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The Finite Element Method for Boundary Value Problems: Mathematics and Computations (Applied and Computational Mechanics)
by Karan S. Surana J. N. ReddyWritten by two well-respected experts in the field, The Finite Element Method for Boundary Value Problems: Mathematics and Computations bridges the gap between applied mathematics and application-oriented computational studies using FEM. Mathematically rigorous, the FEM is presented as a method of approximation for differential operators that are mathematically classified as self-adjoint, non-self-adjoint, and non-linear, thus addressing totality of all BVPs in various areas of engineering, applied mathematics, and physical sciences. These classes of operators are utilized in various methods of approximation: Galerkin method, Petrov-Galerkin Method, weighted residual method, Galerkin method with weak form, least squares method based on residual functional, etc. to establish unconditionally stable finite element computational processes using calculus of variations. Readers are able to grasp the mathematical foundation of finite element method as well as its versatility of applications. h-, p-, and k-versions of finite element method, hierarchical approximations, convergence, error estimation, error computation, and adaptivity are additional significant aspects of this book.
The Finite Element Method for Initial Value Problems: Mathematics and Computations
by J. N. Reddy Karan S. Surana<p>Unlike most finite element books that cover time dependent processes (IVPs) in a cursory manner, The Finite Element Method for Initial Value Problems: Mathematics and Computations focuses on the mathematical details as well as applications of space-time coupled and space-time decoupled finite element methods for IVPs. Space-time operator classification, space-time methods of approximation, and space-time calculus of variations are used to establish unconditional stability of space-time methods during the evolution. Space-time decoupled methods are also presented with the same rigor. Stability of space-time decoupled methods, time integration of ODEs including the finite element method in time are presented in detail with applications. Modal basis, normal mode synthesis techniques, error estimation, and a posteriori error computations for space-time coupled as well as space-time decoupled methods are presented. This book is aimed at a second-semester graduate level course in FEM.
The Finite Element Method for Mechanics of Solids with ANSYS Applications (Advances in Engineering Series)
by Ellis H. DillWhile the finite element method (FEM) has become the standard technique used to solve static and dynamic problems associated with structures and machines, ANSYS software has developed into the engineer's software of choice to model and numerically solve those problems. An invaluable tool to help engineers master and optimize analysis, The Finite El
The Finite Element Method in Electromagnetics (Wiley - IEEE)
by Jianming JinA new edition of the leading textbook on the finite element method, incorporating major advancements and further applications in the field of electromagneticsThe finite element method (FEM) is a powerful simulation technique used to solve boundary-value problems in a variety of engineering circumstances. It has been widely used for analysis of electromagnetic fields in antennas, radar scattering, RF and microwave engineering, high-speed/high-frequency circuits, wireless communication, electromagnetic compatibility, photonics, remote sensing, biomedical engineering, and space exploration.The Finite Element Method in Electromagnetics, Third Edition explains the method's processes and techniques in careful, meticulous prose and covers not only essential finite element method theory, but also its latest developments and applications--giving engineers a methodical way to quickly master this very powerful numerical technique for solving practical, often complicated, electromagnetic problems.Featuring over thirty percent new material, the third edition of this essential and comprehensive text now includes:A wider range of applications, including antennas, phased arrays, electric machines, high-frequency circuits, and crystal photonicsThe finite element analysis of wave propagation, scattering, and radiation in periodic structuresThe time-domain finite element method for analysis of wideband antennas and transient electromagnetic phenomenaNovel domain decomposition techniques for parallel computation and efficient simulation of large-scale problems, such as phased-array antennas and photonic crystalsAlong with a great many examples, The Finite Element Method in Electromagnetics is an ideal book for engineering students as well as for professionals in the field.
The Finite Element Method in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics (Applied and Computational Mechanics)
by J. N. Reddy D.K. GartlingAs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Heat Transfer (CHT) evolve and become increasingly important in standard engineering design and analysis practice, users require a solid understanding of mechanics and numerical methods to make optimal use of available software. Considered to be among the very best in the field, this masterwork from renowned experts J. N. Reddy and D. K. Gartling is the latest version of a book that has long been relied upon by practicing engineers, researchers, and graduate students. Noted for its powerful methodology and clear explanations of the subject, this third edition contains considerably more workable exercises and examples associated with problems in heat conduction, incompressible viscous flow, and convection heat transfer. It also uses applied examples to illustrate applications of FEM in thermal and fluid design analysis.
The Finite Element Method with Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics Applications
by Erian A. BaskharoneIntended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, the first four chapters of this book are devoted to the introduction of the finite element concept. The focus then covers two essential areas - heat transfer and fluid mechanics: topics with different finite element formulations. Heat transfer applications begin with the classical one-dimensional thin-rod problem, followed by the two-dimensional heat transfer problem including a variety of boundary conditions. Finally, a complicated-geometry three-dimensional problem, involving a cooled radial turbine rotor, is presented, with the cooling passages treated as 'heat sinks' in the finite element analysis. For fluid mechanics, the concept of 'nodeless' degrees of freedom is introduced, with real-life fluid-flow applications. The time-dependent finite-element analysis topic is addressed through the problem of unsteady stator/rotor flow interaction within a turbomachinery stage. Finally, the concept of 'virtually-deformable finite elements', as it relates to the problem of fluid-induced vibration, is explained in detail with many practical applications.
The Finite Element Method: Basic Concepts and Applications with MATLAB, MAPLE, and COMSOL (3rd Edition) (Series in Computational and Physical Processes in Mechanics and Thermal Sciences)
by Darrell W. Pepper Juan C. Heinrich<p>This self-explanatory guide introduces the basic fundamentals of the Finite Element Method in a clear manner using comprehensive examples. Beginning with the concept of one-dimensional heat transfer, the first chapters include one-dimensional problems that can be solved by inspection. The book progresses through more detailed two-dimensional elements to three-dimensional elements, including discussions on various applications, and ending with introductory chapters on the boundary element and meshless methods, where more input data must be provided to solve problems. Emphasis is placed on the development of the discrete set of algebraic equations. The example problems and exercises in each chapter explain the procedure for defining and organizing the required initial and boundary condition data for a specific problem, and computer code listings in MATLAB and MAPLE are included for setting up the examples within the text, including COMSOL files. <p>Widely used as an introductory Finite Element Method text since 1992 and used in past ASME short courses and AIAA home study courses, this text is intended for undergraduate and graduate students taking Finite Element Methodology courses, engineers working in the industry that need to become familiar with the FEM, and engineers working in the field of heat transfer. It can also be used for distance education courses that can be conducted on the web. Highlights of the new edition include:- Inclusion of MATLAB, MAPLE code listings, along with several COMSOL files, for the example problems within the text. Power point presentations per chapter and a solution manual are also available from the web.</p>
The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of
by Kirsten W. LarsonA poetic picture book celebrating the life and scientific discoveries of the groundbreaking astronomer Cecilia Payne!Astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne was the first person to discover what burns at the heart of stars. But she didn't start out as the groundbreaking scientist she would eventually become. She started out as a girl full of curiosity, hoping one day to unlock the mysteries of the universe. With lyrical, evocative text by Kirsten W. Larson and extraordinary illustrations by award-winning illustrator Katherine Roy, this moving biography powerfully parallels the kindling of Cecilia Payne's own curiosity and her scientific career with the process of a star's birth, from mere possibility in an expanse of space to an eventual, breathtaking explosion of light.WOMEN IN STEM CAN CHANGE HISTORY: With women making up less than 30 percent of the science and engineering workforce, supporting young girls who are interested in STEM fields is more important than ever! This picture book tells the story of Cecilia Payne, a trailblazing female astronomer and role model for young girls to relate to and see themselves in, from even the youngest age.LOOK TO THE STARS: Any reader or stargazer who feels dazzled by the striking night sky will be enchanted by this true story of discovery and invention, as Cecilia's contributions to science prompt us to wonder: What else is out there?BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRING GIFT: With compelling visual storytelling and an inspiring role model for aspiring astronomers, scientists, and engineers (and for young girls in particular), this stellar biography makes a great choice for any giving moment, from birthdays to celebrations to the holidays.Perfect for:Parents, teachers, and librarians looking to instill curiosity and encourage scientific explorationLovers of astronomy, stargazing, space travel, and outer spaceAnyone seeking narrative nonfiction and biography books about women in STEM for the classroom or choice readingGift-givers looking for a unique true story to delight and inspire girls and boysFans of Hidden Figures, Rad American Women A-Z, and I Am Malala
The Firmament of Time
by Loren C. EiseleyLoren Eiseley examines what we as a species have become in the late twentieth century. His illuminating and accessible discussion is a characteristically skillful and compelling synthesis of hard scientific theory, factual evidence, personal anecdotes, haunting reflection, and poetic prose.
The Firmament of Time: A Library of America eBook Classic
by Loren Eiseley William CrononIn The Firmament of Time--nominated for a National Book Award--Loren Eiseley offers a series of brilliant, provocative excursions through the history of science. A paleontologist with the soul and skill of a poet, he reflects on the many ways in which the quest for knowledge has been shaped by the changing cultures in which it emerged and developed. Examining the role of metaphor in scientific thought, anticipations of scientific discoveries in the works of poets and novelists, and the "unconscious conformity" of scientific theory to prevailing orthodoxies, he argues for the ongoing relevance of dreams, the imagination, and the irrational to scientific progress.
The First 20 Minutes Personal Trainer
by Gretchen ReynoldsA terrific companion to Gretchen Reynolds's New York Times bestseller THE FIRST 20 MINUTES, this Penguin Special features new material and a wealth of perscriptive insight for those looking to get in shape, stay in shape, or push themselves even farther. The First 20 Minutes Personal Trainer offers detailed advice and instruction on how to exercise, how not to exercise, and what to do in order to get the most from your workout.
The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How we can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer
by Gretchen ReynoldsEvery Wednesday, Gretchen Reynolds singlehandedly influences how millions of Americans work out. In her Phys Ed column for the New York Times, she debunks myths, spurs conversation, and creates arguments among her readers by questioning widely held beliefs about exercise. Expanding upon her popular columns, Reynolds tackles the questions we all have and (sometimes) ask about exercise. Consulting experts in physiology, biology, psychology, neurology, and sports, she uncovers how often we should exercise, how long workouts should be, how to avoid injury, and how to find the right form, routine and equipment for our goals. She also reveals some surprising answers, like: 20 minutes of cardio at a time is enough to obtain maximum health benefits. (And in some cases, just six minutes is all you need. ) Stretching before a workout is counterproductive. (It's better to just start easy, i. e. , walk before you run. ) Core strength is nice but not necessary. (A six-pack looks great but actually has little bearing on performance. ) Walking improves your memory; housecleaning improves your mood. (The brain is like a muscle,; it likes to exercise. ) Chocolate milk is better than Gatorade for recovery. (Providing the best sports nutrition is often the simplest. ) Drawing on scientific expertise as well as her own athletic experiences, Gretchen Reynolds will help you find the right workout for your body, age, fitness and goals. Whether your desire is to be fit for the rest of your life, to look great in a smaller dress size or to run your third marathon in Boston, The First 20 Minutes will make your workouts work for you.
The First Atomic Age
by Matthew LavineAt the close of the 19th century, strange new forms of energy arrested the American public's attention in ways that no scientific discovery ever had before. This groundbreaking cultural history tells the story of the first nuclear culture, one whose lasting effects would be seen in the familiar "atomic age" of the post-war twentieth century.
The First Cell: The Mystery Surrounding the Beginning of Life
by Christian Mayer Ulrich C. SchreiberThis book introduces a fresh perspective on the conditions for the genesis of the first cell. An important possible environment of the prehistoric Earth has long been overlooked as a host to the perfect biochemical conditions for this process. The first complexes of continental crust on the early Earth must have already contained systems of interconnected cracks and cavities, which were filled with volatiles like water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. This book offers insights into how these conditions may have provided the ideal physical and chemical setting for the formation of protocells and early stages of life.The authors support their hypothesis with a number of astonishing findings from laboratory experiments focusing on a variety of organic compounds, and on the formation of key cellular ingredients and of primitive cell-like structures. Moreover, they discuss the principles of prebiotic evolution regarding the aspects of order and complexity. Guiding readers through various stages of hypotheses and re-created evolutionary processes, the book is enriched with personal remarks and experiences throughout, reflecting the authors' personal quest to solve the mystery surrounding the first cell.
The First City on Mars: An Urban Planner’s Guide to Settling the Red Planet (Springer Praxis Books)
by Justin B. HollanderHundreds of novels, films, and TV shows have speculated about what it would be like for us Earthlings to build cities on Mars. To make it a reality, however, these dreamers are in sore need of additional conceptual tools in their belt—particularly, a rich knowledge of city planning and design. Enter award-winning author and Tufts University professor, Justin Hollander. In this book, he draws on his experience as an urban planner and researcher of human settlements to provide a thoughtful exploration of what a city on Mars might actually look like. Exploring the residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure elements of such an outpost, the book is able to paint a vivid picture of how a Martian community would function – the layout of its public spaces, the arrangement of its buildings, its transportation network, and many more crucial aspects of daily life on another planet. Dr. Hollander then brings all these lessons to life through his own rendered plan for “Aleph,” one of many possible designs for the first city on Mars. Featuring a plethora of detailed, cutting-edge illustrations and blueprints for Martian settlements, this book at once inspires and grounds the adventurous spirit. It is a novel addition to the current planning underway to colonize the Red Planet, providing a rich review of how we have historically overcome challenging environments and what the broader lessons of urban planning can offer to the extraordinary challenge of building a permanent settlement on Mars.
The First Dinosaur: How Science Solved the Greatest Mystery on Earth
by Ian LendlerJoin early scientists as they piece together one of humanity’s greatest puzzles—the fossilized bones of the first dinosaur! <P><P>Dinosaurs existed. That’s a fact we accept today. But not so long ago, the concept that these giant creatures could have roamed Earth millions of years before humans was unfathomable. People thought what we know as dinosaur bones were the bones of giant humans. Of large elephants. Of angels, even. So, how did we get from angel wings to the T-Rex? <P><P> The First Dinosaur tells the story of the idea of dinosaurs, and the chain of fossil discoveries and advances in science that led to that idea. Be prepared to meet eccentric men and overlooked women who uncovered the pieces to a puzzle so much bigger than themselves, a puzzle far stranger and more spectacular than they could have ever imagined.
The First Discriminant Theory of Linearly Separable Data: From Exams and Medical Diagnoses with Misclassifications to 169 Microarrays for Cancer Gene Diagnosis
by Shuichi ShinmuraThis book deals with the first discriminant theory of linearly separable data (LSD), Theory3, based on the four ordinary LSD of Theory1 and 169 microarrays (LSD) of Theory2. Furthermore, you can quickly analyze the medical data with the misclassified patients which is the true purpose of diagnoses. Author developed RIP (Optimal-linear discriminant function finding the combinatorial optimal solution) as Theory1 in decades ago, that found the minimum misclassifications. RIP discriminated 63 (=26−1) models of Swiss banknote (200*6) and found the minimum LSD: basic gene set (BGS). In Theory2, RIP discriminated Shipp microarray (77*7129) which was LSD and had only 32 nonzero coefficients (first Small Matryoshka; SM1). Because RIP discriminated another 7,097 genes and found SM2, the author developed the Matryoshka feature selection Method 2 (Program 3), that splits microarray into many SMs. Program4 can split microarray into many BGSs. Then, the wide columnLSD (Revolution-0), such as microarray (n Theory3 shows the surprising results of six ordinary data re-analyzed by Theory1 and Theory2 knowledge. Essence of Theory3 is described by using cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) data. RIP discriminates CPD data (240*19) and finds two misclassifications unique for cesarean and natural-born groups. CPD238 omitting two patients becomes LSD, which is the first case selection method. Program4 finds BGS (14 vars.) the only variable selection method for Theory3. 32 (=25) models, including BGS, become LSD among (219−1) models. Because Program2 confirms BGS has the minimum average error rate, BGS is the most compact and best model satisfying Occam’s Razor. With this book, physicians obtain complete diagnostic results for disease, and engineers can become a true data scientist, by obtaining integral knowledge ofstatistics and mathematical programming with simple programs.
The First Domestication: How Wolves and Humans Coevolved
by Raymond Pierotti Brandy R. FoggA riveting look at how dog and humans became best friends, and the first history of dog domestication to include insights from indigenous peoples In this fascinating book, Raymond Pierotti and Brandy Fogg change the narrative about how wolves became dogs and in turn, humanity’s best friend. Rather than describe how people mastered and tamed an aggressive, dangerous species, the authors describe coevolution and mutualism. Wolves, particularly ones shunned by their packs, most likely initiated the relationship with Paleolithic humans, forming bonds built on mutually recognized skills and emotional capacity. This interdisciplinary study draws on sources from evolutionary biology as well as tribal and indigenous histories to produce an intelligent, insightful, and often unexpected story of cooperative hunting, wolves protecting camps, and wolf-human companionship. This fascinating assessment is a must-read for anyone interested in human evolution, ecology, animal behavior, anthropology, and the history of canine domestication.
The First Fossil Hunters: Dinosaurs, Mammoths, and Myth in Greek and Roman Times
by Adrienne MayorThe fascinating story of how the fossils of dinosaurs, mammoths, and other extinct animals influenced some of the most spectacular creatures of classical mythologyGriffins, Centaurs, Cyclopes, and Giants—these fabulous creatures of classical mythology continue to live in the modern imagination through the vivid accounts that have come down to us from the ancient Greeks and Romans. But what if these beings were more than merely fictions? What if monstrous creatures once roamed the earth in the very places where their legends first arose? This is the arresting and original thesis that Adrienne Mayor explores in The First Fossil Hunters. Through careful research and meticulous documentation, she convincingly shows that many of the giants and monsters of myth did have a basis in fact—in the enormous bones of long-extinct species that were once abundant in the lands of the Greeks and Romans.As Mayor shows, the Greeks and Romans were well aware that a different breed of creatures once inhabited their lands. They frequently encountered the fossilized bones of these primeval beings, and they developed sophisticated concepts to explain the fossil evidence, concepts that were expressed in mythological stories. The legend of the gold-guarding griffin, for example, sprang from tales first told by Scythian gold-miners, who, passing through the Gobi Desert at the foot of the Altai Mountains, encountered the skeletons of Protoceratops and other dinosaurs that littered the ground.Like their modern counterparts, the ancient fossil hunters collected and measured impressive petrified remains and displayed them in temples and museums; they attempted to reconstruct the appearance of these prehistoric creatures and to explain their extinction. Long thought to be fantasy, the remarkably detailed and perceptive Greek and Roman accounts of giant bone finds were actually based on solid paleontological facts. By reading these neglected narratives for the first time in the light of modern scientific discoveries, Adrienne Mayor illuminates a lost world of ancient paleontology.
The First Galaxies
by Tommy Wiklind Volker Bromm Bahram MobasherNew observations of the period between the cosmic recombination and the end of reionization are posing intriguing questions about where the first generations of stars were formed, how the first galaxies were assembled, whether these galaxies have low redshift counterparts, and what role the early galaxies played in the reionization process. Combining the new observational data with theoretical models can shed new light on open issues regarding the star formation process, its role in the reionization of the Universe, and the metal enrichment in galaxies at those early epochs. This volume brings together leading experts in the field to discuss our current level of understanding and what may come in the near future as our observational as well as theoretical tools improve. The book confronts the theory of how the first stars, black holes, and galaxies formed with current and planned observations. This synthesis is very timely, just ahead of the establishment of major new facilities, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a next-generation, millimeter/sub-millimeter observatory in the Atacama desert (ALMA), and ground-based Extremely Large Telescopes (ELT). Together, they will revolutionize the study of the most distant objects in the Universe. This volume is aimed at beginning graduate students but can also serve as a reference work for active researchers in the field. Apart from presenting the fundamental concepts involved, it also provides an introduction to the methods and techniques used. The book will also be useful to anyone with an astrophysical background who needs an effective starting point for learning about the first stars and galaxies.
The First Global Integrated Marine Assessment: World Ocean Assessment I
by United NationsThe World Ocean Assessment - or, to give its full title, The First Global Integrated Marine Assessment - is the outcome of the first cycle of the United Nations' Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects. The Assessment provides vital, scientifically-grounded bases for the consideration of ocean issues, including climate change, by governments, intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental agencies and all other stakeholders and policymakers involved in ocean affairs. Together with future assessments and related initiatives, it will support the implementation of the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly its ocean-related goals. Moreover, it will also form an important reference text for marine science courses. A prestigious and comprehensive report from the United Nations, with contributions from hundreds of the world's experts on the oceans. Provides the first integrated assessment of the state of the world's ocean, enabling policy makers and all stakeholders to consider for the first time the global and integrated effect on the ocean of decisions that they make. Identifies gaps in knowledge of the ocean and related human activities, helping policymakers and all stakeholders to identify and prioritize areas for action, and input to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The First Half of the Age of Oil
by Charles A. Hall Carlos A. Ramírez-PascualliAccording to the conventional wisdom, we live in a post-industrial information age. This book, however, paints a different picture: We live in the age of oil. Petroleum fuels and feedstocks are responsible for much of what we take for granted in modern society, from chemical products such as fertilizer and plastics, to the energy that moves people and goods in a global economy. Oil is a nearly perfect fuel: Energy dense, safe to store, easy to transport, and mostly environmentally benign. Most importantly, oil has been cheap and abundant during the past 150 years. In 1998, two respected geologists, Colin Campbell and Jean Laherrère, published a detailed article announcing that the "end of cheap oil" would happen before 2010, which meant that the world would face a peak, or at least a plateau, in global daily oil production in the first decade of the new millennium. Today, two billion people under the age of 14 have lived the majority of their lives past the point when this century-long growth in oil supplies came to an end, which also marks the end of the first half of the age of oil. This transition has ushered in a new reality of high oil prices, stagnating oil supplies, and sluggish economies. In this book, a leading authority on energy explores the contributions and continuing legacy of Colin Campbell and Jean Laherrère, the two geologists who modified the terms of the debate about oil. The book provides a unique perspective and state-of-the-art overview of today's energy reality and its enormous economic and social implications. - Covers a topic that eclipses climate change as the most important but least understood challenge for contemporary society - Explores the works of Colin Campbell and Jean Laherrère, the leading authorities in the field of Peak Oil, authors of "The End of Cheap Oil" (Scientific American, 1998), and founding members of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas - Addresses a broad audience of scientists, engineers, and economists in a format that is accessible to the general public - Provides a complete overview of the basic geological, chemical, physical, economic and historical concepts that every oil consumer should understand - Presents the latest information on oil production, reserves, discoveries, prices, and fields in easy-to-understand graphs and plots
The First Human: The Race to Discover Our Earliest Ancestors
by Ann GibbonsThis dynamic chronicle of the race to find the "missing links" between humans and apes transports readers into the highly competitive world of fossil hunting and into the lives of the ambitious scientists intent on pinpointing the dawn of humankind. The quest to find where and when the earliest human ancestors first appeared is one of the most exciting and challenging of all scientific pursuits. The First Human is the story of four international teams obsessed with solving the mystery of human evolution and of the intense rivalries that propel them. An award-winning science writer, Ann Gibbons introduces the various maverick fossil hunters and describes their most significant discoveries in Africa. There is Tim White, the irreverent and brilliant Californian whose team discovered the partial skeleton of a primate that lived more than 4.4 million years ago in Ethiopia. If White can prove that it was hominid--an ancestor of humans and not of chimpanzees or other great apes--he can lay claim to discovering the oldest known member of the human family. As White painstakingly prepares the bones, the French paleontologist Michel Brunet comes forth with another, even more startling find. Well known for his work in the most remote and hostile locations, Brunet and his team uncover a stunning skull in Chad that could set the date of the beginnings of humankind to almost seven million years ago. Two other groups--one led by the zoologist Meave Leakey, the other by the British geologist Martin Pickford and his partner, Brigitte Senut, a French paleontologist--enter the race with landmark discoveries of other fossils vying for the status of the first human ancestor. Through scrupulous research and vivid first-person reporting,The First Human takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the intense challenges of fossil hunting on a grand competitive scale.
The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, and Intelligence Evolved from our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
by Stanley I. Greenspan Stuart G. ShankerIn the childhood of every human being and at the dawn of human history there is an amazing and, until now, unexplained leap from simple genetically programmed behavior to language, symbolic thinking, and culture. In The First Idea, Stanley Greenspan and Stuart Shanker explore this missing link and offer brilliant new insights into two longstanding questions: how human beings first create symbols and how these abilities evolved and were transmitted across generations over millions of years. From fascinating research into the intelligence of both human infants and apes, they identify certain cultural practices that are vitally important if we are to have stable and reflective future societies.
The First Law of Mechanics in General Relativity & Isochrone Orbits in Newtonian Gravity (Springer Theses)
by Paul RamondThe thesis tackles two distinct problems of great interest in gravitational mechanics — one relativistic and one Newtonian. The relativistic one is concerned with the "first law of binary mechanics", a remarkably simple variational relation that plays a crucial role in the modern understanding of the gravitational two-body problem, thereby contributing to the effort to detect gravitational-wave signals from binary systems of black holes and neutron stars. The work reported in the thesis provides a mathematically elegant extension of previous results to compact objects that carry spin angular momentum and quadrupolar deformations, which more accurately represent astrophysical bodies than mere point particles. The Newtonian problem is concerned with the isochrone problem of celestial mechanics, namely the determination of the set of radial potentials whose bounded orbits have a radial period independent of the angular momentum. The thesis solves this problem completely in a geometrical way and explores its consequence on a variety of levels, in particular with a complete characterisation of isochrone orbits. The thesis is exceptional in the breadth of its scope and achievements. It is clearly and eloquently written, makes excellent use of images, provides careful explanations of the concepts and calculations, and it conveys the author’s personality in a way that is rare in scientific writing, while never sacrificing academic rigor.