Book categories

Romancing the Birds and Dinosaurs

Forays in Postmodern Paleontology

by Alan Feduccia, Ph.D.

2020

Birds and dinosaurs have dominated human interest for decades. In this well-supported revolutionary view of the field, critical questions are explored with credible evidence and biological thought. Are birds derived directly from advanced dinosaurs, or are they closely related dinosaur cousins? Did flight originate via the natural "gravity-assisted" trees-down model, or from the improbable “gravity-resisted” ground-up model? Were the earliest birds ground-predators or trunk-climbing gliders? Were dinosaurs hot-blooded with insulating protofeathers, or highly active, cold-blooded reptiles? These are among the questions addressed in this path-breaking book. Current consensus suggests that early birds were earth-bound and flight began on the ground. Reversing that logic, since birds are hot-...

Flat Space Cosmology

A New Model of the Universe Incorporating Astronomical Observations of Black Holes, Dark Energy and Dark Matter

by Eugene Terry Tatum and U.V.S. Seshavatharam

2021

This compilation based upon recent peer-reviewed journal publications encapsulates how the Flat Space Cosmology model (FSC) has become the primary competitor to the inflationary standard model of cosmology. New ideas concerning black holes, dark energy and dark matter are presented and shown to correlate extremely well with astronomical observations. Anyone who follows the fast-changing science of cosmology, has an interest in the latest developments, and would like to know how it is that our universe appears to follow equations one would ordinarily expect for a time-reversed black hole (!), may find this book to be fascinating. Cosmology is the study of how the universe has changed over the great span of time (roughly 14 billion years). Later centuries will look back upon the period fr...

The Florida Spiny Lobster

How to Catch It, Its Biology, A Crawfish Cookbook, and First Aid for Minor Diving Injuries

by John Kappes

2008

The Florida Spiny Lobster tells what every crawfish hunter ought to know about his quarry, what equipment he’ll need, where to find them, and how to catch them. It also provides some tried and true recipes for those lucky lobster hunters who get some of these spiny delicacies as far as the kitchen. It also delves into the rules and regulations covering its capture and gives some common sense suggestions on how to safely manage the hunt. In writing the section on the biology of the spiny lobster the author takes great care to keep everything within the grasp of the average reader. Unnecessary scientific terminology is avoided while making an effort to answer every question that is likely to be asked about the crawfish. Every lobster hunter is likely to experience some ki...

Postures and Movement Patterns of the Human Hand

A Framework for Understanding Hand Activity for Clinicians and Engineers

by Noriko Kamakura, Foreword by Catherine A. Trombly Latham

2022

Think of the complexity of ordinary hand activity and how to describe it all, both precisely and concisely. The author, a noted occupational therapist in Japan, offers a disciplined approach to doing just that. Whereas research has heretofore been limited mainly to how the hand grips, the methodology here is set up to account for grips, non-grip postures, and movement patterns, based on thousands of laboratory observations. This approach can provide hand experts with specific ways to conceptualize and study hand disabilities, artificial hands, and robotic hands. The author first surveys research over the past 100 years on forms that the hand normally assumes, noting the preponderance of studies on hand grips, with less attention having been paid to what the hand looks like when in non-g...

The Mollusks

A Guide to Their Study, Collection, and Preservation

by C. F. Sturm, T. A. Pearce, and A. Valdes (eds.)

2006

Mollusks have been important to humans since our earliest days. Initially, when humans were primarily interested in what they could eat or use, mollusks were important as food, ornaments, and materials for tools. Over the centuries, as human knowledge branched out and individuals started to study the world around them, mollusks were important subjects for learning how things worked. In this volume, the editors and contributors have brought together a broad range of topics within the field of malacology. It is our expectation that these topics will be of interest and use to amateur and professional malacologists.

The Microcosm Within

Evolution and Extinction in the Hologenome

by William B. Miller, Jr.

2014

You are not what you think you are. New research is transforming how we understand ourselves—from a singular 'self' to a vast cooperative, co-dependent and collaborative network of cellular environments and ecologies—a microcosm within. From this unique perspective, a startling revision of evolutionary theory unfurls. Sharply reasoned and certain to be controversial, The Microcosm Within takes its readers on a sweeping scientific journey that reorganizes our thinking about our biological selves, evolution, and extinction. Darwin has dominated evolution for over a century. But many issues remain puzzling—What is the origin of self-sacrifice? Does natural selection really account for evolution? Why is homosexuality commonplace in the animal kingdom? Why were the arms of Tyrannosaurus Re...

Curiosity and Information Seeking in Animal and Human Behavior

A Review the Literature and Data in Comparative Psychology, Animal Cognition, Ethology, Ontogenesis, and Elements of Cognitive Neuroscience as they Relate to Animal Inquisitiveness (2nd Edition)

by Wojciech Pisula

2020

The purpose of the book is to deliver a critical review of the literature and author's research data relevant for understanding the phenomena of curiosity, information seeking behavior, and novelty seeking. The book is designed to be a comprehensive and systematic lecture of areas related to the main subject in a way that will enable the reader to grasp the notion of development in terms of the evolutionary time scale and ontogenesis. Each of the subjects is explained on the basis of three perspectives: ultimate factors, integrative levels, and proximate mechanisms. This work is intended to integrate approaches adopted within psychology, ethology, and behavioral neuroscience. The major uniqueness is related to the integrative levels framework, which is not very often utilized the the conte...

Double Helix of Phyllotaxis

Analysis of the Geometric Model of Plant Morphogenesis

by Boris Rozin

2020

This book is devoted to anyone who is in search of beauty in mathematics, and mathematics in the beauty around us. Attempting to combine mathematical rigor and magnificence of the visual perception, the author is presenting the mathematical study of phyllotaxis, the most beautiful phenomenon of the living nature. The distinctive feature of this book is an animation feature that explains the work of mathematical models and the transformation of 3D space.The analysis of the phyllotactic pattern as a system of discrete objects together with the mathematical tools of generalized sequences made it possible to find a universal algorithm for calculating the divergence angle. In addition, it is serving as a new proof of the fundamental theorem of phyllotaxis and analytically confirming well-known ...

Genes, Polymorphisms, and the Making of Societies

A Genetic Perspective of the Divergence between East and West (Revised and Extended Edition)

by Hippokratis Kiaris

2021

Our genes determine to a large extent who we are and why we are different from others. In this book, Hippokratis Kiaris explores how various genetic polymorphisms in different ethnic populations may affect the development of distinct cultures and eventually historical decisions. It should be read by anybody interested in history, anthropology, behavior, psychology or genetics. The reader will find clues linking together these scientific disciplines and how such genetically determined behavioral traits may play an undervalued, as yet, role in shaping historical outcomes. The book initially describes some basic concepts on genetics and proceeds with an outline of human evolution, the journey of early humans Out-of-Africa, and the colonization of Earth by different human populations that eve...

Pest Control Simplified for Everyone

Kill, Repel, or Mitigate Pests With or Without Pesticides

by Danny Ledoux

2011

Why call an exterminator? Save thousands of dollars every year. Protect your family and property, and keep yourself safe from disease. This guide will teach you the art of responsible pest elimination. Have you stared at shelves of pesticides wondering which to buy, which are safe, which treatment will eliminate your pest, and how to apply it? If so, this book is for you. You only lack the trade secrets and the knowledge, such as safe application methods, how to prevent an attack in the first place, when killing is not necessary, and how all of this affects our environment. Before you buy your next can of bug spray, before you get bitten again, before you buy or sell a house, or before you go outdoors, read this book and learn how to: - Kill all types of household and yard pest...

Natural Behavior

The Evolution of Behavior in Humans and Animals using Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Biology

by Burton A. Weiss

2018

Natural Behavior provides seminal insights into the evolution of animal and human behavior for enthusiasts of Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Biology. Evolution and the behavior of the animal kingdom are discussed with new concepts on science, learning and instinct, and population phenomena. Hominization, interaction with Neanderthals, how the brain evolved, and the impact on the World are described with new views.The origin of our scientific concepts and the trend away from the egocentric position, placing humans at the center of the universe, is considered, along with the status of religion and how the fit with science is positive. This volume carefully explains evolution and the central role of behavior in natural selection. The range of animal behavior from single cells to people...

The Climate Crisis and Corrupt Politics

Overcoming the Powerful Forces that Threaten our Future

by Larry J. Schweiger

2019

There is only one earth and our world is undergoing dramatic changes brought on by the climate crisis and other human-induced ecological disruptions. The world's top scientists studying these threats and the forces behind them have been warning us for decades to end the use of fossil fuels or face catastrophic consequences. Countering the still small voices of science, our democratic system of government has been rigged largely by the fossil fuel industry and other special interests leaving America hoodwinked and held hostage to dirty fuels. Campaigning politicians claim to be working for us when in fact they are being paid and controlled by fierce special interests.As a lifetime environmental insider in the struggle against fossil fuel interests, I have written this book to better equip A...

Enlightened Environmentalism

How We Got Here and How to Rescue Our Future

by Anand M. Saxena

2021

A continuous search for comforts, conveniences, and novel objects has brought humanity to a state where a continuation of this process endangers the welfare, perhaps even survival of humanity. The present lifestyle of profligate consumption, aided by developments in science and technology, imposes a heavy burden on the planetary resources and harms the ecosystem that supports us. Considering Earth to be a limitless source of useful materials and an infinite sink of waste products is endangering our future by depleting natural resources and degrading the environment. Many such developments have already begun to adversely affect the ecosystem and are multiplying rapidly. The book discusses these issues in a comprehensive manner, including climate change and its deleterious consequences, degr...

Gravity- Galileo to Einstein and Back

Newtonian Force, Slave or Master? (Revised Edition)

by H R Harrison

2006

Gravity – Galileo to Einstein and Back starts with a revision of the fundamentals of the theory of dynamics and gravitation. The object is to present a relativistic theory of gravitation which is an extension of the Special Theory of Relativity. The new approach to gravitomagnetics now expresses the relative acceleration in terms of the relative velocity in addition to relative separation. This produces results for the precession of the perihelion of Mercury and for the deflection of light grazing the Sun which are identical to those given by the General Theory of Relativity. Both of these were hailed as justifications of the general theory. When the new theory is applied to the motion of groups of particles or the rotation of solid bodies the results differ slightly from published papers ...

Sharks in Danger

Global Shark Conservation Status with Reference to Management Plans and Legislation

by Rachel Cunningham-Day

2001

This book reviews the current status of, and threats to, shark populations globally with special reference to the basking shark and the great white shark. This book outlines why sharks are a valuable resource, identifies threats to sharks and where they occur and reviews what we need to know about sharks in order to protect them. Fisheries management procedures are investigated to target areas requiring future research and implementation. Conservation initiatives, legislation, and international agreements are reviewed and future measures suggested. Case histories on the basking shark and the great white shark detail threats specific to these species and identify research and management requirements. Sharks are a valuable resource both directly through shark watching trips, m...

Introduction to Mathematical Modeling of Crop Growth

How the Equations are Derived and Assembled into a Computer Program

by Christopher Teh

2006

Learning mathematical modeling need not be difficult. Unlike other books, this book not only lists the equations one-by-one, but explains in detail how they are each derived, used, and finally assembled into a computer program for model simulations. This book shows how mathematics is applied in agriculture, in particular to modeling the growth and yield of a generic crop. Topics covered are agriculture meteorology, solar radiation interception and absorption, evapotranspiration, energy and soil water balance, soil water flow, photosynthesis, respiration, and crop growth development.

Four Keys to the Natural Anabolic State

The Pathway to Health, Fitness, Faith, and a Huge Competitive Edge

by William G. Alston

2023

This book reveals a stunning thread of scientific data that points the way to the natural anabolic state--a biochemical condition wherein body fat is metabolized, muscle tissue is built, strength and speed are increased, mental acuity is enhanced, and the mind and body perform at top efficiency. This inspirational book is a must-read for athletes and coaches in every sport, students and teachers at every level, people of faith, people seeking faith, and anyone competing for success. Readers will learn how one simple thought altered the blood chemistry of students taking the GRE and raised test scores and how that same thought increased athletic performance in multiple sports. Readers will also come to understand why honesty, gratitude, humility, self-discipline, assertiveness, faith, an...

Engineering for Sustainable Development and Living

Preserving a Future for the Next Generation to Cherish

by Jacqueline A. Stagner & David S-K. Ting (editors)

2021

What can we do to preserve a future for the next generation to cherish? A potent answer is to exercise good stewardship in realizing more sustainable living and development. This volume brings together experts from around the world to disseminate the latest knowledge and research toward this end, i.e., engineering for more sustainable development and living. Let us learn from a living cell that utilizes inherited biological intelligence to organize its resources for current needs and future existence. We also have the responsibility to ensure universal access to electricity and increase the share of renewable energies. Cost effective hybrid renewable energy systems should also be considered and furthered. Advancing energy storage is a necessary striving for managing a future "toilet paper ...

Healing Honey

A Natural Remedy for Better Health and Wellness

by Lynne Chepulis

2008

Too much sugar can be bad for our health. Not only can it make us overweight and sluggish, but it can also contribute to many diseases including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease. But what can we do? Sugar is everywhere - and the simple truth is that food manufacturers are concerned more about profit than consumer health. As with most things, nature appears to have provided the solution: honey. The medicinal properties of honey have been recognized for literally hundreds of years, but until recently, they have been nothing more than folklore. However, this is beginning to change. Over the last 20-30 years, scientists have discovered that there is real truth to the belief that honey is good for your health. Honey has been revealed to have a high antioxidant content and conta...

Animal Models in Light of Evolution

by Niall Shanks and C. Ray Greek

2009

The central concern of this book is with the "prediction problem" in biomedical research. In particular, the authors examine the use of animal models to predict human responses in drug and disease research. The arguments discussed are drawn from both biological and biomedical theory (with numerous examples and case studies drawn from evolutionary biology, complex systems theory, oncology, teratology, and AIDS research), and analyses of empirical evidence (concerning, for example, data on intra- and inter-species differences revealed by recent results from genome analyses of various species, human population studies, and statistical studies of the predictive utility of animal models). This book comes to the unique conclusion that while animals can be successfully used for many endeavors in ...

Agroecosystems of South India

Nutrient Dynamics, Ecology and Productivity

by K.R. Krishna

2010

Agroecosystems of South India is a unique treatise that deals with the relevance of natural resources, genetic stocks, fertilizers, and agronomic practices on the productivity of agroecoregions. Within the context of this book, an agroecosystem has been defined as a conglomerate of small cropping zones, which may be mono-cropping expanses or intercrops that occur in various geographic regions of South India. South India abounds with several such agroecosystems that encompass field crops, vegetables, cash crops, plantations, and forest species. However, the main emphasis within this volume is restricted to agroecosystems that include major cereals, legumes, and oil seed crops. There are 10 chapters in this volume. The first, on historical aspects, traces important events related to domest...

The Evolution Delusion

How to Recognize the Unsupported Claims of Darwin's Theory

by Bart Rask, MD

2021

Does the field of evolution differ from other sciences? The author, a reviewer for a major medical journal, scrutinized hundreds of scientific references in evolutionary literature, adopting the same standards used for studies submitted for medical publication. The data show that there are two types of evolution, microevolution and macroevolution, with a clear boundary between them based upon the presence and absence of empirical evidence, respectively. The surprising results show that there is a universal disconnect between the data and the conclusions that claim to show the larger changes of macroevolution. The author reveals patterns of deviations from standard scientific methods in these studies. For the first time, evolutionary data have been summarized to describe both what evolution...

Exploring Microorganisms

Recent Advances in Applied Microbiology

by Antonio Mendez-Vilas (ed.)

2018

Exploring Microorganisms: Recent Advances in Applied Microbiology, contains a selection of papers presented at the VII International Conference on Environmental, Industrial and Applied Microbiology - BioMicroWorld2017 (Madrid, Spain). This book offers the outcomes of completed and outgoing research works and experiences of several microbiology research groups across the world. The volume is divided into the following sections:* Agriculture, Soil, Forest Microbiology* Environmental, Marine, Aquatic Microbiology. Geomicrobiology* BBB - Biodeterioration, Biodegratation, Bioremediation* Microbiology of Food and Animal Feed* Industrial Microbiology* Microbial Production of High-Value Products: Drugs, Chemicals, Fuels, Electricity ...* Biotechnologically Relevant Enzymes and Proteins* Medical,...

The Systemic Practice of Misinterpretation of Scientific Data

The Case of Persisters, Small Colony Variants, Viable but Non-Culturable Bacteria, and Senescent Bacteria in Microbiology

by Jaison Jacob

2010

In this book, the author unfolds the ways in which researchers misinterpret their data to promote a hypothesis with the aim of attracting the attention of the scientific community. By providing examples, the author explains how flawed research findings enter and remain in scientific literature for a long time. This book gives insights not only to researchers in the sciences, but also to journal reviewers and to various governmental and private agencies that work to promote science. The message of the book is positive and clear: it is possible to identify the flaws in scientific research by scrutinizing the subject matter thoroughly, thus saving researchers around the globe time and money. It is generally believed that the scientific community is relatively free of corruption and that it...

A Neuron-Specific Protein found in Skeletal Muscle

New Frontiers for GAP-43

by Raffaele Pilla

2012

Growth Associated Protein 43 (GAP-43), isolated from rat brain and considered a neuronal marker, is involved in neurite branching, cytoskeleton remodelling, neuronal development and protection. However, GAP-43 mRNA was found in embryonic chicken cells positive to meromyosin, as well as in human satellite cells, myoblasts and myotubes deriving from healthy or dystrophic muscles. Despite these findings, there is no clear evidence about its localization or relationship with other muscle proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate GAP-43 protein expression and localization in C2C12 cells and mice skeletal muscle fibers, using immunoblot and immunofluorescence protocols for confocal mycroscopy. Immunoblot analyses show the presence of GAP-43 in C2C12 cell homogenates as well as in matu...

A Strategic Approach to the Environmentally Sustainable Business

The Essence of the Dissertation

by Hiroshi Fukushi

2006

The global environmental crises motivated many companies to investigate and develop the concept of environmentally sustainable business. The objective of traditional business strategy is to maximize profit but, with real imagination and a fresh approach to business strategies, environmental sustainability can actually increase both annual profit and long term shareholder value. This article analyzes several examples of such strategies, not only for companies operating in a capitalist economy, but also for companies based in countries that retain a traditional economy. These strategies are illustrated by matrices that show when to apply which strategies.

Groundwater Management in El Paso, Texas

by William Ray Hutchison

2006

Groundwater represents an important supply source for municipal and irrigation uses in Far West Texas. The City of El Paso receives about 50 percent of its municipal water supply from surface water and 50 percent from local groundwater. Groundwater pumping in El Paso is from the Hueco Bolson and the Mesilla Bolson. Historic groundwater pumping in the Texas portion of the Mesilla Bolson has not resulted in significant changes in groundwater levels or groundwater quality in existing wells. Historic pumping in the Hueco Bolson has resulted in lowered groundwater levels and brackish groundwater intrusion. The groundwater level declines have resulted in the intrusion of brackish groundwater into areas that historically pumped fresh groundwater. A 1979 assessment concluded that El Paso would...

Biocontrol of Cereal Pathogens

by Shivaditya Gautam

2010

Septoria leaf blotch has been the major disease of wheat in Britain and much of the rest of Europe. It has been reported that the disease causes serious yield losses to range from 31 to 53%. Mycosphaerella graminicola (anamorph: Septoria tritici) is the pathogen which causes Septoria leaf blotch. The disease can be controlled by various methods such as cultural practices, chemical control, using resistant varieties and biological control. In plant pathology, the term biological control leads to the introduction of microbial antagonists or host specific pathogens to suppress diseases and populations of one or more plant pathogens. This study investigated the microbial community on and within wheat leaves which can suppress Septoria leaf blotch by reducing the inoculum level of the causative...

The Effect of Ozone on the Growth and Development of Selected Food Spoilage Fungi

by Lekha Yadav

2010

Fungal spoilage during the storage of fresh produce is a major concern in the food industry. Several methods have been used in order to improve and increase the shelf-life of food such as pesticide treatment, but the safety issues and concerns about these methods has been questioned due to their observed ill effects on consumer health and environment. Thus, it leads to emergence of a novel alternative residue free treatment. Ozone is known to be a powerful oxidising agent having the ability to break down into harmless oxygen and interestingly leaves no residue. The potential of ozone to reduce food spoilage organisms is well documented and the use of ozone against food spoilage has been approved by US-FDA. The impact of ozone exposure on macroscopic development and morphological characters...

Abstraction and Transcendence

Nature, Shintai, and Geometry in the Architecture of Tadao Ando

by Pham Thanh Hien

1998

This thesis introduces Tadao Ando, a well-known Japanese architect, who is currently working on an emerging concept in the discourse of architecture, and is opening an approach of high sensibility (sensual, reflective, flexible, and complex, sensitively matching with every moment of life) and conceptualism (rational, logically approaching truth) that is widely considered one of the most important ways of thinking and designing architecture.In the introduction chapter, Tadao Ando's is introduced as a master of architecture and as a critic. Secondly, his goals, objectives, concepts and strategies are outlined. These aspects are grouped and developed into major themes. Those themes will later be interpreted in Chapter Four.In the second chapter of the thesis, the architecture of Tadao Ando i...

The Trail Home

Along the Pacific Crest

by Alfred Wohlpart

2003

The Trail Home describes my 2,650 mile trek on the Pacific Crest Trail and the internal transformation that occurred along the way. Starting in southern California and heading northward, I spent six months journeying through some of the most spectacular landscapes in America, from the arid deserts of the southwest to the High Sierras and the Cascade Mountains. Ultimately, I would arrive at the Canadian border in mid October, but I was no longer the same person as when I began. The Trail Home describes the intertwined, dual journey that I would undertake the external journey exploring the physical landscape and the internal journey exploring the landscape of my soul. I came to the realization as I hiked along the Pacific Crest Trail that we live fragmented and disjointed lives. We have bee...

Towards the Formation of a Sustainable South Florida

An Analysis of Conflict Resolution and Consensus Building in the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Initiative

by Arthur Oyola-Yemaiel

2000

This dissertation examines the sociological process of conflict resolution and consensus building in South Florida Everglades Ecosystem Restoration through what I define as a Network Management Coordinative Interstitial Group (NetMIG). The process of conflict resolution can be summarized as the participation of interested and affected parties (stakeholders) in a forum of negotiation. I study the case of the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida (GCSSF) that was established to reduce social conflict. Such conflict originated from environmental disputes about the Everglades and was manifested in the form of gridlock among regulatory (government) agencies, Indian tribes, as well as agricultural, environmental conservationist and urban development interests. The purpose of t...

Fruits of Time

Nature and the Unfolding of Difference

by Daniel R. Athearn

2003

This book argues that physics is destined to enter a new era marked by an enlarged conception of physical knowledge. This is not a matter of future discoveries, but has to do with how scientific thought responds over time to what is known today. In the new era a genuinely explanatory dimension is restored to physical science which in the current era of thought is quietly abandoned as archaic. The current view is that for a certain class of phenomena, physical explanations in the sense of descriptions of underlying causal processes are no longer possible. It is assumed that the general demise of classical materialistic causal models (such as the theory of ether as an all-pervading material medium of light propagation) consigns this kind of theorizing to history. This book fully ac...

Modeling Carbon Fluxes, Net Primary Production, and Light Utilization in Boreal Forest Stands

by Scott J. Goetz

1997

The use of satellite remote sensing for modeling net primary production (NPP) was evaluated in sixty boreal forest stands spanning a range of site conditions. The work included: (i) estimating annual phenological dynamics and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception with remotely sensed spectral measurements, (ii) linking annually absorbed PAR (APAR) to measured NPP and quantifying variability in light use efficiency ("En"), (iii) evaluating sources of variability in "En" via mechanistic modeling of ecophysiology and associated carbon fluxes, particularly through analyses of respiratory carbon costs in relation to assimilation gains (the R:A ratio), (iv) assessing generalization of the results through an investigation of the evidence for evolution...

Socio-economic impact of rock bund construction for small farmers of Bam Province/Burkina Faso

by Dagmar Kunze

1998

Soil degradation has made erosion control and water harvesting an important measure in most of sub-Sahelian Western Africa. The construction of stone lines, dikes and dams has been proven a sustainable measure which is widely accepted by the rural population of northern Burkina Faso. The objective of a field study which was conducted in Bam Province from 1992 to 1994 was to investigate economic profitability of erosion control measures under farmers' conditions on household level and for different household sub-groups. Main aspects concerned yield changes in small farmers' staple food grain production of sorghum and millet as well as the competition of rock bund construction with other dry season activities. Based on farm surveys, assessment of impact on farmers' fields, investmen...

Primordialization

The Way New Living Organisms Emerge

by Mirabotalib Kazemie

2001

We know that each biological organism has the potential for variation. This can be seen in domestic animals and wildlife. However, neither fossils nor other data available from molecular and developmental biology demonstrate sufficiently that this potential is the reason for emergence of new biological organisms. This book presents a new theory which shows that biological organisms, despite variations, have a distinct basic form which is established through a process called "primordialization". Primordialization theory differs from traditional theories of biological diversity by suggesting that the ability of living organisms to evolve occurs only within the boundaries of their basic forms designs. Proteins that do not tolerate changes in their sequences determine these forms. Shifts i...

Photoreduction of protochlorophyllide "a" to chlorophyllide "a" during the biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus in higher plants

by Benoît Schoefs

2000

This thesis is divided into 4 chapters summarizing this contribution on selected topics related to chlorophyll biosynthesis and biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus. The first chapter deals with the state of Pchlide in nonilluminated leaves. The comparison of the photoactive Pchlide absorbance spectra throughout the development in the dark, reveals that the proportion of P638-645 and P650-657 is not much modified during this period. The Gaussian deconvolutions of 77 K fluorescence spectra of nonphotoactive and photoactive Pchlide indicated the presence of three and 5 spectral forms, respectively. None of the nonphotoactive Pchlide forms is accumulated during the dark-growth. In constrast, photoactive Pchlide P650-657 is particularly accumulated. In the second chapter, we describe t...

From the Agulhas to the South Atlantic

Measuring Inter-ocean Fluxes

by Deirdre Byrne

2000

The Agulhas Retroflection transfers heat, salt and vorticity from the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic. The transfer is accomplished by discrete meso-scale features and by the advection of a water column of mixed Atlantic and Indian Ocean origins. The objectives of this thesis are to measure the strength of the Agulhas-South Atlantic (ASA) exchange and to develop a generalized method for the measurement of mass and thermohaline fluxes. First, ASA mass and energy fluxes are estimated by using sea surface height (SSH) anomalies from satellite altimetry to monitor Agulhas eddies, a significant component of ASA transport. ~20 eddies are tracked from SSH during 1986 - 1989. Six eddies/year are observed entering the South Atlantic; when combined with information from hydrography this sugg...

The Conscious Stream

by Denise Ingebo-Barth

2000

The Conscious Stream describes a theory built on the idea that consciousness--a stream of separate conscious instants, like frames making up a reel of film--is formed as trajectories circulate around the nervous system circuitry. In this model, a trajectory is a series of neuron groups energized in turn. (Picture it as a sequence of lights flashing around a marquee or perhaps as a comet blazing through a linked series of packed neuron groups--through circuits of the nervous system.) When a trajectory passes through the thalamus--a central area of the brain--an instant of experience is inserted into our lifelong conscious stream. This instant of experience can be a sensation, thought, or feeling. The particular instant depends on the source of the trajectory. When a trajectory is initiated ...

Organisation et évolution du génome des Angiospermes

by Nicolas Carels

2000

Les relations gënomiques dëgagëes dans ce travail font apparaÓtre que l'anctre commun des graminëes a subi une transition de la composition en bases qui se traduit par l'augmentation en GC dans tous les consitutants gëniques et gënomiques. Par opposition, cette transition n'a pas eu lieu dans la plupart des autres Monocots et Dicots. La transition compositionnelle renforce l'ëvidence de l'existence de deux classes de gnes chez les Angiospermes : les gnes pauvres et riches en GC. Les premiers sont caractërisës par la prësence d'introns en plus grand nombre et de plus grande longueur que les derniers. Par ailleurs, les deux classes de gnes chez les graminëes ont, sur base de l'ëtude des substitutions synonymes, des taux d'ëvolution diffërents et sont associëes  des plans de fonction dif...

An Investigation of the Universal Gravitation Constant based on the Celestial Clock

by Dr. K. Somashekhar Udupa

2004

This innovative study challenges existing theory of gravitation, suggesting an important modification that better explains the mechanism of the solar system. Through hundreds of mathematical proofs using calculations based on our solar system and an important discovery regarding the interior mechanism of the sun, the author reveals an important aspect of gravitation overlooked by modern science that extends our understanding of the our own solar system, as well as other galaxies and celestial motion in general.

Global Silk Industry

A Complete Source Book

by Rajat K. Datta & Mahesh Nanavaty

2005

The popularity of silk is more confined to super-rich or haute couture; silk is now an affordable luxury for the middle class in Europe and USA, and continues to hold its way in Asia as traditional ceremonial wear. The present source book traces recent global status of silk country wise and describes in depth the sericulture practices followed in both in temperate and tropic regions of the world, as also silk processing, and marketing of raw silk, finished silk and ready-to-wear including high fashion couture creations of Italy, France and Switzerland. The book, therefore, attempts to fill a void in the current information available in English on the world status of sericulture and silk. We presume it would definitely interest scientist, technologists and students connected with the textil...

Effects of Resettlement Schemes on the Biophysical and Human Environments

The Case of the Gambela Region, Ethiopia

by Mengistu Woube

2005

This book focuses on the effects of resettlement schemes on the environment. The chapters of the book include: Theories, typologies and processes of settlement, resettlement and resettlement schemes in Africa and other countries; Effects of the 1960s, 70s and 80s resettlement schemes on the overall bio-physical and human environments and brief presentation on the ongoing resettlement programme in Ethiopia; Effects of the resettlements on the soil resources, water, vegetation, land-use and farming systems, fires, health and wildlife in Gambela Region. Most of the resettlement projects were designed on the basis of political motives, short-sighted economic gains in mind, and were not integrated to other development programmes. As a result, they have aggravated land-use and ethnic conflicts,...

Global Warming for Dim Wits

A Scientist's Perspective of Climate Change

by James R. Barrante

2010

Human beings are not very bright. The power output of the human brain is about 40 watts, and that is indeed pretty dim. We definitely are all dim wits. This book was written for dim wits – from one dim wit to another, as they say. Its primary purpose is to address the controversy affectionately known as global warming. Written by a physical scientist with over 40 years of teaching experience, the book contains very little personal opinion, has no political agenda, and is loaded with well-documented and scientifically tested facts concerning the greenhouse gases and climate change. It contains material that you will want to share with your children. Global Warming for Dim Wits is written in simple language. Every attempt has been made to present the material in a way that the average per...

Quantum Mechanical First Principles Calculations of the Electronic and Magnetic Structure of Fe-bearing Rock-forming Silicates

by Danylo Zherebetskyy

2010

The focus of this thesis is the study of the electronic and magnetic structure of three representative members of Fe-bearing rock-forming silicates, viz. orthoferrosilite (Fe2+2Si2O6), almandine (Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3) and andradite (Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3). These minerals have attracted significant attention due to their abundance in the Earth's crust and mantle, and because crystallised silicates are main components of cosmic dust which is the most abundant raw material in the Universe. For this purpose quantum mechanical first principles electronic structure calculations are performed by the most efficient DFT method in the local spin-density approximation for calculating spectroscopic data: the spin-polarized self consistent charge Xa method. The specific feature and strength of these investigatio...

Functional Domain Motions and Processivity in Bacterial Hyaluronate Lyase

A Molecular Dynamics Study

by Harshad Joshi

2010

Processive enzymes are a special class of enzymes which presumably remain attached to their polymeric substrates between multiple rounds of catalysis. Due to this property, the substrate slides along the enzyme and reduces the time for the random diffusional enzyme-substrate encounters thereby increasing the efficiency of these enzymes manifold. Although structural information from many processive enzymes is available, the atomistic details of particularly the substrate sliding process, which is an inherently dynamic process, remain largely unknown. We take first steps to understand the sliding process by investigating a prototypic processive enzyme: Streptococcus Pneumoniae Hyaluronate lyase, a bacterial enzyme that degrades the polysaccharide substrate hyaluronan. Here we have investiga...

Comparison of Sediments and Sedimentary Structures from Cores Taken on the Outer, Middle and Inner Part of Tidal Flat off Busum, North Sea Germany

by Andi Yulianti Ramli

2010

Ten vibrocores were collected from the outer, middle and inner part of the tidal flats off Busum (German North Sea coast) to identify the gradual changes in sediment composition and sedimentary structures due to their location and input of hydrodynamic energy. The outer part of the investigation transect includes Tertiussand and D-Steert, the middle part is the huge sandbank of the Bielhovensand and the inner part comprises the Meldorf bight. The study turned out that the facies in the outer part is dominated by sandy material and the bedding types mainly are small scale cross bedding and massive sand. The facies of the middle part is characterized by a mixing of sandy and muddy material which results predominately in flaser bedding. The sediments of the inner part are characterized by si...

Aquatic Biofuels

New Options for Bioenergy

by Antonio Piccolo

2010

Recent talks have outlined the disadvantages of land based (agro-fuels) as feedstock for biofuels. This final dissertation for the MBA in Energy and Sustainable Development looks at these disadvantages and proposes an alternative scenario, i.e. the potential of aquatic alternatives. Aquatic Biofuels: New Options for Bioenergy looks at the potential of micro-algae and fish waste as feedstock for biofuel. Micro-algae come in different strains; strains differ in their composition some have more lipids/oils, others have more proteins and others yet have more carbohydrates. The chosen strain will determine what kind of biofuel can be produced or if the strain contains less lipids and more carbohydrates or proteins, the algae can produce bio-gas. Current technology in algae extraction is also c...

Initiation and Control of Gait from First Principles

A Mathematically Animated Model of the Foot

by Craig Nevin

2010

This thesis examines the anatomical locations of the dynamic pressures that create the first five footprints when a standing person starts to walk. It is hypothesized that the primary activity starts with the dorsiflexion or lifting of the great toe. Consequently, the metatarsophalangeal region of the forefoot was studied from three directions. Viewed side-on, the great toe free-body is found from a detailed post hoc analysis of previous kinematic data obtained from cadavers to operate as a cam. The cam model also follows closely from Aristotle's ancient description of the hinged instrument of animate motion. Viewed in coronal cross-section, the first metatarsal torsion strength was estimated in 13 humans, 1 gorilla, 3 chimpanzees, 1 orangutan and 1 baboon set of dry-bone specimens of th...

Theoretical Modelling and Mechanistic Study of the Formation and Atmospheric Transformations of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds and Carbonaceous Particles

by Antonius Indarto

2010

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and soot share the same origin (incomplete combustion or pyrolysis) and nature, namely structural and electronic features. The purpose of the research work discussed in this thesis is to offer a theoretical contribution to elucidate some aspects of PAH and soot particle formation. The interest in carrying out such a work lies on one hand in the ubiquitous presence of both species in the environment, on the other hand on the concern for their impact on both human health, specifically involving the respiratory system, and climate, in particular as regards global warming. Thus, a better knowledge on the formation mechanisms of PAHs and soot could then help the efforts to reduce their concentration in our atmosphere. Since the formation mechanisms still...