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Starbound: Interstellar Travel and the Limits of the Possible
by Ed RegisThis book is for anyone enthralled by the romantic dream of a voyage 'to the stars.' From our current viewpoint in the twenty-first century, crewed interstellar travel will be an exceptionally difficult undertaking. It will require building a spacecraft on a scale never before attempted, at vast cost, relying on unproven technologies. Yet somehow, through works of science fiction, TV and movies, the idea of human interstellar travel being easy or even inevitable has entered our popular consciousness. In this book, Ed Regis critically examines whether humankind is bound for distant stars, or if instead we are bound to our own star, for the indefinite future. How do we overcome the main challenge that even the nearest stars are unimaginably far away? He explores the proposed technologies and the many practical aspects of undertaking an interstellar journey, finishing with his reflections on whether such a journey should be planned for.
Starch: Advances in Modifications, Technologies and Applications
by Vijay Singh Sharanagat Dharmesh Chandra Saxena Kshitiz Kumar Yogesh KumarStarch is one of the major components responsible for the structure of final food products. A recent report by Industrial Starch Market predicts the industrial starch market to reach about 106.64 billion by 2022. The major portion of the starch volume will be contributed by conventional sources like maize, wheat and potato. These native starch sources are well capable to meet the industrial requirements. However, modification of starch brings lot of positive changes in functional and structural properties of starch. As compared to their native counterparts, modified starches are gaining a significant market growth due to their enhanced functionalities and applications. Starch: Advances in Modifications, Technologies and Applications provides comprehensive coverage of the most recent advances in the modification techniques, their impact on functionality of starch and potential application food industries. Starch is a vital ingredient for food processing industries and it has been covered thoroughly in different books. However, none of the books currently on the market have covered the most recent advances in modification techniques and their derivatives including the functional, engineering, thermo-pasting, rheological, structural and morphological properties of starch. This text comprehensively covers almost all the starch modifications, reviewing the derivatives of modification techniques and compiling all the changes in properties to provide an understanding and perspective of these innovative applications. From the history of starch production to current chemical and physical modifications, this book offers researchers all the information they need on starch modifications in a single source.
Starch-based Nanomaterials (SpringerBriefs in Food, Health, and Nutrition)
by Cristian Camilo Villa ZabalaStarch is one of the most important natural and biodegradable polymers on Earth. It is used by many plants as an energy reserve, and due to its biocompatibility and relatively easy structural modification, it is widely used in the cosmetic, food, pharmaceutical and materials industries. In recent years, interest in starch has increased due to the development of starch-based nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are small particles—diameters ranging from 10 nm to 500 nm—that can be highly crystalline (nanocrystals) or completely amorphous (nanoparticles). Owing to their versatility, starch-based nanomaterials can be used as carriers of bioactive molecules to improve medical treatments or nutrient absorption. They can also be used as reinforcement in composite materials, improving their mechanical and barrier properties, and new potential applications are continuously reported in the literature. This brief provides a quick guide to the exciting world of starch-based nanomaterials, including their chemical and physical characteristics as well as their synthesis methods and most common applications.
Starch, Chitin and Chitosan Based Composites and Nanocomposites (SpringerBriefs in Molecular Science)
by Merin Sara Thomas Rekha Rose Koshy Siji K. Mary Sabu Thomas Laly A. Pothan<p>This brief explores recent progress in the area of polysaccharides and their composites and nanocomposites. It is a complete resource for the evolving field of polysaccharide based biomaterials and their applications in different fields. The volume focuses on their composition, properties, characterization, chemistry and applications and also highlights recent developments in polysaccharide based composites and nanocomposites spurred by advances in polymer technology and biotechnology. <p>Divided into different sections featuring alginates, carrageenans, cellulose, starch, chitin, chitosan, gums, etc, each chapter presents chemical, physical, and biological attributes, and reviews the recent research performed such as drug carriers, selective water absorption materials from oil-water emulsions, purification of water, biomedical applications, etc. The authors hope that this brief will help to inspire scientists towards novel sources for chemicals, materials, and energy in the years to come.</p>
Starch in the Bioeconomy
by Jean-Luc Wertz Bénédicte GoffinStarch is the most widespread and abundant reserve carbohydrate in plants and is unique in that it can be used for the production of food, materials in bio-based products, and energy. Starch in the Bioeconomy covers the structure, biosynthesis, biodegradation, properties, and applications of starch in the context of the bioeconomy. The book Describes the present state of cognition of the starch granule Discusses physicochemical aspects and digestibility Considers physical, chemical, and biochemical processes to yield a variety of starch substrates Examines starch-based products including bioethanol, plastics, and composites and their use in various sectors including food, materials and energy Covers the valorization of starch as a pillar of the bioeconomy The book is aimed at researchers and industry professionals focused on the development of starch science, technology, and economics. Built on a reliable and well-documented base of information, the book presents the paths that remain to be taken to decipher this still mysterious resource that has contributed so much to the rise of humanity.
Starch Nanomaterials and Food Applications
by Germán Ayala ValenciaStarch nanomaterials can be classified as nanocrystals, nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanomicelles and nanovesicles which are produced by both "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches. Starch nanomaterials feature advanced structures with different physicochemical properties than those found in native starches. In the food industry, starch nanomaterials can be used to reduce spoilage and oxidation in food products or as shell wall materials for encapsulating hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds, as well as to improve physicochemical properties in foods and food packaging.Starch Nanomaterials and Food Applications presents an exhaustive analysis of the most recent advances in the production of starch nanomaterials and their use in food applications. This text brings together recent advances in the production and food applications of starch nanomaterials. All of the main starches will be covered, including nanocrystals, nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanovesicles,nanomicelles. The food applications of starch nanomaterials are covered in full, including adsorptive and encapsulating materials, emulsifiers and texturizingmaterials and functional food and packaging ingredients. A further section focuses on the human and environmental impacts of starch nanomaterials.
Starch Structure, Functionality and Application in Foods
by Shujun WangThe book summarizes the latest research on starch structures and how these structures occur during food processing and storage. Discussing the origins, multi-scale granule structures and functional properties of starch as well as starch digestion, it focuses on the relationship between starch structure and functionality, the phase transition mechanism, the molecular disassembly and self-assembly of starch during food processing and storage and their effects on starch digestion. As such, the book provides a comprehensive overview of starch structure and functionality for researchers and postgraduate students in the field of food chemistry, carbohydrate polymers, polymer chemistry, food ingredients and food processing as well as human nutrition and health..
Stardust
by Charlene BrussoWhere do all the metals on earth come from? They were all made by stars! In this science story, you'll discover how the fusion of atoms in dying stars in space creates enough heat and energy to make metals.
Stardust
by Sun KwokHow did life originate on Earth? For over 50 years, scientists believed that life was the result of a chemical reaction involving simple molecules such as methane and ammonia cooking in a primordial soup. Recent space observations have revealed that old stars are capable of making very complex organic compounds. At some point in their evolution, stars eject those organics and spread them all over the Milky Way galaxy. There is evidence that these organic dust particles actually reached the early Solar System. Through bombardments by comets and asteroids, the young Earth inherited significant amounts of stardust. Was the development of life assisted by the arrival of these extraterrestrial materials? In this book, the author describes stunning discoveries in astronomy and solar system science made over the last 10 years that have yielded a new perspective on the origin of life. Other interesting topics discussed in this book The discovery of diamonds and other gemstones in space The origin of oil Neon signs and fluorescent lights in space Smoke from the stars Stardust in our hands Where oceans come from The possibility of bacteria in space
Stardust Final Conference
by Massimiliano Vasile Edmondo Minisci Leopold Summerer Peter McGintySpace debris and asteroid impacts pose a very real, very near-term threat to Earth. In order to help study and mitigate these risks, the Stardust program was formed in 2013. This training and research network was devoted to developing and mastering techniques such as removal, deflection, exploitation, and tracking. This book is a collection of many of the topics addressed at the Final Stardust Conference, describing the latest in asteroid monitoring and how engineering efforts can help us reduce space debris. It is a selection of studies bringing together specialists from universities, research institutions, and industry, tasked with the mission of pushing the boundaries of space research with innovative ideas and visionary concepts.Topics covered by the Symposium:Orbital and Attitude Dynamics ModelingLong Term Orbit and Attitude EvolutionParticle Cloud Modeling and SimulationCollision and Impact Modelling and Simulation, Re-entry Modeling and SimulationAsteroid Origins and CharacterizationOrbit and Attitude DeterminationImpact Prediction and Risk Analysis, Mission Analysis-Proximity Operations, Active Removal/Deflection Control Under Uncertainty, Active Removal/Deflection Technologies, and Asteroid Manipulation
The Stardust Revolution
by Jacob BerkowitzThree great scientific revolutions have shaped our understanding of the cosmos and our relationship to it. The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries witnessed the Copernican Revolution, which bodychecked the Earth as the pivot point of creation and joined us with the rest of the cosmos as one planet among many orbiting the Sun. Three centuries later came the second great scientific revolution: the Darwinian Revolution. It removed us from a distinct, divine biological status to place us wholly in the ebb and flow of all terrestrial life. This book describes how we're in the midst of a third great scientific revolution, five centuries in the making: the Stardust Revolution. It is the merging of the once-disparate realms of astronomy and evolutionary biology, and of the Copernican and Darwinian Revolutions, placing life in a cosmic context. This book takes readers on a grand journey that begins on the summit of California's Mount Wilson, where astronomers first realized that the universe is both expanding and evolving, to a radio telescope used to identify how organic molecules--the building blocks of life--are made by stars. It's an epic story told through a scientific cast that includes some of the twentieth century's greatest minds--including Nobel laureate Charles Townes, who discovered cosmic water--as well as the most ambitious scientific explorers of the twenty-first century, those racing to find another living planet. Today, an entirely new breed of scientists--astrobiologists and astrochemists--are taking the study of life into the space age. Astrobiologists study the origins, evolution, and distribution of life, not just on Earth, but in the universe. Stardust science is filling in the missing links in our evolutionary story, ones that extend our family tree back to the stars.
Stardust, Supernovae and the Molecules of Life: Might We All Be Aliens? (Astronomers' Universe)
by Richard N. BoydWhere were the amino acids, the molecules of life, created: perhaps in a lightning storm in the early Earth, or perhaps elsewhere in the cosmos? This book argues that at least some of them must have been produced in the cosmos, and that the fact that the Earthly amino acids have a specific handedness provides an important clue for that explanation. The book discusses several models that purport to explain the handedness, ultimately proposing a new explanation that involves cosmic processing of the amino acids produced in space. The book provides a tour for laypersons that includes a definition of life, the Big Bang, stellar nucleosynthesis, the electromagnetic spectrum, molecules, and supernovae and the particles they produce.
Starfinder: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Exploring the Night Sky
by DKNow with removable planisphere! Starfinder lays out the universe clearly, highlighting the signposts in the sky and explaining the cosmology of the stars. Discover the wonders of the night sky with up-to-date information about the universe, including monthly charts to both the northern and southern hemisphere, and a section on observing the Moon, planets, and other bodies of the solar system.
Starfish: Biology and Ecology of the Asteroidea
by John M. LawrenceThe most complete illustrated scientific review of starfish ever published.Among the most fascinating animals in the world’s oceans are the more than 2,000 species of starfish. Called "Asteroids" by scientists who study them (after their taxonomic name, Asteroidea)—or sea stars in some parts of the world—starfish are easily recognized because of their star-like form. Starfish is a comprehensive volume devoted to the integrative and comparative biology and ecology of starfish.Written by the world's leading experts on starfish, the integrative section covers topics such as reproduction, developmental biology and ecology, larval ecology, and the ecological role of starfish as a group. The comparative section considers the biology and ecology of important species such as Acanthaster planci, Heliaster helianthoides, Asterias amurensis, and Pisaster ochraceus.Replete with detailed, scientifically accurate illustrations and the latest research findings, Starfish examines the important role of these invertebrates in the marine environment, a topic of great interest because of their impact on the food web. As major predators that are able to evert their stomach and wrap it around their prey, starfish can have a significant impact on commercial fisheries. Starfish are of interest not only to echinoderm specialists but also to marine biologists and invertebrate zoologists in general and, increasingly, to the medical community. A starfish’s ability to regenerate body parts is almost unequalled in the animal world, making them ideal models for basic science studies on the topic. Contributors: Charles D. Amsler, Bill J. Baker, Mario Barahona, Michael F. Barker, Maria Byrne, Juan Carlos Castilla, Katharina Fabricius, Patrick Flammang, Andrew S. Gale, Carlos F. Gaymer, Jean-François Hamel, Elise Hennebert, John H. Himmelman, Michel Jangoux, John M. Lawrence, Tatiana Manzur, James B. McClintock, Bruce A. Menge, Annie Mercier, Anna Metaxas, Sergio A. Navarette, Timothy D. O’Hara, John S. Pearse, Carlos Robles, Eric Sanford, Robert E. Scheibling, Richard L. Turner, Carlos Renato R. Ventura, Kristina M. Wasson, Stephen A. Watts
Stargazers: Astronomers in Ancient Times
by Jo PitkinLong ago ancient peoples around the world studied the skies. What did the first stargazers learn?
The Stargazer's Guide: How to Read Our Night Sky
by Emily WinterburnThe Stargazer’s Guide is an accessible astronomy guide to the history, science, and myth of the night sky, perfect for anyone entranced by the stars. Guiding readers through what there is to see in the sky, why it’s interesting, and how previous generations viewed and interpreted it, expert stargazer Emily Winterburn entertains and informs with this fun, accessible, and appealing look at the beauty of the heavens.
The Stargazer's Handbook: The Definitive Field Guide To The Night Sky
by Giles SparrowFrom the craters of the Moon to the far reaches of Orion, The Stargazer's Handbook will enable you to explore space without leaving the comforts of Earth. All you need are a pair of binoculars and a clear night sky to experience the wonders of the universe.This book will take you on a journey through space, beginning with our own moon and neighboring planets before exploring the fascinating sights of deep space-from hypergiant suns and stellar nurseries to blazing nebulae and swirling galaxies. Each star, planet, or constellation is fully illustrated and accompanied by an annotated star map, as well as close-up images that zoom in on areas of interest.Featuring up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, monthly sky maps for both northern and southern hemispheres, history and mythology of all 88 constellations and the rationale behind the names of stars and constellations, The Stargazer's Handbook will fully equip you with the tools to navigate-and understand-the night sky.
Stargazing: Photographs of the Night Sky from the Archives of NASA
by Nirmala NatarajThis collection of photographs illuminates the darkness of space in a whole new way. Images from the archives of NASA reveal the night sky's most extraordinary phenomena, from the radiant aurora borealis to awe-inspiring lunar eclipses. Science geeks, photography fans, and stargazers will pore over this earth's eye view of the cosmos. Each breathtaking photo is paired with an informative caption about the scientific phenomena it reveals and the technology used to capture it. Featuring a preface by Bill Nye, this ebook will rekindle the wonder of looking up at the stars.
Stargazing For Dummies
by Steve OwensReach for the stars Stargazing is the practice of observing the night sky and its contents - from constellations through to planets and galaxies. Stars and other night sky objects can be seen with the naked eye, or seen in greater numbers and in more detail with binoculars or a telescope. Stargazing For Dummies offers you the chance to explore the night sky, providing a detailed guide to the main constellations and also offering advice on viewing other night sky objects such as planets and nebulae. It's a great introduction to a fun new hobby, and even provides a fun way to get the kids outside while doing something educational! Gives you an introduction to looking at the sky with binoculars or a telescope Offers advice on photographing the night sky Without needing to get your head around mind-bending theories, you can take part in some practical physics If you're looking for easy-to-follow guidance on getting to know the night sky, Stargazing For Dummies has you covered.
Stargazing Under Suburban Skies: A Star-Hopper's Guide (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)
by Malcolm Zack Andrew Gannon John McRobertsAnyone interested in astronomy battles with the conveniences of modern living – street lights, advertising and security lighting, tall buildings, and even the occasional tree. More than 85% of the population now lives in crowded and light-polluted towns and cities. This book is for those who live in or near towns and cities and own relatively modest equipment, although observers with larger instruments will still find many of the target objects of interest. The book encourages the use of star-hopping techniques to find objects in the night sky.Included is a list of 100 popular deep sky objects, ranked according to how difficult they are to find. Each object is described and has companion star-hopping charts, images and sometimes sketches. As a result, readers can gain a sense of their own backyard view from Earth. There is also a top 30 list of lunar objects, a section on planetary observing, annotated lists of popular astronomy apps and software, and tips on how to make the most of your location.Stargazing Under Suburban Skies: A Star-Hopper’s Guide is the essential companion to what can be seen and how, regardless of the obstacles.
Starlight
by Keith RobinsonThis is a book about the physics of stars and starlight. The story of starlight is truly fascinating. Astronomers analyze and interpret the light from stars using photometry and spectroscopy, then inspirational detective work combines with the laws of physics to reveal the temperatures, masses, luminosities and outer structure of these far away points of light. The laws of physics themselves enable us to journey to the very center of a star and to understand its inner structure and source of energy! Starlight provides an in-depth study of stellar astrophysics that requires only basic high school mathematics and physics, making it accessible to all amateur astronomers. Starlight teaches amateur astronomers about the physics of stars and starlight in a friendly, easy-to-read way. The reader will take away a profoundly deeper understanding of this truly fascinating subject - and find his practical observations more rewarding and fulfilling as a result.
Starlight Detectives
by Alan HirshfeldDiscover magazine "Top 5 Summer Read"Scientific American "Recommended" feature review"A masterful balance of science, history and rich narrative." -Discover magazine"Starlight Detectives is just the sort of richly veined book I love to read-full of scientific history and discoveries, peopled by real heroes and rogues, and told with absolute authority. Alan Hirshfeld's wide, deep knowledge of astronomy arises not only from the most careful scholarship, but also from the years he's spent at the telescope, posing his own questions to the stars." -DAVA SOBEL, author of A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos and LongitudeIn 1929, Edwin Hubble announced the greatest discovery in the history of astronomy since Galileo first turned a telescope to the heavens. The galaxies, previously believed to float serenely in the void, are in fact hurtling apart at an incredible speed: the universe is expanding. This stunning discovery was the culmination of a decades-long arc of scientific and technical advancement. In its shadow lies an untold, yet equally fascinating, backstory whose cast of characters illuminates the gritty, hard-won nature of scientific progress.The path to a broader mode of cosmic observation was blazed by a cadre of nineteenth-century amateur astronomers and inventors, galvanized by the advent of photography, spectral analysis, and innovative technology to create the entirely new field of astrophysics. From William Bond, who turned his home into a functional observatory, to John and Henry Draper, a father and son team who were trailblazers of astrophotography and spectroscopy, to geniuses of invention such as Léon Foucault, and George Hale, who founded the Mount Wilson Observatory, Hirshfeld reveals the incredible stories-and the ambitious dreamers-behind the birth of modern astronomy.Alan Hirshfeld, Professor of Physics at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and an Associate of the Harvard College Observatory, is the author of Parallax: The Race to Measure the Cosmos, The Electric Life of Michael Faraday, and Eureka Man: The Life and Legacy of Archimedes.
The Starling: The perfect Christmas gift for bird lovers (The Bird Biography Series)
by Stephen Moss‘Stephen Moss delights once more - lyrical and informative by turns, he conjures - with breathless eloquence - another feathered beauty of our skies.’ Benedict Allen'An engrossing compilation of ornithological tidbits, cultural anecdotes, literary quotes and well chosen historical artwork’ BBC Wildlife, *Books of the Year*Uncover the life of starlings through this beautiful guide to these majestic and gregarious birds from the bestselling author of The Owl, The Robin, The Wren, and The Swan. Even with its exquisite iridescent plumage and magical gift to mimic both human and natural sounds, this common garden bird can often be overlooked. But as they unite in their thousands to display their unique ability to perform dazzling aerial manoeuvres known as murmurations, starlings are nothing short of breathtaking. This is the captivating story of how starlings have shaped our world, from influencing agriculture and inspiring musicians such as Mozart and writers such as Shakespeare, to their impact as an invasive species in North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.With beautiful illustrations throughout, and an expert guide to the most magnificent murmurations in the UK, this eye-opening biography reveals the hidden secrets of one of our most talented and luminous birds.
Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird
by Mike StarkHas there ever been a more hated bird than the European starling? Let loose in New York City&’s Central Park by a misguided aristocrat, the starlings were supposed to help curb insect outbreaks and add to the tuneful choir of other songbirds. Rather than staying put, the dark and speckled starlings marched across the continent like a conquering army. In less than sixty years, they were in every state in the contiguous United States and their numbers topped two hundred million. Cities came under siege; crops buckled beneath their weight. Public sentiment quickly soured. A bitter, baffling, and sometimes comical war on starlings ensued. Weapons included dynamite, guns, bounties, fake owls, real owls, rubber snakes, balloons, itching powder, and greased building ledges. Still, artists and scientists marveled at their undulating aerial formations, which seemed equal parts poetry and mathematics. Keen listeners recognized the starling as one of the world&’s great vocal mimics, imitating everything from fellow birds and cell phones to barking dogs, car alarms, and TV commercials. And then there were their undeniable skills of adaptation and survival. What if there was more to these stubborn villains than once thought? Mike Stark&’s Starlings is a first-of-its-kind history of starlings in America, an oddball, love-hate story at the intersection of human folly, ornithology, and one bird&’s tenacious will to endure.
Starlore of the Constellations: The Astronomy, Myth and Symbolism of the Night Sky
by Geoffrey CorneliusIMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE STORIES OF THE SKYDiscover the mysteries of celestial mythology with this comprehensive introduction to the constellations and the stars that comprise them. This fascinating practical guide unveils the myths, legends and symbolic significance that the stars have assumed in many cultures and ancient civilizations across the world. Illustrated with stunning artwork and detailed star maps: This is an essential guide for both beginner stargazers and experienced astronomers.Embark on a celestial journey: From Babylonians to Native Americans to Ancient Greeks, learn how humans have connected with the cosmos throughout history, shedding light on our continuing fascination with the heavens.No prior knowledge needed: This book focuses on aspects that can be seen with the naked eye or binoculars. It&’s also the ideal companion for mobile star-viewing apps.All 88 major and minor constellations, plus the planets, are included: Through the starlore of hundreds of individual stars, lose yourself in the magic of the night sky.