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Mushroom Biotechnology for Improved Agriculture and Human Health
by Chukwuebuka Egbuna Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji Oluwatosin Ademola Ijabadeniyi Samantha C. KarunarathnaThe book is essential for those seeking to understand innovative and sustainable solutions to global food insecurity and health challenges, as it offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of mushroom biotechnology and its applications. The intervention of microbial biotechnology in various sectors has displayed remarkable growth linked to sustainable innovations and biotechnological utilization of beneficial microorganisms, such as mushrooms, for the benefit of humanity. Recent advancements in mushroom biotechnology will prove successful due to mushrooms’ nature as natural problem solvers, including their ability to enhance nutritional values obtained from agricultural crops, sustained health benefits derived from pharmacologically active substances used to manage human diseases, and improve crop production. This book will serve as one of the first volumes addressing the usefulness of mushroom biotechnology, giving detailed state-of-the-art information on recent advancements and how the industry could maximize profits. The volume will also assist the pharmaceutical and medical sectors by examining the discovery of novel pharmacological and bioactive compounds that could replace the various adverse effects when using synthetic drugs. It presents a simple, adaptable, reproducible methodology that will help researchers and scientists adopt these methodologies for similar projects. Readers will find that the book: Presents recent advances in the application of mushroom biotechnology in various sectors (food, agriculture, and health) for sustainable innovations for optimum benefit of mankind; Details applications of mushrooms for sustainable agriculture through their plant growth-promoting attributes and management of pests and diseases in plants and soils; Discusses the discovery of novel pharmacological substances from mushrooms for applications in the biomedical sector. Audience The book is valuable reference work for scientists and researchers working in the fields of pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural microbiology, plant pathology, botany, agriculture, microbiology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, environmental microbiology, and microbial biotechnology.
Mushroom Magic: Biochemistry and Nutritional Value of Fungi
by Dhirendra Kumar Mohammad Javed Ansari Sheetanshu Gupta Wajid Hasan Shakuli Kashyap Sudhir MehrotraThis book presents a detailed account of mushroom biology. It covers the biochemical composition, nutritional significance, and health benefits of mushrooms. It also discusses their medicinal properties, biochemical variability, and culinary techniques for maximizing their nutritional value.The subject matter in this book also discusses: Impact of Cooking and Processing on Mushroom Nutrient Retention Vitamins and Minerals in Mushrooms: A Nutritional Treasure Chitin and Chitosan in Mushrooms: Bioactivity and Applications Allergenic and Toxic Compounds in Mushrooms: Biochemical Identification and Implications Edible and Wild Medicinal Mushrooms: Comparative Biochemical Profiles Print edition not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or Bhutan)
Mushroom Pest and Disease Control: A Colour Handbook
by John T. Fletcher Richard H. GazeThe production of Agaricus bisporus is a major, world-wide, highly mechanized process. Healthy crops are essential if yields, quality and profitability are to be maintained. Pests and diseases are a major cause of crop losses and this book covers their recognition, biology and control. New pests and diseases are described together with changes in t
Mushrooming: An Illustrated Guide To The Fantastic, Delicious, Deadly, And Strange World Of Fungi
by Diane Borsato“A merry, idiosyncratic guide, charmingly illustrated.”—Eugenia Bone, The Wall Street Journal An illustrated guide to over 100 types of mushrooms, offering insights and stories about these mysterious organisms An incredible diversity of fungi is flourishing all around us, not just in the forest but in parks, markets, and even museums. Once you know how to look, you can find mushrooms named after fairies and demons, mushrooms that look so much like woodland birds they are shot at by hunters, mushrooms that glow in the dark . . . and so much more. Beyond serving as a guide for identification, Mushrooming explores how “the quiet hunt” can radically expand our perspectives, connect us to nature, and enrich our lives. Whether you’re a beginner forager or an expert mycophile, this is the perfect handbook to spark your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the fantastic, delicious, deadly, and strange world of fungi.
Mushrooms of Cascadia, Second Edition: An Illustrated Key to the Fungi of the Pacific Northwest
by Michael BeugAn illustrated key to identifying the mushrooms of the Cascadian bioregion, stretching from coastal Alaska to central California and Idaho, featuring nearly 1,100 full-color photographs and more than 3,000 species.In this unique and comprehensive field guide, mycologist Dr. Michael Beug helps mushroom hunters of all levels navigate an often bewildering array of species by clearly identifying features that separate one cluster from another. By answering simple questions (Does the mushroom have gills? Are there upward pointing tips like coral? Is the underside smooth or veined?) and consulting the carefully chosen, full-color photos, Dr. Beug leads you step by step through the process of successfully identifying your find.Covering gilled and non-gilled species, Chanterelles, Boletes, Amanitas, Agaricus, Psilocybe, and many, many more—and including descriptions of lookalikes and similar species—Mushrooms of Cascadia presents 3,000 species of mushrooms commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, with nearly 1,100 clarifying full-color photographs. With this invaluable guide, even beginner foragers can learn how to distinguish an edible (non-poisonous) series from a poisonous one.Whether you&’re seeking hallucinogenic or medicinal varieties, or hunting mushrooms for dyeing fabric or making tonight&’s dinner, this exceptionally useful guide will teach you how to quickly recognize what you find in the forest.
Mushrooms of Gujarat (Fungal Diversity Research Series)
by Poonam Bhargava Madhvi Joshi Meghna Bhatt Shaad Kadri Manju Shri Chaitanya G JoshiThis edited book cover over 200 mushrooms with detailed profiles of all the species. Each profile includes information on macro-morphology, molecular characterization, application and a color photograph of the same. Gujarat mushrooms gives a complete idea of mushrooms found in Gujarat, there morphological identification, molecular barcoding and documented applications. Data presented on mushrooms spans collections of three consecutive years. The collected mushrooms were identified morphologically as well as at the molecular level using ITS as a marker. 942 specimens covering 316 species were submitted to BOLD. Of these the macrofungal diversity covered around 200 species. Some of the collected mushrooms were not only edible but were found to have nutraceutical as well as industrial value. Although the mushrooms collected are from Gujarat region only they are reported from different areas around the globe. Hence the proposed book will be useful not only regionally but across countries as well. Mushrooom is a macro fungus with a distinct fruiting body. Wild mushrooms have a significant biological and economic impact. The texture and pleasant flavor of certain mushrooms make them a delicacy for mankind. Mushrooms have a very high medicinal value as well with several reports of anticancer properties of mushroom extracts. This book is a useful read for researchers and academicians interested in mushrooms.
Mushrooms of Hawai'i: An Identification Guide
by Dennis E. Desjardin Don E. HemmesHawai'i is known for its verdant mountains and colorful ocean ecosystems, but few realize the depth and range of the islands' mushroom diversity. In fact, Hawai'i is home to over 230 species of mushrooms that are prized by foragers from around the world. In Mushrooms of Hawai'i, Don Hemmes and Dennis Desjardin present a beautiful and comprehensive guide to the treasure trove of mycological life in the Aloha State. Inside you'll find information on Mushroom identification Culinary and medicinal uses of Hawaiian mushrooms Where to find the best mushroom-hunting spots The seasonality of Hawaiian mushrooms And everything else you might need to make your foraging adventure a success. Mushrooms of Hawai'i also includes beautiful illustrations to help you identify familiar treasures like morels, well-known dangers like Amanita muscaria, and exciting species unique to the islands. Whether you're hunting Copelandia cyanescens ("magic" mushrooms) in the pasture grasses high in the mountains of Maui, or foraging for Laetiporus (chicken of the woods), an edible mushroom sought after by foodies for its uniquely delicious taste, this book is the must-have guide for fungophiles.
Mushrooms with Therapeutic Potentials: Recent Advances in Research and Development
by Dinesh Chandra Agrawal Muralikrishnan DhanasekaranThe book presents new and novel perceptions about ailments alleviating the effects of several mushroom species. Also, the book highlights the curative role of medicinal mushrooms on some peripheral and central diseases. Various chapters in the book (primarily reviews) have been dedicated to providing the therapeutic efficacy of mushrooms against respiratory illnesses, gut microbiota, COVID-19, dementia, epilepsy, mental ailments, cancers, cardiovascular, kidney-related diseases, and other common pathologies. Thus, medicinal mushrooms are current and future consumable healthcare products that usually exhibit nourishing properties and possess prophylactic and therapeutic values with minimal adverse effects and contraindications. The book focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) to promote healthy lives and well-being for all. Medical, pharmacy, nursing, and CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) students, practitioners, scholars, researchers, other healthcare professionals, and general readers are this book’s potential audience. The book can be adopted as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses so that the therapeutic potential of mushrooms can reach a wider audience. This book strives to create a new resource for the future use of medicinal mushrooms in various disorders.
Mushrooms, Humans and Nature in a Changing World: Perspectives from Ecological, Agricultural and Social Sciences
by Jesús Pérez-Moreno Alexis Guerin-Laguette Roberto Flores Arzú Fu-Qiang YuThis book focuses on recent advances in our understanding of wild edible mycorrhizal fungi, truffle and mushrooms and their cultivation. In addition to providing fresh insights into various topics, e.g. taxonomy, ecology, cultivation and environmental impact, it also demonstrates the clear but fragile link between wild edible mushrooms and human societies. Comprising 17 chapters written by 41 experts from 13 countries on four continents, it enables readers to grasp the importance of protecting this unique, invaluable, renewable resource in the context of climate change and unprecedented biodiversity loss. The book inspires professionals and encourages young researchers to enter this field to develop the sustainable use of wild edible mushrooms using modern tools and approaches. It also highlights the importance of protecting forested environments, saving species from extinction and generating a significant income for local populations, while keeping alive and renewing the link between humans and wild edible mushrooms so that in the future, the sustainable farming and use of edible mycorrhizal mushrooms will play a predominant role in the management and preservation of forested lands.
Mushrooms: Agaricus bisporus (Crop Production Science in Horticulture)
by Edited by Youssef Najib SassineThe white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus is one of the most widely cultivated mushroom species in the world. It is favored for its high nutritional value and multiple health benefits, especially by consumers interested in vegan and clean eating. This book presents fundamental guidelines for mushroom production as well as major scientific findings in this field. It covers mushroom production and trade, substrates properties, compost quality, breeding, pests and diseases, harvesting, and post-harvest technologies. With practical information on methods used by both commercial and small-scale growers, the book also addresses: The major steps of the mushroom production cycle - compost preparation, spawning, casing, pinning, cropping, and harvest. Ways to improve A. bisporus yield and quality, and disease resistance. Case studies to illustrate cultivation techniques in a range of different countries, making use of local agricultural or industrial wastes. This is a valuable resource for researchers and students in horticulture, as well as professionals and growers.
Mushrooms: Cultivation, Nutritional Value, Medicinal Effect, and Environmental Impact
by Philip G. Miles Shu-Ting ChangSince the publication of the first edition, important developments have emerged in modern mushroom biology and world mushroom production and products. The relationship of mushrooms with human welfare and the environment, medicinal properties of mushrooms, and the global marketing value of mushrooms and their products have all garnered great attenti
Mushrooms: Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
by Deepu Pandita Anu PanditaThere are around 1.5 million fungal species worldwide. Out of these around 14,000 species produce fruiting bodies known as mushrooms, and around 2000 species are edible, and only 270 are reported to be medicinal. The fungal kingdom is phylogenetically closer to humans than plants, so gives better health benefits to human systems. This book educates readers on the nutritional, pharmaceutical and medicinal values of different mushrooms and their utilization as nutraceuticals and functional foods for human security. It reviews the current knowledge on the distribution of edible mushrooms, its general characteristics, morphology, nutritional profile and properties, pharmacological importance, and biological activities. Health benefits of mushrooms, antioxidant and secondary metabolite profiling, major biological activities of mushroom-derived secondary metabolites, functional foods based on the mushrooms open doors for therapies, products with added value, toxicology, and side effects if any are also highlighted. The book is intended for a large and varied audience – researchers, scientists, and scholars in academia, mushroom growers and industries, nutritionists, dietitians, food scientists, clinicians, doctors, drug industries, pharmacy, biotechnologists, biochemists, botanists, mycologists, and general masses.
Music Data Analysis: Foundations and Applications (Chapman & Hall/CRC Computer Science & Data Analysis)
by Claus Weihs, Dietmar Jannach, Igor Vatolkin and Günter RudolphThis book provides a comprehensive overview of music data analysis, from introductory material to advanced concepts. It covers various applications including transcription and segmentation as well as chord and harmony, instrument and tempo recognition. It also discusses the implementation aspects of music data analysis such as architecture, user interface and hardware. It is ideal for use in university classes with an interest in music data analysis. It also could be used in computer science and statistics as well as musicology.
Music Education, Ecopolitical Professionalism, and Public Pedagogy: Towards Systems Transformation (SpringerBriefs in Education)
by Margaret S. Barrett Heidi M. WesterlundThis book challenges the dominant expertise professionalism rationale for music education by responding to the call to develop ‘ecological awareness’ at a time when all professions have a moral obligation to place sustainable and interdependent life at the center. The book aims to expand music education’s professional horizons to acknowledge the responsibility of the music field to contribute to the demands of complex questions of sustainability and identify the ways in which sustainable music education may be strengthened through an activist relational ecological stance. It suggests a radical moral turn by asking: What if music education is recognised as part of the problem of sustaining unsustainability? and What if music teacher education was developed in and through dialogue with a futures perspective? These questions are interrogated through a critical analysis of the historical positioning of music in education and an interdisciplinary application of theories of ecology and professionalism.
Music Perception
by Arthur N. Popper Richard R. Fay Mari Riess JonesThe increasing prevalence of musical stimulation in our everyday environment makes studies of musical listening, comprehension and memory important. Music has simply become a pervasive aspect of the experienced environment for most of us; along with enhanced levels of machine sounds, musical sound sources are contributing to a virtual transformation of contemporary soundscapes occurring in many industrial countries. In spite of such trends, arguably the mainstream research in psychology and related fields has been slow to devote concentrated attention to this phenomenon and what it might mean. As a result, with respect to more established fields of research (e.g., visual perception, speech perception, attention and memory etc.), less is known about how people perceive and respond to complex, non-random, acoustic signals found in musical events. Although these topics reside in the domain of music research, this field is a relatively new one, with a history that dates back only about 25 years. Nevertheless, it is now a vibrant and rapidly growing field that draws from multiple disciplines (psychology, psychoacoustics, computer science, music theory, and so forth) to seek answers to questions about how we listen to musical events in our world. It tackles questions about pitch perception in complex patterns, about the role of tonal schemes as well as effects of metrical and rhythmic schemes on musical listening behaviors. It also examines abilities of children and adults to perceive and comprehend dynamic sound patterns. Emotional responses to music are also studied; and overarching all of this are exciting new neuroscience findings concerned with neural responses to musical events. Music Perceptionintroduces its audience to these and related basic issues concerned with listening to music. It also illustrates how knowledge about music perception may ultimately lead to a broader understanding of conventional concepts regarding perception, attention and memory.
Music Technology Essentials: A Home Studio Guide
by Andrew MazMusic Technology Essentials provides an overview of the vocabulary, techniques, concepts, and devices used in contemporary music production and guides readers through the essential fundamentals of music technology so that they can create their own music productions at home. This highly accessible book covers sound fundamentals and theory, as well as practical topics like hardware, software, MIDI, digital audio, synthesis, computer notation, and audio-visual applications, to equip the reader with the principles they need to achieve professional-sounding results. Each chapter is accompanied by real-life examples and exercises that can be applied to any digital audio workstation software, to put the lessons into practice. This book will also help readers evaluate their requirements for home music production while working within a sensible budget. Music Technology Essentials is the ideal textbook for beginners inside and outside of the classroom, including those on music and music production courses, who wish to enter the world of music technology but are unsure where to start or what to purchase.
Music Therapy and Music-Based Interventions in Neurology: Perspectives on Research and Practice (Current Clinical Neurology)
by Kerry Devlin Kyurim Kang Alexander PantelyatThis book synthesizes knowledge about the myriad ways music can support the physical and psychosocial needs of people living with neurological diagnoses. It may be a useful tool for those working or training as music therapists, as well as clinicians and patients interested in the use of music and rhythm to address individualized healthcare goals. The editors of this book advocate for a collaborative, holistic approach to the implementation of music-based interventions, acknowledging that different (and at times, conflicting) approaches do exist – and that different patients may require exploration of different approaches to have their needs and desires met in ways most meaningful to them. The book’s many contributors embody this desire to hold space for wide-ranging views on clinical practice through the ways they share their own perspectives as music therapists, neurologists, nurses, speech and language pathologists, and neuroscience researchers from across the globe.Each chapter is centered around clinical work in context with a specific patient community – be that a diagnosis (e.g., movement disorders), shared culture (e.g., autistic culture), disease stage (e.g., end of life), or targeted clinical need (e.g., psychosocial support and/or functional performance) – and features a summary of available research with case examples and clinical descriptions to highlight different conceptualizations of the role of music in the care of patients with neurologic diagnoses.
Music Therapy and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Light on a Dark Night
by David Aldridge Simon GilbertsonMusical improvisation is an increasingly recognised rehabilitative therapy for people who have experienced traumatic brain injury initially thought to be `unreachable' or `non-responsive'. Music Therapy and Traumatic Brain Injury demonstrates how music therapy can be used to attend to the holistic, rather than purely functional, needs of people affected by severe head trauma. Divided into three parts, the first section provides an introduction to the effects brain injury has on a person's livelihood. The second is a comprehensive review of available literature on the use of music therapy in the neurorehabilitative setting. The final section examines three case studies designed according to `therapeutic narrative analysis', an adaptive research method that uses interviewing and video, which focuses on the unique relationship between the professional and the patient. This book will give clinicians key notes for practice and a vision of the integral role music therapy can have in the successful rehabilitation from brain injury.
Music and Acoustics: From Instrument to Computer
by Philippe GuillaumeHow can a piano tuner obtain such high precision with no other measuring device than their own ears? How can a sequence of notes seem to rise continuously despite coming back periodically to the same notes? What are the possibilities and the limits of digital sound? These are a few examples of questions that are discussed in this book, which presents an overview on the nature of musical sounds, from their production by acoustic music instruments to synthesized sounds obtained with computers. The topics that are treated include sound propagation, Fourier and time-frequency analysis, psychoacoustics, analog and digital signal processing theory, computer science and MP3 sound compression, and of course... music!
Music and Astronomy: From Pythagoras to Steven Spielberg (Springer Praxis Books)
by Maurizio AgròThis book explores the profound and ancient relationship between music and astronomy. Throughout history, Music has occupied a significant place among the disciplines of the Quadrivium, which also include Geometry, Arithmetic, and Astronomy. The captivating bond between these two realms has not only inspired eminent scientists like Kepler, Newton, and Einstein, but has also captured the imagination of NASA and astronauts in modern times. The author delves into various aspects of the intersection between music and astronomy, encompassing everything from ancient cosmological beliefs to groundbreaking discoveries such as the cosmic background radiation and gravitational waves. This enthralling theme has not only stimulated renowned artists like David Bowie and Elton John, but has also served as a muse for movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Within the book, readers will find an extensive photo gallery and a specially curated soundtrack that enhances the reading experience. It caters to a broad audience, appealing to those with a general interest in both music and astronomy, as well as to specialized individuals in either field of study.
Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness
by Edited by Renée Fleming"This book inspires us all to immerse ourselves in the vast potential of music and other creative arts to heal our wounds, sharpen our minds, enliven our bodies, and restore our broken connections.&” —Bessel van der Kolk, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Body Keeps the ScoreWorld-renowned soprano and arts/health advocate Renée Fleming curates a collection of essays from leading scientists, artists, creative arts therapists, educators, and healthcare providers about the powerful impacts of music and the arts on health and the human experienceChapters include: Ann Patchett, &“How to Fall in Love with Opera&” Yo-Yo Ma, &“Nature, Culture, and Healing&”Aniruddh D. Patel, &“Musicality, Evolution, and Animal Responses to Music&”Richard Powers, &“The Parting Glass"Daniel J. Levitin, &“What Does It Mean to be Musical?&” Anna Deavere Smith, &“Healing Arts&” Rosanne Cash, &“Rabbit Hole&” Rhiannon Giddens, &“How Music Shows Us What It Means to Be Human&”Robert Zatorre, &“Musical Enjoyment and the Reward Circuits of the Brain&”Concetta Tomaino, &“Music and Memory&”A compelling and growing body of research has shown music and arts therapies to be effective tools for addressing a widening array of conditions, from providing pain relief andalleviating anxiety and depression to regaining speech after stroke or traumatic brain injury, and improving mobility for people with disorders that include Parkinson&’s disease and MS.In Music and Mind Renée Fleming draws upon her own experience as an advocate to showcase the breadth of this booming field, inviting leading experts to share their discoveries. In addition to describing therapeutic benefits, the book explores evolution, brain function, childhood development, and technology as applied to arts and health.Much of this area of study is relatively new, made possible by recent advances in brain imaging, and supported by theNational Institutes of Health, major hospitals, and universities. This work is sparking an explosion of public interest in the arts and health sector.Fleming has presented on this material in over fifty cities across North America, Europe, and Asia, collaborating with leading researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners. With essays from notable musicians, writers, and artists, as well as leading neuroscientists, Music and Mind is a groundbreaking book, the perfect introduction and overview of this exciting new field.
Music as Biology
by Dale PurvesWhy do human beings find some tone combinations consonant and others dissonant? Why do we make music using only a small number of scales out the billions that are possible? Dale Purves shows that rethinking music theory in biological terms offers a new approach to centuries-long debates about the organization and impact of music.
Music, Forced Migration and Emplacement: Sounds of Asylum Bristol (Leisure Studies in a Global Era)
by Nicola De Martini UgolottiThis book analyses the negotiation of place, belonging and uncertainty enacted by a group of 60 men and women seeking asylum who gathered weekly in a community space in Bristol, UK, to share songs, memories, laughter, and precariousness with other established and new city-dwellers. Building on a rich corpus of ethnographic data, this book explores music-making to address “what goes unnoticed” in existing ways of thinking about forced migration. By looking at the junctures where leisure, forced migration and urban analyses intersect with grassroot solidarity with and by people seeking asylum, it offers an interdisciplinary reading of music, forced migration and emplacement for scholars across leisure, anthropology, sociology, and geography. This book contributes and provokes novel discussions regarding refugees’ everyday experiences and negotiations of precariousness, suspension, and marginality in Britain.
Music, Math, and Mind: The Physics and Neuroscience of Music
by Professor David SulzerWhy does a clarinet play at lower pitches than a flute? What does it mean for sounds to be in or out of tune? How are emotions carried by music? Do other animals perceive sound like we do? How might a musician use math to come up with new ideas?This book offers a lively exploration of the mathematics, physics, and neuroscience that underlie music in a way that readers without scientific background can follow. David Sulzer, also known in the musical world as Dave Soldier, explains why the perception of music encompasses the physics of sound, the functions of the ear and deep-brain auditory pathways, and the physiology of emotion. He delves into topics such as the math by which musical scales, rhythms, tuning, and harmonies are derived, from the days of Pythagoras to technological manipulation of sound waves. Sulzer ranges from styles from around the world to canonical composers to hip-hop, the history of experimental music, and animal sound by songbirds, cetaceans, bats, and insects. He makes accessible a vast range of material, helping readers discover the universal principles behind the music they find meaningful.Written for musicians and music lovers with any level of science and math proficiency, including none, Music, Math, and Mind demystifies how music works while testifying to its beauty and wonder.
Music, Physics and Engineering (Dover Books On Music Ser.)
by Harry F. OlsonNow thoroughly revised and enlarged, this book offers the most comprehensive coverage available of all aspects of the production, reception, and reproduction of sound. Written clearly and concisely, all its chapters can be understood without specialized training in music, physics, engineering, or mathematics.Dr. Olson discusses the nature of sound waves; explains the division of sound into scale patterns and the traditional method of notating them; describes the individual characteristics of all musical instruments currently in use (including the human voice); shows how the ears hear; discusses concert hall and recording studio acoustics, amplification systems, etc; describes the elements of sound reproduction systems from the telephone to the stereo record player; and concludes with a new chapter on the production, development, and potentialities of electronic music.Under these broad headings, readers will find a close analysis of the way in which a violin produces sound; descriptions of carbon, crystal, dynamic, velocity, and unidirectional microphones; a comparison of the relative absorbency of 22 acoustic materials, building materials, and objects; a description of how music can be produced by a digital computer; and much, much more. Conductors will find suggestions on positioning their orchestras; performers will understand the dynamics of their instruments; recording engineers and acousticians will discover a remarkably comprehensive reference work; and music teachers, students, physicists, and enthusiasts in general will find easy access to a vast wealth of information.