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The Bahía Blanca Estuary: Ecology and Biodiversity
by Sandra M. Fiori Paula D. PratolongoThe Bahía Blanca Estuary is one of the largest coastal systems in Atlantic South America. This mesotidal estuary, situated in a sharp transition between humid subtropical and semiarid climates, has a unique combination of large interannual climatic variations. The estuarine area encompasses roughly 2300 square kilometers and is composed of wide expanses of intertidal flats, salt marshes, and emerged islands, which create intricate landscape patterns. Natural environments in the estuary sustain a high concentration of marine and terrestrial species, including endemic, threatened, and endangered fish and shorebirds. Puerto Cuatreros, in the inner zone of the estuary, hosts a permanent marine research station, whose records span more than 30 years of biophysical variables, and represent one of the largest time series of ecological data in South America. Beyond its ecological relevance, the Bahía Blanca Estuary is under increasing anthropogenic pressure from large urban settlements, industrial developments and harbors, raising the question of how to balance conservation and development. The Bahía Blanca Estuary: Ecology and Biodiversity offers a comprehensive review of life in the ecosystems of the estuary. The book is divided into five major sections, the first of which provides a description of the regional setting and covers key aspects of estuarine dynamics. The three following sections are dedicated to different habitat types and, within each section, the chapters are organized around major functional groups from pelagic and benthic environments. The fifth and final section covers issues related to management and conservation. Overall, the book provides essential and up-to-date reference material on the biodiversity and ecosystem processes of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, and will appeal to a broad international audience.
The Balance Within: The Science Connecting Health and Emotions
by Esther M. Sternberg“A dazzling tour of a most promising area of neuroscience—the interface between the immune system and the nervous system.” —Elliot S. Gershon, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, The University of ChicagoSince ancient times humans have felt intuitively that emotions and health are linked, and recently there has been much popular speculation about this notion. But until now, without compelling evidence, it has been impossible to say for sure that such a connection really exists and especially how it works.Now, that evidence has been discovered.In this beautifully written book, Dr. Esther Sternberg, whose discoveries were pivotal in helping to solve this mystery, provides firsthand accounts of the breakthrough experiments that revealed the physical mechanisms—the nerves, cells, and hormones—used by the brain and immune system to communicate with each other. She describes just how stress can make us more susceptible to all types of illnesses, and how the immune system can alter our moods. Finally, she explains how our understanding of these connections in scientific terms is helping to answer such crucial questions as “Does stress make you sick?” “Is a positive outlook the key to better health?” and “How do our personal relationships, work, and other aspects of our lives affect our health?”A fascinating, elegantly written portrait of this rapidly emerging field with enormous potential for finding new ways to treat disease and cope with stress, The Balance Within is essential reading for anyone interested in making their body and mind whole again.“Dr. Sternberg weaves historical perspective, recent lab results, academic rigor and popular appeal into an engrossing book.” —The Dallas Morning News
The Balance of Nature and Human Impact
by Klaus RohdeIt is clear that nature is undergoing rapid changes as a result of human activities such as industry, agriculture, travel, fisheries and urbanisation. What effects do these activities have? Are they disturbing equilibria in ecological populations and communities, thus upsetting the balance of nature, or are they enhancing naturally occurring disequilibria, perhaps with even worse consequences? It is often argued that large-scale fluctuations in climate and sea-levels have occurred over and over again in the geological past, long before human activities could possibly have had any impact, and that human effects are very small compared to those that occur naturally. Should we conclude that human activity cannot significantly affect the environment, or are these naturally occurring fluctuations actually being dangerously enhanced by humans? This book examines these questions, first by providing evidence for equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions in relatively undisturbed ecosystems, and second by examining human-induced effects.
The Balance of Nature: Ecology's Enduring Myth
by John C. KricherThe idea of a balance of nature has been a dominant part of Western philosophy since before Aristotle, and it persists in the public imagination and even among some ecologists today. In this lively and thought-provoking book, John Kricher demonstrates that nature in fact is not in balance, nor has it ever been at any stage in Earth's history. He explains how and why this notion of a natural world in balance has endured for so long, and he shows why, in these times of extraordinary human influence on the planet's ecosystems, it is critical that we accept and understand that evolution is a fact of life, and that ecology is far more dynamic than we ever imagined. The Balance of Nature traces the fascinating history of the science of ecology and evolutionary biology, from the discipline's early innovators to the advent of Darwin and evolution, to the brilliant and inquisitive scientific minds of today. Blending insights and entertaining stories from his own remarkable life in science, Kricher reveals how evolution is a powerful engine that drives ecological change, how nature is constantly in flux and, in effect, quite naturally out of balance--and how notions to the contrary are misguided and ultimately hazardous to us all. The Balance of Nature forcefully argues that an understanding of the dynamic nature of ecology and evolution is essential to formulating policies of environmental ethics to guide humanity toward a more responsible stewardship of our planet's ecosystems.
The Balanced Brain: The Science of Mental Health
by Camilla NordHow we can use what we&’ve learned about the brain to improve our mental healthThere are many routes to mental well-being. In this groundbreaking book, neuroscientist Camilla Nord offers a fascinating tour of the scientific developments that are revolutionising the way we think about mental health, showing why and how events—and treatments—can affect people in such different ways.In The Balanced Brain, Nord explains how our brain constructs our sense of mental health—actively striving to maintain balance in response to our changing circumstances. While a mentally healthy brain deals well with life&’s turbulence, poor mental health results when the brain struggles with disruption. But just what is the brain trying to balance? Nord describes the foundations of mental health in the brain—from the neurobiology of pleasure, pain and desire to the role of mood-mediating chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and opioids. She then pivots to interventions, revealing how antidepressants, placebos and even recreational drugs work; how psychotherapy changes brain chemistry; and how the brain and body interact to make us feel physically (as well as mentally) healthy. Along the way, Nord explains how the seemingly small things we use to lift our moods—a piece of chocolate, a walk, a chat with a friend—work on the same pathways in our brains as the latest treatments for mental health disorders.Understanding the cause of poor mental health is one of the crucial questions of our time. But the answer is unique to each of us, and it requires finding what helps our brains rebalance and thrive. With so many factors at play, there are more possibilities for recovery and resilience than we might think.
The Balanced Engineer: Essential Ideas for Career Development
by IeeeThis book constitutes the Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE-USA Professional Activities Conference and the second annual professional activities conference. It assists individuals with the development of leadership, teamwork, negotiating, networking, and other professional skills.
The Bald Eagle
by Jon M. Gerrard Gary R. BortolottiThe Bald Eagle is a comprehensive description of the morphology, behavior, flight patterns, hunting, migration, nesting, development, and growth of bald eagles.
The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird
by Jack E. DavisBest Books of the Month: Wall Street Journal, Kirkus Reviews From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Gulf, a sweeping cultural and natural history of the bald eagle in America. The bald eagle is regal but fearless, a bird you’re not inclined to argue with. For centuries, Americans have celebrated it as “majestic” and “noble,” yet savaged the living bird behind their national symbol as a malicious predator of livestock and, falsely, a snatcher of babies. Taking us from before the nation’s founding through inconceivable resurgences of this enduring all-American species, Jack E. Davis contrasts the age when native peoples lived beside it peacefully with that when others, whether through hunting bounties or DDT pesticides, twice pushed Haliaeetus leucocephalus to the brink of extinction. Filled with spectacular stories of Founding Fathers, rapacious hunters, heroic bird rescuers, and the lives of bald eagles themselves—monogamous creatures, considered among the animal world’s finest parents—The Bald Eagle is a much-awaited cultural and natural history that demonstrates how this bird’s wondrous journey may provide inspiration today, as we grapple with environmental peril on a larger scale.
The Baltic Sea Basin
by Jan Harff Peer Hoth Svante BjörckThis book reports about the results of a Special Symposium "The Baltic Sea Basin", held on August 11, 2008, within the frame of the 33rd IGC at Oslo, Norway in order to foster the understanding of the Baltic Basin as a unit in terms of genesis, structure, ongoing processes and utilization. It is the first time that in a joint publication, scientists from different disciplines give a comprehensive overview about the Baltic Sea basin in such a general sense. The book will be used not only by students and scientist but also by engineers and decision makers from industry and politics. Summarizing the state of the art in the investigation of the Baltic Sea Basin, but also in the resource utilisation of the basin the book will enhance the development of new monitoring strategies and technical device design including satellite observation methods, the establishment of international research laboratories, innovative topics for interdisciplinary research projects, etc.
The Baltimore Case: A Trial of Politics, Science, and Character
by Daniel J. Kevles"You read with a rising sense of despair and outrage, and you finish it as if awakening from a nightmare only Kafka could have conceived."--Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times David Baltimore won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1975. Known as a wunderkind in the field of immunology, he rose quickly through the ranks of the scientific community to become the president of the distinguished Rockefeller University. Less than a year and a half later, Baltimore resigned from his presidency, citing the personal toll of fighting a long battle over an allegedly fraudulent paper he had collaborated on in 1986 while at MIT. From the beginning, the Baltimore case provided a moveable feast for those eager to hold science more accountable to the public that subsidizes its research. Did Baltimore stonewall a legitimate government inquiry? Or was he the victim of witch hunters? The Baltimore Case tells the complete story of this complex affair, reminding us how important the issues of government oversight and scientific integrity have become in a culture in which increasingly complicated technology widens the divide between scientists and society.
The Bar Code Rebellion (The Bar Code #2)
by Suzanne WeynThe second book in the action-packed Bar Code series.They want your identity. They want your freedom. They can't have them. The bar code rebellion.Kayla has resisted getting the bar code tattoo, even though it's mean forfeiting a "normal" life. Without the tattoo, she's an exile. But she can't stay an exile for long. . . .For reasons she doesn't completely understand--but will soon discover--Kayla is at the center of a lethal conspiracy that will soon threaten the very notion of freedom. Kayla can either give in to the bar code, or she can join the resistance and fight it. The choice, for her, is clear: It's time to fight.They want your identity.They want your freedom.They can't have them.The bar code rebellion.
The Bar Code Tattoo (The Bar Code #1)
by Suzanne WeynIndividuality vs. conformity. Identity vs. access. Freedom vs. control.The bar code tattoo.The bar code tattoo. Everybody's getting it. It will make your life easier, they say. It will hook you in. It will become your identity. But what if you say no? What if you don't want to become a code? For Kayla, this one choice changes everything. She becomes an outcast in her high school. Dangerous things happen to her family. There's no option but to run . . . for her life.Indivuality vs. conformity.. Identity vs. access. Freedom vs. control.The bar code tattoo.
The Barcelona School of Ecological Economics and Political Ecology: A Companion in Honour of Joan Martinez-Alier (Studies in Ecological Economics #8)
by Roldan Muradian Sergio Villamayor-TomasIn this open access book, ecological economics and political ecology traditions converge into a single academic school. The book constitutes a common ground where multiple and critical voices are expressed, covering a broad scope of urgent matters at the crossroad between society, economy and the natural environment. The manuscripts composing this compendium offer appealing material for both experienced and younger researchers interested in interdisciplinary exchanges in the field of the social environmental sciences. It combines historical accounts with recent theoretical and empirical developments revolving around the interaction between three foundational notions of the Barcelona School: social metabolism, environmental justice and self-reflective science.
The Bare Bones: An Unconventional Evolutionary History of the Skeleton (Life of the Past)
by Matthew F. BonnanWhat can we learn about the evolution of jaws from a pair of scissors? How does the flight of a tennis ball help explain how fish overcome drag? What do a spacesuit and a chicken egg have in common? Highlighting the fascinating twists and turns of evolution across more than 540 million years, paleobiologist Matthew Bonnan uses everyday objects to explain the emergence and adaptation of the vertebrate skeleton. What can camera lenses tell us about the eyes of marine reptiles? How does understanding what prevents a coffee mug from spilling help us understand the posture of dinosaurs? The answers to these and other intriguing questions illustrate how scientists have pieced together the history of vertebrates from their bare bones. With its engaging and informative text, plus more than 200 illustrative diagrams created by the author, The Bare Bones is an unconventional and reader-friendly introduction to the skeleton as an evolving machine.
The Barley Genome (Compendium of Plant Genomes)
by Gary J. Muehlbauer Nils SteinThis book presents an overview of the state-of-the-art in barley genome analysis, covering all aspects of sequencing the genome and translating this important information into new knowledge in basic and applied crop plant biology and new tools for research and crop improvement. Unlimited access to a high-quality reference sequence is removing one of the major constraints in basic and applied research. This book summarizes the advanced knowledge of the composition of the barley genome, its genes and the much larger non-coding part of the genome, and how this information facilitates studying the specific characteristics of barley.One of the oldest domesticated crops, barley is the small grain cereal species that is best adapted to the highest altitudes and latitudes, and it exhibits the greatest tolerance to most abiotic stresses. With comprehensive access to the genome sequence, barley’s importance as a genetic model in comparative studies on crop species like wheat, rye, oats and even rice is likely to increase.
The Barnard Objects: Then and Now (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)
by Tim B. Hunter Gerald O. Dobek James E. McGahaThe Barnard Objects have fascinated professional and amateur astronomers for over one hundred years. Many of those objects first imaged by E.E. Barnard on black-and-white photographic plates are now being captured daily in thousands of color astrophotographs. This book tells of Barnard’s story; describing his life and work as well as how the fields of astronomy and astrophotography have transformed ever since.The chapters in this book are equal parts history and science. It will provide readers with an introduction to nebula science and the incredible discoveries made in this field over the decades; including an overview of popular astronomical catalogues and a detailed look at how astronomical imaging has advanced since Barnard’s time, from early plates to digital imaging and chips. In addition, the book features a comprehensive guide to viewing and imaging these objects yourself. A glossary of astronomical and photographic terms is provided, along with detailed references. And, an updated table displaying the locations of these Barnard Objects; including the missing twenty-five objects from E.E. Barnard’s original catalogue.Richly researched and illustrated, this fascinating reference will attract astronomers of all skill levels interested in astrophotography and how it has changed over the past hundred years.
The Basal Ganglia IX
by Antonius B. Mulder Pieter Voorn Hendrik Jan Groenewegen Henk W. Berendse Alexander R. CoolsThe aim of the International Basal Ganglia Society (IBAGS) is to further our understanding of normal basal ganglia function and the pathophysiology of disorders of the basal ganglia, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and schizophrenia. Each triennial meeting of IBAGS brings together basic research scientists from all disciplines as well as clinicians who are actively involved in the treatment of basal ganglia disorders, to discuss the most recent advances in the field and to generate new approaches and ideas for the future. This volume comprises the proceedings of the 9th meeting of IBAGS, held in Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands, September 2nd-6th, 2007.
The Basalt Fiber—Material Design Art (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Marco ManciniThis book presents a design research on the basalt fiber, a natural mineral material with important characteristics, and investigates the material's properties, production techniques, and most common uses, while also delving into aspects yet to be improved. The work presents a part of original research in between art and design, in which concepts, prototypes, and ideas are proposed, aimed at the enhancement of basalt fiber also from an esthetic point of view and not only from a performance one. By working on its perceived qualities and creative and formal potential, it is possible to support and extend the use of this material in many areas of design, including product, exhibit, cultural industries, and fashion. Considering that environmental regulations are increasingly stringent, the use of basalt fiber may in some cases be more advantageous than other popular technical fibers, both because of its own performance characteristics and specifically because of its inherent sustainability.
The Baseline Concept in Biodiversity Conservation: Being Nostalgic or Not in the Anthropocene Era
by Laurent Godet Simon Dufour Anne-Julia RolletThe Anthropocene era has been marked by such significant human pressure that it has led to the sixth mass extinction. The Baseline Concept in Biodiversity Conservation interprets human domination of the Earth as the process of gradual landscape change, the execution of which is neither linear nor homogeneous. This book is structured around three key questions: Where and when did everything go wrong? How do we define baseline states for biodiversity conservation strategies? How are reference states mobilized in a concrete way through case studies? Today, biodiversity conservation faces a dilemma that this book sheds light on: return to states less modified by humans than today but in a world that has changed significantly; or, let the nature of tomorrow express itself where it still can but without a road map.
The Basic Code of the Universe: The Science of the Invisible in Physics, Medicine, and Spirituality
by Ervin Laszlo Massimo CitroExplains the universal information code connecting every person, plant, animal, and mineral and its applications in science, health care, and cosmic unity • Examines research on consciousness, quantum physics, animal and plant intelligence, emotional fields, Kirlian photography, and the effects of thoughts, emotions, and music on water • Reveals the connections between the work of Ervin Laszlo on the Akashic field, Rupert Sheldrake on morphogenetic fields, Richard Gerber on vibrational medicine, and Masaru Emoto on the memory of water DNA dictates the physical features of an organism. But what dictates how something grows--from the division of cells in a human being to the fractal patterns of a crystal? Massimo Citro reveals that behind the complex world of Nature lies a basic code, a universal information field--also known as the Akashic field, which records all that was, is, and will be--that directs not only physical development and behavior but also energetic communication and interactions among all living and non-living things. The author examines research on consciousness, quantum physics, animal and plant intelligence, the power of intention, emotional fields, Kirlian photography, and the effects of thoughts, emotions, and music on water. Linking the work of Ervin Laszlo on the Akashic field, Rupert Sheldrake on morphogenetic fields, Richard Gerber on vibrational medicine, and Masaru Emoto on the memory of water, Citro shows how the universal information field connects every person, plant, animal, and mineral--a concept long known by shamans and expounded by perennial wisdom. Putting this science of the invisible to practical use, he explains his revolutionary system of vibrational medicine, known as TFF, which uses the information field to obtain the benefits of natural substances and medications in their “pure” informational form, offering side-effect-free remedies for health and well-being.
The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual
by Kathy Mirakovits Gina LondinoOnce confined to four-year colleges and graduate schools, forensic science classes can now be found in local high schools as well as in two-year community colleges. The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual is designed for the beginning forensic science student and for instructors who wish to provide a solid foundation in ba
The Basics of Molecular Biology
by Alexander VologodskiiAccessible and comprehensive, this book describes the universal cellular nature of living organisms and is an indispensable tool for anyone in the sciences who wishes to get a quick overview of molecular biology. Individual chapters cover nucleic acids and proteins, genetic code and protein synthesis, the fidelity of transferring genetic information to the next generations, and the regulation of various processes inside the cells. Special attention is paid to new areas rising from modern DNA sequencing technologies which transform biology. The book also touches on developing areas, such as cures for cancer and CRISPR, which are important for medicine and the future of humankind.
The Basics of Nuclear and Particle Physics (Undergraduate Texts in Physics)
by Alexander Belyaev Douglas RossThis undergraduate textbook breaks down the basics of Nuclear Structure and modern Particle Physics. Based on a comprehensive set of course notes, it covers all the introductory material and latest research developments required by third- and fourth-year physics students. The textbook is divided into two parts. Part I deals with Nuclear Structure, while Part II delves into Particle Physics. Each section contains the most recent science in the field, including experimental data and research on the properties of the top quark and Higgs boson. Detailed mathematical derivations are provided where necessary to helps students grasp the physics at a deeper level. Many of these have been conveniently placed in the Appendices and can be omitted if desired. Each chapter ends with a brief summary and includes a number of practice problems, the answers to which are also provided.
The Basics of Oil Spill Cleanup
by Merv FingasReflecting the rapid progress in cleanup technology since the previous edition, this revised and expanded third edition of The Basics of Oil Spill Cleanup covers current cleanup techniques, how oil spills are measured and detected, and the properties of the oil and its long-term fate in the environment. It also deals with why, how often, and where
The Basis of Progressive Evolution
by G. Ledyard StebbinsIn this incisive book, a distinguished geneticist has succeeded in relating the extraordinary biological discoveries of the last two decades to the basic questions about the origin and evolution of life on earth. The "molecular revolution" in biology--culminating in the discovery of the relations of the giant molecules of living matter--the operation of the genetic code, and the relational order in the biological world are all considered.Originally published in 1969.A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.