- Table View
- List View
A Brief History of the Universe: From Ancient Babylon to the Big Bang (Brief Histories)
by J.P. McEvoySince the dawn of humanity, men have attempted to divine the nature of the heavens. The first astronomers mapped the movement of the seasons and used the positions of the constellations for augurs and astrology. Today, the search goes ever deeper into the nature of reality and life itself. In this accessible overview, astrophysicist J.P. McEvoy tells the story of how our knowledge of the cosmos has developed. He puts in context many of the greatest discoveries of all time and many of the dominant personalities: Aristotle, Copernicus, and Isaac Newton, and as we approach the modern era, Einstein, Eddington, and Hawking.
A Brief Illustrated History of Machines and Mechanisms (History of Mechanism and Machine Science #10)
by Marco Ceccarelli Emilio Bautista Paz Javier Echávarri Otero José Luis Muñoz SanzThis work deals with mechanical manufacturing processes in history, examined through the machines associated with those processes. A tool is only included if it is part of a machine tool, with devices made up of moving parts. Once the analytical field has been marked out, the chosen descriptive method is basically graphic. This historical compendium attempts to give a wide-angle view of historical development without making an in-depth analysis of each of the examples presented. Moreover, this book illustrates the historical development of machines and mechanisms more from a technical point of view rather than a strictly history of science point of view since the authors are mechanical engineers who are interested and motivated to examine the most significant facts in their own area of knowledge of the Theory of Machines and Mechanisms. A full understanding of the historical development of Technology also needs the help of experts in technical matters who can appreciate and reassess bygone achievements in the light of their own technical knowledge. More collaboration between science historians and technical experts is needed, as is currently the case in the field of Industrial Archaeology. Thus, this book is also an attempt to set out a technical approach to the historical development of machines and mechanisms, but without too many technical details that will prevent its understanding being purely historical. At the beginning of each chapter there is a global reference to the period embraced, the most relevant facts, and the most significant treatises in the context of machine history. Following this introduction each chapter contains a series of sections on the types of machines that are representative of the period analysed together with illustrations to accompany the text. A fairly extensive bibliography enables the reader to make a deeper historical analysis.
A Brief Introduction to Dispersion Relations: With Modern Applications (SpringerBriefs in Physics)
by José Antonio OllerThis text offers a brief introduction to the dispersion relations as an approach to calculate S-matrix elements, a formalism that allows one to take advantage of the analytical structure of scattering amplitudes following the basic principles of unitarity and causality.First, the case of two-body scattering is considered and then its contribution to other processes through final-state interactions is discussed. For two-body scattering amplitudes, the general expression for a partial-wave amplitude is derived in the approximation where the crossed channel dynamics is neglected. This is taken as the starting point for many interesting nonperturbative applications, both in the light and heavy quark sector. Subsequently crossed channel dynamics is introduced within the equations for calculating the partial-wave amplitudes. Some applications based on methods that treat crossed-channel dynamics perturbatively are discussed too.The last part of this introductory treatment is dedicated to the further impact of scattering amplitudes on a variety of processes through final-state interactions. Several possible approaches are discussed such as the Muskhelishvili-Omnes dispersive integral equations and other closed formulae. These different formalisms are then applied in particular to the study of resonances presenting a number of challenging properties. The book ends with a chapter illustrating the use of dispersion relations in the nuclear medium for the evaluation of the energy density in nuclear matter.
A Brief Introduction to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life
by Cesare BarbieriThis book provides an introduction, from the astronomical point of view of the author, to the exciting search for extra-terrestrial life, and an overview of the current status of research into ‘alien’ life in the Solar System and beyond. It also explores the potential future human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Up-to-date with the latest developments in the field and accompanied by key references for further study, it is a fantastic introduction to the field of astrobiology for non-science majors taking an elective module, in addition to undergraduates studying physics with an interest in this area. Features: Contains the latest groundbreaking research in the hunt for life outside of Earth Discusses the identification of biosignatures in exo-planets Reviews future options for human outposts on the Moon and Mars
A Brief Natural History of Civilization: Why a Balance Between Cooperation and Competition Is Vital to Humanity
by Mark BertnessA compelling evolutionary narrative that reveals how human civilization follows the same ecological rules that shape all life on Earth Offering a bold new understanding of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going, noted ecologist Mark Bertness argues that human beings and their civilization are the products of the same self-organization, evolutionary adaptation, and natural selection processes that have created all other life on Earth. Bertness follows the evolutionary process from the primordial soup of two billion years ago through today, exploring the ways opposing forces of competition and cooperation have led to current assemblages of people, animals, and plants. Bertness’s thoughtful examination of human history from the perspective of natural history provides new insights about why and how civilization developed as it has and explores how humans, as a species, might have to consciously overrule our evolutionary drivers to survive future challenges.
A Brief Overview of China’s ETS Pilots: Deconstruction And Assessment Of Guangdong's Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Mechanism
by Daiqing Zhao Wenjun Wang Zhigang LuoThis book systematically introduces readers to the framework of China’s ETS pilots, exploring their design and operating process, the current state of the carbon market, and various barriers encountered. To do so, it deconstructs the Guangdong ETS, which is the largest and most representative of China’s seven ETS pilots. The book subsequently describes and evaluates all seven pilots in terms of their efficiency, macro and micro effects, the method involved in the DEA model, the CGE model, and cost-benefit analysis. In turn, in the assessment section it demonstrates how some ETS pilots have failed to control carbon emissions due to inordinately high emissions quotas issued by the local government etc. Further, it argues that ETS should focus on those industries with large emissions and high mitigating potential for the time being, and then gradually expand the scale of its coverage.As China’s national ETS is slated for launch on the basis of the lessons learned from the ETS pilots, the book offers a timely and valuable resource for all those who want to understand and forecast the development of China’s ETS. It includes a wealth of descriptions and explanations of Chinese government policies involving carbon emissions control, making it a unique resource.
A Brief Survey of Quantitative EEG (Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering)
by Kaushik MajumdarThis book presents a holistic approach to quantitative EEG from its neurological basis to simultaneous EEG and fMRI studies. Equal emphasis is given to major mathematical and statistical theories and computational techniques and their applications on clinical and laboratory experimental EEG.
A Brief Welcome to the Universe: A Pocket-Sized Tour
by J. Richard Gott Michael A. Strauss Neil deGrasse TysonA pocket-style edition based on the New York Times bestsellerA Brief Welcome to the Universe offers a breathtaking tour of the cosmos, from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes and time loops. Bestselling authors and acclaimed astrophysicists Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott take readers on an unforgettable journey of exploration to reveal how our universe actually works.Propelling you from our home solar system to the outermost frontiers of space, this book builds your cosmic insight and perspective through a marvelously entertaining narrative. How do stars live and die? What are the prospects of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? How did the universe begin? Why is it expanding and accelerating? Is our universe alone or part of an infinite multiverse? Exploring these and many other questions, this pocket-friendly book is your passport into the wonders of our evolving cosmos.
A Briefer History of Time: The Science Classic Made More Accessible
by Stephen Hawking Leonard MlodinowFROM ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MINDS OF OUR TIME COMES A BOOK THAT CLARIFIES HIS MOST IMPORTANT IDEAS Stephen Hawking's worldwide bestseller A Brief History of Time remains a landmark volume in scientific writing. But for readers who have asked for a more accessible formulation of its key concepts--the nature of space and time, the role of God in creation, and the history and future of the universe--A Briefer History of Time is Professor Hawking's response. Although "briefer," this book is much more than a mere explanation of Hawking's earlier work. A Briefer History of Time both clarifies and expands on the great subjects of the original, and records the latest developments in the field--from string theory to the search for a unified theory of all the forces of physics. Thirty-seven full-color illustrations enhance the text and make A Briefer History of Time an exhilarating and must-have addition in its own right to the great literature of science and ideas.From the Hardcover edition.ersed throughout the book have now been given entire chapters of their own, including relativity, curved space, and quantum theory. This reorganization has allowed the authors to expand areas of special interest and recent progress, from the latest developments in string theory to exciting developments in the search for a complete unified theory of all the forces of physics. Like prior editions of the book--but even more so--A Briefer History of Time will guide nonscientists everywhere in the ongoing search for the tantalizing secrets at the heart of time and space.From the Hardcover edition.
A Bright Idea
by Stephen WhittWhat does a light bulb require to burn bright? What happens when a light bulb burns out? Discover how filament, made of one of the heaviest metals, a mixture of two gases, a 60-watt light bulb, and electric currents make this bright idea more than just a bright light! The amazing science behind the light bulb awaits you!
A Brilliant Darkness: The Extraordinary Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Ettore Majorana, the Troubled Genius of the N
by João MagueijoOn the night of March 26, 1938, nuclear physicist Ettore Majorana boarded a ship, cash and passport in hand. He was never seen again. <P><P> In A Brilliant Darkness, theoretical physicist João Magueijo tells the story of Majorana and his research group, "the Via Panisperna Boys," who discovered atomic fission in 1934. As Majorana, the most brilliant of the group, began to realize the implications of what they had found, he became increasingly unstable. Did he commit suicide that night in Palermo? Was he kidnapped? Did he stage his own death? A Brilliant Darkness chronicles Majorana's invaluable contributions to science--including his major discovery, the Majorana neutrino--while revealing the truth behind his fascinating and tragic life.
A Bug's World
by Erica McAlisterDid you know that...Flies can help us solve crimes?Spiders can be astronauts?Moths are the ultimate fashion designers?From making our food to keeping the planet clean and solving crimes, bugs come to our rescue every day. Often without us even realising!Discover the extraordinary things that bugs do for us - and how we can look after them too - in this vibrant gift book written by the Natural History Museum's senior entomologist.
A Burst of Conscious Light: Near-Death Experiences, the Shroud of Turin, and the Limitless Potential of Humanity
by Dr. Andrew SilvermanProvides evidence that human consciousness can never be reproduced and exposes the perils of artificial intelligence • Explains how consciousness transcends the brain and body through quantum theory and accounts of consciousness in the clinically dead • Shares scientific evidence of how the image on the Shroud of Turin was produced and connects these findings to evidence concerning near-death experiences • Reveals how consciousness cannot be reproduced by a machine and how attempts to do so threaten what makes us human Stephen Hawking once said that the unanticipated consequences of artificial intelligence will be the greatest threat to humanity&’s survival. In this book, Dr. Andrew Silverman reveals why the powerful consciousness of the human mind could never be manufactured and so cannot be reproduced with technology. Integrating extensive scientific research from three seemingly unrelated fields of study--quantum mechanics, near-death experiences, and the Shroud of Turin--Silverman reveals the pitfalls and perils of artificial intelligence and addresses the fundamentally flawed thinking that underlies it. Drawing on his work as one of the leading experts on the Shroud of Turin as well as research by scientists from NASA and Los Alamos, he shows how the image on the Shroud could only have been produced by a flash of light as intense as a nuclear explosion--a burst of light that occurred after the body was in the tomb. Sharing medical evidence of consciousness in people declared clinically dead, the author shows how the light of consciousness evidenced by the Shroud is also a consistent feature of most near-death experiences. Exploring the non-local nature of consciousness--how it transcends the physical brain and body, Silverman explains why the human mind cannot be reduced to a computer and examines what separates sentient beings from machines. He shows how getting caught up in the push for artificial intelligence and the technological quest for immortality--through the attempt to &“download&” our minds onto computers--will only lead us to devalue and erase what makes us unique and irreplaceable in this cold, dark universe: our humanity.
A Buyer's and User's Guide to Astronomical Telescopes and Binoculars (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)
by James MullaneyAmateur astronomers of all skill levels are always contemplating their next telescope, and this book points the way to the most suitable instruments. Similarly, those who are buying their first telescopes - and these days not necessarily a low-cost one - will be able to compare and contrast different types and manufacturers. This exciting and revised new guide provides an extensive overview of binoculars and telescopes. It includes detailed up-to-date information on sources, selection and use of virtually every major type, brand, and model on today's market, a truly invaluable treasure-trove of information and helpful advice for all amateur astronomers. Originally written in 2006, much of the first edition is inevitably now out of date, as equipment advances and manufacturers come and go. This second edition not only updates all the existing sections of "A Buyer's and User's Guide to Astronomical Telescopes and Binoculars" but adds two new ones: Astro-imaging and Professional-Amateur collaboration. Thanks to the rapid and amazing developments that have been made in digital cameras - not those specialist cool-chip astronomical cameras, not even DSLRs, but regular general-purpose vacation cameras - it is easily possible to image all sorts of astronomical objects and fields. Technical developments, including the Internet, have also made it possible for amateur astronomers to make a real contribution to science by working with professionals. Selecting the right device for a variety of purposes can be an overwhelming task in a market crowded with observing options, but this comprehensive guide clarifies the process. Anyone planning to purchase binoculars or telescopes for astronomy - whether as a first instrument or as an upgrade to the next level - will find this book a treasure-trove of information and advice. It also supplies the reader with many useful hints and tips on using astronomical telescopes or binoculars to get the best possible results from your purchase.
A Buzz in the Meadow: The Natural History of a French Farm
by Dave GoulsonA CONSERVATIONIST'S DEEPLY PERSONAL AND FASCINATING REFLECTION ON OWNING AND REVITALIZING A FARM IN RURAL FRANCEA Sting in the Tale, Dave Goulson's account of a lifetime studying bees, was a powerful call to arms for nature lovers everywhere. Brilliantly reviewed, it was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for the best nonfiction book of the year, and debuted the already renowned conservationist's ability to charm and educate, and tell an absorbing story. In A Buzz in the Meadow, Goulson returns to tell the tale of how he bought a derelict farm in the heart of rural France. Over the course of a decade, on thirty-three acres of meadow, he created a place for his beloved bumblebees to thrive. But other creatures live there too, myriad insects of every kind, many of which Goulson had studied before in his career as a biologist. You'll learn how a deathwatch beetle finds its mate, why butterflies have spots on their wings, and see how a real scientist actually conducts his experiments. But this book is also a wake-up call, urging us to cherish and protect life in all its forms. Goulson has that rare ability to persuade you to go out into your garden or local park and observe the natural world. The undiscovered glory that is life in all its forms is there to be discovered. And if we learn to value what we have, perhaps we will find a way to keep it.
A CENTURY OF ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE: Planning Long-Term Research in the Gulf of Alaska
by Committee to Review the Gulf of Alaska Ecosystem Monitoring ProgramThis report provides guidance to the Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring (GEM) program to help ensure that it is based on a a science plan that is robust, far-reaching, and scientifically sound. The report commends the Trustee Council for its foresight in setting aside funds to create a trust fund to provide long-term research support; it notes that the GEM program offers an unparalleled opportunity to increase understanding of how large marine ecosystems function and change over time. The report outlines elements of a sound long-term science plan, including conceptual foundation, scope and geographic focus, organizational structure, community involvement, data and information management, and synthesis, modeling, and evaluation.
A CMOS Self-Powered Front-End Architecture for Subcutaneous Event-Detector Devices: Three-Electrodes Amperometric Biosensor Approach
by Jordi Colomer-Farrarons Pere Lluís Miribel-CatalàA CMOS Self-Powered Front-End Architecture for Subcutaneous Event-Detector Devices presents the conception and prototype realization of a Self-Powered architecture for subcutaneous detector devices. The architecture is designed to work as a true/false (event detector) or threshold level alarm of some substances, ions, etc... that are detected through a three-electrodes amperometric BioSensor approach. The device is envisaged as a Low-Power subcutaneous implantable application powered by an inductive link, one emitter antenna at the external side of the skin and the receiver antenna under the skin. The sensor is controlled with a Potentiostat circuit and then, a post-processing unit detects the desired levels and activates the transmission via a backscattering method by the inductive link. All the instrumentation, except the power module, is implemented in the so called BioChip. Following the idea of the powering link to harvest energy of the magnetic induced link at the implanted device, a Multi-Harvesting Power Chip (MHPC) has been also designed.
A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE POSITION OF MR. DARWIN'S WORK, "ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES,"
by Thomas Henry HuxleyA Critical Examination of the Position of Mr. Darwin's Work, "On the Origin of Species," in Relation to the Complete Theory of the Causes of the Phenomena of Organic Nature Lecture VI. (of VI.), "Lectures to Working Men", at the Museum of Practical Geology, 1863, on Darwin's Work: "Origin of Species"
A Californian’s Guide to the Mammals among Us
by Charles HoodAt its current tally of 212 species, California's mammal list is the largest of all the United States'. This new guidebook joins its sister titles A Californian's Guide to the Birds among Us and A Californian's Guide to the Trees among Us in introducing naturalists of all levels to over forty varieties of the Golden State's fascinating warm-blooded wildlife. Full-color images and evocative descriptions make identification fun and intuitive: a bobcat, for example, has “a Civil War look, with old-fashioned sideburns framing the face in black and white,” while a blue whale is named for its coloration of not “old jeans or dull paint, but a luminous, 'how can water catch on fire?' kind of blue.” Author Charles Hood supplements essential information with strange but true facts like voles' predilection for deer antlers as a source of calcium, and Mexican free-tailed bats' ability to live in gaseous environments that would kill most other animals. With refreshingly pragmatic commentary (“the fact is, even for experienced naturalists, most chipmunks look pretty much alike”) and sound advice for where to see mammals in urban and wilderness settings alike, this lively and even quotable guide will inspire people to connect with their environments wherever they are.
A Calm Brain: How to Relax into a Stress-Free, High-Powered Life
by Gayatri DeviIn a world filled with too many choices, oppressive technology, and relentlessly overbooked schedules--how do we achieve the calm we so desperately need? Our ancestors used the fight-or-flight mechanism to protect themselves from predators. Today, we use it to fend off daily crises. The result is chronic stress and a learned inability to be calm which, in turn, makes it impossible for us to perform at our peak. Now, Dr. Gayatri Devi shows how we can cultivate empowering, enduring calm by tapping into our body's vagus nerve--and utilize our hardwired, natural relaxation system. If you are suffering from migraines, neck pain, gastrointestinal upsets, sleeps deprivation--or are just trying to work through life's difficulties--Dr. Devi shows that you don't need more drugs, you need A Calm Brain. "For anyone who wants to take charge of the 21st century while remaining calm, focused, and productive--this is the book for you." --Henry S. Lodge, New York Times bestselling author of Younger Next Year
A Carbon Footprint Calculation Tool for Urban Development (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Roberto Álvarez-Fernández Alexandra Delgado-Jiménez Fernando Beltrán-CillerueloThis book introduces an indispensable tool: the carbon footprint calculator for urban planning. In the face of the escalating climate crisis, urban planning finds itself at a critical juncture. By considering the evolution of urban planning and its connections to environmental issues, the book sheds light on the urgent need to reimagine city planning within a climate-conscious framework. This book presents a meticulous assessment of future uses and activities that generate greenhouse gas emissions, along with an examination of land use changes that impact the carbon-absorbing capacity of the soil. Mitigation strategies, such as leveraging renewable energy sources for self-generation, are explored and quantified whenever possible. Carbon Footprint Planning explains the essential activities that must be included in urban planning instrument applications for approval, emphasizing the significance of integrating ordinary or simplified strategic environmental assessment procedures. By doing so, potential environmental impacts, specifically in relation to climate change, are effectively evaluated and addressed. With the aid of the carbon footprint calculator, decision-makers will gain the ability to select the path of least carbon emissions from a range of alternatives, unveiling aspects that contribute to significant emissions during the early stages of urban development, such as master planning. In essence, this book equips urban planners and environmental enthusiasts alike with the tools and insights needed to navigate urban growth amidst the climate crisis, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for our cities.
A Case Study in Visual Agnosia Revisited: To See But Not To See
by Glyn W. Humphreys Jane RiddochVisual agnosia is a rare but fascinating disorder of visual object recognition that can occur after a brain lesion. This book documents the case of John, who worked intensively with the authors for 26 years after acquiring visual agnosia following a stroke. It revisits John's case over twenty years after it was originally described in the book To See But Not To See, in 1987. As in the previous book, the condition is illuminated by John and his wife, Iris, in their own words.
A Case Study in Visual Agnosia Revisited: To see but not to see
by Jane Riddoch Glyn HumphreysVisual agnosia is a rare but fascinating disorder of visual object recognition that can occur after a brain lesion. This book documents the case of John, who worked intensively with the authors for 26 years after acquiring visual agnosia following a stroke. It revisits John’s case over twenty years after it was originally described in the book To See But Not To See, in 1987. As in the previous book, the condition is illuminated by John and his wife, Iris, in their own words. A Case Study in Visual Agnosia Revisited discusses John’s case in the context of research into the cognitive neuroscience of vision over the past twenty years. It shows how John’s problems in recognition can provide important insights into the way that object recognition happens in the brain, with the results obtained in studies of John’s perception being compared to emerging work from brain imaging in normal observers. The book presents a much fuller analysis of the variety of perceptual problems that John experienced, detailing not only his impaired object recognition but also his face processing, his processing of different visual features (colour, motion, depth), his ability to act on and negotiate his environment, and his reading and writing. A Case Study in Visual Agnosia Revisited will be a key reference for those concerned with understanding how vision is implemented in the brain. It will be suitable for both undergraduate students taking courses in cognitive psychology and neuropsychology, and also researchers in the cognitive neuroscience of vision. The presentation of John’s case, and the human aspects of the disorder, will also be of great interest to a general audience of lay people interested in perception.
A Casebook of Ethical Challenges in Neuropsychology (Studies on Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition)
by Shane S. BushThe American Psychological Association published a revision of the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct in 2002.This text, a companion to the 2002 text Ethical Issues in Clinical Neuropsychology by Bush and Drexler, presents the reader with common ethical challenges in neuropsychology. This text examines the differences between the 1992 and 2002 APA Ethics Codes as they relate to neuropsychological activities.The authors present cases and discuss ethical issues related to neuropsychological practice with a variety of patient populations and in a variety of clinical settings. In addition, ethical issues in neuropsychological research and test development are examined. The text also includes chapters on emerging and particularly challenging aspects of neuropsychological practice, such as the assessment of response validity, and the use of information technology and telecommunications. Through the use of case illustrations, the authors examine ethical issues in neuropsychology and the new Ethics Code, offering a practical approach for understanding and promoting ethical neuropsychological practice.
A Casebook of Mental Capacity in US Legislation: Assessment and Legal Commentary
by Thomas J. Farrer Lynn A. SchaeferA Casebook of Mental Capacity in US Legislation: Assessment and Legal Commentary employs an applied and accessible approach to the assessment of mental capacity. Through the use of rich vignettes and case examples, the text provides legal commentary to illustrate state laws and ethical principles from varied decision-making capacities in distinct settings to fortify its assessment. The text begins by providing a background about decision-making capacity as a construct. It also provides practical guidance on capacity assessment germane to a broad range of clinical settings, including geropsychology, health psychology, and neuropsychology. It moves on to reviewing decision-making rights that make up capacity, and provides ethical guidelines while drawing the practitioner’s attention to the common pitfalls. The case presentations and legal commentary underline key areas such as the capacity to consent to medical treatment, make welfare decisions, enter into a sexual relationship, make financial decisions, create or revoke a will, litigate and contract, and stand trial. It also includes a chapter focusing on integrating culture and diversity in capacity evaluations with the aim of increasing the practitioner’s competence. This casebook will be useful for clinical psychologists in practice, researchers and students seeking to understand how to perform capacity assessments, as well as other related healthcare professionals. It is further aimed at legal professionals to utilize as a reference that details how individual types of capacity are defined and assessed.