, including the destabilizing forces of post-truthism and political nihilism, the ‘non-science’ of filmic depictions of science, the prosopopeia of Lacan’s so-called secular Name of the Father, the pseudoscientific discourse of involuntary celibates, or ‘incels,’ and, finally, the alliance between science and capitalism that has developed out of the Covid-19 pandemic. This project offers an important contribution to contemporary debates about science and ethics that will be of interest to academics working in psychoanalytic and critical theory, and the philosophy and history of science; as well as to clinicians.
From Complexity to Systems
by Hrvoj VančikThis book sheds new light on the interactions between the science of complexity and the science of systems. Though both of these fields have been independently studied extensively, their interrelations have not been satisfactorily analyzed. By a superficial view, both the sciences are based on the same principles of the holistic behavior of the ensembles consisting of components. The author providing an expert analysis on the theory of complexity and bridges the gap to generalize it, by elaborating on all the observable manifestations of complex forms and behaviors and explaining how it is related to general theory of systems.Particular attention is given to the use of chemical concepts throughout the text to demonstrate the theories as well as the interactions between the two. The central point of this book is the new rational representation of systems that origins from some chemical concepts about the structure of molecules and graph theoretical chemical theory. Thisnovel text appeals to experienced researchers, students, and all those curious about theories of systems, complexities, and theoretical chemistry.
From Computational Logic to Computational Biology: Essays Dedicated to Alfredo Ferro to Celebrate His Scientific Career (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14070)
by Domenico Cantone Alfredo PulvirentiAlfredo Ferro’s impact on information technology has traversed diverse domains, encompassing Computational Logic, Data Mining, Bioinformatics, and Complex Systems. After first studying Mathematics at the University of Catania, he received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from NYU in 1981, working under the supervision of Jacob Theodor (Jack) Schwartz. He returned to the University of Catania where he established the Computer Science undergraduate program, served as the coordinator of the Ph.D. program in Computer Science, cofounded the Ph.D. program in Biology, Human Genetics, and Bioinformatics, and retired as a full professor in 2021.Alfredo’s academic career as a computer scientist is characterized by two distinct research phases: Computational Logic until approximately 1995, followed by a notable focus on Data Mining and Bioinformatics. The contributions in this volume reflect the quality and the scope of his personal and collaborative successes.He also taught andinspired many excellent scientists. A pioneering initiative was to establish summer schools for Ph.D. students in 1989, leading to the so-called Lipari School, now the J.T. Schwartz International School for Scientific Research, where Alfredo continues to serve as director. This prestigious series includes schools focused on Computer Science, Complex Systems, and Computational Biology, featuring world-class scientists as lecturers and mentors.
From Creep Damage Mechanics to Homogenization Methods
by Holm Altenbach Tetsuya Matsuda Dai OkumuraThis volume presents a collection of contributions on materials modeling, which were written to celebrate the 65th birthday of Prof. Nobutada Ohno. The book follows Prof. Ohno's scientific topics, starting with creep damage problems and ending with homogenization methods.
From Curiosity to Deep Learning: Personal Digital Inquiry in Grades K-5
by Julie Coiro Elizabeth Dobler Karen PelekisFrom Curiosity to Deep Learning: Personal Digital Inquiry in Grades K-5 reveals the powerful learning that results when you integrate purposeful technology into a classroom culture that values curiosity and deep learning. The centerpiece of this practical guide is Personal Digital Inquiry (PDI), a framework developed by Julie Coiro and implemented in classrooms by her co-authors, Elizabeth Dobler and Karen Pelekis. Clear, detailed examples offer ideas for K-5 teachers and school librarians to support their teaching.Personal emphasizes the significance of the personal relationship between teachers and students, and the role that students have in the learning process. Digital reflects the important role that digital texts and tools have come to play in both learning and teaching with inquiry. Inquiry lies at the core of PDI, because learners grow and change with opportunities to identify problems, generate personal wonderings, and engage in collaborative dialogue, making learning relevant and lasting.From Curiosity to Deep Learning: Personal Digital Inquiry in Grades K-5 shows you how to integrate inquiry with a range of digital tools and resources that will create a dynamic classroom for both you and your students.
From Current Algebra to Quantum Chromodynamics
by Tian Yu Cao"The advent of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) in the early 1970s was one of the most important events in twentieth-century science. This book examines the conceptual steps that were crucial to the rise of QCD, placing them in historical context against the background of debates that were ongoing between the bootstrap approach and composite modeling, and between mathematical and realistic conceptions of quarks. It explains the origins of QCD in current algebra and its development through high-energy experiments, model-building, mathematical analysis and conceptual synthesis. Addressing a range of complex physical, philosophical and historiographical issues in detail, this book will interest graduate students and researchers in physics and in the history and philosophy of science"--
From DNA to Diversity: Molecular Genetics and the Evolution of Animal Design
by Sean B. Carroll Scott D. Weatherbee Jennifer K. GrenierIn this landmark work, the author team led by Dr. Sean Carroll presents the general principles of the genetic basis of morphological change through a synthesis of evolutionary biology with genetics and embryology. In this extensively revised second edition, the authors delve into the latest discoveries, incorporating new coverage of comparative genomics, molecular evolution of regulatory proteins and elements, and microevolution of animal development. An accessible text, focusing on the most well-known genes, developmental processes and taxa. Builds logically from developmental genetics and regulatory mechanisms to evolution at different genetic morphological levels. Adds major insights from recent genome studies, new evo-devo biology research findings, and a new chapter on models of variation and divergence among closely related species. Provides in-depth focus on key concepts through well-developed case studies. Features clear, 4-color illustrations and photographs, chapter summaries, references and a glossary. Presents the research of Dr. Carroll, a pioneer in the field and the past president of the Society for Developmental Biology.
From Darwin to Derrida: Selfish Genes, Social Selves, and the Meanings of Life (The\mit Press Ser.)
by David HaigHow the meaningless process of natural selection produces purposeful beings who find meaning in the world.In From Darwin to Derrida, evolutionary biologist David Haig explains how a physical world of matter in motion gave rise to a living world of purpose and meaning. Natural selection, a process without purpose, gives rise to purposeful beings who find meaning in the world. The key to this, Haig proposes, is the origin of mutable “texts”—genes—that preserve a record of what has worked in the world. These texts become the specifications for the intricate mechanisms of living beings.Haig draws on a wide range of sources—from Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy to Immanuel Kant's Critique of the Power of Judgment to the work of Jacques Derrida to the latest findings on gene transmission, duplication, and expression—to make his argument. Genes and their effects, he explains, are like eggs and chickens. Eggs exist for the sake of becoming chickens and chickens for the sake of laying eggs. A gene's effects have a causal role in determining which genes are copied. A gene (considered as a lineage of material copies) persists if its lineage has been consistently associated with survival and reproduction. Organisms can be understood as interpreters that link information from the environment to meaningful action in the environment. Meaning, Haig argues, is the output of a process of interpretation; there is a continuum from the very simplest forms of interpretation, instantiated in single RNA molecules near the origins of life, to the most sophisticated. Life is interpretation—the use of information in choice.
From Data to Quanta: Niels Bohr’s Vision of Physics
by Slobodan PerovicThe first comprehensive philosophical and historical account of the experimental foundations of Niels Bohr’s practice of physics. Niels Bohr was a central figure in quantum physics, well known for his work on atomic structure and his contributions to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. In this book, philosopher of science Slobodan Perovic explores the way Bohr practiced and understood physics, and analyzes its implications for our understanding of modern science. Perovic develops a novel approach to Bohr’s understanding of physics and his method of inquiry, presenting an exploratory symbiosis of historical and philosophical analysis that uncovers the key aspects of Bohr’s philosophical vision of physics within a given historical context. To better understand the methods that produced Bohr’s breakthrough results in quantum phenomena, Perovic clarifies the nature of Bohr’s engagement with the experimental side of physics and lays out the basic distinctions and concepts that characterize his approach. Rich and insightful, Perovic’s take on the early history of quantum mechanics and its methodological ramifications sheds vital new light on one of the key figures of modern physics.
From Deep Sea to Laboratory 1: The First Explorations of the Deep Sea by H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876)
by Frederic Aitken Jean-Numa FoulcThe scientific expedition of H.M.S. Challenger in the 1870s marks the starting point of physical oceanography. This ship traveled the seas of the globe pursuing a dual objective: to conduct an in-depth study of animal life and to observe the physical properties of ocean waters. Volume 1, richly illustrated, relates the expedition of the Challenger and addresses the problems of measuring the great depths. A theoretical approach to the immersion velocity of a probe is also proposed, as well as a presentation of some results of bathymetric surveys and physical observations made by the Challenger scientists. From Deep Sea to Laboratory is available in three volumes for curious readers drawn to travel, history and science. Students, researchers and teachers of physics, fluid mechanics and oceanography will find material to deepen their knowledge.